Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net
DUTERTE RENEWS CALL FOR ALL-OUT WAR VS. REDS
By Joyce Pangco Pañares and MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday ordered an all-out-war against the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew Peoples’ Army, six months after declaring a permanent termination of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front. “I am ordering an all-out-war against the NPA. If I can, I will end the insurgency Next page
VOL. XXXIII • NO. 209 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Poe, Tugade lock horns over Palace bid for ‘emergency powers’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta
SC Justice files report on VP poll protest
INSISTING that the Transport depart department could do many things it wanted to do without emergency powers being granted to the President, Senator Grace Poe clashed with the agency’s head Ar Arthur Tugade on the issue. “There are alternative modes of procurement that is allowed under existing laws. There are things that no longer need emergency powpow ers. Our trains do not need
By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, disclosed on Tuesday that Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa has submitted his report on the results of the examination of ballots on the three pilot provinces cited by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his electoral protest against Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo. In a press conference, SC Public Information Office Chief Brian Keith Hosaka said Caguioa submitted the report on the results of the revision of the ballots on Monday, but clarified that PET has yet to act on it. Turn to A3
emergency powers to acquire,” said Poe, head of the Senate committee on public services that is conducting a Senate inquiry on the need to grant emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte on Tuesday said he will no longer seek emergency powers to address the traffic problem. He ordered the Highway Patrol Group to accompany ambulances amid reports that patients die as vehicles get stuck in the perpetual traffic jams in Metro Manila. Tugade has maintained the need for emergency powers Next page
THOUGHTS MISMATCH. Senator Grace Poe (left) and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (right) are on a collision course Tuesday during a Senate hearing after the latter maintained the need for emergency powers to address Metro Manila’s worsening traffic gridlock (backdrop). Poe argued the DoTr could do many things it wanted to do without emergency powers. Ey Acasio and Manny Palmero
Hospital pass for sale bared Convicts cough up P200K to P2m for temporary relief—Lacson By Macon Ramos-Araneta ONEYED and influential convicts can feign illness and cough up as much as P2 million to temporarily evade prison life in the New Bilibid Prison Hospital, as long as they also pay P30,000 a day for board and lodging, senators said Tuesday.
M
The usual “buyers” of the costly “hospital pass” are convicted drug lords who buy their way out of their detention cell to continue their illicit drug operations with impunity from a hospital ward, Senator Panfilo Lacson said. In an interview, Lacson said his office
got reports that to be admitted or confined in the NBP Hospital, prisoners have to pay from P200,000 to P2 million. The hospital admission was reportedly made possible even for prisoners were not sick in exchange for bribes. Next page
Ombudsman boots out 3 more in BuCor By Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo THE Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday suspended three more Bureau of Corrections officials for the release of heinous crime convicts, bringing the total to 30. Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered the Department of Justice to immediately place Frederic Anthony Santos, BuCor’s Legal Division chief; Correctional Officer III Joel Nalva, and Supt. Maria Fe Marquez under six-month preventive suspension without pay. Marquez signed an Aug. 16 order for the early release of three convicts in the 1997 abduction, rape and murder of sister Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong in Cebu. In a Sept. 2 Senate hearing, Marquez said she received a special order designating her as one of the duty generals to have “full blanket authority to perform Turn to A3
DISTRESSING SCENE. With the reported death of some pigs due to the suspected deadly African Swine Fever in Rizal, meat vendors in some areas in Quezon City are complaining that their profit from pork products has been affected by the disease. Manny Palmero
Consumers, pork traders uneasy amid ASF scare By Macon Ramos-Araneta SOME uneasiness has been raised by a consumer advocacy group and the Department of Health following reports that blood samples from pigs that died
in Rizal have tested positive for African Swine Fever or ASF. The advocacy group Laban Konsyumer Inc. on Tuesday said the reports might cause pork prices to drop amid fears arising from the disease.
Mosquito trials raise hopes for anti-dengue cure
HUNDREDS dead in the Philippines; a threefold increase of cases in Vietnam; hospitals overrun in Malaysia, Myanmar and Cambodia—dengue is ravaging Southeast Asia this year due in part to rising temperatures and low immunity to new strains. Diabetes can now be considered an epidemic case in the country, with about seven-million Filipinos suffering from the disease, according to the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.
DENGUE STRAIN. Photo, taken on Aug. 21, shows field officer Luu Quoc
But one group of scientists is rolling out trials to
Hung from the non-government organization World Mosquito Program holding breed dengue-resistant bugs in a bid to tackle one of the world’s leading mosquito-borne illnesses, raising a bag of mosquitoes in the southern Vietnamese city of Nha Trang. Dengue is ravaging Southeast Asia this year due in part to rising temperatures and low hopes the untreatable disease can finally be beaten. immunity to new strains. AFP Next page
In a related development, the Department of Health advised the public to cook pork thoroughly to avoid getting sick, amid confirmation the ASF had reached Philippine shores.
Turn to A3
Mar, Leila told to explain role in GCTA mess
By Rio N. Araja THE Ombudsman has asked former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and former Justice secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima why they failed to exclude persons convicted of heinous crimes when they drafted the rules for the early release of prisoners under the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law. In a letter dated Sept. 6, Ombudsman Samuel Martires asked Roxas and De Lima to submit their written explanations within three days on why the implementing rules and regulations they drafted did not include the exclusions in Section 1 of Republic Act 10592 or the GCTA Law. At least 1,914 heinous crime convicts have been granted early freedom since 2014—and the government is now trying to round them up. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice said it welcomed any aggrieved party to sue the government before any competent court for its interpretation and implementation of the GCTA Law. “The government will welcome any challenge by an interested party in a court of law, so that a definitive and final interpretation of RA 10592 could be promulgated for everyone’s guidance,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said, in a text message to reporters. Guevarra noted that since the controversy erupted following reports of the planned and later aborted early release of convicted rapist and murderer Next page
Faeldon falls out of Palace favor; Dela Rosa willing to be slapped By MJ Blancaflor and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he is no longer keen on reappointing sacked Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon to another post, while Senator Ronald dela Rosa said he is willing to be slapped repeatedly in public if it is shown that he was involved in corruption when he headed the bureau. In an interview with GMA News Monday night, the President said he does not see Faeldon, a former military
man, as a dishonest official. “He has had enough of controversies in the last few years. But I don’t believe he is dishonest,” Duterte said. The President fired Faeldon Sept. 4 over the scandal involving the early release of heinous crime convicts due to ambiguous interpretations on the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law. He said Faeldon disobeyed his orders not to release the heinous crime convicts over supposed good conduct. Next page
A2 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
News
Pasig River rehab chief ousted By MJ Blancaflor
P
RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday fired Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission executive director Jose Antonio Goitia over allegations of corruption, saying he will drop the sacked official into the Pasig River.
“This PRRC [executive], I just dis- When you go outside, I’ll tie him to an missed him, presidential appointee. anchor. I’ll drop this son of a bitch to the
Faeldon... From A1 The loopholes in the law and its implementing rules and regulations were revealed following the public backlash over the near release of convicted murderer-rapist Antonio Sanchez. Despite this, President Duterte said Friday he still believes in Faeldon and recalled how the former Marine captain exposed Mighty Corp. for faking tax stamps. These remarks drew the ire of some critics and stunned the families of heinous crimes victims. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Tuesday the President told him that Faeldon will not be reappointed. Faeldon used to be the Bureau of Customs chief but he stepped down after millions of pesos worth of shabu or crystal meth slipped through the ports. He was later reappointed to the Department of National Defense-Office of Civil Defense as deputy administrator and then later as BuCor chief. In the interview, Duterte also reiterated his call for convicts who were released early due to the GCTA to surrender. “I won’t put you [in] jail. I’m just asking you to come back, have your sentence recomputed and if you fall within the category of those who will be released, you can go,” Duterte said. “For the heinous crimes, well, let me think about it. Either I set you free or I’ll drop you there in the Pasig River,” he added. The Chief Executive gave them 15 days to turn themselves in. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Dela Rosa said he was ready to be slapped “in front of the public, not only once, left and right.” “You slap me if I did corruption,” the former BuCor and Philippine National Police chief said. De la Rosa, who quit as BuCor chief when he ran for senator in the last May elections, also said he is ready to be investigated over the alleged widespread corruption in the bureau,. “When I said I want to be investigated, I don’t think I want it. But when you said ready to be investigated, I’m ready anytime. I’m not hiding anything,” he said. “My conscience is clear,” he added. During his stint in the bureau from May to October 2018, Dela Rosa said he signed the release orders of 120 heinous crimes convicts based on the GCTA law. The release of convicts through the GCTA Law is now the subject of the Senate Blue Ribbon and Justice committee hearings sparked by the near release of convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez. “Why pin the blame on us? We are just implementing the law?” Dela Rosa said. “It is the chef instead of the waiter who would be liable for a bad-tasting meal,” he added. Meanwhile, Blue Ribbon committee chairman Senator Richard J. Gordon said the Senate hearings exposed Faeldon’s lack of knowledge about his job and said he did not exert due diligence to make up for his deficiency. “He didn’t know the law; he didn’t care. It’s very clear, that at the very least, Faeldon doesn’t know his job. He is required to know the job,” he said. Questioned by Gordon, Faeldon admitted he was not aware of Department of Justice Order No. 953 prior to its mention during the second hearing. The order requires the BuCor to clear the release of convicts serving life sentences with the Department of Justice.
Mar, Leila... From A1 Antonio Sanchez, there has been no report of anyone challenging the government’s interpretation of the law, or the Supreme Court decision that it be applied retroactively. “The government has taken its legal position on the issue. This position will be reflected in the new implementing rules and regulation [IRR] of RA 10592,” he said. The DOJ and the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued a joint department order on Aug. 29 to temporarily
Pasig River so the fish will grow fat,” Duterte said. Duterte said Goitia was flaunting that he will be transferred to the Bureau of Customs, and has begun asking for money and trying to corner supply contracts. The President said he will also fire a female official who heads an economic office. “I will remove another official.
Though she is not corrupt, but she is not in parity with performance in handling an economic office. I have to change it,” Duterte said. Goitia’s relief came a week after he transferred the chairmanship of the PRRC to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which used to beheaded by the Department of Budget and Management.
Suicide bomber was part of Sayyaf group—AFP the mastermind and financier of the Jan. 27 Jolo Cathedral bombing that killed 23 people and injured more than 100 others. In other developments: Malacañang on Tuesday raised concern over another suicide bombing on a military detachment in Mindanao, the third incident in the country this year. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the defense capabilities of the government should improve to avoid a repeat of similar incidents in the future. “It’s a matter of concern, of course. Anything that will show a rise in terror-
ism in any area of this country is always a matter of concern, and we hope our security will improve more on their devices to stop this,” Panelo told reporters. The suicide bomb attack on a military camp Sunday is an indication of the Abu Sayyaf Group’s desperation to sow fear among Sulu residents because of its dwindling membership. This was according to Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander who said it was ironic that the ASG was projecting to be a Muslim advocate for change but practicing acts forbidden by the Muslim faith. Arevalo said. With MJ Blancaflor and PNA
Lacson said, the inmates are free to rest. “In a hospital, the environment is different. You’re not too restricted,” he said. In a separate interview, Senator Christopher Go said he had requested the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation to check on the reported sale of hospital passes in the Muntinlupa penitentiary, saying the inmates were conducting drug transactions inside the hospital. He also asked the BuCor if prisoners are still allowed to keep their cellphones, which they use for their illegal activities. He said most of these illegal drug transactions take place at the hospital’s Medical Ward 3, Medical Annex and Building 14. He said he knew of eight people using different aliases who conducted their drug business from the hospital ward, but declined to name them. Go described one of the sources of his information as a high-profile inmate but said he was not one of those who testified against Senator Leila de Lima. Go said he had informed President Rodrigo Duterte about the hospital passes. Senator Ronald dela Rosa said he did not believe in the hospital scam at first, until he learned that Amin Boratong
of the Pasig shabu tiangge and another high-profile inmate were always admitted to the NBP Hospital. “So when I arrived there [NBP] I checked on the high-profile inmates in the hospital who are from Building 14 [the facility for convicted drug suspects],” he said. Dela Rosa said he then ordered those confined at the NBP Hospital who came from Building 14 to return to their detention facility. “I don’t care what you are sick with,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino. “If you’re sick, get the doctor to go to Building 14. Not here, because you’re using the hospital for your drug transactions.” He said Boratong has been in the hospital for a year and has returned to it several times. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a thorough investigation and case build-up on the reported “hospital pass for sale.” “If evidence warrants [the NBI is directed] to file the appropriate charges against persons found responsible,” the order said. The Justice secretary also required NBI Director Dante Gierran to submit progress reports on the investigation directly to his office. With Rey E. Requejo
The World Mosquito Program has pioneered a method where male and female Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes are infected with the disease-resistant bacteria called Wolbachia before being released into the wild. In a matter of weeks, baby mosquitoes are born carrying Wolbachia, which acts as a disease buffer for the bugs—making it harder for them to pass on not only dengue, but Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. First trialled in northern Australia, it’s been tested in nine countries around the globe, including in Vietnam where early results are promising. “We have seen a remarkable reduction of dengue cases after the release,” explained Nguyen Binh Nguyen, project coordinator for WMP in Nha Trang. His team set free around half a million Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes last year in Vinh Luong, a crowded dengue-prone district in southern Vietnam. Since the trials, dengue cases are down 86 percent in Vinh Luong compared to nearby resort town Nha Trang. That’s a major relief for Cong Thi Thu, an accountant who along with her two children suffered an intense bout of dengue in 2016, flooring the family for weeks. She worries less after the trials but still makes her kids sleep under nets and no longer leaves stagnant water to collect in the pots around her garden, which offer ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
“I feel at ease now, 70 to 80 percent safe, but I still have to be careful,” Thu said from her leafy compound. No immunity Today, mosquitoes still buzz about in the open-air shops, cafes and homes of Vinh Luong, but the majority in the test areas now carry Wolbachia compared to none before the trials, WMP said. Convincing wary residents like Thu, along with health officials and ethics boards, that the mosquitoes won’t make them sick was not an easy task. Residents have long suscribed to the official motto “no mosquitoes, no larvae, no dengue” to avoid the virus, dubbed “breakbone fever” because of its severe flu-like symptoms. Dengue is passed along to humans by infected mosquitoes, which thrive in crowded, hot and humid neighborhoods like Thu’s. Cases have surged not only in Vietnam this year but across Southeast Asia, with around 670,000 infected and more than 1,800 people dead in the region, according to an AFP tally of national and World Health Organization data. Experts say it’s the worst outbreak in years. Warmer weather is one factor—temperatures in July 2019 were the hottest ever recorded globally, and mosquitoes love hot weather—coupled with the introduction of new dengue strains that have spread among populations with no immunity. Long-term trends are also at play: Breakneck urbanisation in Asian megacities, a massive increase in international travel and trade and the cyclical
nature of outbreaks. “That creates the perfect ingredients for the dengue epidemic to happen,” Rachel Lowe, assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, told AFP. Even the widespread use of plastics has contributed—as things like garden pots and takeout containers collect water they create perfect breeding pools for mosquitoes.
suspend the implementation of the GCTA until their joint committee has completed a review of the IRR and guidelines. The joint committee is expected to issue a report on Sept. 12. The Philippine National Police said 130 convicts released under the GCTA law have surrendered to various police offices while two others surrendered to the Special Action Forces (SAF) in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, as of Monday afternoon. PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, said 25 of the surrenderers have been turned over to the Bureau of Corrections while they are still process-
ing the documents of the others. Banac said a total of 1,914 heinous crime convicts were released through the GCTA but said they have yet to receive an official copy of the list from BuCor. Banac said they are hoping that all of the 1,914 convicts will surrender within the 15-day grace period set by President Rodrigo Duterte. “We already know their last addresses and these will be looked into by our tracker teams,” Banac said in Filipino. “Don’t wait for the 15-day grace period, surrender now to the nearest police station in your area,” he urged the convicts. With PNA
By Joyce Pangco Pañares THE female suicide bomber who died after detonating a bomb outside a military camp in Indanan, Sulu, on Sunday was part of the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hajan Sawadjaan, Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said Tuesday. He said security forces were monitoring 60 more possible foreign terrorists operating in Mindanao. “The indication is that she is part of the group of Sawadjaan,・ Arevalo said in a radio interview. Sawadjaan was earlier tagged as
Hospital... From A1 “And there is still the board and lodging amounting to P30,000 a day,” Lacson added. Lacson, former Philippine National Police chief, said this would not be possible without a certification from a doctor. Because of this, Lacson said he would ask Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Blue Ribbon committee and the justice committee, to issue invitations or summonses to doctors manning the NBP Hospital. Gordon’s committee is conducting a probe on the sale of good conduct credits, which was uncovered following the aborted release of convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez. “We were just talking about the minimum facility [at the NBP] based on what [Yolanda] Camilon revealed. We have to tackle the maximum security facility in the NBP. And I hope we will get there in due time,” Lacson said. He said they will get the medical records at the NBP Hospital to establish the perennials admitted to the hospital and their length of stay. Once admitted to the NBP Hospital,
Mosquito... From A1
Reinvasion
Wolbachia was first discovered by scientists in the 1920s in mosquitoes living in the drainage system beneath the Harvard University School of Public Health. Found in 60 percent of all insect species—including dragonflies, fruit flies and moths—the bacteria was mostly ignored until the 1970s when researchers discovered it could be used to prevent the spread of disease by bugs. Over the years scientists have conducted anti-dengue experiments with Wolbachia-laden mosquitoes with varied success, but now WMP hopes its approach will stick. It is one of the only organisations in the world seeking to repopulate colonies with Wolbachia-infected mosquitos to fight dengue, estimated to spread to as many as 100 million people globally every year. Other groups, including in Singapore and Malaysia, are using Wolbachia but only in male mosquitoes who render female eggs infertile—a method that aims to suppress the mosquito population, which rarely lasts. AFP
Poe, Tugade... From A1 to address Metro Manila’s worsening traffic problem. In his opening speech, Tugade said had the emergency powers been granted during the first three years of the Duterte administration, they would have done so many things to resolve the traffic jam. “We are hoping that now, they would give attention to the emergency powers we have been asking,” said Tugade, adding that the emergency powers the
Vaping catches fire: Injury cases on rise THE Food and Drug Administration is calling on the hospitals under the Health department to report any cases of illness or injury related to the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping amid the rising number of such cases in other countries. “The FDA requests all DOH-retained hospitals to immediately communicate relevant case reports of injuries and illnesses documented arising from the use of these devices,” the FDA said. The agency said this was in the interest of evidence-based policy development and in line with the emerging report of electronic cigarette-related injuries and illnesses from Europe and North America. And amid the rising death toll in the United States related to vaping, Filipino medical experts have an raised alarm on this concern and urged Congress to raise the taxes on e-cigarettes. Action on Smoking and Health Executive Director Maricar Limpin called on lawmakers in the Philippines to pursue a significant increase in the tax on heated tobacco products and aerosol products. “Taxation is proven to be effective in discouraging the consumption of sin products such as alcohol and tobacco, particularly among the youth,” Limpin said. In the Senate, Senator Manny Pacquiao has filed Senate Bill 987 proposing to tax HTPs and vape in the same rate as traditional cigarettes effective next year at P45. The FDA said the use of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems are under the purview of the agency based on Republic Act 9711. “In compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, it is expected that the information provided will be anonymized in as much as they are thorough and extensive,” the agency said. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in August issued an advisory, cautioning the public against the purchase and use of vaping ingredients from the street and to stop modifying either nicotine or cannabis e-cigarette in an effort to curb the reportedly rising cases of vaping-related sicknesses in 25 US states. As of Aug. 27, US health authorities have monitored 215 possible cases of pulmonary illnesses, and all patients have reported using e-cigarette products. According to the USCDC, e-cigarettes can contain harmful or potentially harmful substances including nicotine, heavy metals such as lead, volatile organic compounds and cancer-causing chemicals. Macon Ramos-Araneta
Duterte... From A1 problem within my term,” the President said. In August, the President warned of a “very radical change” that would lead to “a little trouble” for communist rebels in the coming months. “I’m serving notice to everybody that in the coming months, it will be not really bloody, but there will be at least, a little trouble for our country,” the President said. CPP founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison, for his part, belittled the all-outwar order of President Duterte. “He has done that before in 2016 to 2017 even when he was pretending to be pushing for peace negotiations. But he has always failed in his deadlines to end the revolutionary movement,” Sison told Manila Standard. Duterte said he was “hurt” when NPA rebels killed four policemen in Negros Oriental in July. “I am hurt. Despite our kind treatment, you killed my policemen and slashed their throats,” he said. The President earlier offered a P6million bounty for the capture of those behind the brutal killing of the four police officers. Duterte administration were seeking had unique features and good for two to three years. He said the grant of emergency powers would provide for the immediate adoption of policy directions that would “normally require the amendment of existing laws and ordinances,” But Poe said there were alternative modes of procurement allowed under existing laws to which Tugade agreed. However, Tugade said the procurement could be faster with emergency powers. Poe hastily contradicted Tugade and blurted out, “it won’t be faster.” With MJ Blancaflor and PNA
News
A3
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
NUJP, OVP condemn arson attack on ‘Abante’
3 Korean crewmen of ship rescued
By Joel E. Zurbano and Rio N. Araja THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and the Office of the Vice President on Tuesday condemned the arson attack on the printing plant of the Abante News Group that left two workers slightly injured Monday in Parañaque City. An ocular inspection report from arson investigators Senior Fire Officer 1 Giovanni Corbes and Fire Officer 3 Gennie Huidem showed that “multiple fire origins were established in the fire scene.” The report stated that “A prima facie evidence of arson was present since incendiary devices and pieces of evidence such as two plastic gallons with alleged gasoline were found in the fire scene during the conduct of investigation.” The investigators also reported that the blaze destroyed about P50,000 worth of property. “Further, pieces of evidence such as one transparent plastic gallon, one galloon 4 liters (red), two tin can ashes / debris, and one (1) long lighter (yellow) were submitted to the Arson Laboratory Service for laboratory examination,” they said. Ibarra Gutierrez, spokesperson for Vice President Leni Robredo, in a statement said: “We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the recent attack by armed men on the Abante printing offices. This brazen assault cannot be allowed to pass unchallenged because a free press is essential in a free nation. “A free press is essential in a free nation, and this attempt to intimidate and silence Abante, the leading Filipino language publication in our country, must be resisted by all freedom-loving Filipinos.” “This attempt to intimidate and silence Abante, the leading Filipino language publication in our country, must be resisted by all freedom-loving Filipinos. We call on the authorities to act swiftly on this matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.” The authorities invited all witnesses and complainants to the Bureau of Fire Protection and to file a case of arson before the Parañaque City prosecutors office. “We are thankful that no serious harm was done to both the workers and the facility, which Abante managing editor Fernando Jadulco said would continue operating normally,” the NUJP said in a statement.
