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Judgment day: Guilty or not VOL. XXXIII • NO. 308 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TODAY, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, presiding judge of Branch 221 of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, will promulgate the ruling on the Maguindanao Massacre case, after nearly 10 years of trial. The so-called “trial of the decade” called the attention of press organizations in the Philippines and of international media groups. The killings that occurred on Nov. 23, 2009 were described as the “deadliest strike against the press in history.” The massacre saw 58 people slain―32 of them media workers―

and underscored the dangers to journalists in the Philippines, as advocates for press freedom and justice have focused on the months and years of trial. Judge Solis-Reyes submitted the case for decision on Aug. 22, and was thus required by a Supreme Court circular to issue her verdict 90 days later, in November. But citing the “voluminous records” of the case, she requested an extension of 30 days, which the High Court has granted. The promulgation of decision is expected on or before Dec. 20, Friday.

Mangudadatu: Court in favor of victims despite slow justice By Maricel V. Cruz

AGUINDANAO Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu on Wednesday said he hoped the court will rule in favor of victims of the Maguindanao massacre, the worst election-related mass killings in the country, when it promulgates its decision today.

On Nov. 23, 2009, the wife of Mangudadatu, her sister, lawyer and other relatives, and 38 journalists were on their way to Shariff Aguak to watch him ﬁle his certiﬁcate of candidacy for the gubernatorial race in the 2010 local elections. Mangudadatu said the justice system has been “a bit slow” for the Maguindanao massacre victims, who have had to wait more than 10 years for a decision. “I feel that the resolution of the case took time,” Mangudadatu said. Reps. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte and Manuel Luis Lopez of Manila expressed Mangudadatu’s hope that the court will rule in their favor.

“We are praying for justice to be served and that he will be given the strength to accept the verdict whatever that will be,” said Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs. Barbers said the Maguindanao massacre “is the most gruesome mass murder in our history and that the perpetrators of such morbid crimes deserve a morbid punishment, too.” “It looks like the decision would favor the family of the victims brought about by the consistent testimonies of the several witnesses, particularly the story on the involvement of Datu Unsay in the ordering of the massacre,” Barbers said. Next page

Fortun: Ampatuan walks, cites insufficient evidence By Rio N. Araja THE evidence is “insufﬁcient” to hand down a guilty verdict for main suspect Datu Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case, his former lawyer Raymond Fortun said Wednesday. Fortun, who had worked for Ampatuan Jr. from 2016 to July 2019, told CNN Philippines some acquittals may take place when the court comes out with the much-awaited ruling on Thursday. “Not enough for a guilty verdict. For me, it’s always a matter of reasonable doubt eh. If you’re not able to connect the bullet to the gun to the gunman, in a murder case, you’re not going to win,” For-

MAIN ACTORS.

At some point on Thursday, the gavel of justice will fall and Judge Jocelyn SolisReyes (above right) will render the decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 on the Maguindanao Massacre, the ‘case of the decade,’ in a makeshift courtroom inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City (above). It could mean long prison terms for the Ampatuan scions Andal Jr. or Datu Unsay (above) and Zaldy (in wheelchair), vindication for Rep. Esmael ‘Toto’ Mangudadatu (right)— whose wife and aunt were killed in the ambush—and landmark legal victories or defeats for lawyers Harry Roque, Raymond Fortun and Nena Santos (below from left). Lino Santos

tun told the CNN program ‘The Source’ on Wednesday. “I can see some acquittals [in the 101 accused on trial]… I don’t see everyone having evidence of guilt,” he added. Ampatuan Jr. is among the 197 accused in the gruesome mass murder of 58 victims, including 32 media workers, over a decade ago. The Ampatuans and their family’s private armed group allegedly shot and decapitated the bodies of victims, including members of the rival Mangudadatu family, and civilians who happened to be passing by. In a related development, the Ampatuan clan wants to keep their political clout in the southern Philippine province Next page

Post-quake Davao Fewer Pinoys picks up the pieces to be deployed AS MINDANAO tries to stand up from the rubble of a devastating earthquake on Sunday, authorities say the death toll in Davao del Sur has reached nine, with 111 reported injured and one missing. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council report said Wednesday the casualties were from Region 11 (Davao Region) and 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), suggesting the numbers were still to be veriﬁed and validated. At the same time, the Ofﬁce of Civil Defense in Region 12 is closely monitoring a village in Malungon town, Sarangani province, due to the emergence of ground tension cracks following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake Sunday. OCD-12 Director Minda Morante said the tension cracks were found in a Next page

CASE TIMELINE NOV. 23, 2009—58 persons are killed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. The victims included 32 journalists and media workers, two lawyers, six motorists passing the same route, and the wife and sisters of Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, at that time the vice mayor of Buluan town in Maguindanao. Jan. 5, 2010—Hearings begin. Identify-

ing so many suspects took time; some could not be found. By early 2013, only 81 of the 98 arrested suspects had been arraigned. June 2010—A potential witness, Suwahid Upham, is killed. Upham had admitted in an interview that he was one of those who killed the victims, and that it was Datu Unsay himself who shot Genalyn Mangudadatu, the wife of Esmael “Toto” Mangudadtu.

December 2013—To speed up the trial, Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno issues new guidelines, naming an “Assisting Judge” to QC RTC Branch 221 who could take over some of the work in the trial. 2014—The Fortun Narvaza & Salazar Law Office, which represented several members of the Ampatuan family, withdraws as counNext page sel for the accused.

QUOTES ON THE CASE “Wala na ang utak, ang isang mata, ang kabila ng mukha. Sabog ang ulo. Wasak ang left arm.” ― Myna Reblando, describing the cadaver of her husband, Bong. “Patay na patay...Suot n’ya ’yung polo shirt na gift ko, naka-jacket. Wala nang bibig dahil doon lumabas ang bala, luwa

ang kaliwang mata, wala na ang buhok.” ― Noemi Parcon, describing the cadaver of her husband Joel: “That is easy, father. Kill them all if they come here.” ― Lakmudin Saliao, in his testimony in Sept. 2010, quoting then Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. as hav-

ing said in response to the question of his father, the late Andal Sr., as to what they should do to stop his rival from ﬁling his candidacy for governor: “The reason I came out is to prove that I am not hiding and that I am not guilty.” ― Andal Ampatuan Jr., during the Next page

to Saudi Arabia

By Vito Barcelo THE Labor department will reduce the deployment of Filipino workers to Saudi Arabia to protest Riyadh’s inaction on the unpaid wages of more than 9,000 Filipino workers worth P4.6 billion, its top ofﬁcial said Wednesday. “We plan to scale down the deployment of [Filipino workers] to Saudi Arabia starting next year,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said. “This is to call the attention of the Saudi government to act on the plight of thousands of Filipino workers who have yet to get their salaries since 2017.” Next page

Duterte tops Reds ‘hit list’—PSG By MJ Blancaﬂor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is included in the “hit list” of the New People’s Army, which was reportedly ready to launch attacks this Christmas season, his top security aide said Wednesday. “Normally, during this period, they are expected to have accomplishments in terms of army development and in taking down their targets,” said Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra, chief of the Presidential Security Group. “We expect that the President is number one in their list.” He assured the public, however, that the PSG would keep the President safe. On Tuesday, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the

Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the NPA would assassinate people, including the President, and those who do not submit to their will as they mark their 51st year of existence on Dec. 26. Esperon said security forces have been advised to take appropriate countermeasures against the “sinister threat” posed by the NPA and advised the public to remain vigilant. He also asked the public to report to the authorities any suspicious individuals or activities. The rebels, Esperon said, are growing “more desperate to stem the tide and cling to whatever dwindling inﬂuence they have left.” Next page

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

2020 budget tops Senate feat T Salary Standardization Law which grants a 23.24 percent overall average pay hike to the country’s 1.4 million state workers upon full implementation. The chamber passed the bill two days after the Senate approved its version last Monday. President Rodrigo Duterte certified the bill as urgent. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said regular sessions would resume on Jan. 20, 2020, Monday. “We opened the First Regular Session of the 18th Congress with a new batch of senators raring and eager to buckle down to work, and I am happy to note that we were able to file a record num-

ber of bills and resolutions, foremost of which is the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget,” he said. He said the budget was the most important law of the land. By approving it well ahead of the Christmas break, “we will be spared the difficulties arising from a re-enacted budget as had happened earlier this year.” He said the reenacted budget delayed projects and, worse, delayed salaries of national and LGU employees for the first quarter of 2019. Since the start of the 18th Congress last July 22, the senators had filed a total of 1,154 bills and 210 resolutions.

Mangudadatu:... From A1

Reporters and broadcasters are particularly vulnerable to life-threatening situations. They must have ample protections in our laws,” he added. Salo also said he will ask the Supreme Court for a comprehensive set of rules on media coverage of the courts. “To support press freedom, I will soon petition the Supreme Court for the issuance of en banc resolution or an administrative memorandum or a circular about media coverage of trials nationwide, so that community journalists can have access to the courts under reasonable rules to be issued either by the Supreme Court itself or by the Office Of The Court Administrator,” Salo, chairman of the House committee on public information, said. “The court coverage on Dec. 19

would be the benchmark for future media coverage of court cases,” Salo said. Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo of ACT-CIS said the Maguindanao massacre and the trial brought to the forefront of national consciousness the high-risk lives of journalists, especially those entrenched in conflict areas like Maguindanao, where mostly political warlords hold sway over the lives of residents.” Tulfo is the author of HB 2476 which provides for death, disability, and Social Security System or Government Service Insurance System benefits, as well as reimbursement for medical expenses up to P100,000. “For media firms that hire and comply, HB 2476 has an allowable deduction provision equivalent to 25 percent of the benefits paid to their media workers,” Tulfo said.

Ampatuan...

southbound side of the Skyway from the Makati hospital where he was recovering from a stroke. The promulgation of the decision on the Maguindanao massacre case will be held in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City on Thursday. Also, the Commission on Human Rights Wednesday urged authorities to go after the 80 at-large suspects in the Maguindanao massacre case, who must also be held liable for the crime. “We note reports that around 80 suspects remain at large, including police officers and soldiers, said Jacqueline Ann de Guia, a spokesperson for the commission. “We call on the authorities to exert all efforts to arrest suspects so the families of victims are not at risk and to ascertain that all those who will be proven guilty will suffer the force of law. Full justice can only be achieved when all the perpetrators are held accountable.” “Given the scale of suffering, tragedy, and loss of life that the massacre has brought upon journalists, civilians, and our society in general, we can only truly do justice by relentlessly working to ensure that our primary freedoms and values as people are guarded. In our own way, we can honor the victims’ sufferings by fighting the culture of impunity that erodes our humanity and democracy and ensure that no such tragedy will mar our society again,” she added. Government must consider the safety of journalists a priority, and throughly investigate and resolve any attack on members of media since these have an impact on the right to information and free speech. De Guia made the statement a day before the Dec. 19 promulgation of the 10-year-old Maguindanao massacre tthat took the lives of 58 people, including 32 journalists, on Nov. 23, 2009 in Shariff Aguak. The Maguindanao massacre trampled upon the right to life, right to free elections, right to press freedom and right to informa-

tion—basic freedoms that any civilized society must enjoy and cultivate, she said. “After a decade of lengthy case proceedings due to the large number of victims, respondents, and witnesses, we expect no less than a just conclusion. This impunity of magnanimous scale must also jolt us to defend and nurture the basic rights we have and to be ever vigilant against power that abuses and corrupts,” she added. In a notice sent to newsmen, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez and Assistant Court Administrator Brian Keith F. Hosaka assured the public that the Supreme Court will immediately upload the decision of the trial court in the case in the Supreme Court website as soon as possible. Only two video cameras will be allowed to take footage of the proceedings to be provided and manned by the personnel of the state-run People’s Television Network upon the request of the Court. The first camera of PTV will be directed at the judge and whoever will read the decision, on a wide-angle shot, while the second camera of PTV will be directed at the lawyers, counsels and the parties. In no case will the shot pan the surroundings or zoom in on any individuals inside the courtroom. The video footage will be shared in real-time with other broadcast networks. “No expert commentaries shall be allowed during the live coverage of the promulgation,” the guidelines said of the broadcast networks adding that PTV “shall air the promulgation without any interruption.” In November, the Court granted a 30day extension upon Reyes’ request to be given more time to come up with a decision after it considered the huge volume of evidence and parties in the case. Under court rules, all trial courts should promulgate their decision within the 90-day period after the case has been submitted for decision. With PNA

and the top-most layer of the ill-fated shop was broken down by a hydraulic breaker to allow easier access to it. The temblor was also felt in nearby provinces including Sarangani and Cotabato and in General Santos City and Davao City. Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has said it has provided assistance to 200 persons affected by the earthquake. PCSO General Manager Royina-Marzan Garma distributed grocery items to the affected families on Monday. “We want them to feel that they are not alone, and that PCSO is here to help them,” Garma said in a statement sent to reporters. Garma, meanwhile, said she was at the Southern Philippines Medical Center when the earthquake occurred. “Actually, I was in Davao to distribute grocery packs and toys to cancer patients at a hospital there when the earthquake hit,” she noted. Garma said the agency is committed to providing charity to the Filipinos who need assistance. In General Santos City, DSWD-12 Director Cezario Joel Espejo said the assessment was ongoing to determine whether it was still safe for residents to stay in the identified landslide-prone areas. “The assessment will determine if local officials will impose force evacuation for the safety of the people,” he said in a statement. Malungon is the closest town in Sarangani to the epicenter of the 2:11 p.m. quake last Sunday in Matanao town, Davao del Sur. The temblor was felt at Intensity 6 in the area. OCD-12 immediately deployed a team to the area on Monday to assess the impact of the quake in coordination with the Malungon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Sarangani Provincial DRRMO. PNA

QUOTES inquest held at the airport in General Santos City on Nov. 26, 2009. “In my mind, talagang may solid verdict na guilty sila. Sigurado kami na may conviction ‘yan.” ― Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, who lost his wife, sisters, an aunt and a cousin in the massacre, days before the promulgation. “We expect nothing less than a conviction especially those directly responsible and involved in the killings. Otherwise, the mockery of justice and the culture of impunity will continue to reign and worsen.” ― National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, in a statement.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

HE passage of the P4.1-trillion 2020 General Appropriations Act, which the Senate ratified and adopted last week, topped the list of the upper chamber's accomplishments in the first four months of the First Regular Session in the 18th Congress following its adjournment Wednesday for a one-month Christmas legislative break.

In the lower chamber, the House of employees starting January 2020 up to Representatives, voting 187- 5, ap- 2023. proved on third and final reading a bill The House, in plenary session, increasing the salary of government approved House Bill 5712 or the 5th

NAIA seizes P141m worth of shabu By Joel E. Zurbano OFFICIALS at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercepted another shipment of shabu worth P141 million at a warehouse in Pasay City. The 20.8 kilos of methampetamine hydhrochloride was concealed in two parcels declared as speakers and shipped from the United States. Members of the Customs―NAIA under the supervision of District Collector Carmelita Talusan discovered the shipment during an examination conducted at the Federal Express warehouse on Tuesday. The seized drugs will be turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Meanwhile, the sustained implementation of the Philippine Anti-Drugs Strategy focusing on enforcement, justice, rehabilitation and reintegration and advocacy have been credited with the largely improved response against the illegal drug problem, according to the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs. In its year-end report for 2019 released on Dec. 13, ICAD announced that 15,894 villages nationwide had been declared drug-cleared, alongside the 27,918 antidrug operations conducted within the year that resulted in the arrest of 41,947 drug suspects. Out of the suspects arrested, 2,422 were considered high-value targets while 976 of the operations had been classified as highimpact. The latest discovery of illegal drugs was the result of the efforts of the Bureau of Customs in coordination with PDEA and other members of the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group. Last month, the authorities used a controlled delivery scheme in their operation to arrest the consignee of P6.8 million worth of smuggled drugs from San Antonio, Texas. The suspect, Edison Chua, was placed under arrest after receiving the package delivered by “FedEx personnel” at a sports bar on Kalayaan and Doña Carmen in Poblacion village, Makati City. The shipment was concealed in water filters. The authorities supervised the transport of the package from the edEx warehouse all the way to Makati City, resulting in the arrest of Chua and his companion Brian Bantegui. The controlled delivery technich is used when a consignment of illicit drugs is detected and allowed to go forward under the control and surveillance of law enforcement officers in order to secure evidence against the organizers of such illicit drug traffic. This operation has been proved effective in some countries in identifying and bringing to justice principals, organizers and financiers of the drug trade. With PNA

Fewer...

From A1 Bello said the reduced deployment would start in 2020 as a result of Riyadh’s failure to act on the claims of more than 300 employees this year, and of whom many were working for a contractor of the state-run Saudi Arabian Oil Co. A group supporting the welfare of migrant Filipino workers on Wednesday expressed support for the Labor department’s decision to scale down the deployment of Filipinos to Saudi Arabia. Susan Ople, president of the Blas Ople Policy Center, said it was only right to push for the welfare of the workers as the latter had fulfilled their contractual obligations. “They actually fulfilled their side. They worked and rendered services but they were not paid because the companies went bankrupt or faced other financial and legal problems,” Ople said. “It is incumbent on the government of Saudi Arabia to make sure that the workers get their just share of compensation.” Bello said 10 to 20 percent would be cut from the number of Filipinos bound for Saudi Arabia, who were mostly household workers, construction and medical workers. “Only the newly hired will be reduced while those employed or on vacation will continue their work there," Bello said. “If the Saudi government continues to ignore our call, we will reduce the deployment of workers to Saudi Arabia.” Bello said three million Filipinos were working around the world and 25 percent of them were in Saudi Arabia. With PNA

Rep. Ron Salo of the Kabayan Partylist pushed for the passage of a bill providing “just compensation and benefits for media workers.” “To address the plight of workers in the news media, I see the need for a just minimum wage and basic benefits for photojournalists, correspondents, reporters, contributors, writers, and their colleagues. I believe a just minimum wage for the news media will help protect them from sectors and personalities who seek to corrupt them,” said Salo, vice chairman of the House committee on Human Rights, said. “As the Maguindanao massacre proves, the news media encounter dangers and high risks in their daily work.

From A1 alive by trying to make sure prominent clan member Rizaldy “Zaldy” Ampatuan is acquitted in the election-related killings of 58 people, former Maguindanao massacre prosecutor Harry Roque Jr. claimed on Wednesday. In an interview on ANC, Roque claimed: “There seems to be a concerted effort among the Ampatuan family to spare Zaldy because I think they need to continue their political powers so they have to choose between Zaldy and Unsay [Andal Ampatuan Jr].” According to Roque, Zaldy is still trying to pressure many groups until now. He claimed that when he was still President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson, Zaldy’s wife and Sajid Ampatuan managed to visit the Palace, which Roque said was another effort by the political clan to secure their political clout. “When I was spokesperson, I was surprised they made it to Malacañang. I never found out who is responsible for it but you can see years after the massacre, their influence remains,” he said. Meanwhile, Zaldy Ampatuan, the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor, was discharged from the Makati Medical Center and was sent back to the National Capital Region Police Office detention facility on Wednesday, a day before the promulgation. Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Reyes ordered the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to bring Ampatuan back to his detention cell. Ampatuan was on a wheelchair when he arrived at the NCRPO. He was admitted to the hospital in October after suffering a stroke. A police convoy accompanied prison guards transported Ampatuan along the

Post-quake... From A1

community in Sitio Malawaan, Barangay Lutay, an upland village around 15 kilometers from the town proper. The affected families evacuated from the area on Sunday afternoon due to the occurrence of possible landslides. “[The] tension cracks [were] visible under 11 houses,” Morante noted in a situation report released at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The official said they have recommended the assessment of the tension cracks and their possible impact on the community by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-12. On Tuesday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 12 delivered at least 25 tents to the local government in anticipation of possible further evacuations. The temblor, tectonic in origin, was recorded at 2:11 p.m. on Dec. 15 with its epicenter traced to 9 kilometers west of Matanao town, and with a depth of 3 kilometers. It damaged 41 public infrastructures, of which 9 were totally damaged while 32 were partially damaged. Also damaged were 128 schools and 19 health facilities, all in Regions 11 and 12. Meanwhile, retrieval operations at the grocery store in Padada, Davao del Sur that collapsed following the Dec. 15 magnitude 6.9 earthquake has been stopped, according to Darlene Cay’s report on Unang Balita on Wednesday. Citing engineer Luke Cadoyas, incident commander, the report said the operation was stopped on Tuesday night after it was confirmed that there were no longer bodies at the collapsed building. Cadoyas said the three-story building, which now awaits demolition, will be cordoned off and guarded by policemen against possible looters. Retrieval operations had commenced

TIME LINE: July 17, 2015—Andal Ampatuan Sr. dies of a heart attack while in detention. May 30, 2017—Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes denies Datu Unsay Ampatuan’s petition for bail, seven years after the trial began. August 2019—Lawyer Paul Laguatan, then counsel of Datu Unsay, asks for the reopening of the trial, which the court promptly denied, as defense lawyers were due to submit a memorandum summing up their arguments. Aug. 22, 2019—Judge SolisReyes submits the case for decision, and was thus required by a Supreme Court circular to issue her verdict 90 days later in November. But citing the “voluminous records” of the case, she requested an extension of 30 days, which the Supreme Court has granted. December 20, 2019—The date, on or before, when the promulgation of the decision is expected.

PH medalists in 30th SEAG win senators’ accolades

THE Senate adopted three resolutions congratulating and commending several Filipino athletes for winning medals in the recently concluded 30th Southeast Asian Games. Senate Resolutions 245, 246 and 281 were introduced by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Win Gatchalian, respectively. According to Zubiri, Christine Hallasgo brought honor to the country after she brought home the gold in the women’s marathon held in Capas, Tarlac last Dec. 6. He said Hallasgo added to the country’s increasing gold medal harvest in the sporting meet.Likewise, Zubiri said Sarah Noveno Dequinan made the country proud when she won the gold medal in the women’s heptathlon also in Capas, Tarlac last Dec. 8. He said Dequinan “improved the country’s gold medal tally in the sporting meet.” He said Dequinan’s feat had claimed a win that has eluded the Philippines since the legendary Elma Muros had achieved it in 2001. Zubiri said both women deserve to be acknowledged for their astonishing feat in bringing honor and glory to the country by becoming champions in international sporting competitions. “By delivering gold medals to the country in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, Hallasgo and Dequinan deserve to be recognized and commended for bringing pride and inspiration to the Filipino people and for showing to the world the unrelenting spirit of Filipino excellence,” Zubiri said. For his part, Gatchalian said six athletes from Valenzuela made the Filipinos proud when they hauled in medals during the Southeast Asian Games. He named the Valenzuelanos as Fernando Jose Casares, gold medalists, Philippine triathlon-mixed team relay; Jeniel Bata-Anon, gold medalists, Philippine Esports team-mobile legends: Bang-bang; Brandhon Kyrielle Aquino, bronze medalist, sailing international 420 men’s event; Baby Jessica Canabal, bronze medalist, taekwondo women’s under 53 kgs; Noelito Jose, Jr, bronze medalist, fencing men’s individual epee; John Michael Pasco, bronze medalists, beach handball. “These Valenzuelano athletes are an inspiration, not only to our people but also to our leaders who shall continue to build a city and a home that will allow them to develop their talents, exceed their limits and achieve their dreams,” Gatchalian said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Duterte... From A1

On Dec. 5, Duterte hinted at a chance to resume peace talks with communist rebels. Communist Party of the Philippines’ founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison on Wednesday condemned as “malicious psywar” Esperon’s statement that the rebels are planning to launch terror attacks during the holidays. In an interview with GMA News, Sison said it was the communists that proposed goodwill measures be undertaken during the holidays. NTF-ELCAC vice chairman Hermogenes Esperon Jr. claimed that the communist rebels planned to conduct assassination missions during the holiday season. “That is malicious psywar from Esperon,” Sison told GMA News Online. But Esperon said security forces had been advised to take appropriate countermeasures against the “sinister threat” posed by the NPA and asked the public to remain vigilant. He also asked the Filipino people to report to the authorities any suspicious individuals or strange activities. The rebels, Esperon said, were growing “more desperate to stem the tide and cling to whatever dwindling influence they have left.” On Dec. 5, Duterte hinted at a chance to resume the peace talks with communist rebels. Meanwhile, Duterte has organized the first Presidential Silent Drill Competition to be held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Dec. 20. Niembra said the President would attend the awarding rites on Friday afternoon. Among the participants of the competition are cadets from the Philippine Military Academy, Philippine National Police Academy, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, Philippine Army Officer Candidate School, Philippine Navy Officer Candidate School, Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School, and Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific. Niembra expressed hope that the activity would awaken the interest of the youth in the Reserve Officers Training Corps program, underscoring the need for a reserve force.

