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Iloilo death toll mounts By Rio N. Araja and Francisco Tuyay

TROPICAL storm “Hanna” is forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm within 24 hours, weather forecasters said Monday as the death toll from the capsizing of three boats in the Guimaras

Strait rose to 28. Aldczar Aurelio, weather forecaster, said the center of “Hanna” was estimated at 845 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan as of Sunday afternoon. Packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kms per hour and gustiness of 105 kph, “Hanna” was moving slowly west northwest at 10 kph. Next page

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 173 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ROCKED BY RALLIES. A staff member moves trolleys at the Hong Kong international airport on Monday. Hong Kong’s embattled pro-Beijing leader accused pro-democracy protesters of trying to ‘destroy’ the financial hub in a dramatic escalation of rhetoric as the hub is rocked by two months of rallies and clashes. AFP

Protests cancel HK flights

Manila airlines account for 20 amid chaos By Joel E. Zurbano

AJOR airlines in Manila on Monday canceled more than 20 flights to and from Hong Kong due to the ongoing protests there.

HONG KONG QUEUE. Passengers line up at the Hong Kong international airport (left) while protesters (right) stand in a defiant stance against tear gas fired by the police in Tai Po district during a general strike in Hong Kong on Monday, as simultaneous rallies are held across seven districts. Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters are close to creating a ‘very dangerous situation’ with the city leader warning the public as train travel and international flights in the global financial hub are thrown into chaos. AFP

‘With Duterte son as member, NUP very formidable’ By Maricel V. Cruz THE National Unity Party will be a force to reckon with having the President’s son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, as its new member, political observers said Monday. But Deputy Speaker Roberto Puno of Antipolo City, an NUP stalwart, said the NUP would not intend to be the dominant party in the House of Representatives and its membership would be limited to 50 legislators, Next page

Rody appoints new Agri chief, SC justice By MJ Blancaﬂor and Julito G. Rada PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed William Dar as Agriculture acting secretary and former Davao City administrator Wendel Avisado as acting Budget secretary, while Court of Appeals Justice Rodil Zalameda has been chosen as new associate justice of the Supreme Court. The new appointments were confirmed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Monday. Dar will replace Emmanuel Piñol who is set to become Duterte’s point man in the Bangsamoro region. He briefly served as Agriculture chief during former President Joseph Estrada’s term and served as directorgeneral of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics from 1999 to 2014. Next page

Magellan’s epic voyage PRESIDING OFFICER.

Presidential son Deputy Speaker and Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte presides Monday during the opening session at the plenary of the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

WellMed execs not off the hook WILLIAM DAR

By Rio N. Araja and MJ Blancaﬂor

RODIL ZALAMEDA

Dengue outbreak For a better BOC, fire 100 men—Du30 worsens in Samar By MJ Blancaﬂor TACLOBAN CITY―The province of Samar is now under a state of calamity as the dengue cases continues to surge despite the efforts to contain the mosquito-borne illness. In a special session on Saturday

Travel and international flights in the global financial hub were thrown into chaos Monday as activists descended on key subway stations during the morning rush hour, deliberately keeping open doors to stop trains departing, crippling multiple lines and triggering occasional scuffles. More than 150 flights at the city’s airport—one of the world’s busiest— were also listed as canceled on Monday morning as Cathay Pacific confirmed that some members of its flight attendants union had walked out in sympathy with the protesters. Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday he would fire 100 Customs officials to rid the agency of corruption. “If I get away with 100 more, I think we will have a cleaner and better Customs,” Duterte said in his speech during the oath-taking of presidential appoin-

tees on Monday. The President announced weeks ago that he will dismiss 64 Customs personnel allegedly involved in corrupt activities. The President also stood firm on his decision to suspend the operations of the Small Town Lottery and Peryahan ng Bayan because of corruption. Next page

Iconic jet fighter on world tour

FERDINAND Magellan set off from Spain 500 years ago on an epoch-making voyage to sail all the way around the globe for the first time. The Portuguese explorer was killed by islanders in the Philippines two years

CHICHESTER, United Kingdom—Two British aviators take off Monday on a first-ever attempt to fly a Spitfire around the world, proclaiming the iconic fighter plane as a symbol of freedom. The restored plane fought in World War

THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Monday junked the 17 counts of estafa through falsification of public documents charges filed against the owner and former employees of WellMed Dialysis Center in connection with alleged ghost claims to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. over a technicality. “These cases are dismissed for lack of jurisdiction over the offenses charged, without prejudice to refiling before the Next page

News

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SAF takes control of Negros—PNP T

HE ﬁrst batch of Special Action Force troops assigned to help the police in Negros Oriental following the spate of killings there has arrived in the province, an ofﬁcial said Monday. “A part of the SAF contingent is already there, that is one company or around 60 to 80 members,” National Police spokesman Bernard Banac told reporters in Camp Crame on Monday. “The situation in Negros Oriental is under control. Our countrymen have nothing to worry about. They can go on

Cardema loses party-list bid —Comelec By Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Elections First Division has denied the nomination of former National Youth Commission chairman Ronald Cardema to be the party-list representative of the Duterte Youth due to misrepresentation. In a 25-page decision, the poll body cited its previous ruling on Aratea vs. COMELEC which canceled the certificate of candidacy of a certain Romeo Lonzanida for misrepresentation. The decision was signed by Presiding Commissioner Al Parreño and Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Marlon Casquejo. COMELEC said Cardema committed a misrepresentation on his age when he filed his nomination. Several youth groups petitioned against Cardema’s nomination, saying the former NYC head, who was 34 years old before the May polls, attempted to deceive the poll body in claiming he was eligible even if the age qualification provided for a representative of the youth sector under the Party-List Law was limited to 25 to 30 years old. “For emphasis, the Commission reiterates its unmistakable conclusion based on facts, law, and jurisprudence, that Respondent Ronald Cardema is not eligible for nomination to represent Duterte Youth in the House of Representatives,” read the decision of the First Division. Cardema countered the Duterte Youth party-list represented not only the youth, but also young professionals, which had no age limit. But the COMELEC dismissed the argument by pointing out that professionals could not be differentiated from the youth sector as the Duterte Youth constitution and by-laws did not define what a young professional was. “We are happy that with the vote of 2-0, the COMELEC First Division has granted our Petition seeking the cancellation of the nomination of Gian Carlo Cardema as the First Nominee of the Duterte Youth PartyList,” said Emil Marañon a lawyer of one of the petitioners.

PH-China joint oil hunt likely on Rody agenda By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte might discuss joint exploration between the Philippines and China with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his “working visit” to China this month, Malacañang said Monday. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the memorandum of understanding between the two countries “could be part of the discussion” in Duterte’s fifth trip to China. “If it’s working, then it refers to discussion with the visited country relative to issues that affect both, issues that will benefit both countries, issues of conflict, issues of cooperation, issues of support,” Panelo said. The MOU was among 29 documents signed by Philippine and Chinese officials during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two-day state visit to Manila last year. The MOU, which represents a lower level of commitment between the concerned parties, unlike a memorandum of agreement, created an inter-governmental committee that will work out a program of cooperation that could lead to joint exploration. The committee was composed of officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the hinese Foreign Ministry, the Department of Energy and the Chinese Energy Ministry, according to the MOU. Panelo said the two leaders might also discuss the tensions in the West Philippine Sea as well as terrorism, fighting drugs, cultural exchanges and funding. But the Palace has yet to release details of Duterte’s trip to China. “What I know is there will be a China visit, but the dates are not confirmed,” Panelo said. Asked if Duterte will raise the arbitral ruling won by the Philippines in the International Court of Arbitration, Panelo said: “Let’s see if he will raise that. He didn’t mention anything yet.” China has refused to recognize the arbitral ruling that dumped its claim of “historic rights” in the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea. Duterte’s visit comes amid criticism that his administration has not been more assertive in dealing with China.

with their normal lives.” Banac said the PNP maintains its stand that placing Negros Oriental under martial law is not necessary. “We continue our enforcement of the law as well as maintenance of peace and order. For now, everything is going back to normal, including the situation in Ne-

Protests... From A1

In Manila, more than 20 flights scheduled for Aug. 5 were canceled by the Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) and Cathay Pacific. “We have been advised by the Airport Authority Hong Kong that their operations are affected by the general strike today (Aug 5). Due to reduced manpower, we may have prolonged delays or cancellation of some flights between Hong Kong and Manila, Clark, Cebu or Iloilo,” CEB said in a statement. Affected passengers will be accommodated on a later flight within the day, it added. The airline also asked travelers to Hong Kong to allot more time to prepare for additional security measures that might be put in place or disruptions in public transport. PAL officials said the public protests in Hong Kong caused a slowdown in airport operations. They added the affected passengers may be accommodated on available flights on Aug, 6. “Our Hong Kong station team and the airport authorities are in regular communication. The goal is to restore normal airport operations at the soonest possible time,” PAL said in a statement. MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal advised passengers of Hong Kong outbound and inbound flights to continuously coordinate with their airlines following the cancellation of several flights. “The MIAA is still awaiting advice from other international carriers with routes to and from Manila and Hong Kong about the status of their flights. As of press time, only the earlier stated flights have been canceled,” Monreal said. In the afternoon, AirAsia rescheduled a number of its flights to and from Hong Kong. The carrier advised passengers to prepare for flight delays and monitor their flight status. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam warned that pro-democracy protesters were close to creating “a very dangerous situation.” The peak-hour efforts to lock down Hong Kong’s transport sector on Monday morning followed two months of unprecedented and often violent unrest, fueled by demands for greater democracy in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. With commuters unable to get to work and international travelers facing delays, Lam held a press conference to warn protesters and signal that authorities would not buckle under the growing pressure. “[They] have seriously undermined Hong Kong’s law and order and are pushing our city, the city that we all love and many of us helped to build, to the verge of a very dangerous situation,” Lam said. She later referenced chants by protesters for a “revolution,” describing this as a challenge to the “one country, two systems” framework under which Hong Kong has

WellMed... From A1

Metropolitan Trial Court,” the Aug. 5 resolution read. Branch 219 Judge Janet Abergos-Samar, however, clarified the charges have not been dismissed. She said an estafa case is punishable by an imprisonment of two months and one day to six months, while falsification of public documents carries a maximum jail term of two years, four months and one day to six years. She said the cases should be filed with a metropolitan trial court only. She said the amounts involved that WellMed Dialysis Center owner Bryan Sy supposedly defrauded only ranged from P5,200 to P39,000. “The court emphasizes that the dismissal of these cases has nothing to do with the guilt or innocence of the accused,” the judge’s decision read. On June 14, the Department of Justice found probable cause to indict Sy, and whistleblowers Edwin Roberto and Leizel Aileen de Leon for falsification of public documents by “counterfeiting or imitating signatures and making untruthful statements” to claim benefits for dead patients and those who had not fully completed the center’s annual dialysis sessions. Rowell Ilagan, Sy’s lawyer, welcomed the court’s resolution, saying the case dismissal could only prove the crime was not a grave felony.

‘With... From A1

one-sixth of the 300-strong lower chamber. Puno said he believed Duterte would be a great asset to the NUP. “There is no question that Paolo Duterte is going to be a great Congressman I think. From a leadership standpoint, from his taking positions early in his political career in Congress, I think it is something to be admired. He is not the kind of person who will strike you at being afraid of anything. So he is going to be a very significant member of Congress. And when people see him joining a particular party, I think there’s a desire to be around him as well,” Puno said at a news conference Monday. The NUP, co-chaired by businessman Enrique Razon and former interior secretary Ronaldo Puno, will now be the second biggest party since its membership is expected to double to 50 with the entry of Du-

gros Oriental. Our police officers continue to secure the area but assessment of the local executives may say otherwise,” Banac said. “For now, we cannot say or recommend the declaration of martial law because we know that we are in control of the situation. The assessment of the political leaders there, though, maybe different. We are just basing everything on our data and based on this, we are in control of the situation.” Banac said PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde was awaiting the report from the

been ruled since it returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997. “I dare say they are trying to destroy Hong Kong,” Lam said. She spoke shortly after activists crippled rail and air travel. More than 100 flights at the city’s airport were canceled. Cathay Pacific did not give a reason for the cancellations, but its flight attendants union confirmed some of its members had walked out. “Over the last 50 days, the government has been ignoring the demands of the people and using only police force to try to suppress voices, causing countless Hong Kong people to despair,” the union said in a statement on its Facebook page. Some key roads were also blockaded, causing traffic gridlock, as the protesters urged a general strike across the city. The largely leaderless protest movement uses social messaging apps to coordinate. But people from all walks of life indicated plans online to either strike or phone in sick on Monday—from civil servants and social workers, to bus drivers and even employees of the city’s Disneyland. Many shops across the city were shuttered, including fashion outlets in the central commercial district like Topshop and Zara. Alongside the strike, protesters planned to hold rallies in seven different parts of the city on Monday. While some commuters were angered by the disruptions, others said they supported the action. “As long as the government doesn’t respond then for sure the movement will escalate,” a civil servant, who gave his surname as Leung, said as he tried to make his way to work. The efforts for a general strike—a rare sight in a freewheeling finance hub where unions traditionally have little sway—is aimed at showing Beijing there is still broad public support for a protest movement that keeps hitting the streets but has so far won few concessions. “Support for the political strike today seems strong and it’s been bolstered further by the escalating violence between the police and protesters,” political analyst Dixon Wong said. The protests were triggered by opposition against a planned law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China. It quickly evolved into a wider movement for democratic reform and a halt to eroding freedoms. Even before Lam’s press conference, authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing had signaled a hardening stance to the protests. The Chinese military described the unrest last week as “intolerable” and released a propaganda video showing a drill of troops quelling a protest in Hong Kong. Dozens of protesters were also charged with rioting over the past fortnight, a charge with a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail. With AFP, PNA and Rey Requejo

Rody... From A1

Dar also became the first director of the Philippine Bureau of Agricultural Research in 1988 and was designated director of the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research and Rural Development in 1994. Avisado will head the Department of Budget and Management for the meantime, following the appointment of Benjamin Diokno as governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Avisado served as Davao City administrator from 2004 to 2010 under thenMayor Duterte. In 2010, Avisado was appointed to Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council as assistant secretary to then chairman and Vice President Jejomar Binay. Zalameda, on the other hand, will replace retired justice Mariano del Castillo, reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 on July 29. Zalameda, who earned his law degree from Ateneo de Manila University, bested five other shortlisted nominees including Court Administrator Midas Marquez and CA justices Apolinario Bruselas, Japar Dimaampao, and Ramon Garcia. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Monday expressed his full support for the appointment of Dar. In a statement, Dominguez said Dar’s qualifications and vast experience would be good for the sector in general. With Macon Ramos-Araneta terte—which, according to Puno, will be an adopted member of the party. The 25 new members are composed of 12 lawmakers from the PDP-Laban, seven from the party-list coalition and six congressmen belonging to local parties led by Paolo who is a member of the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod. Having its members at 50, the NUP will now be the second largest political party at the Lower House next to the ruling PDPLaban with at least 84 members. Sources said that Duterte is also expected to replace Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro as party president during the party meeting on Tuesday morning at the Seda Hotel in Quezon City. The entry of Duterte in the NUP fueled speculations that he may gun for the speakership once the 15 months tenure of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano expires. But Puno dismissed it as a mere speculation.

Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management which conducted an investigation on the killings. Meanwhile, six members of the communist rebels who were allegedly involved in the killing of four policemen in Ayungon in Negros Oriental have been arrested. They were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives after they yielded a .38 caliber revolver with four live ammunition, two rifle grenades, one .45 caliber firearm, one .38 revolver, 10 live ammunition, two 40MM M203 ammunition and a hand grenade during their arrest. PNA

Iloilo... From A1

“Hanna” is forecast to enhance the southwest monsoon. Light to heavy monsoon rains will persist in the Mimaropa region, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. Luzon and the Visayas will experience only scattered rain showers. Aurelio said the weather in Metro Manila will improve due to a shallow low pressure area over west of Northern Luzon. Another low pressure area was spotted outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the West Philippine Sea or at 395 kms west of Iba, Zambales. A typhoon internationally named “Francisco” was also observed outside the PAR. “However, these three weather systems are not expected to enter the country,” Aurelio said. In Iloilo City, search and rescue teams retrieved three more bodies of passengers on three boats that capsized while traveling the Guimaras Strait. Reports from the Joint Iloilo City-Guimaras incident command post said five more passengers of the two capsized motor boats—M/B Jenny Vince and M/B Chi Chi were still being sought. Two of the bodies were fished out in Dumangas town and near Iloilo port while the other victim was retrieved in Bondolan Point in Guimaras. The three motor boats were on the way to Iloilo City when they were suddenly buffeted by strong waves and winds brought by southwest monsoon, causing them to capsize. Authorities has already identified the 28 dead victims and their relatives and families have been accorded financial assistance by local government officials. A total of 53 survivors remained in Iloilo City port being attended to by different local government agency representatives. An Army search and rescue unit under Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina had been deployed in the Iloilo-Guimaras waters to hasten the retrieval of missing victims. The Philippine Coast Guard investigating the incident has found no evidence of overloading on any of the three boats. The Palace on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte will likely visit Iloilo City. “Given the character and style of the President, that’s a probability,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said. “Meanwhile, we condole with the families of the victims that perished in those mishaps.” With MJ Blancaflor, Maricel V. Cruz and PNA

Dengue... From A1

afternoon, the provincial board approved the resolution to put the province under a state of calamity as the health authorities recorded 1,855 cases from January to July this year. This is nearly double the 653 dengue cases recorded in 2018. Alarmed by rising dengue cases, the city government of Catbalogan in Samar has reiterated its call to residents to join its anti-dengue campaign. “The first step in addressing the dengue problem starts within our homes. I'm urging our constituents to help in curbing the dengue problem,” Mayor Dexter Uy said in a message posted on his Facebook account Monday. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday met with the mayors of Cavite province to ensure that preparedness and outbreak response against dengue are in place at all levels of care. Duque said this would ensure support to the communities with dengue cases. He cited the need for all local governments to be ready to give support to victims of dengue, especially with the increasing number of cases in Cavite. PNA with Macon Ramos-Araneta

For... From A1

“I said you can resume Lotto. [But] STL, Peryahan ng Bayan, all stealing. They steal money before they will remit,” he said. Duterte previously ordered the shut down of all gaming operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, including lotto, to purge the agency of “massive corruption.” He approved the resumption of lotto operations after a four-day suspension, but the STL and Peryahan ng Bayan remain suspended pending investigation on allegations of corruption. The Palace earlier said Duterte will name about 10 PCSO officials involved in a multi-billion-peso corruption scandal. “Any form of corruption will be dealt with promptly,” the President told his new appointees. The President likewise vowed to drag to hell his critics who want to see him imprisoned for alleged extrajudicial killings committed in the government’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

‘Bikoy‘ applies for witness protection plan By Rey E. Requejo THE camp of Peter Joemel Advincula alias “Bikoy” on Monday formally sought admission to the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program. In a letter to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Advincula, through his lawyer Larry Gadon, cited the alleged threat to his life and liberty as the primary reason for applying for WPP coverage. Advincula said his life and that of his family was put at risk when he decided to come out in the open and linked several prominent opposition personalities, including Vice President Leni Robredo, in a supposed plot called “Project Sodoma” to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. “With the different prominent political figures and influential personalities that I divulged and disclosed during the series of investigations conducted by the Philippine National Police, particularly the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, my life and the life of my family, and security is at risk," Advincula said. As a result, he requested an “exclusive protection and protective custody” under the WPP through the direct supervision, handling and protection of some PNP officials including Col. Benjamin Silo Jr., the deputy district director for operations of the Northern Police district, and Maj. Ronnie Miranda Fabia, the provincial officer of the PNP-CIDG in Albay. Last month, Gadon said his client had already sought WPP coverage but Guevarra denied the claim. Nonetheless, Guevarra said Advincula may apply for coverage under the WPP, though he added he had to meet certain requirements to qualify. Advincula would have to submit a sworn affidavit detailing the allegations he made when he surrendered to the PNP in May, when he retracted his earlier accusations linking members of President Duterte’s family to the illegal drug trade. Guevarra said the submission of a sworn affidavit was just the first step as his department would still evaluate it and his credibility as a possible government witness. If, after the examination his department was satisfied that the requirements had been complied with, then Advincula could be admitted to the WPP.

Magellan’s...

