Manila Standard - 2019 October 30 - Wednesday by Manila Standard

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6 killed in 6.6 quake

Hundreds hurt in 2nd tremor to hit Mindanao By Francisco Tuyay and Rio N. Araja

MAGNITUDE 6.6 earthquake jolted Southern Mindanao Tuesday, claiming the lives of at least six persons and injuring hundreds of others. Two students remained missing beneath the rubble as rescue workers sifted through the remnants of dozens of collapsed structures.

The tremor had again sent thousands of people in Cotabato, Davao del Sur and nearby provinces into a panic while reeling as they were still realing from last week’s 6.4-magnitude quake. Among the dead were a 15-year-old student in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur who was pinned down by a collapsed concrete wall; a 66-year-old man in the town Koronadal; a pregnant woman felled by a tree in Tulanan, both in Cotabato, and a 36-year-old female employee of a multinational company in Digos City. The two consecutive tremors have so far left 11 people dead, most of them in

HAIR-RAISING QUAKE.

Next page VOL. XXXIII • NO. 258 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A handout photo taken on Oct. 29, 2019, from the Facebook page of Anthony Allada, shows a general view of the damaged town hall (right) after a 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit Magsaysay, in Mindanao. Authorities said the quake caused injuries and damaged buildings like (below, clockwise) the Daig Elementary School in Tulunan, South Cotabato, 66-yearold Nestor Narciso killed by the quake, Gigos City Cov Jesu College, medical workers and residents evacuating patients to a safe place in Makilala, North Cotabato, anxious residents near a temporary shelter, and an unidentified woman contemplating her family’s future—all in a region still reeling from a previous deadly tremor. The US Geological Survey said the quake hit Mindanao as schools and offices opened for the day. Anthony Allada/AFP/Chyna Via/ Geonarri Solmenaro/ Mark Navales

Visayas opts for extension of pork ban By Othel V. Campos THE total ban of pork and pork products from Luzon should be extended until the provinces are assured that the country is free from African swine fever virus, the presidential assistant for the Visayas said Monday. “There’s only one way of protecting Next page

Leni sidesteps Duterte floats plan to take over water concessionaires Rody’s dare to lead drug war By MJ Blancaflor

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will create an anti-drug commission if Vice President Leni Robredo will accept his offer to serve as the administration’s drug czar in the next six months, Malacañang said Tuesday. But Robredo refused to respond, saying the country’s problems could not be solved through insults. “I don’t want to answer that because I don’t know how serious he is,” Robredo told reporters in Bandingan, Iloilo. “We must not get irritated when we talk about the problem of our country. We cannot get it done by insulting someone. We must always look for solutions.” Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte called on water concessionaires on Tuesday to “stop making it hard for the people” and help government address the water crisis in Metro Manila. This, as Malacañang said he might declare a national emergency and take over Maynilad and Manila Water in a bid to address the water shortage in

concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water to manage dwindling supply from the Angat and Ipo dams. Maynilad handles of the west concession zone while Manila Water operations serve the east concession zone of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, said the takeover plan is constitutional. “The provision of the Constitution

IS leader buried at sea; US military dog a ‘hero’ US OFFICIALS have said the body of Islamic State group chief Abu Bakr alBaghdadi was buried at sea, as fresh details surfaced about the US special forces operation that led to his death over the weekend. Syrian Kurds claimed to be a key source of the intelligence that led Americans to Baghdadi after years of tracking the man behind a five-year reign of terror across much of Iraq and Syria.

Mountaineer reaches 14 highest peaks A NEPALI mountaineer on Tuesday smashed the record for summiting the world’s 14 highest peaks, racing up all “8000ers” in just seven months, according to a post on his social media accounts. Nirmal Purja completed the climb of the 14 mountains, all over 8,000 meters (26,250 feet) in seven months, the post said. The previous

Metro Manila and its nearby provinces. “All of them, stop making it hard for the people there because it’s a question of survival of the nation, water,” Duterte told ABS-CBN News in an interview. “I do not want to be the bully but if it comes to that, then it should be. We cannot do anything since our people need water,” he added. Scheduled rotational water interruptions have been implemented by water

Nirmal Purja

And an unnamed US military dog became an unlikely hero of the raid, incurring injuries as it chased Baghdadi down a dead-end tunnel underneath his northwestern Syria hideout, where the jihadist blew himself and three children up with a suicide vest. The US military basked in success Monday after eliminating the founder and spiritual guide of the Islamic State group, capping a years-long campaign

to crush the Sunni Muslim extremist organization that had at one point created a “caliphate” the size of England. “His death marks a devastating blow to the remnants of [IS],” said Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

Raid undertaken ‘brilliantly’ He praised the nearly hundred-strong force that helicoptered to Next page

SMC head honcho leads TOFIL awardees SAN Miguel Corporation’s president and chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang leads five other winners of the 2019 edition of the Outstanding Filipino Award, which gives public recognition to men and women whose achievements are worthy of emulation. The other awardees are Glenn S. Banaguas (Environment Conservation Next page

Ramon S. Ang

is very clear—the President’s primary duty as the head of state of the government is to serve and to protect the people,” he said. “So in any situation arising that will endanger, imperil the safety of the people, then the President has to take over,” he added. A provision in the 1987 Constitution also states that in times of a national Next page

Court rejects Ampatuan bid to reopen case By Rey E. Requejo THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court has rejected the bid of one of the principal accused to reopen the trial of the Maguindanao massacre case in connection with the murder of 58 people, including 32 journalists, in Ampatuan town 10 years ago. In an Oct. 25 order, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes denied Datu Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr.’s motion to reopen the trial and suspend the promulgation of judgment on the case for lack of merit. Ampatuan is seeking a retrial on the ground that former Sultan Barongis Vice Mayor Sukarno Badal, a state witness, had contacted him through a representative that he was inclined to recant his testimony. Badal had testified in 2013 on how the members of the powerful Ampatuan Next page

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

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News

Rody: Widen pool of PNP choices By MJ Blancaflor

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he should be given a wider pool of choices to pick the next chief of the Philippine National Police from, after admitting he was having difficulty naming the successor to general Oscar Albayalde, who relinquished his post amid the “ninja cops” scandal. “I should have a wider choice, but the public can expect that my only consideration, the only standard, the only thing that I would ask for of the next PNP chief is honesty,” President Duterte told ABS-CBN News in an interview. “Even if you are stupid or you’re not the

top of your class, but if you are the honest guy, I will go for it,” he added. On Monday, Duterte admitted that he needed more time to choose among the candidates recommended to him by the National Police Commission. “It’s kind of, not really messy, but it’s

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as part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. A teenage boy was crushed by a falling wall as he tried to escape his school in Magsaysay, the town said. Though other students were injured in “stampede” to escape the building, they survived. A collapsing wall in another town, Koronadal, killed a 66-year-old man, local authorities said. At least 50 people were hurt by falling debris, including some seven pupils and teachers hurt escaping their collapsed elementary school. Locals were awed by the power of the quake, which was shallow and thus potentially more destructive. “Buildings were not just moving, they were swaying,” Gadi Sorilla, a doctor at a hospital in Tulunan, a town about 25 kilometers from the epicenter, said. “I asked God for help,” he said, adding the hospital had quickly received about 10 patients, some with head injuries. Rescue teams have begun fanning out to assess the damage to the region, where electricity and phone services were knocked out by the power of the quake. The US Geological Survey said the initial 6.6-magnitude quake was followed by a number of smaller shakes, including one measuring 5.8. The continuing tremors were causing anxiety on the ground, with people refusing to go back inside buildings for fear of being caught in any resulting collapse. Schools across the area have been shuttered as a precaution. The area is still suffering the effects of a 6.4-magnitude quake that hit less than two weeks ago, killing at least five people and damaging dozens of buildings. Residents fled homes across the Mindanao region and a mall caught fire in the city of General Santos shortly after the quake struck on Oct. 16. “We still have 570 individuals in evacuation centers [from the previous quake] and with this quake, we are expecting more evacuees,” said Zaldy Ortiz, an officer with a local emergency rescue team. One of the deadliest quakes to hit the Philippines recently was in April, causing the collapse of a building near the capital Manila.

Cotabato province, the epicenter of the 6.4 quake that struck Mindanao on Oct. 16. In Tulunan town, Mayor Reuel Limbungan said 90 percent of concrete and semi-concrete structures, most of them situated in upland villages of Daig, Mambog and Paraiso were damaged. “The quake was strong. If last week’s quake was magnitude 6.3, this was stronger,” Tulunan town Mayor Reuel Limbungan said in Filipino. “All classes have been canceled, even in private schools. The hospitals had to evacuate their patients.” Students who went home were traumatized by the sight of their injured teachers crawling to safety from the damaged school building, the mayor added. The entire town is without power. He said all schools, gymnasiums, churches, health centers, Barangay halls, including a three-story building were badly damaged, while 80 percent of structures bore cracks. “All residents are outside of their houses, afraid to go in for fear of another strong quake,” Limbungan said. Limbungan sought help from the national government. He said they needed light materials for roofing and lumber to rebuilt their school buildings. He added that they would put up tents to house residents who are afraid to go back to their homes. In Davao del Sur, PDRRMO officer Christopher Tan said residents in barangays in Tagaytay and Upper Mala were told to evacuate their homes due to signs of a landslide. He said a portion of a five-story school building in Digos City collapsed. In Digos City, Mayor Joseph Cagas reported several landslides in upland villages. Terrified locals ran into the streets after the shallow quake, which hit the island of Mindanao as schools and offices opened for the day. The shaking lasted up to a minute in some areas, damaging homes, multi-story buildings and classrooms in a region where hundreds are still displaced by a quake that killed at least five earlier this month. The Philippines suffers regular tremors

IS leader...

From A1 the rural compound in the Idlib region of Syria in a complex mission that required coordination with Russians, Kurds, Turks and President Bashar al-Assad’s regime to prevent US aircraft from being fired upon. “They executed the raid in all of its facets brilliantly,” Esper said. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley said no one was injured in the operation, despite the US team taking fire when they arrived. They took two men prisoner, and Baghdadi’s body was taken to a secure facility for a DNA test that would confirm his identity, Milley said. “The disposal of his remains has been done, is complete and was handled appropriately,” he added, saying it was handled “in accordance with the law of armed conflict.” Another Pentagon official confirmed that Baghdadi’s body was put into the sea at an unnamed location, similar to the 2011 sea burial of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden after his death in a US special forces raid in Pakistan. Baghdadi’s underwear A Kurdish official said an inside source the group oversaw was responsible for leading US forces to Baghdadi’s hideout, helping to map out the interior of the compound, its staffing, as well as making

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clan planned to kill the victims, which also included the relatives of Esmael Mangudadatu, a member of the Ampatuans’ rival family. In ruling against Ampatuan, Reyes cited jurisprudence that a motion to reopen may be filed when either or both parties had formally offered and closed their evidence but before a judgment was rendered, and even after the promulgation but before the decision attained finality. However, Badal himself denied in court that he wanted to recant his testimony. “There is no truth to the statement in the motion, they are all made up by the accused Unsay to delay the case,” the witness was quoted as saying during the hearing on the issue. Instead, Badal reaffirmed his testimony during the trial. “With the denial made by prosecution

it possible for them to identify Baghdadi. “Since 15 May, we have been working together with the CIA to track al-Baghdadi and monitor him closely,” said Polat Can, a senior adviser to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The group had an informant who was able to infiltrate Baghdadi’s house. “Al-Baghdadi changed his places of residence very often,” he said on Twitter. “Our intelligence source was involved in sending co-ordinates, directing the airdrop, participating in and making the operation a success until the last minute,” Polat Can said. The source also “brought al-Baghdadi’s underwear to conduct a DNA test and make sure (100 percent) that the person in question was al-Baghdadi himself,” he said. ‘Beautiful’ military dog Attention focused as well on the unnamed dog—likely a Belgian Malinois, a breed favored by the military, which chased Baghdadi into a tunnel under the complex and cornered him before he detonated his suicide vest. Trump praised the dog on Sunday as “beautiful,” but military officials said any information about it, including its name, was secret. “It’s classified, we’re protecting the dog’s identity,” said Milley. The dog had been “slightly wounded and is fully recovering,” he said. US will not police Syria. AFP witness Sukarno Badal of his intention to recant his previous testimony given on several dates, it is crystal clear that the ground relied upon by the accused-movant for the reopening of trial has no leg to stand on,” Reyes ruled. The Quezon City RTC ended the trial of the Maguindanao massacre case in August after holding trial for nine years. The Justice department expressed optimism that a decision may come out before the 10th anniversary of the gruesome multiple murders on Nov. 23. Fifty-eight people, including 32 journalists, were killed on Nov. 23, 2009, when they accompanied then gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu in the filing of his certificate of candidacy. The Maguindanao massacre is considered to be the Philippines’ worst incident of election-related violence and is said to be the single deadliest attack on journalists in history. With Rio N. Araja

very hard to—at this time—to choose a candidate who would really…The appropriate guy. It’s difficult,” Duterte told reporters in a chance interview. Albayalde stepped down on Oct. 14 amid the accusations he protected his subordinates who were accused of reselling illegal drugs captured in a controversial drug raid in 2013. He was supposed to step down on Nov. 8 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. Duterte cited honesty as his standard in choosing the next top cop to lead the 190,000-strong police force. Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa has been serving as acting police chief since Albayalde At least 16 people were killed when the building pancaked in the worst-hit Pampanga province. High-rise structures in the capital swayed after the April quake, leaving some with large cracks in their walls. Thousands of travelers were stranded after aviation authorities shut down the secondary Clark Airport, which is located on the site of the former US military installation that lies about an hour’s drive north of the capital. Intensity 7 was felt in Cotabato’s Tulunan, Makilala and Kidapawan City, and Sarangani’s Malungon, while Davao City, Koronadal City and Cagayan de Oro City experienced intensity 6. Intensity 5 was felt in South Cotabato’s Tampakan, Surallah and Tupi, and Sarangani’s Alabel, and intensity 4 was felt in General Santos City and Bukidnon’s Kalilangan. PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum told those affected by the quake to brace for more aftershocks but allayed fears of a tsunami. President Rodrigo Duterte might visit quake-hit Central Mindanao before leaving for Thailand for the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, Malacañang said Tuesday. The national government has also been closely monitoring the situation in Mindanao, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said. “The national government, through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Office of Civil Defense, is closely monitoring the situation in Mindanao following the strong earthquake that happened this morning,” Panelo said. The Palace official also asked the public to remain calm and vigilant as aftershocks are still expected to occur. “We urge them to refrain from spreading disinformation that may cause undue alarm, panic and stress to many people,” Panelo said. “We also urge them to monitor developments through the alerts and bulletins of official government channels,” he added. He said the responsible government agencies and local government units are undertaking rapid damage assessment to properly assess the situation and coordinate rescue and relief operations. With AFP

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emergency, the government can temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest. He said that Duterte will invoke this power if the current water crisis worsens and “we won’t have water to drink.” Panelo also said the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System could face charges if found to be in violation of the law. “If they have violated the law, they will be prosecuted,” he said, adding that a revamp at the water regulator is possible. In March, President Duterte threatened to scrap the concession agreements of water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad after millions of their customers were left waterless. For at least a week, its 1.2 million customers had no water supply or low water pressure due to low water levels at the La Mesa reservoir in Quezon City because of the dry spell. Duterte also warned MWSS officials that they would get fired if he was not satisfied with their actions to address the water shortage. Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said Congress may delegate to the President the power of the state to take over the operation of public utilities, particularly water services, amid a looming water crisis in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Lacson, however, noted that the President must declare an emergency first before Congress could delegate such power to him. “Given a looming if not already existing water crisis, under Sec. 17, Art VII of the 1987 Constitution and existing jurisprudence (David vs Arroyo, GR No 171396 on May 3, 2006), Congress may delegate to the President the power of the state to take over the operation of public utilities,” Lacson said. Lacson’s statement came after President Duterte said he is considering the use of “extraordinary powers of the presidency” to speed up the construction of the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam project to prevent another water crisis in Metro Manila. “I will use the extraordinary powers of the presidency. I could not just allow people to go about without water even for drinking,” the President said Monday. With PNA

opted to go into non-duty status. Last week, the National Police Commission submitted the names of three top-ranking police officers to Duterte. On the list were Gamboa, Deputy Chief for Operations Lt. Gen Camilo Cascolan, and Directorial Staff Chief Maj. Gen Guillermo Eleazar, erstwhile chief of the Metro Manila police. Meanwhile, Duterte said he will let the Interior and Justice departments to decide on Albayalde’s case and the case of his men who have been tagged as “ninja” cops. “I am putting my cards on Año’s table and the Secretary of Justice,” Duterte said in his speech, referring to Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.

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our region’s hog industry. That is to make sure that the ASF virus is contained,” said Michael Dino, presidential assistant for the Visayas. Dino said he wrote President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend informing him about the possibility of extending the ban to ensure that the virus is contained and will not affect the P20-billion hog industry in Central Visayas. He said he asked the President to support the initiatives by the four governors in the region to protect their provinces against the entry of meat and meat products derived from pigs or processed in Luzon areas where the ASF outbreak has been declared. He said the ban imposed by the governors could be indefinitely extended until the government declares that the country is free from ASF virus. In his letter, Dino said the “Visayas Islands have a significant chance of protection” from the disease. He lauded the move of the governors in sealing off the provinces in Central Visayas, which is also aimed at protecting the livelihood of backyard farmers, who constitute around 70 percent of the hog industry in the region. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia had issued an executive order imposing a 100-day total ban on the entry of pork and pork-related products originating from Luzon. Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and Siquijor Gov. Zaldy Villa also imposed similar bans. About 58 provinces out of 81 in the country are protecting their hog industry by imposing the ban. “There is a high risk of contaminating the local hog industry run by backyard farmers who augment their feeds with leftover food collected from different food service establishments,” Dino said in an earlier statement. Dino said in the memo that since the imposition of the ban, there has been a 10 percent surplus in the supply of pork in the region. He also noted a stability in pork prices as shown in the price monitoring done by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of the Department of Agriculture Region 7 (AMAD-DA 7) from July 5 to Oct. 2 this year. On Tuesday, the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. urged its members to refrain from using local pork as ingredient for pork-based meat products as a response to the government’s call to mitigate the spread of ASF. “Because of the Bureau of Animal Industry [BAI] test results leaked by some hog raisers themselves, and the continued warning of the Department of Agriculture to local swine groups not to feed swill to their pigs, we believe that it is safer for the meat processing industry not to buy local pork until they are able to assure government authorities and the consuming public that local pork is ASF-free,” said PAMPI spokesman Rex Agarrado.

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and Science Diplomacy); Dr. Joselito R. Chavez (Medicine); Virgilio L. Malang (Science and Technology); Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal (Government/Public Service); and Nelly Siababa-Aggangan (Agriculture), TOFIL Awards said. Ang, who was chosen for his gamechanging contributions to nation-building in the field of business/entrepreneurship, steered San Miguel Corporation into what it is today—a diversified conglomerate involved in banking, bulk water, cement, food, infrastructure, oil, property, and transport industries. Under his leadership, SMC ventured into projects that benefited the marginalized― giving back to the community―under its corporate social responsibility programs. He has been designated to deliver a Response and Acceptance speech on behalf of all the 2019 TOFIL awardees during the awarding ceremonies on Dec. 2 at the Manila Hotel. TOFIL 2019 Awards board of judges chairman Supreme Court Administrator Justice Jose Midas Marquez and Awards National Chairman JCI Senator Melandrew T. Velasco announced the list of TOFIL winners. The winners will each receive a trophy designed and executed by National Artist for Visual Arts Napoleon Abueva. The TOFIL trophy is a 27-inch trophy of irregular polygonal form symbolizing the many sidedness of human endeavor, and its gradual narrowing top represents the pinnacle of achievement. Its wide base reflects solidity of purpose.

