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Pakistan shoots down 2 Indian fighter jets VOL. XXXIII • NO. 18 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PNP, PDEA clash over cocaine find

Police mum on Colombian cartel’s role in PH By Francisco Tuyay

HILIPPINE National Police chief Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday offered a different explanation as to the bricks of cocaine that washed ashore the eastern seaboard, directly contradicting an earlier statement of President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that the shipments confirmed the presence of the Colombian drug cartel in the country.

Albayalde said the bricks of cocaine that washed ashore the eastern seaboard may have drifted off from the waters of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, after the vessel carrying them capsized while on the way to Australia. He noted that his counterpart from the Australian Federal Police had pointed to similar recoveries of cocaine bricks in the Solomon Islands in June and September last year. On Tuesday, however, PDEA chief Aaron Aquino

PROBE IN PROGRESS. Indian soldiers and Kashmiri onlookers stand near the ruins of an Indian Air Force helicopter after it crashed in Budgam district, on the outskirts of Srinagar on Wednesday. Officials say an investigation is ongoing, which came as Pakistan claimed to have shot down two Indian fighter jets in the divided and disputed Kashmir region. AFP ISLAMABAD—Pakistan said Wednesday it shot down two Indian warplanes in its airspace over disputed Kashmir, in a dramatic escalation of a confrontation that has ignited fears of an all-out conﬂict between the nuclear-armed neighbors. One Indian pilot was captured, a Pakistani military spokesman said, adding that one aircraft had fallen in Pakistani-held Kashmir, while the other fell on the Indian side of the

heavily militarized de facto border dividing the Himalayan territory. Indian sources conﬁrmed Pakistani ﬁghter jets had violated airspace over Indian Kashmir, but said they were forced back over the LoC, and there was no immediate response to the claim the planes had been shot down. The incident is the latest in a dangerous sequence of events between the two countries, whose ties have Next page

Pranksters blamed for death theats By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Palace on Wednesday said the death threats some Catholic bishops and priest have received could be the work of pranksters or anti-administration “trolls” bent on discrediting the government. In an interview on radio dzBB, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the threats, which Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle had informed the Next page

Labor protests envoy’s threat to deport OFWs SISTER’S SORROW. A wounded Syrian girl awaits rescue from under the rubble next to the body of her sister (hands protruding and seen below the wreckage) who did not survive the bombardment in Khan Sheikhun in the southern countryside of the rebel-held Idlib province Tuesday. The latest barrage killed two civilians, raising the civilian death toll to 42 since Feb. 9, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. AFP

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

2.6-m kids unlisted—rights advocates

LABOR groups slammed the Chinese ambassador Wednesday for warning Manila against deporting illegal Chinese workers, saying Beijing would do the same to Filipinos working in China. The Partido Manggagawa and the Federation of Free Workers said that

By Rio N. Araja CHILD rights advocates on Wednesday expressed alarm over the 2.6-million unregistered Filipino children. At a news conference in Quezon City, Pauline de Guzman, Children Rights Net-

Trump-Kim meet: Midday meal menu HANOI—US President Donald Trump says he’s looking forward to “a very big dinner” Wednesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. First, though, he’s got to get through lunch. Next page

work representative, blamed “poverty and geographical barriers” as two of the major reasons why many children could not have their births registered on time. Registration ofﬁces are too far away and the fee for birth registration is not affordable to the poor, she said. Next page

Groups seek moves to mitigate El Niño By Rio N. Araja

PROJECT OF THE CENTURY. Transportation officials have kicked off the construction of the first underground rail system in the Philippines, a 36-kilometer subway— with a train speed of 80 kilometers per hour—from Valenzuela City, the northern end of the metropolis, to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The multi-billion-peso subway spans seven cities and towns and three business districts, with 15 stations. Story on B1

ADVOCATES of the movement for water security on Wednesday urged the government and the private sector to address the threat of El Niño. In a statement, Sonny Sioson, Central Luzon Rice Farmers Cooperatives chair-

person, said they have already been experiencing the impact of El Niño. “We in the private sector composed of business and civil society [groups] cannot delay. We must now unite and move with a sense of urgency to attain our elusive, important and long neglected water security,” he said. Next page

News

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Comelec set to dismantle illegal posters in metropolis GOVERNMENT agencies led by the Commission on Elections will tear down all illegal campaign propaganda materials in Metro Manila today, officials said Wednesday. In a statement, the Comelec said Operation Baklas is in line with the rules for the May 13 national and local elections. “Pursuant to the provisions under the Fair Elections Act and Comelec Resolution 10488, the joint task force will scour the major thoroughfares in Metro Manila to remove and tear down all prohibited forms of campaign propaganda materials,” the agency said. The teams will assemble at the office of the Metro Manila Development Authority, which is also a deputized agency, at 10:30 a.m. today. They will then proceed with the “baklas” operations in the cities of Mandaluyong (Kalentong), San Juan (N. Domingo Street), Caloocan (Zabarte Road), Valenzuela (Valenzuela Astrodome G. Lazaro Street) and Quezon (Kingspoint Subdivision and Commonwealth Avenue). Under Resolution 10488, campaign posters should be no more than two by three feet and posted or displayed only in designated common poster areas or in a private property with the consent of the owner. Campaign ads are prohibited in LED and LCD monitors, on walls of public buildings; motor vehicles owned by LGUs and GOCCs; public transport vehicles owned and controlled by the government such as the MRT, LRT and PNR; waiting sheds, sidewalks, street and lamp posts, electric posts and wires, traffic signs and other signboards erected on public property, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, flyovers, bridges, main thoroughfares, center islands of roads and highways; schools, public shrines, barangay halls, government offices, health centers; and within the premises of public transport terminals owned and controlled by the government. The operation is also in coordination with the other deputized agencies of the Commission: The Philippine National Police, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Transportation and its attached agency, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. Earlier, the Guidelines Regarding Posters and Other Printed Campaign Materials pursuant to Resolution 10488 was released, with the agencies reiterating their support and assistance to the Comelec’s mandate in ensuring that rules and regulations pertaining to printed election propaganda are complied with during the campaign period. PNA

2.6-m kids... From A1

She said 2.6-million unregistered children was just 35 percent of the total unregistered Filipinos, adding “this means that 7.5-million Filipinos do not have access to civil registry documents.” Moreover, De Guzman said, to have an authenticated and valid civil registry for birth, death or marriage, one must secure a copy from the Philippine Statistics Authority, and not from the local civil registry. The number of PSA regional and field offices is “not directly” proportionate to the number of cities and municipalities in the country, she cited. She called for the digitization and establishment of a “culturally sensitive” barangay civil registration system to encourage more Muslims and members of the indigenous peoples communities to have their “vital” events registered as soon as possible. Maria Consolacion Salcedo, program officer of the Council for the Welfare of Children, said “we [in the government] want to secure the welfare of the children. A birth certificate is the only piece of legal document a child needs from the day he or she is born. Without it, everything is affected,” she told the conference. Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said “I was indeed very shocked to know there are 2.6-million children without registration. “When I was then a mayor, the municipal government waived the fees for birth registration and even late registration,” he said. He said many local government units have not relaxed their policies in collecting fees for birth, marriage and death registration. “The indigenous people are the most marginalized sector [of society] and lack the political voice not only in the national government but also in the local government [level] for their basic services,” he said. “Even the unions of indigenous peoples solemnized by a native priest or whatever you call him are not documented.” Baguilat, a three-term congressman, said the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Bill he filed was still at the committee level.

Rody to hale Trillanes’ mom to court By Nat Mariano

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday night he will summon the mother of opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV over her alleged anomalous dealings with the Philippine Navy. In his speech during the general assembly of local government leaders at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Duterte said the government had the power to summon Trillanes’ mother. “You went overboard. We will initiate an investigation like you, and I will subpoena your mother whether you like it or not,” Duterte said.

“You may say we have no power, there is. We also have the contempt power, but we have to go to court.” But Trillanes said Duterte would just end up embarrassing himself again if he subpoenas his mother. “Duterte is threatening to subpoena my mother. Just do it and let it be another humiliating episode for you like the fake off-

Peso gains vs. US dollar By Julito G. Rada THE peso returned to the 51-per-dollar level for the first time in almost 10 months on Wednesday, driven mainly by the good inflation forecasts coupled with the easing political tensions between the US and North Korea. The local currency gained P0.11 and closed at 51.91 per greenback. That was its strongest level since the 51.8 on May 10, 2018. The total volume turnover reached $1.147 billion, up from $909 million last Tuesday. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo said the continued resurgence of the peso could be attributed to the strength of the dollar inflows for bonds as well as corporate receipts. “Positive market sentiment continues with good inflation forecasts for 2019 and 2020, as well as the expected message of sustained patience of the US Fed monetary policy,” Guinigundo said. “It looks like the more favorable prospects of US and North Korea relations also added some strength to the local currency.” The peso reached its weakest level

Pranksters... From A1

President about, needed to be investigated. The threats were reported after the President encouraged the public in December to rob and kill “useless and rich Catholic bishops and priests.” Since then, the Palace has depicted Duterte’s remarks as “an exaggeration.” After receiving Tagle’s message, Duterte appealed to the public not to take his previous exhortation too seriously. On Tuesday, Caloocan City Bishop Pablo David was supposed to receive the Ka Pepe Diokno Human Rights Awards in De La Salle University but skipped the awarding ceremony after receiving death threats on his phone. Contradicting the Palace, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said President Rodrigo Duterte should be blamed for the death threats received by clergymen. She said these threats are a direct result of the same threats that Duterte himself made against Caloocan Bishop Pablo David last year. “They are also the consequences of the violent verbal attacks of the President on

Groups... From A1

The phenomenon has a “disastrous” effects on agriculture, he said. He, however, said the government has failed to adopt rain harvesting as mandated under the Green Building Code. Citing studies of the Asian Development Bank in 2013 and 2016, he blamed the water crisis on the government’s lack of good governance. To ease the impact of El Niño, Sioson said President Rodrigo Duterte should sign an executive order to create a body to oversee the more than 30 government waterrelated agencies. In addition, he said support must be given to the 18 major water basins using the integrated water resource management

Pakistan... From A1

been under intense strain since a Feb. 14 suicide bombing in Indian Kashmir that killed 40 troops. New Delhi had promised to act, and on Tuesday its warplanes flew into Pakistani airspace and struck what it said was a camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed, the militant group that claimed the Kashmir bombing. It was India’s first air strike on Pakistani soil since the neighbors fought a war in 1971—when neither had nuclear weapons. Islamabad, while denying the Indian strike caused any major damage or casualties, quickly vowed to retaliate, fuelling fears of a disastrous confrontation in South Asia. “PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts inside Pakistani airspace,” military spokes-

against the greenback in 2018 at 54.325 on Sept. 26 on the back of the lingering trade tensions between the world’s leading economic powerhouses the United States and China. The peso closed 2018 a bit stronger at 52.58, and opened 2019 at 52.515 on Jan. 2. Earlier, Bank of the Philippine Islands said in a report that since inflation had been decelerating, the local equity market might see strong foreign inflows that could give support to the peso in the near term. Inflation averaged 5.2 percent in 2018. It peaked at a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in October before easing to 6 percent in November and 5.1 percent in December. In January 2019, inflation further eased to a 10-month low of 4.4 percent, as the immediate measures implemented by the government to curb higher prices took effect. But BPI did not discount the possibility that the local currency “may continue to weaken against the dollar in the medium term as the country’s trade deficit is likely to remain elevated, with additional depreciation pressure coming from global uncertainties.” the Catholic Church and its religious leaders in light of its strong critique of the present administration’s bloody and abusive war on drugs,” Hontiveros said. “They further assert the culture of impunity to try to silence valid Church-led criticisms of state policies, particularly those with implications on human rights and due process,” she added. Another opposition senator, Leila de Lima, said the Catholic Church cannot trust Duterte when he says that bishops and priests should not be harmed, and that those who harm them will have to deal with him. De Lima said no one in this Catholic country, whether politician or ordinary citizen, had ever had it on the agenda to kill bishops and priests until Duterte started it. “Strange as it may seem, the President telling himself not to carry out his threat to kill bishops is not entirely unexpected,” she said. The detained senator also noted that Duterte is toying with officials of the Catholic Church with his sick jokes that can only come from a sick mind. “What is worrying is that Duterte’s jokes can be taken seriously by his executioners who have already reiterated the same death threats to several clergymen,” she said. scheme for critical watersheds. “Inspired by the unprecedented political will that the government demonstrated in Boracay and the war for Manila Bay, we the private sector are uniting nationally for the first time to participate in the movement for water security,” according to the movement spearheaded by Ernesto Ordonez, a former member of Ramos Cabinet. “We must address water security immediately because we have a serious global water crisis today,” Ordonez said. El Niño is dangerous since the Philippines is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, he added. He said more than 50 people die a day due to water-related diseases with ninemillion people having no access to safe and potable water. The weather bureau warned of a fullblown El Niño in the tropical Pacific, including the Philippines this year. man Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted Wednesday. “One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area,” he added, without elaborating. The Pakistani foreign office also released a statement saying that the air force “undertook strikes” Wednesday—but said they were across the border, known as the Line of Control, in Indian Kashmir. The foreign office did not elaborate on what it meant by “strikes” and did not mention shooting down planes. It said the strikes were aimed at a “non military target,” adding: “We have no intention of escalation”. Appeal against ‘escalation’ Earlier Wednesday, the Indian foreign minister sought to ease the situation by downplaying Tuesday’s strike, repeating Indian claims that it had been a pre-emptive attack on JeM as the group planned further assaults. AFP

shore bank accounts you alleged against me,” Trillanes said in a statement. Duterte’s statement was in connection with the government’s investigation into the supposed business dealings of Trillanes’ mother, Estelita, with the Philippine Navy. Trillanes then hit back at the President for not showing “a shred of evidence” to back up his claims. “Since September last year, Duterte has been saying that he asked different agencies to investigate the supposed anomalous transactions of my mother. But up to now, he has yet to show even a shred of evidence to prove his baseless allegations,” Trillanes said. “Now Duterte is threatening to subpoena my mother. Just do it and let it be another humiliating episode for you like the fake

offshore bank accounts you alleged against me. “The difficult thing with Duterte is since he can’t harass me, he is now singling out my sick mother. Go ahead, do your worst while I count the days.” At the height of the President’s revocation of Trillanes’ amnesty in September 2018, Duterte claimed Trillanes’ mother had supply transactions with the Philippine Navy when the lawmaker and his father were still in the military service. A month after that, the President said the supposed dealings were being investigated. Trillanes has since slammed Duterte for dragging his 84-year-old mother, who currently suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease, into their political quarrels.

PNP...

Since Feb. 10, more than 100 kilos of cocaine worth P871 million have been recovered so far on the shorelines or off the waters of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Island, Davao Oriental, Quezon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur and Aurora. The PNP is awaiting the results of the laboratory examinations that would be done by their Australian counterparts on the seized cocaine blocks. “We will be giving specimen to our Australian counterparts because they told us that they can determine the signature on where they were manufactured because according to them, cocaine has also some sort of a DNA that could determine where it was made and where it came from,” said Albayalde. The PNP and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agencyt said that only 2 to 3 percent of drug users in the country are into cocaine as compared to those who are using shabu, marijuana ir ecstacy. With a length of 36,289 kilometers, the Philippine coastline is one of the longest in the world. While admitting that it is difficult to guard Philippine shores, PNP Maritime Group Director, Chief Supt. Rodelio Jocson said they already increased patrol security as soon as the floating cocaine were found. The PNP also acquired the 46 high speed tactical watercraft, which will help them in patrolling the seas. This is scheduled to be delivered before the year ends. The Commission on Human Rights, meanwhile, said it supports the eradication of the illegal drug trade, but this should not be at the expense of people’s lives, and must be carried out within the bounds of the law. “We hope that the words of the President will not be construed as a license to circumvent due process but will instead serve as a directive to firmly resolve the drug problem in accordance with Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002,” said CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia . Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to wipe out drug pushers and users in Talisay City, Cebu, which he described as a drug haven. With Rio N. Araja and PNA

From A1

affirmed a previous statement by the President that the cocaine bricks may have come from the Medellin group of Colombia. “The President is right in saying the Colombian drug cartel has already penetrated the Philippines based on the representative samples we got in Matnog, Sorsogon in 2018. It showed the drugs came from Colombia,” Aquino said. Albayalde on Wednesday said they are now coordinating with Australian authorities to determine the “signature” of the cocaine to determine if this is the same as those being used by drug dependents in Australia. “I talked with my Australian counterpart earlier. It seems these more than 100 kilos of cocaine, 111 kilos to be exact, were recovered from the eastern seaboard of our country. It looks like these came somewhere from the Pacific Ocean and these are not for delivery in the Philippines,” Albayalde told reporters after a meeting with officials from the Australian Federal Police during the launch of the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center at the police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Albayalde said Australian authorities believe that a yacht carrying the contraband might have met an accident while repacking the cocaine or those who picked them up in the high seas might have deliberately dumped them after being chased by Coast Guard or Navy vessels. Albayalde said that based on the ranking of cocaine use in the world, the Philippines is number 14 from the bottom of the list. “So I don’t think we have a market for those kilos of cocaine which have been so far recovered. Accordingly, the probability is that they were supposed to be delivered to Australia because the market is good there for cocaine,” he added. Both Philippine and Australian authorities believe that the cocaine bricks that were recovered in the past few weeks in Luzon and Mindanao are connected to the 500 kilos of cocaine bricks that were recovered in Papua New Guinea last year.

Labor... From A1

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua’s threat was blatant blackmail and the government should grow enough of a spine and have the Department of Foreign Affairs file a diplomatic protest. “We stand for the protection of all migrant workers everywhere and thus oppose threats and plans for deporting en masse both Filipino and Chinese migrant workers,” said Rene Magtubo, PM national chairman. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo admitted that Jianhua had told him that China would “do the same” if the Philippines would hastily deport Chinese illegals. But he later went on TV to say the ambassador had issued no threat. “The Chinese government did not make a threat,” Panelo said in an interview on GMA News TV. “We were discussing what the government would have done if another government would recklessly deport their nationals not in accordance with law,” he said. But in a statement, FFW president Sonny Matula said the Chinese envoy’s action was “bullying and bordering on interference in the affairs of a sovereign state.” The labor groups said migrant workers should not made pawns in a diplomatic war and also must not become scapegoats in a failed government policy. “It is the Chinese investors bringing in Chinese workers that must be made responsible for their crimes. Everybody’s

Trump-Kim... From A1

The menu for Trump’s midday meal with his host in Hanoi, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, spreads to five courses covering the varied delights of Vietnam’s cuisine. According to the White House, things start light: “Fresh shredded green mango salad with scallops, mint leaves and cashew nuts served in a sweet vinaigrette dressing.” If that doesn’t do much for the famously heavy eating US president, he won’t have long to wait. Course two features deep-fried spring rolls, course three stars king crab meat and

hypocritically talking of upholding the law by evicting Chinese workers but turn a blind eye to the violations by Chinese investors,” Magtubo said. “The root of the problem is the Duterte administration’s lax policy with regard to the entry of Chinese capital and loans. The government itself created the problem because of its subservience to the interests of the Chinese government and Chinese capitalists,” the PM said. Magtubo said that instead of mass deportations of migrant workers in the Philippines and China, the two countries should forge a bilateral labor agreement to protect migrant workers. “Such an agreement must secure decent wages, benefits, working conditions and jobs including the freedom to unionize. Further, to plug the gaping loophole that facilitates illegal migration, labor deployment abroad must be through government channels instead of private agencies,” the labor group added. Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao, meanwhile, urged President Rodrigo Duterte to prioritize the hiring of Filipino workers in government projects. Casilao issued the statement against the backdrop of rising unemployment. “He promised to create jobs by proposing to rebuild industries and factories, and vowed to end labor contractualization, but we all know now, that they were just trapo promises, worse, more Filipino workers are jobless, and rubbing salt into the wound, the number of foreign workers is swelling,” Casilao said. spinach in a light seafood-based broth, and course four is guaranteed to get the presidential seal of approval: “Grilled cod fish ‘cha ca’; roasted Wagyu beef medallions with foie gras and a semisweet fermented black rice sauce; sauteed ‘su su’ vegetables with garlic (crispy green chayote stems and leaves); steamed sticky glutinous rice with shrimp wrapped in a lotus leaf.” If he has any room left, Trump will be treated to dessert “consisting of lotus seeds, longans, and white wood-ear mushrooms served warm and in a light sugary syrup.” Then he can wonder what—apart from trying to persuade Kim to give up North Korea’s nuclear weapons—will be for dinner. AFP

News

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ignacio quits post as OWWA deputy By Nat Mariano MALACAÑANG on Wednesday wished Arnel Ignacio good luck after he resigned from his post as deputy administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment. “Mr. Ignacio has proven his competence in public service in his current position, as well as during his tenure at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. “He has intimated his desire to pursue other endeavors. We wish him luck to a new path he will traverse,” he added. OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said that Ignacio cited personal reasons why he opted to resign. DOLE chief Silvestre Bello III, on the other hand, said that he had persuaded Ignacio to reconsider his decision, but the latter insisted on resigning. Meanwhile, Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte, who appointed Ignacio to OWWA in 2018, has yet to receive a letter signifying his intention to leave public service. “While the President has yet to formally accept Mr. Ignacio’s resignation, we recognize as well and thank him for his contributions to the Filipino people.” Ignacio was one of the President’s supporters from the entertainment industry during the presidential elections in 2016. He was previously tapped by Duterte as AVP for community relations and services department at the PAGCOR.