Consumers,... From A1
While the Department of Agriculture earlier confirmed the presence of ASF in hogs in some parts of the country, the DOH noted that ASF was not a risk to human health. “We want to allay the fears of the public by saying that, as long as pork is bought from reliable sources and it is cooked thoroughly, pork is safe to eat,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a statement. According to the World Organization for Animal Health or Office International des Epizooties, ASF is a severe and highly contagious viral disease among domestic and wild pigs. Amid the ASF scare, Senator Imee Marcos called on authorities to be vigilant against the smuggling of pork. Marcos called on all concerned government agencies to guarantee the safety of the public on top of ensuring there was enough supply of pork in the local market. The neophyte senator issued the statement after Agriculture Secretary William Dar announced that 14 out of the 20 blood samples of pigs from Rodriguez Rizal, Guiguinto, Bulacan and Antipolo city were found positive for ASF. Because of this, she told the Philippine Ports Authority and fhe Bureau of Customs to strictly monitor and watch all ports of entry in the country to make sure that smuggled meat products possibly contaminated with ASF cannot enter the country. She also alerted the Department of Agriculture and DTI to ensure there was enough supply of pork and no spike in the price of pork due to the ASF scare. She also asked the PNP, Bureau of Quarantine and National Meat Inspection to guard pork coming from backyard piggery. She said it is important to be sure that meat products that are being prepared by Filipinos during Christmas are free from ASF. Dar said 7,416 pigs from Antipolo, Rodriguez, Rizal and Guiguinto, Bulacan were culled the past months.
BUDGET DELIBERATION. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (center) discusses Tuesday with House Speaker Rep. Alan Petet Cayetano (left) and Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago the flow of budget deliberation at the plenary of the House of Representatives during the caucus of the majority at Nograles Hall. Ver Noveno
House to pass 2020 nat’l budget, says Romualdez “We assure the Filipino taxpayers that the 2020 budget will be a reflection not only of the President’s vision, but also of the people’s will,” said Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules. Romualdez said “the passage of President Duterte’s 2020 proposed national budget will marshal a budget for meaningful change.” At the same time, Romualdez maintained that the House leaders “are committed to pass a constitutionally compliant national budget. The House leadership will comply with the Supreme Court decisions that outlawed the Priority Development Assistance Fund [PDAF] and the Disbursement Acceleration Program [DAP].” In related developments: • Government workers from national
agencies under the banner of the All Government Employees Unity took to Senate Tuesday their fight for a substantial pay hike, following what it called the ‘sly’ approval of the 2020 budget by the House appropriations committee. According to the committee chairman, the P4.1-trillion proposed spending program was endorsed unanimously by the executive house body following a closed-door meeting on Monday. “While we do not want a repeat of the record delay in the 2018 General Appropriations Act approval, the people’s coffers should not be handled in haste. Transparency and accountability should not be sacrificed for their selfimposed deadline,” slammed Santiago Dasmariñas Jr. National President of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and
Advancement of Government Employees. Public sector education workers from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines also raised that the proposed 2020 funding still contained questionable allocations, such as the ‘measly’ P31-billion pay hike budget for 1.5-million government employees, with more than half of those belonging to public school teachers. “The House committee has just robbed us of hope like a thief in the night. We were banking on the 2020 budget deliberations to give our just demand for substantial salary increase a fair chance but our legislators failed us,” lamented Joselyn Martinez, ACT Philippines chairperson. • The House leadership Monday night endorsed for Senate action President Rodrigo Duterte’s two priority bills aimed at ensuring the country’s high and sustainable economic growth performance. The House, led by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, House Majority Leader Romualdez and Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, approved Monday night on third and final reading House Bill 304 or the “Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act [PIFITA],” and HB 300 or the “Amendment of the Foreign Investments Act [FIA].”
Ombudsman...
Maximum Security Compound chief overseer; CO1 Jomar Coria, NBP South Reformation coordinator; Insp. Roy Vivo, Maximum Security Compound chief of guards; Senior Supt. Wilfredo Bayona, NBP South deputy superintendent; CO3 John Edward Basi, Reformation and Rehabilitation Office assistant chief at the NBP Maximum Security Compound; Insp. Abel Ciruela, Maximum Security Compound chief; Insp. Roger Boncales of NBP North; PGII Eduardo Cabuhat, Training and Education Office officer in charge; Dr. Ma. Lourdes Razon, Medical and Dental Office officer in charge; Mary Lou Arbatin, Behavior Modification Office chief; Susana Ortega, Prison Industry Office officer in charge at the Maximum Security Compound; PGIII Anthony Nupable Omega, Sports and Recreation Office officer in charge at the Maximum Security Compound; PGII Antonio Calumpit, Maximum Security Compound overseer; Supt. Roberto Rabo, NBP superintendent; Insp. Jones Lanuza, reformation deputy superintendent at the NBP; SO1 Victor de Monteverde, Alternative Learning System chief at the Maximum SecurityCompound, Maribel Bancil, correctional senior inspector at the NBP, and Veronica Buño, Custodial Officer at the NBP. Two of those tagged for suspension are already dead. Abunales was killed on Sept.
17, 2013, while Rabo died Feb. 24. The Bureau of Corrections will immediately serve to its 27 officials the order of the Office of the Ombudsman placing them under preventive suspension without pay for six months. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra made the assurance, saying BuCor officerin-charge Deputy Director General for Security and Operations Melvin Ramon Buenafe will execute the serving of the notices of preventive suspension to the concerned BuCor officials. “The DOJ has officially received today the Ombudsman’s order dated 09 September 2019 for the preventive suspension for six months without pay of 27 BuCor officials who are respondents in OMB-C-A-19-0183 for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” Guevarra said. “The DOJ, through its oversight committee, will direct the BuCoR OIC to serve the notices of preventive suspension and implement it immediately,” he added. Guevarra also instructed Buenafe to undertake measures to ensure that the suspension of the 27 BuCor officials would not disrupt the day-to-day operations at the national penitentiary. “We will confer with the OIC and find ways to continue normal operations with the least disruption,” he said.
By Maricel V. Cruz
T
HE leadership of the House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to pass a constitutionally compliant national government budget, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said Tuesday.
From A1
the function of the Director General” while then BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon was away. Martires said Santos, Nalva and Marquez have been charged with grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. “Testimonies of witnesses and the public documents gathered disclose that respondents, in [his/her] official capacity, and in the course of the performance of his public functions, allowed the questionable release of prison convicts in violation of the provisions of Republic Act No. 10592,” the Ombudsman’s decision read. On Monday, Martires issued a sixmonth preventive suspension order on Chief Supt. Gerardo Padilla; Senior Supt. Celso Bravo; SPO2 Ramoncito Roque; Insp. Benjamin Barrios, Maximum Security Group supervisor; PSII Francisco Abunales, New Bilibid Prison superintendent; Senior Supt. Melencio Faustino, regional superintendent of Davao Prison and Penal Farm; Cherry Caliston, Documents Division chief at the Davao Penal Colony and Farm; Ruelito Pulmano, liason officer; Insp. Emerita Aguilar, Reformation and Rehabilitation Office chief; Insp. Raymund Peneyra,
SC Justice... From A1
“The Presidential Electoral Tribunal has concluded and finished the recount and revision of ballots in the three test provinces of Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Camarines Sur involving 5,415 election precincts,” the PET said. “However, the tribunal has not taken any action yet on the said report of Justice Caguioa,” it added. In his electoral protest, Marcos said he can prove that irregularities marred the conduct of the 2016 polls in the said provinces. Caguioa is the member-in-charge or ponente of the case. Last week, Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin assured the public that the Tribunal is not dragging its feet in the resolution of the electoral protest. According to Bersamin, the PET is just being careful since it involves much more than just a mere decision but also the integrity and credibility of the electoral and judicial processes. But he said then that Caguioa will soon file his report on the revision process of the
ballots from the three pilot provinces. After the Tribunal finishes its recount in the pilot provinces, it will decide whether to proceed in the vote revision on a total of 132,446 precincts in 39,221 clustered precincts covering 27 provinces and cities identified in Marcos’ election protest. Last July, the Tribunal dismissed the urgent motion filed by Robredo seeking the dismissal of Marcos’ election protest for being premature. In her urgent motion, Robredo through her legal counsel Romulo Macalintal, said there was a need for the PET to resolve all the pending incidents as she claimed her lead against Marcos even increased by more than 15,000 votes after the revision, recount and reappreciation of the ballots in the three pilot provinces. Last month, Marcos also asked the PET to set his electoral protest for preliminary conference following the completion of revisions in the three pilot provinces. Marcos, through his lawyer George Garcia, said there was a need for the Tribunal to set the preliminary conference considering that it completed the revision in the said provinces last Feb. 8. Meanwhile, Hosaka, citing the sub judice rule, reminded both parties not to discuss the
THREE South Korean crew members of a massive cargo ship were rescued on Monday after a hole was cut into the steel hull of the capsized vessel, the US Coast Guard said. According to the South Korean foreign ministry, 13 of the rescued crew members were from the Philippines, six from South Korea and one an American. The four trapped crew members were all South Koreans. A rescue operation was ongoing for the fourth trapped member of the crew of the m/v Golden Ray, which listed and caught fire in St. Simons Sound off the coast of Brunswick, Georgia. US Coast Guard Captain John Reed told reporters the fourth crew member was “stuck behind glass in an engineering control room” of the vessel, which is lying on its side after capsizing on Sunday. “We’re going to find a way to safely extract him,” Reed said. Nineteen members of the crew of the m/v Golden Ray and an American harbor pilot were rescued on Sunday after the cargo ship became disabled and capsized. Rescue efforts were called off during the night because of the fire, leaving four crew members trapped in the engine room of the vessel. Reed said the Coast Guard had made contact with the trapped crew members on Monday by tapping on the side of the ship. A two-foot by three-foot (0.6 meter by one meter) hole was then cut into the hull to rescue them. Reed said they were in relatively good condition “for having spent 34, 35 hours in the conditions they were in. AFP
Tulfo faces 5 libel charges By Rio N. Araja
merits of the case to the media. “The Tribunal would like to again remind the parties that they are still subject to the subjudice rule pursuant to its resolution dated Feb. 13, 2018 and March 20, 2018. Hence, they are strictly ordered to refrain from making any public statements to the media with regard to the case,” he said. Meanwhile, the online report indicating Caguioa was “under intense pressure” from the majority of his colleagues in the Supreme Court to rule in favor of the protest filed by Marcos against Robredo is nothing but “fake” news aimed at raising doubts on the impartiality of the SC justices, who concurrently constituted the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. A highly-placed source at the PET, who is privy to the electoral process involving the Marcos poll protest, denounced the report published in a news website as “false” and “hogwash” intended to “sow confusion” and “raise doubts” on the independence and impartiality of the PET justices.
ANOTHER official from the Bureau of Internal Revenue has filed five counts of libel, five counts of incriminatory machination, six counts of cyber libel and six counts of cyber forgery or computer-related forgery against columnist Ramon Tulfo before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. In a 36-page complaint, Assistant Commissioner for Client Support Services Teresita Angeles insisted she was not the woman behind the “manufactured video recording” that caused furor on social media, saying Tulfo had spread false accusations against her. The charges stemmed from Tulfo’s Aug. 6 column in The Manila Times —“In My Line of Sight”—regarding the video recording that contained conversations “between a man and a woman” and was posted on his social media account. Angeles said the video “was manufactured, [and] that the conversation contained therein never happened” about having a relationship since she and another BIR employee were not the persons referred to. The complainant wanted Tulfo to indemnify her P40 million in moral and exemplary damages, apart from attorney’s fees and litigation expenses. She also implicated the executives of The Manila Times. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the nominations of the following officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines: Connor Anthony D. Canlas Sr., (AFP), Adriano S. Perez Jr. (AFP), Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., (AFP) and Ferdinand M. Cartujano (AFP) Major General; Adeluis S. Bordado (AFP), Ramil Roberto B. Enriquez (AFP) and Alberto B. Carlos (AFP) - Rear Admiral; Raul S. Ciño, CHS (MSA), Vener Odilon D. Mariano, PA (MNSA), Fernando V. Felipe, PA (MNSA), Rodolfo B. Lavadia Jr., PA (GSC), Rene Raoul Rommel DC Honasan, PAF (GSC), Efren P. Baluyot, PA (GSC), Ferdinand M. Fraginal, PN(M) (MNSA), Pablo E. Rustria Jr., PAF (GSC), Maurito L. Licudine, PA (GSC), Joselyn R. Bandarlipe, PA (GSC), William L. Ilagan, PA (GSC) and Royland M. Orquia, PA (GSC) - Brigadier General; Jose Ambrosio Q. Ezpeleta, PN (GSC) and Danilo G. Fuentes Jr., PN (GSC) - Commodore
The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty - two (32) copies on the above nominations to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 834-2713, 831-1824, 831-0527, 832-9830, 834-2706 and 551-1989. 10 September 2019.
(MS-SEPT. 11, 2019)
HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary
Opinion
A4 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Mass media awards
I FEEL nostalgic about my friends who have passed on: Antonio Cabangon Chua, Leonardo Siguion-Reyna and Ka Imon Cuevas. I also realized it was Tony’s birthday last Aug. 30. The following day, Aug. 31, was the birthday of Jaime Cardinal Sin, who was Tony’s good friend. Today a legacy of that firm and strong friendship continues in the Catholic Mass Media Awards. Both Tony and Cardinal Sin believed in the power of mass media in bringing about social and spiritual renewal and transformation.
The CMMA has lived up to Cardinal Sin’s vision—encouraging mass media workers to uphold and promote Christian values through outstanding work. Establishing the CMMA in 1978, Car Cardinal Sin described the awards as “a trib tribute to those who are serving God through media.” The CMMA has lived up to Cardinal’s vision for over 40 years, encouraging mass media workers to uphold and promote Christian values in the most outstanding way. In this, the Cardinal had the full support of Tony who was named CMMA president and chairman in 2000. He held the position until his demise on March 11, 2016. Tony’s efforts to inspire mass media workers to promote love of God, love of truth, respect for the environment,
Adelle Chua, Editor
EDITORIAL
love of life and Filipino ideals continue under the leadership of his son, D. Edgard A. Cabangon, who is the current chairman. I wish the CMMA success! *** I am reminded of the time I organized PATAS, the Pambansang Akademya sa Telebisyon sa Agham at Sining in November 1973, after my stint as founder and first president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas. The KBP is very much alive today. I heard from some insiders that the annual awards given by several bodies were actually dictated by the producers and directors themselves, together with talent and account managers, and entertainment columnists. I had the idea to pattern the annual awards after the Oscars. Judges would be from the various sectors in the industry: performers, technicians, artists, advertisproducers, network executives, advertis Beneers, government. I was with Bobby Bene dicto-managed Channels 2, 4, 9 and 13. I met with producers, directors and workers of the industry, heads of mass communication programs in universities, etc. They bought the idea. I had a plan for mass communication graduates to take their practicum in the different TV stations. GMA 7 was already operating that time. We organized the Board of Trustees chairwith Press Secretary Kit Tatad as chair man, with the following members: Greg PasCendena, Antonio Barriero, Quintin Pas trana, Jose Carpio, Antonio de Joya, Fr. Alberto Ampil, Francisco Joaquin, Ray Pedroche, Freddie Garcia and myself. We also had a special Board of Advisers: Teodoro Valencia and Elizabeth Lorenzana Diaz. The first PATAS awards were given on April 29, 1976 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. I recall there was a rally at that time organized by some entertainment columnists and talent managers who used to control the awards, We called the PATAS Awards the Sinag Awards, symbol for outstanding artistic
Deeds better than words
B
Y the stroke of a pen, President Rodrigo Duterte has approved a law making July 25 National Campus Press Freedom Day.
The law, signed on Aug. 28 and made public this week, states that safeguarding campus journalism is part of the government’s role to protect the constitutionally-guaranteed right to freedom of expression, speech, and the press. “As part of media, the campus press is an important institution in promoting and protecting the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression,” the law states. These are noble principles, of course, but campus and professional journalists alike would no doubt prefer to see them upheld by the government every day as a matter of course, and not merely observed once a year. Just last month, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines condemned the police harassment of the official student publication of the University of Eastern Philippines, The Pillar, when four men visited the publica-
tion’s office and interrogated the editor in chief about a candle-lighting ceremony it had organized for the victims of recent Negros Island killings. Later, police told university officials that the ceremony had been “infiltrated” and posed a threat to campus security. In the same month, officials of the Philippine National Police and several universities met to discuss the proposed presence of security forces on campuses and its effects on academic freedom. The police push into campuses is purportedly aimed at stopping communist groups from recruiting members into their ranks— but has also been denounced as part of government efforts to red-tag leftist groups. Beyond the campuses, the government’s track record in safeguarding journalists hasn’t been all that impressive. In May, the former dean of the UP
College of Mass Communication, Luis Tedoro, said there have been at least 128 recorded threats and attacks against members of the press since President Rodrigo Duterte became President. The rate of harassment and assaults has so far been unprecedented, he said. The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranked the Philippines 134th out of 180 countries this year in its World Press Freedom Index, while the International Federation of Journalists said last year the Philippines was the deadliest peacetime country for journalists in Southeast Asia. This administration, meanwhile, has gone to court to muzzle media organizations that have been critical of its performance. A day after the Campus Press Freedom Day law was announced, four armed men walked into the offices of a tabloid newspaper and tried to set its printing press on fire—certainly a graphic illustration of how government assurances don’t amount to a hill of beans if they are not backed by actual deeds.
Turn to A5
The Bureau of Incorrections SENATOR Leila de Lima is currently in detention for alleged involvement in drug trafficking at the Bureau of Corrections in Muntinlupa. But it seems there is bigger money to be made in the Good Conduct and Time Allowance racket. Prisoners convicted of heinous crimes who can afford to shell out millions of pesos are included in the GCTA list for presidential pardon. If not for Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez being included in the list of 10,000 to be pardoned and released, the pay-for-pardon racket would have escaped the public’s eye. But because Sanchez is a high-profile prisoner convicted of the murder of UP Los Baños students Allan Gomez and Eileen Sarmenta, the citizenry and media raised a ruckus. Sanchez, according to police and court records raped Eileen Sarmenta and then gave her to his police body guards to be further subjected to multiple rape. Her boyfriend Allan Gomez was tortured and murdered. In an interview on ANC, lawyer and former Justice Undersecretary Ramon Esguerra said it is not enough that Bureau of Corrections Director Nicanor Faeldon has been fired by President Rodrigo Duterte. Esguerra said Faeldon must be charged criminally and made to answer for the GCTA mess. At the Senate inquiry last week, a witness tagged a prison guard as having asked for P50,000 as down payment for her husband to be included in the list of prisoners to be pardoned. The witness claimed that the prison official took the money but did not deliver on his assurance her husband would be released. The official denied her allegations. Another high-profile convicts included in the pardons list were the rapist killers of the Chiong sisters in
Cebu. More than 100 released convicts have surrendered to authorities. The way things are so messy, the GCTA should be suspended and the death penalty restored to prevent individuals convicted of heinous crimes from being released. It is also a way of decongesting the national penitentiary where all kinds of irregularities are going on like special treatment of those who can pay the jail guards to keep their cellphones, likely to still run their drug trafficking from inside and make money outside.
What we have is obviously not the right formula. Incidentally, whatever happened to the proposal of former Rep. Renato Diaz to transfer the National Penitentiary or build an extension facility near an army camp in Nueva Ecija? That seems like a sound idea. I wonder why the Department of Justice and Secretary Menardo Guevarra is not pursuing it. To have a prison facility near an army camp is a good idea because the area would be secure, and make prisoners think twice about escaping. The primary concern in running a national penitentiary is to make sure it is not congested, wherein hardened criminals are mixed with minor offenders. That would be like making the light offenders go through a finishing school for major criminals. Incarceration should be looked at as a place for rehabilitation for convicts to have a reformed life when they are released to rejoin civil society. Sociologists know this and are working on prisoners to change their lives. But government mindset works the other way around. So most of our prisons directors are either former police chiefs or military officials. The continued anomalies at the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa has shown us that this is not the right formula.
