THE MANILA TIMES | APRIL 02, 2019

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TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

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BALIKATAN Southern Luzon Commander Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Km, Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and US Exercise Director Brig.

Gen. Christopher McPhillips open the PH-US Balikatan 2019 exercise at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday.

PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

35th Balikatan opens Exercises highlight territorial defense, counter-terrorism TERRITORIAL defense and counterterrorism will be the top priorities of this year’s Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises between the Philippines, the United States and Australia.

4HE EXERCISES OFkCIALLY OPENED ON Monday at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, in ceremonies attended by US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna and Armed Forces chief

PH protests Chinese vessels near Pag-asa

BY RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Q Satellite image of Pag-asa island taken in November 2017. Source: Asia Maritime

M

ANILA has filed a diplomatic protest against China, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said, after the military over the weekend reported more than 600 Chinese vessels had been circling Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) since January.

Transparency Initiative

³BalikatanA2

Is ABS-CBN a drugfree workplace?

O

N E IN MY LINE o f OF SIGHT the biggest problems that the country has is how to handle its own waste.

Let’s face it, one of the unwanted byproducts of the modern age is trash and other unusable materials.

Another challenge that this country should tackle is power generation.

RAMON T. TULFO

³TulfoA5

Panelo told reporters the Department of Foreign !FFAIRS $&! HAD kLED THE PROTEST AND THAT THE

³ProtestsA2

Senate cut budget for infra, military and police – Andaya Sotto: House budget panel chief ‘obfuscating’ HOUSE appropriations Chairman Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. on Monday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to look into

at least P83 billion worth of budget cuts made by the Senate in the 2019 budget.

Andaya, in a statement, said the House

What’s inside FREE WI-FI AWAITS PRESIDENT’S SIGNATURE NewsA2 JAPAN ANNOUNCES NEW IMPERIAL ERA WorldB6

STANDING UP TO RESSA’S BIG EGO

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WARRIORS THUMP HORNETS, TAKE ONE GAME LEAD OVER BEATEN NUGGETS

of Representatives was expecting the Chief Executive to sign the measure after the OfkCE OF THE 0RESIDENT WRAPPED UP A REVIEW

DoJ wants copy of PDEA narcolist of fiscals, judges THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) on Monday asked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for a copy of the list of prosecutors and judges allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the list would form the basis of an investigation and the kLING OF CRIMINAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE charges against erring prosecutors.

of the budget veto message.

But the Senate should be held accountABLE FOR gCUTTING DOWN THE ALLOCATIONu FOR $UTERTE S g"UILD "UILD "UILDu 0ROGRAM

44 Metro villages won’t pay March water bill AT least 44 villages or 152,000 houseIn a statement on Monday, Manila holds will not be paying their water bills Water said these villages would receive for March after Manila Water Co. Inc. a one-time waiver under its one-time IDENTIkED THEM AS HAVING BEEN THE gMOST bill waiver program. severely affected” by the water shortage. ³BillA8

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

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Dr. Orly Molina, sociologist Hannah Nario Lopez with Kadamay officers Eufemia Doringo and Kai Calabarzon sit down to discuss grassroots communities and poverty. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

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˜ The Manila Times TUESDAY April 2, 2019

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Free wifi bill awaits President’s OK C

BY JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

ONGRESS has transmitted to MalacaĂąang Senate Bill 1749, a measure requiring transport terminals to provide free internet services and clean comfort rooms to commuters.

The enrolled bill, which was adopted by the House of Representatives, was transmitted by Congress to the Office of the President through the Presidential LegislaTIVE ,IAISON /FkCE LAST -ARCH The measure will lapse into law if President Rodrigo Duterte does

not sign it after 30 days from reCEIPT IN HIS OFkCE Sen. Mary Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services and principal author of the measure, expressed hope that the President would sign the measure as many students were ex-

Palace exec named SSS president PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a MalacaĂąang ASSISTANT SECRETARY AS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER OF the Social Security System (SSS).

Aurora Ignacio replaced Emmanuel Dooc following the EFFECTIVITY OF 2EPUBLIC !CT OR THE g3OCIAL 3ECURITY !CT of 2018,� which expands the powers of the state-run pension fund for private workers to ensure its long-term viability, as WELL AS ALLOW IT TO INCREASE BENEkTS AND PROVIDE MANDATORY coverage for overseas Filipino workers.

Dooc resigned earlier this month after a two-year tenure.

Ignacio is the 18th head of the SSS and the second woman to hold the position, after Corazon de la Paz Bernardo during the Arroyo administration. )GNACIO WILL ALSO BE THE kRST CHAIRMAN OF THE 3OCIAL 3ECURITY Commission that supervises the SSS. )GNACIO WAS AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE /FkCE OF THE 0RESIdent, handling special projects.

3HE WAS THE gFOCAL PERSONu FOR ALL INQUIRIES REGARDING THE Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

She had served as a member of the National Food Authority Council.

pected to return to their provinces during the school break.

Families are also expected to spend their vacation in local tourist destinations.

Under the measure, transportation and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) terminals nationwide should have clean restrooms and free internet access.

Terminals must also have separate lactating stations for breastfeeding mothers. g!N EFFICIENT AND FUNCTIONAL inter-province transport system is essential to ensuring that Filipinos travel safely. In particular, rest stops are indispensable for those

traveling by land, as they provide a brief ‘pit stop’ for travelers and bus drivers,� the senator said. g4HIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR Filipinos who travel for more than eight hours,� she added.

She said terminal toilet experiENCE gIS ONE ASPECT THAT TRAVELERS remember, whether the experience is impressive or horrible.

Terminals and toilets are crucial to tourism.� g4OILET ISSUES ARE NOT PETTY MATters, but important in satisfying the public’s need for healthy living,� she added.

The measure prohibits terminal operators from collecting fees

NEW MOM Senate

BENJIE L. VERGARA

$UTERTE ALSO APPOINTED THE FOLLOWING – Lawyer Monalisa Dimalanta, chairman of the National Renewable Energy Board, replacing Jose Layug Jr., who resigned last year for health reasons. – Herminia Roman, Board member of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, representing the municipality of Hermosa, Bataan for a term of three years, replacing Julius Escalona. – Dexter Galban, Board member of the Commission on Population and Development at the National Economic and Development Authority, replacing Edgardo Clemente. – Ann Claire Credo Cabochan, assistant secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, replacing Ernesto Perez.

Duterte signed their appointment papers on March 28.

The designations came a day before the appointments ban ahead of the midterm elections. RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Q PROTESTS FROM A1

PH protests Chinese vessels near Pag-asa

600? 275? 200?

Panelo, however, said Vice Admi-

ral Rene Medina of the Western Command reported that only 275 Chinese ships were in the area.

Moreover, Chinese vessels were not gCIRCLING u BUT STATIONARY g)F THEY ARE circling, they are planning something.

But, if you are only stationary, maybe you are just watching,� he said.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. on Monday disPUTED THE kGURE TELLING REPORTERS g4HESE VESSELS ARE PLYING NEAR the area, they are a mix of vessels [from different countries].�

Zhao, who met with Panelo on Monday afternoon, said China would cooperate with the PhilipPINE GOVERNMENT ON THE VERIkCAtion of the report.

He said that as far as he knew, THESE WERE kSHERMEN gFROM BOTH SIDESu AND NOT gAT ALLu ARMED g7HETHER THE NUMBER IS

whether they are surrounding the island that you have people there,

Q BALIKATAN FROM A1

35th Balikatan opens Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. It was also attended by exercise directors from the Philippines and the US — Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, commander of the military’s Quezon-based Southern Luzon Command, and Brig. Gen. Christopher McPhillips, commander of the US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Madrigal said seven countries would send observers to the ex-

ercises to be held in northern and southern Luzon, as well as in Palawan.

These countries include Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Kingdom.

According to Madrigal, the 35th iteration of the Balikatan drills WOULD HAVE gSCALED UPu EXERCISES

which means there would be more focus on territorial defense and

it is really up to further investigaTION AND VERIkCATION u :HAO SAID Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also said the Cabinet’s security, justice and peace cluster was conducting an investigation.

The development came days after ex-ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and former foreign secretary !LBERT DEL 2OSARIO kLED A CASE AGAINST Beijing before the International Criminal Court, over China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative released a report earlier this year that Chinese ships had been trooping to Pag-asa since the announcement of Defense SecreTARY $ELkN ,ORENZANA THAT THERE would be reconstruction of the runway and the beaching ramp.

In a statement on Monday, the

$EFENSE DEPARTMENT SAID g4HE Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has been continuously monitoring the waters around Pag-asa and they are aware of the presence of Chinese vessels and their activities in the area.� g*UST AS THE 0HILIPPINES HONORS our international obligations and protocols, we also expect other countries and their vessels to do the same especially when sailing AND kSHING IN INTERNATIONAL WAters,� it said.

The Bureau of Fisheries and !QUATIC 2ESOURCES HAS ASKED kSHERMEN TO gAVOIDu 0ANATAG SHOAL gIN the meantime.�

But the Defense department SAID g;7=E ENCOURAGE OUR kSHERMEN TO CONTINUE THEIR kSHING ACtivities in our waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.�

WITH DEMPSEY REYES

counter-terrorism operations. g!LL OF US UNDERSTAND HOW threats on security constantly evolve, including the non-traditional security challenges at present. As we have this year’s Balikatan, we will shoulder the load together to prepare for these scenarios and should a crisis or national disaster occur in the future, we will be ready,� he added.

Kim recalled the success of military cooperation against the Maute TERRORISTS DURING THE kVE MONTH siege of Marawi City in 2017. g/UR SUCCESS IN -ARAWI IS AN important reminder of how the

training, relationships and shared experiences forged during exercises like Balikatan enabled us to defeat security threats and save lives,�

Kim said.

This year’s Balikatan will draw more than 7,000 soldiers from Manila, Washington and Canberra.

The Balikatan drills will involve naval and aerial capabilities of the US and Philippine militaries. )T WILL ALSO HAVE LIVE kRE DRILLS

amphibious landings, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and community relations, among other activities.

DEMPSEY REYES

‘Keep on fishing’

to their work remotely, which requires the use of free internet, Wi-Fi or broadband.

The owner, operator or administrator of land transport terminals, stations, stops, rest areas and RORO terminals who does not comply with the standards for sanitary facilities will be fined P5,000 for each day of violation. ! 0 kNE WILL ALSO BE IMPOSED each day on those who collect fees from passengers for the use of sanitary facilities.

Another P5,000 per day of violation will be imposed on operators or owners who fail to provide breastfeeding stations.

Q BUDGET FROM A1

STILL PASSING THE TEST OF gTRANSPARency and accountability,� countering the senators’ allegations of THEIR gUNCONSTITUTIONALu MOVE

Senate cut

bet Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas 2nd and wife Korina Sanchez arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with their twins Pepe and Pilar on Monday morning.PHOTO BY

Other appointees

MILITARY REPORT WAS gDEkNITELYu a point of concern. g4HE MERE FACT THAT THEY RE THERE

staying there for a week, why? What are you doing there?� Panelo said. g,ET US SEE HOW THEY #HINA will respond to the diplomatic protest,� he said.

0ANELO SAID THAT IF CONkRMED HE WOULD gPOLITELY ASKu #HINESE !Mbassador Zhao Jianhua to explain and stop the activities.

Lt. Col. Elpidio Factor of the military’s Western Command was quoted as saying 600 Chinese vessels were circling the island. &ACTOR SAID THE SHIPS WERE gOCcasionally complemented by Chinese Coast Guard vessel to sustain China’s assertive presence in the vicinity of the sandbars.�

from passengers for the use of RESTROOMS g4HE CONCERNED PASSENger must show [a] paid bus ticket in order to avail [themselves] of free use of sanitary facilities,� the measure states.

Aside from the free use of the clean toilets, the bill also mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and other concerned agencies, to provide free internet access in the terminals.

While waiting for their trip, passengers may check their social media accounts or attend

and other big projects of the government, Andaya said. g)T IS THE 3ENATE THAT MAY kND itself liable to accusation of sabotage when it decided, unilaterally, to cut down the allocation for the President’s Build, Build, Build Program and other priority projects,� he said.

3ENATE 0RESIDENT 6ICENTE g4ITOu Sotto 3rd accused Andaya of obfuscating the budget issue to prevent Duterte’s veto of the House’s gILLEGALu REALIGNMENTS g)T S A LAST DITCH EFFORT TO OBFUScate the issue and try to prevent the President’s veto of their illegal realignments. Even their colleagues know. No excuses necessary because the President knows everything,� Sotto said in a statement.

According to the House appropriations chief, the P80 billion worth of items taken out of the 2019 General Appropriations Bill by the Senate included, but were NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING – P5 billion for right-of-way projects for the Department of Transportation. – P11 billion for right-of-way projects for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). – P2.5 billion for foreign-assisted projects under the DPWH. – P3 billion for scholarship funds under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority allotted for rebel returnees, out-of-school youth and rehabilitating drug dependents. – P2.25 billion for the National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. – P7.5 billion for the Southeast Asian Games budget (P5 billion of which was allegedly transferred to the Philippine Sports Commission and P2.5 billion missing); – P13.4 billion for the MiscelLANEOUS 0ERSONNEL "ENEkTS &UND

one of the sources of salaries of government personnel. – P39 billion for the Pension and Gratuity Fund, which will supposedly cover the pension of military personnel and retirees from national and local government units. g7E WISH TO EMPHASIZE THAT the details of these budget cuts were not fully discussed in the bicameral conference committee.

The senators unilaterally decided on the budget cuts and realigned them to other items based on request of individual proponents,� said Andaya.

Andaya noted that House amendments even increased the budget for infrastructure projects gWITHOUT BREACHING THE TOTAL amount pegged by the National Expenditure Program� and were

Q NARCOLIST FROM A1

DoJ wants g7E NEED A COPY OF THAT LIST IMplicating prosecutors and judges, then we’ll determine if there’s SUFkCIENT BASIS TO CONDUCT FURTHER INVESTIGATION )F IN THE AFkRMATIVE

I will endorse the matter to the National Bureau of Investigation for a full-blown investigation and, if evidence warrants, for the

Veto suggested ,AST WEEK 3OTTO SIGNED gWITH REServations� the printed copy of the budget measure, letting the House retain a version with P75 billion IN gPORK BARRELu MONEY THAT WAS itemized only after the budget bicameral conference committee REPORT WAS RATIkED LAST &EBRUARY g)N PARTICULAR IT IS MY VIEW THAT it is unconstitutional that P75 billion worth of programs/projects under the Local Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways was funded through internal realignments, after the Bicameral Conference Committee Report was RATIkED BY REALIGNING CUTS FROM Organizational Outcome 1 (Asset Preservation Program, Network Development Program and Bridge Program) and (2) Organizational Outcome 2 (Flood Management Program and Convergence and Support Program),� Sotto said. g4HE 0RESIDENT MAY WISH TO CONsider disapproving these unconstitutional realignments, pursuant to his constitutional power to veto particular items in the General Appropriations Bill,� the Senate president added.

Lacson owns up 3EN 0ANFILO g0INGu ,ACSON ON Monday said he moved to cut P75 billion only after the DPWH admitted it was not aware of the additional appropriations and, therefore, not prepared to implement the projects.

About P20 billion in right-ofway funding was also cut after the agency admitted it could not utilize the amount in 2019.

Another P16 billion from the Department of the Interior and ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT S kNANCIAL ASsistance to local governments was cut after the department said it knew nothing about the funding. g) FOUND OUT THAT AT LEAST 0 BILlion was realigned at the initiative of a number of my colleagues. Other realignments were used to augment the much depleted HFEP (Health Facilities Enhancement Project); the activation of the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Division upon the direction of the President; adjustments to the purchase of medicines by the Veterans Memorial Medical Center due to the increase in the price index of medicines; and other institutional amendments, and, therefore, should not be regarded as pork,� he said.

Lacson stressed that he did not sign the bicameral report and dissented when it was presented on THE 3ENATE lOOR FOR RATIkCATION GLEE JALEA AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL kLING OF THE APPROPRIATE CRIMINAL complaint,� Guevarra said.

There are allegedly 10 prosecutors on the narcolist of President Rodrigo Duterte.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino last week said he had received intelligence reports implicating 10 prosecutors and 13 judges in the illegal drug trade.

Aquino admitted that the list STILL NEEDED VERIkCATION JOMAR CANLAS

News

˜ The Manila Times

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Implement free college subsidy program — Bam SEN. Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th on Monday reiterated that the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program, an important component of the Free College Law, should be effectively implemented for the benEkT OF STUDENTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE colleges and universities. “Dahil mahalagang bahagi ito ng batas sa libreng kolehiyo, maraming estudyante ang makikinabang kung ito’y maipatutupad nang maayos (Since this is an important part of the Free College Law, many students WOULD BENEkT FROM THIS IF IT IS PROPERLY implemented),� said Aquino, principal sponsor of the Free College Law. He issued the statement after receiving numerous complaints from several private learning institutions AND STUDENT BENEkCIARIES OF THE 0ANtawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps about the delay in the release of TES funds.

The senator said the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) must ensure the smooth delivery of the subsidy to poor students, who need

assistance in purchasing books and food, as well as with their living expenses.

The TES also covers education expenses of poor but deserving students who choose to study in private colleges and universities. “Sa hirap ng buhay, napakahalaga ng tulong na hatid ng TES sa ating mga estudyante sa kanilang gastusin sa pag-aaral. Malaking tulong din ito sa mga pamilyang may pinag-aaral sa kolehiyo (The delivery of assistance under the TES would be of great help to the students and their families),� said Aquino.

Earlier, the reelectionist senator called on CHEd to immediately release the guidelines for TES to hasten its implementation and to avoid confusion in schools. He also sought the release of the remaining P11.2 billion fund allocated for the TES in 2018.

The CHEd had released around P4 BILLION TO 4%3 BENEkCIARIES in state universities and colleges and local universities and colleges.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Farmers need more irrigation facilities — Enrile FORMER Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile has raised the need to put up more irrigation facilities to mitigate the effects of drought on food-producing provinces.

During his campaign in Sorsogon on Sunday, Enrile lamented the “devastating effects of El NiĂąo to farmlandsâ€? and vowed to put up more irrigation facilities if elected to the Senate for the fifth time. “Since I started going around the country for my sorties, one thing I noticed is that provinces from Luzon to Mindanao are being hit hard by drought,â€? he said. “That’s why I’ve made it a point to talk to farmers and growers in my stopovers.â€?  “Here in Sorsogon and in all the other places, they are asking for better irrigation facilities, more equipment, more infrastructure. We need to mitigate the effects of this in the long haul,â€? the 95-year-old Senate bet said.  Sorsogon is among those severely affected by the El NiĂąo, which, so far, had destroyed P4.3 billion worth of crops.

Enrile said that there had to be a way for the agriculture sector to meet the challenges brought about not just by the dry spell, but also by the impact of natural disasters and climate change.

 “Majority of Filipinos are still very much dependent on agriculture for employment and their day-to-day income. It is sad that many farming-dependent families continue to be the poorest in our country,� the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino Senate candidate said.

If elected, Enrille vowed to boost the income of farmers and agricultural workers by improving agricultural infrastructure, promoting research and development in the sector, and giving access to credit for small-time farmers.  Enrile also met with Sen. Francis “Chiz� Escudero at the latter’s residence in Buhatan, Sorsogon City.  Sorsogon is the hometown of Escudero’s father, the late Salvador Escudero, who served as minister of Food and Agriculture from 1984 to 1986 during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and secretary of Agriculture from 1996 to 1998 under the Ramos administration.

Enrile’s supporters welcomed him in a motorcade around Sorsogon City and during an afternoon rally at the Our Lady of Peùafrancia Monastery.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

A3

ICC case vs Xi won’t prosper — envoy “So, we don’t think it’s a proper action that is based on facts. So, it’s and also the misuse HINA is confident that the crimes aoffabrication the mandate of the ICC,� the against humanity accusation against Chinese envoy added.

Duterte, during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping before Communist Party of China’s Interthe International Criminal Court (ICC) would national Department Minister Song not prosper, its ambassador to the Philippines Tao in Davao City last week, assured #HINESE OFkCIALS THAT GOVERNMENT Zhao Jianhua said on Monday. was not involved in the complaint Speaking to reporters following Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that kLED AGAINST 8I his meeting with Palace spokesman his administration had no hand in Former Foreign Affairs secretary Salvador Panelo in MalacaĂąang, THE COMMUNICATION kLED BY FORMER Albert del Rosario and former omZhao dismissed the ICC case against 0HILIPPINE OFkCIALS AGAINST 8I FOR budsman Conchita Carpio Morales 8I AS A gFABRICATIONu AND A gMISUSE “crimes against humanityâ€? commit- JOINED &ILIPINO kSHERS IN kLING THE of the mandateâ€? of the international ted in the contested waters. communication to the ICC on tribunal. “President Duterte and [the] de- March 13, a few days before the “Of course, I don’t think it’s partment concerned has expressed COUNTRY OFkCIALLY WITHDREW FROM THE appropriate,â€? Zhao said during a clearly to the Chinese that the Phil- international body. chance interview, when asked if ippine government has no role on 4HE FORMER OFkCIALS SAID #HINA China is confident that the case that. So, it’s an action by individuals took a more “assertive postureâ€? in kLED AGAINST 8I BEFORE THE )## WILL and we think it’s a kind of political the region, ramped up its intimidanot prosper. action viciously targeting the Chi- TION OF &ILIPINO kSHERFOLK AND BUILT Zhao then echoed President nese leadership,â€? Zhao said. military installations on contested

C

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

islands.

It was during del Rosario’s time as top Philippine diplomat that the country brought China before a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal in 2013 for incursions in the country’s exclusive economic zone within the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The tribunal, based in The Hague, invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim over the waters and recognized TRADITIONAL kSHING RIGHTS OF &ILIPINOS in the Scarborough Shoal, an area where Beijing’s patrol ships are known to have shooed away Philippine kSHERS The Philippines and China have long sparred over the West Philippine Sea, but relations have improved considerably under Duterte, who set aside the 2016 landmark legal victory for enhanced ties.

The President earlier said the group WAS gENTITLED TO kLE THE CASE u

LPG prices up anew

GO VOTE! Zach Castro, Jerry Alcuzar and Erickson Balmes raise their index fingers during the launch on Monday of the Go Vote Movement. PHOTO BY ORVEN VERDOTE

OIL companies have raised the prices OF LIQUEkED PETROLEUM GAS ,0' products. Petron Corp. announced an increase of P1.25 per kilogram for LPG products, which took effect on Monday. AutoLPG prices went up by 70 centavos per liter.

Phoenix Petroleum also jacked up the cost of LPG by P1.25 per kilogram.

Solane raised the cost of its LPG

by P1.14 per kilogram, while Eastern Petroleum jacked up its LPG price by P1.24 per kilogram or P13.64 for an 11-kilogram cylinder, effective on Tuesday.

Prior to the upward adjustment, an 11-kilogram LPG cylinder costs from P608 to P785.

Last month, oil companies increased LPG prices by P2.90 per kilogram. AutoLPG also climbed

by P1.65 per liter.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

Indonesia opens market to PH bananas Binay not aiming for INDONESIA has opened up its market to Philippine bananas as it declared Davao region, Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) “pest free.�

Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lupita, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol made the announcement on Monday at the culmination of the bilateral trade meeting between the Philippines and Indonesia.

,OPEZ SAID )NDONESIAN kRM 0 4 Mayora group, which manufactures and exports instant coffee to the Philippines, would pour in more investment as it expands its operation in the country. “We have taken note in the earlier bilateral meeting the need to improve the Philippine-Indonesia trade arrangements and, therefore, we have

Q Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita.

PHOTO BY GERARD SEGUIA

been discussing how we can improve as well as also minimize the trade gaps that we have, because at the moment the Philippines is ON A TRADE DEkCIT RELATIONSHIP WITH Indonesia,â€? he said. g4HE TRADE DEkCIT IN FAVOR OF )NDOnesia has reached $5.8 billion. In the area of agriculture, Indonesia is exporting to the Philippines $1 billion worth of commodities, especially palm oil and Kopico, but we are only exporting $1 million worth of goods to Indonesia,â€? PiĂąol said. “Today, I raised to the trade minister our almost futile effort to penetrate the Indonesian market for banana. I’m happy that, today, this has been resolved and we could start exporting effective yesterday,â€? he added.

Piùol also raised with Lupita the government’s concern on the huge

volume of palm oil being shipped to the Philippines, which had hurt the local coconut oil industry. “Indonesia and the Philippines agreed to join a technical working group so that we can rationalize our supply and export of palm oil,â€? he said. “We also agreed to form a federation of palm oil producers in this part of the world so that we will be able to counter the negative campaign against palm oil in Europe and other parts of the world,â€? PiĂąol said. “We feel that by joining hands together we will be able to promote the sale of palm oil in other parts of the world, thereby easing up the oversupply of palm oil into the Philippine market and allowing our coconut farmers to enjoy a better price for the produce.â€?

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

House speakership

FORMER vice president Jejomar Binay is not nurturing hopes of becoming the speaker of the House of Representatives, saying the post would go to an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte.  “Suntok sa buwan, eh galing sa admin kung sino man magiging speaker (That’s aiming for the moon. The speaker will come from the administration party),� he told reporters.

Binay, who seeks to represent the first district of Makati at the House, said he would be a “constructive� voice in the legislative chamber.

He will contest the post with Romulo “Kidâ€? PeĂąa Jr.

 The first district seat is occupied by former actor and taekwondo champion Manuel “Monsour� del Rosario 3rd. Del Rosario is running for Makati vice mayor. He is the running mate of Jejomar Erwin “Junjun� Binay.  The former vice president said there were no plans to ally himself with Duterte.  Binay said the administration was right in mounting a nationwide crackdown on illegal drugs, but the process was wrong.  “Totoong may problema sa drugs, pero ang pamamaraan para masugpo hindi,� he said.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

Resigned employee not entitled to separation pay Dear PAO, I resigned from my work on Jan. 2, 2018. I discovered that two months after my resignation, two of my co-workers also resigned and they were given a reasonable amount by the company, which, according to my sources, was a separation pay. I felt that I am being discriminated, so I wrote a demand letter to the company for the payment of my separation pay. May I know if I am entitled to a separation pay?

Jessica Dear Jessica, There is no provision in the Labor Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 442, as amended) that grants separation pay to employees who voluntarily resign.

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA Under the said Code, separation pay may be awarded only when the termination of employment is due to installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, retrenchment, closing or cessation of business operations, disease of an employee and his continued employment is prejudicial to himself or his co-employees, or when an employee is illegally dismissed but reinstatement is no longer feasible (Hanford Philippines Inc. and Victor Te vs Shirley Joseph,

GR 158251, March 31, 2005, Ponente: Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez).

Please be guided also by the decision of the case entitled Del Rio vs DPO Philippines Inc. et al. (GR 211525, Dec. 10, 2018), where the Supreme Court through Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr., stated: g3UFkCE IT TO SAY AN EMPLOYEE who voluntarily resigns from employment is not entitled to separation pay, except when it is stipulated in the employment contract or the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), or it is sanctioned by established employer practice or policy. The cited exceptions do not obtain in this case. As correctly found by the CA (Court of Appeals), there was no

employment contract, much less a CBA, which contained the stipulation that would grant separation pay to resigning employees. Neither was there a company practice or policy that was proven to exist in the instant case. In his attempt to prove that there was a company practice of giving separation pay to resigning employees, petitioner presented the payslips of Martinez and Legaspi showing that they received separation pay after they resigned. We are not convinced. “To be considered a company PRACTICE THE GIVING OF THE BENEkTS should have been done over a long period of time, and must be shown to have been consistent and deliberate. As records would show, the giving of the monetary

BENEkT BY RESPONDENTS IN FAVOR OF Legaspi and Martinez is merely an isolated instance. From the beginning of respondents’ business and up until petitioner’s resignation took effect on Oct. 7, 2009, there was no showing that payments of SUCH BENEkT HAD BEEN MADE BY respondents to their employees who voluntarily resigned. The kRST AND ONLY INSTANCE WHEN SUCH A BENEkT WAS GIVEN TO RESIGNED employees was on or after Nov. 15, 2009 – not because it was a company practice but only to pave the way for Legaspi and Martinez’s graceful exit, so to speak.�

Applying the above-cited decision in your situation, you are not entitled to a separation pay because you resigned. The

payment of separation pay to your former co-workers who resigned after you is not considered as a company policy or practice because the same was not done for a long period of time, and it was not consistent and deliberate.

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 /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF Acosta may be sent to dearpao@ manilatimes.net

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Auditing EU grants to NGOs

I

T is commendable that on account of representations made by the Philippine government, the European Union and the government of Belgium are now moving to audit all the grants they provide to local non–government organizations (NGOs) due to ALLEGATIONS THESE ARE BEING USED TO kNANCE THE ONGOING communist insurgency.

This is an important development that has deep implications for national security, as well as law and order in the COUNTRY )T WILL DEkNITELY HELP THE GOVERNMENT S CURRENT program to terminate the 50-year insurgency.

4HE %5 IS TAPPING AN INDEPENDENT PRIVATE kRM TO AUDIT all grants provided to non-government organizations (NGO) that are alleged fronts for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

The EU delegation in Manila said in a statement: “The EU will now verify and evaluate these documents (eviDENCE SUBMITTED BY 0( GOVERNMENT ! kNANCIAL AUDIT by an external company is due to be conducted in April.�

The Philippine government submitted on March 28 documents and pieces of evidence to EU Programme Manager on Governance Louis Dey and Belgian Ambassador -ICHEL 'OFkN ALONG WITH A REQUEST THAT THE TWO PARTIES immediately cease releasing funds to the suspect NGOs. The EU wants to verify the allegations, as is only proper.

It noted that the NGOs concerned are registered and continue to operate legally in the Philippines.

4HE 0HILIPPINE MILITARY IS CONkDENT ABOUT ITS kNDINGS

which are the product of a long period of investigation and monitoring. “Should the allegations be established, the EU will immediately take full legal action,� the EU delegation said.

For its part, the Belgium Embassy in Manila said it takes the government’s claim seriously; it has started investigating the matter, together with European authorities. “The funding of non-government organizations is subject to strong legal requirements under Belgian law. Should these abuses be established, the Belgian government will not hesitate to stop its support and seek to recover the amounts already disbursed,� the embassy said.

4HE %5 DELEGATION SAID THE %5 HAS IDENTIkED THE #00 and the NPA as terrorist groups; this means no asset can be held in EU by these organizations.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has expressed CONkDENCE IN PROVING THE CASES IT SUBMITTED BEFORE THE EU and Belgium. g7E ARE CONkDENT THAT WE WILL SUCCEED IN PROVING OUR cases,� AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in A STATEMENT ADDING THAT SOON THE lOW OF FUNDS TO THE .'/S SUSPECTED OF PROVIDING kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE communist groups would stop.

The AFP lauded the EU and Belgium for their keen interest in resolving the matter.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon has formally written to the EU to “immediately cease� its funding of communist front groups.

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a retired MILITARY OFkCER TO LEAD A BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL TASK force spearheading the government’s efforts against the insurgency. Allen Capuyan was named executive director of the National Secretariat of the National Task Force to %ND ,OCAL #OMMUNIST !RMED #ONlICT The national task force was created in December 2018 through Executive Order 70.

All these developments signify the government’s new “whole of government� approach to end the insurgency and uproot the causes of rebellion. ~

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 171

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor 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 www.manilatimes.net • e-mail newsdesk@manilatimes.net 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.

Standing up to Ressa’s big ego

T

HE finesse and the dulcet tones of the voice of Rappler’s CEO Maria Ressa cannot mask her big ugly ego.

On Jan. 17, 2019, without providing any evidence at all, Ressa wrote in Time magazine that along with Mocha Uson and RJ Nieto of Thinking Pinoy, I was one of “the government propaganda machine’s three main content creators� (“Facebook, “Let my government target me. Here’s why I still work with them�).

While Uson was given a brief, albeit somewhat condescending biographical introduction, Nieto and I were just identified by our names.

According to Ressa, I “created pseudo-intellectual content for the top 1 percent� of Philippine society. No explanation at all which of my content was “pseudo-intellectual.�

Perhaps throwing shade is Ressa’s idea of being a “real� intellectual. Being someone very adept in the discursive style of the street and the unlearned, I too love throwing shade — the most vicious one where you could be read to filth. But unlike Ressa, I don’t have any pretensions that being shady is already being an “intellectual.� Witty, yes. But intellectual? Not enough.

But Ressa is neither witty nor intellectual.

4HIS IS NOT THE kRST TIME THAT Ressa has tried to reduce me into something she could easily punch with her ego. Without providing any evidence at all, she once declared during the 2017 Global Editors Network (GEN)

FOR THE MOTHERLAND

SASS ROGANDO SASOT summit in Vienna that, along with Uson and Nieto, I was part of a “fake news network.� I tried to avail of the right of reply with GEN, but I was denied. Silly me, why should they give an outsider an opportunity to expose the lies of one of their board members?

I never claimed that everything I write in my blog is for “intellectual� purposes. A lot of them are tongue-in-cheek posts, written in street-style language. But perhaps Ressa was referring to my international relations-related posts, where I do indeed take a more academic tone?

7HY DOES SHE kND IT SO HARD to acknowledge my background?

I have a master’s degree in international relations from Leiden 5NIVERSITY kNISHED magna cum laude, my combined major in world politics and global justice at the international honors college of Leiden University, with courses taken at University of California, Los Angeles.

My bachelor’s degree was an interdisciplinary program in international relations, law and development. And I’m currently teaching international relationsrelated courses in a university in the Netherlands. Perhaps she needs to mute these facts in order for her slant to stand.

A pseudo-intellectual is “a person exhibiting intellectual pretensions that have no basis in sound scholarship.�

Whenever I use more learned language, I publish the output as a column here in the Manila Times. Does Ressa read them?

My political position is wellgrounded on realist and social constructivist thinking traditions in international relations. But how can Ressa judge whether what I have written are pseudointellectual when she has no academic training in international relations (IR) at all? Isn’t she the real pseudo-intellectual here?

In that same Time magazine article, Ressa said that, among other effects, the attacks against “traditional media� had the consequence of letting “China have portions of Philippine territory in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).�

This statement betrays Ressa’s blatant ignorance of what counts as territory in international law, of the history of our country’s position regarding the Spratlys, and which country actually has majority of the “portions� in the South China Sea (SCS), which 2ESSA CLASSIkED AS PART OF 0HILIPpine territory.

First, majority of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is not part of a country’s territory. Only THE kRST NAUTICAL MILES .- from a country’s baseline can be appropriated as territory. Has China appropriated as part of its territory any portion of that 12NM from our country’s western baseline? No. Second, our country is a late participant in the territorial disputes in the SCS. It was Ressa’s hated president Ferdinand Marcos who actually made our country join it. And our country’s

position when we joined the dispute was: “[The] Spratly Island Group falls under the de facto trusteeship of the Allied Powers by virtue [of the] Japanese Peace Treaty signed and concluded in San Francisco on September 8, 1951, whereby Japan renounced all her rights, title and claim to these islands. By virtue of that trusteeship no one may introduce troops on any of these islands without the permission and consent of the allied powers.�

If Ressa has a background in international law, she should know the effect of this position.

And while she’s at it, perhaps she could dazzle us with her real intellectual knowledge of how the intertemporal doctrine of law complicates the disputes.

On July 27, 1971, writing for the Guardian, esteemed war correspondent Jack Foisie noted how “Filipino lawmakers and Manila newspapers� made the “neutrality� of the islands a “patriotic issue� (“Islands of contention�). Perhaps Ressa should indulge us, based on the appropriate IR school of thought, using the language of the unlearned masses, which I often do in my blog, why this discursive change happened?

And third, the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) is the part of SCS that we claim as our territory. Vietnam occupies 21 features in the KIG; China occupies 8; Malaysia occupies 7; and Taiwan occupies 1. Where’s the Rappler hysteria against other foreign powers?

E-mail: srsasot@gmail.com

An awakened China is shaking up the world, but will Europe continue to sleep?

I

N northwestern Beijing, amid universities, parks and museums sits a striking structure, resembling a sundial — the China Millennium Monument, erected a little more than 20 years ago to welcome the arrival of a new millennium.

Inside is a gigantic circular SCULPTURE THAT DEPICTS KEY kGURES from 5,000 years of Chinese history. Interestingly, only two Westerners are included in this vast fresco: the 14 th century Venetian explorer Marco Polo, who entered the service of the Mongol emperor, and the Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, a mathematician and astronomer skilled at predicting eclipses.

3IGNIkCANTLY THESE TWO MEN

honored for their achievements in China, were both Italians.

Early maps showing President Xi Jinping’s proposed new silk road depicted both the overland route and the maritime road from

FRANK CHING China as terminating in Venice.

To Chinese minds, it seemed, Italy was the essence of Europe.

Thus, it was historically meaningful for China and Italy to sign a memorandum of understanding during Xi’s visit last week regarding Italy’s participation in what is now known as the Belt and Road Initiative.

While about a dozen European Union countries, including Greece, Hungary, Poland, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Portugal have signed agreements with Beijing on the Xi initiative, Italy is the most important, politically and economically, to do so.

The Italian move exposes deep

divisions within the European Union. It marks a break in ranks with other major countries, such as Germany and France.

Xi’s visit also offered Italians a glimpse of how China treats the media. The newspaper Il Foglio reported that a Chinese OFkCIAL TRIED TO THREATEN ONE OF its reporters, telling her to “stop saying bad things about China.�

The reporter, Giulia Pompili, responded by laughing and offerING HER HAND 4HE OFkCIAL 9ANG Han, refused to shake her hand.

