Manila Standard - 2018 December 10 - Monday by Manila Standard

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 298 • 4 SECTIONS 24 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

RECYCLING IN STYLE. Members of EcoWaste Coalition, Buklod Kabataan and DeafEye at a gathering in Quezon City demonstrate the many ways of transforming unwanted materials and garbage into elegant decorations to beautify homes, schools and offices this Christmas season. It’s called recycling by any other name that will not only enhance the Christmas spirit but also reduce the volume of waste for disposal. Manny Palmero

Arroyo zaps term limits

Final action via 3rd reading as House takes up Cha-Cha By Rio N. Araja

ONGRESS is set to approve on third and final reading a proposal amending the 1987 Constitution that would lift the term limits of lawmakers and local officials.

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 15, or the draft federal charter, a priority measure of the Duterte administration, would be passed before the House of Representatives goes on Christmas Break on Saturday. “Because it was passed on second reading, [then] three days after the copy is circulated, we should be taking it up on third reading, hopefully that would be

PROTEST MOVEMENT. Protesters wearing yellow vests stand next to a burning tree, as they demonstrate against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes near the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on Dec. 8, 2018. The ‘yellow vest’ movement in France originally started as a protest against planned fuel increases but has morphed into a mass action denouncing the French president’s policies and top-down style of governing. AFP

Balangiga handover Lawyers’ group bucks Revilla’s acquittal peals PH-US alliance By Rey E. Requejo By Nat Mariano THE handover of the three Balangiga bells on Tuesday will put a “closure” to that episode of history between the United States and the Philippines, Malacañang said Sunday. “We consider the occasion as an afﬁrmation of our strong and enduring relations with our long-standing ally the United States,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. “We thank them for this gesture that would formally put a closure to a tragic and contentious episode in both our countries’ history.” The bells were taken by the American soldiers in 1901 as spoils of war after Filipino revolutionaries supposedly used them to signal the attack on the American soldiers in the town of Balangiga during the Philippine-American War. Two of the bells were kept at the FE Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Next page

THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Sunday prodded the Office of the Ombudsman to file a motion for reconsideration of the Sandiganbayan decision last week to acquit former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. of plunder in the pork barrel scam. IBP national president Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo said that Ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutors should file an appeal of the decision of the Sandiganbayan First Division, particularly its civil aspect. Senator Ramon Revilla Jr.

Coast Guard exec indicted for P689-m mess THE Court of Appeals has upheld the resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman recommending the indictment of a ranking official of the Philippine Coast Guard for illegal cash advances amounting to P689.6 million. This came after the CA’s Special 15th Division through Associate Justice Carmelita Salandanan Manahan denied the petition filed by Capt. Christopher Villa-

corte, who sought to stop his prosecution for alleged involvement in the anomalous use of multi-million-peso cash advances. The Ombudsman had accused Villacorte and three other ranking PCG ofﬁcials of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The Ombudsman also found him together with the coast guard ofﬁcials Next page

Police, AFP cite reasons for ML

A POLICE spokesman said Sunday that expectations of intensiﬁed rebel attacks during the 2019 elections prompted the Philippine National Police and the military to recommend an extension of martial law in Mindanao. In an interview with radio dzBB, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Benigno Durana said the rebel activity was expected to continue beyond the May 2019 elections, and that the police would be in a better position to handle this if martial law—which expires Dec. 31, 2018—were extended by a year. Next page

Pump prices: Gas up; diesel, down By Alena Mae S. Flores SEAOIL Philippines and Petro Gazz announced a P0. 40 per liter increase in gasoline and P0.10 per liter rollback for diesel effective 6 am Tuesday to reﬂect the movement of prices in the world market. Oil players earlier announced that pump prices will likely increase for gasoline by P0.30 to P0.40 per liter this week but will continue to cut the price of diesel by P0.10 to P0.15 per liter. Next page

Monday,” she said. She earlier denied that she rushed the bill through its passage on second reading. “It was part of the democratic process. There was a debate. It was voted on,” she said. RBH No. 15 aims for a presidentialbicameral-federal system of government and would empower Congress to establish federal states by convening Congress into a constituent assembly. Next page

Endangered bird species: Cockatoo PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan—Penal authorities, village leaders, and conservationists renewed a memorandum of agreement designed to protect the critically endangered Philippine cockatoo or “katala” inside the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm. Next page

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By Nat Mariano and Rio N. Araja THE Communist Party of the Philippines’ criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte’s policy on the West Philippine Sea is “pathetic,” the Palace said Sunday. The Palace also urged CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison to return to the country and see for himself what it described as Duterte’s independent and pragmatic policy on dealing with contested waters. “We ﬁnd it lamentable and pathetic that CPP founding chairperson Jose Maria Sison resorted to ad hominem attacks in criticizing the President’s policy on the West Philippine Sea,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. But the Makabayan Bloc in Congress on Sunday slammed the government over the arrest of National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Rey Casambre and his wife, Patricia, as well as eight other people for murder and attempted murder raps ﬁled in a lower court in Davao Oriental. The arrest was “highly preposterous,” the group said and added that four of the accused were staying and working in Manila. The group challenged the arrest and said many of the accused were elders and even suffering from ailments. The arrest was “utterly absurd,” the group said. Panelo said Sison based his attacks on a two-year-old article by an international political risk analyst who has worked for several projects with an institution that the communists strongly denounce, the United States military. He was reacting to an article published on July 15, 2016, or two weeks into the Duterte presidency. “[This] clearly proves that he [Sison] is out-of-touch of the realities in the Philippines as a result of more than three decades of high living in Europe,” Panelo said. “We urge Mr. Sison to stop his propaganda war by long distance and to return to the Philippines and see for himself the independent foreign policy course that the President has charted, including a cautious, pragmatic and diplomatic stance on how to deal with the favorable arbitral ruling.” Panelo then defended Duterte’s action in terms of dealing in international matters that concern the disputed waterways. He said Duterte was in the best position to decide on the issues on the West Philippine Sea as he had a wealth of information at his disposal. He said Sison should accept the reality that the CPP’s dream of wresting political power from the government had come to an end, stressing that the 50 years of believing in the CPP’s ideal had “only resulted in meaningless deaths and destruction to property.” “Truly, the revolution that he has commenced half a century ago has devoured its own children,” Panelo said. In his remarks, Sison called the President a “traitor and a dopehead” for failing to make diplomatic protests and to sue China in the courts of the US and other countries for violating Philippine sovereign rights.

Coast Guard... From A1

administratively liable for dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and imposed upon them the penalty of dismissal. In ruling against the petitioner, the appellate court held that Villacorte conspired with retired coast guard chief Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, Capt. Joeven Fabul and PCG Accounting Head Rogelio Caguioa in deliberately disregarding the conduct of competitive bidding as mandated by law by signing documents that were necessary to ensure the special cash advances. “Here, it is evidence that there is a ﬂagrant disregard of law. Thus, grave misconduct is present in this case,” the CA said. The appellate court also agreed with the ﬁndings of the Ombudsman that Villacorte is guilty of serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. It noted that the petitioner, as a special

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The Department of Energy said this week’s oil price movement was inﬂuenced by several factors. DOE said in its latest monitoring report that US oil prices stabilized on Friday, buoyed by a fall in US crude oil inventories. The producer group Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, however, agreed to cut production by 1.2 million barrels a day by Jan. 1 in a bid to reverse falls in prices in recent months.

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Cops prepare to arrest Trillanes

Palace deplores Joma’s ‘pathetic’ attacks on Rody

Pump prices:...

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ATIONAL Capital Region Police Office Chief Guillermo Eleazar said Sunday they had received a copy of the warrant of arrest against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV over the libel case filed against him by former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte. “Yes, we already have a copy of the warrant of arrest against Senator Trillanes, which was issued by a court in Davao City,” Eleazar told Super Radyo dzBB. He said the document was issued last Friday. Eleazar made his statement even as one of Trillanes’ lawyers said Trillanes

may not be arrested while Congress was in session, and even if a court had issued a warrant against him. Trillanes “cannot be arrested” until the session was adjourned, Paciﬁco Agabin, former dean of the UP College of Law, told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday. In a statement issued later in the day, Eleazar said the NCRPO, on its own ini-

tiative, “secured copies of the four warrants of arrest for Trillanes over the four counts of libel against him in Regional Trial Court Branch 54 in Davao City.” Duterte filed the libel complaints against Trillanes over the senator’s claims linking him to the smuggling of billions of pesos worth of shabu and to the extortion of ridesharing firm Uber and other firms. Branch 54 Judge Melinda AlconcelDayanghirang set the bail for Trillanes’ temporary liberty at P24,000, which the senator said he would process on Monday. Eleazar said they had already coordinated with the office of the Sergeantat-Arms of the Senate with regard to Trillanes’ case.

Police, AFP...

But Gordon also wanted limitations put in because he didn’t want the government to turn to martial law every time there was a problem. Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under martial law on May 23, 2017 after the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group overran Marawi City. Congress, responding to requests from the President, has already extended martial law twice. Gordon said he expected to see some evidence justifying the extension of martial law again, and to determine if there were really an imminent threat when military and police ofﬁcials brief both chambers of Congress on Wednesday. House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, however, said the approval

of the extension was a mere formality. “We’ve seen no shooting. But it does not mean that Mindanao is safe from the recurrence of terrorism similar of that Marawi crisis. The police and military analyze and understand the situation. And let’s give that option to them. I urge my colleagues to adhere to their request,” he said. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave President Rodrigo Duterte the assurance that Congress would likely grant the extension. “If it comes to our chamber, I will recommend that we pass it,” she said. House Majority Floor Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. added: “If the President will ask for it, then chances are it shall be given.” Rio N. Araja

While Fajardo agreed with the position of Ombudsman Samuel Martires that the acquittal of Revilla on the criminal aspect can no longer be appealed and brought to a higher court due to the rule on double jeopardy, he argued that the civil liability of the former senator could still be appealed. Martires earlier said the prosecutors would no longer appeal the decision. The Sandiganbayan found Revilla liable in the civil aspect when it ordered him and two other accused, his former chief of staff Richard Cambe and pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim Napoles, to return the P124.5 million to the national treasury. But Fajardo, after reading the decision, said the amount should be P60 million higher, or P184.5 million. “The prosecution may move for a partial reconsideration of the decision, and insist that it was able to adduce evidence showing that the accused are liable to pay P185 million as discussed in the dissenting opinion,” Fajardo said. “Recovery of P60 million more is certainly a worthy cause that the prosecution may opt to bring this up to the Supreme Court [if the] reconsideration is denied in the Sandiganbayan,” he said. He said that while Revilla was acquitted in the criminal charge, it does not necessarily follow that he was likewise absolved of civil liability. He said conviction on the criminal charge requires proof beyond reasonable doubt, while a judgment of liability on the

civil charge requires only a preponderance of evidence. “In the Revilla case, the majority acquitted Senator Revilla on the ground that the prosecution was unable to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. But while the Court entertained reasonable doubt, it would seem that it was convinced that the prosecution was able to submit a preponderance of evidence that Senator Revilla must be held as equally accountable to the People of the Philippines with respect to the return of the money lost by virtue of the PDAF scam,” the IBP national president said, referring to the priority development assistance fund or pork barrel. “The confusion of the public is most likely because the civil aspect of the judgment was not discussed with more detail in the majority decision,” Fajardo said. Fajardo’s predecessor, former IBP national president Vicente Joyas, however, disagreed. “He is not liable civilly because there are no ﬁndings by the Sandiganbayan that his liability is only civil and not criminal,” he said. “The dispositive portion refers to the accused, meaning the two who were convicted [Cambe and Napoles]. It does not refer to Bong [Revilla] because of the acquittal,” he added. Voting 3-2, the Sandiganbayan ruled that “not a single [piece of] evidence” was presented by the Ofﬁce of the Ombudsman’s prosecution panel to prove that Revilla received rebates, commissions or kickbacks from the allocation of his PDAF or pork barrel to bogus non-gov-

ernment organizations set up by Napoles. The magistrates who voted to acquit Revilla also gave weight to the recantation of whistle-blowers Marina Sula and Mary Arlene Baltazar. The two testiﬁed early this year that Revilla was not aware of the forging of his signatures on various endorsement letters for the release of his PDAF to the Napoles-linked NGOs. Sula added that it was pork scam star witness Benhur Luy who forged Revilla’s signature. The Palace said it would not interfere with the functions of the judiciary. “Detractors and critics of the President are quick to malign the administration thinking that it has a role in decisions deliberated upon and pronounced by courts of law. For their information, we do not,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo. “As we have said, we respect the independence of the other branches, he said. The Palace statement came after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV lambasted the Duterte administration for hailing its critics to court on trumped-charges and setting free the accused plunderers of the country. “The justice system in the country is in reverse. The plunderers have been set free. The critics will then be given a case to put them behind bars,” Trillanes said on Friday. The lawmaker has been ordered arrested by a Regional Trial Court in Davao City in connection with the libel complaint ﬁled against him by Duterte’s son, former Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte. His bail was set to P24,000.

disbursing officer, signed documents that were necessary before the special cash advances were effected. He also certified that these cash advances were necessary and lawful. “Consequently, these caused serious damage and grave prejudice to the government since the latter was not able to procure the needed properties at the lowest price possible through a competitive bidding. Thus, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service is present in this case,” the appellate court said. The case stemmed from an anonymous complaint received by the Ombudsman about the supposed anomalies in the use of PCG funds, particularly with respect to the liquidation of cash advances and the reimbursements of expenses for the year 2014 based on the Audit Observation Memorandum issued by the COA on April 15, 2015. As indicated in the COA report, PCG’s general ledger showed that cash advances granted to 21 special disbursing officers totaled P689,640,806 as of Dec. 31, 2014,

with total liquidations of P633,612,786. The cash advances were authorized and recommended by Isorena, Fabul, and Caguioa, in their respective capacities as commandant, deputy chief for comptrollership and accounting head. Based on COA’s report, the disbursement vouchers showed that they lacked the required ofﬁce orders duly designating the respective recipients as SDOs. Aside from some business establishments not being in the addresses indicated in the sales invoices, cash invoices or ofﬁcials receipts, COA’s validation of liquidation documents also yielded denials from some of the establishments they located, particularly with respect to the issuances of receipts and invoices. Villacorte admitted that he was designated as SDO for Coast Guard Education Training with an accountability of P2 million. He insisted that he complied with rules and regulations on case advances. He said among the expenses charged to the special cash advance were the training of personnel for West Philippine Sea deployment, exercises with visiting foreign

naval and coast guard force and special trainings under the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty. “The contention of the petitioner is bereft of merit, the training programs are not within the extraordinary circumstances that will justify a resort to the alternative methods of bidding…Furthermore, it must be noted that there is no imminent danger to life or property nor other causes where immediate action is necessary,” the CA said. Associate Justices Mario Lopez and Gabriel Robeniol concurred with the ruling. In September, the CA also found coast guard internal auditor Cdr. John B. Esplana liable for serious dishonesty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service and imposing upon him the penalty of dismissal from the service for his involvement in the same anomaly. The CA also afﬁrmed the ruling issued by Ombudsman last year, which found PCG Rear Admiral Cecil Chen, now retired, administratively liable for the same anomaly. Rey E. Requejo

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He added, however, that Congress would have the ﬁnal say. “We are not here to implement the law or interpret policy. We just have to provide the necessary input and allow our leaders and politicians in Congress to decide if there really is a need to extend… martial law for another year,” he said. In a separate interview also on radio dzBB, Senator Richard Gordon said rebel groups such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were still terrorizing parts of Mindanao, which could be a basis for extending martial law.

Lawyers’ group... From A1

DOE said oil producers have been hit by a 30-percent plunge in crude prices since October due to oversupply but demand outlook has weakened amid a global economic slowdown. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said last week that Qatar’s decision to leave OPEC will also have an impact on oil prices globally. “Qatar will be acting more independently and hopefully that would increase their production and increase the supply in the world market. If there will be more supply, then the price would go down,” Cusi said.

Balangiga... From A1

Wyoming, while the other has been in an American base in South Korea called Camp Red Cloud. Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte, who demanded the return of the Balangiga bells, will lead the handover ceremony at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Defense Secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana, who is expected to sign a document to formally accept the bells, said he was not sure if Duterte would give a speech. “Initially, they said the President will not speak, but he said he will be there,” Lorenza-

na said. He said US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim will give a speech and read a message from US Defense Secretary James Mattis. Lorenzana said the bells will be turned over by the US after spending over a century on foreign soil. “The aircraft that will be bringing the three bells will arrive before lunch at Villamor Airbase,” he said. “They are going to unload the bells, they are going to remove it from the crate and put it on display.” The US promised to return the bells three months ago after Duterte said no further discussions would be held between the US and the Philippines unless the bells were returned.

“Nakipag-ugnayan tayo sa Sergeant-atArms. Wala siya doon sa Senado nu’ng last Friday,” Eleazar said. “Wala rin siya doon [sa bahay].” Nevertheless, Eleazar said, Trillanes would promptly process his posting of bail. He also said they would abide by the constitutional provision saying a member of Congress may not be arrested while Congress is in session. Trillanes has said he is willing to turn himself in on Monday so he can post bail. Trillanes also recently faced arrest over the rebellion charges against him after President Rodrigo Duterte last month “revoked” the amnesty given to him in 2011.

Budget chief faces Congress’ Question Hour CONGRESS has summoned Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to take part in its Question Hour tomorrow afternoon to shed light on the questions related to the deliberations on the P3.757-trillion proposed national budget for 2019. On Dec. 4, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 2307 as Resolution HR00158, which was filed by House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez. The resolution required the “appearance and participation of Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno in the Question Hour regarding the 2019 election budget.” Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. required Diokno to appear at the Plenary Session Hall on Dec. 11 to answer questions from House members. He also sent Diokno the proposed questions to be discussed during the question hour. “Further, you are also required to bring all pertinent documents such as disbursements, releases and office memos addressed to all government offices, among others,” the communication read. Suarez filed the measure originally as HR 2307 on Nov. 11. The summons to Diokno is part of the congressional “powers to conduct legislative inquiries and exercise oversight functions.” Suarez said cited the importance of Diokno’s appearance in the Question Hour, saying “issues regarding the budget insertions arise, thereby raising the possibility of having a reenacted budget for 2019.” Rio N. Araja

Arroyo... From A1

When asked about the absence of a provision against political dynasties, Arroyo said she had nothing to do with it. “You ask the chairman [of the House committee on constitutional amendments, Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso]. I did not participate in the debate because as I said, my only contribution there is the mechanism for setting up the federal states. The others are contributions of the other congressmen. They should answer for themselves,” she said. Under the House version of the charter, the president and vice president will be elected with each other to serve a four-year term and be subject to one reelection. The ﬁrst election will be held on the second Monday of May 2022.

Endangered bird... From A1

The covenant covers the conservation, protection, management, and preservation of the bird species’ known nesting and foraging grounds in 10 barangays in Puerto Princesa City. “Perhaps, unknown to our knowledge, the lowland forest of Iwahig is the third most important habitat of the katala,” said Indira Dayang LacernaWidmann, chief operations ofﬁcer of the Katala Foundation Inc. The ﬁrst important dwelling ground is Rasa Island in the southern Palawan town of Narra, followed by Balabac municipality, and the IPPF in the city in Barangay Iwahig, Lacerna-Widmann said. She said about 60 to 70 of the critically endangered bird, which is also known as the red-vented cockatoo, are dwelling in the IPPF’s lowland forests. “We might think that’s a small number and not important, but in the whole world, there are only now more or less 1,200 katala. They are only found in the Philippines and this is why Palawan is very important in cockatoo conservation,” she said. PNA

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

DTI: Rice at P34/kilo now available C

OMMERCIAL rice sold at prices ranging from P34 to P39 per kilo are now available at some supermarkets, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Sunday. That’s the good news for today, Lopez said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. DTI allowed selected retailers to import rice without going through traders as mandated by Administrative Order No. 13 approved by the National Food Authority Council in October. Robinsons Supermarket is the first outlet which already complied

with the new policy and could sell commercial rice at those prices. Robinsons has 88 branches in Manila selling rice lower than P40 per kilo, Lopez said. Lopez said that apart from Robinsons, Puregold and Gaisano will also start selling commercial rice at these prices soon. The suggested retail price for rice is

currently at P39 per kilo, Lopez said. At the height of supply shortages that sent rice prices soaring, ordinary rice vanished from store shelves, only special varieties were selling at no less than P55 per kilo, he said. The supply lack prompted the government to order the importation of rice. At least one million tons of rice entered the country this year, with the last batch comprising 750,000 tons, according to the NFA. The NFA said another one million metric tons of rice would be coming in next year, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said last Sept. 24.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez

STELLA MARIS@65. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and partner Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña lead the singing of the Philippine national anthem during the 65th Foundation Day of Stella Maris Academy of Davao in Davao City on Dec. 8, 2018. Presidential Photo

Extra funds eyed for 18 OFW centers SENATOR Sonny Angara has pushed for the need for additional funding to boost programs and services aimed at providing overseas Filipino workers with faster and more accessible government services. “The Senate will increase the budget of the Labor Department to improve its One-Stop Service Centers for OFWs to make government frontline services accessible to Filipinos who are currently working and planning to work abroad,” said Angara, vice chairman of Senate finance committee tasked to sponsor the budget of the Department of Labor and Employment. Angara said an extra P5 million will be earmarked for 18 one-stop service centers nationwide to make them fully equipped and operational. He said that augmenting the budget for frontline services for OFWs would further speed up the process for Filipinos looking to secure government-issued documents required for work abroad. Launched in 2016, the one-stop shop aims to make it easier for OFWs to avail of government services. It seeks to reduce their transportation expenses and shorten the processing time of their documents. In 2017, such centers served more than 1.4-million OFWs. The centers consolidate the services of at least 14 government agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Maritime Industry Authority. The Senate will likewise allocate additional P100 million for the emergency repatriation program of DOLE, Angara said. Angara, however, stressed that the government should ensure that decent jobs and livelihood opportunities are awaiting them here. Macon Araneta

Pines City no 12-m farmers, fishermen get big boost with P122-b Agri budget longer? Baguio rehab pushed By Macon Ramos Araneta

By Rio Araja AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Sunday raised alarm over the geo-hazards facing Baguio City and Benguet, which are prone to landslides. Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Unit Concerns Benny Antiporda also expressed concerns over the traffic situation in Baguio City, saying the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will consider the tourist spot’s rehabilitation following the rehabilitation and cleanup of Boracay Island in Aklan, El Nido in Palawan and Panglao in Bohol. He also lamented the loss of the city’s pine smell as a result of air pollution. “A study showed 70 percent of the areas in Baguio [City and even] in Benguet are geo-hazards or prone to landslides. Because of such, we will immediately focus our concern on these. We do not want a repeat of the Hyatt tragedy,” he said, referring to a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that destroyed the 12-story Hyatt Terraces Baguio on July 16, 1990, during which 50 people were killed. “We all know that most of the soil in Baguio [City] are saturated and its rocks are [already] fractured,” he added. Baguio City has yet to cope up with the traffic woes arising from the influx of its visitors, especially during the holidays. “Sad to say, because of the city’s [geographic] mountainous structures, we cannot do the expansion of road network,” Antiporda said. He added the city has already lost its distinctive pine smell due to air pollution The department will work out with the Baguio City government to consider the use of electric vehicles to lower the pollution level of the place, he said.

AT LEAST 12-million Filipino farmers and fisherfolks stand to benefit from the proposed P122-billion budget of the Department of Agriculture for next year, Senator Cynthia Villar said on Sunday. “We are hopeful that the proposed 2019 budget of DA will realize our goal of lifting Filipino farmers and fisherfolks out of poverty particularly rice and coconut farmers, who make up seven million of the 12-million farmers in the country,” said Villar. Villar, chairman of the committee on agriculture and food, said DA’s budget is 3.34 percent of the proposed national

budget amounting to P3.757 trillion. Under next year’s proposed budget, Villar said at least P20 billion was realigned to provide for standby appropriations for the rice and coconut farmers. Villar, sponsor of the bill in the Senate, also highlighted the P10-billion Rice Fund, the most significant component of the rice tariffication bill which will be spent to improve competitiveness and productivity of farmers. The Rice Fund will be allocated as follows: • 50 percent wil go to the Philippine Center for Post Harvest Development and Modernization to provide farmers with rice farm machineries and equipment;

• 30 percent will be released to the Philippine Rice Research Institute to be used for the development, propagation and promotion of inbred rice seeds to rice farmers and the organization of rice farmers into seed growers associations engaged in seed production and trade; • 10 percent will be made available in the form of credit facility with minimal interest rates and with minimum collateral requirements to rice farmers and cooperatives to be managed by the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines; and • 10 percent will be set aside to fund extension services by PhilMech, Agricultural Training Institute, and the

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for teaching skills on rice crop production, modern rice farming techniques, seed production, farm mechanization, and knowledge/ technology transfer through farm schools nationwide. “The P10 billion has also been earmarked for the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Fund to increase the income of coconut farmers and to support the developmental activities of the Philippine Coconut Authority. We are on track in removing the barriers that keep Filipino farmers and fisherfolks from being more competitive and profitable,” Villar said.

SM sets ‘Kamagong’ book launching on Dec. 12 at MOA IN CELEBRATION of the life and times of SM Senior Vice President for Engineering Design Department and Security Affairs Antolin V. Paule or more popularly known as Kamagong, a tribute book will be launched by SM and Media Touchstone Ventures Inc. on Dec. 12 at the SMX Mall of Asia. Aptly titled, Kamagong: Antolin V. Paule (His Legacy and Lifetime Service with SM), the 260-page coffee table book is a priceless gift of Hans Sy to the Paule family to honor the legacy of Kamagong who continuously served the 60-year-old SM from 1963 to 2018. The 82-year-old SM stalwart passed away last Aug. 7, 2018 after succumbing to the Big C. Authored by MTVI president and CEO Melandrew T. Velasco, who is popularly known as the family biographer of former President Fidel V. Ramos, the book traces the life of Kamagong growing up in the rural town of Lubao Pampanga to working with the SM Big Boss, Henry Sy and finally to serving his family, friends and colleagues up to his last days. For SM Prime Holdings Chairman Hans Sy who started working with Kamagong when he was just 13 years old, he describes Kamagong in the book’s foreword as “a rare find who comes only once in a lifetime.” “Literally, I worked side by side with him at our office in Echague, Manila,” says Hans adding that “each day, I was able to have a closer look at this man who was starting to have a reputation

BOOK PRESENTATION. SM Prime Holdings chairman Hans Sy (second from left) receives from Media Touchstone Ventures Inc. President and veteran author Melandrew Velasco (center) the final draft of the book titled, ‘Kamagong: Antolin V. Paule, His Legacy and Lifetime Service with SM,’ in the presence of the book primemovers Junjun Abcede, Manny Sy and Angel Paul Galang. for staunch discipline and dogged determination, never stopping to finish what was started.” Hans continues, “He deserves to be honored with this legacy book and more in fact, as he has dedicated much of his life in service of SM. More than the senior vice president of SM EDD Corp. and Security Affairs, or any other position he has held over the years, he is to us who knew him up close and personal as someone who is

a lasting inspiration to our lives. This book was made to make sure more people will know him and what his life represented, to touch their hearts and their lives.” “There is no doubt that Mr. Paule lived a truly remarkable life,” says Velasco who expects the book to serve as Kamagong’s lasting legacy, not only for his family and friends, but for everyone, including SM executives and employees, to learn more on how he walked his

talk, practiced what he preached, and lived by the intrinsic values and principles that he embraced in his lifetime such as integrity, loyalty, honesty, hard work and perseverance. Velasco and his MTVI book team have authored and published over 30 books over the last 15 years. The Kamagong book is Velasco’s 31st book published in tandem with the book prime movers namely Manny Sy, Sergio Yu, Junjun Abcede and Paul Galang.

Opinion

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

‘Baby, it’s cold outside’ But as the song becomes so-called “toxic,” US radio stations are removing it from their Christmas playlists, perhaps afraid of being attacked by the mob. But, this approach to “Baby, It’s IT’S that time of year again, where Cold Outside” has little to do with social justice warriors pour hate on the protecting women. What it proves is classic Christmas tune “Baby, It’s Cold that the younger generation completely Outside”—a popular song written by misses the point, because of their Frank Loesser in 1944. It is a call and overall ignorance of basic economics. When the song came out, it was response duet in which a man tries to seen as what it is, a play in courtship. convince a woman that she should stay The woman in this story holds all the the evening because the weather is cold and the trip home would be difﬁcult. cards, as the man tries, as best as he While the lyrics make no mention of can, to persuade her to stay the night. But why is she holding all the cards? any holiday, it is popularly regarded Look no further than when the as a Christmas song due to its winter male singer shows theme. obvious signs Loesser wrote he is craving the song for his what she offers wife and himself as a woman, Have pity on the to perform at remarking that parties. He sold unromantic, for they her “lips look the song to MGM, delicious,” all the which used it know not what they while she serenely for the 1949 do. declares that her ﬁlm Neptune’s sister, well, she’ll Daughter. It was be suspicious, sung by Esther while her brother Williams and Ricardo Montalbán, and won the will be there, standing by the door. As Donald Symonds explains in Academy Award. Since 1949, it has The Evolution of Human Sexuality, been sung by many singers, including Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean sex is a female resource. Female sexuality, by nature, is Martin, Michael Bublé, and Lady shaped by certain restraints that make Gaga. it scarce. That means their sexuality is In recent years, however, the romantic courtship tune is being called naturally more valuable. In addition, a “rape” song, thanks in part to some the added costs of female fertility, such misplaced, hysterical outrage linked to as the toll it takes on women’s mental and physical health, all force women the Me Too movement. The Me Too movement, with many to care for their sexuality in a way men international alternative names, is a don’t. Unlike men, whose sexuality movement against sexual harassment is readily available and therefore and sexual assault. #MeToo spread virally in October 2017 as a hashtag cheap, women naturally serve as the on social media in an attempt to suppliers of sex. So, it’s only natural demonstrate the widespread prevalence that, for them, sex comes at a cost. Turn to A5 of sexual assault and harassment.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Who’s afraid of a drug test?

