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OUTLOOK FOR AREAS POTENTIAL FOR DRY SPELL AND DROUGHT Legend:

DROUGHT DRY SPELL DRY CONDITION NOT AFFECTED

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 26 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Philippine Sea

West Philippine Sea

Palace: No narco bets wiretapped Insists on release of suspects’ list By Vito Barcelo, Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo

Sulu Sea

RESIDENTIAL Spokesman Salvador Panelo on Thursday said nobody on the list of narco-politicians had been wiretapped.

Panelo backtracked from his earlier pronouncement that foreign governments had provided information obtained through wiretaps on Filipino politicians allegedly involved in illegal drugs, but said such intelligence would not be ignored.

Source: PAGASA

El Niño impact heats up early, drought in 22 provinces seen By Rio N. Araja

The Agriculture department has created a national El Niño task force to moniTHE Agriculture department and other tor and coordinate various efforts to mitigovernment agencies have stepped up gate the effects of El Niño not only with mitigation projects and its attached agencies and programs as 22 provbureaus, but also with the inces are expected to National Disaster Risk experience drought in Reduction and ManageApril due to El Niño. ment Council. Agriculture SecrePiñol appealed to aftary Emmanuel Piñol fected farmers to come said their agency has MANILA Water consumers forward to report damage drafted a Niño miti- have started experiencing and losses on their crops gation and adaptation limited water supply since to their local governments’ plan designed to lessen Wednesday as the conces- agriculturists, who will rethe impact of drought sionaire implemented water lay the information to their to the agriculture sec- service operational adjust- regional ofﬁce for the protor and restore produc- ments due to the rapid de- vision of assistance. tive capacity for the cline of the water level at La The Agriculture deNext page next cropping season Mesa Dam. partment is also eyeing in the affected areas. Next page

Manila Water limits supply

Go gets going, surges to top 3 in poll survey; Poe still ahead By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE ranking of President Rodrigo Duterte’s former aide Christopher Go surged to No. 3 from ﬁfth to sixth as Senators Grace Poe and Cynthia Villar maintained their grip on the No. 1 and 2 spot based on the latest Social Weather Stations survey. Go, whose campaign slogan is “Serbisyo ang bisyo,” said the survey results had inspired him to work even harder to present his advocacy to serve the people. He urged the Filipino people to try his

brand of service. During the past election surveys, Go hardly made it to the “Winning Circle” until he showed a strong showing when he started moving around helping people, especially ﬁre victims, aside from his campaign materials and political advertisements that sprouted all over the country. Go was endorsed by the President and Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the regional party established by presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Next page

“As far as I know, nobody has provided us with wiretapped information,” Panelo said in a mix of English and Filipino, adding that his remarks Tuesday about foreign sources were based on an “educated guess.” Next page

Rody affirms PH claim to Sabah By Vito Barcelo THE Palace on Thursday contradicted visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who said that the Philippines has no claim to Sabah. “The position of the President is that we do have a claim. This has been a bone of contention ever since the time of President Ferdinand Marcos,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, in a mix of Filipino and English. President Rodrigo Duterte was to meet Mahathir in the Palace Thursday afternoon, but Panelo said Sabah was not on the agenda. When he was running for ofﬁce, Duterte said he would pursue the country’s claim to Sabah. Next page

MAHATHIR IN MANILA. President Rodrigo Duterte shakes hands with Malaysia’s Minister Mahathir Mohamad (above) after reading their joint statement at the Malacañang Palace in Manila on Thursday. Mahathir also welcomes (below) former President and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Senate President Vicente Sotto (not in photo) when the Congress delegation calls on the Malaysian leader at the Shangri-La Makati Hotel in Makati City. AFP

DOJ special panel to take up abuse cases vs women, kids THE Department of Justice will launch a special body to be called Committee on Decorum and Investigation to handle cases of violence and harassment against women and children. This coincides with the National Women’s Month Celebration every March 8, which coincides with the worldwide observance of the International Women’s Day. The theme of the cleberation, from 2017 to 2022, is “We Make Change Work for Women,” which, ofﬁcials said, highlights the empowerment of women as active contributors to and claimholders of development. Next page

Barbie at 60 ‘wrinkle-free’

OFW sheds light on HK maids’ plight

EL SEGUNDO, United States— She is turning 60 this year and still doesn’t have a single wrinkle. Blonde or brunette, slender or curvy, black or white, princess or president, Barbie is a forever

HONG KONG—The case of a Filipina domestic worker in Hong Kong who was sacked after being diagnosed with cervical cancer—leaving her without healthcare—shines a light on the exploitation of tens of

Mahathir warns Duterte vs influx of alien workers MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday warned the Philippines against letting in foreigners who could “disturb the political equations” as President Rodrigo Duterte’s Beijing pivot has sparked an influx of Chinese workers. At least 200,000 Chinese have flocked to Manila since Duterte’s 2016 election, many of them employed by online gaming firms that cater to Chinese players, a Senate inquiry was told late last year. This has touched off Next page

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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

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Auditors told: Streamline process By Vito Barcelo

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte says he wants to sit down with the ofﬁcials from the Ofﬁce of the Ombudsman and the Commission on Audit to streamline auditing procedures and provide effective public services.

officials should be kidnapped and tortured since they were making governance difficult for local officials. “Their regulations are piling up there. They add more and more regulations. All of our auditors are crazy,” Duterte said. “They are lost in a maze of so many requirements. Some are really stupid. I don’t want to insult them. I have a healthy respect for them.” The President then said the mistakes committed and flagged by COA might not be corruption but just “short-sightedness.”

He lamented government officials facing charges for the violation of auditing rules. He said he will disapprove the application of stiff auditing protocols, which could only cause a delay in implementing government’s projects. “It could not really be corruption but it could be short-sightedness or plain…I will not follow that because that is stupid,” he said. Despite his criticisms of the COA, Duterte clarified that he had a “healthy respect” for COA Chairman Michael Aguinaldo.

In a speech at the first anniversary of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission in Malacañang on Wednesday, Duterte said he would invite some officials from the Ombudsman and the COA to discuss auditing procedures and to come to an agree-

ment on certain procedures. “I’d like to sit with the Executive Secretary and maybe invite some guys from the Ombudsman and this auditing office and let’s agree on certain procedures,” Duterte said. He had previously said that some COA

El Niño...

Avert water shortage, use supply wisely—MWSS

cloud seeding operations in some parts of Mindanao. According to Milagros Casis, the department’s regional director, they are preparing for at least 40 rounds of cloud seeding operations in Mindanao and Luzon this month. Arnulfo Villaruz, Cotabato City’s provincial disaster risk reduction and management council operation officer, said the El Niño-related damage to the agriculture sector had already reached P470 million with 8,500 affected farmers in 13 towns in Kidapawan City. Ana Liza Solis of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section said drought was affecting Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao, Cebu and even Ilocos Norte. The dry spell will be experienced in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Ilocos Sur and La Union in March. According to Solis, the drought-hit areas could reach 22 in April. The weather bureau has told the public to brace for a longer dry season due to El Niño. The Agriculture department gave the assurance that they had “readily available interventions,” such as the provision of high quality drought-tolerant varieties of rice, corn and high value crops, advisory to farmers to plant early maturing or short gestation crops, and provision of production and recovery loans. As far a the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is concerned, Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered all 16 regional directors to stay alert for forest or wild fires, come up with a region-wide assessment and update of forest protection plans, and prioritize vulnerable sites within the protected areas and those that have been rehabilitated under the enhanced national greening program. On the other hand, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Eduardo Gongona told the Manila Standard that part of their interventions were the provision of input assistance such as pumps, livelihood assistance and available fish health laboratory services.

THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System has cautioned consumers to use water wisely and support efforts to ensure ample supply amid the onset of El Niño in the Philippines. According to PAGASA, this year may be the warmest year in record because of El Niño, which is expected to impact on at least 22 provinces. While there is enough water supply for its consumers, MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco called on everyone to save water and help cushion water shortage as El Niño has varying impacts such as delayed onset of rainy season. “Since we primarily source our water from Angat-Ipo-La Mesa water system, we have to do our share to help lessen the effect of El Niño not only on our need for water in

our households and industries but also on agriculture,” Velasco said. As a rule, discharge for potable water supply becomes the priority during drought events, reducing water releases for agricultural irrigation and power generation. Water from Angat passes through Ipo Dam where it is then released to La Mesa Dam. La Mesa Dam has a 47-cubic-meterper-second (cms) allocation of water from Angat Dam, higher than the 44 cms the government normally earmarks for La Mesa Dam during the dry season. The water level at La Mesa is recorded below normal level and has prompted calls for water conservation from concerned sectors to maintain water reserve availability. As of March 5, its reservoir water level is 69.47 meters, down from its normal high

water level of 80. 15 meters. With the onset of the dry season, and the increasing demand from burgeoning population has contributed to the decline in water level. This does not mean, however, that a water shortage looms in the horizon for residents of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces unless there is disregard for water conservation until the rainy months set in. Velasco said MWSS has its water security plan for 2018 to 2023 in place, with the goal of easing the strain on the Angat-IpoLa-Mesa water system and ensuring water supply during El Niño. This stop-gap measure consists of the AB-C projects and Wawa Dam Project of the consortium of Enrique Razon and Oscar Violago, pending the completion of the Kaliwa Dam, Velasco said.

Palace...

don’t think that it’s bad to use these information as a lead,” Panelo said, adding that he understands that information obtained illegally is inadmissible as evidence in court. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Thursday said the government cannot use information obtained through wiretapping without authorization from the courts. IBP president Abdiel Dan Fajardo said that without approval from a court, wiretapping is illegal and evidence obtained through such an act is inadmissible in any proceeding. “The Constitution describes the right to privacy of communication as inviolable. Any evidence obtained in violation of the rule is inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding. The Bill of Rights limits government power,” Fajardo said. This is the reason the government needs to secure authorization from a court of law if it decides to eavesdrop on private conversations. But the Commission on Human Rights and critics maintained the release of the list would violate the right to due process of people on the list. Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said the timing of the publication set by the DILG—at the start of the campaign period—would fuel “reckless mud-slinging, character assassinations and violence.” “If we can withhold judgment against

some candidates still facing plunder cases before the Sandiganbayan, Secretary Año can also respect and follow due process,” she added. Malacañang on Thursday said that United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet may have been fed with wrong information about the Philippines’ continuing war on illegal drugs. Bachelet earlier said the Philippines’ war on illegal drugs is not a good model for any other country to follow. But Panelo said Bachelet was provided with wrong information when she claimed that up to 27,000 people may have been killed in the anti-illegal drugs campaign after President Duterte assumed office in June 2016. “The number is five times higher than the government’s tally of 5,176 deaths from July 1, 2016 to Jan. 31, 2019,” Panelo said. Panelo said the problem with the UN official is that she relies on information coming from the critics and the detractors of the administration. Duterte’s spokesman also said the government’s drive to stop illegal drugs is governed by “strict police protocols” and law enforcers adhere to the existing laws to protect the lives of every person, including criminals. Panelo also criticized Bachelet for meddling in the domestic affairs of the country.

Mahathir...

ers working in the nation’s offshore gaming industry paid taxes. However, Duterte last month said Chinese workers should be allowed to continue staying in the country as Beijing also hosted hundreds of thousands of Filipinos. Most of them are domestic workers in Hong Kong. Duterte has warmly embraced China despite his nation’s long-standing maritime row with Beijing over the South China Sea. Beijing asserts sovereignty over almost all of the resource-rich sea, with competing claims from the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Vietnam. Commenting on the sea dispute on Thursday, Mahathir said there should be no impediment to vessels using the strategic waterway, through which trillions of dollars in global trade pass through each year. “The most important thing is that the South China Sea in particular must be open to navigation,” he said. On Thursday, the Labor department urged skilled workers to consider local employment in the construction industry and support the government in the full blast implementation of the Build Build Build Program rather than applying for jobs abroad. “Construction workers are badly needed here in our country that’s why we are slowing down the deployment to address the manpower shortage in the local construction industry and support implementation of the infrastructure program of the President,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said. The Labor chief said that around 800,000 to one million skilled workers in the ﬁeld of construction, architecture, and engineering are needed up to 2022 to address labor shortage with country’s construction boom. AFP

From A1

Go... From A1

On the other hand, Poe, who is running as an independent candidate, remained thankful for the trust and conﬁdence of the voters. She said the campaign period had given her the chance to go straight to the people, talk to them and hear out their concerns. Poe, daughter of the late Fernando Poe Jr. and actress Susan Roces, was also an adopted candidate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition in seeking a second term. Despite being a consistent No. 1, Poe admitted there was no time to relax. She said many things could still happen and there were many popular competitors. “I am calling on our people to join us until the end,” Poe said. Just like Go, Villar, wife of the richest Filipino Manny Villar, was also endorsed by the President who described her as “Nanay ng Bansa.” In the meantime, the Davao city mayor acknowledged the re-electionist senator, known “Misis HanepBuhay, as the perfect example of “Sipag at Tiyaga.” The two other HNP-endorsed senatoriables, returning Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa, also barged into the higher spots. Estrada who was No. 12 in the January survey, rose to the 8-9 rank in the SWS survey on Feb. 25-28. Dela Rosa now occupies the 10th to 12th spot, up from the 13th during the SWS survey in January. However, the standing of the other

From A1

Earlier, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino said the “narco-list” of politicians allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade had come from local, not foreign sources. President Rodrigo Duterte has authorized Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to release the list of 82 politicians, which includes at least six congressmen. Aquino said 64 of the politicians are seeking elective positions in the May 13 midterm polls. “There were originally 83 in the list but with the recent arrest of Mayor [Norodin] Salazar of Maguindanao, the list is now down to 82. If I am not mistaken, at least six or seven are congressmen,” Aquino said. Panelo on Thursday said the government would not ignore information from foreign countries just because it was obtained through wiretapping, which is illegal in the Philippines. “We do not allow wiretapping. What I’m saying is if in the course of cooperation with other countries we are given wiretapped information,why will we not use it?,” Panelo said in a press brieﬁng. “If it is a matter of national security, I senatorial bets supported by HNP declined―former Senator Lapid, from 3rd spot in Janaury to 4th spot last month; Senator Sonny Angara, from ﬁfth to sixth to 6th, and former Senator Bong Revilla from eighth to ninth to 10th to 12th. Angara said he was happy with his standing because, despite the more than 60 candidates for senators, he remained among the top choices of the voters. “Our countrymen have not forgotten me. This will serve as my inspiration to intensify my care and work, whether there’s a campaign or not, whether there’s a survey or none,” he said. Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, another HNP bet and reelectionist Nancy Binay, have maintained their fourth and seventh rankings, respectively, in the months of January and February. Otso Diretso senatorial candidates former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and reelectionist Bam Aquino’s standing also declined. In January, Roxas was No. 8 but now he is number 9. Aquino was No. 11 in January but in the last month’s survey, he was No. 10 to 12. Despite his continuing failure to enter the “Magic 12,” reelectionist Senator JV Ejercito, half-brother of Estrada, said he was still hopeful his rank would go up. The tailenders in the Magic 12 are PDP-Laban president Aquilino Pimentel, a reelectionist, former MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino (17-14), Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos (1415) and comebacking Senator Serge Osmeña (15-16).

From A1

concern, with some Filipino politicians alleging it drives up property prices, takes away jobs from locals and even affects tax revenues. Mahathir, who has suspended several of his nation’s major projects with China, warned during an official visit to the Philippines against allowing a surge of foreigners. “Foreign direct investment should not involve bringing huge numbers of foreigners to live in the country because that might disturb the political equations in the country,” Mahathir told ABS-CBN television in an interview. “If huge numbers of any foreigners [come] to live and stay in the country or to even influence the economy of a country, then you have to do some rethinking as to whether it is good or bad, or the limits that you have to impose on them,” Mahathir said. Mahathir, 93, is in the Philippines for the first time since his shock election victory last year. The Malaysian leader has taken a cautious approach to relations with China, saying he would discuss “unfair” terms of deals signed by his predecessor, Najib Razak. Duterte’s pursuit of closer ties with China for the Philippines—a traditional ally of the United States—has prompted a surge of Chinese worker arrivals. Last year legislators said around 200,000 Chinese were working in the country, and vowed to introduce protection for Filipinos. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez had also said he would ensure that foreign-

Manila Water...

DOJ...

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration earlier said the country was already experiencing El Niño, which is threatening Metro Manila’s water supply. “We need to reduce our production—meaning, the supply will be tight,” said Manila Water corporate strategic affairs group head Jeric Sevilla. Water levels at La Mesa Dam is now nearing the 69-meter critical threshold. “Now that the La Mesa Dam water level is nearing critical level, we would need to implement further reduction,” he added.

The 2019 NWMC shall focus on strengthening efforts to improve and track the progress of implementation of the Magna Carta of Women, and other relevant laws and commitments to the international community such as the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Beijing Platform for Action, and the Sustainable Development Goals. DOJ Committee on Women and Children Un-

From A1

dersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar told reporters Thursday the special panel, which would be launched at the end of the month, would be called Committee on Decorum and Investigation. “This is leading actually to our launching of Committee on Decorum and Investigation which handles cases of harassment,” Villar said. Villar said at present there was an 85-percent increase in the resolution of cases related to violence against women and children when compared with the previous years, which she attributed to the use of a plea bargaining system.

Duterte slates Vietnam visit PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may visit Vietnam later this year or in 2020 on the invitation of Vietnam’S Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Malacañang said Thursday. The Vietnamese official paid a courtesy call on Duterte at the presidential palace and conveyed Hanoi’s invitation for him to make another visit. Duterte first visited Vietnam in September 2016 and had a meeting with the late Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, which resulted in an agreement to strengthen cooperation on trade, promote peace and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, ensure the safety and security of fishermen from both countries, and to solve amicably the unexpected incidents at sea. A year later, Duterte traveled to Danang to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. “Deputy Prime Minister Minh also congratulated the President for the developments in the Philippines as well as the country’s pivotal role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,” the Palace said in a statement. Also during that day, Duterte received Bahrain’s First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth Sports Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Sheikh Khalid’s visit to the Philippines signified an “improvement on the level of bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain.” “If you remember, I said that we stand by you and we will be with you in case you need us,” Duterte told Sheikh Khalid during the meeting. “And again, let me reiterate our deep sense of camaraderie with our people. Also for the humane treatment given to our citizens. Thank you very much,” Sheikh Khalid is a son of Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Vito Barcelo

Rody... From A1

In an interview with the ANC news channel, Mahathir said, “As far as we’re concerned, there is no claim.” Mahathir, the world’s oldest leader at age 93, arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday. The Philippines stakes its claim to Sabah by citing an 1878 land lease agreement between the Sultanate of Sulu and the British North Borneo Chartered Co. The Philippines maintains that the agreement was only for leasing the land and did not render Sabah part of Malaysia when it was formed into a federation in 1963. Malaysia is also among claimants to part of the South China Sea, along with the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan, contending with China’s assertion of ownership over nearly all the waters.

OFW... From A1

thousands of foreign women who toil as maids in the wealthy city. A single mother of five, Baby Jane Allas was just 38 when she was diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer in January. Then came a new gut punch—a letter from her employers terminating her service, and with it any hope of getting her medical expenses covered under Hong Kong law. “Reason(s) for termination (if any): Diagnosed with cervical cancer,” read the letter, which was seen by AFP. Allas was floored. Her firing was likely illegal and she is launching a challenge. But once sacked she instantly lost the right to healthcare—and had just two weeks to leave the city. “I want to finish my contract... because I have five children, only me, I am (a) single mother,” Allas said, her voice breaking as tears ran down her face. Women like Allas are the bedrock of Hong Kong’s households. AFP

Barbie... From A1

favorite for young girls, even if she has caused controversy over the years. The iconic doll has evolved to keep up with the times—check out her Twitter feed. And despite ﬁerce competition in the toy industry, 58 million Barbies are sold each year in more than 150 countries. “In an industry where success today is three to ﬁve years, 60 years is a huge deal!” said Nathan Baynard, director of global brand marketing for Barbie. Around the world, Barbie is as universally known as Coca-Cola or McDonald’s, Baynard said during a recent visit to Mattel’s design studio in El Segundo, a suburb of Los Angeles. In all, more than one-billion Barbie dolls have been sold since she made her debut at the American Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. She was invented by Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, who was inspired by her own children to create the doll. AFP

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Diokno will have to face CA —Andaya By Maricel V. Cruz WHILE there may no longer be enough time for lawmakers to subject embattled outgoing Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to a congressional investigation into alleged irregularities in the budget preparation, he still has to face the Commission on Appointments for the confirmation of his new post, Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Jr. said on Thursday. “I do not think now is the time [to continue the investigation]. There will come a time that he will go back to Congress,” Andaya, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said, when asked if they will still push through with the probe on Diokno’s alleged P75billion insertions and questionable budget practices that the latter vehemently denied. Andaya, the former chairman of the House committee on rules that initiated the probe, said he would want to prepare a committee report on the inquiry “if time permits,” adding that the incoming 18th Congress can still do the inquiry. “Hopefully [we can come up with the committee report]. But from my experience, I think I have accepted the fact na some other time, some other person. Maybe in the next Congress. These things have a way of coming back, anyway,” said Andaya. Contrary to the Palace position, Andaya said that Diokno will still have to undergo the CA confirmation. “The last time I checked, [all presidential appointees have to go through a confirmation from the Commission on Appointments, even members of the Monetary Board. That is how it is,” Andaya said. Diokno is set to replace the late Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Nestor Espenilla Jr. House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danny Suarez said Diokno will have to answer the budget controversies during the CA hearing on his confirmation.