While the Chinese narrative for the Xi visit dwelt on friendship and cooperation, the Il Foglio incident struck a discordant note.

During his European sojourn, Xi also went to Paris, where he co-hosted a global governance forum with President Emmanuel Macron, which was attended also by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Unlike Italy, France has been more cautious in its dealings with China and has attempted TO FORGE A MORE UNIkED %UROpean front.

Such is China’s economic AND POLITICAL INlUENCE AMONG certain European countries that in 2016, after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled against Beijing in a case brought by the Philippines, the EU was unable to issue a critical statement on China’s actions in the South China Sea because of opposition from Hungary and Greece.

Similarly, in 2017, Greece blocked a statement at the United Nations criticizing China’s human rights record because of the EU requirement for unanimity, which effectively silences Europe’s voice on important

ÂłChing A5

˜ The Manila Times

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TUESDAY April 2, 2019

Q TULFO FROM A1

Is ABS-CBN a drug-free workplace?

As the recent Meralco announcements have shown, Metro Manila, at the very least, will experience power interruptions because of power generation not meeting the needs of communities.

Thankfully, we seem to have a solution in sight.

As one of our country’s special envoys to China, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many people and companies which can help the Philippines.

Of course, one has to be careful about which ones we should be talking to, and that’s part of the job.

One of the corporations that want to do business with the Philippine government is the China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd., based in Hong Kong.

Their offer is an interesting one — they have the technology to solve not one, but three concerns that the Philippines has.

When it comes to waste matter, they have incineration plant designs that can convert waste matter to other useful things.

One of these is power, as the incineration plants also function as power plants.

There is something pleasurable in the thought that what was once our garbage can now be used to power our society.

Even better, these same facilities can also produce cement, which can then be used for our infrastructure.

In one fell swoop, we can miniMIZE THE AREAS USED FOR LANDkLLS Also, these proposed facilities can be made pleasant in terms of their surroundings, so they can be built relatively near populated areas.

There would be no more need for LANDkLLS THAT POISON OUR GROUNDWATER Forget the smell of rotting gar-

bage, too, that can also be accompanied by dangerous gas emissions.

Let’s not even go into how the kRES START IN THESE GARBAGE DUMPS

which are a different matter entirely.

As it stands, the company’s track record says that it has solved about 70 percent of China’s garbage problem.

The technology it uses is based on residual heat power generation, and vertical mills, aside from waste incineration.

Part of their technology package also includes cement product manufacturing and packaging.

In Indonesia, the cement production has slashed prices from $130 per ton to about $60 per ton.

The company gives an assurance that the emissions produced by plants are safe. In fact, they say they have more than met European safety standards.

Now, I know what some of our more skeptical countrymen are thinking: It sounds too good to be true!

My only answer to that is that this is where we should negotiate for a win-win situation.

We should not refuse the offer out of hand without hearing them out. That would be a disservice to our national interest.

What we do need, however, is a proper study and formal negotiations to make sure that not only WILL THE 0HILIPPINES BENEkT FROM their facilities and technologies, but that Chinese businesses will ALSO kND IT IN THEIR INTEREST TO WORK with the Philippines to make the country better.

It is a wrong form of nationalism to hate China just because we have known them by tradition and hearsay to be our enemy.

That’s a leftover from the Cold War,

when the US and its allies created the idea of democracy vs communism.

It’s in our national interest to move away from that thinking, so we can create a new path for our own country, without the interests of the US — which has always been a shadow over our history — lording it over us.

So, when a Chinese company offers us a way to solve some of our pollution and power-generation problems, and includes a cement manufacturing facility to go with it, we don’t dismiss the idea out of hand.

We study it, and make sure that IT BENEkTS ALL PARTIES INVOLVED N N N The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s list of drug users is now the talk of the town.

There is so much to it that I have to divide them into separate topics.

N N N Celebrities doing drugs is practically a given, but what gets my goat is the brazenness to maneuver for special consideration.

For example, Robin Padilla’s plea to leave celebrity drug users unnamed is very telling.

Why should celebrities be given special treatment? They should serve as role models. Their responsibility to the people should be strictly upHELD GIVEN THEIR FAME AND INlUENCE And with the rumors going around town that some of these celebrities are also drug-pushing among their kind, the PNP and PDEA should act swiftly and decisively.

The entertainment world should have no room for drug addicts and pushers.

As for publicly naming them, it would be better if they were named after they had been properly ar-

rested and charged.

Let the world see them in handcuffs.

N N N The managements of the two biggest radio and TV networks, ABS-CBN and GMA, claim they are “drug-free� workplaces. Can you believe that?

9ES THERE ARE REGULAR DRUG TESTS performed on their production CREWS AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFkCES But when it comes to their big stars and their executives, it is hard to believe that they are as clean as they make themselves out to be.

After all, there are rumors swirling that even the highest echelons of ABS-CBN’s ranks have drug pushers among them.

One of the drug addicts at ABS-CBN is a top official who, as rumors go, invites talents and ESTABLISHED CELEBRITIES TO HIS OFkCE where they have drug sessions as a prelude to sex orgies.

In fact, since these people are very, very rich, maintaining a regular drug habit is nothing to them.

And since they hold the keys to the ABS-CBN media kingdom, it’s no surprise that people who aren’t “in the know� never hear about it.

PDEA Chief Aquino said some good points about this, upon hearing of the statements.

He was asking how many among the celebrities tested positive in the past drug tests, who were the contractors for the tests, and how they were done.

These are all very good questions, and they should be answered.

Otherwise, the proper reaction to ABS-CBN and GMA’s statements would be, “Stop pulling our leg!�

Don’t you take the Filipino people for idiots.

Our‘China syndrome’

“T

HE China Syndrome� is a 1979 movie which starred Jack Lemmon, Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas. The title refers TO A kCTIONAL NUCLEAR PLANT MELTdown, where radioactive materials melted through their compartments deep into the earth hitting the groundwater and seriously contaminating the surrounding area, with intensity that was exaggerated to have the potential to “reach all the way to China.�

The story was centered on a TV journalist, her camera man and the plant shift supervisor who battled against the nuclear plant management and the TV network bosses in their quest to expose the nuclear meltdown. The movie was about the right of the public to be informed about serious threats to their welfare, and the risks faced by those who endeavor to expose these.

We are having our own “China syndromeâ€? now, except that we are dealing not with a nuclear meltdown, but with a more direct threat that emanates from China itself. And here, even as the public is entitled to be informed of the risks that our apparent obsequiousness to China brings, those who endeavor to do so are in peril of being labeled as “unpatrioticâ€? by presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo. The tamer word being used is “alarmist,â€? or simply naĂŻve about the realities of international politics.

Panelo did not even hesitate to admit our helplessness in the face of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, and that China is already in control of the area.

Chinese territorial aggressiveNESS IS CONkRMED BY THE 7ESTERN Command of the Philippine

ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS Army. It is reported that around 600 vessels bearing the Chinese lAG HAVE SET ANCHOR AROUND 0AG asa island which is within our national territory.

In another part of the West Philippine Sea, at the Panatag Shoal, incidents of our fishers being harassed by Chinese coast guards continue to be reported.

In November last year, the TV crew of GMA News led by Jun Veneracion was harassed by the Chinese and they were prevented from conducting interviews and FROM kLMING !ND WHILE THE GOVernment registered a protest, the social media noise from some proDuterte bloggers even blamed Jun Veneracion for what was painted as an act of provocation. Others even taunted the news crew as if they deserved the treatment and accused them of having an agenda, considering that the incident happened right before the state visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Apparently, what was lost in the minds of these bashers was that Jun and his crew were only doing their jobs, and Panatag is, at best, a common ground where the Philippines and Filipinos have as much right to engage in activities without interference or asking permission from China.

But apparently, like what the news team in the movie “The China Syndrome� faced, there are things

THAT MAKE IT DIFkCULT EVEN DANGERous, for those who would like to inform the Filipino public about what is going on there. Jun Veneracion was publicly defamed, in the same manner that Neri Colmenares was recently attacked in social media for reporting about the harassment of our fishers. Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who is at the forefront of exposing the violations of our rights by China, is being painted as a troublemaker, and his legal erudition is being diminished and ridiculed.

What is tragic about this are the Filipinos who would rather insult and demean other Filipinos who are critical of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea. It is saddening how people who support the President would rather give China their trust, and accord it the benefit of the doubt, while they slam and shame their fellow Filipinos, even those who are just asking for caution in our relationship with China.

When Justice Carpio exposed the onerous conditions attached to the Chinese loans for the Chico River project, otherwise rational Duterte supporters turned into China apologists and accused him of peddling fake news.

But when it was proven that indeed those provisions exist, they attacked Carpio’s definition of what patrimonial assets are, thereby making it appear that the Justice is ignorant. And when it appeared that Carpio knew what he was talking about, they cited the case of one loan agreement with France that appeared to contain the same onerous provisions waiving our immunity over our patrimonial

assets, thereby claiming that it is actually a standard practice.

They forgot that for a practice to become standard, it has to be the rule and not an exception. Two cases out of dozens of loan agreements do not make a practice standard. They also conveniently forgot that France doesn’t have a record of actually seizing territorial or natural resources of a defaulting debtor country, while China has Sri Lanka as evidence.

This is characteristic of the “China-loving� behavior that is pervasive among many pro-Duterte BLOGGERS AND INlUENCERS EVEN AS they have only unkind words for those who oppose China’s aggression and who appeal for caution in the face of the risks that come with its debt diplomacy.

But the unkindest cut of all is when our very own government feeds these narratives of hate, such as when Panelo labeled Justice Carpio as unpatriotic. It is equally disturbing when officials from GOVERNMENT AFkRM AND SUBMIT TO China’s might either by acknowledging that it has control over the area like the way Panelo phrased it, or by asking us to just give way, like when BFAR National Director EduARDO 'ONGONA ADVISED OUR kSHERS to just forego their livelihood and avoid going to Panatag Shoal.

These are things that paint a meltdown that is worse than a nuclear one. It is a meltdown of our national pride. In exchange for loan monies, we humiliate ourselves as a nation AND ITS SHAMEFUL LEGACY WE INlICT ON future generations. Our very own “China syndrome� could not be more tragic because it is real, and not just a movie.

Opinion

A5

Cutting off the lifeblood of terrorists D FLIPSIDE

ESCRIBING money as the lifeblood of terrorism, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. ,OCSIN *R AFkRMED THE COUNTRY S commitment to combat and CRIMINALIZE THE kNANCING OF TERrorists and their activities at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New 9ORK LAST WEEK Locsin said terrorist financing involves a complex web of ILLICIT lOWS MONEY LAUNDERING

transnational organized crime and occasional remittances from overseas Filipinos; but the challenge is to balance the requirements of counter-terrorism and the needs of our migrant workers as their remittances account for 9.8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

With the Philippines as cosponsor, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2462 (2019) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which requires all States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts and to refrain from providing support to those involved in them.

Under the same resolution, all States shall — in a manner consistent with their obligations under international law — ensure that their laws and regulations make it possible to prosecute and penalize, as serious criminal offenses, the provision or collection of funds, resources and services intended to be used for THE BENEkT OF TERRORIST ORGANIZAtions or individual terrorists. It also calls upon member-states to CONDUCT kNANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS into terrorism-related cases and to more effectively investigate and prosecute cases of terrorist financing, applying criminal sanctions as appropriate.

Locsin pointed out that the Philippines has complied with its obligations under international LAW BY ENACTING LEGISLATION DEkNING TERRORIST kNANCING AS A SEPARATE crime and is currently working on amendments to the Human Security Act to address the exploitation of cyberspace for terrorism.

He also stressed that the country likewise adopted the 2018-2022 National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Strategy.

Noting the symbiotic relationship between terrorism and the illegal drug trade, Locsin said that the Philippines is determined to protect the law-abiding from the lawless. “Our counterterrorism efforts will remain anchored on respect for human rights and the rule of law. And always with this in mind: that A STATE S kRST AND FOREMOST AND overriding responsibility is to protect the law-abiding against the lawless‌It won’t be pretty, but we will get them,â€? he added.

More importantly, the Foreign Secretary cited the need to monitor funds going through nongovernmental organizations.

Locsin’s diplomatic push to engage the international community regarding the illicit kNANCING OF TERRORISM IS TIMELY

ESPECIALLY AFTER MILITARY OFkCIALS disclosed that the European Union (EU) and the Belgian government had unwittingly been funding front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) bolstered by its militia, the New People’s Army (NPA), and its political arm, the National Democratic

ATTY. DODO DULAY Front (NDF).

In 2002, the US and the EU had declared the CPP-NPA as a foreign terrorist organization. According to the “Country Reports on Terrorism� published by the US State Department in 2017, the CPP-NPA “primarily targets Philippine security forces, governMENT OFkCIALS LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE

and businesses that refuse to pay extortion, or revolutionary taxes.�

The report also noted that the CPP-NPA has a history of attacking US interests in the Philippines and “has continued to carry out killings, raids, kidnappings, acts of extortion, and other forms of violence primarily directed against Philippine security forces.� In 2017, President Duterte signed an executive proclamation also declaring the CPP-NPA as a terror organization using for its basis Republic Act 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

While some UN agencies and EU governments may feel good ABOUT SENDING kNANCIAL SUPPORT to community and development projects in the Philippine countryside, they may be indirectly supporting the insurgents’ underground activities.

The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for instance, has CONkRMED THAT THEIR GOVERNMENT has been supporting community work in the Philippines through several civil society organizations. Coincidentally, the organizations supported by the Belgian government, which are operating in rural communities around the country, also appear in the list of front organizations of the CPP-NPA-NDF. “We received information from the Belgian government that they are actually providing funds to these organizations in the Philippines through Belgian NGOs. They are giving three million euros EVERY YEAR FOR kVE YEARS TOTALING 15 million euros. That’s close to P1 billion,� said Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., AFP assistant deputy chief of staff for operations. “But we already have an idea where these funds are going. A list was provided by the Belgians and we realize that these groups are allies and front organizations of the CPP-NPA-NDF,� Parlade added.

To foil the strategies employed by the CCP-NPA-NDF in obtaining international support and financial sustenance, President Duterte established a “wholeof-nation approach� in ending LOCAL COMMUNIST ARMED CONlICT through the creation of a national task force (NTF) that will take the lead in institutionalizing a national peace framework.

This time, the Duterte government will take the offensive in countering the institutional platforms created by the CPPNPA-NDF by coming up with a consolidated blueprint of unvarNISHED FACTS AND kGURES THAT WILL be shared with the public and the international community so they are aware of what is really going on in our communities. By dictating the narrative, the Duterte administration hopes to put an end to the communist insurgency under its own terms.

Q CHING FROM A4

An awakened China is shaking up the world, but will Europe continue to sleep? global issues.

In his 2018 state of the union address, European Commission President Juncker declared: “It is not right that our Union silenced itself at the United Nations Human Rights Council when it came to condemning human rights abuses by China.� The commission, he said, is proposing to amend the rule requiring

UNANIMITY gIN SPECIkC AREAS OF our external relations.�

Such reform will be vital if Europe is to play the role in geopolitical affairs that is appropriate given its history, population and wealth.

Just a week before Xi’s European sojourn, the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, RELEASED A PAPER THAT FOR THE kRST

time called China an “economic competitor� and a “systemic rival promoting alternative models of governance.�

But while there is a clear desire in Brussels to devise a new China strategy, the member states are divided, with some much more interested in cultivating their own relationship with China than in European solidarity.

While the EU courted China during the financial crisis, in recent years there has been a growing fear that Chinese investments in strategic assets posed a threat. China’s intentions were also suspect. In addition to annual EU summit meetings, China also holds annual summits with 16 Central and Eastern European countries — including

11 EU member states — in what is widely seen as an attempt to heighten divisions within the European Union.

Last November, the EU’s parliament, commission and council agreed on a regulation to screen foreign direct investment, a move clearly aimed at China.

Napoleon Bonaparte reportedly said, “Let China sleep, for when she

wakes she will shake the world.�

The Chinese dragon is shaking up the world now. In fact, its roar may even wake up a sleeping Europe, which is in danger of sinking into oblivion, economically prosperous but politically impotent.

Frank.ching@gmail.com Twitter: @FrankChing1

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

COMMENTARY

Thailand’s chairmanship of Asean is an opportunity to secure regional prosperity of several Asean member states.

One of the most dramatic transnational crime challenges faced by the FEW regions have experienced as many Asean Community is that of illicit consecutive years of sustained eco- drugs. The year 2018 was yet another nomic growth as Southeast Asia. And record year for the regional drug market with an average annual gross domestic as it continued to shift from opium and product (GDP) approaching 5 percent, heroin towards synthetic drugs and the economy of the Asean Community methamphetamine. Southeast Asia’s is expanding more than twice as fast drug business is also now impacting as some other parts of the world. This well beyond the immediate region as prosperity has been stimulated by ever the ‘Golden Triangle’ has emerged as deepening economic, political security the main source of supply for surroundand socio-cultural cooperation of coun- ing regions and countries, including tries in the region.

Australia, China, Japan, the Republic of As Thailand has assumed the chair- Korea and New Zealand — all strategic manship of Asean this year under the partners for Asean. Other transnational theme “Advancing Partnership for crimes that continue to confront the 3USTAINABILITY u IT IS TIME TO RElECT REGION INCLUDE TRAFkCKING IN PERSONS

on how this positive path forward the illicit trade in wildlife and timber, can be continued and safeguarded. and challenges to cybersecurity.

But some uncomfortable truths have In some contexts, the crime groups to be acknowledged to succeed in controlling these ‘industries’ pose a real these efforts. In parallel with the threat to the rule of law and stability. impressive economic progress of the This is particularly true of countries that region, transnational organized crime lack adequate resources to respond, networks have ingeniously taken ad- although efforts are being undertaken vantage of reductions in trade barriers to augment capacities. Worryingly, and investments in infrastructure, as THE CHALLENGE IS NOT CONkNED AND WE well as corresponding increases in KNOW THAT TRAFkCKING NETWORKS INVOLVED cross-border movements of people, stretch across the region and even as far goods and capital. as North America.

According to recent estimates of This reality has led Asean to seek THE 5NITED .ATIONS /FkCE ON $RUGS transnational countermeasures and and Crime (UNODC), transnational cooperation with international partorganized crime in the region has been ners. The annual Senior Officials conservatively valued at $100 billion Meeting on Transnational Crime, per year — a value larger than the GDP Ministerial Meeting on Transnational

Jeremy Douglas is the Regional RepreSENTATIVE OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS /FkCE on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for 3OUTHEAST !SIA AND THE 0ACIkC BASED IN Bangkok, Thailand. He can be followed on twitter at @jdouglasSEA Suriya Chindawongse is the Director-General of the Department of Asean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. The Department of Asean Affairs can be followed on twitter at @ ASEAN_THAILAND, and updates on the 2019 Thai chairmanship of Asean can be followed at @ASEAN2019TH

put on hold after environmentalists took steps to protect the environment and the people.

However, when the Duterte administration took charge, the source of funds changed from government and PPP to private investors and foreign loans. !FTER kVE YEARS THE IDEA OF +ALIWA $AM project is presented again at the same time as the water interruption. Why did we stop then if the risks are still the

we’re not sure they could adapt to. Not just that, the environmental diversity of 3IERRA -ADRE WOULD ALSO BE SACRIkCED AND OBLITERATED &INDING AN EFkCIENT solution should not lead to the creation of another problem again.

Then, we could ask ourselves, is it really worth the relocation of the indigenous people, the destruction OF 3IERRA -ADRE THE DANGERS OF lASH lOODS AND THE HUGE DEBT TO #HINA

proposed project are suspicious.

Furthermore, the problem was resolved right away with President Rodrigo Duterte’s single command. It makes us wonder if there was truly a “water shortage.� After Duterte’s command, it only took a day to restore the water supply. This is our concern because if the project goes ahead, years from now, we will be the ones who will pay the “loan,� more likely the unpayable debt that the Philippines borrowed from China. At this point, we want to further know the current status of the project and if this will push ahead despite the debt risk entailed.

Environmentalists also say this project will technically destroy 291 hectares of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges.

same? The P18.7-billion project will be funded by China in the form of a loan.

Eventually, by analyzing the situation, years from now, Filipinos will be the ones to pay for this debt. The question is, “Is water shortage the problem?�

We can see that Angat Dam is not really experiencing a critical water level. If that were the case, why would La Mesa Dam be the only one experiencing it?

The fact is, Angat and Ipo dams, which are the sources of its water, are not suffering from the alleged ‘shortage.’ We got curious when we saw the collated data.

Is it really because of the El NiĂąo, or is it because of the proposal for Kaliwa Dam that would save us from this drought?

Because we know that if they build this dam, there would be many people, most especially the ancestral domains of Dumagat-Remontados tribes who have lived in that place ever since, who would suffer the loss of their livelihood. $ESPITE ALL THE BENEkTS THIS +ALIWA Dam could offer to the people, we cannot ignore the fact that these tribes would lose their homes. They would be relocated to a new environment that

Is the Kaliwa Dam the best project our government can propose? With this kind of perspective, we would be facing not only a water shortage but a bigger mishap in the future.

In our own opinion, Kaliwa Dam IS NOT THE MOST EFkCIENT AND EFFECTIVE solution for this kind of problem. We cannot stand seeing innocent people face, solely, the consequences of this PROPOSED gSOLUTION u 9ES WE ARE FACing a real threat regarding the shortage of water but we think that adopting a solution that will also cause another problem is not a pure solution to the problem itself.

As students and members of our society, we want to further understand if there’s a connection between the proposed project and the water shortage phenomenon. From our viewpoint and based on our research, the water shortage was orchestrated by the government to push the Kaliwa Dam project.

Of all the times they could propose the project, why did that resurface exactly during the crisis? The occurrence of the problem and the resurfacing of the

Is the Kaliwa Dam really the best option to avoid a recurrence of the water shortage?

ACCORDING to our discussions and research, the following statements are facts that must be considered: Manila has two water services, namely Maynilad and Manila Water. Since 1997, Maynilad has been supplying 60 percent of the water needs of Metro Manila residents while 40 percent has been provided by Manila Water. Until 2016, Manila Water and Maynilad had been dependent on Angat Dam. Due to demand growth, Manila Water encountered a problem with its services and its solution was to make La Mesa Dam cover for the shortfall.

With the previous water interruption, statements from agencies are pointing out that water in La Mesa Dam is at a critical level. According to Manila Water, the water shortage was due to El Niùo. However, even if there’s a shortage in La Mesa Dam, 96 percent of the water supplied to Metro Manila comes from Angat Dam. Furthermore, Pag-Asa completely denied that it was El Niùo that caused the water shortage.

If it was El NiĂąo, then all of our water reservoirs would dry up as well.

However, both Angat Dam and Ipo Dam are at normal levels. Only La Mesa Dam was experiencing the critical water level. The water from Angat Dam travels through the bypass and goes to Ipo Dam. The water from Ipo Dam will also travel through the bypass to reach the La Mesa Dam where the aqueduct is located. According to the Manila 7ATER #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER %L .IÄO aggravated it because there’s so little rain nowadays, but he also explained that it could be more of a supply and demand problem. Manila Water added that the aqueducts were not enough to supply the water from Angat and Ipo. They also said that they expected this to happen between of 2021 and 2022.

With the data and research gathered, the private water companies already concluded that water shortage would be inevitable. With this, the governMENT MUST kND A WAY TO PREVENT THE shortage from happening.

In 2014, the Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage Systems (MWSS) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) proposed a plan to ensure water security so that Metro Manila would not be dependent on Angat Dam. The proposal is the Kaliwa Dam project. It was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center. But environmentalists were alarmed because the project would damage 291 hectares in Sierra Madre Mountain ranges and harm the indigenous people, the DumagatRemontados tribes. The project was

crime, designs and supports practical mechanisms to improve cross-border cooperation such as border liaison ofkCES AND PROVIDES ADVICE AND TRAINING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUSTICE OFkCIALS and leaders — it is the right partner for this Asean effort.

Thailand, Asean and the United .ATIONS kRMLY BELIEVE IN THE POTENTIAL of the Asean Community. It is apparent that the continued success of the region will require a much closer alignment of economic and security agendas, and in practical terms this means improving border management standards and cooperation across the diverse Asean Community in the years to come. Thailand stands ready to use its chairmanship to ensure Asean will continue to prosper and grow in a sustainable manner, and the UN is committed to support Thailand in this effort.

#RIME 3ENIOR /FkCIALS -EETING ON Drug Matters and Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters are forums where Asean and partners like the UNODC consider and discuss data, policies and plans to respond to nontraditional security challenges facing the region.

The Thai government recognizes the severity of the transnational organized crime challenge to the overall well-being of Southeast Asia, and has selected border management cooperation as a key political security priority for 2019. Thailand intends to make sure that cross-border trade continues to expand in line with the ambitious integration objectives outlined in the Asean Community Vision 2025, and that it happens securely. Indeed, as the Asean region becomes increasingly integrated and connected, advances will have to be made in border management to safeguard the region.

Thailand, in partnership with Asean, will closely cooperate with its partner UNODC on this endeavor. For the past few years, Thailand and UNODC have convened annual border management conferences to consider ways to connect integration and security plans, and a ministerial conference planned for April 3-4, 2019 in Bangkok will provide kNAL INPUT TO A ROADMAP FOR COMING Asean discussions, ministerial meetings and late year summit. UNODC generates unique information through its research on transnational organized

BY JEREMY DOUGLAS AND SURIYA CHINDAWONGSE

Basically, the Sierra Madre absorbs the strongest of the typhoons and minimizes their intensity by blocking and gradually dissolving them. Putting up the Kaliwa Dam is not the best solution DESPITE ALL THE BENEkTS TO BE GAINED As future working citizens of the Philippines, our lives will also be affected by this project. The money that the Philippines borrowed from China will be paid by us, the future workers. It is questionable because why do we need to pay all these debts if there’s no need to build a new dam for our water supply. It all goes back to the question, “Is there a water shortage?� Is there a need for a new water reservoir? Thinking that Kaliwa Dam is the best solution will not be helpful as of the moment. Despite all those people WHO WILL BENEkT FROM THAT BIG PROJECT

there will also be a lot of people who will be strongly affected negatively by it.

Maria Angelica Nichole C. Foronda Leaizel May B. Lagoc Mika Mari E. Rocamora Wenden D. Santiago

Guns, goons and election-related killings

I

N E V E R thought I would say this, but it is to be admitted that daytime TV comic turned senator Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto can have the odd, rare prescient moment.

One instance occurred back in 2013. Reports of a rampaging shooter in Cavite held the country’s attention. The shooter had killed eight people, including a little girl. Our senators at the time rightly expressed their grief and outrage. There were strident calls for a total gun ban.

Sotto bucked the crowd. He chose to avoid such rash, emotion-fueled thinking. He was far more circumspect. He took the view that a citizenry without guns would be at the mercy of armed criminals. A more effective solution, he sagely advised, lay in the stricter enforcement of anti-drug laws. Three years later and the election of our current president, Sotto’s thinking has been taken to monstrous extremes. And who in the Senate today is talking about gun control?

There was a time when gun control was uppermost in our lawmakers’ minds. In 2010, Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Aquilino Pimentel Jr., and Wigberto Taùada proposed the Citizens’ Protection Act which sought to limit the carrying of firearms to police, military and security personnel. Eighty-nine Catholic bishops backed the bill. Freshly elected President Benigno Aquino 3rd, who was himself a gun enthusiast, gave it a tepid reception. Ordinary gun-carrying citizens were not the problem, he said. According to him, the biggest threat to peace and order were private armed groups. Aquino has a point.

Provincial warlords and dynastic political families have long maintained armed personal, loyal bodyguards, colloquially known as “goons.�

During and especially at election time, these permanently employed goons are supplemented by large numbers of “casuals,� gun-for-hire men who are sent out to intimidate voters, distribute money for votes, take on the goons of rival families, and commit political assassination.

We have become so inured to “election-related violence� that the phrase itself sounds dry and bureaucratic rather than shocking. We shrug off the murders of politiCAL CANDIDATES OFkCIALS LAWYERS AND CIVILIANS UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO GET CAUGHT IN THE CROSS kRE AS CHARACTERISTIC of Philippine elections. We’re hardened all right.

But in 2009, the Maguindanao massacre set the bar to a spectacularly new low. Fifty-eight people, many of whom were women and journalists, were murdered AS THEY JOURNEYED TO kLE THE CERTIkCATE OF CANDIDACY OF Esmael Mangudadatu, a local politician and member of a Muslim political clan of a province in Mindanao.

Goons, armed to the teeth with machine guns, ambushed their traveling convoy. The civilians were sprayed with bullets, and their beheaded, dismembered, bulletriddled bodies hurled into a prepared pit. That episode was so horrifying, so vicious, so brazen, it succeeded in outraging us and the world.

The trouble is, as lawmakers have long been well aware, guns can be had rather easily. Some places thrive IN THE ILLICIT MANUFACTURE OF kREARMS 4AKE $ANAO FOR instance. In this small provincial city north of Cebu, gun-making and gun-dealing are institutionalized industries. Controlled, regulated, taxed, but not totally monopolized by the Durano family, Danao’s gun trade KEEPS EVEN SMALL HOUSEHOLDS kNANCIALLY AlOAT -ENFOLK support their families by making handguns, known as the paltik. Or produce more sophisticated copies of US and European guns, complete with counterfeit markings and nickel or silver plate.

In Danao, fathers teach their sons how to make guns. Women’s household work include delivering the guns to buyers. Teenagers could make easy money by gun dealing. I spoke to Nikki (not her real name), who recalled how her 18-year-old brother would bring guns from Danao to sell in Cebu City.

One time, Nikki said, he took the guns to a man whom he knew had many enemies. The deal was called off, however, after the buyer tried one of the guns and the barrel exploded in his hands. Although made of inferior materials, Danao guns are generally well-regarded enough in the region that the biggest demand for them reportedly comes from the Japanese MAkA THE 9AKUZA Our governments have also shown a remarkable penchant for governing through killing. The economist and columnist Solita Collas-Monsod recently COLLATED THE kGURES FOR THE NUMBERS OF EXTRAJUDICIAL killings (EJKs) that have occurred under the following presidents: Ferdinand Marcos (from 1965 to 1986), 3,257; Corazon Aquino, (from 1986 to June 1988), 556; Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (over a 10-year span), 1,205; Benigno Aquino 3rd, (from July 2010 to September 2015), 294. As Monsod observes, the data shows that over a 30-year period, the total number of recorded EJKs amounts to 5,312. The good news is, the numbers are declining over time. Until now.

In 2010, some of our lawmakers were moved enough to put gun control on the political agenda.

In 2013, following a public outcry, gun control was again debated. Since 2016, many thousands have been murdered in the wake of President Duterte’s anti-drug war. In the run-up to the mid-term elections this May, we are yet again seeing a spate of killings of LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS FROM MAYORS TO COUNCILORS Today, when the numbers of killings have reached unprecedented heights, gun control is a political nonissue. It is dead in the water.

THE LONG VIEW

RACHEL A.G. REYES

rachelagreyes@gmail.com

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Region

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

A7

IS-linked members arrested PNP ALLAYS FEARS JIHADIST GROUP INFILTRATES LUZON

T

BY AL JACINTO AND ROY D. R. NARRA

WO alleged members of an Islamic State (IS)-inspired group belonging to the Northern Jihadist group were arrested in Baggao, Cagayan, while eight others surrendered in Sulu.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde on Monday said brothers Altero and Greg Cariaga were arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Friday in Barangay Dabbac Grande of Baggao.

The operatives also retrieved an ALLEGED )3 lAG FROM 'REG ALONG WITH SEVERAL kREARMS

The Cariaga brothers were allegedly members of the IS-linked group Syuful Khilafa Fi Luzon or Northern Jihadist group that was established in Baggao in 2016.

Albayalde said the group had not committed any hostilities in THE AREA BELIEVING IT WAS JUST A WAY to gain attention from the IS and gain support from other terrorist organizations.

g!PPARENTLY THEY ARE PLEDGING SUPPORT TO THE )3 -AYBE THEY JUST want to be known and get supPORT u HE SAID Albayalde also noted that this WAS THE kRST TIME THEY DETECTED THE presence of an IS-inspired group in the Cordillera region.

"UT HE SAID THE PRESENCE OF AN IS-inspired group outside Mindanao was not a cause for concern. “This is one of the preventive measures that we do together with the Armed Forces of the PhilipPINES u !LBAYALDE SAID Authorities confiscated two REVOLVERS TWO PISTOLS LIVE AMMUNITION AND OTHER GADGETS and bags.

The Cariage brothers and the

seized items were brought to Camp Adduru in Tuguegarao City for proper disposition.

Intensified campaign -ILITARY OFkCIALS ON -ONDAY SAID EIGHT !BU 3AYYAF BANDITS ‡ !DSJAR (ASSAN 3ABDANI *ENYOR $AIHAN -ADJID !RAHAM !BDUL $ELSON !BDUL *ASIM 5PPIH 5MAIR

.URHAJIR !MIROL 0ATTA AND 7ILson Tatting Asid — handed over SIX RIlES AND ONE PISTOL WHEN THEY surrendered over the weekend in Parang town in Sulu. ,T 'EN !RNEL DE LA 6EGA CHIEF OF THE 7ESTERN -INDANAO #OMMAND SAID DOZENS OF MILITANTS and their supporters had yielded

to the military since last year. “The series of capitulations is an offshoot of the no let-up campaign being launched by military troops to quell terror ism in its area of responsibility.

7ITH OUR SUSTAINED OFFENSIVES

we anticipate that more Abu Sayyaf militants will heed the CLAMOR FOR THEM TO GIVE UP

REBUILD THEIR HOPE AND WORK FOR PEACE WITH EVERY 3ULUANON u he said.

De la Vega said the military operations would not stop until the Abu Sayyaf is destroyed as ordered by President Rodrigo $UTERTE g7E WILL SUSTAIN PURsuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf to ensure the safety of the

people on the ground and that peace in their community will BE ACHIEVED SOON u 4HE MILITANTS WHO WERE FOLlowers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leadERS !LHABSY -ISAYA 3IBIH 0ISIH AND !POH -IKE SURRENDERED TO #OL !NTONIO .AFARRETE COMmander of the 1101st Infantry Brigade. The surrender was facilitated by the 2nd Special Forces Battalion. !NOTHER !BU 3AYYAF FIGHTER

-ISAL !BDULWAHID A FOLLOWER OF MILITANT LEADER )DANG 3USUKAN

also yielded to Nafarrete.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding NEARLY A DOZEN HOSTAGES MOSTLY FOREIGN FISHERS KIDNAPPED OFF 3ABAH -ALAYSIA

Zambo Peninsula drivers Go calls on fellow bets to work together after polls test positive for drugs ZAMBOANGA CITY: Some 52 drivers of jeepney, buses, trucks and tricycles in Zamboanga Peninsula were tested positive in the drug test that the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted randomly.    PDEA-Region 9 officer Darmalyn Jamalail said the agency, in a recent regionwide random inspection, found that most of the drivers tested positive for shabu were from Zamboanga City with Pagadian City closely following in second place.   Jamalail told newsmen the alleged erring drivers were among the 695 who took the drug test under “Oplan Harabas,� a pro-

gram PDEA initiated nationwide “to ensure the safety of passengers and personnel of public and private vehicles.�     The licenses of the drivers tested positive for illegal drugs were confiscated, Jumalail said, adding that the erring drivers also “face possible cancellation of their privilege to possess a driver’s permit.�    The PDEA officer said  “urine samples of drivers who were found positive would be forwarded to the central office in Manila for confirmatory testing before the imposition of sanctions.�

ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

45 NPA rebels surrender in Calabarzon region CAMPÂ VICENTE LIM, Laguna: A total of 45 Communist Party of Philippines-New 0EOPLE S !RMY #00 .0! MEMBERS

OF THEM FEMALE AND MEMBERS OF the -ILISYANG "AYAN +ONTAK "ASENG Masa and Organisadong Masa under the Komiting Larangan Girilya Cesar +,'# 3UB 2EGION -ILITARY !REA (SRMA-4A ) surrendered to the Police 2EGIONAL /FkCE #ALABARZON #AVITE

,AGUNA "ATANGAS 2IZAL AND 1UEZON /N &RIDAY OF THEM UNDER +,'# 32-! ! ALL OPERATING IN THE PROVINCES OF ,AGUNA 2IZAL AND 1UEZON SURRENDERED TO 02/ !

Regional Intelligence Division and the military.

Another 12 rebels from General .AKAR 1UEZON SURRENDERED ON -ARCH 30. At about 9 p.m. on the same DAY "RIG 'EN %DWARD #ARRANZA

0OLICE 2EGIONAL /FkCE #ALABARZON REGIONAL DIRECTOR SAID THE SURRENDERERS were tribal chieftains and members OF 3AMAHANG $UMAGAT AN ETHNIC group based in the mountainous RANGE OF ,AGUNA 2IZAL AND 1UEZON THAT THE .0! INkLTRATED AND UTILIZED as advance post in the mountains.

Their peaceful surrender was made possible through several meetings and dialogue in cooperation with the chieftain or punong tribo of their respective areas in support of the government program. !LL THE SURRENDERERS THEIR DOCUMENTS FIREARMS AMMUNITION AND explosives are now under the custody of the Regional Special Operations

5NIT ! FOR DOCUMENTATION AND safekeeping. #ARRANZA SAID THE INITIAL DEBRIEkNG revealed that most of the surrenderers were utilized to monitor the presence and activities of the government forces in their locality. They also served as ESCORT GUIDE RUNNER AND THEIR HOMES were used as safe houses of the CPPNPA terrorists in case of emergencies.