IKE the boy who cried wolf, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV says so many things against President Rodrigo Duterte that we have a tendency to discount what he says as just another one of his brickbats. Thus, when he actually offered a sensible suggestion last week that the President take a drug test, nobody really took him seriously. The senator’s challenge came after Mr. Duterte said he used marijuana to keep up with his “killing schedule” during a regional summit in Singapore—then later said he was only joking. “Duterte is desperately trying to contain the damage of his admission about marijuana use by saying it was just a joke. Too late. It has been revealed that he is is drug user,” Trillanes said. “Now, if he really wants to clear himself, I am again calling on him to take a drug test.” The Palace has dismissed the challenge, saying that it was the senator who should take the test. “There is no need [for a drug test],” said the President’s spokesman Salvador Panelo. “Look at this person, this President. He is strong. He would always say if something is

wrong with him.” As often is the case, however, the President’s spokesman misses the point. The appearance of strength does not preclude drug use, nor have we had any proof of this President’s candor about his health. On several occasions, he has admitted to taking fentanyl, a powerfully addictive opioid, for pain, yet we have no indication of how much of the drug he takes. Besides, Mr. Duterte is so often “joking” that we no longer know what to believe. As the leader of a massive antidrug campaign that has taken the lives of thousands of suspected drug pushers and addicts, this President, of all people, should not be shy about taking a simple drug test. After all, he has railed often enough about narco-politicians and

the corrupting influence of the drug trade on politics and the government bureaucracy. What would be so wrong about proving without a doubt that the President is drugfree? Mr. Duterte’s refusal to take a drug test is just as puzzling as the Palace stand to reject a proposal for random drug testing of candidates for public office. It would seem that if we were serious about ridding the government of the corrupting influence of illegal drugs, testing would be the place to begin. Some time ago, the President’s spokesman spoke out in favor of random drug testing for elementary school students, saying he saw nothing objectionable. Any parent, he reasoned, would be happy to learn if his or her child were addicted to drugs. By the same token, wouldn’t we all be happier knowing that our leaders—including the President—were truly drug-free? The Palace should explain why is it all right to test grade schoolchildren, but not those who profess to be our drug-free leaders.

The streetwalker pay for her tuition and school needs, as her parents were too poor to send her any money from the province. “I want to have a future. I want to escape from the kind of poverty I grew up with, and be able to help my parents when I find a job. Getting a diploma is my only salvation from the misery of THIS story was told to me by a long poverty,” said she. retired police officer who once served “Even to the point of having to sell in one of the cities in the metro Manila your body,” the officer asked. area. “It’s my body. I am not stealing On his way home one late night, anything from anyone. It is an asset I he chanced upon a parked police own. vehicle and a commotion happening What about you guys—you in in a sidewalk near the vehicle. government who steal money from the Alighting from his owner-type jeep, people?” she defiantly retorted. he approached the two policemen who The officer was taken aback. The were trying to accost a young lady who young lady had spunk, and beneath the was resisting and shouting harsh words defiance, he saw an intelligent person. against the apprehending cops. “I am forced to sell my body when I “Bakit, ano ang kasalanan ko? need to. I have to finish my education. Nagnakaw ba ako? Pumatay ba ako?” It is my only hope in life,” the young the young lady was telling off the cops. lady, now at ease with the officer, said. “E sir, dis-oras na ng gabi, nakaThe newspapers at the time were istambay pa sa filled with stories kalye. Mukhang of how some wise naghihintay guy in government ng customer,” allocated hundreds Compared to men responded one of millions in of the cops when fake fertilizers in high places, she was the police officer to be distributed not stealing from the approached. to farmers. people. What she was Knowing that One newspaper all they could account said the selling was something book her for was fertilizers were she owned. a vague antipriced at a hundred vagrancy law, times the normal where she would retail value. at worst sleep In the office, the night over in a police precinct, the they were joking about “pakotongofficer told the two cops to back off, kotong lang dito, doon pala sa and leave the young lady. iba, milyun-milyon ang kinikita sa When they had left, he tried to calm pamemeke ng abono” (here the racket the lady, who was still quite agitated by is small grease money, in that agency the attempt to arrest her. they make millions out of faking “Bakit sir, ano ba ang kasalanan ko? fertilizers”). Your policemen told me I was likely a Indeed, the officer thought, what prostitute selling myself to passing crime did the young lady commit, or customers late in the night,” the young was about to commit? Compared to woman said. men in high places, she was not stealing “But isn’t that so?” he calmly asked. from the people. What she was selling “Assuming so, what right have they was something she owned. to interfere?,” she riposted. And so he let her go, even forking “This is my body, and I have every over two hundred-peso bills, and right to do with it as I please. It is mine. telling the young lady to go back to her The Tagalog translation is more boarding house and rest. telling, if a bit vulgar: “Pag-aari ko ang There is a lesson in that story for all katawan ko. Kaya nga ari ang tawag of us in this benighted land. dito.” *** She then explained to the police Mayor Rodrigo Duterte loves to tell officer that she had to earn money to Turn to A5

Stop twisting the facts Legitimate media practitioners are not buying this. I REALLY wish I was not writing on this issue as I have some good friends on the other side of the fence. But the manner by which some sectors, including the principal, have been putting spin on the story has become so unbearable for me. Why is it that when some personalities in the media industry are slapped with cases even though not related in the furtherance of their journalistic work, they are quick to cry suppression of press freedom? This is further aggravated by some groups, who, in the ﬂick of a ﬁnger, are ready

to rock and roll and throw in their support without first examining the merits of the case. During the Aquino administration, I was slapped with a P250-million libel case by an official of his government. And no, it wasn’t about the money for this former government official. The case was intended to send me a message to stop writing and criticizing the former administration. Prior to the filing of the case, I was

invited by a PR man for a supposed press conference inside the Hacienda Luisita. He got my number from my former editor, who called me up, informing me of a invitation to a press conference. The PR man gave me the meeting place and time. But when I asked him how many media men will be covering the press brieﬁng, he told me I will be the only one. A press conference to be held inside the Hacienda Luisita and I will be the only one covering? No one needs to be an expert on intelligence to determine something bad was being planned against me. I immediately called up my former editor and he advised me to back off. Now, aren’t those two incidents intertwined? Maybe yes, maybe not. But do they constitute harassment? I ﬁrmly believe so. In fact, after these two incidents, I would start receiving calls Turn to A5

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

MEMBER

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Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

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Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Intermodal transport mess WHAT was billed early on as one of the planks of a modern, traffic easing, efficient and seamless land transport system servicing the megalopolis (yes, Sir, Metro Manila and its influenced areas in the CALABARZON provinces is considered a megalopolis with a daytime population of close to 16 million and night time pretty much like 18 to 20 million) is turning out to be one big dud. A MESS by any measure. Indeed, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, the first such inter modal transport facility, which is supposed to take care of the commuter traffic at the southwestern entry point of Metro Manila has hardly been used. It is almost like an abandoned gateway. Geared to servicing more than 250000 commuters daily, it has remained a ghost of its hyped prospect after almost a month of operation. This is a pity; it has become an interminable burden to the riding public it is supposed to serve. Imagine the hassle of having to get up early from your part of Cavite or Laguna or Batangas to get to your Makati or BGC job on time only to have to stop at the PITX at the end of the Cavite Expressway near MOA; wait for 30 minutes if you are lucky to catch a ride to Baclaran which is just a spit away and then from there to catch the MRT3 or LRT1 for points further north or a cab as needed, stop at the Ayala intersection to catch another jeep or an angkas (motorcycle ride) to your place of work. That is a four or five transport transfer where before all you have to do is go to Baclaran, catch a ride to Ayala intersection and then off to your job. You can probably bear with this hassle once or twice if you are just an office worker with no baggage to carry. What if you are going to visit a friend or a relative or on the way to job search so you have baggage to keep and handle. But having a fivetransport transfer will definitely give you high blood pressure and move you to some spasms of anger. That is what this otherwise good move to

‘Baby,.... From A4

For men to get what they desire (demand), they must then offer women something that, to women, is more or at least as valuable as what female sexuality has to offer (supply). This sets the stage for the type of courtship and romantic play we see in “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” As scandalous commentator and notorious punk Gavin McInnes once explained, people who are offended by the classic Christmas duet are also disgusted by romance, because they think romance is nothing but a realworld economic transaction in which sex is the currency and the woman is the one with all the goods. To third-wave feminists, the fact

Stop... From A4

at least once a month, informing me of the death of someone I don’t even know. And I believe I was being harassed. But that time, I did not cry of suppression of press freedom. Being a journalist, it would be normal for us to expect that our subjects, especially those affected by our writings, to do everything in their means to stop or silence us. But then, I do not have any evidence directly linking any of my subjects to the harassments I’ve been receiving. The motive for the lone coverage press conference could be denied, and the libel suit could be easily justiﬁed as a legal prerogative of the ofﬁcial who sued me. In fact, anyone could easily say I am still writing up to now. Now comes Maria Ressa whose case is totally different from mine, and yet howling louder than a cornered wolf of suppression of press freedom. In a narrative of the sequence of events leading to the present-day predicament of

The streetwalker From A4

stories. In between sorties in 2015, when we would unwind in his favorite hangout in his city, he once recounted how he would drive around the city during the wee hours, using a “Holiday” taxicab. “Criminals operate mostly at night,

CROSSROADS JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ ease commuters’ transport move has done and will continue to inﬂict on the riding public unless Transport Secretary Art Tugade, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra and MMDA Chairman Danny Lim intervene this early to tweak the system if they can. Truth be told, the PITX can match the intermodal facilities elsewhere

Commuters are suffering.

like in Singapore, Hong Kong and Melbourne, for example, if only the authorities have put in place the required connectivity with other transport means. Suppose to be this is the end point for all provincial buses from Southern Luzon whose passengers can then take the the MRT3 or LRT1, as the case maybe or the city buses which are the only ones allowed to ply the city routes or the jeepneys or taxis or UVs which will take the commuters to their ﬁnal destination. Unfortunately, the MRT3 and LRT1 are only up to Baclaran at this time tangled in a mess even as the contractors and concessionaires have been given notices to proceed. Equally tangled are the franchises of the buses and other PUVs as plying the messy routes within Metro Manila and those coming from the provinces. What is even more condemnable as far as commuters and small-time PUV operators are concerned is the fact that the LTFRB issued an order exempting big time bus companies from the injunction that every provincial operator should unload passengers at the PITX and then turn around. As of last count, more than

300 buses from these operators have been allowed to unload at the PITX and then move to Baclaran or other end points within Metro Manila. That triggered a howl from all sectors which prompted the DOTr and LTFRB to back down. This kind of “shooting-from-thehip” kind of order making should be stopped. Rationality should come to the fore. This haphazardly issued order and the lingering connectivity issue so bedeviled callers to our Saturday morning show, Executive Session, over dzRH, that they peppered our good friend and cohost Governor Boying Remulla, with loads of complaints. So hysterical and justly so were the callers that we had to call LTFRB Executive Director Samuel Jardin who happened to be the governor’s classmate at the UP College of Law to clear a host of issues. After admitting that indeed there have been a number of lapses, some bordering on out and out negligence, Director Jardin proceeded to outline a temporary solution to the mounting problems. The exemption given to big-time operators will be withdrawn, the moratorium on the issuance of franchises will be reviewed. In the meantime additional franchises will be issued, intensiﬁed drive against colorum vehicles will be undertaken and the LRT1 and MRT3 concessionaires and contractors will be required to submit an accelerated plan to connect the trains to the PITX. The latter move will take longer though and will probably require President Duterte’s and the court’s intervention. That is something that needs to be done soonest to avoid this matter getting transformed into a political weapon when the campaign for the May 2019 elections get going. But we cannot afford to be mired in a business-as-usual kind of environment. Maybe it is time for Congress to revisit and fast track the approval of the “emergency powers” which the administration had sought early on to avoid being trapped in an even bigger mess.

women hold this power is sickening because it implies that they are nothing but “meat” and that they serve no purpose but to satisfy men’s hunger. But, by looking at the dynamic from this perspective, they ignore that the woman really is the one dictating the rules in “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” After all, she’s the one enumerating the many reasons why she knows she shouldn’t give in to his courtship that easily, while all he does is to try to convince her by using external factors—the weather, the fact she could get sick walking in the snow, and, of course, the flickering flames in the fireplace. What this song implies is that men are just doing all they can to offer something of great enough value so women may stay. And that, more often than not, men fail.

In “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” the woman is “playing tough” because, perhaps, she already likes him. Still, she intuitively knows he should work harder for her—otherwise, what would that say about how she sees herself? In the end, this song is an ode to women, and a reminder they have all the power when it comes to romantic transactions. And yet, social justice warriors want this song gone, because “it’s not something I would want my daughter to be in that kind of situation,” as a radio station host told reporters when defending the decision to ban the song. That is the very deﬁnition of foolishness! Have pity on the unromantic, for they know not what they do.

the Rappler chief executive ofﬁcer, former ambassador and Manila Times columnist Rigoberto “Bobi” Tiglao details why Ressa should blame no one but herself in the legals cases she is facing. According to Tiglao, “Rappler was running out of money, with its original stockholder Bitanga refusing to infuse new money and its save-a-crusading press gimmick not generating enough funds.” Tiglao explained that the reason why Rappler was in the reds then was because, aside from “Ressa’s and her top editors huge salaries, the online media outﬁt invested tons of dollars in very expensive internet technology, which among other things make google put Rappler on top of its search engines.” Tiglao furthers that Ressa ran to her friends in New York reportedly including Sheila Coronel to get money from North Base Media and Omidyar, two entities linked to Soros who, the Manila Times columnist avers, have a penchant for telling Third World press what to do. But apparently, Tigalo adds, Ressa never read the Constitution, so she discovered only later to her horror that the SEC would conclude this was a violation

of the total ban on foreigners in media, and would therefore order Rappler closed. To avoid the guillotine, Tiglao noted that Ressa resorted to the PLDT and Globe solutions, declaring Rappler did not sell any share to North Base Media and Omidyar, but Philippine Depositary Receipts, even as their underlying value are the shares. But again, Tiglao said Ressa supposedly committed a slip as she failed to realize the PDRs were securities which were sold for a profit of P160 million, with the two US firms shelling out a total of P180 million for PDRs based on P19 million worth of Rappler shares. And this, Tiglao says, were not even reported in Rappler’s ITR and even her own as she supposedly owns the shares. The long and short of it is that there was an income generated from the sale of the PDRs and it was not reflected in the company’s and Ressa’s ITRs. The government filed cases of tax evasion and now Ressa is crying suppression of press freedom. Wow! What a way to twist facts. And we, legitimate media practitioners are not buying. So please stop.

so if you are a mayor, or a cop, you should be alert at nighttime,” he explained. In one of those nighttime “ronda,” he saw some obvious streetwalkers waiting for possible “clients” in the wee hours. Taking pity because obviously, “business” was bad, he alighted from his taxicab, and approached the three women. “Hala, si Mayor diay!” said one who

eric.jurado@gmail.com

recognized him as the others turned pale in fear. Instead, he invited them to a nearby restaurant which was still open, and told the cashier to feed them, while giving out a ﬁve-hundred peso bill to her. “Wala pa siguro kamo manihapon. Pangaon sa” (You probably haven’t had dinner; go on and eat”), he told the astonished streetwalkers. Turning to us avid listeners, he said,

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

Economics, politics, and policies geopolitical boundaries. “Our main thrust in the Philippines for the past 25 years has been to embark on often difficult and painful reforms-ones that are necessary to build and strengthen our institutions.“ He credits these reforms for having PUBLIC policy is a complex subject propelled the economy to an impressive that was underlined in the 2018 streak of 79 consecutive quarters of Pilipinas Conference organized by uninterrupted growth for the 19 years independent think tank Stratbase and three quarters since the 1st quarter ADR Institute (ADRi) where key of 1999. “The structural reforms have been government servants, policymakers and stakeholders got together to share their translated into higher potential output assessments on the current economic for the economy. Our estimates show and socio-political environment and that potential output growth has been what we may expect in the near future. rising, averaging 6.0 percent for the The keynote message by Bangko period 2010–2017. So the talk about Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor the large output gap is without basis. Diwa Guinigundo elaborated on Our output gap is either a small positive how the science of economic policy or a small negative. So the issues about involves the politics of economics and overheating is quite misplaced.” DG Guinigundo then described the the economics of politics. Here are excerpts from the sage insights of DG BSP’s stewardship role in the changing and increasingly complex operating Guinigundo: “The legacies of the Global environment with its policy imperative Financial Crisis have painfully taught to enhance existing monetary framework and operations to be more responsive policymakers to emerging around the challenges. world that “The BSP economic has made it a policies do Here’s the Bangko policy imperative not operate to enhance our in a vacuum. Sentral’s deputy director existing monetary Political issues speaking. framework and can potentially operations to cause a make our policies systematic grit more responsive on the wheels of to emerging policymaking and alter their intended outcomes. challenges. “First, we recognize that economies Similarly, sub-optimal economic policies can potentially fuel discontent have evolved to be extensively among the public which could lead interconnected and open. As such, to adverse political events that can at price and financial stability is no longer times have widespread and enduring affected by normal dynamics of demand and supply of goods and services, but effects on the broader economy.” Guinigundo rightly points out that also by non-economic factors such as “Bad Politics Begets bad Economics” politics, the speed of technological saying that “this interaction has innovation and even geopolitical been particularly evident in the conflict. Thus, we have been sharpening frameworks to current economic environment where continuously our uncertainty has remained elevated. consider these emerging trends and For many observers, this uncertainty tipping points.” “Second, we have proactively has been driven more by political developments instead of the usual engaged in dialogues relating to the economic interplay of demand and issue of inequality. While it could appear for now as a non-monetary supply factors in the markets.” “Take for instance, the rising trend concern, we have witnessed how this of populist sentiments which has issue could later on transform itself fueled a greater incidence of zero- into a major disruption if it feeds into sum outcomes. We have already seen political unrest or dissatisfaction… nations leave economic unions, as with We are committed in advancing our the Brexit. More recently, concerns over financial inclusion, financial education, rising trade barriers have materialized and consumer protection agenda to as US and China have been embroiled ensure that no one is left behind and in a tit-for-tat trade strategy in recent everybody is given the opportunity to months. In September 2018, the Trump ride the economic growth our country Administration finalized tariffs on is presently enjoying. “ “Third, we intend to leverage more than US$200 billion of Chinese on technological innovations and imports. Certainly, these political events digitization to further our goal of more could have adverse effects on economic inclusive growth. We are encouraging growth. First, these shocks can lead to digital innovations and fintech solutions transitory capital flow volatility and through an enabling regulatory environment while raising the bar bouts of financial market turbulence. Second, higher volatility could also for guarding against cybercrime and dampen animal spirits and lead to what related risks. With digital innovation psychologists call an “affect heuristic” and fintech, the reach of financial among economic agents. Long after services in the country will expand to the original trigger has dissipated, risk the unbanked and the underbanked and perceptions endure and make people at much lower cost. I think this is the more cautious about the future. This essence of inclusive growth.” “Fourth, our focus on income translates to less investments and inequality has also reaffirmed our ultimately lower growth. Third, there is also the direct impact commitment to price stability. In an of protectionist policies on trade and emerging and developing economy growth. In fact, the International like the Philippines, keeping prices Monetary Fund estimates that an within target benefits the poor most, escalation of the trade war could shave specifically the lowest income classes of off 0.8 percentage point of the global the population. The BSP tracks inflation rates for the poorest segment of Philippine growth by 2020. In addition, the precipitation of society, cognizant of the difference in all these risks can also complicate their basket of goods and economic the conduct of economic policy, behavior. We observe that this segment particularly in emerging economies relies heavily on the ability of monetary policy to rein in inflation, especially including the Philippines.” On the other hand DG Guinigundo because they feel a heavier brunt if we points out the good side of the miss the target. Hence, monetary policy relationship between economics and directly affects the people’s welfare and, politics wherein “Good Economics in turn, affects economic opportunity and Begets Good Politics.. He cited the income distribution.” DG Guinigundo concluded his work of Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson, in their book “Why Nations well-rounded and masterful sharing Fail,” which argues that developed of his thoughts with a sober call for countries attain wealth because of our political and industry leaders, well institutions, programs, and economic aligned with the spirit of the Pilipinas systems that are inclusive because Conference. “We need to look at the bigger they create incentives for people to innovate, enable productivity growth picture because good policymaking is through education and infrastructure, about good economics, good politics and maintain peace and order across and their interaction.’’ “Unsaon man; dili tanan maka-trabaho, mapugos lang sila og baligya’g lawas” (What can we do? There are some who are jobless and the only way to keep body and soul together is to sell their bodies), he rued. You could see through the compassion of the mayor who has since become president of the benighted land. *** Let me go back to the story of the

retired police ofﬁcer, and how he was touched, nay, brought to reality by the student who had to sell herself, as a “lady of the night” to be able to support herself through school. Think of it when you hear about the high and the mighty allocating billions upon billions for “projects” purportedly to “help their poor constituents” which, truth to tell, are “in aid of their pockets.”

News

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

40 airports on red alert for Xmas passenger rush

HE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said on Sunday the 40 airports under its management is all set for the passenger inﬂux this holiday season.

Starting today until Jan. 5, 2019, CAAP will implement a heightened alert in all the airports as it expects an increase in the number of passengers. This means additional security personnel will be deployed, CAAP

said, adding that it has already coordinated with airlines to ensure smooth operations, especially at the check-in counters. Passengers are advised not to bring prohibited items at the airport to avoid hassle and delays during screening and check-in procedures. The Philippines has welcomed a total of 6,342,610 international and domestic passengers in 2017. More than half of these passengers used the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Manila International Airport Authority media affairs division head Jess Martinez said there has been a

steady increase in the volume of passengers at NAIA every Christmas season. At least 3,787,648 international and domestic passengers used the NAIA in December 2017. The total is 6 percent higher compared with the 3,570,966 passengers that used NAIA in December 2016. Data also showed that international arrivals at NAIA in 2017 were 10 percent higher than in 2016 while the volume of international departures was 7 percent higher at 851,576 than the same period in 2016. PNA

DOJ junks case vs‘Peryahan ng Bayan’in QC By Rey Requejo

THE Department of Justice has dismissed the criminal charges filed by the National Bureau of Investigation against operators of “Peryahan ng Bayan” in Quezon City. In a resolution, the panel of prosecutors from the DOJ Task Force on Special Cases dismissed for lack of probable cause the illegal gambling complaint against 15 employees of Globaltech Mobile Online Corp. who operated in the PB venues. The DOJ ruled that the respondents from Globaltech did not violate the law since their gambling operations were legal at the time of the NBI raids last month despite the revocation of their license to operate by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in 2016. During the inquest proceedings, it was learned that Globaltech was able to secure a status quo ante order against the PCSO ruling from a Pasig City regional trial court last year. The status quo ante order remains valid. “The NBI operatives’ reliance in the documents submitted by the PCSO and a letter from one Marcelo Flores is misplaced considering that the same are not verified, hearsay, self-serving and full of partiality and therefore are not sufficient to establish a valid warrantless arrest,” read the DOJ resolution signed by Assistant State Prosecutors Amenda Garcia and Florencio dela Cruz Jr. and Associate Prosecution Lawyer Criselda Teoxon. The investigating prosecutors said the case is pending before the Court of Appeals where PCSO filed a petition for certiorari challenging the RTC’s order.

Over 300 inmates released through Justice on Wheels By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court’s Enhanced Justice on Wheels Program has processed the release of over 300 inmates from the Northern Cotabato District Jail in Kidapawan City last Friday. Court Administrator and SC spokesman Midas Marquez said the inmates were released from detention after all their cases were resolved in just one day of simultaneous hearings under the auspices of EJOW. “We are bringing the EJOW to different provinces in line with the directive of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin to expedite the resolution of cases in the lower courts,” Marquez said in an interview. Aside from the cases of more than 300 inmates who were released from jail, the EJOW also resolved some 200 more cases in Kidapawan City courts during the whole-day event. The EJOW is a continuing nationwide program of the Supreme Court, which has released some 12,000 inmates and settled more than 10,000 civil cases since it was launched in 2004. It was set up to expedite the resolution of cases and decongest the country’s jails through simultaneous hearing of cases of indigent inmates that range from as petty as vagrancy and domestic problems to as grave as homicide or murder in areas lacking in judges. Marquez, who supervises trial courts in the country, personally supervised the EJOW event. He visited the Northern Cotabato District Jail to check on the condition of the inmates and also presided over a dialog among the judges, prosecutors, public attorneys, the police, jail wardens and private lawyers. Faculty members from the Philippine Judicial Academy also gave lectures to barangay ofﬁcials to remind them of their powers, authorities and responsibilities to help them settle disputes so that these will no longer reach the courts.

MILK DONORS. Some 134 mothers from Batangas City joined the 1st Regional Human Milk Letting Donation Campaign hosted by the Department of Health CALABARZON at the Jesus Nazareth Hospital, Gulod Itaas. The campaign carried the theme, ‘Gatas mo Inay, Handog ay Buhay.’ PNA

Solon hails nursing board exam topnotchers By Rio N. Araja LEYTE REP. Yedda Romualdez on Sunday congratulated the Remedios T. Romualdez Medical Foundation-College of Nursing in Tacloban City after three of its graduates landed in the top 10 among those who passed the 2018 nursing licensure examination. “The RTRMF has been a center of excellence for consistently topping the board for 11 consecutive years,” said

Romualdez, a registered nurse and chairperson of the House committee on accounts. “Congratulations to the graduates and ofﬁcials of the RTRMF for topping the latest 2018 nursing licensure exam. Truly, the school is the center of academic excellence,” she added. She lauded College of Nursing Dean Socorro Salvacion Gasco and her 25 graduates, including the top-notchers from batch Onyx

2018, for passing the exam. “Continue to soar high because your great minds would further inspire many students from different parts of the country to excel,” she said. The three graduates who joined the top 10 passers were Kathryn Angelie Bugho who ranked second with a score of 86.80 percent, Angelae Priscilla Cahilig who placed seventh with 85.40 percent and Arianne Grapilon at 9th place with 85 percent.

UPCYCLING. Members of EcoWaste Coalition, Buklod Kabataan and DeafEye demonstrate the many ways of transforming unwanted waste materials into lovely decorations to beautify homes, schools and offices for the Christmas season. Manny Palmero

13,000 health professionals to be deployed in underserved areas By Rio N. Araja SURIGAO del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel on Sunday said the national government will spend P9 billion to deploy over 13,000 health professionals to underserved communities in 2019. The Department of Health is now enlisting 9,138 nurses, 3,650 midwives, 243 physicians and 241 dentists to provide additional medical services in the rural areas, he said. “The deployment is expected to proceed even in an extreme scenario wherein the government operates on a reenacted spending program until February next year,” said Pimentel, a member of the House committee on appropriations. Out of the P9-billion budget, Pimentel said P7.8 billion is lodged in the miscellaneous personnel beneﬁts fund, while the balance of the P1.2 billion is with the DOH. “We would urge qualiﬁed health professionals looking for gainful employment to sign up so they can help underserved communities while getting paid well,” he said. He said those who could work under the health program could be able to acquire good training skills and eventually get better job opportunities.

Sports

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Cocolife Tigers nail lucky 13th triumph

DAVAO Cocolife Tigers snatched an 88-82 win over the Pasig Pirates in the recent elimination round game of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup held at the Marist Gym, Marikina City. The Pirates were in control for almost three quarters behind the orchestration and outside shooting of Boyer Bautista, the perimeter conversions of ex-pro Jerwin Gaco and Mark Andaya’s dominant play inside the paint to keep the Tigers of team owner Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental LGU backed by Cocolife president Elmo Nobleza FVP Joseph Ronquillo and AVP Rowena Asnan, at bay. But the bomb squad of Davao Cocolife caught fire in the final quarter, led by former Philippine Basketball Association veteran Leo Najorda, who exploded beyond the arc with 5 triples, to go with one each by homegrown Joseph Terso and Louie Medalla to annihilate the Pirates for good and remain on top in the South Division (13-3) in the league, organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao. “It’s a hard-earned victory for us. We struggled for almost three quarters, but our Tigers never gave up and got a big break from our outside snipers to stop the Pirates,” said Cocolife manager Ray Alao. Tigers’ coach Don Dulay who enjoys being on top of team standings, is starting to focus his team in their mission of getting to finals and ultimately win the MPBL title.

Transgender wins, makes boxing history LOS ANGELES—Transgender boxer Patricio Manuel made history Saturday with a unanimous decision victory over Mexican super-featherweight Hugo Aguilar in Indio, California. Manuel, 33, became the first transgender male to fight professionally in the United States. “I wouldn’t trade any of it. It was worth everything I went through to get to this point,” Manuel said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I’m a professional boxer now.” Manuel fought in the 2012 US Olympic trials as a female, but a shoulder injury spelled the end of a bid to make the team for the London Games after just one bout. Months later he began the transition to male, and after surgery and hormone treatments waded through the bureaucracy of getting licensed to fight. California boxing authorities were wary of granting a license, but once the International Olympic Committee ruled prior to the 2016 Rio Games that female to male transgender athletes could compete “without restriction” the way was cleared for him. Aguilar, fighting in the United States for the first time, learned of Manuel’s transition just two days before the bout,” the Times reported. But he said it wasn’t a problem. AFP

PH runners... From A8

and what better way to do this than have a Filipinos winning first place in 10K race of the Allianz World Run. Allianz sincerely cares about the health of the communities we are a part of. We encourage everyone by holding mass events that make a resounding impact for the members of these communities to live healthy active lives,” she said. Over 4,500 runners joined the race held in Suan Pueng here. In July this year, Allianz invited runners worldwide to join one of the largest global running events ever – Allianz World Run. This initiative, which started as an employee activity, was opened to all those who want to increase their fitness level and, at the same time help Allianz raise funds for the SOS Children’s Villages. With the funds raised, projects related to education and emergency preparedness will be implemented in five SOS Children’s Villages.

Sea Lions, Blue Dragons clash for UCBL crown Game Today (Olivarez College gym) 12 noon – Olivarez Col. vs Diliman Col.

SON ALSO RISES IS SPRINT KING. Winning connections of Son Also Rises, which ruled the Philippine Racing Commission’s Grand Sprint Championship at the Metro Turf recently hoist their trophies at the awards rites. They are jockey JB Hernandez (right), trainer Jojo Angeles (center) and Melvin Villegas (left), representing owner Benhur Abalos Jr. The trio are joined by Philracom Commissioner Don Bagatsing, Metro Turf Racing Manager Rudy Prado and his deputy Arthur Escala.

Lomachenko’s remarks fail to annoy Pacquiao By Jessica Luna

ANNY Pacquiao understands the sentiments of Vasyliy Lomachenko of not taking the risk of fighting him in the future.

