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•• 4 SECTIONS PAGES VOL. • 120 NO. 205 24
MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019
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Trusted since 1898
COMELEC:
Q Heads of media firms funded by US govt through AID and State Department: clockwise, from top left, Coronel (ex-PCIJ), de Jesus, Ressa and Tordesillas.
Poll preparations almost complete T
PCIJ and other media entities funded by US govt should disband themselves
HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday gave assurances that preparations for the May 13, 2019 midterm elections were almost complete. The poll body said it expected the delivery of balLOTS AND OTHER ELECTION PARAPHERNALIA TO BE kNISHED A WEEK BEFORE -AY g!LL LOGISTICAL REQUIREMENT WERE ALREADY IN PLACE )N the coming days we will be able to make the deliveries [of election paraphernalia] 100 percent,� Director Frances Arabe, deputy chief of the Comelec’s EducaTION AND )NFORMATION $IVISION SAID She said the delivery of ballots and other equipMENT WAS WITHIN SCHEDULE On Friday, the Comelec recalled all the marking pens that were supposed to be used by voters to shade the ballots after discovering that such pens WERE OF POOR QUALITY Arabe said the bleeding pens would be REPLACED “We will replace them, we still have TIME AND OUR ELECTION OFkCERS ARE READY to [make emergency] purchase if [what we have] are not enough,� SHE SAID “It’s better not to use them because [they] will smudge, ;THEY= BLOT ;4HEY= BLEED [they are] not quick-dry[ing],� SHE ADDED On Sunday, Arabe reminded
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F they have a n y ounce of integrity and patriotism left in their bones, those running the four media entities funded by the US government, should DISBAND THEIR OUTkTS .OTHING LESS IS DEMANDED OF THEM ÂłTiglaoA4
RIG RRIGOBERTO IGG DD. TIGLAO
A
A few good men
FEW d ays before the elections and already some of my colleagues in ACADEME HAVE GIVEN UP ON THEM )T IS not so much because it is the same suspicion-ridden contraption of an optical scanner that will once more be put to work — although that should also be an important consideration — but because
FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO
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KEEPING THE BALLOTS SAFE A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operative guards ballots stacked inside the Las PiĂąas City Hall. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI
ÂłCompleteA2
What’s inside JBC JUNKS CAYOSA BID FOR CTA POST
DoJ to decide on Rodel Jayme case this week
NewsA2
BY JOMAR CANLAS
TOWARD JAPAN’S ECONOMIC END-GAME
Dan SteinbockA4
ROCKETS EDGE WARRIORS IN NBA OVERTIME THRILLER
SportsC1
BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
JASMIN CURTIS CALLS ON FILIPINOS TO ‘LOVE OUR OWN’ EntertainmentD1
Q Ryuichi Funai (left) of Japan and Jerwin Ancajas trade punches during their 12-round super flyweight IBF world title fight in Stockton, California on May 4, 2019.
Ancajas punishes Funai, keeps IBF title BY JOSEF T. RAMOS *%27). Ancajas proved to be a lethal opponent on his seventh titular defense, punishing Ryuichi Funai in six rounds AND kNISHING WITH A TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT TO DEFEND HIS SUPER lYWEIGHT )NTERNATIONAL "OXING &EDERATION )"& WORLD TITLE ON 3UNDAY AT THE 3TOCKTON !RENA IN 3TOCKTON #ALIFORNIA !NCAJAS WAS THE MORE AGGRESSIVE kGHTER FROM THE beginning, as he bombarded Funai with various combinaTIONS TO THE BODY AND HEAD ³TitleA2
THE Department of Justice (DoJ) will determine within the week the fate of Rodel Jayme, who admitted creating THE WEBSITE WHERE THE g"IKOYu VIDEOS WERE UPLOADED The department is set to issue a resolution that will DECIDE WHETHER THE .ATIONAL 0ROSECUTION 3ERVICE WOULD
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Protection of ecosystem top govt concern – Palace THE protection of the marine ecosystem in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is a top concern of the government, Malacaùang said on Sunday, days after the Supreme Court issued a writ to protect several AREAS THERE ³EcosystemA2
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˜ The Manila Times MONDAY May 6, 2019
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JBC junks Cayosa bid for CTA post
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BY JOMAR CANLAS
HE Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has junked the application of its member, Milagros Fernan Cayosa, for the position of Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) justice after she was charged for lack of delicadeza.
The JBC removed Cayosa from the shortlist of nominees for the two vacant positions in the CTA during their voting on Friday for her failure to disclose pending administrative charges when she APPLIED FOR THE POST
Cayosa is facing complaints
kLED BY /RIENTAL -INDORO 2EP Reynaldo Umali and Senate bet Lorenzo “Larry� Gadon for HER ALLEGED FAILURE TO FULkLL HER mandate in screening former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who failed to submit to the council her complete
Statements of Assets Liabilities AND .ETWORTH
with the voting to include Cayosa INSTEAD OF DISQUALIFYING HER Among the front-runners for the Her bid to become a CTA jusposition of CTA Justice is Caloocan tice was also opposed by Gadon Regional Trial Court Judge (RTC) because the JBC itself would be Lorenza Bordios, who hails from the DELIBERATING ON HER APPLICATION province of Davao and is a graduate Cayosa represents the InteOF 3AN "EDA #OLLEGE OF ,AW grated Bar of the Philippines Bordios was a former state IN THE *"# prosecutor of the Department of The Manila Times sources said *USTICE $O* Cayosa received only two of the Also leading the shortlist is Henry required four votes from the JBC Angeles, the chief of staff of SoFOR THE POSITION OF #4! *USTICE LICITOR 'ENERAL *OSE #ALIDA !NGELES The JBC Executive Committee DISQUALIkED #AYOSA FOR THE POST is a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila because of her alleged violations University and, like Calida, is a fellow during her application, but the MEMBER OF !QUILA ,EGIS &RATERNITY Also making it on the shortlist JBC en banc headed by Chief are Jean Marie Bacorro-Villena, Justice Lucas Bersamin proceeded
-A #ELESTINA #RUZ -ANGROBANG Olivia Escubio-Samar and Maria 2OWENA -ODESTO 3AN 0EDRO The JBC also made its shortlist for the four vacant positions in the #OURT OF !PPEALS #! Leading the shortlist are Makati RTC Judges Carlito Calpatura and Bonifacio Pascua, who were former prosecutors of Pasay City and Mandaluyong City, respecTIVELY "OTH WERE -ETROPOLITAN Trial Court (MTC) judges before ENTERING THEIR BRANCHES IN THE 24# Muntinlupa RTC Judge Philip Aguinaldo also made it to the list, along with Manila RTC Judge !LFREDO !MPUAN Aguinaldo was the former direc-
tor of the DoJ Witness Protection Program and a law professor at the University of Santo Tomas, while Ampuan was a former MTC Judge OF 1UEZON #ITY The brother of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Davao City Judge Emmanuel Carpio, also MADE IT INTO THE SHORTLIST Other names that were shortlisted were Jean Marie Bacorro Villena, Eleuterio Bathan, Lily Biton, Irin Zenaida Buan, Maximo De Leon, Raymond Reynold Lauigan, Virgilio Macaraig, John Emmanuel Madamba, Encarnacion Jaja Moya, Angelene Mary Quimpo-Sale, Rosanna Fe Romero Maglaya and %MILY 3AN 'ASPAR 'ITO
Q ECOSYSTEM FROM A1
Protection of ecosystem The high court on Friday issued the writ of kalikasan to protect, preserve, rehabilitate and restore the marine environment in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, and PanGANIBAN -ISCHIEF 2EEF The petitioners said the Duterte government’s failure to stop Chinese activities in the areas was in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, the Philippine Fisheries Code, and Presidential Decree 1586, establishing the Environmental Impact Statement System in the 0HILIPPINES Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the protection of Philippine-claimed areas was already a top agenda of the Duterte ADMINISTRATION “We note that the writ was issued to prevent violations of our environmental laws in our territorial waters and in our exclusive economic zone located in the SUBJECT AREAS 4HE %XECUTIVE "RANCH is duty-bound to implement all laws regardless of the existence of orders from a co-equal branch,� HE SAID g7E kND NO ISSUE OF ENFORCING our laws as well as performing such enforcement pursuant to our Constitution and principles OF INTERNATIONAL LAW u HE ADDED Panelo, however, denied allegations that the government has not acted on the environmental concerns arising from Chinese ACTIVITIES IN THE AREAS He said law enforcement agencies had moved to protect the DISPUTED AREAS 4HE GOVERNMENT has also filed a formal protest WITH #HINA “Our coast guards, as well as other government agencies are performing their task in securing THE SUBJECT OF THE WRIT 4HERE HAVE been concerns made with respect to security of the marine environment with allegations of certain unwanted incursions that have brought damage thereto, but we
must remember that they have been made in contested areas,â€? HE SAID “While we promptly made a series of diplomatic protests using the mechanism of diplomacy to assert our rights, we also undertook protective measures even as we are consciously cautious not to perform provocative acts that may trigger armed hostilities between the contesting countries, which may risk the lives of our countrymen and cost irreparable damage TO OUR LAND u 0ANELO ADDED (E SAID THE /FkCE OF THE 3Olicitor General would defend the ADMINISTRATION IN THE CASE “Whatever the outcome of the petition, we assure the nation that this administration is committed to protect the sovereignty of our country and the protection of our marine environment against any and all who will attempt to assault or violate them,â€? 0ANELO SAID 4HE PETITION kLED IN !PRIL BY the Kalayaan Palawan Farmers and Fisherfolk Association, cited “massive destructionâ€? in the waters allegedly because of Chinese kSHING VESSELS It also invoked the 2016 Hague ruling, which trashed China’s nine-dash claim over the disPUTED WATERS MalacaĂąang invoked The Hague ruling after reports claimed that hundreds of Chinese vessels were seen in Pag-asa (Thitu) Island and +OTA ,OAITA )SLAND Panelo earlier told the Chinese ships to “go awayâ€? because “they DO NOT HAVE ANY BUSINESS THERE u President Rodrigo Duterte, on the other hand, said China should gLAY OFFu 0AG ASA )SLAND “I will not plead or beg, but I’m just telling you that layoff the Pag-asa because I have soldiers there,â€? Duterte said in a speech in 0ALAWAN ON !PRIL “And, if you touch [the island,] THAT IS ANOTHER STORY ) WILL TELL MY soldiers to ‘prepare for suicide MISSIONS u HE ADDED RALPH U. VILLANUEVA
TEACHERS’ HOTLINE
Members of the Quezon City Public School Teachers Association and Alliance of Concerned TeachersNational Capital Region launch election hotlines in Quezon City on Sunday for teachers working during the poll day. PHOTO BY RUY MARTINEZ
Q COMPLETE FROM A1
the required number of municipal or town councilor and provincial "OARD MEMBERS She explained that if a voter shaded more than 12 senators, his or her votes would not be read by THE VOTE COUNTING MACHINE “If you overvote for senator or mayor, or any other positions, that will not be read by the machine, but will not invalidate your votes on other candidates that you corRECTLY SHADED u !RABE POINTED OUT
“It’s better to undervote than overvote because if you undervote, the machine will still count it, but NOT IF YOU OVERVOTE u SHE EXPLAINED She said the voter’s receipt should be deposited at a desigNATED BOX AT THE VOTING PLACE Arabe called on voters to keep their ballots clean and to avoid unnecessary marking as there is only ONE BALLOT FOR EVERY VOTER Taking selfies inside voting places is not allowed and those
who will be caught doing it could LAND IN JAIL SHE ADDED “Cellphones are prohibited inside polling centers, particularly TAKING PICTURES OF THE BALLOT )T S an election offense, you can be CHARGED u SHE ADDED Arabe said the Comelec had designated polling areas for persons with disability (PWDs), senior citizens and pregnant women located at the ground floor of EVERY REGULAR POLLING PLACE PWDs are allowed to bring someone who will assist them, or they may seek the help of the electoral BOARD IN kLLING UP THEIR BALLOTS
matchmaker Sean Gibbons told 4HE -ANILA 4IMES “With his new diet lady, he was physically strong and had the energy to put his combinations toGETHER (E IS BACK IN TOP FORM AND READY TO kGHT THE BEST u HE ADDED In the early rounds, Funai (31-8 win-loss record, with 22 knockouts) tried to trade punches with Ancajas and ignored the vicious beating he
SUFFERED UNTIL THE FOURTH ROUND !Ncajas overcame Funai’s height and reach advantage by throwing heavy PUNCHES IN ALL ANGLES Despite the beating, Funai was able to connect with solid jabs in the third round, and survived a STOPPAGE IN THE FOURTH ROUND !NCAJAS THREW A TOTAL OF power punches and connected AGAINST &UNAI S OF
LANDED PUNCHES 4HE &ILIPINO kGHTER IMPROVED his win-loss-draw record to 31-1-2, WITH KNOCKOUTS It was redemption for the PanaBO $AVAO DEL .ORTE PRIDE FROM HIS last frustrating bout at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, WHERE HIS kGHT WITH -EXICAN !LEjandro Santiago Barrios ended in A SPLIT DRAW
Poll preparations almost complete registered voters to go to polling PRECINCTS EARLY TO AVOID LONG LINES Voters should prepare a list of their candidates to make voting or shadING OF BALLOT EASIER AND FASTER She urged voters not to overvote or shade more than the required NUMBER OF CANDIDATES Every voter, she pointed out, should only vote for 12 senators, one party-list group, a city or municipal mayor and vice mayor, a governor and vice governor, and
Q TITLE FROM A1
Ancajas The 33-year-old Funai refused to go down, but the ring physician DISCONTINUED THE kGHT BECAUSE OF HIS EXTENSIVE INJURIES “I thought that was vintage Jerwin Ancajas,� international
House of Representatives mourns Nograles passing
3 Q Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles stands before the coffin of his father, former House speaker Prospero Nograles at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. PHOTO BY J.GERARD SEGUIA
MEMBERS of the House of Representatives (HoR), including Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, expressed their sympathies to the family of THE LATE FORMER SPEAKER 0ROSPERO g"OYu .OGRALES OVER THE WEEKEND “We mourn the passing of former speaker 0ROSPERO @"OY .OGRALES AND OFFER OUR DEEPEST condolences to his loved ones and constituents,� SAID !RROYO WHO WAS AMONG THE kRST TO PAY THEIR LAST RESPECT TO .OGRALES ON 3UNDAY She was seen with HoR Acting Secretary General $ANTE 2OBERTO -ALING AND .OGRALES SON #ABINET 3ECRETARY +ARLO .OGRALES DURING THE CEREMONIAL DRAPING OF THE 0HILIPPINE lAG ON THE COFkN ON THE kRST DAY OF MEMORIAL SERVICES AT #HAPEL (ERITAGE 0ARK IN 4AGUIG #ITY .OGRALES WAS ELECTED (OUSE 3PEAKER FROM TO DURING !RROYO S TERM AS PRESIDENT “I recall how much he was loved not only by his fellow congressmen, but just as important by the staff of the House whose welfare he cared so much ABOUT 7E WILL MISS HIM u SHE SAID 3HE ADDED THAT .OGRALES WAS gVERY HELPFULu IN assisting her during her term as undersecretary of THE $EPARTMENT OF 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY “He was very helpful to me when it was my task
as undersecretary of Trade and Industry to navigate our department’s relations with Congress,� !RROYO SAID .OGRALES WAS THE FIRST ELECTED -INDANAOAN SPEAKER 3INCE HE WAS ELECTED TO kVE TERMS AS $AVAO #ITY &IRST $ISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE He lost to Sara Duterte-Carpio when he ran for MAYOR IN .OGRALES DIED AT THE AGE OF ON 3ATURDAY 0"! PARTY LIST 2EP *ERICHO .OGRALES TOLD REPORTers that his father had “succumbed to respiratory FAILURE SECONDARY TO PNEUMONIA u 3ENIOR #ITIZENS PARTY LIST 2EP -ILA !QUINO Magsaysay offered her deepest condolences and SYMPATHIES ALONG WITH OTHER (OUSE MEMBERS g)N THE SPAN OF TIME THAT 2EP 0ROSPERO .OGRALES LED THE #ONGRESS HE HAS PASSED A LOT OF good measures that were enacted into laws, inCLUDING THE 2EPUBLIC !CT OR THE @%XPANDED Senior Citizens Act of 2010,’ which recognizes the contributions of the elderly in the society,� SHE SAID IN A STATEMENT -EMORIAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD FOR .OGRALES AT the House session hall on Tuesday morning before HIS REMAINS ARE lOWN TO $AVAO ON THE SAME DAY GLEE JALEA
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Otso Diretso bets bank on solid ‘Catholic vote’ W Bam thanks El Shaddai BY GLEE JALEA
Q Sen. Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino 4th
3%. 0AOLO "ENIGNO g"AMu !QUINO TH ON 3UNDAY SAID THE ENDORSEMENT OF %L 3HADDAI FOR HIS REELECTION BID WOULD BOOST HIS CHANCES IN THE -AY MIDTERM POLLS g7E THANK THE ENDORSEMENT OF %L 3HADDAI 4HIS IS A BIG HELP u HE SAID !QUINO EXPRESSED GRATITUDE TO %L 3HADDAI LEADER "RO -IKE 6ELARDE FOR ENDORSING HIM (E WAS THE ONLY OPPOSITION CANDIDATE ENDORSED BY 6ELARDE DURING A SPEECH BEFORE THOUSANDS OF %L 3HADDAI MEMBERS ON 3ATURDAY g) WOULD LIKE TO THANK "RO -IKE 6ELARDE AND ALL LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF %L 3HADDAI u !QUINO SAID IN &ILIPINO (E ALSO URGED %L 3HADDAI MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR 'OD LOVING CANDIDATES WHO WOULD SERVE AND LOOK AFTER THE WELFARE THE PEOPLE g7E #HRISTIANS ARE THE HANDS OF *ESUS 7E WILL BE THE ONES TO FORM A SOCIETY THAT WE ASPIRE FOR OUR FAMILY 7E WILL ALSO FORM THE SOCIETY THAT WILL LOVE AND CARE FOR
THE POOR u HE SAID g4HIS -AY PLEASE VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY WORK FOR YOU WHO WILL WORK FOR YOUR FAMILY WHO CARE FOR ALL OF US WHO BELIEVE AND LOVE OUR 'OD u !QUINO WAS EARLIER ENDORSED BY THE #HURCH 0EOPLE FOR AN )NDEPENDENT 3ENATE #0)3 COMPOSED OF BISHOPS PRIESTS AND LAYPERSONS OF THE !GLIPAYAN #HURCH OR THE )GLESIA &ILIPINA )NDEPENDIENTE 4HE #0)3 ENDORSED HIM AS ONE OF ITS 3ENATE CANDIDATES WHOM THEY BELIEVE WOULD HELP PROTECT THE 3ENATE S INDEPENDENCE !QUINO WAS ALSO SELECTED BY THE 0EOPLE S #HOICE -OVEMENT 0#- AS ONE OF THE 3ENATE ASPIRANTS IT WILL SUPPORT AND CAMPAIGN FOR IN THE -AY ELECTIONS #OMPOSED OF VARIOUS #ATHOLIC EVANGELICAL AND 0ROTESTANT GROUPS THE 0#- BASED ITS SELECTION ON CHARACTER AND HONOR COMPETENCE AND ABILITIES FAITHFULNESS TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND FAITHFULNESS TO 'OD THE #ONSTITUTION AND THE LAW BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
ITH only a week left until the elections, candidates of the opposition’s Otso Diretso said they would rely on a solid “Catholic vote,� which they believe would bring honest and rightful candidates into the forefront.
g+AMI AY NANINIWALA NA LALABAS ANG ONE #ATHOLIC VOTE .GAYON LAMANG PANAHONG ITO NAGKAROON NG PAGKAKATAON NA ISANG LIDER NG ATING BANSA AY BINABASTOS ANG ATING 0ANGINOON BINABASTOS ANG ATING PANANAMPALATAYA 7E BELIEVE THAT ONE #ATHOLIC VOTE WILL PREVAIL IT IS ONLY DURING THIS TIME THAT WE HAVE A LEADER WHO DISRESPECTS 'OD DISRESPECTS OUR FAITH u VETERAN ELECTION LAWYER 2OMULO g2OMYu -ACALINTAL SAID
IN AN INTERVIEW ON 3UNDAY DURING /TSO $IRETSO S 1UEZON #ITY SORTIE &ORMER (OUSE DEPUTY SPEAKER ,ORENZO g%RINu 4AĂ„ADA SAID THE #HURCH HAD BEEN PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF HONESTY AS A FACTOR IN CHOOSING CANDIDATES IN THE UPCOMING MIDTERM POLLS g-ALIWANAG PO ANG USAPIN DITO ay HONESTY @9UN PO ANG ITINATAYO NG IBA T IBANG MGA SIMBAHANw AT ANG IBIG SABIHIN NG HONESTY NA @YUN AY WALANG MAGNANAKAW
SA GOBYERNO )T IS CLEAR THAT THE ISSUE HERE IS HONESTY 4HAT S WHAT THE #HURCH HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FORwAND HONESTY MEANS NO ONE STEALS FROM THE GOVERNMENT u HE SAID /N 3UNDAY -ACALINTAL AND 4AÄADA JOINED OTHER /TSO $IRETSO BETS 3AMIRA 'UTOC AND *OSE -ANUEL g#HELu $IOKNO IN AN gHONESTY RUNu CAMPAIGN IN 1UEZON #ITY WITH SOME OF THEIR VOLUNTEERS 4HEY WERE ENDORSED BY ACTIVIST PRIEST 2OBERT 2EYES IN A SHORT ACTIVITY AT 7ELCOME 2OTUNDA g!NG MAHALAGA SA #ATHOLIC ;VOTE= AY @YUNG DISCERNED VOTE (INDI @YUNG SINULSOL IDINIKTA INIUTOS ‡ ITINURO NG KONSENSYA #ATHOLIC VOTE IS A VOTE na PRODUCT OF DISCERNMENT !NG KATOLIKO NA SUMUSUPORTA SA IMORAL NA ADMIN HINDI NAGDADASAL ;NANG= MAAYOS -AY PANAHON PA DISCERN 7HAT
Manicad vows fight vs corruption
Maternity disbursements hit P7B in 2018 – SSS THE Social Security System (SSS) said on Sunday its disbursements for maternity benefits rose to P7.07 billion last year. In a statement, the state-run pension fund said the amount was 15.7-percent higher than the P6.11 billion in 2017. The amount benefitted more than 326,000 female members. “We are glad that we are able to assist more of our female members financially during their pregnancy in 2018. We have recorded an increase of 12.6 percent or 36,550 female members more who availed themselves of the benefit in 2018 compared to that of the previous year,� SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora Ignacio said. Of the total number of beneficiaries in 2018, 68.2 percent or 222,551 were employee-members with total disbursements amounting to P5.98 billion. They were followed by 81,641 voluntary members, 14,692 selfemployed members and 7,429 overseas Filipino worker members, with total disbursements of about P850 million, P80 million and P150 million, respectively. The SSS added that mater-
nity benefit disbursements in the first two months of 2019 reached P1.34 billion with over 62,000 beneficiaries. “We are expecting that these disbursements will continue to increase this year following the implementation of the 105-day Expanded Maternity Leave Law (EMLL) with the implementing rules and regulations already signed on Labor Day last week,� Ignacio said. The maternity benefit will be granted regardless of the frequency of deliveries or miscarriage. The SSS said the maximum financial assistance of P32,000 would increase to P70,000 based on the P20,000-monthly salary credit, it added. “SSS is motivated to continuously develop its benefit programs to provide more meaningful assistance to its members,� Ignacio said. “We recognize the needs of mothers and their newborn babies. We hope that through the EMLL, women workers may be able to fully enjoy their rights to health and decent work,� she added. MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
MAKES #ATHOLIC VOTE IMPORTANT IS THAT IT IS A DISCERNED VOTE )T IS NOT FORCED OR DICTATED UPON YOU )T IS DICTATED BY YOUR OWN CONSCIENCE #ATHOLIC VOTE IS A PRODUCT OF DISCERNMENT ! #ATHOLIC WHO SUPPORTS AN IMMORAL ADMINISTRATION IS SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT PRAY PROPERLY 4HERE S STILL TIME $ISCERN u 2EYES SAID IN AN INTERVIEW 6ARIOUS #ATHOLIC GROUPS HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE OPPOSITION CANDIDATES 4HE OPPOSITION APPEALED TO THE )GLESIA .I #RISTO TO FOLLOW ITS CONSCIENCE INSTEAD OF PROMOTING A MASSIVE gBLOCK VOTEu IN CHOOSING THEIR CANDIDATES g) APPEAL TO THE )GLESIA .I #RISTO PLEASE DON T BE THE SWAY VOTE &ACILITATE VOTERS EDUCATION 7E KNOW THE CONSCIENCE OF THE MASSES BE THE INSTRUMENT OF OUR FUTURE u 'UTOC SAID
Q Confetti rain on Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go during his campaign caravan in Rizal province.