Resumption of Revilla’s trial reset to March 14 THE Sandiganbayan has reset to March 14 the resumption of trial of former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.’s for the 16 counts of graft charges leveled against him over his alleged role in the pork barrel scam. The anti-graft court’s First Division postponed Revilla’s hearing Thursday pending receipt of a formal authority from the Supreme Court to conduct the proceedings at the Sandiganbayan premises. Revilla, who is running to regain his Senate seat in the May elections, was acquitted of plunder after the prosecution failed to prove he pocketed public funds amounting to P224.5 million. However, Revilla is still facing 16 counts of graft in connection with the transactions done with Napoles’ non government organizations when he is a sitting senator. Revilla’s camp was also asked by the anti-graft court division to comment on the prosecution’s motion that he owes the government millions of pesos due to his dismissed plunder case. The court believes Revilla is still allegedly liable, along with plunder convicts businesswoman Janet LimNapoles and lawyer Richard Cambe, to return to the government some P124.5 million. Maricel V. Cruz

WOOING THE VOTERS. Davao City Mayor and Hugpong ng Pagbabago party campaign manager, Sarah Duterte-Carpio share a light moment with the crowd as she led the party’s senatorial slate in wooing the voters during a campaign caravan in Las Piñas City. Ey Acasio

7 Las Piñas cops nabbed for robbery-extortion S By Joel E. Zurbano

EVEN more police officers assigned in drug enforcement unit were placed under arrest on Thursday for their alleged involvement in the kidnapfor-ransom and extortion case in Cavite. Metro Manila police director Guillermo Eleazar presented to members of the media the seven policemen— Police Staff Sergeant Joel Lupig; Police Corporal Vener and Jayson Arellano, and Patrolmen Jeffrey De Leon, Mark Jefferson Fulgencio, Raymart Gomez and Erickson Rivera, all assigned at the Las Piñas Police Drug Enforcement Unit. Eleazar said the arrest was made after Judge Jose Lorenzo dela Rosa, of Tagaytay City 4th Judicial Region Branch 134, issued a warrant against the police officers on March 1. The police officers are now detained at the National Capital Region Police Office-Headquarters Support Group Custodial Detention in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City. Investigation showed that on Nov. 21, 2018, the policemen then assigned at Las Piñas City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit tried to extort money from the sister of their arrested drug

suspect in exchange for his release. But the suspect’s sister sought the help of the NCRPO that led to the entrapment operation against the police officers who were charged with kidnapping with serious illegal detention. Meanwhile, Eleazar apologized for losing his temper to a police officer arrested for extortion in Pasig City. He also denied slapping and pulling the hair of Police Corporal Marlo Siblao Quibete when he presented the latter to media men. “I’m apologizing to you if it appeared that I was not able to control my emotions but these people, there’s no place for them [in the police force],” he said. “I didn’t slap him, I didn’t hit him on the chest. I didn’t pull his hair. I pulled his collar, I made him face me, and I pointed my finger at him. That’s just right. He deserved that.” Eleazar made the apology even as

President Rodrigo Duterte supported his actions. In a statement on Thursday, Eleazar said that the “President’s approval on the way I handled the cops involved in robbery/extortion activity yesterday only shows the consistency of our President—how he abhors policemen involved in the illegal drug trade and policemen taking advantage of our war against illegal drugs to make money for themselves. “Based on the President’s message, our mandate has been established. The PNP is tasked with implementing an all-out war against illegal drugs and cops who are in one way or another involved in this illegal trade. This is why our current Chief PNP Oscar Albayalde launched our Internal Cleansing campaign—the primary targets being cops in the drug trade, and secondary targets being cops in criminal acts,” he said. Eleazar vowed that the NCRPO will relentlessly pursue and remove police scalawags in their ranks. “The President has even given us a substantial wage increase, so there should not be any cases like these robbery extortion cases anymore,” he said. According to reports, more than 400 police ofﬁcers have been dismissed from the service since President Duterte took ofﬁce in 2016.

Javier takes over Tijam; sworn in as SC justice By Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo CHIEF Justice Lucas Bersamin on Thursday swore in Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier as the new magistrate of the Supreme Court at the Court’s session hall in Manila. Justice Javier succeeded Associate Justice Noel Tijam who retired last Jan. 5. She is expected to serve the SC until 2026 when she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 for members of the judiciary. Prior to her promotion, Javier served as associate justice of the Court of Appeals for 12 years since 2007. Before that, she was assistant solicitor general for 13 years. Javier is President Rodrigo Duterte’s

10th appointee to the 15-member SC. The President earlier appointed incumbent Chief Justice Bersamin, the now retired Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro, Associate Justices Samuel Martirez (who retired to assume the post of Ombudsman), Tijam, Andres B. Reyes Jr., Alexander G. Gesmundo, Jose C. Reyes Jr., Ramon Paul L. Hernando, and Rosmari D. Carandang. Still vacant is the post vacated by Bersamin as associate justice when he was promoted Chief Justice. The JBC has submitted its nominees to the vacant post. Aside from Bersamin, who will mandatorily retire on Oct. 18, three more SC justices are set to retire this year. They are Associate Justices Mariano C. del Castillo on July 29 and Francis

H. Jardeleza on Sept. 26 and Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio on Oct. 26. Javier, a magna cum laude education graduate from the Philippine Normal University, obtained her law degree at the University of Santo Tomas University Tomas where she graduated valedictorian in 1982. She also chaired the legal ethics department of the UST Faculty of Civil Law, and taught political law, commercial law, civil law and remedial law subjects in the same school. Earlier, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said “Associate Justice Javier is a welcome addition to the 15-member bench with her vast legal experience in the government which spans for more than three decades.”

Lawmakers seek revamp of PCSO A PANEL in the House of Representatives will recommend a revamp of the leadership of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office if allegations of solicitation against the agency are proven true. House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts, said his panel, together with the House Committee on Games and Amusements, chaired by Rep. Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City, floated the idea as the Lower House resumed its public hearing the PCSO’s operations of the Small-Town Lottery. Suarez said allegations of solicitation are a “cause for concern.” “The objective of the hearing is to come up with some verification of what we can identify as serious concern in connection with some allegations that in the manner of expanding our request to nationalize gaming, we have some information that areas are being

peddled out to the highest bidder,” said Suarez. He said there is somewhat very little consideration given on the capability of the supposed player and instead, what is being considered is the amount involved. Tambunting said in his opening remarks that the PCSO conceptualized the STL pursuant to Republic Act 1169, as amended, as a source for its additional Charity Funds; as an alternative source of income for marginalized Filipinos; and to combat jueteng and other illegal number games. He said that the PCSO as the lead agency for raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character. Tambunting said the STL is being implemented locally all over the country through an Authorized STL Agent or ASA. Maricel V. Cruz

NO TO PLASTIC. Members of environmental groups Global Alliance for Incinerator

Alternatives and Mother Earth Foundation, segregate plastic waste in an effort to break free from plastic waste at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City yesterday. According to the groups, Filipinos use 340 million different kinds of plastic daily. They also called on the government and manufacturers to regulate and stop producing single-use plastics. Manny Palmero

Motion to dismiss Malampaya fund scam case junked THE Sandiganbayan Third Division has denied the motion to dismiss the case filed against Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. in connection with the alleged P900-million Malampaya fund scam. In a 28-page resolution dated March 6, the anti-graft court said it would be unfair for the prosecution to dismiss the case against the lawmaker now without a full-blown trial. “The arguments and/or allegations of the prosecution, as well as the arguments and/or defenses of accusedmovant Andaya Jr., should all be heard by the court at an opportune time, or at the time which they are required to submit their respective pieces of evidence,” the court said. Andaya and his several co-accused said in the case, including detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, and 22 others are facing 97 counts each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents. They were accused of diverting P900 million from the Malampaya funds allocated by the Department of Budget and Management to the Department of Agrarian Reform in 2009 and in the process using 12 Janet Lim Napolesled non government organizations as conduits to the alleged fraud. Andaya, who was then Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, allegedly released the funds through the Agrarian Reform department. In his motion, Andaya described as “fatally defective” the charges of 97 counts each of graft and malversation through falsification filed against him as his accuser failed to show how he participated in the scheme. Maricel V. Cruz

Plan trips early, LRTA advises passengers THE Light Rail Transit Authority management has advised passengers to plan trips earlier as it reduces the number of running trains to give way to the installation of new air-conditioning units for LRT 2 train coaches. “We are advising our passengers to leave their homes earlier than usual because of the expected average of nine to 10 minutes time interval between the arrivals of trains from the usual seven to eight minutes. We beg for your indulgence in this regard as we continue to improve train facilities for your comfort and convenience,” LRTA Administrator Reynaldo Berroya said in a statement on Thursday. The railway operator started installing the new ACUs after it has signed a P350-million contract with the joint venture of Multi-Scan Corp. and MRAIL Inc. for the replacement of 80 air conditioning units for 10 running trains of the LRT 2 system in April last year. It is expected to be ﬁnished in April this year. All four-car passenger trains of the railway system has eight ACUs. PNA

Opinion

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Negative campaigning PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte exemplified how not to run an election campaign. For him to extol the virtues of his administration candidates is fine and par for the course in the midterm elections. But for him to rip into the opposition’s candidates and downgrade their qualifications in a negative tone is certainly foul. It does not at all help voters know what the real issues are that affect their daily lives. There are certainly an array of issues the Duterte administration has to answer. To be fair, both sides of the candidates still do their song-and-dance routine to win votes. Those who neither sing nor dance but who are rich can simply buy votes.

This is politics at its lowest and dirtiest.

This is the kind of politics going on in our country. As someone said: “perapera lang ‘yan.” This is sad but true, and this is why the people get the leaders they get. Money, rather than true qualifications, speaks volumes. But to focus on the supposed shortcomings of the opposition candidates apparently is a distraction to avoid the administration’s failure to address gut issues like high cost of living due to its runaway TRAIN Law and the excise tax on gasoline and other petroleum products. Metro Manila’s monstrous traffic problem was brought about by the lack of an efficient public mass transport system. Poor public housing and the unemployment/ underemployment of millions of Filipinos are also

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

issues the administration has to address. It’s time to stop blaming the previous Noynoy Aquino administration for the ills now being experienced by the people and the Digong government. Duterte and his gang of underperformers have had more than two years to fix these problems. The government with its Build, Build, Build approach to ease the traffic problem and at the same time provide jobs for construction workers has only aggravated the traffic problem with the closure of many main roads for the planned skyways and expressways. Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar should take a cue on how Bangkok did it. Travel time by land from Bangkok to the airport used to take three hours, but not anymore. Transportation Secretary Art Tugade who guested at a CNN Philippines TV program last Wednesday spoke like he knows his job. But his suggestion of emergency powers for the President only proved he cannot do the job at his level. His “basket of solutions” to handle the traffic problem seem more like a basket-case approach. Unfortunately, interviewer Cherrie Mercado did not push the issue. If Duterte believes his candidates are more qualified than the opposition’s, then let them take them on in a live debate covered live on TV. Duterte openly endorses former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go and former Metro Manila Development Authority head Francis “Tol” Tolentino. Can Tol defend himself in a debate with the opposition who would certainly bring up his role in the traffic mess in the metropolitan area? Lest I am labeled as a loyalist of the much-vilified Liberal Party “Yellows,” I would like to make clear I have no love for most of them, particularly a certain accidental president named Noynoy “Know-Nothing” Aquino. A public debate would give Digong’s candidates an opportunity to bring out the malfeasance in the Aquino administration for the voters to recall. Speaking of which—this was how the former Davao City mayor came to power and on to the gates of Malacañang. If pre-

Foreigner influx

HE many Chinese nationals living in condominiums and working in Philippine offshore gaming operations, or Pogos, are creating a stir in Congress and among Filipinos. They are inconspicuous in malls, restaurants and other public places. Their employers have jacked up the prices of real estate properties and condominium buildings by buying whole floors, instead of individual units, presumably for sub-lease to hired Chinese workers. Lawmakers last year estimated that around 200,000 Chinese were working in the Philippines, right after China banned online gambling and cracked down on illegal casinos in the mainland. Their presence, however, has not escaped the attention of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who vowed to collect an estimated P3 billion worth of income tax each month from foreign nationals working in Pogos. All foreigners should be taxed, not just Chinese, says Dominguez, adding that the government

was not focusing on particular nationalities working in Pogos. The Bureau of Internal Revenue earlier declared that all foreign and Philippine-based gaming operators, including those with offshore licenses, were required to register with the BIR as a prerequisite in the renewal of their Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. license. The BIR has listed 54 Pogo licensees, comprising of 10 local companies and 44 offshore operators. But only seven local operators and eight offshore licensees were registered with the BIR. The Justice Department, meanwhile, reported that less than 95,000 foreign nationals obtained various forms of temporary work permits as Pogo employees from the Bureau of Immigration as of June 2018. The sheer number of Chinese

Pogo workers in the Philippines, while boosting the revenues of the property sector, malls and the fast-food business, will inevitably shape and mix with the local culture. The phenomenon has also drawn a warning from visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who noted that the influx of Chinese workers could "disturb the political equations." "If huge numbers of any foreigners [come] to live and stay in the country or to even influence the economy of a country, then you have to do some rethinking as to whether it is good or bad, or the limits that you have to impose on them," says the Malaysian leader in a television interview. Foreign workers are welcomed in the Philippines as long as they do not take away jobs from locals. They should also be reminded that they are still guests here and must respect the local laws, irrespective of the amount of investments placed by their employers.

Turn to A5

Philippines in Top 10 for gender balance in business POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE WITH much still to do by way of uplifting the condition of women in the Philippines, the country still has a better track record than others in some aspects, particularly in the workplace. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day (March 8) is #BalanceForBetter. The slogan pertains to gender balance in all aspects of human activity—in business, media coverage, sports... “Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.” Good news for us, the Philippines has been “among the top 10 most gender-equal countries in the world” for business since the World Economic Forum reports were launched in 2006, according to Sofia Tomacruz of Rappler. The latest WEF report, released Dec. 18 last year, showed the Philippines at 8th place in the Global Gender Gap report, from 10th place in 2017, having managed to close about 80 percent of the gender gap. It was 7th rank in 2016. The report ranks 149 countries in four categories: labor force participation, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. The WEF attributed the country’s strong ranking last year to robust efforts to close the gender gap in political empowerment. Related to this, the rest of the world can learn from the Philippines when it comes to gender balance in the workplace, said University of British Columbia Assistant Professor Michael Daniels, writing in 2015 for the Human Capital Leadership Institute. “The Philippines is a bright spot in Asia with regard to the status of women… Women are…more heavily represented in business in the Philippines than in neighboring countries,” said Daniels. He cited global professional services firm Grant Thornton’s data on the Philippines: the country ranked first in Southeast Asia and fifth worldwide for the proportion of women holding senior management roles, with 37 percent of such roles occupied by women. And women comprise an average of 34 percent of corporate boards in the Philippines, exceeding the global average of 19 percent. “Clearly, the Philippines is more progressive than both its Asian neighbours and a majority of Western countries in terms of gender diversity,” he added. When discussing women in the workplace, the female overseas Filipino workers must be considered. The Philippine Statistics Authority Women and Men Handbook 2016 shows that in 2015, there were 1.25 million female OFWs

compared to 1.197 million male workers. Saudi Arabia was the most common destination for female OFWs in 2014 and 2015, and ‘laborers and unskilled workers’ the most common occupation. As of December 2018, total remittances were at $21 billion. It is unknown how much of that amount women OFWs contributed, but it’s pretty safe to say a sizable percentage. These are interesting statistics, but what they show is that there aren’t enough well-paying jobs to go around in the country. Women employed in the local workplace seem to be doing well enough, but over a million others are forced to travel abroad to find work to support their families.

As mindsets become more progressive, the gender gap in wages should narrow. This situation needs to be addressed because of the social cost of parents working overseas. Their absence takes a toll on family life, and children are raised by relatives or other people. In the Philippines, population is almost exactly divided between the sexes. The Philippine Statistics Authority projects the 2019 population of women at 53.7 million, men at 54.7 million. Of the women aged 15 years and older, 46.6 percent are employed or looking for work compared to 75.1 percent of men. But the agency’s 2015 data also shows that women bring home more bacon than men— P284,000 average annual income compared to P262,000—and save more—P58,000 compared to P50,000 in average annual savings. Women are making good use of the gender diversity in the workplace by pulling more than their own weight. As mindsets become more progressive, the gender gap in wages should narrow. Having salaries fixed to positions, as they are in government, is a good start. Moreover, the new laws being created often specify that there should be women on the board or commission. The near future should see more women in the boardroom and senior management than the current one-third. As the country observes Women’s Day, let us remember that women are, as the Philippine Commission on Women says, “active contributors to and claimholders of development.” Mao Zedong: “Women hold up half the sky.” / FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

Ben Diokno is a reformist THE new governor of the Bangko Sentral Benjamim E. Diokno, 70, was a reformist Budget secretary. He has solid educational credentials, here and abroad, giving him the gravitas of a technocrat and a conscientious public servant even as he pursued expansionary spending policies under the Corazon Aquino and Rodrigo Duterte administrations. A pragmatist, he can blend ideal policy reforms with the hustle-bustle of politics and

He can blend ideal policy reforms with the hustle-bustle of politics and deal-making and still come out on top in the end. deal-making and still come out on top in the end. He was President Duterte’s secretary of the Department of Budget and Management

from July 2016 to March 5, 2019. He was also the Budget secretary under President Joseph Estrada, from July 1998 to January 2001. When Estrada conducted an all-out war against Muslim separatists and terrorists in Mindanao, Diokno readily provided the funds for the military operations. It paid off. Estrada captured 45 rebels camps, including their headquarters. Diokno also served as Undersecretary for Budget Operations at the Department of Budget and Management, from 1986 to 1991, during the administration of President Corazon Aquino. Aquino exceeded the budget deficit to GDP ceiling (deficit hit more than 5 percent of GDP) but greater expenditures were needed to revive a slumping economy following the Turn to A5

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Opinion

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Capitalism does not cause poverty

Who’s in hysterics over Huawei? telco giant’s development of cuttingedge 5G technology, leaving them biting the dust? And given the Trump administration’s bloody trade war with China in recent years, is Washington using its crackdown on Huawei to assert its dominance as an US SECRETARY of State Mike Pom- economic and military superpower? peo, for one. After making a categorical declaration during his recent brief visit here that the US would come to the country’s aid in the event of war in the South China Defense Secretary Sea under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, he also warned that the governDelfin Lorenzana has ment should keep the Chinese technolassured the public ogy firm Huawei at arm’s length as it poses a security risk. that there is no “Our task has been to share with cause for concern on the world the risks associated with that technology, the risks to the Filipino Huawei’s involvement people, the risk to Philippine security... in the country’s We believe that competition, whether it’s in 5G or some other technology, telecommunications ought to be open, free, transparent, industry. and we worry that Huawei is not that,” Pompeo said. He emphasized that while every nation must make “their own sovereign decision” on the use of Huawei technology, the US wants to “make sure that It appears that Washington wants to the world has its eyes wide open” on the get Huawei out of the way by invoking risks posed by the use of Huawei systems national security risks not just to the US as the backbone of communication net- but also other countries, including the works. He pointed out that the US would Philippines. After all, as observers have not partner with countries that make use noted, control of the critical infrastrucof Huawei systems, as doing so would ture that runs 5G is crucial as the new endanger the US. network will not only support super-fast But in the same breath, the Ameri- mobile internet but will also be the backcan official also touted US technology: bone behind other advanced technology “American companies are the best part- like driverless cars. ners in the priorities of infrastructure Is the US hysterics over Huawei’s 5G development and the digital economy advances working? because they operate with the highest In July last year, Australia said it standards of transparency and adherence would ban Huawei from 5G rollout amid to the rule of law. The same cannot be security concerns. Later, Britain folsaid for Chinese state-run or state-backed lowed suit, saying it would strip Huawei enterprises.” equipment from 4G network by 2021 Now the cat is out of the bag as to the and won’t use it in 5G core. In February American agenda. Is that because Hua- this year, the US State Department urged wei has already emerged as the world’s European countries not to use Huawei No. 1 telecom supplier and the No. 2 equipment in their 5G rollouts. Last smartphone maker after Samsung, dis- month, Italy was also reported as pushlodging the American-owned Apple? ing for a ban on Huawei 5G. Could it be that strenuous American Here at home, however, US calls efforts to convince other countries to stay for the government to keep Huawei out away from patronizing Huawei smart- seems to have fallen on deaf ears. phones and other telecommunications Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana technology is that Apple and other US has assured the public that there is no firms are hurting badly from the Chinese cause for concern on Huawei’s involve-

ment in the country’s telecommunications industry. Lorenzana brushed aside the possibility of the Chinese listening in on the country’s communication lines via the Chinese firm: “Well, that is a cause for concern if they are already interfering in our activities. But I’m sure the officials of the Department of Information and Communication Technology are doing their job to secure us. The DICT has assured us that our security is not compromised.” The Department of Interior and Lo Local Government is also eyeing a partnership with Huawei and China Telecom for its 18-city, 12,000-camera surveillance project called Safe Philippines. The P20-billion contract with state-owned China International Telecommunication Construction Corporation for the emergency response and monitoring system involves tapping Huawei to provide the equipment, including CCTV cameras. While the China-funded project has been flagged bys senators concerned about security and privacy risks, it appears that the project is already ready to roll. The Bases Conversion and Develop Development Authority has also signed a memomemo randum of understanding with Huawei for the development of “smart cities” in Clark, Pampanga and Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. Huawei’s billionaire founder Ren Zhengfei and other senior executives have given assurances that the company would not build backdoors or hand over customer data to Beijing. Ren also said the company would never help China spy on the United States—even if required by law. “We never participate in espionage, and we do not allow any of our employees to do any act like that.” But what does Beijing think about this issue? According to Chinese government spokesperson Zhang Yesui: “Some U.S. government officials have been playing up the so-called security risk associated with products of certain Chinese companies and linking it with Chinese national intelligence law. This kind of behavior is interference in economic activities by political means and it is against WTO (World Trade Organization) rules. And it disrupts international market order that is built on fair competition. This is typical double standard. It is neither fair nor ethical.” ernhil@yahoo.com

