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HOUSE MEMBER BARES RODY ‘PRESSURE’ ON ABS-CBN By Maricel V. Cruz AN ADMINISTRATION lawmaker on Wednesday said legislators were feeling the “pressure” following President Rodrigo Duterte’s stand against the renewal of the franchise of television network ABS-CBN. “We are being applied pressure from all sides by no less than the President. We admit that,” Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano told a radio interview. Next page

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 364 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Defense Secretary Mark Esper

US blasts VFA termination Defense chief says move in wrong direction By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

S DEFENSE Secretary Mark Esper said the decision of the Philippines to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States “would be a move in the wrong direction.”

GEARING UP. Chinese paramilitary police officers wearing protective gears transfer pails of disinfectant in Yunmeng County, outside Xiaogan City in China’s central Hubei province on Wednesday. The death toll from China’s COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic climbed past 1,100 Wednesday. AFP

Taiwan takes offense at PH travel ban, plans to strike back THE Taiwanese government is mulling over retaliatory measures against the Philippines after the Health department confirmed that the travel ban imposed amid the coronavirus disease outbreak also covered Taiwan, an official said Wednesday. Chairman Lito Banayo of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, the Philippines’ representative office in Taiwan, made the statement in an interview with

GMA News TV’s Balitanghali. Banayo said Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen convened a special Cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss possible retaliatory measures against the Philippines such as the banning of Filipino workers from Taiwan. Banayo said the Taiwanese government took great offense at the Philippines’ inclusion of Taiwan in its travel ban due to the One-China Policy.

“Ito po yung sa possible retaliatory measures. Imagine kung hindi nai-renew ang kanilang work contracts or ipagbawal ‘yung factories dito ay magbawas ng Pilipino… those are possible retaliatory measures,” he said. On Monday, Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said Taiwan was included in the travel ban. “When we asked the World Health Organization very, very clearly, they always

refer to just one China, and Taiwan is included, even in their ofﬁcial reports,” he said. But Banayo said Taiwanese foreign affairs ofﬁcials were urging the Cabinet to reconsider its plan to implement retaliatory measures after they were given an assurance that the Philippine government would reevaluate the ban. “Batay sa usapan namin ni Executive Next page

Esper said the termination, set to take effect in 180 days, runs counter to bilateral efforts with the Philippines and collective efforts with regional allies to push China toward abiding by international norms in the South China Sea. “As we try to bolster our presence and compete with [China] in this era of great-power competition, I think it’s a move in the wrong direction, again for the long-standing relationship we’ve had with the Philippines, for their strategic location, for the ties between our peoples and our countries,” Esper said. A senior Trump administration official echoed Esper’s remarks. “We are disappointed by the decision of the government of the Philippines,” the official said in a statement Tuesday. “The United States shares a long history with the government and people of the Philippines and recognizes that regional and global security is best served through the strong partnership that is enabled by the Visiting Forces Agreement,” the official added. “We will continue to work with our Philippine government partners to strengthen this relationship in a way that benefits both our countries.” Esper spoke to reporters onboard a flight to Europe on Tuesday, hours after Next page

COVID-19: WHO tags virus from Wuhan very grave threat THE World Health Organization on Tuesday announced that “COVID-19” will be the official name of the deadly virus from China, saying the disease represented a “very grave threat” for the world but there was a “realistic chance” of stopping it. “We now have a name for the disease and it’s COVID-19,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva. Tedros said that “co” stands for “corona”, “vi” for “virus” and “d” for “disease”, while “19” was for the year, as the outbreak was first identified on Dec. 31, 2019. Tedros said the name had been cho-

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sen to avoid references to a specific geographical location, animal species or group of people in line with international recommendations for naming aimed at preventing stigmatization. WHO had earlier given the virus the temporary name of “2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease” and China’s National Health Commission this week said it was temporarily calling it “novel coronavirus pneumonia” or NCP. Under a set of guidelines issued in 2015, WHO advises against using place names such as Ebola and Zika—where those diseases were first identified and which are now inevitably linked to them

LASTING LOVE. The threat of COVID-19 notwithstanding, 26 couples from the Dumagat tribe (left) in Barangay San Isidro in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan tie the knot three days before Valentine’s Day, witnessed by local officials while 25 couples (right) from the police command exchange marital vows as PNP chief Archie Gamboa conducts an annual mass wedding at Camp Crame Wednesday. Manny Palmero

Narco-politicians’ nemesis in hit list

By MJ Blancaﬂor

Many Pinoys gripe vs. K-12—senator By Macon Ramos-Araneta ALMOST half of Filipinos are dissatisﬁed with the K-12 program, said Senator Win Gatchalian, who commissioned Pulse Asia to measure public satisfaction over the program’s implementation. With 1,200 respondent-families nationwide, Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said 47 percent of Next page

SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT. Dr. Andrew Tan, Kevin Tan and Katherine Tan, during the Alliance Global Group Summit. Kevin Tan challenged the companies to come up with sustainability initiatives, particularly those focused on responding to 15 of 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals

THE Palace said Tuesday it will validate the report saying Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, the controversial police officer who gained notoriety in the administration’s war against drugs, was included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s narco list. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after the online news site Rappler reported that Espenido was included in the list of government officials who were allegedly involved in the drug trade. “We will verify the veracity of the report. If that is officially received by the Office of the President, the President will investigate,” Panelo said. Next page

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Taiwan... From A1

Secretary [Salvador] Medialdea at iba pang opisyal, magrere-assess sila ng situation diyan sa atin. Magme-meet ulit within two or three days,” Banayo said. Banayo said the 160,000 Filipinos in Taiwan may be affected if the retaliatory measures were implemented. He added that roughly 100 Filipinos headed for the Philippines were stranded in Taiwan due to the ban. In related developments: • AirAsia also decided to suspend ﬂights to Taiwan in compliance with the government’s expanded travel ban to the countries affected by the coronavirus. “AirAsia is canceling its ﬂights between the Philippines and China until further notice from the government,” the airline management said in a statement. • Senator Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday called on the Health department to clarify the reason behind the inclusion of Taiwan in the travel ban. H said thousands of Filipino travelers had been affected, including an estimated 154,000 Filipino workers who earn their living in Taiwan. “Is the ban due to the novel coronavirus? Are there health risks posed for Filipinos going to and coming from Taiwan.” Pangilinan said. Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Many... From A1

Filipinos are not satisfied with K-12, 38 percent are satisfied, and 13 percent are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. Among those who expressed dissatisfaction with the program, 78 percent said that K-12 was an added cost and 40 percent said a high school diploma was not enough in getting a better job. The survey results also showed that 40 percent feared that two more years of high school would increase the dropout rate and 39 percent cited the need for more classrooms and teachers. Thirty-one percent said they would opt to have better education rather than just having more education. They also cited that students could not work immediately or help their parents at once because of the additional two years in school. Furthermore, they said the survey showed that companies preferred those who have finished college more than those who have only finished high school. When the K-12 program was enacted into law in 2013, it promised better employability for graduates of the senior high school program. A 2018 survey by online portal JobStreet revealed, however, that out of 500 companies, only 24 percent were willing to hire K-12 graduates. According to Gatchalian, the fastest way to improve the K-12 program was to decongest the curriculum. He said the curriculum currently required too many competencies, teachers and students found themselves having less time to teach and absorb the lessons. It also prevented students from having sufficient competence in Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, which leads to continued presence of non-readers in higher grades. Teachers’ readiness should also be given more focus, Gatchalian said, noting that teachers were not adequately equipped with the expertise required in teaching K-12 competencies.

Narco-politicians’... From A1

Meanwhile, the adjudication process for the policemen allegedly involved in illegal drugs will begin on on Feb. 13, Philippine National Police Chief Archie Francisco Gamboa said Wednesday. He said of the 357 policemen accused of having links to the trade in illegal drugs, 15 availed themselves of optional retirement and 43 others had gone gone AWOL and would no longer be adjudicated. Espenido was the police chief in Albuera, Leyte, and Ozamiz City when two suspected narco politicians ended up dead in those towns. Espenido was the chief of police of Albuera when the drug-linked Mayor Rolando Espinosa was shot dead inside his jail cell in 2016. A year later, as Ozamiz police chief, Espenido led the drug raids that led to the killing of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and several others. On Feb. 5, Espenido was relieved by the Philippine National Police as Bacolod City police chief and was transferred to the Ofﬁce of the Chief PNP in Camp Crame, Quezon City. The special order was signed by Major Gen. Reynaldo Biay, PNP director for personnel and records management, and issued by Major Gen. Hawthorne Binag, acting PNP chief of the directorial staff. On Monday, Duterte said he told new PNP Chief Archie Gamboa to remove all policement tainted with illegal drugs. Gamboa on Friday convened a meeting with police ofﬁcers included in Duterte’s drug list, which was reportedly attended by Espenido.

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COVID-19 inflicts tourism losses Romulo-Puyat told legislators Wednesday during a joint congressional hearing that the expected reduction in tourist arrivals from the markets affected by the outbreak will result in forgone revenues that will carry over until April. In February alone, the country is expected to lose P16 billion in tourism revenues, she said. Citing data from the Civil Aviation Board, Puyat said 465 canceled ﬂights are recorded per week due to COVID-19, which has already killed over 1,000 people in China. The Department of Health reported Wednesday that two of the 32 repatriates from Hubei, China, who arrived in the country Sunday, were taken to Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital for treatment of diarrhea and abdominal discomfort but tested negative for COVID-19. The two, who are relatives, will be returned to Athlete’s Village in New Clark City, in Tarlac to complete their 14 days of quarantine. “We are checking on our repatriates twice a day to ensure that they are properly being cared for. We have been providing SIM and cell cards for those

who don’t have mobile access within the facility,” Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said. Domingo said health workers check on the vital signs and the condition of the people staying at New Clark City. He said activities are also being organized for the individuals who have to stay in their rooms as a precaution. The DOH official also said the Philippines has 408 patients under investigation for COVID-19. Most are in Metro Manila, Central Visayas, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Western Visayas, based on DOH’s realtime tracker. The Philippines has had three confirmed cases of COVID-19, all Chinese citizens who traveled from Wuhan city, the epicenter of the disease. As of Feb. 12, the Epidemiology Bureau with the help of the police has identified all 455 contacts of the first and second cases of COVID-19. Of the 455 contacts, 277 (61 percent) have been interviewed and 44 contacts have been found to be symptomatic and admitted as patients under investigation. On the third confirmed case, a total of 246 (34 percent) out of 731 contacts were

traced, including co-passengers and individual contacts from hotels and hospitals. Currently, 164 (22 percent) contacts have been interviewed, of which 149 were placed on home quarantine and 15 symptomatic contacts have been categorized as patients under investigation and admitted for isolation and monitoring. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III previously said that other Level 3 hospitals and laboratories in the Philippines will be equipped with test kits to reduce the turnaround time in detecting infected persons. The WHO categorized the COVID-19 Health Event as “High Risk” regionally and globally, with a total of 43,103 conﬁrmed cases in 24 countries. Local transmission of the disease has been reported in Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Vietnam, South Korea, and Australia. “We can already see that local transmission is happening in other countries. These developments are compelling reasons to prepare mitigation mechanisms for the possibility of community spread,” Duque said. “We are continuously assessing the situation and crafting our own guidelines, based on available evidence, to combat the threat of the COVID-19,” he added. Meanwhile, the government has started giving P10,000 cash assistance to overseas Filipino workers affected by the temporary travel ban due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The cash assistance was the immediate response of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to the call of

US...

Appointments’ committee on national defense, Santos said that 10 of the activities are major exercises. Santos acknowledged that the termination of the VFA would affect rescue and relief operations during disasters, but said the AFP is preparing stop-gap measures to deal the absence of American help during these times. Santos said these measures include forging bilateral agreements with other allied countries such as Japan, South Korea and Indonesia. He added that the Philippines has an existing mutual defense agreement with Australia. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon warned that the ties between the Philippines and US with the VFA cancellation will become weaker. He said the US has given assistance to the Philippines through the VFA in the form of aid in intelligence activities in Mindanao, disaster relief operations, weapons upgrading and military training. Senator Panfilo Lacson said nothing much can be done now but do a 180-day countdown. “What is certain is that the 1951 PHUS Mutual Defense Treaty will now be reduced to a mere paper treaty as far as the US is concerned,” Lacson said. He said there would no longer be a sharing of intelligence in the fight against domestic and foreign terrorism, and no more US military aid and financing that accounts for a good 52 percent of what they extend to the whole Asia-Pacific region. “That may not include other intangible economic benefits and security from external threats in the West Philippine Sea, as well as humanitarian aid in times of disasters, epidemics and other crises,” Lacson added. President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the termination of the military pact following the revocation of the US visa of his ally, Senator Ronald dela Rosa.

Six administration allies in the Senate backtracked and clariﬁed that they were abstaining from voting on an earlier Senate resolution urging the President to rethink his plan to terminate the VFA. The senators who said they would abstain from voting on the resolution are Senators Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano and Cynthia Villar, all of the Nacionalista Party, Christopher Go, and Francis Tolentino. The Department of Justice on Wednesday said the President acted within the ambit of the Constitution when he ordered the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the 1987 Constitution does not require Senate concurrence in terminating treaties and other international agreements. Guevarra said the Senate may challenge the constitutionality of the VFA termination but the Supreme Court will likely refuse to resolve it considering that the issues involve a political question. According to Guevarra, there is nothing in the Constitution that requires the concurrence of the Senate when it comes to termination of treaties. “Although a treaty is considered part of the law of the land, it does not belong to the class of ordinary statutes that pass through the entire legislative process; i.e., its abrogation is not similar to the repeal of an ordinary statute,” he said. Guevarra made the statement after some senators said they might raise the matter of the abrogation of the VFA before the Supreme Court. Senate President Vicente Sotto III had said they do not intend to challenge President Duterte’s order to terminate the treaty, but to determine if the chamber’s concurrence is needed in abrogating the treaty.

adding: “If we invest now... we have a realistic chance of stopping this outbreak.” Participants will also discuss the source of the virus, which is thought to have originated in bats and reached humans via other “intermediary” species such as snakes or pangolins. WHO sent an advance team to China this week for an international mission to examine the epidemic. It was unclear, however, whether the team would be able to visit Wuhan, a city in central China which has been under lockdown after the outbreak was registered in a food and live animal market in the city. No specific treatment or vaccine against the virus exists, and WHO has repeatedly urged countries to share data in order to further research into the disease. “That is especially true in relation to sharing of samples and sequences. To defeat this outbreak, we need open and equitable sharing, according to the principles of fairness and equity,” Tedros told the scientific conference. He said he hoped the scientists could agree a roadmap “around which researchers and donors will align.” Several teams of experts in Australia, Britain, China, France, Germany and the United States are racing to develop a vaccine—a process that normally takes years. Efforts to come up with a vaccine are being led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a body established in 2017 to finance costly bio-

technology research in the wake of an Ebola outbreak in West Africa that killed more than 11,000 people. Ultimately, however, scientists may end up in the same situation they were during the 2002-03 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)— which died out before a vaccine could be fully developed. A close cousin of COVID-19, SARS spread around the world and killed nearly 800. The death toll from the COVID-19 climbed past 1,100 on Wednesday but the number of new cases fell for a second straight day. As Beijing scrambles to contain the virus, the number of people infected on a cruise ship off Japan’s coast rose to 174— the biggest cluster outside the Chinese mainland. Another 97 people died in China, raising the national toll to 1,113, while more than 44,600 people have now been infected by the newly named COVID-19. Chinese authorities have locked down tens of millions of people in central Hubei province, the epicenter of the crisis, and restricted movements in several other cities in other parts of the country in an unprecedented effort to contain the virus. Several countries have banned arrivals from China, while major airlines have halted ﬂights to and from the country, as hundreds of people have now been infected in some two-dozen countries. Most of the deaths have been in Hubei

By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Joel E. Zurbano

OURISM Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the Philippines is expected to lose P42 billion in tourism revenues from China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan due to outbreak of COVID-19.

From A1

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered that the US government be notified of his decision to abrogate the agreement. “We just got the notification late last night. We have to digest it. We have to work through the policy angles, the military angles. I’m going to hear from my commanders. But you know, in my view, it’s unfortunate that they would make this move. As you all know, as some of you know, I was just there,” said Esper who visited Manila in November 2019. In Manila, Esper had urged the Southeast Asian governments to be more assertive of their sovereign rights against China’s use of coercion and intimidation to advance its national interests. The Palace said Esper’s remarks were to be expected. “Such a commentary is expected given that the VFA favors the US and its abrogation affects its global strategic defensive positioning,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. The Palace official also insisted that the Philippines should strengthen its own defense capabilities, claiming that reliance on another country would weaken its security mechanisms. “We must stand on our own and put a stop to being a parasite to another country in protecting our independence and sovereignty,” Panelo said. “From our point of view, the decision to terminate the VFA is a move in the right direction that should have been done a long time ago,” he added. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Felimon Santos said almost half of the 318 military activities to be held in the country this year would be affected by the VFA’s termination. Appearing before the Commission on

COVID-19:... From A1

in the public mind. More general names such as “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome” or “Spanish flu” are also now avoided as they can stigmatize entire regions or ethnic groups. WHO also notes that using animal species in the name can create confusion, such as in 2009 when H1N1 was popularly referred to as “swine flu.” This had a major impact on the pork industry even though the disease was being spread by people rather than pigs. People’s names—usually the scientists who identified the disease—are also banned, as are “terms that incite undue fear” such as “unknown” or “fatal,” the WHO said. The virus has killed more than 1,000 people, infected over 42,000 and reached some 25 countries, with the WHO declaring a global health emergency. Addressing scientists at the first international conference on combating the virus earlier on Tuesday, Tedros warned that the virus was a “very grave threat.” “Viruses can have more powerful consequences than any terrorist action,” he told reporters later. About 400 scientists were taking part in the two-day international meeting in Geneva called to review how the virus is transmitted and possible vaccines against it. “We are not defenseless,” Tedros said,

President Rodrigo Duterte to ease the burden of the would-be departing workers after the government imposed a travel ban to China, Hong Kong, Macao and now Taiwan. Applicants for the aid are required to bring a valid passport, airline ticket and proof of employment and their valid contracts to OWWA. OWWA acting director Gerardo Rimorin advised the workers to use the cash assistance wisely as it is still undermined when the government will lift the ban. Hundreds of OFWs bound mostly for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan were stranded at the Manila airport following the travel ban imposed by President Duterte as precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Philippine Airlines on Wednesday asked air travelers to arrive early at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to give them time to go through additional screening procedures being enforced at the airport due to the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). The Immigration’s Electronic Gate System or e-Gates at the airport for Philippine passport holders are temporarily disabled in view of the screening requirement. PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said PAL international flight departing passengers must be at the Manila airport four hours before their flights, and at least three hours for those who have PAL domestic flights. “You are required to accomplish arrival cards and to undergo screening before going through the immigration counters,” Villaluna said.