Poe, Lapid join forces for Senate bids; visit Zambales FOR the ﬁrst time, Senator Grace Poe and former Senator Lito Lapid have joined forces in holding provincial sorties as they both campaigned in Zambales on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Poe, daughter of veteran actress Susan Roces and Lapid, a movie actor, said the public could expect them to campaign jointly in other areas as well. Lapid plays the role “Romulo Dumaguit” aka “Pinuno” in the top-rating primetime series “Ang Probinsyano” while Poe’s mother, Susan Roces plays “Lola Flora.” “We will be together, but of course, we also have other reelectionists whom we want to help, and also help us, so we will also join them,” Poe told reporters in a chance interview during a public market visit in Iba town. Lapid, for his part, said he was grateful to Poe for sort of “adopting” him in the runup to the midterm elections. “Dahil ‘Probinsyano’ ito, ang pagmamahal niya—lalo na doon sa teleserye, kay Coco Martin, Susan Roces—ay iisa lang ang puso namin, kaya Poe at Lapid ang magkasama talaga; kahit noon pa—tatay ko, si Fernando Poe Sr. at Fernando Poe Jr.—ang ama niya at ang ama ko, magkasama noon pa, at si Jess Lapid Sr.,” Lapid said. Lapid said he is also willing to take Poe in his bailiwick in Pampanga, one of the vote-rich provinces in the country. Poe and Lapid are not part of any coalition, as well as returning Senator Sergio Osmeña III and incumbent Senator Nancy Binay. Macon Ramos-Araneta

PHOTO OP. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has his photo taken with students from Far Eastern University who volunteered at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines’ General Assembly held at the Manila Hotel in Manila on Feb. 26. Presidential Photo

De Lima’s driver-bodyguard cited for indirect contempt By Rio N. Araja

HE Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court on Wednesday cited for indirect contempt the former driver-bodyguard of detained Senator Leila de Lima for refusing to cooperate and answers questions asked of him. Branch 34 Judge Ma. Ludmila de Pio De Lima, invoked his right against selfLim held Ronnie Dayan for contempt incrimination. and ordered him to pay a ﬁne of P200. The case against De Lima and Dayan Dayan, who declined to testify against stemmed from the allegation that the

former advised the latter not to attend a congressional inquiry in 2016 in connection with the rampant illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City. Dayan was forced to attend yesterday’s hearing when the judge junked his motion to quash a subpoena for him to testify. Former House leaders Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte, Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte and Reynaldo Umali of Oriental Mindoro ﬁled the disobedience complaint with the Department of Justice that indicted De Lima and Dayan.

Kiko rejects claims of LP fund to be used against Revilla By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Francis “Kiko Pangilinan on Wednesday described as “baseless, unfounded and untrue” the claims by former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla that the “yellows” were spending P50 million to attack and bully him on social media, saying that if they have P50 million, they would have more TV advertisements. “If we have that amount, we will bring the amount there,” said Pangilinan, Liberal Party president and campaign manager of the opposition’s Otso Diretso senatorial slate. “So why are we going to spend P50 million for a black propaganda?” he asked. “We will spend it for more ads for our candidates. Many of our candidates need to be known,” Pangilinan added. In a statement last Sunday, Revilla claimed receiving information about the alleged P50 million fund that the ‘yellows’ will use against him. “May mga nagpaabot sa akin, at sa

totoo lang ayaw kong maniwala, na may umiikot ngayong 50 million para targetin ako,” the former senator said. “Pero sa grabe ng mga atake galing sa mga yellow social media, hindi mahirap paniwalaan. At parang natural lang naman na ipagpatuloy nila ang paninira at fake news sa akin. Binully ako ng anim na taon, at hanggang ngayon binu-bully,” Revilla said. Meanwhile, Otso Derecho senatorial bet Bam Aquino said only an independent Senate that is not beholden to anyone will push the country forward as it will work for the interest of the Filipino people. Aquino said an independent Senate will prevent the passage of any law that is detrimental to the welfare of the public, like the controversial Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law that burdens the Filipino people with high prices of food and other goods. He added that an independent Senate also ensures check and balance between branches of government and

serves as watchdog against corruption, guaranteeing that those involved in anomalies will be punished. “An independent Senate will also guarantee that the will of the people is being followed, and not just serve as a rubber stamp of the administration,” he said. Aquino also said that attempts to change the 1987 Constitution to remove term limits of elected ofﬁcials and change the system of government to ﬁt their political agenda will have no chance under an independent Senate. Aquino said that an independent Senate can be achieved by selecting candidates that will work for the welfare of the people and not serve the interest of the administration. The senator said that in his almost six years as senator, he was responsible for the passage of a total of 40 laws, including the landmark Free College Law that he pushed as principal sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Education.

Dropouts urged to go back to school SENATOR Sonny Angara encouraged the over 360,000 unemployed university dropouts, as well as high school graduates who did not proceed to college, to return to school and take advantage of the government’s free tertiary education. “It’s never too late to earn a college degree,” said Angara who is seeking reelection in the upcoming elections. “Ngayon ang pinakamagandang pagkakataon para bumalik sa kolehiyo dahil libre na ang tuition sa mga pampublikong pamantasan at kolehiyo,” said Angara, one of the authors of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which guarantees free tuition and other miscellaneous fees in state universities and colleges. The senator, who is running under the platform “Alagang Angara,” encouraged jobless college dropouts and high school graduates to enroll since they are still eligible for free higher education in 112 SUCs across the country. “This is their chance to complete their

college degrees and create a brighter future for themselves and their families,” Angara said. In 2018 there were an estimated 2.3-million jobless Filipinos, according to a Labor Force Survey conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment, and 16 percent of this number or roughly 368,000 were college undergraduates. Angara, who strongly believes that education is the great socioeconomic equalizer and a stepping stone to something higher, said that ﬁnishing college means being able to pursue employment opportunities that were unavailable without a degree. “College education could ensure that all children of any class have a shot at success,” he said, noting that good jobs that do exist require higher education. For those who dropped out of college but are already working, Angara encouraged them to continue their studies and earn a degree. Macon Ramos-Araneta

A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS. Seagulls look for food along the stretch of Manila Bay

on Feb. 27. AFP Photo

House to file charges vs firm on hazardous trash from Korea By Maricel V. Cruz A JOINT committee in the House of Representatives will most likely recommend the filing of charges against persons responsible for the illegal entry and dumping of hazardous plastic garbage from South Korea in the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental. The House Committees on Good Government and Public Accountability, on Ecology, and on Local Government, chaired by Representatives Xavier Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin, Dakila Carlo Cua of Quirino, and Pedro Acharon Jr. of South Cotabato, respectively, has started the joint hearing on the dumping of hazardous waste pursuant to House Resolution 2317, authored by Rep. Juliette Uy of Misamis Oriental. HR 2317 called for an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the illegal entry and dumping of hazardous plastic garbage from South Korea in the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental. The same incident was the subject of the privileged speech of Rep. Frederick Siao of Iligan City, who revealed that 51 container vans of garbage from South Korea were unloaded at the Port of Tagoloan. Rep. Henry Oaminal of Misamis Occidental for the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and Rep. Luis Ferrer IV of Cavite for the Committee on Local Government presided over the hearing. In his opening remarks, Oaminal said the investigation will determine whether laws were violated in the subject importation of hazardous and toxic materials in the Philippine ports. Oaminal added that the hearing will determine the guilt of public officials and employees in several government agencies that had a hand in the importation of the hazardous waster. “They may be guilty of malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance in the performance of their public duties,” he said. Uy, in her opening statement, said “a plastic recycling facility of a corporate body known as Verde Soko Philippines Industrial Corporation imported in advance over 2,613 bags weighing 5,176.91 metric tons ostensibly for recycling purposes and which were declared as synthetic plastic flakes.” Uy said the importation by Verde Soko Philippines, a locator in the Phividec Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental later turned out to contain hazardous and toxic substances with toxicity level of less than 1 percent or 0.06 percent to be exact as found out by the Environmental Management Bureau. She said that from July 21, 2018 to Aug. 5, 2018, these hazardous and toxic materials were unloaded in the Phividec private port inside the premises that is controlled by the Phividec Industrial Authority headed in this area by Administrator Franklin Quijano. Uy said the importation was found to have been deliberately misdeclared and supported by falsified documents from the country of origin and that they are nor recyclable.

Opinion

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

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Junk the celebrations AS I said, the so-called People Power Revolution is a myth. There was nothing to celebrate last Feb. 25, even though it was declared a non-working holiday. This is because a “revolution” entails something else—structural change, to be precise. There are many examples of real revolutions, and what happened at Edsa in February 1986 was not comparable to them. What in fact happened then was just a turnover of power from one elite political family to another.

Scented, sanctified, glamorized

Historians Salvador Escalante and J. Augustus Dela Paz of the Truth and Justice Foundation said it too well when they pointed out that there was never a revolution because there were only less than half a million people out of the more than 80 million Filipinos at that time. The Yellows simply glamorized, scented and sanctified Cory Aquino. Escalante and Dela Paz added that there was nothing to commemorate and celebrate, because people went to Edsa to celebrate an accident of time, place and personalities.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

I can go on to cite instances of change in regime throughout history, but I would just be repeating what others have said before. It’s time we discontinued the hype and malarkey. *** What did the historic Pope Francis-initiated summit on sex abuse by members of the clergy achieve? The summit brought forth not only the sexual scandals and coverup, but the willingess and readiness of the Catholic Church to finally address the issue. It highlighted the need for change. It also allowed the victims to speak out. As a result, concrete steps to address abuse were identified. The most important step was that the policy of coverup will no longer be allowed. We expect that after the Vatican summit, the implementation of a 2016 law holding bishops and other superi superiors accountable for any coverup will be clarified. The Church now recognizes that abuse, and subsequent coverup, are egrerious crimes. Pope Francis is indeed leading the cleansing of the Catholic Church. *** The reported signs of discontent among some sectors of Moroland on the formation of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission is expected. For one thing, the Moro National Liberation Front, the original secessionist movement under Nur Misuari, out of which the Moro Islamic Liberation Front came from, was “outside the kulambo” if you know what I mean. It was not included at all in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. There’s a clear reason. It’s because

Measures for good measure

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte signed several laws this month, the passage of which is worthy of cautious commendation. Regardless of how one views the administration and its leaders, these laws send a strong message about the things it considers important.

There are several health measures—the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, Expanded Maternity Leave Act, Universal Health Care Act. Essentially they guarantee affordability and accessibility of pertinent health services to Filipinos. These laws are, quite literally, deal with gut issues— millions of Filipinos are unable to avail themselves of quality health care because of its prohibitive cost. Another new law establishes a mandatory career counseling program for high school and senior high students. Indeed, secondary school students could use the career advice at a time when options are veered toward jobs that are in vogue, or that pay relatively higher than other professions. A new department was created as well, through Republic Act 11201—the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development consolidates the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

The measure ideally will do away with any overlap, and the resulting inefficiency, between the two former agencies, and elevates housing as a central national priority. Mr. Duterte called precisely for the passage of the rice tariffication bill in his State of the Nation Address last year. It is hoped the new law would help manage fluctuations in rice supply more effectively, shielding Filipinos, for whom rice is a staple, from high prices. The Revised Corporation Code seeks to make the Philippines a more attractive investment destination. The New Central Bank Act expands the powers of the Bangko Sentral to regulate non-bank financial institutions and allows it to impose administrative and criminal sanctions. The Mobile Number Portability Act allows users to switch telecom providers without changing their numbers, encouraging better quality and competition. Finally, the Tax Amnesty Act is meant to complement

the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, allowing the government to raise revenues while unburdening those with past tax liabilities. To be sure, these laws came into being with various challenges of their own. Some are more universally accepted than others; some took long years to craft; others contain provisions that some quarters find unacceptable. But there is no such thing as a perfect law, and these measures are in themselves good—enough beginnings that articulate the Duterte administration’s vision and priorities, as well as its acknowledgment of the demands of changing times. Now the harder part begins— actually ensuring that the lofty ideals of these laws are embodied in the details of the implementing rules and regulations, and, more tangibly, in the way the changes are carried out to the agencies and people they seek to serve. Certainly there will be difficulties, perhaps even disconnect, between the letter of the law and the way it is carried out. The Executive faces a daunting task, and now more than ever the public should offer its support —not in the least by way of feedback and, if necessary, constructive criticism.

Turn to A5

Integrated Cancer Control Act POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE PRESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed into law last Valentine’s Day a measure institutionalizing a national cancer control program that provides accessible and affordable cancer treatment to Filipinos. Because cancer “is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines,” Republic Act No. 11215 integrates and strengthens the government’s cancer treatment programs, policies, and systems. Here’s the important part: “It shall likewise make cancer treatment and care more equitable and affordable for all, especially for the underprivileged, poor, and marginalized Filipinos.” How is the law going to do all that? For starters, it establishes the National Integrated Cancer Control Program that shall serve as the “framework for all cancer-related activities of the government.” It shall be run by a National Integrated Cancer Control Council, with the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the Department of Health acting as the Council’s secretariat. To enable the Bureau to undertake its new tasks, the number of personnel attached to its Cancer Program arm shall be increased. The government’s cancer care facilities shall be expanded, and a Philippine Cancer Center established under the control and supervision of the DOH. Other centers shall be opened in high-risk and high-population areas. A cancer awareness campaign shall be launched, and February has been designated ‘National Cancer Awareness Month’ throughout the Philippines. In addition, a Cancer Assistance Fund shall be “established to support the cancer medicine and treatment assistance program.” PhilHealth is also ordered to expand its benefit packages for cancer. Another interesting provision is the establishment of a Cancer Control Policy in workplaces. “It shall form part of employee benefits in the formal sector covering the entire cancer continuum,

from prevention, including genetic counseling and testing, to screening, diagnosis, and palliative care, treatment, rehabilitation, survivorship, or hospice care.” Moreover, the “cancer-related absences from work of member employees as well as voluntary members shall be covered by the sickness benefits of the SSS and disability benefits of the GSIS.” Another important provision considers cancer patients, those living with cancer, and cancer survivors as persons with disabilities with the same rights and privileges such as discounts on medicines, in establishments, and on food. In late 2017, the Cancer Coalition of the Philippines said that 11 new cancer cases are reported every day. One out of every ten deaths is caused by cancer.

This law gives hope to cancer patients, survivors, those living with cancer, and their carers. It shows that the government knows their plight and is setting up ways to help them.

According to the DOH, “Among Filipino men, the six most common sites of cancer diagnosed in 2010… were lung, liver, colon/rectum, prostate, stomach, and leukemia. Among Filipino women, the six most common sites diagnosed were breast, cervix, lung, colon/rectum, ovary, and liver.” Regular screening is vital because early detection catches the disease when it is most treatable and there is a higher chance of surviving it. Cancer treatments involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or other procedures in combination depending on the type and stage of cancer. Such treatment is expensive, out of the reach of the poor and many middleclass households. The CCPh says that 56 percent of households with cancer Turn to A5

The fake news behind EDSA (1)

FOR the third year in a row, President Duterte has boycotted the celebration of EDSA People Power (EDSA for short). I think he hates People Power—or the artificiality of it. For the first time since 1987, Fidel V. Ramos did not show up at the EDSA celebration and make the ceremonial victory jump. He was quite ill to come.

tor, made a bitter remark about EDSA. On Sunday, Feb. 24,2019, he asserted it The Aquino was of the utmost importance to tell the family has been the true story of the February 1986 Revolution “to our most precious children, the biggest beneficiary of next generation of citizens, why it hapPeople Power. They pened and what it was for and against.” were awarded two “We in the breakaway Reformist RAM, accelerators of historical events, presidencies totaling 12 the crucial Military component of Peoand a half years. ple Power, already spoke with decisive action 33 years ago,” the once-dashing rebellious army colonel said. “We will not compete for attention with those For the first time since 1987, Lt. Col who continue to distort facts and his hisGringo Honasan, now a perennial senaTurn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Opinion Maharlikans DO NOT laugh because if indeed the name of our country will be changed, we will be calling ourselves Maharlikans instead of Filipinos. President Duterte himself suggested the change and if he is really serious, which seems to be the case, he has a lot of allies in Congress who can file a bill for the purpose of changing the name of the country. The principal reason seems to be to sever all vestiges of colonization associated with the name so that we can establish our own identity. Another reason that he gave which was reported in yesterday’s papers is that Muslim Filipinos do not like being called Filipinos and would rather be identified by the tribe or ethnic group to which they belong. In his eyes, we should not be called Filipinos to honor the Prince of Spain who eventually became the King. To the President as well as others, this simply is not right because the term Filipinos during the Spanish colonial period referred to Spaniards who were born in the country. Natives were called Indios, not Filipinos. But that was then. Today is a different time but this is apparently not enough. Maharlika to them is a better word for describing who we are. This is not the first time that such a suggestion has been made. The late President Ferdinand Marcos also suggested the word Maharlika. He named the planned North-South national highway Maharlika and also gave his phantom guerrilla unit the same name. The late President was clearly enamoured with the word Maharlika, attributing it to something noble. The move went as far as the late former Senator Eddie Ilarde filing a bill for the name change—but the move did not gain any traction. In a speech in Mindanao on Feb. 11, President Duterte said that the word has something to do with the concept of serenity and peace.

The fake... From A4

tory, continue to claim credit and propriety ownership over what rightfully belongs to the Filipino People.” One family that has usurped EDSA is the Cory Cojuangco Aquino family. She proclaimed herself the revolutionary president of the Philippines after failing to defeat the strongman Ferdinand Marcos in the February 1986 snap election. Then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and his RAM boys made the strategic mistake of declaring Cory the winner. What followed were six and a half years of unprecedentedly incompetent rule (from February 1986 to June 30, 1992). Cory died in August 2009. By May 2010, a grieving nation elected Cory’s only son, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, as president. What a disaster Noynoy was as president. Disgraced, former president BS Aquino tried during the 33rd anniversary of EDSA this year to spin the EDSA legacy to push for his Otso Diretso senatorial candidates. The irony is because the eight otherwise qualified senatorial aspirants, none of them, except for Mar Roxas, have a chance to win, thanks to Noynoy’s forgettable presidency. Noynoy destroyed the Aquino brand in politics. So damaged is the brand that an otherwise decent and purposeful senator, his cousin, Bam Aquino, won’t probably be reelected. The Cojuangco-Aquino family of BS Aquino III had appropriated Edsa People Power as if it were their brand, their franchise, their business. Truth to tell, Cory had very little role, if any, at EDSA. She was so afraid of snipers that there is no known photograph of her waving at the crowds at EDSA. Cory was in Cebu hiding in a con-

Junk the... From A4

Misuari has Tausug origins, while the MILF is a combined force of Maranaos and Maguindanaoans. It’s always a tribal issue among the Moros. This is also why Sulu did not ratify the BOL in the plebiscite. Now, President Duterte is talking to Nur Misuari, obviously to placate him considering the fact that Misuari enjoys a measure of influence among members of the IS-inspired Abu Sayy-

It appears however, that both gentlemen may not be exactly right. The word Maharlika actually refers to the feudal warrior clans in ancient Tagalog society in Luzon. The translation in Spanish is “hidalgo” meaning freemen. Etymologically, the term Maharlika is derived from Sanskrit Mahardhikka which means “a man of wealth, knowledge or ability.” Whether this move will be supported this time, we still do not know. As far as I know, no survey has yet been conducted by Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia to gauge what the people may be thinking.