From A1 into the adventure, leaving Spaniard Juan Sebastian Elcano to complete the threeyear trip. But it is Magellan’s name that is forever associated with the voyage. “Magellan is still an inspiration 500 years on,” said Fabien Cousteau, a French filmmaker and underwater explorer like his grandfather Jacques-Yves Cousteau. “He was a pioneer at a time when explorers who went off into the unknown had a strong habit of not coming back.” Here are five ways in which Magellan’s voyage marked human history and continues to inspire scientists and explorers today. Some of them spoke to AFP at a conference in Lisbon to mark the Aug. 10 fifth centenary. Historical Magellan’s voyage was a turning point in history, as unique as the first manned journey into outer space and the later moon landings, said NASA scientist Alan Stern, leader of its New Horizons interplanetary space probe. “When the first one circled the plant, (that) sort of meant that we now had our arms around the planet for the first time,” he said. “That just transformed humanity in my view. I would call it the first planetary event, in the same way that Yuri Gagarin was the first off-planetary event” when the Soviet cosmonaut went into outer space. AFP

Iconic... From A1

II but has been de-militarized, stripped of its guns and paintwork to reveal the shining, silvery metal underneath. “It’s the most majestic machine,” pilot Steve Brooks told AFP. “We’re hoping to reacquaint people with the beauty and the aesthetic of the Spitfire.” The 76-year-old plane is due to take off from Goodwood Aerodrome in England for a four-month, 43,500-kilometre (27,000-mile) adventure westwards around the globe. Taking turns, Brooks, 58, and Matt Jones, 45, who run a flight academy, will pilot the Silver Spitfire to around 30 countries and soar over some of the world’s most cherished landmarks. Agile, short-range interceptors, Spitfires were crucial in the 1940 Battle of Britain as the UK fought off the threat of an invasion by Nazi Germany. A design classic with elliptical wings, the outline of a Spitfire is instantly recognizable. “The Spitfire stands for freedom of humanity,” Brooks said. Of around 20,000 built, fewer than 250 survive, with only 50 or so of those still airworthy. They rarely fly and are mostly based in Britain. The mission hopes to honor those who designed, built, and flew the Spitfire and inspire those who see it to cherish their freedoms. AFP

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Villanueva refiles vetoed Security of Tenure bill in Senate By Macon Ramos-Araneta AFTER refiling the Security of Tenure bill, Senator Joel Villanueva made an assurance that he would make the Executive department accountable for the measure, which was recently vetoed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Villanueva also admitted that he had felt bad towards the administration for using it in their campaign propaganda. “Kasi, hindi naman ata dapat basta ganun na lang,” said Villanueva who added that a hearing on the refiled bill will be a priority in the Senate. Villanueva said he has never concealed his ill feelings after the bill was vetoed. “Again, kung sasabihin ko pong hindi tayo nagtatampo at hindi masama ang loob ko, i will be a hypocrite,” he said. Villanueva said they will invite heads of the concerned agencies on the matter. “We will definitely invite (Socio Economic Planning) Secretary (Ernesto) Pernia, (Labor) Secretary (Silvestre) Bello III, who Villanueva, said something in a press conference about “not being too fair on the side of the capitalists.” “We want to find out what Bello means by that statement,” said Villanueva, who chairs the Senate committee in labor, “They were with us the whole time, from Day 1, 3 years, kasama sila, nasasabi nila na hindi pupuwede ito, hindi katanggap tanggap ito or ito ay mave-veto kung itutuloy natin,” Villanueva said. He also noted that no one dared to talk in the past three years about the issue. “In the SONA the past three years when the President spoke about it, not one of them spoke [on the issue],” Vhe said. In fact, Villanueva said that as a member or part of the administration in the Senate, he has not been informed or even received a call about the President’s vetoing the bill. “Wala ho eh, ganun po, kung anong oras nyo nalaman na vineto ganun din po ako,” he said. Asked when will the scheduled hearings will be held, Villanueva said that they have yet to set it, saying that they still have to deal with some minor administration issues in the Senate. But Villanueva reiterated that the Senate leadership has already assured him that it will be a priority bill, since it was no less than Senate President Vicente Sotto III who told him to refile it. Villanueva said that Senate Bill No. 806 is “exactly the same measure that was certified as priority and urgent measure by the President” in September 2018.

DOJ tells SEC to answer Kapa’s counter aff idavits THE Department of Justice has ordered the Securities and Exchanges Commission to reply to the counteraffidavits filed by the firm’s officials led by founder and president Joel Apolinario in connection with the charges it filed against the respondents. During the continuation of the hearings on Monday, the panel of prosecutors chaired by Assistant State Prosecutor Zenamar Machacon-Caparros also received counter-affidavits filed by Kapa officials Moises Mopia and Mirasol Diaz. Apolinario and three other leaders of the multi-billion investment firm earlier filed their joint counter-affidavits formally refuting the SEC complaint last July 29. Two other respondents, Adelfa Fernandico and Margie Danao had also committed to file their counter-affidavits. The SEC accused the respondents of having violated Sections 8, 26, 28 of Republic Act No. 8799, the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) for selling or offering securities to the public without the necessary license. The SEC likewise accused Kapa executives to have engaged in a Ponzi scheme, a fraudulent transaction prohibited under Section 26 (26.3) of the SRC. Under the scheme, Kapa enticed members to ‘‘donate’’ at least P10,000 in exchange for a 30 percent monthly ‘‘blessing’’ or ‘‘love gift’’ for life. A separate charge for swindling and other charges against the Kapa officials remains pending before another prosecution panel. PNA

QUESTION HOUR. Senator Francis Tolentino, chairman, Senate committee on Urban Panning, Housing and Resettlement and Senator Imee Marcos question Chairman Eduardo del Rosario of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council during the Organization Meeting and Briefing of Key Shelter Agencies held at the Senate Office in Pasay City. Lino Santos

‘Maguindanao massacre’ case finally set for resolution By Rio N. Araja

HE Quezon City Regional Trial Court has submitted for resolution the multiple counts of murder filed against former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and his relatives as well as the other 190 accused in connection with the 58 victims, including 32 journalists, of the Maguindanao massacre on Nov. 23, 2009. This was after Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Reyes rejected the “repeated” filing of motions by Ampatuan Jr. Reyes instead gave the defense and the prosecution 15 days to file their own memoranda. “After the lapse of said period, with or without the parties memoranda, the cases should be deemed submitted for decision,” her six-page order read. “Happy and excited. Finally, we can wait for the order of the date of promulgation of judgment,” private prosecutor Nena Santos told the Manila Standard.

“[It’s] 15 days to file memorandum. With or without memoranda of the parties, the court will decide the case. We hope this September or October,” she said. In a resolution, Reyes blocked Ampatuan’s bid to present witnesses and other pieces of evidence in a motion and a formal offer of evidence he filed last July 1. “The Court is of the view that the repeated filing of motions by the accusedmovant (Ampatuan) bearing similar allegations, which obviously violates its

clear directive pursuant to the order dated May 21, 2019, must be stopped lest the proceedings of these cases will become ad inﬁnitum, thereby resulting not only to the prejudice of the private complainants but also his co-accused as well, who had long terminated the presentation of their evidence,” Reyes’ six-page order read. Ampatuan had sought additional hearings to be set on Aug. 15, 28 and 29. Santos and another private prosecutor —Harry Roque—earlier hit Ampatuan for employing delaying tactics to derail the promulgation. State prosecutors opposed Ampatuan’s motions during a July 11 hearings. Solis said the court has already granted Ampatuan eight cancellations of hearings, wherein he should have presented his witnesses and evidence, to no avail. “Also the court, pursuant to the oral request of his counsel, has granted the accused four settings for the presentation of his sur-rebuttal evidence with a warning that should he fail to present his evidence,” she said.

‘Dissolution of marriage, not Congress to pass national divorce, will get senators’ nod’ proposed budget for 2020

SAYING that many of his colleagues are reluctant to support the measure because of the term “divorce,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday made a guarantee that the bill would pass muster if it instead be called a “dissolution of marriage.” He said it would be much easier if the senators will be talking about dissolution of marriage, which is an upgraded annulment law. Unlike divorce, Sotto said dissolution of marriage would simply relax the existing annulment process by making it more efﬁcient and affordable. “They are open as long as the word divorce will not be used,” he said. He said there’s more probability or possibility of support if it is not called divorce or |”if we’re not talking of divorce but we’re talking of dissolution of marriage.” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri backed Sotto, saying that an efﬁcient annulment would be “more acceptable” to their colleagues. “Ayoko lang mangyari na parang

American-style divorce. Parang Las Vegas…” Zubiri said, noting how married couples could easily get divorce in the United States. “Ayoko ng medyo dysfunctional ang dating ng concept of marriage,” Since the 18th Congress opened on July 22, at least two divorce bills have already been ﬁled by Senators Risa Hotiveros and Pia Cayetano. Senator Grace Poe, who previously opposed the measure, has also expressed inclination to support the proposal now. Senator Joel Villanueva, however, vowed to strongly opposed the divorce bill, which is now being revived in the Senate. Villanueva is the son of charismatic group Jesus Is Lord founder and leader Brother Eddie Villanueva. “Divorce? over my dead body,” said Villanueva as he reiterated his hardline stance against the bill. Villanueva said he will deﬁnitely object to it as he said that the Philippines is a Christian nation where marriage is considered sacred. Macon Ramos-Araneta

DRUG USERS. Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko‘ Domagoso presents on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019 at Manila City Hall several suspected drug users who were arrested in various areas in Parola compound in Tondo, Manila. They were arrested under the Manila Police District’s anti-criminality campaign on illegal drugs and loose firearms. The police conducted an operation on Sunday night, Aug. 4, that netted the suspects. Norman Cruz

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means on Monday said the leadership will pass the proposed national budget for 2020 on ﬁnal reading before Congress goes on a break on Oct. 5. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, the panel’s chairman, made the announcement ahead of the Palace’s submission anytime this month of the proposed P4.2-trillion national budget for next year. “The House aims to pass the national budget before Oct. 5,” Salceda said at a news conference Monday after attending a small group LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council meeting in Malacañang Monday. According to Salceda, the LEDAC has yet to agree on a ﬁnal list of priority measures, especially since the Senate is yet to come up with its own list on Aug. 27. He also said the House leadership under the stewardship of House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez of Leyte would prioritize the passage of the measures that the President mentioned in his fourth State of the Nation Address last July 22. At the same time, he assured that the House will pass the three tax measures that were in the top 8 of the 23 legislative priorities that the President mentioned in his SONA. These include an act Increasing and Restructuring the Excise Tax Rates on Alcohol; TRAIN 2 or the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act (CITIRA); and the Rationalization of Capital Income Taxation. He added that House leaders will help the economic managers “in working for the nation in its bid for credit upgrades and higher incomes for all.”

Young, a veteran of 3 wars, turns 97 AT 97, retired Maj. Maximo Young, one of the few, if not the only living Filipino veteran of three wars—World War 2, Korea and Vietnam—remains strong and healthy despite nearing the century mark. Young celebrated his 97th birthday with vigor by walking around, smiling and shaking hands with visitors who attended his natal day celebration at the Officers Clubhouse in Camp Aguinaldo on Saturday. A thanksgiving Mass preceded the grand birthday celebration. During the singing of a birthday song for him, his wife, Mercedes, 68, hugged him to the delight of friends and visitors. When World War II broke out on Dec. 8, 1941, Young, a cadet at the Philippine Military Academy joined the Filipino forces to fight the Japanese, who invaded the Philippines. He was 19 at that time. As a guerrilla fighter, Young demonstrated his bravery fighting the Japanese. At one instance, Young almost got killed when a boat of the guerrillas carrying supplies was intercepted and sank by the Japanese in the Visayan Sea. He evaded being captured by swimming to the shoreline. Ben Cal, PNA

Palace hands off in Tulfo-ES spat MALACAÑANG on Monday distanced itself from the libel complaint filed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea against Special Envoy for Public Diplomacy to China Ramon Tulfo, saying the Palace will “not interfere.” “That’s between Executive Secretary and the journalist,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters in a press briefing. “That is personal between the two so we will not interfere,” he added. The charges stemmed from a July 25 column published in the Manila Times in which Tulfo accused Medialdea of sitting on a claim of government reward money by a certain Felicito Mejorado. Mejorado said he has not yet received P272.07 million in reward money owed to him by the government for his tip on a smuggling operation in Mariveles, Bataan in 1997. Tulfo said Mejorado came to his office in Pasig City last week to ask for help because his reward has been supposedly pending with Medialdea’s office for one year, according to the column. MJ Blancaflor

‘No to height limit for PNP applicants’ SAYING that height discrimination unnecessarily limits quality choice and promotes social injustice, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri wants to get rid of the height requirement for applicants to the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Because of this, Zubiri ﬁled SBN 312, which provides that height requirement imposed under Section 30 of RA 6975 as amended by Republic Act 8551 will be immediately repealed. The height requirement for applicants to the PNP, BFP and BJMP under Sections 15 and 16 of RA 8551 and Section 4 (h) of RA 9263 or the Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004, as amended by RA 9592, “are hereby amended insofar as these provisions refer to any height requirement, to give effect to the mandated repeal of the height requirement...” Zubiri noted that the prejudice against height is counteractive to the beneﬁt of the nation. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019

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A cause for worry IT HAS been said that the lowly pan de sal we eat for breakfast is a barometer of the national economy. If this is so, then things are going from bad to worse. The pan de sal is shrinking to a point that I can finish one in just three bites. I now need to consume a minimum of three every morning. But if you read the papers every day, you would note that the conglomerates and the banks are making oodles of money. So why is the pan de sal shrinking? Something is wrong somewhere. *** Commenting on the death anniversary of President Corazon Aquino, President Duterte said that she only became popular because her husband was assassinated. I agree.

Are we going to be a province of China? But if you ask a journalist like me whether the change from the Marcos dictatorship to Cory’s regime was good, I would say yes, in the sense that the country went back to a democratic form of government. However, did the country improve with Ninoy Aquino’s communist friends becoming members of Congress as party-list representatives? Did we do any better when President Cory tasked both Nene Pimentel and Butz Aquino to bring back from exile Nur Misuari, head of the Moro National Liberation Front? I ask these questions when the memory of Cory is talked about. Despite the fact that Juan Ponce Enrile, Fidel Ramos and Gregorio Honasan had already formed a ruling civilianmilitary junta, Enrile handed power to Cory. I asked him why he did that. He said he was not sure whether the people

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

would accept the junta. Cory was then the face of the opposition and so it was logical that she be made president. Of course we know now that it turned out to be a big mistake. Cory failed to live up to expectations. Cory also contributed to our return to the Dark Ages. She mothballed the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant which would have provided back-up power to Luzon during the incumbency of her successor, Fidel Ramos. We almost always recall the so-called people Power Revolution—some halfmillion people composed mostly of students, priests, nuns and others from civil society. Actually, it was neither “people power” nor “revolution.” It was not the entire country that was there. It was not a drastic change in government. “People Power Revolution” could really fall under the category of fake news. The Yellows and the pro-Cory media made a small event scented and sanctified. The Western media called Cory the “icon of democracy.” That’s another fake news item. Cory was never even present during the three-day breakaway. She had been hiding in Cebu when it started, and then when she returned to Manila, she continued to hide. The nearest she got to the breakaway group was at the corner of EDSA and POEA building. How then could she have been an icon of democracy when she was merely EDSA’s beneficiary? *** I am not only alarmed. I am greatly worried. I refer to the latest news that Chinese investors are eyeing Fuga Island at the tip of Cagayan province, Grande Island at the mouth of Subic Bay and Chiquita Island near Panatag Shoal that is now occupied by China. Aside from the heavy influx of the Chinese into the Philippines, and even their illegal entry through what they call “escort service” by corrupt immigration personnel, and the takeover of entire condominium floors and the entry of so many POGO workers in gated villages. Santa Banana, these three islands are all strategic!

‘Dignified commuting’

SENATOR, working with a transport advocacy group, filed a bill called the Magna Carta of Dignified Commuting last month. What the bill fundamentally says is that mobility with dignity is basic human right.

"clearly, the priority is moving private vehicles." Abraham and Paala, founding members of AltMobility PH, the advocacy group that worked with Senator Francis Pangilinan, said: “To be clear: The Magna Carta for Dignified Commuting' is not saying that cars are the enemy. What we are pushing for is the idea of Philippine cities that have the options for its people to walk, bike, ride their public transportation of choice.” Anybody who has ever taken public transportation in Metro Manila, especially those who have to do it every day and have no other options to go around, know all too well that commuting does a good job of stripping one of dignity. People try hard enough to earn a living and deal with employers who trample on their basic rights of, say, fair and timely compensation. They have to figure out how to make

A commuter is one who travels from one point to another using a combination of transport modes other than private vehicles. The bill identifies the basic rights of commuters: • The right to adequate transportation services means that waiting time at bus stops should be limited to 10 minutes and that transport stops should be within 300 meters from each other. • The right to road safety means the state shall promote safe driving behavior of public transport drivers. • The right to mobility infrastructure says there must be walking and biking paths. • The right to clean air is self-explanatory, as is the right to participation in the decision-making process for transport and mobility issues. Mobility experts Zaxx Abraham and Mirick Paala, writing for CNN Philippines, say that today,

ends meet for their families, given the rising costs of basic goods and services. As if these were not preoccupations grave enough to sap the energy out of the most honest earnest worker, he or she has to face, coming and going, every day, the curse of taking public transport. If it rains, the curse is amplified many times over. In the end, they get to their destinations just a little less whole, just a little less free. There is no argument with the fact that commuters have rights, that they deserve better, and that the ultimate responsibility lies with their government: planners and implementors. The bill is long overdue. The problem is that even if it hurdles the legislative mill, its words, while good on paper, will likely not be good for anything else. This is because efforts to improve public transportation as a whole, and each component individually, have been sporadic and unsustainable. Without foresight, good planning and even better execution, “dignified commuting” in Metro Manila will continue to be an oxymoron.

Turn to A5

Weaponizing Bikoy against opposition WHEN the series of Bikoy videos came out sometime in April of 2019, a month before the midterm elections, accusing the President, his son and closed as alleged members of drug syndicates, the reaction by the Justice Secretary was to call for an investigation, not on the contents of the videos, but on the people behind them. Soon after, a certain Rodel Jaime, the alleged video sharer, was arrested on the power of a search warrant. The Justice Secretary justified the arrest as one incidental to a lawful search. Any lawyer worth his salt will know that an “arrest incidental to a lawful search” is a strange animal. Rather, what is recognized by the Rules of Court is a “search incidental to a lawful arrest.” Anyway, without delving on the legal nuances of the arrest, the DOJ initially filed a complaint for cyber libel that was later amended to a complaint for inciting to sedition in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Law. A few days before the elections, the man formerly only known as “Bikoy” surfaced and identified himself as Peter Joemel Advincula. Before the media, he reiterated his claims that presidential son Paolo Duterte and senatorial candidate Christopher “Bong” Go, among others, are part of a drug syndicate operating in Misibis Bay in Albay. In unison, government officials were quick to dismiss the accusations and to cast doubt on the credibility of Bikoy. To Senate Speaker Sotto, Bikoy had previously approached him in 2016 with information linking former president Benigno Aquino III and other officials to drug syndicates. To Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde, he is nothing more than an “information peddler.” The Justice Secretary threatened to file charges if he failed to present evidence to substantiate his claims. In the meantime, no attempt was made to investigate and ferret out the truth behind Advincula’s allegations. Weeks later, Advincula resurfaced and made a stunning volte-face, this time training his accusing fingers to the opposition. When previously dismissed as an information peddler, Advincula dra-

matically was restored from the good graces of the PNP, which hosted a press conference for him and expressed its willingness to investigate the allegations against the opposition. In no time, the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed a slew of charges against the opposition including sedition, inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal and obstruction of justice. Included in the complaint as respondents, and summoned to the Department of Justice this Friday for preliminary investigation, are Vice President Robredo, priests and bishops, opposition Senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros; former senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Bam Aquino; and Otso Diretso senatorial candidates Chel Diokno, Florin Hilbay, Gary Alejano, Romulo Macalintal, Samira Gutoc and Erin Tañada. Suddenly, it was the turn of the opposition and perceived administration critics to question the credibility of Advincula.

I do not consider myself part of the opposition, but I stand with all those accused by Bikoy. On the other hand, the PNP Chief, the Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Senate President Tito Sotto and other supporters of Duterte who previously were so vociferous in condemning Bikoy as a fake or as an information peddler are either silent or are now pushing for the filing of sedition charges against the sonamed individuals. Curiously, when the videos on the supposed link of the President’s family and close allies in drug trade first came out, no one in government wanted to shed light on the truth. But when the tables were turned against the opposition, everybody in the government had a change of heart and is now eager to find out the truth behind the Ang Totoong Narcolist videos. This time no discernible whimper came from the government side doubting the credibility of Bikoy. In fact, the government has become so convinced that Advincula is telling the truth such that

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An unsound proposal I REALLY hope President Duterte’s recent statement that he is thinking of giving firearms to firemen so they can help in curbing criminality and maintaining peace and order in communities is half-serious, and uttered in a moment of levity, perhaps a mere knee-jerk reaction to the perceived rise in crime incidents throughout the country. The basic rationale for the proposal, as interpreted by the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), is to allow firemen to defend themselves whenever their security is threatened in an emergency situation. But Duterte’s proposal apparently goes beyond self-defense. He wants firemen, when not responding to a fire alarm, to tag along with the police in, say, so-called ‘buy-bust’ operations. Here’s what he actually said: “Pa-issuehan ko kayo ng baril, kayong mga bumbero. Pagkatapos ng tubig, tao naman ang hanapin ninyo.” (I will see to it that you are issued firearms. After looking for water, you can run after people.”) For one thing, I cannot imagine our already overworked and underpaid firemen holding a firehose on one hand and a Glock 9 mm. pistol on the other while they go about their mis-

sion, which is to save lives and property. Firemen bearing firearms amid the helter-skelter in a fire emergency could exacerbate an already tense situation and create more pandemonium.

