Manila Standard - 2019 September 10 - Tuesday by Manila Standard

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

WATCH FOR MANILA STANDARD’S SPECIAL REPORT ON THE ECONOMY September 16, 2019

‘Stimulating the PH Economy‘

Dreaded virus zaps pigs By Othel V. Campos, Macon Ramos-Araneta and MJ Blancaflor

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 208 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Vietnam

China

Myanmar First confirmed case on 1 August 2019

Laos

Outbreaks in 63 provinces

156 ASF outbreaks in 32 provinces

9 September 2019

94 outbreaks in 15 provinces

First confirmed ASF case on 3 August 2018

First confirmed ASF case on 19 February 2019

First confirmed ASF case on 20 June 2019

1.17 million pigs culled

4.5 million pigs culled

25,000 pigs culled

Sources: United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, AFP

African swine fever (ASF) is a fatal animal disease affecting pigs and wild boars with up to 100% case fatality rate.

The Philippines confirms first cases of African swine fever in Bulacan and Rizal provinces. 7,000 pigs culled

HE Philippines on Monday confirmed its first cases of African swine fever, becoming the latest country hit by the disease that has killed pigs from Slovakia to China, pushing up pork prices worldwide. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the infected pigs were found in Bu Bulacan and Rizal, and authorities have culled more than 7,000 pigs within a one-kilometer radius. Dar said 14 of 20 samples sent to a UK laboratory tested positive for African swine fever, but it will take another week to confirm how Next page

Cambodia Outbreaks in five provinces First confirmed ASF case on 2 April 2019

2 more Chiong killers promise to surrender By Rey E. Requejo and MJ Blancaflor

Patients die as ambulances get stuck in traffic jam 27 BuCor execs sacked over GCTA racket GRIDLOCK in Manila is costing lives as ambulances stuck in traffic face severe delays in the race against the clock to reach the city’s hospitals, medics warn. Special lanes for emergency vehicles are not enforced, the infrastructure is outdated, and local drivers are often unwilling or unable to make way—a

situation experts say is causing patients to die en route. “You feel empty. It is as if you were not given a chance to do everything in your capacity to help,” ambulance driver and paramedic Joseph Laylo told AFP. “If the traffic was not that bad it could have saved the patient,” he added,

recalling how he lost a patient when congestion tripled the time to hospital. Even with an encyclopedic knowledge of short cuts or aggressive driving such as blasting their horns or bumping unyielding vehicles, it is not always enough to arrive in time.

Turn to A3

THE Department of Justice on Monday said that two more convicts in the Chiong sisters rape-murder case who were erroneously released from prison on good behavior will surrender. Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said Josman Aznar and James Anthony Uy will turn themselves in, Next page

By Joyce Pangco Pañares, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo OMBUDSMAN Samuel Martires has placed 27 Bureau of Corrections officials under preventive suspension without pay for a period of six months over the questionable release of convicts who were doing time for heinous crimes on good behavior. In his order, a copy of which was furnished Manila Standard, Martires said the release of the heinous crime convicts violated the Good Conduct Time Allowance law. “Respondents’ continued stay in office may prejudice the cases filed against them. Noteworthy, respondents... have custody and control over Next page

Bureau of Corrections minimum security compound inmate Godfrey Gamboa testifies Monday at the resumption of the Senate inquiry into the alleged Good Conduct Time Allowance for sale inside the agency in Muntinlupa City. Ey Acasio

‘Bato sought power to free convicts’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta

HANG IN THERE. The photo, taken on Aug. 5, shows an ambulance negotiating through rush hour-traffic along EDSA in Metro Manila

where traffic logjams have been a daily nightmare. No official figures are immediately available but the delays, causing an unnecessary limp in the race to the hospitals, has cost, according to paramedics, the loss of some lives. Inset shows, in the photo taken on July 18, shows first responders loading a patient into their waiting ambulance at a bus station near Manila. AFP

House revs up work on budget By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives will work overtime to pass the proposed P1.4-trillion national budget for 2020, Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said on Monday.

He made the statement even as the House begins today, Tuesday, the plenary debates on House Bill 4228 or the Fiscal Year 2020 General Appropriations Bill. “Our national budget for next year will give a very strong foundation to Turn to A3

Suicide bomber triggers alert A SUICIDE bomber dressed in a traditional Muslim woman’s gown died after detonating a bomb outside a military camp in the restive southern Philippines, but no other casualties were reported, authorities said.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the suicide bomber, described as a Caucasian, detonated a pipe-type bomb outside the main entrance to the KM3 Turn to A3

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS.

Henry Lim Bon Liong, president of the Federation of Filipino Chambers of Commerce and Industry, during a forum Monday moderated by Jullie Yap Daza of the Samahang Plaridel held at the Kapihan sa Manila where he talked about the recent visit of President Rodrigo Duterte’s to China and future of bilateral ties, impact on economy and cooperation. Norman Cruz

TESTIFYING at Monday’s resumption of hearings on the Good Conduct Time Allowance, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra revealed Senator Ronald dela Rosa, then Bureau of Corrections, had requested that the authority to grant early release of inmates be delegated to the prisons chief.

Guevarra told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee and the justice committee, both chaired by Senator Richard Gordon, that he received a letter in 2018 from Dela Rosa asking that the authority to release prisoners on account of expired sentences be delegated to the Bucor chief. Asked to comment on his request, Dela Rosa said he wanted to avoid being Next page

News

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Chinese investments pouring in By Vito Barcelo

ANY Chinese businessmen are willing to pour billions of dollars in investments in the Philippines aligned with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), including the construction of $4.4-billion integrated steel complex in Mindanao and the P170-billion, 600-kilometer Manila to Matnog Long Haul South Railway, a group of Filipino-Chinese businessmen said Monday.

the country, assuring them of corruption-free investment program, peace and order for businesses to thrive and improved ease of doing business. “To ease business transactions, there is a proposed setting up of the Philippine-RMB Trading Community by the Bank of China-Manila branch and major Philippine banks for direct currency exchange. With this platform, businessmen can go to participating Philippine banks, exchange Chinese RMB to Philippine Peso, or Peso to RMB,” he said. Lim said steel makers from China, the HBIS Group Co. Ltd., were set to invest $4.4 billion to build an integrated steel complex in Mindanao and expected to create more than 10,000 jobs.

“Among the many infrastructure cooperation between the Philippines and China which is to take-off this year is the ₱170-billion, 600-kilometer Manila to Matnog Long Haul South Railway. It is expected to be awarded to a contractor in the last quarter of 2019. The project will cut the travel time from Sucat to Naga from 14 hours to 3.4 to 4 hours when it is completed in 2022,” he said. The FFCCII also observed that more Chinese have been visiting the Philippines, numbering over 1.2 million last year from 968,000 in 2017, second to Koreans. He said the number was expected to go up to 1.5-million Chinese tourists this year.

“We are expecting more Chinese companies and investors to explore investments and projects in the Philippines because Chinese businessmen prefer to put their money in countries participating in the BRI, like the Philippines,” Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Inc. president Henry Lim Bon Liong said during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum. Lim said during the Philippines-China Business Forum Pre-Program last month, he was tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to speak before the Chinese business to lure them to invest in

2Frommore... A1

PH, Singapore leaders witness 8 bilateral deals

after Ariel Balansag and Alberto Caño returned to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections. Prison officials had earlier said only three convicts in the case had been released by virtue of the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law, which reduces prison time for good behavior. President Rodrigo Duterte has declared, however, that no convicts doing time for heinous crimes should be covered by the good conduct law— and ordered the rearrest of some 1,914 of such convicts. Caño, Balansag, Aznar, Uy, Rowen Adlawan, Francisco Juan “Paco” Larrañaga, and James Andrew Uy had been convicted for the 1997 abduction, rape and killing of sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong in Cebu. They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua in 1999. Larrañaga is currently serving his sentence in Spain because of his dual citizenship. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said Larrañaga is still subject to Philippine penal laws even while imprisoned abroad. The Palace on Monday asked the parents of Marijoy and Jacqueline to “trust the President’s words,” after they expressed disappointment in Duterte’s statement that he still trusted fired BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon. Thelma Chiong and her husband Dionisio said they were stunned by Duterte’s statement on Friday in Naga City, Cebu, that Faeldon was a good person and that he still believed in him. Thelma and Dionisio traveled all the way to Naga to thank the President for firing Faeldon and ordering the arrest of convicts in the rape and murder of their daughters. “Mrs. Chiong, the President knows Mr. Faeldon personally. And there have been experiences in the past that [led him to trust Faeldon],” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said. “So I would suggest trust the President’s words.” Panelo would not say if Faeldon would be appointed to yet another government position. “That’s the call of the President. If the President trusts him, we have to trust him on that,” he said. Faeldon used to be the Bureau of Customs chief but he stepped down after millions of pesos worth of shabu slipped through the ports. Duterte later reappointed him to the Office of Civil Defense as deputy administrator and then later as BuCor chief. In related developments: • The Bureau of Immigration is checking its records to see if any of the heinous crime convicts released through the GCTA have already left the country. • A man convicted of murder, Ernesto Silorio Sinda, who was serving his sentence at a prison facility in Occidental Mindoro but was released under the GCTA Law surrendered to the police in Mabinay, Negros Oriental over the weekend. With PNA

27 BuCor... From A1 the documents pertaining to the questionable release of the convicted prisoners,” Martires said. He said based on the testimonies of witnesses and the public documents gathered by the Office of the Ombudsman, “[the] respondents, in their respective official capacities, and in the course of the performance of their public functions” allowed the releases. “This office finds that the evidence showing the anomalous release of prisoners convicted of heinous crimes/offenses appear to be strong,” Martires added. Among the BuCor officials who have been placed under preventive suspension are Ramoncito Roque, officer-in-

By MJ Blancaflor

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and Singapore President Halimah Yacob witnessed on Monday the signing of eight agreements between the two countries in Malacañang. The Philippines and Singapore signed deals on education, agriculture, trade, infrastructure development, water supply, culture and the arts and data protection. Yacob arrived in Manila on Sunday afternoon for a five-day visit as Singapore and the Philippines celebrate their 50th year of diplomatic ties. Duterte said the agreements signed were “eager steps” toward the next half-century of “natural, mutually reinforcing and beneficial partnership” between Singapore and the Philippines. “We talked about deepening our cooperation in defense and security, which includes strengthening defense dialogues and training exchanges between the military and special forces,” Duterte said in his speech in Malacañang after a bilateral meeting with Yacob. “President Yacob and I committed to further intensify trade and investment links, mindful of the goals we have set for ourselves under the Philippines-Singapore Action Plan,” Duterte said. Meanwhile, Yacob expressed hope of

WREATH OF REMEMBRANCE. Visiting Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, on

a five-day state visit to the Philippines, lays a wreath at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal at the sprawling Luneta Park Monday prior to a scheduled meeting with her host, President Rodrigo Duterte, during which trade, cultural and people-to-people exchanges are to be discussed. AFP

updating the avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and the expansion of the Bilateral Air Transport Agreement that will increase connectivity and create more opportunities for collaboration and growth between the two countries.

Aside from her visit to the Palace, Yacob will also attend the meeting of the Philippines-Singapore Business Council, a tour of the Philippine Eagle Foundation center in Davao City and a dialog with the Mindanao youth.

virulent the strain is and whether it is similar to that of Vietnam and China. The virus was first recorded in Rodriguez town in Rizal, 10 kilometers east of Manila. Other undisclosed areas are still being closely monitored for possible infection, he added. “Today, we wish to announce the result of the confirmatory Polymerase Chain Reaction test [done in the United Kingdom]. It is African swine fever positive,” Dar said. There is no antidote or vaccine and the only known method to prevent the disease from spreading is a mass cull of affected livestock. The virus is not harmful to humans but causes hemorrhagic fever in pigs that almost always ends in death. He said the nation was not facing an epidemic and urged Filipinos to continue eating pork, which is a critical market and accounts for 60 percent of meat consumption in the country. “We have never been in an epidemic, just to highlight that. We are responding to the increased number of deaths of pigs,” Dar said. “To date, we believe we have successfully managed the issue, as a misstep could erode the gains and competitiveness of the country’s P260-billion swine industry that provides and sustains livelihood of millions of Filipino families, as roughly two-thirds or 65 percent of the industry is contributed by small backyard raisers,” he added. The Philippines is the world’s 8th biggest pork producer by volume.

Authorities suspect the swine fever cases stemmed from backyard hog raisers who feed pigs swill, leftover food scraps from hotels and restaurants. The Agriculture department added the virus could also be traced to smuggled frozen meat and returning overseas Filipino workers who brought back infected meat products. In May, the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization said pork prices had begun to soar, rising by up to 50 percent both in China and on the Chicago futures exchange. Dar said the Agriculture department had yet to receive reports of more hog deaths. Dar, along with Health Secretary Francisco Duque and other DA and DOH officials, hog stakeholders, and members of the private sector earlier shared a meal to show the public that it was safe to eat pork. “As long as the hogs passed through the proper process of slaughtering and preparation, the public should not fear eating pork,” Dar said. “We want to allay the fears of the public by saying that, as long as pork is bought from reliable sources and it is cooked thoroughly, pork is safe to eat,” Duque added. Before slaughtering, a hog is validated and assessed by a veterinarian, who then issues a medical certificate. Once slaughtered, the meats are stamped with a seal from the National Meat Inspection Service, assuring that it passed the food safety measures imposed by the government, Dar said. Strict quarantine and monitoring protocols would remain in place to protect hog farms in other parts of the country, Dar said.

The DA also suspended the ground operations in Rizal province and focused on cleaning and disinfecting operations. The Palace said the government has taken measures to ensure public safety. According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), ASF is a severe and highly contagious viral disease among domestic and wild pigs. It is commonly introduced into a herd after the feeding on uncooked or undercooked contaminated pork products which are then ingested by the pig. The virus is then spread between pigs by direct contact with an infected pig, or ingestion of contaminated material (such as food waste, feed, or garbage). It can also be transmitted by contaminated fomites or ticks or blood-sucking insects. Pigs infected with the ASF virus experience high fever, depression, loss of appetite, redness of ears, abdomen, and legs, vomiting, and diarrhea that may lead to death. Because ASF can spread easily, hog raisers are advised not to feed raw or undercooked pork products such as swill, garbage or waste to pigs. Senator Francis Pangilinan urged communities, including piggery owners, to be vigilant and immediately report signs of the disease. “We hope that no more pigs will be culled, and if absolutely needed, it must be done in the humane way and in a manner that would not expose people to the disease,” Pangilinan said. Pangilinan, who was food security secretary when an infected ornamental plant started the cocolisap infestation in 2014, said border controls must work to keep contaminated pork or pork products away. With AFP, PNA

charge of the Inmate Documents and Processing Section; Benjamin Barrios, supervisor of the Board of Discipline, Maximum Security Camp; Gerardo Padilla, chief superintendent of the National Bilibid Prison; Francisco Abunales, NBP superintendent; Celso Bravo, officer-in-charge of the Directorate for Security and Operations; Melencio Faustino, regional superintendent of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm; Cherry Caliston, chief of the documents division of DPPF; Ruelito Pulmano, IDPS liaison officer; Emerita Aguilar, chief of the reformation and rehabilitation office; Raymund Peneyra, chief overseer of the Maximum Security Compound; Jomar Coria, NBP South Reformation Coordinator for Education and Training, Maximum Compound; Roy Vivo, COG of the Maximum Security Com-

pound; and Wilfredo Bayona, Deputy Supt., NBP South Maximum Security Compound. The 27 BuCor officials have been charged with grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. Earlier, Senator Christopher Go, who continues to act as President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman, said the President wanted to relieve all Bucor personnel involved in the GCTA and have those next in rank assume their duties. Hearings on the early release scandal resumed Monday, with BuCor officials agreeing to undergo a lifestyle check and to submit their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth for the last six years, after they were accused of issuing GCTA credits in exchange for money. Staff Sgt. Ramoncito Roque, head of

BuCor’s documents division; Correctional Senior Inspector Maria Belinda Bansil; Corrections Officer 3 Veronica Buño and Fredric Anthony Santos, BuCor legal division chief, all agreed to a request from Senator Risa Hontiveros that they undergo lifestyle checks. Sacked Bucor chief Nicanor Faeldon, meanwhile, urged more witnesses to come forward and testify about what they knew about anomalies at the bureau. “I am also appealing to all the prisoners, if they have experienced these irregularities, those still detained, and those who had been released, do not be afraid because the government will protect you for the truth to come out,” he said. But Senator Richard Gordon said it was possible that Faeldon too might face charges for violating the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act, if it

Dreaded... From A1

Two tabloid workers hurt in arson try By Joel E. Zurbano TWO employees of the Abante News Group were hurt when four masked gunmen attacked its printing plant in Parañaque City and attempted to burn it down early Monday morning, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. The group publishes the tabloids Abante and Tonite. The Presidential Task Force on Media Security has formed a team to help the police identify those behind the attack. PTFoMS Executive Director Joel Egco said he had ordered Lt. Col. Eder Collantes, the Task Force Chief of Investigation, to go to the crime scene for a probe. Egco said he also sent a letter to the National Capital Region Police Office to assist in the investigation. In a report sent by Southern Police District spokesman Supt. Jenny Tecson, the fire struck the single-story Fortunata Building 1 at the Vitalez Compound in Barangay San Isidro. It showed that the building is owned and occupied by Prage Management and is being used as the printing plant of the daily tabloid “Abante Una sa Balita”. Security guard Marivic Furaganan, 44, told investigators that they were receiving delivery printing materials when a group of unidentified masked armed men and wearing helmets appeared. She said the masked men pointed guns at them and shouted “dapa! dapa! nasaan ang baril mo?” She replied “Wala po akong baril.” Furaganan followed the order and lay face down on the floor. She saw the attackers holding a gallon filled with gasoline and poured it into several file of newspapers inside the production area and lit it using long lighters. Abante managing editor Fernando Jadulco called the attack “the first violent act against our group and its facilities since 1987.” It is also believed to be the first attack of its kind on a news outfit in recent history. Contacted by the NUJP, Jadulco said the attackers stormed the printing plant around 2 a.m. “just as we had finished printing.” The masked men poured gasolines on the machines and printing supplies and set those on fire. But the quick response of the Parañaque Fire Station prevented any serious damage to the facility, the NUJP said. With MJ Blancaflor

‘Bato... From A1 charged criminally for failing to release prisoners on time. Guevarra said he “wasn’t aware of the letter until recently,” but later admitted that the request had come from Dela Rosa. He added that no action was taken on the request. Under the Department Order 953, signed in November 2015, an inmate sentenced to reclusion perpetua may not be released without prior approval of the Justice secretary. The Justice secretary must be the final approving authority for the release of an inmate sentenced to life imprisonment. Sacked BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon earlier testified that he did not seek the Justice secretary’s approval when he recently signed a memorandum for the release of prisoners who were serving life sentences for heinous crimes, including convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez and several drug lords. Dela Rosa, who was the police director, also served as BuCor chief from April to October 2018. can be shown that his actions prejudiced the rights of other persons. Gordon said Faeldon was “incompetent and negligent” when he signed the release orders of convicts guilty of heinous crimes, including former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez, who was serving seven life sentences (of 40 years each). Facing the hearing of the Blue Ribbon committee and the justice committee, Faeldon admitted he was not aware of Department Order 953, which required him to seek Department of Justice approval for the release of convicts serving life terms. Faeldon said the bureau’s lawyer had not informed him about the order, so he based his decision to release Sanchez and hundreds of others convicted of heinous crimes on the GCTA law. With Rio N. Araja

News Opposition solons press cash transfer to farmers A GROUP of opposition congressmen is set to file a resolution to amend the Rice Tariffication Law due to the sharp decrease in palay prices it blames on the implementation of that law. Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato said that Department of Agriculture reports indicated palay prices in the Calabarzon area had dipped to as low as P7 to P8 per kilo. Sato pressed the House of Representatives to “move quickly to help our farmers who are in a dire situation. They are gearing up for the worst harvest season in the history of palay production this September and October and we should be able to assist them in their most difficult time.” The farmers, she said, are already reeling from the ill effects of rice tariffication that resulted in lower market price of the commodity but drastically affected their income. Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, secretary general of the Liberal Party, said the moribund political group would push for the adoption of a resolution “to help the executive branch look for more fund sources for direct cash transfer to farmers.” “It is our responsibility as legislators to help our farmers who are potentially in the brink of extinction. The state has failed them over the past decades for not equipping them with enough safeguards for this eventual massive rice importation,” Ramirez-Sato added. The two legislators said that their political party will press for the inclusion of rice farmers in the Pantawid Pamilya Program to help tide them over the hard times. According to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, a decline in rice farmers’ income of 29 percent is projected when the Rice Tariffication Law is implemented. Maricel V. Cruz

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House OKs Du30’s 4 tax reform package T

By Maricel V. Cruz

HE House of Representatives passed on Monday night the fourth package of the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program known as Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act by a 186-6-2 vote. Also on Monday, House approved the proposed bill allowing foreign professionals to get employed. Voting 201-6-7, the House approved the bill allowing the exclusion of the “practice of profession” from the Foreign Investment Negative List, allowing more foreign professionals can be employed in the country. The House in plenary session presided by Deputy Speaker Neptali Gonzales III approved amendments to the Foreign Investments Act or Republic Act 7042 that sets regulations of imported labor among others in companies granted incentives by the government. The bill excludes the “practice of professions” from FINL coverage to attract foreign professionals to the country. The bill also lowers to 15 the minimum number of direct local hires required of foreign investors, from 50. The House passed the tax measure contained in House Bill 307, with the bill’s authors saying the measure complemented Republic Act 10963 or the “Tax Reform for Acceleration

and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act” by making passive income and financial intermediary taxes simpler, fairer, more efficient, and more regionally competitive. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, the main proponent of the bill and chairman of the House committee on ways and means, cited numerous deficiencies as compelling reasons to undertake tax reform in the financial sector. These deficiencies include complicated tax structure, susceptibility to arbitrage, and inequitable distribution of tax burden. “The inclusion of the capital income and financial services in the current administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program provides a window of opportunity to achieve the much-needed reform in the financial sector,” Salceda said in his explanatory note of the bill. The PIFITA particularly aims to: a) provide neutrality in the tax treatment across financial institutions and financial instruments; b) simplify what has become a complex tax system; c) improve equity

across investors and savers; d) minimize arbitrage opportunities; and e) promote capital market development and tax competitiveness within the context of financial globalization, increased mobility, and financial inclusion. According to Department of Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua, the PIFITA would make the country more competitive within the Southeast Asian region. He added the changes would be revenue neutral in the short term, as some tax rates will be lowered while others are raised. “This is the priority mentioned by the President in the SONA and also a priority of Finance Secretary Dominguez because we need to address the issues in the Tax Code,” Chua said. Among the proposals of the PIFITA is the decrease of tax rates on interest income from regular savings and shortterm deposits from the current 20 percent to 15 percent—15 percent being the lowest tax on labor income and within the range relative to other states in the region. Tax rates on interest income from foreign currency deposits and long-term deposits shall both likewise dip to 15 percent. Dividend income shall be fixed at 15 percent except for inter-corporate bonds. Tax rates on proceeds from the sale of listed shares shall be lowered by 0.1 percentage point each year beginning 2020 until 2025, from the current 0.6 percent to 0.1 percent.