News Aurora gov, exec, ordered suspended for graft By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day suspension of the governor of Aurora province and his legal officer who are facing graft charges in connection with an allegedly irregular construction contract in 2014. The anti-graft court’s Sixth Division ordered Gov. Gerardo Noveras and the province’s legal officer, Paz Torregosa, to “immediately cease and desist from performing their functions upon the implementation of their preventive suspension.” “The suspension shall automatically be lifted upon the expiration of the 90day period from the implementation of this resolution,” the court said. Associate Justice Kevin Narce Vivero wrote the resolution. Sixth Division Chairman Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez and Associate Justice Karl Miranda concurred. Noveras, Torregosa and other provincial officials are accused of giving undue advantage by rigging the bidding for the repair of the Dimalang Bridge Approach of the CasiguranDilasag Road in favor of RMCR Construction. The anti-graft court earlier ordered Noveras to explain why they should not be suspended but Noveras filed a motion for reconsideration, claiming that the information against him was not valid as it did not specify the supposed unwarranted benefit given to RMCR Construction and the undue injury to the government.

‘Probe BF owners’ unpaid loans’ A RESOLUTION has been filed at the House of Representatives seeking a congressional inquiry in aid of legislation into the unpaid loans reaching over P2.1 billion that were granted to the owners of the Banco Filipino that may have contributed to the demise of the once leading financial institution in the country. In House Resolution 610, Party-list Reps. Enrico Pineda of 1-PACMAN; Francisco Datol of Senior Citizens, Virgilio Lacson of Manila Teachers; Ron Salo of Kabayan, and Jorge Antonio Bustos of PATROL said alleged fraudulent disbursements made by officers of the bank reached P789.4 million. Pineda said there is a need for Congress to look into the Banco Filipino mess, saying that a congressional probe will help them craft new laws that would prevent bank owners and officials from abusing their positions to further enrich themselves. Maricel V. Cruz

DOJ hits US Senate ‘reso’ as trash THE Department of Justice on Wednesday denounced the adoption by the United States’ Senate committee on foreign relations of a resolution calling on the Philippine government to release from jail Senator Leila de Lima and the dropping of charges against her and Rappler chief executive ofﬁcer Maria Ressa. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra described the US Senate resolution as “trash” and “interference” and has no weight in the cases that are pending before the courts against De Lima and Ressa. “That is trash. That is non-existent as far as we are concerned,” Guevarra said, in a text message. Rey E. Requejo

CHRISTMAS PIGS. More than 150

poor children from Barangay Batasan Hills Quezon City received a Christmas pig full of coins as part of Minxie Romualdez’s outreach program for the poor children. Minxie started her advocacy in 2017 after she donated her savings on her piggy bank to poor patients of the Philippine General Hospital. Happy Calatrava, Jude Acidre, lawyer Peachy Marcos and Brgy. Chairman Jojo Abad assisted the distribution of the Christmas pigs. Mixie Romualdez is the daughter of Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez. Most of the Christmas pigs comes from the children of the congressmen who wish to share kindness, joy and hope this Christmas. Ver Noveno

Bicam okays bid to hike excise tax on alcohol, vapes By Macon Ramos-Araneta

HE bicameral (bicam) conference committee on Wednesday approved a measure increasing the excise tax rate on alcohol, heated tobacco, and vapor products that would purportedly generate P24.9 billion in revenues if enacted into law.

After being ratified by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the bicam report will then be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature. Senator Pia Cayetano, chirman of the Senate ways and means committee chairperson, has been very vocal about her dismay over the rates agreed upon by the bicameral committee. “As a health advocate, I cannot deny that I’m not satisfied because I have two roles—Increasing the tax for the purpose of Universal Health Care [UHC] but using the rates as a deterrent to the consumption of a product that is not health,” she said. “If you would look at it, I think the health advocates would say, we hope its higher,” she said. As a revenue measure, Cayetano said he was hoping for higher (rates) because if you will see my figures in the Senate originally, the collection for alcohol only

is already P46 billion. “But that is how democracy work. That is how we work as a bicameral house, so the ﬁgures we have are what they are and they will go a long way,” she added. Cayetano and her counterpart Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the bill would give around P24.9 billion in revenues if enacted into law. Sin Tax Coalition co-convenor Dr. Anthony Leachon admitted compromise is always expected in sin tax lobbying since 2012. “There’s always a watered down version. Sen. Pia Cyetano fought for health all the way and not merely on revenues for UHC,” said Cayetano. “We have repeatedly said that providing relief to consumers is better done through government spending than through tax exemptions,” said Leachon. In this case, the recently passed UHC

law is the instrument to provide not only subsidized but also free medicines for our people based on health technology assessment. He said there was a need to strengthen UHC, including financing it through sin taxes. But he noted that the Senate version contradicts this by reducing the revenue for UHC as it has let the weak features in the bill passed. The Bicam report rates are as follows: Fermented (Year-SpecificTax Rate): 2020-P35; 2021-P37; 2022-P39 2023P41; 2024-P43-6 percent indexation thereafter. Distilled (Year)-Specific Tax Rate: 2020-P42; 2021-P47; 2022-P52; 2023P59 2024-P66; Plus 22 percent ad valorem, 6 percent indexation thereafter. Wines (for both sparkling and still wines) (Year-Specific Tax): 2020-P50, 6 percent indexation thereafter. E-CIGARETTES HTPs (Year-Specific Tax): 2020-P25; 2021-P27.50; 2022P30; 2023-P32.50-5 percent indexation thereafter. Salt Nicotine (Year-Specific Tax) 2020P37; 2021-P42; 2022-P47; 2023-P52-5 percent indexation thereafter. Free Base (Year-Specific Tax): 2020P45; 2021-P50; 2022-P55; 2023-P60, 5 percent indexation thereafter.

PAL expands flight services from Cebu; Zambo mini-hub up By Joel E. Zurbano FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines has announced it is expanding its flight services from Cebu and upgrading Zamboanga to a mini-hub with the recent launching of three new domestic routes. On Dec. 15, PAL introduced the Cebu-Zamboanga, Cebu-Dipolog and Zamboanga-Tawi Tawi service flight operations, according to its spokesperson Cielo Villaluna. The airline´s new twice daily CebuZamboanga flights depart Cebu at 5:40 a.m. (PR-2991) and at 2 p.m. (PR-2995) every day, and arrives in Zamboanga at 7:10 a.m. and at 3:30 p.m., respectively. Return flights PR-2992 and PR-2996

leave Zamboanga at 12 noon and 4 p.m. and touch down in Cebu at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. On the other hand, the Zamboanga International Airport gains hub status as PAL launches the daily ZamboangaTawi-Tawi flights, leaving Zamboanga at 8 a.m. via PR-2495 and arriving in Tawi-Tawi’s Sanga-Sanga Airport at 9:30 a.m.; while flights from TawiTawi leave at 10am via PR-2496 and touch down in Zamboanga at 11:30 a.m. Tawi-Tawi becomes PAL’s 31st domestic gateway, as the airline introduces daily flights and a fullservice product between the Philippines’ southernmost province and Zamboanga. Additionally, Filipino and foreign

tourists can now travel more conveniently to Tawi-Tawi from PAL’s hubs in Manila and Cebu, via Zamboanga. The four times weekly Cebu-Dipolog ﬂights operate via PR-2559 which leaves Cebu at 7 a.m. and touches down at Dipolog at 8 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The return ﬂights PR-2560 take off from Dipolog at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in Cebu at 9:30 a.m. on the same days of the week. The new PAL service from Cebu offers the earliest arrival for travelers wanting a full free day in Dipolog or proceeding to historic Dapitan City, the Dakak resort area or other attractions in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

PCGG out to recover ill-gotten Marcos wealth AFTER the Presidential Commission on Good Government and the Office of the Solicitor General lost at least five ill-gotten wealth cases against the family of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, PCGG Acting Chaiperson Reynold Munsayac said they would exhaust all remedies to be able to fulfill its mandate to recover the wealth it said was stolen by the Marcoses. The PCGG and the OSG, in particular, lost a huge P200-billion forfeiture case that included bank deposits, real properties, companies, radio and television stations and aircraft located in the Philippines and abroad. “The PCGG will closely coordinate with the OSG to ensure that all available remedies will be availed of to protect government interest,” Munsayac said in a statement. He did not, however, specify such remedies. He added that the PCGG is open for a congressional investigation in connection with their five lost cases, which he said were mainly caused by the submission of evidence that were mere photocopies instead of the original, which does not meet the best evidence rule. “PCGG welcomes Senator [Richard] Gordon’s pronouncement that he intends to initiate a Senate inquiry on the recent Sandiganbayan decisions involving PCGG. The PCGG will cooperate with the Senate and submit all available data regarding the cases,” he said. But Munsayac said that the current PCGG leadership cannot be blamed for the work of people who came before them. “The PCGG, however, reiterates that all of these cases were filed and litigated during previous administrations, some of which were already submitted for decision as early as 2010,” Munsayac said. He added that most of the cases filed against the Marcoses were litigated before President Rodrigo R. Duterte became the country’s chief executive. With PNA

PCSO allots P6b for UHC, Malasakit Centers

PHAP to reduce prices of drugs MEDICINE manufacturers have offered to reduce their prices to the public by as much as 75 percent for around 150 medicines that cover 36 disease categories. “It is actually at these levels of prices which we have been selling to the government in bulk in the past years. Several of our members are prepared to extend these same price reductions to the public, if the Department of Health will agree,” said Teodoro Padilla, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines executive director. Among the diseases covered for straight price reductions to the public are those for heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, asthma, psoriasis, neurologic disorders, HIV, and infectious diseases, among others. Macon Ramos-Araneta

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SMART ARREST. At least 50 people were arrested by Manila Police District, Special Mayor’s Reaction Team and MPD-SWAT for fabricating fake documents during a raid on Recto Avenue Manila on Wednesday Dec. 18. Norman Cruz

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofﬁce will allot P6 billion for the Universal Health Care program and Malasakit Centers next year. “Nagagalak kami na ipaalam na effective next year, 100 percent we support the [Universal Health Care]. May pondo. [We are glad to inform that effective next year, we are giving 100-percent support to the Universal Health Care. There are funds for that],” PCSO General Manager Royina Marzan-Garma told reporters in a press brieﬁng in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday. Following the enactment of the law establishing Malasakit Centers, the PCSO allotted P3.1 billion for these centers. “Since the Malasakit [Centers] Act is now a law, the hospital partners will be present in Malasakit Center. We allotted funds for that, P3.1 billion na pwedeng

ma-access ng ating kababayan (which the public can access) through Malasakit Center,” she said. “Yan ang magiging direction ng PCSO next year, ito po ay naaayon sa charter [That will be the direction of the PCSO next year and it was based on the charter],” she added. Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night signed into law a bill seeking to establish Malasakit Centers in all hospitals run by the Department of Health across the country. Currently, there are over 50 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Meanwhile, the fund for the UHC came from the estimated and projected sales of the PCSO, Garma said. However, Garma said PCSO’s medical assistance program would be limited since a large part of its revenue would be given to UHC.

Opinion

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

At last, a solution to EDSA traffic WHEN President Duterte assumed the presidency in 2016, he anchored his six-year term on the promise of change. He said he would end the drug menace and government corruption. This promise resonated with the people. No other chief executive has delivered on these twin challenges. But three years into the administration, change is becoming more an illusion than reality, Santa Banana!

I am confident of the San Miguel project’s success. First, the President said he would end illegal drugs in three months. And then he asked for an extension. Meanwhile, the problem has persisted and even worsened, with smuggling happening right under the noses of Customs officials. Billions of pesos worth of illegal drugs, like shabu, are entering the country despite the Palace’s claims that we are winning the war on drugs. In fact, the bloody war on drugs has spawned claims of extrajudicial killings and other atrocities committed by the police. Human rights activists here and abroad have denounced the manner of implementing the drug war. It is likely the drug problem will outlast President Duterte, who steps down in 2022. As far as corruption is concerned, the campaign appears useless because many of the President’s friends and allies have themselves been accused of wrongdoing. In fact, Mr. Duterte

has been criticized many times because of his habit of recycling and even promoting allies whom he had already dismissed for having a “whiff of corruption” around them. I have always said that the war on corruption is an impossible mission. Corruption is embedded in our system where discretion is required. Customs provides a good example. Since automating everything at Customs is impossible, smuggling is almost always prevalent. This is also true at the Bureau of Internal Revenue, another agency notorious for corruption. Corruption in government can only be minimized and never eradicated. *** With regard to the war on drugs, President Duterte has to be aware that the demand for drugs is just so strong that the Philippines has become a transshipment point for the operations of drug cartels. It boils down to simple supply and demand. For as long as there is demand for drugs, there will always be supply. Not even the United States and European countries have eliminated their drug menace. Here is Asia, even the death penalty is not enough of a deterrent. In fairness to the Duterte administration, while it appears that the President has not succeeded, the fact that he is doing it and trying very hard is good enough for a lot of Filipinos— enough for them to maintain their trust and confidence in him. *** Another thing that the President must accept is the need for him to be transparent in all his actions. For example, there is a provision in the 1987 Constitution that says all public officials and employees must file their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Now it appears the President does not want to release his own SALN, claiming that it is the Office of the Ombudsman that should

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Trial of the decade

LL eyes turn to a courtroom in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, when Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes passes judgment on 101 defendants charged with the massacre of 58 people in Maguindanao more than 10 years ago.

On Nov. 23, 2009, the 58 people— including 32 members of the press— were slaughtered, many of them shot execution-style, and dumped into roadside pits on a hilly portion of Sitio Masalay in the town of Ampatuan, an attack that was also one of the world's worst mass killings of journalists. The slaughter highlighted all of the country’s deep-seated problems of 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, human rights advocates say, will be a strong signal to the powerful that they can’t always

get away with murder. A not-guilty verdict would be catastrophic for the cause of human rights and justice, and would signal to warlords that it’s business as usual, that they can continue using violence, intimidation and corruption to rule over their communities. Others say, given the large number of journalists killed, that a not-guilty verdict would also be a serious blow to press freedom. Leaders of the powerful Ampatuan family, who have lorded it over the 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. Victims’ families have long worried that the Ampatuans, who continue to wield political power and

influence, could avoid convictions. For instance, the Ampatuans—including Sajid Ampatuan, a defendant in the massacre case who was released on bail—won 25 local seats in the May elections. Ten clan members remain in jail but another is out on bail along with 10 other defendants, while the charges against eight other defendants have been dropped. Out of the original 197 suspects, 80 remain at large including 15 members of the Ampatuan clan. Awaiting judgment is prime suspect Datu Andal "Unsay" Ampatuan Jr. His father, the clan patriarch and former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., died in detention, as did a handful of other defendants. Which way will the verdict go? Will the 58 who died in the town of Ampatuan finally receive the justice they deserve? That is of primary importance, of course, but the impact of today’s decision will go far beyond that.

Turn to A5

Inclusive and collaborative governance PROBLEMS in water security are not new in the country. In the past decades, different parts of the country, aside from Metro Manila, also experienced water shortages. The El Niño spells challenged water supply for domestic and agricultural use in provinces, leading to low yields of crops. According to a report by DOST-PAGASA, in 1982 to 1983, drought affected areas in Western and Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog provinces, Northern Visayas, Bohol and Western Mindanao which led to hydropower generation loss of P316 million. The 1990 drought recorded 500,000 metric tons of losses in rice and corn production worth P348 million, and a 10-percent reduction in water supply in Metro Manila. A severe drought in Mindanao from 1991 to 1992 led to more than P4-billion agricultural losses and 20-percent reduction of water supply in Metro Manila. Water shortages produce a ripple that cuts across regions. The present problem of water shortage in Metro Manila remains unresolved despite the ample time and opportunities given to the water concessionaires. We have been looking for solutions to address this water security issue for a long time now. Perhaps, we should ask ourselves if we are looking at the right direction to sustainable solutions. Since the devolution in 1991, the local government units have been granted powers and authority to finance, operate, and maintain their

own water supply systems. This streamlined impact assessments and adoption of mitigation strategies in local settings. LGUs developed insights and capacity to address water shortages through their local programs and projects. This governance asset must be maximized. The national government should look into the actions done by the local governments in ensuring water security. In Quezon, we

We are no strangers to water security problems. have identified water sources in the province that could be tapped to augment water supply in the region. This could also supplement water supply in Metro Manila and still be enough to provide water requirements for the next decades. Studies have already backed the feasibility of this project. There is an easy and obvious solution that exists where we can maintain the environmental integrity, ecological balance, and observe constitutional mandates towards protecting the rights of indigenous peoples, and, at the same time, respond to an issue of real and national concern. Hence, I seek coordination and cooperation of the national agencies in the utilization of this proposed water source. The information base and experience of the local government units may be useful and beneficial to the national government. For a strong and cohesive government, inclusive and collaborative leadership is needed.

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A decade of discoveries By Ivan Couronne / Issam Ahmed FROM finding the building blocks for life on Mars to breakthroughs in gene editing and the rise of artificial intelligence, here are six major scientific discoveries that shaped the 2010s —and what leading experts say could come next.

Are we alone?

We don't yet know whether there was ever life on Mars—but thanks to a small, six-wheeled robot, we do know the Red Planet was habitable. Shortly after landing on Aug. 6, 2012, NASA's Curiosity rover discovered rounded pebbles—new evidence that rivers flowed there billions of years ago. The proof has since multiplied, showing there was in fact a lot of water on Mars—the surface was covered in hot springs, lakes, and maybe even oceans. Curiosity also discovered what NASA calls the building blocks of life,

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

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

complex organic molecules, in 2014. And so the hunt continues for signs that Earth-based life is not (or wasn't always) alone. Two new rovers will be launched next year—America's Mars 2020 and Europe's Rosalind Franklin rovers, looking for ancient microbes. "Going into the coming decade, Mars research will shift from the question 'Was Mars habitable?' to 'Did (or does) Mars support life?'" said Emily Lakdawalla, a geologist at The Planetary Society.

Einstein was right (again)

We had long thought of the little corner of the universe that we call home as unique, but observations made thanks to the Kepler space telescope blew apart those pretensions. Launched in 2009, the Kepler mission helped identify more than 2,600 planets outside of our solar system, also known as exoplanets—and astronomers believe each star has a planet, meaning there are billions out there.

Kepler's successor TESS was launched by NASA in 2018, as we scope out the potential for extraterrestrial life. Expect more detailed analysis of the chemical composition of these planets' atmospheres in the 2020s, said Tim Swindle, an astrophysicist at the University of Arizona. We also got our first glimpse of a black hole this year thanks to the groundbreaking work of the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration. "What I predict is that by the end of the next decade, we will be making high quality real-time movies of black holes that reveal not just how they look, but how they act on the cosmic stage," Shep Doeleman, the project's director, told AFP. But one event from the decade undoubtedly stood above the rest: the detection for the first time on Sept.14, 2015 of gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of the universe. The collision of two black holes 1.3

Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

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

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Water problems REGARDLESS of whether our private water concessioners and the government will be able to eventually hammer out a mutually agreeable and beneficial deal, water will become a more important strategic commodity in the future. With global warming and all, it is of utmost urgency that we as a nation learn to manage our water resources more efficiently. Otherwise, the problems that we are experiencing now will just grow and worsen. As the old saying goes, people can live without electricity but not without water.

People can live without electricity—but not without water. Availability of clean and potable water is actually a growing and serious worldwide problem. More than 2 billion people are having problems with water availability and much more with sanitation. Here in the Philippines, out of our total 105 million population in 2015, 7 million people still do not have access to clean water and a whopping 24 million—almost a fourth of the population—lack access to sanitation. For now, our country does not belong to the ten worst countries when it comes to the management of water resources, but we can get there if we do not improve our water management. It is somewhat ironic that a country like ours which is surrounded by water and with sufficient amount of rainfall is experiencing water problems. It is safe to assume that when the current contract was negotiated, the private suppliers were in a much stronger po-

A decade... From A4

billion years earlier was so powerful it spread waves throughout the cosmos that bend space and travel at the speed of light. That morning, they finally reached the Earth. The phenomenon had been predicted by Albert Einstein in his theory of relativity, and here was proof he was right all along. Three Americans won the Nobel prize in physics in 2017 for their work on the project, and there have been many more gravitational waves detected since. Cosmologists, meanwhile, continue to debate the origin and composition of the universe. The invisible dark matter that makes up its vast majority remains one of the greatest puzzles to solve. "We're dying to know what it might be," said cosmologist James Peebles, who won this year's Nobel prize in physics. Welcome to the CRISPR era Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)—a family of DNA sequences—is a phrase that doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. But the field of biomedicine can now be divided into two eras, one defined during the past decade: before and after CRISPR-Cas9 (or CRISPR for short), the basis for a gene editing technology. "CRISPR-based gene editing stands above all the others," William Kaelin, a 2019 Nobel prize winner for medicine, told AFP. In 2012, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna reported that they had developed the new tool that exploits the immune defense system of bacteria to edit the genes of other organisms. It is much simpler than preceding technology, cheaper and easy to use in small labs. Charpentier and Doudna were showered in awards. but the technique is also far from perfect and can create unintended mutations. Experts believe this may have happened to Chinese twins born in 2018 as a result of edits performed by a researcher who was widely criticized for ignoring scientific and ethical norms. Still, CRISPR remains one of the biggest science stories of recent years, with Kaelin predicting an "explosion" in its use to combat human disease. Immunotherapy to the fore For decades, doctors had three main weapons to fight cancer: surgery, chemotherapy drugs, and radiation.

sition because they had the money and the government did not. Consequently, they got more than a good deal. This is no longer the case. The government now has a lot more financial resources and can take over if that is what it really wants. The problem is whether it will be as efficient. Governments, after all, have poor records when it comes to efficiency. The temptation for the government to take over the management and distribution of water is great but it is still better that it be left in private hands so long as a fair deal could be struck. Private enterprise means, after all, a fair rate of return of investments. The operative word is fairness. It does not mean taking advantage to make a killing at the expense of the paying public. This is what the government must ensure—a fair deal. *** Although Baguio does not get chilly as often as it used to, December is usually the start when the media start some sort of a temperature watch to see how far the temperature of the city can go down from the months of December to February. Perhaps everyone would want to see if the coldest temperature officially recorded by the weather bureau on Jan. 18, 1961—6.3 degrees Centigrade—could be broken. I remember that day very well. When I woke up in the morning of that day to go to school, the whole grassy yard was frozen. So far, the temperature has already gone down to 11.8 degrees Centigrade this month. Last year, the coldest temperature was 11.4 degrees Centigrade recorded on Jan. 14. The year 2017 recorded one of the lowest temperature in recent times at about 7.3 degrees Centigrade. People from the lowlands may be thinking that the temperature is the same in all parts of the City. This is actually not the case because in places where the elevation is higher like Santo Tomas area, it could be a couple of degrees colder. Actually, the 6.3 degrees Centigrade recorded by the weather bureau in 1961

was not the coldest ever recorded in the City. There were much lower temperatures recorded in earlier times. There was a temperature reading of 3 degrees centigrade recorded in the first decade of the twentieth century in the Baguio Country Club. When the first American soldiers set foot in Baguio at the turn of the last century, they sent a request to their higher headquarters to send all the blankets available because according to them, “it freezes at night in Baguio” which was an indication of the kind of temperature prevailing then. Summer could now get steamy like the lowlands but at least with much lower humidity unlike the 50s and 60s where Baguio residents could use jackets all-year round. But even with increasing temperatures, it is still the comfortable temperature of the city that is the chief attraction to local tourists who continue to flock to it in ever increasing numbers. For local tourists who wants colder temperatures, they can drive further north along the Halsema Road where a lot of Benguet vegetables are grown. It is about 2,000 feet higher than Baguio. The highest elevation of our national highway system is found there with an elevation of 7,400 feet above sea level. Temperatures there could really go down and should be quite an experience for lowland people who have not yet experienced snow. In fact, more and more people are driving further north of Baguio, ending up in Sagada which is some kind of place that has maintained its simple, tranquil and unspoiled atmosphere much like the old days of 50 to 60 years ago. Many also venture further to the Banaue Rice Terraces then come back to Baguio via Nueva Vizcaya completing the circuit. It is a much recommended and enjoyable road trip. As is already known by now, the city has “a new sheriff in town” in the person of Mayor Benjie Magalong who has embarked on a program to rehabilitate the crumbling tourist attractions starting with a reported P400 million to improve Burnham Park.

The 2010s saw the rise of a fourth, one that was long doubted: immunotherapy, or leveraging the body's own immune system to target tumor cells. One of the most advanced techniques is known as CAR T-cell therapy, in which a patient's T-cells—part of their immune system—are collected from their blood, modified and reinfused into the body. A wave of drugs have hit the market since the mid-2010s for more and more types of cancer including melanomas, lymphomas, leukemias and lung cancers—heralding what some oncologists hope could be a golden era. For William Cance, scientific director of the American Cancer Society, the next decade could bring new immunotherapies that are "better and cheaper" than what we have now.

