Manila Standard - 2019 August 28 - Wednesday by Manila Standard

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

Task force to review convicts’ GCTA rules

BE WARNED.

PCSO General Manager Royina Garma has warned STL operators not to resume their operations, after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered on July 26 the suspension of STL operations nationwide due to reported irregularities and ‘massive corruption’ but lifted the suspension on Aug. 22 provided the Authorized Agent Corporations comply with certain requirements.

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has formed a task force to review guidelines for processing the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) granted to inmates following the public outcry over suggestions that convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez might be re-

leased early for good behavior. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the task force will be composed of prison authorities and will be given 10 days to review the guidelines. The task force will also ask the Bureau of Corrections for a list of inmates that have already been released as a consequence of reduced sentences be-

cause of GCTAs. “Should there be any sign of fraud or irregularity, I will order a separate probe,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters. BuCor earlier said about 200 inmates have been released on the basis of reduced sentences after being awarded Next page GCTA credits.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 195 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

STL owners defy Duterte—PCSO

Police told to go after non-compliant operators By Maricel V. Cruz

ONE of the 87 small town lottery authorized agent corporations have complied with the conditions set by President Rodrigo Duterte almost a week after the Chief Executive lifted the ban on the numbers game. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Of- ippine National Police to run after those fice General Manager Royina Garma defying the order. warned all STL AACs not to resume “For now, though the President has their operations as she called on the Phil- lifted the suspension, no STL AAC has

complied with the requirements, yet. So, therefore, we have not issued any certification for them to resume their operations,” the PCSO official told lawmakers in a briefing with the House of Representatives’ Games and Amusement Committee. Duterte on July 26 ordered the suspension of STL operations nationwide due to reported irregularities and “massive corruption” but some AACs reportedly continued with their daily draws. Next page

National ID pilot test starts on Sept. 2; 10,000 people eyed THE government expects to register some 10,000 individuals for the pilot testing of the national identification system which will run from Sept. 2 to December this year, according to officials Tuesday. National Economic and Development Authority chief and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said on the sidelines of the 3rd Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines Forum in Manila that “Once it’s [the registration] perfected we

can already ramp up the registrants.” “Next year we will be ramping up as soon as the pilot test will show that we are implementing the National ID the right way,” Pernia said He added: “Then we are going to ramp up so that next year, we should be doing 50 million registrants, and then the following year, 2021, another 50 million so that by the end of the [term of the Duterte] administration, we would have Next page

House panel OKs tax reform package By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives’ committee on ways and means on Tuesday approved Package Four of the Duterte administration’s comprehensive tax reform program, which deals with capital income taxation. The committee, chaired by Rep. Joey Salceda of Albay unanimously approved House Bill 304, or the “Passive Income and Financial Intermediary

Taxation Act,” in just one hearing. The bill has been recommended for plenary action. Salceda said the bill proposes to make capital income and financial intermediary taxes “simpler, fairer and more efficient.” “This bill seeks to reform the taxation of capital income and financial services in the country, by redesigning the financial sector taxation into a simpler, fairer more efficient and a revenue neutral tax system,” he said. Salceda added that “the approval of this bill is earnestly sought so we can compete better in Next page

TAX REFORM. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (left) discusses with Deputy Majority Leader Llanda Bolilia (right) and Committee on Ways and Means Vice Chairman Sharon Garin (center) tax measures on Income and Financial Intermediary Tax Reform during the committee hearing. Ver Noveno

WEATHER Flood alert over ‘Jenny’ THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Tuesday placed on alert all its local units in Aurora and other nearby provinces for potential flooding and landslides due to the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Jenny.” Next page

ARREST PROTESTED. Groups storm Camp Karingal in Quezon City Tuesday in protest against the arrest and filing of what they called trumped up cases against National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Esterlita Suaybaguio on Monday during the observance of National Heroes Day. Manny Palmero

CPP leader nabbed in Cubao condo tipped off the authorities on the presBy Rio N. Araja ence of the suspect at Unit 9H, 9th floor, and Maricel V. Cruz Tower 5, Escalades Condominium comAUTHORITIES have arrested a female pound, 20th Avenue in Cubao. Espinosa was arleader of the Comrested on Aug. 26 at munist Party of the P h i l i p p i n e s - N e w THE Department of Justice on around 2 a.m. by virPeople’s Army in Qu- Tuesday began its preliminary tue of a search warinvestigation into the criminal rant issued by the ezon City. Chief Supt. Joselito complaint filed against a con- Quezon City Regional Esquivel Jr. of the gresswoman and officers of Trial Court Branch 89. Police said they Quezon City Police militant group Anakbayan over District identified the recruitment of a senior high found a 9mm handthe suspect as Esterl- school student. The Philippine gun, a grenade, amita Espinosa, 60, with National Police-Criminal Investi- munition and subveraliases of Nali, Loida gation and Detection Group filed sive documents in her the complaint against Kabataan possession. She was and Ester. Espinosa, single, is Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, charged with violating the secretary of the Bayan Muna chairman Neri Col- firearms and exploMetro Manila region- menares, former Akbayan Rep- sives laws. On Tuesday, Deal party committee of resentative Tom Villarin, and six the communist group. others for kidnapping, trafficking fense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana dared Esquivel said a in person and child abuse. Next page concerned citizen

Taylor Swift wins MTV’s Video of the Year

Senator initiates ‘pork’ watch By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz SENATOR Panfilo M. Lacson on Tuesday urged the public, especially taxpayers, to help him expose the insertions of pork barrel in the P4.1trillion budget for 2020. He branded as “dubious insertions and useless appropriations” the insertions being made by some Congress members. “Any technical support from the outside will certainly help in our scrutiny of the 2020 budget books,” said Lacson, who claimed he is preparing to engage in yet another protracted game of “hide-and-seek” against pork. Next page

PETA: PH has role in Amazon fires

POP superstar Taylor Swift lit up MTV’s annual Video Music Awards Monday, taking home the award for Video of the Year and nodding to her winning song’s celebration of LGTBQ rights in accepting her prize.

WHILE much of the world takes to Twitter and Facebook to express their abject horror over the fires burning vast swaths of the largest rainforest on Earth—the Amazon—PETA is calling them out for being part of the problem

News

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘No to homework for students‘ T

HE head of the Education department said Tuesday she supports the proposed law prohibiting homework for students.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said students lose time for rest and bonding with family and friends due to homework, which is sometimes completed by tutors or carers. “We want all formal study, assignments, projects, whatever to be done inside the school. When the students

Peace panel to hammer out govt-MNLF deal By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has called for the creation of a coordinating committee between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front to resume the peace talks in Mindanao next month. During his fourth meeting with MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari on Friday night, Duterte relayed his desire to immediately form the committee to ensure peace in Sulu and to start the talks next month in Davao City, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said. The committee will serve as a venue to seek the cooperation of the MNLF to achieve immediate peace in Sulu, the group’s turf, and to combat the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. Sulu has been a challenge for the government in achieving peace in the newly created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao because its leaders are mostly representatives from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the rival group of the MNLF. The coordinating committee also aims to convince MNLF members to return to the folds of the law, Panelo said. Duterte also instructed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity to convene the meeting in September. The meeting between Duterte and Misuari was attended by peace adviser Carlito Galvez as shown in the photos given to Palace reporters. Meanwhile, Misuari has proposed to include the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the peace efforts and discussions in Mindanao, Panelo said. Misuari pitched this to assure the compliance of the government in the 1996 peace accord with the MNLF. The OIC is an international organization that brands itself as the “collective voice of the Muslim world,” aiming to protect the interests of Muslims in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony. Founded in 1969, the organization has permanent delegations to the United Nations and the European Union.

Flood... From A1

NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said responders from the uniformed services were already deployed along with other disaster response personnel. “The uniformed services are deployed. What we are looking at the national level is if there is a need for those who will transport augmentation from one region to another that is actually what we and the AFP are talking about. It’s because we are together in this effort,” Jalad told reporters. “Jenny” continued to threaten Aurora province while maintaining its strength on Tuesday afternoon. As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, the storm’s center was estimated 290 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon. Packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, “Jenny” was moving west-northwest at 35 kph. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the tropical storm was forecast to make landfall in Aurora between 9 p.m. Tuesday and 1 a.m. Wednesday. The provinces of Aurora, Quirino and Isabela have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2 as “Jenny” intensified into a tropical storm while moving toward Central Luzon. PAGASA said “Jenny” was last spotted 360 kilometers, east-northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte as of 11 a.m. “Jenny” is now packing maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kph near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph. Moving west-northwest at 25 kph, “Jenny” is expected to pummel Aurora on Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is in effect over Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, the northern portion of Quezon including the Polillo Islands, Cavite, Laguna, Camarines Norte, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur and Catanduanes. NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said responders from the uniformed services were already deployed along with other disaster response personnel. PNA, with Rio N. Araja

get home, they will have free time to be with their parents, friends,” Briones told DZMM radio. “When I arrived at the department, we made that a policy, but some schools have been used to giving homework.” Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas on Monday filed a bill seeking to prohibit

STL... From A1

He lifted the suspension on Aug. 22 provided the AACs comply with certain requirements, including handing over to the PCSO a cash deposit apart from their existing cash bonds and posting of another bond equivalent to three months of the agency’s share in guaranteed minimum monthly retail receipts. The STL AACs are also expected to execute a written undertaking that they will comply with their obligations under their STL contracts with the PCSO. Garma earlier disclosed that almost P1.25 billion were lost from PCSO’s total revenue this year with the month-long suspension of STL operations. She said the amount represented around five percent of the agency’s projected 2019

Task force... From A1

GCTAs are provided for by Republic Act No. 10592, a 2013 law that amends a number of provisions of the Revised Penal Code on time allowances and credit for preventive imprisonment of inmates. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that the GCTA law should be applied retroactively, or even on cases that took place before the enactment of the measure. This led to the BuCor processing GCTAs that may be granted to thousands of inmates who have been detained since the 1990s, including Sanchez. But Guevarra said Monday that Malacañang has requested that the DOJ hold the processing of Sanchez’s case until all the factual and legal issues involved have been threshed out. Malacañang has taken the position that Sanchez should be excluded from the grant of GCTAs because he was convicted of “heinous crimes.” Others have said the grant of time allowances to the former Calauan, Laguna mayor should be based on whether or not he showed “good conduct” in prison. Sanchez had been charged with possession of illegal drugs while behind bars. The Supreme Court said Tuesday it is leaving it up to the Executive department, particularly the Department of Justice, how to implement RA 10592. In a chance interview during the launching of the new Judicial and Bar Council website and online application scheduler on Tuesday, Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said it would be up to the DOJ to thresh out the guidelines for the implementation of its ruling. Bersamin declined to comment on questions of Sanchez’s eligibility for GCTA credits. The DOJ earlier said Sanchez is one of the more than 10,000 prisoners who may be released due to the shortening of prison terms as a result of the Supreme Court’s

House... From A1

attracting capital and investment which is urgently needed to finance infrastructure, create more and better jobs and boost the inclusive and sustainable growth of the economy.” The bill amends several sections of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, to exempt from documentary stamp taxes diplomas from educational institutions; oaths of office of 650,000 barangay and other officials; good moral standing certificate requirements of 4.1 million professionals for licenses issued by Professional Regulatory Commission and affidavits for notarized certificates. Also to be exempted from DST are certificates of no marriage, baptismal certificates and marriage licenses. Rep. Mark Go of Baguio City proposed the said amendment, saying “government must let go of income from the DST for transactions that have little or no value on the documentary requirements of a person.” HB 304 provides for the reduction in the number of withholding taxes and proposes a uniform tax treatment on interest income regardless of currency, maturity, issuer and other differentiating factors. The bill also proposes that special rates and exemptions be removed. It also proposes the unification of tax rates for interest dividends and capital gains while it harmonizes business taxes by imposing a single rate of 5 percent. Income tax on interest, yield or any other monetary benefit earned or received from debt instruments, bank deposits, deposit substitutes and any other form of debt instrument and similar arrangements will be levied a uniform 15 percent tax. A final tax of 15 percent shall be imposed cash or property dividends received by an individual from a domestic corporation or from joint stock company, insurance, mutual fund companies, collective investment schemes and regional operating headquarters of multinational companies. The bill also proposes a final tax rate of 6/10 of 1 percent for presumptive capital gains from the sale, exchange, barter or disposition of shares of stocks traded in the stock exchange or an organized marketplace. The tax rate will be reduced gradually to 1/10 of 1 percent by 2024 or five years after its implementation.

homework during weekends. House Deputy Speaker Evelina Escudero sought a no-homework policy for kinder to grade 12 students. Teacher’s Dignity Coalition rejected the proposed ban on homework, saying it “is not intended to make life difficult for our students.” “Our teachers are trained educators, we know the value of homework. It’s about discipline, responsibility and continuity of learning,” the group’s

total revenue of P25 billion. For the first six months of the year, more than half of PCSO’s total revenue came from the STL, she said. For her part, PCSO board member Sandra Cam hit the House panel for swiftly adjourning the hearing, saying this robbed her of the chance to release “shocking” documents on the alleged corruption in STL operations. “We are disheartened with Congress. I’m sick, but I came here for this and then they will just adjourn the hearing,” Cam said. On Monday, Cam said in a press forum that the “mistah” system in the STL has resulted in corruption, with several lawmakers acting as “protectors.” “Many congressmen are angry with me because they are protectors, but there are no sacred cows for Sandra Cam,” she said during the forum. ruling. However, Guevarra was forced to suspend the implementation of the new GCTA law following a public outcry against Sanchez’x possible release. Bersamin also said it would be up to the DOJ whether or not to apply its ruling on those convicted of heinous crimes. Guevarra earlier said recidivists, escapees, habitual delinquents and persons charged with heinous crimes are not qualified for GCTA credits under RA 10592. On June 25, 2019, the Court said the law should be implemented retroactively. R.A. 10592, enacted in May 2013, amended several provisions in the Revised Penal Code and authorized the credit of preventive imprisonment and revision of good conduct time allowance of persons deprived of liberty. The law expanded the application of GCTA for prisoners even during preventive suspension, increased the number of days for GCTA, allowed additional deduction of 15 days each month of for time allowance for study, teaching or mentoring service, and expanded the special time allowance for loyalty even during preventive suspension. The SC held that the ruling would help decongest jails and result in a substantial reduction in prison terms. Also on Tuesday, a lone gunman shot and killed a Bureau of Corrections official in Muntinlupa City, police said. Muntinlupa City Station police chief Gerardo Umayao identified the victim as 53-year-old Ruperto Traya Jr., a chief administrative officer 3 assigned at the New Bilibid Prison. Police said the incident happened at a parking lot near Amparo Street in Barangay Poblacion at about 1 p.m. Initial investigation showed that Traya was about to park his motorcycle when the gunman on board a motorcycle appeared and shot him in the head. The victim died on the spot and the assailant fled the scene. With Joel E. Zurbano

Senator...

From A1 Lacson also sought support from the people in watching the budget process and to remove the pork that caused the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget. “This is taxpayers’ money we are talking about. We should not allow a greedy few to lay their grubby hands on it, to put it mildly,” he said. “Budget deliberation starts this week in the 18th Congress. It is time to play another protracted game of ‘hide-and-seek’: they hide, we seek,” Lacson said. He noted that pork reared its ugly head anew in the 2019 budget, causing a long delay in the passage of the spending bill. At the time, Lacson bared abuses and indiscretions in both houses of Congress, with the House of Representatives’ leadership even going beyond the mandate of the law by introducing realignments even after the budget had been ratified—a violation, he said, of the 1987 Constitution. While President Rodrigo Duterte signed the 2019 budget bill on April 15, he vetoed P93.5 billion in questionable items, including the post-realignment manipulations questioned by Lacson and Senate leaders. In July, Lacson filed Senate Bill 24, seeking to institutionalize the direct participation of taxpayers in the budget process. Malacañang on Tuesday defended the proposed P1.5-billion budget hike of the Office of the President, saying the increase is necessary to provide “efficient, meaningful and effective” public service. The OP will need financial support given the strong resolve of President Duterte to pursue programs and policies that “will finally bring genuine change to the nation,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said. In its proposed 2020 budget, Duterte’s office is asking for P8.2-billion funds for next year. This was P1.5 billion higher than the OP’s budget for 2019. The last budget of Duterte’s predecessor, former President Benigno Aquino III, was P2.8 billion. For 2019, Duterte’s office has a budget of P6.7 billion while it had P6.3 billion in 2018. More than P6 billion will be allocated for maintenance and other operating expenses, P4.5 billion of which will be used for confidential and intelligence expenses.

chairman, Benjo Basas, said in a statement. Briones said she was also studying proposals to adjust the academic calendar to cover summer and prevent class cancellations during the rainy months. Many classrooms, she noted, lacked air-conditioning units to ease the sweltering summer heat. Students might also be exposed to hot-weather diseases like sore eyes, and miss the village fiestas usually celebrated during summer.

DAR farms out 47,377 lot-titles THE Department of Agrarian Reform on Tuesday night distributed more than 87,000 hectares of agricultural lands to thousands of farmer-beneficiaries in Luzon. Over 46,000 farmer beneficiaries received 47,377 land titles in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa. More than half or 24,605 of the farmerbeneficiaries were from Central Luzon, while 11,859 were from Calabarzon and 9,874 were from Mimaropa. Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones told reporters Bicol Region is not yet included in the distributed land areas because it remains a “highland” and an “insurgency area.” Of the total agriculture lands, 112 hectares will come from the last 10 barangays of Hacienda Luisita, a portion of the remaining undistributed land area which have not been covered by the previous administration. These will be given to 114 farmer-beneficiaries. The Cojuangcoowned Hacienda Luisita is a 6,453-hectare sugar plantation located in Tarlac. Castriciones said the delay in the distribution of lands in Hacienda Luisita was due to incomplete and unsubmitted requirements. Castriciones said DAR will look into reports that some portions of Hacienda Luisita have been converted into residential and commercial lands. “We are actually conducting some investigation. Although we have not yet finalized [it] because we need the cooperation of those people who are furnishing us with this information,” he said. “Now before you can convert it to commercial, industrial, residential [lands], you must be given a conversion order by the DAR. And there are many requisites before you can convert it,” he added. MJ Blancaflor

CPP...

From A1 leftist legislators to condemn the atrocities of the CPP-NPA. Communist rebels have staged a series of attacks against military and police personnel and facilities, killing several government men. Lorenzana issued the call as members of the Makabayan bloc insisted that their partylist groups are not front organizations of the underground communist movement. But Lorenzana said the leftist groups could not disassociate themselves from the armed rebels if they do not condemn the atrocities and the armed struggle that CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison supports. At deliberations on the Department of National Defense’s proposed budget for 2020, Lorenzana said the military has proof that the left-leaning organizations are being used by the communist rebel group “to strengthen their ranks.” “We’ve seen this at every rally where there are members of the Makabayan,” he said in Filipino. Lorenzana’s statement came after lawmakers belonging to the Makabayan bloc took turns in denouncing what they described as the military’s red-tagging. Party-list France Castro of ACT Teachers complained about being tagged a communist, citing reports that soldiers describe the bloc as “terrorists” during several school visits. Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, for her part, denounced the suggestion that joining rallies and demonstrations was tantamount to waging armed resistance.

National... From A1

covered virtually all Filipinos including OFWs,” he said. There are to date nearly 108 million Filipinos from Tawi-Tawi to Batanes. On the other hand, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the central bank had volunteered to print the national ID. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the “best and safest system” in the implementation of the national ID system which covers Filipino citizens and foreign residents. Signed by the President on Aug. 6 last year, Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys Act) seeks to harmonize, integrate, and interconnect the countless and redundant government IDs by establishing a single national identification system.

Taylor Swift... From A1

Swift was among the top award-getters at this year’s edition of the awards show held in Newark, New Jersey and considered television’s wildest night for its eminently meme-able viral moments. Swift nabbed the coveted award for her track “You Need to Calm Down” on the heels of releasing her new album “Lover,”

2 senators call for video-con, De Lima says By Macon Ramos-Araneta JAILED Senator Leila de Lima said Tuesday Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto was supporting the Drilon-Lacson resolution allowing her to participate in the plenary sessions through video conferencing. In speaking about the Drilon-Lacson resolution, Recto was referring to Senate Resolution 51 filed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Panfilo Lacson, which seeks to allow De Lima to participate in the Senate’s plenary sessions through teleconferencing or other forms of remote electronic communications. Drilon and Lacson said De Lima had a “mandate to participate in the lawmaking process and deliberations of proposed legislation.” But Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. said Monday De Lima must not be allowed to participate in Senate proceedings. “The double standards and sense of entitlement of some people are frankly quite disheartening. When I was incarcerated due to politically motivated charges, which the Court has finally settled in my acquittal, a very vocal group were against my participation in Senate proceedings,” Revilla said, referring to De Lima and her supporters. Recto said De Lima’s being behind bars, over charges she had not been convicted yet, should not be a bar in the performance of her duties, which could be rendered remotely. De Lima, the fiercest critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, has been at the PNP Custodian Center in Camp Crame since February 2017, is accused of receiving drug money from the drug lords detained at the New Bilibid Prison to bankroll her senatorial run in the 2013 elections. By tradition, Recto said, the Senate work on legislation was an all-handson-deck affair in which every member, regardless of political affiliation, was expected to contribute in pointing out the mistakes in a bill and pouring more merits on it. If ordinary workers could now work from home, courtesy of the Telecommuting Law that President Duterte signed into law last December, he said, De Lima could certainly do it from her prison cell. “We have also been crowd-sourcing ideas, inviting stakeholders to speak before us in order to enrich the discussion on a measure, except one whose name ironically appears on our rolls,” said Recto. He regarded as baseless the fear that hearing the voice of an imprisoned woman in the plenary could make a dent on the impregnable popularity rating of the President, which has stayed in the stratosphere. “If, for example, she states something false in plenary, I believe that it is not the DDS detachment in the Senate who will be the first to stand to correct and challenge her, but her friends, because in the democratic space that is the Senate, friendship is not a factor in upholding the truth,” Recto said. The Drilon-Lacson resolution also says De Lima could interpellate but could not vote due to the Senate rule that says a lawmaker must be physically present in able to cast a vote. “At least she can contribute to enhance proposed measures if our resolution is adopted,” Drilon said.