Hospitals in Zimbabwe grapple with Mugabe’s legacy By Béatrice Debut FOR Zimbabwe's doctors, few institutions reflect their country's decay under Robert Mugabe than their public hospitals, once vaunted but now underequipped and crumbling. Latex gloves serve as urine bags, operating rooms lack light bulbs and patients are often required to refuel their own ambulances, medics say. Mugabe, who died last week in Singapore at age 95, may have swept to power as a liberation hero, but his rule was marked by economic collapse that left his people scrambling to survive. Zimbabwean doctors note the symbolism of Mugabe seeking treatment 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) from home in Singapore's gleaming Gleneagles clinic, where the cheapest suite costs around US$850 (770 euros) a day. "It is very symbolic that the former president who presided over all the system for three decades can't trust the health system," said Edgar Munatsi, a doctor at Chitungwiza, 30 kms (18
miles) from the capital Harare. "It says a lot about the current state of our health system." Mugabe's death has left many debating the legacy of a man who ended white minority rule and was initially lauded for advances in public health and education. In his nearly four-decade rule, Mugabe later brutally repressed opponents and oversaw a catastrophic mismanagement of economy that led to hyper-inflation, food shortages and misery. Mugabe was not alone in seeking overseas care. Current Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is away for several weeks of treatment in China. It is not hard to see why. In Chitungwiza hospital, a glowing sign promising "Quality Health" welcomes patients, but conditions inside say otherwise: Operations are often cancelled for lack of anaesthetic, Munatsi says. The hospital recently issued an internal memo warning its poorly-paid staff against "eating food made for patients."
Two-decade crisis The situation is equally dramatic in pediatrics at Harare Central Hospital, one of Zimbabwe's top clinics. Cleaning is done only twice a week, for lack of staff and detergents, doctors told AFP. The operations are often postponed for lack of running water and nursing staff, in a country mired for two decades in economic crisis. "In theater, we have linen full of blood and feces and you can't do the laundry," said one doctor. He requested anonymity, like many of his colleagues, for fear of reprisals from President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government. Only one of three pediatric operating rooms at the central hospital is working. "We have a four-year waiting list for inguinal hernias, the most common condition in children," says one of the specialists. Without treatment, this hernia can cause male infertility. 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
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
The Villars MANUEL B. Villar Jr. may have lost the 2010 presidential election dismally after spending, by one estimate, P5 billion. After that disappointment, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives (1998-2000) and former President of the Senate (2006-2008) went back to what he knows best— housing and land development. He has been a big winner. Because two listed companies are highly valued by the stock market— Golden Bria Holdings and Vista Land and Lifescapes—the ever-smiling Manny has become the Philippines’ richest person. He is also probably the country’s largest private landowner. His wealth is estimated by BNA to be $5.9 billion. His family owns 85 percent of Golden Bria which is valued at P238 billion. Also, his family owns 69.54 percent of Vista Land and Lifescapes which is valued at P67 billion. Manny is chairman of both companies. His son, Wharton-educated Manuel Paolo A. Villar, 42, has been the president and CEO of Vista Land since 2011. Paolo has degrees in economics and applied science from the University of Pennsylvania. Manny’s younger son, Mark, 41, is the secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, implementing the P9-trillion Build, Build, Build infra program of President Rodrigo Duterte. Mark has three degrees—economics, philosophy, and political science, from UPenn. He has an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Mark has been scored by the Commission on Audit for serious underspending amid President Duterte’s much-vaunted Build, Build, Build infra program. In 2017, DPWH had a budget of P467.7 billion—a record high. Mark spent only 34.1 percent or P159.48 billion of that, leaving P308.2 billion idle. In 2018, Mark had a budget of P637.9 billion, another record high. Per COA, he spent only 39.2 percent or P250 billion of that, leaving P387.8 billion unspent. So in two years, the DPWH chief did not spend a total of P696 billion. Did you know the implication of not spending P696 billion? Quite grave.
Assuming it takes P3 million to create one job, P696 billion could have created 232,000 jobs. And 232,000 could have made 232,000 families happy or they could have been rescued from poverty. And usually, a peso of government spending generates as many as eight times of economic activity. I talked to Mark Villar about the underspending. His explanation: DPWH projects take a number of years to build or implement. One bridge alone can take three years. Just look at the Rockwell bridge. It was demolished and the Chinese are building a new one on top of it. That will take three years.
After his stint in politics, Manny has gone back to what he knows best. He has been a big winner.
Fungible tons in six months. Oversupply depressed rice prices and depressed the income of rice farmers. Angered, the rice farmers refused to plant palay. So we will soon have a rice shortage. Meantime, inflation went down to 2 percent per year. Coconut has a P100-billion fund for which many government officials are salivating to get their hands on. The P100 billion is the money paid by Danding Cojuangco for 31 percent of San Miguel Corp. shares which the government said the state owns. So Danding gave the shares to the government, converted them into preferred shares which then were redeemed back by SMC, paying the government P100 billion in cash and dividends. The money is now parked in government treasury. The law says the P100 billion should go only to the development of the coconut industry. The coconut industry is dying. Copra prices have slumped to below production cost. There are 3.4-million coconut farmers tilling 3.565 million hectares of land. Most of the farmers live below the poverty line. About 30 percent of the country’s 339-million coconut trees need to be replaced, immediately. Productivity is low, 46 nuts per tree per year, compared with 250 nuts for India, 300 nuts Mexico, and 400 nuts in Brazil. The stock market seems to value Villar’s Golden Bria, which used to be a chain of memorial parks and funeral before it went public, exceedingly—more than 200 times earnings. The market values Vista Land, the country’s largest home builder, at about 77x earnings. Manny has parlayed his more than 30 years of experience in housing building and property development to build a conglomerate with nationwide presence (more than 125 cities and towns, unmatched by any other developer), superior brand recognition, and proven track record, under five distinct business units—Brittany, Crown Asia, Camella, Communities Philippines, Vista Residences, housed under an integrated real estate holding company, Vista Land and Lifescapes. Manny has also made successful forays into malls, department stores, hardware, 24-hour convenience stores, home depots (a future IPO that could raise P20 billion), memorial parks, drug retailing, coffee shops, schools, and even medical centers, to enhance themed residential and leisure projects in his so-called Communicities.
tar During his stint at DPWH, Mark targets a spending ratio of 80 percent in a three-year period. So the P696 billion unspent could still create new jobs. Meanwhile, Manny’s wife, Cynthia, topped the senatorial elections last May 2019, with an unheard of 25.28-million votes. That makes her a viable candidate for president in 2022. In the Senate, she is focusing on agriculture and SMEs. In agriculture, Cynthia is interested in two things—rice and coconut. Rice has a so-called RCEP—Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program which means P10 billion a year of government money going to three things—agricultural machinery, high-yield seeds, and cash support to farmers. Last year, inflation rose to its highest in 11 years, to above 6 percent, because of a severe rice shortage triggered by incompetence at the National Food Authority. NFA was given P6 billion to buy rice wholesale. Instead, it spent the money to pay debts and announced there would be a rice shortage. The result was a run on rice, its price hitting its highest in 40 years. Congress reacted and passed the Rice Tariffication Law which stopped NFA monopoly on rice importation and allowed the private sector to do the importing. Private importers went on an import spree, buying more rice than they could sell—more than 2 million biznewsasia@gmail.com
Watchdog cites countries for extreme media censorship ERITREA is the world's worst country for press censorship, a media watchdog said Tuesday in a report which also cites extreme measures in nine other countries including North Korea, China and Saudi Arabia. Under the three worst regimes—Eritrea, North Korea, and Turkmenistan— the media "serves as a mouthpiece of the state, and any independent journalism is conducted from exile," said a report by the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Other countries on the list of the 10 worst regimes for media "use a combination of blunt tactics like harassment and arbitrary detention as well as sophisticated surveillance and targeted hacking to silence the independent press," the report said. Saudi Arabia, China, Vietnam, and Iran were cited for "jailing and harassing journalists and their families, while also engaging in digital monitoring and censorship of the internet and social media," the group said.
The rankings were based on factors including restrictions on privately owned or independent media; criminal defamation laws; restrictions on the dissemination of false news; blocking of websites; surveillance of journalists by authorities; license requirements for media; and targeted hacking or trolling. "The Internet was supposed to make censorship obsolete, but that hasn’t happened," said CPJ executive director Joel Simon. "Many of the world's most censored countries are highly wired, with active online communities. These governments combine old-style brutality with new technology, often purchased from Western companies, to stifle dissent and control the media." The report covers 10 countries where the government tightly controls the media, including Equatorial Guinea, Belarus, and Cuba. It noted that in other countries including war-ravaged nations such as Syria, Yemen, and Somalia, conditions for the media are "extremely difficult, but not
necessarily attributable solely to government censorship." In Eritrea, the report noted, the state retains a legal monopoly of broadcast media and journalists' alternative sources of information, such as the Internet or satellite broadcasts of radio stations in exile, are restricted via governmentcontrolled Internet services. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has stepped up the use of radio signalblockers and advanced radio detection equipment to prevent people from sharing information, CPJ said. The group said Saudi Arabia's already-repressive environment for thepress has "suffered sharp deterioration" under de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the report. China has the most sophisticated censorship apparatus, according to CPJ, which noted that Chinese Internet users are blocked by the "Great Firewall" and that authorities monitor domestic social media networks and conduct surveillance of international journalists. AFP
Hospitals...
resigned. "It's pathetic," says Saratiel Marandani, a 49-year-old street vendor who had to buy a dressing for his mother. Given her age, she should receive free health care. But the reality is starkly different. "Only the consultations are free (...) if you need paracetamol, you need to buy it yourself." His mother will have to do without the ultrasound she needs. At 1,000 Zimbabwean dollars or 100 euros, it's beyond his reach. Doctors say they sometimes have to pay out of their own pocket for patients' medication, or even just their bus ticket home. At Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, Lindiwe Banda lays prostrate on her bed. A diabetic, she was given the green light to go home. But on condition she paid her bill. "But I do not even have five Zimba-
bwean dollars (less than one euro) to pay for the transport," she said in tears. "I can't reach my relatives. I think they have dumped me. They don't have money, but they should show some love." If hospitals and patients are penniless, doctors too cannot escape Zimbabwe's ruin. Medics have just begun their latest protest to demand a pay rise after salaries lost 15 times their value in a few months and consumer prices spiralled out of control. "We are incapacitated," says Peter Magombeyi, a doctor whose salary is the equivalent 115 euros a month—a pittance that requires to do odd jobs to get by. "We are very aware" of the problems, says Prosper Chonzi, the director of health services in Harare. "The health system reflects the economy of the country." AFP
From A4
Drug shortages, obsolete equipment and lack of staff: the mix is sometimes deadly. "It is heart-breaking when you lose patients who are not supposed to die under normal circumstances," Munatsi said. Pathetic Since the early 1990s, the public health system has steadily deteriorated, whereas before, people came from overseas to be treated in Zimbabwe, recalls one senior doctor. That is a legacy of the Mugabe years as the country was tipped into endless economic crisis—three-digit inflation, currency devaluations, and shortages of commodities. In hospitals, patients and loved ones who experience the situation daily, are
A5
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
sift through the rice grains to determine quality vis-à-vis the price he is being charged with? Unless you are from the NFA quality control department, or a taal na Novo Ecijano like the Dos por Dos broadcast couple Tunying and Gerry who grew IN THE continuing debate on the mer- up amid rice fields, you will likely be its and demerits of the country’s new unable to distinguish. To the city-bred C, D and E income rice policy, people and media will need to understand that rice is basically a classes, basta bigas. Lamang tiyan. And so, when we are told to patronfungible commodity. Fungibility is the property of a com- ize locally-grown rice to help our poor, modity that makes it interchangeable struggling farmers, how would we or indistinguishable from another of know the difference between local and imported, or mix-mix? We are left to its kind. Strictly speaking though, there are the tender mercies of the market. Some farmers’ groups assail the Rice different types or grades of rice. EasTariffication Law ily visible to the and claim that panaked eye is polpa lay has gone down ished white rice to the ridiculous as against unpolFungibility is depths of P5 to P7 ished brown rice. the property of a per kilo ex-farm. Just like many Well, unless the Filipinos have commodity that makes farm is so inacbeen consumers it interchangeable or that buyof refined white indistinguishable from cessible ers will spend too sugar which is unmuch to reach a healthy compared another of its kind. few sacks of pato brown or un-relay, the claims are fined sugar, brown unpolished rice is a lot healthier than quite exaggerated. But definitely, buybuy ing prices of palay have gone down by polished white rice. But eating habits cannot change eas- as much as half of last year’s when we ily. What we mostly consume is long- mismanaged our rice economies. NFA is being tasked to buy as much grain polished rice, although this is again to be distinguished from the rice from farmers, but has anyone highly priced basmati which has longer bothered to do the math? With a P7grains. What the Japanese and Tai- billion budget, at the adjusted price wanese prefer is short grain, which is of P20 per kilo, that can buy only rounded along the tips, and rather soft- 350,000 tons. Now that the DA has re-calibrated buying price at P17 per er and stickier. But other than these obvious differ- kilo, still a subsidized prize, the P7 ences, the average consumer can hardly billion Congress has allocated can distinguish between one or the other only buy some 418,000 tons. What does that represent? Only 2 kind of rice they see in the markets. There was a time when our mothers percent of the total palay production of would smell the grains of rice before the country. Converted to rice, 418,000 tons of pabuying, the fragrance distinguished between “mabango” being newly har- lay is equivalent to only 272,000 tons, vested, and “medyo ma-anta” being or eight days of national consumption. Assuming NFA sells what it stocklaon or from an old harvest. Some of the world’s poorer nation- piled by way of imports before their alities prefer old rice, not only because “monopoly” was removed by RA it is cheaper to import, but because it 11203 last March, that inventory is expands better when boiled. Most Fili- only good for 11 days of the national pinos however prefer newly harvested consumption. Assuming further that rice, which is more fragrant. Long gone NFA bought this at roughly $400 per and remembered with nostalgia are the ton, or about P1,100 per sack of 50 kilos days when one could buy the fragrant each, add distribution cost, and at P25 and oh-so-yummy milagrosa or when wholesale price, the agency could only dinorado was genuine instead of ersatz. eke out a slim gross profit, domestic loBig local millers have started “brand- gistics factored in, of at most P2 to P3 ing” their rice years ago to command per kilo. So how will that help NFA get better prices. Some have actually been the wherewithal to buy more palay? Will Congress add to NFA’s proprotective of the quality of their produce, and even proudly tout the prov- curement budget subsidy, and by how enance, whether Nueva Ecija or Isabela much? Will the Department of Finance allow the debt-saddled NFA to borrow or from the highlands of Luzon. But marketing practices are such that more from LandBank and DBP? And then again, since the buffer types and grades of rice are pre-mixed, either on the wholesale or retail levels, stock is supposed to be 30 days, and such that consumers who go to the wet what NFA has in its warehouses is good markets for their daily or weekly pur- for 13 days (11 days imported, 2 days chases are never sure of the quality of milled palay) what happens when a rethe rice they are getting, fancy brands ally strong typhoon hits us in the “ber” months which just started? Recall that notwithstanding. Though the practice is unfair and Ondoy and Pedring came in October; reeks of profiteering at the expense of Yolanda in November, and Sendong in consumer ignorance, the reality is that December. How will we have enough rice for calamity-stricken provinces, rice is basically fungible. Whether among local millers or dis- just in case? And how will the “usual suspects”— tributors, or private importers, there is a prevalence of mixing, for instance, the cartels, the traders—take advan5 percent broken rice with 25 percent tage of the situation? Government canbrokens and getting a better price in not import in a jiffy. While this writer does not advocate the process, passing the mix as 10 percent broken rice, when it should be 15 going back to the just-abolished era of the NFA monopoly on rice imports, nor percent brokens. Broken grains are called “binlid,” can we wiggle out of WTO commitments either because the grains are of poor, now that we have lifted quantitative rechalky quality that break easy when strictions, surely we need hard answers to polished, or the milling process is infe- most of the questions raised herein. And it’s not going to be easy. rior. But would the average consumer
Mass... From A4
credibility after he fired Bureau of Corrections Chief Nicanor Faeldon and then said he was an honest and upright man. I have been asking around what people think of the President’s remark on Faeldon. They say President Duterte has been selective in applying the rules on his friends and on his enemies. To my mind, even if Faeldon had no hand in the corruption at the bureau, he was still incompetent. Imagine not being aware of what is going on in your agency! *** The decommissioning of armaments of members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as a result of the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, as far as I am concerned, is a farce. In Muslim culture, clans often fall victim to rido. Moros love their firearms. The joke is that a Moro would rather sleep with his gun than with his wife. Sure, almost a hundred firearms have been surrendered. But are these the modern, sophisticated kind? I suspect those high-powered guns will remain hidden. Without guns, Moros are considered hopeless.
and technical achievements. Our big mistake was having the late Father James Reuter, a Jesuit, as our guest speaker. He lambasted the PATAS as an attempt of the Marcos dictatorship to control the media. Reuter’s speech spurred the critics of PATAS to mount more rallies against us. As a result, many PATAS members resigned. It was on this occasion that I decided that it would be best to discontinue PATAS. That spelled the end of a big dream for me. *** Newspaper reports claim that about a hundred prison inmates released through the GCTA are now abroad. The Philippine National Police has sought help from Interpol. I believe this is fake news. How could the convicts have left without their passports? The Department of Foreign Affairs should immediately clarify whether the passports of these individuals were indeed issued to them so soon. *** President Duterte has lost a lot of his www.emiljurado.weebly.com
News
A6
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Villar wants rice farmers to avail of 4Ps benefits By Macon Ramos-Araneta TO HELP ease difficulties faced by Filipino farmers with the transition to the ‘tariffied’ rice importation regime, Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development can use the P28-billion rice subsidy under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to buy rice from local farmers. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, said this can be realized if the DSWD would revisit a proposal to provide actual rice to the government’s conditional cash transfer program beneficiaries. Aside from health and education grants, she said 4Ps household-beneficiaries are entitled to a 20-kilo rice subsidy per month but were given cash instead of rice. “Last year, this proposal was shelved because of logistical requirements,” said Villar. But the senator said she wants the DSWD to take another look at this especially now that they are looking for ways to help our farmers to cope up with the transition phase of the Rice Tariffication Law. “Perhaps, even if it’s difficult, let’s do this to help them,” said Villar. The Nacionalista Party senator said if the proposal pushes through, local farmers will now have a market for their rice produce and will be cushioned by the effects of the entry of cheaper rice imports. “I hope, given our situation now, our government will be more receptive of this proposal as we wait for the full benefits of the Rice Tariffication Law to be felt by the local industry,” Villar said. Republic Act 11203, which took effect in March this year, replaced the quantitative restriction on the importation of rice with tariffs, which is collected to fund the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.
DIE-IN PROTEST. League of Parents of the Philippines members held a die-in protest action in front of Department of Justice. The parents of missing activists filed a petition to the Department of Justice of writ of habeas corpus for the Kabataan Party-list through Congresswoman Sara Elago. Norman Cruz CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Manila
SCN FORM NO. 1 Standard (R.A. NO. 9139)
Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.
TODAY 001630
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF JAMES LEXTER SZE YEUNG to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139. SCN CASE NO. x------------------ x
PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is JAMES LEXTER SZE YEUNG, but I have also been known since childhood as JAMES or I have been N/A . judicially authorized to use the alias name(s) 2. My present place of residence is PUROK 2, National Hi-way, Barangay Balibago City/Municipality of STA. ROSAProvince of LAGUNA and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) 2001 -2010 BAYANI COMPOUND CROSSING, CALAMBA LAGUNA 2011 to Present PUROK 2, NATIONAL HI-WAY, BARANGAY BALIBAGO, STA. ROSA LAGUNA 3. I was born on MARCH 30, 2001 in MANILA Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of HONG KONG (CHINA). 4. My father's name is KA LOK YEUNG @ CALOY YEUNG and he was born on December 01, 1969, in FUJIAN, CHINA. He is a citizen or subject of CHINA. My mother's name is LEE LEE SZE and she was born on JAN. 22, 1973 in FUJIAN, CHINA. She is a citizen or subject of CHINA. 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which I derive an average annual income of N/A , inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual income of P N/A . (Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained: N/A, (2) name of school: N/A and (3) years graduated: N/A who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship. 6. My civil status is SINGLE, I was married on N/A in N/A. My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on in N/A. She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently resides N/A 7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A. 8. I have N/A child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:
Name N/A
Date of Birth N/A
Place of Birth N/A
Residence
CHIANG KAI SHEK COLLEGE
Place of School TONDO, MANILA
Dates of Study 2008 - 2013 2013 - 2017
14. My character witnesses are FLOYD MARNIN U. ANUNQUE and RICHARD O. KING both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at 246 Dynasty Towers, Jose Abad Santos St., Tondo and 1408 BROADVIEW TOWERS, MAYHALIGUE ST. STA. CRUZ, MANILA respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization. 15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ x ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ x] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ x ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ x ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ x ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years
Highest Grade Completed Elementary, JUNIOR HS, SENIOR HS, COLLEGE
11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:
N/A
Name and Place of School N/A
By MJ Blancaflor
P
RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law declaring July 25 of every year as National Campus Press Freedom Day and creating the Davao International Airport Authority to help spur air travel to his home province.
Under Republic Act 11440, educational institutions were mandated to provide “full support and assistance” to programs and activities for the observance of annual National Campus Press Freedom Day. The measure recognizes the right to freedom of expression, speech, and the press. “As part of media, the campus press is an important institution in promoting and protecting the freedom of the press
and the freedom of expression,” the law stated. Duterte has also signed a law creating the DIAA under RA 11457 to promote air traffic in Davao "as a means of making the region a center of international trade and tourism, and accelerating the development of the means of transportation and communication in the country." The new government body was also given powers to "exercise all powers of a corporation," lease, sell or buy land for the airport, collect fees for the use of its premises, and invest idle funds. Under the law, the DIAA will be an attached agency of the Department of Transportation and will be located at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City. "The Authority shall principally undertake the economical, efficient and effective control, management and supervision of the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City, the existing airports in the Davao Region and such other airports as may thereafter be established in any of the provinces of the same region," the law read. The DIAA should also have the following objectives: Encourage, promote,
NBI, POLICE CLEARANCE, BARANGAY CERTIFICATE, OFFICE OF CITY PROSECUTOR, MTC, RTC CLEARANCES, AFFIDAVIT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF PARENTS WITH BANK CERTIFICATE AND INCOME TAX RETURNS AND PAYMENTS, 2016-2018 PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139. Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 13 day of August, 2019.
