Manila Standard - 2019 September 14 - Saturday by Manila Standard

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5.3-magnitude quake rumbled through Metro

Palace orders cash budgeting in gov’t projects By MJ Blancaflor and Rio N. Araja

SHIFT TO SAFETY. Students of La Paz Elementary School in Makati wear hard hats provided by the city government as they spill into the street following Friday’s 5.3-magnitude earthquake. Evacuations were also conducted in all public schools in Makati for the temblor, which hit off the coast of Polilio Island in Burdeos, Quezon (inset) and was felt at Intensity 3 in Metro Manila.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja

IN A bid to speed up the delivery of public services, Malacañang has ordered the adoption of a cash budgeting system which requires funds and projects to be spent and executed within the same fiscal year. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, on behalf of President Rodrigo Duterte, signed Executive Order 91 on Sept. 9 that orders the government shift to a cash budgeting system. Under the previous system, contracts Next page

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 212 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Massive BuCor revamp up

AN EARTHQUAKE that struck in Quezon Province, east of the capital Manila, on Friday set buildings swaying and sent scores into the streets, but authorities said they did not expect any damage. The 5.3-magnitude jolt hit offshore near sparsely populated Polillo Island, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Manila, according to the US Geological Survey. Buildings in the capital were briefly evacuated and trains halted for at least an hour while crews looked for any damage as several smaller aftershocks rumbled through the ground. “This is a moderate-sized earthquake and we don’t expect damage so far based on the intensity reports that we received,” Renato Solidum, director Next page

By MJ Blancaflor and Macon Ramos-Araneta

AN ILLUSION?

The southbound stretch of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue near Kamuning in Quezon City is surprisingly traffic-free on Friday afternoon. Officials credited the Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police for clearing the normally congested road. Manny Palmero

ECLARING that “everybody will have to go,” President Rodrigo Duterte announced a massive revamp in the Bureau of Corrections amid revelations of widespread corruption and gross incompetence in the management of the penal system.

“I will hit you not because the law was in limbo but because of corruption,” President Duterte said, addressing BuCor officials in a speech Thursday. The law in question was the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law that prison officials used as basis to free almost 2,000 inmates convicted of heinous crimes.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires earlier ordered 27 BuCor officials suspended for six months without pay as a result of the scandal. BuCor documents section chief Ramoncito Roque led the list of those suspended. Roque was accused by Yolanda Camilon of extorting P50,000 for the

House pushes own GCTA probe By Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo

THE House of Representatives wants a probe of its own into the controversies surrounding the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law and the early release of convicts of heinous crimes. Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles said the investigation would help lawmakers amend the GCTA Law to remove con-

fusion and ambiguity and to establish standards for “good conduct” that will be used to shorten prison terms. Lawmakers, too, would need to address mismatching provisions in the Revised Penal Code and the GCTA, and provide a clear-cut definition of what constitutes a heinous crime. Nograles said people found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of heinous Next page

Brains in Jolo Church blast tagged ‘global terrorist’ THE US State Department has declared Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the Abu Sayyaf leader tagged as the brains behind the Jolo Cathedral suicide bombing in January, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

This developed as the Islamic State, the terror group which the Abu Sayyaf has pledged allegiance to, has been using social media to lure out-of-school youth into becoming suicide bombers, a local analyst said Friday.

RAGING FLAME.

A firefighter extinguishes a fire in a forest at Rambutan village, in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra province, on Thursday. Malaysia has stepped up pressure on neighboring Indonesia to tackle huge blazes tearing through its rainforests and smothering Southeast Asia —including the Philippines —in smog, as fires typically started to clear land for crops send diplomatic tensions soaring. AFP

INDONESIA’S FOREST FIRES RAGE; TOXIC SMOG BLANKETS SEA WITH fierce blazes raging in jungles from the Amazon to Indonesia, concerns are mounting about the impact as rainforests play a vital role in protecting the planet against global warming. The latest serious outbreak is in Indonesia, where smog-belching fires started to clear land for agriculture are burning out of control, blan-

keting the region in toxic smog. Why are rainforests important in fight against global warming? Mankind’s reliance on fossil fuels usually receives much of the blame for climate change but scientists say that deforestation has also played a big role.

Forests are natural buffers against climate change, as they suck greenhouse gas carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. But forests worldwide have been logged on an industrial-scale over the decades for timber and to make way for agricultural plantations. Turn to A3

In a statement released two days before the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, the United States gave the SDGT designation to Sawadjaan, “an identified coddler of foreign terrorists Next page

PH eyes US rocket launcher for WPS By Rey E. Requejo THE Philippines is in talks with the United States over the possible purchase of the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, a multiple rocket launcher that could be used to defend the country’s assets in the West Philippine Sea, a Hong Kong-based newspaper said Friday.

Vaping craze hits Pinoy youth A NATIONAL health survey in the Philippines has revealed that vaping has become increasingly popular among the youth. According to the 2018 National Nutrition Turn to A3

News

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

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‘Sniper-accurate’ tack for traffic By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ENATOR Grace Poe on Friday underscored the need for someone to be “sniper-accurate” in providing something as powerful as emergency powers.

plan from Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade before her panel decides on granting emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to ease the horrendous traffic in Metro Manila. But Tugade on Friday accused Poe of politicizing the traffic problems to back her alleged plan to run for a higher office. Tugade said Poe, as head of the Senate committee on public services, was using the traffic problem as an instru-

ment in her political campaign. “We all know madame Grace is preparing for her bid to run as President again. Let’s not deny it, that’s her style. She’s using transportation as her platform in the Senate as a thriller so she can be seen and heard,” Tugade said in a television interview. Tugade also denied Poe’s accusation of his lack of a master plan on the use of emergency powers to solve the traffic woes in Metro Manila. With PNA

“It cannot be a shotgun approach,” Poe said, adding it would be like giving a loaded gun to a child if the recipient did not have a plan. “If they had come up with a traffic

plan and delivered on the projects that they should have delivered years ago, the traffic situation would have been better,” Poe said. She has been demanding a traffic

House... From A1

Espino driver dies; cops recover 2 getaway vehicles

crimes must not be entitled to early release under the law. He suggested to define a heinous crime in the death penalty law as a “grievous, odious, hateful offense of such monstrosity as to spark public outrage”—which would cover murder, rape, kidnapping and dangerous drugs. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice said the proposed new implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10592 or the GCTA Law would be finished and adopted next week. Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said on Friday that the Joint Review Committee that included members from the DOJ and the Department of the Interior and Local Government has submitted the draft IRR to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra for review. “Both [Guevarra and DILG Secretary Eduardo Año] will now review the draft IRR and decide on its promulgation,” Perete said. The panel asked for an extension of its mandate to review and recommend revisions to the Uniform Manual and Guidelines for the implementation of RA No. 10592. Guevarra vowed to propose several reform measures, including amendments to Republic Act 10575 to give the DOJ tighter control over BuCor. “I am beginning to think that the law itself that supposedly strengthened the BuCor, and consequently diminished DOJ control over it, may have to be reviewed,” Guevarra said in a text message. Under RA 10575, the BuCor became a line agency of the DOJ, not a constituent bureau, giving the department only administrative supervision, not control, over the agency. Guevarra’s proposal came after BuCor officials used RA 10575 to legally justify their release of almost 2,000 inmates who were convicted of heinous crimes. With PNA

THE driver of former Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. has died from gunshot wounds he suffered during an ambush by up to 10 suspects in San Carlos City last Wednesday, police said Friday. Agapito Quizon died at 6:10 p.m. Thursday at the Blessed Family Doctors General Hospital in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, Police Lt. Col. Mary Crystal Peralta, spokesperson of Ilocos Police Regional Office, said in a press conference. Peralta said the Regional Special Investigation Task Group “Espino Jr.” has identified the registered owners of the abandoned blue Ford Everest and red Ford Hyundai Elantra believed to have been used as the suspects’ getaway vehicles. Peralta said police have invited the owners of the vehicles—one man and one woman—for questioning, but said they still needed to validate the information. “They have nothing to fear if they

have clear conscience. Besides, there’s always a due process,” the officer said. Police recovered the Ford Everest in Barangay Pasima, Malasiqui, while the Hyundai Elantra was found in Barangay Cobol, San Carlos City in a followup operation. The vehicles must have been abandoned by the suspects, who managed to escape, police added. They found one fragmentation hand grenade, two M14 rifles, magazines for M14 rifle, an M16 rifle, a baby armalite, and three magazines for M16 rifles inside the Ford. Two baby Armalites, an M16, five short magazines and four long magazines for the M16, and 34 live ammunition for the rifle were discovered inside the Hyundai. They were turned over to the PNP crime laboratory for ballistics examination. The vehicles were also subjected to macroetching examination to determine whether they were carnapped and their

vehicle parts tampered, Peralta added. Authorities were still looking for the third getaway vehicle, a black Toyota Wigo, where the ambush lookouts were believed to have boarded. Espino was on board a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by Quizon and escorted by Police Staff Sergeant Jayson Masli when the gunmen attacked at an intersection in Barangay Magtaking, San Carlos City on Wednesday. The former governor was hit in the left stomach and right arm. The gunmen also fired at the convoy vehicle of Espino driven by Anthony Columbino and escorted by Police Staff Sergeant Richard Esguerra and security aide Kevin Marbori. Esguerra died on the spot to multiple gunshot wounds, while Marbori was also hit. Columbino escaped unscathed. Espino and the wounded were already in stable condition as of Friday morning, Peralta said.

5.3-magnitude... From A1 of the nation’s seismology institute, told CNN Philippines. Though there did not appear to be any destruction, the intense shaking at the epicenter rattled locals. “Everyone rushed out of the buildings. We were terrified,” Rezil Golbin, a civilian employee at the police office on Polillo Island told Agence-France Presse. “Even the prisoners at the jail cell here were shouting, ‘Get us out of here!’” she added.

By Rey E. Requejo TWO petitioners has asked the Court of Appeals to stop the Justice department from conducting its preliminary investigation into the sedition and other criminal charges filed by the Philippine National Police against Vice President Leni Robredo and 35 other opposition figures. The charges are in connection with the alleged involvement of the accused in the plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. Former Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano and co-respondent Jonnell Sangalang asked the court to stop the department from proceeding with its preliminary probe or to resolve the criminal complaint filed by the PNPCriminal Investigation and Detection Group against them and other critics of the administration. In particular, the petitioners want the appellate court to stop the department’s prosecutors from conducting, concluding and resolving the preliminary investigation of the complaint against them, which was based on the testimony and allegations made by witness/respondent Peter Joemel “Bikoy” Advincula. Alejano and Sangalang also want the Office of the Solicitor General disqualified from participating in the case as a counsel of the PNP-CIDG, and to prohibit the complainant from participating in the proceedings before the panel. On Sept. 5, Alejano and Sangalang manifested their continued objection to the Justice department’s authority to conduct a preliminary investigation and filed a verified motion for reconsideration. The following day, the Justice department’s panel said it would incorporate the matters they raised in its resolution.

Brains... From A1

Palace... From A1 awarded within the fiscal year can be delivered even after the year ends. The new EO also states that payments for obligations incurred should be made three months after the end of the validity of appropriations. Unreleased appropriations and unspent funds should be reverted to the national treasury three months after each fiscal year, according to the order. Appropriations covering financial subsidy to local government units will be available for obligation and release until the end of the succeeding fiscal year. Meanwhile, appropriations for the statutory shares of local governments shall be available for obligation and disbursement until fully expended. All funds transferred between or among government agencies and LGUs shall not be considered disbursed until the transferred amounts have been actually used to pay for goods delivered and services inspected and accepted. “There is a need to improve the fiscal planning of government agencies through the implementation of an operational cash budget and by setting deadlines for obligation of funds and execution of projects during the fiscal year, in order to speed up the implementation of programs and to promptly deliver goods and services to our people,” the EO read.

Alejano asks court to stop sedition probe

RICE SUPPLY. Agriculture Secretary William Dar (left) inspects sacks of rice from the National Food Authority unloaded at the San Andres Market in Manila on Friday. Norman Cruz

early release of her common-law husband, Godfrey Gamboa, who was an inmate at the national penitentiary. Maribel Bancil and Veronica Buño, who were tagged as Roque’s middlemen, were also suspended. Duterte ordered officials who were next in rank to take over the positions of those who were suspended, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a television interview Friday. The Ombudsman and the Senate have launched separate investigations to unearth irregularities in the computation of GCTA allowing the early release of some prisoners, including those who committed heinous crimes. Panelo said more heads would roll. Three New Bilibid Prison officials― Roque, Ursicio Cenas, and Frederic Anthony Santos―were ordered detained in rooms at the Office of the Senate Sergeantat-Arms at the basement of the Senate building for their conflicting testimonies before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee. Committee chairman Senator Rich-

ard Gordon said the three will remain in detention until they satisfactorily answer the senators’ questions. “The senators would like to see some measure of forthrightness, truthfulness so that they won’t take us for a ride. We’re working, and they’re strolling. My questions are easy but they’re evasive,” Gordon said. Roque denied the allegations made against him and said he made several attempts to return the money to Camilon. He also claimed that Bansil and Buño set him up. Bansil and Buño also denied the accusations, saying it was Camilon who insisted on giving the money. Meanwhile, opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima on Friday chided the government for using her as a scapegoat in the fiasco brought about by the granting of GCTA credits by sacked BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon to unqualified or undeserving inmates. She also castigated Senator Richard Gordon for his “irresponsible theory” that she has used the GCTA Law to raise funds from convicted inmates to bankroll her senatorial campaign. She slammed Gordon for accusing her of deliberately committing what he

The temblor led to early work suspensions in Metro Manila and even the Senate, where three Bureau of Corrections officials being investigated over alleged corruption were forced to remain inside its detention facility while employees rushed out of the building. Senate security officials gave assurances the three, who were visited by relatives Friday, would be escorted out of their detention facility—the basement of the six-story Senate building—should the need arise. A portion of the steel parking area remained open so that the three BuCor officials can easily be evacuated in case of any eventuality, the official said.

Those who remained holed in the Senate were CTSO2 Ramoncito Roque, BuCor Documents and Record Section chief; New Bilibid Prison Hospital Medical Officer Ursicio Cenas; and BuCor Legal Division chief Frederic Anthony Santos. Operatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection led by Inspector Glen Celestial rushed to the Senate and inspected the whole building. The earthquake, with different intensities in different areas, occurred at 4:28 Friday afternoon northeast of the town of Burdeos, on Polillo Island, at a depth of 10 kilometers, some 112 kilometers east of Manila. With AFP

Massive... From A1

called “an honest mistake” in crafting vague Implementing Rules and Regulations for the GCTA Law to raise campaign funds in exchange for the early release of high-profile prisoners. “I take serious offense at Gordon’s arrogance and impudence to even insinuate that I benefited from the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law without substantiating it with any corroborating testimonial or documentary evidence,” said De Lima. During the last hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights which he chaired, Gordon said the theory that De Lima used the GCTA Law to generate campaign funding “sounds convincing” but admitted he had no evidence to support this view. She also slammed Gordon for reading the statements of inmates who had testified against her in her drug case. “These testimonies are, I repeat, false and malicious imputations of two witnesses who do not have any credibility at all. [Rafael] Ragos and [Jovencio] Ablen [Jr.], lest we forget, have confessed in their involvement in anomalous activities within BuCor/NBP and had to save their own skin through their lies about me,” De Lima said. With Rio N. Araja, PNA

PH... From A1 “If deployed, the long-range, precision-guided rockets fired by the system would be able to strike Chinese manmade islands on reefs in the Spratly chain,” the SCMP said, noting that HIMARS is a lighter, more mobile six-barreled version of the US Army’s M270 multiple rocket launch system, and can shoot rockets out to 70 kilometers and GPS-guided ballistic missiles out to 300 kilometers. But the Hong Kong newspaper

in southern Philippines.” The same State Department release identified Sawadjaan as the amir or leader of the Islamic State in the Philippines. On Wednesday, Sawadjaan’s nephew, Nanz Sawadjaan, was killed in an encounter with the military in the Abu Sayyaf stronghold of Patikul, Sulu, last Tuesday. Meanwhile, Rommel Banlaoi, president of the Philippine Society for Intelligence and Security Studies, said ISIS has been using social media to “glorify” suicide bombing, which traces its roots to the Tausug of Mindanao, who used the attack to fend off Spanish and American colonizers in centuries past. “There was a conventional knowledge that Filipinos were not yet prepared to sacrifice their lives―until ISIS emerged,” Banlaoi told the ABSCBN News Channel, noting that the terrorists attempted to revive the tactic during a ferry bombing in Lamitan, Basilan at the turn of the century. A suspected suicide bomber was killed in the Sept. 8 attack near a military detachment in Sulu, the fourth suicide bombing in Mindanao since 2017. “ISIS changed everything and made it [suicide attacks] like the most effective, most favored... because [it’s] high-impact, easy. It can resonate to others that offering your life is a worthwhile endeavor. You will be martyred,” he told ANC. “The most convincing way to convert people to embrace the idea of suicide terrorism is social media. They started sharing a lot of literature and narratives glorifying suicide terrorism,” the analyst added. Out-of-school youth and those who have family problems are the most vulnerable to extremist indoctrination, said Banlaoi. said that funding from acquisition is a problem. “The two sides have been unable to reach a deal because HIMARS could be too expensive for Manila given its tight defense budget,” the newspaper said. Reports indicate that the cost of HIMARS is split between the launcher itself and separate contracts for various munitions including guided and unguided rockets, the longer-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, and weapons under development such as extended-range rockets and the Precision Strike Missile.

News Remittances from Qatar may plunge by 20 percent CASH remittances of overseas Filipino workers based in Qatar are likely to nosedive by 20 percent or $200 million or P10.4 billion this year due to Doha’s lingering diplomatic crisis, according to the ACTS-OFW Coalition of Organizations. “Filipino workers in Qatar used to send home via bank wire an average of $1 billion every year, but that amount could drop to just $800 million this year,” said ACTS-OFW chairman Aniceto Bertiz III. Cash transfers from Filipino workers in Qatar already tumbled by 25.6 percent to just $392 million from January to June this year compared to $527 million in the same semester in 2018, he said. “A considerable number of Filipino workers in Qatar have been displaced after other Arab countries stopped doing business with Doha. This explains the drop in remittances,” he added. Bertiz is a former member of House of Representatives. “We are hoping that Doha’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will somehow help temporarily create new job opportunities for Filipinos in Qatar,” he said. An estimated 260,000 Filipinos, including engineers, health practitioners, teachers, airline and hotel staff, construction workers and household service workers, are employed in Qatar. In June 2017, four Arab countries— Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt—severed diplomatic and trade ties with, and imposed an air, land and sea blockade on Qatar, over allegations that Doha has been helping to foster terrorism and has become too friendly with Iran. The Saudi-led coalition demanded that Doha shutter the Qatari state-owned Al Jazeera news broadcasting network and close down a Turkish military base in Qatar. They also insisted that Doha downgraded its diplomatic relations with Tehran. Rio N. Araja

BOC-NAIA seizes large contraband By Joel E. Zurbano THE Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport marked its 59th year with outstanding performance in law enforcement through series of operations which resulted in seizures of contraband in large quantities, including prohibited drugs worth more than half a billion pesos. From March 2018 to August 2019, Customs NAIA made 49 seizures of drugs—shabu, marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine—worth P531 million mostly smuggled from the United States, China and European countries. District Collector Carmelita Talusan vowed she and her men would continue and intensify the bureau’s campaign against the illegal entry of prohibited drugs and other contraband even there are risks involved. “We just focus and we know what our function regardless of the risk and threats. We just focus on our jobs and we are also doing this for the good of our country,” she said. Within a year, Talusan’s team of operatives also intercepted a total of 30,652 kilos of meat and meat products to prevent the African Swine Fever outbreak and 3,084 live endangered species at the airport. The apprehension of smuggled wildlife were earlier cited by different international media organizations. Customs agents at the NAIA conﬁscated 400 pieces of concealed live ammunitions, 10 pistols and 46 pieces of gun parts; and P15 million worth of mobile phones and gadgets without valid permits and proper documents. Two aircraft, including a Skyjet plane, were also placed under Customs NAIA custody for not paying more than P90 million in duties and taxes to the government. “The [NAIA] Port is not only after hitting the revenue target but also protecting the borders,” said Talusan. The 2018 excellent performance of Customs NAIA was commended by Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero in February. Guerrero gave the district a special award as “The Port with the Most Number of Border Control Seizures for the Year 2018.” Talusan said their intensiﬁed campaign against smuggled goods and dangerous items is in support of the reform programs and the 10-point priority agenda of Guerrero.

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House okays Corporate Income Tax Incentive By Rio N. Araja

OTING 170 against eight with six abstentions, the House of Representatives on Friday approved on third and ﬁnal reading the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act, originally known as the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities.