Why give firemen extra work for which they have not been trained? Isn’t it enough that during a fire emergency, the police are automati automatically deployed by headquarters to help maintain peace and order? Firefighting, I would imagine, is a science that needs to be learned through proper training and adequate modern equipment. Our firemen should be given all available means to do their task of

firefighting instead of diffusing their energy and efforts elsewhere, such as being made to join anti-crime operations, for which they have not had any training nor perhaps the inclination because their basic task is to save lives. Self-defense against unruly fire victims should be the least of the worries of firemen as they should be more concerned with rescuing fire victims and keeping themselves safe amid a real lifeand-death situation in a fire emergency. Unwittingly, Duterte is saying that he is tapping even firemen in the anticrime drive because the best efforts of the Philippine National Police in peacekeeping have been less than ade adequate, and therefore they need back-up support from another unit in the DILG. But we must remember that the police can already tap hundreds of thousands of barangay tanods and private security guards in fighting crime. So why give firemen extra work for which they have not been trained? QC should be next model of urban redevelopment After Manila Mayor Isko Moreno hit the ground running in just his first week in office and cleaned up Quiapo, Divisoria and other business districts of illegal vendors and traffic obstructions, other Turn to A5

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Opinion DARe to struggle I UNDERSTAND that the Department of Agriculture will now be headed by veteran agri-technocrat Dr. William Dar. I don’t think I’ve ever met him, but the reputation and the resume he brings with him are pretty impressive. This is an appointment that Duterte should be roundly praised for. Together with my fellow free marketeers in FEF, we’ve always believed that improving agricultural productivity is the existential challenge our country faces: • uplift the poor (because most of them are in the countryside) guarantee more and cheaper food for everyone (witness the immediately salutary effects of rice tariffication) • permanently tame inflation (because food accounts for half of the basket of goods that drives prices in general) • even spur the industrialization without which our country simply cannot realize its middle-income ambitions (because higher farm productivity frees young farmers to join the urban working class, while lower food prices lead to lower real wages and thus make manufacturing more cost-attractive to investors) Should Congress ever be seized by some spasm of creativeness, it may even wish to go further, abolish the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and transfer any remaining relevant subunits into the DA. Land to the landless is no longer the call of the times, not when our agricultural sector is still in the doldrums despite the redistribution to date of some 20 Million hectares. Who better than a Secretary Dar to start running DAR as well? *** Let me take the easy way out today and just update my readers on the latest economic prognostications by my FEF colleague, Monetary Board member Dr. Philip Medalla, with which he regaled us at FEF’s latest monthly dinner: After hitting 5.2 percent last year, inflation will drop dramatically this year to 2.7-3.5 percent and average 2-4 percent annually until 2022. This year’s drop can be credited to the impact of rice tariffication on lower food prices,

Weaponizing... From A4

the Office of the Solicitor, while admitting to be lawyering for the PNP-CIDG and not Advincula, is so gracious to even assist the accuser in the preparation of his affidavit. Amid the renewed calls to impeach VP Robredo, one cannot but suspect that the charges against her are meant to gag the organized opposition, which she heads. No amount of dissembling and smokescreen can conceal the orchestrated attempts by the Duterte regime to silence any and all who criticize the acts of the President and the policies of his government. Knowing Robredro, I am sure she is not involved in any attempt to undermine the Duterte administration. She is certainly not that stupid, as she has said, to meet with a convicted swindler. Being from Naga herself, where Advincula is notorious, she would have avoided him like a plague. If I were the Vice President, I would take this charge seriously and not be complacent. The same is true for the bishops and religious leaders accused by Bikoy. As Archbishop Soc Rodrigo pointed out in the mass for Cory Aquino last Thursday, he has not even violated a traffic rule all his life, how could he even think of committing inciting to sedition. Bishop Pablo David and Brother Armin Luistro likewise are the most law-abiding people I

An unsound... From A4

Metro Manila mayors agreed to launch a Metro-wide clean-up drive, with the DILG even threatening to impose sanctions on local officials who fail to do their part. In Quezon City where I reside, the local government faces the awesome challenge of responding decisively to urban sprawl. In Barangay South Triangle, for instance, a middle-class community where real estate prices have reached stratospheric heights in recent years,

A cause... From A4

Doesn’t the Duterte security team realize that this is not simply about investments? With the occupation of Fuga Island, China would be able to control the strait south of Taiwan and the Eastern Philippine Sea. And with Grande Island under the Chinese, Subic Bay would also be

as well as moderating oil prices abroad. Despite higher government spending on infrastructure under its Build, Build, Build program, the budget deficit (relative to GDP) is falling and will continue to fall. One obvious reason for improving deficit numbers is robust economic growth. We’ve enjoyed 81 straight quarters of real GDP growth ever since the Asian financial crisis in 1998. Quarterly growth rates are also slowly picking up speed and may soon reach the highest levels since we started tracking GDP statistics.

Land to the landless is no longer the call of the times.

unsurprisingly also picked up, widening our trade deficit to a level that can no longer be fully financed by BPO and remittances, the two other major components in our current account. But the slack is being picked up by our capital account, with huge inflows from direct, portfolio, and “other” investments. With those inflows, our gross international reserves as of May 2018 were ranked fifth largest in the world by the IMF. We were one of only four Asian countries in the top 20 list. Earlier projections of a significant depreciation in the peso did not happen, and Philip’s exchange rate forecast for the year is a widen relatively benign range of 51-53, widening somewhat to 51-55 thereafter until 2022. In sum, Duterte continues to have the wind at his back, to the unending consternation of his tireless critics. Fortune indeed favors the bold. *** In the Book of Deuteronomy, the Prophet Moses, sensing the nearness of his death, vigorously enjoins the Israelites never to turn their backs on the Lord who brought them centuries of peace in the Promised Land at the end of their exodus from Egypt. In today’s reading (Dn 7: 9-10, 13-14), he especially warns them to observe the commandments, statutes and decrees of what came to be enshrined as the Mosaic Law of the Jews. In the Gospel (Lk 9: 28-36), Moses reappears centuries later, this time together with the Prophet Elijah as they converse with a transfigured Christ before the awed disciples Peter, John and James. When a Divine voice declares from above, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him,” the two prophets then disappear, leaving Christ to His disciples as the very fulfilment, as well as replacement, of the old Law. Today’s Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord was first adapted by Rome from the Eastern rites to commemorate the defeat of Muslim invaders in Belgrade in the 15th century. As the fourth Luminous Mystery, it celebrates the Divine confirmation of Jesus as Savior—to repel infidels, to rebuke followers of the old Law, and to remind and renew all Christians in their faith.

One driver of growth is favorable re demographics. From 2015-2040, the region’s two giants, China and Japan, will see their productive population between the ages of 15-64 contract by -10.4 percent and -24.7 percent, respectively. In stark contrast, we will grow ours by an amazing +59.5 percent. [This should give serious pause to all those birthcontrol advocates and overpopulation gloom-and-doomers.] Another growth driver is the rising share of wage and salary workers to total employment, compared to ownaccount and unpaid family workers. The organized labor sector is more productive and improves productivity faster. At the same time, capital expenditures by the corporate sector—the economy’s most productive and dynamic sector—have also been growing especially since 2010. The efficiency of capital deployment has also been improving (as measured over time by the incremental capital-output ratio or ICOR), leading to an increase over time in the economy’s overall productivity. Sector by sector, services have unsurprisingly grown the fastest. But construction has also picked up in the last 10 years, while Philip describes manufacturing as “doing well.” As mentioned above, the underperformer is agriculture, where growth continues to lag population growth. Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ With all this growth, imports have yahoo.com. know in this country. If the priests being accused of providing sanctuary to Advincula in fact did so, that is not a crime—that is their duty. Including our colleagues from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Free Legal Assistance Group for meeting a prospective client, is ludicrous. In any case, Advincula is not a credible witness. In fact, even before he did his about face, I have been counseling those who were sharing the Bikoy videos with glee that they were clearly embellished accounts and clearly propaganda that were likely not based on truth. He was lying about the Dutertes. He is lying now about Robredo et al. Senators Leila de Lima and Sonny Trillanes, Chief Justice Sereno, the Catholic Church, Human Rights advocates, the Commission on Human Rights, Maria Ressa and Rappler, the United Nations, European Union, and now Robredo and the members of the political opposition share one thing in common. They all have been subjected to harassment one way or another if only to intimidate them into silence. In fact, even Senator Gordon, a known Duterte ally, was not spared when the president castigated him with his colorful language for daring to criticize Duterte’s penchant for appointing retired military generals in government. Every time a critic rears his or her head, the whole state machinery is set in motion to roll over that head to keep him or her silent. The reality here is that Bikoy has been

weaponized against Duterte critics. They will not stop until the opposition is silenced. I do not consider myself part of the opposition, but I stand with all those accused by Bikoy. One pundit once said, “When truth is replaced by silence, the silence is a lie.” In the same manner, when men and women are kept from criticizing a democratic government, democracy becomes an illusion. Winston Churchill so aptly praised the virtues of criticism in government when he said—“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body; it calls attention to the development of an unhealthy state of things. If it is heeded in time, danger may be averted; if it is suppressed, a fatal distemper may develop.” On Friday, August 9, lets all go to the Department of Justice and support the good men and women accused by Bikoy. I do not exaggerate that this is a season when we must all recall Martin Niemöller’s warning against the Nazi menace: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

you can still see clusters of shanties of informal settlers who have apparently taken over private property. Right in front of the barangay office along Scout Bayoran, in fact, the sidewalk has totally disappeared, taken over by residents of an urban poor community who decided to extend the property line just inches from the road itself. Not far away, the old Kamuning public market remains decrepit and dark, even as the barangay has built a new office at the back of the compound. A few years ago, the market facade was improved somewhat, but residents must navigate the dark and dreary interior, with apparently no effort on the part of the market administrator to un-

dertake much-needed repairs. It appears that newly minted Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has begun inspection tours and dialogues with her constituents in various areas in the city aimed at addressing the city’s problems, including traffic congestion, flooding, garbage disposal, crime, and so on. We just hope that she would be as tireless and visible as Mayor Isko in Manila, and be able to rally support for an honest-to-goodness cleanup campaign as well as social development programs to solve longstanding problems that pose obstacles to a truly livable metropolis.

easily under China’s control. First, it was China’s occupation of reefs and shoals in the West Philippine Sea and our Exclusive Economic Zone. Then we saw the entry of POGO workers. Before long, we would really be a province of China! At this point, I am reminded of the sly entry of Japanese halo-halo vendors. There was also a lot of construction activity. After the occupation, these vendors and construction workers turned out

to be Kempe-tai and Japanese soldiers. We should all be worried. *** All the people talking about Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte succeeding her father, including the endorsement of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, boils down to the fact that indeed the presidency is a matter of destiny. In my almost 70 years as a journalist, I have seen Messiahs rise and fall—only God can decide who would be president. Look at President Duterte. He was

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019

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The economy in 2019’s first semester pendent entity; whether it will be sufficiently independent to withhold support from the Duterte administration’s legislative priorities is something that the Filipino people will have to await. The first semester of 2019 began with much acrimony and discord in the halls THE events of 2019’s first six months— of Congress regarding the 2019 GAA, the sixth of President Rodrigo Duterte’s which, like all previous national budgets, 12 semesters in office—that have had should have gone into effect on the year’s the greatest impact on the Philippine first day. Allegations by Senator Panfilo economy have revolved around four Lacson of post-bicameral-conference inmatters, namely, the 2019 GAA (Gen- sertions into the GAA by the Secretary of eral Appropriations Act), the inflation Budget and Management prevented the rate as measured by the consumer price GAA’s being signed into law before Dec. index (GPI), the mid-term election and 31 by President Duterte, who said that he the West Philippine Sea. Positive notes would affix his signature to the measure were struck by the inflation rate and the only after the two chambers of Congress May 13 election; the developments re- had composed their differences. Mr. Dulating to the GAA—the national budget terte signed the 2019 GAA on April 27. and the West Philippine Sea were nega- The economic managers estimate that the tive in character. nearly four months of budget-implemenThe rapid upward movement of the tation delay has cost the economy close to CPI in 2018 was accounted for almost 1 percent of GDP (gross domestic prodentirely by the excise tax on fuel im- uct). Taking their cue from the economic posed by TRAIN managers, the (the Tax Reform busi Philippine busiand Inclusiveness ness community Act) and the rice correspond has correspondIt began with supply deficiency ingly lowered its resulting from expectation of much acrimony and drought and NFA the level of na(National Food discord in the halls of tional economic Authority) misactivity this year. Congress. management. The With first-quarter inflation rate rose growth down to to 5.7 percent, 5.6 percent, the its highest level fi international fiin 11 years. Consumer prices began to nancial community now places PhilipPhilip decline when the Duterte administration pine GDP growth in 2019 at between 6 suspended the fuel tax increases and percent and 6.3 percent. succeeded in correcting the rice marThe other discordant note that was ket’s supply-deficit situation. By June struck during 2019’s first semester rethe inflation rate had gone down to a lated to the Permanent Court of Arbitralevel well within the 2-4 percent target tion’s 2016 ruling on China’s claim to range set by the BSP (Bangko Sentral the entire South China Sea, which inng Pilipinas). cluded the West Philippine Sea and the The automated mid-term election Philippines’ EEZ (exclusive economic took place in a generally orderly man- zone). The steady stream of accusaner. All twelve seats at stake in the Sen- tions, denials and diplomatic protests ate were won by candidates of the two culminated in the ramming on June 9 of administration parties, the Partido ng a Philippine fishing boat by a hit-andDemokratikong Pilipino (PDP)—La- run Chinese vessel. Needless to say, ban and the Hugpong ng Pagbabagong the incident has cast a further shadow Pilipinas (HPP)—a result that gave rise on bilateral relations whose desirability to protests and complaints against al- for the Philippines is being increasingly leged automation skullduggery. With questioned by the majority of Filipinos. the proclamation of the 12 winning can- There are bound to be more such incididates, the Opposition was reduced to dents—or worse ones—as long as the four Senators. Senate president Vicente Duterte administration remains docile Sotto III has stoutly declared that the in the face of increasingly hegomonic 18th Congress Senate will be an inde- Chinese behavior.

Freedom of speech in the flesh IN A timely fashion, recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results show that majority of Filipinos affirm that they exercise “very strong” freedom of speech. At least 59 percent of Filipinos say they can “openly and without fear” criticize the Duterte administration. Such indication starkly contradicts the imputations of a New York Times editorial citing the study of some non-governmental organization ranking the Philippines as “the most dangerous place for land and environmental defenders.” NGO Global Witness cited the cases of activist-lawyer Ben Ramos, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen, and a United Nations special rapporteur for indigenous peoples Vicky Corpuz, who received death threats “for criticizing the administration’s human rights violations.” I would have concurred with the NY Times and Global Witness if they had declared this country as the most dangerous place for illegal drug traffickers and drug dealers. But for government critics, I don’t think so. In fact, we have so much freedom of speech that some of us tend to exercise excessively. Take it from a graduate of the School Of Hard Knocks. President Duterte has professed freedom of speech too strongly for everyone to enjoy that his own critics have used it against him, his family and his Cabinet in their ill-designs to spawn destabilization and discredit and oust the administration. The culprits, including Yellow journalists, denied the “Matrix” when it was exposed following Bikoy’s grossly defamatory and seditious “Ang Totoong Narcolist” viral video.

unlikely to become president since his competitors had occupied national posts before. But who is the occupant of Malacañang now? Mayor Sara should not be talking about the presidency this early. Many things can still happen. To those who are already lining up to be in the good graces of Sara, they should not push Sara this early in the hope that they would be in power when she is. ***

Exercising freedom of speech, ex-five star hotel mutineer and ex-senator Antonio Trillanes and his supporting cast stood by Bikoy, who eventually called a media conference at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines offices to exercise his freedom of speech in the flesh. So, what is the NY Times harping on when freedom of speech or freedom of expression, as well as freedom of the press, are so strongly alive and well in this country under this administration? I would have also agreed with NY Times if they said the Philippines has been the most dangerous place for journalists in the past decades. Remember the Maguindanao Massacre on Nov. 23, 2009? We all would agree if NY Times had said the country was the most dangerous place for farmers after at least 13 peasants were gunned down and scores wounded at the Mendiola Bridge by policemen as asked by the late President Cory Aquino for the implementation of the agrarian reform. Again, we all would have agreed if NY Times and Global Witness ranked the country the most dangerous place for farmers after at least 13 were supposedly massacred by the private army of Cojuangco family at the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac on Nov. 16, 2004. On April 1st before the 2016 elections, at least three farmers were shot and killed during the dispersal of 6,000 farmers who were demonstrating their protest for lack of food assistance from the Noynoy Aquino government during the El Niño drought. That should have made the country the most dangerous place for hungry farmers in 2016. Meanwhile, Manong Digong has been busy in the past three years distributing land titles to farmers under the agrarian reform. So is the Philippines a dangerous place to live? Well, only for drug lords, rapists, and murderers.

President Duterte should take the opportunity to debunk all criticism that Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio will not be chief justice under his administration. Carpio has been a fierce critic of Duterte’s policy in the West Philippine Sea. In fact, he has been bypassed four times. Carpio should be chief justice if seniority and tradition were to be followed. Most of all, he deserves it. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

News

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CA: Balanga tobacco ban not within Constitution By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has upheld the ruling promulgated by a trial court that declared as unconstitutional an ordinance in the City of Balanga, Bataan imposing a total ban on the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of tobacco products. In a 13-page decision, the CA’s Special Sixteenth Division through Associate Justice Jane Aurora Lantion ruled that the City Council of Balanga transgressed the jurisdiction of Congress by passing Section 5 of Ordinance 09, which expands the scope of the prohibition on the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of tobacco product as defined under Sections 5, 6,10 and 22 of Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. Sections 5, 6, 10 and 22 of Republic Act 9211 ban smoking only within a specific number of public places and prohibits sale and advertisement of tobacco products in limited circumstances. The ordinance took effect in 2017, but its implementation was stopped after the Balanga City Regional Trial Court, Branch 93 issued the assailed ruling on July 5, 2018. The RTC branded the ordinance as “unreasonable and discriminatory” and tantamount to restriction or prohibition of free trade. In upholding the lower court ruling, the CA noted that the ordinance prohibits not only the act of smoking in specified public places, but also the acts of selling, distributing, using, advertising and promoting tobacco products not only within the University Town but as far as three kilometers radius, which practically covers the entire developed portion of the city. It noted that under RA 9211, the act of Manila smoking is absolutely prohibited in specifiStandard ed publicTODAY places such as centers of youth activity like schools and recreational facilities for minors, elevators and stairwells, areas that are fire hazards, inside buildings, hospitals and medical clinics and establishments, public transportation, conference halls and food preparation areas.

More join MMDA in cleanup drive By Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

ORE local government units are joining forces with the Metro Manila Development Authority in connection with the campaign to reclaim and clear all public roads of obstruction. On Monday morning, the MMDA led by chairman Danilo Lim and local government ofﬁcials in Caloocan City led the clearing operations in Bagong Barrio. In a related development: • A leader of the House of Representatives expressed elation over the freeze ordered by a court on the implementation

of a provincial bus ban on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, Metro Manila’s premiere thoroughfare. The Regional Trial Court in Quezon City last week issued a temporary restraining order that stopped the MMDA from implementing the ban effective until after the courts have taken ﬁnal action on this con-

troversial policy cooked up by the MMDA in an effort to ease traffic on EDSA. Deputy Speaker Luis Raymond Villafuerte, who last week filed House Resolution 165 seeking a congressional inquiry into MMDA Regulation 19-002, said the chamber should go ahead with this proposed investigation in the hope that lawmakers could eventually craft new legislation that would help authorities solve the worsening traffic congestion plaguing EDSA and the rest of Metro Manila. MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr., Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan and Vice Mayor Macario Asistio also supervised the removal of obstructions on the sidewalks.

Lim acknowledged that longer-term solution to the traffic problem were the infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the administration but “clearing roads off obstructions is one way to solve the traffic while waiting for these permanent solutions.” Malapitan, for his part, stressed the importance of the barangays taking their part into the clearing drive and expressed the need to act collectively. During the operations, two barangay halls encroaching on the sidewalks were dismantled and demolished while some owners of private establishments were given warning to remove fixtures which were already on the streets.

Cimatu urges LGU leaders to address major issues By Rio N. Araja

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu has urged governors and mayors to show a “decisive environmental leadership” and sustain the gains fueled by President Rodrigo Duterte’s strong political will and commitment to address the most pressing environmental problems. He met with 74 governors and 1,538 city and municipal mayors at the recent “The Assembly of Governors and Mayors” in Manila, where the President gave local executives his marching order to inCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK tensify the war against illegal drug, corruption, extremism and communist insurgency. He reminded the governors and mayors to show political will and take the initiative, and not to wait for the national government to intervene. HEALTH ISSUES. Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (second left) and Tingog 2nd Nominee Jude Acidre (second right) He assured the governors and mayors discuss Monday with Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde (right) and Senior Vice President Health Finance Policy Sector Dr. Israel Francis support from the Department of EnvironPargas regarding the issues on out-of-pocket expenses by members of PhilHealth during the Public Consultation on the Implementing Rules ment and Natural Resources to capacitate and Regulations of the Universal Health Care Act initiated by House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. Ver Noveno their competence in addressing and implementing priority environmental concerns and projects within their jurisdictions. “The DENR can and will provide technical support on a broad range of concerns from geohazard mapping to reforestation, to the management of solid waste and air A MANILA City court on Monday convicted a Salamat sa lahat ng tumulong malaking bagay po REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES and water pollution,” he said. ito para makamit namin ang hustisya,” Garalde’s former Philippine Army reservist for the July 2016 TARIFF COMMISSION He prodded them not to balk from enkilling of biker Mark Vincent Garalde in a road mother said in Tagalog. NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING forcing environmental laws, and that he “Maging leksyon din po sana ito sa lahat,” she added. rage incident in Quiapo, Manila. is mobilizing the entire DENR workforce The Department of Justice indicted Tanto before Judge Buenaventura Albert Tenorio Jr. of MaFormal Investigation on the Imposition of Safeguard from the central, regional, provincial and nila City RTC Branch 14 has found Vhon Martin the Manila City RTC on the basis of his admission Measure Against Importations of Ceramic Floor and Wall community levels to assist them “as long of the crime and the account of eyewitness Bryan Tanto guilty beyond reasonable doubt and senTiles from Various Countries as they do their part.” (Investigation No. SG-2019-OC-Ceramic Tiles) tenced the accused to suffer imprisonment of reclu- Yu, and the shooting incident was also captured by He called on the local government units close circuit television camera positioned along P. sion perpetua or up to 40 years. Notice is hereby given that the public hearing scheduled from to help address the country’s vulnerability to Casal Street, which showed Tanto and Garalde enTenorio also ordered Tanto to pay Garalde’s 12 to 16 August 2019 on the Formal Investigation on the Imposition climate change hazards through a convergence heirs P1. 048 million as actual damages, P100, 000 gaging in a fistfight before the shooting. of Safeguard Measure Against Importations of Ceramic Floor and approach highlighting the key role of local auThe DOJ said then that Tanto did not give Gaas civil indemnity, P100, 000 as moral damages, Wall Tiles from Various Countries, as indicated in the Commission thorities in the transition to more sustainable Order issued on 14 June 2019, is moved to a later date to allow the ralde a chance to defend himself as he had already and another P100,000 as exemplary damages. ways of environmental governance. submission of required information by interested parties and give this “All damages awarded shall be subject to the rate turned his back from respondent, thinking that they Commission additional time to complete its data verification. “You have control over business perof six percent per annum from finality of this decision have already settled the matter after the fistfight mits and land use and development,” Ciwhen shot four times, including in the face. until its full satisfaction,” the court ruling stated. The new schedule of the public hearing will be announced at a matu told the local officials. Student Rosell Bondoc was also hit and was Present during the promulgation were Garalde’s later date. He warned of adverse environmental wife Rachel, and his mother, Malou, who both wel- confined in hospital for several days. impacts if such control is not properly For inquiries, Ms. Ma. Lourdes M. Saluta, Director II, Head Police said the altercation between Tanto and Garalde comed the decision. exercised. of the Task Force on Ceramic Tiles, may be reached at Telephone “Nasagot na ang mga prayers ko, ang mga occurred after the suspect’s Hyundai Eon vehicle hit the Numbers 926 7476 and 928 8419 or at email address TC.Assist@ prayers namin. Salamat po at nagkaroon ng justice. bicycle rider along the same street. Rey E. Requejo

Manila Court convicts road rage killer

tariffcommission .gov.ph.