House... From A1

“It’s a huge pressure because that’s the President of the Republic of the Philippines.” Albano said the legislators were also “not only being pressured by the President, but even ABS-CBN had been running stories.” But later in the day, Albano retracted his statement saying the House committee on legislative franchises, led by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, echoed the stand of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano that on the matter of ABS CBN’s franchise, “we are proceeding steadily but cautiously given the highly charged atmosphere.” Cayetano urged ABS-CBN to do some “soul-searching” to reflect on “how we have all reached this point.” He made the statement in the wake of the public furor coming from the Solicitor General’s filing of a quo warranto case before the Supreme Court asking for the forfeiture of the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN, which is set to expire late next month. Malacañang said Duterte’s tirades against ABS-CBN should be ignored by lawmakers who are mandated by law to grant television franchises. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Congress should deal with ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal with impartiality and disregard the President’s displeasure with it. “They should do their duty as members of the Congress,” Panelo told reporters. “Any statement of displeasure from the President should be ignored by them in relation to their official work.” Solicitor General Jose Calida said Wednesday ABS-CBN was illegally acquiring smaller corporations that have legislative franchises over frequencies and using investment schemes to circumvent the constitutional restriction on foreign ownership of mass media entities. With MJ Blancaflor and Macon Ramos-Araneta

and its capital, Wuhan. But in a positive development, the number of new cases has fallen in Hubei for two straight days. Outside the province, the number of new patients has declined for the past week. “In general, the number of new cases is now slowly decreasing,” Zhong Nanshan, a renowned scientist at China’s National Health Commission, said in a video conference with medical staff in Wuhan. “When does the turning point occur? I can’t say. But I think it’s at its peak in mid- to late-February,” he said. Zhong, however, had previously predicted in late January that the epidemic would peak by the ﬁrst week of this month. The biggest cluster of cases outside China is on a cruise ship quarantined off Japan’s coast. An additional 39 people on board the Diamond Princess have tested positive for COVID-19, raising the total of cases to 174, while thousands of passengers and crew face a second week in quarantine. The case of a British man who passed on the virus to at least 11 other people— without having been in China—has raised fears of a new phase of contagion abroad. The 53-year-old man caught the virus while attending a conference in Singapore and then passed it on to several compatriots while on holiday in the French Alps, before ﬁnally being diagnosed back in Britain. AFP

Opinion

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

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Press freedom is no issue LAST Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Manila Standard celebrated its 33rd anniversary. It has its own story to tell. Two weeks before its first day in 1987, the late veteran journalist Rod Reyes got a call from Manda Elizalde from Miami, Florida. The latter said he was coming home after spending years in exile during the martial law years. Elizalde wanted Reyes to publish a daily newspaper upon his return. Elizalde went on self-exile when he was accused of abusing the Tasadays, an indigenous group in Mindanao. Since the then-president of Costa Rica was his former classmate at Harvard, Elizalde chose to stay there. When his classmate was deposed, Elizalde moved to Miami. After Elizalde called Rod, the latter, my very good friend, called me to tell me of this development. He said he wanted me to join. I readily said yes—I was jobless at the time. Rod told me that he had already chosen the editorial staff to be headed by the late Andy del Rosario. I was told I would be chairman of the editorial board. After several meetings, the first edition of the Manila Standard came off the press, but in a tabloid form. Rod wanted to be different, initially, but he reverted to the usual broadsheet after advertisers complained about the size of the paper. When Manda returned home, the Manila Standard had its offices at the old Tanduay Rum building on Ayala Avenue. The Manila Standard has since changed owners several times. This is one newspaper I can believe in. I am comfortable with the people I work with, and at 92, I will stay with it until I write “30.” *** The controversy over the expiration

of the franchise of ABS-CBN is ﬁnally coming to a head. Recall that President Rodrigo Duterte had been ranting against the Lopez for not airing his campaign advertisements during the 2016 elections. Duterte had promised that ABS-CBN’s franchise, now pending in Congress, would not be renewed.

Here’s what I think about the ABS-CBN controversy. Last Monday, Solicitor General Jose Calida ﬁled a quo warranto petition against the network for alleged violation of its congressional franchise on two basic grounds: First, that the Constitution had been violated when ABS-CBN solicited what is called Philippine Depository Receipts from foreigners when the law was clear that media must be owned 100 percent by Filipinos. Another complaint of Calida was that a subsidiary of ABS-CBN had pay-perview channel and was charging fees so people could watch Filipino-made movies, in violation of its franchise. A quo warranto petition is a special remedy resorted to in order to question “by what right” an individual or juridical person has to continue. Recall that the solicitor general also questioned the continued reign of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, accusing her of failing to submit her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. When it was proven that Sereno did not submit these, she was ousted. But some have asked: Is this not the prerogative of Congress? Whether or not the Supreme Court rules on Calida’s petition is a matter of speculation. If it does, my gulay, ABS-CBN is in a lot of trouble!

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

An illogical move

HE government’s sudden decision to include Taiwan in its China travel ban to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus has caused unnecessary disruption for thousands of people, Filipinos and Taiwanese alike. The decision by the Department of Health to include Taiwan in the travel ban—announced almost as an afterthought—left hundreds of Filipino travelers to Taiwan stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after major airlines began canceling ﬂights to and from Taipei in compliance with the expansion of the travel ban. A number of passengers from the United States who made a stopover in Taiwan were also barred from entering the country and were told by Bureau of Immigration agents to go back to the airport from which they came.

Adding to the confusion was an announcement by one Health undersecretary that the travel ban had indeed been expanded to cover not just China, Hong Kong, and Macau but Taiwan as well— even while his colleague at a Palace briefing said nothing had yet been decided. At least one official said Taiwan was included because of the country’s “One China” policy—a political concession to Beijing as Taiwan functions as a sovereign and independent state from the People’s Republic of China, issuing its own passports and visas. In fact, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office assets that “Taiwan is not, nor has it ever been, part of the PRC.” TECO, which serves as the de facto Taiwan embassy, notes that it has taken measures as well to contain the spread of nCoV. On Monday, Taiwan temporarily closed its borders to most residents of Hong Kong and Macau. A week earlier, it had temporarily banned the entry of all mainland Chinese citizens, as well as foreign nationals who may have been in China, Hong Kong or Macau in the 14 days leading up to their travel to Taiwan. For political reasons, the World Health

Organization (WHO) lumps Taiwan’s statistics with mainland Chinese cities, even though it operates for all intents and purposes as an independent state. Even then, the WHO statistics are telling. The UN agency’s situation report as of Feb. 2 showed Taipei had 10 conﬁrmed cases of nCoV. This compares with 20 for Japan, 19 for Thailand, 18 for Singapore, 15 for South Korea—yet none of these countries with a higher number of conﬁrmed cases are part of our travel ban. No other countries in Asia, except the Philippines, have issued travel ban on Taiwan. A group of licensed recruitment agencies deploying Filipino workers to Taiwan, Pilipino Manpower-Agencies Accredited to Taiwan, opposed the travel ban, saying it would hurt diplomatic and trade relations and affect 180,000 Filipinos working the numerous factories and electronic assembly plants in many parts of Taiwan. This includes about 30,000 caregivers who are taking care of the elderly there. These Filipinos will suffer for no logical medical reason, if the ill-considered Taiwan travel ban stays.

Turn to A5

Fail one, fail all probably came from Chinese’s fondness of eating exotic animals like bats and snakes, might have reinforced the China hate campaign. So, instead of being concerned with resolving the problem of the viral spread and containment, people are more foA NEW breed of virus is haunting us; cused on the blame game. Blame China, it’s a virus called idiocy. This we owe hate the Chinese. While the real origin of the virus has to the social media experts who, overnight, can transform from being a volca- yet to be determined, one thing we are sure of is that even nologist, to a Kobe if it exploded in Bryant biographer, Wuhan, no one, a press freedom not even the Chifighter, a political Instead of trying nese government, analyst, a virolwanted this to ogist and every- to outsmart the health happen. And if we thing in between, experts by posting our are having a hard and to the political own analytics on the time empathizing opposition, who, with China on the like thieves in the issue, let’s wait for the matter, let us take night, would try to official pronouncement time to reflect on sneak in every opanother incident portunity to move from the health that could be far for a power grab. authorities. worse than the Thanks to them all, Covid-19 which we are now a natook place over a tion deeply stuck in paranoia, not fully knowing how to deal decade ago, the H1N1 Swine Flu which with this dreaded novel coronavirus os hit the United States in 2009. The 2009 H1N1 virus was declared a what it is called now, the Covid-19. In fact, maybe the best way to combat global pandemic, as it reportedly infectCovid-19 is to refrain from engaging in ed 60 million and initially killed a minimum of 18,449 cases that year. However, the social media. When the news about this virus first the final result of the H1N1 global pancame into the open, these social media demic placed the death count at 300,000, experts were the first to warn the public based on final tallies in 2012 reported by the virus is airborne, hence advising ev- the Center for Disease Control. But during that time, there was no eryone to use facial masks. When health authorities declared there was no need incident of anti-US attacks, even as the to use facial masks except when deal- American Government took all of six ing face to face with someone who has months to declare a national emergency, cough and cold as one can only catch the which is over much unlike the reaction disease through the viruses contained of the Chinese Government upon the in droplets, social media were suddenly discovery of the virus. After just a few weeks, it ordered the lockdown of Wuquiet. After a time, news again spread on han. As this piece is being written, Chisocial media claiming the virus was airborne, thus the need to wear masks. This na is assuring everyone that President again has been debunked this time by no Xi Jinping has put to task all concerned less than the World Health Organization. agencies to prevent and control the But what’s more disturbing with these spread of the disease, which they claim fake news peddlers from these so-called has so far been productive. In a statement, the Chinese Embasexperts is propagating these conspiracy theories that the Covid-19 or nCoV-19 as sy in Manila said that China has estabit was called then, was a product of Chi- lished an all-round and multi-layered na’s biological warfare, that it was being epidemic prevention and control system developed in Wuhan, the epicenter of the and that the system centers around Wuvirus and was accidentally leaked. This, han, capital of Hubei province, which is together with news claiming the virus Turn to A5

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Hoping for the best WITH centuries of colonial rule in the country, the Philippines has retained some foreign influences in its culture and society—from trade with the Chinese, colonization and Christianization by the Spaniards, rule of the Americans, and occupation by the Japanese. While our history is rich with narratives of battles for freedom, we cannot deny the fact that foreign rule made certain positive contributions to the evolution and development of society. Among our colonizers, the United States has been a consistent presence in the country since our independence. Our relations with the United States has flourished throughout the years. US-Philippines trade relations have been established since 1909 and was further strengthened by the Bell Trade Act, as amended by the Laurel-Langley Agreement. Since then, our agriculture and manufacturing industries have grown immensely. Technological innovations were able to flow in and information exchange became a significant tool in the improvement of our industries. This opened doors to more foreign trade and investment. Tourism was also bolstered by the good relations between the US and the Philippines. The Americans comprise one of the major tourist groups in the country annually. Similarly, Filipinos are one of the biggest Asian migrant groups in the

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

US. At present, there are roughly 4 million Filipinos in the US. Migration to the US has allowed Filipinos to ﬁnd better economic opportunities and gainful employment. Reports show that the US was the biggest source of remittances, accounting for 37.7 percent of cash remit-

American presence has helped the country immensely.

tances by Filipino workers in November 2019. These remittances were already proven to have greatly contributed to our annual GDP growth. Numerous agreements were entered into, for the past decades, by the Philippines and the United States which provide for mutual support and assistance to many government programs and projects. Among the areas of concern

are health, education, national security, peace and order, protection of natural resources, anti-terrorism, and military advancement. We have also been recipient of humanitarian assistance from the US especially after the ravages of natural disasters such as Typhoon ‘‘Yolanda’’ and the Taal eruption. This amicable relations with the United States led to the establishment of the largest overseas military base of the US in the country, the US Naval Base in Subic Bay which was later on closed and abandoned due to the Pinatubo eruption in 1991. Despite this, we have received military assistance and training from US troops. For a long time, US troops have aided our armed forces in wiping out terrorist groups in Mindanao. They have provided us intelligence and surveillance assistance especially in subduing the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute groups. The US military assistance program also led to the acquisition of patrol and auxiliary vessels such as the BRP Gregorio del Pilar which has been helpful in maintaining guard over the waters in the Scarborough Shoal, and patrol aircrafts in the past years. The US presence has helped the country. I am still hopeful that we can arrive at an amicable solution, resolve our differences and maintain a healthy diplomatic relationship for our mutual beneﬁt.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

The PMA Class of 1970 THE Philippine Military Academy graduates of 1970 are the golden jubilarians in this years’ alumni homecoming. As such, the attention of the whole festivities will be on them when they march during the alumni parade. How time flies. It was as if it were not too long ago that 65 young men from all over the country took their oaths as newly minted 2nd Lieutenants of the different armed services of the Armed Forces at the Borromeo field of their alma mater. At about the same time, four other young Filipino men also took their oaths when they graduated from the different service academies of the United States Military. All told, the class of 1970 totaled 69. Now, they are all in their ’70s. Of the 69, 20 have already passed to the great beyond, leaving 49 gentlemen available to march. The class is a bunch composed of interesting personalities. From the academically inclined, true-blue warriors, administrators and office hermits, they all would go on to serve the country for the next 35 years with some still working for the government in other capacities. Twenty-eight of them became General officers while 23 became full colonels. Some who left the service early took on other professions like the class valedictorian Erwin Ver who settled in the West Coast of the United States. From what I gathered, he is still working there. The class First Captain or Baron Ed Jonson, whom I first met when we were junior officers, also left the service early and moved or followed his family to the United States. The US is now home to him. Of those who stayed in the service, Roy Cimatu and Dionesio Santiago went on to be promoted to four stars and

served as Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces. Roy Cimatu in fact is still soldiering on as the current secretary of the DENR. Hermogenes Ebdane also was promoted to four stars and served as the chief of the PNP. He was also appointed to the Cabinet, and went on to hold three Cabinet positions under former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He is now the incumbent governor of Zambales.

Interesting personalities all. Others in the class who are still serving the government in other capacities are Rudy Garcia who is an Undersecretary of DENR and himself a three star general. Nesty Carolina, also a three-star general is still around as the administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. Egay Galvante, still another three-star general, heads the Land Transportation Office. Nestor Santillan became the commanding general of our Air Force while Dionesio Santiago was the commanding general of the Army before taking over as the Chief of Staff. Rufo de Vera was a two star general when given the singular honor of becoming the superintendent of his alma mater. Some of them also ventured into politics and two became House Legislatures in the persons of Romy Acop and the late Roilo Golez. Roy Golez first gained national prominence when he became the postmaster general in the early 1980s at a very young age. Romy Gojo however, simply wanted to serve his Barangay in his native Zambales and therefore went on to be elected as Barangay captain. Since they are my contemporaries, I knew some of them in high school like Jun Ugali and Vic Signey who were my high school batchmates. Clyde Fernandez and Romy Acop were a year ahead of me in the same high school. Some of them became lawyers, engineers and

businessmen and went on to fashion successful careers outside the military. When they entered military service in 1970, little did they realize that they would be witnesses and participants to momentous and tumultuous events in our country’s history. The New People’s Army of the Communist Party of the Philippine was just founded and launched the year before their graduation and the Muslim secessionist movement of Nur Misuari’s MNLF would launch their armed rebellion in the South two years later and the class of 1970 together with other young men who entered military service at about the same time were in the frontlines when fighting erupted during those years. Julius Javier became one of the most decorated officers and went on to become the first in his class to be promoted to general officer. In the succeeding years, many members of the class would be in the thick of things in the changing political landscape of the country after 1986 and the many coup attempts in the succeeding years. This would somehow simmer down in the middle of the 1990s but would again show its ugly tentacles just as the 20th century was winding down when another change of political leadership happened. This was towards the time that the class just had a few years of service left before retirement. They would go on to take over the reins of the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police before bowing out of the service. They therefore have a lot of stories to tell and I hope that their class historian would distribute tapes or video recorders so that those who served in the military and police as well as others can find time to record their experiences so that their knowledge could be preserved. Under some kind of agreement, these records could be turned over to the PMA museum for future historians to use in writing about the history of our country over the last 50 years. Who knows, one or two members of the class may yet decide to write themselves so that their stories could be preserved for posterity.

EVERYMAN

The solicitor general’s quo warranto petition By Dean Arturo M. de Castro University of Manila Graduate School of Law

THIS is a dispassionate commentary of a public interest private lawyer from the academe and the private sector under his blog Legal Forum on Current Legal Issues presenting both sides of the issue on the quo warranto to revoke the franchise of ABS-CBN for the evaluation and better appreciation of the public. The position of the solicitor general The quo warranto petition seeks to cancel the congressional franchise of television network ABS-CBN for “violations of the laws and the Constitution,” in order to end the highly abusive practices of ABS-CBN beneﬁtting a greedy few at the expense of its millions of loyal subscribers.” ABS-CBN TV plus the KBO Channel launched and operated pay-per view without prior approval and permit from the National telecommunications Commission. The more serious grounds for cancellation of the franchise is violation of Article 16, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution that limits ownership of mass media 100 percent to Filipinos when ABS-CBN “issued Philippine Deposit Receipts [PDR] through ABS-CBN Holdings Corporation to foreigners.” The network’s subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence “resorted to an ingenious corporate layering scheme in order to transfer its franchise without necessary congressional approval.” ‘‘Moreover, [i] t failed to publicly offer any of its outstanding capital stock to any securities exchange within the Philippines within ﬁve (5) years from start of its operations, which is indispensable condition in its franchise.” The position of ABS-CBN ABS-CBN in its defense, asserts that the petition is “without merit” and maintains that it did not violate the law; that it complies with all the laws governing its

Press... From A4

Note carefully that the grant of franchises is only a privilege granted by the state since the state has dominion of the airwaves. The question of press freedom, freedom of expression and freedom of information is beside the point. It is irrelevant. These freedoms are birthrights given to

franchise and has secured all necessary government and regulatory approvals for its business operations. The petition for quo warranto is an attempt to deprive ABS-CBN freedom of speech and an assault on press freedom. Certain legislators opine that the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction under the doctrine separation of powers among the legislature, the judiciary and the executive department. It is argued that the legislature has the sole constitutional power over cancellation or extension of franchise. Analysis of evaluation The revocation for violation of the Constitution and other laws of a franchise granted by the legislature is a justiceable question within the power of judicial review by the Supreme Court. The fact that ABS-CBN “has secured all the necessary government and regulatory approvals for its business operations” is not tenable as a defense because such approvals precisely fall under the category of highly abusive practices of ABS-CBN committed in the conspiracy with the past of government bureaucracy that may have been tainted by patronage graft and corruption committed by ABS-CBN, which fall within the powers of the Supreme Court to review acts of the other departments, their agencies and instrumentalities which are tainted with grave abuse of discretion under Sec. 1, Art. VIII of the Constitution. The Supreme Court in its wisdom and independence would resolve the important constitutional question of 100-percent ownership and control of mass media raised in the quo warranto petition. The petition would be moot and academic if Congress fails to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN by March 20. The high court may simply dismiss the petition for being moot and academic because there is no franchise to revoke if the franchise is not renewed. The Su-

preme Court may resolve a moot and academic question for the guidance of the Bench and the Bar if it is likely to recur involving transcendental importance to the nation. The President has the support of the overwhelming masses of the people in his campaign against the abuses of the oligarchs. The political opposition and ABS-CBN are making a mass appeal to the public to discredit the President and the administration which to date enjoy the overwhelming support of the people. The ABS-CBN violates the sub-judice rule in discussing their defenses in the media when there is already a pending case before the Supreme Court. I wish to raise an issue against possible malversation of public funds, if not syndicated estafa on the Meralco. The Lopez family could not pay the huge loans to the government, which was the reason Meralco was taken over by the Government and placed in the Meralco Foundation for the benefit of the consumers, with electric consumers as the members and beneficiaries. When Cory Aquino assumed power, she gave Meralco to the Lopez Family “gratis et amore” without requiring them to pay their huge loans to the Government. I commend Solicitor General Jose Calida for his creative lawyering, for another master stroke in the quo warranto against the abuses and disregard of ABS-CBN of the Constitution and the laws similar to his novel and unprecedented quo warranto that ousted former Chief Justice Sereno. I wish Solicitor General Jose Calida would look into the grossly illegal, oppressive and irregular Meralco turnover to the Lopez family to enable the government to return Meralco to its status as a non-profit corporation for the benefit of Meralco electric consumers before being illegally turned over as a gift of the Cory administration to the Lopez family.

individuals. Sectors crying that the Duterte administration was suppressing these freedoms are all wrong. Journalists employed by ABS-CBN can still pursue their calling and goals outside of the network. Admittedly, Duterte also has the right to complain as he did about ABS-CBN. He is entitled to show his dismay because he is also a citizen. As a lawyer myself, I ﬁnd this controversy enlightening because there is a lot

of misconception. On the more than 11,000 workers of ABS-CBN being jobless, that is not a problem. Any taipan can always buy the network because it is a proﬁtable one. The alternative is blocktime—Manny Pangilinan has in fact offered his channel for this purpose. *** Santa Banana, the statement coming from the World Health Organization that the conﬁrmed cases of novel coronavirus