JAMES LEXTER SZE YEUNG Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: PUROK 2, NATIONAL HIWAY, BARANGAY BALIBAGO, STA. ROSA LAGUNA Telephone Number: 0917-8287964
Right Thumbmark of Petitioner
Date of Enrollment N/A
12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139. I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to
Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF STA ROSA) S.S. I, JAMES LEXTER SZE YEUNG of legal age and a resident of PUROK 2, NATIONAL HI-WAY, BARANGAY BALIBAGO, STA. ROSA LAGUNA after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.
JAMES LEXTER SZE YEUNG Name and Signature of Petitioner
SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at PROVINCE OF LAGUNA , this 13 day of AUG. 2019.
(MS-SEPT. 11,18 & 25, 2019)
and develop international and domestic air traffic in Davao Region; and upgrade the services and facilities of Francisco Bangoy International Airport at the same time, formulate internationally acceptable standards of airport accommodation and service. Among its duties and functions include formulating a comprehensive and integrated development policy and program for the Francisco Bangoy International Airport; controlling, supervising, constructing, maintaining, operating, and providing such facilities or services necessary for the airport to function; promulgating rules and regulations governing the planning, development, maintenance, operation and improvement of the Francisco Bangoy International Airport. The DIAA will also have the power to exercise policy authority in connection with the maintenance of security to passengers, cargoes, aircraft, airport equipment, structures, facilities, personnel, funds and documents; regulation of the entry to, exits from and movement within the airports; maintenance of peace and order within the premises of the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, among others. With PNA
Costelo named PA 703rd brigade commander
16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition:
10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines:TAGALOG
Name of Child
New law declares July 25 ‘Campus Freedom Day’
N/A
9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:
Name of School
13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to HONG KONG (CHINA) of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.
OUTREACH. Valerie Sonia Lyn Agrava, president of Tahanan Outreach Projects and Services Inc., talks to the guests and the media during the 50th anniversary of TOPS, a non-profit private civic organization that delivers youth-servicing and childcare projects for underprivileged children of Manila. Diana B. Noche
PAL passenger dies during flight By Joel E. Zurbano A PASSENGER died on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Canada, the Manila International Airport Authority reported on Tuesday. Based on report sent by the MIAA-Media Affairs Division, a 63-year-old female passenger was pronounced dead while on board flight PR-117. The passenger is a resident of Batangas. “At around 4:57 a.m. yesterday, Sept. 9, 2019, MIAA Medical team responded to medical assistance for arriving passenger of Philippine Airlines flight PR 117,” the MIAA-MAD report stated.
“Airline crew said that the passenger was already weak when boarding in the aircraft. History revealed that patient has a breast cancer with kidney and bone metastasis. Upon arrival of flight, patient was seen and cleared by Quarantine Medical officer on duty,” it also stated. Initial report from the airport medical team showed that “cardiorespiratory arrest etiology end stage renal failure” caused the death of the passenger. Airport officials informed the passenger’s family about the incident while the remains were endorsed to Romy Funeral Homes Service.
BONGABON, Nueva Ecija—The antiinsurgency campaign in Central Luzon has taken a new shift with the assumption of a new regional military commander who vowed to take to a new level the government’s approach in ending the communistspawned armed movement. “We will tirelessly offer and extend the hand of peace, but we will also be fearless and relentless in running after those who will choose to stick to terror in furthering their beliefs,” said Col. Andrew D. Costelo as he assumed the leadership of the Army’s 703rd Infantry “Agila” Brigade based in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. “This communist madness propagated by Jose Ma. Sison and his local group of old, tired and weary communist apparatchik must be stopped. As this ideology gasps for breath, it’s time to send this demagoguery to its death bed,” Costelo added, whose operational area covers the whole of Region 3. Costelo, a Cebuano and a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1990, was a former chief of staff of the 9th Infantry Division (9th ID) based in Bicol region before he was tapped to take the helm of the 703rd Infantry Brigade, succeeding Brig. Gen. Rowen S. Tolentino. With the 9th ID, Costelo lent his expertise in crafting of “Trangkilo,” the division’s five-year campaign plan against the rebels beginning in 2017 that degraded the capability of the Bicol Regional Party Committee of the NPA, including the declaration of Sorsogon as a “conflict-manageable and ready for development” province. A veteran intelligence officer having served with the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Costelo also oversaw numerous combat and inteldriven operations, resulting in the neutralization of top level officials and members of the communist movement in Bicol region.
Sports
A7
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com
AFP Cavs win UNTV Cup opener D
EFENDING champion Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) dominated Philippine International Trading Corporation right from the start and romped to a 90-70 win in the opening of the 8th UNTV Cup on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Working behind the smart plays of former national team member Eugene Tan, the defending champion AFP Cavaliers started ferociously and raced to a commanding 33-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. Jerry Lumongsod scored 16 points for the Cavaliers, who donated the P4 million top prize they won last year to AFP
Educational Benefits System Office as an added fund for the education of the children of their fallen comrades. Also stepping up for the Cavaliers were Willy Casulla and Dave Cordero who chipped in 15 and 12 points in the Sunday-only tournament organized by UNTV through its CEO and President Dr. Daniel Razon.
Games Sunday
(Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. – DENR vs GSIS 3:30 p.m. – Ombudsman vs SSS 5 p.m. – NHA vs PNP
Tan, a member of the PH team that won the gold medal in the 2007 Ratchasima, Thailand SEA Games, contributed 9 points apart from providing lots of intangibles that set the tone for the team’s runaway win. Both Razon and Bro. Eli Soriano were elated with the participation of the 12 government agencies, saying they greatly appreciated their efforts for the
needy and the poor. Meantime, RnB King Jay-R and Ylona Garcia provided the halftime entertainment while the BMPI Talent Center artists the Wishfuls, Bradz, LJ of Phlethora and Rhea Basco took charge of the opening acts. The scores: AFP 90 - Lumongsod 16, Casulla 15, Cordero 12, Sergio 10, Tan 9, Almerol 9, JQuiambao 5, Rosopa 4, Fernandez 4, Evidor 3, Araneta 3. PITC 70 - Vasallo 18, Martin 18, Almarinez 13, Taplah 9, Porto 4, Lopez 4, Gecale 2, Barbers 2. Quarters: 33-8, 52-28, 67-52, 90-70.
Tigers want to keep it closewith Eagles HOW to play a close game with defending champion Ateneo is the challenge that the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers will face when they meet the Blue Eagles at 10:30 a.m. Today at the Araneta Coliseum. The Tigers, who have won two straight games with the Blue Eagles, will fight it out for the solo lead in the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament. “Obviously, they are the best collegiate team, gusto lang namin makadikit then let’s see kung ano pwedeng mangyari sa laro. Gusto namin nandu’n lang, dikit. But we are going to do our best,” said Growling Tigers’ coach Aldin Ayo. The Growling Tigers play with high spirits after having beaten the University of the East Warriors, 95-82, and the University of the Philippine Maroons, 85-69, by a wide lead. “This is a competition. Every time you compete, every time you play, of course, you always aim to win. And you are going to do your best, you are going to squeeze everything just to win. We’re going to do our best and hopefully maganda resulta,” said Ayo. The Blue Eagles have been know as team capable of beating their rivals with a huge advantage and they have demonstrated this in their 70-52 swamping of the Adamson Falcons, and their 81-69 crushing of the La Salle Green Archers. “I was so entertained watching his team. I love the way they play basketball. I really do. I mean, they just throw their heads back and go full steam. If they’re hitting shots, good luck. I don’t think you’ll beat them if they’re hitting shots. I think you gotta play unbelievable defense against their pace,” said Blue Eagles’ coach Tab Baldwin after watching the Growling Tigers in action. On the other hand, UST seems to be picking up Ayo’s “mayhem system,” which was first seen on the Letran Knights back in 2015 and with the La Salle Green Archers when he handled them from 2016 to 2017. Later, the La Salle Green Archers will seek to bounce back from their loss to the Blue Eagles in their 12:30 p.m. clash with the National University Bulldogs. Peter Atencio
UNTV President and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon makes the ceremonial toss in the opening game between AFP and PITC in the UNTV Cup. Also shown is PBA legend and UNTV Cup Commissioner Atoy Co.
Schumacher in Paris for cell therapy PARIS—The stricken seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher is in Paris’ Georges-Pompidou hospital for cell therapy surgery, according to French daily Le Parisien. The Paris hospitals department, contacted by AFP, refused to confirm or deny the news citing medical privacy laws. But according to Le Parisien, the 50-year-old German is in the cardiovascular department overseen by surgeon Philippe Menasche, described as a ‘pioneer in cell surgery against heart failure’. Schumacher will receive stem cells to obtain an anti-inflammatory effect throughout his system, Le Parisien suggests. “The treatment will begin on Tuesday morning and (he will) leave the establishment on Wednesday,” said Le Parisien, which claims the former Ferrari star has already been treated there twice this spring. The athlete was struck down by a skiing accident that snapped his helmet in December 2013 and little information on his condition has been made public since then. He was placed in a medically-induced coma for six months after the fall and was moved from Grenoble hospital to Lausanne before being returned home in September 2014 where he receives private treatment. It has been suggested by old friends he is unable to walk or properly communicate. Schumacher won his first world title 25 years ago and had won his first Grand Prix back in 1992. His glory years were spent at Benetton and Ferrari, for whom he won the last of his 91 Grand Prix victories in China in 2006. He came out of retirement in 2010 for a three-year stint with Mercedes. Fans revere the determined German and his name was chanted at the Monza circuit last weekend for Ferrari’s most successful Formula One driver Schumacher, with his son Mick, who is part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, present. AFP
Perlas Spikers, Angels dispute No. 2 in PVL BANKO-PERLAs seeks a repeat but PetroGazz goes all-out for a payback, guaranteeing a fierce duel as two of the league’s top teams begin their second round elims campaign in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Open Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan today (Wednesday). The Perlas Spikers subdued the Reinforced Conference champions in four when they first clashed last Aug. 11 but the Angels are coming off an impressive four-game run to close out their first round stint, including a shutout win over title contender Motolite last Sunday as they posted identical 5-2 slates behind the Creamline Cool Smashers, who swept the first round. BanKo-Perlas is also riding on a three-game roll, including a tough fiveset escape over BaliPure last week, making their 6 p.m. showdown worth watching with the likes of Jeanette Panaga, Cherry Nunag, Jonah Sabete, Cai Baloaloa and setter Djanel Cheng going up against Dzi Gervacio, Kathy Bersola, Sue Roces and playmaker Jem Ferrer. BanKo-Perlas, however, will surely
Orphan... From A8
‘He’s been through it all’ Jake Letts, general manager of the Philippine Rugby Football Union, has watched Ramirez develop from a raw talent to what he called a “dangerous” player on the pitch. “His strength is his speed and his agility. It’s really hard for a big guy to catch him,” Letts told AFP. “When they do catch him it can be painful.” Letts said Ramirez’s brutal upbringing is now a strength: “He’s definitely got the grit. He’s been through it all.” Ramirez says he has no memory of his parents and is not even sure of their full names. In fact, he has no birth certificate, so he’s not sure of his true birthday. He uses March 17, 1994, which was assigned to him when he was taken in by an orphanage. That makes him 25 years old, on paper at least. After his parents went missing, he and his older brother had ended up in the hands of a man he believes was an uncle. The man was an addict who sent the boys to beg on the streets of Manila, which is where they were introduced to glue-sniffing.
Games today (Wednesday)
2 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Motolite 4 p.m. – PacificTown Army vs Air Force 6 p.m. – BanKo-Perlas vs PetroGazz
miss the services of top hitter Nicole Tiamzon, who is in a UNESCO forum in France as one of the country’s representatives. Meanwhile, four teams try to boost their respective first round elims bids with Motolite facing a skidding Choco Mucho at 2 p.m. and PacificTown Army seeking to sustain its rebound against a struggling Air Force side at 4 p.m. Its four-game run snapped by PetroGazz, Motolite tries to bounce back with ace Myla Pablo possibly out after sustaining a foot injury while going for a spike in the second set of their match against the Angels last Sunday. That should give the Flying Titans some push as they try to end their string of setbacks after an impressive 2-1 start in their maiden campaign in the seasonending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa, Asics and KFC.
So-called “Rugby boys” have been a problem in the Philippines for decades, despite promises of reforms from solvent manufacturers, merchants and the government. A small bottle of solvent still costs less than $1 in most shops. ‘I miss being a family’ Ramirez and his brother lived a perilous existence. They dug for food in the trash and were chased by the police, who arrested child addicts. “We slept wherever the night caught up with us,” he said. That changed when a woman, shocked by how the boys were living, led them to an orphanage. They bounced between facilities over the coming years. Ramirez says that during that time he broke his addiction to glue because he was cut off from it and the bad influences of the street. Eventually the brothers ended up at Tuloy sa Don Bosco, a home that shelters street children and aims to teach them a trade. Playing rugby wasn’t one of the options —Ramirez studied to become a baker—but when he was 11 he had the pivotal, if accidental, introduction to the game. He fell in love with the fast-paced action of the game and excelled at it. He started with small clubs, but was getting noticed in the tight-knit rugby community. AFP
TENNIS SWEEP. Members of Team Unified Tennis Philippines pose after completing
their sweep of the 14th ATF (Asian Tennis Federation) 14-Under Series in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia over the weekend. They are (from left) boys’ singles and doubles runner-up Exequiel Jucutan, girls singles and doubles champion Alexa Milliam, doubles titlist Marielle Jarata, UTP general manager Jackie Tomacruz, boys’ singles champion and doubles runnerup Joewyn Pascua, and boys’ doubles winner Andrei Jarata.
Juico sparks Pampanga’s 3rd straight win MICHAEL Juico came away with yet another double-double effort to power the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to another convincing win, this time against home team Muntinlupa Cagers, 77-66, in the MPBL Lakan Season at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex. Juico produced 16 points and 16 rebounds, a fitting follow-up to his previous double-double performance in his team’s triumphant effort over the reigning southern division champions Davao Occidental Tigers a few days ago. With Juico in charge, Pampanga has picked up its third straight win and solidified its hold of the fifth spot in the northern division of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner. Pampanga improved its record to 9-4.
Like the Giant Lanterns, the Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines are also looking good and they were able to display their dominant form in dealing the Nueva Ecija-Forrest Lake a sound beating, 109-85. The Univercal Canning Inc.owned franchise was able to register a new record in points produced inside the shaded area, pouring in 90 points. The team also put up a career-tying high in assists (38) and fast break points (36). In picking up its second straight win under new coach Britt Reroma and eighth victory in 15 starts, Zamboanga has firmed up its hold of the eighth spot in the southern division of the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league. Six players ended up in double figures for Zamboanga led by Robin Rono and Choi Ignacio, who tallied 16 points apiece. Leo
de Vera came away with a doubledouble performance of 14 points and 12 boards. Ryan Costelo added 12 points while Harold Arboleda and Med Salim each produced 10 markers for Zamboanga, which shot a steady 60.2-percent from the field. Iloilo nipped Valenzuela, 73-67, to give Nash Racela another victory as a pinch-hitting mentor. Racela is taking over as coach on a temporary basis as permanent mentor Eric Gonzales served a twogame suspension. The win was the eighth in 13 matches for the United Royals, who stayed on fifth spot of the southern division. The team drew 20 points from Richard Escoto and 18 markers from ex-pro Alfrancis Tamsi as Iloilo remained as the best performing expansion team in the third season of the tournament.
Sports
Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@manilastandard.net sports_mstandard@yahoo.com
A8 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
Collegiate bets Ilustre, Jacinto make PH team TOP collegiate bets Maurice Sacho Ilustre and Jerard Dominic Jacinto have officially earned slots to the national swimming team seeing action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Their names were included in a list that was finalized this week by the Philippine Swimming, Inc. Ilustre and Jacinto, who swim for La Salle in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, are now part of the national men’s squad, according to PSI president Lailani Velasco after the PSI deliberated on the nominations at the first Philippine National Open Swimming Championships in Capas, Tarlac last week. The 20-year-old Ilustre got his slot in the men’s 200m Freestyle event when he finished on top with a gold medal time of 1:53.59, upsetting Olympian Jessie Lacuna who timed 1:54.22 for the silver. He is now the third member of the 4x100m freestyle relay team, after Ilustre was seen as the third fastest swimmer in the 100m freestyle event. His victory and his time in the 200m freestyle event finals also gave Ilustre an individual post and a slot at the 200m freestyle relay team, along with Lacuna, Miguel Barreto and John-Pierre Khouzam. After having broken Ryan Papa’s longtime national record, Jacinto dominated the 50m Backstroke event where he clocked a personal best time of 26.19 en route to a goldmedal finish. Because of this Jacinto will be swimming, alongside Jaden Olson, who registered a SEA Games QT time of 26.18 seconds. Jacinto is now the current national record holder of the 100m backstroke event, after also smashing Papa’s long standing record. On the other hand, Olson is the current national record holder of the 50m backstroke event. Making up the rest of the national men’s team are Miguel Barreto, Jonathan Cook, James Deiparine, Luke Gebbie, Jarod Hatch, Jean Pierre Khouzam, Lacuna, Thomas Peregrina, Alberto Batungbacal and Rian Tirol. Jasmine Alkhaldi is back in the national women’s team with Xiandi Chua, Thanya de la Cruz, Chloe Isleta, Desirae Mangaoang, Nicole Oliva, Jacqueline Pak, Georgia Peregrina, Miranda Renner, Joy Rodgers, Remedy Rule, Rosalee Sta. Ana and Roxanne Yu. Peter Atencio
Alaska has new import in Watts By Jeric Lopez ALASKA finally has an import for the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. After its first choice was measured over the height limit, the Aces already found a replacement in former North Carolina Tar Heel Justin Watts. Watts was already measured unofficially by Alaska and his height of 6-foot-4 is well within the import limite of 6-foot-5 for the season-ending tournament. The fresh reinforcement is already in town and will plunge right away to start training with Alaska. Branden Dawson, Alaska’s original choice, went over the height limit after getting measured last week, making him ineligible to play. Out of the 12 teams, 11 of which already named imports weeks ago with Alaska being the last team to name its reinforcement. Watts is fresh from a stint with King Szczecin in the Polish League where he averaged 9.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 14 games. He previously played in Australia, Uruguay, Poland, Qatar and Lithuania, among others. The Governors’ Cup opens on September 20.
Bulacan native Ericka Pascual of Perpetual Help (1st year, Communication) set an NCAA co-record in 100-meter breaststroke (1:19.86) for the Gold Medal in the NCAA Season 95 Swimming Championships held at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Santa Rosa City, Cavite. Dennis Abrina
Red Lions maul Generals by 32 pts Azkals rip T Guam, 4-1, By Peter Atencio
HIS time, Calvin Oftana wasn’t alone in doing the heavy lifting for the defending champion San Beda Red Lions.
The 23-year-old Oftana, who is fast emerging as a top MVP candidate after the f irst round, got help from four other teammates as they led the Red Lions to a 98-66, walloping of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan. The Red Lions’ 32-point winning margin eclipsed 31-point, 88-57 demolition of the College of St. Blazers in the first round and is now considered the highest winning edge scored by a team this season. The 6’5” Oftana scored 13 points and had eight rebounds for the Red Lions as they went on to post their 10th straight wina and stay unbeaten at the start of the second round. Evan Nelle, who had 11 assists, also contributed 13 points with Donald Tankoua and Clint Doliguez, while AC Soberano added added 12 for the Red Lions. After struggling with a slow start, the Red Lions picked up steam in the second period, with Soberano canning in all of his 12 point tally and Nelle pouring in 11 points to help
put his team ahead by 21 points at halftime, 54-23. Doliguez came into the picture in the fourth period with nine points, and the Red Lions went on to move away by as much as 41 points before the game ended. “The players did extra work on their skills. They come to practice with the mindset that they have to improve on their shooting and their skills, even though we’re the no. 1 team,” said Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez. Marvin Taywan knocked in 19 points for the Generals (1-8). Earlier, the San Beda Red Cubs, behind Rhayyan Amsali with 23 points, blasted the EAC Brigadiers, 83-54, to remain in the solo lead in the junior division. Yukien Andrada made 12 points for the Red Lions as they posted their ninth victory in 10 outings. John Barba struck with 20 points for the Junior Pirates, who smashed the Arellano Braves, 76-61. The Junior Pirates, with Gyle Montano shooting 19 points, never looked back from a 40-25 halftime and their second straight win allowed them to improve to 7-3 in second place, pushing ahead of idle College of St. Benilde-La Salle Green Hills. In another senior game, the Lyceum Pirates weathered a close call with a the Arellano Chiefs, 93-90, to hike their record in second spot at 7-3. Mike Nzeusseu fired 23 points and hauled down nine rebounds for the Pirates, while Jaycee Marcelino delivered 12 points.
PGT 4-leg Minda swing kicks off at Pueblo THE Philippine Golf Tour starts its grueling season-ending stretch down south today (Wednesday, Sept. 11) with top guns from talent-rich Mindanao, led by the veterans and rising stars from Davao and Del Monte eager to dominate in the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship in Cagayan de Oro City. Jay Bayron, Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa and Elmer Salvador along with Clyde Mondilla, Reymon Jaraula, Johvanie Abaño, Magno Arancon, Jelbert Gamolo and Noel Langamin set out for four days of battle of shotmaking and putting at the Pueblo de Oro layout expected to provide a different kind of challenge for the men of the tour coming off a punishing test at the tight Wack Wack East last week. But dangers also lurk at Pueblo’s winding fairways, menacing bunkers and deep ravines with the wind expected to add up to the challenge, making the title chase in the P2.5 million event kicking off a four-leg Mindanao swing worth watching. Del Monte will host the next stop on Sept. 18-21 while Davao takes its turn
on Oct. 2-5 for the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational before the ICTSI-sponsored circuit winds up its 10th season at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates, also in Davao, on Oct. 9-12. But Bayron, Mondilla and company also expect a fierce challenge from the rest of the 73-player field, including Ira Alido, former Phl Masters titlist Jerson Balasabas, Michael Bibat, Marvin Dumandan, Zanieboy Gialon, Keanu Jahns, Mars Pucay, Joenard Rates, Gerald Rosales and Rupert Zaragosa. The young Alido, for one, is due for a breakthrough with the 18-year-old rising star vowing to come out stronger and a lot tougher after blowing his title bid at Aboitiz Invitational with a final round foldup. Twenty-four foreign bets are also keen on spoiling the locals’ title bid in the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., all ready to duplicate young Korean Kim Joo Young’s title run here last year, including Thai Kammalas Namuangruk and Macedonia’s Peter Stojanovski.