Pacquiao, almost 10 years older than the former Ukrainian Olympian, said that the weight difference would definitely be the main reason why the fight with Lomachenko will not materialize

since the Filipino senator is a welterweight boxer, while the other is campaigning as a lightweight. “Malaki naman talaga ako sa kanya, mataas timbang ko at nasa ibang weight

Vasiliy Lomachenko (left) punches Guillermo Rigondeaux during their WBO Junior Lightweight Title bout at Madison Square Garden in New York City. AFP

division ako. Nirespeto niya ito at siguro, bilang nakakatanda na rin sa kanya (I think I’m bigger than him, I’m heavier than him, so I’m in a different weight division. I think he respects me as his elder),” Pacquiao told Manila Standard Today through an exclusive interview after his Saturday sparring session at the Elorde gym. Lomachenko, however, had a mouthful to say about Pacquiao in a recent interview by reporters in New York City last Thursday. “I think his (Pacquiao’s) career is done. I don’t want to become a legend in boxing because of him,” Lomachenko told boxingnews24.com. Lomachenko (12-1 record with 9 KOs) is coming off a spectacular unanimous decision win against Jose Pedraza on Sunday (Philippine time) in a world title unification fight at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. He unified the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization lightweight belts. “Magaling naman si Lomachenko. In his weight division, mahihirapan pa siyang talunin (Lomachenko is a great fighter and it will be hard to beat him in his own weight division),” added the fighting senator Pacquiao, who however noted that he would be ready once Lomachenko has a change of heart.

DENIED in their first attempt at glory two years ago, the Olivarez College Sea Lions hope to be lucky this time as they clash with the top-ranked Diliman College Blue Dragons today in the sudden death of their Universities and Colleges Basketball League Season 3 Finals at the Olivarez campus gym in Parañaque City. Match is at 12 noon with the third-seeded Sea Lions out to sustain the momentum of an 8071 win in Game 2 that forced a deciding Game 3. The Sea Lions advanced to the finals in the maiden season, but were beaten by the mighty Centro Escolar University Scorpions in two games. Olivarez coach Myk Saguiguit, however, is looking for a different result this time especially after beating the Blue Dragons for the first time in four tries. “That’s the reason why I told my players to stay focused and sharp,” said Saguiguit. “We have to play much better in the sudden death.” The defeat last Thursday was doubly painful for the Blue Dragons as they saw their 10game winning streak dating back to the elims come to a disappointing end. But Diliman coach Rensy Bajar remains unperturbed, believing his boys have what it takes to bounce back. For that to happen, Bajar is looking for consistency, especially from Benin’s Steve Gandjeto who struggled for seven points and five rebounds – clearly a victim of Olivarez’s defense. They also need to defend well against the Vinn Begaso, who emerged as Olivarez’s biggest revelation with his 20-point and 16-board effort. Also expected to deliver for Olivarez are Joshua Alamejeda, Lawrence Castro, Dwight and Chris Lalata a – all of them tallied double figures. John Mahari paced the Blue Dragons the last time with 18 points.

Filipino tankers make waves in Brunei; PH is 2019 host BRUNEI—Swimming maintained its amazing golden run as the Philippines, represented here by Mindanao and Palawan athletes, made a final-day show of force in the 10th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-Northern Territory-East Asian Friendship Games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium here. Davao City’s Fritz Jun Rodriguez emerged as the most bemedalled Filipino athlete as he added two more golds, bringing his collection to four golds and a silver in this biennial event, which will be hosted by the Philippines in 2020. ‘’I gave it my all,’’ said the 5’9” Rodriguez, who has been recruited by NCAA powerhouse San Beda University. Rodriguez ruled the men’s 50-meter butterfly in 26.72, before helping men’s 4 x 50 medley relay beat the Northern Territory of Australia for the gold. Rodriguez’s lone silver came in the 4x50m freestyle relay. Lora Micah Amoguis pocketed the

gold in the women’s 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:35.61. She also got the silver in the 200-meter individual medley. Athletics also did not disappoint at the huge Stadium Negara with 400-meter winner John Lloyd Cabalo of Puerto Princesa City winning another gold in the 800 meters, with a personal best of 1:57.59. The Grade 12 student at the National University frustrated Massa Syamsuddin (1:57.85) of South Sulawesi. ‘’ I would like to thank God first and my coaches,’’ said Cabalo, who also got inspiration from legendary 400-meter specialist Isidro del Prado, who now coaches the national track and field team of this tiny but rich nation. The Philippines had a total of 12 golds, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals in the unofficial overall medal tally. Sabah of Malaysia had 19-13-10 gold-silver-bronze count, followed by THE Davao City Swimming team claimed eight golds (four from Fitz Jun Rodriguez), nine silver and seven bronze medal in 10th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games in Brunei. Northern Territory (14-11-7).

Parañaque crowned 1st NBL champ

Players, officials, coaches and supporters celebrate the Parañaque Aces’ title triumph in the NBL.

PARAÑAQUE defeated Dasmariñas in double overtime, 112-104, on Saturday to capture the first National Basketball League title at the Ugnayang La Salle Gymnasium in Dasmariñas City. Noy Bermudes scored 19 points to win the Finals Most Valuable Player, while Jess Quilatan added 19 points to pick up the win in Game Two after taking the series opener with an 85-71 decision. The Aces completed the sweep of the bestof-three finals series to gain the distinction as the inaugural champion of the league for homegrown talents. Parañaque was able to overcome a 97-92 deficit with 23 seconds left in the first over-

time, with Quilatan scoring all five points including a triple with 1.9 seconds left to force the second overtime where the Aces never looked back. “Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord na binigyan nila ako ng players na hindi nag-give up hanggang huli. Alam namin na parang wala nang pag-asa pero still, ‘yung mga puso ng mga bata, hindi nag-give up. Parang mga beterano na,” said Parañaque coach Harold Sta. Cruz. Meanwhile, John Cantimbuhan of Dasmariñas won the Most Valuable Player award and the Mythical Five plum along with teammate JP Rabe, Bermudes, Shinichi Manacsa of Laguna, and Joseph Celso of Bulacan.

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

Sports Rafael Poliquit Jr.

Tips from ‘frenemy’ allows Poliquit to win Milo title

Members of the De La Salle-Zobel high school volleyball team display their trophy and medals.

La Salle dethrones NU D

E LA SALLE-Zobel dethroned National University with a 25-21, 25-23, 15-25, 16-25, 15-8 victory in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 high school volleyball tournament Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

It was the Junior Lady Spikers’ 10th crown overall -- the most in the league -and their first since 2013. “Napakasaya ng feeling. Hindi ko ma-express. Buong La Salle-Zobel community sumusuporta sa programa,” said coach Tina Salak, a two-time UAAP women’s volleyball champion as an ace Far Eastern University setter in the mid1990s. “Nakaka-overwhelm. Sobrang saya. Lahat ng hirap ng mga bata, nagbunga. ‘Yung tulong nila at sakripisyo nila,” Sal-

ak added. The Junior Lady Spikers raced to a 8-0 lead in the decider and withstood a stirring Bullpups’ uprising to sweep the best-ofthree title series, 2-0. The Finals setback ended NU’s fouryear reign. Angel Canino led La Salle-Zobel with 21 points, including two blocks, while Alleiah Malaluan chipped in 15 hits, including four service aces, and 15 receptions. Graduating Junior Lady Spikers skipper

Justine Jazareno, who was named Finals Most Valuable Player, had nine points and 12 digs. In her final high school game, Faith Nisperos had 21 points, including two blocks, while Jimy Jean Jamili chipped in 16 hits, 13 digs and eight receptions for the Bullpups. Earlier, Canino received the season MVP award to go with her Best 1st Outside Spiker plum in a short ceremony. Canino’s teammate Malaluan was the Best 2nd Outside Spiker and Best Server winner. Other awardees were Adamson’s May Ann Nique (Best 1st Middle Blocker) and Ayesha Juegos (Best Opposite Spiker), FEU-Diliman’s Alexis Miner (Best 2nd Middle Blocker), NU’s Camille

By Peter Atencio

Lamina (Best Setter) and University of Santo Tomas’ Det Pepito (Best Libero). Earlier, Jomar Ocampo had four blocks for a 16-point outing as NU moved on the cusp of reclaiming the boys’ throne with a 25-19, 22-25, 2518, 25-13 romp of Far Eastern University-Diliman. The Bullpups shoot for the crown in Game 2 on Wednesday at the San Juan arena. NU displayed a balanced attack courtesy of Diogenes Poquita’s 34 excellent sets, as Michael John Fortuna, Mac Bandola and Lorence Cruz each scored 11 points. Jose Magdalino Javelona paced the Baby Tamaraws with 17 hits, 21 receptions and eight digs while Ranz Cajolo chipped in 11 points.

Pacquiao PH runners finish strong at Allianz World Run to open 17th Asian chess SENATOR Manny Pacquiao and National Chess Federation of the Philippines president and chairman Butch Pichay will usher in the 17th Asian Continental Chess Championships (2nd Manny Pacquiao Cup) starting today at the Tiara Hotel in Makati City. Pacquiao, who helped fund the event, and Pichay will do the ceremonial move in the opening ceremony starting at 2:45 p.m. in this nine-round tournament staking slots to the men’s and women’s World Cup. Tournament director Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales said the firstround pairings will be drawn an hour before the inaugural. Indian Grandmaster Vidit Santosh Gujrathi joined the mix of the chessers to watch out for after he entered in the last minute. The 24-year-old Vidit is seeded third with a FIDE rating of 2702 behind Chinese GMs Wang Hao and Wei Yi, who have a rating of 2730 and 2728, respectively, and the three should pose the biggest challenge to the Filipinos’ bid to win this event. GMs John Paul Gomez, Darwin Laylo and Joey Antonio will spearhead the country’s campaign in the men’s side while WGM Janelle Mae Frayna is the host’s best bet in the women’s section. Other notable Filipinos joining are IMs Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Haridas Pascua and Paulo Bersamina in this nine-round tournament sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and financed by Sen. Manny Pacquiao and the Phl Sports Commission. Iranian GM Parham Maghsoodloo (2689), Indians GM Baskaran Adhiban (2682) and GM S. P. Sethuraman (2664) and Chinese GM Ni Hua (2683) are the other higher-ranked foreign participants joining.

RATCHABURI, Thailand—It was an uphill and unfamiliar trail, but each member of the Philippine team managed to finish strong with one of them, Jerald Zabala, 30, from Cagayan de Oro, bagging first place in the 10K leg of the recent Allianz Ayudhya World Run Thailand series. Together with Zabala, the Philippine Team included Ryan Caaya, 31, from Manila and Rommel Hingpit, 45, from Bacolod City. Allianz PNB Life sponsored three running events in Manila, Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro, where the three participants emerged as winners. Zabala, a butcher in a popular grocery in Mindanao, finished the 10K race (aged 30 – 39 category) in 35 minutes and 49 seconds. Thai runners Anurak Jangsomya (40: 53) and Atthapol Thamthaweechok (47:05) followed second and third, respectively. According to Zabala, who had been joining marathons such as that of Milo and 7-Eleven, the Allianz Ayudhya World Run gave him an unforgettable opportunity he once dreamed of growing up as a child in Lanao del Norte. “Every athlete dreams of representing his country to an international competition. For someone who started in the rice paddies, chasing crickets for food, I am just thankful that Allianz gave me this opportunity. Now, I look forward to my next run,” Zabala said.

Philippine Team runners composed of Gae Martinez, chief marketing officer, Allianz PNB Life; Jerald Zabala, 10K first place finisher, Cagayan de Oro; Ryan Caaya, Manila; and Rommel Hingpit, Bacolod City. Two other runners Rei Abrazaldo, Brand Communications and Digital Director, Allianz PNB Life and Romina Austria, Philippine Daily Inquirer were also 10K finishers.

On the other hand, Allianz PNB Life managed to finish strong. representatives Gae Martinez, chief Martinez, who also ran the 10K race, marketing officer, and Rei Abrazaldo, expressed her satisfaction in the perforBrand Communications and Digital mance of the lean Philippine contingent. Director, together with Philippine Dai“We want our message to be heard ly Inquirer editor Romina Austria also Turn to A7

LAOAG City—It’s a strange setup, but Rafael Poliquit Jr. credits the guidance of a “friend and enemy” rolled into one when he won the 42nd National Milo Marathon title at the Laoag Centennial Arena here on Sunday. The 29-year-old Poliquit took to heart the words of his friend, two-time Southeast Asian Games and reigning marathon Singaporean champion Soh Rui Yong as he reached the finish line in two hours, 28 minutes and 27 seconds in the local men’s division. Yong, who had been chatting online with Poliquit before the race, told him to take every kilometer in less than 18 minutes. Poliquit did just that. The result was a new personal best time for the Filipino, who improved on his regular 2:32.00 clocking. So fast was Poliquit’s pace, that he even shattered Yong’s SEA Games’ record of 2:29:27 last year. “Before the competition, kausap ko iyung friend kong si Yong, maganda ang mga advise niya. During competition kasi, lagi na lang ako fifth. Ngayon maayos ang prepration ko,” said Poliquit. With Yong helping him figure out his game plan, Poliquit left behind a group of runners in the last 8 kilometers, allowing him to win his third straight men’s honors. Cagayan de Oro City’s Jerald Zabala was second with a time of 2:31.25, followed by Richard Sallano (2:33.17). Next year, though when the Philippines hosts the SEA Games, Poliquit will be challenged by the Yong. By then, there will be no more friendly chats for advice from Yong. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Mary Joy Tabal played it safe and slow and found no challengers when she won a record sixth straight championship in 2:56.31 in the local women’s action. Tabal just allowed open winner Margaret Ngunguna of Kenya to take the lead, after she slowed down twice in unlit portions at the 15-km mark along the Paoay sand dunes near Ft. Ilocandia Hotel and Laoag-Paoay Road. “There were challenges. But I finished the race safe and injury free,” said Tabal, who took the crowns in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. In beating Christabel Martes, who was second, and third-placer Christine Hallasgo, Tabal has become the winningest female long-distance runner in the tournament’s history, beating the record of Arsenia Sagaray, who has won the Milo titles in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997.

Huelgas sets sights on 3rd straight SEAG gold CHAMPION triathlete Nikko Huelgas of Team Go For Gold is thrilled at the prospect of retaining his Southeast Asian Games title in front of his countrymen. The back-to-back SEA Games gold medalist showed a preview of what he can accomplish after topping the men’s elite category in the 2018 National Age Group Triathlon held in Naga, Cebu recently. ``I was surprised with my own performance because I really had a bad season this year and I don’t know why,’’ said Huelgas. Huelgas defeated Go For Gold teammate Andrew Kim Remolino and Jorry Ycong of Rider Omega Tri

team by three minutes after clocking two hours, two minutes and four seconds in the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40K bike and 10K run race. ``I want to thank Go For Gold for their unfailing support. If not for them, I wouldn’t be here today with two gold medals in the SEA Games,’’ said Huelgas. Go For Gold Philippines, headed by Jeremy Go, has consistently bankrolled the overseas training and competitions of the men’s elite triathlon squad that helped produce several medals and accolades for the national team. Just recently, ace triathlete John Leerams Chicano ruled the prestigious Tri-Factor International Triathlon in

Quzhou, China under the Go For Gold Philippines banner. The convincing victory in the NAGT has motivated Huelgas, head of the Athletes’ Commission in the Philippine Olympic Committee, to push himself to the limit for a third straight gold medal in the SEA Games to be held in Clark and Subic late next year. ``I’m concerned about injuries. It can readily end my bid for a third straight gold, plus the fact that all countries are steadily improving so I don’t want to be complacent,’’ said Huelgas. After the just-concluded NAGT, the next big challenge for Huelgas is the Ironman 70.3 race in Vietnam roughly five months from now.

Nikko Huelgas

IN BRIEF

Business

Employment outlook bright—BSP survey THE employment outlook in the next quarter remains bright, as more companies expressed their intention to hire more employees, a survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the fourth quarter of 2018 shows. According to the Business Expectations Survey, the employment outlook index for the first quarter 2019 remained positive, although lower at 21.8 percent from the last quarter’s survey at 26.3 percent. “This suggests that more firms will continue to hire new employees than those that said otherwise, although the number of new hires could decrease compared to the previous quarter’s survey,” the Bangko Sentral said. “Employment prospects were expected to moderate across sectors. Moreover, the percentage of businesses with expansion plans in the industry sector for the first quarter 2019 declined slightly to 36 percent from 36.1 percent a quarter ago,” it said. The manufacturing and mining and quarrying sectors recorded stronger expansion plans, while those of the electricity, gas and water and agriculture, fishery and forestry were lower from a quarter ago. Julito G. Rada

SMC secures proponent status for P23.95-b road T By Darwin G. Amojelar

HE PUBLIC Works Department said it is set to grant the original proponent status to San Miguel Holdings Corp. for the P23.95-billion extension of TarlacPangasinan-La Union Expressway to San Juan, La Union.

Citystate renews power supply deal CITYSTATE Centre Condominium Corp. renewed its 2.6-megawatt power supply contract with Citicore Energy Solutions Inc., the retail electricity supply unit of Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. The two companies recently forged their second retail supply contract that will enable CESI to continue supplying 2.6 MW of clean and sustainable energy to Citystate. CESI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of holding ﬁrm Citicore Power Inc. CESI president Manolo Candelaria said the renewal of the contract was proof of the company’s success in delivering clean and competitively priced power supply. “We are grateful for the trust and support that Citystate had given us. We strive to continue improving our services and to further strengthen our partnership moving forward. We are looking forward to a long term and fruitful partnership with Citystate,” CESI president Manolo Candelaria. The previous agreement was signed last year. Alena Mae S. Flores

The agency said the OPS for the TPLEx extension would soon be signed by Public Works Secretary Mark Villar. San Miguel’s unsolicited project involves a 59.4-kilometer four-lane toll road from the exit of TPLEx in Rosario to San Juan. The Rosario section of the expressway is expected to be completed this year, while its Pozorrubio section opened in December 2017. The extension project would be divided into three segments, with the ﬁrst segment spanning 18 km from Rosario to Tubao. The second segment will

stretch 23 km from Tubao to Naguilian and the last segment will run 18.4 km from Naguilian to San Juan. San Miguel said the project aimed to promote the development of Northern Luzon and facilitate connectivity to Central Luzon and Metro Manila through high-speed and secured access. San Miguel-led Private Infra Dev Corp. holds the concession for TPLEx, an 88.85-km, four-lane, high-speed toll road that connects Northern Luzon to Manila. It is designed to integrate with other major toll roads such as North

Luzon Expressway and Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway. The construction of TPLEx began in 2010 in three phases. The ﬁrst was completed in April 2014, running from Tarlac City to Carmen, Pangasinan. The second stretching from Carmen to Urdaneta was completed in December 2014. The third section from Urdaneta to Rosario, La Union is expected to be completed in 2018. TPLEx reduced travel time from Tarlac City to Gerona from 45 minutes to 10 minutes, beneﬁtting 8,000 vehicles per day. It also reduced travel time from Tarlac City to Paniqui, Tarlac from one hour to 15 minutes and the travel time from Tarlac to Rosales from two hours to 30 minutes. It cut travel time from Tarlac to Urdaneta from two hours to 30 minutes and the travel time from Tarlac to Rosario from 3.5 hours to one hour.

CEBU PACIFIC’S EXPANSION. Cebu

Pacific pushes forward with the expansion of its Cebu hub and launches a new route linking Cebu and Macau, providing another access point to and from China’s Pearl River Delta. Starting Dec. 7, CEB will operate direct flights between Cebu and Macau every Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday and Sundays. Cutting the cake during the launching ceremony are (from left) Department of Tourism Region 7 regional director Shalimar Tamano, Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority general manager Steve Dicdican, Cebu Pacific director of marketing Blessie Cruz and GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. head of airline marketing Aines Librodo.

Four eyeing banked gas of Malampaya FOUR companies have expressed interest to purchase the unutilized gas from the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan. “We have positive developments for banked gas. Aside from two existing gas plants, First Gen and Ilijan, now there are two new showing interest,” Philippine National Oil Co. president Reuben Lista said. First Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group owns natural gas power plants with over 2,000 megawatts of power capacity in Batangas province. San Miguel Corp., meanwhile, is the independent power producer administrator of the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan natural gas plant. Lista declined to name the two additional companies interested the banked gas, which the government is offering below the Ilijan natural gas price. “One is putting a plant in Limay and the other in Batangas. In other words, they are willing to negotiate with me on the price... They have been talking to me verbally but I requested them to submit an ofﬁcial letter of intent, a proposal,” Lista said. Sources said the two remaining companies were Limay LNG Power Corp. and China National Offshore Oil Corp. Alena Mae S. Flores

Converge ICT interested to team up with Mislatel for telecom operation By Darwin G. Amojelar CONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc. said it is open to teaming up with Mislatel Consortium of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecommunications Corp. to support the third telco’s operations. “We sell to other providers and we don’t see any problem working with Mislatel. It’s business,” Jesus Romero, chief operating ofﬁcer of Converge ICT, said. “We’re open to support anyone, because wholesale is an existing business... We have a network that can cover 50 percent of the population,” he said. Mislatel, in its submitted highest committed level of service bid that won them the new major player title, committed to deliver 27 megabits per second of minimum average broadband speed in its ﬁrst year before upgrading to 55 Mbps in the

next four years. Mislatel Consortium said it would spend P257 billion in infrastructure and service rollout during the five-year period. Converge ICT earlier signed strategic partnerships with foreign and local telecommunications companies to roll out high-speed broadband network nationwide over five years for $2 billion. Under the partnership, Korea Telecoms, LSI-Fibernet Konstruk Corp., and TE Connectivity Subcom will help Converge ICT build and deploy the infrastructure necessary to provide pure end-to-end fiber internet connectivity at a nationwide scale. Converge ICT will fund the project through borrowings and equity. The rollout has the potential to reach more than 13 million of the 22 million households nationwide, particularly the major islands in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

BIR, Customs asked to work with China vs illicit cigarettes By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs to work with their Chinese counterparts to stop the illicit entry of cigarette-making machines that are being used to manufacture counterfeit tobacco products in the country. Dominguez issued the order after confirming with BIR commissioner Caesar Dulay that the illegal tobacco trade shifted from smuggling cigarettes to producing counterfeit brands using undocumented cigarette-making machines from China. “What we have to stop is the import of the equipment, which is coming from China,” Dominguez said during an executive committee meeting at the DoF. Dominguez instructed Dulay and Customs commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero to coordinate with Chinese officials to inform them about this new illicit scheme and to request them not to allow the export of cigarette making machines from China to the Philippines without the proper documentation. Based on previous raids conducted by the BIR, counterfeiters were able to manufacture fake versions of popular brands using smaller, more portable versions of the machines and devices for making cigarettes. Dulay said these unscrupulous individuals “have graduated from fake stamps to fake cigarettes.” He said erring traders apparently switched to manufacturing their own counterfeit cigarettes in lieu of smuggling legitimate products following the heightened joint BIR-BOC drive against suppliers of tobacco products with fake tax stamps, which was in compliance with Dominguez’s earlier orders. In the raids conducted by the BIR on several warehouses in Luzon and Mindanao, unlicensed cigarette-making machines, packing machines and filtermaking machines were seized along with fake cigarettes and fake tax stamps. Dominguez ordered the BIR to disable and dismantle the confiscated machines so that they would be rendered non-operational.

Shell focuses on finding new Malampaya gas field By Alena Mae S. Flores SHELL Companies in the Philippines is pushing for more oil and gas exploration to find another Malampaya gas field, instead of putting up an import terminal for liquefied natural gas. “The economic question in LNG, if those who will use it are the existing ones we have, which are around 3 gigawatts of capacity, then actually if we can drill and find one more [gas field], that’s enough to feed the five plants,” SCIP chairman Cesar Romero said. Romero said LNG terminals would face the risk of being stranded if a new gas discovery was made. “The risk of LNG terminal is who will be your customer. If sensibilities prevail, indigenous always trumps…over imports. The import terminal, then if there is discovery, hopefully us, the LNG facility may be stranded,” he said. SCIP includes Shell Philippines Explo-

ration B.V., which is engaged in oil exploration, and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. which is involved in the downstream retail oil industry. “What we are trying to advocate is to give priority to indigenous over import, because the government will earn from it. The consortium has already given P10 billion to government as of August,” Romero said. Romero said Shell was looking at the existing Service Contract 38 or the Malampaya gas project for new discoveries and “various territories.” “We are looking at various territories. Of course, SC 38 will always remain a priority for us because the asset is there. We are prepared to do near ﬁeld exploration,” he said. Romero said SCIP was prepared to invest more in the country, but was still seeking clarity on the issue of incentives for the oil and gas sector. “We want to invest but we hope we can

get clarity to the ﬁscal regime which is PD [Presidential Decree] 87 be upheld,” he said. Petroleum Association of the Philippines president Don Paulino, who is also the managing director of Spex, said studies showed that the country’s energy requirements would double in 20 years and to help meet this increasing demand, the government should ramp up tapping energy sources that are indigenous to the Philippines. “There have been a lot of studies in the past and one such study says that GDP growth is strongly correlated to energy demand and vice versa,” Paulino said. “Therefore, we need energy to grow the Philippines,” he said. Paulino said the real challenge for the Philippines is to provide sustainable energy at the cheapest rate possible. “But in order to do this, we have to develop local indigenous energy sources,” he said. The country’s electricity requirements are currently mostly met by imported fuel.

PH expected to save $600m from wire rod imports By Othel V. Campos STEELASIA Manufacturing Corp. expects the country to save $600 million from wire imports yearly as it started new projects for two wire rod mills involving P25 billion in investments to produce 1 million tons a year. SteelAsia chairman and chief executive Benjamin Yao said the projects could serve as the platform for the resurgence of the manufacturing industry, especially for steel manufacturing. “At present, the Philippines has zero capacity for wire rods. That means, we are importing all our wire rod requirements which have reached 800,000 tons a year and climbing,” he said.

Wire rods are the raw material for various products including machine parts, springs, cables, welding wires and rods, mesh, nuts and bolts, screws and other fasteners, tools, tire-cord and dozens of others. Small and medium enterprises producing these items would develop and thrive as a result of a local wire rod supply, and in turn, link their supply to high value manufacturing such as the automotive and machinery sectors. The company said advanced economies used this steel-based model for industrialization like the US, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China. The high cost of imported wire rods put many SME manufacturers

that need wire rods for their products in a difﬁculty position, Yao said. “Hence, the Philippines has been importing its nuts and bolts, wires or alambre, nails, welding rods, springs and even paper clips, staple wire and many other wire rodbased products while all these can actually be locally produced if only the Philippines had wire rod manufacturing,” he said. SteelAsia is building two mills for its wire rod production with a capacity of 500,000 tons each. The Visayas plant will serve the requirements of central and southern Philippines and the second plant in Central Luzon will serve customers in Metro Manila and the rest of the Luzon region.

PEPSI DONATION. Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. together with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation turns over two 3, 200-liter water tanks to various elementary schools in Marawi City. Shown are (from left) the principal of Rorogagus Elementary School, PCPPI director for legal affairs and compliance Amelle Cruz, PDRF recovery project manager Melissa Lavente-Correa, Lanao del Sur vice governor Bombit Alonto Adiong and Housing assistant secretary and Task Force Bangon Marawi field office manager Felix Castro Jr.

Business

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market likely to trade sideways By Jenniffer B. Austria

hare prices are expected to continue trading sideways with an upward momentum as investor sentiments will further improve toward the end of the year.

BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said while the market rose during the past trading weeks, there was still some steam left to move the index forward during the last trading trading days of the year. “Market barometer PSEi rose 1.27 percent week-on-week for the fourth straight week to 7,461.06 as investor sentiment improved farther following a lower than expected November inﬂation rate,” Ravelas said. “The market’s week’s close signals momentum is accelerating. The rally still has some steam to carry it towards the 7,800/8,000 levels in the near-term,” he added.

BPI Securities president and chief executive Hermenegildo Narvaez expects the index to close at 7,650 points at the end of 2018 and 8,300 in 2019. Narvaez said while rising inﬂation and interest rates were the major concerns among investors this year, these would not be a key factor next year amid declining world fuel prices and the government and the resolution of the country’s rice shortage. Narvarez expects foreign funds to return to emerging markets like the Philippines with a ﬁrm US economy. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week rose 1.3 percent to 7,461.06, while the broader All Shares Index

climbed 1.2 percent. Except for the mining and oil index, which declined 0.9 percent, all other subindices ended in the green, led by ﬁnancials (+2.17 percent), industrials (+1.75 percent), property (+1.25 percent) and holding ﬁrms (+0.81 percent). Foreign investors were net buyers by P800.3 million, while the average daily value traded stood at P8.7 billion from last week’s average of P10.4 billion. Weekly top price gainers were Asiabest Group International Inc., which rose 45 percent to P28.85; Philex Mining Corp., which advanced 10.1 percent to P2.82; and First Gen Corp., which rallied 9 percent to P19.32. Weekly top price losers, meanwhile, were ISM Communications Corp., which declined 13.2 percent to P5.56; San Miguel Corp., which fell 7.2 percent to P162.20; and Semirara Mining and Power Corp., which lost 6.3 percent to P24.55.

Wall Street, meanwhile, closed out a bruising week on an ugly note on Friday as unease over the US-China trade war prompted another sell-off, while an Opec deal lifted oil prices. Major US indices fell more than two percent to close the market’s worst week since March and one that left both the Dow and S&P 500 in negative territory for the year. European and Asian markets were mixed, with London, Paris and Tokyo gaining and Hong Kong and Frankfurt falling modestly. The Dow ﬁnished 2.2 percent lower at 24,388.95. The blue-chip index lost 4.5 percent for the week. The declines on Wall Street followed a mixed US jobs report that had initially helped lift stocks early in the session, in part because it was seen as boosting the likelihood that the US Federal Reserve could soon pause interest rate hikes.With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

DECEMBER 3-7, 2018 Close Volume

Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

58.95 133.20 94.25 2.15 1.51 27.7 15.7 11.98 4.01 7.24 0.67 1.45 835.00 0.480 79.8 0.92 11.1 43.50 72.7 117 177 28.5 160 1810.00 65.95 1.2

49,370 15,149,290 13,889,050 1,235,000 4,113,000 742,700 148,700 2,397,000 570,000 4,300 3,000,000 151,000 560 1,070,000 28,387,900 2,938,000 327,200 1,947,900 7,190 480 4,250 293,300 1,920,540 840 2,798,510 51,000

FINANCIAL 2,949,764.00 2,032,497,447.00 1,297,732,013.50 2,690,750.00 6,613,380.00 20,523,770.00 2,340,054.00 28,747,968.00 2,236,560.00 32,636.00 2,010,000.00 210,650.00 467,100.00 498,100.00 2,224,483,826.00 2,523,310.00 3,644,574.00 83,399,755.00 516,873.00 54,524.00 750,041.00 8,502,185.00 313,820,808.00 1,531,940.00 186,402,895.50 61,140.00

Aboitiz Power Corp. Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons. Basic Energy Corp. C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador First Gen Corp. First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp. Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petroenergy Res. Corp. Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp. Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp. Universal Robina Vitarich Corp. Vivant Corp. Vulcan Ind’l.

