THE MANILA TIMES | FEBRUARY 04, 2019

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Inflation likely down anew in January – poll ++

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The ËœManila Times

MONDAY, FEBRUARY RUARY 44, 2019

Pope seeks dialogue on first papal trip to Arabian Peninsula VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis is seeking to turn a page in Christian-Muslim relations, while also ministering to a unique, thriving island of Catholicism as he embarks on the first-ever papal trip to the Arabian Peninsula, the birthplace of Islam.

While Francis is building on two of his priorities with his Sunday to Tuesday visit to the United Arab Emirates —

M I L I TA R Y:

Abu Sayyaf coddling more foreign terrorists

BY DEMPSEY REYES

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HE Armed Forces of the Philippines is going after foreign terrorists being coddled by the Abu Sayyaf Group based in Sulu, following a deadly encounter in Patikul town on Saturday.

Inquirer editorial a despicable, shameless bullying of a broadcast journalist

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HE 0HILIPPINE $AILY )NQUIRER S 0$) EDITORIAL THE OTHER DAY WAS A DESPICABLE CASE OF BULLYING A JOURNALIST ‡ VETERAN 46 NEWS ANCHOR *IGGY -ANICAD )T SETS A NEW LOW IN SHAMELESS HACK JOBS IN MEDIA

RIGOBERTO RIG DD. TIGLAO

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Can we have the facts now on the bombings?

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FRANCISCO S. TATAD

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ART APPRECIATION Performers from Guiguinto, Bulacan show off their dancing prowess and colorful costumes during the 15th Pasinaya Open House Arts Festival held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Pasay City on February 1 to 3. With this year’s theme “Karapatan, Kalayaan at Kultura� (Right, Freedom and Culture), Pasinaya showcased arts in music, theater, dance, film, visual arts and more. PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

BY TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA THE 9EAR OF THE $OG OFkCIALLY ENDS TODAY TO GIVE WAY TO THE 9EAR OF THE 0IG AND SO SHOULD THE SHOW OF POWER THAT ENSUED ON THE WORLD S POLITICAL STAGE IN

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SYMBOL OF WEALTH

SUSPECTS IN QC VILLAGE CAPTAIN’S KILLING FALL NewsA8 GROWTH WITH POVERTY

Chinese good luck charms for Year of the Pig are on display at a store in Binondo, Manila. The Chinese community will be celebrating the first day of the lunar calendar on February 5, Tuesday. PHOTO J. GERARD SEGUIA

Andaya blocks bicam report for 2019 budget (/53% APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN 2EP 2OLANDO !NDAYA *R INSISTED THAT THE $EPARTMENT OF "UDGET AND -ANAGEMENT $"- SUBMIT A REPORT ON ITS OWN APPROPRIATIONS BEFORE THE BICAMERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

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#OL 'ERRY "ESANA SPOKESMAN FOR THE MILITARY S 7ESTERN -INDANAO #OMMAND 7EST-IN#OM SAID THE FOREIGNERS WERE EMBEDDED IN (ATIB (AJAN 3AWADJAAN S !JANG !JANG SUBGROUP UNDER THE !BU 3AYYAF TERROR AND KIDNAP GROUP 3AWADJAAN S GROUP IS BELIEVED TO BE BEHIND THE DEADLY BLASTS AT /UR ,ADY OF -OUNT #ARMEL #ATHEDRAL IN *OLO

3ULU A WEEK AGO 4HE !JANG !JANG GROUP IS COMPOSED OF ORPHANS AND CHILDREN OF THE !BU 3AYYAF 4HEY RUN ERRANDS FOR THEIR SUPERIORS IN THE TERRORIST GROUP "ESANA SAID THE FOREIGN TERRORISTS ATTACHED TO 3AWADJAAN S GROUP IN THE

Feng shui expert sees calm in Year of the Pig

What’s inside

MARTIN HAPPY WITH INTERNATIONAL BREAK FOR EX-WIFE POPS

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Trusted since 1898

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WEEK after FIRST THE *ANUARY THINGS TWIN BOMBINGS OF FIRST /UR ,ADY OF -OUNT #ARMEL #ATHEDRAL IN *OLO AND THE *ANUARY BOMBING OF A MOSQUE IN :AMBOANGA #ITY THE PEACE PROMISED BY THE *ANUARY RATIkCATION OF THE "ANGSAMORO /RGANIC ,AW CREATING THE "ANGSAMORO !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO "!2-- APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN ROLLED BACK

AND ONCE AGAIN WE ARE WITNESSING A MILITARY OFFENSIVE THIS TIME AGAINST THE !BU 3AYYAF

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HARDEN EXTENDS STREAK, DONCIC GETS JOB DONE FOR MAVS

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REACH US AT: 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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News

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY February 4, 2019

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Court rebukes UCBP for fraud

BY JOMAR CANLAS

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HE Supreme Court has castigated United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) in connection with the assignment of loan obligations of a BUSINESSMAN AND A REALTY kRM TO SIMILAR OBLIGATIONS of spouses Felix Chua and Carmen Chua without the consent of the couple.

4HE #HUAS LOANS INVOLVED THE ,UCENA 'RAND 4ERMINAL 4HE COURT DECLARED THAT 5#0" COMMITTED BANK FRAUD STANDING BY ITS DECISION OF !UG THAT THE BANK DEFRAUDED THE #HUAS WHEN THEY ASSIGNED TO THE COUPLE THE LOAN OBLIGATIONS OF TYCOON *OSE 'O AND REALTY kRM 2EVERE WITHOUT THE EXPRESS CONSENT OF THE #HUA COUPLE )N A PAGE RESOLUTION PENNED BY #HIEF *USTICE ,UCAS "ERSAMIN DATED

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THAT HE RELEASED JUST RECENTLY THE THEN 3PECIAL RD $IVISION DENIED gTHE MOTIONS FOR RECONSIDERATION OF RESPONDENTS ;5#0"= !SSET 0OOL !

AND 2EVERE 2EALTY #ORP AND *OSE 'O THE MOTION TO INHIBIT BY THE RD $IVISION AND TO REASSIGN THE CASE TO ANOTHER DIVISION OF THE COURT BY RAFlE AND THE URGENT MOTIONS TO REFER THE CASE TO THE COURT EN BANC; =u 4HE VOTING WAS AGAINST WITH *USTICE .OEL 4IJAM !LEXANDER 'ES-

MUNDO AND *OSE 2EYES CONCURRING WITH THE #HIEF *USTICE *USTICE !LFREDO "ENJAMIN #AGUIOA

WHO ISSUED SEPARATE CONCURRING AND DISSENTING OPINIONS EVEN DECLARED THAT 5#0" HAD COMMITTED DECEIT AGAINST THE #HUAS g5#0" S DECEIT AND FRAUD IS MOST EVIDENT IN ITS UNJUSTIkED REFUSAL AND FAILURE TO PRESENT PROOF OF *OSE 'O S INDEBTEDNESS DESPITE REPEATED DEMAND BY THE PETITIONERS -OREOVER

5#0" S UNWARRANTED APPLICATION OF THE FORECLOSE PROCEEDS TO THE LIABILITIES OF *OSE 'O WHICH TO REITERATE

HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED ALSO MANIFESTS BAD FAITH THAT WARRANTS THE AWARD OF DAMAGES u #AGUIOA STATED IN HIS OPINION 4HIS WILL ALSO PUT IN HOT WATER THE &EDERATION OF 0HILIPPINE )NDUSTRIES CHAIRMAN *ESUS !RANZA FROM THE HIGH COURT FOR ACCUSING IT OF IRREGULARITY

Q TERRORISTS FROM A1

Abu Sayyaf !BU 3AYYAF WERE BEING TRACKED DOWN BY THE MILITARY !SIDE FROM THE !BU 3AYYAF THE "ANGSAMORO )SLAMIC &REEDOM &IGHTERS ")&& IS ALSO CODDLING FOREIGN TERRORISTS 4HE 0HILIPPINE !RMY BELIEVES THE ")&& HAS MEMBERS COMING FROM THE -IDDLE %AST

3INGAPORE AND -ALAYSIA g7E CAN T GIVE A DEkNITE NUMBER AS TO HOW MANY AS WELL AS THEIR NATIONALITIES BECAUSE THOSE ARE OPERATIONAL DETAILS u HE TOLD REPORTERS "ESANA SAID 3AWADJAAN HIMSELF

AND HIS GROUP HAD PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE TO THE )SLAMIC 3TATE )3

ATTRACTING FOREIGNERS TO JOIN HIS GROUP IN 3ULU &OLLOWING 3ATURDAY S ENCOUNTER IN 0ATIKUL THE MILITARY S *OINT 4ASK &ORCE 3ULU SAID THAT AMONG THE FATALITIES WAS A FOREIGN TERRORIST NAMED !BU "LACK WHOSE NATIONALITY REMAINED IN QUESTION !

SOURCE HOWEVER SAID HE MAY HAVE COME FROM %GYPT ,T 'EN !RNEL DE LA 6EGA 7EST-IN#OM COMMANDER SAID THE MILITARY HAD BEEN COORDINATING WITH ITS COUNTERPARTS IN -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF FOREIGN TERRORISTS IN THE 0HILIPPINES 4HESE INCLUDE TRILATERAL PATROLLING THROUGH A TRILATERAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE 0HILIPPINES )NDONESIA AND -ALAYSIA g7E ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS FAR AS COLLABORATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IS CONCERNED u DE LA 6EGA TOLD REPORTERS IN A SEPARATE INTERVIEW IN *OLO 3ULU 3PEAKING TO !RAB .EWS ON 4HURSDAY $EFENSE 3ECRETARY $ELkN ,ORENZANA SAID THE 0HILIPPINES HAD MONITORED FOREIGN TERRORISTS FROM 9EMEN 0AKISTAN -OROCCO

-ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA ROAMING AROUND 3ULU "ASILAN AND THE #ENTRAL -INDANAO PROVINCES ,ORENZANA CITING gUNCONkRMED REPORTS u SAID THERE WERE ABOUT FOREIGN TERRORISTS SPOTTED IN -INDANAO (E SAID THERE WAS A SMALL GROUP COMPOSED OF )NDONESIAN AND -ALAYSIAN TERRORISTS WHO CAME FROM 3YRIA AND ENTERED THE COUNTRY THROUGH ITS SOUTHERN BACKDOOR

DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ISSUES INVOLVED ARE PURELY PRIVATE AND DO NOT INVOLVE THE FUNDS OF THE FARMERS UNDER THE COCO LEVY FUNDS 4HE HIGH COURT SAID A RULING IT ISSUED IN WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE HIGH COURT S 3PECIAL RD $IVISION

HEADED BY "ERSAMIN WAS ABOVE BOARD SINCE ALL OF ITS MEMBERS INCLUDING THEN HIGH COURT JUSTICE AND NOW /MBUDSMAN ;3AMUEL -ARTIRES= WERE ABLE TO DELIBERATE ON THE CASE /N -ARCH

THE #HUAS ENTERED INTO A JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT *6! WITH 'OTESCO 0ROPERTIES )NC 'OTESCO FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR HECTARE PROPERTY SITUATED IN )LAYANG $UPAY ,UCENA #ITY 1UEZON

INTO A MIXED USE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SUBDIVISION 'OTESCO WAS THEN REPRESENTED BY 'O )T APPEARED HOWEVER THAT THE DE-

VELOPMENT PROJECT UNDER 6! DID NOT MATERIALIZE /N -ARCH

A -EMORANDUM OF !GREEMENT -O! WAS SIGNED WITH 5#0" TO CONSOLIDATE THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE SPOUSES #HUA AND ,UCENA 'RAND #ENTRAL 4ERMINAL )NC ,'#4) WHICH WAS DETERMINED AT 0

AS OF .OV

4HE PARTIES AGREED TO DEDUCT THE SUM OF 0

FROM THE TOTAL IN EXCHANGE FOR PARCELS OF LAND INCLUDING THE IMPROVEMENTS AND THAT THE REMAINING BALANCE OF 0

WOULD BE CONVERTED BY 5#0" INTO EQUITY INTEREST IN ,'#4) /N .OV

SPOUSES #HUA WROTE 5#0" TO REQUEST AN ACCOUNTING OF 'O S LIABILITIES THAT HAD BEEN MISTAKENLY SECURED BY THE MORTGAGE OF PETITIONERS PROPERTIES AS WELL AS TO OBTAIN A LIST OF ALL THE PROPERTIES SUBJECT

ALSO MADE WITH THE -ORO )SLAMIC ,IBERATION &RONT S #OORDINATING #OMMITTEE ON THE #ESSATION OF (OSTILITIES -),& ###( AND THE TARGETED AREAS WERE CONkNED TO LOCATIONS FAR FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES u 3OBEJANA ADDED g) AM VERY DETERMINED TO DEFEAT THESE THREAT GROUPS AND PREVENT THEM FROM DOING TERRORISTIC ACTIVITIES TO BRING ABOUT PEACE IN #ENTRAL -INDANAO u 3OBEJANA CONTINUED

GO ON LOWERING THE AGE OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY

‘Be vigilant’

SAFETY FIRST

Manila Police District police personnel gear up for the upcoming celebration of Chinese New Year by conducting vicinity check in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila to prevent any act of violence. PHOTO BY ROGER RAÑADA

8 BIFF killed, 10 wounded in Maguindanao clashes %IGHT TERRORISTS WERE KILLED WHILE WOUNDED INCLUDING A TERROR LEADER DURING MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE ")&& ON LATE 3ATURDAY IN -AGUINDANAO THE 0HILIPPINE !RMY DISCLOSED ON 3UNDAY -AJ 'EN #IRILITO 3OBEJANA

COMMANDER OF THE !RMY S TH )NFANTRY $IVISION )$ SAID kVE OF THE EIGHT EXTREMISTS KILLED IN THE kREkGHT IN 3ULTAN 3A "ARONGIS -AGUINDANAO HAVE BEEN IDENTIkED 4HEY WERE (ASHIM !BO 3ALIK

!BO 4UTIN 3AIDIN +USAIN AND 'UABAR 3ULAIMA WHILE THREE REMAIN UNIDENTIkED 3OBEJANA SAID THE ")&& GROUP OR THE ONES UNDER THE 4ORAYFE FACTION

WERE ACCOMPANIED BY FOREIGN TERRORISTS INCLUDING THOSE FROM THE -IDDLE %AST TWO -ALAYSIANS AND A 3INGAPOREAN IDENTIkED ONLY AS -AWIYA 4HE FACTION THAT SOLDIERS ENGAGED WITH ON 3ATURDAY WAS HEADED BY 3ALAHUDIN (ASAN A SUB COMMANDER OF THE $AWLAH )SLAMIYAH 4ORAYFE FACTION "ASED ON THE MILITARY S REPORT

(ASAN WAS AMONG THE CRITICALLY WOUNDED DURING THE kREkGHT THAT LASTED FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS 3OBEJANA ALSO SAID THAT THE CAMP OF THE ")&& MEMBERS WAS SEIZED BY SOLDIERS FOLLOWING THE ENCOUNTER 2ECENTLY A BRIGADE COMMANDER OF THE ")&& SURRENDERED TO THE MILITARY HE SAID (E WAS IDENTIkED

Q BUDGET FROM A1

Andaya COMES OUT WITH THE kNAL VERSION OF THE NATIONAL BUDGET !NDAYA WANTS TO KNOW HOW MUCH gPORKu THE $"- WILL HAVE g;"UDGET 3ECRETARY "ENJAMIN= $IOKNO MAY HAVE EVADED SCRUTINY OF $"- PORK IN THE BUDGET DELIBERATIONS .OT THIS TIME .O $"- REPORT ON SAVINGS NO BICAM REPORT FOR BUDGET u !NDAYA SAID IN A STATEMENT ON 3UNDAY g9OU WANT TO LOOK FOR PORK 4HIS IS THE MULTIBILLION PESO $"- PORK THAT 3ECRETARY $IOKNO HAS KEPT SECRET FROM #ONGRESS AND FROM THE PUBLIC )T S ONLY 3ECRETARY $IOKNO WHO KNOWS HOW THIS WAS SPENT IN AND HOW THIS WILL BE ALLOCATED IN u SAID !NDAYA

A FORMER BUDGET SECRETARY WHO HEADS THE (OUSE CONTINGENT TO THE BICAMERAL

AS 'ANI 3ALIGAN !CCORDING TO 3OBEJANA 3ALIGAN HAD A RIFT WITH (ASAN WHICH WAS WHY WHEN THE FORMER YIELDED HE PINPOINTED THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE ")&& LEADER TO AUTHORITIES 3ATURDAY S ENCOUNTER ALSO INVOLVED AIRSTRIKES THROUGH THE 0HILIPPINE !IR &ORCE S &! kGHTER JETS

Terrorists’ lair destroyed 4HE *OINT 4ASK &ORCE #ENTRAL *4&# INTENSIkED FOCUSED MILITARY OPERATIONS AT A TERRORIST LAIR IN 3OUTH 4ATAK "ARANGAY 4UGAL 3ULTAN 3A "ARONGIS -AGUINDNAO AT ABOUT A M ON 3ATURDAY AND DESTROYED CAPACITY BUNKERS AND FOXHOLES !CCORDING TO -AJ !RVIN %NCINAS

SPOKESMAN OF THE TH )NFANTRY $IVISION )$ ON 3UNDAY THE *4&# LAUNCHED SURGICAL AIR ARTILLERY AND GROUND OPERATIONS ON THE CONkRMED TARGETS AGAINST THE )3 INSPIRED TERRORIST GROUP UNDER 3ALAHUDIN (ASSAN (E SAID THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION WAS A RESULT OF POSITIVE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ")&& WHO SURRENDERED TO *4& #ENTRAL g7E EASE THE FEAR OF OUR PEOPLE AND ASSURE THEM THAT *4&# UNDERTOOK SAFETY PROCEDURES AS THEY PLANNED THE ATTACK GIVING DUE CONCERN TO THE SAFETY OF THE CIVILIAN POPULACE u *4&# #OMMANDER 3OBEJANA SAID g!PPROPRIATE COORDINATION WAS

COMMITTEE !NDAYA SAID THE $"- REPORT WOULD PROVIDE A gCLEAR PICTURE OF THE SPENDING AUTHORITY u /N $ECEMBER 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE SIGNED *OINT 2ESOLUTION EXTENDING THE VALIDITY AND PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY OF kSCAL YEAR APPROPRIATIONS FOR MAINTENANCE AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES -//% AND CAPITAL OUTLAYS AND REVERTING UNAPPROPRIATED OBLIGATIONS TO OTHER SOCIAL PROGRAMS OF THE GOVERNMENT INCLUDING PRIORITY PROJECTS AID AND RELIEF ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS MAINTENANCE

CONSTRUCTION REPAIR AND REHABILITATION OF SCHOOLS HOSPITALS ROADS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT FACILITIES 4HE BICAMERAL DELIBERATIONS HELD LAST WEEK HIGHLIGHTED THE INCLINATION OF LAWMAKERS TO SCRAP THE CASH BASED BUDGET SYSTEM PROPOSED BY THE $"- AND EXTEND THE BUDGET S CAPITAL OUTLAYS AND MAINTENANCE AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES BY UP TO TWO YEARS

&OLLOWING THE TWIN BOMBINGS THAT ROCKED 3ULU LAST WEEK -ALACAÄANG URGED &ILIPINOS TO REMAIN VIGILANT AND COOPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT REGARDING TERROR THREATS 0RESIDENTIAL #OMMUNICATIONS /PERATIONS /FkCE 3ECRETARY -ARTIN !NDANAR SAID IN A RADIO INTERVIEW THAT THIS WOULD BE THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF &ILIPINOS g.OW WE HAVE TO BE VIGILANT 7E HAVE TO COOPERATE WITH OUR GOVERNMENT WE HAVE TO COOPERATE WITH THE ;MILITARY= WE COOPERATE WITH THE 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 0OLICE AND OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS 4HAT IS THE SUREST WAY THAT IS THE SUREST WAY TO ENSURE OUR SAFETY u HE SAID !NDANAR ALSO INSISTED THAT RELIGION DID NOT COME INTO PLAY ON THE BOMBINGS (E ECHOED THE STATEMENT OF THE 0ALACE EARLIER THAT THE EXPLOSIONS JUSTIkED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARTIAL LAW IN THE COUNTRY (E SAID THAT IF MARTIAL LAW AND THE SUSPENSION OF THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS WERE NOT IMPLEMENTED IN -INDANAO THE SITUATION WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE g)F THERE IS A MARTIAL LAW THERE AND THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THERE IS NONE 3O

DO NOT MEDDLE WITH THE MARTIAL LAW IN -INDANAO BECAUSE IT IS GOOD u HE SAID 4HE 0ALACE OFkCIAL ALSO VOICED HOPE THAT NO SIMILAR SITUATIONS WOULD HAPPEN DURING THE SECOND PLEBISCITE FOR THE "ANGSAMORO /RGANIC ,AW "/, ON &EBRUARY g7E DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TERRORIST GROUPS MEDDLE WITH THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION FOR OUR -INDANAO THROUGH THE "/, u HE SAID WITH JULMUNIR JANNARAL AND RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

4HE $"- WANTS TO SWITCH TO A CASH BASED SYSTEM IN WHICH ALL SPENDING MUST BE DONE DURING THE kSCAL YEAR

CLAIMING THE OLD OBLIGATIONS BASED BUDGET IS VULNERABLE TO CORRUPTION "OTH CHAMBERS AGREED TO CONTINUE OPERATING UNDER THE REENACTED '!! WHILE ENSURING 0 BILLION IN FUNDING FOR THE #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS TO HOLD THE -AY ELECTIONS AND THE FOURTH TRANCHE OF SALARY HIKES FOR GOVERNMENT WORKERS !NDAYA AND $IOKNO HAVE CLASHED SINCE LAST YEAR OVER BUDGET ISSUES

WITH THE FORMER ACCUSING THE LATTER OF VARIOUS IRREGULARITIES SUCH AS FAVORING A CONTRACTOR LINKED TO HIS DAUGHTER S IN LAWS -ALACAÄANG HOWEVER HAS BACKED $IOKNO SINCE THE RIFT BEGAN LAST YEAR OVER THE ADOPTION OF A CASH BASED BUDGETING SYSTEM FOR THE BUDGET INSTEAD OF THE CORRUPTION PRONE OBLIGATIONS BASED SYSTEM GLEE JALEA

OF THEIR REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE 2%- AS WELL AS OF THE 2EVERE 2%- FOR RE PPRAISAL

BY AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISER 4HEY kLED THEIR COMPLAINT AGAINST 5#0" 2EVERE 'O AND THE 2EGISTER OF $EEDS OF ,UCENA #ITY IN THE 2EGIONAL 4RIAL #OURT 24# IN ,UCENA #ITY /N /CT

THE 24# DECLARED 'O AND 2EVERE IN DEFAULT WHILE ON &EB

THEIR MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION WAS DENIED UNTIL THE CASE WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE #OURT OF !PPEALS #!

WHICH SIDED WITH 5#0" (OWEVER WHEN THE CASE REACHED THE HIGH COURT ITS RD $IVISION OR ON !UG REVERSED THE DECISION OF THE #! )T FURTHER REINSTATED THE RULING OF ,UCENA #ITY 24# DECLARING THAT THE LOAN OBLIGATIONS OF THE #HUAS WERE FULLY PAID AND ASKING FOR MORE FROM THE #HUAS WOULD RESULT IN gUNJUST ENRICHMENT u

‘Parents responsible for their children’ ). LIGHT OF THE BILL LOWERING THE AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY

FORMER SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE 0RESIDENT 3!0 AND ASPIRING SENATOR #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O CALLED ON PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS TO EXERCISE RESPONSIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN UNDER THEIR CARE g!KO NAMAN PO AY PABOR SA PAGBABA NG AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY SA EDAD NA AND ABOVE KASI SA TINGIN KO KAILANGAN NANG MAGKAROON NG RESPONSIBILIDAD ANG MGA MAGULANG NA TIGNAN AT BANTAYAN NANG MAIGI ANG MGA BATA SA PANGANGALAGA NILA ) AM IN FAVOR OF LOWERING THE AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THE AGE OF AND ABOVE AND ) THINK PARENTS NEED TO EXERCISE RESPONSIBILITY AND LOOK AFTER THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE u 'O SAID 4HE FORMER 3!0 GAVE THIS STATEMENT ON 4HURSDAY EVENING WHILE HE AND HIS SUPPORTERS WERE VISITING SURVIVORS OF THE kRE AT +ILOMETER %VERLASTING #OMPOUND IN "ARANGAY -ARCELO 'REEN

0ARAÄAQUE #ITY 4HE kRE IN "ARANGAY -ARCELO 'REEN WHICH OCCURRED ON *ANUARY BURNED DOWN HOUSES

AFFECTED FAMILIES INJURED ONE RESIDENT OF THE AREA AND CAUSED PROPERTY DAMAGE AMOUNTING TO ABOUT 0

3URVIVORS OF THE kRE ARE STAYING AT THE 3AVVY COVERED COURT

ALSO IN 0ARAÄAQUE )T WAS CONVERTED INTO A MAKESHIFT EVACUATION CENTER /N *ANUARY "ONG 'O AND HIS SUPPORTERS VISITED THE FIRE EVACUEES AT THE 3AVVY COVERED COURT TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND GIVE HOPE THAT THEIR SITUATION WOULD IMPROVE 5PON ENTERING THE COVERED COURT 'O AND HIS COMPANIONS IMMEDIATELY DISTRIBUTED GROCERY ITEMS FOOD PACKS MEALS AND CASH ASSISTANCE TO THE AFFECTED FAMILIES g4HIS IS A LITTLE kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS

GROCERY PACKS FOOD AND DINNER FOR THE kRE VICTIMS u 'O TOLD IN-

Q PAPAL FROM A1

Pope seeks promoting interfaith dialogue and visiting the Catholic peripheries — diplomatic protocol will likely dictate that he leaves other concerns behind.

The Emirates’ support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen, which has caused the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, and the UAE’s problematic record on human rights and labor violations at home will likely will get a pass — at least in public.

Francis is travelling to Abu Dhabi to participate in a conference on interreligious dialogue sponsored by the Emirates-based Muslim Council of Elders, an initiative that seeks to counter religious fanaticism by promoting a moderate brand of Islam. It’s the brainchild of Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar, the revered 1,000-year-old seat of Sunni Islam learning that trains clerics and scholars from around the world.

It will be the fifth meeting between Francis and el-Tayeb, evidence that Al-Azhar’s freeze in relations with the Holy See sparked by Pope Benedict 16th’s 2006 comments linking Islam to violence has

TERVIEWERS 'O SAID GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SUCH AS THE $EPARTMENT OF 3OCIAL 7ELFARE AND $EVELOPMENT AND THE .ATIONAL (OUSING !UTHORITY .(! HAVE RESPONDED TO THE CALL TO HELP THE kRE VICTIMS IN 0ARAÄAQUE /THER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES LIKE THE 0HILIPPINE !MUSEMENT AND 'AMING #ORPORATION AND $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH WILL BE CONTACTED TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE SITUATION OF THE AFFECTED FAMILIES 'O SAID QUALIkED kRE VICTIMS MAY AVAIL THEMSELVES OF LOW COST HOUSING FROM THE .(!

'O ALSO SET ASIDE TIME TO JOIN A BOODLE kGHT WITH 4/$! DRIVERS AND OPERATORS PRESENT (E SHARED A MEAL WITH THEM AND REMINDED THEM TO JOIN THE GOVERNMENT S ONGOING kGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS CRIMINALITY AND CORRUPTION 'O THEN DISCUSSED SOME OF THE MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO TAKE IN DEALING WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES FOLLOWING THE LOWERING OF THE AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY (E SAID THE g"AHAY 0AG ASAu OR (OUSE OF (OPE IS INTENDED TO RESTORE THE CHILDREN S NORMAL SOCIAL FUNCTIONS TOWARDS FAMILY REUNIFICATION AND COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION g)T S THE PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AFTER THEIR CHILDREN u 'O ADDED SAYING HE AGREED WITH THE PROPOSAL TO HOLD PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS LEGALLY LIABLE FOR THE MISDEEDS OF THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE ! SENATORIAL CANDIDATE IN THE ELECTIONS "ONG 'O HAS A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA WHICH HAS PROGRAMS FOR AGRICULTURE HOUSING

IMPROVED HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY EDUCATION LONG TERM SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION LOCALIZED PEACE TALKS ANTI DRUGS AND CRIME DRIVE

ANTI CORRUPTION DRIVE BARANGAY WELFARE THE CREATION OF A $EPARTMENT OF /&7S AND IMPROVED BENEkTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

thoroughly thawed.

In a video message to the Emirates on the eve of his trip, Francis paid homage to his “friend and dear brother” el-Tayeb and praised his courage in calling the meeting to assert that “God unites and doesn’t divide.”

In a statement Saturday, Al-Azhar described the upcoming meeting as “historic” and praised the “deeply fraternal relationship” between its imam and the Pope, which it said even includes birthday greetings.

Francis and el-Tayeb are to address the “Human Fraternity Meeting” Monday that has drawn not only Christian and Muslim representatives but hundreds of Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and other Christian faith leaders. It’s all part of the Emirates’“Year of Tolerance” and its effort to show its openness to other faiths in a region otherwise known for severe restrictions on religions outside of Islam.

Of the over 9 million people now living in the UAE, around 1 million are Emirati while the rest are foreigners drawn to the oil-rich federation to work in everything from white-collar finance to construction.

The Catholic Church believes there are some 1 million Catholics in the UAE. Most are Filipino and Indian, many of whom have left behind families for work and can face precarious labor conditions, which human rights groups regularly denounce.

AP

˜ The Manila Times

Expanded maternity leave bill soon a law EXPECTANT mothers may soon enjoy longer days to care for their new-born child once a bill seeking to increase the maternity leave period from 60 days to 105 days is signed into law.

The proposed Expanded Maternity Leave (EML) law was transmitted to Malacaùang on January 21 for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.

The bill provides for 105 days of paid maternity leave to all working new mothers, regardless of marital status.

4HE LEAVE BENEkT SHALL BE GRANTED to all female workers in every instance of pregnancy, miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy, regardless of frequency. In cases of miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy, the expectant mothers shall be granted 60 DAYS OF PAID LEAVE BENEkTS The current law provides 60 days of paid maternity leave for natural delivery and 78 days for women who gave birth through cesarean section.

Mothers can claim the leave ben-

EkT FOR ONLY UP TO FOUR INSTANCES OF pregnancy or miscarriage.

All employed mothers can also be given an additional maternity leave of 30 days without pay, provided that they inform the head of the agency, in writing, 45 days before the end of their maternity leave.

Under the proposed legislation, solo parents shall be granted an additional 15 days of paid maternity leave.

The EML also allows seven days from the 105 paid leave credits to be transferred to the new father.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who sponsored bill, said the proposed law would bring the Philippines closer to compliance with the International Labor Organization’s standards on maternity protection. “Our maternity leave law, both for the public and private sectors only provides 60 days paid leave — 38 days SHORT MORE THAN kVE WEEKS SHORT OF the minimum prescribed under the International Labor Organization’s Convention 183,� the senator said.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

OIL FIRMS REDUCE PUMP PRICES OIL companies will implement a minimal price cut on Monday and Tuesday, a first for the year.

In an advisory, Petro Gazz said it would reduce on Monday the cost of diesel and gasoline by 35 centavos per liter and 65 centavos per liter, respectively.

Pilipinas Shell and Seaoil said it would cut the price of diesel by 35 centavos per liter, gasoline by 60 centavos

per liter, and kerosene by 20 centavos per liter effective Tuesday at 6 a.m.

Phoenix Petroleum was the first to adjust its pump prices on Saturday, reducing the price of diesel by 35 centavos per liter and gasoline by 65 centavos per liter.

Other oil companies are also expected to lower their prices.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

Forcible entry Dear PAO, My relatives in the province have occupied a residential lot for decades. But for lack of proper education, they were not able to have their land properly titled. One night a few weeks ago, a group of miners went to my relatives’ house to claim that they already bought my relatives’ property and that they should immediately get off the land. The rogue miners forcefully took their belongings to force them out and physically threatened them when they resisted. The miners also installed a barbwire fence around the property so my relatives won’t be able to enter their land.

We found out that the miners were not able to present any documents to support their claim. After repeated demand by THE BARANGAY VILLAGE OFkCIALS for a mediation, my relatives were able to talk with the minERS 7E WERE ADVISED TO kLE A forcible entry case against the miners. The leader of the miners just laughed at my uncle and TOLD HIM THAT HE CANNOT kLE A case for forcible entry because we do not have a title over the property. We are confused since I also asked other friends about our situation and we were adVISED TO kLE A FORCIBLE ENTRY CASE But since my relatives do not have a title over the property, we are unsure if it is the right CASE TO kLE Can you advise us if we can kLE A FORCIBLE ENTRY CASE EVEN IF we do not possess a title over the land?

Andrew Dear Andrew, According to the law, an action for forcible entry is warranted when â€œâ€Śa person is deprived of the possession of any land or building by force, intimidation, threat, strategy, or stealth, xxx.â€?

(Section 1, Rule 70, Revised Rules of Court). From the details you provided, it appears that force and intimidation are present in the manner by which your relatives were removed from their land. Thus, it appears THAT kLING AN ACTION FOR FORCIBLE entry against those miners who removed them from their land is warranted.

News Bare budget amendments, Lacson dares lawmakers S MONDAY February 4, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

DEAR PAO PERSIDA ACOSTA Your relatives’ lack of land title over the subject land does NOT BAR THEM FROM kLING AN ACtion for forcible entry because a mere physical possession of the property, and not the ownership of said property, is the main issue in a forcible entry case. Jurisprudence dictates that the actual condition of the title to the property is largely immaterial since what is important is that â€œâ€Śthe party in peaceable and quiet possession shall not be turned out by strong hand, violence, or terror.

A party out of possession must respect and resort to the law alone to obtain what he claims is his� (Edgardo L. Paras, Rules of Court Annotated, 1st edition, p.

162, citing Supia and Batioco vs.

Quintero and Ayala, 59 Phil. 312, Ponente: former Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos).

In an action for forcible entry, the court’s ruling is limited to the determination of who between the opposing parties has the better right to possess the same.

The court generally does not rule on the ownership of the subject property in forcible entry cases which makes your relatives’ lack of land title inconsequential for purposes of determining the rightful possessor of a land.

4HUS kLING AN ACTION OF FORCible entry is the proper legal action against the miners. And should the court rule in your relatives’ favor, it will order the restoration of your relatives’ right as the rightful possessor of the disputed property.

We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net

BY BERNADET TE E. TAMAYO

%. 0ANkLO ,ACSON ON 3UNDAY CHALLENGED other lawmakers to follow his lead and make public their respective amendments to the proposed P3.7-trillion national budget for 2019.

For the sake of transparency, the senator earlier made public all his “institutional amendments� to the 2019 budget. “The challenge applies to all who introduced amendments, individual or institutional,� Lacson said. “Let them make public their amendments, so the public can judge if it’s pork. That is much better than resorting to lies and cover-up.�

Lacson said that his institutional amendments — which SEEK TO BENEkT SECTORS INCLUDING education, the environment and national security — were based on need, planning and vetting.

In contrast, he said individ-

ual amendments such as flood control projects and various structures were based on lawmakers’ “intervention.� In most cases, he said no consultations were made on these proposed projects with the implementing agencies concerned.

These individual amendments can be considered pork barrel, based on the 2013 ruling of the Supreme Court that covers whimsical and arbitrary projects, he said.

Lacson thanked the “talking heads� of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for contributing to the public’s knowledge on the issue. “What Speaker GMA’s (Glo-

ria Macapagal Arroyo) talking heads obviously do not realize is that they’re actually advancing my cause in educating the public more about the ‘evil pork’ in the national budget,�

Lacson said on Saturday in his Twitter account. “I earnestly urge them to continue this public discourse. Many thanks to Cong. Castro and Bravo,� he added.

Lacson was referring to House OFkCIALS INCLUDING MAJORITY LEADER Fredenil Castro and Cooperative Natcco party-list Rep. Anthony Bravo, who issued various statements on pork in the budget over the weekend.

On Friday, Bravo tried to defend the insertions made by members of the House of Representatives by ascribing motives to Lacson’s long-standing advocacy against the pork barrel system.

Lacson said Bravo lied when he accused the senator of inserting

A3

secret amendments. “If he intended to be truthful about his statements, he should not have skipped my revelation about the P23-billion insertions made by a number of senators on the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget alone,�

Lacson said. “What I cannot understand is why Bravo would be conveniently selective in his recollection of facts.

I hope he would be truthful and not resort to lying,� he added.

Lacson also lashed at Castro for daring him to “explain� the institutional amendments he made when the senator had already done so. “Are they trying to get back at me because they are affected by my efforts to excise pork from the national budget?� Lacson said. “The national budget is the lifeblood of our country. If we allow pork to ruin the budget, we taxpayers will suffer,� he added.

A4

Opinion

MONDAY February 4, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

E d i to r i a l Pork race in Congress: P7B per senator, P160M per congressman

A

S if they were engaged in some kind of arms race, leading members of each house of Congress are lambasting the other chamber for appropriating for its members obscene and unprecedented pork barrel appropriations in the proposed 2019 national budget, which is now under intense discussion in the bicameral conference committee.

The discussion has become very heated and confusing because tactics of demagoguery are being employed to advance arguments and curry public favor.

3EN 0ANkLO ,ACSON WHO HAS MADE DENOUNCING THE PORK BARREL HIS CALLING CARD STARTED THE kSTICUFFS WHEN he declared in a media conference that each member of the House of Representatives stand to collect P160 million in pork barrel appropriation for his district from the proposed budget, if it is enacted into law.

Lacson did not spare his Senate colleagues from the blast. He revealed that senators have P23 billion in individual amendments in the P3.757 trillion budget which, he contended, should be considered as “pork barrel.�

Stung by Lacson’s accusations, House leaders have fired back with an accusation of their own.

House appropriations committee chairman Rolando Andaya, Jr, disclosed that the lump-sum amendments introduced by the Senate in the budget have exceeded P190 billion, while those of the House involved only P51 billion.

At a media forum in Quezon City last Saturday, NEWLY ELECTED (OUSE -AJORITY ,EADER &REDENIL #AStro charged that the Senate’s P190-billion lump sum amendments could amount to P7 billion per senator. “What is that?� Castro asked. “Pork barrel or institutional amendments? Everything is in a lump sum. There’s no way of knowing where the funds are going, where they’re going to be spent.�

The situation has become very confusing because the issues have been muddled by a combination of hypocrisy and demagoguery.

Legislators want to look good prior to the elections in May. They frankly want the pork barrel to be released in time to make a difference in the election campaign.

Some legislators are not above smearing their colleagues in Congress to gain national attention.

On the basis of numbers alone, it would appear that the nation stands to be defrauded more by the obscene appropriations for the senators, than by the numerically smaller pork for the congressman.

The difference between P7 billion per senator, and P160 million per congressman is not loose change.

4O JUDGE THIS GREED RACE IT IS WORTHWHILE TO TURN to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), more commonly known as the pork barrel, in November 2013. Voting 14-0-1, the high court said that the PDAF was illegal and unconstitutional. The same would apply to similar funding schemes for the pork barrel by Congress.

There is, we think, no escape from this ruling.

The actions of the House and Senate today should STRICTLY BE JUDGED ON THE BASIS OF HOW THEY CONFORM to the prudential and ethical yardstick laid down by the Supreme Court.

Our legislators must be measured on the basis of their fiscal prudence, not their greed.

Darker clouds over Europe Not only is Europe’s expansionary cycle fading, but the region is about to face challenges that it has to tackle amid growing political fragmentation.

I

TALY slipped into recession in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to new data. France continues to be haunted by “yellow vests� protests. Germany has entered an era of uncertainty. And Brexit overshadows the UK future.