Manila-based Dutch Guido Van der Valk also hopes to come up with a solid start to fuel his drive for a second leg win after topping the Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational of the four-leg Visayan swing last June. Other foreign aces vying in the event, backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc., are Koreans Jeong Jooan and Choi Sangrog, Spain’s Rafa Culla, Greg Gonzalez and Riley Keagle of the US, Japanese Kanata Nakagawa, Ryui Hashimoto and Makoto Iwasaki, Scots Julian Hood and Ryan Hood, Aussie Jack Lane-Weston, Argentina’s Emilio Parodi and Brunei’s Aslimon Qawin. Still, focus will be on the region’s leading players, majority of whom are seeking redemption from a series of failed bids, including Bayron, who missed the cut at Wack Wack, multititled Lascuña, who remained winless in two years, and Mondilla, who hopes to mark his return from a long layoff with a podium finish.
in qualifiers
VETERANS Angel Guirado and Patrick Reichelt showed the way for the Philippine Azkals in their 4-1 stopping of Guam. Early goals from Guirado and Reichelt paved the way for the Azkals’ first win in two games in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday at the Guam FA Training Center. Guirado struck in the 7th minute before Reichelt found the net in the 12th. Stephan Schrock’s cross to Guirado opened up scoring for the Azkals, while Reichelt secured a tap-in to double the lead. In the second half, Guam scored on a penalty off a Carlie de Murga foul, which allowed Marcus Lopez to convert a spot kick to make it 2-1 at the 67th minute. In the 70th minute, Schrock dribbled his way from the left wing into the center, and blasted home a low strike past the Guam keeper. Later, the Philippines put the game beyond reach in the 81st minute, when Patrick Strauss netted a goal off Mark Hartmann’s assist to make it 4-1 with only nine minutes left in regulation. The Azkals, who lost to Syria, 2-5, last September 5 at Panaad, return to action on October 15 when they meet China. Peter Atencio
Angel Guirado
Orphan goes from sniffing ‘rugby’ glue to playing for PH
Lito Ramirez
LONG before Lito Ramirez was one of the Philippines’ first homegrown rugby stars he was a six-yearold orphan addicted to sniffing glue, who survived on trash and begging. If there was any luck in his hellish world, it was that the brand of glue he and other street kids used to get high was called “Rugby”. The name still resonated with Ramirez years after he stopped using and was building his life in a Manila orphanage. Counsellors there had urged him to pick a sport, but he didn’t like football or basketball, the national obsession. Then they asked him if he wanted to give rugby a try.
“I didn’t have any idea it was a sport,” he told AFP. “I thought it was the glue. That’s why I chose rugby for sports.” This fateful misunderstanding would redirect his life, giving the scrappy five-foot six-inch (1.7-metre) wing/fullback a way off the streets and into the sort of full-time career he can only have dreamt about. It culminated with him becoming, in 2015, one of the first born and bred Pinoys (Filipinos) to land a spot on the Philippines national squad, the Volcanoes. To this day, the team is composed mostly of foreign-born players whose primary tie to the nation is a Filipino parent. Turn to A7
IN BRIEF Meralco auction gets lone bidder
POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. plans to hold another bidding for the 1,200-megawatt baseload power supply after only one bidder submitted an offer. “Since only one bidder tendered an offer, the TPBAC [third party bids and awards committee] has advised us that a failure of bidding was declared for the competitive selection process for 1,200MW baseload for operations by 2024,” Meralco senior vice president and head of legal William Pamintuan said. Atimonan One Energy Inc. of Meralco PowerGen Corp. emerged as the only bidder. This is the second CSP undertaken by Meralco. The first was on Sept. 9 where the TPBAC declared the bids submitted by Phinma Energy Corp., San Miguel Energy Corp. and South Premiere Power Corp. as the best bids. “The DoE’s [Department of Energy] CSP guidelines provide for a possible re-bidding of the said baseload requirement, and Meralco will carefully consider the same and will also submit the planned way forward to the DoE,” Pamintuan said. Alena Mae S. Flores
Business THE PODIUM OPENING. Madam
Halimah Yacob (center), President of the Republic of Singapore, graces the opening of The Podium in Ortigas Center during her state visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the Philippines. The Podium is a joint project between BDO Unibank Inc. and Singapore’s Keppel Land Limited. With the Singaporean president are (from left) BDO president and CEO Nestor Tan, Keppel Corp. CEO and Keppel Land chairman Loh Chin Hua, BDO chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson, Keppel Corp. chairman Dr. Lee Boon Yang, SM Prime chairman of the executive committee Hans Sy and Keppel Land CEO Tan Swee Yiow.
EDC, USC open Cebu arboretum
GEOTHERMAL power producer Energy Development Corp. teamed up with Knowles Electronics Corp. and the University of San Carlos to open the Binhi Arboretum in Talamban, Cebu City. Local native tree species such as narra, mangkono and molave will soon be grown and propagated in the arboretum at the USC campus as part of EDC’s Binhi program―a forest restoration and biodiversity preservation that aims to save endangered premium Philippine timber tree species. EDC, USC and Knowles committed to ensure the sustainability of the initiative in line with their dedication to environmental conservation. The USC campus in Talamban will host a permanent designated area for premium and threatened Philippine tree species, supported by planting and promotional activities as well as funding from Knowles. EDC will provide the seedlings along with technical assistance for the protection and maintenance of the trees, including labeling and scientific monitoring. This is EDC’s 11th arboretum since 2008. Alena Mae S. Flores
Thailand appeals WTO cigarette case
THAILAND on Tuesday filed an appeal before the World Trade Organization which earlier issued a favorable ruling for the Philippines over a cigarette tax case. Officials said the details of the appeal would be revealed in the next few days. The Philippines filed another report with the WTO on Thailand’s inability to oblige to the global body’s ruling. The WTO decided to favor the Philippine case in the cigarette tax issue against Thailand. It asked Thailand to implement a fair valuation scheme for imported cigarettes brought in by Philip Morris Thailand from Philip Morris Philippines in the last 14 to 16 years and to refund the excess tax collected by the Thai Customs Department. The Philippines found it difficult to make Thailand comply with an international dictum, without prejudice to international trade and without putting into jeopardy the bilateral relations between the two countries. Othel V. Campos
Petron signs deal to sell power plant to SMC unit By Alena Mae S. Flores
O
IL refiner Petron Corp. said Tuesday it signed a memorandum of understanding with SMC Powergen Inc., a subsidiary of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., for the sale of Petron’s 140-megawatt solid-fired power plant in Limay, Bataan.
Under the MOU, SMC Global Power will conduct a preliminary review of the power plant and its operations over a six-month period to determine the feasibility of the acquisition. The power plant, which has a rated capacity of 140 megawatts, supplies the power requirements of Petron’s 180,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Bataan. Petron senior vice president and chief finance officer Emmanuel Eraña, Petron general manager Lubin Nepomuceno, SMC Powergen general manager Elenita Go and SMC Powergen director Ferdinand Constantino signed the agreement.
“This is the reason for the possible sale. Petron is looking to minimize capital being employed given the low refining margins affecting the industry,” the company’s largest oil player said in a statement. San Miguel Corp. is the parent company of both Petron and SMC Global Power. Petron booked a net income of P2.6 billion in the first half, or 72 percent lower than its P9.5-billion net income in the same period last year. “These setbacks are just temporary and are all part of the business. We remain optimistic for the second half of the year given signs of modest recovery from gasoline and petrochemical margins recently seen in the market,” Petron president and chief executive Ramon Ang said earlier. The company said the first-semester results reflected modest gains amid the slump in regional refining margins that affected its Philippine operations by as much as P5 billion during the period. Consolidated sales revenues went down 7 percent in the six-month period to P254.8 billion from a year ago. The company said that while Malay-
sian sales volume grew 4 percent, the decrease in Philippine sales reflected the decline in volume following the implementation of the second tranche of the tax reform program. The implementation of the second tranche of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law brought total fuel taxes to an average of P6.75 per liter or equivalent to more than P15 billion in excise taxes in the first half. Petron said such developments “encouraged illegal business practices during the period.” The company, however, continued to pursue its network expansion program, completing 72 stations in the Philippines in the six-month period. Petron also rolled out 24 new stations in Malaysia to reflect its growing market share. Petron is the largest oil refining and marketing company in the Philippines and is a leading player in the Malaysian market. It has a combined refining capacity of 268,000 barrels per day and produces a full range of fuels and petrochemicals. It has more than 3,000 service stations in the two countries.
business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
B1
Exports posted fourth straight month of growth By Julito G. Rada EXPORTS grew for the fourth straight month, narrowing the trade deficit as imports continued to move in the negative territory, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show. The PSA said exports increased 3.5 percent in July to $6.17 billion, on the back of higher shipments of gold, fresh bananas, machinery and transport equipment and electronics. Merchandise imports declined 4.2 percent in July to $9.57 billion. This reduced the trade deficit in July to $3.39 billion from $4.02 billion deficit a year ago. The trade deficit in the first seven months also narrowed to $22.29 billion from $23.25 billion a year earlier as total exports rose 0.1 percent to $40.39 billion while imports went down 1.5 percent to $62.68 billion. “Philippine exports remained resilient during the second quarter of 2019 despite the continuing external challenges such trade tensions between the US and China, the bleak outlook in Europe, and the uncertainty of the future of Brexit,” said Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia. Pernia said the effects caused by the long-standing trade tensions between the United States and China were beginning to show as global manufacturing sentiment continued to falter with manufacturing purchasing manager indexes for powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan sustaining declines in July. “The country’s manufacturing sector is expected to sustain its growth despite the overall decline in global manufacturing. We are optimistic as we see a reduction of global oil prices, the recent cuts in electricity rates, and the lower import costs due to the appreciation of the peso,” said Pernia. He said that sustaining this optimism may find relevance in the government’s goal of attracting foreign investments in the country. Pernia said the timely conclusion of the negotiations of the PhilippineSouth Korea Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership would further expand trade and investment opportunities for the Philippines.
ISOC, edotco form $10-m joint venture By Darwin G. Amojelar
FDIs dipped 39% to $3.6b in the first six months NET inflows of foreign direct investments dipped 39 percent in the first half to $3.6 billion from $5.8 billion a year ago, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday. Data showed that net equity capital investments in the six-month period declined to $361 million from $1.6 billion as placements went down 51 percent to $860 million from $1.7 billion. Withdrawals increased by 206 percent to $499 million from $163 million. Equity placements in the first six months came mostly from Japan, the United States, Singapore, China and South Korea. These went to financial and insurance, real estate, manufacturing, transportation and storage, administrative and support services. Net investments in debt instruments were recorded at $2.7 billion, down from $3.8 billion in the same period last year. Meanwhile, reinvestment of earnings increased by 12.1 percent to $507 million from $453 million. The Bangko Sentral said that in June, net inflows of FDIs fell 49 percent to $430 million from $836 million a year ago. Net FDI inflows declined 4.4 percent in 2018 to $9.802 billion from the record $10.256 billion registered in 2017. The full-year number missed the official target of $10.4 billion set by the Bangko Sentral. The BSP expects net FDI inflows to hit $9 billion in 2019. Julito G. Rada
Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor
Petron Corp. signs a memorandum of understanding with SMC Powergen Inc., a subsidiary of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., for the sale of its solid-fired power plant in Limay, Bataan. Signing the MOU are (from left) Petron senior vice president and chief finance officer Emmanuel Eraña, Petron general manager Lubin Nepomuceno, SMC Powergen general manager Elenita Go and SMC Powergen director Ferdinand Constantino.
Fitch expects PH growth to recover in the second semester GLOBAL debt watcher Fitch Ratings on Tuesday kept its growth forecast for the Philippines this year at 6.1 percent, saying the economy is expected to rebound in the second half following a weak first-half performance following the delay in the approval of the national budget. Fitch said in a report titled “APAC Sovereign Credit Overview 3Q19” that the economic growth of the Philippines would improve modestly in the second half. “Growth was weighed down [in the first half] by the delay in budget implementation and a weak external environment. The agency is maintaining its full-year 2019 growth forecast of 6.1 percent, continuing to place the Philippines among the region’s fastestgrowing economies,” Fitch said. “However, we expect weaker global growth and escalating US-
China trade tensions to prevent a stronger pickup in 2020 and 2021, and for growth to remain around 6.3 percent,” it said. Fitch said its “BBB” credit rating for the Philippines balanced a net external creditor position and relatively highgrowth rates compared with rating category peers, against lower per capita income, a weaker business environment and standards of governance. The Philippine Statistics Authority said economic growth in the second quarter slowed to a four-year low of 5.5 percent, weighed down by the El Niño 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 last May. This brought the first-half GDP average to just 5.6 percent, below the
low-end of the government’s target range of 6 percent to 7 percent. Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said earlier that growth target of 6 percent to 7 percent for this year remained doable. “We are hoping to achieve the low end of the target range, which is 6 percent, meaning, we must average by 6.4 percent in the second half to achieve this,” Pernia said. Meanwhile, Fitch said the cumulative 175-basis-point increase in interest rates by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in 2018 band slowing growth momentum had lowered overheating risks. This year, BSP reduced the benchmark borrowing interest rate by a cumulative 50 bps on account of a steady inflation outlook, which Fitch expects to come in at 3.1 percent in 2019. Julito G. Rada
MALAYSIA’S edotco Group Sen Bhd. and local firm ISOC Infrastructure Inc. said Tuesday the formed a $10-million joint venture company that will roll out common telecom towers nationwide. The new company will be called ISOC edotco Towers Inc. and will have a combined initial equity of $10 million. Suresh Sidhu, edotco chief executive, said the joint venture company allocated $100 million over the next five years to build more common towers. The company plans to build 400 to 500 towers nationwide in the initial phase. “Infrastructure sharing has proven to help mobile network operators focus on their core business and service offerings by alleviating the cost pressure of building and maintaining towers,” Suresh said. “We believe that the right sharable infrastructure will be able to meet the current demands for affordable and reliable connectivity in the country,” he said. Suresh said that teaming with local leading players is a key strategy to ensure it is meeting the country’s specific needs. “We see this collaboration with ISOC as a catalyst to enable the transformation within the Philippines telecommunications sector and lay the right foundation for the country’s digital readiness,” he said. The two companies recently signed an agreement with Globe Telecom Inc. to build 150 cell sites in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces. The two companies also signed an agreement with Smart Communications Inc. to roll out common towers across 71 sites that fit within the latter’s own network rollout plan. The estimated cost per cell site is $100,000.
Business
SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 B2 WEDNESDAY, extrastory2000@gmail.com
Market retreats; PLDT advances S TOCKS fell Tuesday to end a four-day advance, as investors await a key European Central Bank meeting and developments in the China-US trade talks.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 30 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 7,929.48. Despite the loss, it was still up 6.2 percent since the start of the year. The broader all-share index also dropped 12 points, or 0.3 percent, to settle at 4,786.45 on a value turnover of P5.2 billion. Losers edged gainers, 92 to 91, while 56 issues were unchanged. Ten of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Vulcan Industrial & Mining which climbed 5.7 percent to P1.30 and Global Ferronickel Holdings
Inc. which rose 3.7 percent to P1.70. PLDT Inc. advanced 2.2 percent to P1,180. Meanwhile, Asian equity traders struggled after last week’s rally as the ECB prepares for a much-anticipated meeting on Thursday with speculation it will unveil fresh economy-boosting measures including an interest rate cut deeper into negative territory. “With the two percent inflation target still a Japanese-style distant memory and growth slowing in Germany, Europe’s engine, the ECB had to do something,” said OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley. “Whatever comes out on Thursday will test the limits of the effectiveness of monetary policy,” he said. There were warnings from some analysts that a disappointing response from the bank could deal a heavy blow to equities. The ECB announcement comes a
week before the Federal Reserve’s next meeting, where it is tipped to announce a further reduction in borrowing costs following weak jobs figures and signs of slowing in the economy. However, other, more upbeat readings have kept traders guessing about the Fed’s plans, while reports on consumer prices and retail sales this week will provide more of an idea about the outlook. Hong Kong was flat in afternoon trade while Shanghai slipped 0.1 percent as data showed Chinese producer prices continued to fall in August, hit by falling demand and the US trade war. Consumer prices stabilized with major support coming from a surge in pork prices caused by swine fever that has ravaged the country’s pig industry. Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, flagged concerns about the impact of the weakness in China. “The fear is not just that it signals weakness in domestic and overseas
demand, but that China is exporting deflation by cutting prices and making it even harder for central banks like the ECB to achieve their inflation goals,” he said in a note. Sydney dropped 0.5 percent, while Taipei, Wellington and Bangkok were also down. Tokyo ended 0.4 percent higher, while Singapore and Seoul were in positive territory. There was little major reaction to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin saying there had been “lots of progress” on trade talks between China and the US. Dealers are instead waiting for more concrete developments as the two sides prepare for high-level talks in Washington next month. Regional energy firms were given a leg-up by thanks to gains in oil prices that came after Saudi Arabia’s new energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, said output cuts would benefit all exporting nations. With AFP
MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
VALUE
NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),
FINANCIALS 57.95 11,110 92.75 1,397,680 143 1,366,100 1.21 2,000 25.85 337,400 18.6 4,900 11.96 159,400 4.85 20,000 1.22 38,000 720 50 0.445 150,000 69.95 4,143,580 0.95 98,000 13.02 17,500 46.65 93,000 183.5 9,060 57.8 9,610 27.2 26,000 204.6 449,870 1,780 240 60 10,110 1.11 94,000
633,279.50 128,853,887.50 195,151,659 2,370 8,710,795 91,140 1,906,512 96,830 46,740 36,040 66,750 289,989,244.50 92,130 227,680 4,332,655 1,664,104 555,997.50 711,915 91,855,350 427,050 601,178.50 104,340