PETA: PH... From A1

that’s fueling the fires: the Philippines’ demand for meat. Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon and elsewhere, and more than 90 percent of the land of the Amazon rainforest that’s been cleared since 1970 is used for meat production, either for grazing or for growing food for cattle. The Philippines is one of the top 10 importers of Brazilian beef. “Whether it’s beef tapas or burgers, if your mouth is full of meat, you’re the reason the Amazon is going down the tubes—whereas going vegan shows that you actually do care,” says PETA senior vice president of International Campaigns Jason Baker. PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat.” PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETAAsia.com. which became the year’s top US seller after just two days. “In this video several points were made,” Swift, wearing an oversized rainbow-colored suit jacket, said to applause. That it won the fan-chosen award shows that “you want a world where we are all treated equally under the law,” the 29-yearold said, noting the video ended with a petition in support of the Equality Act, which would prevent discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. AFP

News

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PSC flagged over P170-m undocumented aid to NSAs By Rio N. Araja

FALLEN HEROES. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte offered a prayer to the fallen heroes as he visits the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Aug. 26, 2019. Presidential Photo

SC asked to stop SSS collection from OFWs THE Supreme Court has been asked to stop the Social Security System and other government agencies from collecting mandatory contributions from millions of land-based overseas Filipino workers. In a 36-page petition, the Makabayan bloc composed of militant party-list groups pleaded the SC to immediately issue temporary restraining order or permanent injunction enjoining the implementation of several provisions of Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. The petition was ﬁled by Migrante International, BayanMuna Partylist chairman Neri Colmenares and Reps. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite, and Eufemia Cullamat; Gabriela Women’s Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas; ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Francisca Castro; Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago; and several land-based OFWs. Rey E. Requejo

BI arrests 4 Indians for overstaying IMMIGRATION agents arrested four Indian nationals for illegally staying in the country and working without the necessary working permits. BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the aliens were arrested in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, through the operation conducted by Immigration agents in the area. Commissioner Jaime Morente who issued warrant after his ofﬁce received complaints about the alleged “5-6” lending activities of the said Indian nationals. They were identiﬁed as Manjot Singh, Mandeep Singh, Boota Singh and Gurpreet Singh. “All four were later brought to the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa pending their deportation proceedings,” Manahan said. He said Manjot Singh will be deported for harboring and concealing Mandeep Singh, who is an overstaying alien in the country. Vito Barcelo

‘Gov’t neglect led to killings in Negros’ SENATOR Ronald dela Rosa pointed out on Tuesday that it was the government’s shortcomings as behind the rise of a vigilante group tagged behind the Negros Oriental violence which claimed the lives of 25 people in just one month. “Umusbong ang grupo na ito na apparently vigilante group dahil sa kakulangan ng gobyerno,” Dela Rosa told reporters after emerging from the Senate committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and Justice and Human Rights, which he both chaired. He said it’s the first time he heard the name of the anti-communist group. Dela Rosa’s committees started the hearing on the killings in Negros Oriental of 25 persons from July 18, 2019 to Aug. 18, 2019. The investigation was prompted by Senate Resolution No. 47 which was filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros. He said five of the fatalities are in the hit list of the Kawsa Guihulnganon Batok Kumunista (KAGUBAK), an anti-communist group. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Dismissal of ex-military general for graft stays—SC By Rey E. Requejo

HE Supreme Court has affirmed the dismissal from the military service of former Marine commandant Major General Renato Miranda who had been found guilty by the Office of the Ombudsman of pocketing P36.7 million in combat clothing allowance intended for soldiers. In a 16-page decision released to the media last Aug. 22, the SC’s Second Division, through Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier, overturned and set aside the July 30, 2014 decision of the Court of Appeals, which nullified the order issued by the Ombudsman on Feb. 27, 2009 ordering the dismissal of Miranda from the service along with five other military officers for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty. The high court ruled that the CA committed grave error when it cleared Miranda of the allegation despite compelling evidence on record showing

that he committed the offenses. Miranda was ordered dismissed from the military service in 2006 for his involvement in the coup plot to oust then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but was granted amnesty by her successor, former President Benigno Aquino III in 2010. “What respondent did was truly indispensable to the consummation of the unlawful disbursement of public funds which cause prejudiced to the government,” the SC said. Besides dismissal from the service, the high tribunal also ordered the forfeiture

of all his benefits except accrues leave benefits, if any. Miranda is also perpetually disqualified from re-employment in any branch or service of the government including government-owned and controlled corporations. The former Marine commandant is also facing a graft case before the Sandiganbayan for malversation through falsification of public documents in connection with the anomaly. In its decision rendered on July 30, 2014, the CA granted the appeal of Miranda and reversed the Ombudsman’s decision and ordered Miranda’s reinstatement to the military service. When the appellate court denied its motion for reconsideration, the Ombudsman brought the case before the Supreme Court. In seeking for a reversal of the CA decision, the Ombudsman argued that Miranda, along with his four co-accused PMC personnel, conspired to defraud the government through fictitious grant of CCIE allowances to supposed enlisted members of the Philippine Marine Corps.

CAAP builds LGBTQ+ restrooms in 15 airports NAIA-Customs officials lauded for achievements By Joel E. Zurbano THE Bureau of Customs on Tuesday commended the Ninoy Aquino International Airport collection district office for its record-breaking achievements in securing Philippine borders from dangerous contraband and anti-social goods. The Customs-NAIA, under the leadership of district collector Carmelita Talusan, continues to strengthen its campaign and close coordination with other regulating agencies to secure the borders and protect the environment from unscrupulous traders engaged in smuggling of wildlife, dangerous drugs, firearms, contaminated meat and other prohibited goods, among others. Among the achievements of the Customs Collection District III (NAIA) this year include the confiscation of smuggled 4,496 kilos of meat and meat products to prevent the African swine fever outbreak and 3,084 live endangered species at the airport. The recent apprehension of contaminated meat on May 29 happened when Customs agents intercepted at Manila airport a total of 84 kilos from Japan with no Bureau of Animal Industry clearance and health certificate. Customs agents at the NAIA also intercepted the illegal importation of 358 pieces of concealed live ammunitions, 10 guns and 46 pieces of gun parts; and P15 million worth of mobile phones and gadgets. Since January this year, Talusan’s men busted 46 cases prohibited drugs —cocaine, shabu, marijuana and ecstasy, mostly smuggled from the United States, China and European countries.

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced on Tuesday it has completed the construction of restrooms designed for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transexual persons at 15 airports it operates nationwide. “For advocates, installing communal toilets in the airports is a step towards gender awareness development and protection of the rights of the LGBTQ+ community,” said CAAP chief information officer and spokesperson Eric Apolonio. The especially-designed restrooms were built at the CAAP-run commercial airports in Iloilo, Bacolod, Roxas, Laoag, Legazpi, Naga, Virac, Busuanga, Laguindingan, Dipolog, Butuan, San Jose, Basco, Marinduque, and Tandag. “In addition, a gender-neutral restroom has also been built at the CAAP Pasay central office,” said Apolonio. CAAP has appropriated five percent of its budget or P400 million for its Gender Awareness Development projects as

authorized by Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women and Executive Order 273, otherwise known as the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development. “Safety in bathrooms is a pivotal concern for non-binary people today; and through the construction of these genderneutral restrooms in CAAP-operated airports, the agency can proactively promote gender sensitivity at various points of its policies, programs, and activities,” said Apolonio. “The idea was ﬁrst established during a CAAP gender sensitivity forum where several LGBTQ+ members shared concerns of feeling discriminated whenever they use the comfort rooms,” he added. Apolonio said among the latest airports to open its gender-neutral restrooms this year are the airports in Basco, Marinduque, Virac, Bacolod, Roxas, and Butuan. Joel E. Zurbano

THE Commission on Audit has flagged the Philippine Sports Commission over a P170-million financial aid to different sports associations without the required documents. In an audit report, the state auditors said the PSC’s Board of Commissioners approved the release of P170 million despite the non-compliance of required dossiers, and that the National Sports Association Affairs Office processed the release. “Our review of the 184 disbursement vouchers covering fund releases to 48 NSAs totaling P170,256,336.35 disclosed that the above-mentioned requirements were not attached as part of the supporting documents,” the report read. The PSC, however, promised to comply with COA’s recommendations. The Commission said it has already asked all national sports associations to forward the much-needed requirement for proper review by COA. COA also called the attention of the PSC for a P114.9-million grant of added financial aid to 29 other national sports associations despite the non-liquidation of the fund releases in the past years. “The evaluation report prepared by the NSA Affairs Office addressed to the PSC chairman noted that said NSAs have outstanding balances. Nevertheless, the PSC Board of Commissioners still approved the grant of additional financial assistance in order not to hamper the trainings and participation of the athletes and coaches to sports competitions, in particular the 18th Asian Games held last August 2018 in Indonesia,” COA stated.

Online casino dealers in high demand —PhilJobNet By Vito Barcelo A HIGH demand for online casino dealers was recorded by PhilJobNet, the Department of Labor and Employment’s internet-based job and applicant matching system. The DOLE said casino dealers is the top 20 vacancies on PhilJobnet by the Bureau of Local Employment, and the requirement is at least High School Graduate. College graduate is an advantage as well as good communication and customer service skills. In a statement, at least 180 casino dealer positions were logged at PhilJobnet, making it the Top 14 vacancy in the said job matching system The demand for call centers agent however still topped the weekly survey of Top 20 local employment vacancies recorded by PhilJobnet. The salary of online casino dealers, according to the vacancy posted at PhilJobnet, ranges from P20,000 to P23,000. The position requires the ability to host and provide a positive, engaging, and professional gaming experience; precision, skill, and professionalism in dealing with speciﬁc table game, and capability in thoroughly ensuring accuracy in software performance. Beneﬁts, such as daily meal, life insurance, healthcard, Christmas bonus, medical and optical reimbursement, paid leaves, were among the listed perks in said vacancies.

RIVER CLEANUP.

Representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the City Government of Navotas headed by Mayor Toby Tiangco led the removal of boats and floating houses from the Bangkulasi River in Navotas City. The purpose of the cleanup drive is to clean the river. Andrew Rabulan

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Encounter with a saint THERE were plenty of occasions in my almost 70 years as a journalist for which I know I should be thankful. These were when I received awards from several institutions. Santa Banana, I was even given a doctorate degree! But the most memorable event in my life was being chosen to be one of 20 communicants from Pope Paul VI. It was Sunday, Nov. 29, 1970. And now Pope Paul VI has just been elevated into sainthood by Pope Francis. Pope Paul VI, upon his arrival at the airport in Manila, was almost stabbed by a foreigner from the Middle East. My encounter with the Pope took place at the Quezon City Memorial Circle before more than a million Filipino Catholics. It was eight in the morning. Can you imagine me, a simple periodista, receiving the Holy Eucharist from the hand of a future saint? It was the late Monsignor Alfredo Reyes, parish priest of Philamlife Homes in Quezon City, who submitted by name to the committee tasked with choosing the communicants. My wife, children and I had to walk some three kilometers from our home to the venue because the road was closed to traffic at that time. To this day I still can’t believe or understand how I was chosen. *** I have always maintained that it is almost impossible for any president, even one like President Duterte, to eradicate graft and corruption in government. Corruption has become so embedded in everything the government does. At the Bureau of Customs, for instance, so long as there is human discretion and intervention in the entry, examination and valuation of

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

imports, there will always be corruption. Human beings have feet of clay. If the opportunity is there, it will take a saint to resist temptation. This is why I say that no matter how the President overhauls Customs, it will remain the most graftridden agency. The same goes for other agencies where there is human discretion and intervention. At the Bureau of Internal Revenue, for instance, so long as people decide how much income tax should be paid, there will be corruption. I am not saying that the war against corruption is an exercise in futility. What I am saying is that six years is too short a time to effect this change. One point in the fight against corruption is that it takes two to tango. There is the briber and the bribed.

Why was I chosen? Until now I still cannot understand. I know for a fact that almost all businesses have in their annual budget called “facilitation” or “miscellaneous” expenses in the millions of pesos. The time element of imports is crucial for businesses to succeed, and firms do not mind spending for it. The system can swallow even the most honest and well-intentioned individual. *** President Rodrigo Duterte says that when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping, he will remind him of the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that was favorable to the Philippines. But even if he raises this issue with Xi, will the latter even listen? If he does not listen, we would be back to where we started. Actually, I am sure he will not listen. He has

No rush to judgment

HE unfortunate case of the transgender woman who was harassed by a janitor then detained by police in Quezon City earlier this month when she tried to use the female comfort room at a mall has sparked a debate on a bill that seeks to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The transgender woman, Gretchen Diez, 28, was barred by a female janitor from using the women's comfort room at the Farmers Plaza. When she protested, the janitor dragged her to the mall’s security office and started shouting at her when Diez tried to capture her experience on her phone. Diez recounts the janitor told her she wanted to slap her in the face because she was gay. Police later handcuffed Diez and brought her to the Quezon City Police District Station 7, where she awaited the filing of a complaint by the janitor. But at about 11:30 p.m., the police released Diez after the janitor dropped the case and even sent her a letter of apology. In the wake of Diez’s ordeal, public attention became focused on the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE)

equality bill, which seeks to protect members of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community from all forms discrimination, including giving them the right to use the restroom of their choice. Politicians soon jumped on the politically correct SOGIE bandwagon, seeking to curry favor with the LGBT community. One opinion writer, citing hate crime statistics from the United States, said it was perfectly acceptable for gays to opt to use the women’s restroom for fear of being assaulted in the men’s room. “So for those... women who feel uncomfortable by the presence of trans women in women's public toilets, I am sorry to inform you that the safety and security of trans women are more important than your comfort,” she wrote.

How presumptuous. When the rights of one group are deemed less important than the rights of another, is that not simply another form of discrimination? If we are to allow gays and lesbians to use whichever restroom they wish, would we do the same for the bisexual among us? Logic suggests we should, but prudence might say otherwise. Senate President Vicente Sotto III got it right when he said the choice of which restroom to use is really a biological question. How a person is equipped should determine where he or she goes to get relief. Moreover, he said, the claim among some transgender women that they are vulnerable to assault in men’s restrooms is unfounded. He also correctly points out that in the pursuit of LGBT rights, we need to give women’s rights due consideration and protection. It is easy to get caught up in the suffering that Diez so unjustly experienced, and to want to be politically correct, but this one well-publicized case shouldn’t blind us to the implications of an ill-considered law.

Turn to A5

Tipping point in HK crisis THE two-month long protest of the Hong Kong people has reached a point of no return. A loss of face is unacceptable to both the Chinese cabal in Beijing and the protesters.

Hong Kong could see itself in a major political upheaval that would draw international support. The demonstrators have made clear they won’t accept a compromise even if Hong Kong chief administrator Carrie Lam already stated that the controversial extradition bill is dead. The protesters who have smelled the whiff of victory want more—the formal withdrawal of the proposal to bring the accused from Hong Kong to the mainland for trial. They know they don’t stand a chance in a rigged court in Beijing. Further, the protesters demand the resignation of Lam as administrator. Will China allow these two demands to happen? To do so would show a chink in the armor of a rising China. But to unleash the full force of the People Liberation Army to subdue the protesters would certainly have international repercussions. As it is, China is already in a flux in its trade war with the United States with US President Donald Trump

poised to raise more tariffs on imported Chinese products. A violent crackdown against the protesters can only draw more trade sanctions from other trading partners like Europe, Japan and other countries closely monitoring how events unfold in the former British colony. It was supposed to be a one country-two system accord when the British turned over Hong Kong to China in 1997. A military intervention by the Brits is out of the question, but trade sanctions is the new political weapon to impose punishment. China with its myriad challenges in the South China Sea and restiveness in some parts in the mainland cannot afford to have any more problems. The US which is determined to keep international sea lanes open for commercial cargo might step in, not to protect the Philippines under the US-PHL Mutual Defense Treaty but more to assert itself as a Pacific power to allay the fear of treaty allies Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. To show ambivalence against the Chinese agenda of hegemony in the region would make the US look weak and an unreliable military ally. As we have written before, the Hong Kong protests by two million people is not on the same scale as at the Tiananmen student uprising confined to Beijing’s famous square. If not handled properly, Hong Kong could see itself in a major political upheaval that would draw international support. More trade sanctions by the international community is going to hurt China which has to feed its billion people. These are the stakes in its covetous claim of the entire South China Sea. Aside from the potential oil, gas and minerals Turn to A5

30 years after fall of Berlin Wall, dashed hopes boost far-right By Frank Zeller A GIANT Karl Marx statue towers in the east German city of Chemnitz but, 30 years after the Berlin Wall fell, another political wind is blowing here as the ex-communist city battles the image of a far-right hotbed. Polls suggest that Sunday the region's voters will deliver strong gains for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD), an ideological ally of nationalist parties now ruling ex-Soviet bloc countries Poland and Hungary. That would rattle Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government and force the other parties to team up to form majorities. The AfD speaks to voters like Olaf

Quinger, a 62-year-old butcher who voiced his fear and anger about the arrival of more than one million migrants in recent years. "The main problem is that people who are launching a kind of invasion of our country are being treated the same way as Germans," he said, standing at an AfD campaign booth. "That's a huge injustice." Many asylum-seekers have flashy smartphones, he said, and "very few of them are really refugees ... they are here to leech off the state." AfD co-leader Alexander Gauland, 78—who has labeled the Nazi era "a speck of bird-poo on German history"—last Saturday spoke in Chemnitz, Saxony state. Outlining party policies, he de-

manded secure borders and immigration caps, railed against Brussels and mocked teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg. He then complained that Saxony, whose people he said had bravely won their freedom, was now often characterized as "a right-wing extremist stronghold, a brown stain, a state trapped in the past, the embodiment of a dark Germany." "If you believe our politicians and media," he told supporters, then Saxony—alongside with Poland and Hungary, which helped end the Soviet empire—are now "the hearts of darkness." "The truth is that Poland and Hungary—and Saxony—are the beating

Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

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

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Bobby Ongpin’s projects HARVARD-EDUCATED tycoon Roberto V. Ongpin does not stop thinking of new projects despite his being past 80. The projects serve as the playgrounds of the rich and famous, local and foreign. Aside from his iconic 490-ha. Balesin Island Club (BIC) members-only resort in Quezon province, he has two major projects: one, another island resort 1.5 times the size of BIC, and two, a resort and getaway residential Forbes Park of the north, the Baguio Mountain Lodges. In between, RVO is expanding Balesin Island Club by building a new Chinese village, a cluster of new villas called Regency, two new restaurants (one Chinese, one Vietnamese), and a cavernous convention and events place. Ongpin thinks Balesin Island so big it can actually accommodate large weddings and international conventions of up to 1,000 people. For sit-down dinner, the island already has The Balesin Royal Villa for 300 guests. That is where Senator Chiz and Heart got married. Not contented with Royal Villa, the inveterate tycoon has ordered the construction of The Balesin Marquee as a special events facility for 600 guests, seated, and for as many as 1,000 guests, seated theater-style, for a performance. Balesin Island Resort already has 384 villas catering to the club’s more than 1,500 members. For an events place, “we have ordered a fabulous (but expensive!) marquee events-style tent, made of PVC polyester tensile fabric from Germany. It is guaranteed to withstand 250 kph winds. The marquee will have its own large kitchen, a dozen comfort rooms, and huge storage spaces,” reports Ongpin. “The marquee will be fully air-conditioned and will have a cocktails/reception area with a beautiful view of the beach and Lamon Bay. We have sited it at the former driving range area near The Regency Private Villas,” he relates in his latest update let-

30 years... From A4

hearts of freedom and resistance, then and now."

Strong in the east The rise of the AfD has confronted Germany anew with the legacy of the peaceful revolution of 1989, which brought political freedom but also economic pain. Many "Ossis," slang for east Germans, complain of a continued wealth gap and of western arrogance. So-called "Wessis" meanwhile, often look down on the latecomers to liberal democracy and social diversity in the east where racist violence has flared repeatedly since the early 1990s. Chemnitz earned infamy a year ago when thousands of neo-Nazis, football hooligans and enraged citizens rallied near the 40-ton Marx bust to vent their anger at immigrants. The spark that set off the days of unrest was the late-night fatal stabbing of a German man by a Syrian asylum seeker, who last week received a nineand-a-half year jail term. An Iraqi suspect remains at large.

Tipping... From A4

under the seabed, the South China Sea is a vast expanse of waters rich in fish to feed the Chinese who cannot rely on their own domestic food supply. How do the local Chinese taipans stand on the Hong Kong issue? Our taipans are conservative businessmen who would surely take a patient waitand-see attitude. They, after all, also have financial investments in mainland China which could be seized by the Chinese in case they get too expressive with their political views. *** On the issue of the possible pardon of Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio

ter to members. “For us in Balesin, it is a game changer, and will optimize the use of the many villas that we have built over the years.” Ongpin has just completed the first Regency Private Villa (Villa A). It will have 20-bedroom suites and a splendid deck, pool and cabañas, overlooking what he calls the best beach on the island. Before Regency villas, the Balesin’s largest facility was The Balesin Royal Villa with only 14 suites. Three more Regency villas will be completed this year. In all, there are 52 bedrooms in four different buildings—Regency A, B, C, and D.

He just does not stop.

During 2019, relates Ongpin on Patnanungan, “we target to complete the runway, the wharf, and a 50-suite villa, by Christmas time.” Up north, 250-kms from Manila, Ongpin is developing the Mountain Lodges, just 9 kms from Baguio City on Ambuklao Road. He is erecting 300 veritable log cabin houses that sell for P25 million to P55 million apiece, on an 82-ha. mountain property nestled 5,300 feet above sea level. “We have completed 27 log homes and sold all of them. We are building an additional 11 singlefamily homes, in addition to the two quadruplex units (four homes in one building, or a total of eight home units),” reports Ongpin. There, summer or no summer, the air is crisp, the weather is cool, and the greenery lush and luscious with pine trees and tropical forest flora and fauna. At the Makati Central Business District, Ongpin’s Alphaland Corp. has two major facilities, the City Club, and the Alphaland Suites, a serviced residences cum five-star hotel. They are housed in two buildings called Alphaland Makati Place that sits on a three-ha. property at the corner of Malugay Street and Ayala Avenue Extension. Opened last May with 250 keys, the hotel “has been doing quite well,” boasts Ongpin. “We have been getting superlative ratings from several hotel booking companies. One hotel booking company rated us 9.4 out of 10, and gave The Alpha Suites the best rating out of all the serviced apartments in Metro Manila.” Indeed, notes Bobby, “it is not possible to find a hotel in the city where you have access to nine restaurants within the premises, a 500-sqm gym, plus tennis, basketball and badminton courts, and a huge swimming pool.” Rate is P7,000 per night. Balesin and City Club members can probably haggle a discount. In 2017, Alphaland refinanced its debts for a fresh P5.5-billion loan from BDO Unibank to bankroll Ongpin’s current ambitious projects.