Issued this 5th day of August 2019, at Quezon City, Metro Manila.

MARILOU P. MENDOZA Chairperson (MS-AUG. 6, 2019)

Immigration agents nab 3 Pakistanis By Vito Barcelo

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TARIFF COMMISSION IN THE MATTER OF THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION ON THE IMPOSITION OF SAFEGUARD MEASURE AGAINST IMPORTATIONS OF REFLECTIVE, TINTED AND CLEAR FLOAT GLASS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (AHTN 2017 Subheadings 7005.10.90, 7005.21.90 and 7005.29.90) FOR: SAFEGUARD MEASURE (Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8800 Investigation No. SG-2019-OC-Float Glass ___________________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMAL INVESTIGATION AND PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE Pursuant to Section 9 of R.A. 8800 (Safeguard Measures Act), notice is hereby given that the Tariff Commission commenced its Formal Investigation on the merits of the imposition of a definitive safeguard duty against importations of Reflective, Tinted and Clear Float Glass (AHTN 2017 Subheadings 7005.10.90, 7005.21.90 and 7005.29.90) from various countries after endorsement by the Secretary of Trade and Industry on 31 July 2019. All parties on record are required to appear at a preliminary conference which will be held on 14 August 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at the Tariff Commission Conference Room, 4th Floor, West Insula Condominium, No. 135 West Avenue, Quezon City. Matters for discussion include the timelines, nature of investigation, appearance of counsel and parties, number of witnesses, notification, accessibility of documents and public file, confidentiality of documents, submission of position paper/s and memoranda, adjustment plan, conduct of inspection and verification of data, schedules of public hearings and other activities, and other topics that may aid in the prompt disposition of the case. For particulars, please contact Ms. Elvira C. Ignacio, Acting Director III, Head of the Task Force on Float Glass, at telephone number 936-3319 or at email address TC.Assist@mail.tariffcommission.gov.ph. Issued this 5th day of August 2019, at Quezon City, Metro Manila. MARILOU P. MENDOZA Chairperson (MS-AUG. 6, 2019)

IMMIGRATION agents arrested three Pakistani nationals caught working in Zamboanga and Isabela cities in Mindanao without the required employment permits and visas. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has ordered the deportation of the arrested Pakistanis identified as Zada Rahim, Ali Sajid, and Muhammad Salim who are now detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. Operatives from the BI’s Mindanao intelligence task group (MITG) arrested Zada and Ali inside their workplace at the Buner Appliances Store along Governor Lim Avenue, Zamboanga City, while Muhammad was arrested in their branch in Isabela City, Basilan. They were arrested after being informed that the Pakistanis were employed as cashier and helpers. The trio were found in the same establishment where a Pakistani named Waqar Ahmad was arrested by BI agents, also for working in the country without a working visa and for being an undesirable alien. Military intelligence authorities tagged Ahmad as a possible member of the Dawah Islamiyah Group allegedly behind terror attacks in Basilan. Immigration intelligence officer Melody Gonzales, BI-MITG head, said it was Ahmad who, during questioning, tipped her team about several other Pakistanis who were also working in the store. “We caught them in flagrante working when we arrived at the location. We later confirmed that they are only here as tourists and do not have the appropriate visas to work in the country,” Gonzales said.

LIFE CYCLE. The Manila Regional Trial Court branch 14 finds Vhon Martin Tanto, a former Army reservist, guilty in the killing of cyclist Mark Vincent Garalde following a street fight on July 25, 2016. Lino Santos

Nigerian, 4 more arrested in buy-bust THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority has announced the arrest of a Nigerian national and four others in a buy-bust operation in Quezon City with the conﬁscation of P8.1 million worth of shabu. Director general Aaron Aquino identiﬁed the suspects as Ifeanyi Augustine Chinwueba, a Nigerian; Jamal Sumangan Landau; Karen Christine Mallari; Amrodin Hadji Hassan Hadji Noor, and Rodin Hadji Noor. Last July 31 at 10:30 p.m., PDEA operatives, along with the Quezon City Police District cops, arrested the suspects in a buy-bust

in front of McDonalds restaurant on Muňoz, Epifanio delos Santos Avenue corner Congressional Avenue. Aquino said authorities were able to seize 1,200 grams of shabu worth P8,160,000, four mobile phones, one Toyota Altis and the buy-bust money. PDEA has ﬁled charges of violation of Section 5 (Sale of Illegal Drugs), and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against the suspects. Rio N. Araja

Sports

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PH table netters win in Singapore A PHILIPPINE table tennis team won the championship in the prestigious Singapore National Table Tennis League held recently in Our Tampines Hub, Singapore. The Philippine team, composed of Filipino expats in the Lion City and a selection from the Philippines, beat teams from Singaporean in Division VII in the tournament participated in by teams from several Asian countries. The team was led by Philippine Table Tennis Federation president Ting Ledesma, himself a former national team player, who spearheaded the rare victory of a Philippine team in the international table tennis scene. “It was actually one of the most participated events in Singapore, as over 1,200 players joined from Asia, including teams from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam and Philippines,” Ledesma said when he guested at the TOPS Usapang Sports last Thursday at the National Press Club backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, PAGCOR, Community Basketball Association and the NPC. “The tournament was perfectly organized and we saw participants from ages 7 years old up to 80 year old,” Ledesma said. Aside from Ledesma, the other members of the team were Nestor Francisco (playing team manager), Hanzel Vicente Tane, Bryan Taguiga, Joselito Almasan, Christian Bernard Lector Garcia, Enrique Ibañez, Jeffrey Vidal, Rodel Calimlim, Gloria Belandres, Edgardo Bangga, Noel Cesar Atilano and Lauro Panredes Crisostomo. During the forum, Ledesma also thanked the Philippine Sports Commission for supporting the TTFI, speciﬁcally for bankrolling the funds for the national team, which is currently deep in training in Korea as part of its preparation for the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games to be hosted by the country.

Cignal tries to catch PSL volley leaders Games Today

(Muntinlupa Sports Center) 4:15 p.m. -- Petron vs Marinerang Pilipina 7:00 p.m. -- Cignal vs PLDT

Japan’s Hinako Shibuno celebrates with the trophy after her victory in the 2019 Women’s British Open golf championship at Woburn Golf Club, in Milton Keynes, north of London. Shibuno holed an 18-foot birdie putt at the final hole to win a thrilling Womenís British Open at Woburn on Sunday. AFP

Fairytale finish for Japan’s ‘Smiling Cinderella’ Hinako T

OKYO—Japan on Monday hailed a fairytale ﬁnish for Hinako Shibuno, the 20-year-old golf sensation known as ‘Smiling Cinderella’ who was crowned the surprise winner at the British Open.

South Korea’s world number one Ko Jin-young, who was seeking her third Major title of the year, had to settle for third place following a 66. Jun Sato, chief of the golf club where Shibuno practised until she graduated from high school, told the Mainichi Shimbun he was elated by the victory. “I don’t just feel happy, I feel superb!” he said. Shibuno herself seemed overwhelmed by the victory. “I didn’t feel that nervous when I was on the last putt,” she told reporters. But after the win “I was just covered in goosebumps and I feel so tense now I just don’t know what to say!” She said she planned to celebrate her historic victory by indulging her cravings. “I want to buy as many snacks as I can eat,” Kyodo news quoted her as saying. AFP

“She did it!” said TV presenter Tomoaki Ogura after Shibuno, in her debut tournament overseas, became Japan’s first Major-winner in 42 years. “Who expected she could do this much in her ﬁrst competition abroad, a Major championship?” he said in his morning show on a private TV network. Shibuno’s win at her first Major dominated morning television shows in Japan on Monday, topping news items. The story broke too late for the front pages of Japan’s newspapers, but was splashed across their websites. Despite the huge popularity of golf in Japan, only one Japanese player— male or female—had previously won

a Major: Chako Higuchi at the 1977 Women’s PGA Championship. Social media was abuzz with congratulations for the 20-year-old Shibuno, who only turned pro last year. “A star is born!” tweeted one Japanese user. “A historic achievement,” another wrote. On Japanese television, Higuchi said Shibuno looked as “relaxed” as if she were playing in Japan. “She is a new kind of player,” the Daily Sports newspaper quoted Higuchi as saying. Shibuno hit a gutsy 18-foot birdie putt at the ﬁnal hole to seal victory at Woburn on Sunday, ﬁnishing with a 68 and 18-under-par as she beat American Lizette Salas by a single stroke.

THE Globe Philippine Pro Gaming League, the biggest multi-platform esports league in the country, in partnership with MET Events, Southeast Asia’s largest esports organizer, will cap its successful season 2 with the grand ﬁnals set on August 9 to 11 at the Ayala Malls Market Market in Bonifacio Global City. The playoffs and its run-up to the championship battle are expected to attract the participation of leading teams coming from different regions of the country as they compete for spots in Arena of Valor (AoV), League of Legends (LoL), Rules of Survival (RoS), Tekken 7 and the latest game of the season, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, as part of a corporate league. The top four teams in LoL, AoV and ML, as well as the top eight players for Tekken 7 will advance to the grand finals and will compete for the top prize and the bragging rights of being one of the top teams in the country. RoS, on the other hand, will have its online finals on August 4.

The Philippines’ biggest gaming competition to conclude its second season this coming August.

San Beda stays immaculate in Globe PH Pro Gaming Laague 2 finale set Best Center SAN Beda University marched to its second straight win and kept itself spotless in the lead of the Small Basketeers Philippines competition of the BEST Center’s twin SBPPasserelle tournaments Sunday at the Xavier gym. San Beda’s win was at the expense of College of San Benildo-Rizal, 53-52 as it stayed a win ahead of Claret School (1-0), which clobbered La Salle-Zobel White (0-2), 72-19, in Group A. La Salle-Greenhills also notched its debut victory by thumping San Sebastian College-Recoletos (0-1), 57-35, to tie idle La Salle-Zobel Green on top of Group B of this event sponsored by MILO and supported by Rain or Shine, Chris Sports and SKLZ. Nazareth School of National University (2-0) demolished Casimiro A. Ynarez Memorial National High School (0-2), 110-22, for the Passerelle lead, tying San Beda (2-0), which tripped La Salle-Greenhills (1-1), 52-43. La Salle-Zobel (1-1) downed SSCR (0-2), 50-39, in the last match.

“We want to reach more gamers, avid fans, and even non-gamers. We want them to experience esports like never before, and we are quite excited for people to enjoy this new chapter of PPGL,” says Gerry Soler, Head of Globe Games and Esports. Soler reiterates that the second season of PPGL will serve as an opportunity for amateur gamers all over the country to hone their skills and strategy by watching esports professionals

in action. He is also hopeful that this will inspire esports fans to dream big and eventually compete professionally, here and abroad. The PPGL 2019 Season 2 Championship series is free for all fans who will watch them live at Market Market. Fans who cannot watch the games live can watch the battles unfold on PPGL’s ofﬁcial Facebook page. For more about Globe Telecom, visit https://www.globe.com.ph.

Aranar-Nualla pair leads dancesports winners

Winners of the recent 2019 DSCPI midyear ranking competition are shown at the Ballroom Hall of Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City.

SEAN Mischa Aranar and Ana Leonila Nualla led all winners of the recent 2019 Dance Sports Council of the Philippines Inc. Midyear Ranking and Competition at the Ballroom Hall of Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City. Aranar and Nualla, who qualiﬁed for this year’s Southeast Asian Games, bested Mark Jayson Gayon and Mary Joy Renigen and Tristan John Ducay and Aileen Patrice De Lara to win the Grade A Standard title of the competition organized by DSCPI President Becky Garcia. Cristian Vanni and Camilla Mola captured the Grade A Latin crown by beating Michael Angelo Marquez

and Stephanie Sabalo Andrew Ysla and Noelyn Mie Pedrano. The competition was backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Flawless, Dance Results Philippines, Like-FM 105.9, Studio AK, The Greenery Bulacan and M Catering. Other winners in the competition were Randolf Jay Baglawis “Bboy Killa4” (breakdancing boys class), Pia Selders “Bgirl Meow” (breakdancing girls), Alfredo Suarez and Marilou Nuñez (Grade B Standard), Ferdinand San Felix and Diamond Sultan (Grade B Latin), Von Elijah

Lavado and Allysa Dator (Grade C Standard), Jasmer Labitad and Lorraine Mae Pacaña (Grade C Latin), Romelson Manos and Mary Grace Lasay (Grade D Standard) and Nero Amorin and Charmane Pasco (Grade D Latin). Eight World DanceSport Federation licensed adjudicators Irena Bous from Ukraine, Kumok Lee from South Korea, Chi Keung Mok “Simon” from Hong Kong, Boon Lan Por “Ivy” from Malaysia, HsiaoChung Wang “Andy” from Chinese Taipei, Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi from Japan, Liudmila Zakrzhevskaia from Kyrgyzstan and Drago Sulek from Slovenia attended the competition.

CIGNAL seeks payback and a chance to catch league leaders when it battles PLDT Home Fibr in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference today at the Muntinlupa Sports Center. Action starts at 7 p.m. with the HD Spikers still licking the wounds created by their sorry five-set loss to Generika-Ayala late Saturday in this prestigious women’s club tournament bankrolled by Team Rebel Sports, SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport. Petron, on the other hand, shoots for its 11th win when it takes on lowly Marinerang Pilipina in the first game at 4:15 p.m. The Blaze Spikers are lurking at the solo second spot with a 10-1 win-loss card, one full game behind F2 Logistics that remains undefeated after 11 matches in this battle that also has ESPN5 and Kapatid TV5 as broadcast partners. Foton and Generika-Ayala are at third with an identical 7-5 card, leaving Cignal chasing the fourth spot with a 6-6 mark with only two games left in the double-round preliminaries. The HD Spikers were looking to barge into the top four, but a heartbreaking 24-26, 25-19, 24-26, 2518, 14-16 loss to Generika-Ayala spoiled its plan. In that match, skipper Rachel Anne Daquis erupted for 20 points while Filipino-American playmaker Alohi Hardy-Robins delivered an all-around display of brilliance with 15 points, 30 excellent sets and 23 digs. HD Spikers’ coach Edgar Barroga said they are moving on from that sorry episode and just focus on their remaining games to clinch a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals. “We have to move on from that loss because we still have two remaining games,” Barroga said. “Those games are important. We need to be in a good standing entering the quarterfinals.” On the same note, PLDT is also looking for a crucial win to improve its 4-7 win-loss record. Power Hitters’ coach Roger Gorayeb said they have to be more consistent, knowing that Daquis, Mylene Paat, Jovelyn Gonzaga and RobinsHardy are all capable of shining when the game is on the line. “Cignal is really a tough and veteran team. We have to be at our best if we want to win over them,” said Gorayeb, who will bank on Grethcel Soltones, Aiko Urdas, Jerrili Malabanan, Sasa Devanadera and Jasmine Nabor.

Palami, women’s rugby squad at PSA Forum today PHILIPPINE Azkals’ team manager Dan Palami and the Philippine women’s rugby team make up for an interesting discussion in Tuesday’s session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie HotelManila. Palami will give updates on the latest about the Azkals, including the opening of their qualifying bids this September for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup in China in 2023. Joining the long-time backer of Philippine football in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation are members of the women’s rugby team led by coaches Chris Everingham and Fetalia Tauaa and players Happy Denuyo, Ada Milby, and Patricia Duffy. Milby, who is also secretary-general of the Philippine Rugby Union, will talk about the team’s preparations and medal chances in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games. PSA members are enjoined to attend the 10:00 a.m. session.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph; sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019

TNT DRAW FIRST BLOOD. TNT KaTropa’s Terrence Jones powers his way inside against San Miguel Beer’s Chris McCullough in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals’ Game 1 won by the Texters, 109-96.

Tsitsipas cracks ATP Top 5 PARIS—Washington Open semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas has for the first time climbed into the top five of the latest ATP rankings released Monday. The 20-year-old Greek, who has already won tournaments in Marseille and Estoril as well as reaching the final of the Masters 1000 in Madrid, is the youngest player in the top 20. He has leapfrogged Alexander Zverev who dropped two places to seven. It may be a brief visit to the top five for Tsitsipas with lots of points on offer at this week’s Montreal Masters and Kei Nishikori, just five points behind him in sixth. Tsitsipas reached the final in Monreal last year while Nishikori bowed out in round one. Novak Djokovic remains at number one, the 263rd week of his career that he has occupied the position. That is still 47 weeks short of recordholder Roger Federer (310) who stays third behind Rafael Nadal. The biggest climber of the week is the Australian Nick Kygios who held his composure to beat Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s Washington Open final. The Australian rises 25 places to 27, back to where he was at the start of last October and putting him within touching distance of a return to the top 20. Medvedev moved up one place to nine with Fabio Fognini dropping out of the top 10. ATP rankings as of August 5 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 12,415 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7,945; 3. Roger Federer (SUI) 7,460; 4. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,755; 5. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 4,045 (+1); 6. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,040 (+1); 7. Alexander Zverev (GER) 4,005 (-2); 8. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 2,890; 9. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 2,745 (+1); 10. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 2,500 (+1)

PH’s passion for basketball wows Morris AS more players from the National Basketball Association visit the Philippines and watch Filipinos play basketball, the more they get to appreciate the passion for the game that Filipino fans have. And this is what struck Denver Nuggets’ point guard Monte Morris the most. Over the weekend, the 6’3” Morris joined retired National Basketball Association legend Tyrone Curtis “Muggsy” Bogues in watching the the NBA 3x3 Philippine tournament. Heavy monsoon rains kept the games from being played at the Mall of Asia Activity Center and so it had to be moved to the The Forum Tent of the Philippine International Convention Center. “It just opened my eyes to how many people play the game and how many people love the game. I was in awe of the kids playing their hearts out,” said the 24-year-old Morris. “It was the best of the best. They played really really hard. I just like the way they played competitive basketball.” Morris is in Manila after experiencing a breakout year during the 20182019 NBA season. Peter Atencio

New Clark City track oval now ready for PH athletes By Peter Atencio

ITH the track oval inside New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac already ﬁnished, national athletes from many discplines can start using the facilities in preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

The Bases and Conversion and Development Authority made this assurance with three months and three weeks before the start of the Games on Nov. 30. “I saw the new facilities. I saw the track oval. It’s ﬁnished already. And I’m impressed by the way it has been built,” said Stephen Fernandez, deputy ched de mission for the national team. By the third or fourth week of August, Fernandez believes that national athletes can already set foot on the oval and do their workouts there. “It’s part of getting used to by the athletes,” said Fernandez.

Fernandez added the aquatics center is almost done and needs only a few work to be completed. Meanwhile, the BCDA said the test events can now be held in September. BCDA president and CEO Vince Dizon said in a television interview they are ahead of schedule. “We’re actually a bit ahead of schedule. We should be able to test the facilities for the South East Asian Games as early as next month,” said Dizon. The BCDA had earlier given the contractors tasked to get the many venues up and ready in an internal deadline by the BCDA before the ﬁrst

week of September. By then, this will make all the venues ready with three months before the multi-sport event is held from November 30 to December 11. There are a total of 530 events across 56 sports that are calendared. Meanwhile, ofﬁcials of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee said they are now in the ﬁnal stretches of physical and operational preparation and their only concern now are the temporary structures that they plan to set up for events that still have no venues. There will be 44 competition venues, and many events will be spread out in Metro Manila and then to Pampanga, Zambales and La Union in the north. And there will be other events that are slated in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite in the south. The opening ceremonies will be at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Leaders SBC, St. Benilde face separate rivals today AFTER getting additional days of rest, the defending champion San Beda Red Lions and College of St. Benilde Blazers are ready to face separate rivals and keep their hold on the lead. Heavy monsoon rains last Friday kept the Red Lions and the Blazers from confronting each other in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament. The Red Lions will face the Mapua University Cardinals at 2 p.m., while the Blazers take on the Letran Knights at 12 noon today at the FilOil-Flying V Arena Sports Center in San Juan. On the other hand, the Arellano Chiefs and the San Sebastian Stags meet at 4 p.m. In the junior division, the La Salle Greenhills Greenies, along with coleaders Arellano and San Beda take on separate foes in an effort to keep their share on the top spot. The Greenies and the Letran Squires mix it up at 8 a.m., while the San Bed Red Cubs play against the Malayan Red Robins at 10 a.m. The Braves clash with the San Sebastian Staglets at 6 p.m. For the Red Lions, avoiding a showdown with the Blazers should help them fix lapses in their defense when they meet the Cardinals and go for their fifth straight win. “I told the boys, we may be up. But, it’s our defense that’s lacking,” said Red Lions’ coach Boyet Fernandez after they hurdled the San Sebastian Stags, 73-59. The Red Lions share the lead with the Blazers after CSB got past the Stags, 77-72, last week. The Cardinals have been winless for the last five games. On the other hand, the Blazers will play without top performer, Justin Gutang, who missed their encounter with the Stags because of a partial MCL tear he sustained against the Cardinals two weeks ago. But CSB is glad to have one of its veterans Yankee Haruna back in action last week after he sustained a jaw injured in the PBA D-League last May. The Knights (5-1) will meet them without one of their starters in Gaylord Pambid, who is out with a knee injury. Letran is seeking a follow through on its 89-84 beating of the Cardinals. The Blazers will be upbeat against the Knights, as they are enjoying their best start in 21 years. Peter Atencio

Que joins PH Golf Tour Riviera hunt JAPAN PGA Tour campaigner Angelo Que hopes to make his extended stay here a rewarding one as he shoots for a Philippine Golf Tour crown in the ICTSI Riviera Classic which gets going tomorrow (Wednesday, Aug. 7) at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite. The power hitting former Philippine Open champion actually nailed one last month while on a break from the region’s most lucrative circuit when he ran away with a ﬁve-stroke romp in the ICTSI Manila Southwoods stop of PGT Asia. But he expects a tougher challenge in the sixth leg of the 10th season of the country’s premier circuit with the dreaded par-71 layout, where dangers lurk in every corner, requiring not just length but also precision and mental toughness. That should make the battle for top honors in the P2.5 million tournament sponsored by ICTSI doubly interesting with Que tipped to slug it out with the likes of Juvic Pagunsan, Jobim Carlos, Jay Bayron, Jhonnel Ababa, James Ryan Lam, Justin Quiban, Joenard Rates, Michael Bibat, Zanieboy Gialon, Ruﬁno Bayron and Keanu Jahns. Pagunsan, for one, is aiming for a record fourth winin-row after the region’s former No. 1, who also campaigns in Japan, swept the last three legs of the four-

stage Visayas swing last June. He also dominated the Riviera stop of PGT Asia last month. Carlos, on the other hand, is out to snap a string of forgettable finishes in the circuit he dominated on his way to clinching the 2018 Order of Merit title, seeking a victory on a course where he also reigned as PGT Asia leg champion last year. Also eyeing to regain his winning ways at the hazard-laden layout is Bayron, who nipped Clyde Mondilla in sudden death when Riviera last played host to a PGT event in 2016. But the local top guns will also be going up against a slew of foreign aces, led by Korean-American Micah Shin, a former PGT leg champion at Luisita and the first non-Filipino winner of The Country Club Invitational, Thais Kammalas Namuangruk and Tawan Phongpun, and recent PGT Cebu leg titlist Manilabased Guido Van der Valk. Meanwhile, a select number of pros get the chance to test the course in today’s (Tuesday) pro-am where they will team up with officials and guests of the event’s chief backers, including ICTSI, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology Inc. Angelo Que

EGS recaptures NBA 3X PH men’s title

Young participants of the NBA 3X Philippines play in the finals.