33 17.4 1.02 1.26 0.250 17.00 1.66 14.84 32.5 60.65 78.1 37.5 1.76 6.5 6.55 10.200 14.88 8.12 6.98 19.32 65 24.20 2.1300 6.20 9.07 1.740 295.00 51.05 4.3 3.21 8.52 28 9.95 18.58 0.162 376.00 5.87 1.39 3.96 8.34 5.05 8.23 0.90 10.80 48.45 5.2 4.80 1.87 2.67 1.47 10.46 84.15 5.15 0.122 0.83 127 1.84 16.90 1.74

23,140,600 2,591,600 41,301,000 1,062,000 7,560,000 14,600 48,082,000 2,361,300 1,490,500 2,170 40 1,341,100 785,000 3,870,400 170,300 17,336,800 649,700 1,058,000 935,300 21,451,000 1,057,130 85,200 81,490,000 797,500 12,743,900 4,723,000 4,379,350 121,710 315,000 24,000 5,100 4,682,900 2,161,000 38,839,300 4,320,000 1,436,750 32,500 2,797,000 88,000 7,828,100 678,100 42,100 7,964,000 695,900 10,676,900 834,900 12,146,000 1,648,000 168,000 1,663,000 320,700 7,364,110 7,252,900 1,250,000 1,372,000 8,654,280 74,238,000 8,500 107,138,000

INDUSTRIAL 749,190,065.00 45,571,166.00 42,264,110.00 1,323,380.00 1,870,180.00 256,232.00 82,095,630.00 36,066,382.00 48,750,570.00 131,837.50 3,123.50 49,623,300.00 1,297,300.00 26,510,491.00 1,132,089.00 179,988,890.00 9,823,052.00 8,916,870.00 6,526,419.00 397,273,694.00 66,892,366.00 2,078,110.00 176,038,540.00 4,717,483.00 119,331,074.00 8,370,880.00 1,276,488,490.00 6,107,293.00 1,299,380.00 77,300.00 43,641.00 129,775,780.00 21,587,451.00 731,788,742.00 718,110.00 553,202,508.00 196,225.00 3,870,670.00 349,780.00 65,266,856.00 3,449,370.00 352,080.00 7,180,760.00 7,633,974.00 508,044,410.00 4,452,664.00 58,397,430.00 3,070,460.00 478,100.00 2,338,170.00 3,341,860.00 617,901,631.50 39,703,800.00 155,080.00 1,113,990.00 1,120,163,093.00 134,572,800.00 143,418.00 195,776,320.00

Abacus Cons. À’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor À’ Asiabest Group ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp À’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp. Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. Lopez Holdings Corp. LT Group Mabuhay Holdings À’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. Pacifica À’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp À’ Seafront À’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.620 50.30 11.86 0.86 6.42 28.85 1.370 1.370 910 7.35 12.58 5.1 9.81 0.201 920 5.94 50.10 5.5 0.54 4.13 16.94 0.620 4.77 0.0380 1.240 2.400 2.69 162.20 2.23 940.00 1.33 0.74 280.000 505.00 0.2650 0.224

178,145,000 34,924,570 74,704,000 249,000 24,300 18,321,900 65,209,000 12,029,000 2,346,370 12,552,800 26,828,600 36,300 4,126,500 210,000 816,320 19,700 12,372,770 54,200 1,648,000 55,078,000 34,144,100 2,589,000 247,475,000 379,300,000 176,000 3,594,000 1,000 3,016,690 35,000 2,014,910 321,000 1,096,000 21,920 3,710 59,760,000 800,000

HOLDING FIRMS 110,855,830.00 1,829,351,464.50 868,557,304.00 205,400.00 155,542.00 427,134,505.00 94,141,270.00 17,057,450.00 2,222,038,315.00 92,539,274.00 341,793,210.00 192,492.00 41,086,105.00 48,890.00 775,553,735.00 117,180.00 634,177,949.00 288,504.00 883,170.00 224,098,240.00 577,641,040.00 1,574,890.00 1,200,077,090.00 15,486,900.00 215,300.00 8,609,220.00 2,690.00 511,419,854.00 77,090.00 1,930,164,010.00 414,560.00 810,960.00 6,096,424.00 1,987,528.00 15,336,870.00 174,640.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop À’ Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. À’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. À’ Century Property Cityland Dev. À’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil Infradev Phil. Estates Corp. Phil. Realty À’ Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’

7.740 0.77 10.56 1.700 0.560 40.750 2.39 4.05 6 6 0.405 0.890 0.233 0.340 8.040 17.7 0.485 0.120 1.51 1.09 4.8 0.415 2.3900 0.4800 0.385 3.8 21.00

5,077,100 3,674,000 12,000 695,000 3,787,000 68,463,300 11,709,000 914,000 137,200 6,300 16,230,000 112,000 14,480,000 9,050,000 2,819,900 1,166,100 2,358,000 740,000 26,153,000 14,463,000 86,880,000 226,290,000 46,237,000 8,820,000 1,850,000 2,428,000 13,508,800

PROPERTY 38,796,982.00 2,887,770.00 121,992.00 1,215,160.00 2,187,310.00 2,872,259,600.00 27,266,560.00 3,706,710.00 823,572.00 36,870.00 6,541,700.00 97,180.00 3,305,860.00 3,124,900.00 22,663,642.00 21,194,796.00 1,159,615.00 87,750.00 39,078,930.00 15,677,720.00 414,506,070.00 91,174,050.00 110,874,060.00 4,236,050.00 712,100.00 9,101,290.00 289,652,770.00

NOVEMBER 26-29, 2018 Close Volume Value 59.7 130.20 94.00 2.30 1.60 27.65 15.5 11.52 4.14 8.00 0.67 1.41 830.00 0.450 74.6 0.8 10.9 41.20 71.25 117 171.1 29 161 1825.00 67.70 1.14

61,820 15,662,340 8,808,990 8,000 4,102,000 428,800 21,300 4,649,900 810,000 100 203,000 68,000 100 1,000,000 91,132,250 949,000 189,400 1,349,000 28,800 1,520 10,430 419,500 3,264,970 460 7,692,800 171,000

3,668,996.00 2,030,890,636.00 502,297,320.50 18,520.00 6,118,720.00 11,848,280.00 328,562.00 53,100,726.00 3,199,840.00 800.00 136,010.00 96,420.00 83,000.00 450,200.00 6,841,505,038.50 741,970.00 2,048,794.00 55,154,775.00 2,041,457.50 177,850.00 1,802,423.00 12,053,980.00 525,352,726.00 835,635.00 507,104,806.00 194,940.00

31.7 17.8 1.05 1.28 0.250 17.00 1.7 15.74 32.5

8,195,000 2,935,800 84,500,000 956,000 26,120,000 12,300 39,586,000 7,271,400 304,300

267,619,400.00 51,545,428.00 92,501,290.00 1,188,330.00 6,541,230.00 200,728.00 67,528,810.00 105,989,184.00 10,272,550.00

78.05 36.4 1.56 5.5 6.85 10.200 15.5 8.64 6.98 17.72 62.05 25.00 2.1000 5.80 9.18 1.640 278.40

200 863,300 451,000 258,600 51,000 10,563,600 5,615,800 1,630,200 636,000 12,082,900 4,926,340 146,700 107,186,000 1,326,500 22,625,500 3,264,000 3,796,370

15,610.00 31,600,615.00 656,960.00 1,412,017.00 354,085.00 109,243,404.00 87,884,920.00 14,213,694.00 4,427,244.00 211,931,176.00 305,349,483.00 3,502,125.00 219,920,350.00 7,811,573.00 201,317,659.00 5,405,590.00 1,064,240,426.00

4.62 3.34 8.46 26.95 9.98 18.2 0.179 384.20 6.00 1.35 3.90 8.20 4.87 8.78 0.90 11.02 47.4 5.2 4.75 1.91 2.8 1.36 10.7 82.85 5.4 0.123 0.84 128 1.74 15.20 1.70

66,000 32,000 64,100 2,299,000 1,001,100 42,031,200 810,000 2,510,910 40,700 928,000 145,000 4,923,300 507,000 21,000 1,891,000 732,700 12,602,000 493,400 82,000 464,000 30,000 1,484,000 426,300 9,945,310 4,294,700 690,000 353,000 5,151,280 75,442,000 200 78,511,000

306,040.00 106,110.00 542,675.00 59,976,075.00 10,109,042.00 743,887,374.00 142,390.00 967,970,730.00 243,853.00 1,258,730.00 568,470.00 40,117,444.00 2,401,910.00 179,693.00 1,695,660.00 8,101,092.00 601,854,255.00 2,522,728.00 388,810.00 865,630.00 84,260.00 1,943,900.00 4,547,752.00 827,097,990.50 23,291,554.00 84,520.00 285,620.00 672,282,193.00 120,909,150.00 3,040.00 138,040,610.00

0.580 52.20 11.42 0.90 6.42 19.9 1.510 1.510 951 7.06 12.34 5.09 9.30 0.198 888

212,796,000 18,629,570 57,092,600 15,000 117,400 5,698,200 63,402,000 17,429,000 1,671,890 3,455,600 33,886,100 19,000 28,717,000 720,000 734,140

123,070,410.00 989,863,829.50 647,087,702.00 13,400.00 747,535.00 113,335,989.00 94,643,980.00 26,090,670.00 1,585,395,985.00 24,793,211.00 436,270,716.00 71,155.00 256,375,698.00 170,130.00 646,452,090.00

48.20 4.41 0.53 4.08 15.98 0.620 4.7 0.0360 1.240 2.280 2.69 174.70

11,621,700 3,000 169,000 62,781,000 13,315,800 5,422,000 156,108,000 66,700,000 164,000 1,678,000 28,000 882,040

565,388,890.00 13,910.00 85,430.00 249,584,410.00 207,702,098.00 3,292,030.00 723,939,500.00 2,396,200.00 197,880.00 3,888,590.00 74,420.00 152,870,005.00

908.50 1.35 0.78 280.000 475.80 0.2450 0.215

1,890,460 366,000 126,000 520,780 620 10,250,000 160,000

1,734,811,145.00 465,800.00 97,670.00 145,288,716.00 279,814.00 2,415,840.00 34,410.00

7.550 0.77 10.60 1.850 0.570 41.650 2.22 4.08 5.98

6,646,000 9,088,000 23,200 93,000 3,821,000 53,913,200 6,477,000 2,530,000 26,100

50,184,650.00 7,141,610.00 245,542.00 164,890.00 2,153,790.00 2,229,399,565.00 14,288,870.00 10,371,730.00 149,245.00

0.410 0.870 0.217 0.340 7.850 18.2 0.490 0.108 1.45 1.03 4.51 0.380 2.4500 0.4700 0.390 3.6 20.45

21,450,000 96,000 6,130,000 2,210,000 828,200 907,100 541,000 2,050,000 15,515,000 11,642,000 103,983,000 193,740,000 24,310,000 4,920,000 4,590,000 2,180,000 11,201,600

8,690,350.00 82,520.00 1,309,480.00 760,800.00 6,363,797.00 16,444,350.00 270,095.00 242,560.00 22,535,470.00 11,713,570.00 488,819,300.00 75,737,650.00 59,601,510.00 2,291,650.00 1,718,850.00 7,829,000.00 235,445,310.00

STOCKS

DECEMBER 3-7, 2018 Close Volume

NOVEMBER 26-29, 2018 Close Volume Value

Value

Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

2 3.09 36.00 1.22 5.4 0.720 5.140

552,000 388,000 72,322,200 6,548,000 3,285,000 232,000 33,438,300

1,099,660.00 1,203,650.00 2,640,848,430.00 7,750,730.00 18,343,615.00 169,460.00 173,557,895.00

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. À’ IPeople Inc. À’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp. Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils. Wilcon Depot

11 19.92 1.46 0.405 0.040 13 2.69 8.02 74.65 7.95 6.57 7.93 2.42 19.52 920 2076 5.30 319.00 3.29 94.5 2.09 11.64 7.20 0.114 5.5600 3.43 14.3 3.49 0.76 14.58 18.00 0.345 5.51 7.25 2.28 2.32 2.35 3.640 10.02 8.54 3.44 116.90 3.01 1165.00 0.315 0.750 42.75 71.50 7.45 2.38 0.640 0.41 5.26 0.680 12.260

547,800 558,400 7,364,000 11,570,000 180,800,000 762,800 39,755,000 50,974,700 865,970 12,700 10,835,200 17,000 37,000 4,801,400 1,260 309,240 881,100 4,770 9,748,000 7,606,510 580,000 5,300 16,000 16,070,000 102,683,600 7,000 6,600 7,576,000 105,000 3,488,300 68,800 50,000 265,300 82,986,700 6,778,000 11,239,000 693,000 19,800,000 74,800 90,000 17,000 432,380 9,022,000 596,760 2,410,000 84,451,000 19,574,500 6,701,470 7,838,200 35,862,710 86,851,000 244,000,000 1,178,100 32,927,000 9,138,400

Abra Mining Apex À’ Atlas Cons. À’ Atok-Big Wedge À’ Benguet Corp À’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto À’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining À’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. À’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex À’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. À’ Phinma Petro Semirara Corp. United Paragon

0.0020 1.62 2.51 16.00 1.1600 1.1300 1.91 0.300 7.12 1.700 0.205 0.095 0.108 0.008 0.0063 1.08 2.23 1.07 0.5900 1.0100 0.0120 0.0120 2.82 15.70 0.0120 3.2400 24.55 0.0060

MINING & OIL 6,174,000,000 11,989,800.00 17,536,000 29,043,040.00 615,000 1,607,340.00 41,300 632,196.00 28,000 32,640.00 17,000 19,140.00 1,996,000 3,810,440.00 530,000 157,750.00 30,500 222,326.00 28,655,000 48,831,860.00 530,000 107,750.00 96,330,000 9,549,820.00 3,770,000 384,680.00 27,000,000 204,200.00 29,000,000 193,400.00 93,000 100,450.00 32,629,000 75,454,730.00 861,000 918,770.00 253,000 135,160.00 9,603,000 7,422,730.00 612,400,000 7,408,500.00 123,100,000 1,529,800.00 9,532,000 26,171,440.00 13,979,300 218,795,316.00 109,000,000 1,292,400.00 203,000 637,670.00 10,898,200 277,276,955.00 41,000,000 252,900.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

18.82 98 460 490 98.9 103 475 5.24 940 925 94.55 1 101.5 990 952 102.2 998 75.95 76.6 73.95 74.5 75 74.5 73.9 2.16

508,600 18,040 4,770 4,050 53,410 44,210 4,920 162,600 960 1,620 5,460 1,045,000 22,940 2,550 80 10,380 60 13,500 278,540 33,000 10,000 94,470 13,910 71,580 1,000

LR Warrant

2.050

WARRANTS & BONDS 4,136,000 8,889,360.00

SERVICES 6,103,349.00 11,126,880.00 10,072,040.00 4,682,750.00 7,014,400.00 9,917,296.00 99,767,840.00 429,254,273.00 64,682,324.00 101,342.00 73,823,526.00 128,270.00 87,770.00 93,893,566.00 1,159,200.00 637,743,955.00 4,633,669.00 1,536,830.00 32,613,520.00 716,261,333.00 1,237,210.00 60,176.00 115,200.00 1,777,760.00 619,159,638.00 23,630.00 92,914.00 27,485,140.00 79,720.00 51,357,104.00 1,076,462.00 16,650.00 1,420,269.00 601,587,017.00 15,454,360.00 24,666,660.00 1,465,970.00 73,687,710.00 751,100.00 711,857.00 57,360.00 49,658,852.00 28,561,440.00 706,849,155.00 771,850.00 60,986,220.00 835,170,210.00 495,505,047.50 58,931,221.00 55,792,170.00 55,253,950.00 100,680,950.00 6,198,621.00 22,665,940.00 111,501,982.00

PREFERRED 9,718,344.00 1,770,668.50 2,194,380.00 1,980,498.00 5,238,977.00 4,540,385.00 2,296,220.00 830,355.00 866,225.00 1,452,280.00 516,460.50 1,045,930.00 2,280,980.00 2,523,500.00 79,520.00 1,060,390.00 58,480.00 1,016,038.00 21,253,310.00 2,411,392.50 745,000.00 7,032,307.50 1,017,343.00 5,269,150.00 2,160.00

SME 3,449,750.00 5,778,260.00 61,660,330.00

1.95 3.12 34.70 1.18 5.12 0.740 5.300

462,000 122,000 47,824,000 2,662,000 22,686,400 574,000 15,333,100

897,900.00 379,260.00 1,652,915,090.00 3,117,110.00 138,017,741.00 419,250.00 81,291,752.00

9.96 19.86 1.44 0.380 0.038 13.02 2.35 8.34 74.15 7.97 7.17 8.00 2.36 18.20 892 1970 5.25 325.00 3.43 93.5 1.71 10.8 7.20 0.104 6.4100 3.44 14 3.30 0.78 14.50 15.50 0.350 5.5 7.25 2.20 1.94 1.85 3.450 10.4 8.00 3.09 112.00 2.97 1158.00 0.330 0.640 42.55 76.40 7.49 2.32 0.610 0.385 5.3 0.610 12.060

66,600 286,700 20,000 9,760,000 7,900,000 3,500 38,421,000 49,910,100 1,196,740 121,400 26,054,500 34,400 13,000 13,553,200 820 215,180 303,200 13,080 8,217,000 19,122,870 12,000 17,400 33,500 83,060,000 189,746,300 52,000 8,700 22,232,000 457,000 5,728,100 4,400 920,000 149,500 4,636,100 16,145,000 13,648,000 1,013,000 47,335,000 18,000 12,000 170,000 32,790 3,334,000 648,940 1,400,000 103,541,000 10,001,500 4,738,360 192,700 43,102,000 29,288,000 208,407,000 3,260,200 16,127,000 26,812,000

662,688.00 5,651,312.00 27,740.00 3,722,100.00 294,400.00 45,774.00 83,617,730.00 410,612,640.00 86,809,631.50 946,906.00 183,294,073.00 259,314.00 30,270.00 269,335,754.00 773,350.00 428,840,745.00 1,601,119.00 4,193,190.00 28,541,440.00 1,836,930,582.50 21,220.00 178,810.00 241,200.00 9,231,470.00 1,015,468,689.00 301,270.00 122,680.00 71,687,130.00 346,890.00 80,802,438.00 78,766.00 324,900.00 807,399.00 33,000,158.00 33,896,080.00 26,737,440.00 2,049,750.00 177,020,770.00 187,514.00 96,229.00 548,910.00 3,547,158.00 10,000,050.00 762,110,570.00 465,200.00 66,687,960.00 429,809,500.00 356,093,521.00 1,358,912.00 104,128,810.00 18,393,330.00 109,425,400.00 17,172,090.00 9,287,420.00 325,211,422.00

0.0018 1.57 2.64 13.92 1.1100

1,331,271,000 18,842,000 174,000 70,700 2,000

3,061,300.00 30,841,530.00 429,230.00 974,182.00 2,220.00

1.9 0.290 7.00 1.700 0.202 0.097 0.100 0.007 0.0070 1.11 2.22 1.03 0.5300 0.8800 0.0130 0.0120 2.56 14.42 0.0120 3.2100 26.20 0.0060

601,000 890,000 13,600 1,798,000 260,000 21,820,000 2,230,000 74,000,000 2,000,000 133,000 89,037,000 94,000 578,000 1,570,000 134,160,000 9,800,000 7,028,000 11,471,700 38,700,000 434,000 4,750,400 15,000,000

1,146,210.00 257,450.00 95,504.00 3,030,450.00 52,030.00 2,000,260.00 221,570.00 532,400.00 14,000.00 136,160.00 197,651,460.00 94,160.00 199,140.00 1,417,490.00 1,744,500.00 117,600.00 18,247,390.00 170,099,734.00 476,700.00 1,420,270.00 124,901,050.00 97,300.00

19.1

20,400

391,640.00

460 489 97.9 102.5 475 5.06

6,640 300 43,620 10,160 30 32,600

3,056,800.00 146,140.00 4,180,068.00 1,029,850.00 14,250.00 165,537.00

95 1.03

2,650 4,000

251,750.00 4,120.00

989.5 1010 102 998 75.95 76.55 71.4 74.95 75 75 73.5

350 1,220 6,120 2,320 10,360 440,390 78,860 35,560 1,066,590 20,130 13,170

339,450.00 1,181,905.00 624,680.00 2,265,320.00 780,088.00 33,539,682.50 5,662,197.00 2,599,963.00 79,811,141.50 1,473,890.00 967,212.50

1.960

4,002,000

7,709,240.00

4.44 1.32

1,789,000 36,427,000

7,960,260.00 44,532,010.00

Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

2.98 4.61 1.25

1,292,000 1,253,000 46,175,000

First Metro ETF

111.5

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 61,680 6,930,222.00

110.5

22,890

2,526,491.00

10 10 1.02

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 28,500 287,424.00 16,000 161,200.00 48,000 48,830.00

10.2 10.2

5,900 11,600

60,180.00 117,865.00

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Oriental Pet. À’ Pacifica À’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. Transpacific Broadcast MRC Allied Ind. Apollo Global Abacus Cons. À’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philodrill Corp. À’

VOLUME 6,174,000,000 612,400,000 379,300,000 247,475,000 244,000,000 226,290,000 180,800,000 178,145,000 123,100,000 109,000,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings Metrobank Ayala Corp `A’ Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. SM Investments Inc. Aboitiz Equity Bank of PI Jollibee Foods Corp. Metro Paciﬁc Inv. Corp.

VALUE 2,872,259,600.00 2,640,848,430.00 2,224,483,826.00 2,222,038,315.00 2,032,497,447.00 1,930,164,010.00 1,829,351,464.50 1,297,732,013.50 1,276,488,490.00 1,200,077,090.00

Tiger tender offer blocked by an investor of Asiabest A MINORITY shareholder of Asiabest Group International Inc. has asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to stop the ongoing tender offer and planned backdoor listing of Tiger Resort Asia Ltd. ABG shareholder Carnelll Valdez in a complaint filed with the SEC on Dec. 5 asked the corporate regulator to issue a cease-and-desist order stopping Tiger Resort from completing the tender offer that could pave the way for its backdoor listing through ABG. Valdez in the complaint accused Tiger Resorts of allegedly violating the Securities Regulation Code when it failed to disclose in a tender offer report the intracorporate dispute involving the major shareholder of Tiger Resorts. Okada Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Japan’s Universal Entertainment Corp., which in turn is the 100-percent owner of Tiger Resort, which fully controls Tiger Resort Leisure & Entertainment Inc., the operator of casino hotel Okada Manila. Japanese pachinko billionaire and UEC founder Kazuo Okada and his daughter Hiromi Okada earlier initiated civil and criminal proceedings in Hong Kong to regain control of Okada Holdings and secure criminal convictions for fraud and financial crimes against those responsible for his alleged illegal ouster as chairman of Okada Holdings, UEC, Tiger Resort and Okada Holdings in 2017. Okada on Aug. 29 also filed with the Parañaque Regional Trial Court an intra-corporate lawsuit against Tiger Asia, owner of Tiger Resort, and their respective directors and officers. On Sept 11, Tiger Resort signed a deal to purchase 200 million shares in ABG, or equivalent to two-third of the company, for P646 million. As a result, Tiger Resorts was forced to make a tender offer that started on Nov. 12 and would end on Dec. 12. The shares to be tendered will be crossed through a special block sale with the Philippine Stock Exchange on Dec. 14. Valdez said Tiger Resort’s tender offer report did not contain any information regarding the legal proceedings initiated by Kazuo Okada and Hiromi Okada. Valdez said the omission of a material fact was prohibited by the SRC Rules, adding, it affected the stability and profitability outlook of ABG under the control of Tiger Resort. Jenniffer B. Austria

BPI bond sale brings local mart to P1-t mark BANK of the Philippine Islands has brought the corporate bond market to the P1-trillion mark after listing P25 billion worth of bonds. The issue is BPI’s inaugural fixed rate bonds listed with Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. The bonds have a tenor of 1.25 years and a coupon rate of 6.7970 percent a year. The listing also brings the total bonds listed by the Ayala Group to P203.13 billion, which now makes up about 20 percent of the bond market today. BPI president and chief executive Cezar Consing said the sale of the bonds was a significant validation of the confidence of investors in the bank and the economy despite the challenges in all financial asset classes globally. “This speaks to the strength and drawing power of BPI. More importantly, it speaks to our commitment to our country. The Philippines is on the move and BPI is, as we have always done, stepping up to finance our country’s growth,” he said. The order book exceeded P38 billion. PDEx president Antonio Nakpil said the listing signified several other milestones. “BPI is listing the largest single bond issue ever to be listed in PDEX. The listing also makes 2018 hold the record for the highest volume of listings in a single year at P210 billion, exceeding last year’s figure of P207 billion,” he said. “This listing of P25 billion is the 25th listing of the year. Strangely coincidental, but this is really quite a distance from the 2008 year-end figure of P10 billion, and for those interested, marking a compounded average growth rate of 58.49 percent for the past 10 years,” he added. Ayala Corp. and Ayala Land Inc. were the first to list bonds amounting to P10 billion in 2008.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Business/World

Standard

TODAY

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Hong Kong flight attendants fight back IN BRIEF H ONG KONG— Immaculate-looking ﬂight attendants who appear unrufﬂed by the demands of a life spent in the air are part of the slick image sold by carriers―but Hong Kong-based workers are increasingly hitting back against sexual harassment.

Female cabin crew told AFP of how they had been harassed by not only passengers but also other airline staff. While they say carriers have made some steps in the right direction, they argue airlines still lag far behind in the #MeToo era. Venus Fung, whose experiences drove her to join and lead the Cabin Attendants Union of Hong Kong, says airlines must teach workers on how to deal with harassment. Fung, 29, said the issue was never raised in her company training. The Hong Kong-based attendant told AFP she had been physically picked up by a pilot who touched her chest, waist and bottom, commenting she had a nice body, when she was new to the job more than two years ago. “At that moment I was really angry, but I was mostly also panicking and afraid. My mind went completely blank -- I had no idea what to do or how to react,” said Fung, who works for a European airline which she did not want to identify for fear of recrimination. The cabin manager who witnessed the incident did not intervene, Fung added, instead threatening to report her for wearing a skirt that was “too tight”. As a result Fung stopped wearing skirts at work for more than a year, opting for trousers instead. She has since been training colleagues on how to report sexual harassment and seek help, but said long-term cultural changes are needed. “When a ﬂight attendant comes out it looks very fancy with the uniform, heels and makeup. There are fantasies around this industry and it’s hard to change public perception but it absolutely cannot be an excuse for bad behavior,” Fung said, calling for an awareness-raising campaign. AFP

Soviet dissident dies at 91

MOSCOW―Lyudmila Alexeyeva, a Soviet-era dissident who became a symbol of resistance in modern-day Russia as a leading rights activist, died after a long illness at the age of 91 in Moscow on Saturday. In an extraordinary career emblematic of the country’s turbulent history, she tirelessly defended human rights in the USSR from the 1950s, and continued to do so in strongman leader Vladimir Putin’s Russia. “This is a huge loss for the entire human rights movement in Russia,” Mikhail Fedotov, head of the Kremlin Human Rights Council, said in a statement. Alexeyeva died at about 1630 GMT Saturday in a Moscow hospital, he added. “It was not the ﬁrst time that she was in this hospital, doctors had already revived her several times in the most difﬁcult of situations. But there are situations in which doctors can do nothing,” he added. AFP

Jakarta on December 9, 2018. AFP

RABAT—Moroccan authorities said Saturday they had seized more than a ton of cocaine and detained seven people suspected of smuggling the narcotic from South America to Europe. The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation said the cocaine was found in a truck along with two dinghies near the port city of El Jadida, according to a statement carried by the official MAP news agency. Seven Moroccan citizens were arrested “for their alleged links to a transnational criminal network involved in the international trafficking of cocaine between Morocco, Latin America and Europe”. The authorities said initial information suggested the drugs had been shipped over from South America on a commercial vessel before being transferred onto a smaller fishing boat and brought ashore in Morocco. Cocaine traffickers have developed new routes to Europe over the past decade. AFP

Trump again denies collusion in Russia probe WASHINGTON―US President Donald Trump on Saturday again denied that his campaign colluded with Russian operatives, but made no comment on claims that he directly organized hush payments to ward off a possible sex scandal during his White House run. Trump took to Twitter, his favorite means of communication, to address the multiple court ﬁlings that dropped on Friday in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller’s sweeping investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. “AFTER TWO YEARS AND MILLIONS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS (and a cost of over $30,000,000), NO COLLUSION!” the president said. Later, he told reporters: “We are

happy with what we are reading. There was no collusion whatsoever. There never has been. The last thing I want is help from Russia on a campaign.” While the ﬁlings indeed did not appear to reveal evidence of collusion, they did offer a wealth of new information about what Mueller’s team is looking into, along with other federal prosecutors in New York. Prosecutors directly implicated Trump in efforts to buy the silence of two women who claimed they had affairs with him, saying he directed his then-attorney Michael Cohen to offer them hush money. “With respect to both payments, Cohen acted with the intent to inﬂuence the 2016 presidential election,” the New York prosecutors said.