Pasig River panel up for abolition PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress to abolish the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, saying there was nothing to do with the body of water since “it is already clean.” President Duterte had previously said that the river was “impossible” to revive. “If the Congress is listening, congressmen―abolish it. There is nothing to clean in the Pasig River. It is already clean,” Duterte said during the oathtaking of new government officials in Malacañang on Monday night. “We are wasting time. You are paying people for nothing. They cannot do anything. The Congress better use the money to buy rice or medicines.” In September, Duterte said he would dissolve the PRRC and put it under the Environment department as he believed the river was “impossible” to revive. That month, he also fired PRRC chief Jose Antonio Goitia over corruption allegations. The PRRC is tasked to implement programs and projects to revive the polluted Pasig River that is connected to the Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay, which is undergoing a massive rehabilitation program by a special task force led by the DENR. The commission was formed in January 1999 under an executive order signed by then President Joseph Estrada. Duterte appointed Goitia in 2017 to lead the agency, but he said Goitia had spread word about his supposed appointment as Customs collector and asked money from the people within the agency. In August, Duterte signed EO 90 transferring the chairmanship of the PRRC from the Budget department to the DENR. MJ Blancaflor

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Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said if President Duterte was serious in his proposal to Robredo to take over his war on drugs, it would be best for her to be appointed head of the Dangerous Drug Board. He also suggested that she be designated director general of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. But Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Panfilo Lacson said they did not want Robredo to lead the war against drugs. On Monday, Duterte dared Robredo to head his campaign against illegal drugs, and after her remarks that the government reassess its anti-narcotics campaign. Duterte floated the offer following a report by Reuters quoting Robredo as saying the government should abandon its anti-drug campaign because it was “not working.” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President’s challenge was serious and an opportunity for Robredo to prove her mettle as head of the opposition. “That’s a challenge to her, and I think she should take the opportunity,” Panelo told reporters. All drug-related agencies were likely to be under her supervision if Robredo accepted the offer. Panelo also defended the drug war, claiming there were millions of drug surrenderees, dismantled drug factories and confiscated narcotics since Duterte took office in 2016. He also said the police operations resulted in the killing of drug users and sellers who resisted arrest. “If you cannot call it a success, I don’t know what is,” Panelo said. Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs has been criticized by local and international human rights groups, citing alleged police abuses and vigilante-style killings. With Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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record was almost eight years. “MISSION ACHIEVED! says @nimsdai from the summit of #Shishapangma,” read the post on Purja’s Facebook page, referring to the final peak in China. Polish climber Jerzy Kukuczka completed the same feat after seven years, 11 months and 14 days in 1987 after Italy’s legendary Reinhold Messner became the first to scale the 14 peaks a year earlier. South Korean Kim Chang-ho completed the challenge one month slower than Kukuczka—although unlike Kukuczka, who died in a climbing accident in 1989, he never used supplementary oxygen. The 36-year-old Purja, a former member of the Gurkhas—a unit of Nepalis recruited into the British army—as well as the elite Special Boat Service, kicked off his ambitious “Project Possible” in April. In the first part of his record attempt, Purja climbed Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu—among the highest of the “8000ers”—in just one month. A month later, he headed to Pakistan for the second part, where he first tackled the notorious Nanga Parbat at 8,125 meters. Battling sleep deprivation to meet his target, Purja said he was almost sprinting up and down five of Pakistan’s highest peaks including Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II and K2, the second tallest in the world. AFP

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

Du30 thanks outgoing China envoy Zhao for PH stint

FAREWELL CALL.

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte thanked outgoing Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jinhua for his contributions in forging stronger ties between the Philippines and China. President Duterte also said he hopes Zhao’s successor would be as good, if not better than him, according to a press statement from Malacañang. Duterte met Zhao on Monday in a Palace farewell call, wishing him good luck on his next assignment. Ambassador Zhao became China’s envoy to the Philippines in 2014. Prior to his appointment to the country, he was the ambassador of China to the Republic of Liberia from 2010 to 2013. Born in December 1965, the 53-year-old ambassador holds a Master’s Degree in World Economy from Nankai University and a Master’s Degree in International Policy and Practice from Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University.

DPWH’s ‘Lakbay Alalay’ project reactivated By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja THE Department of Public Works and Highways has reactivated its “Lakbay Alalay” project to assist motorists during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said that starting Oct. 31, DPWH “Lakbay Alalay” Team will provide prompt and reliable assistance to motorists and travelers going to visit their departed loved ones. “Lakbay Alalay” is an annual public service program of DPWH nationwide through the 16 Regional and 183 District Engineering Offices of providing immediate assistance to our motorists such as rescuing troubled vehicles, giving of directions especially to visitors and applying first aid in emergency situations, said Villar. Villar instructed all Regional Directors and District Engineers to deploy composite teams on a roundthe-clock shift at strategic locations more importantly along national highways leading public and private cemeteries as well as columbaria and churches where people visit and commemorate memories of dearly departed family members. Villar has also reminded DPWH field units to keep national roads safe by implementing various highway routine maintenance activities on carriageway and roadsides including the installation of informative/regulatory warning signs or traffic advisories. Also, DPWH is in close coordination with other government entities such as Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, and Local Government Units for any required assistance. Meanwhile, the DPWH opens the first segments of CALAX covering Mamplasan Barrier to Santa RosaTagaytay Interchange, in time for UNDAS.

INSPECTION. K-9 handlers inspect passenger bags in search of illegal contrabands at the Araneta Provincial Bus terminal in Cubao Quezon City. Manny Palmero

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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte received a token from outgoing Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua during his farewell call to the President at the Malacañan Palace on Oct. 28.s Presidential Photo

‘ASEAN, China bid to meet sea code deadline by 2021’ T By Rey E. Requejo

HE 10-member Southeast Asian nations and China are optimistic that they can ﬁnally reach agreement on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea by 2021, an ofﬁcial of the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Juniver Mahilum West said the ASEAN member-states and China are optimistic that an agreement will be reached despite contentious issues hounding the second phase of the negotiations for the COC. The ASEAN member-states include the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. "The time frame is that we would like to ﬁnish it by 2021. All we can do is try and have that indicative target date of completion," the DFA ofﬁcial said in a press conference on Monday evening. In August last year, ASEAN memberstates and China agreed to a single draft of the COC, with a pact reached in

November 2018 for both sides to ﬁnalize the document within three years, starting from 2019. The Philippines is the current coordinator of the ASEAN-China dialogue relations and is co-chairing with China on the negotiation of the COC. Mahilum-West admitted that ASEAN and China have recognized the differences in their positions and are trying their best to resolve it so that a COC could be ﬁnalized. "We realize that there are big items or big issues to be discussed and whether or not the COC is going to be a legally binding agreement is one of those questions. So I think the negotiators know fully well what the big issues are and I think that everyone

‘Prioritize bills to hike taxes on vapes, alcohol’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta WITH Congress set to resume next week, health advocates from the Sin Tax Coalition called on the senators to prioritize the proposal to increase taxes on alcoholic beverages, heated tobacco products, and vapor products in the coming plenary discussions. The 18th Congress has been on its sine die break since the start of October. Before the break, Senate Ways and Means committee chairperson Pia Cayetano sponsored Senate Bill 1074, which seeks to signiﬁcantly increase taxes on alcohol and e-cigarettes. “We thank Senator Pia Cayetano for her efforts in prioritizing this important health reform. Increasing the tax on sin products is proven effective in lowering consumption among Filipinos, particularly the youth. We urge the other senators to support this measure, and join the ﬁght to ensure better health outcomes for our

countrymen,” said Sin Tax Coalition coconvener Dr. Anthony Leachon. For e-cigarettes, Cayetano aims to raise the tax rate on HTPs and vape to PhP 45, aligning them with traditional cigarettes. “We must increase the taxes on HTPs and vape to prevent the youth from being enticed to try using these products. We also remind our legislators that the 2018 National Nutrition Survey revealed that one in every ﬁve vape users in the country is aged 10 to 19. This is a serious matter that must be addressed, and raising taxes will help regulate the use of these harmful products,” Leachon said. Recently, the Department of Health announced that vaping-related injuries are now part of the International Statistical Classiﬁcation of Diseases and Related Health Problems. EVALI, or e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, has over 1,600 reported cases in the US, with a majority coming from the youth. Over 30 people have also lost their lives.

is willing as well to add meetings, if possible, just so issues would be discussed adequately," she said. "In diplomacy we want to try approaches that work,” he said. Some ASEAN members insist that the code of conduct must be legallybinding—a position vehemently opposed by China. Other ASEAN members, on the other hand, have openly backed Chinese preferences. Meanwhile, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the 2016 Arbitral Ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s excessive claim in the resource-rich South China sea, should be made an integral part of the Code of Conduct being formulated by ASEAN and China. Del Rosario, who initiated the arbitration proceedings in 2013, also called for vigilance against any effort by China to utilize the proposed COC in the South China Sea to undermine the country’s victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration against Beijing.

NBI ordered to investigate mayor’s killing By Rey E. Requejo

Du30’s travel depends on doctor’s OK—Palace THE foreign trips of President Rodrigo Duterte will depend on his doctor’s advice, Malacañang said Tuesday, a day after he had complained that he does not enjoy traveling. President Duterte, who was advised by his doctors to limit his physical activities after experiencing muscle spasms, said in his speech on Monday that he have had enough of travel. “Maybe they’ll say that I want to travel. You know, I hate to travel. I have had enough of travel,” Duterte told officials in Malacañang. “I am sick of traveling and I don’t like it especially the long haul,” he added. Duterte is scheduled to fly to Thailand for the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit on Nov. 2 to 4. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Chief Executive will heed his doctor’s advice. “If the doctor will ask him not to travel, why will he? The consultations are continuing,” Panelo told reporters. Palace officials earlier confirmed the President’s attendance to the Asean Summit, where he is expected to raise the creation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. The President, in a previous Asean summit, expressed disappointment over the delay in the crafting of the code, which will set forth protocols and rules to ensure no violent conflicts will arise between China and Aseanmember countries with claims in the resource-rich territories. Duterte is also expected to attend the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation that will be held in Santiago, Chile where there are ongoing violent protests in response to higher cost of living and transportation fees. “Anything will be taken into consideration relative to any form of visit,” Panelo said.

AGENTS of the National Bureau of Investigation in Cebu will undertake the investigation on the killing of Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro, a Justice department official said on Tuesday. “Per NBI, their Cebu Regional Office will investigate the killing of Mayor Navarro,” Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said, in a text message. The NBI stepped into the probe after President Rodrigo Duterte raised suspicion that policemen were behind the death of Mayor Navarro and ordered the Philippine National Police to terminate its ongoing investigation. Last Sunday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that he would leave it to the PNP to investigate the killing of Navarro, but last Monday, President Duterte ordered the NBI to handle the investigation. Even in the absence of an order REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES from the DOJ, the NBI should COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS already begin its probe since the ANNOUNCEMENT orders came straight from the Chief Executive, Perete said. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for “The President has control over confirmation the ad interim appointments of the the entire Executive Department, following officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines: including the PNP and the NBI. His directive should therefore be Noel S. Clement (AFP) – General; and Allan Ferdinand V. Cusi (AFP) – Vice Admiral sufficient for the NBI to commence its probe. Nevertheless, and purely The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions for record-keeping purposes, the in thirty - two (32) copies on the above appointments DOJ shall issue a Department to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. Order reiterating the President’s directive to the NBI,” Perete said. For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone Duterte’s order to transfer numbers 834-2713, 831-1824, 831-0527, 832-9830, the investigation to the NBI 834-2706 and 551-1989. should also dispel doubts that 29 October 2019. the President was involved in the mayor’s killing. Navarro’s name HECTOR A. VILLACORTA reportedly appeared in Duterte’s Secretary narco-list. (MS-OCT. 30, 2019)

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Easy for business

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

red tape- and corrupt-ridden government agencies finally got together (perhaps out of fear of the President) and thought of somehow, simplifying their cumbersome procedures. It is not only out of sense of duty that they got together. Duterte ordered an across-the-board YOU can say it is much easier now to cut in red tape— a procedure must take do business in the Philippines, under at most three days, in all government the administration of President Rodrigo agencies. Roa Duterte. Many of the agencies are headed The Philippines now ranks 95th in by people who think they are lords to ease of doing business, per a World whom the public must pay homage beBank report. That’s among 190 coun- fore they are rendered public service. tries. But 95th came from 124th. Other “public servants” are just plain The jump is 29 rungs—phenomenal sadists who think it is cool to make the by Philippine standards where doing public fry under the sun or to cool heels things in some government offices is for endless hours. measured in millennia. Things never Complying with that order was not really move nor easy. “It was like improve. climbing Mount In Southeast Everest,” grins Asia, the PhilipTrade and Industry Here is the present pines has among Secretary Ramon the worst record in system and how it has Lopez. making things easy improved. What are these for businessmen agencies? Here and investors. they are: In the entire • Starting a world, Singapore is second best, Ma- business—Securities and Exchange laysia 12th, and Thailand 21st. They Commission, EC, Bureau of Internal are our ASEAN neighbors. We are Revenue, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, Social 95th. And we say wow. Security System, and various local govThe Philippines improved in three ernment units (LGUs or the towns and areas: Starting a business, dealing with cities). In the World Bank study, the construction permits and protecting mi- sample LGU is Quezon City. nority investors. • Dealing with construction perA combination of legal and adminis- mits—LGU trative reforms has made the historic im• Getting electricity—MERALCO provements for the Philippines possible. • Registering property—Land RegisFirst is President Duterte himself. tration Authority, LGU He has fear and wow factor. Bu• Getting credit—Credit Information reaucrats fear him because he could Corporation (CIC), and private sector shame them—or even kill them. So organizations like TransUnion, BAP the public is in awe. This is a no-bull- Credit Inc., CRIF, Compuscan shit President. There never was one • Protecting minority investors— before him. SEC Then, a law was passed to cut red • Paying taxes- BIR, SSS, PhilHealth tape in the entire government bureau- and Pag-IBIG cracy. A commission was formed to en• Trading across borders—Bureau of force the law. The commission’s estab- Customs lishment was delayed, of course,—by • Enforcing contracts—SEC, Sured tape. preme Court When the Anti-Red Tape Authori• Resolving insolvency—Supreme ty was finally set up, nine months be- Court hind deadline, it still had to feel its way • Logistics services sector through the labyrinth of bureaucracy. Thanks to Ramon Lopez, here is the Turn to A5 At the administrative level, the most

Come as you are

T’S a time to remember the dead and keep up tradition, but as we have increasingly seen over the years, it’s also a time to dress up and assume characters of a scary nature. Halloween is not as distinctly Filipino as “undas”—the collective name for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day when people visit the graves of their dear departed—but we have thrown ourselves into it with much zeal. It is an excuse, after all, to get together with friends, share food and have some fun. There are parties in offices and schools, as well as in commercial establishments that cater to the young and old. The occasion presents an opportunity to be creative in thinking about who to come as. There are the easy picks—vampires, zombies, ghosts and other creatures of the night. Characters in popular culture are great alternatives. The satisfaction comes, first in deciding which character to channel, preparing to achieve that look, and finally stepping out among

other characters. The obligatory selfie will not be far behind. The candy, if there is any at all, is all secondary to the ritual. But while people are garbed in their scariest outfits, it is as good a time as any to ponder the fearsome possibilities brought upon us by harmless, ordinary or even pleasant appearances. For example, the familiar blue uniform of members of the Philippine National Police could be quite deceiving. We are supposed to see these uniforms and feel secure that they are there to protect us. Alas, bad eggs in the force have tarnished the entire organization, and a sight of the uniforms will occasion fear and ambiguity. Some of them are indiscriminate and unthinking in their implementation of the war on

drugs. Some recycle confiscated drugs for material gain. Some rise in rank and protect not the public but the wrongdoers. Small wonder that President Duterte has said he is having difficulty choosing who should be the PNP’s next top brass. And then, our honorable officials look impeccably respectable in their pressed barong tagalog. They keep up their image of serving the people—until we find out, much later, that they used their high positions to secure wealth and power for themselves. Business owners and employers often go around in expensive suits. And yet, they pursue profit without thought of the public good, and despite their business being one of public trust. They show themselves to be good corporate citizens, but are in fact bereft of compassion for their long-suffering employees. It’s fun to see masks and costumes for the occasion, but often what’s scarier is who people truly are.

The streaming war’s main casualty: Your wallet By Javier Tovar WITH two young daughters, Mery Montenegro is preparing to add Disney+ to her list of streaming subscriptions, which already includes Netflix, Hulu and Amazon—and, when combined with her cable TV bill, costs her almost $1,500 per year. Her eldest Victoria, 6, asks every day when the new platform will launch, with its impressive catalogue of films and series from all of Disney's studios. The answer is Nov. 12: Mery, who works at an advertising agency in Washington, knows the date well. It's the day she'll start paying $6.99 more per month. Disney+, HBO Max (AT&T), Peacock (Comcast), Apple TV+ and the new short video platform Quibi are all players in a streaming war that will only grow worse at a time when more Americans prefer streaming to cable. "It's going to have a huge impact on people's budgets," said Tom Nunan, an Oscar-winning film producer and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Theater, Film and Television. "I don't think that there is enough room for subscription relationships with all of these streamers for a typical American." In a Deloitte survey published in March, 69 percent of respondents said they had at least one streaming subscription, while 65 percent said they had cable. And while many households have cut the cord to go cable-free with the advent of streaming, 43 percent of those surveyed were paying for both. Mery, 36, is in the third group, and not by choice. In her neighborhood of Alexandria, west of the US capital, she says she

found no internet-only option cheaper than her current plan, so she pays $90 per month for a cable subscription she "hardly" uses, other than for news or the occasional baseball game. To that, she adds $5.99 each month for Hulu—the service's cheapest plan, with commercials—and $16 for Netflix, which she considers essential. "I use it on the subway when I go to work, to cook, to watch something at home," she explained. Mery also pays $12.99 per month for e-commerce giant Amazon's Prime membership, which includes its streaming service. Prime is also useful for renting movies, which Mery prefers over the cinema, curling up with a glass of wine after the girls have gone to bed. That's $124.98 per month, soon plus $6.99 for Disney+. Total: $131.97 per month, or $1,583.64 per year.

The irony of cable That's where Mery draws the line, since she doesn't want to spend her whole paycheck on subscriptions. But the streaming options are limitless. From YouTube, which has a Premium version for $11.99 per month, to platforms for Broadway lovers or wrestling fans, to all professional sports leagues, which offer different packages for fans. The Los Angeles Times previously listed 40 streaming options, which would cost a total of $353.43 per month, but the Deloitte survey mentioned up to 300 different streaming services. Almost half of people surveyed (47 percent) said they were "frustrated by the growing number of subscriptions and services," which make it "harder to find the content they want," the study said. Turn to A5

‘We don’t see the peace’ By Robbie Corey-Boulet WHEN Zaid Aregawi learned that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had won this year's Nobel Peace Prize, her first thought was of her brother Alem, who is languishing in jail across the border in Eritrea. He crossed over five months ago carrying wood for an Eritrean businessman— exactly the kind of trade that people in the border region hoped would flourish after Abiy and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki signed a peace deal last year. But Eritrean soldiers arrested Alem Aregawi without explanation, making him one of scores of Ethiopians who officials say have recently been taken into custody by Eritrean security forces. For Ethiopians like Zaid Aregawi, the detentions are the most troubling sign that the peace deal—the main reason Abiy was awarded his Nobel—has yet to be fully realized. "If there is no free movement from both sides, what is the point of the peace deal?" she asked in an interview with AFP. "They say there is peace, however we have got big problems along the border." Abiy's attention is currently consumed by ethnic and religious clashes that broke out last week in the capital Addis Ababa and Ethiopia's Oromia region, leaving

nearly 70 dead and highlighting divisions within his ethnic Oromo support base. Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers north, frustration with his Eritrea deal is mounting in cities and towns nestled among the steep escarpments of Ethiopia's northern Tigray region—the area most affected by the 1998-2000 border war and the long, bitter stalemate that followed. Residents of Ethiopia's northernmost villages complain of a lack of progress on demarcating the two countries' shared 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) border. Eritrean refugees—who still cross into Ethiopia by the hundreds each day, according to the United Nations—note that peace has not moderated the behavior of Isaias, widely considered one of the world's most repressive leaders. And nearly everyone laments that bilateral relations hinge on meetings between Abiy and Isaias, with little input from people on the ground.