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Tariffs 101 retaliation by the country that is at the receiving end of another country’s tariff. Titting followed by tatting and more titting soon leads to a decline in international trade and loss of production, jobs and incomes in the tariff-warring countries. This is what has been hapWHEN the history of early 21st-centu- pening to the economies of the US ry geopolitics is written, the first name and China and the world economy as that is bound to crop up, when the dis- a whole in the wake of Donald Trump’s cussion is the period’s international tariff-raising frenzy. The international financial institutrade, is bound to be that of the 45th President of the US Donald J. Trump. tions have been steadily downgrading He has been extremely active in the their world economic growth forecasts, making and execution of America’s and China’s economic growth rate has foreign trade policy, and his policy tool declined to its lowest level in many years, as a result of Donald Trump’s of choice has been the tariff. Tariff policy forms part of the theory China trade war. But the US economy and practice of international trade, and has been a loser also; the American tariffs are normal parts of the armory taxpayer has had to make compensatoof weapons with which a nation con- ry payments to US farmers who have ducts its international trade. A tariff been hurt by China’s higher tariffs on, is a potent weapon, and in the distant and reduced purchases of, American past, and especially in the late 19th and agricultural products. Everyone has ended up losing evenearly 20th centuries wars were fought over the excessive raising of tariffs on tually. In a tariff war, no one emerges a winner. the exports of some countries. All of the foregoing is not intended A history of the international trade of the 21st century’s second decade to suggest that tariff increases have no place in a counwill undoubtedly try’s international be highlighted by trade policy. They the patently exdo. The instances cessive use of tarSlapping tariffs on in which the tariff policy by the administration of imports or raising them iff weapon may legitimately be Donald Trump. diminishes the welfare resorted to come If one can speak under the heading of weaponizing of consumers. of UTP (unfair tariff policy, then trade practices). tariff weaponizaThe most blation is what the tant—and arguTrump administration has been engaging in since January 2017. As part of ably the most odious of UTP—is the his America First and Make America giving of subsidy of one kind or anothGreat Again programs, Mr. Trump has er by a country to its exporters in orinitiated tariff wars against virtually der to make them viable. One form of all of America’s most important trade subsidy is the granting of below-marpartners. True to one of his electoral ket-rates loans to exporters. Subsidies campaign promises, Mr. Trump’s first to exporters serve to make the internatariff action was a slew of tariff increas- tional-trade playing field less even. Another, more subtle form of UTP es on a very large volume of Chinese is manipulation by a country of its exports to the US. That was followed by threats of increases in the tariffs on currency—keeping its exchange value the US’ aluminum and steel imports low—so as to make its exports more from the EU. (European Union) coun- competitive. Currency manipulation tries and Canada. Other traditional US is a very serious charge, but is not altrade partners—including Japan, South ways easy to prove. Donald Trump has Korea and Mexico subsequently found called China a “great currency manipthemselves at the receiving end of actu- ulator”; considering the huge year-afal or threatened US tariff increases. In- ter-year surpluses that China has been deed, there is hardly a major US trade running in its trade with the US, there partner that has escaped Mr. Trump’s is probably some truth to that allegation. tariff-weaponization frenzy. A country’s recurrently running large But it is the Trump administration’s trade deficits indicates that its exports are tariff war with China—the world’s second-largest economy and one of its being uncompetitively produced. Slapstrongest trading countries—that has ping tariffs on imports is not the right involved the largest percentage of total way to bring the prices of its exports into world trade and has been the most un- line with the prices of imported prodsettling for the international economy. ucts; it should instead address the issue The total value of Chinese exports to of its own products’ uncompetitiveness the US that has been affected by Mr. in the international marketplace. Finally, there is the matter of conTrump’s tariff-raising mania has apsumer welfare. Lower-price imports proximated $500 billion. The greatest risk of a trade policy are one of the benefits derived by conthat relies heavily on tariff increases— sumers from international trade. Slapand the greatest danger to the stability ping tariffs on imports or raising them, and growth of the world economy—is diminishes the welfare of consumers.

the epicenter of the outbreak, as well as the province. This has been laid out from the Communist Party of China Central Committee to local governments at various levels. All the work is open and transparent, and are advanced scientiﬁcally and in an orderly manner. “China has a strong resolve as well as full conﬁdence and capability to win the battle against the contagious disease,” the statement added. Since the outbreak of the virus, the Chinese Embassy said China has been not only taking the most comprehensive and most rigorous prevention and control measures, many of which go well beyond the requirements of the International Health Regulations, but also releasing the information on the novel coronavirus in a timely, open, transparent and responsible manner, and responding actively to all concerns. In fact, China informed relevant sides and shared the genetic sequence of the coronavirus with the World Health Organization and related countries immediately. This was lauded by WHO and many countries which have recognized and commended China’s constructive efforts.

No less than WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that China identiﬁed the pathogen in record time and shared it immediately, which led to the rapid development of diagnostic tools. China is completely committed to transparency, both internally and externally. And China has agreed to work with other countries who need their support, they stressed. And that’s what matters most. That China, along with other countries, have been working to control, if not neutralize the virus. Remember, this is not China against Covid-19. Or China against other countries including the Philippines. This is humanity against a dreaded virus. This is a fail one, fail all situation. If they fail, we all fail. So, instead of trying to outsmart the health experts by posting our own analytics on the issue, let’s wait for the ofﬁcial pronouncement from the health authorities. Instead of hoping China and our leaders fail in handling the situation so the political thieves, err, the opposition could have someone to blame which they believe could enable them to move for a power grab, let’s just all pray. For if they fail, there will be no one left to blame and be blamed.

are “just the tip of the iceberg” is disturbing! This means that the virus can still get worse. There are already 1,000 deaths. The Duterte administration should not be complacent. We cannot afford a “bahala na” attitude and risk the safety of 110 million Filipinos. The WHO in fact warned small countries that it could be transmitted in other ways other than direct contact with infected patients. For example, nine mem-

bers of a Hong Kong family became infected after sharing a hotpot. Sadly, it seems that the Duterte administration is relying only on the DOH press brieﬁng. *** Many have been asking where they can buy my book, The Road Never Ends, which was launched last Jan. 30. My son and daughter are still talking to book stores. I will give more details as they become available.

Fail... From A4

News

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Abused POGO worker says PH gov’t exec behind crimes By Macon Ramos-Araneta A TRAFFICKED Philippine offshore gaming operator worker from Taiwan, who was rescued by the NBI together with 30 other workers, tagged a certain “Michael Yang” as an alleged government protector of the company. Lai Yu Cian, or Ivy, 24, recalled that when her bosses got mad at her, they would namedrop “Michael Yang.” “They say that there are very powerful government people..... that there is a government person to protect their business,” said Lai when she was presented by Senator Risa Hontiveros in a media briefing. “I heard about once or twice when my supervisor they get mad at me or sometimes they mention Michael Yang but I don’t know who is he. My boss always says, he didn’t explain to me.....just sometimes he shouts at me and in my memories, once or twice I hear the name,” she also sakd. When questioned if the “Michael Yang” is also the same person as the President’s former economic presidential adviser who carries a similar name, Hontiveros said her office has not yet verified the identity of the “Michael Yang” that Lai had mentioned. “We haven’t gone into checking out identities or persons or any other such issue,” said Hontiveros. “Right now our main concern in assisting Ivy is the humanitarian aspect,” she added. According to Lai, she arrived in the Philippines on Oct. 1, 2019 after being recruited by someone she met online to work in an advertising company. After being told to travel to the Philippines, she applied and was granted a tourist visa that allows her to stay for 30 days in the Philippines. She was then taken to Circuit Corporate Tower where she worked for a company run by Chinese. But a week upon her arrival in the Philippines, she was forced to work for a POGO company, and her passport was taken away from her. “The job I am doing….I work as an admin. I help my boss..[I’m] in charge of the driver and then housekeeping,” she said. After she experienced mental, physical and even sexual abuse, Lai insisted on leaving and returning back to Taiwan.

Group: Review Rice Tariffication Law By Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas

PARTY-LIST group on Wednesday called for a review of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law to assess its impact and appealed to the Duterte administration to ensure adequate domestic rice production. Former Party-list Rep. Cecil Chavez made the appeal as she denounced the amelioration program for small rice farmers under the P10 billion rice competitive enhancement fund—which she described as a “band-aid” solution to help improve rice production and generate adequate income for the country’s

Manila

Standard

TODAY

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that CEBU AIR, INC. doing business under the names and styles of Cebu Pacific and Cebu Pacific Air, with office address at Cebu Pacific Building, Domestic Road, Barangay 191, Zone 20, Pasay City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Air Transport Services under the Preferred ActivityInfrastructure and Logistics including LGU-PPPs-Air, Land and Water Transport-Air Transport (A320NEO #6 with CAB Registration No. RP-C4130) on a Non-Pioneer status with project site located at Airline Operations Center, Domestic Road, Pasay City. Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-FEB. 13, 2020)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that CEBU AIR, INC. doing business under the names and styles of Cebu Pacific and Cebu Pacific Air, with office address at Cebu Pacific Building, Domestic Road, Barangay 191, Zone 20, Pasay City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Air Transport Services under the Preferred ActivityInfrastructure and Logistics including LGU-PPPs-Air, Land and Water Transport-Air Transport (A320NEO #7 with CAB Registration No. RP-C4131) on a Non-Pioneer status with project site located at Airline Operations Center, Domestic Road, Pasay City. Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-FEB. 13, 2020)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that CEBU AIR, INC. doing business under the names and styles of Cebu Pacific and Cebu Pacific Air, with office address at Cebu Pacific Building, Domestic Road, Barangay 191, Zone 20, Pasay City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Air Transport Services under the Preferred ActivityInfrastructure and Logistics including LGU-PPPs-Air, Land and Water Transport-Air Transport (A321NEO #12 with CAB Registration No. RP-C4129) on a Non-Pioneer status with project site located at Airline Operations Center, Domestic Road, Pasay City. Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-FEB. 13, 2020)

three million small rice farmers. “The details of the amelioration program, that includes mechanism, seed distribution and questionable credit program are not simply rooted on sound farmer economic and economy,” Chavez said. Chavez, who voted against the Rice

Tariff Law in the past Congress, said the rice tariff law and the amelioration program detailed under the RCEF “both need a hard rethinking and review.” “The Duterte administration needs to suspend the Rice Tariff Law in the meantime that a review of the horrific impact of the law on small rice farmers and the country’s food security concerns is being undertaken,” Chavez said. Instead, she said crafting a comprehensive and science-backed Rice Industry Roadmap should be the first order of business of the Duterte administration. “In the order of priority, the Duterte

government should take the necessary steps if it were really sincere in helping the small rice farmers battered by the rice tariffication law and ensuring adequate rice production and supply by local farmers,” she said. These include the drafting of a Rice Industry Roadmap following massive consultations with farmers organizations, agricultural scientists, agricultural economists and top-notch agronomists; legislating a “new rice-centric law” that both helps the small rice farmers and ensure adequate domestic rice production; and suspension of massive rice importation.

PCG acquires 2 modern vessels from Japan firm

By Joel E. Zurbano

TRAFFICKED. Lai Yu Cian (foreground) narrates her story before reporters in the Senate, accompanied by Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is investigating alleged abuses in POGOs or Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations. The Taiwanese woman surfaced in the Senate on Wednesday to seek help from her country’s embassy as she claimed that she was trafficked into working for an offshore gaming firm allegedly backed by a ‘very powerful’ government official. Ey Acasio

Typhoon-hit GSIS members allotted P2-b loans THE Government Service Insurance System allotted almost P2 billion in emergency loan to members and pensioners in eight areas in the Visayas who were affected by Typhoon “Ursula.” A total of 36,750 active members and oldage and disability pensioners in the provinces of Capiz, Western Samar and Biliran and municipality of Guiuan in Eastern Samar may apply for the loan until Feb. 19. In the provinces of Leyte and Aklan as well as municipality of Daanbantayan and Sta. Fe in Cebu, the deadline for application for the 61,661 active members and old-age and disability pensioners is on Feb. 27. With a loanable amount of P20,000, the loan is payable in 36 equal monthly installments at 6 percent interest rate computed in advance. It is covered by a loan redemption insurance which deems the loan fully paid in case of the borrower’s demise, provided that loan payment is up to date. Active members may apply if they are working or residing in the calamity-declared areas; have updated premium payments within the last six months prior to application; have no unpaid loans for more than six months; are not on leave of absence without pay; have no pending administrative case or criminal charge; and have a minimum net take-home pay of P5,000 after deduction of the monthly premium contributions and loan amortizations. Active old-age and disability pensioners in the calamity declared-areas may apply for emergency loan if the resulting net monthly pension after loan availment is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension. Members may apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System kiosk or over the counter in any GSIS office. GWAPS kiosks are located in all GSIS branch and extension offices; provincial capitols; city halls; selected municipal offices; large government agencies such as the Department of Education; Robinsons Malls; and selected SM City branches in North EDSA, Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, SM Aura in Taguig, SM Southmall in Las Piñas, and Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

THE Philippine government has signed an agreement with Japan for the purchase of two new modern vessels worth P6.7 billion to be used by the Philippine Coast Guard aimed at improving its capability and efficiently enforce maritime-related operations. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. president and CEO Koji Okura led the signing of the contract for the supply and delivery of two Multi-Role Response Vessels. The acquisition of the vessels―measuring 94 meters with a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots and an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles―is in line with the government’s Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project, Phase II. “The Philippine Coast Guard is boosting its maritime capability by acquiring Rapid Response Vessels which will be its largest floating assets yet. The vessels will employ Japanese technology to withstand rough sea conditions suitable for upholding maritime security, search and rescue, marine environment protection, and maritime safety,” said Coast Guard spokesperson Armand Balilo. Balilo said the vessels are expected to be delivered in June 2022. The contract signing was witnessed by Transportation Undersecretary for Finance Garry de Guzman, Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Reinier Paul Yebra, Coast Guard commandant Admiral Joel Garcia, and Assistant Secretary for Maritime Lino Dabi. From the private sector, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. Business Department general manager Kenichiro Mase and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd. Manila Representative Office Chief Representative Kazunori Yokome witnessed the ceremony. Tugade said that the purchase is a breakthrough in the government’s thrust of modernizing and upgrading the country’s maritime protection and border patrol. “The modernization of Philippine Coast Guard has been going fast and quick and very meaningful. In fact, in this effort to make it quick, fast, and very meaningful, the government of Japan has contributed very much. And to which I express my appreciation for your continued support,” he said. Admiral Garcia, for his part, said the signing ceremony is a landmark achievement, not just for the department and agency, but also for the whole country as the Coast Guard will now have its first-ever biggest patrol ships. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK “We are making a milestone, not just for the Department of Transportation and Philippine Coast Guard, but also for the Philippines—acquiring the first-ever biggest ship for the Coast Guard. It is a 94-meter multi-role response vessel. It is a big stride to the development of this country in the context of maritime security and maritime safety,” Garcia said.

SSS releases P178-m benefits for jobless members By Rio N. Araja SOME P178 million worth of benefits have been released in 2019 through an unemployment benefit or involuntary separation insurance program of the Social Service System under Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018 that took effect on March 5, 2019. SSS president and chief executive officer Aurora Ignacio said the pension fund received 15,151 unemployment benefit applications in 2019, of which 14,895 were approved and translated to P178 million of benefit releases. The unemployment benefit program is the newest among the benefits being offered by SSS allowing qualified SSS members who are involuntarily separated from

work to claim for a cash allowance equivalent to two times his average monthly salary credit. Since its implementation in August 2019, the bulk of the unemployment benefit applications were received in October with 4,596 approved applications which corresponded to P54.61 million released to qualified members. “We are hoping that with the newest benefit, we will help more SSS members during times of unexpected job loss. The program was patterned after the unemployment benefit program in European countries. Our primary objective is to assist them while they are looking for another job after they were involuntarily separated from their work,” Ignacio said. “They may also use the benefit for their retooling and capacity building

to find a better job or work that will suit their skills, ” she added. To qualify for unemployment benefit, a member must not be more than 60 years old at the time of involuntary separation, except for underground and surface mine workers, and racehorse jockeys whose age should not be more than 50 and 55 years old, respectively. “The unemployment benefit can be claimed only once every three years starting from the date of involuntary separation from work. If two or more compensable contingencies occurred within the same period, SSS will only pay the highest benefit from the recorded contingencies. They are given one year from the time of their separation to file for their benefit claim,” the SSS official said.

DENR to use donated land for sewage treatment plant THE heirs of the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin have donated a 1.14-hectare property in Oriental Mindoro to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the construction of the “second and bigger” sewage treatment plant near the province’s famous White Beach, Barangay San Isidro in Puerto Galera. With the donation, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the agency could start next month the construction of the P194-million STP that is expected to be operational by the last quarter of 2020. About 2,000 square meters of the donated property would be used for the STP, while a

sub-office of the DENR-Batangas provincial environment and natural resources would be built in the remaining 9,444 square meters. To have a second STP and a DENR satellite office within Puerto Galera’s White Beach area would enhance efforts to preserve it and help avoid another temporary closure of a tourist destination because of environmental problems, just like what happened to Aklan’s Boracay Island. “Puerto Galera was ahead of Boracay in terms of gaining international attention as a major tourist destination and I commend its local executives and stakeholders for taking a proactive stance to prevent a Boracay-like scenario in

Puerto Galera,” the DENR chief said. He thanked the Locsin family and Puerto Galera Mayor Rockey Ilagan for his serious commitment to protect and conserve Mindoro’s prime ecotourism destination. Puerto Galera’s first STP, a P100-million facility located in Barangay Sabang, became fully operational last December. It has since been treating 1,750 cubic meters of uncontrolled wastewater per day. Leandro Locsin Jr. was the signatory in the deed of donation. The second STP would have a capacity of 3,000 cubic meters and would service residents and business establishments in Barangay San Isidro. Rio N. Araja

News CA confirms AFP chief, Navy’s first female head THE Commission on Appointments confirmed Wednesday the ad interim appointments of Armed Forces chief of staff Felimon Santos Jr. and Navy Commodore Luzviminda Camacho, with none objecting to their confirmation. The members of the CA national defense committee asked Santos several questions including the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement, while none was hurled at Camacho. Santos was the head of the Eastern Mindanao Command prior to his appointment to the top military post. He is a member of Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala Class of 1986 and spent most of his junior years with the 39th Infantry Battalion, a unit deployed in Mindanao. He also once headed the 11th Intelligence Service Unit based in Davao City, hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte. Santos previously held the positions of Chief of Operations of Central Command in Visayas; 703rd Infantry Brigade Commander in Central Luzon; Battalion Commander of 63rd Infantry Battalion in Samar Province; and Assistant Division Commander of 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Awang Maguindanao. He was the former commander of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. Camacho, the first female commodore of the Navy, was also the first woman to command a Navy ship and the first female commander of Philippine peacekeepers deployed to the United Nations. Sen. Grace Poe, in her sponsorship speech, said: “Clearly, Commodore Camacho has paved the way in her field before we were even privileged to meet her. Hers is a story of pure grit...” She said more than the grant of the title, the appointment signified bigger and better things to come for the AFP. “Putting the right leaders at its helm is only the start of better capacitating our Navy in these uncertain times. I have no doubt that we are nearer to this goal with the appointment of Commodore Camacho,” she said.

House probes Villar’s firms water control By Maricel V. Cruz THE Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives has sought a congressional investigation into the alleged anomalous takeover of the Villar owned-Prime Water Corp. on several local water districts in the country. In a statement, Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite said the group had “convincing evidences (sic) and formidable witnesses ready to testify” at the chamber once the investigation begins. Gaite said the resource persons and witnesses to be presented are employees who were dismissed from their jobs, complaining consumers about the poor services of Prime Water, and officials of water district who would attest on the railroading and irregularity entered in the Joint Venture Agreement of Prime Water with the Local Water Utilities Administration, which paved the way for its takeover of the Local Water Districts. “Once the investigation begins, we will find out and disclose to the public the [alleged] sweetheart deals of Prime Water,” said Gaite, the Bloc’s member.. At the same time, the Makabayan bloc is urging the House leadership to act on its pending resolution before the House Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization asking to conduct a House inquiry against Prime Water owned by billionaire couple Senator Cynthia and Manny Villar. The Makabayan Bloc earlier filed House Resolution 10 calling for a congressional probe “to examine the JVA entered by Prime Water since there are supposed to be an opposition on the 25year agreement, and yet the public-private partnerships with LWD were carried on.” One example cited by Makabayan bloc was Prime Water’s JVA in San Jose del Monte City Water District which was opposed by consumer group Alliance for Consumers Protection and residents.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Arrest order out vs. KAPA execs By Jenniffer B. Austria

REGIONAL Trial Court of Bislig City has issued arrest warrants against the founder, key ofﬁcers and promoters of KAPA-Community Ministry International for their involvement in a P50-billion investment scam. The Securities and Exchange Commission said the Bislig City Regional Trial Court Branch 29 on Feb. 11 issued the warrants against KAPA founder and president Joel Apolinario, trustee Margie Danao and corporate secretary Reyna Apolinario, along with promoters Marisol Diaz, Adelfa Fernandico, Moises Mopia and Reniones Catubigan.

The court issued the warrants after Justice department prosecutors filed criminal charges against KAPA for violations of Republic Act 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code. “It is about time the people behind KAPA answer the criminal charges filed against them,” SEC chairman Emilio Aquino said.

