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Prosecutor got death threats after rejecting P300-m bribe By Rio N. Araja A PRIVATE prosecutor in the Maguindanao massacre case on Tuesday said she was bribed to stay away from the case in exchange for P300 million. In an interview over ANC’s “Headstart,” lawyer Nena Santos said she was offered P300 million for her not to handle the multiple counts of murder ﬁled against the Ampatuan clan “about a year after” the massacre on Nov. 23, 2009. When she rejected the offer, she said she started to get death threats. She said even the kin of those who died were also offered money to retract their statements and withdraw the charges. Next page

NEW COINS. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has released the new P20 coin and the enhanced P5 coin featuring nine-sides to

make it more distinct from other coins. The new P20 coin will be the highest denomination in the BSP’s New Generation Currency series launched in 2018. The BSP earlier said it would release the new P20 in circulation by 2020.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 307 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ZALDY AMPATUAN

Verdict due on Ampatuans ‘Judgment on massacre of 32 journalists a test of PH justice system’ By Rey E. Requejo and MJ Blancaﬂor

HE alleged masterminds of the Philippines’ worst political massacre will learn their fate Thursday when a Quezon City court issues its verdict, in a test of the justice system for a nation with a deep-seated culture of impunity.

A decade ago, 58 people, including 32 media workers, were slaughtered and dumped into roadside pits during an attack that was also one of the world’s worst mass killings of journalists. Amid international outrage, the slaughter cast a harsh spotlight on the Philippines’ deep-seated problems of all-powerful political dynasties, easy access to guns and ofﬁcial impunity. Victims’ families have endured a trial of 101 defendants marred by allegations of bribery, defense delays, the murder of several witnesses and a fear that the still powerful accused could be acquitted. A guilty verdict “will be a strong signal to human rights abusers that they can’t always get away with murder,” researcher Carlos Conde of New Yorkbased Human Rights Watch said. “A not guilty verdict would be catastrophic for the cause of human rights and justice,” he said, adding acquittal would signal to warlords “that it’s business as usual, that they can continue using violence, intimidation and corruption to rule their communities.” Leaders of the powerful Ampatuan family, who ruled the impoverished southern province of Maguindanao, are charged with organizing the Nov. 23, 2009 mass killing in a bid to quash an election challenge from a rival clan. Next page

A DECADE BACK. These file photos taken on Nov 25, 2009 (left) show a backhoe lifting a dead body from a shallow grace, a victim of a massacre after gunmen shot at least 22 people in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao while a police investigator (right) gathers evidence next to the bodies of victims of the massacre. A decade after the country’s worst political massacre—where 58 people were slain—none of the alleged masterminds have been convicted thus far, leaving surviving families fearful that justice may never walk in. AFP

Quake toll rises Congress OKs New Year salary hike for state employees Ramos-Araneta to 7; aftershocks ByandMacon Maricel V. Cruz hamper rescue GOVERNMENT employees and ofﬁcials will receive increases in their salaries on Jan. 1 next year once Congress approves the ﬁnal version of the Salary Standard-

By Maricel V. Cruz AS MINDANAO braces for “The Big One” in the far south, the death toll from the latest major shock which rumbled underneath Davao del Sur last Sunday has reached seven, authorities conﬁrmed Tuesday. The magnitude 6.9 quake struck south of President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown Davao City, cracking thousands of concrete structures across the region, with rescuers using sniffer dogs and heartbeat detectors sifting through rubble for the second day to ﬁnd survivors. While Davao del Sur Rep. Mercedes Cagas appealed to the public to help her province, the mayor of one of the worst-hit areas Padada town executive Pedro Caminero Jr. said the collapsed

ization Law 5 within the week, said Senator Juan Edgardo Angara. The Senate approved Monday night on third and ﬁnal reading Senate Bill 1219 with a vote of 21-0-1, shortly after the House of Representatives passed its own version of the SSL-5. Minority

Leader Franklin Drilon was the lone senator who abstained from voting on the measure. Angara, who defended the bill on behalf of its sponsor Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., said the ﬁfth round of salary increases will be implemented in four tranches,

Bloody Tuesday: Smashups kill 11 A TOTAL of 11 persons died and scores were hurt in separate vehicular crashes in Rizal and Cavite provinces on Tuesday— a day after four persons were killed and ﬁve others were injured in a nine-vehicle smashup in Bulacan. Nine persons, mostly pedestrians, died in Cardona, Rizal when a cargo truck rammed a passenger jeepney, which then hit a truck ﬁlled with sand, around 5 a.m. Tuesday, police investigators said. In Mendez, Cavite, another 18-wheeler sand hauler lost control and careened into at least a dozen vehicles along the national highway, killing two persons and sending 15 others to the hospital. This followed the multi-vehicle smashup along MacArthur Highway in Barangay

starting Jan. 1 next year. The succeeding rounds will be implemented in 2021, 2022 and 2023. A total of P130.45 billion would be needed to implement the four tranches of the SSL-5, with P33.16 billion as the funding requirement for 2020. Next page

Reds out to sow terror, gov’t warns By MJ Blancaﬂor

WEARING nothing but a lacy bra and matching panties, Brazilian grandmother Helena Schargel strikes a seductive pose during a photo shoot featuring her latest lingerie designs for women over 60. “Wonderful, marvelous,” the photographer

THE final film in the epic “Star Wars” trilogy of trilogies brought Hollywood to a standstill Monday, as a galaxy of VIPs from the space saga that began four decades ago descended on a glittering world premiere.

THE government on Tuesday warned the public to be vigilant amid reports that communist rebels will begin a terror campaign in the urban areas to take advantage of the Christmas season. National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, would launch operations to assassinate people who do not submit to their will as they mark their 51st year on Dec. 26. “The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conﬂict has received reports that the communistterrorist CPP-NPA have operationalized their Special Partisan Units to conduct assassinations and terrorist activities in the urban areas to take advantage of the Yuletide season,” Esperon said in a statement. He said security forces had been advised to take appropriate counter measures against the “sinister threat.” The rebels, he said, were growing “more desperate to stem the tide and cling to whatever dwindling inﬂuence they have left.” “We advise the public to remain

Granny shines light on older women

VEHICULAR CRASHES. The days are turning bitter on the road as separate vehicular crashes in Rizal and Cavite have claimed 11 lives, only 24 hours after four persons were killed and five more injured in a nine-vehicle rear-ender in Bulacan.

Galaxy of VIPs at ‘Star Wars’ saga

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Palace wants drug convicts in ‘special jail’ By MJ Blancaflor THE Palace said Tuesday those convicted of drug-related offenses should be included in the proposed separate jail facility for those guilty of heinous crimes. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after the Senate approved Senate Bill 1055, which will create a separate facility for people convicted of heinous crimes. Among the heinous crimes listed were treason, piracy and mutiny on the high seas in Philippine waters, qualified piracy, qualified bribery, parricide, murder, infanticide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, destructive arson and rape. Panelo also criticized Vice President Leni Robredo for allegedly trying to grab the “spotlight” and becoming “relevant” with her drug war report. Robredo has deferred her report a number of times, looking for “perfect timing and hoping that people would pay attention to her as she struggles to be relevant while the government is silently doing its job,” Panelo said. “Her decision to call a press briefing to announce that there is no press briefing, while flashing her 40-page report, reveals that she only wants the spotlight,” Panelo said. Meanwhile, GMA Network Inc. wants the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to reveal the names of its artists allegedly involved in illegal drugs. In a statement, it said “GMA Network strictly adheres to its company-wide drug-free policy. “In line with this, the Network, seeks to be informed of the names of the media personalities allegedly included in the PDEA’s drug watch list to enable us to undertake appropriate measures as deemed necessary.” With Rio N. Araja

Prosecutor... From A1

Santos said the Ampatuans were also involved in other killings in Maguindanao, but these deaths remained not reported and charges were not ﬁled for fear. She said the Ampatuans, the principal suspects in the deaths of 58 people, including 32 journalists, had too much power and thought they could control the police, military and even politicians forever. Ten years after the Maguindanao massacre, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Reyes is set to resolve the case and issue a promulgation of judgment tomorrow (Dec. 19) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility at Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.

Reds... From A1

vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or strange activities in your area to the proper authorities,” Esperon said. “It is incumbent upon all Filipinos to unite and ensure the safety of our loved ones and communities, especially this Christmas and as we welcome the new year.” Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte assured the Armed Forces of the Philippines of his “unqualified support” as they fight to defeat terrorism and the communist insurgency. During the 84th anniversary celebration of the AFP, Duterte asked the soldiers to remain committed in their duty as the “primary force in realizing lasting peace and sustainable development across our country.” “I assure you of my unqualified support, especially as we continue our fight to defeat terrorism and violent extremism, end the insurgency and address the lingering and emerging threats to our national security,” Duterte said in his speech. “Our enemies are the terrorists, the NPAs, those who kidnap people for ransom in Jolo, the Abu Sayyaf. My order is when you fight, eradicate them to end the suffering of Filipinos.” Duterte also expressed confidence that the AFP would fight corruption within its halls through internal reforms. The President also praised the soldiers for being in the forefront of humanitarian and disaster response in times of natural and man-made disasters, aside from securing the peace. “If there is an earthquake, they are present. If there is flooding, they are present. If a volcano erupts, they are the first ones who will come. If there is a landslide, they will dig the land. If there is disorder, they establish order,” Duterte said.

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Chinese envoy to PH: Support HK “I hope you will support the SAR Government in ending violence, restoring order and upholding the rule of law, resist and oppose any words or deeds that interfere in Hong Kong affairs, and do more things that are conducive to the prosperity and stability in Hong Kong,’’ Huang said in his speech during the Chinese Embassy’s Christmas Party for Filipino journalists on Monday. “I sincerely hope that the Philippine people will bear in mind the larger picture and have a clear understanding of the

current situation,” Huang said. He admitted that the violent protests in Hong Kong had put the former crown colony into an “extremely dangerous situation” and even put a risk the interest of the 230,000 Filipino workers in Hong Kong. According to Huang, the Chinese government under the leadership of President Xi Jinping gives priority to ending the violence and restoring order in Hong Kong. “We will continue to ﬁrmly support the

SAR Government under the leadership of the Chief Executive in governing Hong Kong in accordance with law,” Huang said. “At the same time, the Chinese government remains unwavering in its determination to safeguard China’s national sovereignty, security and development interests, implement the One Country, Two Systems and oppose any interference from external forces in Hong Kong’s affairs.” Huang said the “violent offenders encouraged and supported by some external forces have disrupted law and order in Hong Kong, attempted to destabilize Hong Kong and undermine the “One Country, Two Systems.” The wave of protests in Hong Kong was sparked by a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial. Despite the withdrawal of the bill, Hong Kongers continue to show up in

Verdict... Lawyers representing many of the victims’ families said the 101 defendants, who have pleaded not guilty, face up to 30 years in prison without parole if convicted of even one of the 58 murders. The brazen attack was carried out in broad daylight on a convoy carrying an Ampatuan family rival’s wife, relatives, lawyers and the journalists, who were killed in a hail of gunﬁre. The murders exposed how then President Gloria MacapagalArroyo had tolerated the Ampatuans’ heavily armed militia as a buffer against Muslim rebels in the south. Even routine court cases can take years to make it through the Philippine justice system, which is notoriously overburdened, underfunded and vulnerable to pressure from the powerful. This case is no exception, and victims families have long worried the Ampatuans, who continue to wield political power and inﬂuence, could avoid convictions. Ten clan members remain in jail but an-

other is out on bail along with 10 other defendants, while the charges against eight other defendants have been dropped. “We are hoping and praying that we will get a fair judgement,” said Mary Grace Morales, whose sister and husband were among 32 journalists killed. “They [Ampatuans] have power... they have money,” she said. “They can pay many lawyers to handle their cases.” Out of the original 197 suspects, 80 remain at large including 15 members of the Ampatuan clan. The Ampatuans meanwhile won 25 local seats in May’s elections including Sajid Ampatuan, a defendant in the massacre case who was released on bail. A lawyer for the families of the victims said press freedom would be dead if no conviction is handed down this week. “It’s very important in our justice system because this will show if there will be conviction, the impunity will be cut off,” said lawyer Nena Santos on ANC’s Early Edition. “It’s very important for families of the victims because after 10 years we will be able to get the verdict that we wanted to. We’re very hopeful we have a conviction among the accused in trial.”

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said state prosecutors did their best to effectively prosecute the accused in the mass murder of 58 people. Guevarra declined to comment on the judgment that will be rendered by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, but said the prosecutors presented all the evidence to pin down the accused. Reyes has set the promulgation of judgement of the Maguindanao massacre case at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, inside the Quezon City Jail Annex located inside Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. On Nov. 23, 2009, a convoy with mostly female passengers on their way to Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao to file the certificate of candidacy of then Maguindanao gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu was ambushed by about 100 armed men. The victims were shot to death execution-style, and their bodies were dumped into a shallow mass grave on a hilly portion of Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. Murder cases were originally filed against 197 accused, 15 of them with the

Ampatuan surname. A total of 117 people have been arrested including prominent members of the Ampatuan clan. Seven of them died while in detention, including former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. Eighty of them, including Datu Saudi Ampatuan Jr., are still at large. Malacañang on Tuesday expressed hopes that justice would prevail. “The court will decide on the basis of evidence so we hope that justice will be given to parties especially to prosecution,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said. Awaiting sentence are prime suspect Datu Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. and 100 others out of 197 accused. Among them, 90 are detained while 11 are out on bail. Hundreds of suspects, including several members of the Ampatuan clan, were charged with murder. Panelo used to be the counsel of Ampatuan Jr. who was identiﬁed by witnesses to have led the attack. Other Ampatuan clan members, police ofﬁcers, and Civilian Volunteer Organization members were later included in the charge list. With AFP

Quake...

Bloody...

after he smashed his vehicle head on into a jeepney driven by Fernando Bandril. The jeep got sandwiched by another cargo truck driven by Ronilo Caballes. Police Master Sgt. Lediboy Tamares, the case investigator, said the jeep had no passengers, but the collision had hit most of the fatalities, who were just out for a morning jog. The truck only stopped when it hit a roadside electric post that snapped, as bystanders rushed Bandril, Caballes, and his still unidentiﬁed truck helper to the Carlos Medical and Maternity Hospital in Cardona. In Cavite, Jeffrey Almansor of the Mendez Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Ofﬁce said the truck was going downhill but struggled to control

its payload and crashed into the other vehicles along the Mendez-Indang road in Barangay Poblacion 2 at 7 a.m. Police held truck driver Romeo Sevilla, who was injured, in custody. Those killed were identiﬁed as Rolando Ligsa and Roger Santos, while 20 persons were brought to hospitals for treatment. In Bocaue, police identiﬁed the fatalities as Ricardo Sumagang, 29; his wife, Maria Irene, 31; Joan Deso, 34; and Rener Reyes, 41. The latter died while being treated at the Dr. Yanga Hospital here, while the three died on the spot. Allan Salonga, 36; Mike Denyega, 34; Rojan Mandapat, 29; Darwin Reyes, 28; and Edison San Gabriel, 41, were injured and are still receiving treatment at the St. Paul Hospital in Bulacan. PNA

By Rey E. Requejo

EW Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian has urged the Philippines to support the Special Administrative Government in Hong Kong to help end the violence there and to restore law and order in the former British colony.

From A1

three-story building of a grocery store was built above a fault line. Speaking in Filipino, Caminero told News Night “I think the building was built in 1990. But the problem was built on a fault line.” He added six bodies were believed to be still trapped in the collapsed building. In the trading town of Padada, Davao del Sur, rescuers have pulled three bodies from a collapsed grocery store where two other fatalities are still trapped, said disaster officer Christopher Tan. Rains and strong aftershocks temporarily suspended retrieval operations until 8 a.m. Tuesday, he said. Tan told radio dzMM that based on the devices they were using, “we can no longer find any heartbeat inside.” According to the Department of Education, scrambling for funds to replace destroyed facilities, said 31 schools were among the structures destroyed by the weekend earthquake which affected 370,000 students. The number of damaged schools, based on initial reports from Davao and SOCCSKSARGEN regions, is expected to increase as hundreds of aftershocks rock the area, said DepEd Spokesperson and Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla. Sunday’s quake, which sent 9,565 people to evacuation centers, has generated some 700 aftershocks, the strongest of which is magnitude 5.2, the state seismology office PHIVOLCS said Tuesday. Four other quakes with magnitudes above 6 have struck Mindanao since October. The DepEd earlier requested P3 billion from the Department of Budget and Management to repair schools damaged by the tremors. This is on top of another P7 billion to repair facilities destroyed by calamities since 2017, said Sevilla. Around 50 buildings in Padada which were built in the 1970s and 80s can no longer be used due to the quake, he added. Meanwhile, neighboring Matanao town recorded two fatalities, the latest an 81-year-old woman who succumbed to heart attack during the quakes, said Mayor Vincent Fernandez. The town’s other fatality was a sixyear-old girl who was crushed by her collapsed family home, he said. The quake displaced 8,000 families in Matanao, of whom 3,000 have either partially damaged or totally destroyed homes, said the mayor. State geologists said Digos City would be most affected in case Mindanao’s “Big One” hit the island and Cagas said Davao del Sur’s calamity fund had been exhausted, due to earthquakes that rocked the Davao Region and nearby provinces.

From A1

Biñang 1st, Bocaue, Bulacan on Monday, when a black Mitsubishi Strada pickup rammed into four motorcycles and two tricycles before colliding with an L-300 van and a sport utility vehicle. In the most fatal incident, three of the nine fatalities were identified as Maximo Julian, 60, and students Jan Brian Madaya and John Lester Lambrinto, according to the Cardona Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Five other people were treated for injuries. Another fatality was the driver of the wayward truck—who remained unidentified as of presstime—

Congress... From A1

Angara, the chairman of the committee on ﬁnance, said funding for the ﬁrst tranche of the SSL-5 is already provided under the P4.1-trillion national budget. “We are increasing the salaries of our civil servants in response to the continued hike in daily expenses such as food, transportation and even the education of their children” he said. Hiking their salaries would give them some breathing room and motivate them to work harder at their respective jobs, he added. Under SSL-5, the lowest salary grade level employee, who is receiving P11,068 a month, will enjoy an increase in his compensation to P11,551 in 2020, to P12,034 in 2021, to P12,517 in 2022, and to P13,000 in 2023. Salary Grade 11 employees or the entry-level for teachers will receive an increase from P20,754 a month to P22,316 (2020), P23,877 (2021), P25,439 (2022), and P27,000 (2023).

Granny... From A1

gushes as Schargel, 79, stares conﬁdently into the camera in a converted warehouse in Sao Paulo. After decades working for a fabric company, the lithe and energetic Schargel emerged from retirement more than two years ago on a mission to drag older women out of obscurity. Her tactic? Sexy fashion designed especially for them—and modelled by her. “This project has a clear goal: To make women visible,” Schargel told AFP at her elegantly furnished apartment in Brazil’s biggest city. Schargel has launched several underwear collections with Brazil’s Recco

Angara noted that the biggest increases would apply to employees belonging to the Salary Grades 10 to 16 bracket or the professionals, who comprise the bulk of the bureaucracy. For instance, he said the Teacher 1 to Teacher 3 positions would see increases in their salaries ranging from 24 percent to 30.7 percent from the first to fourth tranches of the SSL-5. The lowest increases would apply to the middle managers, executives and the top officials of the country or from SG 25 to 33, at a mere 8 percent. Angara said executives were already covered by significant increases in the previous round of salary increases or SSL-4. Under the Constitution, the salaries of the President and Vice President will remain the same and whatever increases is provided by the new law will only be enjoyed after their terms. The same applies to the incumbent members of Congress. “This means that only the newly elected members of the Senate and the House of Representatives in 2022 will be able to enjoy the new salary rates under SSL-5,” Angara said. Lingerie. An activewear line with the company Alto Giro was unveiled this year and more are in the works, she says. Schargel, who helps with the designs, says Brazilian women over 60 have long been overlooked by fashion companies, society—and even themselves. She shares words of encouragement on her Instagram account, where she has nearly 18,000 mainly women followers, of all ages. Messages such as “take a risk” and “you can do anything” pepper her feed, which receive hundreds, sometimes thousands, of likes and comments. “I never thought about how old I was, never—this never worried me,” says Schargel, describing the popularity of plastic surgery in Brazil as “madness.” “It was only a few years ago that I realized I was no longer 33.” AFP

street demonstrations protesting Beijing’s alleged intimidation in Hong Kong. Huang said under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Rodrigo Duterte, China-Philippine relations were ushering in a new “Golden Age.” “Next year is the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Philippines diplomatic relations, celebration activities ranging from political visits to economic cooperation, from culture events to think tank exchanges are already on the schedule. Taking this great opportunity, we expect to work closely with our Filipino friends, to expand our people-to-people exchanges, and enhance the mutual trust between our two countries. “I will make every effort to work for the China-Philippines relations with broader prospects and promise, elevate the [bilateral relations] and bring a brighter future beneﬁting both Chinese and Philippine people.”