'Peace stuck between earth and sky'

"We can say that peace is stuck between the earth and the sky," said Ahmed Yahya Abdi, an Eritrean refugee who has lived in Ethiopia since the war. "When Abiy went to Eritrea he flew to Asmara, but he didn't implement peace here, at the border between the

two countries." The demilitarization of the border, especially on the Ethiopian side, is the main benefit of peace cited by most people in the region. It has permitted some Ethiopians to cross for weddings and funerals in Eritrea with little harassment from the security forces. But Yosef Misgina, an official in the town of Dawhan, says he receives regular reports of Ethiopians being detained, jailed and beaten in Eritrea—often after they are caught transporting construction materials and other goods. Among them were 13 traders who were taken into custody just days before Abiy won the Nobel, two of whom remain behind bars. One recent detainee, Tsegay Suba Tesfay, spent two weeks in an overcrowded cell after soldiers arrested him while he was transporting rice and bottled water. He said police officers beat him with a baton multiple times, and that he was deprived of food and allowed outside for just a few minutes each day. "They don't give you any reason when you are detained," he said. "In Eritrea, there is no freedom." Yosef attributes the detentions to continued ambiguity about the status of the border. Turn to A5

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Opinion Haste prices dropped precipitously. Even our rice millers have decreased the volume of rice they mill. Under the implementing regulations to implement the law, the NFA should have by now stopped selling its rice stocks because the new law has also TRITE though the saying goes, “haste taken away its market role. But they makes waste,” it is apropos to look back still have stocks they need to dispose at some pieces of legislation that were of, because cheap imports, while higher rushed, more in reaction to events or sad priced than NFA’s P27-per-kilo retail, experiences, that now cause unintended are of better quality. consequences. Now the NFA is being ordered to buy Top of mind is the rice tariffication whatever palay it could from the farmlaw, which, while a step in the right ers, at P17 per kilo, much higher than direction toward a better and more sus- the private traders could offer. But NFA tainable rice policy, has created so much has neither the funding wherewithal nor grief in the countryside while not exact- the milling capacity to complete the task ly achieving the promised reduction of at a time of peak domestic harvest. consumer prices for our basic staple. Always the whipping boy (though the Admittedly, the regime of quantita- present administrator is a feisty lady), tive restrictions on rice imports and the NFA could only parry the blows from National Food Authority’s monopoly policy-makers and the media. Castrated since 1995 when of its powers to inwe acceded to the tervene in the marWorld Trade Orket, they are still These are laws ganization’s free being blamed. trade economic rushed in reaction That’s the proborder, has been in- to events or sad lem when we legiseffective and led to late in reaction. unsustainable gov- experiences. Of course, our ernment indebtedpresent Constituness. tion, also hastily Worse, our agriculture officials written by less than 50 “wise” men and through the past two decades were un- women appointed by President Cory, is able to get our rice farmers highly pro- reactive to the abuses and excesses of ductive as to be able to compete with a previous authoritarian regime. And our Asean neighbors even as politics we continue to suffer from that reactive made government subsidize both con- fundamental law which could otherwise sumer prices and farming inputs but in a have been pro-active and attune to the most inefficient manner. fast-changing international order. The woes of our agriculture sector are And now our policy-makers propose much too many and too difficult that it to add to our already bloated but inefwould take volumes to discuss and dis- fective bureaucracy, a Department for sect. Present woes are a result of wrong Overseas Workers. policies, graft-ridden implementation, But we have a functioning Departand neglect. The blame is to be shared ment of Labor and Employment which by many. has fielded overseas labor offices all The NFA and supervising officials over the world, headed by labor attainefficiently managed our rice supply che’s most of whom developed their in the incipient years of the present ad- people skills through the years and ministration, leading to high food infla- through rotation in posts. We have tion last year that affected our economic welfare officers under the OWWA who momentum. In reaction, Congress pro- minister to the needs of our distressed ceeded to passing rice tariffication while OFWs. lifting import restrictions on rice. The For sure, there are problems, espolicy direction was pending through pecially in harsh country conditions, several past Congresses but failed to but this is to be expected when we pass because rice was, and is, a political field virtually a 10th of our population commodity that affects every Filipino, abroad because the economy cannot at whether rice eater or rice planter. present absorb the entire work force in But the resulting legislation com- well-paying jobs. pletely emasculated the National But what good, pray tell, will having Food Authority, now bereft of power a new department for OFWs do, except to influence the market and thus affect to gouge out the DOLE and perhaps reconsumer prices positively. Ostensi- place career people with new recruits bly, the NFA gives our farmers a man- with little experience? tle of protection from cheap imports We announced the creation of a bank by buying palay at highly subsidized to serve OFW needs, and assigned the prices, while the agriculture depart- implementation to the Land Bank, but ment tries to make them more com- two years after, nada. Anyare? petitive with their Asean counterparts And are we now saying that the Filthrough provision of inputs and other ipino diaspora is a permanent thing, assistance. This is unfortunately more that we elevate the fielding of our work theoretical than practical. force abroad as a national policy, inEven the imposition of phyto-sanitary stead of seeking, difficult though it be standards over rice imports was taken due to unbridled birth multiplication, to away and given to the Bureau of Plant strengthen the domestic economy and Industry which is insufficiently manned absorb the labor force? to do the job properly. Thus, without Passed in haste by the lower house, quantitative restrictions and neither the Senate is our last recourse, to drive qualitative restrictions, the importers sense into this penchant for creating went on a buying spree abroad, which new departments as reaction to probthe USDA estimates as 3.1 million tons lems, which makes more waste but (that’s 62-million bags of milled rice) or makes little sense. some 23 percent of total consumption. There are departments which manage As far as I recall, we have at most an too much and often disparate, even conannual shortfall of 15 percent in calami- flicting mandates, such as the Departtous years, and a normal import require- ment of Agriculture or the Department ment of 8 percent or about a million of Environment and Natural Resources. tons. But those are other stories deserving fuSome 92 percent or at worst, 85 per- ture columns. cent of our rice consumption is supplied For now, we ask our senators to think by our local farmers. But with the del- twice before we add another layer of uge of imports on the first year of the bureaucracy that would only increase lifting of restrictions, domestic palay expectations while achieving little.

The streaming... From A4

"Back at the beginning, it wasn't a hard decision... to sign up for Netflix or Amazon. It was just two streamers," said Nunan. "But am I really going to sign up for six streamers or seven? As the normal consumer, I doubt it," he said. Gene Del Vecchio, a marketing professor at the University of Southern California who specializes in entertainment, estimated that users will end up with the same complaint that currently causes them to drop cable: they spend a lot of money for a lot of programs they don't watch. "I think what may happen is that they will look for one a la carte menu," he said.

"They will start to say, I just want these individual shows, and I don't want to pay for all of this other programming that I never watch." Amazon already allows people to buy episodes or seasons, without subscribing to Prime Video. Del Vecchio also thinks subscription rates will increase over the next decade to finance original shows, and that streamers will seek to end the current strategy where several friends or family members share one account, in an effort to gain new paying users. Another strategy, similar to cable plans, will be to offer discounted annual contracts. Disney+ is already doing this, as is Amazon. "Here' the ironic thing: Five, 10 years from now, it's going to look like the cable industry all over again," predicted Del Vecchio. AFP

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

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EvEryman

The most neglected sector of society By Ernesto G. Banawis THE most neglected sector of society is that composed of children two to six years old, the preponderant majority of whom come from poor families. With their parents often busy with odd jobs to feed their families, these children are left alone to care for themselves. During fair weather mornings and afternoons, most of them can be seen idling by themselves on the streets and vacant spaces in barangays all over the country. There is no program or pronounced policy of the government addressed to the needs of these youngest citizens of the country. The present day-care centers and feeding programs are inadequate and do not provide for the mental and physical growth and development of these children. There should be program which will channel the waking hours of these children along healthy avenues. Starting at 8 in the morning, for instance, the kids should be herded to the church to be taught about God and human values. Around 10, they should be learning how to read, write, and count. At 3 p.m., after lunch and two-hour rest and sleep, the children will be in the hands of physical instructors who will coach them in their favorite sports or participate in calisthenics. Most parents hold the view that children less than six years old do not need to undergo early education since they

are not yet receptive to lessons, ideas and beliefs. They believe the children should be at least young adults before they can be told about the birds and the bees. Psychologists and social scientists point out, however, that children from two to six years old are at their most impressionable ages. They claim that these children are at their most inquisitive, alert and absorptive mental state, adding that it is at these ages that they quickly learn and retain knowledge. According to them, young minds are receptive to stimulating voices or images. The government seems indifferent to initiate a formal program for this youngest generation of citizens perhaps because this will entail additional financial requirements or simply because it is not necessary or imperative at the moment. Yet, an early education program for these youngsters can be feasible and inexpensive if undertaken on a voluntary basis. There are many senior citizens, young men and women, and middle-age professionals and civic citizens who will be willing to spend just one hour, every week, to take turns in voluntarily teaching these lovable young children. There will be enough available and willing volunteers for this kind of laudable and missionary undertaking. This program can be under the direct supervision and management of the barangay officials, most of whom

are busy anyway. The barangay kagawads and staff would draw the daily program, set the schedule of the volunteers, and provide the logistics and requirements. The barangay share of the annual tax allotments for local governments could be used for this. Most of the more well-to-do families and the parents of these children will be glad to contribute to the budget. Why the government has no mandatory program for this group is unforgivable, a criminal sin. The Constitution provides specific directives for the special care of senior citizens, the disabled and infirm, the laboring class, and other sectors of society but has no provision addressed to the youngest citizens. Only the rich and middle-income families can afford to send their children to kindergarten and early education centers. The children of the impoverished and underprivileged families are left to fend for themselves. Many of them become petty thieves, unruly street children, and drug dependents. Our failure to nurture and inculcate values to our children at their most fertile state of mental development is a heinous crime for which we should all be held liable and indicted. Mr. Banawis is a former general manager of the Philippine Information Agency and is a veteran advertising and public relations executive.

‘Young Taliban must be heard’ By Pierre Celerier AFGHANISTAN'S ruling elite and international power brokers must listen to the fast-growing youth population— including junior Taliban members—if the war is ever to end, the country's new youth delegate to the United Nations says. In a nation at war for 40 years and where two-thirds of the population is aged 24 or under, 20-year-old Aisha Khurram says the younger generation's concerns have been shunted aside even as they inherit the conflict. "For decades and even centuries, our fears and future have always been decided by the warring parties, irrespective of our perspective, irrespective of our opinions and our part in the process," Khurram told AFP in the UN's Kabul compound. The international relations student at Kabul University was picked from 100 candidates for her high-profile role in early October, at the end of a tough selection process. For Khurram, reaching out to all young Afghans—including those joining the ranks of the Taliban insurgency—is critical. "Before they join the militant groups... we have to make the opportunities for them," she said. "We have to hear their voices, we have to consider their right for education, their right for work opportunities and their right for life," she added. "My own peer groups... do not enjoy the access to education, do not enjoy

Easy... From A4

present system and how it has improved (Note: This is on paper; it does not mean it is the actual practice). Many times the concerned government agency has some additional excuses to add an extra step, an extra day, or an extra cost (until the applicant gets the message, you know). This is particularly true of the SSS where things do not seem to improve, at all. To register a company, it now takes only three steps (from four) and three days (from five). To deal with the BIR in Quezon City, it takes two steps (from six before) and eight days (from 12 before). Still, can

‘We don’t... From A4

While the main crossings were opened shortly after the peace deal was signed, they have all since been closed, with no word on when they might reopen. "Now we are asking that peace be institutionalized," Yosef said. "If it is institutionalized it cannot be disrupted by individuals." 'I don't accept this prize' An even bigger source of anxiety for the region is the border demarcation pro-

the opportunities that we have right now in Afghanistan." Afghanistan's mainstream media— concentrated in Kabul—only reflect the views of urban Afghans she said, effectively blacking out opinions of vast swathes of the country, especially young people. "It's not inclusive", she said. She offered the #MyRedLine social media movement as an example in which young Afghans—mostly educated—state the "red line" they are not prepared to see Afghanistan cross in any eventual peace deal with the Taliban. The campaign is "ignoring the needs and demands of the Afghan youth that are living outside of the Kabul [region]," she said, noting their urgent need for security trumps many "secondary" rights.

Global youth

Khurram, who was born in Pakistan after her family fled violence in Afghanistan, came of age at a time when the gruelling conflict is worsening. According to the UN, the period of July to September this year was the deadliest on record for civilians, with more than 2,500 killed. With half of the world's population now aged under 25, the UN is trying to amplify young voices at major summits through a youth delegation programme. Countries can select representatives to advocate on several priority areas including the environment, juvenile justice and employment. But for Khurram,

the key issue is peace. She first went to Afghanistan in 2004, three years after the US-led invasion to topple the Taliban and hunt for Al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. In recent years the security situation has only deteriorated, and the US spent the past year pushing for a deal with the Taliban that would have seen the Pentagon pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan in return for security guarantees. But President Donald Trump nixed talks last month as Taliban attacks continued. Khurram said many Afghans were suspicious of the negotiations, which cut out the government of President Ashraf Ghani, who is currently seeking election for a second term. "There are three parties in the conflict, and only two of them now are engaged in negotiations," she said. "Afghan people deserve to be a part of this process." Afghans under 18 make up around half the estimated population of 37 million, but Afghanistan's political class does not reflect the country's youth. A grizzled crew of old-school warlords and bickering elders still dominate the political scene, focused on consolidating power instead of strengthening national governance. Khurram said she is helping to organise a "youth jirga"—a meeting in which young people from all over the country can come together and brainstorm ways to influence any peace process. AFP

you imagine dealing with the taxman for eight days? In number of working days, that’s a week and a half. In starting a business in Quezon City, it now takes 10 steps and 16 days. It used to be 16 steps and 28 days. The best global standard in starting a business—10 minutes, one step. Making things easy for business is good for business, good for the economy, good for the country. Says the World Bank, in its 2020 Ease of Doing Business Report: “Economies that score well on Doing Business indicators benefit from a higher level of entrepreneurial activity. This in turn generates better employment, greater government revenue and higher incomes. In addition, where burdensome and protracted

regulatory processes exist, the temptation to resort to corruption to get things done may be greater.” The World Bank says that in almost every country, “there is some scope to streamline or expedite rules to make it easier to do business, allow entrepreneurship to flourish, and make it possible for economic activity to reach its full potential.” Five East Asia and the Pacific economies are among the top 25 global performers, including Singapore(2nd), Hong Kong SAR, China (3rd); Malaysia (12th); Taiwan, China (15th); and Thailand (21st). China jumped in the ranking to 31st and is among the top 10 improvers for a second consecutive year.

cess, which so far has gone nowhere. When Abiy first reached out to Eritrea last year, he stunned observers by agreeing to accept a 2002 UN boundary ruling that Ethiopia had long rejected. The ruling would transfer some villages and towns from Ethiopian to Eritrean territory, and would split the ethnic Irob community in two. It is unclear what is holding up demarcation, but many analysts suspect Eritrea is dragging its feet. "I would say that the Eritrean government probably wants to take things a little bit more slowly because the rapprochement has implications for the domestic situation in Eritrea. It has been a

closed country for 20 years," said Michael Woldemariam, an expert on the Horn of Africa at Boston University. "The contradictions between the new era of external peace and Eritrea's internal situation will be a significant challenge going forward." For refugees like Sebhatleab Abraha Woldeyesus, who crossed into Ethiopia a few weeks ago, waiting for change from Eritrea seems futile, meaning true peace along the border is likely to remain out of reach. "As a human being I don't accept this Nobel prize," he said. "We don't see the peace. Abiy and Isaias, they haven't brought it." AFP

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News

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Public hasn’t embraced federalism’

New Year’s Eve ‘crackers ban mulled P By MJ Blancaflor

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday admitted the public had not yet embraced federalism, one of his campaign promises, adding leaving this to local officials was dangerous because it might be influenced by illegal drugs. “I do not believe that the Filipino people have really embraced what federalism is. It will be a good setup someday, but today when we are all in a quandary of (sic) how to solve even the smallest [problems],” Duterte said in his speech, addressing new public ofﬁcials in Malacañang. “Federalism is good, but if you leave it to just to the local governments to do it, dangerous for drugs,” he added. His remarks came after the death of former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., a known advocate of a federal system of government. Duterte has made federalism one of his major campaign promises in 2016, claiming it would break the power centralization in Metro Manila and put an end to armed conﬂict in Mindanao. In 2018, he ordered the creation of the 22-man consultative committee which drafted a proposed Federal Charter but it failed to gain support from lawmakers in the 17th Congress. In a survey last year by the Social Weather Stations, only 37 percent of Filipinos support the shift to a federal system of government while only one out of four Filipinos are aware of what it is. Early this year, Duterte scrapped the idea to change the country’s current system of government, and he has since then pushed for charter change. A government inter-agency task force has been campaigning at the present for “surgical amendments,” without necessarily abandoning the proposed federalism that would require an overhaul of the 1987 Constitution. MJ Blancaflor

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he was considering a possible firecrackers ban on Dec. 31 to avoid further accidents involving children.

“I can utilize a national law to chance interview on Monday. stop the selling. What I want is “A lot of children every year would there will be no accidents or those lose an eyesight, two ﬁngers blown who will have cuts or [be] blinded,” away. Fire. Like that,” he added. Duterte told Palace reporters in a But he recognized that the use of

350,000 to be saved from premature deaths

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

FLAG FOR THE DEAD. Two-year-old JM Burgonia accompanies his graveyard caretaker father in placing Philippine flags at the Tomb of Soldiers at Manila North Cemetery ahead of All Saints’ Day on Friday. Norman Cruz 040608 (Bank Code)

IDC Centre, Zapote Street cor. Kalayaan Avenue, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Makati City

BALANCE SHEET As of SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 ASSETS Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures-Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Non-Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets-Net Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable a) BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) b) Interbank Loans Payable c) Other Deposit Substitute d) Others Bonds Payable-Net Unsecured Soubordlnated Debt-Net Redeemable Preferred Shares Special Time Deposrt Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies/(Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL LIABILITIES STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings Assigned Caprtal TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Guarantees Issued Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commttments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Securities Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts c) Advlsory/Consull Derivatives Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) c. Net NPLs d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross allowance of credit losses Ratio of DOSRI loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises b. 2% for Medium Enterprises Return on Equity (ROE) (%) Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) c. Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/ Deferred Charges not yet Written Down Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received

Amount Current Quarter Previous Quarter 2,015,700.09 1,317,495.04 65,128, 476.08 65,128,476.08 752,898,960.96 718,913,918.49 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15,000,000.00 15,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,312,309,375.14 2,420,593,601.78 0.00 0.00 2,345,768,896.24 2,451,053,122.88 0.00 33,459,521.10 30,459,521.10 67,830,595.11 20,258,231.96 0.00 0.00 25,098,848.53 28,652,652.80 210,344,688.69 237,045,434.65 0.00 4,813,096.49 5,208,180.30 0.00 0.00 3,455,439,741.09 3,512,117,991.10 0.00 1,914,336,481.60 0.00 705,000,000.00 0.00 705,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12,562,687.21 33,912,181.29

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FR. ANTONIO CECELIO T. PASCUAL Chairman ATTY. MICKEL M. BORIGAS Vice-Chairman DIRECTORS PATRIA T. CHIONG ROMEO A. DE JESUS DORIS R.DORIGO NORMA G. GUHITING SEGUNDO R. LANUZA, JR. EDITA S. LAURON GARIBALDI O. LEONARDO ROBERTO C. MASCARINA SERAFIN F. PERALTA DIVINA C. QUEMI PEDRO E. RIEZA, JR. JUANITO P. ROSINI NICOLAS H. VERONILLA EXECUTIVE OFFICER Renelia V. Estioko Chief Executie Officer/ President

2,665,811,350.10

0.00 1,738,808,717.27 ATTY. Simeon T. Asia 0.00 Board Secretary 946,000,000.00 0.00 946,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12,138,683.65 34,609,043.40 0.00 2,731,556,444.32

675,619,363.48 8,869,353.28 105,139,674.23 0.00 789,628,390.99 3,455,439,741.09

671,513,665.61 3,457,706.94 105,590,174.23 0.00 780,561,546.78 3,512,117,991.10

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12,900,315.56 12,900,315.56

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12,996,646.47 12,996,646.47

2,509,170,313.70 163,401,417.46

2,623,778,112.10 172,724,989.22

506,511,304.26 20.19% 343,109,886.80 13.67% 38.87% 32.26% 45.00 406,459,116.21 16.20% 0.00 0.00%

346,923,542.45 13.22% 174,198,553.23 6.64% 58.57% 49.79% 45.00 485,304,387.08 18.50% 0.00 0.00%

8.03% 39.85% 1.00%

8.65% 44.36% 1.00%

21.30 20.36 0.00 0.00 0.00

21.07 20.13 0.00 0.00 0.00

1/ Common Equity Tier 1 is only applicable to all Universal and Commercial Banks and their subsidiary banks.