“May this serve as a reiteration of the Commission’s resolve to stamp out investment scams and shield the investing public from fraud and other abuses in the corporate sector.” The proceedings stemmed from the complaint filed by the SEC on June 18, 2019, against KAPA for the unauthorized sale or offering for sale or distribution of securities to the general public. The SEC found that KAPA enticed the public to invest at least P10,000 in exchange for a 30 percent monthly return for life, without having to do anything other than invest and wait for the payout. The SEC also found KAPA to have

employed a Ponzi scheme, an investment program that offers impossibly high returns and pays investors using the money contributed by later investors. The Justice department, in a resolution issued last September, found probable cause to bring charges against KAPA, affirming the findings of the SEC. The department also accused KAPA of “willfully, unlawfully and criminally” engaging in the selling or offering for sale or distribution of securities in the Philippines without a registration statement duly filed with and approved by the SEC.

Amendments quick descent to martial rule —Karapatan By Willie Casas

VALENTINE’S SCENT. With only a few days left before Valentine’s Day people start the rush to troop to Laong Laan in Sampaloc, Manila to buy flowers at what is now known as Dangwa area, with the sale of red roses brisk in the city’s wholesale market for flowers of different colors and petals. Norman Cruz NOTES TO HIGH NINE. A lady

passenger enjoys some sweet treats and is serenaded by the LRMC Choir and train operators with songs during the season of love this month of February. The experience is initiated by the LRT 1 Love Train organized by Light Rail Manila Corp. headed by president and CEO Juan Alfonso. Lino Santos

Private hospitals support medical aid PRIVATE hospitals from various provinces of CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) pledged their support and acknowledged the need to provide medical assistance to qualified beneficiaries of the Department of Health’s Medical Assistance for Indigent Program. This is through a Memorandum of Agreement signed Wednesday by various chiefs of hospital in the region. Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said this was a manifestation of the slogan “All for Health Towards Health for All” as more private hospitals come into the fold. This only means more options for patients seeking consultation or rehabilitation to go to and select the health facility

of their choice. “This will also redound to a more improve service delivery network and help address health inequities by providing more access to healthcare and reducing the financial burden of out-of-pocket expenses by patients,” he said. Through the MOA, private hospitals shall provide and administer the appropriate treatment to qualified indigent patients including those vaccinated by “Dengvaxia” with all their expenses to be shouldered by the DOH regional office for the medical services rendered to a qualified beneficiary. Janairo also assured private hospitals that payments from their services rendered to MAIP and Dengvaxia patients

shall be paid straightaway. “We will process payments immediately within the week once we received your notice.” The partnership with private hospitals ensures the effective and efficient implementation and strengthening of the service delivery network through strategies and activities that would address the prevailing burden of various diseases in the country. The MOA signing is pursuant of the government’s health agenda to attain the best possible health outcomes for Filipinos with no disparity. The event was attended by more than 100 private hospitals in CALABARZON region. Macon Ramos-Araneta

HUMAN rights group Karapatan has submitted its position paper to the House of Representatives Committee on Public Order and Safety regarding the six House bills which seek to amend the Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007, during the committee’s hearing on the proposed measures. “If enacted in Congress, the said amendments will pave the way for the steep and mad descent towards martial law in the Philippines. The proposed draconian measures will ensure the throwback to the Marcosian era, enabling the wholesale disregard of human and people’s rights enshrined in the 1987 Constitution,” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay. Palabay said these proposals were inconsistent with international human rights standards including the right to due process, against unlimited detention of suspects, rights to free speech and expression, right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances, right to freedom of association, the right of human rights defenders to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, right to mobility and against unjust and cruel punishment. According to Karapatan, House Bills 551, 2082, 2847, 3103, 3413, and 5710, authored by Reps. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Jericho Jonas Nograles, Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr., Michael Romero, Jocelyn Tulfo, Eric Yap, Rowena Nina Taduran, and Lianda Bolilia, would “worsen the provisions of this already monstrous piece of legislation in furtherance of legal repressive measures that are in sync with the brand of state repression that the current administration employs.” At the same time, Kabataan Partylist reiterated its stand in opposing the proposed amendments on the Human Security Act. The proposed amendments show no signs of really protecting the people against terrorism, but instead will only expand the power of the military over civilian affairs, Kabataan Party-list said in a statement. Even when the proposed amendments are still being discussed in a Technical Working Group, the Duterte administration along with its military and police forces had nothing holding them back in committing human rights violations across the country, it said In addition to the long-standing drug war, it said the people had witnessed relentless attacks on the rights from the implementation of yet another vicious policy. Duterte’s Executive Order 70 and other corresponding operational plans and memos all have a brand of “ending communist insurgency,” but are in fact after civilians and legal organizations that are especially critical of the administration and its anti-people policies, it said.

BI agents arrest 3 South Koreans, 8 Japanese fugitives By Joel E. Zurbano IMMIGRATION agents arrested three South Koreans and eight Japanese fugitives in four separate operations this week. The 11 foreigners were arrested in cities of Quezon, Taguig, Pasay, and in the province of Laguna by operatives from the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit, according to FSU chief Bobby Raquepo who said the three Koreans were wanted for large-scale fraud. “They no longer hold valid passports as these were already canceled by the Korean government,” said Raquepo. Arrested on Feb. 4 in a unit of a condominium build-

ing in Cubao was Kim Moo Gyo, 35. Kim was reportedly issued an arrest warrant by a Korean court where he was indicted for involvement in telecommunications fraud wherein the victims’ combined losses amounted to more than a billion won or more than $US840 million. Also arrested on the same date in a condominium unit in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig was Kim Saehyun, 27. Kim was the subject of a warrant for illegally operating an online gaming business and committing telecom fraud in violation of national sports promotion act of the Republic of Korea. Last Feb. 10, FSU operatives also arrested in Pasay City

72-year-old Wi Seong Don, who is wanted on multiple counts of fraud and embezzlement charges in Korea. Arrested last Tuesday at a resort in Sitio Lilian, Famy Laguna were eight Japanese nationals engaged in a voice phishing and telecom fraud and extortion. According to Raquepo, the suspects, who were all male and in their early 20s to 30s, were the subjects of an investigation and case buildup by the National Bureau of Investigation. The suspects were involved in a scam targeting fellow Japanese nationals. The syndicate, Raquepo added, scammed millions of pesos in its scheme and was operating for at least three years.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

Sports

Red Spikers clinch last semis ticket By Peter Atencio

UAAP cancels all events after Feb. 14 TO ensure the safety of the entire community of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the league announced that all of its sporting events after Feb. 14, 2020 will be postponed until further notice due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The decision was made unanimous by the league’s Board of Trustees and Board of Managing Directors Tuesday afternoon after the press conference for second semester events. Moreover, this was also done in compliance with the advisories of the Department of Health and the Commissioner on Higher Education early this week. “The University Athletic Association of the Philippines upholds, in the highest regard, the well- being, health and safety of the League’s community players, coaches, students, their families and fans in general,” said the league’s statement co-signed by UAAP President Emmanuel Fernandez and Executive Director Rene Saguisag, Jr. “In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the UAAP, after thorough deliberation by the Board of Trustees and the Board of Managing Directors, have come to a decision to postpone all sporting events starting Saturday, 15 February.” This means that the opening of the league’s collegiate volleyball tournament this weekend will be moved to a later date. Also postponed are the men’s football tournament which was set to begin on February 16, softball tournament (February 17), seniors baseball tournament (February 19), athletics (February 19-23), and judo (last week of February). The playoffs for the high school beach volleyball and basketball tournaments will also be moved. The fencing tournament and the 10th matchday of the high school boys’ football tournament will still take place this week. With this, the league is calling for everyone to stay safe and pray for the safety of the country.

Perpetual Altas ace setter EJ Casaña (5) blocks the hammer of EAC’s Joshua Miña (5) during their teams’ Monday match in the NCAA Season 95 men’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City. The defending champs target to sweep the elims for an automatic finals’ slot versus Letran Knights today. Dennis Abrina

Pacquiao-MgGregor faceoff in the works By Peter Atencio

SHOWDOWN between boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor is now close to happening.

This was after Paradigm Sports Management announced on that it has added the Filipino boxing legend to its stable. The Paradigm stable includes Universal Fighting Championships stars McGregor, Israel Adesanya and Cris Cyborg. In a statement, Pacquiao said he is proud of having partnered with the outﬁt. “I am proud to partner with Paradigm Sports Management and am excited for the opportunities that [Paradigm president and CEO] Audie Attar and PSM

have to offer,” said Pacquiao. Because of this, the possibility of the Irish star meeting the eight-division world champion is now gaining momentum. Pacquiao, an eight-division champion is on a three-ﬁght winning streak after after knocking out Lucas Matthysse and outpointing Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman. Paradigm Sports Management, founded by Audie Attar, said he is now ready to work with Arnold Vegafria, Ping Nepomuceno, Attorney Brando Viernes-

to, and Jayke Joson, on a fight schedule. And McGregor had expressed interest in fighting the Filipino boxer in the soon-to-be built Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. “I would be honored to be a part of that event. I would love to be the first combatant to fight in that arena. What a fight that would be against Manny. A small, powerful southpaw. I’d have to figure out the weight and these type of things,” said McGregor McGregor last went into boxing when he fought American boxer Floyd Mayweather back in 2017. Back then, Mayweather won the match, which was dubbed as “The Biggest Fight in Combat Sports History.” Mayweather won it via technical knockout in the 10th round.

EquestrianPH presents champions to PSC EQUESTRIAN Philippines Inc., the country’s leading promoter and sponsor of show jumping and dressage initiatives both here and abroad, presented to the Philippine Sports Commission its accomplishments for the 2019-2020 season. In a courtesy call to the PSC, EquestrianPH president Carissa Coscolluela and vice president Toni Leviste, accompanied by the country’s up and coming team of rising equestrian stars, Minxie Romualdez, Alex Ynares-Villalon, Nicole Camcam, and Paola Lorenzo, touted unprecedented achievements for the equestrian community in the sort time that EquestrianPH has taken initiatives to revitalize the sport. They were received by PSC Chairman William Ramirez, and commissioners Charley Raymond Maxey, Arnold Agustin, and Celia Kiram. Among the stellar accomplishments were the gold medal ﬁnish of the young team at both legs of Riders Tour, a borrowed horse competition pitting a team

Equestrian Philippines, Inc. and rising stars pay a courtesy call on the Philippine Sports Commission to present their achievements from last year, among them, the staging of a local championship series, two gold medal finishes for the up and coming team of riders at Riders 2019 and 2020 versus Malaysia, and a silver medal finish at the FEA Asian Championships. In photo are PSC commissioners, Celia Kiram, Arnold Agustin, Charles Raymond Maxey, EquestrianPH president Carissa Coscolluela, Minxie Romualdez, PSC chairman William Ramirez, EquestrianPH vice president Toni Leviste, Alex Villalon, Paola Lorenzo (EquestrianPH Overall Champion 2019), and Nicole Camcam. Not in photo are team coach Joker Arroyo, and team members Colin Syquia, Lara Zobel, and Mohamed el Akkad.

from the Philippines against several The inaugural competition was teams from Malaysia. staged in Manila in September last year,

Local aces gear up for fierce golf duel THE locals are coming into the Philippine Ladies Open in full force, all bracing for three days of battle of shotmaking and putting against a slew of foreign bidders who opted to stay put for the 58th staging of the event which gets going Feb. 18 at the posh Manila Golf Club in Forbes Park in Makati City. The organizing Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines said a number of campaigners from the US, Taiwan, Singapore and other neighboring countries have backed out due to the COVID-19 outbreak, leaving 68 players to dispute the crown in the country’s premier championship. Still, bets from Japan, Guam, Australia, Indonesia and three players from the US, led by Kristin Oberiano, who totes an index of 0.1, and one from Singapore

signed up for the tournament, all aiming to break the expected domination of the Filipinas in the event sponsored by San Miguel Corp., Diamond Motors, Sunsports and Eva Air. SEA Games team gold medalist Abby Arevalo and fellow scratch player Nicole Abelar banner the locals’ campaign with the likes of Eagle Ace Superal, Sophia Blanco, Junia Gabasa, Arnie Taguines and young Rianne Malixi also tipped to contend for the crown in the tournament backed by Globe, Cherrylume, Courbé and the National Golf Association of the Philippines. Others in the fold are Sam Dizon, Rhea Langamin, Mafy Singson, Martina Miñoza and Grace Quintanilla along with Japanese Airi Mitsuhashi and Aussies Angela Enqi and Gabrielle Beohm.

and the second event was held in in Kuala Lumpur last December. The team was composed of Romualdez, Ynares-Villalon, Camcam, Lorenzo, Lara Zobel, and Mohamed el Akkad. The senior team of Leviste, Joker Arroyo, and Colin Syquia, sponsored by EquestrianPH, saw an astonishing silver medal finish at the Federation Equestre Internationale Asian Champioships held in Pattaya in December of last year, at the same time that the Southeast Asian Games were happening in Manila, absent the staging of equestrian events for logistics reasons. Locally, EquestrianPH also launched a remarkable championship series, the likes of which have not been mounted in the country in over a decade. The series was composed of three legs of jumping competitions held at the Manila Polo Club, with riders accumulating points per leg towards an overall championship title and category championship titles.

NIEZA Viray provided leadership for the San Beda University Red Lionesses and her contributions allowed them to bag the last semiﬁnal ticket late Tuesday in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball tournament. With Viray hitting 17 points, the Red Lionesses smothered the Mapua University Lady Cardinals, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19, at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Viray had 12 attack points for the the Lady Red Spikers in their 67-minute encounter. The Red Lionesses improved to 6-2 to solidify their hold on fourth position in the standings. Team skipper Cesca Racqraquin scored the last 12 points in helping San Beda join St. Benilde, Arellano and Perpetual in the semis. “Mas maganda kasi nakikita ko ‘yung mga bata, talagang nagpupursigi so maganda sa amin ‘yun. ‘Yung morale nila mataas, tapos ‘yung maturity sa game nandiyan,” said San Beda University head coach Nemesio Gavino Jr. San Beda’s Kim Manzano provided points near the net, with four of her 11 markers coming from blocks. Lorraine Barias and Mae Fernandez topped Mapua with seven markers each for the Lady Cardinals, who fell down to the cellar with a dismal 1-7 slate. San Beda will seek a better place in the semis when it takes on Lyceum on Friday.

97 teams join PAL Seniors Interclub golf NINETY-SEVEN (97) teams have signed up for the 34th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Seniors Interclub golf team championships set Feb. 26-29 in Bacolod City. The field includes 45 clubs based in the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. Defending champion Luisita is gunning for its first back-to-back title since completing a six-peat in 2005. Save for Edmund Yee, Luisita is fielding the same team that posted a three-point win over Canlubang at last year’s PAL Interclub in Cebu City. Taking Yee’s place is returning member Jingy Tuason who played for the team two years ago. The other Luisita players are Eddie Bagtas, Benjamin Sumulong, Chino Raymundo, Chito Laureta, Rafael Garcia, Rodel Mangulabnan and Demetrio Saclot. Canlubang, on the other hand, is made up of Tommy Manotoc, Abe Rosal, Zaldy Villa, Rolly Viray, Damasus Wong, Abe Avena and Mari Hechanova. Pem Rosal is not in the lineup and will be most likely replaced by Rene Unson. Play for the 2020 PAL Interclub will be at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (formerly Marapara) and at the Bacolod Golf Club (Binitin). The Molave scoring system will be used in the four-day event. Par is worth 3 points while a birdie and bogey are worth 4 and 2, respectively. An even par round is worth 54 points. The field is divided into five brackets: Championship, Founders, Aviator, Sportswriter and Friendship. Each team is allowed to field four players for each round, but only the top three scores are counted. Each player can only play a maximum of two rounds.

PBA Technical Commitee proposes changes in rules THE PBA Technical Committee has proposed rule changes for the 45th Season primarily to make the games more exciting as well as to be more aligned with FIBA rules. A new set of head coaches comprise this year’s ‘Competition Committee’ namely Coach Leo Austria of SMB, Coach Caloy Garcia of ROS, Coach Nash Racela of BWE and Coach Louie Alas of Phoenix Fuel Masters (represented by Mel Alas and Christopher Reyes). The 1st Competition Committee under Comm. Marcial was formed in 2018 with Coaches Tim Cone of GSM, Norman Black of Meralco , Yeng Guiao of NLEX and then Alaska Head Coach Alex Compton with Coach Ryan Gregorio and Mr. Quinito Henson. The Ofﬁce of the Commissioner plans to rotate all Head Coaches from the league’s 12 teams to be part of the Competition Committee in the future.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial met with the members of the competition committee on Tuesday to present and consult the committee on the propose rule change on a number of conducts in the league’s rule book. The committee unanimously approved the move. With Marcial are (from left) PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro, PBA technical head Bong Pascual, Phoenix asst. coach Carmelo Alas, ROS coach Caloy Garcia, SMB coach Leo Austria, PBA technical consultant Joey Guanio, Blackwater coach Nash Racela, Phoenix assistant coach Kris Reyes and PBA D-League Tournament director Mauro Bengua

The PBA Technical Committee will make ﬁnes and penalties. their rounds to all teams to further explain The said rule changes were unaniand discuss the rule changes that include mously approved by the Competition that of substitutions, time resetting and Committee.

IN BRIEF

‘A’ credit rating possible in 2 years

ECONOMIC managers are optimistic the goal of “A” investment grade rating for the Philippines will be attained in two years, following Fitch Ratings’ upward adjustment of its “BBB” credit rating outlook for the country from “stable” to “positive” on Tuesday. The upward revision happened less than a week after Japan-based Rating and Investments Information Inc. upgraded the country’s rating from “BBB” to “BBB+”. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a statement the “positive” outlook from Fitch―which signaled that a possible upgrade to “BBB+” could happen in the next 12 to 18 months― was an encouraging development. “We deserve a credit rating upgrade from Fitch, and the ‘positive’ outlook should soon lead us there. As part of our Road to ‘A’ agenda, we are more vigorously communicating the economic milestones as well as the governance and institutional strengthening the Philippines achieved in recent years,” Diokno said. “At the same time, we are meticulously tracking how the economy is progressing in terms of achieving a wide array of metrics that will solidify our position as an ‘A’ rated economy in two years,” Diokno said. Julito G. Rada

Business

Consumer group backs Meralco PSAs

CONSUMER group Laban Konsyumer Inc. lauded the recent announcement of power rate decrease by Manila Electric Co., as rates dropped in February by 59 centavos per kilowatt-hour, making it the lowest in two years. This is the second straight month of power rate reduction, amounting to P1 per kWh in the past two months cumulatively. The group is thankful that this brings down power prices and the generation charge bill component significantly to the great benefit of consumers. Laban Konsyumer also welcomed the outcome of Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision to reduce to 4 centavos per kWh the feed-in-tariff allowance in the electric bills being paid for by Filipino consumers. “We hope that our participation as consumer advocate helped tip the scales regarding this decision by the regulator. This emphasizes our primary advocacy through timely petitions filed to the commission,” said Laban Konsyumer president Vic Dimagiba. The group said it was waiting for the pending action and decision for the disclosure of the grid operating maintenance program “especially as we enter the summer months and the high temperatures usually lead to plant shutdowns and thinning power supply.”

New coronavirus likely to affect PH economy—Oxford By Julito G. Rada OXFORD Economics, one of the world’s top independent global advisory firms, said the Philippines is one of the economies that would be affected by the new coronavirus outbreak because its tourism industry relies on Chinese tourists. Oxford said in a report that weaker Chinese imports and tourism and disruption to global supply chains would take a toll on the rest of the world particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. “Economies where travel and tourism accounts for a significant share of GDP and which are more reliant on Chinese tourists are likely to be impacted by this crisis the most include: Hong Kong, China; Macao, China; Thailand; Cambodia; and the Philippines,” Oxford said. It said the importance of China’s outbound travel grew steadily over the past two decades, with its significance as a tourism source market increasing substantially since the previous SARS outbreak in 2003. Data showed there were over 73 million departures from China in 2019, roughly a tenfold increase from departure levels in 1999. As a share of global departures, China accounted for 6.9 percent of all departures in 2019, with only Germany and the United States accounting for a higher share of global departures. The International Monetary Fund said Tuesday the 2019 coronavirus outbreak that claimed the lives of around 1,000 individuals in the mainland China would have a negative impact on the Philippine economy this year. IMF resident representative to the Philippines Yongzheng Yang said in a news briefing at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that the spread of the dreaded disease had caused a lot of anxieties and travel restrictions that could heavily impact the tourism industry.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

HYDROPOWER PLANT’S PERMIT.