House... From A1

ensure the successful implementation of President Duterte’s programs with sustainable and equitable growth that would provide a comfortable life for Filipinos,” said Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules. Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, will sponsor and defend the proposed budget. The opening debates will focus on the general principles and macro assumptions on which the NEP was based, the fiscal performance of the government and the state and directions of the economy. The Ungab panel approved the committee report on the money measure. Also to be discussed this Tuesday are the budgets of the Department of Finance, National Economic and Development Authority and their attached agencies, Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council and other Executive offices such as the National Intelligence Coordinating Council and the National Security Council. Romualdez said the proposed budget would be “pork-less” and would no longer contain lump sums, except for certain appropriations like the calamity and contingency funds. “We are committed to pass a constitutionally compliant national budget. The House leadership will comply with the Supreme Court decisions that outlawed the Priority Development Assistance Fund and the Disbursement Acceleration Program,” Romualdez said. “Definitely, the pork barrel system is a thing of the past. The line-itembudgeting system will be strictly observed to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of public funds,” Romualdez said even as he commended the President’s commitment through acting Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado to ensure an equitable and corruption-free distribution of government resources to further propel the economy. Ungab earlier said the House leadership would pass the 2020 national budget before the first congressional break starting on Oct. 5 after convening its first regular session in July. After the two-week floor debates, the House will use the following week to print the third and final reading copy of the proposed national budget before adjourning on Oct. 4. Romualdez maintained his appeal to his fellow legislators to only speak on their allotted time and ask relevant questions during the budget floor debates to ensure the swift passage of the proposed budget. Romualdez said he was “banking on the professionalism and discipline of my colleagues who will not do any showing off at the expense of the proposed national budget.

COA flags Philippine Coconut Authority By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has flagged the Philippine Coconut Authority for the distribution of P86.652 million worth of fertilizers, and P45.195 million worth of cacao and oil palm seedlings due to lack of proper documentation. In a 2018 audit, state auditors questioned if legitimate beneficiaries had received the farm inputs for them since procedures and requirements under the small holder oil palm development program (SOPDP), Kasaganaan sa Niyugan at Kaunlaran ng Bayan (KAANIB) Enterprise Development Projects (KEDP) intercopping, and Participatory Coconut Planting Program (PCPP) were not complied with. The programs were designed to empower small coconut farmers and farmers’ groups through the extension of government aid and establishment of linkage with the market and oil millers. “There was no assurance that the delivered agricultural inputs in the total amount of P45.195 million were distributed to the bona fide program beneficiaries. Also, the disbursement for the supply of palm oil seedlings …were not supported with the master list of approved farmer-participants who have actually planted the palm oil seedlings [MAFPAPOS],” the report read. The SOPDP required that PCA agriculturists would register prospective program participants in coordination with barangay and municipal officials, while under the PCPP, the participation of palm oil mills and existing cooperatives were encouraged. Among the documents required for evaluation of participants qualification were the original certificate of title, transfer certificates of title, certificate of land transfer, tax declarations, torrens title, homestead patent, letter of consent from the landowner, certificate of stewardship and/or certificate of ancestral domain title.

Napoles, Jinggoy plunder trial rescheduled

be a “suicide bomb attack’’ at a military camp in Sulu. Maj. Arvin John Encinas, Westmincom spokesman, said the incident, which happened around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, resulted in the death of the female bomber. Suicide attacks were once very rare in the Philippines, but since July 2018 there have been four, including the latest explosion on Jolo on Sunday. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for all three previous suicide attacks, which experts have previously told AFP is a worrying escalation of extremism in the Philippines under the group’s inﬂuence. According to a military statement, the attacker on Sunday was “foreign looking”, wore an abaya gown and appeared to be a woman. However, authorities had not

conﬁrmed the attacker’s gender. No group has yet claimed the attack, which came a day after an IS-claimed bombing wounded eight at a market on the island of Mindanao. Separatist groups in the Christianmajority nation’s south have waged decades-long insurgencies that have killed thousands. This weekend’s attacks cast a shadow over a step toward a measure of peace in the region. The largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, began to lay down its weapons on Saturday. While the MILF has brokered peace with the government, other more extreme factions like jihadist group Abu Sayyaf continue to stage deadly attacks. AFP, with Francisco Tuyay and PNA

THE Sandiganbayan has rescheduled to Oct. 7 the hearing of the plunder case against convicted pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and former Senator Jinggoy Estrada. During the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division’s hearing, the court suspended the hearing pending the resolution on the motion for reconsideration filed by both parties. Last June 14, the court decided to conduct a full trial of the plunder case against Napoles and Estrada after it denied their separate motions for leave of court to file a demurrer to evidence; that, if granted, will result in his acquittal without him having to file counter-evidence to that filed by the Ombudsman in filing the case. The Sandiganbayan then ruled that the Ombudsman’s evidence was strong enough to warrant the holding of the full trial of the case involving alleged misuse of P183 million of the former senator’s Priority Development Assistance Fund. In his motion, Estrada said the Ombudsman failed to prove that he allegedly misappropriated his P183-million Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, to the fake non-government organizations of Napoles. Maricel V. Cruz

companies keep count of how many patients die in traffic each year, officials said, but emergency medical workers in the city have many horror stories. Laylo says one patient died inside his ambulance after heavy traffic on a narrow road added 10 minutes to the journey from the patient’s home to the hospital. “It was about 5.7 kilometers. Normally it would take us less than five minutes, but it took us 15 minutes that time,” Laylo explained. “When you’re trying to save a person’s life, that is very slow,” he said, still upset by the 2017 incident. Images of ambulances stalled in unmoving traffic jams have sparked outrage on social media in the Philippines. One of the most notorious examples— which has been viewed over 3.2 million times online—was filmed by a woman shocked that cars wouldn’t or couldn’t give way to the ambulance carrying her mother. “I was very angry. I was worried too because we couldn’t do anything about the vehicles blocking our lane,” the woman, Jing Zamora, told AFP. The trip took hours, when it should have taken minutes. Zamora’s mother, who suffered a stroke, survived the trip

to the hospital but died there a week later. A swift medical response is key to recovery, according to the American Stroke Association. Ofﬁcials like Aldo Mayor, public safety chief of the Metro Manila Development Authority, put at least part of the blame on other road users. “Some people simply do not care. It is as if they are the only residents of this world,” said Mayor, whose government agency manages the capital’s chaotic trafﬁc. He added that Manila ordinances concerning emergency vehicles, including a 2017 regulation that reserves one lane for them, are rarely enforced due to personnel constraints. ‘Ambulances cannot levitate’ These problems come as Manila’s population has roughly doubled since 1985 and its infrastructure has not kept up. Its limited system of commuter rail is augmented by jeepney mini-buses and millions of cars. The nation’s thicket of bureaucracy and deep rooted corruption have stalled or blocked efforts to build new roads, bridges and public transit. President Rodrigo Duterte pledged to unblock the capital’s choking gridlock,

but halfway through his term the city’s main thoroughfare, EDSA, remains a parking lot at rush hour. The sheer number of cars on the roads is a major factor in whether ambulances can get their patients to hospital quickly, said Vernon Sarne, a long-time automotive journalist. “Even when you want to give way, but the motorway is full, what can we do? The ambulance cannot levitate,” he told AFP. However Sarne noted that drivers have become cynical, thinking ambulances might be using their lights and sirens just to cut through the trafﬁc for nonemergencies. “As a motoring public we are jaded to the fact that everyone is taking advantage of us,” he said, adding some politicians use emergency vehicles escorts to avoid the gridlock. Yet ambulance operators in Manila hope public shaming on social media, like Zamora’s viral video, can help. “Because of social media, we found more and more people are giving way, giving [us] the beneﬁt of the doubt,” Michael Deakin, the head of one of the nation’s largest ambulance companies told AFP. AFP

ASEAN ALLIES. Visiting Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob (left) shakes hands with President Rodrigo Duterte after signing the guest book at Malacañang on Monday. Yacob is in the Philippines for a five-day state visit. AFP

Suicide... From A1

Detachment of the 35th Infantry Battalion in Tagbak village in Indanan town around 5:48 p.m. on Sunday. In General Santos City, authorities raised the security alert following the bomb attacks over the weekend at the public market in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat and in a military camp in Indanan, Sulu. Col. Eduardo Gubat, commander of the Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan, said Monday they beefed up the security measures in various public places and in all entry and exit points of the city. In Zamboanga City, an ofﬁcial said an alert sentinel thwarted what appeared to

Patients... From A1

Driver Adriel Aragon is still haunted after losing a critically ill patient when it took 40 minutes to reach the hospital— the journey should have taken half that time. “No matter how hard we honk, even if we use our siren, if the vehicles are not moving it doesn’t matter,” he said. “That’s what happened that time,” Aragon added of the 2014 tragedy. Five minutes before they reached the hospital the woman’s pulse disappeared. She was pronounced dead after they wheeled her into the emergency room. At peak hours, the main arteries of Manila are clogged with idling cars—a 25-kilometer (16-mile) end to end drive through the main highway can take as long as three hours. Home to some 13 million, there is nearly one vehicle registered per person. The resulting gridlock costs the city $67 million daily in lost productivity, according to a 2017 Japanese government-funded study. Life or death Neither the government nor ambulance

Opinion

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

47 years of the 365 Club ON September 21, as the nation commemorates the 47th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, we at the 365 Club will also celebrate our 47th birthday. It’s a gathering of professionals, media people, businessmen and politicians. September 21 is an important date for me because it was the day six of us—Nemesio Yabut, Teodoro Valencia, Pat Dayrit, Joe Viterbo, Biding Sibug and myself—founded the 365 Club.

We have lasted this long without being formally organized. Mar When Marcos proclaimed Martial Law, I got a call from the chief of security of Channel 9 who said: “Sir, na-martial law na tayo!” Channel 9 was closed with a large poster announcing that day’s development. I was then at home in PhilamLife. So I rushed to Channel 9. When I arrived, I saw my colleagues gathered in the area. Channel 9 was at that time owned and operated by Bobby Benedicto, a Marcos crony. I learned Benedicto was at Savoy Hotel nearby. At around 6am, I decided to go home. But first I knew I had to have some coffee. I entered the famous Jeepney cof-

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

fee shop at Hotel Intercontinental. There were Yabut, Valencia, Dayrit, Viterbo and Sibug. Yabut’s bodyguards were also seated at a nearby table with a big duffel bag. Yabut later on said he was ready to be picked up by soldiers. Two weeks before, Delfin Cueto and a friend of Marcos, was killed, and Yabut was being blamed for it. Then Ka Doroy told me that I should notify all members of the media to gather at the hotel to have breakfast—and that Yabut would pay for everything. The Makati mayor simply smiled. I started calling my media colleagues. That started the 365 Club—the idea was for all media people to meet 365 days a year for breakfast. After a month or so, Yabut told me that his comptroller was comcom plaining. Not only did media mem members take breakfast religiously there. They also took lunch—and brought their families along! On one occasion, Ka Doroy said everybody had to foot his own bill. Western media have taken note of the 365 Club, described as “one of its kind in Asia, and perhaps the world, since people gathered there despite the Club’s lack of formal organization.” The 365 Club continued to exist during martial law and beyond. We had notable personalities in regular attendance: Renato Constantino, Blas Ople, Jose Rono, Max Soliven, Louie Beltran, Art Borjal, members of the Supreme Court, and retired politicians, ambassadors, judges, press secretaries. We still have former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, after we adopted him as honorary chairman.

Dig deeper

OW that former Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon has been sacked as a result of the Good Conduct Time Allowance controversy, should the public’s collective anger be appeased?

Certainly not. Foremost, President Rodrigo Duterte has again expressed his trust and confidence in Faeldon despite everything that has happened. We find this both shocking and intriguing. What spectacular luck for a man to continue to enjoy the President’s good favor after a series of failures, first at the Bureau of Customs with P6.4 billion worth of crystal meth finding its way into the streets, and then again at the Bureau of Customs where the sentences of nearly 2,000 convicts of heinous crimes were adjusted to reflect “good conduct,” which enabled them to walk free. Second, the problem is bigger than Faeldon. The absurd and apparently anomalous implementation of the law has been going on since its passage in 2013. How many other prison chiefs and other officials have been in-

volved, either through direct involvement or fantastical cluelessness? Third, and this is the biggest challenge for Mr. Duterte, one of the former chiefs of the bureau is a man loyal to him and who helped implement his war against illegal drugs— through whatever means. Ronald dela Rosa was rewarded through Mr. Duterte’s endorsement and personal campaign efforts in last May’s election—he is now a senator. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra revealed that Dela Rosa, when he assumed his BuCor post, wrote to seek authority to release inmates with lapsed sentences including those sentenced to life imprisonment, or 40 years. Under department rules, inmates with expired sentences may be released with just the BuCor’s approval. The cases of those given life sentences, however, still require the

DOJ’s approval. Guevarra said the agency did not act on Dela Rosa’s request. Dela Rosa served as BuCor chief from April to October last year. Despite his abbreviated stint, he also approved the release of some 120 individuals convicted of heinous crimes. This is the same controversy that shed light on the issue in the first place. We could imagine Dela Rosa employing his usual histrionics and crying that people are out to disrespect or malign him. But the President, if he really intends to be perceived as serious in his fight against corruption, must pose no barriers to getting to the root of this well-oiled, entrenched anomaly existing in the very place meant to reform and rehabilitate hardened criminals. Officials should be held accountable for their actions not only in their present posts but in all other posts they held prior to where they are, no matter how they got there, and no matter who helped them get there.

Turn to A5

Light in the dark A PASSAGE from Rebecca Solnit’s wonderful book Hope in the Dark (which inspired the title of this column) came to mind as I started writing about the Traditional University Awards the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) will bestow on five men and two women today: “Causeand-effect assumes history marches forward, but history is not an army. It is a crab scuttling sideways, a drip of soft water wearing away stone, an earthquake breaking centuries of tension. Sometimes one person inspires a movement, or her words do decades later, sometimes a few passionate people change the world; sometimes they start a mass movement and millions do; sometimes those millions are stirred by the same outrage or the same ideal, and change comes upon us like a change of weather. All that these transformations have in common is that they begin in the imagination, in hope.” These are not easy times for the country and the world. The climate emergency, the rise of despotism, the death of truth, the triumph of corruption, and other clouds have plunged us into darkness. But there is light in the dark. Because history is in fact not an army that marches forward or backwards. Because there are people who imagine and hope. This we see in the lives of the latest Ateneo awardees: Yohei Sasakawa, philanthropist; Say Tetangco, banker; Bishop Ambo David, shepherd of Caloocan; Gloria Laureana Rosales, educator; Danny Dalena, visual artist; Boy De La Peña, government official; and Karen Tañada, peace worker. I know four of the awardees quite well. Bishop David was a couple of years ahead of me in Ateneo de Manila University; today we sometimes speak in the same forums on Du-

terte’s war against illegal drugs. Mrs. Rosales was a friend of my mother in Cagayan de Oro and I had frequent interactions with her. Secretary De La Peña is a long-time colleague from the University of the Philippines and we have collaborated together in my roles as former Dean of the Ateneo School of Government and former Executive Director of the Manila Observatory. I also had the honor of chairing the Government Service Award Committee that recommended De La Peña for this award to the ADMU Board of Trustees. Finally, Karen has been a good friend for decades, working together on peace issues. Because of this, I was asked to write the citation that will be read when the Award is conferred on Karen this afternoon.

Let’s be inspired to do the same. I do not know Sasakawa, Tetangco, and Dalena personally but I know of their work. They definitely deserve these awards. Look at how the Ateneo de Manila describes these beacons of hope: Sasakawa will be conferred the Doctor of Humanities Award, honoris causa. He is the World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and the Government of Japan’s Goodwill Ambassador for the Human Rights of Persons Affected by Leprosy. Indeed, he has devoted more than forty years of his life to the elimination of leprosy in the world as well as the discrimination that leprosy patients endure even after they are cured. ADMU highlights that among the beneficiaries of our awardee’s humanitarian work was the Philippines’ former leper colony in Culion, Palawan. Amando M. Tetangco Jr. will be honored with the Lux in Domino Turn to A5

Rice tariffication responds to supply issues SHOULD the six-month-old Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) be given the chance to work to address rice supply issues in the country? Yes, according to our economic managers and lawmakers who crafted the law. The law provides for the establishment of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which will funnel P10 billion annually to the rice sector in the next six years. The RCEF is allocated for the procurement of farm machinery and equipment; rice development, propagation and promotion; and expanded rice credit and extension services. The law also aims to protect local farmers from the entry of more imported rice into the country through the imposition of a 35-percent tariff on rice coming from member-coun-

While the law certainly has birth pangs, it would help farmers become more competitive over time and also lower inflation rates. tries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) such as Thailand and Vietnam. “Under the law, the mandatory review of P10-billion rice competitiveness enhancement funds would only be conducted by both Congress on the sixth year or year 2025,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said, brushing aside the suggestions of food security advocates and consumers groups to repeal the law. As a safety net, the law also grants the President the power to increase, reduce, revise or adjust existing tariff

rates to protect Filipino farmers. Review of the RTL is not needed at this point, according to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who noted the significant improvement in rice prices in the market since it came into effect. “We should let the rice liberalization law, which is three decades late, do its work and give the economy time to adjust for the further easing of rice prices for more than 100 million Filipinos,” Dominguez said. He cited the law as one of the most important legislative achievements of the 17th Congress and the Duterte administration. Agriculture Secretary William Dar conceded that although the RTL had “birth pangs,” he believes it would help farmers become more competitive over time and also lower inflation rates. Dar explained that prices had already been dropping even before Duterte signed the RTL on Feb. 14 this year. He also admitted that the assistance from RCEF has yet to benefit local farmers Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

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

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

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

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

General’s son preys on girl DAY in and day out, we witness how victims of crime are victimized anew in the corrupted justice system. I cite as an example this rape case that reached our attention last weekend. The victim was 11 years old when she was first sexually attacked by her neighbor, a 29-yea-old son of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) general in Villamor Air Base. She was too scared and too ashamed to tell anybody as her ordeal went on for two years. Finally, the victim was rescued by the authorities last May 15 at the Sheraton Hotel in Pasay City after her parents sought the help of the Pasay City Police Women and Children’s Desk. Now aged 13, the girl recounted in her written testimony how the predator violated her virginity and satisfied his most evil desires. According to P/Capt. Lisa Sayno, the suspect whom we shall call “Cris” befriended the girl at the community playground on Bautista

Light... From A4

Award, the highest honor the Ateneo de Manila confers on its alumni. He is the only governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to serve, with untarnished integrity, two six-year terms. An ADMU AB Economics 1973) graduate, our awardee has garnered multiple international awards for his management of the country’s financial system. His work has contributed to the country’s economic stability and growth. He is also being honored for his leadership in making the monetary and banking system more inclusive, benefiting not just the rich but also other segments of society. Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David, Bishop of the Diocese of Caloocan, is being recognized with the Bukas Palad Award, conferred on and religious and church personalities and/or organizations for their outstanding work in proclaiming the faith. A theologian and bible exegete with a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of Louvain, Bishop Ambo’s pastoral ministry, first as Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga in 2006–2015 then as Bishop of Kalookan, has been marked by compassion and love for the poor and others in the fringes of society. The University highlights his courage in speaking out against the evil of injustice and violence perpetrated against fellow Filipinos, in particular the extrajudicial killings being inflicted in the war against illegal drugs. David is truly an ambassador for Christ, a shepherd to his flock and a church minister of reconciliation, the bearer of the Good News of God’s infinite love, mercy and compassion.