Republic of the Philippines ) Makati City) s.s. I/We, RODA L. CRUZ and RENELIA V. ESTIOKO of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and belief.

RENELIA V. ESTIOKO President

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 21st day of October at Makati City,, affiant exhibiting his/her/their Passport No. P1057056A , issued at DFA NCR EAST on December 01, 2016 and Passport No. P1747134A, issued at Manila City on January 25, 2017..

Doc. No. 211 Page No. 44 Book No. C11 Series of 2019

the five-year average. Duterte also previously said he wanted Congress to pass a law banning fireworks and pyrotechnics. Last October 2018, the President ordered the Philippine National Police to crack down on the illegal sale and manufacturing of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices. He also ordered that no new licenses or permits for the firecracker industry be issued until those with such documents are reviewed for compliance to laws.

IN BRIEF

METRO SOUTH COOPERATIVE BANK

RODA L. CRUZ Finance Head

firecrackers would depend on local governments since it was not yet illegal. In 2017, Duterte signed Executive Order 28 limiting the use of firecrackers in the country. The executive order confined the use of the pyrotechnics to “community fireworks” and was credited by the Department of Health for reducing the number of fireworks-related injuries during New Year’s Eve. In 2018, for example, the government reported a 77 percent decrease in fireworks-related injuries compared to

‘Ombudsman suspends Santiago for 6 months’ PHILIPPINE National Police officerin-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, announced on Tuesday the Office of the Ombudsman’s suspension order against Northern Mindanao police regional director, Brig. Gen. Rafael Santiago. Gamboa said Santiago was suspended for six months due to a case in connection with logistics, where a case was filed against him in 2012. “Yes, he was relieved because he has a suspension order that came out that was dated Oct. 21, 2019. And sayang din (it is a waste) because he was a very good performer but we have to implement the suspension order for six months, even if he is retirable by May of next year, I have no other recourse but to implement it. We will be implementing our new regional director on Thursday,” Gamboa told reporters on the sidelines of his inspection at the Araneta Center Bus Terminal, Cubao, Quezon City. Santiago is Gamboa’s classmate at

the Philippine Military Academy class of 1986. Gamboa on Monday denied an accusation that ‘bata-bata’ system or favoritism marred the recent massive revamp involving senior police ofﬁcers. “I don’t think there is ‘bata-bata’. I don’t know what they are claiming favoritism. All police personnel are my subordinates),” Gamboa said in Filipino during a press brieﬁng at Camp Crame. He said at least two of his classmates were also affected by the revamp, referring to Maj. Gen. Amador Corpus and Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza. Corpus was moved from Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to head the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development while Carranza was assigned to the Logistics Support Service from Region 4 (Calabarzon). “Rest assured that this bata-bata system no longer exists in the PNP,” Gamboa said. PNA

DIRECTORY KIOSK.

Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos tries the newly installed high-tech Directory Kiosk online 3D directory database system for the visitors for the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day celebration at Garden of Life Memorial Park at Barangay Vergara in Mandaluyong City. Manny Palmero

OVER 350,000 people are expected to be saved from premature deaths with the investment in the prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases that cost the national economy a loss estimated at P756.5 billion per year, equivalent to 4.8 percent of the country’s annual GDP. This figure includes the direct costs of NCDs associated with treatment but also the indirect ‘hidden’ costs arising from reduced productivity in the workplace and premature death of the workforce. The ‘hidden’ costs of NCDs are 9 times higher than the direct costs. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III emphasized that investing in the prevention and control of NCDs resonates well with the objectives of our Universal Health Care Law, as we are shifting our focus from treatment to primary care and health promotion programs. “Our country’s efforts on tobacco control and sin taxes will jump-start our NCD prevention and control strategies,” he said. NCDs, which include diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and chronic respiratory diseases, account for 68 percent of all deaths in the Philippines. These diseases have been shown to negatively impact on the population’s health, as well as the economy. Macon Ramos-Araneta

MMDA urges public: Fight sex offenders CHAIRMAN Danilo Lim of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Tuesday urged the people to continue the fight against sexual harassment and offenders. Lim made the appeal even as his agency expressed its full support for the implementation of Republic Act 11313 or most commonly known as Safe Spaces Act. On the signing of its implementing rules and regulations, Lim said the MMDA would ensure that the agency’s part as one of the implementing bodies of the law will be effectively carried out. “As the MMDA is pushing for a smart and sustainable Metro Manila, we will also ensure that its livability as a city that is safe for all will be completely realized,” he said. Lim believes that through the passage of the Safe Spaces Act, everyone can now freely walk the streets at any time of the day, comfortably go to work or school, and easily go online without fear of being sexually harassed. “The Safe Spaces Act is a relevant and timely law addressing all forms of sexual harassment on all gender, public spaces, and online. With the passage of this law, no one will experience sexual harassment anywhere again.” The MMDA chief also warned those who are involved in sexual offense and harassments as the law penalizes such acts. Joel Zurbano

Ex-INC member and lover convicted of concubinage EXPELLED Iglesia Ni Cristo member Rovic Canono and mistress Joanna Mariz Manuel were found guilty last week by a QC trial court of having “open sexual relations” despite the woman knowing Canono to be married. Canono came to public attention in 2016 after exposing supposed irregularities in the INC leadership. Manuel was present at the promulgation while Canono is at large and has been a fugitive from justice. The criminal case was ﬁled by Canono’s wife. In a 13-page decision promulgated on Oct. 14, Regional Trial Court Judge Analie Oga-Brual found the two to have entered into a “live-in” relationship and “engaged in sexual intercourse under

scandalous circumstances,” with a kasambahay witness testifying that Canono and Manuel, in their small studio-type condo, would allow the witness “to watch them doing their thing.” Manuel’s defense that she was merely friends with Canono and co-member of Defenders, a group of former INC members, was not given credence by the court. The court decision noted that “the prosecution has sufﬁciently proven the guilt of accused Joanna beyond reasonable doubt. “It is undisputed that Canono was legally married at the time the crime was committed, as evidenced by the Certiﬁcate of Marriage presented in court. Although she denied knowing Rovic to be married, the court is not persuaded.”

Prior to his conviction for concubinage, Canono was arrested and detained in Camp Karingal in November 2016 for violation of Republic Act 9262, or the anti-violence against women and children act. He was accused by his wife of causing emotional or psychological distress to her and their child, as well as causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule, or humiliation to both of them. Court records further show that Canono and another expelled INC member, Lowell Menorca, were “best friends” and it was Menorca who referred the kasambahay-witness to Canono. Menorca ﬂed to Canada in 2016, followed by Canono a year later.

Sports

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Lorenzo, Camcam rule equestrian tilt T

HE Equestrian Philippines Indoor Championship Series 2019 kicked off this weekend at the Manila Polo Club in Makati with the staging of Spooky Spectacular, the 5th MPC Show Jumping Competition. Dressed in Halloween costumes, the country’s locally based riders rode to earn points for the championship title of this three-leg series. Dieter Heinz, a 3* course designer accredited by the Federation Equestrian Internationale and who has forty years of experience as an FEI official as course designer, steward, and technical delegate at countless international events and championships, including five Olympic Games, flew to Manila to build the course which posed solid challenges for riders in the competition.

In the highest category with a height of 1.20m, Paola Lorenzo, placed first aboard her trusty horse Rubis Landais. Nicole Camcam in full zebra gear took top honors in the 1.10m category on Aralea T. In the 1.00m class, Camcam on Com Amber came first in an excellently ridden round, followed by Lorenzo on her newly arrived mount from France, Happy Cooper. In the hotly contested 0.90m category, Egyptian rider Mohamed El Akkad on Cooper came first, followed

by Nikki Aboitiz on Astuce Courcelle, and then by Lara Zobel on Lobelia. The 0.75m and 0.65m classes were bested by Aaliya Lalonde on Odeon du Marey. It is the first time in the country that series championship titles will be contested per height category in addition to an overall champion. Among the series partners of EquestrianPH are JFJC Equestrian Training Services, Leviste Equestrian Park, Metro Society, and Metro.Style. Lorenzo received her awards for winning the top class, the 1.20m category, of Spooky Spectacular, the 1st leg of the Equestrian Philippines Indoor Championship Series 2019 and the 5th Manila Polo Club Show Jumping competition from MPC equestrian committee chairman Nina Herrera

Huang, Equestrian Philippines Inc. president Carissa Coscolluela, and event course designer Deiter Heinz, an accredited 3* Federation Equestre Internationale course designer with over 40 years of experience as an FEI official in his capacity as course designer, steward, and technical delegate at countless international competitions and championships, including five Olympic Games. Fourteen-year-old Camcam, in full Halloween gear as a giraffe, topped the 0.90m category of Spooky Spectacular, the 1st leg of the Equestrian Philippines Indoor Championship Series 2019 and the 5th Manila Polo Club Show Jumping competition aboard nine-year-old Swedish warmblood mare Con Amber.

Watanabe moves closer to Tokyo Olympic stint FILIPINO-Japanese Kiyomi Watanabe, the country’s top female judoka is almost assured of qualifying in next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games. Philippine Judo Federation president Dave Carter said that only the top 26 judokas in the world in each weight class will qualify to compete in the Tokyo Olympiad next year Watanabe is currently ranked 23rd in the world ranking in the women’s -63kgs and all she has to do is to join all remaining Olympic qualifying tournaments to maintain her ranking. Carter said Watanabe qualifying in next year’s Tokyo summer games is highly probable because several countries have more than one judoka in the top 26 of the women’s 63-kilogram division and countries can only field one entry per weight class in the Olympics. Carter said that countries like Japan have four judokas in the top 26 while Great Britain has three. Other countries like Netherlands, Slovenia, China and Brazil have more than one. Watanabe is competing in Osaka world championships next month just before the SEA GAMES which is the last Olympic qualifying for the year. Watanabe is set to compete in three more qualifying tournaments next year just before the cutoff in July. Carter is confident of Watanabe’s chances of achieving her dream to compete in the Olympics especially with the full support of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in funding her training and international competition and setting up the TEAM WATANABE to back up her training with sports science experts. “Slots in the Tokyo Olympics are our bigger targets,” PSC Chairman William Ramirez said. “We are looking at more Filipino athletes qualifying in the Tokyo Games after gymnast Carlos Yulo and pole vaulter EJ Obiena.” “But we should not forget that the SEA Games are also just around,” Ramirez added. “The PSC is all out in its support to the athletes for a better placing this time as we are hosting the biennial meet.”

Paola Lorenzo, atop Selle Francais Rubis Landais, clears 1.20m to reign supreme in her class of Spooky Spectacular in the 1st leg of the Equestrian Philippines Indoor Championship Series 2019 and the 5th Manila Polo Club Show Jumping competition. Juan Carlo Medina

Eala wants to turn pro next year AT A young age, Alex Eala already figured out what she wants to become: That is to turn professional. Starting next year, the 14-year-old Eala, No. 13 in the world in singles, said she will start competing in the pro circuit to beef up her ITF rankings. “Yes I want to go pro, obviously it’s one of my goals so I think (starting next year) I will definitely be joining more pro tournaments,” said Eala. The country’s most promising tennis player graced Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Amelie Hotel along with her father Mike Eala one day before she flies back to Spain. Eala is a scholar at Rafael Nadal Academy where she is at Grade 9 at the American International School in Mallorca. The elder Eala did confirm her charming daughter is already eligible to turn pro. “The minimum age of playing for professional tennis is 14 years old, and Alex turned 14 last May,” said Alex’s father. “Ang tricky part there is you have to reach a minimum number of points before you can get to the main draw of the (pro) tournaments. “So the plan for Alex if she gets to the

Alex Eala, the country’s most promising tennis player, raises her index finger to signify Number 1 during yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Amelie Hotel. Lino Santos

top 5 of the juniors, you get wildcards to play in the tournaments. So this is more or less the thinking of how we can fasttrack the rise in the tournaments sa pro. But definitely next year will be a good mix of junior tournaments and pro tournaments,” said the elder Eala during the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). “Junior tournaments will definitely be the four grand slams, and then sa pro, we still have to work out kung ano yung mga calendar ng tournaments na sasalihan niya.” The Filipina teener skyrocketed in the juniors ranking, starting from 113 in January, after she captured the ITF juniors title in Cape Town in South Africa and then finished runner-up in ITF Osaka Mayor’s Cup in Japan. “Those GAs (Grade A) tournaments certainly boosted my confidence because I know that I can compete in high level meets,” she said. The tournaments were classified Grade A which are next level to the grand slams. Eala also barged into the second round of the US Open juniors competitions last September. Her feat in Japan coincided with the tryouts for the Southeast Asian Games, but Eala said she will be open to representing the Philippines in future international meets. “In the tournaments that I play usually I am the only Filipina, so I guess I represent the Philippines as well,” added the niece of former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala. “But I will be honored to be part of the women’s SEA Games team. I will be very open to joining it in the future if I have future opportunities.” Added Alex’s father, “That Osaka tournament was very crucial to get her to play the four grand slams next year.” She steered the country to a fifth-place finish in the World Juniors Championships in Czech Republic. With Alexa Milliam and Jen Prulla, Eala accomplished the best finish for the Philippines in years. Alex will still play in two tournaments before the end of the year, including one in Florida next month which is a Grade A meet. “Hopefully, I can get my rankings a little bit higher by the end of the year,” she said.

Raymond Transportation launches open chess tourney EVERYTHING is set for the much awaited Raymond Transportation Open Chess Tournament with a theme “Kabataan Isulong Mo’ Ang Tamang Tira” on November 16, 2019, 10 a.m. at the Church of Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, Barangay Tagbakin, Atimonan, Quezon Province. It is supported by Raymond Transportation president Raymond M. Escobar, Atimonan, Quezon mayor Rustico U. Mendoza, councilor Rumel Verastigue, Golden J. Bistro and Siopao Center top honcho Conrado Acampado, Atimonan Chess Club president Ruben Alegre, Gerry Vila, Jason R. Par, Barangay San Rafael Elementary School Principal Ruben Belmonte and arbiter Medardo Hernandez. “We do this to promote chess in the grass-roots level and discover future chess talent,” said tournament organizer Pancho Cochangco. The champion will pocket P5,000 plus gift, while the second to fifth placers will take home P3,000 plus gift, P2,000 plus gift, P1,500 plus gift and P1,000 plus gift, respectively. Sixth to 10th placers will get P500 each plus gift. Special prizes for the category winners will receive P300 each for the top senior, top college, top secondary, top elementary, top Atimonanin and top lady. Registration fee is P200. Free snacks. Call or text Pancho Cochangco at mobile number 0933-851-7147 and Bernard Jumaway at 0942-5665042 for details. Meanwhile, Fide Master Nelson “Elo” Mariano III of Bacoor City, Cavite put on a strong start and a stronger finish to run away with the Open blitz B crown while International Master Daniel Quizon of Dasmarinas City, Cavite pocketed the Open blitz A plum in the Thailand Pattaya Open 2019 chess championship held at the Bay Beach Resort in Pattaya, Thailand last weekend. The younger brother of Grandmaster Nelson “Jet” Mariano II and Woman International Master Cristine Rose Mariano-Wågman swept his last five matches to finish with 10 points, posting a big victory over compatriot Mohamad Sacar of Cotabato, who wound up with 6.5 points.

Sports

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

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

Curry lifts Warriors past Pels LOS ANGELES, United States—Stephen Curry scored 26 points and Draymond Green bagged a triple double as the Golden State Warriors bounced back from successive thrashings to down the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. The reigning Western Conference champions, routed 120-92 by Oklahoma City on Sunday, rediscovered their scoring touch to claim a 134-123 win at the Smoothie King Center. After toothless displays against Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers, the Warriors rediscovered their offense in a high-scoring first half. A 45-point second quarter saw them surge into a 72-55 lead at half-time, giving them a comfortable 17-point cushion. Another big third quarter extended their lead to 24 points heading into the final period, and although the Pelicans closed the gap, the result was never seriously in question. All five starters finished in doubledigits for the Warriors, with Curry leading the scorers and contributing 11 assists. Green’s triple-double included 16 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists, while new recruit D’Angelo Russell finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Damion Lee added 23 points from the bench. Meanwhile, in Houston, James Harden exploded for 40 points as the Rockets outgunned Oklahoma City 116-112. Harden added three rebounds and seven assists while point guard Russell Westbrook narrowly missed out on a triple-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. The Philadelphia 76ers remain the only unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference after claiming their third win of the season on the road against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Fit-again Cameroon international Joel Embiid starred for the Sixers, leading with 36 points including two game-winning free throws with 5.3 seconds on the clock to seal a 105-103 win. AFP

LONE MAROON. Ricci Rivero (25) of the UP Fighting Maroons drives to the basket against four Green Archers during their game. Diliman-based UP beat DLSU twice in eliminations. The Bo Perasol mentored Maroons will face defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles today, October 30, 2019 at the close of the elimination round of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Dennis Abrina

NLEX targets share of PBA lead By Jeric Lopez

LEX shoots for a piece of the tournament lead when it aims for a fourth straight win at the resumption of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.

Winners of three in a row, the Road Warriors (6-1) want to keep the ball rolling when they go head-to-head with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2-6) at 4:30 p.m. today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. In the mainer, Barangay Ginebra (4-2), also winner of three straight, looks to continue its ascent when it takes on the Blackwater Elite (2-6) at 7 p.m. Revitalized with an elite import in Manny Harris, NLEX continued to roll and enjoy one of its best runs in franchise history. Still, the goal for Road Warriors

coach Yeng Guiao and his wards is to keep winning to secure a place in the top two. “We’re in the chase for a top two finish. We’re in a good spot but we need a couple more wins to secure it,” said Guiao. NLEX is coming off a morale-boosting triumph the last time out, dealing league-leader TNT KaTropa its first loss, 126-113, in impressive fashion last Friday. Another win will enable NLEX to tie the Tropang Texters at the top of the heap and secure its berth in the quarterfinals as well.

The Elasto Painters are in dire need of a win against the Road Warriors if they hope to keep their chances of making the top eight alive. Now peaking, the Gin Kings go for a fourth straight win while the Elite is looking to stay in the hunt as it looks to notch an important victory. Ginebra coach Tim Cone says the Elite will be a dangerous opponent. “Blackwater has built their team around a lot of shooters. We’re going to have to get out and extend on all of them. They will pose some very tough matchups for us,” said Cone. “At this point mid the conference, this is a critical game for us, so it’s very important that we don’t look past Blackwater going into our games against Meralco and TNT.” Ginebra is chasing a spot in the Top Four while the Elite want to at least qualify to the playoffs.