Officials of Ormin Power Inc. receive the certificate of compliance from the Energy Regulatory Commission for the company’s 10-megawatt Inabasan Hydropower Plant in San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro. Attending the ceremony are (from left) OPI compliance officer Joel delos Reyes, OPI vice president for legal Atty. Rhoda Cuevas, OPI president Jefferson Yao, OPI vice president for finance Ortrud Yao, OPI chairman Jolly Ting, ERC Chair Agnes Devanadera, ERC Commissioner Alexis Lumbatan, ERC Commissioner Paul Christian Cervantes and ERC Director for Sharon Montañer.

Vivant signs power deal with BANELCO

VIVANT Energy Corp. said a subsidiary signed a 15-megawatt power supply agreement with Bantayan Electric Cooperative to address the need for a stable and reliable energy source in Bantayan Island, a growing tourism hub in northern Cebu. “We welcome this opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of Bantayan. Having a stable and reliable supply of energy is vital to the economic and social development of the community, and we’re honored to be the one given this responsibility. We want to do good here because this is in our home, Cebu,” said Vivant Energy chief operating officer Emil Andre Garcia. Under the agreement, Isla Norte Energy Corp., a consortium of Vivant Energy, Vivant Integrated Diesel Corp. and Gigawatt Power Inc. will install a 23.31-megawatt diesel-fired power plant in the town of Bantayan. Vivant Energy manages the investments of publicly-listed Vivant Corp. in the energy sector. Vivant Integrated is a whollyowned subsidiary of Vivant Energy. Alena Mae S. Flores

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

SM Prime gets SEC nod on P100-b bond program By Jenniffer B. Austria

HE Securities and Exchange Commission said Wednesday it approved the P100-billion bond shelf registration program of property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc.

It said it rendered effective SM Prime’s registration statement and approved the issuance of the first tranche of the offering amounting to P15 billion with an oversubscription option for another P5 billion. The Series K bonds will mature in five years while the Series L bonds will be due seven years from the issue date. The bonds will be issued in minimum denominations of P20,000 and in multiples of P10,000 thereafter. They will

be listed and traded in denominations of P10,000 on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. Proceeds from the fund-raising activity will be used to finance the completion of 17 new malls and expansion of existing malls, according to SM Prime’s application. SM Prime plans to complete four new malls in 2020 including SM City Butuan, SM City Daet, SM City Grand Central (Caloocan) and SM City Roxas. The four new malls will have a gross floor area of 221,000 square meters. It is also set to complete the expansion of SM Baguio and SM Mall of Asia-Ikea which will add 32,000 sq. m. and 157,000 sq. m., respectively. SM Prime is also scheduled to complete six new malls in 2020 including SM City Bataan, SM City Sorsogon, SM City Tuguegarao, SM City San Pedro, SM City North Davao and SM City

Tanza. The new malls will have a total GFA of 197,000 sq. m. It also plans to complete three mall expansions that will add 74,000 sq. m. of GFA. The property firm will complete seven new malls in the provinces of Bataan, Sorsogon, Cagayan, Laguna, Davao and Cavite with a total GFA of 372,000 sq. m. in 2022. BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., BPI Capital Corp., East West Banking Corp., First Metro Investment Corp., RCBC Capital Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. agreed to act as joint lead underwriters for the offer. SM Prime may issue the remaining debt securities under its shelf-registration in tranches within three years from the effective date of the registration statement.

Nograles asks DOE to nullify IEMOP’s contract By Alena Mae S. Flores A LAWMAKER on Thursday asked the Energy Department to invalidate the contract between Philippine Electricity Market Corp. and Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines Inc., saying “it is void ab initio” or invalid from the beginning. Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles said in a statement PEMC’s claimed transition from being a government-owned and controlled corporation into a fully privatized company which would have allowed the transfer of its assets to IEMOP was not proper and not legally-binding because this was not approved by President Rodrigo Duterte. PEMC transferred to IEMOP, through an operating agreement, the operation of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market on Sept. 26, 2018. PEMC currently supervises the WESM. Nograles said that during the House

energy committee meeting, the Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations confirmed that PEMC needed to go through a process to become a private entity in accordance with Republic Act No. 101149. He said to become a private entity, PEMC should seek the endorsement of GCG to the president. “The continued collection of market fees from consumers is illegal because the contract is illegal,” Nograles said, adding that President Duterte might not have been aware of the matter. He said the PEMC-IEMOP deal which allowed IEMOP to collect from consumers is also illegal because this was not approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission. Nueva Ejica Rep. Rosanna Vergara earlier said Congress should have been involved in the creation of the IEMOP. Vergara said a public hearing should have been held to ensure transparency. She also questioned the background

of newly-appointed IEMOP president and chief executive Richard Nethercott who admitted during the recent committee on energy hearing that he is married to an assistant secretary of the Energy Department. Nethercott also said National Transmission Corp. president Melvin Matibag was also married to one of the incorporators of IEMOP, but she resigned. Vergara said the said relationships put into question the independence of IEMOP and could be in violation of the Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft Law. PEMC earlier assured that the transfer of the WESM operations to IEMOP went through consultations, studies and relevant approvals. PEMC officials also said the cost of operating the market was recovered through market fees collected from the WESM market participants that were approved by the ERC as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

LRMC expects completion of LRT 1 extension project next year By Darwin G. Amojelar LIGHT Rail Manila Corp., the operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1, said Wednesday it is optimistic the construction of the first section of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project will be completed by the end of 2021. “The DOTR is pushing us to finish as early as possible. They requested to finish [the first phase ] by next year. We are coordinating with them. Right now it seems achievable,” LRMC president and chief executive Juan Alfonso told reporters at the sidelines of the launching of LRT-1 Love Train. Alfonso said the right-of-way acquisition for the Phase 1 was 90-percent completed. Phase 1 covers 7 kilometers of the 11-kilometer LRT-1 Cavite Extension, including the Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asiaworld Station, Ninoy Aquino Station and Dr. Santos Station. “The progress is going well,” Alfonso said. The DOTR earlier said the partial operability of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project Phase 1 was expected to start by the fourth quarter of 2021. The remaining stations between Las Piñas and Niog in Bacoor, Cavite are scheduled for fully-operational by 2022. The project is expected to increase LRT-1’s ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 a day and reduce travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite from 1 to 2 hours to only 25 minutes. MPIC, through Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., owns 55 percent of Light Rail Manila Consortium which earlier won the bidding for the P64.9-billion LRT1 Cavite Extension, one of the public-private partnership projects of the Aquino administration. AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. holds a 35-percent stake in LRMC, while Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Inc. owns the remaining 10 percent.

Local vaping groups slam WHO for ‘erroneous’ data on e-cigarettes

TOP COLLECTOR. Port of Subic district collector Maritess Martin (third from left) receives a plaque of commendation from Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez (right) and Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero (second from left) for her outstanding performance in revenue collection and border protection during the commemoration of the 118th founding anniversary of the Bureau of Customs on Feb. 8, 2020.The Port of Subic collected P32.37 billion against the target of P23.90 billion in 2019.

LOCAL vaping groups criticized the World Health Organization for publishing “an atrociously erroneous” question and answer page on electronic cigarettes. “The Q&A has nine questions and every answer the WHO provides is filled with false, misleading or simplistic information,” said Peter Paul Dator, president of The Vapers Philippines. “Stubbornly clinging to their myopic belief that the only way to reduce smoking is for smokers to ‘quit or die,’ the WHO conveniently ignores the science supporting e-cigarettes as a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes and shamelessly stoops to the level of falsity, propaganda and fear mongering,” Dator said. “We have always questioned the WHO’s competence in tobacco control, particularly in recognizing tobacco harm reduction as a public health strategy and the potential for new technologies, such

as e-cigarettes, to reduce smoking-related harms. By publishing this disgraceful Q&A on e-cigarettes, the WHO violated every precept of responsible science communication and sound policymaking,” said Joey Dulay, president of the Philippine E-cigarette Industry Association. Dator and Dulay slammed the WHO’s “reckless and irresponsible” decision to publish what they called error-ridden Q&A. They called on responsible and sensible tobacco control advocates and journalists to speak out and debunk the Q&A with scientific facts. Initially published on the WHO website on Jan. 20, 2020 and distributed by e-mail to journalists in several countries, the Q&A triggered a barrage of harsh criticisms from vaping advocates who accused the global health organization of misrepresenting the science about vaping risks by exaggerating claims of e-cigarette harmfulness.

Business

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market retreats; ICTSI, ISM drop T HE stock market fell Wednesday, ignoring another positive lead from Wall Street with investor sentiment mixed about the immediate and longterm impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index declined 56.30 points, or 0.8 percent, to 7,383.10 on a value turnover of P6.1 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 122 to 63, with 51 issues unchanged. International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, shed 3.5 percent to P121.60, while Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, dropped 3.2 percent to P3.05. ISM Communications Corp. sank

11.2 percent to P1.98, while Megaworld Corp., the largest lessor of office spaces, fell 2 percent to P3.92. The rest of markets in Asia-Pacific rose, with investors monitoring the latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak. The virus, officially named COVID-19 on Tuesday, has spooked markets around the world, having killed more than 1,100 people and infected tens of thousands since it emerged in central China at the end of last year. Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed 0.7 percent higher, while Shanghai ended the day up 0.9 percent. In afternoon trade elsewhere, Hong Kong put on 1.0 percent, Sydney gained 0.5 percent and Singapore rose 1.2 percent. Seoul, Taipei, and Wellington were also higher. The positive morning following fresh record closes by the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq in New York on Tuesday.

“Despite the doom and gloom being shown in the real economy, Asian equity markets are a sea of green today. COVID-19 fears have been shrugged off, with regional markets preferring to follow Wall Street’s lead,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst for AsiaPacific at OANDA. “Unfortunately, seas of green are often associated with algal blooms, which tend to suffocate all life in the water within them. The rallies of the past two days should be approached with caution.” Traders reacted positively to cautious comments from the US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on the new coronavirus—which has spread to more than two dozen countries and has been declared a global health emergency. The Fed boss told Congress members on Tuesday that the central bank was closely monitoring the virus and that its impact could spill over to the world

economy, but the assessment was not as gloomy as many had expected. China, the world’s second-largest economy, is looking to recover momentum after authorities extended the Lunar New Year break in a bid to stop the spread of the virus. But millions of people remain in lockdown in many cities, where transport has also been severely restricted—disrupting supply chains for key industries, including smartphones and cars. There are expectations that Beijing will introduce major stimulus policies to offset the hit to the economy. There are concerns about how that will impact not only China’s overall economic growth, but also the bottom lines of many multinational firms. The production lines of major auto makers such as GM and Hyundai have already been disturbed, and there is fear that airlines and the hospitality and tourism sectors will also take a hit. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review wedneSday, FeBruary 12, 2020

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

53 85.55 152 25.1 18.1 11.16 3.6 0.41 58.5 0.74 32.45 176.9 51.6 20.95 173.1 1,865 59 1.1

53.2 86.65 152.3 25.15 18.48 11.38 3.65 0.51 59.5 0.81 32.45 176.9 51.7 21 174.9 1,865 59 1.1

50.5 85.5 150.7 25 18 11.14 3.6 0.41 58.3 0.74 31.8 176 51.6 20.7 173 1,847 58.5 1.1

FINANCIAL 50.5 4,020 86.2 1,486,180 151 732,300 25.05 353,100 18.36 197,800 11.14 118,200 3.65 30,000 0.41 5,790,000 58.3 2,005,820 0.79 110,000 31.8 98,800 176 20 51.7 180 20.7 1,200 173.1 278,570 1,850 450 58.5 6,590 1.1 24,000

213,460 128,080,432.50 110,690,929 8,851,900 3,571,196 1,318,026 109,200 2,576,150 118,087,441.50 87,200 3,159,925 3,529 9,290 24,995 48,232,040 833,600 385,560 26,400

-1,010 17,909,317.50 -32,812,538 450,900 -3,558,380 -577,782 -25,500 -4,581,405.50 -545,200 -2,100 -20,643,314 26,400

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

32.3 2.12 7.86 0.6 1.18 2.86 0.222 1.4 15.02 10.6 30.15 59 61 2.15 4.9 9.1 12.1 9.08 7.26 3.16 20.85 67.4 1.99 36.5 1.55 10.6 6.5 1.27 192 4.15 3.2 7.17 12.82 10.22 14.5 276.8 0.172 1.84 3.71 3.59 10 11.52 30.3 4.71 1.57 1.28 9.45 76.5 9.28 0.117 1.06 152 2.4 1.12 1.04

32.4 2.12 7.9 0.61 1.24 2.93 0.226 1.43 15.04 11.08 30.2 59 61 2.15 4.9 9.1 12.5 9.08 7.26 3.2 20.85 67.4 2.02 36.5 1.68 10.6 6.65 1.29 194 4.15 3.2 7.17 12.84 10.44 14.68 277.4 0.172 1.85 3.94 3.6 10 11.76 30.45 5.26 1.66 1.31 9.5 76.9 9.5 0.122 1.06 152.3 2.4 1.13 1.04

32.05 2.05 7.22 0.59 1.16 2.8 0.218 1.39 15.02 9.85 29.8 59 61 2.14 4.6 8.65 12.02 8.83 7.25 2.84 20.05 66.8 1.78 36.5 1.55 10.08 6.5 1.21 191 4.15 3.19 7.17 12.5 10.16 14.4 263.8 0.168 1.77 3 3.49 9.61 11.46 30 4.71 1.48 1.23 9.45 75.4 9.2 0.117 0.95 149 2.4 1.11 0.99

INDUSTRIAL 32.2 690,400 2.08 897,000 7.22 3,014,600 0.61 1,288,000 1.24 26,000 2.81 1,925,000 0.226 1,210,000 1.41 1,684,000 15.04 1,614,100 9.92 7,487,200 30.15 52,700 59 220 61 10 2.14 50,000 4.6 49,000 8.67 1,236,100 12.1 12,000 9 25,300 7.25 7,325,700 2.95 4,199,000 20.1 824,300 66.8 775,660 1.84 74,314,000 36.5 800 1.68 10,046,000 10.38 305,500 6.6 50,200 1.27 168,000 192 507,220 4.15 11,000 3.2 7,000 7.17 100 12.56 8,184,800 10.2 494,200 14.5 5,821,100 263.8 271,460 0.168 1,500,000 1.84 1,077,000 3.78 455,000 3.49 1,070,000 9.77 15,000 11.76 79,000 30.15 282,800 4.72 8,253,000 1.48 719,000 1.24 1,603,000 9.5 36,200 75.85 36,440 9.2 248,600 0.118 1,010,000 0.95 250,000 151 1,205,900 2.4 7,000 1.13 1,175,000 0.99 1,441,000

22,227,860 1,854,200 22,963,989 778,270 30,760 5,513,360 270,020 2,360,970 24,243,826 79,455,307 1,586,960 12,980 610 107,300 238,900 10,787,975 146,096 228,379 53,112,234 12,608,050 16,651,815 51,913,491.50 140,336,230 29,200 16,286,120 3,127,204 328,573 207,310 97,534,196 45,650 22,370 717 103,098,262 5,077,046 83,875,880 72,805,102 255,020 1,985,930 1,511,440 3,752,870 145,567 923,820 8,519,935 38,932,460 1,100,700 2,020,730 343,836 2,758,638.50 2,335,077 120,680 246,510 181,666,052 16,800 1,316,910 1,450,060

-18,194,075.00 7,140,791 11,800 907,410 -467,380 -3,004 -165,215.00 -83,980 -938,984 -7,226 144,875 42,350,130 140,950 -888,595 -1,030,056 1,412,780 3,650 -4,839,760.00 79,980.00 -121,790 36,900 -32,726,166 -9,600 4,215,180 -1,830,014 -83,411,244 -39,964,996 253,320 -33,140 -912,430 -7,723,425 -229,000 194,750 -1,567,054.50 -798,000 -33,130 -1,020 -84,653,765 0 -4,440 -84,150

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

0.87 52.05 10.46 0.68 6.05 10.18 0.9 0.92 755.5 2.61 6.5 6.05 12 0.22 727.5 4.95 71.9 6.6 5.21 0.49 3.77 10.6 0.56 3.2 4.32 1.16 2.74 136.1 1,000 0.78 1.12 184.5 170 0.193

0.88 52.05 10.48 0.72 6.1 10.18 0.92 0.92 755.5 2.62 6.5 6.06 12.78 0.22 733 4.95 71.9 6.83 5.21 0.495 3.88 10.64 0.58 3.2 4.38 1.16 2.8 136.1 1,005 0.83 1.12 184.5 170 0.193

0.86 50.85 10.4 0.68 6.05 10 0.89 0.9 749.5 2.56 6.25 5.95 12 0.22 721.5 4.91 71 6.04 5.21 0.49 3.77 10.54 0.56 3.03 4.32 1.13 2.74 131.8 996 0.78 1.12 179 167.8 0.19

HOLDING FIRMS 0.87 3,998,000 50.85 353,520 10.44 1,968,900 0.69 156,000 6.1 51,100 10 1,100 747,000 0.89 0.9 250,000 753 297,890 2.56 589,000 6.34 112,600 6 10,924,600 12.78 8,800 0.22 250,000 724 266,610 4.91 57,000 71 558,450 6.05 378,100 5.21 200 0.49 36,000 3.77 441,000 10.54 3,346,100 0.58 4,000 3.05 35,329,000 4.38 14,000 1.13 47,000 2.8 41,000 133 183,700 1,002 126,935 0.78 63,000 1.12 10,000 184.5 180 170 1,760 0.19 4,360,000

3,478,330 18,066,019.50 20,551,598 108,830 311,425 11,018 665,860 227,000 224,340,225 1,529,470 709,441 65,540,260 111,840 55,000 193,969,030 280,070 39,736,517.50 2,534,048 1,042 17,645 1,662,900 35,316,430 2,260 108,870,210 60,720 53,820 114,740 24,366,422 127,109,452.50 49,190 11,200 32,330 297,441 831,090

-1,356,321 305,310 311,425 -121,500 -25,884,000 104,000 -192,336 -13,614,058 41,928,210 -280,070 -27,320,503.50 -42,714 -1,285,570 23,728,042 12,013,240 -11,662,549 -38,113,600 -37,202 85,950

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

14.7 0.65 1.62 0.78 44 1.55 4.48 6.65 0.48 0.74 0.83 0.177 0.365 8.8 18.78 1.47 1.05 3.98 0.218 0.395 1.02 0.305 2.05 24.75 2.1 42.45

14.74 0.67 1.62 0.8 44.15 1.6 4.5 6.65 0.49 0.76 0.83 0.177 0.365 9.24 19.2 1.47 1.05 3.99 0.23 0.45 1.03 0.305 2.08 25 2.12 42.55

14.7 0.62 1.62 0.78 43.6 1.55 4.48 6.58 0.48 0.73 0.82 0.175 0.365 8.8 18.74 1.44 1.04 3.89 0.201 0.395 1 0.305 2.04 24.6 2.08 42.05

PROPERTY 14.7 891,000 0.67 1,073,000 1.62 9,000 0.78 898,000 43.6 11,904,800 1.57 361,000 4.48 139,000 6.58 800 0.485 2,320,000 0.76 43,000 0.82 20,000 0.175 3,040,000 0.365 250,000 9 7,000 19.08 1,067,800 1.45 6,314,000 1.04 598,000 3.92 31,470,000 0.201 21,970,000 0.45 23,730,000 1 1,245,000 0.305 610,000 2.08 440,000 24.65 527,300 2.08 142,000 26,874,500 42.3

13,106,602 695,210 14,580 701,390 521,373,050 570,260 624,780 5,277 1,121,450 31,700 16,540 533,440 91,250 62,716 20,302,478 9,137,580 622,560 123,334,920 4,830,800 9,796,150 1,251,000 186,050 899,590 13,003,690 295,440 1,138,961,885

-997,468 80,006,445 -3,140 87,500 -2,700 -2,636,184 -8,389,160 -7,232,910 136,300 -4,748,470 593,332,770