-570 32,150,967.50 -18,280,694 -7,224,535 -27,900 414,152 -176,821,915 -1,880 -1,038,830 -368,638 -87,475 4,267,136 -563,688.50 -
36.1 15.64 0.69 1.31 0.242 108.5 2.63 13.9 115.5 11.24 17 32.3 75.05 77.75 2.05 6.01 5.94 8.97 15 9.92 7.19 26.1 82.6 50.25 2.18 13.74 8.58 1.55 225.8 35.05 5 3.3 8.36 22.2 14.1 19.3 357.2 2.04 4.37 5.11 9 2.93 10.4 33.35 5.07 5.1 1.64 1.13 12 91 7.2 0.125 1.05 167.1 2.43 1.24 1.3
INDUSTRIAL 36.9 464,900 15.86 827,900 0.7 958,000 1.31 270,000 0.246 60,000 109 250 2.71 8,915,000 14.1 97,600 115.5 10 11.38 760,700 17.5 41,200 32.6 505,700 75.6 920 80 2,790 2.05 25,000 6.11 38,400 6.09 114,900 8.97 351,700 15.02 2,327,400 10 1,937,200 7.2 689,000 26.4 3,044,300 83.2 64,940 50.45 264,190 2.31 20,541,000 13.96 214,100 8.73 167,700 1.55 258,000 227 337,930 35.05 2,000 5 13,000 3.39 6,000 8.36 3,300 22.4 513,200 14.12 176,700 19.3 3,251,900 357.2 239,200 2.07 8,453,000 4.5 9,000 5.11 599,600 9.1 2,200 2.95 27,463,000 10.44 74,000 33.5 579,600 5.1 99,000 5.1 10,900 1.72 2,071,000 1.15 868,000 12 49,400 92 106,620 7.2 13,300 0.125 10,000 1.08 3,841,000 167.2 581,630 2.43 91,000 1.25 5,380,000 1.3 92,457,000
16,993,060 13,011,988 662,440 353,700 14,640 27,206 23,822,020 1,368,752 1,155 8,648,140 712,310 16,336,680 69,205 226,868.50 51,250 232,687 695,494 3,162,758 35,091,134 19,267,195 4,969,850 79,874,770 5,401,659 13,328,917 46,546,150 2,973,430 1,455,905 402,070 76,780,598 70,100 65,290 19,890 27,625 11,500,260 2,501,592 62,888,502 86,149,074 17,503,730 39,580 3,079,416 20,010 81,655,880 772,200 19,399,385 505,662 55,596 3,576,320 986,740 592,940 9,758,619.50 95,787 1,250 4,310,440 97,367,125 221,130 6,811,000 133,189,880
1,430,170 1,253,774 -323,570 10,870 1,177,020 186,540 21,506 -16,242,020.00 -451,354 -943,552 34,031,964 18,901,466 -1,511,540 30,841,700 3,754,047 12,440,760.50 11,432,340.00 -617,920 0 4,076,354 -2,207,635 1,017,046 -813,824 6,457,334 1,344,000 633,286 -11,901,000 -5,684,275 61,240 -42,750 -1,130 345,480 -3,201,199 41,040 56,200.00 -24,048,083 221,130 194,880 -651,400
0.88 52.55 12.1 0.77 6.9 13.18 1.19 1.23 899.5 3.35 6.77 8.83 13.44 4.6 917 71.1 6.47 5.3 0.49 4.51 14.38 0.63 5.05 0.038 1.36 2.94 174.4 1,012 0.83 450 234 0.23 0.24
HOLDING FIRMS 0.89 6,470,000 52.8 799,710 12.12 6,105,100 0.8 2,992,000 6.9 24,600 13.76 80,500 1.21 1,366,000 1.24 304,000 901 168,140 3.39 1,594,000 6.8 454,600 9.05 8,011,800 13.62 13,500 4.6 13,000 930 207,890 72.9 2,343,440 6.47 1,000 5.3 1,000 0.49 40,000 4.54 81,000 14.4 801,800 0.66 8,000 5.11 13,307,500 0.038 4,200,000 1.39 571,000 3.02 224,000 174.4 127,620 1,015 672,070 0.86 498,000 450 10 236 1,920 0.235 190,000 0.24 1,170,000
5,741,200 42,237,507.50 74,486,750 2,393,980 170,575 1,120,004 1,651,990 374,030 151,544,465 5,433,380 3,088,642 72,112,977 183,608 59,800 193,317,725 170,343,468 6,470 5,300 19,750 369,160 11,720,812 5,190 67,897,860 162,300 791,470 663,730 22,311,468 683,053,520 420,890 4,500 451,560 43,850 281,620
-84,440 -21,730,682 14,700,998 6,320 69,520 -46,151,820 -541,130 284,975 -32,428,292 -81,620 128,796,155 54,894,924.50 100,360 -11,216 10,971,268 -83,400 2,105,190 501,317,670 -42,220 -
15.28 0.83 1.85 0.87 48.4 2.18 4.64 5.9 0.55 0.22 0.4 9.31 21.05 0.45 1.61 1.27 5.03 0.31 0.45 1.45 0.39 2.04
PROPERTY 15.28 765,000 0.83 2,381,000 1.88 200,000 0.88 2,153,000 49 7,122,300 2.19 290,000 4.69 265,000 6 10,100 0.56 4,295,000 0.23 10,690,000 0.405 720,000 9.31 125,500 21.4 33,500 0.46 190,000 1.63 8,537,000 1.28 48,000 5.03 11,628,800 0.32 7,000,000 0.45 590,000 1.45 4,279,000 0.39 30,000 2.08 390,000
11,705,000 2,000,960 373,640 1,889,880 348,582,155 635,020 1,244,460 59,600 2,367,340 2,353,740 288,950 1,189,143 711,365 86,100 13,940,540 61,330 58,883,965 2,225,900 266,600 6,325,120 11,700 799,750
-627,358 -239,850 67,400,940 -50,270 -37,570 -59,000 -182,590 11,000 -4,050 -143,194 53,400 -2,484,730 -27,293,776 -262,100 52,330 -10,350
NAME
OPEN
HIGH
LOW
CLOSE
ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE
57 92.45 142.5 1.16 25.9 18.6 12.08 4.76 1.25 721 0.445 70.25 0.94 13 46.4 184.2 57.75 28 205 1,750 59.5 1.11
57.95 92.75 143.3 1.21 25.9 18.6 12.08 4.9 1.25 721 0.445 70.25 0.95 13.02 47.3 184.2 57.9 28 205 1,780 60 1.11
57 90.05 142.2 1.16 25.7 18.6 11.9 4.76 1.22 720 0.445 69.8 0.94 13 46.4 183.5 57.75 27.2 202 1,750 59.45 1.11
ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL
36.15 15.78 0.71 1.31 0.246 108.5 2.73 13.9 115.5 11.76 17.08 32.8 75.1 77.75 2.05 6.01 6.25 9 15.02 9.92 7.24 26.3 83.2 50.45 2.2 13.86 8.9 1.62 227 35.05 5.05 3.3 8.37 22.25 14.22 19.34 361 2.07 4.4 5.15 9 3 10.44 33.45 5.15 5.13 1.65 1.2 12 92 7.23 0.125 1.05 168 2.43 1.3 1.58
36.9 15.86 0.71 1.31 0.246 109 2.78 14.26 115.5 11.78 18 32.95 75.6 83.3 2.05 6.12 6.25 9 15.08 10 7.24 26.4 83.65 50.95 2.34 13.98 8.9 1.62 229 35.05 5.05 3.39 8.4 22.8 14.28 19.52 362 2.11 4.5 5.16 9.1 3 10.48 33.6 5.16 5.13 1.8 1.2 12.06 92 7.23 0.125 1.17 169.5 2.43 1.3 1.6
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 FJ PRINCE A GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG
0.89 52.8 12.1 0.8 6.95 15 1.2 1.24 907 3.4 6.78 8.83 13.62 4.6 921 71.1 6.47 5.3 0.495 4.51 14.8 0.66 5.15 0.039 1.37 2.94 175.2 1,028 0.84 450 236 0.23 0.245
0.9 53 12.28 0.83 7 15 1.23 1.24 907 3.43 6.84 9.1 13.62 4.6 935 72.9 6.47 5.3 0.495 4.58 14.9 0.66 5.16 0.039 1.41 3.02 176 1,028 0.87 450 236 0.235 0.248
8990 HLDG A BROWN ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP
15.32 0.85 1.85 0.87 49.1 2.19 4.66 5.9 0.55 0.22 0.405 9.6 21.05 0.455 1.66 1.27 5.17 0.315 0.46 1.5 0.39 2.05
15.32 0.86 1.88 0.9 49.2 2.2 4.74 6 0.56 0.231 0.405 9.6 21.4 0.46 1.67 1.28 5.18 0.325 0.46 1.55 0.39 2.09
VOLUME
NAME
OPEN
HIGH
LOW
CLOSE
VOLUME
VALUE
NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),
ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND
25.4 2.36 3.38 34.9 2.41 5.69 0.93 7.71
25.4 2.36 3.47 34.9 2.45 5.69 0.96 7.71
25.05 2.36 3.36 34.25 2.4 5.6 0.92 7.64
25.2 2.36 3.43 34.65 2.4 5.65 0.93 7.69
969,500 6,000 1,386,000 8,807,500 271,000 68,800 603,000 2,580,600
24,470,550 14,160 4,765,110 304,104,240 656,310 388,796 560,240 19,819,479
-4,371,090 -2,777,150 -63,884,020 -93,000 -9,034,747
2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PH RESORTS GRP PHIL RACING 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
10.4 20.15 1.6 0.6 0.047 19.76 2.35 11.1 0.06 94.35 7.39 5.8 2.23 10.02 1,960 5.3 435 1.78 129.5 9.59 0.113 5.55 2.85 13.82 3.39 0.92 18.98 0.445 2.48 1.27 3.6 2.72 8.5 4.76 8.5 138 3.29 1,159 0.71 0.6 44 77 9.15 2.92 0.69 0.355 5.45 0.68 16.6
10.4 20.45 1.66 0.6 0.05 19.76 2.39 11.1 0.06 94.4 7.39 5.8 2.23 10.98 1,985 5.39 435 1.83 134.9 9.59 0.113 5.56 3 14.2 3.39 0.92 19.06 0.475 2.48 1.27 3.6 2.79 8.5 4.76 8.5 138 3.4 1,184 0.73 0.64 44 78 9.15 2.93 0.7 0.355 5.46 0.69 16.6
10 20 1.59 0.57 0.046 19.76 2.33 11.04 0.057 93.05 7.24 5.8 2.07 9.92 1,960 5.3 426 1.78 129.5 9.5 0.109 5.42 2.85 13.82 3.27 0.9 18.9 0.445 2.45 1.2 3.37 2.72 8.41 4.76 7.94 138 3.26 1,159 0.71 0.6 43.75 77 9.15 2.8 0.68 0.345 5.45 0.67 16.44
SERVICES 10 13,100 20 252,400 1.65 8,000 0.58 4,019,000 0.049 6,080,000 19.76 100 2.38 111,000 11.04 1,058,500 0.058 14,310,000 94 154,140 7.3 348,900 5.8 6,700 2.23 3,000 10.6 465,300 1,970 30,525 5.31 84,600 435 170 1.79 908,000 134 1,194,250 9.5 700 0.113 2,150,000 5.45 1,761,100 3 9,000 14.2 300 3.27 465,000 0.92 144,000 19 72,500 0.445 100,000 2.47 214,000 1.2 35,000 3.38 15,298,000 2.79 61,000 8.5 3,900 4.76 11,000 7.94 10,100 138 150 3.32 986,000 1,180 124,535 0.72 1,175,000 0.62 33,113,000 44 302,000 77.5 861,060 9.15 100 2.85 3,769,000 0.68 2,069,000 0.35 4,760,000 5.45 224,100 0.68 887,000 16.52 151,100
131,926 5,123,920 13,050 2,350,380 281,830 1,976 260,840 11,696,050 832,350 14,472,728 2,547,714 38,860 6,530 4,916,516 60,266,640 452,434 73,680 1,638,770 159,421,650 6,693 236,730 9,646,872 26,780 4,222 1,536,260 132,360 1,376,706 44,800 528,960 42,070 52,758,910 168,370 33,113 52,360 85,794 20,700 3,265,880 146,622,690 845,600 20,590,180 13,284,860 66,780,273.50 915 10,719,720 1,412,810 1,658,450 1,221,349 602,690 2,494,984
5,020 -230,840.00 1,976 -1,357,858 2,848,805.50 -736 8,289,185 -130,870 56,133,249 10,900 83,871 37,350 920 1,904 441,520 850 20,700 -226,210 69,232,335 -102,610 -696,200 3,727,180 30,950,231 4,307,520 86,250.00 -97,555 -66,640 -1,257,968.00
ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET A BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON
0.0017 1.18 2.55 11.98 1.21 1.12 2.7 0.28 1.65 0.219 0.11 0.112 0.011 1.16 4.3 1.06 0.48 0.87 0.012 0.012 0.012 9.42 3.9 10.42 23.2 0.0064
0.0018 1.2 2.56 11.98 1.21 1.12 2.71 0.28 1.75 0.22 0.112 0.115 0.012 1.23 4.55 1.09 0.48 0.87 0.012 0.012 0.012 9.81 3.97 11.1 23.4 0.0068
0.0017 1.18 2.55 11.5 1.21 1.12 2.7 0.28 1.65 0.215 0.11 0.111 0.01 1.16 4.25 1.06 0.48 0.86 0.012 0.012 0.011 9.4 3.85 10.42 22.95 0.0064
MINING & OIL 0.0018 43,000,000 1.18 2,383,000 2.56 34,000 11.96 3,700 1.21 1,000 1.12 16,000 2.71 341,000 0.28 180,000 1.7 45,602,000 0.22 260,000 0.112 600,000 0.114 130,000 0.012 13,200,000 1.23 381,000 4.35 16,761,000 1.08 48,000 0.48 20,000 0.87 323,000 0.012 500,000 0.012 100,000 0.011 500,000 9.7 703,500 3.94 230,000 11.1 1,324,600 23.4 1,379,600 0.0068 2,000,000
73,300 2,824,920 86,840 43,794 1,210 17,920 921,500 50,400 78,322,840 56,840 66,210 14,720 144,200 462,680 73,949,020 51,030 9,600 280,410 6,000 1,200 5,600 6,778,219 892,950 14,380,362 32,081,415 13,200
11,900 -40,650 24,981,610 -12,100 -5,157,760 12,948 -78,700 -400,750 -12,713,170 -
ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H
18.46 502 504.5 107.5 5.16 99.65 0.99 1,050 1,062 995 78.95 75.8 76.2 76.5 75.6
18.6 502 505 107.5 5.16 99.65 1 1,050 1,063 995 78.95 75.8 76.2 76.5 75.6
18.46 501 500.5 107.5 5.14 99.65 0.99 1,046 1,062 995 78.9 75.8 76.2 76.5 75.6
PREFERRED 18.6 281,500 502 340 505 1,060 107.5 920 5.14 152,100 99.65 10 1 465,000 1,046 2,300 1,063 6,060 995 50 78.9 180 75.8 1,000 76.2 3,360 76.5 11,860 75.6 13,400
5,227,550 170,650 531,175 98,900 782,194 996.5 460,360 2,409,800 6,441,580 49,750 14,206 75,800 256,032 907,290 1,013,040
-3,091,046 -15,135 -627,594 -
LR WARRANT
1.72
1.75
1.71
WARRANTS 1.72 100,000
172,760
-
7,532,310 34,897,614 1,066,220
-41,272 -11,400 47,500
586,698
2,370
82,660.60 30,079
-
MS ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS
6.07 10.16 0.94
6.37 11.56 0.97
6.03 9.5 0.94
FIRST METRO ETF
118.5
118.9
118.2
USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2
10.18 10.3
TRADING SUMMARY
10.32 10.3
SHARES
FINANCIAL
8,438,181
INDUSTRIAL
190,270,537
HOLDING FIRMS
52,876,776
PROPERTY
124,311,395
SERVICES
101,248,279
MINING & OIL
131,088,228
GRAND TOTAL
613,733,172
10.1 10.1
6.29 11.4 0.96
SME
1,203,900 3,173,900 1,117,000
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.9 4,950 DDS 10.32 10.1
8,160 2,930
VALUE 1,824.69 (up) 1.06 726,186,926.25 FINANCIAL 10,892.96 (down) 35.17 INDUSTRIAL 930,525,079.694 7,847.62 (down) 42.19 HOLDING FIRMS 1,515,631,422.25 PROPERTY 4,028.19 (down) 45.20 1,613.67 (up) 11.67 1,162,343,903.34 SERVICES 9,353.88 (up) 230.52 MINING & OIL 634,283,922.50 7,929.48 (down) 30.64 PSEI 211,600,538.0336 All Shares Index 4,786.45 (down) 12.86 5,224,655,525.07 Gainers: 91; Losers: 92; Unchanged: 56; Total: 239
Axelum eyes 8% growth in coconut sales By Jenniffer B. Austria AXELUM Resources Corp., the country’s leading coconut manufacturer and exporter, expects to sustain its growth over the next few years amid increasing demand for coconut products overseas and growing domestic consumption. Axelum president Henry Raperoga said in a news briefing the global demand for coconut products, particularly for coconut water, had been increasing amid the growing trend for a healthier lifestyle. He said the company was expecting to sell 27 million liters of coconut water in 2019, or 8 percent higher than 25 million liters it sold in 2018. Coconut water accounts for 20 percent to 30 percent of the company revenues while desiccated coconuts which the company exports to major countries such as the United States, Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, contribute 30 percent to 40 percent. Raperoga, citing a study by the University of Asia & the Pacific, said that over the next five years the annual growth rate in desiccated coconut sector was expected to be in the high singledigits while the growth rate in coconut water was expected to be in mid- to high-teens. “Axelum’s other product lines are likewise in sectors expected to achieve double-digit growth rates over the next five years,” he said. Raperoga said the growth in demand for coconut products was also being driven by new applications of coconut. “Before, coconuts were mainly used for cooking ingredients or converted into cooking oil. Today, coconuts are used to produce juices, coffee creamer, sweeteners, cocktail mixes dairy replacement products and others,” Raperoga said. He said that given the expected increase in demand for coconut products, Axelum would raise P7.7 billion through an initial public offering to pursue expansion plans. The company plans to sell up to 1.33 billion shares at P6.81 per share. The offer period will be from Sept. 24 to 30 while the PSE listing was set on Oct. 7.
BDO launches P5-b offering to fund expansion By Julito G. Rada BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender controlled by the Sy family, opened on Tuesday the offering for P5 billion worth of long-term negotiable certificates of deposit as part of its efforts to diversify the maturity profile of its funding sources and support business expansion. This follows the bank’s issuance of P7.32 billion worth of LTNCDs in April this year. BDO said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the latest tranche of LTNCDs would have a term of five and a half years with an indicative rate in the area of 3.75 percent. The final coupon rate will be set at the end of the offer period. Interest will be paid quarterly, calculated on a 30/360 day count basis. The minimum investment is P100,000 with increments of P50,000. The offer period will be from Sept. 10 to Sept. 20 while the issuance was set on Sept. 27, 2019. “The bank, however, reserves the right to shorten the offer period, and has the option to increase the issue size, depending on market demand,” it said. LTNCDs are negotiable certificates of deposit with a designated maturity and represent a bank’s obligation to pay the face value upon maturity, with periodic coupon or interest payments during the life of the deposit. LTNCDs are an attractive investment especially for individuals, as interest income is exempt from withholding taxes if the LTNCDs are held for at least five years, based on current regulations. LTNCDs are covered by deposit insurance with the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., subject to PDIC’s applicable rules and regulations, including maximum insurance coverage per depositor up to P500,000. ING Bank N.V., Manila branch is the sole arranger and selling agent for the issue while BDO and BDO Private Bank are the other selling agents.
World
Manila
Standard
B3
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com
TODAY
US warned not to interfere in Hong Kong H ONG KONG―Hong Kong’s embattled leader warned the United States on Tuesday not to “interfere” with her government’s response to the city’s pro-democracy movement, after fresh protests called on Washington to ramp up the pressure on Beijing.
Millions of people have demonstrated over the last 14 weeks in the biggest challenge to China’s rule of the financial hub since its handover from Britain in 1997. Protesters took to the streets again on Sunday, marching to the American consulate to call on Congress to pass a bill expressing support for the pro-democracy movement. The proposed law could undermine Hong Kong’s special US trade privileges by mandating regular checks on whether authorities were respecting the Basic Law that underpins the city’s semi-autonomous status. But Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that any change to its economic relationship with Washington would threaten “mutual benefits”.
“It’s extremely inappropriate for any country to interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs,” she told reporters. “I hope that no more people in Hong Kong actively reach out to tell the United States to pass the act.” While some American politicians on both sides of the aisle have expressed support for the democratic goals of the protesters, President Donald Trump’s administration has maintained a more hands-off approach while it fights a trade war with China. Trump has called for a peaceful resolution to the political crisis and urged Beijing to not escalate with a violent crackdown. But he has also said it is up to China to handle the protests. Washington has rejected Beijing’s allegations that it is backing the dem-
onstrators and China has provided little uncompromising tone for much of the That was not enough to mollify proevidence to back its claims beyond sup- last three months. democracy activists, who denounced the portive statements from some US politiBut last week, she made a surprise move as too little and too late, and huge cians. concession, announcing the full with- crowds thronged the streets again over Separately, more than 150 lawmakers drawal of the extradition bill. the weekend. AFP in Britain have called on Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to offer second citizenship and the right of abode to residents of Hong Kong. Department Administrative Order No. 19 - 13 That would “send a strong mes- Series of 2019 sage to China that the people of IN THE MATTER OF THE DEFINITIVE GENERAL MEASURE ON THE IMPORTATION OF Hong Kong are not alone”, the SAFEGUARD CEMENT FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (AHTN Codes 2523.29.90 and 2523.90.00) open letter said. (Safeguard Measures Case No. 01-2018) Hong Kong’s protests were lit x----------------------------------------------------------------x by a plan to allow extraditions to ORDER the authoritarian mainland, seen On 09 August 2019, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) received the Tariff Commission’s (Commission) Formal Report on the general safeguard measure against the importation of cement from various countries classified by opponents as the latest move Investigation under ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature AHTN Codes 2523.29.90 and 2523.90.00. The period covered by the investigation (POI) are the years 2013 to 2017 with updated data of 2018. by China to chip away at the The Commission, in accordance with the Safeguard Measures Act (RA 8800), concluded that: city’s unique freedoms. 1. Eight (8) out of 10 local cement manufacturers represented the domestic cement industry in the formal investigation. After Beijing and city This satisfies the domestic industry requirement under Section 4(f) of RA No. 8800; leaders took a hard line, the 2. Locally produced Type I and Type IP cement are “like” to imported Type I and Type IP cement; movement snowballed into a 3. Type I and Type IP cement were imported into the Philippines in increased quantities, both in absolute and relative to domestic production, starting in 2016. The increase in volume of imports was recent enough, sudden enough, broader campaign calling for sharp enough, and significant enough; greater democracy, police ac4. While the domestic cement industry suffered injury, as evidenced by deteriorating trends in industry market share, countability and an amnesty sales, production, profits and capacity utilization during the POI, the overall impairment in its position was not of a degree that may constitute serious injury; for those arrested. 5. There exists an imminent threat of serious injury and significant overall impairment to the position of the domestic The protests show no signs of cement industry in the near future, as shown by: abating, and Lam has struck an a. Significant rate of increase in cement importations starting 2016 until the first semester of 2019. Thus, indicating to the high likelihood that substantially increased importations will continue in the near future;
b.
The substantial freely disposable production capacities of exporters that can accommodate increasing exports to the Philippines and the importance of the Philippines as an export market by top suppliers Vietnam and China indicates the high chance of increased exports of cement to the Philippines in the near future;
c.
Significant deterioration in the overall position of the domestic cement industry during the period of import surge (i.e., declines in sales, market share, production, profits and capacity utilization, and reduced ability to generate capital and/or investments to further modernize and expand capacities).
6.
There is a direct causal relationship between increased imports of cement and the imminent threat of serious injury and significant overall impairment to the position of the domestic cement industry in the near future. While there were other factors that contributed to the impairment of the domestic cement industry, these were not substantial to cause serious injury to the local cement industry during the period of import surge.
7.
Serious injury to the domestic cement industry would occur imminently if a definitive safeguard measure against importations of cement is not applied.
8.
The circumstances provided in Article XIX or GATT 1994 need to be demonstrated since the product under consideration (type I and Type IP cement) is not the subject of any Philippine obligation or tariff concession under the WTO Agreement. Nonetheless, such inquiry is governed by the national legislation (RA No. 8800) and the terms and conditions of the Agreement on Safeguards.