DLS-Zobel streaks to 3rd Familiarity with Wushu venue crucial win in WBL DE LA SALLE-Zobel clinched two victories over the weekend to march to its third straight win in as many days in the Women’s Basketball League (WBL) organized by the Best Center. Those were routs as the green squad swamped Immaculate Conception Academy, 88-14 on a Saturday, before it went on a Sunday 50-17 stroll past St. Pedro Poveda Academy. Both wins lifted the squad to 3-0 and on top of the 13-and-Under category of this tournament sponsored by MILO and supported by Rain or Shine, Chris Sports and SKLZ. St. Paul College-Pasig stayed within striking distance by scuttling Miriam College, 43-38, and bamboozling Immaculate Conception Academy, 46-17, to improve to 2-1 (wins-loss). Immaculate Conception made up for its poor showing in the 13-under when its 18-and-under squad clipped St. Scholastic’s Academy-Marikina, 28-20—its second win in as many days that placed it abreast with Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan on top. Escuela de Sophia needed two weekend victories to gain that share of the 18-U lead, though—a 55-7 crushing of Raises Academy and a 42-39 squeaker past Notre Dame of Greater Manila.

MEMBERS of the Philippine wushu team to the 30th Southeast Asian Games are hoping that they could familiarize themselves with the actual competition venue way ahead of the others. Wushu in the coming SEA Games will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) from Dec. 1 to 3. The Philippines will host the biennial event from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. Two-time SEA Games gold medalist Daniel Parantac said familiarity with the venue could spell the difference in their bid to deliver the gold. “If we can train in the actual venue at least two weeks before the competition, it will be good for us. Actually, the earlier, the better,” he said during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Manila. Parantac, who won gold medals in taolu during the 2013 and 2015 SEA Games then finished fourth in 2017, added that as host, Filipino wushu officials and athletes must seize the opportunity. “If we train in the venue two or three days before the competition, that’s not enough. We need to get used to the surface. Meron kasi surface na madulas and meron din makapit,” said Parantac during the forum where he was joined by fellow wushu athlete Agatha Wong, the reigning SEA Games champion in

Two-time SEA Games gold medalist Daniel Parantac and Agatha Wong demonstrate just how ready they are for the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games at Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Manila. Lino Santos

taolu, a subjective event (judging). The Philippines will field 12 athletes in wushu, which offers 16 gold medals in sanda and taolu events. To gear up for the competition, they underwent four months of training in China. They include Jessie

Aligaga, Arnel Mandal, Carlos Baylon Jr., Francisco Solis, Clemente Tabugara Jr., Divine Wally and Jenifer Kilapio in sanda; and Thornton Sayan, Jones Inso and Johnzenth Gajo in taolu, aside from Parantac and Wong.

UST grabs UAAP baseball crown CINDERELLA run completed. University of Santo Tomas completed its comeback, outlasting Ateneo in Game Three, 4-3, to claim the UAAP Season 82 Juniors’ Baseball crown, Tuesday at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. Ending Season 81 at last place, UST returned with vengeance this year for its second title in three years. “Overwhelming, yun lang masasabi ko. Lahat ng credit sa laro na ito ay sa mga bata. Lumaban sila,” expressed Junior Golden Sox head coach Jeffrey Santiago. Up by just one at the bottom of the seventh inning, 4-3, UST pitcher John Rafael Regalado struck out the first two batters before Ezekiel Laygo and Marcel Guzman reached base, and with two on and two outs, Regalado fanned Dax Fabella, to deny Ateneo a walk-off win. “Na control ng pitcher ko yung laro. Sumusunod naman siya saka nakondisyon talaga yun, matibay ang pitcher ko eh si Regalado at saka alam kong humihina na yung pitching ng Ateneo kaya pina-bunt ko na kasi napansin ko last game, hindi makuha ng pitcher kapag nag bunt kami,” Santiago said. “Kapag naka-hit sila malamang talo kami. Sabi ko tirahin natin nang tirahin ng curveball. Noong hinabol nila, strikeout. Magaling talaga ang pitcher ko.” Finals MVP Regalado, who pitched all seven innings in UST’s 7-3 Game Two win, threw a complete game. The native of Naic, Cavite gave up just five hits and one walk while striking out 11 sluggers. Trailing 1-2 at the top of the fifth inning, Alwyn Piñero reached home after a blooper to centerfield by Bryan Camarsi to knot the game at 2-all, before Jester Tapia and Camarsi converted two more runs to take the upper hand.

DENR Warriors rout Judiciary Magis, 86-65 Emerson Oreta (left) of the DA Food Masters goes for a basket against the PhilHealth Plus during their UNTV Cup game at the Pasig City Sports Center. The former UST star scored 18 points in his team’s 88-65 win.

DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) went full throttle in the final quarter and clobbered Judiciary, 86-65, to stay unbeaten in Group B elims of the 8th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center. With the Ralph Lansang, Desiderio Ayson, Ed Rivera and Arturo Atablanco hitting their targets even from afar, the DENR Warriors steadily pulled away from a 50-50 count and won pulling away for its third straight win in as many outings. Lansang expectedly led the Warriors with 18 points, Ayson and Rivera added 17 and 16 points, respectively, while Melvin Bangal chipped in 14— the bulk coming in a mighty fourth quarter onslaught that saw them out-

score the Magis, 36-15. In the other Group B action, National Housing Authority demolished GSIS, 80-68, while Department of Agriculture got back on winning track with an 88-65 drubbing of PhilHealth in the lone Group B match of the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon. The chosen charity of the champion team in the annual event for public servants gets P4 million (tax free) with the runner-up’s charity receiving P2 million. The NHA Builders of coach Bennett Palad drew another inspired game from Marvin Mercado to improve their record to 3-1. Mercado finished with 15 points and seven boards while Jose Adolfo

added 12 points. Henry Fernandez and Emerson Oreta put on another vintage performance to lead the DA Food Masters with 20 and 18 points, respectively. The Food Masters, who also got 17 points from Christian Dematera and 9 from Brian Mastelero, hiked their record to 3-1. First Game DENR 86—Lansang 18, Ayson 17, Rivera 16, Bangal 14, Atablanco 7, Abanes 4, Gamboa 4, Mamac 3, Parreño 3. Judiciary 65—Tolomia 19, Bergonio 12, Dela Cruz 12, Malinao 5, Ybañez 5, Dionisio 4, Mustre 4, Litonjua 2, Roma 2. Quarter scores: 18-16, 30-35, 5050, 86-65.

IN BRIEF

BSP warns public vs ‘money mules’

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Tuesday warned the public against the practice of criminals of using “money mules” in their illegal activities, especially money laundering which is a criminal offense punishable under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001. Money mule, according to the Money Laundering, Forfeiture and Bank Fraud Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the US Department of Justice, is someone who transfers illegally acquired money on behalf of or at the direction of another. Criminals recruit mules to move money electronically through bank accounts, move physical currency, or assist the movement of money through a variety of other methods. “In recent years, criminals have shifted to using money mules to move their dirty money out of the financial system. These criminals rely on money mules to safely and discreetly launder the proceeds of their illegal activities,” the BSP said. “Money mules are inherently dangerous, as they add layers to the money trail from a victim to a criminal actor,” it added. Julito G. Rada

Business

Bangko Sentral backs green bonds of BIS

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is investing in green bonds as it supports environmentally responsible finance and investment practices. The BSP in a statement Tuesday affirmed its participation in the green bond fund launched by the Bank for International Settlements, or BIS. The BSP is a member of the advisory committee created by the BIS to give guidance on the objectives of the initiative and the features of the fund, which is designed to help central banks incorporate environmental sustainability objectives in reserve management. “With its participation in the openended fund, the BSP takes a step further in recognizing the role of sustainable investing in reserve management. Investing in green bonds will also provide diversification benefits to the Bank’s total reserves,” it said. “Climate change appears to be inevitable, and the financial sector has a significant role to play in pursuing sustainable and inclusive growth in the global economy, the environment, and society. The BSP is one with the BIS in its broader commitment to support environmentally responsible finance and investment practices,” it said. Julito G. Rada

BPI-PHILAM’S DONATION. BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp., the leading bancassurance company in the country, gives a cash donation of P3.4 million and hands over 200 iPads to Philam Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Philam Group. Turning over the check is BPLAC executive director and CEO Surendra Menon (second from right) to Philam Foundation [resident and CEO Max Ventura.

6 groups buy bid papers for Sangley Int’l Airport By Darwin G. Amojelar

IX groups bought bid documents for the construction of an international airport in Sangley Point in Cavite City, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday.

Remulla said Metro Pacific Investments Corp., DM Consunji Inc. and China Construction Co. were among the six parties that purchased bid documents for the $10-billion international airport project. He did not name the three other interested bidders. Remulla said the reclamation component of the project would be worth at least $3 billion while the airport itself including the runway, terminal and others would cost another $7 billion. “The deadline for the securing of bid is on Nov. 11. After that, they will submit their tender [offer] on, I think Nov.

25,” he said. Remulla said the interested bidders could purchase bid documents for P10 million. The Cavite government expects to award the project by end of November and start the construction by January next yer. Remulla said the Cavite government would separately bid out the operations and maintenance of the new international airport. The provincial government of Cavite is the lead proponent and implementing agency of the project which supports the Transportation Department’s multi-airport strategy to decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s main international gateway whose passenger volume was already 40-percent above its design capacity of 31 million passengers yearly. The 1,500-hectare master-planned international airport hub will be fitted with four runways, airside and landside facilities, with an annual capacity of up

to 130 million passengers. The airport is expected to be at par with Singapore’s Changi International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and South Korea’s Incheon International Airport as it is positioned to be the next biggest development in air transport innovation in the country. It project would be pursued under the provincial government’s public-private partnership scheme. As such, it would no longer require the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority for implementation. The selected JV partner will provide the necessary equity investment and credit enhancements subject to a further competitive process or price test, perform engineering, procurement and construction services for the land and airport development components. Aside from the legal, technical and financial qualifications set by the provincial government, the selected JV partner should also pass the credit standards of project lenders.

RADIUS-NETFOUNDRY TIE-UP. Radius Telecoms Inc.,

a telecommunications carrier in the Philippines that delivers end-to-end fiber optic services to enterprises and corporations, signs a partnership agreement with NetFoundry USA to introduce a new and cost-effective way of reaching the cloud through Radius Cloud Express. Attending the signing ceremony are (seated from left) Radius Telecoms COO Jenevi Dela Paz, president and CEO Exequiel Delgado, NetFoundry vice president and managing director for APAC and India Dipesh Ranjan and country director for the Philippines Francis Neil Mendoza. With them are (standing from left) Radius Telecoms vice president for sales Voltaire Van Gerard Manahan, product management officer Verlen Villanueva and vice president for product and business development Alfredo Solis.

Filipino vapers laud UK study favoring electronic cigarettes LOCAL vaping groups lauded the latest study conducted by researchers from University College London showing that the use of electronic cigarettes may help between 50,000 and 70,000 smokers in England quit every year. “The results of the UCL study affirm the findings of Public Health England and many other independent expert studies, which show that e-cigarette use is associated with improved quit smoking success rates and an accelerated drop in smoking rates across the United Kingdom,” said Vishal Daswani, vice president of the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association. “This latest study adds to the growing body of research supporting e-cigarettes or vapes as a significantly less harmful alternative to cigarettes and a viable smoking cessation aid,” said Mark Czerwin Erana, president of the Vapers PH. The study entitled “Association of prevalence of electronic cigarette use with smoking cessation and cigarette consumption in England: a time series analysis between 2006 and 2017” was published in the latest issue of the peerreviewed scientific journal Addiction. It found that as the use of e-cigarettes in quit attempts went up from 2011 onwards, smoking cessation success rates also increased. When the increase in e-cigarettes use plateaued somewhat around 2015, the increase in quit success also leveled off. Based on this data trend, the UCL research team estimated that in 2017 around 50,700 to 69,930 smokers in England had stopped who would otherwise have continued smoking.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

Lucio Tan Jr. appointed president of PAL Holdings

PhilRatings gives Alsons high rating

PHILIPPINE Rating Services Corp. once again assigned a “PRS A plus (corp.)” with a stable outlook credit rating to Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc., the publicly listed company of the Alcantara Group. “According to PhilRatings, a PRS A plus (corp.) ratings means the company has an above average capacity to meet its financial commitments relative to other Philippine corporates,” Alsons disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday. PhilRatings cited the positive growth prospects in Mindanao “which will bring an increasing demand for power” and Alsons’ “ability to establish joint ventures with strong partners for particular projects.” The stable outlook rating is given when a rating is likely to be maintained or remain unchanged in the next 12 months. Alsons posted consolidated net earnings of ₱293.08 million in the first half, more than double from ₱120.30 million year-on-year. Alena Mae S. Flores

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

2 Chinese companies infusing $332m in Makati subway project PHILIPPINE Infradev Holdings Inc., a listed company led by businessman Antonio Tiu, is raising $332 million from two Chinese companies to mobilize the development of the $3.7-billion Makati intra-city rail transport system. Philippine Infradev said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Makati City Subway Inc., the corporate vehicle that will undertake the construction, operation and management of the Makati City Subway System, signed investment and subscription agreements with Chinese firms Hui Gao Investments Development Ltd. and Shanghai Mintu Investments Ltd. Hui Gao will subscribe to shares representing 34-percent stake in MCSI’s adjusted shares capital for $102 million. It will also provide a $200-mil-

lion credit facility to MCSI and committed to finance 51-percent of the total funding needed for the completion of the project. Meanwhile, Shanghai Mintu Investments Ltd. subscribed to 15 million common shares of MCSI for $30 million. “Finally, the company, Shanghai Mintu and Hui Gao Investments Development Limited issued letters of guarantee wherein they guaranteed to advance or fund the cost required for the completion of the Makati Subway System based on the final cost of EPC works determined by the contractor engaged by MCSI,” Philippine Infradev said. The Makati subway project is an11kilometer intra-city mass transport system with up to 10 stations that will

connect key points in Makati’s two districts with no cash out from the city government. Once completed, it is expected to accommodate up to 700,000 passengers per day aboard six car trains. The proposed is aligned with the national government’s aggressive infrastructure program and Makati’s goal to be a digital city. It will be interconnected to the MRT 3, the proposed Metro Manila Mega Subway and the Pasig River ferry. Philippine Infradev, formerly IRC Properties Inc., earlier tapped China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. for the subway construction. CCECC is a 100-percent owned subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd. Jenniffer B. Austria

A SON of tycoon Lucio Tan was appointed as the new president of PAL Holdings Inc., the parent firm of the country’s flag carrier. PAL said in a statement the younger Tan was appointed as president of PAL Holdings, after the resignation of Gilbert Santa Maria. Sta. Maria, however, will remain as president and chief operating officer of PAL, the operating unit. “At PAL’s regular monthly board meeting held on Oct. 28, Santa Maria presented his 90-day report on PAL and his turnaround plan for the airline for implementation beginning 2020,” PAL said. His presentation was well-received by the members of the board and chairman Lucio Tan. Santa Maria earlier said the flag carrier would embark on digital transformation to ensure that the airline’s needs would be met by the most ideal technology solutions―a move seen to pave the way for the company’s right-sizing and return to profitability. PAL executive vice president for treasury, treasurer and chief administrative officer Vivienne Tan, along with Santa Maria and his team, mapped out strategies to reduce costs, enhance customer experience and increase revenues. PAL Holdings, the parent firm of PAL, earlier posted a net loss of P3.01 billion in the first half, wider than the P661.56-million loss in the same period last year. Consolidated revenues in sixmonth period increased 8.6 percent to P81.25 billion from P74.85 billion a year ago, on the back of more flights and passengers. Japan’s ANA Holdings Inc., the Japanese parent company of All Nippon Airways, invested $95 million for a 9.5-percent stake in PAL Holdings. ANA HD acquired the shares from Trustmark Holdings Corp. which is owned by the Tan family. Darwin G. Amojelar

Hong Kong’s Suncity acquires 51% of Suntrust By Jenniffer B. Austria HONG KONG-LISTED Suncity Group Holdings Limited acquired 51-percent stake in Suntrust Home Developers Inc. to co-develop Westside City Resorts World―an integrated resort and casino of billionaire Andrew Tan. Suncity through wholly-owned unit Fortune Noble Limited acquired the stake in Suntrust Home Developers which then signed a co-development agreement with Tan’s Travellers International Hotels Group Inc., the developer of Westside City. Suncity said in a disclosure to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange it would lease the project site “for development of the main hotel casino and Westside is to appoint Suntrust as the sole and exclusive operator and manager of the main hotel casino.” The lease for the project site will be for 20 years at an annual rental of $10.6 million commencing from the date of handover to SunTrust. It is automatically renewable for a further term of 25 years. Suntrust in its bid to facilitate the entry of Suncity is expanding its capital base to P23 billion from P3 billion. About 5 billion will be subscribed by Fortune and Megaworld. Suntrust president Ferdinand Masi said during the company’s annual stockholders meeting Tuesday that Fortune Noble after the subscription would own 51-percent interest in the company while Megaworld ownership will be diluted to 34 percent. “Suntrust believes that the tourism sector, which has seen significant growth in the recent years, will continue to show sustainable growth and attract more investments. Suntrust is also optimistic that with the support of its shareholders, it will be able to drive more growth for the company and contribute to the tourism industry,” Suntrust said.

Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market advances; Jollibee gains

HE stock market rose Tuesday after a record close on Wall Street overnight, with investors filled with a renewed sense of hope over China-US talks.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 44.66 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,991.19 on a value turnover of P6.6 billion. Gainers beat losers, 97 to 81, withy 56 issues unchanged. Nickel Asia Corp., the biggest nickel miner, rallied 5.2 percent to P4.08, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the largest fast-food chain advanced 3 percent to P229.80. Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan climbed 2.9 percent to P11.96, while AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. rose 2.8 percent to P3.66. The rest of Asian markets mostly

rose Tuesday, taking up the baton after a record close on Wall Street, while the pound was winning support from easing Brexit fears. Expectations for another Federal Reserve interest rate cut this week and a strong corporate reporting season were also providing a much-needed lift to confidence after a rollercoaster year on global trading floors. Donald Trump reinforced optimism that the world’s economic superpowers are on track to resolve their tariffs war by saying the two sides were “ahead of schedule” on the first phase of a wider deal, and he hoped to sign it with Xi Jinping next month. His comments came after officials from Washington and Beijing hailed progress in top-level talks on Friday. “So far the soundings coming from both the US and China point to the likelihood of significant progress in trade

negotiations,” said National Australia Bank analyst Rodrigo Catril. But he added that while they appeared to have reached agreement on key issues, it “is probably worth noting that so far neither party has officially said anything about the contentious issue surrounding China’s demand for a pullback on US tariffs”. Investors, he said, seemed to be betting on that the improved relations will see the US suspend new levies due in December, or even roll back those imposed last month. However, he warned: “This is a big assumption as talks could easily fail again if both parties don’t find a compromise.” Tokyo rose 0.5 percent higher, Singapore jumped 0.4 percent and Sydney put on 0.1 percent. Wellington, Taipei and Bangkok were also up, with Mumbai rallying more than one percent on hopes for earnings.