Ongpin has signed up with one of the most affluent entrepreneurs from Shenzhen, China, for a long-awaited mini Chinese Village. Called “Apsaras Tribe” (“not very Chinesesounding, but it is the name they chose,” grins Bobby), it will house 12 villas and a banquet area for 150 people. The Chinese investors have pledged to bring in Cantonese chefs from Hong Kong or from Shenzhen. Half an hour helicopter ride from Balesin is an even bigger island resort, the 732-ha. Balesin Island Gateway (BIG) on Patnanungan island. It is geared for the ultra rich, high-end tourists, and high rollers from Macau, Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea and as far as Europe and the Americas for them to enjoy their own beachfront homes while enjoying the amenities of five hotels and a championship golf course. It will come complete with a 2.5-km runway to accommodate wide-bodied jets. “The beach is pink, not white as Balesin, but attractive in its own way,” says Ongpin. “We intend to qualify as an international airport, a championship golf course, five hotels of about 200 rooms each, and over a thousand home sites. Unlike Balesin, it will not be a membership club, but available to the general public.” biznewsasia@gmail.com

Flags, Hitler salute The 1989 revolution swept away East Germany's one-party state with its hated secret police. Reunification a year later brought a burst of infrastructure investment and led thenchancellor Helmut Kohl to promise "flowering landscapes" of prosperity. But it also sparked the mass closure of ramshackle factories and state farms, massive job losses and a population flight. Those who stayed behind often felt

left behind, and their anger and envy can easily turn against newcomers. "There is so much poverty among the pensioners," said Heide Haenig, 70, a retired chemical technician. She gestured to a nearby park where immigrants sat and claimed: "They act like they own Germany. They don't even have to pay rent. They get 200 euros per child... and then they have seven children!" Not everyone shares those views. Chemnitz mayor Barbara Ludwig, 57, Saturday took part in a civic discussion forum where people wrote goals like "tolerance" and "respect" on cardboard thought-bubbles. Ludwig has voiced dismay that many now associate Chemnitz with "the Karl Marx head, German flags and a Hitler salute"—but insisted to AFP that "the city has a lot to offer, it is quite different from the image created a year ago." People elsewhere in Saxony are also pushing back. On the day Gauland spoke to 400 people in Chemnitz, over 40,000 rallied in the state capital Dresden against racism and for cultural diversity. It was the largest rally there since the Wall fell. AFP

Sanchez, we are glad to know President Rodrigo Duterte has made clear there will be no early release of the convicted rapist-murderer of UP Las Baños students Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez. This columnist was among the first to write his opposition to Sanchez’s early release. The outrage of the victims’ parents also raises the bar of public opposition to Sanchez’s pardon. Why in heaven’s name should a convict accused of a heinous crime like rape and murder be pardoned? It’s bad enough that the country has scrapped the death penalty. To pardon persons who Judge Harriet Demetriou said “committed criminal acts straight out of hell” is downright injustice. To pardon these beasts can only encourage them to

commit heinous crimes without fear of capital punishment. Does having a statue of Mama Mary in his cell constitute good behavior? This is the height of hypocrisy when a convicted rapist murderer pretend to be a religious person. It does not lessen his guilt nor those of his policemen confederates who also took turns in ravishing the prostrate body of Eileen Sarmenta after Sanchez had finished with her. The sin of one is the guilt of all in a conspiracy. The policemen bodyguards of Sanchez abducted Sarmenta and her friend Allan and offered the girl as a gift to their boss. This then is multiple rape, adding to the gravity of the heinous crime. A pardon for Sanchez and his coaccused would be a grave miscarriage of justice.

In the heated protests, AfD leaders marched with the radical Pegida and Pro Chemnitz movements. They were united in their anti-immigration stance and distrust of cosmopolitan elites and "establishment" institutions, parties and media, whom they regard as "traitors to the people." "We are the people," is an old prodemocracy rallying cry that the AfD now levels against the "Merkel regime." Gauland praised Saxons for what he described as their instinctive, patriotic resistance to dictatorship and for being "a stake in the flesh of the multicultural, multiethnic, mentally controlled old Germany."

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Venezuela nurses take on odd jobs for survival By Alexander Martinez/ Margioni Bermudez EDGAR Fernandez keeps a mariachi suit in a rusty wardrobe at the public hospital in Caracas where he works as a nurse, donning it for performances that augment his meager salary. Given that he earns just $10 a month, the money from these shows has been his salvation in crisis-wracked Venezuela, where nurses have been forced to reinvent themselves as home entrepreneurs, security guards or builders just to survive. Being a nurse in Venezuela is an almost impossible job these days: the country has seen an exodus of the profession, leaving those who remain short of colleagues and contending with problems such as major shortages of medical supplies and devastating electricity blackouts. "A nurse's salary is worth nothing," Fernandez told AFP, saying the money he earns from a 12hour shift "can't buy anything." When a show clashes with his work shift, he has to pay a colleague to cover for him, meaning that his earnings—which are not always money—shrink. "Sometimes they pay me... with flour, lentils... I prefer this to going home empty handed," said the 40-year-old, who practically lives in the Perez Carreno hospital, sleeping on a dirty mattress since he cannot afford rent. Decked out in his silver-lined outfit, Fernandez sings in bars and homes, and is even sometimes hired by former patients. He saved up to record an album, which he peddles to radio stations. His hope is to one day find fame.

Home-made hairspray Francis Guillen makes hairspray that she sells in Caracas' busy Catia market as she battles, like most Venezuelans, to make ends meet in a country whose inflation will reach a staggering one million percent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. "If I didn't have another job, I don't know what would have become of me," said the 30-yearold nurse, who in a single day selling hairspray can earn the equivalent of her monthly salary. Sometimes her father, also a nurse, helps her mix the chemicals in a bucket in her front room. Her husband, who gave up his job as a fireman, also helps out with the business. Guillen is tempted to resign from her job, but says the desire "to serve" her compatriots is keeping her from joining the 3.3 million people the United Nations estimates have left Venezuela since the start of 2016.

Encounter... From A4

But since June 2018, 15,000 members of her profession—or around 40 percent—quit and many of those emigrated, according to Ana Rosario Contreras, president of the Nurses College of Caracas, which has called for salaries to be paid in dollars to halt the exodus.

'In love' with nursing By day, Carlos Ruiz works as a security guard for a metallurgy company and also does odd jobs. The 42-year-old says he does "what's needed to survive." But despite saving up as much as he can, he hasn't been able to buy a new nurse uniform for the last four years: he needs 10 months of salary for that. He also has to deal with the scarcity of hospital supplies—up to 80 percent in some sectors, according to NGOs—which President Nicolas Maduro blames on an economic war waged by the United States at the invitation of the opposition. "There's no lack of those who accuse us of stealing medicines," according to Ruiz, who said he is "in love" with a job that allowed him to be present at the births of his four children. In some hospitals, a single nurse has to look after up to four patients, something those in the profession decry as "labor persecution." Working to save lives Repeated major electricity blackouts have also taken their toll on the medical sector, knocking out power to hospitals—many of which do not have working generators—with potentially deadly consequences for patients. Camilo Torres sells pastries and ice cream in his home in the southern state of Bolivar and goes to work at the local hospital on foot because of the lack of public transport. It takes him two hours. Facebook photos attest to the toll his struggles have taken on his body: three years ago, he weighed 120 kilograms (264 pounds), but now weighs just 65 (143 pounds). "I'm skinny and that's due to hunger," said the father of three, who wears broken shoes. A neighbor helped him sew them up because a new pair costs three times his salary. He can't even afford socks and his once white uniform looks yellow—for Torres, detergent is a luxury. But he won't give up. "My job is to save lives. If there's no one in the hospital then I'm sure that if today 10 people die, tomorrow it will be 50 and that pain would never leave me," he said. AFP

this bill a priority. *** During the first two years of the Duterte administration, the Department of Finance came out with a study to privatize the 49 casinos of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. I find this absurd. While Pagcor is the regulatory body, it also operates casinos. We may be the only country doing this. The privatization of Pagcor casinos can give it additional revenue. There is no reason for Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to still sit on the privatization. *** Newly elected Senator Bong Go should make up his mind—to remain as aide of the President, or to do his job as a senator. We see Go still following President Duterte wherever the latter goes. Maybe Go needs to be reminded that he is now a senator and no longer an alalay. This is an insult to the institution that he represents.

already succeeded in peddling what Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said as the biggest fake news of the century. Almost every Chinese citizen has been conditioned to believe that the South China Sea is part of China. The only thing we can do is to convince our Asean neighbors that China’s policy of nine-dash line is illegal. *** I repeat the urgent need for our government to focus on the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience, which was passed during the 17th Congress at the House of Representatives. With all the typhoons and cyclones hitting the country one after another, and with so much devastation of agriculture, infrastructure and livelihood, an ad hoc body like the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management just is not enough. I urge the 18th Congress to make www.emiljurado.weebly.com

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION Branch 100, Quezon City CARLO Y. LEPATAN, Plaintiff, -versusNELSON C. SONER, ET AL., Defendants. x---------------------------------------x

R-QZN-14-11748-CV FOR: DAMAGES

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO:

Mr. Nelson C. Soner – Blk. 39, Lot 17, Phase F. Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City All Asia Structures, Inc., - Lot 2, Blk. 32, Phase I, A/B Bangus St., Kaunlaran Village, Navotas City, M.M. Macro Structures, Inc. – No. 33 Brgy. Anolid, Mangaldan, Pangasinan

GREETINGS: You are hereby required, within sixty (60) days after service of this summons upon you, to file with this Court and serve on the plaintiff your answer to the Complaint, copy of which is attached, together with the annexes. You are reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a Motion to Dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the Answer. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff will take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied for in the Complaint. WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court this 13th day of June 2019.

(Sgd.) MA. ISABEL A. OLIVEROS Interpreter III-OIC

Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Branch 76, Quezon City CARLO Y. LEPATAN, Plaintiff, -versus-

Civil Case No. R-QZN-14-11748-CV FOR: DAMAGES NELSON C. SONER, ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, INC., MACRO STRUCTURES, INC., and PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY (PLDT), Defendants. x---------------------------------------x

COMPLAINT COMES NOW the Plaintiff CARLO Y. LEPATAN (“LEPATAN” for brevity), by and through the undersigned Counsel, and unto this Honorable Court, most respectfully states, THAT: 1.0 THE PARTIES 1.1 Herein Plaintiff CARLO Y. LEPATAN (“LEPATAN” for brevity) is a Filipino, widower, and a resident of #10 Capricorn Street, Carmel 5, Tandang Sora, Quezon City. He may be served with summons and other legal processes of this Honorable Court at its Counsel address hereunder stated. 1.2 Herein Defendant NELSON C. SONER (“SONER” for brevity) is a Filipino, married, and presently residing at Brgy. Sabalo, Malabon City where he may be served with summons and other legal processes of this Honorable Court. 1.3 Defendant ALL ASIA STRUCTURESS, INC. (“ALL ASIA STRUCTURES” for brevity) is a corporation duly formed, organized, and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at Lot 2, Block 32, Phase 1, A/B Bangus Street, Kaunlaran Village, Navotas City, Metro Manila, where it may be served with summons and other legal processes of this Honorable Court. 1.4 Defendant MACRO STRUCTURES, INC. (“MACRO STRUCTURE” for brevity) is a corporation duly formed, organized, and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at Honorario Lopez Boulevard, Balut, Tondo, City of Manila, where it may be served with summons and other legal processes of this Honorable Court. 1.5 Defendant PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY (“PLDT” for brevity) is a corporation duly formed, organized, and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with head office address at Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Ramon Cojuangco Building, Makati Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila, where it may be served with summons and other legal processes of this Honorable Court. 2.0 STATEMENT OF THE ULTIMATE FACTS 2.1 Last 01 December 2013, at around 2:30 o’clock in the afternoon, herein Plaintiff LEPATAN, together with his wife Eileen M. Lepatan (48 yrs. old), his sister-in-law Josette Mendoza (46 yrs. old), and his nephew Lorenzo Miguel Mendoza (7 yrs. old), was driving his Toyota Rav 4 vehicle with plate number: ULO-725 on a sixty (60) kilometer-per-hour (kph) speed on the southbound lane of Mac Arthur Highway in Barangay Lanat, San Manuel, Tarlac. 2.2 Plaintiff LEPATAN and his companions were on their way home to Manila during that time coming from Baguio. Plaintiff LEPATAN was driving the vehicle. Seated beside him was his wife, Eileen M. Lepatan. Seated at the back were Josette Mendoza and the minor Lorenzo Miguel Mendoza. 2.3 The traffic condition at the said abovementioned place during that time was light. 2.4 On the northbound lane of Mac Arthur Highway in Barangay Lanat, San Manuel, Tarlac during that time, a Fuso Tractor Head Truck with plate number: NPI-868 was being driven by herein Defendant SONER. Said truck had a forty (40) foot trailer with plate number PUR-809. 2.5 The registered owner of said Fuso Tractor Head Truck with plate number: NPI-868 is herein Defendant MACRO STRUCTURE as evidenced by its Certificate of Registration No. 9773906-2 and Official Receipt No. 448553814 both issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and herewith attached and marked as Annexes “A” and “A-1”, respectively. 2.6 The registered owner of said 40-foot trailer with plate number PUR809 is herein Defendant ALL ASIA STRUCTURES as evidenced by its Certificate of Registration and Officer Receipt No. 279721945 both issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and herewith attached and marked as Annexes “B” and “B-1,” respectively. 2.7 The cargo reached a height of about four (4) to six (6) meters, more or less, from the floor of the trailer. During the aforementioned date, place and time, said Fuso Tractor head Truck with 40-foot trailer being driven by Defendant SONER hit a sagging cable wire along Mac Arthur Highway. Said cable wire belongs to herein Defendant PLDT. By reason of this, said cable wire was forcefully stretched that led to the pulling of the PLDT concrete post which held the said cable wire from its base. 2.8 It should be pointed out that prior to the subject incident, specifically on 01 December 2013 at around 11:00 o’clock in the morning, herein Defendant SONER was apprehended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) enforcer at the North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) for “excess load.” Notwithstanding the traffic violation and citation, Defendant SONER still proceed with the journey. A copy of the Ticket Violation is herewith attached and marked as Annexes “C.” 2.9 As it happened, the PLDT concrete post fell down along the southbound lane of Mac Arthur Highway and hit the Rav 4 vehicle of herein Plaintiff LEPATAN which was traversing the said road at the same time but at the opposite direction. 2.10 Inside the Rav 4 vehicle, Plaintiff LEPATAN’s companion, Josette Mendoza, saw the PLDT concrete post falling unto their vehicle. Then, they suddenly heard a loud sound coming from the roof of his vehicle. Eventually, the PLDT concrete post hit the roof or the uppermost part of Plaintiff LEPATAN’s Rav 4 vehicle right under the passenger side beside the driver’s seat. Due to the strong impact, Plaintiff LEPATAN lost control of his vehicle and it plunged along the drainage which was then under construction. 2.11 During the moment, Josette Mendoza heard her sister Eileen M. Lepatan moaned and she saw that blood came out of the mouth of her sister. Josette Mendoza shouted at Plaintiff LEPATAN whose face was full of blood: “Carlo! Carlo!” Their other companion, the minor Lorenzo Miguel Mendoza, was then shouting “Auntie!” “Auntie!” The sando of said minor child was also bloodied, but fortunately, the boy did not incur any serious injury. 2.12 Plaintiff LEPATAN and his companions managed to get-out of the Rav 4 through the help and assistance of the people living nearby the area of the incident. Thereafter, they were immediately rushed to the Del Carmen Medical Clinic and Hospital for medical treatment of the respective injuries that they suffered in view of the incident. 2.13 Unfortunately, Plaintiff LEPATAN’s wife, Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan, was pronounced dead-on-arrival (DOA) by the Del Carmen Medical Clinic and Hospital as evidenced by the Dead on Arrival Certificate and Medical Certificate both dated 01 December 2013 are herewith attached and marked as Annexes “D” and “D-1.” Also, a copy of the Medico-Legal Report dated 03 December 2013 issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory, Medico-Legal Division is herewith attached and marked as Annex “D-2.” Further, the Certificate of Death with Registry No. 2013-107 issued by the Office of the Civil Registrar General of San Manuel, Province of Tarlac in favor of the deceased Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan is herewith attached and marked as Annex “D-3.” The cause of death was “Blunt Traumatic Injuries; Head and Trunk.” 2.14 The Toyota Rav 4 of herein Plaintiff LEPATAN also sustained serious damage by reason of this incident. 2.15 Thereafter, the San Manuel Police Station issued a Spot Report dated 01 December 2013 relative to the subject incident and herewith attached and marked as Annex “E.” Also, PO2 Elmer A. Espinosa and PO2 Roden Hadsan issued a Joint-Affidavit of Arrest dated 01 December 2013 attesting to the fact that Defendant SONER was arrested in connection with this incident and herewith attached and marked as Annex “E-1.” Herein Plaintiff LEPATAN was made to execute a Sinumpaang Salaysay dated 01 December 2013 before the San Manuel Police Station and herewith attached and marked as Annex “E-2.” 2.16 Copies likewise of the Pictures of the Toyota Rav 4 and the Fuso Truck with 40 foot trailer are herewith attached and marked as Annexes “F” TO “F-5.” 2.17 At present, a corresponding criminal Information dated 02 December 2013 for Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Homicide, Double Physical Injuries, and Damage to Property was filed against herein Defendant SONER before the Regional Trial Court of Paniqui, Tarlac, Branch 67, and was docketed as Criminal Case No. 190-13. A copy of said Information is herewith attached and marked as Annex “G.” 2.18 The proximate cause of the damages suffered by herein Plaintiff LEPATAN was due to the recklessness or negligence of Defendant SONER in driving the subject Fuso Tractor Head Truck. Take note that prior to the subject incident, specifically on 01 December 2013 at around 11:00 o’clock in the morning, herein Defendant SONER was already apprehended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) enforcer at the North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) FOR “excess load.” See: Annex “C” of this Complaint. 2.19 Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES are equally liable under the foregoing in view of the fact that they are the registered owners of the subject Fuso Tractor Head Truck and 40-footer trailer truck, respectively, being driven by herein Defendant SONER. Defendant SONER is acting as an agent or employee of herein Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES. 2.20 Defendant PLDT is likewise answerable under foregoing by reason of the fact that it failed to properly ensure that its cable wire at the subject place of incident was in its proper and safe condition. Reports would show that the subject PLDT cable wire was already sagging and could be anytime hit by a truck which unfortunately happened in this case. For its lackadaisical failure to check and maintain its proper and safe condition of its cable wire under the foregoing incident, Defendant PLDT is jointly and solidarity liable together with the other Defendants in this case to herein Plaintiff LEPATAN for the damages incurred by the latter because of this unfortunate incident. CAUSE OF ACTION – DAMAGES AND ATTORNEY’S FEES 3.1 Plaintiff LEPATAN hereby repleads and incorporates all the foregoing paragraphs insofar as they may be relevant and material hereunder. 3.2 Article 2176 of the New Civil Code provides, that: “Art. 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or negligence, if there is no pre-existing contractual relation between the parties is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this Chapter.” 3.3 And, in relation thereto, Article 2199 of the New Civil Code states: “Except as provided by law or by stipulation, one is entitled to an adequate compensation only for such pecuniary loss-suffered by him as he has duly proved. Such compensation is referred to as actual or compensatory damages.” 3.4 In the instant complaint, it is beyond cavil that herein Plaintiff LEPATAN suffered actual damages by reason of the recklessness and fault of herein Defendants. 3.5 Due to the carelessness and/or negligence of herein Defendant SONER in driving the subject Fuso Tractor Head Truck and the corresponding negligence of Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES in allowing the subject Truck to proceed knowing it has an overload cargo and their liability as the employers of Defendant SONER coupled with the negligence also of herein Defendant PLDT when it failed to properly ensure that its cable wire at the subject place of incident was in its proper and safe condition, the subject Truck his the sagging cable wire along Mac Arthur Highway at said given time and place which eventually pulled the PLDT concrete post that his the Toyota Rav 4 of herein Plaintiff LEPATAN. As a result, Plaintiff LEPATAN and his other companion, Josette Mendoza, suffered physical injuries. What is worst and unfortunate is that the wife of Plaintiff LEPATAN, Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan, died by reason of said ill-fated incident. 3.6 Plaintiff LEPATAN suffered actual damages or losses due to the foregoing incident in the following manner, thus: 3.6.1 Medical expenses in the amount of PHLIPPINE PESOS: NINETEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIFTY EIGHT and 60/100 (Php19,158.60) for Plaintiff LEPATAN and his companions. Copies of the Official Receipts evidencing said medical expenses are herewith attached and marked as Annexes “H” and series.

3.6.2 Funeral expenses in the amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: TWO HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT THOUSAND AND FORTY (Php238,040.00) for the wake and burial of Plaintiff LEPATAN’s wife, Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan. Copies of the Official Receipts evidencing said funeral expenses are herewith attached and marked as Annexes “I” and series. 3.6.3 Repairs and auto-works for the damaged Toyota Rav 4 vehicle in the amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY FOUR THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIFTY TWO (Php524,152.00). Copies of the Official Receipts evidencing said repairs and auto-works are herewith attached and marked as Annexes “J” and series. 3.6.4 The total amount of actual damages incurred by herein Plaintiff LEPATAN under the foregoing incident is in the total amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY and 60/100 (Php781,350.60). 3.7 In addition thereto, Plaintiff LEPATAN should likewise be awarded a death indemnify for the death of his wife by reason of this incident and jurisprudence fixed in the amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIFTY THOUSAND (Php50,000.00). 3.8 Further, under Article 2206 of the New Civil Code, it provides that: “Art. 2206. The amount of damages for death caused by a crime or quasidelict shall be at least three thousand pesos, even though there may have been mitigating circumstances. In addition (1) The defendant shall be liable for the loss of the earning capacity of the deceased, and the indemnify shall be paid to the heirs of the latter; such indemnify shall in every case be assessed and awarded by the court, unless the deceased on account of permanent physical disability not caused by the defendant, had no earning capacity at the time of his death;” [Underscoring and Stressed Supplied.] 3.9 In the case of People of the Phils. Vs. Joseph Asilan, G.R. No. 188322, April 11, 2012, the following factors in computing the amount of damages recoverable for the loss of earning capacity of the deceased were elucidated, to wit: a.) The number of years on the basis of which damages shall be computed. This is based on the formula (2/3 x 80 – age of the deceased at the time of his death = life expectancy), which is adopted from the American Expectancy Table of Mortality; and b.) The rate at which the losses sustained by the heirs of the deceased should be fixed. Net income is arrived at by deducting the amount of the victim’s living expenses from the amount of his gross income. 3.10 At the time of her death, Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan was forty-eight (48) years old. She was then in a good physical condition and has no sickness. She has her own coffee shop business named: “Angelicafe Coffee Station” situated at the Ground Floor, Net 2 Building, 28th Street corner 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio, Global City, Taguig. Said business of the deceased Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan has an annual net sales of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FOUR MILLION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY NINE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR (Php4,499,484.00) as evidenced by the Annual Income Tax Return for the Year 2013 duly filed before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for the said business herewith attached and marked as Annex “K” and series. 3.11 Considering the untimely demise of Plaintiff LEPATAN’s wife, Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan, he is entitled to claim for the deceased’s loss of earning capacity which is hereunder computed based of the following: the life expectancy was pegged at sixty (60) years old and the gross annual income was reduced to PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php500,000.00). Net Earning Capacity = life expectancy x [gross annual income – living expenses] = 2/3 [60-age at time of death] x [gross annual income – 50% of gross annual income] = 2/3 [6-48] x [P 500,000.00 – P 250,000.00] = 8 x P 250,000.00 = P 2,000,000.00 The foregoing amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: TWO MILLION (Php2,000,000.00) represents the loss of earning capacity of the deceased Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan which should be included in the award of actual damages in the instant case. 3.12 Furthermore, still by reason of this incident, Plaintiff LEPATAN inescapably suffered physical suffering, mental anguish, fright, serious anxiety, wounded feelings, and moral shocks. Until now, Plaintiff LEPATAN is still grieving for the loss of his wife. 3.13 Pertinent to the award of moral damages are the following provisions of law, to wit: “Art. 2217. Moral damages include physical suffering, mental anguish, fright, serious anxiety, besmirched reputation, wounded feelings, moral shocks, social humiliation, and similar injury. Though incapable of pecuniary computation, moral damages may be recovered if they are the proximate result of the defendant’s wrongful act or omission.” Art. 2219. Moral damages may be recovered in the following and analogous cases: (1) A criminal offense resulting in physical injuries; (2) Quasi-delicts causing physical injuries; x x x x” 3.14 Verily, Plaintiff LEPATAN should likewise be awarded moral damages in the amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) under the foregoing circumstances. 3.15 Furthermore, herein Defendants must be made to pay exemplary or corrective damages considering that they acted in a wanton, fraudulent, reckless, oppressive or malevolent manner under the foregoing circumstances. Thus, the New Civil Code provides in Article 2229 that exemplary damages or corrective damages are imposed, by way of example or correction for the public good in addition to the moral, temperate, liquidated, or compensatory damages. 3.16 Consequently, herein Defendants must be made to pay the amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIFTY THOUSAND (Php50,000.00) as exemplary or corrective damages by way of an example or correction for the public good. 3.17 Furthermore, in order to protect the interest of Plaintiff LEPATAN the latter was constrained to engage the services of the undersigned law firm. Plaintiff LEPATAN had spent at least PHILIPPINE PESOS: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) to engage the services of the undersigned law firm and to pay for the initial costs of the instant suit, not to mention the amount as payment for appearance fees plus the payment of docket fees. 3.18 Herein Defendants SONER, MACRO STRUCTURE, ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, and PLDT should be held jointly and severally liable under the foregoing circumstances. 3.19 There is no denying that the proximate cause of the damages suffered by herein Plaintiff LEPATAN was due to the recklessness or negligence of Defendant SONER in driving the subject Fuso Tractor Head Truck. Take note that prior to the subject incident, specifically on 01 December 2013 at around 11:00 o’clock in the morning, herein Defendant SONER was already apprehended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) enforcer at the North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) for “excess load.” See: Annex “F” of this Complaint. 3.20 Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES are being impleaded herei and are equally liable under the foregoing in view of the fact that they are the registered owners of the subject Fuso Tractor Head Truck AND 40-footer trailer truck, respectively, being driven by herein Defendant SONER. Under the set-up, Defendant SONER is acting as an agent or employee of herein Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES. 3.21 Article 2180 of the Civil Code provides: “x x x x Employers shall be liable for the damages caused by their employees and household helpers acting within the scope of their assigned tasks, even though the former are not engaged in any business or industry. x x x x” 3.22 As held in the case of OMC Carriers, Inc. vs. Spouses Nabua, G.R. No. 148974, July 2, 2010, the Most Honorable Supreme Court ratiocinated: It is thus clear that the employer of a negligent employee is liable for the damages caused by the latter. When an injury is caused by the negligence of an employee, there instantly arises a presumption of the law that there was negligence on the part of the employer, either in the selection of his employee or in the supervision over him after such selection.”