The Commission recommended that the imposition of the safeguard measure be imposed for a period of three (3) years, i.e. from 2019 to 2022. Accordingly, the DTI has reviewed the Commission’s findings and recommendations and has established that the imposition of the definitive general safeguard measure shall be in the public interest. While DTI is mandated to protect consumers, there is a need to balance this taking into account other sectors such as investors and industry which provide employment to Filipinos. There is also a need to moderate imports to balance trade. If local manufacturers can adequately supply domestic requirements, they need to be provided a level playing field to enable them to compete with imports. This will allow expansion of the country’s manufacturing base and generate more jobs for Filipinos. Further, users of cement retain their option to choose between the local and imported cement since imports will still be allowed. The imposition of a safeguard measure is not expected to cause a shortage of cement in the domestic market considering that the cement manufacturers have sufficient capacity to meet domestic demand. WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF, and pursuant to Section 13 of RA 8800, the DTI hereby,issued the following:
HAZE IN KUALA LUMPUR. An elderly man wears a mask as haze shrouds Kuala Lumpur on September 10, 2019. Hundreds of schools across Southeast Asia are being shut as toxic smog from out-of-control forest fires blanket Malaysia and Indonesia, officials said on September 10. AFP
IN BRIEF Taliban vows to fight on
KABUL―The Taliban on Tuesday vowed to continue fighting against US forces in Afghanistan after President Donald Trump said the talks with the insurgents were “dead”, saying Washington would regret abandoning negotiations. “We had two ways to end occupation in Afghanistan, one was jihad and fighting, the other was talks and negotiations,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP. “If Trump wants to stop talks, we will take the first way and they will soon regret it.” The Taliban’s statement came hours after Trump told reporters that the US was walking away from negotiations after nearly a year of talks that aimed to pave the way for an American withdrawal from Afghanistan following 18 years of war. “They are dead. As far as I am concerned, they are dead,” Trump said at the White House. The announcement followed Trump’s dramatic cancellation of a top-secret plan to fly Taliban leaders in for direct talks at the Camp David presidential facility outside Washington.AFP
Report says world must adapt to climate change
PARIS―Nations rich and poor must invest now to protect against destructive climate change impacts already in the pipeline or pay an even heavier price later, a global commission led by former UN head Ban Kimoon warned Tuesday. Spending $1.8 trillion across five key areas over the next decade would not only help buffer the worst impacts of global warming but could generate more than $7 trillion in net benefits, the report from the Global Commission on Adaptation argued. “Global actions to slow climate change are promising but insufficient,” the report concluded. “We must invest in a massive effort to adapt to conditions that are now inevitable.” Investing now in early warning systems, climate-resistant infrastructure, mangrove protection, better agriculture and improving fresh water resources would pay for itself several times over, it said. Mangroves―tropical tidal water forests―protect, for example, against storm surges and act as nurseries for commercial fisheries, but at least a third of them globally have been uprooted for tourism or aquaculture. Without action by 2030, Ban told journalists, “climate change could push more than 100 million people in developing countries below the poverty line”. “People everywhere are experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change,” said Microsoft founder Bill Gates, co-chair of the report along with World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva. In the 25-year history of UN climate negotiations, adaptation has trailed far down the agenda compared with “mitigation”, or the reduction of carbon emissions. AFP
Typhoon strands 17,000 in Tokyo TOKYO―Around 17,000 passengers were stranded overnight at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, an official said Tuesday, after it took a direct hit from a powerful typhoon that caused transport chaos throughout the capital. The typhoon caused more than 100 flights to be scrapped and road and rail links to the airport were also badly affected, leaving many with no transport options to the city 70 kilometers to the west. Airport spokesman Kei Miyahara told AFP that a total of 16,900 were stuck at the airport at midnight. “Passengers are now beginning to go home or to their final destinations as buses and trains have resumed operations,” Miyahara said early Tuesday. Narita Airport, located in Chiba to the east of Tokyo, was right in the line of fire of Typhoon Faxai, which brought winds of up to 207 kilometers per hour. Suburban trains throughout the huge Tokyo metropolitan area were not reopened until 8 am on Monday as officials checked for debris and damage. This sparked pandemonium during the notoriously busy morning commute. AFP
1.
A definitive safeguard duty effective for three (3) years shall be imposed on imported cement from various countries to encourage and challenge the local cement industries to be globally competitive. The amount of the safeguard duty to be imposed for the first year shall be P250.00/MT or P10.00 per 40kg bag, for the second year –P225.00/ MT or P9.00 per 40kg bag, and for the third year –P200.00/MT or P8.00 per 40kg bag.
2.
The amount of the measure shall be subject to regular review to give DTI the opportunity to modify the amount of the duty if necessary. The duty shall be applied to cement classified under AHTN Codes 2523.29.90 and 2523.90.00 Imports originating from developing countries listed in Annex A covered by Rule 8.8 of the IRR of RA 8800 shall not be subject to the definitive general safeguard measure. The composition of the developing countries on the de minimis list may change based on a review of the most recent data available as part of the annual review which will be conducted by the DTI during the implementation period.
3.
Importers of cement originating from a country that is exempt from the safeguard duty shall submit a Certificate of Country of Origin (CO) issued by the authorized agency/office in the source country of manufacture subject to affixation of “Apostille” to the document or authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General, as applicable.
The application of the definitive general safeguard measure shall be monitored and reviewed in accordance with Sections 15 and 16 of RA 8800. The domestic cement industry is also directed to comply with its adjustment plan. The DTI Order of the definitive general safeguard measures can be accessed at the DTI website:https://www.dti.gov.ph/ media/advisories/13172-advisory-dti-order-in-the-matter-of-the-definitive-general-safeguard-measure-on-the-importationof-cement-from-various-countries. The notification and consultation requirements under Article 12 of the WTO Safeguards Agreement and Section 17 of RA 8800 and its IRR shall be complied with. Imports originating from ASEAN Member states shall be governed by the provisions of Articles 11 and 23 of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). Let this Order be published in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and let individual notices be sent to all interested parties including the country members concerned. This Order shall take effect upon the issuance of the relevant Customs Memorandum Order or fifteen(15) days after the publication of the Order in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. SO ORDERED. 27 August 2019
RAMON M. LOPEZ Secretary ANNEX A List of Developing Countries and Separate Customs Territories Excluded from the Imposition of Definitive General Safeguard Measure on Cement East &Southern Africa Angola Bostwana Burundi Comoros Congo. Dem. Rep. Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopioa Kenya Lesotho Madgascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Reunion Rwanda Seychelles Somalia South Africa Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe Europe & Central Asia
PREMIERE. Actress Clara Wilsey attends the premiere of Netflix’s ‘Tall Girl’ at Netflix Home Theater on September 09, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. AFP
Albania Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Bosnia&Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus CzechRepublic Estonia Georgia Greenland Hungary Kazakhstan KyrgyzRepublic Latvia Lithuania Macedonia, FYR Malta Moldova Poland Romania Russian Federation Slovakia Slovenia Tajikistan Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan Yugoslavia, Fed. Rep.
West Africa Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Rep. Chad Congo, Rep. Cote d’ Ivoire Equatorial Guinea Gabon Gambia, The Ghana Guinea Guinea, Bissau Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Negeria Sao Tome & Principe Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
Middle East Bahrain Iran, Islamic Rep. Iraq Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Syrian Arab Rep. United Arab Emirates West Bank & Gaza Yemen, Rep.
North Africa Algeria Egypt, Arab Rep. Libya Morocco Tunisia
Americas Anguilla Antigua & Barbuda Argentina Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda Bolivia Brazil British Virgin Is. Cayman Is. Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Rep. Ecuador El Salvador Falkland Is. (Malvinas) French Guiana Grenada Guadaloupe Guatemala Guyana Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique Mexico Montserrat Netherland Antilles Nicaragua Norfolk Is. Panama Paraguay Peru Puerto Rico St. Helena St. Kitts &Navis St. Lucia St. Pierre & Miquelon St. Vincent& the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad & Tobago Turks & Caicos Is. Uruguay US Virgin Is. Venezuela
South Asia Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan British Indian Ocean Territory East Timor India Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka
East Asia & Pacific American Samoa Brunei Darussalam Cambodia Christmas Is. Cocos (Keeling) Is. Cook Is. Fiji French Polynesia Guam Hong Kong, China Indonesia Johnston Is. Kiribati Korea, Dem. Rep. Korea, Rep. Lao PDR Macau, China Malaysia Marshall Islands Micronesia, Fed. Sts. Midway Is. Mongolia Myanmar Nauru New Caledonia Niue Northern Marianas Is. Palau Papua New Guinea Pitcairn Is. Samoa Singapore Solomon Islands Tokelau Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Wake Is. Wallis & Futuna Is.
(MS-SEPT. 11, 2019)
LGUs
Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com
B4 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
By Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS
newspaper of general circulation in compliance with Section 254 of the Local Government Code (Republic HE Makati City government is about to generate P1.7 billion in additional revenue from auctioning off properties Act 7160). “We wish to remind all concerned of those who failed to settle tax obligation. property owners to immediately settle Owners of these properties have continue to exert effort to notify con- their dues to avoid losing their propremained delinquent despite several cerned real property owners of the im- erties. They have been given several notices, including public notices in the pending public auction,” Cuneta said. notices through mail and public annewspapers. As of July 31, the city had attained nouncements in the newspapers. If they City Treasurer Jesusa Cuneta said 83 percent of its full-year revenue tar- still fail to take action, we will have no the amount will boost the revenue col- get of P17.1 billion with its total col- recourse but to auction off their properlections of Makati, particularly from lections reaching P14.2 billion. Of this, ties,” Cuneta said. real property tax (RPT), which al- P4.8 billion came from real property The city official also reminded new ready exceeded the full-year target as tax, which surpassed the target of P4.7 owners of real property in the city to prioritize the updating of official reof end-July. billion by over one percent. “The auction is expected to generate Cuneta said the delinquent proper- cords, including the registration of the a substantial amount of revenue that ties to be put up for auction are those transfer of ownership and updating of will put the city way above its target “without restrictions”, and are listed the tax declaration with the Assessfor real property tax, as well as the to- on the Notice of Real Property Tax ment Department (Assessor’s Office) tal target for the year. Nevertheless, we Delinquency published recently in a at the 2nd floor of Makati City Hall.
THE Holy Angel University, in coordination with the UNESCO-Asia Pacific Network for International Education and Values Education (APNIEVE) Philippines, is launching a program that seeks to address climate change by integrating values into the personal lifestyles of today’s Filipino. The key word is Eco-logical Literacy, which holds a central role in improving the environment, by reducing waste production, and advocating a shift in mindset. HAU and UNESCO-APNIEVE seeks to accomplish this by partnering with public schools. The group sought to influence more learning communities by directly engaging the different Schools Divisions in Central Luzon, starting with those based in Pampanga. Among those targeted for the initial launch are the Schools Divisions of Angeles City, City of San Fernando and Mabalacat City. APNIEVE has expressed support for Eco--literate programs through training, benchmarking and servicelearning in schools. This includes engagement of different sector, and the sharing of best practices on sustainable development in HAU, Miriam College and other UNESCOAPNIEVE member institutions. “We can start in our own little ways, by going micro,” said Dr. Alma Natividad, dean of the HAU College of Education. Globalization has made today’s people highly consumeristic and heavily dependent on digital technology, in effect losing appreciation of nature and its processes. According to Dr. Rhoda SantillanTayag, project proponent, to have an Eco—literate lifestyle is a step to reducing the world’s issues. “The problems of the world today are systemic, what we wear, what to eat, thus the need to be practical and minimalistic,” Tayag explained. “When we bEco-me Eco—literate, we bEco-me more responsive to the conditions of our environment.” Tayag also suggested the promotion of “meatless days” as a means to address climate change. “There is a link between meals, deforestation and global warming. Changing our diet can help fight climate change,” Tayag shared. According to a United Nations report, the cattle industry contributed 7.5 Billion metric tons of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere annually. “To understand one’s place is to understand one’s self,” said Tayag. “And to reduce meat consumption is a big step towards realizing this.”
THE Bicol region is known as a typhoon-prone area, with storms from the northwestern Pacific Ocean hitting the area numerous times throughout the year. To help Bicolanos, specifically residents of Naga City, become more disaster resilient during typhoons and other calamities, the National Resilience Council once again partnered with mall giant SM for its Adopt-ACity Program. This is a city-specific partnership model that will link the resources of private partners with the specific needs of the local government units in establishing their resilient LGU systems. SM, under the leadership of Hans Sy, was the first company to take part in the Adopt-A-City program to help Filipino communities. SM first “adopted” Cagayan de Oro City and recently committed to offer assistance to its second city, Naga in Bicol. “We are hoping that through this initiative, we will be able to convince the private sector to help in corporate disaster resilience—as SM has already taken the lead—not as a CSR option but as part of their core business value cycle,” said NRC president Toni-Yulo Loyzaga.
“This is not only SM’s initiative alone—this should be all private sectors working together so I hope we can also take this opportunity to invite other private sectors to really invest in the cities that they have chosen,” Sy added.
Emergency loans from GSIS in 4 dengue-hit areas THE Government Service Insurance System has offered emergency loans to active members and pensioners in Samar province, municipalities of Pontevedra and Sigma in Capiz, and Sofronio Española in Palawan, which were declared under a state of calamity due to dengue outbreak. GSIS allocated almost P633 million for the loan in these areas. The loan application deadline for Samar, Pontevedra, and Sigma is Sept. 20, while that for Sofronio Española is Sept. 22. Active members with no existing emergency loan and old-age pensioners may apply for a P20,000 loan. Those who have not yet fully paid their emergency loan may apply for a P40,000 loan, from which the outstanding balance will be deducted. Qualified to apply are active members who are working or residing in the calamity-declared areas, not on leave of absence without pay, have no arrears in paying monthly mandatory life insurance or social insurance premium contributions, and have no unpaid loans for more than six months. They should also have a minimum net take-home pay of P5,000 after the monthly premium contributions and loan amortizations have been deducted. Active members may apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosk located in all GSIS branch and extension offices; provincial capitols; city halls; selected municipal offices; large government agencies such as the Department of Education; Robinsons Malls; and selected SM City branches in North EDSA, Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, SM Aura in Taguig, SM Southmall in Las Piñas, and Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Old-age pensioners must file their application over the counter to safeguard their identity. If they are also active members, they may apply for the loan only once. Emergency loan is payable in 36 equal monthly instalments at six percent interest rate per annum. It is covered by a loan redemption insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in case of the borrower’s demise, provided that loan repayment is up to date.
Holy Angel U, UNESCO link up for Eco-Literacy
CINE EUROPA. Thomas Wiersing, the Charge d Affaires of the European Delegation to the Philippines (sixth from left), joins delegates from different European countries at the My Cinema at Greenbelt 3 in Makati City for the press screening of the film ‘Cold War’ and to launch the 22nd year of the Cine Europa film festival. The festival showcases European cultural diversity, while ‘Cold War’ is a passionate love story between a man and a woman who meet the ruins of war. Manny Palmero
Makati tax take at P1.7b from auctioned properties By Joel E. Zurbano
T
44 Bataan prisoners gain SM adopts Naga City for LGU disaster resilience program skills training BALANGA CITY, Bataan―Forty-four prisoners or persons deprived of liberty (PDL) graduated Monday from a skills training program conducted by a state university here. Dr. Bernadeth Gabor, dean of the College of Technology of Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) and program leader of Hope Behind Bars, said the 44 male and female PDLs finished the courses in Food and Beverage Services and Bread and Pastry. Dayanara Baciles, common-law wife of one of the prisoners, said: “I am very happy that my husband learned a new skill he could use to earn when he goes out of jail soon. I thank the jail management and BPSU for the program.” The Hope Behind Bars program has already trained many PDLs with various skills in the district jail, Bataan District warden Jail Superintendent Andrew Tauli said earlier. “The program has a huge impact in the lives of PDLs here,” he said. For her part, Gabor said: “Many of those in jail are hopeful there will be life after detention. We need to accept and support them.” Butch Gunio
Hans Sy, NRC co-chairman and the only Filipino board member of UNDRR ARISE (left photo), endorses the Adopt-A-City program with (right photo, from left) Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, Supermalls COO Steven Tan, NRC president Toni YuloLoyzaga, and chairman of the CP Romulo Foundation Amb. Roberto Romulo.
“SM has proven time and again that they are in the lead as far as this is concerned and through the vision of the ambassador and Mr. Sy, we’re now able to make this a reality,” Loyzaga added. “As I have always emphasized, ad-
dressing disaster issues is not just the government’s responsibility but also has to include the initiative of the private sector,” said Hans Sy, NRC cochairman and the only Filipino board member of UNDRR ARISE.
Power firm, beneficiaries ink ER 1-94 MOAs By Jessica M. Bacud
Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla (third from right) shakes hands with SNAP president and CEO Joseph S. Yu to seal the remittance pact. Jessica Bacud
SANTIAGO CITY—Renewable energy company SN Aboitiz Power has signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the amended Energy Regulations No. 1-94 (ER 1-94), marking the start of a streamlined process of releasing financial benefits from power generators to local governments. SNAP is set to turn over more than P10.5 million to their host communities based on the total attributable energy sales of its Ambuklao, Binga, Magat, and Maris hydro facilities. “We thank the Department of Ener-
gy for being steadfast in their commitment to streamline the implementation of ER 1-94. Through this improved process, host communities may now immediately reap their share of the company’s revenue from hosting generation facilities,” remarked SNAP president and CEO Joseph S. Yu. “We are excited to witness and to continuously partner for the conscious and consistent positive change that these additional funds will bring to our communities,” Yu stressed. “We thank the DOE and SNAP for the new scheme on the direct remittance of ER1-94 funds. We look forward to effectively utilizing the
funds, as stated in the Implementing Rules and Regulations,” Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla said during the ceremony held in Zen Hotel in Santiago, Isabela. The ER 1-94 program is a policy under the Department of Energy Act of 1992 and Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001. The program seeks to recompense for the contribution made by the communities hosting Energy Resources and/or Energy Generating Facilities. These host communities will get a share of one centavo for every kilowatt-hour sold by power generation plants operating in their areas.
Life
Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE
FASION AND BEAUTY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
C1
Pablo Cabahug’s
rays
of sunshine BRIGHT LIKE THE SUN. Pablo Cabahug’s Rayons Du Soleil
collection features reimagined pieces that exude a romantic feel and the emotions of sunrise and sunset.
F
ILIPINO fashion designer Pablo Cabahug, whose well-trained sartorial eye and mastery of bringing easy-lux visions to life have earned him stripes in the industry, looks back to a memorable decade with a special show.
On Nov. 4, Cabahug is ringing in his 10th year with a celebratory benefit dinner and gala show for his new collection Rayons Du Soleil (Rays of the Sun) at the PICC Forum. The 50-piece collection, the designer said, is something of a love letter to his colorful experiences in the industry that has shaped the designer he has become today. Cabahug revisits and reimagines his favorite creations. “I wanted to revisit my most memorable collections, and reimagine them with a romantic feel and the ease of different hues and emotions from sunrise to sunset,” he says. This imagery of the sun—from rising to its seat in the sky, to its return to rest at the end of the day—is symbolic of life’s never-ending opportunities. “To fall and rise again, to live another day and start anew,” the designer explains. Taking pages from his past collections and reworking them to fit the men and women of today, Cabahug’s design DNA will run strong in the new collection: easy luxury, flattering lines to compliment the woman’s body, a touch of menswear. It’s the classic Pablo Cabahug aesthetic––made fresher and more exciting with modern updates and new silhouettes. The benefit dinner, which will
Filipino fashion designer Pablo Cabahug revisits and reimagines his favorite creations for his 10th anniversary collection.
Some of the pieces from Cabahug’s Rayon Du Soleil collection.
senator Freddy Webb, TV director set the scene for Rayons Du Soleil’s Letran Quadricentennial Building. Some of the personalities who Lauren Dyogi, and former PBA Star launch, will benefit the designer’s alma mater, Colegio de San Juan Le- will walk the runway on Nov. 4 are Kerby Raymundo. “A portion of the [collection’s] tran, funding the construction of the Letran alumni, including former
sales will be donated to the Letran scholarship, so we can continue to give back even after the show is over,” adds Cabahug.
K-beauty brand Innisfree’s SM City North Edsa store offers innovative beauty solutions that harness the power of the finest ingredients from Jeju Island.
Innisfree’s 3rd PH store highlights Eco-Hankie Campaign
ALWAYS a proponent of the environment, K-beauty brand Innisfree’s third store in the Philippines highlights the brand’s Eco-Hankie Campaign. Amore Pacific Philippines general manager Stephen Lee led the untying of the hankies at the opening of the SM City North Edsa branch. The Eco-Hankie Campaign is Innisfree’s annual green life campaign, which, since 2010, has been encouraging people to use eco-friendly handkerchiefs to help lessen the use of disposable paper tissues. This year’s campaign theme encourages “PlayGreeners” to sing, dance, jump, and feel the joy of living green by carrying their own eco bag, bringing a reusable cup, and using hankies instead of tissues. As its innovative beauty solutions
harness the power of the finest ingredients from Korea’s pristine Jeju Island, the brand take great care to preserve and protect the environment in all that it does—practicing green living and supporting causes that give back to the earth and community. The new store also highlights Innisfree’s worldwide bestsellers—Green Tea Seed Serum for intense hydration, Bija Cica Balm for troubled skin, Jeju Orchid Cream for its anti-aging properties, and No Sebum Mineral Powder for a soft and shine-free skin. In addition to the Eco-Hankie Campaign, Innisfree also has an ongoing Empty Bottle Campaign which lets customers drop off empty containers at any Innisfree stores to be upcycled. Innisfree is also at SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall.
Amore Pacific general manager Stephen Lee (fourth from left) led the untying of the EcoHankies at the opening of Innisfree in SM City North Edsa. Joining Lee are (from left) Janeena Chan, SM City North Edsa’s Timothy Cuenca, Winnie Oliver, and Francis Calubaquib.