Rice... From A4

since the money had just been collected by the BOC last month. Farmers’ groups had lamented that rice tariffication has been disadvantageous to them because retailers chose to purchase cheaper rice imports instead of rice from local producers. However, Senator Cynthia Villar, the principal author of RA 11203, disputed their claim, pointing out that the law serves as the final compliance by the Philippines with its commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Philippine membership in WTO in the past 24 years aimed to counter the impact of the expected influx of cheap rice imports. Under RA 11203 which amends RA 8178 or the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996, rice imports will be charged corresponding tariffs instead of limiting the amount of rice

Street, Villamor, Pasay City. After gaining the trust of the girl, “Cris” invited her to play video games at his house nearby where the first rape took place. Sayno said the medico-legal findings prove that the girl was sexually abused. Investigators said the medicolegal report is solid evidence. A closed-circuit television recording also showed the suspect and the minor victim checking in at a hotel and taking the elevator to a room on the eighth f loor. Despite the strong case against the general’s son, the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office has not elevated the complaint to the courts. Almost four months have passed. We respectfully call on the Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to kindly look into this matter at the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office. We smell something fishy going on. The aggrieved parents of the victim also intend to file a complaint against the management of the hotel for allowing the occurrence of crime involving a victim of minor age. According to the victim’s mother, she and her soldier-husband literally pleaded with the hotel staff to

For the Ozanam Award, conferred on lay people who are exemplars of the faith, ADMU has chosen posthumously Gloria Laureana Rosales, founder of Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro. By establishing seven schools, one in Luzon and six in Mindanao, Rosales left an invaluable legacy of education to Mindanao. Before her death in 2009, Rosales was well known for her philanthropy. Her support of marginalized groups such as working students, Muslim women, rural villagers, drug users, unwed mothers and street children, as well as men and women of faith regardless of religious belief, reflect a life deeply rooted in love for God and His people. Recognizing the role of art and culture in our society, the University confers the Gawad Tanghal ng Lahi to deserving artists and cultural workers. This year, ADMU is conferring this award on Mr Danny Dalena, a visual artist who worked as a political cartoonist for the Free Press and Asia Philippine Leader after graduating from the University of Santo Tomas in 1965. Mr Dalena uses his art to depict the social realities of his time and environment. Influenced both by social realism and impressionism, Mr. Dalena’s paintings, drawings and sculpture depict everyday scenes in Quiapo, Cubao and Pakil, in the jai-alai, beer houses and churches. Through his art, he draws attention to what is often considered peripheral and ordinary in our society and makes them central and extraordinary. The University’s Government Service Award this year will be conferred Secretary Fortunato de la Peña. Secretary Boy, as we call him, started his career in the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in 1982 while also teaching at the

that enter the country,. The law was crafted to provide for a more focused function for the National Food Authority (NFA), which is to buy palay from local farmers only. The senator also lamented the attempts by certain quarters to discredit the rice tariffication law. “It is unfortunate that some groups are claiming that the rice tariffication bill which we have scrutinized and carefully studied in the Senate will not be beneficial to farmers. On the contrary, it includes a package of support programs that will help farmers adjust to competition under a tariffied regime,” she said. “As Filipinos continue to struggle with inflation, the government has found ways to temper rising inflation and one of this is the full implementation of RTL for the next six years,” Villar said. She added that these agriculture stakeholders and farmers cooperatives should coordinate with her office and

contact their daughter who was being held by the suspect in the room before they sought police assistance. P/Capt. Sayno agreed that the hotel was too negligent in allowing “Cris” to bring in a minor companion without verifying their identities and relationship. Although the hotel management has cooperated with the police investigation, the establishment is clearly still accountable for the perpetration of the crime involving a minor victim for false imprisonment and abetting statutory rape. ACT-CIS Cong. Eric Yap is set to file within the week a House bill making business and commercial establishments liable for crimes occurring within their premises despite advance warning or knowledge based on reliable information or tip. Rep. Yap said he was disappointed upon learning that the hotel did not heed the victim’s parents’ pleas to rescue their daughter and take her home. I tried to get the side of the story of this rape suspect at his home but their household staff said he was not available for comment. I hope he is not out on the street lurking for would-be child victims.

University of the Philippines-Diliman. He served both institutions in various capacities before he was appointed Secretary of DOST in 2016, as well as other national and international science and technology organizations. He is an advocate of research, e-governance and digital access to government services. He is a respected science administrator and is one of the frontrunners of the National Science and Technology Plan 2002–2020, which set the national policy framework and direction of science and technology in the country. Finally, ADMU will be awarding Karen Tañada with the Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan or the Public Service Award, honoring a lifetime of working for peace, a steadfast commitment for social justice and for women’s rights, and passionate love for the country. Karen comes from a lineage of heroes and heroines. But while recognizing the Tañada legacy of nationalism, leadership, and public service, it is Karen’s unstinting and unceasing work in peace building and the advancement of women’s issues that has defined her career and commitment in social development and public service that the University recognizes and honors with this Award. In Hope in the Dark, Rebecca Solnit concludes: “Hope just means another world might be possible, not promise, not guaranteed. Hope calls for action; action is impossible without hope.” Sasakawa, Tetangco, David, Rosales, Dalena, De La Peña, and Tañada has acted in hope and except for Rosales who watches us from the heavens, continue to do so. Let’s be inspired to do the same. Facebook Page: Professor Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

assist them in asking the Department of Budget and Management to immediately release the P10-billion RCEF allocations intended for government agencies implementing the law. As of July 15, the Bureau of Customs had already collected P6.5 billion in duties from rice imports by private traders following the implementation of RTL in March this year. However, for unknown reasons, the DBM has refused to remit the amount. Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, a co-author of the rice bill, said the RTL will not only liberalize imports of the staple but also benefit consumers as it will broaden access of Filipinos to cheap rice. This, he said, would “prevent a repeat of the 2018 inflation surge brought in large part by the supply shortfall and the subsequent increase in retail prices of rice.” We agree completely. ernhil@yahoo.com

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BRICS: Good economics, bad geopolitics fires, which have gone beyond Brazil and moved to Bolivia and Paraguay, have caused alarm and outrage all over the world, considering the impact of the Amazon forest’s destruction on the world’s WHEN its Group of Eight part- climate. ners (US, Japan, Germany, UK, The erstwhile No. 1 adversary France, Canada and Italy) threw it of the US, Russia is clearly the out of G8 because of its seizure of primus inter pares of BRICS beUkraine’s Crimea peninsula, Rus- cause of its huge nuclear arsenal sia was left with membership in and its historic role as the leader the Group of 20 only. Some world- of the international communist famous economists and analysts movement. In recent years it has thought that a country as large figured prominently in the news and as economically powerful as media for two things, to wit, its Russia deserved verified interference to be a member in the 2016 of a small and That sums up the US election more exclusive i n t e r n a t i o n a l state of this group. and, as eargroup. One of lier stated, its seizure of them thought of the Crimea bringing Russia together with four or five more peninsula from former Soviet rere economically powerful countries public Ukraine. Russia’s principal to create a group less glamorous economic role in Europe is its bethan G7 but more select than G20. ing the largest supplier of natural Thus was BRICS born. The new gas to Germany, Sweden and othgroup brought together Russia and er European countries. President the largest Latin American econ- Vladimir Putin’s undeclared but omy (Brazil), Asia’s third largest obvious desire to restore Russia to economy (India), the world’s sec- its former superpower status has ond biggest economy (China) and created, and continues to create, Africa’s largest economy (South problems for the world, especially Africa). Put together, the first its “near abroad’”neighbors. The letters of those countries’ names Russian economy has been hit by spelled BRICS. Obviously, the G7 economic and financial sanccombined GDP (gross domestic tions because of Putin’s Crimea products) of the BRICS countries action. accounts for a large percentage of Apart from the worldwide cothe world economy. That percent- ordination of his administraage is close to 30. tion’s clear-the-forest-for-family Not only are the BRICS Five program, Brazilia president Jair key players on the world eco- Bolsonaro, who led his right-wing nomic stage; they are also major party to victory in the 2018 elecfigures in the world geopolitical tion, faces strong opposition from scene. They are geopolitical heav- the workers’ party of jailed presiyweights. Decisions taken by the dents Luiz Lula da Silva and Vilgovernments in Moscow, Beijing, ma Rousseff. Recognized primarNew Delhi, Brasilia and Pretoria ily for its agricultural exports—it have important repercussions in remains the world’s No. 1 coffee world politics and are taken seri- producer—Brazil has over the ously in the chancelleries of other years managed to develop a recountries; including the members spectable manufacturing sector, of G7. including the manufacture of airOf the BRICS Five, the coun- craft. tries that are dominantly the Occupying its southernmost headlines these days are China portion, South Africa—formerly and Brazil—China because of the Union of South Africa—ranks its ongoing trade war with the alongside Nigeria and Egypt as world’s most powerful country the African continent’s three most and Brazil because of the raging powerful countries. The apartheid wildfires that are threatening to regime that was swept aside in the destroy what have been called the 1994 election left South Africa lungs of the world. The highly with a well-developed, diversified adversarial position taken by the economy. South Africa’s wines administration of President Don- are as well known as its industrial ald Trump against the US-China equipment in other countries and trade relationship—the US Chief the rand is one of Africa’s more Executive has spoken of decades stable currencies. Post-Nelson of uncorrected Chinese trade Mandela corruption threatened to misconduct—has taken a heavy disrupt the political stability and toll on world commerce, causing economic growth left behind by losses of jobs, incomes and con- South Africa’s iconic leader, but sumer benefits across the globe. the nation has been placed back The trade war between the world’s on tract by the 2017 ouster of Jatwo largest economies, which has cob Zuma from the presidential involved tit-for-tat tariff increases residence. of up to 30 percent on billions Good economics but bad geoof dollars’ worth of bilateral im- politics: that best sums up the ports, shows no signs of being sat- state of the five-country group isfactorily settled anytime soon. that goes by the imaginative acroThe Amazon rainforest brush- nym BRICS.

47 years... From A4

still trusted Faeldon, even saying he was an “upright man,” I asked myself: What’s happening here? I thought he was intent on stamping out corruption? I agree with Senator Richard Gordon that Mr. Duterte must be careful about what he says about Faeldon. Even if Faeldon was not involved in the shenanigans at the bureau, he would still be accountable for incompetence and negligence. I find it impossible that Faeldon, in his nine-month incumbency, was not aware of what was going on. The credibility of the President has been compromised with his propensity for recycling erring officials. The most tragic thing about this is the lack of outrage among the people.

Businessman-sportsman Alfonso Reyno is the new chairman. I decided to just be chairman emeritus. I find it amazing that the Club has lasted this long without a formal organization. It is still a gathering of friends who update themselves on latest developments and share their views and opinion with each other. *** When President Duterte fired Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon, I wanted to commend him (Duterte) for listening to the universal outrage of the people who were against the release of Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez. It would have been a travesty of justice! But when Mr. Duterte said he www.emiljurado.weebly.com

News

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Manila Bay cleanup yields 3.8k tons of garbage THE Manila Bay cleanup campaign initiated by the Metro Manila Development Authority yielded 3,810 tons of garbage, water hyacinth and silt since the government started its rehabilitation program. In the MMDA’s Manila Bay rehabilitation report, collected from Jan. 7 to Aug. 31 were:—2,639 cubic meters/749.72 tons of garbage from Manila Baywalk and other tributaries; 2,594.34 cubic meters/737.12 tons of garbage and water hyacinth removed from Baseco beach area, lagoon, and aplaya; 3,174.5 cubic meters/901.85 tons of water hyacinth/garbage from Pasig River and San Juan River area, and 5,005.5 cubic meters/1,422.17 tons of silt from esteros and drainage laterals discharging to Manila Bay MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said they expect to collect more garbage as piles of trash ﬂoat at the Manila Bay brought by heavy rains these past few days. “Garbage has accumulated in Manila Bay after the heavy rains but the rehabilitation of Manila Bay never stops. We are inviting more volunteers to help in our clean-up drive held every Saturday in the Baywalk and Baseco areas,” said Lim. Majority of collected from the bay were bamboo poles and driftwood which had been carried by currents from nearby ﬁsh pens, water hyacinths, plastics, household waste, and sorts of garbage thrown indiscriminately into esteros and creeks. Aside from hauling garbage, agency workers are focusing on cleaning major drainages, including Estero San Antonio de Abad, Tripa de Gallina, Padre Faura Drainage Main, Remedios Drainage Main, to prevent garbage and silt from polluting the bay. “The government has still has a long way to go in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay but we are on the right track towards restoring the beauty and improve Manila Bay’s quality of water,” said Lim. The Manila Bay rehabilitation program is spearheaded by the Department of Environment, and National Resources, with MMDA, various government agencies, local government units, private groups, environmentalists and volunteers. The Manila Bay cleanup organized by the MMDA had registered 18,457 volunteers who joined the incessant clean-up activities in Manila Baywalk and Baseco area from January to August, this year. Joel E. Zurbano

More passengers carry guns at NAIA By Joel E. Zurbano

ORE air travelers are carrying guns, bullets and other deadly weapons at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport despite the ban and numerous warnings about the risk of bringing in or carrying such prohibited items. The latest apprehensions at the airport happened Monday morning when two departing passengers were caught—one carrying a .22-cal. pistol and one magazine loaded with six bullets, and another with a revolver, in Terminals 1 and 2. Members of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group immediately placed the 74-year-old Leandro Gatdula under arrest and interrogated him at their ofﬁce in NAIA Terminal 1 after the incident. Investigation showed that Gatdula, a resident of California, USA, was at the initial screening check when airport inspectors found the prohibited items inside his luggage. It also showed that the passenger was scheduled to travel via Asiana Airline ﬂight OZ 702 bound for Incheon, South Korea when he was intercepted by the authorities.

SPECIAL MEETING. House Majority Leader and Committee on Rules Chairman Rep. Martin Romualdez (right) presides over the special meeting with members of the committee on Rules to discuss the order of business at the plenary on the budget deliberation Tuesday Sept. 10. Ver Noveno

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF MANDALUYONG CITY PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK Mortgagee, -versus-

“The Avsegroup had Gatdula to undergo further investigation following protocol for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act,” said an officer of the Manila International Airport Authority-Media Affairs Division. Another passenger, Jason Tobias, 34, who was about to board Philippine Airlines flight PR 658 bound to Dubai, was arrested after he was caught for carrying a revolver at the initial screening check at North Wing Terminal 2 of NAIA. Four months ago, airport personnel also arrested Deogracias Pulmano caught in possession of a grenade at the initial screening area of NAIA Terminal 2. Pulmano was scheduled to travel via Philippine Airlines flight PR-2819 bound for Davao when members of the Office

for Transportation Security found the MK2 fragmentation grenade inside his backpack bag. MIAA General Manager Eddie Monreal has been reminding air travelers about the danger of bringing in or carrying firearms and explosives at the airport. He urged the people not to bring firearms, explosives, ammunition, amulet and other prohibited items when traveling to avoid flight delays. The airport authority chief also reminded travelers to secure documents, particularly a permit to transport from the Philippine National Police, when bringing guns and ammunition during their trips. The Firearms and Explosives Office of the PNP is the police unit handling clearances for passengers who wish to bring guns and ammunition when traveling. The FEO will issue the passenger’s Permit to Transport, the basic requirement for a passenger to be allowed to bring a gun in-flight. The said office also issues other related documents depending on the purpose of transport such as a License to Operate, Importation Permit, Authorization to Export, and a Certificate of Balance. On the date of departure, coordination will be made by the FEO with the Avsegroup firearm facilitator deployed to the airport.

FRE-MC19-1153 EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER ACT 3135 AS AMENDED BY 4118

SPS. CRISANTO R. NICOLAS AND VIRGINIA N. NICOLAS, Borrowers/Mortgagors. both represented by MARIA CLARISSA SANGALANG as attorney-in-fact. x-----------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE

Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK Mortgagee, against SPS. CRISANTO R. NICOLAS & VIRGINIA N, NICOLAS, Borrowers/Mortgagors, with postal addresses at 2706 Soho Central Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City, both represented by MARIA CLARISSA SANGALANG, as attorney-in-fact with the given address at 46 Agueda St., Vista Verde Executive Village, Cainta Rizal, to satisfy the mortgaged indebtedness which as of August 5, 2019 amounts to ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE PESOS & 77/100 (Php 1,561,345.77) ONLY. Philippine Currency, plus accruing interest, penalty and other charges, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of Mandaluyong City or his duly authorized deputy will sell at PUBLIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH OR MANAGERS CHECK and in Philippine Currency on the 2nd day of October 2019 at 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter in front of the main entrance of the Hall of Justice Building, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, the following condominium unit with all the improvements existing thereon to wit: CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE No. 008-2011000458 Registry of Deeds for Mandaluyong City IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that unit identified and described as: CONDOMINIUM UNIT NO. 2706, LOCATED AT THE TWENTY SEVENT FLOOR OF SOHO CENTRAL CONDOMINIUM, WITH AN AREA OF 43.11 SQ.M.,MORE OR LESS; in the diagrammatic floor plan appended to the enabling or master deed of the condominium project annotated on which embraces and describes the land located at MANDALUYONG CITY with an area of (TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY TWO (2,962), Square Meter, is registered in the name of: Owner: SPS. CRISANTO R. NICOLAS AND VIRGINIA N. NICOLAS, AMERICAN CITIZENS, BOTH OF LEGAL AGE Address: NO. 29030 EASTON LANE, HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA 92346 U.S.A. “All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date.” “In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on October 14, 2019 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter without further notice Prospective bidders or buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the said real properties and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be. Mandaluyong City, Philippines, August 23, 2018. (Sgd.) ATTY. ERWIN N. BARATA Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Sheriff (Sgd.) HELDER A. DYANGCO Sheriff IV WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of Auction Sale under penalty of the law. Copy furnished: Sps. Crisanto R. Nicolas and Virginia N. Nicolas 2706 Soho Central Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City Maria Clarissa Sangalang 46 Agueda St., Vista Verde Executive Village, Cainta Rizal Chuanico Salgado Gordove & Associates 4th Floor PSBank Center, 777 Paseo de Roxas corner Sedeno St., Makati City (MStandard- Sep. 3, 10 & 17, 2019)

Iglesia Ni Cristo posts another world record THE Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) is again declared “officially amazing” as it set another new Guinness world record, this time for the “Most People Baptized” on Sept. 7. The new record was for the INC Grand Baptism held at the Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue, Bulacan. Adjudicators from Guinness officially declared the record set after it verified that at least 18, 272 individuals had been baptized in the historic event. Guinness adjudicator Joanne Marie Brent announced the new record set by the INC. “I can now confirm that for the most people baptized, you have set a new Guinness world record total with 18,272,” Brent said. “Congratulations! You are officially amazing! You have set a new Guinness World Record,” she added. After the announcement, Brother Glicerio Santos Jr., General Auditor of the INC said, "We return all glory to the Lord." An early morning special worship gathering officiated by Brother Eduardo Manalo, Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo preceded the baptism. During the worship service held at the Philippine Arena, the baptismal candidates were urged to make a solemn decision to lead lives of holiness and obedience to God. After this, the participants were led to any of the 36 baptismal pools specially prepared for the occasion. There were four Guinness adjudicators

who came to the event: Joanne Marie Brent and Pravin Jasmaibhai from the United Kingdom; Solvej Mary Malou from Australia and Soﬁa Eleonora Greenacre from Sweden. Independent witnesses were also on hand to observe the proceedings. The auditing ﬁrm, Deloitte, helped the

Guinness adjudicators in the event. This baptism at the Ciudad de Victoria was just one of several held in different parts of the world. It coincides with the 10th anniversary of Brother Eduardo Manalo as Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

RECORD-SETTING BAPTISM. Baptismal candidates join in a prayer during

the special worship gathering officiated by Brother Eduardo Manalo, Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo at the Philippine Arena on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan.

Demafelis slay co-accused found guilty THE co-accused in the slaying of Filipina household worker Joanna Demafelis was found guilty of murder by the Syrian District Criminal Court, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported Monday. “The DFA-Ofﬁce of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs reports that the Syrian District Criminal Court found Mouna Ali Hassoun, accused in the Joana Demafelis case, guilty of murder,” it said in a statement. “[The] DFA will continue to provide legal assistance to the family until justice is served,” it added. Hassoun's co-accused Lebanese husband, Nader Essam Assaf, was also

charged with murder in Lebanon. Demafelis was found frozen inside the abandoned apartment of Hassoun and her husband in AlShaab, Kuwait last year. Autopsy showed Demafelis was beaten and tortured repeatedly, and that before she was stored in a freezer, she was already dead. The discovery of her body, believed to have been kept inside the freezer for more than a year, sparked outrage in the country and led to the deployment ban of new Filipino workers to Kuwait. Sought for more details regarding the Syrian Court’s decision, the DFA has yet to respond. PNA

Chinese national, lawyer charged with bribery THE National Capital Region Police Office on Monday formally filed criminal charges against a Chinese national and his lawyer who offered P2-million bribe money in exchange for the release of a sex trafficking suspect in Makati City late last week. Charged with Corruption of Public Official before the Taguig City Prosecutors Office were Huang Xiangfei, 28, a Chinese national from Hunan, China and presently residing at 894 Alvarado Street, Binondo, Manila; and lawyer Joselito Vasquez, 56, of 7109 Anselmo St., Makati City. Police said a messenger named Meljohn Palma, 43, a native of Iloilo City and resident of 16 Kapit-Bisig Street, BF International Village, Las Piñas City, was also included in the charge sheet. The suspects were accused of giving P2-million bribe money to NCRPO Regional Special Operations Unit chief Lt. Col. Rogarth Campo who led the raiding team at a suspected sex den in Makati City last Sept. 6. The three were arrested in an entrapment operation inside Campo’s office at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City around 2 a.m. “Our regional director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar always remind us to respect our uniform. With his leadership he inspires us to do so. On my part, no amount of money from criminals can make me betray the leadership of our director,” said Campo. Eleazar praised Campo. “This shows the real values of the gallant men and women in uniform of NCRPO. These are the kind of policemen that we need, to show our people that we can be trusted and that the majority of policemen are respectable and professional.” Joel E. Zurbano

SC declares PhilHealth ruling as ‘illegal’ THE Supreme Court declared as illegal in its Resolution of July 30, the suspension of Dr. Mario Reyes, a practicing ophthalmologist and former head of the Ophthalmology Department of the Ospital ng Maynila. According to Atty. Saul Hofileña Jr., lawyer for Dr. Reyes. The Supreme Court Resolution was the result of the former PhilHealth Board’s decision to adopt the ruling of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology. Hofileña, quoting the Supreme Court resolution, said that the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology does not determine who may practice medicine, but it’s the government, specifically the Board of Medical Examiners, who makes that determination. There was no proof that Dr. Reyes’ certificate of registration to practice medicine had been suspended or revoked by the Board of Medical Examiners. Thus, without showing such revocation, PhilHealth cannot argue that it imposed the correct period of suspension. The SC resolution said Hofileña, is a stern reminder to PhilHealth not to follow the recommendations of medical organizations blindly since such recommendations may only be the result of enmity or ill-will. Besides, Hofileña continues, the “findings” of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology were made without giving Dr. Mario Reyes the opportunity to explain his side. In other words the entire proceedings was bereft of due process. The Supreme Court ruling is part of a series of setbacks that has plagued the former PhilHealth Board since the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte took over the reins of government.