But Hong Kong lost 0.5 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai ended down 0.9 percent, while Seoul was flat. “It looks as if we’ve pretty much hit the bottom in some sectors and we should actually be near an inflection point,” Margie Patel at Wells Fargo Asset Management told Bloomberg TV. “We’ve had the Fed cutting rates pretty much all of this year. It takes a while for that to feed into the economy. I think the worst is pretty much behind us.” While the earnings season is in full swing, investors are also keeping tabs on the Fed’s next policy meeting this week, which could see it cut borrowing costs once again. But OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley said: “Part of the overnight rally on Wall Street was also driven by the almost 100 percent expectation, that the (Fed policy board) will cut rates. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review tueSday, octoBer 29, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 55 9,740 99.05 1,380,080 2.08 32,000 152.1 1,995,860 1.11 100,000 25.35 197,200 18.5 35,500 12.26 545,900 4.55 233,000 7.71 1,700 768 50 0.41 30,000 66 4,765,400 0.89 34,000 20.6 2,200 43.95 46,300 174 340 116.9 30 57.5 100 25.8 2,700 204 502,100 1,870 360 60.1 18,390

536,229.50 136,706,810.50 66,100 303,477,216 111,000 4,976,590 656,750 6,697,662 1,058,810 13,107 38,400 12,300 316,722,943.50 30,310 45,470 2,036,030 59,222 3,638 5,750 69,760 102,033,582 673,175 1,104,375

-2,179.50 89,642,777 40 89,696,287 -239,670 -453,414 144,092,561.50 0 -1,701,390 -36,120 36,927,034 -1,000,140

38.6 2.75 12.36 0.67 1.29 3.6 0.241 2.38 15.1 112 7.91 31 68.9 70 2.1 6 5.41 8.52 15.1 10.3 6.99 25.1 79 47.6 2.27 14.22 7.9 1.43 223 43.05 5.24 3.4 8.72 19.8 13.14 17.5 344 5.12 1.67 4.1 4.98 9.35 11 33.6 5.36 5.35 1.83 1 11.2 90 7.33 1.06 147 1.27 1.12

INDUSTRIAL 39 978,200 2.79 6,527,000 12.9 912,100 0.68 642,000 1.29 241,000 3.69 9,673,000 0.249 210,000 2.52 14,056,000 15.18 144,900 112 70 7.91 267,900 31 9,500 68.9 100 75.85 260 2.1 413,000 6 10,000 5.41 3,200 8.53 844,700 15.14 92,500 10.3 403,100 7 245,000 25.6 833,500 79.1 26,340 48.45 10,100 2.33 5,996,000 14.6 228,700 7.91 164,400 1.49 770,000 229.8 834,110 50.95 1,310 5.24 3,000 3.54 33,000 9.14 1,800 19.92 568,900 13.2 114,500 17.76 802,400 346 504,760 5.12 300 1.73 1,699,000 4.28 22,000 5.04 1,262,400 9.39 11,000 11 100 33.85 578,700 5.36 108,600 5.4 196,300 1.86 184,000 1 16,000 11.2 316,800 90 324,450 7.33 37,400 1.11 84,000 151.5 1,827,020 1.27 11,620,000 1.12 597,000

38,127,305 18,301,460 12,122,824 432,400 312,410 35,665,030 50,780 34,454,760 2,199,002 7,840 2,147,998 299,660 6,890 18,929.50 873,960 60,000 17,570 7,208,791 1,400,962 4,151,934 1,713,804 21,380,680 2,082,264.50 492,625 13,880,280 3,315,524 1,301,953 1,127,670 189,081,270 62,194 15,720 114,730 15,839 11,311,050 1,510,948 14,193,716 176,233,038 1,670 2,884,740 90,630 6,313,325 102,990 1,100 19,590,545 586,360 1,060,305 340,930 16,010 3,548,470 29,799,039.50 274,466 90,800 277,158,527 14,901,770 671,650

16,506,850 -42,450 -1,916,966 -124,010 545,040 14,208,000 -1,361,012 -449,254.00 -75,660 -68,820 -6,510 -1,145,666 1,041,864 -4,109,704 -1,122,739 3,463,120 -1,052,430 322,320 631,510 -13,122 363,091 37,240,088 -10,865,268 1,126,570 -8,663,284 -41,395,016 677,420 -950,741 8,769,830 -3,363,570 510,808 -46,092,320 -2,552,470 -

0.87 55 11.96 0.73 6.89 13.64 1.13 1.13 867.5 3.68 6.9 8.24 13.4 4.29 888 76.1 6.13 7.04 0.51 4.32 13.4 0.6 4.88 0.038 1.44 2.81 174 1,029 0.87 1.27 0.218 0.225

0.83 54.55 11.58 0.7 6.88 13.12 1.11 1.13 861 3.46 6.8 8.12 13.38 4.25 866 74.25 5.48 5.9 0.49 4.3 13.1 0.58 4.78 0.037 1.42 2.8 167 1,010 0.86 1.27 0.217 0.22

HOLDING FIRMS 0.85 20,013,000 618,710 55 11.96 21,391,600 0.72 520,000 6.89 10,600 13.5 6,700 1.12 453,000 1.13 112,000 865 206,290 3.66 41,735,000 6.87 1,224,800 8.14 14,472,300 13.4 200 4.25 6,000 888 59,110 76.1 1,415,590 5.83 12,500 5.9 201,600 0.51 39,000 4.31 282,000 13.1 6,019,200 0.6 23,000 4.79 39,957,000 0.038 3,800,000 1.42 229,000 2.8 5,000 172.6 256,250 1,027 1,155,345 0.86 46,000 1.27 30,000 0.217 330,000 0.225 560,000

16,813,850 34,010,911 252,477,992 369,460 73,033 90,492 507,610 126,560 178,397,075 146,284,070 8,394,627 118,232,767 2,678 25,660 52,142,380 107,024,226 70,348 1,412,961 19,420 1,215,270 79,694,236 13,520 191,845,570 144,100 327,510 14,030 43,948,911 1,182,029,810 39,760 38,100 71,890 124,000

594,880 20,073,058.50 3,243,908 -67,800.00 -46,517,825 -514,870 2,814,302 -68,507,031 18,910,380 61,491,840.50 99,490 17,644,892 8,120.00 -40,752,610 -45,400 -21,450 4,032,938 60,549,515 -

14.62 0.83 9.22 1.8 0.89 49 2 4.6 0.59 0.75 0.84 0.208 0.48 10.44 20.6 0.56 1.6 1.26 4.5 4.88 0.295

14.62 0.81 9.2 1.71 0.85 48.5 1.99 4.49 0.57 0.75 0.84 0.2 0.46 10 20.3 0.495 1.59 1.25 4.5 4.8 0.285

PROPERTY 14.62 48,800 0.82 728,000 9.22 4,500 1.72 214,000 0.88 827,000 49 5,701,900 2 188,000 4.55 79,000 0.59 8,416,000 0.75 2,000 0.84 40,000 0.2 270,000 0.47 3,180,000 10.2 142,100 20.35 181,200 0.5 46,000,000 1.6 6,613,000 1.26 206,000 4.5 154,000 4.84 22,179,000 0.295 2,810,000

713,456 590,990 41,453 367,770 711,720 278,558,625 375,780 357,730 4,885,350 1,500 33,600 54,160 1,489,350 1,457,280 3,695,830 24,157,300 10,570,400 258,580 693,000 107,325,080 816,000

-880 47,747,280 -41,350 -11,810 -42,160 1,183,936 335,555 -2,251,400 -7,950,700 -31,553,500 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

55.5 98.95 2.08 152 1.11 25.1 18.5 12.26 4.56 7.71 768 0.41 65.5 0.94 20.75 44.2 175.8 130 57.5 26 203.4 1,865 59.55

55.5 99.35 2.08 153 1.11 25.4 18.5 12.36 4.57 7.71 768 0.41 67.25 0.94 20.75 44.2 176 130 57.5 26 205 1,870 60.1

54 98.5 2.06 150.9 1.11 25.1 18.5 12.24 4.5 7.71 768 0.41 65.4 0.89 20.6 43.95 174 116.9 57.5 25.7 200.8 1,865 59.55

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

38.7 2.8 12.88 0.68 1.3 3.74 0.243 2.46 15.26 112 8.1 32 68.9 76.7 2.13 6 5.53 8.53 15.18 10.3 7 25.15 79.1 48.8 2.32 14.6 7.96 1.46 223 43.05 5.24 3.5 8.72 19.96 13.18 17.84 358 5.79 1.7 4.3 5.03 9.35 11 33.7 5.4 5.4 1.85 1.01 11.22 92.15 7.39 1.12 148.6 1.3 1.12

39 2.85 14 0.69 1.31 3.8 0.249 2.53 15.26 112 8.2 32 68.9 76.7 2.14 6 5.53 8.59 15.2 10.34 7 25.85 80.75 49 2.34 14.6 7.97 1.54 229.8 53.95 5.24 3.54 9.33 20 13.4 17.84 362.6 5.79 1.74 4.3 5.04 9.39 11 33.9 5.4 5.42 1.86 1.01 11.24 93 7.39 1.12 153.7 1.3 1.14

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT 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 WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.86 54.7 11.6 0.72 6.88 13.48 1.12 1.13 866 3.56 6.8 8.18 13.38 4.29 867 75 5.48 5.92 0.51 4.32 13.4 0.6 4.88 0.038 1.42 2.81 168.6 1,016 0.87 1.27 0.218 0.223

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

14.62 0.81 9.21 1.79 0.85 48.8 2 4.52 0.58 0.75 0.84 0.208 0.48 10.22 20.55 0.51 1.6 1.25 4.5 4.88 0.29

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

0.405 1.61 0.375 2.02 25.9 2.29 3.28 38.1 2.65 7.68 5.64

0.43 1.66 0.375 2.04 26.2 2.29 3.28 39 2.66 7.7 5.64

0.405 1.5 0.375 2.01 25.8 2.26 3.25 38.1 2.64 7.66 5.6

0.405 1.5 0.375 2.03 25.8 2.29 3.25 39 2.65 7.68 5.6

60,000 19,350,000 110,000 144,000 4,257,100 16,000 6,000 4,463,700 438,000 3,432,100 4,400

24,600 30,635,900 41,250 290,940 110,073,860 36,500 19,530 173,220,380 1,159,310 26,341,945 24,750

-1,194,580 20,200 39,574,180 81,328,460 -19,873,201 -

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

11 18.6 1.52 11.5 0.5 0.042 18.96 2.38 10.16 93.2 6.91 6.75 5.5 9.05 910 1,865 5.22 426 11 1.56 123.4 3.61 0.108 4.81 2.4 14.84 2.98 0.94 18.84 0.405 3.4 2.4 1.08 3.34 2.76 7.91 5.17 141.5 3.06 1,093 0.69 0.46 40.95 78.75 9.29 2.56 0.68 0.32 0.66 16.78

11 18.98 1.64 11.5 0.51 0.043 18.96 2.38 10.3 93.7 6.91 6.75 5.5 9.19 925 1,865 5.26 465 11.92 1.6 123.4 3.86 0.11 4.83 2.4 14.84 2.98 0.94 18.84 0.405 3.4 2.46 1.1 3.42 2.78 7.91 5.19 144 3.06 1,118 0.69 0.495 41 78.75 9.29 2.64 0.69 0.325 0.68 17

10.32 18.54 1.52 11.46 0.48 0.042 18.96 2.33 10.12 93 6.91 6.69 5.5 9.05 910 1,843 5.22 424.6 11 1.56 120 3.61 0.108 4.72 2.39 14.82 2.97 0.94 18.76 0.405 3.4 2.36 1.08 3.28 2.73 7.9 5.17 141.5 2.99 1,093 0.67 0.46 40 77.1 9.29 2.55 0.67 0.315 0.66 16.52

SERVICES 10.7 18.98 1.64 11.5 0.49 0.043 18.96 2.38 10.12 93.2 6.91 6.73 5.5 9.05 925 1,850 5.26 430 11.92 1.57 123 3.86 0.11 4.75 2.39 14.82 2.97 0.94 18.78 0.405 3.4 2.45 1.1 3.34 2.73 7.9 5.19 144 3.01 1,100 0.69 0.49 40.1 77.1 9.29 2.62 0.69 0.32 0.66 17

9,600 343,700 218,000 15,895,200 8,986,000 2,300,000 100 332,000 2,542,600 62,290 200 481,600 40,000 30,600 250 80,240 31,300 43,050 1,100 474,000 1,083,980 3,000 40,000 3,511,000 10,000 800 179,000 1,000 98,400 20,000 57,000 312,000 2,000 7,437,000 60,000 3,400 1,000 5,300 516,000 106,285 258,000 9,610,000 193,500 438,710 1,900 660,000 3,185,000 2,240,000 700,000 881,100

102,242 6,454,554 345,710 182,609,724 4,436,195 98,600 1,896 774,410 25,881,814 5,800,896.50 1,382 3,231,461 220,000 277,509 230,300 148,582,860 163,593 19,095,494 12,192 744,280 132,639,790 11,330 4,360 16,719,660 23,950 11,870 532,300 940 1,847,676 8,100 193,800 747,000 2,180 25,036,570 164,650 26,872 5,172 758,577 1,551,740 116,997,865 175,830 4,622,450 7,755,905 33,832,000.50 17,651 1,719,460 2,143,660 712,100 468,890 14,911,522

1,040 -22,174,942 172,000 -14,240,226 -3,801,065.50 -104,723 -3,819,485 8,871,964 299,050 8,940 -666,406 -408,790 -27,300 642,752 -159,120 -11,373,565 -11,560 -136,100 1,267,175 -6,593,415.50 685,590 -1,394,430 -1,177,782.00

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

0.0017 1.13 2.6 12.3 2.57 7.68 1.7 0.21 0.107 0.0091 1.17 4.15 1.05 0.87 0.012 0.011 10.22 3.58 13.08 23.6

0.0018 1.17 2.68 12.98 2.58 7.82 1.76 0.214 0.107 0.0091 1.21 4.33 1.07 0.88 0.012 0.011 10.78 3.6 13.72 23.6

0.0017 1.13 2.6 12 2.57 7.68 1.7 0.205 0.105 0.0091 1.17 4.06 1.04 0.87 0.012 0.011 10.1 3.57 13.06 23.1

MINING & OIL 0.0017 152,000,000 1.16 4,170,000 2.6 150,000 12.98 20,300 2.58 313,000 7.82 1,400 1.74 20,206,000 0.205 690,000 0.105 280,000 0.0091 5,000,000 1.2 845,000 4.08 36,540,000 1.07 153,000 0.88 390,000 0.012 4,000,000 0.011 24,000,000 10.64 562,700 3.58 152,000 13.58 5,510,400 23.35 1,527,100

258,600 4,793,650 390,320 247,134 804,510 10,869 35,062,450 142,820 29,680 45,500 1,011,510 153,224,230 161,680 342,300 48,000 264,000 5,901,680 545,830 74,204,650 35,485,990

-814,620.00 -286,000 -1,003,760 -39,129,620 -44,236 -3,390,700 -4,046,125

ABS HLDG PDR FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

17.8 109.4 501 5.04 99.5 1 101 1,006 1,050 108 991 75 75.1 75.25 75.2 76.6

17.8 109.4 501 5.15 99.65 1 101 1,006 1,050 108 991 75.05 75.1 75.6 75.2 76.6

17.74 109.4 501 5.04 99.5 1 101 1,006 1,050 108 991 75 75.1 75.25 75.1 76.6

PREFERRED 17.78 146,700 109.4 870 501 100 5.04 1,500 99.65 5,500 1 200,000 101 900 1,006 100 1,050 9,690 108 1,010 991 50 75 1,053,200 75.1 810,000 75.6 6,000 75.1 66,700 76.6 1,010

2,608,780 95,178 50,100 7,601 548,019 200,000 90,900 100,600 10,174,500 109,080 49,550 78,991,929 60,831,000 452,700 5,009,415 77,366

-2,407,976 -21,448

LR WARRANT

1.58

1.5

WARRANTS 1.58 29,000

45,180

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

6.65 11.06 0.9

6.72 11.3 0.95

6.54 10.82 0.89

SME 6.59 11.24 0.94

3,992,417 4,600,778 4,782,160

1,155,116 34,000 -

FIRST METRO ETF

118.6

119.7

118.6

1,473,528

9,466

50,000

MS USD DMPL A2

Trading Summary

FINANCIAL

11,958,517

INDUSTRIAL

66,699,216

HOLDING FIRMS

173,025,123

PROPERTY

131,017,018

SERVICES

63,943,461

MINING & OIL

256,572,810

GRAND TOTAL

709,440,542

597,100 416,800 5,198,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.7 12,360 10

DDS

5,000

VALUE 1,912.31 (up) 5.41 1,105,164,497.22 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,487.73 (up) 40.43 990,590,799.51 HOLDING FIRMS 7,823.89 (up) 48.50 2,633,598,997.81 PROPERTY 4,188.79 (up) 39.96 1,526.69 (down) 0.20 806,415,392.675 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,285.91 (up) 143.91 765,730,793.50 PSEI 7,991.19 (up) 44.66 313,000,289.373 All Shares Index 4,787.17 (up) 12.92 6,629,349,943.19 Gainers: 97; Losers: 81; Unchanged: 56; Total: 234

Sta. Lucia delays plan to sell shares worth P8.4b By Jenniffer B. Austria STA. LUCIA Land Inc. deferred a planned P8.4-billion share sale due to volatile market conditions. Sta. Lucia said in disclosure to the stock exchange the decision to defer the share sale “would be in the best interest of the issuer and shareholders.” “The decision to defer the follow on offering is primarily due to current market conditions which has been recently volatile,” it said. “We shall keep the Securities and Exchange Commission informed of the issuer’s future plans as it firms up its follow on offering timetable,” it added. Sta. Lucia had planned to sell up to 2.7 billion common shares with an over-allotment of 300 million common shares next month. It intended sell the shares at price of between P2.26 and P2.80 apiece. The company engaged ChinaBank Capital Corp. as issue manager and underwriter of the offering. Sta. Lucia initially planned to use the net proceeds from the offering to partially finance capital expenditures of existing projects, strategic land banking and general corporate purposes. Sta. Lucia is one of the leading real estate developers in the Philippines. The company earlier announced plans to spend P20 billion over the next three years to expand its presence across the country. It earmarked P16 billion to develop a pipeline of projects in key locations within and outside Metro Manila, including Bulacan, Rizal, Batangas, Iloilo, Pangasinan, Palawan, Cebu and Davao. Sta. Lucia launching 28 new residential and commercial projects and five condominium/hotel projects this year. The projects are expected generate an estimated P20 billion in reservation sales over the next three years. Sta. Lucia also allotted P4 billion for land-bandking activities to expand its reach nationwide. It recently teamed up with Araneta Properties Inc. over a residential project in Bulacan. It plans to expand the leasing segment with the completion of its Sta. Lucia Business Center, a six-story office and commercial building with over 14,000 square meters of gross leasable area. From a 52-week high of P2.80 per share, Sta. Lucia closed at P2.65 on Monday.

PSE approves Fruitas’ initial public offering THE Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. approved the initial public offering plan of leading food and beverage kiosk operator Fruitas Holdings Inc. Fruitas Holdings Inc. will offer up to 533,660,000 shares with an over-allotment option of up to 68,340,000 shares at a maximum price of P1.99 each or up to P1.2 billion in total. The shares will be listed on Nov. 29, 2019. Fruitas will announce the final price on November 14, with the offering period to run from November 18 to November 22. It will determine the final terms and conditions of the offering, which includes the final number of shares and price at the end of the book-building period and announced on the pricing announcement date. Fruitas, which will use the ticker FRUIT, plans to use the proceeds to fund store network expansion and improvement, acquisitions, new concept introductions and debt repayment. It tapped First Metro Investment Corp. and BDO Capital & Investment Corp. as joint issue managers, joint book-runners and joint lead underwriters of the offering. The company over the past years has aggressively expanded from over 400 stores at the end of 2016 to 949 as of June 30, 2019. Fruitas in 2018 reported P1.58 billion in consolidated revenue, up 37 percent from its P1.15 in 2017, driven by the strong performance of its stores. Fruitas has over 20 brands in its portfolio, including household names like Fruitas Fresh From Babot’s Farm, Buko Loco, Juice Avenue, Buko Ni Fruitas, Johnn Lemon, Black Pearl, and food parks like Uno Cinquenta in Maginhawa and Le Village The Lifestyle Park in E. Rodriguez Sr. both situated in Quezon City. Fruitas also acquired Negril Trading, the company housing De Original Jamaican Pattie Shop and Juice Bar in 2015 and the assets of Sabroso Lechon in 2018.