Bong Go: High satisfaction rating vindicates campaign vs crime 3%.!4% ASPIRANT #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O SAID THE RECORD HIGH SATISFACTION RATING OF THE $UTERTE ADMINISTRATION VINDICATED ITS CAMPAIGN AGAINST CRIMINALITY CORRUPTION AND ILLEGAL DRUGS ! 3OCIAL 7EATHER 3TATIONS SURVEY HELD FROM -ARCH TO FOUND THAT PERCENT OF ADULT &ILIPINOS WERE SATISkED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ADMINISTRATION 4EN PERCENT WERE NEITHER SATISkED NOR DISSATISkED AND PERCENT WERE DISSATISkED FOR A RECORD HIGH NET SATISFACTION RATING OF CLASSIkED AS EXCELLENT g)BIG SABIHIN NITO MASAYA PO ANG ATING MGA KABABAYAN SA MGA NANGYAYARI SA KAPALIGIRAN NATIN NA NAKAKALAKAD NA ANG ATING ANAK NA HINDI NABABASTOS AT WALANG KINATATAKUTAN )T MEANS THAT THE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY WITH WHAT IS GOING ON CHILDREN CAN NOW WALK THE STREETS
WITHOUT FEAR u 'O SAID DURING A BREAK IN HIS MOTORCADE IN #AINTA 2IZAL OVER THE WEEKEND 'O PLEDGED TO CONTINUE THE INITIATIVES OF 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE PARTICULARLY THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST CRIME CORRUPTION AND ILLEGAL DRUGS (E THANKED THE PEOPLE OF #AINTA AND ITS LEADERS PARTICULARLY -AYOR *OHNIELLE +EITH g+ITu .IETO FOR THEIR SUPPORT 'O RECALLED THAT .IETO WAS AMONG THE LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO GAVE THEIR WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT TO THE 0RESIDENT DURING THE ELECTIONS (E SAID HE AND THE 0RESIDENT WOULD HELP #AINTA TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES (E NOTED THAT #AINTA AND 2IZAL PROVINCE WOULD BENEkT FROM VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDER THE $UTERTE ADMINISTRATION
4HESE PROJECTS INCLUDE THE 0 BILLION 3OUTHEAST -ETRO -ANILA %XPRESSWAY THAT WILL RUN FROM THE 3KYWAY &4) IN 4AGUIG #ITY TO "ATASAN #OMPLEX IN 1UEZON #ITY TRAVERSING !NTIPOLO 2IZAL 4HE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO REDUCE TRAFkC CONGESTION ALONG %$3! # /RTIGAS !VENUE AND /RTIGAS %XTENSION AND WILL ALLOW FOR QUICKER AND MORE DIRECT ACCESS TO MAJOR AIRPORT TERMINALS #ONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT IS ONGOING AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY 'O ALSO MENTIONED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 2IZAL 0ROVINCIAL 3CIENCE AND 4ECHNOLOGY #ENTER AND 2EGIONAL $ESIGN AND #REATIVITY (UB IN THE 5NIVERSITY OF 2IZAL IN !NTIPOLO #ITY )T WOULD SHOWCASE THE EXTENT OF 3CIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES GIVEN TO COMMUNITY BASED PARTNERS AS WELL AS MICRO SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
3%.!4% CANDIDATE 2ODRIGO g*IGGYu -ANICAD *R UNDERSCORED HIS ANTI CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN AS HE SAID HE WANTED TO gMAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPEu WHERE MANY GOVERNMENT LEADERS WERE PERCEIVED TO BE CORRUPT -ANICAD PLEDGED TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IF HE WINS A 3ENATE SEAT (E SAID HE SAW HOW CORRUPTION WAS COMMITTED BY SEVERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DURING HIS STINT AS A JOURNALIST g!S A JOURNALIST FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES ) VE COVERED FAR TOO MANY STORIES OF &ILIPINOS SUFFERING BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION 4HIS IS REALLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE FACE TODAY AND ) INTEND TO ADDRESS IT u -ANICAD SAID AS HE PROMISED TO SHUN CORRUPT PRACTICES )N ORDER TO SOLVE CORRUPTION -ANICAD SAID HE WOULD PUSH FOR A DEEPER INCULCATION OF VALUES SUCH AS HONESTY TRANSPARENCY AND EMPATHY IN 'OOD -ANNERS AND 2IGHT #ONDUCT CLASSES IN THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM 4HIS HE SAID WOULD gCREATE A CORRUPTION FREE 0HILIPPINES FROM THE GROUND UP u g4HERE IS A NEED TO TEACH THESE VALUES FROM A YOUNG AGE &ILIPINOS WILL BE ABLE TO HELP GREATLY IN QUELLING CORRUPTION WITH THEM BEING ABLE TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCESS IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND THEN REPORTING IRREGULARITIES u HE SAID (E ALSO URGED &ILIPINOS NOT TO CHOOSE CANDIDATES WHO BUY VOTES AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAD BEEN LINKED TO CORRUPT PRACTICES RALPH U. VILLANUEVA
Parents can be held liable for damages caused by minor children Dear PAO, My five-year-old daughter was bitten by a dog while she was playing inside our house. The dog that entered our house was owned by our neighbor’s 10-yearold son. After the incident, I went to our neighbor and informed him of what happened to my daughter. I likewise told them that I spent P30,000 for my daughter’s vaccine and medicines. However, my neighbor insisted that the owner of the dog was his 10-year-old son. He refused to pay for my daughter’s medical expenses and maintained that his son had no source of income, and that what happened to my daughter was an accident. Is there any law making the parents liable for the damages caused by their minor children? Luke
DEAR PAO
PERSIDA ACOSTA $EAR ,UKE
4O ANSWER YOUR QUESTION WE SHALL REFER TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE #IVIL #ODE OF THE 0HILIPPINES TO WIT g!RTICLE 7HOEVER BY act or omission causes damage to another, there being no fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. xxx g!RTICLE The obligation imposed by Article 2176 IS DEMANDABLE NOT ONLY FOR ONE S OWN ACTS OR OMISSIONS BUT ALSO FOR THOSE OF persons for whom one is responsible. The father
and, in case of his death or incapacity, the mother, are responsible for the damages caused by the minor children who live in their company. g!RTICLE 4HE possessor of an animal or whoever make use of the same is responsible for the damage which it may cause, although it may escape or be lost. The responsibility shall cease only in case the damage should come from force majeure or from the fault of the person who has suffered damage. XXXu %MPHASIS SUPPLIED &URTHERMORE !RTICLE OF THE &AMILY #ODE STATES “Parents and other persons exercising parental authority shall be civilly liable for the injuries and damages caused by the acts or omissions of their unemancipated children
living in their company and under their parental authority subject to the appropriate defenses provided by law.� %MPHASIS SUPPLIED !PPLYING THE ABOVE MENTIONED LAWS IN YOUR SITUATION THE PARENTS OF THE YEAR OLD CHILD ARE LIABLE FOR THE INJURIES AND DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE SAID CHILD SINCE HE IS A MINOR LIVING IN HIS PARENTS COMPANY AND IS UNDER PARENTAL AUTHORITY (IS FATHER AND IN CASE OF HIS DEATH OR INCAPACITY THE MOTHER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAULTS AND NEGLIGENCE OF THE SAID CHILD 4HE CHILD AND HIS PARENTS CAN ONLY ESCAPE LIABILITY IF THEY CAN ADDUCE EVIDENCE THAT YOUR DAUGHTER WAS BITTEN BY THE DOG BECAUSE OF HER OWN FAULT -OREOVER 3ECTION OF 2EPUBLIC !CT OR THE g!NTI 2ABIES !CTu PROVIDES THAT ALL PET OWNERS
SHALL BE REQUIRED TO gASSIST THE DOG BITE VICTIM IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULDER THE MEDICAL EXPENSES INCURRED AND OTHER INCIDENTAL EXPENSES RELATIVE TO THE VICTIM S INJURIES u 3ECTION OF THE SAME LAW IMPOSES A PENALTY OF FINE AMOUNTING TO 0 TO PET OWNERS WHO DO NOT SHOULDER THE MEDICAL EXPENSES OF THE PERSON BITTEN BY THEIR DOG 9OU MAY kLE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BARANGAY VILLAGE OFkCE HAVING JURISDICTION OVER THE PLACE OF YOUR RESIDENCE FOR CONCILIATION AND MEDIATION )F YOUR NEIGHBOR STILL REFUSES TO REIMBURSE YOU THE MEDICAL EXPENSES OF YOUR DAUGHTER YOU MAY REQUEST FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A CERTIkCATE TO kLE ACTION FROM THE SAID OFkCE 4HEREAFTER YOU MAY PROCEED TO THE -ETROPOLITAN 4RIAL #OURT OF 1UEZON #ITY TO kLE AN
ACTION FOR DAMAGES #ONSIDERING THAT THE AMOUNT TO BE COLLECTED IS 0 AND FALLS WITHIN THE PROCEDURE GOVERNING SMALL CLAIMS !- 3# 2ULE OF 0ROCEDURE FOR 3MALL #LAIMS #ASES YOU CAN INITIATE THE kLING OF THE CASE BY kLLING OUT A COMPLAINT FORM WHICH IS READILY AVAILABLE FROM THE SAID TRIAL COURT 4HIS OPINION IS SOLELY BASED ON THE FACTS YOU HAVE NARRATED AND OUR APPRECIATION OF THE SAME 4HE OPINION MAY VARY WHEN THE FACTS ARE CHANGED OR FURTHER ELABORATED 7E HOPE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ENLIGHTEN YOU ON THE MATTER %DITOR S NOTE $EAR 0!/ IS A DAILY COLUMN OF THE 0UBLIC !TTORNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA MAY BE SENT TO DEARPAO MANILATIMES NET
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Opinion
MONDAY May 6, 2019
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
E d i to r i a l Culture of encounter and foreign intrusion in media
W
ORLD Press Freedom Day last May 3 did not pass without incident in the country. The event is of surpassing importance to a media organization like The Manila Times and to a democracy like the Philippines. Extolling the event can easily descend into humbug. Nevertheless, there are times when the enduring importance of the work AND SERVICE OF JOURNALISM MUST BE kRMLY ASSERTED This is such a time for journalism. Last Friday’s commemoration was notable for bringing forth SOME SIGNIkCANT STATEMENTS 7E CALL ATTENTION kRST TO THE DECISION OF 0OPE &RANCIS TO ISSUE A statement on World Press Freedom Day, a surprising benediction. Through a post in his social media page, the Pope said journalism should be free and help build “a culture of encounter.â€? First, the Pope said in a tweet: “We need a journalism that is free, at the service of truth, goodness, and justice; a journalism that helps build a culture of encounter.â€? In his new message, Francis said: “The capacity to twist the truth is symptomatic of our condition, both as individuals and communities. On the other hand, when we are faithful to God’s plan, communication becomes an effective expression of our responsible search for truth and our pursuit of goodness.â€? The pontiff zeroed in on fake news: “In today’s fastchanging world of communications and digital systems, we are witnessing the spread of what has come to be known as ‘fake news.’ This calls for reflection‌â€? g4HE DIFkCULTY OF UNMASKING AND ELIMINATING FAKE NEWS IS DUE also to the fact that many people interact in homogeneous digital environments impervious to differing perspectives and opinions,â€? Pope Francis noted. He added disinformation thrives on the absence of healthy confrontation with other sources of information that could effectively challenge prejudices and generate constructive dialogue. “Instead, it risks turning people into unwilling accomplices in spreading biased and baseless ideas.â€? The Pope added that fake news is a sign of intolerant and hypersensitive attitudes and leads only to the spread of arrogance and hatred. We cite next the statement of the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) on May 3, which it titled, “Reject and expose foreign intrusion in Philippine media.â€? The statement said in part: “For a very long time now, the NPC has BEEN ACCUSED AND VILIkED BY ITS CRITICS AND EVEN BY OUR MORE @RESPECTable’ colleagues from the profession of being ‘corrupt’ for allegedly ENGAGING IN ALL SORTS OF UNETHICAL PRACTICES ITS MEMBERS AND OFkCERS they derisively describe as ‘below standard’ media practitioners. g4HE .0# ITS AFkLIATED MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS AND THE OTHER national media organizations present today, are fully aware of the complexity of the problems plaguing the profession. But continuously inspired by the notion of creating an environment conducive to the practice of a free but responsible and credible press, we are addressing these problems individually and collectively, one problem at a time‌ “Today, there is a far urgent and pressing problem that needs to be exposed and to be fought against by all the component members of the press — if Philippine media, as an institution, is to survive, regain the trust of our people and contribute in the promotion of national unity and the strengthening of our democracy. “And here, we are referring to the fact that for many years now, other media organizations are directly receiving money from foreign sources to fund their activities, particularly from front organizations IDENTIkED WITH THE 5NITED 3TATES #ENTRAL )NTELLIGENCE !GENCY #)! and from non-government organizations (NGOs) based in Europe.â€? The NPC did not mince words, it named the concerned organizations: “From the now available facts, we refer to Rappler, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and the National Union of JourNALISTS OF THE 0HILIPPINES .5*0 AS DIRECT BENEkCIARIES OF FOREIGN largesse running in the millions of pesos each year.â€? We hear you, NPC. More power.
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MONDAY May 6, 2019
The Manila Times
VOLUME 120 NUMBER 205
DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL S. MALLARI, Sports Editor DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD, Motoring Editor CONRAD M. CARIÑO, Special Sections Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY, Assistant Business Editor MARIO F. FETALINO, Assistant Business Editor REMIA B. EUGENIO, Deskman (Regions) MARISHELLE R. MEDINA, Deskman JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net 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.
Toward Japan’s economic end-game As the international spotlight has been on the new Emperor Naruhito, Japan’s indebted economy may have to cope with a proposed sales tax that the OECD would like to triple — which could make things a lot worse.
J
APAN is one of the Philippines’ largest export markets and a major source of imports. It is also A MAJOR SOURCE OF OFkCIAL DEVELOPment assistance and foreign investMENT -OREOVER *APANESE kRMS are set to expand operations in the Philippines, as evidenced by the bilateral business forum in March. Except for some dark historical legacies, the bilateral
DAN STEINBOCK economic ties are strong as they should be. Yet, Japan has economic concerns of its own that may enter a new stage in the fall.
Ever since Shinzo Abe started his second stint as prime minister, there have been some positive economic signals, which have led to overblown objectives, including a bad sales tax proposition.
Ignore OECD recommendations
the planned tax hike in October (it has been delayed twice), barring a big economic shock. With the 2019 budget, Abe hopes to offset adverse impact of the sales tax by returning much of the extra revenue to consumers via $18 billion of offsetting measures, instead of faster debt-reduction. Yet, recently the Cabinet
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*APANESE OFkCIALS VOW TO STICK TO
Q TIGLAO FROM A1
PCIJ and other media entities Or have their US masters told them to just wait for the courts or the Securities and Exchange Commission to order them dissolved, so they could shriek, “The Philippine press is being persecuted?� These outfits are the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (PCIJ) — which have been funded by the US State Department for over a decade — as well as VERA Files and Rappler which have received American government money in the past two years. The US State Department through the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) — admittedly doing the propaganda work that the Central Intelligence Agency used to do, as its founder has stated—has given these four more than P100 million for at least 10 years, without which they would have folded many years ago. The Yellows’ poster boy Jim Paredes and their social-media operator Rodel Jayme have proven themselves to have much, much more integrity and sense of honor than THE OPERATORS OF THESE FOUR OUTkTS After his video sex chat was posted in the worldwide web, Paredes apologized and withdrew from public life, even stopping his weekly column at the Philippine Star. Jayme profusely apologized that the website he had set up was used to upload a piece of vile black propaganda against President Duterte and his family. By contrast, the PCIJ et al. have astonishingly buried their heads in the sand. They do not even mention the words “USAid� or “NED� in their statements. They continue to propagate the falsehood that their funders are private US philanthropic foundations like the Ford and Asia Foundations. The evidence against PCIJ et al. is more solid and damning than Paredes’ video or internet experts’ “link analysis� that traced the Bikoy video to a website which was found to have been set up and run by Jayme, and constitutes three aspects. First, the fact of US funding for the PCIJ et al. is indisputable. )T WAS THE OFkCIAL PUBLIC WEBSITE of the federal agency, the US Agency for International Development (AID), that contained the data that the PCIJ and CMFR have been getting US taxpayers’ money for over 10 years since 2009, with VERA Files and Rappler starting to get such
money in the past two years. Why would the AID course its funds allocated by the US Congress through the State Department and not directly to the NED? Because even as AID is already a “soft-power� arm of the US government, its aim being to develop allies by giving them money, it wanted to ensure that the funds to the four MEDIA kRMS WERE IN LINE WITH THE State Department’s goal, which is to advance American interests through diplomacy and molding of public opinion all over the world. If PCIJ and CMFR deviated from the American line, would they have been given funding by the US State Department for over 10 years? Indeed, even recently, the CMFR has been a venue for spreading antiChina lies, the kind that the US State Department has been spreading on the South China Sea dispute. Second, for entities that demand transparency in government, the four — and especially PCIJ and CMFR — have been hiding their huge funding by the US government, given regularly each year, at roughly the same amounts (averaging P7 million) like salaries. Why would they conceal their funding if there was nothing wrong with these? PCIJ has deliberately hidden this fact by claiming in its websites and statements that the bulk of its funding came from an endowment from the Ford Foundation and “donations.� For over a year now, I had been asking the PCIJ and CMFR — the heads of which, Malou Mangahas and Melinda Quintos-de Jesus, respectively, had been my friends — to provide me with details of their fund sources, a reasonable request to media entities claiming to be champions of truth and transparency. They refused to do so. It was blogger Rey Jose Nieto who discovered the fact that their funding, at least from USAid, are disclosed in the latter’s website. Third, even as the facts of their US government funding have been uncovered, PCIJ et al. continue to issue statements which totally ignore this solid information, as if they had not been made public. They even claim these reports as being intended to suppress their anti-Duterte coverage. They admit to their receipt of foreign funds, but they never disclose specifically what institutions gave
them the money. They even claim the funds to be legal and not violative of the Constitution. They obviously have not read the detailed ruling of the Securities and Exchange Commission which says that the Constitution MANDATES THAT A MEDIA kRM MUST BE purely Filipino and anything less than 100 percent control violates it. 4HEIR JUSTIkCATION FOR THE FOREIGN funds they have received is so ridiculous that I’m beginning to wonder how they could ever have been considered good journalists. VERA Files head Ellen Tordesillas even incites the Yellows’ antiChinese racist propaganda and argues that their American funding is of the same genre as China’s funding of the infrastructure projects of this administration. That argument staggers the mind, although an easy answer is that there is no constitutional prohibition against foreign funding of government projects. There is though for media. PCIJ’s former head Sheila Coronel in her 2,000-word statement sent to newspapers and to media all over the world does not once mention “NED� or “State Department.� She claims that foreign funding for her OUTkT GETS IS NO DIFFERENT FROM THE Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s “philanthropic funding� of the UK newspaper The Guardian. Coronel’s mind may been been frozen by the terrible winters in New York where she has lived for a dozen years teaching rich Americans journalism, a prime example of the phenomenon called brain-drain THAT AFlICTS THIS COUNTRY
A stretch It is such a stretch for Coronel to place in the same category as the Gates Foundation with its unassailable philanthropy, the US Department of State with its avowed aim of pursuing America’s national security interests globally, by diplomacy and propaganda. Coronel’s investigative skills are employed only when these serve her propaganda purposes. She didn’t investigate the fact that the Gates Foundation’s grants to the Guardian were not yearly grants as that of the US government to PCIJ and CMFR. They have been for very specific purposes, such as the setting up of a micro-site in the Guardian’s website devoted to monitoring countries’
compliance with the UN Millennium Development Goals. She wasn’t even curious as to why the Gates Foundation gave the grant TO A 5+ MEDIA kRM AND NOT TO AN American one. This is because the UK does not restrict foreign money in media. The US does. Coronel’s capacity for intellectual dishonesty has grown in the US. Coronel has even gone to her global friends to use the issue to paint the country black, and her statement, which no newspaper here found worthy to print, was posted in the Global Investigative Network website. The editor’s note to her statement reads: “Pro-Duterte columnists are now attacking the modest funding that these nonprofits receive from overseas.� Modest at P7 million year for websites like that of PCIJ and CMFR with their miniscule staffs? That a foreign website echoes THESE FOUR 53 FUNDED MEDIA OUTkTS black-propaganda line, very falsely claiming that the staff of the four OUTkTS gROUTINELY GET DEATH THREATS for reporting on a government ‘war on drugs’ that Human Rights Watch says has killed 23,000 people since 2016.� What? Even the newest anti-Duterte propaganda platform disguised as the Ateneo-La Salle’s $RUG !RCHIVE WHICH #ORONEL S OFkCE funded — claimed a 7,000 deaths. 4HAT kGURE WAS INVENTED BY Antonio Trillanes 4th since last year. With such an incontrovertible disclosure that it was the US State Department them funded them — something that has never happened before in Philippine media, and which, to be honest, I found really shocking — operators of PCIJ, CMFR, VERA Files, will go down in Philippines history as a gang lacking in any sense of integrity, honor, and least of all patriotism. No amount of intellectual contortion can they deny that since they are funded by the US government, they are agents of a foreign power — the most powerful, whose track record in interfering in the affairs of sovereign nations is without parallel. Paredes and Jayme are men of principles compared to them.
Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ gmail.com Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao Twitter: @bobitiglao Book orders: www.rigobertotiglao. com/debunked
˜ The Manila Times MONDAY May 6, 2019
w w w.manilatimes.net Q AQUINO FROM A1
A few good men the options on the political buffet are not palatable. It seems to the cynics I have listened to that one must choose between incompeTENTS MISkTS LAPDOGS AND BOOTlickers, oppositionists with the sole agenda of opposing, marauders of the public treasury and recycled far from previous elections — the stubbornness of dynasties, despite the Constitution. I have not yet made up my mind about whether the exercise is worth enduring the 43-degree Celcius scorching heat of Tuguegarao City this time of year and the melee at polling places, coupled with missing pages of the voters’ list and getting almost the whole of one’s pointer kNGER STAINED BY OVERZEALOUS INSPECtors. But I am not giving up just yet, because if one looks hard enough, ONE WILL STILL kND A FEW GOOD DECENT worthy men and women. Not too many, to be sure, but a few! Heherson “Sonny� Alvarez — who already served the Republic as senator after the EDSA Revolution — is seeking a congressional seat in one of Isabela’s districts. He is one good man. He is one decent person. The youth rallied to him in the years preceding EDSA and he returned promptly to the Philippines when Cory Aquino had assumed power to contribute to the rebuilding of the institutions of a free republic. He bestowed on his wife, Cecile, no positions, privileges
and honors, although she would have been most deserving. She has been, after all, a Ramon Magsasay Awardee for Culture. He founded no dynasty and challenges them rather, choosing instead, to stand on his record of remaining true to EDSA’s ideals. He nobly believes that though there once was a Camelot, it can yet be reborn. One may disagree with his vision, but none can contest his sincerity and his integrity. It is people like him who convince me that for their sakes — and the nation’s — the elections round the bend are worth our while. As for the so-called Catholic vote, one thing should be clear: a bishop’s list of favorites is not a Catholic’s choice. It is a bishop’s choice — nothing more, nothing less, even if it be a gang of bishops drawing up the list. The Catholic vote is the free vote of every Catholic who makes his choice in the light of the values of the Gospel and as citizens, principally, of the Kingdom of God: a kingdom of truth and light, a kingdom of justice and peace, a kingdom of LOVE )F THESE SEEM TOO HIGH lOWN aspirations to be real, then that is how urgently we need a truly Catholic vote. A Catholic vote is a vote of conscience — and the sovereignty of conscience is such that it must always be free! I talked in my class on Comparative Federal Systems at San
Beda’s Graduate School of Law yesterday about how it is that monarchies in Southeast Asia survive — Thailand (which does not have a federal system) and Malaysia (our next-door federal neighbor). And one common answer constitutional theorists give is that not only are monarchs and monarchies somehow intertwined with the cultures of the Thais and the Malays. It is also because of the role that they assume — checks on the government in behalf of the people. And while Malaysian rulers in the past have been known to anoint candidates of their own, of late they have learned that their continuing relevance consists in keeping themselves above the political fray so as to maintain the moral ascendancy to criticize, correct and advise without taint of partisanship. It should be much the same with the Catholic Church in the Philippines. The more it aligns itself, AND ITS HIERARCHY IDENTIkES ITSELF with one line-up, the more it stands to rise or fall with the fortunes and misfortunes of such candidates; and if they do not happen to coincide with the choice of the majority, the greater the loss to the Church for it will then seem to be completely out of sync with the pulse of the people. Individual Catholics, as
Catholics, will have their choices, as may Catholic organizations EVEN "UT THE OFkCIAL REPRESENTAtives of the Church would do well by maintaining that prudent distance (while exercising their right to choose individually) from any party (of which there are hardly any, really) or partisan line-up. In countries where the party system thrives — to the obvious advantage of democracy — the opposition is so called because its program of government, its platform of administration is distinct from, in some respects opposed to, the template of the government in power. It is that kind of opposition that is worth a hearing. It is part of the Catholic vote to demand the legislative and executive agenda of candidates — and when one if not several items in it are irreconcilable with Catholic teaching, how Catholic indeed is that choice? Au contraire, on issues such as Charter change and federalism, there is really no Catholic position, because there is not a single article of the Catholic faith nor precept of Catholic morals that makes the endorsement or the rejection of any of these a Catholic obligation. If there is, I might have missed that in theology class.
rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com
Is Cebu’s police force becoming too controversial for comfort?
C
EBU’s public has been getting daily doses of “entertainmentâ€? courtesy of Cebu City Mayor Tomas OsmeĂąa and the #EBU #ITY 0OLICE /FkCE 4HE TWO camps have been trading accusations and insults for months and this “warâ€? has been getting ever hotter. The CCPO’s City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) killed two alleged goons of Mayor OsmeĂąa in Barangay Lusaran last February 22, then recently placed a checkpoint right in front of the mayor’s house. Mayor OsmeĂąa lives along a rather narrow, interior road in Brgy. Guadalupe. Policemen manning the checkpoint who accepted sandwiches offered by Cebu City First Lady Margot OsmeĂąa found themselves relieved by Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, the Police Regional Director of Central Visayas. On April 28, supporters of OsmeĂąa and his running mate City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos were accused by the police of evading a checkpoint. Sinas said they
with the unfortunate killing of two policemen last week. It started with a police operation in Brgy. San Nicolas, Cebu City, in the late afternoon of April 29. The provincial intelligence branch of were lucky not to have been shot. THE #EBU 0ROVINCIAL 0OLICE /FkCE The supporters of the two politi- attempted to serve a warrant of cians have filed complaints for arrest (issued almost two years grave threats and other violations ago) on Gerly Luwagi, a top drug with the Ombudsman against personality and one of Cebu’s Police Capt. Chuck Barandog, the most wanted. Luwagi was killed by the police in the operation. head of the CMFC, and his men. The following morning (April Mayor Osmeùa has accused policemen from the Talamban 30), Police Master Sgt. Junard Police Station of police brutality Cinco who was involved in loin connection with the arrest of cating Luwagi, was shot dead in a drug suspect: A video shows Toledo City by riding in tandem. armed, masked men mauling and Sinas immediately announced brutalizing several persons inside that Cinco was killed by a drug a gaming cafÊ. The police have syndicate in retaliation for the not admitted that it’s their men neutralization of Luwagi. Luwagi in the video, but CCPO Director was reportedly with the group of Col. Royina Garma relieved the Steve Go, a suspected drug lord concerned personnel while an who was shot dead inside the internal investigation is going on. Mandaue City jail last June 2018. 4HE CONlICT BETWEEN THE #EBU Sinas dispatched a tracker team City reelectionist mayor and the composed of, among others, police was suddenly sidelined members of the PIB. The team,
RESURGENCE
MARIT STINUSCABUGON
led by Police Capt. Alejandro Batobalonos — who had also headed the operation against Luwagi — followed a trail of evidence that brought them to the doorsteps of Police Corporal Feliciano Yballe Jr., a member of the earlier mentioned City Mobile Force Company, in Brgy. Sudlon I, Cebu City. By then it was already past midnight (May 1). Batobalonos later informed reporters that Yballe was shot dead after he engaged the policeMEN IN A kREkGHT Barangay officials and other WITNESSES TOLD MEDIA HOW kVE TO eight cars, including at least one police car, arrived in the area. They said that about 20 or more uninformed and plainclothes policemen surrounded Yballe’s house. Yballe’s common-law wife was brought out of the house, and then gunshots were heard from inside the house. While the public was still trying to accept that the ‘retaliation by a drug
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Opinion
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Appreciating our heritage M TEA TIME
AY is the month in the calendar WHEN MOST kESTAS REUNIONS and other celebratory activities happen. That is probably why it is called the merry month of May. While many of our countrymen are occupied with political activities for the May 13 midterm elections and others are vacationing elsewhere, we should also find time to take stock of our history. May is not only for fiestas, reunions, vacations and elections; it is also when the country observes the National Heritage Month. It is an opportunity to raise public awareness of how our ancestors lived, their ethnic and cultural background, and their traditions that have been passed through generations. Visiting heritage sites such as museums is one way we can learn about and appreciate our historical and cultural past. It’s like transporting us into another world, far from the modern facilities we have today. This year, the Intramuros Administration (IA) has added an interesting attraction to the number of museums within the walls with the opening of the three-story Museo de Intramuros at the corner of Arzobispado and Anda Streets, right beside the Archbishop’s Palace and a block away from the Manila Cathedral. It stands on the old site of the second San Ignacio Church built by the Jesuits in honor of their founder, St. Ignatius de Loyola, in the 16th century and completed in 1889. IA, which is observing its 40th year of its founding, is an agency under the Department of Tourism (DoT) that is in charge of restoring, developing, and administering the historic walled area of Intramuros to make sure that the 16th to 19th century Philippine-Spanish architecture are preserved. I had a chance to see the Museo de Intramuros on the second day it was opened to the public last week, and it was pleasing to see a good number of visitors, mostly Filipino students, studying the collections on display. /NE OF THE BENEkTS OF HOLDING OFkCE IN )NTRAMUROS IS HAVing easy access to the several museums and other historical sites “within the walls� and appreciating it better by visiting one place at a time instead of rushing through different sites in one day. The San Ignacio Church was said to have become a favorite for fashionable weddings even among American residents of Manila in the 1920s when its administration was transferred from the Spaniards to the Americans,
TITA C. VALDERAMA and English became the language used by its Jesuit pastors. However, World War 2 destroyed the neoclassical church, leaving only its walls. The ruined walls were cleaned and then became part of what now stands as an ecclesiastical museum where IA has put on display 30 percent of its collections of religious paintings, wooden statues of saints, vestments, furniture, and other artifacts. IA said the Museo de Intramuros presents the story of the evangelization of the Philippines from the perspective of the Filipinos. “It explores changes in the ‘Filipino’ psyche as colonization introduced a new religion and culture to the natives. With the display of religious images belonging to the IA collection, the exhibition is able to highlight Filipino artistry and craftsmanship that developed from the merging of the indigenous and the foreign,� the IA said about the museum. It is dedicated to the stories of Filipinos inside the former Spanish fortress. The Museo de Intramuros houses more than 500 religious icons and artifacts found and collected by cultural organizations in the old churches inside the walled city and all over the Philippines. It has three permanent galleries: the establishment of a parish and sacred vessels, religious colonial paintings, and the Indio response. /N THE THIRD lOOR OF THE BUILDing, IA presents historical facts about Intramuros, also known as Old Manila or the Walled City, as well as its plans to transform the 270-meter-long Maestranza or Almacenes Curtain Wall and its 44 chambers into what it envisions as the most iconic Creative Hub in the Asean region. Through this project, the IA hopes to relive the structure’s historic role as a trading hub for the goods of the Galleon Trade. Maestranza will serve to “incubate, collaborate, curate, and accelerate Philippine-based talents, brands and businesses to become recognized and valued in a global creative marketplace.� The project sounds interesting. The IA had begun restoring the badly ruined Maestranza wall in 2011 through a grant from the Japanese government. Hopefully, restoration work would soon resume on this interesting initiative.
Q STEINBOCK FROM A4
Toward Japan’s economic end-game downgraded its headline economic assessment for the first time in three years. Manufacturing, housing and retail indicators reflect signs of weakness, while first-quarter figures, expected in May, could show a contraction, as the impact of Trump’s tariff wars is spreading in Asia. Indeed, Japan faces more urgently the same dilemma that today burdens most advanced economies: How to support high living standard with low or no growth? In the past three decades, Japanese living standard has increased from over $30,000 to nearly $45,000, as measured by GDP per capita. Yet, Japan’s trend growth has plunged from 5 percent to less than 0.5 percent ( See figure ). Nevertheless, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the advanced economies’ thinktank, is urging Japan to triple its sales tax to 26 percent to achieve a large primary surplus, by spending cuts, tax increases and curbing healthcare services. Yet, such austerity could derail remaining support structures for growth, inflation and average prosperity in Japan.
THE JAPANESE DILEMMA
strengthening in early fall, the Abe administration began to flirt with another tax hike. “The sales tax hike to 10 percent is needed the most to secure stable financial resources to pay for social security for all generations,� says Finance Minister Taro Aso. That is a pipedream. Huge monetary injections and rapidly rising debt will undermine Japan’s economic future.
Excessive monetary injections Half a decade of Abenomics In December 2012, when the Liberal Democratic Party returned to leadership, Abe campaigned on renewed fiscal stimulus, aggressive monetary easing and structural reforms. The devaluation of the yen, critical to Japanese exporters, was the tacit denominator of the proposed changes. In addition to a huge liquidity risk, Tokyo took another risk in timing, as I argued then. It sought to implement the fiscal stimulus in 2013, while consolidation would follow. Obviously, unease increased in
2014. As Abe went ahead with the sales tax hike that spring, it triggered a sharp slump. Instead of strong expansion, consumers were hit hard and Japan began its third lost decade. Yet, recently, international observers have been remarkably optimistic. Last November, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported Japan has had an “extended period of strong economic growth.� As the growth rate, supported by huge monetary injections and rapidly rising debt, increased to 1.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, upgraded from preliminary data, and inflation seemed to be
More than half a decade ago, the new governor of the Bank of Japan (BoJ), Haruhiko Kuroda, pledged to do “whatever it takes� to achieve the 2-percent inflation target. Under his reign, the BoJ boosted quantitative and qualitative easing with negative interest rate policy. In 2018, BoJ’s bond and stock holdings topped 100 percent of GDP. Now the BoJ is adjusting the pace of bond purchases so that its holdings would not surpass 50 percent of the GDP, which is seen to herald the eclipse of monetary accommodation. In 2018, foreigners held an all-time high of 12-percent share of outstanding debt, yet most
debt is in Japanese hands and in yens. In turn, falling rates in the US and elsewhere have made Japanese bonds attractive, as long as their yields are not expected to fall much because of BoJ policy. But times may be changing. At year-end 2018, the BoJ reduced slightly its holdings to 43 percent of all issued Japanese government bonds. It was the first quarterly fall in almost seven years. In the past five years, Japan’s government debt has climbed to 255 percent to GDP. As long as interest rates remain ultra-low, servicing it is affordable. But nothing lasts forever. Moreover, the original target ‡ SUSTAINED PERCENT INlATION — has proved elusive and some argue that the BoJ’s purchases of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are distorting the stock market.
What’s really needed
first place, is foolish. To resolve structural challenges, a more realistic program is required to ensure fiscal sustainability, while raising productivity and reducing all unnecessary barriers to employment. But that’s only a start. Japan needs a national drive to reduce its gender income gap (it ranks 110th in the 2018 Gender Gap Index) and another to attract far more immigrants (with faster naturalization). In both cases, a change of magnitude is needed; policy nibbling will go nowhere. And instead of rearmament, militarization and conflicts, Japan needs accelerated job creation, economic development and regional cooperation. As the world’s third-largest economy and the second-largest debt market, Tokyo’s future choices will have repercussions across the world — in good and bad.