Medical School. One exciting new avenue for the next decade is paleoproteomics, which allows scientists to analyze bones millions of years old. "Using this technique, it will be possible to sort out many fossils whose evolutionary position is unclear," said Aida Gomez-Robles, an anthropologist at University College London.

Meet the relatives The decade began with a major new addition to the human family tree: Denisovans, named after the Denisova Cave in the Altai Mountains of Siberia. Scientists sequenced the DNA of a female juvenile's finger bone in 2010, finding it was distinct both from genetically modern humans and Neanderthals, our most famous ancient cousins who lived alongside us until around 40,000 years ago. The mysterious hominin species is thought to have ranged from Siberia to Indonesia, but the only remains have been found in the Altai region and Tibet. We also learned that, unlike previously assumed, Homo sapiens bred extensively with Neanderthals—and our relatives were not the brutish simpletons previously assumed but were responsible for artworks, such as the handprints in a Spanish cave they were credited for crafting in 2018. They also wore jewelry, and buried their dead with flowers—just like we do. Next came Homo naledi, remains of which were discovered in South Africa in 2015, while this year, paleontologists classified yet another species found in the Philippines: a small-sized hominin called Homo luzonensis. Advances in DNA testing have led to a revolution in our ability to sequence genetic material tens of thousands of years old, helping unravel ancient migrations, like that of the Bronze Age herders who left the steppes 5,000 years ago, spreading Indo-European languages to Europe and Asia. "This discovery has led to a revolution in our ability to study human evolution and how we came to be in a way never possible before," said Vagheesh Narasimhan, a geneticist at Harvard

AI levels up Machine learning—what we most commonly mean when talking about "artificial intelligence"—came into its own in the 2010s. Using statistics to identify patterns in vast datasets, machine learning today powers everything from voice assistants to recommendations on Netflix and Facebook. So-called "deep learning" takes this process even further and begins to mimic some of the complexity of a human brain. It is the technology behind some of the most eye-catching breakthroughs of the decade: from Google's AlphaGo, which beat the world champion of the fiendishly difficult game Go in 2017, to the advent of real-time voice translations and advanced facial recognition on Facebook. In 2016, for example, Google Translate—launched a decade earlier—transformed from a service that provided results that were stilted at best, nonsensical at worst, to one that offered translations that were far more natural and accurate. At times, the results even seemed polished. "Certainly the biggest breakthrough in the 2010s was deep learning—the discovery that artificial neural networks could be scaled up to many real-world tasks," said Henry Kautz, a computer science professor at the University of Rochester. "In applied research, I think AI has the potential to power new methods for scientific discovery," from enhancing the strength of materials to discovering new drugs and even making breakthroughs in physics, Kautz said. For Max Jaderberg, a research scientist at DeepMind, owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, the next big leap will come via "algorithms that can learn to discover information, and rapidly adapt and internalize and act on this new knowledge," as opposed to depending on humans to feed them the correct data. That could eventually pave the way to "artificial general intelligence," or a machine capable of performing any tasks humans can, rather than excelling at a single function. AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

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Heroic defenders of real Philippine sovereignty AT THIS time of year, with the present 12-month calendar period about to become a part of history, a thoughtful person scans the horizon in an effort to identify the individual or individuals who made the greatest contribution to the safeguarding and promotion of the Philippines’ real sovereignty. I have qualified the Philippines’ sovereignty with the word “real” because in recent times the name of this country has been taken in vain so often. Many things said or done by foreigners and foreign institutions are assailed on the ground that they have been offensive toward Philippine sovereignty; critical pronouncements by foreign and international bodies with regard to the rights of certain citizens of this country readily come to mind. Protection of the rights of the citizens of this country are, of course, an important obligation of the Philippine government. But their rights do not rise to the level of real Philippine sovereignty. Use of the phrase “real Philippine sovereignty” should be reserved for issues that relate to the territorial integrity and international status of the Philippines. These are the only issues in the defense of which the full attention and total force of the Philippine government should be deployed. Such issues partake of “geopoliticalness”; they are the real sovereignty issues. The maltreatment of a domestic helper by her Kuwaiti employer, while undoubtedly important, does not involve geopolitics in the real sense; the grabbing of parts of Philippine territory by China clearly does. Thus, criticism of foreigners’ pronouncements and actions relating to issues of a non-geopolitical nature do not partake of defense of the real sovereign rights of the Philippines. They partake of defense of sovereign Philippine rights that are not real in the geopolitical and juridical sense. They are the counterpart of fake news. This country has real sovereign rights that have been taken away from it by China, which was declared by the Permanent Court of Arbitration to have no rights whatsoever, historic or otherwise, to the isles and reefs in the South China

At last,... From A4

release it. Does Mr. Duterte not realize that the refusal to release his SALN gives the impression that he is hiding something? I know for certain that he is not. But what he is doing—or not doing, rather—raises a lot of questions. *** President Duterte has said a lot against the two water concessionaires, the Manila Water of the Ayalas and Maynilad of Manny Pangilinan. He called them oligarchic saboteurs and plunderers. He even threatened a military takeover. The two concessionaires have given up their claim worth almost P11 billion. This was the amount awarded them by the arbitration court in Singapore for their supposed losses. This makes us ask what Duterte is really up to. He is a lawyer and thus he should know that when it comes to contracts that the government finds onerous and against public policy, one still has to go to court to have them nullified. There are those who claim that he may just want to have other firms take over the water companies. Then again, this is all speculation. What is important to consider is that Duterte is not achieving anything by cursing and ranting. In fact, he is delivering the wrong mes-

Sea that historically have been associated with this country. Quick to claim infringements of Philippine sovereignty on issues that are not real in nature, the present government has acquiesced in China’s occupation of territory—such as the Spratly Island group—that historically has been associated with this country. It gets exercised when some international body on issues relating to citizen rights, but it does absolutely nothing to stop the Chinese authorities from preventing Filipino fishermen from engaging in their historical activity in waters that have been declared to be Philippine by historic right.

If the Filipino people have been looking for the heroes of 2019, let them look no further. They have Antonio Carpio and Albert del Rosario staring them in the face. It has been left to individual Filipinos to defend the real sovereign rights of the Philippines in the South China. Their courageous advocacy—backed by personal research work—stands in stark contrast with the all-but-subservient posture of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. As the nation casts around for Filipinos who in 2019 demonstrated what true patriotism is, let it look in the direction of two individuals, namely newly-retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario. If the Filipino people have been looking for the heroes of 2019, let them look no further. They have Antonio Carpio and Albert del Rosario staring them in the face. Messrs. Carpio and Del Rosario know what the false and the real sovereign rights of the Philippines are. They have not been concerned with the foreign-legislature criticisms of Duterte administration policy. What they have been concerned with is the real stuff of Philippine sovereignty—Philippine territory. They have been, in 2019, the heroic defenders of real Philippine sovereignty.

sage that he can just do anything he wants to do. *** Santa Banana, finally we have a doable solution to the nightmarish traffic problems on EDSA! Traffic has really affected the quality of life of those who must travel for a long time to and from their schools or workplaces. Last month, San Miguel submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Department of Transportation to build a $3-billion elevated expressway along EDSA. This would stretch from Macapagal Avenue in Pasay to Samson Road in Caloocan City or possibly Balintawak. Ramon S. Ang, the visionary president and chief operating officer of San Miguel, said: “I hope we can convince the Transportation secretary to expedite the processing. Once we do that, we can start building say middle of 2020 and it can be completed two years after.” There have been hundreds of suggestions on how to solve the horrible EDSA traffic, but this I think could be a workable solution. The proposal of Ang includes five northbound and five southbound lanes. The expressway would be modeled after a similar project in Jakarta. The steel project will be built over the MRT. Knowing the capability of San Miguel in building mega-expressways, I am confident about this project’s success.

Manila

Standard THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 A6 TODAY

REVISED ZONAL ZONAL VALUATION VALUATION –– RDO RDO NO. NO. 57 57 -- BIÑAN BIÑAN CITY, CITY, WEST WEST LAGUNA LAGUNA REVISED Republicof ofthe thePhilippines Philippines Republic DEPARTMENT OF OF FINANCE FINANCE DEPARTMENT RoxasBoulevard BoulevardCorner CornerOcampo, Ocampo,Sr. Sr.Street Street Roxas Manila1004 1004 Manila

DEPARTMENT ORDER ORDER NO. NO. 088-2019 088-2019 DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 4, 2019 DECEMBER 4, 2019

SUBJECT :: SUBJECT

TO TO

IMPLEMENTATION OF OF THE THE REVISED REVISED SCHEDULES SCHEDULES OF OF ZONAL ZONAL IMPLEMENTATION VALUESOF OFREAL REALPROPERTIES PROPERTIESIN INTHE THE CITY CITYOF OFSAN SANPEDRO PEDRO(5TH (5TH VALUES REVISION) WITHIN WITHIN THE THE JURISDICTION JURISDICTION OF OF REVENUE REVENUE DISTRICT DISTRICT REVISION) OFFICE NO. NO. 57 57 -- BIÑAN BIÑAN CITY, CITY, WEST WEST LAGUNA LAGUNA FOR FOR INTERNAL INTERNAL OFFICE REVENUETAX TAXPURPOSES. PURPOSES. REVENUE

All Internal Revenue Officers and Others Concerned : : All Internal Revenue Officers and Others Concerned

Section 44 of of Republic Republic Act Act No. No.10963, 10963,otherwise otherwise known known as as the the Tax TaxReform Reform Section forAcceleration Accelerationand andInclusion Inclusion(TRAIN) (TRAIN)Law, Law,amending amendingSection Section66(E) (E)of ofNational NationalInternal Internal for RevenueCode Code(NIRC) (NIRC)of of1997, 1997,authorizes authorizesthe theCommissioner Commissionerto todivide dividethe thePhilippines Philippinesinto into Revenue different zones or areas and shall determine the fair market value of real properties located different zones or areas and shall determine the fair market value of real properties located eachzone zoneor orareas, areas,subject subjectto toautomatic automaticadjustment adjustmentonce onceevery everythree three(3) (3)years. years. inineach By virtue virtue of of said said authority, authority, the the Commissioner Commissioner of of Internal Internal Revenue Revenue has has By determined the thezonal zonal values values of of real realproperties propertiesininthe theCity Cityof ofSan SanPedro Pedro(5th (5thRevision) Revision) determined within the the jurisdiction jurisdiction of of RDO RDO No. No. 57 57 -- Biñan Biñan City, City, West West Laguna, Laguna, Revenue Revenue Region Region within No. 9B-LaQueMar 9B-LaQueMar after after public public hearing hearing was was conducted conducted on on December December 18, 18, 2018 2018 for for the the No. purpose. This This Order Order isis issued issued to to implement implement the the Revised Revised Schedule Schedule of of Zonal Zonal Values Values purpose. of Real Real Properties Properties for for purposes purposes of of computing computing any any internal internal revenue revenue tax tax due due on on sale/ sale/ of transferor orany anyother otherdisposition dispositionof ofreal realproperties. properties. transfer Thezonal zonalvalues valuesestablished establishedherein hereinshall shallapply applyprovided provided the thesame sameisis higher higherthan than The (1) the the fair fair market market value value as asshown shownininthe theschedule scheduleof ofvalues valuesof ofthe theprovincial provincialor orcity city (1) assessor and and (2) (2) the the gross gross selling selling price/consideration price/consideration as as shown shown inin the the duly duly notarized notarized assessor documentof ofsale saleor ortransfer transferof ofreal realproperty. property. document This Order shall take effect immediately. This Order shall take effect immediately.

CARLOSG. G.DOMINGUEZ DOMINGUEZ CARLOS Secretaryof ofFinance Finance Secretary RECOMMENDEDBY: BY: RECOMMENDED

CAESARR. R.DULAY DULAY CAESAR Commissionerof ofInternal InternalRevenue Revenue Commissioner DEFINITIONOF OFTERMS TERMS DEFINITION RESIDENTIAL LAND/CONDOMINIUM PRINCIPALLY PRINCIPALLY DEVOTED DEVOTED TO TO RESIDENTIAL LAND/CONDOMINIUM HABITATION. HABITATION. COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL

LAND DEVOTED DEVOTED PRINCIPALLY PRINCIPALLY TO TO COMMMERCIAL COMMMERCIAL LAND PURPOSES AND AND GENERALLY GENERALLY FOR FOR THE THE OBJECT OBJECT OF OF PURPOSES PROFIT. PROFIT.

INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURAL AGRICULTURAL

DEVOTEDPRINCIPALLY PRINCIPALLYTO TOINDUSTRY INDUSTRYAS ASCAPITAL. CAPITAL. DEVOTED DEVOTED PRINCIPALLY PRINCIPALLYTO TO RAISING RAISING OF OF CROP CROP SUCH SUCH DEVOTED AS RICE, RICE, CORN, CORN, SUGARCANE, SUGARCANE, TOBACCO, TOBACCO, ETC. ETC. OR OR AS TO PASTURING, PASTURING, INLAND INLAND FISHING, FISHING, SALT-MAKING, SALT-MAKING, TO AND OTHER OTHER AGRICULTURAL AGRICULTURAL USES USES INCLUDING INCLUDING AND TIMBERLANDAND ANDFOREST FORESTLAND. LAND. TIMBERLAND

GENERALPURPOSE PURPOSE GENERAL

RAWLAND, UNDEVELOPED UNDEVELOPED AND AND UNDERDEVELOPED UNDERDEVELOPED RAWLAND, AREA WHICH WHICH HAS HAS POTENTIAL POTENTIAL FOR FOR DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT AREA INTO RESIDENTIAL, RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, INDUSTRIAL, INTO INSTITUTIONAL, ETC. ETC. MUST MUST NOT NOT BE BE LESS LESS THAN THAN INSTITUTIONAL, 5,000SQUARE SQUAREMETERS. METERS. 5,000

VICINITY VICINITY

MEANS AN AN AREA, AREA, LOCALITY, LOCALITY, NEIGHBORHOOD NEIGHBORHOOD OR OR MEANS DISTRICT ABOUT, ABOUT, NEAR, NEAR, ADJACENT ADJACENT PROXIMATE PROXIMATE OR OR DISTRICT CONTIGUOUSTO TOAASTREET STREETBEING BEINGLOCATED. LOCATED. CONTIGUOUS

CLASSIFICATIONLEGEND: LEGEND: CLASSIFICATION CODE CLASSIFICATION CODE CLASSIFICATION RR ResidentialRegular Regular RR Residential CR ComemrcialRegular Regular CR Comemrcial RC ResidentialCondominium Condominium RC Residential CC CommercialCondominium Condominium CC Commercial CL CemeteryLot Lot CL Cemetery Agricultural AA Agricultural AGRICULTURALLANDS LANDS AGRICULTURAL A1 RicelandIrrigated Irrigated A1 Riceland A2 RicelandUnirrigated Unirrigated A2 Riceland A3 Upland A3 Upland A4 CocoLand Land A4 Coco A5 CitrusLand Land A5 Citrus A6 Fishpond A6 Fishpond A7 Swamp A7 Swamp A8 NipaLand Land A8 Nipa A9 CottonLand Land A9 Cotton A10 Cogon Cogon A10 A11 Abaca AbacaLand Land A11 A12 Orchard Orchard A12 A13 Pineapple PineappleLand Land A13 A14 Banana BananaLand Land A14 A15 Pasture PastureLand Land A15 A16 Corn CornLand Land A16 A17 Sugar SugarLand Land A17 A18 Tobacco TobaccoLand Land A18 A19 Cacao Cacao A19 A20 Lanzones Lanzones A20 A21 Durian Durian A21 A22 Rambutan Rambutan A22 A23 Mango Mango A23 A24 Mangrove Mangrove A24 A25 Camote/Cassava Camote/Cassava A25

CODE CODE GL GL GP GP II XX APD APD PS PS A26 A26 A27 A27 A28 A28 A29 A29 A30 A30 A31 A31 A32 A32 A33 A33 A34 A34 A35 A35 A36 A36 A37 A37 A38 A38 A39 A39 A40 A40 A41 A41 A42 A42 A43 A43 A44 A44 A45 A45 A46 A46 A47 A47 A48 A48 A49 A49 A50 A50

CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION GovernmenrtLand Land Governmenrt GeneralPurposes Purposes General Industrial Industrial Institutional Institutional Areafor forPriority PriorityDevelopment Development Area ParkingSlot Slot Parking BambooLand Land Bamboo PeanutLand Land Peanut oybeans beansLand Land oy Grapevineyard vineyard Grape PepperLand Land Pepper MineralLand Land Mineral NonMetallic Metallicmineral mineralLand Land Non CoalDeposit Deposit Coal AfricanOil OilLand Land African RubberLand Land Rubber ForestLand/Timber Land/TimberLand Land Forest HorticulturalLand Land Horticultural SaltBeds Beds Salt Seashore Seashore Resort Resort Sandy/Stony Sandy/Stony Prawnpond pond Prawn Sorghum Sorghum Ipil-ipil Ipil-ipil Kangkong Kangkong Zarate Zarate VegetableLand Land Vegetable Coffee Coffee Mountainous//Hilly HillyAreas Areas Mountainous OtherAgricultural AgriculturalLands Lands Other

RevenueRegion RegionNo. No.9B 9B--LaQueMar LaQueMar Revenue Revenue District Office No. 57 - Biñan City, West Laguna Revenue District Office No. 57 - Biñan City, West Laguna Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:BAGONG BARANGAY:BAGONGSILANG SILANG Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET CLASSIFICLASSIFISUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION CATION CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM ALL LOTS ALONG BARANGAY ROAD ALL LOTS ALONG BARANGAY ROAD II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 INTERIORLOT LOT INTERIOR II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 FILINVESTHOMESITE HOMESITE CR FILINVEST CR RR RR GP GP MADRIGALCOMPOUND COMPOUND RR MADRIGAL RR Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:CALENDOLA BARANGAY:CALENDOLA Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM NARRAROAD ROAD(MAIN) (MAIN) NARRA ALLOTHER OTHERLOTS LOTS ALL

CALENDOLAVILLAGE VILLAGE CALENDOLA JAKAVILLAGE VILLAGE JAKA JAKAVILLAGE VILLAGE JAKA ST.RAYMOND RAYMONDHOMES HOMES ST. SOUTHVIEWHOMES HOMES SOUTHVIEW fordeletion deletion **for

CLASSIFICLASSIFICATION CATION CR CR RR RR ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAY ROAD ROAD ALONG II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 INTERIORLOT LOT INTERIOR II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR

Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:CUYAB BARANGAY:CUYAB Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET SUBDIVISION/ SUBDIVISION/ CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM AMANTEST. ST. AMANTE AMORANTOST. ST. AMORANTO APLAYA APLAYA CUYABST. ST.MAIN MAIN CUYAB C.LIMPIAHOY LIMPIAHOYST. ST. C. C.MACALINAO MACALINAOST ST C. C.QUEZON QUEZONST ST C. P.MINDO MINDOST. ST. P. ALMENDRALAST. ST. T.T.ALMENDRALA VERGARAST. ST. VERGARA CALLEONSE ONSE CALLE CALLEPAG-IBIG PAG-IBIG CALLE MENDIOLAST. ST. MENDIOLA ALLOTHER OTHERSTREETS STREETS ALL

VICINITY VICINITY

CLASSIFICLASSIFICATION CATION RR RR RR RR GP GP A50 A50 CR CR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR II RR RR GP GP A50 A50

5THREV REV 5TH ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,350.00 1,350.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 750.00 750.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 750.00 750.00 500.00 500.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 2,250.00 2,250.00 900.00 900.00 2,500.00 2,500.00

5THREV REV 5TH ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M 5,000.00 5,000.00 4,250.00 4,250.00 5,500.00 5,500.00 4,750.00 4,750.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 4,500.00 4,500.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 750.00 750.00 4,250.00 4,250.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 ** 3,500.00 3,500.00 7,500.00 7,500.00

5THREV REV 5TH ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 6,000.00 6,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 4,500.00 4,500.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00

Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:CUYAB BARANGAY:CUYAB(Continuation) (Continuation) Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM AURORAHEIGHTS HEIGHTS AURORA CAMELLA--ANNEX ANNEX CAMELLA CAMELLA--SOUTH SOUTH CAMELLA CAMELLA-MILAN CAMELLA-MILAN ELVINDAPH. PH.77 ELVINDA PITIMINISUBD. SUBD. PITIMINI ROSAHOMES HOMES ROSA ROSARIOHOMES HOMES ROSARIO LAKEVILLESUBD SUBD LAKEVILLE HEREDIACOMPOUND COMPOUND HEREDIA

CLASSIFI- 5TH 5THREV REV CLASSIFICATION ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M CATION RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 5,500.00 RR 5,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 4,000.00 RR 4,000.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00

Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:ESTRELLA BARANGAY:ESTRELLA Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET CLASSIFICLASSIFISUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION CATION CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM ALLLOTS LOTS ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAY ROAD ROAD CR ALL ALONG CR II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 INTERIORLOT LOT INTERIOR II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 VILLA ROSA 1-8 RR VILLA ROSA 1-8 RR VILLAROSA ROSABAGONG BAGONGLIWANAG LIWANAG RR VILLA RR VILLA ROSA BAGONG PAG-ASA RR VILLA ROSA BAGONG PAG-ASA RR Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY;GSIS/HHV BARANGAY;GSIS/HHV Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET CLASSIFICLASSIFISUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION CATION CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM ALLLOTS LOTS ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAY ROAD ROAD RR ALL ALONG RR GP GP A50 A50 INTERIORLOT LOT INTERIOR II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 CARMEN HOMES CR CARMEN HOMES CR II RR RR GSISHOLIDAY HOLIDAYHILLS HILLSVILLAGE VILLAGE RR GSIS RR PARKVIEW VIEWSUBD SUBD RR PARK RR Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:LANDAYAN BARANGAY:LANDAYAN Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM A.HERNANDEZ HERNANDEZST. ST. A. C.VIERNEZA VIERNEZA ST. ST. C. LANDAYAN ROAD ROAD LANDAYAN L.LEJARZO LEJARZOST. ST. L. M.ANAYA ANAYAST ST M. M.OLIVER OLIVERST. ST. M. OLDNATIONAL NATIONAL HIGHWAY HIGHWAY OLD

INTERIORLOT LOT INTERIOR

S.REDIMANO REDIMANOST. ST. S. ALLOTHER OTHERLOTS LOTS ALL APLAYA APLAYA ALCONVILLE ALCONVILLE CATAQUIZSUBD. SUBD.II, II,III, III,IV IV CATAQUIZ MAREMILSUBD. SUBD. MAREMIL MARYLANDSUBD. SUBD. MARYLAND OLIVAREZ OLIVAREZ ROSAHOMES HOMES ROSA SOUTHFAIRWAY FAIRWAYHOMES HOMES SOUTH SHAPEL SUBD. SHAPEL SUBD. ST. FRANCIS HOMES ST. FRANCIS HOMES VILLAPAZ PAZSUBD. SUBD. VILLA SIBULOIIII SIBULO

ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAYROAD ROAD ALONG

5THREV REV 5TH ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M 3,000.00 3,000.00 2,250.00 2,250.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,600.00 1,600.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 750.00 750.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 2,500.00

5THREV REV 5TH ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M 3,500.00 3,500.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 725.00 725.00 4,250.00 4,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00

Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:NUEVA BARANGAY:NUEVA Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET SUBDIVISION/ SUBDIVISION/ CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM AMARILLOST. ST. AMARILLO CONCEPCIONST. ST. CONCEPCION GARCIAST. ST. GARCIA LACDANST. ST. LACDAN MABINI ST. MABINI ST. OLDNATIONAL NATIONALHIGHWAY HIGHWAY OLD

PACITACOMM’L COMM’LCENTER CENTER PACITA SANVICENTE VICENTEST. ST. SAN ALL OTHER STREETS ALL OTHER STREETS

AMANTESUBDIVISION SUBDIVISION AMANTE SEVERINASUBD. SUBD. SEVERINA SIBULOSUBD. SUBD. SIBULO TEECOMPOUND COMPOUND TEE ST.JOSEPH ST.JOSEPH

GP GP A50 A50 RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR II RR RR RR RR

Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:LANGGAM BARANGAY:LANGGAM Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET CLASSIFICLASSIFISUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION CATION CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM ALLLOTS LOTS ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAY ROAD ROAD ALL ALONG II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 INTERIOR LOT INTERIOR LOT II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 FILINVESTHOMES HOMESPH2A PH2A&&PH2B PH2B RR FILINVEST RR GENESISSUBD SUBD RR GENESIS RR SANPEDRO PEDROHOME HOMESITE SITEPH2-B PH2-B RR SAN RR JAKAVILLAGE VILLAGE RR JAKA RR PEAHOMES HOMESPL PLII-A II-A&&II-B II-B RR PEA RR CR CR GP GP SOUTHERNHEIGHTS-FILINVEST HEIGHTS-FILINVEST RR SOUTHERN RR SOUTHERNHEIGHTS HEIGHTSII RR SOUTHERN RR UNITEDBAYANIHAN BAYANIHANSUBD SUBD RR UNITED RR ST.JOSEPH JOSEPHVILLAGE VILLAGE99PH PH1-2 1-2 RR ST. RR ST.JOSEPH JOSEPHVILAGE VILAGE10 10PH PH1-3 1-3 RR ST. RR ST.JAMES JAMESVILLAGE VILLAGE RR ST. RR Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:LARAM BARANGAY:LARAM Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET CLASSIFICLASSIFISUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION CATION CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM ALL LOTS ALONG BARANGAY ROAD CR ALL LOTS ALONG BARANGAY ROAD CR II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 INTERIORLOT LOT INTERIOR II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 LACAHAISUBD. SUBD. RR LACAHAI RR LEOHAI RR LEOHAI RR VILLAARGANA ARGANA11&&22 RR VILLA RR VILLATEPAUREL TEPAUREL RR VILLA RR

1,300.00 1,300.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00

5THREV REV 5TH ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M 2,500.00 2,500.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,900.00 1,900.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00

5THREV REV 5TH ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M 3,250.00 3,250.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 725.00 725.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 750.00 750.00 500.00 500.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00

Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:MAGSAYSAY BARANGAY:MAGSAYSAY Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET CLASSIFI- 5TH 5THREV REV CLASSIFISUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M CATION CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM ALLLOTS LOTS ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAYROAD ROAD CR 3,500.00 ALL ALONG CR 3,500.00 3,000.00 II 3,000.00 RR 2,500.00 RR 2,500.00 GP 1,500.00 GP 1,500.00 A50 1,000.00 A50 1,000.00 INTERIORLOT LOT 2,500.00 INTERIOR II 2,500.00 RR 2,000.00 RR 2,000.00 GP 1,000.00 GP 1,000.00 A50 750.00 A50 750.00 CONPHILVILLAGE VILLAGE RR 2,750.00 CONPHIL RR 2,750.00 REAVILLESUBD. SUBD. RR 3,000.00 REAVILLE RR 3,000.00 REYVILLE RR 3,000.00 REYVILLE RR 3,000.00 VILLACELESTINA CELESTINASUBD SUBD RR 3,000.00 VILLA RR 3,000.00 VILLA CONSOLACION RR 3,000.00 VILLA CONSOLACION RR 3,000.00 VILLA RITA RR 3,500.00 VILLA RITA RR 3,500.00 VILLA SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO RR 3,750.00 VILLA RR 3,750.00 MAGSAYSAYLAND LANDCO CODANGAL DANGALGK GK RR 3,000.00 MAGSAYSAY RR 3,000.00 Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:NARRA BARANGAY:NARRA Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET CLASSIFICLASSIFISUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION CATION CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM ALLLOTS LOTS ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAY PROPER PROPER CR CR ALL ALONG II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 INTERIOR LOT INTERIOR LOT II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 ALMEIDAHOMES HOMES RR ALMEIDA RR

5THREV REV 5TH ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M 3,500.00 3,500.00 2,750.00 2,750.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 750.00 750.00 3,000.00 3,000.00

CLASSIFI- 5TH 5THREV REV CLASSIFICATION ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M CATION RR 3,000.00 RR 3,000.00 CR 4,500.00 CR 4,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 MARKETAREA AREA CR 13,000.00 MARKET CR 13,000.00 MARKET AREA CR 13,000.00 MARKET AREA CR 13,000.00 COMM’LBUS. BUS.ESTABLISHMENT ESTABLISHMENT CR CR 16,000.00 COMM’L 16,000.00 CR 15,000.00 CR 15,000.00 9,000.00 II 9,000.00 RR 7,000.00 RR 7,000.00 GP 4,000.00 GP 4,000.00 A50 3,500.00 A50 3,500.00 INTERIORLOT LOT 7,500.00 INTERIOR II 7,500.00 RR 6,000.00 RR 6,000.00 GP 3,250.00 GP 3,250.00 A50 2,500.00 A50 2,500.00 CR 10,000.00 CR 10,000.00 CR 8,000.00 CR 8,000.00 ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAY ROAD ROAD CR 9,000.00 ALONG CR 9,000.00 I 7,000.00 I 7,000.00 RR 6,000.00 RR 6,000.00 GP 4,000.00 GP 4,000.00 A50 3,000.00 A50 3,000.00 INTERIORLOT LOT 4,500.00 INTERIOR II 4,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 GP 3,000.00 GP 3,000.00 A50 2,500.00 A50 2,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,250.00 RR 3,250.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 VICINITY VICINITY

Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:POBLACION BARANGAY:POBLACION Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM A.MABINI MABINIST. ST. A. A.OLIVAREZ OLIVAREZCALLEJON CALLEJON 22 A. LUNAST. ST. LUNA NATIONALHIGHWAY HIGHWAY NATIONAL RIZALST. ST. RIZAL

S.AUSTRIA AUSTRIACALLEJON CALLEJON11 S. ALLOTHER OTHERSTREETS STREETS ALL CATAQUIZSUBD. SUBD.II CATAQUIZ CATAQUIZSUBD. SUBD.VV CATAQUIZ

CLASSIFI- 5TH 5THREV REV CLASSIFICATION ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M CATION RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 3,250.00 RR 3,250.00 CR 6,000.00 CR 6,000.00 RR 4,750.00 RR 4,750.00 RR 2,750.00 RR 2,750.00 RR 2,750.00 RR 2,750.00 RR 2,750.00 RR 2,750.00 CR 10,000.00 CR 10,000.00 6,750.00 II 6,750.00 RR 6,000.00 RR 6,000.00 GP 4,250.00 GP 4,250.00 A50 3,000.00 A50 3,000.00 6,000.00 II 6,000.00 RR 5,500.00 RR 5,500.00 GP 3,250.00 GP 3,250.00 A50 2,500.00 A50 2,500.00 RR 3,000.00 RR 3,000.00

THURSDAY THURSDAY December19, 19,2019 2019 December

CLASSIFI- 5TH 5THREV REV CLASSIFICATION ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M CATION CR 10,000.00 CR 10,000.00 RR 8,000.00 RR 8,000.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 CR 7,000.00 CR 7,000.00 RR 6,000.00 RR 6,000.00 TOSAN SANROQUE’S ROQUE’SBOUNDARY BOUNDARY CR CR 10,000.00 TO 10,000.00 CR 8,000.00 CR 8,000.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 LUNAST-AUSTRIA ST-AUSTRIAST ST RR 4,500.00 LUNA RR 4,500.00 AUSTRIAST-SAN ST-SANROQUE ROQUEBNDRY BNDRY RR RR 3,750.00 AUSTRIA 3,750.00 CR 3,250.00 CR 3,250.00 RR 3,000.00 RR 3,000.00 ALONGMUNICIPAL MUNICIPALROAD ROAD RR 3,750.00 ALONG RR 3,750.00 RR 3,000.00 RR 3,000.00 RR 3,000.00 RR 3,000.00

Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:RIVERSIDE BARANGAY:RIVERSIDE Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET CLASSIFI- 5TH 5THREV REV CLASSIFISUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M CATION CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM ALLLOTS LOTS ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAYROAD ROAD CR 2,500.00 ALL ALONG CR 2,500.00 RR 2,000.00 RR 2,000.00 INTERIORLOT LOT 2,350.00 INTERIOR II 2,350.00 RR 1,500.00 RR 1,500.00 GP 1,000.00 GP 1,000.00 ALLOTHER OTHERSUBDIVISIONS SUBDIVISIONS CR 3,000.00 ALL CR 3,000.00 RR 2,500.00 RR 2,500.00 A50 1,000.00 A50 1,000.00 BARANGAYPROPER PROPER RR 1,500.00 BARANGAY RR 1,500.00 GENESISSUBD SUBD RR 3,000.00 GENESIS RR 3,000.00 GENESISHOMES HOMES RR 2,750.00 GENESIS RR 2,750.00 Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:SAMPAGUITA BARANGAY:SAMPAGUITA Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM SAMPAGUITAAVE AVE SAMPAGUITA

CLASSIFICLASSIFICATION CATION CR CR RR RR ALLOTHER OTHERLOTS LOTS ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAYROAD ROAD ALL ALONG II GP GP A50 A50 INTERIORLOT LOT INTERIOR II RR RR GP GP A50 A50 CRC SUBD RR CRC SUBD RR JAKAVILLAGE VILLAGE RR JAKA RR SAMPAGUITA VILLAGE RR SAMPAGUITA VILLAGE RR SAMPAGUITASUBD. SUBD.VV RR SAMPAGUITA RR VILLARITA RITASUBD. SUBD. RR VILLA RR PUROKMANGGAHAN MANGGAHAN RR PUROK RR MADISONSUBD SUBD(HOUSE (HOUSE&&LOT LOTPACKAGE) PACKAGE) RR MADISON RR

5THREV REV 5TH ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M 9,000.00 9,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 7,400.00 7,400.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 6,350.00 6,350.00 6,000.00 6,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 750.00 750.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 4,500.00 4,500.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 9,750.00 9,750.00

Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:SAN BARANGAY:SANANTONIO ANTONIO Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM A.MABINI MABINIST. ST. A. GLENS GLENS GOMEZST. ST. GOMEZ LAMAREA MAREA LA MAGSAYSAYST. ST. MAGSAYSAY MANOR MANOR QUEZON ST. ST. QUEZON RICARTEST. ST. RICARTE ZAMORA ST. ZAMORA ST. PUTOLST. ST. PUTOL CAMELLAWOODHILLS WOODHILLS CAMELLA CARMENHOMES HOMES CARMEN CRISTINAHOMES HOMES CRISTINA CRISMORSUBD. SUBD. CRISMOR ELNORSUBD. SUBD. ELNOR FIESTAHOMES HOMESSUBD. SUBD. FIESTA HOLIDAYPARK PARK HOLIDAY HOLIDAYHILLS HILLS HOLIDAY HOLIDAYHOMES HOMES HOLIDAY MOUNTAINSIDE MOUNTAINSIDE ALLOTHER OTHERSTREETS STREETS ALL

ADELINACOMPLEX COMPLEX ADELINA ADELINAIIIA& IA&IB IB ADELINA AURORAHEIGHTS HEIGHTS AURORA CAMELLA COLINA HOMES CAMELLA COLINA HOMES CAMELLA-RIDGEWOOD CAMELLA-RIDGEWOOD NEWHOLIDAY HOLIDAYPARK PARK NEW PARKSPRINGVILL. VILL. PARKSPRING REAVILLE REAVILLE SOUTHERNHEIGHTS-II HEIGHTS-II SOUTHERN SOUTHPEAK PEAKSUBD. SUBD. SOUTH ST.ANNE ANNEHOMES HOMES ST. THEPINES PINES THE UNITEDSAN SANPEDRO PEDROSUBD. SUBD. UNITED VERIDIAN VERIDIAN VILLARICARDO RICARDO VILLA ALLOTHER OTHERSUBDIVISIONS SUBDIVISIONS ALL LAMAREA MAREATRAILS TRAILS22 LA MAHARLIKACOMPOUND COMPOUND MAHARLIKA SITIOBERROYA BERROYA SITIO SITIOMAHARLIKA MAHARLIKA SITIO SITIOSOUTHRIDGE SOUTHRIDGE SITIO SOUTHVILLE SOUTHVILLE SUMMERFIELD FIELDSUBD. SUBD. SUMMER

CLASSIFI- 5TH 5THREV REV CLASSIFICATION ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M CATION CR 13,000.00 CR 13,000.00 RR 10,000.00 RR 10,000.00 RR 4,000.00 RR 4,000.00 RR 3,000.00 RR 3,000.00 RR 6,500.00 RR 6,500.00 RR 3,000.00 RR 3,000.00 RR 5,500.00 RR 5,500.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 CR 6,000.00 CR 6,000.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 5,000.00 II 5,000.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 GP 1,000.00 GP 1,000.00 ALONG NATIONAL HIGHWAY CR 14,500.00 ALONG NATIONAL HIGHWAY CR 14,500.00 7,000.00 II 7,000.00 RR 6,250.00 RR 6,250.00 GP 5,000.00 GP 5,000.00 A50 4,000.00 A50 4,000.00 INTERIORLOT LOT 5,250.00 INTERIOR II 5,250.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 GP 4,000.00 GP 4,000.00 A50 3,000.00 A50 3,000.00 RR 4,250.00 RR 4,250.00 4,000.00 RR RR 4,000.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 5,000.00 RR 5,000.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 4,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 INTERIOR RR 3,000.00 INTERIOR RR 3,000.00 RR 15,000.00 RR 15,000.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 3,500.00 RR RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00 RR 3,500.00

Province::LAGUNA LAGUNA Province City/Municipality::SAN SANPEDRO PEDRO City/Municipality Zone/Barangay::BARANGAY:SAN BARANGAY:SANROQUE ROQUE Zone/Barangay STREETNAME NAME/ / STREET CLASSIFI- 5TH 5THREV REV CLASSIFISUBDIVISION/ VICINITY SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION ZV/SQ.M ZV/SQ.M CATION CONDOMINIUM CONDOMINIUM A.MARQUEZ MARQUEZST. ST. RR 3,250.00 A. -RR 3,250.00 A. MENDOZA ST. RR 4,000.00 A. MENDOZA ST. RR 4,000.00 O.ANCHORIZ ANCHORIZST. ST. RR 4,000.00 O. RR 4,000.00 P.CRUZ CRUZST. ST. RR 4,000.00 P. RR 4,000.00 SANROQUE ROQUEST. ST. (MAIN) (MAIN) ALONGNATIONAL NATIONALHI-WAY HI-WAY RR 4,250.00 SAN ALONG RR 4,250.00 INTERIORLOT LOT RR 3,500.00 INTERIOR RR 3,500.00 ALLOTHER OTHERSTREETS STREETS ALONGBARANGAY BARANGAYROAD ROAD CR 5,000.00 ALL ALONG CR 5,000.00 4,500.00 II 4,500.00 RR 3,750.00 RR 3,750.00 INTERIOR LOT RR 3,500.00 INTERIOR LOT RR 3,500.00 GP 1,500.00 GP 1,500.00 A50 750.00 A50 750.00 APLAYA RR 1,500.00 APLAYA RR 1,500.00 GP 1,000.00 GP 1,000.00 A50 750.00 A50 750.00 OLIVAREZ SUBD. SUBD. RR 3,500.00 OLIVAREZ RR 3,500.00

Sports

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Manila Southwoods saves best for last M

ANILA Southwoods saved its best for last when it could’ve turned in its worst and would’ve still won by a mile, claiming the Fil Championship crown for the seventh straight year at the close of the 70th Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament at the Baguio Country Club yesterday.

NUMERO UNO. Members of the Fil Championship team of Manila Southwoods that won the title for a record seven straight years by a whopping 55 points are shown in front of the Baguio Country Club. They are (from left) team captain Thirdy Escano, Aidric Chan, Sean Ramos, individual champion Aguri Iwasaki, Taisei Shimizu and Lanz Uy. Province : LAGUNA City/Municipality : SAN PEDRO Zone/Barangay : BARANGAY:SAN VICENTE STREET NAME / SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CONDOMINIUM C. ALVAREZ ST. CHAPEL ROAD ST. E. SIETE REALES ST. J. CLIMACO ST. J. HERRERA ST. N. ALMENDRALA ST. N. REMERATA ST. ORTEGA ST. PACITA AVE. P. IGONIA ST. R. BERROYA ST. R. GERODIAS ST. R. OLIVER ST. APRECIO ST. GARCIA ST. GATDULA ST. BALAGTAS ST. SAN VICENTE ST. V. CASTASUS ST. MOUNTAIN SIDE

ALONG BARANGAY ROAD

INTERIOR LOT

ADELINA II ADELINA IIA CONPIL CONPIL EXECUTIVE CONPIL VILLAGE 2 CONSOLE 1 CONSOLE 2 CONSOLE 12 CONSOLE VILLAGE CHRYSANTHEMUM SUBD. ELVINDA SUBD. GREATLAND SUBD. GUEVARRA SUBD. HARMONY HOMES JAKA VILLAGE MERCEDES I MERCEDES 5 CIRCLE 18 MERCEDES HOMES OLIVAREZ COMPOUND PACITA COMPLEX PH 1,2,3 PACITA COMPLEX PH 4,5,6,7 PACITA COMPLEX II PACITA COMPLEX I PACITA 2, PHASE I PACITA 2A PACITA 2B PACITA 2C PACITA 2 SQUARE, PH 2 ROSARIO SUBD. SOUTHVIEW HOMES ST. FRANCIS SUBD., PACITA COMP. ST. JOSEPH SUBD STO. NIÑO, PACITA 2 STONE CREST SUBD CONPIL, STONECREST, VILA OLYMPIA P-6 & ELVINDA VILL VICENTE VILLE VILLA CASTILLO VILLA MILAGROSA VILLA OLYMPIA SITIO BAYAN-BAYANAN SOUTHVIEW HOMES III VILLA OLYMPIA PH I VILLA OLYMPIA PH 4 VILLA OLYMPIA PH 6 VILLA PAZ VILLA ROSA HOMES Province : LAGUNA City/Municipality : SAN PEDRO Zone/Barangay : BARANGAY:STO NINO STREET NAME / SUBDIVISION/ CONDOMINIUM A. MABINI ST

ALL OTHER LOTS

VICINITY

ALONG BARANGAY ROAD

INTERIOR LOT

RIZAL ST. STO.NIÑO ST. J.LUNA ST.

ALONG B.AUSTRIA ST. ALONG OLIVAREZ ST. ALONG BANGKUSAY ST.

CLASSIFI- 5TH REV CATION ZV/SQ.M RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR CR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR CR RR RR I RR GP A50 I RR GP A50 RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR

4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 8,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 7,500.00 6,000.00 4,500.00 2,500.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 750.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,500.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 3,750.00 4,500.00 4,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 6,250.00 4,750.00 5,250.00 4,250.00 4,000.00 5,000.00 8,500.00 5,000.00 5,750.00 3,750.00 3,500.00 3,750.00 5,250.00 3,000.00 5,250.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,750.00 5,000.00 5,000.00

CLASSIFI- 5TH REV CATION ZV/SQ.M CR I RR CR I RR GP A50 I RR GP A50 RR RR RR

15,000.00 9,500.00 7,500.00 7,000.00 6,000.00 5,000.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 5,000.00 4,000.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00

Province : LAGUNA City/Municipality : SAN PEDRO Zone/Barangay : BARANGAY: UNITED BAYANIHAN STREET NAME / CLASSIFI- 5TH REV SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION ZV/SQ.M CONDOMINIUM ALL LOTS ALONG BARANGAY ROAD CR 4,000.00 I 3,250.00 RR 3,000.00 GP 1,500.00 A50 1,000.00 INTERIOR LOT I 2,900.00 RR 2,500.00 GP 1,000.00 A50 750.00 ROSA SUBD. 1 & 2 RR 4,000.00 DREAM LAND HEIGHTS RR 3,000.00 GENESIS HOMES RR 3,000.00

The Carmona-based squad pooled a 122 after a 105 Tuesday to cap its four-day romp in the premier division of the annual event that kicked off at nearby Camp John Hay and ended up at BCC where it all but sealed the championship with an unassailable 44-point bulge after three rounds. The perennial champs ﬁnished with a 546 total, whipping Forest Hills by 55 points after the latter wound up with a 491 after a 111. Royal Northwoods scored a 114

and placed third with 489. Southwoods made it a double celebration as its Am Championship squad reigned via a 29-point triumph over Batangas Barakos, 463-434 with Aguri Iwasaki capping the team’s domination by winning the individual plum with a 140, leading an imposing 1-23 ﬁnish as erstwhile frontrunner Lanz Uy wound up with a 138 and Taisei Shimizu securing third place with a 136. Southwoods actually played the ﬁnal round of the Fil Cham-

pionship with four players as SEA Games veteran Sean Ramos was down with a bum stomach and Uy produced a measly 25-point output while fighting off flu-like symptoms. But Shimizu took charge with 34 points and Iwasaki and Aidric Chan, also a member of the SEAG bronze medal team, added 32 and 31 points, respectively. “These are very talented kids and they will surely adjust the next day. But then, some of them are just really sick. Uy could have done better. He thrives in this course. But then he is very underrated,” said Southwoods team captain Thirdy Escano of his top gun, who sizzled at John Hay with an eight under-card in the first round then shot a seven-under in Day 2. He also led

the squad at BCC with 33 points Tuesday but illness slowed him down in the ﬁnal round, enabling Aguri to snatch the individual honors. Forest Hills, meanwhile, drew 31 points from Rocky Co while Inigo Raymundo, Dan Cruz and Jude Eustaquio backed him up with 29, 27 and 24 points, respectively. Stephen Sul broke par with 36 points to lead Northwoods’ ﬁnal day charge with Nik Gatmaytan adding 28 points and Joaquin Hernandez and Gido Mandanas coming up with 27 and 21 points, respectively. In Am Championship play, Josh Jorge closed out with a 36 to lead Southwoods which also got 28 points each from Jeff Jung and Masaichi Otake and a 27 from Santino Laurel.

Province : LAGUNA City/Municipality : SAN PEDRO Zone/Barangay : BARANGAY:UNITED BETTER LIVING STREET NAME / CLASSIFI- 5TH REV SUBDIVISION/ VICINITY CATION ZV/SQ.M CONDOMINIUM ALL LOTS ALONG BARANGAY ROAD CR 3,500.00 I 3,000.00 RR 2,500.00 GP 1,500.00 A50 1,000.00 INTERIOR LOT I 2,500.00 RR 2,000.00 GP 1,000.00 A50 750.00 SOUTHERN HEIGHTS 2 RR 2,250.00

CERTAIN GUIDELINES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ZONAL VALUATION OF REAL PROPERTIES FOR RDO NO. 57 - BIÑAN CITY, WEST LAGUNA 1. NO ZONAL VALUE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR A PARTICULAR CLASSIFICATION OF REAL PROPERTY WHEREIN THE APPROVED SCHEDULE OF ZONAL VALUES FOR A PARTICULAR BARANGAY a.)

NO ZONAL VALUE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR A PARTICULAR CLASSIFICATION IN A PARTICULAR STREET/SUBDIVISION IN A BARANGAY, THE ZONAL VALUE PRESCRIBED FOR THE SAME CLASSIFICATION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE OTHER STREET/ SUBDIVISION WITHIN THE SAME BARANGAY OF SIMILAR CONDITIONS SHALL BE USED; AND

b.) NO ZONAL VALUE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR A PARTICULAR CLASSIFICATION OF REAL PROPERTY IN ONE BARANGAY, THE ZONAL VALUE PRESCRIBED FOR THE SAME CLASSIFICATION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN AN ADJACENT BARANGAY OF SIMILAR CONDITIONS SHALL BE USED. 2. PREDOMINANT USE OF PROPERTY. a.) ALL REAL PROPERTIES, REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL USE, LOCATED IN A STREET/BARANGAY/ZONE, THE USE OF WHICH ARE PREDOMINANTLY COMMERCIAL SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS “COMMERCIAL” FOR PURPOSES OF ZONAL VALUATION b.) THE PREDOMINANT USE OF OTHER CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTIES LOCATED IN A STREET/BARANGAY/ZONE, REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL USE SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR PURPOSES OF ZONAL VALUATION. 3. ZONAL VALUES OF CONDOMINIUM UNIT/TOWNHOUSE: IF THE TITLE OF A PARTICULAR CONDOMINIUM UNIT/TOWNHOUSE IS a.) A CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE (CCT), THE ZONAL VALUE OF THE LAND AND THE IMPROVEMENTS SHALL BE TREATED AS ONE; OR b.) A TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE (TCT), THE LAND AND IMPROVEMENT SHALL BE GIVEN SEPARATE VALUES, i.e. ZONAL VALUE/GROSS SELLING PRICE/FAIR MARKET VALUE PER LATEST TAX DECLARATION WHICHEVER IS HIGHER AND, IN THE ABSENCE OF ZONAL VALUATION, PROPERTY SHALL BE VALUED PURSUANT TO RAMO 2-91. THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS COMMERCIAL AND TWENTY PERENT (20%) OF THE ESTABLISHED VALUE SHALL BE ADDED THERETO. 4. AREAS FOR PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT(APD). THESE ARE AREAS IDENTIFIED AS AREAS FOR PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT CERTIFIED TO AS SUCH BY THE HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD (HLURB). IF IT IS UTILIZED FOR SOCIALIZED HOUSING, IT SHALL BE CERTIFIED TO AS SUCH BY THE PROPER GOVERNMENT AGENCY SUCH AS, PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON URBAN POOR (PCUP), NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (NHA), ETC. SECOND SALE OF LOT IDENTIFIED AS LOCATED IN THE APD SHALL NO LONGER BE VALUED AS AN APD AND SHALL BE TREATED AS AN ORDINARY REAL PROPERTY. 5. DIVISION OF A BARANGAY IN THE EVENT THAT AN EXISTING BARANGAY IS DIVIDED INTO TWO OR MORE BARANGAYS, THE ZONAL VALUE PRESCRIBED FOR THE EXISTING BARANGAY SHALL BE USED FOR THE NEWLY CREATED BARANGAY 6. PARKING SLOT (PS) IF NO ZONAL VALUE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR PARKING SLOTS, THE VALUE SHOULD BE 60% OF THE AMOUNT OF THE UNIT SOLD 7. INSTITUTION (X) THESE ARE AREAS FOR SCHOOL, HOSPITAL AND CHURCHES. IF NO ZONAL VALUE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED, THE COMMERCIAL VALUE OF THE PROPERTY NEAREST TO THE INSTITUTION, WITHIN THE SAME BARANGAY AND STREET SHALL BE USED 8. ZONAL VALUE OR FMV ESTABLISHED IN THE SCHEDULE OF VALUES OF ASSESSORS. THE ZONAL VALUES ESTABLISHED HEREIN SHALL APPLY IN COMPUTING ALL INTERNAL REVENUE TAXES (i.e. CAPITAL GAINS, CREDITABLE WITHHOLDING, ESTATE, DONOR’S AND DOCUEMNTARY STAMP TAXES) DUE ON SALES, EXCHANGES, OR OTHER DISPOSITIONS OF REAL PROPERTY. PROVIDED , THAT THE SAME IS HIGHER THAN (1) THE FAIR MARKET VALUES AS SHOWN IN THE SCHEDULE OF VALUES OF THE PROVINCIAL AND CITY ASSESSORS (i.e. LATEST TAX DECLARATION) AND (2) THE GROSS SELLING PRICE AS SHOWN IN THE DULY NOTARIZED DOCUMENT OF SALE OR EXCHANGE AT THE TIME OF SALE OR EXCHANGE. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE VALUE OF PROPERTY TO BE USED IN COMPUTING ESTATE AND DONOR’S TAXES SHALL BE (1) THE FAIR MARKET VALUE AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE (i.e. ZONAL VALUES) OR (2.) THE FAIR MARKET VALUE AS SHOWN IN THE SCHEDULE OF VALUES OF THE PROVINCIAL/CITY/ MUNICIPAL ASSESSOR, WHICHEVER IS HIGHER.