The reception seems lukewarm.

beOne thing sure though is that be cause the original suggestion from the late President Marcos, the Yellow army is not inclined to support such a move. Setting politics aside, is there a case to be made with the name change? Is it so wrong for the country to be named in honor of a prince? The Americans are called that to honor Amerigo Vespucci who was an Italian navigator. They seem to be proud of it. Colombia is named after the man who discovered the new world, Christhoper Columbus. But there are indeed some countries that made a change for colonial reasons like Myanmar. Some countries in Africa also changed colonial given names. Tanzania for instance is a corruption of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. There are therefore models to follow. For instance, will there be a plebiscite after a law is passed to change the name of our country? I believe that this is an absolute necessity. New Zealand, for instance, had a plebiscite just to change the design of their flag. I believe this proposal lost. Other than Maharlika, how should we call the country? Combine the three major island groups and call the

vent during the first and most dangerous night of People Power, on Feb. 22, 1986. Her son, Noynoy, was too engrossed with many other things to have participated, too. I was at People Power I as a foreign correspondent. The Aquino family has been the biggest beneficiary of People Power. They were awarded two presidencies totaling 12 and a half years, more than enough compensation for what opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. did in his political lifetime, which was to heckle and needle Marcos during 17 of his 20-year presidency. Ninoy died from a military bullet in August 1983. And what did the people get for having two Aquino presidents? It was a bad deal. The Aquino-Cojuangco family has no more right to claim Edsa as theirs than every Filipino, you and I. Their Edsa failed us, the people. On the first day of Edsa I, Feb. 22, 1986, I was lucky to be both in Cebu, for Cory’s civil disobedience afternoon rally, and Manila, for the first night of Enrile’s breakaway coup. Enrile had no troops, just about two dozen RAM soldiers. His shock troops were us, foreign correspondents, numbering about 40. Not many people know it but Edsa I was triggered by greed and was won by a lie. The crowds that massed on Edsa on Feb. 24, 1986, Monday, and Feb. 25, Tuesday, were there not to stage a revolt but to hold a picnic. June Keithley had announced on radio at 7 a.m. of Feb. 24, 1986 that the Marcoses had left. It was a lie. In their glee and feeling that finally it was all over, people trooped to Edsa to celebrate. The greed arose from a Chinese forex trader who violated the peso-dollar trading band imposed by the then unofficial central bank, the Binondo Central Bank

af Group. But what can Duterte offer Misuari—money? Power? It all boils down to the fact that with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the MIF now has power and money – by the billions, mind you. Other clans and tribes cannot tolerate this. Can President Duterte resolve this? I doubt it. *** I am saddened with the passing of Makati College dean Tommy Lopez. Tommy was my assistant during the

country Luzvimin? Calling ourselves Luzvimins does not sound right. Maybe Rizal, to honor our national hero? Rizalians does sound a little better than Luzvimins. But as the current Miss Universe Catriona Gray quipped, “When it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” With that comment, the suggestion seem to have stopped after a couple of days until yesterday when the President made another pitch for the change. Nonetheless, there seems to be a lukewarm reception. Maybe like the first effort by the late President Marcos, Filipinos are not ready or do not want to make any changes and would rather leave things as they are. *** Like many others, I was surprised to read about the President saying that we should allow illegal Chinese staying here to work in the country so that the 300,000 of our countrymen staying and working in China will not suffer govretaliatory actions by the Chinese gov ernment. I am sure the President was just thinking of those Filipinos working in China. But to his critics, it reinforces the notion of his preference of China and really is not joking when he said that the country can be a province of China. It is good that the Palace clarified the President’s remarks after many of his political allies and labor organizations criticized the remarks—and rightly so. It would have been much better, though, if it was the President himself who made the clarification. We assume that our countrymen who are working in China are there legally. If not, then the Chinese government has all the right to deport them. If those Chinese nationals are here illegally, they should be rounded up and also deported. What the government should be doing is creating enough jobs so that our womenfolk do not have to go abroad to work as domestic helpers and be abused and maltreated by many of their employers. To keep allowing this is the greatest failure of any government, present or past. It is time it stopped.

managed and headed by then Trade and Industry Secretary Roberto V. Ongpin. Ongpin had the erring trader arrested and loaded into a van. Unfortunately, the forex trader died. Unfortunately again, the trader happened to be a man of then-Armed Forces chief Fabian C. Ver. Angered, the dreaded military chief had 22 of Ongpin’s security men arrested. They were marching in full battle gear and dressed in SWAT uniform at about 4 a.m. inside Fort Bonifacio when arrested on Feb. 22, 1986, a Saturday. At 11 a.m., at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ongpin went looking for his security men. He called up then-Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile who was with the Club 365 at the Atrium in Makati. Enrile thought the arrest of the 22 Ongpin security men, who turned out to be RAM Boys of Colonel Honasan, was part of the crackdown against the plot to oust Marcos. The putsch was being planned by Enrile and his RAM Boys. The defense chief had grown disenchanted with Marcos, who was very ill following a botched kidney transplant three years earlier. JPE had become wary of the palace cabal led by Ver and the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda Romualdez Marcos. Enrile summoned his boys to his house on Morado Street, Dasmariñas Village. There they plotted their next moves. They decided to make a last stand at the armed forces headquarters, Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. At 2 p.m., Enrile called then Vice Chief of Staff Lieut. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos. “Are you with us?” JPE asked Eddie. “I am with you all the way,” FVR assured. More tomorrow. biznewsasia@gmail.com

martial law days when I was manager of the public affairs department of the Robert-Benedicto-controlled Kanlaon Boradcasting System that operated Channels 4,2,9and 13. Tommy and I enjoyed our days together. He was a congenial person, a joy to work with. My deepest condolences to the family. *** Malacañang claims that President Duterte had nothing to do with the assassination threats that Caloocan Bishop Virgilio David has been get-

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

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With higher fuel taxes, no income inequality reduction raised the rates of existing ones. Among the new excise taxes it has raised are the taxes on petroleumbased fuels. There is a beautiful side to excise taxes, and there is an ugly side. THE economies of all non-com- The beautiful side is efficiency of munist countries are characterized collection: excise taxes cannot be by inequality. On the distribu- evaded because they are embedtion of incomes, the inequality is ded in the prices of goods and sersevere, with most of the income vices. The ugly side of excise taxearned in the country going to a es is that they hit Mr. Forbes Park small percentage of the income- Resident and Mr. Informal Settler earners. In other countries the in- with equal severity. Thus, excise equality is more moderate, thanks taxes can be collected with equal to the equality-promoting mea- efficiency from both Don Jaime sures taken by governments over and Mang Juan. Because of the breadth of their the years. Whatever the degree of inequality, right-minded economic incidence, economic policymakers authorities strive to frame eco- should—nay, must—select with utmost care the nomic policies goods and serwith a view vices that they to making the subject to excise distribution of taxation on a incomes less How do we narrow first-time or an uneven. increased-rate The road the gap? basis. The goods leading to reand services duced income with which they inequality should be most and the road careful are those leading away from income inequality both run that are used in the production through the tax system. The distri- of other goods and services. The bution of the national income and most prominent of this cluster of the tax system are interconnected. goods and services are petroleumWhen framed soundly, taxes can based fuels; they are very imporlead to income-inequality reduc- tant because they are production tion; when framed in an unsound inputs in three industries of high manner, they can bring about an importance to the low-income exacerbation of income inequality. groups, namely, manufacturing, Ideally, a country’s tax system power and transportation. Increased excise taxes on fushould be weighed in favor of taxes that affect citizens according to els quickly translates into a triple their ability to pay and against tax- whammy—more costly manues that affect the rich and the poor factured goods, higher fares and equally. The first group of taxes are higher electricity bills—for the termed progressive because they low-income groups. That the 2018 target incomes on the basis of pro- inflation began right after January gression, the tax rates rising as in- 1, the date of effectivity of TRAIN come increases. The second group I, established beyond any doubt of taxes – excise taxes – are termed the close connection between exrepressive because, being across- cise taxes and prices of goods and the-board imports, they afflict the services. Those who still refuse to see the connection either need to poor proportionately more. This country’s tax system has read up on price or are just plain long been biased toward income hard-headed. In spite of the strong empirical and business taxes, revenue from excise taxes historically have ac- evidence, the economic managers counted for a minor part of the of the Duterte administration have total tax take. But the Duterte decided to proceed with TRAIN administration’s TRAIN (Tax Re- 2’s 2-percent increase in 2019 fuel form Acceleration and Inclusion) excise taxes. A greater display of program has sought to bring about bravado I have never seen. Pera reconfiguration of the Philippine haps the economic managers know tax system. It has exempted a class something about price behavior of income tax payers—those with that the rest of us citizens don’t. In the meantime, the Philippine annual incomes below P250,000 —from having to file ITRs (in- Development Plan’s interest in recome tax returns) and it has im- duced income inequality will have posed some new excise taxes or to be put on hold.

Integrated... From A4

patients suffer financial distress, which often leads to the patients discontinuing their treatment. Many of us have relatives, friends, or family who have cancer, survived it, or passed away because of it, and we know what it’s like, particularly with regard to the cost of treatment. And it’s not just the chemo or surgery per se—it’s also the related expenses, such as the medicines (oral chemo drugs, vitamins, laxatives, maintenance medicines, other drugs), tests (blood tests every three weeks or so, CT scans, x-rays, and so on), good food, travel to and from hospital, and the occasional confinement. I battled colon cancer last year and I was able to afford the treatment only because generous donors—former

ting. But didn’t the President tell people to rob and kill bishops and priests, because they have been stealing from the faithful? Now Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo says that Mr. Duterte was just using hyperbole when he uttered those words. I want to laugh but can’t. Death threats are a serious thing. His words against members of the clergy who have been critical of his war against drugs is sufficient to en-

employers—funded my chemotherapy. I am alive today because people were kind. But I was lucky and it’s not something I can count on in the future. If this law had been passed sooner, I would have availed myself of its benefits. This law gives hope to cancer patients, survivors, those living with cancer, and their carers. It shows that the government knows their plight and is setting up ways to help them. There is much work to be done regarding the implementation of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act. Just reading the law makes me dizzy with the sheer scale of what they need to get done. But this is all necessary and timely, and very much welcome. During my surgery and chemo, my colorectal surgeon told me to “Think positive!” and “Walk a lot.” It helped. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

courage criminals to take him seriously. My gulay, with spokesmen like Panelo, who needs enemies? *** The continued dumping of waterproof bundles of cocaine bricks on the Eastern seaboard, supposedly by the Colombian drug cartel, can only mean there remains great demand for drugs. This also means that the market for cocaine has been growing. The poor cannot afford cocaine. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

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SC hikes limit of small claims before MTCs By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court has increased the limit of small claims cases that can be filed before the Metropolitan Trial Courts from P300,000.00 to P400,000.00, starting April 1, 2019. This came after the SC en banc approved the recommendation made by the Office of the Court Administrator and Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, chairman of the Special Committee on Small Claims Cases, to streamline and harmonize the rules of procedure for money claims filed before all first level courts. In 2010, the SC authorized the implementation of the Rule of Procedure for Small Claims Cases to all first level courts in the country for money claims amounting to not more than P100,000. The limit was raised to P200,000 in 2015 and to P300,000 last year. “The reform also decreases cost on the part of the claimant by approximately 20 percent, since attorney’s fees are no longer necessary given that lawyers are not

allowed to represent a party in small claims cases,” the SC said, in a statement. The new move by the SC would “result in the speedier and more efficient resolution of money claims cases, as well as help increase the country’s score in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report,” Associate Justice Peralta said. According to the SC Public Information Office, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez hoped the move “will benefit small entrepreneurs using the court system” and lead to a higher ranking for the Philippines in the World Bank Doing Business Survey. Under the Revised Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases, courts are mandated to resolve a case within 30 days from the day the statement of claim was filed. Peralta said he “believes that applying the Revised Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases in all money claims filed before the Metropolitan Trial Courts will increase the country’s score in next year’s report.”

Unallied Congress needed— Binay By Joel E. Zurbano

ONGRESSIONAL aspirant and former Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday underscored the need for an independent Congress with legislators who can articulate the urgent concerns of their constituents, and engage in debates on national issues. “Members of Congress are elected by the people primarily to enact national laws. These are laws that will provide the basis and rationale for executive programs addressing the people’s urgent needs,” Binay said. “It is therefore imperative that the elected representatives to Congress can articulate the sentiments of the people they represent,” he added. Binay is the leading candidate in the May 13 midterm elections to represent the ﬁrst district of Makati City in the House of Representatives. He is running under the United Nationalist Alliance party ticket of his daughter incumbent Makati Mayor Abigal Binay. “He or she must be ready to propose laws, and to face and engage in debate [with] his fellow lawmakers, ofﬁcials of the national gov-

ernment, and experts on economic matters, governance and other national issues faced by the nation at present,” said Binay. The former Makati mayor said that as a Representative, one must be capable of engaging in debate, and prepared to stand up and ﬁght for the welfare of his constituents and of the entire nation. “The process of lawmaking is serious business that should not be left to the unprepared, unprincipled and inarticulate,” he stressed. The UNA congressional bet decried efforts to amend the Constitution and extend the control of the executive department over other branches of government, which have threatened the independence of these institutions. “Congress, in particular, should be an independent and co-equal branch of government, along-

side the Executive and the Judiciary. Yet in practice, any newly elected President would always move to secure control of Congress, particularly the House of Representatives,” Binay stated. He pointed out how it has become a “political ritual” that in the ﬁrst months of a new administration, most legislators would abandon their previous parties to join the party of the new President. He said the system of checks and balances was abandoned in exchange for total loyalty to whoever occupied the seat of power. “Our institutions, most especially the legislature, should never be a party to plots to prolong one group’s or one person’s stay in power at the expense of democracy and our Constitution. Congress should be an institution to build a country and achieve a vision, not a tool to undermine democracy,” Binay stressed. The former vice president also said too much partisanship had left no room for sober discussion on important issues, noting it was time for Congress to regain its role as ﬁscalizer. “I do not mean an obstructionist Congress, or legislators that oppose for the sake of opposing. What times demand is a constructive legislature and constructive legislators,” he said.

AT THE HUSTINGS.

Senatorial candidate Imee Marcos, the incumbent governor of Ilocos Norte, on stage at the San Andres Gymn in Manila, persuading voters to choose candidates of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago during its campaign caravan Wednesday, as the season heats up for the mid-term elections. With her on stage are Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and fellow senatorial hopefuls. Lino Santos

NBI tapped to hunt down fugitive Ilocos Sur mayor JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to hunt down a town mayor in Ilocos Sur who was ordered arrested by a local court for criminal cases over the padlocking of a local beach resort with its operator and four-year-old son trapped inside. Guevarra said NBI agents had joined the manhunt operations against Cabugao Mayor Josh Edward Cobangbang after the provincial office of the Philippine National Police failed to serve the warrant of arrest issued against the mayor last week for non-bailable case of serious illegal detention and grave coercion recently filed by the Department of Justice. “The NBI has tapped teams of agents to arrest Mayor Cobangbang pursuant to the warrant issued by the RTC,” the DOJ chief said, referring to the order by Cabugao Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Judge Raphiel Alzate. According to Guevarra, the prosecutors handling the case would also seek issuance of a hold NOTICE OF SELFdeparture order against the fugitive mayor to preADJUDICATION vent him from possibly leaving the country and evading prosecution. Notice is hereby “The issuance of an HDO by the RTC is a given that the estate of the late Lorenzo matter of course upon motion if the trial prosecuRaymundo Arce, tors, especially since the warrant of arrest could who died on June not be served upon the accused,” he stressed. 26, 2016 without Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Deogracias Jose leaving any will, has Victorino Savellano has assumed the top ofbeen settled by way of self-adjudication fice in the municipal hall due to the mayor’s by his sole legal heir indictment and absence. and daughter, Trixia The regional office of the Department of InteJoyce Arce Fu, as rior and Local Government has named Savellano per Doc. No. 661, Page No. 7, Book No. as “acting mayor” of Cabugao town. 1, series of 2019 of “As the elected vice mayor, you can assume Consul Vanessa G. the office of the mayor of Cabuago, Ilocos Sur Bago-Llona, Consul in a temporary capacity and perform the duties of the Republic of the Philippines for thereof,” read an order signed by DILG ReNorthern California, gion I Director James Fadrilan last Feb.22, a in San Francisco. copy of which was furnished to the DOJ. (MS-FEB. 14,21 & 28, 2019)

Immigration agents nab American fugitive for child porno By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION agents arrested an American fugitive wanted by authorities in the US state of Minnesota for alleged distribution of child pornography. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente identiﬁed the foreign fugitive as Gary Jaime Dokulil who is now detained in Bicutan, Taguig City following his arrest at his residence in Clark Field, Angeles City, Pampanga by operatives from the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit. Morente said the US embassy sought the BI’s help in locating Dokulil after US district court in Minnesota issued a warrant for his

Republic of the Philippines

Republic of the Philippines CITY OF NAGA BIDS & AWARDS COMMITTEE Invitation to Bid for the ROAD CONCRETING AT CARARAYAN TO SAN ISIDRO SANITARY LANDFILL The City Government of Naga, through the LDF 2019-Sanitary Landfill Project, LDF 2017-CA-Sanitary Landfill Project and LDF 2019-Urban Infrastructure Project, intends to apply the sum of NINETEEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED (P 19,738,700.00) PESOS, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the Road Concreting at Cararayan to San Isidro Sanitary Landfill, with Contract Reference Number: 006535-2019-01.

National Irrigation Administration (Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig) Regional Office No. III

Office Address: Telephone Nos.: Website :

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the City Government of Naga and inspect the Bidding Documents at the Office of the BAC Secretariat at the City Planning & Development Office, 2nd Floor City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Concepcion Pequena, Naga City from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders starting on Thursday, February 28 to March 20, 2019, from the Office of the BAC Secretariat at the City Planning & Development Office, 2nd Floor City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Concepcion Pequena, Naga City, and upon payment of the applicable nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand (P 25,000.00) PESOS, and an Annual Registration Fee of Three Thousand (P 3,000.00) Pesos if not yet registered with the Naga City BAC, and upon presentation of a Document Request List (DRL) from PhilGEPS showing your company name. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Naga City Government (www.naga.gov.ph), provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. Official receipts should be presented during dropping of bids and enclosed in the bid documents (first envelope).

The City Government of Naga reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: MR. FLORENCIO T. MONGOSO, JR. Acting City Administrator, Office of the City Administrator 2nd Floor City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue Concepcion Pequena, Naga City 4400 bac@naga.gov.ph/junmongoso@naga.gov.ph, www.naga.gov.ph (SGD) FLORENCIO T. MONGOSO, JR. BAC Chairperson (MS-FEB. 28, 2019)

Email Address: niar03@yahoo.com Telefax No. (044) 766-2467 TIN No. 000-979-570-000

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3, through the General Appropriations Act of CY 2018 intends to apply the sum of Fifteen Million Three Hundred Seventy Four Thousand Seven Hundred Pesos (P 15,374,700.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for ITB No. NIAR3-2019-FSR-BALINTINGONFS1. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposals.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 now calls for the submission of eligibility documents for Feasibility Study Report of Balintingon Irrigation Project (Phase 1). Eligibility documents of interested consultants must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat on or before 10:00 a.m. (PST) of March 7, 2019 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on February 23, 2019 to March 18, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and March 19, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 am., except holidays from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Fifteen Thousand Pesos (15,000).

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

The BAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted Expression of Interest, including the eligibility documents, and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its Implementing Rules and

Regulations (IRR). The short list shall consist of three (3) to six (6) prospective consultants who will be entitled to submit bids. Should only one (1) apply for eligibility and short listing, pass the eligibility check, the BAC shall consider the same. The criteria and rating system for short listing are:

(i)

Applicable experience of the consultant and members in case of joint ventures, considering both the overall experiences of the firms or, in the case of new firms, the individual experiences of the principal and key staff, including the times when employed by other consultants;

(ii)

Qualification of personnel who may be assigned to the job vis-à-vis extent and complexity of the undertaking; and

(iii)

Current workload relative to capacity;

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of RA 9184. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

The City Government of Naga will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on Friday, March 8, 2019, 3:00PM at the City Procurement Office, Ground Floor, City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, Naga City, which shall be open to prospective bidders. Bids must be duly received to the BAC Secretariat at the City Procurement Office, Ground Floor, City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, Naga City on or before 3:00 PM on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security, either in the form of: cash or cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a universal or commercial bank (2% of ABC), or, Bid Securing Declaration (BSD). Bid opening shall be on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 3:00PM. at City Procurement Office, City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Concepcion Pequena, Naga City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-2467 / 766-4839 / 816-6806 www.region3nia.gov.ph

Feasibility Study Report of Balintingon Irrigation Project (Phase 1) ITB NO. NIAR3-2019-FSR-BALINTINGON-FS1

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The City Government of Naga now invites bids for the Road Concreting at Cararayan to San Isidro Sanitary Landfill, with Contract Reference Number: 006535-2019-01. Completion of the Works is required within 240 calendar days. Equipment Required: road grader, road roller, concrete mixer and water truck. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instructions to Bidders.

arrest last Jan. 17. “He will be deported for posing risk to public safety and security as his presence here presents a threat to our Filipino children anyone of who could be his next victim,” Morente said. Dokulil, according to Morente, will also be deported as an undocumented alien as his office received official communication that Dokulil’s passport had been cancelled by the US government. BI-FSU Chief Bobby Raquepo reported that Dokulil fled to the Philippines last January 11, or just six days before the Minnesota ordered his arrest. “He must have sensed his impending arrest,” said Raquepo. “This prompted him to flee his

Bids of all the short-listed prospective consultants must be delivered to the address below on or before 10:00 a.m. (PST) of March 19, 2019 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on 10:30 a.m. (PST) of March 19, 2019 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. 9.

The Procuring Entity shall evaluate bids using the Quality-Cost Based Evaluation/Selection (QCBE/ QCBS) procedure and based on the following criteria: Technical Proposals – 70% and Financial Proposals – 30%. The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of bids shall be provided in the Instructions to Bidders.

10.

The contract shall be completed within 545 calendar days.

11.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

12.

For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608 (SGD) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC - Chairman Noted by: (SGD) JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager (M S-F E B . 2 8 , 2 019)

hometown,” he added. It was also gathered that on March 3, 1999 the Dakota County District Court in Minnesota convicted Dokulil on charges that he engaged in “terroristic threats” for causing extreme fear by use of violent threats. The Minnesota terroristic threats statute describes said offense as a crime of violence “in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience”. US federal agents are expected to fetch Dokulil in Manila as soon as the BI Board of Commissioners issues the order for his summary deportation. As a result of the deportation, he will also be barred from re-entering the Philippines.