Japan is the first advanced economy in secular stagnation, but others remain in the same path. Penalizing the remaining middle-classes and working people, while sustaining the kind of privatization, liberalization and deregulation, which led to the income gap in the
Dr Steinbock is the founder of the Difference Group and has served at India, China, and America Institute (USA), Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more information, see http://www. differencegroup.net/
A6
Opinion
˜ The Manila Times MONDAY May 6, 2019
w w w.manilatimes.net
Labor outlook, workers look out
K
NOWING a country’s manpower resource is vital to planning and development. But that is just one part of the equation. The other side of the spectrum is the current and forecasted ability of a nation’s employers to absorb the labor force in the various sectors, mainly industry, manufacturing, agriculture and services. For what good would a huge force of active, ready and willing labor force have if there are no available jobs to be had? More importantly, if the opportunities that exist at home cannot assure wages that go even just a little over survival rate, looking inward does not bode well. Then there is the issue of sustained growth in the sectors that members of the active labor force must know to determine if staying in one occupation will bear FRUIT FOR A SPECIkED PERIOD NOT on a year-to-year basis. !USTRALIA S kVE YEAR PROJECTION for example, for 2018 to 2023, projects sustained increase in employment for 17 of the 19 broad industries. “Healthcare and social assistance is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth (increasing by 250,300), followed by construction (118,800), education and training (113,000) and profesSIONAL SCIENTIkC AND TECHNICAL services (106,600). Together, these four industries are projected to provide almost twothirds (or 66.4 percent) of total EMPLOYMENT GROWTH OVER THE kVE years to May 2023.� In addition, the Department of Home Affairs “produces employment projections by industry,
and social assistance, sonographers, optometrists and medical diagnostic radiographers lead the list. For registered nurses, there CRISPIN R. is good and bad news. The bad ARANDA news is that the employment outlook report left out nurses. occupation, skill level and region However, the list of occupaFOR THE FOLLOWING kVE YEAR PERIOD u tions eligible to pursue perThe projections are based on manent residency still include the Australian government’s bud- nurses. And, in the running get and labor force survey. Active total of individual occupations participation of the government eligible for permanent residency in supporting the needs of in- through the various skilled midustry while ensuring that the gration streams, 15,672 spots are workers needed have the required still available for RNs who can skills set is necessary. meet the eligibility requirements under the skilled independent Most in-demand subclass (189), state or territory occupations nominated (subclass 190); employer nominated (subclass 186) In May 2018 the Department of as well as the regional subclasses. Employment’s projections show Other visas for RNs in the 12,564,000 Australians employed temporary category include the in all industries. In 2023, employ- training visas (subclass 407); ment is projected to be 13,450,100. temporary graduate (SC 485) What occupations would be needed — those who have completed in various industries? SPECIkC ACADEMIC PROGRAMS REAccountants remain an in-de- lated to the occupation and the mand occupation, especially in the temporary skill shortage (SC Northern Territory (where employ- 482) — for RNs being sponsored ers experienced widespread short- BY EMPLOYERS WHO CANNOT kND ages). Regional Victoria exhibited a QUALIkED NURSES FOR THE JOB need for accountants, while South As for sonographers, the short!USTRALIA HAS DIFkCULTY RECRUITING age had been felt since at least general or taxation accountants. 2007. Vacancies for optometrists Reflecting the employment REMAINED UNkLLED FOR SIX WEEKS projections, the other occupations after listing according to the dein demand or in short supply are partment report. those in agriculture and horticulCanada’s Labor Market Outture, automotive trades, construc- look shows shortage for regtion trades, building professions istered nurses, specialist phyand architecture and building sicians, general practitioners, technicians, engineering trades, audiologists and speech language professions and technicians. pathologists, physiotherapists Of the nine healthcare occupa- (PTs), and psychologists. The tions, those in child care, health complete report is available from
MIGRANT MATTERS
the 2017 Canadian Occupational Projection Systems which specifies imbalances between labor demand and supply for a 10-year period (2017-2026). The health-related occupations combined with seven occupations in applied sciences and three other occupations was projected to need 1,203,200 QUALIkED APPLICANTS Overall job openings for the period 2017-2026 is projected to be 6.35 million “due to economic growth and replacement needs. Like Australia, Canada’s population is turning gray. Two-thirds of the 6.3 million occupations will require post-secondary education with more THAN HALF EXPECTED TO BE kLLED BY NEW immigrants, the report continues. Consequently, Canada has laid out a red welcome mat to new immigrants, continuously increasing the number of immigrants the country intends to accept, while Australia, New Zealand and the United States are on the opposite side of the immigration freeway, limiting the numbers being admitted.
agers, managing proprietors and supervisors in the 6 million total. Service workers, shop and market sales workers were projected to be 4.7 million, followed by trades and related workers — 3.072 million. The rest of the occupations projected to provide employment were for plant and machine operators and assemblers — 2.588 million; clerks, 2.458 million; professionals, technicians and associate professionals with approximately 3.2 million combined. The 2013 report was spot-on in terms of Filipinos employed in all occupations. In October 2018 – 41.325 million employed albeit two years too late. Philippine Statistics Authority data show that more than half of employed persons are in the services sector and 26 percent of those employed were in the elementary occupations — laborers, cleaners, helpers. In November 2018, the government announced the increase of the daily minimum wage for workers to P500, which would convert to P12,000 a month. PH labor and After the National Economic employment outlook and Development Authority (NEDA) corrected reports that In 2013, the International Labor the P10,000-budget for a typical Organization (ILO) report on the Filipino family was only “hypoPhilippines Employment Projec- thetical,� the question now is tion Model said 41.3 million whether or not the agency has a Filipinos in various occupations kGURE FOR A gDECENTu LIFE would be employed. Laborers and In an interview with One News’ unskilled workers top the list at “The Chiefs� on June 6, 2018, 12.9 million, followed by farmers, NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie FORESTERS AND kSHERMEN MIL- Edillon “admitted that the agency LION WITH GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS does not have a ‘convention’ those in special interest organiza- over the concept� of the required tions, corporate executives, man- wages to have a decent life.
Insurance protection for PUV passengers: When commuters become accident victims
P
UBLIC utility vehicles (PUV) that ply busy urban streets and countryside roads every day are faced with dangers that may put people THEY CARRY IN PERIL 3O WHEN A 056 kGURES IN A road accident that kills or injures a passenger, the driver or operator may be held liable. The law requires PUV operators to secure Passenger Personal Accident Insurance (PPAI), on top of the Compulsory Third-Party Liability (CTPL) insurance. This ensures PUV passengers of GETTING MONETARY BENEkTS AFTER AN ACCIDENT THAT REsults in death or injuries. Without PPAI, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board ,4&2" WILL NOT ISSUE A CERTIkCATE OF FRANCHISE AND the PUV will not be allowed to operate. Under PPAI, the heirs of a killed PUV pasSENGER MAY RECEIVE DEATH BENEkTS AMOUNTING to a maximum of P400,000. Meanwhile, injured passengers get varyING BENEkTS THAT DEPEND ON THE AGGREGATE limit per type of PUV. For instance, up to P200,000 for permanent total disability, loss of two or more limbs, or total and irrevocable loss of sight of both eyes; up to P80,000 for loss of hearing in both ears, up to P30,000 if only one ear; AND SOME SPECIkC AMOUNTS FOR OTHER BODILY injuries as provided in the policy. The PPAI also covers PUV drivers and conductors that died due to the accident but only in terms of burial assistance and casket costs, ambulance assistance, medical implant, and one-time educational assistance for one child of a deceased driver or conductor. In addition, the PPAI also provides legal assistance services amounting to P15,000, which may include attorney’s fees and other necessary legal services, provided official receipts are presented. In situations where A LEGAL CASE IS kLED AGAINST THE 056 DRIVER A maximum bail bond assistance amounting to P45,000 shall also be covered under PPAI. The insurance providers are only required TO PAY FOR THE DEATH BENEkTS OF 0 PER
of LTFRB personnel who induce operators to secure their policies from favored companies. LTFRB continued to oversee the PPAI program between 2013 and 2018 under several agreements between the board and RANDY B. the accredited insurers. ESCOLANGO However, in August 2018, the Department of passenger subject to the authorized seating Transportation (DoTr) ordered the Insurance capacity of a PUV. For instance, the authorized Commission (IC) to take over the PPAI proseating capacity of a jeepney is between 15 to gram, including the evaluation and accredita23, so the insurance company shall only be li- tion of insurance providers under the program. able within aggregate limit of any one accident A transition period was set to allow the IC to from P3 million to P9.2 million. properly evaluate and undertake consultations It is important to note that the PPAI follows concerning PPAI being under its care, given the an “all risk-no fault� policy, which means that short period of time between the DoTr order the authorized PUVs will be covered despite and the nearing expiration of the 2015-2018 the following conditions: PPAI program under the LTFRB. — the cause of accident is a mechanical During the transition period, the status failure of the insured vehicle; quo is being adopted, wherein the two-group — the proximate cause is due to the negligence, system will be maintained, and existing LTFRBor fault of the driver of the other vehicle, mechani- accredited insurance companies will continue cal failure of the other vehicle, or due to force to provide insurance coverage for the PPAI on majeure or acts of God (e.g. natural disasters); a hold-over capacity, except for changes on lead — the driver, at the time of the accident, is insurer within the group. UNAUTHORIZED UNDER THE INlUENCE OF LIQUOR Furthermore, the existing groups shall reUNDER THE INlUENCE OF ILLEGAL OR PROHIBITED main open to all insurance companies that may drugs, or found to be reckless or negligent; wish to participate in the program. — there is a violation of designated route (e.g. Accreditation process has also been postout-of-line), the situation involves unprovoked poned during the transition period. Lastly, homicide, murder, and/or assault, including the IC will also utilize this period to underhold-up and kidnapping incident, or if persons take studies and issue necessary guidelines or passengers are boarding or disembarking from regarding the necessity to adopt a new system the vehicle or immediately thereafter. or improve the current one. 4HE 00!) PROGRAM WAS kRST IMPLEMENTED IN 1999 by the LTFRB, being the agency tasked to Sources: authorize and regulate the operation of PUVs PAMD Power Point Presentation on PPAI in the Philippines. The early implementation Insurance Commission Circular Letter 2018-59 of the PPAI program was through a two-group https://www.insurance.gov.ph/wp-content/ system, where each group was comprised of at uploads/2018/11/CL2018_59.pdf least ten insurance companies. The two-group Insurance Commission Circular Letter 2005-30 system addressed complaints of proliferation of fake insurance policies, predatory pricing among The author is the Deputy Commissioner for LeCOMPETING INSURANCE kRMS PROLIFERATION OF kXERS gal Services of the Insurance Commission. He in the premises of LTFRB, and the moonlighting may be contacted at rb.escolango@yahoo.com.
INSURANCE INSIGHTS
Q CABUGON FROM A5
Is Cebu’s police force becoming too controversial for comfort? syndicate’ could have been carried out by a policeman, Sinas issued a denial that P/Cpl. Yballe was the suspect in the killing of P/MSgt. Cinco. After one more day, Sinas provided this explanation: the team of Batobalonos went to Yballe’s house to ask him to help in locating Cinco’s suspected killers. They had reportedly fled to the neighboring Brgy. Sinsin. Yballe was paranoid due to death threats he had received from drug personalities (he survived an attempt on his life in October 2017), and he didn’t
recognize the men who were knocking on his door. The death of Yballe was a result of a misencounter, Sinas said. Batobalonos, who had just scored big with the neutralization of Luwagi, has been relieved of his post, together with 17 of his men. The order came from no less than Police Director General Oscar Albayalde who, a source told me, was close to the late P/Cpl. Yballe. P/MSgt. Cinco was reportedly a good cop. He had the trust of the community who reported to him abuses committed by
OTHER POLICEMEN (E PLAYED A SIGNIkCANT role in locating Luwagi. Luwagi was from Brgy. Lawaan III, Talisay City, but was hiding out in Cebu City. Sinas has yet to convince the Cebuano public that 1) what transpired in Brgy. Sudlon I was indeed a misencounter; and 2) P/Cpl Yballe had nothing to do with the killing of P/MSgt. Cinco. The police are hounded by enough controversies affecting credibility and trust. Both the police and the public deserve better.
Edillon said during the interview that the realistic target is for the country is to “become an upper-middle income country� by 2022, where an individual earns $5,000 a year, or around P21,600 in a month on average.� Edillon’s claim of P10,000 monthly income for a Filipino FAMILY OF kVE WAS CORRECTED BY Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director General Ernesto Pernia, who said that a “decent income� for a family of kVE WOULD BE 0 A MONTH So, even if jobs are available, the increased P500-daily minimum wage would not be an incentive to stay home, but instead to look outward by becoming an overseas Filipino worker. A 2018 PSA survey shows that of the 2.3 million OFWs, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains the top destination. Over 24 percent of this number are skilled workers in Saudi, with Hong Kong, Kuwait, Taiwan and Qatar bringing up the remaining numbers at 6.3 percent, 5.7 percent, 5.5 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively. The POEA deployment validates this outlook of Filipino workers. Of the top 10 list of overseas jobs in c016, workers in elementary occupations topped the list at 358,605, service and sales workers came a distant second at 56,617, with Craft and related trades workers closely behind at 51,607. With the abovementioned labor and employment outlook of at least two countries — Australia and Canada — Filipinos lacking decent work and wage opportunities in the country will continue to look outwards.
FOCUS
Buttigieg impact felt in US beyond his White House dream WASHINGTON: The unprecedented campaign of Pete Buttigieg, with husband and potential first gentleman Chasten at his side, is shaking up politics and promises to change perceptions of same-sex marriage — and what it means to be a family in America. The Buttigiegs are the most visible samesex couple of the moment, riding a wave of popularity as Pete, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, seeks the Democratic presidential nomination and the right to challenge Donald Trump in 2020. Should the improbable become reality, Buttigieg would serve as America’s first openly gay commander in chief, and his 29-year-old husband of 11 months would become the first-ever US first gentleman. Together they would challenge expectations of what the first couple could or should be. While that remains a far-off dream 18 months from election day, experts say the pair is already having substantial cultural impact. Millions of Americans have now watched Buttigieg’s televised town halls, seen the candidate and his husband in person on the campaign trail or viewed their television interviews. This week’s Time magazine profile boldly titled “First Family� features a cover photo of the couple standing outside their home, sleeves rolled up — an unremarkable image capturing a remarkable cultural moment. “Pete and Chasten are so... normal and American and relatable,� Annise Parker, the former mayor of Houston and one of the first openly gay mayors of a major American city, told AFP. Because of heightened media coverage during Buttigieg’s rising star campaign — he was virtually unknown weeks ago but now polls in the top tier among 21 candidates — �it’s driving this mainstream middleAmerican image of a young happily married couple,� said Parker, who now heads Victory Fund, which supports LGBTQ candidates. “It’s hard to discriminate against someone you can relate to so strongly.� The average American’s position on gay marriage has evolved rapidly, said Brian Powell, a sociology professor at Indiana University who studies same-sex marriage. In 2003, his research showed, a traditional husband-wife-children view of family dominated. By 2015, the “inclusionist� ideal prevailed, and marriage equality was the law of the land. Much of that shift was attributable to television, notably shows like “Will and Grace,� which helped normalize same-sex households to millions of viewers. But the real-life Buttigiegs could put
even more Americans at ease. People are “seeing it in a very visible public figure,� Powell said. “That can have a transformational effect.� Buttigieg came out as gay during his mayoral reelection campaign, and three years after the Supreme Court struck down state bans on same-sex marriage, he and Chasten tied the knot. During his campaign launch speech in South Bend, Buttigieg offered thanks to “Chasten, my love, for giving me the strength to do this and the grounding to be myself as we go.�
Contrast with Trump Buttigieg, according to The Atlantic, is “a model of conventional, bourgeois gay domesticity.� He is a military veteran, a monogamous intellectual by all accounts, quick to show off their two dogs. Much has been made of the contrast with the twice-divorced Trump, accused by multiple women of sexual assault or harassment, and whom Buttigieg has branded as operating a “pornstar presidency.� “If the public portrayals of the marriages are accurate, then I would say more American families are like the Buttigieg family than they are like the Trump family,� Powell said. For under-40 millennials, sexual orientation is just another human trait, like race or gender, and “is not in any way a disqualifier� for the presidency, said University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire associate professor of sociology Peter Hart-Brinson. Not all are on board, particularly conservatives. Many in the LGBTQ community view Trump himself as hostile to their rights, and several states still allow employers to fire workers for being gay. Buttigieg is an Episcopalian with an abiding faith in God, but Christian evangelist Franklin Graham denounced him by name last week. “As a Christian I believe the Bible which defines homosexuality as sin, something to be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised or politicized,� Graham tweeted. “The Bible says marriage is between a man & a woman-not two men, not two women.� By many accounts, the Buttigieg marriage is storybook, a symbol of what is politically achievable today. Chasten, sitting with his husband, told CBS News last week that they quarrel over who does the laundry or takes out the trash, just like most American couples. “I do enjoy going out there with Pete and showing people that gay marriage is just like a straight marriage,� he said. AFP
Regions
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
Vote-buying, killings mar campaign in Cavite, Negros 4(% #RIMINAL )NVESTIGATION AND $ETECTION 'ROUP #)$' IN #AVITE ARRESTED PEOPLE ALLEGEDLY CAUGHT ENGAGED IN VOTE BUYING IN "ARANGAY :APOTE "ACOOR #ITY ON 3ATURDAY 4HE #)$' IDENTIkED THE ARRESTED SUSPECTS AS 4ERESITA -ARJES )RENE -ORALES %LSIE !LANO *AYSON !LAB 2EX DEL 2OSARIO *OSE DE ,EON 'REGORIO 4AMIO -ICHAEL /MEDES *OSELINO 6ILLA AND *OWEL 3ALE 2ESPONDING OPERATIVES RECOVERED BUNDLES OF SMALL BROWN ENVELOPES CONTAINING 0 BILLS WITH A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 0 ANOTHER SET OF CASH WORTH 0 ONE PLASTIC BAG CONTAINING RED WRISTBANDS WITH g&)8 Mu MARKINGS TWO WHITE SHIRTS PRINTED WITH g4APAT SA "AYAN 4APAT SA 5SAPANu AND g*ONVIC 2EMULLA 'OBERNADOR *OLO 2EVILLA "ISE 'OBERNADORu AND g6OTE 7OW 0ILIPINAS u AND A RED NOTEBOOK WITH LIST OF NAMES 4HE ARREST STEMMED FROM A CALL RECEIVED BY THE #)$' AND #AVITE 0ROVINCIAL 0OLICE /FFICE FROM A CIVILIAN WHO REPORTED A GROUP OF PERSONS DISTIBUTING CASH TO THE RESIDENTS TO FAVOR CERTAIN CANDIDATES IN THE -AY ELECTIONS
Negros town under Comelec control -EANWHILE THE #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS #OMELEC SITTING en BANC PLACED -OISES 0ADILLA TOWN IN .EGROS /CCIDENTAL UNDER ITS CONTROL AFTER THE KILLING OF TWO REELECTIONIST TOWN COUNCILORS AND A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE !SSOCIATION OF "ARANGAY #APTAINS !"#
#OMELEC FOR 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS 2EGIONAL $IRECTOR *OSE .ICK -ENDROS CONkRMED THE DECISION SAYING THIS -ONDAY #OMMISSIONER !NTONIO +HO WOULD MEET WITH LOCAL POLLS OFkCIALS 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 0OLICE AND THE MILITARY TO DISCUSS AND FORMULATE AN ACTION PLAN AND POSSIBLE CREATION OF A TASK FORCE #OUNCILOR -ICHAEL 'ARCIA AND FORMER !"# PRESIDENT -ARK 'ARCIA WERE KILLED IN AN AMBUSH ON !PRIL IN "ARANGAY )NOLINGAN WHILE IN A CAMPAIGN SORTIE WITH 6ICE -AYOR %LLA 'ARCIA 9ULO )N -ARCH INCUMBENT #OUNCILOR *OLOMAR (ILARIO WAS ALSO GUNNED DOWN BY SUSPECTED HITMEN OF THE .EW 0EOPLE S !RMY .0! 4HE 2EGIONAL *OINT 3ECURITY #ONTROL #ENTER IN 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS HAS RECOMMENDED TO PUT -OISES 0ADILLA UNDER #OMELEC CONTROL AFTER THE SERIES OF KILLINGS AND BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF THE .0! IN THE AREA THAT POSES DANGER IN THE PEACEFUL CONDUCT OF THE -AY MIDTERM LECTIONS -OISES 0ADILLA WAS LISTED UNDER #ATEGORY 2ED BECAUSE OF INTENSE POLITICAL RIVALRY AND PRESENCE OF ARMED GROUPS #ATEGORY 2ED MEANS IT IS AN gAREA OF GRAVE CONCERN u WITH A HISTORY OF ELECTION RELATED INCIDENTS IN THE PAST TWO ELECTIONS AND INTENSE POLITICAL RIVALRY AND SERIOUS ARMED THREAT POSED BY THE .0! AND OTHER LAWLESS ELEMENTS /N 3ATURDAY THE 0HILIPPINE !RMY DEPLOYED SOLDIERS FROM THE ND )NFANTRY "ATTALION TO THE TOWN DEMPSEY REYES AND EUGENE Y. ADIONG
Marawi Muslims to spend Ramadan in shanties, tents Last of 2 parts MARAWI CITY: This Monday, May 6, thousands of Muslims would, for the third time, spend the holy month of Ramadan in shanties and tents, while the governmentlead agency in rebuilding Marawi City Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) is still too slow in processing Kathanor, a way of profiling through asurvey.
TFBM head blamed Local civil society groups and traditional leaders blame the displaced residents’ prolonged agony in the evacuation centers on the government’s slow response to the reconstruction of Marawi. The five-month siege of Marawi, which began on May 23, 2017 by the Maute and Abu Sayyaf bandits, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadi group, uprooted at least 360,000 residents of the city. As of March 2019, around 70,000 people from 12,768 families continue to suffer in squalid evacuation centers and transitional shelters, or stay with relatives elsewhere. It took TFBM more than a year since the Marawi liberation on Oct. 17, 2017 to break ground for rebuilding the main battle zone. And almost 18 months after liberation, the area, with 24 barangay (villages) and spanning 250 hectares, remains a horrific sight. The displaced families blame retired general Eduardo del Rosario, TFBM chairman, and accuse him of incompetence and insensitivity. They have demanded his resignation.  The IDPs have expressed their sentiments not only on the delay but also on the government indifference to their appeal to return home and take part in rebuilding of the city. The Suara Miyamagoyag (Voice of the Evacuees), said to be a 16,000-strong group of IDPs headed by Datu Meno Manabilang, sought del Rosario’s resignation because they feel their real situation did not reach the government and they suspected corruption in the rehabilitation processes. During a recent meeting with former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Guiling Mamondiong, they asked him to relay to the President their real situation.  Lanao del Sur Second District Rep. Mauyag Papandayan Jr. said he favored del Rosario’s resignation, saying he did not understand “what is taking them (TFBM) so long to rehabilitate the city when there has been a large amount of money for such.� “Marawi rehabilitation is slower than those of ‘Yolanda’ and the‘Sendong’ affect-
ed areas, but the money for the Marawi rehab is almost consumed,� he said.  Papandayan added that TBFM had not even released the P53,000 intended for displaced families from MAA.  Former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao vice governor Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr. also questioned how TFBM was handling the Marawi crisis from day one to this date.  Lucman asked how could they entrust their lives to TFBM composed of people from Luzon and elsewhere who have not even set foot in the city before?  “It’s time a Maranao or one sympathetic to us takes his (del Rosario’s) place,� he added.  When the media reported the demand for del Rosario’s resignation, however, TFBM immediately released the long-overdue P53,000 for each displaced family in the MAA with an additional amount of P20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, or a total of P73,000.  The TFBM also released P15,000 worth of sari-sari (variety) kits to start a small household business.  The task force also promised the evacuees from Ground Zero they could return to their homes on September 1 if they cannot wait for the government to rebuild their houses or reconstruct their units by themselves.
Reparation bills for victims A reparation bill was filed in both chambers of Congress — in the House by Papandayan under House Bill (HB) 8099, and in the Senate by Sen. Paolo “Bamâ€? Aquino 4th through Senate Bill 1816.  The proposed bills recognize the suffering and hardship of the civilians affected by the Marawi siege and provides that owners of houses, commercial building and other properties in MAA and other affected areas shall receive compensation from the State, free of tax.  It allocates P30-billion funding for the implementation of the proposed “Marawi Siege Victims Reparation Act of 2018.â€?  HB 8099 also seeks the creation of a nine-man Marawi Crisis Reparation Board, which is tasked to receive, evaluate, process and investigate applications for claims under the proposed Act.  But the bills remain pending in both Houses.  Meanwhile, observers doubt the sincerity of the government in undertaking the Marawi rehabilitation and if the IDPs could return to their homes at least in the coming year or two. MASIDING NOOR YAHYAÂ
MONDAY May 6, 2019
A7
Cebu City mayor faces illegal gambling raps BY RHEA RUTH ROSELL
C
EBU City Mayor Tomas OsmeĂąa was accused beFORE THE /FkCE OF the OmbudsmanVisayas of illegal gambling for allegedly playing poker in a wine house in separate occassions.
Conrado Romano of Cebu #ITY kLED THE COMPLAINT DATED !PRIL 4HE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN RECEIVED IT ON -AY 2OMANO ALLEGED THAT HE SAW /SMEĂ„A GAMBLING AT THE (OUSE OF *ACKS IN 2ALPH S 7INES AND 3PIRITS IN "ARANGAY +AMPUTHAW #EBU #ITY ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN *ANUARY (E ATTACHED TO HIS COMPLAINT PHOTOS OF /SMEĂ„A PLAYING POKER IN ONE OF THE TABLES AND URGED THE /MBUDSMAN TO INVESTIGATE THE MAYOR gFOR HIS UNETHICAL ACT u )N A SEPARATE INTERVIEW 0OLICE #OL 2EMUS -EDINA CHIEF OF THE 2EGIONAL )NTELLIGENCE $IVISION 0OLICE 2EGIONAL /FkCE IN #ENTRAL 6ISAYAS SAID POLICE RAIDED THE (OUSE OF *ACKS IN 2ALPH S 7INES AND 3PIRITS LAST &EBRUARY g4HERE WAS AN INTEL REPORT THAT ELECTED OFkCIALS WERE PLAYING ;ILLEGAL GAMBLING= AT THE (OUSE OF *ACKS u HE SAID 4HE WINE HOUSE IN "ARANGAY
HOUSE OF CARDS
One of the photos submitted to support the complaint shows Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeùa playing cards at the House of Jacks in Ralph’s Wines and Spirits in Barangay Kamputhaw on separate occassions in January 2019. +AMPUTHAW THAT REPORTEDLY MAINTAINED A GAMBLING ROOM WAS SHUT DOWN AFTER THE RAID -EANWHILE /SMEÄA SAID g(E 2OMANO IS ENTITLED TO FILE ANY COMPLAINT AND ) AM ENTITLED TO ANSWER BASED ON THE EVIDENCE HE HAS u /SMEÄA TOLD 4HE -ANILA 4IMES THE PERSON BEHIND THE COMPLAINT WAS RELATED TO THE MILLIONS OF LAND TITLES HE DID NOT RELEASE FOR TWO HUGE MALLS IN #EBU #ITY g4HEY CONTRACTED A BIDDING WITHOUT AUTHORITY FROM THE COUNCIL 4HERE IS AN ORDINANCE THAT DOES NOT ALLOW SELLING OF PROPERTY SO WHEN ) LEFT FOR ABROAD FOR A WEEK THEY CONTRACTED FOR THE SALE OF THE 0 BILLION WORTH PROPERTY u HE ADDED 4HE MAYOR SAID HE WOULD ANSWER
THE ILLEGAL GAMBLING COMPLAINT BEFORE THE PROPER FORUM ADDING THAT THE COMPLAINT AGAINST HIM WAS NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED BUT OUTRIGHT gCORRUPTION MOTIVATED u g9OU KNOW THIS ISSUE ABOUT PLAYING POKER IS SOMETHING THAT MY LAWYERS CAN TAKE CARE OF 4HIS IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE MILLIONS OF PESOS THAT THE #EBUANOS DESERVE u HE ADDED /SMEĂ„A REITERATED HE DID NOT WANT TO DWELL ON THE ISSUE OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING ADDING HE WOULD LET HIS LAWYERS HANDLE THE ISSUE g(AVE YOU SEEN MONEY ON THE TABLE u /SMEĂ„A SAID WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE PHOTOS ATTACHED TO 2OMANO S COMPLAINT g,ET MY LAWYERS HANDLE THE IS-
SUE 4HE BURDEN OF PROOF LIES WITH HIM 2OMANO )T IS A DESPARATE MOVE TO GET THE ;LAND= TITLES BY SUSPENDING THE MAYOR !LL THEY NEED IS DAYS u /SMEĂ„A ADDED 0RESIDENTIAL $ECREE PRESCRIBES STIFFER PENALTIES ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING 3ECTION PROVIDES THAT gTHE PENALTY OF PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MEDIUM PERIOD WITH TEMPORARY ABSOLUTE DISQUALIkCATION OR A kNE OF 0 SHALL BE IMPOSED IF THE MAINTAINER CONDUCTOR OR BANKER OF SAID GAMBLING SCHEMES IS A GOVERNMENT OFkCIAL OR WHERE SUCH GOVERNMENT OFkCIAL IS THE PLAYER PROMOTER REFEREE UMPIRE JUDGE OR COACH IN CASE OF GAME FIXING POINT SHAVING AND MACHINATION u
Q Former special assistant to the President and Senate aspirant Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go gestures to the crowd chanting his name during one of his sorties in Pampanga. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Go eyes Clark as economic hub to decongest MM ANGELES CITY, Pampanga: &ORMER SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE 0RESIDENT AND 3ENATE ASPIRANT #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O SAID THE #LARK 3PECIAL %CONOMIC :ONE WAS LIKELY THE BEST ALTERNATIVE BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC HUB TO HIGHLY CONGESTED -ETRO -ANILA 'O MADE THE OBSERVATION AS HE PLEDGED TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT S INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT WOULD FURTHER PROMOTE THE GROWTH OF THE PROVINCE AND THE REST OF #ENTRAL ,UZON DURING THE 0$0 ,ABAN CAMPAIGN RALLY HERE RECENTLY
(E NOTED THAT CONSTRUCTION WAS ALREADY ON GOING FOR THE #LARK )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT %XPANSION 0ROJECT A 0 BILLION DEVELOPMENT FOR A NEW SQUARE METER PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING AND ALL FACILITIES TO SUPPORT ITS OPERATION 'O ALSO CITED OTHER PROJECTS THAT WOULD SPUR THE GROWTH OF 0AMPANGA INCLUDING THE 0 BILLION 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 2AILWAY 0.2 .ORTH PROJECT FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE 0.2 .ORTH FROM -ALOLOS "ULACAN TO #LARK )NTERNATIONAL
!IRPORT AND #LARK 'REEN #ITY IN 0AMPANGA #ONSTRUCTION OF THE 4UTUBAN -ALOLOS PHASE OF THE 0.2 .ORTH 3OUTH 2AILWAY BEGAN LAST &EBRUARY AND EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE LAST QUARTER OF ' O A L S O P O I N T E D T O T H E 0 BILLION 3UBIC #LARK 2AILWAY 0ROJECT IN THE WESTERN SECTION OF #ENTRAL ,UZON THAT WAS RUNNING ON AN EXCLUSIVE RIGHT OF WAY PARALLEL TO 3UBIC #LARK 4ARLAC %XPRESSWAY 4O BE COMPLETED IN THE PROJECT WAS GEARED TOWARDS REDUCING
-ETRO -ANILA TRAFFIC BY HELPING DEVELOP THE REGION AS A NEW GROWTH CENTER 4HE FORMER 3!0 ALSO ASSURED 0AMPAGUEĂ„OS THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY WAS AT THE TOP OF HIS PRIORITY LIST (E WILL DO THIS BY UPGRADING THE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT OF STATE RUN HOSPITALS AND LEGISLATING TO MAKE THE -ALASAKIT #ENTER AN INSTITUTION SUPPORTED WITH GOVERNMENT FUNDS THAT WOULD MAKE IT A PERMANENT FEATURE OF GOVERNMENT RUN HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE
Gunmen shot dead 2 village heads in Zamboanga ZAMBOANGA CITY:Â 5NIDENTIFIED GUNMEN KILLED TWO VILLAGE CHAIRMEN IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS IN :AMBOANGA 0ENINSULA ON 3ATURDAY 0OLICE SAID )BRAHIM 5NGAD OF "ARANGAY .EW ,ABANGAN 0AGADIAN #ITY :AMBOANGA DEL 3UR WAS SHOT BY TWO MEN ARMED WITH SHOTGUNS AT ABOUT P M ON 3ATURDAY AS HE STEPPED OUT OF HIS HOUSE KILLING HIM INSTANTLY
0OLICE "RIG 'EN %MMANUEL ,UIS ,ICOP REGIONAL POLICE COMMANDER SAID THE SUSPECTS ESCAPED ON A MOTORCYCLE AFTER THE SHOOTING )N 3INDANGAN TOWN :AMBOANGA DEL .ORTE %DGARDO 6IĂ„AS CHIEFTAIN OF "ARANGAY ,A 2OCHE WAS SHOT DEAD RIGHT AFTER HE ADJOURNED THE SESSION IN THE VILLAGE HALL AT AROUND NOON ON 3ATURDAY
4HE LONE ATTACKER WALKED RIGHT THROUGH THE SESSION HALL AND WITHOUT WARNING SHOT 6IĂ„AS WITH A LONG kREARM ,ICUP ORDERED A MANHUNT FOR THE GUNMEN AS POLICE TIGHTENED SECURITY FURTHER IN BOTH PROVINCES WITH THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS ONLY ONE WEEK AWAY Â AL JACINTO
A8
News
MONDAY May 6, 2019
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
Estrada, Isko lead Manila poll race W BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
ITH only a week left before the midterm polls, reelectionist Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap� Estrada and his challenger, former vice mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno� $OMAGOSO ARE BOTH CONkDENT IN WINNING Manila’s top post based on the result of their respective surveys.