ANNEX “A”

Standard

ANNEX “A-1” ManilaANNEX “B”

ANNEX “B-1”

ANNEX “C”

ANNEX “D”

ANNEX “D-1”

ANNEX “D-2”

ANNEX “D-3”

ANNEX “E”

ANNEX “E-1”

ANNEX “E-2”

PANGULAYAN & ASSOCIATES Counsel of Plaintiff LEPATAN Unit 1104, Pacific Center, San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Telephone Nos. (632) 638-7251, (632) 514-5558 By: (Sgd.) LUIS M.C. PANGULAYAN IBP No. 952517/1.07.14/QC PTR No. 9081893/1.08.14/QC Roll of Attorneys No. 38176 MCLE Compliance No. IV-0019439/04.30.13

(Sgd.) INOCENCIO R. VIVERO, JR. IBP No. 952518/1.07.14/PPLM PTR No. 9081894/1.08.14/QC Roll of Attorneys No. 52138 MCLE Compliance No. IV-0019055/04.26.13

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } CITY OF PASIG } VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING I, CARLO Y. LEPATAN, of legal age, with office address at #10 Capricorn Street, Carmel 5, Tandang Sora, Quezon City, under oath depose and say: 1. That, I am the Plaintiff in the instant case; 2. That, I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing Complaint. That, I have read and understood all the contents of the same and further attest that the allegations therein are true and correct to the best of my own personal knowledge and based on authentic records; and, 3. That, other than the criminal case for Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Homicide, Double Physical Injuries, and Damage to Property instituted by the government in the case entitled “People of the Phils. Vs. Nelson Soner, Criminal Case No. 190-13 pending before 67, Regional Trial Court, Paniqui, Tarlac,” I have not commenced any action or filed any case involving the same issues in any court, tribunal or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of my knowledge, no such action or claim is pending and should I thereafter learn that the same or similar action or claim has been filed or is pending, I shall report such fact within five (5) days therefrom to this Honorable Court. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of November 2014, Pasig City, Philippines. (Sgd.) CARLO Y. LEPATAN Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 18th day of November 2014, at Pasig City, Philippines, by Carlo Y. Lapatan, who has satisfactorily proven his identity through his Driver’s License No. N02-87-076036 that he is the same person who personally signed the foregoing document before me; and, acknowledged that he executed the same. Doc. No. 203; Page No. 42; Book No. I; Series of 2014.

(Sgd.) LUIS MEINRADO C. PAÑGULAYAN Appointment No. 166 Notary Public for Pasig City Until December 31, 2014 Pañgulayan & Associates Law Office Unit 1104 Pacific Center, San Miguel Avenue Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1605, M.M. PTR No. 9081893; 01-08-14; Quezon City IBP No. 952517; 01-07-14; Quezon City Roll No. 38176

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019

MMDA, DILG hopeful road blocks out soon By Joel E. Zurbano

ANNEX “F”

ANNEXES “H” & “H-1”

ANNEXES “F-2 to F-5”

ANNEX “G”

ANNEX“H-2”

ANNEX “H-3”

ANNEX “H-4”

ANNEX“H-5”

ANNEX“H-6”

ANNEX“H-9”

ANNEX“H-7”

ANNEX“H-8”

ANNEX“I”

ANNEX“I-1” & “I-2”

ANNEX“I-3”

ANNEX“I-4”

ANNEX“I-5”

ANNEX“I-6”

ANNEX“J”

ANNEXES“J-1” & “J-2”

ANNEX“J-3”

ANNEXES“J-4” & “J-5”

ANNEX“J-6”

ANNEX“J-7”

HE Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of the Interior and Local Government are conﬁdent the local executives in Metro Manila will meet the 60-day deadline to clear their areas of all road obstructions. During the 25th Metro Manila Council meeting presided by MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim, Metro Manila mayors reported intensiﬁed clearing operations against all kinds of obstruction in their areas of jurisdiction were on track to comply with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to reclaim all public roads. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora reported that 80 percent of roads had been cleared with the suspension of the existing ordinances pertaining to street parking and implementation of no parking on main roads and one side parking at night time only. He said the local government was now identifying idle lands which could be converted to parking infrastructures. Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez cited relentless clearing operations were still ongoing, particularly in the vendor-infested Baclaran. “In partnership with Pasay City government, we are holding dialogues with business establishments to accommodate 2,000 vendors that sell their goods on the roads. We want an ultimate solution for the problem,” said Olivarez. Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano said major thoroughfares had been cleared while 75 percent of the barangay roads had yet to be cleared, also in coordination with Parañaque City government. Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said 50 to 60 percent of national and secondary roads had been cleared while tertiary roads were still being cleared. He said vendors that keep on returning to the streets remained to be a problem.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said the city would be compliant with the deadline with intensified clearing operations. Taguig City Vice Mayor Ricardo Cruz Jr. said that majority of the national roads had been cleared of obstructions. Makati City Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo said that the local government had been clearing the city prior to the directive of President Duterte. She said they were monitoring the compliance of barangay captains to the directive. Las Piñas City Vice Mayor April Aguilar reported that 90 percent of the major thoroughfares in the city had been cleared. For Quezon City, an official representing the city said 142 barangays had been cooperative in the clearing operations, adding majority of the Mabuhay Lanes had been cleared. In the remaining days of the deadline, the local government is looking at pure enforcement of the traffic laws concerning illegal parking and obstructions. Jimmy Isidro of Mandaluyong City said 100 percent of the major roads had been cleared. Cesar Chavez of the Manila City government said 90 percent of the Mabuhay Lanes had been cleared and would be turned over to barangay officials. For Malabon, as far as the clearing of major roads is concerned, all have been cleared. However, officials representing the city said they had yet to clear the secondary and tertiary roads in the remaining 30 days of the deadline.

‘Spiking dengue cases highlight health demand’

ANNEX“K”

By Maricel V. Cruz

P R AY E R

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

3.23 In view of the aforementioned provision of law and jurisprudence, Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES are indeed liable in the instant Complaint for damages. 3.24 As regards herein Defendant PLDT, the same is likewise answerable under foregoing by reason of the fact that it failed to properly ensure that is cable wire at the subject place of incident was in its proper and safe condition. Reports would show that the subject PLDT cable wire was already sagging and could be anytime hit by a truck which unfortunately happened in this case. For its lackadaisical failure to check and maintain its proper and safe condition of its cable wire under the foregoing incident, Defendant PLDT is jointly and solidarity liable together with the other Defendants in this case to herein Plaintiff LEPATAN for the damages incurred by the latter because of this unfortunate incident. WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed for this Honorable Court that judgment be rendered in favor of herein Plaintiff LEPATAN and against herein Defendants SONER, MACRO STRUCTURE, ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, and PLDT ordering the latter to pay, joint and severally, the following: a. The sum of PHILIPPINE PESOS: SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY and 60/100 (Php781,350.60) as the total amount of actual damages plus legal interest; b. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: TWO MILLION (Php2,000,000.00) representing the loss of earning capacity of the deceased Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan; c. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIFTY THOUSAND (Php50,000.00) as death indemnify for the death of Plaintiff LEPATAN’s wife by reason of this incident; d. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) representing moral damages; e. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIFTY THOUSAND (Php50,000.00) as exemplary or corrective damages by way of an example or correction for the public good; f. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) as payment for attorney’s fees plus payment for appearance and pleading fees; and, g. The cost of the suit. Other reliefs, just and equitable under the premises, are likewise prayed for. Pasig City for Quezon City. This 12th day of November 2014.

News

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 100, Quezon City CARLO Y. LEPATAN, Plaintiff, -versus-

R-QZN-14-11748-CV

NELSON C. SONER, ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, INC., and MACRO STRUCTURES, INC., Defendants. x--------------------------------------------x

ORDER For resolution is plaintiffs’ Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons by Publication to defendants. In support thereof, plaintiff stated that previously it filed a similar motion before the Regional Trial Court, Quezon City, Branch 76 because of the Sheriff’s Return of the impossibility of personal and substituted service to defendants. But the same was denied in the Order dated 16 May 2016. Hence, diligent efforts were made by plaintiff and the Court’s Sheriff to locate for defendants at their known and given addresses. However, it appears that defendants were evading service of summons. It is believed that all efforts were in vain. Hence, this motion. The Order dated 02 April 2019 for defendants to file comment were all returned to this Court with notation either, “moved, left no address” or “unknown at the given address.” The Court resolves to grant the motion. From plaintiff’s narration of circumstances of the attempts and labor it made with the assistance of the Sheriff of Branch 76 to locate for defendants to serve the Summons, Complaint and annexes, the same, however, remained futile. Obviously, defendants’ whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry. Under Section 14, Rule 14 of the Rules of Court, service of summons may be effected on a defendants by publication, with leave of court; SEC. 14. Service upon defendant whose identity or whereabouts are unknown. In any action where the defendant is designated as an unknown owner, or the like, or whenever his whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service may, by leave of court, be effected upon him by publication in a newspaper of general circulation and in such places and for such times as the court may order. WHEREFORE, premises considered, plaintiffs’ Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons by Publication is GRANTED. Accordingly, let the Summons, together with the Complaint and its annexes be published together with a copy of this Order at plaintiff’s own expense twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, chosen by raffle, pursuant to Section 14, Rule 14 of the Rules of Court. The defendants are hereby ordered to file their Answer in Court within sixty (60) days after notice hereof. Also, let also a copy of the Summons, Complaint and its annexes and this Order be sent to defendants by registered mail at their last known address, all at the expense of the plaintiff. SO ORDERED. 04 June 2019, Quezon City, Metro Manila. (Sgd.) EDITHA G. MINA-AGUBA Presiding Judge Copy furnished: Atty. CERIZAR VICENTE S. TORIO Counsel for Plaintiff NELSON C. SONER Defendant ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, INC. Defendant MACRO STRUCTURES, INC. Defendant

(MStandard - Aug. 21 & 28, 2019)

A FEMALE legislator has said the country’s current struggle with the dengue outbreak highlights the need to mandate the inclusion of health workers in every barangay to aid the Department of Health in its disease prevention and management efforts. “The number of dengue cases, together with the other communicable and non-communicable diseases, continues to rise every year. Dengue cases, for example, have tripled this year compared to 93,200 cases last year,” said Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, chairman of the House committee on women and gender equality. Aragones made the statement as she pushed for the passage of House Bill 3511 or the Barangay Health Worker Act. “If we want to win this battle against a national epidemic, we must start in the most basic unit of our society, and equip each barangay with health workers that can help the national government in addressing the continuous widespread of diseases,” added Aragones. HB 3511 amends Section 287 of Republic Act 1760, or the Local Government Code of 1991, by mandating the presence of at least one health worker in every barangay to ensure that accessible and quality health services are available in the country’s over 42,000 barangays. Aragones stressed that barangay health workers would provide the DOH with ready assets on the ground to help in the implementation of its community-based programs. Citing recent data from the DoH, Aragones said a high of almost 15,000 new Dengues cases were recorded from July 28 to Aug. 3. The agency has to date recorded 188,562 dengue cases in the country and have declared it a national epidemic. She cited the apprehension of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III that dengue cases would reach 240,000 by the end of 2019. According to the DoH, there are only 0.2 physicians and 0.4 nurses for every 10,000 Filipinos. These numbers are 10 times less than the recommended ratio set by the World Health Organization. “Our barangay health workers can act as our ﬁrst line of defense in the war against disease. I encourage my fellow legislators to consider supporting this measure as Dengue and other diseases pose a constant threat to the lives and welfare of all our constituents,” Aragones said.

Imee: Make enlistment centers accessible By Macon Ramos-Araneta TO ENTICE the youth into joining the military even without the mandatory ROTC, Senator Imee Marcos urged Tuesday the giving of more focus on regions where past recruitment had been high and “where being a soldier is considered an exceptional honor.” “Look to Ilocandia, Kalinga and Apayao provinces, tap into the warrior culture of Mindanao,” stressed Marcos. She said the military should reduce giving attention to highly urbanized cities like Manila and Cebu. “The military establishment has to think out of the box and be more innovative in achieving its goals of instilling discipline and patriotism among the youth and making the country ready for armed conﬂict,” she added. She said the military could also pattern its recruitment program after that of the United States, using catchy posters and making enlistment centers more accessible. The neophyte senator warned that military presence in schools and mandatory ROTC in high school would only turn off the youth and give the military a bad name. She said that the military must offer better incentives than leftist and terrorist groups to counter student activism and extremist violence in the country. She related that soldier recruitment, a “pathway out of poverty” and allowing students to freely choose ROTC or civil service training in college, would make the military more attractive to the youth. She noted that free or subsidized education, free hospitalization, life insurance, and stipends could attract both students and out-of-school youth away from activism and terrorist recruitment.

Eulogio Geniere Morales Sr., 90 ENGINEER Eulogio “Eloy” Geniere Morales Sr. of Subic Bay, Olongapo City passed away last Friday, Aug. 23 at age of 90. He was the ﬁrst general manager of the Olongapo City Water District (1977-1991); secretary to the Mayor of Olongapo City (1972-77); charter president of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, Olongapo City Chapter and past president of the Philippine Association of Water Districts (1982-83). He was husband to Rosalia Manuel Arzadon-Morales. He was father to Caesar and Myrna, Blesilda, Engr. Eulogio Jr., Dr. Minerva Eloisa, Roberto and Evelyn Morales; grandfather to Isabelle Michaela, Valerie Anne and Colt, Eloise Gail, Mark Joel and Hannah, Jill Alexis, Via Alexandra, Claudio Jethro, and Hayley Julienne and great grandfather to Jayce Liam, Jaelynn Rae and Caiden Lucas and brother to Johnny G. Morales. Wake is being held at St. Peter Chapels, Olongapo City. Funeral rites and interment will be held at Subic Prime Garden, Subic, Zambales at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019.

2nd World Coconut Congress

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 advertise@manilastandard.net

Benefits of Coconut Oil Consumption nd take center stage in 2 World Coconut Congress

Summit highlights economic, health, and environmental advantages of coconut oil consumption.

HE Philippines is among the top global producers of coconut oil, which is an important component of numerous products across industries (including manufacturing, food, oil refining, and pharmaceuticals). The country presently produces over 1.4 million tons of coconut oil, which are mostly exported to countries like the United States and the Netherlands. An increase in demand and consumption of coconut oil will primarily be advantageous to the national economy. It will translate to a steady income for most of the 3.5 million coconut farmers, whose families comprise up to 20 percent of the country’s population. Unfortunately, the coconut oil remains to be an underrated resource, having been subjected to false and unfounded medical claims in the international scene. However, it is starting to be cleared from previous misconceptions. Compared to other types of oil derived from plants (like palm, canola, and olive, among others) in other countries, coconut oil is much more superior for whatever helpful purpose. The 2nd World Coconut Congress continues its goal to further highlight the ultimate benefits of using coconut oil—whether as a food ingredient, as a food supplement, as a manufacturing material, or even as a fuel component. The following major benefits of coconut oil consumption will be highlighted during the three-day summit in Pasay City:

Coconut oil as a strategic component of diesel/fuel

The Philippine Biodiesel Association (TPBA) is currently proposing to increase the percentage of coco-biodiesel or coconut methyl ester (CME) in local diesel to 5 percent (B5) by 2021 from the current 2 percent (B2). “Coco-biodiesel makes diesel fuel burn more easily and completely, leading to more power and mileage improvement,” said Department of Energy adviser Rafael S. Diaz. “CME has a cleaning effect in the fuel system of the car, from the fuel line to the injectors. CME can restore spray atomization of engines, which will improve a diesel engine’s combustion and power output,” he further explained.

will shed more light to the myriad of health benefits coconut oil and MCT can bring about. Dr. Mary Newport is an advocate for the consumption of MCT as alternative fuel for the brain in the management of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The US-based medical doctor will attest to the effectiveness of MCT based on how her husband, who is diagnosed with the condition, has responded to the use of the supplement. Dr. Nick Dimitri Costa, a Professor Emeritus of the Murdoch University in Australia will then share more insights about lauric acid, the multi-functional medium-chain fatty acid from coconut oil. He, along with other panelists in one of the sessions, will tackle many other health benefits from consumption of various forms of coconut oil. The Health and Wellness session will be chaired by Dr. Fabian Dayrit, a professor at the Ateneo de Manila University. Dr. Dayrit has published several research papers about coconut oil in the Philippine Journal of Science, the Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society, and the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. He will lead his panel in discussing more benefits of coconut consumption to the health. The 2nd World Coconut Congress will run until August 29, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. For inquiries, call the United Coconut Associations of the Philippines at +632 584 5338 or the World Expos & Concepts Inc. at +632 855 8341 to 44. Standing from left is Mr. Marco Reyes, UCAP vice Chairman, Mr. Gonzalo Duque, Administrator Philippine Coconut Authority, Sec. William Dar, Department of Agriculture and Mr. Dean Lao Jr. Chairman of UCAP

Furthermore, an increase in the CME component in locally available diesel can translate to cost savings. “If there is a 10% mileage improvement and diesel cost is at PHP40, you can effectively save PHP4 per liter.” Once this proposal is approved and implemented, it would translate to 350,000 tons of coconut oil consumption—about a third of the country’s total annual coconut oil production.

Coconut oil derivatives as nutritional supplement

A more concentrated form of coconut oil is starting to gain traction in the global health industry. Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) is derived from coconut oil. Because it is made up of medium-chain fatty acids, it brings about a number of health beneﬁts. When ingested directly or added to salad dressings, smoothies, coffee, or just about any beverage or food, MCT increases the body’s natural production of good cholesterol (or high-density lipoprotein) that counters excess or bad cholesterol. This way, it can help prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases. The 2nd World Coconut Congress Dr. Fabian Dayrit, Academician National Academy of Science and Technology and Mr. will bring several resource speakers who Marco Reyes, UCAP Vice Chairman

Quezon’s Best—One of the Philippines’ Best

SPEAKER PROFILES ORGANIZED by the United Coconut Associations of the Philippines, the World Coconut Congress is the Philippines’ largest gathering for the coconut industry. Now on its second year, the exhibition has over 100 booths showcasing products and services from local and foreign suppliers. The 3-day conference will have 400 delegates from all over the region, learning from an international panel of experts discussing timely topics about the industry.