Former actress, 3 others nabbed in anti-drug sting By Rio n. Araja POLICE arrested former actress Deborah Sun and her 45-year-old daughter, along with two other suspects, in a buy-bust operation in Quezon City. Lt./Col. Jeffrey Bilaro, Quezon City Police District's Station 8 commander, said the 60-year-old Sun, whose real name is Jean Louise Porcuna Salvador; her daughter Angela Salvador, 45; Gerald de Guzman, 53, and Gonzalo Gonzales, 49, all residents of Room 803-A New York Mansion, Cubao in Barangay E. Rodriguez, were nabbed inside their residence on Sunday at 1:30 a.m. He said they received information about the illegal trade involving the suspects, prompting them to coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. The suspects were caught handing over more than one gram of shabu worth P6,800 to a poseur buyer. Sun and the three other suspects are now detained at Station 8 in Project 4. They were charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Sports

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Children’s Games series in full blast DAVAO CITY—The Children’s Games series in Davao region got underway with the recent edition held in Malita, Davao Occidental on Sept, 6 and 7, catering to 250 Muslim, Christian and Lumad participants. The Ate-Kuya leadership training was held on the first day while the Larong Pinoy and alternative games were conducted the following day. Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey, on behalf of the national sports agency led by Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez in his message, thanked the Holy Cross of Malita for hosting the Children’s Games. “Our Chairman loves the children and he wants the children to play. We are determined to continue this program, which went full blast all over the country back in 2017,” he said. Holy Cross of Malita administrator Sister Elizabeth Garrote also thanked the PSC for granting them the hosting of the event, which is a major component of the PSC’s Sports for Peace program. A total of 20 indigenous peoples children also joined the games. PSC Mindanao cluster head Ed R. Fernandez said, “It’s so heartwarming to see them play with each other in the spirit of fun and respect. The work of peace-building starts among the children.” In Davao City, PSC Mindanao and Holy Cross of Davao College, led by its president Dr. Ma. Iris A. Melliza, joined efforts to put up the Sports for Peace Children’s Games held at Lower Tamugan Elementary School. Some 200 children participated in the games. A leadership training for Ate-Kuya volunteers was also held. Activities included the bodots dance, Maria went to town, baloon relay, hula hoops and kadang-kadang. Over in New Bataan, 200 kids had a fun-filled day playing sack race, tug of peace, futbol race, pass the message and bring me on Aug. 23. Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy and Mayor Geraldford Balbin were present during the opening ceremonies. PSC-Mindanao’s Melchor Anzures also spearheaded a futsal clinic to about 60 kids in the afternoon.

Top firms back Highlands Ladies Cup THE W Group and Auto Nation Group return as among the chief backers of the Highlands Ladies Cup, which braces for its grand 14th staging on Oct. 5 at Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club. The W Group, the holding company of one of the country’s top business groups in food ingredient, real estate and investment industries, and Auto Nation Group, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the country, head a mix of supporters as Diamond sponsors of the 18-hole tournament which features some of the country’s top golfing lady executives and corporate bigwigs. Listup is ongoing with fee at at P3,500 for members and P4,500 for non-members, inclusive of green fee, cart, lunch, giveaways and raffle stub. For details, call Midlands Golf Services at 0917-8865226 (members) and Analaine Blas at 0966-713-5199 (non-members). Security Bank is also back as Platinum sponsor, IMG as Gold backer, and PLDT SME, Regent Travel, Sha-Wrap and New Golden City Builders make up the Silver sponsors and Wee Community Developers, Inc., Asia Brewery, SL Agritech Corp., Burlington Socks, H&E, Parola Maritime Agency, Champion, Orocan, Concrete Masters, Kawsek, Inc. and Wenger Watchers head the Bronze list with Erlinda Gamut as one of the donors. Like in all its previous editions, the tournament will have a shotgun start at 8 a.m. with around 200 players expected to see action, according to organizing Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter headed by tournament co-chairs Dionne Cu and Connie Mamaril. Aside from the centerpiece ladies division, other titles to be disputed under the System 36 scoring format are the men’s Classes A, B and C and seniors category. As part of THLC’s social commitment, the tournament also serves as a fund-raiser as part of its proceeds will go to the Sisters of Mary Boys & Girls Town Complex in Silang, Cavite.

Cebuana Lhuillier Girls’ Tennis tilt under way

These kids have fun playing the football race during the Sports for Peace Children’s Games held at Holy Cross of Malita, Davao Occidental on September 7.

Del Rosario paces 33 nd ladies in BWC 2 round V

ETERAN Liza del Rosario finished strong Sunday at Coronado Lanes to chalk up a 10-game series of 2133 pinfalls and pace 33 other lady campaigners into the second round of the five-day Bowling World Cup national finals. Del Rosario shot big games of 245, 223 and 238 to pull ahead of 2017 BWC ladies’ international champion Krizziah Tabora Macatula, who carded 2119 to rank second. Macatula started with a 244 and rolled other big games of 258, 237 and 220 but her 186 in the ninth game enabled Del Rosario to take the lead. Rachelle Leon came in third with 10 games of 1943. In the men’s division, the 34 remaining aspirants from a field of 80 finalists will play another 12 games with

lane changes after each game today at Superbowl with their scores carried over to determine the top eight bowlers who will bid for the national title and the right to represent the Philippines in the BWC international tournament in Palembang, Indonesia on Nov. 16 to 24. The men’s field is led by Merwin Tan, who earned a slot in last year’s BWC international finals in Sam’s Town, Las Vegas, Nevada. Legendary Paeng Nepomuceno, the only four-time men’s international champion so far, checked in behind Tan.

The other remaining lady bowlers and their scores are: Dyan Coronacion, 1938; Danielle Denise Lazo, 1867; Mades Arles, 1846; Alexis Sy, 1840; Farah Onasa, 1785; Pure Anselmo, 1780; Rochelle Munsayac, 1719; Aby Lanuza, 1708; Abbie Gan, 1646; Gina Varilla, 1626; Louise Santarin. 1621; Alyssa dela Rosa, 1615; Liza Pabico, 1599; Nancy Frianeza, 1594; Linda Afos, 1591; Sherry Ann Cruz, 1585; Nida Singson, 1567; Alice Cabazor, 1546; Cita Yumul, 1520; Jo Anne Bonifacio, 1516; Winifred Kilito, 1499; Myls Creencia, 1489; Arlena Bucao, 1475; Josefina Enriquez, 1463; Luzen Escoto, 1460; Yolly Floralde, 1459; Ivy Pagdanganan, 1450; Joanne Santos, 1430; Cindy Edquilane, 1401; Corazon San Gil, 1393; and Mikee Creencia, 1382.

Mendoza maintains grip on solo chess lead BATUMI World Chess Olympiad veteran WIM Shania Mae Mendoza agreed to a draw with WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda to maintain her grip on the solo lead after the ninth round in the 2019 National Women’s Championship-Grand Finals at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence headquarters at Mindanao Ave., Project 6, Quezon City. Looking good following back-toback victories over Rizalyn Jasmine Tejada and WGM Janelle Mae Frayna in the sixth and seventh rounds, Mendoza split the point with Fronda with the disadvantageous black pieces to keeo a slim half pont lead wiith six points. The 21-year-old Far Eastern University student has four wins and four draws with still five rounds remaining in the 13-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, headed by President/ Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay to determine the country’s representatives to the World Chess Olympiad scheduled Aug. 1 to 15, 2020 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. In second to third places with 5.5 points are Fronda and WIM Kylen Joy Mordido, who halved the point with Frayna.

WIM Shania Mae Mendoza (right) against Jan Jodilyn Fronda in Round 8

Bancod... From A8

the 40 other seeded players in the fivegame Swiss System grand finals. Chief Organizer and NCFP Director Martin ‘Binky’ Gaticales expressed delight over the huge number of participants and vowed to organize more tournaments

at Gateway Mall. “This is a very good development for Philippine chess. Napakarami ng sumali and I hope we can do this for a second time soon. Of course, I’d like to thank the Araneta Center for hosting this tournament and also the players for joining,” said Gaticales, who was joined by another NCFP Director, Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe, during the awarding ceremony.

A TOTAL of 16 budding tennis stalwarts coming from various cities nationwide are gearing up for the Cebuana Lhuillier Girls’ Tennis Challenge Under-14 and Under-16 Qualifying Tournament, which will commence on Friday at the Makati Sports Club. The champions for both categories will represent the Philippines in the Women’s Tennis Association Future Stars in China this October. Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier expressed his excitement over the impressive turnout of competitors for this year. “The Cebuana Lhuillier Girls’ Tennis Challenge has seen the talent of many junior tennis players since 2016, it has produced rising tennis stars like Alex Eala who recently made her debut at the US Open. My hope for these young girls is that they prove their mettle through this tournament and give the Philippines something to be proud of in the WTA Future Stars tourney,” Lhuillier said. Competing in the Under-14 category are Alexa Milliam from Bacolod City, Marielle Alexi Jarata from La Union, as well as Tiffany Claire Nocos and Khymberly Jhane Mckenzie who both hail from Cebu, Adding to this roster is Jufe-Ann Cocoy from Alabang and Mica Ella Emana from Manila. Completing this year’s under 14 category are Lanao Del Norte native Angel Denopol and Corazon Lambonao of Ormoc. Meanwhile, battling for the top spot in the under-16 category are Jenaila Rose Prulla from Bulacan, and Amanda Gabrielle Zoleta and Julia Asaliah Ignacio who both come from Lucena City, and Justine Hannah Maneja from Quezon City. Rounding up the roster of the under-16 girls’ category are Sydney Enriquez from Zamboanga Del Norte, Kristine Guia Margarette Bandolis from Lanao del Norte, Maria Judy Ann Padilla who hails from Ozamis City, and Althea Fay Ong from Olongapo City.

Laguna blasts Camsur, makes NBL semifinals LAGUNA defeated Camsur, 98-87, on Sunday to advance into the semifinals of the National Basketball League Season 2 at the Hagonoy Sports Complex in Taguig City. Mark Daquis had 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Alexis Hilario and Kiervin Revadavia had 16 and 14 points each for the Pistons, who arranged a best-of-three semifinal series against top seed Pampanga Delta. After a 47-36 halftime lead, the Pistons, holding a twice-to-beat advantage in the series, increased the gap to 19 points after Hilario hit a three-pointer for a 65-46 advantage in the third period. The Express were able to cut the deficit to four points, but Raymart Amil hit a jumper and Hilario converted a three as the Pistons regained control of the match, 95-86. The Pistons advanced into the semifinals after finishing fourth seed in the elimination round with a 10-4 win-loss record to gain a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal. AJ Margallo had 16 points for the Express, who fell short in their bid to force a knockout quarterfinal match.

Reporting at light speed as HSV becomes world’s 1st football club to use LiFi EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands—Journalists in the press center at the Volkspark stadium—home to Hamburg football club HSV Fußball AG—are the first to file their stories using an innovative new means of wireless communication. This is because Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, has installed LiFi in the stadium press center. The system, called Trulifi, provides journalists with a highly reliable, secure and fast Internet connection through the room’s ceiling lights. HSV is the first football club in the world to install the groundbreaking technology which uses light waves instead of radio waves to provide an Internet connection. New stadium of light The Volkspark stadium, which opened in 2000, has a capacity of 57,000 and is one of 10 stadiums that will host the European football tournament in Germany in 2024. It is also certified to host other top international tournament matches. Like many stadiums, the wireless signal in its busy press center was prone to

overload due to journalists accessing the network and interference from mobile devices of fans, staff and officials, all pinging the wireless router. “Journalists who write, edit and file stories under time pressure don’t want the added hassle of finding they can’t get online,” explained Karsten Vierke, Market Leader for Signify in the DACH region. “Now the club is able to offer them a rock solid, secure and fast Internet connection along with high-quality, energy-efficient LED light that helps to lower the club’s carbon footprint. This is a world first for a football club and helps make the stadium an even more attractive venue for hosting important matches.” Signify installed 84 Philips PowerBalance gen2 LED recessed luminaires in the stadium’s press center. Eight of the luminaires have an integrated Trulifi 6002 transceiver, which modulates infrared light waves to provide an Internet connection of up to 150 megabits per second (Mbps). Journalists using the system receive a USB Access Key, which plugs into their laptop. This picks up the LiFi signal and transmits data back to

the luminaire. The LiFi system is free from interference and encrypted. Also, an extra layer of security is built-in as light waves cannot pass through walls. LiFi: World first for a football club “We opted for LiFi given the increasing demand for bandwidth from journalists using our press center. For them a reliable wireless connection is everything. Now they have good quality light to write their stories along with a reliable, fast and highly secure wireless connection,” said Daniel Nolte, segment leader area organization & infrastructure at HSV. Signify has a range of commercial Trulifi systems to satisfy different market segments. It also includes Trulifi 6013, which uses colored light to create a robust, secure fixed point-to-point connection with a speed up to 250 Mbps. Trulifi underlines Signify’s leadership in leveraging lighting infrastructure to unlock the potential of light in new high-growth segments with LED technology that’s not only innovative but energy efficient.

Sports

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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

Unbeaten Lions won’t take EAC team lightly

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory over Daniil Medvedev of Russia during the men’s Singles Finals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. AFP

Baldwin: Lot of work still needed THERE were many players who stepped up for the Ateneo Blue Eagles during their game with the La Salle Green Archers last Sunday. With Mike Nieto joining his brother Matt and Gian Mamuyac in taking up the slack from a struggling Thirdy Ravena, the Blue Eagles had little trouble cruising to an 81-69 demolition of the Green Archers in the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Araneta Coliseum. “Thirdy didn’t have a very good game today and that happens sometimes. Mike stepped up, pretty spectacular game. So again, credit to Mike but also Mike speaking about this cultural aspect of our team is something that we hope we can take pride in,” said Baldwin after the Blue Eagles posted their second straight win. The Blue Eagles are in the lead with the University of Santo Tomas Tigers. “It was tough every step of the way. I think that the break we had at the end of the second quarter was a surprise to us and it was a surprise for them, and in the end it was the cushion I think that we depended on in the second half,” added Baldwin. Despite their win against La Salle, Baldwin said a lot of work still needs to be done on the team in terms of offensive cohesion. “We shot the ball very poorly, our offensive cohesion isn’t anything like it needs to be. I’m pretty disappointed in that, I think that’s a reflection of me as much as anything else and it’s got to be fixed,” said Baldwin. Peter Atencio

Bancod whips Nadera, captures chess crown By Arman Armero INTERNATIONAL Master Ronald Bancod beat fellow IM Barlo Nadera in the fifth and final round to rule the 1st Grand Hangout Grandfathers’ Day Chess Championship at the Activity Area of Gateway Mall, Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City on Sunday. Bancod finished with a perfect five points in the Swiss System finals in the tournament, which drew a record 240 participants. He took home the P10,000 cash prize and freebies from Araneta Center. Grandmaster Rogelio ‘Joey’ Antonio settled for second place with 4.5 points. Antonio, who missed sweeping the fivegame finals after settling for a draw with US Master Jose Aquino Jr. in the fourth round, actually finished in a triple-tie with Aquino and NM Carlo Magno Rosaupan but took second place and the P3,000 cash prize with a superior tiebreak. Nadera, NM Noel dela Cruz, Florei Cruz, Jerry Areque, Ritchie Jocson and Ravel Canlas complete the top 10 finishers. Later, Bancod and guest IM Chito Garma played in an exhibition match using the giant chess board with giant chess pieces mounted inside the tournament area. Garma, however, got the better of Bancod in the 10-minute rapid affair. Chief arbiter Ilann Perez said they had to change the format of the one-day tournament owing to the huge number of participants, as they decided to make it a two knockout affair. The top 40 participants after the two knockout games then joined Turn to A7

Nadal wants longevity, not titles, no. 1 ranking N

EW YORK—An emotional Rafael Nadal says extending the years among the top players in tennis means more to him than overtaking Roger Federer’s all-time Grand Slam record or chasing after the world number one ranking. The 33-year-old Spanish left-hander grabbed his 19th Grand Slam title and fourth US Open crown in thrilling fashion Sunday, outlasting Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 after four hours and 50 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium. “Just very happy. This trophy means everything to me today,” said Nadal, who was moved to tears by a video tribute after the match. “The last three hours of the match have been very intense, very tough mentally and physically, too. With the video, the crowd that have been as always amazing, all these facts make the moment super special. Unforgettable moment.” The dramatic victory pulled him within one Slam title of matching Federer’s all-time men’s record with top-ranked Novak Djokovic a close third on 16.

But second-ranked Nadal stressed he’s more concerned with extending his career as long and as well as possible than he is setting a major win record. “I would love to be the one who wins more, but I am not thinking and I’m not going to practice every day or playing tennis for it,” Nadal said. “I’m playing tennis because I love to play tennis. I can’t just think about Grand Slams. Tennis is more than Grand Slams. “I need to think about the rest of the things. I play to be happy. Of course, the victory makes me super happy.” Personal satisfaction such as what Nadal derived from holding off stubborn Medvedev in his epic fightback drives Nadal far more than comparing Slam trophy cases. “That competition, if that attracts fans

and create interest on the people, that’s good for our sport, no? I feel honored to be part of this battle,” Nadal said. “But I repeat the same: you can’t be all day looking next to you about if one having more or one having little bit less because you will be frustrated. “All the things that I achieved in my career are much more than what I ever thought and what I ever dream. I would love to be the one who has more, yes. But I really believe that I will not be happier or less happy if that happens or not happen. “What gives you the happiness is the personal satisfaction that you gave your best. In that way I am very, very calm, very pleased with myself.” No.1 no big Nadal deal Overtaking Djokovic for a year-end world number one ranking isn’t high on Nadal’s list of goals, saying it could detract from longevity and quality. “I don’t compete for it. I just do my way. If I am able to be number one doing my way, great. But I always say the same: today it’s not my main goal,” Nadal said. AFP

Mondilla aims for big PH Golf Tour comeback REIGNING Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla hopes to put up a strong showing coming off a long rest, targeting no less than a top finish in the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship unfolding tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 11) in Cagayan de Oro City. The 2017 PGT Order of Merit winner marked his 2019 start with that surprise victory in the country’s premier championship at The Country Club last April but withdrew from other events to take a much needed break. He returned from a two-month layoff and tied for 12th in Bacolod and after missing a couple more tournaments, he turned in a third-place effort at Riviera last month but skipped the Aboitiz Invitational of the PGT Asia last week. But with the PGT resuming with four tournaments in Mindanao, the Del Monte ace finds it fitting to sort of relaunch his campaign at his turf with this week’s P2.5 million event sponsored by ICTSI also serving as part of his buildup for the ICTSI Del Monte Championship on Sept. 18-21 where he hopes to dominate on a course he calls home. “I just took a long rest, no injuries whatsoever, so I hope play good this week,” said Mondilla. Davao will host the next stop on Oct.

Clyde Mondilla is eager to re-launch his campaign in big fashion.

2-5 for the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational before the PGT Mindanao swing winds up at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates, also in Davao, on Oct. 9-12. But like Mondilla, the rest of the stellar cast are ready and raring to fuel their

respective drive with strong showing, ensuring a spirited battle right in the first round of the 72-hole championship serving as the seventh leg of the 10th season of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

THE defending champion San Beda Red Lions enters the second round of the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament today an unbeaten team at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center. With the Lions’ clean 9-0 win-loss slate, coach Boyet Fernandez is not keen on taking the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals lightly in their 12 noon encounter. Not after the Red Lions encountered a tough Mapua Cardinals’ team, whom they beat, 69-60, last Friday. In that game, the Cardinals rallied and almost took the lead. But a timely triple from Calvin Oftana save the day for the Red Lions. “You really have to prepare every game, you don’t really underestimate any other team. I hope it’s a wakeup call for everyone especially my players. This season is not an easy one for us,” said Fernandez. In another game, the Lyceum Pirates will try to pick up the pieces from their 81-87 upset to the Arellano Chiefs, whom they will meet again at 2 p.m. The Pirates share the same 6-3 record at second spot with the San Sebastian Stags and the Letran Knights, who will take on the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers at 4 p.m. In the junior side, the San Red Cubs (8-1) will meet the EAC Brigadiers at 8 a.m., while the Lyceum Junior Pirates will play against the Staglets at 2 p.m. Meanwhile, La Salle Greenhills is set to regain the junior overall crown of the NCAA Swimming Championships at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna. The Greenies leaned on the performances of Ted Jacob Laminta, Andrei Vaugh Aquino and Jalil Sephraim Taguinod, who had a gold each for LSGH in the closing events of the four-day meet. Laminta took the gold medal the 400-meter freestyle event, while Aquino topped the 50m butterfly and SephraimTaguinod ruled the 200m breaststroke event. The Greenies also dominated the relay event in another recordbreaking performance of Enrique San Diego, Jaren Tan, Sean Cruz & Andrei Aquino. This was after the Greenies clocked a new record time of 1:41.52 in the boys’ 4x50m freestyle relays. Peter Atencio

PSA Forum tackles obstacle sports, esports PILIPINAS Obstacle Sports Federation and the Philippine side that competed in the Female Esports League Elite League of Legends Tournament in Singapore lead this week’s guests list in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Amelie Hotel-Manila. POSF President Atty. Al Agra will be joined by Judith Staples and two other players in discussing their coming campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games the country will be hosting from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. Meanwhile, representing esports in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation are Kevin ‘Gambit’ Dizon, team captain Liyab Arena of Valor, Caviar ‘Enderr’ Acampado of Star Craft II, Liyab team manager Gerald Sobrepena, and Liyab Halina Arena of Valor team captain Em ‘Kaisaya’ Dangla. The session is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and being aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2 from 1 to 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Guiao: Gilas PH needs longer preparation to be competitive By Peter Atencio THE Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team needs to prepare longer to become a more competitive squad in the future. This, among the things, concerns national coach Yeng Guiao after Iran pulled off a 95-75 demolition of Gilas Pilipinas Sunday night at the Wukesong Sport Arena in Beijing. As the Iranians claimed their first and only win in Group N and placed 30th at the end of the Classification 17-32 Phase of the FIBA World Basketball 2019, Guiao felt that for the national squad to be able to compete against the world’s best teams, Gilas needs better players, more exposure and longer time to get ready. “Preparing for the World Cup doesn’t just take

months, the program needs to be set years earlier,” said Guiao in online statements. In becoming a very competitive squad in the future, Gilas will need to have players who can match up better with bigger opposing cagers from other continents. And these selected players may need to have more exposure to world-level basketball than they are currently having. “We need certain types of players and we need more exposure to this level of play,” added Guiao. Now that their campaign is over with five straight losses, Guiao looks forward to the national squad that will be formed and compete when Philippines plays host to the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023. “These are the things that I guess we need to work on, but it’s always long-term. I don’t think there’s any short-

term solution to that,” said Guiao. One of the revelations in the World Cup for the national team is newcomer CJ Perez, who played for the Lyceum Pirates for two seasons and put his team in the finals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. “If there’s any positive from our games, it’s that our young guys have played hard. CJ (Perez) has played his heart out, so that’s something positive we can pick up. I had some inkling of it from what I’ve seen in Spain, and from what I’ve seen in our practices,” said Guiao, who hinted the Perez will have more exposure with Gilas in the future. “I’m not really surprised. He has had to raise his level of play very quickly for this World Cup, so I think it’s also still a bright spot for us. We haven’t seen his full potential yet. We’ll see a lot more of CJ Perez,” said Guiao.