In the absence of Trump’s tariffs, %UROPE COULD HAVE BENEkTED FROM A nascent recovery of world trade, investMENT AND kNANCE "UT NOW EVEN THESE hopes are diminishing.

End of expansionary cycle, rise of political fragmentation Historically, four economies—Germany, France, Italy, and the UK—have accounted for much of the region’s growth. Yet, the expansionary cycle has eclipsed in each.

Through the crisis years, the steady leadership of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Germany supported European integration and migration. However, the Trump administration’s tariff policies cost Merkel nightmares at home and abroad. The uneasy coalition between her center-right CDU and the center-left SPD has been strained, while the left-leaning Greens and radical right AfD have gained. As a result, the ruling coalition suffered an electoral defeat in regional polls. In 2018, German economy grew by 1.5 percent and continues to slow.

After his 2016 election win, President Emmanuel Macron was seen as Europe’s new savior, though mainly in the US. Yet, as a business-friendly economy minister in Hollande’s government, he had alienated most socialists while failing to win over

Salvini’s League, LN) and radical left (Luigi di Maio’s Five Star Movement, M5S). The friction with the Eurozone has escalated over Italy’s spending plans and debt ratio, which now exceeds 132 percent of GDP. If Brussels takes a harder line, that would cause havoc in Italian most conservatives. His movement bond markets, which, in turn, could En Marche! served as a façade for have contagion effects – which is French corporate giants in banking, why Brussels waits anxiously, while REAL ESTATE AND kNANCE WHICH HE WAS Rome refuses to budge. quick to reward after the election. As Macron’s tax reforms fell dispropor- Monetary and tionately on the working and middle institutional uncertainty classes, the Yellow vests movement SPREAD LIKE A WILDkRE )N THE FOURTH Until recently, European Central Bank quarter of 2018, French growth head Mario Draghi described the slowed to 0.9%, despite Macron’s â‚Ź10 Eurozone’s risks as “broadly balanced billion stimulus package to appease between better and worse outcomes.â€? the yellow vests protests.

On January 25, he acknowledged that In the early 2010s, the UK was risks have “moved to the downside.� among the fastest growing EU econoDraghi has pledged that the ECB mies; today, it is among the slowest. will use all its monetary levers in In the three months to last Novem- case the slowdown takes a turn for ber, it grew only by 0.3 percent. the worse. Unfortunately, those leAlmost three years since the Brexit vers may not be adequate and a new vote, there is little consensus on the ECB governor will be elected next terms of the UK-EU divorce, despite November. Theoretically, the lost the looming March deadline. momentum could be recaptured in Thereafter, the UK is likely to face a year or two, but that would require higher tariff and non-tariff trade a favorable external environment. barriers, reduced foreign invest- Thanks to President Trump’s tariffs, MENT AND LOWER MIGRATION INlOWS worse is likely ahead.

Relative to a no-Brexit scenario, the The European Central Bank divorce threatens to penalize UK hoped to end quantitative easing GDP by 5 to 8 percent.

(QE) in 2018. Since interest rates reIn the short term, the Eurozone’s main at zero, they cannot be further perceived risk is Italy. Now its econo- cut, even if conditions deteriorate my has slipped into recession, for the SIGNIkCANTLY AND NORMALIZATION IS third time in a decade. The antipathy likely to be deferred (SEE kGURE IN against the political ruling class is so next page). What’s more likely is animmense that the country is governed other round of QE—likely through by a coalition of radical right (Matteo CHEAP kNANCING PROGRAMS‡TO SUP-

DAN STEINBOCK

port growth and infuse liquidity.

However, the absence of common institutions will prevent the kind of kSCAL ADJUSTMENT THAT S POSSIBLE IN the US, Japan, and China.

Uncertainty is not alleviated by the fact that critical institutional shifts loom ahead. In addition to Draghi’s expected departure, the European Commission should get a new head in October after JeanClaude Juncker’s five-year term.

5NLESS "REXIT IS SIGNIkCANTLY DELAYED in which case Juncker might seek to maintain his position to steer the bloc through the Brexit process.

In May, the election of the European Parliament will be affected by slowing regional economy, migration crises, anti-EU and anti-migration movements. Mainstream right (Christian-Democrats, EPP) and left (Socialists and Democrats, S&D) will continue to shrink, but may still garner 40 to 45 percent of all seats.

Neoconservatives (liberal ALDE) could up their share to more than 10 percent. The greatest advances are expected among the radical right and the radical left, which together might grab every fourth seat.

Despite erosion, global actor Despite the erosion of the federalists in Brussels, the GDP economy remains highly consequential. The EU GDP exceeds $19 trillion, the Eurozone, $13 trillion. The actions of European multinationals, investors and governments have a critical role in shaping global growth prospects.

ÂłSteinbockA5

~

MONDAY February 4, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 115

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.

I

T would seem that the proposal to drastically bring down the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) from 15 years old to nine was simply a ploy so that a compromise at 12 would sound acceptable.

Juvenile delinquency will always be a ticklish issue in a country where law enforcement and reSTORATIVE JUSTICE ARE PROBLEMATIC Legislators divided on the issue of age should take a serious look at the status of government intervenTIONS FOR CHILDREN IN CONlICT WITH the law and refocus attention on improving those.

On January 28, the House of Representatives voted 144 to 34 to approve House Bill 8858 that set the minimum age requirement for criminal responsibility at 12, disreGARDING THE PROPOSAL OF ITS JUSTICE committee that pegged the MACR at nine years old because of strong opposition to it.

To temper the opposition, the House replaced the words “criminal responsibility� with “social responsibility.� Regardless of the words used in the bill, it means the same.

The Senate, based on news reports, is poised to agree with the version of Sen. Richard Gordon, the

Age isn’t just a number to be integrated back to the community after they have committed criminal acts,� he added.

The intention sounds good, but without facilities conducive to learning and rehabilitation, the law would be useless. A rehabilitation CHAIRMAN OF THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE center should not look like overlowering the minimum age of crimi- crowded dog cages with leaking nal liability to 12 years old. roofs, stinking toilets, dilapidated The pending bills seek to amend walls, with little or no ventilation.

Republic Act 10630, the law that Critics of the bill cite the Philipretained the minimum age of crimi- pines’ adherence to domestic and nal liability at 15 as provided in RA international obligations of protect9344, or the Juvenile Justice and ing and upholding children’s rights Welfare Act of 2006. as mandated by the 1987 ConstituOriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador tion and the 1990 UN Convention Leachon, chairman of the House on the Rights of the Child.

COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE SAID LOWERING Debates on the measure focused the MACR primarily seeks to protect on the minimum age and not much children from being used by syndi- on the capability and performance cates to commit crimes. record of implementing agencies, “Let it be understood that with particularly law enforcement. the present bill, we are not putting Remember that the adminisTHESE CHILDREN IN JAIL BUT IN REFOR- tration’s “Oplan Tokhang� had mative institutions to correct their “killed� innocent children, some ways and bring them back to the of whom were falsely accused by community. They are not branded the Philippine National Police AS CRIMINALS BUT CHILDREN IN CONlICT (PNP) of involvement in drugs with the law,� Leachon said. cases while others were victims of “Reformative institutions do not mistaken identity. punish individuals but instead, they Children, regardless of age, comwere established to help the children mit crimes not only because of pov-

TEA TIME

TITA C. VALDERAMA

erty but also because older people exploit them. If law enforcement authorities apply the law strictly on criminals who are of age, we would have fewer criminals.

However, when prominent persons who plunder the country of billions of pesos go scot-free and ARE EVEN ELECTED TO HIGHER OFkCE OR GIVEN INlUENTIAL POSITIONS CHILDREN would grow up thinking that it’s all right to commit crimes, and go bigtime to be able to buy their freedom.

The law should be harsh on adult offenders, and not on children, regardless of age.

Instead of lowering the MACR, legislators should once and for all forget about fattening their pockets through the unconstitutional budget insertions and put more money into the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DoH), and other government agencies for proGRAMS AND PROJECTS TO KEEP CHILDREN away from committing crimes.

When it comes to children, age is NOT JUST A NUMBER 4HE STATE SHOULD provide them with a good education and other services so they will grow up to be responsible citizens.

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY February 4, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net Q TATAD FROM A1

Can we have the facts now on the bombings? matter, when there was no known record of their personal circumstances, no testimony of any churchgoer having talked to the woman with the backpack? Is there any corroborating statement or even a simple query from the Indonesian government? ‡!S FOR THE gFOREIGN TERRORISTu killed in the Patikul encounter, how did the military, which reportedly did not know his nationality, KNOW HIM AS g!BU "LACKu There are more questions.

which uses a tightly sealed section of A PIPE kLLED WITH EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL similar to what an alleged terrorist group had reportedly intended to use during the Philippine visit of St. Pope John Paul 2nd in 1995.

Ultimately the pipe bomb theory was reportedly abandoned.

It was then suggested that the gSUICIDE BOMBERSu USED AMMOnium nitrate, which is predominantly used in agriculture as a high NITROGEN FERTILIZER 7IKIPEDIA 4HIS explosive is quite bulky and would Security breach have weighed around eight to nine kilograms, and there would have $EFENSE 3ECRETARY $ELkN ,ORENZANA been no way of bringing it inside the has been quoted as saying the Jolo cathedral, without being detected cathedral was tightly guarded and at the gate or the main entrance.

FULLY SECURED g4HOSE ENTERING WERE Thus, the crime lab could not sign screened, all bags and belongings the crime report, the sources said. were screened.� The only way to Suicide bombers? bring in the explosive without screen- Woman with a backpack ing, he said, was if it had been !T kRST $5 SAID AN UNIDENTIkED strapped to the body and the carrier "UT THE LATEST STORY ABOUT A WOMhusband and wife team carried out was able to avoid proper inspection. an’s backpack concealed under the suicide bombing attack. One day Now Sulu Provincial Police Direc- her hooded jacket, if true, could later, he said the suicide bombers were TOR 0ABLO ,ABRA WAS QUOTED AS SAYING A explain why the explosive could foreigners whose identities he did not woman about 5’2� to 5’3� tall entered have been a bulky type, after all. disclose. Interior Secretary Aùo sought the cathedral, carrying a backpack covWhat was the motive behind to reinforce DU30’s statement by say- ered by her dark grey hooded jacket. the bombing? ing, without offering any proof, that If she was indeed the suicide bomber, 4HE QUESTION gCui bono?� (who THE gSUICIDE BOMBERSu WERE )NDONE- and the explosive was inside her back- benefits?) does not offer any easy sians whose identities he also did not pack, it could mean a security breach answer. If the intention was to punish DIVULGE 4HE LATEST kELD REPORTS CLAIM enabled her to enter the cathedral the province of Sulu for voting against that one foreign terrorist was killed without proper inspection.

THE "/, WHILE ALL THE OTHER PROVINCES in an encounter in Patikul, Sulu, Whether or not there was such of the Autonomous Region in Muslim between the military and the Abu a breach deserves to be fully Mindanao (ARMM) voted for it, the Sayyaf. His nationality is not known, investigated. Yet we are hearing cathedral was the wrong target. The according to the reports, but he was nothing about it. ones that voted against inclusion in IDENTIkED AS g!BU "LACK u "!2-- WERE MOSTLY -USLIM VOTERS The reports tend to raise a num- No crime lab report who would rather stay with ARMM ber of questions.

UNDER THE -ORO .ATIONAL ,IBERATION —How can IS suddenly make a Until this writing, the Philippine &RONT -.,& THAN SHIFT TO "!2-- dramatic comeback in Jolo after it National Police crime laboratory has UNDER THE -),& #OTABATO VOTED FOR has been, according to the DU30 not been able to say what explosive inclusion, after voting against it twice GOVERNMENT ITSELF lUSHED OUT OF materiel or device was used by the before, because of a strong Catholic Marawi together with the Maute ex- gSUICIDE BOMBERS u &OR ONE THING DO Church campaign. tremist group last year, and decimat- we know the IS terrorists’ standard If the intention was to provoke a ed by powerful armies in its original explosive materiel of choice, if any? religious war, it means its author or stronghold in Syria and Iraq?

The PNP munitions experts do not authors believe they would person—If indeed the IS was the one seem to know, thus the crime lab ALLY BENEkT FROM RELIGIOUS CONlICT that staged the terrorist strike in Jolo, has been unable to come up with the "UT NOT MANY -USLIMS OR #HRISTIANS believe in this. They all profess a how can anyone now say it can do expected crime report. no further harm elsewhere? Isn’t According to highly informed intel- deep longing for peace. this a wishful statement? ligence sources, the police could not —Presumably the alleged hus- say C-4, because it is military-grade The Zamboanga bombing band-and-wife suicide bombers materiel, and mentioning it could were blown to pieces. Were their fuel speculations that the attack on As deadly and destructive as the Sulu body parts ever recovered and their Jolo was a rogue military operation. bombing was, some people believe identities ever established?

It was then suggested, the sources we should be looking more closely —How can anyone say they were SAID THAT THEY USED A gPIPE BOMB u at the bombing of the Zamboanga foreigners, or Indonesians, for that an improvised explosive device mosque. Whoever set off the bombs Unfortunately, President Rodrigo Duterte’s statements on the bombings have preceded, rather than come after, any police investigation, and have confused rather than enlightened us on the relevant facts.

DU30 was quick to accept the claim that the Islamic State (IS), which is facing certain extinction in Syria and Iraq, and which failed to prevent the collapse of the Maute terrorist group in Marawi City earlier, was behind the terrorist attack in Jolo which killed 22 and wounded 100 others, mostly churchgoers. At the same time he EXPRESSED CONkDENCE THAT THE gNEW wave� of IS terrorism will not be ABLE TO gSPILL OVERu TO ANY OTHER part of the Philippines

that killed 22 individuals and injured a hundred others in Jolo could not have expected the Catholics to rise in arms and wage a religious war against IS, much less against "!2-- "UT WHOEVER BOMBED THE Zamboanga mosque, killed two Islamic missionaries and wounded kVE OTHERS AFTER THE *OLO BOMBING

might have done so, hoping to provoke a violent Islamist response.

This could be the handiwork of a group that believes it could profit from a ChristianMuslim shooting war.

So far, government reaction to the Zamboanga bombing has been SUBDUED $5 HIMSELF HAS SPEWED NO EXPLETIVES ABOUT IT "UT THIS IS NOT THE kRST TIME SOMETHING LIKE IT HAPpened in Mindanao. On Dec. 28, 1993, when DU30 was on his second term as city mayor of Davao, three bombs exploded inside the Davao cathedral, killing seven churchgoers, and wounding 151 others, 32 seriously. Within eight hours, some g#HRISTIAN MILITANTSu RESPONDED BY bombing a mosque nearby. ,UCKILY THERE WERE NO CASUALTIES 4HEN 0RESIDENT &IDEL 6 2AMOS WAS determined to prevent the Mindanao CONlICT FROM DETERIORATING INTO A REligious shooting war. Mayor DU30 however favored a stronger response.

And now he is in charge. During the siege of Marawi in 2017, DU30 allowed the military to go after the -AUTE kGHTERS WHO HAD TAKEN REFUGE inside a mosque. To their credit, the military did their best not to violate THE SANCTITY OF THE MOSQUES "UT THIS time a mosque has been attacked, and the imams expect DU30 to show greater respect and concern for Islam.

They like him to condemn the Zamboanga bombing in the same manner he has condemned the Jolo BOMBING "UT HE HAS FAILED TO DO SO This has prompted some to suggest THAT PERHAPS THE /RGANIZATION FOR Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should call for an independent inquiry into the bombing. Political suspicions die hard. Despite DU30’s open role in THE "/, PLEBISCITE MANY BELIEVE HE IS still trying to create a situation where he would end up controlling all the political variables while Christians and Muslims clash on religion and other ancestral issues.

fstatad@gmal.com

Q STEINBOCK FROM A4

Darker clouds over Europe An independent European forEIGN POLICY AS EVIDENCED BY "RUSsels’ stance toward Iran, nuclear weapons and nation-building, is greatly needed as a peaceful balance in a multipolar world.

Nevertheless, a unified, sovereign Europe needs a political rethink before its economic erosion spreads further.

EUROZONE’S EXPANSIONARY CYCLE IS OVER, ECB’S HANDS ARE TIED

Dr. Dan Steinbock is the founder of Difference Group and has served at the India, China and America Institute (US), Shanghai Institute for International Studies (China) and THE %5 #ENTER 3INGAPORE &OR MORE

see http://www.differencegroup.net/

T

Opinion

A5

Growth with poverty

HERE is no denying that the Duterte administration didn’t meet its target for economic growth in 2018. While a 6.2 percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) is very decent compared to the growth rates of other countries, it fell short of the government’s original 7 percent growth target, later adjusted to 6.5-6.9 percent.

On the other hand, we saw a 5.1 percent inflation rate for the full year, peaking at 6.7 percent in September and October.

Just think how that number would have looked if the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) hadn’t changed the base year from 2006 to 2012. Then the 6.7 percent would have been more like 7.4 percent.

No wonder that self-rated poverty climbed from 42 percent IN THE kRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR TO 52 percent six months later, to settle at 50 percent in December (Social Weather Stations).

Hunger incidence in 2018, SWS reports, peaked at 13.3 percent IN THE THIRD QUARTER RElECTING THE PERCENT SELF RATED POOR kGURE AND MONTHS OF RISING INlATION

before declining to 10.5 percent.

The 10.8 percent average hunger rate for the full year, however, is the lowest since 2003. &OOD ESPECIALLY RICE LED THE INlATION RACE 4HE NATIONAL GOVernment’s social protection program prevented mass starvation.

In 2018, almost 4.3 million famiLIES ABOUT ONE IN kVE &ILIPINO families) received unconditional cash transfer through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, while another 5.6 million families were added as recipients of a P200 monthly subsidy. This subsidy – meant to cushion the impact of new taxes – has been increased to P300 this year.

The DSWD in March 2017 added a P600 monthly rice subsidy on top of the P500 monthly health grant, P300 monthly education grant for children up to elementary school, and P500 for high school students, maximum of three pupils/students per family for regular 4Ps beneficiaries. This adds up to a maximum monthly grant (in 2019) of P2,900 (P500+P500 x 3+P600+P300). The rice subsidy is the single biggest expenditure of the 4Ps program reaching P17.3 billion in the period January to July 2018.

Education grants and health GRANTS REACHED 0 " AND 0 " RESPECTIVELY pantawid. dswd.gov.ph ).

Think what the hunger statistics would have looked like without 4Ps and the rice subsidy.

Despite the country’s impressive economic growth in recent years, MILLIONS OF &ILIPINOS REMAIN stuck in poverty. Kids continue to drop out of school to look for work. If we fail to notice, then it’s because it is happening in the remote rural villages where the New People’s Army incidentally continues to recruit minors.

Ironically, a member of the

RESURGENCE

MARIT STINUSCABUGON NPA who surrendered to the army in Guihulngan City last week, is from a 4Ps beneficiary family. He has nine siblings.

President Rodrigo Duterte has my full support in pushing more aggressively for family planning, especially among the poorest of the poor.

How about the employment figures? With 5.1 percent unemployment rate and an underemployment rate at 13.3 percent recorded in October (PSA), the government can be pleased. The underemployment rate a year earlier stood at 15.9 percent.

However, it is worth noting that the labor force participation rate also decreased during the same period, from 62.1 percent in October 2017 to 60.6 percent in October 2018. This reduction in the labor force participation rate equals about one million INDIVIDUALS &URTHER ANALYSIS and study are needed to understand these figures. Can families now afford to let previously employed family members stop working? Did the campaign AGAINST CONTRACTUALIZATION DISplace some types of unskilled laborers who have now given up looking for work altogether? Or does it mean that more of the 15-18 years old are in school compared to before?

The blame for the less-thantargeted economic growth is being put on the dismal performance of the agriculture sector, a sector that employs almost ONE IN FOUR EMPLOYED &ILIPINOS "USINESS 7ORLD ON &EBRUARY REPORTED THAT "UDGET 3ECRETARY "ENJAMIN $IOKNO gNOTED THAT the original seven percent growth target for last year could have been attained had agriculture grown by four percent, instead of 2018’s actual 0.56 percent.�

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol can pass on some of the blame to Typhoon Ompong.

However, he does seem to be at odds with some of his colleagues. The administration’s economic planners are looking AT LIBERALIZING THE IMPORTATION OF SUGAR‡ONCE THE RICE TARIFkCATION bill takes effect—to bring down the price of sugar and products that have sugar as an important ingredient. Secretary Piùol alone is taking up the cudgels for the embattled sugar industry, an industry that despite decades of government protection has failed to meet domestic demand and provide decent wages for its workers. The former governor of North Cotabato is at the same time facing questions for anNOUNCING THAT 3WITZERLAND BASED Solway Investment Group is about to invest billions of pesos in a banana plantation in the former Camp Abubakar. The comPANY IN AN OFkCIAL STATEMENT ON ITS WEBSITE gCATEGORICALLY DENIESu participation in any such project.

FOCUS

A year from Iowa caucus, 2020 Democrats pour into early-voting US state WATERLOO, United States: Even as bitter cold ravages several US states, the 2020 presidential race is heating up in Iowa, where Democrats both renowned and unfamiliar are seizing early opportunities to engage critically important American voters.

One full year before the first-in-thenation voting contest for nominating who will take on incumbent Donald Trump, White House aspirants braved dangerous sub-zero temperatures this week to present their presidential pitch on hallowed political ground.

Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio was among the hopefuls making the pilgrimage, testing a pro-worker theme for a possible campaign. “Whether it’s labor, whether it’s environment, whether it’s women’s rights or LGBT rights, I will always be there as a progressive,� Brown said Friday to dozens of people crammed into an elegant brick home in Waterloo,

on his first trip to Iowa to explore a presidential bid.

Brown casually worked the room, learning attendees’ names, posing for selfies, denouncing Trump’s “phony populism,� and deftly switching between football talk and policy priorities—building relationships that could make or break a campaign in the coming year.

Brown says he will decide in March whether to run for president.

Groundwork under way Several hopefuls have already officially entered the fray, such as US senators Kamala Harris of California and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. Both rushed to Iowa recently after launching their bids to become the nation’s first female commander in chief.

Yet another senator, New Jersey’s Cory Booker, announced his candidacy

Friday and will troop to Iowa next week, while congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard was slated to kick off her presidential campaign Saturday.

Several more are mulling jumping in, including former vice president Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders, ex-congressman Beto O’Rourke, and multiple current and former governors and mayors.

The Iowa caucuses—the peculiar series of precinct meetings across the state where people get together to discuss candidates before casting their votes—are set for next February 3.

But the groundwork is well under way, and the state’s residents are relishing their quadrennial period in the spotlight.

While the big names may draw the lion’s share of national attention, Iowa is all about retail politics, and its residents will not stand for anyone phoning it in. “We are not impressed by stadium

candidates,� 60-year-old Erin Rial, who works for an animal feed company near Fort Dodge, said at a meet-and-greet with candidate John Delaney. “We want to get to know candidates over time. We want to look them in the eye.�

Delaney, who in 2017 became the first prominent Democrat to enter the race, has been getting to know Iowans for 18 months now, fine-tuning his message of political moderation and his call to “restore a sense of moral aspiration to our politics.�

Delaney barely registers on the national radar. But he has visited Iowa 22 times, holding more than 250 events, many of them like the one Thursday night in Fort Dodge.

As if a scene in a Norman Rockwell painting, Delaney was visible through windows of the brightly lit TC Mae’s Family Diner, making his political pitch to 17 voters and three restaurant staff.

“Once you get on the map here, the whole country knows who you are,� the confident Delaney, a former congressman and successful businessman from Maryland, told AFP. “We need a problem solver as our president and that’s one of the reasons I’m running.�

Likability or ideology?

So, will Democrats choose an outsider like technology entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who this week in Iowa warned of automation’s impact on American jobs, or an experienced statesman like Biden to do battle with Trump?

And will likability—that elusive quality that helped propel Barack Obama into the political stratosphere—be the factor voters seek, or will ideology rule the day?

Troy Price, chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, says it is too early

to tell. But he is already impressed with the caliber of candidates, and his fellow Iowans’ passion for the process. “Iowa in particular is a place where you have to convince people to go out on a cold night ... and talk about why you are the person to lead our party forward and the person to lead our country forward,� Price said in an interview at the Democrats’ nondescript office in Des Moines.

Price added Iowans tell him they are prepared to elevate a nominee who is “authentic (and) true to who they are,� and who can bring the fight to Trump.

Ultimately, the heartland state is “literally a level playing field� that will set the bar for 2020, noted Sue Dvorsky, a former Iowa Democratic Party chair who remains a key political influencer in the state. “It isn’t about who has a chance in Iowa, it’s that everyone has a chance in Iowa,� she said.

AFP

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY February 4, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

Inquirer editorial a despicable, shameless bullying of a broadcast journalist In a television interview, Manicad had responded to a question regarding the news website Rappler: “I think the government has basis to say there are foreign funds that went into Rappler and it’s a violation of the Constitution.�

Manicad added: “Did the Securities and Exchange Commission’s investigation and ruling that it violated the Constitution translate to an attack on press freedom?�

(Ironically, the interview was in the news show “The Chiefs� in the news channel of Cignal TV that is, through PLDT, controlled by the Indonesian magnate Anthoni Salim. “The Chiefs� refer to Salim’s editors in four of the MANY OUTkTS IN HIS MEDIA CONglomerate – Philippine Star, Business World, Bloomberg TV, and TV5. Foreign control of Rappler is puny compared to Salim’s uncontested control of what is the biggest multi-media conglomerate in the Philippines.)

I certainly agree with Manicad.

Not just because it was my work as journalist, but because I am a Filipino citizen, a nationalist one I would think. It was I who had drawn attention in a series of articles in 2017 to the huge foreign money that had been put into 2APPLER TO KEEP IT AlOAT WHICH it even boasted about.

Yet for Manicad’s accurate statements on Rappler’s wanton violation of the Constitution, the PDI published a nearly deranged editorial that spewed vitriol against him, a colleague in the industry? For what?

Honest opinion Because Manicad had presented an honest, well-informed opinion that the SEC’s investigation and ruling against Rappler isn’t at all an attack on press freedom by this administration, demolishing a key element in the Yellows’ narrative of media being harassed by Durterte.

The editorial—a cowardly one really, as the author isn’t named—was so hysterical it gives new meaning to the phrase ad hominem arguments. In its very first paragraph, the editorial, spews out: Manicad is a “traitor,

betrayer, double-dealer, Judas, quisling, sellout, defector, rat, snitch, and, appropriately for someone who once worked in media, talebearer.� That’s 10 cuss words thrown at a media colleague. PDI never even did that to the most corrupt politician, or even a murderous, ruthless terrorist. Throwing many cuss words obviously is the height of PDI’s form of discourse.

PDI claimed Manicad was “traitorous.� Traitorous for agreeing with the SEC’s assertion of the nationalist provision in the Constitution banning foreign money in media?

The editorial ignorantly cited for proof the online letter of “journalist Joel Pablo Salud� who claimed that government has been harassing and intimidating journalists. The PDI’s journalistic standards have obviously become so bad. Salud who?

How in the world could the PDI (together with another SaLIM OUTkT INTERAKSYON COM CITE as an authority a mediocre writer who couldn’t keep a job in several newspapers as a copyreader, and for a long time was the PR of several congressmen, and then of former President Estrada’s First ,ADY ! MIDDLING kCTION WRITER perhaps, but a “journalist� the PDI takes as an authority on the matter? C’mon guys, one PDI editorial assistant or even your coffee boy would have deeper insights on the state of Philippine JOURNALISM THAN THIS kCTION WRITER

for Democracy (NED) , which has been linked as conduit of the US Central Intelligence Agency.

Whether CIA assets or not, these TWO OUTkTS HAVE TO CHURN OUT NARratives that support the NED’s selfproclaimed task as a defender of democracy throughout the world.

And if these two publications ever write an assessment that the Philippine press isn’t being attacked, and therefore democracy is robust in this country, NED would stop its funding and they’ll be out of work.

Rather than debunk point by point the PDI’s claims of media harassment, let’s cut to the chase, get back to reality. You decide if the press is under attack by the Philippine state or not.

Despite its very dark future, print media still largely forms public opinion because other forms of media, even social media, get many of their information and analysis from the print media which have large reportorial staffs as well as veteran journalists who’ve built up through many years sources of information.

Four broadsheets

Print media in this country is dominated by four broadsheets: Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, and PDI and two tabloids, Bulgar (in which I also have a column), the biggest by far, with Abante, a far second.

Tell me, has any of these newspapers claimed that their reporters and editors have been harassed and intimidated because CIA conduit they have articles and columnists critical of this administration?

Another authority the PDI cited Not even the PDI has really is the “Freedom for Media, Free- claimed that, only the hysterical dom for All Network,� which has writer of that editorial that is the been claiming that press freedom subject of this column. is very seriously under attack in PDI’s president Alexandra Prithe Philippines. The paper that eto went to town in 2001 to accuse THIS OUTkT NETWORK SPEWED OUT President Estrada of attacking her was done by the Center for Media newspaper when he called for an Freedom and Responsibility and advertisers’ boycott. In contrast, she the Philippine Center for Inves- and her family haven’t said a word tigative Journalism. claiming harassment by President I had exposed back in November Duterte – she knows more and better.

THAT THESE TWO LATTER OUTkTS No one—not the Yellow senawould not exist a day had they not TORS NOR ANY OPPOSITION kGURE‡ BEEN FUNDED BY 53 OUTkTS MAINLY has claimed that government’s by the US National Endowment taking back of the government-

owned Mile Long property in Makati that the PDI owners had occupied a decade beyond its lease, was Duterte’s means of harassing the newspaper. The PDI owners have been arguing in the BIR that the tax case against their kRM $UNKIN $ONUTS SHOULD BE dismissed. My sources claim that the BIR very, very strangely is set to lower the P1 billion that was the kNAL ASSESSMENT OF TAX DUE MADE years back to just P1 million. Such probably is the power of the press.

It is in fact PDI which has a proven record of suppressing the press.

Our new columnist Ramon Tulfo has revealed in his column that “during the heat of the presidential campaign in 2016, the Inquirer withheld publication of two of my columns for being pro-Duterte.�

has regular columnist there and a Yellow Cult leader, Elfren Cruz, WHO WAS A HIGH #ORY OFkCIAL WHO even wrote a hagiography of the late former president.

Has this administration asked Philippine Star to stop being a propaganda venue for the communist leader Ocampo and a Cory cult?

Absolutely not.

Indonesian-controlled

Yet the Philippine Star —and THE OTHER OUTkTS IN )NDONESIAN Salim’s media empire—are so vulnerable to a legitimate government clampdown, since it is controlled through PLDT by the Indonesian Salim, a blatant violation of the constitutional provision that media cannot have a single peso from, or even the slightest Communist propagandist involvement of, foreigners.

As I explained in my book Manila Bulletin has columnists Colossal Deception*, all it takes vociferously critical of President to rend asunder the technical veil Duterte. Among them is Melito that conceals the foreign control Salazar, vice chairman of the of PLDT and its subsidiaries, inBoard of Investments during the cluding its media empire, is for Cory and Ramos administrations, the Securities and Exchange Comwhose “classic� column in Sep- mission to issue a new ruling to tember last year claimed that that supersede its 2013 memorandum Philippines under Duterte was circular No. 893 that gave PLDT in such “economic and political the legal technicality to claim chaos� that his “end is near� -- that the company isn’t foreignthe title of his column. Another dominated, contrary to the constiBulletin columnist is a former tutional provision limiting foreign blogger, practically a communist money in utilities.. (Details why propagandist, Tonyo Cruz, who this is so in my book.) cuts and pastes Communist Party Has this government ever hamanifestos and passes them off rassed Salim’s media empire for as opinion columns. being controlled by a foreigner? To The newspaper’s executive vice my extreme disappointment, no. president is the Yellow stalwart Manila Times is owned by the (ERMINIO #OLOMA A TOP OFkCIAL family of Dante Ang, who would of both the two Aquino admin- be supportive of Duterte as he has istrations, and one of its editors BEEN GIVEN THE HONORIkC TITLE OF has been Cory’s spokesperson Special Envoy of the President for Deedee Sytangco.

International Public Relations.

Has there been any accusation But this newspaper has columTHAT 0RESIDENT $UTERTE OR HIS OFkCIALS nists, notably my very religious have harassed the Manila Bulletin? “neighbor,� who are very critiPhilippine Star ’s columnists cal of this administration. Has have most been neutral to this $UTERTE OR HIS OFkCIALS EVER ASKED administration, although its !NG TO kRE THEM TELLING HIM THIS editor Amy Pamintuan has been would help his public relations? quick to write acerbic columns Absolutely not. on it when an opportunity rises.

It has been though the main Biggest tabloid propaganda venue of top communist leader Satur Ocampo who The biggest tabloid Bulgar has

been balanced in its coverage, probably because politics isn’t its focus. It has a range of columnists spanning the political spectrum, such as Imee Marcos, Grace Poe , Nancy Binay, and even that “Red running priest.� But it has a columnist, also its editor, that almost everyday writes columns criticizing this administration even for the most petty things. Has Duterte ever asked the newspapers’ owners TO kRE THIS EDITOR COLUMNIST Absolutely not.

I don’t think we have to argue that our broadcast media has been so rambunctious that it has weakened not just our democracy but also our collective intelligence. Duterte indeed has been vociferous in his criticism of ABS-CBN, and hinted he will not support the extension of its franchise when it ends in 2020.

But other than this, has there been any intimidation or harassment of the network, and of its journalists and those of GMA7?

Absolutely not.

Why, even the president of ostensibly the world’s greatest democratic nation, the United States, has been relentless in calling CNN, the New York Times and the Washington Post as purveyors of “fake news.�

In succeeding columns, I will discuss one reason why some journalists, even veteran ones, have been so hysterically critical of this administration, manipulating data to create a narrative of suppression of media in this country. The Yellow regime had put up a group of journalists under its payroll, amounting to P4 million monthly during its entire administration.

This is not my speculation, nor from unnamed “sources.� This is from government records. I suspect the message being sent is: Restore our payroll, and we will be supportive. *Available at Popular Book Store, and in both hard-copy and e-book at amazon.com.

Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ gmail.com Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao Twitter: @bobitiglao Archives at: www.rigobertotiglao.com

From fake news to enemy of the people: An anatomy of Trump’s tweets CPJ found that the focus of the tweets has shifted dramatically.

NEW YORK: Since announcing his During the campaign, Trump frecandidacy in the 2016 presidential QUENTLY CALLED OUT SPECIkC JOURNALelections to the end of his second ists by name or Twitter handle, YEAR IN OFkCE 53 0RESIDENT $ONALD accounting for over a third of his Trump has sent 1,339 tweets about negative tweets about the press the media that were critical, insinu- during that period.

This trend declined in the ating, condemning, or threatening.

In lieu of formal appearances months leading up to the elecas president, Trump has tweeted TION AND SINCE TAKING OFkCE HIS over 5,400 times to his more than focus shifted instead to the media 55.8 million followers; over 11 as a whole, accounting for 63 percent of these insulted or criti- percent of his tweets about the cized journalists and outlets, or PRESS IN THE kRST TWO YEARS OF HIS condemned and denigrated the presidency, compared with 23 percent as a candidate. news media as a whole.

The overall number and rate To better monitor this negative rhetoric, CPJ’s North America pro- of Trump’s tweeting has also degram created a database to track CREASED SINCE HE TOOK OFkCE (OWtweets in which Trump mentioned ever, those targeted at the press the media, individual journal- constitute a larger percentage of his ists, news outlets, or journalis- total tweets during his presidency.

Nine percent of all original tic sources in a negative tone.

The president’s tweets can have tweets during his candidacy conan impact and consequences tained negative rhetoric about the for the press both at home and press, compared with 11 percent in abroad. His rhetoric has giv- HIS kRST TWO YEARS IN OFkCE His rhetoric—increasingly taren cover to autocratic regimes: world leaders from Cambodia to geting swaths of the press—apthe Philippines have echoed terms PEARS TO BE ESCALATING kRST FROM like “fake news� in the midst of the introduction of “fake news� to “opposition party� and his use of crackdowns on press freedom.

And the rhetoric has sometimes “enemy of the people.�

The term “fake news� did not resulted in harassment of individual journalists in the US, where CPJ appear in Trump’s tweets until is aware of several journalists who after he was elected. It was used say they were harassed or threat- for the first time in December ened online after being singled out 2016. It came into more frequent use in January 2017, in reference on Twitter by Trump.

CPJ’s database of tweets can kRST TO LEAKED REPORTS ON 2USSIAN be viewed here (https://docs. hacking and then to reports on his g o o g l e. c o m / s p r e a d s h e e t s / inauguration and approval ratings.

Overall, in each of the first d/1LcRxPEUyJi3BaIb_WD0GDXxt4YoHi1LRUaB6ftDtDRc/ TWO YEARS IN OFkCE THE TERM WAS edit#gid=0) and our methodology used in over half his negative can be found here (https://cpj. tweets about the press. Trump’s org/blog/2019/01/trump-twitter- use of the term “enemy of the press-fake-news-enemy-people. PEOPLEu OCCURRED kRST ON &EB

2017, one day after the Trump php#methodology).

BYÂ STEPHANIE SUGARS

campaign team distributed a survey urging supporters to “do YOUR PART TO kGHT BACK AGAINST THE media’s attacks and deceptions.�

Trump uses his tweets to respond and react to critical coverage or investigative reporting.

The months where tweets critical of the press accounted for the highest percentage of all original tweets posted were: • January 2017 (15 percent): In response to reports on the Intelligence Community Assessment’s CONkRMATION OF 2USSIAN HACKING • February 2017 (19 percent): In response to reports about his election win, emerging news about Russian hacking, and leakers. • March 2017 (17 percent): In RESPONSE TO REPORTS ABOUT INkGHTing within the Trump administration, the leak of part of his tax returns, and Russian hacking.

• October 2017 (15 percent): In response to reports on hurricane relief in Puerto Rico, Rex Tillerson allegedly threatening to resign, and a perceived lack of positive economic coverage. • December 2017 (16 percent): In response to focusing on reporting on collusion with Russia, the Republican tax reform, and reviews of 4RUMP S kRST YEAR IN OFkCE Trump insulted individual journalists via Twitter 280 times as a candidate. CPJ has documented cases of several journalists who said after being targeted by him on Twitter they were harassed or doxxed. $URING THE kRST TWO YEARS OF HIS presidency, Trump has cited speCIkC JOURNALISTS TIMES .OTABLE exceptions to this sharp decline took place in January and September 2018, when Trump tweeted about Michael Wolff and Bob-

Woodward when their books on the president and his administration were released.

The database showed that the outlets targeted the most—either directly or through tweets about their journalists—were the New York Times and CNN, with Fox News coming in third. During the Republican primaries, Fox was a frequent target, cited in 148 tweets.

Of these, Fox broadcaster Megyn Kelly was the primary target in nearly half, cited in 64 tweets, after the first Republican presidential debate in 2016, where she questioned Trump about the derogatory language he uses against women.

In the weeks following the debate, Trump tweeted negative comments about Kelly, including insulting her both personally and professionally. Trump also tar-

geted other conservative-leaning outlets during this period, including The Blaze, The Weekly Standard, RedState, and the National Review.

Trump has also used Twitter to accuse the press of falsifying anonymous sources. Trump tweeted about “phony,� “non-existent,� or “made-up� sourcES ON kVE OCCASIONS during his candidacy, all of which were posted in the three months between winning the Republican primary and the election.

This number doubled to 11 instances in HIS kRST YEAR IN OFkCE and then again to 27 in his second year as his administration was plagued with leaks and the investigation being led by Robert Mueller.