House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, House committee on rules chairperson, said the House leadership, led by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, had been working very hard to swiftly pass pending measures aimed to create a better investment climate and to generate more job opportunities. “The 18th Congress will step up to the plate. Lifting Filipinos out of

poverty is the top priority of President [Rodrigo] Duterte in the next three years through meaningful programs,” he said. Romualdez is the president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and Philippine Constitution Association. Congress earlier approved on third and final reading the Passive Income and Financial Intermediary

Taxation Act (PIFITA) and a bill imposing additional excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco and vape products to ensure the country’s high and sustainable economic growth performance. Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, House committee on ways and means chairperson, said the measure seeks to lower corporate income tax from 30 to 20 percent and rationalize business incentives. “We rationalize incentives so they could be targeted to investments that could generate more investments and more jobs,” he said. CITIRA is the second package of the President’s comprehensive tax reform program. “The etymology of CITIRA is gift from God, so let us make it work for everyone, especially for the next generations,” Salceda said in a statement.

PHOTO OP. House members led by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez

pose for a souvenir photo with Health Secretary Francisco Duque after passing the 2020 budget of the Department of Health during the deliberation Thursday night at the plenary of the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

Dizon is new BCDA chief By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Bases Conversion and Development Authority chief Vince Dizon as his adviser for flagship programs and projects. Dizon was assigned to his post on April 4 last year, but his appointment paper was dated Aug. 24, 2019. A copy of his appointment paper was released to the media only on Friday. Dizon is currently the president of BCDA, a state-run corporation which is on top of the promotion of New Clark City as the country’s first smart, green and sustainable metropolis. Dizon, a former consultant to then Senator and now House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, was also recently added as member of the Cabinet infrastructure cluster through Executive Order 86. He also sat as undersecretary for political affairs of the Office of the President and chief of staff of the office of former Senator Edgardo Angara. Administrative Order 109, signed in 1994, created the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects. The order cited the “critical need for a more focused and highly selective intervention along very strategic areas to catalyze the economic surge and optimize available resources.”

Vaping... From A1

Survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, one out of every ﬁve users of vape in the country is below the age of 20. With the traditional cigarettes, one out of 20 users is from the youth. “The results of the National Nutrition Survey are proof that vape products have become increasingly attractive to young people,” said Sin Tax Coalition co-convener Antonio Dans. “This is a cause for great concern, especially taking into account the fact that the use of these products comes with corresponding health hazards.” Tobacco and vape companies have been adamant in promoting heated tobacco products and vape as harm-reducing substitutes for traditional cigarettes.

Indonesia’s forest... Burning of large expanses of trees also releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide. At the peak of Indonesia’s 2015 forest fires—the worst in the country for two decades—the country spewed more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each day than all US economic activity for the same period, according to environmental watchdog the World Resources Institute. How much of Indonesia’s rainforests have been destroyed? Greenpeace estimates that in the past 50 years, more than 74 million hectares (182 million acres) of Indonesia’s biodiverse rainforests an area twice the size of Germany—have been chopped down, degraded or burned. They have often been destroyed to make way for plantations for the lucrative palm oil and pulpwood industries, particularly on Sumatra and Borneo islands, with fires often started illegally to clear land. Indonesia suffers forest fires annually but this year’s appear to be the worst since 2015. The country’s disaster agency estimates that from January to August, about 328,000 hectares (810,000 acres) of land was burned. The country has however managed to slow the rate of deforestation in recent years. Why are they burning and can it be stopped?

Farmers and plantation owners are usually blamed for starting the fires as a quick and cheap way to clear land. Major companies typically deny starting blazes and instead point to small-scale farmers and villagers. The most serious fires occur in peatlands, which are highly combustible when drained of water to be converted into plantations. The situation this year has been worsened by drier weather in Indonesia. Authorities have deployed thousands of security forces to battle the blazes but most believe only the start of the rainy season—usually in October— will douse them. After the 2015 fires, President Joko Widodo’s government took steps to prevent a repeat of the catastrophe. Authorities have tried to improve law enforcement to catch those responsible for illegal burning and set up an agency to restore degraded peatlands, which should make them less vulnerable to being set ablaze. Arief Wijaya, from the Indonesia branch of WRI, told AFP that improving the lot of poor communities who have long turned to burning land for agriculture is also important. “If you really want to prevent the fires from happening, you need to improve local livelihoods,” he said. How does this compare to the fires in the Amazon? The fires in Indonesia are far smaller than those in the Amazon, the world’s biggest rainforest. AFP

However, there has been an increase in the number of vaping-related illnesses and deaths over the past month. Meanwhile, Dans expressed support for increasing the excise tax on HTPs and vape, which the Ways and Means committee in the Senate is now deliberating. “Tobacco consumption in all forms is toxic and unsafe, and we cannot deny that people have been getting sick because of the use of vape,” Dans said. “In many ways, taxation may be considered an effective form of harm reduction, as a high tax will discourage the consumption of sin products particularly among the youth,” he said. During Wednesday’s hearing, Senate Ways and Means chairman Pia Cayetano also chimed in on the potential harms of HTPs and vape. “I have yet to hear the industry recognize the reality that there is still so much

we need to ﬁnd out with regard to the harm that could be caused by these products,” Cayetano said. “I am looking for funding for health concerns, and I am being told to be cautious because these are supposedly harmreducing products. But I don’t hear anything from the industry saying that we may also be creating harm.” Cayetano also cited the need to take precautions for the sake of the youth in deciding how to regulate HTPs and vape, given the concerns over the products’ safety. “I was a young lawyer at the time that smoking was allowed indoors, and I had to go through my pregnancies with people smoking in my face. I do not want my young children to grow up in an environment where vaping without knowing the full consequences is going to be allowed in the way that cigarettes were allowed,she said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

From A1

Duterte to visit Russia in October By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will go to Russia next month to make up for his state visit that was cut short in 2017, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Friday. Duterte’s trip ended earlier than expected after deadly clashes between government troops and Islamic Stateinspired militants had erupted in Marawi, forcing him to return home. “The President will go to Russia next month to make up for his first state visit that was aborted within half a day of arriving by the fall of Marawi to jihadists including foreign fighters,” Locsin said. “The US, Australia, Russia and China extended help in retaking that city though the main credit goes almost entirely to our Armed Forces who took it back in door-to-door fighting,” he added. Locsin said this on Thursday as he defended his department’s proposed P22.65-billion budget for 2020 before the Senate finance sub-committee. Russia provided trucks and weapons to government troops months after Duterte’s visit to Moscow. Duterte previously called Russian President Vladimir Putin his “favorite hero.” The two leaders first met in Peru during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in November 2016. Last April, Duterte and Putin were among the heads of states who attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China.

KMP’s Ramos calls for repeal of rice tariff act RICE farmers on Friday blamed the Rice Tariffication Law or Republic Act No. 11203 for the drop in the prices of “palay” or unhusked rice to their disadvantage. In an interview, Danilo Ramos, Kilusang Magbubukid ang Pilipinas chairperson, called for the repeal of the law that caused the influx of cheaper imported rice. “The rice trade liberalization is slowly killing the lowly farmers and the rice industry itself,” Ramos said, adding farmers are getting destitute. “We went around to see if there was still NFA (National Food Authority) rice being sold in many markets. We saw none since over a week ago,” he told the Manila Standard. This developed as lawmakers said Friday the NFA needs at least P10 billion to help farmers as RA 11203, which allows unlimited rice imports, affects their livelihood. Makabayan bloc party-list legislators Carlos Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite and Euphemia Cullamat of Bayan Muna, France Castro of Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Arlene Brosas of Gabriela and Sarah Elago of Kabataan made the call after the tariffication law brought the farmgate prices of unmilled rice to as low as P7 per kilo. “We in the Makabayan block see that P10 billion is needed by NFA to buy the palay from farmers at P20 per kilo, so the NFA could sell this to the market at P27 per kilo,” Zarate told reporters. “That’s the budget the government needs to subsidize our farmers,” he added. Rice farmers are suffering and are losing a lot of income because of the law, Ramos lamented. Even rice millers are hurting, he said. According to Ramos, while President Rodrigo Duterte has told the NFA to buy palay directly from the farmers, the law “has removed NFA’s role of palay procurement.” “I have just come from Central Luzon and found out that a kilo of palay is being bought at P6 to P7 compared against the price of ‘darak’ (rice husk) at P12,” he said. “The Rice Tariffication Law must be repealed,” Ramos added. Gabriela party-list Arlene Brosas has filed House Bill No. 477 or the Rice Industry Development Act of 2019 to protect the both the welfare of the farmers and consumers, the KMP chief noted. KMP is composed of 65 organizations of local farmers in 15 regions in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, according to Ramos. Rio N. Araja

Opinion

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Strike with the youth for climate justice IN THE next two weeks, on Sept. 20 and Sept. 27, young people from all over the world will be joining the global climate strike. Although I am turning 60 years old next month, I am supporting this activity. I also urge everyone, young and old alike, to do the same.

We need to act right now. No issue is more important in these times than that of the climate emer emergency. But the young are the ones particularly affected by it. This is because those 30 years old or under will be at the peak of their lives when the worst impact of climate change is felt between 2040 and 2050. We still have a chance to avoid the worst impact, but only if we act decisively in the next five to ten years, and make determined decisions in the next two years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Philippines will not be spared the impact of the climate emergency. In fact, we are at the top of the list of the most vulnerable. Because of this, we must also do our part to reduce emissions. Above all, that means imposing a moratorium on building new coal-fired power plants and beginning the process of closing down the older coal plants while making sure we have affordable alternatives in place so we do not lose power. In the Philippines, participants in the global mobilization include the Youth Strike for Climate Philippines Move-

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

ment, a national youth-led movement aiming to empower young people to take action in addressing the effects of climate change. It takes part in demonstrations on the streets to demand action from the government. The movement is premised on the youth sector’s vital role in addressing the climate crisis. It aims to mainstream the climate issue to more young people to engage and inform them to strengthen the collective action toward a sustainable future. It believes the youth must be at the forefront of the ongoing global struggle against the climate crisis for the survival of our planet. Likewise, the Youth Advocates for Climate Action in the Philippines will also be joining the mobilization. These advocates warn us that our house is on fire and are sounding the alarm: The time has come for multigenerational action against this climate emergency. There are many other youth and nonyouth organizations that are participating in the strike as this is an inclusive movement, Indeed, there will be mass actions in many of our cities and provinces. Students and youth will be joined by adults as is the case in the rest of the world. Bill Mckibben of 350.org explains what this strike is all about: “Business as usual is what’s doing us in. We live on a planet that finds itself rather suddenly in the midst of an enormous physical crisis. Because we burn so much coal and gas and oil, the atmosphere of our world is changing rapidly, and that atmospheric change is producing record heat. July was the hottest month we’ve ever recorded. Scientists predict with confidence that we stand on the edge of the sixth great extinction event of the last billion years. People are dying in large numbers and being left homeless; millions are already on the move because they have no choice. And yet we continue on with our usual patterns. We get up each morning and do pretty much what we did the

Rain and deliverance

IRES in the Amazon forest have hardly been contained, and now Indonesia’s forests are burning, too.

against climate change. Forests suck carbon dioxide—a greenhouse gas—out of the air. Worse, the fires release even more carbon dioxide, fueling a vicious cycle. Over at the Amazon, efforts to contain the fire have been hampered by politics despite the plea of those whose homes and livelihoods are threatened by the conflagration. Indonesia has worked hard at enforcing stricter rules against those who burn illegally, but apparently these efforts have not been enough. With these fires, prospects for keeping global temperatures no

The region has been blanketed in smog for days as fires started to clear agricultural land have gone out of control. The situation has been worsened by dry weather. The consequences are profound and far-reaching. Smog has reached Malaysia and fueled concerns in Singapore. Most importantly, the fires weaken the earth anew in its fight

more than 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels becomes even more bleak. Keeping the warming below these safe levels is the only way the world can prevent climate-induced catastrophe in just a few decades. Indonesians are said to be praying in earnest for rain to come and put out the fires naturally. Then again, prayers alone will not bring deliverance to a largely man-made problem. Large-scale, sustained, man-made solutions are needed— not in the next few years, not in any next administration or generation, but now.

Turn to A5

The SOGIE bill: Much ado about nothing RICKY Reyes’ recent statements on how he perceives members of the LGBTQIA+ community should act in society stirred a hornet’s nest. He wants them to remain in the margins and not disturb “social order”. Clearly, Reyes does not understand the concept of human rights. Unsurprisingly, he is against the passage of the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) Equality Bill. My Facebook post on Reyes’ statements and the SOGIE bill received almost 1,400 reactions and was shared by over 700 people. Many were in favor of the bill’s passage but there were also those who were strongly against. I checked the discussions and while those against the bill quite passionate, it was obvious to me that the big majority of them has not even read the bill and was relying on what they have heard about it. While I know that bills and laws are not very easy to understand because they are written in legalese, still, it will be better for people to read them. For instance, the SOGIE Equality bill is really nothing to fuss about. It simply equalizes things between and among people. No one is going to be deprived of rights s/he already enjoys. Rather, the same rights that people usually take for granted will be made accessible to members of the LGBTQIA community. This will be done by removing discriminatory practices, and developing a more accepting and respectful environment. Those belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community will NOT be granted special rights. To illustrate this, let us look at the ACTUAL provisions of the bill. Hopefully, doing this will assuage the fear of some that they will be restricted or their rights violated, and correct the wrong perceptions on the SOGIE Equality Bill resulting from the disinformation going around. Section 5 of the bill enumerates the acts that are considered discriminatory against LGBTQIA+ people. It should be emphasized that the basis of these discriminatory acts is SOGIE. The bill prohibits: 1.) Promoting and encouraging stigma in the media, in educational textbooks, and other medium. Inciting violence and sexual abuse against any person or group is likewise prohibited. 2.) Including SOGIE, as well as the disclosure of sexual orientation, in public (including military, police, and other

similar services) and private employment criteria for hiring, promotion, transfer, designation, work assignment, re- assignment, dismissal of workers, and other human resource movement and action, performance review and in the determination of employee compensation, career development opportunities, training, and other learning and development interventions, incentives, privileges, benefits or allowances, and other terms and conditions of employment. This prohibition shall also apply to the contracting and engaging of the services of associations or organizations with LGBTQI members, or organizations advocating LGBTQI rights. 3.) Refusing admission to, or expelling, an individual, based on SOGIE, from any educational or training institution. Provided, that the right of educational and training institutions to determine the academic qualifications of their students or trainees shall be duly upheld.

Religious freedom is not absolute. It ends where other people’s rights begin. 4.) Imposing disciplinary sanctions, pen penalties harsher than customary or similar punishments, requirements, restrictions, or prohibitions that infringe on the rights of the students, including discriminating against a student or trainee due to the SOGIE of the student’s parents or legal guardian. 5.) Refusing or revoking accreditation, formal recognition, registration or plan to organize of any organization, group, political party, institution or establishment, in educational institutions, workplaces, communities, and other settings. 6.) Denying access to public or private medical and other health services open to the general public, as well as access to public and private health insurance, including HMOs. 7.) Denying application for, or revocation of any government license, authority, clearance, permit, certification, or other similar documents necessary to exercise a profession, business, or any other legitimate calling. 8.) Denying access to, or use of establishments, facilities, utilities or services, including housing, that are open to the general public. 9.) Subjecting or forcing any person Turn to A5

A crass act

LAST WEEK, I received a text message from Manila Standard colleague Rio Araja inviting me to a press conference on supposed fake news circulating a P3.19-billion deal entered into by the Land Transportation Office. As I had a previous commitment that day, I deliberately missed the press briefing, which turned out to be a right decision on my part. Right after the event, my social media account flared up with many of my media friends complaining how they were treated by Jose Brillantes of Integracom Public Relations Inc. who was supposed to host the briefing. According to them, they were banished by Brillantes, telling them right to their faces that they were not invited to the event. In fact, one media friend narrated how he saw Rio being castigated by Brillantes in one corner, scolding her for inviting so many reporters. According to the reporters, Brillantes wanted only a select group of media practitioners to cover his event. But what could he expect? Rio is the president of the Quezon City Press Corps and he happened to course his invitation through her. Did he expect Rio to withhold the invitation form other reporters particularly from the members of her own press corps? That would be a mortal sin on Rio’s part. Presidente ng press corps, nang-iiskup sa mga miyembro niya? Mr. Brillantes should have

known better. Actually, the invitation itself was dubious. The invitation, which rio said directly came from Brillantes read: Press briefing on Fake News on 3.19B LTO Contract—Sep 3, Tuesday, 11am, Muang Thai Restaurant, Malakas Street, Diliman, QC (near McDonald's)—Joey Brillantes. There was no mention of who was hosting the press conference. And since it mentioned “Fake News on 3.19 B LTO Contract,” one could assume the briefing was organized by the LTO. Thus it was no surprise that there were many reporters who showed up for the briefing.

Some press briefing that was. It was only when the briefing prop proper commenced that reporters came to know the event was being called for by Dermalog—a Germany company which was to take the place of LTO’s former IT service provider, Stradcom. As I said, while the invitation was not fake, it was obviously dubious. Anyway, was the press briefing a success on the part of Brillantes and his client? Apparently not. According to one of the reporters who remained to cover the event, Brillantes had to give them specific instruction “not to hit Dermalog,” which is a clear indication that he had doubts on whether he effectively delivered the message of his briefing.

In fact, no matter how they tried to picture Dermalog as an efficient IT service provider to take Stradcom’s place, there was no way they could get the reporters on their side , according to the reporter. While Dermalog claimed they had not received a single centavo yet from their contract, veteran Journal reporter Jun Legaspi reportedly refuted them, saying that LTO advanced P1 billion to its new IT service provider despite its failure to deliver any of its commitment for the past eight months. Also, Dermalog has yet to answer the allegations lodged against it by several civic groups, led by Bayan Makulay Foundation, for supposedly failing to comply with the agreed delivery of goods and services stipulated in the contract even if it already received P1 billion in payments. The groups have called on the House transportation committee to investigate the alleged irregularities in the LTO contract. Dermalog was also a respondent to a complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman over the driver’s license card program. The complainants alleged that there were anomalies in the awarding of a P830-million contract to Nextix, Dermalog and CFP Joint Venture for the supply of 8.36 million pieces of driver’s license cards with a five-year validity. Clearly, Brillantes has a lot of work to do to clear his client’s name. Instead of addressing the issue head on, he opted to antagonize the media. What a foolhardy act! *** Is Gilas really a program? Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Opinion Betraying Digong and crime victims national prisons. At least 22,000 hardened criminals, including 2,000 from Death Row of the New Bilibid Prisons and other national prison facilities, have been freed in exchange for million-peso bribes. Among them are druglords, drug traffickers, murderers, rapists, armed robbers and I’M SURE President Rodrigo Duterte is arsonists. as frustrated as every Juan de la Cruz on the street over the widespread corruption in the government, lingering into the fourth year of his administration. In Faeldon has his last State of the Nation Address, he expressed utter disgust and frustration upstaged Bikoy, over the rampant irregularities. Trillanes and Jim “It is exasperating that there are times when I think perhaps it is blood that we Paredes. need to cleanse and rinse away the dirt and the muck that stick to the flesh like leeches,” said the President. Ironically, it was the massive anomaly on ghost diBuCor officials behind this Good alysis services charged to government Conduct Time Allowance racket, which funds by some medical firms in cahoots was inherited from the Aquino adminwith PhilHealth officials that was hog- istration, continued and shamelessly ging the headlines at the time. betrayed Manong Digong. They all beIt’s but a consolation for the ordinary trayed and deprived crime victims of Filipino that instances of abuse are ex- full justice and closure. posed more often, as the President himSacked BuCor chief Nick Faeldon has, self urged the people to tell on the crooks’ in fact, upstaged Bikoy, Trillanes and corrupt practices. Public complaints will Jim Paredes combined with this second eventually reach him, he assured us. strikeout since this officer and gentleman On the heels of the PhilHealth anom- was booted out of the Bureau of Customs aly came those on the Philippine Char- over P6.4-billion shabu smuggling. ity Sweepstakes Office Small Town Faeldon and former BuCor officials, Lottery, multi-million peso worth of including Senator Ronald “Bato” dela expired medicines in the storage of Rosa, should face the music over the Department of Health, defective books widespread corruption inside the naprocured by the Department of Educa- tional prisons, including illegal drugs tion for K-12 program, and more recent- trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping, ly, the Bureau of Corrections. extortion, malversation of public funds As far as Manong Digong is concerned, and even murder. the BuCor scandal is one that hits home. All prisoners released by virtue of the His anti-corruption, anti-crime and anti- controversial Republic Act 10592 must illegal drugs drive have been clearly un- turn themselves in and present themdermined with the questionable release selves for reevaluation and review of of thousands of convicts from various their release papers.