CAVITE-BASED EGS Elite banked on MPBL player Mark Anthony Doligon, who made the ﬁnal shot in the Men’s Open division to beat the TVL Cavs, 22-14, and reclaim the Men’s Open title in NBA 3X Philippines 2019 presented by AXA. It was the team’s ﬁfth title in six years. In the Women’s Open Division, National University Uno defeated National University Dos to win the NBA 3X title, which was previously held by Perlas Pilipinas in 2018. Returning for the ninth consecutive year, NBA 3X Philippines was headlined by Denver Nuggets’ Monte Morris, NBA Legend Muggsy Bogues and 2019 NBA Champions mascot, the Raptor. The 3-on-3 tournament featured

more than 1,000 participants representing 260 teams across divisions for boys (under-13, under-16, under-18, and open category), girls (under-18 and open category), Celebrity Division featuring local personalities, and AXA Division. In the Celebrity Division, Team Uy Uy Uy, composed of Dominic Uy, Vince Hizon, Yuri Escueta and Miko Abello, defeated Calix comprised of Xavy Nunag, Nikko Ramos, Jutt Sulit and Marxx Monterola. The AXA Division saw Bank Assure: Born Ballers outlast AAA2 of Head Ofﬁce in their ﬁnals. In addition, SKAPRO, Caloocan Supremos and Caloocan Supremos 1-A emerged as winners in the Boys Under-13, Under-16, and Under-18 Divisions, while FCPC

captured the Girls Under-18 title. NBA 3X Philippines presented by AXA follows the launch of AXA’s newest brand campaign, “Know You Can,” which reminds its customers that a better life is within reach if they believe it can be achieved. Aligned with AXA’s mission of empowering people to live better lives, the campaign will feature a prominent sports figure who embodies self-belief on and off the playing court. AXA Philippines is the presenting partner of NBA 3X Philippines 2019. In addition, Gatorade, Nike, PLDT-Smart, and Vivo will serve as official partners. Official NBA broadcast partners are ABSCBN S+A, Basketball TV, and NBA Premium TV.

IN BRIEF More special courts on IPR cases sought

THE Intellectual Property Ofﬁce of the Philippines asked the Supreme Court to create more special commercial courts with the power to issue search warrants in relation to intellectual property rights cases. The agency urged the justices to adopt various approaches that can ease backlog and bring faster resolution to pending cases related to intellectual property rights. Special courts are spread just across Metro Manila—Pasig, Makati, Manila and Quezon City. “We believe the designation of additional SCCs to be located in Metro Visayas, Metro Mindanao, and Metro Northern Luzon will further bolster the Philippines’ standing in the areas of rule of law and administration of justice and will be beneﬁcial, as this will serve a greater number of stakeholders,” said IPOPHL director general Josephine Santiago. The agency noted that many of the most recurring cases involed trademark infringement. It also asked the high court to designate select Regional Trial Courts to specialize on IPR cases for a speedier resolution of cases. Othel V. Campos

Business

PCC signs agreement with energy regulator

THE Philippine Competition Commission signed an agreement with the Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday, completing the three-way partnership with the Department of Energy that will promote competition and proper coordination in investigations in the energy sector. “Our MOA with ERC exhibits how the competition agency and sector regulators play complementary roles in promoting competition in the sector while fulﬁlling their respective mandates. Our partnership allows for the sharing of information and coordination of enforcement actions toward a more robust competition landscape in the energy sector,” said PCC chairperson Arsenio Balisacan in a statement. The agreement with ERC comes a month following PCC’s separate agreement with the DoE, which also established collaborative mechanisms such as information sharing, investigation support, joint task forces and continued capacity building and consultations. Alena Mae S. Flores

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019

By Jenniffer B. Austria

BDO AWARDS. BDO Unibank Inc. is again honored at the Asian Excellence Awards. BDO chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson and president and CEO Nestor Tan are chosen as Asia’s Best CEOs (Investor Relations) while executive vice president Luis Reyes Jr. is awarded Best Investor Relations Professional (Philippines). Nancy Estrada (left), head of BDO Hong Kong branch, receives the awards from Corporate Governance Asia managing director and publisher Aldrin Monsod.

Mandaluyong court halts bid to unbunde oil prices By Alena Mae S. Flores

LOCAL court issued a writ of preliminary injunction against the Energy Department’s circular requiring oil companies to unbundle the prices of petroleum products.

The Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court Branch 213 on Tuesday issued a writ of preliminary injunction preventing Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi from implementing Department Circular No. 2019-005-0008 in response to a petition ﬁled by Petron Corp. on June 25. “Now therefore, pursuant to the above-mentioned order, the public respondent, Alfonso Cusi, in his capacity as secretary of the Department of Energy, is enjoined from implementing and enforcing DC 2019-005-0008,” Judge

Carlos Valenzuela said. The court said after a painstaking reassessment of the issues raised by both parties, it found clear and unmistakable right, which the petitioner was able to establish through evidence, to prevent the implementation of the circular while the case was being heard. Petron asked the court to stop the implementation of the circular titled Revised Guidelines for the Monitoring of Prices in the Sale of Petroleum Products by the Downstream Oil Industry which aims to promote transparency in oil prices. Under the circular, oil companies are required to report their “unbundled price adjustments” to include import costs, tax burdens, biofuel costs and other essential cost components that contribute to the changes in retail prices, including industry take or proﬁt. Aside from Petron, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. also asked the court for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and injunction. Sources said a

Peso second strongest Asean currency despite global volatility

court in Taguig City also granted an injunction against the Energy Department in favor of Pilipinas Shell. “The petitioner might be placed at risk of losing its trade secrets and incur irreparable injury by disclosing such information to respondent DoE. The petitioner and its ofﬁcers may be subjected to criminal prosecution and the administrative penalties mentioned in the circular for non-compliance with the same,” the Mandaluyong RTC said. The court previously granted a 20-day TRO against the department on July 15. Petron said in its petition that the implementation of the circular should cause irreparable damage to the public interest by implementing a regulation that is contrary to law and issued without legal basis and violates due process. The oil ﬁrm said the disclosure of privileged information or trade secrets would cause damage as it would enable its competitors to gain an unfair economic advantage or undermine the economic advantage gained by Petron.

BEST BANK DEALS. RCBC Capital

Corp. bags two awards in the Asian Banking & Finance Corporate and Investment Banking awards, where banks with outstanding corporate and investment banking deals and achievements are recognized. RCBC is recognized for the Syndicated Loan of the Year and Merger and Acquisitions Deal of the Year. Receiving the awards are (from left) RCAP first vice president for investment banking group Xavier Zialcia, RCBC president and chief executive Eugene Acevedo and RCAP president Jose Luis Gomez.

By Julito G. Rada THE peso emerged as the second strongest gainer among Southeast Asian currencies in the first seven months despite external challenges such as the trade war between the US and China. Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said the peso ranked second among the top currencies in the region on the back of the country’s strong balance of payments position and higher gross international reserves. “Year-to-date, the peso appreciated by 2.82 percent, ranking next to Thailand [baht] which appreciated by 4.27 percent,” Beltran said in an economic bulletin. He said the peso-dollar exchange rate also remained stable throughout the period, and its coefficient of variation at 0.82 percent ranked sixth among 12 regional currencies and lower than the 0.93 percent Asian average. The peso closed at 51.79 against the greenback Monday, tracking the regional weakness. Nicholas Antonio Mapa, the senior economist at ING Bank Manila, said the peso, along with other emerging market currencies, traded weaker on Monday “given the heightened concerns about the trade war escalation with China firing back this morning.” Beltran said the peso was still a gainer this year as “strong foreign exchange inflows from exports of services, remittances, income from investments abroad, direct foreign investments and foreign borrowing all contributed to the strong BOP position [and] boosted the confidence in the Philippine peso.”

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Ayala Land’s income grew 12% to P15.2b in six months

Globe unit to handle non-core businesses

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said it formed a new company to handle non-core businesses critical to the company’s future growth. “917 Ventures would focus on internal assets of Globe unlike Kickstart Ventures,” said Rizza Maniego-Eala, chief finance officer, in a press briefing Monday. She added the new firm would boost the company’s efforts in building a future Globe with a reinvented core and with new business value sources. The company appointed Issa GuevarraCabreira as its head. She was the Globe Postpaid Segment head responsible for the Apple launch, the first smartphone in the Philippines. Cabreira from October 2008 to 2013 led the Touch Mobile Business Unit, relaunching the brand, to drive it from being the far no. 5 mobile brand to being the no. 1 in subscriber base today. Cabreira from 2013 to 2014 took on the prepaid portfolio, adding Globe Prepaid under her wing, driving a cohesive play in the highly competitive and fiercely fought prepaid mobile market. Darwin G. Amojelar

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

New Clark International Airport terminal set to open in 2020 By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Transportation said Monday it is on track to complete the new passenger terminal building of Clark International Airport by 2020. The agency said the new passenger terminal building was so far 74.55-percent complete. The expansion project is a part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s overall regional development plan for North and Central Luzon, which complements bigticket projects such as the New Clark City, the Subic-Clark Cargo Railway and the North-South Commuter Railway that will connect Clark to Manila and to Calamba, Laguna. Once operational by mid-2020, the airport is seen to ease congestion at

Ninoy Aquino International Airport, boost the operational capacity of the airport and triple the current passenger capacity of 4.2 million passengers annually to 12.2 million. Megawide-GMR won the bidding for the construction of a new passenger terminal in Clark Airport when it submitted the lowest ﬁnancial proposal of P9.36 billion on Dec. 14, 2018. Clark International Airport is the second main gateway in Luzon. The new 100,000-square-meter terminal will double its capacity to eight million passengers a year, easing the strain on Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City and boosting development of Central Luzon. Clark International Airport has an annual capacity of four million passen-

gers. Airlines operating in Clark include Qatar Airways, Cebu Paciﬁc, Tigerair, Jin Air, Asiana Airlines, Dragon Air, AirAsia Berhad, Philippine Airlines and Emirates Airlines. These airlines mount ﬂights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Macau, Pudong, Incheon, Doha, Dubai, Davao, Cebu and Kalibo. The North Luzon Airport Consortium earlier signed a 25-year concession agreement with state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the operations and maintenance of Clark International Airport. NLAC consists of Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc., Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc. and Changi Airports Philippines Pte. Ltd.

PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. said Monday net income increased 12 percent in the first half to P15.2 billion from a year ago, as the strong growth in office sales and commercial leasing businesses offset the sluggish residential sales. ALI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange first-half consolidated revenues rose 4 percent in the six-month period to P83.2 billion from P80.39 billion a year ago. Property development revenues rose 1 percent to P58.9 billion. Residential sales declined 11 percent to P44 billion from P50.1 billion following the full sellout and completion of successful projects by ALP and Alveo. Sales from office-for-sale projects surged 134 percent to P10.1 billion while revenues from commercial and industrial lots climbed 11 percent to P4.3 billion. Commercial leasing revenues jumped 16 percent to P18.6 billion. “We continue to benefit from the strong economic growth of the country. Results from our various business lines continue to be good, with notable performances in our leasing portfolio and the sales of office condominiums and commercial lots,” ALI president and chief executive Bernard Vincent Dy said. “Moving forward, we remain positive on demand across all market segments and plan to increase the level of product introduction in the second half of the year,” he said. Capital expenditures reached P49.5 billion in the first half to sustain its residential and leasing asset buildup. Sales reservations remained steady at P72.3 billion as Filipino buyers continued to drive demand and comprised 70 percent of the total buyers. This was supplemented by sales from overseas Filipinos comprising 13 percent while sales from other nationalities amounted to 17 percent. The company launched 13 projects valued at P19.5 billion in the first half of 2019. The company plans to ramp up launches in the second half. Unbooked revenues increased P3 billion from the first quarter, reaching P147 billion which will be recognized in the next three to four years based on the percentage of completion.

Smashburger, Red Ribbon cut Jollibee’s profit Restaurant operator Jollibee Foods Corp. said second-quarter net income fell 50 percent to P1.12 billion from P2.25 billion in the same period last year because of extraordinary manufacturing expenses, lower sales of Red Ribbon and losses from Smashburger in the United States. Jollibee’s net income also dropped 34.4 percent in the first half to P2.65 billion from P4.05 billion while revenues went up by 13.8 percent to P113.7 billion. Jollibee said in a disclosure to the stock exchange system-wide sales, a measure of sales to consumers both from company-owned and franchised stores, grew 10.2 percent in the second quarter to P59.42 billion. Same-store sales growth in the Philippines improved to 4.2 percent in the second quarter from 1.4 percent in the first quarter, excluding the Red Ribbon business. Sales from foreign business increased by 8.6 percent, with EMEAA (Europe, Middle East and Asia) growing by 20.9 percent and North America by 11.3 percent. System-wide sales in China increased 2.3 percent while same-store sales improved to 3.5 percent, from a 1.1-percent drop in the first quarter of 2019. “Same-store sales growth in the Philippines continued to improve as we estimated, as consumers gradually regained their purchasing power with increasing wages and lower inflation rate,” JFC chief financial officer Ysmael Baysa said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks plummet; Jollibee falls T HE stock market plunged Monday days after US President Donald Trump’s vow to impose fresh tariffs on goods from China sent trade war fears soaring.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index sank 239.91 points, or 3 percent, to 7,890.02 on a value turnover of P6.4 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 149 to 55, with 47 issues unchanged. Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fastfood chain, fell 4.3 percent to P247, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group, the largest integrated property developer, also lost 4.3 percent to P36. Globe Telecom Inc., the second-biggest telecommunications ﬁrm, dropped 5.5 percent to P1,984, while Universal Robina Corp., the largest snack food

maker, fell 4.5 percent to P161.90. The rest of Asian markets plummeted Monday as the Chinese yuan fell sharply. Trump’s announcement, which came on Thursday, means virtually all of the $660 billion in annual merchandise trade between the world’s two biggest economies will be subject to punitive tariffs, with the latest duties due to take effect September 1. The news saw all three major Wall Street indices slump to their lowest levels since June, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq recording their worst weekly losses of 2019 on Friday. In China, the yuan dropped to its lowest level to the dollar since August 2010, fueling speculation that Beijing was devaluing its currency to support exporters and offset Trump’s latest threat to hit $300 billion in Chinese goods with 10 percent tariffs. The yuan’s depreciation spurred a

sell-off across Asian markets. Hong Kong lost more than three percent before staging a modest recovery as pro-democracy protesters targeted the ﬁnancial hub’s transport network in a citywide strike aimed at forcing concessions from its embattled pro-Beijing government. Tokyo shed 1.7 percent while Shanghai fell 1.6 percent. Singapore dropped 1.8 percent while Taipei and Seoul were also down. The US leader regularly accuses the Chinese central bank of artiﬁcially weakening the yuan—charges long denied by Beijing. The onshore yuan tumbled to 7.0307 against the dollar—its lowest level since 2008–while the more freely traded offshore yuan tumbled to 7.1085, breaching the 7.0 level which investors see as a key threshold in the currency’s value. Multiple rounds of tit-for-tat tariffs between the world’s top two econo-

mies have already battered trade, with China’s American imports shrinking 30 percent in the ﬁrst half of the year. Beijing has vowed to hit back if Washington goes ahead with its latest threat, while news that demand for US exports had weakened underscored concern that trade was becoming a trouble spot for economies worldwide. “China is likely to drag out their response and retaliate in many ways against the US trade measures,” warned Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA. Negotiators from both nations are expected to reconvene in Washington in early September for another round of talks after last week’s discussions in Shanghai, but investors remain nervous, Moya said. “Financial markets are still working on pricing in a complete collapse of trade talks amongst the Chinese and Americans,” he said. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 57.65 2,100 90.5 2,593,590 2.17 136,000 146 2,353,040 26.7 133,900 18.32 187,200 12.3 898,500 4.62 135,000 7.71 300 1.3 1,000 760 90 0.46 30,000 72 3,818,530 1 531,000 13.12 4,000 48.7 251,300 186.2 5,100 59 7,690 30.1 132,900 175.5 369,720 1,760 50 60 162,950 1.14 181,000

121,065 234,618,372.50 295,240 344,267,578 3,583,660 3,443,056 11,106,356 614,200 2,314 1,300 68,400 13,800 277,574,394 531,730 52,592 12,279,360 972,120 450,133 3,997,250 64,912,242 88,000 9,857,977.50 215,400

35,771,789 -30,123,417 -683,725 -2,708,004 -169,530,496.50 -171,000 -4,280,655 953,500 21,210 14,017,390 -8,110,938.50 3,630

34.5 13.88 0.73 1.31 0.26 90 3.12 14.5 106.4 14.42 40.1 75.05 85 2.02 6.25 10.14 14.3 10.78 7.6 1.69 25.9 85.05 66.1 2.09 14.04 9.34 1.66 247 8.55 22.5 13.5 18.62 363.6 0.186 5.4 1.78 4.78 5.41 9.06 2.37 11.76 38.2 5.02 5 1.5 2.28 1.04 13.3 99.9 6.92 0.127 1.06 161.9 1.26 1.2

INDUSTRIAL 34.7 1,846,700 14.2 485,500 0.75 1,365,000 1.31 12,000 0.26 1,900,000 99.35 870 3.16 17,570,000 14.5 72,000 106.4 10 14.42 171,900 40.1 100 77.6 2,120 88.65 1,780 2.02 19,000 6.38 36,600 10.18 6,121,000 14.32 966,100 10.8 52,500 7.66 307,800 1.69 6,000 26 1,805,800 85.1 162,000 68.1 381,280 2.14 8,366,000 14.04 1,462,400 9.38 122,400 1.69 71,000 247 1,793,250 8.98 7,700 22.55 316,800 13.8 496,100 18.7 311,900 363.6 219,550 0.186 350,000 5.4 46,200 1.85 17,036,000 4.85 17,000 5.42 2,614,300 9.06 7,100 2.55 44,257,000 11.96 2,200 38.3 190,500 5.29 82,400 5.1 5,100 1.65 3,836,000 2.28 58,000 1.09 98,000 13.36 487,400 100.4 90,080 7.1 278,700 0.127 10,000 1.07 150,000 161.9 1,583,730 1.35 11,683,000 1.21 999,000

64,156,150 6,914,468 1,005,910 15,720 496,300 81,305 55,495,810 1,044,992 1,064 2,496,476 4,010 160,376 151,763 38,380 232,476 62,288,964 13,945,422 569,254 2,352,827 10,140 46,886,060 13,822,300 25,991,625 17,926,080 20,533,480 1,148,360 118,260 450,108,614 67,191 7,147,635 6,799,350 5,877,230 80,176,374 65,350 253,530 31,167,760 81,710 14,229,035 64,326 110,912,590 26,170 7,304,405 421,817 25,600 6,101,460 132,700 105,440 6,567,774 9,045,204 1,961,248 1,270 160,060 260,354,606 15,622,900 1,215,460

-20,561,315 6,552,332 7,700 33,930,840 180,978 -1,737.50 -96,313 -1,662,386 -1,444,028 74,646 161,684 2,079,585 -3,875,307 4,800,448 433,530 -14,792,930 2,864 88,102,056 -5,115,920 3,427,548 -1,362,486.00 -52,374,530 -4,031,440 -2,246,819.00 -6,564,530 -367,400.00 30,180 -56,930 3,983,140 1,973,757 -79,883,061 42,790 12,100

0.89 51.25 15.16 0.7 7 15.6 1.21 1.26 926.5 3.87 6.75 10.04 13.62 4.11 0.22 900 66.9 6.05 0.5 4.46 14.3 0.67 4.59 0.038 1.4 2.83 175.5 968 0.87 1.36 429 258.6 0.232 0.285

HOLDING FIRMS 0.9 53,477,000 51.25 2,014,990 15.22 5,156,400 0.7 335,000 7.1 113,800 16.16 109,500 1.23 4,189,000 1.26 810,000 930.5 343,930 3.87 5,074,000 6.79 758,700 10.1 3,390,600 13.84 70,600 4.11 10,000 0.225 30,000 903.5 107,380 67.5 2,729,930 6.05 1,200 0.51 114,000 4.47 466,000 14.7 1,676,500 0.68 1,392,000 4.6 35,212,000 0.04 500,000 1.45 572,000 2.85 26,000 176.5 92,360 968 367,400 0.94 2,565,000 1.38 71,000 429 10 259 280 0.237 580,000 0.295 2,500,000