“In particular, and as Cohen himself has now admitted, with respect to both payments, he acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1,” they added, referring to Trump. The payments are technically unrelated to the Russia probe, but prosecutors painted a damning picture of the “extensive, deliberate, and serious criminal conduct” of Cohen—once a member of Trump’s inner circle of trusted aides. In August, the 52-year-old Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign ﬁnance law in connection with the payments. “Cohen deceived the voting public by hiding alleged facts that he believed would have had a substantial effect on the election,” prosecutors said. AFP

Resilience through business continuity, safety management IMAGINE a strong earthquake strikes and you are inside your office working. Your reaction is to protect yourself. You find yourself calm enough and cover your head and torso to avoid being injured by falling objects. You wait until the shaking stops before going to the exit door. This fictitious scenario is ideal, of course. Experts observe that in a real, extreme earthquake, people (such as those trapped in buildings) react differently. While some individuals would respond well during an emergency situation, others would panic. Reactions to an incident depend on several factors, such as emotional health and level of emergency preparedness. Resilience pertains to the ability to adapt to unexpected changes and recover quickly from any negative event. At the individual level, human resilience points to the person’s capacity to deal with life adversities and triumph over those challenges. Dr. Paul Stolz, a noted thought leader and business consultant, calls it “Adversity Quotient.” It involves managing one’s thoughts and feelings to improve reactions to negative situations and bounce back quickly with less stress. A resilient employee can respond quickly and properly when faced with a critical situation such as an accident or a natural disaster. At the organizational level, resilience is improved when managers fully comply with the law strengthening compliance with occupational safety and health standards (Republic Act 11058). This government policy protects workers against all hazards in the workplace. Through this safety law, organizations develop capacities for improving resilience through better preparedness or prevention measures for workers’ safety. These initiatives cover many areas, such as safety rules, emergency preparedness and response plans, and safety and health training. Human safety is paramount since workers are viewed as the most important resource in an organization. However, managers are also responsible for ensuring stability of the organization during an incident or emergency. This can be addressed through the implementation of a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for the organization. It is a systematic plan that helps ensure that business operations can resume quickly right after an incident or a crisis. It helps maintain financial viability and prevents further losses due to disruptions in processes and systems resulting from the incident. Having a BCP is a best practice for today’s business organizations. It contains tools, techniques and detailed courses of action to be taken before, during and after an incident or emergency. A BCP typically includes emergency response and management, as well as business recovery for information technology systems, communications systems, utilities, personnel and other vital supply resources. The BCP is important not only for critical service organizations

Morocco seizes over a ton of cocaine

PARADE. Indonesian dancers perform ‘Reog Ponorogo’ during a parade to mark the end of a national congress on culture in

(banks, utilities, medical institutions) but also for other businesses, whether small, medium and large. It can be tailored to fit the varying needs and requirements of all types of organizations. In adopting resiliency measures, a common concern for decision-making is priority. For instance, which specific incident related to information technology management systems should be resolved first? Which type of business disruption is more urgent or has more impact? A BCP helps provide a classification of incidents and assessment of various risks, which would indicate their priority for the business owner. Opportunities for resiliency measures are many. For instance, there are cases where business continuity and human safety measures of some local companies have expanded to their outlying areas. Experts contend that this is because when disasters (such as earthquakes, fire, massive flooding) occur, the impact may be extensive and may cover surrounding communities. Thus, some large companies have now radiated their disaster preparedness and recovery strategies to their surrounding barangays. This approach to resilience has been created through partnerships between the large company and the surrounding village leaders. Together, they pursue a common goal to create more resilient and humane communities for inclusive growth that will improve the lives of more people, especially in marginal areas. After all, when natural disaster strikes, it affects a large populace whose constituents must help each other. Resilience measures are also continuing to grow as part of employee training. Interestingly, in one service company, this specific question is posed to its employees during emergency training: “Suppose a major emergency occurs at your office and you are right there, what items should you quickly pick up and bring when you go out for safety?” Employees in that service company are required to pick up and bring only two items when exiting—their personal safety kits and their individual laptops. Hopefully, more organizations will join the social movement to improve resilience through innovation and creativity in business continuity plans and human safety initiatives Dr. Rachel Alvendia-Quero is an associate professorial lecturer at the Management and Organization Department of the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University, Manila. She teaches Human Resource Management with Organizational Behavior as well as Business Organization and Management. She has done research studies on the private sector’s role in disaster risk reduction and management. Comments are welcome at rachel.quero@ dlsu.edu.ph. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

RACHEL ALVENDIA-QUERO

GREEN LIGHT

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 5-FC, Mandaluyong City IN RE: PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF SOFIA PATRICIA SARMIENTO, Spec. Proc. No. R-MND-18-01625-SP SPOUSES ALBERT AND DOLORES REYES, Petitioners. x------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

This is a petition for adoption filed by the petitioners, Spouses Albert C. Reyes (“Albert”) and Dolores Chua L. Taw-Reyes (“Dolores”), praying that this Court issue in their favor a decree of adoption over Sofia Patricia Sarmiento (“Sofia Patricia”), a Certificate of Live Birth be issued identifying them as the parents of Sofia Patricia, and that the name of Sofia Patricia be legally changed to Audrey Daphne Taw Reyes in her Certificate of Live Birth. As can be culled from the Amended Petition and its attachments, Albert and Dolores are both of legal age, Filipinos and residents of Unit 407, 32 Florante St., Barangay Plainview, Mandaluyong City. They have no legitimate or illegitimate children. On the other hand, Sofia Patricia was born on March 9, 2017 at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, has no middle name and, based on her Certificate of Live Birth with Registry No. 2017-14595, is the child of Sweetzelyn Inventado Sarmiento. Albert and Dolores coursed their application for adoption through Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-accredited child placement agency at the Heart Mary Villa, which, in turn, is an accredited child-caring agency. The DSWD has declared Sofia Patricia legally available for adoption, approved her placement with the petitioners and, through its Regional Director for the National Capital Region (NCR), Vincent Andrew T. Leyson, consented to the adoption of Sofia Patricia by the petitioners-spouses.

Republic of the Philippines CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO.: 31-18 TO

ALL CONCERNED

FROM

DIRECTOR GENERAL

SUBJECT :

AMENDMENT TO PCAR PART 13 IN COMPLIANCE WITH AMENDMENT 16 TO ICAO ANNEX 13.

REFERENCES: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations Part 13 ICAO State letter reference no: AN 6/1.1-18/37 Regulations Amendment/Revision Procedure Board Resolution No.: 2012-054 dated 28 September 2012

Pursuant to the powers vested on the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines under Republic Act 9497, otherwise known as the Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008 and in accordance with the Regulations Amendment/Revision Procedure with Board Resolution No. 2012-054 dated 28 September 2012, I hereby approve the incorporation of the following amendments to the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations. AMENDED REGULATION: PCAR PART 13 13.150

SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

Petitioners-spouses further allege that they: (1) are in possession of their full civil capacity and legal rights; (2) are of good moral character; (3) have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; (4) are emotionally and psychologically capable of caring for children; (5) are at least sixteen (16) years older than the adoptee; (6) are in the position to support and care for the adoptee; and (7) have undergone pre-adoption services as required under Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8552.

xxx

WHEREFORE, finding the Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, let the same be set for hearing on March 26, 2019 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, in the courtroom of the Regional Trial Court of Mandaluyong City, Branch 277, 3rd Floor, New Hall of Justice, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, at which date, time and place, the petitioners-spouses, the adoptee, and all interested persons who may be affected thereby, specially Sweetzelyn Inventado Sarmiento and her relatives, are DIRECTED to APPEAR and show cause why the petition should or should not be granted.

(h) The Chairman shall implement procedures to monitor the progress of the action taken in response to the safety recommendation received under paragraph (e).

Pursuant to Section 13 of Administrative Matter No. 02-6-02SC on the Rule on Adoption, in relation to Section 11, Article IV of Republic Act No. 8552, otherwise known as the “Domestic Adoption Act of 1998,” the Court of Social Worker is DIRECTED to PREPARE a Child Study Report and a Home Study Report, with a recommendation on the adoptee and the petitionersspouses. The Court Social Worker shall SUBMIT the Child and Home Study Reports directly and only to the Court at least ONE (1) WEEK before the hearing on March 26, 2019, and BE PRESENT during said hearing. The Child and Home Study Reports shall include, but not limited to, the following:

“End of Amendments”

1) A verification with the Civil Registry of the real identity and registered name of the adoptee; 2) The establishment that the child is legally available for adoption and the documents in support thereof are valid and authentic; 3) A determination of the veracity of the allegations of the petitioners-spouses with respect to the biological mother of the adoptee; 4) A determination of the earnest intention of the petitionersspouses and whether the adoption will inure to the best interest of the child; and 5) A determination of whether there is/are ground/s to deny the petition. Pursuant to Section 12 of A.M. No. 02-6-02-SC, the Court Social Worker is further DIRECTED to CONDUCT counseling sessions with the biological mother of the adoptee, should the latter’s whereabouts be known, on the matter of the adoption of the adoptee and SUBMIT his/her report thereon at least ONE (1) WEEK before the hearing on March 26, 2019. Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioners-spouses in a newspaper of general circulation in Metro Manila and nearby provinces selected by raffle, ONCE a week for THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS. Further, let a copy of this Order together with the Amended Petition and its annexes be served upon the Office of the Solicitor General, the Office of the City Prosecutor of Mandaluyong City, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Court Social Worker. SO ORDERED. October 12, 2018, Mandaluyong City. (Sgd.) JOANNE G. HERNANDEZ-LAZO Presiding Judge (MStandard-Dec. 10, 17 & 24, 2018)

(g) The Chairman shall implement procedures to record the responses received on the preventive actions or safety recommendations issued under paragraph (a).

Note.- Guidance on the identification, drafting and follow-up of safety recommendation is contained in the Manual of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation (Doc 9756), Part IV - Reporting.

Separability Clause - If, for any reason, any provision of this Memorandum Circular is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other part or parts thereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. Repealing Clause - All orders, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Memorandum Circular are hereby repealed, superseded or modified accordingly. Determination Of Changes - To highlight the amendments and/or revisions in the Memorandum Circular, the deleted text shall be shown with strikethrough and the new inserted text shall be highlighted with grey shading, as illustrated below: 1. Text deleted: Text to be deleted is shown with a line through it. 2. New text inserted: New text is highlighted with grey shading. 3. New text replacing existing text: Text to be deleted is shown with a line through it followed by the replacement text which is highlighted with grey shading. Effectivity - Fifteen (15) days after compliance with the requisite publication in a single newspaper of general circulation and a copy filed with the UP. Law Center - Office of the National Administrative Register, these amendments shall be incorporated to the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulation, series of 2018. Signed this 3rd day of December 2018, CAAP, Pasay City. CAPTAIN JIM C. SYDIONGCO Director General (MS-DEC. 10, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

LocaL government units

monday, december 10, 2018

A teacher and students at the Nanapun Elementary School smile broadly around their new school desk and classroom, as officials of the BDO Foundation, BancNet and Marawi City celebrate the donation of the new school building (inset) conducted with the support of the BDO Iligan-Del Pilar branch.

Pampanga marks anniversary Pagcor donates computers, TVs to Palo school By Ronald O. Reyes PALO, Leyte—The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has turned over 25 desktop computers and 10 32-inch LED televisions to Palo National High School in Palo, Leyte. “This is a big help for you to get an excellent education. Make the most out of these computers and be inspired in your studies,” Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla told the students. “It’s a blessing. After the 2013 Super Typhoon “Yolanda” we received six classrooms from Pagcor, and now they’re back for more assistance to us,” added Estrellita Morano, the school principal. Morano reiterated her gratitude to Petilla, the former Pagcor vice president during the administration of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. “It was Mayor Petilla who endorsed the request of our school through the initiative of our two teachers Belen Manasis and Cynthia Agner in 2017,” Morano added. Rico Acuña, Pagcor’s senior community development and welfare officer, urged the school to use the computers and ensure its care for the next batches of students. The distribution of computer kits is part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Handog Computer” program, added Acuña. “We’re thankful to Pagcor. This is a big help to our studies,” said 15-year-old student Jasper Buntog. Douglas Macalalag, the president of the General Parents-Teachers Association, called the arrival of the computers as “a blessing.” “We promise to take good care of these computers,” Macalalag told the Pagcor official. Considered a “mega-school” in Leyte Division, Palo National High School has 4,274 students and 144 teachers as of its current school year.

AN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The province of Pampanga will celebrate its 447th founding anniversary on Dec. 11 (Tuesday) as a special non-working public holiday in its 19 municipalities, one independent city and two component cities.

The foundation day will culminate with a Mass at the Capitol headed by Gov. Lilia Pineda, Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda, members of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan, provincial employees and their guests. Some activities include a trade show, a cultural fair, a beauty contest, and the awarding ceremony of the Most Outstanding Kapampangan who made a difference in their respective fields of expertise. Pampanga was founded by Spaniards on Dec. 11, 1571. They named it Pampanga because its early inhabitants lived along the river bank, called “pampang” in the local dialect. Former President Ferdinand Marcos declared a public holiday in the province on Dec. 11 every year as

contained in Proclamation No. 2226 dated July 27, 1982. The declaration also called for honoring its sons and daughters who distinguished themselves in different areas of endeavors. Since the holiday falls on a working day, the regional office of the Department of Labor in Central Luzon said the rule of “no work, no pay” will apply to affected employees. However, if employees will work out for at least eight hours during the holiday, they will receive 30 percent more of their daily rate, and 100 percent for those who will render work in excess of eight hours. The ancient territory of Pampanga included the modern-day provinces of Tarlac, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, and Bu-

lacan, but the Spanish reorganized its present political set-up for better administration and tax collection on Dec 11, 1571. Politically, Gov. Lilia Pineda is sliding down in favor of her son Dennis in the coming midterm elections. Lilia is running unopposed for the vice governorship while her son is up against incumbent Bacolor Mayor Jose Maria O. Hizon of the famed tocino producer Pampanga’s Best. The gubernatorial race may be influenced by the silent majority of the province and the independent voters of the 3rd district, composed of the city of San Fernando and the municipalities of Arayat, Bacolor, Mexico, and Santa Ana, pundits have said. Pampanga is also called the culinary capital of the Philippines because of its variety of food like “Duman” (rice cake) of Sta. Rita, “Binulu” (bamboo-cooked meals) of Porac, and “Kamaru” (mole cricket) of Magalang, among others.

Foundations construct classrooms in Marawi City MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur— Like so many dedicated educators in public schools across the country, the teachers of Nanapun Elementary School here wanted to give their pupils high-quality education in an environment conducive to learning. Unfortunately, the sad state of the school’s damaged and dilapidated classrooms made the teachers’ task difficult. The Marawi siege, which devastated the city for months, made their job even more challenging. The teachers of Nanapun hoped and prayed that somehow their school’s classrooms will be repaired. Their need for better classrooms gained more significance as the schoolchildren who evacuated ground zero of the siege transferred to Nanapun. The teachers’ prayers were answered when BDO Foundation and BancNet, the Philippines’ leading electronic payments and ATM network, selected Nanapun as a recipient of a much-needed donation. The corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, and BancNet funded and constructed a two-storey, four-classroom school building in Nanapun Elementary School. The structure was recently turned over to local government leaders, school administrators and local officials of the Department of Education in inaugural ceremonies led by BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa, and BancNet consultant Jasmin Bunag. The new building was graciously accepted by the teachers, DepEd Marawi assistant schools division superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte, City Councilor Aleem Nassif Marangit, and Nanapun Elementary School principal Noronisa Dipatuan. “Finally, our prayers were answered,” the principal said. “We are blessed to be a beneficiary of BDO Foundation. Words are not enough to express how happy we are now that we have a new school building. I would like to thank BDO Foundation, BancNet and other people who made this project a reality.”

DENR lauds volunteers, partners By Charles Dantes

‘PONDO’ CONGRESS. Speaking during the first-ever Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso National Congress, Senator Cynthia A. Villar

commends the Small Business Corp.’s P3-accredited micro financing institutions for assisting 51,000 micro-enterprises nationwide with a total of P1.6 billion in loans released. Villar says she has been pushing for entrepreneurship, job creation and livelihood generation to get rid of poverty. Lino Santos

Salceda: PH near to creating own space agency THE Philippines may soon have its own space agency, akin to the United States National Aeronautics Space Administration, following last week’s unanimous approval of House Bill 8541 (HB 8541) or the “Philippine Space Development Act.” Crafted in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and filed by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, 297 lawmakers voted for the measure that

seeks to establish a clear Philippine Space Development and Utilization policy and create the Philippine Space Agency. PhilSA will be the primary agency that will spearhead the program of space science and technology access and applications, space research including remote sensing and the gathering of crucial data related to natural disasters and respond to the country’s growing need for a secure and independent ac-

cess to space. Salceda said the program would help the Philippines safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and that developing science and technology through a space program could also boost patriotism and nationalism. PhilSA will be the central government agency in charge of issues and activities related to space science, engineering, and similar fields. It will be attached to DOST.

IN CELEBRATION of National Volunteerism Month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources held a recognition ceremony to honor its partners from the public and private sectors. With the theme “Boluntarismo: Tugon sa Nagbabagong Panahon,” DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda spearheaded the event and commended the works of different organizations in taking care of the environment. “Volunteerism is an essential part of saving the environment and I want to thank all of you for doing a great job,” said Antiporda. He also noted that volunteerism is the one that revived the world-class beauty of Boracay Island. “The efforts of the locals from Boracay and the volunteers that worked tirelessly to rehabilitate the island deserves some recognition as they are the main reason of the revival of Boracay,” Antiporda said. While the department will continue to have joint environmental projects with other organizations for the upcoming year, Antiporda shared that DENR is targeting to raise awareness of children regarding proper waste disposal. “The department will be having projects that will revolve around kids to teach them lessons on how to protect our surroundings,” he said.

Star-studded concert held for teachers By Jun David THE Navotas City Government, in partnership with Gabay Guro, honored teachers with a star-studded concert at the recent Navotas Teachers’ Day celebration. Singers Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Gabby Concepcion, and Julie Anne San Jose serenaded the 1,800 teachers in the city. The event also featured Jonalyn Viray, Randy Santiago, Jason Dy, and Renz Verano, as well as comedians Ate Gay and Regina Otic. Not to be outdone, Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo performed a dance number as tribute to Navotas’ teachers. “We only want the best for our teachers. This is our way of honoring the sacrifices they made for the Navoteño youth, for helping them become upstanding citizens,” Tiangco said.

The mayor thanked all Navotas educators for their steadfast support and commitment towards ensuring that Navoteño youth get the best education they deserve. “This year, we bagged two major achievements: the Seal of Good Education Governance and the Galing Pook award for our ACcessible, Holistic and Inclusive Education. All of these were made possible because of you and your dedication to your vocation. From all of us at the city government, thank you very much,” he added. The mayor also thanked PLDT senior vice president and Gabay Guro chairperson Chaye CabalRevilla for helping the city make the tribute for teachers more special. Rep. Toby Tiangco also expressed his appreciation to the Navotas teachers for their love and care for their students.

MEDICAL LASER. Zdenko Vizintin, program director of the Fotona Medical Laser, presents the Dynamis laser treatment pearls for OB-Gyn, Dermatology, and Surgical applications now available at the VRP Medical Center in Mandaluyong City. Manny Palmero

Life

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

food

@mStandardLIFe monday, december 10, 2018

FINE PIZZA. Salvatore Cuomo & Bar serves authentic Italian cuisine-including Chef Salvatore’s DOC Pizza-in a modern and elegant setting, perfect for discerning diners.

Pizza, pasta for the holidays

Ne of the things that makes the holidays special is gathering family, friends, and colleagues together to share a fine meal and swap stories.

Salvatore Cuomo & Bar, the eponymous restaurant chain of the restaurateur and celebrity chef known as the pioneer of Neapolitan pizza in Japan, serves authentic Italian cuisine in an elegant and modern setting--perfect for the discerning set looking for a venue for their holiday dinners and get-togethers. Its Uptown parade branch has a private room that can accommodate intimate holiday lunches or dinners for up to 12 people, and a large function room for 30 guests. Together, these two rooms can fit a maximum of 40. There

is also an option to book the whole restaurant, including outdoor seating, for larger groups of up to 170 guests. As with its main restaurant in Japan, the menu at the BGC branch is carefully crafted to reflect Chef Salvatore Cuomo’s attention to detail for using only the freshest and best ingredients. Known for his hands-on approach to managing his restaurants, Chef Salvatore’s continuous quest for freshness takes him to Manila’s wet markets where he personally chooses seafood. He also brings in high quality ingredi-

ents like Wagyu from Japan, seafood from europe, and cheeses and cured meats from Italy. Salvatore Cuomo & Bar has party set menus including Party Plan A at P1,500 per person, which consists of Mozzarella Caprese Insalata di Mare, Insalata Mista di Stagione, Pizza Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, Spaghetti alle Vongole con Zucchine, Pomodorini Spaghetti al Pomodoro e Basilico, Homemade Roasted Pork Porchetta, and Mix Platter Dessert. Party Plan B, which is priced at P2,000 per person, includes Selezione della Casa di Affettati, Misti Mozzarella Caprese, Insalata di Mare, Insalata Amore, Pizza Pollo affumicato e NduTurn to C2

Italian restaurant chain Salvatore Cuomo & Bar is located at Uptown Parade, Bonifacio Global City.

Homemade Roasted Pork Porchetta

Mozzarella di Bufala Caprese

Luxurious Christmas finds at honestbee Shake Shack’s first Manila branch is at Central Square in Bonifacio Global City.

Shake Shack announces first Manila branch location

THe Christmas list of sophisticated shoppers and culinary connoisseurs just got longer as Rustan’s upscale supermarket Marketplace joins the honestbee online delivery platform. “We want people to have stress-free holidays. Our aim has always been to make the lives of our customers better,” said Crystal Gonzalez, managing director of honestbee Philippines. She added, “True to our promise of giving our customers the very best online grocery shopping experience, we’ve partnered with Marketplace, one of the country’s leading premium supermarkets. We’re proud and honored to have been chosen as their first online partner.” Marketplace brings to the honestbee platform premium grocery shopping

Picture perfect mango pavlova styled with Christmas elements

with its wide selection of local and international products, including fresh produce, deli items, and exclusive wines and spirits. This is an especially good piece of news for people who want to pull all the stops to make the Yuletide season more special, but don’t have the luxury of time to prepare for noche buena.

Beautifully prepared appetizer during the workshop

And while the festive spirit brings out the best in us, the stress of preparing for all those family gatherings can also bring out our worst. “We want to give back your time so you can use it for things that really matter--for family and friends and loved ones. There is no need to brave the traffic or long lines at the cashier because we are the online concierge that serves you the best curated items,” said Gonzalez. Home to exclusive international brands, including Waitrose and Casino, Marketplace provides an avenue for shoppers to discover the best and freshest gourmet offerings. “Thanks to our partnership with honestbee, we can give our valued customers a unique grocery experience, and easier access to our extensive selection,” said Ana Punongbayan, assistant vice president for marketing of Marketplace. “We are servicing a new generation of customers. This is a big step for our brand as we develop our e-commerce service--truly a milestone,” added Punongbayan. I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

THe wait is almost over and we can almost smell the all-natural Angus beef burger and Vienna beef dogs as Shake Shack announces the location of its first Philippine store. So where is it gonna be? Manila’s first-ever Shake Shack is slated to open early next year at Central Square, on the corner of C1 Park and 5th Avenue, in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Shake Shack said in a statement construction will kick off with two murals, inspired by the spirit and landscape of Metro Manila, by local street artist Jappy Agoncillo who is known for his urban art around the metro. The first mural, found on the store facade along 5th Avenue “used real life monuments and buildings, each from some of the major cities that make up Metro Manila, as inspiration,” says Agoncillo. The second, displayed inside Central Square, is inspired by Manila’s distinct rooftop scenery. Neon in the daytime and glowing at night, the murals are the first pieces of Filipino art to join Shack’s creative community. While construction progresses, an installation featuring the iconic ShackBurger bag will appear in various locations around the BGC neighborhood.

Shake Shack Shack-cago

The burger chain is bringing its bestsellers to the country.

Shake Shack is known for its 100 percent all-natural Angus beef burgers, griddled flat-top dogs, fresh-made frozen custard, crispy crinkle-cut fries, craft beer, wine and more.

Life

monday, december 10, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Have your Christmas cake and eat it too ‘T

IS the season to indulge in decadent cakes and other pastries that taste and look like Christmas. Here are some of the sweet treats to complete the noche buena spread.

Max’s Corner Bakery’s premium holiday cakes The house that fried chicken built offers three delectable holiday cakes, namely Pastillas, Chocolate Truffle, and Strawberry Chiffon. Inspired by a popular Pinoy milky dessert, the Pastillas is made with a soft and fluffy chiffon base, and is covered in buttery caramel icing and finished off with cream frostings that look like Christmas trees.

Sinfully decadent, the new Chocolate Truff le boasts rich layers of moist chocolate cake enveloped in a silky, cocoa ganache frosting. Covered with chocolate shreds and topped with truff le balls, it is the perfect choice for those who like their dessert bittersweet. Fresh and fruity come together in every slice of the Strawberry Chiffon.

Another holiday contender, this classic vanilla-flavored cake is wrapped in whipped cream, dashed with strawberry glaze, and topped with large strawberry chunks. These holiday cakes start at P550 each. They are available in select Max’s Restaurant branches nationwide for a limited time only.

Andrew Café’s mini lemon holiday cake The flavors of caramel, lemon, and white chocolate come together in every sinfully sweet bite of Andrew Café’s Dainty Mini Lemon Holiday Chiffon Cake. Freshly baked by resident chef Erna Canatoy, this cake features lavish caramel filling in between lemon hints and rich white chocolate ganache. The Dainty Mini Lemon Holiday Chiffon Cake comes in 15 squares topped with festive frostings in customizable letters and messages, plus shapes of favorite iconic Christmas symbols in fondant. It is both perfect as dessert at reunions and affairs or for a quick hearty feast. Andrew Café is located at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Taft Campus, Malate, Manila. It is open Mondays to Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Max’s Corner Bakery’s premium holiday cakes (from left) Strawberry Chiffon, Pastillas, and Chocolate Truffle.

M Bakery’s special desserts Dessert lovers are in for a sweet treat as hit bakeshop M Bakery offers a lineup of specially-themed flavors this month, perfect for season gatherings with friends and family. “These new decadent flavors of our freshly baked classic American desserts will surely add a more jovial touch to this season’s celebrations and will complete any Christmas or New Year’s Eve spreads,” said M Bakery Pastry Chef Candy Lu. Christmas season specials include Winter Spice cupcake, a spiced cake with maple meringue buttercream, Red

Velvet cupcake that has whipped vanilla icing or cream cheese icing, Chocolate Peppermint cupcake made of chocolate cake with red and white peppermint buttercream, and Chocolate Dipped Strawberry cupcake a drool-worthy strawberry cake filled with strawberry meringue buttercream and glazed with chocolate ganache. Other decadent flavors to look out for are Sno-cap (devil’s food cake with peaks of meringue icing and sprinkled with white nonpareils), Pistachio (pistachio cake with pistachio meringue but-

tercream), and Harvest Apple (a unique cupcake made with apples, cranberries, raisins, and pecans then topped with caramel meringue buttercream). M Bakery’s well-loved banana pudding is available party bowl size good for eight to 10 people, available for advance order. M Bakery is at Lower Ground, Unit #23 5th Avenue cor. 28th Street, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, Bonifacio Global City. Call (02) 847-9829 or 0917-6331718 to order.

M Bakery’s decadent desserts (from left) Chocolate Peppermint Cupcake, Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cupcake, and Banana Pudding Party Bowl.

Andrew Café’s Dainty Mini Lemon Holiday Chiffon Cake

SIP

The White Walker is here

Holiday feast to go Discovery Suites offers holiday platters to go.

NO TIME to prepare a sumptuous sets to choose from, each is good for 10 spread? Discovery Suites lets busy folks persons. Price starts at P6,800nett. serve a delectable feats at home with its Orders for Roasted Whole Turkey and take-home holiday platters. Rack of Prime Rib orders are also accepted. There are three different delightful The Discovery Suites Take-Home

Feast is available until Dec. 31. Discovery Suites recommends ordering at least one day before pick-up. Call (02) 719-8888, or email food. bev@ds.discovery.com.ph to know more.

la Caprese, Insalata di Mare, two kinds of Yakitori, the celebrity chef’s World Champion “DOC” Pizza (an authentic Neapolitan pizza made with fresh cherry tomatoes, generous amount of bufala mozzarella, basil, and a splash of olive oil layered on a delicate crust), Quattro Formaggi, Spaghetti alla Vongole, Risotto al Parmigiano e Vino Rosso, Sautéed Today’s Fish, Grigliata Misti, and Mix Platter Dessert. Diners can also customize their own

menu so they can include other dishes such as Carpaccio di Manzo con Rucola, Insalata di Funghi, Spaghetti con Panna e Tartufo, Zuppa di Pesce, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Pizza... From C1

ja, Pizza Quattro Formaggi, Fettuccine al Nero di Seppia, Risotto ai Funghi Porcini, Sautéed Today’s Fish, Grigliata Misti (lamb, porchetta, homemade sausage), and Mix Platter Dessert. Finally, the Party Plan C at P2,500 per person is composed of Selezione della Casa di Affettati Misti, Mozzarel-

Salvatore Cuomo & Bar is located at G/F Uptown Parade, 9th Avenue cor. 38th Street, Bonifacio Global City. Visit www.salvatorecuomoph.com or call (02) 946-3072 or 946-3073 for more information.

SEND a raven, because winter has finally arrived in the Philippines with the release of the new limited edition White Walker by Johnnie Walker. It’s available starting today. In collaboration with HBO and Game of Thrones, it is inspired by the most enigmatic characters of the hit show--the White Walkers--and is here for fans to enjoy as anticipation builds toward the final season premiering in April 2019. Created by whisky specialist George Harper alongside the small team of expert blenders at Johnnie Walker, this innovative whisky is best served directly from the freezer at 1.5 degrees. It develops layers of flavor as it warms to room temperature. From the bottle to the blend, White Walker by Johnnie Walker draws inspiration from the winters North of the Wall. The bottle’s icy white and blue design is the perfect backdrop for the iconic Johnnie Walker Striding Man now fashioned in armor to fit in among the ranks of the Night King’s forces. Plus, utilizing temperature-sensitive ink technology, fans will be reminded that “Winter is Here” from an unexpected icy reveal on the bottle when frozen. It’s a great, easy-drinking whisky featuring notes of caramelized sugar and vanilla and fresh red berries with a touch of orchard fruit--creating a pol-

The limited edition White Walker by Johnnie Walker is best served directly from the freezer.

ished, sweet taste with a fruity twist. It features Single Malts from Cardhu and Clynelish, two of Scotland’s northernmost distilleries which have endured long, Scottish winters much like the long periods endured by those who have ventured north of the wall. White Walker by Johnnie Walker will be available until supplies last for P1,299 at www.spiritsbyjohnnie. com and all leading supermarkets nationwide.

Entertainment From C4

Atom Araullo joins other broadcast journalists in the first leg of Kapuso Campus Tour: The Regional Masterclass Series in Silliman University.

RUE to its commitment to providing venues for new learnings and discourse on various issues, GMA Network—through its regional arm GMA Regional TV—presents the Kapuso Campus Series Tour: The Regional Masterclass Series, which kicks off today, Dec. 10, at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium of Silliman University in Dumaguete City. The Kapuso Campus Tour: The Regional Masterclass Series is a partnership between GMA Network and seven top universities in various regions and aims to give students an opportunity to become part of relevant discussions on local and national issues, and get valuable insights from a panel of experts. The ﬁrst leg in Silliman University brings together awardwinning broadcast journalist Atom Araullo; GMA News’ Senior Social Media Producer A Audrey Domasian; GMA Network scholar and GMA Network Excellence Award ﬁnalist Eleazar Del Rosario Rosario; AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines President Rahiema Guerra; and RTV’s Balitang Bisdak anchor Cecille Quibod-Castro Quibod-Castro. They will talk about a wide-range of topics from ‘Mobile Journalism’, ‘Social Responsibility’, ‘Aiming for Excellence’, ‘Importance of Community News’, ‘Building Global Communities’, ‘Documentary-Making’, ‘#PusuanAngTotoo Campaign’, and to ‘Choosing The Next Leaders’.