Solon: Train more doctors to address rare disease By Maricel V. Cruz A LEADER of the House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the government to invest more in specialized training for Filipino doctors to allow them to effectively respond to the needs of rare disease patients all over the country. Deputy speaker and Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano issued the call as the country observes ‘National Rare Disease Week,’ which is slated every last week of February. Rare diseases are special medical conditions that affect only a small percentage of the population. Medical services and medicines for these ailments are usually expensive, or hardly available and accessible, especially for the poor. The principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 10747 or

the Rare Diseases Act, Cayetano stressed the importance of addressing the needs of Filipinos diagnosed with rare diseases and giving them sufﬁcient support. “RA 10747 addresses the needs of a very special sector of our society,” the congresswoman said. “No matter how small this sector is, our health system must be responsive enough to include them. No one should be left behind in the delivery of health services.” RA 10747 created a comprehensive policy that would assist individuals with rare diseases by increasing their access to medical treatment and medication. The law mandates the Department of Health “to develop a system to train a sufﬁcient number of medical specialists to diagnose and manage persons with rare disease.”

Startup Act report ratified THE Philippine startup ecosystem is poised to enjoy a much-needed boost with the ratiﬁcation by the House of Representatives of the bicameral conference committee report on the “Innovative Startup Act” proposals of the House and the Senate. The bicam report reconciled House Bill 8862 authored by Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur; and Senate Bill 1532 by Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino. The bills propose the Innovative Startup Act which seeks to grant incentives and remove constraints aimed at encouraging the establishment and operation of innovative new businesses and businesses crucial to growth and expansion. The Act aims to strengthen, promote, and develop an ecosystem of businesses and non-government institutions that foster an innovative entrepreneurial culture in the Philippines. It provides for the establishment of the Philippine Startup Development Program that will develop and unify programs, beneﬁts, and incentives for startups and startup enablers. The program will be spearheaded by national agencies and non-government organizations. Maricel V. Cruz CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Thai aces ready for TCC golf M

ULTI-TITLED Yupaporn Kawinpakorn stands at the forefront of a solid Thailand side out to reassert its might on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, upbeat but wary of their chances against a star-studded ﬁeld in the ﬁrst The Country Club Ladies Invitational unfolding on March 6 at the TCC layout in Laguna.

Kawinpakorn

The Thais nailed five of the 12 titles disputed in last year’s LPGT with Kawinpakorn winning twice at Beverly Place and Summit Point and Pavarisa Yoktuan reigning at Splendido, Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang edging Cyna Rodriguez in a playoff at Luisita, Onkanok Soisuwan dominating the Mt. Malarayat stop, and Ploychompoo Wilairungrueng ruling the rain-shortened Champion Tour at Manila Southwoods. But the country’s perennial regional rivals expect nothing but three days of topnotch competition in the $100,000 event

put up by ICTSI, which features world No. 2 Sung Hyun Park of South Korea and the cream of the country’s pro crop plus aces from Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia and two other talented Koreans. While Yoktuan, Soisuwan and Wilairungrueng won’t be around to backstop Kawinpakorn, Pattaranakrueang is also in the fold, along with former LPGT leg winners Renuka Suksukont, who topped the 2017 Philippine Ladies Masters, and Wannasiri Sirisampant, who won at Southwoods in 2015. Other Thais competing are Supamas Sangchan, Chonlada Chayanun, Natta-

gate Nimitpongkul, Jackie Chulya, Punpaka Phuntumabamrung, Wanchana Poruangrong, Thanutra Boonraksasat, Nathikarn Raksachat, Preenaphan Poomklay, Arpichaya Yubol, Trichat Cheenglab, Ornnicha Konsunthea, Waralee Atcharerk, Dussavi Soopimjit and veteran campaigner Mookharin Ladgratok. Though Park, given her world-class skills and immense talent, remains the player to beat in the event organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., the Pinays hope to cash in on the proverbial home-court edge and contend for the championship serving as the fifth leg of the sixth LPGT season and third stage of the LPGA of Taiwan. But focus will surely be on the crack Thai squad with Kawinpakorn and the rest all ready to prove their worth against a stellar international field at one of the country’s toughest courses.

Macalalad, Manayon top Subic triathlon PHILIPPINE elite triathletes Edward Vince Jared Macalalad and Karen Manayon took Subic’s scorching heat and rolling terrain plus their multisport training in Portugal as impetus to push harder and win recognition as the fastest finishers of their respective genders at the My Daily Collagen® Triathlon Feb. 24. Macalalad, also of team Tri Gear, was crowned the male 18-24 champion, as he completed 1.5Km swim—40 Km bike10 Km run standard distance held at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone race in 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 6 seconds. Fellow elite triathletes Banjo Norte, zipped into the chute 22 seconds later to bag first place in Male 25-29 age group, followed by Julius Constantino at 2:17:08. In the women’s competition, Manayon did her team Cebu City Rider Omega Tri Team proud, coming in at of 2:38:59 to emerge as champion of the Female 18-24 category. Age proved to be no barrier as Manayon was joined in the Top 3 female finishers’ category by Ines Santiago of the 35-39 age group in 2:41:22, and Petro Kuiper of the 50-54 age group at 2:48:33 to win the Female 50-54 title. Other Standard Distance age-group champions of the My Daily Collagen®, Triathlon supported by Smart, Saucony, Vittoria, Rudy Project, ACEA Subic Bay, Court Meridian Hotel & Suites, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, were Cianyl Gonzales ( 25-29), Lyllian Grace Banzon and Lorin-Pedro Balandreau (3034), Ronald Molit (35-39), Nylah Bautista and Jeff Valdez (40-44), Bic Ferreria and Romeo Marquez (45-49), Peter Gonzalez (50-54), Rune Stroem (55-59), and Josef Guetta (60-above). “The large turnout of seasoned triathletes from the different parts of the country made a major difference. Previously we expected mostly beginners or newcomers among triathletes to join in. We are more than happy with the reception of this race,” said My Daily Collagen® Chief Sales Officer Oliver Salas.

Members of the Gilas Pilipinas team receive Smart Travel Wi-Fi kits from PLDT and Smart

PLDT, Smart back Gilas PH in Fiba bid THE national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, posted huge back-to-back wins over Qatar and Kazakhstan in the last window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers held recently in the Middle East. The twin victories enabled Gilas to book a return ticket to the FIBA World Cup which will be held in China from Aug. 31 to Sept. 15 this year. PLDT, Smart, together with Free Bee, showed solid support by providing Smart Travel Wi-Fi kits to help Gilas stay in touch with friends, family, and millions of fans when competing internationally. “Smart definitely helps us with that, through Smart Wi-Fi. You can keep that open line of communication to your family, kids, and fans. It keeps relationships strong,” said Gilas Forward Gabe Norwood. “The Smart Travel Wi-Fi is a complement to our existing roaming services to keep you connected whenever you travel. Smart Roaming keeps an

individual securely connected while Smart Travel Wi-Fi allows more than one phone or gadget to conveniently access the internet, without spending a lot of money,” said Alice Ramos, VP and Department Head of International Roaming & Carrier Business at Smart. “Gilas is very close to hearts of the Filipinos and we are supporting them the way that we know best, by keeping them confidently connected wherever the games take them. When they play on foreign courts, we want to make sure that they carry with them the support of the Filipinos. They are one with the millions of fans who just can’t fly, travel, watch and join them physically, but are decidedly with them in spirit,” Ramos added. Just like the connectivity that the Smart Travel Wi-Fi kit provides, Filipinos abroad can also make long distance calls to any PLDT, Smart, Sun or TNT subscriber in the Philippines by downloading the mobile application

Free Bee. OFWs can avail themselves of a free 2-minute call upon listening to a sponsored ad while on a data connection or connected to Wi-Fi. “The Free Bee app can also help the players, as well as our kababayans who travel to different countries for work or vacation, to call their families in the Philippines for free,” said Jojo Quiamas, PLDT Global’s Head of International Retail Business. Sports for nation-building PLDT-Smart has been a staunch supporter of the Gilas Pilipinas program since 2008, a program managed by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). “We are proud to support Gilas Pilipinas in their bid for the World Cup,” said Gabby Cui, AVP and Head of Community Development and Partnerships at Smart. Smart’s support for the national basketball team is in line with its advocacy of promoting sports development as part of nation-building.

PH swimmers make waves in Beijing tilt SWIMMING sensation Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh continued to show promise as she bagged eight gold medals and set seven meet records in the Beijing AllStar Swimming Championships at the Water Cube in Beijing, China recently. Mojdeh, the top swimmer of the Philippine Swimming League in the girls’ 11-12 division, ruled the 200-meter fly (2:17.89), 200-meter individual medley (2:25.68), 200-meter breast stroke (2:43.51), 100-meter butterfly (1:04.67), 100-meter indeividual medley (1:09.85), 50-meter butterfly (29.41) and 50-m breast stroke (36:13), all in record fashion. Her eighth gold came from the girl’s 11-12 division 100-meter breast stroke (1.17.77). “After a year, I never even thought of her competing in Beijing and sweeping eight gold medals and breaking seven records carving her name in the

walls of ISB (International School of Beijing),” said Joan Mojdeh, mother of Jasmine. Another bet from the Philippines, Julia Basa, also etched her mark in the eight-country swimfest. Basa set a new mark and won the gold in the 200-meter back stroke (2:45.10). She won another gold in the mixed 400-meter freestyle (5:14.31) and went home with the silver in the 200-meter freestyle (2:28.28), 100-meter back stroke (1:29.31) and 50-meter back stroke (36:28). They are the first Filipinos to have set records in the said meet. PSL chairman Nikki Coseteng and president Susan Papa were elated with Mojdej’s and Basa’s latest accomplishments, which came at the heels of a dominant performance of Mojdeh in the Dubai championship late last year.

Mojdeh and Basa

ABS-CBN launches sports section on streaming device iWant ABS-CBN’s popular streaming service iWant recently launched its newest section iWant Sports, where passionate followers of different sports leagues can stream right at their fingertips all kinds of sports content on whatever device, whenever and wherever they are. Starting February 16, with the opening of UAAP Season 81 Volleyball tournament, sports fans are now able to watch live games, revisit the highlights of the games they missed, get to know their idols, or catch up on the latest news updates in the sports world on the digital platform.

The one-stop section on the streaming service will house various sports content offerings for fans of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Premier Volleyball League (PVL) , Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), Pinoy Pride, boxing events, and national tournaments. Beyond the games, sports aficionados can also access other sports content such as ABS-CBN S+A productions like flagship program “The Score,” UAAP special “University Town,” life-

style show “Upfront,” sports documentaries like “UAAP G.O.A.T,” as well as sports-related ANC or ABS-CBN programs like motoring show “Rev,” sports talk show “Hardball,” and current affairs show “Sports U.” ABS-CBN Integrated Sports head Dino Laurena said that the launch of a sports section on iWant, which started 2019 with a whopping 11.3 million subscribers, enables them to reach, entertain, and inspire more Filipinos in the digital space. “We understand the desire of our diehard sports fans, and even casual sports

enthusiasts, for intense and compelling sports content. We want to make it easier for them to catch the action and stories from the best tournaments in the country right now and witness great performances unfold in real time in one location, which is iWant,” he said. iWant is one of the digital initiatives of ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company, which is rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company with the biggest online presence among all media companies, and a growing list of digital properties.

Swimmer, 4 archers hit 4-gold mark ILOILO CITY—Guilliver Clive Clemente of Antique claimed his fourth gold to join four other eagle-eyed archers as the first quadruple gold medalists in the Visayas Leg of the 2019 Philippine National Youth GamesBatang Pinoy at the Iloilo Sports Complex here yesterday. Clemente, 14, ruled the 200m breaststroke in two minutes and 37.46 seconds to add to the three golds—400m individual medley, 50m breast and 200m IM—he scooped up in the first two days of pool competition. The eighth-grader from Antique National School will have a chance to win a fifth as he plunges back into action in today’s 100m IM. Clemente thus moved into the elite company of four-gold medal winners that included archers Naina Dominique Tagle and Prisa Heren Lofranco of Dumaguete, Aldrener Igot, Jr. of Cebu City and Godwell Maloloy-on of Mandaue. Tagle and Igot swept all golds in the 30m, 40m, 50m and 60m for boys’ and girls’ cub division, while Lofranco and Maloloy-on did the same in the cadet class. All four have strong chances of getting the maximum seven golds if they could top the mixed team at press time and the team and Olympic Round events today. Ormoc’s Coby Marcus Rivilla and Tagbilaran’s Anthony Jude Presas copped their third swimming golds in the boys’ 12-under 100m backstroke and boys’ 15-under 400m freestyle, respectively. Rivilla timed in 1:17.84, besting Tagbilaran’s John Sylvester Dequna (1:23.26) and Ormoc’s Amare Kobe Guadayo (1:28.40), while Presas checked in at 4:42.91 ahead of Negros Occidental’s Renji de Miguel (4:59.67) and Bohol’s Ralph Joshua Monje (5:01.51). Alexi Kouzenye Cabayaran likewise splashed her way to a third gold in the girls’ 13-15 100m back in 1:10.64. Also emerging victorious from the pool were Bacolod City’s Kalra Ysaballe Labayen (girls’ 15-under 400m free) and Maxene Hayley Uy (girls’ 15-under 50m butterfly), Dumaguete’s Kacie Gabrielle Tionko (girls’ 100m back), Negros Occidental’s Jay-R Punzalan (boys’ 13-15 100m back), Troy Castor (boys’ 12-under 50m fly) and Earl Jude Buncio (boys’ 1315 50m fly), and Kalibo, Aklan’s Kyla Soquilon (girls’ 13-15 50m fly). In centerpiece athletics, Negros Occidental’s Marden Gabriel Villaruel, the fastest man in the weeklong event for in and out-of-school athletes aged 15 years old and below after reigning supreme in the century dash a couple of days back, took the 200m gold in 23.6 to complete a sprint double.

Maroons open title-retention bid vs Bulldogs Matches today (FEU-Diliman) 9 a.m. – FEU vs UST (Men) 1 p.m. – DLSU vs UE (Men) 3 p.m. – UP vs NU (Men)

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines sets in motion its back-to-back championship bid against National University today (Thursday) in the UAAP men’s football tournament at the FEU-Diliman pitch. Kick-off is at 3 p.m. The last squad to make their season debut, the Fighting Maroons of coach Anto Gonzales remain the team to beat with a solid roster led by national U22 mainstays JB Borlongan, King Miyagi and Fidel Tacardon. Behind MVP Ian Clariño, who already graduated, UP annexed its 18th crown at the expense of University of Santo Tomas in last year’s Final. The Growling Tigers loomed to be the Maroons’ biggest threat this season, as Marjo Allado’s side currently sits the top of the table with five points. UST will face FEU, which is running second with four points, at 9 a.m., with the winner grabbing the solo lead. De La Salle and University of the East, both coming off 1-0 wins over Adamson University and Ateneo, respectively, to gain their first full points of the season, clash in the other afternoon tussle at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs began their campaign with consecutive draws against the vastly-improved Falcons (1-1) and the Tigers (2-2). Facing a champion team in UP will be a test of character of NU, which placed sixth last season.

Sports

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Didal eyes more points to qualify for Olympics By Peter Atencio

Margielyn Didal (right), shown here in a playful mood, and Yuka Saso (inset), received their PSA Athletes of the Year awards Tuesday night at the Manila Hotel.

PH still at no. 31 in Fiba rankings THE Philippines remained at no. 31 in the world rankings after the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 qualifiers have ended. Tallying a total of 317.6 points, the Philippines is a fraction behind powerhouse China, who is at no. 30 in the world with 317.9 points. Both are among the teams that have qualified to FIBA Basketball World Cup’s tournament proper. The top seeds of the 32-team tournament are the seven best-ranked qualified teams, namely Team USA, Spain, France, Serbia, Argentina, Lithuania and Greece. The list also includes Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia in the Africa zone. Also included are Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela in the Americas zone. Joining the Philippines and China from Asia are Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea and New Zealand, Among the 12 European qualifiers to join are Spain, France, Serbia, Lithuania and Greece are the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Russia and Turkey. The draw of lots for the tournament proper will be known on March 16. The draw takes place in Shenzhen, one of the competition’s eight host cities. Gilas coach Yeng Guiao said he has enough players who can play for him the tournament proper. These players are very versatile and among his choices for Team Pilipinas are Mark Barroca, Marcio Lassiter, Scottie Thompson and RR Pogoy, and big men Poy Erram, Japeth Aguilar and Andray Blatche. “Easily, they all had the skills to shine in the system we were running,” noted Guiao. Guiao said he is now leaving it up to top officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on how they will form the next Philippine team. He said his contract with SBP is finished as it only runs until the end of the qualifiers. Peter Atencio

Clamor to have Clarkson join Gilas five snowballs

BA star Jordan Clarkson is stoking Philippine fans’ clamor to allow him to play in this year’s World Cup as their team seeks to hurdle FIBA’s eligibility rules.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is appealing to basketball’s worldgoverning body to recognize Clarkson as a Filipino citizen, allowing him to play for Gilas Pilipinas who won a World Cup berth last weekend. The Filipino-American Cleveland Cavaliers guard on Tuesday congratulated Gilas and expressed hope of joining the team again after carrying the flag for the Philippines at last year’s Asian Games. “Such a honor for the cou nt r y, qualif yi ng for the world cup, so hyped!!! hope to see you guys in china!!!,” the 26-yearold said in an Instagram post sharing a photo of himself wearing the Philippines team jersey. Basketball is a virtual religion in the South- Clarkson

east Asian nation and enthusiastic fans were quick to comment on the post with their approval using the hashtag “#LetJordanPlay”. Unlike the Asian Games, the World Cup operates under FIBA rules which could classify Clarkson as a “naturalized” player. FIBA restricts each team to one naturalized player. This means the Philippines would have to choose between Clarkson and ex-Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche, who acquired Filipino nationality by naturalization. Philippine basketball boss Al Panlilio told AFP the federation wanted FIBA to recognize that Clarkson was a Filipino by blood under local laws, adding he obtained his Filipino passport after the age 16.

The Cavaliers, who currently have the third-worst record in the 2018-2019 season, are expected to miss this year’s playoffs. “It’s perfect timing because the NBA is on break. Definitely Jordan will help us a lot,” Panlilio told AFP. Blatche, who led the Gilas victory over Kazakhstan in Astana on Sunday to secure World Cup qualification, hailed the possibility of teaming up with Clarkson at the August 31-September 15 tournament to be hosted by China. “If we can get him, that would be huge. If we were to have me and him together with the team we have now, we can definitely go and make some noise, make some wins,” Blatche told Sports5 television on Wednesday. Sports fans and analysts have said a Clarkson-Blatche combination in the World Cup would be a “dream team” for Gilas, ranked 31st in the world. They said they wanted to see Clarkson play ahead of the Philippines cohosting the 2023 World Cup. “He should be the face of that tournament. As early as now, FIBA should ease him into that role,” said Twitter user @RakiRockefeller.

Athletes distracted by refurbishing of facilities WRONG timing. The Philippine Sports Commission’s decision to refurbish the athletes’ dormitories and training facilities at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila, the Philsports Arena in Pasig and the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio with less than a year left before the 30th Southeast Asian Games is wrong timing on the part of the agency as it has served as a major distraction in the preparations for the biennial meet the country is hosting on Nov. 31 to Dec. 10. A national sports association source said the athletes are now living as bed spacers and not getting enough nutrition, while some “lucky” ones, such as a couple of Filipino-foreign athletes were able to rent a condo unit in Quezon City, although they are having a tough time going to their training site due to the expensive transportation cost

and traffic. “The SEA Games is just around the corner and we don’t need this kind of distraction at this point. Our goal is to win gold medals in the SEA Games and having our athletes staying as bed spacers and eating carinderia food won’t definitely help,” said the source. “It’s really tough.” PSC deputy executive director Guillermo Iroy said the notice to refurbish the sports facilities was sent out as early as last year, giving the NSAs enough time to look for housing facilities. “We talked to the NSAs last year for them to look for a condo or a house that they can use while our dormitories are still being refurbished,” Iroy said. “We don’t see any problem for as long as they send us the billing. Chairman (William “Butch” Ramirez) already set aside a budget

for the rental.” Iroy assured that that the refurbishing will be over by March, just enough time for the athletes to prepare for the games. But another NSA leader pointed out that they were not prepared as there was no consultation in the sports community before it was formally implemented last month. The official added that even though the PSC will reimburse their expenses, it still takes away the focus of the athletes from the task at hand—deliver decently in the games. “No, it’s not all about the money,” said the official. “But we’re wondering why the PSC decided to renovate everything and pull our athletes out of their dormitories with the SEA Games drawing near? They should have done it last year or next year—not on a very busy SEA Games year.”

Cebu Country Club is surprise PAL leader CEBU CITY—Cebu Country Club drew a pair of 50 points from Nonoy Tirol and rookie Eric Deen Wednesday to emerge as the surprise leader at the start of the 33rd Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championships. CCC collected 142 points at the Alta Vista Golf Club to open a three-point lead over defending champion Canlubang, Luisita and Del Monte, all tied with 138. “We are ready to win,” declared Tirol who made three birdies against five bogeys and a double bogey. Tirol said the entry of Deen, a three-handicapper, and Jufil Sato have added more depth to the team that won the Founders division last year in Bacolod. Deen, a member of the CCC squad that won the regular PAL Interclub crown in 2012, had three birdies against seven bogeys, outplaying flight mate Tommy Manotoc. “It was a privilege playing with Tommy who is one of the best amateurs. He has so much talent,” said Deen. CCC’s third scorer was Korean Kim Kwang Seok who turned in 42 points. The 69-year-old Manotoc, returning for Canlubang after an absence of two years, started with three straight double bogeys before playing the rest of the round at two-over.