Mail Matters

An open letter from women leaders

WE JOIN our voices as women colleagues who have worked in governments and in multilateral organizations in support of promoting humanitarian relief, advocating for human rights principles and normative policies, advancing sustainable development, and resolving some of the world’s most complex conflicts. We ourselves have leveraged multilateralism in order to drive positive change for peoples and our planet. Now we collectively call attention to the need to achieve full gender equality and empowerment of women across all ambits of society and the critical importance of multilateralism as a vehicle in support of that. As women leaders in our respective fields, we have struggled locally and globally to respond to challenges ranging from the elimination of hunger to achieving peace and security, and from the provision of emergency humanitarian aid in the aftermath of natural and human-induced disasters to the promotion of human rights, including those of women, children, marginalized populations, and those living with disabilities. Our work at its best was based on the principles of sustainable development and the need to build long term resilience. It has also been underpinned by our determination to have a positive impact on the lives of those with and for whom we work, particularly the most vulnerable. We are deeply convinced that for peace to be achieved and sustained, the full participation and potential of women must be unleashed. Our shared sense of purpose and responsibility to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment derives from our experiences. Despite decades of notable advances, a reality in which opportunities, freedoms, and rights are not defined by gender has not been universally attained. Even more concerning, we are seeing in some places that the basic rights of women are interpreted as direct and destabilizing challenges to

Ben Diokno... From A4 worst political and economic crisis ever in the country. Under Duterte, Diokno went all out to finance the President’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure buildup and fulfill the former Davao mayor’s campaign promise to double the income of soldiers, policemen, and teachers. Today, soldiers, policemen and teachers are the highest paid civil servants in their respective pay scales. During the Aquino presidency, Diokno provided technical assistance to several major reforms such as the design of the 1986 Tax Reform Program, which simplified income tax

existing power structures. That can lead to efforts to roll back hard-won rights and frameworks agreed on in support of gender equality and women’s empowerment, not least those encapsulated in the historic Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995 and Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. As women increasingly occupy meaningful spaces in local, national, and international political structures and in socioeconomic, scientific and sustainable development debates, and as we engage through civil society in many campaigns, we see now, close to a quarter of a century after Beijing, more movements gaining traction which seek to halt the gains made and erode the rights won by women. This regression is what fuels our collective effort now under the banner of “Women Leaders—voices for change and inclusion”. As women leaders, we call on leaders in governments, the private sector, and civil society to reinvest in policies and in legal and social frameworks that will achieve gender equality and inclusion. Ours is a call for a redoubling of current efforts which are insufficient in many places. Above all, we seek to underscore that the risk posed by politics that seek to halt and erode gender equality is a risk not only to women, but also to all of humanity because half the population is prevented from contributing to its full potential. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, the Convention on the Eradication of Discrimination Against Women, and many other global agreements, treaties, and conventions have been achieved through multilateralism and demand our collective effort in order to realize their ambitious vision. They represent the hopes and aspirations of current and future generations. Yet, these transformative agendas and agreements are increasingly and disconcertingly called

and introduced the value-added tax, and the 1991 Local Government Code of the Philippines. During the Estrada administration, Diokno initiated and instituted several reforms that would enhance transparency and improve the efficiency of the delivery of government services. The first major reform instituted was the “what you see is what you get” or WYSWYG policy that is a simplified system of fund release for the General Appropriations Act. This allowed agency heads to immediately plan and contract out projects by just looking at the GAA, which is available in print and at the DBM website, without waiting for the issuance of an allotment authority. Diokno initiated the reform of the gov-

into question. We attach our names to this open letter in the belief that, by bringing together our voices and leveraging our experiences, as women leaders from diverse backgrounds, we will amplify the reach and impact of our message. In the coming weeks and months, we will speak through different means and publish a series of opinion pieces and essays in publications around the world that draw on our diverse—and yet shared—experiences and perspectives as women leaders in our respective fields. It is our hope that this compilation of work will serve not only to impart insights on the importance of women as multilateral actors, but also to be a call to action to the women leaders and advocates of tomorrow. The space that we collectively occupy as women leaders in our fields across the public, private, and civil society spheres was not opened up easily and can never be taken for granted. It is the result of the sacrifices and struggles, of generations of women. Political forces today threaten to erode the progress that we have made at both the national level and through landmark global agendas. Whether those forces succeed will depend on whether the women leaders and advocates of today and tomorrow and all who stand with them recognize the urgency and peril but also the opportunity of this current moment and act accordingly. Shamshad Akhtar, Amat Alsoswa, Valerie Amos, Zainab Bangura, Catherine Bertini, Irina Bokova, Gina Casar, Margaret Chan, Helen Clark, Radhika Coomaraswamy, Ertharin Cousin, Christiana Figueres, Louise Frechette, Cristina Gallach, Rebeca Grynspan, Noeleen Heyzer, Elisabeth Lindenmayer, Susana Malcorra, Aïchatou Mindaoudou, Flavia Pansieri, Navi Pillay, Mary Robinson, Josette Sheeran, Fatiah Serour, Ann Veneman, Sahle-Work Zewde.

ernment procurement system through the adoption of rapidly improving information and communications technology. He secured technical assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency to help the GPS develop an electronic procurement system along the lines of the Canadian model. By August 1999, the DBM had two documents necessary to initiate reforms in public procurement. In early 2000, Diokno and USAID successfully concluded a substantial technical assistance program for the DBM’s budget reform programs, which now included procurement reform. Other budget reforms instituted by Diokno concerned procedures for payment of accounts payable and terminal leave/ retirement gratuity

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A GROWING number of millennials believea that capitalism causes poverty. To accuse capitalism of causing poverty—while in the very act of eradicating it—is to commit both a historical error and a profound injustice. The economist, Angus Maddison, writing in the 1980s, described the progress in the leading capitalist nations—the US, Great Britain, Japan, Australia, et al.—since 1820. “In the past 160 years, the total product of the sixteen countries considered here has increased sixty-fold, their population more than four-fold, and their per capita product thirteen- fold. Annual working hours were cut from 3,000 to less than 1,700, which means that labor productivity increased about twenty-fold. Life expectation doubled from about thirty-five to over seventy years. I call this the ‘capitalist epoch’ because its main engine of growth has been the acceleration of technical progress, with capital formation as the major instrument by which it was exploited to increase output.” Such facts show that there are serious errors in the thinking of capitalism’s critics. One of these is the failure to examine the rise of capitalism in its full historical context. The critics of the factory system look at the workers toiling for low wages, and become indignant at the capitalist who pays them. They accuse him of exploitation. But the full truth is that these workers eagerly sought such work because it represented a significant advance in their living standard—and, in more than a few cases, it meant the difference between life and starvation. There are two important facts regarding the industrial working class of this era. One is that it was poor. The other is that its living standard was gradually rising. The first is capitalism’s inheritance from feudalism. The second is its own achievement. Capitalism’s critics are guilty of a logical fallacy: they drop historical context. No event or phenomenon can be understood outside of the causal factors that give rise to it. The impoverished condition of the working class of this era is the direct result of the feudal system. To ignore this is to sweep aside the facts. To accuse capitalism of causing poverty—while in the very act of eradicating it—is to commit both a historical error and a profound injustice. The close correlations in the world today between freedom and prosperity—and between statism and destitution—were discussed above. Still, capitalism’s enemies currently assail it as a system oppressive to the workers and the poor. They attack Asian factories affiliated with such American companies as Nike and The Gap as “sweatshops.” The anticapitalist agitators criticize Nike for paying Vietnamese workers an average daily wage of $1.60. Such an amount of money is truly miserable by the standards of modern capitalist countries. But what is it relative to the alternatives open to these workers elsewhere in their Communist, socialist, or feudal economies? According to the World Bank, in 1998 more than 278 million people in East Asian countries subsisted on less than a dollar a day. Communist Vietnam is down at the bottom of the list regarding prosperity. If a 260-day work year is assumed, then $1.60 per day adds to $416.00 per year, significantly above the $250.00 per year income that many in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and other countries subsist on. No wonder Nike has no difficulty attracting workers into its employ. It is paying wages quite a bit

Negative... From A4

pared, administration bets can speak on various issues during a public debate, and they can also get elected. So, why skirt the issues if they can be answered? In a clear demolition job, President Duterte and PDEA chief Aaron Aquino announced that they will reveal a list of candidates in “narco-politics.” The list to be made public two weeks before the May 13 elections allegedly involves

benefits. The release of cash allocation were programmed and uploaded to the department’s website while payments were made direct to the bank accounts of specific contractor. Diokno finished his bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines (1968), and earned his master’s in Public Administration (1970) and Economics (1974), also from UP. He also holds a Master of Arts in Political Economy (1976) from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA and a Ph.D. in Economics (1981) from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, USA. He is professor emeritus at UP Diliman. Diokno served as Fiscal Adviser to the Phil-

higher than what is available to these laborers elsewhere in the oppressive feudal or Communist societies in which they live. But no such hypothetical calculation needs to be taken as the final word. The actual facts of Vietnamese living conditions redound even more greatly to capitalism’s credit—for the minimum wage there averages out to $134 annually while Nike’s workers receive on average $670. In Indonesia, Nike’s subsidiaries pay an average of $720 annually in contrast to the minimum wage which totals $241. “In the poorest developing countries, someone working for an American employer draws no less than eight times the average national wage.” Further, foreign companies in the poorest countries pay their workers, on average, twice what the corresponding native firms pay.

To think that it does would be to commit both a historical error and a profound injustice.

The difference, of course, is the technology made possible by the greater capital invested by American and other Western firms, which raises the productivity of each worker. Similarly, the more modernized plants of the American companies translate to better and safer working conditions. Technology and industrial mechanization—the achievements of the minds of men made possible by freedom— are raising living standards in 21st century Asia just as they did in 18th century Europe. The real problem in Third World countries is not that Western companies “exploit” their workers—they do not; it is that indigenous dictatorial regimes—whether communist, socialist, theocratic, feudal, or military—oppress their own citizens. The moral imperative is not to pressure Nike, et. al., into “better treatment” of its employees; it is to overthrow the communist, theocratic, or military despots and establish capitalism, the only system that respects the rights of the individual. The “Asian Tigers”—Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore—are important examples. In the post-World War II period, these nations, often under America’s guidance and/or protection, moved toward capitalist or semi-capitalist politicaleconomic systems. As a result, these became comparatively the freest and wealthiest nations of Asia—most likely in the history of Asia. The parallel between the pre-capitalist European economies of the 18th century and the pre-capitalist Asian economies of the 20th and 21st centuries is striking. In both, state-dominated economies led to destitute conditions or worse. In both, capitalists opened factories to which workers flocked because the wages offered were significantly higher than what was otherwise available to them. In both, the factory system was denounced by anti-capitalist writers as “exploitative.” Regarding both, capitalism’s critics are guilty of the logical fallacy of context-dropping. If we are truly concerned with helping the poor, we should criticize the statist political systems responsible for causing the poverty. We should not attack the germinating capitalism that begins to relieve it. eric.jurado@gmail.com

several names in the opposition slate. If the government has a solid case,, why not file charges against them now ? Does it have to be done at the homestretch of the poll campaign when those involved do not have any more time to challenge the allegations in a court of law? The motive is apparently to put a stigma of drug involvement on the candidates that will hang over the heads and minds of voters. This is politics at its lowest and dirtiest.

ippine Senate. He also served as chairman and CEO of the Philippine National Oil Co. and Chairman of the Local Water Utilities Administration. He was also chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (City University of Manila). In his third tour of duty as Budget secretary, he pursued an expansionary fiscal policy to finance investments in human capital development and public infrastructure. In addition, he sought passage of a Budget Reform Bill to ensure the compliance of future budgets with the pertinent laws of the land. He also aims to reorganize and professionalize the bureaucracy with a Government Rightsizing Act. biznewsasia@gmail.com

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News

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CEB expands domestic ops By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Cebu Paciﬁc Air has announced it is expanding domestic operations with the commencement of regular commercial ﬂights between Manila and Marinduque.

The Manila-Marinduque route will be operated by CEB’s subsidiary CebGo using its fleet of brand-new ATR aircraft. Flights between Manila and Marinduque will begin operations on April 1 every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The flight will be operated out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4 (Manila Domestic Terminal) in Manila. “We are excited to begin operations in one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines—Marinduque,” said Alexander Lao, president and CEO of Cebgo. “It takes only about an hour to fly between Manila and Marinduque—in contrast to the

eight-hour trip by ferry and land today. Regular ﬂights will allow business to prosper and the island’s tourism sector to boom,” he added. To travel between Manila and Marinduque, residents, tourists and entrepreneurs currently spend up to four hours by land from Manila to the Dalahican Port in Lucena, then take a three to four hour roll-on, roll-off (Roro) ferry ride to the island-province. When the sea is rough or a storm signal is raised, ferry services are grounded —sometimes for several days. Marinduque is the site of the Moriones Festival, held annually during Holy Week. It reenacts the story of Longinus, the Roman centurion who pierced the cruciﬁed

Jesus Christ with a spear, and his eventual conversion to Christianity. On top of the popular festival, the heartshaped province also boasts of pristine white sand beaches and small neighboring islands teeming with marine life. Marinduque is the 37th domestic destination of Cebu Pacific, and often mentioned as an idyllic destination for a tropical getaway by travel writers. Aside from Marinduque, Cebu Pacific also operates flights to destinations that are now up-and-coming tourist areas such as Masbate, Siargao, Camiguin and Virac. Cebu Pacific operates flights out of seven other strategically placed hubs in the Philippines: Manila, Clark, Kalibo, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan) and Davao. The combined CEB and Cebgo network covers a total of 37 domestic and 26 international destinations and over 107 routes spanning Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and USA.

Challenge to poll bets: Stand with teachers, fight for Sweldo THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers challenges electoral candidates to stand with the education sector and fight for an agenda that will address the most pressing issues of the sector and of the nation. The 2019 elections’ relevance lies on whether it will bring meaningful change for the people, the group said in a press statement. ACT said: “We urge candidates to join us in the just fight for SWELDO, which embodies the meaningful change education workers and the rest of the people need and deserve: S – alary Increase W – elfare and Benefits E – ducation and Social Services L – abor Rights and Lasting Peace D – emocracy and Pro-people Development O – wnership and Sovereignty The midterm elections come at a time when people suffer from high prices due to imposition of additional taxes, record-high unemployment rate, waning local produc-

tion with the threat of import influx, and increasing rates of poverty among Filipinos. Unrest is an inevitable consequence of the dire economic conditions in the country, with more people continually seeking substantive changes, it said. Such is the case of teachers and education workers who have mounted bigger demonstrations to protest lamentable conditions of teachers and of the whole education sector. ACT said: “Various forms of protests and lobbying efforts have been launched to further their fight for decent and livable salaries, as well as for sufficient budget for education and other social services. “Education workers and advocates have joined other sectors in calling for the junking of TRAIN Law, for the protection and upholding of labor rights, for genuine agrarian reform, for the defense of our territories against foreign invasion and exploitation, and many other united call of the Filipino people.

SAN JOSE WATER DISTRICT Mun. Compd., Brgy. 7, San Jose, Occ. Mindoro 5100 Telephone: (043) 457-0239 / 0261 / 1972 / 4429/0430 FAX: (043) 457-0261 INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO SUBMIT COMPARATIVE PROPOSALS (IAESP) The San Jose Water District (SJWD), created pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 198, as amended, otherwise known as the Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973, received an unsolicited proposal from the Original Proponent for the FINANCING, IMPROVEMENT, REHABILITATION, EXPANSION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM OF SAN JOSE WATER DISTRICT. Pursuant to the 2013 Guidelines issued by the National Economic Development Authority under Section 8 of Executive Order No. 423 dated 30 April 2005, negotiations ensued between SJWD and Original Proponent on the JV Proposal. Subsequently, an agreement was reached between SJWD and Original Proponent to form an Unincorporated Joint Venture to undertake the JV Project. In compliance with SJWD Board Resolution No. 1533-2019-21, SJWD, through its Joint Venture Selection Committee (JVSC), invites Interested Private Proponent/s (IPPs) to challenge the JV Proposal by submitting comparative proposals for the following: Name of Project

: Financing, Improvement, Rehabilitation, Expansion, Operation and Maintenance of the Water Supply System of San Jose Water District

Location of Project

: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines

Project Description : The project involves a joint venture undertaking between SJWD and the Winning Private Proponent for the financing, improvement, rehabilitation, expansion, operation and maintenance of the water supply system of San Jose Water District. Applications for eligibility shall be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion. An IPP shall be considered eligible upon compliance with the following minimum qualification requirements: 1.1. The IPP must be either of the following: a. b.

A duly licensed sole proprietorship owned by a Filipino citizen; or A partnership or corporation created pursuant to the Corporation Code of the Philippines and registered with the SEC. A Consortium of two or more entities with at least sixty percent (60%) of both voting and non-voting interest in the said Consortium being owned and held, by citizens of the Philippines and/or by Philippine registered corporations at least sixty percent (60%) of both the total number of outstanding shares of stock, whether or not entitled to vote in the election of directors are owned by Philippine nationals.

1.2. The nationality of the IPP shall be determined via the Grandfather Rule. 1.3. If the IPP is a Consortium, each member of the Consortium must be disclosed during the pre-qualification stage and the Lead Member thereof must be specifically identified. For this purpose, the Lead member must have at least fifty-one percent (51%) equity interest in the Consortium, andthe totalpercentage interestof all Consortium Membersmustbeone hundredpercent(100%). 1.4. The IPP or each Consortium member must execute Omnibus Sworn Statement. 2.

Technical Eligibility 2.1. The IPP must have completed a similar or related project costing at least 50% of the cost of the JV Activity/Project within the last five (5) years. For the avoidance of doubt, cost of the JV Activity/Project pertains to the amount of contribution of SJWD and the Original Proponent representing the present value of capital expenditures. For this project, the cost of the JV Project is equal to Five Hundred Three Million Eight Hundred Thirty Thousand One Hundred Ninety-Two Pesos (PhP 503,830,192)

Financial Eligibility 3.1. The IPP should have the capability to finance the completion of the entire project evidenced by financial documents to be submitted and will form as an integral part of the Financial Proposal. 3.2 A letter from a domestic universal/commercial bank, or an international bank with a subsidiary/branch in the Philippines, or any international bank recognized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), attesting that the IPP is one of its current clients, and is in good financial standing.