Former mayor Alfredo “Fred� Lim was left out of the loop without any survey result to show that he is winning the hotly conTESTED POST On Sunday, the Estrada camp claimed that the incumbent mayor and his running mate, former representative Amado Bagatsing, were comfortably leading their
opponents, based on the latest survey conducted by the FilipinoChinese Independent Business #OALITION &#)"# In its April 24 to 27 fieldwork survey using face-to-face interviews, the FCIBC survey SHOWED %STRADA GARNERING percent voter preference, which is considered the highest among
SEVERAL kELDWORK SURVEYS SINCE *ANUARY The noncommissioned survey ALSO SHOWED -ORENO GETTING percent voter preference, while Lim GOT PERCENT "AGATSING RECEIVED PERCENT voter preference, while Moreno’s running mate, incumbent Vice Mayor Maria Shielah “Honey� ,ACUNA HAD PERCENT ,IM HAS NO RUNNING MATE Marvin Manhit, FCIBC chief research analyst, said based on their study, Estrada possessed a “magnetic� political appeal to the citizens of Manila, which was considered a plus factor against the -ORENO ,ACUNA TANDEM “If you will notice, both Isko and Lacuna served as vice mayors UNDER %STRADA S LEADERSHIP "ASED on our assessment, anybody who will be the running mate of May-
or Estrada will win and it looks like Amado Bagatsing, who is also a veteran politician, has the advantage over the incumbent,� -ANHIT SAID The FCIBC is the same private firm that released a study in 2016 confirming the slim chance of Estrada in winning THE ELECTIONS AGAINST ,IM )N 2016, Estrada defeated Lim with A VOTE MARGIN Early this month, the Laylo Research Strategies and Media Trend Setter surveys showed Estrada was the most preferred among mayoral BETS IN -ANILA Last week, an independent survey conducted by the RP-Mission AND $EVELOPMENT &OUNDATION )NC (RPMDinc) from April 27 to May 1 showed Moreno leading with a 50-percent voter preference followed by Estrada with 33 percent
AND ,IM WITH PERCENT RPMDinc also came out with a result from a survey conducted on April 1 to 8 showing Moreno with a 47-percent voter preference and %STRADA WITH PERCENT In the race for councilors, a SURVEY CONDUCTED BY )POLL )NC showed Don Juan “DJ� Bagatsing in the winning circle in Manila’s &OURTH $ISTRICT
Party-list race Meanwhile, new party-list group Wow Pilipinas moved to the top 10 of party-list groups that were likely to win a seat at the House of Representatives, based on the surVEY ALSO CONDUCTED BY 20-$INC The survey showed reelectionist groups led by Gabriela Women’s 0ARTY DOMINATING THE RACE The noncommissioned survey
with 8,000 respondents, conducted from April 22 to 27, showed PERCENT OF VOTERS PREFERRED THE GROUP OVER RIVALS 7OW 0ILIpinas ratings’ translates to about VOTES IN THE .ATIONAL #APITAL 2EGION ALONE Gabriela, which topped the previous surveys for party-list GROUPS WAS STILL AT .O SPOT WITH PERCENT "UHAY (AYaang Yumabong was second with PERCENT FOLLOWED BY !KO Bicol Political Party — which WAS .O IN ‡ WITH percent, followed by Anakpawis PERCENT !KBAYAN #ITIZENS !CTION 0ARTY PERCENT #Oalition of Associations of Senior #ITIZENS IN THE 0HILIPPINES PERCENT "AYAN -UNA PERcent), Serbisyo sa Bayan Partylist PERCENT AND !#4 4EACHERS PERCENT
EJERCITO SEES POLL WIN 3%. *OSEPH 6ICTOR g*6u %JERCITO IS optimistic that with his legislative accomplishments, he will be reelected in THE -AY MIDTERM POLLS The senator on Sunday expressed CONkDENCE THAT HE WOULD WIN ANOTHER six-year term because the people “are now becoming aware� of his good perFORMANCE IN THE 3ENATE He cited the passage of the Universal Health Care Law (UHCL), which he sponsored, as well as his advocacy for massive infrastructure and modern public transportation anchored on the RAILWAY SYSTEM %JERCITO EARNED THE MONIKER g-R Healthcare� for spearheading the 5(#, 5NDER THE MEASURE ALL &ILIpinos are automatic beneficiaries OF THE .ATIONAL (EALTH )NSURANCE 0ROGRAM His other health measures are the .ATIONAL )NTEGRATED #ANCER #ONTROL !CT Mental Health Act, and HIV (human IMMUNODEkCIENCY VIRUS AND !)$3 ACQUIRED IMMUNODEkCIENCY SYNDROME
Q Sen. Joseph Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI
0OLICY !CT OF “My trajectory [in the survey] is SATISFACTORY FROM .O ;BEFORE= TO .O NOW (OPEFULLY WE CAN SUSTAIN THIS Sa tingin ko, magwawagi pa rin tayo, sa awa ng Diyos,� Ejercito said
ON 3UNDAY In one of his political advertisements, Ejercito was referred to as “The Good One� for delivering “the good NEWS u WHICH IS THE 5(#, He attributed his strong showing in the last Pulse Asia survey, which placed him in the Senate winning circle with a 10 to 14 rank, to the people’s “enlightenment and understanding of the BENEkTS OF THE HEALTH LAW u “During the start of the campaign, people were not yet aware of the [passage of the] Universal Health #ARE "UT LITTLE BY LITTLE THEY ARE beginning to realize and discover that there’s good news coming our way, which is the Universal Health #ARE ,AW u %JERCITO SAID “Under UHC, check-ups and certain laboratory tests would be FREE OF CHARGE (EALTH CARE WILL BE now affordable to all Filipinos,� the chairman of the Senate Committee ON (EALTH ADDED BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
EASY MONEY
A man hands cash to a woman in a street in Manila. Two men carrying wads of money had been seen going around the city distributing P500 bills.
OFW HOSPITAL TO HAVE MODERN EQUIPMENT – BELLO THE P550-million hospital for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that would rise in San Fernando, Pampanga would be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said on Sunday the acquisition and installation of the facilities for the DoLE-OFW hospital and diagnostics center would be bankrolled by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) and the Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. of business tycoon Enrique Razon. Pagcor would donate P150 million, which will be used for the purchase of modern equipment, while Bloomberry would shell out P400 million to shoulder the construction of the hospital building. The groundbreaking for the project, which will be
Q CASE FROM A1
DoJ to decide file charges of inciting to sedition against *AYME IN COURT The prosecutors shall determine if there is probable cause to indict Jayme with inciting to sedition or downgrade the crime to cyberlibel or order a FORMAL PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INTO THE CASE Jayme underwent inquest proceedings beCAUSE HE WAS ARRESTED WITHOUT A WARRANT Sources said the DoJ wanted to determine if he could also be charged with cybercrime or cyberlibel or violation of Republic Act 7610 or THE g!NTI #HILD !BUSE ,AW u This is because in one of the videos that went viral, Veronica “Kittyâ€? Duterte, President Rodrigo Duterte’s youngest daughter, was also linked to THE ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE Once the DoJ sees probable cause gainst *AYME A COMPLAINT AGAINST HIM WOULD BE kLED BEFORE THE 0ARAĂ„AQUE 2EGIONAL 4RIAL #OURT 3TATE 0ROSECUTOR !NA .OREEN $EVANADERA WAS TASKED TO STUDY THE CASE 3EN !NTONIO 4RILLANES TH WHO HAS BEEN linked to the uploading of the g!NG 4OTOONG .ARcolist “videos that linked the President’s family to the illegal drug trade, denied any involvement IN THE UPLOADING OF THE VIDEOS
constructed on a two-hectare property in Barangay Sindalan, was held on Labor Day. The hospital is expected to be completed in 18 months. Once operational, it will be managed by the Department of Health. “This hospital is in recognition of the valuable contribution of our modern-day heroes, the overseas Filipino workers, in the growth of our economy. This will serve as among the legacies that President [Rodrigo] Duterte can leave behind for our OFWs,� Bello said. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said a memorandum of understanding among concerned government agencies and other stakeholders for the construction and operation of the hospital was being finalized. WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL “Categorically, wala kaming kinalaman diyan kay -R ;2ODEL= *AYME dito sa paggawa ng video kay Bikoy (We have nothing to do with Rodel Jayme in the making of the Bikoy videos),� 4RILLANES SAID He pointed out that in President Duterte’s MATRIX HE AND HIS GROUP WERE NOT INVOLVED “Doon mismo sa matrix ni Duterte, wala kami 7E WERE NOT IN $UTERTE S MATRIX u HE SAID “Doon mismo sa INTERVIEW NI -R *AYME sinabi niya wala siyang kilala sa Magdalo [party-list] 7HEN -R *AYME WAS INTERVIEWED HE SAID HE KNEW NOBODY FROM -AGDALO u THE SENATOR SAID 4RILLANES URGED THE .ATIONAL "UREAU OF )NVESTIGATION AND THE $O* TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE THE CASE -EANWHILE 3EN 0ANkLO g0INGu ,ACSON SAID Bikoy, the masked man who appeared in the NARCOLIST VIDEO SHOULD SURFACE “Importanteng lumabas si Bikoy at kung meron siyang dokumento o ebidensiyang pinanghahawakan, ilabas niya para maliwanagan (Bikoy should surface if he has documents or evidence, HE SHOULD SHOW IT FOR CLARITY u HE SAID “If he can present [evidence], we can recommend at our level in the Senate by way of a COMMITTEE REPORT TO kLE A CASE EVEN IF HE OR SHE IS A MEMBER OF THE kRST FAMILY "UT THERE MUST be a basis for that, there’s a basis under the law,� THE SENATOR ADDED WITH BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND ARIC JOHN SY CUA
www.manilatimes.net
MONDAY MAY 6, 2019
What’s inside BSP UNFAZED BY PH’S CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT BusinessB2
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Will the Zobels listen to suggestions?
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BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES
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(),)00).% ECONOMIC GROWTH LIKELY SLOWED IN THE kRST quarter of 2019 compared to a year ago due to the delay in the approval of this year’s national budget, the El Niùo weather phenomenon and slower global economic growth, according to analysts polled by The Manila Times. Poll results showed estimates for January to March ranged from 5.4 percent to 6.5 percent with a 6.0 percent
average, lower than the 6.6-percent expansion in the same period in 2017 and the 6.3-percent revised upward
growth in the fourth quarter of 2018. This comes ahead of the release of official first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth data on May 9. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Head of Economics and Industry Research Division Michael Ricafort offered the highest projection of 6.5 percent. He attributed this “to faster growth in consumer spending, partly due to the sharp decline in INlATION AND IN LONG TERM INTEREST RATES as well as the sustained improvement
in the country’s employment data that, fundamentally, continued to improve the disposable incomes and spending power of consumers/households amid the country’s improving economic and credit fundamentals, as well as favorable demographics.� Unicapital Securities Research Head Wendy Estacio, meanwhile, saw the growth to be between 6.0 percent and 6.3 percent.
ÂłSlowedB2
Central bank seen to cut policy rates this week
MOBBED
Warren Buffett speaks to reporters during a tour of the CHI Health convention center before presiding over Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholders’ meeting in Omaha, Nebraska on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), where he gave a hint on who would succeed him to run his Berkshire Hathaway empire. AP PHOTO ³ See Story on B4
MONETARY authorities are likely to cut interest rates when they meet on May 9, economists polled by The Manila Times said. Most of the nine analysts surveyed believe the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) overnight borrowing, lending and deposit rates of 4.75 percent, 5.25 percent and 4.25 percent, respectively, would be trimmed by 25 basis points. ANZ Research economist Mustafa Arif believes the central bank would embark on an easing cycle as it weighs the recent rise in crude oil prices in combination with lower food prices and easing core inflation, as well as the slow-
ing economic growth. “With inflation returning to the BSP’s target band of 2.0 percent to 4.0 percent, some unwinding of the hikes made in 2018 is warranted, in our view,� he said. IHS Markit APAC chief economist Rajiv Biswas, meanwhile, said the need to ease monetary policy soon reflected the significant tightening of policy rates in 2018 as inflation pressures rose sharply, which now left real interest rates extremely high as inflation has eased back sharply during the past six months. On the other hand, HSBC economist Noelan Arbis said
ÂłRates B4
Investment pledges surge by 46% in Jan-April INVESTMENT approvals increased by 46 PERCENT IN THE kRST FOUR MONTHS OF with power projects accounting for most of them, according to the Department of Trade and Industry. In a statement, the department’s Board of Investments (BoI) said it had approved
Economists see April inflation at 2.9%-3.3% INFLATION likely decelerated further in April due to lower food prices, economists polled by The Manila Times said. Forecasts for the month ranged from 2.9 percent to 3.3 percent with a 3.1 percent average, lower than March’s 3.3 percent and 4.5 percent a year ago. This comes after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) had said consumer price growth likely settled within the 2.7 percent-to-3.5 percent range, and days before the Philippine Statistics Authority RELEASES OFkCIAL INlATION DATA FOR the month on May 7. Emmanuel Leyco, economist at the Asian Institute of Management, offered the highest forecast at 3.3 percent, explaining that “food prices remained at relatively
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PH economy likely slowed in Q1 – poll
A
YALA Corp. (AC) listed Mermac Inc. as direct owner of 296.626 million AC common shares, which were equivalent to 47.04 percent of 630.631 million outstanding AC common shares, according to AC’s public ownership report (POR) as of March 31, 2019. It credited the public as holders of 330.319 million AC common shares, or 52.38 percent. The attribution of more than 52-perent ownership to the public made them AC’s majority stockholders. Is this possible when the Zobels elect four regular members of AC’s seven-person board and appoint three as independent directors?
DELIOTTE. ON THE DOT
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Business Times
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the same levels [and] rice prices remained basically the same in the last few months.� DBS economist Masyita CrystalLIN SAID SHE SAW INlATION SETTLING at 3.2 percent because of reduced food prices. She noted that the gAVERAGE FUEL PRICE HAS STAYED lAT compared to [the fourth quarter of 2018]� and that, “thanks to timely food imports, food prices have eased last month, driving INlATION LOWER u IHS Markit, HSBC Global Research, Deutsche Bank and Union Bank of the Philippines all saw !PRIL INlATION AT PERCENT According to Rajiv Biswas, IHS Markit’s chief economist for Asia AND THE 0ACIkC THE IMPLEMENTAtion of the Rice Import Liberaliza-
ÂłApril B2
P286.7-billion worth of investments as of end-April, higher than P195.7 billion in the same period last year. Approved energy projects — which made up 65 percent of the total — grew by 78 percent to P185.4 billion in January to April from P104.3 billion in the com-
parable period. These include the 506-megawatt (MW) natural gas power plant of Vires Energy Corp. in Batangas City, Batangas province, worth P35.2 billion; geothermal plants of Philippine Geothermal Production Company Inc. in Albay and Camarines Sur
provinces worth P1 billion; and a 15-MW biomass plant of Cagayan Biomass Energy Corp. in Isabela province. Trade Undersecretary and BoI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said these projects were reviewed by the Energy and Environment
ÂłPledges B3
Holcim: Ruling covered by confidentiality rules BY BEN KRITZ HOLCIM Philippines Inc. claimed it did not disclose details of an unfavorable ruling against it in a suit worth at least P1.9 billion filed by a Bataan port operator because of confi-
dentiality rules governing arbitration proceedings. In a May 2 disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the listed cement giant said its disclosure of the case was “restricted by the 2015 Arbitration Rules of the Philippine
Dispute Resolution Center Inc. (PDRCI), which declared the arbitration proceedings as strictly confidential.� The company was responding to the PSE’s request for clarification of a Manila Times report on May 1 that pointed out that Holcim’s
failure to disclose material information about the case to the bourse violated public-disclosure rules under the Securities Regulation Code. Of specific concern was a Nov. 22, 2018 ruling by
ÂłRules B4
SHARES OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEK
Economic data to dictate market move FIRST-QUARTER gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation kGURES ARE EXPECTED TO INlUENCE market direction this week, according to analysts. In a market comment over the weekend, Philstocks Financial Inc. research associate Japhet Louis
Tantiangco said he expected the market to break above the 8,000 level if GDP clocked in higher than the 6.3 percent and 6.6 percent RECORDED IN THE FOURTH AND kRST quarters of 2018, respectively. “If it [turned] out to be the opposite, then we may see the market
decline near its 7,800 support level,� he added. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas "30 ON 4UESDAY FORECAST INlATION to settle between 2.7 percent and 3.5 percent, as higher domestic oil prices and electricity rates may have provided an upward pres-
sure to prices but may have been offset by the drop in rice prices. This compared with March’s 3.3 percent. Meanwhile, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said last Friday the economy likely grew slightly over
ÂłDictate B2
B2
Business Times
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
MONDAY May 6, 2019
BSP unfazed by PH’s current account deficit BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
T
HE country’s negative current account position should not be a cause for concern as the economy continues to receive STRUCTURAL FOREIGN EXCHANGE INlOWS THE CENTRAL bank chief said. “Running a current account DEkCIT IS NOT NECESSARILY A CAUSE for concern given the underlying trends,� Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno pointed out in a speech at the joint general membership meeting of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and the Management Association of the Philippines in Makati City held recently. Earlier, Diokno reported that the country’s current account DEkCIT IS EQUIVALENT TO PERCENT of gross domestic product (GDP),
bringing the overall balance of PAYMENTS "O0 DEkCIT AT ONLY percent of GDP in 2018. In absolute terms, the BoP endED AT A DEkCIT OF BILLION LAST year, wider than the $863 million recorded in 2017 but lower than BSP’s $5.5-billion forecast. Its main component — the current account — hit an all-time $7.9-billion deficit last year as robust economic activity resulted in a wider trade gap. “So I am not at all worried about THE CURRENT ACCOUNT DEkCIT ESPEcially because it is less than 3 per-
Q APRIL FROM B1
search said that, despite risks, IT EXPECTED gHEADLINE INlATION to hover above the midpoint of the [BSP’s] 2.0 percent-to-4.0 percent target range throughout [the second quarter of 2019], factoring in for higher oil, fruits and vegetable prices.� g"UT INlATION IS ALSO LIKELY FALL below 3 percent in [the third quarter], due to base effects and benign
Economists tion Law helped lower rice prices last month. “This has helped mitigate the impact of rising retail [gas] prices in April, which have been pushed up due to rising world oil prices,� he explained. In a report, HSBC Global Re-
cent of our economy. If you look at the composition of our imports they are indeed for raw materials, equipment etc.,� Diokno added. That said, Diokno stressed that the Philippines’ payments balance position is manageable and provides resilience against external headwinds. On top of this, he said the country’s external position “continues to be adequately supported by structural sources of foreign exCHANGE INlOWS SUCH AS OVERSEAS Filipinos’ remittances, IT (information technology)-business process outsourcing (BPO) revenues, as well as increasing tourism receipts.� Latest available data show that reMITTANCE lOWS HIT 0 BILLION IN February, bringing the year-to-date tally to $5.302 billion, a 2.3-percent increase from $5.182 billion in the comparable 2018 period. BPO industry receipts, mean-
while, totaled $10.4 billion in 2018, 21 percent higher than the year-before amount. “And to add to that, the Philippines has attracted a lot of interests from foreign investors,� Diokno said, adding that foreign direct investments (FDI) for the last two years was about $10 billion. “That’s easily three times higher than the average for the last eight years,� he claimed. )N *ANUARY &$) NET INlOWS WAS recorded at $609 million. Diokno’s view was consistent with S&P Global Ratings’ latest assessment on the current account. In a recent statement, the credit rater said it believes that “the DEkCIT IS LARGELY INVESTMENT DRIVEN and that this is a healthy development in light of its historical underinvestment� despite some observers’ fear that the country’s RISING CURRENT ACCOUNT DEkCIT COULD signal overheating risks.
demand-side pressures,� it added. UnionBank chief economist Carlo Asuncion, for his part, exPLAINED THAT THE DECLINE IN INlAtion was due to the drop in the heavily-weighted food and nonbeverage index. Higher fuel and electricity costs could have offset the decline in food prices, he said. In a report, Deutsche Bank also said surging oil prices continued TO POSE RISKS TO INlATION g7HILE WE SEE INlATION STAYING within the 2.0 percent-to-3.0 percent range, rising oil prices pose upside risks to our forecasts, with
history suggesting a 0.65-percentAGE POINT RISE IN HEADLINE INlATION in response to a sustained 10-percent rise in oil prices,� it added. Capital Economics offered the lowest projection — 2.9 percent — saying lower food prices offset the oil price hikes. “Weekly data shows that fuel PRICE INlATION HAS RISEN RECENTLY which will put some upward pressure on the headline rate. But the sustained fall in rice prices suggest that food price inflation continued to fall back last month,� it added. ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES
D
Q SLOWED FROM B1
PH “This is due to [the] delayed approval of [the] 2019 budget and the spending ban on projects ahead of the elections,â€? she explained. Analysts from DBS, Timson Securities and Philstocks Financial Inc. all projected the economy to HAVE GROWN BY PERCENT IN THE kRST three months. Like Estacio, DBS economist Masyita Crystallin also attributed the slower growth to the budget’s delayed approval, noting that the P95.3-billion cut in the budget, P75 billion of which were to be spent on infrastructure, “is likely to affect investment growth for the whole year.â€? “El NiĂąo and power outages will also affect growth in [the] agriculture and manufacturing sectors,â€? she said. According to her, possible growth DRIVERS INCLUDE DECELERATING INlATION “Growth acceleration this year would depend on whether privateinvestment pick-up could act as a counterbalance, as public investment might be plateaued this year. We think growth in 2019 could reach above last year’s rate if the country could sustain the investment momentum both from [the] public and private sectors,â€? Crystallin said. Timson Securies trader Jervin de Celis said economic growth likely settled between 6.0 percent and 6.2 percent as the budget’s late implementation caused delays in many projects and could affect government spending for the quarter. “The government has assured 24/7 work on the new infrastructure projects to catch up with the delay in [the] implementation of the budget, so if ever the GDP [slowed] down in THE kRST QUARTER IT MIGHT PICK UP AGAIN in the next coming quarters,â€? he said. J u s t i n o C a l ayc ay J r. , a s s i s tant vice president and head of research at Philstocks Financial Inc., also offered a 6.0 percentto-6.2 percent growth projection. “While we see some pickup in spending‌we [also] see that there could be
some push in consumer spending. We also saw some temperance in government spending, as the election ban [on it took effect] and it could have prevented the numbers from going higher,â€? Calacay said. The economic slowdown in other countries, including the Philippines’ major trading partners US and China, might have also dampened the local economy’s strength, he added. Philstocks research associate Japhet Louis Tantiangco said economic growth likely hit 6.0 percent on the back of election spending and private consumption as a result of lower INlATION “Main drag was the national budget delay, together with the slowdown in the manufacturing and agriculture sector. Higher policy rates compared to the same period last year also contributed to the slower GDP growthâ€? he added. Analysts from HSBC Global Research and Regina Capital Development Corp. both forecast 5.9 percent growth. g7HILE INlATION SLIGHTLY IMPROVED [and] oil and [the] peso [remained] steady, the trade imbalance is still a problem,â€? Regina Capital head of sales Luis Limlingan said. “The big question mark is the budget delay, so that might lower growth overall. El NiĂąo, which manifested in March, might be an impediment to growth, as well,â€? he added. HSBC also attributed the slowdown to the budget delay, as well as higher bank lending rates, “tepidâ€? growth in remittances and low domestic market liquidity. Capital Economics offered the lowest growth projection of 5.4 percent. “This is mainly because the government operated on a reenacted 2018 budget in the first quarter of the year due to delays in passing the 2019 budget. Government spending fell by over 7 percent in seasonally adjusted terms in [the first quarter], the most since 2013,â€? it said in a report. That growth, however, would likely accelerate in April to June, it added. “With the 2019 budget finally passed in mid-April, growth should
rebound this quarter.�
Making micromobility work
URING my morning drives into Bonifacio Global City (BGC) for work, I’ve noticed a growing number of people making the similar commute on scooters, e-scooters, bikes, Segways. I have even seen a guy riding what looked like one big wheel with no handlebars, no pedals — just a small step on either side of the wheel for his feet. That’s an electronic unicycle for the uninitiated. Considering our congested streets and narrow alleyways, these single-occupant vehicles are a sensible and earth-friendly option for traversing short distances. And it’s picking up in other cities. Micromobility, which constitutes forms of transport that can occupy space alongside bicycles, has experienced rapid adoption over just the last several months. In most markets today, micromobility has taken on the form of shared scooters and bikes, and adoption rates are surpassing that seen by popular ride-hailing services during their early days. Bird, an e-scooter-sharing service that is present in over 100 cities, hit 10 million scooter rides within 12 months of starting operations in Southern California alone. Lime, another ride-sharing service with A lEET OF E SCOOTERS ELECTRIC AND pedal-assist bikes and cars saw usERS TAKE MILLION TRIPS IN ITS kRST year of operation. Advances in geographical positioning system tracking, connectivity, mobile payments, battery costs and longevity, and our growing reliance on smartphones have helped make micromobility a true potential solution to urban mobility. And if the trends are anything to go by, we’re going to need it. According to a United Nations report, over half of the world’s population now lives in urban areas. By 2050, that share could climb to two-thirds. Moving ALL THOSE PEOPLE AROUND EFkCIENTLY without worsening the already alarming air pollution is no small challenge.
Go small for short rides One of the perennial problems of moving large numbers of people over long distances is the first-
DELOITTE. ON THE DOT
MYRA TORRES mile/last-mile challenge. Consider Metro Manila. While we do have mass transit in the form of the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit, for example, it is no walk in the park for many commuters to get from their homes to the nearest train station. And if that PATH IS kLLED WITH INCONVENIENCE and uncertainty, then commuters might just opt to take a personal vehicle, further contributing to the gridlock and pollution. Micromobility can solve that first-mile/last-mile challenge, especially in Metro Manila where many residential areas are marked by narrow streets often made narrower by parked vehicles. E-scooters and bikes can easily navigate these side streets without adding to the air or noise pollution. In China, a dockless bikesharing SYSTEM SET OUT PRECISELY TO kLL THAT kRST MILE LAST MILE GAP )T PLACED ITS lEET OF BIKES IN AREAS MORE THAN 500 meters from public transport in Beijing, no doubt facilitating many commuters’ trips to a mass public transport system: nearly half of the shared bike trips in many Chinese cities are part of a multimodal journey that includes public transit. Another area where micromobility could thrive is in locations where short trips dominate, such as BGC. This business district, which Deloitte Philippines calls home, spans 240 hectares. If you think about it, anywhere here is walking distance — that is, if you have the time. If we had a ridesharing service here similar to New York City’s Citi Bike, Uptown Mall or McKinley Hill would be so much more accessible to those of us located around the Fort Strip area, and air quality would be none the worse for it. Despite this great potential, micromobility will likely run into the same challenges that have stymied the growth of ride-hailing services in our shores, such as regulatory UNCERTAINTIES AND lEET CAPACITY )N
cities where shared micromobility services are already thriving, service providers also have to contend with vandalism and theft; retrieving, charging and redistributing THE lEET EACH NIGHT ENSURING USER compliance with company- and government-mandated policies, such as helmet use and parking. Of course, there is also the issue of whether to allow these singleoccupant vehicles to travel along lanes reserved for pedestrians. That opens up a whole other host of safety issues. But whether we (or regulators) like it or not, mobility is changing and shifting in ways that we probably can’t even imagine right now. I certainly never thought I’d one day be driving to work beside a guy riding one big wheel. It WOULD BENEkT CITIES AND PLAYERS in the mobility industry to work hand-in-hand to move these solutions forward in ways that serve the public good. Just last week, I read news about the Asian Development Bank’s plans to lend $100 million to the government for the construction of dedicated pathways along EDSA for pedestrians and bikers. These ‘elevated greenways’ are meant to give people a pedestrian-friendly option for their daily commute. It’s a great start to recognizing the potential of micromobility. Here’s hoping this support for going small and going green spreads to the rest of the country. The author is a Director for Human Resources at Navarro Amper & Co., one of 11 practices that make up Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd. Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd is a member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a leading global provider of audit and ASSURANCE CONSULTING kNANCIAL advisory, risk advisory, tax and related services. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL�), its global network of MEMBER kRMS AND THEIR RELATED entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global�) and each of its MEMBER kRMS ARE LEGALLY SEPARATE and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/ about to learn more.