World

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Tourists injured in shark attack

ORIGIN. A woman rides in Nghe An province, where the families of missing Vietnamese migrants reside, on October 29, 2019. For up to $50,000, Vietnamese migrants can get the ‘VIP package’ to Britain—flight, fake passport and even a lawyer—illegal, but billed as safer than the cheaper overland routes by people smugglers who provide a menu of options for those trying to reach. AFP

SYDNEY―An English tourist had his foot bitten off by a shark while another was bitten during the attack in the Whitsunday Islands near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef on Tuesday, officials said. In the latest in a string of shark attacks in the tourist area, a 28-year-old man’s right foot was bitten off while a 22-year-old man suffered serious lacerations to his lower left leg, according to Mackay Base Hospital. The pair were in a “serious but stable” condition in hospital after being airlifted from the resort town of Airlie Beach, an official told AFP. They had been on a boat tour of the Whitsundays Islands when they were attacked while swimming in Hook Passage, according to the RACQ Central Queensland Rescue, which operated the helicopter flight. They were “wrestling in the water” at the popular snorkeling spot when the attack occurred, an RACQ spokesperson told AFP. “One of the patients was attacked first and the shark was believed to [have] come back” to attack the second, Queensland ambulance service operations manager Tracey Eastwick told reporters in Mackay. Two foreign paramedics were on board the boat and provided initial first aid as the men were rushed back to the shore, Eastwick said. In the past year there have been several reported shark attacks in waters around the Whitsundays, which had been considered safe for swimming. A woman and child were believed to have been mauled by a shark in January, while a man died of his injuries and a 12-year-old girl lost a leg in two separate attacks last year. Despite tens of millions of visits to the beach in Australia annually, shark attacks remain rare. AFP

Greenpeace blocks Total biofinery

LA MEDE, France―Greenpeace activists on Tuesday blocked the entrance to a refinery in southern France where oil giant Total uses controversial palm oil to produce biofuel. Environmentalists say palm oil drives deforestation, with vast areas of Southeast Asian rain forest having been logged or set ablaze in recent decades to make way for plantations. In additional to releasing vast amounts of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, this has threatened the habitat of orangutans and other endangered species. About 50 Greenpeace activists, wearing orange, arrived outside Total’s biorefinery in La Mede near Marseille at around 6 am (0500GMT). They placed large two orange containers in front of the entrance and a protester chained himself to each container. The group said each container holds enough supplies for the activists to remain at the site for several days. Banners read “Deforestation made in France” and French President “Emmanuel Macron complicit”. “The refinery at La Mede is a center of deforestation imported into France, which imports 550,000 tonnes of palm oil per year, which corresponds to 64 percent of French consumption,” Clement Senechal of Greenpeace France told AFP. When launching the La Mede biorefinery earlier this year Total pledged it would process no more than 300,000 tonnes of palm oil per year -- less than half of the total volume of raw materials needed and that would be certified as being sustainable according to EU standards. It said the certification ensured there had been no deforestation to produce the oil and would result in at least a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels. France’s constitutional court earlier this month rejected a bid by Total to secure a tax break for using palm oil to create biofuel. AFP

HK activist Wong barred from election

ONG KONG―Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong was barred Tuesday from standing in a coming local election, after months of huge and frequently violent protests in the city.

Wong, one of the most prominent figures in the otherwise leaderless and faceless movement, accused the government of “political screening” after an election officer ruled his nomination for the November poll invalid. “I strongly condemn the government for conducting political screening and censorship, depriving me of my political rights,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page. In response to media inquiries, a government spokesman said Wong’s nomination was declared invalid as he advocates “selfdetermination” for Hong Kong, which is inconsistent with the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution. “The candidate cannot possibly comply with the requirements of the relevant electoral laws,” the spokesman added. Hong Kong has been battered by nearly five months of pro-democracy protests which Beijing and its local leaders have taken a hard line against. Millions have hit the streets, with hardcore activists clashing repeatedly with police, in the biggest challenge to China’s rule since the city’s handover from Britain in 1997. Wong, 22, is one of the most well-known pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong today after becoming the poster child of the huge pro-democracy “Umbrella Movement” protests of 2014 that failed to win any concessions from Beijing.

Wong and his party, Demosisto, have denied supporting independence for the city. Any talk of independence incenses Beijing as Chinese President Xi Jinping increasingly emphasizes the importance of territorial integrity. The government spokesman denied any political censorship in the decision to disqualify Wong. “There is no question of any political censorship, restriction of the freedom of speech or deprivation of the right to stand for elections as alleged by some members of the community.” But the decision sparked criticism that it could intensify the ongoing protests. “When you keep rigging the only―and lowest level―elections on offer, you’re going to make many in #HongKong... conclude that the only way to be heard is on the streets,” Maya Wang, Senior China Researcher for Human Rights Watch, said on Twitter. Last year, Agnes Chow, another young pro-democracy leader from Wong’s party, was barred from standing in by-elections because her party advocates self-determination for Hong Kong. In 2016 and 2017, the city’s courts ousted six pro-democracy lawmakers for breaches in their swearing-in ceremony and in their oaths of allegiance, a move backed by Beijing. Two of the ousted lawmakers advocated separatism from mainland China. AFP

Bank stokes unease in Hungary BUDAPEST―Called “Putin’s Trojan horse” by Hungarian opposition politicians, a small Russian-dominated bank in Budapest has sparked unease ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the capital Wednesday. The International Investment Bank (IIB) officially completed the move of its headquarters to Budapest last month. But concerns persist that it is a vehicle for extending Russian political influence in Central Europe, and potentially for intelligence-gathering. Hungarian opposition politicians have described the bank as a “national security threat” and a “nest of spies”. And in September, nine US senators and two Members of Congress set out their concerns in a letter to Washington’s ambassador in Budapest. The bank “is widely seen as an arm of the Russian secret service,” they wrote. Founded in 1970 by the Soviet Union to foster links within the communist bloc, the IIB is registered as an official Russian state organ. Billed as a version of the London-based European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), albeit smaller, the bank distributes loans to firms and projects in member countries. Five of its nine current members are

EU and NATO countries Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. The other members, besides Russia itself, are Cuba, Mongolia and Vietnam. Hungary left the bank during nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s first term in 2000, citing a lack of transparency. But three years after Putin revamped it in 2012, Hungary rejoined, and is now its second biggest shareholder. The move to Budapest will “strengthen the role of Hungary and Budapest as an international financial center”, the Hungarian government’s press office told AFP in an email. The bank is expected to have more than 100 international staff when fully operational in a permanent office next year, but the background of some senior figures has raised concerns among some observers. Although the bank has firmly denied ever carrying out spying activity and rejects the ‘Trojan horse’ analogy, its chairman, veteran diplomat Nikolay Kosov, has alleged family links to the Russia’s KGB. Hungary’s delegate to the bank, Imre Boros, worked for Hungarian intelligence during the country’s pre-1990 communist era. Legislation approved by Budapest in March, meanwhile, grants wide-ranging diplomatic immunity to some of its foreign staff. AFP

LGUs

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

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

ORGANIC HORTICULTURE. A horticulture student inspects the growth performance of Romaine lettuce at an organic vegetable farm in Malico, Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya. The local government of Santa Fe encourages organic vegetable farming in the upland town. Ben Moses Ebreo

$332m set for Makati subway SEARCA installs Gregorio as 11th director in rites By Brenda Jocson LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture has honored Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio as its new director with a formal investiture ceremony on Monday at its headquarters here. SEARCA is one of the oldest specialist institutions of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization hosted by the Philippine government on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños. The institution was founded in 1966 to serve the agricultural and rural development needs of Southeast Asian countries through graduate education and training, research, and knowledge dissemination. Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones graced the occasion as guest of honor and speaker. As the head of DepEd, SEARCA’s focal agency in the Philippines, Briones also presided over the investiture ceremony. Gregorio, who assumed office in May, used his investiture address to share his vision for SEARCA and agriculture in Southeast Asia. A distinguished rice scientist and academician, Gregorio spoke about the Center’s new strategic plan for the next five years that will focus on elevating the quality of life of agricultural families through sustainable and resilient livelihoods, access to modern networks and markets. He said SEARCA commits to initiating academe-industry-government interconnectivity to become the leading enabler and champion of “Agriculture 4.0” and rural development in Southeast Asia, and contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development goals. Gregorio brings to SEARCA his wide experience from three decades of work with the International Rice Research Institute, and later as the global lead of breeding programs of the EastWest Seed Company Inc.

By Joel E. Zurbano

N INITIAL funding of US$332 million (about P16.9 billion) has been made available for the Makati City Subway system project after the proponent signed investment agreements with Chinese firm partners in Hong Kong last Monday. Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay witnessed the signing ceremony made by the Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc., the project’s lead private sector proponent, and its partner Hui Gao Investments Development Limited. Binay said the Chinese firm has agreed to provide $102 million as equity investment and $200 million in credit facility to be used for the Philippines’ first intra-city subway system. Shanghai Mintu Investments Ltd. also signed a subscription agreement for di-

rect equity investments of $30 million in Makati City Subway, Inc., the corporate entity that will construct and operate the subway system, said Binay. Together with the land contribution of Makati City and the initial investment, the Makati City Subway System now has an initial funding of around $500 million. The Makati Subway, the first and most ambitious underground railway project undertaken by a local government unit in the Philippines, is expected to increase work productivity by cutting down the dai-

ly commute or travel time of workers. “The Makati Subway project is definitely gaining momentum, and we are confident that our lead partner Philippine Infradev Holdings will be able to sustain the pace and finish the project on schedule,” Binay said. “We are also grateful to our new partners from the Chinese business community for showing their trust in the viability of the subway project through their investments. With their vote of confidence, we anticipate more investors coming in to share our vision for the city,” she added. Hui Gao Investments Development Limited is an affiliate of the Redco Properties Group. Redco is a HK publicly listed integrated property developer focusing on mid-to-high-end residential and commercial property development in the People’s Republic of China.

EURO EDUCATION FAIR. Commission

on Higher Education Commissioner Aldrin Darilag (left) and Rafael de Bustamante, First Counsellor of the European Delegations to the Philippines, shake hands as they lead the opening ceremonies of the European Higher Education Fair 2019 at Edsa Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City. Manny Palmero

9th Navotas village marked drug-free By Jun David THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has recognized another barangay in Navotas that has been cleared from illegal drugs. Mayor Toby Tiangco, together with members of the city council, handed the PDEA certificate to barangay chairperson Marilou Gonzales and other officials of Barangay Bagumbayan North. “The fight against illegal drugs is long and arduous, yet we forge ahead knowing that every success we achieve―however small it may be― redounds to the welfare and benefit of our people,” Tiangco said. BBN is the 9th village in Navotas declared drug-cleared. Other barangays include North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) Dagat-dagatan, NBBS Proper and NBBS Kaunlaran, Navotas East and Navotas West, Tanza I and Tanza II, and San Rafael Village. The certificate stated that BBN has been drug-cleared as of Oct. 22, 2019 after thorough assessment and validation on their compliance with Section 8 of Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 3, series of 2017. For a barangay to be drug-cleared, drug personalities under its unified watchlist should have been given appropriate intervention, it has a drugfree workplace, barangay officials are actively advocating for anti-drug campaign, among others. Tiangco reminded Navoteños that being drug-cleared does not mean a barangay is totally rid of the drug menace. “There are people who prey on others, especially the youth and the poor, and take advantage of their innocence or dire circumstances. We need to be vigilant of them. Report any suspicious individuals or activities and let’s help keep our people safe,” he said.

More Electric hits PECO’s P1.1-b ‘gimmick’ By Alena Mae Flores MORE Electric and Power Corp., the new distributor of Iloilo City, has slammed the pronouncement of Panay Electric Co. of investing P1.1 billion in the next 10 years, calling it nothing more than a legal gimmickry. “I commend franchise-denied PECO, its legal advisers... for making that statement to spend P1.1 billion. This is the amount, more or less, they owe the consumers,” said MORE president Roel Castro. “What the consumers in Iloilo are paying since years ago already includes that P1.1 billion which they did not invest in the past. So it’s just right that they pump it in because they owe that to consumers. In fact, they have to spend that in 10 weeks, not 10 years!” he added. Castro pointed out that even the Court of Appeals, in its ruling denying PECO’s bid to stop the expropriation proceedings, had recognized that MORE is now Iloilo’s sole distribution utility, charged with ensuring and maintaining stable electricity supply for the city’s 65,000 households and businesses. He also said that franchise-less PECO’s announcement would have been appreciated better by Iloilo consumers and both chambers of Congress had it invested the money 10 years ago.

Caltex FYS nets P3m for 30 Cordillera, Cagayan Valley high schools SANTIAGO CITY― Caltex, a supplier of record-breaking fuels, recently set another record. This time, it supplied modern 21st century teaching tools to the 30 highest-need public high schools in Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

During the awarding ceremonies of Caltex Fuel Your School (FYS) here, P3 million worth of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) equipment were turned over to public high schools in Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino,

RP Energy wins Quill Excellence Award SUBIC BAY FREEPORT―Redondo Peninsula Energy (RP Energy) has won a Quill Excellence Award for its corporate social responsibility program. “This shared success is testament to our years of shared partnership for the programs we implement. We dedicate this to every volunteer who woke up early, went beyond their call of duty, to help our environment and the community,” said Jason Gavina, RP Energy’s CSR manager. RP Energy’s “Protect the Bay Initiative,” its flagship environmental CSR program, aims to build a community of volunteers and organizations that will help preserve, protect and sustain the Subic Bay and its coastal communities.

The initiative includes coastal cleanup activities, recycled art competitions, advocacy runs, environmental forums, and livelihood programs for fisherfolk groups. The Philippine Quill is the country’s most prestigious awards program in the field of business communication. It has been bestowing the seal of approval to the most reputable organizations and corporations for almost 20 years, emphasizing the use of excellent communication to achieve business goals and to make an impact in the community. The award is given annually by the International Association of Business Communicators-Philippines. Butch Gunio

Kalinga and Ifugao. During the Caltex FYS campaign, all fuel-ups in 23 Caltex stations managed by branded marketer Northern Star Energy Corp. in Cagayan Valley and portions of CAR were matched by Caltex and Northern Star with a P1-

for-every-liter donation to raise the P3-million target from June 1 until Aug. 15. The fund was divided among the 30 public high schools selected based on criteria set by the Department of Education. RP Energy CSR manager Jason Gavina (second from left) shows the Quill Excellence Award trophy together with (from left) Litz Santana, VP and head, External Affairs of parent company Meralco PowerGen; Claire Feliciano, Corporate Communications Associate; and Restituto del Rosario, chairperson of the Subic Bay Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Fisherfolk Association. Butch Gunio

Life FASION AND BEAUTY

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

Red Charity Gala’s first 10

10 acclaimed Filipino designers come together in one show By Monica Sanchez

EN of the biggest names in Philippine fashion came together in an iconic fashion and philanthropic event. For the 11th staging of Red Charity Gala, founders Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga pulled out all the stops to bring past 10 honorees into one show, titled “The First Ten.” Proceeds from the show will go to the Philippine Red Cross, Assumption HS 81 Foundation, and other charities across the country. Each designer presented their latest collection that highlighted their artistry. First featured designer Dennis Lustico (2009) showcased a collection that essayed how his personal style has evolved ever since hi first graced the Red Charity Gala stage. According to him, his collection, “The Story of Mei,” was inspired by Zhang Ziyi’s character in the film House of Flying Dagger, highlighting a hyperglam interpretation of the Chinese traditional dress. Dubai-based Furne One (2010) dazzled the audience with a collection of gold ensembles that featured his distinctive way of incorporating lace, tulles, feathers, and other intricate details to his masterpieces. Breathtaking pieces inspired by the colors and culture of India were presented by world-renowned couturier Michael Cinco (2011). Famous for his dramatic and intricate ballgowns, Cinco’s enchanting collection was inspired by the love story behind the iconic Taj Mahal. After unveiling his 35-piece origamiinspired collection during his first Red Charity Gala show, Cebuano designer Cary Santiago (2012) returned with an enthralling Japanese-inspired spectacle which combined edgy sophistication with femininity and modernity. Ezra Santos (2013) left a lasting impression with his collection inspired by the traces of an unknown woman. His collection showcased the beauty and fashion of the Arab countries, as well as

10S ACROSS THE BOARD. This year’s Red Charity Gala has gathered past 10 honorees in one iconic show. Each designer featured their latest capsule collection. A creation by (clockwise, from top left) Cary Santiago, Furne One, Chito Vijandre, Jojie Lloren, Ezra Santos, Rajo Laurel, Dennis Lustico, Lesley Mobo, Michael Cinco, Joey Samson.

Turn to C2

Wear a little magic “IN THESE busy times, we’ll take a little everyday magic wherever we can get it.” This is how Nathalie Colin, creative director of Swarovski, describes the label’s fall/winter 2019 collection. Following on from the previous season’s #FollowTheLight theme, the Tarot Magic Collection features the magic and destiny as it weaves elements of tarot and astrology into its designs. Pieces are sprinkled with sparkling symbols, signs, portents, and astrology motifs. It features unique silhouettes in chic gold tones and rich dark blues, purples, and greens. “As the winter approaches, we want (today’s modern woman) to wear jewels, symbols, and talismans that represent light and positivity as well as empowers and protects. This season, the message is to believe in one’s destiny,” says Colin. The brand explores the play on light when crystals, metal tones, and sym-

bols are combined. Swallows, spades, evil eyes, and hand gestures are incorporated into the versatile silhouettes and embellished with Swarovski crystals. Hidden meaningful details reveal themselves upon closer inspection.

Caronia’s Exquisite Collection is composed of (from left) Crimson, Champagne, Twilight, and Dusk.

Fabulously festive nails

The Tarot Magic Collection consists of pieces featuring symbols, signs, portents, and astrology motifs in chic gold tones and rich dark blues, purples, and greens.

A PUT together holiday look goes beyond the face, it extends to those fingernails and toenails, too. For dazzling digits perfect for the many reunions and parties this season, Caronia releases its newest Exquisite Collection. The collection consists of four elegant shades. Channel your inner femme fatale with the vivid tint of Crimson which would look great for a special dinner with friends and loved ones. Meanwhile, Champagne’s luscious tone of gold is perfect for office holiday parties. For girls’ night out, the mesmerizing color of azure blue bottled in Twilight is a stellar hue. Finally, exude boldness with Dusk, an elegant shade of midnight green that can be worn day or night. The limited edition pack of Caronia Exquisite Collection is priced at P151. Fifty lucky customers who will purchase the collection will win a meet and greet with actress Shaira Diaz. Go to www.caronia.com.ph or Caronia Philippines on Facebook to know the complete mechanics. Deadline for submission of entries is on Nov. 26.

Lucky winners of the Caronia raffle will meet and greet with young actress Shaira Diaz.

Life

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Walk into the wild side

Snakeskin circle top handle bag and ankle-strap heels

AFARI prints continue to roar on the runways of the recent New York and Paris Fashion Week shows.

From the catwalks of Proenza Schouler, Versace, Coach, and Saint Laurent, the edgy prints make a strong statement in the SM Store’s Parisian and SM Accessories collection. The classic leopard print, which is a symbol of sophistication, power, and seduction, is seen in Parisian classic pumps as well as in sling bags and caps from SM Accessories. A favorite in the street style circuit, the snakeskin slithers its way on top handle bag and ankle-strap heels from Parisian. Full of attitude, the monochromatic zebra print is featured on scarves, bangles, and more from SM Accessories. These pieces are available at SM Stores nationwide. Snakeskin print on top handle bag and ankle-strap heels

Safari prints are featured in new pieces from Parisian and SM Accessories.

Leopard print caps

#FOTD

5 easy-to-do eyeliner styles DEFINING your eyes using a trusty eyeliner is one of the easy ways to change your look. Check out these eyeliner styles (instructions included) using Careline Graph Ink eyeliner, winner of the Cosmo Beauty Award in 2018 and 2019.