Most of them were part-time guerrilla kGHTERS AND PART TIME FARMERS 4HEY played the dual role of military pro tector and political enforcer in their respective barangay (villages). “Ka #YRUS u ONE OF THE SURRENDERERS revealed that in 2009 they assaulted 0ANUKULAN 0OLICE 3TATION IN 1UEZON They were also involved in an ambush of Special Action Force troops in Antipolo City that left four dead and kVE CAPTURED INCLUDING TWO WOUNDED personnel.

Ka Cyrus was a former NPA plaTOON LEADER (E SAID THAT IN HE had an intimate relationship with a CERTAIN +A 3OPHIA FROM 50 $ILIMAN WHO GAVE BIRTH IN BUT DID NOT return.

PRO 4A was coordinating with the Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of 3OCIAL 7ELFARE AND $EVELOPMENT FOR the surrendered rebels to undergo processing to avail assistance under the Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

ROSELLE R. AQUINO AND BELLY M. OTORDOZ

Nationinbriefs MAGNITUDE 5.4 QUAKE ROCKS DINAGAT ISLAND A MAGNITUDE 5.4 earthquake was recorded 49 kilometers northeast-east of Loreto, Dinagat Islands on Monday at about 10:16 a.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The quake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 30 kilometers. Phivolcs said aftershocks were expected. No damage was expected, but intensities were felt in nearby areas, like Intensity 4 in Silago, Southern Leyte; Intensity 3 in Surigao City; San Jose, Dinagat Islands; Limasawa, San Francisco, San Juan, Hinunangan and Maasin City, Southern Leyte; Tacloban City; Ormoc City, Palo, Hilongos, Bato, Hindang, Babatngon, Javier, MacArthur, Tanauan, Matalom, Abuyog, Isabel, Capoocan, and Dagami, Leyte; and Lawaan, Samar.

DIVINA JOY DELA CRUZ

1 KILLED, 3 INJURED IN TRIC YCLE, BIKE COLLISION IN IFUGAO LAMUT, Ifugao: A 27-year-old police officer died while three others, including a retired police officer, were injured when a motorcycle and a tricycle collided along the national road in Barangay Lawig. The fatality was identified as Patrolman Jose Nipahoy Heppog, of Umilag, Lamut, Ifugao. The injured were Jesslee Pugong Tuguinay, 23, a cadet of the

SORSOGON CITY: Senate aspirant #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu Go called on fellow candidates to work together after the midterm elections for country’s development.

'O OF THE ADMINISTRATION PARTY FACES OFF WITH GOVERNment’s critics and Otso Diretso Senate bets Romulo Macalintal and former solicitor general Florin Hilbay on Sunday at the residence in this city of last TERMER 3ENATOR &RANCIS g#HIZu Escudero who is running for governor of Sorsogon.

'O JOINED -ACALINTAL AND Hilbay in a dining table where Senate contenders from two opposing camps exchanged pleasantries in a rare occasion hosted by Escudero.

Asked about his insight on the meeting with opposition CANDIDATES 'O SAID IT WAS NOTHing personal as he urged them to work together for the develOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY WHOEVER wins after the election. g4HEY CAN HELP WE CAN HELP

SO WE MUST JOIN TOGETHER AND m ove f o r wa r d t o s e r ve t h e country. This is the reason why PEOPLE ELECT US u 'O SAID During a media briefing Go said he had no ambition to run FOR PRESIDENT IN REITERATing that he was not a politician and would remain as all around utility man. He said that for THE NEXT THREE YEARS HE WOULD continue to help President Rodrigo Duterte in whatever way he could to propel the country’s development.

He also assured the people of Sorsogon that he would be the conduit of the people

Q Senate candidate Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go was endorsed by Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero during the campaign rally in Sorsogon. PHOTO BY RHAYDZ B. BARCIA to the national government.

He said the province would BENEFIT FROM THE g"UILD "UILD

"UILDu PROJECTS AND ADDRESS THE 50 years insurgency problem in the region. “I would serve as bridge in bringing the people closer to GOVERNMENT u HE ADDED The former special assistant to the President added that he wanted the Malasakit Centers to

be institutionalized so that even after Duterte’s term it would serve the public as a one-stopshop facility for indigent people seeking medical care.

Currently there are 34 MalaSAKIT #ENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

with the recent center put up at Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City.

Go said he would also put up

a Malasakit Center in Sorsogon.

Go was among the Senate bets INVITED BY %SCUDERO TO JOIN HIS proclamation rally in Sorsogon ON 3UNDAY ALONG WITH REELECtionist Senators Joseph Victor g*6u %JERCITO #YNTHIA 6ILLAR

*UAN %DGARDO !NGARA 0AULO "ENIGNO g"AMu !QUINO TH

-AKALINTAL AND (ILBAY AMONG others.

RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

Lanao Sur LGUs warned on drug council non-compliance MARAWI CITY: The newly created Ministry of Local Government of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MLGBARMM) warned local chief executives in Lanao del Sur who have not YET SUBMITTED JUSTIkCATION FOR THEIR non-compliant and poor performance of the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (Madac).

MLG-BARMM Minister Naguib 3INARIMBO SAID IN A MEMO TO LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVES THAT BASED ON THE result of the Madac performance audit the DILG’s Anti-Drug Abuse #OUNCIL 0ROJECT -ANAGEMENT /FkCE CONDUCTED LAST YEAR LOCAL government units in Lanao del Sur including the provincial local government unit were rated as non-

Philippine National Police Academy from Panopdopan, Lamut, who was back riding with Heppog; Henry Cauilan Dulin, a retired police officer who was driving the tricycle, and his back rider, Duff Puguon Dulnuan, 34, an overseas Filipino worker and a resident of Poblacion East, Lamut, Ifugao. Investigation showed that tricycle driven by Dulin was about to turn to the left side of the road towards his house when it collided with the motorcycle driven by Heppog coming from the opposite direction.

Dulin died at the Veterans Regional Memorial Hospital in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya where he was brought, along with the other victims.

DEX TER A. SEE

BULACAN MARKS 231ST ‘BALAGTAS DAY’ MalacaĂąang has declared April 2 a special non-working day in the province of Bulacan as province celebrates the 231st birth anniversary of the prominent Filipino poet and orator Francisco “Balagtasâ€? Baltazar who was born on April 2, 1788 in Barangay Panginay, Balagtas which used to be known as Bigaa town. Proclamation 701 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said, “it is but fitting and proper that the people of the Province of Bulacan be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.â€? Baltazar, also known by his nickname “Kiko,â€? was also considered one of the greatest Filipino literary laureates for his impact on Filipino Literature, including the famous poem “Florante at Lauraâ€? he wrote in 1838. He

compliant or poor performers.

-ACMILLAN ,UCMAN FORMER ,Anao del Sur DILG-ARMM and now -,' "!2-- PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR

told The Manila Times that all municipal chief executives in the PROVINCE HAD SUBMITTED THEIR JUS TIkCATIONS EXCEPT THE MUNICIPALITIES OF "ALABAGAN "UBONG +APAI

,UMBA "AYABAO -ASIU -ULUNDO

0AGAYAWAN 4UBARAN AND 0ICONG He said they were still waiting for the provincial government and the town of Ditsaan Ramain to SUBMIT JUSTIkCATION ,OCAL OFkCIALS WERE GIVEN UNTIL 3 p.m. on Monday to submit their JUSTIkCATION OR FACE ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES ,UCMAN ADDED MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

was named “Prinsipe ng Manunulang Tagalog� and considered as the “William Shakespeare of the Philippines.� A Mass will be celebrated in Balagtas to be followed by a wreath laying at the monument of Baltazar in front of the municipal hall in honor of the great poet.

FREDERICK SILVERIO

ANTIPOLO EXPECTS OVER 4M HOLY WEEK PILGRIMS THE city government of Antipolo has laid out plans for devotees and tourists expected to flock the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, a popular pilgrimage destination in the city during the Lenten season.

Around four to five million pilgrims and tourists join the alay-lakad (penitential walk) on Maundy Thursday of every year. “We want to ensure safety and security, not only for AntipoleĂąos but also for devotees and guests who are expected to visit our city during the Holy Week. We know that every year millions of devotees come to Antipolo to join our Holy Week observance, so we urge everyone to maintain the cleanliness of our city,â€? Mayor Casimiro “Junâ€? Ynares 3rd said. He said more public and medical assistance booths, traffic enforces would be deployed along the route to prevent safety and congestion. Meanwhile, Antipolo City Police Office will increase police visibility while the Office of Public Safety and Security will provide alternative traffic scheme for motorists.

GABRIELA G. BARON

News Erap no-show in covenant signing A8

˜ The Manila Times

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

M

ANILA City Mayor Joseph “Erap� Estrada was a “no-show� in Monday’s signing of a peace covenant for local candidates of Manila organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to ensure a peaceful, honest, credible and orderly elections.

Of the three popular mayoral candidates, only former Manila mayor Alfredo “Fred� Lim made it on time during the actual signing of the covenant held at the Manila Cathedral, while former vice mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno�

Domagoso arrived late at the event.

Estrada, on the otherhand, was represented by his spokesman Atty.

Ericson Alcovendaz, who is also the city administrator of Manila.

City Hall’s media coordinator Bambi Purisima explained that Estrada was in caucus from 5 p.m. on Sunday to 2 a.m. on Monday, thus failed to make it to the covenant

signing at 9 a.m. “You know you can accuse Mayor Erap of anything, such as womanizer, among others, but you can’t accuse him of electioncheating and election violence,� he said., Estrada narrowly beat Lim in the 2016 mayoralty election by a mere 2,000 votes.

Lim claimed that he would have won in 2016 if the Estrada camp had not tinkered with the election results. ,IM EXPRESSED CONkDENCE THAT this time around he would emerge victorious based on a platform of HONEST GOVERNANCE AND EFkCIENT

and fast service, among others.

Domagoso, for his part, vowed to raise the level of campaign and discourse by running a platform-

based campaign, saying that at stake in the coming polls was the future of every ManileĂąo. “We are one with the Comelec

in running a free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible election.

We c o m m i t to run a

clean, fair and honest campaign,� he added. “We will raise the level of campaign discourse in the elections.�

Q Former vice mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso signs the Integrity Pledge at the Manila Cathedral.

PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

Court upholds Napoles conviction THE Sandiganbayan’s First Division has denied Janet Lim Napoles’ plea to reconsider her conviction of plunder in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

The court stood pat in its decision convicting Napoles, sentencing her to 40 years of imprisonment.

In December last year, the Sandiganbayan acquitted former senator Ramon “Bong� Revilla Jr., but convicted Napoles and Revilla’s former staff, Richard Cambe.

Napoles had argued that with Revilla’s acquittal, there was no main plunderer, but this was rejected by the court. “While the court did not find sufficient evidence for the pronouncement

of guilt on the part of [former Sen. Ramon “Bong�] Revilla [Jr.], there is overwhelming evidence presented to show that his co-accused, [Richard] Cambe, who [was] a government official together with accused-movant Janet Lim Napoles are the main plunderers in this case,� it said. “It is clear that in the act of amassing and accumulation of ill-gotten wealth, Cambe did not act alone. He had a private individual, accused-movant Napoles, who not just aided him, but was one in his design to amass and accumulate ill-gotten wealth and performed the necessary acts to fulfill the evil design of plunder,� the court added.

REINA C. TOLENTINO

Calixto defends switching of posts PASAY City Pasay Rep. Imelda Calixto Rubiano on Monday shrugged off criticisms on her switching post with her brother, Mayor Antonino Calixto, saying it would not breed contempt.

Rubiano is running for Pasay mayor, while her brother is aspiring to get her a seat at the House of Representatives. “I don’t think what we’re doing [breeds contempt]. We are running for election, we’re not claiming anything for ourselves. Democracy will prevail. That’s why we have elections,� she told reporters.

Two other Calixtos — Antonio’s son Mark and his nephew Joey — will be running as councilors.

Rubiano is running against Cesar “Chet� Cuneta, brother of actress Sharon Cuneta, former Manila chief prosecutor Edward Togonon and two other local bets.

All mayoral candidates are running on anti-crime and drug platforms, but Rubiano said she stood out for being the only candidate from Pasay. “They are not from Pasay and I can vouch for that. The people were impressed with our service, which appeared evident in the most recent surveys,� she said.

Calixto joined President Rodrigo Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan last year.

Cuneta was endorsed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as Hugpong ng Pagbabago’s standardbearer in the city.

Cuneta and Togonon were lagging behind Calixto in the mayoral race, based on the latest Social Weather Stations survey.

Calixto got a decisive 81-percent preference rate, while Cuneta got 14 percent and Togonon got 3 percent.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

Q BILL FROM A1

from Angat Dam, Metro Manila’s main water source.

However, the company was forced to tap its reserves from La Mesa Dam TO MAKE UP FOR THE SUPPLY DEkCIT AS demand increased to about 1,750 MLD over the previous weeks.

The one-time bill relief scheme will cost P150 million.

As of Monday, water availability in the Manila Water area was at 98.9 percent for eight to 12 hours at the GROUND lOOR LEVEL To boost water supply, the Angat Dam water allocation for irrigation has been reduced from 40 cbm per second to 35 cbm per second.

National Water Resources Board Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said the cut in the allocation would not affect farmland operations.

Water needed for irrigation goes down ahead of the harvest in May, he said. Angat Dam irrigates farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

David said the Angat Dam water level, at 193 meters, was normal.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE AND FRANCIS EARL CUETO

44 Metro The villages include Addition Hills, Barangka Drive, Plainview, Highway Hills and Hulo in Mandaluyong City; Kapitolyo, Bagong Ilog and Oranbo in Pasig City; Upper Bicutan in Taguig City; and Mambog in Binangonan, Rizal.

4HE kRST CUBIC METERS CBM for households in villages supplied with water from other reservoirs in March will be deducted from bills delivered in April.

The firm came under fire as customers of the East Zone concession — from low-income families to commercial and industrial establishments — suffered from an unprecedented water shortage that started on March 6 with the implementation of a scheduled water SERVICE INTERRUPTION SCHEME TO REkLL 28 network reservoirs.

Manila Water has an allocation of

MILLION LITERS PER DAY -,$

PSEi 7,840.31 DOWN 1.02%

P52.50 TO $1

www.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY APRIL 2, 2019 ASIAN STOCKS: V S h a n g h a i 2 . 5 8 %

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GOVT GETS UPGRADE, O&M PROPOSAL FOR SIARGAO AIRPORT BusinessB2

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World Bank lowers PH growth forecasts

BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

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HE World Bank on Monday trimmed its 2019 Philippine growth forecast — to 6.4 percent from 6.5 percent previously — given budget approval delays, an ongoing El Niùo and a global slowdown.

Estimates for 2020 and 2021 were also trimmed to 6.5 percent from 6.6 percent, the MULTILATERAL kNANCIAL INSTITUTION SAID IN ITS LATEST Philippines Economic Update. “While external risks remain high, domestic risks are intensifying due to the delay in the approval of 2019 budget and the looming drought,� World Bank Senior Economist Rong 1IAN SAID IN A BRIEkNG

“Under a reenacted budget, no new project or program will receive funding as budget allocations are based on the appropriations made in the previous year’s budget,� she noted. “The limited public spending may negatively impact the growth prospect for 2019. But it is expected to recover in the second half of 2019 assuming that the budget gets approved.�

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Dire straits for PH Stock market Manufacturing PMI hits 7-month low maritime sector drops on O PH growth ROUGH TRADE downgrade THE stock market retreated on Monday, bucking a regional rally, as investor sentiment was said to have been dampened by the World Bank’s lowering of its Philippine growth forecasts.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell by 1.02 percent or 80.62 points to close at 7,840.31 while the wider All Shares declined by 0.82 percent or POINTS TO kNISH AT

Fidelity Securities Inc. trader

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MANUFACTURING growth hit a seven-month low in March with a key indicator falling for a fourth straight month, an IHS Markit/Nikkei survey found.

Survey results released on Monday showed the seasonally adjusted Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) at 51.5 from 51.9 in February that, while described as “signaling a

modest improvement to operating conditions�, was also tagged as indicating “weaker growth at Filipino manufacturers�.

The PMI is a composite index that represents the weighted average of new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery time and stocks.

Readings above 50 signal an expansion while those below indicate a

contraction. “Slowing output growth and a comparably modest rise in new business hampered manufacturers in March, with the PMI sliding for the fourth month running,� IHS Markit economist David Owen said. “Port congestion at Manila continues to increase lead times

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Gig workers have tax obligations too DELOITTE. ON THE DOT I MENCHIE MARZAN-MARCOS

MET up with a group of friends recently to catch up and shoot the breeze. At that gathering, the companion of my friend talked about how happy he is with his current work arrangement as a

freelancer. He can manage his own time and he only pays 15 percent tax on his professional fees.

As a tax practitioner, I instinctively asked him if he files his

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N Sunday, this newspaper’s editorial sounded the alarm over the grave risk that the Philippines may lose its position of preeminence as a supplier of manpower to the world’s shipping industry. But the warning it offered was not nearly strong enough.

The clearest sign that the Philippines’ maritime labor sector is in trouble, as the editorial explained, was the steep, 25-percent drop in the number of seafarers deployed in 2018. Nearly 112,000 fewer seafarers were deployed last year than in 2017, reducing the workforce to 337,502 according TO OFkCIAL STATISTICS m THE kRST TIME

BEN KRITZ

in years the number has gone below 400,000.

As maritime workers contribute about $5.8 billion in annual remittances, the sharply lower deployment numbers represent a potential economic loss of up to $1.5 billion, or a bit less than half a percent of the gross domestic product ( GDP).

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˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

Govt gets upgrade, O&M proposal for Siargao airport T

BY LISBET K. ESMAEL

HE government has received an unsolicited offer from a company to develop and run THE 3IARGAO AIRPORT AN OFkCIAL FROM THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

Manuel Tamayo, undersecretary for aviation at the DOTr, said last week that Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions, Inc. (PAGSS) had submitted a proposal

in February for the operation and maintenance (O&M) and upgrade of the regional air hub in Siargao, Surigao del Norte. “It’s still being evaluated by the

CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines),� he said when asked for more details of the proposal. He said there was also a proposal to build a new airport in Siargao that would be “centrally located� away from terrain features.

Last year, the DOTr bared a plan to relocate the Siargao Airport or Sayak Airport to the center of northern Siargao island. “The bigger argument for Siargao was the potential for tourism. So that

if we will use the old airport, it might limit the potential of the place for tourism,� Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in September.

Siargao was one of locations THAT BENEkTED FROM THE SIX MONTH closure of Boracay, the Department of Tourism (DOT) earlier said. DOT Caraga Region Director Ma. Ana Nuguid said in January that tourism arrivals in Siargao surged by 50.7 percent to 195,562 travellers last year.

Palay price Trade hub plans for Tawi-Tawi pushed still down in 3rd week of March

BY CARMELA I. HUELAR

THE farmgate price of palay continued to decline in the third week of March at P18.98 PER KILOGRAM SIGNIkCANTLY LOWER from its week- and year-ago levels, the government reported on Monday.

In its latest price monitoring report, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the average farmgate price of palay further dropped by 0.26 percent compared to the previous week’s P19.03 per kilo.

Likewise, it fell by 6.96 percent from P20.40 per kilo in the same period in 2018.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol has said the buying price of palay could fall to as low as P18 per kilo when the harvest season peaks and the additional rice imports of the National Food Authority arrive.

On a weekly basis, prices of regular and well-milled rice at both wholesale and retail trades also dropped in the third week of March.

The PSA said the average wholesale price of well-milled rice fell by 0.37 percent to P40.66 per kilo from previous week’s P40.81. At retail trade, the price went down by 0.20 percent to P44.33 per kilo from P44.42.

Similarly, the average wholesale price of regular milled rice dropped by 0.35 percent to P37.18 per kilo from week-ago’s P37.31. Its equivalent retail price was P40.30 per kilo, a 0.25-percent drop from P40.40 a week ago.

On the other hand, rice prices increased year on year, except for the wholesale price of well-milled rice which fell by 0.12 percent. Its price at the retail trade went up by 2.10 percent from last year’s P43.42 per kilo.

For regular milled rice, the average wholesale and retail price from year-ago levels increased by 0.16 percent and 1.54 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, the farm gate prices of white corn grain grew 1.14 percent to P15.13 per kilo week-on-week but fell by 13.10 percent from P17.14 in the same period last year.

On a weekly basis, prices of yellow corn grain dropped by 0.07 percent to P13.83 per kilo.

Prices were also lower by 2.81 percent year on year.

The average wholesale price of yellow corn grain was P18.50 per kilo, 7.27 percent lower drop from last year’s P19.95. Its retail price, however, climbed by 1.05 percent to P24 per kilo.

On the other hand, the wholesale prices of white corn grain rose by 8.47 percent to P22.16 per kilo year on year while prices at retail trade fell by 4.01 percent to P28.72 per kilo.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

DEVELOPING Tawi-Tawi’s full potential and taking advantage of its strategic location in the map of maritime business will position the Philippines firmly as an important transshipment hub and open a lot of economic opportunities for the country.

This is according to Datu Mohd Kudhar Sultan Kiram, chairman of the Sultanate of Sulu Corporation Ltd., a Hong Kong-registered company and a major partner and investor to the proposed development of Tawi-Tawi as a center of commerce in the region.

A prominent member of the Sulu Royal Family and appointed court administrator of the Interstate Estate of Sultan Hajdi Mohd Julaspi Kiram Ibni Almarhum Sultan Hadji Mohd Jamahlul Kiram, Datu Kudhar was present during last week’s groundbreaking ceremony for the project.

With him in the event were Chinese investors and the chief executive officer of his company, Dato Seri Radzlan B. Abu Bakar who facilitated the visit to TawiTawi of the businessmen from China.

The group of investors will also have a separate press conference this month in Hong Kong to announce more plans for the project.

Q Left most: Dato Radzlan Abu Bakar - CEO of Sultanate of Sulu Corp., fourth from left, Senator Koko Pimentel, fifth from the right, ex-Gov. Sadikul Sahali, fourth from the right, Francis Tolentino, 3rd from right, Dato Mohd Khudar Sultan Kiram - Chairman of Sultanate of Sulu Corp., righmost: Congresswoman Sahali.

The initial investments will focus on building port infrastructures and modernizing the outlying areas, Datu Kudhar said. Advanced facilities will be built to pave the way for a seamless logistics center, he added. “A modern transshipment hub should mean we can offer a world class port facilities and infrastructure – a faster turnaround time for all ships that want to make use of such facilities,� he pointed out. “Singapore and Hong Kong are the most expensive hubs, but only because they offer the fastest turnaround time for ships. For an owner, the longer these vessels stay at the port, the more expensive it is for them,� he said.

“When ships come [to Tawi-Tawi], business will boom and all the other provinces will develop at a faster pace,�

Datu Kudhar said. He said the project is Mindanao’s support for the Build, Build, Build program of the government.

Tawi-Tawi is bounded by the Sulu and Celebes seas, which are the busy lanes for international merchant vessels that pass the area regularly. An estimated 52,000 cargo vessels and other ships use these sealanes every year.

Leading the proponents for the project is Tawi-Tawi ex-governor Hadji Sadikul Adalla Sahali and his son Nurjay Sahali who helped facilitate the initial talks with the Chinese investors.

4.0: Industry, workforce and humanity MANAGING I FOR SOCIETY F Rip Van Winkle were to wake up today after 40 years of sleep, he’d think that he was living in a WORLD OF SCIENCE kCTION (E WOULD see people using wireless communication devices like those used BY #APTAIN +IRK OF THE 3TARlEET Enterprise. He would see people conversing with machines in small cylinders, (i.e. Amazon’s Alexa) like Anakin to C3P0 in Star Wars.

For some time now, there has been a growing concern in the workforce landscape as Industry 4.0 opens the future to more intelligent machines especially in the manufacturing and service industries.

These disruptive changes driven by technology are changing business models and impacting jobs, ranging FROM SIGNIkCANT JOB CREATION TO JOB displacement, and from heightened demand for productivity to widening skills gaps. The 2016 World Economic Forum reports that in many industries and countries, the most in-demand jobs or specialties did not exist 10 or even 5 years ago, and this pace is accelerating. By one popular estimate, 65 percent of children entering primary school today will ultimately be working in a job that doesn’t exist yet.

In his book, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2016), historian Yuval Noah Harari predicts that just as Industry 2.0 (mass production) created the working class, Industry 4.0 (AI revolution) will create a new “unworking� class, or what he calls “the rise of the useless class�. These are people working in jobs which have become redundant due to advances in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, cognitive programming/ algorithms, big data/data analytics and what IBM calls the 4 I’s of Industry 4.0 (instrumented, interconnected, inclusive, and intelligence). While there are some jobs that will not be affected by this (for instance, there is only a 0.7 percent likelihood that archeologists would be displaced by algorithms by 2033), the great

ARNEL ONESIMO UY majority of Workforce 3.0 (computer literate) will not have the same fate. Oxford researchers Carl Frey and Michael Osborne (2013) surveyed the likelihood of professions that will be taken over by computer algorithms by 2033, and they estimate that 47 percent of US jobs today are at risk. Topping their list are telemarketers (BPO agents) and insurance underwriters with 99 percent probability.

While 2033 might be a distant future, a Deloitte study foresees that in the next 18 to 24 months, more companies will embrace the emerging no-collar workforce trend by redesigning jobs and reimagining how work is done in a hybrid human-and-machine environment. This is referring to the use of bots and virtual workers to collaborate in work.

Developed countries may easily welcome these disruptive changes in the workplace by replacing more costly (and inefficient) human workforce, but developing countries, like the Philippines, may take a longer time to embrace these advancements due to limited resources.

Pressures will mount for developing countries to address the resulting unemployment for their workforce engaged in physically demanding and repetitive jobs. For the Philippines, these are the call center agents and unskilled workforce.

There is no doubt that workforce 4.0 is coming, if it is not here now.

In a precipitously evolving work setting, the ability to anticipate and prepare for future skills requirements, job content and the aggregate effect is increasingly critical for governments, business and individuals to fully grab the opportunities as well as mitigate undesirable outcomes. Retooling the current work force is impera-

tive. Lifelong learning skills must be emphasized to make them agile and relevant to Industry 4.0.

Redesigning the education system to prepare the next generation workforce with relevant abilities and skills is a must. The World Economic Forum, for instance, MENTIONED CORE SKILLS m ABILITIES (cognitive and physical abilities), basic skills (content and process skills) and cross-functional skills (social, resource management, systems and technical skills). /N THE lIP SIDE OF THE )NDUStry 4.0, we are given glimpses, if not a taste of how machines and technology can make life easier.

Drones can now deliver packages and to-go food. Because we can work from home (virtual), we AVOID TRAFkC 4HESE REALITIES FREE up an important and valuable RESOURCE m TIME 7E CAN USE THIS time to help us regain our humanity and become more human or we can use this time to transform ourselves to become more like machines. Personally, I choose the former and evolve into humanity 5.0. Paradoxically, as machines begin to learn, think and behave more as humans, humans today PURSUE EXPEDIENCY AND EFkCIENCY and become more robot-like.

In the end, humans were created not only to conquer the world but also to give it meaning. Harari said it succinctly: “What will happen to society, politics and daily life when non-conscious but highly intelligent algorithms know us better than we know ourselves?�.

Arnel Onesimo O. Uy is a full professor in the Accountancy Department of the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business at De La Salle University, where he currently serves as the Vice Chancellor for Administration. For comments or reactions, he may be reached at arnel.uy@dlsu.edu.ph. The views expressed above are the author’s AND DO NOT NECESSARILY RElECT THE OFkCIAL POSITION OF $,35 ITS FACulty and its administrators.

Products made successful by repurposing strategy O BEYOND

NCE a product has reached its full sales potentials, it can go to a slow decline caused primarily by a much better competitor that offers the best quality, sells at low cost and delivers on time and in style. What would YOU DO IF YOUR lAGSHIP PRODUCT or service starts losing its sales revenue power?

There are many answers. For one, we can learn from the case of a Taiwanese pharmaceutical company that produced a pill that promised young mothers more breast milk for their babies. g!T kRST SALES WERE OUTSTANDING u writes leading Sinologist Harro von Senger in “The 36 Stratagems for Business� (2004).

Professor von Senger, a Swiss academic and one of the mostread researchers on China-related studies says the pill was a huge success until “living conditions (of Taiwanese mothers) improved, (and they) found that they had quite enough milk without the pill, and improved education enabled more mothers to use powdered milk instead.

Sales of the pill stagnated and even threatened to dry up. Thereupon, the pharmaceutical company imbued its pill, which was already dead, with a new ‘soul’� “It claimed that the same pill would help women develop ample well-formed breasts. Thus, where the pill had previously appealed only to young mothers, it now enthused all the young ladies of Taiwan. Therefore, without changing the pill at all, the pharmaceutical company had rescued it from commercial failure.�

From a mother’s milk to her ample-size breasts. How do businessmen duplicate this strategy if a product has lost its relevance to its intended customers?

Let’s review our business history to tell us how some famous products were developed successfully after a series of failures. How many were repurposed for other uses like the 3M Post-It Notes which came about as a result of a wrong experiment? Instead of creating a super glue, its scientist, Dr. Spencer Silver, mistakenly came up with a “low-tack� reusable adhesive that leaves no residue.

In terms of failed experiments, no one could beat the oft-repeated case of Thomas Edison, known for his positive attitude about his 10,000 unsuccessful tests that led to his discovery of the incandescent electric light bulb. Edison was an exemplar for perseverance when he took it positively and said: “I’ve not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.�

Another case worth mentioning is WD-40, a brand name for “Water Displacement.� Its manufacturer was lucky not to have waited for its 10,000 experiments. The result represents the 40th experiment by Rocket Chemical Company to create an all-around degreaser and rust protection solvent for the aerospace industry.

Today, the product is being used in many factories and households. Can you imagine if the company stopped the experiment after its 39th attempt?

But what’s remarkable is the

BUZZWORDS

REY ELBO fact that many successful products today are results of failed experiments, sometimes called “repurposed� experiments. Engineers Marc Chavannes and Al Fielding, in their desire to create a new type of trendy wallpaper, came up with what’s known today as bubble wrap. Instead of declaring it a total failure, the bubble wrap was marketed as a building and housing insulation, until IBM used it as safe packaging material for its computer for delivery to customers.

Now, what makes scientists, inventors and successful entrepreneurs proceed with their failed creations, no matter how hard they tried? What is pushing them to persevere? There’s not one single reason. But let me hazard a guess: Many of these scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs have a reputation to protect. Many of them want to conquer many things. There’s no such thing as Plan B at least in their minds. If there’s Plan B, it must be called Plan A for a different purpose or product.

Very recently in 2018, there’s one experimental cancer drug that has been repurposed as potential cure for Parkinson’s disease. “Researchers at Oxford University have managed to give second life to an experimental cancer drug known as tasquinimod, which has now shown promise in preventing Parkinson’s,� according to a report by Michael Irving in New Atlas. “Tasquinimod emerged as a promising drug in fighting solid tumors, with most research focusing on using it to treat prostate cancer. The drug made it through to phase three clinical trials, but unfortunately it didn’t seem to extend overall survival rates in patients, and after those disappointing results development was discontinued for prostate cancer treatment,� the report said. “But the work wasn’t for nothING m THE CLINICAL TRIALS SO FAR HAVE shown that tasquinimod is well tolerated by the body, and it could still potentially help treat other illnesses, such as Parkinson’s disease,� it added.

But that’s not all. The so-called infamous “little blue pill� known for its brand name Viagra was kRST INTENDED TO TREAT HYPERTENsion and angina, until it became apparent in clinical trials that it also induced penile erection.

What did we learn out of these repurposed experiments? Failure in one is success in another. And if there’s one idea that we could learn from Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln, it’s none other than this principle: “Success is going from failure to failure without losing one’s enthusiasm.�

Rey Elbo is a business consultant specializing in human resources and total quality management as a fused specialty. Send feedback to elbonomics@gmail.com or via https://reyelbo.consulting

tive, demand from abroad dipped.

Employment fell slightly with kRMS CITING RESIGNATIONS AS A KEY factor. and reduce raw material supply, “On the price front, Filipino and will likely harm exports if manufacturers recorded a solid rise the problem is not contained. in output charges in March,� IHS However, managers will be pleased Markit/Nikkei said. with reports of even softer price “However, the rate of increase was pressures, which should boost still weaker than on average last year.

PROkT MARGINS u HE ADDED Firms that raised fees related this to g/VERALL FOR THE kRST QUARTER THE higher costs. Firms that raised fees PMI points to weaker growth in related this to higher costs,� they manufacturing production com- added. pared to the end of 2018, with Business sentiment about the employment trends also remaining future, meanwhile, dropped to a subdued.�

RECORD LOW IN -ARCH AND MORE kRMS Output expansion was said to were said to have doubts about outhave notably dropped in March and put growth this year. while new order growth stayed posiANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

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Manufacturing

Corporate News

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Aboitiz seeks SEC nod forP5-B bond issuance ABOITIZ Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) is seeking the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a planned P5-billion fixed-rate bond issuance.

The bonds — the first tranche of the firm’s P30-billion shelf registration program — will have a base size of P3 billion and an oversubscription allotment of up to P2 billion. It will be listed on the Philippine Dealing Exchange within the first half of the year.

Proceeds will be used for the refinancing plan of the medium-term loan of wholly owned subsidiary AEV International Pte. Ltd. BDO Capital and Investment Corp. and First Metro Investment Corp. are the joint issue managers, bookrunners and lead underwriters for the transaction.

Last December, AEV announced that it would spend P60 billion in 2019 to fund several projects, the bulk of which for those of its power units and the rest for its other subsidiaries.

These include the Aboitiz group’s

flagship project, the P12.6-billion Apo Agua bulk water project in Davao City. This project aims to deliver 300 million liters of potable water to the city’s residents daily.

Construction began last November, with commercial operations targeted in 2021.

The company also eyed more projects for its food and power businesses in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar.

AEV’s consolidated net income rose by 3 percent to P22.2 billion last year from P21.6 billion in 2017. Its power business contributed 73 percent of the amount, followed by financial services at 16 percent, food at 7 percent, property at 3 percent and infrastructure at 1 percent.

Consolidated net profit for the first quarter, however, declined by 14 percent to P4.9 billion from P5.7 billion in the same period last year.

Shares of AEV rose by 85 centavos or 1.44 percent to finish at P59.80 each on Monday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Indon firm to invest $80M in coffee facility AN INDONESIAN company will invest $80 million in a coffee manufacturing and processing facility in THE 0HILIPPINES IN THE NEXT kVE YEARS

the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Monday.

In a statement, the Trade department said a memorandum of understanding with consumer products kRM 04 -AYORA WAS SIGNED DURING a meeting between Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Indonesian Trade Minister Enggertiasto Lukita and Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Sinyo Harry Sarundajang in Manila on Monday.

The facility is expected to initially employ 200 people, and may hire up TO WORKERS IN kVE YEARS Details on the plant’s location, land area and revenue targets were not disclosed.

PT Mayora also committed to purchase 1,000 metric tons of desic-

cated coconut from Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines.

The Indonesian company produces biscuits, candies, water, chocolate, cereal, coffee, instant noodles and beverages.

Also during the meeting, Lopez raised trade and investment concerns TO THE )NDONESIAN OFkCIALS 4HE DEpartment also asked Lukita to look into pharmaceutical goods and packaged snacks as possible export goods. “Both sides emphasized the importance of opening up each other’s markets while highlighting the decadeslong relations between Indonesia and the Philippines, especially on creating A MUTUALLY BENEkCIAL TRADE AND INVESTment partnership,� DTI said.

4HE OFkCIALS ALSO AGREED TO CREATE a technical working group to tackle issues on the non-tariff measures, seen to be affecting both markets.

TYRONE C. PIAD

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

7,840.31

-80.62

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4,824.13

-40.04

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1,729.71

-33

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11,729.21

8.86

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7,691.99

-44.38

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Services

1,580.44

-27.9

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Mining and Oil

7,666.60

-264.18

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Property

4,081.70

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BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

M

ELCO Resorts and Entertainment Philippines Corp. reported on Monday that net revenues decreased to $612.9 million last year. )N A REGULATORY kLING THE LISTED resort and casino operator said the amount was a 6-percent dip from $649.3 million in 2017.

Adjusted property earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (ebitda) rose by 14.5 percent to $269.2 million in 2018 from $235 million the year before.

ALL SHARES

Total non-gaming revenues STOOD lAT AT MILLION FROM $116.3 million year-on-year.

For the fourth quarter alone, Melco saw a 7-percent drop in revenues to $155.2 million from $167.5 million in the same period last year.

Ebitda grew by 26 percent to

$67.9 million in October-to-December from $53.8 million a year earlier on the back of the improved performance of the company’s gaming segments.

Rolling chip volume declined to $2.4 billion from $2.9 billion, while mass market table games drop increased to $197.3 million from $189.2 million. Mass market table games stood at 31.4 percent, compared with 30.9 percent yearon-year.

Melco runs the City of Dreams Manila integrated resort, hotel and casino, which is expected to be delisted from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) in June

AFTER ITS PUBLIC lOAT FELL BELOW THE mandated ownership.

Under PSE rules, a company is automatically removed from the ROSTER OF PUBLIC kRMS IF IT FAILS TO meet the 10-percent mandated public float six months upon crossing of the tendered shares.