Galaxy... From A1

Veterans Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) arrived to bid farewell to the movies that launched their careers in style at a futuristic hangar filled with life-size X-wing starfighters in Los Angeles. They were joined by a who’s who of Hollywood, with special guests from Steven Spielberg to Spike Lee. “Tonight, looking at this whole miseen-scene is quite bewildering,” Anthony Daniels, who has played droid C-3PO in every main “Star Wars” film, told AFP. “In fact, it’s such a big experience that I’m not sure I can quite cope with it. But I do feel proud to be here and proud to be part of it.” “The Rise of Skywalker” officially concludes the so-called “Skywalker saga” of films begun by George Lucas in 1977—a fact Disney’s all-conquering publicity machine has used to ramp up hype on an intergalactic scale. Analysts predict a stellar $200-$225 million at domestic box offices this weekend, which would put the film among the biggest openings in movie history. Disney chief Bob Iger told AFP that fans would get “some kind of closure, some sense of satisfaction” for their favorite characters. “Star Wars is probably the most important, most valuable mythology of our time, of the modern time,” he said. “If you just consider the global base of fans that have worshipped this storytelling since 1977, over 40 years... tonight being a culmination of nine films is an incredibly important night.” Heading the glitzy premiere were the new film’s young stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac. AFP

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15 Chinese nationals held for prostitution rap CA confirms G Dar as new By Joel E. Zurbano

OVERNMENT agents busted 15 Chinese nationals for their alleged involvement in prostitution racket in Las Piñas City where most of their clients were fellow Chinese working at Philippine offshore gaming operations.

DA secretary

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE powerful bicameral Commission on Appointment approved the ad interim appointment of Agriculture Secretary William Dar. CA’s Committee on Agriculture approved the recommendation on Dar’s ad interim appointment in a hearing on Tuesday. President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Dar as acting secretary of the Department of Agriculture last August. Dar was a former director-general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and acting Agriculture secretary of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Under questioning, Dar echoed the call of Senator Cynthia Villar that Filipinos should patronize other kinds of fish amid the rising price of round scad or galunggong. “Huwag ka na muna bumili ng galunggong. Mayroong mas mura na available tulad ng bangus, tilapia,” said Dar. “Let us not make galunggong the mainstay... There are other sources of protein," he added. He said the DA has authorized the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to import 45,000 of fish last week, including galunggong. “We have approved the importation of 45,000 metric tons of galunggong para maibaba ang presyo, but in the long term, huwag na tayong umasa sa galunggong lang,” Dar said. However, he guaranteed the public that the supply of galunggong is expected to rise come harvest time in March next year. “By harvest time, we will have more supply,” he added. Dar, however, could not say if more supply would mean cheaper price for galunggong.

The National Bureau of Investigation did not identify the suspects but it said that the arrest was made in two separate occasions on Dec. 10 and Dec. 13. Three men were initially arrested in a hotel in Barangay Almanza, where the suspects allegedly escorted Chinese customers who had made bookings online to avail of the services of the alleged prostitutes.

The 12 other suspects—nine men and three women—were caught at a threestory building where the authorities also rescued five women. NBI deputy director Ferdinand Lavin said the group earns between P400,000 and P500,000 while the women were being paid in the amount ranging from P8,000 to P18,000 for their ‘services.’ Officials said the suspects had un-

dergone inquest proceedings and face a complaint for qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense. Joel Tovera, chief of the NBI's antiorganized and transnational crime division, the group contacted their clients via Telegram, a mobile messaging application. This was not the first time that Chinese nationals got involved in a prostitution racket. Two months ago, police arrested 31 Chinese nationals and rescued 51 sex workers during a raid at a suspected prostitution den in Paranaque City. Shortly before 12 midnight, a composite police team swooped on the Diamond Bay Tower building under construction along Roxas Boulevard in Barangay Ba-

Win wants Grab to explain high fare matrix

FREE HUGS. Thousands of runners and fitness enthusiasts gather together in setting a new Guinness World Record for the most number of people hugging a soft toy simultaneously with the help of thousands of Maxibears, Maxicare’s plushies, which were given to MAXIFEST 2019 participants in the Pasay City run. The event was held to help support the children of Kythe Foundation Inc., a non-profit, non-stock organization aimed towards improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness. Ey Acasio

QC court orders Rodriguez insists need to amend Constitution Vitriolo reinstated By Maricel V. Cruz as CHED director By Rio N. Araja THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court has ordered the reinstatement of suspended Commission on Higher Education executive director Julito Vitriolo, directing the sitting executive director to vacate the post. In a three-page resolution dated Dec. 12, Branch 83 Judge Ralph Lee affirmed Vitriolo's reinstatement, citing “WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Motion for Reconsideration [of the Resolution dated Oct. 15, 2019] by the Respondent Atty. Cinderella Benitez-Jaro through the Office of the Solicitor General is hereby DENIED for lack of merit.” “The [Quezon City court] denial of the motion is yet another vindication of me that indeed as the CHED executive director, my right to the office has been affirmed by the Supreme Court by its final and executory ruling on the matter,” Vitriolo told the media in a viber message. Vitriolo described Jaro as a “usurper and an illegal occupant” as CHEd executive director. With the lower court's decision, he said “there is no more legal obstacle to the full implementation of the decision of the Supreme Court.” “I just hope the CHED chairperson and the commissioners will respect these court orders and decision under the principle of respect of the rule of law,” he said. “And also, so that the operations of CHED could normalize and we can all move on as united agency,” he added. According to Vitriolo, “as an education agency, the chairperson and commissioners should be the first to show allegiance to the rule of law.”

THE head of the House of Representatives committee, who was accused of using sleight-of-hand tactics to have the Charter change resolution passed earlier by the panel, on Tuesday dismissed charges that the measure is self-serving. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, said the proposed amendments to the political provisions of the 1987 Con-

stitution will not benefit incumbent lawmakers as "it will be implemented after the election." The committee approved during an executive session last week the House version of the joint resolution calling for Constitutional amendments, raising a howl from legislators that committee approvals should be done in open voting and not in closed-door sessions. Among the controversial changes proposed is the longer term for lawmakers as well as local officials, a move

which some legislators claim was Rodriguez way of enticing senators into giving in to his proposal. Current congressmen have a threeyear term and can serve for three consecutive terms while senators have a six-year term and are allowed one reelection. The Senate is not keen on tackling the joint resolution, as Senate President Vicente Sotto III described “as a waste of time” due to its non-acceptability to the public.

WITH the sudden surge in Grab fares, Senator Win Gatchalian wants to see a logical basis why the ride-hailing firm imposes ‘high’ fare matrix. Gatchalian did not only ask the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to make sure rules on surge pricing is being followed, but said that he also wants the transport regulator to reassess Grab’s fare matrix. He added that the high fare is killing the festive mood of many Filipino commuters. "We don’t want to let Grab play the Grinch who stole Christmas from Juan de la Cruz because of high fare,” he said. Based on the fare matrix approved by the LTFRB last Aug. 1. Transportation Network Vehicle Services companies charge a flagdown rate of up to P40 for car sedans, up toP50 for premium Asian utility vehicles/sport utility vehicles and up to P30 for hatchbacks/sub-compact vehicles. The LTFRB also allowed a P15 additional charge per kilometer for sedans, P18 for SUVs, and P13 for hatchbacks—aside from the P2 charge per minute of travel. It also allowed TNVS companies to double their per kilometer and per minute charge through surge pricing. Grab has explained that the company is currently “working on a very limited number of drivers to serve an exponentially high demand.” On the other hand, Gatchalian wants Grab to explain why it has to impose surge pricing even in the wee hours of the morning when the demand is low and there are fewer vehicles on the road. Macon Ramos-Araneta

‘Palace hands off on Marcos case’ By MJ Blancaflor

CHRISTMAS CAROL. House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez (right) was serenaded by members of famous GANAP Performing Arts Association Inc. led by Alexis Jan Patassil (fourth right) during a courtesy call and Christmas Caroling at Majority Office in the House of Representatives. GANAP won three silver diplomas at the 5th Singapore International Choral Festival, Guest artist during the birthday concert in honor of Pope Francis and also an awardee of 2019 Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal for Quezon City’s Most outstanding Institution. Ver Noveno

Vaping less harmful than smoking cigarettes—study E-CIGARETTE use significantly increases the risk of developing chronic lung diseases like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a long term study published Monday that also found vaping was less harmful that smoking. The results of the research, published in the American Journal of Preventive

claran, raiding the 3rd floor where several massage parlors had been turned into sex rooms. Thirteen suspected maintainers and 18 male customers, all Chinese nationals, were arrested in the operation conducted by operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office-Special Operations Unit, and Women, and Children Protection Division and Parañaque City Police Station. The raid, which was conducted in close coordination with the Parañaque City government led by Mayor Edwin Olivarez and the Bureau of Immigration, also resulted in the rescue of 51 Chinese young women, who the police suspect were subjected by the syndicate to forced labor and prostitution.

Medicine, are unrelated to the recent outbreak of an acute lung disease that has killed more than 50 people and has been linked to a substance commonly added to vaping products containing THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. Scientists at UC San Francisco examined publicly available data that tracked e-cigarette and tobacco habits as well

as new lung disease diagnoses in over 32,000 American adults from 2013 to 2016. They found that current and former ecigarette users were 1.3 times more likely to develop chronic lung disease, while tobacco smokers increased their risk by a factor of 2.6. For people who both smoked and

vaped, the risks of developing lung disease more than tripled. "What we found is that for e-cigarette users, the odds of developing lung disease increased by about a third, even after controlling for their tobacco use and their clinical and demographic information," said senior author Stanton Glantz, a UCSF professor of medicine.

THE Palace on Tuesday distanced itself from the Sandiganbayan’s decision to junk the case against the Marcoses over P200-billion of “ill-gotten wealth.” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the court would decide on the basis of evidence without interference from any entity. “We have repeatedly said we never interfere with the decision of the court. The court will always decide on the basis of evidence,” Panelo told reporters in Malacañang. “Any government is concerned with the case filed by it againstn perceived transgressors of the law but it’s the court that always decides whether you have a case against the accused,” Panelo said. In a 58-page decision, Sandiganbayan fourth Division junked the case, saying the documentary evidence for the forfeiture case offered by the plaintiff were mere photocopies, most of which were barely readable. “Thus, even if the Court were to defy the best evidence rule, it still could not fully ascertain the contents of these documents and make an intelligent evaluation therefrom,” the Sandiganbayan said in its ruling. “[A]bsent sufficient evidence that may lead to the conclusion that the subject properties were indeed ill-gotten by the Marcoses, the Court cannot simply order the return of the same to the national treasury,” the decision read. This case was the latest in the consecutive losses of the Presidential Commission on Good Governance against the Marcoses due to insufficiency of evidence.

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The poverty plunge THE biggest news of 2019 and perhaps also Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s biggest achievement as president so far is the sharp reduction in poverty between 2015, the year before his presidency, and 2018, two-and-a-half years into his presidency. The drop is from 23.3 percent of the total population in 2015 to 16.6 percent of the population in 2018, a deep plunge of 6.7 percentage points.

Can we conclude then that poverty reduction is not about economic growth? There were 100,981,437 Filipinos in 2015. Multiply that by 23.3 percent and you get 23.52—the number of poor in 2015. There were 106-million Filipinos in 2018. Get 16.6 percent of 106 million and you have 17.6 million—the number of poor Filipinos in 2018. Deduct 17.6 million from 23.52 million and you get 5.9 million—the number of Filipinos rescued by Duterte from poverty—in just two and a half years or 30 months of his presidency. In terms of absolute number of Filipinos, the 5.9-million is the largest ever social mobilization effort achieved by any Philippine president. Over 5.9-million Filipinos crossed the poverty line between 2015 and 2018. “This is actually the steepest drop I can remember our poverty rate has seen in a three-year period (the Family Income and Expenditures Survey that tracks it is done only every three years). Back in 2015, I was already impressed at the 3.6-percentage- point drop reported then, to 21.6 percent from 25.2

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

percent in 2012,” gushed economist Cielito Habito, the former chief of NEDA and the economic planning secretary during the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos (July 1992-June 1998). Habito has the gravitas to validate the Philippine Statistics Authority data. “I’m sure there are skeptics out there who doubt the veracity of these data, especially among those who are not too enamored with the current leadership,” the economist wrote in his Inquirer column of Dec. 10. “But politics aside,” he assured, “I see no reason to doubt the professionalism of our government statistical bodies and the statisticians therein. They were, after all, under my administrative supervision once upon a time, being attached agencies to the National Economic and Development Authority, which I led for eight years.” “This reported big drop in poverty incidence cannot be fake news,” Habito insisted. Habito explains the impressive reduction in poverty: “Foremost is the relatively rapid growth since 2010 in our manufacturing sector, the source of the best quality wage and salary jobs in our economy, especially for lower-skilled workers. This manufacturing surge came about since Asean import tariffs went down to zero in 2010, and the rise of regional cross-border value chains spurred greater manufacturing activity in electronics, chemicals and other export manufactures.” “The manufacturing surge may also explain another recent dramatic phenomenon under Duterte: The sharp drop in unemployment—to 4.5 percent, a record low. It happened in just four months, from 5.40 percent unemployment in July 2019 to 4.5 percent in October 2019. Also, the 13 percent underemployment is way below the 18-20 percent we persistently had for many years,” notes Habito, adding “wage and salary jobs now make up two thirds of the jobs in the economy, while unpaid family workers and those who

Random natural phenomena

ITH just a few days to Christmas, tragedy struck anew down south, with a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hitting Mindanao on Sunday. The death toll as of press time is at least seven, with more feared trapped in collapsed structures.

Yet another earthquake, albeit a weaker magnitude 4.6, struck Davao del Sur Tuesday afternoon. The temblors are believed to be related with earlier quakes taking place in October. Not a few have, in manner most foul, attempted to link the quakes and Mindanao being the President’s home island. Alluding to President Rodrigo

Duuterte’s “sins,” these people spoke of retribution, or exhorted the people of Mindanao to pray and ask for forgiveness, claiming the earth now wants to swallow them. Those who know better shot down these wild and unjust pronouncements, as they are being shot down now. As they should. Earthquakes, seismology officials remind us, are not “an act of God meant to punish people. It’s just that there are active faults; when and where they will occur along the active faults is a toss of a coin,” said Ishmael Narag, officer-in-charge of the Seismological Observation and Earthquake Prediction Division of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Developments in Mindanao have changed the perception that it was an island not prone to earthquakes. Scientists are still studying the phe-

nomenon, given the multiple fault lines recently discovered. After all, when you live in a country that sits on a precarious part of the planet, anything is possible. There is no other reason for these natural occurrences, certainly not the wrath of a god. In the meantime, as we enter another frenzied holiday season, pondering the lot of those affected by the quake will do a lot to temper our craving for material indulgences and prod us to help the victims and survivors. This, as well as acknowledging that humanity does not distinguish whether one is “DDS,” “dilawan” or neutral—essentially Filipinos trying to make it from one day to the next hoping the government would just do its job—will do much to occasion a simple, sobering Christmas for all of us.

Turn to A5

Finally, a deal CROSSROADS JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ THERE is hope. The world economy is not about to go on freefall, after all. For a while there, with the escalating US-China trade war, the stalled Brexit talks, the “scary Hong Kong protests," signs of crisis in the usual vulnerable South American and even Asian economies and, of course, stagnating prospects in most of Europe, pundits and global leaders alike have been talking about dark economic prospects. Well, that seems not to be the case as 2019 comes to a close. Yes, the challenges remain. But what seemed like intractable problems are slowly but surely getting easier to hurdle. Take the long-running USChina trade war, for example, which saw the world's two biggest economies slugging it out throwing tariffs at each others' products like crazy. It was, in fact, on the verge of getting nastier right up to last week. But lo and behold, last Thursday, while the US House of Representatives was debating impeaching him, US President Trump ecstatically tweeted about signing off on "Phase One" of a trade deal with China—a move which took a lot of people by surprise. Under this deal, the US suspended the imposition of another 15-percent tariff on $160 billion worth of Chinese imports scheduled to take effect last Sunday. This huge, second round of tariffs was supposed to be imposed on a host of consumer goods such as electronics, toys, clothing and power tools, among others. Had the tariff imposition materialized, analysts predicted a wrenching slowdown, not only in both the US and China but in most economies worldwide. It would have dampened consumer spending specially in the United States and degraded the stocks of many publicly listed corporations—all precursors of a truly devastating global economic contraction. President Trump had every reason to cheer as he tweeted: "They want it and so do we." Coming as it did with news of more US jobs and steadier economic

fundamentals, and dismissing the impeachment proceedings as "crock," the embattled US President said: "We have agreed to a very large phase one deal with China. They have agreed to many structural changes and massive purchases of agricultural products, energy and manufactured goods, plus much more. The 25-percent tariffs will remain as is, with 7.5 percent put on much of the remainder. the penalty tariffs set for Dec. 15 will not be charged because of the fact that we made the deal. We will begin negotiations on the phase two deal immediately rather than waiting until after the 2020 elections. This is an amazing deal for all."

Translating Europe’s and Asia’s power into a real partnership

There is reason to hope. There is reason to rejoice. Indeed, the deal is welcome news to a world pummeled left and right with all kinds of problems, both natural and man made. It made possible a number of "growth" initiatives across the board globally. Even the dire predictions of a spike in critical commodities such as oil with unrest in two of the biggest exporters—Iran and Iraq—and the damage caused by spasms of a dying ISIS network were somehow tempered by the deal. In all probability, it could have also triggered the landslide victory of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Conservative Party which could finally end the debates on Brexit and alter the European Union’s make in more ways than one by next year. It is not far-fetched that the deal could infuse fresh blood and unleash vigor and vitality in most economies. It could reopen previously atrophied trading links, restart manufacturing activities in many areas, refinance many stalled projects worldwide and get global tourism going all over again. Our very own push for "Build, Build, Build," the introduction of universal health coverage and opening up of the hinterlands for productive endeavors will definitely get going as early as the Turn to A5

By Josep Borrell ON SUNDAY, 15 December, and Monday, 16 December, I chaired ASEM, the “Asia-Europe Meeting.” What might seem to be a rather bureaucratic acronym, actually is a politically highly relevant event for our continents. I had offered to host this meeting in Madrid when I was still Foreign Minister of Spain and now I will be chairing it as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. It underlines my personal interest in the fast-moving continent that is Asia today. ASEM brings together 53 partners made up of the 28 EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland and the EU, and on the Asia side, 21 countries and the ASEAN Secretariat. Together we represent: • 55 percent of global trade; • 60 percent of global GDP; • 60 percent of the global population; and • 75 percent of global tourism Simply bringing countries together does not, of course, guarantee any results. But it creates opportunities. In recent years, ASEM has become in-

creasingly relevant and strategic. This ASEM meeting was an important opportunity to further strengthen cooperation between Europe and Asia. There is a clear willingness from ASEM countries to engage on global issues and to take on more responsibility—from supporting sustainable development, to rules-based global trade, to information sharing on cross-border threats, to the prevention or peaceful resolution of conflicts. ASEM has acquired a new rationale and momentum as a key platform to uphold and promote rules-based, multilateral approaches. In the challenging world of today, this kind of cooperation and leadership is imperative. In recent years, sustainable connectivity has been a key theme of our discussions—and will continue to be so. The same goes for combatting climate change. We adopted last week the EU Green Deal and made the ground-breaking commitment to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. But our ambition must be global and we need collective action. To safeguard our planet and to promote sustainable development, cooperation with our Asian partners is key.