Boo! It’s bath time FILL the bath to the brim with all things frighteningly delightful. Lush brings Halloween to the bathroom with these bath essentials.

Natural

Ghost in The Dark Soap

Highly ideal for any eye shape, the natural eyeliner style is probably one of the easiest to make. Start by drawing a thin line on both ends of your eyelids. Then draw thicker lines from the middle of your eyelids outwards to create wings.

Monster’s Ball Bath Bomb

Punkin Pumpkin Bath Bomb

Fizz this ghoul of bright citrus oils for a warm, relaxing retreat.

Boogie on down to the bathroom for an enchanting mash up of Himalayan salt and energizing lime oil.

Ghoulish lemongrass and hair-raising bergamot oil ooze from its luminous lather.

Doll Eyes

The doll eye makeup technique is perfect for women with round eyes. Slay this style by drawing a simple cat eye from the inner corner of your eyes, outwards. Then, to create a more dazzling eye makeup, add glittery eyeshadow and use lash extensions both on your upper and lower eyelashes. Finish the look with brown contact lenses.

The comforting mixture of clove bud oil, ginger oleoresin, and cinnamon powder is a warming treat to the lips, while caster sugar gently buffs and polishes dry skin and jojoba oil softens and soothes.

Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar

Boo! Shower Slime

(2015), took the audience back to the Golden Age of Hollywood with his collection. Each piece was a reflection of the cynical attitudes, sexual motivations, and glamour of female film characters in the ‘40s and ‘50s. For his collection, Chito Vijandre (2016) took inspiration from 18th and 19th century artists who created personifications of the continents based on representations of perceived qualities and virtues. During his set, he presented fantasy couture pieces that mirrored how he experienced the world in his lifetime.

Joey Samson’s (2017) line of menswear showed a balance between contemporary and classic elements. His pieces looked at garments from perspectives of different individuals at a given space. Fresh from his Red Charity Gala show, Rajo Laurel (2018) returned to present creations that paid homage to the energy, colors, and joy of the AtiAtihan festival. Titled “Hala-Bira,” his collection reflected his penchant for romanticism and luxury, while featuring woven materials by marginalized women from Davao and Bicol.

Forget about superstitions and allow yourself to be spellbound by uplifting bergamot oil and familiar blackberry On days when confusion and misun- scent after crumbling it under the water. derstandings ruin the day, as Mercury enters retrograde from Oct. 31 to Nov. 20, this bath bomb is here to help.

Mercury Retrograde Bath Bomb

Thick

This technique is ideal for those with monolids. The thick eyeliner aims to define the outer corners of the eyes. Starting with thick lines on the inner corners, gradually add more volume from the middle of the upper lash line to the wings.

Floating Eyeliner or Double Line

This makeup technique has a lot of variations and is ideal for girls with hooded eyes. To achieve this look, draw a thin line from your wing which extends up to your inner crease to create an illusion of bigger lids. Finish the look with a swoosh of mascara.

Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb

Pumped up for pumpkin? Revel in Once you go black slime, your skin Revel in the spicy herbal blend of the warming juniper berry and uplifting will be treated with softening cornflour patchouli and black pepper oil from this grapefruit waters this shimmery bubble and bamboo stem extract that leave skin Feast of Fools-inspired bath bomb. bar brings. clean and smooth.

Red Charity... Artsy or Cute

For a funky and stylish technique that would most definitely suit any eye shape, try the artsy eyeliner. Simply draw a heart shape on top of your eyebrow down to your cheekbone. This technique will surely bring your eye makeup game to another level and help steal the spotlight at holiday gatherings. Get this eyeliner at leading department stores, drugstores, and supermarkets nationwide.

Pumpkin Spice Lip Scrub

Bewitched Bubble Bar

From C1

the princess-like qualities of its women. Known for constantly experimenting with techniques and patterns, Jojie Lloren (2014) presented a collection with a modern Filipiniana flavor. His collection featured re-engineered versions of Filipino garments such as Barong Tagalog, terno, traje de mestiza, and the Balintawak. After making headlines earlier this year with his controversial sequined dress, London-based Lesley Mobo

Entertainment

wednesday, october 30, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

One of... From C4

‘Santa subito’ director Alessandro Piva and the cast of the film pose for a photo on the red carpet at Rome FIlm Festival.

Docufilm ‘Santa Subido’ wins at Rome film fest

anta Subito by Alessandro Piva is the winner of the “BNL People’s Choice Award” at the 14th Rome Film Fest.

The “BNL People’s Choice Award”, in collaboration with BNL Group BNP Paribas, Main Partner of Rome Film Fest, was awarded by the viewers: the audience cast its vote for the films in the Official Selection using myCicero, the official app “RomeFilmFest” (developed by Pluservice), and on the website www.romacinemafest.org The film tackles the story of Santa. Like every young girl, she harbours dreams and anxieties, which she entrusts to her diary. Her heart burns with her Christian faith and her thirst for life: she is determined in her desire to follow her spiritual vocation, but not before graduating from college, as agreed with

her parents. But someone steps in between Santa and her aspirations. A man she met by chance during parish activities starts to stalk her, send her raving letters, and follow her everywhere for three long years, continuing undisturbed despite her many reports to the police. On March 15, 1991, Santa was stabbed thirteen times, putting an end to her life. “I heard about Santa Scorese’s story during a public event in which her sister Rosa Maria spoke, and which struck me in particular for her concluding thoughts: Santa was not the only victim of this tragedy. In an admirable moment of realization, Rosa Maria noted that her sister’s stalker could have been

Why is Enchong Dee lying low?

Enchong Dee may be jobless on TV but he’s busy with other things like traveling, endorsements, and promoting his healthy and active lifestyle advocacy.

stopped in time so that he would not hurt himself or others,” the Piva said. “The institutions of the time were unprepared however to deal with issues such as violence against women or stalking, leading straight to this preordained outcome.I therefore decided to tell this story and to do so through the voices of Santa’s friends and relatives, asking them to talk about her as if she were still alive, and going back to the years in which she was enthusiastically planning her future,” the director added. According to Piva, the story changes tone when the figure of the stalker bursts in and the protagonists’ accounts become painful and participatory. “This story is dedicated to those who remain to face their grief alone, following the dismay caused by a sudden and absurd loss. My small, personal appeal to not leave women alone, when they are at the mercy of mental illness

ACTOR and TV host Enchong Dee reveals that he still has no upcoming regular show with home studio ABS-CBN. His last program with the network was the Blood Sisters in 2018. “I don’t know why it’s like that,” he says. Did he receive offers previously to do a show or it’s his decision not to be visible in the soap opera scene at this point? “There were offers in the beginning but you know, you have to weigh things. You have to assess if you will do a project because you want it or you will do it because your mother network couldn’t give you something really meaty. I simply have to consider wisely regarding the next show I’ll be doing.” With this scenario, does he toy with the idea of transferring to the rival camp? “I don’t think it’s the right time to think about that because I still have an existing contract with the Kapamilya. To be honest, it hasn’t crossed my mind, maybe because I don’t consider the ‘biz as my sole source of income. For me, it’s still the craft. It’s something that I deeply value and is very passionate about. At the end of the day, it’s not always money that should be your top consideration in accepting offers,” states Enchong. Next year, his contract with ABS-CBN will already expire. Does he feel impatient with having no regular show now? “Well, it’s just fine. Anyway, it gives me the time to make movies at the other end so, just the same.” Apart from being an actor, he also has other successful businesses and has bought various properties. Some quarters ask if he has started contemplating on quitting show business. “Nope, I haven’t thought of the idea. There are still lots of things I dream to accomplish like representing our country to different international film festivals. It’s one of my fervent hopes. It will be very memorable and prestigious.” Speaking of prestige, the chinky-eyed actor achieved another milestone in his career when he was adjudged Best Single Performance by an Actor in the recent 33rd Star Awards for Television. “Oh yes! It’s the second time that I received such recognition. In 2011, I also bagged the same trophy from the Star Awards. I was cited for my work in the Maalaala Mo Kaya episode titled,

disguised as love,” the director appealed. Piva became a director following a career as a photographer, film editor and screenwriter. His works as a documentarist won him the Premio Libero Bizzarri and a Premio Fedic Special Mention at the Venice Film Festival, along with a nomination for a David di Donatello. As a film director, he has made four feature-length films: LaCapaGira, presented at the Berlin Film Festival a nd winner of many awards including the David di Donatello and a Ciak d’Oro 2000; Mio cognato presented at the Festival of Locarno, which received three nominations for the Nastro d’Argento awards 2004; Henry, presented at the Festival di Torino in 2010, winning the People’s Choice Award; Milionari, presented at the Rome Film Fest, and nominated for the Nastro d’Argento in 2016.

Wheelchair.’ I’m proud with the award. It validates my growth as an artist,” Enchong states. Interestingly, his next film project excites the appealing lad. “We’ll start shooting next month. It is a collaboration thing between Ten 17 Production and Toni Gonzaga’s Tin Can. I’m just thrilled because I’ve been dreaming to work with Direk Paul (Soriano) and now came the opportunity. They’re known for making quality movies which have box-office potential. I’m really looking forward to this!” Meanwhile, what’s the present state of his love life? “Actually, I’m doing so many other stuffs apart from show business. The ‘biz is like just ten percent of my whole life. There are other aspects which I attend to. Love life? Perhaps, if I have right now, I’ll just keep quiet and be on low profile. I learned from my experiences in the past. But definitely, I’m dating,” Enchong ends. *** Action star wannabe As his GMA soap opera Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko recently had its curtain call, Rayver Cruz mentions the next genre he dreams for his next project if possible. “Action!” he avers. “If given a choice, I want to do an action project. I think it will suit me because I’m athletic. I’m also aware that the Kapuso shines in their action materials so I hope I can try. I want it to be an action with a twist.” Many notice that he’s one of the busiest actors in his home studio. Apart from the recentlyconcluded Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko he is also in Studio 7 and the Clash. “I’m really grateful to GMA for the trust and confidence. It’s simply a blessing. That’s why I’m inspired to work and give it my best shot!” Now that he’s also hosting, how can he compare it with acting and dancing? “For sure, it gives me a different high. It’s a nice feeling to realize that you can do something new apart from the usual tasks assigned to you. Definitely, my inclusion as a main host in the Clash adds to my versatility as it further widens my horizon. I’m realty thankful to be given the chance,” says Rayver.

The first-ever primetime series of the RitKen love team, One of the Baes not only pays tribute to Filipino seafarers but also empowers women through the story of Jowa (Rita) who is bent on making waves to achieve her dream of becoming a ship captain. It also touches on protecting the seas through the character of Grant (Grant), a rich yet kindhearted environmental vlogger. The Jowa-Grant love story continues to draw in fans who cannot get enough of the natural chemistry of the Rita and Ken. Just recently, the two Kapuso actors were conferred the “Power Tandem of the Year” award by the 33rd Star Awards for TV. Every night, viewers take it to social media to express their ‘kilig’ over their characters in One of the Baes. Viewers and netizens have also been raving about the classic comedic prowess of Roderick Paulate as Paps, who made his television comeback as Jowa’s adoptive father in the series. In fact, prior to the show’s pilot airing, one of his scenes in the program had set the internet abuzz, getting 1 million views just a few days after it was uploaded. This was followed by more videos and memes that also drew million views as of this writing. The fun, romantic series is further highlighted by the colorful characters of Jo (Amy Austria), Francis Aragoza (Tonton Gutierrez), Alona Aragoza (Melanie Marquez), and Steve Altamirano (Jestoni Alarcon). Joining the veteran actors are Maureen Larrazabal, Edgar Allan Guzman, Rodjun Cruz, and Joyce Ching together with the hilarious ensemble of Archie Alemania, Buboy Villar, Kenneth Medrano, and James Teng. More existing twists await viewers in One of the Baes. This week, Paps will discover that Jowa already knows about his secret. Will he also reveal to Jowa her true identity? Meanwhile, it seems Jowa and Grant are getting closer to each other as they go on a mangrove clean-up with the rest of the Baes. Present as well are Grant’s dad, Steve and his Tita Jo, including Francis. Not wanting to be left out and fuming with anger because Grant did not invite her, Alona invited herself! Jowa and Grant also take part in the Last Man Sailing Intercollegiate Competition. Will their tandem beat the rival maritime school or will it only fuel Alona’s rage against Jowa? And don’t miss Paps’ birthday surprise for Jowa—the Sex Bomb Dancers. All these and more on One of the Baes, weeknights after the Gift on GMA Telebabad. Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

Rayver Cruz wants to do action after starring in a string of drama series.

Entertainment

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

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

Saving Filipino films

An inspiring FAMILY FILM

Victor Neri and child actor Julio Sabenorioin a scene from the inspirational film, ‘Guerrero Dos: Tuloy ang Laban.’ ABS-CBN Film Restoration head Leo Katigbak

HOW can we preserve the colorful the service of the Filipino people. We Filipino culture through film restoration? are a media company and that is one of This is the question that ABS-CBN Film the legacies we want to leave behind, a Restoration head Leo Katigbak answers record of our psychology, of our past, so in the second Think Possible Lightbulb we can stop repeating mistakes,” he said. Session of ANC, the ABS-CBN News Think Possible is a 30-minute session Channel. featuring change-makers and innovators A media veteran for 32 years, Katigbak who have ideas, or are doing something, has overseen the restoration of around 180 to make the world better. Episodes are Filipino films, some of which have already available on the ANC YouTube channel, been featured in international film fests, while shorter versions are aired on ANC’s local red carpet premieres, free-to-air and newscasts 24/7. cable television, pay-per-view and videoWatch Leo Katigbak’s Think on-demand platforms, DVD releases, and Possible Lightbulb Session iTunes. here: https://www.youtube.com/ Katigbak strongly believes that cinema watch?v=06gc2CzY6BY. To know reflects a nation’s culture and history, and more about ABS-CBN Film Restorathrough ABS-CBN’s “Sagip Pelikula” tion, visit www.facebook.com/filmadvocacy, he has been spreading the word restorationabscbn. on the importance of saving, restoring, and preserving Filipinos’ best works in filmmaking. In front of fellow media practitioners, members of the local film community, as well as students, Katigbak talks about the history of Philippine cinema, explaining how our humid weather and the expensive cost of storing film reels properly has led to the loss of many of the country’s old movies. He guides them through the restoration process, where films are brought back to how their creators envisioned them, and the efforts undertaken by ABS-CBN Film Restoration to get audiences to watch and appreciate these restored classics once again through the “Sagip Pelikula” campaign. “This is a legacy borne out of the Piolo Pascual is among the many stars mantra of ABS-CBN, which is to be in supporting the Sagip Pelikula campaign

‘One of the Baes’ topples competition, records highest ratings to date MORE and more viewers are going crazy over the adorable love team of RitKen—Rita Daniela and Ken Chan—as Jowalyn Biglangdapa and Grant Altamirano, while enjoying the timeless comedic touch of Roderick Paulate as Paps Fernando in the hit primetime series One of the Baes. The millennial fairy tale is proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the primetime block as it continues to draw in more viewers every night. Based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s overnight ratings data for Oct. 25, One of the Baes toppled competition after it recorded a people rating of 9.4 percent in

National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), beating the rival program Killer Bride which only managed to get 7.7 percent. The win sets another record for One of the Baes after its remarkable triumph against its counterpart last Oct. 24 with a people rating of 9.0 percent against Killer Bride’s 7.8 percent. Since its pilot airing last month, the GMA Public Affairs teleserye has been winning the hearts of viewers despite its schedule, which usually sees the number of television viewers declining from the earlier time slots. Continued on C3 Rita Daniela and Ken Chan of the hit primetime series, ‘One of the Baes.’

UERRERO Dos: Tuloy ang Laban is a film that teaches the audience to never give up. Written and directed by multi-awarded director Carlo Ortega Cuevas, the full-length feature is already a second installment. It stars child actor Julio Sabenorio who returns for his portrayal of Miguel, who brings smiles and joy to everyone he meets. Veteran actor and director Art De Guzman, newcomer Mia Suarez, and Victor Neri complete the new characters in the sequel. The film picks up after Miguel’s brother, Ramon, was tragically knocked out in a boxing match that put him in a coma. Miguel realizes at an early age that the real fight, which is their life, must continue. Although he cannot leave his brother’s side at the hospital, waiting for him to wake up from his coma, he brings joy and hope to the people around him. One day, Delia, a woman experiencing severe depression attempted to end her life, but she is rescued and rushed to the hospital by his life-long husband, Ruben. In the most unlikely ways and situations, their lives entangle as they face their own battles. Guerrero Dos is the third film venture of EBC Films in the production of inspirational movies. EBC Films hopes that the film will make people laugh and cry. But most importantly, it wants to inspire “Filipinos here and around the world to face life with optimism no mater what they may go through and to fight for their faith.” ***

Savage brought the best of the world tattoo culture to the Philippines when it hosted the first Macbeth Savage Ink International Tattoo Convention last Oct. 19 to 20 at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City. A total of 250 participants across 17 countries, from tattoo legends, exhibitors, artists, and models, had come to converge in Cebu City for an unforgettable weekend that has left an indelible mark among members of the country’s tattoo community. To help the tattoo community in the Philippines grow by providing them with the same standard as other international tattoo events is the heart and soul of Savage Ink. With the convention aiming to promote cultural diversity, destigmatize tattoos and celebrate its cultural significance to Filipinos, the turn out of more than 1500 foot traffic each day, merging this art form with other mainstream art scenes is slowly becoming a reality. Special VIP’s graced the grand opening headed by Department of Tourism Region 7 Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano, Waterfront General Manager Anders Hollden, Head

Organizers Ann Savage, Joe Black, Macbeth Marketing Rhome Yu, Macbeth Ambassador Joseph Bitangcol, and Macbeth President Rudy Yu. Top artists from around the world competed in the two-day event, which was judged by 12 tattoo legends strategically selected to judge their areas of expertise across 20 categories. A Grand winner for the highlight category centerpiece Best of Show, awarded to the best across all categories overall. The winner of the Best of Show Jastein Abellana, a native from Cebu City, won by unanimous decision from the judges with his ingenious concept of combining two forearm tattoos to create one cohesive piece. Jastein received a trophy, a certiﬁcate, and a check worth P100,000 courtesy of Macbeth Philippines, and a free booth at Cezanne Tattoo Convention in France. Dance performances, theater shows, Filipino Martial Arts Arnis Exhibition was also staged during the convention, as well as some of the country’s top bands from Luzon were lined up to perform. An Artists Alley was also opened for local designers to showcase their talents.

Tattoo convention in Waterfront Cebu Apparel and footwear brand Macbeth in collaboration with Ann

Special guests and VIPs attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of Macbeth Savage Ink International Convention.

‘Joker’ gets the last laugh

‘Joker’ starring Joaquin Phoenix tops North American box office

WARNER Bros.’ Joker won a battle of the supervillains this weekend, selling an estimated $18.9 million in tickets to edge out Maleﬁcent: Mistress of Evil and regain the top spot in North American theaters, an industry group reported Sunday. The Joaquin Phoenix scarefest slipped from last weekend’s take of $29.2 million for the Friday-to-Sunday period, but still bested the $18.5 million taken in by Maleﬁcent, a dark fantasy from Disney starring Angelina Jolie. Joker, with Phoenix incarnating Batman’s notorious nemesis, accomplished the rare feat of returning to No. 1 in its fourth week out. It has now taken in an impressive $849.1 million globally, becoming the most successful R-rated movie in history, according to Variety. With Halloween only days away, scary

movies did well overall. In third spot was The Addams Family from United Artists, at $11.7 million. The computer animation, following the spooky Addams family and some creepy relatives, features the voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Snoop Dogg, and Bette Midler. In fourth, at $11.6 million in its second week out, was Sony’s Zombieland: Double Tap, a comedy starring Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Luke Wilson. New release Countdown from STX films placed fifth at $9 million. The lowbudget horror film tells the tale of a nurse (Elizabeth Lail) who finds an app that predicts exactly when people will die-and learns her own death is only days away. AFP