IN BRIEF Dominguez woos Singapore traders

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III invited Singaporean businessmen to invest in the “Build, Build, Build” program of the government, saying the unprecedented infrastructure initiative will shield the country from global growth slowdown and make it more attractive to foreign investments. Dominguez, in a meeting with a visiting delegation from the Singapore Business Federation in Manila on Monday, said President Rodrigo Duterte’s centerpiece program “Build, Build, Build” would provide the Philippines the stimulus it needed to keep creating jobs and opening new investment opportunities despite the global economic uncertainties. He said the Singaporean businessmen could also explore other infrastructurerelated businesses that would open up as a result of the ambitious modernization program. He said the Philippines expects to hit upper middle-income country status next year on the strength of a stable macroeconomic fundamentals and game-changing reforms enacted over the ﬁrst three years of the Duterte administration. Julito G. Rada

Toyota seeks perks on hybrid vehicles

TOYOTA Motor Philippines reiterated its call to the government to provide support to hybrid vehicles as it launched Monday the ﬁrst Corolla Altis Hybrid model. Toyota president Saturo Suzuki said government support could easily make environmentally sound sedans like the new Altis Hybrid, which costs as much as P1.4 million, affordable to consumers. “We expect the same level support the government gives to electric vehicles (EV). We want the people to get familiarized with hybrid models and be able to appreciate the beneﬁts of having a hybrid car,” he said during the unveiling ceremonies. Toyota will keep pushing for zero value adde tax on hybrid vehicles and other perks accorded to electric vehicles. Hybrid vehicles currently pay a VAT at 50 of net manufacturers’ cost. Suzuki said the new technology used to run Altis Hybrid would not require infrastructure support from the government. Toyota merely wants to reduce the cost of acquisition as a step to getting more environment friendly cars on board. Othel V. Campos

Business

Anti-graft body tells SEC and FDA to trim backlogs THE Anti-Red Tape Authority ordered the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Food and Drug Administration to approve pending applications and address backlogs following mounting complaints against the two agencies. The announcement came after a surprise visit by ARTA director-general Jeremiah Belgica to the head office of SEC on Aug. 19 to observe the agency’s frontline services and monitor their compliance with Republic Act No. 11032. Belgica assured the SEC that ARTA would assist the agency in improving its service delivery. ARTA had a similar account with the FDA which has the largest backlog on the processing and issuance of the certificate of product registration with around 14,000 pending applications. ARTA asked the SEC to submit the complete list of pending applications for accreditation of auditing firms and external auditors with complete documentary requirements and duly paid fees. It also directed FDA to submit the pending applications with the Center for Food Regulation and Research and the Center for Drug Regulation and Research, which were found to have the most number of backlogs in terms of various applications. ARTA said it received the list from SEC containing four pending applications and from FDA containing a total of 3,125 pending applications. It declared the completeness of all pending applications for automatic renewal in the list submitted by FDA, and the pending applications for accreditation of external auditors by the SEC. Othel V. Campos

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

SMC, Ayala top power supply bids SMB set to break ground on new M brewery in Iloilo By Alena Mae S. Flores

ANILA Electric Co. said Monday Phinma Energy Corp. of Ayala Group and San Miguel Energy Corp. and South Premiere Power Corp. of San Miguel Corp. submitted the “best bids” for the supply of a combined capacity of 1,200 megawatts.

Meralco’s’ third-party bids and awards committee said in a notice following the evaluation of the bids on Sept. 9 that the best bids were Phinma Energy at P4.8849 per kilowatt-hour, San Miguel Energy at P4.9299 per kWh and South Premiere at P4.93 per kWh.

It said determination of the bids was based on the levelized cost of energy or the estimated price over the 10 years of the power supply agreement. Phinma Energy, now under AC Energy Inc., will supply Meralco with 200 MW, San Miguel Energy with 330 MW and South Premiere with 670 MW during the 10-year supply period. “Pursuant to Section 5 of the instructions to prospective bidders, the aforesaid bidders with the best bids will now undergo post-qualiﬁcation within seven days from the date thereof. Thereafter, the third party bids and awards committee shall issue respective notice of award in favor of those who satisfactorily passed post-qualiﬁcation process,” the committee said. The committee is composed of Ferdinand Domingo as chairman, Froilan Savet as vice chairman and Adrian Cristobal Jr., Maria Luisa Alvendia and

Bennette Bachoco as members. A representative from the Energy Department was also present during the competitive selection process. Five groups submitted bids prior to the 9 a.m. deadline, including South Premiere at 680 MW, SMC Consolidated Power Corp. at 200 MW, Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd. at 220 MW, San Miguel Energy at 330 MW and Phinma Energy at 200 MW. “The CSP was for 1,200 MW only. The total offered capacity of the bidders that attended was 1,630 MW so that not all offers could be accepted. The three bidders with the best bids submitted the lowest cost offers,” Meralco head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said. Meralco earlier published the invitation to bid for the 10-year supply of 1,200 MW brownﬁeld capacity in compliance with the CSP requirement of the government.

Mercantile Careplans under conservatorship

THE Insurance Commission has placed Mercantile Careplans Inc. under conservatorship for its failure to comply with the minimum capital requirement on preneed companies under Republic Act No. 9829 ,or the Pre-Need Code of the Philippines. “The result of the examination made into the affairs, ﬁnancial condition, and methods of doing of business of Mercantile Careplans as of end-2018 disclosed that the company failed to comply with the minimum P75-million paid-up capital requirement. Particularly, Mercantile Careplans’ paid-up capital is impaired by P14.23 million,” Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa said Monday. “Under the Pre-Need Code, pre-need companies existing at the time of the effectivity of the law selling two types of plan are required to have a minimum unimpaired paid-up capital of P75 million,” Funa said. Mercantile Careplans was required to address its capital impairment before the IC issued the conservatorship order. Julito G. Rada

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

LEGANES, Iloilo–San Miguel Brewery Inc. said it will break ground on Sept. 20 on a new production facility in Barangay Gua-an, Leganes, Iloilo. San Miguel Corp. president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang will lead the groundbreaking ceremony, along with Sen. Franklin Drilon, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Leganes Mayor Vicente Jaen II, Gua-an barangay chairman Alberto Capajay Jr. and other Iloilo officials. The company said the new production facility was expected to be completed in two years. It will have an initial capacity of one million hectoliters. SMB has two breweries in the Visayas region, the Mandaue and Bacolod breweries, which were built in 1968 and 1990, respectively. The Iloilo facility is a part of San Miguel’s ongoing capacity expansion program, first announced in 2017, to grow its core business, meet increased demand and bring economic growth and jobs to key regions nationwide. SMB is also set to complete a new brewery in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental and convert its existing Santa Rosa, Laguna bottling facility into a full-fledged brewery. The company is developing a more efficient distribution system. “We look forward to growing our presence in the Visayas region. This major development is an important part of San Miguel’s current expansion in key regions nationwide,” Ang said. “Our aim is to help our nation achieve its development goals by investing in emerging growth areas. With this investment, we hope to help accelerate the region’s overall growth and bring more jobs to our countrymen in the south,” Ang said.

MRT-7 nearly half-completed By Darwin G. Amojelar

ASEAN MEETING. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (right) meets Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and other ASEAN Economic Ministers prior to the opening of the 51st AEM Meeting and Related Meetings in Bangkok. The prime minister encouraged ASEAN countries to support micro, small and medium enterprises by teaching technological and digital know-how and encouraging innovation–the same strategies that President Rodrigo Duterte and the Department of Trade and Industry implement.

Power rates declined for fifth consecutive month—Meralco POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. announced Monday a rate reduction of P0.5260 per kilowatt-hour equivalent to around P105 for households consuming an average of 200 kilowatt-hours this month. Meralco said in a statement it marked the ﬁfth consecutive month of lower power rates as overall electricity rates for a typical household consuming 200 kWh declined to P9.0414 per kWh in September from P9.5674 per kWh in August. Rates dropped by almost P1.52 per kWh since April, according to Meralco, the country’s biggest power distributor with more than six million customers in its franchise area. Generation charges fell by P0.4429 per kWh in September to P4.5191 per kWh from P4.9620 per kWh last month. This was mainly due to the lower charges at the Wholesale Electricity Spot

Market, the country’s trading ﬂoor of electricity. Meralco said WESM charges declined by P3.6503 per kWh amid the improved supply conditions in the Luzon grid as grid operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines did not declare any yellow or red alerts during the whole supply month of August, compared to the nine yellow alerts in July. The refund of the net settlement surplus as directed by the Energy Regulatory Commission to the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines also contributed to the lower rates. PEMC is the governing body while IEMOP is the operator of WESM. Meralco sourced 17 percent of its supply needs from WESM in August. The cost of power under Meralco

power supply agreements decreased by P0.1522 per kWh while the cost of power from independent power producers increased by P0.4844 per kWh because of the lower average plant dispatch and the weakening of the peso against the US Dollar. Meralco said around 95 percent of IPPs costs were dollar-denominated. Meralco sourced 39 percent of its supply from IPPs and 44 percent from PSAs. Transmission charges for residential customers slightly increased by P0.0056 per kWh but this was offset by lower taxes and other charges. “It is likely we will see a reduction in the generation charge this September. Despite the depreciation of the peso, which will put upward pressure on charges from IPPs, there are two factors that can offset the effect of the peso’s weakening,” Meralco said. Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Transportation said Monday the construction of Metro Rail Transit Line-7 is nearly half-completed. The agency said in a statement the contractor of MRT Line 7, which runs 22 kilometers from North Ave. in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan achieved 47-percent progress in construction. It said the ongoing civil works include the guideway construction, underground/ depressed and at-grade excavation or concreting works and installation of coping beam, girder and trans-slabs on the elevated structures. “With the construction in full swing 24/7, the rolling stock and electrical and mechanical (E&M) works are also in progress. At present, 108 cars are already completed,” the DOTr said. Once completed by 2021, this 22-kilometer rail line will reduce travel times between Quezon City and San Jose del Monte City from two to three hours to only 35 minutes. The P69.3-billion MRT 7 project, which will have 14 stations, is being built by SMC Mass Rail Transit 7 Inc. under SMC’s infrastructure subsidiary San Miguel Holdings Inc. San Miguel tapped Hyundai Rotem and EEI consortium to build the railway line which will have stations at North Ave., Quezon Memorial Circle, University Avenue, Tandang Sora, Don Antonio, Batasan, Manggahan, Doña Carmen, Regalado, Mindanao Avenue, Quirino, Sacred Heart, Tala and San Jose del Monte.

NTC extends Now Telecom’s authority on wireless services THE National Telecommunications Commission extended the permit of Now Telecom Company Inc., a company led by businessman Mel Velarde, to operate and maintain telecommunication services. Now Telecom was granted last week an extension of the authority to install, operate and maintain a state-of-the-art, efﬁcient, effective and economical telecommunications network, including mobile telecommunications, data and voice telecom network, trunked radio dispatch communications system, digital trunked radio system and telecommunications operations. The authority also includes the upgrade of the company’s existing system to a nationwide wireless communications network which will provide mobile telephony communications and multimedia transmission capability to all cities and municipalities nationwide.

Among many telecom products and services, special emphasis is focused on serving the broadband data transmission requirement for local government units and national government agencies. “We have been providing guaranteed broadband to enterprises including the government sector. We reiterate our belief that at present, there is an insufﬁciency in telecommunications facilities that can effectively address the needs for day-to-day real-time operations and at the same time provide disaster mitigation during the time of emergencies,” Now Telecom president Rodolfo Pantoja said. Now Telecom, a grantee of a 25-year congressional franchise by the 17th Congress, is also a holder of authority from NTC to establish and operate a nationwide cellular mobile telephony system. Darwin G. Amojelar

NEW HOLCIM FACILITIES. Cement maker Holcim Philippines Inc. inaugurates its new facilities in Davao City after completing the expansion program of its Davao plant in June to raise annual production by 700,000 metric tons to 2.4 million MT. Attending the inauguration ceremony are (from left) Holcim Davao Kalayaan project site manager Arvin Witara, Holcim Davao plant manager Xavier Kennedy, Davao Constructors Association Center Inc. president Antonio Uy, Barangay Ilang chairman Amado Babao, Holcim senior vice president for cement industrial performance Niels Ledinek, Davao City councilor Louie John Bonguyan, Holcim chairman Tomas Alcantara, Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, Public Works Region XI district engineer Richard Ragaza, Holcim president and CEO John Stull and Holcim Kalayaan project manager Lawrence He.

Business

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks up slightly; BPI advances T HE stock market rose Monday after China unveiled fresh stimulus measures and below-par US jobs data reinforced expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this month. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 26.65 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,960.12 on a value turnover of P7.7 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 103 to 91, with 51 issues unchanged. Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender in terms of assets, advanced 4.2 percent to P92.70, while Now Corp. of the Velarde Group climbed 19 percent to P3.69. GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group gained 2.3 percent to P921, while Globe Telecom Inc., the second-biggest telecommunications ﬁrm, rose 1.7 percent to P1,980. Most Asian markets, meanwhile, started Monday on a positive note to

build on last week’s gains. The People’s Bank of China on Friday said it would slash the amount of cash lenders must keep in reserve to its lowest level in 12 years, freeing up more than $100 billion for the stuttering economy. The announcement came two days ahead of the release of ﬁgures showing a contraction in imports and exports as the trade war with the United States bites deeper, with speculation that further measures could be on the way. “Concerns of a more protracted trade war have already sapped business conﬁdence in China and any way you want to slice and dice the data at the end of the

day it makes for a convincing argument for the PBoC to turn on the monetary taps,” said Stephen Innes, Asia-Paciﬁc market strategist at AxiTrader. Asian investors were broadly upbeat on the move, while a weaker-thanforecast reading on US jobs creation increased the chance the Fed will reduce borrowing rates again at its policy meeting this month. The news suggested the world’s number-one economy was also feeling the pinch from the trade row and the bank’s boss Jerome Powell said in a speech Friday it will “continue to act as appropriate to sustain this expansion,” while noting “signiﬁcant risks” to growth. Tokyo ended 0.6 percent higher, Shanghai added 0.8 percent and Seoul jumped 0.5 percent. Singapore and Taipei each added 0.2 percent, while Seoul gained 0.5 percent and Sydney was mar-

ginally higher. There were also gains in Mumbai, Jakarta and Bangkok. Hong Kong was slightly up but gains were tempered by proﬁt-taking after last week’s surge as well as ongoing worries about months-long protests in the city, with fresh violence over the weekend. Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, warned: “With central banks reﬁlling the punch bowls, markets can shrug off the weakening economic data and put off the coming dawn for another hour. The party goes on for now, but it’s looking increasingly precarious.” Traders will turn their attention back to Westminster, where MPs are expected to pass a bill preventing Prime Minister Boris Johnson from taking Britain out of the European Union without a divorce agreement. Most economists have warned that a no-deal Brexit would hammer the economy. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 57 1,770 92.7 1,855,050 2 5,000 142.5 1,556,070 25.9 271,900 18.58 500 12.08 248,600 4.85 133,000 7.71 600 1.25 1,000 720 50 0.45 120,000 70.15 1,892,170 0.94 103,000 13 700 46.4 86,900 185 1,410 57.75 11,900 27.5 4,700 205 194,800 1,790 90 59.4 5,700 1.11 37,000

98,449.50 170,652,001.50 10,040 222,286,379 7,034,660 9,296 3,003,988 635,200 4,631 1,250 36,000 54,000 132,862,085 96,550 9,100 4,033,560 260,677 688,393.50 129,410 39,799,904 161,100 338,700.50 41,070

-569.5 110,456,831.50 -104,761,844 -2,486,400 -3,716.00 1,390,484 -51,979,005.50 0 -1,655,755 -448,749 -5,500 21,184,164 -260,885 -

36.05 15.7 0.69 0.241 2.72 13.86 115.6 11.6 16.2 31.1 72.8 77.3 2 6 5.87 8.81 15 9.92 7.22 1.6 26 83.15 50 2.15 13.5 8.6 1.61 225.8 49.95 5.05 3.25 8.36 22.1 13.78 19.22 358 0.209 5.3 1.97 4.35 5.1 9.1 2.93 10.46 33.1 5.16 5.1 1.59 2.2 1.12 11.84 90.05 7.1 0.125 1.05 166.8 1.2 1.22

INDUSTRIAL 36.6 282,500 15.78 324,700 0.71 271,000 0.245 960,000 2.72 8,511,000 13.9 212,600 116 340 11.8 2,936,500 17.2 36,700 31.1 75,900 75.15 650 80 980 2.05 80,000 6.01 75,700 6.05 51,800 9 864,800 15.02 39,900 10 21,800 7.22 343,700 1.74 6,000 26.3 592,400 83.2 21,320 50.45 118,250 2.2 10,723,000 14 3,254,900 8.88 494,200 1.64 228,000 225.8 403,590 50 7,100 5.05 35,100 3.39 3,000 8.36 5,400 22.2 581,600 14.2 539,800 19.3 1,783,300 361 106,030 0.209 40,000 5.3 200 2.05 23,481,000 4.49 41,000 5.13 402,700 9.1 5,000 2.95 22,311,000 10.7 228,200 33.4 969,700 5.16 98,200 5.1 5,700 1.7 3,222,000 2.2 17,000 1.19 765,000 12 310,100 92 57,120 7.2 156,800 0.125 320,000 1.08 172,000 169.5 736,410 1.28 15,986,000 1.23 887,000

10,220,480 5,118,278 188,890 232,450 23,700,400 2,957,084 39,424 36,049,500 603,130 2,446,170 47,715.50 75,957.50 161,700 455,483 306,422 7,685,739 600,832 216,560 2,483,271 9,880 15,507,835 1,773,991 5,977,461.50 23,357,470 44,944,262 4,407,637 373,490 92,044,034 354,920 177,465 10,030 45,214 12,913,210 7,616,748 34,451,990 38,124,486 8,360 1,060 47,518,400 179,740 2,061,397 45,500 66,319,590 2,411,040 32,377,465 511,619 29,070 5,458,060 37,400 904,690 3,720,318 5,228,368.50 1,125,893 40,000 182,060 124,751,761 20,082,840 1,089,070

-7,631,180 334,992 10,500 -517,470 717,186 150,464 -1,168,790 -186,030 -3,443,451.00 241,600 1,984 -1,271,462 2,203,630 -1,040,327 4,386,565 1,202,170 -15,832,748 -82,248 -18,479,540 -59,940 6,189,000 3,863,824 5,891,084 -7,504,046 1,287,750 27,093 -645,200 1,050 -5,939,100 -18,870.00 -1,210 129,984 -1,058,536 527,380 5,108,469 1,873,420 -174,760

0.89 51.75 12.12 0.77 7 14.58 1.2 902.5 3.28 6.78 8.82 13.42 0.23 900 5.9 71 5.35 5.26 0.49 4.5 14.62 0.64 5.11 0.038 1.34 2.75 175 2.42 1,022 0.84 1.32 235 0.235 0.247

HOLDING FIRMS 0.89 27,772,000 52.7 215,730 12.2 4,095,600 0.78 885,000 7 6,200 14.82 26,000 1.2 2,894,000 907 171,370 3.37 5,737,000 6.78 613,600 8.85 3,519,600 13.62 19,200 0.245 1,590,000 921 84,240 6 8,500 72 264,210 5.35 3,200 5.26 2,100 0.49 50,000 4.51 7,095,000 14.8 113,700 0.66 46,000 5.16 14,797,900 0.039 6,000,000 1.34 229,000 2.92 152,000 176 53,750 2.42 6,000 1,030 99,830 0.85 500,000 1.32 29,000 235 1,250 0.235 40,000 0.248 770,000

25,171,850 11,290,662 50,104,336 686,750 43,400 386,018 3,503,570 155,189,285 19,283,500 4,163,278 31,223,741 259,580 368,630 77,469,485 50,600 18,931,522 17,120 11,046 24,550 32,003,130 1,686,078 29,930 76,358,801 229,000 312,410 431,590 9,447,126 14,520 103,563,475 422,750 38,320 293,770 9,400 190,220

-1,527,560 -771,335.50 -16,213,320 25,200 -4,566,025 -623,720 -99,547 -11,197,963 -67,780 -104,950 11,691,555 -24,000 1,855,124 2,675 -30,199,080 -635,854 -196,279 -1,500 3,966,978 -7,157,960 -4,700 -

15.32 0.82 1.82 0.87 49 2.17 4.64 5.85 0.55 0.73 0.85 0.221 0.4 9.24 21.05 0.455 1.65 1.26 4 5.13 0.3 0.46

PROPERTY 15.32 412,100 0.85 2,758,000 1.85 325,000 0.89 2,492,000 49.6 8,360,200 2.18 816,000 4.66 85,000 5.99 10,100 0.56 8,291,000 0.75 94,000 0.89 81,000 0.221 620,000 0.4 2,620,000 9.62 17,300 21.05 162,000 0.455 520,000 1.66 8,277,000 1.28 571,000 4 26,000 5.18 3,397,900 0.315 17,230,000 0.46 1,330,000

6,318,482 2,359,720 593,470 2,194,340 413,872,455 1,791,020 396,100 59,099 4,626,440 68,640 68,890 137,070 1,053,100 164,458 3,430,365 236,650 13,766,340 722,240 104,400 17,568,437 5,348,950 613,250

-303,336 -96,050 880 15,835,000 -773,610 -51,280 -58,500 560 16,060 103,870 -69,762 -596,320 -168,400 2,570,240 -131,040 383,806 9,200 -460,950

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

56 89.4 2.01 143.5 25.9 18.6 12.16 4.78 7.72 1.25 720 0.45 70.15 0.93 13 46.8 184.7 58 27.5 203.4 1,790 59.6 1.11

57 92.75 2.01 144 26 18.6 12.18 4.86 7.72 1.25 720 0.45 70.4 0.94 13 46.8 185 58 27.9 205 1,790 59.6 1.11

55.5 89 2 142.5 25.85 18.58 12.04 4.75 7.71 1.25 720 0.45 70.1 0.93 13 46.15 184.2 57.7 27.5 201 1,790 59.35 1.11

