THE MANILA TIMES | MAY 01, 2019

BSP sees 2.7-3.5% inflation for April

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2019

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OVER 30,000 AFFECTED AS CEBU PACIFIC CANCELS MORE FLIGHTS

Mounting frustrations T

HOUSANDS of passengers have seen their travel plans DISRUPTED AFTER BUDGET CARRIER #EBU 0ACIkC CITING A CONlUENCE OF FACTORS SUCH AS AIRPORT TRAFkC AND AN AIRCRAFT SHORTAGE ANNOUNCED FRESH lIGHT CANCELLATIONS EXTENDING UP TO NEXT WEEK

“We’ve never done this before,� spokesman Chao Logarta-Lagamon told The Manila Times after the airline announced that a wave of cancellations beginning Sunday would continue to May 10.

The disruptions that began last Friday could extend past that as Cebu Pacific also said it was “currently reviewing adjustments required for June and beyond.�

Regulators warned that the Gokongwei-owned carrier could be penalized, and frustrated passengers took to social media to air their complaints.

Logarta-Lagamon blamed the “unplanned disruptions� on “unscheduled technical concerns that prompted repair work� on needed aircraft, noting that one in particular had suffered a bird strike.

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BUSINESS UNUSUAL Queues can still be seen at the Cebu Pacific counter at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday, days after the airline cancelled dozens of flights. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

End of an era: Japan’s emperor abdicates

Q Image of search results from AID website. ‘DoS’ means US Department of State.

US govt funding for anti-Duterte media: P74M Rappler - P180M from ‘private’ entities

END OF HIS REIGN Japan’s Emperor Akihito (left) delivers his speech as Empress Michiko (second left), Crown Prince Naruhito (third from left) attend the abdication ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 30. AFP PHOTO

T

HE four internetonly media firms that have been stridently critical of President Duterte’s administration have received at least P74 million in funds from the US government, through its US Agency for International Development (AID). The AID is the US federal agency that extends development aid throughout the world, not because of charity, but as a means of advancing its geopolitical interests. ³TiglaoA5

RRIGOBERTO IGG DD. TIGLAO

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S&P upgrades PH credit status to BBB+ S&P Global Ratings has raised the Philippines’ credit rating to “BBB+,� putting the country two notches above minimum investment grade.

In a statement, the debt watcher said THE UPGRADE RElECTED gTHE 0HILIPPINES strong economic growth trajectory,

What’s inside RULE ON MERALCO BILL DEPOSITS, COURT URGED NewsA2 SIXERS DOWN RAPTORS TO LEVEL SERIES, NUGGETS BEAT BLAZERS SportsC1

LIMITED WATER SUPPLY IN METRO MANILA, CAVITE NewsA8

which we expect to continue to drive constructive development outcomes and underpin broader credit metrics over the medium term.� “The rating is also supported by solid GOVERNMENT kSCAL ACCOUNTS LOW PUBLIC indebtedness, and the economy’s sound

‘ENDGAME’ EntertainmentD4

external settings,� it added.

S&P, however, stressed the importance of infrastructure development to sustain the economy’s expansion. “[W]e continue to view as imperative the closure of infrastructure gaps and improvements in the business climate

through greater political stability and regulatory reforms,� it said.

The debt watcher also noted that the deLAY IN THE NATIONAL BUDGET WOULD LEAD TO A LOWER THAN PROGRAMMED kSCAL DEkCIT as government agencies were expected to

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Villar, Poe share lead in Pulse Asia survey REELECTIONIST Senators Cynthia Villar and Mary Grace Poe share the lead in the May Senate race with Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th and Sen. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito also making it to list of possible winners, a fresh Pulse Asia survey showed on Tuesday.

Poll results showed that 51.7 percent of the respondents would vote for Villar, with Poe just behind at 50.5 percent.

Villar, a close ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, was previously second in a March survey that Poe led.

With a voter preference of 45.7 percent, former senator Manuel “Lito�

Lapid secured third to fourth places, UP FROM kFTH TO EIGHTH PLACES IN THE previous survey.

Taguig City Rep. Pia Cayetano secured

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Lawmakers push P600 national minimum wage REACH US AT: E-mail:

IS EVERYTHING

TOKYO: Emperor Akihito of Japan formally stepped down on Tuesday, the kRST ABDICATION FOR YEARS IN THE world’s oldest monarchy, as his son Naruhito prepared to take the Chrysanthemum Throne and usher in a new imperial era.

In the “Room of Pine� in Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, the popular 85-yearold performed the abdication ritual in the presence of the imperial regalia — an ancient sword and sacred jewel.

Dressed in a Western-style morning coat, Akihito stood on a small stage before an invited audience and members of the royal family and offered his “deepest heartfelt gratitude to the people of Japan.�

He said he would “pray for the peace and happiness of all the people in Japan and around the world.�

Empress Michiko stood by his side in a white and silver gown and the OUTGOING EMPEROR PAUSED BRIElY AFTER exiting the stage, to help his wife of 60 years down the steps.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised

newsdesk@ manilatimes.net Tel. Nos.: 524-5664 to 67 Address: 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002

AS the country celebrates Labor Day, lawmakers stressed the need to raise the minimum wage and end contractualization among other incentives for workers across all regions.

Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo said a nationwide minimum daily wage of P600 — proposed in House Bill (HB) ‡ SHOULD BE ADOPTED as the current system of setting minimum wage rates by region was “unfair,� especially

to workers in the countryside.

He added the disparity between minimum wage earners was one of the primary reasons why people flock to the cities, particularly Metro Manila.

In contrast, government employees were paid equally regardless of their area of assignment, whether they were in Metro Manila or in the FAR lUNG PROVINCES 3ALO SAID “What makes the difference

in the pay among our government employees is the degree of responsibility and functions assigned to the employee, not the place of assignment. And yet, for our workers in the private sector, their minimum wages are simply determined by the place or area where they work,� he added.

3ALO S (" SEEKS A P600-national minimum wage and mandates the National

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News

˜ The Manila Times WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

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Duterte: No to multilateral talks in resolving sea row

Rule on Meralco bill deposits, court urged

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BY JOMAR CANLAS

ARTY-LIST LAWMAKERS HAVE ASSAILED BEFORE THE 3UPREME #OURT 3# THE LEGALITY OF THE BILL DEPOSITS AMOUNTing to about P29 billion collected by the -ANILA %LECTRIC #OMPANY -ERALCO FROM ITS CONSUMERS )N A PETITION FOR CERTIORARI kLED before the court, the petitioners coming from Makabayan bloc asked the high tribunal to rule for the voidance of the Energy Regulatory Board (ERC) ruling that allowed Meralco to collect the bill deposits and also co-mingle the funds with its general funds for capital and operationsrelated purposes.

They also asked the high court to order the ERC to implement a refund of the bill deposits to Meralco’s 6.5 million consumers.

The petitioners argued that a refundable fund meant to guarantee payment of bills by consumers should be considered as violative and illegal since it was prohibited under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira). “It does not fall under distribution wheeling charges, connection fees or retail rates allowed by Epira to be collected from consumers.

Such guarantee for payment of bills on its captive market has no BASIS OR JUSTIkCATION AND IS ACTU-

ally illegal since payment of bills is already certain under ERC and Meralco’s policy and protocols on nonpayment of monthly bills,� their petition read.

The petitioners included Bayan Muna, led by its representative and candidate for senator Neri Colmenares, along with Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao, Gabriela Women’s party-list Representatives Emerenciana de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Act Teachers party-list Representatives Antonio Tinio and Francisca Castro, Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan SecretaryGeneral Renato Reyes Jr. Named respondents were ERC Chairman Agnes Devanadera, Commission on Audit Chairman Michael Aguinaldo and Meralco President and Chief Executive Of-

kCER /SCAR 2EYES The petitioners also argued that Meralco uses the funds from the bill deposits “for other purposes, INCLUDING INVESTMENTS IN kNANcial instruments and operationsrelated expenses.� “Co-mingling of bill deposits with the Meralco funds threatens the integrity of the bill deposits and endangers the right to refund of the consumers,� it was pointed out.

Further, the petitioners said Meralco failed to give back to the consumers the interest rates actually earned by the bill deposits. “From what was originally a 10 percent interest rate per year, the ERC and Meralco has reduced the INTEREST RATE TO JUST PERCEN PER YEAR ALLOWING -ERALCO TO PROkT tremendously from the bill deposITS WITH A RETURN OF AT LEAST percent,� they added.

MALACAĂ‘ANG on Tuesday shot down multilateral negotiations to resolve the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) maritime row with China for now. )N A NEWS BRIEkNG 0ALACE SPOKESman Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte was not keen on letting other countries enter the negotiating table because the issue was between the Philippines and China. “For now, [the negotiations] should be bilateral. I remember the President last year, he is not too hot with [the idea of having] multilateral [negotiations] because the problem is between two countries, then they should have bilateral ;NEGOTIATIONS= kRST u 0ANELO ADDED “Maybe, if that fails, [the multilateral negotiations] may be an option among the claimants,â€? he said.

The bilateral consultative mechaNISM WITH #HINA WAS CREATED IN Panelo said other matters might be raised during the bilateral negotiations. “We have to wait for the President. The President is the one who charters foreign policy. That is his right and discretion, you cannot be

preempting the President in this,� he added.

Panelo’s statement came after Duterte visited China and raised the arbitral ruling during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who then declined to recognize the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

On Monday, Panelo said Duterte returned to the Philippines without a commitment that China would be pulling the “irritants� from the South China Sea dispute.

He added that while this happened, both sides were open to resolving the row via bilateral negotiations. “Both of them agree that the mechanism of bilateral relations will be used to resolve the conlICT u 0ANELO TOLD REPORTERS He said the government was optimistic about “positive� results, but admitted that much still had to be done. “The next movement will be the negotiations. They already talked about the irritants. But, if you were to ask me, we have to wait for THEIR OFkCIAL RESPONSE ABOUT OUR complaints,� Panelo added.

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Q UPGRADES FROM A1

S&P upgrades struggle catching up on spending.

4HE BUDGET WAS SIGNED BY 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO Duterte two weeks ago after months of delay — caused by a dispute between the Senate and the House of Representatives over alleged insertions that the Chief Executive ultimately vetoed.

The controversy had forced the government to OPERATE ON LAST YEAR S BUDGET SINCE THE START OF This meant agencies could only spend for items DETAILED IN THE OUTLAY AND NOT ON PROGRAMS and projects supposed to be implemented this year.

4HE kRST QUARTER BUDGET SHORTFALL OF 0 BILlion was subsequently 40.6-percent lower than the 0 BILLION POSTED A YEAR EARLIER )T WAS ALSO PERCENT OR 0 BILLION LOWER THAN PROGRAMMED “Although we view this budget delay as a likely one-off, more such delays in future could be considered as credit negative, especially if related to the institutional settings in the Philippines,�

S&P warned.

In terms of regulations, the debt watcher noted that the proposed rationalization of tax incentives under a government tax reform program could affect foreign investor sentiment, depending on the kNAL PROVISIONS OF THE BILL AND THE TIMING OF ITS implementation. “We believe this poses some downside risk to the outlook on foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Philippines,� it said.

Latest available data showed FDI at a two-month LOW OF MILLION IN *ANUARY DOWN PERCENT FROM MILLION IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR AND THE LOWEST SINCE .OVEMBER S MILLION

READY FOR MAY DAY Members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno prepare an effigy that it will use during the Labor Day rally on Wednesday.

PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA

Q WAGE FROM A1

Stable outlook

Lawmakers push P600 national minimum wage

S&P’s latest rating has been assigned a stable outLOOK WHICH RElECTS A VIEW gTHAT THE 0HILIPPINE economy will maintain its strong momentum over the medium term, in combination with contained kSCAL DEkCITS AND STABLE PUBLIC INDEBTEDNESS u The Philippines can expect a further upgrade over THE NEXT TWO YEARS IF THE GOVERNMENT MAKES SIGNIkCANT ACHIEVEMENTS IN ITS kSCAL REFORM PROGRAM 3 0 added, or if the country’s external position improves such that its status as a net external creditor becomes more secure over the long term. g7E MAY ALSO RAISE THE RATINGS IF WE kND THAT the institutional settings in the Philippines have improved markedly,� the credit watchdog added.

It cautioned, however, that higher-than-expected NET GENERAL GOVERNMENT DEBT LEVELS AND A SIGNIkCANT decline in gross domestic product could lead to a downgrade.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Wages and Productivity Commission and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards to determine incentives and other productivity improvements for the wage earners within a region when still necessary. “The law that created the wage boards WAS ENACTED WAY BACK IN OR years ago. It is overdue for updating to make it relevant to the needs of our TIME AND TO MAKE IT lEXIBLE FOR FUTURE work,� Salo said.

Meanwhile, Aangat Tayo party-list Rep. Neil Abayon said creating 80,000 new regular government plantilla positions EVERY YEAR FROM TO COULD WIPE out the end of contract or “endo� woes of about 660,000 contractuals and casual employees in the public sector.

Q FRUSTRATIONS FROM A1

Mounting frustrations )NCREASED lIGHTS IN AND OUT OF Metro Manila compounded the matter, she added. “It is a consequence of factors occurring all at the same time,�

Lagamon-Logarta claimed.

Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) legal division chief Wyrlou Samodio said regulators were already investigating the matter. “If there is a violation then CAB will impose the appropriate penalty,� he said.

‘Operational recovery’ Cebu Pacific on Sunday announced changes to its flight

SCHEDULE CANCELING AT LEAST ROUND TRIP lIGHTS UP TO 4UESDAY Late on Monday, it released a fresh ADVISORY THAT SAID lIGHTS OR round trips, would be called off from May 1 to 10. “To create space in our schedule for operational recovery, minimize rolling delays and give passengers the chance to make alternate travel plans, we have to temporarily REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OUR lIGHTS given the current operating conditions, particularly in our Manila HUB u #EBU 0ACIkC OPERATOR #EBU Air Inc. said in a statement.

The company’s shares closed down 0.18 percent or 15 centavos TO 0 APIECE ON 4UESDAY BUCKING A

“This year, the bulk of the endo personNEL SHOULD BE MOVED INTO THE

current vacant positions. That can be 40 percent of the endo problem solved in this year alone,� Abayon added.

He said giving permanent governMENT JOBS TO QUALIkED PERSONNEL WAS gA PROPOSITION THAT WILL kND strong support in Congress.� !S OF *ULY THERE WERE

recorded authorized government posiTIONS THAT WERE UNkLLED

OF which were for teaching or teachingRELATED POSITIONS FOR GENERAL SERVICE SERVANTS MORE THAN FOR military and uniformed personnel; and 14,000 for medical and allied jobs. g&OR THE NEXT kVE YEARS INCLUDING THE remaining three years of the Duterte

0.71-percent gain for the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index.

Lagamon, who was previously quoted as saying that more than

PASSENGERS HAD BEEN AFfected since disruptions began LAST &RIDAY SAID ANOTHER

WOULD BE HIT BY THE LATEST lIGHT cancellations.

In its statement, Cebu Air said it would be “reducing approximately lIGHTS A DAY OUT OF A DAILY OPERATIONS OF lIGHTSu FOR ITS -AY operations.

Affected passengers, who will be given one round trip travel voucher, were told that they could OPT TO REBOOK THEIR lIGHTS FREE OF CHARGE FOR TRAVEL WITHIN DAYS from original departure date; receive a full refund; place the full cost of the ticket in a travel fund; or re-route to/from alternate airports, subject to seat availability.

administration, if the Civil Service Commission and the Budget department create about 80,000 new plantilla POSITIONS THE REMAINING ENDO personnel can be regularized. Some

OF THEM CAN BE REGULARIZED BY

u !BAYON SAID (E AUTHORED (" WHICH MANdates security of tenure for contractual and casual employees of the government who have rendered at least three YEARS OF CONTINUOUS AND EFkCIENT SERVICE Also on Tuesday, MalacaĂąang said it respected the move of various groups to mount Labor Day protests. “It’s their right to protest. You can even join them if you feel like joining,â€?

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said IN A NEWS BRIEkNG

‘Rebooking not enough’ These did not mollify travelers, however, who vented their frustrations on Facebook and Twitter. g-Y -AY FLIGHT #EBU TO Pagadian is canceled,� tweeted @cjshadow. “I’m really disappointed coz i already paid my hotel. And now nalaman ko na nag offer kayo sa iba ng free lIGHTS sa akin wala. Unfair kayo Cebu Pac (I found out that you OFFERED FREE lIGHTS TO OTHERS BUT not me. You’re unfair!)!� g) WILL NO LONGER lY WITH #EBU0ACIkC!IR EVER AGAIN u TWEETED @EngrRezCab. “Sorry guys, pero panget talaga service nyo (Your service is really bad.).�

Commenting on Facebook, Johan Diaz said: “Why just announce IT DAYS BEFORE THE lIGHT DATE

Panelo made the statement after different labor groups and associations said they would mark Wednesday’s observance of Labor Day with protest actions.

Joining this year’s Labor Day March are the Nagkaisa labor coalition, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Partido Lakas ng Masa, Church Labor Conference, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Federation of Free Workers, labor federations under Pagkakaisa ng Uring Manggagawa and other progressive groups, according to organizers.

Panelo said Duterte was scheduled to attend groundbreaking for a hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga on Wednesday.

GLEE JALEA AND CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Now people have to scramble to kND OTHER WAYS TO MEET THEIR TRIP schedules. You think a rebooking IS JUST ENOUGH 7HAT ABOUT THE cost of the boat trips, hotel, travel arrangements that we paid for that TRIP 7ILL YOU REFUND THAT ALSO u Johanna Chan blamed the airline for destroying plans for her sister’s wedding. “Hi! You just rebooked majority of my sister’s wedding guests this WEEKEND u SHE TOLD #EBU 0ACIkC on Facebook. “We have already reserved all the rooms and have paid all of our suppliers for this. Your post says rebooking is free of charge YET your WEBSITE IS CHARGING US PESOS 0%2 PERSON Ăœ 7E ARE LOSING A LOT of money over this inconvenience and your customer helplines aren’t even useful. “Be more transparent with the

fees you are charging. I hope you fully intend to refund us any and all costs that we have incurred for this, including the change in hotel bookings, shuttle services, and tours. It seems unfair that we are affected by your stupidity and INEFkCIENCY &IX YOUR SYSTEM 7E are paying customers.�

For @societyofhonor, the airline should be sold to foreign carrier. g7ATCHING #EBU 0ACIkC STRUGGLE IS PAINFUL AS lIGHTS ARE CANCELED and thousands of customers are summarily dumped from their plans,� he tweeted on Tuesday. “I’ve read no clear statement of reason, only generalities about schedules and plane troubles. I’d suggest forced sale to a competent FOREIGN lYER u LISBET K. ESMAEL WITH A REPORT FROM ARIC JOHN SY CUA

News

The Sunday Times

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Opposition bets top UP mock polls OPPOSITION Senate candidates topped the mock elections held by students of the University of the Philippines Diliman from April 21 to 26.

Otso Diretso Senate candidate Jose Manuel “Chel� Diokno topped the mock polls organized by the Bantay Boto 2019: Senatorial Elections Watch, a coalition of student councils and campus organizations.

Diokno garnered 84.7 percent of the votes cast by 1,000 students. Makabayan Senate aspirant Neri Colmenares placed second with 80.3 percent of votes.

Otso Diretso candidates Samira Gutoc, Florin Hilbay and Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th claimed the third to fifth spots, garnering 74.1 percent, 64.4 percent and 56.2 percent, respectively.

Labor leader Leody de Guzman secured the sixth spot with 49.7 percent, while Otso Diretso’s Lorenzo “Erinâ€? Reyes TaĂąada 3rd and Manuel “Marâ€?

Roxas 2nd grabbed the seventh and eighth spots with 42.1 percent and 41.4 percent of votes, respectively.

Otso Diretso’s Gary Alejano and Romulo “Romy� Macalintal placed 10th and 11th with 32.0 percent and 25.1 percent, respectively. Completing the list was United Nationalist Alliance’s Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay who had 15.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Women’s Party topped the list of likely

winners in the party-list race based on the survey held by RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMDINC) in the National Capital Region from April 22 to 27, 2019.

Gabriela, which garnered 10.8 percent, was joined in the top 10 by newcomer WOW Pilipinas with 4.5 percent, and Buhay Hayaang Yumabong (Buhay), 9.3 percent; AKO Bicol, 6.1 percent; Anakpawis, 5.5 percent; Akbayan Citizens Action Party, 5.1 percent; Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the Philippines, 4.7 percent; Bayan Muna, 4.2 percent; Serbisyo sa Bayan Partylist, 3.4 percent; and ACT Teachers, 3.2 percent.

The noncommissioned survey had 8,000 respondents.

Paul Martinez of RPMDINC said the endorsement of Sen. Emmanuel “Manny� Pacquiao for the group was the reason why WOW Pilipinas was popular among voters. “It was able to translate its popularity into votes,� he said, adding that the nine other groups also had a high recall from voters.

Under the party-list law, a vote equivalent to 2 percent of the total voters guarantees a group one seat at the House of Representatives.

A total of 60 party-list seats and 243 district seats are up for grabs in the midterm polls.

DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ AND WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

JV thanks Duterte for improving health facilities SEN. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for approving the funds for the improvement of health facilities under the 2019 national budget. g) WAS CONkDENT THAT PROGRAMS to upgrade health services would be supported by the President.

I was certain all along that the funds, which I had proposed to be included in the budget for the improvement and expansion of health facilities, and also for the provision of medical equipment, would not be vetoed by the President,� Ejercito said in a statement.

The President recently signed the P3.7-trillion 2019 budget, but vetoed P95.3 billion worth of programs and projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Ejercito, who earned the nickname “Mr. Healthcare� for spearheading the Universal Health Care law, said the President did not reject the more than P15-billion

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

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‘Hidden fault may have caused quake’

BY DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

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HE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the deadly quake that jolted Luzon on April 22 could have been triggered by a hidden fault.

Phivolcs Science Research Assistant Bhenz Rodriguez said a team was gathering information on the possible existence of a “hidden fault.�

The magnitude 6.1 quake rocked parts of Central Luzon and caused a supermarket in Pampanga to collapse. The epicenter of the quake was in Castillejos, Zambales. “May mga fault around the area

pero ‘dun sa lugar, parang walang manifestation ng fault (There are faults around the area, but no manifestation of a fault was seen on the exact place),� Rodriquez said.

He explained that faults usually show cracks or ground misalignment at the surface. “So, ‘pag sinabi natin na ‘hid-

den fault,’ una, walang nakikita na crack or misalignment ng mga lupa doon sa ibabaw ng lupa. Second, possible na konti o walang lindol na na-rerecord in the past sa lugar na ‘yun (When we say ‘hidden fault’ there are no visible cracks or misalignment at the surface. Second, it is possible that no quakes were reported in the area in the past),� Rodriguez said.

Phivolcs said the number of aftershocks in Zambales had decreased, but there was no guarantee that these would stop soon.

As of 8 a.m. on Tuesday, the agency recorded 957 aftershocks ranging in magnitude 1.4 to 4.5.

Rodriguez said aftershocks would continue.

“Sa Zambales, hindi pa namin masabi na titigil na ‘tong paggalaw (We can’t say that Zambales aftershocks will stop),� he said.

While Phivolcs had said the earthquakes that hit Zambales, Samar and Surigao del Norte were not connected, Rodriguez advised the public to remain vigilant because the Philippines is naturally prone to tremors. “Hindi naman natin inaalis ‘yung posibilidad na magkakaroon ng malakas na paglilindol.

Kaya kailangan pa rin ng tamang paghahanda dito kahit saang lugar sa Pilipinas (We cannot cross out the possibility of having strong earthquakes. That is why we need to be prepared,� he said.

FIGHTING GRAFT TOGETHER Presidential AntiCorruption Commission Chairman Dante Jimenez and National Commission (PACC) of Supervision Vice Chairman Li Shulei sign the Memorandum of Understanding to fight graft and corruption.

Assisting them are Eduardo Bringas, PACC Executive Director, and Qu Daibing.

Palace backs probe of foreign doctors

allocations for Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) “because, probably, he saw the wisdom behind this direction.�

Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, managed to restore the P15-billion HFEP funds in the budget bill, which had been removed by the Budget department.

He said the HFEP funds would be used to modernize and expand health facilities being operated by the Department of Health and local government units. The money would also be used to acquire medical equipment to better serve the people, especially those who LIVE IN FAR lUNG AREAS “With the HFEP funds, I am optimistic that all these will be finished, complete with equipment. I am happy that after the impasse, we now have a budget that ensures that our people will get better health services from the government,� Ejercito said.

MALACAĂ‘ANG on Tuesday backed the proposal of Sen. Richard Gordon TO INVESTIGATE THE INlUX OF FOREIGN doctors in the Philippines.

On Saturday, Gordon, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman, said there were reports that Pakistani and Nepalese doctors were serving as medical consultants in a number of government hospitals in rural areas.

He said the “syndicate� that facilitates the entry and employment of such doctors without the necessary permit should be probed.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo on Tuesday said the Palace was not opposing the probe. “First of all, maybe we also have AN INlUX OF DOCTORS THAT ARE GOING out of the country. There are a lot of doctors who are going to other countries anyway,� Panelo said.

The spokesman said that the Philippines might already lack Filipino doctors, which is why foreign ones were already entering the country. “So, it is just right. He should really investigate the whys and the WHEREFORES OF THIS INlUX OF FOREIGN

doctors in the country so we can know [its root],� he added.

In his statement, Gordon said the scheme was unearthed at the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital, a government hospital in Olongapo City. “I am concerned because they are allowed to deal with patients on a one-on-one basis, they prescribe medicines. The patients hardly understand them. I have received several complains about this and we HAVE CONkRMED IT !RE THEY SUPERvised by Filipino doctors? Are they even allowed to practice medicine

here?� the senator said.

The Philippines, Gordon said, only had reciprocity agreements with Japan, Spain and the United States.

Last year, the Senate also probed THE INlUX OF #HINESE WORKERS IN THE Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte, however, said that while there are illegal Chinese workers, the Philippines should be “careful� in dealing with them because there are illegal Filipino workers in China, as well.

RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

24,000 soldiers participate in absentee voting THOUSANDS of soldiers, who would be deployed to keep the peace in the May elections, had cast their votes, the military said on Tuesday.

Col. Noel Detoyato, military public affairs chief, said around 24,000 soldiers participated in the early voting program of the Com-

mission on Elections (Comelec).

Detoyato said 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers would be deployed to give support to the Philippine National Police and the Comelec during the midterm polls. “There are identified precincts by the Comelec and those will need extra security where

the troops will be deployed.

Because we are deputized by the Comelec, we will take this and those troops who will be deployed for election duties,� he told reporters.

He said no private contractors would be commissioned in transporting election para-

phernalia in remote areas such as Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Detoyato said vote-counting machines would be transported by 2G, but all other election materials would be transported by the Philippine Air Force. DEMPSEY REYES

‘CHINA-FUNDED PROJECTS SHOULD PROVIDE JOBS TO PINOYS’ FORMER Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile urged the Duterte administration to see to it that the Build, Build, Build projects funded under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) should generate more employment for Filipinos.

The Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) Senate candidate said the investment deals forged between Chinese and Filipino businessmen at the recent Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing “is a welcome development for Filipino workers and

businessmen.�  “ This is an oppor tunity for our workers in the construction, agriculture and telecommunications industry,� Enrile said at the sidelines of his campaign sortie in northern Luzon. “If we could harness the developments in the Belt and Road Initiative to improve infrastructure, connectivity and economic exchange with other countries, then we can create more jobs for Filipinos here,� he said.

 In his visit to Tarlac on Monday, the 95-year-old Senate candidate said, “Through an infusion of foreign capital, more employment opportunities can be provided to Filipinos.�

Some 19 business agreements worth over $12 billion were signed

by Filipino and Chinese companies in the sectors of energy, infrastructure, internet and agriculture during the BRF. Â President Rodrigo Duterte also clinched a P7.7-billion grant from

President Xi Jinping.

China’s BRF is a recreation of the “Silk Road� aimed at connecting Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks along six corridors to improve regional integration, increase trade and stimulate economic growth.

Enrile said there was not one city or municipality in the country that did not have an overseas Filipino worker (OFW).  “My hope is to reduce the number

of overseas Filipino workers, who would rather work in the Philippines and be with their families,� the veteran lawmaker said. “We already have these new investments, projects coming in.

We should make sure that, with them, we are improving local employment prospects,� he said.  “I intend to bring more OFWs home,� Enrile, who is vying for a fifth term in the Senate in the May 13 midterm polls, added.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

Support for an illegitimate child Dear PAO, My brother, who had long been separated from his legal wife, had a child with his mistress.

Their illegitimate child is now 4 years old, and my brother openly acknowledges the child as his although the custody is with his mistress. Can my brother’s mistress legally claim support from my brother even if their child doesn’t carry my brother’s surname? What can we do to my brother’s mistress for harassing our family and even going to our

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA family home to make a scandalous scene?

Ria Dear Ria, The illegitimate child of your brother may claim support from him through your brother’s mistress. This is possible since you

mentioned that your brother recognizes the child as his own. !CKNOWLEDGING kLIATION CAN BE used as a ground for a child to claim support and even claim from an estate as an heir for purposes of succession (Article 105, Family Code of the Philippines and Article 887, Civil Code of the Philippines). In your brother’s case, his illegitimate child can claim support from him even if he does not use your brother’s SURNAME AS LONG AS HIS kLIATION TO your brother can be proven in the

manner set forth by law.

According to the Family Code of the Philippines, illegitimate CHILDREN MAY PROVE THEIR kLIATION by record of birth appearing in the CIVIL REGISTER OR A kNAL JUDGMENT OR ADMISSION OF kLIATION IN A PUBLIC document or a private handwritten instrument signed by the parent concerned, and through other means allowed by the Rules of Court and special laws (Article 172 in relation to Article 175).

7ITH REGARD TO YOUR DESIRE TO kLE a legal action against your broth-

er’s mistress, the Civil Code of the Philippines recognizes the right to kLE A SUIT FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE disturbance of family life, to wit: “Article 26. Every person shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind of his neighbors and other persons. The following and similar acts, though they may not constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a cause of action for damages, prevention and other relief: “(1) xxx; “(2) Meddling with or dis-

turbing the private life or family relations of another.�

This opinion is solely based on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. The opinion may vary when the facts are changed or further elaborated.

We hope that we were able to enlighten you on the matter.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@ manilatimes.net

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Xi’s high bar of expectations for BRI sparks caution, optimism

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HE high bar of expectations for an era of economic growth and international exchange set by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing last week may be regarded with some caution and perhaps, even some skepticism. Nevertheless it is a clear signal that China is aware of INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS AND INTENDS TO BUILD INlUENCE THROUGH fair and willing cooperation rather than dominance.

We draw this conclusion from the list of objectives and standards Xi presented in his opening address, some of which expressed surprising changes in Chinese policy. His most noteworthy assertions included: More free trade agreements – In spite of being the driving force behind the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), China will pursue “more high standard free trade agreements,� Xi said. The RCEP and its Singapore-led counterPART THE 4RANS 0ACIkC 0ARTNERSHIP 400 HAVE BOTH RUN INTO roadblocks — the latter most notably with the withdrawal of the United States from the trade pact — and there is prevailing sentiment that bilateral agreements are preferable and more effective.

Reducing limitations on foreign business ownership – China has always had fairly stringent limitations on foreign ownership of businesses, but will be loosening its rules to allow foreigners to hold controlling stakes, or even hold full ownership of businesses in China. Xi said the number of sectors in which bigger foreign ownership is allowed would be raised, and that China would be opening more free trade zones in the country.

Increased imports – China is rapidly shifting from a mostly export-led economy to one that is driven by consumption. Xi said that China would be lowering its tariff rates to encourage more imports, although he understandably did not provide details, as these are currently tied up in trade negotiations between China and the US. More stable exchange rate – One of the biggest uncertainties of rival economies has been China’s currency policy.

Monetary authorities have in the past showed a willingness to make abrupt changes to devalue the renminbi, rattling world markets. Xi reassured his audience that China “will continue to improve the exchange rate formation mechanism� to keep the exchange rate “generally stable.�

No more forced technology transfer – It has been a common FEATURE OF MANY JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN FOREIGN kRMS AND #HINESE PARTNERS THAT A SIGNIkCANT AMOUNT OF INTELLECTUAL property (IP) be handed over to the latter. This was at one time CONSIDERED A FAIR EXCHANGE THE FOREIGN kRMS GAINED ACCESS TO China’s huge domestic market and its manufacturing capabilities, while China gained technical know-how to build its own industries. In recent years, however, there has been a tremendous BACKLASH AGAINST THE HANDLING OF )0 BY #HINESE kRMS 8I S COMments seemed to be intended as reassurance that the Chinese government is sensitive to global sentiment and does not wish to drive away potential investors. )F #HINA CAN MAKE SIGNIkCANT PROGRESS IN THESE AREAS MUCH OF the suspicion of the country’s economic and geopolitical motives will be eliminated, which, of course, is the best possible outcome for everyone. Obviously, China does intend to reap as MANY BENEkTS AS IT CAN FROM THE "ELT AND 2OAD )NITIATIVE BUT the message from President Xi that it does not intend to do so at the expense of other countries is welcome.