Additional eligibility criteria are specified in the instructions to IPPs. Only those lPP’s that are deemed eligible shall be entitled to submit Comparative Proposals, which must be in accordance with instructions contained in the Request for Proposal Documents (RFP Documents). The JVSC shall evaluate the proposals using the Quality Based Evaluation/Selection (QBE/QBS) procedure. The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of the proposals shall be provided in the Instructions to Interested Private Proponent/s (IIPPs). The following procedures, schedules and instructions shall be strictly observed: SCHEDULE (using Philippine Standard Time) March 8, 2019

ACTIVITY 1. Publication 2. Posting 3. Purchase of Eligibility Documents for a nonrefundable fee of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 200,000.00) , in cash or Managers Check made payable to San Jose Water District 4. Submission of Eligibility Documents

5. Opening Documents

Eligibility

6. Determination of Eligibility

March 8, 2019 to March 15, 2019 March 8, 2019 to March 22, 2019 (from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)

The Eligibility Documents may be purchased ONLY from SJWD -JVSC at the Municipal Compound, Brgy. 7, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

On or before April 22, 2019 (until 10:00 am only)

Deadline of Submission of Eligibility Documents to SJWD -JVSC office,Municipal Compound, Brgy. 7, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

April 22, 2019 at 1:00 pm onwards

JVSC will determine the completeness of the eligibility documents based on a pass or fail criteria. For those IPPs with incomplete, irregular or patently insufficient submission shall be considered failed. For those IPPs whose eligibility documents appear to be complete shall be further evaluated to determine its eligibility. JVSC will evaluate the eligibility documents of the IPPs to determine if they are eligible or ineligible, and the IPPs will be notified of the result of the evaluation. Tender Documents may be purchased ONLY from SJWD -JVSC Secretariat at the San Jose Water District, Municipal Compound, Brgy. 7, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

On or before May 7, 2019

7. Purchase of Tender Documents by IPPs declared “eligible” for non-refundable fee of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 500,000.00), in cash or Managers Check made payable to San Jose Water District

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS

May 7 to May 14, 2019

8. Pre-selection conference will thereafter be held.

August 12, 2019 (1:00 pm)

9. Submission and Opening Comparative Proposal

September 11, 2019 (until 10:00 am only)

All Eligible IPPs are encouraged to attend the conference to be held at the San Jose Water District, Municipal Compound, Brgy. 7, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Comparative Proposals shall be addressed to: Joseph Robert Gerard B. Monterey Chairperson - JVSC SAN JOSE WATER DISTRICT

For any queries and/or clarifications, please address your communication in writing to the Chairperson of SJWD-JVSC at the address indicated above or fax the same at (043)4570430 or email the same to sanjosewaterdistrict_occimin@yahoo.com. SJWD reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, waive any minor deviations, and award the contract for the JV Project to the IPP whose financial proposal is the best among the qualified interested private proponent/s whose technical proposals are complying. All proposals must be accompanied by a Proposal Security in the form as required by the government entity which may be cash, certified check, manager’s check, letter of credit, or bank draft/guarantee issued by a reputable local/foreign bank, or surety bond callable on demand issued by GSIS or an entity duly registered and recognized by the office of the Insurance Commissioner, or a combination thereof payable to the Government Agency concerned amounting to 2% of the estimated participation of the Original Proponent for the entire cooperation period. SJWD assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify any IPP for expenses incurred in the preparation of the comparative proposals.

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CLENCHED FIST. Leyte 1st District Rep. and Tingog Party-List 1st Nominee Yedda Marie Romualdez (center) flashes a fist on the chest trade mark with Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo (8th right, standing) as well as leaders of all Visayans living in Mabalacat City, during a courtesy call on Garbo. She is the wife of former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez whose mother, the former Juliette Gomez, is a native of Mabalacat City, Pampanga. Ver Noveno

Nograles says UHC to be implemented Murang Kuryente bill okayed By Vito Barcelo

CABINET Secretary Karlo Nograles on Thursday said that despite limited financial resources, the Duterte administration would properly implement the Universal Health Care Act, to provide Filipino families proper medical treatment. “Limited financial resources should not be a hurdle to getting life-saving medical treatment, “medical treatment that is available... but inaccessible. Medical treatment that is available, but unaffordable. Medical treatment that is available, but beyond the reach of the ordinary Filipino family,” Nograles said in a statement. In a related development: • Former Senate President and returning senatorial candidate Juan Ponce Enrile has brought attention to the financial viability of the recentlysigned UHC Act, citing that funds would have to be diverted from infrastructure, education, defense, and other sectors of government spending to bankroll the program. “This field must be carefully studied. Health care involves money—lots of it and from the public. It will involve the financial capacity of the taxpayers to fund a health care program,” said Enrile, who previously served as secretary of Finance under the administration of then President Ferdinand Marcos. “They need to get it from other present sources of revenue, so you have to reduce from infrastructure, education, or defense so you can fulfill that program,” Enrile

explained, adding: “You have to study all of these and balance the need of the people to have income in their pockets to consume so that the economy will grow and the need of the government to provide services to the people plus investment for infrastructure.” Speaking to members of the Philippine Rheumatology Association during its 25th Annual Meeting at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City, Nograles said that the concern of the President is for the welfare of the Filipino people. “Build, Build, Build may be the catchphrase of the government’s infrastructure program, but it could very well capture what this administration has sought to accomplish,” he said. “The President’s objective is to build a society where everyone has opportunities, a society where farmers are given free irrigation and a chance to become more productive; a society where our youth can avail of free college education so they have a chance to get better jobs; a society where everyone can be assured of accessible medical treatment so that every Filipino can lead a long and healthy life,” the former legislator from Davao said. Nograles, who supported the passage of the UHCA law when he was the representative of the First District of Davao, said that the government recognized that work had to be done to ensure that the objectives of the law would be met. “Like any law, the positive impact of the UHC Act is contingent on the success of its implementation,” he said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Cancer stakeholders thank legislators CANCER advocacy groups expressed their gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte and legislators of both Houses of Congress, for the signing into law of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act. An alliance of cancer stakeholders have been campaigning for a solid national policy on cancer control that will establish an institutionalized and effective system to address the complex needs of cancer patients all over the country. The National Integrated Cancer Control Act or now known as Republic Act 11215 is a landmark legislation overwhelmingly passed with the stewardship of Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and his counterpart, House of Representatives Committee on Health Chairperson Rep. Helen Tan. “What started as a shared vision would not have become a reality, without the consistent and untiring support from the Senate and House Committees on Health leadership,” Cancer Coalition of the Philippines said in a statement. The law aims to “promote an integrated and

comprehensive approach to health development which includes strengthening of integrative multidisciplinary, patient, family centered cancer control policies, systems, and services at all levels of the existing healthcare delivery system.” “The Coalition believes the approval by the President reﬂects the immeasurable value our country places on persons with cancer of any age, stage, gender, and income bracket,” CCPh added. Ejercito, also extended his gratitude to the President and various organizations for their support, stating that the timely passage of the law is the best Valentine’s gift to cancer patients and their families, and to millions of Filipinos affected by the economic catastrophic impact of the disease. According to a recent report from the Philippine Statistics Authority, cancer is the third-most common cause of death for both adults and children in the country. Other health studies also showed projections pointing to an 80 percent increase of cancer incidence in 12 years.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Win Gatchalian on Thursday said the bicameral conference committee had approved the proposed Murang Kuryente law that would lower electricity rates by as much as P1 per kilowatthour and would benefit 16 million households. The Murang Kuryente measure will specifically remove the Stranded Contract Cost (UC-SCC) and Stranded Debts (UCSD) under the universal charge. This is because the cost of these items will now be paid out of 60 to 70 percent of the P204-billion Malampaya fund. The Malampaya fund is the gas money for the government sourced from payments of oil companies Caltex and Shell for extracting natural gas in Malampaya oil field in Palawan province. Gatchalian said this would mean that for a household which consumes 200 kWh per month, they would be able to save P170 per month which is worth four kilos of rice. He said the Malampaya natural gas plant was expected to earn P22 billion this year and again in 2020, which should just be enough to cover for the debts of National Power Corp. and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.—which stands at P466 billion—on a staggered basis. “The Malampaya fund is intact. Our estimate there would still be P100 billion left after paying the debts of Napocor and PSALM,” he said. Besides, he said the last time the Malampaya fund was used, it was used for fertilizer fund, farm-to-market roads… projects which are not energy-related,” said Gatchalian as he expressed hope that this could be sustained. He said the bill would lower the universal charge by using part of the Malampaya fund to pay the debts incurred by the Napocor and PSALM. Likewise, the Murang Kuryente bill provides that the remainder of the Malampaya fund should be spent on energy-related projects.

Angara to gov’t: Step up free Internet access usage REELECTIONIST Senator Juan Edgardo Angara wants the government to step up the implementation of free Internet access in public places under Republic Act 10929, particularly in state universities and colleges across the country. Under the law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017 creating the Free Internet Access Program, the Department of Information and Communications Technology is the lead agency in

carrying out the government’s free W-Fi program in public places in the country, including government-run education institutions. Angara, however, disclosed that out of the 112 SUCs covered by the project, only 17 had been given the free Wi-Fi connectivity as of December 2018, based on DICT’s data it submitted to the Senate during the last budget hearing. “That’s only 15 percent of the overall target,” lamented the senator,

who is running under the platform “Alagang Angara.” “Any delay means depriving our students and faculty members of 95 SUCs access to free Wi-Fi as what the project has intended.” The government’s free public Wi-Fi project has a total budget of P1.7 billion for 2018, which includes P326 million for SUCs and P1.36 billion for free Wi-Fi in public places. However, as of June 2018, the DICT reported during a Senate bud-

get hearing that it had only utilized 10 percent of the fund appropriated for the project. According to Angara, the free internet connectivity in SUCs can help students with their research, school assignments and projects. With free Wi-Fi access, Angara said, devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones could connect students to a wealth of text, audio and video content not found in textbooks. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sports

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Fernandez: Sports associations can hire more foreign coaches By Peter Atencio MORE foreign coaches can be hired by national sports associations this year. Commissioner Ramon Fernandez said this is now possible after the Philippine Sports Commission refined its policies. “The NSAs can hire as many foreign coaches as they can, provided this is supported by their budgets,” said Fernandez. This policy will be tackled today when the NSAs go into an alignment meeting with the PSC at the Philippine International Convention Center. Fernandez said the meeting will tackle the concerns of many NSAs leading to their preparation for the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games. Since November last year, the agency has been sitting down with NSAs over their many concerns. Among the concerns involved NSAs with internal disputes and unliquidated financial assistance. PSC Chairman William Ramirez hopes that many NSAs will comply with liquidation within 30 days and resolve disputes as well. Ramirez said that if this doesn’t happen in the first quarter of the year, the agency will withhold funding on the erring NSA. The PSC chief will update the NSAs on the construction of the Philippine Sports Training Center that will be built in Rosales, Pangasinan. The facilities inside a 20-hectare land is expected to begin by July next year.

Novis seeks repeat in PPS Tagum netfest ANGELICA Novis hopes to ride the momentum of her two-title romp in Digos last week as she leads close to 200 players chasing honors and ranking points in the PPS-PEPP Tagum City national age-group beginning today (Friday, March 8) in Davao del Norte. Reyman Saldivar Jr., on the other hand, tries to make up for his failed two-title bid the last time out although he faces an uphill battle again in the full-packed 14- and 16-U rosters of the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop. Keen competition is also seen in five other categories in singles play with five titles also up for grabs in the doubles event of the tournament serving as part of the Mindanao swing of the nationwide circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro. Host Mayor Allan Rellon has guaranteed a successful staging of the event at the Tagum City Tennis Club with the top and rising age-groupers from nearby towns and cities all geared up for five days of battle of power and style. Khobe Dumlao, Kurt Haro and Andre Santiago are tipped to dispute the boys’ 18-U singles crown with the 14-year-old Saldivar from Kabacan also trying his luck in the centerpiece division of the tournament. Yusuf Maldo, also from Kabacan, likewise goes for a repeat in the 10-unisex along with local bets Juliana Carvajal in the girls’ 14-U and Charles Jumawan in the boys’ 12-U section. But focus will be on Malita ace Novis and Saldivar, two of a number of emerging talents produced by the year-long nationwide circuit sanctioned by Unified Tennis Philippines made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. Meanwhile, a huge field is being firmed up for next week’s event coinciding with the Araw ng Davao celebrations. For details and listup, call PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Joyette Jopson (center) will be flying to the northernmost point on Earth to represent the Philippines in the forthcoming FWD North Pole Marathon.

FWD backs North Pole marathon F

WD Life Philippines, one of the fastest-growing insurers in the country, is pleased to announce FWD’s sponsorship of the “FWD North Pole Marathon” which will be held on April 9 for the third time. As a title sponsor for the ‘World’s Coolest Marathon’, FWD will also support this year’s representative to embrace the challenge at the extreme 89° latitude North. Joyette Jopson: Fearless Filipina amongst Team Asia At a media event held on March 5, launching FWD Philippines’ “Fearless in the Arctic” campaign, FWD introduced its representative runner, Joyette Jopson—triathlete, the Philippines’ Filipino Elite Champion, and FWD Financial Wealth Ofﬁcer. Jopson will be ﬂying to the northernmost point on Earth to represent the Philippines in the forthcoming marathon. “FWD is extremely proud to continue our support for this challenging and oneof-a-kind event, as it resonates our core values of empowering people to pursue

their passions and explore a lifetime of limitless possibilities,” said FWD Life Philippines President and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer Peter Grimes said. “Moreover, as a Pan-Asian insurer, we are a strong supporter of Asian achievement, endurance, and excellence.” Jopson will be joined by FWD representative runners from Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand, collectively called FWD Team Asia, as well as runners from around the world, in what is dubbed as one of the world’s most challenging and grueling sporting events. “We chose Joyette as the Philippines’ representative to the FWD North Pole Marathon this year because of her indomitable spirit, something that will help her conquer the North Pole. As the

first Filipina who is set to conquer the marathon, she will proudly bring both FWD and Filipino Pride to the world stage,” Grimes said. “Joyette has broken her own barriers as a triathlete, competing with the most experienced athletes in the world, and this is why we believe she is perfect to be the country’s representative this year.” “As an FWD Financial Wealth Officer, I take to heart our mission to take care of our customers’ financial future and change the way people feel about insurance,” Jopson said. “I am truly grateful to have been chosen to represent FWD and the Philippines in the North Pole Marathon as this really will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me! Inspired by the FWD’s Get Ready to Live brand spirit, I will bring with me relentless courage and determination against the world’s harshest conditions as I aim to make my country proud.” Conquering the World’s Coolest—and Toughest—Marathon The FWD North Pole Marathon par-

ticipants will be running on an ice sheet of 6 to 12 feet thick and above 12,000 feet of Arctic Ocean, literally on top of the world. They will be running a 42-kilometer path with an average temperature of negative 30 degrees centigrade, even going as low as negative 40 degrees centigrade at times. What makes the marathon unique is that it is run on a small 4.22-kilometer (2.62-mile) loop about 10 times, over hard snow or ice. The marathon is recognized by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races and is the only certiﬁed marathon that is run entirely on the frozen water of the Arctic Ocean. The North Pole Marathon has also been recognized by Guinness World Records as the “Northernmost Marathon on Earth” and is generally considered one of the toughest marathons ever because the runners do not only contend with their own physical limitations, but also with the freezing temperature, the biting wind, and the snow-ﬁlled path.

Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa to oversee Brave 22 preparations

Brave Combat Federation is a Mixed Martial Arts promotion under KHK MMA Bahrain through the vision of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa (right), the prince of Bahrain.

HIS Royal Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and founder of Brave Combat Federation, arrived Wednesday to oversee the preparations for the coming Brave CF event in the country slated March 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena. His Highness Sheikh Khalid’s visit is an important milestone in the diplomatic affairs between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Philippines as he is also expected to meet president Rodrigo Duterte. This is also expressed as well through the endeavors of taking Bahrain’s ﬂagship Mixed Martial Arts promotion to the Southeast Asian nation. Brave 22: The Storm of Warriors marks the ﬁrst time ever that Brave CF visits the Philippines, bringing 10 international bouts to the country, with athletes representing multiple nations, including, of course, a legion

of Filipino stars. The fight night will be headlined by the Bantamweight World Championship match between the local hero and world champion Stephen “The Sniper” Loman against the Challenger, and former Featherweight titleholder, Elias “Smile” Boudegzdame. Brave Combat Federation is a Mixed Martial Arts promotion under KHK MMA Bahrain through the vision of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the prince of Bahrain. His vision is to create a global sports media property which would unite nations through sports and turn athletes into champions. Brave 22: Storm of Warriors is Brave CF’s 22nd MMA event. The main card will feature Filipino fighter Loman, who will defend his bantamweight belt for the third time and for the first time on home soil. For more information about Brave and this event, please visit www.bravefights.com/brave-22.

Lakay takes talents to ONE Championship in Tokyo

Lakay warriors, led by Edward Folayang (3rd from left) and Kevin Belingon (4th from left), are presented to the media. Peter Paul Duran

THE largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), recently held an exclusive media day for Baguio City’s famed Team Lakay at the Gloria Maris at Gateway Mall. It was attended by ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon, former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, former ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and former ONE World Title contender Danny “The King” Kingad. The team was accompanied by none other than Mark Sangiao, the legendary head coach of Team Lakay. “It is a great honor for me to be in the main event of ONE Championship’s ﬁrstever event in Japan. Even though for that night, it will be enemy territory for me. I am still very excited to showcase my skills in front of the Japanese fans. Of course,

I am also completely focused and determined on keeping the ONE Lightweight World Championship around my waist. I know Shinya Aoki will be coming in very motivated to regain the title, but I have prepared well for this title defense. I will do everything in my power to remain as the champion. I have defeated him before, and I believe I can do it again,” said Folayang. On the other hand, Belingon, stated: “I am really happy to be part of the biggest ONE Championship card ever, and I am excited to be able to perform for the fans in Japan. This will be the third ﬁght between me and Bibiano Fernandes, and I expect it to be as tough, if not tougher, than our last two meetings. I know Bibiano will be hungry to win back the ONE Bantamweight World Championship, but I am determined to keep the belt with me. If I can beat Bibiano for the second time, I believe it will show that I am a worthy and deserving champion.”

“I am truly grateful that ONE Championship has chosen to put our champions Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon, as well as Danny Kingad on their first-ever card in Japan. It shows that they trust our fighters to put on a good show for the Japanese fans. We fully expect it to be a tough night for Eduard, Kevin and Danny, but we have trained hard and prepared well for their upcoming assignments so that we can get favorable results. Eduard and Kevin are completely determined keeping their championships, while Danny is out to prove that he is one of the best flyweight competitors in ONE. We are truly happy to be part of this historic event, and we cannot wait to showcase Team Lakay’s brand of martial arts,” said Sangiao. Folayang, Belingon and Kingad are set to compete at the highly-anticipated ONE: A New Era, which takes place at the iconic Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan on March 31.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Cebu grabs overall PAL golf lead

Jovencio Lusterio shoots a 71 for a 37 as Del Monte grabbed a one-point lead on the 2nd day of PAL Interclub Tournament. Charles Dantes

Show of force by Fil-Am bets Beermen gun for 3rd straight win By Jeric Lopez PEAKING San Miguel Beer seeks to improve its stand, while three slumping teams are in dire need of wins in the resumption of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Winner of two straight, the Beermen (4-3) aim to grab solo fourth place when they lock horns with unpredictable NLEX (2-4) at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. In the curtain raiser, NorthPort (2-3) and Meralco (2-5) are raring to go all out against each other as they face must-win situations in their 4:30 p.m. encounter. Following a dismal start, the defending champions are slowly but surely turning on their championship switch. In their last two wins, the Beermen reminded everyone that they are the four-time reigning champs, winning their previous two by an average of 16.5 points against Meralco and Magnolia. Beermen coach Leo Austria is glad to see that his team is back in stride. “The chemistry is now there. That was our problem before when the season started,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “Slowly, we’re gaining a good rhythm. The guys our focused more and we have momentum now.” The Beermen are favored against the Road Warriors, who can’t seem to get a steady run going. The Batang Pier and the Bolts are going to their battle having lost three in a row. At the moment, NorthPort is holding on dearly at the No. 8 spot, while Meralco is down at No. 10. Their paths are bound to be separated as one of them will be primed to ﬁnally end its losing streak and gain a pivotal win.

Former swimming chief Joseph dies MARK Joseph, the former president of the Philippine Swimming, Inc. passed away recently. Joseph, who headed the PSI for many years, was 56 when he died peacefully in his sleep in the United Kingdom. “Mr. Joseph made a signiﬁcant impact in Philippine swimming by promoting the sport at the grassroots level and by raising the Philippine swimming to international standards,” said current PSI president Lani Velasco. Joseph left the PSI under the care of Velasco’s leadership back in 2016.

LAGAN CITY—Filipino-heritage track bets debuted in the 2019 Ayala—Philippine Athletics Championship with ﬂying colors at the Ilagan City Sports Complex.