National University center Carl Tamayo drives to the basket during their game against the Lyceum Junior Pirates in the 8th PSSBC-Freego Cup. The NU Bullpups won, 108-82.

National U Bullpups, Baby Tams make semis REIGNING UAAP champion National University and Far Eastern University outplayed their rivals from the NCAA and advanced to the semis of the 8th PSSBC-Freego Cup Tuesday at the SGS Stadium in Quezon City. Also the defending champion of the event dubbed as Tournament of Champions, the Bullpups needed a whirlwind of a finish to beat NCAA runners-up Lyceum Junior Pirates, 108-82, while the Baby Tamaraws defeated the La Salle Greenies, 82-75. Protecting a slim 77-69 lead, the Bullpups, bannered by Steve Enriquez, Carl Tamayo, Harold Alarcon and Kevin Quiambao, came through with a decisive run to finally take the fight out of the Junior Pirates and stay on course for a projected title clash with NCAA champion San Beda University. In another show of balanced firepower, six NU players tallied in double figures with Enriquez

and Alarcon ﬁnishing with 16 points to emerge as co-best players. Nathaniel Tulabut, Quimbao, Abadiano and Tamayo combined for 51 points. The Red Cubs also rode on an explosive fourth quarter performance to dispatch the Adamson Baby Falcons, 97-75, in the event also sponsored by Poly-Gloss, IronCon Builders, Macbeth Underwear, Happy Toothpaste, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, MEC Networks and Blackwater Sports. In the semis, the Bullpups will face the Ateneo Eaglets, who carved out an 86-73 win over the Adamson Baby Falcons in the tournament which also has the backing of Molten, Gerry’s Grill, Cherrylume, Sumo GI Sheet and Choi Garden. Francis Lopez and Forthsky Padrigao scored 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Eaglets who banked on a decisive third quarter attack to prevail.

Labog tops MCC Youth tilt TOP seed Eric Labog Jr of Las Pinas City lived up to expectations as he ruled the MCC Youth Standard Open Chess Tournament recently at the Starmall Edsa Shaw in Mandaluyong City. Labog, with highest NCFP rating 2200, ﬁnished with six wins and one draw to post a total of 6.5 points after seven rounds of play in this NCFP-sanctioned event organized by the Metropolitan Chess Club in cooperation with MILO. Labog brought home the champion trophy plus the gold medal and the P3,000 top prize. Tied from second to fourth places with 5.5 points apiece were Andrew Sopungco, Cyrus Vladimir Francisco, Samantha Umayan and Eivanne Jacob Cruz. Breaking the tie, Sopungco grabbed the second-place honor and pocketed the P2,000 cash prize plus the silver medal for his feat. Francisco landed in third spot, while Umayan and Cruz placed fourth and ﬁfth, respectively. They received their cash prizes respectively plus bronze medal.

Manila... From A8

prize, plus a P1 million bonus prize pledged by the Philracom and a P200,000 cash incentive to the winning breeder. The runnerup will take home P1 million while the third and fourth placers will get P500,000 and P300,000, respectively. Declared runners include: Supersonic/JB Guce by Leonardo Javier, Jr.; Summer Romance/JG Serrano by Narciso Morales; Hiway One/ PM Cabalejo by Cool Summer Farm; Sepfourteen/JA Guce by SC

Stockfarm Inc.; Pangalusian Island/Dan Camanero by Wilbert Tan; Greatwall/Pat Dilema by Robert Ramirez; Scarborough Shoal/CP Henson by Francisco Paolo Crisostomo; and Princess Eowyn/JB Hernandez by Edward Vincent Diokno. The Presidential Gold Cup was conceived by the PCSO board headed by the late Chairman and General Manager, Nereo C. Andong. It instantly became a popular event among the racing community with Sun God owned by Don Pedro Cojuangco winning the inaugural race in 1973.

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

Sports

TNT KaTropa, Meralco gun for key win in Game 3 By Jeric Lopez

The Philippine National Team inside the Malacañang Palace for the recognition of their achievement as the overall champion in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Davao Occ., Zambo boost MPBL loops playoff bids DAVAO Occidental, Zamboanga and Pampanga stretched their win runs Tuesday (Dec. 17) to further bolster their playoffs drive in the Chooks-toGo/MPBL Lakan Season at Bahayang Pag-asa Gym in Valenzuela City. The Davao Occidental Tigers repulsed the Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors, 75-71, to keep top spot in the South division and share the best record with North division pacesetter San Juan Knights at 20-3. The Pampanga Giant Lanterns, on the other hand, tripped the Pasay Voyagers, 75-65, to climb to 15-9 in the North while Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines trounced Valenzuela Carga backload Solution, 85-78, to rise to 15-10 in the South. It was the fourth straight victory for Davao Occidental, the third in a row for Zamboanga, and the second consecutive for Pampanga, pushing all of them inside the top 8 of each division which will advance to the playoffs. Their aim now is to make the top 4 and gain the homecourt advantage in the playoffs. The Tigers met stiff resistance from the Realtors, who were still ahead (6764) going to the last ﬁve minutes. Showing why he’s among the leaders in the MVP race, Mark Yee tallied game-highs 22 points and 16 rebounds for the Cocolife-supported Tigers. Yee was supported by Yvan Ludovice with 11 points and 5 rebounds and Bonbon Custodio with 10 points and 4 assists. The Realtors, who dropped to 14-9 in the North, got 15 points from Robbie Manalang and 10 each from Leo Najorda and Josan Nimes. Alvin Pasaol delivered for Zamboanga with 24 points and 9 rebounds, followed by Leonard Santillan with 14 points and 7 rebounds, former pro Raffy Reyes with 12 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals, and Anton Asistio with 11 points. Way ahead, 76-57, Zamboanga allowed Valenzuela to drop an 8-point salvo before Pasaol cut short the uprising with four straight points. Tiny Mark Cruz again played big for the Giant Lanterns, coming through with 14 points, including 5 points in 27 seconds that gave them a 62-47 spread, 14 assists, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Other major contributors for the Bong Ramos-mentored Pampanga were Levi Hernandez with 15 points and 4 rebounds, Dexter Maiquez with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals, and Michael Juico with 12 points and 4 rebounds.

PH team gets Order of Lapu-Lapu award

EMBERS of the Philippine national team was conferred the “Order of LapuLapu” for winning the overall championship in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Almost 600 medalists of the SEAG trooped to the Malacañang Palace to meet President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Wednesday and receive their cash reward. They were also conferred the said award given to those who are “deserving of merit and recognition and to fully express the President’s appreciation of the Filipino people’s contributions to the success of the campaigns and programs of the Government.” Led by Team Philippines Chef de Mission and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez, the national team, donning their ofﬁcial tracksuit, was warmly received by the President at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang Palace. Also in attendance were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Philip-

pine Olympic Committee President Rep. Bambol Tolentino, Philippine SEAG Organizing Committee Chairman and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Commissioners Celia Kiram, Arnold Agustin and Charles Maxey, along with the presidents and secretaries general of the different national sports associations. By law, a gold medal winner is bound to receive P300,000, while silver and bronze medalists are accorded P150,000 and P60,000, respectively. Incentives for athletes alone is almost P79 million. In a short program prior to the arrival of the President, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation turned over the check to fund the said incentives’ awarding consistent with RA 10699. In his speech, Ramirez recognized the

role of government in the success of the national team. “We are lucky to have a President who support us fully and has a big heart for our athletes,” Ramirez said. During Duterte’s term, the national athletes were given nutrition support, higher allowances, refurbished facilities, new equipment and more opportunities for training and exposures. “When we came in, the athletes received only a P5,000 meal allowance. Now, on top of that, they also get P25,000 worth of nutrition support monthly,” said Ramirez, adding that these investments on the national team paid handsomely by the landslide win of Team Philippines in the SEAG and “hopefully an Olympic gold soon.” Pauline Lopez of Taekwondo, Marck Jesus Espejo of Volleyball and Jasmine Alkhaldi of swimming represented the gold, silver and bronze medalists, respectively, and received the check from the president in a ceremonial awarding.

Manila Jockey Club hosts Presidential Gold Cup THE Manila Jockey Club, Inc., the premier horse racing club in the country and one of Asia’s oldest will be hosting the 47th PCSO Presidential Gold Cup on December 22. A Memorandum of Agreement Signing Ceremony was held at Manila Golf and Country Club to formalize the holding of the event, and finalize the commitments of each party. In attendance were top officials from MJC, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Philippine Racing Commission. “The Gold Cup is indeed a prestigious race. This annual tradition, which brings together the PCSO, Philracom, private racing clubs and the local racing community, has to be maintained. I am confident that despite the challenges we are presently facing, we will come out stronger and more creative in fulfilling our mandate to the people and continue our support to the racing industry,” said Col. Royina Marzan Garma, PCSO General Manager. Since its establishment in 1934, the PCSO has been a strong supporter of the local horse racing industry. Apart from the Gold Cup, it also sponsors year-round horse races that contributes to the upliftment and advancement of the sport.

Shown here are (from left) Dr. Andrew Buencamino, Philracom Executive Director; Bienvenido Niles Jr., Philracom Commissioner; Andrew A. Sanchez, Philracom Chairman; Atty. Alfonso G. Reyno III, MJC President and CEO; Royina M. Garma, PCSO General Manager; Arnel Casas, PCSO Asst. General Manager for Gaming; and Jose Ramon Magboo, MJC Racing Manager.

Andrew Sanchez, Chairman of the Philracom, has expressed his commitment to support the endeavors of PCSO especially those geared towards the development of the industry. For his part, Atty. Alfonso G. Reyno III, President and CEO of MJC said: “MJC is very proud and honored to host the Presidential Gold Cup at San Lazaro. As representatives of the private sector, we assure the PCSO and Philracom that we will do

our share to encourage growth and further the development of Philippine horse racing. We join the Bayang Karerista in applauding the PCSO for their continued support to the industry.” Locally-bred runners will compete for the P5,000,000 distributed purse for the 1st to 4th placers, including a cash incentive to the winning breeder. The champion horse and its team will bag the P3 million grand Turn to A7

Pacers upset NBA-best Lakers to snap LA road win streak LOS ANGELES—A determined Indiana fightback and last-minute heroics by Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis led the Pacers to a dramatic 105-102 upset of the NBA-best Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. LeBron James produced 20 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who played without injured star forward Anthony Davis and saw their road win streak snapped at 14 games, two shy of the NBA record. Pacers forward Sabonis, son of Lithuanian legend Arvydas Sabonis, scored 26

points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Brodgon added 14 points and six assists and sank a reverse layup to put Indiana ahead to stay with 36 seconds remaining. “Deﬁnitely a big win for us,” Brogdon said. “We really wanted to send a message to the elite teams in the league and get some respect. We’ve had some big wins but this is the biggest one.” The Lakers (24-4) fell level with Milwaukee for the NBA’s best record just two days before they visit the Eastern Conference leaders in a potential NBA Finals showdown.

“The difference between winning and losing was made shots versus missed shots,” James said. “Sometimes the ball happens that way.” The Lakers hit 43-of-91 shots (47.3 percent) from the ﬂoor while Indiana made 41-of-85 (48.2 percent). Davis—the Lakers’ leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots—was absent due to a right ankle sprain suffered in a Sunday victory over Atlanta. Dwight Howard had 20 points on 10of-10 shooting for the Lakers. “Our guys competed their tails off,”

Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “I’m very proud of them.” LA, which led by as many as 10 points, was ahead only 52-50 at half-time with James hitting 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the ﬁrst half. After Brogdon’s layup gave Indiana a 104-102 lead, James missed a 3-pointer and a video reversal on an out-of-bounds call gave the Pacers the ball. Sabonis made a free throw but missed the second to give the Lakers a ﬁnal chance but Rajon Rondo missed a last 3-point shot and LA’s sevengame overall win streak was over. AFP

A PIVOTAL lead is at stake when TNT and Meralco resume their fiery semifinal showdown in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. With the two teams tied at 1-1 in their best-of-five duel, Game 3 will be crucial as the Tropang Texters and the Bolts both shoot for a critical lead at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The first two games of the series ended up being dominated by the victorious teams. In Game 2 last Tuesday night, it was Meralco’s turn to emerge on top, carving a resounding 114-94 victory to even things up at 1-all. Two-time Best Import Allen Durham went off, tallying a 44-point triple-double to lead the Bolts’ charge. “It was a really good win to get. We played really well and we’re able to tie the series,” said Meralco coach Norman Black. “We hope to continue playing with such intensity on both ends.” Meralco even took a 35-point lead in Game 2 at one point. On the contrary, the Tropang Texters, unlike in the series opener, were unable to find their mark at all. It shot an atrocious 8-of-40 from the field in the first half, leading to its downfall. Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra and NorthPort, also tied at 1-1, are also gunning for a crucial lead in their own semis clash as of this report.

4 swimmers knocking on Olympic door By Peter Atencio FOUR swimmers could make it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. James Christian Deiparine, Remedy Alexis Rule, Jasmine Alkhaldi and Luke Michael Gebbie have hit the Olympic Selection Time (OST-B) for the Olympic Games during the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games. Deiparine took the Philippines’ lone swimming gold medal in the men’s 100m breast stroke event with an OST-B of 1:01.46, which went past the 1:01.73 “B” cut and him closer to the 59.93 “A” cut. “I am extremely proud of what he and his teammates have achieved and I can only pray that you all continue to swim for our country,” Philippine Swimming Inc. president Lailani Velasco told Deiparine and his teammates. Rule clocked an Olympic Standard Time-B in the 200 meter butterfly and in the 100 meter freestyle events. On the other hand, Alkhaldi did it in the 50m and 100m freestyle events, while Gebbie hit the qualifying times in the 50m and 100m freestyle events. Rule was the first one to make the Olympics “B” cut, after clocking 2:11.56 in the 200 meter butterfly event at the TYR Pro Clovis Swim Series in USA last June. She trimmed her time to 2:11.28 at the FINA World Championships in Gwangju last July and again cut it to 2:10.99 at the recent SEA Games, making Rule the first Filipina tanker to have breached the 2:11 mark in this event. The Olympic Qualifying Time (OQT-A) of the Women’s 200m Fly event is 2:08.43 During the 30th SEA Games, Rule clocked her second OST-B qualifying clocking, this time in the women’s 100m freestyle event with a time of 55.80, allowing her to breach the 56.01-second OST-B mark and move closer to the 54.38 second OQT-A. Gebbie was the next Pinoy tanker to hit an Olympics “B” cut time. This was in the last July’s Gwangju World Championships, when he became the first Filipino to have breached the 50-second barrier in the Men’s 100m Freestyle event as he surpassed the 50.03-second OST-B with his time of 49.94 seconds. The OQTA of this event is 48.57. The Fil-Kiwi snagged his second Olympics “B”cut during the SEA Games after clocking 22.62 seconds in the men’s 50m freestyle event. His feat surpassed the 22.67 second OST-B. Gebbie is zeroing in on the 22.01 second OQT-A. Alkhaldi is now within the Olympics “B” cut times after her stint in the biennial meet. Alkhaldi, a two-time Olympian, timed 25.48 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle to surpass the 25.51-second OST-B and the 55.76-second standard in the 100m freestyle events.

Business

IN BRIEF

PAL names finance veteran as acting CFO

PHILIPPINE Airlines named an airline finance veteran as the acting chief financial officer effective Jan. 16, 2020 to replace Celeste Mutuc, who is stepping down because of health and personal reasons. Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez, a Master’s degree holder from the Asian Institute of Management and an alumnus of the UP College of Business Administration, will bring to PAL 28 years of finance industry experience, including 15 years of leadership roles across the Asia-Pacific region. He was introduced to the PAL board Tuesday and will assume his new role as PAL CFO after his confirmation by the board. Mutuc informed the PAL board of her resignation during its regular monthly meeting on Dec. 17. The board unanimously accepted her decision and thanked her for her period of service to the flag carrier. She is credited for improved fiscal reporting, enhanced quality of accounting and business relations with lending institutions and aircraft lessors. Rodriguez has a proven track record in airline financial management having served Delta Airlines as regional manager for finance at AsiaPacific and regional manager for supply chain at Asia-Pacific and finance manager for the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.

BSP expects benign inflation until 2022

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects inflation rate to stay benign until 2022, as demandinduced price pressures are likely to remain manageable over the target horizon. The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committe, in its meeting on Dec. 11, decided to keep the current inflation target at 2 percent to 4 percent for 2020 to 2022. The government’s inflation target is defined in terms of the average year-on-year change in the consumer price index over the calendar year. “The announcement of the inflation target is in line with the BSP’s commitment to transparency and accountability as well as the forward-looking approach in the conduct of monetary policy,” the BSP said in a statement Wednesday. “The 3.0 percent ± 1.0 percentage point inflation target for 2020 to 2022 continues to be an appropriate quantitative representation of the BSP’s medium-term price stability goal that is conducive to the balanced and sustainable growth of the Philippine economy,” it said. Julito G. Rada

SN Aboitiz eyes more solar projects

RENEWABLE energy developer SN Aboitiz Power Corp. disclosed its plan to build 25 megawatts to 50 MW of ground-mounted and floating solar projects annually. “I’d like to at least have maybe 50 MW a year, 25 MW to 50 MW a year, that we could trade,” SN Aboitiz president and chief executive Joseph Yu said. He said the renewable energy expansion would continue “as long as the market could bear it.” “And I would look at the whole portfolio, and look at the balance between what’s solar,” Yu said. He said SN Aboitiz will also continue developing hydro projects and possibly wind projects. “SNAP has never dabbled on wind, onshore or offshore. But if it’s there we can put resources on that,” Yu said. He said SN Aboitiz was also eyeing battery energy storage systems. Yu said the company was conducting a stress test and feasibility study on its 200-kilowatt pilot floating solar project located at the Magat Reservoir, the biggest floating solar project in the country so far. SNAP-Magat invested nearly P24 million in the facility, which is placed over a 2,500-square meter area over the Magat Reservoir. Alena Mae S. Flores

PNOC-EC purchasing 4.5% Malampaya stake for $56m S By Alena Mae S. Flores

TATE-RUN PNOC Exploration Corp. said it will acquire an additional 4.5-percent stake in the Malampaya natural gas project for around $56 million as a part of its right of first refusal on the sale of Chevron Malampaya LLC’s 45-percent stake to Udenna Corp.

“PNOC EC exercised its right. We are getting that...We exercised the right because we feel that the acquisition price is advantageous… It’s advantageous for [PNOC] EC to invest. It’s an opportunity for EC to invest [as] the returns are good,” Energy Secretary and PNOC-EC chairman Alfonso Cusi told reporters. Udenna, controlled by businessman Dennis Uy, earlier signed an agreement to acquire the entire shareholdings of Chevron Malampaya LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Philippines Ltd. in

October. Chevron held 45-percent stake in the Malampaya gas project. As a member of the Malampaya consortium, PNOC Exploration, which has 10-percent stake in the project, has the right to match the offer of Udenna for 10-percent of Chevron’s stake. Cusi said this meant that PNOC-EC would acquire another 4.5-percent stake in the project which was proportionate to 10 percent of the Chevron-Udenna transaction. “It’s 10 percent of the share of Chevron. As of now we have 10 percent. The one they are selling is 45 percent. We are also getting 10 percent of the 45 percent, because is Shell is not selling,” Cusi said. Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., which owns a 45-percent stake and serves as the operator of the $4.5-billion project in northwest Palawan, did not exercise its right to match the offer of Chevron, Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos said. Cusi said the PNOC-EC board would meet on Friday to discuss the acquisition price.

PITX opens private car parking facility

THE Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, the country’s first landport, said it expanded its operations with the opening of a private car parking facility to encourage private car owners to park their cars and take public transportation from the area. Operated by the Professional Parking Group, the parking facility at the 3rd level of PITX has 669 parking slots for private cars, motorcycles and UV Express vehicles. “With the availability of a parking garage at PITX that charges a reasonable parking rate, we hope to encourage those who drive their own vehicles to just leave their car and take the bus or other modes of public transport from PITX to their destination,” said PITX corporate affairs head Jason Salvador. “This way, we’re not only helping alleviate the traffic situation on Metro Manila, we also lessen our carbon footprint to the benefit of the environment,” he said. The parking facility targets those who drive to work from the adjacent Cavite and Laguna provinces to business districts in Makati, Taguig, Mandaluyong and Quezon City. Darwin G. Amojelar

CEBUPAC JOINS IATA. Cebu Pacific joins the International Air Transportation Association, the trade association for the global airline industry. CEB is IATA’s largest member among Philippine carriers, comprising 44 percent of total domestic passenger volume and 46 percent of total domestic cargo, based on data from the Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board. IATA regional vice president for Asia Pacific Conrad Clifford (left) presents the IATA certificate of membership to Cebu Pacific president and CEO Lance Gokongwei.

NEDA optimistic on economic outlook THE National Economic and Development Authority said Wednesday it is optimistic on the economic outlook after the gross domestic product picked up by 6.2 percent in the third quarter. “I am delighted that we will be closing this year upbeat in retrospect and optimistic looking forward,” Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA director-general Ernesto Pernia said in his 2019 year-end statement. “The economy has continued to grow this year despite its initial slowdown in the first two quarters and the obstacles that were thrown its way―from the El Niño phenomenon that resulted in water shortages, the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget, to the US-China trade war, among other things,” he said. Pernia said the Philippines stayed as one of the best-performing economies in Asia after posting a 6.2-percent expansion in the third quarter. “We are the second-fastest growing major economy after Vietnam―

ahead of China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand,” he said. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that in the first three quarters of 2019, the economy grew by 5.8 percent, just slightly below the lower-end of the 6 percent to 6.5 percent growth target for 2019. This was supported by the robust growth in public spending, and buoyant consumption spending amid the easing of inflation. Pernia said growth became more inclusive, as the government was able to lift more Filipinos out of poverty in 2018 when poverty incidence dropped to 16.6 percent of the population from 23.3 percent in 2015. “The number of poor Filipinos―or the magnitude of poverty―went down from 23.5 million Filipinos in 2015 to 17.6 million Filipinos in 2018. This means that we have lifted 5.9 million Filipinos from poverty between 2015 and 2018,” he said. Julito G. Rada

PCC slaps P16-m fine vs Grab for violations By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Competition Commission imposed a P16.15-million fine on Grab Philippines for allegedly violating its price and service quality commitments. The order released on Dec. 13, 2019 was based on the audit report submitted by Smith & Williamson, an independent monitoring trustee tasked to examine Grab’s compliance with voluntary commitments on price, service quality and non-exclusivity for one year or until August 10, 2019. The fine is the latest in a string of penalties faced by Grab for violating its commitments. Each violation incurs an administrative penalty ranging from P50,000 to P2 million as provided by the Philippine Competition Act. With the merger of the country’s two biggest ride-hailing apps, Grab’s violations are indicative of its exercise of market power in

the absence of a competitor of adequate scale in the market. “The ride-hailing market has seen profound changes in the past year as a result of Grab’s acquisition of Uber. With the commitments in place, PCC aims to maintain pretransaction market conditions and will discipline any tendency to exercise monopolistic power with corresponding penalties,” said PCC chairman Arsenio Balisacan. Grab Philippines said in a statement its passengers would get a refund from the ridehailing company no later than February 2020 because of the violations on its pricing commitments. PCC said that for the fourth leg of the initial undertaking, it imposed a fine P14.15 million for Grab’s extraordinary deviation on its pricing commitment and P2 million for exceeding driver cancellations at 7.76 percent instead of the committed 5 percent.