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO 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

36.4 15.8 0.69 0.242 2.83 14.06 115.6 12.6 16.2 32.5 72.85 78.5 2 6 5.88 8.83 15.16 10.02 7.25 1.6 26.4 83.5 51.2 2.18 14.08 8.6 1.63 230 49.95 5.06 3.25 8.38 22.2 13.92 19.22 358 0.209 5.3 2.08 4.42 5.1 9.1 2.95 10.82 33.1 5.23 5.1 1.6 2.2 1.21 12.02 91 7.19 0.125 1.08 168.6 1.2 1.22

36.6 15.8 0.71 0.247 2.88 14.06 117 12.8 17.2 33.5 75.2 80 2.05 6.08 6.1 9 15.16 10.1 7.25 1.74 26.45 84 51.2 2.2 14.08 9.08 1.64 232 50 5.13 3.39 8.38 22.3 14.26 19.4 361 0.209 5.3 2.08 4.49 5.15 9.1 3 10.82 33.7 5.3 5.1 1.76 2.2 1.23 12.04 92 7.2 0.125 1.08 170 1.3 1.25

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

0.89 52.2 12.44 0.79 7 15 1.24 905 3.4 6.79 8.83 13.52 0.235 900.5 5.9 71 5.35 5.26 0.49 4.56 14.96 0.64 5.2 0.038 1.39 2.75 175 2.42 1,048 0.87 1.33 235.2 0.235 0.249

0.93 52.7 12.44 0.8 7 15 1.24 913.5 3.42 6.82 8.96 13.64 0.245 923 6 72.8 5.35 5.26 0.495 4.56 15 0.66 5.21 0.039 1.39 2.92 177 2.42 1,048 0.87 1.33 235.2 0.235 0.249

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

15.34 0.82 1.85 0.89 49.5 2.19 4.75 5.85 0.55 0.73 0.85 0.221 0.41 9.69 21.5 0.455 1.66 1.27 4.02 5.19 0.325 0.465

15.38 0.87 1.85 0.9 49.7 2.21 4.75 5.99 0.57 0.75 0.89 0.222 0.42 9.7 21.5 0.46 1.68 1.28 4.02 5.23 0.325 0.465

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

1.41 0.39 2.11 24.75 2.33 3.34 35 2.47 5.65 0.91 7.7

1.58 0.395 2.11 25.75 2.41 3.38 35 2.48 5.7 1 7.71

1.39 0.385 2.05 24.65 2.3 3.34 34.5 2.4 5.55 0.9 7.65

1.55 0.395 2.05 25.4 2.35 3.38 35 2.4 5.7 0.93 7.71

7,676,000 370,000 985,000 3,750,400 334,000 235,000 4,643,200 335,000 158,500 3,598,000 2,856,100

11,431,330 142,950 2,034,140 95,176,035 794,270 788,020 161,212,075 809,670 891,099 3,441,880 21,982,284

26,460 13,260 -22,623,595 115,000.00 -45,679,550 -6,727,494

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PH RESORTS GRP PHIL RACING 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

10.32 20 1.52 0.58 0.05 2.4 11.1 0.058 95 7.24 5.81 2.05 10.22 890 1,947 5.3 435 1.83 131 0.114 5.45 3.22 0.92 19.1 3.25 2.45 1.15 3.6 2.72 8.41 4.75 7.9 138 3.43 1,152 0.73 0.6 44 77.05 9.21 2.93 0.7 0.36 5.45 0.68 16.7

10.46 20.65 1.66 0.61 0.05 2.4 11.12 0.06 97 7.38 5.81 2.07 10.82 890 1,980 5.32 435 1.83 133 0.114 5.65 3.42 0.92 19.16 3.26 2.49 1.15 4.06 2.77 8.5 4.78 7.9 138 3.44 1,160 0.73 0.61 44 78.2 9.22 2.94 0.7 0.375 5.46 0.7 16.7

10.3 19.8 1.52 0.57 0.05 2.34 11.02 0.058 94 7.14 5.81 2.05 10 890 1,937 5.29 435 1.74 129.3 0.11 5.45 3.22 0.9 18.9 3.25 2.41 1.15 3.6 2.71 8.41 4.75 7.9 138 3.27 1,146 0.72 0.59 43.8 76.5 9.21 2.9 0.69 0.345 5.45 0.67 16.56

SERVICES 10.3 20.1 1.66 0.6 0.05 2.34 11.1 0.06 94.35 7.35 5.81 2.07 10 890 1,980 5.29 435 1.78 131.6 0.114 5.55 3.37 0.92 18.9 3.26 2.48 1.15 3.69 2.72 8.5 4.78 7.9 138 3.34 1,154 0.73 0.6 43.9 77 9.22 2.92 0.7 0.355 5.45 0.69 16.62

16,800 223,300 22,000 8,720,000 17,300,000 105,000 465,500 4,110,000 46,090 1,047,400 4,900 5,000 488,300 1,000 29,055 408,200 580 1,565,000 624,390 360,000 2,960,700 1,843,000 561,000 213,900 14,000 658,000 2,000 82,800,000 54,000 3,000 6,700 100 10 1,353,000 66,240 1,437,000 9,906,000 398,100 254,100 26,900 6,323,000 580,000 16,340,000 424,500 3,202,000 1,766,300

173,536 4,485,887 33,720 5,194,580 865,000 246,670 5,159,550 242,820 4,358,429 7,587,910 28,469 10,270 5,100,730 890,000 57,012,730 2,161,473 252,300 2,781,040 82,167,309 40,360 16,378,491 6,137,050 515,640 4,074,262 45,530 1,609,300 2,300 317,054,850 147,470 25,349 31,965 790 1,380 4,494,280 76,437,535 1,044,290 5,928,450 17,480,975 19,557,309 247,964 18,426,240 400,970 5,710,450 2,313,575 2,180,620 29,424,378

-16,800 3,099,860 -600 -644,499 7,567 12,642,785 -82,180 -14,125,089 712,781 -19,700 -1,010,858 21,760 -3,104,000 -133,830 27,918,605 29,390 -384,600 -11,532,125 -14,359,605.50 1,822,470 156,750 -279,585 930,648

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

0.0018 1.22 12.34 1.18 1.14 2.71 0.28 7.78 1.66 0.219 0.109 0.111 0.01 0.011 1.19 4.4 1.09 0.86 0.011 0.011 9.79 3.9 10.46 23.4 0.0064

0.0018 1.23 12.34 1.18 1.14 2.71 0.28 7.8 1.68 0.22 0.112 0.112 0.01 0.012 1.2 4.45 1.11 0.88 0.011 0.012 10.08 3.9 10.6 23.4 0.0064

0.0017 1.18 11.24 1.17 1.14 2.7 0.28 7.78 1.61 0.214 0.109 0.111 0.01 0.011 1.16 4.18 1.06 0.86 0.011 0.011 9.42 3.82 10.3 23 0.0064

MINING & OIL 0.0018 193,000,000 1.18 7,067,000 11.96 1,700 1.17 160,000 1.14 36,000 2.71 464,000 0.28 10,000 7.8 300 1.64 60,272,000 0.217 740,000 0.112 1,240,000 0.112 80,000 0.01 5,000,000 0.012 13,500,000 1.18 1,067,000 4.2 16,892,000 1.09 170,000 0.87 357,000 0.011 2,800,000 0.012 9,200,000 9.59 2,500,700 3.84 1,410,000 10.44 648,300 23.15 129,800 0.0064 3,000,000

328,300 8,496,590 20,320 187,290 41,040 1,255,060 2,800 2,336 99,157,670 159,220 135,780 8,890 50,000 155,000 1,248,250 72,617,790 187,490 308,280 30,800 101,700 24,371,397 5,465,000 6,778,428 3,008,125 19,200

156,000 160 -7,970,640 -89,100 1,062,608 15,520 46,596 878,820 -

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

19.34 500 100.7 101.7 107 5.2 99.75 0.99 101 1,050 1,060 101.5 108.5 995 78.95 76.5 76.2 76.95 76.9

19.34 500 100.7 101.7 107 5.2 99.75 1 101.1 1,055 1,063 101.5 108.5 995 78.95 76.5 78 76.95 76.9

18.42 500 100.6 100.9 107 5.16 99.75 0.99 101 1,030 1,060 101.5 108.5 995 78.9 75.55 76.2 75.55 76.9

PREFERRED 18.46 232,000 500 1,030 100.6 1,120 101.7 6,480 107 10,000 5.16 26,500 99.75 190 1 598,000 101.1 1,200 1,055 205 1,063 4,410 101.5 1,360 108.5 70 995 40 78.9 2,560 75.55 20,000 78 36,600 75.6 25,000 76.9 500

4,313,834 515,000 112,682 654,676 1,070,000 136,744 18,952.50 592,090 121,300 215,125 4,684,180 138,040 7,595 39,800 201,984.50 1,525,250 2,842,920 1,910,170 38,450

-3,887,688 6,510 7,620 -

LR WARRANT

1.57

1.8

1.56

WARRANTS 1.75 850,000

1,483,540

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

6.11 9.99 0.95

6.28 10.64 0.97

6.05 9.54 0.94

6.09 10.1 0.96

3,770,658 10,767,498 1,494,820

-1,475 -10,500 -

FIRST METRO ETF

119.1

119.2

118.3

793,246

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.16 1

1,016 19,500

MS TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES 7,527,366

INDUSTRIAL

113,266,827

HOLDING FIRMS

293,889,981

PROPERTY

97,521,672

SERVICES

168,580,347

MINING & OIL

319,903,835

GRAND TOTAL

1,003,946,608

SME

618,400 1,061,500 1,570,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.2 6,670 DDS 10.16 1

100 19,500

VALUE 1,823.63 (up) 19.46 724,560,307.77 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,928.13 (up) 13.11 2,753,101,609.08 HOLDING FIRMS 7,889.81 (down) 18.33 2,006,110,155.51 PROPERTY 4,073.39 (up) 22.42 SERVICES 1,602.00 (up) 7.01 1,230,769,082.85 MINING & OIL 9,123.36 (down) 146.09 715,120,391.819 PSEI 7,960.12 (up) 26.65 224,163,398.377 All Shares Index 4,799.31 (up) 14.29 7,670,652,273.61 Gainers: 91; Losers: 103; Unchanged: 51; Total: 245

Fruitas bares plan to hold public offering worth P1.2b By Alena Mae S. Flores FOOD and beverage kiosk operator Fruitas Holdings Inc. filed a P1.2billion initial public offering application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to finance its store network expansion. Fruitas said in a statement it would also use proceeds from the IPO to finance store improvement, expansion the commissary and food park business, acquisitions, introduction of new concepts and debt repayment. The company plans to offer up to 533,660,000 in primary common shares with an over-allotment option of up to 68,340,000 outstanding common shares at a maximum price of P1.99 each. Gross primary proceeds can reach a maximum of P1.06 billion while the total IPO could reach P1.2 billion. The public float can reach up to 28.2 percent of the company’s total issued shares after the offering. Fruitas appointed BDO Capital & Investment Corp. and First Metro Investment Corp. as joint issue managers, book runners and lead underwriters of the offering. “The proceeds will be used to fund our store network expansion across the Philippines and expand our commissary to serve more customers. New capital will also be used towards acquisition of foodservice businesses and introduction of new concepts which have a strategic fit with our operations,” said Fruitas president and chief executive Lester Yu. “We view the potential listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange as part of our growth journey and are excited to have taken the first step by filing our registration statement,” he said. Fruitas plans to offer the shares from November 18 to 22 and list them before the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals, The Fruitas Group has aggressively expanded from more than 400 stores as of end of 2016 to 949 stores as of June 30, 2019. Fruitas reported P1.58 billion in consolidated revenue last year, up 37 percent from P1.15 billion revenue in 2017, driven by the strong performance of its stores. Fruitas currently has over 20 brands in its portfolio, including household names Fruitas Fresh From Babot’s Farm, Buko Loco, Juice Avenue, Buko Ni Fruitas, Johnn Lemon, Black Pearl, and food parks like Uno Cinquenta in Maginhawa and Le Village The Lifestyle Park in E. Rodriguez Sr. in Quezon City. Fruitas in 2015 acquired Negril Trading, the company housing De Original Jamaican Pattie Shop and Juice Bar, and the assets of Sabroso Lechon in 2018.

Avida Land gets common stocks of logistics firm By Darwin G. Amojelar AVIDA Land Corp. acquired shares of Ayala Land Logistics Holdings Corp., the logistics unit of Ayala Land Inc., from Orion Land Inc. for P628.06 million. Ayala Land said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange that Avida Land bought 215,090,031 common shares of ALLHC from afﬁliate Orion Land through a special block sale Orion Land will subscribe to an additional 49,444,216 ALLHC shares. Once the shares have been listed, Orion Land will transfer them to Avida Land. ALLHC has interests in real estate and property development, leasing of warehouses and retail electricity supply. Its subsidiaries include Orion Land, Orion Property Development Inc., LCI Commercial Ventures Inc., Laguna Technopark Inc. and Ecozone Power Management Inc. Orion Land wholly-owns Tutuban Properties Inc., which holds the lease and development rights over Tutuban Center in downtown Divisoria. The company currently has three industrial parks—the 224 hectare Laguna Technopark, the 154-hectare Cavite Technopark and the 105-hectare Laguindingan Technopark in Misamis Oriental province. The Laguindingan Technopark is strategically located beside the Laguindingan airport and nearby seaports, providing efﬁciency and better economic opportunities for future locator-companies. It is also envisioned to be a new logistics hub in northern Mindanao.

World IN BRIEF Pro-Kremlin candidates lose MOSCOW―Pro-Kremlin candidates have suffered major losses in a Moscow municipal election following an opposition-led strategic voting campaign, Russian news agencies reported on Monday. With nearly all votes counted, news agencies reported signiﬁcant gains for independent, Communist and liberal candidates against those allied with the ruling United Russia party. The Communists were on track to win 13 or 14 seats, up from only ﬁve in the previous assembly, Interfax and RIA Novosti reported. The liberal Yabloko party and leftleaning Just Russia party were set to take three seats each, after having none previously. Pro-Kremlin deputies held 38 of the assembly’s 45 seats after the previous election in 2014, with 28 belonging to United Russia. No candidates ran under its banner this year as the party is deeply unpopular. Interfax said nine previous deputies of United Russia had retained their seats but that the party’s leader in Moscow Andrei Metelsky, had lost a re-election bid. AFP

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Powerful typhoon slams Tokyo

OKYO―A powerful typhoon that battered Tokyo overnight with ferocious winds killed one person, police said Monday, as halted trains caused commuter chaos and more than 100 ﬂights were canceled. Typhoon Faxai, packing record winds of up to 207 kilometers per hour, made landfall in Chiba just east of the capital before dawn, after barreling through Tokyo Bay. The transport disruptions unleashed by the storm came less than two weeks before the start of the Rugby World Cup,

and delayed the arrival of the Australian team―a reminder that Japan’s typhoon season could present challenges for organizers. Police conﬁrmed one person was killed in the storm, a woman in her ﬁfties who was found dead in Tokyo. Security camera footage showed she was pushed across a street and into a wall by high winds, a police spokesman said. More than 30 people were injured in the storm, the Kyodo news agency said, including a woman who sustained serious injuries after pillars at a golf range were toppled by high winds and hit a house. Non-mandatory evacuation orders were still in place at 8:00 am (2300 GMT) for nearly 340,000 people, and authorities said more than 2,000 people had taken refuge in shelters.

The strong winds downed trees and power lines, which left 910,000 people without electricity in the Tokyo area Monday morning, NHK said. And at least 10 homes were damaged in Shizuoka, with windows shattered and cars ﬂipped on their sides, local media reported. Elsewhere, scaffolding was ripped from buildings and protective sheeting hung to keep construction debris off the streets was crumpled and torn by the storm. While the damage was relatively light given the wind speeds, it was enough to cause chaos in the capital’s notoriously busy morning commute. The overland East Japan Railway train system was largely halted in the early hours of operation while tracks were checked for fallen trees and other

US, Taliban keep door open after scuttled talks

HK’s Joshua Wong on way to Germany HONG KONG―Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong was making his way to Germany on Monday after he was released from a brief spell in custody following a mistake in his bail conditions, his party conﬁrmed. Wong, 22, was among the multiple prominent democracy advocates who were detained late last month in a roundup by police as the semiautonomous city reels from more than three months of unprecedented prodemocracy protests. He was accused of “inciting others to take part in unauthorized assembly” among other charges and later released on bail. On Sunday, he said he was detained at Hong Kong airport for “breaching bail conditions” after returning from Taiwan and as he then tried to make another overseas trip to Germany. He also planned to travel to the United States after. But he was released by a court on Monday after it emerged the detention was a procedural error and that his bail requirements allowed him to take any overseas trips that had been arranged before his arrest, local news station RTHK reported. AFP

At least 29 kiled in Burkina Faso OUAGADOGOU—At least 29 people were killed in two attacks in northern Burkina Faso on Sunday, in a region prone to jihadist violence, the government said. One vehicle transporting people and goods “rode over an improvised explosive device in the Barsalogho area” leaving at least 15 passengers dead, government spokesman Remis Fulgance Dandjinou said in a statement. A security source said most were traders. Meanwhile, around 50 kilometers away, 14 people were killed when food vans travelling in convoy were attacked, the spokesman added. Local sources said many of the dead were the drivers of the three-wheeler vans, which were carrying provisions for people displaced by ﬁghting. “Military reinforcements have been deployed and a thorough search is under way,” Dandjinou said. A former French colony that ranks among the world’s poorest countries, Burkina Faso has been struggling with an Islamist militant revolt since 2015. The country’s army has been increasingly targeted by jihadists. Earlier this month, an attack on a military base in northern Burkina Faso killed 24 in an unprecedented blow to the army in its campaign against jihadists. AFP

PREMIERE. Isabela Moner signs autographs and takes selfies with fans during the “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” Mexico premiere at Cinepolis Parque Toreo on September 8, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. AFP

River ‘armageddon’ prompts Aussie fish rescue SYDNEY―Australia began rescuing wild fish from drying sections of its biggest water system Monday, hoping to avoid a repeat of mass fish deaths that prompted outrage last summer. Fish have become stranded in isolated pools in the Darling River amid a prolonged drought that has ravaged much of the sunburned country’s eastern interior. New South Wales state Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall warned of a “fish Armageddon” this southern hemisphere summer, without drastic action to save the river’s critically endangered Murray Cod and other native fish species. Last summer up to a million fish died in the same area of the river―part of the vast Murray-Darling Basin that serves as the lifeblood of Australia’s food bowl. Scientists said the deaths were caused by low water and oxygen levels as well

as potentially toxic algae. Now the government has begun an effort to relocate thousands of fish to healthier sections of the river or into hatcheries. Up to 20 pools of fish will be moved downstream in the first stage of the relocation effort, which is expected to be rolled out across the drought-stricken state in the coming months. Other fish will be removed from the river altogether, and placed into private and state-owned hatcheries until the water starts flowing again. Some environmentalists have cast down on the efficacy of the Aus$10 million ($6.85 million) plan, which the state government has dubbed a “modern-day Noah’s Ark”. But Marshall defended it as “providing the best possible chance of survival” for the fish―while also admitting there will almost certainly be further severe

ﬁsh kill events this summer. “With record low rainfall and high temperatures predicted over the coming months, this action will help protect our iconic species in the midst of the worst drought on record,” he said. The health of the Murray-Darling Basin-a river network stretching across one million square kilometers, about twice the size of Spain-has been the subject of intense debate in Australia for years. Experts and locals say the systemic depletion and pollution of the river is to blame for its poor condition. In January, a Royal Commission report accused the authority responsible for oversight of the basin of failing to be guided by environmental priorities and ignoring climate change projections. The body was accused of allowing politics to determine how much water could be removed from the river to irrigate farmland. AFP

Britain’s Johnson tries to save job and hard-line Brexit LONDON―UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will try to save his job and his hard-line Brexit strategy Monday when he confronts parliament and his Irish counterpart in another showdown week. The charismatic but divisive British leader ﬁnds himself facing a political impasse, just six weeks after taking over from his beleaguered predecessor Theresa May. The new prime minister has vowed to take Britain out of the European Union after 46 years―with or without a divorce deal―by October 31, but has been blocked by parliament. Johnson’s bid to break the deadlock through a snap general election on October 15 is also facing an almost certain second successive defeat by lawmakers Monday. It comes after a week in which he took a battering from resignations and sackings that included his own brother and Winston Churchill’s grandson, leaving him without a working majority in parliament. Two of his most senior ministers both

debris from the storm. The storm also caused delays and stoppages on subway lines, leading to massive crowds at some stations in the busy metropolitan area that is home to 36 million people. Bullet train services that were suspended during the storm had largely resumed, though some were operating on a reduced schedule. Some roads were blocked by downed trees. And trains running to and from Narita International Airport were halted, with buses and taxis the only options left to those arriving or hoping to ﬂy out. And at least 138 domestic ﬂights were canceled, with the weather even delaying the arrival of the Australian rugby team due in Tokyo on Monday ahead of the World Cup that kicks off on September 20. AFP

rejected speculation Sunday that Johnson had no real option but to resign. But neither could say clearly how he intended to keep all his Brexit promises without somehow bending UK law. “Of course he is not going to break the law,” Foreign Minister Dominic Raab told Sky News. “We have a plan, which is to stick to what we have been doing,” Interior Minister Sajid Javid told the BBC. The chaos is being compounded by Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament for over a month from some point between Monday and Thursday. The legal but controversial step was meant to remove domestic obstacles while he uses his “no-deal” Brexit threat to wrest better divorce terms from Brussels at a leadership summit on October 17-18. But it ended up jolting parliament into racing through legislation forcing Johnson to ask for what would be a third Brexit extension if no new deal emerges by October 19. Raab said Johnson would “test to the

limit” the law in court. European leaders are also skeptical that another delay designed to avoid economic disruption was still worth all the political pain. “In the current circumstances, it’s ‘no!’,” French Foreign Minister JeanYves Le Drian told a Sunday political talk show in Paris. “We are not going through this every three months.” All 28 current EU leaders would have to approve what would be the third Brexit extension this year. The one EU nation that stands to lose the most from a messy breakup is Ireland. Brussels rules require a post-Brexit border to go up along what is now an all-but invisible frontier with Britain’s Nothern Ireland if no alternative arrangement is found. The issue was meant to be resolved by a “backstop”—a complicated fudge that kept the North partially in and out of the EU while the sides sought a longterm ﬁx. AFP

ON THE RUNWAY.