MARY NEWPORT MD

Dr. Mary Newport is a medical doctor from the United States, specializing in the care of critically ill newborns. In 2008 her husband Steve was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and in the process of trying to ﬁnd something to alleviate his symptoms, she found that he responded dramatically to consuming Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTS) from coconut oil. Since then she has been an advocate for ketones as an alternative fuel for the brain for Alzheimer’s and other disorders. She is a much sought-after international speaker for the subject. TOPIC: THE AGING BRAIN, MCT & KETOGENESIS

NICK DIMITRI COSTA PhD

Professor Emeritus Nick Costa graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with ﬁrst class honours in Agricultural Biochemistry (1973) and a PHD in 1977. He was appointed lecturer in biochemistry and nutrition in the then school of veterinary studies at Murdoch University in 1977, and went on to become head of the school of Veterinary Biology and Biomedical Sciences in 2000. Professor Costa was appointed to the chair of sustainable agriculture at Murdoch University in 2005 and Dean of the School of Environmental Science until 2010. Professor Costa retired from Murdoch University in 2011 and was accorded the title of Professor Emeritus. TOPIC: LAURIC ACID, THE MULTI-FUNCTIONAL MEDIUM CHAIN FATTY ACID

NORMAN ELLARD

After almost 35 years with P&G and over 30 years in the oleochemicals industry, Norman retired from P&G in October 2008 to pursue other interests and stay in Singapore as Director of Rohen Pte. Ltd in Singapore, a company engaged in consulting and trading. As of July 1st 2013, he assumed the role of President, IP specialties Asia Pte. Ltd, a newly formed subsidiary of IP specialties LLC. IP specialties is a global team of oleochemical experts with ofﬁces in Cincinnati, Oh, USA, Hamburg, Germany and Singapore, trading oleochemicals and other products by creating opportunities and solving problems. TOPIC: THE RESURGENCE OF NATURAL FATTY ALCOHOLS

DR. FABIAN DAYRIT

Is a full-professor at the Department of Chemistry, Ateneo De Manila University. He obtained his BS chemistry degree at the Ateneo in 1975 and his MA and PHD degrees in chemistry from Princeton University in 1978 and 1981, respectively. He was a research associate at Oxford University from 1980 to 1982. He has published a number of research papers on coconut oil in the Philippine Journal of Science, Journal of the American oil Chemists Society, and Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. In 2013, he wrote the popular book: “Coconut Oil: From Diet to Therapy” and has written numerous articles and given talks on the beneﬁts of coconut oil. TOPIC: SESSION CHAIR FOR PLENARY SESSION 6: HEALTH & WELLNES

Pasciolco Agri-Ventures was established in 1996 and is one of the pioneers in the production of coconut by-products and Virgin Coconut Oil. It was founded by Manolito and Maura Pasciolco, a lovely couple who are both epitome of determination and hardwork as they truly “walk the talk.” Through their sheer determination and contagious fighting spirit, Quezon’s Best is now one of the most recognized brands locally and globally for coconut by-products. Initially, the company produced Nata de Coco and later developed more organic products like Sap Vinegar, Coco Jam, Coconut Sugar, Sap Syrup , Balsamic, Aminos and a lot more. It has also developed other non-food products like Aroma Therapy Massage Oil, Coco Balm, and VCO Soaps. Currently Quezon’s Best products are regularly exported to the US, Europe, Middle East and Asian countries. Locally, they are available in leading supermarkets. Pasciolco International, Inc. the marketing partner of PasciolcoAgri-Ventures, continues to aggressively embark on a marketing campaign to establish more consumer awareness and be more known locally and globally. According to its Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel B. Rubio, Quezon’s Best’ products are truly world class and in fact certified by USDA, Halal, Kosher, JAS (Control Union), Non-EU Agriculture and the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration. Pasciolco Agri-Ventures is committed to develop more coconut by-products in order to help the industry grow including the coconut farmers. Quezon’s Best is truly one of the Philippines’ Best. FOR INQUIRIES, please call 4390441, 9189057, 09452655429, 09499838863, 09273071884, email nbr777rubio@ gmail.com, fb Quezon’s Best.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@manilastandard.net sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019

Gymnast, swimmer stamp class in games By Peter Atencio PUERTO PRINCESA—While gymnast Eldrew Yulo and swimmer Aubrey Tom emerged as the most bemedalled athletes on Day 2, Laguna bets Erica Marie Ruto and Magvrylle Matchino bounced back from so-so performances in the athletics’ meet of the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Championships here. The 11-year-old Yulo turned the City Coliseum indoor courts into his own personal playground as he dominated the men’s artistic gymnastics competitions with five golds and two silvers. The 12-year-old Tom gave herself an extra push in the last 10 meters to claim her fourth gold medal in the 50-meter butterfly event over at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex pool. Paranaque’s Mark Bryan Dula later joined Tom in her quest for a quadruple gold medal in Day 2 when he conquered in the 50m butterfly and the 200-m backstroke, to go with the golds he collected in the 50m backstroke and 100 butterfly on Day One. The 15-year-old Ruto shrugged off a bronze-medal finish in the girls’ 100-meter dash on Monday, with a gold medal win in the 400-meter run at the RVMSC oval the following day. Then, the 15-year-old Matchino fought off barefoot runner Lheslie de Lima’s bid to claim her second gold by taking the girls’ 1,500-meter run honors. Yulo, a 6th grader at the Aurora Quezon Elementary School in the City of Manila, showed confidence and a laidback attitude in snatching four of five gold medals at stake in the apparatus events of the floor exercises and the routines in the vault and parallel bar, before taking second spot to Pasig City’s John Anthony Palles in the high bar of the boys competitions. “Hindi po ako nakakasiguro sa gold nu’ng nandu’n ako. Para lang pong training ito,” said Yulo, the younger brother of national gymnast Carlos Yulo, who is currently training in Japan for the 30th Southeast Asian Games. His fifth gold came when Yulo took the individual all-around honors with 47.4 points, with Pasig’s King Pernia in second (45.9 points), followed in third by Palles with 45.1. Pasig eventually claimed the team championships with 137.5 points, while Yulo’s Team Manila was second with 133.65 for the silver. Sta. Maria of Bulacan settled for the team bronze. On the other hand, Tom added more speed to in her final 10-meter dash to clock 31.41 seconds, with her time improving by 23/100ths of a second from the 31.64-second performance she had during the Luzon qualifiers. The 6th grader from the International Learning Academy in Cainta, Rizal already had a three-gold haul on Day 1, from the 200-meter individual medley, the 100-meter freestyle and the 50-meter backstroke. “Malabo ang tubig nu’ng palapit na ako sa touch pad. Akala ko malapit na, kaya dinadagdagan ko ang push,” said Tom through her mom Shirley. Tom will aim for her fifth gold when she swims in the 50-meter freestyle on Day 3. Bago City’s Kate Julianne Martinez emerged as the first double-gold winner in athletics after she claimed the girls’ shotput gold with a heave of 10.76m, to finish ahead of Camarines Sur’s Rechelle Barbin (10.72m) and Pangasinan’s Gennalyn Estrada (10.43m). Ruto, a 10th grader at the Calamba Integrated School, outpaced Karen Pellegria of Bulacan Province in 1:01.3 for the girls 400-meter gold, while Matchino exacted sweet revenge on De Lima’s 800-meter win over her the other day by taking the girls’ 1,500-meter run in 5 minutes and five seconds. The Camarines Sur-based De Lima, who is still recovering from thigh muscle injury, was 8/10th of a second behind in 5:05.8, with Cainta’s Angelica Saludares taking third (5:13.4).

Gymnast Karl Eldrew Yulo of Manila emerged with a five-gold haul while tanker Aubrey Tom (inset) of Cainta snared her fourth gold in the National Finals of the Batang Pinoy.

Guiao: Gilas PH’s shooting is key G

ILAS Pilipinas will have to connect with their long bombs if it wishes to be competitive against the world’s best teams in the coming FIBA World Cup.

National coach Yeng Guiao stressed the point Tuesday in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie Hotel- Manila, noting that in games which the Filipinos won during their training camp in Spain and in their two tune-ups against a visiting Australian pro ballclub, good perimeter shooting had been the common denominator. “When we’re shooting well, we win games. When we’re shooting well, it becomes a little bit easier to win games,” said Guiao during the weekly forum, where he was joined by Gilas captain Gabe Norwood and team manager Gabby Cui. “That’s exactly true in the tune-up games that we played. Nu’ng Sunday ang sama ng shooting natin, hindi natin tinalo ang Australia. First time, maganda ang shooting natin, tinalo natin sila,” the national coach pointed out, referring to the friendlies the team played against the Adelaide 36ers, which the two sides split. Then there’s the 10-day training camp in the cities of Guadalajara and Malaga, which included a pocket tournament featuring world no. 2 Spain. “It’s the same way in Spain. The only bad game we played was the game against Congo when we shot really bad from the outside. But the three games that we won in Spain, we were really shooting well,” said Guiao, who even noted that Gilas pulled those wins even without top gunners Marcio Lassiter and Roger Pogoy. Owing to the MCL sprain he suffered during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs, Lassiter was left out of the ofﬁcial 12-man roster, which is composed of Andray Blatche, June Mar Fajardo, Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, Pogoy, Norwood, Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Raymund Almazan, comebacking Kiefer Ravena, and Gilas newcomers Robert Bolick and CJ Perez. As it is, Pogoy is the only natural shooter in the team in the absence of Lassiter and Matthew Wright, another injured player. While it a bit of a concern, Guiao has a lot of conﬁdence in his team. “Crucial ang outside shooting natin, pero I feel these guys can step up when the time comes,” said the Gilas coach in the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. For Norwood, seeing action in his second World Cup stint, the

current batch of Gilas is almost the same as the one that competed in the 2014 edition of the meet in Spain where the Filipinos played competitive games against the likes Croatia, Greece, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Senegal. “In terms of the players with the 12 there out there, I think there’s a lot of similarities (from the 2014),” said the big guard of Rain or Shine, adding the only difference was in terms of the ‘different level of preparation that comes in,’ after FIBA decided to reformat the tournament by now holding a home-and-away series of qualifiers to the world meet. Gilas is bracketed in Group D with Serbia, Italy, and Angola. It leaves for Foshan, China on Thursday and will play the Azurri on the opening day of the meet on Saturday. President Duterte, who will be leaving for Beijing on Wednesday for an official state visit, is going to watch the Gilas-Italy game. “As of now we’re working with the Presidential Office and with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), making sure that he (Duterte) gets good seats to support and cheer the Philippines,” said Cui. “We’re really happy and looking forward to having the president watch us there. We really appreciate his support.”

Gilas team manager Gabby Cui, coach Yeng Guiao, and team captain Gabe Norwood

Serena routs Sharapova; rusty Federer wins NEW YORK—Serena Williams overwhelmed Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-1 on Monday to reach the second round of the US Open in search of her 24th Grand Slam title while “rusty” Roger Federer rallied past Indian qualiﬁer Sumit Nagal. Six-time US Open champion Williams Williams crushed the ﬁve-time major winner from Russia in only 59 minutes, beating Sharapova for the 19th consecutive time and improving to 20-2 in their all-time rivalry. “Whenever I play her I bring out some of my best tennis,” Williams said. “When you play her you have to be super focused.”

Williams, who next plays 121st-ranked US wildcard Caty McNally, blasted ﬁve aces and 16 winners while Sharapova made 20 unforced errors. “She served really well. Found her spots really well,” Sharapova said. “I think that’s where she hurt me a lot.” Williams is hoping to match the all-time record of 24 Slam singles titles won by Margaret Court. Swiss third seed Federer, who has a men’s record 20 Slam titles, dropped the opening set in 36 minutes, then returned to form and defeated Nagal 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. “I played like my beard today. I was

rusty,” Federer said. The shock first set was a wake-up call, a 38-year-old legend who was 61-0 in Grand Slam first rounds since the 2003 French Open trailing a 22-year-old from New Delhi who is ranked 190th and fell to 0-5 in tour-level matches. “Just tried to forget it, play tough, stay with him. It was a tough first set for me,” Federer said. “He came back and played really strong. I was missing a lot of balls and trying to cut back on unforced errors. “It all came back just in time.” Sharapova, the 2006 US Open winner who defeated Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final, upset Simona Halep in the first round two years ago but could not revive that magic. AFP

8 imports returning to PBA teams By Jeric Lopez AS EXPECTED, most of the imports for the upcoming 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup are familiar faces. Eleven of the 12 teams have already tapped their respective reinforcements for the seasonending conference, eight of which are returning imports. Former Best Import awardees Justin Brownlee, Allen Durham and Romeo Travis are set to lead the cast of reinforcements. Brownlee, Durham and Travis will assume their roles as the resident imports of Barangay Ginebra, Meralco and defending champion Magnolia, respectively. Brownlee and Travis have led the Gin Kings and the Hotshots to championships in the previous editions of the tournament in their previous tour of duties. Other returning imports for the third conference are Eugene Phelps (Phoenix), Aaron Fuller (Blackwater), Olu Ashaolu (NLEX), Mychal Ammons (NorthPort) and Joel Wright (Rain or Shine) Commissioner’s Cup ﬁnalists San Miguel and TNT will present new faces. The Beermen will have Dez Wells, while the KaTropa acquired K.J. McDaniels. Columbian Dyip is also tapping a new import in Khapri Alston. Alaska is the only team yet to name an import at this time. The Aces, who are now under new coach Jeff Cariaso, are still exploring their options after they decided against taking last year’s import Mike Harris back.

PH jins bag 6 golds in Asian tourney

The Filipino athletes display their medals after the awarding the ceremony. Standing, from left, are: Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison, Israel Cesar Cantos, Kurt Pajuelas, Kurt Bryan Barbosa, Carlos Jose Padilla V, Paul Romero, Rani Ann Ortega, Christian Al Dela Cruz, Arven Alcantara, Dave Cea and Kristopher Robert Uy. Kneeling, same order: Dex Ian Chavez, Jeordan Dominguez, Raphael Enrico Mella, Dustin Jacob Mella, Laila Delo, Veronica Garces,Kirstie Elaine Alora, Pauline Louise Lopez, Rodolfo Reyes Jr., Patrick King Perez, Marvin Mori and Darius Venerable. Sitting, same order: Rheza Aragon, Baby Jessica Canabal, Realis Tabiando, Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Rinna Babanto, Aidaine Krishia Laxa, Janna Dominique Oliva, Rhezie Aragon and Darlene Mae Arpon.

THE Philippine taekwondo team made another successful international campaign by bagging 13 medals in the recent Asian Open championships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The well-trained Filipinos collected six golds, three each in kyorugi (free sparring) and poomsae (forms), one silver, and six bronzes in their matches against tough performers from 21 countries like Korea, Chinese Taipei, Japan, China, Turkey, Mongolia, Qatar. Uzbekistan, Thailand, and Pakistan. The Filipino gold medalists are Kurt Bryan Barbosa, Dave Cea and Veronica Garces in kyorugi and Rodolfo Reyes Jr., Dustin Jacob Mella and Raphael Enrico Mella (authorized poomsae team, male), Rodolfo Reyes Jr. (authorized poomsae individual, male) and Darius Venerable and Juvenile Faye

Crisostomo (freestyle poomsae pair). The other kyorugi medalists are Israel Cesar Cantos, silver; Arven Lacantara,bronze; Kristopher Robert Uy, bronze; and Laila Delo, bronze; while the poomsae bronze medalists are Rinna Babanto, Jocel Lyn Ninobla and Aidaine Krishia Laxa, authorized team, female; Jocel Lyn Ninobla, authorized individual,female;and Janna Dominique Oliva, freestyle individual, female. Officials of the Philippine Taekwondo Association praised the showing of the Filipinos, who are tuning up for the Southeast Asian Games which will be staged here late this year. The PH team’s trip was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Olympic Committee and MILO.

IN BRIEF

ICTSI unit in talks with Honduran govt

OPERADORA Portuaria Centroamericana, the Honduran unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc., is in talks with the government of Honduras to improve the facilities at Puerto Cortes, Central America 4’s (CA-4). ICTSI said OPC was discussing with the Honduran government and Puerto Cortés authorities to enhance the port’s competitiveness and better serve its customers in the four-nation CA-4, comprising Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Enhancements include simpliﬁed and faster port transactions, and the construction of critical road infrastructure that will improve cargo movement in the region. As part of efforts to expedite intraregional trade, the Honduran Customs Agency (Dirección Adjunta de Rentas Aduaneras–DARA) streamlined its systems for early clearance and dispatch of cargo, matching OPC’s already-efﬁcient operations. Operating hours of customs authorities were also extended until 7 p.m., thus giving agents and brokers more time to process shipment. Darwin G. Amojelar

Experts urge govt to review energy mix

RENEWABLE energy experts urged the government to review and revise the country’s energy mix to address climate change and reduce the Philippines’ vulnerability to environmental risks. Participants during the panel discussion of the 2019 State of Nature Assessment, or “Green SONA,” organized by nonproﬁt eco-coalition Green Convergence along with the Forest Foundation Philippines in Puerto Princesa City, agreed that an energy mix focusing on renewable energy would help mitigate climate change. Miguel De Vera, head of strategic initiatives, legal and regulatory ofﬁce of Energy Development Corp., said the global energy sector was the greatest contributor to climate change, with almost 61 percent of all carbon emissions coming from electricity production and industrial processes. “Even if we take into account other sectors that emit carbon and other greenhouse gases, as much as 93 percent of total emissions can already be addressed with the singular act of moving toward renewable energy sources,” said De Vera. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business BSP hints of new 25-bps rate cut before yearend By Julito G. Rada

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is inclined to reduce the benchmark borrowing rate by another 25 basis points to 4 percent before the end of the year as the inﬂation rate is expected to ease further, Governor Benjamin Diokno said Tuesday.

Diokno, however, said any move by the Monetary Board should always be based on pertinent economic data and the results of close monitoring of global economic developments. “We will [continue to] review the pertinent economic data and other developments,” Diokno said during the midyear economic forum organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines at the Ayuntamiento de Manila. Diokno said giving a hint of another

25-bps cut in policy rate could allow the banking sector more time to prepare on what to do with extra liquidity. He did not say if the policy rate cut would be made ahead of the planned reserve requirement ratio reduction. “Anything can happen between now and late September [which is the next policy meeting]. Reserve requirement cut remains a live issue,” Diokno said. The Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the BSP, on Aug. 6 slashed the overnight borrowing rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 percent, taking into account the downward trajectory of the inflation rate and the sluggish economic growth in the first half. Diokno said the latest baseline forecasts of the BSP indicated that inflation would likely settle within the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2019 up to 2021. Inflation averaged 3.3 percent in the first seven months, slower than its peak of 6.7 percent in October 2018. ING Bank Manila senior economist

Nicholas Mapa said he was expecting the BSP to cut the policy rates again by 25 bps in its September meeting given the previous comments from Diokno pointing to a total of 50 bps worth of rate cuts before the end of the year. “Furthermore, we expect the BSP to reduce reserve requirements further in the fourth quarter after it completes its 2019 rate cut cycle to help infuse fresh liquidity into the market. RRR reductions will be put on hold as BSP gauges whether additional funds are diverted to productive activities and not simply parked at BSP’s overnight facilities,” Mapa said in a report. Economic growth in the second quarter slowed to a four-year low of 5.5 percent from 5.6 percent in the ﬁrst quarter and 6.2 percent a year ago, weighed down by the El Nino dry spell, rising protectionism in advanced economies, delay in the approval of the national budget for 2019 and the ban on construction activities in the run-up to the midterm elections in May 2019.

Cusi seeking House support on ‘20 budget

THE Energy Department on Tuesday sought the support of the House of Representatives on its proposed 2020 budget of P2.3 billion. “Our budgetary request will support plans and programs that would help ensure the security of our country’s energy future, increase access to energy services and technologies, further uphold consumer welfare, and facilitate the efficient implementation of new energy policies such as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, the Murang Kuryente Act, and the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act,” said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in a statement. Cusi said a significant portion of the budget amounting to P500 million would be allotted to the implementation of the government’s Total Electrification Program. The program will finally see the energization of the remaining underserved and unserved households nationwide, in close partnership with the National Electrification Administration and the National Power Corp. The energy chief earlier said household electrification was currently at 95 percent from 90 percent in 2016. Alena Mae S. Flores

TOPPING OFF CEREMONY. Paz Madrigal Plaza, a 12-story premier office building with nearly 7,000 square meters of leasable office space and ground level retail, rises in the exclusive Madrigal Business Park in the heart of Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The project is developed by Broadleaf Inc., the property holdings firm of the Madrigal-Warns-Gonzalez family, with GeoEstate Development Corp. as the project and marketing manager. The building will be ready for occupancy by March 2020. Leading the topping off ceremony are (from left) architect Rex Ocampo of Aidea Inc., Danilo Tamayo of DDT Konstract Inc., Christopher Warns and Gizela Madrigal Gonzalez of Broadleaf, Francisco Licuanan III of GeoEstate and Jose Sy of Sy Squared & Associates Inc.

Govt pushes massive replanting of coconut to boost rural income By Othel V. Campos THE Agriculture Department on Tuesday called for massive replanting of coconuts trees to bring back productivity and increase the income of families dependent on the sector. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the government would actively support efforts to help increase productivity, lift up exports and make the Philippines the best source of coconut-based products. “We now have eight laboratories equipped with somatic embryogenesis technology that can help accelerate tissue culture of better varieties of coconut trees. This is a pilot project,” Dar said at the opening of the 2nd World Coconut Congress at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. A study of the coconut-planting prov-

inces showed that 70 million coconut trees should be replaced because of their senility and declining nut production capacity. About 3.6 million hectares of farmlands are planted to coconut trees. Many of them are old trees that yield an average of 45 nuts per tree annually, lower than Indonesia’s 150 to 200 nuts per tree. “If we want to compete, we need to bring in the best of technology of agronomy. This is the only way we can level up our exports,” Dar said. Based on the tissue culture program, new varieties can yield 90 to 100 nuts a year, a step closer to producing 150 to 200 nuts a year. Dar said the Philippine Coconut Authority should identify measures to reinvigorate the industry like the expansion of ideal sites for coconut farming.

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

Manila Water signs 250-m euro loan with Bank of China By Jenniffer B. Austria EAST zone concessionaire Manila Water Company Inc. said Tuesday it signed a 250-million-euro term-loan facility to support capital expenditures. Manila Water said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed the sevenyear term-loan facility with Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited and Bank of China Limited, Manila Branch. “The loan will be used to ﬁnance capital investment program of Manila Water in the east zone. Major projects include the development of mediumterm water sources, improvements in existing distribution systems, construction of new sewerage treatment plants and expansion of sewer networks,” the company said. Under the Rate Rebasing 2018 business plan, Manila Water would implement capital expenditure projects amounting to P79.4 billion for the period 2018 to 2022. The bulk of the programmed capital spending will be used for wastewater facilities, including the construction of sewerage treatment plants. The company currently operates 38 STPs and two septage treatment plants with a total capacity of 310 million liters per day. The new STPs will be designed collect and treat nearly 950 million MLD of wastewater. MWC posted a net income of P2.9 billion in the ﬁrst half, down 18 percent from the previous year’s level, dragged down by the water supply shortage in Metro Manila. Consolidated revenues rose 7 percent to P10.5 billion as a result of increased billed volume and higher average effective tariff in several key business units. The company said that outside its concession area in the east zone, domestic business operations saw higher earnings contribution while foreign operations held steady. New business developments also continued to provide market expansion and new sector opportunities for the company. Manila Water Philippine Ventures Inc., the provincial unit of the company, earlier obtained new water concessions for the municipalities of Lambunao, Iloilo and Calbayog, Samar.

BSP begins studying the economic impact of offshore gaming THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas began studying the economic impact of the rapidly-growing offshore gaming operations in the country, focusing on the possible financial stability risks that could come from the sector. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a panel discussion during the midyear economic forum organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines in Manila that the regulator wanted to find out the financial risks associated with the so-called Philippine offshore gaming operations. “I don’t know but we are studying to find out what good it is going to bring for the country. One of the BSP’s mandates is financial stability, so we want to see the financial risks [associated with it] so we study the POGO issue,” Diokno said. Diokno said the BSP would assess

the impact of the possible sudden departure of POGOs on the real estate sector. “What if they leave? What will be the impact to the property sector?” he said, referring to earlier reports that POGO operations were causing the increasing take-up of office space and residential spaces in Metro Manila. “You know the GFC started in the real estate sector, not from banks itself,” he said, pertaining to the global financial crisis that rocked the global financial markets some 11 years ago. Both the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and the 2008 financial crisis weighed down on the Philippine economy. Diokno the Bangko Sentral could also require banks to provide pertinent information regarding their loans to POGOs. “Yes, we can require the banks in

relation to our mandate of ﬁnancial stability. We can do it,” he said. Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the National Economic and Development Authority had not yet quantiﬁed the value-added impact of POGO operations. “We have not yet studied that,” he said. Pernia said he was in favor of POGOs going to the regions instead of concentrating in Metro Manila. “There are too many buildings in Manila. They should locate in the regions so that there would be improvements in the regions,” Pernia said. “They must also be regulated on where they should operate,” he said. The Chinese embassy earlier asked the Philippine government to crack down on POGOs, saying several Chinese citizens were illegally recruited and hired in offshore gaming operations in the Philippines. Julito G. Rada

NEDA set to review NAIA Consortium’s offer in September pattern the draft contract to the operation and maintenance contract of Clark InterTHE National Economic and Develop- national Airport which covers provisions ment Authority said it will review next for MAGA or material adverse governmonth the unsolicited proposal of NAIA ment action. Under the clause, proponents will only be Consortium to rehabilitate and develop compensated for adverse government action the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto from the executive branch and not for any Pernia told reporters the NEDA-Invest- change in future laws. If MAGA occurs during the operation ment Coordinating Committee would evaluate the unsolicited offer of NAIA and maintenance period, the project proConsortium to see if all the documents for ponent is entitled to compensation equal to the additional costs incurred and/or loss the project are completed. “[It’s scheduled] in the next NEDA- of revenue. The NAIA Consortium secured an origICC meeting,” Pernia said. The Transportation Department endorsed inal proponent status for the rehabilitation to NEDA the proposal of the NAIA Consor- and upgrade of the main gateway in Septium after the latter followed the so-called tember 2018. The declaration of the original proponent “Clark Airport template.” The DOTr earlier returned the unsolic- is the ﬁrst step in the rehabilitation and exited offer of NAIA Consortium after the pansion of the airport which is already opergovernment decided to standardize and ating beyond its rated capacity.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

The consortium’s members are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Paciﬁc Investments Corp. The P102-billion proposal involves expanding and interconnecting the existing terminals of NAIA, upgrading airside facilities, developing commercial facilities to increase airline and airport efﬁciencies, enhancing passenger comfort and experience and elevating the status of NAIA as the country’s premier international gateway. The project aims to increase NAIA’s capacity up to 65 million passengers per year from about 40 million at present. It will elevate NAIA to the level of major regional airports such as Changi in Singapore and Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok. It is also seen to become a viable transit hub for the ASEAN region.