In addition, we cooperate on the most pressing issues on the international agenda: the situation on the Korean peninsula and in Rakhine State, the Middle East Peace Process, Iran and the wider region, and efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan—to name just a few. We also work on the need to uphold multilateralism, address security challenges, as well as promote gender equality and women empowerment. During my mandate as High Representative, I will conduct EU foreign policy with realism and a strong sense of partnership. And I want to work closer with our Asian partners on key priorities such as our partnership with Africa, the Western Balkans, finding a solution to the situation in Libya, or a peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, on Iran and many more. All of these issues will be discussed at our political meeting. But the real Asia-Europe meeting happens every day: when students from our respective continents swap Europe for Asia, or vice-versa, to study at university; when business transactions take Turn to A5

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Opinion Population IT IS quite dismaying to learn that Congress has cut the population management program’s budget by scrapping the budget for contraceptive implants. The amount may be small (P225 million) compared to the totality of the yet pork-laden P4.1-trillion budget, but it would be a regressive move, especially in the light of findings that the country has an alarming teenage pregnancy problem. National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Ernesto Pernia has described our high rate of teenage pregnancies as a “national social emergency.” And it is. A National Health Demographic Survey done in 2017 showed that 9 percent of Filipino women between 15 and 19 years of age have begun childbearing, or a rate of 24 children born to teenage mothers every hour! Still, the Senate and the bicameral conference committee gave way to Senate President Tito Sotto’s perpetual advocacy of supporting the archaic policy of the Roman Catholic Church, even to the extent of labelling contraceptive implants as “abortifacient.” Which it is not. Both the World Health Organization and the Food and Drug Administration have scientifically ruled that contraceptive implants do not induce abortion. These are scientists speaking. The Senate President is simply against population control, standing by the fallacious arguments of the numerous church in the Philippines, even if in Italy, or Spain, or Ireland which consider themselves very Catholic, allow birth control measures as a matter of sound social and economic management. The implant allows women to space their ability to get pregnant to three years, by inserting a single, matchstick-sized rod containing the hormone progestin into the left arm of right-handed women and viceversa. The injectable prevents the meeting of the egg and the sperm by preventing the release of a mature egg from the ovary. It also thickens the cervical mucus in the neck of the uterus, making it difficult for the sperm to pass through. It thus prevents contraception; it does not abort babies. Which now brings me to the central question: Why do we not practice

sensible population management in this country? Why can we not accept that women should space their pregnancies, not only for their health and happiness, but also because having so many children in a family defies parents’ ability to raise these children in a healthy, wellnourished and properly provided manner? Stunting, undernourished minds and bodies, inability to cope up with basic needs early in life inevitably doom the lives of our future generation.

Our leaders should defy the purists in our numerous Church who insist on the narrowminded interpretation of the Almighty’s admonition to go forth and multiply. Truth is, most of the problems of this benighted land can be traced to its huge population. Hugeness is to be compared to land area and resource endowments. We have a population of 110 million. But our land area is no more than 30 million hectares of land, scattered among more than seven thousand islands, some of which are nothing else but limestone formations incapable of growing anything but scrub. By contrast, California, the most populous state of the United States, has 40 million hectares with a population of 40 million. The entire US of A has a population of 320 million, three times more than the Philippines, but then, its land area is all of 915 million hectares, thirty times bigger than ours in an almost contiguous land mass. When I was in charge of ensuring that the country would have enough rice to feed our people each year, I always get asked by those who pine for the Marcos years when for a brief shining period we produced enough of the staple grain to feed the population—why it is that we have to import rice when Thailand used to send students to learn agriculture at UP Los Baños? When Marcos achieved that feat in 1978, we were all of 44-million mouths to feed. Thailand had 43 million then. But now, we are all of 110 million existing in an area which totals 30

million hectares. Thailand has managed to keep its population up to 70 million only, and it has a land area of 51 million hectares. See the math? So little land, so many people. Sure, our birth rate has been declining a bit in recent years. That’s not because of active government-sponsored population management programs, as they do in other countries. That’s because almost a tenth of our population are slaving abroad, separated from their husbands or wives. And perhaps more sensible couples who refuse to listen to the admonition of their pulpit priests and realize that responsible parenthood means giving birth according to one’s ability to feed, clothe and educate their progeny in healthy manner. To his credit, Ferdinand Marcos saw that this was unsustainable, and so created the Population Commission to actively promote population management. But his successor Cory Aquino, listening to the un-lamented Cardinal Sin and his acolytes, reversed the momentum. Name a major problem of the benighted land, from having to import food whether rice or galunggong; or an educational system strained to the hilt, unable to put enough classrooms throughout the country; a health system with not enough hospitals where the sick just lie there and die there; even traffic in its major cities. The obvious reason, aside from government inefficiency and corruption, is numbers. There are simply far too many numbers in the divisor of resources and capabilities. We, both Filipino families and the government, need to work doubletime, triple-time just to provide the barest of needs for our ever-increasing population. Thus we have the OFW phenomenon, which some idiots in priestly habits claim as one of the advantages (blessings from heaven they say) of not controlling our population growth. One of the major pillars of our economy rests on this phenomenon of overseas migration in search of family survival, can you beat that? The leader after President Duterte, and he himself in the remaining two years and a half of his term, should actively pursue population management, defying the purists in our numerous Church who insist on the narrowminded interpretation of the Almighty’s admonition to go forth and multiply.

‘Gender workplace equality 257 years away’ By Nina Larson WOMEN may have to wait more than two centuries for equality at work, according to a report on Tuesday showing gender inequality growing in workplaces worldwide despite increasing demands for equal treatment. While women appear to be gradually closing the gender gap in areas such as politics, health and education, workplace inequality is not expected to be erased until the year 2276, according to a report published by the World Economic Forum. The organization, which gathers the global elite in the plush Swiss ski resort of Davos each year, said that the worldwide gender gap in the workplace had widened further since last year, when parity appeared to be only 202 years off. The Geneva-based organization's annual report tracks disparities between the sexes in 153 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment. The overall gender gap across these categories has shrunk, Tuesday's report showed, with WEF now forecasting it will take 99.5 years for women to achieve parity on average, down from the 108 years forecast in last year's report. But while some sectors have shown improvements, others lag far behind. General parity "will take more than a lifetime to achieve," WEF acknowledged in a statement.

40-percent wage gap

WEF said the gender gap was more than 96 percent closed in the area of education and could be eliminated altogether within just 12 years. The gap was equally small in the health and survival category, but the WEF report said it remained unclear how long it would take to achieve full parity in this domain due to lingering issues in populous countries like China and India. Politics, meanwhile, is the domain where the least progress has been made to date, but it showed the biggest improvement in the past year. Women in 2019 held 25.2 percent of parliamentary low-

Finally,... From A4

first quarter of 2020. There is really no question that this trade deal will affect the country positively. Quite apart from those already stated above, there is the equally good prospect of the millions

er-house seats and 22.1 percent of ministerial positions, compared to 24.1 percent and 19 percent in 2018. But when it comes to the workplace, the picture is less rosy. The report, which looked at a variety of factors including opportunity and pay, said it would take 257 years before there was equality in the workplace. It highlighted positive developments, like a general increase in the share of women among skilled workers and senior officials. But it stressed that this trend was counterbalanced by “stagnating or reversing gaps in labour market participation and monetary rewards.” On average, only 55 percent of adult women are in the labor market today, compared to 78 percent for men, while women globally on average still make 40 percent less than men for similar work in similar positions. The wage gap has been steadily shrinking in OECD countries over the past decade, but it has at the same time expanded in emerging and developing economies, the WEF report showed.

Global disparities

Progress across the categories varies greatly in different countries and regions. The report pointed out that while Western European countries could close their overall gender gap in 54.4 years, countries in the Middle East and North Africa will take nearly 140 years to do so. Overall, the Nordic countries once again dominated the top of the table: men and women were most equal in Iceland, followed by Norway, Finland and Sweden. Syria, Pakistan, Iraq and finally Yemen showed the biggest overall gender gaps of the countries surveyed. Among the world's 20 leading economies, Germany fared the best, taking 10th place, followed by France at 15th, South Africa at 17th, Canada at 19th and Britain at 21st. The United States continued its decline, slipping two places to 53rd, with the report pointing out that “American women still struggle to enter the very top business positions,” and are also "under-represented in political leadership roles." AFP

of our countrymen in 110 countries worldwide keeping their jobs, getting paid on time and even compensated higher. Not even the possibility of even more horrific traffic jams in our major cities, the non-resolution of the issues and concerns raised over the rice tariffication bill, rate increases in utilities (minus water at least for January 2020), non-passage of the

CITIRA bill, pollution and flooding in many areas and the impact of the earthquakes in Mindanao can dampen the gains which this trade deal can bring. It may not come immediately but it will surely come. There is reason to hope. There is reason to rejoice. And what a time for hope and rejoicing as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Rejoice, rejoice indeed.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The top economic stories of 2019 WITH 2020 only two weeks away, the time has again come to look back on the year that’s about to end and select the events and changes in 2019 that had the greatest impact on the state and prospects of the Philippine economy. Without a doubt, the most important event of the year that is about to end was the election of May 13. The electoral exercise saw the election of all the 12 senatorial candidates of Hugpong ng Pagbabago and Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban and of most of the candidates for House of Representatives seats, governorships and mayorships supported by HPP and PDP-Laban. With the support of majorities in both houses of Congress, the administration legislative program—especially the TRABAHO reform package—was approved by Congress without much difficulty. The other major happening of 2019 has been the decline in the rate of growth of this country’s GDP (gross domestic product). During 2019’s first three quarters, the Philippine economy grew by 5.8 percent, its first below-6-percent growth rate in recent years. The IMF (International Monetary Fund) and the two leading multilateral lending institutions— World Bank and Asian Development Bank—had signaled their increasingly less sanguine assessment by gradually scaling down their projections of full-2019 Philippine economic growth. Some analysts have said that the economy will have to grow by around 6.3 percent in the final quarter for it to post 6-percent growth in the year that is about to end. Almost universally blamed for the deterioration in the economy’s 2019 performance was the nearlyfour-month delay in the approval of this year’s GAA (General Appropriations Act). The delay in the approval of the P3.7-trillion budget was caused by a Senate charge of unauthorized insertion of projects valued at P85 billion. By April 27, when President Duterte approved the GAA, almost four months’ worth of opportunity for increased government spending had been lost, said many analysts. The decline in GDP growth would have been greater if Filipinos’ purchasing power had not been effectively increased by the movement of the inflation rate from the 2018 high of around 6 percent down to the 1.3 percent of November 2019. The decrease in rice prices following the February passage of the Rice Tariffication Act went a long way toward restoring stability to Filipinos’ food spending. So did the

suspension of the scheduled increases in taxes on petroleum products. Two sour notes have been struck during an otherwise generally harmonious year. One of the discordant notes has related to the Duterte administration’s BBB (Build, Build, Build) program. In the course of the Congressional review of the program, it was reported that of the 75 “flagship” projects announced in 2016, only nine had been completed at end-2019. The Duterte administration’s economic managers offered the 2019 GAA’s late approval as the explanation for the dismal completion record.

Which events had the greatest impact on the state and prospects of the Philippine economy? The other discordant note related to water. During the dry months of 2019 some parts of the concession areas of Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Corp. suffered sharp drops in water supply level; the government accused the concessionaries of inefficiency, and the latter blamed the government for failure to develop alternative sources of water for their concession areas. And towards the end of the year, Mr. Duterte declared that his administration would not pay the P11 billion worth of unpaid rate increases that the Singapore-based Permanent Court of Arbitration awarded to Manila Water and Maynilad. Unwilling to jeopardize their relations with the Duterte administration, the two companies decided to waive the awards they won. A significant development, in the administrative side, was the creation by Congress of a Cabinet department to replace HUDCC (Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council). With the creation of the department, matters relating to urban development, especially housing, will now receive the high-level government attention that it has long merited. Toward the end of 2019, a series of above-6-magnitude earthquakes rocked a part of this country that hitherto has been relatively earthquake-free, namely, Mindanao. The nation’s planners and businessmen have now changed their thinking about the geologic structure of the Philippine archipelago’s second largest island. This review of 2019 would not be complete without a notation of the passing, one after the other, of two of this country’s business titans, Henry Sy and John Gokongwei. A happy new year to everyone.

Translating... From A4

place between European and Asian companies—big or small; when we visit each others’ continents, either as tourists or as friends, to take in the best that Asia and Europe have to offer; and when researchers from our two continents put their minds together to work towards ground-breaking innovation. At meetings like ASEM, we create the environment and the conditions to enhance the connections we have between our societies and our citizens. This is the real goal of frameworks such as ASEM. I look forward to doing this with Europe’s Asian partners and friends, during ASEM in Madrid, and in the years to come. It’s time to translate Europe and Asia’s power into a real partnership. Josep Borrell is the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.

The poverty... From A4

are individually self-employed (like vendors, pedicabs drivers, etc.) have been accounting for falling shares of total jobs.” How were the jobs created? Thank the double-digit growth rates inoverall investment in the economy since 2010, according to Habito,“especially private domestic investments that create more jobs and livelihoods for Filipinos.” Another factor: The government has been giving away money to the poor under the so-called Conditional Cash Transfer Program, now on its tenth year. The CCT amounts to P80 billion a year, which costs the DSWD P20 bil-

lion to funnel to the very poor. Personally, what amazes me about the poverty nosedive is that it happened while the economy was growing below its average in the past. Average GDP growth rate during 2016-2018 was 6.6 percent. Poverty incidence was a high double-digit 25 percent in 2012 and 2013, the years when the economy was growing at 6.7 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively. Can we conclude then that poverty reduction is not about economic growth, 60 percent of which benefits mainly the highest 10 percent of Filipinos? Having fewer poor could be a simple matter of ordinary Filipinos having cash in their pockets and rice on their dining tables. biznewsasia@gmail.com

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Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 89 – Quezon City TERESITA A. FRANCISCO, Petitioner, -versus-

Civil Case No. R-QZN-19-07439-CV For: Dec. of Nullity of Marriage

EDGARDO B. CLEOFAS, Respondent. x----------------------------------------x

SUMMONS (DECLARATION OF NULLITY OF MARRIAGE) TO : EDGARDO B. CLEOFAS – Galanto Compound, Cleofer Street, PUC Sta. Quiteria, Caloocan City GREETINGS: WHEREAS, on November 15, 2019 this Court issued an Order directing the petitioner to effect service of summons by publication, upon respondent EDGARDO B. CLEOFAS whose last known address at Galanto Compound, Cleofer Street, PUC, Sta. Quiteria, Caloocan City, in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks as required under Section 6 of En Banc Resolution A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC; WHEREAS, a Declaration of Nullity of Marriage solemnized on April 17, 1986 by Atty. Tirso L. Manguiat, Metropolitan Trial Court, Manila has been commenced by petitioner against respondent praying as follows: “PREMISES CONSIDERED, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that after due notice and hearing, a judgment be rendered as follows: a. Dissolving the marriage of the petitioner and respondent for being NULL and VOID under Article 36 of the Family Code or for respondent’s psychological incapacity to perform his basic marital obligations. b. Dissolving the conjugal partnership of gains obtaining between petitioner and respondent so that each may be free to acquire properties in their own respective names without the need and participation of the other. Petitioner prays for such other relief and remedies as may be deemed just and equitable under the premises. NOW, THEREFORE, respondent EDGARDO B. CLOEFAS, is hereby required to file with the Clerk of Court V of the abovecaptioned Court at Room 119, Ground Floor, Hall of Justice, Quezon City within THIRTY (30) DAYS, from the day following the date of the second (last) publication, your Answer to the Petition and for you to copy furnish the petitioner with a copy of the Answer within the same period. You are reminded of IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the Answer. In Quezon City, Philippines, December 6, 2019. (Sgd.) EMMANUEL B. GELLACO Legal Researcher II Officer-in-Charge (MStandard-Dec. 18 & 25, 2019)

Solon offers higher insurance coverage By Maricel V. Cruz

LAWMAKER has ﬁled a bill proposing to double the maximum insurance protection of the country’s 63million bank depositors.

Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. ﬁled House Bill 5812 that increases the maximum deposit insurance coverage from P500,000 to P1,000,000 per depositor per bank. “We have to restore the full value of protection of the MDIC at today’s prices, if we want to encourage Filipinos to continue to keep their money in banks,” said Campos, member for the majority bloc of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries. The MDIC’s “full value of protection” has been eroded considerably by the general increase in prices over the last 10 years, Campos said. Campos cited the growing number of Filipino middle class families, including those with breadwinners abroad, that now have more than P1 million in liquid assets that may be held in banks. “We are positive that our bill, once enacted, will also help reinforce public conﬁdence in the banking system that plays an indispensable

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

IN RE: Penalizing Chronically Delayed and Cancelled Flights x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x RESOLUTION NO. 65 (BM 07A-10-24-2019) WHEREAS, the Civil Aeronautics Board is mandated to regulate and supervise the economic aspect air transportation in the Philippines to ensure adequate, economical and efficient air transportation services by air carriers conducive to the comfort and convenience of the public; WHEREAS, punctuality and schedule reliability are indicators of the operational performance of an airline, and reflects the capability of the airline to efficiently operate its approved services that assures the riding public of quality and timely air service; WHEREAS, persistent flight delays and cancellations have become a chronic issue that create downstream effects that disrupt entire airline operations, causing unnecessary inconvenience to the riding public necessitating the President to call attention to the issue; WHEREAS, the practice of continuously holding out a chronically delayed or cancelled flight which the airline is aware of the strong likelihood of delay or cancellation, redounds to faulty planning and unrealistic scheduling tantamount to deceptive practice for which the airline should be made accountable by using corrective measure and/or penalty; NOW, THEREFORE, the Board RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES to adopt the following Rules with regard to chronically delayed and cancelled flights: I.

Definition

For purposes of this rule, a flight is considered delayed if it arrived at the gate more than 30 minutes later than its scheduled arrival time at the gate. A chronically delayed flight is one that, in a period of one month, more than 50 percent of the total operated flights arrived more than 30 minutes later than their scheduled arrival time at the gate. A chronically cancelled flight is one that, in a period of one month, more than 50 percent of the total approved schedules were cancelled at least 24 hours before their scheduled time of departure. II.

Coverage

This rule shall cover domestic flights that are operated 10 times or more within a month in a given city-pair market. III.Delay Measurement Every 15th of the month, air carriers shall file with the Board a flight report for each covered flight setting forth the following information and in the table form prescribed below: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. j.

Carrier and flight number; Date and day of the week of scheduled flight operation; Origin and Destination airport codes; Published scheduled time of departure and scheduled time of arrival for each scheduled operation of the flight, as approved by the Board; Actual departure time and arrival time for each scheduled operation of the flight; Difference in minutes between the published schedule of departure and arrival and actual time of departure and arrival; Actual chocks-off time and chocks-on time for each operation of the flight; Amount of delay in departure, if any; Amount of delay in arrival, if any; IATA code for delay, if applicable; IATA code for cancellation, if applicable; and For diverted flights, airport code where diverted flight landed, actual arrival time and departure time, and actual chocks-off time and chocks-on time.

Tabular Form:

IV.

Obligations of the carrier

All air carriers are required to establish a realistic schedule and/or target in order to prevent and/or minimize flight delays and cancellations.

All air carriers must ensure that all flight information display systems contain up-todate and accurate flight information.

Air carriers with flights identified as chronically delayed and/or chronically cancelled are required to immediately institute corrective actions to prevent its continuance.

Punishable acts

Continuously holding out a chronically delayed and/or chronically cancelled flight for four consecutive months or more involves faulty planning and unrealistic scheduling, constituting unfair and deceptive practice contrary to the terms and conditions of the permit, may subject the airline to a fine in accordance with existing rules and regulations, and/or cause the suspension or revocation of the permit to operate air services. Violation of other provisions of this Rule shall be imposed an equivalent sanction VI. Effectivity This Rule shall take effect immediately after its publication once in a newspaper of general circulation. Adopted 24 October 2019. Pasay City, Philippines. x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

role in driving national economic growth,” Campos said. Since 2017 alone, tens of thousands of depositors have been affected by the collapse or closure of 41 banks, mostly rural lenders, according to the state-run Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. HB 5812 bill proposes to amend the PDIC charter. The MDIC was initially ﬁxed at P10,000 in 1963, and then increased to: P15,000 in 1978; P40,000 in 1984; P100,000 in 1992; P250,000 in 2004; and P500,000 in 2009. Banks pay for the compulsory insurance premiums that guarantee the MDIC. The Philippine banking system had P12.745 trillion in total deposits as of Dec. 31, 2018, up 8.8 percent from P11.710 trillion the previous year, according to the PDIC. The deposits were spread over 62.9 million accounts in 2018, up 10.1 percent from 57.1 million accounts the year before.