48,586,520 104,488,069 78,649,242 235,420 797,280 1,747,858 5,156,400 1,024,100 320,658,185 19,855,060 5,145,364 34,248,994 976,182 41,100 6,650 97,061,035 185,097,614.50 7,260 58,140 2,094,660 24,197,246 948,640 163,359,840 19,300 816,190 74,070 16,317,155 357,755,395 2,404,930 97,160 4,290 72,490 134,670 734,500

6,487,050 -51,766,783.50 -17,290,952 158,900 9,588 734,120 8,460,865 1,772,540 1,342,409 -28,764,470 103,800.00 -70,837,230 -112,867,542.50 -479,340 -5,548,860 -60,552,000 7,592,161 -19,384,630 222,410 -7,764 -

15.82 0.81 10.4 2 0.97 49.15 2.24 5.01 6.07 0.58 0.77 0.236 0.45 10.98 23.8 0.465 1.84 1.36 4.01 5.98 0.315 0.45 1.65 0.41 2.03 26 2.43 3.17

PROPERTY 15.84 609,000 0.83 752,000 10.42 6,300 2.05 343,000 1.01 6,078,000 49.15 6,635,510 2.24 480,000 5.04 406,200 6.09 22,700 0.59 34,118,000 0.77 117,000 0.236 180,000 0.455 1,980,000 11.18 1,310,200 24.5 384,500 0.47 490,000 1.88 26,007,000 1.36 590,000 4.74 18,000 5.98 36,400,900 0.32 9,960,000 0.45 50,000 1.67 5,160,000 0.41 10,000 2.06 163,000 26 1,446,900 2.43 304,000 3.17 517,000

9,635,310 613,010 65,600 694,550 6,096,870 330,321,077 1,083,440 2,042,282 137,900 20,131,950 91,550 42,480 901,150 14,744,576 9,290,850 228,500 48,460,450 802,890 79,910 218,630,829 3,163,300 22,500 8,589,710 4,100 333,350 37,875,035 742,150 1,692,630

-167,586 30,000 351,790 -105,232,728 -76,790 -81,316.00 -558,120 1,527,032 3,895,875.00 1,647,230 -59,800,463 -9,550 110,290 -32,074,380 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

57.65 92.4 2.25 149 26.9 18.78 12.42 4.69 7.72 1.3 760 0.46 74.6 1.01 13.2 49.3 188 59 30.4 180 1,760 61 1.18

57.65 92.4 2.25 149.3 26.9 18.78 12.46 4.69 7.72 1.3 760 0.46 74.6 1.03 13.2 49.3 191 59.1 30.5 180 1,760 61 1.26

57.65 90 2.17 145.6 26.7 18.3 12.28 4.06 7.71 1.3 760 0.46 72 1 13.12 48.7 186.2 58.35 29.8 174.6 1,760 60 1.14

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

34.95 14.28 0.77 1.31 0.27 90.05 3.12 14.54 106.4 14.64 40.1 78.5 85.05 2.02 6.37 10.3 14.5 11 7.6 1.69 26.1 85.95 68.5 2.13 14.06 9.34 1.69 258 9 23 13.96 19 372.6 0.187 5.5 1.89 4.8 5.51 9.06 2.43 11.98 38.5 5.1 5 1.5 2.28 1.05 13.96 101.1 6.92 0.127 1.07 168.5 1.4 1.24

35.15 14.28 0.77 1.31 0.27 99.35 3.19 14.56 106.4 14.74 40.1 79 88.95 2.02 6.4 10.3 14.54 11 7.66 1.69 26.1 85.95 69.5 2.19 14.18 9.46 1.7 258 9 23 13.98 19.1 372.6 0.19 5.5 1.9 4.85 5.56 9.06 2.55 11.98 38.6 5.39 5.1 1.65 2.32 1.09 13.96 101.2 7.1 0.127 1.09 168.5 1.41 1.24

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.94 52.6 15.5 0.72 7.1 15.78 1.27 1.28 950 4.05 6.78 10.3 13.62 4.11 0.22 919.5 69 6.05 0.5 4.54 14.4 0.68 4.8 0.038 1.48 2.86 178.5 1,000 0.89 1.36 429 259 0.238 0.295

0.95 53.1 15.5 0.72 7.1 16.2 1.27 1.28 950 4.05 6.87 10.32 13.84 4.11 0.225 919.5 69 6.05 0.54 4.54 14.7 0.7 4.8 0.04 1.48 2.86 178.5 1,005 0.97 1.38 429 259 0.238 0.3

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

15.82 0.81 10.4 2.02 0.98 50.05 2.29 5.05 6.09 0.6 0.79 0.236 0.465 11.46 24.65 0.47 1.91 1.36 4.75 6.22 0.32 0.45 1.72 0.41 2.05 26.6 2.43 3.25

15.84 0.83 10.42 2.12 1.02 50.7 2.29 5.05 6.09 0.61 0.79 0.236 0.465 11.58 24.8 0.47 1.92 1.39 4.75 6.22 0.325 0.45 1.72 0.41 2.06 26.65 2.47 3.28

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

37.6 2.2 6 0.81 7.82

36 2.19 5.96 0.81 7.73

36 2.2 5.96 0.81 7.77

8,642,400 1,389,000 32,800 66,000 3,426,200

314,721,705 3,049,250 196,282 53,460 26,611,144

-215,655,810 -107,300 -4,423,695

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

10.9 18.72 1.56 0.52 0.049 18.04 2.51 11.42 0.061 93.4 7.34 6 10.04 900 2,100 5.39 423.8 1.95 1.93 129.7 9.7 5.65 0.116 5.31 2.94 3.65 0.9 19.38 0.49 3.2 2.72 1.42 14.02 2.48 2.8 8.8 5.44 142 4.31 1,150 0.71 0.71 44.85 79.5 9.27 3.26 0.75 0.36 5.49 0.76 15.76

10.94 19.18 1.57 0.52 0.049 18.04 2.55 11.5 0.064 93.4 7.54 6.59 10.04 900 2,100 5.4 423.8 1.95 1.93 130.9 9.86 5.65 0.117 5.34 2.94 3.66 0.9 19.6 0.49 3.2 2.72 1.43 14.02 2.48 2.81 8.8 5.44 142 4.31 1,159 0.72 0.71 45.4 79.55 9.4 3.26 0.75 0.365 5.49 0.76 15.82

10.7 18.72 1.52 0.51 0.048 18.04 2.44 11.2 0.058 89.5 7.2 6 9.96 895 1,984 5.37 423.8 1.84 1.93 124.6 9.49 5.6 0.114 5.21 2.94 3.6 0.89 19.1 0.49 3.2 2.55 1.42 14.02 2.38 2.72 8.55 5.44 140 3.92 1,138 0.7 0.65 44.1 77.15 9.27 3.13 0.74 0.355 5.45 0.73 15.64

SERVICES 10.7 19.06 1.56 0.52 0.049 18.04 2.44 11.5 0.059 91.5 7.27 6 10 895 1,984 5.4 423.8 1.84 1.93 124.6 9.6 5.6 0.116 5.25 2.94 3.65 0.89 19.44 0.49 3.2 2.56 1.43 14.02 2.4 2.72 8.55 5.44 141 4.04 1,145 0.7 0.67 44.15 77.5 9.4 3.15 0.75 0.36 5.49 0.75 15.8

5,700 209,900 59,000 631,000 8,800,000 200 165,000 2,721,300 48,630,000 375,270 1,982,400 253,700 26,300 320 63,700 135,700 10 3,411,000 47,000 2,883,850 22,600 10,000 430,000 1,757,500 3,000 1,229,000 312,000 152,700 20,000 22,000 2,818,000 24,000 200 1,921,000 467,000 34,200 100 520 4,237,000 148,750 2,562,000 28,765,000 788,200 513,920 1,100 4,013,000 499,000 13,470,000 117,900 4,262,000 2,282,400

61,294 3,976,314 91,700 324,810 423,200 3,608 409,750 31,003,764 2,903,690 34,332,192 14,471,503 1,528,046 262,624 286,900 128,199,710 730,955 4,238 6,397,240 90,710 363,871,738 217,474 56,250 49,470 9,246,357 8,820 4,469,340 280,480 2,974,010 9,800 70,400 7,296,950 34,150 2,804 4,640,030 1,294,210 294,904 544 73,545 17,212,220 170,145,815 1,800,340 19,314,150 34,870,995 40,252,844.50 10,210 12,691,850 370,220 4,833,900 645,361 3,163,240 36,036,094

-21,400 -24,500 -8,546,898 255,280 14,541,522.50 -635,953 -60,845,540 -13,160 -57,900 -95,296,305 -46,206 -438,150 -311,060 -424,950 -561,850 28,400 -958,670 -68,180,325 -58,900 50,920 -18,960,340 22,592,368.50 5,109,290 133,250 2,535,050 -31,293 8,519,008

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

0.0017 1.3 12.44 2.71 0.27 7.59 1.45 0.211 0.11 0.112 0.0097 0.01 1.06 2.57 1.04 0.5 0.83 0.012 0.012 0.011 6.05 3.95 10.9 23.15 0.0064

0.0017 1.34 13.34 2.72 0.27 7.99 1.46 0.211 0.113 0.122 0.011 0.013 1.07 2.64 1.05 0.5 0.84 0.012 0.012 0.012 6.07 4.16 11.54 23.15 0.0064

0.0017 1.29 12.44 2.7 0.27 7.52 1.43 0.202 0.11 0.112 0.0097 0.01 1.06 2.55 1 0.5 0.83 0.012 0.012 0.011 5.62 3.95 10.9 22.5 0.0064

MINING & OIL 0.0017 34,000,000 1.29 23,667,000 13.06 44,400 2.72 539,000 0.27 400,000 7.88 8,300 1.45 990,000 0.209 1,600,000 0.113 7,210,000 0.122 60,000 0.01 110,000,000 0.011 69,200,000 1.07 74,000 2.64 5,538,000 1.02 133,000 0.5 100,000 0.84 168,000 0.012 29,300,000 0.012 30,400,000 0.011 63,600,000 5.9 549,700 4.08 6,557,000 11.14 9,812,400 23 1,011,200 0.0064 1,000,000

57,800 31,053,840 567,070 1,462,590 108,000 64,043 1,432,830 326,080 810,520 6,820 1,109,700 778,100 78,810 14,432,100 134,330 50,000 140,110 351,600 364,800 725,700 3,219,505 26,835,750 110,517,438 23,018,855 6,400

-2,633,160 -11,754 -18,980 101,000 -4,400 966,570 -217,290 -2,260,944 -14,592,520 -

ABS HLDG PDR ALCO PREF C FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H

17.5 105 105.3 497 5.31 928 947 98 1 102.3 994 1,000 1,015 1,018 101.7 107.4 1.6 981 76.5 77.55 74.9 75 75.5 75

17.96 105 106.5 497 5.37 928 947 98 1 102.3 994 1,000 1,016 1,019 101.7 107.4 1.6 1,000 76.5 77.55 74.9 75 75.6 75

17.5 105 105.3 497 5.28 928 945 98 0.99 102.3 994 1,000 1,015 1,018 101.7 107.4 1.39 981 76.25 77 74.9 75 75.5 75

PREFERRED 17.7 154,800 105 1,500 106 136,000 497 160 5.37 32,000 928 1,770 945 2,930 98 250 1 124,000 102.3 280 994 1,000 1,000 200 1,016 14,260 1,019 15,030 101.7 10 107.4 10 1.45 3,000 1,000 7,060 76.25 1,310 77 670 74.9 2,660 75 16,480 75.6 106,450 75 38,500

2,719,060 157,500 14,420,202 79,520 169,435 1,642,560 2,772,710 24,500 122,890 28,644 994,000 200,000 14,478,160 15,311,555 1,017 1,074 4,440 7,045,325 100,212.50 51,628.50 199,234 1,236,000 8,037,224 2,887,500

-2,622,560 -21,480 -28,644 193,040 38,500 199,234 -

LR WARRANT

1.77

1.7

WARRANTS 1.73 456,000

781,760

1,730

25,881,670 2,332,780

80,393 -393,080

3,963,487

69,725

66,319.60 1,012,280

NAME

MS ITALPINAS XURPAS

6.72 1.03

6.74 1.04

6.15 1.02

FIRST METRO ETF

121.3

119

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.26 1

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

10.28 1

12,255,377

INDUSTRIAL

131,537,260

HOLDING FIRMS

127,458,053

PROPERTY

148,604,205

SERVICES

142,535,693

MINING & OIL

396,177,995

GRAND TOTAL

964,963,362

10.26 1

6.28 1.02

SME

4,085,400 2,276,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119 33,190 DDS 10.26 1

6,460 1,012,280

VALUE 1,814.51 (down) 46.89 1,016,928,301.91 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,117.47 (down) 294.66 1,461,884,917.788 HOLDING FIRMS 7,698.80 (down) 202.83 1,524,795,574.25 PROPERTY 4,174.37 (down) 149.63 SERVICES 1,583.93 (down) 29.19 1,085,182,856.80 MINING & OIL 8,195.78 (up) 94.31 1,029,546,584.73 PSEI 7,890.02 (down) 239.91 217,671,753.573 All Shares Index 4,821.11 (down) 105.45 6,368,188,598.55 Gainers: 55; Losers: 149; Unchanged: 47; Total: 251

Nestlé taps Aboitiz Power to supply clean energy in Lipa By Alena Mae S. Flores NESTLÉ Philippines Inc., a leading food company, has tapped Aboitiz Power Corp. to supply clean energy to its manufacturing facility in Lipa, Batangas province. Aboitiz Power is also delivering clean energy to two other Nestlé factories in Cabuyao, Laguna and Tanauan, Batangas, as well as its corporate administrative office in Makati City. Aboitiz Power informed the Philippine Stock Exchange that the 17-megawatt aggregated energy demand of the Nestlé facilities is supplied by the MakBan geothermal power plant in the provinces of Laguna and Batangas. “We are committed to environmentally sustainable business practices and strive to minimize our environmental impact. In this regard, we are happy to be working with AboitizPower,” said Nestlé Philippines chairman and chief executive officer Kais Marzouki. The two organizations celebrated their partnership with the recent awarding of the Cleanergy plaque by Aboitiz Power to Nestlé Philippines at Rockwell, Makati City. Juan Alejandro Aboitiz, Aboitiz Power first vice president for energy trading and sales, said the company was honored to be the power partner of choice of a trusted global entity like Nestlé. “It is an honor for Aboitiz Power to be able to contribute to Nestlé’s purpose, which is to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future. With customers like Nestlé, who are leaders in their industries, we are driven to grow our portfolio of Cleanergy and further improve the quality of our services so we can serve them better,” Aboitiz said. Aboitiz Power is sustaining the growth of its renewable energy portfolio to meet the rapidly increasing energy demand of customers. “We fully support the government’s thrust for renewable energy and with the continued growth of our Cleanergy portfolio, Aboitiz Power is well-positioned to participate in RE market,” he said.

Voyager names former Amex chief as top executive By Darwin G. Amojelar VOYAGER Innovations Inc. on Monday announced the appointment of former executive of American Express as its new president. Voyager named Shailesh Baidwan as president, reporting to founder and chief executive officer Orlando Vea. Baidwan will be in charge of the company’s operations and help shape the company’s strategy and business direction. Baidwan also takes on the same role as president of PayMaya Philippines (PayMaya), Voyager’s fintech arm and the leading digital financial services provider in the country. As an internationally seasoned business leader, Baidwan brings over 25 years of management, operations, business development, sales and marketing experience to Voyager and PayMaya. “We welcome Shailesh to Voyager and PayMaya. I’m confident that his extensive global experience and track record will complement our vision for digital and financial inclusion in emerging markets. His strong management experience will help shape the companies not only as industry leaders but also as employers of choice and responsible corporate citizens,” said Vea. Baidwin said Voyager and PayMaya were trailblazers in the Philippine digital financial services industry. “Together with the rest of the management team, I am very keen and excited to drive PayMaya’s consumer and enterprise businesses leap of growth to its next phase,” he added. Baidwan’s financial services experience includes major management roles at American Express and Visa across the Asia Pacific Region. He spent 10 years at American Express in various assignments in Singapore, including a post as vice president of card and lending, and culminating in a four-year stint as CEO of American Express Banking Corp.-India where he also directly headed the consumer issuing business of the company. Before American Express, he had a six-year stint at Visa as director in various roles, overseeing product development and portfolio management as well as marketing for emerging products and services across the Asia Pacific region.

World

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rapid response from police saved many from gunman DAYTON―While mourning the victims of a late-night shooting, the US city of Dayton also gave thanks Sunday for the rapid response of police who killed the gunman in just 30 seconds, averting a tragedy on an altogether different scale. Connor Betts managed to kill nine people and wound more than 20 when he opened fire with an assault rifle in a neighborhood teeming with revelers just after 1:00 am (0500 GMT) on Sunday morning. But within less than a minute, the 24-year-old Betts was shot dead himself by police officers who rushed to the scene while on patrol nearby. “While this is a terribly sad day for our city, I am amazed by the quick response of Dayton police that saved literally hundreds of lives,” said Nan Whaley, the mayor of the city which is in the state of Ohio. “Think of the damage he did in such a short period of time,” said President Donald Trump. “It was horrible, but... it could have been so much worse.” Senior police said that officers were

FLOWERS FOR THE VICTIMS. Korean residents place flowers at an altar of Korean atomic bombing victims at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on August 5, 2019, one day before the 74th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. AFP

on a routine patrol in Dayton’s Oregon district―a historic neighborhood which is famed for its bars, restaurants and theaters―when Betts opened fire. Although the motive for the killing is still not clear, it was no random act of violence: he was clad in body armor and equipped with a 100-round drum magazine that allowed for prolonged shooting without the need to reload. He was also wearing a mask. During the shooting spree, Betts’ sister Megan was among the nine people murdered. One witness, Izack Johnson, started recording on his camera phone as soon as he heard the first gunshots, which he initially thought could have been fireworks. In the footage, which was aired by CNN, the sound of rapid shooting could be heard echoing out across the district before a louder barrage of gunfire that appeared to have been the police response. The footage lasts barely 20 seconds before the noise comes to a sudden halt. AFP

‘White terrorism’ feared after killings

ASHINGTON―Armed with assault riﬂes and clad in combat gear, two white men methodically gunned down nearly 30 people over the weekend, underscoring fears that “white terrorism” is now the main threat in the United States. Amid rising grief and a clamor for action after the shootings in Texas and Ohio, and earlier in several other cities, politicians of both parties called for the federal government to take that threat more seriously, with some Democrats accusing President Donald Trump of dangerously fanning racial tensions.

“It is very clear that the loss of American life in Charleston, in San Diego, in Pittsburgh and by all appearances now in El Paso, too, is symptomatic of the effects of white nationalist terrorism,” Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg said Sunday, naming the scenes of mass shootings that targeted blacks, Jews and, apparently, Hispan-

ics. In El Paso, situated on the border with Mexico, more than eight in 10 residents are of Hispanic descent. The accused shooter, a 21-year-old white man identified in media reports as Patrick Crusius, had come from far away Dallas with the apparent intent of inflicting mass carnage. Armed with an assault rifle, the shooter killed 20 people and wounded 26 before surrendering to police. An online manifesto, attributed to Manila the assailant, railed against a “Hispanic Standard TODAY invasion” and referred approvingly to the March 15 massacre by a white supremacist at two

mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand that killed 51 people. Six of the 20 people killed in the shooting were Mexican nationals, the country’s president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, said Sunday. Thirteen hours after the El Paso attack, another white man is accused of spreading terror in the Midwestern city of Dayton, Ohio, killing nine people including his sister, authorities said. Police named him as Connor Betts, 24. While police say the motive is still unclear, six of the nine people killed in

Dayton were black. “What you have here is two things coming together,” Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, said on “Fox News Sunday.” “One, the weak gun safety policies of this country. And two, the rise of domestic terrorism inspired by white nationalists... we (have) got to do something about it.” Trump, in denouncing the El Paso shooting on Twitter as “an act of cowardice,” said nothing about the suspect’s possible motives. AFP

METRO SOUTH COOPERATIVE BANK

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

IN BRIEF

BALANCE SHEET As of JUNE 30, 2019

ASSETS

Fiery Cairo car crash kills 19 Egyptians

CAIRO―At least 19 people have been killed when a speeding car driving against traffic crashed into three others, causing a huge explosion in Cairo, the Egyptian health ministry said Monday. The car crash happened just before midnight Sunday outside the National Cancer Institute in central Cairo and also wounded 30 people, the ministry added. Between “three and four [of the injured] are in critical condition in the intensive care unit,” Khaled Megahed, a spokesman for the health ministry, told an early Monday news conference. He said they suffered from “several burns of varying degrees”. Body parts were also retrieved from the scene, he added. Social media users posted footage of cars ablaze at the scene and of patients being evacuated from the Cancer Institute. Egypt’s prosecutor general has ordered an investigation to determine the causes of the crash. Deadly road accidents owing to driver error and dilapidated infrastructure are common in Egypt, with over 3,000 killed in more than 8,400 crashes in 2018, according to official figures published earlier this year. AFP

Australia says no to hosting US missiles

SYDNEY―Australia on Monday ruled out hosting ground-based US missiles after talks with Washington’s top defense and diplomatic officials. Following an announcement that the United States plans to deploy intermediaterange missiles in Asia-widely seen as an effort to contain China―Australia scotched the notion of locating them Down Under. “It’s not been asked of us, not being considered, not been put to us. I think I can rule a line under that,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said of the notion. His comments came hours after US Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo departed Sydney following talks. Australian Defense minister Linda Reynolds told public broadcaster ABC the issue came up in her meeting with Esper: “I asked him directly, ‘was there any expectation of a request’, and he said ‘no’.” Any formal request would put Australia in a difficult spot between long-time ally the United States and major trade partner China. Policy toward Beijing has become an increasing point of friction between Washington and Canberra-which has tried to maintain good working relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government. While Australia has a mutual defense treaty with the United States, China’s purchases of Australian coal and iron ore kept the latter’s economy purring through the global financial crisis. Pompeo’s visit featured a sharp warning for partners to “have their eyes wide open” about China’s increasingly assertive behavior. He also cautioned Australian policymakers about the risk of turning a blind eye to abuses in order to trade with Beijing. AFP