“Yes, the board approved it already so PNOC EC is exercising its right. Question is how much 10 percent of whatever value. How much did Udenna acquire [Chevron’s stake]? If I remember it right, it’s around $560 million. Whatever that amount is, PNOC EC has the right to match that 10 percent,” the energy chief said. UC Malampaya Philippines Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Udenna, signed an agreement on Oct. 25 to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Chevron Malampaya which has a 45-percent stake in the Malampaya project. “At Udenna, we believe in the benefit of promoting natural gas as an essential fuel to support the country’s growing energy needs and economic growth. The acquisition of Chevron’s interest in the Malampaya gas field marks an important milestone for Udenna, fitting strategically with our long-term ambitions of developing a sustainable clean energy business in the Philippines,” Uy, Udenna chief executive officer and chairman, said earlier.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

World Bank grants $400-m loan to improve PH resilience By Julito G. Rada

THE World Bank Group’s board of executive directors approved a $400-million development policy loan to be used to manage public assets and fiscal risks in face of natural disasters and climate change. DPLs provide quick-disbursing assistance to countries undertaking reforms. DPLs typically support policy and institutional changes needed to create an environment conducive to sustained and equitable growth as defined by borrower countries’ own development agenda. The bank said in a statement Wednesday its board also endorsed a new country partnership framework for the Philippines for 2019-2023 to prioritize investments in human capital (health, education, nutrition), competitiveness and job creation, peace-building, climate and disaster resilience, governance and digital transformation. “With the new Country Partnership Framework, the World Bank Group renews its commitment to support the Philippines by mobilizing financing, global knowledge and technical expertise to support reforms and programs that help speed up poverty reduction and promote greater inclusion,” World Bank vice president for East Asia and the Pacific Victoria Kwakwa said. The Philippines nearly doubled GDP per capita over the past two decades, from $1,607 in 2000 to $3,022 in 2018. It is poised to cross the threshold from lower-income country status to upper-middle-income country in the next few years. The bank said the country was making good progress in reducing poverty, owing in large part to the expansion of jobs outside farming and fishing, expansion of social protection and remittances from local and overseas workers.

Manila

Standard

TODAY

LANDBANK launches lending program for former rebels LANDBANK recently launched its lending program for Former Rebels in support of the National Government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). The new lending program of LANDBANK aims to improve the livelihood of former rebels and their families by financing their small businesses and agrienterprises. The launch, held in Catarman, Northern Samar, was led by Northern Samar Governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan, Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, and LANDBANK Visayas Lending Group representative Vice President Eulalio Lagapa, Jr., and was attended by former rebels who abandoned the armed struggle and decided to return to their respective communities. “As part of the National Government’s ‘Whole-of-Nation’ approach, which calls for the convergence of government agencies for social services, and our thrust towards financial inclusivity, LANDBANK supports the eradication of armed conflict by providing a mechanism for Former Rebels to enhance their financial capabilities as they return to the fold of the law,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. A ceremonial granting of LANDBANK ATM cards to former rebels was conducted to mark the launching of the Program in the province. “We would all benefit from the dividends of peace and development. For that same reason, we should all work together and converge our efforts towards ending the local communist armed conflict,” said DND Undersecretary Mapagu who oversees the implementation of E-CLIP. In 2018, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between LANDBANK and Task Force Balik Loob (TFBL) was executed to ensure the effective implementation of the Program. It states that TFBL will provide the Bank with a list of eligible former rebels for the Program. Rebel returnees may borrow from Php25,000 up to Php100,000 to finance their livelihood projects such as furniture making, bakery, welding, etc., and agri-enterprises such as crop production, piggery, poultry, and goat and cattle raising among others. The loan will be complemented with capacity building and skills training endorsed under the Program. The E-CLIP is the flagship program of the Duterte administration for social healing and national unity to achieve just and lasting peace in conflict affected areas. Unlike previous rebel reintegration programs, the E-CLIP provides a wider array of benefits based on the particular needs of former rebels and their families such as financial assistance, housing, education, skills training, healthcare, and legal assistance, among others, through a convergence of various national and local government agencies.

Business

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks flat; water issues bounce back

HE stock market closed nearly flat Wednesday, lifted by a rally in water-related issues that posted sharp losses in recent days. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 3.22 points, or 0.04 percent, to 7,733.67 on a value turnover of P7.8 billion. Gainers edged losers, 93 to 91, with 59 issues unchanged. Manila Water Co. Inc. surged 14.2 percent to P6.85, while DMCI Holdings Inc. climbed 9.6 percent to P5.93. Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, advanced 9.4 percent to P3.49, while Globe Telecom Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, rose 3.1 percent to P2,042.

The rest of Asian markets stuttered Wednesday as investors took their foot off the pedal after the recent trade dealfueled rally, while sterling extended losses after Prime Minister Boris Johnson fanned fresh fears of a no-deal Brexit. The region was given yet another strong lead from Wall Street, where all three main indexes clocked up more records following healthy US housing and industrial output data. The mood across trading floors remains upbeat following last week’s long-awaited agreement that will see US tariffs lowered, and observers said that while details of the pact remain thin, the year looks set to end on a positive note. The US data was encouraging as it was “very unclear that the improvement in trade sentiment—hence a better global outlook—is going to translate into real positive economic momentum immediately”, said Stephen Innes at

AxiTrader. “But it’s probably safe to say things shouldn’t get worse after the tariff rollback. And with the global data apparently bottoming, investors are playing from a much stronger hand than initially imagined.” Tokyo ended down 0.6 percent, Hong Kong fell 0.1 percent, Shanghai finished off 0.2 percent and Seoul was also down. Sydney, however, edged up 0.1 percent, Singapore and Mumbai gained 0.3 percent and Taipei added 0.2 percent. There were also gains in Bangkok, Jakarta and Wellington. “The price action suggests that the interim trade-deal induced rally may be taking a well-earned rest for now, after the impressive climb in stocks of the last few days,” said OANDA’s Jeffrey Halley. Johnson’s decision to outlaw an extension to the Brexit transition past 2020

continues to drag on the pound, with the unit now down around three percent from the recent peak it hit Friday after his landslide election victory. Sterling soared to multi-month highs in the wake of the win, fanned by relief at the end of years of political uncertainty in Westminster that meant the prime minister could push his Brexit agreement through parliament. But Johnson’s decision will give him just 11 months to hammer out a fullblown trade pact with the European Union, which most commentators say is not enough. Rodrigo Catril at National Australia Bank said the premier was in “a stronger negotiating position” but warned next year could be “a volatile one for the pound.” “A hard Brexit cannot be ruled out, but the probability of a positive Brexit resolution has also increased,” he said. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review wedneSday, deceMBer 18, 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 FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MANULIFE METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

54 84 1.82 160 0.84 24.8 12.8 3.84 0.6 1.16 835 64.55 0.78 12.7 20.5 34.65 173 58 22.1 197 1,845 57.8

54 84 1.82 160 0.9 24.95 12.96 4.06 0.6 1.16 849 64.85 0.78 12.7 20.5 34.9 175 58.4 23 197 1,850 57.85

54 81.3 1.81 157 0.84 24.8 12.7 3.84 0.6 1.15 835 62.5 0.77 12.7 20.5 34.6 172.7 57 22.05 189.2 1,800 57

FINANCIALS 54 990 83.1 4,372,460 1.81 25,000 158 2,913,690 0.9 202,000 24.95 48,000 12.96 336,500 4.06 9,000 0.6 1,000 1.15 39,000 849 460 64.85 3,023,860 0.77 104,000 12.7 11,100 20.5 6,000 34.8 282,200 175 5,550 58.4 22,330 22.5 74,600 193 657,740 1,806 440 57 23,280

53,460 361,622,338.50 45,290 460,876,272 181,680 1,194,540 4,296,668 34,930 600 45,120 386,660 192,334,371 80,440 140,970 123,000 9,810,420 965,004 1,273,350 1,660,210 126,388,222 808,080 1,344,413.50

-2,160 -145,409,723 -44,905,612 1,383,556 -600 159,770 -89,712,006.50 -677,710 1,750 -436,500 -31,386,817 184,500 -1,026,554.50

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 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY 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 VIVANT VULCAN INDL

33.5 2.14 13.3 0.53 1.24 2.66 0.236 2 15.38 168 4.17 17.54 28.1 65 67 2.08 5.2 9.31 14.44 10 7.21 24.5 66.1 1.09 40.5 1.99 13.64 7.7 1.35 225 6.6 6.6 11.8 17.28 308 0.155 5.6 1.91 3.8 4.15 9.76 11.46 33.6 5 4.93 2.17 1.8 0.86 10.24 87 7.5 0.115 1.07 144.9 1.12 15.5 0.89

33.65 2.23 13.4 0.54 1.24 2.66 0.24 2.03 15.4 168 4.17 18 28.1 65 73.7 2.13 5.2 9.44 14.44 10.08 7.21 24.5 70.9 1.09 40.8 1.99 13.9 7.73 1.35 225 6.66 7.08 12.38 17.28 320 0.155 5.6 1.92 3.96 4.19 9.93 11.48 33.6 5 5.22 2.22 1.8 0.86 10.48 87 7.7 0.115 1.07 146 1.14 15.5 0.9

33 2.14 12.88 0.53 1.24 2.56 0.236 1.92 15.36 162.5 3.89 17.22 28.05 64.7 67 2.08 4.83 9.2 14.1 9.46 7.18 23.6 66 1.05 40.05 1.93 13.5 7.63 1.34 223.2 6.56 6.3 11.7 16.7 306 0.153 5.49 1.91 3.8 3.88 9.76 11.46 33.2 5 4.9 2.13 1.8 0.86 10.02 85.15 7.5 0.115 0.99 144.3 1.11 15.5 0.87

INDUSTRIAL 33 2,854,300 2.2 1,245,000 13.38 325,400 0.54 185,000 1.24 10,000 2.56 2,064,000 0.239 1,010,000 1.97 2,801,000 15.36 157,500 162.5 320 3.94 328,000 17.22 42,400 28.05 143,800 64.7 280 73.55 2,160 2.13 2,124,000 5.2 15,600 9.44 2,832,600 14.3 389,800 9.6 796,400 7.18 75,200 23.65 1,084,100 67 33,700 1.06 10,400,000 40.05 53,400 1.94 5,879,000 13.88 139,500 7.68 1,414,900 1.34 21,000 225 935,250 6.56 2,900 6.85 111,660,800 12 1,866,400 16.8 564,100 320 117,830 0.153 930,000 5.49 500 1.91 6,876,000 3.96 9,000 3.88 3,533,000 9.9 4,600 11.48 9,100 33.4 131,700 5 4,739,000 5.22 15,400 2.15 3,948,000 1.8 3,000 0.86 30,000 10.18 201,100 86.7 69,460 7.54 52,400 0.115 220,000 1 171,000 145 1,225,940 1.11 1,006,000 15.5 5,000 0.88 1,186,000

94,363,045 2,733,880 4,346,022 98,230 12,400 5,350,670 239,870 5,471,870 2,421,850 53,650 1,284,310 743,954 4,040,635 18,138 157,954 4,443,700 76,412 26,485,159 5,576,984 7,679,265 541,082 25,714,180 2,253,799 11,057,100 2,139,480 11,475,150 1,894,010 10,866,791 28,290 209,917,144 19,206 760,075,939 22,470,748 9,480,282 37,294,936 142,550 2,759 13,137,020 34,520 14,036,540 45,132 104,390 4,383,135 23,695,000 77,105 8,562,560 5,400 25,800 2,063,444 6,004,374 394,418 25,300 170,730 177,853,243 1,127,450 77,500 1,054,260

-51,752,620 220,250 4,087,758 -1,355,810 -28,440 385,280 1,903,786 30,920 147,100 9,415,753 -4,083,132 -5,596,010 385,229 604,915 -1,605,524.50 168,060 1,978,420.00 -158,770 -522,602 8,612,830 -20,250 600,420 -213,308,289 -1,957,702 -7,138,590 3,636,684 -4,468,210 1,119,330 4,965 -743,895 -9,840,000 -1,044 -1,663,634 -2,207,221 107,250 -33,889,981 77,700 -77,500 -

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 KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.75 51.5 11.32 0.71 6.36 11.48 0.9 0.93 762 3.06 6.64 5.6 13.2 830 5.44 79.7 5.41 5.21 0.485 3.75 11.88 3.29 4.12 1.19 2.98 155 1,050 0.74 1.22 175 204 0.211 0.192

0.81 51.5 11.6 0.72 6.75 11.48 0.93 0.93 762 3.06 6.8 5.93 13.3 840 5.44 80 5.7 5.21 0.5 3.78 11.88 3.49 4.47 1.28 2.98 160 1,069 0.8 1.22 183 213.8 0.211 0.199

0.73 49.8 11.24 0.68 6.31 10.6 0.9 0.93 752.5 2.96 6.55 5.41 13.2 824 5.4 78.2 5.41 5.18 0.485 3.74 11.46 3.15 4.11 1.18 2.9 151.8 1,043 0.74 1.22 151 201.2 0.2 0.19

HOLDING FIRMS 0.8 25,943,000 51 593,180 11.36 24,237,700 0.7 160,000 6.75 7,500 10.6 8,100 0.93 509,000 0.93 5,000 758 461,850 3.05 901,000 6.7 1,791,600 5.93 21,017,800 13.3 214,200 824 108,630 5.4 2,306,400 78.2 1,319,460 5.7 120,100 5.18 5,300 0.5 5,000 3.74 135,000 11.5 2,851,600 3.49 71,994,000 4.11 26,000 1.25 404,000 2.9 161,000 160 186,840 1,055 285,955 0.8 34,000 1.22 48,000 168 2,920 210 690 0.2 4,100,000 0.199 610,000

20,495,490 30,076,862 277,825,592 111,480 48,023 88,802 463,080 4,650 350,030,825 2,729,030 12,005,205 119,913,217 2,842,810 90,128,835 12,546,215 103,893,304 663,130 27,607 2,475 507,640 32,801,358 240,248,880 108,860 477,920 467,380 29,261,778 301,750,595 26,960 58,560 486,330 141,978 826,560 116,330

2,940 -6,762,451 -29,175,124 -46,587,585 -309,300 -3,375,372 -21,628,358 -50,825,685 -963,868 -31,054,942 -335,140 19,396,670 12,713,610 10,520 -7,456,727 65,365,515 -8,000 3,660 -50,022 79,800

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

14.76 0.71 1.42 0.82 46.5 1.98 4.66 6.45 0.55 0.75 0.86 0.41 9.98 19.36 0.425 1.5 1.15 4.04 0.196 0.44 1.25 0.32 2.04 26.95

14.8 0.73 1.42 0.82 46.5 1.99 4.75 6.73 0.56 0.75 0.87 0.41 10 19.38 0.425 1.51 1.21 4.09 0.198 0.44 1.29 0.325 2.04 27

14.7 0.69 1.36 0.78 45.6 1.97 4.66 6.45 0.54 0.75 0.86 0.39 9.55 19.04 0.425 1.46 1.15 4.01 0.192 0.4 1.24 0.31 2.01 26.1

PROPERTY 14.78 682,200 0.69 1,106,000 1.36 14,000 0.8 1,232,000 45.75 10,987,000 1.99 391,000 4.75 895,000 6.7 62,200 0.56 18,634,000 0.75 36,000 0.87 84,000 0.39 140,000 9.9 311,600 19.16 123,900 0.425 30,000 1.51 9,852,000 1.21 276,000 4.07 30,810,000 0.197 8,520,000 0.44 430,000 1.29 506,000 0.325 80,000 2.01 579,000 27 1,826,900

10,067,604 769,270 19,220 968,970 502,633,300 772,690 4,197,360 407,547 10,310,130 27,000 72,260 54,800 3,069,196 2,387,096 12,750 14,619,400 320,080 125,303,160 1,652,180 173,300 637,430 25,050 1,164,160 49,099,940

-113,610 -39,589,835 -205,400 345,290 380,174 22,500 70,520 -23,400 358,290 1,397,760 -4,290,230 1,930 -160,100 -5,040,250

NAME

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

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

2.15 3.19 40.6 2.34 1.09 7.4 5.35

2.15 3.2 40.7 2.5 1.12 7.4 5.5

2.1 3.1 40.1 2.34 1.07 7.15 5.3

2.12 3.1 40.65 2.49 1.09 7.3 5.49

100,000 93,000 8,795,700 693,000 2,638,000 1,433,400 48,800

211,320 294,460 356,204,285 1,694,940 2,881,770 10,501,592 261,799

-105,700 -154,100 -37,799,240 -6,120,896 -

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

9.5 15.4 1.45 11.42 0.385 0.042 18 4.05 10.7 93 4.8 5.2 8.2 1,980 5.25 436.4 10.54 1.09 134.9 8.99 6.2 0.097 3.04 13.5 2.56 17.1 0.385 3.36 2.18 2.49 2.48 7.5 4.41 7.68 2.55 997.5 0.59 0.34 40.45 72.8 8.84 2.61 0.64 0.275 0.6 18.4

9.78 15.8 1.45 11.48 0.405 0.042 18 4.1 11.12 93 5 5.5 8.2 2,042 5.25 436.4 10.54 1.14 134.9 9.5 6.2 0.097 3.05 13.5 2.56 17.3 0.385 3.36 2.18 2.55 2.48 7.5 4.41 7.68 2.57 1,000 0.59 0.35 40.45 73 8.84 2.65 0.64 0.28 0.6 18.5

9.5 14.8 1.38 11.4 0.38 0.042 18 3.85 10.62 92 4.75 5.2 8 1,945 5.21 436.4 10.54 1.08 130.1 8.99 6.2 0.097 2.9 13.5 2.52 16.8 0.385 3.36 2.13 2.38 2.45 7.4 4.41 7.68 2.5 990 0.57 0.33 39.5 71 8.75 2.58 0.61 0.265 0.59 18.22

SERVICES 9.78 15.5 1.38 11.48 0.405 0.042 18 4.1 11.12 92.65 4.99 5.5 8.1 2,042 5.24 436.4 10.54 1.09 133 9.5 6.2 0.097 3.05 13.5 2.55 16.9 0.385 3.36 2.14 2.4 2.45 7.4 4.41 7.68 2.5 1,000 0.58 0.335 40.35 72 8.81 2.64 0.62 0.265 0.59 18.4

3,100 133,100 361,000 1,864,300 640,000 4,100,000 60,200 2,820,000 2,691,900 124,930 305,000 125,000 3,600 80,120 66,600 100 14,900 735,000 2,513,860 10,000 1,300 510,000 2,289,000 39,900 154,000 2,632,100 70,000 9,000 262,000 1,547,000 93,000 8,600 2,500 400 964,000 143,740 1,117,000 6,630,000 129,900 520,660 33,000 1,024,000 1,266,000 2,460,000 1,462,000 5,370,000

29,808 2,019,040 507,320 21,357,964 253,100 172,200 1,083,600 11,251,060 28,940,244 11,579,463 1,499,630 683,900 29,000 161,300,970 349,210 43,640 157,046 805,020 331,502,758 90,099 8,060 49,470 6,847,390 538,650 390,910 44,957,312 26,950 30,240 563,080 3,755,400 229,280 63,750 11,025 3,072 2,422,210 143,490,200 640,790 2,236,250 5,231,350 37,409,076 290,430 2,682,030 777,040 669,400 871,770 98,755,930

-3,406,008 -39,350 1,074,600 -644,460 -1,540,274 8,045,323 -14,940 64,415,355 -62,843,724 3,100 64,690 -112,980.00 -25,152,564 143,910 111,370 -135,310 -32,900 -34,396,185 -161,480.00 47,500 -198,780 -9,746,242.50 1,357,840 -102,180 71,550 -20,705,984

ABRA MINING ACE ENEXOR APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING

0.0014 6.51 0.95 2.41 10.96 1.09 2.66 0.275 6.91 1.59 0.2 0.094 0.098 0.008 0.0085 0.85 2.9 0.98 0.011 0.012 0.011 2.85 8.41 21

0.0015 6.9 0.95 2.41 10.96 1.09 2.69 0.275 7.21 1.63 0.206 0.094 0.101 0.008 0.0085 0.85 2.96 1 0.011 0.012 0.011 2.85 8.75 21.4

0.0014 6.45 0.89 2.41 10.96 1.09 2.66 0.27 6.88 1.56 0.2 0.092 0.098 0.0077 0.0075 0.8 2.88 0.94 0.011 0.012 0.01 2.66 8.3 20.65

MINING & OIL 0.0015 67,000,000 6.85 173,500 0.9 4,292,000 2.41 60,000 10.96 100 1.09 3,000 2.66 1,039,000 0.27 200,000 6.88 124,200 1.61 2,029,000 0.205 330,000 0.092 810,000 0.101 840,000 0.0077 93,000,000 0.0075 17,000,000 0.81 566,000 2.94 2,171,000 1 71,000 0.011 35,600,000 0.012 650,100,000 0.011 62,900,000 2.67 1,544,000 8.4 626,000 21.2 1,603,800

98,000 1,147,544 3,912,690 144,600 1,096 3,270 2,783,490 54,100 854,553 3,218,110 66,110 75,350 82,350 741,600 133,400 457,380 6,360,580 67,790 391,600 7,801,200 689,000 4,251,690 5,260,263 33,751,340

30,029 -451,340 197,350 20,580 8,100 3,399,940 -1,405,860 117,881 -2,670,805

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2R DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H

15 501 505 100.3 112.8 5.19 1,000 99.55 1 100 1,025 1,060 100.6 106.5 1,029 997 77.5 75.1 74.3 76.9 74.5

15 501 505 100.3 112.8 5.2 1,000 99.8 1.03 100 1,030 1,060 102.3 106.5 1,030 997 78 75.1 74.3 76.9 75

13.52 501 505 100.3 112.8 5.15 1,000 99.55 1 100 1,025 1,060 100.6 106.5 1,029 997 77.5 75.1 74 76.9 74

PREFERRED 15 281,900 501 1,200 505 2,600 100.3 10,000 112.8 50 5.2 47,000 1,000 1,000 99.8 4,120 1 231,000 100 1,750 1,030 8,155 1,060 1,950 102.3 110 106.5 10 1,030 260 997 90 78 5,110 75.1 1,700 74 24,900 76.9 5,000 75 28,010

4,219,072 601,200 1,313,000 1,003,000 5,640 244,379 1,000,000 410,925.50 231,030 175,000 8,389,450 2,067,000 11,083 1,065 267,795 89,730 396,350 127,670 1,845,225 384,500 2,076,685

2,514,434 -32,765 410,925.50 3,090,000 262,650 -

LR WARRANT

1.2

WARRANTS 1.2 41,000

49,200

MS ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

3.7 9.6 2.45 0.79

3.8 9.8 2.5 0.79

3.63 9.33 2.44 0.76

FIRST METRO ETF

116.1

115.4

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.02 10.28 0.96

Trading Summary

10.28 10.28 0.96

FINANCIAL

16,000,654

INDUSTRIAL

199,313,354

HOLDING FIRMS

165,222,544

PROPERTY

115,051,727

SERVICES

46,035,298

MINING & OIL

942,842,423

GRAND TOTAL

1,488,000,561

10.02 10 0.96

3.77 9.4 2.48 0.76

SME

375,000 293,800 51,000 2,797,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 115.9 4,380 DDS 10.28 10.28 0.96

8,870 13,380 100

1,384,650 2,783,960 125,690 2,149,260

26,060 7,572 3,800

507,309

48,630

89,233.60 135,554.40 96

VALUE 1,830.39 (down) 19.74 1,507,064,764.97 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 9,608.39 (up) 25.05 1,679,822,453.86 HOLDING FIRMS 7,499.68 (up) 28.89 2,189,852,562.94 PROPERTY 4,098.89 (up) 9.61 SERVICES 1,534.43 (up) 6.34 1,413,927,991.77 MINING & OIL 7,511.02 (down) 16.94 931,452,514.205 PSEI 7,733.67 (up) 3.22 72,363,420.775 All Shares Index 4,587.99 (up) 4.93 7,801,479,341.43 Gainers: 93; Losers: 91; Unchanged: 59; Total: 243

Shareholders of Medical City appeal P50-m fine from SEC By Jenniffer B. Austria MAJORITY shareholders of Professional Services Inc. appealed the penalty imposed by the special hearing panel of the Securities and Exchange Commission against them for violation of several securities law when they took over the operating company company of The Medical City An informed source from the SEC said Viva Healthcare Ltd. and Viva Holdings (Philippines) Pre. Ltd. a filed motion for reconsideration with the corporate regulator after they were fined P50.25 million for violating the Securities Regulation Code (SRC). The SEC source said respondents had the option to file a motion for reconsideration with the special hearing panel or appeal their case to the SEC en banc. The SEC formed an SHP after several shareholders, including PSI chief executive officer Alfredo Bengzon, questioned the acquisition of the company’s majority shares by corporations related to his nephew, Jose Xavier Gonzales. While the penalty might be just a small amount, the SEC source said the Bengzon’s group could use the SHP’s decision to strengthen the other legal cases filed against Gonzales. The special hearing panel said respondents acquired majority of PSI shares through omission of material facts, which misled the board of directors and other shareholders to approve increases in the company’s capital stock and allow them to increase their shareholdings. The respondents aimed to acquire 35 percent or more of the equity shares in PSI as early as 2013, but the SHP said the plan to acquire majority of the shares in PSI was not communicated or could not be inferred during the board meetings, where increases in the company’s capital stock were discussed and approved. The SHP found Viva Healthcare, Viva Holdings, FAI and Fountel to have “adroitly circumvented” the prevailing rules at the time to avoid the requirements of a mandatory tender offer. The SHP said the respondents conveniently structured their acquisition to ensure that the mandatory tender offer would not apply. However, the SHP stressed SRC Rule 19.3.B that requires any person or group of persons acting in concert, who intend to acquire 35 percent or more of a public company’s equity shares, to disclose such intention.