BrahMos missiles deal seen in 2020: DND THE contract signing for the medium-range ramjet supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles, which are being eyed for coastal defense missions of the Philippine Army, will be signed by the early part of 2020, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday night. He made this announcement when asked about the possibility of the Philippines having the missile on its inventory. “Signing of the contract will be in 2020. Possibly on the first or second quarter,” Lorenzana said in Filipino. When asked on how many BrahMos units the Philippines will be acquiring, the DND chief said “two batteries”. A missile battery is equivalent to three mobile autonomous launchers with two or three missile tubes each. Aside from the PA, the DND chief said the weapons could also be used by the Philippine Air Force. Lorenzana said the procurement would be via “government-to-government mode”. Once delivered, he said the BrahMos would be the first Philippine weaponry with deterrent capability. “There is money for it as per our modernization program,” Lorenzana earlier said when asked on whether the Philippines can

support or provide funds for the acquisition of the missiles which was jointly developed by Russia and India. The acquisition of a land-based missile system is under Horizon Two of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program slated from 2018 to 2022 for the acquisition of equipment geared for external defense and has a budget of P300 billion. The PA in October activated its ﬁrst land-based missile battery system which is under the supervision of its Army Artillery Regiment. The unit is currently working on its training programs before acquiring the equipment. In the same month, ranking Army ofﬁcials paid a visit to the “Shivalik”-class guided missile frigate, INS Sahyadri (F-49), to learn more about its missile capabilities which include the “BrahMos” cruise missile which can be launched from ship, aircraft, submarine or land and has a top of Mach 3 and capable of carrying warheads weighing 200 to 300 kilograms. “The Philippine Army is interested in acquiring this type of missile as it will strengthen our coastal defense operations,” PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala earlier said. PNA

HUMAN TRAFFICKING SUSPECTS. The National Bureau of Investigation, led by spokesman and deputy director Ferdinand Lavin, on Tuesday presents 15 Chinese nationals arrested for alleged human trafficking. They were arrested in an entrapment/ rescue operation in a hotel at Alabang- Zapote Road, Almanza, Las Piñas City. The NBI official also presented George Kennedy (inset), a Liberian national, arrested on charges of estafa. Norman Cruz

Ex-mayor Ecleo gets 1-year jail

.CAB Resolution No. 79 (BM 10-12 22-2014) Lifting of Authority to Impose Fuel surcharge on International and/or Domestic flights

(MS-DEC. 18, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

(MS-DEC. 18, 2019)

THE Sandiganbayan has sentenced to one-year imprisonment the former mayor of Dinagat town in Dinagat Island for failing to declare ownership of five motorcycles in her 2007 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) in 2007. The court’s Fourth Division, in a resolution dated Nov. 29, said ex-mayor Gwendolyn Ecleo was found guilty of perjury even if she claimed it was her former husband who purchased the vehicles using her name. The prosecution presented evidence, including certificates of registration of four Honda Bravo motorcycles and one Honda NF—all placed under Ecleo’s name. “The motorcycles were purchased by Ecleo on different dates in 2006. As such, they should be declared as among her personal properties in her 2006 SALN, as well as in SALNs for 2007 and 2010,” the decision penned by Associate Justice Reynaldo Cruz said. “Not only are the CRs of the motorcycles in the name of Ecleo as their owner, their corresponding ORs (official receipts) for the years 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2011 are also still in her name,” the court added. Maricel V. Cruz CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Judiciary, NHA, PITC keep semis hopes alive

Iloilo United repulses Rizal; Imus, Bacolod win

Games on Jan. 5 (Paco Arena)

3:30 p.m. – DENR vs PhilHealth 5:00 p.m. – Malacanang-PSC vs Agriculture

JUDICIARY, National Housing Authority and Philippine International Trading Corporation kept their hopes for the second outright semis berths alive by posting contrasting wins in the 8th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the San Juan City gym. Of the three, it was the PITC Global Traders who produced the biggest win, stunning the erstwhile unbeaten Department of Environment and Natural Resources Warriors, 74-64. With Rod Vasallo doing a little of everything, the Global Traders of PITC’s Rod Vasallo goes to the basket during the team’s stunning 74-64 win over the DENR Warriors in the UNTV Cup at the started to pull away in the second San Juan gym. quarter and hand the Warriros their first defeat in seven matches in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants. DENR’s defeat pushed idle and defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines to the top with a 7-1 record. The Builders of coach Benneth Palad, on the other hand, hiked their record to 6-3 with a 100-96 win over the also ran PhilHealth Plus. Alvin Vitug and Marvin Mercado OWERHOUSE Manila Southwoods slowed down with a 115 continued to grope for form. Chan failed formed NHA’s 1-2 punch as they but still pulled away by 44 points over Forest Hills to all but to count anew with a 24 but Uy, who asregistered 24 and 22 points, respeca 113 total, and the rest took care wrap up its seventh straight championship in the centerpiece sembled tively. Mercado completed a doubleof business to put Southwoods closer to double by grabbing 13 boards. Fil-Champ division of the Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament at another title romp with a 424 total. The Judiciary Magis, meantime, Baguio Country Club yesterday. Forest Hills drew 30 points from Inigo stretched their winning run to four Raymundo while Rocky Co, Dan Cruz games by downing the slumping DeX1R-Mizuno, meanwhile, completed strong windup and settled for a 94 for and Leandro Bagtas chipped in 28, 27 partment of Agriculture Food Masits wire-to-wire romp in Fil-A category, second at 423 on Warren Pelletier’s 28 and 26 points, respectively, for a 111 and ters, 81-72, to tie idle Malacañangclosing out with a 105 for a 461 and a points, Jesse Quenga’s 24, Mike Castro’s a 54-hole aggregate of 380 while Royal Philippine Sports Commission, and 38-point romp over Che’Lus I, also at the 22 and Ray Blas’ 20 markers. Northwoods shot a 107 build around SteBCC layout. Team Surigao, led by Don Petil’s 27 phen Sui, Joaquin Hernandez and Gido PITC for fourth to sixth places at 5-3. King Stehmeier churned out a 33-point points, placed third with a 410 after a 92. Former PBA player Chester ToloMandanas’ identical 27 points and Nik game while Ace Stehmeier added 26 Back in Fil-Champ, Lanz Uy fired Gatmaytan’s 26 points for a 375 output. mia sparked Judiciary’s furious points and Brixton Aw and Justin Tam- 33 points to power the Carmona-based Team Time Cargo matched Southsecond quarter assault that saw them bunting delivered 24 and 22 points, re- squad’s third round charge while firm- woods’ 115 for a 355. erase 27-15 deficit for a 41-40 halfspectively, for Mizuno, which stamped ing up his bid for the individual crown in Southwoods likewise lined itself up time advantage. its class at Camp John Hay in the first the centerpiece division. Aguri Iwasaki for a romp in the Am Championship as They never looked back after that as two rounds and stormed to a 27-point carded 29 points while Sean Ramos and it stretched its lead to 20 points with a Tolomia got able support from Warren bulge in the third round at the short but Taisei Shimizu added 27 and 26 points, 344 after a 133 at Camp John Hay course Ybanez and Christopher dela Cruz challenging layout Monday. respectively, for the defending six-time as Masaichi Otake broke par worth 36 who chipped in 13 points each. Che’Lus I failed to match Mizuno’s champion, whose top gun Aidric Chan points. The Scores: First game NHA 100—Vitug 24, Mercado 22, Dizon 18, Lustestica 15, Prado 8, Tibay 5, Crisostomo 4, Adolfo 3, Valdez 1. PHILHEALTH 96—Aldave 37, LA UNION bagged its second win in as many tries, Emata 29, Mazo 10, Hernandez 10, beating Parañaque, 95-86, last Saturday in the NaPacheco 4, Malana 4, Armojallas 2. tional Basketball League Season 3 Black Arrow ExQuarters: 26-22, 47-48, 77-72, press-President’s Cup at the AFP Wellness Center in 100-96. Quezon City. Second Game Jonathan Ablao waxed hot, scoring 19 points on 6 of 14 Marvin Mercado—22 PTS, 13 shooting from threes to lift the Paower to a 2-0 record and REB, 1 AST, 5 BLK take solo lead in Group B. JUDICIARY—Tolomia 22, Dela Ian Rhalf Llona and Kirk Andrew Agulan had 16 and 12 Cruz 13, Ybanez 13, Dela Cruz 13, points each for Paower to win the game despite the absence Bergonio 11, Dionisio 7, Marquez 6, of Michelle Maynes due to an injury. Malinao 4, Puno 2, Salamat 2. In other results, Quezon City, Laguna, and Pasig AGRICULTURE—Oreta 23, Fernotched their first win in the first conference of the league nandez 12, Mastelero 11, Casaysayan for homegrown basketball talents. 9, Comerciase 7, Manigo 7, Silva 3. The QC Defenders leaned on Ferdinand Barde’s 21-point Quarters: 15-27, 41-40, 64-53, performance to beat the Lifenet Corp. Caloocan Execu81-72. tives, 93-86, for a 1-1 win-loss card last Saturday. Third Game The Laguna Pistons trounced the Marikina Best ShoePITC 74—Vasallo 24, Regalado makers, 101-78, last Sunday for a 1-1 record as well at the 14, Taplah 12, Gecale 10, Lopez 7, AlJesus Dela Pena Gymnasium in Marikina with Alexis Hilario finishing with 22 points in the win. marinez 3, Juan 2, Martin 2. Joshua Diaz fired 29 points as the Pasig El Pirata DENR 64—Rivera 20, Abanes stunned erstwhile unbeaten CamSur Express, 92-81, to 18, Bangal 12, Ayson 7, Gamboa 6, capture their first win after two games. Calungcagin 1 The league takes a Christmas break before resuming Quarters: 17-18, 36-35, 57-50, Jonathan Ablao scored 19 points to carry La Union past Parañaque. action on January 4. 74-64.

Southwoods is virtual champ; Mizuno rules

La Union stuns Parañaque, grabs NBL lead

adidas takes innovation to another level with Space Race

Runners went through a 5km District Chase Challenge.

THROUGH the Ultraboost 20 Space Race Manila, adidas celebrated the launch of the world’s most innovative and responsive running shoe yet— the Ultraboost 20. Released on Dec. 6, the Ultraboost 20 is the result of a partnership between adidas and the International Space Station US National Laboratory. Each element of the shoe was designed for a specific performancedriven function, much like a space shuttle in which every part has a unique purpose. Runners are now able to boost their run to the next frontier with the Ultraboost 20’s completely new and innovative suite of performance benefits—Primeknit with TFP, Optimized Boost, Stretchweb, and Torsion Spring. Together with adidas Runners Manila, adidas put these performance-driven functions to the test at the Ultraboost 20 Space Race Manila, which was held in The Mind

Museum, BGC. The first portion of the event gave runners the opportunity to better understand their running strengths and opportunities through the Performance Quotient assessment sessions. Highlighting and acknowledging factors that limit one’s performance improves motivation and facilitates the effectiveness of high return on investment for personalized recommendations. Anthony Pangilinan, Jo Sebastian, Cam Lagmay and Aaron Azreg, and Steph Yee spoke to the runners about Mindset, Nutrition, Movement, and Recovery respectively. Each session was set with a purpose. The Mindset session was a sport-related motivational talk that helped strengthen the mind and enhance willpower, while Nutrition was session that informed runners the how-to’s of making healthy meals. On the other hand, Movement

was an engaging exercise to improve mobility that runners can continually practice during workouts and runs, while the Recovery session was an exploration of possible tools for recovery expounding on its benefits and importance. To cap off the event, runners went through the District Chase Challenge, a 5 KM group race using the District Race app, which allows runners to explore the city using augmented technology. In a group of three, runners had to collect points by checking in at various locations. The three fastest teams per race category won medals and products from adidas. “We’re so excited to launch the Ultraboost 20 at the UB20 Space Race Manila because it’s the perfect avenue for runners to holistically learn and maximize their potential to reach their fitness goals,” said Jen Dacasin, Brand Communications and Sports Manager.

JERSON Prado took up the scoring chores in the fourth quarter as Iloilo United Royals thwarted the Rizal Golden Coolers, 71-65, on Monday in the Chooks to Go-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season at Imus Sports Complex. The 6’5” Prado, former team captain of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, scored Iloilo’s first 10 points in the decisive period which would have been enough for the Royals sixth straight win, 66-65. While the Royals held the Golden Coolers scoreless in the final minute, former pro Al Francis Tamsi drilled in a triple and Richard Escoto added two free throws for the final count that raised the Royals’ record to 15-8, tying the Basilan Steel at fourth place in the South division. Tamsi wound up with 16 points, followed by Prado with 12 plus 7 rebounds and Escoto with 10. The Golden Coolers, who even grabbed the lead at 63-62 following an eight-point cluster, dropped to 4-17 in the North division. Rejuvenated Bacolod Master’s Sardines held the Bicol Volcanoes without a field goal in overtime en route to a 76-72 victory in the second game. Bacolod yielded two free throws to Chris Lalata before silencing Bicol the rest of the way to tally its second straight victory and climb to 8-15 in the South division. The Volcanoes saw their five-game win run broken and slid to 13-12. Ralph Tansingco paced Bacolod with 15 points plus 5 rebounds, followed by Ben Adamos with 11 poiunts, and Jess Mar Villahermosa, Jopher Custodio and Yankee Haruna with 10 each. Playing their second game in three days, the Imus Bandera pulled away from Navotas-Uni-Pak Sardines early in the third quarter and proceeded to notch their sixth win in 26 starts. Jojo Cunanan unloaded 20 points for Imus, which also drew 16 points from Jeric Nacpil and 10 from homegrown John Cantimbuhan.

PSC... From A8

Didal, world boxing champion Nesthy Petecio, World Boxing Championship silver medalist Eumir Marcial, and a few more in athletics, swimming, fencing, golf, and taekwondo. Yulo and Co. were all gold medal winners in this year’s SEA Games, leading the way for the country to win back the overall title it last held in 2005. The Olympics wasn’t held until three years after the country’s breakthrough championship, but the success did spill to the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar where the Philippine contingent won four golds, six silvers, and nine bronzes. “It’s a different scenario in 2005. We didn’t have an Olympic year after that,” added Velasco in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. “So it’s a different environment then. “(But now) ang Olympics is just six months away. At ‘yung mga Pilipino, we’re still high on our success. So if we still have more athletes qualifying in the first quarter in the Olympics, tuluy-tuloy lang po ang suporta (ng PSC).” Velasco added the PSC would finance all qualified Filipino athletes in their overseas training especially where they would prefer to hold their respective camps as Japan in the case of Yulo and Italy for Obiena.

POC... From A8

lion in incentives to athletes who won medals during the Games. The funds that the POC got comes from the support of businessman San Miguel Corp., Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, the Philippine Basketball Association and Dennis Uy of Udenna/Phoenix. “Ito po ay nangyari sapagkat ang POC ngayon ay nakakakalap ng mga donasyon galing sa pribadong sektor. Atin pong pinasasalamatan ng taospuso ang ating mga private sponsors na mula noong panahon ni Pres Vargas at magpa hanggang ngayon ay nagtitiwala sa liderato ng Philippine Olympic Commitee. Nariyan po ang San Miguel Corporation, MVP Sports Foundation, Philippine Basketball Association,” said Tolentino.

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019

Sports

World Cup winners to start Olympic torch relay

A New Orleans Saints fan reacts during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. AFP

Mavericks snap Bucks’ 18-game win streak WASHINGTON—Seth Curry and Kristaps Porzingis each scored 26 points and the Dallas Mavericks snapped Milwaukee’s 18-game NBA win streak Monday 120-116 despite 48 points and 14 rebounds by Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Mavericks, lacking Slovenian star big man Luka Doncic due to an ankle sprain, held off the host Bucks, who made a furious rally with a late 17-6 run that fell just short. Latvia’s Porzingis, who scored 11 in the first quarter, shot 9-of-19 from the floor and 4-of-8 from 3-point range as well as grabbing 12 rebounds while Curry, brother of injured Golden State star Stephen Curry, came off the bench to spark the Mavs. Bucks reserve Kyle Korver had 17 points, hitting 5-of-7 3-point shots. Porzingis said the Mavericks are playing better as they adjust to playing without Doncic for a while. “Without Luka, we got used to him. It threw us off a little bit not having him out there,” Porzingis said. “Tonight we looked a little better. We want to keep getting better and we want him to get better and come back as soon as possible.” Milwaukee settled for the secondlongest win streak in team history, two shy of the club’s record run from the 1970-71 NBA championship campaign. Greek playmaker Antetokounmpo sank his final points with 5.2 seconds remaining to pull Milwaukee within 119-116, then missed a free throw hoping the Bucks could get a rebound. Milwaukee did get the ball but Porzingis blocked Sterling Brown, and the Mavericks added a free throw for the final margin. The Bucks, who fell to 24-4, lead the NBA in points, rebounds and shooting accuracy but fell behind by as many as 16 points in the first half and could not overcome Dallas (18-8). Antetokounmpo averaged 32.1 points, 12.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists a game during the streak, in which only two teams came within eight points of Milwaukee. The Bucks will play host to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (243) on Thursday in a matchup of conference leaders that could be a preview of the NBA Finals. Houston’s Russell Westbrook scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, the last on the final play to secure a win, as the Rockets made the greatest rally in club history to beat San Antonio 109-107. The Spurs, ahead 72-53 at half-time, led by as many as 25 points before the Rockets made that the largest point total they had ever trailed by in a victory. Houston outscored the Spurs 56-35 in the second half, aided by 18 San Antonio turnovers. “Just heart,” Westbrook said. “Sometimes you have to just take basketball out of it and just play. We put our heart into it and came out with the win.” James Harden had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets, who also got 15 points and 15 rebounds from Clint Capela. LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead San Antonio. AFP

POC okays membership of pentathlon, 5 others By Peter Atencio

IX associate members of the Philippine Olympic Committee have now become regular members. POC president and Tagaytay Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced this following yesterday’s general assembly of the POC at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City. The national sports associations whose memberships have been elevated from associate to regular are modern pentathlon, surfing, bridge, kurash, jiujitsu and sambo. “We have approved them as regular members, with bridge after having applied for a long period of time, and with modern pentathlon as an Olympic sports, and kurash as an Asian level sport,” said Tolentino. Accepting the six NSAs as new members will leave the POC with a total of 48 regular members The acceptance of the six NSAs comes a week following the conclusion of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. So far, modern pentathlon athletes from the Philippines delivered two golds, a silver and two bronze medals. Kurash, which saw Vietnam domi-

POC President Cong. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino presents the Certificate of Regular Membership to Modern Pentathlon President Richard Gomez at the POC General Assembly Tuesday at the Conrad Hotel. Looking on are POC Secretary-General Atty. Edwin Gastanes (left) and POC Chairman Steve Hontiveros.

nating, got a gold, two silvers and five bronzes from Filipino athletes. As for surfing, the Philippines got away with two golds, two silvers and three bronzes. The Games yielded 149 gold medals, 117 silver and 121 bronze for the host country, which gave the Philippines the overall championship.

The POC is giving P200,000 to gold medallists in the SEA Games, the first time ever that the Olympic body is handing out incentives to winning athletes. Silver medalists will get P50,000, while bronze achievers will receive P30,000 from the POC. The POC has prepared P52.87 milTurn to A7

PSC trains sights on Tokyo Olympics SOUTHEAST Asian Games now, Olympics is next. Buoyed by the success of the country’s campaign in the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Sports Commission hopes the level of performance by the Filipino athletes would carry over to next year’s Tokyo Olympics. Marc Velasco, national training director of the Philippine Sports Institute, stressed the PSC has its sights now trained at the Olympics, with the bid for the SEA Games overall championship over and done with. And the country winning a record number of medals in the biennial meet, including 149 golds in all, to win the overall championship after 14 years, all the more Philippine Sports Institute National Training raises the optimism of qualifying more Director Marc Velasco Filipinos to the 2020 Summer Games. “We firmly believe that we will be ‘yung energy ng ating mga athletes. We able to carry over ‘yung efforts and are still very high sa ating success, kaya we

believe we might have a big contingent in Tokyo,” said Velasco, who represented Team Philippines Chef De Mission and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez in Tuesday’s session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie Hotel-Manila. “An Olympic medal is better than a SEA Games medal. So nandoon muna ‘yung energy, ‘yung focus ng PSC, to provide for the athletes to be able to qualify for the Olympics.” World gymnastic champion Carlos Yulo and pole vaulter EJ Obiena are the two Filipino athletes who already punched a ticket to the Tokyo Games, with several more knocking on the Olympic door including Rio De Janeiro Games silver medal winner Hidilyn Diaz, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, skateboarder Margielyn

San Beda nears title duel with National U REIGNING NCAA titlist San Beda University inched closer to forging a mouth-watering title showdown with UAAP and defending champion National University by sweeping its own group elims in the 8th PSSBC-Freego Cup Monday at the SGS Stadium in Quezon City. The Red Cubs advanced to the quarters of the annual cagefest dubbed as Tournament of Champions with a 91-86 win over the stubborn Adamson Baby Falcons in Group D to complete a two-game sweep. In topping Group A, the Bullpups waylaid the La Salle Greenies, 99-81, in a rematch of the last year’s final.