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

2.55 1.83 6.49 5.2

2.55 1.92 6.49 5.24

2.5 1.7 6.4 5.03

2.54 1.7 6.4 5.24

144,000 7,573,000 498,200 116,100

363,010 13,332,320 3,209,189 590,718

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

9 16.72 1.31 9.98 0.39 0.048 2.7 9 0.046 82.8 4.53 7.79 890 1,999 5.4 420 9.58 1.18 125.4 9.09 0.107 2.31 12.14 2.1 0.88 10.32 0.53 1.88 0.98 11.1 2.2 2.09 7.4 2.93 8.96 140 3.43 1,015 0.53 0.325 38.8 74.5 8.69 2.21 0.58 0.244 0.56 18.88

9 17.58 1.4 9.98 0.405 0.049 3.47 9.1 0.05 82.8 4.66 7.79 890 2,000 5.4 420 13.36 1.18 126.7 9.41 0.107 2.37 12.68 2.21 0.94 10.66 0.6 1.88 1.06 11.1 2.24 2.09 7.4 2.97 8.96 140 3.49 1,027 0.59 0.33 38.8 74.7 8.69 2.27 0.58 0.249 0.58 18.88

8.9 16.72 1.31 9.7 0.39 0.047 2.7 8.75 0.046 79.3 4.51 7.22 890 1,965 5.35 420 9.58 1.14 121.6 9.09 0.104 1.94 12.14 2.1 0.88 9.94 0.48 1.82 0.98 10.6 2.13 2 7.4 2.93 8.96 138 3.34 1,007 0.5 0.315 38.3 73.65 8.69 2.17 0.57 0.244 0.56 18.72

SERVICES 8.9 16.92 1.4 9.7 0.4 0.049 3.32 8.8 0.047 80.2 4.51 7.45 890 2,000 5.4 420 13.36 1.16 121.6 9.4 0.105 1.98 12.68 2.16 0.94 9.95 0.48 1.85 1.06 10.6 2.13 2 7.4 2.97 8.96 139 3.36 1,013 0.51 0.315 38.5 73.65 8.69 2.27 0.57 0.244 0.58 18.86

7,500 431,100 14,000 223,300 460,000 6,100,000 6,698,000 6,232,000 15,800,000 194,500 710,000 18,100 240 42,775 306,400 30 400 322,000 670,420 89,300 1,050,000 173,819,000 400 367,000 11,000 3,718,800 23,535,000 1,477,000 32,000 3,100 1,456,000 68,000 1,600 3,000 200 160 1,348,000 96,165 474,553,000 3,830,000 77,100 300,430 13,000 1,073,000 1,117,000 780,000 492,000 399,300

67,220 7,359,794 18,880 2,175,125 181,250 289,200 21,507,770 55,256,354 760,100 15,507,558.50 3,222,110 134,290 213,600 85,173,485 1,653,916 12,600 4,644 372,390 82,744,241 838,831 110,780 366,792,920 4,964 796,440 9,790 37,548,914 12,507,090 2,732,660 32,600 34,120 3,143,890 137,840 11,840 8,830 1,792 22,200 4,567,780 97,808,030 240,331,940 1,235,200 2,966,400 22,201,206.50 112,970 2,398,740 640,410 191,870 281,490 7,531,888

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

0.0014 7.39 0.99 2.25 10.9 1.05 2.97 0.27 6.5 1.31 0.208 0.095 0.094 0.0077 0.78 2.68 0.99 0.465 0.69 0.0099 0.011 0.011 2.89 8.43 20.3 0.0052

0.0015 7.58 1.01 2.25 10.9 1.05 2.99 0.27 6.69 1.32 0.208 0.096 0.094 0.0077 0.78 2.68 1 0.5 0.69 0.0099 0.011 0.011 2.89 9.1 20.3 0.0052

0.0014 7.23 0.97 2.25 10.9 1.05 2.97 0.27 6.5 1.3 0.198 0.091 0.09 0.0077 0.78 2.61 0.99 0.465 0.63 0.0097 0.011 0.01 2.83 8.41 19.96 0.005

MINING & OIL 0.0015 95,000,000 7.23 53,400 0.99 633,000 2.25 15,000 10.9 100 1.05 7,000 2.98 397,000 0.27 120,000 6.51 7,900 1.3 819,000 0.198 430,000 0.096 370,000 0.09 1,740,000 0.0077 1,000,000 0.78 50,000 2.64 2,504,000 1 11,000 0.5 110,000 0.67 45,000 0.0099 12,000,000 0.011 6,400,000 0.011 26,900,000 2.85 61,000 8.45 507,800 20 213,500 0.005 17,000,000

133,300 388,087 624,140 33,750 1,090 7,350 1,182,500 32,400 51,633 1,072,030 85,600 34,760 162,920 7,700 39,000 6,632,170 10,900 51,500 29,410 117,800 70,400 284,100 174,220 4,391,014 4,271,462 85,500

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 CPG PREF A DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 4 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

14.88 500 101 101 500 5.2 988 99 100 1,050 102.3 1,052 77.1 75.25 75.05 76.7 75.5 75.6 75.25

14.9 500 102 101 500 5.2 988 99 100.2 1,050 102.3 1,052 77.1 75.6 75.1 76.7 75.5 75.6 75.9

14.86 500 101 101 500 5.2 988 99 100 1,050 102.3 1,052 77 75 75.05 76.7 75 75.6 75.25

PREFERRED 14.9 173,300 500 2,000 102 2,670 101 110 500 600 5.2 100 988 250 99 54,800 100 2,710 1,050 8,850 102.3 1,500 1,052 450 77 23,000 75.6 16,400 75.1 26,900 76.7 1,000 75 99,450 75.6 1,000 75.9 197,020

2,581,338 1,000,000 269,870 11,110 300,000 520 247,000 5,425,200 271,058 9,292,500 153,450 473,400 1,772,000 1,232,550 2,019,373.50 76,700 7,463,150 75,600 14,953,805

LR WARRANT

1.14

WARRANTS 1.14 1,000

1,140

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

3.36 10.5 0.79

3.36 10.64 0.8

3.2 9.63 0.78

3.2 9.63 0.79

FIRST METRO ETF

111.4

111.6

110.8

USD DMPL A1

10.26

MS Trading Summary

FINANCIAL

11,568,793

INDUSTRIAL

155,055,856

HOLDING FIRMS

69,261,725

PROPERTY

150,744,611

SERVICES

758,383,206

MINING & OIL

167,206,855

GRAND TOTAL

1,314,455,905

SME

598,000 826,000 804,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 110.8 6,030 DDS 10.26

2,420

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP -1,833,468 -26,100 -253,829 25,950 -14,175,141 -11,050,406.50 44,660 14,279,150 -37,277,282 -660,090 9,378,890 -1,326,210 -27,940 2,040 1,400 -31,495,080 691,580 97,500 -511,325.00 -7,016,478 565,140 -14,250.00 5,163,304 -1,500 -62,589 518,520 -46,210 710,010 6,600 -238,629 -936,208 -1,882,548 75,600 -

1,970,950 8,337,048 635,210

-27,300 -

669,470

40,104

24,829.20

VALUE 1,755.82 (down) 3.12 476,603,487.72 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 9,063.65 (down) 154.04 1,090,757,422.784 HOLDING FIRMS 7,068.29 (down) 44.70 1,166,862,371.83 PROPERTY 4,032.48 (down) 22.28 SERVICES 1,456.86 (down) 20.65 2,159,168,095.59 MINING & OIL 7,132.70 (down) 83.23 1,148,196,189.27 PSEI 7,383.10 (down) 56.30 19,986,479.659 All Shares Index 4,355.46 (down) 34.59 6,073,189,349.71 Gainers: 63; Losers: 122; Unchanged: 51; Total: 236

Globe rolls out free, high-speed Internet services in Ilocos Norte By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. teamed up with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte to roll out free high-speed Internet in key areas in the province. Through a partnership with the local government, Globe aims to power more of the province’s constituents with free, highspeed Internet with its GoWiFi services. “Staying true to our mission of leading the country’s digital transformation, this partnership with Ilocos Norte is of utmost importance for us in reaching and connecting more areas outside urban Luzon to reliable Internet connectivity,” said Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu. “We are hoping that this connectivity can stimulate the development of the province as one of the economic powerhouses in the entire Northern Luzon— from powering small and medium local businesses with more efficient digital solutions to offering 24/7 quality medical services by telehealth provider KonsultaMD to more citizens,” he added. GoWiFi services are now available in key areas in Ilocos Norte such as the Capitol Building, Laoag City Hall, Batac City Hall, San Nicolas IT Park and Aurora Park in Laoag. In line with the partnership, Globe will also be holding sessions of its Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) that aim to educate local government representatives and its community members on responsible online behavior. These include being knowledgeable on online safety, cyber bullying, online etiquette, identifying fake news, among many others. DTP trainings will be done within the first quarter of the year. Globe plans to power all municipalities in Ilocos Norte with free Internet in the next few years. With a partnership in place, Ilocos Norte is now part of the 2,700 GoWiFi hotspots across the country. The free Internet service provider continues its expansion plans nationwide, especially in high-traffic areas like schools, malls and hospitals to make high-quality internet connection accessible and affordable to more Filipinos.

Alsons re-issues P694m worth of CP to fund expansion By Alena Mae S. Flores ALSONS Consolidated Resources Inc., the listed company of the Alcantara Group, re-issued ₱694 million worth of commercial paper from the first ₱1.5-billion tranche of the company’s issuance registered Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. Alsons said in a statement the issue would provide interim funding to help the company’s expansion into the renewable energy (RE) sphere. “We are happy to once again tap the short-term capital market for our working capital needs,” said Alsons chief financial officer Robert Yenko. Alsons’ commercial paper earlier received a PRS A plus (corp.) with a “stable outlook” issuer credit rating from Philippine Rating Services Corp. PhilRatings cited the company’s “above average capacity to meet its financial commitments, the positive growth prospects for Mindanao which will bring about an increasing demand for power,” and its “ability to establish joint ventures with strong partners for particular projects.” The stable outlook is assigned when a rating is likely to be maintained or remain unchanged in the next twelve months. “These are exciting times ahead for ACR as we begin to focus on building up our RE portfolio and this facility will greatly help us in these efforts,” Yenko said. The company is building a ₱4.5-billion 14.5-megawatt run-of -river hydroelectric power plant at the Siguil River basin in Maasim, Sarangani province. The Siguil hydro power plant is expected to begin commercial operations in 2022. It will provide power to Sarangani, General Santos City and key municipalities of South Cotabato. The Siguil power plant, Alsons’ initial RE foray, will be the first of eight run-of-river hydroelectric power facilities that the company plans to develop in several areas in Mindanao, and Negros Occidental in Western Visayas.

Business/World

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Global cost of pollution $2.9 trillion a year P ARIS―The global cost of air pollution caused by fossil fuels is US$8 billion a day, or roughly 3.3 percent of the world’s GDP, an environmental research group said Wednesday.

The findings from the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and Greenpeace Southeast Asia are the first to assess the global cost of air pollution specifically from burning oil, gas and coal. “We found that the China Mainland, the United States and India bear the highest costs from fossil fuel air pollution worldwide, an estimated $900 bil-

lion, $600 billion and $150 billion per year, respectively,” the report said. Particles thrown off by fossil fuel use account for 4.5 million premature deaths each year around the globe, including 1.8 million in China and a million in India, the researchers found. The new figure is in line with World Health Organization estimates of 4.2 million deaths each year linked to ground-level air pollution, mostly from heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections in children. “Air pollution from fossil fuels is a threat to our health and our economies that takes millions of lives and costs us trillions of dollars,” said Minwoo Son, clean air campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia. The global cost for 2018 was $2.9 trillion, the report estimated.

Will power supply deals finally cut electricity rates? FOREIGN investors are aware that the Philippines has one of the highest electricity rates in Asia. The prohibitive cost has forced a number of these investors to drop their plan to relocate their factories in the Philippines and, instead, set up shop elsewhere. Even Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has conceded that the Philippines “continues to have one of the highest electricity tariffs in the ASEAN region.” “High electricity bills are a constant complaint we all often hear. For investments, this makes us less attractive as a destination for doing business. It means higher overheads for the business,” said Cusi earlier. What makes Philippine electricity rates uncompetitive with the rest of Southeast Asia-Pacific are subsidies in neighboring countries that keep rates elsewhere artificially low. Cusi, however, offers hope. “We have a long way to go before our energy prices are as competitive as our neighbors but I believe that by operating a transparent and competitive energy market, we will get there,” said the energy chief. “The DOE (Department of Energy) remains committed to putting the Philippine consumer first. Guided by the EPIRA [Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001] law, we believe that consumers can be empowered by ensuring a transparent, competitive and rules-based energy market,” he said. Electricity consumers early this year are experiencing a relief. Electricity rates are on a downward trajectory for two consecutive months since the start of 2020. The lower rates for this month are unique since February usually signals a normalization of rates coming from a big drop in January due the reconciliation of outage allowances. Electricity rates are down to P8.80 per kilowatt hour, even lower than P9.03 per kilowatt hour rate in February 2010. The lower rates translate into a monthly savings of P200 for a typical household consuming 200 kilowatt hours. New power supply agreements, or PSAs, resulting from the transparent competitive selection process undertaken by Manila Electric Co. are bearing fruits. The new PSAs resulted in more additional power supply and capacity to the grid and led to lower price of electricity for consumers. The Energy Regulatory Commission now headed by pro-consumer chairperson Agnes Devanadera approved the PSA, which are adding additional capacity to the grid and reducing rates. With Devanadera at the helm in ERC, the commission is proactively working to lower the power rates for the benefit of the consumers. Power rates as a result have decreased by a cumulative P1 per kilowatt hour for two consecutive months. Former ERC commissioner Alfredo Non, however, is not convinced at all. He is spearheading a misinformation drive against his former office, alleging that ERC was neglecting its duty of ensuring low electricity bills for consumers. Power rates actually have gone down by P1 per kwh, belying Non’s claims. The feed-in-tariff allowance (FIT-All) and the universal missionary charge, which are included in the consumers’ electricity bills, are the real culprit for higher power rates in the past. But the ERC decided to reduce these charges despite requests by renewable energy developers. Many are not aware that it was Non, when he was still oversight commissioner at the ERC, who pushed and supported a higher FIT-All charge. Non supported a higher FIT-ALL charge to aid the increasing number of renewable energy developers. It is a form of subsidy that consumers are paying in their bills. Electricity consumers are being charged over P30 billion a year, which goes to the pockets of RE developers. The Philippines is fortunate that a more credible and professional chair is currently heading ERC, which implements fair and transparent decisions for the benefit of the consumers. Since Devanadera and her team assumed leadership at the ERC, they have been blocking an increase in the rates for FIT-All and universal charge. It may be most appropriate if FIT-All and the universal charge are permanently scrapped to reduce power rates in the Philippines to give electricity consumers a win-win solution. E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@ manilastandard.net or extrastory2000@gmail.com

Manila

“But this is a problem that we know how to solve: by transitioning to renewable energy sources, phasing out diesel and petrol cars, and building public transport.” The 44-page report breaks down the global burden of fossil fuel-driven air pollution―measured in economic costs and premature deaths―by type of pollutant and by country. Each year the global economy takes $350 billion and $380 billion hits from nitrogen dioxide (NO2)―a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion in vehicles and power plants―and ozone, respectively, according to middle-ground estimates. By far the most costly pollutant is microscopic fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), which accounts for more than two trillion dollars per year in damages, measured in health impacts, missed work days and

Among countries taking the biggest economic hit each year are China ($900 billion), the United States ($610 bn), India ($150 bn), Germany ($140 bn), Japan ($130 bn), Russia ($68 bn) and Britain ($66 bn). Globally, air pollution accounts for 29 percent of all deaths and disease from lung cancer, 17 percent from acute lower respiratory infection, and a quarter from stroke and heart disease, according to the WHO. The new report used global datasets for surface-level concentrations of the three main pollutants analyzed, and then calculated health and cost impacts for 2018. Estimates of PM 2.5 and NO2 concentrations were based on Earth observation instruments on two NASA satellites that monitor aerosols in the atmosphere. AFP

years lost to premature death. The global breakdown for premature deaths each year was 500,000 for NO2, one million for ozone, and three million for PM 2.5. Some 40,000 children die every year before their fifth birthday due to PM 2.5, which also leads to two million preterm births annually and twice as many cases of asthma. PM 2.5 particles penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing cardiovascular respiratory problems. In 2013, the WHO classified it as a cancer-causing agent. Middle-range estimates of the number of premature deaths stemming from fossil fuel pollution include 398,000 for the European Union, 230,000 for the United States, 96,000 for Bangladesh, and 44,000 for Indonesia.

Standard

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

JPUm= the JPU reference coal index (USD/MT) published on the 25th of the calendar month; provided that if such day falls on a non-Business Day, the JPU ref erence coal index on the immediately preceding Business Day shall be used

TODAY

FXm = the average of the daily PHP/USD exchange rate for the last three calendar months prior to the Billing Period for which the Invoice is being prepared, as published in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas website

IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION THE FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND AP RENEWABLES, INC. (For MAKBAN A), WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

Operation and Maintenance Rate (OM) = PhP 0.8121/ kWh REVWESM = WESM Revenue attributable to the kWh dispatchfor RPS ERC CASE NO. 2019-100 RC

NATIONAL CORPORATION OF PHILIPPINES AND AP RENEWABLES, INC., Applicants. x ---------------------------------------------------------- x

13.

Applicants submit that the rates represent a reasonable recovery to provide the procured AS.

14.

The rates under ASPA was subjected to a simulation by NGCP, the results of which are as follows:

Ancillary Service

Indicative Rate Impact Php/kWmonth

PhP/kWh equivalent

Reactive Power Support-Lagging (Makban A)

0.6278

0.0012

Reactive Power Support-Leading (Makban A)

0.0468

0.0001

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 27 December 2019, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI) filed an Application, seeking the Commission’s approval of their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA) for Makban A, with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

A copy of the Rate Impact Simulation is attached as Annex “C”.

The pertinent provisions of the said Application are hereunder quoted as follows: NATURE OF THE CASE 1.

This Application is for the approval of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (“ASPA”) between the NGCP and APRI dated 18 November 2019 pursuant to the Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC entitled: “In the Matter of the Application for the Approval of Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (ASCRM) of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan, with Prayer for Provisional Authority.” THE PARTIES

Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 95111 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through highvoltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.

15.

Consistent with the AS-CRM, all the related and incidental expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the procurement and operation of the ancillary services shall be recovered from all the load customers in the Luzon Grid.

16.

The ASPA shall be effective for a period of five (5) years, to commence immediately upon the effectivity of the provisional approval (“PA”), or in the absence thereof, the final approval (“FA”) of the instant Application. In the event that the PA or FA, as the case may be, does not state a particular date of effectivity, the Agreement shall be effective on the date agreed upon by the Parties.

17.

Attached are copies of relevant documents proving APRI’s due registration as a generation company, the Certificate of Compliance of the Generation Facility issued by the Honorable Commission, APRI’s audited financial statements, and other documents, as follows:

Document

Applicant APRI is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal office at NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. It may be served with orders, notices, and other legal processes through its undersigned counsel. It is the owner and operator of a Geothermal Power Plant (“Generation Facility”) located in Bay, Laguna Province, which was certified and accredited by NGCP to be capable of providing Ancillary Services (“AS”) in the form of Reactive Power Support (“RPS”). ANTECEDENT FACTS

Republic Act No. 9136 provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance2 , as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (“PGC”), adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission, and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system.3

AS as defined in Section 4(b) of the EPIRA “refer to those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code to be adopted in accordance with this Act.” These services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and consequently, in the reliability of the electricity supply in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

In order to implement and regulate the procurement of AS, the Honorable Commission approved the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan (“ASPP”) through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002-253 and the Ancillary Services-Cost Recovery Mechanism (“AS-CRM”) through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC.

Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP on 25 June, 2 July and 9 July 2018, published in the Philippine Star and Philippine Daily Inquirer5 a Notice of Invitation for Prospective Ancillary Services Providers, inviting all grid-connected merchant plants and independent power producers to participate in the provision of ancillary services. Upon receipt of the intention from APRI to provide RPS, NGCP commenced negotiation for the execution of an ASPA.

NGCP agreed to procure and APRI agreed to supply RPS under a non-firm arrangement. A copy of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement for AP Renewables Inc. dated 18 November 2019 is attached as Annex “A”.

10.

During the period of negotiation, NGCP conducted several tests on the Generation Facility, and certified that the generating units have met and complied with the Standard Ancillary Services Technical Requirements of the ASPP as capable of providing RPS. A copy of NGCP Accreditation Certificate No. 2019-L021 dated 1 August 2019 is attached as Annex “B”.