Buoyed by a record-breaking leap of Natalie Uy in women’s pole vault on Wednesday, other Fil-Ams like Robyn Brown, Carter Lilly, Kyla Richardson and Kayla Richardson, together with Kristina Knott also made waves to cement their status as a legitimate force for the country’s Southeast Asian Games aspirations. Brown, a Chino Hills, California native, reigned supreme in the women’s 400-meter hurdles after a time of 61.27 seconds, almost two seconds ahead of closest competitor Jessa Mae Jarder

(63.25s) of University of Santo Tomas. The Richardson twins also made good accounts of themselves after a win in the women’s 4x100 relay together with Zion Corrales Nelson and century dash queen Knott. Middle distance runner Carter Lilly also debuted in style by claiming the men’s 800-meter run with a time of 1 minute and 50.91 seconds. The University of Iowa stalwart Lilly eclipsed local mainstay and former champion Marco Vilog (1:53.09) and UP’s

Fil-Ams (from left) Kyla Richardson, Kristina Knott, Zion Nelson and Kayla Richardson after their 4x100 win

Mariano Masano (1:53.14). The 23-year-old Knott was hailed as the fastest woman after clocking in 11.64 seconds in the centerpiece event 100-meter run. Her fellow national teammates Zion Corrales Nelson (11.84s) and Eloisa Luzon (12.19s) secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively. The Orlando, Florida native added her century dash title to the 4x100 championship to become the only double gold medalist woman athlete so far in the three-day tournament organized by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and supported by the City of Ilagan, Ayala, Milo, Philippine Sports Commission, Soleus, L.TimeStudio, Cherrylume, Foton, Asian Athletics Association and the International Association of Athletics Federation. Meanwhile, sprinter Anfernee Lopena took advantage of top bet Eric Cray’s absence in the men’s 100-m run after running away with the gold medal in just 10.63 seconds. Without Cray, the 24-year Boholnative Lopena was just too good for Philippine Air Force’s Isidro Del Prado Jr. (11.26s) and Adamson’s Elias Ruther Cuevas (11.42s), who settled for silver and bronze medal, respectively. “Kung nandiyan si Cray, mas maganda sana kasi magandang challenge ‘yun,” said Lopena, who however, added that it’s a good run to ﬁre off his season-long preparation for the upcoming 30th SEA Games here. “Sabi po ni coach, parang appetizer pa lang. Season opener pa lang po naman . Malayo pa at matagal pa, so okay po ito na usual start ko,” he added. “In the coming competitions, hopefully, mas mapapaba ko pa ‘yung time.”

World’s no. 1 vows to get better, stronger THE morning after moving on top of the women’s pro golf ranking, Sung Hyun Park vowed to do everything to keep her lofty spot, at least for the rest of the season unlike in 2017 when she brieﬂy took the No. 1 spot after gaining the Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors. “I can’t believe to be the world No. 1,” said Park during the press conference of The Country Club Ladies Invitational at Solaire’s Waterside Tuesday night. “I just have to do my best to keep my ranking unlike in 2017.But it’s a long way to go. I have to get better and better.” She also relished her tie-up with Solaire Resort & Casino and cherished the warm welcome she received from her fellow golfers and fans alike. “It’s great to be here and I’m happy to be with Solaire. After signing up with them, I won a tournament and became the world no. 1,” said Park. “I’ve been treated very well and having a lot of fun since I arrived and I promise to play my best and looking forward to winning more tournaments and

keeping my top ranking till the end of the season.” “When I arrived at the TCC for the clinic, almost all the players were curious and wanted to talk to me. They’re very enthusiastic and I hope they can learn from me,” she added. She flaunted her world class skills in a late tee off with fellow LPGA Tour campaigner Dottie Ardina and Asian Games gold medalist amateur Yuka Saso, birdying three of the first three holes at the frontside of the tough TCC to seize early control heading to the backside. Ardina had a even par card while Saso made an opening hole bogey and parred the next eight. Taiwanese Hsiao-Ling Wu hit four birdies against three bogeys to take the clubhouse lead at 71, one ahead of amateur Sunshine Baraquiel and another Korean pro Jin-Hee Park at the completion of half of the 125-player starting field that featured some of the leading players of the LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA) and the local top guns.

CEBU—Jovencio Lusterio fired a one-under-par 71 for 37 points yesterday as Del Monte grabbed a one-point lead over Manila Southwoods in the Championship bracket even as the 72nd playing of the PAL Interclub here took on a new twist with Founders Division campaigner Cebu Country Club taking the overall lead. Del Monte tallied 121 on a demanding day at Mactan Island Golf Club, opening the door for Cebu CC, which is playing in the lower division, to grab the overall lead after also compiling 121 at Mactan for a 245 aggregate, a point ahead of the Bukidnon-based squad. Officially, this was pulled out just once before, when an Aguinaldo team made up of former Asian Games gold medalist Ramon Brobio, Bong Lopez and Thirdy Escano won the 1988 edition, also here in Cebu, while playing in the Founders Division and eventually beating Canlubang. This development will now have Cebu CC and Orchard, which is running second in the Founders with 231 points, joining the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the Championship in the pairings in the third round today also at Mactan. Southwoods got a level 36 from Aidric Chan and missed grabbing a share of the Championship lead after Jae Hyun-jung was penalized two points for holing out for double bogey. The Carmona-based squad, seeking to win this event for the fifth straight year, was held down to 118 for 241. Tagaytay Highlands, the surprise first round leader, stumbled to third spot after a measly second round 109 despite getting a tournament best 40 points from Jolo Magcalayo. Luisita continued to bring up the rear of the compact Championship field after a 114, 11 points off the pace. “Things like this happen,” Escano, Southwoods’ non-playing skipper said of the second bad round of his charges. “We are now due for two good rounds. I’m not worried.” Noel Langamin accounted for 34, Joel Bernaldez 27 and Crispin Aparilla 23 to complete scoring for Del Monte, which threw away the 20 of Julius Langamin. Masaichi Otake matched Jung’s 28 and the veteran Jun Jun Plana contributed 26 for Southwoods, which discarded the 25 of Sean Ramos. Highland’s undoing was failing to get anyone to solidly back up Magcalayo, with the next best score being the 24 of Lisandro Opulencia.

Best Center in 5 venues FIVE venues will host the basketball and volleyball clinics of the awardwinning BEST Center (Basketball Efﬁciency and Scientiﬁc Training Center) this summer. The Starmall Alabang, Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary and the Christ the King Seminary will again be the venues of Best Center’s basketball lessons, which have been recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee with an Olympism Award and by the Philippine Sportswriters Association with a Hall of Fame honor. The Ateneo college covered courts, Malate Catholic School and Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary will host the volleyball clinics. Early registrants for all venues will be accepted on March 9 at the St. Patrick School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on March 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enrollment will open at the Ateneo college covered courts on March 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary will accept students on March 17 and 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Park shoots 66, increases lead to 4 shots LAGUNA—Sung Hyun Park double her overnight lead to four behind a solid 66 expected from a player of her status and caliber but amateur Yuka Saso kept impressing the world No. 1 with her own superb game in the second round of The Country Club Ladies Invitational here yesterday. While Park’s bogey-free 32-34 card fashioned out in another hot, windy conditions hardly came as a surprise for the ﬁeld and the gallery which also grew in numbers, Saso continued to amaze the world’s best with a 68 spiked by late birdies at the front of the TCC layout that continued to receive a beating from the Korean ace. After a shaky ﬁnish of two birdies and two bogeys at the back and

settled for an opening 69 Wednesday, Park all figured out the 6461-yard course, particularly its tricky surface, gunning down birdies on Nos. 10 and 15 and sustaining her assault at the front of the Tom Weiskoph layout, netting her four birdies for that 68 and a nine-under 135. Though half of the 125-player starting field still have to complete their second round play, no one is expected to make a big surge given the playing conditions in the afternoon. “Putting was the key. I stroked them better than the first round. I made a few adjustments and it worked perfectly,” said Park, whose impeccable iron game set up five birdie putts from close range that went with her long birdie putt from 25 feet on the

difficult, tight par-4 No. 4. That put the 25-year-old two-time Major champion 18 holes away from marking her rise to the world top ranking with a victory although Saso remained hopeful of pulling off a shock final round charge given her equally fierce form and confidence boosted by Park’s inspiring remarks. “She’s really good. She made some great shots today,” said Park of the reigning Asian Games gold medalist. “I had to keep up with her (Park). Otherwise, she would’ve pulled away,” said Saso, who chipped in for birdie from 20 yards on No. 11 then nearly matched Park’s fiery frontside finish with a 33, anchored on a pair of back-to-back birdies inside nine feet from Nos. 1 and 7.

Sung Hyun Park walks off the green as Dottie Ardina lines up her putt

IN BRIEF

Gardenia expects 35% growth in sales

TAGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental―Bread maker Gardenia Bakeries (Philippines) Inc. said it expects a 35- increase in sales in 2019 to P8.9 billion from P6.6 billion in 2018, following the commissioning of new plants. Gardenia president and general manager Simplicio Umali said the newly-inaugurated plant in Misamis Oriental and another facility in Luzon would result in incremental sales this year. “Based the corporate plan, we are to grow by 25 percent this year but with the addition of two more big plants, sales for the year is expected to be 35 percent higher,” Umali said in a news briefing during the inauguration of Gardenia’s newest facility at Phividec Industrial Estate in this town. The company said that while Metro Manila remained its biggest market, the Mindanao market was expected to drive sales in the region. Umali said that with more plants ready for commissioning, the company’s ﬂour requirement was also expected to go up to 250 metric tons per day from the current 150 mtpd. The new P1-billion Mindanao plant has a production capacity of 130,000 loaves and buns a day. The 2.5-hectare Gardenia plant is the most advanced bread manufacturing facility in Mindanao. Othel V. Campos

Business

PH net oil imports rise 31% to $12.1b

THE country’s net oil import bill surged 31 percent in 2018 to $12.116 billion from $9.256 billion in 2017, according to the Energy Department. Data showed that the total oil import bill jumped 31.8 percent to $13.478 billion last year from $10.228 billion in 2017. “This was attributed to the combined effects of higher import cost and increased import volume of crude oil vis-à-vis last year,” the department said. Total oil import cost was made up of 54.5-percent ﬁnished products and 45.5-percent crude oil. Total import of crude oil amounted to $6.138 billion, up by 41.8 percent from $4.330 billion in 2017 on higher cost insurance freight price of crude oil per barrel to $71.587 in 2018 from $55.774 in 2017. Finished product import cost went up by 24.4 percent to $7.339 billion at an average CIF cost of $75.216 per barrel from $5.9 billion at a cost of $60.548 per barrel in 2017. Petroleum exports earnings also rose 40 percent to $1.361 billion in 2018 from $972.5 million in 2017. Average dollar rate for 2018 was placed at P52.670 compared to 2017’s average rate of P50.834. Alena Mae S. Flores

Megaworld to build 2 residential towers

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said it will launch two residential towers in its 31-hectare Westside City township in Entertainment City in Parañaque City this year with roughly P18 billion in sales. Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the two new residential developments called South Beach Place and Sunny Coast Residential Resort would offer 1,900 residential units. The 15-story South Beach Place will offer 582 units, including studio (32 square meters to 41.5 square meters) and one-bedroom (46.5 square meters to 61.5 square meters) units. South Beach Place will have a direct access to the future Westside City Resorts World complex via a footbridge. The Sunny Coast Residential Resort will be a two-tower development offering 1,309 residential units. Strategically located along the Promenade with unobstructed view of the famous Manila Bay sunset, Sunny Coast Residential Resort offers units ranging from studio (up to 41 square meters); onebedroom (up to 77 square meters); to executive one-bedroom (up to 111 square meters). Jennifer B. Austria

First Gen unit receives go-signal to build LNG hub THE Energy Department issued a notice to FGen LNG Corp., a whollyowned subsidiary of First Gen Corp., to proceed with a $1-billion liqueﬁed natural gas project in Batangas City in partnership with Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said he signed the notice to proceed Thursday morning. “Tokyo Gas, also the Japanese government, have been watching, pursuing this in any economic, ministerial meetings here and in Japan. That is always part of the subject matter,” Cusi said. “Late last month, we were in Japan, together with Undersecretary Donato Marcos and other secretaries. That again was taken up. So I said, hopefully when I go back to Manila, it will be ready for my signature. I’m happy to say that we have signed the NTP,” Cusi said. Cusi said FGEN has no overlapping market with Tanglawan Philippine LNG Inc., the consortium of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd., which was also given an NTP for a separate LNG project. “No [overlapping market], otherwise we will not have approved it. It was approved because they have a different business model and they can stand and live up to their business model,” Cusi said. Alena Mae S. Flores

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

PLDT’s income surged 44% to P19.2b in 2019 By Darwin G. Amojelar

Peco seeks TRO vs More Electric

PANAY Electric Co. sought a temporary restraining order with the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court to stop More Electric Power Corp. from expropriating and taking over its distribution assets. Peco, through its legal counsel Divina Law, said it was seeking relief from Republic Act No. 11212, specifically Section 10 and 17 that authorizes More to exercise the power of eminent domain over the distribution assets of Peco existing at the franchise area in Iloilo City. “The authority granted to respondent More for the taking of petitioner’s Peco’s assets is arbitrary and confiscatory. The law authorizes taking that is not for public purpose,” Peco said in its petition. Peco said the immediate transfer of its distribution assets to More would pose problems that may result in inefficiency of public service and detrimental to the people of Iloilo. Peco corporate affairs manager Mikel Afzelius earlier said that if More tried to expropriate Peco’s assets, then Peco would exert all legal remedies to protect itself. “More again can put up its own facilities and run a power distribution business but they cannot and should not expropriate Peco’s assets. The only way they can use Peco’s assets if there is a legal sale between Peco and More which to this date there is no agreement between the two parties,” he said. Alena Mae S. Flores

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

FINAL RESPECTS. The members of the Monetary Board and officers and staff of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas pay their final respects to the late BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr. during the necrological services and the viewing of his remains at the BSP head office in Manila last week. Finance Secretary and MB member Carlos Dominguez III (left) presents the MB resolution of condolence to the Espenilla family. Dominguez said Espenilla served the BSP with unwavering dedication and excellence for 38 years and implemented ground-breaking policies on banking supervision, capital market development, credit policy, financial inclusion and consumer protection.

PH unemployment rate down to 5.2% in January T By Julito G. Rada

HE jobless rate in the Philippines fell to 5.2 percent in January amid the improving economic condition, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday.

The Labor Force Survey of the PSA showed that jobless rate slightly dropped from 5.3 percent a year ago. It was the lowest unemployment rate recorded for the month of January since 2009, according to the National Economic and Development Authority. Data, however, showed that on a quarterly basis, the jobless rate slightly picked up from 5.1 percent in October. Among the unemployed persons in January, 64.4 percent were males. The age group 15 to 24 years comprised 43.7 percent of the total, while the age group

25 to 34 represented 30.6 percent. By educational attainment, 20.9 percent of the unemployed were college graduates, 8.2 percent were college undergraduates and 28.2 percent completed junior high school. Meanwhile, the employment rate improved to 94.8 percent in January 2019 from 94.7 percent a year ago. Data showed that in absolute terms, employed individuals decreased 0.9 percent or 387,000 workers to 41.4 million in January 2019. The PSA said this was mainly due to the 1.7 million employment loss in the agriculture sector which overshadowed the combined 1.3 million additional employment in the industry and services sectors. Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said implementing well-thoughtout and sustainable policies would improve the overall employment growth in the country. “The prevalence of low-productivity jobs in the agriculture sector remains a challenge. Sustainable solutions such

as shifting rice farmers to high-value crops, promoting crop diversiﬁcation, accelerating development of local infrastructure, and training for farmers on technological advances are critical to raising productivity in agriculture,” Pernia said. The continued decline in agricultural employment is also largely attributed to the rising cost of inputs amid low proﬁt, limited access to credit, poor infrastructure and vulnerability to environmental risks. “The government must implement concrete and urgent interventions following the enactment of Republic Act 11203, or the Rice Industry Modernization Act, particularly for those stakeholders that will be displaced,” he said. Underemployment rate―the proportion of those who are already employed but still wanting more work―dropped to 15.6 percent in January 2019 from 18 percent a year earlier. This was the lowest underemployment rate recorded for all surveys conducted in the January rounds since 2009.

Foreign reserves rise to 28-month high of $82.9b

TULLAHAN RIVER REHABILITATION.

San Miguel Corp. president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang (right) and Environment Ssecretary Roy Cimatu sign a landmark fiveyear agreement for the rehabilitation and massive cleanup of the Tullahan-Tinajeros River System. SMC pledged P1 billion for the project, a crucial component of the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

Meralco rates set to increase for second consecutive month By Alena Mae S. Flores POWER rates in the franchise area of Manila Electric Co. will increase for the second consecutive month on higher transmission charges and taxes. Meralco said power rates will rise P0.0894 per kilowatt-hour in the March billing period, or equivalent to an increase of P18 in the monthly bill of a typical household consuming 200 kWh. This followed an upward adjustment of P0.5682 per kWh in February. Meralco said the overall electricity rates slightly increased to P10.4961 per kWh in March from P10.4067 per kWh in February. The power retailer said while generation charges were lower in March, trans-

PLDT Inc. said Thursday net income jumped 44 percent in 2018 from a year ago, boosted by the higher sales of all business segments. The country’s largest telecom company said net income hit P19.2 billion last year, up from P13.3 billion in 2017. Consolidated core income, however, fell 5 percent to P26.2 billion as the accelerated depreciation arising from its aggressive network transformation programs offset gains from the sale of PLDT stakes in Voyager and Rocket Internet. Excluding Voyager operations, PLDT’s core income rose 3 percent to P24.4 billion. “Given the positive trends in 2018 and our plans for 2019, we expect our telco core income to rise to P26 billion,” PLDT chairman and president Manuel Pangilinan said. “In 2019, we aim to attain a higher level of growth by leveraging, even more, the power of the combined PLDT and Smart, working as one team, focused on delivering the customer experience―not as a traditional telco as we have been―but as a data-driven, digital services company,” he said. PLDT said 2018 was a breakthrough year for PLDT with all of its main revenue businesses―Home, enterprise and consumer wireless businesses―registering robust top line growth. The company said consolidated revenues, net of interconnection costs, rose 5 percent to P194.4 billion in 2018, excluding P1.1 billion of revenues from Voyager Innovations. The combined revenues from its main businesses―Home, enterprise and consumer–registered a 9 percent year-on-year increase to P137.4 billion. “This marks the return of growth in overall service revenues last recorded in 2014,” PLDT said. Sustaining their robust performance of the past several years, the enterprise and Home groups boosted revenues by 10 percent―to P38.4 billion and P36.4 billion, respectively. PLDT Group’s mobile subscriber base stood at 60 million as of end2018, up from 57.6 million in 2017. The big upswing came from the

mission charges and taxes increased. It said the lower charges from its power supply agreements brought down the generation charges in March to P5.5973 per kWh from P5.8939 per kWh in February. “The generation charge decrease is primarily due to lower charges from plants under power supply agreements,” Meralco said. Meralco attributed the P1.0768per-kWh decrease in PSA charges this month to the strengthening of the peso against the US dollar, lower fuel prices and higher average plant dispatch. Masinloc Unit 1 and San Gabriel returned to normal operations in February following the scheduled maintenance

outage in January. Meralco sourced 48 percent of its power requirement from its PSAs. Charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the country’s trading ﬂoor of electricity, went up by P0.5178 per kWh because of the tighter supply conditions in Luzon. Meralco said the cost of power from the independent power producers was also slightly higher by P0.0549 per kWh because of the lower average plant dispatch. The Quezon Power Philippines Ltd. power plant was on scheduled maintenance outage on Jan. 18 to Feb. 8. The WESM and IPPs provided 12 percent and 40 percent of Meralco’s supply needs, respectively.