In the quarters of the event also sponsored by Poly-Gloss, IronCon Builders, Macbeth Underwear, Happy Toothpaste, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, MEC Networks and Blackwater Sports, NU will face Lyceum while the Red Cubs collide with the San Sebastian Staglets. The Junior Pirates advanced to the next round after Far Eastern University demolished Chiang Kai Shek College in Group C while the Staglets finished No. 2 in Group B after edging Hope Christian High School, 74-72. In other quarterfinal pairings, the FEU Baby Tamaraws, which drew 23 points from Vincent Saldua, will face the Greenies while Group B top-

notcher Ateneo tackles Adamson in the event which has also the backing of Molten, Gerry’s Grill, Cherrylume, Sumo GI Sheet and Choi Garden. Limited to just five points in the team’s 109-82 win over La Consolacion College, Batang Gilas veteran Carl Tamayo imposed his will inside this time and finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Terrence Fortea led the team with 23 points on top of six rebounds and five assists while Kevin Quiambao and Gerry Abadiano combined for 23 points. Justine Sanchez and Rhayyan Amsali starred for Manu Iñigo-mentored Red Cubs with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Turn to A7

TOKYO—Japan’s 2011 Women’s World Cup-winning team will kick off the 2020 Tokyo Olympic torch relay in Fukushima, the area devastated by a tsunami, earthquake and nuclear meltdown eight years ago. Organizers said on Tuesday that the Olympic flame would begin the Japan leg of its journey on March 26, starting at the J-Village sports training centre in Fukushima that housed workers battling to remove radioactive waste after the nuclear crisis. It will cross through all of Japan’s 47 prefectures on its 121-day journey, taking in landmarks such as Mount Fuji and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, dedicated to the victims of the world’s first atomic bombing in 1945. The 2011 World Cup win lifted the nation only a few months after the Fukushima disaster that left 18,000 dead or missing and rendered large portions of the country’s northeast uninhabitable. “We were very much encouraged by your victory, and we are grateful that you are the first runners,” said Mikio Date, a member of Japanese comedy duo Sandwich Man who announced the runners. Azusa Iwashimizu, a member of the 2011 squad, said she hoped to bring the country together again -- as the Japanese rugby team did during this year’s World Cup on home soil. “This year, the words ‘One Team’ made waves with rugby, but we were ‘One Team’ in 2011,” she told reporters. “I look forward to showing our efforts again as the original ‘One Team,’” she added. Organizers hope to use the Tokyo 2020 Games to showcase the Fukushima area’s recovery after the “triple disaster” that struck on March 11, 2011. The flame lighting ceremony is scheduled to take place in Ancient Olympia, home of the ancient Games in Greece, on March 12 when a high priestess will ignite the Olympic flame using the sun’s rays and a parabolic mirror. The Greek leg of the torch relay will then run for eight days before the flame is handed to Tokyo 2020 in Athens on March 19. AFP

Letts: Spirit of SEA Games unbelievable THE support of a big crowd that came to cheer for them moved members of the Philippine Volcanoes when they dominated the men’s division, while the Lady Volcanoes settled for second in the women’s class in the rugby 7s competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Philippine Rugby Football Union General Manager Jake Letts said this some two weeks after competitions ended at the Clark Field Parade Grounds. “The crowd left the stands and joined the athletes in the field in celebrating, and then they congratulated the Malaysians and the Thais as well. The spirit of the Games was unbelievable,” said Letts. Letts said this as he shared his experience during the Champions Summit at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City. The summit saw athletes and officials sharing stories of inspiration, triumph, and rising to the occasion of hosting this year’s Games. The Volcanoes blasted defending champion Malaysia, 19-0, to capture the gold medal in the men’s category. This is the second time for the Volcanoes to win over the Malaysians in the finals. Four years, ago, the Volcanoes came away wIth a 24-7 triumph for the gold in the 2015 Singapore SEA Games. The VolcanOes then finished fourth in the 2017 edition held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On the other hand, the Lady Volcanoes lost to Thailand, 7-17, in the women’s gold medal round. Peter Atencio

San Beda’s Nick Cabañero drives to the basket against Adamson defender during their PSSBCFreego Cup Monday at the SGS gym. The Red Cubs won, 91-86.

IN BRIEF PEZA and DA boost agro-industrial push THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority signed on Monday a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Agriculture that will commit the two to facilitate the creation of agro-industrial and aquamarine economic zones in the Philippines. PEZA also signed a memorandum of undertaking with True North Farms Inc. of Canada to establish an initial of 50-hectare agro-industrial ecozone devoted solely for cacao production and exports. The two agreements aim to establish partnership on programs that will industrialize and revolutionize ecozones in the country. “The MOA and MOU signing is important as PEZA now embarks in revolutionizing its programs,” said PEZA director general Charito Plaza. She said “the landmark signing is signiﬁcant as PEZA seeks to promote domestic enterprises to encourage them to maximize domestic production, manufacturing, and export capability of the Filipinos and, thereby, lessen the importdependence of the country.” “This is now the time to bring investors to hubs where they can set up rural industries that will unlock the potential of agriculture and agribusiness for the country,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar. Othel V. Campos

Business

Climate group seeks clean energy policy CLIMATE and environmental advocates and other non-government organizations reminded administration ofﬁcials Tuesday to pursue more clean energy as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte during his state-of-the-nation address. The Power for People Coalition (P4P), a broad network of clean energy advocates from across the Philippines, said the current administration must “walk Duterte’s clean energy talk” by reviewing existing policies in the energy sector which enabled the dominance of destructive and expensive electricity from coal at the cost of consumers’ welfare. “These past weeks, Filipinos from all walks of life knocked on different corporate and government bodies to hold them accountable for enabling coal to heavily burden Filipinos with its costly price and the detrimental impacts it brings to the environment and its host communities,” said Gerry Arances, P4P convenor. Alena Mae S. Flores

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019

By Darwin G. Amojelar

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas releases 20-piso and the enhanced 5-piso coins, the latest to be circulated under the New Generation Currency coin series. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno (center) said the new 20-piso coins will co-exist with the 20-piso banknotes currently in circulation. He said 500,000 pieces of the 20-piso coins will be released before Christmas. Julito G. Rada

BSP probes 10 local banks’ transactions with WestPac By Julito G. Rada

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday it launched an investigation on money transfer deals made by 10 local banks, including Bank of the Philippine Islands, with Westpac Banking Corp., the second-biggest bank in Australia which was embroiled in a money-laundering scandal with alleged links to child exploitation. Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, earlier said it suspended its partnership with the remittance arm of Sydney-based Westpac after the latter got involved in the money laundering scandal. BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier said at the sidelines of an event at the BSP that other banks also became the recipients of the remittances from Westpac which was accused of breaching laws designed to hinder money laundering and terrorism ﬁnancing. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre said Westpac failed to appropriately assess transactions to the Philippines and Southeast Asia relating to potential child exploitation risks. The regulator said Westpac failed to adequately monitor the accounts of a convicted child sex offender who had

regularly sent money to the Philippines. BPI said earlier it started its own investigation into fund transfers made using LitePay—a low-cost fund transfer system Westpac launched in 2016. It was reported that Westpac beached money-laundering laws more than 23 million times. The lender reportedly failed to check customers who repeatedly made small transfers to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. “We’re doing a review and then if there’s a need for us to go on site, then we will go on site [to check] whether banks are complying with the anti-money laundering regulations,” Fonacier said. “What makes this different is that [they involved] small transactions. They were not required to be reported to AMLC [Anti-Money Laundering Council] because they did not reach the threshold. It’s very

retail. That’s why the process to review it is very tedious,” Fonacier said. Fonacier said BPI already submitted a partial report on the controversy to the BSP. She said the bank became the entry point here and the money was channeled to other banks. Fonacier ruled out the involvement of rural banks, saying that commercial and universal banks were mostly involved. “We are still in the process of verifying the shared information,” she said. When asked how many banks were involved or where the money were channeled to, Fonacier said “about 10.” She said the BSP might recommend the lowering of the threshold of AMLCcovered transactions depending on the results of the ongoing investigations. Republic Act No. 9160 or the revised Anti-Money Laundering Act identified covered transactions as those involving P500,000 in cash or P1 million in cases of jewelry, metals and precious stones. Fonaciers said the investigations might be finished by early January 2020, considering the limited working days during the holiday season. When asked if the regulator already communicated its move to its Australian counterpart, Fonacier said it would depend on the findings of the investigations.

THE Department of Transportation expects the common station linking Light Rail Transit Line 1, Metro Rail Transit Line 3, the MRT Line 7 and the planned Metro Manila Subway to be completed by 2021. It said the 13,700-square-meter concourse area connecting the four mass transit systems at the corner of EDSA and North Ave. in Quezon City would be operational by 2021. Once completed, the common station would serve about 478,000 passengers daily. The Unified Grand Central Station Area A, costing about P2.8 billion, will be constructed by the consortium of BF Corp. and Foresight Development and Surveying Company. Area B of the common station—an area connecting Areas A and C that would be financed, built and operated by North Triangle Depot Commercial Corp., an affiliate of Ayala Land Inc.—is now 96-percent completed. Area C for MRT-7 platform will be financed, built and operated by San Miguel Corp. The common station project has been stalled since 2009, but the Transportation Department settled the dispute on the location leading to its groundbreaking in September 2017. Meanwhile, the DOTR said the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension project was expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2023. It said the progress rate for the 11.7km railway from Baclaran to Niog, Bacoor in Cavite was 30.74 percent. Once completed, the extension project is expected to increase LRT-1’s capacity from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers a day and reduce travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor from 1 to 2 hours to only 25 minutes. LRMC won the bidding for the 11.7-km. Cavite extension project and took over the operation of LRT Line 1 on Sept. 12, 2015. Metro Pacific Investments Corp., through Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., owns 55 percent of LRMC, while AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. has a 35-percent stake and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Inc. holds the balance.

Tan’s MacroAsia submits bid on Sangley airport

Tanglawan seeks suspension of notice to pursue LNG hub By Alena Mae S. Flores TANGLAWAN Philippine LNG Inc., a company controlled by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines of businessman Dennis Uy, asked the Department of Energy to suspend the notice to proceed with its liquefied natural gas project, a government official said Tuesday. Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos said Tanglawan sought for the suspension of the notice in the wake of Udenna Corp.’s acquisition of the entire shareholdings of Chevron Malampaya LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Philippines Ltd. that owns a 45-percent stake in the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan. Phoenix and Udenna are both controlled by Uy. Phoenix is finalizing its joint venture agreement with CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corp. for the planned Tanglawan integrated LNG project. “Both companies requested for suspension. Separately they [Phoenix and CNOOC] asked but on the same tone, asking for suspension. That’s why we are evaluating if the suspension is within the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Rules,” Marcos said. Tanglawan secured an NTP from DOE on Dec. 21, 2018 which stipulated that its LNG project will be located on a plot of land leased in Bauan, Batangas. The department already extended Tanglawan’s NTP after it filed for an extension on June 20, 2019. Its original NTP expired on June 22 while the amended NTP was set to expire again on Dec. 20, 2019.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Govt expects completion of common LRT station by 2021

Dominguez urges more farm reforms MORE reforms are needed to energize the farm sector and boost the growth of the economy, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Tuesday. Dominguez urged stakeholders in the agribusiness sector at the opening of the Sulong Pilipinas Agribusiness Summit in Davao City to think out of the box and come up with bold ideas to help the government reinvigorate the agriculture sector. Dominguez said while President Rodrigo Duterte had demonstrated decisive leadership in passing agriculture-friendly reforms such as the Rice Tarifﬁcation Law, more policy initiatives were needed to enable the farm sector to reach its full potential on his watch. The RTL has lowered the retail cost of rice for over 100 million consumers and established an annual P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, which is aimed to boost rice productivity by providing farmers with modern farm machinery and equipment, high-yield seeds, low-interest and accessible credit, and skills training programs on farm mechanization and modern farming techniques. Julito G. Rada

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

SB COLLECTORS. The Small Business Corp. teams up with loan collection firms Receivers and Liquidators Inc., Anchor Collection Services and Alexis A. Molaer Law Offices to help the government lending agency in collection/recovery of accounts receivable payments from SB Corp. micro, small and medium enterprise borrowers. At the signing of the partnership agreement are (from left) Receivers and Liquidators vice president and COO Susima Yngson, SB Corp. president and CEO Ma. Luna Cacanando, Anchor Collection Services president and general manager Imelda Ebora and Alexis A. Molaer Law Offices general manager Jonathan Molaer.

Tobacco control policy experts share e-cigs insights with lawmakers GLOBAL experts on tobacco control policy shared their insights on e-cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction with members of the Joint Trade and Health Committee of the House of Representatives during the committee hearing on Dec. 10. The hearing tackled several bills that seek to regulate the manufacture, importation, packaging, use, sale, distribution and advertisement of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Clive Bates, a former director of the UK’s main antismoking organization Action on Smoking and Health and a longstanding advocate of rational tobacco control policies, sent his 31-page comments on e-cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction to joint committee chairs Rep. Weslie Gatchalian and Rep. Helen Tan via e-mail. In his testimony before the joint committee, Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos presented comprehensive evidence on e-cigarettes and recommended regulatory actions. He emphasized that a risk-proportionate and realistic regulatory framework will help maximize the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vapes) as an effective harm reduction and smoking cessation strategy for the promotion of public health. Farsalinos is an adjunct professor at King Abdulaziz University and a researcher at Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center,

University of Patras and National School of Public Health in Greece. Addiction psychotherapist Andrew da Roza also appeared before the joint committee to share his expert insights. He said that new technologies give public health policy a unique opportunity to eliminate cigarettes in a single generation. He said that, “we can have a smoke-free world if we use heat-not-burn products and if we use e-cigarette products.” Da Roza holds a Masters’s degree in counseling from Monash University in Australia and a Master of Science degree in addictions from King’s College, London University. In his comments, Bates, who has no conﬂicts of interest with the tobacco, e-cigarette or pharmaceutical industries, said that “beyond any reasonable doubt, e-cigarettes are much less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Almost all the harm done by cigarettes arises from the smoke, and e-cigarettes do not produce smoke.” He cited the US National Academies of Science Engineering and Mathematics, which concluded that e-cigarettes are “likely to be far less harmful” than conventional cigarettes. He also cited the evidence review of the Royal College of Physicians and Public Health England, which both concluded that vaping is at least 95-percent less harmful than smoking.

A CONSORTIUM led by China Communication Construction Co. and MacroAsia Corp. of tycoon Lucio Tan submitted the lone bid on the $10-billion international airport in Sangley Point, Cavite. Jesse Grepo, legal officer and secretary of the provincial government’s public private partnership selection committee, said the CCCC-MacroAsia Consortium submitted the sole proposal to develop the Sangley Point International Airport Project in joint venture with the province of Cavite to beat the deadline Tuesday. “Upon perusal of their submission, their JV proposal was deemed complete, subject to detailed evaluation by the PPP-selection committee,” Grepo said. Other groups that earlier expressed interest in the project failed to submit bids, including Prime Asset Ventures Inc. of businessman Manuel Villar, Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc., Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Langham Properties Inc. and Mosveldtt Law Offices. 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 selected joint venture partner will provide the necessary equity investment and credit enhancements subject to a further competitive process or price test. 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. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks climb; Metro Pacific rallies T HE stock market rose slightly Tuesday after plunging the other day on modest bargain-hunting and following another record-breaking lead from Wall Street.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 28.85 points, or 0.4 percent, to 7,730.45 on a value turnover of P10.4 billion. Losers, however, overwhelmed gainers, 138 to 51, withy 52 issues unchanged. International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., advanced 5.6 percent to P135, while Manila Electric Co., the largest retailer of electricity, climbed 4.9 percent to P317.80. Metro Paciﬁc Investments Corp., which has interests in toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, rallied 4.6 percent to P3.19, but Manila Water Co. Inc. plunged 35.8 percent to P6. Meanwhile, most Asian markets rose

Tuesday, with the China-US trade deal providing further support, though sterling took a battering as fresh fears of a no-deal Brexit emerged. Christmas cheer continues to ﬂow through trading ﬂoors after Friday’s agreement between the world’s top two economies ended months of wrangling and removed any immediate uncertainty. The deal, which will see Washington wind back some tariffs and China ramp up purchases of US goods as well as change its trade practices, sparked a surge in equities that continued Monday in New York, with all three main indexes ending at alltime highs. And, while Asia saw a slight wobble

Monday, the optimism seeped into the region in early business, With Hong Kong and Shanghai rallying more than one percent, while Tokyo ended 0.5 percent higher. Seoul and Taipei both also jumped more than one percent, while there were also gains for Mumbai, Bangkok, Taipei, Wellington and Jakarta, though Sydney and Singapore were marginally lower. But while the news has been met with broad relief, observers point out that the deal is only the ﬁrst—and easiest—part of a wider agreement many think could take years to complete. There are also concerns about the lack of detail and questions about how the two sides will implement the pact. “Some salient doubts remain, of course, about the interim trade deal,” said Jeffrey Halley at OANDA, adding that they also had yet to sign anything. “The supposed phase-two talks promise to take negotiation complexity to another

level in 2020. A fundamental clash of doctrines between East and West on the mechanics of capitalism beckons, and I for one, have serious doubts about as to whether a fabled ‘comprehensive’ deal will emerge next year at all,” he said. On currency markets the pound took a hit from reports that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning to bring in a law making sure the next phase of Brexit is not extended beyond the end of 2020, reviving fears of a no-deal divorce. While Johnson, fresh from a stunning election victory, will be able to push through his EU agreement before January 31, he will then have to hammer out fresh trading terms. But there is a fear that the 11-month timeframe he has set himself to complete that is nowhere near long enough, meaning Britain could completely break free without any kind of plan for trading with the bloc. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MANULIFE METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK VANTAGE

53.1 87.3 1.99 156.2 0.94 25 13 3.93 1.33 835 66.4 12.7 35.8 173 57.1 23.55 197 58.3 1.05

53.25 87.3 1.99 161 0.94 25 13 4.11 1.33 835 66.7 12.7 35.8 174 57.1 23.55 197 58.3 1.05

53.1 84.2 1.94 154.6 0.89 24.75 12.7 3.83 1.32 835 63 12.02 34.6 172.8 57.1 22.05 190.1 57.8 1.05

FINANCIALS 53.25 160 84.6 3,836,550 1.95 157,000 161 1,586,230 0.89 215,000 24.8 183,800 12.9 292,700 4.11 184,000 1.32 4,000 835 70 64.05 6,655,000 12.7 235,500 34.6 582,700 174 1,690 57.1 60 22.1 66,300 196.5 905,590 57.8 12,510 1.05 1,000

8,497.50 325,308,001 305,950 252,794,673 196,850 4,560,360 3,756,394 714,270 5,290 58,450 429,259,320.50 2,987,772 20,442,855 292,452 3,426 1,517,080 177,628,785 723,601.50 1,050

-532.5 -135,075,459 101,961,220 -1,670,155 1,844,534 -183,841,104 -2,890,068 -1,331,855.00 101,952 -5,462,542 -185,563.50 -

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

33 2.29 13.52 0.57 1.23 2.84 0.234 2.2 15.38 170 4.17 18.24 28.05 67.25 67.05 2.02 5.1 9.15 14.44 9.99 7.19 1.61 24.5 69.8 1.14 39.9 2 13.64 7.71 1.29 223.8 4.73 7.65 9.3 11.8 16.9 304.2 5.05 1.91 4.05 9.76 11.2 33.5 5 5.25 2.08 1.88 0.85 10.02 87.5 7.75 0.115 1 141.9 1.13 0.91

33.35 2.29 13.58 0.57 1.28 2.85 0.237 2.2 15.38 170 4.3 18.9 28.1 67.3 74.45 2.09 5.11 9.3 14.9 10 7.2 1.61 24.65 69.8 1.14 40 2.01 13.9 7.75 1.37 225 4.73 7.65 9.31 11.94 17.28 317.8 5.05 1.92 4.16 9.98 11.46 33.6 5 5.25 2.15 1.88 0.86 10.24 87.7 7.9 0.115 1.05 144.8 1.14 0.95

31.95 2.12 13.3 0.53 1.23 2.5 0.227 1.95 15.32 164 3.97 18 28.05 65 67 2.02 4.81 9.08 14.44 9.46 7.16 1.61 23.6 66 1.06 39.5 1.94 13.62 7.7 1.29 220 4.73 6.11 5.01 11.5 16.54 296.4 4.68 1.9 4.02 9.75 11.2 33.2 4.98 5.25 2.04 1.8 0.83 10.02 85 7.45 0.115 1 141.2 1.12 0.89