It must be properly verified who among them truly deserved GCTA credits that shortened their terms of incarceration. Basically, most cases resulting in the sentencing of an accused to three years or more of imprisonment involve heinous crimes such as armed robbery, human trafficking, grand-scale illegal recruitment, child molestation, etc. It exposed the enterprising current and former officials of BuCor who supposedly granted GCTA in exchange for millions of pesos since the tenure of former Justice secretary and now senator Leila De Lima. De Lima penned the weak implementing rules and regulations of RA 10592. Darn, she must have known that she would be jailed someday and hoped to avail of GCTA! At least, we know now how some former BuCor officials raised the multi-million peso funds for their election campaigns. I wonder—which government corruption scheme would be exposed next? The Commission on Audit for one, smells a whiff of corruption at an agency where a Cabinet-rank executive with overpaid staff and public relations consultants have squandered public funds in ghost advertisement expenses, frivolous travel junkets, wasteful social events and luxurious luncheons with Yellow media members on the official’s payroll. Still, despite the widespread corruption and incompetence, I believe there is no dearth of wwell-meaning public servants remaining in the Duterte administration. I’m confident that Manong Digong will still succeed in getting rid of the crooks in the government and bring about true change —unless he listens to the people who have betrayed him.

sense, of course—no one is demanding better wages. But we are demanding better conditions. In the most literal sense, the world isn’t working as it should (studies say that increased heat and humidity have already reduced human work capacity as much as 10 percent, a figure that will double by midcentury). And what we’re saying is, disrupting business as usual is the way to get there. This strike will not be the last such action. But it can’t be just young people. It needs to be all of us—especially, perhaps, those of us who have been placidly operating on a business-as-usual basis for most of our lives, who have rarely faced truly serious disruptions in our careers and our plans. Our job is precisely to disrupt business as usual. When the planet leaves its comfort zone, we need to do the same. See you on the streets on Sept. 20!” From the website globalclimatestrike. net, I borrow these Frequently Ask Questions (and their answers): Why go on #ClimateStrike? Our house is on fire. The climate crisis is an emergency but we’re not acting like it. People everywhere are at risk if we let oil, coal and gas companies continue to pour more fuel on the fire. Our hotter planet is already hurting millions of people. If we don’t act now to transition fairly and swiftly away from fossil fuels to 100 percent renewable energy access for all, the injustice of the climate crisis will only get worse. We need to act right now to stop burning fossil fuels and ensure a rapid energy revolution with equity, reparations and climate justice at its heart.

But it’s going to take all of us working together to succeed. Millions of us will walk out from home, work, school or university to declare a climate emergency and show our politicians what action in line with climate science and justice means. The climate crisis won’t wait, so neither will we. What difference will it make? These Climate Strikes won’t solve the climate crisis alone. What this moment can do is demonstrate that people are no longer willing to continue with business as usual. The urgency of the climate crisis requires a new approach and a just response centred on human rights, equity, and justice. Greta Thunberg’s lone protest caught the world’s attention last year, and has spread to millions of school children who are sounding the alarm. Now it’s everyone’s turn to stand with young people and show world leaders the people power demanding climate justice. September’s climate strikes will kickstart a huge wave of action and renewed ambition all over the world. What is being demanded by the climate strikers? The climate crisis is an emergency— we want everyone to start acting like it. We demand climate justice for everyone. Our hotter planet is already hurting millions of people. If we don’t act now to transition fairly and swiftly away from fossil fuels to 100 percent renewable energy for all, the injustice of the climate crisis will only get worse. We need to act right now to stop burning fossil fuels and ensure a rapid energy revolution with equity, reparations and climate justice at its heart.

Chooks-to-go and smart Gilas-Puso PR ads making the Filipinos believe that our great fighting heart is what will bring us great results with Filipinos from all walks of life proudly wearing jerseys of these glamorous pro superstars. The Filipinos are being fed with a wrong guiding principle that our socalled PUSO would spell the difference in this high level of competition. And now that the FIBA league is over, how do we, as a proud basketball loving nation, see the bright side of having the worst record of 0-5 and has the biggest negative in quotient with minus 147 points placing us on the last 32nd spot? A colossal disaster. Where do we draw the line between pride and humiliation? How come lack of preparation has been our recycled issue for almost three decades? To make matters worse, last year, SBP decided to skip the Asian Games crying the same perennial issue that earned them the ire of all basketball loving netizens including The Living Legend himself. Kada apat na taon nalang, hindi nyo pa napaghandaan?

Some players including coach Yeng himself had been bashed even with their great sacrifice where in fact [the SBP hierarchy] should be the one receiving those tirades. You are useless and a disgrace to Philippine basketball. You should resign! Because it's crystal clear that Gilas, for a very long time has never been a program. There was never a program. It's just a PR stunt concocted by SBP using PBA players, ex and current NBA players as sacrificial lambs to sell their merchandise and to gain lucrative sponsorships. Lastly, contrary to what Gilas apologist Richard del Rosario was saying that there is no blueprint to succeed in international games, there was the Ron Jacobs-led Northern Cement Consolidated. An all-amateur squad that qualified for the FIBA World Cup in July 1986 in Spain by winning the gold medal in ABC by beating South Korea and the Great Wall of China in January 1986 via a 6-0 sweep. That is what great basketball blueprint is all about. Take that, Mr. Gilas apologist.”

in the proceedings by the Solicitor General or the latter’s authorized representative. 10.) Subjecting any person, natural or juridical, to profiling, detention, or verbal or physical harassment. Profiling, detention, or verbal or physical harassment by members of law enforcement agencies, including the military, police, immigration, is likewise prohibited. Physical or verbal harassment of persons in custody or detention of the police, including subjecting them to extortion, is also prohibited. 11.) Subjecting a person to any other analogous acts that shall have the effect

or purpose of impairing or nullifying the enjoyment, recognition, and exercise of a person’s human rights and fundamental freedoms. In real life, many of these acts do not ordinarily happen to those outside of the LGBTQIA+ community. However, these are commonly experienced by those within. There lies the big difference, hence, the need to pass the SOGIE Equality Bill. Legislators opposing the bill do so basically on religious grounds. They are the first to know that there is nothing religious about the bill. Laws deal with civil liberties, rights,

Strike... From A4

day before. That’s why it’s such good news that the climate movement has a new tactic. Pioneered last August by Greta Thunberg of Sweden, it involves disrupting business as usual. It began, of course, in schools: Within months, millions of young people around the world were striking for days at a time from their classes. Their logic was impeccable: If the institutions of our planet can’t be bothered to prepare for a world we can live in, why must we spend years preparing ourselves? If you break the social contract, why are we bound by it? And now those young people have asked the rest of us to join in. After the last great school strike in May, they asked adults to take part next time. The date is Sept. 20, and the location is absolutely everywhere. Big trade unions in South Africa and Germany are telling workers to take the day off. Ben and Jerry’s is closing down its headquarters (stock up in advance), and if you want to buy Lush cosmetics, you’re going to be out of luck. The largest rally will likely be in New York City, where the U.N. General Assembly begins debating climate change that week—but there will be gatherings in every state and every country. It will almost certainly be the biggest day of climate action in the planet’s history. (If you want to be a part—and you do want to be a part—go to globalclimatestrike.net.) It’s not a “strike” in the traditional

A crass... From A4

A friend, Neil Brilllantes (yes, another Brillantes), who is a true-blooded basketball enthusiast and who coaches his own team in his company’s inter-department tournament, believes otherwise. Frustrated with the Gilas debacle in the FIBA World Cup, Neil sent this corner a letter sharing with us his analysis of the Gilas program. His letter reads: “Gilas program has been here for a nearly a decade. We were made to believe that boss MVP is the next Danding Cojuangco of Philippines basketball. But why is it that until now, the perennial outcry is still the lack of preparation and time? This issue has already been our chicken and egg concern since day one of the 1990 Asiad in Beijing, long before Gilas program came. Now we begin to wonder, where is the program? All that we saw really are those

The SOGIE bill:... From A4 to undertake any medical or psychological examination to determine or alter the person’s SOGIE without the expressed approval of the person involved, except in cases where the person involved is a minor and below the age of discernment in which case prior approval of the appropriate Family Court shall be required. In the latter case, the child shall be represented

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Putting itself in disrepute THE openly proby manipulating the Aquino appointee sentimentality of Filijustice has calcified pinos, has become into his brain that outmoded. The image allowing Ferdinand to project Robredo as “Bongbong” Maranother of their imcos to win would maculate savior stands bring to an end to in contrast to their the era of hatred and vituperation in false propaganda of President Duterte Philippine politics. Consequently, as violator of human rights. It has the Presidential Electoral Tribunal been superseded by the truth about (presided over by Justice Benjamin people’s desire for peace and order in Caguioa reduced to a disgusting dis- society. repute the office that has triumphantAllowing Robredo to continue as ly proclaimed the virtues of integrity vice president is the pivotal to the and honesty. There is heavy burden cause of the opposition. It does not on Caguioa to maintain the rigged re- matter whether she commits one emsult, fearing it could put to an end the barrassing faux pas after another in yellow hypocrisy, demagoguery and her pronouncements, indicating her puppetry. inability to comprehend issues. She To begin with, the petition is sim- cannot even decipher and narrate ply seeking a recount of the votes cast how her political brokers dangerously during the May 9, 2016 election for placed the country in a situation that vice president. It was characterized could make her a ridiculous puppet. by massive fraud, thus reducing the Noynoy allowed the return of the US exercise to a complete farce. The hyp- military bases, pursued a policy of ocrites, after their capture of political antagonizing China over the South power in 1987, resurrected R.A. No. China Sea, intensified our alliance 1757 that was enacted during the ad- with the West to placate China, and ministration of Magsaysay. Section hamper our quest for economic devel3 of the Act says opment through that the PET shall closer ties with decide electoral our equally proscontests pursuperous neighbors It would be tragic ant to Section 4, in Asia. Article VII of the if the Presidential The thought of Constitution. It Electoral Tribunal were allowing BBM to accorded PET 24 to do this. win the petition months to decide is unthinkable for such petitions. them. Such is not What surprised only tantamount many is that, after Caguioa unrea- to admitting that their lackey and sonably delayed the petition for more her horde of fanatical zealots comthan two years, some justices are now mitted massive electoral fraud. This asking for an “extension to allow is apparent because the opposition them to deliberate on the draft of his are now marshalling all their forces ponencia.” They want a deliberation against the government, and that inafter that classmate of Noynoy Aqui- cludes exerting their influence in the no consumed more time than what judiciary specifically of preventing was allotted him to decide the case. Marcos from winning. They have Strictly speaking, this constitutes a even run out of logic and common gross violation of the law. sense like telling the commissioners To accede to their demand would “not to deviate from the result of the give premium to a seemingly mali- revision and recount and that the Sucious and intentional delay done by preme Court should not deviate from Caguioa. This negates the purpose of the recommendations and findings of the petition much that there is expira- the hearing of the commissioners.” tion the petitioner seeks to catch up. This Romeo Macalintal forgot that In legal parlance, there is the possibil- he is the same lawyer who filed a ity the petitions may become stale or silly counter-petition to the petition in the vernacular a case of “g*gohan.” filed by Bongbong to maliciously deThe PET is supposed to rectify the lay the proceedings which the court electoral fraud. Instead, the petition promptly rejected. Had the Supreme has metamorphosed to one where the Court entertained his ludicrous peadjudicator has become an accom- tition, there would be no end to the plice to the fraud. The chairman is case to make the justices appear like duty-bound to explain the unreasona- bunch of clowns. bly delay. He is supposed to decide the This now explains why Senator case within 24 month, but the petition Panfilo Lacson wants to embarrass has been pending for 36 months. No- some of the appointees of President body knows when the tribunal would Duterte. This latent confederate of finally be ready with a verdict. the yellow opposition could sense that Filipinos who voted for Marcos in the event Robredo is declared loser, strongly suspect the underlying reason her ratings could uncontrollably slide why Caguioa is delaying the case. down that she could not win should First, they fear that to decide the case they pit her in the next election. This in favor of the petitioner will expose is possible for by then she would be the entire electoral machines installed branded a cheater, and Lacson wants in the land of the gullible as nothing to cash in as next contender. more but a network for cheating If Lacson is aiming for the top slot, operations. Second, a reversal he better forget it. President Duterte will affect not only the credibility is correct in calling him ignorant. He of the COMELEC but also of the just wants to grab any issue to remind organizations that are widely believed the electorate he is still in circulation. to ensure political swindling, like the He is supposed to be the last man to church-organized Parish Pastoral ask Faeldon on the issue of releasing Council for Responsible Voting. Even prisoners. First, he was a signatory to their mercenary mascots that keeps that poorly crafted law that opened on calling themselves communists and extended incentives to corrupare frantic in keeping the foundation tion. Second, as a law enforcement of demagoguery intact. officer, he should have surrendered To let Bongbong win would result when a warrant was issued for his in political catastrophe. The loss of arrest as a gesture for his respect for Robredo can never be narrowly inter- the law. They are also questioning his preted as an ordinary loss of a yellow motive for running in the 2004 presicandidate but a transition to restore dential election. People suspect he political sanity to this country. The played the role of a political spoiler to victory of Duterte was unexpected. destroy the candidacy of FPJ. Aside from the logistics for bribThe same can be said of Senator ing an entire electorate, the cheating Poe. Her popularity has been on the machinery and the various organiza- decline after she landed third place tions in place, they never anticipated in the 2016 presidential election. that an avalanche of opposition votes Mar Roxas’ landing on second place would swamp them. practically wiped out her ambition of Paradoxically, Duterte’s victory becoming president. Voters assumed was an ominous warning that politi- she was incapable of winning. In the cal hypocrisy and demagoguery was end, the loss of popularity of Senators coming to an end. The gimmick of Lacson and Poe is something they building up Robredo through a ma- both failed to anticipate. They buncabre practice of dramatizing death gled their opportunity. called necropolitics that created Mrs. Aquino and her son Noynoy, rpkapunan@gmail.com and freedoms, not religions and churches. People’s, and lawmakers’ religious freedom will not be affected. They will remain free to practice their religion in whatever way they want. Churches will continue to operate based on their beliefs. They can even excommunicate LGBTQIA+ persons if they wish. However, religious people, lawmakers included, cannot impose their dogma on others. They cannot dictate how other people should practice their, or not practice religion. Their religious freedom is not absolute. It ends where other people’s rights

begin. Thus, religion should not, and cannot be used against the SOGIE Equality Bill. All the fuss created by people opposing the bill is based only on one thing: they do not want LGBTQIA+ persons to be equal with them. This cannot continue. The SOGIE Equality Bill must be passed by Congress IF our lawmakers are true to their mandate of passing laws that respect and promote Filipinos’ human rights. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

News

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

AFP holds first-ever joint service exercises More than 300 T individuals arrested in Makati City

O ENSURE that all of its major services are capable of operating together as a single unit, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will hold its ﬁrstever joint exercises this month, an ofﬁcial said Friday. Capt. Rhyan B. Batchar, AFP Joint Exercise “DAGIT-PA 03-19” public affairs office chief, said the exercises will be held in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City; Naval Education and Training Center in San Antonio, Zam-

bales; and Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija from Sept. 16 to 27. Batchar said these exercises are the ﬁrst for the AFP involving the Army, Air Force and Navy units. Opening ceremonies will be held

in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday while an amphibious assault exercise, showcasing the Navy's latest amphibious assault vehicles, will be at the NETC in San Antonio, Zambales on Sept. 19. The ﬁrst four AAVs were commissioned on June 17 and the second batch of four is scheduled to be activated on Sept. 16. All eights AAVs, which were acquired from South Korean defense

IN BRIEF

By Joel E. Zurbano MORE than 300 individuals have been arrested in Makati City during simultaneous police operations in line with the government’s crackdown against suspected drug dealers and other criminal elements. Twenty-three of those were suspected drug trafﬁckers and dependents who were arrested during police operations in different barangays of the city from Sept. 9 to 11. Makati City police commander Col. Rogelio Simon said nine of the 23 suspects were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Barangays Poblacion, Tejeros, Guadalupe Nuevo, Cembo, and East Rembo. Recovered from the suspects were 10 tablets of suspected ecstasy worth P25,000, 55 sachets of suspected shabu; buy-bust money, shoulder bag, three cellphones, two wallets, a pair of dice, bet money, drug paraphernalia, glass tube with marijuana residue, and a lighter. The suspects are now facing criminal charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. At least 47 other persons were caught for violating various crimes in the city from September 2 to 8. Meanwhile, the authorities apprehended 294 people for violating local ordinances. Of this number, 41 were caught smoking and drinking in public places while 107 minors were rescued in connection with curfew ordinance.

‘Marilyn’ to exit PAR on Sunday STATE weather bureau PAGASA said on Friday that ‘Marilyn’ is expected to leave PAR on Sunday. PAGASA also said that ‘Marilyn’ retained its strength but is unlikely to make a landfall since it remains over the ocean. As of 10 a.m. the storm's center was located 1,045 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes. Marilyn is moving northwest at 10 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph. Weather Specialist Loriedin de La Cruz said no storm signal was raised. She urged the public to continue monitoring PAGASA for updates.

PNP reshuffles six senior police execs

NEW BUSINESS HUB. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte poses for posterity with guests during the inauguration of the Bataan Government Center and Business Hub ‘The Bunker’ in Balanga City, Bataan on Sept. 12. Presidential Photo

DENR to remove illegal structures in Pasig By Rio N. Araja ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu on Friday vowed to go after illegal structures along the Pasig River and all esteros in Metro Manila. Cimatu said the crackdown would harmonize the government’s rehabilitation efforts for the Pasig River and Manila Bay. He asserted his objective of recovering the easements of the Pasig River and its connecting tributaries or esteros as well

as all waterways in the National Capital Region. "Let us ﬁx the easements. Let us clean them. Maintain the three-meter easements. Those are the things we will have to with our esteros in the metro," he said. Last Sept. 10, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 90 transferring the leadership of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission to Cimatu. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources chief,

he would discuss the directions that the DENR and PRRC would take under the his leadership. The PRRC follows several easement laws, such as Article 51 of the Water Code of the Philippines and the Metro Manila Council Ordinance No. 81-01 for the minimum 10-meter easement along the Pasig River. Cimatu warned that he would dismantle structures and properties that were unlawfully built along the river.

SC fines judges in 2014 Sharia bar mess for ‘impropriety’ THE Supreme Court has imposed fines on two Shari’a Circuit Court judges for their acts which cast doubts on the 2014 Sharia Bar Examinations. In a statement Friday, the high court said it had issued a 13-page resolution promulgated on July 24, through the SC's Third Division which found Judge Kaudri L. Jainul, appointed chairperson of the Board of Examiners, and Judge Samanodden L. Ampaso the designated translator of the 2014 Sharia Bar, guilty of conduct unbecoming of a judge and ordered them to each pay a fine of P10,000. Jainul of the Sharia Circuit Court, Isabela City, Basilan and Ampaso of the Sharia Circuit Court, Tamparan, Lanao del Sur were also sanctioned “with a stern warning that a repetition of the same or similar acts shall be dealt with more severely.” The SC concurred with the findings of the Office Court Administrator that there was no concrete proof that there was a leakage of questions during the 2014 Shari’a Bar examinations. It held that the evidence at hand readily points to the appearance of impropriety caused by Ampaso’s designation as the translator of the examination questions. “Although no harm was actually inflicted on the Sharia Bar examinations by such designation, it is the impression of impropriety that it created that casts a rather bleak picture of undue preference on the image of the Judiciary. [N]o matter how miniscule such appearance of impropriety is, the Court is duty-bound to forever maintain an untarnished image as the last bastion

manufacturer Hanwha Techwin, cost P2.42 billion. These vehicles are armed with .50 caliber machineguns, 40mm grenade launchers and smoke launchers. On Sept. 23, an airfield retake exercise and military operations in urban terrain, will be held at Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. The event's closing ceremony will be at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on Sept. 27. PNA

of democratic society where pure justice is expected and dispensed,” the SC ruled. The SC said the OCA was justified in not giving credence and weight to Jainul’s contention that he had no knowledge that Ampaso had relatives who would be taking the exams. Ampaso’s three children took the same Sharia Bar Examinations where he was appointed as translator. “The fact remains that Judge Ampaso had full access to the questions when he translated the questions from English to Arabic two days before the first week of the examination,” the high court said. It also noted that Ampaso was billeted at a hotel located only a few kilometers away from where his children stayed. Citing Canon 4 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary which requires judges to exemplify propriety at all times, the Court held that Judges Jainul and Ampaso failed to exercise caution and prudence in their actions as expected of them as judges not only in the performance of their judicial duties but in their professional and private activities as well. The Court, however, ruled that the judges could neither be charged with a graver offense nor severely punished because at the time the controversy took place, there was no sufficient procedures or guidelines yet by which the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos officials, the examiners, the translator, and the Office of the Bar Confidant could have been properly guided in preparing and administering the Sharia Bar Examinations. PNA

SIX senior officials were included in the latest round of reorganization among the top brass of the Philippine National Police, which took effect on Thursday. PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde approved the new designations upon the recommendation of the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board. Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel, former Quezon City Police District director was named Regional Director of Police Regional Office 13. He replaced Brig. Gen. Gilberto Cruz who was designated as Acting Director for Integrated Police Operations-Northern Luzon. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus, former Eastern Police District chief, was named PRO 12 Regional Director while Brig. Gen. Omega Jireh Fidel was appointed director of the PNP Engineering Service. Brig. Gen. Rey Lyndon Lawas was designated as director of the Training Service; and Col. Ronnie Montejo was named acting QCPD director. The reorganization, triggered by the recent retirement of some PNP senior officers, will affect some key positions in the national support units and Police Regional Offices, Albayalde said. PNA