Tan’s grandson named director of 5 companies By Darwin G. Amojelar THE son of the late Lucio Tan Jr. has been appointed director of the five companies owned by tycoon Lucio Tan. PAL Holdings Inc., the parent firm of Philippine Airlines, informed the local bourse that its board of directors elected Lucio Tan III as director of the company, filling the position vacated by the passing of his father and namesake. The younger Tan was also elected director of LT Group Inc., MacroAsia Corp., Tanduay Distillers Inc., PAL Holdings Inc., Philippine Airlines Inc. and Air Philippines Corp. in 2019. He was also appointed president and chief operating officer of Tanduay Distilers Inc. Tan earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 2015 and Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Stanford University in 2017. John Tan was also elected as director of PHI replacing Michael Tan. John Tan was a director of Tanduay Distillers Inc. from 2015 to 2018. He also served as vice president for operations of Philippine Airlines Inc. from 2009 to 2012 and vice president for property management of Landcom Realty Corp. from 1997 to 2008. John Tan earned his Bachelor’s Degree from De La Salle University in 1993. Early this month, Lucio Tan’s wife Carmen Tan was appointed vice chairman of PHI after the passing of her son Bong Tan. The Lucio Tan Group has interests in airline, liquor, banking, tobacco, real estate, education and healthcare.

Business/World

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Report says increasing tourist arrivals harming New Zealand

WAITING FOR XI. Children wave the flags of China and Macau as they pose for photos on the tarmac prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival at the Macau international airport in Macau on December 18, 2019, ahead of celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the handover from Portugal to China. Xi landed in Macau on December 18 as the city prepared to mark 20 years since the former Portuguese colony was returned, a celebration that stands in stark contrast to months of unrest in neighbouring Hong Kong. AFP

Water squabble may impact on PH rating THE water controversy hogging today’s headlines may take a turn for the worse. The two private water concessionaires, as one utility executive warned, could face bankruptcy if the government pushed its plan to cancel the extension of their concession agreements. Lenders of Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. will call on the immediate payments of their loans and trigger a cross default among other creditors of the two companies. Their bankruptcy, of course, will disrupt water services in Metro Manila and nearby municipalities and bring the metropolis back to its dark ages in the 1990s. The turn of events will soon make an impact on the credit rating of the Philippines. A market analyst agreed that with the sanctity of contracts between the government and the private sector in question, credit rating agencies may pause on the Philippines and initially downgrade their outlook before deciding to lower the country’s debt grade. S&P Global Ratings in May this year raised the Philippines’ sovereign credit rating a notch to BBB+ from BBB, citing the country’s stable outlook, aboveaverage economic growth, healthy external position and sustainable public finances. The upgrade put the Philippines at par with Mexico, Peru, Thailand, and Trinidad and Tobago, and higher by a notch than Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Panama and Uruguay. But the Philippines is poor at attracting foreign investments compared with its peers in Asia. High power rates, lack of infrastructure and regulatory risks are among the investment drawbacks in the country. Water concession agreements in the Philippines, it seems, are also not safe every time a new administration assumes office. Maynilad Water vice chairman Isidro Consunji recently voiced out his fears on the possible cancellation of the extension of the water concession agreements set to expire in 2022. He expressed grave concern over the possible impact of the government’s plan against Maynilad, which holds the concession for the west zone, and Manila Water, which manages the east zone. MWSS earlier said it revoked the resolution extending by 15 years the 25year concession agreements of Manila Water and Maynilad that were originally signed in 1997 during the term of former President Fidel Ramos. “I am concerned... about the whole thing, if they cancel the extension, the two companies will be bankrupt. Under our loan covenants, any material change in the contract, all loans become due and demandable. That’s standard for all Manila contracts,” says Consunji. Standard Maynilad has a debt exposure of around P42 billion while Manila Water likely TODAY has the same level of debt. “Any material change in contract or a loan becomes due and demandable, so technically if they do that, the banks can call in their loans. Both companies for sure will close,” Consunji said. He said Maynilad had suspended the implementation of its capital expenditure projects worth P30 billion pending the resolution of the extension issue. “All our capex are suspended... you will sign contract, you will ask for a loan but what if you cannot get a loan?” Consunji asked. “It appears that if the contract is shortened, the capex to provide for supply, waste water treatment will be suspended because it cannot be paid by 2022. You’re ensuring a water shortage in the future if this capex program is suspended because this is for additional water supply and additional wastewater treatment,” Consunji added. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said the government’s concession agreements with the two water companies contained “onerous” provisions that were disadvantageous to the public. Footloose Labor chief Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III certainly has a lot of explaining to do about his frequent travels abroad. For starters, he has to justify his numerous trips—at least 40 as of last count— and account for the estimated P40 million he spent. That’s P1 million per trip, and the hapless Filipino taxpayers are paying for it. The Labor chief is trying to cover his tracks, saying he has to be up close and personal with the millions of overseas Filipino workers. He might be right, but an efficient manager does not do the dirty job to show all and sundry that he is a good leader. It looks like he doesn’t trust his lieutenants, specifically the labor attaches. Meanwhile, the prevailing labor situation at the home front is not exactly sunny and bright, and it definitely needs his physical presence to put things in ship shape condition. A case in point is the influx of undocumented Chinese POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) who are giving the concerned authorities, notably the Bureau of Immigration, a king-size headache. Records show that there are at least 138,000 POGO workers in the Philippines to date. Gambling is illegal in China and Beijing has accused the Philippines of luring its workers to the POGO facilities here where they are forced to work “live slaves” in sub-par conditions. So what is the Labor secretary doing about this? E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com or business@ manilastandard.net

WELLINGTON―Ever-increasing numbers of tourists are harming New Zealand’s environment and destroying the very qualities that make the country an attractive destination, a parliamentary report warned Wednesday. The South Pacific nation has long marketed itself as “100 percent Pure” and “clean and green”, but has seen a huge growth in visitors in recent years, from millenials snapping selfies at “Lord of the Rings” filming locations, to climbers, hikers and wildlife enthusiasts. The report from parliamentary commissioner for the environment Simon Upton comes as New Zealand’s adventure tourism industry is already under intense scrutiny over last week’s White Island volcanic eruption, which killed 16 international travellers and two tour guides. Upton said New Zealand―with a population of 4.9 million―attracted almost four million international visitors

annually and the number could treble by 2050. He said infrastructure was already strained, the environment was under pressure and many of the qualities associated with New Zealand were disappearing. “The sheer numbers of people are eroding the sense of isolation, tranquility and access to nature that many overseas tourists seek when visiting New Zealand,” he said. “We need to ask: ‘Are we in danger of killing the goose that laid the golden egg’?” Upton said New Zealanders were also part of the problem, pointing out that Kiwis on domestic holidays outnumbered overseas tourists at major holiday spots. He said New Zealanders had become accustomed to the sight of renowned attractions such as the Tongariro Crossing being “besieged with visitors” and the problem would only intensify. AFP

House impeachment vote set even as Trump slams it

ASHINGTON― President Donald Trump faces becoming only the third US leader ever to be impeached on Wednesday when the House of Representatives is set for a historic vote that would trigger his trial in the Senate.

On the eve of the vote, Trump said he was being subjected to an “attempted coup” and a witch trial. In an extraordinarily angry six-page letter, the president told Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the Democratic-led House of Representatives, that “history will judge you harshly.” The letter came just minutes before Pelosi announced that the House would vote Wednesday. “The House of Representatives will exercise one of the most solemn powers

granted to us by the Constitution as we vote to approve two articles of impeachment against the president of the United States,” Pelosi said in a letter to Democratic colleagues on Tuesday. “During this very prayerful moment in our nation’s history, we must honor our oath to support and defend our constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic,” she added. Trump is accused of attempting to force Ukraine into investigating a main 2020 reelection rival, Joe Biden. He is also accused of obstructing Congress by refusing to cooperate with the impeachment investigation, barring staff from testifying and holding back documentary evidence. The two articles of impeachment are certain to pass in the House, where Democrats hold a firm majority. That will send the case to the Senate, where a trial of Trump is expected to open in January, and his acquittal is equally expected, given the Republicans’ control there. Even with that likely outcome, Trump

poured out his frustration and fury in the letter to Pelosi, defending his record and attacking Democrats. The letter accused the veteran Democratic politician of “breaking your allegiance to the Constitution” and “declaring open war on American Democracy.” It repeated his claim that the entire case against him is a “hoax” and a “colossal injustice,” and said Democrats were being driven in impeachment “by your most deranged and radical representatives of the far left.” Pelosi dismissed the letter as “really sick.” Wednesday’s debate will last six hours, with a vote expected in late afternoon or evening. While the debate occurs, Trump will fly to Battle Creek, a city in the swing state of Michigan to host a rally on Wednesday evening. With the exception of just two, the 235 Democrat members in Congress appeared poised to stand united in voting through the formal impeachment charges. AFP

Millions of Russians trapped by weight of consumer loans MOSCOW―Saint Petersburg entrepreneur Yulia Galich says “I don’t know how this works and how they achieve this, she does not know what she would do without consumer it’s impossible to understand.” loans. She said she prefers to rely on credit cards rather than She took out an 80,000-ruble ($1,300) loan when she want- borrowing cash, but such loans tend to be more expened to go to Israel on holiday with her husband and 10-year-old sive, with annual interest rates sometimes reaching 49 son in August. percent. The 48-year-old, who founded a make-up studio and sells Fifty one percent of Russians have an outstanding debt, up professional beauty products, has for years relied on loans to from 26 percent a decade ago, according to a study by state also support her business. pollster VTsIOM released in August. AFP BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW “It’s addictive. Once you start taking out loans you cannot stop,” Galich told AFP. She is one of millions of Russians who rely on personal loans and credit cards, contributing to a relentless credit boom. Russians, whose real disposable incomes have been REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES falling since 2014, are borrowing more and more to supTARIFF COMMISSION port their businesses and lifestyle or even make ends SUMMARY REPORT OF THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION BY THE TARIFF COMMISSION ON THE IMPOSITION OF SAFEGUARD MEASURE AGAINST meet. IMPORTATIONS OF CERAMIC FLOOR AND WALL TILES FROM VARIOUS But loans in the country come with notoriously high COUNTRIES (Harmonized System 2017 Heading 6907) PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT (RA) NO. 8800 interest rates, and many economists warn of the risks of the growing consumer debt. in accordance with Section 14 of RA No. 8800 (Safeguard Measures Act), the Commission (Commission) hereby causes the publication of the summary Galich complained that even though she tries to pay Tariff findings and conclusion, as well as the recommendation, on the above-cited the interest on her loans on time, she always ends up investigation which was concluded on 13 December 2019, the date of receipt by the Office of the Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Commission’s Final Report. The owing money to the bank. full text of the non-confidential version of said Final Report may be accessed at the Commission’s website: www.tariffcommission.gov.ph. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS In accordance with RA No. 8800, the Commission hereby concludes the following: 1.

All current Philippine ceramic tile manufacturers are participants to the formal investigation and compliance with the domestic industry requirement is fully met under Section 4(f) of RA 8800.

Locally produced ceramic floor and wall tiles are “like” products to imported ceramic tiles falling under HS 2017 Subheading Nos. 6907.22 and 6907.23.

There was no increase in imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles, both in absolute terms and relative to domestic production, during the POI. Total imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles only increased in 2014 and stabilized thereafter. Imports of glazed ceramic floor and wall tiles, which constitute 87% of the total ceramic tiles imported into the country, showed a declining trend starting 2015. Similarly, the increase in the share of ceramic tile imports relative to local production was only evident in 2014, which thereafter evened-out until the end of the POI.

Since it has been established that ceramic floor and wall tiles were not imported in increased quantities (whether absolute or relative to domestic production) during the period of investigation, the determination of serious injury, or threat thereof, causation, and unforeseen developments has become moot and academic.

RECOMMENDATION Considering that ceramic floor and wall tiles were not imported in increased quantities (whether absolute or relative to domestic production) during the period of investigation, the Commission hereby terminates its formal investigation and recommends that no definitive general safeguard measure be imposed on importations of ceramic floor and wall tiles falling under HS 2017 Subheading Nos. 6907.22 and 6907.23. Issued this 18th day of December 2019, Quezon City.

MARILOU P. MENDOZA Chairperson

PETITION. Star Wars fan Kristin Grady started a petition for Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia, to receive her posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame Star. AFP

ERNESTO L. ALBANO Commissioner (MS-DEC. 19, 2019)

MARISSA MARICOSA A. PADERON Commissioner

LGUs

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

SEARCA journal steps up, focuses on agri challenges By Brenda Jocson LOS BAÑOS, Laguna―The Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development launches a new look on its 15th year of publication. The new AJAD look is symbolic of the pivotal turn in the goal of its publisher, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, to contribute in addressing regional and global challenges of agricultural development, and elevating the quality of life of agricultural families through sustainable and resilient livelihoods and access to modern networks and markets. The new AJAD cover prominently features the emblem of its publisher―a molave tree with an interlace of grain stalks and panicles wreathed under its roots. These elements mirror the AJAD’s intent to anchor on its roots while widening its reach to promote greater awareness of the latest findings in research, new methodologies, and policy concerns in agriculture and rural development in Asia. “The evolving context of agriculture, rural development, and state of farmers, as aligned with the global goals, focus on the contribution of agriculture to hunger and malnutrition eradication, and to improving the standard of living of all in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner,” says Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA director. Dr. Gregorio underscores SEARCA’s commitment “to participate in the achievement of global priorities and contribute to developing awareness, changing mindsets, and initiating collective action in collaboration with its key partners.”

SNAP adopts two schools in Benguet TWO elementary schools in Benguet can look forward to improved facilities in 2020 as renewable energy company SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet (SNAP-Benguet) recently adopted them to be the beneficiaries of the Adopt-A-School Program. The school improvement project is covered by an agreement signed between SNAP-Benguet with the regional office of the Department of Education on Dec. 5 at the Ambuklao Hydroelectric Power Plant. President and CEO Joseph S. Yu represented the company while Benilda M. Daytaca, OIC-Schools Division Superintendent, represented DepEd. Although by no means new to undertakings that support and advance community education, this is SNAPBenguet’s first ASP engagement. Through the MOA, SNAP-Benguet will fund Nawal Elementary School’s roof rehabilitation project and Binga Elementary School’s tile-floor installation for nine classrooms. Nawal Elementary School is located at Brgy. Nawal in the municipality of Bokod while Binga Elementary School is located at Barangay Tinongdan in Itogon. Each project has a budget of P500,000. Site management led by SNAP-Benguet Plant Manager AVP Hollis Fernandez served as the signing event’s witness, and the affair was graced by SNAP-Benguet, DepEd, and school officials. Benilda M. Daytaca thanked SNAP and emphasized that the program will be of great help to the department and the beneficiaries.

STREET-DANCING CHAMPS. Senator Cynthia Villar (back row, 6th from right), also director of Villar SIPAG, along with Las Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar (same row) hands cash rewards to the winners of the street-dancing competition held at the newly-inaugurated Tent in Vista Global South. The winners and their prizes are: Grand Winner— CAA Elementary School, CAA Elementary-Annex and Gatchalian Elem. School, P50,000; 1st runner-up—Talon Elem. School, Moonwalk Elem. School, MES Golden Acres-Annex and MESMikesell Annex, P30,000; and 2nd runner-up, Manuyo Elem., Daniel Fajardo Elem., Ilaya and Las Piñas Elem.-Central, P20,000.

DILG: Makati is best in managing waste By Joel E. Zurbano

HE City of Makati was ranked first among compliant local government units in Metro Manila in clearing creeks and waterways, and in managing solid and liquid waste aimed at rehabilitating Manila Bay and its related water systems. The recognition came from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, which monitors LGUs regarding a Supreme Court ruling. The ruling mandates them to strictly monitor compliance of their constituents with environmental laws aimed to prevent sewage water and industrial and human wastes from polluting rivers, esteros and other waterways that form part of the tributary systems of the Manila Bay. Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay said

she was thankful that all the hard work of the city to clean up its waterways and fulfil its role in the restoration of Manila Bay to its former glory have paid off. “We have been working hard for over three years now to clean up our waterways and rid them of solid and liquid wastes to make a significant impact on ongoing efforts to restore Manila Bay to its former glory. We are heartened by the remarkable progress we have made,” she said.

The city chief executive noted that in 2017, Makati ranked 14th in the said assessment, and then jumped 10 spots to fourth place last year, which merited the 2018 “Most Improved LGU” Award from DILG National Capital Region. This year, Makati bested 16 other localities in the NCR, garnering a total score of 96.4 percent. “This kind of validation inspires the city government and personnel to continue working hard and putting our best foot forward to proactively implement environmental laws and policies in our city,” Binay said. Last January, the city government started its compliance with the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019-09 which requires the local government to have a weekly waterways cleanup within its jurisdiction.

ANTI-DRUG AWARD.

Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco (3rd from right) receives a plaque from Interior Secretary Eduardo Año (3rd from left) in a ceremony on Monday. Navotas received a perfect score from the Department of the Interior and Local Government for its exemplary performance in addressing the problem of illegal drugs in the 2018 National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Audit for Highly Urbanized Cities. Jun David

Visayas ‘sari-sari’ stores treated to ARC ‘Bingo’

SARI-SARI store owners in the Visayas area had a field day when the ARC Refreshments Corp. brought along a refreshingly exciting rewards program for its valued partner retailers as a way of thanking them for having a hand in bringing the deliciousness of the well-loved RC Cola to the masses. Dubbed ‘Bingo ng Bayan’, ARC’s entertaining rewards campaign opened itself to store owners and RC Cola consumers in barangays, communities, palengkes, and other high traffic areas in Cebu and Iloilo by way of a bingo-themed caravan. Sari-sari store owners were given vouchers in exchange for every purchase of a case of RC Mega 800mL, which they exchanged for bingo cards on the day of the culminating event. As an added incentive, consumers and RC Cola patrons were encouraged to also participate by buying 2 bottles of RC Mega 800mL from partner sari-sari stores in order to get one bingo card. The more colas everyone bought, the more chances they had of winning prizes! In Cebu, barangays in Talisay, Danao, and Cebu City, as well as the municipalities of Madridejos and Bantayan in the Bantayan Islands, had the privilege of taking part in ARC’s RC Cola Bingo ng Bayan campaign. In Iloilo, select barangays in the municipalities of San Miguel and Oton, and Iloilo City, were treated the same. Aside from the riveting rounds of bingo pattern games and a blackout bingo game, those present during the one-day fun day event were also treated to a very Pinoy videoke booth, other fun games, a photo booth, and a raffle draw segment.

Navotas formalizes agreements with 157 new athletic scholars By Jun David

NAVOTAS has gained a new set of scholars following the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the fourth batch of NavotaAs Athletic Scholarship Program. Mayor Toby Tiangco signed the MOA with parents and guardians of 157 stu-

dent-athletes who excelled in sports competitions. “Just a few days ago, we witnessed how Filipino athletes brought pride and joy to our country in the 30th South East Asian Games. We hope that in the years to come, we will see our own athletes represent Navotas and the Philippines in international sports events,”

Tiangco said. Under the MOA, athletic scholars are set to receive P16,500 for transportation and food allowance, and P1,500 for uniform and equipment per academic year. Their scholarship may be renewed annually provided they attend the trainings scheduled by the city government

and win at least third place or its equivalent in any regional or national sports competitions. The athletic scholarship, established in 2016, is open to students who championed in table tennis, taekwondo, swimming, athletics, badminton, arnis, and chess at the Navotas schools division meet.

LPG plant leads MisOr MARCH Challenge

Volunteers of Isla LPG Villanueva Plant show off their group banner after participating in the Rescue MARCH Challenge.

ISLA LPG Villanueva Plant recently participated in the Rescue MARCH Challenge (Mass Assembly for Rescue and Care for Humanity) spearheaded by STEAG State Power Inc., an independent power producer operating in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. The Challenge is an activity that aims to simulate an anticipated big earthquake and how rescuers would respond to such emergency. Presuming that roads and transportation would be unavailable, rescuers would have to withstand going on foot across the city to search for survivors. They must also be able to properly run lifesaving emergency procedures. The program was also organized to show appreciation to the various rescue and emergency first responders around the municipalities of Tagaloan and Villanueva, such as the Bureau of

Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Red Cross. The sole private company invited was Isla LPG Villanueva Plant, assisted by Shell Bitumen. In total distance, the responders traveled 6.3 kilometers on foot, in their respective rescue uniforms with PPEs (personal protective equipment). “This march was an endurance test for the responders; with direct sunlight and heat combined with the full PPE covering and exhaustion, it was indeed a challenge―which the responders handled well,” said Clark Publico, ILC Villanueva Plant operations executive. The march lasted for an hour. Compared to actual emergency response, this proved that the ILC Emergency Response Team is truly capable and prepared in the event of disasters.

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

@MStandardLIFE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE. Fast food giant Jollibee ushers in the future of fast food restaurants with its 1,200th store in South Luzon Expressway, a Level Up Joy Store and the first with a dual lane drive-thru.

OOD conveyor system, self-order kiosks, wireless charging pads, and a dual lane drive-thru. These facilities form part of the 1,200th store of fast food giant Jollibee located at the Petron gas station along the southbound side of South Luzon Expressway. The branch, which opened on Dec. 18, is a Level Up Joy Store equipped with innovative technologies designed to provide better customer convenience. Aside from being a Level Up store, it is the first Jollibee branch with dual lane drive-thru, which is expected to allow the store crew to serve more motorists better and faster. The dual lane drive thru has its own ordering, payment, and pick-up counters for each lane. “We’re excited to open the first-ever dual lane drive-thru store in the country here in our milestone 1200th Jollibee store,” said Jollibee regional business unit head for South Luzon Ana Aluyen. She added, “With all the motorists and customers passing through the SLEx southbound highway every day, we have this unique opportunity to show them what the experience of our leveled up Jollibee store is like.” “It’s ideal for families and friends who are in transit and want to grab great tasting food they can enjoy or take home with them along the way,” said Jollibee Philippines marketing head Francis Flores. This dual lane feature is complemented by two key store innovations which aid in making the drive-thru service easier and faster. The Food Conveyor system is an automated conveyor that brings meals

Fast food of the future Jollibee opens 1,200th store with ‘leveled up’ facilities, dual lane drive-thru The automated Food Conveyor System brings meals from the kitchen to the pick-up counter.

Self-order kiosks let customers order and pay for their meals via cash, credit card, Paymaya, or Happy Plus Card.

from the kitchen to the pick-up counters, while the Drive Thru Lane Sensor System provides real-time drive-thru performance data such as waiting bay times and average service speed to help the store crew better manage orders and serve customers faster.