Deloitte is a leading global provider of audit and assurance, CONSULTING kNANCIAL ADVISORY RISK advisory, tax and related services. Our network of member firms in more than 150 countries and TERRITORIES SERVES FOUR OUT OF kVE Fortune Global 500Ž companies. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 286,000 people make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu ,IMITED ITS MEMBER kRMS OR THEIR related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte Network�) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte Network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. About Deloitte Southeast Asia Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd — a member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited comprising Deloitte practices operating in Brunei, Cambodia, Guam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – was established to deliver measurable value to the particular demands of increasingly intra-regional and fast growing companies and enterprises. Comprising approximately 340 partners and 8,800 professionals in 25 office locations, the subSIDIARIES AND AFkLIATES OF $ELOITTE Southeast Asia Ltd combine their technical expertise and deep industry knowledge to deliver consistent high quality services to companies in the region. All services are provided through the individual country practices, their subsidiaries and affiliates, which are separate and independent legal entities. About Deloitte Philippines In the Philippines, services are exclusively and independently provided by Navarro Amper & Co., a duly registered professional partnership in the Philippines. Š 2019 Navarro Amper & Co. All rights reserved.
Stock Watch
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
B3
MONDAY May 6, 2019
30-DAY STOCK PERFORMANCE
HIGH
LOW
AVERAGE
CLOSE
Q A Wilcon Depot store in Bacoor City, Cavite province. PHOTO FROM THE WILCON DEPOT WEBSITE
Wilcon shares up 229% on construction boom T BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS
HE Philippines’ residential and construction boom has greatly bolstered Wilcon Depot Inc., whose shares have soared by more than 200 percent since it debuted on the stock market more than a decade ago. Shares of the listed homeimprovement and constructionsupplies company ended Friday at P16.60 apiece, a 229-percent increase from their initial public offering (IPO) price of P5.05 each on March 31, 2017. Year-to-date, its stock price has grown by 27 percent from P13.06 apiece, but unchanged on a weekon-week basis. g;7ILCON WAS= BENEkTTING FROM the growth in [the] construction and property (sectors), as well as expenditures on household maintenance and repair,� Timson Securities Inc. trader Jervin de Celis said. g(IGHER SALES OF THE kRM ;WERE=
attributed to its market leadership in the home and improvement sector, complete spectrum of value-priced in-house and international home-improvement products, and newly opened stores in high-growth locations,� he added. In March, Leechiu Property Consultants said the residential market continued to be strong DURING THE kRST QUARTER PARTICULARly in the condominium segment, buoyed by strong demand from Chinese investors. This led rental prices in the past three years to grow by 80 percent in the bay area alone, and may prompt selling prices to rise to between P113,000 per square meter
(sqm) to P540,000 per sqm. “[Wilcon’s] solid growth. driven by stores [built] in strategic locations and marketing, is keeping the company’s fundamentals attractive, and I think this is why the share price has been enjoying an uptrend,� de Celis said. In a separate comment, DiversikED 3ECURITIES )NC TRADER !NICETO Pangan tagged Wilcon’s price as expensive as compared with the industry level. “[Its] price was high with a valuation of more than 36 priceto-earnings ratio when compared with the industry,� Pangan noted. De Celis agreed, saying it would not be surprising if market players dispose of the company’s stocks. Last year, Wilcon reported a
34-percent increase in its net income to P1.84 billion from P1.4 billion in 2017 on the back of higher revenues. Net sales jumped by 19 percent to P21.04 billion from P17.7 billion previously, supported by the opening of new stores. Wilcon is expected to add eight more branches this year. These are in Panacan, Davao City; Sta. Barbara town, Iloilo province; Opol town, Cagayan de Oro City; Sto. Tomas municipality, Batangas province; Antipolo City, Rizal province; Calumpit town, Bulacan province; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan province; and Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City. It aims to have 67 stores by 2020.
FINANCIAL CONDITION Year 2016 2017 2018
Total Assets 9,143,591,007 16,024,452,643 17,502,181,753
Total Liabilities 5,561,166,365 4,106,197,280 4,289,712,504
Value
Chg
%Chg
7,967.98
-33.59
Ĺş
All Shares
4,906.06
-6.83
Ĺş
Financials
1,774.46
15.83
Ÿ
Industrial
11,832.10
32.47
Ÿ
Holding Firms
7,592.28
-76.11
Ĺş
Services
1,614.45
5.91
Ÿ
Mining and Oil
7,738.36
29.31
Ÿ
Property
4,273.31
-44.91
Ĺş
Stock indices as of May 3, 2019
PSEi
ALL SHARES
Shareholders’ Equity 3,582,424,642 11,918,255,363 13,212,469,249
Year 2016 2017 2018
SERVICES
MINING AND OIL
Investment departments before securing approval. Tax incentives, he added, would be withheld from these firms if they fail to meet the board’s terms and conditions. Investments for the manufacturing industry came next, rising by 181 percent to P44.6 billion in the period from the previous year’s P15.9 billion. Investments for information and communication surged by 9,669 percent to P33.2 billion from P340 million a year ago; and for hospitality and food services, 733 percent to P8.4 billion from P1 billion.
Will the INDUSTRIAL
PROPERTY
INDEX HISTORY Date May 3, 2019 May 2, 2019 April 30, 2019 April 29, 2019 April 26, 2019 April 25, 2019 April 24, 2019 April 23, 2019 April 22, 2019 April 17, 2019 April 16, 2019 April 15, 2019 April 12, 2019 April 11, 2019 April 10, 2019 April 8, 2019 April 5, 2019 April 4, 2019 April 3, 2019 April 2, 2019 April 1, 2019 March 29, 2019 March 28, 2019 March 27, 2019 March 26, 2019 March 25, 2019 March 22, 2019 March 21, 2019 March 20, 2019
Open 8,004.27 7,952.52 7,891.57 7,861.22 7,892.90 7,848.45 7,799.06 7,827.03 7,840.23 7,832.71 7,800.06 7,887.78 7,970.96 7,990.71 7,976.44 7,879.47 7,866.41 7,892.62 7,880.48 7,854.35 7,923.16 7,891.09 7,897.72 7,915.91 7,875.30 7,994.34 7,956.67 7,875.78 7,848.16
High 8,077.51 8,040.78 7,952.72 7,897.02 7,899.57 7,894.45 7,846.99 7,834.78 7,858.84 7,860.74 7,859.72 7,914.75 7,979.53 7,999.52 8,008.53 7,955.27 7,886.63 7,897.61 7,895.06 7,893.50 7,923.83 7,920.93 7,898.47 7,915.91 7,910.69 7,994.34 8,032.40 7,954.72 7,875.62
Low 7,967.98 7,946.79 7,888.87 7,846.33 7,839.52 7,831.62 7,799.06 7,769.72 7,818.04 7,823.86 7,799.13 7,787.98 7,880.82 7,955.80 7,953.14 7,879.47 7,866.41 7,835.74 7,860.51 7,854.35 7,809.61 7,887.47 7,856.09 7,840.64 7,869.43 7,808.32 7,951.06 7,869.31 7,823.60
Close 7,967.98 8,001.57 7,952.72 7,897.02 7,868.28 7,894.45 7,846.99 7,818.93 7,832.43 7,835.15 7,826.46 7,787.98 7,880.82 7,955.80 8,008.53 7,915.63 7,873.18 7,854.13 7,895.06 7,879.21 7,840.31 7,920.93 7,876.40 7,861.05 7,907.03 7,863.02 8,013.42 7,954.72 7,858.20
Date May 03, 2019 May 02, 2019 Apr 30, 2019 Apr 29, 2019 Apr 26, 2019 Apr 25, 2019 Apr 24, 2019 Apr 23, 2019 Apr 22, 2019 Apr 17, 2019 Apr 16, 2019 Apr 15, 2019 Apr 12, 2019 Apr 11, 2019 Apr 10, 2019
Close 16.6 17 16.68 16.7 16.5 16.8 17.06 17 16.26 16.14 16.24 16.18 16 15.84 15.4
CLOSE
HIGH
As the Zobels’ holding company, AC named Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala chairman of the board and his younger brother, Fernando vice chairman. In turn, the board named them chief executive OFkCER #%/ AND PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFkCER #// RESPECTIVELY As one of AC’s subsidiaries, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) reversed the Zobel brothers’ roles - Fernando as chairman of the nine-man board and Jaime as vice chairman, according to the website of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). The board named Bernard Vincent O. $Y PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER As the parent company, a POR as of March 31, 2019 listed AC as a sigNIkCANT STOCKHOLDER WITH HOLDINGS totaling 6.779 billion ALI common shares or 46.04 percent. AC’s holdings included 32.694 million ALI common shares the Zobel-owned holding company indirectly owned. Ayala Land credited the public stockholders with 7.811 billion ALI common shares, or 53.05 percent of 14.725 billion outstanding ALI common shares. In effect, it made its public stockholders the majority owners but did not — and still does not — allow them to elect their own men to the board.
Financials In a separate consolidated and auDITED kNANCIAL kLINGS !# AND !,) REported retained earnings of P36.335
Date
Close
Apr 08, 2019 Apr 05, 2019 Apr 04, 2019 Apr 03, 2019 Apr 02, 2019 Apr 01, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 Mar 28, 2019 Mar 27, 2019 Mar 26, 2019 Mar 25, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Mar 21, 2019 Mar 20, 2019 Mar 19, 2019
15.4 15.32 15.26 15.54 15.58 15.48 15.48 15.2 15.3 15.1 15.7 15.62 15.6 15.6 15.3
*amounts in peso
PROFITABILITY Date Apr. 29 Apr. 30 May-01 May-02 May-03
P/E ratio 37.1 37.07 37.8 36.89
P/E growth (%) -
Net income Earnings per share Book value per share *Net income in millions
2016 886 0.43 1.32
Price to book ratio 5.18634 5.18012 5.27950 5.15528 2017 1,385 0.37 2.91
2018 1,835 0.45 3.22
FOURTH QUARTER REPORT NET INCOME P445,606,653.00
TOTAL ASSETS P17,502,181,753.00
TOTAL LIABILITIES
*amounts in pesos
P4,289,712,504.00
Return on Assets (%) 9.70 8.65 10.49
Q ZOBELS FROM B1
FINANCIALS
Outstanding shares: 4,099,724,116
TOTAL EQUITY
Return on Equity (%) 24.75 11.62 13.89
P13,212,469,249.00 Debt to Equity ratio 1.5523 0.3445 0.3247
Common ratio 1.8692 3.1536 2.7253
*amounts in pesos
HOLDING FIRMS
PSEi
Market capitalization: P69,695,309,972.00
FINANCIAL RATIOS
Q PLEDGES FROM B1
Index
30-day high: P 17.30 30-day low: P15.00
FINANCIAL RATIOS Return on Assets 0.03% Return on Equity 3.37% Debt to Ety Ratio 0.3247 Common Ratio 2.7253
Foreign investments, which accounted for 23 percent of the total, soared by 2,224 percent to P66.9 billion from P2.9 billion in 2018. Singapore is the top foreign investor in the period, with P35.4 billion worth of greenlighted projects. The Netherlands came next with P9.1 billion; Thailand, P8.5 billion; Japan, P5.5 billion; and the United States, P2.2 billion. g&OREIGN INVESTORS REMAIN CONkdent in the country’s business prospects as foreign capital continue to surge in the country while domestic investors remain upbeat as domestic capital continued its steady growth,� Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said. He also said that after the country’s credit status was upgraded, “even the Asian Development Bank
now [sees] that the Philippines has the second fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia.� S&P Global Ratings raised last week the country’s credit rating from “BBB� to “BBB+� with a stable outlook, citing as reasons the country’s robust economic growth track and the good standing of government kSCAL ACCOUNTS AMONG OTHERS Approved domestic pledges, meanwhile, reached P219.7 billion, a 14 percent increase from 2018’s P192.8 billion. Among these, Calabarzon raked in the most with P198 billion; Central Luzon, P26.7 billion; the National Capital Region, P7.9 billion; Central Visayas, P5.7 billion; and Cagayan Valley, P4.3 billion. TYRONE C. PIAD
billion and P132.090 billion as of end-2018, respectively. )N ITS AUDITED kNANCIALS !# S CONsolidated retained earnings included net income of P55.120 billion in 2018 including consolidated net profits of P49.867 billion in 2017 and P10.507 billion in 2016. These resulted from revenues of P302.490 billion, P266.786 billion and P222.944 billion in the last three years. On the other hand, ALI reported revenues of P163.747 billion in 2018; P139.373 billion in 2017; and P123.266 billion in 2016. These reSULTED IN NET PROkTS OF 0 BILLION P28.166 billion and P24.432 billion in each of the last three audit years. Earnings per share also improved from P1.43 per share in 2016 to P1.98 per share in 2018. In 2017, ALI recorded EPS of P1.71 per share. In the case of AC, it said its EPS improved to P48.80 in 2018 from P46.67 in 2017 and P39.88 in 2016. In footnotes to the financial statements, AC said it increased to P183.767 billion from P158.767 billion its investments in stocks in “associates and joint ventures�. Its “accumulated equity in net earnings, according to AC, increased to P57.706 billion from P47.772 billion in 2017. These exclude “other comprehensive income� of P240.141 billion in 2018, which was P37.492 billion improvement from P202.649 billion in 2017.
been the big boost to the accumulated retained earnings of AC and ALI. The latter is only one of AC’s subsidiaries, among them Manila Water Co. and Globe Telecom Inc., WHICH ARE BOTH PROkTABLE The poser though is why repeat THE AUDITED kNANCIAL kLINGS OF BOTH AC and ALI in this piece? The reasons are many. Yet, the more nagging among them is the refusal of Amaia Land Corp., which is one of ALI’s subsidiaries, OF A PLEA TO ISSUE AN OFkCIAL RECEIPT (OR) covering the purchase of a parking space which then cost P830,758.93. As of today, the buyer has yet to receive said OR. A certain Gabriel C. Sucgang 3rd issued an “Acknowledgement Form� dated November 27, 2018. What for is an “acknowledgement form� without an OR? What was worse was a call made by a woman who told the buyer that Amaia Land was ready to turn over the unit. When the buyer suggested to reschedule on a weekend, the woman caller simply hung up. Neither did she identify herself nor call back. As the property owners of the Nuvali condominium, the Zobels should have educated their salesforce to accommodate buyers to meet with them on weekend, too. What if the buyers or potential buyers of condominium units are working during the days but are free only on weekends? Just asking. esdperez@gmail.com
Due Diligencer’s take #ONSISTENT PROkTABILITY COULD HAVE
B4
Corporate News PT&T, China firm team up for PH network infra P
˜ The Manila Times
MONDAY May 6, 2019
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PhilRealty to double capital stock to 16B PHILIPPINE Realty Holdings Inc. (PhilRealty) plans to raise its authorized capital stock from 8 billion common shares to 16 billion this year as it eyes to issue more shares to a strategic investor. In a recent statement, PhilRealty said the shares to be added would be issued to Greenhills Properties Inc. In exchange, Greenhills would contribute two prime lots in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, where PhilRealty would build an upscale residential tower. Last year, PhilRealty saw its net income jump by 48 percent to P391 million from P263 million in 2017, which it attributed to higher operating gains and asset valuations. “The improved valuation of our investment properties, as well as the sustained increase in our real estate and rental businesses led to our bottomline leap,� PhilRealty President and Chief Executive OfkCER !LFREDO DEL 2OSARIO SAID Property sales jumped by 28 percent to P223 million, largely due to the brisk demand for its SkyVillas and Skyline projects in Quezon City, as well as the Icon Plaza in BGC. Rental income surged by 117
percent to P102 million as a result of the expansion of the company’s leasable portfolios and new lease agreements. PhilRealty said it was bullish about its business, given global and local developments favoring its prospects. Earlier this year, the company settled a 20-year old case with Universal Leisure Corp. involving a 2,370-square meter (sqm) penthouse unit and 74 parking lots at the Tektite Towers in Ortigas, Center, Pasig City. The settlement involved its payment of P231 million to ULC that allowed the former to re-acquire the tower. “The settlement was in consonance with PhilRealty’s objective of increasing the share of its recurring income to total revenues by acquiring more units in the 4EKTITE 4OWERS WHICH WAS THE kRST commercial development of the COMPANY u THE PROPERTY kRM SAID “The fair value of the penthouse unit and the 74 parking slots have been determined by an independent property appraisal company to be substantially higher than the amount we paid to buy these assets back.� ANGELICA BALLESTEROS
˜ The Manila Times
In a statement over the weekend, the listed telecommunicaTIONS kRM SAID THE MEMORANDUM of understanding (MoU) signed by PT&T and Tranzen Group Inc. chief Salvador B. Zamora 2nd and CITIC Chairman Luo Ning involved the rollout of Wi-Fi internet connectivity, digital television and satellite network services.
The MoU was inked during President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to China for the Second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing in late April. The amount to be invested was not disclosed. Under the deal, PT&T will lead in implementing the infrastrucTURE IN WHICH BOTH kRMS WOULD
bank on the former’s 10,000 kiloMETERS OF PURE kBER OPTIC CABLES IN OFFERING kXED LINE BROADBAND INternet access to large corporations, small businesses and households in the Greater Manila Area, and in northern and southern Luzon. “The synergy between Tranzen and PT&T aims to change the game of the digital infrastructure in the Philippines,� Zamora said in the statement. g04 4 S PERCENT kBER INTERnet network and host of IT services will complement the advanced infrastructure designs of Tranzen,� he added. “PT&T is fully on board with the government’s initiative to modernize the country’s ICT (information
Q DICTATE FROM B1
Official inflation and GDP figures will be announced by the Philippine Statistics Authority on May 7 and May 9, respectively. Also, the BSP’s policymaking Monetary Board will convene on Thurs-
day, and online brokerage firm 2tradeasia.com said it expected an interest rate cut or adjustment in the reserve requirement ratio. Investors will wait on the sideLINES AHEAD OF MORE kRST QUARTER corporate earnings results, it
BY LISBET K. ESMAEL
HILIPPINE Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (PT&T) has signed a deal with China-based information-technology (IT) company CITIC Networks Co. Ltd. on establishing network infrastructure in the country.
Economic PERCENT DURING THE kRST QUARTER on the back of election spending, as well as construction, investments and manufacturing.
Foreign Business
and communications technology) landscape and we are participating in the Public Wi-Fi program.� “We also plan to develop capabilities in Smart Cities and Emergency Response in line with the MoU.� Late last year, PT&T disclosed its plan to boost its business with digital services, and teamed up with cybersecurity company 5G Security Inc. and payment soluTIONS kRM 0AYNAMICS 4ECHNOLOGIES as part of this. /N TOP OF ITS CURRENT kXED LINE broadband segment, the company is also looking to venture into cybersecurity, smart cities, internet of things (IoT), and Fifth Generation (5G) network.
added. On Friday, the bellwether PSEi dropped by 0.42 percent or 33.59 points to close at 7,967.98, while the wider All Shares dipped by 0.14 percent or 6.83 points to end at 4,906.06. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS
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Buffett gives new hint about successor O MAHA, United States: Billionaire Warren Buffett on Saturday gave a clue on who might succeed him to run his Berkshire Hathaway empire, but did not completely reveal his hand. The world’s third-richest man also said at his company’s annual shareholder meeting that its recent investment in Amazon was not a shift in strategy to focus on Silicon 6ALLEY kRMS WHICH HAVE LARGELY remained missing from Berkshire’s voluminous portfolio. Buffett, 88, was pressed by questions — each greeted with a torrent of applause — about who would succeed him. Without answering directly, Buffett said Gregory Able, 57, and Ajit Jain, 67 — both promoted last year to the board of directors — would in the near future join him and long-time business partner Charlie
Munger, 95, on the stage to answer shareholder questions. “You could not have two better operating managers than Greg and Ajit. It’s just fantastic what they’ve accomplished,� said Buffett, who is known as the “Oracle of Omaha.� For decades, Buffett and Munger have been the two stars of Berkshire Hathaway, but on Saturday, Jain answered a shareholder question, though he did so from the lOOR
Q RULES FROM B1
On Nov. 22, the Bataan RTC granted SNPSI emergency relief pending the case’s resolution and ordered the garnishment of Holcim’s Metrobank account, which approximates the amount of loans taken by SNPSI to build the facility. On Dec. 4, Holcim filed a notice of arbitration with the PDRC, according to the dispute resolution mechanism contained in the MoA it was being accused of terminating by SNPSI. The PDRC accepted the case, and on Feb. 7, 2019 issued a decision revoking the regional court’s emergency relief order on the grounds that the issue would be handled by arbitration, rather than the courts. Holcim subsequently requested Metrobank to release its garnished account. In a reply to Holcim on Feb. 19, the bank refused Holcim’s request, pointing out that it had not received an order from the court countermanding the earlier garnishment order. The case is still undergoing arbitration.
Holcim the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Mariveles, Bataan garnishing Holcim’s P1.878billion account at the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) as a result of the suit filed by Seasia Nectar Port Services Inc. (SNPSI).
Ongoing case The port operator alleged that Holcim illegally terminated a 2015 memorandum of agreement (MoA) in which Holcim would make exclusive use of a port facility built to Holcim’s specifications by SNSPI. In its petition dated Oct. 18, 2018, SNPSI said it had obtained loans from Philippine banks totaling P1.9 billion and an additional loan of $1.89 million (P97.7 million) from UK-based Sovereign Bank to build the port, which, according to the MoA, would be exclusively used by Holcim for 10 years. It also said Holcim, however, bypassed the agreement by using other ports and subsequently unilaterally terminated the MoA, leaving SNPSI at high risk of defaulting on its loans.
‘Unbureaucratic’ Abel joined the company in 1992
Contradictory rules Under the Securities Regulation Code, any development that might materially affect the financial performance, and consequently the share
in the energy division, and for more than a year has overseen all non-insurance activities, while Jain came on board in 1986 in the insurance division, which he currently leads. But who will prevail, or could they jointly take the helm? “One of the reasons we have trouble with these questions is because Berkshire is so very peculiar. We have a different, kind of unbureaucratic way of making decisions,� said Munger. “But I don’t want to be like everybody else because this has worked better. So I think you’re going to have to endure us,� he said. Buffett’s departure is likely to open a new era at the company, especially with shares of Berkshire considered to be 10 to 15 percent above their real value thanks to the billionaire’s presence at the helm. Some analysts say a Buffett-less Berkshire Hathaway could be a
candidate for being broken up into multiple companies.
Investing in tech
On Saturday, Buffett and Munger also faced an onslaught of questions about strategy for investing in technology companies after Berkshire revealed a stake in Amazon. Buffett said Amazon chief Jeff Bezos has pulled off “close to a miracle� by transforming an online bookseller into the ecommerce giant it is today. Munger also acknowledged that he and Buffett felt “ashamed� for missing the boat on Google. “We just sat there sucking our thumbs,� he said. “We screwed up.� But there’s no indication of a strategy shift at Berkshire to invest more heavily in tech, aside from its new stake in Amazon and a $40-billion stake in Apple.
value of a publicly listed company, must be disclosed through the PSE. According to those rules, Holcim should have issued public disclosures of the filing of the case against it by SNPSI at the Bataan RTC, the subsequent tribunal order garnishing Holcim’s account and the amount involved, and the initiation of arbitration proceedings before the PDRC. However, it is a common provision of corporate arbitration rules that details of such proceedings are kept strictly confidential, at least while the case remains undecided. According to PDRC spokesman Kim dela Cruz, under the confidentiality rule, neither the parties involved in a dispute nor the PDRC may comment publicly on an ongoing case. A SEC representative who declined to speak on record suggested that so long as an MoA or similar agreement between listed companies is otherwise considered legal and binding, a dispute resolution arrangement including arbitration and its confidentiality rule might not necessarily be considered a violation of the public disclosure rule.
Retroactive application? What remains a question is
On Saturday, Berkshire HaTHAWAY ANNOUNCED A NET PROkT OF $21.66 billion -- a result that does not take into account expected losses from its stake in Kraft Heinz, which has recently depreciated assets valued in the billions of dollars. Berkshire Hathaway has holdings in companies such as American Express, JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, and is active in sectors like insurance (Geico), rail ".3& AND ENERGY 0ACIk#ORP The Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting, which draws tens of thousands to the small city of Omaha in the American heartland, has been dubbed “Woodstock for Capitalists.� Unlike other annual meetings, the goal here is not to release company results but to hear Buffett identify companies that he might invest in, or from which he might withdraw his money.
whether the confidentiality rule in arbitration can be applied to developments in a case prior to its acceptance by the PDRC for arbitration, which was the implication of Holcim’s May 2 disclosure. In that statement, Holcim did claim it had disclosed the Metrobank account’s garnishment — which happened as a result of a court ruling, rather than the later arbitration proceedings — in an Oct. 19, 2018 disclosure informing the PSE that it had received notification of the case filed by SNPSI. That May 2 disclosure also said the garnishment was noted in the company’s 2018 annual report “under ‘Other Non-Current Assets’ as ‘other financial assets,’ which refer to ‘deposits made for future obligations.’� The Oct. 19 disclosure, however, makes no mention of the garnishment of the P1.878-billion account, and could not, as the Bataan RTC did not issue that order until Nov. 22. Between the Oct. 19 disclosure and the May 2 clarification request, Holcim made no other disclosure about the case. A Holcim Philippines representative declined to comment on the case on Friday, and referred The Times to the company’s “official� statement in the May 2 disclosure.
Some 20,000 people secured a coveted pass to hear Buffett speak in person, after lining up from 5:00 am, with thousands more left to soak up the atmosphere from outside the theater. Buffett kicked off the day by touring the souvenir stands at CHI Health Center and mingling with the crowd of attendees, made up of leading executives, investors and billionaires from around the world. This year, many Chinese delegations made the trip. He later made a surprise appearance at a sideline event organized by a group of women financial professionals aiming to end the gender imbalance in investing. “It’s long overdue,� Buffet said of the goal. Buffett, who is worth almost $90 billion, still lives in a relatively modest house about 10 minutes outside downtown Omaha that he bought in 1958. AFP
Q RATES FROM B1
Central there were mounting reasons to begin monetary loosening. “Inflation has continued to moderate with manageable upside risks. Growth is likely to trend downward in the first quarter of 2019, and monetary conditions are at their tightest in many years,â€? he added. As a data-driven central bank, Arbis said HSBC believed that the time was ripe for the Bangko Sentral to begin monetary loosening, given prevailing economic conditions and the lagged impact of monetary policy on the real economy. Deutsche Bank Research chief economist Juliana Lee said monetary authorities welikely to move ahead with rate cuts, given the expected weaker first-quarter economic growth. “With the Philippines likely to report slower first GDP (gross domestic product) growth‌BSP would be keen to provide support to the economy,â€? she added. Capital Economic’s Gareth Leather, for his part, said inflation numbers
— to be out on Tuesday — “are likely to be pivotal to the decision by the Philippines central bank on whether to loosen policy or not at its meeting on Thursday.� Asian Institute of Management Department of Economics associate professor Emmanuel Leyco said the BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board “has plenty of room now to bring the policy interest rate down by 50bps� when they meet on May 9 as inflation is expected to slow further. Bank of the Philippine Islands Vice President and lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. projected that inflation would remain elevated for April, while growth would remain above 6 percent. T h i s wo u l d m e a n t h a t “the Bangko Sentral will probably keep all policy settings steady� in its next meeting. DBS economist Masyita Crystallin agreed, saying the “BSP is likely to stand pat,� but would keep “the powder dry should the economy needs more stimulus.� MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
World
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
Be ready for attack, Maduro urges soldiers CARACAS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged his troops Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to be “ready� for potential US military action, as a limited number of opposition supporters marched on military barracks in a bid to win the armed forces’ support. The small turnout for the Saturday marches — with participants in the hundreds, not the thousands — is another setback for opposition leader Juan Guaido, following a failed military uprising earlier in the week. Maduro on Saturday instructed the military “to be ready to defend the homeland with weapons in your hands if one day the US empire dares to touch this territory, this sacred earth.� Underscoring the continued military support for his socialist regime, Maduro delivered his televised address from a base in northwestern Cojedes state — where he appeared alongside his defense minister, Vladimir Padrino, and in the presence of more than 5,000 troops. The US has refused to take the threat of military action off the table in its push to oust Maduro — although it so far has limited its campaign to ramping up
sanctions. Guaido’s cause gained renewed support on Saturday from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who issued a video address to the Venezuelan people, telling them: “The time for transition is now.� “You can hold your institutions, your military and their leaders to the highest standards and demand a return to democracy,� Pompeo said in the message. “The United States stands firmly with you in your quest.� National Assembly head Guaido, 35, has branded Maduro a usurper over his controversial reelection last year, and in January declared himself acting president, plunging Venezuela into a political crisis that deepened its already grave economic woes. But Maduro has held firm, bolstered by the continued support of the powerful armed forces. “I told the generals and admirals yesterday: loyalty, I want an active loyalty... I trust you, but keep your eyes open, a handful of traitors cannot tarnish the honor, the unity, the cohesion and the image of the armed forces,� the President said in his speech from the military base. AFP
Worldinbriefs 2 DEAD, 2 MISSING IN ILLINOIS EXPLOSION WAUKEGAN, Ill.: An explosion and fire at an Illinois silicone factory claimed a second victim Saturday (Sunday in Manila) when an employee taken to a hospital after the blast died, a local coroner confirmed, and the official death toll is expected to rise to four as authorities suspended the search for two other bodies believed to be in the rubble. Crews suspended their search due to concerns about the stability of the structure, and Waukegan Fire Marshal Steven Lenzi said they would not resume searching until what remains of the plant is torn down. The four believed dead were among nine employees who were inside AB Specialty Silicones in Waukegan, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Chicago, when the explosion occurred around 9:30 p.m. Friday, Lenzi said. AP
MONDAY May 6, 2019
NUKE FIRE
This is just one of the dozens of nuclear ballistic missiles that North Korea tested near the Sea of Japan last May 4, 2019. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly personally supervised the missile-launching and told soldiers to be on alert. AFP PHOTO
Be alert, Kim tells troops after guiding nuke launch S EOUL, South Korea: North Korean state media on Sunday showed leader +IM *ONG 5N OBSERVING LIVE kRE DRILLS of long-range multiple rocket launchers and what appeared to be a new short-range ballistic missile, a day after South Korea expressed concern that the launches were a violation of an inter-Korean agreement to cease all hostile acts.