040608 (Bank Code)

PARTY. Lucy Hale attends CW’s Summer 2019 TCA Party sponsored by Branded Entertainment Network at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 04, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. AFP

Iran seizes third foreign tanker TEHRAN—Iran has seized a foreign tanker in the Gulf, state media said Sunday, in what would be the third such seizure in a month amid the heightened tensions with its foe the United States. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps “seized this ship around Farsi Island which was carrying around 700,000 liters of smuggled fuel”, said a Guards statement quoted by the ofﬁcial news agency IRNA. Seven foreign crew were arrested in the operation carried out on Wednesday night, said Fars news agency, which is considered close to the Guards. Tensions between arch-enemies Iran and the US have soared this year after Washington stepped up its campaign of “maximum pressure” against Tehran. Ships have been attacked, drones downed and oil tankers seized since May, a year after the United States withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and began reimposing biting sanctions against the country. At the height of the crisis, US President Donald Trump called off

air strikes against Iran at the last minute in June after the Islamic republic’s forces shot down a US drone. The seizure of the latest tanker would be the third by Iran in less than a month in Gulf waters -- a conduit for much of the world’s crude oil. On July 18, the Guards said they had detained the Panama-flagged for MT Riah for alleged fuel smuggling. And a day later, they announced they had impounded the Britishflagged Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz for breaking “international maritime rules”. The identity of the latest vessel seized and the nationality of its crew had not yet been revealed on Sunday. But British officials later said all British-flagged vessels had been accounted for, and that there was no suggestion that any British nationals among the crew. The Guards said their boats had been patrolling the Gulf to control traffic and detect illicit trade when they seized the tanker. AFP

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

Amount Current Quarter Previous Quarter 1,317,495.04 52,270,952.65 65,128,476.08 65,787,010.61 718,913,918.49 712,545,522.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15,000,000.00 15,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,420,593,601 .78 2,527,156,849.96 0.00 0.00 2,451,053,122.88 2,558,302,778.06 0.00 30,459,521.10 31,145,928.10 20,258,231.96 16,044,844.64 0.00 0.00 28,652,652.80 29,675,581 .72 237,045,434.65 244,526,062.32 0.00 5,208,180.30 3,939,385.74 0.00 0.00 3,512,117,991.10 3,666,946,209,83 0.00 1,738,808,717.27 0.00 946,000,000.00 0.00 946,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12,138,683.65 34,609,043.40 0.00 2,731,556,444.32

0.00 1,816,654,529.05 0.00 1,018,000,000.00 0.00 1,018,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11,005,235.26 36,667,584.41 0.00 2,882,327,348.72

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

666,473,370.88 7,392,272.06 110,753,218.17 0.00 784,618,861.11 3,666,946,209.83

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

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12,996,658.47 12,996,658.47

2,623,778,11 2.10 172,724,989.22

2,714,817,479.07 156,514,701.01

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

315,241,132.97 11.63% 158,726,431.96 5.85% 59.53% 49.65% 45.00 519,614,597.00 19.14% 0.00 0.00%

8.65% 44.36% 1.00%

9.26% 43.18% 4.00%

21.07 20.13 0.00 0.00 0.00

20.27 19.33 0.00 0.00 0.00

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

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

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

RODA L. CRUZ Finance Head

RENELIA V. ESTIOKO Chief Executive Officer / President

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this July 25, 2019 at Makati City, affiant exhibiting his/her/their Passport No.P1057056A, issued at DFA NCR EAST on December 01, 2016 and Passport No. P1747134A, issued at Manila City on January 25, 2017.

Doc. No. 74 Page No. 16 Book No. 94 Series of 2019

LGUs

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Cayetano: Taguig safe from heavy rains, flooding By Joel E. Zurbano TAGUIG Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano has assured that the city remains safe and secure despite the heavy rains caused by the low pressure area and the southwest monsoon affecting the country. To ensure the safety of residents living near creeks, rivers and other lowlying areas in the city, the city government set up emergency shelters for more than 50 families. Evacuation centers have been set up at Hagonoy Gym, Pag-asa Covered Court, Eusebio Elementary School and Ibayo Day Care Centers to house affected families. The city government has also distributed relief goods and hot meals, provided temporary shelter for security and administered health services to residents currently staying at the evacuation centers. Cayetano, together with Councilors Darwin Icay, Ryanne Gutierrez and Yasser Pangandaman, personally visited the evacuees to check on their situation and needs. The City Health Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, Barangay Affairs Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Command Center, and General Services Office also made sure that regular weather and flood updates are gathered and the needs of the residents staying in the evacuation areas are attended to. “As the weather continue to bring rains, everyone is encouraged to stay at home and spend time with your families. Avoid going out and risking your safety in this unpredictable weather. Remember to stay safe,” said Cayetano. On Monday, the mayor ordered the suspension of lasses in all levels both in private and public schools as preventive measure to ensure safety of students. Meanwhile, normal water levels were recorded in the three pumping stations in the city—Wawa, Hagonoy and Ibayo. Cayetano personally visited the Wawa Pumping Staton to check on the water level and assure Taguig residents of their safety even with the continuous heavy rains in Metro Manila. He also went to the city’s Command Center to make sure that protocols and equipment were in place and the city is ready to respond to any emergencies and other incidents brought by the weather disturbance.

NEW IN LAGUNA. (Above photo) San Pablo City Mayor Loreto ‘Amben’ Amante (second from right) leads the inauguration and turnover of the new San Pablo City Police Station and donation of new rifles and firearms for the local SWAT force, as received by City Chief of Police Lt. Col. Eliseo Bernales (second left), Police Regional Director Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza and Laguna Provincial Director Col. Eleazar Matta. (Upper right photo) In Biñan City, Rotarians conducted a feeding and medical program led by Isabel Besangre, president of Rotary Club of Uptown Santa Rosa and Rotary Club Atimonan Sunrise, led by president Neil M. Silvestre, with help from PNP Laguna led by Ssgt. Cherry Pie G. Azarcon. (Right photo) In Paete town, Mayor Jorilyn Bagabaldo signs his support to Paete Chief of Police Capt. Glen D. Cuevas (left) for an anti-drug and criminality campaign. Roy Tomandao

Queueing now a must in QC

By Rio N. Araja

OMMUTERS in Quezon City will be taught how to properly queue for rides at loading and unloading terminals across the city to help instill rider discipline and eventually ease traffic, the Task Force for Transport and Traffic Management said Monday. Mayor Joy Belmonte backed the task force’s plans to institutionalize passengers lining up for public transport and crack down on illegal terminals that contribute to road congestion. Belmonte recently appointed Ariel Inton, the former QC councilor and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board member, who is spearheading the road-clearing operations dubbed “Bayanihan sa Lansangan.” Inton, the founding president of the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection, was appointed to lead the task force via the mayor’s Executive Order 9. “We want Quezon City to be a commuter and passenger-friendly city. If you arrive early at the terminal, you could take a ride at once,” he said. Inton said a study showed that without a systematic process, it

would take commuters more time to take a ride. He said he would also provide priority lanes for persons with disability and the senior citizens, and that he would recommend the City Council pass an ordinance penalizing passengers caught not queueing in loading and unloading zones and in terminals with immediate community service. Inton said terminals at Kalayaan Avenue have already piloted the queueing system. “I personally see to it that they really fall in line,” he said. “If we cannot instill discipline among passengers, we cannot instill discipline to everyone.” Belmonte vouched for Inton anew, saying: “He has a vast experience being a transport reform advocate. I trust his programs in a bid to instill discipline among

drivers and even commuters.” Meanwhile, Mayor Belmonte has appointed taxation expert and former city administrator Dr. Victor Endriga as officer-in-charge of the Quezon City University. The university’s Board of Regents passed Board Resolution No. 9, designating Edriga to replace former Budget Secretary Salvador Enriquez Jr. Endriga was the city administrator from 2010 to 2013 and city treasurer from 2001 to 2010. The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards cited Endriga in 2013 for his exemplary public service. He was also awarded by the Civil Service Commission as a Lingkod Bayan awardee in 2006. Endriga is a graduate of Fiscal Decentralization and Financial Management of Regional and Local Government at the Harvard Institute for International Development. He obtained his doctoral degree in Fiscal Studies, master in Public Administration, and bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the Lyceum of the Philippines University.

New San Jose breaks ground on 59-floor condo in Caloocan By Jun David

Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan (second from left) leads the groundbreaking ceremony with NSJBI chairman Dr. Jose Rizalino Acuzar and some Caloocan city officials. Jun David

CALOOCAN Mayor Oscar Malapitan recently led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Victoria de Monumento by the New San Jose Builders Inc., one of the building’s contractors. The new condominium unit has 59 floors and will rise along Calle Uno, Morning Breeze Subdivision, Caloocan. Present during the event were New San Jose chairman Dr. Jose Rizalino Acuzar, other NSJBI officials and some Caloocan City officials. “The continued support and thrust of these big capitalists in putting up their business in the city only showed that Caloocan is now among the progressive cities,” Malapitan said. “We thank NSJBI for their trust in the city of Caloocan. Building this establishment opens up many job opportunities for our residents, and paves the way to our goal of being a tiger economy,” the mayor added. “With this development, I hope that we will be able to uplift our 7th place among the richest cities in the country. This is the ‘Malapitan legacy’ we want to continue to realize,” he said.

Isko to village chiefs: Eradicate drugs or resign

By Vito Barcelo MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso on Monday warned barangay officials he would remove them from their positions if they cannot eradicate illegal drugs in their respective communities after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reported that the capital is Metro Manila’s top drug-infested city. Last week, PDEA claimed that 90 percent of barangays in Manila were still affected by drugs. Domagoso warned the “underperforming” barangay officials after presenting 35 drug suspects at City Hall on Monday. Most of the suspects were nabbed in Tondo, the mayor’s home district. Of Manila’s 896 barangays, only 89 have been rid of illegal drugs, while 807 others are still affected by the narcotics trade, according to PDEA-NCR Director Joel Plaza. Domagoso asked the barangay officials to resign if they could not rid their areas of illegal drugs, saying he will recommend the dismissal of village chiefs who failed to stop the illicit activity. At least nine suspected drug users and pushers were apprehended over the weekend after Domagoso challenged police and anti-drug forces to clear the Baseco area of illegal drugs in one week. The mayor said drug suspects should be jailed while people carrying loose firearms should also be arrested and their firearms confiscated. Domagoso was furious over barangay officials at Baseco for being “inutile” to fight illegal drugs, and insinuated that some of them might be receiving drug money. “Thirty five were arrested. Thirtyfive were alive. We don’t tolerate drug suspects in our city, but at the same time, we respect human rights. They are suspects, let them prove their innocence before the court,” he said.

TESDA lauds BARMM, earmarks P270m for region By Nash B. Maulana THE Technical Skills Development Authority has lauded its regional office in the south as “topmost contributor” to the agency’s Program Expenditure Classification, a government gauge on organizational performance set by the Department of Budget and Management. As this developed, TESDA Director-General Isidro Lapeña approved the implementation of more than P270 million worth of Technical Vocational Education Training programs, TESDA documents showed. Director Omarkhayyam Ibil Dalagan of Tesda in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Min-

danao said this included support to rice production for farmer-technical vocational students, as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment to the normalization process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro entered into during the Aquino administration in 2014. Dalagan said P270,117,123 worth of TVET entrusted by the national government to the now BARMM regional office is “unprecedented in ARMM history.” “This is addition to the P43 million earlier committed to TESDABARMM” by the national government, Dalagan said. In a certificate of commendation awarded last week to Dalagan, Tesda

top-rated its BARMM office “for high percentage compliance in implementing the agency’s TVET programs (in accordance with) industry standards and requirements.” DBM defines PrexC as “restructuring the agency’s budget by grouping all recurring activities as well as projects under the different programs or strategies being pursued by the agency to meet its objectives and mandates. “The output contributed by the Region allowed the agency to successfully surpass its target commitment under the said performance Indicator in the GAA [General Appropriations Act] of 2018,” reads the commendation signed by Lapeña.

HOLDING COURT. Local Governments Usec. Martin Diño listens to the complaints of residents of Barangay Sumalo in Hermosa, Bataan against Brgy. Capt. Rolando Martinez for alleged grave abuse of authority and corruption. Dino vowed to dig deeper into the allegations. Butch Gunio

Life

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

@MStandardLIFE TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019

Better luck next year?

HE idea of beginning with a clean slate every New Year drives many individuals to make promises to change for the better—promises more popularly known as New Year’s resolutions. Data reveal the most common resolutions made every calendar change are centered on fitness and health: to get fit, be active, lose weight.

Catch up on your 2019 fitness resolutions

Team up

Remember your ‘Why’

When the going gets tough, remember why you wanted to achieve your goals in the first place.

tainable. Fitbit says, “as soon as you get they often feel like they must be perthe hang of meeting your daily goals, kick fect and consistent. The tendency with this type of mindset is that if they skip it up a notch and challenge yourself.” a gym session or have a cupcake, they spiral downward and eventually give Lose the ‘all or nothing’ up completely. mindset When people set goals and resoluThe trick, it says, is to aim for an 80 tions related to health and fitness, percent success rate. “If you lessen the

A total of 150 trees and 2,500 bougainvillea were planted during the Arbor Day celebration at Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The annual event is in compliance with Proclamation No. 643 which seeks to pro-

restrictions in this way and give yourself more allowance for occasional ‘slip-ups’ or treats, like a doughnut or skipped workout, you’re less likely to fall completely off-course.” In addition, according to Chris Berdik, science journalist and author of Mind Over Mind, people ditch their

Having support is key to motivating an individual in their health and fitness journeys, as evidenced by the growth of group-based fitness formats such as cross-fit and functional training. Nowadays, fitness communities come in many different forms—some easily accessible and at anyone’s fingertips. Through its in-app community feature, Fitbit has brought together millions of users globally to create one of the world’s largest fitness communities engaged in everything from nutrition to fitness to sleep. Another way to motivate an individual is through a little friendly competition. Members could challenge fellow members through Fitbit’s in-app fitness challenges. “At the end of the day, it should all be about the process and not just focused on the end goal. When you fixate on your desired result, such as weight loss, this tends to mean you’re more likely to give up. If you want to succeed in achieving a goal or resolution, you need to focus on the steps you’re going to take to get there.”

iPhoto

SBMA joins Arbor Day celebration, volunteers for the environment EMPLOYEES and community volunteers of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority took part in various environmental programs including tree planting and coastal cleanups.

Having a support group helps motivate an individual in their health and fitness journey.

New Year’s resolutions because they typically set large, unattainable goals for themselves rather than small easy ones that they most likely be able to stick to. Fitbit believes it helps to celebrate the small wins. In the greater scheme, every little achievement brings a person closer to their end goal. As the brand is founded on the idea that every bit makes a big impact, Fitbit’s achievement badges aim to reinforce this as it recognizes user’s daily successes, such as getting enough sleep or reaching their step goal.

Sadly, as soon as the second week of January, some resolute individuals begin waving the white flag, and in sadder news, a 2012 online study found 73 percent gave up before meeting their goals. And now that there’s only five months left in 2019, it’s possible that those who have slipped already gave up on accomplishing their fitness resolutions. A leading wearable brand shares these tips to encourage everyone to get back on track and make good on the promises they made to themselves. Fitbit advises individuals to go back to the time they set their goals and remember why they wanted to achieve them in the first place. “Instead of thinking about how difficult it is to stay consistent, think about the benefits for you and your body.” Instead of looking at goals as high mountains to climb, it’s better to see them as a guiding force to be better. The wearable brand’s Personal Goal Setting feature on the app provides stepby-step interactive guide that generates appropriate goals that indicate where the user is in their health journey. Those who haven’t met yet the goals they set at the beginning of the year, could recalibrate them to make them more at-

mote a healthier ecosystem through the rehabilitation and re-greening of the environment by planting trees and ornamental plants across the country. Turn to C2

SBMA chairperson Wilma Eisma leads the agency during the tree planting activity at Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Coca-Cola joins renewable energy talk Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. corporate and regulatory affairs director Juan Lorenzo Tañada (third from left) served as a panelist for the Corporate Leaders in Renewable Energy talk during the Asian Power and Energy Summit held at the SMX Convention Center. The shift to renewable energy is part of Coca-Cola’s key thrusts; seven of its 19 manufacturing sites—Sta. Rosa, Canlubang, Ilocos, Pangasinan, Cebu, Pampanga, and Meycauayan— have already integrated renewable energy into their operations. In photo with Tañada are (from left) Green Man Malaysia founder Matthias Gelber, engineering director of Southeast Asia Pacific and India at Hilton Singapore Garry Croxford, and Energy Development Corporation Philippines president and chief operating officer Richard B. Tantoco.

Life

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Campaign champions self-belief ROFESSIONAL tennis player Serena Williams shares the story of her journey toward believing in herself in a campaign that promotes chronicles of triumph and self-belief.

From learning tennis on the public courts as a kid to struggling with a life-threatening ailment and coming back to competing after childbirth, Williams shows that she knows she can go further and be better simply by believing in herself. The former world No. 1 stars in Axa’s “Know You Can” brand campaign. “Our latest brand message ‘Know You Can’ aims to empower people to live better lives by encouraging self-belief,” explains Axa Philippines president and chief executive Rahul Hora. “We, at Axa Philippines, are here to inspire our customers to go further in life, whatever their game plan may be.” For its local campaign, Axa Philippines teams up with NBA in a series of activities that included an intimate meet-and-greet with NBA Denver Nuggets point guard Monte Morris and NBA legend Muggsy Bogues who shared their stories of journey towards self-belief and imparted knowledge on achieving their game plan on and off the court. Both players attended NBA 3X Philippines presented by Axa, which featured a 3-on-3 tournament for men’s and women’s teams with interactive fan activities on Aug. 3-4 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall and the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Tent.

American professional tennis player Serena Williams shares the story of her journey toward self-belief in an insurer’s campaign.

Summit highlights people-centered health systems OVER 50 patient leaders and patient advocates from several countries in the region gathered at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City for the first Asia Patient Innovation Summit (APIS). With the theme “Transforming Healthcare to Make People Well and Keep Them Well,” the regional summit was intended to actively seek out and listen to insights from the patient community in order to create peoplecentered health systems. “The agenda of this important summit was co-developed by patient leaders across the region who share a common vision of creating peoplecentered healthcare systems and empowering patient communities to take charge of their own health rather than being passive recipients of health services,” said International Alliance of Patient Organizations board member Karen Alparce Villanueva. International Federation of Psoriasis Association treasurer and first APIS Organizing Committee Chair Josef de Guzman, meanwhile, underscored the challenges faced by people with psoriasis who struggle to get a correct diagnosis or adequate treatment. “The first APIS is a major step towards strengthening collaboration among patient communities and con-

solidating our insights to address gaps and hurdles in the patient’s journey through the healthcare system,” said De Guzman. Cancer Coalition Philippines president Paul Perez, on the other hand, reiterated the need to work together in empowering patient communities, inspiring breakthroughs, and catalyzing the adoption of innovations and good practice models for safe, quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare. “Only through a patient-centric health system can we achieve better health outcomes and brighter futures for all,” said Perez. St. Luke’s Medical Center president and chief executive Dr. Arturo S. De La Peña said, “St. Luke’s Medical Center highly values patient-centered care. Through outstanding clinical outcomes and great patient experience, the needs of our patients come first.” One of the key principles of the Novartis Commitment to Patients and Caregivers is “respecting and understanding the patient community perspective,” according to Novartis Asia Cluster patient advocacy head Christine Fajardo. “The first APIS is gathering the leaders in patient advocacy and empowerment in order to generate innovative

ideas, including digital technology, on how to improve patient outcomes and how to ensure the patient voice is an integral part of the healthcare system,” said Fajardo. The first APIS was co-organized by Novartis, St. Luke’s Medical Center, IAPO, IFPA, CCPh, and Asian Institute of Management. The summit featured a powerhouse lineup of speakers that included IAPO board members Dr. Ratna Devi and Ya Hsin Wang; David Palacios, head of Global Pharma Patient Advocacy, Novartis; Dr. Sandra Navarra, founder of Lupus Inspired Advocacy; Professor Chih-Liang Yaung, chairman of Taiwan Alliance of Patients’ Organizations; Yu-Hsin Yang, former secretary general and current chair of Taiwan Organization for Disadvantaged Patients; James Kissel, director of Summit Program (Asia) at Rare Cancers Australia; Carmen Auste, chair of Childhood Cancer International; De Guzman; Dr. Dela Peña; Jugo Tsumura, country president and managing director of Novartis Healthcare Philippines; and Kara MagsanocAlikpala, co-chair of Cancer Coalition Philippines.

The 1st Asia Patient Innovation Summit’s participants from several countries in the region discuss the creation of people-centered health systems

SBMA... From C1

Leading the activity was SBMA chairperson and administrator Wilma Eisma, supported by deputy administrator for engineering Marco Estabillo, DA for business Kenneth Rementilla, DA for administration Ruel John Kabigting, and senior deputy administrator for regulatory services and Ecology Center manager Amethya dela Llana. Aside from the Arbor Day, the government agency also joined the Dive Heroes Festival-Scubasurero where volunteer scuba divers did underwater cleanup, the International Coastal Cleanup, and the Recyclables Collection event. The latter is a semi-annual activity which encourages stakeholders to help keep the Freeport clean by collecting recyclable materials and bringing them to accredited waste handlers for recovery and upcycling. Moreover, the SBMA has partnered with the Magbukun Ayta tribe to protect and preserve their indigenous environ-

The government agency has partnered with the Magbukun Ayta tribe to help protect and preserve the latter’s indigenous environment and culture.

ment and culture under the United Na- with the support of the municipal governtions Development Programme’s Indig- ment of Morong and the Philippine Assoenous Communities Conservation Area, ciation for Intercultural Development.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol to prevent prolonged cases of dysmenorrhea.