In the wake of the Annapolis shooting in June, CPJ, press freedom advocates, and media outlets called on Trump to moderate his RHETORIC (OWEVER kVE DAYS AFTER the shooting Trump called the “Fake News� the “Opposition party,� and 17 days after, he tweeted that “much of our news media is indeed the enemy of the people.�

The moniker “enemy of the people� appeared in only four TWEETS DURING HIS kRST YEAR IN OFkCE In his second year, the number was 21, nearly all after Annapolis. IPS

Stephanie Sugars is North America research assistant at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Regions Army boosts ops vs Negros Reds ˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY February 4, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY EUGENE ADIONG

B

ACOLOD CITY: The Philippine Army had deployed 220 troops to Negros Island to strengthen internal security operations there, Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said over the weekend.

Arevalo welcomed the arrival of the additional troops that will boost their campaign against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

He said that with a stronger Army on the island, government forces would be able to run more aggressively after communist terrorists and prevent them from conducting atrocities and extor-

tion activities. “Our number is enough to pursue the NPA. With the support of the communities, local government units and government agencies, the number will continue to grow until these terrorists will have nowhere to run to,� Arevalo added.

On Wednesday, 120 soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion’s Bravo Company arrived in Negros

Oriental, coming from their sixmonth deployment with the 301st Infantry Brigade on Panay Island.

A total of 100 new soldiers, who underwent training with the 3rd Infantry Division in Jamindan, Capiz, were also recently assigned to different Army battalions in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

In a statement, the 303rd Brigade said the deployment of 220

A7

more troops to Negros Island was based on Malacaùang’s Memorandum Order 32 issued on Nov. 22, 2018.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea released the directive amid “sporadic acts of violence allegedly committed by lawless groups particularly in the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental and [Negros] Occidental and Bicol Region.�

2 La Union mayors Bulacan commemorates 92nd birthday of Ople cleared of narco links SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union: Two mayors in La Union who were included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of narco-politicians were cleared of any involvement in illegal drug activities. )N A CONkDENTIAL REPORT SUBmitted to Malacaùang by the Regional Peace and Order Council of Region 1, members of the RPOC Revalidation Subcommittee who investigated the narco-politicians unanimously recommended that the names of long-beleaguered Naguilian Mayor Reynaldo Flores and Bauang Mayor Eulogio Clarence de Guzman 3rd be deleted from the President’s narco-list.

After deliberation and intensive examination of results of different investigations conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation, Military Intelligence Group, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the committee ordered the names of Flores and de Guzman, as well as Pangasinan lawmaker Jesus Celeste, stricken off Duterte’s narco-list.

A documented copy of the report was submitted to Duterte for approval.

The President earlier mentioned Flores as a high value target (HVT), while de Guzman was among four

politicians named in the President’s narco-list.

Flores was mayor when authorities discovered in June 2008 one of the biggest shabu laboratories WITH CONkSCATED DRUGS AND PARAphernalia assessed in trillions of pesos in Upper Bimotobot Village in Naguilian town.

Claiming to have been one of those who exposed the presence of the lab, he said he was surprised when, in 2017, the President named him as an HVT, which he and de Guzman strongly denied, saying they were MISTAKENLY IDENTIkED A police superintendent, Dionicio Borromeo, was implicated and eventually sentenced to life imprisonment, and several lab caretakers were also jailed.

The other two politicians on the narco list were assassinated former Second District La Union congressman Eufranio Eriguel, who was also a former mayor of Agoo town; and Tubao Mayor Dante Garcia.

Eriguel’s case has been declared as “death under investigation� after armed men attacked him on May 12, 2018 while speaking in a campaign sortie for the barangay (village) elections; Garcia’s name was not included in the report.

De Guzman was earlier cleared by then-PNP chief Ronald de la Rosa during a recent visit to Bauang.

WILLIAM JUN GARCIA

THE OFkCIALS AND PEOPLE OF "Ulacan on Sunday marked the 92nd birth anniversary of the late Blas F. Ople, who is regarded as one of the most illustrious sons of the province.

The commemoration coincided with the unveiling of a commemorative marker in the Gusaling Gat Blas F. Ople Sentro ng Kabataan, Kaalaman at Hanapbuhay held at the Livelihood Training Center in the City of Malolos.

The anniversary program anchored on the theme “Pagpapatuloy ng Kanyang Nasimulan sa Larangan ng Empleyo at Kabuhayan� started with a wreath-laying at a monument of Ople in the Old Gat Blas F. Ople Building led

by Commission on Audit chairman Michael Aguinaldo, Gov. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado and Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando.

They were accompanied by the family of Ople headed by his wife Susana, siblings Bulacan provincial board members Felix Ople and Ayee Ople, Susan Ople and city councilor Jong Ople.

The wreath-laying was followed

THE anti-graft court has cleared former Misamis Occidental governor Loreto Leo Ocampos of MALVERSATION kLED BY THE ALLY OF A political opponent in connection with a marine park controversy.

The complaint against Ocampos and foreign investor Foad Akhavan

and the Filipino family and embolden criminals to victimize innocent people.

As part of his legislative agenda against drugs and criminality, he is seeking to craft a law mandating the creation of Anti-Drug Abuse Councils in every local government unit that is currently required only under the directives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

According to him, he wants to allocate more funding support for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to improve its capability to go after drug syndicates.

To help barangay officials perform their mandate better, he said if he would be elected to the Senate he would push for enactment of a Magna Carta for Barangay Officials that would provide them with regular benefits like those enjoyed by other government officials.

DRUG WAR

In a message in San Fernando, Pampanga, Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go urges local officials to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and crime. Go is a candidate for senator in the 2019 midterm elections in May. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Fire guts 50 houses in Cebu AT least 50 houses were gutted and three persons were injured after a huge blaze hit a residential area in Sitio Tabok-Canal, Barangay Pardo, Cebu City on Sunday.

The Cebu City Fire Department received the kRE ALARM AT A M AND IT WAS RAISED TO THIRD ALARM AT A M #HIEF )NSP .OEL .ELSON !BABON kRE MARshall of the Cebu City Fire Department said THE kRE WAS PLACED UNDER CONTROL AT A M !BABON ADDED THE kRE ORIGINATED FROM THE house of Mario Tabura, who was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center after he suffered burns on his body. Christian Jade Solonia, and Renedic Solonia also suffered burns on

by the unveiling of the commemorative marker at the Livelihood Training Center beside the Old Blas F. Ople Building.

The unveiling was attended

BY OTHER LOCAL OFkCIALS "OY 3COUTS

Lingkod Lingap sa Nayon members, mother leaders, barangay (village) health workers and employees of the provincial government of Bulacan and the Department of Education, among others.

Aguinaldo, in a speech, cited the “Eight-Point Labor and Employment Agenda� that seeks to enhance protection and security of laborers outside the country. “It is our duty to not only make sure that the expenditure and use of the people’s resources are justified and correct, and that government projects are being IMPLEMENTED IN AN EFkCIENT AND effective way,� he said.

Ople, a former secretary of Labor and of Foreign Affairs became famous, first, as the columnist behind the “Jeepney Tales� for the Daily Mirror before being appointed and elected to different OFkCES INCLUDING 3OCIAL 3ECURITY Commissioner, Senate president and Foreign Affairs secrertary and member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the Philippine Constitution of 1986.

Malversation charges vs ex-governor junked

Bong Go rallies village execs to press fight vs drugs, crime FORMER special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go has rallied barangay (village) officials to press the fight against illegal drugs and criminality, even as he vowed to promote their welfare.

In his message during the Anti-Illegal Drug Summit for Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga on Friday, Go also urged the officials to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and crime.

He had been invited to the event by Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda.

Go, who is running for senator in the 2019 midterm elections, said that, like President Duterte, he wanted to pursue the fight against illegal drugs because such drugs were wreaking havoc on the lives of the youth

BLAS’ BIRTHDAY

Commission on Audit chairman Michael Aguinaldo (4th from left) with Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado (4th from right), Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando (3rd from left), board member Felix Ople (2nd from left), former Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Susan Ople (2nd from right), board member Ayee Ople (left), city councilor Jong Ople (right) and Susana Ople during commemoration of the 92nd birth anniversary of Blas F. Ople on Sunday. PHOTO BY FREDERICK SILVERIO

their bodies and were brought to a Cebu City hospital.

Ababon told The Manila Times that most of the houses were made from light materials and were located in an interior portion between N. Bacalso Avenue and Tagunol Street, about 100 METERS AWAY FROM THE MAIN ROAD g&IREkGHTERS HAD DIFkCULTY PENETRATING ;THE kRE SCENE= BEcause the pathway is narrow,� he said.

Damage to property is estimated at P1.2 million.

No casualties were reporterld as of press time. !BABON SAID THE CAUSE OF kRE WAS UNDER investigation.

RHEA RUTH ROSELL

over the Misamis Occidental AquamaRINE 0ARK -/!0 PROJECT WAS kLED ON March 15, 2011 by private complainant Oscar Visitacion, a known ally of then-Ozamis City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, a suspected narco-politician who was killed along with some other family members and supporters

in connection with the aggressive antidrug campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. “Obviously, it was a politically motivated case and I’m thankful to the court decision declaring me not guilty of the charge,� Ocampos said. “Wherefore, premises consid-

ERED THE COURT kNDS AND HOLDSw accused Ocampos and Akhavan not guilty of malversation under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code in Criminal Case SB-15CRM-0088,� stated the 57-page court decision that was promulgated on Dec. 5, 2018.

A8

MONDAY February 4, 2019

News

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Christians, Muslims walk for peace H

BY DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

UNDREDS of Christians and Muslims joined a Solidarity Walk on Sunday to condemn violence in Mindanao and call for peace and unity among members of religious faiths.

The event held in response to the bomb attack on the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo that killed 20 and the grenade explosion at a mosque in Zamboanga City that left two persons dead.

Representatives of Muslim and Christian groups swapped a Bible and a Quran to symbolize harmony and understanding. White

doves were released to symbolize peace and a covenant was signed to mark their agreement and commitment to maintain peace. “Sa mga pangyayari ngayon, of course kailangan na manaig ang kapayapaan (with the recent events, of course, peace needs to dominate) because we cannot have peace if we engage in war,� Father Oni Rosaroso of the Military Ordinariate of the

Philippines said. “Ipinakikita natin ho dito ang pagkakaisa ng mamamayang Pilipino. Hindi makakahadlang kung ano mang kaguluhan ang ginagawa para pag-awayin at bigyan ng hadlang itong pagmamahalan ng Christian at Muslim. (We are showing the unity of the Filipino people. Mayhem or war cannot stop Muslims and Christians from loving each other),� said Datu Basher Bong Alonto, chairman of the Metro Manila Muslim Community for Peace and Justice.

Princess Nur Ana IndananSahidulla, a former congressman and governor of Sulu, said the members of the two faiths had

lived harmoniously over the years and respected each other. “Ang simbahan na yun ay hindi ginagalaw ng mga Muslim na mga Tausug doon dahil yung mga yun ay nirerespeto dahil marunong din na magrespeto sa mga Tausug na Muslim. (The cathedral was respected and was not touched by Muslims who are members of the Tausug tribe because (Christians) also respected the Muslims),� she said.

She said the bombings were intended to create tension between the two religions.

Sahidulla urged everyone to maintain peace and harmony among members of the two religions in Mindanao.

Q CALM FROM A1

in the New Year — this being the Year of the Yin Earth Pig — it as a year that calls us back to nature, back to basics, back to the self. It is therefore a year to look inward,� she explained. “Whereas the Year of the Dog saw dynamism in people and an attitude of ‘going for it’ — be it in government, business and even personal decisions — the cycle of the 12 animal signs brings us to a calming year with the Year of the Pig.� “If you’d like to use President Duterte as an example, it would be good for him to watch out for his temper and try not to let the emotions of last year carry over this year,�

Fernandez suggested.

Another interesting attribute of the new year is how the element of water serves as the “earthly branch� of the Earth element’s prominent “heavenly stem.�

In business for example, Fernandez said a company’s earnings might be steady, but in taking time to identify areas in operation that need tweaking, A DECLINE IN PROkT MIGHT BE AVOIDED

Suspects in QC village Feng shui captain’s killing fall FOUR men suspected to be involved in the killing of Quezon City village head Crisell Beltran have been arrested by the police.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Joselito Esquivel Jr. on Sunday said the four suspects fell in separate operations conducted on February 1.

Beltran and her driver, Melchor Salita, were killed in an ambush last week. %SQUIVEL IDENTIkED THE SUSPECTS 4EOkLO &ORMANES AND BROTHERS Ruel, Orlando, and Joppy Juab.

All of them work at the Commonwealth Market as market inspector, delivery boy and vendors, respectively.

Formanes was arrested at the Commonwealth Market. The police recovered from him a loaded

pistol, a motorcycle without plate number, two baseball caps, a cellular phone and three hand held radios.

After his arrest, Formanes idenTIkED HIS ACCOMPLICES PROMPTING the police to conduct another operation in Barangay Commonwealth, where the Juab brothers were captured.

Seized from them were several guns and a hand grenade.

Two other suspects — Warren Juab and Dutch Boy Bello — remain at large.

In an inquest proceeding on Saturday, the suspects were charged with murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder and ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF kREARMS DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

Without naming names, this was the clear advice of Feng Shui expert Princesse Lim Fernandez to the tough-guy leaders of the era, like US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Rodrigo Duterte.

Fernandez is behind the noted Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony at New World Hotel Makati, and protegee of the late Master Paul Lao, who is credited for propagating geomancy in the country and making Chinese New Year an important date in the Filipino social calendar.

A management engineering graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University and a Mensa member to boot, Fernandez, who strictly approaches Feng Shui as a science, explained that the Year of the Pig in 2019 calls for introspection and reassessment. “With Earth as the primary element

PEACE AND UNITY

Muslims and Christians sign the Solidarity Wall for Peace during “Lakad Tungo sa Kapayapaan, Iwaksi ang Karahasan� (Walk Toward Peace, End Violence) Solidarity Walk held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on Sunday to condemn the recent bombings in Jolo and Zambaonga. PHOTO BY RUY MARTINEZ leading to maximum gain.

Southeast Directions to avoid renovation work: Guide to voters?

Southwest, West, Northwest “You can also apply this attitude (322.5o to 337.5o) and Southeast to choosing who to vote for in the (142.5o to 157.5o) coming elections. A candidate may Months to avoid renovation: seem to be all that he says he is on 1st lunar month (February 4 to the surface but it will be prudent March 4) TO kND OUT MORE ABOUT HIM BEFORE 7th lunar month (August 8 to giving your vote. We can use the September 7) analogy of smoke and mirrors if you 4th lunar month (May 6 to June 5) like,� she said.

10th lunar month (November 8 The Manila Times lists below to December 6) Fernandez’s general forecasts for the Directions to avoid sitting and Year of the Pig. facing: She will lead festivities to welSitting southeast (142.5 o to come in the Chinese New Year this 157.5 o) and facing northwest evening at New World Makati Hotel. (322.5o to 337.5o) Opening business day and welSitting west and facing east coming wealth: Zodiac signs offending the Grand Feb. 8, 2019, except for Horse Duke or Tai Suey of the year: Feb. 11, 2019 for Horse Snake, Pig, Monkey, Tiger Favorable directions: Zodiac Signs who should avoid North, Center, East, Northwest wakes and funerals: and West Earth Monkey, Fire Snake, Fire Unfavorable directions: Tiger, Wood Pig, Wood Monkey and Southwest, Northeast, South, Water Snake

What’s inside FROM VDP TO PDP – DELOITTE. ON THE DOT

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MEASURE TO IMPROVE INTERNET SERVICE BACKED BusinessB2

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URC SHARES STILL UP DESPITE PCC DECISION

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CHELSEA LOGISTICS EYES P7B FROM DEBT OFFERING

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www.manilatimes.net

DELOITTE. ON THE DOT

BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

I

NFLATION likely continued to ease in January due to lower oil prices and reduced supply pressures, economists polled by The Manila Times said.

Projections for the month ranged from 4.3-4.9 percent with a 4.5-percent average — lower compared to the

5.1-percent consumer price growth recorded in December.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

"30 HAS ALSO INDICATED THAT INlATION likely slowed anew in January, last week issuing a 4.3-5.1 percent forecast. /FkCIAL INlATION DATA IS SCHEDULED TO be released by the Philippine Statistics Authority tomorrow, February 5.

Moody’s Analytics economist Katrina %LL WHO OFFERED THE HIGHEST INlATION forecast of 4.9 percent, said key interest rates were likely to be kept unchanged

when the BSP’s policymaking Monetary Board meets two days later. g7E THINK THAT INlATION WILL REMAIN ON a bumpy downtrend in 2019,� she added.

A decision to keep policy settings steady is “widely expected ... not least because CPI (consumer price index) growth is well past the peak and expected to keep cooling in 2019,� Ell

key interest rates unchanged on February 7.

In a separate comment, Eagle Equities Inc. research head Christopher Mangun said he expected lower trading volumes this week due to the holiday on Tuesday. “The market may continue to trade sideways between 8,000 and 8,200. We may see it end the week lower, but the key is for it the stay above the 8,000 level,�

Mangun added. “With earnings reports set to

ÂłRate B2

Asia United Bank has no treasury shares A By issued shares, it will mean AUB has no treasury shares.

Of outstanding, listed and issued common shares, AUB clasSIkED PERCENT UNDER gFREE

ÂłPerez B4

ÂłPoll B2

Policy reversal unlikely – Guinigundo

Investors seen awaiting inflation, policy rate news

SIA United Bank (AUB) has authorized capital stock (ACS) of 500 million common shares with par value of P10 per common share, according to the bank’s general information sheet (GIS). Of its ACS, 485,310,538 common shares are outstanding and are all listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

At the same time, the bank’s outstanding common shares represent the bank’s issued common shares, according to the GIS.

B2

Inflation likely down anew in January – poll

SHARES OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEK

INFLATION data due tomorrow, February 5, and results of a Monetary Board meeting on Thursday are expected to determine the stock market’s direction during a shortened trading week. /NLINE BROKERAGE kRM 2tradeasia.com said investors would take THEIR CUES FROM *ANUARY INlATION data — scheduled to be released even as the country celebrates the Chinese New Year holiday — that is expected to reinforce hopes the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policymaking body would keep

W

MONDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2019

Business Times

regular and special cash dividends of index components on ex-date. If there are changes in the composition of the PSEi, the same will be RElECTED u THE BOURSE SAID The PSEi TRI will be available online not later than 5:00 p.m. of each trading session, it added.

Aside from the PSEi TRI, the bourse said it was also reviewing CURRENT SECTOR INDEX CLASSIkCATIONS “We want our sectoral indices to be more representative of the industries they belong to. This will be beneficial to fund managers

MONETARY policy easing isn’t ON THE TABLE AS INlATION REMAINS higher than target, a senior Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ofkCIAL INDICATED ON &RIDAY “You don’t immediately reverse course,� central bank Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo told reporters in response to a question whether a rate hike cut could be announced this Thursday. “You have to give yourself a few more observations and make sure that what you intend to achieve is on the process of being achieved,� he added.

Analysts expect the BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board to refrain anew from adjusting key INTEREST RATES AFTER LAST YEAR S kVE consecutive hikes — prompted by INlATION BREACHING THE TO percent target starting March and hitting a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in September and October.

An easing in November led to a pause the following month and consumer price growth continued to slow in December. Projections that the trend had extended to

Âł Tracking B2

ÂłReversal B2

FOR LUCK

A traditional lion dance is performed in Binondo, Manila on Sunday, February 3, 2019, ahead of the celebration of Chinese New Year this Tuesday. PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA

Stock market starts TRI tracking THE Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) is planning to launch new indices this year, one of which — the PSEi Total Return Index (PSEi TRI) — will gauge overall returns factoring in capital gains and dividend payments if these are reinvested. “We have always been focused on investment gains from price appreciation. As done in other markets, we want to show the BIGGER PICTURE ON THE PROkTABILity of stock and index investing,�

PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon said in a statement.

Explaining the PSEi TRI, the bourse said it used 1,000 as base value with December 28, 2007 as the base year for the new index, which closed at 2,771.01 on December 28, 2018 — a 10-year cumulative gain of 417.6 percent compared with a 298.6-percent rise in the PSEi from 2008 to 2018. ! kVE YEAR COMPUTATION OF THE PSEi TRI, meanwhile, shows a growth of 38.7 percent compared with a 26.8-percent increase for the PSEi. �The PSEi TRI has the same constituents as the PSEi and integrates

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY February 4, 2019

Measure to improve C internet service backed T

BY TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

HE Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) of the Philippines and other groups have supported the Open Access in Data Transmission bill or Senate Bill (SB) 1762, saying the measure would give the local telecommunications industry improved “competition, innovation and a level PLAYING kELD u In a statement over the weekend, the JFC, local businesses and civil society groups backed the passage of the measure, seen to improve internet services in the country.

The bill, they said, opens the sector for more service providers, pushing the sharing of infrastructure and resources among telco players and improving “access, affordability and quality of transmission services.�

Allowing more telco players to set up transmission services is also necessary to expand internet access across the country for inclusive development, they said.

SB 1763 also outlines a data services regulatory framework that matches how the internet works, they added, which should be “decentralized, distributed and redundant.�

-EANWHILE THE BILL CLARIkES THE role and gives authority to the

National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) that current laws do not provide, they said. “We believe that the Open Access in Data Transmission bill is a reform that will not only make the telecommunications and data services sector more dynamic but will also improve the country’s competitiveness as it prepares for the fourth industrial revolution,� they said.

Supporting the bill are the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Animation Council of the Philippines, Australian New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Coalitions for Change, Contact Center Association of the Philippines, Democracy.net. ph, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, European

Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Federation of the International Cable TV and Telecommunications Association of the Philippines, IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines Internet Society, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc., Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. and the USAsean Business Council Inc. The bill was approved on third AND kNAL READING ON .OV

at the House of Representatives and is currently up for second reading at the Senate.

PH, PNG sign new pact for fisheries development THE Philippines and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have forged an agreement to strengthen cooperaTION IN kSHERIES DEVELOPMENT The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol and Papua New Guinea Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Patrick Basa in Quezon City on Friday.

The MoU called on the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and Papua New Guinea’s National Fisheries Authority (NFA) to boost “mutual cooperation, consultation, and exchange of technical assistance in fisheries research and development.� “Under the MoU, we remain

connected as regards fisheries data sharing which provides us better access and control over our Philippine flagged vessels operating in PNG, coordination on the Coral Triangle Initiative AND kGHT AGAINST )55 ILLEGAL

unreported, unregulated) fishing, among others. Thus [it] also bolsters our closer ties with PNG on other matters such as food, especially rice production,� BFAR Director Eduardo Gongona told The Manila Times.

Under the new pact, a Joint Committee on Fisheries Cooperation (JCFC) composed of representatives from both countries and implementing arrangements are also being reviewed and vetted. The deal, which follows the

Q POLL FROM B1

Inflation likely down continued. “We attach a 40-percent probability that the central bank will reverse some of the tightening IN THE kRST HALF OF &LAGGING domestic demand has been under pressure so would be an important CONTRIBUTOR "UT GIVEN THAT INlAtion remains above the central bank’s 2 to 4 percent target range, this could be pushed out to later in 2019.�

DBS economist Masyita Crystallin, meanwhile, forecast an easing to 4.7 percent due to lower oil and rice prices. “We think the trend is going to continue this year. Government has implemented the second tranches of fuel price hike[s] as planned because oil price stayed below $80 (based on the Mean of Platts Singapore ),� she said.

Crystallin noted that pressure

from fuel prices would likely continue to hover in the background.

Rice prices will also pose some risks depending on the weather.

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), ANZ Research and THE 5NIVERSITY OF !SIA 0ACIkC ALL SAID INlATION LIKELY SLOWED TO percent last month.

BPI Vice-President and lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. said INlATION DECELERATED AS THE gINcrease in oil prices this year is not AS SIGNIkCANT AS WE SAW THE SAME time last year.� “Food prices are also rising at a more modest pace this year compared to January 2018,� he added.

UA&P economist Victor Abola also attributed an expected slowdown to lower crude oil prices, further noting that “despite the increase in excise taxes, the downTREND IN INlATION RATE WILL CON-

Q REVERSAL FROM B1

Policy reversal unlikely January — official figures are scheduled to be released tomorrow, February 5 — have raised expectations that interest rates would be maintained when the Monetary Board meets on February 7.

Economists have said that December’s lower-than-expected PERCENT INlATION MEANS THE rate could return to the target RANGE IN THE kRST HALF ‡ FASTER than expected. “We want to make sure that we go back to the 2.0-4.0 percent inflation target... Yes, 5.1 percent inflation rate is a big decline ... but it is still out of the target range...,� Guinigundo, however, said.

He explained that monetary authorities needed time to review how policy changes had worked through various channels.

“One or two observations cannot indicate that you can simply reduce the reserve requirement [ratio] or reduce the policy rate in order to reverse what you did in 2018. It will be bad economic policy,� he added.

Meanwhile, BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier, in a January 25, 2019 letter to President Rodrigo Duterte, pointed to encouraging inflation readings in the last quarter of 2018. “We have also observed two consecutive months of negative month-on-month inflation readings starting in November.

This indicates that demand pressures have not built up significantly and that the supplydriven inflation process we saw in 2018 was not to be persis-

kRST -O5 SIGNED BY THE TWO GOVernments in 2009, will remain in FORCE FOR kVE YEARS AND THEN BE reviewed for renewal.

PNG has an extensive and valuable fisheries sector ranging from inland river fisheries, aquaculture, coastal beche-demer and reef fisheries to the prawn trawl and large-scale deepwater tuna fisheries. Its fisheries zone of 2.4 million square kilometers is the largest in the South Pacific and includes an extended reef system, numerous islands and an extensive coastline.

I n N o v e m b e r l a s t y e a r, d u r i n g P r e s i d e n t Ro d r i g o Duterte’s visit to PNG, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for a joint rice development

project was also signed by PiĂąol and Papuan Agriculture AND ,IVESTOCK -INISTER "ENNY Allan. The deal formalized cooperation on rice production research and development, and rice farming technology between the two countries.

Prior to this, the two countries also signed a joint declaration that signified a shared commitment to expand and fortify bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of agriculture and agro-industries, particularly in areas such as rice and industrial crops production; aquaculture and inland fish farming; livestock breeding and improvement; and agribusiness development.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

tinue throughout the year.�

ANZ Research, in a report, said LOWER INlATION WOULD BE CAUSED by an “easing in supply pressures.� “The pace of decline in annual INlATION WILL SLOW GOING FORWARD 7E EXPECT INlATION TO REMAIN NEAR the central bank’s 4-percent upper limit over the coming months,� it said.

ING Bank Manila and HSBC Global Research both had the lowest inflation forecasts of 4.3 percent.

ING Bank senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa also believes that lower crude prices were a factor along with the government’s move to hike rice imports. g7HENEVER INlATION IS DRIVEN BY cost push factors (global oil prices and shortage of rice), once the supply bottlenecks are mitigated or removed, inflation tends to dissipate very quickly,â€? Mapa said. “Global oil prices have come off from their peaks in 2018 ‌ and rice imports have helped augment local production. Furthermore, the

IMPENDING RICE TARRIkCATION LAW awaiting signature of the President will also help keep rice prices, which account for 10 percent of INlATION IN CHECK u HE ADDED Mapa said the slowdown would continue moving forward, albeit at a more muted pace. “[A]s long as food items see price pressures contained, we will SEE INlATION GLIDE BACK TO WITHIN target by 2Q 2019,� he added.

HSBC Global Research also atTRIBUTED LOWER INlATION TO OIL AND rice price reductions. �Rice prices have continued to decline, which is a positive development as this was one of the biggest contributors to high INlATION IN -EANWHILE THE rise in domestic pump prices in January has been more moderate compared to the same month last year, despite additional excise taxes,� it noted.

Headline inflation will likely average 3.3 percent in 2019, HSBC said, lower than the 5.2 percent posted last year.

tent,� she added.

Fonacier said monetary authoriTIES WERE OPTIMISTIC THAT INlATION would continue to ease given last year’s monetary tightening as well as decisive government anti-inflation measures such as the liberalized importation of agricultural products. “The early implementation OF THE RICE TARIFkCATION LAW AND the sustained administrative reforms to address supply-side bottlenecks, in particular, further strengthens our outlook that the INlATION TARGET WILL BE ACHIEVED in 2019 and 2020,� she added.

During its last meeting in December, the Monetary Board TRIMMED ITS INlATION FORECAST FOR 2018 to 5.2 percent from 5.3 percent, pointing out that the latest INlATION FORECASTS SHOWED A LOWER path over the policy horizon.

The 2019 and 2020 projections were also lowered to 3.1 percent and 3.0 percent, resepectively, from 3.5 percent and 3.3 percent.

A N Z Re s e a r c h a n d H S B C economists, meanwhile, believe the Monetary Board will keep key rates steady this Thursday. “We expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to maintain its current policy rate at 4.75 percent ... as the economy adjusts to the monetary tightening undertaken in 2018,� ANZ Research economists Krystal Tan and Khoon Goh said in a report.

This view was shared by HSBC economists, who said “the focus at the upcoming BSP meeting will not be on further monetary tightening but rather on measures to support growth.�

HSBC expects gross domestic product growth to moderate to 6.0 percent this year, f r o m 6 . 2 p e r c e n t i n 201 8 , amid higher borrowing costs, t i g h t e r d o m e s t i c l i q u i d i t y, and a continued delay in the implementation of the government’s 2019 budget.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

From VDP to PDP

USTOMS authorities have certain programs designed to encourage customs compliance by importers. One such program is the Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP).

VDPs provide importers remedy to correct erroneous, inaccurate, or INSUFkCIENT INFORMATION DECLARED to customs arising from mere mistakes, inadvertence or negligence WITHOUT THE IMPOSITION OF kNES OR at least with reduced penalties in appropriate cases.

In the Philippines, a VDP was established by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in 2007 under customs administrative order (CAO) No. 5-2007. Under it, the 6$0 APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE kLED with the BOC’s post audit entry group (PEAG), the same group authorized to perform compliance audits on importers and exporters, including customs brokers.

In 2013, however, through an executive order signed by former President Benigno Aquino 3rd, the post-entry audit functions were transferred to the Department of Finance (DOF) — Fiscal Intelligence Unit (FIU). Since then, although the DOF retained the BOC commissioner’s authority to compromise penalties for failure to pay correct customs duties and taxes under Section 16 of DOF department order No. 11-2014, it was uncertain whether importers can still avail of the VDP under the previous BOC issuances.

Toward the latter part of 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte issued executive order No. 46, which transferred back the post-clearance audit function from the DOF-FIU to the BOC and revived the BOCPEAG, now called the post clearance audit group (PCAG).

With the passing into law of the Customs and Modernization Tariff Act (CMTA) in mid-2016, a CAO was drafted, which sought to implement the post-clearance audit functions of the bureau. The draft CAO also covered the prior disclosure program (PDP), which seeks to replace the previous VDP of the BOC. Following the approval of the said draft by the BOC commissioner in Nov. 29, 2018 and by the DOF secretary on Jan. 9, 2019, the BOC issued CAO No. 01-2019.

Some of the notable departures from the provisions of the previous VDP are the coverage of the program AND THE BENEkTS 5NLIKE THE 6$0 AN importer that has received an audit NOTIkCATION LETTER !., MAY STILL avail of the PDP within a period of DAYS FROM RECEIPT OF THE !., What was retained under exclusions to the PDP are importers with goods declaration subject to pending cases with the BOC and those with cases ALREADY kLED IN COURTS 4HE NEW 0$0 also retained as an exclusion to PDP availment those goods declaration involving fraud. !S REGARDS BENEkTS THE BENEkT provision under the old VDP of “least priority status� in the customs audit selection process for future importations was not adopted under the new PDP. In addition, the new PDP will now impose a 20 percent per annum interest and/or A PENALTY OF PERCENT OF THE DEkciency duties and taxes in contrast with the non-payment of interests or penalties under the old VDP. A PDP applicant who has not YET RECEIVED AN !., SHALL ONLY pay the deficiency duties and

Q RATE FROM B1

Investors start coming in by next week (second week of February) on top of better inflation numbers for January, we may see the market factor this in and

Q TRACKING FROM B1

Stock market in planning and executing their investment strategies. We hope to announce the new sector clasSIkCATIONS BY MID YEAR u -ONZON added said.

The bourse also said that �all PSE indices are available for index licensing.� “The Exchange will begin charging

DELOITTE. ON THE DOT

NIMROD QUE taxes plus 20 percent interest per annum counted from the DATE OF THE kNAL ASSESSMENT AS provided for under Section 429 of the CMTA. As mentioned, an IMPORTER WHO RECEIVES AN !., may now avail of the PDP but the applicant will be subject to 10 percent penalty and 20 percent interest per annum ON TOP OF THE DEkCIENCY DUTIES and taxes.

The new PDP also allows applicants to disclose royalties and any other subsequent adjustments to the price paid or payable of the related importation within 30 calendar days from the date of payment or accrual pertaining to the adjustment, and pay only the deficiency duties and taxes without penalties and interests.

It will be the responsibility of PCAG to evaluate and verify the PDP applications as to the completeness of the application form, payment, and other required supporting documents.

CAO No. 1-2019 mandates the 0#!' TO COMPLETE ITS VERIkCAtion and approval or denial of the application within 90 calendar days from the submission of the complete documents.

To date, the BOC has yet to issue the related customs memorandum order (CMO) , which will provide in detail a set of guidelines to govern the documentation, processing, and evaluation of the PDP application, and provide a standard PDP application form together with THE SPECIkC DOCUMENTS REQUIRED to support the PDP application, which is similar to CMO NO. 182007 under the old VDP. With the issuance of CAO No. 1-2019, however, there is now again another clear avenue for importers to disclose errors and omissions in goods decLARATION RESULTING IN DEkCIENCY duties and taxes with reduced PENALTIES #OMPARED TO A kNE of 25 percent of revenue loss for simple negligence (inadvertent error), or 125 percent of revenue loss for negligence (failure to exercise reasonable care) plus 20 percent interest if found guilty under a post clearance audit and examination, a PDP application would seem to be a more practical option for an importer rather than relying on sheer hope that he or she will not be subjected to post-clearance audit and that the said errors and/or omissions would not be discovered during said audit.

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 A MEMBER kRM OF Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu ,IMITED ‡ COMPRISING $Eloitte practices operating in Brunei, Cambodia, Guam, )NDONESIA ,AO 0$2 -ALAYSIA

Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. maintain its current trajectory,� he continued.

On Friday, the Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by 1.71 percent or 136.68 points to close at 8,144.16, while the wider All Shares grew by 1.65 percent or POINTS TO kNISH AT

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS license fees to Collective Investment Schemes that track PSE indices or use the PSE indices as the underlying index for their fund. The charging will BE FUND SPECIkC AND THE LICENSE FEE will depend on the size of the fund’s Net Asset Value,� it added.

Monzon said index licensing “is not something unique to the PSE. Several other exchanges globally charge for the intellectual property of the indices they develop and maintain.�

Stock Watch

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

30-DAY STOCK PERFORMANCE

URC shares still up despite PCC decision

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

A

N ADVERSE ANTITRUST kNDING HAS WEIGHED on Universal Robina Corp. (URC) but the Gokongwei-owned food and beverage kRM S SHARE PRICE IS NOW AT ITS HIGHEST SINCE THE start of 2019, albeit some way off from returning to peaks posted at the start of last year.

URC traded lower from for four straight days beginning January 25, losing nearly P4 per share, after the Philippine Competition ComMISSION 0## REJECTED THE kRM S voluntary commitments related to its purchase of Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc.’s sugar milling and REkNING ASSETS It recovered over the next two days, ending Friday up P1.90 to P150 apiece — its highest close since the same price was hit on April 5 last year.

URC shares inched up 0.47 percent week-on-week but jumped by 18.11 percent year-to-date.

Just over a year earlier, on JanuARY THE kRM HAD ITS BEST CLOSE FOR 2018 at P174 per share. “It was in August last year when URC announced its plans to purchase the assets of RHI (Roxas Holdings Inc.) and Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. and this somehow helped its share price stage a rally back then,� Philstocks Financial Inc. research associate Japhet Louis Tantiangco noted.

He said investors could have already factored in the additional value to be brought by acquisition and that the PCC announcement subsequently dampened sentiment. “Any uncertainty which includes

the possibility of it being hindered due to the monopoly threat it poses may negatively affect its share price,� Tantiangco said.

In announcing the antitrust body’s finding, PCC Chairman Arsenio Balisacan said that URC’s voluntary commitments “do not sufficiently address the anticompetitive effects rising from the transaction.�

The PCC will be continuing its REVIEW OF THE DEAL AND OFkCIALS SAID the door remained open for URC to revise its pledges. g)F 52# SATISkES THE CONCERNS OF PCC, then I think that’s going to bolster the company’s stock price since the acquisition of CADPI can contribute to the supply chain EFkCIENCY THAT MAY RESULT TO PROkTability in the future,� Timson Securities Inc. trader Jervin de Celis.

Monopoly concerns aside, De Celis said the upcoming mid-term elections would help boost URC’s 2019 performance given an expected surge in consumer spending. “I think URC can scale back by FOCUSING ON EFkCIENT PROMOTIONS of its core products this year since RISING INlATION TEND TO MAKE SHOPpers shift to cheaper brands. But LOWER INlATION FORECAST THIS YEAR can make shoppers turn to goods

offered at a premium so URC MAY BENEkT FROM THIS IN u he added.

Tantiangco shared the view, adding that the continued easing OF INlATION WOULD HELP THE kRM S SHARE PRICE AS INlATION WAS gITS biggest challenge last year.� “It may keep the positive sentiment on the part of the investors, which could help in tempering any negative effect brought by the

B3

MONDAY February 4, 2019

uncertainties in the planned asset purchase,� he said. &OR THE kRST NINE MONTHS OF LAST year, URC recorded P6.98 billion in net income, 20.3 percent lower than the P8.4 billion registered in the same period in 2017.

For the third quarter alone, net PROkT WAS BASICALLY lAT AT 0 billion, less than one percent higher than the P2.02 billion posted a year earlier.

HIGH

LOW

AVERAGE

CLOSE

30-day high: P150.50

Market capitalization: P326,436,372,650.80

30-day low: P125.70

Outstanding shares: 2,204,161,868

Date

Close

Date

Close

Feb 01, 2019 Jan 31, 2019

150 148.1

Jan 11, 2019

136.3

Jan 10, 2019

133.9

Jan 30, 2019

145.8

Jan 29, 2019

147

Jan 09, 2019 Jan 08, 2019

131.1 130

Jan 07, 2019 Jan 04, 2019

130.5 128.5

Jan 03, 2019 Jan 02, 2019 Dec 28, 2018

128.5 127.5 127

Dec 27, 2018

128.5

Jan 28, 2019

148

Jan 25, 2019 Jan 24, 2019 Jan 23, 2019

149.3 149.5 144.5

Jan 22, 2019 Jan 21, 2019 Jan 18, 2019 Jan 17, 2019 Jan 16, 2019 Jan 15, 2019 Jan 14, 2019

145 144 142.9 140 143 142 141.4

*amounts in peso

Dec 26, 2018

128

Dec 21, 2018 Dec 20, 2018 Dec 19, 2018 Dec 18, 2018

128.5 128.8 128.5 128.2

PROFITABILITY Date Jan. 28 Jan. 29 Jan. 30 Jan. 31 Feb. 1

P/E ratio 29.96 29.76 29.51 29.98 30.36

P/E growth (%) 1.58 1.27

Price to book ratio 3.9551 3.9284 3.8963 3.9578 4.0086

THIRD QUARTER REPORT NET INCOME P(2,042,970,000)

Net income Earnings per share Book value per share

Q Bird’s eye view of Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. PHOTO GRABBED FROM ROXAS HOLDINGS INC. WEBSITE

FINANCIAL CONDITION Year 2015 2016 2017

Total Assets

Total Liabilities

110,747,081 141,443,827 147,640,799

45,387,453 66,171,770 65,954,786

*Net Income in 000 00

2015 12,504 5.68 29.92

2016 13,082 6.94 34.06

2017 11,152 4.94 36.93

Year

TOTAL EQUITY P8,279,175,000

Return on Assets (%)

Return on Equity (%)

Debt to Equity ratio

Common ratio

11.29 9.25 7.55

19.13 17.38 13.65

0.6944 0.8791 0.8074

2.2973 1.6955 1.9180

2015 2016 2017

TOTAL LIABILITIES P70,132,583,000

*amounts in peso

FINANCIAL RATIOS

Shareholders’ Equity 65,359,628 75,272,057 81,686,012

TOTAL ASSETS P152,724,923,000

*amounts in thousand pesos

FINANCIAL RATIOS Return on Assets 1.34% Return on Equity 2.47% Debt to Ety Ratio 0.8491 Common Ratio 1.7687

TOP ACTIVE STOCKS HOLDING FIRMS

Index

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

8,144.16

136.68

Ÿ

All Shares

4,909.51

79.66

Ÿ

Financials

1,854.34

29.14

Ÿ

Industrial

11,824.03

156.85

Ÿ

Holding Firms

8,105.23

136.77

Ÿ

Services

1,606.20

23.91

Ÿ

Mining and Oil

8,549.68

46.31

Ÿ

Property

4,005.76

84.20

Ÿ

SERVICES

Stock indices as of February 1, 2019

ALL SHARES

PSEi

MINING AND OIL

No. 1

Security Name Ayala Land, Inc.