NON-FIRM CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATE AND IMPACT SIMULATION 11.

Under Clause 3 of the ASPA, APRI shall provide NGCP with the following AS as specified in Schedule 1 of the ASPA: Non-Firm Contracted Capacity: Reactive Power Support (RPS) Available capacity of Reactive Power outside the range of 85% lagging and 90% leading power factor, as provided in Schedule 6. Note that the nomination and schedule shall be based on the latest AS Accreditation Certificate.

12.

The Applicable Rates under the ASPA as provided in Schedule 3 are as follows:

“E”

2019 General Information Sheet

“F”

2018 Audited Financial Statements

“G”

Certificate of Compliance (COC No. 15-05-M-00007L)

“H”

WESM Registration Approval Form of APRI

“I”

APRI Acquisition Cost and Additional Investments in the Plant

“J”

18.

It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power (Section 2(b), EPlRA). To this end, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system security and reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS.

19.

The current levels of available contracted AS in the Luzon Grid have not yet reached the desired levels necessary for the system security and reliability. Thus, Applicants executed the ASPA. A copy of the relevant actual data showing the RPS Simulation for APRI MAKBAN is attached as Annex “K”, respectively.

20.

As the demand for power in the Luzon increases, the requirements of the system to ensure stability, reliability, and security likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth. The importance of AS, from APRI to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the Luzon Grid cannot be overemphasized.

21.

Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the Luzon Grid. In support of these allegations, NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Lisaflor Bacani-Kater of the Revenue and Regulatory Affairs Department of NGCP, which is attached as Annex “L“. PRAYER

Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA executed on 18 November 2019; and

APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the subject ASPA. Applicants pray for other just and equitable relief.

On 17 January 2020, APRI filed a Motion to Set Venue for Hearing (Motion), praying that the hearing be set at the ERC Main Office considering that the location of Makban A, along with other potential venues for hearing in Batangas, where the hearing is to be held, is still at risk due to the unpredictability of the possible explosion of the Taal Volcano. The Commission granted the said Motion pursuant to the Order dated 21 January 2020. Likewise, the Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 12 March 2020 (Thursday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.), at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

A statement of the relief desired.

Payment of Cost of Incidental Energy (IE)for RPS Total Payment = kVAR Payment + Energy Payment

Real Time Incidental kVARh Utilization while providing energy. This shall be paid based on the total recorded kVARh delivered/absorbed beyond 0.85 power factor lagging or 0.9 power factor leading from the time when the dispatch of RPS was instructed. The compensable kVARh shall be paid at:

Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles on Incorporation (Company Reg. NO. CS200715979)

WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission:

Payments to the AS provider shall have the following components, depending on the way the RPS was scheduled and utilized by the System Operator:

A. kVAR Payment = Incidental kVARh Rate x Compensable kVARh

“D”

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP, as System Operator, is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid AS and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and AS tariffs to the ERC.4

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicants rest their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

Incidental kVARh Rate: Php 4.00/ kVARh

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

Compensable kVARh = Actual kVARh - Base kVARh

The grounds relied upon.

Where: Actual kVARh = aclual reaclive power provided wilhin each interval Base kVARh = corresponding kVARh at 0.85 power factor lagging or 0.9 power factor leading, for the unit’s MW loading. For clarity, the MW loading is the unit’s Pmin, or RTD schedule, whichever is greater. B. Energy Payment IERPS = [G x (Fuel + O&M) ] - REVWESM

Annex

Summary of Existing Power Supply Agreements of Aboitiz Power Renewable Inc. (APRI)

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 21st day of January 2020 in Pasig City.

Where: G = summation of energy dispatched to produce the scheduled kVAR less the energy for the BCQ

N m = the Newcastle index (USD/MT) published on the 25th of the calendar month; provided that if such day falls on a non-Business Day, the Newcastle index on the immediately preceding Business Day shall be used

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Commissioner

1 2 3 4 5

An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise To Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-Bone System of Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for other Purposes; Section 9 (c) and in relation to RA No. 9511; Section 9 (d); Section 6.3.1.2; Recently, NGCP published Notices of Invitation on 07, 14, 21 and 28 October 2019 in the Philippine Daily Inquirer; and on 21 & 28 October, 4 & 11 November 2019 in the Manila Times. (MS-FEB. 13 & 20, 2020)

LGUs

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

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2020

‘KALDERO’ FOR TAAL. To fulfill the request of some evacuees of the recent Taal Volcano eruption, employees of Nickel Asia Corp. have donated ‘kaldero’ (cauldrons or pots) and other kitchenware to replace the ones evacuees lost in the rush to leave their homes. The NAC workers are preparing to ship the items to evacuation centers in Batangas and Cavite. This is in addition to some P75 million in Corporate Social Responsibility funds downloaded by the company itself to its mining and neighboring communities in 2018 alone, said JB Baylon, NAC vice president for Corporate Communications.

Bulacan top police reshuffled By Orlan L. Mauricio

ALOLOS—The Bulacan Provincial Police Ofﬁce has a new acting commander. Police Colonel Lawrence Cajipe, former chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Management Group in Region 4-A, was installed by Central Luzon Regional Director Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia as the new acting provincial director of the Bulacan PPO. Cajipe replaced Colonel Emma Libu-

nao, the first female provincial police director of the province, who served for just two months and four days. She was reassigned to the Office of the Chief of the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame, Quezon City. The change of leadership at the Bulacan PPO was a big surprise to many, specially at the Provincial Capitol, which is in a somber mood after the mother of incumbent Gov. Daniel Fernando died the other day. Likewise, three Chiefs of Police were also relieved from their positions. Lt. Col. Orlando Castil of San Jose del Monte City, Lt. Col. Omar Fiel of Sta Maria, and Lt. Col. Joel Aparejado of Guiguinto

town were reassigned to the Office of the Chief PNP. Sources at Camp Gen. Alejo S. Santos in Malolos, requesting they not be named, said Libunao’s sudden relief and the reassignment of Aparejado, the police chief of the governor’s hometown, caught many officials unaware, as they questioned the protocols involved in the moves. Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Gil Domingo was named acting chief of San Jose del Monte City, while Lt. Col. Jaime Quiocho was appointed acting COP of Sta Maria. Lt. Col. Jesus Manalo was named new Pulilan police chief, Lt. Col. Jayson San

Pedro was appointed to Baliwag town, while Col. Voltairre Rivera was designated the new top cop of San Miguel, Bulacan. During his first command conference, Cajipe vowed he would vigorously pursue the intensified campaign against the illegal drug trade in the province― which has the highest record of persons killed (32) in a single day in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. Cajipe also said he will stop illegal gambling activities, especially illegal jueteng operations, and vowed an “internal cleansing” to rid their ranks of rogue policemen and “render only the best public service for every Bulakenyo.”

Vizcaya female cops give gifts to kids with palsy

FORMER Kalinga vice governor James Edduba’s lead over governorelect Ferdinand Tubban has increased after an initial recount in the pilot precincts of the former’s ongoing election protest for the governorship. The motion filed by Edubba before the Commission on Elections showed that he recovered a net of seven votes, which is more than the required “substantial recovery” of 20 percent. Aside from the seven votes, the vice governor had a total of 20 claimed ballots in his favor, which is more than enough to offset the winning margin of Tubban in the 2019 polls. Edduba, who ran under the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats party, now has a winning margin of 17 votes. Last May, Tubban, the former mayor of the provincial capital Tabuk City, was declared the winner by 10 votes, 39,148 to Edduba’s 39,138. Third-placer Conrado Dieza Jr. of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas got 30,685 votes. The Comelec said the revision, recount and reappreciation of the ballots from the pilot protested clustered precincts was terminated last Jan. 30. Under Comelec Resolution No. 9720, there is a substantial recovery when the protestant is able to recover at least 20 percent of the overall lead of the protestee or counter-protestee. Edduba’s camp welcome the development, saying it has proven his victory in the 2019 polls. In a statement, the former vice governor also revealed that he initially did not want to file an election protest, but the volunteers demanded an explanation about the missing ballots. “Noong tinalo ako ng 10 votes, I felt I betrayed my supporters for not doing my best during the campaign but with new development nafeel ko na I am proven correct, na naloko kami last election. Kahit hindi man ako paupuin, at least alam ng tao na ako yung totoong nanalo,” Edduba said. “I would like to prove that you can win even if you do not have money, kung may magandang intention ka, may nakita silang maganda kang ginawa. I would like to do that in Kalinga,” he added. “I know na usually sa experience ko sa protest walang nananalo, but dahil sa mga supporters ko, sabi nila this is the time na ilaban mo naman kami. Practically even the money that was used for this is nagpass the hats sila, even until now, they are still contributing. This fight is not only for me but for my supporters,” the former vice governor said.

Limay boosts drive against illegal fishing

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Policewomen here recently handed gifts to children suffering from cerebral palsy at the Region 2 Trauma and Medical Center in this town. Police Major Myla Paguyo, president of the Nueva Vizcaya Women in the Police Service Organization, said the activity is part of the early Valentine’s Day gifts for the children. “For a while, we left our guns, boots and badges to bring gifts and joy to the children with special needs, including their parents,” she said. Paguyo said the gifts distributed to the recipients were contained in their wish lists which were earlier gathered by the group. She said their activity was a way of showing their care and concern especially to the children with special needs. “It is not about the gift we give, what is important is the relationship we build with the community and to erase the stigma that children fear their police,” Paguyo added. NVWPSO is composed of 174 policewomen from the Police Provincial Office and the 15 Municipal Police Stations in the province.

Edduba widens lead over Tubban in Kalinga recount

ILOCOS SUR ‘OTOP.’ First Lady Cielito ‘Honeylet’ Salvador Avanceña (2nd from right) joins Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis V. Singson

(center), Narvacan Mayor Chavit Singson (right), Department of Trade Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga (3rd from left), Vice Governor Jeremias “Jerry” Singson (left) and Sangguniang Panlalawigan members in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Kannawidan Ylocos 2020 festival over the weekend. The highlight of the event is the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program, where each towns in the province showcased their products in booths at the Trade, Agri and Food Fair at the Tamag Grounds in Vigan City.

Statistics body needs 140 workers in Malolos MALOLOS―The Bulacan office of the Philippine Statistics Authority needs at least 140 personnel to gather basic information for the implementation of the National Identification System in the province. This was disclosed by Julieta Gapate, PSA-Bulacan registration officer, during a radio interview Wednesday at Radyo Bulacan 103.9FM anchored by Philippine Information Agency hosts Vince Concepcion and Shane Velasco. Interested applicants are advised to sub-

mit their resume and application letters at the PSA-Bulacan, Villa Reyna Resort, Barangay Catmon, Malolos City until Feb. 28. Gapate said applicants who have at least a four-year college degree are eligible to apply as Registration Officers. Those who have Civil Service Commission eligibility will be given preference. However, those who have at least two years in college or technical vocational degrees can also apply as Data Encoders. Forty of the 140 vacant slots are for

registration officers (starting with Salary Grade 14) who will be assured of becoming permanent employees, while the remaining 100 will serve as encoders. Twenty teams will be formed to go down to the barangay level for data gathering, Gapate said. The national ID System will be implemented starting this May as embodied under Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act of 2018. Orlan Mauricio

LIMAY, Bataan―Councilor Mel Fernando said this town has intensified its drive against illegal fishing. “We have a municipal fish sanctuary that we are strictly guarding,” the councilor said Wednesday. Fernando was in the Limay Seaborne Patrol headquarters giving instructions to patrollers and asking updates on the anti-illegal fishing drive. “The Seaborne Patrol is organized again by Mayor Nelson David with our support from the Sangguniang Bayan headed by our Vice Mayor Richie David,” he said. “Lamao Seaborne Patrol is also being put up,” Fernando added. “Ever since, I have instructed patrollers not to accept fish from fishermen so as not to be mistaken of receiving bribes,” he said. The patrollers reported to the councilor that 12 boats were caught fishing in the sanctuary in two weeks. Fernando was vice mayor of Limay from 2004 to 2010. He was councilor from 1995 to 2004, and from 2016 to present. Butch Gunio

Gov’t trading firm donates 36 vans to BOC THE Bureau of Customs has received 36 brand new passenger vans from the Philippine International Trading Corp. Undersecretary Dave Almarinez, president and CEO of PITC, handed over the keys to the BOC led by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero during the bureau’s celebration of its 118th Founding Anniversary last Feb. 6. The event started with the invocation of Lt. Aries Sualog, PSG Chaplain Service, followed by welcome remarks from Donato San Juan, deputy customs commissioner. The second part of the program at the Office of the Commissioner saw the blessing of the 36 vans

and turnover of symbolic keys to all BOC district collectors receiving the vehicles. “This is part of the good relationship between BOC and PITC, and we really support each other as we act as the procurement agent of the government,” Almarinez said. “The PITC believes the donation is timely as it helps strengthen the performance of the BOC, and we thank them for trusting us to meet their need as we both strive to serve the public better,” he added. In response, Guerrero said: “We are thankful to Usec. Dave Almarinez and the Office of PITC for the early action for this request as our procurement requirement.” Roy Tomandao

Officials of the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine International Trading Corp., led by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero and PITC president and CEO Undersecretary Dave Almarinez, stand with some of the vans the government firm donated to the bureau on its 118th founding anniversary. Roy Tomandao

Life HOUSEHOLD

By Monica Sanchez

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

Where to take your date in Metro Manila

LANNING a romantic date but can’t leave Metro Manila on Valentine’s Day? Couples—with label or none (hey, we don’t judge!)—need not leave the urban jungle we love to hate and hate to love to celebrate their adoration for each other.

This list also serves as a guide for those who want to know which places to avoid to steer clear of the crowd (wink, wink).

Live musicians serenade guests dining at the Skyloft, while free butter cookies (inset) await those taking photos at the Love Booth at Century City Mall.

Sweet somethings

Love is sweet and so is Century City Mall in Makati. Strike a pose with a significant other or loved one at the Love Booth at the South entrance (beside Trump Tower), upload the photo on Facebook, use the hashtag #LoveAndLuckAtCenturyMall and get free butter cookies today until Feb. 16. Dinner at any of the establishments at the Skyloft on level 4 becomes extra special as live musicians serenade diners from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Those who will come in red and dine at selected restaurants on Valentine’s Day get 14 percent off. Meanwhile, the first 143 guests to book via Siglo Suites in Milano, Knightsbridge, or Gramercy Residences on Feb. 14-16 get two complimentary movie passes from Century City Mall cinema. Finally, ongoing until Feb. 29, Valentine-themed stores inside the mall offers sweet deals and promos to shoppers. Love locks, flowers, and a lights show seal in the romance at Venice Grand Canal in McKinley Hill.

Venice in the city

This establishment in McKinley wears the tag “Most Romantic Mall” proudly, and rightly so. Romance is in the air at Venice Grand Canal. Its award-winning and well-known ethereal lights and water show performance, dubbed Aqua Y Carnevale, returns on Feb. 14, performing twice: one at 6:00 p.m. and another at 8:00 p.m. at the Venice Piazza. Inspired by the opening ceremony of Venice, Italy’s Carnevale di Venezia Festival, this free show will burst with lights and colors and include ballet performances, acrobatics, performers with striking costumes, onboard grand and massive water floats, all floating around Venice Grand Canal. Also on Feb. 14-16, live concerts happen when the clock strikes 6 in the evening. Performers include KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde on the 14th, Miss Saigon Concerto on the 15th, and a surprise guest performer on the 16th. And as the music plays a one of a kind #LoveVenice 3D Mapping show and its modern interpretation of Italy’s Romeo and Juliet will be displayed at the Venice Piazza. It’s Singles’ day on the 15th with speed dating and more at the Masquerade Party at 5:00 p.m. at the Venice Piazza. In addition, art installations of different interpretations of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces, as well as exclusive deals from participating shops and restaurants are happening the entire month of February.

Gideon Hermosa’s 22-foot heart-shaped red tree along 7th Street (left) offers a great photo opportunity, while a live concert featuring Moira Dela Torre and Prince Valencia delight audience on Feb. 14 at Bonifacio High Street.

Commercenter Alabang has various date options for couples, from dinner to cinema to shopping.

Heart Street

Cupid flies south on Valentine’s Day as Commercenter Alabang rolls out a couple of date options for couples. Haven’t decided where to eat yet? The lifestyle destination houses a number of restaurants including Akrotiri, which offers a three-course menu for two on Feb. 14; Kessaku, a Japanese restaurant serving sushi, ramen, teppanyaki, and more; The Black, whose must-try dishes include charcuterie, Spanish Iberico, and French cheeses; and Mona Lisa, serving dishes from different regions of Italy. For those who love to spend more quality time, Comodo Spa has a wide selection of massage treatments, while Fringe Salon offers hair and nail services, massage, and facials. Instead of a bouquet of flowers, treat your ladylove to a pre-loved designer bag available at Luxuri Manila. Good news: the shop has a couch for those waiting for their SO. Kick back, relax, and enjoy a movie at the cinema which boasts a 3D viewing technology, Dolby Digital 7.1 surround sound system, and comfortable seats.

Hip lifestyle district, Bonifacio High Street offers plenty of reasons to fall in love on Valentine’s Day. Those who will take photos by the 22-foot heart-shaped red tree created by Gideon Hermosa along 7th Street get a chance to win tickets to Matilda The Musical and gift certificates from Wolfgang Steakhouse, Din Tai Fung, TGIFridays, or Italianni’s. Moira Dela Torre will headline “Love Street: A Valentine Concert,” co-produced by Globe and BHS Amphitheater. Also present to serenade the audience is Impromptu Program’s Prince Dundee Valencia. Get VIP tickets with P2,000 accumulated purchase from any Bonifacio High Street establishment today until Feb. 14. Or head over at C1 Bonifacio High Street for Valentine’s At The Park, a gifting market by Urban Pod offering food, treats, and trinkets.

Love in the south

Life

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Weddings expert launches online wedding platform

EDDINGS expert Marbee Go, known for her work as editorin-chief of travel and wedding magazines for 10 years, has launched a specially curated website made for the wedding industry.

Launched after the debut of Go’s curated bridal fair, “Inspired Beginnings,” Bridespeak.com was born from her experience in the field, providing an avenue for creatives in the wedding industry to flourish, for established personalities to serve as an inspiration to a new generation of practitioners, and for young blood to find a space to showcase their work. Online platform Bridespeak.com aims to provide a venue for creatives in the wedding “Bridespeak was envisioned as a industry to showcase their work as well as offer inspiration to new practitioners. carefully curated space that highlights the right people to help them make sure the best in the weddings industry, the circle,” shared Go. “It’s all about celebrating creativity their special day turns out perfectly.” whether that’s someone who’s had decSince its launch, Bridespeak has done ades to perfect their craft or is fresh to and giving brides the chance to find editorial pieces on industry collaborators such as celebrity stylist Teddy Manuel’s Filipiniana-inspired work, from the tablescapes to the décor, as well as on destination prenuptial photo shoots like Jasmine Maierhofer and Angelo Patrimonio’s in Culion, Palawan. “Weddings have always been very close to my heart,” shared Go. “I wouldn’t have allowed myself to become this immersed in this world if they weren’t, and I’m grateful I get to do what I’m passionate about with like-minded people.” Go added, “We have so much lined up for Bridespeak in the months to come. Expect unique editorials, surprising new talents, breathtaking destinations, and so much more. We’re very excited to show you how Bridespeak goes above and beyond to offer bespoke options for every kind of bride.” Celebrity stylist Teddy Manuel’s fresh take on Filipiniana-inspired tablescapes.

Riz, in ‘One Shot at Love,’ seizes the moment to take a shot at love.

A story of seizing the moment MALAYSIAN bank CIMB encourages Filipinos to seize the moment by sharing a story of love inspired by a true story. One Shot at Love, which currently has over 160,000 views on YouTube, features Riz and Joshua who meet in a typical way in today’s dating circles—online. They connect over good conversation and have the mutual passion to go after one’s dreams. Not until distance and time separate them. But when it comes to that one chance for them to meet, Riz takes her one shot and invests in that one moment that starts hers and Joshua’s journey together. Just like Riz, Filipinos can seize life’s moments with CIMB Bank’s 4 percent per annum interest rate “with absolutely no conditions.” True to its commitment to helping

Filipinos achieve financial inclusion and freedom, the all-digital, mobilefirst bank offers an interest rate of 4 percent per annum available all year round, with no restrictions, via its UpSave account offering. Account holders will be able to manage and enjoy their own money 24/7 through the CIMB Bank PH mobile app, wherein they will be able to open an account seamlessly in 10 minutes, transact with other banks free-ofcharge, withdraw in over 25,000 ATM machines nationwide without penalty charges via their Visa payWave debit card, and not be bothered by maintaining balances. In addition, CIMB clients can also transact via partner-payment gateways such as 7-Eleven’s CLiQQ and Bayad Center.