Life
C2 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com
A
PROTOTYPE sizing system fit for the Filipino physique has been developed. The Department of Science and Technology Philippine Textile Research Institute partnered with the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the project, dubbed Perfect Fit, which is geared towards producing a Philippine standard sizing system with the help of an innovative 3D Body Scanning System. The projects included the availability of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, design visualization, and the establishment of an integrated textile product development processes through the grantin-aide project. “This will lead to a generation of accurate measurements and the ability to optimize pattern layout [that will] result in a more efficient textile product development, material utilization, and human resources input,” said DOST international cooperation assistant secretary Dr. Leah Buendia. Buendia added “Interestingly, it will not only promote mass customization in the garment industry, but will also find application from industrial design for manufacturing of ergonomic goods and health and nutrition for nationwide monitoring of The 3D Body Scanning System, developed by the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Textile Research Institute and Benilde’s Fashion Design and Merchandising Program, is a prototype sizing system fit for the Filipino physique. body size and shape.” “The possibilities are endless.” De La SalleDOST PTRI director Celia Elumba DLS-CSB FDM chairperson Christine College of Saint stressed out that this initiative is just one Benet talked about two kinds of product Benilde Fashion of their many projects in redeeming the development: customized and ready-toDesign and local textile industry. “We are not just rewear (RTW). The first includes designer Merchandising searching to put this into paper and to the pieces, which are easier to control because Program shelves for publication. It is something that of individualized measurements. chairperson is meant to address a particular need in the “However, there is still a challenge in Christine society,” she stated. terms of tools. In the Philippines, We have Benet, Benilde’s “We have over 100 million Filipinos and School of limited mannequins and dress forms. We Design and Arts we are not even dressing 10 percent of our rely on products made in China,” she statEnvironment own people; we are missing out on that ined. “Our RTWs, on the other hand, basiCluster associate dustrial capability to move the economy,” cally follow the standard sizing of internadean Architect added Elumba. tional brands and it does not always fit the Ma. Cynthia “We would like to see how technology Filipino size. In fact, there are questions Funk, and can help provide access to product develbeing raised now, such as: How come we Department opment and visual prototyping for design don’t have our own sizing system?” of Science and innovation while reducing time, wastage, Benet shared that in DLS-CSB, students Technology energy, and error,” said Elumba who also are educated to manually take and create Philippine Textile Research noted that currently, the Philippines is the measurements and patterns, and at the Institute director only nation in Asean that has the particusame time, discover the ropes of the proCelia Elumba lar system which has a higher accuracy cess through a CAD, which is what multiwith the 3D and capacity as compared to what other national companies use. Body Scanning countries use. “However, although our students are System. Currently housed at DOST’s Textile trained, the local scene is not yet ready for Product Development Center, the first 3D such innovation,” spilled Benet. “This existBody Scanning System will have its muching cooperation with DOST PTRI allows us anticipated public view at the “Sinulid: to create awareness with the industry and the Epilogue,” the third and last installment of public that it is possible to do everything in DLS-CSB FDM’s culminating exhibit, on a certain way wherein we are blending susOct. 8-10 at the SM Mega Fashion Hall. tainability and technology.”
The ‘Perfect Fit’ DOST, Benilde develop PH standard sizing system
FRESH DROPS Heels made for nightlong partying
Salvatore Ferragamo’s Refracted shoes
HEELS are great; they improve your posture and add a bit of height. They spell chic and glamour. But wearing them, say, in a club dancing all night can be extremely agonizing—the pain often trumps beauty. Comes Refracted heel from Salvatore Ferragamo’s fall/ winter 2019 shoes collection, a 5.5-centimeter (2-inch) high, innovative heel shape made of highly durable yet ultralight plastic, so wearing heels long period becomes bearable. The heels’ high-tensile galvanized metallic shell coating and laser-carved irregular triangular facets catch the light, creating refractions of light. According to the Italian shoe brand, the Refracted heel drew inspiration from the Flower heel, which was based on the revolutionary 1939 Column heel designed by
Furla’s new five THE new season brings with it five key bag styles from Italian luxury leather goods label Furla. Brava is a structured, yet ultra light bag made of calfskin leather, available in shoulder bag and mini crossbody in two colors: dark red Ribes and Nero. A versatile shoulder bag, Diva has a gusset bag construction with inside compartments and convenient back pocket, its body is made of goatskin leather and a suede flap. Fantastica is a classic handbag designed for everyday use what with its
Furla’s new bag styles (from left) Brava, Lady M, Mimi, Fantastica, and Diva
functionality: foldable, double zip, comfortable handles, metal feet, and many outer and inner pockets. Lady M comes in crocodile embossed calf leather in Nero, gray Asfalto, or pink beige. Finally, Mimi is the season’s must-have featuring a bandolier silhouette, with a flat pocket on the back to keep essentials, and a metallic chain with leather inserts. Furla is at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central, Greenbelt 5, Newport Mall, Rustan’s Makati, and Shangri-La Plaza.
Salvatore Ferragamo. “The heel is designed to showcase the beauty of irregularity and variousness—a core element of the Patchwork of Characters philosophy that has been guiding our design team for several seasons now—by allowing for the play of light and surface in apparently random manner,” shares the creator, Paul Andrew. Initial release of Refracted shoes comes in five styles in a wide range of colorways and fabrications such as nappa, suede, patent leather, and silk satin with crystal embroideries. Salvatore Ferragamo is located at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Makati, and Solaire Resort & Casino.
The representatives of global fashion companies that signed the Fashion Pact which aims to protect the environment by reducing fashion industry’s environmental impact on the planet.
Global fashion brands sign a pact for the environment OVER a hundred global brands have confirmed their commitment to protecting the planet by signing the Fashion Pact. Through the Fashion Pact, some of the biggest names in fashion—32 companies and roughly 150 brands—set goals to reduce environmental impact of the fashion industry, which is responsible for 10 percent of the carbon footprint of the world. Its objectives, based on the Science-Based Targets initiative, target three key areas for safeguarding the planet, including: Stop global warming by creating and deploying an action plan for achieving the objective of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in order to keep global warming below 1.5-degree Celsius pathway between now and 2100. Restore biodiversity by achieving objectives that use Science-Based Targets to restore natural ecosystems and protect species. Stop single-use plastics by reducing the fashion industry’s negative impact on the world’s oceans through practical initiatives such as gradually removing the usage of single-use plastics. The aforementioned commitments are designed to be embraced by every company involved, and backed by cross-sector initiatives along with the deployment of innovation accelerators.
Salvatore Ferragamo chief executive officer Micaela le Divelec Lemmi, and representatives of the other 32 companies signed the Fashion Pact during a meeting at the Elysée with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has presented the initiative at the G7 Summit held in Biarritz on August 24-26. “We are proud to be part of this initiative. Thanks to the Fashion Pact, for the first time, major fashion industry players are joining forces to take on the largest environmental challenges of our century,” said Ferruccio Ferragamo, president of Salvatore Ferragamo. Ermenegildo Zegna Group chief executive officer Gildo Zegna, for his part, said, “Zegna is committed in sustainable projects: we are vertically integrated and able to manage key directional projects as the #USETHEEXISTING one based on the recycling and upcycling of natural and technical materials. The Fashion Pact will be, for our Group, not the beginning of the sustainability journey, but the continuation of a commitment initiated by our founder Ermenegildo Zegna more than a century ago. That’s our legacy and our responsibility.” In addition to Salvatore Ferragamo and Ermenegildo Zegna, other SSI brands that have signed the Fashion Pact include Burberry, Gap Inc., Giorgio Armani, Hermes, Inditex, Prada, PVH Corp., Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, and Tapestry.
Entertainment
A
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
C3
nickie.standard@gmail.com
ABSCBN hauls in 21 trophies including Best Station at Aral Parangal Awards Very Wang...
BS-CBN Network continues to be the choice of young Filipinos in South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos(Soccksargen) after bagging the Best TV Station award at the 5th Aral Parangal of the Young Educators’ Convergence of Soccksargen (YECS). This is the fifth time the Kapamilya network received the top award from the award-giving body, which also presented it with 20 more awards for its various news and entertainment programs and personalities this year in the awarding ceremony held in General Santos City. TV Patrol won Best News Program while its anchors Noli De Castro and Bernadette Sembrano won Best Male News Anchor and Best Female News Anchor, respectively. Matanglawinwas recognized as Best Educational Program as its anchor Kim Atienza was hailed as Best Educational Program Host. Completing the winners from the ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs are Umagang Kay Ganda (Best Morning Show), The Bottomline (Best Public Affairs Program), and Salamat Dok (Best Public Service Program). Over on the entertainment side, it was Kapamilya stars Coco Martin (Best TV Actor) and Angel Locsin (Best TV Actress) who took home the top honors, which also included popular young stars Kathryn Bernardo (Movie Actress of the Year), along with her love team partner Daniel Padilla, who both won as KathNiel (Loveteam of the Year). Kathryn’s box-office hit movie Hello, Love, Goodbye, which is now the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, won Movie of the Year. Meanwhile, YECS also recognized ABS-CBN’s top-rating programs Kadenang Ginto (Best Daytime TV Program), It’s Showtime (Best Entertainment Show), The General’s Daughter (Best Primetime TV Series) Maalaala Mo Kaya (Best Drama Anthology), and Wansapanataym (Best
PAGEANT CONCEPT ETON CONCEPCION REIGNING Mrs. ECO International 2019 Shiela Teodoro-DeForest joined in the celebration of the 110th Baguio Charter Day during her thanksgiving visit to the City of Pines. The statuesque remove, 45-year-old DeForest, who won her international title in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA in June, was awarded Best ECO video presentation in the pageant which featured different locations of Baguio City and Benguet focusing on the environmental issues affecting communities in the Northern Highlands. DeForest, a former flight stewardess and public affairs staff at the British Embassy in Manila, graduated with a degree in BS Tourism at University of the Philippines-Asian Institute of Tourism. Married to an American pilot, the Pagsanjan, Laguna native, now
Values Oriented Show). Rounding up the Kapamilya winners are the TNT Boys (Music Artist of the Year) and Moira Dela Torre’s song “Tagpuan” (Song of the Year). YECS is a UNESCO-accredited alliance of young professional teachers and education students across
the region congregated by the advocacy to effect constructive upshots in educating the young, empowering IP communities and advocating peace and unity in Mindanao. It is the fifth year that they have held the Aral Parangal Awards to honor media and TV excellence for the past calendar year with votes collected from the 22 member schools of the alliance. Moira wins Song of the Year award for 'Tagpuan.'
residing in Colorado, USA, worked as commercial model with Wilhelmina Modeling Agency, Denver, USA. DeForest has been busy attending to her duties and advocacy as Mrs. ECO International, in the USA and Baguio. She had paid a courtesy call with the newly elected Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and participated in the Siapno Creek clean-up drive and tree-planting activity in Baguio City. Together with her two sister queens, who are also advocates for the environment in the other divisions of the pageant, Ms. and Teen ECO International, they provide and represent a platform for women to have a larger voice and share their passion for the protection of the environment. With the help of the media, DeForest hopes that Baguio and Benguet residents will strengthen their awareness and to be more concerned of their environment and natural resources. “You don’t need a crown to serve,” DeForest would always emphasize as an environment spokesperson. DeForest’s platform focuses on reduction of
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 49 Watercraft 50 Intensity 53 Versatile (hyph.) 59 “The Mammoth Hunters” heroine 60 Vault 61 Heart outlet 62 Not e’en once 63 Team 64 Distinct 65 Uptight 66 Took food 67 Saturday morning fare DOWN 1 — -a-brac 2 Nearly extinct 3 Hot spot 4 Didn’t stay 5 More glossy 6 Hounds’ leads 7 Kukla’s pal 8 Rum cake 9 Sour-cream bits 10 Volkswagen kin 11 Marseilles Ms. 12 Bullring cheers 15 Rolls in mud 21 Arrest 25 Yang complement 26 — de menthe 27 Western movie 28 Safari leader 29 Squishy
KathNiel named Best Loveteam of the Year
Coco Martin of 'Ang Probinsyano' bags Best Actor for TV award
CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 They may be mopped 6 Weep loudly 9 Army wear 13 Fray 14 Dog nail 16 Cargo space 17 Sherlock’s lady friend 18 Island near Corsica 19 Not working 20 100th anniversary 22 Competes for 23 Winslet or Capshaw 24 Wood ash product 26 Spider traps 30 Rowdier 34 Less processed 35 Chess piece 36 Long March leader 37 Ohio or Oregon, to Yves 38 Electrical connectors 40 Floppy contents 41 Gents 42 Horned animal 43 Hole-boring tool 44 Pencil ends 46 Pet restraints 48 PC key
From C4
30 Old horse 31 Snapshot 32 Diner 33 Lion sounds 35 Set 38 Grand entrances 39 Sixth notes 40 “That’s obvious!” 42 Thicken 43 Lure 45 Wage 46 Surpassed 47 Perfume label word
49 Sled runner 50 Writer — Grey 51 Ogled 52 Not — — to stand on 54 Eric the Red’s son 55 Game on horseback 56 Snack cookie 57 Getz or Mikita 58 Cup handles
Cory Quirino (3rd from left) with Mutya Pilipinas 2019 queens
HOOQathon Raffle Promo This month, HOOQ fans have a lot of reasons to stream Hollywood movies and TV shows. From Aug. 19 through Sept. 17, HOOQ is running, HOOQathon, a bingewatch raffle promo for HOOQ VIP subscribers. For every two Sony Pictures Television movies watched, or the equivalent total minutes of 200, a VIP subscriber is entitled to one raffle ticket and a chance to win a three-night vacation for two in Los Angeles California - home of Hollywood entertainment. The prize is packed with must-have experiences of vibrant L.A. - round trip flights, airport transfers, hotel accommodation in a luxury hotel, a super car driving experience at a speedway track, a walking tour of contemporary street art, dinner at a top restaurant and pocket money. To join, one must first subscribe to a trial access or paid subscription, then register by providing their first name, last name, HOOQ registered email address, mobile number and mailing address. Subscribers automatically get one raffle entry upon registration. For every 200 minutes clocked in, one raffle entry is earned; plus, every rental movie redeemed also earns them one more entry. Sony Pictures Television movies and TV shows on HOOQ include Angels & Demons, Brightburn, SALT, The Nanny, The Oath, The Good Doctor, and The Client List. A complete list of titles can be found here: https:// on.hooq.tv/SonyHOOQathon. The grand draw is on Sept. 23. To be eligible for the raffle draw, the subscriber must hold a Philippine passport. For more information, log on to https://campaign.hooq.tv/ sonyhooqathon/. Per DTI-FTEB Permit No. 13948 Series of 2019.
Mrs. ECO International 2019 Shiela Teodoro-DeForest (center)
plastic wastes and non-use and proper have a larger voice to share their passion disposal of single-use plastics. She’s and goals to protect and educate others been a spokesperson on proper waste on global environmental issues. segregation and proper garbage disposal. *** The Mrs. ECO International Mutya Pilipinas Queens organization aims to provide a platform meet-and-greet that allows women around the world to The Mutya Pilipinas Organization,
headed by Cory Quirino, presented to the members of the press its newly crowned 2019 gorgeous queens at a special lunch, meet-and-greet event held at Hai Shin Lou Restaurant, in Makati recently. The Mutya Pilipinas 2019 queens was led by Mutya Pilipinas - Asia Pacific International Klyza Castro and Mutya Pilipinas Tourism International Tyra Rae Goldman, together with Mutya Pilipinas World Top Model April May Short and Mutya Pilipinas 1st and 2nd runners up Cyrille Payumo and Maxinne Nicole Rangel, respectively. Mutya Pilipinas 2019 Overseas Communities Janica Louise Arroyo An begged off as she has returned in Los Angeles, California to continue pursuing her studies in Civil Engineering at the California State University. Castro, a 19-year-old Davaoeña, has started rigorous training in preparation for the Miss Asia Pacific International Pageant to be held at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila on Oct. 9. Castro will try to make it back-to-back after Sharifa Areef Mohammad Omar Akeel won last year. The 18-year-old Goldman, who hails from Nevada, USA, is also undergoing training for the Miss Tourism International 2019 pageant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Nov. 8. Short, a 24-year-old accountant and model from Zamboanga City, will represent the Philippines at the World Top Model International in Monte Carlo, Principality of Monaco on Dec. 14.
Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com
C4 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
Entertainment
‘Feel the rhythm, hear my feelings’ TODAY’S TeenGen is a lot more vocal and expressive with what they’re going through or what’s on their minds. Whether it be a kilig moment with crush, heartbreak, getting recognized in school, or a cause they strongly support, teens of these days can teach us a thing or two about having no holds barred. It has been a year since our Homecoming to Teen Love, this year, Coke Studio brings us its 3rd Season: MyFeels. Indeed, no one does it better than Coke when it comes to launches with theCoke Studio Music Festival that commenced the Coke Studio Season 3: MyFeels last Aug. 23 at the Circuit Makati with our hosts from the Summer Concert Ylona
Garcia and Justin Quirino. Headlined by Coke Studio Season 3 artists, we welcomed the rainy season with rush of water and stream of feelings ranging from love, freedom, independence, and moving forward. We moved to the groove with Iñigo Pascual, Ron Henley, Al James, Lola Amour, This Band, and Sarah Geronimo while Janine Teñoso, Clara Benin, Bea Lorenzo, Silent Sanctuary, Brisom, St. Wolf, Just Hush, UDD, and Morisette serenaded us with their solo performances. Also giving us surprise numbers were Coke Studio Seasons 1 and 2 alums Ben & Ben, December Avenue, and IV of Spades. We used to be shy about sharing
what we feel, no matter what it is, to people around us even the ones we trust. Coke Studio: MyFeels is here to turn the tables, its time to celebrate our feels and make it known that no one can dictate the validity of our feelings. Just when we thought 2019 is going too fast and time is running out for us, Coke Studio came to the rescue with its 3rd Season and made us realize to celebrate every single thing no matter how little they are, look out for the possibilities that learning from triumphs and slumps can give us, and keep in touch with the feels of people around us and ourselves. Catch them every Saturday starting Sept. 14, at 10:00 a.m. on ABS-CBN.
Pop royalty Sarah Geronimo shares her music with the young audience in Coke Studio Season 3
A song stuck in your head BEHIND THE SCENES. 'It: Chapter 2' had the second biggest horror opening weekend box office ever. AFP
‘IT Chapter Two’
scares up at box office PROVING again the lure of a good scare, the Stephen King-inspired film IT Chapter Two took in $91 million this weekend to top the North American box office, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. That three-day estimate fell below the original It, with its frighteningly impressive $123 million opening in 2017. But the two films now rank as the top two horror openings ever, according to Variety. IT Chapter Two stars Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Isaiah Mustafa, and Bill Hader as the grownup versions of the kids who battled the terrifying, shape-shifting clown Pennywise 27 years earlier—and now must do it again. There were no other new releases in the top 10, and the box office lineup, in what has been a slow year for cinema,
SNAPSHOT
SCREAMS from the redcarpet crowd could be heard blocks from the city center as Jennifer Lopez headed a cast of glamorous leading ladies for the world premiere of Hustlers on Saturday as the Toronto film festival hit its stride with a wide range of hotly anticipated premieres. AFP
was little changed from last weekend. Slipping one spot to second—and miles behind IT Chapter Two—was Lionsgate’s political thriller Angel Has Fallen, which earned $6 million. Gerard Butler stars as a Secret Service agent wrongly accused of attempting to kill the US president (Morgan Freeman). In third, also down one spot, was Universal’s raunchy tween comedy Good Boys, at $5.4 million. Disney’s updated The Lion King also slipped one spot, to fourth, at $4.2 million. Displaying a steady appeal even in its eighth week out, it has earned more than $1.6 billion worldwide. Holding steady in fifth place was Sony’s Overcomer, at $3.8 million. The Christian-themed movie tells the story of a coach who reluctantly agrees to train an asthmatic orphan girl for a big cross-country meet. AFP
Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos in a scene from the coming-of-age romantic Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino film, 'LSS.'
L
SS (Last Song SynVERY drome), an official entry WANG to the Pista ng Pelikulang NICKIE Pilipino 2019, follows the story WANG of two struggling dreamers in their 20s who discover what it means to grow up as they experience the joy and pain of love and loss while accompanied by the music of Ben & Ben.
The main characters are played by real life couple Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos. It’s their first movie together. “Working with him for the first time was a breeze. During the first taping days, we had a hard time. We had to adjust but since we’re very comfortable with each other, working became just like an ordinary day with him,” Gabbi shared with Manila Standard. “I guess that’s the good part when you don’t belong to the same network. You can still share a lot of things about work without the other person feeling suffocated because, again it still work. Being in two different environments make us feel excited to share how our days went by,” Khalil said. According to the couple, LSS tackles the utterly complicated story aspects of relationships, life and love. “The movie centers on that. But that doesn’t mean that one will just give up the search for that great love. It talks about the pain, the struggle and the ‘kilig’ moments of a young couple that anyone can relate with,” said Khalil. LSS revolves Sara (Gabbi) and Zak (Khalil) who someStars Gabbi and Khalil promise to get our hearts racing with their first film together.
how managed to embroil themselves in a chain of almost-but-not-quite-thereyet romantic sojourns while on the heels of an up-and-coming indie-folk band, played by the phenomenal ninepiece band Ben & Ben. From the same production company that gave moviegoers Birdshot, Goyo, and Hintayan ng Langit—Globe Studios LSS,
continues Globe Studios’ high standards with a timely story of two young lovers experiencing the reality of adulthood. Coupled with a soundtrack especially created by the biggest band in the local music scene Ben&Ben, LSS promises to provide the butterflies in the stomach as it unspools in the cinemas national on Sept. 13 to 28. Directed by Jade Castro, who also directed the big-hit rom-com My Big Love and the critically acclaimed and awardwinning Endo, LSS details the lives and hopes of Zak and Sarah, played by real life couple Gabbi and Khalil, who both love music and eventually fall in love with each other. Last March, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) announced the first three movies that made it to the PPP, which include LSS, Cuddle Weather and Panti Sisters.Continued on C3