FASTER CARGO MOVEMENT. Customers and port stakeholders of Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana, the Honduran subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc. operating Puerto Cortes, Central America 4’s largest port, can expect faster cargo movement in and around the terminal with OPC beefing up its partnership with Honduran authorities for improved and more efficient port services. OPC is working with the Honduran government and Puerto Cortés authorities to enhance the port’s competitiveness and better serve its customers in the four-nation CA-4 comprising Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Business

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market tumbles; Ayala Land falls

HE stock market slumped Tuesday as it played catchup with the rest of Asia after a holiday in Monday. Asian markets tanked in the previous day after US President Donald Trump ramped up his trade war with China by hiking tariffs on more than half-a-trillion dollars worth of imports.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index tumbled 142.03 points, or 1.8 percent, to 7,747.38 on a value turnover of P13.5 billion. Losers beat gainers, 124 to 88, with 39 issues unchanged. Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. dropped 3.4 percent to P47.25, while sister unit Bank of the Philippines Islands, the third-biggest lender in terms of assets, fell 3.1 percent to P87.10.

Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei lost 3.4 percent to P66.45, while PLDT Inc., the largest telecommunications ﬁrm, declined 2.8 percent to P1,117. But Asian markets mostly rose Tuesday, recovering from the previous day’s pounding, after Donald Trump said China-US trade talks would resume soon, though the president’s sharp changes in tone are keeping investors on edge. Regional equities tanked and the yuan plunged Monday in response to news at the weekend that Washington would hike tariffs on more than half-a-trillion dollars of Chinese imports after Beijing unveiled levies on tens of billions of dollars of US goods. Trump’s call for US ﬁrms to pull out of China and comments about not needing the country added to the sense of dread that the trade war would deepen

and run for some time. However, investors who had run for the hills in the morning returned in later trade after he said in a G7 news conference in France that negotiations would resume very soon and Beijing had telephoned saying it wanted to strike a deal. He later described the talks as “more meaningful than at any time,” while China’s top negotiator called for calm and said he opposed any escalation in the stand-off. While the remarks were too late to fuel a meaningful recovery in Asia, stocks in Europe and the US rallied. Tokyo ended up one percent, Shanghai put on more than one percent and Sydney rose 0.5 percent. Seoul, Singapore, Wellington, Taipei, Jakarta and Mumbai also posted healthy gains. But Hong Kong fell in the afternoon with investors still spooked by fresh

violent protests in the city over the weekend. The early momentum in regional markets died down owing to lingering uncertainty about the outlook for the trade talks. Safe-haven gold recovered morning losses while higher-yielding, riskier assets saw their initial advances pared. The yuan also remained under pressure, hitting a new 11-year low against the dollar. “It is not clear in what context that (Beijing) phone call was made,” said Stephen Innes at Valour Markets. “Indeed, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry indicated he was ‘not aware of’ the call. “However, does it matter if the call happened? The fact that President Trump is striking a more conciliatory tone is what’s essential for market sentiment. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 56.45 2,040 87.1 3,885,380 2.06 3,000 145.5 5,062,190 26.25 74,600 7.95 400 18.6 1,100 11.6 276,900 4.95 658,000 710 70 0.435 190,000 70.65 4,091,830 0.92 523,000 22 200 45 144,400 187.2 150 116 460 57.85 2,500 27.55 12,900 186.2 588,740 59.05 3,120 1.11 410,000

113,269 338,326,327 6,180 736,308,625 1,942,535 2,318 20,260 3,213,270 3,295,980 49,710 82,150 289,515,523 485,160 4,480 6,527,205 28,094 55,060 144,710 355,200 109,603,657 184,253.50 455,100

-20,400,365 -20,869,107 -469,145 22,086 129,290 -55,761,574.50 -230,740 -167,390 -16,848 -12,798,613 -116,333.50 -

INDUSTRIAL 35.2 5,439,600 15.2 951,500 0.69 458,000 1.32 18,000 0.24 410,000 108.9 110 2.93 8,084,000 14.06 12,900 11 475,000 15.5 900 76 4,410 82.4 25,730 2.02 18,000 5.69 20,100 5.68 85,200 9 1,228,700 15.06 37,600 9.14 66,700 7.25 3,651,700 1.63 2,000 26 1,908,500 83.3 73,740 48.55 181,150 1.99 7,967,000 14.6 2,287,000 8.07 266,300 1.54 207,000 230 1,535,510 41.05 100 4.9 889,000 3.39 20,000 22.4 1,199,000 13.66 95,400 18.48 3,236,600 367.4 472,130 0.184 40,000 5.26 21,100 1.79 11,100,000 4.4 21,000 5.13 664,400 9.1 1,504,000 2.79 12,170,000 11.28 99,000 34.45 351,500 5.02 1,120,600 5.1 8,700 1.66 1,083,000 2.21 8,000 1.05 141,000 12.3 168,600 94.95 237,450 7.14 72,300 0.126 300,000 1 168,000 168.5 3,671,210 2.45 89,000 1.09 5,676,000 16.1 1,500 1.29 105,800,000

192,325,745 14,424,626 312,380 23,610 97,830 10,606.50 23,999,830 181,136 4,997,438 13,950 324,278 2,088,196.50 36,360 113,487 485,469 11,052,876 563,038 615,054 26,999,448 3,260 49,753,450 6,158,959.50 8,853,095.50 15,472,240 33,386,570 2,132,944 310,740 351,733,006 4,105 4,422,870 67,800 26,822,845 1,299,882 59,823,974 172,680,254 7,360 111,230 19,514,400 92,430 3,394,097 13,686,050 34,242,170 1,104,598 12,110,070 5,661,001 43,540 1,736,030 17,680 146,740 2,083,968 22,572,062.50 509,723 37,800 167,960 620,126,349 218,050 6,027,440 24,150 146,832,180

-66,657,550 895,926 -670 -9,517.50 -2,623,570 -9,820 -138,100 1,562,429 -1,706 -359,737 -10,228,737 -9,503,690 -1,160,236 2,255,719 1,516,140 -6,450,822 374,948 43,362,966 57,630 -10,491,590 -9,618 47,774,716 34,415,748 -350,810 -360,768 -13,650,000 -109,570 -7,073,220.00 302,100 -2,040.00 -222,370 71,820 -4,074,599 -134,261,638 218,050 -800,470

26,574,190 251,554,769 165,355,532 475,900 65,828 338,588 5,554,810 809,460 691,177,105 9,841,140 5,463,704 141,061,392 5,480,656 16,550 236,222,570 12,843 362,326,944 19,137 508,250 22,348,970 64,996,172 969,960 212,879,720 247,200 61,660 32,000 38,171,936 1,090,558,840 387,400 83,070 63,852,514 161,490 598,800

951,360 -77,459,298 -36,084,468 -132,000 523,770 -63,758,820 319,800 -2,123,511 -52,729,525 -901,760 -2,530,930 -51,397,924.50 23,500 -12,930,890 -16,378,520 34,432,060 -28,168,748 -289,661,977.50 -2,690 -1,265,732 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

56 89.5 2.06 148.4 26 5.07 18.6 11.7 4.85 710 0.435 72 0.93 22.8 45.95 186.1 120 58 27.6 186 59.1 1.11

56.45 89.5 2.06 148.4 26.3 7.95 18.6 11.7 5.25 711 0.445 72 0.94 22.8 46 189 121 58 27.6 186.5 59.1 1.11

55 86.75 2.06 144 25.9 5.07 18.2 11.54 4.82 710 0.43 70.65 0.92 22 45 186.1 116 57.8 27.5 185.4 59.05 1.11

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA 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 LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

36.85 15 0.66 1.31 0.238 100 3.07 14.04 10.02 15.5 72 82.7 2.02 5.6 5.85 8.94 15.1 9.6 7.25 1.63 26.5 83.2 49 1.9 14.78 8 1.54 229.8 41.05 4.61 3.39 22.1 13.56 18.6 362 0.184 5.3 1.79 4.4 5.12 9.05 2.82 11.02 35.7 5.3 5 1.66 2.21 1.08 12.9 96.9 7.15 0.126 1.03 170.5 2.45 1.06 16.1 1.12

36.85 15.28 0.69 1.32 0.242 108.9 3.08 14.06 11.14 15.5 76 85.9 2.02 5.69 5.85 9.1 15.1 9.61 7.5 1.63 26.5 84.8 49.5 2 14.8 8.09 1.54 230.2 41.05 5.28 3.39 22.5 13.74 18.6 367.4 0.184 5.3 1.79 4.41 5.15 9.1 2.9 11.28 35.75 5.34 5.1 1.69 2.21 1.08 12.9 97 7.15 0.126 1.03 171.2 2.45 1.1 16.1 1.57

35.2 15 0.66 1.31 0.238 90.35 2.92 14.02 9.8 15.5 72 78.5 2.02 5.6 5.68 8.9 14.94 9.1 7.24 1.63 26 83.2 48.1 1.89 14.4 8 1.48 224.4 41.05 4.59 3.39 22.1 13.54 18.46 358.2 0.184 5.26 1.73 4.4 5.09 9 2.75 10.9 33.2 5 5 1.53 2.21 1.03 12.12 94.35 7 0.126 0.98 165 2.45 1.04 16.1 1.1

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

0.77 51.25 12.26 0.67 7.01 13.24 1.3 1.32 932 3.5 6.8 9.22 13.8 0.235 860 6.27 68.6 5.01 0.495 4.68 13.8 0.59 4.98 0.038 1.38 2.72 175 990 0.79 1.37 251 0.236 0.231

0.77 51.25 12.42 0.67 7.01 13.6 1.35 1.35 945 3.5 6.82 9.24 13.8 0.241 866.5 6.27 68.6 5.04 0.495 4.68 14.06 0.63 4.99 0.039 1.38 2.72 175 1,000 0.79 1.37 251 0.236 0.231

0.71 50 12.1 0.64 7 13 1.27 1.31 926 3.38 6.56 8.88 13.52 0.235 851 6 66.05 5.01 0.47 4.55 13.6 0.57 4.8 0.038 1.32 2.6 172 985.5 0.76 1.33 246.6 0.227 0.215

HOLDING FIRMS 0.73 36,056,000 50 5,029,290 12.26 13,485,300 0.67 727,000 7 9,400 13.38 25,600 1.34 4,204,000 1.35 610,000 937.5 738,420 3.41 2,861,000 6.56 819,700 8.88 15,826,300 13.78 403,000 0.241 70,000 853.5 276,540 6.27 2,100 66.45 5,449,210 5.04 3,800 0.49 1,080,000 4.62 4,868,000 13.6 4,711,500 0.61 1,639,000 4.87 43,717,000 0.039 6,400,000 1.37 45,000 2.6 12,000 172.1 221,590 988 1,102,235 0.78 505,000 1.33 62,000 250.4 255,610 0.235 700,000 0.231 2,690,000

15.36 0.78 1.93 0.83 47.25 2.14 4.7 6.16 0.56 0.76 0.83 0.227 0.39 8.65 22.5 0.45 1.53 1.22 4.75 0.295 0.44 1.3 0.37 2 50 23.9

PROPERTY 15.36 1,049,100 0.8 721,000 1.93 3,000 0.87 5,427,000 47.25 30,254,800 2.14 1,053,000 4.74 129,000 6.16 800 0.57 20,258,000 0.76 1,000 0.87 50,000 0.233 870,000 0.39 800,000 8.75 1,271,700 22.9 990,900 0.465 40,000 1.53 57,147,000 1.25 1,169,000 4.81 79,163,000 0.32 53,090,000 0.44 350,000 1.34 2,378,000 0.375 1,680,000 2.01 257,000 50 10 24.45 5,448,400

8990 HLDG A BROWN 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 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND

15.48 0.79 1.93 0.92 48.05 2.18 4.7 6.16 0.57 0.76 0.85 0.227 0.39 9 24.1 0.455 1.59 1.27 4.83 0.295 0.465 1.32 0.375 2.03 50 24.6

15.5 0.8 1.93 0.92 48.3 2.2 4.74 6.16 0.58 0.76 0.88 0.241 0.4 9 24.1 0.465 1.61 1.27 4.9 0.33 0.465 1.37 0.375 2.03 50 24.6

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

2.35 3.3 34.85 2.34 5.82 0.91 7.42

2.38 3.3 35.2 2.49 5.98 0.91 7.42

2.35 3.3 34.5 2.28 5.68 0.86 7.21

2.36 3.3 34.65 2.44 5.95 0.89 7.26

303,000 14,000 31,057,200 2,590,000 203,500 1,571,000 8,838,500

714,940 46,200 1,077,283,885 6,078,460 1,198,079 1,383,570 64,114,912

9,900 -203,549,000 12,250 -339,703 -40,321,193

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE 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

10.2 18.62 1.49 0.6 0.046 2.42 10.12 0.057 96.25 7.2 5.81 8.99 1,899 5.4 416.2 1.58 1.93 130 9.22 5.3 0.111 5.07 3.07 14.56 3.23 0.87 19.26 0.46 3 2.41 1.19 2.55 2.68 8.02 2.99 4.99 144.5 3 1,132 0.68 0.49 44 80 9.04 2.8 0.67 0.35 5.45 0.68 16.66

10.5 19 1.54 0.61 0.047 2.42 10.12 0.059 96.25 7.36 5.81 12.32 1,919 5.4 433 1.58 1.94 131.1 9.66 5.3 0.115 5.07 3.09 14.56 3.23 0.87 19.26 0.47 3 2.46 1.2 3.19 2.69 8.5 2.99 5.15 144.5 3.02 1,144 0.68 0.49 44.1 80 9.37 2.83 0.68 0.405 5.46 0.68 16.66

10.2 18.52 1.49 0.56 0.046 2.25 9.8 0.056 93 6.75 5.8 8.99 1,880 5.31 413 1.52 1.93 125.1 9.22 5.3 0.111 4.75 3.07 14.56 3 0.87 18.1 0.44 3 2.41 1.17 2.5 2.67 7.99 2.99 4.99 144.5 2.93 1,100 0.66 0.465 43.95 78.4 9.03 2.66 0.67 0.335 5.45 0.65 16.56

SERVICES 10.3 18.9 1.54 0.57 0.047 2.35 9.8 0.057 94 6.95 5.8 12.32 1,880 5.32 433 1.54 1.94 131.1 9.66 5.3 0.114 4.9 3.09 14.56 3.08 0.87 18.2 0.46 3 2.44 1.2 3.19 2.68 8 2.99 5.1 144.5 3 1,117 0.67 0.47 44 79 9.37 2.7 0.67 0.38 5.46 0.67 16.58

15,400 63,000 23,000 16,504,000 200,000 127,000 9,730,800 18,780,000 473,200 3,919,700 5,000 4,196,700 114,375 23,500 1,710 1,316,000 4,000 7,070,270 900 100 360,000 3,362,500 18,000 400 2,090,000 1,000 792,200 670,000 20,000 323,000 63,000 76,023,000 185,000 18,500 1,000 270,000 15,530 1,916,000 235,315 4,828,000 11,580,000 1,601,100 215,320 50,700 2,255,000 2,338,000 62,920,000 8,627,400 2,216,000 2,105,700

159,110 1,181,562 35,180 9,644,310 9,300 294,760 95,947,871 1,075,560 44,614,098.50 27,529,380 29,015 48,912,015 215,821,465 124,968 723,586 2,039,730 7,750 913,995,636 8,342 530 40,480 16,508,778 55,550 5,824 6,419,260 870 14,433,344 304,300 60,000 784,280 74,450 228,381,000 495,760 148,609 2,990 1,384,390 2,244,085 5,682,450 262,788,675 3,234,540 5,469,150 70,443,550 17,014,100.50 458,870 6,190,050 1,569,890 23,889,300 47,058,908 1,464,840 34,927,302

-33,123,827.00 -6,797,605.50 -361,801 364,218 -13,315,365 -15,686,809 637,099.00 -15,500 -1,104,228 -121,280 -5,905,710 10,400 902,220 0 -23,667,775 -1,827,770 525,300 -12,003,210 -16,273,466.50 -148,450 -639,950 -326,900 -6,504,479 22,440 9,154,916

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

0.0017 1.29 2.59 12.6 1.15 2.77 7.88 1.43 0.205 0.11 0.113 0.009 0.01 1.01 2.5 1.03 0.46 0.82 0.012 0.012 7.7 3.86 13.48 22.65 0.0061

0.0017 1.29 2.6 12.6 1.15 2.77 7.89 1.43 0.205 0.113 0.115 0.009 0.011 1.05 2.6 1.05 0.46 0.82 0.012 0.012 8.68 3.86 13.82 22.9 0.0062

0.0017 1.26 2.59 11.62 1.15 2.7 7.75 1.41 0.197 0.108 0.11 0.009 0.01 1.01 2.49 1.01 0.46 0.82 0.011 0.011 7 3.71 13.22 22.1 0.0061

MINING & OIL 0.0017 1,536,000,000 1.27 2,248,000 2.6 130,000 12.56 1,700 1.15 3,000 2.7 352,000 7.83 2,100 1.43 609,000 0.203 630,000 0.112 1,230,000 0.11 940,000 0.009 1,000,000 0.011 35,600,000 1.04 32,000 2.53 814,000 1.04 115,000 0.46 10,000 0.82 185,000 0.011 2,300,000 0.011 9,100,000 7.1 7,336,100 3.71 1,440,000 13.5 6,282,100 22.9 601,200 0.0062 4,000,000

2,611,200 2,847,300 337,990 20,052 3,450 952,030 16,482 862,710 125,190 134,490 105,050 9,000 374,200 32,480 2,044,760 118,570 4,600 151,700 27,300 107,100 56,189,498 5,368,210 85,136,444 13,585,095 24,700

-42,500 150,440 -335,400 298,270 -50,870 -25,600 463,751 308,900 -410,566 5,674,760 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B 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

17.5 500 104.8 101 107 505 5.2 0.99 101.1 996 1,040 1,040 100.4 76.5 78.5 75.5 75.9 76.1 76.5 76.5 75.6

18 500 105 101.7 107 505 5.2 1 101.1 1,010 1,040 1,050 100.4 76.5 78.85 75.6 75.95 77 77 79.95 77

17.4 499.8 104.8 101 105 505 5.2 0.99 101.1 996 1,032 1,040 100 76.5 78.5 75.5 75.9 76.1 76.5 76.5 75.6

PREFERRED 17.58 192,800 500 13,170 105 76,730 101.7 450 105.1 36,590 505 10 5.2 100 0.99 390,000 101.1 240 1,010 180 1,032 19,935 1,042 2,190 100 9,700 76.5 300 78.7 67,440 75.6 24,600 75.95 10,100 77 3,940 77 43,390 79 98,940 76.5 771,220

3,455,568 6,584,978 8,054,702 45,485 3,847,495 5,050 520 386,550 24,264 181,100 20,670,520 2,288,010 970,390 22,950 5,311,165.50 1,857,760 766,715 301,130 3,322,735 7,577,771 58,518,628

2,489,720.00 -49,679 -520 -52,000 -

LR WARRANT

1.52

1.54

1.51

WARRANTS 1.54 77,000

116,440

28,920,030 187,589,752 2,270 8,746,930

412,976 -687,686 -221,880

2,694,695

1,172

98,880 166,953

101,000

MS 16,224,548 564,090 5,790 4,692,350 1,436,226,480 2,266,440 609,160 4,928 11,555,900 760 42,480 204,480 312,500 11,187,839 22,723,275 18,200 89,119,790 1,447,720 381,768,980 16,888,200 159,550 3,158,070 626,650 515,520 500 132,754,385

-543,536 249,290 -251,584,690 -315,210 1,930 -6,450,802 1,739,180 -40,313,570 -116,250 -74,414,280 -380,450 55,490 -5,997,500

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

8.09 14.5 2.27 0.94

8.1 17.36 2.27 0.94

7.3 12 2.27 0.87

FIRST METRO ETF

118.2

116.3

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.3 10.1

TRADING SUMMARY

10.3 10.1

FINANCIAL

16,089,791

INDUSTRIAL

217,911,011

HOLDING FIRMS

160,385,777

PROPERTY

311,175,954

SERVICES

248,524,754

MINING & OIL

1,611,750,167

GRAND TOTAL

2,592,618,092

10.3 10.1

SME

7.56 12.66 2.27 0.91

3,804,800 13,217,400 1,000 9,734,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117.2 22,980 10.3 10.1

DDS

9,600 16,530

VALUE 1,792.09 (down) 35.03 1,520,967,391.79 FINANCIAL 10,906.58 (down) 90.42 INDUSTRIAL 2,382,811,232.78 7,620.50 (down) 152.04 HOLDING FIRMS 3,623,149,035.20 PROPERTY 3,942.30 (down) 74.39 1,568.14 (down) 21.75 3,428,955,224.18 SERVICES 8,191.54 (up) 117.54 MINING & OIL 2,117,849,882.63 7,747.38 (down) 142.03 PSEI 171,213,491.1835 All Shares Index 4,706.80 (down) 63.58 13,472,903,546.97 Gainers: 88; Losers: 124; Unchanged: 39; Total: 251

S&P assigns ‘BBB+’ credit rating to BPI By Julito G. Rada GLOBAL debt watcher S&P Global Ratings on Tuesday assigned a ‘BBB+’ longterm and ‘A2’ short-term issuer credit ratings to the Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in the country. The outlook on the long-term rating is stable. “This is the first credit rating assigned by S&P to the bank, of which the “BBB+” ICR is at par with the Philippine Sovereign Rating of “BBB+,” S&P said in a statement. S&P upgraded the Philippine Sovereign Rating on April 30, 2019. S&P classifies the banking sector of the Philippines in group ‘5’ under its Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment (BICRA). The anchor, the starting point for assigning an issuer credit rating to banks operating only in the country, is ‘BBB-’. “The ratings reflect BPI’s dominant market position as the third-largest bank in the Philippines, its good competitive position, and its strong capitalization. We expect the bank’s risk adjusted capital (RAC) ratio to be 10 percent-11 percent over the next two years, underpinned by high profit retention and moderation in loan growth,” it said. “In addition, we anticipate that BPI’s asset quality will continue to be sound, underscoring the bank’s good underwriting practices and risk control. However, a minor deterioration in asset quality is likely as the bank grows its higher-yielding, but riskier, consumer and small and midsize enterprise (SME) portfolio,” it said. It said BPI’s funding profile was underpinned by its extensive branch network, well-established franchise and record of strong depositor confidence. The bank is the first private domestic bank in the Philippines to achieve investment-grade ratings of bbb+/BBB+ in both SACP and ICR. Among the four Bank-Specific Factors comprising the SACP, BPI achieved a “strong, +1 notch” rating for Business Position and Capital and Earnings, an “adequate, neutral position” for Risk Position, and an “average and strong, neutral position” for Funding and Liquidity. The ICR assigned by S&P is based on available information and projections at the time the rating review was performed and according to the S&P Global Bank Ratings Framework Methodology. S&P’s view is that the Bank will maintain its dominant market position and strong capital buffers over the next two years.