Melco had intended to voluntarily delist from PSE last year, but later withdrew the plan over issues on the tender offer price.

But MCO Philippines Investments Ltd., the firm’s majority shareholder, pushed through with the offer and bought back 96 percent of Melco’s total outstanding stock, or 5.5 billion shares.

Travellers targets 3,900 hotel rooms TRAVELLERS International Hotel Group Inc. aims to book 3,900 hotel rooms by the end of the year.

In a copy of its presentation to investors posted on its website, Travellers said it hoped to be the largest integrated resort operator in the country with the most hotel offerings once it hit the target.

Travellers was scheduled to complete within the first half of 2019 the third phase of its expansion of Newport City, called the Grand Wing. The Grand Wing has a 128,000-square meter (sqm) gross floor area, of which

SERVICES

Stock indices as of April 1, 2019

PSEi

B3

Melco 2018 revenues down 6% to $613M

HOLDING FIRMS

Index

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

MINING AND OIL

14,000 sqm are alloted for gaming. Completed last December, the gaming space offers 63 tables and 588 slot machines. Also, 3,200 sqm were allocated as retail spaces.

There are three luxury hotels in The Grand Wing: Hilton Manila, with 357 rooms and which opened last year; Sheraton Manila, with 390 rooms and which had a soft launch in January; and Hotel Okura Manila, with 191 rooms that are yet to open.

Travellers operates Resorts World Manila and also owns other hotel brands. These include the Marriott Hotel;

Maxims; Holiday Inn Express, formerly known as Remington Hotel; Savoy; and Belmont Hotel.

Travellers saw its net income in 2018 soar by 414 percent to P1.44 billion last year from P279.8 million in 2017 on the back of higher revenues from gaming and non-gaming operations.

Net revenues increased by 10.6 percent to P20.6 billion in 2018 from P18.6 billion yearon-year.

Travellers shares were down by 1 centavo or 0.18 percent to finish at P5.63 each on Monday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

TOP ACTIVE STOCKS No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Security Name Ayala Land, Inc. BDO Unibank, Inc. SM Investments Corporation Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company SM Prime Holdings, Inc. International Container Terminal Services, Inc. GT Capital Holdings, Inc. Universal Robina Corporation

Last Price Chg 45 0.1 130 -3.8 925 -9 77.3 -2.6 39.05 -0.85 128.9 -1.8 915 -16.5 152.3 0.3

9 10 11 12

0HWUR 3DFLÂżF ,QYHVWPHQWV &RUSRUDWLRQ Jollibee Foods Corporation Ayala Corporation Wilcon Depot, Inc.

4.71 315 930 15.48

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

PXP Energy Corporation Alliance Global Group, Inc. Manila Electric Company PLDT Inc. Megawide Construction Corp.

Philippine National Bank Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation Megaworld Corporation

9.96 15.66 385 1,105.00 21.75 56.8 47.9 5.73

%Chg 0.22% -2.84% -0.96% -3.25% -2.13% -1.38% -1.77% 0.20%

Ÿ ź ź ź ź ź ź Ÿ

Volume 17,106,900.00 2,206,740.00 249,330.00 2,907,040.00 5,393,400.00 1,601,170.00 217,330.00 988,100.00

Value(P) 769,517,710.00 289,511,551.00 230,910,615.00 225,417,978.50 210,937,750.00 206,831,684.00 198,434,810.00 150,173,596.00

-0.14 -2.89% -2 -0.63% -10 -1.06% 0 0%

Ĺş Ĺş Ĺş

29,455,000.00 436,040.00 129,060.00 6,482,200.00

139,206,460.00 136,790,566.00 119,954,720.00 100,463,458.00

-2.32 -0.5 5 -45 0.25 -0.2 -1.5 -0.07

ź ź Ÿ ź Ÿ ź ź ź

9,999,100.00 5,983,300 243,600 82,710 4,011,600 1,391,770 1,495,100 12,059,500

98,889,868.00 93,832,466.00 93,354,950.00 91,730,685.00 87,569,595.00 79,085,145.00 72,056,900.00 69,250,716.00

-18.89% -3.09% 1.32% -3.91% 1.16% -0.35% -3.04% -1.21%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Apr 1, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 Mar 28, 2019 Mar 27, 2019 Mar 26, 2019 Mar 25, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Mar 21, 2019 Mar 20, 2019 Mar 19, 2019 Mar 18, 2019 Mar 15, 2019 Mar 14, 2019 Mar 13, 2019 Mar 12, 2019 Mar 11, 2019 Mar 8, 2019 Mar 7, 2019 Mar 6, 2019 Mar 5, 2019 Mar 4, 2019 Mar 1, 2019 Feb 28, 2019 Feb 27, 2019 Feb 26, 2019 Feb 22, 2019 Feb 21, 2019 Feb 20, 2019 Feb 19, 2019 Feb 18, 2019

Open 7,923 7,891 7,898 7,916 7,875 7,994 7,957 7,876 7,848 7,864 7,795 7,748 7,742 7,726 7,728 7,815 7,869 7,807 7,675 7,700 7,632 7,712 7,920 7,962 7,996 7,940 7,947 7,849 7,923 7,925

High 7,924 7,921 7,898 7,916 7,911 7,994 8,032 7,955 7,876 7,879 7,873 7,798 7,764 7,766 7,774 7,824 7,884 7,882 7,821 7,735 7,698 7,754 7,920 7,973 7,996 7,962 7,947 7,945 7,939 7,964

Low 7,810 7,887 7,856 7,841 7,869 7,808 7,951 7,869 7,824 7,843 7,761 7,702 7,719 7,725 7,728 7,709 7,797 7,795 7,675 7,667 7,596 7,588 7,705 7,878 7,945 7,895 7,893 7,848 7,831 7,911

Close 7,840 7,921 7,876 7,861 7,907 7,863 8,013 7,955 7,858 7,843 7,873 7,798 7,750 7,766 7,748 7,709 7,797 7,882 7,821 7,671 7,675 7,642 7,705 7,889 7,988 7,962 7,931 7,939 7,834 7,911

CLOSE

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Security Name SOCResources, Inc. PTFC Redevelopment Corporation 3DFLÂżFD ,QF Lorenzo Shipping Corporation Bright Kindle Resources & Investments Inc. Anglo Philippine Holdings Corporation Leisure And Resorts World Corporation Warrants Swift Foods, Inc. - Convertible Preferred Suntrust Home Developers, Inc. D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Incorporated Max’s Group, Inc. SSI Group, Inc. Marcventures Holdings, Inc. Century Properties Group Inc. Manila Water Company, Inc. Top Frontier Investment Holdings, Inc. Atok-Big Wedge Company, Inc. “Aâ€?

Petroenergy Resources Corporation DoubleDragon Properties Corp.

Boulevard Holdings, Inc.

Volume 20,465,000.00 1,550.00 109,000,000.00 1,044,000.00 113,000.00 5,116,000.00 153,000.00 7,000.00 366,000.00 4,284,400.00 4,773,600.00 9,647,000.00 102,000.00 17,734,000.00 1,200,800.00 2,400.00 4,000.00 190,000.00 1,510,000.00 39,580,000.00

Value 23,701,610.00 84,080.00 4,633,300.00 998,190.00 151,300.00 4,277,700.00 292,200.00 12,510.00 275,570.00 51,874,076.00 67,412,490.00 23,439,610.00 111,680.00 9,615,330.00 28,621,700.00 642,356.00 50,138.00 800,840.00 35,401,810.00 2,682,760.00

Last Price 1.2 59 0.044 0.98 1.38 0.85 1.93 1.78 0.78 12.06 14.34 2.46 1.1 0.55 23.9 270 12.96 4.28 23.5 0.069

Chg 0.15 5.5 0.004 0.05 0.07 0.04 0.08 0.07 0.03 0.46 0.54 0.09 0.04 0.02 0.85 9 0.4 0.13 0.7 0.002

%Chg 14.29% 10.28% 10.00% 5.38% 5.34% 4.94% 4.32% 4.09% 4.00% 3.97% 3.91% 3.80% 3.77% 3.77% 3.69% 3.45% 3.18% 3.13% 3.07% 2.99%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP LOSERS

HIGH

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Security Name PXP Energy Corporation Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation ISM Communications Corporation Chemical Industries of the Philippines Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp.

Benguet Corporation “B�

3DFLÂżF 2QOLQH 6\VWHPV &RUSRUDWLRQ Geograce Resources Philippines, Inc. Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. Vulcan Industrial & Mining Phinma Petroleum and Geothermal, Inc. SBS Philippines Corporation Abra Mining & Industrial Corporation Apollo Global Capital, Inc. TKC Metals Corporation PLDT Inc. Victorias Milling Company, Inc. Lodestar Investment Holdings Corporation ABS-CBN Corporation ATN Holdings, Inc. “Aâ€?

*amounts in peso except for volume, %chg

Volume 9,999,100.00 67,625,000.00 13,108,000.00 9,260.00 2,948,700.00 6,000.00 334,000.00 16,470,000.00 4,690,000.00 6,015,000.00 86,000.00 1,000.00 26,000,000.00 10,000,000.00 991,000.00 82,710.00 37,000.00 1,220,000.00 599,500.00 7,495,000.00

Value Last Price Chg 98,889,868.00 9.96 -2.32 63,958,460.00 0.91 -0.1 64,260,955.00 4.81 -0.45 1,018,600.00 110 -8.9 15,869,088.00 5.3 -0.38 7,970.00 1.35 -0.09 1,486,240.00 4.57 -0.28 4,370,850.00 0.265 -0.015 7,536,010.00 1.6 -0.09 6,435,760.00 1.1 -0.06 259,820.00 3.02 -0.16 8,510.00 8.51 -0.44 52,000.00 0.002 -0.0001 421,000.00 0.042 -0.002 971,980.00 0.97 -0.04 91,730,685.00 1,105.00 -45 92,500.00 2.5 -0.1 637,140.00 0.53 -0.02 11,947,029.00 19.92 -0.73 10,450,060.00 1.38 -0.05

%Chg -18.89% -9.90% -8.56% -7.49% -6.69% -6.25% -5.77% -5.36% -5.33% -5.17% -5.03% -4.92% -4.76% -4.55% -3.96% -3.91% -3.85% -3.64% -3.54% -3.50%

Foreign Business Saudi Aramco ‘made Japan business confidence $224B profit’ last year drops in April: BoJ survey T B4

˜ The Manila Times

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

which has an abundance of cash lOW AND LOW DEBT TO kNANCE THE SABIC deal mainly through its free CASH lOW “Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil producer by volume, the only oil producer in Saudi Arabia (outside of the neutral zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), and the custodian of the kingdom’s vast reserves,� Fitch said. “Its 2018 liquids production and its total hydrocarbon production averaged 11.6 million and 13.6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, respectively, well ahead of the upstream output of global and regional integrated producers,� such as Abu Dhabi ADNOC, Royal Dutch Shell, France’s Total and Britain’s BP, the agency said.

Aramco estimates its proven oil reserves at 227 billion barrels and its total hydrocarbon reserves at 257 billion barrels of oil equivalent, which implies a reserve life of 52 years — a comfortable level by international standards, Fitch said.

Fitch expects that Aramco’s debt will rise from around $15 billion currently to around $35 billion by 2021.

The agency said the acquisition of SABIC, the world’s fourth largest chemical producer, “fits into the company’s vertical integration strategy,� and helps diversify earnings while having a limited impact on Saudi Aramco’s leverage. AFP

TOKYO: At the Tokyo offices of a major calendar maker, executives and employees clustered around a television broke into applause as the country’s next imperial era name was announced: Reiwa.

While the Gregorian calendar is in common use in Japan, the country’s imperial era system is also widely used and the announcement has been closely watched.

And for Kunio Kowaguchi, president of the Todan calendar and diary manufacturer, the announcement was more than just symbolic: It kickstarts a frantic period churning out new products bearing the “Reiwa� name.

About 30 members of the company gathered around a television at the firm’s Tokyo offices when Chief Cabinet Secretary

Yoshihide Suga held up the traditional calligraphy revealing the new name. “I like it, it’s very good,� Kowaguchi told AFP, pointing out that not many Japanese words begin with an ‘r’ sound. “Reiwa sounds modern but when you see the characters, it’s solemn,� he added.

The government has not yet issued the official translation of the name’s meaning, but it combines the characters “Rei� which can have meanings related to “order� but also “auspicious�, and “Wa� meaning “peace� or “harmony�.

As soon as the two-character name was announced, a Todan designer rushed to her computer to start preparing new layouts for products bearing “gengo� or imperial

era dates.

Another employee started consulting digital dictionaries to determine the order in which the strokes of the two characters should be written.

That information was then passed on to a calligrapher who began carefully painting out the two characters as Kowaguchi and others looked on.

The wet ink was hurriedly dried first with a traditional fan and then with a hair dryer to allow the characters to be scanned as quickly as possible.

The new era name has arrived too late for Todan’s rollout of 2019 calendars but the company immediately started work on 2020 products, as well as a special produc-

tion of 800 desktop calendars that will run from May 2019 to March 2020.

For the year 2020, “we are talking about production plans for 50 kinds of calendars with gengo,� Kowaguchi told AFP. “Plus the special edition for the first year of the new era.�

Japan is the only country in the world still using Chinese-style imperial calendars, and many people still remember historic events by the era year they occurred rather than the corresponding Gregorian date.

So it wasn’t just calendar makers firing up the printing presses on Monday, with Japan’s newspapers quickly issuing special editions that prompted stampedes in parts of central Tokyo.

AFP

DUBAI: Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, posted $224 billion in earnings before tax last year, Fitch Ratings said Monday, as the secretive giant opens its accounts FOR THE kRST TIME &ITCH ASSIGNED !RAMCO ITS kRST ever credit rating — a stable A+ — as the state oil giant prepares to sell BONDS TO HELP kNANCE THE PURCHASE of a majority stake in Saudi petrochemicals behemoth SABIC. The huge deal gives Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious reform programme aimed at diversifying the economy a massive cash boost.

On Thursday Aramco said it was buying a 70-percent stake in SABIC for $69.1 billion, effectively merging the kingdom’s two largest companies.

As a result it has opened up its ACCOUNTS FOR THE kRST TIME SINCE ITS nationalisation more than 40 years ago, granting access to international ratings agencies Fitch and Moody’s.

Fitch gave an A+ credit rating to Aramco because a large portion of the company’s earnings are taken by the Saudi government, which depends on it for around 70 percent of its projected state revenues of $260 billion.

Based on its finances, massive hydrocarbon reserves and low production cost, its stand-alone rating would have been a top AA+ on an equal footing with international oil companies.

Fitch said it expected Aramco,

Q GROWTH FROM B1

g)F %L .IÄO CAUSES HIGHER INlAtion, that will affect the poorest population the most again this year.�

Export growth, meanwhile, will also likely remain weak given external risks such as the US-China trade war, policy changes in advanced economies and tightening GLOBAL kNANCIAL CONDITIONS Despite the lower forecasts, World Bank officials expessed confidence in the Philippines’ prospects. “The country’s growth outlook

remains positive,� World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand Mara K. Warwick said in a statement. “Higher private consumption due to lower inflation, steady growth of remittances, and election spending will fuel growth this year. Growth in public investment WILL BE TEMPERED IN THE kRST HALF of 2019 but is expected to recover in the second half of the year,� she added.

Key priorities for sustaining growth, Qian said, include pru-

DENTLY MANAGING kSCAL AND CURRENT account balances and preserving CONSUMER AND BUSINESS CONkDENCE “As government ramps up spending to implement its inclusive growth agenda, it would need complementary reforms to increase revenue and ensure that THE COUNTRY S kNANCES ARE SOUND and sustainable,� she said. “In particular�, Qian noted, “additional tax policy measures which are expected to be passed in 2018 have yet to be adopted in the Congress.�

“The passing of these measures will help ensure that the government is able to limit deficit increase while continuing its ambitious infrastructure and human capital program.�

Over the long term, the World Bank report cited the need to increase investments in human capital, particularly in terms of health, nutrition, education and skills, to achieve inclusive growth.

Gabriel Demombynes, program leader for human development for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and

Thailand, noted that one in every three children under age 5 in the Philippines was stunted. “The Philippines needs to address the high rates of malnutrition among children, improve learning, and the quality of healthcare, to unleash the full productive potential of Filipinos,� he said. “The country needs to focus on these challenges while undertaking reforms for improving the country’s capacity to create more highpaying jobs and speed up poverty reduction,� he added.

The second reason is that there is a widespread perception, which apparently has some basis in fact, that Philippine training and skills have eroded to near or below miniThere are three primary reasons mum standards of acceptability. for the erosion of Philippine domiAs of now, the country is at serinance in the maritime sector, only ous risk of losing its accreditation one of which the editorial discussed by the European Maritime Safety at length. First, Filipino seafarers Agency (EMSA) over deficiencies have become uncompetitively ex- noted by a safety audit last year. The pensive. Compared to Indonesian Maritime Industry Authority (Macrew, for example, wages for Filipi- rina) has given public assurances nos are 20 to 40 percent higher, and that the necessary documentation are expected to become even more of a compliance plan was handed costly as new laws requiring their over to EMSA ahead of an October manning agencies to remit social 31 deadline to do so, and that the SECURITY BENEkTS ON THEIR BEHALF IDENTIFIED DEFICIENCIES m SOME OF come into effect. The editorial which have not been solved since also pointed out that Filipinos’ THE 0HILIPPINES kRST FAILED AN %-3! penchant for being litigious when AUDIT BACK IN m HAVE ALL BEEN it comes to labor disputes is driv- adequately addressed. ing up manning costs. Shipping To bolster its claim, Marina took companies are increasingly look- pains to highlight the re-release of ing for less expensive alternatives two circulars by the International as a result, such as India, whose Maritime Organization (IMO) deployment of seafarers jumped Sub-committee on Human Ele35 percent in 2018. ment, Training and Watchkeeping

(HTW), which showed the Philippines included in the “white list� of countries compliant with the 1978 STCW (standards of trainING CERTIkCATION AND WATCHKEEPING #ONVENTION 4HAT CONkRMAtion, however, may be completely meaningless. The two circulars in question are dated 2016 and 2017, and have only been reposted as preparation for an important upcoming meeting of the IMOHTW on April 29 to May 3, which among things will update the “white list.� Department of TransPORTATION AND -ARINA OFkCIALS WILL be in attendance to make their case for the Philippines’ remaining on the list, and have publicly expressed confidence; many industry stakeholders and observers, however, are deeply concerned the outcome may be unfavorable.

The handicaps of high labor costs and standards that may be a bit questionable might not be so serious if the overall market was not so tight. The only maritime

sub-sector enjoying real growth at the moment is the cruise business, which is expanding at a furious pace. According to various sources, there are currently orders for about 70 new cruise ships on builders’ books, and at least 100 new ships are expected to be launched over the next 10 years. By contrast, the cargo shipping sector is growing only modestly, if at all. By all appearances, there are still plenty of maritime jobs to be had, but for the most part, these only represent the normal labor churn of the industry; not many new jobs are actually being added.

The Philippine maritime sector’s woes are the unfortunate but entirely predictable result of arrogance and complacency. Filipinos have a bad habit of believing their own press; validation of their worth in some area encourages them to rest on their laurels. To save itself, the maritime sector ought to take a few cues from the business process outsourcing

(BPO) sector, which suffered the same problem in recent years but is well on its way to overcoming it. Once BPOs realized that their business was being eroded by aggressive competitors from elsewhere, they stopped counting on some intangibly special traits of Filipinos (which, in the broad scheme of things, they really don’t have anyway) as a marketing hook, and did the only things businesses who need to survive and aspire to thrive can do: Raise their stanDARDS kND WAYS TO CREATE DEMAND by expanding their competencies, and developing new markets with innovative products and solutions.

Getting to number one in anything requires maximum effort and total commitment; staying number one requires even more.

Once the maritime industry and concerned government agencies understand that, they might accomplish something.

Q DOWNGRADE FROM B1

percentage tax at 3 percent or valueadded tax of 12 percent, as the case may be. These are just some of the tax obligations freelancers have to remember to stay compliant. income tax return while claiming Deloitte’s annual survey on the 15 percent tax withheld from human capital trends indicates a him. He said, no. His understand- growing interest among workers ing is that the 15 percent tax is the and organizations to participate only tax applicable to him. So, I in the gig economy or a social CONDUCTED A MINI TAX BRIEkNG TO enterprise. A gig economy thrives tell him that as a Filipino citizen, on the use of social network and he is still subject to a regular pro- data analytics to measure trends gressive income tax rate of 0 to 35 and to set up business strategies, percent and the applicable tax rate hiring freelance, gig/contingent depends on his income level. workers and crowds. It is no longer I reminded him that he needs based on regular employment and TO kLE HIS INCOME TAX RETURN ON OR it doesn’t follow structural hierarbefore April 15 to report his income chies but rather thrives on social subject to the progressive tax rate of networks and agile teams that are 0 to 35 percent and claim the 15 constantly changing and moving. percent tax withheld by his client Some of the challenges organias a tax credit from his total income zations face in the gig economy is tax due. For freelancers, the income the lack of a shared culture and the tax payments (quarterly and annual DIFkCULTY OF TRACKING WORKERS 'IG reporting) are on top of other re- workers are not in the HR dataquirements such as registration with base but rather in the contractor’s local government and payment of database. As such, they are not

covered by performance appraisals and standard career progressions.

There is also the legal aspect of hiring these gig workers that must be considered. For example, the way contracts and actual work are structured may pose the risk of these gig workers being considered regular employees with statutory entitlements under the labor code, such as participation in social security, RETIREMENT BENEkTS ETC In the local setting, we are seeing more and more Filipinos working from home for foreign companies that function as contractors. In these arrangements, the payment for services rendered usually go from the contractor’s foreign bank account directly to the freelancer’s Philippine bank account. In some instances, foreign companies hire individuals situated in the Philippines via a holding company somewhere in the !SIA 0ACIkC !0!# REGION AND THEN require these individuals to travel around the region. These employment or travel arrangements could

trigger tax filing requirements in other APAC countries. Hence, these Filipino employees or freelancers have more complex tax arrangements to consider, such as double taxation, tax treaty relief, foreign tax credit claims, or potential permanent establishment issues of foreign companies. Keeping track of these employees and gig workers around the globe is another challenge faced by organizations.

Since gig workers do not have the typical employer-employee relationship with their contractors, they have no social security contributions, retirement payments AND LEAVE BENEkTS 4HEY ARE ALSO responsible for their own tax compliance requirements. As such, gig workers should consider these costs when they estimate their professional fees. They should also make plans for retirement, for investment and for insurance TO COVER THE BENEkTS THEY DON T receive from their clients.

Lastly, gig workers, just like the

rest of us, may want to one day buy their own house or apartment or maybe a car. In those instances, they WILL NEED kNANCING FROM BANKS !N income tax return is needed as proof of their income capacity.

I didn’t expect to conduct a mini tax seminar during my dinner out with friends, but I don’t regret the conversation, and I hope my friend’s COMPANION BENEkTED FROM IT 7ITH April 15 fast approaching, I hope ALL GIG WORKERS WILL REMEMBER TO kLE their income tax returns before they “unplug� for Holy Week or for their summer vacations.

/+9/ #ONkDENCE AMONG *APAN S BIGGEST manufacturers fell sharply this quarter, the "ANK OF *APAN S QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY showed Monday, suggesting a stuttering recovery FOR THE WORLD S THIRD LARGEST ECONOMY The central bank’s April Tankan report — a quarterly survey of about 10,000 companies — showed a reading of 12 among major manufacturers, a steep fall

from 19 in the previous quarter.

Economists say a slowdown in the Chinese economy was partly to blame, with worries that a rise in CRUDE OIL PRICES COULD EAT INTO PROkTS

ALSO WEIGHING ON BUSINESS CONkDENCE The index for non-manufacturers slipped to 21 from 24 in the previous quarter.

The Tankan report, the broadest indicator of how Japan Inc. is faring, marks the difference between THE PERCENTAGE OF kRMS THAT ARE upbeat and those that see conditions as unfavourable.

Japan’s economy grew a modest 0.5 percent quarter-on-quarter at

the end of last year.

However, the cabinet office has recently revised down its judgement on the economy as a SEPARATE BUSINESS CONkDENCE INDEX declined in January for the third straight month.

Analysts have also warned that US-led trade wars could be a major risk factor for the Japanese economy still struggling to win a LONG BATTLE AGAINST DElATION AFP

Printers scramble as new Japan era named

World Qian said the potential impact of the El NiĂąo weather pattern on agriculture is also expected to weigh down growth, “The El NiĂąo might lead to food supply constraints affecting the poor and the vulnerable the most as they are spending a larger proportion of their income in food,â€? she said.

Q KRITZ FROM B1

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Email:ben.kritz@manilatimes.net

The author is a Senior Manager with the Tax & Corporate Services division of Navarro Amper & Co., THE LOCAL MEMBER kRM OF $ELOITTE 3OUTHEAST !SIA ,TD m A MEMBER OF Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited m COMPRISING $ELOITTE PRACTICES operating in Brunei, Cambodia, Guam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Stock market Jenesis dela Peùa said the market reacted negatively to the World Bank’s decision to cut its 2019 Philippine growth forecast to 6.4 percent, from 6.5 percent previously, given budget approval delays, an ongoing El Niùo and a global trade slowdown.

The World Bank also downgraded its 2020 and 2021 estimates to 6.5 percent from 6.6 percent previously.

The PSEi ignored a positive lead from Wall Street, optimism over US-China trade talks and betterthan-expected China manufacturing data, which on Monday drove Tokyo up 1.4 percent, Hong Kong by 1.8 percent and sent Shanghai soaring 2.6 percent.

Sydney added 0.6 percent, Singapore jumped 0.9 percent and Seoul piled on 1.3 percent, with Taipei, Mumbai, Bangkok, Jakarta and Wellington also in the green.

Top negotiators from China and THE 53 HAVE lAGGED PROGRESS IN LAST week’s discussions in Beijing and another round of talks are slated this week in Washington.

While there have been few details, the general view on trading lOORS IS THAT THE ECONOMIC SUPERpowers are heading towards a deal that will end a long-running spat that helped sink global markets towards the end of last year.

Beijing announced it would extend a delay on imposing tariffs on US cars while also adding fentanyl to a list of controlled substances — two key concessions to Washington that have added to hopes for the trade deal.

Back in Manila, sectoral indices kNISHED LOWER WITH MINING AND OIL down the most by 3.33 percent. The sole exception was the industrial index that gained 0.08 percent.

More than 684 million shares valued at P5.5 billion were traded.

Losers led winners, 120 to 65, while 55 issues remained unchanged.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS AND AFP

World

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Worldinbriefs 24 FIREFIGHTERS DIE IN FIRE BEIJING: At least 24 people died after firefighters were sent to combat a forest blaze in remote mountains in southwest China at the weekend, state media said Monday. Authorities lost contact with the group on Sunday afternoon after firefighters were deployed to douse flames that broke out at an altitude of 3,800 meters (12,467 feet), a newspaper affiliated to the People’s Liberation Army said.

AFP

STORM KILLS 28 IN NEPAL KATHMANDU, Nepal: Rescuers were struggling Monday to reach villages in southern Nepal cut off by a wind- and rainstorm that killed at least 28 people and injured hundreds more. High winds during Sunday night’s storm flipped cars and blew one passenger bus off a highway, causing fatalities. At least 40 people were on the bus. Police said most of the deaths were caused by collapsing walls and falling bricks in homes and toppled trees and electricity poles. The rainstorm swept through villages in a farming region of Bara and Parsa districts.

The government administrator in Bara, Rajesh Poudel, said Monday morning that 27 were killed there. One person died in neighboring Parsa, administrator Narayan Bhattarai said.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli cancelled his visit to western Nepal and was flying to the area to observe the rescue efforts, his office said.

AP

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

Japan announces new imperial era T

OKYO: The name of the era of Japan’s soon-to-be-emperor Naruhito will be “Reiwa,” or ordering harmony, the government announced Monday.

Emperor Akihito is stepping DOWN ON !PRIL THE kRST ABdication in 200 years — bringing his era of “Heisei” to an end. The new era takes effect May 1.

The name draws from Japan’s 7th century poetry collection Manyoshu, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said after the announcement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Abe, who said the two letters were taken from a poem about blooming plum blossoms, said the era name means that culture was born and nurtured as the people “beautifully care about each other.”

The letters taken from the 1,200-year-old Japanese poetry book portrays “Japan’s unique national identity, such as everlasting history, its fragrant culture and four seasons that bring beautiful nature, and firmly hands THEM DOWN TO THE NEXT GENERAtion,” Abe said. He said the government chose the name Reiwa “with hopes of making Japan a nation where every person can achieve dreams, like the plum lOWERS THAT BLOOM BEAUTIFULLY after the severe winter to signal

the start of the spring.”

“With this selection of a new era name, I renew my commitment to pioneer a new era THAT WILL BE kLLED WITH HOPE u Abe said.

Manyoshu is Japan’s oldest poetry collection and symbolizes Japan’s rich culture and long tradition, he said.

The choice was a break from nearly 1,400 years of drawing era names, or gengo, from using Chinese classics. It was kept strictly secret ahead of Monday’s announcement. Abe said choosing the name from the purely Japanese book that symbolizes Japan’s rich culture and tradition was only appropriate.

China launches new data satellite

“We hope [the era name] will be widely accepted by the people and deeply rooted as part of their daily lives,” Suga told REPORTERS IN kRST ANNOUNCING THE name, written in two Chinese characters in black ink calligraphy on a white background.

The announcement allows only a month ahead of the switch for government, businesses and other sectors to adjust to the change that still affects many parts of Japan’s society, even though the system is not compulsory and the emperor has no political power under Japan’s postwar constitution.

AP

BOOK DETAILS EX-US FL’S DISLIKE OF TRUMP WASHINGTON: Barbara Bush didn’t bite her tongue in recent years when it came to President Donald Trump: She just didn’t like him.

But a new biography of the former first lady (FL) finds that her disdain for the Republican President, who transformed the party her own family had embodied for generations into his likeness, dates as least as far back as a 1990s diary entry. She referred to Trump in the entry as “the real symbol of greed in the 80s.” Bush, who was 92 when she died last April, gave Susan Page, author of The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty, access to volumes of her diaries, which she began keeping in 1948. The former first lady recounts in a January 1990 entry about reading a news article on Trump speaking at a Los Angeles charity awards dinner for Merv Griffin.

AP

POWER RATIONING IN VENEZUELA SET CARACAS, Venezuela: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday (Monday in Manila) announced a 30-day plan to ration electricity following nationwide power cuts that have inflicted misery on millions of people and ignited protests, including one near the presidential palace in Caracas. The rationing plan would help deal with the outages that have also cut off water supply and communications for days at a time, Maduro said in a speech on national television in which he also warned against any unrest in reaction to the blackouts. Hours before Maduro’s appeal for calm, protests broke out in neighborhoods in the capital and other cities following a call by opposition leader Juan Guaido to demonstrate against the government’s failure to provide basic services.

AP

COMEDIAN HEADED FOR WIN IN UKRAINE POLLS UKRAINE’S central elections commission says nearly 64 percent of the country’s registered voters took part in the presidential election.

Only fragmentary results from the election had been reported three hours after the polls closed. Full preliminary results are expected to be announced on Monday morning. Exit polls indicated that Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a television comedian without previous political experience, would lead with about 30 percent of the vote, well short of the absolute majority to win in the first round. Most exit polls showed incumbent Petro Poroshenko in second place, meaning he would face Zelenskiy in a second round on April 21. No voting was held in the parts of eastern Ukraine under the control of Russia-backed separatist rebels or in Crimea, which was annexed

by Russia in 2014.

AP

B5

NEW ERA

People gather to pick up extra editions reporting the announcement of the new era name ‘Reiwa’ in Tokyo on Monday.

Japan revealed the name of the era that will define the new emperor’s reign when he ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne next month, following a historic abdication. AFP PHOTO

CHINA sent a new data relay satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province late Sunday night.

The Tianlian 2-01 satellite was launched at 11:51 p.m. Beijing Time by a Long March-3B carrier rocket. !S THE kRST SATELLITE TO CONSTItute China’s second-generation data relay satellite network, the Tianlian 2-01 will provide data relay, measurement and control, transmission services for manned spacecraft, satellites, carrier rockets and other non-spacecraft users.

The Tianlian 2 network will be markedly more advanced in mission planning, system management and operations than the first-generation network composed of Tianlian 1 satellites.

The new network, with faster data transfer and higher multi-objective service capability, will play an important role in improving the transmission promptness, in-orbit security AND MISSION lEXIBILITY FOR MEDIum- and low-Earth orbiting satellites and manned spacecraft.

The satellite is developed by the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.The launch marks the 301st mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

GLOBAL TIMES

British MPs seek new path for Brexit NZ introduces bill banning guns used in recent attack LONDON: British Members of Parliament (MPs) will attempt to chart A NEW "REXIT PATH ON -ONDAY AFTER rejecting Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal for a third time, leaving her strategy in tatters and the country in limbo.

With less than two weeks to go until the day Britain risks crashing out of the European Union (EU), MPs will hold a series of votes to try and find a majority-backed plan to end the current crisis.

Britain voted by 52 percent to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum, but the process has been mired in DIVISIONS BETWEEN "REXIT SUPPORTers over the terms of the divorce and what kind of future ties to seek.

The government struck a deal with the EU in November, but parliament has refused to ratify it — forcing the government to seek a delay to the originally planned

departure date of March 29.

4HE %5 S OFFER OF AN EXTENSION until May 22 was conditional on MPs approving the deal last week.

Despite May’s promise to step down if they voted for the deal — AN ATTEMPT TO GET "REXIT HARDLINERS to vote for it — they failed to do so.

The government must now make A NEW REQUEST TO THE %5 AT AN EXtraordinary summit on April 10 or leave the bloc without a deal on April 12 with potentially chaotic economic consequences.

A longer delay beyond May 22 would have the bizarre consequence of Britain having to hold European Parliament elections like other member states.

Parliament seized the initiative for one day last week, but failed to unite around a single option that could replace May’s deal.

Frustration is growing within the

bloc, with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Sunday telling an Italian TV station that the EU is running out of patience with Britain.

“With our British friends we have had a lot of patience, but even patience is running out,” Juncker told Italian public TV channel Rai 1 on Sunday.

“Up to now, we know what the British parliament says no to, but we do not know what it says yes to.”

However, there appears to be momentum behind a plan to seek a deal that would see Britain stay in some kind of customs union with the EU. While this may satisfy the proEU members of May’s cabinet, it threatens mass rebellion among the rest of her ministers, posing a serious threat to the government’s survival.

AFP

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: New Zealand’s government has introduced a bill to ban the types of weapons used by a terrorist to kill 50 people at two mosques.

Police Minister Stuart Nash said Monday that if lawmakers pass the bill as expected, the new law would take effect April 12, less than a month after the March 15 attacks. The bill follows a government-imposed ban on sales of the weapons.

The bill bans “military-style” semi-automatic guns and high-capacity magazines. It also bans semi-automatic shotguns that can be fitted with detachable magazines and pump-action shotguns that can hold more than five rounds.

It doesn’t ban guns often used by farmers and hunters, including semi-automatic .22-caliber or smaller guns that hold up to 10 rounds, or shotguns that hold up to five rounds.

AP

Ukraine seizes $60 million worth of heroin KIEV: Ukraine police seized heroin worth about $60 million — over half a ton of the powder — in raids in the country’s CENTRE AND WEST OFkCIALS SAID Sunday (Monday in Manila), describing it as the biggest haul they had ever seen.

Chief of the national police Sergiy Knyazev announced on Facebook two raids in Kiev region yielding “600 kilograms

(kg) or 1,322 pounds of heroin worth $50 million.”

About 500 kg were found on Sunday afternoon, and more than 100 kg overnight “in a professionally-equipped cubby hole in a premium-class car” outside Kiev.

“I have never seen so much heroin seized by the Ukrainian police,” Knyazev said.

“Four people were detained:

a citizen of Moldova, Turkey and two from Macedonia,” he added.

In a separate investigation, officials found “almost 130 kg of heroin worth $10 million” at a house in a village in the western Transcarpathia region, Larysa Sargan, spokesman for the Prosecutor General wrote on Facebook.

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction said Ukraine was a transit country for heroin TRAFkCKED FROM !FGHANISTAN TO western and central Europe, mainly via the North Black Sea route and from Russia.

“The trafficking of illicit substances is facilitated by a large international transport network (roads and trains)

that connects Ukraine to the east and west, and by the presence of several international ports that link Ukraine to the Balkan Route,” according to a country overview on the agency’s website.

“In recent years, the smuggling of psychotropic substances via international postal services has also increased,” it says.

AFP

CRASH KILLS 1 OF RUSSIA’S RICHEST WOMEN FRANKFURT, Germany: One of Russia’s richest women, S7 Group co-owner Natalia Fileva, died Sunday in a plane crash in Germany, the airline operator said. Fileva, with net worth of $600 million, was aboard a single-engine, six-seat Epic LT aircraft that crashed and burned in a field as it approached the small airport at Egelsbach, a town in southwestern Germany, at about 3:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. in Manila), the airline said in an email. German police said there appeared to be three people aboard the plane, including the pilot of the flight, which originated in France. They said the two passengers were believed to be Russian citizens but that positive identification of the occupants would require further investigation. German aviation authorities were probing the cause of the crash.

Egelsbach is about 10 kilometers (six miles) south of Frankfurt.