2 3 4 5

BDO Unibank, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Ayala Corp.

SM Investments Corp.

6 7 8 9 10 11

Universal Robina Corp.

Greenergy Holdings, Inc. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. Jollibee Foods Corp.

International Containter Terminal Services, Inc. ISM Communications Corp.

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. Puregold Price Club, Inc. GT Capital Holdings, Inc. Premiere Horizon Alliance Corp.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp.

Megawide Construction Corp.

Alliance Global Group, Inc.

19 20

Bank of the Philippine Islands Phinma Energy Corp.

Last Price 44.95

Chg 0.55

%Chg 1.24%

Ÿ

Volume 22,515,800

Value 1,011,525,420.00

140 39.2 940 1,015.00

5 1.1 13 25

3.70% 2.89% 1.40% 2.53%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

3,401,560 10,622,000 398,240 309,660

473,998,227.00 416,034,630.00 371,286,095.00 311,811,885.00

150 2.96 84.15 320 108.5 6.47

1.9 -0.03 0.15 4 0.3 -0.28

1.28% -1.00% 0.18% 1.27% 0.28% -4.15%

Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź

1,708,210 81,807,000 2,745,750 705,360 1,700,790 28,043,000

255,671,800.00 243,054,650.00 230,893,649.00 225,698,206.00 186,253,394.00 184,561,146.00

89.7 46.7 1,119.00 1.62 11.1 18.26 13.9

1.7 1.2 52 0.01 0.08 0.26 0.2

1.93% 2.64% 4.87% 0.62% 0.73% 1.44% 1.46%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

1,963,250 3,708,600 148,510 100,397,000 13,904,500 7,988,900 9,995,400

176,110,563.50 171,900,895.00 163,144,095.00 161,322,370.00 156,483,490.00 147,630,898.00 138,940,326.00

92 1.36

1 0.08

1.10% 6.25%

Ÿ Ÿ

1,445,830 97,793,000

133,019,212.00 132,101,360.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Feb 01, 2019 Jan 31, 2019 Jan 30, 2019 Jan 29, 2019 Jan 28, 2019 Jan 25, 2019 Jan 24, 2019 Jan 23, 2019 Jan 22, 2019 Jan 21, 2019 Jan 18, 2019 Jan 17, 2019 Jan 16, 2019 Jan 15, 2019 Jan 14, 2019 Jan 11, 2019 Jan 10, 2019 Jan 09, 2019 Jan 08, 2019 Jan 07, 2019 Jan 04, 2019 Jan 03, 2019 Jan 02, 2019 Dec 28, 2018 Dec 27, 2018 Dec 26, 2018 Dec 21, 2018 Dec 20, 2018 Dec 19, 2018 Dec 18, 2018

Open 8,038.65 7,999.41 8,038.77 8,086.93 8,071.12 8,075.66 8,000.65 7,941.05 8,023.84 8,055.48 7,932.11 7,866.42 7,983.46 8,009.08 7,886.40 7,965.44 7,931.87 7,775.21 7,820.26 7,800.88 7,657.18 7,507.48 7,496.57 7,497.16 7,465.04 7,436.73 7,536.87 7,514.07 7,412.28 7,478.36

High 8,165.66 8,099.23 8,046.95 8,087.39 8,143.61 8,116.23 8,068.48 7,989.65 8,029.80 8,067.08 8,057.57 7,937.98 7,990.65 8,027.92 8,024.14 7,965.44 7,992.33 7,919.67 7,826.08 7,900.70 7,801.50 7,680.60 7,540.26 7,507.29 7,514.33 7,453.22 7,548.13 7,584.44 7,579.62 7,482.21

Low 8,038.65 7,999.41 7,912.16 8,014.94 8,042.20 8,038.94 8,000.65 7,901.64 7,979.14 7,964.06 7,919.50 7,865.13 7,848.70 7,976.43 7,818.95 7,855.69 7,898.63 7,765.91 7,702.12 7,787.66 7,657.18 7,490.28 7,465.76 7,466.02 7,447.22 7,378.88 7,452.24 7,498.19 7,406.53 7,397.23

Close 8,144.16 8,007.48 7,979.95 8,050.82 8,053.92 8,053.20 8,064.90 7,989.65 8,008.67 8,007.46 8,047.12 7,927.20 7,864.70 8,013.42 8,024.14 7,904.09 7,985.23 7,919.67 7,702.12 7,787.66 7,761.11 7,680.60 7,489.20 7,466.02 7,482.66 7,450.01 7,479.71 7,563.41 7,579.62 7,420.40

CLOSE

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

Security Name Zeus Holdings, Inc. Berjaya Philippines, Inc. Xurpas Inc. Philippine Bank of Communications Ionics, Inc. Holcim Philippines, Inc. Victorias Milling Company, Inc. PTFC Redevelopment Corp.

Oriental Petroleum And Minerals Corp. “B�

Vitarich Corp. iPeople, Inc. Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. Abacore Capital Holdings, Inc. Phinma Petroleum And Geothermal, Inc. Phinma Energy Corp.

United Paragon Mining Corp.

D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. DoubleDragon Properties Corp.

Apollo Global Capital, Inc. Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc.

Volume 41,250,000 5,035,000 28,599,000 2,500 262,000 4,726,600 267,000 100 421,000,000 17,066,000 199,500 1,590,300 29,179,000 575,000 97,793,000 9,000,000 2,008,600 2,621,300 17,800,000 2,060,700

Value 12,626,710 15,257,350 45,909,790 54,830 442,070 43,142,975 714,260 4,995 5,472,800 30,694,790 2,576,652 20,579,008 18,913,310 2,211,770 132,101,360 65,800 18,645,084 55,344,995 733,300 26,689,616

Last Price 0.35 3.12 1.66 23.00 1.76 9.35 2.70 49.95 0.01 1.80 11.92 13.00 0.66 3.90 1.36 0.01 9.48 21.50 0.04 13.00

Chg 0.11 0.40 0.18 2.00 0.15 0.78 0.22 3.90 0.00 0.13 0.76 0.82 0.04 0.23 0.08 0.00 0.48 1.05 0.00 0.62

%Chg 49.35% 14.71% 12.16% 9.52% 9.32% 9.10% 8.87% 8.47% 8.33% 7.78% 6.81% 6.73% 6.45% 6.27% 6.25% 5.71% 5.33% 5.13% 5.13% 5.01%

*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 Grand Plaza Hotel Corp.

Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corp.

LBC Express Holdings, Inc. ISM Communications Corp.

House of Investments, Inc. Marcventures Holdings, Inc. Millennium Global Holdings, Inc. Da Vinci Capital Holdings, Inc. Nihao Mineral Resources International, Inc. City & Land Developers, Inc. Bogo-Medellin Milling Company Central Azucarera De Tarlac Roxas Holdings, Inc. Ferronoux Holdings, Inc. Ayala Corporation Class “B� Series 2 Preferred Shares SPC Power Corp.

The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc. Paxys, Inc. Manila Mining Corporation “A�

*amounts in peso except for volume, %chg

Volume 1,300 1,000 12,000 28,043,000 127,600 9,728,000 50,000 3,500 376,000 38,000 560 5,300 3,000 92,000 5,960 142,900 600 56,000 6,000 15,000,000

Value 13,468 6,250 176,474 184,561,146 798,934 10,093,090 8,550 21,889 391,730 30,420 50,736 88,548 8,880 441,900 2,926,500 905,782 109,878 75,860 21,400 112,000

Last Price 10 6 14 6 6 1 0 6 1 1 91 17 3 5 490 6 183 1 4 0

Chg -1.54 -0.35 -0.64 -0.28 -0.24 -0.04 -0.01 -0.20 -0.03 -0.02 -2.20 -0.34 -0.06 -0.09 -9.00 -0.11 -2.80 -0.02 -0.05 0.00

% Chg -12.94% -5.30% -4.31% -4.15% -3.90% -3.57% -3.39% -3.17% -2.80% -2.44% -2.37% -2.00% -1.99% -1.85% -1.80% -1.70% -1.51% -1.44% -1.39% -1.33%

Corporate News Chelsea Logistics eyes P7B from debt offering C B4

MONDAY February 4, 2019

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

HELSEA Logistics Holdings Corp. (CLC) plans to raise as much as P7 billion via the issuance of bonds or commercial papers to fund capital expenditures this year.

CLC Vice-President for Finance P5-billion preferred shares offering.

Ignacia Braga 4th told reporters last CLC has said that proceeds from week that debt issuance was the the share offering would be used ALTERNATIVE AFTER THE kRM DEFERRED A for further acquisitions as well

as the purchase of land and the development of logistics facilities, vessels and other equipment.

Braga did not disclose a capex estimate but said spending would cover the expansion of dry-docking facilities as well as a planned warehouse project. “Most of our capex is really geared towards the C5 property.

We’re building a warehouse complex. We need P2.5 billion for that

construction project,� she said. “To support the warehouse, you need delivery vehicles,�

Braga added.

Likewise, CLC is looking to build container yards for TransAsia Shipping Lines Inc., which it recently acquired.

CLC shares dipped by 5 centavos to close at P6.57 on Friday, bucking the Philippine Stock Exchange index’s 1.71-percent rise.

Pangilinan: SOMCO: RFID plan still under review Operations and Main- elevated toll plazas, which in turn in the statement.

PLDT capex SKYWAY tenance Corp. (SOMCO), which will mean less congestion at on“We all lose so much just sitting operates the Skyway system, said ramps and roads leading to the IN TRAFkC TIME WITH OUR FAMILIES ‘at least P70B’ a plan to make a portion of ex- elevated Skyway.� opportunities in business and at PLDT Inc.’s spending for this year will hit “at least P70 billion� to support the group’s massive network buildout, its chief said on Friday.

Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan disclosed the amount following an event in Bulacan, two weeks after he hinted that capital expenditures for 2019 would be higher than last year’s P58 billion.

The increased capex will mainLY kNANCE 0,$4 S WIRELESS AND kXED BUSINESSES HE SAID NOTING that the latter in particular was gaining market momentum. “[F]iber-to-the-home on the kXED SIDE AND FOR THE WIRELESS WE will complete our 4G, and we will start constructing 5G right away,�

Pangilinan claimed.

PLDT is planning to accelerate its kFTH GENERATION ' ROLLOUT TARGETing partnerships with more players, deployment of 5G-powered digital services, and the installation of facilities in more cities nationwide. ,AST *UNE THE kRM LAUNCHED ' Technolab, which it said would focus on research and development, standardization, and the testing of 5G wireless broadband technologies and services. )T ALSO kRED UP ' CELL SITES IN THE Makati Central Business District and Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

pressway exclusive to RFID (radio FREQUENCY IDENTIkCATION USERS HAD yet to receive regulatory approval.

In a statement on Friday, the firm clarified that the proposal was still being reviewed by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

SOMCO wants to make the Skyway’s DoĂąa Soledad and Dr. A. Santos exits open only to RFID vehicles in a bid to achieve “faster AND MORE EFkCIENT THROUGHPUT AT

The plan has been criticized but SOMCO President Manuel M. Bonoan insisted that it would ease TRAFkC WOES “It only takes 6 seconds for vehicles with RFID to cross the toll barrier while cash transactions take about 21 seconds.

This means that 3 vehicles could pass in the RFID lane before one COULD kNISH PAYING AT THE CASH lane,� he was quoted as saying

work. In addition, we also waste fuel and impact the environment negatively,� Bonoan added. “As such, Skyway Management continues to look for ways to help EASE TRAFkC CONGESTION AND MAKE daily drives faster, safer and convenient for motorists.�

SOMCO has been handling the operation and maintenance of the Skyway system since December 2007.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

Senate eyes limits to SPSB franchise LAWMAKERS are planning to craft a bill that will limit Solar Para sa Bayan Corp.’s (SPSB) coverage area to unserved and underserved areas.

Senator Franklin Drilon emphasized the need for “an example ‌ which can be clearly stated in the law,â€? while Senator Ralph Recto added “I believe there should be no disagreement on unserved areas.â€? “On the issue of underserved areas, it’s where you have high systems loss or where you have a lot of brownouts. If proponents want to enter these areas and give people better service, why should we not allow them?,â€?

Recto continued.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, said “We have to make sure at the end that the original intention of this franchise will be met, and the original intention is really to go into the underserved and unserved areas.�

SPSB, which is seeking a congressional franchise to build distributable power technologies and minigrid systems, has run into controversy given the speed by which it was granted a franchise by the House of Representatives.

It is led by Leandro Leviste, a son of Senator Loren Legarda.

House Bill 8179, which the House of Representatives ap-

proved on third reading, gives SPSB a 25-year franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain distributable power technologies and mini-grid systems throughout the Philippines.

Opponents of the franchise application claim it would give SPSP an unfair advantage.

Leviste, however, has said that “The divide in this discussion is very clear. If you are a producer, you want to protect the businesses of producers. If you are a consumer, you want to have as many choices as possible to have the lowest cost and best service for consumers.�

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net Q PEREZ FROM B1

Asia United Bank has no treasury shares lOAT level,� which is roughly equivalent to 164,520,272 common shares, according to the PSE website.

In its GIS, AUB showed 71,796,572 AUB common shares as the “number of shares in the hands of the public.� When computed, the publicly owned AUB common shares will be equivalent to 18.289 percent of 392,572,967 AUB common shares held by Filipinos.

Only eight foreigners, according to the GIS, owned 92,737,571 AUB common shares, or 19.11 percent.

pensation of directors during the PRECEDING kSCAL YEARu APPARENTLY referring to 2017. When divided by eight, P4.2 million will be equal to P525,000, which will mean each of the bank’s eight directors would have received such amount of compensation.

Due Diligencer’s take

As usual, the public stockholders are not represented in AUB’s eight-man board. Instead, their seats are taken by two independent directors, namely, Adolfo S. Azcuna and Maria Gracia PulidoTan, according to PSE website.

Abraham T. Co is AUB chairRepublic Biscuit is top stockholder man while Ramon Y. Sy is vice chairman. Jacob C. Ng, Manuel Of 106 Filipinos who held A. Gomez, George T Chua and 392,572,967 AUB common Lily K. Gruba complete the 8-pershares, or 80.89 percent of out- son board. standing, Republic Biscuit Corp.

This is not to take away from (RBC) owned 150,399,535 AUB AUB the right to appoint incommon shares, or 32.64 per- dependent directors or IDs as cent, according to the same GIS. they are more popularly known The number of AUB common among listed companies. Rathshares attributed to RBC was er, the public stockholders of equivalent to 40.394 percent any company which has issued of 392,572,967 AUB common common shares to them have shares which were owned — the right to demand at least a and are still owned — by 106 board seat.

Filipinos.

Why deny them the right to In a public ownership report nominate at least one among (POR) as of Dec. 31, 2018, RBC themselves when they are the was only one of three principal ones responsible for making pristockholders. The two others are vately owned businesses public?

LAMBDA Holdings Corp. and The public have every right to Kuo Yu Philippines Holdings be represented at the board of any Corp., which are direct holders of listed company. They are not only 71,999,850 AUB common shares, responsible in making familyor 32.64 percent, and 90 million owned-and-controlled stock corAUB common shares, or 18.54 porations listed; they are mainly percent, respectively. The bank’s responsible in making them save AFkLIATE ACCORDING TO THE 0/2 money that could and should have did not own, either directly or been collected from them by the indirectly, AUB common shares.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The bank, on the other hand, Would it be asking listed but credited the public with owner- never public companies too ship of 164,544,643 AUB com- much if their owners will grant mon shares, or 33.91 percent of the public the right to elect at 485,310,538 outstanding AUB last one director nominee among common shares. themselves? Just asking.

The same GIS also listed P4.2 million as the “total annual com- Email: esdperez@gmail.com

Foreign Business

Foreign firms fret as China fast-tracks investment law

B

EIJING: China is fast-tracking a foreign investment law at an unprecedented pace TO MEET 7ASHINGTON S DEMANDS ON TRADE

but businesses fear that time to review and raise objections on a crucial piece of legislation has been cut short.

The law will eliminate the requirement for foreign enterprises to transfer proprietary technology to Chinese joint-venture partners.

It also includes other steps to LEVEL THE BUSINESS PLAYING kELD that Western trading partners have long demanded.

China’s parliament is expected to vote on the legislation in March — barely two months after debatING A kRST DRAFT “It is indeed unprecedented that the bill is being moved by the NPC (National People’s Congress) at such a fast pace,� Wang Jiangyu, an expert on Chinese law at the National University of Singapore, told AFP. “Normally it would take one to three years for a bill to be passed and signed into law.�

Foreign businesses worry the draft glosses over details and that vague language leaves room for broad interpretation.

For example, it gives China the right to expropriate foreign investment “for the public interest�, which foreign business groups fear could be abused. ! DRAFT LAW WAS kRST PUBLISHED

for comment in 2015 but was quickly shelved until it resurfaced late last year, Wang said.

It was only submitted to China’s RUBBER STAMP LEGISLATURE FOR A kRST reading on December 23, and made available for public comment until February 24.

The top decision-making body of the legislature convened a special two-day session this past Tuesday to debate another “updated version,� state news agency Xinhua reported.

The law will probably be approved during the parliament’s roughly 10-day annual session which opens March 5, Wang said.

The clock is ticking on a March 1 US-set deadline for China to address tradeconcerns and avert an escalation in their tariff war. “What we feel with this piece of legislation is that it’s been squeezed between the normal legal process and the negotiation table (to defuse) THE TRADE CONlICT u THE PRESIDENT OF THE EU Chamber of Commerce in China, Mats Harborn, told AFP. “In our view this is a little unfortunate because this is an important piece of legislation that will have an

Q This file photo taken on January 7, 2019 shows a construction site of a Tesla factory during a ground-breaking ceremony for the factory in Shanghai. AFP PHOTO effect... on all foreign companies.�

Both the EU and American chambers of commerce in China said they rushed to submit feedback from members this week.

Although the legislation covers several pain points highlighted

by US President Donald Trump including safeguarding foreign capital from government “interference�, it falls short in other key areas, the business lobbies said. “The current draft law is highlevel and general� and requires more detailed guidelines and implementing measures, the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing wrote in its feedback report, a summary of which was seen by AFP. The December version debated by

lawmakers is considerably shorter — by over 130 fewer articles — than the previous 2015 draft.

A section describing how the government will scrutinise foreign investments for potential national security concerns is limited to two sentences in the December version — simply stating that China would establish a review process and that decisions would be made according to law.

The earlier version had a beefy kVE PAGE CHAPTER DETAILING HOW companies could appeal security rulings, plus examples of factors that could trigger a security review, said Jacob Parker, vice president of China operations at the US-China Business Council.

AFP

Australia banks set for major shake-up SYDNEY: A major shake-up of Australia’s massively profitable banking sector is on the cards as a landmark inquiry into abuses in the financial services industry releases its final report Monday.

Sweeping legislative and regulatory changes, a crackdown on the bulging pay packets of bankers and even criminal charges against senior executives could be among the recommendations issued by the royal commission.

Major lenders including the country’s “big four� banks — among the developed world’s most wealthy — have been under scrutiny in recent years, amid allegations of dodgy financial advice, life insurance and mortgage fraud.

Some unscrupulous brokers were found charging customers long after they were dead.

The wide-ranging inquiry was established in late 2017 to quell public anger over their misbehaviour, and a preliminary report released in September slammed the banks’ culture of greed. “I think there will be some substantive changes... around strengthening the regulators and increasing the punishments (for misbehaviour),� RMIT University’s Warren Staples told AFP. Australia’s conservative government has been cautious in committing to implement the report’s recommendations in advance, while the left-leaning opposition Labor Party said it would adopt the suggestions in full.

But with a federal election due by midMay, the potentially explosive findings and recommendations are broadly expected to be embraced by legislators eager to cash in on the public’s anti-bank sentiments.

In the firing line will be the regulators, viewed as being too soft on

corporations, and standards in the home lending, financial planning, insurance and pension sectors.

The commission’s hearings exposed poor behaviour by financial houses and executives with rules repeatedly breached, personal gains prioritised over clients’ interests and loans given to customers who could not repay them.

These sectors are expected to be reined in through tighter standards such as increased penalties for misconduct and greater oversight of behaviour.

The recommendations could go as far as banning certain types of sales practices and removing underperforming pension funds.

Regulators the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) are tipped to be given more powers to chase wrongdoers, while also being subjected to performance reviews.

Shares in the major banks have weakened in recent days ahead of the report’s release, but Bell Potter banking analyst TS Lim said investors had priced in any potential bad news. “I think it’s probably going to be a limited response... my belief is that they will increase the fines or penalties for companies that engage in misconduct,� Lim told AFP. “I think there shouldn’t be too many new laws coming in.�

With the royal commission coming a decade after the global financial crisis, where rampant misbehaviour by senior banking executives went unchecked and mostly unpunished, Staples said the inquiry needed to go further and clamp down on a key root cause — performance-based pay.

AFP

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

process, they shall bind themselves to be jointly and severally liable for the obligations of the Developer under the contract with PRA.

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES for the COMPETITIVE CHALLENGE FOR UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS TO RECLAIM

c.3) However, if members of the consortium organized themselves as a corporate entity registered under Philippine laws, such corporate entity shall execute an undertaking binding itself to be jointly and severally liable for the obligations of the developer under the contract with PRA. 3.2 Financial Capability

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree (PD) No. 3-A dated January 11, 1973 provides that the reclamation of areas under water, whether foreshore or inland, shall be limited to the National Government or any person authorized by it under proper contract;

D $XGLWHG ¿QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV IRU WKH SDVW WKUHH FDOHQGDU \HDUV immediately preceding the year on which the Competitive Challenge process is to be conducted. If the prospective Challenger/s is Filipino, the DXGLWHG ¿QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV WR EH VXEPLWWHG PXVW EH VWDPSHG ³UHFHLYHG´ by the SEC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) or its duly accredited and authorized institution.

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1084 dated February 4, 1977, as amended, created the Public Estates Authority (PEA) presently known as the PHILIPPINE RECLAMATION AUTHORITY (PRA) pursuant to Executive Order No. 380 (2004) and hereinafter referred to as PRA, as the government agency tasked among others, to undertake reclamation of land including foreshore and submerged areas and to acquire, develop and dispose reclaimed lands;

F 3URRI RI IXQGV WKURXJK EDQN FHUWL¿FDWLRQ V VKRZLQJ VXI¿FLHQF\ RI EDQN deposit equivalent to the project equity required in the capital structure XWLOL]HG IRU WKH SURMHFW ¿QDQFLQJ d) Proof of Funds either through a bank guarantee or bank comfort letter issued by a universal bank accredited by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas %63 RU ¿QDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQV RI JRRG VWDQGLQJ DV UDWHG E\ 0RRG\¶V 6 3 RU )LWFK WR SURYLGH GHEW ¿QDQFLQJ IRU WKH SURMHFW LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 525 (EO 525) designated the PEA as the agency primarily responsible for integrating, directing, and coordinating all reclamation projects on behalf of the National Government and that all reclamation projects shall be approved by the President upon recommendation of the PRA; WHEREAS, the President of the Philippines on November 13, 2013 has delegated to the NEDA Board the approval of all reclamation projects pursuant to Executive Order No. 146, s. of 2013 (EO 146) and subject to the condition that all reclamation projects shall undergo competitive public bidding consistent with the government’s thrust to promote transparency and Competitiveness; WHEREAS, under Section 2 (b) of EO 525, the PRA was likewise mandated WR LVVXH VXFK UXOHV DQG UHJXODWLRQV LQFOXGLQJ WKH LGHQWL¿FDWLRQ RI VXFK UHTXLUHPHQWV as may be necessary for the evaluation and sound administration of all reclamation projects; WHEREAS, under NEDA-PRA Joint Order (JO) No. 01-2015 dated January 12, 2015 a Competitive Challenge process shall be undertaken after the approval of the NEDA Board of reclamation projects which originated as unsolicited proposal to PRA, LGUs and National Government Agencies (NGAs) and GOCCs with authority to reclaim in compliance with the Competitive bidding requirement of EO 146;

7HFKQLFDO 5HTXLUHPHQWV

B5

7.3 2XWELGGLQJ 3URFHVV a) After determination of the highest comparative proposal by the PRBC, it shall recommend to the PRA Board through the PRA General Manager and &(2 WKDW WKH 2ULJLQDO 3URSRQHQW EH JLYHQ WKH ULJKW WR RXWELG WKH ¿QDQFLDO proposal of the highest comparative proposal. b) Failure of the Original Proponent to outbid the comparative proposal submitted by the Challenger would cause the PRA to award the right to be the developer of an LGU/NGA or GOCC proponent to the Challenger, subject to reimbursement of the costs incurred by the Original Proponent pertaining to all studies and/or documents about the project. Such costs by the Original Proponent shall be as validated by the Reclamation and 5HJXODWLRQ 2I¿FH 552 RI 35$ DQG DSSURYHG E\ WKH 35$ %RDUG RI Directors in its acceptance of the project. c) In case, the Original Proponent is able to outbid the offer of the Challenger (i.e. highest comparative proposal), the Original Proponent shall be awarded the right to be the Developer of the reclamation project.

b) Tax Returns for the last three (3) years.

WHEREAS, under Section 5 (p) of PD 1084, PRA was empowered to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out its purposes;

MONDAY February 4, 2019

7KH $SSOLFDQW &KDOOHQJHU V VKDOO VXEPLW D FHUWL¿HG VWDWHPHQW RI DOO RI LWV RQJRLQJ and completed government and private infrastructure projects including contracts awarded but not yet started.

,Q FDVH RI &RQVRUWLXP &RQVRUWLD compliance by any of the member-entity/ LHV RI WKH $SSOLFDQW &KDOOHQJHU V RI WKH DERYH ¿QDQFLDO DQG WHFKQLFDO HOLJLELOLW\ requirements shall mean compliance by the Consortium/Consortia, as the case maybe. $FFHSWDQFH RI &ULWHULD DQG :DLYHU RI 5LJKWV WR (QMRLQ &RPSHWLWLYH Challenge Activity.

In addition to the above, all Applicant Challenger/s shall be required to submit, DV SDUW RI WKHLU TXDOL¿FDWLRQ GRFXPHQWV D VWDWHPHQW VWLSXODWLQJ WKDW WKH $SSOLFDQW Challenger/s:

7.4 :LWKGUDZDO DQG RU PRGL¿FDWLRQ RI FRPSDUDWLYH SURSRVDOV D :LWKGUDZDO DQG RU PRGL¿FDWLRQ RI FRPSDUDWLYH SURSRVDO PD\ EH DOORZHG upon written notice by the eligible challenger concerned to the PRA prior to the time and date set for the opening of the envelope containing the ¿QDQFLDO SURSRVDO DV VSHFL¿HG LQ WKH ³,QVWUXFWLRQ WR &KDOOHQJHUV´ E 0RGL¿FDWLRQV DQG RU ZLWKGUDZDOV RI FRPSDUDWLYH SURSRVDO VKDOO EH DOORZHG

by PRA no later than three (3) calendar days prior to the date of opening RI WKH HQYHORSHV 1R FRPSDUDWLYH SURSRVDO VKDOO WKHUHDIWHU EH PRGL¿HG RU ZLWKGUDZQ 3URSRVDO PRGL¿FDWLRQV UHFHLYHG DIWHU VDLG SHULRG VKDOO EH considered late and shall consequently be rejected. c)

Withdrawal of comparative proposal after the opening date shall cause the forfeiture of the eligible challenger’s proposal security.

d)

Right to Reject All Proposals. The PRA reserves the right to reject any or all comparative proposals, waive any minor defects therein and accept the offer it deems most advantageous to the government.

6HFWLRQ 2ULJLQDO 3URSRQHQW¶V 5LJKWV 7KH ULJKW WR RXW ELG WKH (OLJLEOH &KDOOHQJHU ZLWK WKH KLJKHVW ¿QDQFLDO RIIHU GXULQJ the opening and evaluation of proposal envelopes under Section 7 hereof; 8.2 Award of the right to be the Developer of the reclamation project;

WHEREAS, the PRA, through the Chairman of the Board, sought the opinion of the Department of Justice regarding the legality and propriety of conducting a or another competitive process under EO 146. To date, no opinion or reply has been received by PRA;

D +DV DFFHSWHG WKH TXDOL¿FDWLRQ FULWHULD HVWDEOLVKHG E\ WKH 35$ b) Waives any right it may have to seek and obtain a writ of injunction or prohibition or restraining order against the concerned Government Entity to SUHYHQW RU UHVWUDLQ WKH TXDOL¿FDWLRQ SURFHHGLQJV UHODWHG WKHUHWR WKH DZDUG of the right to be the developer of an LGU/NGA or GOCC proponent, and the carrying out of such awarded right.

Section 1. Scope and Application This Guidelines and Procedures shall outline the requirements, mechanics, processes and procedures for the Competitive Challenge of unsolicited proposals to reclaim, pursuant to EO 146 and its IRR under NEDA-PRA JO No. 01-2015, accepted by the PRA Board of Directors and recommended by the PRA to, and approved by the NEDA Board. The results of the Competitive Challenge shall serve as the basis of PRA to award reclamation contracts to the proponent save in cases where said competitive challenge process may have been dispensed with by PRA pursuant to the said IRR.

F 6XFK ZDLYHU VKDOO KRZHYHU EH ZLWKRXW SUHMXGLFH WR WKH ULJKW RI D GLVTXDOL¿HG RU ORVLQJ FKDOOHQJHU WR TXHVWLRQ WKH ODZIXOQHVV RI LWV GLVTXDOL¿FDWLRQ RU WKH rejection of its proposal by appropriate administrative or judicial processes not involving the issuance of a writ of injunction or prohibition or restraining order.

8.3 In case the Original Proponent is unable to outbid the comparative proposal of an eligible challenger, the Original Proponent shall be reimbursed of the cost it incurred in the preparation of its unsolicited proposal such as the cost for the preparation of Detailed Feasibility Study, Environmental Impact Study and the Engineering, Geological and Geo-hazard Assessment Report (EGGAR) and the cost of securing the Area Clearance and the Environmental Clearance &HUWL¿FDWH (&& DPRQJ RWKHUV ZKLFK FRVW VKDOO EH YDOLGDWHG E\ WKH 552 DQG approved by the PRA Board of Directors during acceptance of the project and prior to submission to the NEDA Board.

6HFWLRQ $ZDUG RI 5LJKW WR EH WKH 'HYHORSHU RI WKH 5HFODPDWLRQ 3URMHFW 9.1 The Original Proponent is entitled to the award of the right to be the Developer of the reclamation project in the following cases:

Section 4. Eligibility Check 6HFWLRQ 'H¿QLWLRQ RI 7HUPV 2.1 APPLICANT CHALLENGER/S - refers to interested party/ies who applied for HOLJLELOLW\ DQG VXEPLWWHG HOLJLELOLW\ UHTXLUHPHQWV DV SURRI RI RYHUDOO TXDOL¿FDWLRQ DQG FDSDELOLW\ WR ¿QDQFH DQG XQGHUWDNH D SDUWLFXODU UHFODPDWLRQ SURMHFW DQG other related undertakings.

2.2 CHALLENGER - refers to Applicant Challenger found eligible whose proposal, DIWHU 35$ HYDOXDWLRQ LV IRXQG WR EH WKH KLJKHVW ¿QDQFLDO RIIHU WR WKH JRYHUQPHQW in comparison with the unsolicited proposal of private sector to either PRA, LGUs, NGAs or GOCCs conferred Original Unsolicited Proponent status in a reclamation project proposal approved by the NEDA Board.

2.3 COMPARATIVE PROPOSAL – refers to the proposal submitted to PRA by a Challenger under the Competitive Challenge process.

2.4 COMPETITIVE CHALLENGE – a selection process wherein the public shall be invited to submit comparative proposals to an unsolicited proposal to reclaim submitted to, accepted and recommended by the PRA Board of Directors to the NEDA Board for approval. Upon approval thereof by the NEDA Board, the Competitive Challenge process shall be conducted by PRA whereby the Original Unsolicited Proponent is accorded the right to outbid the Challenger.

2.5 DEVELOPER ± UHIHUV WR D TXDOL¿HG )LOLSLQR LQGLYLGXDO RU FRUSRUDWH HQWLW\ RSHUDWLQJ XQGHU 3KLOLSSLQH /DZV ZKLFK KDV VDWLV¿HG DOO SUH TXDOL¿FDWLRQ DQG eligibility requirements and awarded the right, after a competitive challenge process, to undertake the reclamation project in partnership with either PRA, an LGU, NGA or GOCC with authority to reclaim, as proponent in accordance with these guidelines and procedures.

2.6 ESTIMATED TOTAL RECLAMATION COST – refers to all costs pertaining to the reclamation works and all other relevant costs to be incurred to complete the rawland reclamation.

2.7 NOTICE TO PROCEED (NTP) – refers to the order issued by PRA to the Proponent and its partner Developer to commence with the actual reclamation works.

2.8 ORIGINAL PROPONENT± UHIHUV WR D TXDOL¿HG )LOLSLQR LQGLYLGXDO SDUWQHUVKLS corporation, joint venture (JV) or consortium/ia who submitted an unsolicited proposal either directly to PRA or to an LGU or NGA or GOCC with authority to reclaim to be its partner in a reclamation project proposal.

2.9 ORIGINAL PROPONENT STATUS – refers to the status given to an Original Proponent (individual, partnership, corporation, JV or Consortium) whose unsolicited proposal to PRA or to partner with an LGU, NGA or GOCC with authority to reclaim is accepted by the PRA Board of Directors.

4.1 7KH 35$ VKDOO ZLWKLQ D SHULRG RI ¿IWHHQ FDOHQGDU GD\V DIWHU WKH GHDGOLQH VHW for the submission of the eligibility documents, complete the evaluation of the eligibility documents of the Applicant Challenger/s, and determine which among WKH $SSOLFDQW &KDOOHQJHU V DUH ³HOLJLEOH´ DQG ³LQHOLJLEOH´ $FFRUGLQJO\ WKH 35$ shall duly inform the Applicant Challenger/s within seven (7) calendar days after DSSURYDO WKHUHRI E\ WKH 35$ ,QHOLJLEOH $SSOLFDQW &KDOOHQJHU V VKDOO EH QRWL¿HG of such ineligibility, stating therein the grounds for ineligibility within the same period.

D 1R DSSOLFDWLRQ V ¿OHG IRU WKH HOLJLELOLW\ FKHFN

7KRVH $SSOLFDQW &KDOOHQJHU IRXQG LQHOLJLEOH PD\ ¿OH IRU D 0RWLRQ RI Reconsideration (MR) with the PRBC within a period of seven (7) calendar days from receipt of the notice of ineligibility. For its part, PRBC shall, within seven (7) working days upon receipt of the MR, resolve the Motion for Reconsideration ¿OHG E\ WKH LQHOLJLEOH $SSOLFDQW &KDOOHQJHU ,I WKH PRWLRQ LV GHQLHG E\ WKH 35%& WKH LQHOLJLEOH $SSOLFDQW &KDOOHQJHU PD\ ¿OH DQ DSSHDO ZLWK WKH 35$ ZLWKLQ VHYHQ (7) working days from date of receipt of the notice from PRBC denying the MR of the ineligible Applicant Challenger.

H 7KHUH LV KLJKHVW RIIHU DERYH WKH 1('$ %RDUG DSSURYHG ¿QDQFLDO RIIHU RI DQ Original Proponent by a Challenger but the Original Proponent outbidded the Challenger.

4.3 The selection process shall be suspended for a maximum period of thirty (30) calendar days while the appeal is being evaluated.

4.4 The PRA shall act on the appeal within the thirty (30) calendar day period of suspension of the selection process. The decision of the PRA, on the appeal VKDOO EH ¿QDO DQG LPPHGLDWHO\ H[HFXWRU\ ,I WKH DSSHDO LV QRW UHVROYHG ZLWKLQ VDLG period, the appeal is deemed denied, and the selection process will proceed.

4.5 In the case where no one submitted eligibility requirements and/or no one of the $SSOLFDQW &KDOOHQJHU V TXDOLI\ DV ³HOLJLEOH´ 35$ VKDOO WKHQ GLUHFWO\ DZDUG WKH reclamation project to the Original Proponent.

6HFWLRQ ,VVXDQFH RI 7HQGHU 'RFXPHQWV 7KH 35$ VKDOO PDNH DYDLODEOH RQ WKH GDWHV WR EH VSHFL¿HG LQ LWV QRWLFH WR Eligible Challenger/s, all Competitive Challenge documents (tender documents) to Eligible Challenger/s to provide such Eligible Challenger/s ample time to examine the same and to prepare their respective Comparative Proposal prior to the date of its opening. The time period from the last day of issuance of Competitive Challenge documents or tender documents to the date of opening of the competing/challenge proposals shall not exceed sixty calendar days for Reclamation Projects costing more than Php 500 Million, thirty (30) calendar days for Reclamation Projects costing less than Php 500 Million.

5.2 The Competitive Challenge documents or tender documents shall be acquired

by Eligible Challenger/s from the PRA upon payment of non-refundable fee based on the following schedule:

2.10 OUTBIDDING PROCESS – refers to the option given to the Original Proponent WR WRS WKH FRPSDUDWLYH ¿QDQFLDO SURSRVDO RI D &KDOOHQJHU DQG RXWELG WKH ODWWHU LQ terms of land share and/or revenue share, whichever is applicable.

2.11 PRA RECLAMATION BIDDING COMMITTEE (PRBC) – a body duly constituted by the PRA Board of Directors and mandated to undertake the competitive challenge process of unsolicited proposals for reclamation projects that have been approved by the NEDA Board.

2.12 PROPOSAL SECURITY – refers to the security callable on demand issued by insurance companies duly accredited by the Insurance Commission and posted LQ IDYRU RI 35$ E\ SUH TXDOL¿HG FKDOOHQJHU V DV JXDUDQWHH WKDW LI DZDUGHG WKH right to be the developer of the reclamation project after a competitive challenge process,it shall, within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of Notice of Award (NOA), enter into a reclamation contract with PRA together with their partner LGU/NGA or GOCC proponent as the case may be.

2.13 RECLAMATION – refers to the deliberate process of converting foreshore, submerged areas or bodies of water into land.