To date, over 200 Jollibee stores nationwide are equipped with the Drive Thru Lane Sensor System. Inside the store are self-order kiosks, aiding cashiers at the counter, which lets customer order with a few taps on the screen. They come with multiple

Give the gift of suburban living ACCORDING to the Facebook Holiday Survey 2019, which surveyed 1,500 Filipinos nationwide, consumers 18 to 34 years old plan to allot an average of P15,350 for their Christmas shopping, up by P485 from last year. The increase in holiday shopping spending is also a trend among other age brackets. Those aged 35 to 54 are willing to spend an average of P17,862, a P2,685 increase from 2018, while Filipinos 55 years old and above are willing to spend P21,811 for this year’s Christmas shopping, P5,548 higher from their budget last year. These numbers considered, a residential property developer encourages Filipinos to give their families the gift of home in a place away from Metro Manila, but is a little bit close to it. Situated on a 2.1-hectare land parcel along Barangay San Isidro, Ortigas Avenue Ext. in Taytay, Rizal is four master-planned 12-story residential towers dubbed The Hive. The Hive, developed by MySpace Properties, Inc., offers bigger living spaces at a lower cost per square meter than condominiums in the city. It’s composed of 856 residential units with

payment options such as credit card, Paymaya, Happy Plus Card, or cash. Diners whose devices need “juice” may use the built-in wireless charging pads available on some tables in the dining area. “Dine-in customers can order and en-

joy their Jollibee favorites with greater ease and convenience thanks to the selforder kiosks we have in store plus builtin wireless charging pads for their use and of course, our ‘alagang Jollibee’ service courtesy of our store team,” enthused Flores.

PSA No time to wrap, no time to queue? Online gift wrapping service

Families can bask in lounge pools and kiddie pools any day of the week.

areas ranging from approximately 30 to 50 square meters complete with highgrade finishes and fittings such as laminated wood flooring and granite kitchen countertops. As a resort-themed residential property, 70 percent of its land space is allotted to green and opens spaces. Its wide central park is lined with trees and surrounded with lush pockets of greeneries.

Tree-lined jogging path offers a conducive space for residents to run, walk, or while the time away.

Adults and children alike can enjoy some sun and water time in the lap and kiddie pools anytime of the day while moms and dads have their morning run along the tree-lined jogging path. Speaking of jogging, the fitness center at the clubhouse is equipped with state-of-the art equipment. Keeping convenience and accessibility in mind, The Hive is a short walk from a retail and entertainment hub as it is adjacent to the WalterMart commercial complex. MySpace Properties, Inc., developed and envisioned The Hive as an opportunity for mid-income Filipinos to reside in a modern suburban community with urban conveniences and upgraded overall quality of life. “Aside from The Hive’s strategic location and beyond-the-basic amenities and features that it offers, another reason to invest in The Hive is its increasing land value. The construction of the C6 road extension linking Taytay to Metro Manila will certainly create an opportunity for The Hive’s worth to appreciate,” noted Gigi Alcantara, vice president for sales and marketing of MySpace.

LOOKING for the best gifts, standing in line, and dealing with traffic can turn festive into frustration. No wonder many unknowingly turn into a Grinch on Christmas. Online shopping website rustans.com does all the hard work of holiday gifting with its gift wrapping and personal messaging service. After placing an order, shoppers simply need to select gift wrapping or free gift bags. They can choose Rustan’s signature blue gift wrap with a single bow for P50 or select a free Rustan’s store gift bag. They also have the option of a blank gift card or opt for a custom handwritten message for free.

rustans.com offers gift wrapping service for orders placed on the website.

Life

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

What makes a home sustainable

CO-FRIENDLY homes are not just an ongoing trend in the high-end residences market. According to experts, more upscale house hunters are clamoring for homes with sustainability at the core.

In Greenfield Development Corporation’s Trava, for instance, luxury thrives with genuine care for nature. The 33-hectare ultra-luxe community in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is touted as the benchmark for residential developments in green architecture due to its practical and sustainable design and construction. It offers the following guidelines for an eco-friendly home and community.

Sustainable building materials

Natural, recyclable, and non-toxic materials get the nod of green architecture proponents. Examples are bio-based flooring from renewable sources with a life cycle that has minimal environmental impact such as bamboo and coco lumber. Another indigenous material that is gaining ground is the rice husk ash cement. Engineered wood and recycled, natural materials are some of the components of a Trava house. They are also made with low-emissivity glass to minimize ultraviolet and infrared light inside the rooms, as well as odorless paint and permeable pavers on the driveways and patios. Furnishing home with furniture and accessories made from upcycled materials is also helpful to nature as it curtails the amount of waste products while maximizing the purpose of existing resources. Bespoke furnishings made of reclaimed wood, meanwhile, allow owners to collect wooden furniture without sacrificing new trees.

ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING. Homes made of sustainable materials, such as engineered wood and low-emissivity glass that comprise a Trava house, get the nod of green

architecture proponents.

Outdoor garden

The advantage of buying a township property is that there is enough space to cultivate an outdoor garden. Located in a suburban enclave, the sprawling spaces at Trava give more than 550 square meters of space for families yearning for well-appointed homes where they can also plant herbs

lect rainwater while plants in general the area. They are easier to maintain and Green appliances absorb carbon dioxide and act as a natu- will not require expensive fertilizers and The payback for energy-efficient apral screen against dust and pollution. chemical supplements to grow. pliances goes beyond savings in energy consumption. The bigger benefit is that Plant species native Rainwater harvesting there will be lesser emissions of pollutConsidering that the Philippines has ants from the generation of electricity. to the area Not all plants are the same, thus it’s wet and dry seasons, rainwater must be Check for the Energy Star rating. It’s important to choose plants carefully taken advantage of. It is free and can be a seal of approval that a particular apand take into consideration the climate used for irrigating a vegetable garden pliance is energy efficient. The more stars are highlighted, the higher its efficiency. The Energy Rating label, on the other hand, indicates the performance of the appliance and how much it will cost to run.

Natural ventilation and lighting

Alternative source of energy

Installing solar panels as an alternative source of power will not only reduce energy bills but will also help lessen the environmental impact of generating non-renewable energy. The grand clubhouse at Trava, for example, is built with solar panels on the roof to reduce the upscale community’s non-renewable energy consumption.

Green roof and green wall

Rooftop and vertical gardens are said to lift moods. They also reduce the surface temperature of the roof and walls, serving as passive cooling. Plants are natural air filters hence if augmented with technology, a smart green wall can noticeably purify the surrounding air.

Skylights, large windows, high ceilings, water features, and the use of bamboo furniture are just some of the techniques that can be employed to encourage passive ventilation and minimize use of artificial lighting.

Organic and natural products

Windows that let natural light in helps reduce the need for artificial lighting.

or fruit-bearing trees to create meals with fresh, organic produce. Whether it’s for aesthetic purposes or for growing organic plant-based food, the benefits of greeneries to the environment are immeasurable. Trees col-

A rain harvesting system allows homeowner to reuse rainwater for gardening or cleaning.

and soil condition in area. Some plants are invasive that they can damage and destroy local species. Bringing in plants from a colder region to a tropical country is likewise unwise and futile. Opt for plants that are native to

and cleaning the house. Some even use it for laundry. There are different easy ways to install a rain harvesting system which can be found on the Internet. Or better yet, hire an expert to build one.

Unknown to many, cleaning products and personal toiletries are some of the biggest air pollutants. Natural products contain few or no ingredients that can interact and produce toxins that are harmful to the health of its occupants. In comparison, many conventional cleaning brands contain non-biodegradable ingredients from non-renewable sources.

Pride of Mindanao

Parents and their kids can join in fun Christmas-themed activities at KidZania.

Playtime is for parents too

MOMS and dads can join their children in fun games and activities for a chance to win special prizes. Interactive play city KidZania launches Pasko Playtime that highlights well-loved Pinoy Christmas traditions. Parents and their kids can take the Pasko Playtime Family Challenge at the main square, where they help each other set up the table for Noche Buena. One lucky family gets to win a Noche Buena Christmas Package worth P5,000 every day from today until Jan. 1, 2020.

Games also include the Monito Monita Challenge where they will match the gifts to corresponding Monito or Monita, and the Aguinaldo-Giving Challenge where they will try to fit different-sized boxes inside a big balikbayan box. Apart from these activities, families can explore various establishments with exciting Christmas-themed jobs. They can deliver surprise Christmas packages, prepare mouthwatering gift baskets, join the Christmas parade around the city, and sing carols in high spirits. A lucky family has a chance to win a Noche Buena package at the daily Pasko Playtime Family Challenge.

EDUARDO Azores’ restaurant in Koronadal City, Mindanao has gained popularity for serving a favorite southern delicacy: pastil. The restaurant, Ali-Ali Pastil, serves over 40 varieties of the dish, including laing and seafood. Muslim and nonMuslim Filipinos in the city patiently wait in line for a taste of Ali-Ali’s delicious and affordable pastil. The restaurant serves affordable, delicious, clean, and genuinely halal food. Azores started his business in 2013 with only three kilos of meat and rice. Realizing the potential of the business, he introduced more varieties (most pastil places offer only two or three flavors), with the help of Rizal Micro Bank that provided an increase in his capital. Azores’ decision paid off. Not only did the restaurant grow but he was also able to open a 24-hour convenience store, a catering business, and will soon open a lodging inn. For his hard work, commitment, and entrepreneurial spirit, Azores was named national winner of the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA). In accepting his award, Azores said his 2019 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards National Winner Eduardo Azores (third from left) experiences made him stronger and wiser. receives his award from Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. chair Eduardo Jimenez, “We should not be swayed by our emo- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Benjamin Diokno, and Citi Philippines chief executive tions and greed—that’s the most impor- officer Aftab Ahmed. tant lesson I learned when my wife died. Use your brains and logic when making body. You do not have to brag about your Other awardees were Lea Mancera, important decisions. Save more than you success; it will speak volumes when it Regional Awardee for Luzon; Merspend; you don’t need to look rich for any- changes other people’s lives for the better.” ly Domingo, Regional Awardee for Visayas; and Lucrecia Neri, Regional Awardee for Mindanao. Romualdo Blanco, Jr. received the Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year title. Special Award for Agri Microbusiness was given to Rolando Pega and Rosanna Sinapilo; and Caroline Jamias was the recipient of the Special Award for Preservation of Traditions. This year’s CMA National Selection Committee was co-chaired by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Benjamin Diokno and Citi Philippines chief executive officer Aftab Ahmed. CMA, a nationwide search for outstanding Filipino microentrepreneurs, was launched in 2002 and is jointly unThe winners of this year’s Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (from left) Romualdo Blanco Jr., dertaken by the BSP, Citi Philippines, and Rolando Pega, Caroline Jamias, Azores, Lea Mancera, Rosanna Sinapilo, Merly Domingo, and Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. It is funded by Citi Foundation. Lucrecia Neri.

Entertainment The teen actress posing with her own star at the recently launched 'Walk of Fame' located at the walkway of GMA Network Studios

Bianca Umali exudes passion in chosen craft

ALENTED, well-loved, and passionate. These are just few of the words to describe young actress Bianca Umali in doing what she does best: acting.

For almost a decade, Filipino viewers have witnessed Bianca grow in her craft with every character she excellently portrayed in various Kapuso programs. Her remarkable performance in her last project Sahaya where she played the titular character of the strong-willed Badjao girl received rave reviews from viewers. Bianca is deeply grateful to all her supporters and for the network’s trust on her talent, “Thank you sa lahatlahat po ng mga tao. And of course, sa aking mga boss, sa aking network, and to our management for their love and trust. It’s my great pleasure to be a Kapuso. Hindi ko naman hiningi lahat, pero binibiyayaan po ako and binibigay po sa akin ang mga pagkakataon.” Currently, she is gearing up for a lead role in the international scene through HBO Asia’s Halfworlds. The 19-year-old star once again renewed her ties with GMA Network. Last week, Dec. 11, GMA executives Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Felipe S. Yalong, Atty. Annette GozonValdes, Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Jose Mari Abacan, and Darling de Jesus-Bodegon were Bianca Umali renews her ties with her mother studio GMA Network by signing all present to witness Bianother exclusive talent management contract. anca’s contract signing. Other executives presMeanwhile, Gozon-Valdes praises the actress’ ent were Angela Javier Cruz, Oliver Amoroso, career growth, “We’re very, very excited for that Gigi Santiago-Lara, Bang Arespacochaga, Si- and I think she really deserves it. She started with moun Ferrer, and Tracy Garcia. us nine years ago and we’ve seen her blossom into Atty. Gozon shared how impressed he is with the beautiful girl that she is today. I think she’s one Bianca’s acting feats, “Bianca is a homegrown of the most talented actresses that we have and of talent. Ito ang nagpapatunay na itong ating mga course, one of the most beautiful.” homegrown na artista, hindi lamang kinikilala Rasonable, in turn, excitedly revealed another rin sa ating bansa kundi hanggang abroad. Hindi big project for Bianca in the coming year, “She is balewala ‘yang HBO. Talagang mahusay pumili one of the stars of a new primetime soap in 2020. yan kaya tayo’y hindi nagkakamali sa ating mga Bagay na bagay siya, another game-changer with pinipiling artista.” a very exciting powerhouse cast.”

Extra International... From C4

SHE also dropped a new video for it—which counts towards Hot 100 placement—and released the song as a stand-alone CD single for the first time. This week the song posted 45 million streams, 27,000 digital sales and 34 million radio plays, according to Billboard. Carey’s climb to the top marks the first time a Christmas track has claimed number one on the Hot 100 in six decades, when

“The Chipmunk Song” reigned for four weeks in 1958-1959. It’s Carey’s 19th number-one hit, putting her just one song behind The Beatles’ overall record of 20 top songs. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is currently Spotify’s moststreamed song in the United Kingdom, and is gaining ground in France, whose SNEP top songs chart now has it in 31st place. The singer—who will not confirm whether her age is 49 or 50 because she says “time is not

something I acknowledge”— told The New York Times that finally nabbing number one for the holiday standard she wrote “in the womb, darling” was more of a concern to fans than her. “I don’t need something else to validate the existence of this song. I used to pick it apart whenever I listened to it, but at this point, I feel like I’m finally able to enjoy it,” she told the paper. “I just truly love the holidays,” she said. “I know it’s corny, and I don’t care.” AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

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Lea Salonga’s surprise Christmas gift to fans RESORTS World Manila’s (RWM) annual The Gift: A Christmas Special is presented Grand Fiesta Manila heats up this Christmas by RWM and Full House Theater Company, season as one of the country’s top performers Inc. Tickets are now available at the RWM Box Lea Salonga stages her two-night concert at Office at the ground floor of Newport Mall and the award-winning Newport Performing Arts all TicketWorld outlets. Theater (NPAT) in The Gift: A Christmas SpeVisit www.rwmanila.com or download cial on Dec. 21 and 22. the RWM Mobile App for more on The Gift: With the success of her Perfect Ten concert A Christmas at RWM in August, Lea returns onstage with a Special and holiday performance that promises to bring in other thrillthe holiday cheer and captivate music fans of ing events all ages. in RWM’s Throughout the years, Lea has stamped her Grand Fiesta position as one of the best theater actresses in Manila. the world today with her memorable roles in Les Misérables, CATS, Allegiance, and most recently, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Younger ones know Lea as the voice behind Disney princesses Jasmine and Mulan, and as the no-nonsense judge and mentor in The Voice Philippines. Joining the Tony and Olivierwinning Broadway star for The Gift are her special guests Esang de Torres, Nicole Chien, Gaea Salipot, Ian Prelligera, Alexa Salcedo, and Cyd Pangca in special Christmas numbers that the whole family will enjoy. Adding more power to an already star-studded line-up is the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga. Recently, the world-class theater actress wrapped up her commitments for the Australian concert tour of Sweeney Todd in Singapore and is getting ready to celebrate the holidays with her Pinoy fans via her two-night concert in RWM which incidentally will also be directed by Sweeney Todd vocal director and theLea Salonga's 'The Gift A Christmas Special' is happening on ater veteran ManMan Angsico. Dec. 21 and 22 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Korean Cultural Center closes 2019 ‘Guerilla K-Night’ show HUNDREDS of eager fans, Korean culture supporters, and music and performance enthusiasts came to the final event of the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines that officially marked the ending of the yearlong celebration of the 70th anniversary of the strong friendship between Korea and the Philippines. The Guerilla K-Night, also known as the Korean Culture Day, which happened last Dec. 7 at the Shangri-La Mall, became a perfect arena for cultural exchange as Filipino and Korean performers exhibited their talents. Lines and crowds filled the venue as the event-goers visited the various booths who also came to participate in the event; among them are KCC, Nature Republic, K-Movies Channel, AsiaNovela Channel, Philippine K-Pop Convention, Hanbok Palace and NCat. The Filipinos were also treated with a one-of-a-kind K-Pop dance and VR experience through the K-Pop Dance Revolution and Dojagi AR/VR Hallyu contents booths, both of which especially flew into the country to give the audience a remarkable Guerilla K-Night Experience, together with Talk Talk Korea, the latest global contest of Korea-related content. The true highlight of the event are the worldclass performances showcasing the artistry of Filipino performers namely Teenage, Mix’in, Yara, together with local independent bands Kremesoda and Any Name’s Okay, as well as the Filipino idol group SB19.

Korean independent synth pop band, We Are The Night’s spot earned a lot of cheers as well, as they brought chill and island-vibe songs into the fore as the final performers. In keeping with the holiday mood, the event ended with a festive collaboration number of all the artists to the tune of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Guerilla K-Night 2019 joins the lot of events that KCC mounted to commemorate the “year of mutual exchange” between the Philippines and Korea. Among the events that the KCC organized to highlight the special milestone this year are the following: Kpop Friendship Concert last March; Remembering the Heroes film festival last April; PH, Korea Friendship Parade and Korean War Memorial Peace Concert last June; Pinoy K-Pop Star last July; A Taste of Korea’s Finest last October; Korean Film Festival and two art exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum last November. As the year wraps up on a high note, KCC is looking forward to pushing the envelope further in terms of promoting traditional and alternative culture, collaborating with local agencies and talents, and exploring other facets of the Korean culture next year. For more information or inquiries email, pr@ koreanculture.ph or contact 8878-6319. Follow Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KoreanCulturalCenterPH/ and @kccphil on Instagram and Twitter for more updates about KCC’s events and activities.

South Korean trained Pinoy boy group SB19 is one of the acts that entertained the crowd at Shangri-La Mall for this year's edition of 'Guerilla K-Night.

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

Entertainment

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

SNAPSHOT

HOUSE Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (left), Isabela Rep. Tony Pet Albano (right), former Senator Jinggoy Estrada (2nd right), and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte (3rd right) serve as major sponsors to the son of Sen. Bong Revilla (3rd left) and Bacoor City Mayor Lani Revilla (2nd left) during the wedding of Cavite-Vice Governor Jolo Revilla III and Angelica Alita. The two, who conﬁrmed their relationship early this year in February, exchanged vows in a garden wedding in Newport Beach, California, USA on Sunday, Dec. 15. The wedding was attended by the couple’s relatives and close friends.

Jolo

and Angelica’s principal sponsors

Plot thickens in 'The Killer Bride'

CTRESS Maja Salvador couldn’t be any prouder of the primetime series, which she stars in alongside Geoff Eigenmann and young talents Joshua Garcia and Janella Salvador. Just like what she had envisioned, the series has been making waves on TV as people see it as interesting as her previous soap, Wildflower. “The teleserye (Wildflower) was iconic, so we wanted to come up with an equally good series. I think even from the start, we were able to establish that. We were able to create another character that the viewers will love and remember,” Maja told Manila Standard during the thanksgiving press conference of The Killer Bride held last week. “Our performance, ratings-wise, and the show trending online all time are clear indications that people follow the series. They somehow validate our efforts. When people talk about our characters and the story itself, it means we are successful in our attempt to give them a quality program,” she added. While the story continues to reveal more of the characters’ secrets Camila (Maja), Vito (Geoff), Emma (Janella), and Elias (Joshua) face the biggest battle of their lives as they take down Alice (Precious Lara Quigaman), who disguised herself as the feared killer groom, and make sure she finally meets her demise in the gripping remaining weeks of the top-rating primetime series. The speculations behind the true identity of the killer groom finally ended last week (Dec. 13) after Alice was revealed as the person behind the masked murderer. But being exposed will not hinder Alice from putting all her evil ploys to work, especially her plans of revenge against Camila. Meanwhile, a darker side of Las Espadas will unravel now that viewers can uncover the town’s most gruesome and controversial secrets in the series’ extended version The Killer Bride: Killer Cuts, which exclusively streams on iWant. “This extended version caters to a different audience. We understand that there’s a clamor for this kind of extension so we decided to explore more interesting twists and subplots using a different platform,” the series’ director told reporters during the thanksgiving pressmen. The Killer Bride: Killer Cuts shows the primetime series’ unrated and uncensored scenes, hinting answers to some of the most mind-boggling questions while taking 'The Killer Bride' lead star Maja Salvador

Maja with 'The Killer Bride' cast members (from left) Miko Raval, Geoff Eigenmann, Joshua Garcia, Janella Salvador, and Alexa Ilacad

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

Promising discoveries

YUGEL LOSORATA

T’S every artist’s dream to be taken care of by a business-savvy group that knows how to properly treat and develop an act. Both singers Myko Mañago and Jessa Mae Gabon sound upbeat they have found that in San Francisco-based RJA Productions LLC which offered them talent development contracts. Good to note that CEO Rosabella JaoArribas signs talents she believes in. She was quoted as saying, “Myko gave me goosebumps when I ﬁrst heard him sing. The world needs to applaud such talent.” Myko is described as a jaw-dropping vocal sensation, having captivated the public as a three-time defending champion of ABSCBN’s Tawag Ng Tanghalan. An experienced band vocalist, Myko’s YouTube vlogs caught the attention of RJA. “We’re fully supported by the company and we just need to show up as gigs,” said Myko of RJA. His just-released debut single Stuck shows his effective vocals by way of an easylistening pop record produced by veteran label executive Reck Cardinales. Singing since he was nine, he put it nicely when he said that it is about being stuck, say, in trafﬁc with your crush. While having RJA is a major boost to his career, he likewise acknowledges the fact he grew up with very

supportive parents, his dad from Iloilo, his mom from Cavite. While the TNT stint must have put him on the map, he also appeared on Wowowin’s Will To Win as semi-ﬁnalist and on Unang Hirit as viral guest performer of the day. Jessa Mae, on the other hand, has some international citations to mention, including being a recipient of South East Asian Region Award for the Search for Unsigned Talents in Asia. She was involved with Disrupt, a program produced by Singapore’s MediaCorp and featuring Asian artists. In local landscape, she was twice grand ﬁnals interpreter for A Song of Praise music festival and released music under then Star Records in 2009. She was in London when she learned that RJA is interested in signing her. Fast-forward to 2019 and she released a piece she wrote called “Ensayado,” a mix of pop rock and retro. It was released on all streaming sites by Curve Entertainment. Interestingly, the song, according to her, is about mental health. She shared, “It’s an issue and there’s problem rooted in our social and economic conditions. It’s about anxiety, ‘yung ine-ensayo mo ang dapat na sinabi mo kahit wala ka nang magagawa. In short, puro regrets.” Looks like we have formidable singer with an advocacy. She related, “I chose mental health kasi may mga taong hindi nila naiintindihan ang sarili nila bakit bigla na lang sobrang lungkot nila.” Her track record revealing she’s done covers for Karaoke videos, Jessa is deep into songwriting and has cowritten, co-produced, and sang a number of children’s songs for a popular Singaporean children’s show called Junction Tree. She is also an active member of puppet theater group Teatrong Mulat ng California-based RJA Productions LLC signed up singers Jessa Mae Pilipinas that tours Gabon and Myko Manago for their track record and promise. around the world.

All Mariah wants for Christmas

everyone to the characters’ last moments before their horrific end. Adding to the terror are the sky lanterns, which fly every time a person meets their untimely demise. Viewers should take note of the episodes with the sky lantern logos on iWant as these are the ones that contain the Killer Cuts. As the series nears its finale, The Killer Bride remains as one of the most-watched primetime series in the country. It hit an all-time high national TV rating of 25.6 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

A QUARTER-CENTURY after releasing her holiday classic that’s become one of the season’s love-to-hate, hate-to-love cliches, Mariah Carey has finally pushed “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to top the charts for the first time. “We did it,” the diva said Monday in a tweet that featured several emojis, including a face with happy tears. Many social media users voiced shock that the inescapable pop juggernaut had not already jingled its way to the top. But when the de-facto Holiday Queen originally released the global hit in 1994 as part of her Merry Christmas album, Billboard’s rules at the time did not allow it to compete on the Hot 100 chart, because it was not commercially available as a single. That changed in December 1998, when cuts off an album were welcomed to the US top songs list, bumping Carey’s song onto the chart for the first time on Jan. 8, 2000. The 2003 holiday film Love Actually helped keep Carey’s bubbly Christmas wish for love in the collective consciousness, as streaming ensured its place in the holiday canon. The earworm that showcases the pop mainstay’s elastic vocal range started appearing the list annually beginning

in 2012, when streams were added to Billboard’s ranking metrics. For the song’s 25th anniversary this year, Carey promoted it even harder than usual, beginning her social media drive the morning after Halloween. Continued on C3

Pop diva Mariah Carey is one top hit away from tying The Beatle's record of 20 number-one songs.