ARIAS ALWIN IGNACIO

Monday, December 10, 2018

ACROSS 1 String-quartet member 6 Uniform 10 Curved lines 14 Skater — Stojko 15 Akron’s state 16 Not bogus 17 Transmission parts 18 Become tiresome 19 Dept. store inventory 20 Numb, as a foot 22 Double-crossed 24 Educational org. 26 Window coverings 27 Like many casts (hyph.) 31 Son — — gun 32 Locks up 33 Bought and sold 36 Daily work 39 Amos’ radio partner 40 Forest grazer 41 Bishop of Rome 42 Hwys. 43 Before anything else 44 Hang around 45 Survey choice 46 Hedging 48 Hive VIPs

51 Umbrella part 52 Go away (2 wds.) 54 Ice skating figures 59 Lubricates 60 Longer 62 Sparkling adornment 63 Bad mood 64 QED part 65 Choir members 66 Aardvark’s diet 67 McEntire of C&W music 68 Preference DOWN 1 First-magnitude star 2 Dots in “la mer” 3 Watermelon shape 4 Trevi Fountain coins 5 Concurs 6 DDE’s org. 7 Melville captain 8 Upsets 9 Means of escape 10 Naval force 11 Tint again 12 Cartons 13 Yukon hauler 21 Potpie veggie 23 Huck’s ride 25 Burning desire

27 Almost shut 28 Country 29 Caps 30 Furtive 34 Aurora, to Socrates 35 Purplish flower 36 Rock’s Bon — 37 Unclose 38 Liner sinker 40 Incorrect designation 41 Husk 43 Have a hunch 44 Environment 45 Brewers’ buys

47 Strive to win 48 Actor Anthony — 49 Totally dark 50 Night noise 52 Sub — (secretly) 53 Snatch 55 Large lizard 56 Head covers 57 Run slowly 58 Courtesy env. 61 Letter after zeta

“We at GMA Regional TV are excited to launch this project together with GMA News Online, GMA News and Public Affairs, GMA Excellence Awards, and AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines,” shares GMA Regional TV Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso. “ This is a major component of the Network’s election advocacy, ‘Pusuan ang Totoo’, which is a call to stand for what is true; to fight against corruption and disinformation, and to choose leaders who will truly serve the country. Through this Masterclass Series, we hope that we can help our young voting population make informed choices so that they may choose the best leaders for our country,” he adds. “We feel honored and grateful that GMA Network and Silliman University will stand side by side as partners in championing free and honest elections,” says Ann Marie Tan, GMA Regional TV Station Manager for Central and Eastern Visayas.” “Our partnership aims to educate voters and protect democracy through the upcoming coverage of Eleksyon 2019. It is our objective to bring the Filipino people the most comprehensive and most trusted coverage of the mid-term national elections,” Tan adds. Last Oct. 19, GMA Network signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the most respected names in media, telecommunications, technology, the academe, business, and public service to bring the most trusted and in-depth multi-platform coverage of the 2019 Philippine mid-term elections. Silliman University was one of the partners from the academe. For Inquiries, please contact the Office of the Strategic Partnership, Silliman University at (035) 422-6002 local 222 or the GMA Regional TV Head Office (02) 982-7777 local 9316. All the freshest news, events, and updates about GMA Regional TV are now available onwww.gmaregionaltv. com. Follow GMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook. com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @ GMARegionalTV.

Rescue driver wins biggest jackpot in Cinemo’s ‘Sorpresaya’ WHAT was supposed to be an ordinary work day for rescue driver Rogelio Fernando turned out to be extraordinary when he was named as the first winner of the P200,000 jackpot prize in Sorpresaya, a daytime game show that Sorpresaya airs on TVplus’ CineMo. Rogelio was the first solo winner of the biggest jackpot prize in Sorpresaya, which airs weekdays at 10:30 a.m. with a same-day replay at 10:30 p.m. on ABS-CBN TVplus’ CineMo. As part of the medic team on standby in Sta. Maria Bulacan for Sorpresaya, Rogelio was one of the lucky audience members whose number was chosen as part of the “Wanted” segment, a thrilling elimination game that picks a winning player from 20 randomly selected audience members who meet four qualifications. When no one meets all four qualifications, the cash prize will grow bigger until a winner emerges. As the first game show on digital TV that travels around provinces in Luzon to reward audiences with cash prizes through seven entertaining segments, Sorpresaya also now gives viewers at home a chance to win cash prizes via the show’s “Cashiyahan Viewer Promo.”

Wanted winner Rogelio Fernando with 'Sorpresaya' hosts Jobert Austria and Nonong Ballinan and co-host Elsa Droga.

Viewers just need to guess which team (Orange vs. Blue) will win in the game segments. A total of P200,000 in cash prizes are given out every day to viewers who send in their answers via drop boxes. For more information on CineMo’s Sorpresaya and the “Cashiyahan Viewer Promo,” like CineMo’s Facebook page.

Enzo Pineda makes his mark

MY LAST personal encounter with Enzo Pineda was when he’s still a Kapuso. He was supposedly one of the major features in a glossy, together with his former StarStruck comrades Rocco Nacino and Steven Silva. Sadly, the issue, which was supposed to be an exhaustive primer about the reality based artista search did not come into fruition due to lack of advertising load. His transfer to ABS CBN was inevitable. He became part of Till I Met You, the James Reid, Nadine Lustre and JC Santos bizarre love triangle drama. He played the role of Santos’ straight acting gay partner. Since then, Pineda has appeared in Pusong Ligaw, Bagani and even in FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano, to mention a few. Now, during the story conference of Hilakbot, a BG Productions International ﬁlm, under the direction of Joey Romero and screenplay by Eric Ramos, Pineda is the leading man in the gothic-horror motion picture given a green-light by Baby Go. Other cast include Beauty Gonzales, Polo Ravales and Mr. World Philippines 2018 JB Saliba. Pineda looks totally different with his skin head do, fully bearded, and yes, he truly epitomized the tall, dark and handsome description. “You know, you have always seen me looking like the boy next door, presenting myself as a matinee idol. Ito, para maiba naman. I am comfortable with how I look

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

nickie.standard@gmail.com

‘Kapuso Campus Tour: The Regional Masterclass Series’ kicks off

Simply... UNICEF now 70 years in PH UNICEF, the UN children’s agency, celebrated 70 years of operations in the Philippines with the theme “Bata Pa Rin, signifying UNICEF’s role as being young and passionate as ever after seven decades of service for Filipino children. Joining the anniversary gala were over 400 child rights advocates and supporters from the government, United Nations, NGOs, CSOs, corporate partners, children and youth, celebrity ambassadors and eminent citizens to make a joint pledge to support the full realization of the rights of every Filipino child. “UNICEF has had an eventful and meaningful presence in the Philippines. On this day, the 20th of November, 1948, UNICEF signed the first Basic Cooperation Agreement with the Philippine government to provide humanitarian assistance to children. Manila was among the most heavily bombed cities during the Second World War so UNICEF’s first Asia operations were set up in the Philippines,” said Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Philippines Country Representative. “Working with national partners, we have made significant progress over the years in supporting and implementing humanitarian, development and peace building programs. Given the remaining and especially current challenges from the UNICEF Situation Analysis of Filipino children, our work with our partners remain ever more important and relevant,” she added. The day also marked the global celebration of World Children’s Day on Nov. 20 through the global campaign Go Blue to support children’s rights. Young speakers from the theater group Trumpets Playshop led the Go Blue inspiration at the anniversary gala. Retired UNICEF Philippines staff Bituin Gonzalez and Pol Moselina narrated a journey of seven decades through key milestones, achievements and challenges of UNICEF’s work to ensure children survive, develop and thrive in a protective, enabling environment. Aliah Adam, a Muslim youth, had narrowly escaped the bombing and had to flee Marawi City following the May 2017 siege and continues to live away with her relatives. Aliah shared her poignant experience growing up in conflict, the loss of her home and the life she knew growing up, and the dire impact of the destruction of Marawi City. Aliah expressed her strong faith and hope for recovery, reconciliation and lasting peace for children and communities of Mindanao. She concluded, “Let me end my speech by asking you a question, will you just be a listener to our story? Or do you want to be part of our story?” Kiana Gualberto, who was then 13 years old when Super Typhoon Haiyan hit in 2013, shared her harrowing experience of survival with her family and of her empowering journey to recovery, strength and hope. “We, the children of Tacloban, who lost all our belongings, could also have lost hope. But we didn’t! Thanks to all those who helped us, especially (to) UNICEF. You made us realize we were special; even if vulnerable, we are capable. And most importantly, you believed in us. Now, we believe in ourselves too!” A special speaker of the evening was SPO4 Bill Felisan, once a juvenile delinquent running away from men in uniform but would later grow up to become a police officer and a law enforcer. “I was given a second chance in life. I consider it my duty to help children in conflict with the law because I know where they’re coming from,” he said, “Salamat UNICEF for supporting our work.” Felisan now works with a youth center supported by UNICEF to care for children in conflict with the law. Also speaking at the event was Mely Apang, a midwife who spent her life serving indigenous Aeta communities in Zambales. Mely received a UNICEF scholarship for a training program back in 1978 that reached out to marginalized communities and indigenous groups all over the country. “I am grateful to UNICEF and the training that was a turning point for me to help my own community’s awareness and practice for maternal and child health care,” she shared. The curtain fell on the gala event with inspiring songs sung by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors Gary Valenciano and the Mandalyong Children’s choir ** * More stories of these kinds at www.isah.red. Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@ isahvred) and Instagram (@isahvred). ΙŘ

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

right now. This year bad boy muna tayo,” Pineda comes clean with his dirtier look. With this new imaging, does it mean he will also be “bad” in other aspects of his life? He answers, “I am not bad in the truest meaning of the word, I am playful, a little naughty even. I do play with a lot of things but I am never playful when it comes to my personal relationships. Masama iyon. I play sports. I am into boxing and basketball.” Pineda admits that he is single as of the moment, “Almost seven months na akong single. With my last relationship, I think we were in that part wherein we are no longer in sync. She wants to go this way, I want to go the other way. Well, we are still friends though. We were together for four years.” Life goes on indeed for Pineda and his showbiz world keeps on going round and round. His leading lady in the Joey Romero directed ﬂick, Beauty Gonzales, portrayed the role of his mother in Pusong Ligaw. “This is my second movie under BG Productions International,” Pineda divulges. “The ﬁrst was Bigkis, tungkol sa mga nursing students directed by Neal Tan. It starred Lauren Young and LJ Reyes.” He says of his leading man status, “I appreciate it, happy of course. It feels good that people in the industry are seeing my merits and they are gambling on what I

Actor Enzo Pineda

can offer as an actor. Masaya lang na makapagbigay ng something different sa mga manonood. You know, I really go out of my way to deliver a different kind of performance.” Shooting for the gothic horror motion picture begins this December and it will happen in the picture perfect city of Dumaguete.

Entertainment

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

ANNE CURTIS

in much-anticipated chilling horror

Anne Curtis adds chilling horror to the list of genres she's explored this year as she stars in Yam Laranas' much anticipated MMFF 2018 entry, 'Aurora.'

Alex Gonzaga recently renewed her ties with the Kapamilya network

VER a thousand passengers perish when a passenger ship named “Aurora” collides into a rocky shore. Many of the dead bodies turn up along the shore of the tiny island near the shipwreck, but many are still missing, and their distressed families are in need of a place to stay in as the search continues.

ISAH V. RED

Stars who remain Kapamilya Mikhail Red’s Eerie’s world premiere in Singapore

From left: Gabby Padilla, Gillian Vicencio, Micah Tadena, Jake Cuenca, Charo Santos, Malous Santos, Chin Gin Kai, and Justin Deimen.

The cast of Aurora with acclaimed director Yam Laranas

This is the situation Anne Curtis’s character finds herself in in Aurora, the official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2018 from VIVA Films and ALIUD Entertainment. Anne Curtis plays Leana, owner of a rundown inn in the island and guardian to Rita, her 8-year-old sister, played by Phoebe Villamor. She is asked to help look for the cadavers in exchange for a large amount of money. Leana is hesitant, but her fear is overcome by her sympathy for the families and her sister’s encouragement. Helping her in the search are her ex-boyfriend Ricky, played by Marco Gumabao, and a boatman named Eddie, played by Alan Paule. Though they are willing to brave the strong waves and murky waters, will they have the heart to face whatever awaits them deep in the ocean? Can Leana protect her sister when the dead find their way home?

A toast to 5 years of excellence and trust PRIME Philippines, a home-grown consultancy firm, recently celebrated its fifth year in the business via a glitzy event spearheaded by its millennial CEO Jet Yu. In one rare occasion, top businessmen, executives, real estate developers, architects, and other high-profile clients gathered for one night to celebrate this momentous event that celebrated a milestone by reaching its fifth-year mark. According to Yu, the five-year-old company is proud to be the country’s flag carrier in the field of commercial real estate. With P30 Billion worth of portfolio

This mystery thriller is directed by Yam Laranas, the acclaimed director of Sigaw (2004) which was turned into a Hollywood ﬁlm entitled The Echo (2008), The Road, and Abomination. He also wrote the screenplay of Aurora with Gin de Mesa (All Souls’ Night) and serves as one of the producers. This is Anne’s third movie this year, after the huge box ofﬁce success of Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story) last May, followed by her staggering performance in the action thriller BuyBust in August. The actress is once again praised for her dedication and determination to give all she’s got in portraying her role. Director Laranas reveals in an interview that Anne “had to be underwater for 30 seconds to one minute to shoot her scenes” but she refused to use the double that’s provided for her. Marco Gumabao, on the other hand, says that working with Anne is a dream come true, describing her as “kind, humble, easy to talk to and approachable.” Aurora is showing in cinemas on Dec. 25.

CHARO Santos and Bea Alonzo, lead stars of ABS-CBN Films and Singapore-based production company Cre8 Productions’ first collaborative project, Eerie, attended the movie’s world premiere at the opening of the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) last week Monday (Dec. 3). Eerie is a thriller set in the 1990s and centers on a clairvoyant guidance counselor (Bea) who investigates a murder at a Catholic all-girls school. Her character often talks to the ghost of a student named Eri, who committed suicide. Their routine is disrupted when a murder is done on campus. A male investigator is hired to investigate the crime, but Baa’s character knows that Eri would know what happened. Apart from Charo and Bea, the film’s director Mikhail Red, their co-star, Jake Cuenca and producers Malou Santos, Micah Tadena, Tadena and Chan Gin Kai of Cre8 were also present in the event held at the Capitol Theater. The SGIFF is just the first of the many film festivals where Eerie is included, according to Red. Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Films and Cre8 are set to do five more projects following its recent signing of a memorandum of understanding.

Millennial CEO Jet Yu (leftmost) onstage with the employees of PRIME Philippines during the company's 5th-anniversary celebration held at Conrad Hotel on Dec. 3.

and various notable big-ticket projects, the ﬁrm is proud to be the nation’s leader in its industry. The company is committed to its mandate of providing excellent services to its clients and to contribute to the progress of the Philippines through its industry. With only half a decade from its start of operations in 2013, PRIME Philippines is committed to providing twice the impact and the service excellence. During the event, Yu also announced that PRIME Philippines is going international through its Shanghai, China ofﬁce. “With this expansion, PRIME

Philippines looks forward to developing this hub as the common ground to build relationships and strengthen the trust among Chinese and Filipino companies within the next coming years. Cultural differences and ﬁnding the right Chinese companies to work with are among the most challenging for most Philippine companies and PRIME Philippines shall commit to bridge the two economies,” he said. Yu also revealed that he plans to bring his company public by the year 2021. The company’s growth for the past ﬁve years

has been exponential. PRIME Philippines with offices now in Manila, Davao and its first international office in Shanghai has more than 50 percent year on year growth. The company has completed more than 100 real estate research projects and employs more than 100 full-time employees. Apart from the Philippines, the millennial CEO and investor has also strategically invested in several start-up companies in Singapore, and Hong Kong, and is continuously still in the hunt for property technology-related companies or PropTech.

THERE must be something at ABSCBN that television talents have chosen to remain with the network instead of exploring other avenues in search of a home to further their goals in their profession. Eleven Kapamilya talents renewed their respective contracts with the network recently. TV host, and who the network calls the Ultimate Multimedia Star, Toni Gonzaga was among them. She is hosting Pinoy Big Brother Otso and remains a Kapamilya in the next two years. “I feel so at home. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to still be working with ABS-CBN and, of course, to be with my sister, parang bonus lahat.” Her sister Alex Gonzaga also renewed a two-year contract with ABS-CBN and is also hosting PBB. Chinita Princess Kim Chiu who hosts PBB Otso as well is looking forward to starring in a teleserye and a movie next year. Kim feels ecstatic after signing her two-year contract with the Kapamilya network. “It feels really good to renew your contract and sabihan ka ng mga bago mong projects. Nakakainspire magtrabaho at patuloy na magbigay saya sa mga tao.” Singer, dancer, songwriter, actor and TV host Billy Crawford will continuously host (along with other Kapamilya stars) the Sunday noontime variety show ASAP Natin Ito. Fans can also look forward to seeing him in upcoming Kapamilya programs, like World of Dance, Philippine Idol, and Pilipinas Got Talent. Billy shared that being a Kapamilya is an honor for him. Actor Gerald Anderson also expressed his excitement for his new teleserye entitled Take Life. Gerald plays a soldier in the said soap opera, at the same time feels blessed to still be a Kapamilya after 12 years since his PBB days in 2006. Halik star Sam Milby also strengthened his ties with ABS-CBN. Meanwhile, Kapamilya heartthrob Arjo Atayde is busy taping for the drama serye, The General’s Daughter with Angel Locsin and Maricel Soriano. Erich Gonzales, whose teleserye Blood Sisters ended a few months ago, is also looking forward to the exciting projects lined up by ABS-CBN for her. Cristine Reyes, who currently stars in Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Los Bastardos, also inked her two-year contract with ABS-CBN. Completing the roster of Kapamilya stars who recently signed their contracts with ABS-CBN were talent manager and Kapamilya comedian Ogie Diaz and Banana Sundae mainstay and comedian Jobert Austria. Present in the signing were ABSCBN Chairman Mark Lopez, ABSCBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO for broadcast Cory Vidanes, and Head of ﬁnance for broadcast and news and current affairs Cat Lopez. Continued on C3

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Speaker GMA:

ATENEO ROUTS UP, 99-81, RETAINS UAAP CROWN Fulfilling the President's Legislative Agenda

By Peter Atencio ATENEO showed its championship class for the second straight game in the ﬁnals, this time with a more emphatic 99-81 win over University of the Philippines to capture a second straight University Athletic Association of the Philippines basketball crown before a full-house at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night. Dominant from start to ﬁnish, the

Blue Eagles clinched a 10th UAAP championship overall in men’s basketball. They defeated UP, 88-79, in Game 1 on Saturday to move on the cusp of the title repeat. “I want to thank the players, they’re a marvelous team, they’re a joy to work with the whole season. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with them’’ said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. “It is our priority to do everything with dignity and class and long we may do this.’’ Next page

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: THE FIRST WOMAN HOUSE SPEAKER T

VOL. XXXII • NO. 294 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

HERE have been few significant female figures in the Philippines’ political history, but all of them have left a lasting mark. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is one such figure.

VOL. XXXII • NO. 294 • 3 SECTIONS 24 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

The last few years have brought The road to the Speakership, so one surprise after the other in the to speak, began when Arroyo was world of politics -- and one of the elected to represent the second more recent saw Arroyo being district of her home province Pamelected as Speaker last July. panga – made up of her hometown A total of 184 House members of Lubao as well as Floridablanca, formed the new majority and voted Guagua, Porac, Sta. Rita and Sasin favor of the Pampanga 2nd Dis- muan – in 2010 for the 15th Contrict representative. After 20 male gress. She succeeded her son, Juan Speakers, it took a former President Miguel “Mikee” Arroyo, as repreto put a woman on top of the leg- sentative. islature. Mrs. Arroyo was reelected to a In the history of the House second term in 2013 for the 16th of Representatives, men Congress and a third consecutive SOARING EAGLES. Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena leads the Blue Eagles to a back-to-back championship victory against the University of the Philippinbes Maroonshave in Game 2 of of thethe Finalsterm of the dominated inUAAP 2016.81 season, 99-81, at the airconditioned Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Ey Acasio field. But with In the present 17th Congress, Arroyo’s accu- before becoming Speaker, she was mulated expe- a member for the majority in the rience and po- House Committees on Government litical clout, Enterprises and Privatization, Housshe was ing and Urban Development, Local able to Government, National Defense and secure Security, Population and Family t h e Relations, Revision of Laws, Veterposi- ans Affairs and Welfare, and Ways tion. and Means. As the first former Philippine head of state to become Speaker, Arroyo can be said to have a greater understanding of President Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative agenda, and POLITICS has always been in Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s blood. She she has stressed as much in saying was 14 years old when her father, Diosdado the an act federal system of government. that “if Macapagal, you refuse became to perform By Maricel V. Cruz she wants to give importance to the President. “GMA” herself would become thecan 14th specified by law then you be subject Unlike the draft prepared by Duterte’s and country’s Macon ninth Ramos-Araneta good relationship between the OfPresident of the Philippines—before gaining another milestone as the to a petition for mandamus. consultative committee for Cha-Cha, By Nat Mariano, Maricel V. Cruzfiand Vito Barcelo ce of the President and the House. country’s first woman Speaker ofonthe House of Representatives. A PRO-CHARTER change lawmaker “I don’t like to make any further com- the House version removes term limits It is unusual—in fact, the first Despite herHouse political roots, Speakerment Arroyo was not Wednesday said the of Representabecause wealways might abepolititelegraphing for elected positions, restores the vice ALACAÑANG on Wednesday said the drop in thea new time in over a decade—that cian.ask ShethesetSupreme out to beCourt an economist, studying in the United forof things president in the line of succession for tives may to com- our punches. But there States are a lot November rate of inflationSpeaker wa a result of reins President Rodrigo takes the of the House years University’s Walsh of of Foreign Service pel thetwo Senate to at actGeorgetown on the proposed feder- that theSchool House Representatives can the presidency and removes the ban on in the middle of a presidential and Duterte’s “decisive actions” to cushion the impact of high in Washington, She then earneddo,” her he Bachelor al charter if the senatorsD.C. “neglect” their job. added. of Arts degree in political dynasties. a congressional term. Despite being commodity prices. Economics Assumption College, graduating magna laude in Speaking to thefrom ANC news channel, The House on cum Tuesday approved Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, howon her last term, Arroyo vowed to Leyte 1968. Rep. Vicente Veloso, chairman of on second reading a proposed federal ever, said the House should explain to put the House on a faster lawmakLater, Mrs. Arroyo earnedamendher master’s degree Economics from theRodrigo the public the concept of federalism bethe committee on constitutional charter in inline with President ing pace, mirroring her renowned The Palace reaction came after the food supply, among others, as there is a de Manila and was awarded hercampaign doctorate inpromise Economics ments,Ateneo said the Rules University of Court provide Duterte’s to set up a fore it is implemented. Next page Next page from workaholic ethic. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) marked decrease in food infl ation at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Her interest and knowledge reported that the country’s year-on-year 9.4 percent in October to 8 percent in Noin economics, plus her political pedigree, made her a natural for the field infl ation rate has eased to 6 percent in vember. Prices of rice, corn, fi sh, meat, of politics. November from the previous 6.7 percent fruits, and vegetables have gone down,” However, unlike her father “Cong. Dado” who represented Pamin September and October. he added. panga’s first district in Congress, she did not enter government “The Palace accepts this as good news. This was the first time that the inflation through local politics. Then-President Corazon Aquino We attribute this to the President’s emrate slowed down this year. their own intel unit, so they could form very diffi cult for civilians to do this [as] By Natinvited Mariano her to join the Cabinet as assistant secretary pathy to public clamor and his decisive Panelo said the Palace would continue the core of this anti-SPARU unit,” Lo- they might think they have blanket auand Francisco Tuyayof Trade and Industry, of the Department where action,” said Presidential Spokesman to monitor the prices of basic goods and said, referring th the NPA Special thority to just kill anybody they suspect of she was promoted to Undersecretaryrenzana two years Salvador Panelo in a statement. commodities. THE military will form a unit to counter Partisan Unit. being NPA. I want soldiers to be our antilater. In her concurrent position as ExecuHe cited Duterte’s move to streamline According to the PSA, lower prices of New People’s Army hit squads this month, He said he supports the formation of SPARU unit members and this should be tive Director of the Garments and Textile procedures on the importation of agricul- food and non-alcoholic beverages, housmade upExport mostlyBoard, of intelligence officers the special unit to protect military person- supervised by officers,” he added. Arroyo oversaw the rapid tural products, including rice, as a way to ing, water, electricity, gas, and other fufrom the Armed of the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte proposed growth Forces of the garment industry in nel the from attack by NPA hit squads. stabilize prices of food items. els, as well as communication, were reand its different branches, Defense Secre“I support the anti-SPARU unit that the creation of a “Duterte Death Squad” late 1980s. Next page “These measures address issues on corded in November. tary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday. will protect our soldiers but I said let us after reports said 136 people, most of Her first try for an elective posi“The core of this unit will from tion was successful, as inbe 1992 she be very careful in organizing these peo- them military, police and rebel returnees, the Intelligence Service of Senate, the AFP. The ple. Some quarters are saying we’ll get were assassinated by the communist rebwas voted into the rankArmy, Airing Force, Navy and Marines have civilians to do it. I think no, this will be els in the last three years. Next page 13th and earning a threeyear term. She was re-elected in 1995, topping the senatorial polls with nearly 16 million votes, and earned six more The Agriculture chief admitted that it By Nat Mariano years in the upper was his suggestion to the President to seek chamber. PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte wants the the resignation of the current PCA officials. As a senaboard members of the Philippine CocoThis would help Duterte reorganize tor, Arroyo nut Authority to file their courtesy res- the agency in preparation of the proposed filed over ignations in time for the expected enact- Coco Levy Act, he said. ment of the coco levy trust fund bill into “I believe it is standard procedure,” PiNext page law, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel ñol told GMA News Online, explaining Piñol said Wednesday. Next page

AS SPEAKER,

GMA’S POLITICAL JOURNEY COMES FULL CIRCLE

‘Du30 deeds tame inflation’ House to compel Senate to act on Cha-Cha

Palace cites ‘decisive actions’ to rein in rising prices of goods

‘‘

Military forms strike force to stop NPA attacks

The ﬁrst and foremost job I have as is Coco board told toSpeaker quit en masse, carry make way for newtolevy trustout fund the legislative agenda of President Duterte.

‘Defer oil tax hike or fuel price spiral’ Photos by Perfecto Camero

— Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Francis Escudero on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider the implementation of the second tranche of the excise tax on fuel, or at least of corporate social responsibility ment, working with employees, By Peter Paul Duran to consider its immediate suspension when in the country. Supporting CSR their families, the local comIt also shows in the push from munity and society at large inﬂ to ation kicks up again in 2019. THE HOUSE of Representatives CSR is how companies man- improve quality of life, in ways Senator Sonny Angara said the governis not only an amalgam of zeal- Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arment should act swiftly in bringing down ous individuals working toward royo for the urgent rehabilitation age their business processes to that are both good for business a more productive 17th Congress. of Marawi City and for a renewed produce an overall positive im- and good for development. consumer prices and in releasing the unconditional cash transfer and fuel subsidy focus on theDuterte plight administers of the urban pact of onoffi society. It is the commit-Supreme As aCourt corporate The also a carSO working HELP house YOUisGOD. President Rodrigo the oath ce to newly appointed Chief body, Justicethe House poor, which she has championed ment of business to contribute to of Representatives, led by Speaker provided by law after Duterte approved the ing house. This shows in various Lucas Bersamin of Bangued, Abra, the 25th to assume the post since Cayetano Arellano of Orion, Bataan in 1901 during a ceremony on throughout her career. economic developbelievesofin CSR measures supporting practice second tranche of the fuel excise taxes startWednesday. Bersamin the earned his undergraduate course at the University ofsustainable the Philippines and his law course atArroyo, the University the East.and puts Next page ing January next year. Next page He placed 9th in the 1973 bar exams. Malacañang Photo

The ‘Working House’ also a caring house

Reds spoof national anthem

THE New People’s Army’s attempt to teach minors an alternative version of the Philippine National Anthem “Lupang Hinirang” is part of local communists’Speaker effortsGloria to fight Macapagal Arroyo the governmentwith andUrban demonize poor troops tasked to protect the counleaders during their try from such threats. regular gatherings. This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, when asked if the military was aware of such efforts by the rebels, especially those operating in the Davao Region. Next page

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

Speaker GMA:

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How A Bill Becomes A Law

1. PREPARATION OF THE BILL The Member or the Bill Drafting Division of the Reference and Research Bureau prepares and drafts the bill upon the Member’s request. 2. FIRST READING The bill is filed with the Bills and Index Service and the same is numbered and reproduced. Three days after its filing, the same is included in the Order of Business for First Reading. On First Reading, the Secretary General reads the title and number of the bill. The Speaker refers the bill to the appropriate Committee/s. 3. COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION/ACTION The Committee where the bill was referred to evaluates it to determine the necessity of conducting public hearings. If the Committee finds it necessary to conduct public hearings, it schedules the time thereof, issues public notices and invites resource persons from the public and private sectors, the academe and experts on the proposed legislation. If the Committee finds that no public hearing is not needed, it schedules the bill for Committee discussion/s. Based on the result of the public hearings or Committee discussions, the Committee may introduce amendments, consolidate bills on the same subject matter, or propose a substitute bill. It then prepares the corresponding committee report. The Committee approves the Committee Report and formally transmits the same to the Plenary Affairs Bureau.

Fulﬁlling the President's Legislative Agenda

The Working House under Speaker GMA By Peter Paul Duran

ROM the People’s House to The Working House, the 17th Congress’ shift in leadership has also brought about a change in dynamics in the bicameral body’s lower house.

That change has been evident since Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the helm, bringing with her the bravado and great zeal which has inﬂuenced the 292-strong member House of Representatives into crafting and approving numerous bills in only a short span of time. Let’s take a quick refresher on who composes this resolute lawmaking body.

House Speaker: Bastion of Leadership From its ﬁrst speaker in 1907 in the person of the late great Sergio Osmeña, many political titans have served as leader of the House of Representatives. Currently headed by the 14th President and the first woman Speaker of the Republic of the Philippines,

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the House Speaker is the fourth highest government official. Arroyo was elected to the Speakership on July 23, 2018 and is the ﬁrst woman and 21st person to serve as Speaker. The Speaker is elected by a majority of all House members. The Speaker is the third in the line of succession for the presidency, after the Vice President and Senate President. The Speaker presides over the House sessions; decides on all questions of order, subject to appeal by any member; signs all acts, resolutions, memorials, writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by or upon order of the House; appoints, suspends, dismisses or disciplines House personnel; and exercises administrative functions.