AP

VICTORY Supporters of opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) celebrate after early results for Ankara mayor in local election in Ankara, Turkey last Sunday. Turkey’s President said his ruling AKP would ‘correct its shortcomings’ after the party appeared set to lose power in the capital.

AFP PHOTO

B6

Classified Ads

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

CORRECTION

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Cagayan Economic Zone Authority

INVITATION TO BID (ITB) ITB’s No: 19-001 & 19-002 SOURCE OF FUND: CAPEX

INVITATION TO BID DESIGN AND BUILD SCHEME FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CEZA COMMERCIAL CENTER AT CAGAYAN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AND FREEPORT

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Cagayan Economic Zone Authority INVITATION TO BID DESIGN AND BUILD SCHEME FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF DRIVING RANGE WITH FACILITIES AND 3 HOLES AT BARANGAY SAN VICENTE, STA. ANA, CAGAYAN The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, through the Corporate Operating Budget CY 2019 intends to apply the sum of Seventy-Five Million Pesos (P 75,000,000.00) being the Approved %XGJHW IRU WKH &RQWUDFW $%& IRU Design & Build Scheme for the Construction of Driving Range with Facilities and 3 Holes at Barangay San Vicente, Santa Ana, Cagayan. Bids UHFHLYHG LQ H[FHVV RI WKH $%& VKDOO EH DXWRPDWLFDOO\ UHMHFWHG DW ELG RSHQLQJ The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority now invites bids for the Design & Build Scheme for the Construction of Driving Range with Facilities and 3 Holes at Barangay San Vicente, Santa Ana, Cagayan. 3URMHFW PXVW EH FRPSOHWHG in 180 calendar days from receipt of Notice to Proceed. %LGGHUV PXVW KDYH D WUDFN UHFRUG RI KDYLQJ FRPSOHWHG D VLPLODU SURMHFW ZLWKLQ WKH ODVW ÂżYH

years from the date of submission and receipt of bids. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF BALLESTEROS, CAGAYAN BRANCH 33 CARAYO ARELLANO PARANAL, Petitioner, -versus-

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Cagayan Economic Zone Authority

CIVIL CASE NO. 33-569-2017 FOR: DECLARATION OF NULLITY OF MARRIAGE

INVITATION TO BID “SUPPLY, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF RAPID ORGANIC WASTE COMPOSTING EQUIPMENT/SYSTEM�

JULIET CALPITO PARANAL, Respondent. x--------------------------------------x

PETITION PETITIONER, through counsel, to this Honorable Court, respectfully submits: 1.

That petitioner is of legal age, Filipino and with residence address at Sta. Cruz, Ballesteros, Cagayan; whereas respondent is also of legal age, Filipino and with address at District 1, Bento Soliven, Isabela where she may be served with summons and other processes of this Honorable Court.

Petitioner may be served with notices through the undersigned counsel.

2.

3.

That petitioner’s courtship of respondent was whirlwind. He was at their place almost all the time of the day and night, even spending the night there. Although she was tightly guarded by her parents, petitioner was able to win her heart. In time, respondent became pregnant for which respondent’s parents directed petitioner to marry respondent. They were the ones who prepared for the PDUULDJH ZKLFK ZDV FHOHEUDWHG RQ 6HSWHPEHU DW WKH 2XU /DG\ RI 3HDFH 3DULVK &KXUFK LQ %HQLWR 6ROLYHQ ,VDEHOD FRS\ RI &HUWL¿FDWH RI 0DULDJH DWWDFKHG DV Annex A – Petition).

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nonGLVFUHWLRQDU\ ³SDVV IDLO´ FULWHULRQ DV VSHFL¿HG LQ WKH 5HYLVHG ,PSOHPHQWLQJ 5XOHV DQG 5HJXODWLRQV ,55 RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 5$ RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV WKH ³*RYHUQPHQW 3URFXUHPHQW 5HIRUP $FW´

4.

That the newly-weds, upon the directive of respondent’s parents stayed at the latter’s place. Their newly-married life was DW ¿UVW EOLVVIXO 3HWLWLRQHU EXVLHG KLPVHOI RQ KLV HPSOR\PHQW 7KHQ WKHLU EDE\ ¹ &- /DZUHQFH &DUO ZDV ERUQ FRS\ RI &HUWL¿FDWH RI Birth attached as Annex B – Petition ZKLFK DOWKHPRUH SXVKHG SHWLWLRQHU WR ZRUN KDUGHU NQRZLQJ WKDW LQ WLPH PRUH VXSSRUW IRU KLV family would be needed. Petitioner prodded respondent that they live separately from her parents but respondent, upon consulting her parents, stayed put in their place.

5.

That in time, the sustenance of petitioner’s own family and that of respondent’s family all staying under one roof became SUREOHPDWLF 3HWLWLRQHU HYHQ ZRUNHG KDUGHU HYHQ VWD\LQJ XS ODWH 5HVSRQGHQW GHFLGHG WR ZRUN LQ 0DFDX &KLQD WR DXJPHQW the needs of the families. Their baby was left with petitioner and respondent’s parents, reared mostly by the latter as petitioner EHFDPH EXVLHU RQ KLV ZRUN $W ¿UVW WKH FRPPXQLFDWLRQV EHWZHHQ SHWLWLRQHU DQG UHVSRQGHQW ZDV ZHOO 3HWLWLRQHU HYHQ YLVLWHG KLV spouse there. Then respondent’s parents showed distrust upon petitioner, even suspecting his coming home late as his misdeeds, particularly having another woman. Respondent was informed and updated resulting to her hatred of petitioner. Resultantly, petitioner became a virtual stranger in respondent’s place. The once amiable relationship turned into a storm. Petitioner came to NQRZ WKDW KLV PRWKHU LQ ODZ ZDV WKH VROH EHQH¿FLDU\ RI UHVSRQGHQWœV UHPLWWDQFHV ZKLFK KH TXHVWLRQHG $QLPRVLWLHV DQG TXDUUHOV ensued and became regular staples. Until petitioner’s mother in law, concurred in by the others, commanded petitioner to leave their place. The command became persistent. Amid the hostile atmosphere, petitioner had no recourse but to depart. Petitioner maintained his communication with his son. Recently, he was instructed not to return to them, and worse, to collect his personal things there which, petitioner, sadly did.

%LGGLQJ LV UHVWULFWHG WR )LOLSLQR FLWL]HQV VROH SURSULHWRUVKLSV SDUWQHUVKLSV RU RUJDQL]DWLRQV ZLWK DW OHDVW VL[W\ SHUFHQW LQWHUHVW RU RXWVWDQGLQJ FDSLWDO VWRFN EHORQJLQJ WR FLWL]HQV of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of ZKLFK JUDQW VLPLODU ULJKWV RU SULYLOHJHV WR )LOLSLQR FLWL]HQV SXUVXDQW WR 5$ DQG VXEMHFW to Commonwealth Act 138. Interested bidders should be enrolled in the Electronic Filing DQG 3D\PHQW 6\VWHP H)36 SURJUDP RI WKH %XUHDX RI ,QWHUQDO 5HYHQXH %,5 SXUVXDQW WR ([HFXWLYH 2UGHU 1R 55 DQG PXVW EH UHJLVWHUHG XQGHU WKH 3KLOLSSLQH *RYHUQPHQW (OHFWURQLF 3URFXUHPHQW 6\VWHP 3KLO*(36

7KDW LQHYLWDEO\ WKH IDPLO\ ZKLFK SHWLWLRQHU ZRUNHG WR HVWDEOLVK DQG HYHQ ZLWK DOO JRRG LQWHQWLRQV FUDVKHG WR WKH JURXQG 7KH HYHQWXDO GRZQIDOO RI WKHLU PDUULDJH ZDV EURXJKW DERXW E\ WKH SDUWLHVÂś FRPPRQ SV\FKRORJLFDO LQFDSDFLW\ LGHQWLÂżHG DV “MIXED PERSONALITY DISORDER.â€?

“The marital case study indicated that petitioner and respondent showed impairment in the relationship functioning. They have HQWHUHG LQWR PDUULDJH ZLWKRXW WKH NQRZOHGJH VNLOOV DQG DWWLWXGH HQRXJK WR SHUIRUP WKHLU UHVSRQVLELOLWLHV

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government (OHFWURQLF 3URFXUHPHQW 6\VWHP 3KLO*(36 SURYLGHG WKDW %LGGHUV VKDOO SD\ WKH QRQ refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

,W DOVR VSHDNV RI LQFXUDELOLW\ DV SHRSOH ZLWK SHUVRQDOLW\ GLVRUGHUV DUH DIUDLG RI VHSDUDWLQJ IURP RWKHU SHRSOH RQ ZKRP WKH\ DUH GHSHQGHQW IRU DGYLFH DQG UHDVVXUDQFH 7KH\ UHIXVH SV\FKLDWULF KHOS DQG WKH\ GHQ\ WKH SUREOHP GXH WR WKHLU ODFN RI LQVLJKW ´ 8. That the parties, within the short span of marital relationship, have not acquired any tangible property.

7KDW LW LV WR WKH EHVW LQWHUHVW RI WKH SDUWLHV WKDW WKH\ EH MXGLFLDOO\ GHFODUHG IUHH IURP ERQGDJH RI PDUULDJH 7KH GHFODUDWLRQ RI QXOOLW\ RI WKHLU PDUULDJH ZLOO HTXLWDEO\ YDQLVK SHWLWLRQHUÂśV WUDXPDWLF H[SHULHQFH IURP D SV\FKRORJLFDOO\ Âą LQFDSDFLWDWHG PDUULDJH ,W LV QRW FRQVRQDQW ZLWK MXVWLFH DQG IDLUQHVV IRU SHWLWLRQHU WR VXIIHU WKH PHQWDO DQJXLVK VHULRXV DQ[LHW\ DQG VRFLDO KXPLOLDWLRQ IURP D PDUULDJH ZUHFNHG E\ SV\FKRORJLFDO LQFDSDFLW\

The CEZA BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on April 11, 2019, 3:00 PM DW th Floor *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă€RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ which shall be open to all interested parties.

5.

6.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before April 23, 2019 at 5:00 PM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Late bids shall not be accepted.

WHEREFORE LW LV UHVSHFWIXOO\ SUD\HG WKDW DIWHU DSSURSULDWH SURFHHGLQJV WKLV +RQRUDEOH &RXUW UHQGHUV MXGJPHQW GHFODULQJ the marriage by and between petitioner and respondent as null and void ab initio, with all the effects thereof as provided by law.

Bid opening shall be on April 24, 2019 at 3:00 PM DW th )ORRU *UHHQ¿HOG 7RZHU 0D\ÀRZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQ¿HOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ %LGV ZLOO EH RSHQHG LQ the presence of the Bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address stated below.

2WKHU HTXLWDEOH UHOLHIV DUH OLNHZLVH SUD\HG IRU 2FWREHU (SGD.) PEDRO R. LAZO Counsel for the Petitioner 6XLWH -LDR %XLOGLQJ 7LPRJ $YHQXH 4XH]RQ &LW\ 375 4 & ,%3 4 & $WWRUQH\ÂśV 5ROO 0&/( &RPSOLDQFH 1R 9 2IÂżFH 7HO )D[ paranal-petition-rtc

VERIFICATION / CERTIFICATION

(SGD.) CARAYO A. PARANAL $IÂżDQW 'ULYHUÂśV /LFHQVH % Issued by LTO Aparri, Cagayan 9DOLG 8QWLO -XO\ SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this 2nd GD\ RI 2FWREHU DIÂżDQW SHUVRQDOO\ DSSHDULQJ EHIRUH PH SUHVHQWLQJ KLV JRYHUQPHQW LVVXHG ,' DERYH GHWDLOHG DQG DIÂżUPLQJ WR PH WKDW KH IXOO\ XQGHUVWRRG DQG SHUVRQDOO\ H[HFXWHG WKH IRUHJRLQJ 9HULÂżFDWLRQ &HUWLÂżFDWLRQ

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3OHDVH UHIHU WR WKH WDEOH EHORZ IRU WKH FRVW RI WKH ELGGLQJ GRFXPHQWV DQG VXPPDU\ RI bidding activities: COST OF BIDDING DOCUMENTS P 10,000.00 (Non-Refundable) ,163(&7,21 6(//,1* 3(5,2' April 2, 2019 to April 23, 2019, 5:00 PM OF BIDDING DOCUMENTS th )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ PRE-BID CONFERENCE April 11, 2019, 3:00 PM th )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION On or before April 23, 2019, 5:00 PM OF BIDS th )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ /DWH ELGV VKDOO QRW EH DFFHSWHG

OPENING OF BIDS April 24, 2019, 3:00 PM th )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\

I, CARAYO A. PARANAL, of legal age, Filipino, and the petitioner on the present case, after being lawfully sworn to, depose that I caused the preparation of the foregoing Petition, I have read the same, the contents of which are true and correct of my own personal NQRZOHGJH DQG RU EDVHG RQ DXWKHQWLF GRFXPHQWV , KHUHE\ FHUWLI\ WKDW WKH SODLQWLII DQG RU , KDYH QRW WKHUHWRIRUH FRPPHQFHG DQ\ RWKHU DFWLRQ RU ÂżOHG DQ\ RWKHU FODLP LQYROYLQJ WKH VDPH LVVXHV LQ DQ\ FRXUW WULEXQDO RU TXDVL MXGLFLDO DJHQF\ DQG LI , VKRXOG WKHUHDIWHU OHDUQ WKDW WKH VDPH RU VLPLODU DFWLRQ RU FODLP KDV EHHQ ÂżOHG RU LV SHQGLQJ , VKDOO UHSRUW WKDW IDFW ZLWKLQ ÂżYH GD\V WKHUHIURP WR WKH FRXUW ZKHUHLQ P\ DIRUHVDLG FRPSODLQW RU LQLWLDWRU\ SOHDGLQJ KDV EHHQ ÂżOHG

,QWHUHVWHG ELGGHUV PD\ REWDLQ IXUWKHU LQIRUPDWLRQ IURP WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &DJD\DQ (FRQRPLF Zone Authority and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 0RQGD\ WR )ULGD\ D P WR S P A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders starting April 2, 2019 to April 9, 2019, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (P 10,000.00).

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9. That efforts towards reconciliation proved futile on account of the gravity of the situation besetting the parties, including in particular respondentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents, hence perishing all initiatives to re-establish the active bond of love and to pursue the ends of blissful PDUULDJH 7KH EULGJH KDV ORQJ EHHQ EXUQHG VR WR VSHDN

7KH &DJD\DQ (FRQRPLF =RQH $XWKRULW\ &(=$ WKURXJK LWV &RUSRUDWH 2SHUDWLQJ %XGJHW IRU &< LQWHQGV WR DSSO\ WKH VXP RI Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P 8,500,000.00), EHLQJ WKH $SSURYHG %XGJHW IRU WKH &RQWUDFW $%& IRU WKH ÂżUVW \HDU only) as payments to the procurement of the Supply, Delivery, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Rapid Organic Waste Composting Equipment/System. Bids UHFHLYHG LQ H[FHVV RI WKH $%& VKDOO EH DXWRPDWLFDOO\ UHMHFWHG DW ELG RSHQLQJ CEZA now invites bids for the procurement of the Supply, Delivery, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Rapid Organic Waste Composting Equipment/System.

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7KDW SHWLWLRQHU ÂżUVW PHW UHVSRQGHQW VRPHWLPH LQ ZKHQ KH ZDV ZRUNLQJ RQ D KRXVH QXPEHULQJ SURMHFW LQ WKHLU SODFH Respondent was then helping her mother on their carinderia where petitioner would have his lunch. Respondent exuded simple beauty and wholesome manners that petitioner was outrightly attracted to her. Consequently, his visits to their place was reasoned not only for having lunch but also and more regularly for courting her.

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Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary ³SDVV DQG IDLO´ FULWHULD DV VSHFL¿HG LQ WKH 5HYLVHG ,PSOHPHQWLQJ 5XOHV DQG 5HJXODWLRQV ,55 RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 5$ RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV WKH ³*RYHUQPHQW 3URFXUHPHQW 5HIRUP $FW´

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For further information, please refer to: THE BAC SECRETARIAT th )OU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ &3 1R (SGD.) DHART E. CARPIO Chairman Bids and Awards Committee MT - $SU

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Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address stated hereunder during 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders April 2 to April 23, 2019 from the address stated hereunder and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of P 50,000.00.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government (OHFWURQLF 3URFXUHPHQW 6\VWHP 3KLO*(36 DQG WKH &(=$ ZHEVLWH DW ZZZ FH]D JRY SK provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on April 11, 2019, 1:00 PM DW WKH &(=$ 0DQGDOX\RQJ 2IÂżFH th )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU 6W FRU :LOOLDPV 6W *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ ZKLFK VKDOO EH RSHQ WR DOO SURVSHFWLYH bidders. %LGV PXVW EH GXO\ UHFHLYHG E\ WKH %$& 6HFUHWDULDW DW WKH &(=$ 0DQGDOX\RQJ 2IÂżFH th Floor, *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU 6W FRU :LOOLDPV 6W *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ RQ RU before April 23, 2019, 5:00 PM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on April 24, 2019, 1:00 PM at Boardroom, &(=$ 0DQGDOX\RQJ 2IÂżFH th )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU 6W FRU :LOOLDPV 6W *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; representatives who choose to attend at the address above stated. Late bids shall not be accepted.

7KH &DJD\DQ (FRQRPLF =RQH $XWKRULW\ UHVHUYHV WKH ULJKW WR UHMHFW DQ\ DQG DOO ELGV GHFODUH D failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

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MT - $SU

(SGD.) DHART E. CARPIO BAC Chairman

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Pag-IBIG Fund posts record net income of P33.17-B in 2018, up 10%

Sitel eyes 1,500 new jobs in Central Luzon, opens 16th site S

ITEL, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest customer experience management companies, broke ground on its third site in Tarlac, bringing to a total of 16 full-service customer contact service centers in the country.

Since it set up shop in the Philippines in 2000, Sitel has enjoyed steady growth in the local market due to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business-friendly climate and rich pool of highly skilled talent with strong customer service orientation and an aptitude for complex outsourcing processes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are delighted to break ground on the latest Sitel site in Tarlac,â&#x20AC;? Craig Reines, Sitel Asia 0ACIkC SHARED g4ARLAC HAS BEEN A phenomenal location for Sitel over the past three years and still exhibits tremendous growth potential.â&#x20AC;?

Breaking ground on the new facility reinforces Sitelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to increase its footprint in the country and particularly in rural areas to create more jobs for Filipinos outside of the metropolitan. It offers even more of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talent a chance to belong to a leading global brand and strengthens Sitelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partnerships with the community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since we opened in Tarlac we have made key collaborations in the region,â&#x20AC;? said Haidee Enriquez, Sitel general managerâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;PH Countryside. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From our invaluable partnership with chief operating officer Robinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Land Corporation, to the incredible support we receive from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and Tarlacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s local government, to partnerships es-

Q During the ground breaking ceremony, from left: Ricardo Bertucci, Sitel director of Facilities and Real Estate; Marky Salvador, Sitel Tarlac Site director; Haidee Enriquez, Sitel PH Countryside general manager; Craig Reines, Sitel Asia Pacific chief operating officer; Faraday Go, Robinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Land Corp. Officer Buildings Division executive vice president and general manager; Honor Mendoza, SPES construction president; and Cher Retirado, Sitel Asia Pacific Project Management Office director. tablished with schools and local businesses, Sitel has become an integral part of this community and we look forward to working

together even more as we launch this latest site.â&#x20AC;?

Sitelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tarlac 3 site is set to open by late September 2019.

Tourism chief keynotes intl franchise conference TOURISM Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat detailed how franchising and tourism could work hand in hand in accelerating the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic growth further during her keynote address at the opening of the twoday Franchise Asia Philippines 2019 International Franchise Conference, which ran from March 27 to 28, at the SMX Convention Center Manila.

Photo shows Puyat (center) receiving the plaque of appreciation from Philippine Franchise Association 0&! OFkCIALS LED BY 0&! #HAIRMAN

Emeritus Samie Lim (4th from right), Vice Chairman Ma. Alegria Sibal- Limjoco (3rd from right), PFA President Richard Sanz (second from right), PFA Director and Franchise Asia Philippines 2019 Overall Chairman Sherill Quintana (right), PFA Chairman Alan Escalona (fourth from left), PFA Director and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Elizabeth Pardo Orbeta (third from left), PFA Director and Franchise Asia Philippines 2019 Co-Chairman Chris Lim (2nd from left), and

and Carlo Palad and the rest of the pro gamers of TNC Pro Team continues to be recognized the world over since its inception in 2015.

The team has been collecting VICTORIES WHEN THEY BECAME THE kRST Philippine team to qualify for The International 2016.

One of the highlights of the tournament was the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unexpected 2-0 win against European favorite, OG. They ended up placing 7th to 8th marking the highest placement a Filipino team has achieved at The International.

In 2017, TNC snatched the DOTA 2 championship title from Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s VGJ Thunder at the China Top 2017 Tournament. That

PFA Director for Mindanao and Franchise Asia Philippines 2019

international conference chairman Debbie Uy Rodolfo (left).

Q Asia PacificTNC Predator for CSGO RJ Cruz, Riley Go, Deko Evangelista, Chris Martir, and Jim Timbreza same year, they won the World Electronic Sports Games (WESG 2016) Grand Finals, adding to the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success when they brought HOME THE kRST CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

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Greg Slaughter, Raymond Aguilar, Jervy Cruz, Arth Dela Cruz, Julian Sargent and Teytey Teodoro.

The team, together with Coach Earl Timothy Cone and Assistant Coaches Richard del Rosario, Olsen Racela, Freddie Abuda and Kirk Collier, took a little break from their busy schedule and had a nice team-building activities for three days and two nights.

The team played beach volleyball and hung-out while the sun set. Table tennis and chess were also played while soaking in the

dinating Council (HUDCC) and Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees.

The Fund declared dividend rates at 6.91 percent for regular Pag-IBIG savings and 7.41 percent for the Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) Savings program, which means membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; savings grow faster in Pag-IBIG Fund, he added.

Pag-IBIG Fundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s net income grew 10 percent from 2017, sustaining its double-digit growth in the last five years. The fundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exemplary financial performance is further illustrated by the doubling of its net income over a short four-year period.

Total assets, meanwhile, have grown 9 percent to P533.72 billion by end of 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; also the highest ever.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Acmad Rizaldy Moti said that high collections of loan amortizations and operational efficiencies pushed income to record-breaking levels.

Asean agencies unite to offer 360-degree comms in region

TNC Predator reigns as DOTA 2 champions TNC Predator has again raised the flag and cemented their legacy in Philippine Defense of the Ancients 2 with their latest back-to-back victories.

The team emerged as the champions of DOTA 2 Grand Finals at the World Electronic Sports Game (WESG) 2018 held last March 10 in Chongqing, China.

The win comes on the heels of TNC Predator as just last month, it beat out nine of the best teams from THE !SIA 0ACIkC REGION AT THE $/4!

2 category of the Predator League 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The all-Filipino professional eSports team, currently composed of Armel Paul Tabios, Kim Villafuerte, Nico Barcelon, Timothy Randrup

MEMBERS would directly bene f i t f r o m Pa g - I B I G F u n d â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong financial standing, as dividends are derived from the fundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s net income, its top executives said. â&#x20AC;&#x153; We p r e v i o u s l y s a i d t h a t 2017 was our best year ever.

But the year 2018 was even better. Pag-IBIG Fund earned P33.17 billion in net income which is the highest net income, in the history of the Fund. Pag-IBIG continues to heed the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for gove r n m e n t t o p r ov i d e s o c i a l benefits to more Filipinos, which is why 86 percent of the net income, amounting to P28.23 billion, will be g i ve n b a c k t o m e m b e r s i n the form of dividends and will be credited to their respective accounts. This is the highest dividend amount we have ever declared,â&#x20AC;? said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the Housing and U r b a n D e ve l o p m e n t C o o r -

Q The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team at the resort. views of the endless horizon.

The guests experienced a carefree island lifestyle and a dose of â&#x20AC;&#x153;vitamin sea.â&#x20AC;? They ex-

perienced island-hopping and donned snorkeling gears for a glimpse of the abundant marine life in the island.

LEADING Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) agencies of the Public Relations Organization International (PROI) Worldwide have teamed up to deliver quality communications solutions that can be carried seamlessly across the region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The challenge for global companies in the Asean region is that each country speaks with its OWN UNIQUE lAVOR AND REACHING each market needs a nuanced approach,â&#x20AC;? said Doy Roque, head of PROI Worldwideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partner agency in the Philippines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This partnership gives global companies access to the collective expertise of the top agencies across all markets to communicate on a regional scale, delivering real business value.â&#x20AC;?

PROI Asean is embracing its diversity and taking an integrated approach to connect the region by leveraging each

member agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique skill set and on-the-ground local knowledge. The approach will enable clients to build brand awareness, enhance credibility, and drive business growth anywhere in Southeast Asia.

Leading agencies within PROI Asean include Echo Myanmar Communications (Myanmar), Huntington Communications (Singapore), Imogen Indonesia, M2.0 Communications (the Philippines), Midas Communication (Thailand and Vietnam) and Priority Communications (Malaysia). All are top notch reputable agencies in their respective countries, with an average of 15 years in the industry serving a variety of sectors, such as automotive, property, technology, tourism and retail.

For more information, visit www.proiasean.com.

QC, Hawaii National Guard conduct command post exercise THE Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (QCDRRMC) together with the Hawaii National Guard conducted a Command Post Exercise in Barangay Batasan and Quezon City Hall on March 27.

The exercise tested the inter-operability of the community and the QCDRRMC. The Hawaii National Guard observed the drill and included injects or scenarios to test the

capability of the stakeholders.

The Command Post Exercise highlighted the response of Barangay Batasan Disaater Risk Reduction and Management Office and QCDRRMC to different emergency scenarios.

The exercise at Barangay Batasan tested the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contingency plan on mass casualty response and crowd management.

The drill was rated by the Hawaii National Guard.

WallCrete lines the road to progress

A deserving reward for the 2019 graduates

ALL roads lead to Clark, Pampanga this month for Philconstruct, the leading construction show in the Philippines. But even before visitors reach Clark, one industry powerhouse is already showcasing its handiwork right there on the road because in fact, the entire stretch of North Luzon Expressway from Balintawak to Clark is lined with Vazbuilt fences made by Wallcrete.

Wallcrete utilizes the patented Vazbuilt technology for quality, fast and structurally sound fences thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sure to last for generations. This technology is the cornerstone of the noted Vazbuilt brand that is renowned for building prefabricated concrete houses and fences since the 1990s. By 2012, the fence business was spun-off to establish Wallcrete Company Inc., acclaimed in the construction industry as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;total fence solution.â&#x20AC;?

DIAMOND Hotel Philippines is rewarding all graduates with grand dining privileges, gratifying staycation packages and freebies for a job well done. As they move their tassel from one side to the other, make this milestone a truly memorable one.

From April to June, commemorate the graduateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievement with top-notch gastronomy featuring different international buffet flavors at one of the most exquisite dining destinations in Manila, the Corniche Restaurant. A fitting salute awaits graduate with an overnight stay and breakfast for two, free-flowing four seasons juice, personalized cake and a stuffed toy when you book a table for 10 persons.

Mark your graduation festivity

Wallcrete fences have a proven strength of 2500 pounds per square inch and tested to withstand the strongest calamities, requiring only a minimal labor force and no heavy EQUIPMENT 4HEY ARE LIKEWISE EFkCIENT

saving up to 15 percent on total project cost and with 10 attractive designs to choose from.

Wallcrete has installed over 200 kilometers of fences nationwide, with the more popular applications for perimeter fences, security

fences, transmission line tower fences, property development enclosures and home fences.

Apart from fences, the company also offers the Wallcrete Building System. This is a modular system that only requires combining the different pre-manufactured parts.

The green sustainable Lego-like system makes it easy to take out, transfer and expand the pieces.

For more information, visit https://wallcrete.ph/.

WITH A *APANESE lAIR 3EIZE THE MOment of victory as you dine over mouthwatering Japanese dishes.

Reserve a table for 4 persons and graduates will get a complimentary eight-inch cake.

For an intimate yet meaningful celebration of success, dine at the Lobby Lounge. The cozy atmo-

sphere, complemented by luscious delights and impeccable service, sets an ideal spot to reminisce happy school days.

Rejuvenate and calm your mind with a city staycation to kick off your dream.

For more information, visit www.diamondhotel.com.

Build&Design

TUESDAY APRIL 2, 2019 EDITOR: Mario F. Fetalino Jr.

www.manilatimes.net

Designing for the unknown

1:100, 1:200, 1:300. /NE OF THE kRST SET OF NUMBERS ) HAD TO KEEP IN MIND AS A COLLEGE FRESHMAN WAS gSCALE u ) COULD STILL REMEMBER HOW OUR CLASS FROM NOT SO LONG AGO REJOICED AS THE SCALE GOES SMALLER SINCE WE D kNISH THE TASK MUCH FASTER -AXIMIZING PAPER SPACE DOES MATTER AT LEAST FOR ME DURING THAT TIME 4HEN AS EVERY QUARTER OF LONG SLEEPLESS NIGHTS PASSED BY SO AS THE LIST OF NUMBERS DESIGN STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS THAT AN ASPIRING ARCHITECT MUST REMEMBER METICULOUSLY BY HEART 4O BECOME AN ARCHITECT ENTAILS MORE THAN JUST A KEEN EYE FOR AESTHETICS ) COULDN T IMAGINE AN ARCHITECT SOLELY GROUNDING A DESIGN CONCEPT FROM A DREAM A SPREADSHEET OR A 3CIENCE &ICTION kLM 4HE ARCHITECT HAS TO DELIBERATE HIS OWN KNOWLEDGE AND HIS SOCIO CULTURAL BELIEFS PAINSTAKINGLY TO SUBSTANTIATE AND DEVELOP THE BEST DESIGN SOLUTION /NE MUST CONSIDER AMONG MANY OTHERS THE NEEDS AND WANTS OF HIS CLIENT

APPLICABLE LAWS DESIGN STANDARDS AND CODES PREVAILING MARKET COSTS SOCIO CULTURAL DIFFERENCES ENVIRONMENTAL FABRIC THE SELLING PRICE AND RETURN OF INVESTMENT 2/) "EING IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY FOR NEARLY kVE YEARS ) WOULD SAY MY PROFESSION AS AN ARCHITECT OVER THE YEARS HAD EVOLVED FROM CREATING WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL AND PLEASING TO CONVEYING WHAT IS BOTH gAESTHETICALLYu FUNCTIONAL AND SELLING 7ELL OF COURSE YOU COULD NEVER SELL SOMETHING THAT ISN T WORTH YOUR CLIENTS EVERY PENNY RIGHT )N REAL ESTATE A FAMILY DWELLING DEPICTS THE APPLICATION OF STANDARDIZED USER REQUIREMENTS AND DESIGN PARAMETERS %VERY DESIGN IS TREATED AS A UNIVERSAL MODEL WHICH IN GENERAL IS ENVISIONED TO WORK lAWLESSLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE gUNKNOWN u 7ITHOUT THE PRIME USER ON BOARD TO TELL YOU OUTRIGHT WHAT THEY DESIRE GREATLY AFFECTS THE GAME AND LEAVES YOU WITH PRETTY MUCH A LOT OF BLIND SIDES +NOWING YOUR CLIENT BASED SOLELY ON THEIR GROSS MONTHLY INCOME PROFESSION NATIONALITY AND RELIGION ISN T JUST ENOUGH TO TAILOR A kTTING DESIGN SOLUTION )N REALITY THE PREFERENCE OF EVERY USER LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME SHIFTS FROM

g4HIS IS WHAT ) REALLY WANTEDu TO g4HIS IS WHAT ) CAN JUST AFFORD u WHICH FOR ME AS AN ARCHITECT IS QUITE UNORTHODOX ) WAS TRAINED TO DESIGN STRUCTURES THAT WOULD ADDRESS OUR CLIENT S REQUIREMENTS kRST TO DICTATE THE SPACES AND ACCORDINGLY SUGGEST THE lOOR AREA SPECIFY THE TYPE OF MATERIALS AND kNISHES WHICH AT THE END WILL DETERMINE THE PROBABLE COST #REATING A SUITABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PERSONAL TOUCH FROM THE PRIME USER IS LIKE COOKING AN EGG WITHOUT BREAKING THE SHELL WHICH IT COULD BE DONE !RCHITECTS USE VARIOUS DESIGN METHODOLOGIES AND TOOLS TO SOLVE A DESIGN PROBLEM WHICH REDUCES OR INHIBITS UNCALCULATED RISKS IN THE DESIGN PROCESS /NCE THE lOOR AREA FOR A PARTICULAR HOUSE MODEL IS PRE DETERMINED BASED ON THE CURRENT MARKET DEMAND MY DUTY AS THE ARCHITECT IS TO VALIDATE IF THE PROPOSED lOOR AREA IS REALISTIC OR NOT IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSED DESIGN REQUIREMENTS 5SING DATA FROM UNIVERSAL DESIGN STANDARDS AND APPLICABLE LOCAL CODES IS A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO WISELY EXECUTE A DESIGN SOLUTION 5NDERSTANDING THE HUMAN SCALE OR ANTHROPOMETRICS IS ALSO A GREAT FACTOR IN DESIGN WHETHER IT S A SIMPLE RESIDENTIAL OR A COMPLEX MIX USED DEVELOPMENT $ESIGNING FOR THE UNKNOWN IS FUNDAMENTALLY BASED ON USER EMPATHY AND VISION WHEREIN YOU TREAT EVERY SPACE AS IF IT WAS YOUR OWN AND CREATING A STORYBOARD IN YOUR BRAIN OF HOW WILL A HOUSE MODEL FUNCTION ONCE IT IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL 4HROUGH SPACE PROGRAMMING ) COULD CLEARLY DEkNE HOW BIG THE SPACE IS GOING TO BE CONSIDERING THE NUMBER AND MOVEMENT OF USERS WHICH WILL IDEALLY OCCUPY A PARTICULAR SPACE AS WELL AS THE QUANTITY AND DIMENSION OF EVERY FURNITURE OR EQUIPMENT A CERTAIN SPACE WOULD HOLD -OREOVER THE ADJACENCY MATRIX AND BUBBLE DIAGRAM ARE TOOLS WHICH RElECT THE RELATIONSHIP AND PRIVACY OF ONE SPACE TO ANOTHER !S A MATTER OF FACT THE ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHICAL AND INFRASTRUCTURAL CONTEXT OF A SPECIkC SITE IS ALSO CONSIDERED IN THE DESIGN THROUGH IN DEPTH SITE ANALYSIS 4HE LOCAL CODES ON THE OTHER HAND WILL AID IN DEkNING THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE DESIGN IN CONFORMITY WITH THE LAW 7E HAVE THE .ATIONAL "UILDING #ODE OF THE 0HILIPPINES &IRE #ODE OF THE 0HILIPPINES 3OCIALIZED (OUSING ,AW 3UBDIVISION AND #ONDOMINIUM

THE ARCHITECTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PERSPECTIVE ARCH. JOHNUS RENAN D. MIRAZOL 0ROTECTIVE $ECREE AND THE !CCESSIBILITY ,AW JUST TO NAME A FEW !SIDE FROM THESE MANDATED LAWS

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ALSO PRESCRIBE SPECIkC STANDARDS AND TECHNICAL DATA TO REGULATE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION )NDEED FOLLOWING EVERY DESIGN STANDARD AND CODE IS A TEDIOUS PROCESS BUT IT SIGNIkCANTLY DIMINISH ANY PROBLEM THE FUTURE USER SHALL BE HAVING ! GOOD ARCHITECT HAS THE INNATE RESPONSIVENESS TO KNOW HIS CLIENTS NEED (E HAS THE VISION TO ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS THAT MAY ASCEND

BY TRAINING HIMSELF TO ADDRESS EVERY SMALL DETAIL OF THE PROJECT WITH THE SAME TREATMENT AS THE WHOLE 4HE MANNER HOW EVERY ARCHITECT EXECUTES A DESIGN METHODOLOGY IN COHERENCE WITH SUBSTANTIAL DATA AND RESEARCH CONCLUDES WHETHER HIS EXPERIMENTS WOULD DELIVER AN EFFECTIVE DESIGN SOLUTION )NTENSIVE MARKETING RESEARCH WILL ALSO SUGGEST IF A TWO BEDROOM UNIT WOULD BE MORE FEASIBLE THAN HAVING A THREE BEDROOM HOUSE OR IF DEVELOPING A SERIES OF TOWNHOUSES WILL BE MORE PROkTABLE THAN A SERIES OF SINGLE ATTACHED HOUSE MODELS )NCREASING THE WIDTH OF CORRIDORS OR THE CEILING HEIGHT OF A HOUSE WILL DEkNITELY ADD PRESTIGE BUT WILL ALSO AFFECT THE SELLING PRICE 7E CAN ALSO SIMPLY KEEP WHAT IS PRESCRIBED BY LAW AT MINIMUM !LLOTTING SPACES FOR EXPANSION INCREASES THE PROPERTY S SELLING VALUE "UT WILL IT BE REALLY NECESSARY FOR THE USERS (OW WILL IT AFFECT THE EXISTING lOW OF SPACES !S FOR DESIGNING COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACES DEMOGRAPHICS AND MARKET SEGMENTATION WILL TELL IF IT WILL BE REASONABLE TO PROPOSE A TENNIS COURT RATHER THAN A BASKETBALL COURT 7E CAN ALSO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF THE USERS BY HAVING A COURTYARD SURROUNDED WITH TREES WHERE BOTH THE YOUNG AND ELDERLY CAN HAVE A MORE CONDUCIVE PLACE FOR EXERCISE AND REST )N REAL ESTATE TO MAKE A PRODUCT VIABLE THE CREATION OF A NEW CONCEPT SHOULD BE MORE THAN JUST ABSTRACTING PREVALENT IDEAS IN THE INDUSTR )T SHOULD A BY PRODUCT OF THE ARCHITECT S INTUITION TO KEEP THE BALANCE AMONG KNOWING WHAT IS STIPULATED BY THE BOOK EMBRACING THE TARGET MARKET AND CONTINUOUSLY INNOVATING DESIGNS THAT WILL POSITIVELY MARK HIS BRAND 7HEN ) WAS GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MENTOR ASPIRING ARCHITECTS IN THE ACADEME ) SHARED TO MY STUDENTS DURING THE kRST DAY OF CLASS THAT BEING AN ARCHITECT IS m PERCENT DESIGN WHICH IS A PROFOUND UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORY

THEORY SOCIO CULTURAL FACTORS LAWS

ADJACENCY MATRIX BUBBLE DIAGRAM

SPACE PLANNING CONCEPTS m PERCENT DATA AND RESEARCH

WHICH INVOLVES ANTHROPOMETRICS OR THE STUDY OF THE HUMAN DIMENSIONS AND HOW THEY COGNITIVELY WORK IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT 4HESE ALSO INVOLVES MARKETING RESEARCH SPACE PROGRAMMING

DESIGN STANDARDS AND CODES SCALE RATIO

PROPORTION AREA COMPUTATION 2/)

AND THE LIKE m PERCENT SKILL WHICH ) WOULD REFER TO AS THE ABILITY TO EFkCIENTLY TRANSLATE IDEAS TO TANGIBLE LIKE FREEHAND DRAWING AND SKETCHING AS WELL AS EQUIPPING THEMSELVES WITH THE LATEST COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND RENDERING ANIMATION SOFTWARE 4HEN ) ASKED MY STUDENTS WHERE THE REMAINING PERCENT WENT ) FONDLY REMEMBER GIVING THEM THE LETTER g,u AS THE kRST LETTER OF THE ANSWER -ORE THAN HALF OF MY STUDENTS DRASTICALLY SAID gLOVE u BECAUSE JUST LIKE ANY ARTIST

AN ARCHITECT MUST HAVE AN INSPIRATION BEHIND HIS MASTERPIECE /THERS GUESSED IT WAS gLUCK u BECAUSE IF ONE WANTS TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL ARCHITECT WHETHER IN PRIVATE PRACTICE OR BUILDING AN EMPIRE OF YOUR OWN LUCK MUST BE ON HIS SIDE 4HE REMAINING STUDENTS CONCLUDED IT WAS A SPLIT BETWEEN LOVE AND LUCK g4HE ANSWER LIES WITHIN YOU u ) TOLD THEM 7HETHER IT IS LOVE OR LUCK THAT SHOULD kLL IN THE GAP THE ARCHITECT

kRST AND FOREMOST AS A PROFESSIONAL

MUST HAVE THE ABILITY TO BIND HIS DESIGN KNOWLEDGE INTERPRET THE NUMBERS WITH WISDOM AND CONTINUOUSLY EQUIP THEMSELVES WITH SKILLS 2OLLED ALL TOGETHER THEY COULD PROVIDE DESIGN SOLUTIONS THAT WILL FABRICATE THE MOST EFFECTIVE BUILT ENVIRONMENT FOR MAN

mario.fetalino@manilatimes.net

B8

Development of P15-B township in high gear

Q Maple Grove boasts of several sustainability features that include a Rainwater Park â&#x20AC;&#x201D; two-hectare tree park designed to accommodate the townshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rain water runoff â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a landscape drip irrigation system, bike lanes, central material recovery facility, pocket gardens and tree parks, as well as vertical gardens in various buildings around the township.