Individual Filipino Citizens - Proof of Philippine citizenship as follows:

D &HUWL¿FDWH RI 1DWXUDOL]DWLRQ

Consortium / Consortia c.1) In case the Applicant Challenger is a consortium, the members or SDUWLFLSDQWV WKHUHRI VKDOO EH GLVFORVHG GXULQJ WKH SUH TXDOL¿FDWLRQ stage. c.2) Further, the members or participants of the Consortium shall execute a duly notarized undertaking that if awarded the right to be the developer of an LGU/NGA/GOCC proponent after a competitive challenge

Less than Php 5.0 Billion

2.0% of the ETRC

Php 5.0 Billion to less than Php 10.0 Billion

1.5% of the ETRC or Php 100 Million, whichever is higher

Php 10.0 Billion and more

1.0% of the cost of the ETRC or Php 150 Million, whichever is higher

c) In case the Developer fails to post the required Performance Security within thirty (30) days from receipt of NOA, the Developer’s proposal security shall be forfeited in favor of PRA and the award of the right to be the developer of the LGU/NGA or GOCC proponent to said Developer shall be deemed cancelled.

D 2ULJLQDO RU GXO\ DXWKHQWLFDWHG FRS\ RI %LUWK FHUWL¿FDWH LVVXHG E\ WKH Local Civil Registrar of NSO;

c)

5HTXLUHG 3URSRVDO 6HFXULW\

b) The Proposal Security of the Developer shall be returned only after it has posted the required Performance Security. The Proposal Security of nonwinning Eligible Challenger/s shall be returned upon issuance of Notice of Award (NOA) to the Developer and posting of the Performance Security by the Developer through its partner LGU/NGA or GOCC proponent in favor of PRA;

/HJDO 'RFXPHQWV

E &HUWL¿FDWLRQ RI &RUSRUDWH 6HFUHWDU\ RQ WKH FXUUHQW PHPEHUVKLS RI the Board of Directors and Authority of the person who signed on the proposal document (if Applicant Challenger is a corporation).

Php 100,00.00

a) The Proposal Security shall be valid up to one hundred eighty (180) calendar days following the opening of bid proposals. It shall be renewed as maybe required by PRA until replaced by a Performance Security;

(OLJLELOLW\ RI $SSOLFDQW &KDOOHQJHUV LV LQWHQGHG WR GHWHUPLQH WKHLU RYHUDOO TXDOL¿FDWLRQ DQG FDSDELOLW\ WR ¿QDQFH DQG XQGHUWDNH D SDUWLFXODU UHFODPDWLRQ SURMHFW DQG RWKHU related undertakings. For this purpose, Applicant Challengers shall be required to submit the following documents:

b.2) Proof that the corporation is 60% owned by Filipino citizens;

Php 10.0 Billion and more

(VWLPDWHG 7RWDO 5HFODPDWLRQ &RVW (75&

6HFWLRQ (OLJLELOLW\ 5HTXLUHPHQWV IRU $SSOLFDQW &KDOOHQJHUV

E &HUWL¿HG 7UXH &RS\ RI '7, EXVLQHVV UHJLVWUDWLRQ RU 6(& UHJLVWUDWLRQ FHUWL¿FDWH ZKLFKHYHU PD\ EH DSSURSULDWH XQGHU H[LVWLQJ 3KLOLSSLQH laws, if applicable;

Php 75,000.00

The Proposal Security shall be in any of the following forms equivalent to a certain percentage of the Estimated Total Reclamation Cost (ETRC), as follows:

2.17 UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL – refers to a reclamation project proposal submitted by a private sector entity either directly to PRA or through a joint venture/consortium structure with an LGU, NGA or GOCC with authority to reclaim as proponent and accepted by the PRA Board of Directors.

Partnership/Corporation/Association

Php 50,000.00

Php 5.0 Billion to less than Php 10.0 Billion

6.1 Submission of Comparative Financial Proposals to PRA by Eligible Challengers VKDOO EH RQ WKH GDWH VSHFL¿HG E\ 35$ LQ LWV QRWLFH WR (OLJLEOH &KDOOHQJHU V Financial Proposals shall be submitted in a sealed envelope containing the ¿QDQFLDO SURSRVDO DQG WKH SURSRVDO VHFXULW\ DV GH¿QHG KHUHLQ

2.16 SHARING SCHEME – refers to the agreed sharing formula which shall in no case be lower than the minimum set forth by PRA for the project.

b)

Less than Php 5.0 Billion

6HFWLRQ 6XEPLVVLRQ 5HFHLSW DQG 'LVSRVLWLRQ RI 3URSRVDOV

2.15 RECLAMATION PROJECT – refers to a project involving the reclamation and land development.

a.3) Any other legally acceptable document to prove Filipino citizenship.

0D[LPXP &RVW RI %LGGLQJ 'RFXPHQWV 3KS

5.3 The parameters for the Competitive Challenge activity should be transparent and fair. It should not, in any way, be tailor-made to favor or give advantage to a particular private sector participant.

2.14 RECLAMATION AREA – refers to the site to be reclaimed.

a)

(VWLPDWHG 7RWDO 5HFODPDWLRQ &RVW 3KS

6.2 5HMHFWLRQ RI 3URSRVDO Non-compliance to the information required on the Proposal Envelope shall be a ground for rejection of proposals.

6.3 6XEPLVVLRQ RI ODWH 3URSRVDOV Proposals submitted after the deadline for submission shall be considered late, hence, will not be accepted and shall be returned unopened. ,Q WKH FDVH ZKHUH WKHUH LV QR ¿QDQFLDO SURSRVDO VXEPLWWHG E\ HOLJLEOH challenger/s, the reclamation project shall be awarded to the Original Proponent and the Original Proponent shall be declared as the Developer of the reclamation project.

6HFWLRQ 2SHQLQJ DQG (YDOXDWLRQ RI 3URSRVDOV 7.1 2SHQLQJ RI WKH (QYHORSH IRU WKH )LQDQFLDO 3URSRVDOV Only the Proposal Envelopes of eligible challenger/s who have posted the required Proposal Security under Section 6.1 hereof, shall be opened for further evaluation.

b) No eligible applicant challenger for competitive challenge; F 1R ¿QDQFLDO SURSRVDO VXEPLWWHG GXULQJ WKH VXEPLVVLRQ RI SURSRVDOV G 1R ¿QDQFLDO SURSRVDO LV IRXQG KLJKHU WKDQ WKH 1('$ %RDUG DSSURYHG bidding parameter;

9.2 5HFRPPHQGDWLRQ WR $ZDUG Within seven (7) working days from the date of opening of Financial Proposal, the RRO shall submit its recommendation to the PRA Board to award the right to be a Developer of the reclamation project. The RRO shall include as part of its recommendation, a detailed report on the results of the competitive challenge process.

9.3 Notice of Award (NOA) Not later than seven (7) calendar days from approval by the PRA Board of the recommendation of RRO to award, PRA shall issue the Notice of Award (NOA) containing certain terms and conditions for compliance within a period of time. Thereafter, PRA shall sign an agreement with the winning developer together with the LGU and the winning proponent as the case may be for the implementation of the reclamation project.

PRA shall forfeit the Proposal Security in the event that the Developer and its partner LGU/NGA or GOCC fails to sign the reclamation contract with PRA ZLWKLQ WKH ¿IWHHQ FDOHQGDU GD\ SHULRG IURP GDWH RI UHFHLSW RI 12$ 9.4 9DOLGLW\ RI 3URSRVDO DQG 5HWXUQ RI 3URSRVDO 6HFXULW\ The execution of the Agreement (Reclamation Contract) shall be made within the period of the validity of the proposal security. The proposal security shall be valid for a reasonable period, but in no case beyond one hundred eighty calendar days following the opening of the proposal envelope. The proposal securities shall be returned to the unsuccessful challengers upon signing of the Agreement by the Original Proponent or the winning Challenger, as the case may be.

6HFWLRQ 3HUIRUPDQFH 6HFXULW\ The Developer shall post the required Performance Security on the day of the execution of the contract. The Performance Security shall be denominated in Philippine Pesos and posted in favor PRA in an amount equal to the percentage of the Estimated Total Reclamation Cost (ETRC) in accordance with the following schedule:

)RUP RI 3HUIRUPDQFH 6HFXULW\

$PRXQW RI 3HUIRUPDQFH 6HFXULW\ (Equal to Percentage of Estimated Total Reclamation Cost (ETRC))

(a) Cash, cashier’s/manager’s check, irrevocable letter of credit, or bank draft issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank.

Two percent (2%)

Bank guarantee by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, KRZHYHU WKDW LW VKDOO EH FRQ¿UPHG or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank.

Five percent (5%)

(b) Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance FRPSDQ\ GXO\ FHUWL¿HG E\ WKH Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security.

Ten percent (10%)

Section 11. The signed reclamation contract between PRA, the LGU/NGA or *2&& SURSRQHQW DQG WKH 'HYHORSHU DV UHYLHZHG E\ WKH 2I¿FH RI WKH *RYHUQPHQW Corporate Counsel (OGCC) shall be submitted to the PRA Board of Directors upon WKH UHFRPPHQGDWLRQ RI WKH 552 IRU UDWL¿FDWLRQ DSSURYDO 6HFWLRQ 5HFODPDWLRQ 3HUPLW DQG 1RWLFH 7R 3URFHHG The PRA shall issue the 5HFODPDWLRQ 3HUPLW and/or Notice to Proceed (NTP) within seven (7) days from the date of the execution of the contract.

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The group duly constituted by the PRA Board to process the Competitive Challenge FRQVLVWLQJ RI ¿YH VHQLRU 35$ 2I¿FHUV QRW ORZHU WKDQ $VVLVWDQW *HQHUDO 0DQDJHU level).

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Section 15. The effectivity of this Guidelines and Procedures shall be without prejudice to the opinion of the Secretary of Justice on the legality and need for the conduct of a Swiss Challenge after NEDA Board approval pursuant to EO 146 and its IRR. Section 16. This Guidelines and Procedures shall take effect immediately upon publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and UP Law Center.

Approved on December 11, 2018.

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________________________ ALBERTO C. AGRA Chairman

________________________ JANILO E. RUBIATO General Manager and CEO MT - Feb. 4, 2019

B6

MONDAY February 4, 2019

World

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

China disciplines 80 over vaccine scandal

RETALIATION

Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) attends a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in the Kremlin in Moscow on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). Putin said Russia would abandon the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. AP PHOTO

Russia scraps nuke arms deal with US

M

OSCOW: Following in the footsteps of the US, Russia would abandon a centerpiece nuclear arms treaty, but would only deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles if Washington does so, President Vladimir Putin said Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

President Donald Trump accused Moscow on Friday of violating the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty with “impunity� by deploying banned missiles. Trump said in a statement that the US would “move forward� with developing its own military response options to Russia’s new land-based cruise missiles that could target Western Europe.

Moscow has strongly denied any breaches and accused Washington of making false accusations in order to justify its pullout.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in explaining that Wash-

ington on Saturday formally suspended its treaty obligations, said in a statement that Russia’s “continued noncompliance has jeopardized the United States’ supreme interests.� He said the treaty would terminate in six months unless Moscow returns to “full and VERIkABLE COMPLIANCE u The collapse of the INF Treaty has raised fears of a repeat of a Cold War showdown in the 1980s, when the US and the Soviet Union both deployed intermediate-range missiles on the continent. Such weapons were seen as particularly destabilizing as they only take a

Worldinbrief STRONG STORM HITS CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES: The second in a string of powerful storms battered California on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), shutting key highways after water and mud rushed into lanes from bare hillsides in wildfire burn areas where thousands of residents were under evacuation orders. Flash flood warnings were issued for huge swaths of Southern California and forecasters said the system brought more than 4 inches (10 centimeters) of rain at lower elevations and several feet of snow in the mountains, where whiteout conditions closed roads. A wind gust in Santa Barbara County topped 80 mph (128 kph) as the storm moved south and at one point dropped more than a half-inch (1.27 centimeters) of rain in five minutes. Trees and power lines were down across the region. In Malibu, where the Woolsey fire last year destroyed homes and burned hillsides bare, officials closed Pacific Coast Highway and many other roadways after mud carried trees and rocks into lanes.

AP

NORTHAM DENIES YEARBOOK PHOTO WAS HIS RICHMOND, Virginia: Resisting widespread calls for his resignation, Virginia’s embattled governor on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) pledged to remain in office after disavowing a blatantly racist photograph that appeared under his name in his 1984 medical school yearbook. In a tumultuous 24 hours, Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday apologized for appearing in a photograph that featured what appeared to be a man in blackface and a second person cloaked in Ku Klux Klan garb. In a video posted on Twitter, he said he could not “undo the harm my behavior caused then and today.� But by Saturday, he reversed course and said the racist photo on his yearbook profile page did not feature him after all. The governor said he had not seen the photo before Friday, since he had not purchased the commemorative book or been involved in its preparation more than three decades ago. He called the shot offensive and horrific.

AP

IRAN VOICES SUPPORT FOR MADURO TEHRAN, Iran: Iran’s official IRNA news agency says President Hassan Rouhani has his expressed support for Venezuelan embattled President Nicolas Maduro.

IRNA’s report on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) says Rouhani met with the Venezuelan envoy to Tehran, Carlos Alcala Cordones, and voiced his support for Maduro’s government. “We believe the people of Venezuela though unity and standing by the government will defuse the pressures by Washington,� Rouhani is quoted as saying. Rouhani describes what he termed as U.S. intervention in Venezuela’s internal affairs as “very ugly.� “Americans basically oppose popular revolution and independent nations,� added Rouhani, according to the report. Iran has been a key supporter of Venezuela’s government since 1999 when the late populist President Hugo Chavez came to power in Caracas.

AP

BEIJING OLYMPICS FIRST TO USE GREEN POWER FOR the first time in Olympic history, the venues for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics would be powered by green electricity, Science and Technology Daily have reported. A signing ceremony was held between the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) on Wednesday, confirming the deal. Electrical work for the Beijing Winter Olympics has achieved set targets to this point, and the first batch of Winter Olympics venues in Beijing and Hebei province are now qualified to purchase green electricity. The use of green electricity is a concrete measure to implement the concept of a green Olympics and fulfill the commitment of the bid, said Zhang Jiandong, vice-mayor of Beijing and executive vice-president of the Beijing 2022 organizing committee.

PEOPLE’S DAILY ONLINE

few minutes to reach their targets, leaving no time for decisionmakers and raising the likelihood OF A GLOBAL NUCLEAR CONlICT OVER A false launch warning.

After the US gave notice of its intention to withdraw, Putin said Russia would do the same. He ordered the development of new land-based intermediate-range weapons, but emphasized that Russia would not deploy them in the European part of the country or elsewhere unless the US does so. “We will respond quid pro quo,� Putin said. “Our American partners have announced they were suspending their participation in the treaty, and we will do the same. They have announced they will conduct research and development, and we will act accordingly.�

The US has accused Russia of developing and deploying a cruise missile that violates provisions of

the pact that ban production, testing and deployment of land-based cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,410 miles). Trump’s MOVE ALSO RElECTED HIS ADMINIStration’s view that the pact was an obstacle to efforts needed to counter intermediate-range missiles deployed by China, which isn’t part of the treaty.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies have strongly backed Washington and urged Moscow to save the treaty by returning to compliance.

Russia has rejected the US claims of violation, charging that the missile, which is part of the Iskander-M missile system, has a maximum range of 480 kilomeTERS MILES 2USSIAN OFkCIALS claimed the US assertions about the alleged breach of the pact by Moscow were intended to shift the blame for the pact’s demise to Russia.

AP

BEIJING: China’s corruption watchdog on Saturday said it had disciplined more than 80 officials linked to a vaccine scandal last year that inflamed public fears over the safety of domestically produced drugs.

Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology — a major Chinese manufacturer of rabies vaccines — was slapped with a $1.3-billion fine in October after it was found to have fabricated records.

Four officials from the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), including former deputy director Wu Zhen, have been handed over to prosecutors, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a statement Saturday.

State-run news agency Xinhua detailed the allegations against Wu, including nepotism and taking bribes. He has also been expelled from the Communist Party, it said. “Being ‘ruthless to the people’, Wu allegedly abused his power in drug regulation, severely jeopardising the state’s supervision over drugs,�

Xinhua said, citing the graft watchdog.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection also said it would “seriously deal with� more than 80 other provincial or local officials from multiple government organisa-

tions, without offering details.

These officials have already been fired or demoted, it said.

Authorities earlier said the faulty rabies vaccines did not enter the market. But the case provoked outrage from customers fed up with recurring product-safety scandals, particularly in the drug sector.

The drug company’s chairman and 14 employees were arrested after the scandal came to light last July, while more than a dozen national, provincial and local officials were sacked.

Police in Qiaoxi district, Shijiazhuang told parents that they were investigating three nurses at the Huitong health service center for allegedly giving children the wrong vaccine on purpose. Two officials were removed, including head of the district’s disease control and prevention center, Gu Wenjun, and the head of the vaccine division Huang Huiran, for the case, the Qiaoxi government announced late Friday. Wei Jingli, head of the Huitong health service center, is also under investigation, said the Qiaoxi government. The Qiaoxi health authority has asked the center there to suspend work. All vaccines in the center has been sealed as evidence.

AFP WITH GLOBAL TIMES

Once-in-a-century floods hit Australia SYDNEY: /NCE IN A CENTURY lOODS HAVE turned streets into rivers and forced thousands to abandon their homes in northeast Australia, with authorities warning of tornadoes and more rain over the next few days.

Australia’s tropical north experiences heavy rains during the monsoon season at this time of the year, but the recent downpour has surged far above normal levels.

Thousands of residents in the city of Townsville in Queensland were without power and cut off by lOODED ROADS More severe weather could whip up tornadoes and destructive winds in the days ahead, Bureau of Meteorology State Manager Bruce Gunn told reporters Sunday.

Up to 20,000 homes are also at risk of being inundated if the rains continue.

Military personnel were delivering tens of thousands of sandbags to affected locals, as Queensland Pre-

mier Annastacia Palaszczuk warned residents to be careful. “It’s basically not just a one in 20-year event, it’s a one in 100-year event,� she told reporters Saturday.

The Bureau of Meteorology said a slow-moving monsoonal trough was sitting above Queensland, with some areas expected to receive more than a year’s worth of rain before conditions ease.

Bureau meteorologist Adam Blazak told AFP the heavy downpours could CONTINUE UNTIL 4HURSDAY WHILE lOODwaters would take some time to recede even when the rains lessen.

The region receives an average of some 2,000 millimetres (6.5 feet) of rain annually, but some towns were already on track to pass that.

The town of Ingham, north of Townsville, received 506 mm of rain in 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday, of which 145 mm fell in just one hour, Blazak said.

AFP

Maduro, Guaido hold separate mass rallies CARACAS: Buoyed by the defection of a top general, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido predicted Saturday (Sunday in Manila) the month of February would be “decisive� in determining the future of the nation as he and socialist leader Nicolas Maduro held competing mass rallies in the capital.

National Assembly head Guaido, 35, had called Saturday’s protest to ramp up the pressure on Maduro to step down, ten days after stunning the world by declaring himself “interim president� of the oil-rich, but crisis-wracked country.

He received a boost before it began when an air force general BECAME THE HIGHEST RANKING OFkCER to abandon Maduro and recognize the Guaido as the country’s true leader.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton responded to that in a tweet calling on “all military members to follow General (Francisco) Yanez’s lead.�

The United States recognized Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president on January 23, while four major European nations — Britain, France, Germany and Spain — have said they would do likewise unless Maduro called presidential elections by midnight on Sunday.

Speaking at a pro-regime demon-

PRO-GOVERNMENT

Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gather to mark the 20th anniversary of the rise to power of the late Hugo Chavez, the leftist firebrand who installed a socialist government, in Caracas on February 2. AFP PHOTO stration marking 20 years since his predecessor Hugo Chavez came to power, Maduro ignored those demands and instead reiterated his call to bring forward legislative elections slated for the end of 2020 to this year. “They (the opposition) want to bring forward elections, let’s have elections,� he said in a reference to the opposition.

-ADURO MAKING HIS kRST PUBLIC

appearance since claiming to have survived an assassination attempt six months ago, accused Guaido of being a US “puppet� in a coup d’etat attempt.

The National Assembly is the ONLY ONE OF 6ENEZUELA S kVE GOVernment branches controlled by the opposition.

Guaido had earlier urged the armed forces to allow into the

country humanitarian aid from abroad. “You, soldier... have the decision in your hands� to allow it in or not, said Guaido.

Under Maduro’s stewardship, oil-dependent Venezuela has lurched into an economic crisis that has left the country with hyPERINlATION AND SHORTAGES OF FOOD and medicine.

AFP

UN calls for support for CAfrican peace deal AFTER 10 days of negotiations, the Central African government and 14 armed groups reached a peace agreement on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), according to a tweet from the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). “Let us mobilize to support the implementation of the peace agreement,� Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN undersecretary-general for Peace Operations, said on Twitter after the peace agreement was concluded in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.

The agreement was made possible under the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (CAR) led by the African Union (AU) and with UN support.

MINUSCA quoted Smail Chergui, the AU commissioner for Peace and Security, as stressing the parties’ exemplary cooperation at the Khartoum talks, and saying on Twitter: “This is a great day for the CAR and for all the people of the Central African Republic� .

The Head of the Central African government’s delegation to the talks, Firmin Ngrebad, said he was determined to work with the Head of State and his government to respond to the concerns “of the brothers who took up arms.�

He also underscored that Central Africans’ support of the agreement would enable “the people of the Central African Republic to embark on the path of reconciliation, concord and development�.

!CCORDING TO THE 5. /FkCE FOR THE #OORDInation of Humanitarian Affairs, in 2019, 2.9 million people, more than half of whom are children, would need humanitarian and protection assistance; more than 63 per cent of a population of 4.6 million.

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis within the country and its implications for the region, MINUSCA began operating in 2014 under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.

With the protection of civilians as its utmost priority, Chapter 7 provides for the use of force meaning, with Security Council authority, peacekeepers may respond to acts of aggression in kind.

UN NEWS

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Taiwan’s IVF technology attracts oversea couples

Q The professional IVF team of Lee Women’s Hospital.

THE artificial reproductive Maria Olivia was born in 2017. technology in Taiwan is worldNow there’re 400 Filipino wide famous for its high preg- couples come to Lee Women’s nancy rate and low price. For Hospital for ivf treatment in example, Taiwan’s leading ivf a year. hospital, Lee Women’s HosAs top 1 IVF hospital in Taipital, with 33 years clinical wan, Lee Women’s Hospital e x p e r i e n c e i n r e p r o d u c t i ve recently successfully applied m e d i c i n e a n d c u t t i n g - e d g e 3.5 generation IVF protocol r e p r o d u c t i ve t e c h n o l o g i e s, in treating infertility. This h a s h e l p e d ove r 20 0 0 0 i v f n e w t e c h n o l o g y c o m b i n e s babies come to this world. It PGS(pre-implantation genetic also wins the Guinness World diagnosis) with time-lapse, Record in 2011 and attracts the which can be used to observe attention of numerous oversea embryos 24 hours a day, 7 days infertile couples. Dagupan a week without removing them City Councilor Maybelyn Fer- from the machine. As a result, nandez is one of them. After it can prevent damage. The three failed IUI and 2 failed clinical statistics shows that IVF in Philippines, she came to 23 out of 29 cases with good Taiwan and sought help from quality of embryos are able to Lee Women’s Hospital. After get pregnant at their first cycle. the ivf treatment of Dr. Maw- The pregnancy success rate is Sheng Lee, her lovely daughter, around 80 percent.

MONDAY February 4, 2019

Public Square

B7

Korean envoy lauds Philippine Red Cross

T

HE EMBASSY of Korea in the Philippines lauded the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)’s non-stop efforts to build capacity in saving lives—noting that the organization has emerged as heroes for vulnerable communities.

During the turnover of a water tanker and an ambulance on Jan. 25, Ambassador Han Dongman said the Republic of Korea (ROK)’s continuous support to PRC mirrors the country’s respect and trust to the organization under the leadership of Chairman Richard Gordon. “We have witnessed the great leadership in the PRC, which leads to helping the vulnerable in times OF DISASTERS AND CONlICTS u $ONG man said. “We will continue to support the wonderful job of PRC, in particular, to help the families

Q Ambassador Han Dong-man (left) turns over a new water tanker toPRC Chairman Richard Gordon.

AFFECTED BY THE SIEGE IN -ARAWI u The partnership of PRC and ROK builds on the historical friendship between Filipinos and Koreans since the

Korean War in the 1950s, where the Philippines deployed the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea to help South Korea defend itself.

Gordon said this “transformational PARTNERSHIPu HAS GONE A LONG WAY IN alleviating the suffering of communities affected by disasters.

Muntinlupa is three-time DoH Jose Rizal awardee

Imee Marcos urges DA to cease over importation of meat SENATORIAL bet and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos has urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to arrest the over-importation of pork and chicken meat, saying this is hurting the local industry, particularly the backyard raisers. “We should suspend importation to give our local and b a c k ya r d r a i s e r s b r e a t h i n g space to recover their losses.

There’s already an oversupply OF PORK AND CHICKEN u -ARCOS said. “This is affecting our backyard raisers which comprise 65 percent of the total

INDUSTRY u Backing the call of Marcos for suspension of importation of meat and vegetables, Rosendo So, chairman of the umbrella group Samahang I n d u s t r i ya n g A g r i k u l t u r a , noted that in 2016, chicken importation stood at 232 million kilos which went up to 244 million kilos in 2017, and to 310 million kilos last year.

Imported pork, on the other hand, totaled 275 million kilos in 2016, 305 million kilos in 2017 and to 387 million kilos in 2018.

Q Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (center) receives a plaque of appreciation from the Department of Health for its outstanding blood donation services during this year’s Dugong Bayani Awarding Ceremony.

FOR its third consecutive year, Muntinlupa City has earned the Jose Rizal Award from the Department of Health (DoH), the highest citation in the agency’s awards, for its outstanding blood donation services during this year’s Dugong Bayani Awarding Ceremony held at Hotel Rem-

brandt, Quezon City on Jan. 25.

Muntinlupa Blood Council and the City Health Office (CHO) recorded more than 3,600 blood units collected in different mobile blood donation events in the city.

The Jose Rizal Award is given to organizations and agencies

with a collection of 2000 blood units and above. Annually, DoH recognizes organizations with significant amount of blood unit collections donated to the Philippine Blood Center.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi vows to continue the local government’s initiative in blood donation ser-

vices as he actively participates in local mobile blood donation schedules and is a Blood Galloner for 2015 to 2016.

The local exec expressed his gratitude to Muntinlupeùo blood donors for their unwavering support to the city’s blood donation programs.

ICTSI Manila employee rewards winners move to brand-new homes

PhilHealth marks 24 years in service with events geared toward UHC AS it celebrates its 24th founding anniversary on Feb. 14, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) looks forward to consequently celebrate the imminent passage of Universal Health Care (UHC) into law.

With the theme, “PhilHealth @ 24: Tungo sa Kalusugan 0ARA SA ,AHAT u THE CELEBRATION are the simultaneous holding of a road show entitled “Phil(EALTH &ORWARDu IN 0AMPANGA

Laguna, Cebu, and General Santos City on Feb. 14, while the PhilHealth Forward features new services and benefits for the members, recent innovations, best practices of PhilHealth offices, and new tie ups with various stakeholders, among others.

“As we move to our 24th year, PhilHealth’s spirit continues to soar high as we prepare ourselves to the coming OF THE 5(# u SAID 2OY &ERRER

PhilHealth acting president and CEO. “Our commitment to the health of the Filipino remains strong which is the VERY ESSENCE OF OUR EXISTENCE u More of its activities include a Health Care Financing Summit, a stage musical contest, a corporate social responsibility initiative with select charitable institutions at different sites in the country, and a special press event dubbed “Kapihan with -EDIAu WILL ALSO BE HELD FOR KEY PhilHealth officers to announce various developments at the state health insurance agency in the run up to the UHC.

Q Some of ICTSI Employee Housing Raffle Program recipients receive the keys to their brand-new homes.

EMPLOYEES of International community within the heart of Since the start of the ICTSI EmContainer Terminal Services, Inc.’s Cavite’s Tanza municipality, each ployee House Raffle Program in )#43) lAGSHIP -ANILA )NTERNA- of the 104-square meter (sqm), 2016–more than 40 houses have been tional Container Terminal (MICT), two-story homes is complete with RAFlED OFF TO QUALIkED RANK AND kLE who won houses as part of the its own perimeter fence and gate, and supervisory employees of the company’s employee rewards pro- finished ceiling, flooring and -ANILA lAGSHIP 0LANS ARE UNDERWAY gram, recently received the keys to bathrooms. The house design also to roll out the program across the their brand-new homes. provides for a garden, a carport Company’s global operations.

Sitting on a sprawling gated and space for future expansion. “More than an opportunity

TO FULkLL THE DREAM OF HAVING A house and lot of their own, the )#43) %MPLOYEE (OUSE 2AFlE IS our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our employees, who, in the many years, were and continue to be instrumental to ICTSI’s success and GROWTH u SAID #HRISTIAN 'ONZALEZ

ICTSI Global Corporate head.

Malungon reforests critical riverbank

QC Councilor refutes ‘false information’ on city health budget QUEZON City Council Majority Floor Leader Franz Pumaren REFUTES gFALSE INFORMATIONu that the Quezon City Council scrapped a huge chunk of the budget for medicines and hazard pay for department employees, saying it was only re-appropriated directly to the Mayor’s Office for distribution. “The budget for medicines was not deleted in the 2019 budget, but was re-appropriated directly to the Mayor’s Office with priority disbursement directly to the Novaliches District Hospital and the 1# 'ENERAL (OSPITAL u SAID Pumaren. “It was the intention of the City Council to

directly provide medicines to the hospitals for efficient DISTRIBUTION u In the regular session on Jan. 28, Pumaren identified Quezon City Health Department Head Verdades Linga as “the one who started sharing THE FALSE INFORMATIONu THAT over P110 million was removed from the city health’s 2019 budget in order to “malign the procedure of the budget delibERATION AND THE #ITY #OUNCIL u Meanwhile, Councilor Marvin Rillo has referred the incident to the Council Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate if the false report was disseminated by the city health head.

Q Bamboo planting in Malungon AS part of its environmental protection program for sustainable development, the municipality of Malungon, Sarangani recently held a vast planting of bamboo seedlings along the watersides of Brgy. Upper Lumabat River to help rehabilitate the critical riverbanks which have BECOME A SOURCE OF lASH lOOD IN

the town’s lowlands in recent years.

Some 5,000 bamboo seedlings were planted at a 4.2-kilometer stretch which was participated by municipal OFkCIALS AND EMPLOYEES LOCAL POLICE

civil society groups, people’s organizations and local townsfolk.

The municipal government also signed a memorandum of agree-

ment (MoA) with the Brgy. Upper Lumabat council for the bamboo growing project, which will also be a potential income-generating project.

The bamboo reforestation is part of the 11th Slang Festival, which showcases the way of life of the Blaan and Tagakaulo indigenous people through dance,

music and sporting events. ! kRST CLASS MUNICIPALITY -ALUNgon is a touristic town known for the ecotourism and cultural sites such as the Lamlifew Cultural Village and School of Living Traditions, the Kalon Barak Skyline Ridge, and a couple of agri and farm tourism sites.

MONDAY M O NDAY FEBRUARY 4,, 2019

Public Square

B8 Public Square appears on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

publicsquare@manilatimes.net

OPPO unveils Find X 5G Prototype W

ITH 5G era fast approaching, mobile giant OPPO successfully produced a prototype ' VERSION OF ITS lAGSHIP SMARTphone, Find X, which was recently unveiled in Guangzhou, China.

At the same time, OPPO also announced its plan of working together with industry partners worldwide to develop a new 5G ecosystem. The Find X 5G Prototype is one of the first of many other 5G products that OPPO will be unveiling to the public this year. g7E ARE CONkDENT /00/ WILL BE ONE OF THE kRST COMPANIES TO launch commercial 5G smartphones in 2019,” said Brian Shen, OPPO Global vice president and president of China Business.

The OPPO Find X 5G prototype garnered a lot of attention from visitors at the 2018

China Mobile Global Partners Conference with its engineering sample Snapdragon 855 and X50 5G modem that offers

outstanding 5G performance.

As a pioneer in the 5G era, OPPO has been working on 5G standards, product research and

Filipino champions take center stage at Eton Centris

development and the exploration of applications since early 2015 and has made a series of leading achievements.

Auspicious delights for the Year of the Earth

Q Two-time World Paradancesports Champions Julius Obero (seated) and Rhea Marquez

PROSPERITY, luck and happiness abound at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria as the two hotels managed by the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) usher in the Year of the Earth 0IG WITH A kTTINGLY INDULGENT ARRAY OF dining delights at Xin Tian Di and festive décor at the hotel lobby.

At the Crowne Plaza lobby, a prosperity tree with red and gold angpao envelopes and Chinese lanterns attract positive energy into the property, while a red and gold bridge invite guests to pass, to signify crossing over to the new Lunar Year’s bountiful beginnings.

On the fourth level is Xin Tian Di, the venue’s premium Oriental

WORLD-renowned dancesport champions showcased Filipino talent in a dance concert ball for the BENEkT OF 0AMPANGA S 3AN ,ORENZO Ruiz Parish Church, held at Centris Elements, in Quezon City, on Feb. 2.

Dubbed “Glam & Fab: A Night of Glamorous Ballroom Dancing and Fabulous Showcase,” the event featured current World Dance Council (WDC) top amateur Latin couple Austin Joson and Nino Dzneladze, current Asia top pro-Latin Couple Ashley Nicole Luna and Aurimas Bartkus, and two-time World

dining destination with a festive display of Koi Fish Nian Gao elegantly encased boxes of red and gold, available for takeaway as gifts to friends and family. Each box contains two Koi Fish Nian Gao and available until February 15.

The restaurant’s Yu Sheng salad, a staple during Chinese New Year celebrations, can also be brought home or shared at gatherings as guests toss to wealth, health, and prosperity. Ordered two days in advance, the Yu Sheng is offered with a choice among mixed seasonal fruits, SALMON kLLET OR SLICED ABALONE AVAILable until February 15. !DORABLE 0INK 0IGGY "UNS kLLED with luscious lotus cream and egg

yolk are also available to share with loved ones in the Year of the Earth Pig until February 15.

&OR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE OFkcial Facebook page at www.facebook. com/XinTianDiRestaurant.

Paradancesports Champions Julius Obero and Rhea Marquez.

Dancesports athletes Elena Lee and Brian Ocana, the Blackpool Pro-am Standard Champions, as well as Pro-am Latin Champions Myrna Tan, Serge Machon, and Salvo Sinardi also performed.

The ballroom dance concert was FOR THE BENEkT OF THE 3AN ,ORENZO Ruiz Parish Church in Mabalacat, Pampanga, where a portion of the proceeds was donated for the completion of the church’s adoration chapel and parish hall.

REX Team gets lauded at Oxford education conference

Celebrate Chinese New Year at F1 Hotel Manila AS we welcome the year of the Earth Pig on the Chinese calendar, F1 Hotel Manila at the heart of BGC celebrates luck and with high hopes for good fortune.

Experience the superb variety of Chinese culinary flavors this Chinese New Year with F All Day Dining’s bountiful lunch buffet on Feb. 5. Creating the menu for the event is F1 Hotel’s very own executive chef, Angelo Timban, with auspicious offer-

ings like Black Pepper Crab, Prawn with Chili Garlic, Lechon Macao & Steam Lapu Lapu in Sweet Soya Sauce.

By concocting a series of refined delicacies to compliment the commemoration of the Chinese New Year, F All Day Dining hopes to bring satisfaction as guests savor each platter and enjoy themselves with a stunning lion dance performance.

For more information, visit www.f1hotelmanila.com.

Q Dexter Ngo (left), GM REX Institute for Student Excellence; Marilyn Balagtas (center), director of the Center for Research & Development at Philippine Normal University and REX Book Store Managing Director Danda Buhain-Garcia.

Q Lion Dance

Start the year with a detox at The Farm at San Benito NOWADAYS, awareness on healthy eating and exercise are on the rise, mostly among the millennial and yuppies. While this is a considerable improvement, there is a crucial stage that many miss out on—detox.

According to The Farm at San Benito’s resident medical doctor 2OMMEL 4INIO REGULAR DETOXIkCAtion is essential in bringing back the body’s naturally healthy state.

Recognizing this, The Farm’s team of medical professionals spent years of careful research and development in perfecting the art of detoxification, incorporating

all the essential components of a proper detox to make sure that your body is at its optimum state.

The Farm offers a variety of detox retreat programs, expected to experience a full immersion to clean living through medically guided meals and fasts primarily on pure vegetable juices and nutrient-dense whole foods, physical MOVEMENT AND kTNESS EXERCISES

and medically-supervised treatments and services to support the elimination of harmful substances trapped in the tissues of the body, while restoring the body’s opti-

mum ability to absorb nutrients for a total health result.

For more information, visit www.thefarmatsanbenito.com.

IBM Services signs $260-M agreement with BPI AMERICAN multinational information technology company IBM has signed a $260-million multi-year services agreement with Philippinebased universal bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, to provide IT infrastructure services to support an agile IT and hybrid cloud, as well as digital development capabilities to accelerate BPI’s digital transformation.

“Banks like BPI are going through a major shift and embracing a complete transformation of their business with advanced services to respond to the needs of today’s connected consumer,” said Martin Jetter, IBM Global Technology Services senior vice president. “We are excited about helping one of the leading banks in South East Asia power its core IT infrastructure and bring new digital experiences with IBM Cloud in a secure and open

Q Sealing the agreement (seated, from left) Cezar Consing, BPI president and CEO; Harriet Green, IBM Asia Pacific chairman and CEO; (standing, from left) Ramon Jocson, BPI Enterprise Services Segment COO; Pilar Bernadette Marquez, BPI IT Services Group head; Aileen Judan-Jiao, IBM Philippines president and country general manager; and Peter Campbell, IBM Global Business Services Strategic Sales general manager. environment to help prepare BPI cloud management services from or its private or public cloud envifor the future of banking.”

IBM that delivers seamless technol- ronments. In doing so, IBM will host Under the agreement, BPI will ogy regardless of whether it resides the bank’s digital solutions of today leverage IT infrastructure and hybrid within BPI’s existing infrastructure and in the coming years.

MARILYN BALAGTAS, current director of the Center for Research and Development in Education at the Philippine Normal University (PNU), WAS LAUDED FOR HER RESEARCH RElECTING the Philippine education sector’s ongoing forays into developing 21stcentury learning methods and tools for today’s young learners.

As a research consultant for the REX Institute for Student Excellence (RISE), the assessment arm of REX, Balagtas has worked to help REX Book Store Inc. gain insight on the latest trends and developments in learning technologies, as well as new approaches to teaching based on

education research.

Her paper, entitled ¨Development and Use of the 21st Century Standards-based Assessment for the K to 12 Curriculum: Towards Building a Database for Knowledge Creation,” was co-authored with two RISE ofkCIALS $ANDA #RIMELDA 'ARCIA AND Dexter Ngo. The recognition of Balagtas pioneering research work on the education sector at both the local and international levels has helped REX REkNE ITS DEVELOPMENT OF LEARNING solutions for the Filipino learner.

For more information, visit https:// www.assessment.rexbookstore.ph.

BDO Foundation collaborates with OWWA, BSP for OFW programs AS part of efforts to promote kNANCIAL INCLUSION AND CONTRIBute to the country’s economic growth, Banco de Oro (BDO) Foundation has collaborated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas "30 TO TO DEVELOP A kNANCIAL literacy program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.

The tripartite initiative will be launched on Feb. 18, in ceremonies spearheaded by BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr., OWWA administrator Hans Cacdac and the BDO Foundation Board of Trustees. The partners will sign a memorandum of agreement afkRMING THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE implementation and deployment

of the program.