0YONGYANG S OFkCIAL +OREAN #ENTRAL .EWS !GENCY +#.! SAID +IM EXPRESSED gGREAT SATISFACTIONu OVER 3ATURDAY S DRILLS AND STRESSED THAT HIS FRONT LINE TROOPS SHOULD KEEP A gHIGH ALERT POSTUREu AND ENHANCE COMBAT ABILITY TO gDEFEND THE POLITICAL SOVEREIGNTY AND ECONOMIC SELF SUSTENANCE OF THE COUNTRY u 4HE WEAPONS LAUNCHES WERE A LIKELY SIGN OF 0YONGYANG S GROWING FRUSTRATION AT STALLED DIPLOMATIC TALKS WITH 7ASHINGTON MEANT TO PROVIDE COVETED SANCTIONS RELIEF IN RE-
TURN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT 4HEY ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE FRAGILITY OF THE DETENTE BETWEEN THE +OREAS WHICH IN A MILITARY AGREEMENT REACHED LAST 3EPTEMBER VOWED TO COMPLETELY CEASE gALL HOSTILE ACTSu AGAINST EACH OTHER IN LAND AIR AND SEA 3OUTH +OREA SAID IT S gVERY CONCERNEDu ABOUT .ORTH +OREA S WEAPONS LAUNCHES CALLING THEM A VIOLATION OF THE AGREEMENTS TO REDUCE ANIMOSITIES BETWEEN THE COUNTRIES 4HE STATEMENT ISSUED after an E M E R G E N C Y
MEETING ON 3ATURDAY OF TOP OFkCIALS AT THE PRESIDENTIAL "LUE (OUSE IN 3EOUL ALSO URGED .ORTH +OREA TO STOP COMMITTING ACTS THAT WOULD RAISE MILITARY TENSIONS AND JOIN EFFORTS TO RESUME NUCLEAR DIPLOMACY g0RAISING THE 0EOPLE S !RMY FOR ITS EXCELLENT OPERATION OF MODERN LARGE CALIBER LONG RANGE MULTIPLE ROCKET LAUNCHERS AND TACTICAL GUIDED WEAPONS HE SAID THAT ALL THE SERVICE MEMBERS ARE MASTER GUNNERS AND THEY ARE CAPABLE OF CARRYING OUT DUTY TO PROMPTLY TACKLE ANY SITUATION u THE +.#! PARAPHRASED +IM AS SAYING g(E STRESSED THE NEED FOR ALL THE SERVICE MEMBERS TO KEEP HIGH ALERT POSTURE AND MORE DYNAMICALLY WAGE THE DRIVE TO INCREASE THE COMBAT ABILITY SO AS TO DEFEND THE POLITICAL SOVEREIGNTY AND ECONOMIC SELF SUSTENANCE OF THE COUNTRY AND THE SECURITY OF THE PEOPLE FROM THE THREATS AND INVASION BY ANY FORCES u 4HE .ORTH S OFkCIAL 2ODONG 3INmun NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED PHOTOS
MILITANTS KILL INDIAN PM ALLY
143 SAFE IN BOEING RIVER CRASH
BULGARIA VISIT
Pope Francis is welcomed by children upon his arrival in Sofia, Bulgaria. Pope Francis arrived in the eastern European country despite the main Orthodox Church’s rejection of holding joint prayers with the pontiff.
ISRAEL KILLS 6 IN REPRISE ATTACK
AFP PHOTO
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip: Palestinian militants on Saturday fired over 250 rockets into Israel, drawing dozens of retaliatory airstrikes on targets across the Gaza Strip in a round of heavy fighting that broke a month-long lull between the enemies. Six Palestinians, including a pregnant mother and her baby, were killed, while four Israelis were wounded, including an elderly man who was in a critical condition. The fighting, the most intense between the sides in months, came as leaders from Hamas, the militant group that rules Gaza and the smaller armed faction Islamic Jihad were in Cairo for talks with Egyptian mediators aimed at preventing a fraying cease-fire from collapsing altogether. AP
US, Taliban close to reach deal
CURACAO TO STOP MEASLES FROM SHIP WILLEMSTAD, Curacao: The Dutch territory of Curacao said Saturday (Sunday in Manila) it would do what was needed to prevent measles spreading from a Scientology cruise ship after a crew member came down with the disease. The Freewinds, which left the Caribbean island of St. Lucia on Friday, arrived back in its home port of Curacao Saturday. There were about 300 people aboard the ship, according to St. Lucia authorities. The Curacao government said it would “take all necessary precautions to handle the case of measles on board of the Freewinds,� including vaccinations. AFP
DON’T BLACKLIST MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD CAIRO: Washington is considering blacklisting the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, but experts warn the move would risk radicalizing its members and further destabilizing the Arab world. A grassroots Islamist movement with affiliates in several countries including Turkey’s ruling AKP party and Tunisia’s Ennahda, the Brotherhood has militant offshoots, but officially renounced violence in the 1970s. Placing the movement on Washington’s list of foreign terrorist organisations would ban its members from entering the United States and make it a crime for any American to assist the group. AFP
THAT SHOWED +IM EQUIPPED WITH BINOCULARS OBSERVING TESTS OF DIFFERENT WEAPONS SYSTEMS INCLUDING MULTIPLE ROCKET LAUNCHERS AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SHORT RANGE MISSILE kRED FROM A LAUNCH VEHICLE AND ALSO AN EXPLOSION OF WHAT SEEMED TO BE A TARGET SET ON ISLAND ROCKS +IM $ONG YUB AN ANALYST FROM 3EOUL S )NSTITUTE FOR &AR %ASTERN 3TUDIES SAID THE .ORTH +OREAN MISSILE APPEARED TO BE MODELED AFTER 2USSIA S + )SKANDER MOBILE SHORT RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE SYSTEM 4HE SOLID FUEL .ORTH +OREAN MISSILE WHICH WAS kRST REVEALED IN A 0YONGYANG MILITARY PARADE IN &EBRUARY IS POTENTIALLY CAPABLE OF CONDUCTING NUCLEAR STRIKES ON ALL AREAS OF 3OUTH +OREA +IM SAID g4HE .ORTH TRIED TO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE ITS ABILITIES TO STRIKE ANY TARGET ON THE +OREAN 0ENINSULA INCLUDING 53 TROOPS STATIONED ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN AREAS SUCH AS 3EOUL 0YEONGTAEK $AEGU AND "USAN u +IM SAID AP
Crash kills 7 Venezuela officers
SRINAGAR, India: Suspected separatist militants shot dead a local leader from Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s ruling party in disputed Kashmir ahead of the latest round of India’s marathon election, police said Sunday. The killing in Anantnag district of India’s only Muslim-majority state is the latest in a string of attacks that have marred India’s staggered election which began last month. The militants opened fire on Gul Mohammad Mir, 65, who headed a local unit of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, at his house in south Kashmir on Saturday night. AFP
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.: A military-chartered jet carrying 143 people landed hard, then bounced and swerved as the pilot struggled to control it amid thunder and lightning, ultimately skidding off the runway and coming to a crashing halt in a river at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. It meant chaos and terror for passengers in the Boeing 737 as the plane jolted back and forth and oxygen masks deployed, then overhead bins opened, sending contents spilling out. But authorities said all the people onboard emerged without critical injuries Friday night, lining up on the wings as they waited to be rescued. Only a three-monthold baby was hospitalized, and that was done out of an abundance of caution, officials said. AP
B5
ISLAMABAD: The Taliban said the gap was narrowing in talks with Washington’s special peace envoy over a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. The two sides are continuing to meet in Qatar, where the insurgent movement maintains a political office. In a voice message to The Associated Press, the Taliban spokesman in Doha Suhail Shaheen said both sides had offered new proposals for drawing down US and North Atlantic Treaty Organiza-
tion forces. This would be a significant initial step toward a deal to end nearly 18 years of war and America’s longest military engagement. “There are proposals to lower the gap between the two sides, but [it] still needs negotiation to reach a final agreement,� he said in an English-language statement. Other Taliban officials familiar with the negotiations had earlier told AP that the US was seeking a year and a half to withdraw its estimated 14,000 troops from Afghanistan, while the Taliban
wanted it done in six months. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. It remains unknown what new proposals either side has brought to the table. Talks between the US and Taliban, which began last year with the appointment of Washington’s peace envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, have focused on a timetable for a US withdrawal, as well as Taliban guarantees that Afghanistan will not attack the country. AP
Xi lauds Thai king on coronation #().%3% 0RESIDENT 8I *INPING CONGRATULATED AND LAUDED 4HAI +ING -AHA 6AJIRALONGKORN ON BEING CROWNED AS HEIR TO HIS LATE FATHER S THRONE /N BEHALF OF THE #HINESE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE AND IN HIS OWN NAME 8I EXPRESSED IN A MESSAGE SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD WISHES TO THE KING AND THE 4HAI PEOPLE
4HE KING IS AN OLD FRIEND OF THE #HINESE PEOPLE AND HAD BEEN ATTENDING TO AND SUPPORTING THE CAUSE OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES FOR LONG 8I SAID IN THE MESSAGE g) ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF #HINA 4HAILAND RELATIONS AND STAND READY TO MAKE JOINT EFFORTS WITH YOU TO CARRY FORWARD THE TRADITIONAL #HI-
NA 4HAILAND FRIENDSHIP DEEPEN COOPERATION IN BUILDING THE "ELT AND 2OAD JOINTLY AND PUSH FORWARD THE COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES u 8I SAID 4HE #HINESE 0RESIDENT WISHED THE +INGDOM OF 4HAILAND lOURISHING AND PROSPERITY AND THE PEOPLE HAPPINESS AND GOOD HEALTH GLOBAL TIMES
CARACAS, Venezuela: Seven VenezuELAN MILITARY OFkCERS WERE KILLED ON 3ATURDAY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA WHEN THEIR HELICOPTER CRASHED WHILE HEADING TO A STATE WHERE 0RESIDENT .ICOLÂśS -ADURO APPEARED ALONGSIDE TROOPS DAYS AFTER THE OPPOSITION CALLED IN VAIN FOR A MILITARY UPRISING 4HE #OUGAR HELICOPTER HURTLED INTO A MOUNTAIN OUTSIDE #ARACAS IN THE EARLY HOURS OF AN OVERCAST DAY IN THE CAPITAL !N INVESTIGATION WAS UNDERWAY 4HE ARMED FORCES IN A STATEMENT SAID THE CHOPPER WAS HEADING TO 3AN #ARLOS IN #OJEDES STATE 4HAT S NEAR A MILITARY ACADEMY WHERE -ADURO APPEARED EARLY 3ATURDAY TO OVERSEE TRAINING EXERCISES FOLLOWING A WEEK OF INTRIGUE THAT SAW A SMALL GROUP OF SECURITY FORCES TURN AGAINST HIM IN THE FAILED ATTEMPT BY OPPOSITION LEADER *UAN 'UAIDĂ… TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT /NBOARD THE HELICOPTER WERE TWO LIEUTENANT COLONELS AS WELL AS kVE LOWER RANKING OFkCERS 4HE STATEMENT DIDN T SAY IF THE CHOPPER WAS PART OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION !LSO IN #ARACAS ON 3ATURDAY A PROTESTER HANDED OVER A WRITTEN APPEAL FOR THE MILITARY S SUPPORT BUT A 6ENEZUELAN POLICE OFkCER BURNED THE DOCUMENT AND LET THE ASHES FALL TO THE GROUND 4HE ARMED FORCES gWON T BE BLACKMAILED OR BOUGHT u SAID A SECOND OFkCER STANDING NEARBY "ENITO 2ODRIGUEZ FUMED AS HE WATCHED THE EVENTS UNFOLD g)T S A HUMILIATION u SAID 2ODRIGUEZ A DEMONSTRATOR WHO HAD JOINED A CROWD OF ABOUT PROTESTERS GATHERED NEAR ,A #ASONA A RESIDENCE HISTORICALLY USED BY 6ENEZUELAN PRESIDENTS AP
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MONDAY May 6, 2019 Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance Securities and Exchange Commission Corporate Governance and Finance Department
In the matter of: SEC-CGFD Order No. 097 Series of 2019
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LWR, PBSP boost economic resilience of women through livelihood project 2/3,9. #HAVEZ A HOUSEWIFE FROM "ANTAYAN ISLAND IN #EBU believes she can contribute to the FAMILY S DAILY kNANCIAL NEEDS IF she could manage a sari-sari store IN THEIR AREA 7ITH FOUR CHILDREN who are still studying and a husband who works as a construction worker, a sari-sari store is one of the easiest options she could think of to help her family. This initially came true when THE +AONGKOD 7OMENS ,IVELIHOOD !SSOCIATION +AWLA WAS ABLE TO put up its own consumer store in 2015, where members take turns in administering every day. This was made possible through THE !CCELERATING 7OMEN %MPOWERMENT THROUGH 3USTAINABLE /Pportunities for Microenterprises and Employment or Project Awesome that provided interventions that included provision of skills and enterprise development trainings, provision of capital for liveliHOOD OPPORTUNITIES ORGANIZATIONAL strengthening to increase womenowned or operated tourism-related enterprises, and facilitation of access TO MARKET kNANCE AND OTHER BUSIness development services through public-private partnerships. Project Awesome managed by 0HILIPPINE "USINESS FOR 3OCIAL Progress with support from LuTHERAN 7ORLD 2ELIEF BOOSTED THE economic resilience of 2,185 unemployed and underemployed WOMEN IN THE NORTHERN #EBU TOWNS OF "ANTAYAN 3ANTA &E
Q Through Project Awesome, women are taught livelihood programs like weaving. Madridejos, and Daanbantayan who are mostly limited to engage in paid work. 0"30 PARTNERED WITH #EBU S BUSIness groups for skills trainings, apprenticeship, and employmentMATCHING ACTIVITIES SO FEMALE BENEkciaries can be provided with access to opportunities in the tourism industry as employees or entrepreneurs. Kawla members were also taught how to properly manage their funds through the creation of a community-managed savings AND CREDIT ASSOCIATION #O-3#! which offers a simple savings and loan facility in their community IN LIEU OF FORMAL kNANCIAL SERVICES
tion rates boded well for sustained consumer expenditure that should also see a boost from mid-term election spending. /N THE COST SIDE #ONCEPcion added that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the relatively stronger peso compared to latter part of 2018 should help reduce input costs. However, we remain vigilant in monitoring the prices of raw materials especially sugar, packaging, milk and wheat. Hopefully, we see better pricing in these items in the coming months so manufacturers like RFM can SUSTAIN STRONG EARNINGS GROWTH u In March, RFM paid a cash dividend of P280 Million or P0.0805 per share which was the first of two tranches to pay out the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 50 percent yearly cash dividend policy based on recurring net income. Audited net income for 2018 AMOUNTED TO 0 " WHILE AUDITED NET SALES REACHED 0 "
Coke Studio Summer Concert: Catch the wave home %80,/2).' new places, quick family getaway, and a trip back home to see your childhood friends and meet new faces are just some of the things that we look forward to when we come home for the summer. Every year, we always think of ways on how to make our vacation fresh, EXCITING AND SPECIAL !ND #OKE just gave us the ultimate summer EXPERIENCE WITH THE #OKE 3TUDIO 3UMMER #ONCERT Happened last April 25 at the Mall of Asia Arena hosted by 9LONA 'ARCIA AND *USTIN 1UIRINO
4HE #OKE 3TUDIO #ONCERT WAS A GIFT FROM #OCA #OLA TO EVERYONE for the overwhelming love and SUPPORT THEY RECEIVED FOR THE #OKE 3TUDIO 3EASON (EADLINED BY #OKE 3TUDIO 3EASON ARTISTS OUR summer became a wave ride of emotions and celebration from THE VARIETY OF THEIR LINEUP 3OLO and collaborative performances WERE GIVEN BY 3AM #ONCEPCION +HALIL 2AMOS 1UEST 0ATTY 4IU "EN "EN +RIESHA #HU 'AB AND *OHN OF 5RBANDUB 3HANTI $OPE !BRA )6 OF 3PADES +: 4ANDINGAN *UAN -IGUEL 3EVERO AND !PL DE AP
Belmonte thanks constituents for results of latest MM mayoral survey 15%:/. #ITY 6ICE -AYOR *OY "ELMONTE THANKED HER SUPPORTers following the publication of results on the latest Metro Manila mayoral survey where she maintained her spot as the top choice for mayorship in 1UEZON #ITY â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am really grateful that our constituents continuously entrust their support to me and to my leadership. I am happy with the survey because it means that VOTERS IN 1UEZON #ITY AGREE with my platform to bring inclusive development for all in THE CITY u SAID "ELMONTE WHO is running with slogan dubbed
Public Square
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Cupping competition highlights emerging Ifugao coffee industry T
RFM Q1 2019 revenues grow 11% ,)34%$ food and beverage comPANY 2&- #ORPORATION DISCLOSED THAT UNAUDITED kRST QUARTER financial performance indicate 2&- S NET SALES REACHED 0 " AN 11 percent growth versus last year. 2&- 0RESIDENT AND #%/ *OSE -A #ONCEPCION ))) SAID THAT revenue growth drivers were INSTITUTIONAL SALES OF lOUR AND bread, pasta and sauce, as well as MILK g7E CONTINUE TO SEE HEALTHY consumer appetite for our Royal and Fiesta pasta and sauce as well AS IN OUR 3ELECTA -ILK 24$ FOR THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR 4HE late holy week in April this 2019, compared to March in 2018, softened our ice cream unitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usual strong growth rate in the first quarter, but April sales are quite robust. Flour and institutional bread sales are growing at double DIGIT RATES AS WELL u #ONCEPCION ALSO NOTED THAT THE BENIGN MONTHLY INlA-
MONDAY May 6, 2019
g+ASAMA +A 3A 0AG UNLAD u In the non-commissioned survey conducted by RP-Mission and Development FoundaTION )NC 20-$INC DATED !PRIL TO "ELMONTE WAS PERCENT ahead, with 62 percent of votes, OVER HER OPPONENTS 2EP "INGBONG #RISOLOGO AND FORMER 2EP #HUCK -ATHAY WITH PERCENT and one percent respectively. The said survey covered almost 8,000 registered voters representing all demographic lines in different areas in Metro Manila, has a confidence level of 98 percent, and a margin of error of +/-2 percent.
HE coffee industry in Asipulo, Ifugao got a major boost with the CONDUCT OF THE kRST #UPPING #OMPETItion during the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kulpiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d Asipulo Festival on April 16. Asipulo has the biggest coffee planting area in Ifugao, a major Robusta coffee producer, with about 1,394 hectares or 55 percent of the provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total coffee area. Robusta coffee samples by 21 farmer members of the Hojap -ULTI 0URPOSE #OOPERATIVE (OJAP -0# WERE RATED BASED ON THE international standard of cupping and bean grading. #ORAZON 7ANGAG YEARS OLD EMERGED AS THE kRST PLACE WINNER of the competition, with an average cupping score of 84.06 percent, followed by Leon Donato, 61, who garnered a score of 83.13 percent. The third place went to Rosita Dumelod, 47, with 82.83 percent average cupping score. !CCORDING TO #OFFEE 1UALITY )NSTITUTE #1) A NON PROkT ORGANIZATION working internationally to improve the quality of coffee and the lives of people who produce it, coffee samples which score 80 points or above on a 100-point scale is graded â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;specialtyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. #1) CREATED THE INDUSTRY S FIRST comprehensive guide of compiled STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES THAT DEkNE
Q Cupping competition highlights emerging Ifugao coffee industry. The winners are (seated, from left) Corazon Wangag, first place winner; Leon Donato, 61, second place winner; and Rosita Dumelod, third place winner. kNE 2OBUSTA COFFEE 4HE SCORING IS based on ten attributes: fragrance/ aroma, flavor, aftertaste, salt/acid aspect ratio, bitter/sweet aspect ratio, mouthfeel, balance, uniform cups, clean cups, and overall defects, both taints and forms, of the coffee. The higher the score, the better price it commands in the specialty market. The average cupping score is derived from the consolidated rating from the four judges tapped by
THE 0HILIPPINE #OFFEE "OARD )NC 0#") NAMELY 0#") S 2OBERT &RANcisco, panel chair, Mario Macalalad OF -AGELLAN #OFFEE "EA "ELARDO OF "ELARDO #OFFEE %NTERPRISE AND *ENnifer Rimando of Ola Farms. According to Rimando, the coffee submitted during the competition has shown how much the quality of coffee has improved in the region over the years. Another judge, Macalalad, also
RECOGNIZED THAT )FUGAO CAN NOW compete in the growing market of the coffee industry. (OJAP -0# S -ANAGER 3HIRLEY Tagtag meanwhile lauded the passion and dedication of the farmers to develop high-quality coffee products in the province. The competition was spearheaded by the Peace and Equity &OUNDATION 0%& IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 0#") AND (OJAP -0#
Red Cross holds bloodletting events during lean month 0(),)00).% 2ED #ROSS HAS BEEN known for its commitment to save lives--- and one of the ways to save life is to provide blood to someone who needs it. Holding a bloodletting event is a great way to collect blood. Thus, this April, which is a lean month for blood donations, the 0HILIPPINE 2ED #ROSS HELD VARIOUS bloodletting activities in cooperaTION WITH $UNKIN $ONUTS 2-. DZXL 558 and Energy FM 106.7. A total of 213 units of blood were collected from different donors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very thankful to our blood partners and donors for their continuous support for our blood programs. Through their help, we can keep up with the increasing demand for blood.
"LOOD IS ESSENTIAL TO LIFEu SAID 02# #HAIRMAN 2ICHARD 'ORDON 02# BLOOD COLLECTION IS A MEticulous process from education and recruitment of donors, actual collection, blood testing, preparing blood products and quality assurance. This ensures that available blood is safe for transfusion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A blood donation by one person CAN SAVE UP TO FOUR LIVESu SAID 02# .ATIONAL "LOOD 3ERVICES $IRECTOR $R #HRISTIE -ONINA - .ALUPTA DURING HER INTERVIEW WITH 2-. $:8, 1UALIFIED BLOOD DONORS RECEIVE a donorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s card, refreshments, small Q Philippine Red Cross holds various bloodletting activities during lean tokens and a heartfelt thank you. 4HE 0HILIPPINE 2ED #ROSS HAS month for blood donations. blood service facilities all over the within everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reach â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from For blood donations and other COUNTRY 4HROUGH 02# BLOOD IS ,UZON 6ISAYAS TO -INDANAO blood concerns, dial 143 or 790-2300.
Big brands, big outlets, big discounts at Greenfield City ). CELEBRATION OF ,ABOR DAY THE countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest outlet complex held one of its biggest sale events. From May 1 to 5, there were price slashes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as high as 80 percent off â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at select shops at 0ASEO /UTLETS ,AGUNA #ENTRAL AND !RCADIA IN 'REENkELD #ITY 3TA 2OSA ,AGUNA "IG DISCOUNTS AT THEIR BIGGEST outlet stores are big brands such as !DIDAS #ONVERSE 0HILIPPINES /AKLEY 6AULT 'IORDANO AND .INE 7EST The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only outlet stores OF 0OTTERY "ARN 0OTTERY "ARN +IDS 7EST %LM 3PEEDO !MERICAN %AGLE /UTFITTERS AND .ATIONAL "OOK 3TORE ALSO TOOK PART IN THE SALE Other participating brands like
.IKE AND -IZUNO PLUS "ENCH along with the international brands including Mothercare, ,A 3ENZA AND #OTTON /N ALSO offered discounts. 3HOPPERS ALSO ENJOYED THE 'REENkELD #ITY 7EEKEND -ARKET and its outdoor buffet, which is open every weekend. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Labor Day is a big celebration that commemorates our hard work as Filipinos and as a nation. 'REENkELD $EVELOPMENT #ORPORAtion believes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just right to have a summer treat for everyone thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s JUST AS BIG u SAID !TTY $UANE 3ANQ First 100 blockchain cadets graduate from UnionBank Blockchain Institute. tos, executive vice president and GENERAL MANAGER OF 'REENFIELD 3TAY UPDATED BY FOLLOWING THE 0AS- EOOUTLETSGREENkELDCITY ON &ACEBOOK $EVELOPMENT #ORPORATION eo Outlets social media pages. @pas- and @paseooutlets on Instagram.
UnionBank unleashes blockchain revolution in the Philippines 7)4( BLOCKCHAIN EXPECTED TO BE among the biggest technologies that will shape the world in the near fuTURE 5NION "ANK OF THE 0HILIPPINES 5NION"ANK THE COUNTRY S "EST $IGITAL "ANK IS NOW AT THE FOREFRONT of training Filipinos to become knowledgeable in blockchain. ,AST YEAR THE "ANK CREATED THE "LOCKCHAIN )NSTITUTE TO SUPPLY THE ecosystem with more blockchain developers. The students â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who mostly took up information technology, computer science and engineering courses from different colleges and universities in the country â&#x20AC;&#x201D; were sourced via various channels including hack-
athons and social media. *UST RECENTLY THE )NSTITUTE PRODUCED ITS kRST BATCH OF GRADUates who have completed sixMONTH TRAINING COURSES m.%- %THERIUM (YPERLEDGER AND #ORDA CO CREATED WITH 5NION"ANK S PARTNERS .%- )"- #ONSENSYS and R3. They also went through THE $ESIGN 4HINKING AND 3TART 5P Thinking workshops. Around half of these graduates are now employed by the bank and its subsidiaries, the rest by other companies THAT 5NION"ANK REFERRED THEM TO !T THE "LOCKCHAIN )NSTITUTE THE developers were taught not just use cases and blockchain solutions. there is a skyrocketing demand for blockchain codes but also actual 3TATISTICS SHOW THAT GLOBALLY blockchain-capable professionals.
Gov. Imee Marcos lauds Supreme Court ruling on expanded IRA 3%.!4/2)!, CANDIDATE AND )LOCOS .ORTE 'OV )MEE -ARCOS called on the Executive Department to immediately craft a mechanism that would expedite the unconditional and automatic release of the 40 percent share of all national taxes of local government units, effective next year. g/UR ,'5S HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED
for the longest time of their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;just shareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on their Internal Revenue Allotment computed based on all national taxes and not just from naTIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE TAXES u SAID -ARCOS THE LONE LOCAL OFkCIAL RUNning for senator in the May 13 polls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a candidate coming from the ranks of local government OFkCIALS ) REALLY KNOW WHAT OUR
local executives feel â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the issues that are closest to their hearts. Our budget is sorely lacking when in fact we are at the frontline when it comes to delivering services to our CONSTITUENTS u SHE ADDED -ARCOS LAUDED THE 3UPREME #OURT FOR UPHOLDING ITS EARLIER decision increasing the IRA of local government units, calling a just
AND PRINCIPLED JUDGMENT g4HE 3# ruling is a game changer in local governance because it will effecTIVELY EMPOWER ,'5S IN EXERCISING its true mandate of delivering basic services to the people, as enviSIONED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT u said Marcos, the deputy secretary GENERAL FOR ,UZON OF THE ,EAGUE OF Provinces of the Philippines.
MONDAY M O NDAY MAY 6,, 2019
Public Square
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DoT invites the public to visit Museo de Intramuros A
S the Philippines celebrate National Heritage Month this May, the Department of Tourism (DoT) invites the public to explore and learn about Philippine culture and history by visiting Museo de Intramuros in Manila. Managed by the Intramuros Aministration (IA), Museo de Intramuros is located in two important reconstructions inside the walled city: the San Ignacio Church and the Mission House of the Society of Jesus. The museum was designed to house the period art collections of IA that includes ecclesiastical art, furniture, vestments, and textiles and other artifacts. The museum will be open to the public starting May 2, 2019, and admission is free. Museo de Intramurosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; official opening, which took place on April 29, 2019, was among the highlights of the Intramuros Administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40th anniversary as an institution. Curated by Dr. Esperanza Gatbonton, Gino Gonzales, Dr. Cecilia dela Paz, Santiago Pilar and Martin Tinio, the exhibition has six components: (1) The Immaculate Conception,
Q Tourism Secretary Romulo-Puyat tours the three-story museum that showcases the form of religious images belonging to the Intramuros Administration collection. (2) The Religious Order, (3) The ABLE BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS THE kRST REAL passive receiver of artistic stimuli from Patronato Real and the establishment attempt to collect and preserve within abroad. This collection proves that of Parishes, (4) Religious Colonial the Philippines an important aspect of the Philippines was as much a giver.â&#x20AC;? At the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening, DoT Paintings, (5) The establishment of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural heritage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The collection affords the viewer Secretary and Chairperson of the IA a parish and sacred vessels, and (6) a panorama of the various styles and Board of Administrators, Bernadette The Indio Response. enables him to compare them with Romulo-Puyat said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;IAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedication in In her 1981 book Philippine Relihithe artifacts done abroad in the same ensuring that the tangible treasures that ous Imagey, co-curator Dr. Gatbonton medium. We, Filipinos, have always immortalize our history are now acceswrote, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This collection of the Intramutended to accept that we were the sible to the public is commendable.â&#x20AC;? ros Administration is extremely valu-
SM City Fairview Parkway opens
Matimco opens in Westgate, Alabang MATIMCO, one of the largest and most trusted wood suppliers in the Philippines, opened its ninth House of Wood showroom at the Westgate Center in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City on April 5. Led by Charlie Liu, Matimco Inc. president and chief executive OFkCER WHO ALSO SPEARHEADED THE ribbon-cutting ceremony, the event was attended by industry partners and guests. With more than 55 years of experience in providing wood Q During the opening, (from left) Edwin Hernandez, Jardine Distribution Inc. president; Christine Jacob-Sandejas; processing and treatment, the Susan Liu; Charlie Liu, Matimco Inc. president and CEO; Gelo MaĂąosa, MaĂąosa and Company CEO; and James Jao, company hopes to open 21 show- ECO JAO Development CEO. rooms by 2021. Aside from pro- essentials and accessories, the potential for job and investment- ARE WOOD PANELS lOORS lOOR ACcessories, framings, doors, deck viding homes and establishments company advocates for the wide- generating opportunities. Among Matimcoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products accessories and stair components. with locally processed wooden spread use of wood, noting its
Airbusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Skyways drone trials worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first shore-to-ship deliveries cargo to the shipmaster, the Skyways unmanned air vehicle swiftly returned to its base, with the entire lIGHT TAKING WITHIN TEN MINUTES The trials are being undertaken in conjunction with partner Wilhelmsen Ships Services, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading maritime logistics and port services company. During the trials, Airbusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Skyways drone will lift off from the pier with a payload capability of up to 4kg, and navigate autonomously along pre-determined â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;aerial corridorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to vessels as far as 3km from the coast. Airbusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Skyways lead, Leo Jeoh
SM Foundation Assistant Vice President for Outreach and Livelihood Cristie Angeles spearheaded the distribution of relief goods. Support was given by Savemore and SM Supermarket which provided the required relief goods, SM Supermalls (Pampanga, San Fernando, Telabastagan, Clark, Tarlac and Olongapo) for coordination, transportation and distribution of goods, Our Home, St. Isadore Learning Center, Savemore and Dahnberger
orchestra excerpts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We only had three months to learn it and I immediately PRACTICED EACH BAR $ESPITE THE DIFkCULties, I luckily made it,â&#x20AC;? he said. The OPPA Foundation was established through the assistance of the Resorts World Philippines Cultural Heritage Foundation, Inc., in recognition and support of the Filipino talent. The foundation nurtures talented young students who want to pursue studies in the performing arts by granting them scholarships to OPPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SEVEN AFkLIATE SCHOOLS The Asian Youth Orchestra will go on tour from July 20 to September 1 with scheduled performances in Japan, Taiwan, China and Korea.