INDUSTRIAL 33 2,140,100 2.14 6,814,000 13.44 564,100 0.53 265,000 1.28 49,000 2.66 4,560,000 0.235 1,440,000 1.99 6,080,000 15.38 1,829,300 164 1,190 4.09 204,000 18.78 23,500 28.1 3,100 65 1,330 74.45 350 2.09 18,405,000 5 72,200 9.3 3,349,400 14.44 23,200 10 381,200 7.18 2,139,100 1.61 2,000 24 1,026,500 66.1 57,730 1.09 21,818,000 40 802,800 1.97 2,907,000 13.88 70,700 7.7 157,100 1.37 41,000 225 1,157,490 4.73 8,000 6.11 106,600 6 113,610,700 11.8 119,200 17.28 458,700 317.8 275,710 5 120,900 1.91 12,113,000 4.15 1,491,000 9.98 24,500 11.46 70,100 33.5 305,400 4.98 89,400 5.25 7,300 2.14 3,150,000 1.8 94,000 0.86 100,000 10.2 178,700 87.7 129,900 7.51 417,100 0.115 150,000 1.05 80,000 144 925,790 1.13 1,283,000 0.89 2,454,000

70,187,380 14,777,430 7,639,560 142,750 60,320 12,172,790 333,770 12,312,090 28,115,092 195,960 832,200 426,088 87,105 88,365 23,710.50 38,275,790 361,746 30,800,413 335,078 3,751,078 15,328,535 3,220 24,558,805 3,864,351.50 23,606,670 32,111,800 5,733,410 977,994 1,211,867 52,970 258,689,044 37,840 690,027 685,383,284 1,389,434 7,879,696 85,842,938 593,929 23,114,320 6,096,360 240,133 800,682 10,204,075 445,614 38,325 6,538,120 171,470 84,740 1,824,288 11,222,193.50 3,164,238 17,250 80,400 132,414,643 1,443,320 2,195,950

-5,908,325 744,680 4,192,246.00 2,657,190 -42,660 2,503,500 535,076 62,570 -75,870 2,562,560 -68,938.00 19,309,567 -44,788 -83,400 -3,603,359 1,900 -1,544,611 346,720 31,620,110 -263,430 -434,254 362,252 34,750 26,480,622 12,240 -399,867,804.00 787,430 555,756.00 17,336,128 900,600 564,730 3,826,395 111,154 32,550 -372,830.00 -2,610,941 -1,111,310 68,100 -106,200

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

0.76 49.95 11.4 0.68 6.35 11.96 0.92 0.94 752 3.02 6.7 5.55 13.02 856 5.4 78.2 5.34 0.485 3.76 11.96 0.56 3.13 2.6 4.4 1.24 2.97 155 1,073 0.75 1.22 195.8 204 0.213 0.193

0.76 50.65 11.44 0.73 6.72 11.98 0.93 0.94 760 3.08 6.7 5.55 13.26 869.5 5.4 80 5.42 0.5 3.76 12 0.58 3.2 2.6 4.4 1.3 2.98 155 1,073 0.76 1.22 195.8 212 0.213 0.193

0.74 48.7 11.22 0.67 6.35 10.48 0.9 0.93 738 2.85 6.63 5.1 13.02 828 5.3 77.4 5.34 0.485 3.75 11.5 0.56 2.94 2.6 4.08 1.17 2.97 152.3 1,045 0.75 1.22 180 203.6 0.21 0.192

HOLDING FIRMS 0.75 3,139,000 50.65 1,448,800 11.32 20,444,900 0.67 828,000 6.72 42,500 11.28 37,500 0.93 673,000 0.93 480,000 760 738,030 2.94 1,407,000 6.7 3,152,000 5.41 13,574,700 13.26 17,700 830 89,210 5.4 7,172,000 79.7 3,258,650 5.42 18,600 0.5 2,000 3.75 168,000 11.72 4,016,800 0.58 4,000 3.19 99,976,000 2.6 10,000 4.08 62,000 1.28 704,000 2.98 9,000 155 213,700 1,050 1,374,090 0.76 82,000 1.22 167,000 180 2,580 212 1,330 0.211 2,160,000 0.192 210,000

2,339,420 72,290,910 231,022,064 557,770 270,573 411,266 618,690 449,120 551,208,015 4,184,030 21,089,045 71,940,061 234,054 74,809,900 38,728,575 258,104,910 99,614 985 631,000 47,051,236 2,260 309,348,960 26,000 256,710 863,870 26,780 32,792,031 1,440,690,625 62,190 203,740 480,301 277,018 455,850 40,490

29,600 73,865 75,395,674 449,120 -59,458,575 -186,570 332,850 -30,937,072 -17,559,190 -833,220 -86,628,818.50 -236,840 21,286,718 20,156,290 -640 -2,604,989 798,944,970 8,540 -39,768 -189,900 -

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP

14.84 0.72 1.42 0.86 46.4 2.04 4.7 6.34 0.56 0.83 0.188 0.395 10.2 19.22 0.415 1.48 1.16 4.13 0.212 0.44 1.28 0.325 2.03 26.2 2.12 3.25

14.84 0.73 1.42 0.86 47 2.04 4.8 6.46 0.57 0.86 0.188 0.395 10.2 19.3 0.425 1.5 1.18 4.14 0.212 0.44 1.28 0.33 2.03 27 2.12 3.25

14.76 0.7 1.3 0.78 45.25 1.98 4.65 6.34 0.54 0.83 0.18 0.39 9.98 18.98 0.415 1.46 1.16 3.97 0.192 0.4 1.23 0.31 2.01 25.7 2.11 3.15

PROPERTY 14.76 875,200 0.73 726,000 1.36 604,000 0.8 8,205,000 45.75 17,599,500 1.98 811,000 4.74 641,000 6.46 23,800 0.56 23,592,000 0.83 43,000 0.18 150,000 0.39 450,000 9.98 41,100 19.16 783,400 0.425 160,000 1.48 13,408,000 1.16 287,000 4.04 35,305,000 0.196 15,900,000 0.415 390,000 1.27 965,000 0.32 790,000 2.01 359,000 27 2,076,600 2.11 25,000 3.2 26,000

NAME

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

40.9 2.4 1.09 7.41 5.34

41.2 2.4 1.12 7.41 5.5

40.5 2.34 1.06 7.29 5.34

40.5 2.4 1.09 7.29 5.5

10,598,500 149,000 1,112,000 3,267,400 13,800

431,706,960 354,060 1,210,330 23,909,380 74,707

-36,095,830 -8,230,050 -

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 HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

9.62 16.04 1.5 11.48 0.42 0.042 18 4.1 10.6 89.55 6.9 5 5.1 8 891 1,935 5.25 418.2 1.2 125 9 6.3 0.098 3.28 2.03 13.5 2.68 0.9 16.96 0.385 3.38 2.22 0.98 2.56 2.49 7.98 131.3 2.65 990 0.59 0.365 38.7 74.5 8.88 2.49 0.64 0.275 0.61 18.46

9.89 16.7 1.5 11.48 0.42 0.042 18 4.12 10.9 93.4 6.9 5.03 5.29 8.25 891 1,980 5.27 436.6 1.2 135 9 6.3 0.098 3.29 2.03 13.5 2.68 0.9 17.06 0.385 3.4 2.23 0.99 2.56 2.49 7.98 149.9 2.65 997.5 0.59 0.365 40 74.5 8.88 2.59 0.64 0.275 0.62 18.52

9.5 15.3 1.5 11.4 0.38 0.042 18 4.05 10.54 89.5 6.9 4.82 4.84 7.92 891 1,935 5.23 418 1.09 124.2 9 5.8 0.097 2.86 1.89 13.5 2.56 0.89 16.92 0.385 3.38 2.12 0.98 2.35 2.49 7.3 130 2.56 981 0.57 0.335 38.7 73 8.78 2.48 0.59 0.27 0.6 18.2

SERVICES 9.5 15.4 1.5 11.48 0.405 0.042 18 4.08 10.7 91.2 6.9 4.85 5.29 8 891 1,980 5.24 436.6 1.09 135 9 6.2 0.097 3.05 1.89 13.5 2.56 0.89 17.06 0.385 3.4 2.14 0.99 2.44 2.49 7.4 135 2.56 994.5 0.57 0.35 39.5 73.5 8.88 2.59 0.64 0.275 0.6 18.48

17,200 207,300 1,000 2,389,400 4,160,000 4,700,000 20,000 2,472,000 2,203,300 92,970 2,000 688,100 177,200 14,900 20 30,800 65,600 1,210 2,573,000 4,820,100 1,200 62,600 2,540,000 7,731,000 157,000 100 421,000 152,000 136,000 520,000 45,000 309,000 21,000 2,441,000 20,000 35,600 682,920 309,000 97,040 1,208,000 6,680,000 1,363,300 434,370 27,900 2,167,000 1,679,000 1,630,000 1,263,000 937,600

164,786 3,360,960 1,500 27,383,472 1,674,150 197,400 360,000 10,098,570 23,481,808 8,496,746 13,800 3,369,702 889,258 118,855 17,820 60,611,220 344,239 525,098 2,883,010 636,648,435 10,800 385,360 247,590 23,542,990 311,650 1,350 1,099,720 136,030 2,316,008 200,200 152,490 671,660 20,590 5,989,760 49,800 264,088 92,196,085 797,960 96,043,540 695,460 2,308,850 53,840,760 31,989,710.50 246,242 5,527,460 1,049,170 443,700 762,440 17,248,754

-7,900 -1,299,916 -16,350 360,000 -219,200 -4,036,624 4,689,808.50 211,448 16,000 9,714,655 1,253,300 139,333,611 307,120 193,040 1,042,210 197,120 224,866 204,510 -90,010 -49,800 51,800 -11,214 -28,360 -3,936,110 -342,850.00 -10,950 -5,051,150 -6,700,728 1,906,370 -75,780 35,250 657,480

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

0.002 7.21 0.98 2.45 10.96 2.68 7.1 1.64 0.207 0.095 0.096 0.008 0.92 2.97 1 0.435 0.74 0.011 0.011 0.01 2.94 8.82 21 0.005

0.002 7.29 0.98 2.45 10.96 2.7 7.32 1.67 0.207 0.095 0.096 0.008 0.94 3.02 1.02 0.435 0.75 0.011 0.011 0.011 2.95 8.99 21.65 0.005

0.002 6.46 0.95 2.41 10.96 2.66 6.89 1.56 0.199 0.095 0.096 0.008 0.8 2.86 0.95 0.42 0.74 0.011 0.011 0.01 2.84 8.36 20.95 0.005

MINING & OIL 0.002 433,000,000 6.48 450,900 0.96 280,000 2.41 65,000 10.96 100 2.66 611,000 6.89 21,600 1.59 45,530,000 0.206 50,000 0.095 560,000 0.096 20,000 0.008 33,000,000 0.84 916,000 2.9 5,272,000 0.95 644,000 0.42 560,000 0.74 179,000 0.011 256,700,000 0.011 1,300,900,000 0.011 15,900,000 2.84 692,000 8.7 396,000 21 915,600 0.005 2,000,000

649,600 2,995,187 267,940 158,770 1,096 1,629,500 151,491 75,225,310 10,180 53,200 1,920 265,100 788,700 15,323,860 622,360 235,750 132,830 2,823,700 14,309,900 174,000 2,012,690 3,398,717 19,307,175 10,800

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2R ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR LR PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

15.52 501 505 103.3 100.4 112.8 500 5.17 1 1,040 1,055 109 1,027 997 75.75 75.1 75.95 76.8 75.2 75 76.75

15.52 501 505 103.3 101 112.8 500 5.17 1.04 1,058 1,060 109 1,031 997 78.9 75.1 75.95 77 75.2 75 76.75

14.96 501 505 103.3 100.2 112.8 497 5.05 1 1,040 1,055 109 1,027 997 75.05 75.1 75.95 75.35 75.2 75 76.75

PREFERRED 15 163,900 501 770 505 1,190 103.3 10 101 4,050 112.8 30 497 200 5.05 10,000 1.04 37,000 1,058 2,850 1,055 2,040 109 10 1,031 3,860 997 350 78 8,420 75.1 1,400 75.95 5,940 75.35 88,870 75.2 1,330 75 10,000 76.75 49,310

2,495,830 385,770 600,950 1,033 406,258 3,384 99,510 50,548 37,360 2,990,580 2,152,375 1,090 3,976,985 348,950 647,540 105,140 451,143 6,709,980 100,016 750,000 3,784,542.50

LR WARRANT

1.27

WARRANTS 1.27 11,000

13,970

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

4.1 9.98 2.65 0.83

4.1 9.99 2.65 0.83

3.68 9.51 2.39 0.79

3.79 9.6 2.58 0.79

FIRST METRO ETF

115.8

115.9

114.6

USD TECH B2

0.95

MS 12,953,916 509,100 806,620 6,628,400 805,290,570 1,618,470 3,053,040 150,943 13,164,640 35,750 27,080 175,600 412,190 15,019,020 66,500 19,750,430 333,120 142,071,530 3,189,430 160,250 1,202,860 255,450 721,750 55,182,325 52,950 82,650

-212,904 12,360 25,610 -33,318,280 -609,990.00 70,340 -8,400 -110,812 -4,908,980 -20,891,570 119,400.00 -3,079,160 -28,800

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

TRADING SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

20,342,147

INDUSTRIAL

214,202,964

HOLDING FIRMS

166,996,884

PROPERTY

144,881,050

SERVICES

57,971,635

MINING & OIL

2,099,002,594

GRAND TOTAL

2,707,405,913

SME

412,000 255,900 137,000 3,175,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 115.9 13,200 0.95

DDS

20,000

180,314 -48,000 -567,310 -1,920 -4,285,540 196,200 -7,700 -1,078,130 -57,643 4,157,935 -161,362 10,360 -

1,573,710 2,477,479 331,080 2,548,300

230,400 439,000

1,521,155

79,841

19,000

VALUE 1,850.13 (DOWN) 8.24 1,694,106,497.7 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 9,583.34 (UP) 42.54 1,579,455,750.359 HOLDING FIRMS 7,470.79 (UP) 21.41 4,044,663,888.97 PROPERTY 4,089.28 (DOWN) 12.67 1,528.09 (UP) 23.5 1,778,397,926.01 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,527.96 (DOWN) 77.35 1,121,991,045.06 PSEI 7,730.45 (UP) 28.85 140,558,413.549 All Shares Index 4,583.06 (UP) 1.17 10,367,683,788.28 Gainers: 51; Losers: 138; Unchanged: 52; Total: 241

Globe Telecom gets P5-b DBP loan to finance ‘20 investments By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. borrowed P5 billon from the Development Bank of the Philippines to fund capital expenditures next year and refinance debt. The company, a unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., said Tuesday it would use proceeds from the P5-billion term loan facility finance capital expenditures and general corporate requirements, and refinancing of maturing obligations. With Globe’s commitment to improve the state of internet in the Philippines, the company remains on track to invest P63 billion in 2019, largely for data-related capital expenditures that will enhance network data capacities and capabilities. “This is in line with its capex guidance provided earlier in the year and is consistent with its push to ramp up investment spend in support of the Filipino’s shift to the digital lifestyle,” Globe said. “This continued shift to the digital led to mobile data traffic in our network reaching 1,200 petabytes for the first nine months of 2019, which already exceeds full year usage in 2018,” it added. Globe earlier reported a 20-percent growth in net income in the first nine months to P17.7 billion from P14.7 billion in the same period last year. Core net income also climbed 20 percent to P17.9 billion as gross service revenues rose 13 percent to P110.6 billion. The company registered total mobile revenues of P83 billion in the nine-month period, up 13 percent from P73.7 billion year-on-year. Mobile data business contributed P52.2 billion, while mobile voice and mobile SMS revenues added P18.5 billion. Globe’s mobile subscriber base reached 97.4 million as of the third quarter, up 5 percent from the previous quarter. Globe’s home broadband revenues grew 19 percent year-on-year to P16.1 billion, powered by the 40-percent subscriber expansion in fixed wireless solutions.

MBDC cancels plan on Supercity backdoor listing By Jenniffer B. Austria MANILA Bay Development Corp., a real estate company that owns parcels of land within a reclamation area in Parañaque City, cancelled a plan to list with the Philippine Stock Exchange by way of a backdoor listing through dormant Supercity Realty Development Corp. SRDC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it was informed by MBDC and Mr. Chua that have decided not to proceed with the proposed property-for-share swap agreement due to “unfavorable market conditions.” “Thus, the backdoor listing will no longer push through. SRDC shall continue to serve institutional or corporate clients and focus on the construction of horizontal residential house and land development works for residential subdivisions,” the company said. SRDC in May reported a plan to issue 990,000 common shares to MBDC and president George Chua in exchange for 12 parcels of land in Parañaque City with a total area of 227,510 square meters. The deal required an increase in the SRDC’s authorized capital stock to P1.5 billion from P155 million, which was already approved by the shareholders during an annual stockholders meeting held on June 26, 2019. The transactions would have allowed SRDC to acquire premium real estate along Roxas Boulevard and within the Reclamation Area of the Bay City (Boulevard 2000) development in Parañaque City. SRDC would have established a source of recurring rental income or future income from development projects, such as resort hotels, tourist-related attractions with dining and entertainment, commercial areas with a sprinkling of upscale residential and serviced residential apartments and ofﬁce buildings. MBDC acquired several parcels of land at the Central Business Part II Complex CBPII in Parañaque City over 30 years ago. The value of the land has signiﬁcantly increased since then. No major projects were ndertaken by MBDC so far. Listed in the PSE in 2003, SRDC is mainly engaged in the business of construction, and related services and activities. The board of SRDC in February 2008 decided to wind down the company’s construction business and re-focus activities on real estate development. Shares of SRDC were last traded on May 11, 2009 when it closed at P1.32.

World

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Democrats gird for fight over Trump

ASHINGTON―US Democrats signaled Monday they were girding for battle over witnesses and fair process in the Senate trial of Donald Trump, days ahead of a historic House vote on impeaching the president for abuse of office and obstruction of Congress. Even as Trump faces disgrace given the likelihood of his impeachment, a new poll shows his approval rating has inched upwards to a high point, although the figure remains underwater. Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said he was aiming for proceedings to start January 6 that would mete out “swift but fair justice” to Trump, though Republican loyalists acknowledged they were less interested in being impartial jurors than protecting the president. Lawmakers were beginning a consequential week. House Judiciary Commit-

tee chairman Jerry Nadler released his panel’s final report Monday outlining the case for impeaching Trump and detailing his alleged wrongdoing, including pressuring Ukraine to investigate Democrats. It alleged severe episodes of “criminal” conduct by the president including bribery—rebutting the Republican argument that Democrats have identified no specific criminal wrongdoing by Trump. “President Trump’s abuse of power encompassed both the constitutional offense of ‘bribery’ and multiple federal crimes,” the 658-page report said, adding

Trump’s conduct was “unlike anything this nation has ever seen.” The House Rules Committee was set to meet Tuesday to lay down guidelines for floor debate on impeachment. When the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives convenes Wednesday to weigh the two charges, Trump is expected to become only the third US president to be impeached, after Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 just before a House impeachment vote. Neither Johnson nor Clinton was convicted in the Senate. Trump is also unlikely to be removed from office by the upper house Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. But Schumer has pressed for a fair process, writing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to demand four

key witnesses testify, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and Trump’s ex-national security advisor John Bolton. “To engage in a trial without the facts coming out is to engage in a cover-up,” he told reporters. Schumer also sought to set limits on testimony length and questioning of witnesses. “Just the facts. We don’t need fishing expeditions,” Schumer told CNN. “We’re trying to have the kind of justice America is known for, which is swift but fair justice.” The White House swatted away Schumer’s “laughable” letter to McConnell. Senate rules on impeachment are determined by a simple majority vote in the chamber. Although Schumer is looking to strike a deal with McConnell on the rules, it will be the will of the majority that wins out. AFP

IN BRIEF 49 journalists murdered in 2019 PARIS―Forty-nine journalists were killed across the world in 2019, Reporters Without Borders said Tuesday, the lowest death toll in 16 years. The “historically low” number mostly died covering conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan, the Paris-based watchdog said, which warned that “journalism remains a dangerous profession”. Some 80 journalists a year have lost their lives on average over the last two decades, said the organization, which is known by its French initials RSF. But its head Christophe Deloire warned that the number of journalists murdered in countries supposedly at peace was still alarmingly high, with 10 dying in Mexico alone. “Latin America, with a total of 14 reporters killed across the continent, has become as deadly as the Middle East,” he added. While he said that the fall in the number of fatalities in conflict zones was something to celebrate, “more and more journalists are being assassinated for their work in democratic countries, which is a real challenge to democracy.” While fewer journalists are dying, more are ending up behind bars, according to RSF. Some 389 were locked up in 2019, up 12 percent on last year. AFP