A guide to moving into a new home A residential developer recommends consulting all members of the household before buying and moving into a new home.

RELOCATING to a new address may sound overwhelming at first as it involves major changes. But the transition can be less daunting when done carefully and efficiently. A residential developer offers the following tips:

Make house hunting a family affair

When children are involved in the process of buying a new home, they may be less resistant to moving because expectations are already set beforehand. Consult the whole family for their individual preferences. Acknowledge their feelings. It is normal for the family members to feel apprehension about the idea of changing homes. After all, they will be literally plucked out of their comfort zones. Point out the features that each member will enjoy such as the clubhouse pool, recreational hub, open parks and roads that are safe for running or riding bicycles. Others would love the privacy of a gated township or the opportunity to indulge in gardening at their own yard.

Plan ahead

After getting your names on the title, the next task is planning for the move. Devote a journal to jot down important details such as expenses, supplies needed, items to keep and dispose, and a timeline of activities to ensure that compliance to set targets are within schedule.

Visit the neighborhood before the big day

Joshua meets Riz online, but distance and time separate them.

Jasmine Maierhofer and Angelo Patrimonio shot on location at Sunlight Eco Tourism Island Resort in Culion, Palawan.

Drop by the neighborhood from time to time before moving, and get to know your future community. Ask your developer if there are social events where you can join and get acquainted with future neighbors or where your children can meet other kids in the block.

and shopping centers to better appreciate your new town. Trava is less than 30 minutes away from premier schools and universities. The nearest hospital is The Medical City but Asian Hospital can be reached in about 30 minutes.

Stick to routines

People thrive on familiarity. It keeps them grounded despite the seemingly overwhelming changes that are going on. To help lessen the impact of the move, maintain the family’s customary habits and activities before moving and when settling in your new home.

Pack essentials separately and bring them with you

The last thing you need is reopening already packed boxes to look for valuable items such as cell phone chargers, medicines, daily clothes, or toiletries. Store items that the family would immediately need in a carry-all luggage and load them last in the family car.

Take a few days off from work

The truth is, no matter how long you prepare for this, moving is an exhausting affair. Commission the help of relatives and close friends in packing and Plan your move and pack the essentials separately to prevent reopening boxes. Tap unpacking. Serve some food and mockthe help of family and friends, too! tails and make it a party. Apply for a few days off or schedule your vacation Trava in Sta. Rosa, for instance, leave around your moving day. offers plenty of opportunities to socialize at the community club house. Enjoy your new home Because it is located in a city within It’s time to put your personal stamp a park, it is dotted with pocket parks to your new place. Buy new furniture and surrounded by lush greeneries and appliances together as a family. Ask and open spaces where one can com- kids how they want to decorate their mune with nature and get the chance new bedrooms. Let them select the déto bump into other residents. cor and furniture for their own spaces. One can also check out nearby places of Get a new pet or start a garden in your interests such as churches, leisure estab- new spacious lawn. Take a walk around lishments, dining destinations, hospitals, your neighborhood and enjoy the scenery.

Entertainment

Various Kapuso stars join Wowowin host Willie Revillame in his birthday outreach for the Taal Volcano evacuees on Jan. 27

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Benjamin Alves volunteered in GMAKF’s Operation Bayanihan in Bauan, Batangas

GMAKF spearheads Taal relief efforts

MA Network’s socio-civic arm GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) continues with its Operation Bayanihan for those affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.

To date, GMAKF has given aid to 40,538 individuals in various areas of Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite where relief goods, face masks, hygiene kits, sleeping mats, blankets, and other useful goods were distributed. The Foundation had a two-day medical mission in Batangas last Jan. 28 and 29 where specialists for ears, nose, and throat (ENT), pulmonary ailments, dermatologists, and general medicine were present to extend their services – for free. GMAKF also gave away medicines and vitamins to both children and adults.

GMAKF Advocate for Health Rocco Nacino and Kapuso artists Benjamin Alves and Yasser Marta, together with veteran actress Tessie Tomas, attended the events to give cheer and distribute relief goods. Meanwhile, variety program Wowowin made GMAKF its beneficiary for host Willie Revillame’s birthday celebration dedicated to Taal evacuees in a live episode last Jan. 27 dubbed, “Malasakit, Pag-asa, Pagmamahal.” Instead of the show’s usual format which includes lots of dancing and

‘Wowowin’ host Willie Revillame (center) with Starstruck 7 alumni Allen Ansay and Jeremy Sabido

lively participation from the audience, Willie filled the studio with material donations they collected from sponsors, showbiz personalities, and various GMA departments. Various Kapuso artists also showed their support and expressed their compassion by packing relief goods. All the donations such as rice, gallons of water, pillows and blankets, soap, medicine, and grocery items were turned over to GMAKF for distribution. In addition, Willie also handed a one-million-peso check to Lipa City House Representative Vilma Santos to extend help in Batangas. GMAKF continues to accept monetary donations. To donate, visit www. gmanetwork.com/kapusofoundation/donate, or contact 8928-9351 or 8928-4299.

Ebe Dancel back home with PolyEast Records

OPM icons Basil Valdez and Jamie Rivera

Jamie and Basil tonight at Dust Thani Manila

INSPIRATIONAL diva Jamie Rivera and Filipino balladeer Basil Valdez team up for a on a one-night only show dubbed Love and Light: A Valentine’s Dinner Concert happening at the Mayuree Grand Ballroom of Dusit Thani Manila. The affair is surely a treat for Valentine’s evening as the two OPM icons, who popularized some of the country’s greatest love songs, are set to serenade the crowd with their timeless hits and inspirational anthems. Jamie is known for the string of meaningful songs that she popularized such as “Tell The World of His Love” and “We Are All God’s Children,” as well as some touching love songs like

Star Cinema... From C4 “In a romcon, there’s always someone who doesn’t get picked, and we thought that was so relatable. So we wanted to know what’s their story, don’t they also deserve a ‘happily ever after?’ And for us that’s very relatable, because at one point in our lives, we were all rejected for another,” he explained. As for the lead actors, starring in the film is nothing short of a dream come true. “Of course we waited for something like this for a long time so we are very excited. We just entered 2020, then there’s this new opportunity, new life. So when

“Hey, It’s Me,” “Awit Para Sa’Yo, ”and “I’ve Fallen For You.” Basil, meanwhile, is another OPM legend with a series of enduring classics under his name, such as “Ngayon at Kailanman,” “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan,” and “You,” among others. Produced by PLA Events and Nikki Renemer Caranguian, with Star Events as media partner, “Love and Light: A Valentine’s Dinner Concert” is under the musical direction of Adonis Tabanada. Tickets are available on ktx.abscbn.com or at Ticketworld (8891.9999; 09668800327; and 09397739501)) for P6,500 inclusive of dinner and unlimited drinks. this was given to us we really didn’t think twice,” Ronnie said. “It feels amazing to be starring on our own film and to finally be noticed. This has always been my dream ever since I was young—to see myself in the big screen. That’s why I’m so excited,” Loisa added. “The environment on set was so light. It’s also exciting because finally, we get to show this movie to you guys and I›m just very thankful and blessed,” Donny echoed. James and Pat and Dave is written by Daisy Cayanan and also stars Awra Briguela and CJ Salonga. Rise up from your heartaches and get your second shot at love this Valentine’s with James and Pat and Dave, now showing in cinemas nationwide.

POLYEAST Records, one of the country’s leading independent labels, welcomes back Ebe Dancel with a recording contract and a new single “Hanggang Kailan Kita Mahihintay.” Polyeast Records also announced during the contract signing happened in Universal Tower, Quezon City that the new deal will release Ebe’s new album Baliktanaw where he rerecorded Sugarfree songs in time for the band’s 20th anniversary. Ebe said that “Baliktanaw” is inspired by the fact that he’s going back to where everything has started. “It’s like looking back at the same time a reunion with my first label, PolyEast Records. It’s like coming home, really,” he shared. PolyEast Records, formerly EMI Philippines, was the first home to Sugarfree and have released five albums including the band’s debut “Sa Wakas” in 2003 and hit songs like “Hari ng Sablay,” “Tulog Na,” “Mariposa,” “Prom,” “Kung Ayaw Mo Na Sa Akin,” “Telepono,” and “Burnout.” To celebrate

the renewed collaboration, Ebe and PolyEast Records dropped the new single “Hanggang Kailan Kita Mahihintay” which is now available on Spotify and other streaming services. Ebe wrote on Twitter, “My new single premieres later on Spotify at 12:05 am. Glad to be back with @PolyEastRecords, the label that signed Sugarfree all those years ago.” Talking about the new track, Ebe originally penned “Hanggang Kailan Kita Mahihintay” for Paolo Valenciano’s debut album in 2014 and recalls, “I started writing the song after dinner and I finished it na lalabas na yung araw. Kaya may line dun na ‘hanggang dilim ay lumiwanag…’ so I literally waited for that song to be finished.” For his much-awaited return with a 10-track album Baliktanaw, he re-recorded popular Sugarfree songs and curated to relive the musical journey of Sugarfree ever since the band was formed in 1999. “I’ve always been telling the fans… The band is gone but the songs really live on and this is mostly for them,” he added. “To re-record the songs with the way I

Extra International... From C4

migrants who was among the award presenters in Los Angeles, tweeted her congratulations, saying: “So so proud to be Korean”. Darcy Paquet, a Seoul-based film critic who wrote the English-language subtitles for Parasite said: “I’m so happy... this isn’t real.” “I hope that all Korean filmmakers can share in this moment and be proud, because it›s the tremendous hard work and professionalism of the industry as a whole that makes a movie like Parasite possible.” South Korean filmmaker and scholar Kim So-young, who introduced Bong’s early comedy Barking Dogs Never Bite to programmers at San

Along with a congratulatory tweet, US ambassador Harry Harris posted a photo of what looked like jjapaguri -- an instant noodle dish featured in “Parasite”, where it was unusually garnished with sirloin steak. “Wow! Congrats Director Bong, Team #Parasite & ROK cinema!” Harris wrote. The success of Parasite comes despite the global dominance of the English language in the 92-year-history of the Academy Awards. Actor Sandra Oh, the Canadianborn daughter of South Korean im-

One of the country’s leading independent labels welcomes back Ebe Dancel with a recording contract and a new single.

picture it in my head—with strings, with horns and with a lot of elements. It’s also an introduction to the new fans dahil ganon na kabata and mga fans ngayon at di na nila naabutan ang Sugarfree so hopefully, that bridges that gap” Having garnered significant accolades for being one of the most successful singers/songwriters in the country, Ebe has streamlined his sound which seamlessly blends with new orchestral arrangements for his first album as a solo artist with PolyEast Records. Produced by Ebe’s good friend, Chino David of Hale, it includes Sugarfree songs that topped the charts since 2003 in orchestral versions of “Burnout,” “Mariposa,” “Unang Araw,” “Kwarto,” “Cuida,” “Tulog Na,” “Dear Kuya,” “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak,” “Hangover,” and “Hanggang Kailan Kita Mahihintay.” The new album also coincides with Ebe’s solo concert and a celebration of Sugarfree’s 20th year titled Ebe Dancel with The Manila String Machine happening on Feb. 29 at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig. His first-ever concert will be accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra with Paolo Valenciano as creative director, and Chino David as musical director. Ebe’s new single “Hanggang Kailan Kita Mahihintay” is now available on Spotify and other streaming services; and the lyric video is now up on YouTube. The new album Baliktanaw is set to be released in physical CD on February 29, 2020 via PolyEast Records. For more info, you may follow PolyEast Records’ social media accounts.

Sebastian Film Festival back in 2000, said the win was “well deserved”. “I’ve been following his work for the last 20 years, and I can confidently say he is a true artist,” she told AFP. “I’m very happy for him as a fellow cineaste in South Korea, as Bong has always been a respected colleague who always remained a socially conscious, outspoken citizen even outside the film industry.” Shim Woo-hyun, a 31-year-old film fan in Seoul, said: “I heard the news while eating tonkatsu at a food joint, and I was just speechless. “I screen-captured the news immediately and shared with people through my mobile messenger. I will never forget today›s tonkatsu.” AFP

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

Entertainment EXTRA INTERNATIONAL

South Korea hails top prize for ‘Parasite’ at Oscars SOUTH Koreans reacted with joy and stunned disbelief Monday to the historic best picture Oscar for Parasite, with one film fan suggesting the feat should be recognized with a public holiday. Director Bong Joon-ho’s movie— about the widening gap between rich and poor—became the first non-English-language film to win Hollywood’s biggest prize, prompting celebrations in South Korea. Even President Moon Jae-in got in on the act, saying he was overjoyed to see South Korean cinema receive world recognition. “I extend my gratitude especially for giving a sense of courage and pride to the (Korean) people,” Moon said. “I am very proud of director Bong

Another joked: “Shouldn›t today be Joon-ho and the cast, as well as the declared a public holiday?” staff members.” K-pop supergroup BTS—who Bong Continued on C3 has previously praised—also joined the congratulations. “Congratulations so so so so so so very much, director Bong Joon-ho,” the members wrote in a tweet. Parasite won four awards—best picture, best director, best international feature and best original screenplay -defying the received wisdom that the Academy would overlook a subtitled Asian movie. South Korean film fans were overjoyed. “I am in tears,” one wrote on Twitter. “I’m so proud of Bong Joon-ho. It›s amazing to hear acceptance speeches SOUTH KOREAN PRIDE. A scene from ‘Parasite,’ a cinematic masterpiece that became the first non-English language film to win best picture at the Oscars. (Inset) The cast accepting the award for Bong Joon-ho’s comedy-thriller. in Korean.”

Search for Binibining Pilipinas

begins

Breakout boys

SB19, also known as Sound Break 19, is a five-member Filipino boy band trained by a Korean entertainment company under the same system that hones k-pop stars.

YUGEL LOSORATA

WHO will be the next queens? Returning beauties Vickie Rushton, Samantha Bernardo and Hannah Arnold are among the forty candidates of the Binibining Pilipinas 2020 search officially named in a ceremony held at the KIA Theater in Cubao last week, Thursday. BPCI chairperson Stella Marquez Araneta headed the selection committee that chose this year’s candidates from some 70 who were screened. The 40 official candidates are the following: Samantha Panlilio, Rowena Sasuluya, Lois Anne Badando, Patricia Garcia, Arainne Deseree Vairdo, Princess Kien Guanzon, Shanon Tampon, Meiji Cruz, Patricia Babista, Shaira Marie Rona, Maureen Montagne, Vianca Marcelo, Samantha Bernardo, Hazel Joy Ortiz, Cinderella Faye Obeñita, Al-

exandra Rosales, Justine Felizarta, Karen Laurrie Mendoza, Kimberly Tiques Tiques, Ana Thea Cenarosa, Hannah Arnold, Ma. Ruth Erika Quin, Gabrielle Camille Basiano, Lovely Mercado, Carina Cariño, Czarina Guiao, Jashmin Dimaculangan, Ma. Franchezca Taruc, Honey Grace Cartasano, Noriza Valerio, Graciella Lehman, Danica Joy Peralta Acuna, Alexandra Faith Garcia, Mercedes Romero Pair, Micca Rosal, Vickie Rushton, Alexangela Salvador, Lesley Anne Ticaro, Bellatrix Tansearch, and Honey Be Parrenas. The Binibining Pilipinas 2020 grand coronation will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City with the Bb. Pilipinas-International, Supranational, Globe, and Grand International titles at stake.

HE formula that is K-pop has kept young Pinoy fans swept off their feet as this bunch of Filipino boys trained the Korean way and named SB19 is now drawing massive crowds only a year and a few months since they came out public. The two-year training under Koreanrun entertainment company ShowBT paid off as they eventually became the first Filipino act to land on Billboard’s Next Big Sound Chart. To weigh in on this accomplishment, it is a chart measuring the “fastestgrowing artists over the past week across all major social music sites statistically expected to achieve future success.” To simply put, SB19 is a very promising boy group. The band’s management recently gathered the media in Novotel, Cubao, Quezon City and having been present in the previous press conference that introduced the boys to critics of all ages, I could sense a different kind of air this time. At least in the eyes of mainstream media, they transformed from newbies to certified current sensation, or should we say, phenomenal stars just months apart. Even the think tankers were themselves

John Paulo “Sejun” Nase, Josh Cul- len Santos, Stell Ajero, Felip Jhon “Ken” Suson, and Justin De Dio, otherwise known as SB19.

surprised of their quick rise. One was heard saying, “Strangely the group grew and they got fine treatment and numerous supporters from both Gen Zs and millennials. We appreciate all your support.” Call them manufactured and sellout but these young dudes deserve all the admiration for their commitment and hard work. They truly have the “drive and passion to make it in the industry” which was basically the thing ShowBT were looking for them. It is reported that last year they signed a contract with Sony Music Philippines on, guess what, Christmas Day. They regularly guested in ASAP Natin ‘To for the whole month of last month. Small wonder that even a dance rehearsal for their song “Go Up” wound up becoming a viral hit September last year. They were then awarded Favorite Group of the Year at the 5th RAWR Awards two months later. A month after posting, the official

music video for their single “Alab” already has nearly three million views on YouTube. The music video for “Go Up” had now hit past the five million mark. Also, their Wish 107.5 performance drew a large, loud crowd you thought there was a big political rally going on. Only the five members themselves – John Paulo “Sejun” Nase, Josh Cullen Santos, Stell Ajero, Felip Jhon “Ken” Suson, and Justin De Dios, would be able to really understand the level of challenge they faced harnessing their craft through a formula that got the attention of the world. One thing’s for sure, it’s worth the effort and they’re bound to be together making more memories and cementing ground for stardom. SB stands for sound break. Now here is a group singing Tagalog lyrics which, if you think about it, provides us locals the luxury that K-pop lyrics won’t easily be able to. So, to the remaining skeptics, give their sound a break.

Star Cinema’s Valentine offering holds successful preem A NEW breed of movie stars—Ronnie Alonte, Loisa Andalio, and Donny Pangilinan—topbills Star Cinema’s Valentine’s movie offering, James and Pat and Dave.” The romantic-comedy picture, a sequel to 2016’s hit film Vince and Kath and James, will see the return of Ronnie, whose character James was rejected by Kath for Vince. Now, he finds himself entangled in another love triangle by pretending to be his co-worker Pat’s (Loisa) lover, who wants to make her ex-boyfriend Dave (Donny) jealous. Director Theodore Boborol, who also helmed Vince and Kath and James, said they wanted to use the film to depict what happens to the The cast and director of ‘James and Pat and Dave’ on the red carpet during the person who doesn’t get chosen by the one they love. premiere night of Star Cinema’s Valentine offering. Photo by Nazamel Tabares, Continued on C3 pelikulamania.com

The 40 candidates of the Bb. Pilipinas 2020 pose for the cameras during a press conference held at The New Frontier Theatre in Cubao Quezon City. Manny Palmero

* * * * * Quezon, Isabela bets top JAMS Top Model competition The grand winners of JAMS Top Model Philippines 2019 were named during the Grand Gala Competition held recently at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Hasley Joy Limpo of Quezon Province was the top winner in category 3 (16 to 25 years), with the candidates from Zamboanga and Surigao del Sur, finishing as 2nd and 3rd runners-up, respectively. In category 2 (pre to early teens), Arwen Santiago from Isabela province was chosen winner Negros Occidental and Quezon City bets named 2nd and 3rd runners up. Yana Marie Tarun, also from Isabela, topped the category 1 (kids) competition with Maria Beno of Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Princess Sara del Rosario of Pasig. finishing as 2nd and 3rd runners-up. One hundred ninety-nine aspiring models coming from all corners of

the country, one of the biggest entries in a national modeling search, showed their stuff on the runway for a chance to start a successful modeling career. The Top 3 winners won P500,000 in cash, modeling contracts and an allexpense paid tour of the country, while the runners up received P300,000 and P100,000. Winners will go around the country to help promote tourism as young ambassadors, one of the objectives of JAMS Top Model Philippines, founded and headed by Maricar Moina and Jojo Flores. Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados led the finals’ judges with Miss Tourism International 2019 Cyrille Pyumo, Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 Sharifa Akeel, Man of the World 2018 Daniel Gorgiev and Mrs. Universe Philippines 2019 Charo Laude.