He buried a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole to salvage 46 points, his worst score ever at the Interclub. Two other teammates—Rolly Viray and Zaldy Villa— also scored 46. Mari Hechanova made the turn at eightover and did not count with 44 points. Sixteen-time champion Luisita also struggled, typified by Eddie Bagtas’ 48 points that was marred by five three-putts. Also scoring for Luisita were Rafael Raymundo and Luis Laureta who each had 45 points. “We played badly. We wasted a lot of strokes. Hopefully, we get to play better tomorrow,” said Luisita non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova. Del Monte made it a four-horse race behind Raul Minoza’s day-best 51 points. Minoza, who used his driver four times, stayed away from trouble with one birdie against four bogeys. Virgilio Adag and Arsenio Mondilla counted for Del Monte with 45 and 42, respectively. In other divisions, Lanang led Sportswriter with 111 points at the Club Filipino de Cebu while Winners Circle Golf Club of LAX paced Friendship with 109 at Alta Vista.

Nonoy Tirol Photo by Angelica Villanueva

AFTER an unsuccessful bid last month, Margielyn Didal will make an effort to get more points to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 19-year-old Didal said this a month after she joined the first leg of the Street League Skateboarding Championships from Jan. 10 to 13 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Didal placed 14th among 24 participants who saw action in the women’s division of the meet, an Olympic qualifier. She tallied 20 points at the crowded Carioca Arena and in front of a big audience that witnessed the best tricks put up by the world’s best participants. “First, gusto kong mag-qualify sa Olympics. Then, mag move forward ako sa 2019 SEA Games,” said Didal after she became one of five Asian Games gold medalists from the Philippines given the highest honor as Athletes of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association during its annual PSA Awards Night at Manila Hotel. During the Rio meet, the spotlight was on Brazilian Leticia Bufoni, the 2015 Champion and 2nd placer in the last two years. She was given the highest point at 30.6 and went on to advance to the finals with seven others. In the finals, it was Aori Nishimura of Japan who took the gold with 32.6 points. Bufoni settled for the silver with 32.5 points, followed in third by Lacey Baker of the United States with 28.5 points. In fourth was Mariah Duran, also from the US. The second leg of the SLS meet will be in May when it is held in London. “Okay naman ako sa Brazil. Hindi lang ako nakapasok sa Top 8,” said Didal.

McCarthy erupts for 30 points, carries Dyip past Bolts By Jeric Lopez RASHAWN McCarthy finally ended his personal slump. The fiery spitfire unloaded a season-high 30 points and eight rebounds and hit key baskets down the stretch to tow Columbian to a hard-fought 86-85 squeaker over Meralco in a win that ended its three-game slide in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night. McCarthy’s left elbow triple with 2:29 remaining capped a key 7-0 run that gave the Dyip a critical 86-80 advantage heading into the twilight zone. Chris Newsome scored five straight points, from two free throws and a triple, in the final minute to pull the Bolts within a single point, 85-86. Meralco actually had the ball with a chance to win with 14 seconds remaining. However, its play went awry as Baser Amer’s last-second potential game-winning three didn’t find its mark, allowing Columbian to escape. After scoring in single-digits the last time out, McCarthy, who fired six triples on a 50-percent shooting clip, came through to lead the Dyip to the much-needed victory. “The coaches gave me the confidence and trust to lead the team. I’m glad I was able to bounce back,” said McCarthy. Columbian improved to 3-4 to move up to eighth place, while Meralco slipped to ninth with its 2-4 mark. The Bolts were actually the team which got going early, opening up a 15-point cushion, 26-11, just seconds into the second quarter. Not to bend, the Dyip fought its way back and finished the first half burly to get itself back in the game. Columbian outscored Meralco, 31-19, right after to pull to within just three, 42-45, at the half, setting up a nip-andtuck exchange in the second half. The scores: Columbian 86—McCarthy 30, Khobuntin 14, Camson 10, Perez 8, Cahilig 6, Corpuz 6, Escoto 4, Celda 3, Faundo 3, Calvo 2, Agovida 0. Meralco 85—Newsome 17, Hodge 14, De Ocampo 14, Amer 10, Salva 8, Quinto 7, Pinto 5, Canaleta 5, Tolomia 3, Hugnatan 2, Faundo 0, Jackson 0. Quarters: 11-24, 42-45, 66-66, 86-85

IN BRIEF

S&P lauds revisions to the charter of BSP GLOBAL debt watcher S&P Global Ratings said the recent amendments to the charter of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will be good for the country’s financial and banking system in general. “… These enhancements augment BSP’s powers to exercise its core mandate of promoting a sound financial system, in our opinion,” S&P said in a report Wednesday. “We believe the amendments to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas charter significantly improve the supervisory powers of the regulator by giving better legal protection to officials. The clauses providing full indemnity to BSP officials until they are finally adjudged to be in willful violation of the act are stringent and make it more difficult to sue them compared with the previous act,” it said. It said the amendments were positive steps toward greater independence and more effective implementation of prudent policies and measures. Previously, supervisors were civilly liable if they had not applied “extraordinary diligence,” an onerous requirement, in our view. Julito G. Rada

Retail trade being amended—Pernia ECONOMIC Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia told Japanese businessmen the government is doing all it can to implement measures that will help improve the ﬂow of foreign investments in the country. Pernia said during the Osaka leg of the Philippine economic brieﬁng in Japan held Feb. 22 that the government was pushing for the amendment of the Retail Trade Liberalization Law. Pernia said amending the Retail Trade Liberalization Law was one of the three major policy reforms undergoing legislative process that would assist foreign investment in the Philippines. “Besides our growth story that tells of the Philippine economy’s higher growth trajectory, there are several policy reforms already in place to accommodate more foreign investors in the country. These are the amendments on the Retail Trade Act, the Foreign Investment Act, and the Public Utilities Act, which are all near passage in Congress,” Pernia said. The Retail Trade Liberalization Law seeks to do away with barriers to foreign investments by easing the equity and capitalization requirements to create a more favorable investment climate in the country. Julito G. Rada

Business Metro Pacific unit eyeing stake in The Medical City By Alena Mae S. Flores

ETRO Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc., the hospital unit of conglomerate Metro Pacific Investment Corp., expressed interest to acquire a stake in The Medical City. Metro Pacific chairman Manuel Pangilinan said his company was in talks with both camps involved in the ownership battle at TMC, a world-class healthcare organization serving around 40,000 inpatients and 400,000 outpatients annually. “Yes, [we are talking to both of them],” Pangilinan said when asked which camp he was in talks with for the acquisition. TMC is embroiled in an ownership

issue between TMC chairman Jose Xavier Gonzales and his uncle, former health secretary Alfredo Bengzon. “They’re in the middle of a serious legal battle…It’s deep into the ﬁght between Dr. Bengzon and Eckie. We don’t know if other shareholders are willing to buy their shares. So we have to wait for the outcome, what will happen. We remain interested in Medical City,” Pangilinan said. Pangilinan said he has known Gonzales since 1977 in Hong Kong while Bengzon was a colleague in Ateneo de Manila University, where Bengzon served as the dean of the Ateneo Professional Schools. “We are friendly to both... Yes, we could buy the foreign stake,” he said. He said Metro Paciﬁc has yet to conduct due diligence on TMC. Pangilinan said he was hoping the dispute would be settled soon to protect the interest of the public.

“We’re just bystanders. It’s a very interesting situation. For whatever reason and by whatever means, I hope it is settled. It is not an ordinary company. It is a major hospital in the city. Its mission is to promote the well-being of the people. I hope the SEC and so forth would resolve the issue. You know the welfare of the people is at stake,” Pangilinan said. TMC’s primary hospital is located in Ortigas, Pasig City which has about 800 beds being served by about 1,500 physicians. The TMC network is composed of the Ortigas ﬂagship healthcare complex, four provincial hospitals and 35 clinic sites in Metro Manila and selected provinces. Bengzon’s camp ﬁled a case with the Securities and Exchange Commission against Gonzales and the Clermont Group. Bengzon’s camp alleged that Gonzales entered into an alleged “anomalous” corporate deal with Clermont of Singapore.

Business as usual at Port of Manila

IT is business as usual at the Port of Manila, Manila South Harbor operator Asian Terminals Inc. assured stakeholders following the fire incident that hit the Bureau of Customs headquarters last week. A fully operational One-Stop-Shop satellite office has been immediately set up by ATI inside Pier 15’s passenger terminal to ensure uninterrupted port transactions. The satellite office houses ATI’s Billing and Collections unit where brokers can settle port fees, book TABS (terminal appointment booking system) transactions, print gate passes using self-help kiosks and conduct other online transactions. ATI’s customer help desk, the Verification, Receipting and Monitoring Unit of Philippine Ports Authority-NCR South, Philippine Export Zone Authority units and BOC-Port of Manila’s Operations Division, Export Division and Container Control Division, are also housed on the same location. Meanwhile, POM’s Assessment and Formal Entry Division is fully operational, temporarily located at the BOC gymnasium.

PAL’S PREMIUM ECONOMY. Four-star carrier Philippine Airlines is introducing a new premium economy experience that enables smart, practical travelers to avail of a high-value inflight alternative to full business class or mainstream economy class service. Shown during the launching of the new service, coinciding with PAL’s 78th anniversary, are (from left) PAL senior assistant vice president for sales Eric Tan, vice president for sales Ryan Uy, president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista, vice president for marketing Ria Domingo and vice president for corporate communications Josen Perez de Tagle. Lino Santos

PAL Holdings considering re-IPO to increase public float requirement By Darwin G. Amojelar THE parent firm of Philippine Airlines is studying a re-IPO or another initial public offering next year to raise more funds and comply with the public float requirement of the Securities and Exchange Commission. “If we will be required, I understand it’s not a requirement yet. It’s only a requirement for newly-listed companies but for existing companies, we can stay with the minimum requirement of 10 percent,” PAL Holdings president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista told reporters. “We will implement it next year [or] if the SEC will require it to be mandatory by end of the year,” he said. PAL Holdings’ public float currently stands at 10.32 percent, below the 20-percent requirement of the SEC for

companies that will list with the Philippine Stock Exchange. A public ﬂoat refers to the portion of the issued and outstanding shares that are freely available and tradable in the market and are non-strategic in nature or those not meant for the purpose of gaining substantial inﬂuence on how the company is being managed. The SEC issued Memorandum Circular No. 13 in 2017 requiring a listed company to maintain minimum public ownership of 20 percent at all times. Bautista also said he was expecting to close the investment transaction with ANA Holdings Inc. of Japan by early March this year. ANA HD, the Japanese parent company of All Nippon Airways, is investing $95 million for a 9.5-percent stake in PAL Holdings.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

American phone maker relocates from China to PH By Othel V. Campos AMERICAN smartphone and computer parts manufacturer Ever Win International Corp. transferred its operations to the Philippines from China where the cost of doing business increased rapidly in recent years. Two more US electronic firms would soon join Ever Win while finalizing their strategies to operate in the Philippines, according to Export Marketing Bureau director Senen Perlada. Perla, who returned from a mission to Silicon Valley in the US, said a number of American companies were rethinking their investments in China and that most of them were looking at the Philippines as an investment location. He said the other two electronics firms were into artificial intelligence and integrated chips manufacturing. “The US-China trade war is immaterial to the decisions of these companies to move out of China. It’s more of sustainability and stability issues since China is fast becoming expensive,” Perlada said at the launching of Global MSME Academy at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City. Ever Win already registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to avail of existing tax incentives. The company manufactures and exports smartphone and computer parts to different parts of the world and carries various global and regional brands. Perlada said barely months of operating in the Philippines, the company was already looking for other economic zones in the country as the new site of another facility that it might transfer out of China. Ever Win maintains a business model where it entices suppliers to follow where they operate. The company is slowly shutting down their facilities in China but not all may be relocated to the Philippines, officials said. It plans to set up new facilities in different host countries to spread out risks. Meanwhile, the Global MSME Academy will help MSMEs develop and upgrade their capabilities to become more innovative and competitive for both local and foreign markets.

China firm silent on PXP’s bid for joint exploration PXP Energy Corp. is trying to convince China National Offshore Oil Corp. to proceed with the joint exploration of Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea after its initial effort received a cool response, its top executive said Wednesday. PXP Energy chairman Manuel Pangilinan said the company “reached out” to CNOOC several weeks ago but did not receive a response. “Radio silence on their part. I’m just assuming that they have not gotten permission from their government. We tried to reach out to them,” Pangilinan said. PXP Energy, through Forum Energy Ltd., controls Service Contract 72 (Recto Bank) and SC 75 (Northwest Palawan), which are under moratorium amid the territorial dispute with China. PXP Energy asked the Department of Energy to lift the moratorium in the wake of closer ties with China. PXP Energy is hoping to continue its explo-

ration activities in the said service contracts once the moratorium is lifted. The Energy Department forwarded PXP Energy’s request to the Foreign Affairs Department, the agency involved with China. “I understand the DoE has written to DFA because clearly, it involves the relationship with China. I believe that’s where it is. We have not ofﬁcially been advised what is the next step for us,” Pangilinan said. The Philippines and China last year formed a panel on the way forward for a possible joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea. Pangilinan wanted to talk with China’s state-owned company to revive exploration in SC 72. He earlier said PXP Energy planned to conduct a seismic survey once the moratorium was lifted. SC 72, which covers an 8,800-squarekilometer area west off Palawan, is estimated to contain bigger oil/gas reserves

than the Malampaya gas project. “We have to send a survey ship into the area to do the final validation and establish the baseline position of the ecology where we’re likely to drill and find the potential sites for two exploratory wells,” he said. Pangilinan also said he was waiting for developments on the planned liquefied natural gas project of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and CNOOC. Tanglawan Philippines LN, Inc., the joint venture of Phoenix and CNOOC, was granted a notice to proceed to construct the $2-billion LNG project. PXP Energy previously announced that it would acquire up to a 49-percent interest in the planned LNG project of Phoenix as a part of the subscription agreement with Dennison Holdings Corp. Phoenix and Dennison are companies owned by Davao City-based businessman Dennis Uy. Alena Mae S. Flores

Metro Manila Subway breaks ground in Valenzuela THE Metro Manila Subway Project, a 36-kilometer underground railway system dubbed as the “project of the century,” broke ground Wednesday. “Today marks a historic day for the Philippines as our ﬁrst-ever underground railway system, the Metro Manila Subway, broke ground in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City,” the Transportation Department said in a statement. The subway’s depot will be located in Barangay Ugong and the project will have 15 stations from Quirino Highway in Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City and FTI complex in Taguig City. It would transform the economic and social landscape of the National Capital Region, the Transportation Department said. The department would bid out the operation and maintenance of the project by end of the year. “By end of this year will be published [bid documents] for the entire thing. We cannot have different operators. They will come in time for the partial operations,”

Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy Batan said. The government expects 370,000 passengers to benefit from the subway’s first year of full operations by 2025. Real estate consultancy Colliers International said the ground-breaking for the subway’s first three stations would benefit Quezon City property over the near to medium term. “In our opinion, the subway should play an important role in dictating private developer strategies in Metro Manila,” Colliers said. “The implementation of the P350 billion [$6.5 billion] subway should help provide access to properties that could be redeveloped into mixed commercial, residential, hotel, and institutional projects. Colliers sees the project raising the prices of land and properties within a kilometer from the subway’s stations,” Colliers said. A flagship project under the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, MMSP would be built with a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Darwin G. Amojelar

YMMA AWARDEE. A customer experience expert of Union Bank of the Philippines is the first recipient of the Mansmith Young Market Master Award from the banking sector. Ron Batisan (center), project owner of UnionBank’s The Ark – the country’s first fully digital bank branch - was among 12 young individuals honored by Mansmith and Fielders Inc. during the 14th YMMA Awards for excellence in marketing, sales and entrepreneurship. With Batisan are (from left) YMMA chairman Josiah Go, judges Robrina Go and Venus Navalta and YMMA president Chiqui Escareal-Go.

Business

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Share prices tumble; Jollibee falls

HE stock market tumbled Wednesday on proﬁttaking and a brewing tension in Kashmir after Pakistan said it had shot down two Indian jets in its airspace in the region.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index sank 99.04 points, or 1.2 percent, to 7,889.12 on a value turnover of P7.4 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 123 to 69, with 63 issues unchanged. PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications ﬁrm, declined 4.4 percent to P1,050, while conglomerate San Miguel Corp. fell 4.4 percent to P172. Jollibee Foods Corp., the largest fastfood chain, dropped 2.2 percent to P308, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei also lost 2.2 percent to P68. The rest of Asian markets were mixed

Wednesday as an earlier rally had the wind taken out of it after Pakistan said it had shot down two Indian jets in its airspace in Kashmir, fueling concerns of conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals. Regional investors had been in a broadly upbeat mood owing to optimism about a China-US trade deal, a dovish outlook on monetary policy from Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell and easing Brexit worries. But trading floors were shaken in the afternoon by a statement from the Pakistan Air Force that it had downed the two planes and arrested one of the pilots. That came as Indian sources said Pakistani fighter jets had violated airspace over Indian Kashmir, but were forced back over the de facto border of the disputed territory. The developments came a day after warplanes struck a site in Pakistan that

New Delhi said was a militant training camp, in retaliation for a February 14 suicide bombing in the disputed region that that killed 40 Indian troops. Islamabad had vowed to retaliate―fueling fears of a dangerous confrontation. “This is unprecedented territory, we haven’t had tit-for-tat air strikes between India and Pakistan since the 1971 war,” Anit Mukherjee, a former Indian Army major and assistant professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, told Bloomberg News. “We don’t know what will come from this. But it seems like Pakistan has given a response. And there have been casualties―captures, deaths.” Markets fell sharply on the reports but managed to claw back some of the losses. Mumbai was down 0.4 percent while the rupee was down a similar amount.

The Karachi Stock Exchange sank almost three percent. Shanghai ended up 0.4 percent, having plunged deep into negative territory, though Hong Kong was struggling to get back into the green. Tokyo, which closed before news of the jet downings ﬁltered through, was up 0.5 percent, though Singapore was 0.1 percent lower. Sydney added 0.4 percent, Taipei was ﬂat and Wellington was off 0.5 percent. Hopes that Britain will not leave the European Union without a divorce pact in place had provided some support to markets and the pound in particular. Sterling held its own in Asia a day after surging more than one percent on Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to let MPs vote on a three-month delay to the March 29 Brexit deadline if she is unable to ram through her own deal. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

59 85.05 2.29 132.3 1.45 27.65 18.12 12.88 4.39 0.63 800 0.465 78.9 1.01 13.94 51.35 185 59.3 26.8 173.3 1,820 61.8

59 87.2 2.29 134.7 1.45 27.65 18.12 13 4.48 0.63 800 0.465 80 1.05 13.94 52.5 185 59.5 26.9 173.3 1,820 63.5

59 84.8 2.25 131 1.45 27.5 18.1 12.76 4.36 0.63 800 0.465 77.4 1.01 13.94 50.65 185 59.25 26.55 170.5 1,820 61.7

FINANCIALS 59 500 86.5 1,462,120 2.25 25,000 133.5 5,753,770 1.45 25,000 27.55 61,600 18.1 5,700 12.78 210,400 4.48 50,000 0.63 37,000 800 700 0.465 10,000 77.5 3,694,930 1.05 777,000 13.94 10,400 51.3 824,160 185 550 59.5 1,890 26.6 18,300 171.8 221,820 1,820 260 63 15,620

29,500 126,305,348 57,090 770,331,221 36,250 1,699,455 103,174 2,704,110 218,200 23,310 560,000 4,650 290,373,399 807,820 144,976 42,614,600.50 101,750 112,362.50 488,840 38,135,732 473,200 974,997

29,500 -11,902,770.50 159,870,548 -1,290,900 -96,530,668.50 -37,350 -69,700 16,604,115.50 -2,690 -111,421 3,503.50

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

36.95 16.68 1.05 1.48 0.248 2.5 16.02 128 29.9 16.62 39.2 65.5 1.9 6.08 6.4 11.52 16 9.79 7.52 1.83 21.1 75 26.1 3.43 9.44 12.6 1.79 314 55 4.4 3.69 11.4 26.9 12.18 19.8 375.6 0.201 5.9 1.43 3.8 6.86 8.89 1.33 12 47.95 6 4.71 1.89 2.79 1.39 12.5 103.7 6.5 0.13 1.1 149 2.79 1.69 1.36

37 16.7 1.07 1.52 0.248 2.53 16.5 128 29.9 17 42 72 1.94 6.35 6.5 11.78 16 10 7.56 1.83 21.3 75.4 26.95 3.55 9.48 13.04 1.79 314 55 4.4 3.69 11.78 27.05 12.44 20.5 379 0.201 5.92 1.5 3.84 6.87 9 1.33 12.2 48.1 6.05 4.71 1.89 2.79 1.39 12.5 103.7 6.5 0.138 1.13 149 2.79 1.7 1.36