Intentions, however, do not produce results. We are hopeful the eventual results will be positive, but how China puts Xi’s policy directions into action will be something we and the rest of the world will be watching quite closely in the months and years to come. ~

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 200

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL S. MALLARI, Sports Editor DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD, Motoring Editor CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O, Special Sections Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY, Assistant Business Editor MARIO F. FETALINO, Assistant Business Editor REMIA B. EUGENIO, Deskman (Regions) MARISHELLE R. MEDINA, Deskman JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net XXX NBOJMBUJNFT OFU t F NBJM OFXTEFTL!NBOJMBUJNFT OFU Letters to the Editor THE MANILA TIMES is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002 The owners, managers, publishers and editors do not necessarily share the opinions expressed and the statements made by individual authors of columns, commentaries and other articles published in The Manila Times.

Transparency crisis: A decade-long serious election problem

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E are very much aware of the existing water crisis that we are experiencing now in Metro Manila because we are feeling its direct impact in our respective homes and offices. We feel so much discomfort when there’s no shower when we wish to take a bath in the heat of the night or early in the morning before going TO OUR OFkCES 0ATIENTS IN THE HOSpitals suffer doubly, production in manufacturing plants are delayed, and so many other inconveniences too numerous to name.

But has anyone of us felt the impact of a transparency crisis in our automated election system (AES) since the ARMM elections in 2008 and in the last three national and local elections in 2010, 2013 and 2016? Only a few people had a full grasp of this crisis and they are the watchdogs like AES Watch, Namfrel, etc. To the majority of Filipinos, AES is something vague,

signing, the electronic transmission of election returns in a particular LET’S precinct to the municipal board of FACE IT! canvassers is only permitted and known to the concerned board of election inspectors and the municipal board of canvassers; therefore, the transaction is secure like ghosts that only psychics can and auditable. The same goes for see! When you attempt to discuss the transmission of digitally signed AES with friends, they cannot certificates of canvass from the comprehend source code review, municipal to provincial, then to QUEUEING SERVERS CERTIkCATION OR the national board of canvassing.

In short, most of us are blind even digital signatures as these are too technical for them. A few will about the truth behind the irtry to understand what digital sign- regularities in our existing AES. ing is, only if you explain it in a lay- This is what we call in AES Watch a man’s term. For example, when you transparency crisis. I discussed the take a Grab car, you would know details of these irregularities in my the plate number, make of car, series of articles: “Time to change color, fare, route, expected time of the automated election law,� eight arrival at your destination, and the parts; and “2019 elections: ‘Laway’ of driver’s name; on the other hand, Venezuelans or ‘talino’ of Filipinos,� the Grab driver would know who 17 parts. My last article mentioned you are. There’s full security and early transmission of election reauditability. Similarly, with digital turns before the May 9, 2016 elec-

NELSON CELIS

tions: “x x x the body concluded that the early transmissions of the vote counting machines (VCMs) based on the audit logs investigated, actually happened through the triANGULATION OF THE kNDINGS DONE BY the TEC’s chairman, engineer Peter Banzon of the Department of Science and Technology, former Rep. Glenn Chong, Dr. Pablo Manalastas and former Smartmatic operations OFkCER *EFF $Y u 2ECENTLY The Manila Times article “‘Irregularities marred absentee voting� reported: “The group said it received reports on glitches on precinct count optical scanner (PCOS) machines and complaints about erroneous receipts at the onset of the absentee voting in Hong Kong on April 14.� It’s like a digital disaster had happened DURING THE kNAL TESTING AND SEALING of PCOS machines on May 3, 2010, a week before the 2010 elections; all counting machines were count-

ÂłCelisA5

Fact-free factotums

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HY is Thailand a major rice producer?

Its number one asset is size. It has a total of 9.2 million hectares of irrigated land for rice production.

These are paddies with year-round irrigation, farmed by farmers who get institutional support from the financial system, R&D support from the elite universities and stategranted research and development funds, and support from across a broad spectrum of Thai society.

Thailand may be polarized politically but one thing never wanes — support for its farm producers, specifically its rice farmers. No wonder that the agri-based Charoen Pokphand is the second largest company in Thailand with yearly revenues of more than $50 billion. Its owners are the richest in Thailand with a net worth of more than $30 billion.

Ok, Thailand is increasing the paddy areas, with the recent addition of roughly 500,000 ha. to its 9.2 million hactares.

Why is Vietnam a major rice producer?

The number one asset is size.

A total of 7.9 million ha. is devoted to year-round rice production, up from 7.2 million ha. about a decade ago.

Like Thailand, the paddy size in Vietnam is increasing, not decreasing. The Mekong River and its sprawling tributaries give the farmers there the luxury of growing three crops a year.

Rice production in Vietnam is so treasured that rice is called “the gift from heaven Why is Bangladesh a major rice producer, ranked anywhere between the third to fourth largest rice producer in the world?

The key is size. It has 12 million ha. dedicated to year-round rice

ha.. The rainy season paddy size climbs up to roughly 3.5 million ha. but that is the maximum.

The reduced paddy size is one of the many, many deep-seated problems that vex rice farming. The “support system� is the worst. In production, an increase from the an environment where the bank10-million ha. about two decades ing system can lend $140 milAGO 4HE EFkCIENCY OF THE RICE FARMS lion plus to a bankrupt Korean STILL LAGS BEHIND THE EFkCIENCIES OF shipbuilder with zero collateral, the other rice-producing Southeast then opts to pay P6 billion in Asian countries but farm methods kNES OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS JUST have been vastly improving. to brazenly violate the mandate With size comes the inevi- of the Agri-Agra Law on lending to table — efficiency. small farmers and agrarian reform The emphasis on size — and BENEkCIARIES ONE WOULD READILY paddy size is almost always have an idea of how hostile the rice complemented by efficiency — farming environment is. was made on purpose.

Credit is the lifeblood of agRecently, a so-called “founda- ricultural production. And here, tionâ€? ran newspaper ads sup- small farmers are denied token porting the conversion of agri- production loans. cultural lands into something Irrigation is spotty despite else on the flaky, grift-ridden the presence of major dams assumption that “the answer is built. An Earth Day review of not hectare size, but efficiency.â€? the dams would show degraded The ad also claimed this: “The watershed areas, a despoiled better approach to food security is environment that makes these to improve productivity with bet- irrigation dams — constructed ter inputs, farming methods and through jumbo loans that strain support services.â€? The usual drivel. the national debt — useless durAre these people behind the ads ing the dry months and Ondoyfor real? To put it more kindly, have scale killers during the rainy they taken the time to study rice season. How can the paddies farming realities in the country thrive without enough water? before writing the ad? If not, here There is hardly research and is the basic scatter plot of rice farm- development funds for agriing realities in sad PH. culture, despite the call of the In the entire Asean region, the AFMA — a call made decades environment most hazardous, ago — that R&D is the most most hostile to rice farming is COST EFkCIENT AGRICULTURAL INVESTthe one in the Philippines. Reck- ment. The last one-time, big-time less land conversion, which can R&D investment came from Bill be done with impunity by com- Gates, an $18-million grant to mercial interests in cahoots with the Los BaĂąos-based IRRI. From local politicians and Depart- the government, almost zero. ment of Agrarian Reform (DAR) On farm mechanization, the personnel based at the LGUs, Philippines is the Asean laghas reduced the irrigated, A-1 gard, 40 years behind Thailand. rice lands to less than 3 million What about the institutions of

MIDWEEK COMMENTS MARLEN V. RONQUILLO

government that are supposed to protect those that need help most, like the small rice farmers?

The new overseer of the country’s monetary policy is Benjamin Diokno, whose former role in the Duterte cabinet was lecturing those seeking more support for agriculture on the hopelessness of agriculture. His policy bias will be damning to small farmers seeking inclusion in the credit mainstream. His last act as budget secretary was to announce the unlimited importation of sugar, a distressed sub-sector of agriculture.

The chair of the Senate agriculture committee is Cynthia Villar, the other half of the largest land banking group in the country and a real estate grandee.

A pliant Congress passed the law that lifted the quantitative restrictions on rice with only the Makabayan bloc and one party-list member, Butil Party, voting "No." The four district representatives of Nueva Ecija, the country’s rice granary, voted "yes," a yes vote that was both out of this world and unfathomable.

What about the civic institutions?

Exhibit A was the “foundation� that ran the ad. Its solution to the current multiple and deep-seated woes of the rice sector is this — more land conversion.

As a grizzled farmer with a basic knowledge of farming realities, I can only ask these questions. From what universe did these fact-free factotums come from? From what tortured context did they frame, then write, the ad?

(Workers who celebrate their day today, are the brothers of farmers. The current institutional assault is directed more at the farmers than the workers.

I will just write a piece on our brother-workers next time.)

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

Opinion

A5

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

US govt funding for anti-Duterte media: P74M This revelation is not from some anonymous source, but from the website of the US AID itself and its main conduit, the National Endowment for Democracy. (Credit is to the popular blogger Rey Joseph Nieto for pointing me to these websites.

His articles on these are posted at his blog ThinkingPinoy.)

These media firms are the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), VERA Files, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), and Rappler. The amounts are huge for thinly staffed websites with little overhead and none of the huge paper costs that burden newspapers. These therefore mainly went to the salaries (reported as “allowances� by its few operators). No wonder these four have ignored my private and public requests to them to disclose their funding sources.

We are a sovereign nation.

Why do we allow a foreign power to fund media entities dedicated to painting the duly elected president black, in the hope that the masses, or the military, would be roused to topple him?

In its article posted on its website, the PCIJ even shamelessly concealed its main source of funding, which is the AID. It claimed that the bulk of its funding came from “interest income from an endowment fund that Ford Foundation gave in 2003 and from ‘patrons.’�

AID It didn’t mention at all that most of its funds, at least since 2009 (for which data is available), totaling P25 million, came from the US federal government’s AID, disbursed annually without interruption. This was coursed through the US State Department, and then through the private foundation, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

The CMFR on the other hand, which has a working staff of four, surprisingly was the biggest recipient of the AID-NED funding, totaling P35 million in the same period. It has been headed since its organization in 1989 by Melinda Quintos de Jesus, the sister of former president Benigno Aquino 3rd’s “peace adviser� Ging Deles, and the wife of Edilberto de Jesus, an adviser in the Corazon Aquino government. The CMFR does not disclose its funders in its website. It arrogantly refused to do so when I requested its head to do so in an email last year, claiming I “was belligerent.�

CMFR has been a strident a n t i - D u t e r t e n e ws we b s i t e, routinely republishing articles from Rappler and PCIJ critical of this administration as well as opinion pieces bylined only by “CMFR� that propagate the propaganda thrust of the Yellows.

For instance, its current website has a banner statement that screams as it lies: “An Attack on One is an Attack on All:

Q Where the four ‘independent media’ get their money.

The Center for Media Freedom a massacre but a clash beand Responsibility condemns tween police and Moro rebels. the arrest of Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa on Fact-checker cyber libel charges filed several years after the alleged offense On the other hand, VERA Files, a “fact checker� for Facebook, got was supposedly committed.�

CMFR however has been as P6.5 million from NED for its 2016 critical of Duterte as much as and 2017 funding and P2.2 million it has been slavish to Aquino from Asia Foundation, which has 3rd when he was in power. For also been alleged to be a conduit for example, in the weeks after the CIA operations to mold the minds Mamasapano bloody fiasco of a target population. It got an adthat resulted from Aquino’s ditional P750,000 from the NGO incompetence and his reliance Reporters without Borders, which on his close friends, police is also funded by NED. The organization’s founder chief Alan Purisima (who was under a court suspension at Allen Weinstein himself had the time for graft charges), pointed out that NED “has been the CMFR scolded mainstream doing what the Central Intellimedia as being hysterical, and gence Agency did� in molding claimed that the incident wasn’t public opinion in its “target�

s

Q CELIS FROM A4

Transparency crisis ing erroneously prompting the Comelec to retrieve all the 76,000 COMPACT lASH OR 3$ CARDS INSTALLED in the PCOS machines. Not known to many was another irregularity that transpired at the time. It was the nontesting and certification of the PCOS computer program.

How could you ensure accuracy in a week’s time when in fact retrieving, testing and putting back these cards would take one month at most?

These irregularities have not been attended to seriously by concerned agencies, especially the Comelec. They instead focused on other irrelevant projects early this year like the testing of the oter REGISTRATION VERIkCATION MACHINES 626- TO GET RID OF lYING VOTERS in some pilot areas come midterm elections. They forgot the technical evaluation committee CERTIkCATION OF THE !%3 WHICH IS far more important to ensure accuracy, reliability and security of the electoral process. Like the VRVM, it will face a similar fate like the ultra violet scanning device that Comelec employed in 2010 to detect fake ballots — a waste of money, time and effort on not so important project activities. Even the Ombudsman has not given the election petitioners a chance TO HEAR THEIR COMPLAINTS kLED FROM 2010 and before the 2016 elections. They got tired of submitting complaints about irregularities experienced in the 2016 elections as they thought that it would be useless to pursue. Meanwhile, the mainstream media and most of our incumbent politicians are very silent about the hearings, discussed and reports submitted about irregularities to the joint congressional oversight committee (JCOC) on AES. Worse, no hearings were called or somehow these were so delayed that deliberating, say the privilege speeches of Sen. Tito Sotto in March 2018 about the irregularities in the 2016 elections, become moot and academic before the 2019 midterm elections.

To AES Watch, for Comelec not to promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the AES Law is also an irregularity. With no IRR since 1997, or 22 years ago, Comelec could just interpret the law at their own whim. Comelec would always say that machine digital signature is the right thing to do vis its real

definition in e-Commerce Law, or RA 8792, and the Supreme Court’s Rules on Electronic Evidence. Ironically, what recent Comelec officials didn’t know WAS THAT THE #OMELEC OFkCIALS IN 2003 implemented digital signing based on RA 8792 though the AES Law then (RA 8436) did not mandate it. Hence, from the time of former Comelec chairman Melo up to chairman Abas, they all contradicted their predecessors in understanding the real essence of digital signing. Surprisingly, Comelec officials in 2003 were actually trained by e-PLDT, PLDT’s subsidiary, in using Verisign, a digital signing solution commonly used by the banking sector. Therefore, Comelec cannot just tell us that they would just stick with their old practice and would not promulgate IRR. That’s irregular!

There’s one irregularity that was corrected weeks before the 2016 elections; that is, noncompliance of Comelec with the generation of voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT), or voter’s receipt, in 2010 and 2013. Sen. Dick Gordon petitioned the SC to implement the AES Law concerning VVPAT. n the SC’s oral argument, Comelec argued that the ballot itself is the receipt. OMG! Nevertheless, the SC ruled that Comelec should follow what’s in the law. Thus, we had voter receipts in 2016. This is another case of Comelec’s misinterpretation of a provision in the AES Law because of the lack of IRR. There’s another kind of irregularity — stopping righteous people in exposing irregularities. Let me quote former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong during the CNN Senatorial Debate 2019 at the University of Santo Tomas on April 27: “x x x Pero, kung ang ating halalan ay parang ibinebenta na parang isda at karne sa palengke ng sindikatong Comelec-Smartmatic, wala tayong kalaban-laban. x x x Sinasabi kong sindikato ito (Comelec at Smartmatic), dahil noong 2014, inalok na po ako — ‘tumahimik ka, papanalunin ka namin.’ Pero pinili kong lumaban para sa bayan, para sa kinabukasan nating lahat.�

With due respect, the government should already intervene as these election automation irregularities have caused a transparency crisis for more than a decade now.

Let this not escalate in 2022!

STOP THE INTIMIDATION OF INDEPENDENT MEDIA ONE week has passed and Malacaùang and the Manila Times have not come up with anything to back up their false report alleging that journalists, news organizations and a lawyers’ group were involved in an oust-Duterte plot.

VERA Files condemns the spread of falsehood by no less than the President through his spokesman, Salvador Panelo and special envoy for international public relations Dante A. Ang, Manila Times Chairman Emeritus, linking us to an alleged destabilization plot.

On April 22, Manila Times came out with a story titled “OUST-DUTERTE PLOT BARED� complete with a matrix alleging that VERA Files President Ellen Tordesillas acted “as the nexus and distributor� of the “Bikoy� video which narrated the alleged involvement of the president’s family members in the illegal drug trade.

Alongside Ang’s story was an opinion piece by columnist Rigoberto D. Tiglao on the same subject.

Ang said his information came from “a highly placed source in the Office of the President.�

countries. A State Department official in a congressional budget hearing explained: “What was done was to shift many of the awful things [done by the CIA] to a new organization, with a nice sounding name. The creation of the NED was a masterpiece. Of politics, of public relations, and of cynicism.�

With Rappler in the past two years being reported in US media as Duterte’s most vociferous critic in media, NED probably got a State Department order for it to give Rappler money, which it did last year, amounting to P7.5 million. It was a lifeline that it would be getting regularly, as Rappler’s funds from two US firms had been used up fast.

The NED funding was disguised as a grant to it for a project tilted “Understanding and Addressing Disinformation’s Impact on Democracy.� That’s so ironic as it was 2APPLER THAT kRST SPREAD THE VILE disinformation that the police had killed “7,080� from July 2016 to January 2017 in the government’s war against drugs. The anti-Duterte media here and in the US used that kGURE TO EXTRAPOLATE VERY FALSELY that by 2018, there were “21,000� killed in the anti-drug war — 7,000 multiplied by three (years).

Internal Revenue’s tax-evasion case kLED AGAINST 2APPLER IT POINTED OUT that the funds Rappler received from San Francisco firm North Base Media and Omidyar Network amounted to P180 million.

That explains why Rappler has been able to afford extremely expensive Internet tools — which no other local website can afford — for it to quickly expand its footprint, such as software to make its articles appear high in google search results.

4HESE MEDIA OUTkTS WON T A LAST A week without the American funds.

And they dare to call themselves the “independent media�?

I had written several columns POINTING OUT THAT THESE OUTkTS are violating the constitutional ban on any foreign participation in media, with recent laws unequivocally classifying internetonly news websites as media. The Securities and Exchange Commission had ruled that anything less than “100 percent� control violates the Constitution.

Never did it cross my mind that they are funded by the US government, which has a very strategic interest in molding Filipino minds, especially at this time when China is challenging its decades-old hegemony in Asia.

Why do we allow that?

Omidyar The P7.5-million funding from NED was small change though, compared to the colossal funding Rappler got from two American OUTkTS IN )N THE "UREAU OF

Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ gmail.com Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao Twitter: @bobitiglao Book orders: www.rigobertotiglao.com/debunked

That same day, Panelo in his press briefing said the source of the Manila Times story was “the President himself.�

Asked by a reporter for more details about the so-called intelligence report, Panelo said, “Galing kay presidente kaya paniwalaan ninyo.�

The whole story is completely false. Even worse, Duterte, Panelo and Ang didn’t even bother to verify the information in the so-called matrix. Luz Rimban and Jennifer Santiago are no longer with VERA Files. Rimban resigned in 2018 and Santiago in January 2019. Female trustees were identified as male.

If there is any orchestration being done, it is by MalacaĂąang and Manila Times to intimidate media who are holding Duterte accountable for his questionable decisions and actions.

The matrix story would have been laughable if it was not deliberately manufactured to muddle the mind of the public with lies and endanger the lives of the persons named in that diagram.

That it came from the highest official of the land who took his oath to preserve and defend the Constitution and “do justice to every man� is most disturbing and must not be tolerated.

The law provides relief for those whose rights have been violated and we are keeping our options open.

VERA Files Board of Trustees: Joel Butuyan, Booma Cruz, Chi Liquicia, Rosal Revaldo, Ellen Tordesillas www.verafiles.org newsroom@verafiles.org

Taiwan’s advances in digital healthcare Helping other countries achieve universal health coverage by 2030

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HIS year marks the 24th anniversary of Taiwan’s implementation of universal health coverage. Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) covers the full spectrum of essential and high-quality health services, from prevention and treatment to rehabilitation and palliative care.

In the 1960s, Taiwan’s progressive health sector began the process of incorporating laborers, farmers and government employees into the health insurance system. It is now widely regarded as one of the best in the world. The NHI ranked 14th in the 2017 Global Access to Healthcare Index of The Economist , and ninth in the 2018 Health Care Efficiency Index of Bloomberg Finance.

The success of Taiwan’s NHI can be attributed to several key factors. First, it adopted a single-payer model with contributions from individuals, employers and the government.

A supplementary premium is also charged based on payers’ income levels. Second, to control medical expenses, a budget payment system was adopted to set caps on healthcare costs paid by the government. Under these caps, Taiwan’s medical expenses accounted for only 6.4 percent of GDP in 2017, lower than the OECD average. In the same year, the NHI’s administrative costs

were kept under 1 percent of its total budget, and the public satisfaction rate was 86 percent.

Third, the NHI’s integrated preventive healthcare services and pay for performance programs have ensured a high quality of healthcare and encouraged continued improvement of health standards. Fourth, to reduce health inequalities, premium subsidies are provided to disadvantaged groups such as low-income households and the unemployed.

The provision of preventive and primary healthcare is the most cost-efficient approach to achieving universal health coverage. Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has developed tools utilizing artificial intelligence and cloud computing to access the massive databases it has built over the past 24 years. For instance, the MediCloud system was launched to enable healthcare providers to query patients’ medical records within the NHI system, while the PharmaCloud system provides prescription drug information to physicians and pharmacists.

Currently, through digital cloud tools, community-based primary care providers in Taiwan can RETRIEVE TEST REPORTS INCLUDING CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, gastroscopies, colonoscopies AND 8 RAYS FROM SECONDARY AND

tertiary institutions and receive prescription information.

These digital health technologies have enhanced care services in many ways. They have improved the quality of care and reduced costs, in terms of both time and money, by properly matching health services with the locations where these services are provided. They have also lowered the potential risks arising from repeated examinations. Related systems are patient-centered, meaning that they are organized around the complex needs and expectations of patients and communities, helping realize the concept of good hospitals in the community and good doctors in the neighborhood.

Taiwan has learned how to utilize its competitive advantages in information technology and medicine to deliver better care and enhance the health of the overall population. In response to the goals set by the Health Workforce 2030 of the World Health Organization (WHO), Taiwan has also provided scholarships for in-service programs and higher education to thousands of people, both Taiwanese AND FOREIGN NATIONALS IN kELDS such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, healthcare administration and public health.

At a time when achieving uni-

versal health coverage has never been more urgent and important, Taiwan has actively sought to share its first-rate experience in healthcare reform. Regrettably, political obstruction has deprived Taiwan of the right to participate in and contribute to the World Health Assembly, the WHO’s decision-making body.

In the past two years, WHO has denied Taiwanese delegates, who represent the 23 million citizens of a democratic and peaceful country, access to the assembly. Nevertheless, Taiwan remains committed to enhancing regional and global health cooperation, sharing its experience and capacity in healthcare reform with countries in need, and making universal health coverage a reality by 2030.

Against this backdrop, we urge WHO to respond favorably to the widespread calls for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly and related technical meetings, mechanisms and activities. WHO should abide by its own principles of inclusiveness and universal participation.

Taiwan is a worthy and reliable partner that can help countries around the world achieve the meaningful goal of universal health coverage by 2030.

Taipei Economic and Cultural OfkCE IN THE 0HILIPPINES -AKATI #ITY

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

On RevWar: Does DU30 have what it takes?

O

NCE again, the Deegong has threatened a revolutionary government. This could be the latest harangue of an infuriated president.

But this time, he didn’t mince words on using this power to get rid of his critics, whom he now calls “enemies of the state,â€? lumping them with common criminals, drug lords, corrupt bureaucrats, greedy politicians, communist rebels and terrorists, and of course his bĂŞte noire — the princes of the Catholic Church hierarchy.

The Deegong has once again upped the ante with these latest antics, which to the student of presidential politics, by now reading him so well, expect him simply to do the expected. Such PREDICTABILITYĂœ !ND THE 0RESIDENT TRUE to form, indeed played to his audience, particularly his base. He seems unable to remain presidential for long and must intermittently revert to the uncouth and foul-mouthed persona which his sycophants love. Watching him rant on TV, switching from topic to topic off the cuff, ranging from the detested illegal drug proliferation to corruption within his government to the size of his penis, is an awkward EXPERIENCE BY ITSELF )T RElECTS SIMPLY his total mastery over a cowed captive audience pretending to lap up his every word with the males reluctantly EMITTING MORTIkED CHUCKLES WHILE THE ladies nonplussed, merely exhibiting sheepish smiles. Methinks this is a helluva frightened audience but can’t do anything about it.

And on the eve of the Holy Week in a speech in a campaign sortie in Cagayan, he was again on TV cursING THE CRUCIkED #HRIST DISPARAGING the “idiots who attended the last supperâ€?; yet in the same breath he professes to believe in God and fears KARMA #AN THE 0RESIDENT AT LEAST moderate his political virulence during this much-revered solemn Filipino observance of Lenten tradiTIONS 0ERHAPS NOTĂœ 4HESE RAMBLINGS of late have been accelerating and

LITO MONICO C. LORENZANA getting into his nerves, conceivably precipitated by attacks on his immediate family by a certain “Bikoy� appearing anonymously on video clips going viral in social media.

Today this incident has morphed into a full-blown conspiracy to UNSEAT THE 0RESIDENT SEEING PRINT IN broadsheets and scattered in social media complete with pictographs AND 0OWER 0OINT PRESENTATIONS 9ET

the dandyish MalacaĂąang spokesman admits no evidence has been FOUND THUS NO CASES kLED Days before the national elecTIONS THE 0RESIDENT S CAMPAIGNING sorties have taken an ominous turn.

He has been going around with his 0$0 ,ABAN SENATORIAL SLATE TAUNTing the opposition and singing the praises of each of his senatorial candidates; going through the motions of following the tenets of democracy yet insulting the very spirit of that same democratic process by threatening to suspend the writ of habeas corpus if things don’t go his way.

If I were a betting man, which I am, with several formerly imprisoned senator-plunderers either out on bail or simply let loose but not completely exonerate, but allowed a legal aperture back to the Senate, where once again they will line their pockets with the people treasures, I’d probably bet this time on more people supporting the Deegong’s initiatives out of disgust.

But does he still have the balls to push through a RevGov? And more importantly, is he the right leader we need for this wild adventure? Even his DDS and the fist pumpers no longer show the kind of enthusiastic response expected of sycophants. He is beginning to sound like “the boy

who cried wolf.� If his intentions are really clear to him and has the courage of his convictions — just DoH it! As Sec Javier’s once said, Don’t telegraph your punches, don’t advertise.

But DU30 has been erratic in his messaging and actions. I myself would give the Deegong an A+ for vetoing the billions in pork barrel in the new budget, chastising in the process the congressional tradpols allied to him. For this, I would excuse him his indelicate public insertion of his peripatetic erectile organ. As I wrote in this column several months back, RevGov can only succeed if four ingredients are present: He must have the support of the military, the political elite; the people’s support; and he must HAVE THE BALLS ROUGHLY TRANSLATED TO POLITICAL WILL TO CARRY IT OUT !NY ONE of the four absent, it won’t succeed, or if it succeeds, it is not sustainable and will cause a bigger problem than what originally it intends to solve. He has done well, pre-positioning exgenerals and admirals in odd jobs in his bureaucracy. But when push comes to shove, these men are extraneous to the chain of command. The police and the armed forces become the main instruments of the Deegong in his RevGov declaration and by inference, instruments of the state.

I will quote my Manila Times article of Aug. 24, 2017: “The state by right has the ‘monopoly of the legitimate USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE -AX 7EBER POLITICAL SCIENTIST 4HIS HAS BEEN THE CORE concept of a democratic state’s right to use, threaten, or authorize physical force on its citizens; along with it is the concept of a ‘police force’ and the concomitant system of justice within THE DEkNED TERRITORY OF THAT STATE But will this legitimate instrument of physical force, sworn to defend the Constitution have the same appreciation of the situation as the 0RESIDENT AND FOLLOW HIS LEAD Secondly, the newly elected political elite and their backers and allies

in the oligarchy may not be induced to support the Deegong in this destabilizing undertaking. Hindi pa nakakabawi sa gastos sa election.

They need a little more time to once AGAIN REkLL THEIR COFFERS BY SUCKING the marrow off the people who put THEM BACK TO OFkCE And despite his high approval ratings, paradoxically DU30 has been a polarizing leader, who, as he himself intimated doesn’t give a hoot about traditional institutions — the Church, political parties, international protocols and even conventional family values. So, people’s support for his RevGov may not be widespread and deep. But what the heck — does he really care?

But the most important element is the Deegong’s demeanor. He burst into the country’s political consciousness as a fresh outsider with nary a personal interest to protect – except perhaps his desire to run the country the way he ran his city. But now having established his own political dynasty, extending their political and possibly economic influence, protecting the same and guaranteeing his safety when he steps down from power — if ever — these perquisites could be a compelling disincentive to go all-in. One cannot equate political will for puffery; not in bullying Catholic bishops, not in the use of unpresidential vulgar speeches for shocking effect. Not even projecting an image of an alpha male, the ultimate macho with his turgid appendage!

"UT IF THE 0RESIDENT ACTS TO DECLARE a RevGov, heading a military junta, replacing the 1987 Constitution with a truly centrist one — parliamentaryfederal government with a liberalizing economy, perhaps, just perhaps, I may volunteer to be his adjutant. There are many of us who will deal with the devil today for a guaranteed bright future for our people. But, then again — does he still have what it takes?

For comments: lito.lorenzana@cdpi.asia

Weaponry or poverty?

Q

UITE a startling quote—Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin on Twitter: â€œâ€Ś Every country can speak whatever is on its mind. What [China] says should not determine foreign policy but it should inform the national budgetary process that we gotta stop throwing money at poverty and throw it at weaponry....â€?

(E WAS REACTING TO 3EN 0ANkLO Lacson’s own Twitter swipe, saying: “SFA Teddy Boy, a wide reader that you are, I just thought you might have skipped this one which shows THE MINDSET OF #HINA ON 703 7EST 0HILIPPINES 3EA &OR WHATEVER IT IS worth, I hope it will further enrich your perspective from the point of view of foreign policy‌â€?

The �one� Lacson referred to was the “transcript of an interview with China’s then Maj. Gen. Zhang Zhaozhong, who discussed Beijing’s ‘cabbage strategy’ during THE STANDOFF WITH THE 0HILIPpines over Scarborough Shoal, ALSO KNOWN AS 0ANATAG 3HOAL Zhang recalled how the swarming of Chinese ships forced Filipino kSHERMEN TO LEAVE AND PREVENTED any other ship from entering.�

Locsin has also attracted brickbats for his other public pronouncements ON #HINA S AGGRESSION IN 703

one of which came from celebrity entertainer Regine Velazquez, who posted, also on Twitter:

INGMING ABERIA “Ang akala ko pa naman matalino ka. Ako ay simpleng tao lamang na may simpleng pagiisip. These people are invading our territory they are not just taking food sinisira nila ang ating karagatan!!!!�

Velasquez was responding to one of Locsin’s April 16, 2019 Twitter posts, saying: “I am not going down in history as clam defender, okay? It’s a complaint; we’re looking into it; but these are just fucking food; no one goes to war for CLAMS MAYBE OYSTERS OF ,OCQUEMARIAQUER BUT THEY JUST HAPPEN TO be OUR food. They should pay for THEM LIKE IN kSH MARKET u Locsin’s ideas stand on shaky ground. Firstly, that Chinese nationals looting clams in our seas is not a shoplifting issue alone, one that security guards or the police may competently address. More than anything, it adds to the growing list of territorial transgressions with which a supposedly sovereign country has been hit by another, ours being at the receiving end of violations we ourselves have cho-

sen to ignore. The charge Lacson lobbed at him can also apply here: If Locsin is in the dark concerning a revealing foreign policy-related gossip, the more his oido on marine science and the environment is likely to be suspect. Those clams were reportedly planted by Filipino scientists, not only to help the endangered species recover, but also to regenerate the corals in the area. Additionally, media has been reporting this poaching for years.

Secondly, throwing money at poverty may not be an option that is up to government’s budgetary process to consider. At least not — say never — if one is to follow faithfully the intent of the Constitution. In theory, the purpose of stacking the (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES WIELDING THE POWER OF THE PURSE WITH PARTY LIST MEMBERS REPRESENTING the so-called marginalized sectors OF SOCIETY IS PRECISELY TO ENSURE THAT poverty issues get priority status on any congressional agenda.

Locsin, sure, is right: weaponry is very important. But up to a point.

He cannot create the impression THAT PROMOTING SECURITY AND kGHTING POVERTY ARE CONlICTING ENDS AND THAT our government has become bankrupt that it cannot spend for both. &OR COUNTRIES LIKE THE 0HILIPPINES that for decades, even centuries, have been battered and exploited

by colonial powers, the twin goals of promoting security and eradicating poverty justify the existence of their governments. To succeed in one and fail in the other does not make those governments half-successful. It still makes them a total failure.