“We are staunch advocates of kNANCIAL INCLUSION AND AS SUCH WE are honored to partner with OWWA and BSP in pursuit of a shared objective,” BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito remarked.

“Through this partnership, we hope to contribute to the development of A kNANCIALLY LITERATE CITIZENRY AND support nation-building.”

The partnership project aims to help strengthen OWWA’s financial education initiatives for overseas workers, recipients of remittances and their families as well as contribute to the implementation of BSP’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, particularly the pillar on Financial Education and Consumer Protection.

Sports

MONDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2019

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www.manilatimes.net

Q Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) guards Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Salt Lake City. AP PHOTO

Harden extends streak, Doncic gets job done for Mavs

L

OS ANGELES: James Harden posted his 26th game with at least 30 points for the third longest streak in NBA history as the Houston Rockets rolled over the Utah Jazz 125-98 on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). *AMES kNISHED WITH POINTS TO EXTEND HIS STREAK AND BREAK A TIE WITH LEGENDARY 7ILT #HAMBERLAIN (ALL OF &AMER #HAMBERLAIN ALSO HAD THE TWO LONGEST STREAKS IN HISTORY RUNS OF AND g(E HAS GREAT HANDS AND GREAT ANTICIPATION u SAID

(OUSTON COACH -IKE $ !NTONI g7E ASK HIM TO DO A LOT AND HE JUST BUCKLED DOWN AND DID IT TONIGHT u (ARDEN ADDED REBOUNDS SIX STEALS kVE ASSISTS AND FOUR BLOCKS (E WAS OF FROM THE kELD

MAKING FOUR OF THREE POINTERS AND MADE ALL

Mighty Sports-PH stops UAE, secures QF spot in Dubai *534). "2/7.,%% DELIVERED ANEW AS -IGHTY 3PORTS 0HILIPPINES REPULSED THE PESKY 5NITED !RAB %MIRATES 5!% NATIONAL TEAM

TO NOTCH A QUARTERkNAL SPOT IN THE TH $UBAI )NTERNATIONAL "ASKETBALL #HAMPION SHIP AT THE 3HABAB !L !HLI #LUB ON 3ATURDAY NIGHT EARLY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA "ROWNLEE TALLIED A DOUBLE DOUBLE OF POINTS AND REBOUNDS BUT NONE BIGGER THAN A CRUCIAL DUNK LATE IN THE GAME THAT HELPED THE 0HILIPPINES REPRESENTATIVE FEND OFF THE HOST COUNTRY FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT VICTORY )T WAS A kTTING FOLLOW UP TO -IGHTY 3PORTS ROMP OVER !MERICAN 5NIVERSITY IN $UBAI AS THE &ILIPINO BALL CLUB SECURED ITS PLACE IN THE kNAL EIGHT OF THE TEAM TOURNAMENT 4HE #HARLES 4IU MENTORED QUINTET ALREADY SUR PASSED ITS ONE WIN PRODUCTION IN ITS DEBUT PARTICIPA TION IN THE $UBAI HOOPS COMPETITION TWO YEARS AGO #HINESE "ASKETBALL !SSOCIATION VETERAN 2ANDOLPH -ORRIS TOPSCORED FOR -IGHTY WITH POINTS TO GO WITH SEVEN REBOUNDS AND TWO ASSISTS WHILE &ILIPINO !MERICAN FORWARD 2OOSEVELT !DAMS SHONE WITH HIS MARK ERS TWO STEALS AND A BOARD OFF THE BENCH *EREMIAH 'RAY AND *UAN 'OMEZ $E ,IAÄO Q Mighty Sports CHIPPED IN NINE POINTS APIECE PROVIDING Philippines import MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT AS FORMER ."! STAR Justin Brownlee (left) ,AMAR /DOM CONTINUED TO STRUGGLE IN FILE PHOTO kNDING HIS SHOOTING TOUCH /DOM MISSED HIS LONE THREE 5!% DID NOT BACK DOWN EASILY AS IT SLOWLY CUT THE DEFICIT POINT ATTEMPT BUT MANAGED TO CONTRIBUTE FIVE REBOUNDS AND AN ASSIST IN JUST MINUTES OF ACTION DOWN TO WITH BARELY FOUR MINUTES REMAINING IN THE GAME 7ITH -IGHTY NEEDING A BASKET "ROWNLEE WENT -ORRIS AND !DAMS COMBINED FORCES TO SPARK A FOR AN EMPHATIC DUNK OFF *ASON "RICKMAN S ASSIST BLAST THAT TURN A LEAD INTO A HUGE TO SEAL THE WIN WITH LESS THAN TWO MINUTES TO GO ADVANTAGE FOR -IGHTY IN THE SECOND QUARTER -IGHTY IS NOW AIMING FOR A THIRD CONSECUTIVE TRI 4HE &ILIPINO SQUAD SUSTAINED ITS HOT SHOOTING AF TER THE HALFTIME BREAK LEADING BY AS MUCH AS UMPH AGAINST (OMENETMEN "EIRUT "ASKETBALL #LUB ON !DAM S BREAKAWAY SLAM LATE IN THE THIRD FRAME OF ,EBANON AT PRESS TIME JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ

Ateneo falls in D-League ‘tough’ group ATENEO de Manila University will face an early test after getting drawn into a tough group in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League). The back-to-back University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion, backed by Cignal, will take on 2018 D-League Foundation Cup titlist Go For Gold-College of St. Benilde and two-time runner-up Chélu Bar & Grill in Group A. Cignal-Ateneo will also battle National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities king St. Clare College-Virtual Reality along with league mainstays AMA Online Education and BatangasEmilio Aguinaldo College.Â

Completing the first bracket are newcomers Family Mart-Enderun College, Ironcon-University of Santo Tomas, Petron-Colegio de San Juan de Letran and McDavid. Meanwhile, National Collegiate Athletic Association three-peat champ San Beda University will have its mettle tested against amateur powerhouse Marinerong Pilipino, Universities and Colleges Basketball League titlist Diliman College and heavyweight Centro Escolar University in Group B. San Beda, which partnered with Metropac Movers, will also duel Chadao-Far Eastern University, University of Perpetual Help, SMDCNational University, Valencia City

Bukidnon-San Sebastian College, The Masterpiece-Trinity University of Asia and Wangs Basketball. The league record 20 teams will play in a round robin format, giving each squad a nine-game elimination campaign. The top four teams in each group will advance to the crossover quarterfinals, with the top two having twice-to-beat bonuses. Winners in the last eight will enter the best-of-three semifinals while the finals will be played in a best-of-five series. The 2019 PBA D-League will begin on February 14 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ Â

OF HIS FREE THROWS 'ERALD 'REEN ADDED POINTS AND +ENNETH &ARIED HAD POINTS AND REBOUNDS AS THE 2OCKETS SNAPPED A TWO GAME LOSING STREAK 4HEY MANAGED TO HOLD THE *AZZ TO PERCENT SHOOTING AND FORCED TURNOVERS g7E SMELLED A LITTLE BLOOD AND WENT AFTER THEM u $ !NTONI SAID $ONOVAN -ITCHELL kNISHED WITH POINTS AND NINE ASSISTS AND 2UDY 'OB ERT ADDED POINTS AND REBOUNDS IN THE LOSS %LSEWHERE $ALLAS ROOKIE ,UKA $ONCIC MATCHED HIS SEASON HIGH POINTS TO LEAD THE -AVERICKS TO A VICTORY OVER THE #AVALIERS IN #LEVELAND 3LOVENIAN SENSATION $ONCIC WHO WON T TURN UNTIL &EBRUARY HAD POINTS BY HALFTIME ALMOST AS MANY AS THE POINTS SCORED BEFORE THE BREAK BY

ALL OF #LEVELAND S STARTERS g) JUST FELT GREAT u SAID $ONCIC WHO WAS CHEERED BY A NUMBER OF 3LOVENIAN lAG WAVING FANS IN #LEVELAND g)T WASN T MY BEST SECOND HALF FOR SURE

BUT WE GOT A WIN SO THAT S ALL THAT MAT TERS FOR ME u $ONCIC HAD MISSED 4HURSDAY S GAME IN $ETROIT WITH A SORE LEFT ANKLE BUT SHOWED NO SIGN OF INJURY AS HE SCORED POINTS IN THE kRST QUARTER WHEN HE BECAME THE SEVENTH PLAYER TO SCORE POINTS IN THE ."! BEFORE TURNING FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SUCH STARS AS ,E"RON *AMES +EVIN $URANT AND +OBE "RYANT $ONCIC ALSO PULLED DOWN REBOUNDS AND HANDED OUT SIX ASSISTS (ARRISON "ARNES SCORED OF HIS POINTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER HIS THREE POINTER WITH TO PLAY PUTTING THE -AVS UP POINTS AS $ALLAS ENDED

#LEVELAND S TWO GAME WINNING STREAK )N /AKLAND +LAY 4HOMPSON RETURNED FROM A ONE GAME ABSENCE TO SCORE POINTS AND 3TEPHEN #URRY OVERCAME A SLOW START TO LEAD THE 'OLDEN 3TATE 7ARRIORS TO A WIN OVER THE ,OS !NGELES ,AKERS WHO WERE AGAIN MISSING ,E"RON *AMES #URRY MISSED HIS kRST EIGHT SHOTS BUT STILL kNISHED WITH POINTS *AMES REST WAS FOR WHAT COACH ,UKE 7ALTON DESCRIBED AS gLOAD MANAGEMENT u

James still sore 4HE FOUR TIME -60 HAD BEEN SET FOR HIS SECOND GAME BACK AFTER MISSING WITH AN INJURED GROIN BUT WOKE UP &RIDAY FEEL ING gVERY SOREu AFTER PLAYING MINUTES IN THE OVERTIME WIN AGAINST THE ,OS !NGELES #LIPPERS AFP

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Sports

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY February 4, 2019

20 golds at stake in dancesports as Batang Pinoy gets underway

BY JOSEF T. RAMOS

D

AVAO Del Norte: Twenty gold medals are at stake in the dancesports competition as the 2019 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Leg goes full blast today at the Davao Del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex here in Tagum City.

There will be two categories in the dancesports competition.

The standard category composed of kVE EVENTS ‡ *UVENILE $ 7 4 *UVENILE # 7 4 1 *UVENILE ! 7 4 67 & 1

*UNIOR # 7 4 1 AND *UNIOR !

7 4 67 & 1 ‡ AND ,ATIN WITH EVENTS IN *UVENILE $ 3 # *UVENILE # 3 # *

*UVENILE ! 3 # 2 0$ * *UNIOR # # 2 * AT *UNIOR ! 3 # 2 0$ * 0HILIPPINE 3PORTS #OMMISSION

03# #HAIRMAN 7ILLIAM 2AMIREZ

MEANWHILE SAID THE TRUE ESSENCE OF THE "ATANG 0INOY MULTI SPORTING TOURNAMENT FOR ATHLETES BELOW YEAR OLD IS TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY AMONG THE &ILIPINOS “If children can play together WITHOUT THE BIASES OF WHO THEY ARE

THEN ACHIEVING PEACE IS VERY POS SIBLE u 2AMIREZ TOLD REPORTERS DURING 3UNDAY S NEWS CONFERENCE PRIOR TO THE

OPENING CEREMONY AT THE $AVAO $EL .ORTE 3PORTS AND 4OURISM #OMPLEX ! TOTAL OF ATHLETES ARE REGIS TERED TO JOIN THE COMPETITION WHICH OFFERS SPORTING EVENTS ! TOTAL OF GOLD MEDALS SILVER MEDALS AND BRONZE MEDALS ARE AT STAKE WITH THE WINNERS QUALIFYING FOR THE NATIONAL kNALS IN /CTOBER 4HE NATIONAL kNALS WILL BE HELD either in Tagbilaran City in Bohol

OR /RMOC #ITY IN ,EYTE g0EACEMAKING IS VITAL TO OUR COUNTRY u HE ADDED g4HIS IS NOT ABOUT CHAMPIONSHIP OR GOLD MED ALS THIS IS ABOUT OUR CHILDREN AND HOW THEY CAN EMBRACE UNITY PEACE AND TOLERANCE WITHOUT ANY BIAS u 2AMIREZ WAS JOINED BY $AVAO DEL .ORTE 'OVERNOR !NTHONY DEL 2OSARIO "ATANG 0INOY .ATIONAL 3ECRETARIAT HEAD 4ERESITO &ORTALEZA *R AND 0ROVINCIAL 'OVERNMENT $EPART MENT #HIEF AND 9OUTH 3PORTS $EVEL OPMENT HEAD 'IOVANNI 'ULANES 4HE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ALSO ASSURED THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF all the participants. g4HE 0.0 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 0OLICE AND !&0 !RMED &ORCES OF THE 0HILIPPINES ARE ALREADY IN HEIGHTENED ALERT %VERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL AS FAR AS SECURITY IS CONCERNED u SAID 'ULANES

MARCIAL STOPS EUROPEAN FOE IN PRAGUE TILT SOUTHEAST Asian Games gold medalist Eumir Felix Marcial bucking below zero degrees weather, scored a sensational third round RSC (Referee Stopped Contest) victory over hometown boy Milos Bartl in the Europe vs. Asia Boxing Tournament at the Prague Hilton on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in Prague, Czech Republic.  The strapping Zamboanga middleweight (75 kg) dropped his foe twice, once in the dying seconds of the first round and then again in the third with a sharp left-right combination that forced referee Tomas Smid of the host country to wave the fight off despite protestations from the game Czech boxer.  Marcial was awarded a beautiful handcrafted trophy made by the famous crystal and glass artisan of Prague.  “I’m still not in top condition coming off the Christmas break�, said Marcial after the fight in the posh hotel. “I also hardly had any sparring sessions since there is no one else in the team in my weight division.�  The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines revealed plans are afoot for the former World Junior champion (2011) and two-time SEA Games gold medalist and bronze winner in the Asian Games to spend “a lot of time abroad� with other national hopefuls for training and competition in preparation for the World Championships in October and the SEA Games in December.  Elite head coach Ronald Chavez, who won a gold medal in a tournament here in 1994, said Marcial proved his class in the fight but was still working on his stamina and timing.  The unique match organized by the Czech Boxing Federation featured 16 bouts between boxers of the two continents. The Q Eumir Felix Marcial (left) trades blows with South Korean Kim Jinjea during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. FILE PHOTO match ended even at 8-8.

Kickboxing debuts in 2019 SEA Games THE Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas  (SKP) is looking at a strong performance in the sport of kickboxing, which will be played for the first time in the 30th Southeast Asian Games here in the country on November 30 to December 11. “It’s the first time that kickboxing will be held in the SEA Games and we’re confident that we will perform well and win gold medals,� said Atty. Wharton Chan, secretary-general of the SKP. Chan, along with revered guests in martial arts and prominent sports patron like Jeremy Go of Go For Gold, Bert Lina of Air 21 and SKP founding chairman Cong. Bambol Tolentino, opened the Kickboxing Pilipinas Hideout training center Tagaytay City over the weekend.

Chan said the association would have four qualifying tournaments in Baguio City for Luzon, Cebu for Visayas, Davao City for Mindanao and a venue to be announced soon for National Capital Region beginning in March to select the composition of the Philippine kickboxing team. “Historically, this will be memorable for kickboxing. So to further promote this martial art sport in this area, anybody, from all ages, can train in our gym for free for our first month.

The eight kickboxing events in the 30th

Q Former Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga (second from left) poses for a photo with SKP founding chairman Cong. Bambol Tolentino (center) and former national boxing team member Charly Suarez (second from right) during the opening of the Kickboxing Pilipinas Hideout training center Tagaytay City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO SEA Games are the men’s -51kg and -57kg full contact, -54kg, -60kg and -63.5kg low kick and -67kg kick light, women’s -48kg full contact and -52kg kick light.

After the four national qualifiers, Chan added that they are planning to send the qualified kickboxers into training abroad. “After the qualifiers, we are going to train them abroad. So by October, hopefully they return for local training. We are looking to send them to Kyrgyzstan and Thailand as two countries known for kickboxing,� Chan added.

SKP was recognized by the Philip-

pine Olympic Committee as an associate member last December 6. More than 20 kickboxing clubs have registered under SKP headed by President Francis Tolentino.

So far no athletes are shoo-in for the national team. Mixed martial artist Robin Catalan expressed his intention to compete in the qualifying tournaments for the SEA Games after representing the country in the 2017 Asian Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Chiefs ace Mahomes named NFL MVP ATLANTA: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, becoming the youngest recipient of the award in 35 years following a dazzling breakthrough season.

At a ceremony in Atlanta on the eve of the Super Bowl, the 23-year-old signal-caller became the youngest winner of the MVP Honors since Miami Dolphins legend Dan Marino in 1984.

Mahomes’ season was made all the more remarkable given his limited experience.

Prior to 2018 he had made just one start as a rookie for the Chiefs.

Yet the Chiefs quarterback showed a maturity beyond his years with a series of scintillating displays that carried his team to the brink of the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs ultimately came up short in the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots, losing in overtime at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20.

Mahomes’ stunning season also saw him

pick up Offensive Player of the Year honours.

The Texan made multiple touchdown passes in 14 games and finished the year with 50 touchdowns to top the league, with only 12 interceptions.

He averaged more than 318 passing yards per game in a total of 5,097 yards.

Los Angeles Rams tackle Aaron Donald meanwhile was named the Defensive Player of the Year after a season that saw him post a league-best 20.5 sacks.

AFP

˜

˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY February 4, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Sports C3

Q Rickie Fowler plays his shot from the sixth tee during the third round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. AFP PHOTO

Fowler stretches Phoenix lead to four strokes L

/3 !.'%,%3 2ICKIE &OWLER kRED EIGHT BIRDIES IN A SEVEN UNDER PAR ON 3ATURDAY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA TO STRETCH HIS LEAD TO FOUR STROKES HEADING INTO THE kNAL ROUND OF THE 0HOENIX /PEN

Fowler, in search of his fifth PGA Tour title and his first since the 2017 Honda Classic, had a 20-under par total of 193 at TPC Scottsdale, where he held the 54hole lead last year but finished tied for 11th. “We’ve led for three rounds, now why not make it four,� said Fowler, who has converted just one of his six prior 54-hole leads to a victory.

He has some breathing room, with a four-shot lead over US veteran Matt Kuchar, who had six birdies in a sparkling six-under 65 that put him on 197.

Kuchar, 40, is in search of his third win of the season, after victories in the Mayakoba Classic and the Sony Open. “Good, steady golf again,� Kuchar said. “I’ve been playing some nice golf. I’m excited to be in the final group tomorrow.�

Justin Thomas, who started the day one stroke off Fowler’s LEAD NABBED FOUR OF HIS kVE BIRDIES ON THE BACK NINE IN A 68 that put him alone in third on 198.

He was two strokes in front of South Korean An Byeonghun (66) and South African Branden Grace (69).

Fowler separated himself from his pursuers with four

BIRDIES IN HIS kRST SIX HOLES INCLUDING A FOOTER AT THE kFTH Fowler called the long birdie putts -- including his 18-footer at the first -- a bonus. “Took advantage of some opportunities,� he said. “It was fun.�

After his lone bogey of the day, from a greenside bunker at the seventh, Fowler picked up three more birdies coming in at the ninth, 11th and 13th.

Thomas, playing in the last group alongSIDE &OWLER AND 'RACE TOOK A WHILE TO kND HIS groove. He bounced back from a bogey at the second with a birdie at the third, but bogeyed the ninth to make the turn one-over for the day.

Thomas warmed up on the back nine, where his four birdies included a chip-in at the 11th and a 16-footer at 17.

Fowler was looking forward to playing alongside his good friend Thomas and Kuchar.

AFP

Eagle flurry sends China’s Li joint top in Saudi Trump plays golf in Florida with Woods, Nicklaus KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, Saudi Arabia: Li Haotong made four eagles, including a record three on par-4 holes, to catch up with former world No1 Dustin Johnson on top of the leaderboard at the end of the penultimate round of the inaugural Saudi International on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

The 23-year-old Chinese star was in the news recently when he was controversially penalized two shots on the final hole of the Dubai Desert Classic under the new Rules of Golf after his caddie was deemed to have lined up his putt. The penalty had dropped him from tied third place to a share of 12th position.

On Saturday, at the Royal Greens Golf Club, Li was in rampant form as he started with a chipped-

in eagle on the par-4 first hole, and then chipped in for another eagle on the 10th hole. He then drove the par-4 17th hole for his third eagle, and then made his putt from eight feet on the par-5 18th after reaching the green in two.

It was the first time since the European Tour started keeping records in 1999 that a player made three birdies on a par-4 hole, and his four eagles matched the effort of Mark Pilkington in the second round of the 2007 Singapore Masters.

On the PGA Tour, Willie Wood (1990 Pebble Beach Pro-Am, third round) and Scott McCarron (1995 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, second round) have made four eagles in a single round.

Li finished on eight-under par 62 and caught

up with Johnson (65) at 16-under par 194.

England’s Tom Lewis (62) moved to third place on his own, but he was five shots behind the leaders at 11-under 199.

Garcia disqualified for damaging greens

Spain’s Sergio Garcia was disqualified from the inaugural Saudi International on Saturday for serious misconduct.

The world No27, the Masters champion in 2017, shot a round of one-over par 71, but is believed to have damaged a couple of greens at the Royal Greens Golf Club during that effort after slamming his putter in frustration.

AFP

JUPITER, US: President Donald Trump spent Saturday (Sunday in Manila) enjoying his favorite outdoor sport in company of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, two of the world’s greatest golfers.

Trump tweeted a picture of himself standing between the two smiling golf legends on a green at the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida. “Great morning at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida with @JackNicklaus and @TigerWoods!� read the tweet.

The club is in Palm Beach County, near the

president’s luxurious Mar-a-Lago retreat.

This is Trump’s first visit to Florida in two months. The president was set to travel to Mar-a-Lago for the Christmas break, but postponed his trip due to the partial shutdown that paralyzed the US government for 35 days.

During the shutdown, Trump complained several times of being stuck at the White House.

Trump flew to Florida on Friday and will remain there until late Sunday after watching the Super Bowl, the American football final championship game.

AFP

Super Bowl records to fall as Patriots, Rams clash Q Kiki Bertens AFP PHOTO

ATLANTA: Brady will chase an unprecedented sixth Super Bowl crown here Sunday as the New England Patriots face the Los Angeles Rams in a clash of the generations set to rewrite the NFL record books.

Patriots star Brady, 41, will become the oldest quarterback ever to lift the title if he masterminds yet another championship in the latest milestone of a career that has SHOWN NO SIGNS OF lAGGING A win would see Brady become the only player in history to win six Super Bowls, an achievement which may never been beaten in an era of ever shorter NFL careers.

A capacity crowd of 75,324 will pack Atlanta’s futuristic Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the NFL spectacular, the biggest annual event on the US sporting calendar, which kicks off at 6.30pm (2330 GMT).

Grammy Award-winning band Maroon 5 will headline the traditional half-time concert, which comes after several performers reportedly turned down the opportunity to participate in protest at the NFL’s treatment of activist former San

Bertens sets up St Petersburg final with Vekic SAINT PETERSBURG: Dutch second seed Kiki Bertens beat Belorussian fourth seed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets on Saturday (Sunday IN -ANILA TO SET UP A kNAL WITH $ONNA 6EKIC OF Croatia in the Saint Petersburg WTA indoor event.

The 27-year-old world number eight, who is seeking her eighth career title, won 7-6 (5), 6-2 in one hour 38 minutes to record her third win over Sabalenka in as many meetings. “It was a really tough match,� Bertens said. “Aryna is a great player. She hits the ball really hard, So I had to stay aggressive where I could and just try to return the balls back where I couldn’t. Luckily it was enough to win today.�

Both players looked nervous at the start producing a catalogue of unforced errors.

But Bertens was slightly more accurate, winning the opening set in a tiebreak after 56 minutes on court.

In the second, Bertens tightened her grip on the play breaking twice for a commanding 4-0 lead.

Sabalenka, 10th in the WTA rankings, broke back to reduce the arrears but it was her last success IN THE MATCH AS "ERTENS BROKE AGAIN IN THE kNAL game which lasted more than nine minutes sealING HER SPOT IN THE kNAL ON THE FOURTH MATCH POINT ,ATER ON 3ATURDAY 6EKIC WHO WAS SEEDED EIGHTH HERE OUTCLASSED 2USSIAN VETERAN WILD CARD 6ERA

Zvonareva, now ranked 97th, 6-2, 6-2 to level their head-to-head record at one all.

6EKIC TH IN THE 74! RANKINGS WAS IN COMplete command from the start breaking her rival’s serve twice for a one-set lead in 38 minutes.

The 34-year-old Zvonareva had beaten three higher-ranked opponents this week but looked tired and failed to match the tempo maintained by the Croatian.

The second set was almost a carbon copy OF THE kRST AS 6EKIC PRODUCED TWO MORE EARLY breaks to claim her place before sealing her victory with a backhand volley after one hour 10 minutes on court.

AFP

Q Tom Brady of the New England Patriots passes the ball during Super Bowl LIII practice at Georgia Tech Brock Practice Facility in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP PHOTO

Francisco quarter-back Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick has been effectively frozen out of the NFL after his “take a knee� protests WHICH LED TO A POLITICAL kRESTORM IN /N THE kELD "RADY IS BIDDING TO LEAD THE 0ATRIOTS TO THE 6INCE ,OMBARDI 4ROphy fully 17 years after orchestrating the TEAM S kRST TRIUMPH BACK IN Records are also set to tumble in the event of a win by a youthful Rams team led by 24-year-old quarterback Jared Goff AND COACHING PRODIGY 3EAN -C6AY -C6AY ONLY WILL BECOME THE youngest head coach ever to win the Super Bowl if he manages to outwit Patriots counterpart Bill Belichick, who at 66 is TWICE -C6AY S AGE "ELICHICK WHO HAS WON kVE 3UPER "OWLS as head coach and two as an assistant, would become the oldest head coach to take the Lombardi Trophy with a win.

Belichick was in relaxed mood on Saturday as the Patriots players were given a day off training to visit the venue for Sunday’s game with family and friends.

Belichick said there were no special plans for his eve-of-game team talk. AFP

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Football Messi powers Barca to draw with Valencia B ˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY February 4, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

ARCELONA: Lionel Messi scored in a ninth consecutive match but his latest double on Saturday (Sundya in Manila) was only enough to earn Barcelona a 2-2 draw against Valencia.

Q Valencia’s Gabriel Paulista (left) vies for the ball with Barcelona’s Luis Suarez during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona against Valencia CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.

AFP PHOTO

HUGE CROWDS GREET ASIAN CUP WINNER QATAR AS THEY FLY HOME DOHA: Qatar’s victorious Asian Cup football team returned home to Doha to a rapturous welcome on Saturday, greeted by the country’s ruler and hundreds of thousands of fans.

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani -- who happily high-fived children while waiting for the team to arrive -- met the players as they landed to kick-start a second straight night of wild celebrations in Doha. “I am very happy to see the people celebrating with us, we realize how big what we did is,� said coach Felix Sanchez. “When you win a trophy like that you feel very proud, to see that the hard work sometimes gives you the reward.�

The players were also greeted by other members of the royal family, and the head of Qatar Airways, Akbar al-Baker, who supplied the plane for the team to travel back from Oman.

Their aircraft was given a fly-past by Mirage jets, there was a military band, and the squad was presented with garlands as they finally disembarked.

Amid chaotic scenes players and staff were mobbed by fans, friends and family before getting on a specially decorated open top bus to begin the long crawl into Doha to meet the huge numbers who had waited patiently for them to arrive. “I am proud to make these people happy,� said Ali Almoez, the tournament’s top scorer. “I

am proud of this thing and all the players are.�

He added: “For 40 years Qatari people did not celebrate, now we will celebrate for the next four years and not stop.�

Captain Hassan al-Haydos called the unexpected triumph and celebrations “an unthinkable feeling� that would “stay with me for life�.

Fans waited patiently for several hours to watch the team’s parade through central Doha.

Huge crowds crammed on to the Corniche, the main seafront road in the city, to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

Supporters ran alongside the bus as it crawled through the capital.

AFP

Messi instigated another Barca comeback at the Camp Nou before placing an injury doubt over his availability for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey Clasico against Real Madrid. %RNESTO 6ALVERDE CONkRMED AFTER THE GAME his captain had felt a “small problem� but insisted it was nothing serious.

Valverde is still unlikely to take any risks given Barcelona’s testing month ahead, even if Messi’s absence, however brief, would be a blow, particularly while he is in such irresistible form.

Kevin Gameiro and Dani Parejo’s penalty gave Valencia a surprise two-goal lead but Messi pulled one back with his own spot-kick before curling in a brilliant equaliser with 26 minutes left.

After their stunning turn-around against Sevilla in midweek, Barca looked destined again TO kNISH THE JOB BUT AT THE END OF A BREATHLESS contest, Valencia had held on for a point.

Messi’s 20th and 21st league goals of the season leave his team six points clear of Atletico Madrid, who could cut the gap to three by beating Real Betis on Sunday, with Real Madrid, 11 points back, at home to Alaves.

After eight consecutive Barcelona wins in La Liga, this result perhaps offered the chasing pack a little encouragement at least.

Real could inflict further disruption THEMSELVES 4HE kRST LEG OF THE #OPA DEL 2EY SEMI kNALS ON 7EDNESDAY WILL BE THE kRST OF three Clasicos in a month. The latter two will be back-to-back, within four days.

"UT -ESSI kT AND IN THIS SORT OF FORM MEANS ANY CONkDENCE 2EAL FEEL COMES WITH AN ASTERISK

His 12 goals in his last nine games is the same number the whole Valencia squad manAGED IN THEIR kRST LEAGUE MATCHES 6ALENCIA WERE TH IN $ECEMBER WITH ONLY THREE WINS

and their coach Marcelino was under pressure, just six months after propelling them back into the Champions League.

The club kept faith and results have improved.

They have now lost only one of their last seven matches and are within sight of the top four.

6ALENCIA DESERVED THEIR kRST HALF LEAD AND COULD have scored sooner, Parejo drawing a smart save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen before Denis Cheryshev lashed the rebound off the far post.

The visitors rode their luck as two decisions went their way in a matter of minutes. First, Barca could have had a penalty when Gabriel Paulista blocked Nelson Semedo’s shot with his hand.

Then the home team should have had a free-kick as Messi was bundled over by Parejo.

The latter proved key, with Valencia sprawling forward on the counter-attack.

Rodrigo carried the ball 40 yards before slipping a cute reverse pass behind Vermaelen AND 'AMEIRO BANGED IN THE kNISH Valencia’s penalty was clear after Sergi shoved Daniel Wass in the back, with Parejo whipping the ball into the corner to make it two.

AFP

Q Son Heung-min AFP PHOTO

Q Parma’s Gervinho (left) holds off Juventus’ Federico Bernardeschi during the Italian Serie A football match at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.

AFP PHOTO

Son shines for Spurs, Higuain eases Sarri blues Gervinho ties Ronaldo double as Parma frustrates JuveÂ

MILAN: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice but champion Juventus had to settle for a point as a late Gervinho double snatched a 3-3 draw after promoted Parma staged an impressive comeback in Serie A on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Juventus’ dropped points allowed Napoli to cut the gap on the leaders to nine points AFTER A CONkDENT WIN OVER 3AMPDORIA Massimiliano Allegri’s side had already had their confidence shaken after a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta shattered their hopes of winning a fifth straight Coppa Italia.

Saturday’s draw was not the response Allegri had called for ahead of their #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE LAST kRST LEG TIE against Atletico Madrid on February 20. “I’m happy for the goals but not the

result,� said Ronaldo. “Parma didn’t do anything special, they waited for us to make a mistake. “But we’re not worried, we know it will be a great season for Juventus.�

Juve, hit by injuries to defenders Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, have now conceded six goals in their last two matches.

But they still have a comfortable ninepoint lead over Napoli with Inter Milan 20 points behind in third. “It doesn’t change anything, but we must not take anything for granted,� said Allegri. “We were too light in defense. It was the kRST TIME THIS BACK FOUR HAD PLAYED TOGETHER u Juventus lined up with an inexperienced back line of Leonardo Spinazzola alongside Uruguay defender Martin Caceres who

GOT HIS kRST START SINCE MOVING FROM ,AZIO Sami Khedira rattled the post twice, before Ronaldo opened the scoring after 36 minutes with Daniele Rugani again scoring for the hosts on 62 minutes.

An Antonino Barilla header clawed one back for Parma two minutes later before Ronaldo completed his brace to return to the top of the Serie A goalscorers’ chart with 17.

But Ivorian Gervinho threw his side a lifeline on 74 minutes and grabbed a point at the death for Parma who remain 12th in the table, 31 points behind Juventus. g!T LEAST WE SATISkED THOSE WHO COMPLAINED we weren’t entertaining,� said Allegri.

The seven-time reigning champions nevertheless remain unbeaten this season having dropped points just twice before against Genoa and Atalanta. AFP

LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino hailed super-charged forward Son Heung-min after he fired Tottenham into second place in the Premier League on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) as Gonzalo Higuain scored his first goals for Chelsea.

Spurs looked to be heading for their first league draw of the season at Wembley but Son’s 83rd-minute strike earned Pochettino’s men a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle and enabled them to leapfrog Manchester City, who play on Sunday.

Chelsea thumped bottom side Huddersfield 5-0 thanks to two goals apiece from Higuainand Eden Hazard and a late header from David Luiz as they put their recent goalscoring problems firmly behind them.

Elsewhere, struggling Cardiff paid heartfelt tributes to Emiliano Sala, whose plane disappeared while he was flying from France on January 21 after signing for the club from Nantes, before beating Bournemouth 2-0.

Tottenham are now just four points behind leaders Liverpool, who are in action at West Ham on Monday, but just as significantly they consolidated their

position in the top four after their 19th win in 25 matches.

Spurs enjoyed more than 70 percent possession but faced a dogged Newcastle, buoyed by a stunning 2-1 win over Manchester City in midweek.

Just when it seemed they would run out of time, Son stepped up, as he did with an equaliser against Watford in midweek, to compensate for the injured Harry Kane’s absence with his 14th goal of the season.

The South Korean had a helping hand from Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who let the powerful shot slip beneath his grasp to undo all his side’s good work. “It is a massive result to be in a very good position in the table,� said Pochettino. “We don’t need to be in some position like today to convince ourselves about our capacity or potential. We believe in ourselves.�

And the Argentine lauded Son’s stamina since he returned from the Asian Cup. “Sonny is like a battery that you have that you work, work, work, work but when the battery is gone, it’s gone,� he said.

AFP

MONDAY M O N DAY FEBRUARY 4, 2019

Entertainment

D1 Q Concert King Martin Nievera

www.manilatimes.net

Martin gives long-awaited int’l break to ex-wife Pops I F there’s one thing that probably sets Concert King Martin Nievera apart from most ex-husbands — celebrity or otherwise — it’s how he’s always ready to admit he was the other half at fault in the collapse of his marriage to Concert Queen Pops Fernandez.

He does so until now, almost two decades since their annulment. In fact, he did so less than a week ago when the subject of the beautiful mother to his two sons came up at the media conference for his Valentine’s concert with Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha.

Martin was asked to comment on Pops’ latest career development which sees her today (Sunday night in the US), sitting as one of the 50 “Wall of the World� entertainment global experts at the premiere of the newest CBS American

THE T-ZONE TESSA MAURICIOARRIOLA talent show, “The World’s Best.�

Hosted by James Corden, the program’s main judges are Hollywood bigwigs Drew Barrymore, Faith Hill and RuPaul Charles. “I’m very, very proud [of her]. I want the whole country to know

Q They're still the Concert King and Queen after all, and parents of two boys. Nievera and Pops Fernandez in the latter's Facebook post get together to promote son Robin's show back in May 2018.

how proud I am too not just of Pops but how proud we should be that in ‘The World’s Best’ talent search, the Philippines is represented there. It’s a show that isn’t just about the best in America anymore or the best in the UK, but the best talents in the world,� the Concert King replied.

Now those a tad older than the millennials like the T-Zone [ehem!] would know that besides conquering the Philippine concert and recording scenes, Martin Nievera’s biggest goal had always been to make it in the global entertainment mainstream. He did well enough to go as far as performing regularly in Las Vegas, but something like Pops’ new gig, that would be a dreamcome-true for Martin. “I know for a fact that the producers of The World’s Best said kailangan na kailangan may Filipino expert [in the show] and they chose Pops, and I think it’s a perfect choice,� Martin continued.

Now the Concert King knows all this apparently because the dream WAS kRST HANDED TO HIM -ARTIN WAS THE kRST &ILIPINO SINGER CALLED to audition by The World’s Best and he was hired on the spot. “I already got it after I went on a Facetime audition which I’ve never done before. They asked me these questions and I was just being myself and they said, ‘OK, you’re in, this is exactly what we’re looking for,’� he related.

Unfortunately, when it came to ironing out all the other details of the contract, scheduling turned out to be a major problem. “It just so happened that everyday of taping for the show, I had a concert in a different city [in the

United States]. I tried to get out of my commitments but it was too late even if my [concert] producers tried their best to work it out.�

Long story short, the international break he had long been waiting for could not be his. “They said, ‘I’m sorry, Martin, we really want you, we already organized your taping days but we can’t meet the days of your concerts. It was then they asked g!ND kNALLY HERE IT IS AND WHO ally stopped loving, respecting and me, ‘So, do you know anyone do I give it to? The person I lost. believing in one another. else that you think could play the That’s God saying, ‘Ah, ganu’n, ha?

Yep, it’s the month of love alright. role?'� Martin detailed.

Give it to Pops.’ Which I did and NNN Pops Fernandez was the first I’m so happy I did,� he smiled.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with name that came to mind, and he Truly, the Martin-Pops story, two of the most talented singers this gave it to them instantly. which the entire nation knows back side of the world, Martin Nievera “When I said her name, and the to front, just keeps giving albeit in and Lani Misalucha, headlining guy says, ‘My God, she’s also on unconventional ways. All the same, “Timeless Classics� on February 14, the list. How do you know her?’ it gives those out there whose re- 8 p.m. at the PICC Plenary Hall.

And I said, ‘How do I know her? lationships didn’t work out proof Directed by the revered Louie OcWell we have two kids,’â€? Martin and hope that a strong bond can ampo, the concert is a production laughed out loud. still go on between of OPM godmother Anna Puno’s “And they actually said, ‘Can you PROLIkC 3TAR -EDIA %NTERTAINMENT IN t w o both do it?’ They wanted us both association with Global Police people to be there as judges and I said, ‘I Community Relations. Part w h o really, really can’t.’ So they spoke of Timeless Classic’s proceeds may be to Pops right away and worked out will go to the charitable projapart schedules so she can be there.â€? ects of the Rotary Clubs of but never Given that he’s sincerely happy -AKATI %AST #UBAO refor Pops, there was no way Martin Central and could get around the question Pa r a Ăą a q u e how he feels that he almost had %AST what he had long been waiting for. And just as earnestly, he replied, “I’ve always wanted that — I’ve always wanted that BREAK ) WAS SO kXated about that, so much so, that I actually lost Pops and the kids. We’re no longer together because I was so Q 'Timeless Classics.' Valentine's this year will be on stage for the singer with Asia's hungry for internaNightingale Lani Misalucha on February 14 at PICC. tional fame.

Jessy Mendiola plans to settle down before 30 PLUS: Miss Intercontinental shoots down doubters on her win

T

(% BIG THREE OH IS LESS THAN kVE YEARS away for sexy actress Jessy Mendiola.

She got candid talking numbers with In the Know during the promo of her movie “Tol,� which is now showing in cinemas NATIONWIDE SPECIkCALLY ABOUT HER THREE year relationship with Luis Manzano.