A Model walks the runway during NYFW Powered By The Society at Broad Street Ballroom on September 8, 2019, in New York City. AFP

WASHINGTON―The United States and Afghanistan’s Taliban on Sunday both left the door open to fresh talks after President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a secret summit, but the insurgents threatened to inflict greater costs. Washington also said it would not relent in fighting the militants after Trump blamed the scuttling of the unprecedented meeting on a Taliban attack that killed a US soldier. Trump said he had invited Taliban leaders and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for talks Sunday at the Camp David presidential retreat on a draft deal that would see the United States withdraw thousands of troops and wind down its longest-ever war. In a series of television interviews, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did not rule out a return to talks but said the United States needed a “significant commitment” from the Taliban. “I’m not pessimistic,” Pompeo told NBC. “I’ve watched the Taliban do things and say things they’ve not been permitted to do before.” “I hope it’s the case the Taliban will change their behavior, will recommit to the things that we’ve been talking to them about for months,” he said on ABC. “In the end, this will be resolved through a series of conversations,” he added, urging the Taliban to drop their long-running refusal to negotiate with Ghani’s internationally recognized government. He said that Trump had not decided whether to go ahead with a withdrawal, which under the draft deal would pull 5,000 of the roughly 13,000 US troops from Afghanistan next year. But Pompeo warned that the United States was “not going to reduce the pressure” on the Taliban, saying US forces had killed more than 1,000 insurgents in the past 10 days alone. Veteran US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad had spent a year meeting with the Taliban, who said that Trump showed “neither experience nor patience.” “Americans will be harmed more than any other” by Trump’s decision, warned a statement by the group’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. AFP

LGUs

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

3 of Taguig’s Top 10 Wanted nabbed in raid

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

By Joel E. Zurbano

DOH-Calabarzon purchases first sea ambulance By Macon Ramos-Araneta TO ADDRESS the medical needs of patients in far-flung island communities and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, the Department of Health in Calabarzon bought the first sea ambulance for the region, said Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo. Janairo said the first sea ambulance will be deployed in the rural health unit of Panukulan in Quezon province. This will serve the Polillo Group of islands which lies on the southeast part of the province. He said seven more sea ambulances will purchased for the other island communities of Quezon—Alabat, Calauag, Patnanungan, Perez, Quezon and Polilio. He said sea ambulance will help ensure a faster response to deliver, transport and provide emergency health care to patients in need of immediate treatment. The purchase of the first sea ambulance, Janairo said, was made possible through a sub-allotment fund of P21,000 from the DOH central office. This was made through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program that aims to provide medical transport to patients living in island communities for access to quality health care services. “We still have to furnish the needed medical equipment and emergency kits that will be placed inside the sea ambulance,” said Janairo. He assured they will endeavor to acquire them immediately in order to complete its emergency care services. He related that the sea ambulance is just one aspect of the Universal Health Care system’s implementation. He said this is not only for patients needing immediate medical treatment in a hospital, but also for giving preventive health care services. So, we need here mobility or referral system from the place of the incident until a patient reaches the nearest Rural Health Unit or hospital. Janairo also noted that mobility through sea ambulance is very important and this one aspect in health services that they would strengthen. He added that patients from the island communities that will be transported by the sea ambulance will be directed to the Claro M. Recto Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed capacity health facility located in Infanta town. “All RHU of Polilio will be attached to the mainland hospital at and we will prioritize the RHU of Panukulan and patients who are needing immediate medication, we will use telemedicine to access specialists in Manila,” said Janairo. Janairo also reminded that the purchase of the sea ambulance came from taxpayer’s money. The turn-over ceremony of the sea ambulance was held in Barangay Libjo Beach, Infanta, Quezon on Sept. 6, 2019. The sea ambulance can ply to Panukulan from Infanta to at 45 minutes in good weather condition with a speed of about 30 knots.

INUNDATED. Flooding in San Fernando, La Union fills the city streets due to inclement weather and rains induced by the northwestern monsoon over the weekend. San fernando City CDRMO

TAGUIG City Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano on Monday lauded the concerted effort of the local government and the police force that resulted in the arrest of big-time criminals included in the most wanted list in the city. Authorities have arrested the three of the Top 10 most wanted criminals in the city—Victorious Movido (3rd), Rene Parazo (9th), and Mark Anthony Bornel (10th). “As part of the goal of making Taguig a safe city, the third, ninth and tenth most wanted men in Taguig are now off the streets,” said Cayetano. Also arrested during the police “One-Time Big-Time Operations” was a retired police colonel after he was caught taking illegal drugs in Barangay North Signal red-handed. The latest crackdown was conducted by around 1,000 operatives of the Taguig City Police Station, National Capital Region Police Office and Southern Police District. The 21 simultaneous police operations— serving arrest and search warrants, buy-bust, random checkpoints and other anti-crime campaign—also led to the arrest of 312 individuals violating city ordinances and the rescue of 58 minors. More than 113 sachets of suspected shabu, seven firearms, and two hand grenades were also recovered during the police operation. "We will continuously work on a plan to have a closer coordination with our barangays and other peacekeeping units. This is a big challenge in terms of peace and order but rest assured that this is the priority of our administration as it is the priority of President Duterte," Cayetano said.

Bacolod’s 40 MassKara set th

ACOLOD CITY—A month before MassKara turns 40, the City of Bacolod kicked off the countdown to the Ruby anniversary of the world-renowned festival poised to appeal to the younger generation of revelers.

On Sunday afternoon, the launch was led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and festival director Eli Francis Tajanlangit, who announced the major events of this year’s festivities, themed “Bacolod, City of Smiles” from October 8 to 27. “This is a MassKara like no other even if we just simply think in terms of its being 40 years. This is a milestone, no doubt about that. (We have) seen MassKara metamorphose to what it is today. We’re looking forward to a MassKara like no other,” Leonardia said. Explaining the thought behind the 40th year theme, the mayor said:

“This is probably the best time to also relaunch our image as the ‘City of Smiles.’” “Some people would tell me our smile is just different...Let’s take advantage of this,” Leonardia added. In the Ruby MassKara logo created by digital artist Mark Lester Jarmin, that smile is emphasized through Yuhom, the MassKara icon dressed up as a festival dancer. “Yuhom” is the Hiligaynon word for smile. This year’s logo incorporates elements from the first festival logo designed by Ely Santiago, includ-

ing the red elements and the text “MassKara.” Also, Yuhom can be seen wearing a mask with 40 colorful feathers, symbolizing the 40 years of the festival and a crown with ruby gem, and eight diamond studs for the eight decades of Bacolod. He is shown jumping as an expression of excitement for the upcoming festival. During the launch, Leonardia and Tajanlangit were joined by a young creative team tasked to present a different kind of MassKara in its 40th year. “That the creative team is composed of very young people is an acknowledgement of the fact that MassKara Festival has to move on, on the blood of our new generation,” Tajanlangit said. PNA

WELCOME PARADE. Senator

Ronald dela Rosa (right) the guest of honor and speaker during the 118th Police Service Anniversary Celebration held Thursday at the Gen. Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City. The lawmaker also receives a simple memento from Calabarzon Regional Director Police Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza. Roy Tomandao

SM mall admin workers give kids their turn in PRIME program By Brenda Jocson CABANATUAN CITY—A total of 14 children of SM mall administration employees ages six to 12 have experienced how to work with SM through PRIME Kids event spearheaded by SM Human Resources Department here. For SM employees, PRIME means

Workers of AstraZeneca pose after their treeplanting activity in Cavinti, Laguna. The biopharmaceutical company strengthened its commitment to sustainability by focusing on three pillars of its strategy: Patients, people, and the planet.

Performance Driven, Results Oriented, Intense, Mindful, Exceptional. Sharon Canino, HR manager, said SM's PRIME are the principles that everyone should practice to achieved common goals and to serve the SM customers at its finest. She said the activity aims to allow the kids to experience the work and envi-

ronment of their parents in SM and to encourage them to start dreaming on what they want to be in the future. “We introduced different jobs to the kids like the works of an engineer, a customer relations manager, food court manager, nurse and other mall duties to let them experience and dream of what they want be when they grew up," Canino said.

She said they also gave the children an understanding how their parents work guided with PRIME principles and the power of camaraderie among others. "The activities also involves mall tour which gave the kids an opportunity to see the behind the scene features of the mall," she said.

SNAP, LGUs sign pact for fund payout By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— Officials of power firm SN Aboitiz Power and host local government units recently signed an agreement that will eventually enable the firm to directly remit their financial benefits directly to LGUs. The Memorandums of Agreement for the implementation of the amended Energy Regulations No. 1-94 will start the release of financial benefits from power generators to local governments. Go. Carlos Padilla said local chief executives from the provincial, municipal, and barangay levels were present during the MOA signing ceremonies held last Sept. 5 such as Gov. Melchor Diclas of Benguet, Gov. Jerry Dalipog of Ifugao, Isabela Board Member Edward Isidro. “We are there to support this development as we will be directly remitted with the power generators’ financial benefits that will redound to the development programs and projects for our constituents,” he said. Padilla added that the province is grateful for the DOE and SNAP for the new scheme on the direct remittance of ER1-94 funds. “We look forward to effectively utilizing the funds, as stated in the Implementing Rules and Regulations,” he said. SNAP is set to turn over more than P10.5 million to its host communities based on the total attributable energy sales of its Ambuklao, Binga, Magat, and Maris hydro facilities. Earlier, Provincial Treasurer Rhoda said the province is expecting more than P10 million from power generators to be remitted to the provincial government this year. The ER 1-94 program is a policy under the Department of Energy Act of 1992 and Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

AstraZeneca, DENR, Cavinti ink pact BIOPHARMACEUTICAL company AstraZeneca has entered into a three-year tripartite agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the municipality of Cavinti, Laguna to support the 'Tayo ang Kalikasan' reforestation management program. "Taking care of the environment is a monumental undertaking that requires the participation of everyone. So, we're very happy that AstraZeneca is doing its part for this effort," said Vener Garcia, OIC Chief, Policy Studies Division, DENR. As part of AstraZeneca’s Sustainability efforts in environmental protection and in celebration of the World Environment Day, 150 of its employees in the Philippines planted around 1,000 indigenous trees in Cavinti to help offset the CO2 emissions of its car fleet.

Cavinti Mayor Milbert Oliveros expressed his gratitude for this initiative. "The Caliraya Watershed is very important to our municipality, as it provides water supply for drinking and power generation. We're grateful to AstraZeneca and DENR for their help in rehabilitating our watershed," he shared. The 1,000 trees planted is the first phase of the partnership. According to Lotis Ramin, AstraZeneca Philippines Country President, the company aims to plant a total of 3,000 trees by 2021 by increasing the number of sites as well as involving more employees around the country. "At AstraZeneca, our approach to sustainability puts health at the heart of our work. Sustainability means using our capabilities to make the most meaningful impact where society needs it—health,” he said.

Life

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

BLOOMING. Orchids are known for being colorful and fragrant. Aside from their beauty, they symbolize a variety of meanings, are said to bring peace and harmony, and help purify the air.

A flower for all seasons

By Diana B. Noche

ROWING orchids is an art; it brings out emotions to the fore. And like an artist of prodigious gifts, orchids bring us to where there is a splendid feast for the eyes.

The orchid plant of the Orchidaceae Fossils of the plant suggest that orfamily, which is known for its widely chids have thrived 100 million years colorful blooms and alluring beauty, ago on Earth. The number is growing was named after—hold your breath— as botanists and orchid growers contina man’s testicles. According to Greek ue to grow extraordinary breeds, like mythology, Orkhis, from the two-millimeter wide orchid, the whom the plant’s name smallest in the world. originated, is the son of a satyr and a nymph, who was turned into a flower after his death. It was the Greek botanist, Theophrastos, a protégé of Aristotle, who thought that the fleshy underground tuber resembled that part of the male anatomy. Thus, in ancient Greece, the orchid was associated with virility. During the 1st century AD, Greek physician Dioscorides suggested that orchids influThis enced sexuality, lovely flower was with which men, actually named after a man’s testicles. by eating specific parts of the flower, could opt for either a daughter or a son. Orchids are classified into two catKing Charles II, so enamored with egories. Monopodial orchids have a sinthe flower, brought the plant to Sweden gle, upright stem, with leaves arranged from Persia in the 17th century. During opposite each other along the stem: the Victorian era, orchids symbolized Phalaenopsis and Vandas are examples. luxury because the flowers were so ex- Sympodial orchids, the second categopensive that only the rich could afford to ry, grow horizontally, sending out new have them at home. shoots from old rhizome: examples are The orchid flowers are showy and Cattleya, Cymbidium, and Dendrobium. some could be bizarrely shaped, with There is no general rule for tending to large specialized lip (labellum) and an orchid plant; some are easy to take a spur. With over 30,000 species and care of, while others have to be tended more than 200,000 hybrids, orchids to with delicate supervision, not wishmake up for the largest flowering plants ing to be disturbed. Some hybrids take in the world. time to bloom, especially after having

been repotted, in which case it takes a year for it to bud. Except in Antarctica, orchids can grow anywhere in temperate zones and where there is sun and light. Terrestrial orchids such as Cymbidiums grow on soil. Most tropical orchids are epiphytes, growing in the air, high in the bark of trees or the surface of other plants. Their fleshy roots are covered with a coat of white cells that act like a sponge absorbing moist and water. They can also grow on dried coconut fiber, peat moss, cork nuggets, stones, and dried roots of ferns. Most orchids bloom once a year, with flowers in bloom for six to 10 weeks. Right air circulation and a good drainage (no waterlogged pots) is necessary for growth. Water the plants at least once a week or keep it misted. Liquid fertilizer may be used but not right after repotting. Aside from their beauty, orchids, especially Dendrobiums, are also excellent air purifiers and will filter chemicals, toluene, and xylene indoors. The colors of orchids have different meanings to many people. White means reverence and humility, innocence, purity, elegance, and beauty. Purple indicates admiration, respect, dignity, and royalty. Green is for blessings and good fortune, good health, wealthy nature, and longevity. Blue means trust and uniqueness, the perfect gift because of its rarity to one whom is uniquely pretty. Yellow means friendship, joy, and new beginnings. Orange is for enthusiasm, boldness, and pride. Pink orchids, especially on the 14th and 25th wedding anniversary, convey pure affection. It

Orchids are classified into two categories: monopodial which has singular upright stem, and sympodial which grows horizontally.

also means femininity, grace, and joy. Red is for passion, bravery, power, strength, and courage. Black denotes duality, death signs, and evil significations. Black also symbolizes the mysteriously beautiful. In China, orchids imply the unity of married couples and a good probability of bearing many children. When presented as a gift to couples, the orchids are believed to drive away evil spirits that may bring barrenness to them. In feng shui, orchids are lucky houseplants that brings peace, good opportunities, harmony, and success at home or place of work. Orchids at funerals have a deeper message of an undying love which says, “I will always love you.” Many countries have adopted images of orchid flowers on their flag or as national emblem: Brazil, Indonesia, Venezuela, Columbia, Guatemala, Sin-

gapore, and Costa Rica. The Calayan tribes in the Philippines regard the orchid plant as “keepers of the forests.” To grow orchids, it is best to start with no-fuss Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, and Paphiopedilum. They are easy to grow and are very adaptable to any environment. To avoid guesswork, buy plants that have flowers so you’ll know what you’re getting. Each year during this time, the Quezon Memorial Circle is abloom with orchid flowers and orchid growers to introduce new hybrids. The Philippine Orchid Society, founded on October 1, 1946, has been giving lectures, seminars, and tours to those interested to know more about how to grow and care for orchids as well as help enthusiasts learn their other uses and increase appreciation for the plant. Photos by Diana B. Noche

Neutral K is the country’s first over-the-counter potassium food supplement.

How to squeeze in healthy habits into busy schedules MOST millennials begin the day with the best intentions: eat healthy, do the best at work, work out at the gym, meet up with friends. Productive and proactive, the routine can be exhausting that others are not able to sustain it. When days get busy, young professionals often opt for quick bites on the go. They take over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements to provide whatever nutrients fast food meals lack. But while it is easy to get the recommended daily allowances of vitamins like B, C and even D, or minerals like iron and calcium, the case is not the same with mineral potassium (K), especially when the supplement was not available OTC in the past. Potassium, a mineral and electrolyte, is essential for the body’s growth and maintenance. It keeps a normal balance of fluid in the body, helps lower blood pressure, protects against stroke, helps prevent osteoporosis or brittle bones and kidney stones, reduces stress and anxiety, enhances the nervous system, reduces the appearance of cellulite, and promotes proper food breakdown and body growth. Neutra K, the country’s first potassium supplement with no prescription needed, helps busy millennials get their daily dose of this essential mineral. The potassium in Neutra K is non-

Young professionals leading a busy lifestyle benefit from over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements.

acidic, has no artificial flavors and preservatives, and effectively promotes a more regulated acidity in the body to prevent the potential ill-effects of prolonged imbalance. The supplement can be taken twice a day—one during breakfast and another during dinner. Neutra K is available in 300mg tablets, in boxes of 12 or 100, at Mercury Drugstore branches nationwide.

Life

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

SIAN Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) recently launched its Catheterization Lab equipped with the nextgeneration image-guided therapy platform, Philips Azurion 7 C20. The image-guided therapy platform lets clinicians perform open and minimally invasive procedures in one room. It allows for easy and confident performance of a wide range of routine and complex procedures with a unique user experience, helping optimize laboratory performance and provide superior care for patients. By 2030, Asia is expected to be home to over 60 percent of the total population aged 65 years or older, according to a 2017 report. In a statement, Philips said that as the range of diseases that can be treated with minimally invasive procedures continues to expand and the procedures themselves become more efficient, the patient’s treatment experience continues to improve. They experience less trauma, and as a result, their stay in hospital can be dramatically reduced—often returning home after one night in hospital, and for some procedures even leaving the hospital on the same day. “As patient volumes rise and procedures become more complex, the Philips Azurion’s intuitive, outstanding user experience empowers doctors to have the ability to move quickly and confidently through procedures,” said Ashwin Chari, country manager of Philips Philippines Inc. Chari added, “Clinical excellence unites with workflow innovation to

AHMC installs image-guided therapy platform

In a bid to provide innovative healthcare solutions to patients, Asian Hospital and Medical Center launches its Catheterization Lab equipped with the next-generation image-guided therapy platform, Philips Azurion 7 C20.

Center said Philips Azurion helps them support clinicians in delivering out- tional efficiency.” standing patient care, reducing risk of Andres Licaros, Jr., president and chief deliver innovative healthcare solutions complications, and increasing opera- executive of Asian Hospital and Medical to their patients. “Faced with a growing demand for image-guided therapy and increasingly complex procedures, we are looking for ways to treat more patients in less time without compromising quality of care,” shared Licaros.

Giving lung cancer patients a second breath of life ACCOUNTING for over 15,000 deaths per year, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the Philippines, according to the World Health Organization’s web-based platform Global Cancer Observatory. Despite coverage for early-stage cancer, few lung cancer patients are diagnosed early. In fact, 72 percent of cases diagnosed are already in their late stages. More than 11,000 Filipinos suffer late-stage lung cancer, yet there is still limited awareness on the disease and access to comprehensive treatment is a crucial challenge. Late-stage cancer patients often face challenges in sustaining treatment, leaving the patient and his or her family to bear majority of expenses out-of-pocket. Medication and hospitalization are not the only drivers of the cost of cancer treatment; majority of cancer care expense, in fact, is driven by miscellaneous expenses incurred while getting treated, such as fares going to and from hospitals, food in hospitals, and wages of caregivers. Nanay Marissa, a 62-year-old teacher diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, said support is a vital factor in helping her fight the disease. “I thought a stage 4 cancer diagnosis was a death sentence, but here I am today, living with cancer with the support of my family and my doctor,” says Nanay Marissa. Nanay Marissa is just one of the 17,255 Filipinos diagnosed with lung cancer every year. “Lung cancer accounts for 12.2 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in the Philippines. Unfortunately, most are diagnosed at the later stages, and this results in a higher mortality rate,” says Dr. Herdee Luna of the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology. Apart from access to treatment, getting a fast and accurate diagnosis could also be a challenge for patients due to limited access to specialists and diagnostics testing centers. For instance, lung cancer patients are rarely diagnosed early because most would present with symptoms similar

Patient support programs are vital in helping cancer patients fight their disease.

to tuberculosis, and would be treated for the infection prior to any further cancer screening on the observed lung mass. Moreover, lung cancer patients are now required to be tested for genetic mutations to determine their eligibility for non-chemotherapy, personalized treatment options. However, in the Philippines, genetic mutation tests, such as the EGFR mutation test, are expensive and accessible only through laboratories in Metro Manila. “We should start looking at cancer just like chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. More than our pity, these cancer patients need support to fight for survivorship. Many patients support programs are now available to help them with their cancer treatment,” says Dr. Luna. To support the challenges faced by late-stage cancer patients, biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Philippines has collaborated with several partners to launch the AZ Cares Program. This patient support program provides end-to-end healthcare management support for both lung and breast cancer patients to get the best treat-

ment by addressing challenges faced by patients throughout their treatment journey—from understanding their disease, accessing diagnostic testing centers, undergoing genetic mutation testing to getting funding for their treatment and even proper administration of injectable medicine. To date, over 3,600 Filipino lung and breast cancer patients have been reached by AZ Cares since its launch in 2016. The AZ Cares Program offers free EGFR mutation testing to all eligible lung cancer patients with a dedicated Diagnostics Support Nurse to guide the patients to avail of the free genetic test from more than 50 access points nationwide; a dedicated nurse to support doctors and patients during intramuscular administration of the injectable medicine. It also provides a treatment patient support program, which allows patients to avail of innovative medicine for lung and breast cancer at a discounted price. Finally, the program aims to reach more Filipinos For Nanay Marissa, the AZ Cares Program gives her the support she needs to fight. “I am living with latestage cancer, but I am not alone and I am in control of It,” she said.

The number of breast and lung cancer patients in the Philippines, and the cost in treating the disease, according to biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Philippines.