6. TRANSMITTAL OF THE APPROVED BILL TO THE SENATE The approved bill is transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence. 7. SENATE ACTION ON APPROVED BILL OF THE HOUSE The bill undergoes the same legislative process in the Senate. 8. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE A Conference Committee is constituted and is composed of Members from each House of Congress to settle, reconcile or thresh out differences or disagreements on any provision of the bill. The conferees are not limited to reconciling the differences in the bill but may introduce new provisions germane to the subject matter or may report out an entirely new bill on the subject. The Conference Committee prepares a report to be signed by all the conferees and the Chairman. The Conference Committee Report is submitted for consideration/approval of both Houses. No amendment is allowed. 9. TRANSMITTAL OF THE BILL TO THE PRESIDENT Copies of the bill, signed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and certified by both the Secretary of the Senate and the Secretary General of the House,aretransmittedtothePresident. 10. PRESIDENTIAL ACTION ON THE BILL If the bill is approved the President, the same is assigned an RA number and transmitted to the House where it originated. If the bill is vetoed, the same, together with a message citing the reason for the veto, is transmitted to the House where the bill originated. 11. ACTION ON APPROVED BILL The bill is reproduced, and copies are sent to the Official Gazette Office for publication and distribution to the implementing agencies. It is then included in the annual compilation of Acts and Resolutions. 12. ACTION ON VETOED BILL The message is included in the Order of Business. If the Congress decides to override the veto, the House and the Senate shall proceed separately to reconsider the bill or the vetoed items of the bill. If the bill or its vetoed items is passed by a vote of two-thirds of the Members of each House, such bill or items shall become a law. NOTE: A joint resolution having the force and effect of a law goes through the same process.

Currently comprised of 14 lawmakers from different parts of the country, the Deputy Speakers under SGMA’s current term is one of the most in history. They are the second highest-ranking officials of the House. In the absence of the Speaker, one of the Deputy Speakers is tasked to preside during sessions. There used to be only one Deputy Speaker since the House was first established in 1907 – the official was called Speaker Pro-Tempore. It was only in 1995 (or during the 10th Congress) when the position was renamed to Deputy Speakers. The current Deputy Speakers are Reps. Rose Marie Arenas of Pangasinan, Mercedes Alvarez of Negros Occidental, Fredenil Castro of Capiz, Raneo Abu of Batangas, Prospero Pichay, Jr. of Surigao del Sur, Mylene Garcia-Albano of Davao City, Arthur Yap of Bohol, Pia Cayetano of Taguig, Sharon Garin of AAMBISOWA party-list, Munir Arbison of Sulu, Ferdinand Hernandez of South Cotabato, Frederick Abueg of Palawan, Evelina Escudero of Sorsogon and Linabelle Ruth Villarica of Bulacan. Majority Leader In the House of Representatives, the Majority Floor Leader (also known as the Majority Leader) is the dominant representative and delegate of the majority party. The position is second-in-command within the hierarchy of the committee, following the Speaker and followed by the Minority Floor Leader. The Majority Leader is considered to be the “enforcer” in the House, and often enforces the legislative direction laid out by the Speaker. The Majority Leader is elected in a caucus of the majority bloc. His primary function, aside from being the spokesman for the majority bloc, is to direct the deliberations on the floor. Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Jr. is the current majority leader.

4. SECOND READING The Committee Report is registered and numbered by the Bills and Index Service. It is included in the Order of Business and referred to the Committee on Rules. The Committee on Rules schedules the bill for consideration on Second Reading. On Second Reading, the Secretary General reads the number, title and text of the bill and the following takes place: Period of Sponsorship and Debate Period of Amendments Voting which may be by: viva voce count by tellers division of the House; or nominal voting 5. THIRD READING The amendments, if any, are engrossed and printed copies of the bill are reproduced for Third Reading. The engrossed bill is included in the Calendar of Bills for Third Reading and copies of the same are distributed to all the Members three days before its Third Reading. On Third Reading, the Secretary General reads only the number and title of the bill. A roll call or nominal voting is called and a Member, if he desires, is given three minutes to explain his vote. No amendment on the bill is allowed at this stage. The bill is approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Members present. If the bill is disapproved, the same is transmitted to the Archives.

Deputy Speakers

Minority Leader The constructive critic, vigilant defender of minority rights, the Minority Leader is the acknowledged spokesman for the minority bloc of lawmakers. But it does not necessarily follow that he is also the leader of the opposition party because the minority bloc in the House may be composed of one or more political groups. The Minority Leader is expected to be alert and vigilant in defense of the minority’s rights. It is his function and duty to criticize constructively the policies and programs of the majority. Like the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader is elected in caucus of all Members of the House belonging to the minority. He is an ex-ofﬁcio member of all standing Committees. The Minority Leader is not necessarily a hardcore oppositionist. His job is more to ensure check and balance in the Chamber. Presently, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez is the Minority Leader.

First woman...

The ‘Working ...

From 1

Hardworking House This is proven by the House’s working record in the ﬁrst month under the new Speaker, as in just 25 session days since Arroyo took over, the chamber has tackled 778 measures, or an average of 31 a day. In only 25 session days, Arroyo has guided the House to accomplish 21 percent of the total 3,707 measures or output of the 17th Congress that opened on July 25, 2016. Personally, the Speaker has been no slouch, having principally authored 255 measures and co-authored 60 others. These proposals range from an act to strengthen occupational safety and health standards to asking the Ofﬁce of the President to pursue better relations with the Russian Federation to ensure the safety of overseas Filipino workers there. Since she took over the House leadership, Arroyo attended committee hearings and plenary sessions to ensure that vital socio-economic measures were deliberated upon and approved on schedule. During the plenary budget deliberations on Oct. 1, the Speaker, along with mem-

bers of the House, stayed overnight until the session was adjourned at 6 am the next day. Then at 9 am of that day, Speaker Arroyo attended the hearing of the Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Rep. Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija which tackled the fiscal regime for the Mining Industry bill. Since she took over the speakership in July 2018 until December 5, 2018 or a total of 38 session days, the House has processed 1,299 measures of which 78 were enacted into law. Four days after the opening of the Third Regular Session, the much-awaited Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was signed into law by President Duterte as Republic Act 11054. That law was based on House Bill 6475. Also, among those signed by the President was Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act based on HB 6221, which establishes a single national identification system to promote the seamless delivery of government services and increase transparency while reducing

corruption in the delivery of social services. Speaker Arroyo also led the House to the passage of the Coconut Levy Fund and the Rice Tariffication Act which had already been ratified by both Houses. Meanwhile, 41 more measures are awaiting the President’s signature to become laws. Apart from these landmark measures, the House ratified 22 bicameral reports. It has approved on third reading 196 bills. Also, during Arroyo’s term, the House approved House Joint Resolution 26, which extends until Dec. 31, 2019 the period of availability of funds intended for victims of human-rights violations during the imposition of martial law by then President Ferdinand Marcos. The House has also approved on second reading 39 and adopted 31resolutions. Her term as Speaker may last all of 10 months, but these past few months have proven that Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – Pampanga representative, former Senator, former Vice President, former President – is one of the towering figures of Philippine politics, now and in history. Eloisa Mae Ortillo and Kyle Gabrielle Ureta

When Estrada was forced out of office by the Second EDSA Revolution in 2001, Arroyo was sworn into the presidency by Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. on January 20, becoming the country’s second female President. She was elected to a full six-year presidential term in the 2004 elections and stepped down from office in 2010. Arroyo was then elected to the House of Representatives, making her the second Philippine president—after José P. Laurel—to pursue a lower elective office after becoming President. Indeed, Speaker Arroyo has seen it

all. As one newspaper columnist put it: “A trade-and-industry technocrat in the 1980s, she became senator then Vice President in the 1990s, and nine-and-ahalf-year President in 2001-2010. She is presently Pampanga congresswoman, till May 2019.” But even at 71 years old, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has proven she has many more years of public service in her. Having been voted into all the top elective posts of the country, being Speaker may not be the ﬁnal stop of her long and glittering political journey. Peter Paul Duran

Political history... From 1

400 bills and authored or sponsored 55 laws during her tenure, including the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law, the Indigenous People’s Rights Law, and the Export Development Act. However, Arroyo cut her Senate term short in 1998 by running for Vice President as then-Speaker Jose de Venecia’s running mate. She won as Joseph Estrada was elected President, making her the ﬁrst woman Vice President of the country. That same year, Estrada appointed her as concurrent Social Welfare Secretary, but she left the position as the President faced calls for impeachment.

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premium on serving the people with purpose. In fact, the House has approved a bill institutionalizing corporate social responsibility. The measure, known as the Corporate Social Responsibility Act of 2011, provides that all local government units shall extend whatever assistance is necessary for business establishments in the exercise of CSR in their areas of jurisdiction. This bill was co-authored by Speaker Arroyo. In 2016, the Speaker then introduced House Bill 698 to ratify the call to institutionalize CSR. As principal author, Mrs. Arroyo pushed for the act encouraging corporate social responsibility, providing incentives for it, and for other purposes. This updated version was to be called the “Corporate Social Responsibility Act of 2016.” The bill seeks to foster economic and environmental development and protection, among other things, by institutionalizing corporate social responsibility in corporations, whether domestic or foreign, partnership and other establishments performing business in the country. They are mandated to take into consideration the interest of society by taking responsibility for the impact of their activities on customers, employees, shareholders, communities, and environment. The House Committee on Trade and Industry is currently tackling the measure for plenary approval. Marawi revival Arroyo took the opportunity during the very ﬁrst meeting of the House Committee on Disaster Management – which she had formed in one of her ﬁrst acts as Speaker -- to highlight the urgency of the rehabilitation of Marawi City. “At this point in time in our congressional calendar, it’s time for us to start focusing on our oversight functions. And maybe, the No. 1 oversight function that we need to undertake in this committee is the oversight of Marawi rehabilitation,” she said. Next page

Speaker GMA:

Fulﬁlling the President's Legislative Agenda

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

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STATUS OF PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE’S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY MEASURES AS STATED IN THE 2018 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

NUMBER

STATUS IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

STATUS IN SENATE

Bangsamoro Basic Law Endo (Security of Tenure Act)

MEASURE

RA11054 - Signed into law on July 27, 2018 HB 6908 - Approved on 3rd Reading (2018-01-29), transmitted to the Senate on 2018-01-31 and received by the Senate on 2018-01-31 (Labor)

Utilization of the Coconut Levy Act

HB 5745 - Ratified Conference Committee Report on 2018-11-28 (Agriculture); *Adopted Concurrent Resolution No. 19 (under HCR No. 22) (RECALLING FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT THE ENROLLED COPIES OF S.B. NO. 1233 AND H.B. NO. 5745) transmitted to the Senate and Office of the President on 201810-15 and received by the Senate and PLLO on 2018-10-15

RA11054 - Signed into law on July 27, 2018 SBN 1826 - *Certified for IMMEDIATE enactment by the President on 21 Sept 2018; Pending 2nd Reading; Period of Interpellation (Labor, Employment & Human Resource) SBN 1233 - Ratified Conference Committee Report on 2018-11-28

National Land Use Act

HB 5240 - Approved on 3rd Reading on 2017-05-02, transmitted to the Senate on 2017-05-09 and received by the Senate on 2017-05-09 (Land Use)

SBNs 25, 34, 1015, 1144 and 1522 - Pending in the Environment & Natural Resources Committee

Department of Disaster Resilience

HB 8165 - Approved on 3rd Reading on 2018-10-01, transmitted to the Senate on 2018-10-02 and received by the Senate on 2018-10-02 (Government Reorganization)

SBNs 1994, 1969, 1735, 1553, 287 and 73 - Pending in the Committee on National Defense and Security

Rice Tariffication

HB 7735 - Ratified Conference Committee Report on 2018-11-28; Approved on 3rd Reading on 2018-08-14, transmitted to the Senate on 2018-08-15 and received by the Senate on 2018-08-15 (Agriculture and Food)

SBN 1998 - Ratified Conference Committee Report on 2018-11-28 Approved on 3rd Reading on 2018-11-14 (Agriculture and Food)

Trabaho Bill / Train 2

HB 8083 - Approved on 3rd Reading on 2018-09-10, transmitted to the Senate on 2018-09-11 and received by the Senate on 2018-09-11 (Ways and Means)

SBN 1906 - Pending in the Committee on Ways and Means since 6 August 2018

Mining Taxes

HB03297 - Approved on 3rd Reading on 2018-10-08, transmitted to the Senate on 2018-10-09 and received by the Senate on 2018-10-09 HB8223 - For Deliberation by Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES HB8321 - For Deliberation by Committee on WAYS AND MEANS HB8618 - Approved on 2nd Reading on 2018-11-28 (substitute bill to HB 4839, 8286 and 8334); For 3rd Reading on 2018-12-03 HB1641 - For Committee deliberation (Dangerous Drugs) HB1641 - For Deliberation by Committee on DANGEROUS DRUGS HB4144 - Approved on 3rd Reading on 2016-12-13, transmitted to the Senate on 2016-12-14 and received by the Senate on 2016-12-14 HB8677 - Approved on 2nd Reading on 2018-11-28 (substitute bill to HB 4575 and 6648) For 3rd Reading on 2018-12-03 HB8453 - Approved on 3rd Reading on 2018-11-12, transmitted to the Senate on 2018-11-13 and received by the Senate on 2018-11-13

SBN 1883 – Pending in the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 7-30-2018

HB8400 - Approved on 3rd Reading on 2018-11-12, transmitted to the Senate on 2018-11-13 and received by the Senate on 2018-11-13 HB8645 - Approved on 2nd Reading on 2018-11-27 (substitute bill to HB 8252 and 8323) For 3rd Reading on 2018-12-03 HB04814 - For Bicameral Conference Committee meeting on 2018-12-04; Approved on 3rd Reading on 2017-02-13, transmitted to the Senate on 201702-15 and received by the Senate on 2017-02-15 HB08554 - For Bicameral Conference Committee; Approved on 3rd Reading on 2018-11-20, transmitted to the Senate on 2018-11-21 and received by the Senate on 2018-11-21 HB00042 - For inclusion in the Calendar of Business HB04816 - For Deliberation by Committee on WAYS AND MEANS HB5784 - Under Bicam Report preparation; Approved on 3rd Reading on 201709-06, transmitted to the Senate on 2017-09-07 and received by the Senate on 2017-09-07 (Health) HCR 9 – Adoption on Jan 16, 2018, transmitted to the Senate on Jan 18, 2018 and received by the Senate on Jan 18, 2018 (CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONSTITUTE THE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES AS A CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO, OR REVISION OF, THE 1987 CONSTITUTION) (Constitutional Amendments) RBH 15 – Approved on 2nd Reading on 2018-12-04

SBN 225 (Pending in the Committee on Ways and Means 08-02-2016)

Alcohol Taxes Tobacco Taxes

Property Valuation Capital Income Tax

Tax Amnesty

Universal Health Care Federalism (Revision of the Constitution)

NA SBN 1605 and 1599 (Pending in the Committee on Ways and Means 11-20-2017)

SBN 44 (Pending in the Committee on Ways and Means 07-26-2016)

SBN 2059 - For Bicameral Conference Committee meeting on 2018-12-04; Approved on 3rd Reading on 2018-11-19 SBN 640 - Pending in the Committee on Ways and Means 08-09-2016 SBN 1896 - Under Bicam Report preparation; Approved on 3rd Reading on 2018-10-10 (Health) HCR 9 - Pending in the Constitutional Amendments Committee (1-22-18) SRB 1, SJR 1 - Conducted Committee hearing on December 8, 2016) SRN 580 – Pending in the Committee on Constitutional Amendments 1/15/2018

National Transport Act or the Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act (Emergency Powers to Address the Transport Traffic Crisis) Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

HB6425 - Approved on 2nd Reading on 2018-11-27 (Transportation); For Approval on 3rd Reading on 2018-12-03

SBN 1284 - Pending on 2nd Reading (Period of Interpellations as of September 13, 2017)

HB00922, HB01114, HB02467, HB02666, HB02780, HB03180, HB05509, HB05827, HB06773, HB07770 - For Deliberation by Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION HB05113 - Under deliberation by the Committee on Basic Education & Culture HR00840 - For Deliberation by Committee on NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY; For take up of Committee on Basic Education and Culture on 201812-10.

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

HB00025, HB01691, HB02977, HB03651, HB04369, HB04785, HB04878 – For filing of Committee Report on 2018-12-03.

SBN 189, SBN 200 (Pending in the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture 08-01-2016) SBN 1131 Pending in the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture 09-13-2016) SBN 1322 Pending in the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture 02-13-2017) SBN 1417 Pending in the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture 05-032017) SBN 1352 (Pending in the Committee on Science and Technology 02-28-2017); SBN 1959 (Pending in the Committee on Science and Technology 09-03-2018)

The ‘Working ... From 2

T h e Speaker added: “Everywhere I go, I keep hearing, abroad and here, I keep hearing comments about they haven’t seen anything on the rehabilitation of Marawi. Let’s find out what its stage is now.” The additional oversight function of the legislature, she said, “will be useful not only in regulating, as has been expressed in the opening remarks of [committee chairman and Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman], but even more so in encouraging our implementers from the executive branch so that they can remain focused on strive for maximum results in the shortest possible time.” Marawi City was reduced to rubble after government forces launched an intense fivemonth war starting May last year against the Maute and Abu Sayyaf terror groups that laid siege on the predominantly Islamic city in a bid to establish a local base for the Islamic State. While rehabilitation for the areas outside the main battle area are ongoing, it took until Oct. 30 this year for the government to officially kick off the rebuilding of Marawi’s most affected area, made up of 24 barangays across 250 hectares, due to the military’s clearing operations and the process of awarding the rehabilitation project contract. Arroyo has committed to President Rodrigo Duterte to draft a resolution that will extend the validity of the P19.6-billion National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund for Marawi until December 2019 in a recent meeting in Malacanang. Caring for urban poor In hindsight, it is not hard to imagine why the Speaker has rallied for programs that benefit the masses. When Mrs. Arroyo was still President, she enacted an Executive Order 105 on May 16, 2002 that directly benefitted the urban poor and the differently-abled. EO 105 paved the way for approving and directing the “provision of group home/foster home for neglected, abandoned, abused, detached and poor older persons and persons with disabilities.” Shortly after, Arroyo’s Executive Order No. 131 declared open to disposition for socialized housing purposes certain government-owned lands defined under Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 to qualified beneficiaries. It also designated the National Housing Authority as the lead agency in the disposition program. As President, she signed more than 100 Proclamations that enabled thousands of urban poor families all over the country to be awarded their own land giving them housing security. In Congress, Arroyo continued her advocacy for housing security when she filed House Bill No. 1518 in 2016 that pushed to consolidate the functions and powers of the NHA, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, Home Guarantee Corporation, Home Development Mutual Fund, and Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board into a Department of Housing and Urban Development that would address the country’s 5.7-million housing backlog. From 2001 until recently, a total of 118 Presidential Proclamation have been signed, declaring the identified government sites as suitable for socialized housing. This translates to about 26,367.14 hectares of land, benefitting about 195,475 beneficiaries. The House tackles a lot of other measures that directly and indirectly affect the urban poor -- and under the baton of Speaker Arroyo, the country’s lawmakers are encouraged to apply compassion and wisdom to the laws that will benefit not just the poor, but all Filipinos as well.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 2019

Speaker GMA:

Fulﬁlling the President's Legislative Agenda

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

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Duterte’s legislative agenda to power country’s economic gains

MENDING the 1987 Constitution is one of the keys to kickstart the Duterte administration’s shift to a federal form of government and attract more foreign direct investments.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s push for amending the 1987 Charter runs parallel with President Rodrigo Duterte’s aspiration of further spurring the economy thru his ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program. Even the influential Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines and the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines earlier said they backed Congress’s move to amend the 1987 Constitution. They particularly cited the lifting of economic restrictions in the Constitution, saying this will pave the way for a more conducive business environment. They said that relaxing economic restrictions would be vital in the Philippines’ role as one of the major players in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as in its intent to pursue better trade relations with nontraditional partners, such as Russia, under President Duterte’s self-styled independent foreign policy. President Duterte knows the Philippines remains a laggard compared to its neighbors in the Asean region in terms of attracting foreign direct investments. The Chief Executive fairly knows that lifting economic restrictions in the Constitution would pave the way for more foreign companies to locate in the country and possibly take part in the massive infrastructure program of the government. Latest Bangko Sentral data showed that net inflows of foreign direct investments in the first eight months rose 31 percent to $7.4 billion from US$5.7 billion net inflows a year ago as investors remained optimistic about the Philippine economy. But for the month of August alone, FDI net inflows fell 41.2 percent to $752 million from $1.3 billion net inflows recorded in the same period last year. In a survey released by the Business Times – Standard Chartered Leader’s Survey on 129 leaders and business owners from various industry sectors in April 2018, foreign investors expressed a preference for Indonesia (34 percent), Malaysia (22 percent), and Vietnam (22 percent) as top destinations for business expansion. Only 3 percent of the respondents conveyed interest in expanding business operations in the Philippines.

House working to push

TRABAHO before yearend

Experts said even as FDI in the Philippines has improved, the country still needs to catch up with the more favorable investment outlook for its neighbors. But Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier said President Duterte’s style of leadership has made the country a safer place for investors, with his campaign against corruption and criminality leading to a decrease in crime volume by 21.86 percent since the start of his administration. Dominguez also said the increasing volume of FDIs supported the Duterte administration’s efforts to shift the economy from consumption to investments-led growth, which would then help create decent, well-paying jobs for the country’s young, well-trained Filipinos entering the workforce in the coming years. In 2017, foreign businessmen also brought a record amount of investments into the country. FDI inflows reached a record high of $10 billion, up 21.5 percent from the previous year. This year, the government expects net FDI to hit $9.2 billion. Early this year, the American financial and business news website Business Insider put the Philippines on the top of the list of 20 best countries to invest in this year. Indonesia came in the second place, followed by Poland, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Spain, Thailand, India, Oman, Czech Republic, Finland, Uruguay, Turkey, Ireland, the Netherands, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, and Chile. The Duterte administration’s ambitious P8.4-trillion “Build, Build, Build’ program is expected to create more jobs and further spur economic growth in the years to come. The infrastructure program aims to build more roads, bridges, seaports, airports, railways and water and irrigation projects across the country to spur economic activities. It also aims to build a subway in Metro Manila in a bid to decongest the metropolis of heavy traffic that costs around P3.5 billion in economic losses daily, according to a study by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Priority measures keep House busy of the 1987 Constitution “have already served, if not outlived, their purpose, hence, the sustained clamor over the years for amendments to or revision of the Constitution ﬁnds justiﬁcation in the need to provide, among other much-needed. The House has just a few sessions days left when Congress resumes its sessions on January 14, 2019, as most lawmakers gear up for the midterm elections. Congress will adjourn on Feb. 9, 2019 to make way for the election campaign period up to the May 13, 2019 elections. It will again resume session on May 20 to wrap up its agenda towards its sine die adjournment on July 8, ushering in the new 18th Congress come July 2019. National budget

By Maricel V. Cruz RACING against time, the House of Representatives has approved several bills listed as priority measures of the Duterte administration – top billed by Charter change toward federalism and the 2019 national budget. In viva-voce voting, the House on Dec. 4 approved on second reading a resolution, penned by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, that amends the 1987 Constitution to effect President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposed shift to a federal form of government. Resolution of Both Houses 15 (RBH 15), or the draft federal charter, was approved in plenary session with Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu as the presiding speaker. Speaker Arroyo has said she expects the house to pass the measure before Congress adjourns beginning December 15. She said RBH 15 went through rigorous debates and discussions.

“It was part of the democratic process, there was a debate, it was voted on,” Arroyo said. Rep. Vicente Veloso of Leyte, chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments, told reporters the resolution will be transmitted to the Senate through the House’s Ofﬁce of the Secretary-General. Veloso said he hopes the Senate will cooperate with the House in its efforts to rewrite the 1987 Constitution. Veloso said the amended RBH provides a “no term limit” provision, as he played down criticism that the proposed federal charter was railroaded through the House, saying lawmakers have been discussing the measure since 2017. RBH 15, which was already amended to return the vice president in the line of succession to the presidency, remains pending in the plenary as Congress, is scheduled to begin its Christmas break on Dec. 15. Veloso, a former Court of Appeals associate justice, had said many provisions

Meanwhile, the House passed on third and final reading the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for 2019. The House leadership said the 2019 budget prohibits “post-enactment interventions” and that congressmen identify specific projects for their constituents through specific agencies of government concerned. “These are not pork barrel allocations declared illegal by the Supreme Court. Ordinary citizens have the right to enjoy the fruits of projects funded by their taxes, regardless of their political affiliation,” House Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Jr. said. As far as the House leadership is concerned, they have approved a constitutionally-compliant budget measure. “As long as the funds are dedicated to a specific purpose, do not require post enactment measures, and are participated in by the Congress as a legislative body, and not by individual members, then it can be allowed,” Andaya said. “What the Supreme Court prohibits is

encroachment of Executive Power (as post-enactment measures are part of executive functions) and non-delegability of legislative powers since the determination of purpose by the individual members can be considered as a delegation of rule-making powers,” the majority leader added. Bills passed In the ﬁrst 25 session days under Arroyo’s watch, the House tackled 778 measures or an average of 31 measures a day. This means that in only 25 session days, Arroyo was able to accomplish 21 percent of the total 3,707 measures or output of the 17th Congress that opened on July 25, 2016. Most of the measures tackled are on the legislative agenda of Duterte as Arroyo made true her word that she will endeavor to push the measures backed by the President. During her watch, Arroyo attended committee hearings and plenary sessions to ensure that vital socio-economic measures are deliberated upon and approved on schedule. House leaders have credited this accomplishment of the Arroyo-led House to her hard work and dedication, given her track record as former President and economist and a known workaholic. Majority Leader Andaya said Arroyo inﬂuenced the process of passing or moving the bill through the House by constantly prodding legislators to avoid delays. “She even attends committee deliberations just to make sure that the proceedings are on tract and unnecessary delays are avoided,” Andaya said. Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, a known Arroyo ally, also shared kind words about the Speaker. “With GMA as Speaker, 24 hours in a day are not enough for the House to do the tasks she imposes on everyone including herself,” Suarez said. Former Speaker and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said Arroyo will be “a tough act to follow for any Speaker in the future.”

THE SECOND part of the administration’s tax reform measure, dubbed as the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High Quality Opportunities or TRABAHO, is another priority agenda of the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. House Bill 8083 was passed on third reading last Sept. 10 and renamed to TRABAHO from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) under Republic Act 10963. “It’s not called TRAIN-2 because TRAIN-2 is misleading. This is going to be a corporate incentives reform [measure]. Remember in the SONA [State of the Nation Address] of President Duterte, it’s there,” Arroyo explained. TRABAHO proposes to cut the corporate income tax from 30 percent to 25 percent and take away fiscal incentives, including tax exemption, from hundreds of businesses in export processing zones. TRAIN, which took effect last January, imposed new and higher taxes on fuel, sugar-sweetened beverages and tobacco products and reduced income taxes for millions of individual taxpayers. Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu has defended the measure, saying this “is not a tax bill.” “It is a corrective measure to address redundant incentives given to firms which fixed income earners are in a way subsidizing. We should support infant industries but it should be time bound. We are lowering the corporate income tax. That will cushion the effect of removing the incentives of those companies which for so long enjoy the incentives but no inputs to exports and labor,” Abu said. He said 57 percent of all businesses enjoying fiscal incentives do not deserve them. The Arroyo-led House has been burning the candle at both ends to pass to ensure the passage of the President’s priority legislation. The Speaker made this clear after attending a hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means on the measure. “I said in my very short statement upon assumption, the first and foremost job I have as Speaker is to carry out the legislative agenda of President Duterte,” she said. Following the Ways and Means Committee hearing, Arroyo had a working lunch with government economic managers and some lawmakers to discuss economic issues such as inflation. The second tax reform package aims to lower the corporate income tax paid by some 95 percent of businesses while retaining and providing new fiscal incentives for deserving recipients that will contribute to national development and help generate pro-poor investments and jobs, Arroyo said. More than 99 percent of businesses are micro, small, or medium enterprises employing around 65 percent of the country’s workers. Duterte, in his third SONA, said the enactment of TRAIN 2 or TRABAHO is what stands between today and millions of jobs in the near future. “I hope to sign Package 2 before the year ends. I urge Congress to pass it in a form that satisfies our goals and serves the interests of the many, not just the wealthy few,” he said. The Arroyo-led House had already passed on third and final reading all the remaining Comprehensive Tax Reform Progam (CTRP) as requested by the President. These include the taxes on alcohol and tobacco, capital income tax, property valuation and tax amnesty. Except for the Tax Amnesty Bill which has already been ratified by both Senate enate and the House, the Lower House is awaiting the passage of these bills in the Senate. Maricel V. Cruz

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

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Speaker GMA:

Fulﬁlling the President's Legislative Agenda

Under Arroyo-led House:

Bangsamoro Organic Law

House kicks off drive to eliminate ‘endo’

first priority bill signed into law

HE Bangsamoro Organic Law is one of the landmark legislative measures of the Duterte administration.