DMCI is confident of obtaining mining permit from DENR By Jenniffer B. Austria DMCI Mining Corp., the mining unit of the Consunji Group, is confident it will obtain the go-signal from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to resume mining operations in Zambales province before the end of the year. DMCI Mining president Cesar Simbulan Jr. said the company’s other nickel asset, Zambales Diversified Metals Corp., had already complied with the conditions set by the DENR for the lifting of the November 2018 suspension order. “The Mines and Geosciences Bureau [MGB] reviewed the remedial actions taken by ZDMC last April 2019, and confirmed that all the specified conditions of DENR have been met,” said Simbulan. “MGB has also recommended the lifting of the suspension. Hopefully, the DENR central office will reach a decision before the end of this year,” he added. In December 2018, DMCI Mining’s other mining asset under Berong Nickel Corp., which operates in Palawan, was the only company audited by DENR that passed the nearly two-year review. Out of the 13 companies audited, three were ordered closed while nine remained suspended, including ZMDC, pending the implementation of certain DENR conditions. DMCI Mining, meanwhile, shipped 343,000 wet metric tons of nickel ore in the second quarter of the year, raising its total shipment in the first semester to 681,000 WMT, up 41 percent from 483,000 WMT year-on-year. All shipments came from the Palawan mine. DMCI Mining on a standalone basis recorded flat revenues of P985 million in the first half of 2019, as its shipment of mostly lower grade nickel fetched a lower average selling price. The average nickel grade during the period dropped 8 percent from 1.73 percent to 1.60 percent. Consequently, average selling price fell 28 percent from $39 to $28. DMCI Mining as a result posted a net income of P254 million in the first six months of 2019, down 19 percent from P316 million year-on-year.

World

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF China to hold drills near Taiwan

MUSIC AWARDS.

Colombian musician J Balvin (L) and Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny perform on stage during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 26, 2019. AFP

Brazil slams aid to fight wildfires B RASILIA―Brazil on Monday rejected aid from the G7 countries to fight the wildfires in the Amazon, with a top official telling French President Emmanuel Macron to take care of “his home and his colonies.”

Nearly 80,000 forest ﬁres have broken out in Brazil since the beginning of the year-just over half of them in the massive Amazon basin that regulates part of Earth’s carbon cycle and climate. G7 countries made the $20 million aid offer to ﬁght the blazes at the Biarritz summit hosted by Macron, who insisted they should be discussed as a top priority. “We appreciate (the offer), but maybe those resources are more relevant to reforest Europe,” Onyx Lorenzoni, chief of staff to President Jair Bolsonaro, told the G1 news website. “Macron cannot even avoid a fore-

seeable fire in a church that is a world heritage site,” he added, referring to the fire in April that devastated the NotreDame cathedral. “What does he intend to teach our country?” The presidency later confirmed the comments to AFP. Brazilian environment Minister Ricardo Salles had earlier told reporters they had welcomed the G7 funding to fight the fires that have swept across 950,000 hectares (2.3 million acres) and prompted the deployment of the army. But after a meeting between Bolsonaro and his ministers, the Brazilian

government changed course. “Brazil is a democratic, free nation that never had colonialist and imperialist practices, as perhaps is the objective of the Frenchman Macron,” Lorenzoni said. Although about 60 percent of the Amazon is in Brazil, the vast forest also spreads over parts of eight other countries or territories, including the French overseas territory of Guiana on the continent’s northeast coast. Hundreds of new fires have flared up in the Brazilian part of the forest, data showed Monday, even as military aircraft dumped water over hard-hit areas. Smoke choked Porto Velho city and forced the closure of the airport for nearly two hours as fires raged in the northwestern state of Rondonia where firefighting efforts are concentrated. Bolsonaro-a climate-change skep-

tic―has faced criticism over his delayed response to the ﬁres at home and thousands have taken to the streets in Brazil in recent days to denounce the destruction. The blazes have also fueled a diplomatic spat between Bolsonaro and Macron, who have locked horns repeatedly over the past week. The French president has threatened to block a huge new trade deal between the European Union and Latin America unless his Brazilian counterpart takes serious steps to protect the fast-shrinking forest from logging and mining. Bolsonaro reacted by blasting Macron for having a “colonialist mentality,” and days later endorsed vicious personal comments about the French president’s wife posted online, driving their relationship to a new low. AFP

Iran tells US to take the ‘first step’

TEHRAN―President Hassan Rouhani Tuesday told the United States to “take the ﬁrst step” by lifting all sanctions against Iran, a day after US President Donald Trump said he was open to meeting. “The step is to retreat from sanctions. You must retreat from all illegal, unjust and wrong sanctions against the nation of Iran,” Rouhani said in a speech aired live on state television. He said “the key for positive change is in the hands of Washington”, because Iran had already ruled out ever doing what worries the US the most-building an atomic bomb. “If honestly this is your only concern, this concern has already been removed” through a fatwa issued by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he said. Khamenei is said to have issued a fatwa against nuclear weapons in 2003 and has reiterated it several times since. “So take the ﬁrst step. Without this step, this lock will not be unlocked,” Rouhani said at a Tehran event marking the start of construction at a housing project. The US unilaterally pulled out of a 2015 multilateral nuclear deal in May last year and subsequently reimposed biting sanctions. AFP

Australian arrested in China for spying

Japan to host Africa aide talks as China looms large TOKYO-Japan hosts development talks with African leaders this week, looking to boost its presence on the continent and offer an alternative to investments by an increasingly assertive China. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he wants the latest round of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) to help “launch impactful Japanese action” on the continent. And the meeting, held around every five years since 1993 in Japan or an African country, comes against the backdrop of expanding investment in China, which announced $60 billion in development funding for Africa last year. That figure is twice as much as Japan pledged at the last TICAD meeting in 2016. But analysts said Tokyo is unlikely to try to out-pledge China at this year’s talks, which start on Wednesday and run until Friday. It will seek instead to position itself as a partner of “quality”, offering high-impact loans and other assistance without the sometimescontroversial strings attached to money doled out by Beijing. Japan wants to drive Africa’s growth “with its high-quality infrastructure development, science technology and innovation”, Abe said recently. TICAD is a good opportunity for Japan to send a message about “its practical, well-planned lending”, said Sawaka Takazaki, deputy director of the Middle East and Africa division at the Japan External Trade Organization, a government-backed trade-promotion body. China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative, which offers hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese financing for massive infrastructure projects, has been eagerly embraced in many parts of Africa. AFP

BEIJING―China has said it will stage military exercises in the East China Sea near Taiwan this week, with relations tense between Beijing and the self-ruled island. This will be the third set of drills in a month and comes after the recent US approvals of arms sales worth billions to Taiwan, including F-16 fighter jets. Ties between Beijing and Taipei have plummeted since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016 because her party refuses to recognize the idea that Taiwan is part of “One China”. As punishment, Beijing has cut official communications, ramped up military exercises, poached diplomatic allies and increased economic pressure on the island. Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting unification, even though the two sides have been ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949. Ships will be prohibited from entering the waters off the coast of China’s eastern Zhejiang province for 48 hours starting 6:00 pm (1000 GMT) on Tuesday because of the military exercises, the Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration said in a brief notice on Monday. It did not offer details on the scale of the exercises or which military units were involved. State-backed newspaper Global Times called it a “live-fire drill”. The People’s Liberation Army held two large military drills close to the Taiwan Strait in late July. AFP

SYDNEY―An Australian pro-democracy academic held for seven months in China has been formally arrested for spying, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Tuesday as she demanded Beijing uphold the “basic standards” of justice. Payne said she was “very concerned” that Chinese-born Yang Hengjun―a former ofﬁcial turned author―had been arrested on “suspicion of espionage”. Yang had been detained after returning to China from the United States in January. Now in his 50s, he had used popular blog and social media posts to criticize Beijing’s authoritarian government. He has a following of more than 125,000 on Twitter alone. After months without access to his lawyer or family, Yang now faces trial on charges that could bring a lengthy prison sentence. China’s near-silence about Yang’s fate has been a point of friction in relations with Australia that have markedly deteriorated in recent months. In a sharply worded statement, Payne said she had raised the case ﬁve times with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, in person and via letters. “Dr Yang has been held in Beijing in harsh conditions without charge for more than seven months,” Payne said, referencing international rules prohibiting torture. AFP

PANDAS IN FRANCE. Panda cub Yuan Meng (R) and its mother Huan Huan eat bamboo in their enclosure at the Zoo de Beauval in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France, on Aug. 26, 2019. AFP

Saudi shops push boundaries in prayer-time shutdown RIYADH―With burger patties sizzling over a hot grill, a Saudi eatery did the unthinkable as a muezzin’s call to prayer sent Muslim worshipers scrambling to lower their shutters: it stayed open. The scene, amid a sweeping reform drive, was a striking contrast to the days when religious police wielded unbridled powers and drove people out of malls and shops to enforce the Islamic world’s only mandatory prayer-time shutdown. Last month Riyadh, keen to stimulate an economy hit by low oil prices, decreed that some businesses can stay open 24 hours a day for an unspeciﬁed fee. But the decision triggered confusion over whether it includes the ﬁve daily Islamic prayer times. Stores in some Riyadh malls saw it as a nod-and-a-wink approach to avert a conservative backlash, testing what could be one of the most sensitive of a string of reforms in the ultra-conservative kingdom. The burger shop manager showed

AFP a text from its Saudi owner, instructing him to stay open: “The (government) decides to allow shops, restaurants and markets to work for 24 hours and the decision includes... prayer times.” It was among a handful of eateries in Riyadh’s upscale Kingdom Center mall openly catering to customers during the sunset Maghrib prayer. At another leading Riyadh mall, AlNakheel, a similar scene played out during the evening Isha prayer. While many retailers rolled down their shutters, several cafes and restaurants teeming with customers kept their cash registers ringing, while children continued to bounce around in an indoor amusement park. “Most of the time stores here are [now] open during prayer time,” Francis, an Asian coffee shop manager, told AFP. Two other shop managers said they had paid no government fee to stay open, but were cautiously testing the waters, as ofﬁcials appeared to be looking the other way.

“Those [workers] who want to pray can pray, those who want to work can work,”one of them said, pointing out that many were non-Muslim and had previously been obliged to idle away time. The other manager, who also requested anonymity due to the issue’s sensitivity, said he would still shut shop if confronted by the religious police. Until three years ago, the religious police elicited widespread fear, chasing men and women out of malls to pray and berating anyone seen mingling with the opposite sex. But the bearded enforcers of public morality, whose powers have been clipped in recent years, are now largely out of sight. Retailers could take advantage of “vague government statements to stay open, especially with the relative absence of the religious police that was responsible for enforcing the system,” Eman Alhussein, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP. AFP

Manila

Standard

LEGAL NOTICE

TODAY

Notice is hereby given to the public that an Extra-Judicial Settlement has been executed by the heirs of the late MARTIN MARTAL AND PETRA JIMENO MARTAL, namely: Balbino J. Martal married to Angelita Salazar Martal with their three (3) children; Evangelyn S. Martal, single, Marvin S. Martal married to Catherine Ferrer Martal, and Marianne Martal Legaspi, married to Melvin Legaspi, all of legal age, over personal and real properties, per deed executed on 01 August 2019 before Notary Public Atty. James K. Abuganper Doc. No. 360; Page No. 73; Book No. 86; Series of 2019. (MS-AUG. 14,21 & 28, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that ORION PACIFIC PRIME ENERGY INCORPORATED is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Operator 1200MW Quezon Coal-Fired Power Plant in Brgy. Laurel, Tagkawayan, Quezon on a Pioneer Status under Book I of EO 226 otherwise known as the Omnibus Investments Code of 1987, as amended. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) NESTOR P. ARCANSALIN Officer-In-Charge Resource-based Industries Service (MS-AUG. 28, 2019)

LGUs

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

DPWH finishes P62-m, 1.8-km road in Cagayan

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019

By Vito Barcelo

1st ‘Tokhang Responders’ drug summit in Santiago By Brenda Jocson SANTIAGO CITY—The Regional Community Affairs and Development Division and Santiago City Police Office under the supervision of Police Col. Juan R. Aggasid, in coordination with the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs, has spearheaded the 1st Tokhang Responders Drug Summit at the Bulwagan ng Mamamayan in Barangay San Andres here. A total of 422 Tokhang Responders, 124 members of local Barangay AntiDrug Abuse Councils, City Government employees, representatives from the religious sector, media, academe and ICAD served as the resource speakers in the summit with Santiago Mayor Joseph S. Tan as guest of honor and speaker. The summit served as an avenue to account for all the “tokhang” responders of Santiago City from 2016 to present. It also aimed to fast-track the participation of those who have not yet undergone the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program. The summit helped increase locals’ awareness on the different programs of the government such as the services of the Department of Health, training programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, livelihood assistance and job opportunities from private companies. Lecturers featured Pastor Wilrey Reñen of the National Auxiliary Chaplain of the Philippines, who tackled on Spiritual Growth; lawyer Lailanie R Marpuri, legal officer of PDEA-RO2, who lectured on Republic Act 9165; Mark Anthony Clemente, a student of Sinsayon National High School and representative of the youth sector, who lectured on the Roles of BADAC; and Dr. Genaro Manalo of the City Health Office on Oplan Sagip. Perla V Lucas of TESDA and Romina C. Armedilla of the Public Employment and Service Office also discussed the Skills Training and Livelihood Programs and the livelihood assistance that the agency can offer to the Tokhang Responders. “Ang summit na ito ay upang ipakita sa inyong mga Tokhang Responders na hindi ningas-kugon ang programa ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte,” Police Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jose Mario M. Espino said.

Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Domagoso (center) points out a busted lamp light to officials of ManilaMed, the network of hospitals of Mount Grace Hospitals Network Inc., as they volunteered to fix and beautify Plaza Rueda in Paco district to celebrate the hospital’s 52nd anniversary. The ManilaMed team also helped paint the lamp posts, pick up of trash, and kept tree branches away from electric wires to promote the flow of air through the park (inset).

Isko’s big strides in 2 months By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ESS than two months into office, 12 foreign ambassadors and diplomats from around the world have met Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso, who they said has buckled down to work “to save the capital from urban decay following years of wanton neglect.” The mayor’s chief of staff, Cesar Chavez, said Tuesday the ambassadors who have met Domagoso are United States’ Sung Kim, United Kingdom’s Daniel Pruce, Japan’s Koji Haneda, Panama’s Rolando Alvarado, Saudi Arabia’s Dr. Abdullah Al-Bussairy, Israel’s Rafael Harpaz, Singapore’s Gerard Ho, Russia’s Igor Khovaev, European Union’s Franz Jessen, New Zealand’s David Strachan, Australia’s Ambassador Steven Robinson, and Georgia’s Irakli Asashvili. In all those meetings, Domagoso “got recognition and praise for infusing significant reforms in the country’s capital city,” Chavez noted.

Domagoso was particularly acknowledged for bringing distinctive changes to Manila under his battlecry “Bagong Maynila” in a matter of days, which his predecessors failed to do for years, he added. But the 44-year-old mayor stressed there’s nothing unusual in what he did, what he’s doing, and what he plans to do for the city. “This is naturally what a mayor should do,” said Domagoso, who has served as councilor and vice mayor of the city for a combined 18 years. The former actor and Social Welfare undersecretary, who was born and grew up in the slums of Tondo―then a sym-

bol of poverty in the country―said only a true “Batang Maynila” will save Manila. “I’m happy the members of the diplomatic corps and the consular offices keep coming back or visiting Manila. We’re honored, of course. it is a good sign that they’re hopeful, hopeful about the city government, where the city’s going in the next,” Domagoso said. “It’s not about our pride, it’s the pride of the city of Manila and the people of Manila. It’s not for me. At least, they have a good outlook of Manila,” he added. Called a “ total rockstar” by US Ambassador Sung Kim, who lauded his new dynamism and energies to his position, Domagoso said he is just starting, thus he still cannot consider himself successful in his campaign to stop Manila’s further deterioration. “We are just few weeks into office, and there are still many things to do,” said Domagoso, who was also commended for serving as an inspiration to

other local government officials. Even President Rodrigo Duterte took notice of Domagoso’s accomplishments after he assumed the mayoralty post July 1, Chavez noted. While elated with the mounting support and recognition from across the nation and the world, Domagoso conceded that tough challenges are ahead of him, but he is fully prepared to combat them. The mayor said he was greatly honored and grateful that the members of diplomatic corps are showing their intentions in helping Manila. He related that the United States and Singapore have offered help to turn Manila into a “Smart City,” and US embassy officials have offered to help the city’s flood monitoring and prevention program. On the other hand, the Singaporean ambassador offered to fund a “study trip” where the Manila mayor could learn more about first-world policies and practices.

Smart and PRC prep UC pupils for big disasters

FCF trains men on fire safety with BFP aid By Ben Moses Ebreo QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—Workers of FCF Minerals Corp. here were recently trained on fire safety and emergency fire suppression to improve their fire fighting skills and fire prevention measures. The fire safety and emergency fire drill training was offered by the Bureau of Fire Prevention here in collaboration with the mining firm’s Occupational Safety and Health Department as part of their Annual Safety and Health Program. Ian Moller, FCF general manager for sustainability, said at least 35 workers at the FCF campsite along with contractors’ representatives completed the five-day training. He said the training involves lectures on the elements of fire and measures to prevent it, including knowledge and skills to stop fires. “The training lectures were reinforced by actual demonstrations and hands-on exercises by the participants. With this training therefore, we expect them to be more skilled towards preventing the incidence of fire and stop them from destroying lives and limbs,” Moller added. The training, he said, will arm the company in its bid for a renewal of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from the BFP.

THE Department of Public Works and Highways has completed the construction of a P62.2-million road that will serve as an inter-regional link between Cagayan in Region 2 and Apayao in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the road project started in February last year, funded under the 2018 General Appropriations Act, and was completed in March 2019. He said the concreting works of the 1.8-kilometer Ayaga-Sta.Marcela-Flora-Lasam Road in the municipality of Lasam, Cagayan, will cut travel time in the area by as much as 30 minutes and will be mainly used to transport agricultural products to Metro Manila. The project also involved the construction of a drainage system and slope protection works that will help prevent flooding and maintain soil stability, the department said in a statement. The DPWH also built two bridges in the region costing P32 million to make the road fully accessible by motorists coming from both ends. More infrastructures are underway in Region 2 and about to be completed before 2020, Villar said.

Emergency Management Center’s Louie Domingo (right) demonstrates to University of Cebu students the proper way to do the ‘duck, cover, and hold’ position.

Mosquitoes-for-rice program in Bataan village By Butch Gunio

Barangay Alion captain Al Balan (right) gives a kilo of rice to a resident as reward for the captured mosquitoes on her oily plate. Butch Gunio

MARIVELES, Bataan—Barangay Alion in this town, headed by Captain Al Balan, has intensified its anti-dengue campaign with a unique scheme of exchanging killed mosquitoes with rice. Alion is a picturesque upland village with about 5,000 residents. “For every 200 mosquitoes killed, we exchange that with one kilo of rice,” explained Balan who started the program on Monday together with residents and barangay workers. “We use plates applied with used oil to capture mosquitoes,” said the barangay captain, disclosing he has been using this manner to kill the mosquitoes since he was in grade school. “We have already done search and destroy, and maintain the cleanliness of the surrounding in our village,” Balan added. The captain said he has mobilized residents against dengue, the mosquito-borne disease that has reached epidemic levels across the country. “We had one case of dengue here, a child, but the disease was contracted from other barangay,” Balan said. “Prevention is much better. Our heightened drive against dengue is in line with the health initiatives of Gov. Abet Garcia.”

TO BUILD the culture of disaster readiness among the youth, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, in partnership with the University of Cebu faculty and the Philippine Red Cross, recently gave students valuable insights on survival tactics and protocols for common calamities in the Philippines, such as earthquakes, typhoons, fires, and landslides. Over 7,000 UC students packed the Cebu City Coliseum for the TNT Tropang Ready Caravan, a nationwide program initiated by Smart featuring talks, presentations and activities on disaster preparedness. “Calamities are unforeseeable so it’s always good to be prepared every day,” said Cydar Alexis Oraiz, head coordinator of UC CARES. “It is essential that we are constantly trained and equipped with all the necessary skills to be ready all the time, especially during times of disasters,” he said. As an example, the laandslide in Naga, Cebu was one of the major disasters that struck the province last year, with 78 reported deaths, 18 injured, and five missing persons. “It was apparent that most of the residents in the affected area of Naga were in disbelief of the tragedy that befell them,” said Mohammad Manalao, chapter service representative for disaster management services of PRC, and member of the support team that dispatched rescue operations during the catastrophe. “Even in our area, we can’t say that we are fully prepared for disasters, but thanks to the continuous information sharing from LGUs and social media as well as disaster preparedness workshops like this, we are getting there.” The TNT Tropang Ready Caravan touched on several survival procedures, from emergency response skills and proper CPR techniques, to the use of the Morse code to communicate.

Special Feature SCANIA RAISES THE BAR WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW TRUCK GENERATION

Award Winning. Most Fuel Efficient. Greener. SCANIA today introduces to the Philippine market its award-winning New Truck Generation that has been designed and engineered to give fleet owners greater total operating economy and profitability, as well as lower CO2 emissions. The new truck range is the result of ten years of development work and investments in the region of SEK 20 billion (PHP 100 billion) and more than 10 million kilometres of test-driving. With the new range, Scania is extending its offering and can now, thanks to its unique modular system, supply more performance stages, connectivity and a comprehensive palette of productivity-enhancing services as well as sustainable transportation solutions that are precisely customized for each type of customer in the highly competitive transportation industry. “It is the new biggest investment in the Scania world in the past 20 years, thanks to our skilled engineers, alongside insights from customers, drivers and more than two hundred thousand connected vehicles. “ says Johan Gemback, Regional Sales Director for Trucks, Africa and Asia Pacific. The New Truck Generation has won many awards since the launch in Europe. The most prestigious of which is the International Truck of the Year Award in 2017, Sustainable Truck of the Year for 3 straight years now and the Green Truck Award (R-series) from 2017-2019 for lowest fuel consumption and is named the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly commercial vehicle in its class. “At Scania, we believe that sustainability and profitability goes hand in hand. Our approach to sustainable transport is based on these three pillars – Energy Efficiency, Alternative Fuels & Electrification and Smart & Safe Transport. And the bottom line is all about maximising our customers’ profitability.” Gemback added. Scania’s new truck generation cuts fuel consumption by an average of 5 per cent, thanks to further-developed powertrains and advanced aerodynamic solutions. The new truck generation has been developed with a number of overall features in focus: fuel economy, driver environment, safety, optimum use of interior space, and maximum reliability. The new trucks deliver an average of 5% lower fuel consumption on average thanks to the advanced powertrain, which result in exceptional fuel efficiency and driving performance, and improved aerodynamics. Every surface, at the front as well as along the sides and even below the vehicle, has been optimised for minimum drag. Even components like wipers, rearview mirrors and all the various lights have been designed with this in mind. In addition to enhancing the performance of the vehicle, Scania recognizes that the driver plays a significant role in the success of their customers’ business. The interior ergonomics of the cab design enhances comfort and functionality. Drivers can now drive more safely with a better view of the road due to a lower instrument panel and optimised A-pillars combined with the positioning of the driver 6.5 millimetres closer to the windscreen and 20 millimetres towards the side. A first in the Philippines, the new truck generation has optional features like rollover side curtain airbags, which can potentially reduce fatalities from rollover accidents by up to 25 per cent. Together with seat belt use, rollover side curtain airbags are a crucial safety feature in preventing serious injury to the driver. It also features a more robust monocoque structure with high tensile steel, engineered in collaboration with Scania’s sister company, Porsche Engineering. Apart from the advanced emergency braking system, the new generation has built in a number of new safety features such as the design of the steering column which places it directly beneath the steering wheel to absorb impact energy and reduce impact force to the driver during incidents. Optional camera sensors and other warning systems are also available to further enhance safety. The new generation continues to adopt Scania’s unique modular system, where customers can customise their vehicle configurations according to their choice of cabs, engines and chassis. This system maximises spare parts availability and minimises downtime for vehicles needing repairs and replacements, allowing customers to benefit from incremental revenues. Customers can also leverage the connectivity of the trucks to use the Fleet Management System for real-time tracking of the trucks. These connected services yield real-time data and longterm trends for fleet owners and operators to plan how to manage their vehicles and drivers. Scania also conducts driver training and coaching to upgrade the skills of drivers to be able to increase fuel efficiency and road safety. “Our customers have come to recognize us as their partners in helping make their business flourish. We work very closely with them to ensure they will always be able to carry out their work in the most sustainable and profitable way, regardless of industry and area of application,” said Leilani Lim-Tan, Vice President of BJ Mercantile, Inc., the local distributor of Scania. To learn more about Scania, you may visit its showroom located at 1132 EDSA Balintawak, Quezon City. You may also call (02) 361-0088, email scania@bjmerc.com, or visit www.scania. ph or check their Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/scaniaphilippines/.