Very open about the love of her life, she’s already shared in her vlog that they’ve been discussing marriage plans already. “I’ve always said 'yes.' Huwag niya lang sana ako tatanungin in two months kasi

IN THE KNOW MJ MARFORI mga bashers. Mas CONkDENT na talaga ako ngayon and mas deadma ako pagdating sa negativity.�

ten down to the detail; that’s why I didn’t HAVE A DIFkCULT TIME ANSWERING THE kNAL question. You should make concrete plans if you want to be successful.�

Karen revealed to In the Know that winning Binibining Pilipinas and winning Miss Intercontinental thereafter was part of it all before she settles down with her GORGEOUS kANCÂź “I’m engaged but for now, we’re focused on my advocacies and he’s very helpful.

My advocacies include pushing for quality EDUCATION TO FAR lUNG PROVIN CES IN THE

NNN From her white modern Filipiniana na dress to her crown-winning final answer, there was as Jessy laughed. no doubt that Karen en Jessy says her sister, who reGallman would d cently started a family, inspired snag the most st her to think about having one elusive Miss Innof her own. Ideally, she’d like tercontinental al to have children while she’s title for thee young so she can relate to Philippines. them as they grow up.

In the “Mahirap kasi if mas Know did matanda ako. Imagine, not miss the if I’m young, mas malopportunity akas pa ako na maalto sit down agaan ‘yung baby.� with the Q Miss Intercontinental 2018 Karen After all the Fil-Aus- Gallman INSTAGRAM PHOTOS body shaming sie to recall ll and bullying the night of Philippines.� She also that Jessy has her big win. wants to use her background in accounting been through G i v e n and spread the skill with numbers. online, she that her But even though Karen has been nothcan say in all f i n a l ing short of impressive, she admits she’s honesty she q u e s - still being bashed from some Asian couni s ove r a l l t i o n tries for winning the Miss Intercontinental the negativwas about in the Philippines. ity and achieving “People will always have something is at her s u c c e s s , to say but it was fair from Day 1. We all happiest she relat- worked extremely hard in the competition right now. ed, “I’m and I took on the challenges day by day. “Ako r e a l l y Miss Intercontinental-Japan was actually na nga a plan- the host and we are just the country they ang nagner, yes. chose to hold for the pageant and that’s sasabi I h ave a why it was held here.� k ay L u i s Q Jessy Mendiola and boyfriend of three-years Luis five-year NNN na huwag na plan writUntil next week! Ta-ta! niya patulan ang Manzano have been talking marriage.

siyempre marami pa ang naka-plano pero sinabi ko na iyon sa sarili ko matagal na,�

W H AT W I L L T H E Y T H I N K O F N E X T ?

A politically-themed romcom series, that’s what!

IT isn’t just Chinese New Year and Valentine’s has long wanted to win the heart of her Day that’s heating the month of February, but childhood friend Emong, who unfortunately this being the Philippines, the beginning of sees her only as a younger sister. Emong or the national campaign season in just a week’s Raymond Magsino is none other than GMA time will prove to be the most sizzling season Network heartthrob Ruru Madrid, who in turn of them all. is the son of Aling Already a step ahead Jane and Mang Jessie, in joining the fiery fray the incumbent TODA is a new prime time series, which premieres president. A hard-working lad, Emong is detonight on GMA Network. With scenes from termined to better his life, and goes abroad to Philippine politics often mimicking those of work as a mechanic with a Tesda course under teleseryes and vice versa, the station’s News and his belt. The series sees him coming home, Public Affairs department had the clever idea of however, when his employer closes shop, and presenting an insight into local politics within is reunited with Gelay who has transformed a small barangay and its Tricycle Operators and into a beautiful lady. Emong now finds himDrivers’ Association or TODA. self head over heels with his childhood friend.

Like the jeepney, the tricycle is a popular But Emong also finds tough competition in means of transportation in the Philippines that winning Gelay’s heart in the handsome Kobe reflects the culture and identity of Filipinos. BeGeneroso, portrayed by David Licauco. Kobe is sides playing a major part in the daily commute the son of the incumbent Mayor Migs and exof many Filipinos, the tricycle is also used as a mayor Mayora Dyna, who, besides vehicle to promote various products and even pursuing Gelay is also bent on political candidates. making a name for himself.

Thus the story of “TODA One But before Gelay can decide I Love� gets into gear, revolving who between the two deserves around the family, dreams, and her heart, her life is turned loves of three lead characters. They upside down when the will find themselves tangled in the TODA elections roll topsy-turvy politics of the in involving all TODA, as well as the lotheir families.

Joining cal mayoral elections.

Padilla, Licauco At the center of this and Madrin in unique prime time offering this political is the strong-willed, inderom-com series pendent young woman Angela “Gelay� Dimagiba, are Gladys Reyes, portrayed by versatile Victor Neri, Jackie actress Kylie Padilla.

Rice, Kim Domingo, An engineering stuTina Paner, Maureen dent, Gelay is the daughter Larrazabal, and Rayof a tricycle driver Mang mond Bagatsing with Tolits and Aling Lea. Family the special participation of Allen Dizon. It is is everything for Gelay; she directed by Jeffrey Hidalgo is willing to sacrifice her own happiness for them. and Nick Olanka and airs Q Kylie Padilla and Ruru Madrid On the side, Gelay tonight on GMA Telebabad.

Âťtvlandia's latest

D2

Funtimes

MONDAY February 4, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (02/04/19). Teamwork is your most powerful tool this year. Self-discipline pays off in many ways. Save for unexpected household repairs. Health and vitality surge this summer, before an introspective phase. A winter transformation reveals new directions for your work and health. Friends inspire your heart.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Expand your territory together. Take a group endeavor to new heights. Celebrate breakthroughs with friends, social networks and community under the New Moon.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Professional opportunities shine under this New Moon. Accept new responsibilities as you prepare. Develop a project from an idea to reality. Grab a lucky opportunity.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Education, travel and exploration sprout under this New Moon. Consider a wide variety of views and perspectives. Expand your terrain to discover new horizons.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) 7RGD\ LV D *UDE D SUR¿WDEOH RSportunity. A lucrative phase dawns with this New Moon. Find creative ways WR JURZ \RXU IDPLO\¶V QHVW HJJ /DXQFK D SUR¿WDEOH LQLWLDWLYH WRJHWKHU LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- New beginnings arise between you and someone special. Partnership blossoms under this New Moon. Collaborate for a shared passion. Start another chapter together.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Fresh energy floods your work and health under this Aquarius New Moon. Nurture yourself before caring for others. Power into physical routines.

You’re growing stronger.

» SUDOKU

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- This New Moon sparks a family, fun and passion phase. Romance flowers. Take advantage of a lucky break. It’s all for love and love for all.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Wrap your love around home and family. A New Moon domestic phase arises. Tend your garden with all your heart. Seeds planted long ago flower.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Good news provides an opportunity. Profit through communications. Breakthroughs arise in conversation under this New Moon. Write and express your view. Share your gratitude and appreciation.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Lucrative possibilities abound. Get creative with sales and marketing under this New Moon. Step into new levels of prosperity. Begin a new chapter.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 9 -- Fortune shines your way. A personal phase dawns with the New Moon in your sign.

Take charge. Raise your talents, capacities and skills to new heights.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Discover something new about the past. Insights, breakthroughs and revelations sparkle under this New Moon. Begin a philosophical, spiritual and mindful phase.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

PAGE FROM THE PAST

Today, we look back at an old front page of The Manila Times, the oldest national daily that was founded on October 11, 1898. (Note: This image was adjusted to fit the page.)

MONDAY M OOND N DAYY FEBRU FEBRUARY UARYY 44,, 2019

Expats&Diplomats

D4

www.manilatimes.net

Ireland to open Embassy in Manila W

BY MARGIE T. LOGARTA

Q ‘Asian Festival: Focus on Iran’ cultural official opening led by Maria Bernadette Abrera, UP Diliman’s dean of College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (third from left); Dalisay Macadawan, National Commission on Muslim Filipino’s commissioner for women (fifth from left); Mohammad Tanhai, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Manila (third from right); Father Carlos Reyes, Ministry for Ecumenical and Inter-faith Affairs (second from right); and Mohammad Jafarimalak, cultural counselor of Iran Embassy in Manila (rightmost). CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

ASHINGTON, D.C.: The government of Ireland is planning to increase its footprint in Southeast Asia by opening an embassy in Manila early 2020.

Seeing Iran in a new, artistic light

Daniel Mulhall, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, disclosed, “In the next 15 years, Ireland intends to be a much more significant international player.

Our Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, said he wants to expand our global presence, open new missions, increase the size of existing missions — most of which are very small — put more resources into tourism promotions, promote investments into Ireland and promote our exports." “This year, we will be seeking a seat on the UN Security Council, which we would like to become a reality by 2022, the centenary of Irish independence,� he added Such developments, according to Mulhall, have come after the realization that “Ireland is uniquely open to the world and affected by what happens in the world. It can no longer be a passive observer.�

Mulhall, Ireland’s envoy to Malaysia from 2001 to 2005, shared

A QUICK online search of the country of Iran — also known as Persia and formally called the Islamic Republic of Iran — would result in negative hits, from pictures of war to political riffs with other nations.

What people often overlook, however, is the rich history and culture of this Western Asian country.

With this in mind, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Cultural Section, with University of the Philippines’ College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, held the weeklong “Asian Festival: Focus on Iran� cultural festival at the university’s Palma Hall.

Also organized in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, the festival from January 28 to February 1 featured calligraphy exhibit and art workshop, handicraft, book and food exhibition; and an open forum discussing Iran’s international affairs.

The calligraphy workshops, held on the second and fourth days of the cultural week, were facilitated by Dr. Tandis Taghavi, head of the Society of Iranian Calligraphists Manila.

A large number of students and enthusiasts of Iran culture visited the exhibit and took part in various activities to learn more about Iranian culture. “When we understand culture, we go beyond the differences of

that his country currently has fulllEDGED MISSIONS IN .ORTH !SIA

represented by Beijing and Tokyo, and in Southeast Asia, represented

by Singapore, Jakarta, Hanoi and Bangkok. “The Philippines is an obvious gap,� he said.

Diplomatic relations between the two republics, the Philippines and Ireland, were established in 1984.

The Philippines opened an embassy in Dublin in 2009, which it shut DOWN IN DUE TO kNANCIAL REAsons. There is currently an Honorary Consul in Manila. Filipinos applying to visit Ireland, however, are required to send their documents to the Irish mission in Singapore, which covers the Philippines.

Other bilateral engagements have seen Filipino and Irish troops serving together in a number of UN missions, most recently in Kosovo, Liberia and the Golan Heights.

Based on the 2016 Census, there are about 4,214 people living in Ireland who identify as Filipino

Q Ambassador of Ireland to the United States Daniel Mulhall.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO and 3,499, who identify as IrishFilipino, the largest community from any Southeast Asian country.

Most work in the healthcare sector.

In the Philippines, approximately 700 Irish citizens are residents.

So far, Irish exports to the country have largely involved food ingredients such as cheese and commodity milk powders, and beef, beef offal and pigmeat, among others, totaling Euro 80,957,296 in 2017. Ireland is the third largest exporter of beef to the Philippines, after Australia and Brazil. Total bilateral merchandize trade in 2017 was valued at Euro 327 million.

Mulhall sees rich future trade potential between the Philippines and Ireland in IT, software development and pharmaceuticals.

Nine of the 10 largest pharmaCEUTICAL kRMS IN THE WORLD HAVE operations in the “Emerald Isle,� as Ireland is also known.

Having a full-service embassy in Manila will expectedly make Ireland more accessible to Filipino travelers as visas will be issued directly, Mulhall noted, “We’d also like to see more Filipinos consider studying in Ireland. There’s really a lot that can be done to building up our relations further.�

Improved economic, trade cooperation boosts benefits for China, PH CHINESE Ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua said the improved economic and trade cooperation between China and the Philippines had brought “growing benefits� to both nation’s citizens.

The statement was stressed by Zhao during a reception celebrating Chinese New Year on January 29, which was graced by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, and Sen. Aquilino “Koko� Pimentel 3rd.

According to the ambassador, 2018 witnessed a sustained betterment and growth of China-Philippines relations. “The practical cooperation between China and the Philippines has brought growing benefits to our peoples in 2018.

Last November, Chinese President Xi Jinping successfully paid his first state visit to the Philippines and elevated our relationship into one of comprehensive strategic cooperation,� he elaborated.

Zhao noted that during Xi's visit, he and President Rodrigo Duterte witnessed the exchange of 29 documents in the fields of trade, finance, infrastructure, agriculture, education and culture among others, which has “injected new momentum to China-Philippine relations.�

China has been the Philippines’ number one trading partner and

politics and the differences of religious extremism. In effect, we understand our if selves and we connect to each other’s humanity. We really have to know the culture of each other in order to relate to each other,� Bernadette Abrera, dean of College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, shared during the open forum.

Abrera also noted that the idea to feature Iran in their college’s biannual event came after seeing Taghavi’s calligraphy exhibit and meeting the artist’s husband, Mohammad Jafarimalak, cultural counselor of the Iran Embassy.

Another highlight of the cultural WEEK OF )RAN WAS THE kLM SCREENING of renowned Iranian movies every afternoon at the same college, which added more information about the country. “We do not see movies from other countries nor do we prefer them because or cultural taste HAS ALREADY BEEN DEkNED BY (OLlywood, whose culture we absorb day in and day out. So, among the things that we are doing in the FESTIVAL IS THE FOCUS ON )RAN kLMS u Abrera explained.

Meanwhile, Jafarimalak profusely thanked Abrera and the students of the university for showcasing his country. “Iran is a very small but a very important country in the Middle East,� Jafarimalak, proudly noted.

CHRISTINA ALPAD

Q Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua (center) leads the Chinese New Year celebration in Manila along with local government officials and diplomats. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO import origin, and the fourth largest export market. In 2018 China topped the list of foreign investors with P48.7 billion worth of investments, an increase of 8,364 percent from P575.8 million in 2017.

He also said that Philippine companies sold $124 million worth of goods and services during the first China International Import Expo held in Shanghai in November 2018.

China imported more than 2 million tons of tropical fruits from the Philippines over the past two years and generated a revenue of more than $1.5 billion for 40,000 Filipino farmers.

In 2018, the Philippines received more than 1.25 million Chinese tourists, achieving a 29.6 percent year-on-year increase.

Meanwhile, for the China-funded

grants and soft loans, he enthused that the construction of the drug-rehab centers, two bridges over Pasig River and the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project as well as other infrastructure projects “has made positive progress."

On the other hand, the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held in Beijing in April 2019. “China has sincerely invited President Rodrigo Duterte to attend the aforesaid forum.We are looking forward to the 7th meeting between the leaders of our two countries which will chart a more magnificent blueprint for bilateral relations,� Zhao said. “Over the past two years, under the guidance of our two leaders, ChinaPhilippine relations have achieved an overall turnaround, enjoyed a

sustained growth with strength and depth, and surged forward. This progress could not be achieved without the support and facilitation provided by the friends of China from all walks of life and the Chinese communities in the Philippines,� he added.

The Chinese Ambassador also noted that the year 2019 is also the first year when both country’s relationship has been elevated into one of comprehensive strategic cooperation. “Let us work hand-in-hand to implement the important consensus reached by our two leaders, promote the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in a comprehensive manner, and forge an even brighter ‘Golden Era’ of bilateral ties,� he concluded.

BERNADETTE TAMAYO

Q Tandis Taghavi, head of the Society of Iranian Calligraphists Manila, facilitated a workshop during the cultural week.

Q Focus on Iran allowed Filipino students and art enthusiasts to learn more about the Middle Eastern country.

India, Philippines push for pharmaceutical investments LIKE the Philippines, developing countries across the world face several challenges in providing the people with affordable and high-quality medicines.

The country is the third-largest pharmaceutical market in the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) region and was worth $3.6 billion in 2016. The Filipino pharmaceutical market is predicted to exceed $4 billion by 2020, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of over 3.5 percent.

Generic drugs dominate the pharmaceutical market due to an increasing number of government-owned pharmacies, which are called Botika ng Barangays (BnBs). The number of BnBs has nearly quadrupled since 2010, providing drug access to rural populations and increasing overall demand for pharmaceutical products. Currently, 60 percent of pharmaceutical sales are generic drugs, while

the remaining 40 percent are branded drugs.

However, foreign pharmaceutical companies still account for the majority of the drug market. US and European companies control over 70 percent of the Philippine pharmaceutical market, which sees over 4,800 drug distributors and 650 drug importers in the country.

The Philippines has a high prevalence of both infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases.

There are approximately two dozen new (UMAN )MMUNODEkCIENCY 6IRUS !CQUIRED )MMUNE $EkCIENCY 3YNDROME ()6 !)$3 cases in the Philippines each day, making the Philippines one of the few countries globally WHERE THE INCIDENCE OF ()6 !)$3 IS INCREASING On the other hand, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, with one in three deaths caused by heart disease. Other

leading causes of death include diabetes and cancer, with lung cancer contributing to the highest number of cancer-related deaths among men and third-highest number of cancer-related deaths among women, behind breast and cervical cancer.

Meanwhile, in comparison, India — often dubbed “the pharmacy of the world�— enjoys an important position in the global pharmaceuticals sector. The country also has a large pool of scientists and engineers who have the potential to steer the industry ahead to an even higher level.

Presently over 80 percent of the antiretroviral drugs used globally to combat AIDS are supplied BY )NDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL kRMS Indian companies received 304 Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approvals from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) in 2017.

India’s biotechnology industry — com-

prising bio-pharmaceuticals, bio-services, bio-agriculture, bio-industry and bioinformatics — is expected to grow at an average growth rate of around 30 percent a year and reach $100 billion by 2025.

Majority of top Indian Pharmaceutical companies are now stationed in the Philippines and bringing in more affordable and quality products to cater to the Filipinos.

And with India and the Philippines’ diplomatic relationship of more than 70 years, both nation’s governments are seriously working hand in hand to improve the healthcare scenario in the Philippines.

In the past 10 years, the entire scenario of pharmaceutical market has changed due to INlUX OF THE QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE MEDICINES form India. Patients are now able to afford their maintenance drugs at handful prices being offered by the Indian companies.

Both Philippines and India are now looking a step ahead and inviting Indian Pharmaceuticals manufacturers to set up facilities in the Philippines, so that the strategic location of the country will offer these manufacturers many other Asean markets to cater to.

This is quite vigilant by frequent visits of both THE NATION S DIPLOMATIC AND GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS in and out of the Philippines and India.

The Philippines’ Department of Health, Bureau of Food and Drug, Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange #OMMISSION AND ALL THE RELEVANT OFkCES ARE also working as one to make sure smooth transections as and when required by the investors.

India and the Philippines are looking forward with one vision and mission to provide quality and affordable medicines to all.

THUMKESH KHERA, HEALOL PHARMA CORP. COUNTRY MANAGER

Classified Ads

advertising@manilatimes.net 524-5664 local 121, 3105895 and 3105582

Republic of the Philippines City of Manila COMMITTEE ON AWARDS

LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES INVITATION TO BID The Land Bank of the Philippines invites interested parties to bid for the following properties on CASH and “AS-IS WHERE-IS� BASIS: ITEM AREA PROPERTY DESCRIPTION NO. (sq.m.)

1 14,832 A parcel of agricultural land covered by TCT No. T-122434 1/ 5/ 10/ 2 15,712 A parcel of agricultural land covered by TCT No. T-122435 1/ 3/ 3 34,029 A parcel of agricultural land covered by TCT No. T-122436 1/ 3/ 4 558 A parcel of residential land covered by TCT No. T-85323 5/ 5 80,013 A parcel of corn land covered by TCT No. T-9280 6 80,196 A parcel of corn land and unirrigated rice land covered by TCT No. T-9281 1/ 7 357 A parcel of residential land covered by TCT No. 137-2012007883 2/ 4/ 7/ 8 900 A parcel of Residential lot with improvements covered by TCT No. T-54344 1/ 4/ 9 n/a One (1) unit of Service Vehicle and one (1) unit of Rice Mill 8/ 9/

MONDAY February 4, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

LOCATION

MINIMUM BID PRICE (Php) 311,000.00

Naguilian, Lal-lo, Cagayan

330,000.00 San Juan, Lal-lo, Cagayan

715,000.00

Brgy. Bagay, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

725,000.00

Brgy. Bugnay, Tuao, Cagayan

1,600,000.00 1,604,000.00

Moco Road, Carmen, Cagayan De Oro City Brgy. Pahindong, Medina, Misamis Oriental Lala Facoma’s Warehouse, Brgy. Lanipao, Lala, Lanao del Norte

893,000.00 714,000.00 54,000.00

Occupied 2/ Unoccupied 3/ With legal case 4/ With Road Right of Way (RROW) 5/ No RROW 6/ TCT still in the name of the former owner 10/ TD still in the name of the former owner 8/ Conditions of chattels are beyond economical repair 9/ With Unpaid rental Traversed by NIA access road

1/

INVITATION TO SUBMIT LETTER OF INTENT AND TO BID 7KH &LW\ RI 0DQLOD WKURXJK LWV &RPPLWWHH RQ $ZDUGV LQYLWHV TXDOLÂżHG interested persons, natural or juridical, to submit letters of intent and sealed bids for the proposed lease through public auction of the City-owned property.

Property Land Item ,GHQWLÂżFDWLRQ Area No. No. (PIN) (sq.m.)

1

117-13-719001-009

Location

Lot 33-B, 32-B-1, 590.73 Block 610 Maytubig St., Malate Manila

Appraised Total Value Rental Value/ (Php/sq.m.) Month (PhP) 160.82

95,000.00

Only the prescribed form (Application to Participate in Public Bidding) shall be accepted as formal bid offer. The Bid Documents will be available at the Lending Support Department starting February 11, 2019.

The Pre-Bid Conference will be held on February 15, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at the 27/F Conference Room, LANDBANK Plaza, 1598 M.H. del Pilar cor. Dr. J. Quintos Sts., Malate, Manila.

Prospective bidders are enjoined to inspect the above-listed Properties as well as the legal status of the title before submitting their bids. For the sale of Properties where Vendor disclosure/s are needed, a Disclosure Statement will be issued by the Secretariat upon request by an interested bidder and will be given to all participating bidders on bidding date. The sale of the properties shall be on “AS-IS-WHERE-IS� basis.

For more information regarding the above properties, kindly contact the following: Contact Person Ms. Eden Bisnar - Item Nos. 1-6 Ms. Doris Fellone - Item Nos. 7-8 Mr. Rudolfh Bryan Gesalan - Item No. 9

Contact Number/s (02) 405-7645 (02) 405-7405 (02) 522-0000 loc. 4149

Handling Unit Special Assets Department

LANDBANK reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any formality therein, and to accept bid DV PD\ EH FRQVLGHUHG PRVW DGYDQWDJHRXV WR WKH %DQN 7KH GHFLVLRQ RI /$1'%$1. VKDOO EH ÂżQDO DQG binding.

HEAD OFFICE COMMITTEE ON ASSET DISPOSAL Member: Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation. Maximum Deposit Insurance for Each Deposit is P500,000.00.

MT - Feb. 4, 2019

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late NESTOR LINO ALMAZAN BAGSIT has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Amended Extrajudicial Settlement of the Estate executed on August 10, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 387 and 388; Page No. 79; Book No. 29; Series of 2018 and October 30, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 498; Page No.100; Book No. 30; Series of 2018 both of the notarial registry of Atty. Nazario Cesar E. Matira notary public for and in Lipa City.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AGUSTIN TAN GARCIA has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate executed on July 2, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 462; Page No. 94; Book No. VII; Series of 2018 of the notarial registry of Atty. Belinda M. Nagui notary public for and in Muntinlupa City.

MT - Jan. 25, 28 & Feb. 4, 2019

MT - Jan. 25, 28 & Feb. 4, 2019

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF DONATION

Activities Schedule (2019) 1. Issuance of bid documents February 5 - 11 2. Last day for submission of Letter of Intent February 12 3. Pre-bid Conference February 14 2:00 p.m.

Thursday 4. Bidding/auction proper-opening of bid February 18, 2:00 p.m. envelopes Monday

The lease of the above-described property shall be on an as-is-where-is basis and may be visited/inspected by the prospective bidders any day before the bidding date.

Upon submission of the Letter of Intent, a complete set of bidding GRFXPHQWV PD\ EH DFTXLUHG IURP WKH &LW\ *HQHUDO 6HUYLFHV 2I¿FH WK ÀRRU Manila City Hall Building, A.J. Villegas St., Ermita, Manila.

The City of Manila reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annual bidding process, and to reject any and all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders.

For further information, please refer to: ATTY. RACQUEL GARCE-MEJIA Chairperson TWG-Committee on Awards 2I¿FH RI WKH 'HSXW\ &LW\ $GPLQLVWUDWRU 2nd ÀRRU 0DQLOD &LW\ +DOO %XLOGLQJ

In the event the public bidding is declared a failure due to the participation of only one bidder, the single bidder’s bid shall be considered an offer to buy the property for the purpose of Negotiated Sale on cash basis.

If for any reason the above-mentioned date is declared a non-working holiday, the public bidding shall be held on the next scheduled committee meeting at the same time and place aforementioned. For this matter, the Bank shall publish a Notice to the Public to announce the new date, time and place of the public bidding.

NOTICE OF AMENDED EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows:

7/

Sealed bids together with the 10% bid bond based on the bid offer shall be placed in a sealed envelope to be dropped by the bidder in the designated box at the 27/F Lending Support Department (LSD), LANDBANK Plaza, Malate, Manila on February 21, 2019. The bidder should be within the Bank’s premises on or before 9:30 a.m. The bid shall be dropped until 9:35 a.m. only at the 27/F, LSD. Failure to drop the bid at exactly 9:35 a.m. shall disqualify the interested bidder from joining the public bidding. The bid bond shall be in the form of Cashier’s or Manager’s Check issued by any commercial bank payable to the Land Bank of the Philippines.

E1

MT – Feb. 4 & 11, 2019

YOUR ADS HERE GET RESULTS

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EMILIO A. CABRERA has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Deed of Donation executed on December 18, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 447; Page No. 88; Book No. XXVI; Series of 2018 of the notarial registry of Atty. Jose Floro Crisologo notary public for and in Marilao, Bulacan.

MT - Jan. 28 & Feb. 4 & 11, 2019

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 67 PASIG CITY IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF DANIEL L. ESPINOSA, DANIEL L. ESPINOSA, Petitioner, -versus-

SP. PROC. CASE NO. R-PSG- 18-02337-SP For: Correction of Entry

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF PASIG CITY, Respondent. x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - x

(SGD.) FRANCIS F. YENKO 2,& &LW\ *HQHUDO 6HUYLFHV 2IÂżFH DQG Chairman, Committee on Award

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR) NOTICE Notice is hereby given that RCA REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REPRESENTED

BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT (LGU) OF BINAN (Owner) thru Authorization dated 29 January 2019 and ROCKAVILLA REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Developer) thru notarized Joint Venture Agreement dated 16 January KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of subdivision house and lot in SITIO SAN RAMON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. located at Brgy.

Canlalay, Binan City, Laguna and more particularly described as Lot 2120-A, Psd-04-037944 and covered

by TCT No. T-198654. The project is under BP 220 (Socialized Housing).

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Calamba City, Laguna, 31st day of January 2019.

Recommending Approval: (SGD.) Engr. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head- Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD) Approved by: (SGD.) Atty. RICHARD L. MANILA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU MT - Feb. 4, 2019

ORDER This is a petition for CORRECTION OF ENTRY of Daniel L. Espinosa based upon grounds enumerated therein.

WHEREFORE, notice is hereby given that the said petition will be heard by this court sitting at the Third Floor, Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Pasig City on February 8, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning at which place, date and hour aforesaid, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and show cause, if any they have, why said petition should not be granted.

Let this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation, to be determined LQ D UDIĂ€H LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK H[LVWLQJ ODZV RQFH D ZHHN IRU WKUHH FRQVHFXWLYH ZHHNV )XUWKHU IXUQLVK WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO WKH /RFDO &LYLO 5HJLVWUDU RI 3DVLJ &LW\ WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &LW\ 3URVHFXWRU RI 3DVLJ WKH 3KLOLSSLQH 6WDWLVWLFV $XWKRULW\ WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &OHUN RI &RXUW RI WKH 5HJLRQDO 7ULDO &RXUW 3DVLJ &LW\ FRSLHV RI WKLV 2UGHU together with the copy of the petition and its annexes at the expense of the petitioner ZLWKLQ ÂżYH GD\V XSRQ UHFHLSW RI WKH 2UGHU )DLOXUH WR GR VR ZLOO EH D JURXQG IRU dismissal of the petition.

SO ORDERED. Pasig City, October 5, 2018.

(SGD.) IRA FRITZIE CRUZ-ROJO Presiding Judge MT - Jan. 25, 28 & Feb. 4, 2019

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E2

˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY February 4, 2019 Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

to excise tax: Provided, further, That locally produced or imported oils SUHYLRXVO\ WD[HG DV VXFK EXW DUH VXEVHTXHQWO\ UHSURFHVVHG UHÂżQHG RU recycled shall likewise be subject to the tax imposed under this Subsection. “(b) Processed gas, per liter of volume capacity, Nine pesos (P9.00);

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED NEW SUBSIDIZED APPROVED GENERATION RATE (SAGR) WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

“(c) Waxes and petrolatum, per kilogram, Nine pesos (P9.00);

ERC CASE NO. 2018-048 RC NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner. x--------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 24 May 2018, the National Power Corporation 13& ¿OHG D Petition seeking for the Commission’s approval of the proposed new Subsidized Approved Generation Rate (SAGR), with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

In its Petition, NPC alleged, among others, the following: 1. NPC is a government owned and controlled corporation created and existing under Republic Act No. 6395, as amended (NPC Charter) with principal DGGUHVV DW 13& 2IÂżFH %XLOGLQJ &RPSOH[ FRUQHU 4XH]RQ $YHQXH DQG %,5 5RDG Diliman, Quezon City.

2. Pursuant to Section 70 of Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), NPC shall remain as a National-Government RZQHG DQG FRQWUROOHG FRUSRUDWLRQ WR SHUIRUP WKH PLVVLRQDU\ HOHFWULÂżFDWLRQ IXQFWLRQ through its Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG) and shall be responsible for providing power generation and its associated power delivery systems in areas that are not connected to the transmission system.

3. On 22 August 2011, the Commission approved and issued Resolution No. 21, Series of 2011 entitled “Amended Guidelines for the Setting and Approval of (OHFWULFLW\ *HQHUDWLRQ 5DWHV DQG 6XEVLGLHV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ $UHDV´ providing for the guidelines for the setting and approval of electricity generation UDWHV DQG VXEVLGLHV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ DUHDV IRU WKH Âż[LQJ RI DQG DYDLOPHQW RI VXEVLGLHV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ DUHDV DV ZHOO DV WKH FDVK LQFHQWLYHV IRU WKH 5HQHZDEOH (QHUJ\ 5( 'HYHORSHUV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ IURP WKH 8QLYHUVDO &KDUJH IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ 8& 0(

4. 13& ÂżOHG WKH LQVWDQW SHWLWLRQ LQ LWV FDSDFLW\ DV WKH LPSOHPHQWLQJ DJHQF\ IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ 0( ZKLFK IXQFWLRQ VKDOO EH IXQGHG IURP WKH UHYHQXH from sales in missionary areas and from the universal charge (UC) to be collected from all electricity end-users as determined by the Commission and as provided under Section 2 (a) of the EPIRA Implementing Rules and Regulations.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10963 (TRAIN LAW) 5. Republic Act No. 10963, otherwise known as the Tax Reform for $FFHOHUDWLRQ DQG ,QFOXVLRQ 75$,1 LV WKH ¿UVW SDFNDJH RI WKH FRPSUHKHQVLYH WD[ reform program (CTRP) envisioned by the current administration, which seeks to FRUUHFW GH¿FLHQFLHV LQ WKH WD[ V\VWHP 6. The Tax Policy Reform is one of the major parts in the government’s CTRP. The goal of the reform is to create a more just, simple, and more effective system of tax collection, address the collection gap from high-income earners, and shift the tax burden from low and middle-income households to the high-income sectors. It aims to achieve, among others, a high-income country status but still in keeping with the principles of a sound tax system.

7. The Tax Policy Program includes the adjustment of Excise Tax on Petroleum products which has not been adjusted since 1997. The corresponding excise tax on Manufactured Oils and Other fuels, as stated in Section 43 of the TRAIN LAW, amends Section 148 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

The applicable provision of the TRAIN law provides: “Section 43. Section 148 of the NIRC, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: “Sec. 148. Manufactured Oils and Other Fuels.- There shall be FROOHFWHG RQ UHÂżQHG DQG PDQXIDFWXUHG PLQHUDO RLOV DQG PRWRU IXHOV the following excise taxes which shall attach to the goods hereunder enumerated as soon as they are in existence as such: “Effective January 1, 2018 “(a) Lubricating oils and greases, including but not limited to, basestock for lube oils and greases, high vacuum distillates, aromatic extracts and other similar preparations, and additives for lubricating oils and greases, whether such additives are petroleum based or not, per liter and kilogram, respectively, of volume capacity or weight, Eight pesos (P8.00): Provided, That lubricating oils and greases produced from basestocks and additives on which the excise tax has already been paid shall no longer be subject to excise tax: Provided, further, That locally produced or imported oils SUHYLRXVO\ WD[HG DV VXFK EXW DUH VXEVHTXHQWO\ UHSURFHVVHG UHÂżQHG RU recycled shall likewise be subject to the tax imposed under this Subsection; “(b) Processed gas, per liter of volume capacity, Eight pesos (P8.00); “(c) Waxes and petrolatum, per kilogram, Eight pesos (P8.00); “(d) On denatured alcohol to be used for motive power, per liter of volume capacity, Eight pesos (P8.00): Provided, That unless otherwise provided by special laws, if the denatured alcohol is mixed with gasoline, the excise tax on which has already been paid, only the alcohol content shall be subject to the tax herein prescribed. For purposes of this Subsection, the removal of denatured alcohol of not less than one hundred eighty degrees (180°) proof (ninety percent (90%) absolute alcohol) shall be deemed to have been removed for motive power, unless shown otherwise; “(e) Naphtha, regular gasoline, pyrolysis gasoline and other similar products of distillation, per liter of volume capacity, Seven pesos (P7.00): Provided, however, That naphtha and pyrolysis gasoline, when used as a raw material in the production of petrochemical products, or in the UHÂżQLQJ RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV RU DV UHSODFHPHQW IXHO IRU QDWXUDO JDV ÂżUHG FRPELQHG F\FOH SRZHU SODQW LQ OLHX RI ORFDOO\ H[WUDFWHG QDWXUDO JDV during the non availability thereof, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per liter of volume capacity, zero (P0.00): Provided, further, That the production of petroleum SURGXFWV ZKHWKHU RU QRW WKH\ DUH FODVVLÂżHG DV SURGXFWV RI GLVWLOODWLRQ DQG for use solely for the production of gasoline shall be exempt from excise WD[ 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW WKH E\ SURGXFW LQFOXGLQJ IXHO RLO GLHVHO IXHO NHURVHQH S\URO\VLV JDVROLQH OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDVHV DQG VLPLODU RLOV having more or less the same generating power, which are produced in the processing of naphtha into petrochemical products shall be subject WR WKH DSSOLFDEOH H[FLVH WD[ VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKLV 6HFWLRQ H[FHSW ZKHQ VXFK E\ SURGXFWV DUH WUDQVIHUUHG WR DQ\ RI WKH ORFDO RLO UHÂżQHULHV WKURXJK VDOH barter or exchange, for the purpose of further processing or blending into ÂżQLVKHG SURGXFWV ZKLFK DUH VXEMHFW WR H[FLVH WD[ XQGHU WKLV 6HFWLRQ “(f) Unleaded premium gasoline, per liter of volume capacity, Seven pesos (P7.00); “(g) Aviation turbo jet fuel, aviation gas, per liter of volume capacity, Four pesos (P4.00); “(h) Kerosene, per liter of volume capacity, Three pesos (P3.00): Provided, That kerosene, when used as aviation fuel, shall be subject to the same tax on aviation turbo jet fuel under the preceding paragraph (g), such tax to be assessed on the user thereof; “(i) Diesel fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the VDPH JHQHUDWLQJ SRZHU SHU OLWHU RI YROXPH FDSDFLW\ 7ZR SHVRV DQG ÂżIW\ centavos (P2.50); ÂłM /LTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV SHU NLORJUDP 2QH SHVR 3 3URYLGHG 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV ZKHQ XVHG DV UDZ PDWHULDO LQ WKH SURGXFWLRQ of petrochemical products, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, shall be taxed zero (P0.00) per kilogram: Âł3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV XVHG IRU PRWLYH SRZHU shall be taxed at the equivalent rate as the excise tax on diesel fuel oil; “(k) Asphalts, per kilogram, Eight pesos (P8.00); “(l) Bunker fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the VDPH JHQHUDWLQJ SRZHU SHU OLWHU RI YROXPH FDSDFLW\ 7ZR SHVRV DQG ÂżIW\ centavos (P2.50): Provided, however, That the excise taxes paid on the purchased basestock (bunker) used in the manufacture of excisable articles and forming part thereof shall be credited against the excise tax due therefrom; and Âł P 3HWUROHXP FRNH SHU PHWULF WRQ 7ZR SHVRV DQG ÂżIW\ FHQWDYRV (P2.50): Provided, however, That, petroleum coke, when used as feedstock to any power generating facility, per metric ton, zero (P0.00). “Effective January 1, 2019 “(a) Lubricating oils and greases, including but not limited to, basestock for lube oils and greases, high vacuum distillates, aromatic extracts and other similar preparations, and additives for lubricating oils and greases, whether such additives are petroleum based or not, per liter and kilogram, respectively, of volume capacity or weight, Nine pesos (P9.00): Provided, That lubricating oils and greases produced from basestocks and additives on which the excise tax has already been paid shall no longer be subject

“(d) On denatured alcohol to be used for motive power, per liter of volume capacity, Nine pesos (P9.00): Provided, That unless otherwise provided by special laws, if the denatured alcohol is mixed with gasoline, the excise tax on which has already been paid, only the alcohol content shall be subject to the tax herein prescribed. For purposes of this Subsection, the removal of denatured alcohol of not less than one hundred eighty degrees (180°) proof (ninety percent (90%) absolute alcohol) shall be deemed to have been removed for motive power, unless shown otherwise; “(e) Naphtha, regular gasoline, pyrolysis gasoline, and other similar products of distillation, per liter of volume capacity, Nine pesos (P9.00): Provided, however, That naphtha and pyrolysis gasoline, when used as a raw material in the production of petrochemical products, or in WKH UHÂżQLQJ RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV RU DV UHSODFHPHQW IXHO IRU QDWXUDO JDV ÂżUHG FRPELQHG F\FOH SRZHU SODQW LQ OLHX RI ORFDOO\ H[WUDFWHG natural gas during the non-availability thereof, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per liter of volume capacity, zero (P0.00): Provided, further, That the production RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV ZKHWKHU RU QRW WKH\ DUH FODVVLÂżHG DV SURGXFWV of distillation and for use solely for the production of gasoline shall be H[HPSW IURP H[FLVH WD[ 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW WKH E\ SURGXFW LQFOXGLQJ IXHO RLO GLHVHO IXHO NHURVHQH S\URO\VLV JDVROLQH OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP gases and similar oils having more or less the same generating power, which are produced in the processing of naphtha into petrochemical SURGXFWV VKDOO EH VXEMHFW WR WKH DSSOLFDEOH H[FLVH WD[ VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKLV Section, except when such by-products are transferred to any of the ORFDO RLO UHÂżQHULHV WKURXJK VDOH EDUWHU RU H[FKDQJH IRU WKH SXUSRVH RI IXUWKHU SURFHVVLQJ RU EOHQGLQJ LQWR ÂżQLVKHG SURGXFWV ZKLFK DUH VXEMHFW to excise tax under this Section; “(f) Unleaded premium gasoline, per liter of volume capacity, Nine pesos (P9.00); “(g) Aviation turbo jet fuel, aviation gas, per liter of volume capacity, Four pesos (P4.00); “(h) Kerosene, per liter of volume capacity, Four pesos (P4.00): Provided, That kerosene, when used as aviation fuel, shall be subject to the same tax on aviation turbo jet fuel under the preceding paragraph (g), such tax to be assessed on the user thereof; “(i) Diesel fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the VDPH JHQHUDWLQJ SRZHU SHU OLWHU RI YROXPH FDSDFLW\ )RXU SHVRV DQG ÂżIW\ centavos (P4.50); Âł M /LTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV SHU NLORJUDP 7ZR SHVRV 3

3URYLGHG 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV ZKHQ XVHG DV UDZ PDWHULDO LQ WKH production of petrochemical products, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per kilogram, zero (P0.00): 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV XVHG IRU PRWLYH SRZHU VKDOO be taxed at the equivalent rate as the excise tax on diesel fuel oil; “(k) Asphalts, per kilogram, Nine pesos (P9.00);

w w w.manilatimes.net “Provided, That the Department of Finance shall perform an annual review of the implementation of the excise tax on fuel and shall, based on projections provided and recommendations of the Development Budget Coordination Committee, as reconciled from the conditions as provided above, recommend the implementation or suspension of the excise tax on fuel: Provided, further, That the recommendation shall be given on a yearly EDVLV 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW DQ\ VXVSHQVLRQ RI WKH LQFUHDVH LQ H[FLVH WD[ shall not result in any reduction of the excise tax being imposed at the time of the suspension.â€?