Seven HK Airlines planes impounded HONG KONG-Cash-strapped carrier Hong Kong Airlines has had seven idle planes impounded at the city’s airport after it failed to make payments, authorities said Tuesday, with the firm hit by a plunge in tourist numbers caused by long-running protests. The Airport Authority announced the seized planes under an ordinance that addresses overdue charges. “The Airport Authority understands that the detained aircraft have not been operated for passenger service in recent months,” a spokesman said. The rule allows the city’s air regulators to impound planes for non-payment of charges and that aircraft can be sold after 60 days if the account is not settled. Hong Kong Airlines, which has a fleet of 39 planes, said the impounded aircraft were not currently operating passenger routes. “Our operation remains normal,” the carrier said in a statement. The seizures will deepen concerns over the health of Hong Kong Airlines. The firm is owned by struggling Chinese conglomerate HNA Group, which has been looking to lower its debt burden. The airline has been hammered by a sharp drop-off in tourists to Hong Kong as the city convulses from six months of violent pro-democracy protests. AFP

Woman mayor marries girlfriend BOGOTA―Claudia Lopez, the first woman elected mayor of Colombia’s capital Bogota, married her girlfriend of three years on Monday. Although the country is deeply religious and conservative, same-sex marriage is legal and gay couples have the right to adopt children-whether or not they are the biological children of one of the partners. “I promise to honor you and love you for life!” Lopez wrote on Instagram to her wife, opposition senator Angelica Lopez. “Thanks to life for this wonderful year: I earned my doctorate, won the Mayor’s office and married the love of my life.” The message was accompanied by four pictures of the couple dressed in white and carrying bouquets of flowers. The ceremony was private and not open to the press. Lopez―who won the October mayoral poll in a narrow victory―is seen as a significant step forward in a country used to being led by male elites. The center-left former senator, who will take office on January 1, is the first woman to win the post of mayor of Bogota. AFP

CLASH IN BEIRUT. Supporters of Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah and Amal groups clash with security forces late on December 17, 2019, in central Beirut. Lebanon's president postponed consultation to select a new prime minister after weeks of largely peaceful street protests descended into weekend violence. AFP

Macau to celebrate Chinese rule as Hong Kong seethes MACAU―The former Portuguese colony of Macau will this week celebrate 20 years since its return to China, with Beijing’s leaders praising a pliant city that has grown rich on gambling and deference to authoritarian rule. The jubilation will be in contrast to the mood in neighboring Hong Kong, the only other region run under the “one country, two systems” model that has endured six months of often violent pro-democracy protests. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend Friday’s anniversary celebrations in Macau, where the population of 700,000 has expressed little of the Hong Kong-style dissent. “[Macau] is like the good boy in a family,” Larry So, a Hong Kong-born social scientist who taught and has retired in Macau, told AFP. “Good boys always get candies, and the good boy may find his life pretty comfortable.” Macau’s skyline and economy have changed beyond recognition since four centuries of Portuguese rule ended in

1999, with glittering casinos the backbone of the city’s dramatic rise. As the only place in China where gambling is allowed, Macau’s GDP has soared from $6.4 billion in 1999 to more than $55 billion. Per capita GDP is the second highest in the world behind oil-rich Qatar and its casinos now rake in each week the same as Las Vegas makes in a month. “Since the handover the living standards have seen a big improvement,” secondary school teacher Celia Chong told AFP last week as her students searched for tourists to fill out a questionnaire. Chong cited generous government subsidies and handouts, as well as opportunities to work on the mainland. “I think as a resident in Macau, the handover anniversary will be a happy, big event,” she said. Shotah Zhang said his family’s business of selling egg tarts to tourists had boomed. “Before it was a very quiet little town, but in the past 20 years, we have had a

big change,” he told AFP. Nearly 36 million tourists visited Macau in 2018, the vast majority from mainland China. The “one country, two systems” models for Macau and Hong Kong allows the cities greater freedoms and liberties than those on the mainland. The people of Hong Kong, a former British colony that reverted to Chinese rule in 1997, have consistently pushed to protect or maximize those freedoms. Hong Kong has a bustling free press, a largely independent judiciary and an influential group of pro-democracy lawmakers. These democratic factors culminated in the tumultuous events of the past six months, in which hundreds of thousands of people have taken to Hong Kong’s streets demanding universal suffrage. A newly radicalized youth has added a dangerous sub-layer to Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, leading to increasingly violent battles with riot police. AFP

PROCESSION.

Cuban pilgrims take part in the Saint Lazarus procession at El Rincon Church in Havana on December 16, 2019. Thousands of believers gather every year on this date in this church to fulfill promises to Saint Lazarus —for Christians—or Babalu Aye, for the faithful of the Afro-Cuban religion. AFP

Russia, China propose to ease sanctions on North Korea UNITED NATIONS―Russia and China on Monday proposed easing the sanctions against nuclear-armed North Korea in response to the steps the North takes towards denuclearization. The proposal, in a draft resolution that surprised several diplomatic missions, came the same day Washington’s top representative in talks with North Korea criticized Pyongyang’s “hostile” statements. The North is under heavy US and United Nations sanctions over its nuclear program, but it has been frustrated at the lack of relief after it declared a moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests. The draft text said the Council “shall adjust the sanction measures towards the DPRK as may be needed in light of the DPRK’s compliance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.” It also underlined the necessity of having “the most favorable approach towards requests for exemptions from existing UN sanctions against the DPRK for humanitarian and livelihood purposes.” The Russian and Chinese proposal did not detail exactly what North Korea will have to do in exchange for an easing of sanctions. But in order to improve the lives of people in the impoverished North, the text called for an end to several significant measures that date from 2016 and 2017. Russia and China want the UN to end the ban on its members importing coal, iron, iron ore and textiles from North Korea. They also call for an end to the sanctions, imposed in 2017, that require UN members to send back by December 22 North Korean workers employed abroad. AFP

HK’s largest meth seizure from Mexico HONG KONG―Hong Kong customs announced its largest seizure of methamphetamine in a decade on Tuesday, 110 kilograms of ice worth some HK$77 million ($10 million) that originated in Mexico. The seizure points towards the growing presence of meth made by Mexican cartels in Asia, a region where the local “Golden Triangle” gangs traditionally dominate production. Customs officials said the contraband was discovered in an air cargo shipment that originated in Mexico and came via Alaska. Following a tip-off from overseas law enforcement, they X-rayed the shipment which was listed as being filled with cheap plastic sequins from Mexico, something officers said made little sense because such beads could easily be bought locally. Inside they found 120 plastic lunch boxes filled with high grade methamphetamine and packets of fabric softener used to mask the smell. “This is the largest meth trafficking case Hong Kong Customs has detected in the past 10 years,” Commander Philip Chan, from the customs department’s drug bureau, told reporters. Chan said some of the ice may have been intended for local consumption but the majority was likely headed to further destinations overseas. Most of Asia’s meth comes from “Golden Triangle” border areas between Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and southwest China which are now pumping unprecedented quantities of synthetic drugs into the global markets. A study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says that Southeast Asia’s crime groups are netting more than $60 billion a year. One of the most successful regional cartels is “Sam Gor,” a crime syndicate officials say is led by a Chinese-born Canadian citizen named Tse Chi Lop. But product from Mexico―which traditionally caters to the North American market―is increasingly showing up across the region. “Mexico in recent years has become a popular manufacturing place because of its geographical advantage,” Chan told AFP, with cartels shipping both north and increasingly across the Pacific. He added his officers would reach out to law enforcement agencies overseas as part of the investigation. No arrests have so far been made over the seized shipment. AFP

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

CHRISTMAS TREATS. A pretty princess catches the eye of a young boy as SM City Masinag in Antipolo City held its annual Grand Christmas Parade with the Theme ‘Christmas Toy Adventure’ on Sunday. At SM City Marilao in Bulacan, a fleet of illuminated drones (inset) perform a choreographed routine over the mall’s parking lot, moving seamlessly to the well-known Christmas carol ‘O Holy Night.’ Manny Palmero and Jun David

San Fernando lass new Mutya of Pampanga By Romeo Dizon SAN FERNANDO―Beauty and brains marked the 448th Pampanga Day celebration over the weekend. Rica Gabriene David of San Fernando was crowned the Mutya Ning Kapampangan 2019 during the coronation night held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here. Other winners were Mary Ann Felker of Angeles City as 1st runner-up, Rose Ann Pangilinan of San Luis as 2nd-runner up, Maria Alyssa Sarmiento of Porac as 3rd-runner up, and Kyle Celine Dorado of Mabalacat as 4th runner-up. David bested 20 other contestants in the beauty pageant, which aims to enrich the culture and arts of the 10th richest province of the country. David succeeded Maria Angela Robson, who went on to become first runner-up in the recent Miss Millennial 2019 pageant held in Manila. This year’s winner will represent the province in the same Miss Millennial beauty contest in 2020. David thanked all those who supported her quest as the most beautiful lady of Pampanga for 2019. Formerly known as Miss Pampanga when it started in 1982, the pageant became one of the main features of the foundation day celebration. It was rebranded as Mutya Ning Kapampangan in 1986. During the same celebration, the 12 Most Outstanding Capampangan Awardee who made good in their different fields of endeavor were also honored at Royce Hotel and Casino at Clark Freeport. They were led by Health Undersecretary Dr. Rolando Enrique Domingo for government service, Police Major Ohmar Bognot for law enforcement, Kayla Noelle Sanchez for sports, Elvira Machuca for business and technology, Leilani Samson-Cunanan for education, and Allan Dizon for arts. Also honored were Ivan Mayrina for mass media, Rodico de Dios for culture, Dr. Sevillo David Jr. for science, Maria Clorian Tomen for social service, and Jericho Arceo for youth service.

Bacolod named most competitive WV HUC

ACOLOD—Adding more feathers in its cap, Bacolod City bagged two more awards, this time for being the Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City in Western Visayas.

On Monday, this city was recognized for topping two out of the four pillars —Economic Dynamism and Infrastructure—in the 3rd Recognition Ceremony for Competitive Local Government Units held at Hotel del Rio in Iloilo City. Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who was represented by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran in receiving the awards, said in a statement the recognition shows that Bacolod has an environment conducive for businesses to grow. “Our efforts to make the city business-friendly are now reaping fruits,” he added. The Regional Competitiveness Coun-

cil (RCC-6), a public-private body, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-6) bestowed the awards based on the assessment of the competitiveness of the LGUs using four pillars—Economic Dynamism, Infrastructure, Government Efficiency, and Resiliency. In terms of Economic Dynamism, Bacolod has been cited for initiating “programs creating a stable expansion of business and industries and higher employment,” while in Infrastructure, for having “the physical building blocks that connect, expand, and sustain a locality and its surroundings that enable a seamless flow of goods and services.”

“This is indeed a blissful year for Bacolod City. We have received numerous awards from different organizations,” said Familiaran after receiving the awards from DTI-6 Regional Director Rebecca Rascon, who also chairs the RCC-6. He hoped the awards received by Bacolod will also encourage all the other LGUs to “do better than our best” and “to go beyond what is expected of us.” Bacolod and Iloilo competed in the same category, being the only two HUCs in Western Visayas. Last year, Bacolod was No. 1 among the HUCs in the Visayas after moving up to eighth from the 20th spot in 2017 in the Overall Most Competitive HUCs list and was also ranked as the third Most Improved LGU in the HUCs category of the 2018 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index. PNA

Ormoc, EDC mark 30-plus years of partnership on city charter day

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez (left) receives a gift from lawyer Allan V. Barcena, head of EDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility-Public Relations Group, during the inauguration of EDC’s permanent geothermal exhibition in the city’s new museum.

THE city of Ormoc and geothermal leader Energy Development Corp. recently celebrated more than 30 years of partnership for progress through two important activities as part of the city’s 72nd Charter Day celebration. The day’s events kicked off in the morning with the blessing of the new geothermal wellhead figure at the rotunda in Barangay San Pablo, Ormoc. The seven-meter figure is an actual part of EDC’s oldest and biggest geothermal facility that straddles Ormoc and the town of Kananga, Leyte. The wellhead assembly provides the structural and pressure-containing points of the production well that is drilled two to three kilometers below the earth’s surface. The blessing was led by Ormoc City Councilors Lalaine Marcos, Gregorio Yrastorza III, and Peter Rodriguez with EDC employees led by lawyer Allan V. Barcena, head of EDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility-Public Relations Group, and Erwin B. Magallanes, head of EDC’s CSR team in Leyte; Engineer Rolanda A. Bensig, Jr. and key members of the Philippine Society of Mechanical EngineersOrmoc Kananga Chapter, who helped in putting up the wellhead figure and in enhancing the rotunda. The inauguration of EDC’s permanent geothermal exhibition in the city’s new museum, led by Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez and lawyer Barcena, followed.

TPB environmental drive in Rizal, Laguna THE Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism, aims to lead by example as it takes part in protecting local tourist destinations through “Fun Goes Green,” its corporate social responsibility program. Recently implemented in Rizal and Laguna, the program promotes local tourism, raises awareness on its sustainable aspects, and encourages TPB employees and local tourism stakeholders to do their part in preserving the natural beauty of the destinations. As growing tourist destinations in Southern Luzon, more local and foreign tourists flock to Rizal and Laguna because of their rich heritage and beautiful sites. In partnership with The Haribon Foundation, TPB employees went on a three-day immersion

with different activities to help protect the natural sites of Rizal and Laguna. The first destination was Buhay Punlaan Native Tree Nursery in Lumban, Laguna, where participants learned the importance of the propagation stage of forest restoration through the collection of wildings from mother trees, soil potting and bagging, as well as seedling and seed transplantation. “It is very important to focus on the native species that are most adapted to the Philippine rainforest ecosystem, and that is what we want to promote in all our nurseries,” said Joseph Riel A. Senga, partnerships officer of The Haribon Foundation. The TPB also headed to the Japanese Garden in Caliraya, Laguna and Mount Batolusong in Barangay San Andres, where employees trekked and planted trees with the Barangay San Andres Samahan Ng Mga Magsasaka.

Navotas posts 100% score in anti-drug drive By Jun David NAVOTAS City has received a perfect score from the Department of the Interior and Local Government for its exemplary performance in addressing the problem of illegal drugs. The DILG-National Capital Region gave the city an ideal or high functionality rating in the 2018 National AntiDrug Abuse Council Performance Audit for Highly Urbanized Cities. The audit criteria included an organized local ADAC, implementation of ADAC plans and programs, fund allocation, support to ADACs in component LGUs, and conduct of regular meetings. Mayor Toby Tiangco thanked members of the Navotas ADAC for their commitment to promote a drug-free city. “The fight against drugs is never easy but we continue to forge ahead knowing that we need to do our utmost to protect our constituents,” he said. “The security and safety of Navoteños and of Navotas are at stake. We cannot afford to slack off otherwise, all our efforts might come to naught,” he added. Navotas has a Bidahan community-based rehabilitation program where drug users attend a three-day retreat and eventually undergo 6- or 18-months counselling. It also offers faith-based interventions such as Simula ng Pag-asa (SIPAG) and Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad. Established in 2016, the Bidahan now has 24 batches composed of 716 participants. Of this, 133 completed the 6-month and 24 finished the 18-month aftercare program. Other programs to boost the city’s anti-drug campaign include drug awareness and prevention lectures to Grade 6 pupils; year-round Navotas Sports Camp; random and mandatory drug testing for city hall employees, program beneficiaries and others; and drug-clearing of barangays. Navotas now has 11 out of 18 barangays declared drug-cleared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

20 Legazpi villages bag CENRO prize LEGAZPI CITY—At least 20 villages from the total of 70 in this city received recognition in the annual Solid Waste Management Awards initiated by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office. City Mayor Noel Rosal handed the certificates of commendation and cash prizes to 10 winners in the big barangay category and to 10 others in the small barangay category, that have shown proper ways of disposing of waste materials in their respective areas. The awarding was held during the Christmas party of the Liga ng mga Barangay at the Legazpi City Convention Center (L3C) on Sunday, Dec. 15. Rosal acknowledged the role of the eco-waste managers and eco-aides for their effective implementation of the city’s “no segregation no collection policy” as mandated in the city’s Ecological Solid Waste Management Program. “This policy which is anchored the city’s solid waste management program is proof of Legazpi‘s identity as a strong modern city that maintains a healthful and environment-friendly community,” he said. Rosal asked all the eco-managers and eco-aides to always remind the people in the community that burning of garbage in the backyard is strictly prohibited as one way of reducing toxic emissions such as dioxin and furans that are generated by waste materials and contribute to global warming. Tourism Promotion Board employees doing their share in preserving key tourist destinations.

Life

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

FASHION AND BEAUTY

@MStandardLIFE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019

LOVELY LOVI. Local jewelry label Imono, known for using durable and non-tarnish surgical steel, taps actress and model Lovi Poe to be its newest brand ambassador.

Delicate sparkle By Monica Sanchez

OR actress and model Lovi Poe, the best occasion to wear jewelry is every day.

“I’ve always believed that they shouldn’t be worn simply on special occasions. Time is a gift, so it commands that you appreciate every moment fully. So wear that dress you’ve always wanted to wear, and adorn yourself with your favorite jewels that bring you the most joy,” she says.

She might be more popular for her laid-back chic style of crop tops, short and slip dresses, boyfriend jeans, and oversized sweaters, but Poe can also go full-on elegant with floor-length backless dresses. Her style reflects Imono’s classic and contemporary designs. The local jewelry label known for its surgical steel jewelry taps Poe to be its newest brand ambassador. “What I love most about the brand is that it has such a vast and versatile collection—minimalist pendants, edgy studs, ornate drop earrings, charms, and more. One can surely find picks that

VANITY CORNER

are appropriate for any occasion and every personality,” she enthuses. Every piece from Imono is made of non-tarnish and hypoallergenic 316L stainless steel—the one that is corrosion resistant. The brand, founded in 2006, offers jewelry for men and women. Its latest collection Evolve and Shine consists of a mix of gold, silver, and colorful stones, handpicked by Poe. There are delicate, minimalist rings that can be stacked, modern bracelets with playful pendants, and tiered necklaces that can be worn to the office, on a night out, or while traveling. Lovi in long necklace with Mother of Pearl pendant Go to www.imonojewelryph.com to know more. and tassels.

Girbaud appeals to the youth FRENCH clothing brand Marithé et Francois Girbaud marks its 25th year in the Philippines with an updated look made to appeal to millennials and Gen Z. The 47-year-old brand makes a case to the new generation as well as to its long-time fans, while retaining its denim-centric DNA. It is known for the industrialization of Stonewash, baggy trousers (Shuttle), and skin-tight jeans. During the anniversary event of Girbaud Philippines, graced by some of this generation’s influential personalities, the brand announced the new chapter it has entered, introducing new styles. “Girbaud has been in the Philippines for 25 years now and we would like to celebrate this milestone by introducing a new look,” said Obee Ham, business development head for Retail Dynamics, Inc., the group behind the Manila revival of Girbaud. She continued, “The brand has always been known to be innovative and we made sure that it will be carried over to this exciting new phase.” Brand updates started rolling out this

French label Marithé et Francois Girbaud marks its 25th year in the Philippines with an updated look made to appeal to the youth.

year in some of its stores in Metro Manila including SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, and SM Manila. By 2020, all Girbaud stores in the Philippines will be refreshed with a

cool and modern store design. It will also feature up-to-date collection every season with wearable pieces inspired by the streetwear trend favored by the younger market.

Kaila Estrada and Bret Jackson

Jennica Sanchez

Nadine Lustre launches Lustrous’ new liquid matte lipstick collection.

Nadine Lustre’s essentials INFLUENTIAL superstar Nadine Lustre and Australian makeup brand BYS go back to basics with a new lipstick collection. Lustrous, Lustre’s first foray into the beauty industry and BYS’s firstever collaboration with a celebrity, launches the Lustrous Matte Lipstick collection of nude lipsticks perfect for all-day natural look. The collection features a creamy, full-coverage formula that is highly pigmented, glides smoothly, and dries to a matte, velvet finish. It comes in six shades, namely Wine

Pon U, Drama Queen, Kink, Diet, In Love, and Buzzed. Also part of the new collection is the Lustrous Lip Gloss in Oh La La, which has a subtle iridescent blue shine. The aforementioned products, including all six shades are available in the Lustrous Matte Lipstick Set that comes with a double-sided mirror that lights up for convenient and precise application. The collection is available at Watsons and SM Beauty stores nationwide, as well as at beautybeat.ph.

Tom Rodriguez

Life

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

HE Yuletide sweater season is not complete without those “ugly” knits that are not exactly flattering to wear after the holidays. But Marks & Spencer introduces a knitwear collection that provides warmth for those chilly nights and a little bit of novelty of the holiday season, but is decidedly not ugly. The brand’s knitwear collection consists of sumptuously cozy fabrics with flattering V-necks to classic crew necks and stylish roll neck designs in an array of colors, patterns, and textures. Warm burgundy hues, rich earthy tones, and pops of mauve and azure blue complement the season and a variety of personalities and occasions.