EGAWORLD is fast tracking the THE 3OUTH u -APLE 'ROVE BOASTS OF #ENTRAL "USINESS $ISTRICT #"$ WITH CAREFULLY PLANNED WIDE ROAD developments in its new township SEVERAL SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES THAT INCLUDE A 2AINWATER 0ARK Â&#x2021; WHICH NETWORKS SURROUNDED BY SEVERAL in General Trias, Cavite â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Maple IS A TWO HECTARE TREE PARK DESIGNED GREEN AND OPEN PARKS Grove â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest developer sees a TO ACCOMMODATE THE TOWNSHIP S 4HE COMMERCIAL LOTS HAVE BEEN SOLD OUT IN JUST LESS THAN GROWING DEMAND FROM BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND OFkCE RAIN WATER RUNOFF Â&#x2021; A LANDSCAPE DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM BIKE LANES SIX MONTHS market in the area.

CENTRAL MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITY

,AST YEAR THE COMPANY ALSO POCKET GARDENS AND TREE PARKS AS LAUNCHED ITS FIRST RESIDENTIAL )N FACT -EGAWORLD #HIEF 3TRAT- LIGHT TRANSMITTING ARCHITECTURAL WELL AS VERTICAL GARDENS IN VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT THE STORY The EGY /FFICER +EVIN 4AN SAID THE SYSTEMS THAT MAXIMIZE THE USE OF BUILDINGS AROUND THE TOWNSHIP 6ERDIN AND ITS FIRST OFFICE TOWER COMPANY IS STARTING THE LAND DE- NATURAL SUNLIGHT WHILE MAINTAIN4HE TOWNSHIP WILL FEATURE &IBER WITH SALEABLE UNITS THE STOVELOPMENT AND COMMENCING THE ING COMFORT COOLING CONDITION /PTIC #ABLING 3YSTEM AND WILL RY /NE #ORPORATE 0LACE in CONSTRUCTION OF IT kRST LIFESTYLE MALL INSIDE THE BUILDING ALSO HAVE ITS OWN 4RANSPORT (UB -APLE 'ROVE )T WILL ALSO BE DESIGNED WITH CHAPEL AS WELL AS OTHER LEISURE AND IN #AVITE THIS YEAR g'ENERAL 4RIAS IS A KEY GROWTH g7E ARE FAST TRACKING THE DEVEL- GREY WATER RECYCLING FACILITIES RECREATIONAL FACILITIES CITY IN #AVITE 7E LOOK FORWARD TO OPMENTS IN -APLE 'ROVE AS WE PERCEIVED COOLING DESIGN FOR AIR g4HE WHOLE IDEA OF -APLE 'ROVE BUILDING ITS OWN @GREEN #"$ AND SEE A GROWING DEMAND FROM BOTH CONDITIONING AND PROVISIONS FOR IS TO MAKE IT WALKABLE AND ENVI- THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE NEXT kVE RESIDENTIAL AND OFkCE MARKET IN ROOF SOLAR PANELS RONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE 4HIS WILL TO SEVEN YEARS u 4AN SAID g7E WILL COMPLETE THE CONSTRUC- SO FAR BE OUR GREENEST TOWNSHIP u THIS AREA u SAID 4AN -APLE 'ROVE IS EASILY ACCES4HE TWO LEVEL gSUSTAINABLEu MALL TION OF THE MALL WITHIN TWO YEARS 4AN SAID SIBLE VIA THE #OASTAL 2OAD AND WHICH WILL HAVE AROUND ALONGSIDE THE LAND DEVELOPMENT

)N -EGAWORLD LAUNCHED #AVITEX WITH AN ESTIMATED TRAVEL SQUARE METERS OF GROSS lOOR AREA AS WE EXPECT THE -APLE 'ROVE COM- THE HECTARE -APLE 'ROVE #OM- TIME OF ONLY TO MINUTES WILL HAVE SEVERAL RETAIL AND FOOD MUNITY TO GROW FAST IN THE NEXT kVE MERCIAL $ISTRICT THAT OFFERED FROM -AKATI #"$ AND &ORT AND BEVERAGE OUTLETS FOUR CINEMAS YEARS u ADDS 4AN PRIME LOTS FOR SALE RANGING FROM "ONIFACIO AND LESS THAN AN HOUR INDOOR EVENTS AREA AND AN ANCHOR %ARLIER -EGAWORLD SAID IT WAS SQUARE METERS TO SQUARE TO AND FROM THE .INOY !QUINO SUPERMARKET RAISING ITS YEAR CAPITAL SPENDING METERS WITH A TOTAL INVENTORY )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT )NSPIRED BY THE DESIGN OF A TO BUILD THE HECTARE -APLE VALUE OF AROUND 0 BILLION 4HIS 3OON IT WILL ALSO HAVE A DIRECT gGREENHOUSE u THE MALL WILL 'ROVE TO 0 BILLION DISTRICT WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP HAS A LINK TO THE #AVITE ,AGUNA %XPRESSBE EQUIPPED WITH EXCEPTIONAL $UBBED AS THE g'REEN #ITY OF MASTERPLAN SIMILAR TO THE -AKATI WAY #ALAX

M

HygieneClean raises living standard (9')%.% HELPS MAINTAIN HEALTH AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF DISEASES

ITS NEGLECT CAN BE LIFE THREATENING !T HOME HYGIENE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE AND INCLUDES PROCEDURES USED IN A VARIETY OF DOMESTIC SITUATIONS 0REVENTING THE SPREAD OF DISEASES AT HOME MEANS BREAKING THE CHAIN OF INFECTION TRANSMISSION BY TARGETING THE MAJOR ROUTES OF PATHOGENS AT HOME ESPECIALLY IN THE BATHROOM 4HE MOST HARMFUL BACTERIA FOUND IN THE BATHROOM IS % COLI 4HRIVING IN THE BATHROOM Â&#x2021; LURKING IN WATER CONTAMINATED WITH HUMAN FECES BECOMING AEROSOLIZED WITH EVERY lUSH CONTAMINATING THE BOWL

THE lUSH HANDLE AND EVEN TOOTHBRUSHES Â&#x2021; THIS DANGEROUS STRAIN OF BACTERIA CAUSES SEVERE DIARRHEA FATAL TO BABIES AND THE ELDERLY 4HE 7ORLD (EALTH /RGANIZATION 7(/ AND 5NITED .ATION )NTERNATIONAL #HILDREN S %MERGENCY &UND 5NICEF CITE DIARRHEA AS A LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN UNDER YEARS OF AGE )N ALONE 5NICEF CITED ALMOST FATALITIES AND THE MAJOR CULPRIT IS % COLI 4HIS INTESTINE AFFECTING PATHOGEN CAN GET ANYONE SICK )T CAN CAUSE THE VERY YOUNG AND OLD TO GET MORE CRITICALLY SICK THAN THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD AS THEIR WEAKER DEFENSES AGAINST INFECTION CAN BE EASILY COMPROMISED (OW SAFE THEN IS YOUR BATHROOM !S THE TOILET CAN BE A HOT-

BED OF DISEASES THAT INCLUDE SEVERE DIARRHEA KNOWING BETWEEN SAFE AND UNSAFE BATHROOMS CAN SPELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SICKNESS AND HEALTH /NE OF THE WORLD S FIRST AND MOST ICONIC BRANDS IN SANITARY WARES !MERICAN 3TANDARD CONTINUES TO RAISE THE BAR IN DELIVERING BATHROOM SOLUTIONS BY ADDRESSING THE NEED OF HOMES TO BE PROTECTED FROM DEADLY DISEASES THAT CAN ORIGINATE IN THE BATHROOM !MERICAN 3TANDARD HAS HARNESSED AN INNOVATIVE HYGIENE TECHNOLOGY CALLED (YGIENE#LEAN 3YSTEM ! BUNDLE OF REVOLUTIONARY TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATIONS NOT ONLY ENSURES TOILETS ARE KEPT CLEAN

BUT ALSO ASSURES TOTAL HYGIENE BY RIDDING THE TOILET BOWL S SURFACE OF UNSEEN BACTERIA AND GERMS (YGIENE#LEAN 3YSTEM ANSWERS THE NEED OF HOMES EVERYWHERE TO BE PROTECTED FROM DEADLY DISEASES THAT ORIGINATE FROM AND SURVIVE AND GERMINATE IN THE BATHROOM 4HE SYSTEM IS PROVEN AND TESTED TO WORK EFFECTIVELY GIVING FAMILIES PEACE OF MIND 4HEY ARE ASSURED OF LONG TERM SAFETY AND PROTECTION 7ITH ITS POWERFUL FLUSHING TECHNOLOGIES (YGIENE #LEAN 3YSTEM HAS CUTTING EDGE INNOVATIONS LIKE !QUA #ERAMIC A SUPER HYDROPHILLIC TECHNOLOGY THAT PREVENTS DIRT AND DARK RING STAINS FROM STICKING TO CERAMIC SURFACES AND #OMFORT#LEAN A

Q Aqua Ceramic is a super-hydrophillic technology that prevents dirt and dark ring stains from sticking to ceramic surfaces.

CERAMIC GLAZE WITH ZINC OXIDE THE HEALTH OF THE FAMILY THAT EFFECTIVELY KILLS OR INHIBITS (YGIENE#LEAN IS THE NEWEST THE GROWTH OF % COLI BACTERIA EFFORT OF !MERICAN 3TANDARD TO INSIDE THE TOILET BOWL CONTINUALLY RAISE STANDARDS IN % VE N W I T H !Q U A # E R A M - THE BATHROOMS AND TO HELP RAISE IC AND #OMFOR#LEAN INNOVATIONS STANDARDS OF LIVING ANYWHERE AND REGULAR CLEANING IS STILL REQUIRED TO EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD PREVENT THE BUILD UP OF STAINS OVER !MERICAN 3TANDARD IS COMTIME ALTHOUGH THE FREQUENCY OF MITTED TO REMAIN AT THE FORETOILET CLEANING IS GREATLY REDUCED FRONT OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCE&AMILIES SHOULD NOT JUST SETTLE MENTS LEADING THE WORLD IN FOR CLEAN 4HEY NEED TO ENSURE INNOVATING LIFE CHANGING BATHTHEIR TOILETS ARE CLEAN AND HYGIENIC ROOM AND TOILET PRODUCTS THAT IF ONLY TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND HELP EVERYONE LIVE LIVES PURKNOWING IT WORKS TO SAFELY GUARD POSELY BEAUTIFULLY AND SAFELY

C 1

TTUESDAY, TUESD U E S DA DAY DAY AY, AAp April pr prriili 2, 2, 22019 0119 019 T H E M OTO R I N G S E C T I O N O F

Q The PGA Cars Service Center in Cebu adheres to global standards of maintenance and high quality of service of its brands.

Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley PH service center opens in Cebu P

GA Cars recently opened its service center in the Queen City of the South to support and accommodate its growing Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley customers in Cebu as well as the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao areas. The PGA Cars Service Center adheres to its brandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; global standards of maintenance and high quality of service.

The Cebu service center follows the CORPORATE IDENTITY OF THE HEAD OFkCE IN Greenhills, Metro Manila, which operates according to international standards while utilizing state-of-the-art equipment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Cebu-based technicians handling and servicing these luxury cars are interNATIONALLY CERTIkED AND REGULARLY UNDERGO intensive technical trainings overseas ensuring that the local technicians are updated WITH THE LATEST BRAND SPECIkC INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGIES 0'! #ARS IS kRMLY COMMITTED TO BRING THE BEST QUALIkED AND SKILLED people who can give the utmost diagnosis and care to the cars they are servicing,â&#x20AC;? PGA Cars said in a statement.

Upon entering the world-class service center, customers are warmly greeted at the reception area. While waiting for their cars at the service area, the customers can relax at the fully air-conditioned lounge where they can enjoy the various entertainment amenities. They can browse the internet AND CHECK THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA AS THEY CONNECT TO THE COMPLIMENTARY WI k lIP THROUGH the latest Christophorus (Porsche), Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley magazines, watch the latest highperformance car videos on the

Q The PGA Cars Service Center Cebu team. wide-screen television while enjoying free SNACKS AND REFRESHMENTS A terminal car showcase in the service center highlights the latest models from the four luxury car brands. The feature vehicles change every so often whenever a new Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini or Porsche model is unveiled, ensuring there is always something new and interesting at the PGA Cars mini terminal in Cebu.

Comprehensive aftesales services

The PGA Cars Service Center in Cebu offers a comprehensive aftersales services such as, the latest generation online-connected PIWIS diagnostic testers and Audi VAS diagnostic computers, which ensure vehicle performance is always optimal, the latest state-of-the-art wheel balancer that not only dynamically balances large di-

ameter and wide sports cars/SUV tires but also measures road force as it simulates a tire as it rolls down the road at high speed.

There is also a fully automatic tire changer to remove the tires from high-performance LIGHT ALLOY WHEELS THAT MINIMIZES RISK OF damage to both tire and wheel. To ensure perfect car wheel alignment, a wireless four-wheel wireless alignment system is utilized at the service center.

For paint and body collision damage, painting is done in an 80-cubic meter sealed paintbooth. This provides ideal painting regardless of weather conditions.

-EANWHILE TO MAINTAIN THE PEAK PERFORmance of carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s air conditioning system, technicians use a fully automatic air-conditioning refrigerant charging machine.

The new PGA Cars Service Center in Cebu is the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to provide the best possible vehicle-ownership experience to its customers, giving the best and latest professional care and maintenance to its clients no matter where they are in the country.

Should existing PGA Cars clients wish to peruse and test drive the latest models, they can visit the PGA Cars Cebu Showroom located at SM Seaside City, which houses all PGA Car brands.

There are a total of 16 cars on display at any given time, giving clients, both new and old, a wide array of choices under a single roof.

PGA Cars Centers in Cebu is located at GMC Plaza Legaspi Extension corner MJ Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City. Contact numbers are +63-323440717 and 639175803643.

The PGA Cars Center Cebu Showroom is located at the Lower Ground, Cube Wing, SM Seaside City, Cebu City. Contact number for Porsche is 63-322552597 and for Audi, 63-322552603.

Q For paint and body collision damage, painting is done in an 80-cubic meter sealed paintbooth.

Q The PGA Cars Service Center in Cebu offers a comprehensive aftersales services such as the latest generation online-connected PIWIS diagnostic testers and Audi VAS diagnostic computers.

C 2

TUESDAY, April 2 , 2019

Experience Fun and Function at MIAS 2019 N

OW on its 15th edition, the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) continues to uphold its enduring promise to elevate the way Filipinos travel, with a presentation that will enable one to “Experience the Fun and Function” of the latest and most impressive auto and motor innovations.

Recognizing the two primary reasons that compel consumers to visit car shows, this year’s MIAS vows to offer visitors with an entertaining trade SHOW EXPERIENCE AND LIKEWISE PROVIDE them with an insightful and producTIVE LOOK INTO THE LATEST TRENDS FROM the industry.

Far from your typical car show, -)!3 HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN NOT only for its spectacular car launches and product displays, but also its exCITING ARRAY OF POCKET EVENTS THAT GIVE auto enthusiasts countless opportunities to bond with their friends and families. If last year’s MIAS managed to house 150 companies, a whopping number of 305 car displays, 34 TRUCK DISPLAYS AND MOTORCYCLE DISPLAYS VISITORS CAN EXPECT TO kND A bigger and more staggering number of displays at this year’s show.

What’s more is that MIAS is gearing up to showcase several show highLIGHTS THAT CAR JUNKIES COULD TRULY watch out for. Among these include the various car club displays that will be launched to the public at the World Trade Center Driveway. Meanwhile, addressing the growing demand for COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND LARGE TRUCKS

MIAS 2019 is also thrilled to return WITH ITS 4RUCK $ISPLAY THAT WILL BE located at the North Wing side of the venue. On the opposite side of the spectrum, collectors are invited not to miss this year’s Miniature DieCast Car Collection Display. &OR THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE NEW AUTOMOTIVE PURCHASES OR SIMPLY EXPERIENCE WHAT IT S LIKE TO RIDE

out the latest car models, MIAS will also be conducting test drives outside the venue’s main hall. A signature COMPONENT OF ALL -)!3 SHOWS BACK to carry out a series of mind-blowing stunt performances is Guinness World Record Holder Russ Swift with his trusty Subaru cars. And last but not the least, this year’s MIAS teamed up with Petron for another round of the Classic Car Competition that is expected to feature over a hundred of entries of the most creatively executed car set-ups.

Hailed as the country’s most anticipated car and motor show in the country, the 15th Manila International Auto Show or MIAS 2019 is happening on April 4 to 7, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the World Trade Center Manila and North Wing. For more information, visit manilaautoshow. com and follow Manila InternaTIONAL !UTO 3HOW ON &ACEBOOK AND @mias.ph on Instagram. You may also contact 656-9239 and inquire@ worldbexevents.com

Q See these Motul-powered

supercars at this year’s MIAS.

TUESDAY, April 2, 2019

C 3

AAP-Mazda motor sports program aims to develop future talents

T

TEXT AND PHOTOS

BY MATTHEW EMMANUEL BUHION

HE Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) in partnership with Mazda Philippines recently kicked off the 2019 Motorsports Development Program (MSDP) at the Megatent in Libis, Quezon City. The highlight of the event was the turnover of two brand new Mazda SEDANS BY -AZDA 0( 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER 3TEVEN 4AN for the use of participants during course of the motor sports program. .

4HE !!0 S -3$0 DATES BACK TO under any condition. This is a philosophy that can be felt with every 2015 with the vision of becoming a Mazda vehicle grassroots-training program for 16 to you drive.

19 year-olds. Not only does it teach Tan, a motor PARTICIPANTS TO BE QUICK ON THE TRACK

but also have a mindset of a champion.

The MSDP opens the avenue for participants, which have the talent, and NOT NECESSARILY THE FINANCIAL BACKING In addition, the MSDP incorporates the application of racing techniques, SUCH AS BRAKING CORNERING AND SMOOTH driving, to everyday commutes.

Mazda PH addressed its support to the MSDP in 2017, when it handed over kVE -AZDA HATCHBACKS FOR THE USE IN the training program. This support also shows the drive behind the Jinba Ittai Academy, which aims to connect car and driver, leading to safe and yet fun driving

sports fan himself, having driven in the Asia Pacific Rally, saw the opportunity to support the program once again by handing over five brand new Mazda 2 sedans. During

his speech, Tan mentioned he would be adding another unit for the use in the provincial destinations of the MSDP. Using the brand new Mazda 2 sedans during the training program lets you feel how sporty Mazda vehicles are. Even the entry Mazda 2 has the agility and spritely characteristics that reward you when driven properly.

Mazda truly is a vehicle made for drivERS BY DRIVERS WITH KEY PERSONALITIES in the corporate office having motor sports experience.

Instructing the participants comes from none other than one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest rally drivers, Vip Isada. A 10-time N a tional

Q Volkswagen Alabang is now located at Caltex along AlabangZapote Road, Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

New Volkswagen Alabang location offers better showroom experience for southern Metro residents VOLKSWAGEN Alabang, which opened in late 2014 in the Molito Commercial Complex as a satellite showroom, is now a dealership with a more comprehensive display line-up, and is situated along the service road of Alabang-Zapote Road

Q Volkswagen Alabang offers an aftersales service consistent with premium automobile ownership.

beside the Caltex station at the Madrigal "USINESS 0ARK IN !YALA !LABANG -UNTINlupa City.

6OLKSWAGEN !LABANG WHICH WAS AMONG THE kRST FOUR DEALERSHIP NETWORK INAUGURATED SOON AFTER 6OLKSWAGEN 0HILIPPINES

started business operations in September

ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF 6OLKSWAGEN S clientele in southern Metro Manila who are ready for German-engineered precision and craftsmanship at accessible price points.

4HE NEW 6OLKSWAGEN !LABANG DEALER-

ship gives visiting customers an even more expansive showroom experience, while offering an enhanced aftersales service consistent with premium automobile ownership.

6OLKSWAGEN !LABANG COMPLETES THE

Q To make the customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience convenient and satisfying, the Volkswagen Alabang team is ready to personally take care of their needs.

Rally Champion, Isada, along with his other seasoned instructors will get YOU TO RETHINK YOUR DRIVING STYLE JUST on the first module. They will correct your seating position, foot positioning and hand position on the wheel, before they can let you participate in the exercises. As mentioned earlier, THE APPLICATION IS FOR THE TRACK BUT can be used for everyday commutes, for safer and more efficient driving.

It uses the notion, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smooth is Fastâ&#x20AC;? that is demonstrated throughout the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities.

You may be able to afford the best suspension set up or engine tuning, but if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t equip your car with the best driver, all will go to waste. Join the AAPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MSDP

BY VISITING THEIR &ACEBOOK PAGE WITH THE listed schedule nearest to your area.

PRESENT ROSTER OF EIGHT DEALER NETWORKS OF 6OLKSWAGEN 0( THE OTHERS BEING 6OLKSWAGEN "'# AT TH 3TREET #ITY Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; 6OLKSWAGEN 1UEZON !VENUE AT 1UEZON !VENUE 1UEZON #ITY 6OLKSWAGEN 'REENkELD $ISTRICT 3ERVICE #ENTER AT Sheridan Street, Barangay Highway Hills, -ANDALUYONG #ITY 6OLKSWAGEN 0AMpanga at McArthur Highway, Dolores, San &ERNANDO 0AMPANGA 6OLKSWAGEN #EBU at A. Soriano Avenue, North Reclamation !REA #EBU #ITY 6OLKSWAGEN )LOILO AT 4OP North, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Iloilo; and 6OLKSWAGEN "ACOLOD ALONG !RANETA 3TREET

Singcang, Bacolod City. !S ANNOUNCED BY NEW 6OLKSWAGEN 0( President Felipe Estrella on February 28, the exclusive importer and distributor OF 6OLKSWAGEN VEHICLES IN THE COUNTRY intends to expand its nationwide dealerSHIP NETWORK TO BY THE END OF The dealership expansion has, in fact, STARTED ROLLING WITH 6OLKSWAGEN 3TA 2OSA in Laguna to become the ninth and the most recent addition.

4HE DEALER NETWORK EXPANSION HAS ALSO been seen as a necessary step for the German marque to achieve its 2019 target sales that aims to top its 2018 sales record of 1,363 units by at least 50 percent more, consistent with its compounded annual GROWTH RATE OF PERCENT SINCE 6OLKSWAgen PHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start of operations in 2013. #USTOMERS VISITING THE NEW 6OLKSWAGEN Alabang showroom will see on display and available for test drive the vehicles that WILL MAKE THE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE THAT IS UNIQUE TO THE 6OLKSWAGEN BRAND EVEN more accessible to Filipinos: The Santana, Santana GTS, Lavida, Tiguan, and Lamando.

Customers can beat the morning rush HOUR TO THE DEALERSHIP AS THE 6OLKSWAGEN Alabang showroom opens as early as 7 a.m. every day (including Sundays) and closes at 7 p.m., while service hours begin from 8 a.m. up to 5 p.m. (Mondays to SatURDAYS 4O MAKE IT EVEN MORE CONVENIENT for customers, they can call in advance at TRUNKLINE OR MOBILE NUMBER AND ASK FOR /PERATIONS -ANAGER %DUARD 2IVERA TO PERSONALLY TAKE care of their needs.

With the bigger, more accessible and enhanced aftersales services offered by THE NEW 6OLKSWAGEN !LABANG &ILIPINOS RESIDING AND WORKING IN SOUTHERN -ETRO -ANILA CAN NOW BE MORE CONkDENTLY ASSURED 7ITH 6OLKSWAGEN YOUR DRIVE WILL be better.

C 4

TUESDAY, April 2, 2019

Driven

TEXT AND PHOTOS

BY DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD

D

ESPITE being beaten to the draw last year by its chief rival Toyota with the Rush MPV, Mitsubishiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Xpander MPV prevailed and has continued to rack in the numbers in the sales race. Maybe its because the Philippine market loves underdogs or simply because this MPV is gorgeous from end-to-end. This writer EXPERIENCED LOVE AT kRST sight when I saw it last during its launch.

Admittedly, Mitsubishi is a tad late in the -06 BRAWL (ONDA ALREADY SAW THAT MARKET WAY BACK IN WHEN IT LAUNCHED THE -OBILIO AND 3UZUKI WITH THE %RTIGA !LTHOUGH 4OYOTA WAS ALREADY kELDING ITS !VANZA IN OTHER 3OUTHEAST !SIAN MARKETS WHEN THE -06 BUG WENT ALL OUT IN

Xpand your choices with Mitsubishi

THE DOMESTIC MARKET MANUFACTURERS STARTED TO CASH IN ON THIS EMERGING MARKET The success of the Xpander is evident in the fact that Nissan is set to introduce an MPV on its own, which is actually the twin brother of its Mitsubishi brethren. Nissan has yet to announce when its MPV version will be launched locally.

Credit goes to the Honda Mobilio for popularizing the seven-seater concept to Filipinos. With the Xpander, Mitsubishi went a bit it higher by THROWING A FUTURISTIC LOOKING -06 WITH -06 WITH A STRIKING FRONT END THAT MY BOYHOOD BOYHOOD hero Shaider would approve of.f. It has A TALL PROkLE SPACIOUS AND lEXIBLE XIBLE interior, which is just what the 0HILIPPINE MARKET NEEDS &ILIPINOS INOS tend to use their vehicles for or a myriad of functions. The Xpander nder d hits the spot because it has enough ugh room for the junior soccer team, eam, and just by folding the seats, you have a grocery mobile that your MOM CAN TAKE WITH HER ON ERRANDS RANDS &OR GEAR HEADS LIKE THIS WRITER

WRITER

THE DASHBOARD LAYOUT IS SLEEK WITH EK WITH touches of aluminum and swathes of leather. The climate control ntrol and the audio unit are well within reach of the drivers, perfect perrfeect for short-limbed Asians. Forr an MPV, thee Xpander Xpaand der has generous leg and headroom, room, and the he climate cli lima maatee mate CONTROL KEEPS HUMIDITY AT BAY 4HE 4HE SUSPENSION SUSSPEEN NSSIO I N N play is also commendable that is good goo od for for our fo ou ur bad roads.

The 1.5-liter DOHC engine gine pumpss outs ou utss 103 103 3 hp and 141 Nm of torque, and provides provide dess enough enou en ou o ugh h grunt for daily use. Forget about your â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fast and the Furiousâ&#x20AC;? delusions with this vehicle because it was purposely designed for family use and not for speed, which explains the Xpanderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s excellent fuel economy. Man, this MPV sips fuel LIKE A CAMEL !RABS WOULD NOT LIKE THIS VEHICLE &OR ITS LOOKS FUEL EFkCIENCY AND RIDE QUALITY

this writer would recommend the Xpander for practical reasons. It is actually better than its chief rival, but yet again, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another story.

The Xpander MPV retails for P999,000 for the entry level GLX 1500G 2WD with a manual tranny, with the high-end variant GLS Sport 2WD A/T priced just above the oneMILLION PESO MARK AT 0 MILLION

Q The sky is the limit with Ford.

D 1

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

THE MOTORING SECTION OF

The sky â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s the limit for Ford TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MATTHEW EMMANUEL BUHION

T

HIS WRITER S BOYHOOD DREAM WAS TO lY A massive 747 across oceans on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, due to some late night reading and heavy computer use, I ended up with bad vision, along with the fact that my height might not be enough to see over the control panels. Nonetheless, nothing stopped me from trying to pursue my dreams.

Ford Philippines gave me the opportunity one WEEKEND TO FULkLL MY DREAMS OF lIGHT ON AN Ultralight plane, and on top of that, drive their BEST SELLING &ORD 2ANGER TO THE AIRkELD

Ford loaned out a 2019 Ranger 2.0L Wildtrak 4x2 AT, for the weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festivities. This example has a single turbo under the hood and drive coming from the two

wheels at the rear. Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2.0L Wildtrak 4x2 AT Ranger for 2019 has performance kGURES OF HP AND .M OF TORQUE

mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

During my drive, the engine consumed an average of 9 to 11 kms/liter during highspeed highway driving. The difference between the single turbo in this 2.0L Wildtrak and the Biturbo in the

higher spec 2.0L Wildtrak is very minimal.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll go unnoticed for those who havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t driven both back-to-back over long distances. For nitpickers such as myself, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll notice the slight hesitation after putting your foot down on the accelerator for a passing maneuver, but nonetheless this Ranger is more than capable. Much like the Biturbo, the engine really wakes up at

RPM GIVING YOU A REkNED DELIVERY of power. Many times during my drive, I would look down at the speedometer and realize Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been going above the legal speed limit, because the power delivery is just so smooth and effortless.

The flight with an ultralight The Angeles City Flying Club caters to ultralight and light sport aircraft. Housed IN THE 7OODLAND !IRkELD IN !NGELES #ITY

Pampanga, they have been a teaching ulTRALIGHT lYING SINCE 7ALKING AROUND THE HANGARS YOU LL kND THAT THEY DON T JUST cater to ultralights, as there were Cherokees, AND #ESSNAS AMONG THE kXED WING PLANES

kNDING A HOME AT 7OODLAND !IRkELD An ultralight is a two-seater single-engine plane, which has a power output of 50 hp and could cruise at 40 mph (64 kph).

Imagine a glider, with a metal tubular

frame basket underneath the wing, similar to a rollcage, with a massive electric fan at the rear. It uses a â&#x20AC;&#x153;tricycle landing gear,â&#x20AC;? with one tire in front, and two in the rear.

It also has a panel for airspeed, altitude and engine management. You sit side by side with your instructor, with pitch and roll controls between the both of you, and RUDDER FOOT PEDALS FOR EACH SEAT )T S lYING in the simplest form.

Upon sitting beside my instructor for the day, going by the alias, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bob Hoover,â&#x20AC;?

HE QUICKLY TAUGHT ME THE lIGHT CONTROLS AND A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE DAY S lIGHT /PTING FOR THE LAST lIGHT OF THE DAY SO ) CAN WATCH THE SUN SET IN THE SKY WE QUICKLY TAXIED TO OUR RUNWAY ! LONG GRASS kELD LAY ahead of us, as the loud revving engine of the ultralight came to life. We gained speed rolling down the grass runway, and with no effort whatsoever as she lifted off.

Like a sensation Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never felt before, I WAS AIRBORNE AND QUICKLY CLIMBED TO OUR cruising level of 500 feet. You have the beautiful Mount Arayat on your right and the landscape of Pampanga ahead.

This was very different from many lIGHTS ) VE TAKEN JUST BY THE MERE FACT THIS aircraft has no cabin. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s you, the serenity AND TRANQUILITY OF BEING IN THE AIR WITH NO

worry about what was happening 500 feet BELOW YOU 7ITH THE WIND lOWING THROUGH YOUR WHOLE BODY AND THAT SENSE OF lYING like a bird once the instructor gives you control of the aircraft. I sat and marveled at how beautiful the Philippines truly is, while I watched the orange tint of the sun SINK SLOWLY UNDER THE HORIZON .EXT THING ) KNEW WE WERE LINED UP ON OUR kNAL APPROACH TO LAND BACK IN 7OODLAND !IRkELD The whole drive home I was thinking how to summarize two very different modes of transportation, into one conclusion. I then realized it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t about the two vehicles themselves, but the feeling they give. The Rangerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marketing tag line of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Born Readyâ&#x20AC;? will put you in that mindset of adventure, to go anywhere at anytime. Which is true, with the capabilities of the Ford Ranger so vast on road and off road, it can awaken the weekend warrior in every owner, and proves why it is the best-selling model for the blue oval. Much like with the ultralight, there is a feeling of accomplishment once landing BACK AT THE AIRkELD )T S ANOTHER THRILL YOU VE crossed off your list, and soared high above everyone else.

We should live our lives as the Ford Ranger wants us to be, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Born Readyâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Built Ford Tough.â&#x20AC;?

D 2

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

Q From left: Joel Pedro of Overland Kings PH and Sam Liuson of Black Rhino PH opens their Southside showroom.

Black Rhino opens Southside outlet B

TEXT BY DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD

LACK Rhino, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most recognized brand of aftermarket SUV wheels, recently inaugurated its outlet store. Strategically situated along Km15 West Service Road, South Superhighway, Paranaque City, the Black Rhino showroom is in collaboration with Overland Kings, Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular brand for outdoor lifestyle gears and equipment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This facility is geared towards offroad enthusiasts, adventure seekers and outdoors people who want to explore the beauty of nature,â&#x20AC;? explained Sam Liuson of Black Rhino PH. Alongside Black Rhinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complete line of SUV wheels, the SHOWROOM ALSO OFFERS EQUIPMENT FROM

Overland Kings such as vehicle roof racks, portable toilets and refrigerators, outdoor lighting systems, and vehicle-mounted tents and canopies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The products we carry are from world class brands that have BEEN TRIED AND TESTED IN THE WILDu SAID *OEL Pedro of Overland Kings PH.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;True enough, the vehicles on display DURING THE LAUNCH WERE EQUIPPED WITH gear for self-reliant long distance travel,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The shop is inspired by the growing demand for the off-roading/camping lifestyle.

Overlanding is a term that traces its roots from Australia, which refers to traveling to remote destinations where the journey itself is part of the experience. We are promoting this lifestyle for people to get away from the stressful concrete jungle and have a great time. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family time away from gadgets and social media,â&#x20AC;? Pedro added.