The notion that weapons will save us from ruin, as Locsin appears to suggest, is a misplaced warning sign. It leads us to think as if we are pitting Jerry the mouse against Tom the cat in a sprint contest. We can arm and root for Jerry up to a point, but there is no chance he can outrun Tom. There must be ways around a competition that level it for the small guy, like a skills challenge, where the one who makes more friends from the gallery wins it. It is incumbent upon the skillful competitor, whose ability merits him THE TITLE OF A DIPLOMAT TO INlUENCE a world view where neither Tom nor Jerry sets the rules. Instead, the gallery sets and imposes the rules.

It is also possible that Locsin, like many among Filipinos, has grown tired of seeing sluggish results from anti-poverty programs. But the way to go is to strengthen them, not to scrap them. Lest we all forget, solving poverty provides answers to almost every problem a country can have, including insecurity, as it enables government to manage the country’s internal and external threats effectively.

An open summit for green belt and clean road B

EIJING saw the second Belt and Road summit concluded in the last weekend, perhaps with results out of the expectations of many observers. The Belt and Road Initiative, or "2) WAS kRST PROPOSED BY 0RESIDENT Xi Jinping of China six years ago in Kazakhstan with the conceptualization of a Silk Road Economic Belt aiming to spark development along the ancient continental Silk Road. The next year, when visiting Indonesia, Xi introduced the “seafaring� version of the initiative, the 21st Century New Maritime Silk Road, tracing the ancient sea routes that have witnessed trading and exchanges between the East and West.

Well, over the past half a decade, as the BRI gradually came into full force, the regions along the Belt and Road have experienced tremendous, sometimes fundamental developmental TRANSFORMATION !MONG THE kVE "2) principles is that of policy coordination, which saw China signing up memorandums of cooperation or strategic partnerships not only among its immediate neighbors, stretching as far as Italy and Switzerland in Europe. In line with the principle of facility connectivity, many infrastructural projects with Chinese involvement have been sprouting all along the Belt and Road, linking China by sea, air, land and also online with its neighbors near and far, and connecting them with one another as well in a vast network of modern infrastructures.

From the Chinese perspective, linking up vast, previously unconnected regions with state-of-the-art infrastructure was perhaps a well-intentioned move, based on China’s own hugely successful developmental experience. In China ITSELF THERE IS THIS SAYING OF kRST BUILDing the road, then prosperity will come along. Indeed, the many high-speed rail lines and highways linking cities big and small in China, for example, have spurred hitherto unseen growth almost wherever they reach. The more entrepreneurial Chinese citizens — and there are many of them — would make use of the reach of these advanced infrastructures to develop previously remote regions in order to better their own livelihoods and community in the process.

Seeing the somewhat dated infrastructure of its many developing neighbors, China was perhaps quite anxious in trying to assist them to improve their physical linkages, not least with China, so that some other BRI principles, such AS TRADE FACILITATION CAPITAL lUIDITY AND ultimately people-to-people bonds COULD BE LAID OUT MORE EFkCIENTLY !ND that was perhaps the main theme of the first BRI summit two years ago, summing up some of the mainly infrastructural projects that have been carried out and announcing new ones, with kNANCIAL PACKAGES IN THE FORM OF FUNDS and loans to back up the rojects. Many of the regions along the BRI do need such infrastructural upgrades in order to unleash their developmental potentials which have thus far been limited by a lack of basic amenities, such as access to electricity and yes, roads.

But merely two years later, both the global socioeconomic and geopolitical scenes have shifted somewhat. On the one hand, although socioeconomically new wealth has been created, not the least along the BRI even in the continuing worldwide economic downturn, it has often not been fairly and effectively spread across all socioeconomic strata in many regions. And the sustainability of such wealth creation is then called into question. On the other hand,

EI SUN OH geopolitically the United States which remains the world’s largest economy has increasingly and unabashedly practiced isolationism, ditching the concept and practice of free trade which IT kRST ADVOCATED FOR THE LONGEST PERIOD after World War 2, in favor of rabid protectionism disguised as “America First,� setting up quite frankly a negative example for the rise of openly protectionist measures around the world. It is one thing to put up nontariff barriers to deter the entry into a national market by foreign business participants; it is quite another to bluntly raise tariffs. The former move sends shivers down the spine of multinational corporations; the latter would create a systemic ripple effect on the world economy.

And the second BRI summit was unveiled against this somewhat convoluted backdrop. There was a distinct shift in the summit’s thematic emphasis from “hardware� construction in the past to perhaps what can be called “softWAREu PROMOTION AT PRESENT 0RESIDENT Xi in his speech stressed the importance of high-quality development that is open, clean and green for BRI proGRAMS 4HIS RENEWED EMPHASIS ON REkNing the BRI projects is anticipated to be more welcome across the BRI regions, as openness would mean increased participation by all stakeholders, both local and foreign, and hopefully from all strata in the affected community, in the implementation of the BRI projects.

The “cleanliness� here refers to joint efforts in combating corruption and abuses which have plagued many developing countries, not the least some along the BRI. But most importantly, the BRI projects should be “green,� namely they should be environmentally invasive only minimally, with optimal usage of renewable energy and sustainable resources. Many countries are starting essentially from scratch in their developmental stage, and they must start it right, in tune with the aspirations of their people and the preservation of their precious environment. There is no doubt that the BRI regions need capital injection, but it must be done in a clean and sustainable manner, with the bulk of the investment going toward uplifting the livelihood of the local people and conserving their natural environment. +EY POINTS IN 0RESIDENT 8I S SPEECH echoed both the yearnings among many BRI countries for “two-way TRAFkCu IN "2) DEALINGS AS WELL AS CONtinued practice of free trade. These include the announcement of further measures in deepening and broadening China’s reform and opening-up process, with China’s huge domestic markets pledging to procure even more foreign goods. This is of course in stark contrast to the American administration’s frequent threats of tariff hikes to deter foreign goods from entering the American market.

This time around, there was also a subtle, renewed emphasis on further building up of people-to-people bonds in this summit. And that, ultimately, would perhaps be the ultimate achievement of the BRI, so that a community of shared destiny and thus peace and prosperity would come to fruition.

FOCUS

Cute or creepy: Why humans love some species, loathe others PARIS: The Chinese giant salamander, the largest amphibian in the world, is not cute.

Weighing as much as an adult human, it has slimy brown skin, a giant mouth curled to a gormless grin, and puny, mistrustful eyes.

It is also one of the world’s most endangered species.

And yet, unlike its compatriot the giant panda, the giant salamander rarely makes the news.

Why do some animals strike a chord with humans, prompting them to donate millions towards their conservation, while others draw little more than disgust?

And is a sad-eyed panda really worth saving more than a slimy salamander?

Size, intelligence, behavior, rarity, how closely an animal resembles the human form — all play a part in our reaction to various endangered creatures. “One of the biggest factors is

‘cuteness’: physical characteristics such as big eyes and soft features that elicit our parental instincts because they remind us of human infants,� Hal Herzog, emeritus professor at West Carolina University’s Department of Psychology, told AFP. An expert in human-animal relationships, Herzog said the dark rings around pandas’ eyes trigger humans nurturing instincts. “Compare that to the Chinese giant salamander,� he said. “Google it. It looks like a six-foot-long, 150-pound bag of brown slime with beady little eyes.�

The salamanders are a vital part of their ecosystem, just as worms are essential to soil health around the steams and lakes they live in — which is just about everywhere.

Yet, like maggots, rats and snakes, the main instinct they inspire in humans is revulsion.

‘Learned’ disgust

might be better to avoid one in real life.

According to Graham Davey, a specialist in phobias from the University of Sussex’s School of Psychology, we learn to revile certain creatures at a young age. “Disgust is a learned emotion.

Babies are not born with it... it’s probably transmitted socially, culturally and within families,� he said.

Some animals are reviled due to their resemblance to “primary disgusting things� such as mucus or feces, Davey said, while others are perceived — rightly or wrongly — to pose a direct danger to the beholder. “In terms of threat to humankind, disease and illness are bigger than being attacked by an animal,� he said.

This might explain why most of us don’t find lions and bears repellant — they are covered with the same type of soft fur that coat cuddly toys for children, even if it

An orca by any other name As with most things, popular culture has a huge effect on how society perceives animals.

Whereas the movie “Free Willy� prompted a wave of sympathy for the protection of endangered orcas, “Arachnophobia� hardly helped spiders’ cause.

See also: “Jaws� for sharks.

Even the depiction of fictional creatures can have a knock-on effect on public perception towards certain animals.

Take the main being in “Alien�, for example. “Seeing the one from the first film that had that mucus-y drawl dripping from the alien’s mouth... sensitizes people to disgusting things,� Davey said.

Nor is it just the public at large who are liable to “speciesism�, or discrimination against other species in favor of our own.

A study in 2017 found a strong correla-

tion between society’s preferred animals and those most studied in scientific research. “Maybe that’s because it’s easier to get money� to study well-known animals, said Frederic Legendre, a researcher at France’s National History Museum.

And popular species make money in return, according to Christo Fabricius from WWF — a conservation group indelibly linked to its panda logo. “Reptiles, for example, are not very marketable,� he said.

‘Protect species, protect habitat’ Not that favoring certain cute or charismatic species is necessarily a bad thing for conservation. “When we protect an iconic species, we protect their habitat and therefore all the organisms within it also benefit,� said Legendre.

But such species can become a victim of their own popularity.

One recent study suggested that a “virtual� presence of wild animals such as elephants and tigers — be that on computer screens, T-shirts or in children’s books — can fool people into thinking they are more common in the wild than they really are.

The populations of most megafauna — from hippos to giraffes and gorillas — remain in peril.

Then there’s the risk of poaching.

The rarer the species “the more value they provide for traditional medicine, for trophy hunting, and therefore they are poached more often,� said Franck Courchamp, an ecologist at France’s National Center for Scientific Research.

So the next time you see a picture of a Giant Chinese Salamander, remember that there’s more to saving Earth’s wild species than looks. AFP

Regions ‘Enforce Bangsamoro program’ P ˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered for the immediate implementation of the normalization program under the Bangsamoro peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), including the decommissioning of the rebels’ forces and weapons.

Duterte signed Executive Order %/ IMPLEMENTING THE !Nnex on Normalization under the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro “to ensure human security in the Bangsamoro and enable the communities to achieve their desired quality of life through the pursuit of sustainable livelihood and political participation within a peaceful and deliberative society.�

Under EO 70, the government adopts a Normalization Program that is “multi-faceted and covers the aspects of security, socio-economic development, sustainable livelihood, political participation, CONkDENCE BUILDING AND TRANSItional justice and reconciliation.�

The normalization program would be implemented for the combatant and noncombatant ele-

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

MENTS OF THE -),& THE FAMILIES OF the decommissioned combatants, and other vulnerable individuals and sectors within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in MusLIM -INDANAO "!2-- The programs will cover the SIX RECOGNIZED -),& CAMPS PARticularly Camp Bilal in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, Camp Omar ibn al-Khatab in Maguindanao, Camp Rajamuda in North Cotabato and Maguindanao, Camp Busrah Somiorang in Lanao del Sur, Camp Badre and Camp Abubakar as-Siddique in Maguindanao, and such other locations of decommissioned combatants.

EO 79 also provides that the -),& FORCES AND WEAPONS NEED TO UNDERGO A VERIkCATION VALIDATION and decommissioning process that will be conducted by the

)NDEPENDENT $ECOMMISSIONING Body, composed of three foreign and four local experts.

The National Task Force for the Disbandment of the Private Armed Groups in the Bangsamoro Core Territory and the adjacent Zamboanga Peninsula and Soccsksargen will be in charge of policy, planning and implementation of the program for the disbandment of the private armed groups.

Soccsksargen region is comprised of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.

A program for the reduction and management of small arms and light weapons of individuals and groups will be developed by the Joint Normalization Committee, in coordination with the military and the police, consistent with the

Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. The military, through the Defense department, should prepare a redeployment plan of its units and troops from or within the BARMM, consistent with the progress in the other aspects of the normalization program.

Through EO 79, Duterte also FORMED AN )NTER #ABINET #LUSTER Mechanism on Normalization )##-. TO ENSURE gTIMELY APPROPRIATION AND EFkCIENTu DELIVERY of the normalization program.

4HE )##-. IS MANDATED TO coordinate and mobilize relevant government agencies in implementing the normalization program; monitor all socio-economic interventions; create a working group on vulnerable sectors; and submit periodic reports on the

A7

%/ S IMPLEMENTATION �Government agencies are hereby directed to prioritize, intensify and accelerate implementation of development efforts for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of the BARMM, AND ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE ")!& "ANGSAMORO )SLAMIC !RMED &ORCES MEMBERS INTERNALLY DISPLACE persons, and poverty-stricken communities as part of the normalization process,� the EO said.

4HE )##-. WILL CEASE OPERATION upon the signing of the exit agreement by the national government AND THE -),& IMPLEMENTING PANELS or when the normalization program are completely implemented.

EO 79 will take effect immediately upon its publication in the /FkCIAL 'AZETTE or a newspaper of general circulation.

Negros bishop seeks R U N - U P T O M I D T E R M P O L L S justice for ‘Sagay 9’ Mindanao rolls out red carpet for Bong Go AS the country celebrates Labor Day this Wednesday, Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the San Carlos diocese in Negros Occidental is seeking justice for nine sugar workers who were killed in what he calls a “senseless� attack on a plantation in Sagay town last year. “We especially remember the Sagay 9 whose murder has not been given justice until today,� Alminaza said in his Labor Day message. “The impunity in senseless killings resulting from the landlessness of our agricultural and farm workers are sad manifestations of where we are in our JOURNEY TOWARDS 'OD S KINGDOM of love, justice and peace,� the prelate added.

Alminaza also called on government agencies to address the centuries-old problem of landlessness and protect the lives of defenseless civilians whom they have sworn to defend and protect. “We call on the evaluation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-led and local government unit-funded Special Civilian Active Auxiliary if their existence is still warranted and how its abuses can be prevented,� he said.

Alminaza also called on the DIOCESE S BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES "%#S TO PROVIDE

pastoral care for the families of the Sagay 9 and the survivors of the massacre. “The land issue is a very important economic aspect in the LIVES OF OUR FARMERS )T MUST BE part of reflections among our BEC cluster groups so that our poor farmers may not feel alone in their plight,� he said.

He also advised leaders of FARMERS GROUPS TO ALWAYS PRIoritize the well-being of their fellow poor farmers amid the “senseless killings.�

The bisphop also reminded Catholic landowners to translate their religious beliefs into their business practices by “prioritizing the interest of the common good and denouncing violence and greed.�

Meanwhile, Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Balanga diocese in Bataan, said Labor Day is about expressing gratitude to the workers by creating jobs here so they would not be forced to move to foreign lands, be separated from their families, and the country could avoid brain and manpower drain.

M a n i l a Au x i l i a r y B i s h o p Broderick Pabillo joined Santos AND THE LABOR GROUPS CALL FOR an end to contractualization, which the State guarantees under the 1987 Constitution.

CATHERINE A. MODESTO

Drugs eyed in Cebu PNP officer’s murder 4(% #EBU 0ROVINCIAL )NTELLIGENCE "RANCH 0)" WAS LOOKING into illegal drugs as one of the motives for the killing of a police officer in Toledo City on Tuesday.

Police Capt. Alejandro BatobaLONOS CHIEF OF THE #EBU 0)" SAID they were looking into illegal drugs transactions as one of the causes of the ambush of Master Sgt. Junard Cinco who was a member of the Provincial Drug %NFORCEMENT 5NIT AND 0)" “We are looking into [illegal] drugs, as he is a member of the 0$%5 AND 0)" u "ATOBALONOS told The Manila Times.

Police Lt. Col. Janette Rafter, chief of the Toledo City Police Sta-

tion, said Cinco, 39, was driving his motorcycle to bring his wife to work when the suspects waylaid them at about 8 a.m. along Barangay Media Once in Toledo City.

Cinco, who was assigned to the 0)" IN !UGUST DIED FROM A FAtal gunshot wound in the head.

Rafter said they were coorDINATING WITH #INCO S WIFE

who was still shocked after the incident, and were reviewing the closed-circuit television in the area. “We saw two men on board a motorcycle but we still need to VERIFY THIS ;WITH #INCO S WIFE= They could be persons of interest for now,� Rafter added.

RHEA RUTH ROSELL

BARELY two weeks before the midterm polls on May 13, Davao gave native son, former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, a rousing welcome as he swung through four cities in Davao on Monday, renewing his commitment to his bailiwick and assuring people that he would continue the brand of service the Duterte administration is known for.

Go served President Rodrigo Duterte for 21 years — from the time the latter was mayor on to Malacaùang, where for three years he saw how government works at the national level.

His motorcade started from the city of Tagum in Davao del Norte, proceeded to Mati City, Davao Oriental; then motored to Digos City, Davao del Sur and to Malita City, Davao Occidental.

Go, who hails from Davao City, reiterated his keynote message in all his campaign sorties — an unwavering commitment to conTINUE THE kGHT AGAINST POVERTY )T was no different in Davao. g) WILL CONTINUE THE 0RESIDENT S most important campaigns — that against corruption, criminality AND DRUGS ) WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH for this as the wellspring of the change we need to see, not just in Davao, but nationwide as well,� he said. )N 4AGUM 'O SAID THERE WERE still many places in the country he had yet to visit, but he could not afford to miss a meeting with the people of his home region.

Meanwhile, as thousands of workers nationwide mark Labor Day this Wednesday, Go said he would help Duterte make good

WARM WELCOME

Supporters cross the line to get near former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go during one of his campaign sorties. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO on his campaign promise to end contractualization. “The President has already signed an executive order on contractualization, but this is not enough, we should also examine the Labor Code, especially on the matter of security of tenure of our workers,� he said.

Apart from his support for the core policies of the President, Go said if elected to the Senate, he would further the efforts to bring the fruits of development to the region to uplift people out of poverty. “The President has earmarked many projects for Davao under

the Build, Build, Build program that is sure to bring progress to the people of Davao region,� he added.

He cited the Mindanao Railway Project, whose Phase 1 consists of A 0 BILLION KILOMETER KM railway connecting Davao City to Digos City and Tagum City. This is part of the entire P85-billion rail project inter-connecting all major cities in Mindanao.

Construction of the railway will begin on the third quarter of this year and expected to be completed by the end of 2021, to be fully operational by 2022.

There is also the P2.6-billion

Davao City Expressway Project, a 60-km expressway from the Bukidnon-Davao National Highway in Davao City to DigosSultan Kudarat Road, which Public Works and Highways opened in February.

He also noted that a total of 4,525 hectares of land were distributed to 2,095 Agrarian 2EFORM BENEkCIARIES IN THE REgion even as the government provides skills and livelihood training for farmers and their families so they can have an additional source of livelihood, such as the Salt Production Training conducted last year in Malita.

P890-M infra projects up in Davao Sur DAVAO CITY:  Around 15,675 households in five towns in Davao del Sur would soon benefit from the P890 million worth of infrastructure and enterprise development projects, the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) said.  The DA-11 said the projects were now being implemented in the area through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).  The P890-million project is composed of six infrastructure projects worth P834 million and another six agri-enterprise subprojects worth P43 million, the DA-

PRDP added.  Under the projects, road networks linking production areas to markets will be improved for efficient transportation of agricultural products for the residents in the area.  “We need to fast-track our implementation so that we can achieve our objectives to increase the income of our farmers and household beneficiaries in the agri-fishery sector and develop a more market-oriented and climateresilient agriculture,â€? said DA Davao Regional Director Ricardo OĂąate Jr., who is also the concurrent PRDP Mindanao

project director.  The infrastructure projects under Intensified Building up of IBUILD, or Infrastructure and Logistics for Development, include four 35.16 kilometers (km)of farm-to-market roads amounting to P539 million in the towns of Hagonoy, Malalag and Magsaysay, and the rehabilitation of the 14.29-km Waterfall-Osmena farm-to-market road with 122.5 liner meter PSCG Bridge in Sulop town for P251 million.  Meanwhile, Oùate said the implementation of the P43-million post-harvest facilities package in Matanao town

was ongoing, which include 14 units of warehouses with solar dryer to increase the market value of banana production by 100 percent per kilogram; rice by 40 percent; corn by 39 percent; and coconut by 64 percent. Â Under the Investments in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity are P19.54 million for two projects: the Cardava Banana Consolidation and Marketing Enterprise in Magsaysay town and the Organic Fairtrade Banana Chips Processing in Padada.

ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

MORE SUBIC COMPANIES JOIN ‘WAR ON WASTE’ SUBIC BAY FREEPORT: More companies based here have joined the Subic Bay Metropolitan AuthorITY S 3"-! g7AR ON 7ASTEu since the start of the Recyclable #OLLECTION %VENT 2#% PROJECT IN 2016, SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya de la Llana said. “Our business locators now SEE THE BENEkTS OF PROPERLY DISPOSING OF TRASH )T S ORDERLY AND more efficient, as well as economical,� de la Llana said during the 6th RCE held at the former mini-golf course along Waterfront Road here.

The participating companies

brought to the event various recyclable items like used car batteries, cardboard and paper scraps and light bulbs. g)T HAS BEEN OUR COMPANY S initiative to properly dispose of our hazardous wastes, being a company that conducts inspection, verification and tests on various products such as gas, oil and other chemicals,� said Marge ,INGAD ADMINISTRATIVE OFkCER OF LOCATOR 3'3 3UBIC "AY )NC ,INGAD SAID THE kRM USED TO outsource treatment of wastes generated by their operation. “But now we found an economi-

cal way to dispose of these and at the same time, help raise funds for the environment,� she added.

Recyclable items generated through the SBMA project were sold to recyclers, and proceeds were donated to the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, which funds Bantay Kalikasan, an organization that promotes a healthy environment for local communities. )N THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED 6th RCE, the SBMA Ecology Center recognized Hanjin Heavy )NDUSTRIES AND #ONSTRUCTION Co.Ltd. for religiously donating

recyclable trash since the pilot collection event three years ago, as well as for donating recyclable trash worth P32,160 during the previous RCE. Other companies recognized for their contributions to the recycling project include Subic 4RUCKBOY 3'3 3UBIC "AY )NC

Broadband Broadcast Services, Nidec Subic Philippines, Sanyo $ENKI 0HILIPPINES )NC +ORYO 3UBIC 3UBIC "AY )NTERNATIONAL 4ERMINAL #ORP 7ISTRON )Nfocomm Phils., Mateen Tokyo )NTERNATIONAL )NC AND !POLLO 3UBIC )NTERNATIONAL 4RADING #ORP

Among the SBMA departments, meanwhile, the Procurement and Property Management Department was recognized for turning in recyclables worth P297,380 at the 5th RCE in November 2018. )N A SHORT PROGRAM THAT KICKED off the 6th RCE, dela Llana pointed out that when astronauts go to outer space, they experience the “overview effect� where they feel how fragile the earth is. g) HOPE WE DO NOT HAVE TO go to outer space just to realize how fragile the earth is. With the series of earthquakes and

aftershocks, let us help our environment adapt to the changes through environmentally-sound practices,� she added.

De la Llana also said recyclable items like old tires, expired medicines, rubber shoes/slippers and used clothes would be accepted in the next collection event.

4HE 2#% IS PART OF THE 3"-! S War on Waste program that also includes an anti-littering drive, the regulated use of plastic straws and plastic bags for wet products, and a ban of singleuse plastics.

PATRICK ROXAS

A8

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

News

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Limited water supply in Metro Manila, Cavite C

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

USTOMERS in parts of Metro -ANILA AND #AVITE PROVINCE WERE ADVISED TO STORE ENOUGH WATER AS -AYNILAD 7ATER 3ERVICES )NC SAID THESE AREAS MIGHT EXPERIENCE LITTLE TO NO WATER SUPPLY OVER THE NEXT DAYS

In its advisory on Tuesday, Maynilad said it started implementing water service interruptions on Monday and this might last until May 14.

The West Zone concessionaire said it was forced to reduce water production in portions of ParaĂąaque City, Las PiĂąas City, Muntinlupa City and Cavite to deal with the “unusual algae proliferationâ€? in Laguna Lake. “The algal bloom was due to the warmer temperature brought

about by the mild El NiĂąo that we are experiencing right now.

Excessive algae require additional cleaning and declogging of Maynilad’s two Putatan water treatment facilities,� it added.

Maynilad treats raw water from the lake to its treatment facilities in Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa City.

Areas affected by water interrupTION THAT MAY LAST FOR TO HOURS include the following barangay (villages) in Muntinlupa City:

Alabang, Ayala Alabang, Bayanan, Cupang, Poblacion, Putatan, Sucat AND 4UNASAN ANYTIME BETWEEN A M AND A M OF THE NEXT DAY In Las PiĂąas City, affected areas are Almanza Uno, Almanza Dos, BF International/CAA, Pamplona Dos, Pamplona Tres, Pilar, Pulanglupa Dos, Talon Uno, Talon Dos, Talon Tres, Talon Kuatro and Talon 3INGKO ANYTIME BETWEEN A M and 1 a.m. of the next day.

Areas affected in ParaĂąaque City are BF Homes and Barangay San Antonio anytime between 5 a.m.

AND A M OF THE NEXT DAY In Imus City, affected areas ANYTIME BETWEEN A M AND p.m. include Anabu 1A to 1F, "AYAN ,UMA TO "UCANDALA TO #ARSADANG "AGO AND

Malagasang 1A to 1D, MalagaSANG ' -ALAGASANG # TO '

0ASONG "UAYA 0OBLACION !

TO # 0OBLACION !

0OBLACION ! AND " 0OBLACION ! TO $

Tanzang Luma 1 to 4, and Toclong 1A to 1C. In Bacoor City, water interruptions will occur anytime between 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Barangay Molino 1 to 4, Molino 7, Queens Row Central, Queens Row East, Queens 2OW 7EST AND 3AN .ICOLAS “Rest assured that we are closely monitoring the water quality in Laguna Lake. We are likewise CONTINUOUSLY kNDING WAYS TO OPtimize the limited water supply during this time,� Maynilad said. “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.�

Over the weekend, customers in these areas experienced intermittent water supply and that Maynilad provided tankering services to mitigate the impact of the reduced water production on those areas.

Surveys inspire me to work harder – Belmonte QUEZON City mayor Josefina “Joy� Belmonte vowed to work harder to be a better leader despite survey results showing her leading the mayoral race. “I thank all our constituents who do not cease in believing in my capacity as a leader. Surveys like this inspire me to work harder so that I can be the leader the people want — the leader who will bring development and progress to the residents of Quezon City,� she said.

In the latest noncommissioned survey by independent research and data analytics company iSurvey, Belmonte garnered a strong 63-percent voter preference over Rep. Vincent “Bingbong� Crisologo and Ismael “Chuck� Mathay 3rd, who got 32 percent and three percent, respectively.

The survey held from April 19 to 25 covered 15,000 registered voters, aged 18 and above from all districts of Quezon City. “I aim to bring progress and

Manila traffic rerouted for Labor Day protests

growth in our city, where all our constituents could benefit from various programs that we plan to implement if I’ll be given the chance to govern as mayor,�

Belmonte said.

She ticked off some of her planned projects — socialized housing, crime reduction, automated document processing, improved tax collection and better quality of education, among others. “Despite surveys that show that I’m leading, I always feel that [I] can’t be complacent about these things because anything can happen and any issues can crop up so we always have to be prepared,�

Belmonte said.

Meanwhile, the results of the vice mayoral race showed Councilor Gian Sotto, Belmonte’s running mate, leading with 44 percent, while his rivals Joseph Sison and Councilor Roderick Paulate garnered 30 percent and 19 percent, respectively.

STILL NORMAL

THE Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MDTEU) will reroute traffic in some parts of Manila on May 1 for the celebration of Labor Day. The group said vehicular traffic would be heavy in Morayta, Mendiola, Department of Labor and Employment office in Intramuros, Plaza Miranda, Liwasang Bonifacio and US Embassy.

The MDTEU advised motorists coming from Legarda to turn right to Bustillos Street to their point of destination.

If coming from P. Casal Street, the group said motorists should turn left to C. Aguila Street to point of destination.

If on the eastbound lane of C.M. Recto, they should turn left or right to Rizal Avenue to point of destination.

If on the westbound lane of Kalaw Street and intending to use the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard, motorists are advised turn left to M.H. del Pilar, to point of destination. If intending to use the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard, they should turn left to P. Burgos Street to point of destination.Â

The water level in Ipo dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan remained normal on April 30, the day Angat dam reached its lowest level this year — 178.95 meters. Ipo and Angat dams supply water to Metro Manila. PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ

CATHERINE A. MODESTO

Q SURVEY FROM A1

Villar, Poe A STATISTICAL RANKING OF THIRD TO SIXTH PLACES WITH percent voter preference rate, an improvement from fourth to sixth places.

Behind her was former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, who with 40.8 percent was ranked fourth to eighth places along with Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny� Angara (40.4 percent).

Both Go and Angara fell from their previous RANKINGS OF THIRD TO kFTH AND THIRD TO FOURTH

respectively.

Completing the list of probable winners were FORMER SENATOR 2AMON g"ONGu 2EVILLA *R PERCENT kFTH TO NINTH PLACES FORMER "UREAU OF #ORRECTIONS CHIEF 2ONALD DELA 2OSA PERCENT

kFTH TO NINTH PLACES 3EN -ARIA ,OURDES .ANCY "INAY PERCENT SIXTH TO NINTH PLACES 3EN !QUILINO g+OKOu 0IMENTEL RD PERCENT TH to 14th places), Ilocos Norte Gov. Maria Imelda *OSEFA g)MEEu -ARCOS PERCENT TH TO TH PLACES FORMER SENATOR *OSE g*INGGOYu %STRADA PERCENT TH TO TH PLACES !QUINO PERCENT

TH TO TH PLACES AND %JERCITO PERCENT

10th to 16th places).

Pulse Asia said almost all of the probable winners were current or former members of Congress.

Ten are running under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago coalition, one is an independent candidate and the other three are running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, United Nationalist Alliance,

Q EMPEROR FROM A1

End of an era the royal couple, saying they had offered “courage and hope� to the Japanese people, particularly in times of suffering. g(IS -AJESTY HAS FULkLLED HIS RESPONSIBILITY AS the symbol of Japan,� Abe said.

Despite near-constant rain in Tokyo, several hundred wellwishers congregated outside the Palace during the historic ceremony attended by around PEOPLE “I feel overwhelmed emotionally,� said a tearful Yayoi Iwasaki, a 50-year-old bank employee, standing outside the palace. “In the past, enthronements followed the death of emperors and people weren’t sure whether they should be happy and celebrating, but with this transition, I am sure that we can celebrate while welcoming the new era,� she said.

High security Akihito will technically remain emperor until the

and Liberal Party. &ORMER SENATOR 3ERGIO /SMEĂ„A RD PERCENT

14th to 17th places), former senator Manuel “Mar�

2OXAS ND PERCENT TH TO TH PLACES FORmer presidential politial adviser Francis Tolentino PERCENT TH TO TH PLACES WERE JUST OUT OF the winner’s circle.

OsmeĂąa placed 11th to 16th while Roxas ranked 11th to 17th in the March survey.

Tolentino, who placed 10th to 16th in March, is now in 15th to 17th.

Sought for comment, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the latest survey result was a proof of Duterte’s “strong endorsement appeal.� “Eh di ibig sabihin yung mga tao naniniwala kay Presidente. Naniniwala siya na ang mga tao na ‘yung mga in- endorse niya kailangan ni Presidente ‘yun para tumulong sa kanya sa pagbabangon sa ating bansa sa ilalim ng kahirapan, ng kaguluhan at nung anu-ano pa (It means that the people trust the President. The President also believes that the people know that he really needs those he endorsed to help him to lift the country amidst poverty, conflict, among others),� Panelo told reporters.

4HE 0ULSE !SIA SURVEY ALSO INDICATED THAT PERcent of registered Filipino voters showed support FOR A FULL SLATE OF SENATORIAL CANDIDATES The survey was conducted from April 10 to 14 through face-to-face interviews. Based on a multistage probability sample of 1,800 likely voters 18-years-old and above, Pulse Asia said the nationWIDE SURVEY HAS A • PERCENT ERROR MARGIN AT THE PERCENT CONkDENCE LEVEL

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

stroke of midnight when Naruhito takes over and the new era of “Reiwa� — meaning “beautiful harmony� — begins, lasting for as long as he reigns.

Earlier Tuesday, draped in ornate golden-brown robes and wearing a towering black hat, Akihito reported his abdication to his ancestors and Shinto gods at several sanctuaries in the palace. /N 7EDNESDAY THE YEAR OLD .ARUHITO WILL inherit the imperial regalia in a 10-minute ceremony that is off-limits to female royals, even his wife -ASAKO (E WILL SHORTLY AFTERWARDS MAKE HIS kRST ADDRESS TO THE NATION AS ITS TH EMPEROR Crowds were expected to gather to count down to the new era outside the palace and at the scramble crossing in Tokyo’s lively Shibuya district, although the drizzle threatened to dampen some of the enthusiasm.

Security has been beefed up with extra police patrols on the streets, sniffer dogs scouring the palace grounds and even divers inspecting the moat.