Education program for disabled kids set

RELOCATION. Workers start to demolish the base of the Ninoy Aquino statue at

the corner of Timog and Quezon Avenues on Friday, Sept. 13, after the Aquino children have given their consent to relocate it to a more suitable site in Quezon City. A recent DPWH road clearing operation to ease traffic at the area has caused damage to the statue's base which prompted QC Mayor Joy Belmonte to reach out to the Aquino family. Manny Palmero

THE United States government, through the US Agency for International Development, has launched a P92.3-million education project dubbed as “USAID’s Gabay” that will enable visually and hearing impaired children, including those who are deaf, blind and deaf-blind, to gain access to quality education. The USAIDs’ Gabay project or “Strengthening Inclusive Education for Blind/Deaf Children project” will be implemented for three years, in partnership with the Department of Education and Resources for Blind Inc. In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said that the project will be carried out in collaboration with local governments in the provinces of Batangas, Sorsogon, and Southern Leyte, to identify children from kindergarten to grade three with vision and hearing impairments, so that they can receive literacy support early-on. “The United States is a strong advocate of disability policies and programs. We believe that people with disabilities have and should have all the same rights as others,” USAID Mission Director Lawrence Hardy said, during the launching of the new project held in Quezon City on Thursday. Through the project, USAID and RBI will increase the capacity of service providers and health workers to detect the needs of, and provide services to, children with visual and hearing impairments, improve teachers’ abilities to prepare and deliver appropriate learning plans, and enhance local government and communities’ responsiveness to the needs of people with disabilities, the embassy statement said. Rey E. Requejo

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

NOTICE Standard Notice is hereby given that

TODAY

the intestate estate of late ASHLY JILANI who died on 21 August 2018 in DOA - St. Elizabeth Hospital, Inc. General Santos City, left a cash deposit with the Development Bank of the Philippines has been subject of Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement by sole heir of the estate of ASHLY JILANI (with declaration of Identity) executed before Atty. Gervacio B. Ortiz Jr. per Doc. No. 143, page no. 30 Book no. 10 Series of 2018. (MS-SEPT. 14, 21 & 28, 2019)

Vallacar Transit says former CFO Yanson-Lopez liable for missing P380 million THE board of Vallacar Transit Inc., the country's largest bus transport company that operates Ceres Liner and Sugbo Transit, insisted that its former chief ﬁnancial ofﬁcer, Celina Yanson-Lopez, is liable for the missing P380 million during her watch. “It is not true that SGV cleared Celina Yanson-Lopez [CYL] of any liability on the P380million stolen fund mess,” the VTI's legal team said in a statement. It issued the statement following news-

paper reports that a letter of auditing firm SyCip, Gorres Velayo and Co. cleared CYL of her alleged involvement in a P380-million financial mess. In a letter dated Sept. 10, SGV’s legal counsel Poblador Bautista and Reyes Law Ofﬁces said, “without disclosing the contents of its report, SGV can conﬁrm that the report did not refer to Ms. Yanson-Lopez as the person directly liable for the loss of the funds.” The board of VTI, however, said SGV's

counsel merely stated in the letter that “...SGV can conﬁrm that the report did not refer to Ms. Yanson-Lopez as the person directly liable for the loss of the funds.” “To put it simply, liability may be incurred by someone who either directly or indirectly participated in the offense. If SGV really cleared CYL from liability for the stolen funds, then it shouldn’t have qualified its statement with the word 'directly,” VTI's legal team said.

“What is very clear is that during CYL’s term as treasurer/CFO, the P380 million was stolen and/or unaccounted for,” the VTI’s legal team said. VTI is the largest company under the Yanson Group of Bus Companies which operates more than 4,000 buses nationwide and employs 18,000 individuals who serve 700,000 passengers daily. The bus conglomerate was founded in 1968 by Ricardo Yanson Sr. who died in 2015 and his wife Olivia V. Yanson.

Sports

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Ganzon, Delos Reyes fastest in duathlon STANDOUT duathlete Joey Delos Reyes and former national duathlon champion Alexandra Ganzon proved their excellence among the large field of athletes by registering the fastest times within their respective genders in the Alviera Bike King Duathlon that was held recently at Alviera in Porac, Pampanga Delos Reyes, who previously topped the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Bike King Duathlon series, finished the long distance 6 Kilometer run – 60 Km bike – and 4 Km run event in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 20 seconds, capturing easily the Male 30-34 age-group title. A few minutes later, Male 25-29 contestants Jarwyn Banatao and Cipriane John Topia crossed the finish line neck-and-neck at 2:16:02 and 2:16:03. Delos Reyes stated that during the race, he and a teammate were pacing with each other while cycling along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway until that teammate suffered a flat tire. From that point on, Delos Reyes went ahead on his own and maintained his lead until the end. Among the ladies in the event supported by Alviera, NLEX-SCTEX Metro Pacific Tollways, Standard Insurance, official timing partner Garmin, Smart, and Hydration partners POCARI Sweat and Sip Purified Water, Alexandra Ganzon easily topped the Female 30-34 category with a time of 2:34:40. More than half an hour later, Female 40-44 champion followed at 3:08:48 while Female 35-39 champion Bubbles Paraiso came in next at 3:09:07. For the sprint distance contests, the fastest males were 20-29 champion Reymart Songo with 1:14:45, 1519 champion Irienold Reig, Jr. with 1:14:50 and 15-19 2d placer Richard Anson Navo with 1:15:27. The fastest sprint females were 15-19 champion Erica Bulatao with 1:30:54, 40-49 champion Bic Ferreria with 1:37:33 and 20-29 champion Aira Lourdes Lopez with 1:39:56. Other declared champions of the long distance and sprint distance can be found at the event’s page at the official website of organizer Bike King.

US stars lament disrespect

Team USA center Myles Turner (12) goes to the basket against Serbia during the 2019 FIBA World Cup at the Dongguan Basketball Center in Dongguan, China. AFP

Cayetano to form a crisis committee for SEA Games By Peter Atencio

RGANIZERS need to prepare for unexpected situations that may arise during the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee chairman and House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano said this after attending the fourth Team Philippines Coordination meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center. “It’s actually a refinement of the organizational chart. Part of the plan of any multisport event like this, dahil sa dami ng pinagdaanan,” said Cayetano. Cayetano explained that a crisis committee will be assembled to address certain issues should situations involving

venues, equipment and accommodation arise during the meet, which is set to be staged from Nov. 30 to Dec. 10. The solon from Taguig explained many situations involving the Games have arisen considering the Games’ budget of around P6-billion was released four months late, and some questions concerning the procurement need to be addressed. Of the budget that has been released, around P441-million has been allocated for sports equipment. So far, PHISGOC executive director Tom Carrasco said that of the 61 equipment requested that were made since January, 18 have already been completed last February, while 25 others will be completed by the end of the day, Sept. 13, Friday. The other requests will be tackled and finalized by Monday or Tuesday

Archers converge in Clark to test venue for 2019 SEA Games

Mindoro Open Rapid Chess tournament starts Sunday UNITED Chess Players of Calapan, Inc. president Emmanuel “Noel” Bandelaria Asi announced the holding of the 2019 Lifecore Enterprises Open Chess Tournament on Sunday, September 15, at the Bulwagang Panlalawigan in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. He formally issued an invitation to all Filipino woodpushers nationwide to join the tourney. Bandelaria Asi, who will serve as tournament director and Press Relation Officer of the Philippine Executive Chess Association, expressed his optimism that the tournament will attract the country’s top chess players from the nearby provinces as well as the metro. “We have invited Grand Master (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, Fide Masters David Elorta and Nelson “Elo” Mariano III and National Master Emmanuel Emperado to join the event,” Bandelaria Asi said. “Mas mabigat ang field ngayon, pero gagawin ko ang aking best,” said the Calapan City, Oriental native and 13-time Philippine Open champion Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., the country’s representative in this year’s FIDE World Seniors Chess Championships to be held on November 11 to 24 in Bucharest, Romania. The one-day rapid format is open to all players, backed up by Nicolas Ramil Castro of Lifecore Enterprises Inc. in close cooperation with Province of Oriental Mindoro, offers a top purse of P25,000. The second to fifth placers will receive P10,000, P5,000, P3,000 and P1,000, respectively. Sixth to tenth placers will get P500 each. There will also be special prizes P500 each for the top senior, junior, kiddie and female players.

next week. “Around 25 requests will be completed today. Kayang-kaya iyun,” said Carrasco. On the other hand, Ramirez said they are continuously finding solutions to the many venue needs of the Games. “We have 117 days to go. We still have to find very good solutions to venue alternatives, at in case hindi makakuha ng venues para sa ibang events,” said Ramirez. The Phisgoc is now addressing details concerning the ticketing, accommodation, venues, transportation, logistics and the sports that will be played. So far, minor hitches on completion of venue requirements are being donet in weightlifting, squash, kickboxing, skateboard and obstacle sports were addressed. The Phisgoc Executive Board will appoint its own point person to help hasten procurement of vital equipment.

BEIJING, China—A key member of the US team eliminated in the Basketball World Cup quarterfinals has hit out at the “disrespect” and “slander” directed at the deposed champions. Myles Turner of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers made an impassioned defense of Team USA after they were beaten for the second time in as many days on Thursday in China. The world and Olympic champions will conclude their World Cup on Saturday against Poland and the best f inish they can achieve is seventh place. Writing on Twitter, the 23-year-old center said: “We came up short, can’t nobodies more upset than us, but I refuse to tolerate any slander for our play, you cannot question our heart, our character or are (our) spirit.” Turner added: “Don’t disrespect us, this coaching staff or USA Basketball as a whole, but respect the world basketball is an international game, these countries are talented.” Turner said that the US team “sacrificed so much for our nation” and deserved recognition after many American players—among them the NBA elite—turned down the call. “We’re also the ones who stepped up to the plate when others stepped down,” he wrote. “We qualified our nation for the Olympics. “We got some work to do to rebuild a legacy that was left before us, were on the wrong side of history indeed.” Wednesday’s quarterfinal loss to France was the United States’ first defeat in the tournament after 13 years and raised doubts they will be able to defend their Olympic crown in Tokyo next summer. Then on Thursday they were beaten by Serbia in a dead-rubber “classification” match—they were down 32-7 after the first quarter but recovered somewhat to eventually go down 94-89. AFP

Participants in the 2019 Asia Cup Stage III World Ranking Event take aim at their targets.

CLARK FREEPORT—As part of the preparations for the coming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019, a total of 157 elite archers from across the globe recently converged here to participate in the 2019 Asia Cup Stage III World Ranking Event. Organized by the World Archery Philippines Inc. (WAP Inc.), the tournament held at the Clark Parade Grounds is composed of Recurve and Compound divisions for both male and female categories. The eight-day competition from September 8 to 15 is also a ‘test-event’ to prepare the venue for the SEA Games 2019. It is also an opportunity to hone up Filipino archers for the biennial sports meet as well as for the Tokyo Olympics next year Competing at the said event are members of the World Archery Association (WAA) that represent 12 countries including the Philippines, Australia, Bangladesh, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Taipei. With 530 events, 56 sports and 44 venues for the SEA Games 2019 that are grouped into Metro Manila, Clark and

PSC eager to resolve equipment procurement woes PHILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez is eager to resolve the procurement of equipment for the sports to be played in the 30th Southeast Asian Games as soon as possible. “Our biggest concern is the procurement of equipment, so we are giving ourselves up to Monday to solve the issue,” said Ramirez during Team Philippines’ consultative meeting Friday. According to Ramirez, who also sits as the country’s chef de mission in the 11-nation sportsfest, delays hit the acquisition of equipment that the 56 sports will use during the Nov. 30-Dec. 11 Games. Out of the 61 requests for equipment by the national sports associations, only 18 got approved through the PSC bidding process. “I’m positive that we can provide answers because the hosting of the country is at stake here,” said Ramirez, adding that P500-P600 million have been allocated for

the equipment requirements of the NSAs which will host their sport. Majority of the NSA leaders came during the meeting held at the Philippine International Convention Center where ticketing, venues, billeting, transportation and protocol matters were likewise discussed. Ramirez said Team Philippines is almost 90 percent ready in terms of preparation. “This is like sprinting in a 100-meter dash. We have no more time. If there are shortcomings, the PSC will fill in the gaps,’’ added Ramirez, pointing out that President Duterte is expecting a successful hosting. He added that problems in some of the venues should also be addressed by finding alternative areas where the sport could be played. “We have 77 days left. We have to find a very good solution in case a venue cannot host a particular sport. There should be quick alternatives,’’ said Ramirez.

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez

Subic Clusters, the Clark Parade Grounds is also being improved as it becomes the official venue for the Archery and Rugby 7s competition. Other identified venues for the Clark Cluster are Clark Global City, The Villages, Royce Hotel, Aquatics Center and the Athletics Stadium, and Aquatics Center at the New Clark City. T he 2019 SEA Games and commonly known as Philippines 2019 will be the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian Games, a biennial regional multi-sport event. For this edition of the Games, four designated hubs will serve as hosts namely Manila, Clark, Subic, and a fourth cluster consisting of venues not grouped with the first three hubs. This will be the fourth time that the Philippines will host the games and its first time since 2005. Previously, it had also hosted the 1981 and 1991 editions of the games. This edition is most notable for being the first edition to include e-sports and obstacle course as well as having the highest number of sports in the history of the games, at 56.

Jaraula... From A8

while Johvanie Abaño birdied the last two for a 68 for joint sixth at 206 with Dutch Guido Van der Valk, who birdied the last hole to save a 71. Michael Bibat also pressed his bid with a four-birdie card after 12 holes for a 10-under overall but the former Asian Games bronze medalist flubbed birdie putts from close range on Nos. 13 and 14 and the last two par-5s on Nos. 15 and 17 for a 69 and solo eighth at 207. “They were just short putts (inside four feet) but I just couldn’t sink them,” said Bibat, who nevertheless remained hopeful of putting up a solid final round charge to get a crack at ending a long title spell on the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc. “There’s still one round left so let’s see what happens.”

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

Spain outlasts Australia to advance to title match BEIJNG, China—NBA champion Marc Gasol saved Spain as they battled back to beat Australia 95-88 after a second overtime period and reach the Basketball World Cup final on Friday. They will face either France— quarterfinal winners over reigning two-time champions the United States—or Argentina in Sunday’s decider in Beijing. The Spaniards had to overcome an 11-point deficit after trailing for most part of the game and the two extra periods. Spain took their first taste of the lead—since the score was pegged at 71-69—after two clutch free throws by Marc Gasol, who led all scorers with 31 points. The same Gasol sent the game into a second extra period with two clutch free shots with four seconds left. Spain is the highest rated team in the semifinals after the favorites including the top-ranked US and Serbian teams were eliminated. Regulation period ended at 71-all. The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup is the 18th tournament of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for men’s national basketball teams. China is host of the tournament which was rescheduled from 2018 to 2019, becoming the first since 1967 that will not occur in the same year as the FIFA World Cup (which was held the previous year). The group stage is expanded from 24 to 32 teams. The tournament will also act as qualification for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which will take the top two teams from each of the Americas and Europe, and the top team from each of Africa, Asia and Oceania, alongside the tournament’s host Japan. Both Montenegro and the Czech Republic will each make their first appearance as independent nations after previously being part of Serbia and Montenegro and Czechoslovakia respectively, while Poland makes its return to the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time since 1967. AFP

Guard Ricky Rubio of Spain (with ball) tries to dribble past Australia counterpart Patty Mills (5) during their Fiba World Cup semifinal game in China won by Spain in double overtime. AFP

POC to help PSC disburse funds for SEA Games By Peter Atencio

HE Philippine Olympic Committee will assist the Philippine Sports Commission in disbursing the funds that have been allocated for the running of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

The executive committee of the POC made this revision in their tripartite agreement for the third time with the PSC and the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee. “We will help, and we will help in the liquidation. And so, there is no delay in the preparation for the SEA Games,” said POC president Abraham Tolentino following a meeting yesterday at the Golden Bay Restaurant in Macapagal Ave. Last month, the agreement was put in place to help the PSC in quickly releasing and proving full assistance to the operations of the PHISGOC.

With a budget of P6-billion that is under the care of the government sports agency, organizers will be able to tackle its many obligations during the Games when it is held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 10. POC secretary general Edwin Gastanes said that in the second revision of the pact, focus was on procurement of sports equipment that will be used in the competitions of the biennial meet. This, amendments concerning hotel accommodations, food, catering and personnel services were added. “Hotel, food, personnel services. Why limit to equipment?” said Tolentino.

In the first agreement that was not signed, the PHISGOC was obligated to submit reports on its financial activities to the PSC and the POC, and turn over excess funds that it has in its possession. In the second agreement that officials signed last August, the POC will now just monitor the activities of the PHISGOC, the technical aspect of the Games, oversee its expenditures and marketing activities. The tripartite agreement, whose signing was delayed because of the many issues hounding the Philippines’ hosting of the Games, contains the duties of the different organizations involved as well as expectations from them. The PSC, as per the agreement, is primarily in charge of the disbursement of funds, and this is pursuant to the General Appropriations Act of 2019.

Jaraula edges closer to ICTSI Pueblo de Oro golf crown

Reymon Jaraula watches the flight of his ball after teeing off during the third round of the P2.5 million ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship at the Pueblo Golf and Country Club.

CAGAYAN de Oro—Reymon Jaraula recovered from an early backside stumble with a cluster of birdies then matched Jay Bayron’s pars at the finish to card a 69 and hike his lead to two in the third round of the P2.5 million ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship at the Pueblo Golf and Country Club here yesterday. Having hurdled a pivotal round jinx that ruined his title bid at Wack Wack last week with a gutsy opening 34 and a gutsier rebound from a doublebogey on No. 11, Jaraula now moved 18 holes away from ending a long search for a maiden win since breaking into the pro ranks in 2013. “I’ll just play my game and won’t pressure myself,” said Jaraula after edging the veteran Bayron for the second straight day behind three birdies in a four-hole stretch after his mishap on the 11th. He missed a couple of birdie chances in the last three holes but got a break as Bayron likewise muffed his, keeping the rising Del Monte star on track of a dream victory worth P450,000 with 15-under 201 aggregate. Bayron fell by three with a frontside 36 but moved within one after Jaraula’s double-bogey then overcame a bogey on No. 12 with three straight birdies from No. 13 to scramble for a 70 and a 203. “It can still be done. But I have to play it good and smart tomorrow (today),” said Bayron, also out to make up for his missed cut stint at Wack Wack

where he reigned in 2016. But if there’s one player Jaraula and Bayron should watch out for in this sixth leg of the 10th season of the Philippine Golf Tour, it’s Tony Lascuña. The former three-time PGT Order of Merit winner, whose game took a downswing with back injuries and personal woes the last two years, finally recalled his fierce form and tied the course record 64 on a bogeyfree 34-31 that put the 49-year-old shotmaker back in the title race in a long, long while. “I could’ve actually shot lower if not for a couple of missed birdie putts (Nos. 9 and 10) inside five feet,” said Lascuna, who birdied five of the first 13 holes then holed out with three straight birdies inside seven feet to match Frankie Minoza’s feat in winning this event in 2013. He headed straight to the practice green to polish his stroke which he said would be crucial in his bid to nail a first crown since winning at Forest Hills in late 2017. Jhonnel Ababa likewise stayed in the hunt as he kept the momentum of his hot second round 65 with a 67, bucking a bogey on No. 4 with six birdies, including three in the last five to join a steady Ira Alido at fourth at 205. Also out to atone for his final round foldup at Aboitiz which he led after 54 holes, Alido added a 69 to a pair of 68s to lay just four strokes off Jaraula

JRU Heavy Bombers subdue EAC Generals, 69-63 MARWIN Dionisio and Agem Miranda provided the finishing touches as the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers held off the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 69-63, yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center. Miranda and Dionisio struck with 16 and 13 points in leading the Heavy Bombers to their fourth win in 11 games in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament. The two figured in a 7-2 run in the remaining five minutes, and their efforts allowed the the Heavy Bombers to keep their hopes alive in the Final Four semifinals.

“Pero this game, yung closing ng laro yung wala namin. We really lost bad sa last games namin with Mapua, Saint Benilde, and Letran,” said JRU coach Louie Gonzalez. Noah Lugo hit 31 points as the Mapua Cardinals turned back the Letran Knights in overtime, 105-101, in the second game of the day. The Cardinals hiked their record to 5-6, while the Knights now have a 7-4 slate in fourth place. The scoring which Dionisio and Miranda started saw JRU holding on to a 67-58 going into the final 24 seconds of the game.