Since its global launch in February 2017, over 450,000 patients have been treated in more than 80 countries using a Philips Azurion system. A two-year study found that clinicians’ use of Azurion enabled significant reductions in procedure time, in-lab patient preparation time, post-procedure lab time, and enhanced staff experience.

The image-guided therapy platform lets clinicians perform open and minimally invasive procedures in one room.

Breast cancer survivors and volunteers for ICanServe Foundation, (standing) Chuchu Madrigal, Patty Betita, Bibeth Orteza, Maan Hontiveros, (seated) Maritoni Fernandez, and Melissa De Leon, come together for Silver Linings 2019.

Breast cancer summit to gather survivors NONGOVERNMENT organization ICanServe Foundation on Sept. 28 stages the fourth installment of Silver Linings, a summit for the Philippine breast cancer community, at the Philippine International Convention Center. The summit, which also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the foundation, is the largest gathering of cancer survivors to date. Participants get an opportunity to forge friendships and partnerships with the breast cancer community. With an aim to reach more survivors, past Silver Linings Summits were held not only in Metro Manila but also in Cebu City and Davao City. With creatively presented interactive forums, the summit offers various topics not only for the different needs of breast cancer patients but also for their family, friends, and supportive medical team; all of which range from personal to medical to advocacy.

Some discussions involve sharing of general information like “Everything you need to know about breast cancer,” “Eating right,” “Where to find financial assistance,” “Meditation,” “Gentle Yoga,” and even “What’s in store for you in the new Cancer Law?” Other topics focus on subjects such as “Can one have children after cancer?” “How do cancer patients deal with a Stage 4 diagnosis?” “Does cancer run in my family?” “After cancer, what is my follow up care?” “Anxiety and Depression during cancer,” and “Healing through storytelling.” From 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., participants can avail of free X-rays, BMIs, consultations with doctors, and more. Go to ICanServe Foundation’s website to register. The P500 registration fee includes meals.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Iconic…

HROUGH the documentary Genuine Love, people learned more about Gina Lopez’s love for children, people, our nation, and the environment, which she expressed through projects and campaigns.

From C4

She was the driving force behind iconic educational shows for the youth like Sineskwela, Hiraya Manawari, and Bayani, which inspired love for learning and love for country among a generation of Filipinos. Gina, the former chairperson of ABS-CBN Foundation, founded the first rescue hotline for abused children in the country Bantay Batay 163, environment movements Bantay Kalikasan, Save the La Mesa Watershed, Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig, and No to Mining in Palawan. Netizens can now watch Genuine Love, the documentary on the life of service of former environment secretary on ABS-CBN News YouTube channel and on-demand on streaming service iWant.

Former Bantay Bata 163 program director Tina Monzon-Palma shares how it was to work for and with Gina Lopez.

Filipinos went to social media to express their admiration and gratitude for her. Produced by ABS-CBN DocuCentral, Genuine Love shows the different aspects of Gina’s life as told by her mother Conchita and siblings led by ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III and Creative Programs Inc. president Ernie Lopez, and her past and present colleagues in the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) like former Bantay Bata 163 head Tina Monzon-Palma and current Bantay Kalikasan program director Jen Santos. The piece, which sparked tributes to Gina from Filipinos online, first aired on ABS-CBN last Aug. 25, six days after she passed away. It features pho-

‘Genuine Love’ will show previous interviews with Gina Lopez where she shares her advocacies and belief in the power of love.

Filipinos pay tribute to Gina Lopez

tos from her youth and as a yoga missionary of Ananda Marga, news footage and excerpts from her speeches and interviews as an anti-mining advocate, and secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It also showed some parts of Gina’s last TV interview that aired in July, which showed her still full of life, hope, and love despite her health challenges. Twitter user @djhamerabag called Gina “one of a kind” and praised her for leaving “the comforts of her home because of genuine service to humanity.” Netizen @iamdinard also posted “Watching #GenuineLove, I couldn’t think of any other Filipino who has the same heart to serve as Gina Lopez. Gone too soon, Earth warrior!” Her words also ignited nationalism among the viewers. Twitter user @champagnemiles also thanked her for “empowering the locals through their projects and promote eco-tourism” through her projects like ILove Foundation and “G Diaries,” while @NicaillTimbal and @ reedtulio raved about her genuineness, passion, and selfless heart. And like many others that watched the documentary, @stephanie_hazel was inspired to follow in Gina’s footsteps. She posted, “That passion, fire and selfless love. Not for money, not for fame. But, for the people, for the Filipinos, and especially, for God. GL, does not only stand for #GinaLopez but for #GenuineLove. I hope, someday, I’ll be closer to what she had been.” Read more tributes and stories about Gina Lopez by searching the hashtags #GenuineLove and “MaramingSalamatGinaLopez.” Watch the ABS-CBN DocuCentral documentary on her life story “Genuine Love” on iwant. ph, the iWant App,skyondemand.com.ph, or on the ABSCBN News YouTube channel.

New York pop-up celebrates 25th anniversary of ‘Friends’ CENTRAL Perk’s famous orange sofa, Chandler and Joey’s reclining leather armchairs and Phoebe’s guitar: all are on display at an exhibition to mark the 25th anniversary of the hit sitcom Friends. The pop-up exhibit opened in New York on Saturday as part of celebrations marking a quarter of a century since the first episode aired on NBC, and runs until Oct. 6. It is also a way for Warner Bros to cashin on the comedy series’ seemingly neverending popularity, 15 years after the last episode was broadcast in May 2004. “It’s like a museum. The amount of details, of props, and just the craftsmanship that has gone into this event is astounding,” said James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther, the timid waiter in love with Rachel. The studio has recreated the set in a huge loft in Soho, Manhattan, almost exactly. Everything from the furniture to the decor is the same.

Central Perk’s famous orange sofa, Chandler and Joey’s reclining leather armchairs and Phoebe’s guitar: all are on display at an exhibition to mark the 25th anniversary of the hit sitcom “Friends”

Visitors can lounge on the famous armchairs where Joey and Chandler would shout at the television, eye their foosball table, or open the door to Monica and Rachel’s apartment just across the hallway. “When I first walked in, I just burst into a smile. Every corner that I turn and all the things that I could see brings back a lot memories and it’s so well done,” said Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice -- that lady with the annoying, nasal laugh. The exhibition, which is already sold out, is part of a wider effort to mark the anniversary and capitalize on its popularity among younger audiences who weren’t even born when the final episode was broadcast but have discovered it through reruns on Netflix. AFP

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, September 10, 2019

ACROSS 1 Own up 6 Pricey fur 11 Sharp tool (var.) 14 Bus 15 Big spread 16 Familiar digit 17 Deeply felt 18 Abandoned settlement (2 wds.) 20 Dit partner 21 Auction site 23 Felt crummy 24 A second time 26 Knee bone 28 Idaho export 30 Endeavored 31 Choral section 32 Extols 33 Pull hard 36 Contract 37 Dorian Gray creator 38 Kind of wedding 39 Daughter’s brother 40 Birchbark craft 41 Specialty 42 Extraterrestrial 43 — Aires 44 Exonerates 47 Flings 48 Feel grief 49 Klaxon 50 Prize marble 53 Not lose

(2 wds.) 56 Pertaining to NH2 58 Rowboat need 59 Rousseau novel 60 Tint 61 Cunning 62 Card game 63 Make changes to DOWN 1 Tart 2 Senhora 3 Woody Allen comedy 4 Rink surface 5 Hazards 6 Astronomer Carl — 7 Stiff and sore 8 Family mem. 9 Brown the bandleader 10 Probate concerns 11 Ring-shaped reef 12 Wooden peg 13 “The Prisoner of —” 19 Deadlocked 22 Personal history 25 Liverpool poky 26 Straitlaced person 27 Office assistant 28 Goalies’ protec-

tion 29 Ersatz butter 30 Claw 32 Queues 33 Subway gate 34 Poetic preposition 35 A few thou 37 Hang around 38 Actor — Grey 40 Slag 41 Basement fixture 42 Ambiance 43 Prickly husk (var.)

44 Pulpits 45 Reef material 46 Ask about 47 Nectar, finally 49 Post of control 51 Pretty soon 52 Part of a sentence 54 Flightless bird 55 Enthusiasm 57 May honoree

Gina’s brother Ernie talks about Gina’s love for people.

Johnny Depp jokes about his drinking at Venice film fest ACTOR Johnny Depp joked about drinking Friday and lavished praise on his actress daughter Lily-Rose at the Venice film festival. The US star, who plays a sadistic colonel alongside British actors Mark Rylance and Robert Pattinson in Waiting for the Barbarians, teased that he loved being in Italy. “For one, people speak very good Italian,” he drawled. “The food is very good and I do like wine occasionally. Why do you laugh?” he asked reporters. The ageing enfant terrible, now 56, quipped during his messy 2016 divorce from actress Amber Heard that “it’s insulting to say that I spent $30,000 on wine... because it was far more.” But last year the Willy Wonka and The Pirates of the Caribbean actor admitted that he was “as low as I believe I could have gotten.”AFP

Café Amazon now has 15 stores in the Philippines, including one at PTT Edsa Veterans in Quezon City where the signing of the PTT-Wish 107.5 partnership was held. “Our partnership with Wish 107.5 was brought not just by the popularity of the station, and the recorded performances on the bus that were uploaded on YouTube, but also because of our advocacies to reach out to people especially to the less-fortunate ones,” PTT Philippines Corporation President & CEO Thitiroj Rergsumran said during the “PTT Meets the Press” that was held right after the simple signing ceremony. “While Wish 107.5 grants wishes of wishers, PTT similarly extend assistance to different communities in the Philippines such as livelihood, school supplies, and medicine, among others especially in far-flung areas.” Rergsumran said. PTT Philippines Foundation President Paul Senador, meanwhile, said that PTT’s partnership with Wish 107.5 was also in support to the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and the Filipino artists. “Wish 107.5 is a global phenomenon in terms of the number of reach that its YouTube channel has attained. The number of subscribers and views tell it all. And you cannot go wrong partnering with them as its official fuel partner,” Senador added. PTT Philippines Trading Corporation President & CEO Danilo Alabado was also present during the signing ceremony. “We are proud to be the official fuel partner of Wish 107.5 and hopefully, this will be the beginning of a longlasting partnership,” he said. Meanwhile, Wish 107.5’s Vice President for Marketing Jay Eusebio thanked PTT Philippines for partnering with the station “although PTT is no longer new to us being one of our partners in many of our previous events”.” “There is a synergy here. We have a lot of things in common especially the way we reach out to people. We really hope that this partnership will last for so many years,” Eusebio said. As partners, the Wish Bus and the fleet of the company’s vehicles will be using PTT fuel to give both the bus and its fleet of vehicles the needed boost when travelling. PTT carries its Blue Innovation fuel brand with its Blue Gasoline 97+, Blue Gasoline 95+, Blue Gasoline 93+, and its Blue Diesel. The signing of the partnership contract was also highlighted by the performances of Filipino R&B artists Bugoy Drilon and Daryl Ong inside the Bus that was station at PTT Edsa Veterans. The Wish 107.5 Bus is the country’s first and only FM-on-wheels that has become the most-sought performance stage for both iconic and emerging acts. It is equipped with state-of-the-art broadcast facilities that took the traditional radio experience beyond the fourwalled booth. The Wish 107.5 currently has three buses, one for Metro Manila, one for the provinces, and one for Hollywood in the US.

Shticks… From C4

Depp said he had channeled his pain into writing a memoir on an old-fashioned typewriter.

Star Magic star McCoy de Leon reveals he initially felt awkward doing the movie G! with fellow Hashtags member Jameson Blake. This is due to the fact that both of them are linked to young actress Elisse Joson. As everyone knows, Elisse is McCoy’s former girlfriend while Jameson currently dates her. “Yes, there was really awkwardness on my part during the film’s first shooting days. It was my first time to see them together. You know, showbiz is such a small world. You’ll always bump into each other on projects or functions. I was able to move on already,” he shares. “It won’t help if you’ll get stuck in sadness and dwell in the negative. So, I really faced things bravely. Add to that the fact that Jameson happens to be a good friend. I just thought of his happiness that hopefully, he will really be happy,” McCoy adds. Many ask how Jameson broke the news to him. “Actually, I had the feeling that he wanted to tell me something. And that’s what’s good with Jameson. He cleared things from the very start. Due to this, I respected him even more. “He just asked me if it’s okay that he is dating Elisse. At first, I didn’t know how to react since it’s my maiden experience on the matter where a good friend and a former flame is involved in the situation. Eventually, I focused on the bright side because I’ve realized that Jameson is a true and wonderful friend. “I just told him to take very good care of Elisse and never hurt her. I even gave him a tip: to court Elisse’s mother. For me, there’s really no problem. It’s just the situation.” The handsome lad is proud that he has really moved on from his break-up with his former girlfriend. “At this point, I want to focus first on myself, specially my job. I’m grateful because I have good projects like this film ‘G’ which also stars Mark Oblea apart from me and Jameson. It’s a good material and is directed by Dondon Santos. It’s an official entry to the forthcoming Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. I hope local film buffs will support it,” ends McCoy.

Entertainment

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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

Iconic Wish 107.5 Bus now fueled by PTT

From left: PTT Director for Corporate Support Paul Senador, PTT Philippines Corporation President & CEO Thitiroj Rergsumran, Wish 107.5 VP for Marketing Jay Eusebio, and PTT Philippines Trading Corporation President & CEO Danilo Alabado. Manny Palmero

THE popular Wish 107.5 Bus that features big names and upcoming acts has become more powerful in bringing music on the road following its partnership with Thailand’s largest oil firm PTT that will serve as its official fuel partner. PTT Philippines and Wish 107.5 sealed an agreement on Thursday, Sept. 5, during the live airing of our hosted by DJ Alice to formalize the partnership. PTT Philippines President & Chief Executive Officer Thitiroj

Rergsumran signed for PTT, while Wish 107.5 was represented by Jay Eusebio, Vice President for Marketing of Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI), Inc., the mother company of the radio station. PTT Philippines, the local subsidiary of Thailand’s PTT Oil and Retail Business, is into commercial and retail marketing of petroleum products in the country with 155 gas stations in Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Cebu in the Visayas.

PTT has been in the Philippines for more than two decades already following the deregulation of the oil industry. It has since been expanding in various parts of the country through the opening of retail station in various parts of Luzon and the Visayas. PTT also diversified into non-oil business with the Café Amazon, the most popular coffee shop chain in Thailand, that was introduced in the Philippines two years ago. Continued on C3

SHTICKS JOSEPH PETER GONZALES

Sunshine Dizon back on TV

Knowledge Channel celebrates its 20th year of enriching education with new programs that feature some of the country’s stars sharing their love for learning.

Knowledge channel celebrates 20 years

T’S been two decades now with Knowledge Channel, the educational channel of ABSCBN. This year, it celebrates 20 years of enriching education with new programs that feature some of the country’s stars sharing their love for learning.

Enchong Dee returns for new season of Agricoolture, (starting in October, every Friday and Saturday, 4:30 p.m.). The show is a collaboration between the Knowledge Channel and Land Bank that is produced as a learning series for high school students. It shows different agricultural activities and how each of them can be turned into businesses. In this season, Enchong learns ﬁsh farming, the proper handling of ﬁshing equipment and water management, selecting and raising hogs, and yielding good and nutritious crops. MayMay Entrata joins Khalil Ramos for the fourth run of Puno ng Buhay, (starting also in October, every Monday and Sunday, 3: 30 p.m.). The learning series is designed for Grades 4 and 5 of the K-to-12 curriculum. The show talks about Philippine forests. Wikaharian, (every Monday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.), is an animation show that aims to help children with their reading and comprehension skills. Hosted by Ate Michelle Agas and cast of puppets—Buboy, Billy, Chichay, and Chiton – who live in the real and enchanted world, the show teaches children the basics of reading, writing, and oracy using different approaches such as music, dance, illustrations, live-action, animations, fun

***

Iflix free movies

COUCH POTATO IVY ROSSINI games, and activities. The educational game show on-the-go hosted by Marlo Mortel called Knowledge on the Go! (everyday, 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.) also returns. Carrying an extralarge dice and a backpack, Marlo hops from school to school to test the students’ knowledge on general topics. Other new offerings sure to bring joy in learning include Wow, (every Wednesday and Friday, 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) Knowledge Channel’s travel program for Araling Panlipunan, Science Says, (everyday, 9:00 a.m., 10.00 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.) is a science experiment program hosted by Knowledge Channel resident scientist Reina Reyes, Art Smart, (everyday, 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.) and Kwentoons. The highly anticipated college documentary competition also returns with Class Project Year 3 (every Friday, 7:00 p.m.) in partnership with ABSCBN and Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE). These new programs can easily be accessed online via www.knowledgechannel.org, through portable media libraries, and on-air via the Knowledge Channel shown in the various platforms of the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company, ABS-CBN Corporation.

It is generous for iflix to offer movies for free, which means you don’t have to be a subscriber to watch. But, of course the titles in this free movies category aren’t the ones you may want to watch because either you missed them when they were screened in cinemas of you just don’t care about Tagalog movies you could care less if you missed it. But, with the free movies on iflix that you can watch on your TV sets (just download the app on your smartTV) and presto! you’re watching at last Tagalog movies. So far, I have been able to watch Mike de Leon’s Citizen Jake and Bayaning Third World, Irene Villaflor’s Camp Sawi and most recently Sigried Andrea Bernardo’s Mr. & Mrs. Cruz. I found the film rather sketchy…what brought the two to Palawan apart from both of them are nursing broken hearts?...Was Gel married, really? But she is too young to be dropped by her husband for another woman. And Raffy, why did her fiancée leave her before they could get married. Bernardo who also wrote the script wasn’t interested in those. Instead, she focused on her two characters and how they cavorted and had sex in their first night at a resort in Palawan. And when the time comes to end the film, she merely had Gela saying goodbye, leaving Raffy behind and a book (Romeo and Juliet), which the two discussed before they are lost in their crazy intoxicated night. Anyway, I am so glad these films are for free, otherwise, I would have regretted having paid P250 at the box office to watch each of them. Thanks, iflix for reminding me about how petty Tagalog movies are.

Lea Salonga, Jett Pangan lead cast of ‘Sweeny Todd’

Broadway star Lea Salonga and rock icon Jett Pangan as Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd, respectively.

ATLANTIS Theatrical Entertainment Group is thrilled to announce its full cast and creatives for Sweeny Todd, its ﬁnal musical offering for its 20th Anniversary season. It was previously announced that Tony and Olivier Award winner Lea Salonga and rock icon Jett Pangan would lead the cast as Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd, respectively. They will be joined by Ima Castro as the Beggar Woman, Andrew Fernando as Judge Turpin, Gerald Santos as Anthony Hope, and Nyoy Volante as Adolfo Pirelli. Also joining them are Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, fresh off her critically acclaimed performance as Cynthia Weil in Beautiful, as Johanna, Luigi Quesada (Dani Girl, Waitress) as Tobias, Arman Ferrer (Mabining Mandirigma, Beautiful) as Beadle, and Dean Rosen (Beautiful, Waitress) as Jonas Fogg. Completing the ensemble are Steven Conde, Sarah Facuri, Christine Flores, Jep Go, Kevin Guiman, and Emeline Celis Guinid, Sweeny Todd will be directed by Bobby Garcia and will have set design by Tony Award winner David Gallo, musical direction by Gerard Salonga along with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, costume design by Rajo Laurel, choreography by Cecile Martinez, lighting design by Aaron Porter, hair and make-up design by Leslie Espinosa, vocal direction by Manman Angsico, and sound design by Justin Stasiw. Bobby Garcia says, “We have gathered quite the cast for this retelling of Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical

thriller. I think we will be bringing to the stage a unique version of Sweeny Todd, as told by some of the best musical theatre storytellers in the country, led by Lea Salonga and Jett Pangan. I am also so excited to be collaborating with a creative team full of geniuses in their craft. I can’t wait to begin.” Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s musical masterpiece Sweeny Todd has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony Awards, (including BestMusical), for its Broadway premiere, as well as the Oliver Award for Best New Musical. Stephen Sondheim’s and Hugh Wheeler’s (A Little Night Music, Paciﬁc Overtures) tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed, and delighted audiences across the world. The Broadway revival went on to win two more Tony Awards taking its total up to 10 Tony Awards. This year also marks the 40th Anniversary of the musical, having ﬁrst opened on Broadway in 1979. Sweeny Todd caps Atlantis’ 20th Anniversary season which has included acclaimed runs of Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and the launch of its new division Atlantis Imaginarium Young Theatre (AIYT) with its premiere production Madagascar A Musical Adventure. Sweeny Todd runs from Oct. 11 to 27 at the Theatre at Solaire. Tickets are now available at www.ticketworld.com.ph or through 891-9999.

ACTRESS Sunshine Dizon is glad to be top-billing “Throwback Pag-ibig”, the first month-long story of Wagas as it returns as a daily morning series on GMA-7. “Of course, I’m happy because I’m no stranger to the show, having been part of its episodes before when it was still being aired over at GMA News TV. Unknown to many, I’m close to people from GMA Public Affairs. I always enjoy working with them,” she avers. The competent actress is confident their story will appeal to the viewing public. “The plot is very relatable. It’s so heartwarming. It tells the story of a couple whose relationship fell apart due to a tragedy that led to the loss of their daughter. So the question is how much sacrifice can one give for the family?” “The drama here is based from reality. We also have heavy dramatic scenes but they’re presented realistically. I’m sure the viewers will like it,” she added. Shine has only good words to her director and co-actors in the award-winning romance anthology. She appreciates Adolf Alix, Jr. is open to collaborations or suggestions on how to improve the scenes. “He’s very professional. We have good collaboration along with Mike Tan, Regine Angeles, and Leanne Bautista. The set is so light.” Her last project with Mike was their collaboration in the hit afternoon drama Ika6 na Utos which aired for more than a year. “That’s right! But definitely, our characters here are very much different from Ika-6 na Utos. It’s nice to be working with Mike once again, this time, in a light-hearted material,” she says. Sunshine also praises Leanne, the young actress who portrays her daughter in the program. “She is a joy to watch. You can say that she was raised well by her folks. She’s a hardworking girl who has a ready smile for everyone. She’s got lots of promise. You have to watch out for her,” she says. Continued on C3

Sunshine Dizon returns on TV via ‘Wagas,’ which now airs as a daily series.