THE REVISED SAGR FOR THE SPUG AREAS 8. The existing SAGR is based on CY 2003 cost level which was approved by the Commission on 16 December 2005 under ERC Case No. 2004-449 RC for the First Wave Areas and on 7 March 2011 under ERC Case No. 2006-020 for the remaining NPC-SPUG areas.

9. In compliance with the Order of the Commission issued in ERC Case No. 5& PDQGDWLQJ 13& WR UH ÂżOH WKH 8&0( IRU &< WR DQG WR include a study and assessment of the existing SAGR of each NPC-SPUG Areas, 13& ÂżOHG D &RQVROLGDWHG 3HWLWLRQ RQ 6HSWHPEHU XQGHU (5& &DVH 1R 2014-135 RC1 which is still pending for Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision.

10. In view of the enactment of the TRAIN Law, the electricity prices will be affected since NPC-SPUG uses diesel and bunker fuels in its power plants. There shall be an increase in fuel cost due to excise tax that must be imposed pursuant to the said law which, in turn, translates to an increase in the operating cost in the SPUG areas.

11. Accordingly, increase in electricity prices is evident since NPC-SPUG uses diesel and bunker fuels in its power plants. The increase in fuel cost due to the new rates of excise tax is tantamount to an increase in the operating cost in the SPUG areas effectively contributing to the increase of the UC-ME, which the main grid customers also pay along with the off-grid customers.

12. Hence, it is imperative to adjust the SAGR to address the impact of fuel cost due to excise tax on NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operating expense in order to mitigate the impact of the TRAIN Law to main grid consumers. The increase in the SAGR will not overburden island consumers since the recovery of the existing 3rd Generation Rate Adjustment Mechanism (GRAM) and 3rd Incremental Currency Exchange Rate Adjustment (ICERA) have already been fully implemented. Consequently, the existing island grid rate is reduced by P0.9492/kWh for Luzon, P1.1950/kWh for Visayas, and P1.4680/kWh for Mindanao.

13. The proposed adjustment of SAGR is calculated based on existing SAGR plus the impact of excise tax taking into account NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contract with the fuel suppliers for the Supply and Delivery of Oil Based Fuel to SPUG Power Plants and Barges for CY 2018 and projected fuel cost for CY 2019 and CY 2020 which have yet to include provision for excise tax under the TRAIN Law on Diesel, Bunker, Lube Oil products at the time of bidding of CY 2018 fuel requirement and calculation of projected fuel for 2019 and 2020.

14. The following tables will show the proposed increase in SAGR by grid and in the areas with corresponding increases under this instant petition: Table 1: Proposed Increase in SAGR due to Excise tax GRID

P/kWh 2019 1.4609 1.6294 1.4793

2018 0.9392 1.0499 0.6703

Luzon Visayas Mindanao

2020 1.9648 2.2084 1.9835

â&#x20AC;&#x153;(l) Bunker fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the same generating power, per liter of volume capacity, Four pesos and ÂżIW\ FHQWDYRV 3 3URYLGHG KRZHYHU 7KDW WKH H[FLVH WD[HV SDLG RQ the purchased basestock (bunker) used in the manufacture of excisable articles and forming part thereof shall be credited against the excise tax due therefrom; and

The above proposed increase in SAGR given the impact of Excise tax is without prejudice to the pending ERC decision on SAGR Petition under ERC Case 1R 5& ÂżOHG RQ 6HSWHPEHU DV PHQWLRQHG DERYH

Âł P 3HWUROHXP FRNH SHU PHWULF WRQ )RXU SHVRV DQG ÂżIW\ FHQWDYRV (P4.50): Provided, however, That, petroleum coke, when used as feedstock to any power generating facility, per metric ton, zero (P0.00).

Table 2: Total impact on SAGR per Area with the approval of ERC Case No. 2014-135 RC

In the event that the pending Petition under ERC Case No. 2014-135 RC is approved, shown below is the total impact on SAGR for CY 2018 to CY 2020:

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Effective January 1, 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x153;(a) Lubricating oils and greases, including but not limited to, basestock for lube oils and greases, high vacuum distillates, aromatic extracts and other similar preparations, and additives for lubricating oils and greases, whether such additives are petroleum based or not, per liter and kilogram, respectively, of volume capacity or weight, Ten pesos (P10.00): Provided, That lubricating oils and greases produced from basestocks and additives on which the excise tax has already been paid shall no longer be subject to excise tax: Provided, further, That locally produced or imported oils SUHYLRXVO\ WD[HG DV VXFK EXW DUH VXEVHTXHQWO\ UHSURFHVVHG UHÂżQHG RU recycled shall likewise be subject to the tax imposed under this Subsection. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(b) Processed gas, per liter of volume capacity, Ten pesos (P10.00); â&#x20AC;&#x153;(c) Waxes and petrolatum, per kilogram, Ten pesos (P10.00); â&#x20AC;&#x153;(d) On denatured alcohol to be used for motive power, per liter of volume capacity, Ten pesos (P10.00): Provided, That unless otherwise provided by special laws, if the denatured alcohol is mixed with gasoline, the excise tax on which has already been paid, only the alcohol content shall be subject to the tax herein prescribed. For purposes of this Subsection, the removal of denatured alcohol of not less than one hundred eighty degrees (180°) proof (ninety percent (90%) absolute alcohol) shall be deemed to have been removed for motive power, unless shown otherwise; â&#x20AC;&#x153;(e) Naphtha, regular gasoline, pyrolysis gasoline and other similar products of distillation, per liter of volume capacity, Ten pesos (P10.00): Provided, however, That naphtha and pyrolysis gasoline, when used as a raw material in the production of petrochemical products, or in the UHÂżQLQJ RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV RU DV UHSODFHPHQW IXHO IRU QDWXUDO JDV ÂżUHG FRPELQHG F\FOH SRZHU SODQW LQ OLHX RI ORFDOO\ H[WUDFWHG QDWXUDO JDV during the non availability thereof, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per liter of volume capacity, zero (P0.00): Provided, further, That the production of petroleum SURGXFWV ZKHWKHU RU QRW WKH\ DUH FODVVLÂżHG DV SURGXFWV RI GLVWLOODWLRQ DQG for use solely for the production of gasoline shall be exempt from excise WD[ 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW WKH E\ SURGXFW LQFOXGLQJ IXHO RLO GLHVHO IXHO NHURVHQH S\URO\VLV JDVROLQH OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDVHV DQG VLPLODU RLOV having more or less the same generating power, which are produced in the processing of naphtha into petrochemical products shall be subject WR WKH DSSOLFDEOH H[FLVH WD[ VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKLV 6HFWLRQ H[FHSW ZKHQ VXFK E\ SURGXFWV DUH WUDQVIHUUHG WR DQ\ RI WKH ORFDO RLO UHÂżQHULHV WKURXJK VDOH barter or exchange, for the purpose of further processing or blending into ÂżQLVKHG SURGXFWV ZKLFK DUH VXEMHFW WR H[FLVH WD[ XQGHU WKLV 6HFWLRQ

Areas

Mindoro Marinduque Palawan Puerto Princesa Coron/Busuanga Catanduanes Masbate Tablas Romblon Bantayan Camotes Siquijor Tawi-Tawi Basilan Sulu Other Luzon Group 1 Group 2 Other Visayas Other Mindanao

Impact of Excise Tax 0.9392 0.9392 0.9392

NEW SAGR FOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES & LGU CUSTOMERS 2018 2019 2020 Incremental Incremental Incremental Impact Impact Impact due Impact due Impact due TOTAL of TOTAL of to pending to pending to pending IMPACT Excise IMPACT Excise SAGR SAGR SAGR Tax Tax Application Application Application 0.9492 1.8884 1.4609 0.9492 2.4101 1.9648 0.9492 0.9492 1.8884 1.4609 0.9492 2.4101 1.9648 0.9492 0.9492 1.8884 1.4609 0.9492 24101 1.9648 09492

TOTAL IMPACT 2.9140 2.9140 2.9140

0.9392 0.9392 0.9392 0.9392 1.0499 1.0499 1.0499 0.6703 0.6703 0.6703

0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.1950 1.1950 1.4680 1.4680 1.4680

1.8884 1.8884 1.8884 1.8884 2.2449 2.2449 2.2449 2.1383 2.1383 2.1383

1.4609 1.4609 1.4609 1.4609 1.6294 1.6294 1.6294 1.4793 1.4793 1.4793

0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.1950 1.1950 1.4680 1.4680 1.4680

2.4101 2.4101 2.4101 2.4101 2.8244 2.8244 2.8244 2.9473 2.9473 29473

1.9648 1.9648 1.9648 1.9648 2.2084 2.2084 22084 1.9835 1.9835 1.9835

0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.1950 1.1950 1.4680 1.4680 1.4680

2.9140 2.9140 2.9140 2.9140 3.4034 3.4034 3.4034 3.4515 3.4515 3.4515

0.9392 0.9392 1.0499 0.6703

0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.4680

1.8884 1.8884 2.2449 2.1383

1.4609 1.4609 1.6294 1.4793

0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.4680

2.4101 2.4101 2.8244 2.9473

1.9648 1.9648 2.2080 1.9835

0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.4680

2.9140 2.9140 3.4030 3.4515

Note: Coron/Busuanga is included in the PSP Area per MEDP 2012-2016 As shown in Table 2, the total impact on existing SAGR for CY 2018 is P1.8884/kWh, P2.2449/kWh and P2.1383/kWh for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively.

Effectively, should the above rate be applied, the Proposed New SAGR for CY 2018 as shown in Table 3 below will be P7.5288/kWh, P8.5002/kWh and P7.2550/ kWh for the PSP areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao respectively, except Masbate with Proposed SAGR of P7.0051/kWh, Other Luzon Group 1 of P6.6908/ kWh, Other Visayas P7.8853/kWh and Other Mindanao of P6.9407/kWh: Table 3: Proposed New SAGR per Area

â&#x20AC;&#x153;(f) Unleaded premium gasoline, per liter of volume capacity, Ten pesos (P10.00); â&#x20AC;&#x153;(g) Aviation turbojet fuel, aviation gas, per liter of volume capacity, Four pesos (P4.00); â&#x20AC;&#x153;(h) Kerosene, per liter of volume capacity, Five pesos (P5.00): Provided, That kerosene, when used as aviation fuel, shall be subject to the same tax on aviation turbo jet fuel under the preceding paragraph (g), such tax to be assessed on the user thereof; â&#x20AC;&#x153;(i) Diesel fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the same generating power, per liter of volume capacity, Six pesos (P6.00); Âł M /LTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV SHU NLORJUDP 7KUHH SHVRV 3

3URYLGHG 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV ZKHQ XVHG DV UDZ PDWHULDO LQ WKH production of petrochemical products, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per kilogram, zero (P0.00): 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV XVHG IRU PRWLYH SRZHU VKDOO be taxed at the equivalent rate as the excise tax on diesel fuel oil; â&#x20AC;&#x153;(k) Asphalts, per kilogram, Ten pesos (P10.00); â&#x20AC;&#x153;(I) Bunker fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the same generating power, per liter of volume capacity, Six pesos (P6.00): Provided, however, That the excise taxes paid on the purchased basestock (bunker) used in the manufacture of excisable articles and forming part thereof shall be credited against the excise tax due therefrom; and â&#x20AC;&#x153;(m) Petroleum coke, per metric ton, Six pesos (P6.00): Provided, however, That, petroleum coke, when used as feedstock to any power generating facility, per metric ton, zero (P0.00). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Petroleum products, including naphtha, LPG, petroleum coke, UHÂżQHU\ IXHO DQG RWKHU SURGXFWV RI GLVWLOODWLRQ ZKHQ XVHG DV LQSXW feedstock or as raw material in the manufacturing of petrochemical SURGXFWV RU LQ WKH UHÂżQLQJ RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV RU DV UHSODFHPHQW IXHO IRU QDWXUDO JDV ÂżUHG FRPELQHG F\FOHSRZHU SODQW LQ OLHX RI ORFDOO\ extracted natural gas during the non-availability thereof, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per liter of volume capacity, zero (P0.00): Provided, That the by-product LQFOXGLQJ IXHO RLO GLHVHO IXHO NHURVHQH S\URO\VLV JDVROLQH OLTXHÂżHG petroleum gases, and similar oils having more or less the same generating power, which are produced in the processing of naphtha into petrochemical products shall be subject to the applicable excise tax VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKLV 6HFWLRQ H[FHSW ZKHQ VXFK E\ SURGXFWV DUH WUDQVIHUUHG WR DQ\ RI WKH ORFDO RLO UHÂżQHULHV WKURXJK VDOH EDUWHU RU H[FKDQJH IRU WKH SXUSRVH RI IXUWKHU SURFHVVLQJ RU EOHQGLQJ LQWR ÂżQLVKHG SURGXFWV ZKLFK are subject to excise tax under this Section. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the period covering 2018 to 2020, the scheduled increase in the excise tax on fuel as imposed in this Section shall be suspended when the average Dubai crude oil price based on Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) for three (3) months prior to the scheduled increase of the month reaches or exceeds Eighty dollars (USD 80) per barrel.

Note: Coron/Busuanga is included in the PSP Area per MEDP 2012-2016 15. As basis for future GRAM applications, provided below is the proposed fuel component of the revised SAGR. TABLE 4

GRID

Fuel Component of CY2002 Unbundled Rates

Luzon Visayas Mindanao

2.0285 3.8942 3.2787

Luzon Visayas Mindanao

2.0285 3.8942 3.2787

Luzon Visayas Mindanao

2.0285 3.8942 3.2787

Impact due to pending SAGR application 2018 0.9492 1.1950 1.4680 2019 0.9492 1.1950 1.4680 2020 0.9492 1.1950 1.4680

Impact dueto Excise Tax

Proposed Fuel Component of SAGR

0.9392 1.0499 0.6703

3.9169 6.1391 5.4170

1.4609 1.6294 1.4793

4.4386 6.7186 6.2260

1.9648 2.2084 1.9835

4.9425 7.2976 6.7302

16. The proposed increase in SAGR averaging P0.8293/kWh due to excise tax will result to an additional projected SAGR revenue amounting to PhP 463 Mn for CY 2018. This is about 16% of the existing SAGR level.

7KH 1DWLRQDO 3RZHU %RDUG DSSURYHG WKH ÂżOLQJ RI WKLV LQVWDQW SHWLWLRQ pursuant to NP Board Resolution No. 2018- 11 dated 22 March 2018, with Excerpts RI WKH PLQXWHV RI WKH UHJXODU PHHWLQJ RI WKH 1DWLRQDO 3RZHU %RDUG FHUWLÂżHG E\ WKH Board Secretary attached in the Petition.

18. The herein proposed New SAGR is also based on the pertinent documents attached in the Petition, as following follows: a.

Awards of Contract for the Supply and Delivery of Oil Based Fuel to SPUG Power Plants and Barges - Fuel Contract for CY 2018 under

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net PR No. HO-FMG18-001 (Excluding Excise tax provision under TRAIN Law) b.

Projected Fuel Cost for CY 2019 to CY 2020 (Excluding Excise tax under the TRAIN Law)

c.

NPC-SPUG Projected Energy Sales for CY 2018-2020

d.

Calculation of the impact of Excise Tax

25 June 2019 (Tuesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 27June 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 20 March 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

ALLEGATIONS SUPPORTING THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW SAGR IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 19. The issuance of a provisional authority under the instant petition is DSSURSULDWH EDVHG RQ WKH IROORZLQJ MXVWLÂżFDWLRQV a. The fuel cost has increased to about 114% since the last level of SAGR approval in CY2003 even without TRAIN Law. b.

21 March 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

Due to the TRAIN Law, the fuel cost will increase by P0.8293/kWh in CY2018, P1.4815/kWh in CY2019, P1.9919/kWh in CY2020. The impact of the increase in fuel cost will greatly affect NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power plant operations if the corresponding cost will not be immediately recovered by NPC as incurred.

22 March 2019 (Friday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

c.

TRAIN Law affects all the electricity end users both main grids and off-grids.

d.

Existing NPC approved budget has provision to cover for the impact of the TRAIN Law. Hence, NPC needs the corresponding funding source.

8 May 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

H &KDUJLQJ WKH ÂżQDQFLDO LPSDFW RI WKH 75$,1 /DZ WKURXJK *5$0 mechanism may not be fair and reasonable to NPC as recovery thereof is deferred. On the other hand, if NPC will be allowed to charge the increase real time in the island grid as part of the SAGR, this will reduce the UCME requirement as well as the burden imposed on the main grid consumers. Moreover, real time payment recovery LV IRXQG LPSHUDWLYH HVSHFLDOO\ WKDW WKH H[FLVH WD[ RQ IXHO ZLOO GHÂżQLWHO\ HDW XS SDUW RI 13&ÂśV FDVK Ă&#x20AC;RZ IRU RSHUDWLRQV

9 May 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

f.

g.

22 May 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

Adjusting the level of SAGR as proposed herein will address the clamor of the main grid consumers on increasing UCME. Higher SAGR will likewise promote energy conservation in the island grid as they become aware that their electricity cost is subsidized.

In order to guarantee continuous power supply and timely payment of fuel purchases to fuel suppliers, it is not only essential but also incumbent upon NPC to limit the disparity between the actual cost and the fuel component of the SAGR.

24 May 2019 (Friday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

20. The issuance of a provisional authority is allowed under Section 3 Rule 14 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Likewise, the authority of the Commission WR LVVXH D SURYLVLRQDO DXWKRULW\ LV FRQÂżUPHG E\ WKH 6XSUHPH &RXUW LQ WKH FDVH of Freedom from Debt Coalition, et. al. vs. ERC, et. al., G.R. No. 161113 (June 15, 2004), when it held that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the power to approve provisional rate increases is included among the powers transferred to the ERC by virtue of Section 44 since the grant of that authority is not inconsistent with the EPIRA; rather, it is in full harmony with the thrust of the law which is to strengthen the ERC as the new regulatory body.â&#x20AC;?

6 June 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

2 July 2019 (Tuesday ) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00A.M.) 4 July 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

21. NPC-SPUG is thus praying for the issuance of a provisional authority under the foregoing premises.

COMPLIANCE 22. In support of this petition and in compliance with Rule 6 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedures under ERC Resolution No. 38, Series of 2006 as well as Section 4(e) Rule 3 of the EPIRA IRR, Petitioner attached and submitted the following: a.

Proof of Publication of the Petition once in a newspaper of general circulation.

b.

Proof of service of this Petition to the Legislative Bodies of the Local Government Units where NPC principally operate.

25 July 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 AM.) 1 August 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

PRAYER 23. NPC prays that: a.

8 August 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 AM.)

Pending the hearing on the merits, an Order be issued granting PROVISIONAL APPROVAL for the adoption of the New SAGR and the fuel component (Table 3 & Table 4).

b.

After the hearing on the merits, the instant petition be GRANTED by the Commission.

c.

Other just and equitable reliefs.

4 April 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00A.M.)

The Commission has set the Petition for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates and venues: Date and Time 21 February 2019 (Thursday) at ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.)

22 February 2019 (Friday) at ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (10:00 AM.)

Venue Luzon Quezon II Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (QUEZELCO II) Main 2IÂżFH %UJ\ *XPLDQ Infanta, Quezon Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (BATELEC II) Main 2IÂżFH $QWLSROR /LSD &LW\ Batangas

28 February 2019 ERC Hearing Room, (Thursday) at two 15th )ORRU 3DFLÂżF &HQWHU Building, San Miguel oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon Avenue, Pasig City (2:00 P.M.) 6 March 2019 Kalinga-Apayao Electric (Wednesday) at nine Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning .$(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH (9:00 A.M.) Magsaysay, Tabuk, Kalinga 7 March 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

Isabela II Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ,6(/&2 ,, 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela

13 March 2019 (Wednesday) at ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.)

Camarines Sur IV Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (CASURECO IV) Main 2IÂżFH 7DORMRQJRQ 7LJDRQ Camarines Sur

14 March 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

Albay Power and Energy Corporation (APEC) W. Vinzons St., Albay District, Legazpi City, Albay

27 March 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 11 April 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 24 April 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

25 April 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 3 May 2019 (Friday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 15 May 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 17 May 2019 (Friday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 30 May 2019 (Thursday) at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

Batanes Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (BATANELCO) Main 2IÂżFH %DVFR %DWDQHV First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (FICELCO) Main 2IÂżFH 0DULQDZD %DWR Catanduanes Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 20(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH 6DQ Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Particulars Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of QUEZELCO II Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of BATELEC II Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of KAELCO Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of ISELCO II Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of CASURECO IV Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of ALECO Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for OMECO and Lubang Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LUBELCO) Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing

Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 250(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Simaron, Calapan City, Mindoro Aurora Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, $85(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Brgy. Reserva, Baler, Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Aurora areas within the franchise area of AURELCO Palawan Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 3$/(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and National Highway, Puerto Evidentiary Hearing for Princesa City, Palawan PALECO Busuanga Island Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, %,6(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Coron, Palawan Evidentiary Hearing Marinduque Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 0$5(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Boac, Marinduque Evidentiary Hearing

10 July 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 11 July 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 18 July 2019 (Thursday) at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

15 August 2019 (Thursday) at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

Tablas Island Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 7,(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Odiongan, Romblon Evidentiary Hearing Romblon Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 520(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Romblon, Romblon Evidentiary Hearing Visayas Northern Samar Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, (NORSAMELCO) Main Pre-trial Conference, and 2IÂżFH &DWDUPDQ 1RUWKHUQ Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Samar areas within the franchise area of NORSAMELCO Samar I Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 6$0(/&2 , 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Brgy. Carayman, Calbayog Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG City, Samar areas within the franchise area of SAMELCO I Jurisdictional Hearing, Samar II Electric Expository Presentation, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pre-trial Conference, and (SAMELCO II) Main Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG 2IÂżFH %UJ\ $UDGR areas within the franchise area Paranas, Samar of SAMELCO II Jurisdictional Hearing, Biliran Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (BILECO) Main Expository Presentation, 2IÂżFH &DUD\ &DUD\ 1DYDO Pre-trial Conference, and Biliran Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas of BILECO and Maripipi Multi- Purpose Cooperative, Inc. (MMPC) Southern Leyte Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 62/(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Nasaug, Maasin City, Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Southern Leyte areas within the franchise area of SOLECO Iloilo III Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (ILECO Expository Presentation, ,,, 0DLQ 2IÂżFH %UJ\ Pre-trial Conference, and Preciosa, Sara, Iloilo Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of ILECO III Guimaras Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, *8,0(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Brgy. San Miguel, Jordan, Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Guimaras areas within the franchise area of GUIMELCO Masbate Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 0$6(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Pinamarbuhan, Moho, Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Masbate areas of MASELCO and Ticao Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TISELCO) Bantayan Island Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, %$1(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Bantayan Island, Cebu Evidentiary Hearing Camotes Island Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, &(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Poblacion, Poro, Camotes, Evidentiary Hearing Cebu Jurisdictional Hearing, Bohol I Electric Expository Presentation, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pre-trial Conference, and %2+(&2 , 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Evidentiary Hearing for Cabulijan, Tubigon, Bohol SPUG areas within the franchise area of BOHECO I Antique Electric Jurisdictional Hearing Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, $17(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Brgy. Funda, San Jose, Evidentiary Hearing for Antique SPUG areas within the franchise area of ANTECO Province of Siquijor Jurisdictional Hearing, Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 3526,(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Brgy. Nonoc, Larena, Evidentiary Hearing Siquijor Mindanao Zamboanga City Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, (ZAMCELCO) Main Pre-trial Conference, and 2IÂżFH 0DULD &ODUD / Evidentiary Hearing for Lobregat Highway, Putik, SPUG areas within the Zamboanga City franchise area of Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ZAMCELCO), Basilan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BASELCO), Sulu Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SULECO), Siasi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SIASELCO), Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TAWELCO) and Cagayan de Sulu Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CASELCO) Davao del Norte Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, '$1(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Tagum City, Davao del Evidentiary Hearing for Norte SPUG areas within the franchise area of DANECO Davao del Sur Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, '$685(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Cogon, Digos, Davao del Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Sur areas within the franchise area of DASURECO Sultan Kudarat Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and 68.(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of SUKELCO Jurisdictional Hearing, Dinagat Island Electric Expository Presentation, PreCooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trial Conference, and ',(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Evidentiary Hearing for Justiniana, San Jose, SPUG areas within the Dinagat Island franchise area of DIELCO and Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (SURNECO)

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may EHFRPH D SDUW\ E\ ÂżOLQJ ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D YHULÂżHG 3HWLWLRQ WR ,QWHUYHQH DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V SULRU WR WKH LQLWLDO KHDULQJ DQG VXEMHFW WR WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV XQGHU Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and address;

2)

The nature of petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with UHVSHFW WR WKH VXEMHFW PDWWHU RI WKH FDVH PD\ ÂżOH WKHLU 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW thereon at any stage of the proceeding before NPC rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Petition may request from NPC that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing.

NPC is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Petition and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Petition and RWKHU SHUWLQHQW UHFRUGV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ GXULQJ WKH VWDQGDUG RIÂżFH hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN and CATHERINE P. MACEDA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 12th day of December 2018 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal Service

1

In the Matter of the Consolidated Petition for the Approval of the Proposed SAGR and UCME for the years 2015-2016

MT - Feb. 4 & 11, 2019

MONDAY February 4, 2019

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The Manila Times is looking for an experienced Digital Manager to oversee all IT (Information Technology) functions in our company.

DIGITAL MANAGER Responsibilities â&#x20AC;˘ Design, develop a website or web pages â&#x20AC;˘ Manage information technology and computer systems for the company â&#x20AC;˘ Plan, organize, control and evaluate IT and electronic data operations â&#x20AC;˘ Manage IT staff by training and coaching employees, communicating job expectations and appraising their performance â&#x20AC;˘ Design, develop, implement and coordinate systems, policies and procedures â&#x20AC;˘ Ensure security of data, network access and backup systems â&#x20AC;˘ Act in alignment with user needs and system functionality to contribute to organizational policy â&#x20AC;˘ Identify problematic areas and implement strategic solutions in time â&#x20AC;˘ Audit systems and assess their outcomes â&#x20AC;˘ Preserve assets, information security and control structures Requirements â&#x20AC;˘ Knowledgeable in web programming language, including Word Press â&#x20AC;˘ Proven working experience as an IT manager or relevant experience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at least 2 years â&#x20AC;˘ Excellent knowledge of technical management, information analysis and of computer hardware/software systems â&#x20AC;˘ Expertise in data centre management and data governance â&#x20AC;˘ Hands-on experience with computer networks, network administration and network installation â&#x20AC;˘ Ability to manage personnel Â&#x2021; %6 LQ &RPSXWHU 6FLHQFH 0,6 RU VLPLODU ÂżHOG â&#x20AC;˘ Good communication skills Please email your resumĂŠ at: hrd@manilatimes.net, or you may apply personally at 2/F Sitio Grande Bldg., 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila (Formerly TRB Bldg.), or you may call Irish de Guzman at 524-5664 local 122.

The Manila Times is looking for young, dynamic individuals with a strong desire to succeed and interest to join its advertising sales team.

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Classified Ads

MONDAY February 4, 2019 Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 166, Pasig City

National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT PASIG CITY Branch______ IN RE: PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION

IN RE: PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION

Spec. Proc. No. 03091 SP R-PSG-18-03091-SP

JAMES ARTHUR WATKINS, Petitioner. x-------------------------------------------------------x ORDER Filed with this Court is a Petition for Naturalization of Mr. James Arthur Watkins, a resident of U-4F Phoenix Heights Condominium, 40 Canley Road, Bagong Ilog, Pasig City. Petitioner arrived in the Philippines on October 2, 2001 aboard Eva Airways BR271 Petitioner resides in the Philippines for not less than ten (10) years as permanent resident immediately preceding the date of this Petition. Petitioner was born in Dayton, Washington, United States of America on November 20, 1963, under whose laws Filipinos may become naturalized citizens of subjects thereof. He married Liezel O. Watkins, a Filipina, on October 20, 2001, and they were blessed with a child, Samuel James Watkins. In relation to this instant petition, Liezel O. Watkins and Dartagnan Jutie, shall testify as witnesses. )LQGLQJ WKH YHULÂżHG IRU QDWXUDOL]DWLRQ WR EH VXIÂżFLHQW LQ IRUP DQG VXEVWDQFH WKH &RXUW hereby sets the initial hearing on October 14, 2019 at 8:30 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning, to be held before this Courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sala located at 5th Floor, Bulwagan ng Katarungan Building, City Hall Compound, Pasig City, at which date, place and time, all interested persons are directed to appear and show cause, if any, why this petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Petition and this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks LQ WKH 2IÂżFLDO *D]HWWH DQG LQ D QHZVSDSHU of general circulation in the place where the petitioner resides, and to have copies of said petition and this Order posted in three (3) conspicuous places. )XUQLVK D FRS\ RI WKLV RUGHU DV ZHOO DV WKH SHWLWLRQ DQG LWV DQQH[HV WR WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO 2IÂżFH RI WKH &LW\ 3URVHFXWRU 3DVLJ &LW\ 'HSDUWPHQW RI )RUHLJQ Affairs, the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Philippine National Police, Camp Crame, National Bureau of Investigation, Station Commander and Pasig City Police Station. Notify the petitioner and his counsel.

Petitioner and counsel are directed to coordinate with this Courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Branch Clerk of Court IRU WKH H[SHGLWLRQV VHUYLFH RI QRWLFHV DQG LVVXDQFH RI UHTXHVW IRU UDIĂ&#x20AC;H SO ORDERED. Pasig City, December 3, 2018.

(SGD.) ROWENA DE JUAN-QUINAGORAN Presiding Judge Republic of the Philippines

JAMES ARTHUR WATKINS, Petitioner. x-------------------------------------------------------x PETITION Petitioner, thru the undersigned counsel and before this Honorable Court, most respectfully avers: 1. Petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full name is JAMES ARTHUR WATKINS. His present place of residence since year 2009 is at U-4F Phoenix Heights Condominium, 40 Canley Road, Bagong Ilog, Pasig City. He formerly resided at Lot 34, Block 3, Phase 5, Greenwoods Executive Village &DLQWD 5L]DO $WWDFKHG KHUHWR LV WKH FRS\ RI 3HWLWLRQHUÂśV &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 5HVLGHQF\ VLJQHG and issued by the Administrator of Phoenix Heights Condominium (Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aâ&#x20AC;?).

2. Petitioner was born in Dayton, Washington, United States of America on 20 November 1963, under whose laws Filipinos may become naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

3. He married Liezel O. Watkins (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lizielâ&#x20AC;?), of legal age and a Filipina on 20 October 2001. $WWDFKHG KHUHWR LV WKH FRS\ RI 0DUULDJH &HUWLÂżFDWH RI /LH]HO DQG 3HWLWLRQHU :DWNLQV (Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bâ&#x20AC;?). They have one child, Samuel James Watkins born on 18 January 2002, who is currently studying at the Reedley International School. Attached hereto is the Authenticated Copy of Birth &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3HWLWLRQHUÂśV VRQ (Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Câ&#x20AC;?).

4. Petitioner arrived in the Philippines from the United States of America on 2 October, 2001 at the port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, boarding BR271 of EVA $LUZD\V $WWDFKHG KHUHWR LV WKH 3HWLWLRQHUÂśV FHUWLÂżFDWH RI DUULYDO VLJQHG DQG LVVXHG E\ WKH Commissioner of Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines (Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dâ&#x20AC;?).

5. Petitioner has resided continuously in the Philippines for not less than ten (10) years as a permanent resident immediately preceding the date of this Petition; to wit: since 2 October, 2001 and in the City of Pasig since year 2009 for at least 8 years and 11 months.

6. Petitioner speaks and writes English and understands and Filipino.

7. He, is currently the Chairman of Race Queen Inc., Emerald Pedistal Properties, Inc., DQG /RNL 7HFKQRORJ\ ,QFRUSRUDWHG ZLWK RIÂżFH DGGUHVV DW 8QLW &LW\ODQG 7RZHU %OGJ #156 HV Dela Costa St., Ayala Ave., Makati City; U-2920 AIC Burgundy Empire Tower, ADB Ave Ortigas Center, Brgy. San Antonio, Pasig City; and L29 Joy Nostalg Centre, 17 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City respectively. Attached hereto are the copies of General Information Sheets for 2018 of Race Queen Inc., Emerald Pedistal Properties Inc., and Loki Technology Incorporated (Annexes â&#x20AC;&#x153;E,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;E-1 to E-2.â&#x20AC;?

8. Apart from putting up businesses, Petitioner and wife Liziel also invested in several properties in the country. They bought a real property in Cainta Rizal which is covered by TCT No. 068-2017000674 and condominium covered by CCT No. 011-2010000137. They also bought farms in Benguet which are covered under TCT No. 016-2016002546 and TCT No. 016-2016002542, and in Ibaan Batangas which are covered by CARP 2017000059 DQG &$53 $WWDFKHG KHUHWR DUH WKH FRSLHV RI &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 7LWOHV RZQHG E\ the Petitioner and his wife Liziel (Annexes â&#x20AC;&#x153;F,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;F-1 to F-5â&#x20AC;?).

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

9. Petitioner believes in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution, is of good moral character and has conducted himself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of his residence in the Philippines in his relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which he lives; has mingled socially with the Filipinos; and has evinced a genuine desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions, and ideas of the Filipinos.

3HWLWLRQHU LV QRW RSSRVHG WR RUJDQL]HG JRYHUQPHQW RU DIÂżOLDWHG ZLWK DQ\ DVVRFLDWLRQ or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized government; that he does not defend or teach the necessity of propriety of violence, personal assault, or assassination for the success and predominance of their ideas; that he is not a polygamist or a believer in polygamy or in the practice of polygamy; that he has never been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; that he is not suffering from mental alienation or incurable contagious disease; and that he is not a citizen or subject of a nation at war with the Philippines.

11. Petitioner has complied with all the requirements of the Naturalization Law (C.A.

UHJDUGLQJ WKH ÂżOLQJ ZLWK WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO RI KLV ERQD ÂżGH LQWHQWLRQ WR become a Filipino citizen of the Philippines.

12. It is his intention in good faith to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce DEVROXWHO\ DQG IRUHYHU DOO DOOHJLDQFH DQG ÂżGHOLW\ WR DQ\ IRUHLJQ VWDWH RU VRYHUHLJQW\ LI WKLV Petition is granted, and particularly to the United States of America of which at this time he is a citizen or subject and that he will reside continuously in the Philippines from date of ÂżOLQJ WKLV 3HWLWLRQ XS WR WKH WLPH RI KLV DGPLVVLRQ WR 3KLOLSSLQH FLWL]HQVKLS 3HWLWLRQHU KDV QRW KHUHWRIRUH ÂżOHG DQ\ SHWLWLRQ IRU FLWL]HQVKLS ZLWK DQ\ FRXUW 14. Liziel O. Watkins, of legal age, residing at 4th Flr. Phoenix Heights Condominium, Canley Road, Bagong Ilog, Pasig City and Dartagnan I. Jutie, of legal age, residing at No. 434 Purok I Poblacion, Tanauan, Batangas City; who are Filipino citizens, will appear and WHVWLI\ DV ZLWQHVVHV DW WKH KHDULQJ RI WKH 3HWLWLRQ $WWDFKHG KHUH WR DUH WKH FRSLHV RI $IÂżGDYLWV of the witnesses (Annexes â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gâ&#x20AC;? to â&#x20AC;&#x153;G-1â&#x20AC;?).

15. Finally, attached hereto and made integral parts of the Petition are, to wit: a. Signed copy of petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the 3KLOLSSLQHV GXO\ ÂżOHG EHIRUH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO (Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hâ&#x20AC;?) b. NBI/Regional Trial Court / Metropolitan Trial Court and Police clearances (Annexes â&#x20AC;&#x153;I,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I-1 to I-3â&#x20AC;?) c. Two photographs of Petitioner, duly autographed and signed (Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jâ&#x20AC;?)

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed that after due proceedings, Petitioner be duly admitted as citizen of the Republic of Philippines.

LOZADA & TIBLANI Counsel for Petitioner Unit B â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12th Floor, The World Centre Building 330 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City Telephone No. (632) 833-98-50 By: (SGD.) LEYTON LORD LOZADA PTR No. 6615519; 03 January 2018; Makati City

IBP No. 020688; 03 January 2018; Makati City Roll of Attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No. 44964 MCLE V Compl. No. 0023045; 20 July 2016, Pasig City COPY FURNISHED: OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL Counsel for the Republic 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City VERIFICATION WITH CERTIFICATION OF NON FORUM SHOPPING I, JAMES ARTHUR WATKINS, of legal age, and with residential address at 4F Phoenix Heights Condominium, 40 Canley Road, Bagong Ilog, Pasig City, after having sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and say that: , KDYH FDXVHG WKH SUHSDUDWLRQ RI WKH LQVWDQW 9HULÂżHG 3HWLWLRQ DQG KDYH UHDG WKH VDPH and understood the contents thereof and all the allegations therein; I hereby verify that all the averments therein are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and as called from the records; I further certify that I have not commenced any other action or proceeding involving the same issues raised in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or its different Division thereof, or any other tribunal or agency; I further certify that to the best of my knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or its different Division thereof, or any other tribunal or agency; 6KRXOG , OHDUQ WKDW D VLPLODU DFWLRQ RU SURFHHGLQJ KDV EHHQ ÂżOHG RU LV SHQGLQJ EHIRUH the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or its different Division thereof, or any other WULEXQDO RU DJHQF\ , XQGHUWDNH WR DFFRUGLQJO\ QRWLI\ WKLV +RQRUDEOH &RXUW ZLWKLQ ÂżYH

days from such notice. $IÂżDQW IXUWKHU VD\HWK QDXJKW IN WITNESS WHEREOF, , KDYH KHUHXQWR DIÂż[HG P\ VLJQDWXUH 1RY DW Makati City.

(SGD.) JAMES ARTHUR WATKINS $IÂżDQW SUBCRIBED AND SWORN WR EHIRUH PH WKLV 1RY DIÂżDQW H[KLELWLQJ WR PH KLV Driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s License No. X01-09-003170 which expires on 20 November 2022, at Quezon City.

Doc. No. 205; Page No. 42; Book No. XVI; Series of 2018.

MT - Feb. 4, 2019