The Generals, with JP Maguliano making 16 points, fell to their ninth straight setback at 1-10. In the junior division, the Letran Squires fought their way out of a sevenpoint deficit in the last two minutes to stop Malayan Red Robins, 82-78. Andrei Romenez and CJ Saure made 16 points for the Squires, who hiked their slate to 5-6. Romenez, Saure,Joshua Ramirez, and Shawn Umali converted from the perimeter with 1:32 remaining, and led a 15-4 rally that gave the Squires a chance to overcome a 67-74 deficit. Peter Atencio

Turn to A7

Tamaraws test mettle of Ateneo Blue Eagles FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY Tamaraws test the mettle of defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles when they clash at 4 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Tamaraws are tipped to make it to the Final Four. After disposing of the University of the East Warriors, 81-65, last week, the Tams are hoping to stay on the winning track in the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament. With the Blue Eagles in the way, the Tams will be a challenged squad when they seek their second win in three outings. And FEU coach Olsen Racela hopes that their experienced guard, Wendell Comboy and LJ Gonzales will once again provide the needed 1-2 punch for the squad. “The two have stepped up. We rely on our guards, and this season is no different. And that’s our rotation, one who is second year, and the other is in his first year,” said Racela. They face a Blue Eagles team that is coming off their third straight win after beating the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 71-70, last Sunday. And the Tams will need to play their best if they hope to beat the Blue Eagles. And the Blue Eagles have gained more confidence going into their bid for a fourth straight triumph against the Tams. “Lots of work to do. Mentally especially, still trying to get some players to settle into their roles. Our roster is not, you know, clicking on all cylinders yet. And that needs to happen,” said Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin. In the game with the UST Tigers, the Blue Eagles drew 17 points from Thirdy Ravena, and 10 boards as well. Angelo Kouame provided 11 points and 10 rebounds. Earlier, the La Salle Green Archers battle the UE Warriors at 2 p.m. hoping to hike their slate to 2-1. The Warriors are fresh from an 8382 triumph over the National University Bulldogs. Peter Atencio

Jielo Razon (9) of Perpetual Altas bumps Jaycee Marcelino of LPU Pirates as he tries to drive strong to the hoop during their game Thursday in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament held at Fil Oil flying V Centre in San Juan City. PLU won 89-74. Dennis Abrina

IN BRIEF

SMC okays merger of 2 packaging firms

CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. is merging two packaging companies. San Miguel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board approved the merger of San Miguel Yamamura Asia Corp. and San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp. SMYPC will be the surviving entity. “With the merger, all packaging business of the corporation together with its joint venture partner Nihon Yamamura Glass Company Ltd. will be consolidated in SMYPC,” said San Miguel. San Miguel said the board also approved the acquisition of a ﬁve-percent stake in SMYAC. San Miguel’s packaging business is comprised of SMYPC and subsidiaries, San Miguel Yamamura Packaging International Ltd. and units, SMYAC, SMC Yamamura Fuso Molds Corp., Can Asia Inc., Mindanao Corrugated Fibreboard Inc. and Wine Brothers Philippines Corp. The conglomerate’s packaging group reported net sales of P17.83 billion in net sales in the ﬁrst half of the year, up two percent from P17.55 billion year-onyear. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

SEC approves Now capital restructuring

NOW Corp., a listed company controlled by the Velarde family, said it is accelerating the expansion of its broadband footprint in areas outside Manila after securing approval from Securities and Exchange Commission to wipe up its deficit. The SEC approved Now’s application to reduce its authorized capital stock through a lowering of the par value per share. The conversion of certain debts to equity would erase the company’s deficit of P402.1 million as of last year by reducing its surplus of P455 million. The company also has a pending application filed with the SEC to convert outstanding shareholders’ advances of P264 million into equity. The two corporate actions will substantially strengthen the company’s financial condition. “The elimination of its deficit removes a major obstacle to fund raising,” Now said. Meanwhile, the conversion of advances to equity, once approved, will improve the debt-to-equity ratio from 0.70:1 to 0.37:1. Darwin G. Amojelar

Villar’s All Home reduces IPO price to P11.50 to P14 By Jenniffer B. Austria ALL Home Corp., the home improvement retailing company of billionaire Manuel Villar, reduced its initial public offering price to P11.50 to P14 per share from the original maximum level of P16. Sources sad the tighter price range was ﬁnalized during the company’s book building process. All Home the current price rqange is set to generate as much as P11.87 billion to P18.11 billion from the sale of up to 1.12 billion of primary and secondary shares, with an over allotment of up to 168.750 million shares The ﬁnal offer price will be determined on Sept 26. All Home plans to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund the company’s capital expenditures and initial working capital, store expansion and debt repayment. The company as of end June had 25 stores with a net selling space of approximately 196,327 square meters across 20 cities and municipalities. Its product offering spans seven key categories from over 800 local and international brands, including 18 in-house brands. The product categories are furniture, hardware, appliances, tiles and sanitary wares, homewares, linens and construction materials. All Home plans to open 19 new outlets in the second half of the year and complete another 19 new stores by 2020. The company has tapped UBS, CLSA and Credit Suisse as joint book runners, and PNB Capital and Investments Corp. and China Bank Capital Corp. as local underwriters for the offering. All Home in 2018 increased its net income by 354 percent to ₱511.4 million from ₱112.6 million in 2017. Revenues jumped 46.9 percent to 7.19 billion in 2018 from ₱4.89 billion a year ago.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

BSP, BCDA sign agreement to move security plant complex

Current account posts lower deficit of $1.7b

THE current account, one of the main components of the balance of payments, posted a deficit of $1.7 billion in the first half, significantly lower compared to $3.8 billion year-on-year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday. “This developed as a result of the higher net receipts in the primary income ($2.5 billion from $1.5 billion), trade-in-services ($5.9 billion from $4.9 billion), and secondary income accounts ($13.3 billion from $13.2 billion) and as the deficit in the trade-in-goods account posted a marginal increase ($23.5 billion from $23.3 billion),” it said in a statement. The capital account registered higher net receipts of $33 million in the first six months of 2019 from $30 million on year. “This resulted following lower payments made on acquired non-produced non-financial assets at $9 million compared to the $20 million recorded in the previous year,” BSP said. Meanwhile, the financial account recorded higher net inflows of $5.7 billion in the first half of 2019 compared with $2.5 billion net inflows in the same period in 2018. Julito G. Rada

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

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno (second from left) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive Vivencio Dizon (third from left) show the signed memorandum of understanding documents on the transfer of the BSP’s 41-year old currency production facility in Quezon City to New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. July Rada

Diokno: Lower interest rates ‘sooner than later’ C By Julito G. Rada

APAS, Tarlac— Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno on Friday said cutting the benchmark policy rates again is almost certain during the next meeting of the Monetary Board later this month.

At the sidelines of a tour of the New Clark City facilities organized by the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Diokno said another cut in interest rates was possible amid the continued deceleration in inﬂation rate. “We are hoping that inﬂation will be below two percent again for the next two months. Oil prices continue to go down, electricity prices continue to go down. Food prices are stable and going down... ,” he said. “So the prospects are bright. It might come sooner than later. And so I think

it won’t reach November and December to be sure,” he said. Diokno further said the Monetary Board was studying if there could be a simultaneous cut in policy rates and reserve requirement which, at 16 percent, remained the highest in the region. “It may come... So our next meeting is on Sept. 26. It can be simultaneous... It is always in the agenda,” he said. The inflation rate in August further slowed to a 35-month low of 1.7 percent from 2.4 percent a month ago. Economists said the development could prompt monetary authorities to further reduce the policy interest rates in their meeting this month. The Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday the slowdown was due to slower increases in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages. The August print was the slowest since the 1.7 percent in September 2016. It was also significantly slower than the 6.4 percent in August 2018. The August figure brought the average inflation in the first eight months to 3.1 percent, well within the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent earlier set by

the government for 2019. The August 2019 inflation of 1.7 percent was within the BSP’s forecast range of 1.3 percent to 2.1 percent for the month. ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said earlier food inflation, the main culprit for higher inflation in 2018, was the main reason for the sharp deceleration in price trends this year. He said with inflation careening below the BSP’s own target, Diokno would deliver on his pledge and cut policy rates by an additional 25 bps at the Sept.26 meeting. “Monetary easing would also make sense given that the second-quarter GDP growth has slid to 5.5 percent, well below the government’s 6-7 percent fighting target for the year. Meanwhile, we also expect the BSP to roll back its reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by 100 bps in the fourth quarter,” Mapa said. The policy-making Monetary Board of the BSP on Aug. 8 reduced the overnight borrowing rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 percent, taking into account mainly the continued downward trajectory of the inflation rate.

BEST PAYING BANK.

Social Security System recognizes Philippine National Bank as its “Best Paying Commercial Bank” partner during the 2019 Balikat ng Bayan Awards held at the SSS main office in Quezon City. PNB has consistently been a reliable partner in providing diverse banking services to SSS and its members. The annual awards program was held in celebration of the pension fund’s 62nd anniversary. Shown (from left) are SSS executive vice president Judy Frances See, SSS president and chief executive officer Aurora Ignacio, PNB executive vice president and head of global banking and markets sector Roberto Baltazar, PNB first VP and head of Non-Bank Financial Institutions Department Maria Rowena Conda, SSS Commissioner Michael Regino and PNB SSS Diliman branch manager Cesar Ramos.

THE Philippine Competition Commission approved the acquisition of Avon Products Inc. by Natura Cosméticos S.A. (Natura), marking the merger of two of the world’s popular beauty and personal care brands with presence and following in the Philippines. Avon Products is a direct selling company in beauty, household and personal care categories with a home base in New York, US. Natura Group— which includes Natura Cosméticos, Aesop and The Body Shop—is a global personal care cosmetics group headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil. The commission found that the takeover Avon by cosmetics giant Natura

Meralco, 3 power firms sign 10-year supply deals By Alena Mae S. Flores

Competition body approves Natura’s purchase of Avon By Othel V. Campos

CAPAS, Tarlac—The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas signed on Friday with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority a memorandum of understanding to transfer its 41-year old currency production facility in Quezon City to New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. Under the agreement signed by BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno and BCDA president and chief executive Vivencio Dizon, the two government agencies committed to work toward the establishment of the new production facility on a 29.22-hectare parcel of land within the New Clark CityNational Government Administrative Center. Diokno said the BSP followed a stringent set of criteria or standards in choosing locations for the facilities. The relocation site was within the former Camp O’Donnell occupied by the American forces during the war in Central Luzon. “These standards—which encompass everything from lot configuration, site conditions, to infrastructural support— are intended to ensure that BSP operations are optimally located. After an exhaustive canvass of sites north and south of Metro Manila, the New Clark City is the only one that met the requirements of the BSP... ,” Diokno said. He said the BSP plans to complete the construction of the new facility at the shortest possible time or within two years. He said the design of the facility was done by BSP’s own architects that would also feature greenery in an effort to help in environmental preservation. He said the new production facility could produce 5 billion pieces of banknotes annually, significantly higher than the current 3 billion pieces. Dizon said BCDA “scored a big one” and “catch a big fish” in hosting BSP in Clark, noting the importance of the bank’s location in the area. The relocation is seen as in line with the government’s move of transferring other government agencies outside Metro Manila to help decongest the metropolis of heavy traffic that has been causing around P3.5 billion in economic losses daily based on the recent study of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Julito G. Rada

did not result in substantial lessening of competition in the beauty and personal care products market mainly because Natura and Avon were not competing in the same market. The PCC also noted the minimal substitution between the beauty products of Natura and Avon, with both parties catering to different consumer segments. Given the different target markets, the beauty products on their respective racks also have signiﬁcant price differences. The PCC said the two parties had different modalities for distribution of their products and told the regulator they would retain their current distribution business models after the buyout. Avon popularized the door-to-door cosmetic sales through its “Avon la-

dies” and committed maintain its direct selling business model. Body Shop, meanwhile, reported it would also continue its business modality as a specialty store. The merger review looked into what consumers considered to be Body Shop’s list of competitors, such as Lush, InnisFree and Kiehl’s, among others; while Avon was found to be competing more with Ever Bilena, Maybelline, Unilever and P&G. The transaction will not likely result in any substantial change in the market structure. Given the numerous beauty and personal care companies in the market, sufﬁcient competitive constraints remain after the transaction, according to the commission.

MANILA Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, signed Friday 10year supply agreements with the three winning bidders over the supply of 1,200 megawatts of base-load power effective December 26. The signing followed the issuance of the notice of award to the three best bids offered by Phinma Energy Corp., San Miguel Energy Corp. and South Premiere Power Corp. for the supply of 1,200 megawatts from December 26, 2019 to December 25, 2029. Meralco president and chief executive officer Ray Espinosa said the signing of the PSAs marked the successful culmination of a competitive selection process following a circular from the Department of Energy requiring distribution utilities to purchase power through CSPs. “This is a great day for customers. This is a day that we are able to deliver savings to them of more than P9.4 billion a year for the next 10 years through this three auspicious contracts... It is a great day again for our customers in our franchise area that even Friday the 13th do not deny them the great benefit of the contract today. The success of the bidding clearly disproves recent claims that the bidding will not result in lower generation charges. Those critics were flat wrong,” Espinosa said. “In the end we have to thank the DOE and DOE Secretary Al Cusi for the leadership and guidance for this historical competitive selection process. I would like to thank in behalf of Meralco and myself our power suppliers San Miguel Group and Ayala Phinma Group for responding to the bidding and offering rates that are much lower than current generation charges and even much lower than Meralco’s reserve price,” the official said.

Business

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market gains; Meralco advances

HE stock market rose Friday after the European Central Bank unveiled a fresh round of economic stimulus and another interest rate cut while a report said the US was considering a short-term trade agreement with China.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 47.89 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,992.32 on a value turnover of P4.5 billion. Gainers overwhelmed losers, 111, to 69, with 63 issues unchanged. Manila Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, advanced 1.8 percent to P366.40, while Universal Robina Corp., the largest snack food maker, climbed 1.5 percent to P170.50. Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. gained 1.2 percent to P49.90, while

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the thirdbiggest lender in terms of assets, also rose 1.2 percent to P94.30. Global markets have been buoyed this week by a growing sense that central banks are on the brink of easing monetary policy to support growth, and on Thursday the ECB did not disappoint. It said it would restart its bond-buying quantitative easing program to boost liquidity, provide support for struggling banks and reduce borrowing costs deeper into negative territory in a bid to kickstart lending. The bank said it would not lift rates until inﬂation moved toward its goal of just under 2.0 percent over the medium term. The announcement, while slightly short of expectations, was broadly cheered by markets, sending equities in Europe and New York higher. “In the end, it wasn’t a big bazooka,

but ECB President Mario Draghi did his level best trying to convince investors that monetary policy will remain extremely accommodative for some considerable time to come,” said Gavin Friend, a senior market strategist at National Australia Bank. Hong Kong rose 0.8 percent in the afternoon while Tokyo ended more than one percent higher, with Sydney up 0.2 percent and Singapore 0.5 percent higher. Bangkok and Jakarta also rose but Wellington struggled. Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei were closed for holidays. The euro initially plunged below $1.10 on the news Thursday before bouncing back and in Asia it was standing its ground. The news also provided further hope that the Federal Reserve would cut rates at its meeting next week, even though data showed a jump in US inﬂation last month.

Investors were given an extra fillip by a Bloomberg News report that US officials were considering an interim trade deal with China that could freeze or cancel some tariffs if Beijing agrees to commitments on intellectual property and agricultural purchases. The report, citing five unnamed sources, comes as tensions between the two sides show signs of easing ahead of high-level talks in Washington next month. China has said it would remove some US goods from its tariffs list—with big-ticket items including pork and soybeans also now being considered— while Trump announced a delay to some levies on Chinese imports. “A lot of people are talking about, and I see a lot of analysts are saying: an interim deal, meaning we’ll do pieces of it, the easy ones first,” Bloomberg quoted Donald Trump as saying Thursday. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2019

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

57.95 92.75 2.17 142.1 1.16 26 7 18.6 12.16 6 0.53 755 0.445 69.6 0.97 21 46.7 183.2 115 57.75 27.7 206 1,810 59.45 1.16

57.95 94.35 2.17 143.5 1.2 26 7.95 18.6 12.18 6.2 0.53 755.5 0.445 70.25 0.98 21 47.25 183.2 115 57.75 27.8 206.4 1,810 59.5 1.16

57.7 91.8 2.17 141.3 1.16 25.9 6 18.5 12.1 5.25 0.53 755 0.445 69.6 0.97 21 46.7 181 115 57.5 27.2 205 1,805 59.1 1.14

FINANCIALS 57.7 120 94.3 3,384,460 2.17 1,000 142.6 2,264,370 1.2 2,000 25.95 186,000 7.95 8,200 18.5 304,500 12.12 108,600 5.35 7,375,700 0.53 9,000 755 270 0.445 50,000 69.95 1,524,580 0.98 12,000 21 700 46.75 48,000 181 2,090 115 40 57.5 610 27.45 67,300 206 634,720 1,810 195 59.5 1,280 1.14 10,000

6,928.50 318,368,377.50 2,170 322,599,030 2,360 4,824,300 59,927 5,633,280 1,319,414 41,429,402 4,770 203,885 22,250 106,667,178.50 11,660 14,700 2,252,395 380,567 4,600 35,202 1,850,755 130,679,826 352,750 75,882 11,420

148,869,137 -87,263,267 -3,525,450 1,003,634 2,281,874 -37,030,573 980 -115,220 -9,155 -156,350 -26,176,866 -

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

38.5 16 0.7 1.3 0.245 2.7 14.28 115.6 10.88 17.84 32 73 78.5 2.06 6.01 6.05 9.03 15.2 9.94 7.22 1.74 26.1 82.7 53 2.38 14 8.83 1.55 222.6 3.4 8.36 22.1 14.52 19.3 360 5.23 2.17 4.39 5.21 9.19 2.96 10.74 33.85 5.25 5.1 1.84 2.1 1.14 12.2 90.1 7.22 0.124 1.16 167.3 1.32 1.33

38.95 16 0.71 1.3 0.246 2.74 14.28 124.9 10.88 17.9 32.75 75.6 80.95 2.07 6.14 6.08 9.21 15.46 10.58 7.23 1.74 26.25 83 53 2.45 14 8.96 1.62 225.4 3.47 8.38 22.5 14.56 19.42 367.6 5.23 2.18 4.39 5.24 9.2 2.99 10.88 34.25 5.29 5.1 1.88 2.12 1.15 12.2 91 7.25 0.124 1.24 170.5 1.33 1.34

38.2 15.82 0.69 1.3 0.241 2.69 14.16 115.6 10.32 16.02 32 73 77.3 2.05 6.01 6.05 9.02 15.2 9.94 7.18 1.74 26 82.2 52.25 2.33 13.8 8.83 1.55 222.2 3.4 8.36 22.1 14.4 19.16 360 5.23 2.12 4.38 5.2 9.19 2.95 10.56 33.7 5.16 5.1 1.78 2.1 1.12 12 90.1 7.22 0.124 1.16 167.3 1.28 1.3

INDUSTRIAL 38.95 1,560,300 15.98 35,600 0.7 242,000 1.3 61,000 0.246 1,090,000 2.73 1,610,000 14.26 873,800 124.9 100 10.42 1,245,200 17.5 21,100 32.75 52,500 75.6 20 80.95 460 2.07 57,000 6.14 26,100 6.05 35,700 9.13 843,400 15.46 579,900 10.56 678,300 7.2 1,354,700 1.74 6,000 26.05 4,255,300 82.5 50,500 52.25 16,960 2.45 11,487,000 13.98 174,800 8.94 119,300 1.61 90,000 222.2 420,990 3.47 5,000 8.36 4,400 22.2 500,600 14.46 1,093,700 19.28 594,900 366.4 309,520 5.23 500 2.15 6,175,000 4.39 52,000 5.2 931,100 9.19 26,900 2.95 15,470,000 10.88 48,800 33.8 265,200 5.19 17,900 5.1 6,600 1.82 1,034,000 2.1 64,000 1.15 200,000 12.1 721,000 90.4 294,550 7.25 93,200 0.124 70,000 1.16 9,512,000 170.5 413,890 1.3 5,271,000 1.31 2,475,000

60,400,180 564,366 169,090 79,300 263,290 4,389,710 12,433,080 11,653 13,168,986 376,202 1,688,720 1,486 36,805.50 117,070 159,326 216,094 ( 7,717,882 8,886,430 7,046,254 9,756,638 10,440 110,793,005 4,163,285 892,538.50 27,344,170 2,433,174 1,063,907 144,380 93,850,178 17,250 36,794 11,116,785 15,834,772 11,446,956 113,005,664 2,615 13,306,530 228,270 4,851,444 247,371 45,908,230 525,362 8,978,925 93,292 33,660 1,871,910 134,790 226,350 8,728,070 26,630,921.50 674,081 8,680 11,393,080 70,310,798 6,832,760 3,266,240

11,099,595 65,524 -3,550 2,460 597,210 -4,053,638 1,249 -261,518 194,015 197,335.9999) 370,881 3,791,882 2,879,726 -1,508,620 52,330,740 -2,754,683.50 187,311 12,026,770 -1,332,132 602,484 -30,738,272 -6,745,520 449,670 -2,104,308 21,342,476 6,527,460 1,074,403 -3,676 157,410 -2,524,200 -10,400 1,130 -5,670,182 10,120,904 396,927 -166,590 11,925,358 -543,840 -

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 HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A 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 SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS

0.93 53.35 12.78 0.81 6.9 13.52 1.23 1.26 913 3.63 6.9 9.17 13.74 4.16 930 6.1 74.4 6.3 5.22 5.94 0.51 4.57 14.5 0.63 5.2 0.039 1.35 3.21 174.1 1,014 0.85 1.29 230 0.235

0.93 54.2 12.78 0.82 7 13.98 1.26 1.26 913 3.69 6.95 9.25 13.74 4.16 930 6.1 74.8 6.3 5.22 5.94 0.53 4.57 14.56 0.65 5.22 0.039 1.35 3.21 175 1,030 0.86 1.32 232.2 0.235

0.91 53.3 12.58 0.78 6.9 13.48 1.21 1.24 904 3.56 6.85 9.13 13.74 4.16 912 6.1 73.3 6.3 5.22 5.21 0.5 4.55 14.32 0.63 5.13 0.038 1.31 3.09 173 1,011 0.84 1.27 226 0.235

HOLDING FIRMS 0.92 5,779,000 54.2 863,930 12.68 2,415,600 0.81 649,000 7 22,900 13.78 36,400 1.25 2,669,000 1.24 125,000 908 229,650 3.63 2,850,000 6.9 1,101,500 9.19 10,289,300 13.74 6,600 4.16 2,000 920 124,050 6.1 100 74.5 1,527,990 6.3 200 5.22 200 5.21 2,100 0.52 242,000 4.55 53,000 14.44 1,790,000 0.65 225,000 5.14 25,764,600 0.038 5,700,000 1.33 210,000 3.19 152,000 174.8 61,390 1,017 135,390 0.85 173,000 1.32 324,000 232.2 1,490 0.235 20,000

5,291,540 46,593,905.50 30,607,098 516,570 160,100 497,190 3,307,390 155,040 208,728,085 10,385,030 7,627,626 94,535,917 90,684 8,320 114,747,210 610 113,610,300 1,260 1,044 11,744 125,600 241,580 25,848,152 145,050 133,025,843 217,900 278,740 478,390 10,686,438 137,877,915 145,820 417,460 338,962 4,700

-6,940 18,172,490.50 2,855,868 138,880 -26,085,510 -252,010 -984,399 -63,950,241 4,711,160 -2,709,710 594 -118,320 2,475,622 15,273,000 -12,830 -3,208,171 15,524,865 47,260 -281,582 -

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE KEPPEL PROP

15.3 0.83 9.12 2.01 0.89 49.4 2.25 4.79 5.86 0.56 0.76 0.87 0.22 0.41 9.3 21.45 0.465 1.66 1.26 4.7

15.3 0.85 10.7 2.01 0.92 49.9 2.25 4.83 6 0.56 0.76 0.88 0.222 0.41 9.5 21.75 0.465 1.67 1.26 4.7

15.26 0.83 9.12 2.01 0.87 48.85 2.17 4.75 5.86 0.55 0.73 0.87 0.219 0.4 9.3 21.45 0.465 1.65 1.22 4.7

PROPERTY 15.26 603,800 0.84 622,000 10.7 1,100 2.01 5,000 0.92 4,213,000 49.9 4,671,900 2.18 393,000 4.8 1,421,000 6 17,700 0.56 2,618,000 0.76 31,000 0.88 2,000 0.219 460,000 0.4 130,000 9.34 226,100 21.7 196,300 0.465 40,000 1.66 29,958,000 1.22 1,573,000 4.7 24,000

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

5.16 0.32 0.445 1.47 0.39 2.06 25.15 2.35 3.42 34.3 2.43 5.8 0.92 7.66

5.2 0.32 0.45 1.53 0.4 2.11 25.5 2.38 3.42 34.8 2.48 5.8 0.93 7.69

5.14 0.31 0.445 1.45 0.39 2.05 25.15 2.35 3.3 34.3 2.3 5.7 0.92 7.6

5.17 0.315 0.45 1.48 0.4 2.1 25.4 2.35 3.4 34.5 2.48 5.78 0.93 7.69

15,791,100 3,490,000 1,300,000 2,501,000 110,000 107,000 1,352,700 129,000 37,000 8,859,400 3,830,000 46,800 123,000 4,581,700

81,578,804 1,091,400 583,500 3,732,010 43,100 221,720 34,262,360 306,150 122,870 305,293,695 9,012,510 269,740 114,150 35,163,905

30,063,658 -445,500 99,760 -27,200 -21,100 -10,184,700 -68,378,560 180,970 91,792 -17,190,409

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS 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

10.2 19.32 1.65 0.59 0.05 19.76 2.43 11.04 0.057 95 7.22 10.88 908 1,938 5.3 435 1.8 1.99 131.6 0.113 5.58 14 3.41 0.93 19.28 0.47 3.44 2.52 3.6 2.71 8.49 2.8 4.73 8.69 143.7 3.39 1,195 0.72 0.6 43.15 78 9.22 2.88 0.69 0.35 5.45 0.68 16.8

10.48 19.9 1.65 0.59 0.05 19.76 2.53 11.4 0.059 96.45 7.31 10.88 919 1,969 5.3 435 1.82 1.99 133.5 0.115 5.6 14.4 3.41 0.95 19.66 0.47 3.48 2.6 3.67 2.93 8.49 2.8 5.05 8.69 143.7 3.42 1,205 0.73 0.61 43.15 80.1 9.38 2.93 0.7 0.365 5.46 0.69 16.8

10.2 19.32 1.62 0.57 0.048 19.76 2.43 10.9 0.057 94.2 7.2 10.52 908 1,938 5.26 435 1.77 1.99 131 0.113 5.4 14 3.35 0.93 19.22 0.47 3.44 2.5 3.45 2.71 8.4 2.8 4.71 8.69 143.7 3.38 1,191 0.72 0.58 42.75 77.55 9.17 2.85 0.68 0.35 5.45 0.68 16.64

SERVICES 10.4 19.84 1.62 0.57 0.049 19.76 2.5 11.4 0.058 94.7 7.27 10.58 919 1,968 5.27 435 1.77 1.99 131.4 0.115 5.5 14.4 3.35 0.93 19.64 0.47 3.47 2.57 3.5 2.9 8.4 2.8 5.05 8.69 143.7 3.42 1,204 0.73 0.58 42.8 80.1 9.19 2.9 0.7 0.355 5.46 0.68 16.72

11,700 71,800 19,000 2,920,000 10,270,000 100 1,297,000 1,161,600 12,230,000 97,730 248,000 188,400 80 25,825 124,600 420 719,000 1,000 614,280 700,000 2,053,600 2,800 142,000 328,000 4,786,600 30,000 117,000 2,511,000 4,884,000 75,000 5,700 6,000 20,100 100 10 489,000 61,910 747,000 14,054,000 1,427,200 492,470 8,200 1,871,000 672,000 5,120,000 1,039,900 2,342,000 1,970,700

121,636 1,413,144 30,840 1,685,840 503,320 1,976 3,227,030 13,181,644 699,190 9,297,246.50 1,795,652 2,004,266 73,300 50,615,985 657,444 182,700 1,287,210 1,990 80,889,375 79,640 11,282,986 39,520 477,610 305,060 92,996,218 14,100 404,330 6,417,190 17,214,110 211,850 47,940 16,800 94,862 869 1,437 1,662,760 74,266,015 541,480 8,319,580 61,134,500 39,235,719 75,745 5,429,270 462,980 1,825,000 5,671,474 1,592,920 32,873,820

-1,040 9,517,570 -1,597,226 68,726 1,076 10,505,730 -6,801,585 163,361 -57,130 55,100,406 -599,390 638,800 3,342 -16,800 869 -40,900 29,028,045 -146,960 -535,840 -2,594,785 -3,028,349 938 1,327,130 -7,200 -1,283,150 1,143,188

11,374,200 1,666,680 51,610 2,600 5,750 764,200 8,400 438,684 28,680,550 588,020 130,510 234,150 268,300 202,800 70,780 50,520,770(5, 136,090 24,250 433,320 6,600 37,776,879 1,475,510 19,223,610 7,864,980 19,800

214,200 10,980 811 6,176,960 2,210 058,589.9996) 1,222,556 24,240.00 897,408 5,321,755 -

MS 9,221,170 523,590 10,413 10,050 3,811,150 230,822,050 856,630 6,824,140 104,040 1,443,660 22,820 1,750 100,930 52,400 2,124,880 4,255,035 18,600 49,695,480 1,926,370 112,800

-563,946 78,154,530 -768,790 -3,125,310 760 319,352.00 1,884,495 23,074,680 -

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.0018 1.23 2.59 13 1.15 2.71 0.28 8.25 1.71 0.221 0.111 0.112 0.0094 0.011 1.22 4.3 1.12 0.485 0.86 0.011 10.12 4.06 12.28 23.8 0.0066

0.0018 1.23 2.59 13 1.15 2.71 0.28 8.26 1.76 0.227 0.112 0.112 0.01 0.012 1.22 4.42 1.14 0.485 0.89 0.011 10.52 4.06 12.98 23.85 0.0066

0.0016 1.22 2.58 13 1.15 2.7 0.28 7.8 1.69 0.218 0.11 0.109 0.0094 0.011 1.19 4.25 1.12 0.485 0.85 0.011 9.65 3.99 12.1 23.5 0.0066

MINING & OIL 0.0018 6,691,000,000 1.22 1,365,000 2.58 20,000 13 200 1.15 5,000 2.7 283,000 0.28 30,000 8.1 55,400 1.73 16,608,000 0.225 2,650,000 0.11 1,180,000 0.11 2,130,000 0.0095 28,000,000 0.012 18,400,000 1.19 59,000 4.4 11,581,000 1.14 121,000 0.485 50,000 0.89 494,000 0.011 600,000 10.06 3,699,300 4.05 366,000 12.44 1,534,500 23.75 331,100 0.0066 3,000,000

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2I

19.08 503 100.9 107 500 5.12 1 100.3 1,020 1,079 108.5 997.5 78.95 75.9 76 76.95

19.08 504 101.7 107 500 5.13 1 100.3 1,020 1,080 108.5 998 79 75.9 76 76.95

18.6 503 100.9 107 500 5.12 1 100.3 1,015 1,079 108.5 997.5 78.95 75.9 75.5 76.55

PREFERRED 18.62 512,400 504 50 101.7 1,050 107 5,080 500 1,040 5.12 289,400 1 206,000 100.3 10 1,015 2,000 1,080 185 108.5 500 998 1,000 78.95 13,630 75.9 1,000 76 112,160 76.55 13,640

9,557,350 25,190 106,053 543,560 520,000 1,481,829 206,000 1,003 2,030,250 199,790 54,250 997,505 1,076,095 75,900 8,502,580 1,044,238

LR WARRANT

1.62

1.72

1.62

WARRANTS 1.72 22,000

35,740

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

6.33 11.2 1

6.5 12.46 1.02

6.2 11.02 0.98

FIRST METRO ETF

119.1

119.8

118.8

TRADING SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

17,465,278

INDUSTRIAL

72,665,878

HOLDING FIRMS

63,886,194

PROPERTY

89,500,549

SERVICES

78,208,894

MINING & OIL

6,784,707,675

GRAND TOTAL

7,117,307,178

6.2 12.3 0.98

SME

1,373,000 3,104,500 6,386,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.8 8,350

8,617,506 37,125,826 6,372,140 997,093

-4,553,778 1,017 54,250 835 -153,984 -

VALUE 1,832.62 (UP) 11.28 1,076,328,251.61 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,011.94 (UP) 90.22 727,777,238.607 HOLDING FIRMS 7,918.59 (UP) 17.36 1,074,573,976.87 PROPERTY 4,064.08 (UP) 35.37 SERVICES 1,623.61 (UP) 17.78 783,884,998.23 MINING & OIL 9,591.46 (UP) 101.74 652,472,919.54 PSEI 7,992.32 (UP) 47.89 162,010,294.591 All Shares Index 4,822.97 (UP) 23.18 4,530,161,384.45 Gainers: 111; Losers: 69; Unchanged: 63; Total: 243

FLI launches new housing development in Pampanga By Jenniffer B. Austria FILINVEST Land Inc., one of the country’s largest real estate companies, expanded its footprint in Pampanga with the groundbreaking of its latest residential project, Hampton Orchards Phase 2. The 18-hectare development located between the cities of Angeles and San Fernando in Pampanga is a joint-venture with movie producer and director Ben M7 Yalung,. FLI plans to offer lot cuts ranging from 156 square meters to 469 sq .m., which is ideal for families, overseas Filipino workers and individuals looking for a sound investment. Hampton Orchards Phase 2 is part of FLI’s plan to launch P30 billion worth of residential developments this year. “The company believes that its performance in the residential sector has shown its ability to address the needs of its core market—the affordable and middle-income home buyers,” FLI said. Hampton Orchards Phase 2 offers family-oriented amenities, such as amphitheater, sundial, pocket parks, outdoor gym and central orchard, which will attract buyers to own a home or invest in the well-planned community. The amenities in Hampton Orchards Phase 2 is in addition to the adult and kiddie pool, clubhouse, children’s playground, pool deck, multi-purpose court, gazebo, picnic huts, trellis, and mango orchard found in the first phase of the project. “Hampton Orchards Phase 2 is currently in the pre-selling stage where buyers can still enjoy investment growth until the project nears its completion, said Tristan Las Marias, FLI senior vice president and North Luzon Cluster head. “Furthermore, we foresee an upsurge in the project’s investment value as this project is ideally situated to take advantage of the opportunities abounding in the two highly-urbanized centers of Angeles and San Fernando, especially that progress for the province of Pampanga, and region 3 as whole, are fast gaining momentum and its economy is set to take flight,” Las Marias added. FLI reported a 16-percent increase in net income in the first half of 2019 to P3.21 billion from P2.78 billion yearon-year. First-half gross revenues increased 19 percent to P12.62 billion, driven by a 30-percent rise in rental revenue to P3.38 billion, and a 25-percent improvement in real estate sales revenue to P8.43 billion.

Singaporean firm forges LPG tie-up with Phoenix unit By Alena Mae S. Flores PNX Petroleum Singapore Pte. Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc., recently signed a partnership agreement with Singapore-based Hengyi Industries International Pte. Ltd. over a liquefied petroleum gas offtake venture in Brunei. The latest LPG venture of Phoenix Petroleum in Brunei is expected to support its LPG expansion in both the Philippines and Vietnam in a bid to strengthen its network. The partnership, signed by PNX Petroleum Singapore Pte. Ltd. director Henry Albert Fadullon and HYII director Chen Lian Cai, will allow PNX to off-take LPG from Hengyi Brunei refinery’s future production. “As we continue to expand the brand internationally and establish strong connections with complementary businesses from neighboring countries, we are relentless in forging ties with companies like HYII to be able to provide quality products and services to more and more communities,” Fadullon said. The off-take agreement is expected to start within the year after PNX recently acquired PNX Conqueror—the company’s first pressurized LPG carrier with 2.5 kilotonnes capacity--long with a long-term charter of Chelsea, another large pressurized vessel with a 4.6kT capacity, in preparation for the venture. “With another milestone partnership, we are optimistic and excited about the future of this project as it opens new opportunities and possibilities for growth and progress for both companies and countries,” Fadullon said. The partnership is expected to improve the Philippines’ overall supply situation because of the proximity to Brunei. It will take a day to deliver supply to the Philippines.

World

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

HK festival mooncakes get a protest makeover HONG KONG―At the back of her tiny shop, Hong Kong baker Naomi Suen pulls out a fresh tray of mooncakes―each one sporting popular slogans from recent pro-democracy protests. The cakes are a contemporary political twist on a gift traditionally given during the annual mid-autumn festival at a time when Hong Kong is convulsing with unprecedented unrest. Bakeries at this time of year are packed with boxes of the dense pastries, commonly filled with a heavy sweet concoction of lotus seed and egg yolks. The tops often have intricate Chinese character designs detailing the brand or the filling inside. But Suen’s mooncakes have different kinds of messages printed on them such as “Hong Kong People”, “No withdrawal, no dispersal” and “Be Water”. All are chants heard on Hong Kong’s streets in the last three months, as huge crowds come out to protest eroding freedoms after two decades of rule by Beijing. The last phrase―”Be Water”―is a reference to local kung fu legend Bruce Lee’s philosophy of being unpredictable, a style the leaderless protest has adopted with relish during its frequent street battles with the police. Suen, who used to be a fashion designer, inherited the bakery from her grandfather. Over the years she has gained a reputation for producing eye-catching and often gently subversive mooncakes that particularly appeal to younger customers. AFP

IN BRIEF New Zealand tightens gun laws WELLINGTON-New Zealand unveiled new legislation Friday aimed at ensuring only “fit and proper” people can own guns in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks that killed 51 Muslim worshipers. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had immediately banned military style semiautomatic rifles after the shootings in March but said further restrictions were needed to target the black market. “Owning a firearm is a privilege not a right,” she told reporters in Christchurch on Friday. “That means we need to do all we can to ensure that only honest, law-abiding citizens are able to obtain firearms licenses and use firearms.” Under the new legislation, a registry will be set up that is designed to track ownership of every legally owned firearm in the country. The measure also increases the jail term for supplying firearms to an unlicensed person from three months to two years, as well as tightening gun importation and sales. AFP

Pope Francis to visit Japan and Thailand VATICAN CITY―Pope Francis is to visit Thailand and Japan, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki, from November 19 to 26, the Vatican announced on Friday. The pontiff will travel to Thailand from November 20-23 and then Japan to November 26, the Vatican said in a statement. The pope’s Japan leg, the first papal visit since John Paul II nearly 40 years ago, will also take him to Tokyo. The pope in January voiced his intention to visit Japan, home to some 450,000 Roman Catholics. Around 510,000 Protestants live in the largely Shinto Buddhist country, according to Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. Francis had wanted to work as a missionary there in his youth but abandoned the plan after a lung operation. The pope has made two trips to Asia since his election five years ago, visiting the Philippines and Sri Lanka in 2014, followed by Myanmar and Bangladesh last year. In 2018, Francis issued a harrowing photograph taken in 1945 showing a young Japanese boy carrying his dead brother. AFP

STRIKE. People walk past the closed entrance of Republique station in Paris on September 13, 2019, during a one-day strike of Paris public transsports operator RATP employees over the French government's plan to overhaul the country's retirement system. AFP

Scientists find that corpses move Cubans fear C AIRNS―An Australian scientist has proved that human bodies move around significantly for more than a year after death, in findings that could have implications for detectives and pathologists around the world.

After studying and photographing the movements of a corpse over 17-months, Alyson Wilson told AFP on Friday that she found humans don’t exactly rest in peace. In one case study, arms that began held close to the body ended up flung out to the side. “We think the movements relate to the process of decomposition, as the body mummifies and the ligaments dry out,” she said. To carry out her unusual form of people watching, Wilson took the three-hour flight from Cairns to Sydney every month to check on the progress of a cadaver. Her subject was one of seventy bodies stored at the Southern Hemisphere’s only “body farm”, which sits at a secret bushland location on the outskirts of Australia’s largest city.