Non-ugly Christmas sweaters

Sweater season in Marks & Spencer’s knitwear collection made of cozy fabrics in elegant colors.

Fair Isle print roll neck relaxed fit jumper

Prints and patterns, meanwhile, range from contemporary diamond argyle design, to bold color-block stripes, ontrend animal prints, and tonal checks. The timeless Fair Isle design also makes an appearance in styles available for the

whole family. Christmas jumpers come in embellished designs. Cozy is king when it comes to fabrics as Marks & Spencer picks ribbed knits, merino wool, chenille textures, and Cashmillon that is designed with

the brand’s special Stay Soft technology that will keep knits softer for longer. The Christmas Mountain Scene design crew neck jumper is available at Marks & Spencer in Greenbelt 5, Glorietta 4, Shangri-La Plaza, and SM

Mall of Asia. The Fair Isle print roll neck relaxed fit jumper is at the Greenbelt 5, Glorietta 4, Shangri-La Plaza, TriNoma, Resorts World, Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall, and Power Plant Mall branches.

SPOTTED

Beauty product packaging made of recyclable and locally sourced materials is favored by many consumers, according to experts.

Beauty products: Packaging matters

CONSUMERS of beauty products have become increasingly well-informed and selective, prompting the cosmetics industry to come up with innovative ways to harness the power of packaging. Studies presented at the International Packaging Symposium held recently by the Asian Packaging Network in Makati City showed that consumers look for the overall visual impression of a product; that 60 percent choose on the basis packaging, and 80 percent of purchasing decisions are made directly in stores. Shoppers need only six seconds to glance at a product before moving on to the next. Packaging is thus everything, especially in the beauty industry. ProPak Philippines, which is staging the 2nd International Processing and Packaging Exhibition at the World Trade Center on Feb. 5-7, 2020, shares a few tips about packaging to attract holiday shoppers.

Eco-friendly

According to ProPak, classic, vintage-style packaging made of recyclable or refillable containers makes the brand stand out. Locally sourced materials for packaging such as wooden, earthenware boxes, or organic pouches such as bamboo shoots, banana, coconut, and palm leaves help bolster the brand’s eco-friendly move. It’s a plus if refilling services or buyback schemes are available. Transparent and translucent packages with less design are most likely to be reused and recycled.

Angelina Jolie seen in Ferragamo specs Hollywood A-lister Angelina Jolie was recently seen wearing Salvatore Ferragamo geometrical frame sunglasses with metal temples embellished by the Gancini motif while out and about in Paris, France. Salvatore Ferragamo is located at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s ShangriLa, Rustan’s Makati, and Solaire Resort and Casino.

Angelina Jolie in Ferragamo geometrical sunglasses.

Cylinder and magenta

When it comes to shapes, a neuromarketing study has found that cylinder shapes are the most eye-catching. Meanwhile, the color magenta does magic when used as packaging. An eye-tracking study showed that consumer eyes are most drawn to products in the magenta spectrum. Experts advise to consider using alluring red or blushing pink packaging, because most beauty products go on the skin, and the brain subconsciously compares products to the natural hues of the skin and the lips.

Keep it simple

The less busy the package design looks, the better, experts assert. Consumers prefer brands that adopt clear and concise package messaging, those that embrace basic but elegant texts on solid or neutral color backgrounds. Transparent or translucent package with a hint of text makes the product the packaging itself. The idea ties in with the eco-friendly trend because minimalist bottles and jars make them more likely to be reused and recycled. However, ProPak advises that amid going less not to forget about the formula. Sales have been found to increase for companies that openly state what their products contain, so customers can choose for themselves what products work best on them.

Multi-hyphenate women (from left) Iza Calzado, Gretchen Ho, Sarah Elago, Kami Navarro, Danie Laurel, and Lynn Pinugu.

She Talks Asia celebrates ‘multi-hyphenate’ women WOMEN-LED organization She Talks Asia and beauty and skin care brand Céleteque recently convened multi-faceted women across diverse fields to share their stories of struggle and success. The by-invite only Tribe-Meet Up: The Toolkit for Every Multi-Hyphenate featured women who have gone beyond society’s expectations in establishing their names in different fields, including Gretchen Ho, athlete-TV host-advocateCéleteque brand ambassador. Also present were actress-TV host Iza Calzado, news anchor-financial expert Danie Laurel, science communication lecturer-STEM advocate Kami Navarro, and marketing expert Kathy Carag, among others. Aside from a panel discussion among speakers, the event had attendees disperse into break-out sessions which allowed them to delve deeper into discussions about what it takes to take on multiple roles in one’s life. Attendees were able to ask and discuss various topics from specific questions on time management to learning when it is time to make changes in one’s career. She Talks Asia is known for holding both online and offline campaigns that educate the community on the role of women and female-identifying individuals in a fast-evolving

world. Collaborating on the Tribe Meet Up allowed Céleteque to reinforce its message for its #beautywithaplus campaign, which encourages women to be both intelligent and beautiful by offering the smartest set of science-based and customized skin care products. Céleteque has six skin care lines co-developed with dermatologists especially for different skin conditions: Hydration, Acne Solutions, Sun Care, Brightening, Advanced Anti-Aging, and DermoCosmetics. Celeteque skin care advisor helps guests determine their skin types to help them choose the right products to use.

Entertainment SNAPSHOT

U2 plays first-ever concert in India

wednesday, december 18, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

vina, aiko team up with celebrity go-to beauty clinic

IRISH rockers U2 played their firstever concert in India Sunday, with top celebrities and mega-fans converging from across the vast nation to the coastal city of mumbai. U2 are the latest in a series of major international acts to tour the South Asian country, with Beyonce, Shakira, Coldplay,Demi Lovato, and Bryan Adams among the superstars who have played to packed venues. Some 35,000 tickets were estimated to have been sold for the concert at the D.Y. Patil Sports Stadium, local media reported, with top Bollywood stars posing for photos before entering the venue. AFP

Dave Chappelle

debuts in Manila for two nights at Solaire

American comedian and actor Dave Chappelle

mericAn comedian and actor Dave Chappelle brings his award-winning comedy to manila for the first time at The Theatre at Solaire Resort and casino for two nights, Jan. 14 and 15.

Arguably the most-touring comic on the circuit, chappelle has performed more than 1,600 concerts worldwide in the past four years, selling out shows within minutes of their announcements. chappelle is an internationally recognized stand-up comedian

whose trademark wit and sharp, irreverent social commentary explores race, popular culture, politics, and fame. This year, Chappelle received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor; released his fifth Netflix special, Sticks and Stones, and was nominated for a Grammy Award® for the same title. His four other highly anticipated Netflix specials: The Art of Spin,Deep in the Heart of Texas, Equanimity and The Bird Revelations, all received Grammy Awards® for Best comedy Album in 2018 and 2019. Additionally, he captured his second Emmy® for Outstanding Variety Special with Equanimity in 2018. Show time is at 8:00. p.m..Tickets started to go on sale on Dec. 17 at www.ticketworld.com.ph and at the Solaire Box Office.

‘kadenang Ginto’ shines as latest Pinoy series to air in Myanmar KADEnAng ginto, the country’s most-watched and talked about television series, has become the latest ABS-CBN program to make waves via the Sky Net Channel in Myanmar, entrancing viewers with its explosive twists, feisty confrontations, and gripping story. retitled as The Heiress,”the series airs from Monday to Thursday at 7:00 in the evening. Kadengang ginto’s entry into Myanmar airwaves follows ABScBn’s string of successes in capturing more non-Filipino viewers in international markets this 2019 with the airing of Pangako Sa’Yo in the Dominican Republic, Halik in Africa,Forevermore in Thailand, Asintado in Kazakhstan, Wildflower in French islands in the Pacific and indian oceans, and the upcoming co-production of ABS-CBN and limon Yapim of Hanggang Saan in Turkey.

Sky Net, which brought ngayong at Kailanman to myanmar earlier this year, also airs The general’s Daughter from Friday to Sunday on primetime. ABS-CBN’s content, popular for their heartfelt Filipino stories, are available across other territories through ABS-CBN International Distribution, recognized in the global arena as a reliable foreign content provider. it has been a premier source of high quality Filipino programming in over 50 territories all over the world and has sold over 50,000 hours of content worldwide. living up to this recognition, ABS-CBN International Distribution commits to add to its first line-up of high-caliber programs and movies with cast and storylines that appeal to various cultures. Visit https://www.abscbn.com/internationalsales/about for more details.

Singer-actress Vina Morales (leftmost) with Dr. Eric Yapjuangco (center) and wife Vina Yapjuangco

in line with its current 8th anniversary celebration, The Icon Clinic officially welcomes Aiko Melendez and Vina Moralesas two of its newest brand ambassadors. The Icon Clinic was established in 2011 by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Yapjuangco, or Doc Yappy to the mainstream public and to his countless loyal patients, and wife Vina Yapjuangco who is currently functioning as cOO of the company. Doc Yappy and Vina envisioned a medical center that offers topnotch and world class plastic surgery procedures and dermatological services that will allow every Filipino to improve their lifestyle with boosted confidence and vigor. Through the years, Doc Yappy gradually became a household name because of his innovative and unparalleled skills in rhinoplasty, which is more commonly known in layman’s terms as “nose surgery,” which combines his formal training as a plastic surgeon and his artistic eye for detail and superior aesthetics. The Icon Clinic has then expanded into dermatological services which offers non-invasive treatments both for the face and body with their topof-the-line machines and procedures which include Venus legacy for body sculpting, Hydrafacial which is a machine that invigorates and freshens the skin almost instantly, and skin smoothening procedures such as revlight and Fraxel among many other amazing body skincare services. In 2017, The Icon Clinic broke social media records because of the miraculous transformation of online personality Marlou Arizala to Xander Ford which aired on Korina SanchezRoxas’ Sunday magazine show Rated K on ABS-CBN. The grand reveal of

Xander, who underwent rhinoplasty, jaw augmentation, and Fraxel and revlight treatments, on Rated K still holds the record of the highest and most phenomenal ratings for the program in recent times which resulted to Xander and The Icon Clinic as the most Googled subjects in 2017. To mark the 8th anniversary of the medical center, The Icon Clinic recently transferred to a bigger and more fabulous headquarters in Greenhills, San Juan. The medical facility now houses state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to give its patients topnotch treatments and procedures that are of global standards. The clinic also partnered with Biko melendez and Vina morales who are both considered two of the most iconic faces known for their classic movie star beauties in the history of the Philippine entertainment industry. Aiko and Vina are initially supporting The Icon Clinic’s dermatology center for their skincare as headed by one of the clinic’s medical consultants Dr. Aileen Dela Rosa. The Icon Clinic will continue to expand in the months to come as the center will soon launch more innovative and cutting edge services not only in plastic surgery but in dermatology as well. “Aiko and Vina are the perfect artists to represent the entire icon clinic brand. This will truly be a wonderful endeavor as they embody what the clinic really stands for and that is the pursuit of excellence. We really believe that excellence is achievable and that everybody deserves to be an icon,” says Doc Yappy. The new headquarters of The Icon Clinic is located at Unit G3 BTTC centre 288 Ortigas Avenue corner Roosevelt St., Greenhills, San Juan city.

Boy Abunda...

limitations when it comes to pursuing further education. “We’ve always believed in innovating education and that is why we created AmA Oed. We wanted to provide a platform for those who are hindered by different circumstances like distance from physical classrooms, disability, and having full-time jobs where they can continue to pursue further education anytime and anywhere,” said Dr. Amable C. Aguiluz IX, Vice chairman of AmA Education System. For more information about the different courses offered by AmA Oed, log on to www.amauonline.com.

From C4

Apart from promoting its online masters and doctorate degrees, Abunda will also get the chance to teach AmA Oed students as he is set to join the AmA academe. “ i look forward to imparting my knowledge from years of experience in the field ofcommunication and help shape the next generation media and public relations practitioners,” Abunda added. For its part AmA Oed shares Abunda’s belief that there are no

Alfred Vargas... From C4

'Kadenang Ginto' lead stars Francine Diaz (left) and Andrea Brillantes

The law on cancer prevention will create canter centers throughout the country, to aid in government efforts in extending financial and other forms of assistance to cash-strapped cancer patients. With the theme, “celebrating excellence. inspiring Filipinos,” the TOYM awards seek to give national recognition to men and women aged 18-40 whose selfess dedication to their profession or vocation has resulted in significant contributions to the welfare of Filipinos and the country, as well as to the advancement of their respective fields of endeavor.

This year’s honorees include journalist Atom Araullo (Broadcast Journalism) and noveleta, cavite mayor Dino Chua(Tourism). Previous TOYM honorees include former Senator Ninoy Aquino (TOYM awardee for Public Service, 1960), famed directorLino Brocka (Arts, 1975), national Artist for music Ryan Cayabyab (contemporary music, 1978), former Senator Miriam Santiago (law, 1985), former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo (Government Service, 1990), Broadwaystar Lea Salonga(Theater Arts/music 1990), journalist Jessica Soho (BroadcastJournalism, 1993), and former Senator Loren Legarda(Broadcast Journalism, 1992), and Chiara Zambrano (Journalism, 2017).

Entertainment

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019

AMA Online Education (AMA OEd) the country’s ﬁrst fully online education platform today launched talk show host and talent manger Boy Abunda as its Level-Up Ambassador. Through the partnership announced at a contract signing event with school executives, Abunda will help promote AMA OEd’s post-graduate courses and eventually will be part of its academe. Upon being approached by AMA OEd to be the face of its advocacy of opening doors to better life opportunities through further education, Abunda immediately agreed as it is in line with his personal views on life-long learning-something he has exhibited in his own quest to earn his diploma. Abunda became a highly successful

BOY ABUNDA

Life-long learner

television personality, publicist, and talent manager, despite being not being a college graduate. Yet even with all the accolades, he never wavered in his desire to ﬁnish school. In 2009, the Tonight with Boy Abunda host earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from the Philippine Women’s University. He

did not stop there and in 2011 Abunda earned his Master of Arts degree. Wanting to expand his education further, he pursued a better understanding of social policy and in 2016, he was conferred his Doctor of Philosophy in Social Development degree. “Through my own experience, I know how hard it can be to balance life priorities and pursuing further education. But I highly believe that you’re never too old to keep learning. This partnership with AMA OEd will help me promote my own advocacy of becoming a life-long learner while helping those Ilooking for better opportunities discover that they can pursue further studies online at their convenience,” Abunda said. Continued on C3

Talk show host Boy Abunda (right) endorses AMA OEd Master's and PhD programs.

The song that sealed Jeremiah’s victory in ‘THE CLASH’ song,” Jeremiah told Manila Standard shortly after winning the top prize. “Apart from it has a personal meaning, the song allowed me to showcase my vocal range. I can also show different emotions through the song. And I like how the song allowed me to start soft, do some modulations then soared towards the end of it. I was comfortable playing with the song.” Jeremiah’s journey in The Clash was not smooth sailing. He said he had to deal with rough patches before he could regain composure and set his priority. “I was o u t

Actor Jack Black arrives for the Hollywood premiere of 'Jumanji: The Next Level'—the movie dominated the box office in its debut weekend in theaters.

‘Jumanji’ sequel ices out ‘Frozen II’ in box office battle SONY’S Jumanji: The Next Level bested Frozen II at the North American box ofﬁce this weekend, raking in an estimated $60.1 million in its debut, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. The latest Jumanji sequel stars Jack Black, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Kevin Hart as a group of friends returning to the dangerous but fascinating world of the Jumanji game. Disney’s Frozen II—a return to Arendelle and the magical animated world of Queen Elsa, sister Anna and the gang—took in an estimated $19.2 million for the Friday-to-Sunday period. In third place was Lionsgate’s droll murder mystery Knives Out, at $9.3 million. Daniel Craig stars as a Southern

detective hired by an anonymous client to unravel the bloody death of a wealthy patriarch. Fourth spot went to new Warner Bros. release Richard Jewell, a revisiting of the real-life tale of an Atlanta security guard falsely accused of playing a part in the 1996 Olympics bombing. The film sparked controversy by suggesting that a now-dead female journalist traded sex for inside information. At $5 million, it was one of the poorest openings ever for a Clint Eastwood movie. In fifth was Universal’s new slasher film Black Christmas, which appropriately opened on Friday the 13th, with a $4.4 million take that nearly recouped the film’s $5 million cost. AFP

o f focus for a time, but because of the production staff, who constantly reminded me of the reason why I joined the competition, I get to realign my goal and set my eyes on the grand champion title.”

Alfred Vargas among this year’s TOYM awardees ACTOR and Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas has been chosen as this year’s The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) honoree for Public Service. “I never expected that one day I would stand here today as an honoree and counted alongside my idols and the movers and shakers of our nation,” Vargas said as he accepted the award Friday night. Vargas was recognized by TOYM for his efforts in providing affordable house and lot to several communities in Quezon City. “Hindi biro ang usapin ng pabahay at palupa in Metro Manila, especially in Quezon City in Novaliches area where we have the 60 percent of informal settler families (ISFs),” the lawmaker said. “After several challenges like lack of funds, three death threats mula sa mga sindikato, disagreements between stakeholders, f o r m u l a t i n g sustainable solutions, and ﬁnding common ground regarding these solutions, and many more, here are a few things I’ve learned: First, everyone’s voice should be heard, especially the voices of the urban poor; secondly, all big things start from small beginnings; and, always stand by your principles,” he continued. The Palupa program of Vargas was successful in providing several ISFs with

their own house and lot within Quezon City. Vargas was also recoanized for being the pricipal advocate of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA). He dedicated his award to his mother, who died of cancer in 2014. “No Filipino family deserves to lose their loved ones, give up their savings, their house, their livelihood, and end up buried in debts at the same time just because cancer cane knocking at their doors. Now, makakasama nyo ang gobyerno sa laban ngcancer. Hindi kayo nag-iisa. Bawat Pilipino magtutulungan, pribado man o gobyerno,” he stressed. Continued on C3

TOYM recognizes Rep. Alfred Vargas' efforts in providing affordable house and lot to several communities in Quezon City.

ON FIRE.

Jeremiah performs an impressive mash-up of R Kelly’s 'I Believe I Can Fly' and Adele’s 'Set Fire to the Rain' before belting out a soulful rendition of Fantasia’s 'I Believe.'

Jeremiah follows Golden Cañedo, who was the inaugural Grand Champion last year. And as the grand winner, the young singer took home an exclusive management contract with GMA 7, a brand-new car, P1 million in cash, and a house and lot, all worth over P4 million in total. “I’m planning to invest my prize. That’s the first thing that came to mind. But a good portion of the cash prize will go to my cousin’s education. And hopefully, after 30 years, I’d be able to make my father come back home. He’s an OFW,” he shared. Since the beginning of the competition, Jeremiah was considered one of the frontrunners with his performances gaining huge following especially on social media and YouTube. “I thank God, most of all. This talent, this voice I have wouldn’t be here if not because of Him. I also would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the people who supported my journey in this competition. They were a morale booster.” Asked on what his edge was to emerge victorious in the reality singing search after 13 weeks of grueling challenges, the new The Chash Grand Champion said that he was an eager student throughout the entire run of the televised singing tourney. “I wouldn’t mind if any of us won. Everybody was deserving and talented. I think my only advantage was I listened to the prod team and to the judges’ comment and feedback all the time. I wanted to take everything in. I tried to learn and apply everything that they told me before and after performances,” he said. Before winning the second season of The Clash, he auditioned in the singing tilt’s first season but didn’t qualify to be an official contender. He was also a two-time defending champion on the second season of Tawag ng Tanghalan, a segment of ABS-CBN noontime show It’s Showtime.

WENTYONE-YEAROLD Jeremiah Tiangco was a vision of pride and enthusiasm when he waived at the crowd that cheered for him during the grand finals of GMA7’s The Clash. The Cavite native said he’s “living his dream” after defeating four other finalists—Nef Medina, Jennifer Maravilla, Antonette Tismo, and Thea Astley—in the last rounds of the competition to be declared Grand Champion of the original talent search. For the first round, Jeremiah performed an impressive mash-up of R Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” and Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain.” And in the final segment where he went head-to-head with Thea Astley, he did a powerful yet soulful rendition of Fantasia’s “I Believe.” “I personally chose this

'The Clash' season 2 Top 5 (from left) Thea Astley, Jeremiah Tiangco, Antonette Tismo, Nef Medina, and Jennifer Maravilla

Program and segment hosts (from left) Rayver Cruz, Julie Anne San Jose, Rita Daniela, and Ken Chan