For more information about the Black Rhino Outlet Store and Overland Kings, visit their showroom or follow Black Rhino Wheels Philippines Outlet Store on Facebook and Instagram. You may also check their website at www.blackrhinowheels.ph

Clark to host Hot Air Balloon Festival from all walks of life,â&#x20AC;? said Wilfredo PlaciNO VICE CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT OF ''$# From April 12 to 14, all roads lead to Clark THE SKIES ABOVE #LARK 'LOBAL #ITY WILL as balloonists from 12 countries including once again be dotted with eye-popping and the United States, Belgium, Malaysia, France, colorful hot air balloons as it ushers in the .ETHERLANDS 4HAILAND !USTRALIA "RAZIL

SUMMER SEASON /RGANIZED BY THE 'LOBAL 6IETNAM AND )NDIA WILL kELD LARGER THAN 'ATEWAY $EVELOPMENT #ORP ''$# AND life tethered balloons throughout the threesponsored by Frontfrow International, SM day festival.

City Clark and Phoenix Pulse Technology, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A tethered balloon ride is when baland supported by Dickies and Clark Medi- loons are tied to the ground with three cal City, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hot Air Balloon Festival to four very strong ropes to keep the balpromises to be bigger, bolder and with LOON FROM lYING AWAY u EXPLAINED BY .OEL MORE FUN kLLED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC Castro, consultant for the Hot Air Balloon â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be balloon rides, a racing Festival. festival and a daily evening concert, which Event organizers estimated the event is geared towards the enjoyment of people WOULD ATTRACT TO PEOPLE DUR-

TEXT BY DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD

ing over three days. Aside from the balloon rides, the event will also bring in car clubs and motor sports activities such as the .ATIONAL $RIFT #HAMPIONSHIP 3LALOM 2ACing, Philippine Autocross Championship Series, The Philippine Rallycross Series, plus a special treat from Suzuki Motorcycle PH by way of a stunt show.

For the musically-inclined, there would be a nightly concert featuring the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest bands such as Slapshock on Friday, Kamikazee on Saturday, and Ely Buendia, (ALE AND 5NIQUE 3ALONGA AS THE MAIN ACTS for Sunday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This event promises to be a feast for all the senses and a weekend that you would Q Officials and committee members of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hot Air Balloon Festival. not want to miss,â&#x20AC;? added Placino.

Tuned

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

D 3

Superfast cars in Motul trackday I

TEXT BY DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD AND PHOTOS BY JEREL FAJARDO

T is perhaps the largest gathering of drool worthy supercars in one venue. Name THE EXOTIC CAR OF YOUR DREAMS AND YOU LL kND IT HERE AT THE SECOND ANNUAL STAGING of the 300V Superfast Trackday. Held at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga, the by-invitation only trackday was organized by Carlos Gono of Motul PH-Autoplus, the undisputed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lingdaoâ&#x20AC;? of the local supercar community.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s atrecord of su*$- EXOTICS

LamborghiMartins, Lofast Porsches, 3 ' 4 S

BHP &ORD '4 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Seeing ing turn out to continue 'ONO This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

tendees broke last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s percar participants and which included Ferraris, nis, Mercedes Benzes, Aston tus two-seaters, wickedly insanely fast two McLaren and the famous 1,000+ OF 'ONO this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overwhelmis an inspiration for us this event next year,â&#x20AC;? said participants had 90 su-

PERCARS AND DROOL WORTHY *$- MACHINES THAT INCLUDED A SLEW OF .ISSAN '42S HEADED BY THE WHP .ISMO '42 OF +IRK "ALTAZAR THAT CLOCKED in an impressive 10.60 seconds around the speedway. There were also a good number of Subaru WRX 3TIS (ONDA .38S 4YPE 2S AND 3 S AND 4OYOTA S AND 3UBARU "2:S IN FULL RACE SET UP â&#x20AC;&#x153;The mood of the event was festive, where all classes of car enthusiasts got together with a common passion, talking and sharing their interest

and experience to push their cars to the limit safely AT THE RACE TRACK u 'ONO SAID

Fast fours This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s program consisted of a supercar trackday, and a Âź-mile drag for supercars and a Touge-style battle for the Subaru WRX Sti Club and VOAC Club members.

4HE FASTEST CARS DURING THE 6 -OTUL 3UPERFAST WERE THE .ISMO '42 OF "ALTAZAR THE WHP .ISSAN '42 OF !GA 4OMAWIS SECONDS 0ORSCHE

'4 23 OF *IM "ALTAZAR SECONDS -C,AREN 3 '4 WITH HP ON TAP DRIVEN BY ,UIS 'ONO SECONDS AND THE HP -C,AREN ,4 OF ARCHITECT AND CHURCH PASTOR *UN 'O SECONDS â&#x20AC;&#x153;This event was conceptualized for Motul clients, FANS AND DEALERS FOR THEM TO EXPERIENCE kRST HAND how well Motul high-performance products cope with actual race conditions where engine revs and power output are always at their peak. Motul PH offered free breakfast for the participants while Angels Burger took CARE OF THE FREE LUNCH FOR ALL u 'ONO SAID 4HE 6 -OTUL 3UPERFAST WAS SPONSORED BY -OTUL

Autoplus and Clean Fuel.

D 4

TUESDAY

April 2, 2019

Q Isuzu Philippines Corp.

(IPC) Sales Division head Joseph Bautista poses with the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iterations of the modern jeepney.

Q IPC and LTFRB officials at the turnover ceremony. From left: Joseph Bautista, Sales Division head at IPC; lawyer Martin Delgra, LTFRB chairman; Mario Ojales, department manager, IPC Fleet Sales; and Conrad Almazora, president of Almazora Motors Corp.

IPC turns over 20 modernized PUVs to PGT Transeco A s the PUV modernization is making headway nationwide, the Isuzu modern PUVs can now be of service in the city of Tarlac.

Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) turned over 20 units of their PUV units to one of Pasang Masdaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s umbrella organization, THE 0ANIQUI 'ERONA 4ARLAC 4RASNPORT 3ERVICES #OOPERATIVE 0'4 4RANSECO ON -ARCH IN 0ANIQUI 4ARLAC 4HIS is in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Also present during the turnover were LTRFRB Chairman Martin Delgra RD !LMAZORA -OTORS #ORP 0RESIDENT Conrad Almazora, Inteco Chief ExecuTIVE /FkCER AND 0RESIDENT 2AYMOND *ARINA AND )0# 3ALES $IVISION HEAD *OSEPH Bautista.

The purchase partnership between IPC AND 0'4 4RANSECO WAS FACILITATED BY THE Isuzu Quezon Avenue dealership.

IPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modernized PUVs have been ASSEMBLED USING THE )SUZU 1+2 PLAT-

form and the rear body designed and manufactured by Almazora Motors.

These are air-conditioned Class 2 vehiCLES WITH A SIDE FACING SEAT CONkGURATION The Isuzu QKR platform is assembled in THE 0HILIPPINES AND IS EQUIPPED WITH THE %URO COMPLIANT *( 4# DIESEL ENGINE that delivers better fuel economy and cleaner emissions than jeepneys.

The new PUV body is compliant with 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 3TANDARDS 0.3

ALL GEARED FOR PASSENGERS safety and added convenience in fare collection.

The new PUVs warranty coverages for cab and chassis is three years or 150,000 KILOMETERS WHICHEVER COMES kRST AND separate warranty for body, aircon and accessories, which are options not available for old jeepneys.

Delgra commended IPC for its continuous support of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Automakers like Isuzu Philippines Corp. play a key role in the modernization program since they provide the units that we need to make this program move forward,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This modernization program actually addresses not simply replacing old units with new ones, but also replacing old practices with new modern systems that will make THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM MORE EFkCIENT MORE

affordable and predictable. This is what the President (Rodrigo Duterte) has been saying â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s give the Filipino a comfortable lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? added Delgra.

The March 15 turnover was seen as IPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headway into the largely untapped modernized PUV market in the province, and the LEADING *APANESE TRUCK MANUFACTURER S CLEAR show of support for the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ongoing PUVMP. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very honored to be providing them their modern 056S AS 0'4 4RANSECO LEADS THE PUV modernization program rolled out by the local governMENT HERE IN 0ANIQUI 4ARLAC u said Bautista. g7E ARE CONkDENT THAT THESE units will be able to provide them a more durable, comfortable and safe transport solution to the riding public,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The PUVMP is envisioned to replace some 250,000 jeepneys nationwide with new, safe and environment-friendly, secure, convenient and comfortable PUVs.

Sports

w w w.manilatimes.net Q Golden State Warriors guard Quinn Cook (No. 4) drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (No. 0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 31, 2019, in Oakland, Calif.

AP PHOTO

TUESDAY E1 APRIL 2, 2019

Warriors thump Hornets, take one game lead over beaten Nuggets

L

OS ANGELES: The NBA champion Golden State Warriors routed the Charlotte Hornets 137-90 Sunday (Monday in Manila), bouncing back from A FRUSTRATING DEFEAT TO REGAIN kRST PLACE IN the Western Conference.

Stephen Curry scored 25 points, Klay Thompson added 24 and the two com-

bined to make 11 three-pointers as the Warriors overcame the second quarter ejection of DeMarcus

DUKE TOPPLED AS FINAL FOUR SET IN US COLLEGE BASKETBALLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;MARCH MADNESSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; LOS ANGELES: Top -seeded Duke University and their superstar Zion Williamson were toppled by Michigan State S u n d ay ( M o n d ay i n M a n i l a ) a s t h e Fi n a l Fo u r we r e s e t i n t h e N C A A c o l l e g i ate b a s ke t b a l l c h a m p i o n s h i p.

The Blue Devils, crowned NC AA champions six times under iconic coach Mike Krzyzewski, fell 68-67 to bow out of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;March Madnessâ&#x20AC;? knockout competition that is one of the highlights of the US spor ting calendar.

Kenny Goins drained a three-pointer with 35 seconds left that put the Spar tans ahead for good and Duke went scoreless on their final three possessions as the second-seeded Michigan State reached the semi-finals.

Duke saw their season end in the quar ter-finals dubbed the Elite Eight for

Q Zion Williamson (No. 1) of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the locker room after his teams 68-67 loss to the Michigan State Spartans in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on Monday in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO

the second straight year.

Williamson scored 24 points with 14 rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots in what was

almost cer tainly the finale of his collegiate career.

At 18, he has already d r aw n c o m p a r i s o n s to N B A s u p e r s t a r Le B r o n J a m e s

a n d i s ex p e c te d to a n n o u n c e s h i s p l a n s to e n te r n ex t J u n eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s N B A d r a f t, i n w h i c h h e i s a l i ke l y No. 1 c h o i c e.

D u ke wa s nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t t h e o n l y f avo r i te to m i s s o u t o n a t r i p to t h e Fi n a l Fo u r, w h i c h w i l l t a ke p l a c e A p r i l 6 - 8 i n M i n n e a p o l i s, Minnesota.

Auburn reached the semi-finals for the first time with a 77-71 over time win over Kentucky -- having already beaten perennial contenders Kansas and Nor th Carolina.

Tex a s Te c h a r e a l s o i n t h e Fi n a l Fo u r fo r t h e f i r s t t i m e a f te r b e t i n g Gonzaga 75-69.

Michigan State will play Texas Tech in one national semi-final S aturday in Minneapolis. Auburn will take on the University of Virginia, who advanced with an 80-75 over time win over AFP Purdue.

La Salle, Adamson go for clincher /.% DOWN ONE TO GO Can La Salle end a twoYEAR DROUGHT FOR A 5!!0 baseball championship and win the Green Archersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; kFTH TODAY Or can their archrival !TENEO "LUE %AGLES STOP ITS own four-year thirst for the CROWN AND EXACT REVENGE ON the same team that denied them back-to-back title BACK IN 3EASON 4HE !RCHERS AND THE %AGLES COLLIDE FOR THE FIFTH time this season at 12 noon today, not only for the 2019 tiara, but, more imPORTANTLY FOR THE BRAGGING RIGHTS OF EXTENDING THEIR mastery over the other, not only in basketball but in BASEBALL AS WELL Ateneo beat La Salle for the basketball plum early this season in what, as usual, served a bitter pill to

SWALLOW THAT NEEDS AVENGING IN OTHER SPORTS The Archers, actually, had won half of the job by UPENDING THE %AGLES

in a wire-to-wire clash last 3ATURDAY IN THE kRST OF THEIR best-of-three title series and only need to complete their MISSION IN THEIR HIGH NOON date at the 85 year-old 2IZAL -EMORIAL BALLPARK In the softball side of THE WEEK S 5!!0 &INALS PROGRAM MULTI TITLED !DAMSON 5NIVERSITY BATS FOR its 18th jewel plus ninepeat bonus at that when it CLASHES WITH 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS AT A M 5NLIKE THE !TENEO ,A 3ALLE TUSSLE THOUGH THE ,ADY Falcons should hurdle the 4IGRESSES MUCH EASIER AS IN THEIR ABBREVIATED kVE INNING DEMOLITION OF the opposition, also in the

opener the best-of-three CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES The Lady Falcons had BEATEN THE 4IGRESSES TWICE this year, one each in the two-round eliminations AND BARRING ANY UNTOWARD incident that could prevent prevent them from playING THE WAY THEY D SHOWN TOURNAMENT LONG COACH !NA 3ANTIAGO S GIRLS LOOK UNBEATABLE This cannot be said, THOUGH OF THE !RCHERS WHO opened their series with the %AGLES LIKE A HOUSE ON kRE

TAKING A COMMANDING ADVANTAGE IN THE kRST SIX INNINGS ONLY TO FALTER IN THE last two frames and nearly lost due to cramps that hit FOUR OF THEIR KEY PLAYERS %AGLES TEAM MANAGER 2ANDY $IZER HIMSELF TOOK THE DEFEAT WITH A GRIND OF SALT SAYING AFTER THE GAME

g4HEY DIDN T BEAT US !RCHERS WE LOST IT u g2ALLYING FROM A DEkCIT GOING INTO THE kNAL two frames only showed THE TEAM S CHARACTER u $IZER SAID OF HIS BOYS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lumaban ANG MGA BATA KAYA ANG KINAPOS SA HULI "ABALIK KAMI sa 'AME u The Archersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Carlos MuĂ&#x201E;OZ FOR HIS PART SAID HAD IT not for the cramps that hit four of his players, includING STARTING PITCHERS ,UIS Miniana, Ateneo could not HAVE CLOSED THE GAP g!TENEO IS A GOOD TEAM

A STRONG TEAM NO DOUBT about that, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re already in a position to win THE TITLE SO WE MIGHT AS WELL GET IT u -UĂ&#x201E;OZ SAID g/NE MORE GAME SO WHY PROLONG IT AND GO TO A winner-take-all?

EDDIE G. ALINEA

#OUSINS FOR A lAGRANT FOUL The victory pushed the WarRIORS ONE GAME AHEAD OF $ENVER ATOP THE 7EST AFTER THE .UGGETS were upset 95-90 at home by the 7ASHINGTON 7IZARDS The Warriors improved to 18-6 THIS SEASON IN GAMES FOLLOWING DEFEATS 4HEY FELL IN overtime at Minnesota on Friday in a clash that left the Warriors FUMING OVER THE OFkCIATING Golden State took it out on the (ORNETS SEIZING A POINT LEAD IN THE kRST QUARTER 4HEY WERE UP WHEN #OUSINS appeared to accidentally hit Willy HerNANGOMEZ IN THE HEAD AND WAS TOSSED 4HE 7ARRIORS DIDN T MISS A BEAT RACING ON TO A HALFTIME LEAD They entered the fourth quarter LEADING AND 7ARRIORS COACH Steve Kerr rested Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevin $URANT FOR ALL OF THE kNAL PERIOD g)T WAS A GREAT NIGHT u SAID +ERR â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was really pleased also with the WAY THE BENCH UNIT CLOSED THE GAME IN THE FOURTH QUARTER )T WAS A REALLY GOOD COMPLETE GAME FOR US u 4HE .UGGETS WEREN T THE ONLY playoff-bound team to fall to lesser opponents on Sunday, as the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs AND /KLAHOMA #ITY 4HUNDER ALL LOST 2OOKIE 4RAE 9OUNG DRAINED A BUZZER BEATING BASKET TO GIVE THE !TLANTA (AWKS A OVERTIME VICTORY OVER DEPLETED -ILWAUKEE The Bucks, with Most Valuable Player candidate Giannis AntetokOUNMPO RESTING HIS SPRAINED ANKLE

also had Khris Middleton sidelined

BY A SORE LEFT GROIN WHILE %RIC "LEDSOE NEVER CAME OFF THE BENCH Justin Anderson led the Hawks WITH POINTS AND REBOUNDS *OHN #OLLINS ADDED POINTS AND 12 rebounds and Alex Len chipped IN ANOTHER "UT IT WAS 9OUNG WHO EMERGED THE HERO CORRALLING A DEFLECTED inbounds pass with his left hand AND kRING THE GAME WINNER THAT WAS UPHELD UPON VIDEO REVIEW 3TERLING "ROWN WHO MISSED A POTENTIAL GAME WINNER IN REGULAtion, put Milwaukee up on a layup WITH SECONDS LEFT IN OVERTIME BUT HIS TEAM LEADING POINTS WEREN T ENOUGH

Nevertheless, the Bucks reMAINED A COMFORTABLE THREE GAMES ahead of the Toronto Raptors atop THE ."! %ASTERN #ONFERENCE g2EALLY PROUD OF THE GUYS HOW THEY COMPETED TODAY u "UCKS COACH -IKE "UDENHOLZER SAID

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Appropriate fearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The San Antonio Spurs, assured OF A RECORD EQUALING ND STRAIGHT playoff spot when the Sacramento +INGS LOST TO THE (OUSTON 2OCKETS on Saturday, were beaten by the +INGS It was San Antonioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 14th defeat this SEASON TO A TEAM WITH A LOSING RECORD g2EALLY UNDERSTANDING WHAT APpropriate fear is, we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t done A GOOD JOB OF THAT THIS YEAR u 3PURS GUARD 0ATTY -ILLS SAID g+NOWING WE VE DROPPED GAMES THAT WE REALLY SHOULD HAVE WON u ,A-ARCUS !LDRIDGE PACED THE 3PURS with 27 points and 18 rebounds, while Buddy Hield with 26 points led SEVEN +INGS PLAYERS IN DOUBLE kGURES San Antonio, who went into the GAME AS LEAGUE LEADERS IN THREE point accuracy, connected on just EIGHT OF FROM BEYOND THE ARC While the Spurs endured a cold SHOOTING NIGHT COACH 'REGG 0OPOVICH WAS PLENTY HOT Popovich was ejected in the third QUARTER AFTER ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE OFkCIAL 4YLER &ORD OVER AN OUT OF BOUNDS CALL (E WAS SLAPPED WITH A TECHNICAL FOUL AND WAS STILL SHOUTING when he received a second technical AND WAS TOSSED Oklahoma City, whose playoff spot was also assured with Sacramentoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elimination, were knocked OFF BY THE $ALLAS -AVERICKS 3TAR GUARD 2USSELL 7ESTBROOK produced a triple-double of 25 POINTS REBOUNDS AND ASSISTS 0AUL 'EORGE ADDED POINTS AND 11 rebounds and center Steven Adams contributed 20 points and 15 BOARDS FOR THE 4HUNDER "UT $WIGHT 0OWELL FED BY *ALEN Brunson, put the Mavericks up

BY HITTING A DUNK WITH SECONDS REMAINING AND $ALLAS HELD on for the win over a Thunder team that has dropped from fourth to EIGHTH IN THE 7EST WITH JUST THREE WINS IN THEIR LAST GAMES AFP

Donaire just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be stopped T

HIS April 27, Nonito Donaire WILL BE SQUARING OFF AGAINST :OLANI 4ETE OF 3OUTH !FRICA IN THE SEMIkNALS OF THE BANTAMWEIGHT POUNDS 7ORD "OXING 3UPER 3ERIES 7"33 4HE WINNER will face the victor of the other WBSS BANTAMWEIGHT SEMIkNALS BOUT BETWEEN .AOYA )NOUE OF *APAN AND %MMANUEL 2ODRIGUEZ OF 0UERTO 2ICO BOTH UNDEFEATED 4HIS EARLY )NOQUE IS EMERGING THE favorite to win the WBSS tournament FOR BANTAMWEIGHT POUNDS GIVEN his undefeated record of 17-0 with KNOCKOUTS 4HE WINNER OF THE TOURNAMENT WILL GET THE -UHAMMAD !LI 4ROPHY AND MORE LUCRATIVE kGHTS $ONAIRE REACHED THE SEMIkNALS OF THE 7"33 TOURNAMENT BY STOPPING Burnett in November 2018 while Tete decisioned Russian Mikhail Aloya also IN .OVEMBER )NOUE ON THE OTHER hand, disposed Juan Carlos Payano in /CTOBER IN THE kRST ROUND DEMONSTRATING WHY HE IS THE FAVORITE TO WIN THE -UHAMMAD !LI 4ROPHY !T YEARS OLD $ONAIRE HAS A FEW MORE kGHTING YEARS AHEAD OF HIM AND WOULD WANT TO kNISH HIS CAREER BY WINNING THE 7"33 TOURNAMENT (E FOUGHT AS HIGH AS FEATHERWEIGHT POUNDS BEFORE DECIDING TO kGHT AT BANTAMWEIGHT ANEW 4ETE WHO IS WILL COME IN THE BIGGER kGHTER ON !PRIL HOLDING A INCH HEIGHT AND FOUR INCH REACH ADVANTAGE OVER THE &ILIPINO .OW THE 7ORLD "OXING !SSOCIATION WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION 4ETE S RECORD IS WITH +/S $ONAIRE A kVE DIVISION CHAMPION who held two versions of the world BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE FOR MUCH OF

IS DEkNITELY SEEKING A RESOUNDING END TO HIS ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER (E IS CURRENTLY THE 7ORLD "OXING !SSOCIATION gSUPERu WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION 4HIS EARLY HOWEVER 4ETE IS EMERGING THE favorite to win on April 27 as the South AfRICAN HAS PHYSICAL ADVANTAGES OVER $ONAIRE !ND THAT MAY BE GOOD FOR THE &ILIPINO AS THAT CAN MAKE 4ETE OVERCONkDENT 4ETE HAS NEVER BEEN KNOWN AS A BIG PUNCHER DURING HIS YOUNGER YEARS WHILE Donaire was notorious for his quick HANDS AND POWER !LSO $ONAIRE HAS FOUGHT MORE NOTABLE OPPONENTS BUT

ANTITHESIS CONRAD M. CARIĂ&#x2018;O LOST TO *ESSIE -AGDALENO AT JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT POUNDS IN .OVEMBER AND TO #ARL &RAMPTON AT FEATHERWEIGHT IN !PRIL AMONG HIS kVE DEFEATS /N THE OTHER HAND 4ETE IS COMING OFF A FIGHT WINNING STREAK WITH SEVEN OF THEM INSIDE THE DISTANCE 7HILE 4ETE IS EMERGING THE FAVORITE ) DO NOT SEE $ONAIRE GETTING WASHED AWAY IN THE RING AS THE &ILIPINO STILL HAS THE EDGE IN CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE )N FACT OF $ONAIRE S kGHTS SINCE HE STOPPED 6IC $ARCHINYAN IN .OVEMBER ONLY THREE WERE NON TITLE kGHTS !ND OF THOSE TITLE kGHTS $ONAIRE LOST ONLY FOUR 4ETE HAS HAD WORLD TITLE kGHTS BUT HAS NOT LOST ONE SO FAR As to quality opponents in world TITLE kGHTS $ONAIRE HAS FOUGHT BETTER opposition and his losses were not to PATSIES OR JOURNEYMEN 3O WILL PHYSICAL ADVANTAGE PREVAIL over experience, or will it be the other way around?

3OMETHING INTERESTING IS $ONAIRE FOUGHT AT FEATHERWEIGHT AND CAN REHYDRATE HIMSELF AFTER THE WEIGH IN FOR BANTAMWEIGHT TO BECOME A FULL BLOWN POUNDER ON kGHT NIGHT 4HIS CAN BE AN ADVANTAGE FOR $ONAIRE 4HE WEIGHT GAINED BY $ONAIRE AFTER THE WEIGH IN FOR HIS kGHT AGAINST "URNETT was obvious from the videos/photos of HIM DURING THE WEIGH IN AND THE ACTUAL kGHT $ONAIRE LOOKED LIKE HE GAINED TO POUNDS AFTER THE WEIGH IN MAKING HIM A REGULAR FEATHERWEIGHT Donaire has also been stopped only once in October 2014 by Nicholas Walters at FEATHERWEIGHT IN A TITLE FIGHT WHERE HE WAS OUTWEIGHED BY AT LEAST POUNDS 4HAT MEANT 7ALTERS WAS ALMOST A SUPER WELTERWEIGHT AT POUNDS WHEN HE STOPPED $ONAIRE 3O YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE VERY BIG TO STOP $ONAIRE IN THE RING

E2

Sports

The Manila Times

TUESDAY April2, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

PSL tankers take home 21 gold medals from Thanyapura meet P

BY EMIL C. NOGUERA

HUKET, THAILAND: The Philippine Swimming League (PSL) copped a total of 21 gold, seven silver and four bronze medals in the 2019 Thanyapura International Swimming Championship held at the Thanyapura Swimming Pool here.

Masville Elementary School- ParaĂąaque standout Marc Bryan Dula and Hope Christian School-Legazpi bet Trump Christian Luistro emerged as the most bemedalled swimmers in the tournament after sweeping all seven gold medals in their respective age-groups.

The Palarong Pambansa-bound Dula dominated the 50m backstroke (32.54), M BUTTERlY M FREESTYLE

M BUTTERlY M BACKSTROKE M FREESTYLE AND M )NDIVIDUAL -EDLEY IN THE BOYS DIVISION Not to be outdone was Lusitro who ruled the 50m backstroke (38.30), M FREESTYLE M BUTTERlY

M FREESTYLE M breaststroke (43.52), 50m freestyle (31.55) and 100m breaststroke (38.85) IN THE BOYS CLASS Sharing the spotlight was Dipolog

City pride Mary Maika Montecillo WITH HER kVE GOLD ONE SILVER SHOWING IN THE GIRLS DIVISION Montecillo, a Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School student, won the 100m BACKSTROKE M BUTTERlY

M FREESTYLE M BACKSTROKE AND M BUTTERlY

THE SETTLED FOR SILVER IN THE 50m freestyle (32.55).

Diliman Preparatory School tanker !LBERT 3ERMONIA )) CHIPPED IN TWO GOLD AND THREE BRONZE MEDALS IN THE BOYS 14 category of the tournament that drew MORE THAN TANKERS FROM TEAM IN different parts of the region.

3ERMONIA TOPPED THE M BUTTERlY AND M BUTTERlY THEN kNISHED THIRD IN THE M FREESTYLE M BREASTSTROKE AND M FREESTYLE g)T S MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR US

Q (From left) Albert Sermonia II, Jenn Albreicht Sermonia, John Paul Salibio, Trump Christian Luistro, Marc Bryan Dula and Mary Maika Montecillo display their medals during the awarding ceremonies of the 2019 Thanyapura International Swimming Championship in Phuket, Thailand. PHOTO BY EMIL C. NOGUERA since we are just looking to win at least 10 gold medals. But we have surpassed our goal and we will be going home with 21 gold medals.

This is a combined effort to ensure that our athletes are in best shape before going to competitions,â&#x20AC;? said PSL delegation head coach Alex Papa.

Fellow DPS bet Jenn Albreicht Sermonia chipped in four silver medals after kNISHING SECOND IN M BACKSTROKE

M BUTTERlY M BREASTSTROKE AND M BREASTSTROKE 3HE WON BRONZE IN THE M BACKSTROKE GIRLS CLASS g!S WE VE SAID WE WOULD LIKE TO

FOLAYANG FALLS IN TOKYO

JAPANESE mixed marital arts icon Shinya â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tobikan Judanâ&#x20AC;? Aoki dethroned Filipino Eduard â&#x20AC;&#x153;Landslideâ&#x20AC;? Folayang and reclaimed the ONE lightweight world title on Sunday evening in ONE: A New Era at the iconic Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium in Tokyo, Japan.

Aoki pulled off a flawless arm-triangle choke at the 2:43-mark of the first round that put Folayang to sleep.

Folayangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record dropped to 21-7 while Aokiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s improved to 43-8.

Another Team Lakay champion Kevin â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Silencerâ&#x20AC;? Belingon was dethroned after losing to Bibiano â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Flash Fernandes of Brazil via disqualification in their bantamweight clash.

The third match-up of Belingon and Fernandes came to an unsatisfactory end when the Filipino committed an accidental foul in the third round prompting referee Olivier Coste to give him a red card that disqualified him from the contest.

ONE Championship CEO and founder Chatri Sityodtong abruptly announced that the two fighters would meet in an automatic rematch to put an end to their rivalry.

Meanwhile, Danny â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Kingâ&#x20AC;? Kingad saved the day for the Philippines by earning a unanimous decision victory over Pancrase flyweight champion Senzo Ikeda in their ONE flyweight world Grand Prix quarterfinals bout.

Kingad will face former ONE flyweight world champion Kairat Akhmetov in the Grand Prix semifinals.

Akhmetov beat Reece McLaren by unanimous decision in the

dedicate this win to PSL president Susan Papa. The kids worked really hard against their foreign rivals to win medals for our country and for coach Susan. These are the future of Philippine swimming,â&#x20AC;? added Papa, who was accompanied by coaches Jen Sermonia and Luisito Luistro.

Q Eduard Folayang takes a knee strike from Shinya Aoki during their match in ONE: A New Era at the iconic Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday.

ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO

Grand Prix flyweight quarterfinal.

In the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side, defending ONE womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strawweight world champion Xiong Jing Nan of China defeated Angela Lee of Singapore by TKO at the 1:37 mark of the fifth and final round.

Myanmarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aung La N Sang successfully retained his ONE middleweight crown with a second-round TKO victory over Ken Hasegawa of Japan.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship champion Demetrious Johnson defeated Yuya Wakamatsu by guillotine choke in another flyweight Grand Prix quarterfinal match while Timofey Nastyukhin of Russia subdued Eddie Alvarez by TKO at the 4:04 mark of round one.

In other matches, Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex defeated Andy Souwer (kickboxing), Rodtang Jitmuangnon defeated Hakim Hamech (Muay Thai), Joseph Lasiri defeated Hiroki Akimoto (kickboxing), Mei Yamaguchi defeated Kseniya Lachkova (MMA atomweight), Garry Tonon defeated Anthony Engelen (MMA featherweight), Panicos Yusuf defeated Moham-

med Bin Mahmoud (muay thai), and Yoon Chang Min defeated Bala Shetty (MMA lightweight).

JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID

Munzon relishes chance to represent PH in 3x3 tilts TOP Filipino 3x3 cager Joshua Munzon is looking forward to represent the Philippines in international tournaments.

Munzon was instrumental in the Pasig Grindhouse Kingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; domination of the 2019 Chooks to Go Pilipinas 3x3 Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup Grand Finals on Sunday at the SM Fairview Events Center in Quezon City.

The Munzon-led Pasig Grindhouse edged the Go For Gold-San Juan Knights, 19-18, in the semis then routed the 1Bataan Risers, 197, in the finals to snatch the lone ticket to the 2019 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters Doha on April 18 to 19 and bag the P1 million grand prize.

The Kings along with the Risers were chosen to banner the Philippines in the 2019 Chooks to Go Asia Pacific Super Quest slated April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an honor for us to represent the Philippines,â&#x20AC;? said Munzon, who was named Most Outstanding Player in the inaugural season of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first 3x3 basketball league. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re definitely grateful for this opportunity,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The 24-year old Fil-American was previously declared ineligible to play for Team Pilipinas as he was not able to secure a Philippine passport before turning 16.

But now, Munzon will be donning the Philippine jersey as a member of Pasig Grindhouse together with other Fil-Am standouts Taylor Statham and Troy Rike as well as ex-pro Dylan Ababou, who was temporarily replaced by Leo De Vera in the Grand Finals.

Munzon sees a tough campaign in the Asia Pacific Super Quest where they will face teams from 10 countries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I definitely see the competition being very tough. There are teams coming here thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been playing 3x3 for a lot longer than we have,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to mentally prepare ourselves for the physicality and just the overall competition that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re gonna see.â&#x20AC;?

Munzon aims to bring the Filipino brand of 3x3 basketball to the Olympics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely the ultimate goal, Tokyo 2020. We wanna continue to push ourselves, starting with the Super Quest and moving on to the World Tour. We just wanna get better every week and just continue to strive for greatness.â&#x20AC;?

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Marquez cruises to 45th MotoGP win Q Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biker Marc Marquez leads the MotoGP Argentina Grand Prix at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, on Monday. AFP PHOTO TERMAS DE RĂ?O HONDO, Argentina: World champion Marc Marquez stormed to a lights-to-flag Argentina MotoGP triumph on Sunday (Monday in Manila) ahead of bitter rival Valentino Rossi, describing his performance as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the perfect dayâ&#x20AC;?.

Honda rider Marquez claimed his 45th career victory in the elite class, finishing 10 seconds ahead of Rossi on a Yamaha.

Andrea Dovizioso, who won the seasonopener in Qatar, was third on a Ducati.

Marquez, chasing a sixth MotoGP world title, now leads the 2019 championship after two rounds of the 19-race series. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, it was a perfect day. I pushed all the time and five laps from the end I could ease off to save the engine and the tyres,â&#x20AC;? said Marquez. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been one of the most solid weekends of my MotoGP career. On the first laps, I wanted to make the biggest difference possible, it was strategy, I attacked and I saw the gap widen.â&#x20AC;?

As Marquez was rarely threatened in Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race, the wheel-to-wheel action was being ratcheted up behind him as Rossi and Dovizioso

switched places 12 times.

But 40-year-old Rossi had the last laugh, pouncing on a Dovizioso error on the last lap to take second place on the same circuit where 12 months ago he had collided with Marquez and crashed out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I waited and I got past him on the last lap,â&#x20AC;? said Rossi, now in his 20th season in the elite MotoGP class and who made the podium for the first time since Germany in July last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great day for the team. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a long time since I was on the podium.â&#x20AC;?

Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jack Miller on a Ducati-Pramac was fourth, Alex Rins of Spain on a Suzuki was fifth ahead of Ducatiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Danilo Petrucci.

Earlier, Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lorenzo Baldassarri won the Moto2 race with Remy Gardner, the son of 1987 world 500cc champion Wayne Gardner, taking second place.

Baldassarri, on a Kalex, made his push for victory four laps from the end at Termas de Rio Hondo to deny 21-year-old Gardner of Australia with Alex Marquez of Spain in third.

It was a first world championship

podium for Gardner.

The 22-year-old Baldassarri leads the world championship having also won the opening round in Qatar earlier this month while Gardner is second, 17 points behind the Italian. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a good race and important victory for the team,â&#x20AC;? said Baldassarri. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I knew that I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t battle at the start, I had to manage the tyres so I concentrated on the end of the race.â&#x20AC;?

Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jaume Masia, on a KTM, claimed a maiden Moto3 victory, edging out South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daryn Binder and Tony Arbolino of Italy on the line.

Having started the race on pole, Masia regained the lead on the last lap, erasing the misery of his first-lap fall in Qatar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incredible. I have to thank my team and my fans,â&#x20AC;? said the Spaniard.

Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kaito Toba keeps the overall world championship lead after a 10th place finish on Sunday to follow his victory in Qatar.

He has 31 points with Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lorenzo Dalla Porta in second on 29. Masia moves into third spot, a further two points back.

AFP

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

PH Jr amateur gets going at Sherwood THE countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading players and rising stars in the ranks slug it out in what looms to be a duel of shotmaking and putting in the Philippine Junior Amateur Open Golf Championships beginning today at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite.

The heat and wind are also expected to test the fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stamina and mental toughness in the 72-hole stroke play tournament serving as the third leg of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PLDT Group National Amateur Tour, which features four divisions in both the boys and girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; classes, including the centerpiece Albatross (15-18).

Though Aidric Chan, Sean Ramos, Josh Jorge, Carl Corpus and Paolo Wong get the top billings in the boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; division, the likes of Joaquin Barro, Joaquin Gomez and Jacob Rolida, both 17, David Guangko, Rald Sarmiento and Joachim Yu are ready to pull off a surprise along with Riggs Illescas, Masaichi Otake and Pierre Ticzon and Koreans Kim Sang Jin, Kwon Tae Yon and Lee Sang Min, guaranteeing an exciting battle in the next four days for the local bets priming up for the SEA Games elims in May. Keen competition is also seen in the girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; premier side of the event, sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT Group, Cignal and Metro Pacific, with reigning WExpress RVP Cup titlist Junia Gabasa heading the cast that includes Rafaela Singson, Kristine Fleetwood, Sophia Blanco, Isabela Tee, Kayla Nocum and Korean Kang Da Yun. Meanwhile, listup for the MVPSF Visayas Regional Golf Championship is ongoing with another huge field expected to clash for top honors in the fourth staging of the event on April 8-12 at Cebu Country Club.

Fees are pegged at P3,000 (menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and ladies division) for local players and P4,000 for foreign entries and P2,500 (local) and P3,500 (foreign) for those competing in the Mid-Amateur Open category. Fee for club members is P1,500, according to the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Kristoffer Arevalo and Wiggan Tapdasan, meanwhile, head the Ace division (19-and-above) roster while set to dispute the Eagle title (12-14) are Leandro Bagtas, Miguel Castaneda, Zachary Castro, Jet Hernandez, Miguel Ilas, Emeric Loza, Miguel Roque, Rico See and Korean Rho Hyun Ho and Eagle Ace Superal, Laurea Duque, Jessica Ignacio, Rianne Malixi and Koreans Jeong Yeah Eun, Kwon Min Seo, Alexi Blanco, Annyka Cayabyab, Samantha Dizon and Arnie Taguines in the girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; side.