THE gross international reserves climbed to $82.9 billion in February, the highest in 28 months, boosted by the inﬂows from the foreign exchange operations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The BSP said in a statement Thursday the other reasons for the higher reserves were the income it generated from its investments abroad and the net foreign currency deposits by the national government. “However, the increase in reserves was partially tempered by payments made by the national government for servicing its foreign exchange obligations as well as revaluation losses from the BSP’s gold holdings, resulting from the decrease in the price of gold in the international market,” it said. “The end-February 2019 level of GIR serves as an ample external liquidity buffer and is equivalent to 7.3 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income,” it said. The amount is also equivalent to 6.3 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.1 times based on residual maturity. Net international reserves which refer to the difference between the GIR and total short-term liabilities, also increased by $410 million to $82.89 billion as of end-February 2019 from the end-January 2019 level of $82.48 billion. Reserves hit an all-time high of $86.139 billion in September 2016. The Bangko Sentral said it was expecting the GIR to settle at $77 billion in 2019. Julito G. Rada

Business

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market advances; First Gen rises T HE stock market rose Thursday on positive corporate earnings reports for 2018 and the upbeat forecast of the International Monetary Fund on the Philippine economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index climbed 60.45 points, or 0.8 percent, to 7,881.79 on a value turnover of P5.8 billion. Gainers beat losers, 115 to 84, with 47 issues unchanged. The IMF said it expects the Philippine economy to grow faster than 6.2 percent this year, on the back of robust domestic demand and slower inﬂation rate. Conglomerate San Miguel Corp.

advanced 4.6 percent to P176.80, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-biggest lender in terms of assets, gained 4.2 percent to P79.80. First Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group rose 3.2 percent to P22.50. The Department of Energy issued to a unit of First Gen the notice to proceed with the construction of a proposed $1-billion liqueﬁed natural gas project in Batangas province in partnership with Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. Megaworld Corp., the largest lessor of ofﬁce spaces, climbed 2.9 percent to P5.41. The rest of Asian markets stuttered Thursday with no fresh news on the China-US trade front and as investors turn their attention to further signs of weakness in the global economy. A worldwide growth forecast downgrade from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and weaker-than-expected

private US jobs data helped send Wall Street lower and dragged on Asian sentiment. And observers said a surge in the US trade deﬁcit could also spur US President Donald Trump to ratchet up his protectionist agenda, even as he zeroes in on an agreement with China. “Whether this hardens the president’s attitude (for a deal in) the China trade talks or he chooses a quick win is hard to say,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA. “But with an election to ﬁght next year, you can almost hear the clanking as the White House swings its heavy artillery in the direction of the other perceived trading bloc culprits.” Halley suggested the tycoon will turn his focus on Japan—with whom talks are ongoing—and the European Union. “One thing is for sure, long after the US-China trade deal is put to bed, we

will not have heard the last of the word tariff in 2019,” he added. Shanghai rose 0.1 percent, extending a bright start to the year that has seen the composite index jump about a quarter. Tokyo ended 0.7 percent lower while Hong Kong dipped 0.6 percent in the afternoon. But Sydney put on 0.3 percent, Singapore added 0.1 percent and Wellington rose 0.2 percent. Mumbai and Bangkok were slightly higher. Traders are moving cautiously after the OECD’s 2019 forecast cut and disappointing private jobs numbers that bode ill for the release of closely watched government data on Friday. “We’re seeing a slowdown in the economy, we’re seeing a slowdown in corporate earnings,” Oliver Pursche, chief market strategist at Bruderman Asset Management, told Bloomberg TV. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 88.2 2,170,960 2.34 22,000 133.5 1,626,730 27.5 83,800 17.86 28,700 12.26 674,600 4.43 61,000 800 10 0.465 130,000 79.8 1,966,700 0.99 444,000 13.88 10,500 20.5 1,500 53.9 427,800 184.9 4,290 59 1,260 26.6 71,600 169.9 251,710 61.4 11,810

191,161,203.50 50,860 215,075,896 2,318,445 513,502 8,242,032 263,770 8,000 60,100 155,597,833.50 439,130 144,476 30,800 22,741,158.50 793,849 74,410 1,924,830 42,363,856 726,911

56,190,936.50 100,785,729 -326,185 -3,206,520 12,990 -31,770,362 -1,980 9,888,941 -12,980 36,150 -9,841,662 -654,931

34.5 15.8 1 1.39 0.231 98.3 2.53 15.06 121 29.05 16.78 42 71.9 71.05 1.85 6.01 6 11.38 15.82 8.51 7.52 1.65 21.8 73.7 26 2.88 9.54 12.4 1.68 316 53 3.45 11.62 26.95 12 19.64 370.8 0.203 5.87 1.37 3.7 6.71 8.95 1.33 11.74 48.8 5.9 4.66 1.84 1.35 12.46 102.2 6.39 0.13 1.01 142.3 2.62 1.62 16 1.25

INDUSTRIAL 34.75 1,966,900 15.98 1,151,200 1.02 2,143,000 1.42 6,049,000 0.237 1,650,000 98.3 100 2.68 23,186,000 15.96 118,400 121 40 29.45 82,900 16.78 100 43 400 71.9 10 71.1 5,500 1.88 108,000 6.06 189,200 6 111,200 11.5 746,000 15.9 664,600 9 1,805,200 7.57 102,200 1.65 27,000 22.5 4,940,600 74.4 268,270 26.5 367,300 2.95 29,685,000 9.59 1,674,600 12.68 410,200 1.68 69,000 320 678,110 53 10,000 3.5 109,000 11.88 15,900 27.1 89,000 12.04 262,800 19.8 466,600 376 80,610 0.203 50,000 5.87 11,600 1.4 7,572,000 3.74 101,000 6.76 2,472,900 8.95 2,700 1.34 12,465,000 11.74 65,700 49 369,800 5.9 194,300 4.79 5,000 1.85 53,000 1.35 20,000 12.5 511,500 105 4,235,240 6.4 586,600 0.13 90,000 1.02 358,000 143 896,320 2.72 8,000 1.64 1,396,000 16 1,200 1.32 3,279,000

68,195,350 18,465,718 2,166,800 8,707,010 385,270 9,830 61,093,100 1,861,518 4,840 2,447,110 1,678 17,100 719 391,025 202,980 1,171,092 671,021 8,556,502 10,576,182 15,953,318 775,067 44,670 110,948,735 19,960,177.5 ( 9,726,320 88,517,710 16,097,252 5,147,800 118,730 216,372,702 530,000 380,390 186,576 2,405,530 3,172,432 9,221,462 30,295,594 10,150 69,145 10,513,970 381,260 16,797,831 24,230 16,777,230 783,648 18,133,060 1,146,380 23,560 97,790 27,000 6,393,734 443,230,339 3,762,427 11,700 372,480 128,273,809 21,470 2,292,940 19,200 4,277,420

-6,719,545 231,636 -617,680 24,145,870 891,470 -359,980 8,700 -355,500 28,500 -61,500 -61,984 3,057,526 -541,994 -1,254,549 -190,346 22,281,405 17,159,908.5) -2,385,420 -6,558,877 2,406,504 63,608,704 175,000 47,325 -1,424,820 2,141,990 4,829,750 -1,199,580 2,623,683 -7,011,360 -225,854 -10,498,085 -794,730 129,984 52,347,938 48,640 108,971,246 -101,080 -

0.8 60 14.64 0.77 6.61 20.7 1.49 1.48 948 7.85 11.64 14.32 0.244 998 6.13 68 0.6 5.2 15.8 0.57 5.08 0.043 1.13 3 2.57 178.4 969 0.75 450 282 0.255 0.395

0.76 58.6 14 0.76 6.5 20.1 1.41 1.41 940 7.71 11.32 14.18 0.234 978 6.12 65.95 0.56 5.05 15.26 0.57 4.96 0.04 1.12 2.95 2.56 169.1 955 0.75 450 270.2 0.241 0.35

HOLDING FIRMS 0.78 12,271,000 58.65 2,094,010 14.58 10,369,300 0.76 315,000 6.5 131,800 20.65 54,900 1.41 15,577,000 1.42 1,748,000 948 163,460 7.75 3,095,100 11.6 2,865,800 14.2 990,200 0.24 160,000 998 51,930 6.13 7,900 67.8 3,830,160 0.6 281,000 5.1 861,900 15.6 1,148,700 0.57 10,000 4.98 45,908,000 0.042 39,900,000 1.13 23,000 2.97 281,000 2.56 20,000 176.8 1,264,570 969 72,140 0.75 30,000 450 60 281.8 9,840 0.241 3,810,000 0.36 74,880,000

9,552,420 123,603,269.50 150,131,010 239,410 856,885 1,121,155 22,377,400 2,513,660 154,547,025 24,025,636 33,054,336 14,123,054 38,020 51,425,645 48,368 258,754,094.50 158,950 4,399,257 17,989,688 5,700 229,218,780 1,657,500 25,770 834,750 51,220 221,827,843 69,717,775 22,500 27,000 2,738,510 939,480 27,744,000

57,750 26,576,580.50 23,868,808 825,500 20,600 903,140 41,085,825 202,981 -4,362,836 711,570 20,348,920 8,095,111 -2,372,253 5,985,932 10,562,900 89,100 85,243,559 34,751,270 -647,092 90,000

12 0.8 10.22 1.98 0.88 43.85 2.63 4.25 6.86 0.49 0.88 0.94 0.249 0.415 9.98 21.6 0.51 0.13 1.52 1.25 5.45 0.405 0.475 1.94 0.46 2.87

11.56 0.79 10.2 1.85 0.85 43.3 2.58 4.13 6.48 0.465 0.87 0.91 0.241 0.41 9.8 21.4 0.495 0.13 1.47 1.22 5.26 0.385 0.475 1.82 0.45 2.83

39,735,324 1,453,950 40,860 400,150 546,130 361,880,545 3,330,120 2,152,160 529,951 5,417,500 193,490 219,660 828,140 684,750 3,061,802 4,178,285 1,233,660 1,300 37,237,700 2,413,390 198,326,645,117 11,163,850 14,250 33,008,680 286,650 108,280

-5,952,538 12,000 -190,000 -149,048,055 -72,630 -1,520,770 471,793 -102,900 5,880 605,580 -65,660 4,730,490 ,532,348.9999 19,900 -77,170 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK

86.35 2.32 130.1 27.7 17.9 12.46 4.34 800 0.46 76.9 0.98 13.98 21 52.55 185 59.5 26.6 163.5 61.5

88.8 2.34 133.5 27.75 17.9 12.46 4.43 800 0.465 79.8 1 13.98 21 53.9 185.2 59.5 27 169.9 64

86.35 2.28 128.1 27.5 17.86 12.08 4.31 800 0.46 76.9 0.98 13.66 20.5 52.45 184.9 59 26.6 163.5 61.4

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR 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 SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

34.6 16.1 1.01 1.42 0.235 98.3 2.58 15.06 121 29.75 16.78 42 71.9 71.05 1.85 6.05 6.2 11.42 15.82 8.67 7.55 1.66 21.8 74.2 26.2 2.97 9.74 12.62 1.72 316 53 3.5 11.98 26.95 12.1 19.78 377.8 0.203 6 1.41 3.72 6.72 9 1.34 11.98 49.65 5.9 4.66 1.87 1.35 12.5 103.2 6.4 0.13 1.07 142.3 2.63 1.64 16 1.28

35.1 16.3 1.02 1.45 0.237 98.3 2.68 16 121 29.75 16.78 43 71.9 71.1 1.9 6.25 6.2 11.5 16 9.08 7.67 1.66 22.7 74.6 26.5 3.07 9.75 12.68 1.74 320 53 3.5 11.98 27.1 12.12 19.8 377.8 0.203 6 1.41 3.79 6.83 9 1.36 12 49.65 5.91 4.79 1.87 1.35 12.5 106.5 6.5 0.13 1.12 144 2.72 1.69 16 1.33

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 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.79 58.6 14.1 0.76 6.61 20.15 1.47 1.47 948 7.72 11.32 14.2 0.234 986 6.12 65.95 0.6 5.2 15.7 0.57 4.98 0.04 1.12 2.95 2.57 170 967 0.75 450 275 0.242 0.38

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

11.68 0.8 10.22 1.98 0.88 43.65 2.63 4.2 6.48 0.465 0.88 0.94 0.247 0.415 9.8 21.4 0.5 0.13 1.47 1.22 5.27 0.4 0.475 1.94 0.45 2.87

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

43.1 23.5 2.04 3.15 38.6 1.57 7.1 0.78 7.33

45 23.7 2.04 3.15 38.65 1.61 7.36 0.8 7.36

43.1 22.85 2.01 3.12 38.05 1.51 6.99 0.78 7.25

45 23.55 2.01 3.12 38.65 1.54 7.15 0.8 7.25

500 4,740,100 51,000 195,000 2,670,100 8,058,000 1,562,700 377,000 5,977,600

22,120 111,991,220 103,080 610,040 102,962,245 19 12,423,700 11,253,115 299,940 43,523,945

33,738,520 2,030.00 50,400 ,112,779.9993 -114,189 -16,856,463

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

12.14 21.3 0.43 0.047 15.02 2.72 11.76 0.067 81.5 5.75 7.1 2.1 15.52 1,908 5.74 378 2.77 1.92 114.5 7.14 0.132 5.75 3.34 15.94 3.31 0.93 19.9 0.62 4.73 2.9 2 2.84 9.59 10.5 3.13 5 139 2.79 1,088 0.91 1.27 48.3 85.25 8.31 2.32 0.71 0.435 5.6 0.66 15.22

12.22 21.5 0.435 0.048 15.72 2.81 12.12 0.075 85 5.75 7.1 2.1 15.8 1,917 5.76 388 2.87 1.92 116 7.14 0.132 5.76 3.34 15.94 3.34 0.93 19.9 0.64 4.93 3 2.04 2.92 9.59 10.5 3.13 5.05 139 2.89 1,105 0.94 1.35 48.6 87.3 8.31 2.35 0.71 0.445 5.63 0.67 15.24

12 21.3 0.425 0.046 15.02 2.7 11.76 0.067 80.4 5.63 7.1 2.1 15.18 1,878 5.72 377 2.74 1.92 113.8 7.14 0.129 5.61 3.08 15.94 3.25 0.89 19.46 0.61 4.73 2.9 1.95 2.84 9.22 10 3.13 4.97 129.2 2.77 1,070 0.9 1.26 48.2 85.25 8.31 2.3 0.7 0.43 5.58 0.65 14.9

SERVICES 12.1 21.4 0.425 0.047 15.6 2.8 12.12 0.074 84.8 5.67 7.1 2.1 15.28 1,912 5.74 380 2.84 1.92 114 7.14 0.129 5.68 3.32 15.94 3.3 0.92 19.84 0.62 4.93 2.93 2.03 2.92 9.55 10.38 3.13 5.02 130.7 2.86 1,075 0.94 1.31 48.5 87 8.31 2.32 0.7 0.435 5.62 0.65 15.02

51,000 47,200 970,000 6,500,000 354,700 209,000 6,106,100 329,850,000 165,640 1,171,500 7,500 5,000 195,600 23,680 182,600 3,650 2,245,000 1,000 1,754,890 10,000 410,000 3,509,800 61,000 2,000 342,000 92,000 259,200 2,542,000 7,000 1,170,000 151,000 1,094,000 19,100 29,000 11,000 168,100 340 1,103,000 224,830 9,418,000 30,250,000 488,700 1,546,200 3,600 9,464,000 801,000 6,260,000 2,428,800 2,451,000 6,281,400

614,522 1,010,790 413,700 301,800 5,417,140 577,890 73,142,742 23,694,970 13,955,806.50 6,667,631 53,250 10,500 3,008,810 45,109,680 1,047,742 1,389,110 6,291,770 1,920 201,155,132 71,400 53,170 19,867,093 193,080 31,880 1,126,550 82,620 5,107,414 1,566,010 33,410 3,450,270 303,080 3,156,910 176,660 294,526 34,430 840,107 45,080 3,125,320 244,078,955 8,745,200 39,504,820 23,683,915 132,983,898 29,916 21,996,840 564,100 2,742,050 13,618,113 1,608,200 94,493,612

-36,000 4,250 -32,900 1,243,940 -16,850 16,881,632 -79,810 -2,871,767 -768,450 -1,848 12,022,550 19,520 -46,320,115 -1,310 -119,408 33,000 3,790,006 -23,750 199,940 37,310 10,000 -50,610 -1,083,100 -49,907,465 -303,130 715,520 14,000,460 989,465 -2,798,800 50,600 -17,600 -5,697,847 -758,470 13,529,468

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

0.0021 1.51 2.91 13.2 2.22 0.3 7.76 1.48 0.255 0.123 0.128 0.0084 1.08 2.85 1.1 0.62 0.94 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.3 3.99 14.66 20.2 0.0075

0.0022 1.52 2.91 13.2 2.22 0.3 8.01 1.5 0.265 0.127 0.128 0.0084 1.13 2.85 1.13 0.62 0.95 0.013 0.012 0.013 3.3 4.02 15.3 20.4 0.008

0.0021 1.49 2.91 13.04 2.2 0.3 7.76 1.47 0.25 0.123 0.125 0.0084 1.08 2.76 1.05 0.62 0.92 0.012 0.012 0.011 3.3 3.93 14.52 19.94 0.0073

MINING & OIL 0.0021 740,000,000 1.52 1,988,000 2.91 89,000 13.16 400 2.2 611,000 0.3 310,000 7.76 1,400 1.49 959,000 0.26 2,490,000 0.127 150,000 0.128 430,000 0.0084 1,000,000 1.12 147,000 2.8 1,625,000 1.09 90,000 0.62 13,000 0.92 1,174,000 0.013 9,200,000 0.012 23,300,000 0.012 323,500,000 3.3 4,000 3.95 634,000 15.18 1,041,900 20 2,591,000 0.0075 37,000,000

1,554,200 2,977,980 258,990 5,244 1,351,420 93,000 11,164 1,420,160 643,050 18,650 53,840 8,400 162,380 4,572,400 95,460 8,060 1,094,840 112,100 279,600 3,562,300 13,200 2,520,120 ( 15,617,286 51,977,255 274,800

-367,550 -23,280 -22,200 26,000 30 532,120 229,669.9997) 2,036,536 -25,120,875 -

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

20.3 497 100 5.82 871 900 95 0.99 980 1,019 100 75.05 76.8 72.6 72.5 74.55 73.8 73 73

20.4 497 100 5.82 871 900 95 0.99 980 1,020 100 75.45 76.9 72.6 72.5 74.55 73.8 73 73

20.3 497 100 5.56 871 900 95 0.99 980 1,019 100 75.05 76.8 72.6 72.5 74.5 73.6 71.8 72.5

PREFERRED 20.4 25,000 497 10 100 1,960 5.72 12,100 871 2,610 900 1,110 95 800 0.99 43,000 980 200 1,020 690 100 270 75.05 14,370 76.9 1,320 72.6 20,200 72.5 500 74.5 2,000 73.6 1,000 72 56,010 72.5 9,880

509,600 4,970 196,000 68,702 2,273,310 999,000 76,000 42,570 196,000 703,790 27,000 1,078,533.50 101,408 1,466,520 36,250 149,007.50 73,662 4,030,730 717,835

28,500 19,800 -1,452,000 718,000 -

LR WARRANT

1.89

1.91

1.84

WARRANTS 1.85 313,000

578,250

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.82 1.39

5.46 1.48

4.82 1.38

5.15 1.46

42,040,370 30,396,700

-1,099,500 2,428,930

FIRST METRO ETF

115.9

117

115.9

581,311

510 1,580

NAME

PROPERTY 12 0.79 10.2 1.85 0.86 43.4 2.59 4.25 6.86 0.48 0.87 0.91 0.249 0.41 9.95 21.6 0.51 0.13 1.5 1.24 5.41 0.4 0.475 1.87 0.455 2.85

3,347,800 1,829,000 4,000 210,000 634,000 8,307,500 1,281,000 511,000 77,300 11,300,000 220,000 241,000 3,410,000 1,670,000 309,800 194,500 2,469,000 10,000 24,726,000 1,949,000 36,687,900 28,320,000 30,000 17,615,000 630,000 38,000

USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.2 1

TRADING SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

10,892,259

INDUSTRIAL

113,991,257

HOLDING FIRMS

222,492,858

PROPERTY

169,783,144

SERVICES

430,857,980

MINING & OIL

1,148,903,442

GRAND TOTAL

2,126,053,095

10.2 1

SME

8,009,000 21,093,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117 4,990 10.2 1

DDS

50 1,580

VALUE 1,778.36 (up) 45.59 829,292,857.40 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,636.30 (up) 88.90 1,369,301,610.402 HOLDING FIRMS 7,910.64 (up) 61.88 1,482,656,512.30 PROPERTY 3,981.97 (down) 20.22 1,551.23 (down) 2.99 991,989,325.96 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,140.68 (up) 13.98 1,008,721,443.15 PSEI 7,881.79 (up) 60.45 88,706,972.47 All Shares Index 4,845.96 (up) 36.89 5,843,805,847.25 Gainers: 115; Losers: 84; Unchanged: 47; Total: 246

ICTSI hikes profit by 22% to $221.5m By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said Thursday net income rose 22 percent to $221.5 million in 2018 from $182.2 million in 2017. “I am pleased to report strong full year operating results for 2018. Our drive in maintaining positive volume growth organically and through M&A, our focus on cost and operating efﬁciency, and the constructive global trade dynamics outside of the USChina ‘trade war’ combine to provide a case for cautious optimism in 2019,” said ICTSI chairman Enrique Razon Jr. Gross revenues from port operations in 2018 increased 11 percent to $1.4 billion from $1.2 billion reported in 2017. ICTSI said the increase in revenues was mainly due to volume growth; new contracts with shipping lines and services; increase in revenues from noncontainerized cargoes, storage and ancillary services; tariff adjustments; and the contribution of the company’s new terminals in Lae and Motukea in Papua New Guinea, and Melbourne, Australia. Excluding the new terminals, consolidated gross revenues would have increased by seven percent. ICTSI handled consolidated volume of 9,736,621 TEUs in 2018, six percent more than the 9,153,458 TEUs handled in 2017. ICTSI’s capital expenditure for 2019 is expected to be about $380 million. The estimated capital expenditure budget will be utilized mainly for the ongoing expansion projects in Manila, Mexico and Iraq; equipment acquisitions and upgrades; and for maintenance requirements. ICTSI in 2018 allocated a capex of $261.3 million mainly for the capacity expansion in its terminal operations in Manila, Mexico and Iraq and continuing rehabilitation and development of the company’s container terminal in Honduras. Last year’s capex was also used for the procurement of additional equipment and minor infrastructure works in its newly acquired terminal operations in Papua New Guinea; and the completion of its new barge terminal project in Cavite City, Philippines.