Officially known as the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), the farm is carrying out pioneering research into post-mortem movement. Wilson and her colleagues were trying to improve a commonly used system for estimating the time of death using time-lapse cameras and in the process found that human bodies actually move around significantly. Her findings were recently published in the journal “Forensic Science International: Synergy”. A better understanding of these movements and the rate of decomposition could be used by police to estimate the time of death more accurately. She hopes the knowledge could, for example, narrow down the number of missing persons that could be

linked to an unidentified corpse. A better understanding of post mortem movement could also help to reduce the incorrect cause of death or misinterpretation of a crime scene. “They’ll map a crime scene, they’ll map the victim’s body position, they’ll map any physical evidence which is found, and they can understand the cause of death.” The CQ University criminology graduate says she started her unique project after a trip to Mexico to help classify Mayan-era skeletal remains. “I was fascinated with death from a child and was always interested in how the body breaks down after death.” “I guess that comes about from being raised on a farm and seeing livestock die and watching that process,” she said. “Once I observed a movement in a previous study, I started researching and couldn’t find anywhere in the world that looks at quantifying the movement, so I thought OK, I’m going to do this.” AFP

Indonesians pray for rain PEKANBARU, Indonesia―Hundreds of people held a mass prayer for rain in a smoke-filled Indonesian city on Friday, desperately hoping that downpours will extinguish forest fires and wash away the toxic haze covering wide swathes of the country. Illegal fires to clear land for farming are raging on Indonesia’s Sumatra and Borneo islands with firefighters battling round the clock through charred forests, and water-bombing helicopters deployed to douse the flames. Dense smoke has blanketed Pekanbaru, a provincial capital on Sumatra, leaving the sky dark even at midday and forcing the closure of local schools. Around 1,000 of the city’s residents―many dressed in white Muslim robes with rudimentary face masks― held a prayer Friday in an open field as a thick, acrid fog drifted around them. “I’m praying so that the rain will come immediately and this smog will be gone soon,” said retired 57-yearold civil servant Rahmad, who goes by one name. “It’s been really bad for the past month―I can’t breathe if I don’t wear a mask. Some of my neighbors have gotten really sick,” he told AFP. AFP

BALL. Pharrell Williams and Rihanna perform on stage during Rihanna's 5th Annual Diamond Ball Benefitting The Clara Lionel Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street on September 12, 2019, in New York City. AFP

returning to 90s austerity amid cuts

HAVANA―Havana awoke Thursday to long lines at gas stations and public transportation stops after President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned fellow Cubans to expect fuel shortages and blackouts that he blamed on US sanctions. The fuel crisis immediately raised fears of a return to the extreme austerity of the 1990s “Special Period” following the collapse of its main benefactor, the Soviet Union. “I’m worried. Terrified!” said Katia Morfa, 36, as she took her seven-yearold daughter to school. “When they announce these kinds of measures, it gives us Cubans chills from head to toe. It’s inevitable that we think of the dark and very sad days of the Special Period,” Morfa told AFP. In a televised address late Wednesday, Diaz-Canel said the “low availability of diesel” will affect transportation, power generation and the distribution of merchandise. He said no fuel had arrived in the country since Tuesday and the situation would persist until Saturday when an oil tanker was expected to arrive in port. The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on various companies for transporting Venezuelan oil to Cuba. Diaz-Canel accused the United States of acting “with greater aggression towards Cuba.” But in a bid to calm fears, he insisted the shortages did not mean the country had entered “a Special Period.” The 1990s austerity caused widespread shortages and led to malnutrition and associated diseases, as well as the exodus of 45,000 refugees, mostly to the United States. The president’s reassurances fell on deaf ears for within minutes of the end of his televised speech, thousands rushed to gas stations, alarmed at news that they would not be refueled before Saturday at the earliest. Diaz-Canel pledged a return to “a situation of relative normality” in October. He stressed that the country was stronger than at the time of the Special Period because it had succeeded in diversifying its economy and now had the European Union as its main trading partner. AFP

How fast is the universe expanding? The mystery endures WASHINGTON―Scientists have known for decades that the universe is expanding, but research in the past few years has shaken up the calculations on the speed of growth―raising tricky questions about the theories of the cosmos. The rate of expansion―known as the “Hubble constant”―is a central part of the quest to discover the origins of the universe, with astrophysicists believing they are getting closer and closer to the exact speed. In 1998, two teams of researchers found that the rate of expansion accelerated with distance, and that the universe

was filled with mysterious “dark energy” that has caused the acceleration for 14 billion years―earning them a 2011 Nobel prize. The unit of measurement for the Hubble constant is kilometers per second per megaparsec―which is three million light-years. According to two different methods, the rate of expansion is either 67.4―or 73. Now a study, written by researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Astrophysics in Germany and other universities, has described a new method of gauging the universe’s accelerating growth.

It puts the rate of expansion at 82.4 kilometers per second per megaparsec, higher than previous calculations― though it does admit to a 10 percent margin of error, meaning it could be as low as 74 or as high as 90. Scientists say the differences between various methods are not miscalculations, but could be signs of “tension” in understanding how the Big Bang Theory explains the cosmos. “There’s unknown physics going on in the early universe that we need to study, if the tension is real,” said Inh Jee, a cosmologist at the Max Plank Institute and co-author of the study that was pub-

lished on Thursday in the US journal Science. “We wanted to have another way to validate whether the difference between measurements are real,” she told AFP. The Big Bang Theory proposes that the universe began in a cataclysmic explosion and has been expanding ever since. The various measurement methods mean that galaxies three million lightyears away (one megaparsec) would recede by either 67, 73... or perhaps 82 kilometers per second. The new calculation is based on how light bends around large galaxies. AFP

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

L DAVAO DELIGHT. Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC), together with Dusit International, recently inaugurated dusitD2 Davao hotel. The latest premium development in the Davao region blends urban living with the finest hotel amenities, such as all-day dining, specialty dining outlets, and the renowned Namm Spa., TLDC started its business by addressing the growing need of students for better university residences. The company’s partnership with Dusit International is their first foray into premium lifestyle developments. At the launch of the dusitD2 Davao were: TLDC chief executive officer Tomas P. Lorenzo and Dusit International chief operations officer Lim, Boon Kwee. Simultaneous with the opening was TLDC’s donation to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit System Office (AFPEBSO), which provides assistance to the dependents of wounded soldiers. Lorenzo turned over the first tranche of the donation to Major General Erickson R. Gloria, the AFP deputy chief of staff and AFPEBS Board of Trustees (BOT) chairperson; with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Senator Bong Go, and AFPEBSO beneficiaries present to witness the event.

’BEST OF THE BEST’ IN PH REAL ESTATE BARED

AMUDI’s annual event, the Outlook awards, happening on November 14, 2019, at the Makati Shangri-La, recently revealed its shortlist of nominees for each category. The leading real estate platform also announced two new categories for the third installment of the awards.

RCL Realty and Consulting Services – Waves Beach Club and Residences

The Outlook awards aims to gather property developers from all over the Philippines to recognize their contributions in the growing real estate sector in the country. Lamudi has a total of 19 awards to give away on November 14, with two new awards--Best Co-Working Space and Best Co-Living Space--added in response to changing demands and lifestyle of property seekers. The Outlook Awards 2019 is a yearly event that brings together developers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to celebrate the emerging trends in the real estate sector. This year, Lamudi is supported by the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) in recognizing the industry’s best in houses, condominiums, and mixed-use developments. For more information on the awards night, visit lamudi.com.ph/outlook2019. Among the nominees for the Outlook Awards 2019:

BEST INNOVATION PROJECT Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. – 202 Peaklane Costa del Hamilo, Inc. – Hamilo Coast Italpinas Development Corp. – Primavera City Innoland Development Corp. – Montage Megaworld Corp. – World Commerce Place Sunshine Fort North Bonifacio Realty Development Corp. – The Seasons Residences

BEST AFFORDABLE CONDO Amaia Land Corp. – Amaia Skies Shaw Cathay Land, Inc. – Stanford Suites 2 DataLand, Inc. – The Silk Residences Empire East Holdings, Inc. – Cambridge Village PHINMA Property Holdings Corp. – Arezzo Place Pasig SM Development Corp. – Cheer Residences Sta. Lucia Land, Inc. – Monte Carlo

CREATION AT ITS FINEST. Phinma Properties recently launched Likha residences in Muntinlupa City. Located on a 1.2 hectare site south of Metro Manila, the project consists of 68 townhouses built with three and four-storey options. Architect Angelo Manñosa, principal designer of Mañosa & Co., Inc. merged contemporary designs with the natural and eco-friendly elements of the Bahay Kubo. “My vision for LIKHA Residences is to design a home that’s accommodating, spacious, and livable for its residents,” explained Mañosa. “Through this collaboration, we have set a new benchmark for our future properties,” said Raphael B. Felix, president and CEO of Phinma Properties. At the groundbreaking rites for Likha were (from left to right): Enrique M. Moran; AVP for operations,; Michael C. Hilado, AVP and treasurer; Raphael B. Felix, president and CEO; Gelo Manñosa chief operating offficer of Manñosa & Co., Inc.; Oscar J. Hilado, chairman, Phinma corporation; Dr. Magdaleno Albarracin, director; Ricardo G. Hilado, SVP and CFO; Rogelio M. Garcia, VP for sales and marketing; Francis Z. Villegas, VP for operations,; and Nathaniel Turado, project-In-charge.

SPECIAL TOUCH. Aruga by Rockwell now offers packages for moments and occasions made more special via exceptional accommodations, as well as packages tailored-fitted for the most intimate get-togethers and celebrations – weddings, bridal showers, and baby showers. Aruga features, for example, wedding packages that allow guests to settle in before the big day and enjoy private yet spacious two bedroom suites that are also made photo-ready for the pre-wedding preparations of the couple and their entire entourage. The newlyweds can also look forward to a romantic retreat in the honeymoon suite. For brides-to-be who want to gather their girls for one last memorable night as a single lady, the bridal shower package is the one to go for. Bond with your girlfriends in these thoughtfully designed suites accented by rose gold balloons and welcome amenities like, a chocolate cake, Pink Moscato, and a cheese platter for the party. To know more about the celebration packages, visit www.aruga.com.ph.

and new roads, as well as world-class airports, are allowing for a more vibrant business landscape. “We have long seen the value of having a strong presence in Central and northern Luzon as evident in the number of developments that we have in the region,” said Sta. Lucia Land Inc. president Exequiel Robles. “Sta. Lucia Land was one of the ﬁrst national developers to bet big on the area and this is simply because we believe in the huge potential that it holds.” “With the Build Build Build program of the government now in full swing, we are sure to see a highly connected urban region, where various businesses and industries thrive,” he

BEST BOUTIQUE DEVELOPER IN LUZON ACM Landholdings, Inc. Brittany Corp. Central Country Estate, Inc. Costa del Hamilo, Inc. Citihomes Builder and Development, Inc. Crown Asia Properties, Inc. DATEM Homes, Inc. Demeterland Development Corp. Italpinas Development Corp. Philippine Realty & Holdings Corp. PHINMA Property Holdings Corp.PHirst Park Homes Torre Lorenzo Development Corp.

BEST DEVELOPER IN VISAYAS AND MINDANAO AboitizLand, Inc. Alveo Land Corp. Amaia Land Corp. Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. BEST PREMIUM CONDO Avida Land Corp. Alveo Land Corp. – The Sandstone at Portico Ayala Land Premier Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. – Princeview Parksuites Ayala Land, Inc. Avida Land Corp. – Avida Towers Makati Southpoint Cebu Landmasters, Inc. Century Properties Group, Inc. – Iguazu Tower at Acqua Damosa Land, Inc. Private Residences DMCI Homes Costa del Hamilo, Inc. – Freia at Pico de Loro Cove Federal Land, Inc. Empire East Land Holdings, Inc. – San Lorenzo Place Filinvest Land, Inc. Filinvest Land, Inc. – Fora Condotel Grand Land Inc. Robinsons Land Corp. – Chimes Greenhills Nexus Real Estate Corp. SM Development Corp. – Hope Residences Robinsons Land Corp. Torre Lorenzo Development Corp. – Torre Lorenzo Central SM Development Corp. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. BEST LUXE CONDO Sta. Lucia Land, Inc. Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. – Anchor Grandsuites Suntrust Properties, Inc. Ayala Land Premier – Park Central Towers Taft Property Venture Development Corp. Century Properties Group, Inc. – Century Spire Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. Megaworld Corp. – The Albany North Bonifacio Landmark Realty and Development Inc. BEST DEVELOPER IN LUZON – Grand Landmark Residences South Tower (Grand Hyatt AboitizLand, Inc. Manila Residences South Tower) Alveo Land Corp. Amaia Land Corp. BEST AFFORDABLE HOUSE Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. Amaia Land Corp. – Amaia Scapes Bulacan Avida Land Corp. Avida Land Corp. – Avida Southﬁeld Settings NUVALI Ayala Land Premier CitiHomes Builder and Development, Inc. – Liora Homes Cathay Land, Inc. Demeterland Development Corp. – Valley Verde Villas Century Properties Group, Inc. Filinvest Land, Inc. – Amarilyo Crest DataLand, Inc. PHirst Park Homes – PHirst Park Homes Tanza DMCI Homes Taft Property Venture Development Corp. – Cera at Empire East Land Holdings, Inc. Citation Residences Federal Land, Inc. Filinvest Land, Inc. BEST PREMIUM HOUSE Greenﬁeld Development Corp. AboitizLand, Inc. – Seafront Residences Megaworld Corp. Brittany Corp. – Promenade RCL Realty and Consulting Services Inc. Crown Asia – Valenza Robinsons Land Corp. Filinvest Land Inc. – The Peak SM Development Corp. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. BEST MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT Sta. Lucia Land, Inc. Alveo Land Corp. – Evo City Suntrust Properties, Inc. Costa del Hamilo, Inc. – Hamilo Coast Taft Property Venture Development Corp. Italpinas Development Corp. – Miramonti Green Residences Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. Megaworld Corp. – Arcovia City

Smart investments beckon in Pampanga ANGELES, Pampanga — Sta. Lucia Land is currently banking on Pampanga province’s rise as a major business hub by building Beverly place residences and business estates. Located at the center of Mexico, Pampanga’s manufacturing, commercial and business zone, the project is seen to boost the province’s attraction as an investment destination for both tourists and business, what with its special economic zone where various cottage industries and international corporations can ﬁnd a safe haven. Pampanga, along with the rest of Central Luzon, has been reaping from the government’s aggressive infrastructure program. Major highways

BEST GREEN PROJECT Ayala Land Premier – Cerilo Century Properties Group, Inc. – Century Diamond Tower Costa del Hamilo, Inc – Hamilo Coast Filinvest Alabang, Inc. – Botanika Nature Residences Innoland Development Corp. – Calyx Centre SM Prime Holdings, Inc. – Three E-Com Center

added. STRATEGIC LOCATION Beverly Place is near key facilities and infrastructures like the Subic Seaport and the next big metropolis called the New Clark City, where the national government administrative center and a new world-class sporting facility, will be located. It also serves as a perfect jump-off point to many of Northern Luzon’s vacation hotspots which can be accessed via the SCTEx and TPLEx. “We hope that through our various developments, we will be able to better serve the needs of the Kapampangans who are in search of a truly valuable investment,” Robles said.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

ARTS AND CULTURE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

‘Evanescing Lives from the Homeland’ by Jayme Emille Lucas wins the grand prize in the Oil/Acrylic on Canvas category

Watermedia on Paper category grand winner ‘Existence of Blue’ by Christian Jame Maglente

MADE 2019 winning paintings

shine light on plight of farmers, mental health

HE winning paintings of this year’s Metrobank Art and Design Excellence tackle some of today’s most pressing issues. Since its foundation in 1984 by Metrobank Group founder and chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty, MADE has continued to be a platform for the discovery of the most passionate and creative visionaries in the country. To date, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) has recognized more than 400 creative visionaries serving as drivers behind the transformational and uplifting power of visual arts in nationbuilding. But more than a competition that breeds artistic talent, MADE has become a development program that facilitates a generation of fresh ideas for social development. “The dawn of this annual art tilt can be traced back to an aspiration that took hold 35 years ago: to provide a platform for Filipino artistry to flourish. Over the years, MADE has evolved to become a formative platform that enables emerging artists to translate their ideas into masterpieces,” says MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña in his message. This year’s theme, “Unleash,” reflects MBFI’s continuing advocacy to seek out and exalt Filipino visionaries. The first Grand Awardee in the Oil/ Acrylic on Canvas category is 22-year-

‘25/7’ by Christian Cedrick Dela Paz

old artist Jayme Emille Lucas. Emerging from the tradition of Social Realism, her artwork, “Evanescing Lives from the Homeland” conveys a powerful snapshot of farmers. Deeply influenced by “the kind of environment” that Lucas lives in and other plac-

By Honor Blanco Cabie THE traditional Filipino serenade, popularly known in this Southeast Asian archipelago as harana, is slowly fading out. This part of the country’s culture, in vogue and in crescendo in the 1950s up to the 1960s—when Elvis Presley was wiggling his hips with “Jailhouse Rock,” and the Beatles dishing out their “It’s Been A Hard Day’s Night,” has now been overtaken by a different key and scale. The inroads of the cell phone technology and the spread of social networking services have helped erase from the manners of today’s generation of Filipinos the erstwhile cherished tradition of their grandparents and grand uncles and aunts. In some provinces—like Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and the whole Ilocos region—the sight of a man and his friends, the classic Spanish guitar in hand, was most familiar by the window of one woman being courted at past dusk. The men in their late teens or early 20s, in their sometimes scented evening best, hair combed with aromatic pomade available from the nearest town store, belted out several love songs when the night was young and the moon was yellow. In some of the provinces, particularly in ricegrowing Nueva Ecija, the men would be politely invited inside where they would engage, alternately, in sort of competition with the woman being courted with the number of songs sung till past midnight. But those in the Ilocos, even if they were still awake, would never let the men inside—high in the belief the modest Ilocana should never show the man courting her he was being considered, if at all.

‘Upuan’ by Dave Alcon

es where the artist has been, the work shows the farmers not involved in their back-breaking labor but confronting the gaze of the viewer. What makes this work haunting and urgent are the ghostly emanations of those who have passed on but contin-

‘Walang Hihigit pang Sandata’ by Arman Jay Santiago

ue to influence the living to continue the struggle. Intensifying the uncompromising stance of the farmers is the sky, with its churning dark clouds, which threatens rain. The symbolism of the impending rain is two-fold: it conveys both nour-

Old-time Filipino serenade fading out

ishment of the earth or its devastation. Rendered “like a photo taken from the past being forgotten inside an old photo album misplaced and lost in the house,” the winning work of the Tarlac City-based artist makes certain Turn to C2

adults, a way of matching people who may have mutual admiration or affection for each other and may end up in romance or avoidance of each other if the scenario became embarrassing for both individuals. The presence of other men during the evening serenade, most notably very close friends of the one courting or one who is interested in the woman next door or in some other barangay, was at that time a psychological boost. In the Ilocos, the men would blend voices and sing the ballad “adayo pay nga ili ti naggapuanmi, ‘diay ili a Santa Fe…” That only means, even while the men and the woman being serenaded knew it was not true, that the men had come from a distant place—the town of Santa Fe in far Nueva Vizcaya across the imposing Caraballo mountains. Among those that evoke poignant memories is the Tagalog harana, popular in Bulacan and Laguna and other surrounding provinces of Metro Manila, particularly the one being sung today, “O Ilaw (Oh Light)” where the man compares his beloved to a star in pitch dark sky. The song lyrics particularly ask the woman to open her window and look out at the man, who is dishing out his heart and affection. But the modern “Harana” of Parokya ni Edgar can be a bit facetious. Notice the lyrics: “Uso pa ba ang harana? Marahil ikaw ay nagtataka/Sino ba ‘tong mukhang gago, nagkandarapa sa pagkanta…at In some provinces, particularly in Nueva Ecija, the men serenading a woman would be politely invited inside, where nasisintunado sa kaba. Meron pang dalang mga they would engage in a sort of competition with the woman being courted. (Photo from Wikimedia/Markytour777) rosas. Suot nama’y maong na kupas at nariyan It seemed they belonged to the old school of Fast forward to the later decades, the culture pa ang barkada…” Its loose translation: “Is serenade still the trend thought that Ilocanas, as were many Filipino wom- of ang-angaw among the Ilocanos and tuksuhan to date? Perhaps it makes you meditate. Who is en in other parts of the country, were basically shy among the Tagalogs flourished. and secretive. This was common among teeners and young Turn to C2

Life

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Digital historical markers installed at Cebu Basilica, Magellan’s Cross

ARNESSING technology to deliver cultural, historical, and travel information, digital historical markers were installed on the facade of Cebu City’s Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and Magellan’s Cross. The Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño recently partnered with PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications and InnoPub Media to install these interactive markers at the church and its museum, as well as at the famous landmark across from it. The markers contain QR codes and NFC chips that mobile users can scan

Smart Communications and InnoPub Media install digital historical markers at Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and Magellan’s Cross in Cebu City.

#galingNAMCYA presents past winners

Gabriel Art Mendoza, NAMCYA 2017 Senior Strings category 2nd prize winner; and Nico Emmanuel Dioneda, NAMCYA 2015 and 2017 Woodwinds category national finalist

IN CELEBRATION of 46 years of recognizing the craft and talent of Filipino musicians and singers, the National Music Competition for Young Artists staged #galingNAMCYA concert featuring previous winners of the contest. Cellist Giancarlo Gonzales, chorale group DYCI Dagalak; conductors Nelson dela Cruz and Dr. Renato Lucas, Pundaquit Virtuosi youth orchestra, artistic director Alfonso Bolipata, and the UST Symphony Orchestra showcased their music to the audience at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) of Cultural Center of the Philippines. The concert was held to promote the upcoming competitions. The final round is happening from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1 at CCP.

using their phones to access important details on the heritage of the sites. “With these digital markers, the faithful will have a better understanding and appreciation of our heritage churches,” said Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño spokesperson Rev. Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes OSA. The initiative is part of a Smartbacked digital tourism and catechism program, and is in line with the upcoming celebration of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021. The digital tourism program features key religious and heritage sites, notable churches, and travel destinations such as nature parks and historic cities. “Considered the birthplace of Christianity in the country, Cebu and the Basilica will play a very important role in the celebration as this will be the fifth centenary of the arrival of the image of Sto. Niño in the province,” said Smart Visayas-Mindanao public affairs head Maria Jane Paredes. As part of the program leading to the 2021 celebrations, Smart also recently unveiled interactive tourism markers at Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church in Bantayan, Cebu. The digital tourism program has also been implemented at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and at heritage churches in Argao, Boljoon, Carcar, Dalaguete, Samboan, Santander, and Sibonga, among other municipalities in the province.

Pennywise spotted

at The Podium’s Director’s Club

Pennywise watches himself at The Podium Mall’s premium Director’s Club theater.