A more public enthronement ceremony will TAKE PLACE ON /CTOBER DURING WHICH .Aruhito will parade through the streets of the capital and be congratulated by other world leaders and royalty.

AFP

P52.10 TO $1

Business Times

PSEi 7,952.72 UP 0.71%

www.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 ASIAN STOCKS: V S h a n g h a i 0 . 5 2 %

W S i n g a p o re 0 . 2 0 %

W Seoul 0.58%

To k yo ( c l o s e d )

V Jakarta 0.46%

SEC MATTERS

W Hong Kong 0.65%

B4

W

CURRENCY RATE

B1

V B a n g ko k 0 . 4 1 %

BSP sees 2.7-3.5% inflation for April

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

I

NFLATION likely eased to as low as 2.7 percent or picked up to 3.5 percent in April, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced on Tuesday.

)N A STATEMENT THE CENTRAL BANK SAID ITS $EPARTMENT OF %CONOMIC 2ESEARCH PROJECTED CONSUMER PRICE GROWTH gTO SETTLE WITHIN THE PERCENT RANGEu IN -ARCH (EADLINE INlATION EASED TO A MONTH LOW OF PERCENT IN -ARCH FROM PERCENT IN &EBRU-

ary.

4HE 0HILIPPINE 3TATISTICS !UTHORITY 03! IS SET TO RELEASE OFkCIAL !PRIL INlATION DATA ON -AY g(IGHER DOMESTIC OIL PRICES AND THE SLIGHT UPWARD ADJUSTMENT IN ELECTRICITY RATES ARE SEEN TO PROVIDE UPSIDE PRICE PRESSURES FOR THE

MONTH u THE "30 SAID !CCORDING TO THE $EPARTMENT OF %NERGY MOST OIL COMPANIES IMPLEMENTED A PRICE INCREASE OF CENTAVOS FOR GASOLINE CENTAVOS FOR DIESEL AND CENTAVOS KEROSENE EFFECTIVE ON 4UESDAY -EANWHILE THE -ANILA %LECTRIC #O S PER KILOWATT HOUR K7H RATE FOR HOUSEHOLDS CONSUMING K7H MONTHLY WAS RAISED BY P10.5594 4HESE UPWARD PRESSURES gMAY BE PARTLY OFFSET BY THE CONTINUED decline in rice prices and by the PESO APPRECIATION u THE "ANGKO

Sentral said.

Latest PSA data show that prices OF THE STAPLE DECREASED IN THE kRST WEEK OF !PRIL WITH THE AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICE DIPPING BY PERCENT FROM 0 PER KILO THE WEEK BEFORE The peso, on the other hand, AVERAGED 0 AS OF !PRIL

APPRECIATING SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE 53 DOLLAR BY PERCENT FROM THE 0 AVERAGE IN -ARCH

ACCORDING TO THE CENTRAL BANK %ASING INlATION PROMPTED THE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL S POLICYMAKING -ONETARY "OARD TO KEEP KEY INTER-

EST RATES UNCHANGED AT ITS -ARCH MEETING !FTER A SURGE ‡ BLAMED LARGELY ON HIGHER OIL PRICES AND FOOD SUPPLY ISSUES ‡ THAT PROMPTED kVE SUCCESSIVE RATE HIKES OFkCIALS SAID CONSUMER PRICE GROWTH WAS NOW EXPECTED TO SETTLE WITHIN THE PERCENT TARGET THIS YEAR g-OVING FORWARD THE "30 WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR EVOLVING PRICE TRENDS AND WILL UNDERTAKE NECESSARY MEASURES TOWARDS ITS COMMITMENT TO PRICE STABILITY u THE CENTRAL BANK SAID %ARLIER THIS WEEK "30 'OVERNOR

"ENJAMIN $IOKNO SAID REDUCTIONS IN POLICY RATES WOULD HAPPEN THIS year. g7E CAME FROM A YEAR ;WHEN= we increased interest rates by 175 BASIS POINTS TO ADDRESS THE ELEVATED INlATION SO AS THINGS NORMALIZE .ATURALLY WE SHOULD MOVE TOWARD NORMALIZATION u HE SAID (IS STATEMENT CAME AFTER HE SAID LAST WEEK THAT COUNTRY S MONETARY POLICY REMAINS gAPPROPRIATE u BUT FURTHER RISKS COULD EMERGE FROM A PROLONGED %L .IÄO AND HIGHER THAN EXPECTED INCREASE IN GLOBAL OIL AND FOOD PRICES

Cancellations to dent Cebu Pacific growth 3%6%2!, lIGHT CANCELLATIONS ANNOUNCED BY LISTED BUDGET CARRIER #EBU !IR )NC IS EXPECTED TO TEMPER ITS GROWTH DURING THE SECOND QUARTER AND FULL YEAR ACCORDING to analysts.

'OKONGWEI LED #EBU !IR WHICH OPERATES UNDER THE TRADE NAME #EBU 0ACIkC ANNOUNCED ON 4UESDAY A SECOND ROUND OF CANCELLATIONS AFFECTING MORE THAN A HUNDRED DOMESTIC lIGHTS !IRCRAFT SHORTAGE DUE TO UNSCHEDULED TECHNICAL REPAIRS AND INCREASED lIGHTS FROM AND TO -ANILA WERE BLAMED FOR THE CANCELLATIONS 4HE kRST WAVE OF CANCELLATIONS WAS ANNOUNCED ON 3UNDAY INVOLVING AT LEAST ROUNDTRIP lIGHTS 4IMSON 3ECURITIES )NC TRADER *ERVIN DE #ELIS SAID THE CANCELLATIONS WOULD LIKELY DENT ITS SECOND QUARTER PERFORMANCE AND MARGINALLY ON ITS FULL YEAR GROWTH g)T MIGHT HAVE AN EFFECT ON ;ITS !PRIL TO *UNE= PERFORMANCE SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR DISRUPTION TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE AIRLINE u HE SAID 0HILSTOCKS &INANCIAL )NC RE-

SEARCH ASSOCIATE *APHET ,OUIS 4ANTIANGCO SAID THE CANCELLATIONS REPRESENTED OPPORTUNITY LOSSES FOR #EBU 0ACIkC “We’re still in a time where a lot OF PEOPLE ARE TAKING THEIR VACATION

AND SO TO CANCEL AND REDUCE lIGHTS COULD LEAD TO A LOT OF MISSED OPPORTUNITIES TO GENERATE EARNINGS u 4ANTIANGCO SAID 4HIS WILL INCONVENIENCE CUSTOMERS gWHICH COULD DRAG ;DOWN= CONFIDENCE ;IN= THE COMPANY u he added. $E #ELIS SAID HOWEVER THAT HE EXPECTED THE COMPANY TO RECOVER IN THE COMING QUARTERS DUE TO HIGHER FARES AND THE INCREASING VOLUME OF PASSENGERS IN TIME FOR the holiday season. g4HEY RE DOING THIS TO RESTORE EFkCIENT OPERATIONS AND THAT MIGHT PROVIDE A CUSHION TO WHATEVER LOSS THE COMPANY MAY SUFFER FROM THE DISRUPTION u HE EXPLAINED g.EW ROUTES AND FUEL EFkCIENT AIRCRAFTS SHOULD ALSO OFFSET THE LOSSES THAT THE COMPANY MIGHT

³Growth B2

TALKING BILLIONS

Philippine National Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Wick Veloso (center) speaks as Executive Vice Presidents Chester Luy (left) and Nelson Reyes listen during the lender’s annual stockholders meeting and media briefing in Manila on Tuesday. They announced that PNB would allot P4 billion in capital expenditures for 2019. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE See story on B2

»

US trade negotiators arrive in Beijing for more talks PSEi hits 7,900 on lower inflation projection

BEIJING: 4OP !MERICAN NEGOTIATORS ARRIVED IN "EIJING ON 4UESDAY HOPING FOR PROGRESS IN A NEW ROUND OF TALKS WITH #HINESE COUNTERPARTS AS THEY home in on a deal to end a monthsLONG TRADE WAR 4HE 53 SIDE INDICATED BEFORE THEIR TRIP THAT #HINA S MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES WOULD BE A TOP ISSUE AS THE WORLD S TWO LEADING ECONOMIES SEEK TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE THAT HAS INCLUDED BRUISING TIT FOR TAT TARIFFS ON BILLION WORTH OF GOODS 4REASURY 3ECRETARY 3TEVEN -NUCHIN AND 4RADE 2EPRESENTATIVE 2OBERT ,IGH-

H

THIZER ARE LEADING THE 53 SIDE FOR THIS WEEK S TH ROUND OF HIGH LEVEL NEGOTIATIONS WITH 6ICE 0REMIER ,IU (E REPRESENTING "EIJING ,IU IS THEN EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO 7ASHINGTON ON -AY TO CONTINUE THE NEGOTIATIONS g7E HOPE TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN THESE TWO MEETINGS u -NUCHIN TOLD REPORTERS AT HIS HOTEL IN "EIJING AHEAD OF THE TALKS -NUCHIN DECLINED TO SAY WHAT WOULD BE DISCUSSED BUT HE TOLD THE .EW 9ORK Times THAT THE TALKS WOULD CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON #HINA S PRACTICE OF SUBSIDISING

INDUSTRIES ,AST WEEK 0RESIDENT 8I *INPING VOWED TO ABOLISH UNREASONABLE SUBSIDIES TO #HINESE kRMS ADDRESSING THE KEY 53 demand head on. g7E WILL OVERHAUL AND ABOLISH UNJUSTIFIED REGULATIONS SUBSIDIES AND PRACTISES THAT IMPEDE FAIR COMPETITION AND DISTORT THE MARKET u 8I TOLD WORLD LEADERS AT A SUMMIT IN "EIJING ON HIS SIGNATURE "ELT AND 2OAD GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT 8I S DECISION TO RAISE THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUE IN FRONT OF AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE WAS SIGNIkCANT ACCORDING TO OBSERVERS

g)T BEING MENTIONED IN THAT FORUM AT THAT LEVEL MAY FORESHADOW REFORMS RESULTING FROM 53 #HINA TRADE TALKS

ALLOWING "EIJING TO FRAME SUCH OUTCOMES AS STEPS FORWARD FOR THE #HINESE economy rather than concessions to 7ASHINGTON u SAID *ACOB 0ARKER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE 53 #HINA "USINESS #OUNCIL "EIJING S STATE SUBSIDIES ARE PART AND PARCEL OF ITS INDUSTRIAL POLICY AND EXPERTS SAY POLICYMAKERS ARE UNLIKELY TO GIVE UP THEIR GOALS OF DEVELOPING COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT AND SEMI CONDUCTOR

³Talks B4

Holcim and the full disclosure rule

OLCIM Philippines Inc. posted on !PRIL ITS DEkNITIVE INFORmation statement (DIS) on the website OF THE 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE 03% The company’s DIS, which was to be SENT ON !PRIL TO STOCKHOLDERS

CONTAINS A POINT AGENDA INCLUDING THE gAPPROVAL AND RATIkCATION OF ALL ACTS

CONTACTS INVESTMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD COMMITTEES AND MANAGEMENT SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING u 4HE PHRASE SHOULD NOT ABSOLVE (OLCIM OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MAYBE AMONG ITS STOCKHOLDERS 3EASIA .ECTAR 0ORT 3ERVICES )NC WHICH HAS A PENDING SUIT AGAINST (OLCIM MAY NOT HAVE LISTED ITS COMMON SHARES ON THE 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE (OWEVER

AS A LISTED STOCK (OLCIM SHOULD HAVE INFORMED ITS PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS HOW IT WOULD DEAL WITH THE SUIT )T SHOULD ALSO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT ITS gNOTICE OF ARBITRATIONu WAS ALL ABOUT 3EASIA HAS SUCCEEDED IN SEEKING FROM THE 2EGIONAL 4RIAL #OURT OF -ARIVELES

"ATAAN A gPRELIMINARY ATTACHMENT OVER (OLCIM S PROPERTIES IN THE AMOUNT OF 0

u WHICH (OLCIM TRIED

BUT FAILED TO LIFT (OLCIM EVEN HAS ITS OWN LAWYERS TO kGHT THE GARNISHMENT )N A LETTER DATED Feb. 19, 2019, Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil 'UTIERREZ 0ROTACIO EVEN ASKED THE -ETROPOLITAN "ANK AND 4RUST #O TO LIFT THE GARNISHMENT WHICH (OLCIM SAID SHOULD BE LIFTED BECAUSE IT HAS gOBTAINED A FAVORABLE DECISION IN ITS APPLICATION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF EMERGENCY ARBITRATOR kLED WITH THE 0HILIPPINE $ISPUTE 2ESOLUTION #ENTER u

Metrobank responds -ETROBANK HOWEVER WROTE BACK SAYING gTHE BANK IS ACTING ONLY AS A GARNISHEE AND IS OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH LAWFUL ORDERS OF THE COURT OR ANY GARNISHING AUTHORITY WHICH INCLUDED BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO NOTICES FOR THE GARNISHMENT OF FUNDS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE GARNISHEEw u

“In said letter, we were made to UNDERSTAND THAT (OLCIM 0HILIPPINES )NC (0) WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN A FAVORABLE DECISION IN ITS APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT OF EMERGENCY ARBITRATOR kLED WITH THE 0HILIPPINE $ISPUTE 2ESOLUTION #ENTER )NC 0$2#) DOCKETED as PDRCI Case No. 95-2018. The said DECISION PURPORTEDLY REVOKED THE ORDER DATED .OV AND THE WRIT OF ATTACHMENT GARNISHMENT ISSUED AS A CONSEQUENCE THEREOF ACCORDINGLY LIFTED u -ETROBANK WROTE 4HE BANK STOOD kRM ON ITS DECISION )T SAID g)N VIEW THEREOF WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT WE CANNOT ACCEDE TO YOUR REQUEST TO LIFT THE .OTICE OF 'ARNISHMENT ON THE FUNDS OF (0) 3INCE THE "ANK IS a mere nominal party, non-compliance ON ITS PART MAY MERIT AUTOMATIC SANCTION OR CONTEMPT UNLESS WE RECEIVE A CORRESPONDING ORDER IN THE FORM OF A RESTRAINING ORDER OR INJUNCTION RELIEF u "Y THE WAY IF (OLCIM DID DEPOSIT TO COVER SUCH A HUGE AMOUNT IT SHOULD HAVE POSTED THIS ON 03% WEBSITE AND SHOULD ALSO HAVE INFORMED THE 3%# ABOUT THE MONEY 4HE POSER HERE IS $ID (OLCIM SOURCE 0 BILLION FROM ITS RETAINED EARNINGS

WHICH AS OF 3EPT

AMOUNTED to P6.804 billion?

Due Diligencer’s take 4HE 3%# HAS TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE INVESTING PUBLIC WHICH IS ITS MANDATED TASK !S A REGULATORY AGENCY IT IS THEIR ONLY RECOURSE AGAINST THOSE WHICH HAVE EITHER THEIR ENTIRE OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES OR ONLY SOME OF THEM LISTED ON 03% 4HE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS IS AT STAKE HERE )T IS NOT THE 03% WHICH HAPPENS TO BE LISTED THAT ANYONE OUTSIDE THE MAJORITY HAS TO RUN TO FOR SUCCOR )T IS ONLY THE 3%# WHICH CAN DISPENSE JUSTICE SHOULD IT RUN AFTER VIOLATORS OF THE AGENCY S FULL DISCLOSURE RULE On the other hand, it is the responSIBILITY OF THE PUBLIC INVESTORS TO KNOW THEIR RIGHT WHICH IS MUCH DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE MAJORITY WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE OWNERS OF THE FAMILY BUSINESS OR BUSINESSES )F THIS IS SO HOW CAN THE 3%# GO AFTER FAMILY OWNED AND CONTROLLED BUSINESSES FOR VIOLATING THE MARKET S FULL DISCLOSURE RULE

³Perez B4

,/#!, EQUITIES CLIMBED TO THE LEVEL ON 4UESDAY AS INVESTORS BOUGHT ON EXPECTATIONS THAT INlATION WOULD LIKELY EASE FURTHER COUPLED WITH MONTH END WINDOW DRESSING 4HE BENCHMARK 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE INDEX 03%I GREW BY PERCENT OR POINTS TO CLOSE at 7,952.72, while the wider All Shares increased by PERCENT OR POINTS TO kNISH AT

2EGINA #APITAL $EVELOPMENT #ORP HEAD OF SALES ,UIS ,IMLINGAN SAID MARKET PLAYERS LOADED PORTFOLIOS ON EXPECTATIONS THAT CONSUMER PRICES IN !PRIL LIKELY EASED ANEW /N 4UESDAY THE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 $EPARTMENT OF %CONOMIC 2ESEARCH PUT INlATION TO AS LOW AS PERCENT BUT AS HIGH AS PERCENT AS HIGHER DOMESTIC OIL PRICES AND ELECTRICITY RATES MAY HAVE PROVIDED AN UPWARD PRESSURE TO PRICES BUT MAY HAVE BEEN OFFSET BY THE DROP IN RICE prices. This compares with March’s 3.3 percent. ,IMLINGAN SAID HE EXPECTED INlATION TO HAVE SETTLED AT PERCENT /FkCIAL kGURES WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE 0HILIPPINE 3TATISTICS !UTHORITY ON -AY In a separate comment, P2P Trade Online sales ASSOCIATE 'ABRIEL *OSE 0EREZ SAID THE MARKET GREW AS INVESTORS BOUGHT DUE TO MONTH END WINDOW DRESSING 4HE LOCAL MARKET TRACKED A RALLY ON 7ALL 3TREET

WITH THE $OW *ONES 3 0 AND .ASDAQ UP

³Projection B4

What’s inside PNB ALLOTS P4B AS 2019 CAPEX

»Corporate NewsB2

NEW TAX LAWS COME WITH HURDLES – FIRM

»Corporate NewsB2

B2

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

Corporate News

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

PNB allots P4B capex for 2019 Income up 26% to P1.9 billion in first quarter

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

L

ISTED Philippine National Bank (PNB) has set aside about P4 billion in capital expenditures (capex) for this year, half of which would be spent on information technology (IT)-related activities.

g#APEX IS ABOUT 0 BILLION /UT OF THAT ABOUT 0 BILLION WILL BE )4 RELATED u 0." %XECUTIVE 6ICE 0RESIDENT #HESTER ,UY SAID IN A BRIEkNG IN -ANILA ON 4UESDAY 4HIS WAS ANNOUNCED AFTER 0."

0RESIDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER 7ICK 6ELOSO SAID THE 4AN LED LENDER WOULD LAUNCH ITS OWN DIGITAL PLATFORM TO COMPLEMENT ITS BRANCH NETWORK /NCE LAUNCHED 6ELOSO SAID THE PLATFORM WOULD ENABLE 0." TO SERVE CUSTOMERS IN FAR lUNG AREAS !CCORDING TO ,UY THE BANK WOULD ALSO HOLD VARIOUS FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES TO kNANCE THIS INITIA-

TIVE AND THE REST OF ITS CAPEX g7E ARE LOOKING AT A VARIETY OF SOURCES /NE OF THEM CLEARLY IS A RIGHTS ISSUE OF 0 BILLION u he said.

4HE PLANNED STOCK RIGHTS OFFER 32/ WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED EARLIER WAS TARGETED TO BE LAUNCHED AT THE END OF *ULY OR EARLY !UGUST AS THE EXERCISE IS YET TO SECURE REGULATORY APPROVALS ACCORDING TO 0." %XECUTIVE 6ICE 0RESIDENT Nelson Reyes.

"ESIDES THE 32/ ,UY SAID 0."

WOULD ALSO TAP ITS REAL ESTATE ASSETS TO BOOST ITS CAPITAL AND ISSUE OFFSHORE AND ONSHORE DEBT PAPERS

AND LONG TERM NEGOTIABLE CERTIkCATES OF DEPOSIT ,4.#$S Last month, PNB said it was LOOKING TO RAISE AS MUCH AS 0 BILLION FROM THE kRST TRANCHE OF its P100-billion peso bond and COMMERCIAL PROGRAM )N &EBRUARY THE BANK ALSO RAISED 0 BILLION FROM THE ISSUANCE OF LTNCDs.

Net interest income, gains boost profit !LSO ON 4UESDAY 0." TOLD THE 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE THAT its consolidated net income rose TO 0 BILLION IN THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF 4HE AMOUNT IT SAID WAS A PERCENT INCREASE FROM 0 BILlion in the same period last year. g4HE GROWTH IN OPERATING INCOME WAS DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY IMPROVEMENTS IN NET INTEREST INCOME AND TRADING AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE

GAINS u THE BANK SAID .ET INTEREST INCOME JUMPED TO P7.1 billion, which was credited to THE EXPANSION IN LOANS TO CUSTOMERS AND TRADING AND INVESTMENT SECURITIES ,OAN BALANCES GREW TO 0 BILLION AS OF -ARCH A PERCENT IMPROVEMENT FROM A YEAR EARLIER

WHILE TRADING AND INVESTMENT SECURITIES SURGED BY PERCENT YEAR on-year to P188.4 billion. $EPOSIT LIABILITIES GREW BY percent year-on-year to P744.8 bilLION 4RADING AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE GAINS SOARED TO 0 MILLION IN THE QUARTER FROM 0 MILLION IN THE same period in 2018. .ET SERVICE FEES AND COMMISSION INCOME WAS UP BY PERCENT TO 0 MILLION YEAR ON YEAR gDUE TO IMPROVEMENTS IN CREDIT CARD RELATED AND DEPOSIT RELATED FEES u PNB said. /PERATING EXPENSES EXCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR IMPAIRMENT AND

credit losses, rose by 13 percent OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR

gAS ROBUST REVENUE GROWTH TRANSLATED TO HIGHER BUSINESS TAXES AND OTHER BUSINESS RELATED EXPENSES u it added. !S OF END -ARCH 0." S TOTAL EQUITY INCREASED BY 0 BILLION TO 0 BILLION FROM LAST YEAR S LEVELS #OMMON EQUITY TIER RATIO was 13.2 percent, while capital ADEQUACY RATIO STOOD AT PERCENT PNB also hit the the trillionPESO MARK IN TERMS OF ASSETS AS OF END -ARCH )TS TOTAL RESOURCES REACHED 0 TRILLION IN THE kRST three months, a P176-billion or PERCENT INCREASE FROM THE YEAR AGO kGURE

THAT ITS MAIN FOCUS WAS TO ACQUIRE AN ALREADY ESTABLISHED kNANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT HAS EXPERTISE ON CONSUMER kNANCE g4HE OWNERS ARE OPEN TO HAVE A STRATEGIC PARTNER OF A MINORITY SHARE IN THE BANK OF AROUND TO PERCENT u HE ADDED g"UT ) THINK THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE PUTTING A LOT OF ATTENTION ON RIGHT NOW 7HAT WE ARE PUTTING ATTENTION TO RIGHT NOW IS TO ACQUIRE A BANK THAT CAN BRING 0." TO THE NEXT LEVEL u 4HE BANK WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A GOOD CONSUMER kNANCE BUSINESS

ACCORDING TO HIM g;)=F WE ARE GOING TO kND A BANK THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE OUR FOCUS WILL BE A kNANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT WOULD COMPLEMENT THAT BUSIPartnerships, NESS OPPORTUNITY THAT WE WOULD acquisition plans LIKE TO DEVELOP u 6ELOSO SAID 0." SHARES ROSE BY CENTAVOS -OVING FORWARD 6ELOSO SAID 0."

WAS OPEN TO PARTNERING WITH OTHER or 0.19 percent to close at P52.50 FOREIGN PLAYERS BUT EMPHASIZED EACH ON 4UESDAY

Q GROWTH FROM B1

New tax laws come with hurdles – firm 4(% IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW TAX LAWS WILL POSE CHALLENGES BOTH FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND TAXPAYERS AN EXECUTIVE FROM A TOP TAX ADVISORY AND AUDIT SERVICE kRM SAID “The Train, Trabaho, and THE !MNESTY BILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HURDLES CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS FOR ;THE= ")2 "UREAU OF )NTERNAL 2EVENUE AND TAXPAYERS BECAUSE ALL OF US SHOULD LEARN THE TAX LAW PROVISIONS AND THE MANY EMERGING REGULATIONS AND ISSUANCES u SAID *OEL 4AN Torres, a partner at the Reyes 4ACANDONG #O DURING THE 7INNING 4AX $ISPUTES FORUM held on Monday. g!S OF LAST COUNT THE ")2 FOR TRAIN alone, probably has isSUED OVER NEW ISSUANCES !LL

OF US SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE u he added.

Implemented last year, the 4AX 2EFORM FOR !CCELERATION AND )NCLUSION 42!). REDUCED PERSONAL INCOME TAXES BUT IMPOSED HIGHER EXCISE TAXES ON FUEL VEHICLES TOBACCO SUGAR SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND COAL /N THE OTHER HAND THE 4AX !MNESTY ,AW PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR TAXPAYERS TO SETTLE THEIR TAX OBLIGATIONS WHICH REMAIN OUTSTANDING AS OF $EC

THROUGH AN AMNESTY PROGRAM THAT SIMPLIFIES TAX COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS -EANWHILE THE 4AX 2EFORM FOR !TTRACTING "ETTER AND (IGH QUALITY /PPORTUNITIES 4RABAHO BILL SEEKS TO CUT CORPORATE

INCOME TAX AND RATIONALIZE THE TAX INCENTIVES CURRENTLY ENJOYED

BY LOCATORS IN ECONOMIC ZONES g4AX CONSULTANTS TAX PAYERS SHOULD NOW PUT THEIR THINKING CAP AND PLAN AROUND !T THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO COMply, what’s clear in the law we SHOULD STRICTLY FOLLOW u SAID Tan-Torres. g7E SHOULD BE AWARE WHAT S THE CONSEQUENCE OF NON COMPLIANCE (EAVY kNES HEAVY PENATIES AND EVEN IMPRISONMENT 7HATEVER BUSINESS OR kNANCIAL PROJECTIONS and model that a company has PUT IN PLACE IN THE PAST YEARS

THERE MAYBE A NEED TO REVISIT THEM TO SEE IF THEY ARE STILL WORKABLE TAX EFkCIENT u HE ADDED 4AN 4ORRES SAID ")2 S LACK OF

MANPOWER IS ALSO A CHALLENGE FOR THE AGENCY g")2 HAS VERY LIMITED RESOURCES 0ERSONNEL WISE AND MAYBE BUDGET WISE AND EVEN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WISE ")2 PER S STATISTICS HAS ABOUT A LITTLE OVER 10,000 people. Clearly, there ARE AVAILABLE ")2 POSITIONS TO FILL UP BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON

")2 IS NOT ABLE TO FILL UP THESE POSITIONS u HE SAID $ESPITE THE LACK OF MANPOWER

A ")2 OFkCIAL VOWED TO FURTHER FOCUS ON IMPLEMENTING THE LAW ")2 #AVITE 2EVENUE $ISTRICT /FkCER %MMANUEL 3 &ERRER *R SAID THAT FOR INSTANCE THEY ARE NOW GIVING MORE ATTENTION TO THE USE OF SALES SUPPRESSION DEVICE g4HIS ;SALES SUPPRESSION DE-

VICE= IS USED TO REDUCED SALES /NCE IT IS USED /2S THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY ISSUED WILL BE INEXISTENT )T S LIKE SHAVING 4HE ")2 IS NOW AWARE OF THIS AND IS NOW BECOMING A PROBLEM u HE SAID g.OW WE HAVE WAYS TO ;COUNTER THAT= )N FACT LATELY THE ")2 HAS BEEN TRAINING ITS EMPLOYEES ON THIS SALES SUPPRESSION DEVICE 7E ALREADY HAVE PROGRAMS AND MEANS TO DETECT THAT 4AX EVASION IS AN EVER EVOLVING PROCESS 3OME WILL ALWAYS THINK OF WAYS TO AVOID TAXES BUT DON T TAKE THAT RISK u HE SAID &OR THIS YEAR THE ")2 S TAX COLLECTION GOAL IS SET AT 0 TRILLION UP BY PERCENT THAN THE 0 TRILLION GOAL LAST YEAR ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

Cancellations INCUR DURING THIS EVENT u HE SAID $ESPITE THE ANNOUNCEMENT

#EBU 0ACIkC S SHARE PRICE REMAINED UP ON 4UESDAY BY CENTAVOS OR PERCENT TO kNISH AT 0 EACH AMID THE 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE INDEX S PERCENT GAIN 4O SUPPORT ITS EXPANSION PLANS

#EBU 0ACIkC INCREASED ITS lIGHT FREQUENCIES AND CAPACITY FOR ITS #EBU AND #LARK HUBS THIS YEAR TO SUPPORT THE 0HILIPPINE TOURISM INDUSTRY )NTERNATIONALLY THE COMPANY LAUNCHED lIGHTS TO 3HANGHAI AND #HINA AND ADDED lIGHTS TO !USTRALIA AND *APAN #EBU !IR ALLOCATED MILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FOR THIS YEAR PART OF WHICH WILL HELP kNANCE AIRCRAFT ACQUISITIONS ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Special Feature

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

B3

POEA 37TH ANNIVERSARY

On making a change ‘I want POEA to be a highly-respectable institution. I want people to recognize it as a government agency that can be trusted, that can be depended on, not just by our overseas workers, but by our stakeholders as well,’ - Administrator Bernard Olalia, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration

H

AILING from the province of Isabela, the 53-year-old administrator was a private practitioner before entering public service. Prior to his appointment as POEA’s head, Olalia served as the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Undersecretary for Labor Relations, Special Concerns and Regional Operations Cluster from December 2016 to February 2018. He was actively involved in labor dispute settlements during his term.

On Feb. 5, 2018, he was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the successor to former POEA and now OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac.

During POEA’s year-end performance assessment, Olalia expressed his gratitude to his deputy administrators, directorate and staff for their assistance in makING HIS kRST YEAR AS ADMINISTRATOR fruitful and productive. “The Department of Labor and Employment, particularly the POEA, has a bigger responsibility with respect to overseas migration. With the help and efforts of the directorate, directors and all staff, we will be able to comply with the election promise of the President to extend our help to the OFWs and to accept the challenge this government is giving us, to live up to the mandate of the POEA as an institution that protects our OFWs,� he said during his Administrator Hour.

Efficiency, integrity, competency Reiterating President Duterte’s election promise of protecting and providing better opportunities for

overseas Filipino workers, Olalia has set a goal for the agency – to BECOME AN AGENCY OF EFkCIENCY

integrity and competency. “We are working hard to achieve efficiency through our One-Stop Services Centers for OFWs (OSSCO), online facilities, as well as the continuous efforts in improving our frontline and secondary services,� he explained. “We also want to be recognized as a corruption-free agency. We instituted reforms to comply with the marching order of President Duterte to promote the integrity of the institution, in parTICULAR WITH OUR OFkCERS u

POEA mandate: Protect, empower OFWs Asked if there was one program that he wants to focus on, Olalia said his number one priority is the protection of migrant workers, especially those who are in the vulnerable sectors like the household service workers (HSWs).

Q Administrator Bernard Olalia with other POEA officials in a meeting with Japanese delegates discuss the new status of residence for foreign skille workers in Japan. “Human trafficking and illegal recruitment are our primary issues when it comes to our migrant workers – particularly HSWs who are coming from the provinces. What is unfortunate is that most of them are willing victims. They grab on to the opportunity as soon as it presents itself in front of them, despite knowing that the process could be illegal,� he said.

Aside from this, he also wants to revisit POEA’s agreement with HRD Korea regarding the Employment 0ERMIT 3YSTEM ‡ 4EST OF 0ROkCIENCY in Korea (EPS-TOPIK). Currently, registration for the examination is open to all, and for this year alone, around 50,000 aspirants have signed up. From these, only 500 passers will be added to the roster, along with the passers of the previous years who weren’t employed. Not happy with the process and how it affects aspiring Filipino workers, Olalia wants to have some provisions amended in favor of

those who wish to work in Korea. “We will take a second look at the provisions that can be improved, particularly the selection and hiring processes. Why are we allowing thousands to take the exam when the quota is too low? Not to mention they are required to pay a large amount of money. Some of the things we want changed is the quota system, as well as for women to have equal opportunity in getting employed.� “I dream for POEA to be seen as a responsive institution. I want it to be recognized as an agency that is responsive to the needs of our OFWs, which is why we try our best to continuously improve our programs. The needs of our OFWs are evolving, and for us to be able to cater to these needs, WE HAVE TO BE lEXIBLE AND BE READY TO adjust when necessary,� he said.

tening to music, watching movies, and on some weekends, I still do some work. But I also go out with friends sometimes, reconnecting with my fraternity brothers.

Q: Who is your favorite superhero?

A: Superman, because despite having superpowers, he still has vulnerabilities, he has weaknesses.

And like our leaders, I also have my own Kryptonite.

Q: What is your motto in life?

A: Time is gold. I don’t want to waste my time because life is short, and thus, we have to make the most out of it. Before you know it, your kids have grown up, before you know it, my role as POEA’s administrator has ended. While you’re serving, you would not really notice that so much time has passed, it feels like it’s never-ending. But when you really look at it, three years have gone already, we’ve served 50 percent of our term.�

Getting personal Q: How does he unwind?