35.8 16 1.04 1.47 0.238 2.4 16 128 29.6 16.5 39.2 65.5 1.88 6.05 6.38 11.5 15.9 8.99 7.52 1.66 21 74.4 26.1 3.39 9.34 12.6 1.73 308 55 4.4 3.69 10.68 26.85 12.18 19.5 371 0.2 5.9 1.4 3.8 6.67 8.88 1.31 11.7 47.45 5.97 4.71 1.89 2.79 1.36 12.44 99.55 6.35 0.13 1.02 145.1 2.64 1.66 1.28

INDUSTRIAL 35.95 816,200 16.2 877,900 1.06 1,240,000 1.52 880,000 0.245 5,540,000 2.46 7,963,000 16 467,400 128 20 29.9 103,800 16.96 19,000 42 67,400 72 20 1.94 377,000 6.35 15,300 6.5 35,000 11.7 3,972,900 16 95,800 9.01 13,611,400 7.54 40,500 1.66 17,000 21.25 1,121,300 74.7 66,710 26.5 3,100 3.51 28,658,000 9.44 3,147,500 13.04 2,897,400 1.73 50,000 308 1,303,210 55 110 4.4 8,000 3.69 1,000 10.68 53,200 27.05 1,220,500 12.28 166,700 19.66 9,633,400 379 132,180 0.2 1,610,000 5.92 6,200 1.43 12,995,000 3.82 18,000 6.67 10,999,000 8.89 4,600 1.32 5,935,000 11.88 411,500 47.5 418,400 5.97 254,700 4.71 1,000 1.89 40,000 2.79 2,000 1.39 21,000 12.46 253,800 100.5 1,045,520 6.4 209,500 0.132 180,000 1.08 1,647,000 145.1 862,720 2.7 3,068,000 1.68 2,379,000 1.28 4,555,000

29,483,305 14,432,976 1,304,930 1,307,450 1,334,760 19,575,460 7,505,718 2,560 3,096,135 314,436 2,702,315 1,375 724,890 92,841 224,308 46,269,142 1,527,672 126,198,321 305,639 30,840 23,799,005 4,991,176 82,195 99,930,720 29,722,398 37,560,938 87,170 403,685,414 6,050 35,200 3,690 592,156 32,954,470 2,060,634 191,920,848 49,804,608 322,370 36,644 18,758,010 68,500 74,106,965 40,937 7,840,360 4,903,418 19,909,820 1,522,637 4,710 75,600 5,580 28,960 3,162,790 105,231,482 1,339,759 23,670 1,754,030 125,670,220 8,282,790 4,003,530 5,963,380

-11,918,225 4,678,186 31,460 457,170 3,332,120 61,672 -438,790 128,530 496,880 12,800 -15,956,816 546,240 -19,507,323.00 61,155 19,696,400 -2,163,832.50 -10,830 16,000,134 21,814,278 -73,354,270 11,000 434,830 511,924 20,716,429 23,443,286 -804,900 24,501,470 -653,400 23,960 -7,642,095 -323,144 114,724 -38,744,095.50 10,550 37,419,368 8,029,800 -278,840 4,580

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

0.73 63.8 14.22 0.78 6.5 22.5 1.39 1.4 945 7.87 12.4 13.74 4.2 0.234 999 6.4 69.5 5.56 0.6 5.28 15.7 0.57 4.89 0.041 1.18 3.03 2.61 179.6 970.5 0.78 1.37 449 280 0.25 0.375

0.73 64.2 14.24 0.82 6.6 22.8 1.41 1.43 945 7.88 12.4 14 4.2 0.234 1,015 6.49 69.75 5.56 0.61 5.3 15.7 0.57 4.89 0.041 1.18 3.03 2.77 179.6 980 0.78 1.39 450 284.8 0.25 0.38

0.7 62.5 13.94 0.78 6.5 21.25 1.39 1.4 931 7.82 12.06 13.72 4.2 0.233 953.5 6.26 67.05 5.56 0.57 5.16 15.4 0.56 4.85 0.04 1.18 2.93 2.61 172 960 0.78 1.36 449 279 0.243 0.34

HOLDING FIRMS 0.7 7,408,000 63 994,720 13.98 11,483,700 0.81 60,000 6.6 31,500 21.9 70,000 1.41 2,170,000 1.42 1,235,000 941.5 182,310 7.85 2,666,900 12.1 4,799,500 13.8 613,600 4.2 100,000 0.233 560,000 955 106,680 6.26 82,600 68 3,427,070 5.56 100 0.6 750,000 5.2 1,461,400 15.4 1,072,700 0.57 378,000 4.87 4,801,000 0.041 35,700,000 1.18 65,000 2.97 2,573,000 2.77 4,000 172 628,630 966 231,270 0.78 29,000 1.39 53,000 449 130 284 5,220 0.245 4,180,000 0.34 35,110,000

5,250,630 62,731,084 161,076,182 47,780 205,946 1,499,710 3,040,450 1,753,230 170,964,205 20,938,437 58,151,862 8,509,308 420,000 130,530 102,654,740 526,119 234,294,101 556 434,630 7,653,352 16,764,506 212,070 23,343,820 1,444,200 76,700 7,641,110 10,760 109,514,360 223,806,840 22,620 72,430 58,450 1,483,716 1,029,490 12,646,200

-55,150 -33,044,355 -23,693,200 102,050 2,130 915,020 -15,393,445 -827,272 -32,529,646 -174,340 -54,906,245 49,523,633.50 -809,061 -10,839,964 -4,807,320 11,400 -8,240,855 -138,155,640 5,600 313,400

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

11.82 0.81 10.48 1.94 0.9 44.65 2.61 4.31 6.6 0.5 0.9 0.91 0.255 0.45 10.1 22.4 0.53 0.133 1.53 1.27 5.3 0.425 0.46 2.21 0.47 2.85

12.2 0.81 10.48 1.95 0.9 44.9 2.61 4.34 6.7 0.52 0.9 0.91 0.265 0.45 10.14 22.5 0.54 0.133 1.54 1.28 5.31 0.43 0.46 2.21 0.475 2.88

11.82 0.8 10.48 1.94 0.86 44.15 2.54 4.28 6.6 0.5 0.89 0.9 0.249 0.43 10.04 21.4 0.52 0.131 1.52 1.24 5.15 0.425 0.455 2.1 0.47 2.81

44,665,726 1,188,100 20,960 36,890 2,139,380 392,804,045 2,298,590 1,338,280 250,393 4,327,400 9,820 113,330 16,041,700 179,300 4,831,372 16,604,455 1,202,980 200,580 4,638,250 3,760,500 122,987,023 2,338,950 82,700 10,094,300 56,600 708,600

-3,812,554 16,000 -187,500 47,840,955 509,660.00 60,570 195,327 -30,100 -3,319,800 609,335 -1,010,800 -1,624,290 -1,435,470 -17,000 -7,900 -370,100

NAME

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

44.9 23.5 2 3.12 39 1.45 6.47 0.8 7.47

45 23.55 2.02 3.14 39.3 1.5 7.58 0.8 7.5

44.9 23.1 1.98 3.12 38.45 1.45 6.43 0.8 7.36

45 23.45 2.02 3.14 38.65 1.49 6.89 0.8 7.5

1,400 6,517,500 34,000 8,000 6,346,400 2,864,000 5,961,100 8,000 26,032,100

62,990 152,538,625 67,910 25,020 245,316,725 4,239,240 42,614,745 6,400 194,618,519

-9,669,525 -11,930 -12,480 -66,805,585 -144,340 297,082 -85,560,183

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

12.74 22.35 1.32 0.44 0.048 14.24 2.9 12.24 0.068 87.7 7.9 6.1 7.24 2.15 14.98 891 1,900 5.73 359.8 2.85 119.6 11.16 7.15 0.131 5.88 3.08 15.76 3.37 0.92 19.22 0.65 3.04 2.04 16 3.06 9.28 11.44 3.21 5.04 133 3.16 1,098 1.02 1.34 49.5 86.5 8.6 2.28 0.72 0.445 5.56 0.69 14.5

12.74 22.75 1.32 0.44 0.049 15.76 3 12.34 0.069 87.7 7.9 6.12 7.24 2.15 15.22 891 1,911 5.73 540 2.87 119.9 11.18 7.15 0.131 5.94 3.25 15.76 3.38 0.92 19.34 0.65 3.04 2.05 16 3.06 9.28 11.44 3.23 5.04 133 3.2 1,098 1.03 1.35 49.5 87.7 8.6 2.3 0.74 0.455 5.61 0.69 14.86

12.24 22.2 1.28 0.44 0.047 14.24 2.85 12.08 0.066 84.85 7.9 6.07 7.24 2.15 14.88 890 1,885 5.7 359.8 2.83 118.9 11.14 7.14 0.129 5.81 3.03 15.76 3.31 0.91 18.82 0.58 2.98 2.03 16 3.01 9.24 11 3.21 4.99 133 3.05 1,030 1 1.24 47.05 86 8.6 2.26 0.72 0.445 5.55 0.67 14.3

SERVICES 12.24 22.2 1.28 0.44 0.049 14.62 3 12.34 0.067 87.1 7.9 6.1 7.24 2.15 15 890 1,896 5.73 400 2.86 119.3 11.16 7.14 0.129 5.91 3.23 15.76 3.32 0.91 18.9 0.59 2.99 2.03 16 3.01 9.28 11 3.23 5 133 3.1 1,050 1 1.28 48.05 86.9 8.6 2.28 0.73 0.445 5.6 0.68 14.3

95,200 74,000 54,000 820,000 15,800,000 723,100 596,000 5,546,900 52,520,000 80,040 1,600 550,100 14,000 1,000 90,700 250 37,005 68,400 98,040 675,000 4,492,040 6,400 5,000 1,480,000 2,193,400 65,000 700 186,000 207,000 1,221,600 7,144,000 1,893,000 146,000 500 1,317,000 11,300 81,300 31,000 386,300 60 597,000 181,775 9,263,000 73,933,000 1,183,400 353,670 51,500 3,106,000 1,821,000 8,370,000 567,300 3,346,000 4,037,500

1,181,690 1,653,540 71,120 360,800 747,900 10,405,912 1,742,070 67,714,390 3,533,610 6,852,674.50 12,640 3,347,454 101,360 2,150 1,356,498 222,520 70,226,120 391,240 39,946,384 1,919,970 535,717,088 71,492 35,725 192,790 12,862,397 198,850 11,032 618,120 189,430 23,170,258 4,319,080 5,677,360 296,980 8,000 3,976,460 104,682 899,126 99,890 1,938,431 7,980 1,864,470 191,367,865 9,350,710 94,735,090 56,823,550 30,737,728 442,900 7,080,600 1,319,540 3,745,400 3,175,404 2,269,740 58,696,130

4,980 -98,210 -97,630 -15,494,690 -264,365.50 -12,640 18,300 7,500 8,900 -72,085 253,270 150,712,980 3,320 -530,274 108,410 3,090 22,000 7,980 -28,080 -45,305,780 49,930 1,432,770 -9,632,325 570,704 3,455,040.00 77,290 -180,000 -1,589,376 -496,400 7,835,154

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

0.0021 1.52 2.96 13.78 1.35 2.2 0.3 8 1.52 0.265 0.128 0.133 0.009 0.0092 1.11 2.89 1.09 0.65 0.98 0.013 0.013 0.013 3.2 4.17 15.06 23 0.0083

0.0021 1.57 2.98 13.78 1.41 2.23 0.31 8 1.53 0.27 0.128 0.133 0.0097 0.0093 1.12 2.92 1.09 0.68 1 0.013 0.013 0.013 3.2 4.2 15.24 23.1 0.0089

0.0021 1.52 2.96 13.78 1.35 2.19 0.3 7.79 1.5 0.245 0.128 0.133 0.009 0.0092 1.06 2.84 1.05 0.62 0.96 0.012 0.012 0.011 3.2 4.13 14.8 22.8 0.0079

MINING & OIL 0.0021 176,000,000 1.56 1,237,000 2.96 34,000 13.78 100 1.41 116,000 2.2 395,000 0.3 490,000 7.79 200 1.52 668,000 0.245 3,500,000 0.128 130,000 0.133 100,000 0.0097 201,000,000 0.0093 2,000,000 1.09 207,000 2.87 3,915,000 1.09 143,000 0.64 631,000 0.97 1,445,000 0.013 33,000,000 0.012 6,900,000 0.012 642,200,000 3.2 4,000 4.16 367,000 15.1 1,186,100 22.85 2,700,300 0.0081 201,000,000

369,600 1,916,120 100,760 1,378 157,560 867,750 148,300 1,579 1,009,400 877,850 16,640 13,300 1,879,700 18,500 226,140 11,236,620 150,270 398,400 1,407,110 428,700 82,900 7,724,700 12,800 1,523,060 17,824,590 61,594,970 1,694,300

507,170 -5,930 188,940 37,750 9,300 2,806,500 105,000 -9,800 46,000 -286,510 -1,758,962 -946,305 -

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

20.7 470 490 96.15 104 450.2 484 5.72 900 96 0.99 1,000 100 980 75.45 76.4 74.4 74.5 72.75

20.7 480 490 97 104 450.2 484 5.83 900 96 1 1,000 100 980 75.45 76.5 74.5 74.5 72.8

20.7 470 490 96.15 104 450 480.4 5.71 900 96 0.99 1,000 100 980 75.05 76.4 74.4 74.5 72.75

PREFERRED 20.7 100 480 2,100 490 690 97 590 104 10 450 40 480.4 140 5.82 25,000 900 50 96 700 1 29,000 1,000 90 100 520 980 50 75.45 630 76.5 5,100 74.5 30,000 74.5 20,440 72.8 15,330

2,070 1,005,296 338,100 56,813.50 1,040 18,004 67,358 143,972 45,000 67,200 28,990 90,000 52,000 49,000 47,348.50 390,130 2,234,000 1,522,780 1,116,019

81,137 -

LR WARRANT

1.93

1.95

1.9

WARRANTS 1.91 266,000

507,260

PROPERTY 12.2 0.8 10.48 1.95 0.86 44.65 2.55 4.34 6.7 0.5 0.9 0.9 0.249 0.445 10.04 21.5 0.52 0.131 1.53 1.27 5.15 0.43 0.46 2.12 0.475 2.88

3,724,600 1,482,000 2,000 19,000 2,446,000 8,828,100 901,000 310,000 37,500 8,534,000 11,000 125,000 62,150,000 400,000 479,700 764,200 2,304,000 1,520,000 3,040,000 2,967,000 23,802,600 5,480,000 180,000 4,740,000 120,000 249,000

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.84 1.42

4.88 1.49

4.78 1.42

FIRST METRO ETF

118.4

116.8

USD TECH B2

TRADING SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

13,207,340

INDUSTRIAL

136,380,147

HOLDING FIRMS

125,107,104

PROPERTY

184,516,667

SERVICES

211,160,813

MINING & OIL

1,279,984,369

GRAND TOTAL

1,960,936,309

4.8 1.44

SME

323,000 10,238,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117 15,010 1

DDS

400

1,552,660 14,830,580

-120,000 -855,630

1,759,006

400

VALUE 1,761.63 (up) 14.59 1,276,309,527.32 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,577.53 (down) 145.12 1,754,337,166.03 HOLDING FIRMS 7,917.54 (down) 151.83 1,416,390,748.39 PROPERTY 4,018.40 (down) 51.07 SERVICES 1,562.87 (down) 21.33 1,366,333,161.72 MINING & OIL 8,686.65 (up) 6.50 1,486,880,676.21 PSEI 7,889.12 (down) 99.04 111,715,028.68 All Shares Index 4,849.36 (down) 46.75 7,430,120,937.07 Gainers: 69; Losers: 123; Unchanged: 63; Total: 255

Phoenix posts record income of P2.77b on higher volume By Alena Mae S. Flores PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines Inc. registered a record net income of P2.77 billion in 2018, up 82 percent from the previous year’s, driven by increased volume from new businesses and sustained strength in the core business. “Despite industry headwinds in fourth quarter, we worked together to deliver a strong close to 2018. We are positioning ourselves for more success in 2019 and beyond, with a focus on growth, execution, and delivering for our customers and shareholders,” said Phoenix Petroleum chief operating officer Henry Albert Fadullon in a statement. Revenues jumped 99 percent to P88.61 billion in 2018 as volume of petroleum products sold rose 49 percent to an all-time high of 2.75 billion liters from P44.54 billion in 2017. “The company showed stellar growth in 2018 despite a confluence of industry challenges in the fourth quarter arising from the sharp decline in benchmark crude,” Phoenix said. “The company saw accelerating growth in its domestic business driven by fuels and LPG, which delivered a 15 percent volume increase,” it said. Retail volume grew 5 percent from the previous year as a testament to stronger awareness and patronage of the brand. Phoenix opened 600 stations as of end 2018. Commercial volume increased 13 percent and continued to strengthen its position in fast-growth industries such as marine, road transport and construction. Phoenix said the liquefied petroleum gas or cooking gas business gained tremendous headway in 2018. Total LPG volume surged 23 percent on the back of the expansion in Luzon and consistent strength of the VisayasMindanao business. Luzon accounted for 10 percent of total LPG volume from 4 percent VisMin meanwhile, and outpaced the industry growth. “Further driving the company to new records was the trading operations at PNX Petroleum Singapore, which contributed 758 million liters of volume sold to third parties,” Phoenix said.

Stockholders okay planned merger of RCBC, thrift bank By Julito G. Rada MAJORITY of the stockholders of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., the 10th largest lender in terms of assets, approved the plan of merging with thrift bank unit RCBC Savings Bank. The board of directors of RCBC on Nov. 26, 2018 approved the planned merger and set a special stockholders’ meeting on Feb. 26, 2019 to submit the proposed unification for their approval. “The merger/plan of merger was approved by at least 2/3 of the stockholders on Feb. 26, 2019. With the approval, regulatory approvals will be sought,” the bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday. RCBC said the proposed transaction would facilitate for the RCBC Group a number of objectives, including more efficient capital deployment, more efficient compliance with the Basel 3 liquidity ratios, optimal coordination between the branch banking networks of RCBC and RCBC Savings, medium-term improvement in the funding economics, and operational cost efficiencies. RCBC Savings Bank is 100-percent owned by RCBC. It has a paid-up capital of P3.19 billion and 30,872,163 common shares. Parent bank RCBC remains one of the biggest lenders in terms of assets. RCBC in 2018 posted a net income of P4.3 billion, unchanged from the previous year. RCBC sustained its core business growth with net interest income increasing by 14 percent to P20.5 billion in 2018, accounting for 77 percent of the total gross income. Excluding non-recurring income (trading gains), core income rose 26 percent from a stronger core business led by a double-digit growth in net interest income by 14 percent and fee-based profit by 7 percent. The bank’s combined net interest and fee-based income now comprise 91 percent of the gross income.

World

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Michael Cohen, ex-Trump fixer, will call him a racist, conman W ASHINGTON―Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer and ﬁxer Michael Cohen will tell Congress Wednesday that the president is a “racist” and “conman” and knew in advance that WikiLeaks would publish dirt on Hillary Clinton, US media reported.

SECOND US-NORTH KOREA SUMMIT. Vietnamese children wave flags of Vietnam and the US before the arrival of US

President Donald Trump at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on February 27, 2019, ahead of the second US-North Korea summit. AFP

House strikes down Trump’s border emergency WASHINGTON―The US House of Representatives dealt a blow to President Donald Trump on Tuesday, approving a resolution blocking him from obtaining funding for a Mexican border wall through his declaration of a national emergency. Dismissing a veto threat by the president, the Democratic-controlled House struck down Trump’s emergency declaration by a comfortable margin of 245182, sending the measure to the Republican-held Senate. Thirteen Republicans joined Democrats in voting to “terminate” Trump’s emergency declaration, which the Republican president issued on February 15 after failing to secure billions of dollars from Congress for the wall. The emergency declaration would allow Trump to ﬁnd funding for the Mexican border wall—his signature campaign promise—from other sources, notably the Pentagon budget for military construction projects. The president has threatened to veto the resolution if it passes both the 435-member House and the 100-seat Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 edge and its prospects are uncertain. Democrats have denounced the emergency declaration as a power grab by

IN BRIEF North Korea media herald Kim’s arrival

SEOUL―North Korea’s state media on Wednesday showcased Kim Jong Un’s arrival in Hanoi ahead of his second summit with US President Donald Trump, praising the host country’s economic development as Kim seeks sanctions relief. Images of Kim are carefully controlled and managed in the isolated North, and swift and detailed coverage of his trips unusual. But more recently―for his most recent journeys to China and the Singapore summit in June―reports have been more timely, even featuring fulsome praise for the staunchly capitalist city-state after Kim went on a walkabout ahead of his first meeting with Trump. The state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper splashed 13 pictures across its front page and five more on page two as it reported Kim’s arrival in Vietnam and his visit to the North Korean embassy in Hanoi. “A jovial atmosphere filled the train station with numerous onlookers including teenage students, cute children and women in traditional dress,” it said after his olive green armoured train trundled into a border station. The Rodong said Kim had received a “detailed report” on preparations for the summit, a photo showing him cigarette in hand, talking to officials including Kim Hyok Chol, Pyongyang’s special representative for the US, and Choe Son Hui, vice minister of foreign affairs, who jotted down his words. And with Trump touting Vietnam as a model for the isolated, impoverished North, the paper also lauded the southeast Asian nation’s economic development. “Today, Vietnam’s ruling party and the government are ... striving for economic reform along with strengthening the socialist regime,” it said. AFP

the president and a violation of the Constitution because it usurps the power of Congress to decide government spending. At least two Senate Republicans— Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina—have said they would back the resolution overturning Trump’s emergency declaration. Four Republicans would need to break ranks for the measure to pass the Senate but neither chamber is likely to be able to muster the two-thirds majority needed to override an expected presidential veto. Should the measure clear both the House and the Senate and reach his desk, Trump would be faced with a stinging rebuke and cornered into issuing the ﬁrst veto of his presidency. Trump’s national emergency declaration gives him access to billions of dollars to construct the border wall beyond the nearly $1.4 billion allocated by Congress. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday that Trump’s emergency order was an unconstitutional attempt to expand executive authority and strip lawmakers of the power to control how federal funds are spent.