Wilcon Depot’s income up 32% to P1.8b in ‘18 WILCON Depot Inc. registered a net income of ₱1.835 billion in 2018, up 32 percent from P1.385 billion in 2017 on double-digit growth in revenues due to aggressive store expansion. Wilcon said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net sales grew faster at 18.6 percent in 2018 to ₱21.041 billion from the comparable growth of eight percent in 2017. Gross proﬁt margin improved to 31.4 percent from 29.7 percent in 2017 while cost of sales climbed 15.7 percent to P14.43 billion. “Wilcon will continue with its store network expansion with a planned eight new depots to be opened in 2019. We are also looking to expand existing stores with potential for higher growth,” said Wilcon president and chief executive Lorraine Belo-Cincochan. “We are set to open an additional distribution center this 2019 and expanding our main distribution center to accommodate the increased volume of business. We continue to look for probable areas for expansion beyond our committed 29 new depots when we went public as we remain bullish on the growth potential of the economy in general and the consequent expansion of our target market,” she added. Nt sales in the fourth quarter reached ₱5.682 billion, up 20 percent year-onyear. The listed home improvement and construction supply company opened 11 new stores in 2018 to end the year with 51 outltets across the country. Depots contributed the bulk or 96 percent of total net sales with a same store sales growth of 9.5 percent for the year. The smaller format Home Essentials’ 2018 same store sales growth stood at 9.7 percent, contributing 2.9 percent to total net sales, while sales to large projects accounted for the balance. The company earlier reported plans to open eight stores this year. It plans to sustain the double-digit growth in proﬁts and revenues for 2019. Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

World

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2018 AND VARIOUS PROJECTS UP TO 2020, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

SCREENING AREA. An injured

ERC CASE NO. 2018-122 RC COTABATO LIGHT COMPANY (CLPC),

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 27 December 2018, Cotabato Light and Power Company (CLPC) filed an Application seeking the Commission’s approval of its capital expenditure projects for the years 2018 to 2020, with prayer for the issuance of a provisional authority. The pertinent provisions of the said Application are hereunder quoted as follows: 1.

CLPC is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with office address at Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City. It is a grantee of a legislative franchise under Republic Act No. 10637, to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain a distribution system for the conveyance of electric power in Cotabato City, and portions of the municipalities of Sultan Kudarat and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Province of Maguindanao. It may be served with orders and other processes of the Honorable Commission through its undersigned counsel at the address indicated below.

Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (“EPlRA”), under Section 23 thereof, obligates a distribution utility, such as CLPC, to provide distribution services and connections to its system for any end-user within its franchise area consistent with the distribution code. Further, distribution utilities share in the objective of the EPlRA to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power.1

For CLPC to pursue its mandate under its franchise and the EPlRA, it is necessary for CLPC to continuously invest in the improvement of its people, system and services to better serve its customers.

As such, CLPC, in accordance with Section 20 (b) of Commonwealth Act No. 146,2 hereby applies for the approval of the Honorable Commission, to implement its Capital Expenditure Projects (“CAPEX”) for Calendar Year (“CY”) 2018 and various CAPEX up to CY 2020.

CLPC’s CAPEX program under this Application is categorized as follows: A.

Concern over N. Korea’s rebuilding of rocket site S EOUL―Activity has been detected at a North Korean long-range rocket site, suggesting Pyongyang may be pursuing the “rapid rebuilding” of the facility after the collapse of the Hanoi summit, according to analysis of satellite imagery.

Another research website suggested the rebuilding of the site may have started even before last week’s meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump. The summit ended abruptly after the pair failed to reach an agreement on walking back Pyongyang’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

The renewed activity was recorded two days after the talks and may “demonstrate resolve in the face of US rejection” of the North’s request for an easing of sanctions, said researchers at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. “This facility had been dormant since August 2018, indicating the current activity is deliberate and purposeful,” it said. Kim had agreed to shutter the Sohae missiletesting site at a summit with the South’s President Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang, as part of conﬁdencebuilding measures, and satellite pictures in August suggested workers were already dismantling an engine test stand at the facility. But CSIS said building activity is now “evident” at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, from where Pyongyang launched satellites in 2012 and 2016. North Korea was later banned by the UN security council from carrying out the space launches, as some of its technology was similar

to that used for intercontinental ballistic missiles. The respected Washington-based 38 North project, another independent research website specializing in North Korea, also reported building work at the Sohae facility, based on commercial satellite imagery. The pictures show a moving structure that had been used to carry launch vehicles to a launch pad on rails has been restored, it said. “Two support cranes are observed at the building, the walls have been erected and a new roof added. At the engine test stand, it appears that the engine support structure is being reassembled,” the 38 North reported. In a brieﬁng to parliamentarians this week, Seoul’s spy agency said it had detected signs of work at the site. But Joel Wit, the director of the 38 North project cautioned that the evidence was not necessarily “consistent with preparations for an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) test”. AFP

Bali shuts down for ‘Day of Silence’

WASHINGTON―A US journalist who was detained for more than 12 hours by Venezuelan security services was released Wednesday, one of the networks he worked for reported. Cody Weddle, who worked in Venezuela for several years as a correspondent for a variety of US media, “has been released after being detained by Venezuelan authorities,” Miami’s WPLG Local 10 News said on Twitter. Venezuela’s National Union of Press Workers, known by its Spanish acronym SNTP, added he had been taken to Caracas’ Simon Bolivar International Airport where he would be deported. The release was also announced by Senator Marco Rubio, a strident critic of the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose leadership was challenged in January by National Assembly chief Juan Guaido, setting off an ongoing power struggle. “They do this for one reason alone, to intimidate journalists from reporting on @jguaido & on conditions in #Venezuela,” said Rubio. Kimberly Breier, the US assistant secretary of state for hemispheric affairs, had earlier demanded Weddle’s “immediate release,” charging that Maduro “prefers to stiﬂe the truth rather than face it.” Weddle’s disappearance was reported by a non-government organization, Espacio Publico, in Caracas. AFP

Other Network

Line Extension, Rehabilitation and Maintenance - This category involves projects for CLPC’s Rural Electrification and upgrade of various distribution lines within the franchise area.

ii.

Residual CAPEX - This category involves the upgrading and replacement of various distribution assets such as distribution lines, line devices, distribution transformers, poles, towers, and fixtures. This category also includes the purchase and installation of new meters, instruments and metering transformers, as well as purchase and installation of new streetlights and maintenance of current ones.

iii.

Upgrading of SCADA Hardware and Software - This involves the upgrade of CLPC’s SCADA software and hardware.

iv.

Elevated Meter Center - This involves the installation of new elevated meter centers (EMC) and rehabilitation of current EMCs within the franchise area.

Rehabilitation Project - This involves the rehabilitation and maintenance upgrade of several substations within the franchise area.

Non-Network

Telecommunications - This involves the acquisition of several communications equipment.

ii.

Tools and Work Equipment - This involves the acquisition, replacement, repair and maintenance of various tools and equipment.

iii.

Transportation - This involves the acquisition of a new mini bucket truck, forklift and a transport vehicle.

iv.

Building Improvements - This involves the various building improvements, and acquisition of office furniture and equipment.

Computer Equipment - This involves the acquisition of new computers and accessories, as well as upgrade of computer software.

The total estimated cost of CLPC’s CAPEX under this Application is Php 140,415,492.34 broken down as follows:

Project Summary OTHER NETWORK Line Extension, Rehabilitation and Maintenance Rural Electrification Project and Distribution Lines Upgrade Residual Capex Poles, Towers, and Fixtures Overhead Conductors and Devices Line Transformers Meters, Instruments, and Metering Transformers Streetlights and Signal Systems Upgrading of SCADA Software and Hardware Elevated Meter Center Rehabilitation Project NON-NETWORK Telecommunications Tools and Work Equipment Transportation Building Improvements Computer Equipment

IN BRIEF

Venezuelan authorities free US journalist

POWER

Applicant. x--------------------------------------------------- x

woman and her four children evacuated from the Islamic State group’s embattled holdout of Baghouz sit at a screening area held by the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor, on March 6, 2019. More than 7,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled the shrinking pocket over the past two days, as US-backed forces press ahead with an offensive to crush holdout jihadists. AFP

DENPASAR―Indonesia’s holiday island Bali fell quiet Thursday for the annual “Day of Silence” festival, halting flights and the internet and closing tourist attractions to allow time for meditation and introspection. Known locally as Nyepi, Hindus on the island are expected to stay at home for 24 hours and self-reflect. Non-Hindus and tourists are also asked to participate by staying indoors for the island’s annual shutdown. Cars and motorcycles are not allowed on the road except in the case of an emergency, lights inside homes and on the street must be switched off, and tourist attractions and shopping centres will be closed. Ngurah Rai international airport said it will close for 24 hours starting from 6 am on Thursday (2300 GMT Wednesday), affecting 468 flights including 207 international ones. “One of the places that are always busy and noisy is the airport, because Hindus must concentrate on their religious activity... the operational of the airport must be halted,” head of the airport authority Elfi Amir said in a statement. The local government has ordered mobile internet providers to shut down for the day, except for essential public services. AFP

AND

35,181,890.51 7,045,806.33 7,248,652.63 12,842,789.92 7,507,571.95 2,864,271.54 1,931,000.00 16,855,568.37 8,186,701.00 128,000.00 8,173,420.09 8,400,000.00 11,047,829.00 13,001,991.00

The detailed justification, technical analysis, and economic analysis, as applicable, for CLPC’s CAPEX under the instant Application are discussed in detail in Annex “A” of this Application.

The proposed CAPEX will not have a direct impact on the current rates of CLPC until approved by the Honorable Commission, as part of CLPC’s Regulatory Asset Base, in the next applicable Regulatory Period.

Applicant undertakes to comply with the pre-filing requirements under Rule 3, Section 4(e) of the EPIRA IRR, as amended. ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

10. Public interest and necessity require the immediate implementation of the subject CAPEX projects. Most of CLPC’s load centers are exceeding load limits and there is a need to upgrade various parts of the network in order to mitigate overloading and avoid breakdown of equipment. Furthermore, various projects are necessary for CLPC to accommodate new customer applications, as well as for CLPC to continue to effectively serve its existing customers. In the event that the various CAPEX projects are not immediately implemented, certain facilities of CLPC will be rendered obsolete, which may then lead to power interruptions or delay in accommodating the additional load coming from existing and new customers. These negative consequences, which are detrimental to the livelihood and everyday lives of CLPC’s customers, may be tempered by the immediate approval of the instant CAPEX projects. 11. Thus, pending final approval, there is an urgent need for a provisional authority for CLPC to immediately implement its proposed CAPEX projects. In support of the prayer for the grant of the provisional authority, attached as Annex “B” is the Judicial affidavit of Mr. Francis Per Miñoza, Officer-inCharge of the Engineering Group of CLPC. 12. The foregoing CAPEX projects are indispensable for the systematic and economic expansion and rehabilitation of CLPC’s distribution facilities and ensuring compliance with safety, performance and regulatory requirements. The benefits arising from these CAPEX projects will ultimately redound to the end-consumers of CLPC because these projects ensure continuous, reliable and efficient power supply. 13. CLPC prays of this Commission that, after due notice and hearing:

HEARING. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) speaks during a Senate Armed Service Committee on prevention and response to sexual assaults in the military, on March 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. AFP

Radio stations drop Jackson’s music SYDNEY―Radio stations in Australia, Canada and New Zealand are refusing to play Michael Jackson’s music in the wake of fresh allegations against him of child sex abuse. Sydney’s Nova Entertainment on Thursday became the latest radio group to announce they are taking the late “King of Pop” off the air in response to public opinion. The move comes after the broadcast of a US documentary “Leaving Neverland” that featured two men who claimed Jackson sexually abused them for years. “In light of what is happening at the moment, SmoothFM is not currently playing any Michael Jackson songs,” local media quoted Nova’s program director Paul Jackson as saying. The documentary has not yet been broadcast in Australia. A second major Australian radio network, ARN, said it was “closely monitoring audience sentiment in relation to individual artists”. In New Zealand, the star’s songs are now almost totally absent from the airwaves, after being pulled by the country’s two biggest radio networks, MediaWorks and NZME. The two companies between them dominate commercial radio. “We aren’t deciding whether Michael Jackson is guilty of pedophilia, we’re just making sure our radio stations are going to play the music people want to hear,” MediaWorks director of content, Leon Wratt, told Magic FM. He said the decision was “a reﬂection of our audiences and their preferences”.

NZME group director of entertainment, Dean Buchanan, confirmed Jackson’s material was off the air, though he shied away from talk of a ban. Meanwhile, public broadcaster Radio NZ said Jackson’s songs did not feature on its play lists anyway. The HBO documentary, which aired in the United States on Sunday, has rekindled long-running questions about Jackson’s relationship with children. Two men, James Safechuck and Australianborn Wade Robson, say Jackson sexually abused them when they were aged 10 and seven. There had been persistent rumors of throughout Jackson’s life, but no allegations were ever substantiated. The four-hour two-part documentary―which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year―has made sure those allegations continue a decade after he died of an overdose. Jackson’s estate has denied wrongdoing and filed a $100 million lawsuit against HBO. The 53-page complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims HBO was violating a “non-disparagement” agreement by airing “Leaving Neverland”. “Ten years after his passing, there are still those out to profit from his enormous worldwide success and take advantage of his eccentricities,” the suit claimed. The decisions not to play Jackson’s music will no doubt further tarnish his brand and could result in a loss of radio royalties. AFP

Approve the proposed Capital Expenditure Projects; and

Pending trial on the merits, issue an Order granting Provisional Authority authorizing CLPC to implement its proposed Capital Expenditure Projects.

Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for. The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 13 March 2019 (Wednesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at CLPC’s Main Office in Sinsuat Ave., Cotabato City. On 11 February 2019, CLPC filed a Motion to Change Venue and Reset Hearing (Motion) stating that Cotabato City and the rest of Maguindanao are currently on heightened security alert due to threats of attacks by a lawless group. In view thereof and taking into consideration the safety of the public, the said Motion is hereby GRANTED. Thus, the instant Application is hereby set for the determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 27 March 2019 (Wednesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the ERC Mindanao Field Office, Mintrade Building, Monteverde Avenue corner Sales Street, Davao City. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners CATHERINE P. MACEDA, and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 18th day of February 2019 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

1 2

Section 2 (b) of the EPlRA; Otherwise known as the Public Service Act. (MS-MAR. 8 & 15, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Motoring

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

B4 FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Asia karting series heads to Clark IAME Series Asia (formerly known as X30 SEA) is breaking new ground with Round 1 of their 2019 race season to be held at the newly built Clark International Speedway Kart Track on March 23-24. Situated within the Clark Freeport zone, this 13turn, high speed circuit boasts world class amenities and is a stone’s throw away from Clark International airport and several 5-star accommodations. With karting interest on the quick rise in the Phil-

ippines, the arrival of a world-class kart race series to the island Republic will further fuel the sport within the community. Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 is the ofﬁcial fuel sponsor the 2019 IAME Series Asia, which will consist of six rounds, as follows: (1) March 23-24 Philippines; (2) May 11-12 Thailand; (3) May 25-26 Thailand; (4) July 6-7 Malaysia; (5) August 3-4 Malaysia; (6) September 14-15 Malaysia. According to KC Chong of the ISA organizing

team, “We are expecting to see karters from all over Asia, from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea and of course, the Philippines. This is going to be a very exciting race to kick start the season, with drivers from so many nationalities battling it out on the beautiful circuit of Clark International Speedway. Competitors in the respective categories in the Championship will once again stand a chance to win invitations to the IAME International Finals in

Le Mans, France. These invitations will be supplemented with Euro 2,000 cash and race tyre packages each, making them truly attractive prizes.” This year sees the implementation of new technical regulations to the series, like the newly developed exhaust system that will give the already potent X30 engines a further performance boost. This is another example of IAME’s constant endeavor to improve the level of racing in their one-enginemake race series.

Fit for a Reigning Queen • Royal Ride: 2019 GAC Motor GS8 By Lester Dizon

‘‘Y GAC Motor.

OU’RE in luck, sir”, chirped Shane Delgado, the PR specialist of Legado Motors, Inc, Philippine distributor of

“The vehicle you’re about to drive once had the reigning Miss Universe, Catriona Gray as a passenger. ” “Ah, yes”, I thought to myself. “A reigning beauty queen gets driven around in a luxury SUV from an up-and-coming automotive brand. What a wonderful way to start a test drive story.” The vehicle that Shane was referring to is the 2019 GAC Motor GS8 sport utility vehicle (SUV). Mind you, the external dimensions of the GS8 may be that of a mid-sized SUV but the interior accommodations rival those of a full-size SUV. There are three rows of luxurious white leather seats to comfortably accommodate seven discerning occupants but the second row seats can slide back and provide a generous amount of legroom. As we said, it’s an SUV ﬁt for royalty. Speaking of royalty, the Queen of England gets driven around in a Range Rover and the First Lady of the States gets driven in a Cadillac Escalade. Thus, it makes sense that the Queen of the Universe gets driven around in something that possesses similar regal traits. To that end, the GS8 does not disappoint. When we ﬁrst saw it at its launch, we thought that it was as imposing as a top-of-the-line Toyota

Land Cruiser V8 or its Lexus equivalent. Finished in deep glossy Piano Black and contrasted by tasteful chrome bits, the GS8 looks as elegant and as expensive as any Japanese, European and American luxury SUV. The composite LED headlamps are a thing of beauty and purpose. They draw your eyes towards the imposing grille and the strong muscular front flanks. The headlamps and grille looks integrated, classic yet modern at the same time while the daytime running lights (DRLs) mimic the shape of the grille corners. Viewed from the side, the GS8 seems to stretch its body over the wheelbase to meet the conservatively-finished rear design, which was purposely upright and boxy to provide valuable headroom for the second- and third-row passengers. However, the rear lift gate is power actuated so its upright design is well justified. Overall, it’s fit for a queen to be seen being driven around in. “To the Opera, James…” While the queen is enjoying the drive from the comfort of her backseat, the chauffeur (driver) and the body guard (front seat passenger) are likewise treated

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray at the backseat of the GS8. Courtesy of Legano Motors

to the same luxury and opulence. The driver sits in a comfortable and ergonomic leather seat that is 8-way power adjustable with three memory settings. The driver’s seat automatically moves back when the engine is turned off and the driver’s door is opened to assist ingress and egress. A leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel, which turns an electric power steering (EPS) system, features multi-function remote controls for the infotainment system, mobile phone connectivity, cruise control, and digital instrument panel. No royal headaches The GS8 features an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) system, which has an “Auto Hold” feature that offers additional braking security when the vehicle is in motion, especially during uphill and downhill driving. It augments the safety features of the electronic Hill Start and Hill Descent controls, which aids the driver handle and navigate the GS8 on a steep incline. Of course, the now-standard anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), myriad number of airbags, and other passive and active safety systems ensure that the queen and, ahem, the other occupants of the vehicle, are always safe. There’s also the 3-zone electronic climate control system, which allows the driver, front passenger and backseat occupants to tailor-ﬁt the temperature to their desired settings. A vastly entertaining info-

tainment system does exactly what it is designed to do: entertain the occupants of this luxury SUV. Meanwhile hidden and open cubby holes allow the occupants to store their drinks and valuables. Sadly, there’s no special place for the Queen’s scepter and crown. And speaking of entertainment, the GS8 has a neat party trick: With the transponder key in your pocket, the SUV unlocks its doors, unfolds its side mirrors, and gently sounds its horn as you approach it. And when you alight, it automatically locks the doors, fold the mirrors, and sounds off with a gentle toot as you walk away. No need to ﬁddle with any button. Universal appeal As we mentioned in our write-up about the GA8 premium luxury sedan, Chinese automobiles are now almost in the same league as their Japanese, American or European counterparts. The GS8 is quite comparable to the Audi Q7, Lexus RX450, and to an extent, the Cadillac Escalade, minus the size, of course. Luxury features like rear overhead aircon vents, longer rear doors, ISOFix child safety anchors and side curtain airbags are no longer exclusive to the luxury brands. If only the Chinese manufacturer can do something about their “GAC Motors/ Trumpchi” brand confusion, then the GS8 can be mentioned in the same breath as its exclusive luxury SUV contemporaries. But, truth be told, the GS8 is really ﬁt to ferry a queen. It looks regal enough, it ac-

Volkswagen PH turns five By Lester Dizon ON A COOL early Saturday evening last March 2, the parking area between the Volkswagen and Honda dealerships in the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig became the venue for a street party-like event celebrating ﬁve years of growth for Volkswagen Philippines. The showroom of the VW BGC dealership became a virtual picnic area where registered guests were treated to a food galore from the partner-vendors like Purefood Tender Juicy Hotdogs, Krispy Kreme