A: Since my family is in the province, I mostly stay at home – lis-

Q Olalia in a meeting with Third Secretary Ali Abdulla Al-Abdulla discusses the proposed Qatar VISA Center in the Philippines.

B4

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

OPC: Conversion from ordinary stock corporation

S

%#4)/. OF 2EPUBLIC !CT .O OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 2EVISED #ORPORATION #ODE OF THE 0HILIPPINES 2## PROVIDES FOR THE CONVERSION OF AN ORDINARY corporation into a One Person Corporation (OPC). #ONVERSION IS DEkNED AS A PROCESS OF CAUSING SOMETHING TO CHANGE FROM ONE CONkGURATION TO ANOTHER )T INVOLVES PUTTING IN SOMETHING CALLED THE @)NPUT TO BE OPERATED ON BY THE PROCESS TO PRODUCE ANOTHER CALLED THE @/UTPUT 4O FULLY APPRECIATE THE CONVERSION UNDER 3ECTION OF THE 2## WE MUST UNDERSTAND BOTH THE INPUT AND THE OUTPUT OF THE CONVERSION PROCESS &IRST LET US BEGIN WITH THE OUTPUT !N /0# IS ONE OF THE GAME CHANGING PROVISIONS INTRODUCED BY THE 2## )T IS DEkNED AS A CORPORATION WITH A SINGLE STOCKHOLDER 3ECTION

2## THUS IT ONLY PERTAINS TO STOCK CORPORATIONS 4HE 2## ONLY ALLOWS A NATURAL PERSON A TRUST OR AN ESTATE TO FORM an OPC (Section 116, RCC). This MEANS THE #ONGRESS INTENDED TO EXCLUDE JURIDICAL PERSONS FROM BECOMING AN INCORPORATOR OF AN

/0# ,IKEWISE CERTAIN ENTITIES ARE not allowed to be incorporated AS AN /0# INCLUDING BANKS AND QUASI BANKS PRE NEED TRUST INSURANCE PUBLIC AND PUBLICLY LISTED companies, and non-chartered GOVERNMENT OWNED AND CONTROLLED corporations (Section 116, RCC). /N THE OTHER HAND THE INPUT REQUIRED FOR CONVERSION UNDER 3ECTION OF THE 2## REFERS ONLY TO AN ORDINARY STOCK CORPORATION 4HE AFORESAID PROVISION STATES THAT AN ORDINARY STOCK CORPORATION MAY APPLY FOR CONVERSION INTO AN /0# WHEN A SINGLE STOCKHOLDER ACQUIRES ALL ITS STOCKS 5NDER THE DRAFT GUIDELINES ON THE CONVERSION OF AN ORDINARY STOCK corporation into a OPC, which the COMMISSION IS CURRENTLY kNALIZING

THE SINGLE STOCKHOLDER MUST kRST ACQUIRE ALL THE STOCKS OF THE ORDINARY CORPORATION BEFORE THE LATTER MAY BE ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR CONVERSION )N ITS APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION

THE ORDINARY STOCK CORPORATION MUST CHANGE ITS CORPORATE NAME to indicate the letters ‘OPC’ either BELOW OR AT THE END OF ITS CORPORATE NAME 3ECTION 2## )T MUST

Q PROJECTION FROM B1

SEC MATTERS

KELVIN LESTER LEE ALSO REMOVE ANY SUFkX INDICATING THAT IT IS AN ORDINARY STOCK CORPORATION SUCH AS g#ORPORATIONu

g)NCORPORATEDu g#ORP u OR g)NC u &URTHERMORE IT WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AND kLE A NEW SET OF CORporate by-laws.

(OWEVER THE ORDINARY STOCK CORPORATION SHALL RETAIN ITS 3%# COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 4HIS IS IN CONSIDERATION OF THE PROVISION UNDER 3ECTION OF THE RCC which states that, “The OPC CONVERTED FROM AN ORDINARY STOCK CORPORATION SHALL SUCCEED THE LATTER AND BE LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE LATTER S OUTSTANDING LIABILITIES AS OF THE DATE OF CONVERSION u -OREOVER IT NECESSARY FOLLOWS THAT THE APPLICATION SHOULD NOT ALTER OR AMEND THE AMOUNT OF AUTHORIZED SUBSCRIBED AND PAID IN CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CORPORATION IN VIEW OF THE g4RUST &UND $OCTRINEu

WHEREIN THE CAPITAL STOCK OF A corporation, as well as all its other PROPERTY AND ASSETS ARE GENERALLY REGARDED IN EQUITY AS A TRUST FUND FOR THE PAYMENT OF CORPORATE DEBTS 4HIS GIVES CREDITORS OF THE CORPORATION THE RIGHT TO PRIORITY PAYMENT OVER ANY STOCKHOLDER THEREOF 4HIS ALSO LESSENS THE BARRIERS FOR OPENING A CORPORATION AND IN DOING BUSINESS in the Philippines.

4HE ORDINARY STOCK CORPORATION MUST ALSO DESIGNATE A NOMINEE and an alternate nominee, and the WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE NOMINEE AND ALTERNATE NOMINEE MUST BE attached in its application (Section 124, RCC). The nominee SHALL SIT AS DIRECTOR AND MANAGE THE AFFAIRS OF THE PROPOSED /0# IN THE EVENT THE SINGLE STOCKHOLDER IS temporarily incapacitated (Section

2## )N CASE OF DEATH OR PERMANENT INCAPACITY OF THE SINGLE STOCKHOLDER THE NOMINEE SHALL SIT AS DIRECTOR AND MANAGE THE AFFAIRS OF THE /0# UNTIL THE LEGAL HEIRS OF THE SINGLE STOCKHOLDER HAVE BEEN LAWFULLY DETERMINED AND THE HEIRS HAVE DESIGNATED ONE OF THEM OR HAVE AGREED THAT THE ESTATE SHALL BE

CENT AND "ANGKOK ROSE PERCENT -EANWHILE (ONG +ONG FELL PERCENT 3EOUL DROPPED PERCENT

3INGAPORE SLIPPED PERCENT 4OKYO IS ON A LONG HOLIDAY BREAK )N THE REGION 3HANGHAI GREW )N -ANILA ONLY THE MINING AND PERCENT *AKARTA INCHED UP PER- OIL AND kNANCIALS SECTORS REGISTERED

losses, down 0.52 percent and 0.02 PERCENT RESPECTIVELY 6OLUME TURNOVER STOOD AT MILLION VALUED AT 0 BILLION Winners led losers, 99 to 89, while ISSUES REMAINED UNCHANGED ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

FOR PRIVATE AND STATE OWNED BUSINESSES AND DOMESTIC AND MULTINATIONAL kRMS g3OME SUBSIDIES HAVE BEEN STOPPED

AND ) BELIEVE THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPETITIVE NEUTRALITY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN ALL ASPECTS IN THE FUTURE u SAID ECONOMIST #UI &AN OF THE 5NIVERSITY OF )NTERNATIONAL "USINESS AND %CONOMICS ! NEW FOREIGN INVESTMENT LAW GUARANTEED FOREIGN INVESTED FIRMS

AND A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT AGENCIES ALL DOLING OUT GRANTS TO SUPPORT kRMS IN FAVOURED INDUSTRIES 4HE 53 S MAIN GOAL gWOULD BE TO LIST OUT ALL SUBSIDIES THAT ARE RECEIVED DOMESTICALLY WITHIN #HINA TODAY u 0ARKER SAID g4RANSPARENCY EQUAL ACCESS FOR FOREIGN COMPANIES AND ENFORCEMENT OF THAT TRANSPARENCY IS PROBABLY THE KEY u HE SAID

AFP

PSEi hits 7,900 on lower 0.04 percent, 0.11 percent and 0.19 PERCENT RESPECTIVELY

Q TALKS FROM B1

USÂ trade INDUSTRIES OR OTHER STRATEGIC AREAS SEEN AS KEY TO #HINA S FUTURE #HINA S 3TATE #OUNCIL ITS CABINET

HAS IN RECENT MONTHS RETURNED REPEATEDLY TO THE IDEA OF COMPETITIVE NEUTRALITY MEANING EQUAL TREATMENT

THE SINGLE STOCKHOLDER OF THE /0# The alternate nominee shall sit as DIRECTOR AND MANAGE THE /0# IN CASE OF THE NOMINEE S INABILITY

INCAPACITY DEATH OR REFUSAL TO DISCHARGE THE FUNCTIONS AS DIRECTOR AND MANAGER OF THE CORPORATION AND ONLY FOR THE SAME TERM AND UNDER the same conditions applicable to the nominee(Section 125, RCC). !T THIS POINT ) THINK ) HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH ALL THE SALIENT ITEMS PERTAINING TO CONVERSION FROM AN ORDINARY STOCK CORPORATION TO AN /0# !S PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS INITIATIVE THE 3%# WILL BE ISSUING VARIOUS MEMORANDUM CIRCULARS -#S SOON ) ADVISE MONITORING OF THE 3%# WEBSITE FOR UPDATES ON THE VARYING -#S 2EST ASSURED THE 3%# IS COMMITTED TO HELPING OUR COMPANIES AS PART OF ITS JOINT EFFORTS IN EASE OF DOING BUSIness in the Philippines, with the PURPOSE OF IMPROVING AND SIMPLIFYING REGULATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND INTRODUCING STRONGER PROTECTIONS OF PROPERTY RIGHTS 7ITH THE HELP OF 3ECTION OF THE 2## ORDINARY STOCK CORPORATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO AVAIL OF THE

EQUAL ACCESS TO STATE AID PROGRAMMES

he noted.

4HE 5NITED 3TATES AND THE %UROPEAN 5NION HAVE LONG COMPLAINED THAT #HINA HAS CREATED AN UNEVEN PLAYING kELD BY HEAVILY SUBSIDISING #HINESE kRMS WHILE ERECTING HURDLES FOR FOREIGN COMPANIES SEEKING TO TAP THE !SIAN POWER S VAST MARKET #HINA S SUBSIDIES ARE HIGHLY OPAQUE

WITH THE LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS

ORDINARY STOCK CORPORATION m /0# CONVERSION PROCESS 4HIS WILL ENABLE them to streamline their decisionMAKING PROCESSES AND BECOME MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGING BUSINESS CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS AS THEY OCCUR (ENCE

WE AT THE 3%# BELIEVE THAT WITH THE FULLY EQUIPPED 2## OUR GOAL TO NAME THE 0HILIPPINES AS ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENT DESTINATIONS IN THE world, especially with the proper IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS ON THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE Philippines and more importantly, IMPROVEMENT OF OUR STANDING IN THE 7ORLD "ANK %ASE OF $OING "USINESS RANKINGS IS IN OUR HANDS NOW 7ITH PROPER IMPLEMENTATION COUPLED WITH COMPETITIVENESS AND PARTICIPATION FROM EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US

EVERY STAKEHOLDER COULD SAY THAT g)T S EASY 3%#Ãœu

+ELVIN ,ESTER + ,EE IS A #OMMISSIONER OF THE 3ECURITIES AND %XCHANGE #OMMISSION 3%# 4HE VIEWS AND OPINIONS STATED HEREIN ARE HIS OWN 9OU MAY EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS TO OCLEE SEC GOV PH

Q PEREZ FROM B1

Holcim and the full 3OMETIMES $UE $ILIGENCER IS PERCEIVED TO FAVOR MORE THE PUBLIC THAN LISTED COMPANIES 4HIS MAY BE TRUE BECAUSE IT IS THE PUBLIC THAT MAKE FAMILY BUSINESSES TRADED ON 03% 7ITHOUT THE PUBLIC THE VERY RICH FAMILIES WOULD BE ENRICHING THE COFFERS OF THE "UREAU OF )NTERNAL 2EVENUE

BY PAYING MORE TAXES )F THEY ARE ONLY BEING USED TO GET THESE BUSINESSES SHARES LISTED ON 03% SO BE IT 7HAT THESE FAMILY OWNED BUSINESSES MUST DO TO IMPRESS MORE THE PUBLIC INVESTORS IS FOR THEM TO ABIDE BY THE FULL DISCLOSURE RULE (OW ABOUT FULLY DISCLOSING WHAT TAKES PLACE INSIDE THE BOARDROOMS *UST ASKING

EDPEREZ GMAIL COM

World IS leader appears for first time in 5 years Trump sues 2 big banks to block subpoenas N ˜ The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BEIRUT: 4HE SHADOWY LEADER OF THE )SLAMIC 3TATE )3 GROUP CLAIMED TO APPEAR FOR THE kRST TIME IN kVE YEARS IN A VIDEO RELEASED BY THE EXTREMIST GROUP S PROPAGANDA ARM ACKNOWLEDGING DEFEAT IN THE GROUP S LAST STRONGHOLD IN 3YRIA BUT VOWING A gLONG BATTLEu AHEAD 4HE MAN SAID TO BE !BU "AKR AL "AGHDADI IN THE VIDEO ALSO CLAIMED THE %ASTER $AY BOMBINGS IN 3RI ,ANKA WHICH KILLED OVER PEOPLE WERE gPART OF THE REVENGEu THAT AWAITS THE WEST $ESPITE NUMEROUS CLAIMS ABOUT HIS DEATH IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AL "AGHDADI S WHEREABOUTS REMAIN A MYSTERY -ANY OF HIS TOP AIDES HAVE BEEN KILLED MOSTLY BY 53 LED COALITION AIRSTRIKES (E IS AMONG THE FEW SENIOR )3 COMMANDERS STILL AT LARGE AFTER TWO YEARS OF STEADY BATTLEkELD LOSSES THAT SAW THE SELF STYLED gCALIPHATEu SHRINK FROM AN AREA THE SIZE OF "RITAIN TO A TINY SPECK IN THE %UPHRATES 2IVER VALLEY 4HE VIDEO RELEASED BY A MEDIA OUTLET RUN BY THE EXTREMISTS !L &URQAN SHOWS AL "AGHDADI WITH A BUSHY GREY AND RED BEARD WEARING A BLACK ROBE WITH A BEIGE VEST AND

SEATED ON THE lOOR WITH WHAT AP PEARS TO BE AN !+ RIlE PROPPED UP NEXT TO HIM (E IS SPEAKING WITH THREE MEN SEATED OPPOSITE HIM WHOSE FACES WERE COVERED AND BLOTTED OUT )T IS HIS kRST VIDEO APPEARANCE SINCE HE DELIVERED A SERMON AT THE AL .URI MOSQUE IN THE )RAQI CITY OF -OSUL IN )N THAT VIDEO HE APPEARED AS A BLACK ROBED kGURE WITH A TRIMMED BLACK BEARD TO DELIVER A SERMON FROM THE PULPIT OF THE MOSQUE IN WHICH HE URGED -USLIMS AROUND THE WORLD TO SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO THE CALIPHATE AND OBEY HIM AS ITS LEADER 3INCE THEN HE HAS ONLY RE LEASED AUDIO MESSAGES THROUGH THE GROUP S MEDIA OUTLETS )N THE VIDEO RELEASED -ONDAY AL "AGHDADI ACKNOWLEDGED THAT )3 LOST THE WAR IN THE EASTERN 3YRIAN VILLAGE OF "AGHOUZ THE GROUP S LAST SLIVER OF TERRITORY WHICH WAS CAPTURED LAST MONTH BY THE 53 BACKED +URDISH LED 3YRIAN $EMOCRATIC &ORCES 4HE FALL OF "AGHOUZ MARKED THE MILI TANTS TERRITORIAL DEFEAT AND THE END OF THEIR SELF DECLARED )SLAMIC CALIPH ATE OVER PARTS OF 3YRIA AND )RAQ AP

EW York: US President Donald Trump, along with his family and businesses, on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) sued Deutsche Bank and Capital One in an attempt to stop them from complying with Congressional subpoenas issued as part of a probe into foreign POLITICAL INlUENCE 4HE SUBPOENAS ‡ WHICH THE 4RUMPS DESCRIBED IN THEIR SUIT AS gINTRUSIVE AND OVERBROAD ‡ WERE ISSUED TO SEVERAL BANKS BY THE $EMOCRATIC MAJORITY (OUSE S INTELLIGENCE AND kNANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEES WHICH ARE LOOKING INTO THE PRESIDENT S FINANCES AS PART OF A LARGER PROBE INTO ELECTION

MEDDLING BY 2USSIA 4HE LAWSUIT IS THE LATEST STEP IN 4RUMP S kGHTBACK AGAINST THE $EMOCRATS AND ALLEGES THAT THE SUBPOENAS HAD gNO LEGITIMATE OR LAWFUL PURPOSE u g4HE SUBPOENAS WERE ISSUED TO HARASS 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP TO RUMMAGE THROUGH EVERY ASPECT OF

HIS PERSONAL kNANCES HIS BUSINESS ES AND THE PRIVATE INFORMATION OF THE 0RESIDENT AND HIS FAMILY AND TO FERRET ABOUT FOR ANY MATERIAL THAT MIGHT BE USED TO CAUSE HIM POLITICAL DAMAGE u SAID THE SUIT

kLED WITH THE 53 &EDERAL #OURT IN THE 3OUTHERN $ISTRICT OF .EW 9ORK g.O GROUNDS EXIST TO ESTABLISH ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN A POLITICAL ONE u 4HE SUIT ACCUSES #ONGRESS OF STEPPING BEYOND ITS LAW MAKING MANDATE INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT

AND SAYS THE SUBPOENAS VIOLATE THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF 4RUMP AND HIS FAMILY $EUTSCHE "ANK WAS ONE OF THE FEW MAJOR 7ESTERN kNANCIAL IN STITUTIONS TO CONTINUE TO LEND TO

B5

4RUMP S REAL ESTATE EMPIRE AFTER SEVERAL OF ITS CASINOS WENT BANK RUPT IN THE S RESULTING IN CLAIMS BY CREDITORS VALUED AT MILLION IN PRESENT DAY DOLLARS g7E REMAIN COMMITTED TO PRO VIDING APPROPRIATE INFORMATION TO ALL AUTHORIZED INVESTIGATIONS AND WILL ABIDE BY A COURT ORDER REGARDING SUCH INVESTIGATIONS u THE 'ERMAN BANK SAID IN A STATEMENT 4HE LATEST 4RUMP SUIT COMES WEEKS AFTER THE RELEASE OF A HEAVILY REDACTED VERSION OF THE -UELLER RE PORT WHICH CONCLUDED A NEAR TWO YEAR INVESTIGATION INTO 2USSIAN INTERFERENCE IN THE ELECTION 4HE PRESIDENT DESCRIBED IT AS A gCOMPLETE EXONERATION u AFP

Biden: US president abused his powers PITTSBURGH: &ORMER VICE PRESIDENT *OE "IDEN HAS ACCUSED 53 0RESI DENT $ONALD 4RUMP OF ABUSING THE POWERS OF HIS OFkCE AND IGNORING EVERYONE BUT HIS POLITICAL BASE IN HIS kRST PUBLIC RALLY AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ARGUING IN THE CRUCIAL BATTLEGROUND STATE OF 0ENNSYLVANIA THAT STRENGTHENING UNIONS AND PROMOTING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC UNITY COULD RESTORE $EMOCRATS TO THE 7HITE (OUSE 4HE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT TOLD HUNDREDS OF SUPPORTERS AND LABOR ACTIVISTS THAT 3ATURDAY S DEADLY SHOOTING AT A #ALIFORNIA SYNAGOGUE PROVES ANEW THAT THE COUNTRY WAS gIN A kGHT FOR ITS SOUL u "UT HE SPENT MORE TIME CRITICIZING 4RUMP FOR HIS POLITICAL BEHAVIOR THAN FOR THE PRESIDENT S PAST COMMENTS CONCERNING WHITE SUPREMACISTS

UNLIKE "IDEN S VIDEO FORMALLY KICK

ING OFF HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN LAST WEEK g4HERE S ONLY ONE THING THAT STANDS IN OUR WAY )T S OUR BROKEN POLITICAL SYSTEM THAT S DELIBER ATELY BEING UNDERMINED BY OUR PRESIDENT TO CONTINUE TO ABUSE THE POWER OF THE OFkCE u "IDEN SAID (E CALLED 4RUMP gTHE ONLY PRESIDENT WHO HAS DECIDED NOT TO REPRESENT THE WHOLE COUNTRY (E HAS HIS BASE 7E NEED A PRESIDENT WHO WORKS FOR ALL !MERICANS u %ARLIER IN THE DAY "IDEN RECEIVED THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE )NTERNA TIONAL !SSOCIATION OF &IRE &IGHTERS

AND MANY IN THE CROWD WORE UNION 4 SHIRTS AND CARRIED SIGNS SUPPORTING HIM 4HEY REPEATEDLY INTERRUPTED HIM WITH CRIES OF g7E WANT *OEĂœu AND THE CANDIDATE DECLARED g) MAKE NO APOLOGIES ) AM A UNION MANu TO SUSTAINED APPLAUSE AP

SOLAR MOSQUE People take part in the annual rendering of the Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali. Several thousand residents of the historic central Malian city of Djenne took part in the annual rendering ceremony of the mosque, which will now be powered by solar electricity. AFP PHOTO

Democrats not rushing Trump’s impeachment Jihadists headed to Afghanistan to attack WASHINGTON, D.C.: 7HATEVER HAPPENS NEXT DON T CALL IT IMPEACHMENT (OUSE $EMOCRATS HAVE BEEN CAREFUL NOT TO RUSH TO IMPEACH MENT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST 0RESI DENT $ONALD 4RUMP IN THE AF TERMATH OF 2OBERT -UELLER S RE PORT DESPITE CALLS TO DO SO BY HIGH PROkLE LAWMAKERS AND PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS "UT AS #ONGRESS RESUMES -ONDAY THE $EMOCRATIC OVERSIGHT AND INVESTI GATIONS AGENDA IS STARTING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE THE GROUNDWORK THAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO LAUNCH AN IMPEACH MENT INQUIRY !T SOME POINT IT S A POLITICAL DIFFERENCE RATHER THAN A PRACTICAL ONE g) DON T THINK THERE S A MAGICAL MOMENT AT WHICH PROCEEDINGS BECOME @REALLY IMPEACHMENT PRO CEEDINGS u SAID #ORNELL ,AW 3CHOOL PROFESSOR *OSH #HAFETZ 4HE *UDICIARY #OMMITTEE IS SCHEDULED TO HEAR TESTIMONY FROM !TTORNEY 'ENERAL 7ILLIAM "ARR ON 4HURSDAY DESPITE RESISTANCE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION 4HE /VER

SIGHT #OMMITTEE HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE 7HITE (OUSE FOR TESTIMONY THIS WEEK ON SECU RITY CLEARANCES 4HE )NTELLIGENCE #OMMITTEE IS PROBING 4RUMP S kNANCIAL DEALINGS !ND THE 7AYS AND -EANS #OMMITTEE IS PURSUING 4RUMP S TAX RETURNS g4HE (OUSE HAS SUCH BROAD OVER SIGHT POWERS THAT IT REALLY DOESN T MATTER WHETHER THEY RE GEARED TO WARD IMPEACHMENT TOWARD LEG ISLATING TOWARD OVERSEEING THE FUNCTIONING OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

ETC u #HAFETZ SAID g!T THE END OF THE DAY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE POWERS AVAILABLE TO THE (OUSE ) DON T THINK IT MAKES MUCH OF A DIF FERENCE WHETHER THEY USE THE WORD @IMPEACHMENT OR NOT u (OUSE 3PEAKER .ANCY 0ELOSI HAS INSISTED THE DOOR WAS NEITHER OPEN NOR CLOSED TO IMPEACHMENT )N STEAD SHE SAID #ONGRESS WAS TAKING A STEP BY STEP APPROACH IN EXERTING ITS ROLE AS A CHECK ON THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH )T WILL LEAD WHEREVER IT LEADS

AND THE PUBLIC CAN DECIDE AP

KABUL: )SLAMIC 3TATE )3 kGHTERS WHO WAGED A BLOODY CAMPAIGN IN 3YRIA AND )RAQ WERE HEADING TO !FGHANISTAN TO CONTINUE THEIR JIHAD AND HELP PLOT gSPECTACULARu ATTACKS AGAINST !MERICA A 53 OF kCIAL HAS TOLD !&0 4HE WARNING COMES AS )3 SEEKS TO ASSERT A REGIONAL INlUENCE AFTER THE LOSS OF ITS SELF PROCLAIMED MIDDLE EAST gCALIPHATE u AND AS SOUTH !SIA REELS FROM A SERIES OF DEVASTATING ATTACKS g7E KNOW SOME HAVE ALREADY MADE THEIR WAY BACK HERE AND ARE TRYING TO TRANSFER THE KNOWLEDGE

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE THEY LEARNED OVER THERE u A SENIOR 53 INTELLI

GENCE OFkCIAL IN +ABUL TOLD !&0 IN A RECENT INTERVIEW g)F WE DON T CONTINUE COUNTERTER RORISM PRESSURE AGAINST )3 IN !F GHANISTAN THERE WILL BE AN ATTACK IN OUR HOMELAND ‡ AND A SPECTACULAR ATTACK ‡ PROBABLY WITHIN THE YEAR u ADDED THE OFkCIAL WHO ASKED NOT TO BE NAMED FOR SECURITY REASONS 4HE OFkCIAL DID NOT DESCRIBE THE NATURE OF ANY PLOT BUT )3 HAS BEEN LINKED TO OR INSPIRED SEVERAL BIG AT TACKS IN !MERICA INCLUDING A MASS SHOOTING IN &LORIDA 4HE GUNMAN WHO HAD SWORN ALLEGIANCE TO )3 KILLED PEOPLE IN AN /RLANDO NIGHTCLUB ! RECENT 5NTID .ATIONS REPORT

Worldinbriefs AUSTRALIAN POLL CANDIDATE QUITS OVER VIDEO FUSS

CANBERRA, Australia: A candidate in Australia’s upcoming general election has quit his anti-Muslim political party after a video of him groping and propositioning dancers in a US strip club was broadcast on national television. Steve Dickson had been Queensland state president of the One Nation Party and a Senate candidate in the May 18 elections. The 56-year-old resigned from the party after Nine Network television on Monday night broadcast his antics in the Washington, D.C. club in September that were secretly videoed by Al Jazeera.

AP

US DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ROSENTEIN QUITS

WASHINGTON, D.C.: United States Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein submitted his resignation Monday (Tuesday in Manila) after a two-year run defined by his appointment of a special counsel to investigate connections between President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia. His last day will be May 11, ending a tumultuous relationship with Trump and a tenure that involved some of the most consequential, even chaotic, moments of the president’s administration. When Trump wanted to fire then-Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey, who was overseeing the Russia probe, Rosenstein wrote the memo that the White House used to justify the dismissal.

AP

3 DEAD IN HELICOPTER CRASH IN HONOLULU

CALLED OFF

Russian honor guards arrive for a wreath-laying ceremony by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which was later cancelled, at a World War 2 memorial in the Russian port of Vladivostok. AFP PHOTO

HONOLULU: Fire and helicopter parts rained from the sky Monday (Tuesday in Manila) in a suburban Honolulu community as a tour helicopter crashed and killed all three people aboard, officials and witnesses said. “All you could see was fire,� witness Melissa Solomon said, explaining that she was driving on the street when she looked up to see flames and a helicopter plummeting in front of her. She said she had turn onto another street because she was afraid more

SAID )3 IN !FGHANISTAN HAS BETWEEN

AND MEMBERS ‡ ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER THE 0ENTA GON WAS CITING TWO YEARS AGO EVEN THOUGH OFkCIALS SAY THOUSANDS OF JIHADISTS HAVE BEEN KILLED 53 3ENATOR *ACK 2EED THE TOP $EMOCRAT ON THE 3ENATE !RMED 3ERVICES #OMMITTEE SAID AFTER A RECENT VISIT TO !FGHANISTAN THAT )3 IN THE +HORASAN OR )3 + AS THE LO CAL AFkLIATE IS KNOWN HAD GROWN IN BOTH NUMBERS AND CAPABILITIES )N THE 0ENTAGON OFFERED A ROSY ASSESSMENT THAT )3 + COULD BE WIPED OUT BY THE END OF THAT YEAR "UT 2ESOLUTE 3UPPORT THE .ORTH !T LANTIC 4REATY /RGANIZATION .!4/

MISSION IN !FGHANISTAN UNDERESTI MATED THE GROUP S TENACITY g2ESOLUTE 3UPPORT REALIZED THAT THIS WAS BIGGER THAN A LITTLE PROB LEM IN SOUTHERN .ANGARHAR AND INSTEAD WOULD TAKE SOMETHING MORE TO ADDRESS IT u THE OFkCIAL SAID REFERRING TO )3 + S BASTION IN EASTERN !FGHANISTAN 4HE OFkCIAL AND A TEAM OF EXPERTS ARRIVED IN +ABUL OVER THE PAST YEAR TO HELP 'EN 3COTT -ILLER ‡ THE FOUR STAR GENERAL IN CHARGE OF 53 AND .!4/ FORCES ‡ TACKLE )3 + (E DID NOT SAY HOW MANY FOR MER gCALIPHATEu FIGHTERS ARE IN !FGHANISTAN BUT ARGUED gANY NUMBER IS SIGNIkCANT u AFP

pieces were going to fall from the sky onto her and her 16-year-old daughter sitting in the front passenger seat.

AP

SUICIDES IN US SPIKED FROM NETFLIX’S SHOW

SUICIDES among Americian kids aged 10 to 17 jumped to a 19-year high in the month following the release of a popular TV series that depicted a girl ending her life, researchers said. The study published Monday can’t prove that the Netflix show “13 Reasons Why� was the cause, but there were 195 more youth suicides than would have been expected in the nine months following the show’s March 2017 release, given historical and seasonal suicide trends, the study estimated. During April 2017 alone, 190 US tweens and teens took their own lives. Their April 2017 suicide rate was .57 per 100,000 people, nearly 30 percent higher than in the preceding five years included in the study.

AP

42 SRI LANKA BOMBING VICTIMS FOREIGNERS

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan authorities have identified 42 foreign nationals among the 253 people killed in the string of Easter suicide bombings, officials said Tuesday. Another 12 foreigners remain unaccounted for and could be among still unidentified bodies at Colombo’s police morgue, foreign ministry officials said. Five wounded foreigners were still in hospital after the April 21 blasts at churches and hotels claimed by the Islamic State group.

AFP

CUBA DENIES SENDING SOLDIERS TO VENEZUELA

CUBAN President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Monday dismissed recent US allegations that Cuba is aiding embattled Venezuela with military troops. “With nearly 800 bases and hundreds of thousands of troops around the world, US is accusing Cuba of having military personnel in Venezuela,� Diaz-Canel said via Twitter. The accusation makes “a mockery of the world� and is “an insult to two sovereign nations,� said the President. Washington alleges that Havana has thousands of intelligence and security forces in Venezuela to shore up Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government, which Washington is openly seeking to oust from power.