Honda launches the all-new 2019 Honda Brio in PH
sions, the All-New Brio now gets an additional 60mm of extended wheelbase and 90mm of extended cargo area as compared to its predecessor. This allows the All-New Brio to have a larger interior space that can accommodate a bigger rear seat for a spacious rear passenger cabin and bigger trunk space that can easily accommodate large items while maintaining a compact body size for easier maneuverability. For more information, visit www. hondaphil.com.
Oman Air, Gulf Air strengthen and expand codeshare agreement OMAN Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, and Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national carrier, have expanded their existing codeshare agreement allowing passengers to benefit from the outstanding products and services offered by the two airlines. This will extend travel opPORTUNITIES TO lY BEYOND -USCAT AND Bahrain effective from the upcoming summer schedule. Oman Air will place its â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;WYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; code ON 'ULF !IR lIGHTS FROM "AHRAIN TO Tbilisi in Georgia, Baku in Azerbaijan, Gassim in Saudi Arabia and Beirut in Lebanon. On the other hand, the extended codeshare agreement will see Gulf Air will place its â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;GFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; code ON /MAN !IR lIGHTS FROM -USCAT TO Salalah and Khasab in Oman, Nairobi in Kenya, Zanzibar in Tanzania, Goa and Lucknow in India, Kathmandu in Nepal and Jakarta in Indonesia. Abdulaziz Al Raisi, chief executive officer of Oman Air commented:
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oman Air is very happy with the extension of this codeshare agreement with Gulf Air, which is a strategic and important partner for Oman Air. Through this code share, Oman Air offers its guests the opportunity to extend their travel from Bahrain to Tbilisi, Baku, Gassim and Beirut. The Gulf Air guests in return can travel to Oman Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s destinations of Salalah, Khasab, Nairobi, Zanzibar, Goa, Lucknow, Kathmandu and Jakarta. 7E ARE SURE THE GUESTS WILL kND THE award-winning services of Oman Air and the legacy services of Gulf Air a truly rewarding experience.â&#x20AC;?
Hi-Precision Diagnostics receives Third Gold Award from Readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Digest Trusted Brand shared his excitement at the mileSTONE lIGHT g7E ARE THRILLED TO LAUNCH THE kRST TRIAL OF ITS KIND IN the maritime world. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accomplishment is a culmination of
months of intense preparation by our dedicated team, and the strong collaboration with our partner, as we pursue a new terrain in the maritime industry.â&#x20AC;?
OpTE extends help to earthquake victims SM Foundation extended a helping hand through its Operation: Tulong Express (OpTE) to victims of the recent earthquake that rocked Metro Manila and the neighboring provinces of Pampanga, Zambales and Bataan. Volunteer SM employees joined other volunteers in distributing relief packs in 22 barangays (villages) in Porac, Pampanga, San Marcelino/ Hermosa, Subic, Zambales and Bataan. Beneficiaries were 2,950 families or 14,750 individuals.
TWO scholars of the Original Pilipino Performing Arts (OPPA) Foundation were recently inducted as members of the prestigious Asian Youth Orchestra, the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier pre-professional orchestra that offers advanced studies and opportunities for musical tours with celebrated artists and conductors. Marloe Kyril Maruyama who is currently taking up Performance Major in Double Bass, and Jose Marie â&#x20AC;&#x153;JMâ&#x20AC;? Eserjose taking up Performance Major in Violin, who are both enjoyING /00! SCHOLARSHIP BENEkTS AT 3T Scholasticaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College, were among the eight Filipinos chosen to take part in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concert tour. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had so little time to prepare for my auditions,â&#x20AC;? said Marloe. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was balancing school, work, and gigs and was only able to practice for two to three times a week due to the busy schedules,â&#x20AC;? he added. For JMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part, the scholar was initially on the fence whether he could pass the auditions for the prestigious tour or not as he has yet to learn the
HONDA Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Hondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s automobile unit in the Philippines, is pleased to introduce the All-New 2019 Honda Brio as Hondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry to the A-Segment passenger car category in the Philippines. This is a response to customers who aspire to own and experience Hondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature sporty and practical characteristics in an affordable package. Now on its second generation, The All-New Brio was developed based on the grand concept â&#x20AC;&#x153;Proud over Class.â&#x20AC;? The grand concept stemmed from the intention to improve aspects of the vehicle that its users need. With this, the All-New Brio was developed to be one-class above its segment with SIGNIkCANT IMPROVEMENTS SPECIkCALLY with its dimensions. Given its compact exterior dimen-
SM City Fairview just got bigger and better with the recent opening of its Parkway Expansion Wing. This gives the mallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customers more exciting shopping and dining experience with its delightful choices of fashion, dining, beauty and wellness, and entertainment concepts. Photo shows Quezon City 5th District Rep. Alfred Vargas with SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Operations Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls Senior Assistant Vice President for Operations Johanna Rupisan and SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing Jonjon San Agustin during the ceremonial toast.
AIRBUS has begun shore-to-ship trials in Singapore with its Skyways parcel delivery drone. This marks THE kRST TIME DRONE TECHNOLOGY HAS been deployed in real port conditions, to deliver a variety of small, time-critical maritime essentials to working vessels at anchorage. The maiden shore-to-ship delivERY lIGHT WAS MADE TO THE 3WIRE 0ACIkC /FFSHORE S !NCHOR (ANDLING Tug Supply vessel â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;M/V Pacific Centurionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, 1.5km from the shoreline of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marina South Pier, carrying 1.5kg of 3D printed consumables. Landing safely on the ship deck and depositing its
Two OPPA scholars join this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Asian Youth Orchestra tour
Construction for providing trucks for relief, and Department of Social Welfare and Development - Region
2 and local government units social DEVELOPMENT OFkCES FOR FACILITATING the orderly distribution in all areas.
HI-Precision Diagnostics (HPD), one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest duly registered and accredited medical laboratories, received its third Gold Award for being a Readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Digest Trusted Brand in ceremonies held last April 2 at Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas. For the past 21 years, Readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Digest, through renowned global research company, Catalyst Research, has been conducting a survey among consumers from countries like the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia to determine the brands that they trust the most. The Gold Trusted Brand Award is given to brands that scored sigNIkCANTLY HIGHER THAN THEIR RIVALS (I Precision Diagnostics has received this award for the third consecutive year since 2017. It has consistently earned the top scores for trustworthi-
Q At the awarding ceremonies are (from left) Melissa Lee, Hi-Precision Diagnostics VP for sales and marketing, and Louise Waterson, Readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Digest Asia Pacific editor-in-chief. ness and credibility, quality, value, understanding of customer needs, innovation, and social responsibility. Renowned for the quality of its service and the accuracy of its results which can also be accessed online, HPD is trusted by thousands of doctors in the Philippines. For more information visit www. hi-precision.com.ph.
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MONDAY MAY 6, 2019
Alvarez outpoints Jacobs to unify middleweight world titles C2
Rockets edge Warriors in NBA overtime thriller Q Kevin Durant (No. 35) of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket defended by James Harden (No. 13) of the Houston Rockets in the fourth quarter during Game Three of the Second Round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on Sunday in Houston, Texas. AFP PHOTO
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OS ANGELES: James Harden out-dueled Kevin Durant down the stretch to lift the Houston Rockets to a 126-121 overtime victory over Golden State on Saturday (Sunday IN -ANILA THAT TRIMMED THE DEkCIT IN THEIR ."! playoff series.
Harden drained a three-pointer with 49 seconds left in overtime
and after Durant made three free THROWS HE ADDED A STEP BACK lOAT-
ER THAT PROVED THE kNAL DAGGER â&#x20AC;&#x153;Close the game â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m here for, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I do,â&#x20AC;? SAID (ARDEN WHO kNISHED WITH 41 points, nine rebounds and six assists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phenomenal,â&#x20AC;? Rockets coach Mike Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Antoni said of Harden. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even think he played great â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in Harden-
Search for the next Eastern Conference superpower (Conclusion) N our rundown of the possible Eastern Conference Superpower, we talk about the frontrunner, the wild cards and the wildest card of them all. (Update: In the last column, I mentioned that Eric Bledsoe of the Milwaukee Bucks will be a free agent this summer. He has already agreed to a contract extension with the Bucks)
I
Boston Celtics When you pillage other teams, they can pillage you back. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just Kyrie Irving, but Al Horford is also a free agent. What if the Lakers strike out and just pursue Horford, a worthy frontcourt mate for LeBron James and a great locker room presence for the kids. It would be the ultimate spite move from the Lakers. All bets are off if Kyrie Irving leaves, and reading his mind has been a roller coaster ride no matter what shape the Earth is in. In October, he will never leave. In March, he is likely to leave. With a resurgent playoff effort, the Celtics may have reason to make him stay. If the Celtics reach the NBA Finals, there is a chance that Kyrie could consider re-upping in Boston. Anything less would place that in peril. If Kyrie splits, Al Horford may also look around. Another notable free agent, Terry Rozier, is likely to leave. He has his chance when Uncle Drew got injured, only to be relegated to reserve level again. There are nu-
BASKETBALL SLEUTH MICHAEL ANGELO B. ASIS merous teams seeking a guard of his caliber with enough cash to throw. The Suns would be one of them. If Boston keeps Irving and Horford, they could be the next superpower. They still have some draft picks (they own the Kingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pick unless they win the lottery) aside from their own. They are also players in the Anthony Davis sweepstakesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; and they can acquire him if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re willing to gamble again. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a major risk since AD is an expiring contract. There are so many directions for the Celtics, but it all begins, and ends, with Kyrie Irving.
New York Knicks Unlike Irving, Durantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fate is sealed, if the pundits are correct. The destination could change, but the departure is hard to brush aside. Durant has a strong case as the best player in the NBA today, bar none. A true franchise player, it would be great to play alongside him in the Big Apple or Hollywood. The unique situation of the Knicks is that they can carve out space for two max-level free agents. This is the best time to have that space with such a rich class. They gave away their biggest asset (Kristaps Porzingis) to have this shot. They could become a superpower,
but they could also become a scrub, depending on who they sign. Cap space is good, but it has never won an NBA game. ,EST WE FORGET THE +NICKS kRST CONcern is the Draft Lottery on May 14. The Knicks have the highest chance for no.1 overall pick along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns. The prize is Zion Williamson.
Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers finished the regular season just one game behind the Boston Celtics, and they did not have their best player, Victor Oladipo. They have free agents like Tyreke Evans, Thaddeus Young, Wesley Matthews, Cory Joseph and Bogdan Bogdanovic. The Pacers are a modest team, they know who they are and work within their limitations. They will not let all those players walk for a shot at Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving. However, they could be a good landing spot for Kemba Walker, Terrence Ross, Jeff Teague or even the resurrected Derrick Rose. In a best case scenario where they do get Kemba Walker and parade him with Oladipo, they have Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, they could be a top three team in the East, if the Raptors lose Kawhi or the Celtics lose Irving. Aside from these teams, the rest of THE kELD LOOKS MURKY 4HE "ROOKLYN Nets have cap space, can get a shot at a superstar or guys like Tobias Harris, but signing one star would not move their meter. We also need to know what happens with Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Angelo Russell.
world. He could even go up to another level.â&#x20AC;? The Rockets, coming off backto-back defeats on Golden Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HOME lOOR IN /AKLAND #ALIFORNIA narrowed the gap in the best-ofseven Western Conference secondround series to 2-1. The Rockets withstood a 46-point performance from Durant, who threatened to spoil the Rocketsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; return home when he opened the fourth quarter on a 10-2 scoring spree that saw the 7ARRIORS TURN A SEVEN POINT DEkCIT into a 94-93 lead. )N A SEE SAW kNAL PERIOD TWO free throws from Harden knotted the score at 112-112 with 38.7 seconds left. Durant missed a jump shot and then Houston point guard Chris Paul got wrapped up by Klay Thompson and Durant as he drove for a basket and it went to overtime. g)T S GOING TO BE A kGHT EVERY possession, every game,â&#x20AC;? Harden
said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to be physically tough, mentally tough.â&#x20AC;? Forward Eric Gordon scored 30 POINTS Â&#x2021; IN THE kRST HALF Â&#x2021; AND Clint Capela added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Rockets. In addition to Durantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big night, Draymond Green posted his sixth career playoff triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the Warriors. Andre Iguodala scored 16 points, connecting on three of four threepointers to help the Warriors challenge despite a poor shooting night for Stephen Curry and Thompson, who combined to make just four of 15 from three-point range.
Curryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough night Curry, who finished with 17 points, scored zero in the fourth quarter and overtime with four fouls. He missed both a layup and a dunk with his team trailing in the extra session.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;He just had a tough night,â&#x20AC;? Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Curry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter how good you are, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to have some bad games â&#x20AC;&#x201D; just a tough night for him. It just didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen.â&#x20AC;? After Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Antoni had urged his players to â&#x20AC;&#x153;get down in the mudâ&#x20AC;? and toughen up defensively for game three, Kerr noted Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be honest, it would have been a steal if we won that game. They out-played us,â&#x20AC;? said Kerr, noting that after a dismal rebounding effort in game two the Rockets had 20 more rebounds than the Warriors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were the more physical, aggressive team right from the beginning,â&#x20AC;? Kerr said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We made that run in the fourth quarter based on Kevinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brilliance, and I felt like we started competing better at that point.â&#x20AC;? Overall, however, Kerr couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t begrudge the Rockets the victory. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought they deserved to win,â&#x20AC;? he said. AFP
Toronto Raptors say Siakam doubtful with right calf bruise WASHINGTON, D.C.: Cameroonian forward Pascal Siakam was listed as doubtful by the Toronto Raptors on Saturday for their NBA playoff game Sunday (Monday in Manila) at Philadelphia due to a bruised right calf. The 25-year-old standout averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game this season for the Raptors, who trail the 76ers 2-1 in their best-ofseven Eastern Conference second round playoff series. The winner will face either the Boston Celtics or Milwaukee Bucks for a berth in the NBA Finals. Siakam said he hurt the leg in Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 116-95 loss at Philadelphia but was uncertain if it happened on the third-quarter play when he tripped 76ers star Joel Embiid. Siakam has been undergoing treatment and ice on the leg but his loss
would be keenly felt by the Raptors, Siakam cannot play. Another option is who are already without British backup US swingman Patrick McCaw. AFP forward O.G. Anunoby due to an emergency appendectomy. Kawhi Leonard has been the main scoring threat for Toronto against the 76ers but Siakam has been the next best, averaging 23.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in the first three games of the series. Serge Ibaka might enter the lineup alongside fellow Spaniard Marc Gasol if Q Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (No. 43) drives to the net against Philadelphia 76ers guard Jimmy Butler (No. 23) during second-half, secondround NBA basketball playoff action in Toronto, Monday, April 29, 2019. AP PHOTO
Barone to bring â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;European styleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to Columbian Dyip COLUMBIAN Dyip coach John Cardel said he is expecting American import Kyle Barone to bring â&#x20AC;&#x153;European styleâ&#x20AC;? of play to the team in the upcoming Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup. Cardel said Baroneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside skills and great outside shooting will augment the Columbian Dyipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lack in size and interior defense. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We really need a type of import like HIM WHO IS ALSO A LEADER ON THE lOOR u said Cardel of the 6â&#x20AC;&#x2122;8 Barone who was Saigon Heatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s import last season in the
Asean Basketball League (ABL). â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will be relying also on European type of basketball which is more of fast break plays and outside shooting.â&#x20AC;? The 29-year-old Barone, a native of Orange County, California averaged 21.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks in the last ABL season. He will be teaming up with CJ Perez, Russel Escoto, Rashawn McCartney, Jon Gabriel, and Jackson Corpuz. Cardel is hoping that Baroneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence will result in improvement of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance after a dismal 4-7 win-loss
RECORD kNISH IN THE 0HILIPPINE #UP â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are hoping to make it to the playoffs this conference,â&#x20AC;? said Cardel, adding that his wards focused on conditioning during the break. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We concentrated more on conditioning. We just focused on weights to improve the strength and agility of the players too.â&#x20AC;? (E ALSO WANTS 0EREZ TO kNE TUNE his shooting prowess. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If he strengthens his shooting, he will be unstoppable,â&#x20AC;? concluded Cardel. JOSEF T. RAMOS
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MONDAY May 6, 2019
Alvarez outpoints Jacobs to unify middleweight world titles L !3 6%'!3 -EXICAN 3AUL g#ANELOu !LVAREZ UNIkED boxingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 160-pound division on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), earning a unanimous decision over $ANIEL *ACOBS IN A kGHT THAT PITTED TWO OF THE WORLD S TOP middleweights with three world titles on the line. Alvarez kept his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association titles and seized Jacobsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; International Boxing Federation belt in a bout that marked the Mexicanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return to the middleweight division. Alvarez said his hard work in the gym paid off and there was very little Jacobs did that came as a surprise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is just what we thought it would be,â&#x20AC;? SAID !LVAREZ WHO BECAME THE kRST -EXICAN champ to hold three major titles in a single division. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We did our job. We showed a lot of diversity, in terms of punches and comBINATIONS )T WAS A BEAUTIFUL kGHT u Alvarez won on all three judgesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scorecards, with two having it 115-113 and the OTHER 4HIS WAS !LVAREZ S kRST kGHT OF BUT THE SECOND kGHT OF HIS kVE YEAR kGHT MILLION DEAL WITH THE boxing streaming service DAZN. Since losing to Floyd Mayweather in 2013 Alvarez has gone 10-0 with one draw INCLUDING kVE KNOCKOUTS !T THE AGE OF he is still in his prime, having improved his record to 56-1-2 with 35 knockouts. Alvarezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s penchant for taking on all comers and his exciting style has elevated him to become one of the biggest stars in boxing, but it was his boxing skills and especially sound defence that stood out against Jacobs on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena. He dominated the early rounds, landing power jabs and slipping head shots by
Jacobs in a manner that would have made Mayweather proud. By the sixth round Alvarez looked in control, prompting American Jacobsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; corner to tell him to open up and take some chances. Up until that point, the most noteworthy move from Jacobs was his ability to switch from orthodox to southpaw style in an attempt to thrown Alvarez off. Jacobs landed one of the best punches OF THE kGHT IN THE NINTH ROUND A LOOPING overhand right that hit Alvarez on the top OF THE HEAD !LVAREZ THOUGH DIDN T lINCH showing that he was ready to take some punishment to win. There were more good exchanges in THE TH AS *ACOBS CONkDENCE APPEARED TO GROW BUT !LVAREZ STUCK TO HIS kGHT PLAN and scored effectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel great. I have to go back and look at the tape to see exactly what the judges thought,â&#x20AC;? said Jacobs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was still pressing FORWARD CAUSE ) WANTED TO kNISH STRONG â&#x20AC;&#x153;It took me a couple of rounds to get my wits about me, to get my rhythm. I feel like I gave enough to get the victory.â&#x20AC;? Alvarez is known to take on the toughEST kGHTS POSSIBLE AND HE HAS THE RESUME to back it up. Over the past seven years his CV features the likes of Mayweather, Shane Mosley, Austin Trout, Gennady Golovkin, Erislandy Lara and Miguel Cotto. After claiming a world title at super
middleweight in December, Alvarez decided to return to the 160-pound division on Saturday. !SKED IF HE WOULD CONSIDER A THIRD kGHT against Golovkin, who some felt should have got the decision in at least one of THEIR TWO kGHTS !LVAREZ SAID g&OR ME WE ARE DONE "UT IF PEOPLE WANT ANOTHER kGHT we will do it again and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll beat him again.â&#x20AC;?
Eyes fourth title He now hopes to add a fourth title by taking on World Boxing Organization middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade. Cancer survivor Jacobs is known as an exceptional boxer with impressive power but he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get a chance to show much OF THAT ON 3ATURDAY IN HIS kRST kGHT IN ,AS Vegas in nine years. Jacobs (35-3, 29 KOs) was coming off of a hard-fought victory in October against Sergiy Derevyanchenko where he claimed the vacant IBF middleweight title via split decision. He is nicknamed â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Miracle Manâ&#x20AC;? after managing to overcome osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that threatened his career and sidelined him for over a year. *ACOBS RETURNED kGHTING AT A HIGH LEVEL WITH HIS kRST TEN WINS ALL COMING BY WAY of knockout. Elsewhere, Montrealâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Artur Beterbiev retained his IBF light heavyweight title WITH A kFTH ROUND STOPPAGE OF "OSNIA S Radivoje Kalajdzic in Stockton, California. The unbeaten Beterbiev trapped his opponent on the ropes and was landing blows with both hands before the referee stepped IN TO STOP IT SECONDS INTO THE kFTH AFP
Blu Girls make Asia Cup semis THE Philippine Blu Girls recovered their winning ways with a 5-1 rout of South Korea on Friday starting the playoff round of the pre-Olympic Asia Cup womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s softball championship at the Senayan Stadium in Jakarta. Mary Ann Antolihao manned the mound without relief for seven innings, holding the Korean batters to only four hits as the Blu Girls vaulted back from their elimination round-ending loss to Chinese-Taipei. That 4-6 defeat to the Taiwanese, dropped the Blu Girls to second place in Group B ranging them against the Koreans in the quarterfinal round of the 10-team field seeing a seat each in the coming Tokyo Olympic Games qualifying tournament September in China. The Koreans ended up third in Group A behind pacesetting and Asian champion Japan and No. 2 team China. Antolihao and the Blu Girls more than made up for
that temporary setback, though, by venting their ire on the Koreans to further move to the semifinal round against Japan. The Japanese, the top team in Group A, exerted just enough effort in besting Indonesia, 7-0, also on Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quarters. Other quarterfinal round results had China mangling Hong Kong, 11-2; Chinese Taipei shutting out Thailand, 15-0; and Singapore shaming India, 15-3. Angelie Ursabia led the Filipinasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offensive thrust anew as she hammered out a solo home run, her third base-clearing performance in the tournament. Joining the home run club was Hailey Decker one of six Filipino-Americans in coach Randy Dizerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lineup. Urabiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Deckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; round-tripper highlighted the Filipinasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nine-hit off the Koreanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first line of defense. EDDIE G. ALINEA
Q Daniel Jacobs (left) throws a left at Canelo Alvarez in the seventh round of their middleweight unification fight at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP PHOTO
Blaze Spikers bag sixth crown PETRONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S failure to come up with a sweep turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it willed it to go all out and clinch the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix title before a massive crowd late Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Head coach Shaq Delos Santos admitted that after absorbing a sorry loss to F2 Logistics in Game 1 of their best-of-three kNALS SHOWDOWN HE PRESIDED AN OPEN forum session to give the players a chance TO RElECT AND RE ESTABLISH THEIR PRIORITIES The meeting became emotional with American imports Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell vowing to deliver to lead the Blaze Spikers to a back-to-back title in this prestigious womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s club league that is bankrolled by Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project. .IEMER AND "ELL FULkLLED THEIR PROMISE as they powered the Blaze Spikers to an impressive 26-24, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19 victory in Game 3 to formally clinch their sixth title in this tourney that also has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners. Niemer lit up the scoreboard with 31 points while Bell chipped in 16 markers for the Blaze Spikers who bounced back from a third-set meltdown en route to winning the title. Niemer, the hard-serving Kentucky native who was considered to be part of
the United States national womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team last year, also emerged as Best Scorer and Most Valuable Player award, crowns that vindicate her from a massive disaster three years ago when she and the Blaze Spikers surrendered to Lindsay Stalzer, Ariel Usher and the Foton Tornadoes in A THRILLING kNALS SERIES Bell also took the Best Opposite Spiker diadem while Rhea Dimaculangan was named as Best Setter following the title series that featured two of the best teams in Philippine volleyball. Still, Delos Santos believes that their loss IN 'AME kRED THEM UP PROMPTING THEM TO BRUSH OFF THE CONkDENCE AND COMPLACENCY brought by their 17-game winning streak. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our loss in Game 1 served as the turning point,â&#x20AC;? said Delos Santos, who was an assistant coach when Petron registered a 13-0 sweep of the All-Filipino Conference in 2015. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After we lost in Game 1, we had an open forum where we allowed everybody to speak up and release everything in their hearts. It was a success. We renewed our commitment to winning and played Games 2 and 3 with hunger and intensity.â&#x20AC;? Aside from Bell, Niemer and Dimaculangan, also playing key role in this championship march were Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Frances Molina, Remy Palma, Bernadeth Pons and Den-
DEN ,AZARO WHO SHRUGGED OFF lU JUST TO COLLECT HER kRST 03, TITLE Role players Carmela Tunay, Pia Gaiser, Anne Esguerra, Chloe Cortez and Angel Legacion round up the champion squad. Delos Santos said the eagerness and hunger of these Blaze Spikers carried them through, especially during those times when they are being challenged by the veteran experience of Maria Jose Perez and Lindsay Stalzer as well as the solid defensive effort of Majoy Baron, Aby Marano and Dawn Macandili. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They really wanted this win,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The eagerness and hunger of our imports and local players really made a difference in this series. F2 Logistics pushed us to our limit. But we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t roll over and submit. Instead, we fought back to capture the title.â&#x20AC;? With six titles in indoor volleyball under their belts, the Blaze Spikers remain as the most successful team in the league. But Delos Santos said they have no plan of slowing down. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We give our 100 percent every conference whether weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the reigning champions or not,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have no plans of taking it easy because we want to have a winning culture at Petron. So rest assured that we would do our best again to win the title in the All-Filipino.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not yet done. We will work hard to win more titles.â&#x20AC;?
Growling Tigers, Revellers collide today in PBA D-League IRONCON-UNIVERSITY of Sto. Tomas 534 AIMS TO STRENGTHEN ITS QUARTERkNAL bid when it battles fellow contender ChĂŠlu Bar & Grill today in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City. A win by the Growling Tigers (5-1) over the Revellers (3-3) in their 4 p.m. Aspirants Group clash will push them closer to the playoffs and keep them IN CONTENTION FOR A TOP TWO kNISH THAT guarantees a twice-to-beat advantage. Head coach Aldin Ayo though wants his Ironcon-UST to be cohesive in executing his system. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thinking is how to estab-
lish our system. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important that this early our team can do the system. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our priority,â&#x20AC;? said Ayo. The Tigers are coming off a 111-90 bounce-back victory against McDavid last week. Beninese big man Soulemane Chabi Yo is tabbed to lead the EspaĂąa-based squadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attack anew while veterans Marvin Lee, Renzo Subido and rookie Rhenzo Abando are out to provide EXTRA kREPOWER Meanwhile, last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s twice runner-up ChĂŠlu needs to arrest its two-game skid TO REMAIN IN THE QUARTERkNAL RACE The Revellers suffered a 92-101 loss to previous conference champion Go For
Gold-College of St. Benilde followed by an 88-102 beating to playoff-bound Cignal-Ateneo De Manila University. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to sweep all our remaining games,â&#x20AC;? said ChĂŠlu head coach Stevenson Tiu, who will bank on his seasoned wards Jeff Viernes, Jhaps Bautista, Jesse Collado and promising new talent Rey Suerte. Meanwhile, in the Foundation Group, streaking SMDC-National University eyes to keep its playoff bid against the skidding Wangs Basketball (3-4) at 12 p.m. while bottom teams University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and CD14 Designs-Trinity University of Asia tangle at 2 p.m. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA
Trak eyes partnerships with PH Canoe-Kayak athletes CANADIAN Trak Outdoors founder and managing director Nolin Veillard said that his company is open to partnership with the Philippine CanoeKayak Federation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very much behind partnerships. We like to form partnership if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something that made sense be-
tween us that we can do, yeah, we love to. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very positive about the sports,â&#x20AC;? Veillard told reporters during a demo of their latest generation kayak TRAK 2.0 on Saturday in Corregidor Island. Trak has also partnered with local manufacturers in producing world class outdoor gear.
4RAK OFkCER (ARVEY 4APAN SAID &ILIPInos possess huge potential in canoeing and kayaking. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have so many potential athletes but they need more exposure. At the same time, the government should provide support to sport canoeing and kayaking.â&#x20AC;? JOSEF T. RAMOS
Ë&#x153; The Manila Times
w w w.manilatimes.net
MONDAY May 6, 2019
Sports
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US trio shares PGA lead with McIlroy, Rose lurking Q Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his second shot on the ninth hole during the third round of the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina. AFP PHOTO
W
ASHINGTON, D.C.: Americans Jason Dufner, Joel Dahmen and Max Homa shared the lead after Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Sunday in Manila) third round of the US PGA Wells Fargo Championship with Rory McIlroy lurking two shots adrift.
(OMA AND $AHMEN EACH kRED one-under par 70 while Dufner shot 71 to share the lead at 11-under 202 after 54 holes at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina. !MERICAN 0AT 0EREZ kRED A TO GRAB fourth on 203 with four-time major winNER -C)LROY IN kFTH ON AFTER A ON A course where he has won twice and set a course record of 62 then broke it with a 61. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve played some great golf on this back nine and hopefully I can do it again,â&#x20AC;? McIlroy said. McIlroy played on his 30th birthday, receiving a cake in the clubhouse and a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happy Birthdayâ&#x20AC;? song from spectators at the first tee, the first of many that would serenade him throughout the round. -C)LROY WON HIS kRST 53 0'! TITLE AT Quail Hollow in 2010, recalling it came days before his 21st birthday so in America he was underage and not served alcohol, celebrating with apple juice instead of
something bubblier. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At least I can have champagne in my flute,â&#x20AC;? McIlroy said of his 30th birthday plans. Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Justin Rose was sixth on 205 after a 68 while Englishman Paul Casey kRED A TO STAND ON WITH )RELAND S Seamus Power, who shot 69. Two afternoon rain delays halted play for a total of two hours and 17 minutes, pushing players to the limit to complete their rounds before darkness. Homa sank a 14-foot birdie at the par SECOND AND A kVE FOOTER AT THE PAR eighth, then began the back nine with another birdie putt from seven feet.