President Rodrigo Duterte, a native of Mindanao, made it one of his priority measures as he expressed in his State of the Nation Address in both 2017 and 2018, giving it signiﬁcant support from both houses of Congress. In fact, of the 18 measures listed by the President as priorities, the BOL, which formally creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, was the ﬁrst measure to be signed into law – as Republic Act 11054—in the House of Representatives’ third regular session on July 27, 2018. Not long after Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria MacapagalA r r o y o ’s assumption as Speaker shortly after

the SONA, she vowed it would be her ﬁrst agenda as leader of the chamber to ratify the BOL, which she also coauthored. As it turned out, it was the ﬁrst piece of legislation passed by the House under Speaker Arroyo. “As I intend to carry out the legislative agenda of the President, we will ratify the [BOL] today,” Arroyo said in a statement before the start of the session. Arroyo had proposed House Bill 6121 or the Basic Act for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, which was then consolidated into HB 6475 and eventually merged into RA 11054. The BOL was created to provide for the basic law for the Bangsamoro area and abolish the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, repealing for the purpose Republic Act No. 9054, “An act to strengthen and expand the organic act for the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao,” as well as Republic Act 6734, “An act providing for an organic act for the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao.” In the President’s SONA on July 23, he said he would sign the BOL into law within 48

hours. The approved version of the law, Duterte said, would “pave the way for lasting peace in Mindanao.” Then-presidential spokesman Harry Roque said: “We cannot underplay the signiﬁcance of this signing as we take comfort in this momentous step toward building the foundation of a lasting peace in Mindanao.” “At the same time, we recognize that more work still lies ahead, and we thank all those who remain patient and committed to this arduous task. We look forward to working with our countrymen in Mindanao in bringing the much-needed development to the island,” Roque added. The secretary-general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, complimented what he called the “landmark signing” of the Bangsamoro Organic Law as an achievement on the road to lasting peace in the southern Philippines. In a statement released by Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric in Manila, the UN ofﬁcial said: “The Secretary-General welcomes the sign-

ing into law of the Organic Law for Bangsamoro in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on 26 July, a landmark achievement on the road to lasting peace in the southern Philippines.” “The Secretary-General congratulates negotiators for the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bicameral Conference Committee, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and civil society groups for their efforts.” “The United Nations will continue to support the Philippines in the implementation of the law, and to help build the capacity of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as an effective conduit for peace, democratic governance, and human rights.” Peter Paul Duran

By Peter Paul Duran PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has certiﬁed as urgent a bill seeking to eliminate the practice of “endo” or contractualization by employers and guarantee security of tenure of workers. The House of Representatives approved its version of the bill ― HB 6908, or the act strengthening the security of tenure of workers, amending for the purpose Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the “Labor Code of the Philippines” ― on third reading as early as January 29 this year. The Senate’s version or SBN 1826 was certiﬁed for immediate enactment by the President on September 21, 2018, after the President certifying it as “urgent.” Duterte had signed an executive order putting an end to the practice of “endo”— short for “end of contract”—in front of thousands of participants at the 116th Labor Day celebration back in May. But the President said the EO was not enough as the Senate also has to provide a long-term solution to ensure the security of tenure of workers. He added Congress should

amend the “outdated” Labor Code ― and the House under Arroyo has done just that. The Speaker, in fact, was one of the principal authors of HB 6908 along with 125 other congressmen. Senator Joel Villanueva said Duterte wrote to Senate President Vicente Sotto III on September 21 requesting the “immediate enactment” of Senate Bill No. 1826 or Security of Tenure Bill. Speaker Arroyo and Presidential Legislative Liaison Ofﬁce head Adelino Sitoy were also furnished a copy of the President’s letter. Once passed into law, the measure would remove the ambiguities in the Labor Code, which is the source of circumventions, and: Prohibit labor-only contracting, and provide penalties for violation; Limit job contracting to licensed and specialized services; Classify workers into regular and probationary employees―and treat project and seasonal employees as regular employees; Provide security of tenure; Clarify standards on probationary employment; and Provide a “Transition Support Program” for employees while they are not at work or transitioning in between jobs. President Duterte had tossed to Congress the proposed ban on short-term employment. Instead of signing an EO banning contractualization, he certified as “priority” pending legislation on security of tenure, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said as his “Labor Day gift” to workers. HB 6908 is an amendment to Presidential Decree No. 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines. Bello said the security of tenure bill, if enacted into law, would be better than an EO against endo as the measure carries stricter guidelines and imposes stiffer penalties on violators. “The House of Representatives already approved the proposed measure while the Senate is just awaiting input from the executive. So the certiﬁcation from the president will be a signal for the Senate to give it priority,” Bello explained.

Universal health care for Pinoys one step closer to reality House appropriations body OKs Comprehensive Nuclear Law TAKING the key piece of legislation for nuclear regulations one step closer to enactment, the bill for the Comprehensive Nuclear Law was recently approved before the House Committee on Appropriations. The bill hurdled through the appropriations committee at the House of Representatives during its meeting on August 28. Otherwise known as the Comprehensive Nuclear Regulation Act, the bill is entitled “An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Nuclear Regulatory Framework, Creating for the Purpose, the Philippine Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Appropriating Funds Therefore,” consolidating seven similar bills filed in the House of Representatives. It pushes for the creation of a uniﬁed independent regulatory body consistent with international standards for the regulation of all practices and facilities involving sources of ionizing radiation, including nuclear and other radioactive materials, facilities and radiation generating equipment. Its current incarnation in the House was previously consolidated from several other bills into a substitute bill in November 2017, with Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as one of its sponsors. It is currently under Committee Report Preparation in the House of Representatives which is due for ﬁling within the month.

In the Senate, a counterpart bill for the nuclear law has been filed by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato De La Peña and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla were present during the committee meeting, along with other officials and staff from the Department of Science and Technology and PNRI. Currently, the Philippines has two regulatory bodies dealing with ionizing radiation: the PNRI under DOST which regulates nuclear and radioactive materials; and the Center for Device Regulation, Radiation Health and Research under the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health, which regulates x-rays and devices producing electrically-generated radiation. According to PNRI’s Eulinia M. Valdezco, president of the Philippine Association for Radiation Protection, three laws exist on nuclear power but do not cover nuclear plant decommissioning: Republic Act 2067 (The Science Act of 1958); RA 5207 (Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act of 1968); and Presidential Decree 1586 (Philippine EIS System Law). Senate President Vicente Sotto III filed a counterpart measure in the upper chamber, Senate Bill No. 1352, on Feb. 27, 2017. It is one of two bills, the other being SBN 1959, that are pending in the Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

UNIVERSAL health care for all Filipinos is one step closer to reality, thanks to efforts of the House of Representatives under Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. A bicameral conference committee on Nov. 27 approved the bill seeking to provide health care for all citizens of the country. The reconciled House and Senate versions of the Universal Health Care bill seeks to automatically enroll all Filipinos in the proposed National Health Insurance Program. The approval of the UHC bill will allow Filipinos to access proper health care without having to worry about high costs, lawmakers said. Membership in the program goes two ways – either direct by those who can pay health premiums, or indirect for those sponsored members such as senior citizens and indigents. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) would handle the NHIP. As early as 2004, Arroyo, during her term as President, already pushed for universal health insurance. In a speech on Feb. 2, 2004 during the launching of Philippine Universal Health Insurance Service, she said: “The best way of helping the poor through social security will be by shoring up the ﬁnances of all the social security agencies. And how do we do that? By pursuing our investment and employment programs so that more employees can pay the premium.” The bill’s reconciled version comes after the House approved House Bill No. 5784 in September 2017 and the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1896 last October. Congress now has to ratify the reconciled version of the bill before it can be signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. If once Duterte does signs it into law,

Filipinos would get immediate eligibility for and access to the full spectrum of health care ― preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care for medical, dental, mental, and emergency health services. Patients would be registered with a primary health care provider of their choice for outpatient care, medicines, and laboratory tests, as these will be included in PhilHealth’s primary care beneﬁts package. Members contributing directly would

cil would also be created, to craft recommendations for the development of policies and programs and determine PhilHealth beneﬁt packages. If the measure is enacted, health care services would transition in phases so they would not be disrupted, solons said, and give implementing agencies time to adjust to the UHC system. Funds for the UHC implementation would be sourced from: Department of Health annual budget

also get more beneﬁts as premiums increase, which lawmakers said would be encouraging for those who pay higher premiums and those who are voluntarily paying. Membership rates would also gradually increase by 0.5% yearly, while income ceilings for contributions would go up by P10,000 per year. The UHC also provides for PhilHealth payments for local government unit hospitals to be set aside in a special fund to improve the health facilities in LGUs. A Health Technology Assessment Coun-

Revenues from sin taxes Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (50% of the national government’s share) Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofﬁce (40% of the fund, net of documentary stamp tax payments and mandatory contributions) PhilHealth members’ contributions; and Government subsidies to PhilHealth. About P257 billion would be needed to implement universal health care in its ﬁrst year, the DOH said.

Speaker GMA:

Bill reforming real property valuation OKd THE House of Representatives has backed a measure instituting reforms in real property valuation and assessment in the country, which would also reorganize the Bureau of Local Government Finance. House Bill 8453, authored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was recently approved on third reading last Nov. 12 and has been transmitted to the Senate. The bill proposes to institute reforms in real property valuation and assessment in the country and reorganize the BLGF, an office under the Department of Finance. HB 8453 was sponsored on the floor by Committee on Government Reorganization Chairman Mariano Michael Velarde, Jr. of Buhay party-list. Prior to the floor sponsorship, the House Committee on Appropriations, in a hearing presided by Vice Chairperson Ma. Carmen Zamora of Compostela Valley, endorsed the bill without amendment. In her explanatory note of the bill, Arroyo said the bill will allow the country to move toward a more rational administration and management system that fully taps the potential of the real property sector. “In turn, the capacity of the government to generate more revenues is enhanced, without necessarily imposing new tax measures or increasing existing tax rates,” the Pampanga 2nd district representative said. The bill will enable local government units to achieve a more stable fiscal wherewithal and a strengthened local real property tax base to fund service delivery requirements of the LGUs, thereby achieving good and transparent governance, and increased public performance, the Speaker said. Arroyo said a World Bank report cited that 50 percent to 75 percent of the country’s wealth is contained in the land. Ironically, land marketing is contributing only six percent to the Gross National Product (GNP). “Characterized by inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the land administration and management sector, our country has failed to capture and maximize the huge potential that the land sector offers. The real property valuation system in the country depicts a depressing state of chaotic, inefficient, and inequitable layers of bureaucracy,” said Arroyo. She said at least 23 national government agencies and more than 1,700 LGUs perform or require valuation functions and services using varied systems and methodologies for different purposes, thus, resulting in multiple, confusing, unrealistic or outdated values for the same property. “The discrepancies in real property values have had considerable cost to the government. Conflicting land values resulted in right-of-way compensation problems; lengthy court litigations arising from valuation disputes, project delays, and unrealized revenues and socioeconomic benefits,” she said. The system also caused huge disparities of taxable base for local and national taxation, and revenue leakages due to the absence of a single market-based valuation for capital gains tax and other national land-related taxes, while the LGUs use the Schedule of Market Values as basis for real property tax, Arroyo added. Valuation, also known as appraisal, is referred to in the bill as the “systematic, analytic and logical analysis of the recording of property facts, circumstances, investments and other relevant data resulting in a supportable estimate or professional opinion of the value of the property as of specific date and for a specific purpose.” The bill declares it is the policy of the State to promote the development and maintenance of a just, equitable, impartial and nationally consistent real property valuation based on internationally accepted valuation standards, concepts, principles and practices. Towards this end, the State shall: Establish and maintain standards to govern the valuation of real property in the country; Adopt market value as the single real property valuation base for the assessment of real property related taxes in the country, and for the valuation or appraisal of real property for various transactions by all government agencies; Promote the fiscal autonomy of local governments to provide basic services to their constituency by enhancing their capacity to generate local revenues from real property; Support the function of valuation and appraisal of real properties from the functions of tax policy and the administration of the taxes due thereon; and Ensure transparency in real property transactions to protect public interest and develop confidence in the valuation system. The bill further provides that the Bureau of Local Government Finance of the DOF shall lead and manage the implementation of the provisions of the Act. The BLGF shall develop, adopt and maintain valuation standards which shall be used by all appraisers and assessors in the LGUs and other concerned parties in the appraisal or valuation of lands, buildings, machinery and other real properties for taxation and other purposes.

Fulﬁlling the President's Legislative Agenda

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018

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House rationalizes fiscal regime on mining industry By Julito Rada

HE House of Representatives last month approved on third and final reading House Bill 8400 that seeks to rationalize and institute a single fiscal regime applicable to all mineral agreements.

lion instead of P4.59 billion in DOF’s original proposal. In the existing regime, earnings from royalty only stands at P1.13 billion. Under HB 400, large-scale metallic and non-metallic mining operations located within mining reservation areas

“Margin” is referred in the bill as “the ratio of income from mining operations before corporate income tax to gross output.” In the Senate, the DoF proposal on new mining ﬁscal regime was ﬁled as Senate Bill (SB) 1979 by Senate President Vi-

The bill was sponsored by Committee on Ways and Means chairperson Rep. Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija) who is also the principal author of the bill. House Bill 8400 substituted HB 7994 of Suansing and HB 422 of Rep. Romero Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City). Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the list of House Members who coauthored the bill. From the original proposal of the Department of Finance, which imposes a 5 percent royalty on all mining ﬁrms in and out of mineral reservations, HB 8400 mandates miners outside of mineral reservations to pay to the government a margin-based royalty on income from mining operations. But DoF said that with HB 8400, the “expectation of DOF [in terms of rev-

shall be imposed a royalty tax equivalent up to 3 percent of the gross output of the minerals, exclusive of all other taxes. Mining contractors of small-scale metallic and non-metallic mining within or outside mineral reservations shall pay to the government a royalty equivalent to 1/10 of one percent of gross output. The royalty rates shall be: one percent to 10 percent margin, one percent royalty; above 10 percent to 20 percent margin, 1.5 percent royalty; above 20 percent to 30 percent margin, 2 percent royalty; above 30 percent to 40 percent margin, 2.5 percent royalty; above 40 percent to 50 percent margin, 3 percent royalty; above 50 percent to 60 percent margin, 3.5 percent royalty; above 60 percent to 70 percent margin, 4 percent royalty; and 70 percent margin, 5 percent royalty.

cente Sotto III. For large-scale miners outside mineral reservations, Suansing said a marginbased royalty is imposed, “making them liable” as well to pay royalty tax as largescale mining operators inside mineral reservations. On the other hand, for all small-scale mining operations within or outside mineral reservations, a royalty equivalent to 1/10 of 1 percent of gross output shall be imposed. The substitute bill also contains a provision proposed by the Speaker to prohibit open-pit mining. The bill also proposes the exemption of all mining contractors from the coverage of the conﬁdentiality clauses of the National Internal Revenue Code to ensure transparency and the requirement of registration for small-scale miners.

enues] has been reduced.” “Based on the data for 2017, we were able to get estimates on how much we are getting on the existing regime, which is around P19.71 billion, including taxes. Under the DOF proposal, which imposes 5 percent royalty, we will get P26.8 billion and under the approved house bill, it is around P22 billion,” DOF Fiscal Policy and Planning Director IV Elsa Agustin said. Based on the new computation made by the DOF, the total incremental revenues, including reduction to Corporate Income Tax, now stands at P3.73 billion annually. In the original proposal of the agency, the government would have gained about P8.19 billion. In terms of mining royalty, the government will now only earn P2.57 bil-

SGMA pushes for creation of disaster management department House fully SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has pushed for the creation of a Department on Disaster Management, citing the need for a full-time Cabinet official to deal with the logistical requirements of preparing for calamities. Speaking to media at the sidelines of the recent distribution of relief goods to typhoon victims in Marilao, Bulacan, Arroyo noted that while she is satisfied with the work of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the agency has limitations. She has filed House Bill 8165, which was approved on third reading last Oct. 1 and transmitted to the Senate, where six similar bills are sitting with the upper chamber’s Committee on National Defense and Security. Within the House, the Speaker has helped create the Committee on Disaster Management, currently chaired by Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman. Appearing recently at the committee’s second meeting since its formation, Arroyo said the group has to start moving to perform its oversight functions so that the implemen-

tation of the government’s rehabilitation and reconstruction plans can be attended to, and help the executive department focus on its execution problems. “For instance in the Marawi (City) rehabilitation, my questions anyway, were mostly about the implementation, because that is now what I am asking the committee members to focus on,” said the Speaker. The House Committee on Disaster Management’s jurisdiction includes all matters directly and principally relating to disaster and calamities, whether natural or man-made, as well as policies, plans, programs and projects related to disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management. That includes disaster preparedness and resiliency, relief and rescue, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Currently, the House Committee on Disaster Management is preparing to conduct its ocular inspection of Ground Zero in Marawi City this month to determine the progress of rehabilitation and to facilitate the construction of the ﬁrst batch of houses for the displaced residents.

Arroyo earlier pointed out that the NDRRMC is headed by the defense secretary who also has other tasks. “Look at who is the head of the coordinating council? Secretary [Delfin] Lorenzana. Well, he is busy fighting insurgency, he’s busy fighting terrorism, so how can he be there full time? So now what happened is, because the typhoon is gonna hit the north, four (Cabinet) secretaries are there,” she said. Arroyo said a full-time cabinet secretary focusing on disaster resiliency will not have the limitations of the NDRRMC. “If there was a full-time secretary then you don’t need four secretaries to be there so they’re doing as best they can. I’m satisfied with what [the NDRRMC] doing within the limitations of a coordinating council but this really proves we should have a disaster department,” she said. President Rodrigo Duterte called on Congress during his third State of the Nation Address to form a body that would focus on risk reduction in times of natural hazards and disasters using a sciencebased approach.

behind call for ROTC revival

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte believes the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program should be revived and become mandatory in all schools owing to the lack of able-bodied men and women to defend and aid our country if the situation arises. The House of Representatives has been quick to heed the President’s call, filing no less than a dozen measures calling for the restoration of the ROTC program. All of them will be discussed by the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture in its hearing on Dec. 10. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in what some may view as a twist of fate, has rallied lawmakers behind the President’s call to revive the ROTC. As the country’s 14th President, Arroyo had signed the National Service Training Program Law that made ROTC optional among college students. The program, however, was removed from the educational system following the death of a college student who had exposed the alleged anomalies in his ROTC unit in 2001. This is why as representative of Pampanga’s 2nd District, the Speaker has proposed the creation of a Citizens Service Training Course that will expand and improve the ROTC program to enable the youth “to truly take part in nation-building.” The CSTC would repeal the NSTP under Republic Act 9163 that was enacted during Arroyo’s term as President and removed the mandatory nature of the ROTC. Retired generals support the revival of mandatory military training for college students. The Association of Generals and Flag Officers, Inc. (AGFO) said the defense preparedness of the country “has not been served well” since the ROTC program was discontinued 16 years ago. “Geopolitical developments in the Asia Pacific region have accentuated the weaknesses of the Philippine defense posture and exposed the very limited capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to defend the national sovereignty,” the AGFO said.

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Speaker GMA:

Fulﬁlling the President's Legislative Agenda

House backs Finance push for stiffer ‘sin taxes’ T HE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading proposals to increase the excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products to raise more funds for the Universal Health Care program of the Duterte administration. House Bill 8677 garnered a voting of 187-7 with one abstention, while HB 8616, which seeks to increase alcohol excise taxes, got a voting of 189-7 with one abstention. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo co-authored HB 8618. The bill seeks to

climb seven percent each year. The measure further integrates two speciﬁc tax rates for sparkling wine into a unitary rate pegged at P650. This means that beginning 2019, sparkling wines will receive 15 percent ad valorem tax per liter plus P650 speciﬁc tax

supposed to increase four percent each year. However, under HB 8677, each pack of cigarettes shall be taxed P37.50 beginning July 1, 2019 until June 30, 2020. An amount of P2.50 shall be added to the rate thereafter until it reaches P45. This means cigarettes per pack will be taxed P40 beginning July 2020; P42.50 beginning July 2021; and P45 beginning July 2022. On July 2023 and every year onwards, the tax rate shall be raised an additional four percent. Previously, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said higher excise taxes

address the perceived inequality on the excise tax collections on alcohol products. Collections from alcohol account for 30 percent while cigarettes cover 70 percent of the government’s excise tax collections. HB 8677 is authored by Reps. Joey Sarte Salceda, Angelina Tan, Ramon Rocamora, Jocelyn Limkaichong, Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Gabriel Bordado, Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, Estrellita Suansing, Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, Anthony Bravo, and Rodel Batocabe. It aims to curb smoking prevalence, especially among vulnerable sectors like the youth and the poor, as well as contribute to the UHC program. HB 8618, aside from Speaker Arroyo, is also authored by former Rep. Horacio Suansing, Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin, Reps. Estrellita Suansing, Marvin Nieto, Rodel Batocabe, and Christopher Co, seeks to raise excise tax rates on alcohol from the rates imposed by the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended by Republic Act 10351. HB 8618 in particular seeks to address the perceived inequality on the excise tax collections on alcohol products. The bill proposes to correct this by raising the indexation of excise tax rates on alcohol products from four percent to seven percent for inflation. Moreover, it seeks to impose on distilled spirits such as brandy, whisky, and alcopops a tax rate of 22 percent ad valorem on the net retail price (NRP) per proof plus a specific tax of P30 per liter beginning 2019. The specific tax will increase by P5 every year thereafter until it reaches P45 per liter in 2022. In 2023 and onwards, the specific tax for distilled spirits shall

per liter. The speciﬁc tax will be raised by seven percent beginning 2020 and every year thereafter. In addition, HB 8618 deletes the “fortiﬁed wines” category and integrates it under still wines and carbonated wines with 14 percent alcohol and up. This category shall be taxed P80 per liter in 2019. In 2020 and every year thereafter, the tax shall increase seven percent every year beginning 2020. On the other hand, still wines and carbonated wines with 14 percent alcohol or less shall be taxed P40 per liter beginning 2019. In 2020 and every year thereafter, this shall increase by 7 percent. Cooking wines that contain a salt content of not less than 1.5 grams for every 100 milliliter shall be exempted from excise tax. Finally, the distinction between fermented liquors brewed in microbreweries and in factories is removed by HB 8618 to facilitate simpler tax administration. Regardless of the brewery, fermented liquors shall be taxed P28 per liter volume of capacity in 2019; P32 in 2020; P34 in 2021; and P36 in 2022. It will be raised by seven percent each year thereafter. Meanwhile, HB 8677 seeks to raise the unitary tax on cigarettes. Under the NIRC, as amended by RA 10351, a unitary tax rate of P32.50 for each pack of cigarettes was imposed from January 2018 to June 2018. This increased to P35 in July 2018 and was slated to remain the same until December 2019. It was set to increase further to P37.50 per pack from January 2020 to December 2021, and then to P40 from January 2022 to December 2023. From January 2024 onwards, the unitary tax rate was

and pricey tobacco products would discourage people, especially the youth, from smoking which could be bad for their health. Dominguez said increasing the current tobacco excise tax rates to levels that would effectively curb smoking, particularly among the youth, would also help supplement funds for the Universal Health Care (UHC) program, especially for the treatment of smokingrelated diseases. Citing the testimonies of resource persons heard by the House ways and means committee during its deliberations on the proposed new tobacco tax rates, Dominguez said the higher excise taxes on cigarettes under the Sin Tax Reform Law have led to a drop in the number of smokers by roughly a million people per year, with fewer teenagers getting into the habit, and a corresponding increase in revenues that are spent on treating Filipinos with smoking-related diseases. A recent news release by the House, posted on its website, quoted Dr. Antonio Dans of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) as saying that preliminary calculations project about 150,000 new smokers as a result of the rates approved by the House ways and means committee. Tobacco farmers also beneﬁt from this law, the Finance Department said, because 15 percent of the revenue proceeds from sin tax reform continue to be allocated to local government units hosting tobacco growers. From P5.6 billion in 2014, the share of host LGUs steadily increased to P10.7 billion in 2015, to P13 billion in 2016, and to P17.1 billion in 2017. Julito Rada

House passes tax amnesty bill quickly THE HOUSE of Representatives moved quickly to pass on third and ﬁnal reading the tax amnesty bill, a measure high on the list of the Duterte administration’s legislative agenda and projected to contribute P114.8 billion to government coffers. On Nov. 20, lawmakers approved House Bill No. 8554 with a vote of 2137-0. Previously, a day after the measure was approved by the House Committee on Ways and Means, it was immediately sent for second reading approval. Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo guaranteed swift disposition of the measure. Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing, chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said the additional revenues for government is assured as soon as the measure is implemented as a law. The bill was ﬁled in relation to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law as it seeks to address the poor tax collection record of the Bureau of Internal

Revenue and other revenue agencies. In her sponsorship speech, Suansing said HB 8554 would give erring taxpayers a chance to “come forward, start with a clean slate, and be 100% tax-compliant in the future.” “For both formal and informal sectors, they will be absolved by settling all their undeclared assets and previous unpaid taxes without fear of civil, criminal, or administrative penalties,” she said. The Senate had already approved its version of the bill, thus bringing it to the bicameral conference committee, where the conﬂicting provisions of the two versions will be reconciled. During its second reading, House members approved the measure less than an hour after Suansing delivered her sponsorship speech of the measure urging congressional support for its swift enactment. Suansing said the legislative proposal will also address case backlogs in both administrative and court proceedings of

disputed taxes. The solon recalled that the last amnesty the country had was in 2007 under Republic Act No. 9480 where there were about 25,017 applicants which resulted in a collection that amounted to P7.2 billion translating to 0.07% of the Gross Domestic Product. “For the next 10 years, this will be the next amnesty that we will be applying in conjunction with one of the President Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative priorities,” she said. HB 8554 is divided into three parts: the ﬁrst part provides for Estate Tax Amnesty; General Tax Amnesty and Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies. Under the bill, for two years, the authorized administrator or executor, or in the absence thereof, the legal heirs and recognized successors may avail of the Estate Tax Amnesty at a rate of six percent of the net estate for taxable year 2017 and prior years.

Rice tariffication bill rolls easily through House SINCE Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took the helm of the House of Representatives in July, the chamber has passed important bills that President Rodrigo Duterte has been pushing ever since he took office in July 2016. Barely a month into her term as the new Speaker, Arroyo led the House to approve on third and final reading House Bill 7735 that imposes tariffs on rice in place of import quotas. Duterte, in his State of the Nation Address, certified the bill as urgent. Economic managers earlier said rice tariffication was a vital measure to lower the price of rice and temper inflation, which peaked at a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in October. Duterte also said the measure would give additional resources for the farmers and reduce the price of rice by up to P7 per kilo. National Economic and Development Authority director-general Ernesto Pernia said the approved measure would address not only the tariffication of rice in compliance with the Philippines’ obligation to the World Trade Organization, but would also enhance food security by increasing the availability and accessibility of cheaper rice to the consuming population. “The economic team has

always been mindful that food remains to be the major contributor to inflation. Efforts to address food supply concerns, especially rice, will definitely help bring down consumer prices,” he said. Neda’s preliminary estimate showed that headline inflation rate would ease by 1 percentage point if rice prices would be reduced to the level of imported rice. Even with just a P1 per kilo reduction in the wholesale price of rice, headline inflation rate would also be reduced by 0.3 percentage point, it said. In November, the Senate, voting 14-0 approved, Senate Bill 1998 or the rice tariffication bill that seeks to amend RA 8178 or the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996. For months, higher food prices led by rice contributed largely to inflation that economic managers said likely peaked at 6.7 percent in October. The latest report from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that inflation in November eased significantly to 6 percent from 6.7 percent a month ago, pulled down by slower increases in food prices, particularly rice. Julito Rada

House ratifies coco levy twin bills THE COUNTRY’S coconut farmers may soon enjoy the fruits of the multibillion-peso coco levy fund, as Congress has moved forward with several measures on its use. The House of Representatives has ratified the bicameral committee report on House Bill 5745 or “An Act Establishing the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Trust Fund (CIDTF), Providing for its Management and Utilization.” It is one of the priority bills being pushed by President Rodrigo Duterte and endorsed by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. On the same day, lawmakers also ratified the bicameral committee report on House Bill 8552 or “An Act Further Strengthening the Philippine Coconut Authority.” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who was a co-author of HB 5745 as representative of Davao City’s 1st District before the President asked him to join the executive branch, hailed as “an historic piece of legislation” the measure creating the P100-billion coco levy trust fund “The decades-long fight of coconut farmers to directly benefit from their toil and hard work is nearing positive completion,” said Nograles, who authored the coco levy bill along with House committee on agriculture and food chairman Rep. Jose Panganiban Jr., Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin, Reps. Angelina Tan, and Feliciano Belmonte, among others. The PCA bill, on the other hand, is authored by Panganiban, Speaker Arroyo, Reps. Ramon Rocamora, Raul del Mar, Deputy Speaker Arthur Yap, and Rep. Edcel Lagman, among others. “Congress is now rectifying the mistakes of the past. We’re putting into place a comprehensive mechanism that manages the fund and allocates resources to further develop the coconut industry,” Nograles said. The Cabinet Secretary said under the measure, a reconstituted and strengthened Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) shall handle the fund, which consists of PHP76 billion in Treasury and escrow accounts and an estimated P30 billion in assets. “These shall be used to improve the plight of coconut farmers and to push our coconut industry further forward. The unified Senate and House bills provide for the release of P5 billion annually to the PCA on top of the PHP10 billion provided by the General Appropriations Act,” Nograles added. Majority Leader Rolando Andaya, Jr. described the approval of the twin measures as “timely and necessary” given the continuous decline in the price of copra, a major issue facing the coconut sector for the past years. “Copra used to sell over P40 per kilograms a few years back. Now, prices have plummeted to as low as P20 per kilogram. How can coconut farmers live off that?” Andaya pointed out. “More than ever, now is the time to rush to the aid of this dying industry. The price of copra in the world market is falling to dangerously low levels. The coco levy fund is a lifeline that will not only help our coconut farmers survive; it could make the coconut industry a viable one once more,” the majority leader added. The coco levy bill mandates the creation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry and Trust Fund (CITF), which shall be for the ultimate benefit of coconut farmers and the coconut industry.

The measure grants a reconstituted Philippine Coconut Authority the powers to supervise and manage the money and the new Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan. The board of PCA is now composed of eight government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines. Six farmer representatives will also compose the board, including two each from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Another representative from the coconut processing industry sector will also be included, comprising the total of 15 representations in the council. The coco levy funds have been stuck in court disputes until 2012, when the Supreme Court awarded the shares bought with the coco levy funds to the government to be used for coconut farmers and the industry. According to the PCA, there are currently 3.5 million coconut farmers from 68 coconut producing provinces with an average annual income of P15,000, or about P41 a day. It was also reported that the coconut industry is suffering from a decline in production. Coconut lands cover 30% of the country’s total agricultural area. Aside from helping farmers ride out low copra price cycle, the coco levy measure also aims to improve incomes of coconut farmers, who are the among the poorest, and improve productivity of farms, though replanting and intercropping with high yield cash crop. Other salient features of the coco levy bill include: • Removal of the fixed term on the life of the fund, as both the Senate and the House agreed to allow the existence of the bill until the fund runs out. • Setting aside every year P5 billion for the next 25 years or until the fund runs out as the yearly amount to be drawn from the coco levy fund, which will be spent on the following: —30% for shared facilities, —15% for scholarship program, —15% for empowerment of coconut farmer organization and their cooperatives, —30% for farm improvement to encourage self-sufficiency and, —10% for health and medical benefits. • Provision for an automatic appropriation of P10 billion to the annual budget of the PCA from the GAA to augment the coconut farmers and development fund, increase the income, and support PCA’s developmental activities. The amount will be allocated as follows: —20% for infrastructure program (farm-tomarket roads), —20% for planting, replanting, and establishment of hybrid coconut nurseries, —10% for intercropping, —15% for shared facilities, —10% for research and development, coconut disease prevention, control, and eradication —5% for fertilization, —5% for new products and all derivatives of coconut oil, and marketing, —10% for credit through Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines, and —5% for training of farmers through TESDA.