Doughnuts and Magnolia Ice Cream. There were discounts from Thule and Graco while a BPI booth offered car loan application forms. In the showroom, highly visible executives included Manny Aligada, the president of Kia Philippines, and Carl Decloedt, the head honcho of KTM Philippines. VW, Kia and KTM are part of the Ayala Corporation automotive brands. Joining the celebration were John Sullings, the distributor of KYT and Suomy motorcycle helmets in Australia, who visited the country for a couple of days in Boracay

before going on to business in Malaysia. Around nightfall, the party, dubbed as Kalye V, moved outside. Party hostess and emcee extraordinaire Issa Litton revved up the crowd which is composed of VW enthusiast and members of various VW car clubs while VW Philippines Chief Operating Adviser Klaus Schadewald, President Felipe Estrella III, and ACP President and COO Dino Santos, opened the event with impassioned speeches. Guests also had fun test driving the latest VW models—Lamando, Santana, and Tiguan.

celerates powerfully away, it drives comfortably and surefooted, and it pampers its occupants opulently. We appreciate its two-way power sunroof with jam protection, its expansive sky roof, its Smart Key and Start/Stop button, its one-touch power windows with jam-protection, its interior light time delay and automatic turn-off function, and those neat courtesy light that projects the stylized “G”logo on the ground to illuminate the area near the car’s front doors. It provides some form of entertainment when people try to guess where the light comes from. It is also a great conversation starter. Courtesy lights project a “G” logo on the ground nearest the doors. Since we don’t have a close-up shot of Catriona with the GS8, we asked our regal cat, Coco, to grace the backseat. While our 2019 GAC Motor GS8 GL i4WD may not have all people gawking at it immediately, it already transported a reigning queen, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who’s someone to really gawk at, and it was driven by a chauffeur aptly named “James”, who must have done all the gawking. And once again, for the record: No, it is pronounced as “G.A.C.” not “gak”. It’s like B.M.W. or G.M.C. except that this car company has a vowel between two consonants. And yes, this car company is from China. But the quality is worldclass and the appeal is more than global. It’s now universal, as in Miss Universe.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 advertise@manilastandard.net

International Women's Day By Kyle Gabrielle Ureta

OMEN all over the world and throughout history are being celebrated each year during March 8, better known as International Women’s Day. In the United States, the United Kingdom and in Australia, the entire month of March is Women’s History Month, celebrated for the great contributions and significance of women throughout history. But what really started all of this? The roots of this holiday can be found in protests and socialism. As early as the 1900s, women have been holding rallies and protests for equality, and in order to gain the right to vote. In 1910, during the International Socialist Women’s Conference in August, a proposal was made to establish an international women’s day. This proposal was brought forth by the socialists Luise Zeitz, Clara Zetkin and Käte Duncker. In 1911 the first International Women’s Day was observed in Austria, Denmark and Germany, marked by rallies calling for women to be given the right to work, vote, and hold public office attended by over a million people. Even before that, a national women’s day was celebrated in New York on Feb. 28, where women protested and marched for suffrage or the right to vote in political elections. One of the leaders was Theresa Malkiel, a Russian-born American labor activist, suffragist, and educator. In 1914, suffragist Sylvia Pankhurst was arrested on her way to speak for a march in support of women’s suffrage. On March 8, 1917, women textile workers began a demonstration, covering the whole city of Petrograd or better known as Saint Petersburg, the capital of the Russian Empire at the time. And in 1936, Dolores Ibárruri led a women’s march in Madrid, Spain on the eve of the Spanish Civil War. The United Nations didn’t recognize the holiday until 1975, but that never stopped women activists from celebrating the day by fighting against inequality. The women’s march movement didn’t stop at women gaining the right to vote, either. Ultimately, March 8 celebrates and demands equality and feminism, in all parts of the globe. Women rally against the patriarchy, sexism resulting in unequal pay, discrimination, harassment and abuse of women. During the International Women’s Day 2011, events took place in more than 100 countries and it was at that time that then President Barack Obama proclaimed the month of March as Women’s History Month. The United Nations has also begun putting themes on each year’s International Women’s Day, giving attention to specific issues and hardships suffered by women all over the world. In 2018, the theme was “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives.” This was a year full of powerful movements and campaigns such as #MeToo and its counterparts, bringing attention to issues ranging from sexual harassment to equal pay and women’s political representation. This year the theme for International Women’s Day is “Balance for Better,” which calls for a more gender-balanced world. While the themes gain most traction during this day and month, women are encouraged to fight and support these causes throughout the whole year. International Women’s Day, and the whole month is dedicated to the women fighting for a better, more equal world. It’s a month celebrating and supporting such women, both in history and at present.

International Women’s Month: A Brief History

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 advertise@manilastandard.net

International Women's Day

Liza Soberano not only just a pretty face By Peter Paul Duran LIZA Soberano, one half of the titular onscreen love team “LizQuen” with Enrique Gil, is a Filipina actress named Campaign Asia-Pacific’s most popular endorser of 2017. Among her 30+ and counting endorsements cover various industries and products from food, beverages, beauty products (of course), lifestyle and gadgets as well as motor vehicles such as being the endorser of the Mitsubishi Mirage. Brands have also expressed their continued satisfaction with Liza’s work and appeal, owing to her effectivity as brand ambassador for their product--the reason why companies do not hesitate to work with the actress again and again. Of course, she is not all just a pretty face, as she has proven time and again her prowess in acting, starring in various memorable big screen and small screen roles, winning her awards and getting her nominations left and right. Her talent manager, Ogie Diaz lauded the young actress, tagging the 21-year-old as a “biyaya.” In fact, Diaz revealed that with all the projects Liza has bagged in such a short span of time, she has rubbed off her blessings with the people around her. Liza, a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, is a testament and gleaming example of the power of women this International Women’s Day.

From left to right: Aileen Judan-Jiao, President and Country General Manager of IBM Philippines; Ambe Tierro, Senior Managing Director, Global Artificial Intelligence of Accenture Technologies; Ma. Cristina ‘Beng’ Coronel, President CEO of Pointwest Technologies; Michie Ang, Founding Director of Women Who code Manila; Viloria, National Project Coordinator of the Labour Organization’s Women in STEM Workforce Readiness and Development Programme; and Cathy Yap, news anchor event host.

Women leaders in STEM By Ian Carlo Castillano and Julianne Gabis MATHEMATICS (STEM) during a Filipina Stem Leader Forum last Feb. 22. Organized by the International Labour Organization with the support of J.P. Morgan and in cooperation with the United States Embassy in the Philippines and American Space Philippines, the forum highlighted the successful careers of the four Women Leaders, namely Aileen Judan-Jiao, the President and Country Manager of IBM; Ambe Tierro, the Senior Managing Director, Global Artificial Intelligence of Accenture Technologies; Ma. Cristina ‘Beng’ Coronel, President and CEO of Pointwest Technologies; and Michie Ang, Founding Director of Women Who Code. They were able to surpass various challenges in life and their career. “I have always been fascinated by computers, so when I got exposed to them at a young age, I really wanted to know how to master and operate computers,” said Ambe Tierro as she expressed her fascination with computers and how she was able to establish her passion for technology. Tierro was the Senior Managing Director, Global Artificial Intelligence of Accenture Technologies. She leads the Advanced Technology Centers in the Philippines (ATCP) and is responsible for operations, strategy development and execution, delivery and capability development for the delivery center. She is also the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Delivery and Capability lead responsible for driving Accenture Technology’s AI agenda. Ambe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the De La Salle University and since joining Accenture in 1990, has worked on large-scale systems integration and outsourcing engagements, while holding a number of leadership roles in the Philippines Delivery Center. Additionally, she was instrumental in driving Accenture’s delivery innovation and industrialization program. Getting women sustained in their work force is what Aileen Judan-Jiao bats for, advising women that it is okay for them to take different roles in order to break the traditional women roles in the society. She started in tech three decades ago with the idea of taking up a degree that could be essential to the future. She holds a Bachelor of Science

SUPPORTERS OF WOMEN IN STEM.

From left to right: Philip Roskamp, Public Affairs Counselor of the Embassy of the United States in the Philippines; Viloria, National Project Coordinator of the Labour Organization’s Women in STEM Workforce Readiness and Development Programme; Ola Almgren, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations; and Carlos Ma. Mendoza, Head of Banking and Deputy SCO, J.P. Morgan Philippines.

degree in Computer Science from the Ateneo de Manila University. Aileen was named as President and Country General Manager in July 2018 and the first homegrown Filipina leader of IBM Philippines. From being a systems engineer to her recent role as Country Leader for Enterprise Sales in IBM Philippines, she has built her expertise in various areas of enterprise Information Technology, including IT infrastructure design and implementation, project management and consulting, technical support, marketing, business development sales. Since joining IBM in 1992, Aileen’s career progressed to various leadership roles, including Country Leader for New Client Acquisitions in IBM Philippines, Country Manager for Industrial and Distribution Sector in IBM Philippines, Country Manager for Global Technology Services in IBM Philippines, Regional Offering Manager for the IBM Asia Pacific Networking Services Team, Regional Solutions Manger for the IBM Asia Pacific Cisco Alliance Team, Consulting IT Architect for the IBM Asia Pacific IT Optimization Team, and Country Manager for e-Business and Software Solutions in IBM Philippines. “I think there is still this gut feeling that if you become more of a mother, you become less of a manager or conversely… we have to change that mindset, we have to support them,” Maria Cristina “Beng” Galang Coronel, of Pointwest Technologies Corporation, said on the problem of mothers dropping out in their workforce. Pointwest Technologies Corporation was one of the leading 100 percent Filipino-owned IT/ BPM Services Company, in January 2003, with only nine employees. After three terms of being president at the Philippines Software Industry Association (PSIA), Beng has focused her attention on building for the industry. She has worked with various organizations to come up with a Capability Development framework for PSIA that can support its goal of enhancing competitiveness and robustness of the industry. Beng is also the President/ Board Trustee of the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP), an industry association that aspires to bring the Philippines to become a global leader in healthcare

information management services. She has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (with honors) from the University of Santo Tomas, and was one of the UST Engineering Centennial Awardees for Industry Leadership, elevated to the UST Engineering Hall of Fame for Industry Leadership in 2018. Though she holds a nursing degree, Michie Ang, co-founder of Tecsoft Apps, didn’t turn down a chance to switch careers when the opportunity was presented in front of her. Now, she is also the founding director of Women Who Code Manila, a global non-profit organization that inspires women to excel in their tech careers. Having a goal to create awareness, create more women leaders, and build a community that helps one another to excel in the field of their choice, they do technical study groups on different programming languages for women, fireside chats, hackathons, conferences and more. Also, it makes sure that women have an inclusive and diverse role in the tech industry. Michie, together with her co-founding directors, launched their Manila Network on January 20, 2017. They have more than 2,050+ members, held more than 200 plus events, and created 40 plus leaders. They are aiming to grow the network all over the Philippines and encourage more women in tech to level up this year. STEM sectors are conventionally dominated by men, but through the years, and with the advancement of technology, it is now ripe for women to be part of it not only as employees but as decision-makers, as well. The ILO forum brought together public and private stakeholders, to advance the cause of women workers in STEM sectors and occupations. “It is also an opportunity to inspire Filipino girls who are interested to go into the STEM path of education and training,” said Linartes Viloria, National Project Coordinator of Women in STEM Workforce Readiness and Development Programme in the Philippines of the ILO. Once more women have access to quality STEM-related employment with sustainable career and livelihood prospects, then it would only be in a matter of time when women will make economic growth more inclusive, improving the work and life conditions for all.

Women’s Nutritional Needs through the Years By Susan Bowerman (Senior Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training) AS teenagers, we could get by on a diet of pizza, chips and fast food without much thought. As we move through college and beyond, nutrition becomes increasingly important. Here are a few key actions and nutrients to ensure optimum health through your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond. In your 20s Drink enough water. When you’re rushing between school, work and social activities, it’s easy to forget to hydrate. Carry a large water bottle with you at all times and aim to drink at least two liters of water per day. Pack smart snacks. Adults age 20 to 39 consume 15.3 percent of their calories from fast food according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Instead of racking up empty calories, choose healthy meals you can throw together in a snap. Nutrient essentials: calcium and folic acid. You’re still building bone through your mid20s. Keep them strong by getting at least 1,000 mg of calcium each day. Good sources include yogurt, fortified nondairy milk, firm tofu and sardines. In your 30s Watch calories. You can’t eat like a teenager and maintain your weight. In your 30s, metabolism starts to slow as women lose muscle mass. Swap refined carbs (white bread, pastries) and sugary beverages for whole grains, fresh produce and water. Nutrient essentials: folic acid and protein. More women wait until their 30s to have their first baby, according to a CDC report. If you’re one of them, keep up the folic acid intake. Muscle mass declines by about 5 percent each decade starting in your 30s. To preserve it, add strength training into your workouts and eat adequate amounts of protein, which helps mitigate muscle loss. In your 40s Protect your heart. Cholesterol and blood pressure rise as you get closer to menopause. Protect your ticker with regular exercise and heart-healthy foods. Good choices include dark leafy greens, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. Drink alcohol in moderation (one drink per day for women) and cut out trans fat, found in processed and fried food. Nutrient essentials: Vitamin D, antioxidants. Keep an eye on Vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium.It also keeps your immune system strong, your energy levels high and protects against breast and colon cancer. Vitamin D stores decline as women hit their 40s. Antioxidants like Vitamins A, C

and E prevent or delay cell damage that contributes to aging. Good sources include red peppers, citrus fruits, berries, carrots, sweet potatoes and nuts. In your 50s Eat more fiber. In women, heart disease risk increases after age 55 according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Fiber helps lower cholesterol levels, which is good for heart health. Fiber also keeps you fuller longer, which helps keep weight in check. Nutrient essentials: Omega 3s, B12. Studies indicate 10 to 30 percent of people over age 50 have a reduced ability to absorb Vitamin B12 from food. Consider a B12 supplement. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Get your fill from fatty fish such as salmon, which is rich in Omega-3s EPA and DHA. Walnuts and ground flaxseed are high in ALA, an Omega-3 that may help lower cholesterol. In your 60s and beyond Keep moving. An empty nest and fewer work demands leave you with more time to enjoy life. Learn a new language, take a dance class, go on more dates with your partner. Whatever you do, keep up a regular exercise routine and consult with your doctor before considering any vigorous cardio and strength training. Are you eating enough? Medications, slowed metabolism, a change in taste perception and other factors contribute to loss of appetite in our 60s and beyond. While focusing on good nutrition, experiment with a wider range of foods. Share meals with friends. Incorporate meal replacement drinks if needed. Nutrient essentials: All of the above, plus probiotics. Our gut health changes as we age. Friendly bacteria declines and our small intestine doesn’t absorb nutrients as well. Add probiotics to stimulate friendly bacteria growth. Food sources include yogurt and fermented foods like sauerkraut and Kimchi.

International Women's Day

Dermcare President: Strength of character is true beauty As a woman in the business sector, Mrs. Palisoc has spent 30 years growing her business and achieving her goals. She had helped a lot of people, especially women, find employment and sources of livelihood as well

By Kyle Ureta “THE beauty that is defined by the strength in every woman’s character, gentle yet strong and firm in her beliefs and conviction. Confident yet humble in spite of all her achievements in life.” For Zenaida E. Palisoc, the President of the Dermcare Group of Companies, this is the essence of being a woman. It lies in “her ability to stay cool and still weather all the storms in her life without compromising what are essential” and “the way she carries herself with confidence in spite of her physical weaknesses and limitations.” She believes that men and women are equal in the eyes of God and “are supposed to play supportive roles to each other.” In our country, she states that she’s “happy to note that gender equality is more prominent now since probably the last three decades unlike before when we were really more of a male chauvinist society.” Mrs. Palisoc also counts herself lucky in that she didn’t experience much discrimination for being a woman. When she was young, she was always last in the list when it comes to being voted as officer or group leader. But as she gained honors, recognitions and achievements in school, she had also gained the attention of teachers and professors. She proved her academic abilities by working hard and studying hard, while asserting herself in school and of course, in her career. In the process, she was treated equally by her male contemporaries. A graduate of University of the Philippines with a Master in Industrial relations and a Certified Master Entrepreneur from Ateneo Graduate School of Entrepreneurship, her Dermcare Group of Companies includes names such as the Belle La Peau Trading and Services Inc., the Zet Pharm Business Solutions Inc., the Face Matters Trading and Services Inc. She is also the the VP-HRD/ Admin of Ahglow Corporation and Rolan Palser Enterprises Corporation.

as help improve families’ lives. Her employees are well compensated and afforded more than just mandatory benefits, including free training and travels. Her Dermcare business has grown to employ about 1,000

people in eighty eight Dermcare Wellness Centers and twenty seven (27) Belle La Peau Waxing Salons all over the country. “It has been my desire that the Dermcare business… would be God’s instru

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International Women's Day

Simple probinsyana now one of PR’s leading women What do you think are your notable contributions and achievements in our society? Ana: On a personal level, I would like to beARDENT Communications President Ana Ruby lieve that my journey in establishing this company Pista could not believe that a simple province girl like her from a small barrio in Bulacan could make can serve as an inspiration for others that regardless of your status in the society and where you it where she is today. “Everything just fell into place,” said Ana, who come from, you can always contribute something. What empowers you as a woman? is also the External Vice President of the Public Ana: My faith has always empowered me as a Relations Society of the Philippines during Manila woman and as person. Through my faith, I find the Standard’s talk with the amiable PR executive at strength and the courage that I need to deal with their office in Makati. both the failures and successes that I will face in Starting her company from the ground up, she my life. leaned on her “go big or go home” and can-do atWhat’s your opinion about women’s status in titude to sustain and lead Ardent to become one of our society? the most sought-after and trusted PR firms in the Ana: Today, women in the Philippines are country today, but she is quick to add that they do already able to hold key management positions in not compete with anyone else but themselves. a wide array of industries and this speaks volumes “That’s always been my mantra, in everything of how our society now perceives us. you do, do your best,” added Ana, who started Do you have an advocacy/ies for women, or Ardent Comm with only one fax machine and five if you would have the chance to do so, what is it employees in 1998. going to be? Now, it is home to 65 regular employees and Ana: I would like to focus on battered women two separate business units. and how they can be empowered. I would like to Here is an excerpt of our talk for our Internaput up a volunteer facility which can serve as a tional Women’s Day supplement: For you, what is the essence of being a woman? haven for educating and nurturing women who are going through abusive relationships. Ana: The essence of a woman is her innate Who is/are your women role model/s you look ability to be soft yet strong. A woman is someone up to and imbibe from? who is able to strike a balance between being lovAna: I look up to a few women who have ing, caring, nurturing, and all-embracing while beexcelled and continue to excel in their respecing determined, strong-willed, and goal-oriented. tive fields regardless of their status in the society. In your opinion, do you think that equality beAmong them are Lea Salonga who has put the tween men and women is present in our country? Philippines’ name in the global entertainment Ana: I can say that despite a few and subtle scene because of her stellar performances in musiinstances of discrimination, we have made great leaps in terms of advocating equality between men cal theatre; Gabriela Silang, American author and and women. I believe that PR is very open-minded educator Helen Keller, and Michelle Obama. What is your message to the modern Filipina? as an industry and that it’s really the skills, compeAna: To the all modern Filipinas, I hope we tencies, and grit that determine one’s success— reall remain soft yet strong. I hope we all continue gardless of gender. to embrace our compassionate and loving nature Have you experienced discrimination as a but still know that when push comes to shove, woman? we need to stand firm for our rights and for the Ana: While I was raised by a family, particuthings that we believe in. This delicate mix of larly by a father, who did not make me feel that gentleness and strength is one of the most beauthere is discrimination between sexes, I still had tiful things that we women have brought and my own taste of prejudice against women when I will continue to bring to the world. was growing up. By Peter Paul Duran

Dermcare From C3

ment to help as many people as possible become good and productive members of our society,” she said. Dermcare is celebrating its 30th year and Mrs. Palisoc said that they “want to tell everyone that because life is a long journey, we want them to enjoy the ride by making each moment beautiful with Dermcare as their wellness partner.” When asked what empowers her as a woman, she cited that “First… inspiration comes from Above, who I believed has destined me for this purpose and the thought that I am helping a lot of people, not only my employees but also their immediate and extended families keep me strong and gives me strength to keep going.” She also said that her desire to be a role model to “my family, my children, my nephews and nieces and most especially to my only daughter, Angelica,” moves her to work hard and lead by example. She also said that she loves what she’s doing, and is very passionate to make a difference in “this field of wellness” in her lifetime. Mrs. Palisoc pulls inspiration from her women role models, like Princess Diana “who is the epitome of beauty inside and out”, British Lady Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, whom she describes as a strong and firm leader, and Saint Teresa of Calcutta, who has “moved with compassion and love for the poor and the underprivileged.” Like these role models, she hopes to help as many people/women as possible to maintain the natural beauty that God has endowed them with through her Dermcare business, and in empowering them by providing livelihood. She strongly believes that poverty is not a hindrance for anyone to succeed and be in return an instrument for others to achieve their dreams. She wishes to inspire people to become better individuals “starting with strict work discipline of obedience to laws” and extend this to their family and to society.

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