6 food items that trigger PMS ACCORDING to Anne Price, a Certified Holistic Health Coach, an average woman experiences PMS or Premenstrual Syndrome 450 times in her lifetime. While hormones play a part in these biological changes, there’s a way how to manage it, according to a sanitary pad brand, by avoiding these food items that are likely to alleviate the symptoms.

idly resulting in insulin and blood sugar increase. The result? It fuels mood swings and worsens headaches and difficulty concentrating. Experts suggest going for dark chocolates, dates, raw honey, and stevia or coconut sugar as healthier alternatives.

Salt

Bloating and swelling are caused by hormonal changes that cause water retention. Swapping salty food with nuts Trans fats and hydrogenated and loading up on fruits and vegetables are good choices to reduce the accufats Trans fats and hydrogenated fats are mulation of water weight due to a high unhealthy by-products of a chemical sodium diet. process called hydrogenation. Manufacturers alter the fats to solidify liquid Caffeine oils and lengthen shelf life and flavor PMS is usually associated with faof oils and foods that contain them. Go tigue, mental exhaustion, and depresfor saturated fats found in coconut or sion. A lot of women try to counter the healthier monounsaturated fats like these by increasing caffeine intake. olive and avocado oil. But because caffeine is a stimulant, it causes increased heart rate and blood Food allergens pressure, which consequently leads to Food allergies cause digestive is- tension, anxiety, difficulty in sleeping, sues and skin breakouts that are ob- and exhaustion. Its diuretic nature also vious signs of a possible hormonal increases urine production and triggers imbalance. Those who have no idea dehydration. Try herbal teas and decafwhich food they are allergic to can feinated liquids instead while going either have themselves checked by a through PMS. doctor or try an elimination diet. This diet is a three- to six-week eating plan Alcohol that eliminates potential food allerWhen alcohol enters the bloodgens and then reintroduces them one stream, it alters the brain function that at a time to identify which ones the produces serotonin. Serotonin is called body does not tolerate well. Top eight the “happy hormone” as it contributes foods that belong to the food allergen to a person’s stability and well-being. It camp are milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts, regulates mood, social behavior, appewheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. tite, sleep, memory, and sexual desire functions. It is also responsible in mood High fructose corn syrup and alterations and disorders. And like the previous item, it is also diuretic. It will refined sugar High fructose corn syrup is a chemi- rob a person of much-needed bodily cally produced sugar found in sodas fluids that will lead to prolonged dysand fruit-flavored drinks, while re- menorrhea. That said, abstaining from fined sugar is the ones usually stored drinking alcohol during this time is in the pantry. The difference between strongly encouraged. these and the natural sugars found in fruits is that the former has empty calo- Jeunesse Anion sanitary pad has an ries with no nutritional value while the anion strip feature that helps ward latter is loaded with fiber and other nu- off bacteria and fungi that cause foul trients that the body needs especially odor. It’s available at Watsons, Mercuright before the shark week. ry Drug, and all leading supermarkets The absence of fibers makes an indi- nationwide. It’s also available at www. vidual digest these artificial sugars rap- lazada.com.ph and www.shopee.ph.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Maika Rivera makes a name for herself STAR Magic artist Maika Rivera is happy with the exposure she receives, which enables her to establish her niche in the showbiz industry. A former professional tennis player, Maika has already appeared in various TV programs and films where she attracted the interest of viewers. She first made waves as a member of the group Girl Trends of the popular noontime variety show It’s Showtime. From there, she was cast in an antagonist role in the movie Always Be My Maybe starring Gerald Anderson and Arci Muñoz and appeared in top-rating soaps such as, Magpahanggang Wakas along with Gelli de Belen and John Estrada, Blood Sisters with Erich Gonzales, Wildflower starring Maja Salvador, and La Luna Sangre with Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. She also starred in numerous episodes of Maalaala Mo Kaya and Ipaglaban Mo. Now, she is one of the cast members of the upcoming show Sandugo, which is being headlined by Aljur Abrenica, Elisse Joson, and Ejay Falcon. “I’ll be playing the role of Inez, a woman who is very much in love with the character of Aljur. I’m a villain in the story. It’s an interesting role which requires a little on-screen sexiness. I’ll be having lots of confrontation scenes How is it working with the likes of Aljur and Elisse? “Oh, it’s a great opportunity. I’ve worked with Aljur in several projects before and we’re okay. He’s easy to deal with. As for Elisse, it’s my maiden project with her and I find her very nice off cam. I’m sure it will be another unforgettable experience for me.” Most of the roles being given to her are ‘contravida’ parts. Isn’t she afraid to be typecast as a bad girl on screen? “I don’t mind actually. In fact, I find it challenging. The villain is as important as the lead star. If the main lead shines, it’s because the villain is also effective, right? One thing more, as long as I know I’m not a baddie in real life, I don’t mind breathing life to antagonistic characters.” Maika reveals she auditioned for the muchcoveted role of “Darna” which eventually landed on Jane de Leon’s lap. “It’s okay. I’m happy for Jane. I think she will make a good Darna,” she states. If ever the part of Valentina will be offered to her, will she accept it? “Of course! Without a doubt. It’s an iconic role as well, being Darna’s main nemesis. I promise to do it the best as I can if ever!” The appealing Kapamilya is determined to make it big in the ‘biz. “I want to give my 100 percent in this field. I love acting, it’s my passion. I’m happy that I have work here. My ultimate goal is to become a versatile actress,” ends Maika. ***

ACROSS 1 Double over 5 Robin Cook book 9 Drop a glass 14 Kuwaiti leader 15 State firmly 16 Toward the edge 17 Billionth, in combos 18 Take it easy 19 Kitten’s pleas 20 Tobacco plug 21 Bikini tops 22 Cable channel 23 Close range 25 Ketch’s cousin 27 Fleming of spydom 28 Pretty and delicate 32 Pulls along 35 Film director Mervyn — 38 Where — you? 39 Disgusting 40 Overfeeds 41 Developed 42 Before, in verse 43 Jeered at 44 Candle parts 45 Mirage site 47 Galahad’s title 48 Debtors’ notes 50 Type of case 54 Gels

56 Fervent wish 58 Native of 59 House features 60 Film director — Kazan 61 Big celebration 62 Computer-chip maker 63 Provide temporarily 64 Perfect place 65 All choked up 66 Sluggish 67 Auction shout DOWN 1 Yard protector 2 Nebraska hub 3 Cosmetic item 4 With scant attention 5 Diamond, to a chemist 6 Plain to see 7 Butte cousin 8 — -craftsy 9 In one manner or another 10 Granola kin 11 Surmounting 12 Basted 13 Sluggers’ stat 24 Contains 26 Turmoils 29 DEA operative 30 Arduous expedition

A n g e l i c a Panganiban clarifies the issue that romantically links her to a foreigner and actor Cholo Barretto. Prior to this, a photo circulated on social media in which she was shown embracing a foreigner. “Let me just say that I’m not in love at present,” states Angelica. “The guy I was embracing in the photo is not my boyfriend. You see, I meet a lot of people during my travels abroad. I don’t see anything wrong with that considering that people from other countries are not that conservative. They are expressive in what they feel. That’s just normal for them and I don’t see any harm in that.” How about the issue with Cholo? “That one really made me laugh. I guess, people are basically malicious at times. What matters is that I know for myself what’s true.” Angelica reveals that love isn’t her priority at this point. “I’m not looking for romance now. In fact, even if someone comes along, I will not entertain him. I’m so happy with my current personal state. I just can’t afford to ruin my happiness with where I am right now,” she says. “I’m so okay with myself right now that I feel I don’t need another individual to make me happy. As I’ve said, I’m very happy at this point. I have this fear that my inner happiness might just get ruined if I would let a new person enter my life. It might just complicate things,” she carries on. Meanwhile, her supporters are already curious about what her next big project is. It’s been a while since she was last seen both in the big and small screens. In the silver screen, her last project was Exes Baggage opposite Carlo Aquino shown in the last quarter of 2018 while her last soap was Playhouse which ended its run last March. “Well, the good news is I have an upcoming movie where I will share stellar billing with Richard Gutierrez and Bea Alonzo under Star Cinema. Based on my calendar, I’ll be doing more films this year. Admittedly, I already miss acting so this movie thrills me so much especially that there are plans that it will be fielded in the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival,” says Angelica.

31 Hedge shrubs 32 Went quickly 33 Large lot 34 Hawaiian guitars 35 Test tube’s place 36 Paris season 37 Lipstick color 40 In — (as found) 41 Tallest animals 43 Extremely 44 Life of the party 46 This or that 47 Constant or

Star Magic artist Maika Rivera

Kapuso hunk Derek Ramsay gamely poses for photos with his fans in Birmingham.

Derek Ramsay wins the hearts of fans in UAE and UK

ILIPINOS in Dubai and Birmingham wholeheartedly welcomed The Better Woman lead actor Derek Ramsay during his first GMA Pinoy TV trip.

Lightwoods Park, Adkins Lane, Smethwick last July 7. The overseas Filipinos had a wonderful time singing along with Derek. He also led a trivia game and a dance showdown wherein the winners received premium items from GMA Pinoy TV while a new Mavshack subscriber even won a mobile phone. After the program, which was organized by the Birmingham Filipino British Community Volunteer (BFBCV), Derek also had a special meet and greet with the subscribers of Mavshack. Last July 5, the Kapuso hunk attended the press conference GMA Pinoy TV also surprised the of Mutya Pilipinas UAE at the Waterfront Market in Dubai Kapuso abroad with free Mavshack where he was greeted by the 12 candidates, the local press GMA On Demand trial codes. and influencers, and the Arab Fashion Council. Derek, who Before heading home, Derek was initially part of the judges’ panel for the coronation night, paid a courtesy visit at the willingly accommodated questions from the Dubai-based Philippine Embassy in London to press and gave encouraging words to help boost the candidates’ meet Philippine Ambassador to confidence for the competition. The event organizer, MDM the UK Antonio Lagdameo and Media Production, decided to move the pageant to July 19 Deputy Chief of Mission instead at Pier Juan, Chelsea Plaza Hotel in respect to the and Consul General Senen mourning period for the Sharjah Ruler’s son. Mangalile. After the press conference, Derek bonded with the Derek expressed his heartfelt members of Kabayan DXB, a group that helps gratitude for the warm welcome he each other upgrade their skills. They even received from the Filipinos in made handmade gifts for him such as floral Dubai and Birmingham. lei, welcome cakes and pastries, decors, “You guys are so lovely! and much more. GMA Pinoy TV and its Even though I was only partner carrier Mavshack also surprised there for a short while, I them with free GMA On Demand trial really had a great time codes. with you. You guys Derek also visited renowned showed me so much Dubai-based Filipino fashion love and that love is designer Michael Cinco and had truly appreciated. I the chance to meet Cinco’s hope I can come back Filipino staff. One of his and see you all again. employees, Marge, was I really enjoyed my teary-eyed when she saw trip,” he shared. Derek and shared how To subscribe to much of an avid fan Mavshack’s GMA she is of the FilipinoPinoy Pack, Kapuso British actor. She even abroad only need to excitedly shared that she download the mobile watches his current app on the App Store show with Andrea and Google Play or Torres, The Better visit www.mavshack.com Woman,via GMA Pinoy and sign up. TV. The video of their For more updates on touching encounter was Kapuso events abroad, uploaded in Facebook and follow GMA Pinoy it already reached over a TV on Facebook, million views. Twitter, Instagram (@ After a jam-packed day gmapinoytv), subscribe of visiting Pinoys around to their YouTube Dubai, Derek travelled to channel, and visit the United Kingdom to the GMA Pinoy TV grace the Birmingham official website at www. Sandwell West Midlands gmapinoytv.com. Filipino Festival held at

Couch Potato...

and then as a wife with a sick husband, I thought how many Filipinos afflicted with the same condition and in the same From C4 situations continue to struggle day in and As the show ended with the real-life day out. And here I am having a foot Agnes talking about how she surpassed massage while watching television. *** the struggles she had as a polio victim

habitual 49 Pie crust 50 Imitating 51 Ism 52 Travel stopover 53 Correct 54 Sensible 55 Sundance Kid’s girl 57 Kitchen staple 59 Chomped

Supermarket in an airport terminal? Well, well, there’s one, indeed, at NAIA Terminal 3. Passengers passing through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 before they proceed home can buy groceries at the newly opened Duty Free Philippines (DFP) supermarket at the DFP Arrival Mall, South Arrival Lobby, NAIA Terminal 3. The over 800 square-meter supermarket boasts a complete section of grocery items for mass consumption, such as laundry detergents, shampoo, condiments, canned goods, frozen foods, and snacks. It also has shelves for cereals, baby care, pasta and noodles, cheese, yogurt, and other items. According to DFP Chief Operating Officer (COO) Vicente Pelagio A. Angala, the supermarket offers a complete section featuring dedicated wall bays and an increased product assortment to serve the travelers better with a fully stocked supermarket right at the airport. “We came up with this idea to raise the bar of the Duty Free pasalubong shopping experience. Instead of buying grocery items abroad that will add up to their baggage fees, they can shop the same brands when they arrive at the airport at a duty-free price,” said Angala. “Other than keeping yourself from paying unnecessary baggage fees, this also adds convenience. Imagine arriving at the airport after a vacation or working abroad, one can just conveniently grab groceries or do grocery shopping with their family,” he added.

Entertainment

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019

PCADG marks 27th anniversary with beauties and the best THE Police Community Affairs and Development Group (PCADG) celebrated its 27th Founding Anniversary on July 27 along with the launching of PCR Express Connect and Thanksgiving Day for Stakeholders and Partners. In a simple celebration at the MultiPurpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa were the guests of honor and speakers. Actors Coco Martin, Phillip Salvador, Robin Padilla, and Miss Philippines Earth 2019 winners also graced the occasion. Newly-promoted and the ﬁrst police general of PMA Tanglaw Diwa Class of 1992 and the PNP Spokesperson and Chief of the Public Information Ofﬁce, Police Brigadier GeneralBernard M Banac was the host during the arrival honor rendered to Sen. Bong Go.

COUCH POTATO IVY ROSSINI

This year’s celebration was unfurled on “Matatag na Samahan ng Mamamayan at Kapulisan Tungo sa Isang Maunlad at Mapayapang Bayan,” which speaks on PCADG’s noble accomplishment in police community service. “Police community relations plays a vital role in transforming the police force into more capable, effective, and credible police service,” PCADG Director, Police Brigadier GeneralRhodel Sermonia said. Sermonia added that PCADG endeavors to win the hearts and minds of the community and to champion a harmonious police community partnership in peace and order, and public safety. “Reaching the public is vested and strengthened through launching of programs to make the community feel safe with police. Through all of our programs, it is easier to solicit their support to attain genuine peace and

security,” he added. One of the highlights of the celebration was the presentation of the high-impact programs and achievements of PCADG in a span of one year such as: Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT), Kaligtasan at Kalikasan (KALIGTASAN), Global PCR, Recovery and Wellness Program, Pulis Natin Caravan, Joint Industrial Peace and Concern Ofﬁce, PNP Help App: Child Protection and Welfare Program, Multi-Media: Rektang Konek, Aksyon Agad, and PCR: Express Connect: Police Community Relations Made Easy. PBGen. Bernard Banac added the PNP will continue to strengthen partnerships and form more coalitions with various community antidrug organizations and stakeholders to promote evidence-based approaches to reducing drug demand by improving prevention and wellness programs.

'Ang Probisyano' star Coco Martin, Raymart Santiago, and John Pratts with Sen. Bong Go

From left: PCADG director PBGen Rhodel Sermonia and Sen. Bato dela Rosa together with the five winners of Miss Earth Philippines 2019.

CARLO AQUINO to sparkle and shine in

‘Liwanag’ concert VERY WANG

Actor Jerome Ponce plays a factory worker who falls in love with a paraplegic 15 years his senior in 'MMK.'

Rainy Saturday night surprise I WAS involuntarily kept at home last Saturday night, hence living up to my column’s title, lying having my househelp massage my feet while watching TV. You see, I can’t go against my help as she was performing a non-essential chore, so I let her do the choosing of the show she wanted to watch while rubbing my feet. So there we were, watching Ate Charo (Santos) and the love story of a paraplegic in MMK or Maalala Mo Kaya. Kind of compelling, I must say. And it’s based upon a real-life love story between Kiko and Agnes. But, of course, TV romanticizes the factual reality of Kiko and Agnes’s story, but that’s beside the point. Titled “Simbahan,” last Saturday’s episode is also a May-December affair. Agnes, the polio victim since childhood (played by once trifling sister of drama diva Janice de Belen, Gelli, thinks at her age (she’s mid-30s) no one would bother with her. But, to her surprise, a factory worker 15 years younger than she is, Kiko (played by the finelooking Jerome Ponce), and who sits with fellow workers at a table in her carinderia-cum-sari-sari store without purchasing anything was secretly observing her. And when the opportunity came for Kiko to reveal his true feelings for Agnes came, the woman was incredulous although she herself has developed a liking for the guy. Although at first Agnes’mother doesn’t approve of her daughter’s relationship with Kiko, she eventually relents. Kiko and Agnes are wed, but Agnes’s vision of a happy life doesn’t come to reality when her husband is hospitalized for renal failure and needed twice a week dialysis as medical intervention. No, Agnes doesn’t want to give up even if Kiko just wants to let it slide so his wife will not think of him as burden. The ironical situation of the two reinforces the story’s dramaturgy, making it a gripping drama that despite the commercial loads, I didn’t want to switch to a streaming service (without commercials). Well, Gelli has matured as a performer, I didn’t see the once-irritating giggles that she used to mark her performances, whether in a drama or a comedy. I guess, age has something to do with it. Also, at a young age, (he’s only 24), Jerome displays the kind of readiness to show a wide range of emotions necessary to pull off a performance. ABS-CBN should start seriously looking at this guy if they needed an actor that could very well take the place of Piolo Pascual and Jericho Rosales (both had stated they’d no longer star in soap operas) in its prime time shows. Jerome’s a formidable candidate. Continued on C3

NICKIE WANG

ITTLE did many people know that Carlo Aquino grew up in a musical family. Carlo himself fell in love with music at an early age of seven and grew up to the songs of Matt Monro and other artists like The Beatles and BeeGees. “My family is musicoriented. My dad sings and I grew up listening to his favorite songs, like ‘Born Free.’ My brother, who is a band member, thought me how to play the guitar but I really had a hard time learning it because I’m left-handed,” Carlo shared. Now, people will see the other side of Carlo—a singer and a musician—in a major concert billed Liwanag. The title of the show is inspired by his middle name. ‘‘Liwanag, came from my mom whose maiden name is Amelia Liwanag. Also, in this concert, the director said the audiences will see me in a new light,” he added. Liwanag is the actor’s pre-birthday show (he’s turning 34 on Sept. 3) and will happen on Aug. 31 at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan. Through the direction of Frank Mamaril and the musical direction of musical genius Louie Ocampo, Carlo will be shedding light to his lesserknown passion for music by unveiling his musical memoir. Since he’s been known for his appeal across all generations, Carlo assured that his concert’s repertoire, although personal, would have something for everyone. “We’ll have ﬁllers of my other musical inspirations like boy groups and alternative and acoustic artists including old hits,” he said, apart from ensuring that he will once again be playing the guitar as seen on his last concert series with Matteo Guidicelli. On one end, Liwanag would see a lot of eargasmic serenading of his favorite hits together with some of the dearest people in his life both in and outside of the business. Yet on another end, Carlo will be making the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by digging deeper on his performer side. Hills & Dreams’ Marketing and Operations Director Vernice Soyangco singled out Carlo’s versatility as the main reason that made them decide to produce a separate show for him. “I think an artist who shares his journey to the people is an example of an artist promoting how everyone should look back to their roots and

continue to spread motivation to others through the best medium and ability you have,” she said. In keeping with his show’s title, Carlo hopes to spark the light of inspiration to remind his supporters to always seize the moment and to chase their dreams no matter how big and small they are—just like what he did. For tickets just call Ticketworld at 891-999, Music Museum at 7210635 and 721-6726 and Hills & Dreams at 0977-7818540.

Carlo Aquino stages a pre-birthday show, a major solo concert entitled 'Liwanag.'

ABS-CBN shows resonate with more Filipinos in July MAJORITY of households nationwide still turned to ABS-CBN for their dose of relevant news stories and inspiring shows in July, leading the network to hit an average audience share of 45 percent, or 13 points higher than GMA’s 32 percent, according to data from Kantar Media. Like in previous months, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (37.6 percent) remained as the top program Filipinos enjoy nationwide, followed by the actiondrama, The General’s Daughter (31.3 percent). Search for the Idol Philippines (30.1 percent) ended its ﬁrst season with a bang as it kept its throne as the choice program of Filipinos on weekends, while TV Patrol (28.5 percent) retained its title as the most-watched weekday newscast nationwide. The moving life stories in Maalaala Mo Kaya (24.8 percent) made the drama anthology a favorite among viewers every weekend, while Kadenang Ginto (24.1 percent) continues to strike gold in nationwide ratings for delivering intensely entertaining episodes to viewers. Rounding out the top ten are Hiwaga ng Kambat (23.6 percent) and Home Sweetie Home: Extra Sweet (21.6 percent). Meanwhile, ABS-CBN also won all time blocks in July, particularly in primetime and in the afternoon. During primetime, it recorded 47 percent, compared to GMA’s 31 percent. The Kapamilya network also registered 47 percent in the afternoon block (3:00 pm.m. to 6:00 p.m.), beating GMA’s 33 percent. Likewise, ABS-CBN also ruled the morning block (6:00 a.m. to 12:00 nn) with an average audience share of 39 percent, versus GMA’s 30 percent and the noontime block (12:00 nn to 3:00 p.m.) with 44 percent, beating GMA’s 34 percent. Meanwhile, the Kapamilya network won in both urban and rural homes, particularly in Metro Manila where it registered an average audience share of 41 percent versus GMA’s 26 percent; in Mega Manila where it got 36 percent, versus GMA’s 32 percent; in Total Luzon where it recorded 40 percent, compared to GMA’s 34 percent; in Total Visayas as it garnered 53 percent, beating GMA’s 25 percent; and in Total Mindanao where it got 52 percent, while GMA only recorded 29 percent. Multinational audience measurement provider Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

The Gold Squad of 'Kadenang Ginto,' continues to strike gold in nationwide ratings for delivering intensely entertaining episodes to viewers