GLOBAL TIMES

B6

World

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

Thailand gears for new king’s 3-day coronation

B

ANGKOK: It took $6,400 and a 12-hour drive for the local mayor to pick up the shrine and towering portrait of Thailand’s king which will stand in the center of town — a small part of a massive palace publicity campaign for this weekend’s coronation. g%VERY GOVERNMENT OFkCE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL DO THE SAME u SAID !UNCHALEE #HAMCHANG

THE MAYOR OF 4HUNGKHANAN A CLUTCH OF VILLAGES EAST OF THE CAPITAL 4HE NEW KING S CORONATION WILL LAST THREE DAYS ON -AY TO AND COSTS BILLION BAHTS 0 BILLION 0ORTRAITS OF +ING -AHA 6AJIRALONGKORN OFTEN DRESSED IN A GOLDEN ROBE AND STARING INSCRUTABLY FORWARD HAVE BEEN IN PLACE AT MANY STATE OFkCES SINCE HE ASCENDED THE THRONE IN "UT IMPOSING NEW IMAGES SOME SEVERAL METERS HIGH AND DECORATIONS ARE MANDATORY AT EVERY STATE OFkCE AHEAD OF HIS THREE DAY CORONA TION WHICH BEGINS 3ATURDAY 4HE MOST ELABORATE SET UPS INCLUDE THE GILDED FRAMED PORTRAIT A LARGE PEDESTAL lAGS

CONE SHAPED PAN PHUM lORAL TRIBUTES AND BUNTING IN VARIOUS SHADES OF YELLOW ‡ THE COLOUR OF 4HAILAND S MONARCHY 4HEY CAN COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PAID FOR THROUGH LOCAL BUDGETS AND SUBSIDIES AND WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR AT LEAST THE REST OF THE YEAR 2OADS IN "ANGKOK AND ACROSS THE KINGDOM

ARE NOW lANKED BY THE PROJECTION OF ROYAL POWER INTENDED TO RElECT THE COUNTRY S DEVO TION LOYALTY AND RESPECT TO THE MONARCH "UT WITH 4HAIS NEVER FAR FROM THE GAZE OF THE KING S PORTRAITS IT ALSO SERVES AS A REMINDER OF THE APEX POSITION ENJOYED BY THE ROYAL INSTITUTION #RITICS OF THE MONARCHY ARE RARELY HEARD INSIDE THE COUNTRY WHERE THE IMMEDIATE ROYAL FAMILY IS PROTECTED BY HARSH LESE MAJESTE LAWS WHICH CARRY UP TO YEARS IN JAIL 4HE LAW IS OFTEN BROADLY INTERPRETED AND IN CLUDES THE MISUSE OF ROYAL IMAGES -EDIA BASED INSIDE 4HAILAND MUST SELF CENSOR &OR THE MAJORITY OF 4HAIS -AHA 6AJIRALONG KORN S ELABORATE THREE DAY CORONATION WILL BE THE kRST THEY HAVE WITNESSED AND CURIOSITY IS MOUNTING (IS FATHER "HUMIBOL !DULYADEJ DIED IN AFTER A REIGN SPANNING SEVEN TUMULTOUS DECADES "HUMIBOL WAS REVERED AS A UNITY kGURE IN A POLITICALLY DIVIDED NATION AND HIS IMAGE REMAINS OMNIPRESENT IN MANY 4HAI HOMES AND SHOPS AFP

LEADER’S SPEECH

Guests listen to a speech by China’s President Xi Jinping at a ceremony marking the centennial of the May Fourth Movement at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China. The President encouraged Chinese youth to obey the Communist Party. AFP PHOTO

XI TELLS YOUTH TO LOVE, RESPECT COMMUNIST PARTY BEIJING: 0RESIDENT 8I *INPING URGED #HINA S YOUTH ON 4UESDAY TO BE LOYAL TO THE #OMMU NIST 0ARTY AS HE SOUGHT TO WHIP UP PATRIOTIC SENTIMENT IN A NATIONALIST SPEECH MARKING THE CENTENNIAL OF A STUDENT PROTEST 8I DELIVERED HIS HOUR LONG PLEA AT THE 'REAT (ALL OF THE 0EOPLE TO COMMEMORATE THE -AY &OURTH -OVEMENT A LANDMARK PROTEST AGAINST COLONIALISM AND IMPERIALISM THAT ROCKED #HINA IN 4HE SPEECH CAME AS THE PARTY FACES A SLOWING ECONOMY AND A SERIES OF POLITICALLY SENSITIVE ANNI VERSARIES INCLUDING YEARS SINCE THE *UNE

CRACKDOWN ON 4IANANMEN 3QUARE PROTESTERS g)T S VERY SHAMEFUL IF A PERSON ISN T PATRIOTIC OR EVEN DECEIVES OR BETRAYS THE MOTHERLAND 4HERE IS NO PLACE FOR SUCH A PERSON TO STAND ANYWHERE u 8I TOLD ROWS OF YOUNG PEOPLE

WORKERS SOLDIERS AND #OMMUNIST 0ARTY CADRES

MANY WRITING NOTES AS HE SPOKE g)N CONTEMPORARY #HINA THE ESSENCE OF PA TRIOTISM IS TO COMBINE ONE S LOVE FOR THE COUNTRY WITH LOVE FOR THE PARTY AND SOCIALISM u HE SAID g#HINESE YOUTH IN THE NEW ERA SHALL LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF THE PARTY AND FOLLOW THE STEPS OF THE PARTY u 4HE -AY PROTEST WAS A NATIONALIST MOVEMENT THAT BEGAN WHEN SOME "EIJING 5NIVERSITY STUDENTS MARCHED TO 4IANANMEN 3QUARE IN ANGER AT THE HANDING OF 'ERMAN CONCESSIONS IN #HINA TO *APAN AT THE END OF 7ORLD 7AR 4HE PROTESTS MUSHROOMED INTO CALLS FOR A CULTURAL AND POLITICAL AWAKENING TO MODERNISE #HINA 7HILE 8I HAS REPEATEDLY EXTOLLED THE TEACHINGS OF -ARX AND THE #OMMUNIST 0ARTY AUTHORITIES HAVE CRACKED DOWN ON -ARXIST STUDENTS WHO BACKED LABOUR MOVEMENTS IN RECENT MONTHS AFP

China to hang Canadian, Chinese for selling, producing drugs ! #().%3% COURT IN 3OUTH #HINA S 'UANG DONG 0ROVINCE ON 4UESDAY HANDED THE DEATH SENTENCE TO A #HINESE NATIONAL AND A #ANADIAN FOR SELLING AND PRODUCING DRUGS IN A LARGE CROSS BORDER CASE THAT ALSO RESULTED IN VARIOUS SENTENCES FOR 53 AND -EXICAN NATIONALS 4HE *IANGMEN )NTERMEDIATE 0EOPLE S #OURT SENTENCED A TOTAL OF PEOPLE INCLUDING A #ANADIAN AN !MERICAN AND FOUR -EXICANS

IN THE CASE INVOLVING KILOGRAMS OF METH AMPHETAMINE AND GRAMS OF DIMETHYL AMPHETAMINE ACCORDING TO A BRIEF STATEMENT ON THE COURT S WEBSITE 4HE #ANADIAN CITIZEN WHOSE IDENTITY WAS NOT SPECIkED IN THE STATEMENT AND ONE #HI NESE NATIONAL IDENTIkED AS 7U :IPING WERE FOUND TO HAVE gORGANIZED AND COMMANDEDu THE OPERATIONS AND WERE SENTENCED TO DEATH

AND THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTIES WERE CONkSCATED g4HE DRUGS THEY SOLD AND PRODUCED WERE OF ESPECIALLY LARGE QUANTITY AND THEIR CRIMES WERE

EXTREMELY SERIOUS u THE STATEMENT SAID /NE !MERICAN AND FOUR -EXICANS WHOSE REAL NAMES WERE NOT CLEAR IN THE STATEMENT

ALSO RECEIVED VARIOUS SENTENCES FROM THE CASE

INCLUDING A DEATH SENTENCE WITH A TWO YEAR REPRIEVE AND LIFE IMPRISONMENT )T WAS NOT CLEAR IN THE STATEMENT WHO WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH AND WHO RECEIVED LIFE IMPRISONMENT 3EVERAL OTHER PEOPLE MOSTLY #HINESE NATIONALS WERE FOUND TO HAVE PLAYED A gSECONDARYu ROLE IN THE CASE RECEIVED JAIL SENTENCES 4HE DEFENDANTS COULD APPEAL THE VERDICT TO THE 'UANGDONG (IGHER 0EOPLE S #OURT WITHIN DAYS OF THE VERDICT )N *ANUARY THIS YEAR $ALIAN )NTERMEDIATE 0EOPLE S #OURT IN .ORTHEAST #HINA S ,IAONING 0ROVINCE SENTENCED #ANADIAN 2OBERT ,LOYD 3CHELLENBERG TO DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFkCKING GLOBAL TIMES

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

Maritime

B7

ATI sees favorable year for its PH ports

BY GENIVI FACTAO

A

SIAN Terminals Inc. (ATI) said a bright outlook for 2019 and beyond demonstrates the realization of its effective strategy in the Manila and B a t a n g a s t e r m i n a l s, c o m p l e m e n t e d by strong economic growth.

ATI Chairman Andrew Hoad said operating with the positive economic backdrop, ATI sustained its growth momentum last year, delivering another record overall performance.

Hoad said for the seventh straight year, the economy grew by over 6 percent, driven by robust private sector spending, steady overseas remittances and government expenditures on various infrastructure projects.

As a trade enabler and operator of strategic economic gateways, ATI delivered its strongest results, bannered by revenues amounting to P12.3 billion, 15.8 percent higher than P10.7 billion in 2017. By year-end, net income reached P2.9 billion, or 15.9 percent higher than P2.5 billion previously. “Inspired by these achievements and driven by our vision for growth, we can confidently say that the future looks bright for ATI,� Hoad said during the recent stockholders meeting.

For the first time in over 30 years, ATI handled its highest consolidated container throughput at over 1.47 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), representing a 10 percent growth compared to 2017 figures. “While Manila South Harbor contributed majority of the volume at over 1.18 million TEUs, it was our Batangas Container Terminal which grew fastest with volume increasing by over 25 percent to nearly 250,000 TEUs,� Hoad said, Passenger and internation-

al roll-on/roll-off volume in Batangas remained bullish, reaching a record 4.1 million passengers and over 160,000 completely built car units (CBUs). CBUs now have a new home in Batangas with the modern multilevel carpark, which was inaugurated last year. “These record figures speak volumes about our effective strategy of operating complementary terminals in Manila and Batangas which keep goods flowing in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon, respectively.

More importantly, our company booked these achievements, while operating safely and efficiently, following global standards,� he said.

Year-on-year, ATI has ended with a stronger balance sheet and robust cash flows, backed by its operational discipline, diligent cost management efforts and the careful execution of its business plans. “This puts us on a solid financial footing to further expand our port facilities, target emerging local and international opportunities, and pursue innovation projects to better serve our customers and further grow value for our stockholders,� he said.

For years 2019 to 2020, ATI would be spending approximately P14.7 billion to pursue its growth strategy which would support the on-going berth and yard expansion projects in Manila South Harbor to bring capacity to over 1.5 million TEUs, annually.

Q South Port Harbor Manila. PHOTO BY ATI

“We are also constructing new cargo storage facilities outside our main terminals to support industry growth. Just recently, we have upgraded our Batangas Container Terminal, which is now equipped with more berths, four quay cranes, eight yard cranes and other container handling equipment, effectively increasing its capacity to over 450,000 TEUs,� Hoad said.

Reginald Rivera, ATI marketing manager said by 2020, the Manila South Harbor container

Q DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (3rd from left), Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd and Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade cut the ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the expanded Batangas Container Terminal.

ATI bolsters capacity of Batangas port ASIAN Terminals Inc. (ATI) had boosted the capacity of its Batangas port to achieve its target of becoming a “world class� gateway, a company executive said Monday.

According to William Khoury, ATI’s execUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT THE kRM HAS WITNESSED strong growth in the past years in terms of volumes handled by Batangas Container Terminal (BCT).

During its first year in the industry, he noted that the port was only posting 11,000 twenty-foot equivalent units or TEUS in 2010.

By 2014, it surged by 700 percent.

Last year, BCT handled a record volume of 250,000 TEUS, Khoury added. “We have expanded our terminal ... increased our space, double equipment, and increased our capacity to over half a million TEUS annually,� he said in his speech at the inauguration of the expanded BCT. Part of the expansion include more berths for international container ships spanning 600 meters at 13 meters deep; 26 new internal transfer vehicles, four additional container stacking equipment.

It also deployed two Quay cranes and four MORE YARD CRANES INCREASING ITS THE lEETS TO four and eight, respectively, the company said.

Spending for this project reached P2.5 billion, ATI said.

Given this, BCT can now handle 500,000 TEUS compared to the previous 350,000 TEUS. It also now has 11 weekly ship calls deployed by major shipping lines.

ATI also hiked its capital expenditures to P14.7 billion for this year and 2020, compared to last year’s P8 billion.

Record-high cargo volumes propelled the company’s net income last year, hitting P2.9 billion.

4HE kGURE WAS UP BY PERCENT FROM the P2.5 billion posted in 2017. Revenues also jumped by 15.8 percent to P12.3 billion against P10.6 billion a year prior.

Both its ports in Manila and Batangas recorded higher container volumes, with a combined throughput of over 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

capacity would increase to 1.9 million TEUs annually or a port capacity of 48,000 to 50,000 TEUs at any given time.

AT I w i l l c o n t i n u o u s ly optimize its ports in Manila and Batangas for containerized cargo, noncontainerized cargo and passenger handling, keeping these vital gateways competitive to customer needs and responsive to market demand.

At the core of this, is ATI’s programmed capital investments worth P 9.0 billion for 2019, in

line with its investment commitment with the Philippine Ports Authority. This will be invested in the acquisition of more cargo handling equipment and various infrastructure projects at Manila South Harbor and Batangas Port, to further grow capacity, increase efficiency and enhance safety performance, in support of the growing Philippine economy.

ATI has kept its eyes peeled for more business growth drivers, including developing additional cargo storage spaces within and outside the port

zones, offering ancillary services leveraged on its core ports business and exploring new port operations locally or overseas, given the right opportunity.

AT I , c o m b i n e d w i t h t h e global leadership of its strategic foreign shareholder DP World, would continue to leverage its resources, expertise and management capabilities to bring its competencies where growth potential is high and where it could add greater value to its shareholders.

B8

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

Maritime EDITOR: Carmela I. Huelar

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Gender equality is IMO theme for Day of the Seafarer 2019 T

BY RAFFY AYENG

HE International Maritime Organization (IMO) has chosen gender equality as its main campaign theme to celebrate the Day of the Seafarer on June 25. “Throughout 2019 there will be a strong emphasis throughout the maritime world on the importance and value of women within the professional ranks,� an IMO statement reads.

It also emphasized that much of this campaign is being driven by the World Maritime Day theme which is empowering women in the maritime community). IMO addedthat the theme has a very strong and far-reaching resonance. “It provides an opportunity to highlight opportunities for women, as well as the contribu-

tions they are already making in a wide range of maritime careers and professions, but the focus WILL BE VERY kRMLY ON ONE ASPECT of that community — seafarers,�

IMO said.

The 2019 campaign hashtag is#IAmOnBoard and can be used by anyone engaging in the campaign, male or female, to show their solidarity for gender equality in seafaring.

IMO further added that they will create downloadable cards bearing the hashtag, the SDG 5 icon and the Day of the Seafarer logo and will invite all campaign

SUPPORTERS TO TAKE SELkES OR OTHER photographs which include the card to be posted on social media with the hashtag.

As in previous years, the campaign will be centered on social media and all IMO’s social media platforms are likely to feature, while Twitter, Facebook and Instagram will account for most activity. “We will invite campaign participants to think about what they would do if they were able to make just one change to improve diversity in seafaring and we will develop an interactive on-line space in which participants’ responses can be submitted and captured,� the IMO statement relayed to its member countries.

June 25 is the Day of the Seafarer, an annual international event coordinated by the IMO. This year, the Day will honor

ICTSI takes ‘wait - and see’ mode on Sudan port

the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole, with the theme ‘Seafarers Matter.’ The day recognizes the unique and vital role of seafarers in the global community, and the United Nations identify the Day of the Seafarer as an observance day.

The Day of the Seafarer was established in 2010 by a resolution adopted at a diplomatic conference in Manila.

The revised International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and

Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), the original STCW was to ensure an international standard of competency and welfare for seafarers, for their safety, and the revision was to ensure the upholding of the Day of the Seafarer as part of this.

The convention’s aim was to recognize the contribution by seafarers to society and economy globally.

The resolution encourages governments, shipping firms, companies associated with sea trade and others, to promote and uphold sea trade and seafarers through the Day of the Seafarer.

WIMAPHIL PRESIDENT MERLE JIMENEZ-SAN PEDRO

Champion of ‘she’-farers and women in maritime Merle, over the years, led several maritime organizations to include IN an industry full of steel, grit, PAMTCI, Movement of Maritime and hard labor, seeing a woman Philippines (MMP), Mariners stretch her limits, unveil her ca- Polytechnic Colleges Foundation pabilities, and take charge of is (MPCF), Mariners Polytechnic nothing short of amazing. The Training Center, Inc (MPTCI), 20th century woman broke the WIMAPHIL, and WIMA Asia.

She took a degree in Commonotony of traditional female role in the society with her career merce majoring in Accounting ladder shifting from being a mere and another degree in Arts masupport system to being the source joring in Sociology at the St. OF CALM AND INlUENTIAL LEADERSHIP Scholastica’s College. She also Merle Jimenez-San Pedro, pres- underwent post-graduate studies ident of the Women in Mari- on Philippine Studies at the De time Philippines (Wimaphil) La Salle University, proof that this and WIMA Asia, epitomizes such empowered woman takes higher modern-day woman. For her, education seriously in arming empowerment is not about iden- herself for management positions. tifying who’s the better gender or has independence from the other. Bringing ‘she’ to sea Merle believes in striking a balance with male counterparts especially Merle San Pedro, with her numerous accomplishments as a leader, in the manly world of maritime. “My initial challenge came from ignited a tremendous source of the notion that those who have positivity and inspiration in and gone to sea can lead this industry around her organization. She better; I was never a seafarer,� Mer- has led women empowerment LE SAID OF HER EXPERIENCE AS THE kRST to a new scale as she was elected female president of the Philippine president of the Women in MariAssociation of Maritime Training time Associations (WIMA) Asia, a Centers, Inc. (PAMTCI). “When I nine-year old organization under took the helm of PAMTCI in 2006, the guidance of the International people were very supportive and Maritime Organization’s (IMO) welcoming, and then I realized gender program for women in the that gender was not really the issue maritime sector.

WIMA Asia, with 18 member but the capacity to lead.�

Merle shared that competence in countries, aims for regional interunning an organization and man- gration, support, and cooperation aging people are necessary when of women in national maritime proving your worth as a leader. “It’s associations for the promotion of going to be about your capacity so greater and active participation on you have to constantly persevere Sustainable Development Goals. and enhance your knowledge; The organizations have recently you’ve got to study all the time. If met at the World Maritime UniWE SPEAK OF EQUALITY THEN WE kRST versity (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden have to be responsible,� she says. to promote women empowerment This proved to be effective as and bridge the gap in the number

BY YASHIKA F. TORIB

of male and female professionals in maritime. g)T IS DIFkCULT TO REACH A SUBSTANtial percentage for our women to have different positions on ships, the gap is too wide. Internationally there is only 2% participation of women onboard vessels; in the Philippines, it’s less than 1%,� she disclosed. “Our SHE to Sea program will not only promote women as seafarers but also as a part of the maritime industry which is very broad — shipping, ports, maritime administration, maritime education and training, and logistics. “As an archipelagic nation there is a lot of opening in this industry for Filipino women. We should not be limited in seafaring. We encourage them to go onboard AND BE PROMOTED AS OFkCERS BUT we are also directing our efforts to engaging them more to the industry, there are more women in ship and crew management even in maritime media. There should be participation across the sectors,� she added.

Merle promotes the same agenda with WIMAPHIL through their three banner programs: – She to Sea Program, which promotes women in seafaring – WIMA on Watch (WOW), which allocates safety and security of passengers in domestic vessels – WIMA for Marine Life Protection WIMAPHIL effectively disseminates these programs nationwide through their six chapters located in National Capital Region, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Davao and Northern Luzon. It also enlisted the participation of the different maritime agencies

Q Wimaphil President Merle Jimenez-San Pedro

to become its sub-chapters to include Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), PNP-Maritime Group, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Merle, a family-oriented person and a well-known advocate for women, believes that goals should not only benefit one’s self and family, but should extend to the

community and society. “It makes your purpose in life very meaningful,� she said, adding that despite her demanding schedules, she still kNDS TIME TO BALANCE HER LIFE BY being a hands-on mom. “It’s about putting a balance in everything. When it all becomes too much, you have to go back to yourself. No amount of success can match inner peace.�

THE International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) vowed to comply with the Sudanese government, should it decide to cancel its contract to operate the terminal in the Port of Sudan.

Arthur Tabuena, Treasury director and head of investor relations, said ICTSI has not received any official notice of suspension or cancellation from the Sudanese government. “In the event the Sudanese government decides to cancel the contract, ICTSI will fully cooperate with them, and will proceed with obtaining a refund of the upfront payment — within a reasonable period — against the guarantee bond issued by the Sudanese Government,� he said.

Sudan has received 410 million euros from ICTSI out of 530-million-euro down payment, according to Sudanese official, Ali Ahmed Abdelrahim, head of technical committee in-charge of contracting the project.

I CT S I C h a i r m a n E n r i q u e Razon said ICTSI, through its wholly owned subsidiary ICTSI Middle East DMCC, signed a concession agreement with the Sea Ports Corporation for 20 years on January 3, 2019. “Early this year, ICTSI signed a 20-year concession with the Sea Ports Corporation of Sudan to operate, manage and develop the main containers terminal of Port Sudan in the Republic of Sudan. This is the country’s largest container terminal serving not only the country but landlocked north and central African countries. This is our first foray into the strategic Red Sea trade routes,� Razon said.

ICTSI has a validly procured concession contract that was recognized by both the previous government and the Transitional Military Council.

ICTSI would execute the contract if the government accepts the terms agreed with the previous government. “ S h o u l d t h e g ove r n m e n t want to update any of the terms, then the company will engage them in discussions,�

ICTSI said.

The Port of Sudan was the only major modern port in the country and served as the international gateway for more than 95 percent of Sudan’s cargo flows.

ICTSI was working with SPC for the handover preparations and was expecting to take over the container terminal in the first half of 2019.

However, the contract was reviewed when workers at Port Sudan undertook a protest in February against ICTSI subsidiary, ICTSI Middle East DMCC, for having a 20-year concession agreement with the Sea Ports Corporation.

GENIVI FACTAO

LSC freight revenues down by 10%

AID FOR REPATRIATED SEAFARERS, FAMILIES

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III assures Arturo Taleùo, (left) who is among the repatriated seafarers from Libya, of assistance. Toleùo and the other repatriated seafarers were accompanied by their families on Thursday in thanking Bello for the government’s help in bringing them back home. Also in photo is OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac. PHOTO BY DODONG ECHAVEZ, IPS

LORENZO Shipping Corp. (LSC) said stiff competition and excess capacity in the domestic shipping resulted to a 10 -percent decline in freight revenues to P1.97 billion last year.

Lorenzo Shipping recorded a total freight revenue of P1.97 billion in 2018, lower by 10 percent or P211 million than the P2.18 billion revenues in 2017. “The decline in freight revenue was due to competitive pressure on freight base as a result of increased industry vessel capacity,�

Ellen Estinar, corporate accounting manager said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

LSC considered other container-

ized cargo shipping companies as competitors, such as 2GO Group, Inc. (2GO), Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. (PSACC), Solid Shipping Lines, Inc. and Oceanic Container Lines, Inc. among others. 2GO caters to both passenger and cargo market while the rest were cargo carriers. “Competition among domestic lines is intense, given the overcapacity of vessels aggravated by new entrants in the industry,� LSC said.

To compensate for the decrease in average freight revenue, LSC has focused on regaining old accounts and developing new ones especially for northbound cargoes. The shipping line also had fewer vessel

trips compared to the previous year owing to extended dry-docking and unscheduled downtime of vessels.

Despite these challenges, LSC continued to focus on improving vessel reliability and operational EFkCIENCIES WHICH RESULTED TO AN improvement of P223 million in direct cost. Efforts were also made to maximize vessel utilization and load factor.

The company ended the year

WITH A GROSS PROkT OF 0 million, higher than the P34.6 million gross profit posted in 2017. Expenses likewise improved

by P9.9 million compared to the previous year.

Sports

WEDNESDAY W MAY 1, 2019 M

C1

www.manilatimes.net

L

Q Pascal Siakam (No. 43) of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball as Jimmy Butler (No. 23) and Greg Monroe (No. 55) of the Philadelphia 76ers defend during Game 2 of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday in Toronto, Canada. AFP PHOTO

OS ANGELES: Jimmy Butler scored 30 points as the Philadelphia 76ers turned the tables on the Raptors in Toronto on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) with a 94-89 victory that knotted their NBA playoff series at one game each.

The 76ers, beaten 108-95 in the Eastern Conference second-round series opener, thwarted the Raptors’ second-half comeback bid, NOTCHING THEIR kRST WIN IN 4ORONTO since November 2012 to head home for game three on Thursday all square.

Butler added 11 rebounds and handed out five assists for the Sixers, who led 51-38 at halftime DESPITE kRST HALF TURNOVERS The Raptors, who trailed by as MANY AS IN THE kRST HALF CLOSED the deficit to 61-60 late in the third quarter.

"UT THEY MISSED SIX OF THEIR kRST SEVEN SHOTS IN THE kNAL PERIOD AND the 76ers held on for the win.

Butler scored 12 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. That included a three-pointer off an assist from center Joel Embiid that put the Sixers up 88-81 with 2:14 to play. “My team had a lot of faith in me tonight,� said Butler, who scored just 10 points in game one. “I told them I had to come out and redeem myself. “More than anything we got back, we guarded,� Butler added, saying defense would be key going forward in the series. “When we let our defense dictate our offense we’re such a great team,� he said. “We can’t let it be the other way around.�

Sixers coach Brett Brown praised Butler as the team’s “rock.� “That was James Butler,� Brown said. “That was the adult in the gym.�

Embiid, battling a stomach ailment as well as the nagging knee PAIN THAT TROUBLED HIM IN THE kRST round, scored just two baskets.

The second couldn’t have been better timed as he drove to bank in a shot that put the 76ers up 9289 with 24.3 seconds remaining.

Toronto’s Danny Green then

Sixers down Raptors to level series, Nuggets beat Blazers missed a potential game-tying threepointer and Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris grabbed the rebound.

Harris was fouled and sealed the win with two free throws.

Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard led all scorers with 35 points. Pascal Siakam added 21 and Kyle Lowry scored 20.

"UT THE kVE TOTAL POINTS FOR 4Oronto’s reserves were dwarfed by the production of Philadelphia’s bench: 13 points from James Ennis, 10 from Greg Monroe and three from Jonah Bolden.

Trail Blazers connecting on 63.6 PERCENT OF THEIR kRST QUARTER SHOTS The Denver Nuggets, two days and Denver making 61.9 percent REMOVED FROM THEIR kRST ROUND OF THEIR SHOTS AS THE kRST PERIOD game-seven victory over the San ended tied 32-32.

Denver, up 58-55 at halftime, Antonio Spurs, opened their Westpulled away after the break, ern Conference second-round taking a 93-84 lead into the series with a 121-113 home victory final period. over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Portland, led by 39 points from Serbian center Nikola Jokic All-Star guard Damian Lillard, scored 37 points, pulled down TRIMMED A POINT DEkCIT TO nine rebounds, handed out six as96 with 8:02 left in the game. sists and blocked two shots.

Denver responded with an 8-0 "OTH TEAMS CAME OUT kRING THE

Jokic leads Nuggets

scoring run, ignited by Mason Plumlee’s dunk.

Portland’s CJ McCollum was THEN WHISTLED FOR A lAGRANT FOUL when he caught a driving Jokic in the face, and the Serbian made both free throws.

Plumlee then slammed home a miss by teammate Malik Beasley and Beasley rebounded another miss and made a layup as the Nuggets seized a 109-96 lead with 6:11 left to play.

Denver were in control from

there, although Jokic and coach Mike Malone said they had plenty of room for improvement before they host game two on Wednesday. “We kind of went into the game a little sloppy, slow, we didn’t play a lot of defense,� Jokic said.

Malone also felt the Nuggets were lacking defensively, especially in the early going. “We got the win, and when you know you haven’t played your best basketball that’s a good feeling,�

Malone said.

AFP

PBA PHILIPPINE CUP FINAL UNFOLDS TODAY Blu Girls plunge THE best-of-seven Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup Finals between defending champion San Miguel Beer and Magnolia starts at 7 p.m. tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

SMB survived TNT KaTropa in the QUARTERkNALS AND 0HOENIX 0ULSE IN the semis.

The Beermen are on their quest for A kFTH STRAIGHT 0HILIPPINE #UP CROWN (they won the conference for a total of eight times) and 26th overall title since joining the league in 1975 as one of the founding members. “They gained a lot of things since this is their third time in the Finals. Their skills have improved and gained more experiences,� said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria of their rivals. “In every series, Game 1 is so important because you’ll be able to dictate the game’s tempo.�

Austria stressed everything is unsure at the start of any series. “We’re in a 50-50 situation. It is going to be a long series, but our team becomes sharper and stronger as the series gets longer,� added Aus-

into Olympic qualifying Asia Cup action

Q Defending champion San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria (left) and Magnolia coach Chito Victolero (right) with their wards pose for a photo beside the Philippine Cup trophy during the PBA Philippine Cup Finals news conference on Monday at the Sambokojin Restaurant in Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO tria, who will counting on June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos.

Marcio Lassiter, who was sidelined

BY BACK SPASM IN THE SEMIkNALS IS SET to return in Game 1 .

Meanwhile, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero is also keen to win Game 1.

The Hotshots are coming from a 63-60

overtime win over the Elasto Painters IN A THRILLING 'AME OF THE SEMIkNALS “Even if you are ahead 1-0, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to win the series. But it’s always good that you’re leading to dictate the series, so we have to prepare our best. Just like when we WON THE kRST

TWO GAMES OF THE LAST CONFERENCE kNALS before winning the title all the way against Alaska,� he said.

Magnolia, who won the Governors’ Cup title against Alaska in six games last year, is hoping to bank on that experience against the Beermen.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

Fajardo looms to win 6th straight BPC plum FIVE-TIME Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer is poised to win his record sixth straight and eighth overall Best Player of the Conference plum in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. The 6’10 Cebuano center is enjoying a hefty lead against his challengers with 41.4 statistical points (SPs) average. Behind Fajardo are Northport’s Sean Anthony (37.1) and Stanley Pringle (34.8), TNT KaTropa’s Roger Pogoy (33.6) and Moala Tautuaa

(33.1) also of Northport.

Fajardo is the only player in the TOP kVE OF STATISTICAL LEADERS WHO IS playing in the best-of-seven Philippine #UP kNALS BETWEEN DEFENDING CHAMpion San Miguel Beer and Magnolia.

He averaged 20.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 BLOCKS AFTER THE SEMIkNALS The stats have a 40 percent value, media votes 30 percent, players’ votes 25 percent while THE #OMMISSIONER S /FkCE S VOTE EQUATES TO kVE PERCENT JOSEF T. RAMOS

Q June Mar Fajardo battles NLEX center Paul Asi Taulava (No. 88) and Arnett Moultrie during last year’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

THE Philippine Blu Girls, representing one team sport that has the biggest chance of carrying the country’s colors in the Olympics, open campaign toward attaining that goal when they play a doubleheader on today raising the curtains of the Asia Cup women’s softball tournament at the Senayan Stadium in Jakarta.

The PH Blu Girls, reinforced by six Filipino-American players, take on on the Singaporean national team at 1:30 a.m. in a Group B encounter in Field 2 of the arena, venue of the 2018 Asian Games softball competition.

They are heavily favored to hurdle their initial assignment in the hope of making it to the top six and advance to the Asia-Pacific Olympic qualifier in September in Shanghai.

The Philippines, once ranked third in the world, then battles Hong Kong at 6 p.m. to complete its two-game schedule for the day.

The arrival of their Fil-American reinforcements, one of whom is reportedly a former member of the US national team, enabled the girls to get familiar with each other again in few practice sessions the past week. The last time they played together was during the 2017 Asian championship when they ended up runner up to eventual champion Japan.

The Blu Girls meet Indonesia next on Thursday before winding up their elimination round campaign against Chinese-Taipei on Friday.

Ending up in the Top 6 in this tourney won’t be that hard as only four world-ranked teams — Japan, China and Korea, all playing in Group A, and Taiwan are entered.

The Philippines, hence, must only beat Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong, which it can handily, in Group B and one of whichever will advance to the playoff of Group A to assure a seat in the AsiaOceania Olympic qualifying proper.

Team lineup is made up of UAAP MVP Arianne Vallestero, Best Pitcher Lyca Basa, Angelie Ursabia, Ezra Jalandoni and Riezel Calumbres, all of UAAP champion Adamson Lady Falcons; Cheska Almonte of Ateneo (team captain); Mary Ann Antolihao and Cristy Joy Roa of University of Santo Tomas; Reyovel Palma of Tanauan, Batangas; and Shaira Damasing of National University.

Beefing up the Blu Girls are Fil-Ams Garie Blando, Chelsea Suitos, Sky Ellazar, Hailey Decker, Aber Freeman andGabriella Elvina.

Blando, Suitos, Ellazar and Decker ere the team’s reinforcements in its Asian championship runner up finish two years ago in Taichung, Taiwan. Freeman, reportedly a former USA national team member, and Elvina are new recruits.

Multi-titled coach Ana Santiago of Adamson, Anthony Santos and Ronilo Pagkaliwagan will assist head coach Randy Dizer in calling the shots on the bench.

EDDIE G. ALINEA

C2

Sports

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

Mojdeh, Cabayaran break Palaro swimming records

Q National Capital Region’s Micaela Jasmine Mojde Mojdeh finishes a lap during a butterfly event in one of her he international campaigns. Mojdeh breaks the five-year-ol five-year-old record in the girls’ secondary 200m butterfly event in th the 2019 Palarong Pambansa in Davao City. FILE PHOTO

BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID

D

AVAO CITY: National Capital Region’s Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh and Western Visayas’ Alexi Kouzenye Cabayaran broke records in the 2019 Palarong Pambansa on Tuesday at the Davao City-University of the Philippines Aquatic Center in Mintal here.