About Scania Scania is a part of Volkswagen Truck & Bus GmbH and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications. Scania is also leading provider of industrial and marine engines. Service-related products account for a growing proportion of the company’s operations, assuring Scania customers of cost-effective transport solutions and maximum uptime.

Scania also offers financial services. Employing some 44,000 people, the company operates in about 100 countries. Research and development activities are concentrated in Sweden, while production takes place in Europe and South America, with facilities for global interchange of both components and complete vehicles. In 2015, net sales totaled SEK 95 billion and net income amounted to SEK 6.8 billion.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 advertise@manilastandard.net

Life

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

FASHION AND BEAUTY

Like skinny jeans, but better A

GREAT pair of jeans—one that hugs the body in all the right places, while remaining comfortable—could be an extremely elusive ﬁnd. When you think you’ve found it, there’s always something missing.

THE PERFECT PAIR. Spanx’s versatile Distressed Skinny Jeans promise to be every woman’s perfect pair with its high-rise coverage, stretchable and comfortable fabric, and fitted silhouette.

Some jeans fit comfortably, only to be loose around the waist or sag around the butt and knees. Others show promise by hugging the bottom and thighs perfectly, but does nothing to complement the female figure. The brand famous for its slimming intimates ventures into stretch denim jeans that promise to look great on any body type. With the brand’s signature shaping panel built into the jeans, Spanx’s Distressed Skinny Jeans flatten the tummy without constraining movement— thanks to the jeans’ four-way stretch. Its high-rise coverage eliminates the need to self-consciously pull up the jeans while sitting or squatting; it also banishes muffin top woes. With a pull-on design sans front zipper or buttons, the jeggings (jean leggings) create a completely flat front for that perfect silhouette. It also makes slipping in and out of them a breeze. Made primarily of cotton, its stretch fabric has more structure than typical jeggings. It also comes with real pockets, hence it looks just like a pair of regular jeans. Spanx’s Distressed Skinny Jeans are especially versatile, ideal to be paired with almost any top—from fitted tanks and oversized sweaters to dressy blouses. The ripped details, on the other hand, add just the right amount of attitude to any outfit. With its wear-all-day comfort fit and design, transitioning looks from day to night is easy. Slip on a casual tee and sneakers during the day, then throw on a dressier top, high heels, and a good amount of bling for a stylish yet comfortable evening look. Spanx is available at Rustan’s Department Stores, Debenhams Shangri-La, Rustans.com, and Zalora.

VANITY CORNER

New 3-step approach to treating acne A NEW skin care brand that introduces a gentle approach to treating acne will soon be available in the Philippines. Kylaz, from the makers of Singapore’s IDS Aesthetics and IDS Skincare, boasts a non-drying formula, providing sustainable and long-term solution that treats acne at the source and helps maintain healthy skin for complete healing and protection. The brand breaks down acne treatment into a three-step process: Correct, Protect, and Prevent. The range harnesses 16 active ingredients to provide holistic treatment. The three-step approach, Kylaz said, involves gently and effectively treating the root of acne within the dermis. Then, it protects the compromised skin, shrinks pores, and clears up comedones, blackheads, and whiteheads. Finally, it improves skin health and immunity to help prevent recurring acne. Kylaz was founded this year by the husband-and-wife team of Dr. SK Tan and Janifer Yeo-Tan, who were motivated to see their children enjoy an acne-free youth. This new skin care brand will be available on Sept. 11 at jyx.shop/kylaz.

The skinny jean leggings features Spanx’s signature shaping panel.

Hogan to open first store in PH Kylaz 3-step acne treatment

Slay with chic nails

Chic Nail Color

TO PROVIDE more colorful nail polish options, Chic Nail Color launches its newest six-piece collection, dubbed “Slay All Day.” Those hitting the city streets can dress up in their most fashionable outfit and top off their look with Chic Nail Color’s Runway Girl, a seashell-like white nail polish decorated with holographic glitters. Those who go for a bold and striking look can go even more daring with Major Aura, whose rose taupe overcoat goes well with a fierce look. The clean neutral shade So Lit is perfect for fashion-forward gals who prefer to sport a playful look. Meanwhile, a night-out look can look even more dramatic with Feel Extra, which comes in black with shimmering golden glitters. Those who always strive to be the star of the night can meet their match with Just Queenin’, whose grape color’s fit for royalty. Finally, go for simple and sweet with Hello Gorgeous, a charming shade of pastel pink that attracts good vibes. These new nail polish shades are available at leading supermarkets and drug stores nationwide.

PREMIUM Italian streetwear brand Hogan is coming to the Philippines in October, opening its first store at Duty Free Philippines’ premium outlet, Duty Free Luxe in Mall of Asia, Pasay City. “We are extremely honored and proud to welcome Hogan into our luxury offer,” said DFP chief operating officer Vicente Pelagio Angala. Duty Free Luxe was developed, Angala said, “to house the most upscale travel retail offerings in the country.” The store hosts a number of major fashion brands such as Hugo Boss, Furla, Coach, Longchamp, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors, among others. “It is surely a momentous occasion for Hogan to be opening its very first travel retail store at Duty Free Luxe,”

said Suh-hee Park, Tod’s Group’s head of sales for Asia Paciﬁc. Hogan was founded in 1986 and is part of Italian luxury group Tod’s Spa. Park added, “We are proud to be serving the international travelers and customers of Luxe with our ‘Made In Italy’ sneakers, making their traveling effortlessly cool and comfortable.” For its launch, the store will highlight Hogan’s Cold North: autumn/winter 2019/20 collection, which drew inspiration from the North Pole with reference to the hiking world and glaciers. Some of the Italian brand’s patrons include Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid, Chiara Ferragni, Julianne Moore, Jessica Alba, Jackson Wang, Ryan Reynolds, and Presley Gerber, among others.

Salon offers 10-minute haircut, more services THE hair salon known for its 10-minute express haircut now offers additional services. Kaizen, whose concept originated in Japan, became an instant hit with customers in need of a fresh, clean, and quick way to improve their looks. To cater to the growing needs of its clients, the salon recently introduced its latest hair and nail services at its Market! Market! branch. Kaizen nail spa services include classic manicure-pedicure, gel polish, nail extensions, and spa. The BGC branch also offers hair coloring and hairstyling services, as well as Brazilian Keratin Blowout, also known as Kerabond, and hair tattoo, which is unique undercut hair designs done by skilled haircutters. Aside from its Market! Market! location, Kaizen is also at SM Manila. Call (02) 241-8093 for inquiries. Kaizen, known for its 10-minute express haircut, now offers hairstyling and nail services at its Market! Market! branch.

Premium Italian streetwear brand Hogan opens its first store at Duty Free Luxe, Duty Free Philippines’ premium outlet.

Entertainment

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Dennis Caharian...

ABS-CBN’s social welfare program

From C4

helps children carve new paths in life

The late Gina Lopez founded Bantay Bata 163 in 1997

“S

ABI niya huwag kang sisigaw,” “Pinabayaan na kami ni mama”— these are just some of the desperate cries that ABS-CBN’s social welfare program Bantay Bata 163 hears from the children brought to them. But given the proper care and taken off the streets at an early age, the children face a more certain future.

One of them is Maynard, who was only seven years old when Bantay Bata 163 rescued him from the streets. He became one of its scholars, ﬁnished school, and now works for Bantay Bata 163’s coin bank. “ Ginawa ko pong motivation yung nangyari po sa akin noon para maging successful ako ngayon,” Maynard said. Maynard is just one of the thousands of children that Bantay Bata 163 has cared for since its founding in 1997 by the late Gina Lopez, who also founded the ABS-CBN Foundation. Today, with help from various individual and corporate supporters, Bantay Bata 163 has evolved into more than just a hotline. It now gives children care through various ways, through its various pillars-Bantay Proteksyon, Bantay Edukasyon, Bantay Kalusugan, and Bantay Pamilya. The children are cared

for in various ways, from protection from physical and sexual abuse, to housing, education, and to nutrition. It also provides children and their families legal services and shelter to help them heal within safer and more caring environments. On top of these, it gives training and seminars to help prevent child abuse, uphold the rights of children, and disseminate knowledge on laws, techniques, and systems in protecting children. In fact, Bantay Bata 163 has taken the lead in emphasizing to schools through a series of conferences that they should impose positive discipline instead of corporal punishment. With ABS-CBN celebrating its 65th year of being in the service of the Filipino, the public can expect Bantay Bata 163 to continue its mission, with even ﬁrmer resolve.

‘Ghosting’ Judy Ann Santos ACCORDING to seasoned actress Judy Ann Santos, she also became a victim of “ghosting” in the past but she’s learned to just accept the situation and move on. “Perhaps, it just didn’t become a big issue since there was still no social media way back then. What I did was just ignore it. If the concerned party didn’t want my affection, so be it. That’s how I handled the situation. Of course, it’s painful. The mere thought of investing so much in one person but sadly, he didn’t want it anymore. Who wouldn’t get hurt?” she asks. “But I realized early on that things like that are not worth my time. I believe that each passing hour is essential to one person. So, why would you use it to something which is not positive and productive? If the other party got cold already, then it’s time to say goodbye,” she adds. For the criticallyacclaimed actress, as long as her conscience is clean, it’s what matters. She believes that as long as she knows that she didn’t fool someone and that her love is pure and genuine, she’s good with it. “Regrets? I have none. It’s all part of loving. When you give true love

to the other person only, he didn’t see it. What’s important is that I’m happy and is living peacefully because I don’t have any guilt feeling.” Interestingly, the Starla lead star doesn’t believe in closure. She explains that if the other person doesn’t want a formal ending to a relationship, then there’s no point of going after the person just to have that “closure.” “I won’t push myself to someone who doesn’t like my presence anymore. I won’t waste my precious time with somebody who doesn’t care about me in the ﬁrst place. But of course, I can only speak for myself. I don’t know with the others. This is my experience in the past. I just learned to accept that if a person let go of you, then, it’s high time to move on. We don’t need closure anymore. It’s enough that you’ve hurt me,” she muses. After going through a series of heartaches before, the popular actress reveals it didn’t make her viewpoint on love cynical. As days went by, she still chose to trust and be in a meaningful relationship. “Well, not all guys are the same. It will take time before you’ll ﬁnd the one with pure intentions but it will come eventually. It will happen in perfect timing---when your

Judy Ann Santos

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, August 28, 2019

ACROSS 1 Of the moon 6 Showed the way 9 Mouse appendage 13 Get to one’s feet 14 Made a tapestry 15 Radius neighbor 16 Soda fountain treats 17 Thrust-andparry sword 18 Tough situation 19 On the lookout 20 Relaxes, as rules 22 Drone or worker 23 Clumsy ones 25 Tern or albatross 27 Physicist Albert — 31 Period of time 32 Work by Keats 33 Wolfed down 35 Sandwich need 39 1899 gold-rush town 41 Synopsize 43 Aria performer 44 Not neatniks 46 Went downhill fast 48 Crack safes 49 Contented murmur 51 Makes smooth and slick

53 Ancient city on the Euphrates 57 Kukla’s friend 58 Sci-fi craft 59 Fountain in Rome 61 Astrologer’s scales 65 Gourmand’s malady 67 Not fake 68 Leggy bird 69 Relative of a zither 70 Like some chatter 71 Jungle charger 72 If not 73 Apply henna 74 Expensive DOWN 1 Prayer-wheel turner 2 Eurasian range 3 Long river 4 Houston team 5 Say again 6 Canter 7 — up the score 8 Signed over 9 Round container 10 Suspect’s need 11 — ear 12 Put cargo on board 14 Internet locales 21 Import car

24 Terror 26 Polar explorer 27 Time beyond measure 28 Esteemed one 29 Verne’s skipper 30 Bottle parts 34 Manicurist’s tool (2 wds.) 36 Colleen’s home 37 Cosmetics brand 38 Pats on 40 Online auction site 42 Gaze

45 Add seasoning 47 Vendors 50 Terrible 52 Round Table member 53 Call, as an elk 54 Run — (go against) 55 Prize fights 56 In want 60 Hollow 62 Creamy cheese 63 Magritte or Russo 64 Upon 66 Informal wear

heart and mind are ready and you’re willing to give everything to the other person. You will feel it.” “Ghosting can happen to anyone. It’s inevitable. We got hurt for a reason. You’ll realize that it made you a better and stronger person in the process,” ends Juday. *** In a recent post in her Facebook account, Aiko Melendez praised her director Gina Alajar who’s handling her in the latest GMA offering titled, Prima Donnas. According to the award-winning actress, she has worked with Gina in several movies in the past and remembers the latter has even become a leading lady of her late dad Jimi Melendez. Aiko says it’s really a small world especially now that she’s directing her in a new soap. “It’s truly an honor to be working with a great actress and now I’m witness of how good as a director she is. She is indeed an actor’s director,” she states. The star also discloses how meticulous her director is in staging scenes. “She’s very detailed yet, so softspoken. I love the fact how open I can be with her with my suggestions and how brilliant this lady is.” Aiko is also not ashamed to admit that she is learning a lot from Direk Gina. “Sometimes, when we’re doing blocking for some scenes, I am mesmerized with how you handle it. I realize that there’s a lot I can learn. I am humbled as I am being taught again new learning.” In the end of her post, Aiko thanked her brilliant director. “Thank you Direk Gina for guiding me!” she says.

Caharian has led initiatives that are aimed to broaden GMA’s online footprint worldwide through Over-the-Top (OTT) and programmatic collaborations. NMI enabled GMA to establish a partnership with YouTube that not only supports the network’s anti-piracy efforts, but also boosted GMA’s YouTube views and subscribers. These YouTube initiatives propelled GMA’s subscriber base to grow by 625 percent in less than two years and surpassed the 10-million subscriber mark in May 2019. As a result, the GMA Entertainment channel recently received the YouTube Diamond Creator Award, joining an elite group of content creators in Southeast Asia that have also achieved such a feat. Through NMI, GMA built strategic alliances with industry forerunners to prepare for the launch of a game-changing digital strategy that will raise the TV viewing experience in the Philippines to a whole new level. Soon, NMI is set to launch GMA Now, the network’s mobile Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service that will revolutionize content consumption habits by combining digital TV viewing and the fun elements of mobile interactivity. Notably, supporting Caharian in leading GMA New Media is Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer Raymund C. Sarmiento. Sarmiento has been in the Information Technology industry for 30 years. He has spent a decade in a Japanese company as one of its pioneers working with NEC Japan for projects that involved LSI/VLSI Microchip development and embedded systems development. Sarmiento was the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for EDSAMAIL Philippines and has been the CTO of GMA NMI for 17 years. He designed the backend modules for the PLDT PLAYTYM program launched on GMA, the first landline phone-based interactive live TV game done in partnership with the Network and PLDT. Sarmiento’s solid technology background can also be gleaned from his experience in developing AD servers specifically for GMA websites and Summit Media’s websites that are done as joint ventures with NMI. He is currently part of the R&D team that developed in-house the Conditional Access modules both from the head-end and client side. Sarmiento is also the co-inventor of some of the R&D projects in NMI with patents already obtained and applied locally and abroad. His interests include Robotics and Artificial Intelligence projects, one of which is a Rubik’s Cube Solver. He has likewise developed applications for Observatory Automation as a hobby which is currently being used by amateur astronomers worldwide.

FFCCCIII... From C4

The Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival is Chinese civilization’s ancient harvest festival which is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese Lunar calendar, usually happening in late September or early October in the Gregorian calendar, and this date has the most beautiful full moon that night. This2019, the exact date of the Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) is Sept. 13. This FFCCCII luncheon was an advance celebration to thank the support of media for its economic and civic causes, also to help promote this ancient festival of mooncakes and thanksgiving in the Philippines. FFCCCII is a business and civic federation of 170 Filipino Chinese chambers of commerce and diverse industry associations nationwide. Its numerous economic, socio-civic and cultural advocacies include the “Operation Barrio Schools” which donates public school buildings to poor rural regions, medical/dental missions, supporting Filipino Chinese ﬁre volunteer brigades, undertaking disaster relief operations and many others. For further inquiries, contact Wilson Lee Flores (chairman of FFCCCII Public Information & Media Committee) via email willsoonﬂourish@ gmail.com or call 09178481818 or 09188077777.

Entertainment

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019

Gerard Butler in a scene from the box office hit, 'Angel Has Fallen.'

‘Angel Has Fallen’ rises to lead box office The whole cast of the movie that will unspool in cinemas on Sept. 4.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

OMEDY has always been there to relieve us of our woes. Whether it’s an inside joke or anything that’s trending on social media, no matter how many times we hear the punchlines, they seem to have only gotten finer with age. Just like our favorite “tito jokes.” There’s something charming about the kind of humor only our uncles, fathers, and other old souls in our group or family can deliver. With proper timing, of course, old man jokes never fail to make us laugh. “That’s the kind of joke that he have here. It’s an old-school kind of comedy that we wanted to reintroduce to the younger generation,” says Dennis Padilla, who stars in a new movie along with Andrew E. and Janno Gibbs. Back in the ‘90s, Andrew E., Janno, and Dennis thrived in making people laugh. Their chemistry had been proven in the ’97 film Si Mokong, si Astig, at si Gamol. A couple of decades later, it is interesting to see how the trio can entertain both their Gen X fans and the millennials with their brand of comedy. Now, the comedic trio is back as they bring old-school comedy in Viva Films’ Sanggano, Sanggago’t Sanggwapo, under the direction of Al Tantay. This reunion movie follows the story of Andy, Johnny, and Dondon whose troubled-filled lives get more complicated because of deceit. Upon the death of millionaire tycoon Don Robert Endrinal, Andy and Dondon (Andrew E. and Padilla) find out that their friend Johnny (Gibbs) is actually the son of the departed businessman, and naturally has the right and responsibility to take over his father’s business. But when they arrive at the mansion, the indolent Johnny tells everyone that Andy is Johnny to free himself from any responsibility.

SNAPSHOT

Some potent dose of ‘TITO JOKES’

'Sanggano, Sanggago' t Sanggwapo' principal cast Janno Gibbs, Andrew E. and Dennis Padilla.

The late Eddie Garcia in a special cameo in the Viva Films production.

The hardworking Andy and the cunning Dondon play along with this charade. Now that the three friends are thrust into a life of afﬂuence and power, ﬂirtatious women are not far behind. They also have to deal with a certain Mr. Russel (Eddie Garcia), a land developer determined to acquire

Johnny’s hacienda, turn it into a casino complex and make the whole province a gambling capital. To what lengths will Andy, Johnny, and Dondon go to protect the hacienda and keep their secret at the same time? Sanggano, Sanggago’t Sanggwapo will not be complete without the

men’s love interests played by Louise delos Reyes, Cindy Miranda, and Vanessa Wright. Julian Trono, Vitto Marquez, and Andrew Muhlach appear as the young versions of Andy, Johnny, and Dondon. Sanggano, Sanggago’t Sanggwapo opens in cinemas on Sept. 4.

FFCCCII, Andanar, Panelo, China diplomat mark Moon Festival

Key people who attended the advance "Mid-Autumn Festival" at a Thanksgiving luncheon for the media held on Aug. 17.

THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) led by President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong made an advance celebration of the ancient Chinese tradition of “Mid-Autumn Festival”, also known as the “Moon Festival” at a Thanksgiving luncheon for the media in Quezon City on Aug. 17. FFCCCII ofﬁcers and their Public Information & Media Committee also hosted the playing of the traditional “pwa tiong chiew” dice game and gave away the festival’s mooncakes. Special guests who spoke at the occasion were Presidential Spokesman

Secretary Salvador Panelo, Presidential Communications Operations Ofﬁce (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, and China Embassy Counsellor Xie Yonghui representing Ambassador Zhao Jianhua. Dr. Lim said that the annual Moon Festival, the eating and giving away of mooncakes represent happiness, thanksgiving and goodwill which the FFCCCII and the Filipino Chinese community hope to share to fellow countrymen all over the Philippines, in the same way the Chinese Lunar New Year and the eating of “tikoy” have now become part of Filipino lifestyle. Continued on C3

LIONSGATE’S new actionpacked political thriller Angel Has Fallen debuted atop the North American box office with an estimated $21.3 million in ticket sales, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. Angel, which stars Gerard Butler playing a Secret Service agent wrongly accused of trying to kill the president (Morgan Freeman), is the third film in the franchise. It also stars Nick Nolte, Piper Perabo, and Jada Pinkett Smith. Last weekend’s leader, Universal’s raunchy tween comedy Good Boys, slipped to $11 million but managed to hold onto second spot on a sleepy latesummer weekend. In third place was another new release, Sony’s Overcomer, a Christianthemed movie about a former basketball coach (Alex Kendrick) who agrees half-heartedly to help prepare a young asthmatic orphan girl (Aryn WrightThompson) for a huge cross-country meet. It took in $8.2 million despite tepid reviews. Just behind in fourth place was Disney’s updated version of The Lion King, which pulled in $8.15 million, bringing its domestic total over six weeks in release to $510.6 million and its global total to more than $1.5 billion. Universal’s action film Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Statham came in fifth, taking in $8.1 million. AFP

Dennis Caharian named GMA New Media president GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) announces the promotion of Dennis Augusto “Dingdong” L. Caharian as President and Chief Operating Ofﬁcer of GMA New Media, Inc. (NMI), a whollyowned subsidiary that serves as its digital media and technology arm, and future-prooﬁng agent. A Kapuso for almost two decades, Caharian is a pioneer member of NMI and previously served as its Senior Vice President and General Manager since 2009. He plays a key role in GMA Network’s transformation from a broadcast giant into a dominant multiplatform content provider. Caharian has more than 20 years of experience in information technology, information management, and new media. Previous stints in network engineering, application development, project management, R&D, product development, business development, and general management have given him a keen grasp of all the crucial aspects of the industry. With NMI’s mandate to design and implement GMA’s grand digital blueprint to ensure the company’s leadership in the digital era, NMI has launched category-breaking projects in web, mobile, digital television and other new and emerging platforms since it began in mid-2000. Continued on C3

GMA Network's New Media president Dennis ‘Dingdong’ Caharian