“The president’s power grab usurps that responsibility and fundamentally violates the balance of power envisioned by our founders,” Pelosi said. As several Republican senators expressed reservations about Trump’s emergency declaration, the president sought to head them off. “I hope our great Republican Senators don’t get led down the path of weak and ineffective Border Security,” Trump tweeted on Monday before heading for Vietnam for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “Be strong and smart,” he said. “Don’t fall into the Democrats ‘trap’ of Open Borders and Crime!” Republican senators Collins and Tillis have openly broken ranks already and others appeared to be wavering. While Trump is “rightfully frustrated with Congress’s inaction” on border security, the president made a mistake declaring an emergency, said Tillis. “I have grave concerns when our institution looks the other way at the expense of weakening Congress’s power,” the Republican senator from North Carolina wrote in The Washington Post. “The emergency course is not one I favor,” Senator Mitt Romney of Utah said. AFP

In explosive public testimony to Congress on Wednesday, Cohen will state that Trump essentially instructed him to lie about a lucrative real estate project Trump had in the works in Russia even while running for president in 2016, according to a prepared statement by Cohen that was provided to The New York Times and other US news outlets. Cohen will testify before the House of Representatives Oversight Committee on the second of three keenly awaited days of testimony on Capitol Hill. Tuesday’s ﬁrst session at the Senate was held behind closed doors. Cohen, 52, worked closely with Trump for more than 12 years, becoming vice president of the Trump Organization, where he was the billionaire property magnate’s behind-the-scenes “ﬁxer.” Last year, Cohen pleaded guilty to illegally using campaign funds for hush money payments to two women who said they had affairs with Trump. Trump denies the liaisons. Cohen also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress in testimony in 2017 when he sought to cover up Trump’s pursuit of the Moscow real estate project during the presidential election campaign. Cohen will soon start serving three years in prison. In the testimony Wednesday, Cohen will tell Congress again that he kept working on the Trump Tower project in Moscow well into the campaign and did not stop in January 2016 as he had originally told lawmakers. Trump has insisted he had no dealings in Russia during the campaign. “In conversations we had during the

Dozens buried in mine collapse

NORTH SULAWESI―Indonesian rescuers scrambled Wednesday to find dozens buried in the collapse of an illegal gold mine that killed at least three people, the disaster agency said. The effort to save survivors at the remote site on Sulawesi island was hampered by steep terrain and unstable soil conditions after the collapse triggered a landslide Tuesday evening, it said. Three people have been found dead while 14 others were pulled from the rubble alive early on Wednesday, according to officials. “Dozens of people were mining for gold at this location when suddenly beams and supporting boards broke due to unstable soil conditions,” said disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. More than three dozen people may still be trapped at the site in the Bolaang Mongondow region of North Sulawesi, where some five miners were killed in December after an illegal gold mine accident. The mineral-rich Southeast Asian nation has scores of unlicensed mining sites and safety regulations are routinely flouted. Some of the still-buried victims were responding to rescuers’ calls but it was not clear how many were still alive. Ground conditions at the mine were unstable due to the large number of holes dug by the miners, officials said. “We still have hope. When we called them they still responded from down there, asking for help,” local disaster agency official Abdul Muin Paputungan said. “We can’t use heavy machinery because the location is very steep... it could endanger the victims,” Paputungan said. Rescuers were trying to get water to the buried miners but feared a wrong move could make the situation worse. AFP

Chaos turns to uncertainty at the border

PREMIERE.

Chloe Grace Moretz arrives at the premiere of Focus Features’ ‘Greta’ at the ArcLight Hollywood on February 26, 2019, in Hollywood, California. AFP

Cardinal Pell in custody after his conviction for child sex crimes MELBOURNE―Convicted Australian Cardinal George Pell will spend his ﬁrst night behind bars Wednesday following his historic conviction for child sex crimes, capping an extraordinary fall from grace for one of the most powerful men in the Catholic Church. Once among Pope Francis’ closest advisers and the most senior Catholic cleric ever found guilty of child sex crimes, Pell returned to court for a pre-sentencing hearing a day after his conviction was made public on Tuesday. The 77-year-old is facing up to 50 years’ jail after being convicted on ﬁve

counts of sexual and indecent assault of two choirboys in the sacristy of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in 1996-97, shortly after Pell became archbishop of Melbourne. Pell, who has lodged an appeal against the verdict, will be sentenced on March 13. His lawyers earlier Wednesday withdrew an application for bail following his conviction, saying the cleric “believes it is appropriate for him to await sentencing”. At Wednesday’s hearing, Chief Judge Peter Kidd blasted Pell’s behavior at Saint Patrick’s as “callous, brazen of-

fending”. “I think it did involve breach of trust... he exploited two vulnerable young boys. They were entrusted into the care of the church... and the person who stood at the top of that was your client,” he said. Arguing that Pell should receive a substantial punishment, Crown Prosecutor Mark Gibson said the cleric had “shown no remorse” nor “taken responsibility for his actions”. “There has been a breach of trust... Cardinal Pell was the driving force... and in charge of the cathedral, and these

campaign, at the same time I was actively negotiating in Russia for him, he would look me in the eye and tell me there’s no business in Russia and then go out and lie to the American people by saying the same thing,” Cohen plans to say. “In his way, he was telling me to lie.” Trump lied about the real estate deal because he did not expect to win the election and because he stood to make hundreds of millions of dollars from the project, according to Cohen’s statement. Cohen will state that he is sorry for what he calls his misplaced loyalty. “I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trump’s illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience. I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat,” Cohen will say, according to the statement. He will also state that Trump had advanced knowledge through longtime adviser Roger Stone that WikiLeaks planned to publish hacked emails from the Clinton campaign. Cohen will testify that Trump, when he learned this from Stone, said “Wouldn’t that be great?” Cohen will state that he does not have direct evidence that Trump or his campaign colluded with Russia to defeat Clinton but that he has suspicions. Trump has repeatedly denied any prior knowledge of a June 2016 meeting in Trump Tower in New York during which a representative of Russia’s government offering dirt on Clinton met with Donald Trump Jr and senior campaign ofﬁcials. AFP

choristers were cogs in the cathedral wheel,” Gibson said. But defense lawyers issued a statement following the hearing insisting that “despite the unprecedented media coverage, Cardinal Pell has always and continues to maintain his innocence. “Like any person he has the right to pursue his legal rights and will do so.” Pell’s barrister, Robert Richter, argued in court for a short prison sentence, saying that even if Pell had committed the crimes, they were no more than a “plain vanilla sexual penetration case where a child is not volunteering”. AFP

UREÑA, Venezuela―Bloody violence may have subsided for now at Venezuela’s blockaded border, but for local people, terror has turned to anxiety about how they will reach the schools and shops they depend on. In the Venezuelan border town of Urena, Kelly Pinto stared at the Santander Bridge leading to Colombia―now blocked by a white armored truck. Like many of her neighbors, she was wondering when it will reopen so she can reach the Colombian city of Cucuta. “My youngest is really worried. She says, ‘Mummy, I want to go to school; mummy, I have an exam,” said Pinto, mother of two girls aged eight and 10. “What am I supposed to do?” she said. “They won’t tell us whether they are going to open it or not.” Nearby, a small group of schoolgirls stood with a sign that read, “We want to go to school. Let us pass.” While her children go to a school across the border from their crisishit country, Kelly lives off trading in goods she buys on the far side of the bridge. Thousands like her rely on crossing to Cucuta to get the basic goods and services lacking in Venezuela. On the bridge, a white armored truck―known as a “bat” for the white metal wings that extend from its sides―sat blocking the way. The border has been shut since clashes broke out on this and other nearby border crossings over the weekend. Venezuelan security forces cracked down on opposition supporters trying to bring aid supplies across the bridge. National Guards ﬁred tear gas and rubber bullets. Demonstrators set ﬁre to a bus. Its charred remains were being towed out of the way on Tuesday, but other debris still lay around.AFP

Saub-Sarangani watershed rehab project rolls out

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

WITHIN EASY REACH. Makati Mayor Abby Binay (right) shares a light moment with a senior citizen and other residents of Barangay Singkamas at the conclusion of her dialog with them on Wednesday. Under Mayor Abby, senior citizens enjoy benefits and perks beyond what is provided for by national law.

NAC medical mission heals 597 in 3 areas NICKEL Asia Corp.’s 2019 MedicalSurgical Mission, held from Feb. 13 to 19, has completed a total of 597 surgical cases benefitting residents in and around the mining communities in Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Island, and Rio Tuba in Palawan. The surgical procedures were 229 major and 339 minor operations on cleft palate and lips, hernia, gall bladder stones, goiter, ovarian cyst, myoma, hemorrhoids, cysts, breast mass, and other lump removals. Dr. Bimbo T. Almonte, the Medical Director for the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining leg of the mission, shared that a bigger challenge was persuading members of the communities to come forward and not hesitate to accept NAC’s offer of free medicalsurgical procedures. “Some residents from far-flung barangays continue to dilly-dally in seeking medical help. They have various concerns ranging from financial and logistical issues. Our goal as a responsible member of these mining communities is to totally eliminate any unease the communities may have of these medical procedures,” explained Almonte. “The members of the communities that NAC serves acknowledge the impact of the mission. In the 20 years we have been doing this, 8 years in Surigao and Dinagat, many lives have been changed for the better,” said NAC President Martin Antonio G. Zamora. “After all, how often do you get the opportunity for a special surgical procedure free of any charges? We take care of the patients. We take care of our communities, that is our commitment,” Zamora added. One of those who benefited from this year’s Mission was 60-year-old Mila Peralta, a resident of Surigao City. Mila had a mass as big as a volleyball under her arm that she had been carrying for the past 30 years.

SWS: Incumbents top survey in Pasay

By Joel E. Zurbano

NCUMBENT officials in Pasay City dominated the latest Social Weather Stations survey for the city’s elections this May.

The survey, conducted from Jan. 25 to 28 with 600 validated voters as respondents, showed Pasay City Rep. Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano as the leading mayoralty choice with an 81 percent voter preference. Second was Chet Cuneta, son of the longtime Pasay mayor, with 14 percent, and former prosecutor Edward Togonon with 3 percent. Calixto-Rubiano is on her third consecutive term as Pasay’s lawmaker in the House of Representatives. Leading the race for Pasay’s lone congressional seat is incumbent Mayor An-

tonino Calixto, chosen by 86 percent of the respondents. Second was Efren Alas at 6 percent, and former city prosecutor Elmer Mitra was third with 3 percent. Vice Mayor Noel del Rosario also topped the survey for the same position, receiving 66 percent voter preference over former city councilor Richard Advincula, who received 26 percent. Some factors that affected the results of the survey, according to SWS, is the unfamiliarity of the respondents with some of the candidates, and the public perception that those running for Con-

gress and Mayor are not legitimate residents of the city. Adding to the confidence of the respondents to the leadership of the incumbent officials are the economic programs of the city and the expanded social services of the local government to its constituents. The survey had 600 validated voters as respondents with 300 from each of Pasay’s districts. It bears a 95 percent confidence level with a margin of error of plus-minus 4 percent for the entire City and plus-minus 6 percent for each of the two electoral districts. The SWS conducted the “Survey on Voter Preferences and Voting Attitudes in Pasay City” utilizing face-to-face interviews with 600 validated voters using a structured questionnaire with visuals.

CEZA SATELLITE. The

Cagayan Economic Zone Authority opened Tuesday its satellite office located at the Tarigsur Regional Government Center in Tuguegarao City to make CEZA ‘more accessible to potential investors and locators,’ according to CEZA Administrator and CEO, Sec. Raul L. Lambino. Photo shows Lambino (second from right) leading in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, joined (from left) by CEZA Board directors Arturo Bautista and Jaime Escano, Acting Senior Deputy Administrator Raymundo T. Roquero, Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano, and former Mayor Rodrigo de Asis of Solana, Cagayan. Joseph Muego

4th QC Animation and IT Fair takes long look at MR, VR, AI technology

QUEZON City, the country’s Smart City, recently ended its 4th Animation and Information Technology Fair themed “Quezon City towards Future Technology” at the QCX Museum inside the Quezon Memorial Circle. Organized by the QC Information and Technology Development Office, QCAIT 2019 ran from February 26 to

28 and presented animation and information technology trends to the city’s junior and senior high school students and other attendees. The three-day fair offered mixed reality and vertical reality experiences, gallery displays, as well as demonstrations by industry partners. The fair also held digital drawing anima-

tion, 3D modelling and experimental animation competitions, as well as lectures and seminars on Microsoft education program, online security, digital photography, augmented reality and virtual reality in motion design, and Microsoft mixed reality. The QCITDO announced during the fair that it is studying the use of artificial intelligence technology to improve the

Sacked Limay workers seek CSC relief By Butch Gunio LIMAY, Bataan―Permanent employees of the Limay municipal government whose services were terminated by Mayor Ver Roque are seeking relief from the Civil Service Commission. According to Lauro Galicia, municipal agricultural center chief and one of the 124 terminated workers, they received a letter signed by the mayor dated Jan. 23 this year, relieving them from work effective Feb. 22, saying their positions were already abolished due to reorganization. Some of the dismissed workers petitioned with the CSC Region 3 office,

questioning the legality and correctness of the order pertaining to civil service rules and regulations. However, Roque or any representative of his did not appear in the scheduled hearing on Tuesday at the CSC regional office in San Fernando City, Pampanga. CSC Regional Director Nelson Sarmiento advised affected Limay employees to continue reporting for work. He said the notice of termination issued by the mayor will be held pending until finality of the investigation. Galicia said they are hopeful the CSC decision will be in their favor as soon as possible.

services of the city government “For example, I need a business permit. A program would tell me what I need to do to get the permit easily,” QCITDO head Reynaldo Paul Magbanua Imjada explained. The QC Schools Division Office commended the administration of Mayor Herbert Bautista in organizing the fair in the past four years.

THE provincial government of Sarangani recently rolled out a multimillion peso rehabilitation project of the 7.9-hectare Saub watershed ecosystem in Maitum town. Dubbed as Watershed Ecosystem Rehabilitation and Flood Risk Reduction for Increased Resilience, the project would cost P103 million, with counterpart fund sharing of about P93.5 million from the People’s Survival Fund and the P9.33 million from Sarangani. The watershed covers nine barangays with a total of 1,747 households living along the 100-meter riparian zone, which are placed at high risk exposure to flooding and other climate hazards. According to Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, the memorandum of agreement sets the terms and conditions for the release of the P93.5million grant from the PSF, the national government’s flagship finance climate program. The project, which took three years before the PSF board approved it in July 2018, would improve the resilience of the Saub watershed ecosystem to flood and associated risks caused by climate change variability. Since 2010, extreme flooding in Maitum has caused destruction to agricultural and structural properties, and loss of lives. The PSF was created by Republic Act No. 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009, and aims to help vulnerable communities prepare for the adverse climatic events. It is a special fund in the National Treasury for the financing of adaptation programs and projects based on the National Strategic Framework on Climate Change, with at least P1 billion annual supplementary allocations to relevant climate-related program funding of the local government units. Solon expressed excitement over the project, which will be Sarangani’s biggest environmental plan so far, to be implemented in early 2019.

New Muntinlupa museum to open on city’s Year 24 A NEW museum is popping up in Metro Manila. Located by the shore of Laguna de Bai in Muntinlupa, Museo ng Muntinlupa is the first city museum of its kind infusing history, interactivity and communal spaces. A whopping 3,000 square meters, the museum is complete with interactive galleries for kids and kids-at-heart; a research center and meeting spaces; and a state-of-the-art 200-seater theater. Presenting the history and culture of Muntinlupa from the pre-colonial era to the present, it not only showcases heritage but provides areas for contemporary artists and temporary exhibitions. “This project was envisioned years ago and now we are able to create this much needed venue for discovery and creativity,” Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said. “We want our community to be proud of our history including the trials and tribulations. Muntinlupa is home to very talented artists and this serves as a platform for them. Our museum, your museum, is an inspirational venue where everyone can learn and enjoy, we call it ‘edutainment,’” Fresnedi added. The Museo ng Muntinlupa was envisioned by the Local Government of Muntinlupa and will have a soft launching on March 1, the city’s 24th Founding Anniversary. A series of activities has been lined up for the opening of the museum. On Friday, Mayor Fresnedi will also deliver his State of the City Address, bannering multi-sectoral developments in the city for the recent years. One of the fastest growing cities in the country today, the City of Muntinlupa has risen from a small fishing village and agricultural land to a commercial business district and center of industry and trade.

LP WATER RECLAMATION.

April Aguilar (fifth from left) represents Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Las Piñas Water Reclamation Facility along Alabang Zapote Road in Barangay Pamplona Uno. The facility is the newest project of Maynilad; once completed, it will be its largest sewage treatment plant in terms of capacity, treating about 88 million liters of wastewater per day. Also in photo are Ramoncito Fernandez, President and CEO of Maynilad (sixth from left), along with City engineer Rose Bantog, CENRO OIC engineer Cezar Perillo, and City Councilors Mark Anthony Santos and Henry Medina.

32nd Anniversary THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019 advertise@manilastandard.net

Corporate Philanthropy CSR CHAMPIONS OF TODAY

Shifts in manufacturing practices big boost to environment By Peter Paul Duran

HERE’S always a cost that comes with progress.

Industries, especially those heavily involved in manufacturing, contribute to environmental pollution and social cost the most. That’s why through the years, companies have been rallying for environmental sustainability through activities that promote growth without compromising the environment. From shifts in manufacturing practices, handling wastes properly, to promoting green energy, corporations have realized the importance of taking care of the environment from which they gather most, if not all of their valuable natural resources essential in their business. With the constant industrialization that comes with progress, there’s no denying that environmental sustainability is particularly challenging, but an absolute necessity to address especially in these changing times. Hence, corporate social responsibility (CSR) functions as a way to reduce the effects of corporate activities, to increase long-term performance and stakeholder trust. This is particularly true for manufacturing companies whose activities require the involvement of a wider community, whether as Manila of raw materials, labor, and target a provider Standard markets. TODAY Moreover, manufacturing activities are active contributors to air and water pollution as

well as environmental damage and disruption. At this point, green innovations implemented and initiated by companies are seen to not only enhance the value of their products but also reduce environmental costs, ultimately leading to better ethical company performance and a homogenous relationship with the ecosystem. This goes without saying that indeed, CSR needs to be directed to ethical issues of the environment as to reduce the negative impacts of a company’s activities, improve profitability, financial gain, and competitiveness, and, at the same time, benefit the society. Danish toymaker Lego, coming in first in 2017 and third in 2018 as the World’s Most Reputable Company for Corporate Responsibility, leads the way when it comes to product transparency according to CR RepTrak. Lego may have long been known for creating the colorful building blocks of children’s play, but more recently, the Lego name has become synonymous with environmental sustainability. In fact, back in March of last year, Lego announced plans to produce pieces made from plant-based sources, and in July of 2018 they followed through, with the release of the first batch of sustainably sourced, sugarcanebased Lego bushes, leaves and trees. Lego is “commited to making a positive impact on the world.” The lego group has taken many steps towards their corporate It’s safe to say that this is just one of the responsibility ambitions. Above is their significant achievements. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK many steps Lego is taking toward its goal of using sustainable materials in all core products and packaging by 2030, a venerable example by which companies involved in manufacturing can imbibe.