PENNYWISE has once again resurfaced, and he’s not in Derry, Maine. The soul-hungry evil clown from the movie series based on Stephen King’s It was seen watching It: Chapter 2 at Director’s Club Cinema at The Podium Mall while having unlimited popcorn and seated in a La-Z-Boy. Now perched on the top floor of The Podium Mall are three Director’s Club theaters with a combined total of 144 seats that offer premium cinema experience. At Director’s Club, moviegoers enjoy crystal-clear motion pictures with deep, well-defined, and true-to-life colors with the cinema’s Christie laser projection system. Crisp and rich sound resonate in

the intimate 48-seater theater through its Dolby surround sound system. And to ensure that viewers never miss a scene while watching movies, theater seats are equipped with push buttons that automatically signal for the in-house butler service. For a relaxed and extra comfortable movie-watching experience, Director’s Club is fixed with plush leather La-ZBoy seats. Movie tickets come with unlimited popcorn and bottled water. SM Cinema’s official food concessionaire Snack Time also offers a special menu at Director’s Club. Movie and wine night? The premier theater said in a statement it will offer wine pairings soon.

Dr. Renato Lucas leads the UST Symphony Orchestra and cellist Giancarlo Castrillo Gonzales.

MADE 2019... From C1

that the story of struggle and resistance of farmers continues to be told. Meanwhile, in the Watermedia on Paper category, Christian Jame Maglente’s “Existence of Blue” emerged the grand winner. Through his artwork, the 23-year-old Fine Arts graduate deals with the timely issue of mental health, which seems to disproportionately besiege young people who are still trying to gain a foothold in life. The “blue” in the title points at the literal color of the painting’s background while at the same time alluding to the “blues,” which is an informal term for extreme sadness or depression. Depicted in a depressive state, the central figure, mirrored on his left and right

sides, crouches on top of a column, as he is consumed by a tumult of thoughts and feelings. His confused interior reality is expressed as an explosion of pigments interspersed with skulls and skeletons, which symbolize the figure’s contemplation of mortality and death. Through its painfully lyrical examination of the mind in crisis, the work renders in concrete terms the struggle that attends a breakdown and makes a compelling case for intervention. Lucas and Maglente will each receive P500,000 and “Mula” glass trophy designed by 2009 Metrobank Prize for Achievement in Sculpture awardee Noell El Farol during the awarding ceremony on Sept. 19 at the Le Pavillon, Metropolitan Park in Pasay City. Three other finalists for both categories in Painting Recognition Program will be given Special Citation for their work. Christian Cedrick Dela Paz’s

“25/7,” which confronts how modernity has robbed man the time to recuperate from the travails of everyday; and Dave Alcon’s “Upuan,” which reveals the sheer competition necessary to achieve the throne’s enviable position, both get Special Citation for Oil/ Acrylic on Canvas category. Arman Jay Santiago, in his “Walang Hihigit pang Sandata,” used art as a vehicle to convey anti-war sentiments, thus earning him the Special Citation for the Watermedia on Paper category. This year’s MADE Painting Recognition Final Board of Judges was chaired by artist and Green Papaya Projects art director Norberto “Peewee” Roldan. Members of the Board included multimedia artist Katrin De Guia, 1989 MADE Grand Awardee Antonio “Tony” Leano, curator Andrick Caesar “Ricky” Francisco, and visual artist Albert Avellana. With Carlomar Daoana

Harana is a cherished Filipino tradition during which a man and his friends serenade a woman. (Photo from Wikimedia/Markytour777)

Old-time... From C1

this looking like a fool alone, singing piteously out of tune. And he has a rose in his hand. What he’s wearing are denims old in the company of friends so bold.” Singing the harana, in provinces near the metropolis or those in the farflung countryside, had its origins during the Spanish colonial period that started in 1521. That was the year Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator sailing under the flag of Spain, brought the Catholic Cross to these far eastern islands, 141 years after Arabian missionary Sheik Karim ulMakhdum established the first Muslim

mosque in Simunul in Tawi-Tawi. Today, with modern gadgets easily available and convenient—without having to learn the lyrics of an appropriate ballad or love song—a loved one may just be a text message away. Or the loved one may just be an email away, in an email protected by the account holder’s password none of even his closest friends may know. And the wonder of it all is the text message may no longer come from just one direction. If there is mutual understanding—or MU in the language of the 21st-century generation of Filipinos—the text messages can clog the two-way street. Every day, every week of the year. Or, in the language of the now generation, “24/7.”

Entertainment

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Paying homage to Pinoy Art Deco cinema T HE honorees, living legends, and icons of Philippine Cinema had a trip down memory lane during Sine Sandaan: Celebrating the Luminaries of Philippine Cinema’s 100 Years on Thursday night as the New Frontier Theater was transformed to an Art Deco Cinema as homage to the standalone theaters during the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema. Remembered for its intricate structure and viewed as a symbol of the first rise of film as a staple of Filipino culture, Art Deco Cinemas in the Philippines were prolific in the 1930s and 1950s, an apt visual theme in the celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema. Once home to local and Hollywood movies and other acts and performances, the New Frontier Theater is the perfect venue for Sine Sandaan as it is considered as the biggest cinema in Asia when it was built in 1965 and a classic entertainment landmark in the 1960s in Cubao, Quezon City. With the help of Big Bulb, Inc., the theater was transformed into a fusion of the past and

the modern with Art Deco aesthetics and elements of old cinema for the once-in-a-lifetime milestone of the film industry. On Thursday night, Sine Sandaan marked the official launch of the Centennial Year with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) taking the helm for the celebration. More than 300 luminaries and icons of Philippine Cinema walked down the red carpet dressed to the nines. Guests were entertained with powerful performances which highlight the journey of Philippine Cinema in its hundred years. The event was co-presented by CMB Film Services and ABS-CBN and

Last night, the New Frontier Theatre was transformed into a fusion of the past and the modern with Art Deco aesthetics and elements of old cinema for the once-in-a-lifetime milestone of Philippine Cinema.

supported through FDCP’s strengthened partnerships with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Araneta Group, and Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP). Sine Sandaan is followed with Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) 2019, a week-long exclusive screening of

‘LSS,’ now showing CURRENTLY showing in cinemas right now is Jade Castro’s LSS (Last Song Syndrome) with no less than the immensely popular band Ben & Ben not only providing music, they are also included in the cast. Playing leads are real life couple Gabbi Garcia and Kahli Ramos. The director sums up the film as a “journey of dreamers, believers of music. It’s about how passionate they are in sharing their aspirations through music. And of course, there is young love which is of course, represented by Gabbi and Khalil.” Garcia says, “It’s great that we worked together in LSS because we have discovered more of each other. Initially, we didn’t want to work together but after reading the script, we fell in love with it and we decided to do it. I really don’t know about Khalil’s work ethics but, working with him, I found out he’s amazing. He’s very open, not only a good singer but also a good, generous and a serious actor. We both get to sing and act together in LSS.” For Ramos’ part, he explains, “We have good teamwork as it helps that we’re really already comfortable with each other. We give and take. She asks for my help and I also ask hers. Our characters got connected through the music of Ben & Ben, which is an integral part of the movie.” In the movie, Gabbi is Sarah, an aspiring musician who is their family’s breadwinner and struggling to find her own place in the sun, and Khalili plays Zack, a “torpe” guy who has an unrequited love for another girl who happens to be in love with someone else. Castro promises, “Of course may kilig scenes sina Gabbi and Khalil. But more than that, the film shows the relatable story of how the pursuit of love and your dreams can come with good music. How did Ben & Ben become part

of the movie? “Well, the characters of Gabbi and Khalil. Sarah and Zack meet while following their favorite band, which happens to be Ben&Ben. The songs of Ben & Ben are intertwined with the story which shows how a single unforgettable song can change their lives forever.” T h e

Real-life couple Gabbi and Khalil play the lead in Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino entry, 'LSS.'

DOWN 1 Omani title 2 Enjoy a repast 3 Part of PBA 4 Detroit 5 Taj — 6 Die down 7 Inventory wd. 8 Except 9 Knighted Guinness 10 Movable wing parts 11 Express complaints 12 Camel stops 13 Grind, as teeth 21 Look at 23 P.O. service 26 Wearisome task 27 Talk irrationally 28 Not include 29 Groves 30 Feed the kitty 31 Sets down 34 Beliefs

35 Small recess 37 Difficult duty 38 Limerick locale 39 Med. staffers 41 Like wallflowers 46 Setting for the “Iliad” 49 Lumberjack’s tool (var.) 51 Revenue 52 Hay holders 53 Tickle someone’s funny bone 54 City near Phoe-

INTERNATIONAL

Daniel Radcliffe has life turned upside-down in ‘Guns Akimbo’ IN DANIEL Radcliffe’s latest film role, the Harry Potter star goes in a split second from a normal, anonymous young man to a celebrity sensation whose life is turned upside-down. Does that sound familiar to the former child actor who was plucked from obscurity to front one of the biggest movie franchises of all time? “Yes I suppose so! I really hadn’t thought about that,” Radcliffe told AFP. “God I need to call my therapist.” Fortunately for Radcliffe, his real-life journey was considerably more gentle than the protagonist of Guns Akimbo, which had its world premiere at the Toronto film festival. He plays a nerdy video game developer who wakes from a brutal attack to find guns have been surgically bolted to his hands, and he has been forced to fight to the death for the amusement of a sadistic online community. Asked how he chose the role, Radcliffe said: “A lot of the things I’ve

Is Marian... From C4

Entitled “Serial Killer,” first special episode tells the harrowing tale of Ilocano OFW friends Jasmine,

Saturday, September 14, 2019

64 Concerning 66 Like some exams 67 Recipe qtys. 68 Deputy’s need 69 Prefix for “million” 70 Pays a visit 71 Fiery horse 72 Sunrise direction

University, Bicol Isarog Transport System, Inc., and Novotel Manila. Media partners include Solar Entertainment Corporation, Sinag Maynila, CNN Philippines, PUBLICITYASIA, PEP. ph, Inquirer.net, InqPOP!, Rank Magazine, and the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd).

done have been like weird fairytales, like Horns or Swiss Army Man. They’re all about somebody living a normal life and then something crazy and transformative happening to them. So I guess I enjoy those kind of stories.” As the plot suggests, Guns Akimbo is a more radical departure from Hogwarts than any of his projects yet. Its darkly cartoonish approach to copious on-screen violence includes countless gory fight scenes and deaths in which the characters wield guns, hammers and even a bazooka. Like The Running Man or The Hunger Games, ordinary people are cheered on by bloodthirsty crowds in their fights to the death—with the millennial twist of live-streaming and YouTube-style trolls. “This film is inspired by the darker corners of the internet and parts of social media and those ideas, but it’s not necessarily making a massive point about them,” said Radcliffe. AFP

Daniel Radcliffe (center) with Rhys Darby and Samara Weaving at the "Guns Akimbo" premiere during the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Imported cheese 5 Deadly snake 10 In a tizzy 14 Japanese soup 15 Singer Paula — 16 Shah’s land 17 Scholarly org. 18 Impatience 19 Actress — Bonet 20 Restore to good condition 22 Crinkled fabrics 24 Cajole 25 Not canned or frozen 26 Talk on and on 29 “Where’s —?” 32 Collide intentionally 33 A Ryder 36 Eggnog time 40 Greedy 42 Like many a chimney 43 Save a coupon 44 “— — grip!” 45 Shy 47 Samovar 48 Chores 50 Ascends 52 Raw rubber 55 Thug, slangily 57 Brunch fare 59 Mimics 63 Give off vapors

members of the Ben&Ben Band are twins Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin Guico, Poch Barretto, Jam Villanueva, Agnes Reoma, Patricia Lasaten, Toni Munoz, Andrew de Pano, and Kiefer Cabugao. LSS is part of the 3rd Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, a flagship project of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Filipino genre films. PPP 2019 is co-presented by Frontrow International in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and CMB Film Services with major sponsors Fire and Ice Productions, ThinkBIT Solutions, Toronto Film School and Yorkville

nix 55 Chisel 56 Chose 58 PC keys 59 Dits and dahs 60 Length times width 61 Dogs’ IDs 62 Bed support 65 It flies by night

Daisy, and Hana who find themselves trapped in the gruesome web of murders involving foreign domestic helpers. This is the first-ever case of serial killing in Cyprus. The episode star Benjamin Alves, Juancho Trivino, Diva Montelaba, Analyn Barro, Lara Morena, and Rhian Ramos. \Meanwhile, Lovi Poe banners Tadhana’s second story, “CEO Maid,” The two-part episode features the inspiring story of Myrna, a former seaweed diver from Bohol who gets recruited abroad as an entertainer. However, she ends up being a victim of human trafficking. She survives the ordeal and finds herself in Hong Kong working as a domestic helper and her kind employers teach her how to use the computer. Through sheer hard work, she returns to the Philippines and becomes the CEO of her very own BPO company. In the past two years, Tadhana has continued to build a loyal audience, even hitting more than 1 million followers on Facebook. It has also been honored with various awards, including the TV Journalism Award for “Best TV Series on Migration” at the 2017 Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. At the 8th OFW Gawad Parangal, Tadhana took home the “Best OFW Trueto-Life Stories” prize while Marian won the “Best Actress” award for the episode “Sugat ni Inay”. Watch Tadhana: Second Anniversary Specials this whole month of September, every Saturday, 3:15 p.m., after Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Buhay Ko, on GMA-7.

Entertainment

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

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

Is Marian joining Dingdong in ‘Descendants of the Sun’? By Clay Moreno AS SOON as GMA Network announced the local adaptation of the global hit Descendants of the Sun would have a local adaptation, fans started to rave on speculation that Marian Rivera would be cast alongside her husband Dingdong Dances who is playing the male lead. Although Kapuso’s primetime queen entertains the idea of sharing the screen again with Dingdong, there are a few things she wants to consider even before saying “yes” to any project. “They are on location shoot for two straight days. That means, if I would join Dingdong, I’d be gone for that long as well. I’m nursing a six-month-old baby, and my eldest is going to school,” Marian explained during a recent press conference. “Today, when I left the house, Ziggy and Zia were sleeping. I’d be gone for four hours. I guess when I come back home, they’d still be sleeping. You see, the situation is that, I can’t be away from my children for a long time. What more if

I did a television series that would require me to travel,” she added. Since giving birth to her second child, Marian wanted to take it easy. She prefers a gradual comeback due to the fact that her main priority is here children. She’s a hands-on mom. During the media conference for Tadhana, Marian announced that apart from the weekly anthology, she’s going to rejoin the cast of Sunday PinaSaya. And if there will be other projects on her plate, she’d like to take it one at a time. “I don’t want to push the idea of joining Descendants of the Sun because I know GMA has other plans for me,” she said. Meanwhile, after another fruitful year of featuring the many stories of struggle, failure, hope, and triumphs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), GMA Public Affairs’ award-winning weekly drama anthology Tadhana proudly presents a twin-bill of two-part special episodes in celebration of its second anniversary this September. Hosted by Marian herself, the special

'Tadhana,' hosted by Marian Rivera celebrates another successful year of featuring the many stories of struggle, failure, hope, and triumphs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

episodes air in two installments each (the ﬁrst story aired on Sept. 7). Continued on C3

BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. Marian and Dingdong always think of the time they would be away from their kids Zia and Ziggy before considering any projects.

ENTRIES TO WATCH

at Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2019 T’S that time of year again when movie houses across the archipelago exclusively screen quality genre movies via the annual Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), a week-long celebration of diverse Filipino movies that will run until Sept. 19.

Themed “Pamilya, Pagkakaibigan, Pag-ibig,” the PPP 2019 is organized by the Film audience and FDCP intends to continue this tradition Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in partnership with the National Cinema to continuously engage moviegoers nationwide to Association of the Philippines. patronize local films. In the last three years, PPP has created a culture of support from the Here are the must watch ﬁlm entries in this year’s edition of the PPP:

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

‘I’m Ellenya L.’

‘G!’ movie ‘tropa’ Jameson Blake, Mark Oblea, McCoy de Leon, and Paulo Angeles

‘Tropa’movie ‘G!’ Starring Mccoy De Leon, Jameson Blake, Paulo Angeles, Mark Oblea, and Kira Ballinger, G! is PPP's ultimate “barkada” movie, which most millennials can relate with. The movie, which follows the story of a cancer-stricken guy determined to tick off all the items on his bucket list, highlights a series of good times, bad times, cherished bonding moments which make the central characters realize the value of love, friendship, family and life. G! revolves around the friendship of Dom, Bry and Wacks, close buddies who embark on a roadtrip to fulfill the bucket list of Sam. On board Sam’s pickup, the group headed North to tick off Sam’s list which Sam believed will provide him a regret-free goodbye to life: get drunk ‘til you drop; skinny-dipping; get a tattoo; lose his V- Status (virgin); and experience “real” happiness. A frivolous and mundane list seemingly typical for any teener but Sam’s list simply wanted to have fun while life permits. And fun reached its peak after the group met Sandy, a sexy, daring woman who’s more than willing to participate in Sam’s goal to lose his virginity. Unfortunately, Sam and Sandy were too drunk that night to have sex. The next morning, they found Sandy dead… and from the looks of it, she was killed. But by whom, how and why? Thus began the wacky adventure of the group as they deal with this unfortunate incident. “The movie is the bucket list of every millennial. We interviewed people, young people to craft the story,” said Dondon Santos who directed the film produced by Cineko Productions.“We’re giving sex a different treatment based on how young people talk about it these days, or how they deal with it for the first time,” Santos ended.

‘The Panti Sisters’ lead cast Christian Bables, Paolo Ballesteros, and Martin del Rosario

’The Panti Sisters’ For the very first time, director Jun Robles Lana brings together three of the most beautiful faces to the big screen to tell one incredible story about family and sisterhood. Martin Del Rosario (Born Beautiful), Christian Bables (Signal Rock), and Paolo Ballesteros (Die Beautiful) reunite with Lana to bring this brand new family comedy to audiences all over the country as part of the PPP3. In the film, audiences will get to know Daniel (Del Rosario), Samuel (Bables), and Gabriel (Ballesteros), the three gay brothers brought together by their dying father (John Arcilla) only to find themselves in a difficult situation when their father asks each of them for a grandchild in exchange for an extravagant inheritance. Living their lives separate from each other, the three are asked to move back to

the mansion as they go against the odds to bear a child with the same Panti DNA. The three must set aside their differences in order to really know what it means to become a true Panti. They might even realize the true meaning of family along the way. The Panti Sisters is a funny story about acceptance, respect and loving your own skin no matter what color of PANTIes you wear. The Panti Sisters aims to tell the story of the modern Filipino as we kick off the celebrations of the 100th year anniversary of Philippine Cinema. Black Sheep, The IdeaFirst Company, and Quantum Films all collaborate to bring the story of The Panti Sisters to cinemas nationwide. The ﬁlm also stars Carmi Martin, Rosanna Roces, Roxanne Barcelo, Via Antonio, Ali Forbes, and Joross Gamboa.

This entry with Maris Racal in the title role is making a lot of buzz of late. I’m Ellenya L., like what its stars say about the movie, “it’s very much now, it’s very relevant.”Just like any millennial, she exempliﬁes every stereotype of her generation. Her whole lifestyle revolves around social media, and her "weird" effort trying to be famous. Ellenya lives with her loving and supportive father, Daddy Toots, who is a musician, and her conservative and traditional grandmother, Lola Madz. Ellenya’s best friend, Peng, lives next door. He’s a talented photographer, who is wary of the image she portrays online. Ellenya’s actions online are patterned and curated to the lifestyle of her idol who is a famous digital personality (Sue Ramirez). “Everyone will get to enjoy the movie. This is not just for the millennials. It’s also for the younger and older generations, the Gen X and Gen Z. At its core, I’m Ellenya L. is a story about family, love, and embracing your real self,” Maris Racal told Manila Standard in an interview. “Her whole lifestyle revolves around social media and trying to be famous. She would do whatever it takes to be the next online sensation,” Maris said of her character. Produced by Spring Films, N2 Productions and Cobalt Entertainment, I’m Ellenya L. also marks the directorial debut of comedian Boy 2 Quizon.

Maris Racal plays the tittle role in the millennial movie, ‘I’m Ellenya L.’

‘Cuddle Weather’ In this Regal Entertainment movie, Sue Ramirez and co-star RK Bagatsing portray characters that are in the prostitution industry.But despite the seriousness of the film’s subject, it falls under the romantic-comedy genre. Sue is Adela, an experienced sex worker who aspires to become a high-end prostitute. RK is Ram, a waitlisted seaman who ventures into prostitution to earn money for his family. “I play the role of Adela Johnson. It’s the most fearless role that I’ve taken on,” Sue said of her character. It is ‘love at first sound’ when they meet. They’re having a boring sex with their respective clients in adjacent motel rooms, until they hear each other’s sexy moans which ultimately help them reach their orgasm. Ram later on finds out how skilled Adela is. He then convinces her to teach him the ways of a hustler sex worker in exchange of a fee. They start a mentor-mentee relationship which slowly turns into an odd romance. They become ‘cuddle partners’ which means that at the end of every night of countless fucking, they can always count on each other’s hugs to comfort their overused and underloved bodies to sleep. But as their connection deepens, both Adela and Ram start to doubt their capacity to start and maintain a serious relationship. Having seen too much loveless lovemaking, both have become too good a prostitute to believe that happiness can come without a price.

RK Bagatsing and Sue Ramirez in a scene from the romcom ‘Cuddle Weather.’