The 12-year old Mojdeh broke a kVE YEAR OLD RECORD AFTER kNISHING TWO MINUTES AND SECONDS IN THE SECONDARY GIRLS M BUTTERlY kNALS -OJDEH AN INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGNER ERASED THE RECORD BY 3UZANNE 6ERMON (IMOR IN .#2 S !LTHEA "ALUYUT kNISHED SECOND AND #ALABARZON S &RANCHESKA !LTERADO THIRD g) AM kLLED WITH JOY AFTER BREAKING A 0ALARO RECORD ) HAVE TRAINED HARD FOR THIS COMPETITION AND ) HOPE ) COULD BREAK NEW RECORDS u SAID -OJDEH WHO EARLIER CLINCHED A SILVER MEDAL IN THE SECONDARY GIRLS M BUTTERlY EVENT -OJDEH HAS kVE MORE EVENTS INCLUDING THE M INDIVIDUAL

MEDLEY M BREASTSTROKE M BUTTERFLY X M MEDLEY AND X M FREESTYLE -EANWHILE #ABAYARAN BROKE ANOTHER kVE YEAR OLD RECORD IN THE ELEMENTARY GIRLS M FREESTYLE WITH A TIME RECORD OF TWO MINUTES AND SECONDS A SECOND AHEAD OF )MEE *OYCE 3AAVEDRA S #ABAYARAN BESTED 4RIZIA (AILEYANA 4ABAMO OF #ENTRAL ,UZON AND ,IAA -ARGARETTE !MOGUIS OF $AVAO 2EGION

#ABAYARAN THEN RETURNED IN THE AFTERNOON TO WIN HER SECOND GOLD IN THE M BACKSTROKE kNALS 4HE NATIVE OF 3ILAY #ITY REGISTERED SECONDS AND COULD

HAVE BROKEN ANOTHER MEET RECORD IF SHE S A FRACTION OF A SECOND FASTER THAN THE RECORD SET BY $OROTHY 'RACE (ONG IN g) WANT TO THANK 'OD FOR (E HAS GIVEN ME THE STRENGTH AND KNOWLEDGE THAT ) NEED u ADDED #ABAYARAN WHO IS UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF COACH %DMON #HUA #ABAYARAN HAS THREE MORE EVENTS NAMELY THE M FREESTYLE M FREESTYLE AND M BUTTERlY .ATIONAL #APITAL 2EGION COPPED THREE GOLD MEDALS EARLY IN THE DAY COURTESY OF -ARC "RYAN $ULA ELEMENTARY BOYS M BUTTERlY

-IGUEL "ARETTO SECONDARY BOYS M FREE AND #AMILLE "UICO SECONDARY GIRLS M BUTTERlY 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS IS LEADING THE MEDAL STANDING AS OF PRESS TIME WITH GOLD SIX SILVER AND SEVEN BRONZE MEDALS FOLLOWED BY #ALABARZON

AND 3OCCSKSARGEN

/VER AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF -INDANAO 3PORTS #OMPLEX #AGAYAN 6ALLEY S !LGIN 'OMEZ COPPED HIS SECOND GOLD IN THE TRIPLE JUMP SECONDARY BOYS EVENT 'OMEZ WHO CLINCHED HIS kRST GOLD IN THE LONG JUMP -ONDAY

NOTCHED M ON HIS FINAL ATTEMPT TO OVERPOWER RIVAL *OHN -IKE ,ERA OF .ORTHERN -INDANAO WHO WAS LEADING GOING TO THE kNAL LEAP ,ERA LEAPED M WHILE BRONZE MEDALIST #LINT .INO OF .#2 HAD A M (AZEL $OMOCUM OF 3OCCSKSARGEN REGISTERED M TO SURPASSED ANOTHER 0ALARO RECORD SET BY !LYSSA -ARIE !NDRADE IN AT M IN THE ELEMENTARY GIRLS LONG JUMP COMPETITION #ALABARZON S -ARIKU #AAYOHAN SETTLED FOR SILVER WITH M FOLLOWED BY #RISLYN 0ENALES OF $AVAO 2EGION AT M

/THER GOLD MEDALIST IN ATHLETICS WERE *AMAICA +ATE 3ALIGAN OF .ORTHERN -INDANAO ELEMENTARY GIRLS M HURDLE #HRISTIAN 6ILLANUEVA OF "ICOL 2EGION ELEMENTARY BOYS M HURDLE !INAH -ARIE -ASANGKAY OF .#2 SECONDARY GIRLS DISCUS THROW AND !LFRENZE "RAZA OF 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS SECONDARY BOYS M 6INCE *AYSON "UHAYAN OF 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS UPSET TWO YEAR DEFENDING CHAMPION 6ERUEL 6ERDADERO TO EMERGE AS 0ALARO S FASTEST PLAYER WITH A TIME OF SECONDS IN THE M DASH SECONDARY BOYS kNALS .#2 S 6ERDADERO CLOCKED IN SECONDS FOLLOWED BY !LHYRYAN ,ABITA OF #ALABARZON AT SECONDS $ECERIE *ANE .IALA OF #ENTRAL 6ISATAS WON THE M SECONDARY GIRLS WITH A TIME RECORD OF SECONDS BEATING ,IANNE $IANA 0AMA OF .ORTHERN -INDANAO

AND 4REXIE $ELA 4ORRE OF 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS )N THE ARNIS COMPETION AT THE -ALAYAN #OLLEGES -INDANAO

-IGUEL *OHN #LAVATON OF 3OCCSKSARGEN BAGGED THE GOLD IN SINGLE AND DOUBLE WEAPON EVENTS OF INDIVIDUAL ANYO FORM (IS TEAMMATE 0RINCESS 3HERYL 6ALDEZ BAGGED ANOTHER GOLD IN THE DOUBLE WEAPON EVENT 6ALDEZ SUBDUED !NGELYN !GGABAO OF #ALABARZON AND *USTINE 1UILILAN OF "ICOL )N THE TAEKWONDO TILT AT THE 'AISANO -ALL OF 4ORIL #YD %DRYC %SMAĂ„A OF 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS TOPPED THE INDIVIDUAL BOYS ! POOMSAE FORM WHILE %LJAY -ARCO 6ISTA OF #AGAYAN 6ALLEY CLAIMED THE GOLD IN BOYS " #ORDILLERA !DMINISTRATIVE 2EGION S TEAM LED BY *OSHUA %RECE

#YE %VANGELISTA AND *ONAS 3ALES WON THE TEAM EVENT CROWN

Blue Dragons scorch Wangs Basketball Kvitova usurps Halep, DILIMAN College-Gerry’s Grill returned to the winning track after ripping Wangs Basketball, 108-95, behind Kevin Gandjeto in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) on Tuesday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.

Beninese forward Gandjeto pumped in a game-high 33 points and 17 rebounds as the Blue Dragons bounced back from a 55-67 loss to MetropacSan Beda University last April 4.

Gandjeto also tallied three steals and two blocks against a lone turnover in 33 minutes of action.

Diliman-Gerry’s Grill moved up to joint fifth with Marinerong Pilipino on an identical 3-3 record in the Foundation Group. “The way we are playing, we are starting to pick up. I think we can show more and continue to play good basketball,� said Diliman head

THE SCORES DILIMAN-GERRY’S GRILL (108) — Gandjeto 33, Balagtas 20, Brutas 19, Bauzon 13, Mahari 9, Cabanag 5, Torrado 4, Darang 3, Sombero 2, Bonsubre 0, Enriquez 0, Brill 0, Ngo 0, Tay 0, Salazar 0.

WANGS (95) — Iùigo 33, Tolentino 16, Vito 8, Lim 8, Bulawan 7, Estrella 6, Tongco 5, De Mesa 5, Wong 5, Santos 2, Brojan 0, Lucas 0, Ilac 0, Evangelista 0, Singontiko 0.

Quarter scores: 25-16; 53-34; 78-65; 108-95 coach Rensy Bajar .

Gandjeto got huge support from Marco Polo Balagtas, who posted a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Joseph Brutas chipped in 19 points highlighted by six triples while Johnnel Bauzon added a 13-marker, 11-board double-double in the massive win.

Brutas knocked down three threepointers to ignite a blazing 31-5 run that turned Diliman’s 9-16 deficit into a commanding 40-21 lead midway the second quarter.

The Dragons posted their biggest buffer at 62-39 on Balagtas’ basket but Axel Iùigo triggered a furious rally that allowed the Couriers to trim the gap down to 62-70 at 2:18 mark of the third period.

Gandjeto hit a three-point play to cap a 16-7 surge as Diliman pulled away anew, 86-69, early in the final frame and went on to take the blowout victory.

IĂąigo had a game-high tying 33 points built around eight treys while Arvin Tolentino was the only other double-digit scorer with 16 markers for Wangs.

The Couriers skidded to No. 6 with their second straight setback and fourth overall against three wins.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

snatches world No. 2 spot +AROLINA 0LISKOVA

#:% %LINA 3VITOLINA 5+2 +IKI "ERTENS .%$ 3LOANE 3TEPHENS 53! !SHLEIGH "ARTY !53 !RYNA 3ABALENKA

",2 3ERENA 7ILLIAMS 53! #AROLINE 7OZNIACKI $%. !NASTASIJA 3EVASTOVA ,!4 -ADISON +EYS 53! !NETT +ONTAVEIT %34 WTA rankings released Monday: 1IANG 7ANG #(. .AOMI /SAKA *0. PTS *ULIA 'OERGES '%2 0ETRA +VITOVA #:% %LISE -ERTENS "%,

"ELINDA "ENCIC 35) 3IMONA (ALEP 2/5

'ARBINE -UGURUZA !NGELIQUE +ERBER

%30 AFP '%2 PARIS: 0ETRA +VITOVA OF THE #ZECH 2EPUBLIC SNATCHED WORLD .O SPOT FROM 2OMANIAN RIVAL 3IMONA (ALEP IN THE LATEST 74!

RANKINGS RELEASED -ONDAY 4UESDAY IN -ANILA 4HANKS TO HER WIN IN 3UNDAY S 3TUTTGART 74! TOURNAMENT kNAL

HER SECOND VICTORY THIS SEASON

+VITOVA IS JUST POINTS ADRIFT OF TOP RANKED .AOMI /SAKA WHO WAS FORCED TO PULL OUT IN THE SEMIS IN 'ERMANY THROUGH INJURY

In first, SI will feature burkini-clad model WASHINGTON: 3PORTS )LLUSTRATED S ANNUAL SWIMSUIT ISSUE BEST KNOWN FOR ITS RACY COVERS OF SCANTILY CLAD BIKINI MODELS

WILL FEATURE FOR THE FIRST TIME A -USLIM MODEL WEARING A HIJAB AND BURKINI THE MAGAZINE SAID -ONDAY 4UESDAY IN -ANILA 3OMALI !MERICAN MODEL (ALIMA !DEN S ROOKIE SPREAD WILL BE SET IN +ENYA WHERE SHE BORN IN A REFUGEE CAMP AND LIVED UNTIL THE AGE OF SEVEN g'ROWING UP IN THE 3TATES

) NEVER REALLY FELT REPRESENTED B E C A U S E ) N E VE R C O U L D F L I P THROUGH A MAGAZINE AND SEE A GIRL WHO WAS WEARING A HIJAB u !DEN SAID IN A VIDEO TWEETED BY THE MAGAZINE 3PORTS )LLUSTRATED ALSO POSTED A PICTURE OF HER POSING LYING DOWN IN SHALLOW WATER WEARI N G A T U R Q U O I S E H I J A B L O N G YE L L OW E A R R I N G S A N D A D E E P BLUE BURKINI ‡ THE FULL LENGTH SWIMSUIT FAVORED BY SOME -USLIM WOMEN (ALIMA

MADE HEADLINES AT AGE WHEN SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO WEAR A HIJAB IN THE -ISS -INNESOTA 53! 0AGEANT

WHERE SHE MADE THE SEMI FINALS IN 3HE HAS PREVIOUSLY FEATURED ON THE COVER OF "RITISH 6OGUE AND WALKED ON THE .EW 9ORK &ASHION 7EEK RUNWAY AFP

Q Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova returns the ball to Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit during their final match at the WTA Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany, on April 28, 2019. AFP PHOTO

La Consolacion stuns Letran in Fr. Martin’s Cup ,! #/.3/,!#)/. #OLLEGE OF -ANILA ,##- PULLED OFF A STUNNER IN THE TH &R -ARTIN S #UP 3UMMER ,EAGUE PRESENTED BY 2ESORTS 7ORLD -ANILA "EDANS

AND #OCOLIFE AFTER EDGING #OLEGIO 3AN *UAN DE ,ETRAN

ON 4UESDAY AT THE 3AN "EDA 'YM IN -ENDIOLA -ANILA ON 4UESDAY 4HE "LUE 2OYALS RECOVERED FROM A SLUGGISH START BUT STILL NEEDED TO kNISH STRONG TO TURN BACK THE +NIGHTS IN 'ROUP " PLAY IN THE SENIORS DIVISION "EHIND +ENNY 2OCACURBA ,ETRAN RACED TO A LEAD IN THE kRST kVE MINUTES OF THE GAME (OWEVER

,##- SLOWLY RECOVERED AND EVENTUALLY TOOK THE LEAD AT HALFTIME

AS 4* #ARIĂ„O LED HIS TEAM S SECOND QUARTER CHARGE 4HE 2OYALS STARTED THE THIRD QUARTER ON AN BLAST TO OPEN THE GAME S LARGEST LEAD AT

"UT THE +NIGHTS CLAWED BACK AND CAME TO WITHIN FOUR

WITH LEFT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER

'ABRIEL ,ATORENO SCORED CRUCIAL BASKETS DOWN THE STRETCH TO HELP THE -ENDIOLA SIDE kNALLY GET PAST THEIR )NTRAMUROS COUNTERPARTS #ARIĂ„O MADE POINTS WHILE !HRON %STACIO ADDED FOR THE 2OYALS WHO SCORED THEIR kRST WIN IN THE TOURNAMENT FOLLOWING A LOSS IN THEIR DEBUT 2OCACURBA S POINT BLAST HARDLY MATTERED FOR THE +NIGHTS AS THEY FELL TO AND FAILED TO REPLICATE THEIR JUNIOR COUNTERPARTS ROMP OF THE $ILIMAN 0REPARATORY 3CHOOL *UNIOR "LUE $RAGONS IN THE kRST GAME "EHIND AN EIGHT POINT SWING FROM 3HAWN 5MALI ,ETRAN S 3QUIRES SQUAD PULLED AWAY FROM $ILIMAN 0REP TO STAY UNBEATEN IN *UNIORS 'ROUP !

5MALI AND !NDREI 2OMENEZ EACH SCORED POINTS FOR THE 3QUIRES WHO ARE NOW IN THE PRESEASON EVENT !ARON !COP PUT UP MARKERS FOR THE $RAGONS WHO MADE THEIR DEBUT IN THE TOURNAMENT

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

Sports

C3

La Salle, UST vie for last F4 twice to beat bonus

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

D

E La Salle University and University of Sto. Tomas clash for the last Final Four twiceto-beat bonus in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The four-peat seeking Lady Spikers and the Golden Tigresses, both holding 10-4 records, collide at 3:30 p.m.

La Salle failed to lock in on the second seed that comes with a win-once incentive after a stinging 22-25, 25-13, 25-27, 8-15 defeat to fourth seed Far Eastern 5NIVERSITY &%5 ON 3UNDAY Bemedalled coach Ramil De Jesus just wants his wards to focus on today’s all-important game. g&OR US IT LOSS WAS HUGE Come Wednesday, we need to prepare. What’s important is we

need to work hard if we really WANT TO GET TO THE kNALS u STRESSED De Jesus.

On the other hand, UST EARNED A SHOT AT THE SEMIkNAL BONUS AFTER kNISHING THE ELIMInations on a four-game winning streak capped by a 27-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-17 win over National University on Saturday.

Come what may, mentor Kungfu Reyes said his Tigresses are raring to take on the threetime titlist. “It’s a pleasure for us to play against the defending champion,� said Reyes. “If they get the

SBU’s Viray twins notch early win in Lingayen Open SAN Beda’s Nieza and Ella Viray overwhelmed Pangasinan 3’s Dada Martin and Jasmin Ocado, 21-7, 21-12, for a winning start in the BVR On Tour: Lingayen Open on Tuesday at the Capitol Beachfront in Lingayen.

The Viray twins showcased their prowess that gave their school two NCAA titles to dominate Pool A. The Virays later secured a spot in the quarterfinals together with Bea Tan and Dij Rodriguez after Perlas, seeking to rebound from last weekend’s second place finish in Dumaguete, downed Pangasinan 3, 21-12, 21-3.

Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil took the effort to invite BVR in Lingayen to bring in national level players to the beautiful beach of Lingayen Gulf. He hopes to hone local talents while promoting sports tourism in the province.

In the men’s division, Air Force 1’s Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria struggled against Army 2’s Jason Uy and Randy Fallorina before posting a 21-23, 21-19, 15-7 victory.

Becaldo and Abria, former two-time Boracay beach volleyball champions, who were reunited and placed second in Dumaguete over the weekend, are installed as heavy favorites.

Bingle Landicho had a successful

return in the sand court for NU Boysen 2 with Kath Epa as the duo turned back Rizal Techonological University’s Myla Lim and Hannah Patrocenio, 21-13, 21-11, and so is Kly Orillaneda, who joined forces with Roma Joy Doromal in NU Boysen 1’s 21-10, 21-8 conquest of Air Force 2’s Mikaela Andres and Angel Antipuesto.

Despite the loss, Andres and Antipuesto, who bested Pangasinan 2’s Tricia Abalos and Abigail Guzman, 21-12, 21-12, in their opening Pool B match, remains in quarterfinals contention.

University of the Philippines’ alums Pam Legaspi and Aliyah Ong made quick work of Pangasinan 1’s Lyka Aquino and Princess Cabalteja, 21-9, 21-15, in the other women’s morning match.

Other men’s games saw Army 2’s Jason Uy and Randy Fallorina defeating FEU’s Kevin Hadlocon and Ralph Justin Dablo, 22-20, 21-13, Mapua’s Jeremy Santos and Benneth Abellada beating Baguio’s Jason Salonga and Paul Pangidian, 21-8, 21-9, and Fury’s Greg Utupo and Pemie Bagalay prevailing over RTU’s Peter Galvan and Cesar Sebastian, 21-10, 21-13.

Action resumes today with the quarterfinals starting at 7 a.m., with the semis and finals to be played in the afternoon.

Holyfield’s son signs for Panthers LOS ANGELES: The son of former world heavyweight boxing champion %VANDER (OLYkELD WILL ATTEMPT TO forge a career in the NFL after being signed by the Carolina Panthers, the CLUB CONkRMED -ONDAY 4UESDAY IN -ANILA Elijah Holyfield, a running back with the University of Georgia last season, was one of four undrafted free agents signed by the franchise.

The 20-year-old rushed for 1,000 yards for the Bulldogs last season but his draft stock plummeted when he could only manage a relatively sluggish 4.78sec for the 40-yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine.

Most running backs typically aim for a time below 4.50sec for

the combine benchmark sprint.

A total of 25 running backs were chosen in the draft, which wrapped up this weekend.

Nevertheless Holyfield earned a reputation as a solid ball carrier at Georgia, and will now seek to nail down a permanent spot on the Panthers roster alongside Christian McCaffrey.

Speaking before the draft last week, Holyfield told suitors he would be the “hardest-working guy in the room� if picked. “I think I can help change the culture and add some toughness to the team,� he said. “If you want a guy that can do everything at the running back position, I’m your guy.�

AFP

twice-to-beat, so be it. We’re just going to work it out.�

UST and La Salle went even in the double-round elimination.

The Tigresses pulled off a sweep in the first round, 2520, 25-22, 25-17, but the Lady Spikers got their revenge in the second round, 21-25, 25-23, 2519, 26-24.

The marquee match-up will once again feature the battle between graduating captains Sisi Rondina of UST and Desiree Cheng of La Salle along with rookie sensations Eya ,AURE 534 AND *OLINA $ELA #RUZ ,A 3ALLE Regardless of today’s result, the two teams will square off in the Final Four starting on Saturday.

Top seed Ateneo De Manila University will take on FEU in the other semifinal pairing armed with a twice-tobeat advantage.

Q De La Salle University’s middle blocker Des Clemente (No. 5) smothers University of Santo Tomas’ Cherry Ann Rondina (No. 16) during the elimination round of the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. PHOTO BY ROGER RAÑADA

PH surpasses 2011 Arafura Games gold haul THE Philippines scooped 10 gold medals on Monday in the 2019 Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, surpassing its haul eight years ago when the multisports competition was previously held.

4HE &ILIPINO ATHLETES kNISHED THE third day of competitions with 28 gold medals, exceeding the 27 the country tallied in 2011, the last time the Arafura Games was staged.

The Philippines also has 41 silvers and 24 medals in its campaign here supported by the Philippine Sports Commission

and Standard Insurance.

Zoe Marie Hilario won two gold medals Monday including the women’s 15 to 16 year old 200m backstroke when she recorded a new Arafura Games record of two minutes, 30.63 seconds, breaking the 2:47.69 she set during the heats.

Hilario also ruled the 200m individual medley with a time of 2:28.76.

Ivo Nikolai Enot tallied his second gold medal when he bagged the men’s 13 to 14 year old 200m backstroke in record time after

clocking two minutes, 21.42 seconds, surpassing the Games record of 2:24.70 he set in the heats.

Ray Martin Yarra and John Martin Yarra also smashed Arafura Games records after winning the men’s 13 to 14 year old 200m BUTTERlY MEN S AND OVER M BUTTERFLY respectively.

John Paul Elises and Samuel Alcos also broke Arafura Games records in ruling the men’s 15 to 16 YEAR OLD MEN S BUTTERlY

and the men’s 17 and over 50m

BACKSTROKE RESPECTIVELY Romel Bautista won the men’s 400m hurdles, while the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay captured the gold in athletics.

In muay thai, Phillip Delarmino and Ryan Jakiri lost in their preliminary bouts.

Boxing starts Wednesday at the Darwin Convention Centre while the basketball team goes up against New Caledonia at the Marrara Indoor Stadium. Ariel Lampacan will also compete in muay at the Darwin Convention Center.

PINAY SHINES IN 78° NORTH MARATHON FILIPINA runner Joyette Jopson overcame all odds and conquered the grueling 42-kilometer 78° North Marathon held near the North Pole on April 16.

Jopson, a triathlete, 2014 Ironman 70.3 Ph ilippines Filipino %LITE #HAMPION AND &7$ kNANCIAL WEALTH OFkCER BECAME THE VERY kRST &ILIPINA TO RUN A MARATHON IN the freezing temperature of Longyearbyen, Svalbard—a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.

Jopson and the FWD Team Asia runners ran amid a ruggedly icy terrain and freezing temperature.

She finished the race with an impressive time of four hours, 10 minutes, and 59 seconds—good FOR THIRD OVERALL AND kRST IN THE women’s group.

The lone Philippine representative in the marathon, Jopson joined other FWD runners from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand in the marathon sponsored by the global FWD group. Her participation, in turn, was sponsored by FWD Philippines, one of the fastest-growing insurance companies in the country. “The FWD Group had initially been supporting the world’s ‘coolest’ marathon at the North Pole, returning as title sponsor for the third year in a row,� says Peter Grimes, FWD Philippines president and CEO. “The Mara-

Q Filipina runner Joyette Jopson beats extreme cold near the North Pole. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

thon was cancelled at the last minute because of geopolitical tensions between the Russian and Ukrainian administrations regarding flight plans to the Pole,� Grimes adds.

Undeterred, FWD stepped in

with the idea to create and organize its own marathon at Longyearbyen, which they called the 78° North Marathon, so that runners could still fulfill their ambitions to complete a marathon in sub-zero temperatures and

extreme winter conditions while raising funds for their sponsored charities. FWD successfully arranged the marathon against the odds in three hectic days, inviting all registered North Pole Marathon runners to take part.

ACC accepts PhilCycling bid to host BMX championships in 2020 THE Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) has elevated the Philippines’ bid to host the 2020 Asian BMX Championships to the continental body’s management committee meeting set later this year.

This was confirmed by ACC Secretary General Onkar Singh to the PhilCy-

cling during the confederation’s congress last Friday at the International Hotel Tashkent in Uzbekistan that coincided with the Asian Championships for Road.

So far, only the Philippines signified an interest to host the championships, whose 2019 edition was held last

month in Kuala Lumpur where Filipinos Patrick Coo won gold in the men junior category and former Asian Games champion Daniel Caluag finished fourth place after skidding in the first turn in the elite class.

PhilCycling President Rep. Abraham “Bambol� Tolentino

welcomed the ACC’s acceptance of the national sports association’s intention to host next year’s championships at the International Cycling Union (UCI)-regulation BMX track that is being built in Tagaytay City for the 30th Southeast Asian Games. “We are hopeful of the

ACC approval of our bid to host the Asian championships at the world-class track in Tagaytay City,� Tolentino said. “With the new UCI track, we can host even the world championships given the existing facilities that Tagaytay City offers.�

The Philippines has

hosted the Asian road championships in 1965, 1977, 1983 and 1995. The PhilCycling included BMX as a demonstration event in the 2005 SEA Games the country hosted ahead of the disciplines inclusion as a medal event in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

C4

Football

WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Q Stephan Shrock (No. 12) of Ceres Negros evades a defender from Persija Jakarta during the 2019 AFC Cup at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Indonesia last April 23. AFC CUP PHOTO

Ceres Negros shoots for zonal semis spot

BY JEREMIAH M M. SEVILLA SEVILLAÂ

C

ERES .EGROS &# GUNS FOR A ZONAL SEMIkNAL spot when it battles also-ran Shan United FC in the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup today at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.

A win by the visiting Yellow Busmen OVER THE 3HAN 7ARRIORS AT P M P M IN -ANILA WILL BOOK THEM A third straight trip to the Asean zone KNOCKOUT STAGE Ceres Negros leads Group G with 12

points on a perfect record of four wins in as many matches while Shan United stands in stark contrast with a winless SLATE IN FOUR GAMES The Busmen are riding the momentum of their remarkable come-from-

behind 3-2 3 2 victory over Persija Jakarta FC in front of a hostile mammoth crowd at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in )NDONESIA LAST !PRIL Veteran midfielder Miguel Tanton sparked the Bacolod-based club’s comeback in the previous game while Bienvenido Maraùon and Mike Ott hit the equalizer and the match-winner, RESPECTIVELY OFF 3TEPHAN 3HROCK S ASSISTS Tanton is expecting a tough match anew despite the two-time Philippine champion team beating the Burmese RUNNER UP

IN THEIR kRST FACE OFF OF the season two months ago at the Panaad 0ARK AND 3TADIUM

˜ The Manila Times

“Now they are at home so w we have to TRAVEL )T S GOING TO BE HARD BUT WE HAVE A game plan ready to get the three points,�

SAID THE !ZKALS STANDOUT Ceres is also eyeing a repeat of its sweep against Shan United in last year’s !&# #UP 4HE &ILIPINO SQUAD BLANKED the Burmese club twice, 2-0 and 1-0, LAST SEASON But the Shan Warriors are looking to salvage some pride at their home and at LEAST END THE TOURNEY ON A WINNING NOTE Shan United got eliminated after horribly losing to Vietnamese titlist Becamex Binh Duong, 0-6, last April 16 at the Go $AU 3TADIUM

Liverpool’s flying fullbacks ready for Barca test LONDON: Neither Trent Alexander-Arnold nor Andrew Robertson have Lionel Messi’s star power, but the buccaneering Liverpool defenders could play just as vital a role as the Barcelona captain in their MOUTH WATERING #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE SEMIkNAL Virgil van Dijk has hogged the spotlight among Liverpool’s defenders with a superb campaign that earned the Dutch center-back the Professional &OOTBALLERS !SSOCIATION PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD !HEAD OF 7EDNESDAY S kRST LEG AGAINST -ESSI S Barca, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold have emerged as essential contributors to Liverpool’s BID FOR #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE GLORY With 24 assists between them in all competitions, England right-back Alexander-Arnold and 3COTLAND LEFT BACK 2OBERTSON ARE PIVOTAL kGURES IN *URGEN +LOPP S GAME PLAN Robertson’s 11 assists have equaled the Premier League record for a defender and AlexanderArnold is not far behind, with nine, making LiverPOOL S FULL BACKS ARE AS MUCH WINGERS AS DEFENDERS It has become the most demanding, tactically SIGNIkCANT POSITION IN THE ,IVERPOOL TEAM Without Robertson, 25, doing the job of two players with his lung-bursting runs up and down THE lANKS 3ENEGAL WINGER 3ADIO -ANE WOULD NOT HAVE THE FREEDOM TO MOVE INkELD FROM WHERE HE HAS SCORED GOALS THIS TERM Mohamed Salah’s license to roam from the wing is only possible because there is less need to track back defensively while Alexander-Arnold, 20, TIRELESSLY COVERS EVERY BLADE OF GRASS ON THE RIGHT Klopp’s bold system has reaped rich rewards as RIVALS STRUGGLE TO kND A WAY TO TURN OFF THE SUPPLY LINE FUELLED BY 2OBERTSON AND !LEXANDER !RNOLD In producing perfectly weighted crosses for Mane’s double and a Van Dijk goal, AlexanderArnold became the youngest Premier League PLAYER TO CREATE THREE GOALS IN A SINGLE kXTURE WHEN ,IVERPOOL THRASHED 7ATFORD IN &EBRUARY Then, when Robertson supplied Roberto Firmino with Liverpool’s opening goal against Tottenham recently, Alexander-Arnold matched him by crossing for Salah’s header that led to Toby !LDERWEIRELD S DECISIVE LATE OWN GOAL They are the kind of key contributions that have become commonplace this season and Robertson admits the pair’s friendly rivalry is spurring them TO EVER GREATER HEIGHTS AFP

Q Paul Pogba’s boots were sold for 30,000 euros at a Paris auction. AFP PHOTO

Pogba’s World Cup-winning boots sold for 30,000 euros PARIS: The football boots with which Paul Pogbaeffectively won the World Cup for France last year were sold for 30,000 euros ($33,470) at a Paris auction on Monday 4UESDAY IN -ANILA 4HE -ANCHESTER 5NITED MIDkELDER WHO scored France’s third goal in the 4-2 victory over Croatia, had donated them to a French charity which helps high school students from TOUGH AREAS Christie’s auction house had hoped that the boots would go for between 35,000 and

EUROS Pogba, who grew up on a deprived estate in the Paris suburbs, also donated the France shirt he wore during the team’s victory over )CELAND IN THE %URO QUARTER kNAL IN

WHICH HE ALSO SCORED It sold for 4,000 euros — four times the ESTIMATION And another shirt which he wore in a 7ORLD #UP QUALIkCATION GAME AGAINST Holland went for three times its estimate at

EUROS The gifted midfielder’s uneven form for Manchester United has made him a target for criticism, which may explain why a shirt he wore for the club in a game against West Ham in 2017 only sold for EUROS And a number of other shirts did not sell at all, including one he wore for the Italian club Juventus in their Champions League victory OVER -ANCHESTER #ITY IN AFP

WEDNESDAY W E D N E S DAY MAY 1, 2019

Lifestyle

Q No time to go out? Jog on a treadmill.

D1

www.manilatimes.net

Remarkable benef its of exercise and f itness A

Basically, with an exercise and RE you ready to jumpstart a new fitness program, you’ve taken you? Don’t wait any longer to begin charge of your life. You can truly A PROGRAM OF EXERCISE AND kTNESS enjoy your life again. That’s the It’s practically a miracle what exercise and NUMBER ONE BENEkT OF EXERCISE kTNESS CAN DO FOR YOU %VERY DAY YOU HEAR AND kTNESS MORE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE BENEkTS OF kT- Get started with an NESS 4HINK ABOUT YOUR kTNESS GOALS AND GET exercise and fitness plan MOTIVATED TO MOVE -AKE EXERCISE AND kT- Get started right now. Set up your ness your number one priority and you’ll kTNESS GOALS AND DEVELOP AN EXERNEVER REGRET IT ,OOK AT ALL THE BENEkTS YOU cise schedule to get you there fast.

Choose the program that suits GET FROM EXERCISE AND kTNESS you best, whether it is aerobics 1. People look and feel great when they exercise and eat well.

2. Understand that how you look and feel affects almost every aspect of your life.

3. Once you start, you will be amazed at how refreshed, revitalIZED AND CONkDENT YOU FEEL 4. You’ll be able to fit into smaller clothes. And you’ll feel good shopping for new clothes.

5. Exercise reduces your appetite so that you don’t crave junk food.

6. You won’t need a fad diet plan to lose weight. Burning fat and losing weight will be faster and easier, because you’ll be motivated to make healthy eating choices.

7. You will develop a more positive attitude and determination.

8. Exercise will help you relax and sleep better.

9. Relationships are better when you are in shape.

10. Exercise will help you live longer, and enjoy the extra years more.

11. With exercise and fitness, your energy and performance improve.

12. People notice you as you walk down the street. They’ll admire your appearance pearance and an nd envy your enthusiasm. sm.

13. Your family mily will ll respond positively to the change. he chang nge.

It will be easier to play ball with them.

14. You’ll climb steps without losing your breath.

15. Exercise se and getting fit teach you how ow to set goals and accomplish them. hem.

One of the most rewarding things ngs in life is achievingg your goals.

16. Nothing ng will improve your quality of life more than han being bein healthy, fit, confident and passionate ate about each and everyy day.

classes, weightlifting, the gym circuit or walking. Resolve to stick with the program.