Young, talented Filipinos shine in global stage

JM as Concert Master Jose Marie ‘JM’ Eserjose, 18-year-old student from Taguig, is a concertmaster. He started playing the violin at age 12 through a local government program at the public school he was attending. He became a concert master at age 16. As concertmaster, he leads a full-fledged orchestra - taking charge of tuning, bowing, formation and over-all coordination between the conductor and an 80-member orchestra. He led the orchestra in successful recent performances abroad including Malaysia and Qatar. JM’s musical career started in 7th Grade, when a set of violins were donated to his school. He had long taken an intense interest in music but had no access to musical instruments before then; thus, he jumped at the chance to learning how to play his school’s new violins. After more than a year, JM joined Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY), an after-school program for marginalized but musically talented children and youth. The Orchestra of the Filipino Youth is the premiere orchestra of Ang Misyon, a non-profit organization that has assisted over 900 scholars since its founding six years ago. The orchestra is under the baton of internationally acclaimed Maestro Joshua Dos Santos from Venezuela. His ascent to success was fast. From serving as a member of the OFY’s Junior Orchestra, he was invited to join the Main Orchestra after just one year, together with three other friends, in time for major performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. JM was the newest member among the four newly minted musicians. A year after, an audition was called for full membership in the Main Orchestra. JM tried this out – he not only passed, but ended up being chosen as concertmaster, no less. The path JM took was not easy. There were various challenges along the way including a lack of financial and parental support. JM’s mother (a housewife) and father (who drives a tricycle to support the family) were reluctant to support his plans. “At first, ayaw po ng parents ko na i-continue ko ang interest ko sa violin kasi hindi daw po career yun. Pero para po sa akin, a successful career is nothing if there is no fulfillment from within.” ‘Mahirap po nung una kasi wala pong nagturo sa akin. Sariling sikap lang po ako. Nag research lang po ako sa ‘You Tube’ channel para matuto ng basic lessons ng violin. There were times that I wanted to give up as my training was going nowhere. But I pushed myself to pursue as my heart is really into music. Something inside was telling me not to give up. With patience and hard work, I eventually learned the basics within six months of ‘You Tube’ lessons. “I had to work hard to buy the instrument. When I graduated in high school and was awarded with honors, I asked my parents to buy me a violin as a graduation gift. When I had to upgrade my instrument years after, I joined a talent competition. I won the second place and I used the cash prize to buy a new violin.” JM, who is enrolled in St. Scholastica’s College Manila pursuing a degree of B. S. in Music as full scholar, dreams of taking a master’s degree in Europe or the US and become a professional orchestra musician. JM is grateful for the gift of music that was given to him. “With music, I am able to travel to different places. I am given various experiences -- exposures, training, as well as financial gratification. But most of all, music helps me reflect. It made me realize that if you are passionate in doing something, go for it as it will lead you to do many things you deem impossible.”

Meanwhile, Victor Maguad, 25, is one of four principal ballet dancers of Ballet Philippines, the country’s leading professional, classical and contemporary dance company. He plays lead roles in Ballet Philippines performances, including the lead roles of Peter Pan, Giselle, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Snow White, Romeo and Juliet and others. Victor, who has won awards in various dance competitions, started ballet at age seven, influenced by his sister who was a student at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Dance School. Years later, Victor became an apprentice in Ballet Philippines (BP), and through discipline and hard work, climbed up the ladder in less than five years. In 2013, he became a regular member of BP. A year after, he became a soloist. Later, a principal ballet dancer. When asked what inspires Victor to do his best, his answer is simple -- his family. “I want to give them a comfortable life. We started with nothing. I did not see myself as a successful dancer but I am here where I am now because I want to help my parents. My family is so precious to me. I will give up anything just to help them.” Victor is the youngest of four siblings. He is now the breadwinner of the family. He had to stop schooling and continue working as a ballet dancer to send his siblings to school. Another inspiration for Victor is the fulfillment he gets after every show. “I want to deliver the story as it is. I portray the role, feel it and deliver it as honestly as I can to the audience.” Victor, who has represented the country in international competitions and performances in Japan, China and the US, believes that ballet is more than the dance techniques. ‘I believe that for a performance to become a success, it should be done with a heart, a character that only Filipino dancers have.” The PAL Foundation of Philippine Airlines, through its flagship CSR program #RPRSNTPinoy, is a proud supporter of outstanding Filipino youths like JM and Victor. Like the national carrier, these exceptionally talented performers and musicians carry the flag for their country, representing the best of the Filipino people to the world. Victor Maguad as Prince Charming

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Corporate Philanthropy

32nd Anniversary

CSR CHAMPIONS OF TODAY

Taking the initiative in recycling By Kyle Gabrielle Ureta and Lorelee Antonette Yap THROUGH the years, human waste has been a serious problem in the environment. With tons of trash made and collected each day, it has been a challenge for us to manage its growing number and how it is properly thrown and segregated. Recycling is one of the key components of waste management, something the world needs to master to deal with the increasingly consumer-based economy that humans have adopted. To promote and serve as models of society, prominent corporations have taken great steps to start recycling initiatives and different projects in our country. One of the biggest projects out there is the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS), an alliance made up of a group of companies like Mondelez Philippines, Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Liwayway Marketing Corporation, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Unilever, Universal Robina Corporation, Nestlé Philip-

pines, Monde Nissin Corporation, and Procter & Gamble Philippines. Part of the alliance as well are big groups like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Philippine Plastics Industry Association. PARMS recently started a project to build a residual plastic recycling facility in Paranaque, in partnership with the local government. They’ve already begun to collect plastic waste from seven schools in the city. The said waste is turned into ecobricks or recycled building bricks, used in turn to improve the schools’ facilities. Dole Philippines launched a recycling initiative focused on encouraging the youth to reduce, reuse and recycle. The project, called “Sunshine Heroes”, aims to instill recycling habits in schoolchildren. This included making material recover facilities (MRFs) where students can bring their household recyclable waste to be sold to local junk shops or recyclers. The money generated by the MRFs go to the schools for their school programs. Dole launched this project with the Mother Earth Foundation and Gone Adventurin’. The Mother Earth Foundation is a local

environmental group with its own environmental programs, while Gone Adventurin’ is a Singapore-based advisory ﬁrm helping companies, government agencies and non-government organizations integrate sustainability practices into their core businesses. There is also the newly created Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), whose members consist of 30 major global companies. They aim to end plastic waste in the environment through the combined efforts of said companies as a non-proﬁt organization. Programs involving infrastructure, innovation, education and clean-up are already in the works, and other companies are urged to join the alliance in their efforts. Working together is an important part of saving the world and reducing plastic waste. Cooperation is a recurring theme in these alliances and joint projects. The road to a free plastic waste society may be a long shot. However, it’s still not too late to be a part of the change and advocacy to help not just our country, but also the entire planet. An example of “material recovery facilities” for segragation of trash in schools.

Protecting animals from abuse the threat of total extinction, plenty of animals face dangers in illegal poaching, breeding and various THE Philippines is home to thousands of different types of animal cruelty. From household pets to exotic animals, there’s no discrimination when it comes types of animals. There are a total of 612 species of birds, more than to animal abuse and cruelty. In light of this information, it’s a relief to know 200 species of mammals, 111 species of amphibians, 270 species of reptiles, about 330 species of freshwa- that there are organizations dedicating to helping ter ﬁsh and nearly 21,000 species of insects that can and protecting the country’s rich and diverse animal be found throughout the country. More than half of kingdom. Most prominent of them are the Philippine these species are native only to the Philippines, and Animal Welfare Association (PAWS) and the Animal that’s just the ones that have been discovered and re- Kingdom Foundation (AKF). PAWS is a non-proﬁt organization dedicated to the corded. Plenty of these animals are on the list of threat- protection and the promotion of humane treatment of ened or endangered species, with some insect spe- all animals. They’re one of the various organizations cies already most certainly extinct. Even without that pushed for the Animal Welfare Act (RA 8485) as

By Kyle Gabrielle Ureta

well as the amendments added later on. The main goal of the organization is to help people understand why all animals deserve our respect and protection – beginning with our beloved companion animals. The volunteer-based organization also runs the PARC or PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center that houses dogs and cats rescued from cruelty or neglect. They rehabilitate the animals in hopes of finding them new homes and give them a chance at better lives. The shelter also doubles as a low-cost spay-neuter clinic and an animal-welfare information center. The shelter was established in 2001, but even before that, PAWS have done work in humane education, campaigns and low-cost neutering. PAWS also actively campaigns against dogfights, horse fights and against wild animals being used for entertainment. PAWS also has plenty of out-of-shelter programs, like the Doctor Dog Program and humane education sessions. PAWS’ Humane Education Team has reached hundreds of school children of all ages, and has modules for pre-school, elementary school and high school as well as lectures for students in university levels. Their aim is to help educate children on animals and the issue of animal cruelty. The Doctor Dog Program, on the other hand, is an animal-assisted therapy program conducted by PAWS for the Animal Asia Foundation, a Hong Kong-based charity that seeks to end cruelty to animals in Asia. Volunteer humans and their dogs have done over a hundred visits to hospitals, schools and institutions in the country since 1998. By showing that dogs have done and continue helping humanity, the Doctor Dog Program aims to fight such cruelties like the illegal dog meat trade and dogfights. The Animal Kingdom Foundation, a non-profit animal welfare NGO, on the other hand, has a more active approach to combating animal cruelty and eliminating the practice of illegal slaughtering of dogs. Together with the Philippine National Police, the AKF perform raids on illegal slaughterhouses and establishments that are involved in dog trading and dog meat selling. They also rescue slaughter-bound dogs via interceptions of deliveries. The AKF have done its best to catch dog-traders and file cases against them, as well as rehabilitate the dogs they’ve rescued and find them a good and loving home. The founder of the AKF himself, the late Charles Leslie Wartenberg, had adopted an “askal” (street dog) rescued in one of their operations, the dog now known as Sweet. Sweet has since passed on in 2018. Organizations such as PAWS and AKF are a vital part of the rescue, protection and conservation of animals in the country, with thousands of volunteers working together to create a more humane society.

Corporate Philanthropy

32nd Anniversary

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CSR CHAMPIONS OF TODAY

Preserving Philippine marine life By Rhosedel Grace Gabac THE melting of the polar ice caps, frequent and stronger typhoons, the thinning of the ozone layer--these are just some of the telltale signs of Global warming. It is no longer a myth or a conspiracy theory, that’s why more and more individuals are doing their fair share in helping stem the tide. Speaking of tides, here are some organizations dedicated to save Nemo, Dory, and other sea critters. Save the Philippine Seas. A report on a US-based company that allegedly imported shells, corals, and other endangered marine wildlife from the Indo-Paciﬁc region, which included the Philippines on April 9, 2011 sparked the independent movement now called the Save the Philippine Seas (SPS). Organized by concerned individuals, the group went public primarily online through the #reefwatchPH used in Twitter on May 26, 2011. According

to a speech given by SPS member Anna Oposa at the Senate investigation on coral plunder in 2011, the rape of the Philippines’ rich marine resources was not just a national concern, but rather an international one because of its global signiﬁcance. “We are here to help spark the political will to promote compliance. From a handful of individuals who worked together last month, our number has grown exponentially. We have created a movement called Save Philippine Seas, which is currently conducting a marine resource watch, actively lobbying and researching on the amendment of penalties, enforcement of law, and keeping citizenry aware through social media. We have received an overwhelming number of messages from Filipinos and non-Filipinos from here and abroad offering their help. The bayanihan spirit is very much alive,” said Oposa. In December of last year, Globe Telecom led an awareness campaign and

partnered up with SPS and organized a marine biodiversity workshop to discuss the best practices on sustainability and biodiversity in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, where 30 business owners and a Department of Environment and Natural Resources representative attended. “The program serves as a tool to give proper education and awareness to every household and every barangay in order to solve our solid waste management problem. I would like to appeal to the local community and all business establishments here in General Luna that we help each other and work together for the success of our environment conservation efforts; for the prosperity and progress of our own municipality,” said Jose Wilbert L. Gorgonio, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Ofﬁcer, General Luna regarding the event. Waves For Water Founded by Jon Rose, Waves For Water (W4W) to date,

KABAKA: Helping Filipinos in need By Lorelee Antonette Yap IN order to help the families in need, various non-government organizations in our country were made, establishing different programs that can support Filipinos or offer some assistance from the struggles of poverty. One of these organizations is Kabaka ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran (KABAKA) Foundation Inc. KABAKA is a charitable institution that started on December 3, 1985 by its founder, Amado Bagatsing, in Malate, Manila and was registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1988. Since then, KABAKA has been offering and promoting various programs to reach out to Manila families, who need help especially when it comes to health and education. For 33 years, KABAKA has lived up to its tagline “caring for the sick and helping the poor,” expanding with more programs and projects in education, health, sports and youth development, livelihood training, and different kinds of assistance their beneficiaries in need. Believing that education is a tool for the people to achieve their dreams and be able to contribute to the society with their potential, KABAKA offers free education with their KABAKA Manpower Training and Assessment Center (KMTAC) to aid those who aspire to develop their skills. KMTAC provides Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)recognized and sanctioned courses and certificates. Some of their courses are food and beverage, housekeeping, bartending, and consumer electronics which are taught by TESDA instructors. They also give Commission on Higher Education (CHED) scholarships for college students who want to acquire that kind of assistance. For KABAKA’s free healthcare, the foundation created a clinic, pharmacy, laboratory, and a diagnostics center to give priority to those who can’t afford check-ups in private hospitals. They offer free consultation, diagnosis, and medicines for their beneficiaries upon the

KABAKA Foundation Inc.

Opening of the KABAKA Clinic, Pharmacy and Diagnostic Center in Pandacan, Manila. completion of the needed requirements like barangay certiﬁcate and a KABAKA ID. They also conduct medical missions in their surrounding barangays in Manila and provide aids like wheelchair and medical supplies for free. More so, KABAKA organizes an annual sportsfest as part of their sports and youth development where they promote and aspire for their participants to have a healthy competition and sportsmanship. The organization has two sports to offer in their sports fest--volleyball and basketball. KABAKA also delivers community services such as emergency relief and disaster assistance, mortuary and burial assistance, livelihood projects and employment opportunities, and their balik probinsya program that helps people who need to go back to their provinces in times of emergency. KABAKA’s dedication and unending service have given a lot of assistance and opportunities that aid several citizens of Manila. With KABAKA’s continuous effort to help the less privileged, Filipinos can learn from and attain the services provided by the foundation in more years to come.

has conducted 125 projects throughout 40 countries and provided an access to clean water for roughly 8 million people across the globe by providing water source creation solutions that include well digging, well restoration, rainwater harvesting, and custom-built water filtration and purification systems for different communities. The organization has implemented more than 150,000 water filtration systems, 100 rain harvesting systems, and more than 100 wells constructed or restored as well. In the country, W4W partnered with the Land Bank of the Philippines, one of the largest banks nationally with branches in every district, to implement filtration systems for communities in need, especially in typhoon-stricken areas and for future typhoon preparedness. W4W is strongly rooted on disaster relief, starting with the devastating earthquake in Haiti where it still remains to have a strong presence. The organization’s major partnerships include those forged with the United Nations, Partners in Health, Compassion International, and Nike, which aided them in responding to every major natural disaster since 2009, including earthquakes in Japan, Nepal, and Ecuador; flooding in Pakistan, India, and Brazil; and storms in Mexico, Vanuatu, and Haiti. Currently, W4W is raising funds for various projects, which includes but is not limited to the Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Initiative, Rohingya Refugee Relief Initiative, and Tropical Storm Lidia Response Initiative. Marine Conservation Philippines (MCP) The non-stock, non-profit organization founded in 2012 is a registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) geared towards preserving and protecting coastal resources in the Philippines through education, volunteerism and research. MCP partnered up with the Department of Environment and National Resources for the

implementation of the CMEMP (Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Management Plan). They also host and facilitate DENR staff training in scuba diving, monitoring methodology and statistical analysis. The organization was also involved last year in the provincial team implementing the United Nations initiative, Green Fins, alongside The Reef World Foundation and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of the diving industry. Oceana Philippines The organization was established by a group of leading foundations namely, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Oak Foundation, Marisla Foundation (formerly Homeland Foundation), Sandler Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The 1999 study they commissioned sparked the birth of Oceana when the results came out that less than 0.5 percent of all resources spent by environmental non-profit groups in the United States went to ocean advocacy. At that time, there was no organization working exclusively to protect and restore the oceans on a global scale and ever since, Oceana has won more than 200 victories and protected more than 4.5 million square miles of ocean by conducting specific, science-based policy campaigns with fixed deadlines and articulated goals. During the Benham Rise 2016 Expedition, Oceana Philippines provided remotely operated vehicles and technical diver-videographers along with local marine scientists, Philippine Navy divers and the Philippine Coast Guard to discover the reef ecosystem underwater. With more Filipinos gaining awareness and concern for the vast and rich natural resources of the country, it would not take long before there is no more need for conservation. A strong typhoon can easily be blocked by a stronger dedication and deeper appreciation for the environment.

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32nd Anniversary

CSR CHAMPIONS OF TODAY

Aiming for plastic-free PH

By Lyka Navarrosa

OTHER nature continuously cries for help, mainly because of the thrash that we humans produce. As nature is greatly damaged, living things like plants and animals are getting endangered, too.

And since it has been an extensive issue not just here, but worldwide, local governments in the country have taken their steps to defend Mother Earth. There is a widely spreading trend now in the Philippines, that of cities being Plastic Free. Such cities no longer use plastic straws or plastic bags, but rather paper – such as paper straws, paper bags, brown bags, eco bags and the like. Local governments from these cities have made a “Plastic Free” ordinance to be followed by their people. Establishments and businesses around those communities are also obliged to follow. In line with this, Senator Loren Legarda filed Senate Bill 2759, also known as the Total Plastic Bag Ban Act of 2011 aiming for the total ban of the usage of non-biodegradable plastic bags in the entire country. The bill, however, is still

pending in the Senate. To date, there are 15 cities, such as Makati, Quezon City, Pasig, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, and Pasay to name a few, that have ordinances banning the use of plastics. Some municipalities in selected provinces were also inspired by this. For the record, Los Baños, Laguna had already been doing the plastic ban for almost more than a decade now. It was in June of 2008 when the Sangguniang Bayan of the town prohibited the use of plastic bags and styrofoam as packaging of wet and dry goods in the city. On Dec. 8, 2017, the local government of El Nido, Palawan passed an ordinance for the ban of plastics. So if you happen to ride a plane going to El Nido, your plastic thrash will b e collected by the flight attendants even before you land at the Lio Airport. Cebu City also bats for the ban of plastics as a memorandum was signed

by Cebu Mayor Tomas Osmeña banning the use of plastic bags, straws, cups, plates, utensils, and styrofoam containers in government ofﬁces. They also banned the use of plastic trash twice per week for the entire city. Year 2011 was when the city of Bacolod passed an ordinance to prohibit the use of plastic sando bags for packaging. In November of last year, the ordinance included the ban of plastic straws and stirrers. In San Fernando, La Union, City Ordinance No. 2014-0 slapped a ﬁne to anyone who will use extra plastics in packaging of wet and dry goods, as well as the selling of plastic bags in public markets. Meanwhile in Negros Oriental, an executive order was handed out to the entire province prohibiting the use of shopping bags, drinking straws, bottles, and styrofoam containers in all government offices, hospitals, and public markets. Penalties to establishments that will use plastic sando bags to their customers under the Plastic and Styrofoam-Free Baguio City Ordinance include a warning for the first offense, a P1,000-fine for the second offense, a P3,000-peso penalty with an eighthour community service for the third offense, and a P5,000-peso fine with a six-month suspension of business permit for the fourth offense. Some towns in the province of Pangasinan have also followed the total plastic ban rule. Rosales, Labrador, San Carlos, Bayambang, Villasis, Asingan, Binalonan, Laoac, Alcala, Umingan, Bautista, and Natividad forbid the use of plastic materials in dry goods’ packages. Business entities such as conve-

nience stores and grocery stores in Siargao Island don’t use plastic bags as a policy last February 2018. Violators will be sent to jail, with their business permits withdrawn. Next to the rehabilitation of Boracay, the local government has provided a strict rule for the environment under Municipal Ordi-

nance No. 386. Implemented is the barring of the use of disposable plastic items by hotels, resorts, and restaurants in Malay, Aklan. As the time goes by and more cities follow the footsteps of those advocating the total plastic bag ban, there is hope that sooner or later, the whole country will be plastic free.

ATI supports Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts LISTED Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), operator of international gateway port Manila South Harbor, expressed readiness to support multisectoral efforts, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to bring Manila Bay back to its glory days. “Protecting the sea is of paramount importance to ATI. Ensuring the sustainability of Manila Bay, a major livelihood source for the community and a vital trade waterway for the country, is key to a vibrant economy,” ATI executive vice president William Khoury, said. “We are ready to support government in this gargantuan effort, on top of initiatives we have already institutionalized in our own private capacity for the bay’s preservation,” he added. As part of its comprehensive Environ-

ment Management System, ATI has long been using two wastewater treatment facilities, including oil and water separators, to cure efﬂuents generated during cleaning of port equipment and facilities. Treated water are then reused for other purposes. A third wastewater treatment facility is set to be completed within the year. In 2017, ATI invested in its own inﬂatable oil spill boom system, ready for deployment in case of a maritime spill. The port’s Emergency Response Team is onduty 24/7 to immediately contain spills, while an accredited third-party responder in on-call should incidents so require. ATI’s other infrastructure and initiatives include the provision of emergency shut-off valves at the terminal drains, partnership with Bantay Kalikasan (Nature Watch) for recycling and disposal of used vehicle bat-

teries and tapping of solid waste haulers accredited by the DENR. The port company also uses its own resources in regularly clearing flotsam washed along the port’s shores, while sending hundreds of employee volunteers to coastal clean-up drives. “We are working closely with DENR, port authorities and stakeholders to extend ATI’s assistance in this undertaking which will benefit present and future generations,” Khoury said. ATI is the first international port operator in the Philippines to secure an ISO 45001:2018 certification for occupational health and safety. Its is also certified for global standards on Environment Management (ISO 14001:2005), Quality Management (ISO 9001:2015) and Supply Chain Security Management (ISO 28000:2007).

ATI employee volunteers take part in DENR’s “Manila Bay-anihan” Program kick-off on Sunday, a multisectoral campaign to resuscitate the Manila Bay.