Also on tap is the Birdie category (11 and below), led

by Joshua de Guzman, Marc Nadales, Bhuvas Nagpal and Shinichi Suzuki (boys) and Celine Abalos, Nicole Gan, Jessica Ignacio, Stevie Umali and Precious Zaragosa (girls).

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

E3

Kisner beats Kuchar to capture WGC Match Play crown Q Kevin Kisner of the United States reacts on the 15th green in his match against Matt Kuchar of the United States during the final round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on Monday in Austin, Texas. AFP PHOTO

W

ASHINGTON: Kevin Kisner, who shared a runner-up spot in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s British Open, defeated Matt Kuchar 3&2 in Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Monday in Manila) WGC Match Play Championship kNAL TO WIN HIS THIRD CAREER 0'! TITLE On a cold and windy last day of the 64-player showdown at Austin (Texas) Country Club, Kisner dominated 2013 WINNER +UCHAR IN THE ALL !MERICAN kNAL to capture the $1.745 million (1.55 million euros) top prize. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was grueling and the winds were tough,â&#x20AC;? Kisner said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a hard week but I prevailed and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m world golf champion.â&#x20AC;?

Kisner, last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WGC Match Play runner-up to Bubba Watson, was 48th seed but became the lowest-seeded winner since Australian Geoff Ogilvy in 2006 after taking a key lesson from his 2018 defeat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I learned not to get too amped up FOR THAT kNAL u +ISNER SAID )N THE MORNING SEMI kNALS +ISNER

edged Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Francesco Molinari 1-up and Kuchar dispatched Danish 50th seed Lucas Bjerregaard 1-up.

Kisner, who edged Kuchar 1-up in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s round of 16, won his earlier PGA titles in 2015 at Sea Island, Georgia and in 2017 at Colonial.

At 40, Kuchar would have been the oldest champion in tournament history AND THE kRST PLAYER TO WIN THREE TITLES IN A PGA season since Steve Stricker in 2009.

Kisner, 35, sank an 11-foot birdie putt TO WIN THE kRST HOLE BUT HIS BOGEY TO DROP THE PAR kFTH SQUARED THE kNAL After blasting his approach way left of the green at the par-5 sixth, Kisner punched his third to four feet and sank the putt to win the hole and restore

HEAT, WIND ADD TO TCC TEST ALREADY daunting with its length, hazards, bunkers and undulating fairways and surface, the wind and the heat are expected to make The Country Club one real test for the revered men of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia when the Solaire 0HILIPPINE /PEN IS kRED OFF TOMORROW (Wednesday, April 3). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kept in championship form all yearround, the TCC will be doubly tough at this time of the year with the heat and the wind to add to the severe challenges the course will pose to all the bidders,â&#x20AC;? said TCC general manager Colo Ventosa, also the GM of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. The last two SPO crowns have been won through sudden deaths at the windy TCC with a similar ending expected FROM THE CRACK PLAYER kELD THAT DREW some of the top and rising players from at least 13 nations, including 39 from title-hungry Thailand and 11 each from !USTRALIA AND THE 53 Meanwhile, a select number of pros get to test the 7735-yard Tom Weiskophdesigned one last time as they team up WITH OFkCIALS AND GUESTS OF THE EVENT S chief backers, including ICTSI, Solaire, PLDT Enterprise, Meralco, BDO and 0'4 !SIA 4OUR OFkCIAL APPAREL 0IN (IGH in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Tuesday) pro-am.

They include Juvic Pagunsan, Angelo Que, Jobim Carlos and Clyde Mondilla, who will spearhead the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bid in the $500,000 championship sponsored

by Solaire Resort & Casino for the third straight year and sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Philippines in the absence of injured and last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s champion Miguel Tabuena.

But they will be as much tested as the rest of the crack foreign cast, led by Thais Poom Saksansin, Chawalit Plaphol, Chapchai Nirat and Prom Meesawat, who lost to Tabuena last year, Malay-

Sports

Q Juvic Pagunsan PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ&#x2018;ADA sian Nicholas Fung, PGT Q-School topnotcher Marcos Pastor of Spain, young Korean and PGT leg winner Kim Joo Hyung, Taiwanese Tsai Chi-huang and PGT Asia leg champions Damien Jordan and David Gleeson of Australia.

Korean-American Micah Shin, who humbled the local aces to be become the kRST NON &ILIPINO TO WIN THE 4## )NVITAtional last year, is also in the fold, ready TO SCORE A REPEAT AGAINST A kELD TOUGHENED up by the leading campaigners from Korea, the Netherlands, Japan, England, India and Indonesia.

Other local players

tipped to contend for the crown in the 72-hole championship closing out the 2018-19 PGT Asia season are multi-titled Jhonnel Ababa, Phl Masters winner Jerson Balasabas, veterans Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador and Tony LascuĂąa, and PGTA leg champions James Ryan Lam and Joenard Rates.

Also joining the hunt are Thai Wisut Artjanawat, Aussies Clayton Bridges and Andrew Campbell, Americans Lexus Keoninh, Brett Munson, Sam Gillis, Paul Harris and Lexus Keoninh, Dutch Guido Van der Valk and Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grant Jackson and Joshua Grenville-Wood.

Q TCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No. 18 is considered one of the toughest finishing holes in Asia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

his 1-up advantage.

Kuchar 3-putted from 50 feet for bogey to lose the par-3 seventh but Kisner missed a 5-footer for par at the ninth, trimming his lead to 1-up at the turn.

Kuchar, the 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medalist, found water off the tee to drop the par-3 11th and fall 2-down THEN MADE HIS kRST BIRDIE OF THE kNAL but only halved the par-5 12th.

At 15, Kuchar missed a 12-foot par putt to hand Kisner a 3-up lead and at 16, Kisner rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt for the victory.

Molinari takes third In the consolation match, Molinari defeated Bjerregaard 4&2, denying the Dane who ousted Tiger Woods in the QUARTER kNALS A SPECIAL TEMPORARY 53 PGA membership with the victory.

Molinari, the reigning British Open champion, was Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hero in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ryder Cup, winning all five

MATCHES IN A VICTORY OVER THE 53 TEAM

and was 5-0 here before Sunday.

"OTH SEMI kNALS WERE ALL SQUARE after 10 holes, no one enjoying more than a 1-up edge on the front nine.

Kisner birdied the par-5 12th and par-4 14th to go 2-up, but Molinari answered with a tap-in birdie to win the par-5 16th and then sank a 4-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th to level the match.

At 18, Kisner found a fairway divot but landed his approach 14 feet from the cup and got down in two while Molinari escaped a bunker to 26 feet, rolled his birdie putt seven feet past the cup and missed the par putt to hand Kisner the victory.

Kuchar won 12 but Bjerregaard sank a 23-foot birdie putt at the par-4 TH TO SQUARE THE MATCH AGAIN Bjerregaard made bogey to drop the 16th hole and both sank dramatic birdies at the par-3 17th. At 18, Kuchar needed only two putts from 14 feet to halve the hole and win the match. AFP

Federer sweeps past Isner in Miami final for 101st title MIAMI: Roger Federer lifted the 101st title of his remarkable career on Sunday (Monday in Manila) in dominating style, beating ATP Miami Open defending champion John Isner 6-1, 6-4.

Federer, who has skipped the whole clay court season for the past two years, declared the triumph over the big-serving American in just 63 minutes was an ideal performance from which to launch a French Open bid. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will have to take baby steps going back onto the clay, I have played so little in the last few years so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to expect but what this win does is takes even more pressure off me,â&#x20AC;? Federer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Already just how Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been playing and moving here makes me believe just going on vacation now, a bit of a break, and then preparation, you physically I SHOULD BE kNE BUT AGAIN WE LL SEE HOW the body is going to react. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am excited. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good challenge,â&#x20AC;? added Federer of trying to dethrone Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros when the second Grand Slam of the season begins on May 26.

Federer has been in brilliant form in South Florida, recovering superbly from LOSING THE kNAL IN )NDIAN 7ELLS EARLIER this month to emphatically beat Isner, who was badly struggling with a foot problem at the end of the title match at Hard Rock Stadium.

Federer will not appear at the next Masters event in Monte Carlo but is slated to play in Madrid at the beginning of May. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Madrid will be â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s see what happensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and then obviously I want to be ready for Paris and I hope all that hard work is going to pay off for the grass and hard court season,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Against Isner, Federer seized control IMMEDIATELY AS A BREAK IN THE VERY kRST GAME SAPPED )SNER S CONkDENCE AND ALlowed Federer to aggressively gain control of a match which he never looked like losing, especially after the Americanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foot problem worsened.

Isner was struggling badly and was heard telling the trainer during a medical timeout that he feared he had broken his foot. g3OMEWHERE DURING THE kRST SET ) STARTED feeling pain on top of my foot and it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go away and it just got worse,â&#x20AC;? Isner said.

Isnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirit was crushed after he DROPPED THE kRST SET IN ONLY MINUTES â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a terrible feeling, because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on an island out there. You have no teammates to

Q Roger Federer of Switzerland and John Isner pose for photographers at the trophy ceremony during the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium Monday in Miami Gardens, Florida. AFP PHOTO hide behind and going up against the greatest player ever, you know, playing in this incredible atmosphere, and my footâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s killing me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have never had a broken foot, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I would imagine it would feel like. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not that I would have won the match but I could have made for a more interesting match and one that was a little more fun.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Appreciate these momentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 4HIS WAS &EDERER S TH TOUR kNAL AND HIS 50th ATP Masters showpiece appearance.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the twilight of his stellar career but has no plans to hang up his racket just yet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In terms of goals, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about trying to win titles and trying to manage life so I stay injury-free,â&#x20AC;? the former world No. 1 said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some days you just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel so well but this is a good phase, a good stretch for me right now. I really feel super healthy.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I have been able to play every day for the last four weeks. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something that maybe hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always been the case for the last few years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So you appreciate these moments.â&#x20AC;? )SNER S BOOMING SERVE FAILED TO kRE AND there was to be no repeat of their last meeting at the Paris Masters 2015 when Federer was defeated in a third round encounter.

To give the Swiss eight break chances IN THE kRST SET SPOKE VOLUMES ABOUT THE sudden ineffectiveness of the Isner service game - he took only 50 percent of points ON HIS kRST SERVE DURING THE OPENER 7ITH )SNER HURTING &EDERER WHO kNished with a perfect 100 percent of points WON ON HIS kRST SERVE WASTED NO TIME in the second set wrapping up his 28th Masters title.

AFP

E4

Football

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

P

The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

ARIS: Kylian Mbappe fired Paris SaintGermain to their eighth straight Ligue 1 win with a stunning goal that earned the champions a 1-0 victory at Toulouse on Sunday (Monday in Manila) and kept them miles clear at the top of the league.

The 20-year-old World Cup winner crashed home his 27th league goal of the season, his seventh in as many league games, with 16 minutes left as he continues to shine in the absence of the INJURED DUO .EYMAR AND %DINSON #AVANI â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had to wait, be patient and in the end we won with Kylianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speed,â&#x20AC;? said PSG skipper Marquinhos. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itbroughtagreatdealofjoytoourfans,Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;msureofthat.â&#x20AC;?

PSG now have 80 points, 20 ahead of second placed Lille with a game in hand to boot.

Coach Thomas Tuchel said he was delighted that the runaway leaders have not been tempted to take their foot off the gas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many of our players were away in the international break and there was a bit of fatigue in some of them,â&#x20AC;? said the German. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It could have been tempting to relax, especially with the leadwehaveintheleague,butnobodydoesitandIlikethat.â&#x20AC;?

Mbappeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal was the highlight of a dull game which was otherwise lit up by a cheeky PSG fan SNEAKING ONTO THE PITCH TO SNAP A SELkE WITH THE STRIKER The video assistant referee system ruled out Marquinhosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tap-in just before half-time after Mbappe was judged offside, and the runaway league leaders threatened little other than that.

However they maintain their huge gap on secondplaced Lille, who earlier on Sunday scored three QUICKkRE SECOND HALF GOALS TO COMEBACK FROM AND SNATCH A VITAL WIN THAT KEPT THEM kRM FAVOURITES FOR DIRECT QUALIkCATION FOR THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE

Lille stun Nantes .ANTES HAD BEEN kNDING GOALS HARD TO COME by but went 2-0 up in front of a packed and raucous Stade de la Beaujoire thanks to a penalty from Valentin Eysseric and a near post header from Kalifa Coulibaly that seemed destined to drag them up to mid-table.

But three strikes in seven minutes from Rafael ,EAO .ICOLAS 0EPE FROM THE SPOT AND *ONATHAN

Unstoppable Mbappe kills off Toulouse resistance "AMBA S kRED #HRISTOPHE 'ALTIER S GUTSY OUTkT TO AN IMPRESSIVE TURNAROUND 4HERE WAS STILL TIME FOR .ANTES TO BE CAST a lifeline with a late penalty, but Eysseric HOWEVER SENT HIS SPOT KICK lYING OVER THE BAR Lille are four ahead of Lyon, who occupy THE kNAL #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE SPOT BUT WILL HAVE to qualify for the group stage via playoff if they kNISH THIRD AND AHEAD OF -ARSEILLE IN FOURTH Monaco suffered a shock home defeat to Caen, who climbed off the bottom of Ligue 1 thanks to a 1-0 win in which their goalkeeper the Congolese Brice Samba emerged as the star. )T WAS ,EONARDO *ARDIM S kRST DEFEAT SINCE returning to the helm eight games ago when 4HIERRY (ENRY WAS kRED

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;rebackinarelegationscrap,â&#x20AC;?Jardimlamented. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a message to all of us to do better.

We are only seven points clear of the drop zone and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing, just three matches.â&#x20AC;?

Patrick Viera meanwhile was a happy man AFTER SEEING HIS .ICE SAID WIN AT $IJON WHO slipped to bottom with this latest defeat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great to get an away win, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a while. .OW WE CAN DREAM OF %UROPEAN QUALIkCATION u said Viera, whose side are seventh, four points away from a spot in the Europa League.

A late goal from Martin Terrier saw Lyon win 1-0 at Rennes on Friday while an early brace from Mario Balotelli was cancelled out by two Thomas Mangani penalties on Saturday as Marseille drew 2-2 at home to Angers.

AFP

Q Paris Saint-Germainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s French forward Kylian Mbappe (center) shoots the ball in front of Toulouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Japanese defender Gen SShoji Sh h during the F rench L1 football match between Toulouse FC and Paris Saint-Germain at the municipal stadium in Toulouse, southwestern France, on Monday.

AFP PHOTO

Gayosoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hat trick fuels Ateneoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rout of Adamson JARVEY GAYOSO pulled off a hat trick as Ateneo De Manila University crushed Adamson University, 7-1, in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football on Sunday at the Far Eastern University (FEU)-Diliman Football Field in Quezon City.

Star striker Gayoso fired the opener then struck twice in the second half to lift the Blue Booters past FEU at No. 1 with 16 points on five wins and a draw against three losses.

It was also Ateneoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second straight victory, making it unblemished so far in the second round.

Gayoso drew first blood in the 11th minute before Jeremiah Rocha doubled the lead just 11 minutes later.

But Adamson closed within a goal on Jackson Ramosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; penalty kick conversion in the 31st.

National team standout Gayoso restored Ateneoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two-goal cushion in the 41st as Julian Roxas extended it to three in first half added time.

Mark Nacional joined the scoring spree in the 66th and Gayoso completed his three-goal feat a minute later. Jabez

Setters punctuated the romp with a 76th minute strike.

The Soaring Falcons dropped to the bottom of the eight-team table with eight points on a 1-5-4 win-draw-loss record and an inferior goal difference against idle University of the East.

Meanwhile, University of Sto. Tomas upset FEU, 1-0, behind Aljireh Fuchigamiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lone goal in the 46th.

The Golden Booters ascended to No. 3 with 14 points on a 3-5-1 slate while the Tamaraw Booters slid to No. 2 with their second consecutive defeat against four wins and three draws for 15 markers.

In the other fixture, reigning champion University of the Philippines blanked De La Salle University, 2-0, to continue its climb in the standings.

Karl Bugayong and captain Kintaro Miyagi scored in opposite halves as the Maroon Booters moved up to joint fourth with the Green Booters on identical 13 points and goal difference.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winner MADRID: Karim Benzema stopped Real Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s under-

whelming La Liga season going from bad to worse on 3UNDAY -ONDAY IN -ANILA AFTER kRING A LAST MINUTE winner to hand the European champions a barelydeserved 3-2 winner over bottom club Huesca.

Humbled by Ajax in the Champions League and dumped out of the Copa Del Rey by deadly rivals Barca, third-placed Real showed little signs of improvement in Zinedine Zidaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second game in charge but Benzema, subject to rumours he may leave Madrid in THE SUMMER FOR -ANCHESTER 5NITED STRUCK WITH A kNE CURLING kNISH THE TO SNATCH THE THREE POINTS AT A SPARSELY populated Santiago Bernabeu. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are happy with him and I am going to count on him, now there are nine games left and then we will see what happens. He is a Real Madrid player and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think this will change,â&#x20AC;? Zidane said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to accept it. If the people want to come to the Bernabeu to see us so much the better, but I understand that since we are not going to win anything fewer people come.â&#x20AC;?

Real move to within two points of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who hammered Champions League hopefuls Alaves 4-0 on Saturday in a match that saw $IEGO #OSTA SCORE FOR THE kRST TIME SINCE .OVEMBER However Real still lag 12 points behind leaders Barcelona, who are 10 clear of Atletico and heavy favourites to retain their La Liga after Lionel Messi kRED THEM TO THEIR SIXTH LEAGUE WIN ON THE BOUNCE

2-0 at home to local rivals Espanyol on Saturday, with a brace that took the Argentine to 31 league goals this season.

Zidaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son Luca was given his second ever start between the sticks for Real but got off to the worst

possible start, picking the ball out of his own net within three minutes after Cucho Hernandez lashed home Ezequiel Avila low cross.

Isco levelled the scores in the 25th minute when he tapped home a Brahim Diaz cross after Benzemaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low shot was well saved, but it was the AWAY SIDE PLAYING THEIR kRST EVER ,A ,IGA GAME AT the Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Santiago Bernabeu stadium -- who went closer going into the break ahead.

Zidane junior had to be alert to stop Damian Musto from glancing home a header nine minutes before the break, while Avila punched the ground IN FRUSTRATION IN kRST HALF STOPPAGE TIME AFTER lASHing a power shot over from the edge of the box.

Heartbroken Huesca Real continued to disappoint in the second half but took the lead just after the hour mark thanks to Dani Ceballos, who bundled home the second after Gareth Baleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautiful cross was headed back across goal by Benzema.

Bale then missed a glorious opportunity to put the game beyond Huesca when he somehow put Alvaro Odriozolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low cross over the bar from just yards out.

Huesca pounced on that awful miss to draw level when Xabier Etxeita powered home Moi Gomezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cross from a short corner.

However Benzema was on hand to break Huesca hearts with his 14th league goal of the season, WHICH GIVES :IDANE TWO WINS FROM HIS kRST TWO matches back in charge.

Earlier Valencia maintained their hopes of a place in next seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Champions League after Daniel Parejoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s penalty on the stroke of half-time gave them a vital 1-0 victory at Sevilla.

Parejoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spot-kick, which came after Ever Banega brought down Jose Gaya, extended Valenciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unbeaten run to nine matches and moves them up to sixth, level on 43 points with Sevilla and just THREE BACK FROM THE kNAL #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE SPOT That place is occupied by Getafe, who fell 2-0 at home to mid-table Leganes on Saturday and have to play the LEAGUE S TOP THREE AND 3EVILLA IN THEIR kNAL NINE GAMES $ESPITE A SLIGHTLY SIMPLER LEAGUE kXTURE LIST -ARcelinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Valencia however have an all-Spanish Europa ,EAGUE QUARTER kNAL TIE WITH 6ILLARREAL TO CONTEND WITH

AS WELL AS THE #OPA $EL 2EY kNAL AGAINST "ARCELONA between now and the end of the season. AFP

Q Real Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s French forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third goal during the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and SD Huesca at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Monday.

AFP PHOTO

TTUESDAY U E S DAY APRIL 2, 2019

Entertainment

F1

www.manilatimes.net

Âťlightscameraboto!

Starry, starry campaign kick-off (First of two parts)

BY IZA IGLESIAS

T

HEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S really no business like show business â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even in politics. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why many a campaign kick-off didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t scrimp on star power be it from the artista candidates themselves or from cameos of their famous relatives and friends.

As most voters know, many showbiz personalities filed their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in October 2018, which further blurs the almost inexistent line between two very different spheres today. And as always, there are re-electionist celebs who deserve the Filipinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vote for their proven backtrack in government, while there are those who will serve the nation better in the movie set.

4HE CHOICE Â&#x2021; AS ALWAYS AGAIN Â&#x2021; is yours, of course.

Leading the celebrity pack is one of the most successful crossover celebrities from showbiz to politics in Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos Recto, who is seeking

reelection as representative of Lipa City, Batangas. At her campaign KICK OFF IN 4ANGWAY Â&#x2021; "ARANGAY San Salvador, her â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anakâ&#x20AC;? co-star Claudine Barretto was present to help her out.

ABS-CBN leading man Richard 9AP IS RUNNING FOR THE VERY kRST time in a bid to represent Cebu Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First District, whose â&#x20AC;&#x153;meetand-greetsâ&#x20AC;? along his fellow candidates in PDP-Laban practically seemed like fan events with the huge crowds that gathered.

Erstwhile â&#x20AC;&#x153;FPJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ang ProbinsyANOu STAR %DU -ANZANO Â&#x2021; WHOSE role as president in Coco Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LONG RUNNING 46 SERIES HAD TO BE KILLED OFF IN TIME FOR THE OFkCIAL local campaign season on March

Q Richard Yap tries his hand at politics and runs for congress.

GUESS

WHO â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Supladoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; even at church Our source happens to be a celebrity who hears Sunday mass at a hilly church somewhere in Quezon City.

Often, the source would bump into a mild-mannered young actor (MYA) with his brother in tow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Madalas ko pa nga silang makatabi sa pew.â&#x20AC;?

Once when the mass ended, MYA walked past a group of choir members outside the church. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nagpa-practice sila that time but they stopped when they saw the actor walking toward them.â&#x20AC;?

Admittedly starstruck, the members started calling out MYAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name hoping the latter would stop and smile back at them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even bother to look at them, and instead hurriedly rode his car and sped off.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Suplado!â&#x20AC;? the members chorused even with a tune.

RC3

Q Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos (center) kicks off her reelection bid as Lipa City representative with "Anak" co-star Claudine Barretto; a supporter quickly has her moment with the stars. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/CLAUBARRETTO

Q Edu Manzano, who is running for representative of San Juan's lone district, gets a boost from son Luis Manzano. Â&#x2021; IS TRYING FOR AN ELECTED SEAT in real life, this time as representative of San Juan City under the party Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino [founded by former president and incumbent Manila Mayor and reelectionist Joseph â&#x20AC;&#x153;Erapâ&#x20AC;? Estrada].

He may have lost a bid for mayor, vice president and senator before BUT HE HASN T LOST HOPE IN JOINING government, and even had the SUPPORT OF HIS POPULAR 46 HOST son Luis when he kicked off his campaign on Friday.

Meanwhile, incumbent Ormoc

City Mayor Richard Gomez and ,EYTE TH DISTRICT 2EP ,UCY 4ORRES Gomez hardly needed any help in bringing on the star power ON THEIR JOINT KICK OFF EVENTS AS husband and wife hopped from one barangay to the next to ask for their constituentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; support in their reelections.

On the other hand, former senator Ramon â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bongâ&#x20AC;? Revilla Jr. who is seeking a comeback to the upper chamber of congress pursued his campaign in Misamis Oriental on Saturday amid such a welcoming

Q Luntiang Pilipinas second nominee Ciara Sotto (rightmost) with Joy Sotto, Candy Medina and Tootsie Angara during a zumba campaign kick off.

Q Reelectionists Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez and Leyte 4th district Rep. Lucy Torres Gomez FACEBOOK PHOTOS crowd. Wife Lani Mercado, howEVER WAS UNABLE TO JOIN HIM AS SHE kicked off her own reelection campaign as Bacoor City mayor, ditto their son Jolo Revilla who is now running for vice governor of Cavite.

Iconic musician Freddie Aguilar, WHO WAS WAS AMONG THE kRST BATCH OF SENATORIAL ASPIRANTS WHO kLED HIS COC in October, has been using his pop. For the campaign period, he uses his popular nationalistic tunes as he goes around the country aboard his Music Caravan in different provinces in the country including Pampanga, Isabela, Ilocos Sur and Nueva Vizcaya.

Ciara Sotto, daughter of Senate 0RESIDENT 6ICENTE g4ITOu 3OTTO RD

IS kNALLY JOINING THE FAMILY S gOTHER callingâ&#x20AC;? in politics as the second nominee of Luntiang Pilipinas PARTY LIST /N -ARCH SHE JOINED HER SISTER IN LAW *OY 3OTTO Â&#x2021; WIFE

of QC vice mayoral candidate Gian 3OTTO Â&#x2021; AND 4OOTSIE !NGARA Â&#x2021; REelectionist Sen. Sonny Angaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife Â&#x2021; IN A :UMBA GATHERING IN "ARANgay Commonwealth, Quezon City.

Rounding up todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s updates in Lights, Camera Boto! is the return of matinee idol and former Manila vice mayor Isko Moreno to the political scene as he aspires for the capitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top seat following a three-year hiatus from politics. He is up against his former running mate, incumbent Mayor Joseph â&#x20AC;&#x153;Erapâ&#x20AC;? Estrada, who of course, is the considered the most successful actor to ever crossover to government service when he won via landslide as the 13th President of the Republic of the Philippines. Moreno and Estrada are up against former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim and kVE OTHER CANDIDATES

Gretchen so far below in Krisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; totem pole of problems A

S everybody knows, sisters Gretchen and Claudine "ARRETTO kNALLY SMOKED THE PEACE PIPE JUST BEFORE Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. On March 22, the ate and the bunso took to Instagram Live to show their renewed kinship (or unholy alliance?), WHILE GETTING BACK AT THEIR OTHER SISTER -ARJORIE 4IME was when it was Gretchen and -ARJORIE VERSUS #LAUDINE ON -ARJORIEfS SIDE ARE THEIR parents Daddy Miguel and Mommy Inday, and another sister 'IA "ESIDES -ARJOrie, Gretchen found kakampi in siblings *AYJAY REPORTEDLY NOW ON -ARJORIE S side), Mito and Michie.

On their Instagram Live, Gretchen and Claudine lamented the non-inclusion of their names scribbled on the velvet nylon ribbon pinned on the inner lid of their nannyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s casket. Whether their names were ina d ve r t e n t l y omitted, it was Claudine who was more upset.

4HEIR NANNY S Q Kris Aquino death came after

Gretchen and Claudine have reconciled their long-standing differences. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sinadya,â&#x20AC;? was how Gretchen described their namesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; exclusion since their other siblings names were pinned. Claudine said she felt her familyy disowned her.

4HEN THE REUNITED SISTERS next issue was their noninvitation to the wedding of THEIR NIECE $ANI -ARJORIE S daughter [by former actor Kier Legaspi,] to Xavi Panlilio [altar date yet to be announced]. Gretchen, however, said she couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care less. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not affected at all, why rant?â&#x20AC;? an Instagram fol- Q The Barretto sisters, Claudine and lower said referring Gretchen, are always on social media. to Gretchenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grudGES TO -ARJORIE AND $ANI â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ayaw daw niyang manumbat but she wanted TO TELL -ARJORIE STRAIGHT TO HER FACE THAT IT WAS her Blueridge (in Quezon City) house which served as the latterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foster home during her time of pregnancy. Pati yung pag-aalaga nila ni Claudine kay Dani (then a sickly baby who also had psoriasis), ikinu-

VIGNETTES RONNIE CARRASCO 3RD

ey from me.â&#x20AC;?

Of course, there are other family issues which Gretchen chose not to divulge any further. But whether valid or otherwise, these are best conkNED WITHIN THEIR FAMILY NNN Me Meanwhile, Gretechen granted a phone int terview on March 23 to DZMM showbiz anchors Ogie Diaz and MJ Felipe on the p pairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Saturday night program.

Among others, the interviewee confessed to hating Kris Aquino and said she will reve veal the reason why in due time. However, Gr Gretchen had nice words for Krisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mom, the lat President Cory Aquino, who had treated late HER HER ONLY CHILD $OMINIQUE BY 4ONYBOY #OJUAN JUANGCO AS A GRANDCHILD Vignettes sent a text message to Kris for her V REACTION ON 'RETAfS RADIO INTERVIEW (ER IMMEDIREACT ate reply was: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Absolutely no comment. Let her be.â&#x20AC;?

Kris followed it up by saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do not even remember the last time I encountered her. Sa totem pole ng problems ko, she (Gretchen) is so far below.â&#x20AC;?

wento pa niya!â&#x20AC;?

Gretchen even lauded Claudine for being the type of a sibling â&#x20AC;&#x153;who never asks mon-

Q Gretchen Barretto

F2

Lifestyle

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

W H AT ’ S YO U R M O O D ?

Women’s monthly cycle explained W

HENEVER a woman seems “unreasonable,” it’s easily tagged as “that time of the month.” The assumption can often be unfair, especially because there is more to a woman than what men often assume.

the period. Estrogen is low and women often experience fatigue and cramps. They might not feel like it but these days would be good days to exercise. Their mood might not be so great and their energy level is low.

Women’s period cycles span almost an entire month and every few days, something changes in her body.

Hormone levels can change dramatically, depending on where women are in their cycle. That’s why there are days when they feel like they can do anything and days when they just want to stay home with a bag of chips and their trusty streaming app.

With the help of sanitary napkin brand Jeunesse Anion, The

The beginning

Feel good

Days 1 to 2: 4HE kRST DAY OF THE CYCLE IS THE kRST day of women’s period. Tissue and blood lining in uterus is the blood otherwise known as

Days 3 to 5: Estrogen begins to increase towards the end of the period.

This hormone helps boost endorphins or the brain’s “feel good”

»mum’stheword

Q There is more to what men simply label as ‘that time of the month’ for women, moms included. chemicals. The energy also rises along with the rise in estrogen and ultimately this makes women feel more upbeat at this time.

On top of the world

Manila Times

t o d ay s h a r e s this short break down of what happens during a woman’s Q At days 6 to 9, women are most likely to feel unstoppable and on top of their game. period cycle:

Days 6 to 9: With her estrogen up, women are sure to feel more beautiful and energetic. And it’s no wonder because their skin is glowing and their face looks more symmetrical. Testosterone also rises during this time thus, they are most likely to feel unstoppable and on top of their game.

Watch what you eat Days 19 to 22: Estrogen level begins to drop while testosterone surges if a woman is not pregnant.

Her skin might be producing more oil than usual which can lead to break outs or skin sensitivity.

Hence, this is the best time for women to eat healthy.

Ending the cycle Day 23 to 28: If a woman is not pregnant, her estrogen and progesterone levels continue to drop. She may begin to experience bloating

Bringing sexy back

and sluggishness. The quick change in hormones is also responsible for quick changes in mood. This is a good time for her to boost serotonin levels through exercise which, in turn, will help her cope with breast soreness. In addition, a woman at this phase must reduce sugar and caffeine intake and instead load on liquids to stay hydrated.

At this point, an unfertilized egg will soon leave the body together with the uterine lining that a woman’s body created in preparation for possible pregnancy. Once the period begins, a woman goes back to Day 1 in the period cycle.

Q Hormone levels can change dramatically, depending on where women are in their cycle.

Days 10 to 13: Women are now approaching their ovulation which means they are feeling sexiest. They are most fertile during these days and women who want to become pregnant have the best chances of conception when they try at this window until ovulation day. Their orgasms are more intense and are attainable during sex. Estrogen levels are at the highest and women feel best emotionally and physically.

Hello, ovulation

Q Women’s period cycles span almost an entire month and every few days, something changes in her body.

WITH summer hot and here, now is the perfect time to give homes a good general cleaning without having to worry about getting kids to school on time and everything that comes with it.

Achieving a clean and clutter-free home is definitely not an easy task but instead of seeing it as a chore, take it as an opportunity to beautify the family’s abod.

Take inspiration from Scandinavian design. Hailing from the natives of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, Scandi design remains on-trend today with its emphasis on minimalism, simplicity and functionality.

To achieve that Scandinavian vibe at home, Electrolux, a Swedish home and professional appliances brand, shares with The Manila Times some Scandi-inspired tips to make things tidy and cozy this season.

you stay on track as you start to make decisions on what is worth keeping and what you could toss out.

And don’t just toss things out needlessly. Consider re-gifting but do these thoughtfully. For example, give away books you’ve finished to a fellow book lover. You can even make it a party — invite friends and family to go over your unwanted stuff to see if there’s anything they want to take home. Leftovers can be donated or you can hold a garage sale for items to help them find a new home.

»homehelp

Take on the minimalist mindset Scandinavians have a “less is more” mindset so consider minimalism while decluttering. You have to decide to only keep things that you truly love and are important.

However, it’s ideal not to begin with anything that brings back memories.

Going through old photographs, letters, keepsakes, and the likes might be distractions from decluttering, ergo unfinished mission. )NSTEAD WORK WITH LARGE ITEMS kRST then smaller items last. “Will anyone be happier if I save this?” is a good guiding question to ask and will help

Day 14: For most period cycles, ovulation happens on this day.

Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary. This egg lives for 12 to 24 hours. There is also a sudden hormone change during ovulation, which may intensify women’s emotions and tiredness.

SPRING CLEANING GUIDE

Organizing homes the Scandinavian way

Storage as home decor Scandinavian design also combines beauty with functionality. Try using storage solutions that double as home decoration.

Set up cupboards or wall shelves at home with baskets or boxes made of metal or wood to help you organize stuff while keeping them out of sight.

Having decorative hooks to hang coats, hats, or small bags also saves space while adding a design accent to your home. It’s also nice to have plants to bring an earthy element in the natural, muted look.

Organize the closet To make it easier for you to organize your closet, try putting dividers for intimates, daily wear, dresses and shoes. Keep your favorite pieces then select items you want to give away or donate, especially the old ones that no longer fit you.

Q To have the ‘Scandi’ look, try using metal garment in the room to hang regular items outside the wardrobe.

To have that Scandi-look, try having a metal garment rack in the room.

Here, you can hang the pieces that you regularly wear to maximize your closet for other clothes. It’s best to keep outof-season clothing, such as sweaters, folded in your closet or keep in a linen or cotton-made storage after washing it.

Put these tips into practice and you’ll have a home that’s not only cleaner but even more of a joy to live in.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Funtimes

TUESDAY April 2, 2019

F3

Solution to Mega Maze

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday (04/02/19). Discover unexplored horizons this year. Discipline with your professional craft pays off. Take advantage of a windfall. Summer home renovations lead to a career switchback. Career growth next winter comes before domestic changes require adaptation. Expand your boundaries with new perspectives.

To get the advantage, check the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is a 5 -- News could astonish. Hide somewhere peaceful and quiet. All is not as it appears. Avoid rumors. Verify accusations from a second source.

Wait for developments.

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Take a refreshing pause to consider your goals, objectives and dreams for your physical labors, KHDOWK DQG ¿WQHVV ,QGXOJH D IDQWDV\ *HW FOHYHU LGHDV RQWR SDSHU SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Romance grows in conversation with someone sweet. Allow for contingencies. The rules may change mid-game. Listen to your intuition. Share your dreams. Talk about love.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Imagine domestic dreams realized. Talk with family and housemates about your KRPH LPSURYHPHQW YLVLRQV *HW LPDJLQDWLYH ,QGXOJH ZLOG VXJJHVtions. Pursue one idea you all love.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Keep your long-term community vision in mind. Be hopeful; not foolish. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fund a fantasy.

'R \RXU UHVHDUFK DQG IRFXV Há&#x201A;&#x2021;RUWV WRZDUG VLPSOH WDUJHWHG DFWLRQV

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Brilliant ideas abound today. Creative expression flowers. Dig down for authenticity and truth. Write your dreams, visions and desires.

Describe perfection.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Keep taking action to forward your professional dreams and visions. Consider outrageous ideas. List what you want to be, do, have and contribute.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 9 -- Profit through communications. Express your dreams. Ask for what you want, no matter how impossible it may seem. Connect with a sense of spirit.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Make reservations in advance. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t depend on a fantasy. Send applications, and confirm your itinerary. Costs may be higher than expected. Research for best options.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Consider the consequences of a personal decision. Discover something new about yourself. Write down your future dreams, hopes and visions. Accept divine inspiration.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Collaborate for shared gain.

5HDá&#x201A;&#x2C6;UP D FRPPLWPHQW ZLWK \RXU SDUWQHU /LVWHQ WR DOO FRQVLGHUDWLRQV EHIRUH PDNLQJ D ¿QDQFLDO GHFLVLRQ &RPH XS ZLWK D ZLQ ZLQ VFHQDULR

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Blackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s *HPLQL KRURVFRSH YLVLW /LQGD %ODFN $VWURORJ\ E\ FOLFNLQJ GDLO\ KRURscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Words grease the wheels with your partner. Discuss your dreams. Indulge in wild speculation, illusions and fantasy. Create new practical possibilities from the exercise.

» SUDOKU

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 yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puzzle.

The Manila Times

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