-AKE EXERCISE A PART OF YOUR daily schedule. Every day, work your program, get up, get in, get out and get on with your day. Don’t pressure yourself to exercise intensely. Start your fitness program slowly, and increase gradually as you build up your endurance.

Keep a log of your workouts.

Hang in there until you realize the PLEASURE OF EXERCISE AND kTNESS Your commitment to your exercise AND kTNESS PROGRAM AND YOUR ACcountability is the ultimate secret to your success.

Change yourself with exercise and fitness $O YOU WORRY ABOUT THE COST OF kTNESS 4HE COST OF UN kTNESS IS MUCH higher in the long run. Do you think you don’t have time to exercise?

After each workout, the energy and revitalization you experience will actually give you more time because it increases your productivity. With your commitment and accountability to a program of your choice, you can’t fail.

If you want to lose weight and BODY FAT IF YOU WANT TO BE kT FOR sports, if you want to prevent disease, YOU MUST CHOOSE A kTNESS PROGRAM for yourself. Fitness also increases your energy, gives you better sleep, enhanced vigor, zest and passion.

Q A couple of dumbbells can get you toned at home.

Q Exercise at home.

Q The walking that comes with golf – or even without it – is great exercise.

Q Play sports for exercise.

9OU CAN WEAR A SWIMSUIT CONkDENTLY Other people notice your appearance and are attracted to you.

Lasting results as reward %XERCISE AND kTNESS BRING YOU ALL THESE BENEkTS AND MORE 9OU WILL REALLY kND THAT IT IS EASY FUN AND incredibly rewarding. You may be SKEPTICAL AT kRST 0ERHAPS YOU NEED a gentle nudge to get you started. To be completely honest, once you experience how great you feel, and see the early results of exercise and good nutrition, you’ll want to continue.

It’s hard to stop doing something that gets real, lasting results and makes you look and feel so good.

Source: SurferSam.com

Q Strengthen your core with regular pushups.

A call to care for eyes HOW often do we hear that the eyes are the window to the soul?

The Scriptures are even replete with verses saying just how important they are. Matthew 6:22 to 23 says, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of

darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!� (English Standard Version).

Among many cultures, including the Philippines, eye care is not given much importance, causing a lot of people visual problems. “In the Philippines, eye healthcare is not a priority and we aim to change that mindset. It’s a

Q Ideal Vision Center assistant vice president for marketing and merchandising Joy Go.

long, ongoing process especially with the fast-changing business landscape but we look forward to seeing the light at the end of it,�

Ideal Vision Center (IVC) assistant vice president for marketing and merchandising Joy Go shared with The Manila Times.

IVC is already a household name in the eye healthcare industry for more than three decades but according to Go, the vision should not stop there. She believes that the company’s reputation should be treated as an opportunity to continue to educate, innoVATE AND RESEARCH FOR THE BENEkT of Filipinos.

Go, whose grandfather launched Ideal Optical, said she IS CONkDENT AND DETERMINED TO achieve their goals. As head of branding, marketing and merchandising, she is also always finding new opportunities to explore, expand and discover new solutions to make eye care accessible to everyone.

D e s p i t e g r ow i n g u p i n a f a m i l y o f e ye c a r e p r o f e s sionals, Go’s involvement in the eye care industry is not a

Q The eyes are the window to the soul. FLICKR PHOTO childhood dream. Her initial passion was in food which explains why she has a degree in Culinary Arts and Related Services. Her interest in eyewear and eye care was piqued only when she started working parttime in the family enterprise. “More than the technicalities BEHIND BEING AN OPTOMETRIST ) kND the marketing and research side of the business very endearing. Aside from that, I am also very interested in eyewear fashion,� she stated.

Go got her degree in Optometry at the Centro Escolar University and joined the family business in 2002. She still loves to cook and SAYS THE KEY TO kNDING A BALANCE between two passions is “you don’t give up one or the other but enjoy

both at the same time.�

The eye doctor also noted that being in the eye care industry gave her a meaningful purpose of taking care of other people’s needs and well-being. It has also become important to her to provide only the best vision solutions. g7E ALWAYS TRY TO kND THE MOST advanced products, to offer more advanced and better products to our patients,� she stated.

To do that, Go noted the importance of partnering with brands that share their vision.

Hence, their partnership with Essilor, the world’s number one ophthalmic company that offers complete vision solution through its wide range of products including Crizal,

Transitions and Varilux, gives them an opportunity to provide clients an access to worldclass eye care products. “Partnering with Essilor for more than 32 years is the best move we made to improve our service to our customers. We at IVC, know that Essilor share the same vision with us — to offer topnotch eye health care to Filipinos,� she said. “It is my ambition, through IVC, to leave a legacy and be a part of every Filipino’s eye healthcare routine.

It is a long and challenging path but we will never stop improving and kNDING SOLUTIONS SO THAT QUALITY EYE healthcare will be more convenient and accessible to all,� the eye doctor noted.

D2

Funtimes

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (05/01/19). Good financial fortune shines this year. Follow careful plans to advance. Communication breakthroughs this summer pave the way for a destination change. Winter explorations lead to wondrous discoveries, before a plot twist rearranges things. Collaboration with family and community builds strength and resilience.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is a 9 -- You’re energized and getting stronger. Listen carefully to family. Go for what you want.

Your words inspire others to act. Relax, and enjoy the moment.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 5 -- Settle into a two-day retrospective phase. Consider consequences before acting. Plan and refine the itinerary in detail. Nurture your own mind, body and spirit.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Collaborate with community actions on strong foundations. Strategize and coordinate your moves to pull together and get farther. Win through connecting with others.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Make a professional move. A new assignment could disrupt the status quo. Advance to the next level by providing leadership. Grasp a fleeting opportunity.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Spread your wings.

Explore uncharted terrain with careful research and preparation.

Expand your horizons with new cultural ideas, flavors and views.

Follow what you love.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Study ways to make and keep money. Handle family financial matters for a few days. Discuss priorities and responsibilities. Make agreements, and sign contracts.

» SUDOKU

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Talk with your partner about dreams and desires. Make plans, and initiate action. Share promises and support. Discover valuable solutions in conversation. Collaborate.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Your physical performance benefits from a good coach who can help you refine your technique. Get the basics down before moving to more difficult tricks.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Take a romance to the next level with sweet words. Talk about your passions, goals and dreams. Find new common interest. Invent fun possibilities together.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Family comes first for a few days. Home improvements satisfy. Determine priorities and who will do what. Physical action gets results.

Build on strong foundations.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Leap ahead with your communications and creative projects. Listening can go further than speaking. Carefully craft and share your statements with heart. Speak in possibilities.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Make lucrative bargains, deals and agreements. Do the homework for a profitable opportunity. Align words and actions for your goal. Sign on the dotted line.

Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

Public Square

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 1, 2019

D3

Epicurean: A Thai gastronomic journey PH Tax Academy to offer courses on app-based microlearning

T

Q Thanintorn Chantharawan ‘Chef Noom’ (left) and Watcharapon Yongbanthom ‘Chef Ja’ EMBARK on an epicurean sojourn hottest restaurants before returning to through Thailand with a rare wine Thailand where he was recognized for pairing curated by the Thai gastro- his stint on Iron Chef Thailand. Chef nomic trio on May 3 and 4 at Benja- Noom also became known for his rong, Dusit Thani Manila. discovery of the 200-year-old recipe Teaming up to bring a one-of- for Tom Yum Plachon Bo-Larn. a-kind culinary experience are Meanwhile, Benjarong Manila’s Thanintorn Chantharawan “Chef Chef Ja, who also appeared on teleNoom� of Michelin-starred Chim by vision as guest chef for Iron Chef Siam Wisdom, Visootha Lohitnavy Thailand in 2014, collaborates with “Nikki,� oenologist and winemaker Chef Noom for this once-in-a-lifetime of GranMonte and Watcharapon culinary affair. These two kitchen geYongbanthom “Chef Ja,� Benjarong NIUSES SHOWCASE THE RICH 4HAI lAVORS Manila’s Thai Chef de Cusine. by curating the menu for the sixFrom spice to decadence and course dinner of the two-day event. everything in between, Chef Noom Completing the Thai gastronomic is at the helm of the One Michelin- TRIO IS .IKKI THE kRST AND ONLY FULLY starred Thai restaurant Chim By Siam QUALIkED WINEMAKER OF 4HAILAND 3HE Wisdom. Trained in European and is the in-house oenologist and winemodern molecular cuisines, he spent maker of her family-owned property, 14 years working in some of London’s GranMonte, Asoke Valley since 2008.

The Grand Dame revives ‘Flores de Mayo’ A THRILLING spectacle with origins stretching back 40 years, the Flores de Mayo at The Manila Hotel is a grand Filipino tradition that combines fashion, artistry and culture.

This year, the hotel will partner with the Designers Circle PhilipPINES AND THE /FkCE OF THE -AYOR OF -ANILA TO REVIVE THIS UNIQUE event. Pagsulyap sa mga Reyna: Flores de Mayo at The Manila Hotel, will be held in the nostalgic, historic setting of the Maynila Ballroom on May 1, at 4:00 in the afternoon.

The first Flores de Mayo at the Manila Hotel was founded in 1979

by Ben Farrales, hailed the dean of Philippine Fashion and organized under the CongregacĂ­on del Santissimo Nombre del NiĂąo Jesus.

Thirty salagas will take part in this year’s traditional procession, wearing Filipiniana couture by the members of Designers Circle Philippines, who number respected names such as Johnny !BAD 2ENEE 3ALUD 2OLAND ,IRIO !LkE Ong, Fanny Serrano and Malu Veloso.

Guests who wish to view Flores de

Mayo or participate in the procession are invited to avail of its exclusive Flores de Mayo package. Stay in one of the elegant Tower De Luxe Rooms for two adults and two children ages twelve and below, with buffet breakfast and Filipino Afternoon Tea at the Lobby. The Flores de Mayo Package is only available from April 30 to May 2.

For more information, visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

nice packaging. For example, did you know that the millennial generation is the most avid readers of food labels, with 54 percent claiming that they understand food label content? Case in point, opting for Goya Double Hazelnut Spread which has the same 13 percent hazelnut content.

4. You know what you want, what you really, really want.

And you go for it. This is also the reason why the millennial genERATION IS CONSIDERED kCKLE WHEN in truth, we just have a set standard on what we want and prefer not to settle for anything less.

9OU PUT A PREMIUM ON QUALITY You can consider yourself an ADULT IF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT QUALITY doesn’t always come with a hefty price tag. For example, Goya Double Hazelnut Spread is at par with international standard for spreads because it is made in Germany.

Did you tick any of the things mentioned above? If yes, then conGRATSĂœ 9OU CAN NOW OFkCIALLY CONSIDER yourself successful at “adulting.â€?

Win government contracts with unsolicited proposals DO you have a trailblazing, inNOVATIVE OR UNIQUE IDEA THAT YOU want to propose as a project for the government? Don’t you wait for government’s invitation to bid. Bag that government contract with your unsolicited proposals.

Be ahead of the game and learn How to Prepare Unsolicited Proposals for Government Projects on May 16 and 17 at the Sheraton Manila Hotel, Pasay City.

This two-day special training will comprehensively cover all the legal, TECHNICAL kNANCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL aspects in preparing unsolicited proposals. Know the right ingredients to

the University of the Philippines Law Center in designing a capacitybuilding and legal training program FOR OFkCERS AND EMPLOYEES REQUIRED to undergo training at the PTA. The PTA is likewise lining up A SERIES OF LECTURES ON CLIMATE knance and on tax reform and the kSCAL REGIME IN THE MINING SECTOR

said Beltran in his report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd during a recent DoF executive committee (Execom) meeting.

In his visit to Osaka, Japan in February to lead the country’s delegation to the 7th meeting of the Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation, Dominguez also toured the National Tax College Osaka Training Center.

The tour was designed to help

VISITING $O& OFkCIALS LEARN FROM THE Osaka center’s best practices and experiences and later adopt them to help transform the PTA into a premier tax education center and trainING HUB FOR OFkCERS AND EMPLOYEES of the Bureaus of Internal Revenue (BIR) and of Customs (BoC) along with the DOF’s Local Government Finance (BLGF) and the country’s local government unit (LGU) treasurers.

According to Beltran, the PTA is planning to set up permanent campuses in Tagaytay City in Cavite and New Clark City at the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga.

For the Tagaytay campus, the PTA will join other government-run professional learning institutions such as the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), the Philippine Judicial Academy (PhilJA) and the

Commission on Audit (CoA) International Training Center in a lot donated by the city government.

Beltran said a plan to set up another PTA campus in New Clark City, which is now being developed as the counTRY S kRST SMART AND SUSTAINABLE MEtropolis, will likewise push through.

He said a benchmarking study for the PTA was conducted recently by the DoF with the National Tax College, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Institute, the Japan Personnel Authority and the Doshisha University in Kyoto.

A senior-level International Seminar on Taxation, another on international taxation for Asian countries, and country-focused training courses on tax administration are available to personnel of the DoF and its attached agencies, Beltran said.

Asean BAC PH, Go Negosyo, DoT to hold biggest Tourism Summit 2019 LEARN and explore from Asean experts in the biggest summit on tourism and entrepreneurship, the Tourism Summit 2019 happening on May 2 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

The Tourism Summit 2019 will be the first tourism summit to be presented by the Asean Business Advisory Council Philippines (BAC PH) and Go Negosyo in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT). It will be a platform for discussion and RElECTION ON WHAT THE !SEAN COUNTRIES have done to improve the development of sustainable island tourism.

Expected to be the biggest tourism event of the year, around 10,000 attendees are expected to attend from the tourism sector, micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs),

aspiring young entrepreneurs, and academe to develop a more integrated tourism industry and contribute to the sustainable socio-economic growth in the region.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship, Asean BAC PH Chair and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion highlighted: “The Philippines is blessed with abundant natural resources and islands which can be used in creating enterprises and livelihood opportunities for our countrymen.

This summit will serve as a platform for our aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and how they can learn from our neighboring Asean countries and create a booming tourism economy by growing businesses. This will be an avenue for new learnings that can bring inclusive growth for all.�

Concepcion will be joined by key personalities who continue to champion the tourism industry including Tourism Sec. Bernadette RomuloPuyat, AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri

Anthony “Tony� Fernandes, and Asean BAC 2019 Chairman Arin Jira.

Interested participants may register at www.tinyurl.com/TOURISMSUMMIT2019.

Scouts lead Death March memorial event

Signs you’re adulting successfully AS much as “adulting� has been talked about and thrown around, it can admittedly be challenging, thanks to the numerous choices available nowadays. While they are known for loving trends, this age group is also known for grounded social awareness. Here ARE kVE SIGNS OF gADULTINGu 1. You pay your own bills.

"EING kNANCIALLY INDEPENDENT is not something anyone can do easily. However, having the initiative to manage your own expenses is a good sign that you understand your responsibilities.

2. You can make your own smart choices.

Being an adult means you have a mind of your own when it comes to making decisions, so you choose which “hype� you’re going to ride and which ones to pass.

3. You pay more attention to details.

This means you are starting to consider details that might be of importance to you and don’t just look at the

HE Philippine Tax Academy (PTA) is now in the process of designing courses for an online application-based microlearning platform in line with its efforts to make continuing education and TRAINING FOR OFkCERS AND EMPLOYEES in state revenue agencies readily available through smartphones and other portable communication devices.

A microlearning platform is BOTH A COST AND TIME EFkCIENT TOOL that allows learners to select online short-term courses or training modules that are most applicable to their current needs on whatever handheld device is available.

Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said that besides this ongoing project, PTA, which is under the supervision of the Department of Finance (DoF), has also tied up with

a winning proposal for different kinds of infrastructure projects including land development, transport systems, water supply market redevelopment, among many others. Let your proposal standout with a step-by-step guide from TECHNICAL DESIGN AND EVALUATION kNANcial modeling and performance measures, to technical and environmental considerations and many more.

This pioneering program is an initiative of the Center for Global Best Practices as part of its advocacy to help spur economic growth and development in the Philippines.

For more information, visit www.cgbp.org .

BOY Scouts (BSP) and Girl Scouts of the Philippines lived up to their motto of “ laging handa � (ever ready) as they led the delegations at the Capas Freedom March (CFM), an annual memorial event to immortalize the uncommon valor of Filipino and American troops who underwent the infamous Death March during World War 2.

BSP Senior Vice President Roberto Pagdanganan, the event’s guest of honor and keynote speaker, led the 10-km pre-dawn walk of some 1,000 participants from the People’s Park to the Capas National Shrine, dominated by Scouts from various chapters in Luzon.

Other joiners were representatives from the Veterans from Foreign Wars, the Philippine Army’s Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine National Police, Third Regional Community Defense Group – Army Reserve Command, Philippine Military

Q Boy Scout of the Philippines senior vice president Roberto Pagdanganan, the event’s guest of honor and keynote speaker, leads the 10-km pre-dawn walk. even as we retrace the last steps of Academy, Tarlac Motorcyle Riders Fed- which he has led since 2015. “As we gather every year, we remem- the historic occasion, we do not only eration, civil society groups, government agencies, and the private sector. BER THE ULTIMATE SACRIkCE OF THE TENS become sentimental or nostalgic, but Meanwhile, former president of thousands who died in Bataan, also look at the current situation of Fidel Ramos, in a read message, and later on, in the infamous Death our nation, and how we can display lauded the marchers for carrying March and their three-year imprison- valor or kagitingan in the challenges on the four-year old tradition ment here at Camp O’Donell. But of our ever-changing world,� he said.

Malayan Science students receive DoST Youth Excellence in Science Award TWO students of Malayan High School of Science (MHSS) were recognized in the 11th Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Awards held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.

Grade 10 student Kyara Christelle Riguerra and Grade 9 student Mark Julius Ang received the YES Award, a medal of distinction given by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), for their achievements in international science and mathematics competitions.

Riguerra and Ang both took home bronze medals from international competitions they participated in.

Riguerra aced the World Mathematics

Invitational Finals held in July 2018 in Seoul, South Korea, while Mark Julius Ang excelled in the World Educational Robot Contest held in December 2018 in Shanghai, China.

According to MHSS Principal Emmillie Joy Mejia, the series of achievements of its students is a testament to MHSS’s commitment in providing QUALITY EDUCATION AS WELL AS ITS STRENGTH in science and mathematics education. “This recent recognition demonstrates that the school is an instrument in training students TO BE WELL EQUIPPED AND WELL developed individuals in learning and applying their knowledge in real-life situations,� Mejia said.

Q MHSS students Mark Ang (left) and Kyara Christelle Riguerra (right) are among the Department of Science and Technology’s 11th Youth Excellence in Science awardees.

Hotel Sogo gave free bottled waters during Holy Week 2019 IN observance of this year’s Lenten season, Hotel Sogo gave away thousands of bottled waters for free to parishioners and travellers on April 18 (Maundy Thursday) as part of its “Kwaresma campaign.�

Six Hotel Sogo branches nationwide including Cainta, Novaliches, Avenida, Harrison Pasay, Tarlac and Cebu has set up their respective booths to distribute ready-todrink bottled waters to the people who practiced Visita Iglesia.

These simultaneous activities aimed to aid and reduce people’s thirst while doing their Holy Week activities especially this hot summer season.

Some of the efforts are coordi-

nated with nearby major churches and local barangay units. Hotel Sogo Novaliches branch set up their booth near Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Mercy, while Harrison Pasay branch positioned near Baclaran Church, Tarlac branch in San Sebastian Cathedral in Tarlac, and Cebu branch near Basilica Minore del Santo NiĂąo de Cebu.

On the other hand, Hotel Sogo Cainta branch stationed near the Our Lady of Antipolo Shrine to give free BOTTLED WATERS TO THE INlUX OF @Alay Lakad’ devotees. The Avenida branch which is near in Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene mounted its booth in front of their hotel building.

Moreover, this is part their corpo-

rate social responsibility under its Sogo Cares program, which aimed to give back to the community by conducting different community

services, relief operations, donations, and medical missions.

For more information, visit www.hotelsogo.com.

WEDNESDAY W E D N ESDAY MAY 1, 2019

Entertainment www.manilatimes.net

‘ENDGAME’ IS EVERYTHING “T HE movie isn’t even out yet and already it’s made so much money.�

This is what my friend Eddie said two weeks before trying to buy an advanced ticket for the April 24 opening.

Everywhere he looked, cinemas were packed for all the “Avengers: Endgame� screenings. Even the bad seats were taken.

As early as mid-March, I already booked seats for a breakfast time showing at my nearest IMAX. 4HE FANS WERE BEYOND EXCITED THERE S NEVER BEEN ANYTHING LIKE this event before in movie history.

4WENTY ONE kLMS IN THE -ARVEL Cinematic Universe, 11 years to build it up with the 22nd film promising a grand finale to a grand, interconnected arc.

In April of 2008, Marvel released “Iron Man� with Robert Downey, Jr., directed by Jon Favreau, and the snowball started to roll until it became a full on avalanche. This whole enterprise WENT FROM ONE SUPERHERO kLM TO mega franchise juggernaut.

For those now in their late teens and early 20s, this is the set of movies they grew up with. For pop culture enthusiasts, the Marvel

FAN GIRL KAREN KUNAWICZ MOVIES TRULY DEkNED THE S Grown ups made the characters and plot points topics of dinner discussions and Facebook arguMENTS $ON T POST THOSE SPOILERS OR YOU LL GET UNFRIENDEDĂœ ) M ONLY ON MY SECOND VIEWING OF THE kLM AND ) EXPECT THERE are still things for me to catch on MY NEXT VIEWINGS )T S JUST SO FULL of moments, ideas, lines, heroes and characters to love even more. Different scenes made me RElECT ON DIFFERENT MOMENTS IN MY life in the past decade.

Directors Anthony and Joe Russo as well as screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely(the same incredible team up that did “Captain !MERICA 7INTER 3OLDIER u g#APTAIN

!MERICA #IVIL 7ARu AND g!VENGERS )NkNITY 7ARu DELIVERED SOMEthing huge that brought families, friends, fan boys and fan girls together. It made fans wake up before sunrise to catch the earliEST SHOWS LAST 7EDNESDAY THEY showed up in costume and in the red, white and black Endgame HOODIES THEY DIDN T GO TO THE bathroom for three hours and they CRIED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE kLM “Avengers: Endgame� has made a record-breaking $1.2 billion worldwide in just the opening weekend.

It is already the eighth film in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) to hit over one bilLION AND IT S JUST GETTING STARTEDĂœ !MONG THE -#5 S OTHER ONE BILLION AND BEYOND kLMS ARE g#APtain Marvel,â€? “Captain AmeriCA #IVIL 7AR u g!VENGERS )NkNITY 7ARu AND g"LACK 0ANTHER u The cast also includes 19 actors and one director who have either won or been nominated for an academy award. Among THEM "RIE ,ARSON 4AIKA 7AITITI

Don Cheadle, Benedict Cumberbatch and Bradley Cooper. *UST FOR FUN ) M ADDING A LITTLE trivia here about actors who

missed an opportunity to be part of the MCU: Jason Momoa was ALREADY GOOD TO GO AS $RAX THE $Estroyer but he opted out (of course he became a great Aquaman).

Joseph Gordon-Levitt was up for both Peter Quill and Ant-Man, %MILY "LUNT FOR BOTH "LACK 7IDOW and Peggy Carter and Johnny Depp almost became Dr. Strange.

3O WHAT S THERE TO LOOK FORward to in the world of Marvel after all this? Dr. Strange, Captain Marvel and Black Panther are all up for sequels. “Spider-Man: Far From Home� comes out in about two months.

A Disney streaming service, Disney+, is all set to roll out a “Loki� series with fan favorite Tom Hiddleston, and Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie will be in “Falcon AND 7INTER 3OLDIER u Speaking of Anthony Mackie &ALCON HE LL BE ONE OF THE BUSIEST ACTORS POST %NDGAME (E LL BE reunited with Samuel Jackson .ICK &URY IN g4HE "ANKERu AND HE LL BE THE NEW 4AKESHI +OVACS IN .ETlIX S g!LTERED #ARBON u Take a bow Team Endgame. And another, and another, and another. The world is giving you a standing ovation.

Q It’s up to them to bring everything — half the universe and the other half of the Avengers — back: (topmost photo from left) Jeremy Rener as Hawkeye, Don Cheadle as War Machine, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow. ‘Avengers: Endgame’ had all the moments of superb story telling: humor, drama, action, purpose and resolve (above photos).

‘Avengers: Endgame’ obliterates records with $1.2B global opening Epic Marvel finale is ‘most significant moment in modern history of movies’ NEW YORK: The universe belongs to Marvel. “Avengers: Endgame� shattered the record for biggest opening weekend with an estimated $350 million in ticket sales in the United States and $1.2 billion globally, reaching a new pinnacle in the blockbuster era that the comic book studio has come to dominate.

4HE !VENGERS kNALE FAR EXCEEDED EVEN ITS OWN GARGANTUAN EXPECTAtions, according to studio estimates at the beginning of the week.

The movie had been forecast to open between $260 million and $300 million in US and Canadian theaters, but moviegoers turned out in such droves that Endgame blew past the previous record of $257.7 million, set in 2018 by g!VENGERS )NkNITY 7ARu WHEN IT

NARROWLY SURPASSED g3TAR 7ARS 4HE Force Awakens� ($248 million or ABOUT MILLION IN INlATION adjusted dollars.) “Endgame� was just as enorMOUS OVERSEAS 7ORLDWIDE IT obliterated the previous record of MILLION ALSO SET BY )NkNITY 7AR )NkNITY 7AR DIDN T OPEN IN #HINA THE WORLD S SECOND LARGEST movie market, until two weeks after its debut.) Endgame set a new weekend record in China, too, where it made $330.5 million.

In one fell swoop, Endgame has already made more than movies like “Skyfall,� Aquaman� and “The Dark Knight Rises� grossed in their entire RUNS NOT ACCOUNTING FOR INlATION Alan Horn, Disney chairman, credited Marvel Studios and its

president, Kevin Feige, for challenging “notions of what is possible at the movie theater.� g4HIS WEEKEND S MONUMENTAL success is a testament to the world THEY VE ENVISIONED THE TALENT involved, and their collective passion, matched by the irrepressible enthusiasm of fans around the world,� Horn said in a statement.

To accommodate demand, the 7ALT $ISNEY #O RELEASED %NDGAME in more theaters — 4,662 in the U.S. and Canada — than any opening before. Advance ticketing services set new records. Early ticket BUYERS CRASHED !-# S WEBSITE !ND starting Thursday, some theaters even stayed open 72 hours straight. g7E VE GOT SOME REALLY TIRED staff,� said John Fithian, president

Q ‘Avengers: Endgame’ opened in the Philippines a week ago to a staggering first day box office estimate of just over P200 million, including pre-opening day sales.

AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE .ATIONAL Association of Theater Owners. “I TALKED TO AN EXHIBITOR IN +ANSAS WHO SAID @) VE NEVER SOLD OUT A a.m. show on Saturday morning BEFORE AND THEY WERE DOING IT ALL across their circuit.� .OT WORKING IN THE kLM S FAVOR was its lengthy running time: 181 minutes. But theaters kept adding thousands of showings for Endgame to get it on more screens than any movie before to satiate the frenzy. *OE AND !NTHONY 2USSO S kLM ties together the Avengers storyline as well as the previous 21 releases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe begun with 2008s “Iron Man.�

For an industry dogged by uncertainty over the growing role of streaming, the weekend was a mammoth display of the movie THEATER S LUCRATIVE POTENCY &ITHIAN called it possibly “the most sigNIkCANT MOMENT IN THE MODERN history of the movie business.� g7E RE LOOKING AT MORE THAN million American and more than MILLION GLOBAL GUESTS THAT EXPErienced Endgame on the big screen in one weekend,� Fithian said. “The numbers are just staggering.�

Further boosting the results for Endgame were good reviews; it currently ranks as 96 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, the best rating for any Marvel movie besides “Black Panther.� Audiences gave the film an A-plus CinemaScore.

AP

D4

Âťjustin!

John Lloyd is back!

AT the stroke of midnight on Tues- indefinite leave from the biz.

DAY SHOWBIZ HIGHLY TALENTED PRODIThe video is very simple gal son made his comeback after though dotted with drama two long years out of the spotlight. with only subtle shots of his Yes, John Lloyd Cruz — one of product endorsement.

0HILIPPINE ENTERTAINMENT S MOST Fittingly titled “Ang Pagbabalik,�

BANKABLE STARS kNALLY MADE TRUE A the number of views of the upload TEASER THAT HAS EXCITED HIS FANS ON have yet to come in but there is one billboards around the metro as well RESOUNDING QUESTION ON EVERYONE S as few seconds-long video over shar- mind: Does this endorsement warma brand Turks o f - SIGNAL *OHN ,LOYD #RUZ S RETURN TO kCIAL &ACEBOOK PAGE GE the limelight? some weeks ago. lig AcThe teaser alonee cording which merely co showed a back to Turks shot of the sorely presimissed actor d e n t gained a staggerGem Zeing 2.8M views narosa, and shared alduring most 800 times, the ccourse Q Two years since taking an indefinite as did the Instaof his talks leave from showbiz, John Lloyd Cruz gram posts of showwwith Cruz, appears on an online short that went the biz friends Piolo h subject live midnight Tuesday. about his Pascual and Bea career plans Alonzo showing screenshots of the now elusive never came up, and he respected THE ACTOR S DECISION TO MAINTAIN “Lloydie.�

Thankfully, the Turks grand his privacy.

For now, it seems the multireveal of Cruz as their newest endorser did not disappoint awarded actor will keep fans with a minute and 17 seconds- GUESSING WHAT HIS NEXT MOVE long video showing the actor WILL BE BUT FOR NOW THERE S Ang walking through different Pagbabalik for them to enjoy on destinations, somehow sym- 4URKS 9OU4UBE #HANNEL AND bolic of the personal journey Facebook page. Keep an eye out HE S BEEN ON SINCE GOING ON AN for clues.

Âťpopcornmatch After playing Hawkeye’s wife, Linda Cardellini takes on ‘La Llorona’ 3%%. in “Avengers: Endgameâ€?

AS THE WIFE OF *EREMY 2ENNER S Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Linda #ARDELLINI STARS IN .EW ,INE #INEMA S g4HE #URSE OF ,A Llorona,� which opens in P h i l i p p i n e c i n e m a s t o d ay.

0RODUCED BY *AMES 7AN THE film brings the iconic Latin American legend to terrifying life in an original horror film.

Cardellini plays Anna Tate Garcia, a social worker and widowed single mom, who has NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO THE LEGEND OF ,A ,LORONA THAT S ABOUT to descend on her family.

7HEN SHE WAS APPROACHED for the role, the actress says SHE COULDN T RESIST THE COMPLEX HERO AT THE HEART OF THE FILM g7HEN ) READ THE SCRIPT

I loved that it was not about BEING SOMEONE S WIFE OR BEING SOMEONE S SISTER )T S REally about this woman who is fighting the odds to keep her family together, and the LENGTHS SHE S WILLING TO GO TO protect her children. I loved THAT WE EXPERIENCE THIS STORY through her eyes. And, to be honest, the idea of being in a full-on horror movie was also

THERE S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS s t o r y t h a t g e t s u n d e r yo u r SKIN u SAYS #ARDELLINI g.O matter who you are or what STAGE OF LIFE YOU RE IN WHEN IT finds you, because everyone has a mother, everyone has been a child and people have kids of their own.â€? “Linda is an awesome performer, and so natural with our kid actors, but when those kids are threatened, and you see her maternal instincts kick in from this raw, real, powerful place‌man, that was impressive,â€? director Michael Chaves says. " U T S H E WO N T G E T T H E M without a fight. “As hard as it is to accept,â€? says Cardellini, “and as terrifying as it is for her to face, Anna can no longer deny that a dark presence is stalking her children, AND SHE S GOING TO HAVE TO stand alone against it to keep THEM SAFE 4HE #HURCH CAN T help her; she knows the police WON T BELIEVE HER )N THE FACE of this great danger, she has to reach in and be stronger than she ever imagined herself to be — or lose her kids forever.â€?

Cardellini adds, “There

Q Cardellini plays Anna Tate Garcia, a social worker and widowed single mom, who has never been exposed to the legend of La Llorona.

KIND OF EXCITING u SHE ADDS with a laugh.

A longtime fan of her work, *AMES 7AN WAS THRILLED WHEN Cardellini took the leap. “Linda is so talented and such a p r e s e n c e o n s c r e e n a n d ye t when I see her movies, I alWAYS FORGET THAT ) M WATCHING Linda because she just disappears into her characters. So WE RE REALLY FORTUNATE TO HAVE her come and play with us in this movie.� g7HETHER OR NOT YOU BELIEVE

are some moments in the film that for me, as a parent, are hard to watch.� But the adrenaline rush alone is worth the risk. “If you like to be scared, I think this movie is going to be crazy fun, because once it STARTS SCARING YOU IT DOESN T let up — all the way to the end,� she concludes.

The Curse of La Llorona is distributed worldwide by 7ARNER "ROS 0ICTURES A 7ARnerMedia Company.