Homa having fun But Homa missed his chance for the lead alone with bogeys at 11 and 18, each time needing three shots to reach the green then missing par putts from six feet at 11 and nine feet on 18.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always been comfortable when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been playing well. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just had struggling CONkDENCE GETTING INTO TOURNAMENTS â&#x20AC;&#x153;But Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m having fun out there right now. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win it today. I just have to focus on playing good, solid golf.â&#x20AC;? Dufner, the 2013 PGA Championship winner who has slumped to 230th in the world rankings, matched his career low with a 63 on Friday to lead but struggled Saturday. Dufner stumbled back with bogeys on 11 and 12 after missing each fairway but answered with birdies at the 14th and par-5 15th, blasting from greenside rough and a bunker within two feet of the cup on each to hang onto a share of the lead. McIlroy birdied the par-5 seventh, 10th AND TH HOLES CATCHING kRE LATE AFTER AN unspectacular eight pars on the front nine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I played really well that front nine. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get a whole lot out of it,â&#x20AC;? McIlroy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To make a birdie right away on 10 was great.â&#x20AC;? AFP
Top ams show wares vs pros in Delimondo tilt
Q US President Donald Trump, then a developer, greets Tiger Woods after the final round of the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship as Eric Trump looks on at the Trump Doral Golf Resort & Spa on March 10, 2013 in Doral, Florida. AFP PHOTO
Politics-shy Tiger Woods to be honored by Trump at White House WASHINGTON, D.C.: During his illustrious career, Tiger Woods has treated politics as he would a menacing sandtrap â&#x20AC;&#x201D; avoiding it if at all possible. He has hit the links in bipartisan fashion, teeing off with Democrats Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and Republicans George H.W. Bush and Donald Trump. A black superstar in a white-dominated sport, Woods has also generally avoided commenting about race relations in the United States. "UT ON -ONDAY 7OODS WILL kND HIMSELF on the biggest political stage there is â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the White House. And he will be the guest of honor of a president seen by many Americans as racially polarizing. Trump, an avid golfer and the owner of several golf courses, is to present the 43-yearold Woods with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest civilian honor. Though the outspoken Republican has been engaged in a bitter feud with black NBA stars and American football players, he has never expressed anything but unbridled admiration for Woods. He spoke to Woods, whose father was black and whose mother is of Thai origin, following his epic Masters victory last month and extended his congratulations. Trump tweeted that he was honoring Woods â&#x20AC;&#x153;because of his incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and more importantly, LIFE.â&#x20AC;? Once upon a time, White House visits by title-winning sports teams were routine, but several franchises â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including the NBA champion Golden State Warriors â&#x20AC;&#x201D; have opted out under Trump to protest his policies. Woods is not expected to make any such waves.
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Unfairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rather than endorsing politicians or decrying racial injustice, Woods has always just let his golf game do the talking. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People wanted to imagine that Tiger was A SOCIAL ACTIVIST A kGHTER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE u said Orin Starn, a professor of history and cultural anthropology at Duke University. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never wanted to be an activist,â&#x20AC;? said Starn, author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Passion of Tiger Woods: An Anthropologist Reports on Golf, Race, and Celebrity Scandal.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been pretty apolitical throughout his career.â&#x20AC;? Like NBA legend Michael Jordan, a fellow Nike endorser who famously shied away
from any political statements, Woods also has commercial interests to protect. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whenever he says something about race or America he tends to get all kinds of criticism from all kinds of people,â&#x20AC;? Starn said of Woods. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think he also thinks itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not very good FOR HIS BRAND TO BE IDENTIkED AS A SUPPORTER of this person or a supporter of that person,â&#x20AC;? he said. Starn also said he believed it was â&#x20AC;&#x153;unfairâ&#x20AC;? to expect that Woods is obliged to use his global celebrity as a platform for social activism. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedicated his whole life to the craft of golf,â&#x20AC;? Starn said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He gives millions of people great pleasure with his brilliance on the golf course. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done racial pioneering work by virtue of his excellence on the golf course,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that he owes us anything more than that.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Respectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Woods has played golf with Trump on several occasions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; both before and after he took OFkCE Â&#x2021; MOST RECENTLY IN &EBRUARY AT THE presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s course in Jupiter, Florida. Asked last year about his relationship with Trump, Woods said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve known Donald for a number of years. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve played golf together. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had dinner together.â&#x20AC;? He said the important thing was to respect THE OFkCE OF THE PRESIDENCY REGARDLESS OF WHO happened to be occupying the White House. g.O MATTER WHO IS IN THE OFkCE YOU MAY like, dislike, personality or the politics, but WE ALL MUST RESPECT THE OFkCE u 7OODS SAID Starn said this respect probably stems in part from the military background of Woodsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; father, Earl, who was a career US Army soldier. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coming out of a military family,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tiger has this kind of patriotic streak.â&#x20AC;? Perhaps the closest Woods has ever come to a political gesture was a tribute to veterans he delivered at a 2009 inauguration celebration for Obama, Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first AfricanAmerican president. Established by John F. Kennedy in 1963, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is bestowed upon those who have made an â&#x20AC;&#x153;especially meritoriousâ&#x20AC;? contribution to US security or national interests, world peace, cultural pursuits OR OTHER NON SPECIkED ENDEAVORS It has been awarded to nearly three dozen SPORTS kGURES INCLUDING GOLF LEGENDS *ACK Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, honored by president George W. Bush. Obama gave the medal in 2014 to Charlie 3IFFORD THE kRST !FRICAN !MERICAN GOLFER TO play on the PGA Tour. AFP
REIGNING national junior champion Aidric Chan heads a crack roster of amateurs bracing for a different kind of duel alongside with the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading pros when the Delimondo National Pro-Am kRES OFF 4HURSDAY -AY AT 3PLENDIDO Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas. Chan, who outduelled Sean Ramos IN A MARATHON HOLE kNALE TO RULE THE Philippine Junior Open Championship at 3HERWOOD RECENTLY IN HIS kNAL YEAR IN THE 18-and-under event, is teaming up with the long-hitting Rey Pagunsan in the 54hole championship serving as a venue for the amateurs to showcase their talent and skills against the men of the tour. Carl Corpus, a former national match play titlist, is also in the fold along with regular national tour campaigners Josh Jorge, Ivan Monsalve, Masaichi Otake, Carlo Villaroman, Noel Langamin, Joel
Yamyamin, Gary Manotoc, Bobby Celestino, Dan Cruz, Lanz Uy and former pro Eddie Bagtas. Corpus is teaming up with Omar Dungca; Jorge with Ladies PGT campaigner Chihiro Ikeda; Monsalve with Greg Gonzalez; Otake with Charles Hong; Villaroman with GJ Katigbak; Langamin with Magno Arancon; Yamyamin with Art Arbole; Manotoc with Johnel Bulawit; Celestino with Rico Depilo; Cruz with Marvin Dumandan; Uy with LPGT mainstay Daniella Uy; and Bagtas with Enrico Gallardo. A total of P2.7 million is staked in the three-day tournament which drew 106 pairs with the top 40 teams after 36 holes OF STROKE PLAY ADVANCING TO THE kNAL ROUND with a whopping P500,000 awaiting the pro winner and merchandise and gifts for his amateur partner. For details, call Jocelyn Duque at 0918-9515308 or at
SKoreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kim seizes three-shot lead at Mediheal Championship SAN FRANCISCO: South Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kim Sei-young pulled away from the field with a four-under 68 to take a three-stroke lead after the third round of the US LPGA Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mediheal Championship on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). The 26-year-old Kim was at a 10-under 206 to lead Englishwoman Charley Hull heading into Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final round at the Lake Merced course in Daly City, California. Kim made bogey on her opening hole but bounced back with an eagle at the fifth and birdies at 11, 15 and 18. She is ranked 15th in the world and looking for her eighth LPGA Tour title. The five-year tour veteran put some distance between herself and the rest of the pack. There were 20 players within five shots of leader Ryu So-yeon heading into Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s round and by the end of the day there were just two within five strokes of Kim â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Hull and Maria Torres. Two-time major winner Ryu shot a disappointing seven-over 79
and was tied for 20th while playing parter Ryan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Toole, who was one stroke off the lead on Friday, ballooned to a 77 to drop into a tie for 14th. South Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ryu finished with four bogeys and a triple bogey. Kim most recently won in July at the 2018 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic, where she set the LPGAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 72-hole scoring record at 31-under 257 and won by nine strokes. Hull carded three birdies and one bogey in her round of 70 and sits at seven under. The 23-year-old is currently ranked No. 26 and has one victory under her belt â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the 2016 CME Group Tour Championship â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t posted a top-10 finish since October. Puerto Ricoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Torres moved into third place at five-under with her second straight round of 71. Five players were tied in fourth place at four under: Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Minjee Lee (67), Lexi Thompson (69), South Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amy Yang (70) and Swedenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Louise Ridderstrom (72). AFP
Q Kim Sei Young of South Korea lines up a putt on the 10th hole during the third round of the LPGA Mediheal Championship at the Lake Merced Golf Club on Sunday in Daly City, California. AFP PHOTO
jocelynduque@pgt.ph. Focus will also be on former amateur standout and pro Judson Eustaquio and long-time buddy Tonlits Asistion, whose partnership netted them the crown in the 2017 edition of the event sponsored by Delimondo which also serves as the second leg of the milestone 10th season of the Philippine Golf Tour put up by ICTSI. Other tandems to watch in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. in recognition of the amateursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; role in boosting Phl golf and at the same time to provide them the exposure they need as they hone up for the pros are Jhonnel Ababa-Bobby IĂąigo, Jay Bayron-Mon Salazar; Michael Bibat-Louie Aguinaldo; Albin Engino-Dave Hernandez; Tony LascuĂąa-Moulay Rhounimi; Mars PucayPol Mayos; and Dutch Guido Van der Valk-Kim Wan Soo.
Le Tour de Filipinas turns 10 PHILIPPINE cycling as a brand returns on the global stage this time for five days when the Le Tour de Filipinas celebrates its 10th year from June 14 to 18 flagging off from soothing and scenic Tagaytay City and ending with the majestic and enchanting Mayon Volcano as the backdrop. From four stages in all of the International Cycling Union (UCI) 2.2 raceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first nine years, the 2019 edition will be five days, kicking off with the 129.50-kilometer Tagaytay City-Tagaytay City out-and-back Stage 1 on June 14. Next up on June 15 will be the 194.90 km Stage 2 from Pagbilao, Quezon, to Daet, Camarines, Norte, and the 183.70 km Stage 3 on June 16 from Daet to Legaspi City where Mayon Volcano and its majestic splendor welcome the arrival of the 15 teams â&#x20AC;&#x201D; five local and 10 international â&#x20AC;&#x201D; composed of 75 riders. The last two stages will be out-and-back courses from Legaspi City. Stage 4 will cover 176.00 km via Sorsogon and Gubat in Sorsogon, followed by a highly technical Stage 5 over 145.80 km passing through Sorsogonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quaint coastal town of Donsol made famous all over the world by the gentle swimming giant butanding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For nine years, the Le Tour de Filipinas has never ceased to achieve its purpose â&#x20AC;&#x201D; promote cycling not only as a sport, but as a way of life. And on the 10th year, the mission remains as fervent as ever,â&#x20AC;? said Alberto Lina, who in 2002 revived the Philippine Tour after going inactive for three years The Le Tour de Filipinas is the forerunner of the fabled Philippine Tour that took many names from the historic Manila-Vigan inaugurals in 1954 to the last of 22 long Marlboro Tour years in the Centennial International Cycling Unionsanctioned Centennial Tour in 1998. In 2002, businessman-sportsman Lina took over the cudgels and bankrolled what is now called the Le Tour de Filipinas, an advocacy and support that is 19years and counting for the former president now PhilCycling chairman. El Joshua Carino will be back to defend his title riding for the Philippine National TeamPhilippine Navy-Standard Insurance squad. He will be joined in the challenge by former champion Marc Galedo of 7-Eleven Air 21 Roadbike Philippines.
Football Dortmund collapse leaves Bayern on brink of 7th title " C4
MONDAY May 6, 2019
%2,). "ORUSSIA $ORTMUND COACH ,UCIEN &AVRE DEFENDED GOALKEEPER 2OMAN "UERKI after his second-half howler saw Dortmund throw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 WITH 7ERDER "REMEN AND LEFT "AYERN -UNICH ON THE BRINK OF A SEVENTH SUCCESSIVE "UNDESLIGA TITLE
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am not going to talk about Roman. Whatever happens, he has had a fantastic season and has saved us a lot of points in the past,â&#x20AC;? Favre told Sky. Buerkiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s error and a goal from Claudio Pizarro all but ended Dortmundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title challenge and sealed a perfect afternoon for Bayern, after club stalwarts Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben earlier returned from injury to help them to a 3-1 victory over bottom club Hanover. Dortmund, which was nine points
ahead of Bayern in December, must NOW MAKE UP A FOUR POINT DEkCIT IN the last two games of the season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to win our last home game next week, that is our only hope,â&#x20AC;? said Favre. Christian Pulisic opened the scoring for Dortmund after just six minutes with a brilliant solo goal, before Paco Alcacer doubled the LEAD WITH A kZZING FREE KICK With Dortmund in full control on 70 minutes, Buerki allowed Bremen back into the game when he
let Kevin Moehwaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tame shot through his legs, and former Bayern star Pizarro scored a shock equalizer moments later. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we can help Bayern, why not?â&#x20AC;? a smiling Pizarro told Sky. In Munich, Robben and Ribery, both of whom are set to leave Bayern at the end of the season, c a m e off the bench to make their first appearance together in 2019. Ribery scored what may be his last ever goal at the Allianz Arena, while Robben, who had not played since November, told Sky that his cameo appearance was not the end of his Bayern journey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always said I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to come
back just to wave to the fans and say goodbye. There are two games left AND THE 'ERMAN #UP kNAL SO THERE is more to come,â&#x20AC;? he said. Hanover kept Bayern at bay for nearly half an hour before Robert Lewandowski headed the hosts ahead from close range and Leon Goretzka
Ë&#x153; The Manila Times
w w w.manilatimes.net Q Dortmundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s midfielder Christian Pulisic and Bremenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defender Marco Friedlvie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match in Bremen, Germany. AFP PHOTO
curled the second in off the post. The visitors hit back after half time with a Jonathas penalty, the result of a highly controversial handball decision from VAR against Jerome Boateng. 2IBERY SECURED THE WIN WITH A DElECTED shot six minutes from time. Bayern now need just one win
from their last two games against top four sides RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt. E l s e w h e r e, B o r u s s i a M o enchengladbach and Hoffenheim both stumbled in the race for the top four, as they shared the points in a 2-2 draw. AFP
PFF terminates agreement with PPL operator THE Philippine Football Federation (PFF) announced on Saturday its termination of agreement with the OPERATOR OF THE CURRENT TOP lIGHT Philippine Premier League (PPL). In a statement, the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s governing body for football said that it â&#x20AC;&#x153;has terminated on 03 May 2019 (Friday) its agreement with league operator, Triple CH Holdings Co. Ltd., with immediate effect.â&#x20AC;? With the PFFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision, the PPL under Triple CH owner and league commissioner Bernie Sumayao cannot continue to operate as an official and sanctioned national football league. The PFF said it already notified Sumayao and the current licensed clubs namely Ceres Negros FC, Kaya FC-Iloilo, Green Archers United FC, Global Cebu FC and Stallion Laguna FC about its decision. According to the PFF, the Philippines Football League (PFL) will return and its kickoff will be scheduled this month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;PFF is taking steps to ensure the continuation of the 2019 national league season. A meeting with the clubs, including those which earlier withdrawn their participation from the Philippine Premier League had already been scheduled,â&#x20AC;? it said. The PFF also said that further an-
nouncements including tournament regulations will be made soon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;PFF assures the football community and everyone that the league will continue its deliberate strides to be a successful national league, one which inspires young footballers in the country and one whose winners are eligible for nomination by PFF to compete in AFC (Asian Football Confederation) competitions in 2020 and the years to come.â&#x20AC;? The local federation did not divulge its reasons for cutting ties with the PPL, which faced problems prior to its opening match day last April 27. Two participating clubs in Philippine Air Force FC and Mendiola FC 1991 were denied of licenses a day before the kickoff. At the same day, licensed clubs Stallion and Global withdrew primarily due to lack of sponsorship and alleged violation of franchise agreements. 7ITH kVE CLUBS THREE OF WHICH are licensed) left, the PPL cannot send clubs to the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup as the continental governing body requires at least six teams. The PPL was launched in January as a reboot of the PFL, which ran for two seasons before folding up late last year. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ
Celta stuns understrength Barcelona MADRID: Barcelona rested all 11 players two with a late penalty. that started against Liverpool in the ChamReal Valladolid and Girona, both just pions League but paid the price on Saturday beneath them, may feel disappointed by (Sunday in Manila) as they were beaten 2-0 Ernesto Valverdeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team selection, parby struggling Celta Vigo in La Liga. ticularly given his side took six and four Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Philippe points off them respectively this season. Coutinho were all among those left out The result also means Rayo Vallecano are ahead of the return at Anfield on Tuesday virtually relegated after they were thrashed but Barca were not unscathed, after 4-1 by Levante earlier on Saturday. Ousmane Dembele hobbled off early in Rayo needed Celta, the only team the first half. they could catch, to lose all three of their The club later confirmed Dembele remaining matches, although a highly sustained a hamstring injury and will unlikely four-way tie involving Huesca undergo tests on Sunday but it seems and Real Valladolid could, theoretically, unlikely the Frenchman will be fit to face still save them. Liverpool in the semi-final second leg. Barcelona will now quickly turn their Dembele missed almost four months attention back to Liverpool, who at the with a hamstring strain last season and same time on Saturday was playing suffered from problems in the same area Newcastle in the Premier League, making in January and March, sitting out for only four changes to their own line-up another month each time. from the side that lost 3-0 at Camp Nou â&#x20AC;&#x153;We think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a muscle tear,â&#x20AC;? said Baron Wednesday. celona coach Ernesto Valverde. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is not Liverpool won 3-2 but Mohamed Salah from fatigue - he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play much against was stretchered off in the second half. AFP Liverpool - and it is not the same leg as last time. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just one of those things.â&#x20AC;? Defeat will hardly trouble Barcelona, who wrapped up their 26th La Liga title last weekend, but victory comes as a major boost for Celta, who move five points clear of the bottom three with two games left to play. Q Celta Vigoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forward Maxi Gomez (left) shoots to Maxi Gomezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s score a goal beside Barcelonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s midfielder Arturo smart finish gave them the lead before Vidal during the Spanish league football match at the Iago Aspas made it Balaidos Stadium in Vigo, Spain. AFP PHOTO
MONDAY M O N DAY MAYY 66,, 2019
Entertainment
D1
»lights,camera,boto!
www.manilatimes.net
Jasmine Curtis calls on Filipinos to ‘love our own’ I Actress’ horror movie holds its own against ‘Endgame’
T’S been a while since we last saw Jasmine Curtis-Smith busy with showbiz commitments, a situation which was a hundred percent her choice.
The actress went on the down low some two years ago after her contract with TV5 expired. Her reasons? To embrace the importance of rest, her personal life and all around life realignment — aspects of being that most celebrities tend to ignore. Her fans rejoiced when she reemerged in April and signed up with GMA Network. They had after all loyally followed her career since “Anne Curtis’ little sister” was launched way back in 2010 under director Perci Intalan’s now defunct TV5 Entertainment. Since then, Jasmine, who has already won numerous acting awards made a name of her own, and is now ready to go full swing in showbiz again. As one of GMA’s newest treasures, the talented and beautiful Kapuso has impressed both executives, colleagues and of course audiences alike with her acting prowess in the series “Sahaya,” which she did all over again with her latest movie, HORROR lICK g-ALEDICTO u THAT S STILL showing in cinemas. As she revs up her career anew, Jasmine continues to take on a very careful attitude in booking projects. Rather than accept the next offer just like that, she slowly but surely determines if a particular role is right for her. But when Maledicto came knocking at her door, she said it was a no-brainer and said yes right away. “When I got the script it was initially slated to be a series, but I still said yes knowing it was Direk Mark Meily who I’d be working with. It’s also A BIG DEAL THAT THIS IS THE kRST production of Cignal with Fox Entertainment and Unitel.” Jasmine plays the role of Sister
breaking global blockbuster with a mystery chinita date, who “Ave ngers: Endgame.” In the Know later found out to be Admitting it hasn’t been an easy an online blogger… because who feat, Jasmine being the crusader acisn’t nowadays? tress that she is, has been calling on Although he was the perfect Philippine cinema goers to “love gentleman assisting his date out of our own” both in social media and the car, things went south as soon as conversations with media. the cameras lit up and microphones “Worldwide trend sila pero gathered around Clint. Asked the malay mo tayo rin maging world- most obvious question, i.e. “Who’s wide phenomenon tayo if we your date,” the newbie celebrity love our own.” acted as if he wasn’t with anyone! NNN “Huh? I do not have a date!” Three months after admitting he denied. that he and Miss Universe CatrioThe poor girl, hearing the Q&A, na Gray had broken up since the hurriedly left even as the reporters Barbie in the movie who has the gift holidays last year, it looks of charism, thereby helping Father like German model Clint Xavi (Tom Rodriguez) expel evil Bondad is faring in showbiz spirits from a troubled girl named quite well. He is very visible Agnes (Miles Ocampo). Noting that right now on GMA Network, exorcism has not been tackled in especially after his pairing Philippine cinema for quite some with Jennylyn Mercado in a time now, the actress believes the now concluded romkLM OPENS NEW CONVERcom series worked sations and ideas in out wonderfully. storytelling. Since then, “We hope that Clint has been Maledicto starts comfortably a new direction attending very for Filipino public media horror movies,” events includ- Q Clint Bondad — Miss Universe Catriona she added. ing Maledicto’s Gray's ex-boyfriend — surprised the press Maledicto has black carpet screen- when he stepped out at 'Maledicto's' black been in theaters i n g a t S a n t o l a n carpet screening with a mystery chinita date. since May 1, bravely Powerplant Mall. going head-toHe even surprised pressed, “So who’s the lucky lady? head with the the press when Still caught off guard for some recordhe stepped strange reason, Clint insisted, o u t “There’s no one.” Clearly the boy has much to learn about media interviews especially since he isn’t really discreet in the dating scene. Just recently, he even had a viral video kissing another mystery woman. Why he has to pretend he isn’t actively dating is another story, but Clint DEkNITELY HAS TO LEARN THE ART OF BREEZING through Q&As if really wants to keep his personal and public life separate. Oh and yes, he took the seat next to chinita lady anyway for all to see. After all that! NNN Q As she revs up her career anew, Jasmine Curtis-Smith continues to take Until next week, ta-ta! on a very careful attitude in booking projects. INSTAGRAM PHOTO
IN THE KNOW MJ MARFORI
Q The Stark siblings and the Northmen gather to honor the dead: (from left) Rory McCann as Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane, Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth, Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark, Maisie Williams as Arya Stark, and Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark. PHOTO: HELEN SLOAN/HBO
Q Emilia Clark, the ‘Mother of Dragons’
Sneak peek into ‘Throne’s’ new episode today Winner of Sky’s ‘GoT’ tour in Northern Ireland also revealed THE fourth episode of the award-winning HBO series “Game of Thrones” premieres today, May 6 at 9 a.m. (same time as the US), exclusively on the American cable channel. Without giving away too much on what’s next in the adrenalin-pumping saga, photos released by HBO to The Manila Times disclose who made it through the Battle of Winterfell. The day is bound to get more exciting too as Sky cable provider reveals the lucky winner
of its “GoT Flyaway” contest, where subscribers were invited to log on to mysky.com.ph/ gotflyaway to earn an e-raffle coupon and answer the question, “Who do you think is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne and why?” The prize is a dream for every Thrones fan: a four-day trip for two to Northern Ireland to experience the Game of Thrones package tour. The winner’s name will be posted today via the same contest link. Same day encores of the series air every Monday at 10 p.m.
»tvlandia'slatest
Q The iron fleet sets sail.
Q Kit Harrington’s Jon Snow
Isko Moreno and the time of his life BY TESSA MAURICIOARRIOLA
as well as Undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development the following year, where he gained all the more ideas and skills in what HE HOPES WILL BE HIS NEXT OFkCE in government. Suffice to say, there is no other time but now that he is MOST CONkDENT AND PREPARED TO go for his long-desired place in public service.
UP until 2016 when he lost his bid to the Senate, actor-turnedpolitician Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso easily won three tterms as Manila City councilor aand another three, the next step u up as vice mayor. Those who know the chronolo ogy of this purebred Manileño’s rrise from showb biz to government w will also recall that tthe former “That’s Entertainment” sstar’s 18 years of sservice in the city h hall were uninterrrupted until he ggave in to former p president Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s Q After serving full terms as councilor and vice request to allow mayor, and waiting six years for a shot at the top him to serve as post, Moreno believes now is the time for him to mayor in his place lead Manila. of birth before he Unable to escape more perretires. Moreno forewent plans to run as mayor that year in sonal questions amid a “show2013, and agreed to remain No. biz setting” during this inter2 to showbiz’ most successful view, Moreno was nonetheless forced to comment whether he crossover to politics. And, or, but then — depend- holds ill-feelings toward ining on an observer’s vantage cumbent Mayor Estrada, whose point — Estrada went for a unexpected entry into Manila’s SECOND TERM IN OFkCE WHICH LED political landscape effectively to Moreno’s Senate bid in 2016 hampered what could have AND HIS VERY kRST LOSS IN HIS ERST- been the natural progression while winning electoral career. of his career and preparations. In all sincerity, the success While the rest is history as they say, it is an accurate deduc- story that Moreno is himself tion that the former councilor — a Smokey Mountain baand vice mayor has waited six surero who braved the world long years for a shot at the capi- of show business and heeded TAL S TOP POST AS HE kNALLY GETS the call of public service — to run for mayor in Manila City. r e p l i e d , “ N o , l u m i p a s n a Asked how he feels about the 'yun . You have to move on.” Because this is it for Isko Moretime lag given what he originally planned to be his step- no, he is committed to look forby-step rise in local politics, the ward and work on the future he 44-year-old candidate said over promises Manileños if elected. He lunch with entertainment media, only looks back to lament on what “Modesty aside, I can say that I’ve he believes to be the deterioration waited patiently [for this oppor- of his beloved city, so that he may tunity] but that I took [the wait] present his very detailed roadmap to turn Manila around in the areas seriously to gain experience.” Admitting he had little aca- of infrastructure, healthcare and demic qualification when he OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES kNANCE AND first entered public service, employment, tourism and even Moreno proudly says today that arts and culture. With youth on his side as he through his years as councilor and vice mayor, he made sure battles the candidates he calls to go back to arm himself with the “Goliaths” of the city — courses in local legislation and former mayor Alfredo Lim and kNANCE FROM THE 5NIVERSITY OF Mayor Estrada who are both the Philippines; a degree in octogenarians — this David, Public Administration from along with his efforts for selfthe Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng improvement, his valuable Maynila, as well as additional experience in government since government and leadership crossing over from showbiz, courses at Harvard in America and most importantly, his professed passion for public service and Oxford in the UK. “I can safely say na puwede declared, “I may not have all the na talaga ngayon maghangad answers to the world’s problems maging mayor, kasi kung so I will not give (voters) that experience rin lang ang pag- kind of guarantee. Hindi ako uusapan, pati karanasan sa Superman. But one thing I can akademiya, meron din ako promise them is that it will be different. I will be a leader who 'nung mga 'yun ,” he added. In fact, Moreno even believes can connect with them and unhe even “went overboard” in derstand them. “Nabigyan na natin sila ng sagaining both knowledge and experience to offer himself as pat na panahon para ayusin ang mayor of his fellow-Manileños. Maynila kaya hindi na puwede For above his 18 year-stint as 'yung attitude na patapusin na an elected official, President lang natin at kawawa naman. Rodrigo Duterte had appointed Why? Kasi, alam mo na naman him chairman of North Luzon na hindi na nakabubuti. So it’s Railways Corporation in 2017 time,” he ended.
D2
Funtimes
MONDAY May 6, 2019
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
Solution to puzzle
» CROSSWORD
BY EUGENE SHEFFER
»HOROSCOPE
BY NANCY BLACK
Today’s Birthday (05/06/19). Grab lucrative opportunities this year. Follow careful plans with steady action for success. Win through communications this summer, before your journey takes a different tack. By next winter your exploration yields satisfying gifts, inspiring a change in your writing or creative expression. Share your story. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Practice financial practicality, with Mercury in Taurus. Pay bills and review your budget. Shared accounts grow with communication. Make lucrative connections and collaborations. SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Compromise comes easier with your partner, with Mercury in Taurus over three weeks. Communication flowers. Work together and get farther than either would solo.
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- You’re going through a financially savvy phase over three weeks, with Mercury in Taurus. You’re a smart shopper. Profitable ideas abound. Get practical, naturally. TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Profits can flower today. You’re especially practical and clever, with Mercury in your sign for several weeks. Express yourself. Your creativity seems boundless. GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 7 -- You’re especially practical, introspective and quiet for a few weeks, with Mercury in Taurus. Clean old messes. Notice your dreams. Think twice before speaking once. CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Communication and collaboration comes easily, with Mercury in Taurus. You work especially effectively with groups. Your friends are there for you. Plan your team strategy. LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Take on more responsibility, with Mercury in Taurus for three weeks. Communication skills advance your career. Discuss dreams, visions and goals. Make promises and plans. VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Explore distant lands. Pursue higher education. Fall in love with a fascinating subject over three weeks, with Mercury in Taurus. Make
long-distance connections.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Your health, fitness and labors benefit from communication, with Mercury in Taurus for three weeks. Practice for excellent value and service. Advance faster with great coaching. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Passion surges over three weeks, with Mercury in Taurus. Express your love. Communicate feelings through art and craft. Play your favorite game with someone fun. AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Resolve a family issue. Over three weeks, with Mercury in Taurus, fix up your place. Work out a home vision that works for everyone. PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- You’re especially brilliant, with Mercury in Taurus. Concentration and focus come easier. Write reports, posts and articles. Share the news. Create a buzz.
(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
» SUDOKU
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.
5/6/19
Ë&#x153; The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
Expats&Diplomats
PH-France strengthen tourism cooperation T HE Philippines strengthened its tourism partnership with France through the signing of the summary record of discussion during the 1st PhilippinesFrance Joint Working Group Meeting.
Department of Tourism (DoT) Undersecretary for Tourism Development Benito Bengzon Jr. signed on behalf of the country, while the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, head of Tourism Promotion Department
ClĂŠment Laloux represented the French delegation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our meeting aims to discuss the plans and developments of the agreement to recommend programs, projects and activities for the development of tourism
Q The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs' head of Tourism Promotion Department ClĂŠment Laloux (left) and Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr.
cooperation between our two countriesâ&#x20AC;ŚAs we are gathered here, may we continue to help each other to build and promote our respective countries,â&#x20AC;? Undersecretary Bengzon said. The inaugural joint working group meeting between the two nations commenced following the signing of the agreement on tourism cooperation in Manila in February 2015. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very happy to be here FOR THIS kRST JOINT COMMITTEE ON tourism. I think we both worked very actively to increase the number of tourists coming to the Philippines and coming to France. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure that the French expertise of the French companies that are part of the delegation will take part in this development,â&#x20AC;? Laloux said. Leading the Embassy of France in Manila delegation are His Excellency Nicolas Galey, French Ambassador to the Philippines and Micronesia, Deputy Head of Mission Christine Carole, Political Counsellor Quentin Biehler, Economic Counsellor Laurent Estrade, and Counsellor Camille Chabe. Representing other French government organizations were Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs )NTERNATIONAL $EVELOPMENT /FkCER
Maud Hainry and Atout Franc Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) Regional Director Morad Tayebi. The French private sector was well represented by AĂŠroport de Paris IngĂŠnierie Aviation Marketing Director Guillaume Arrigoni, Pomo Asia Sales Manager Benjamin Fauchier Delavigne, Club Med Regional Development Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;East and South Asia and 0ACIkC 3ÂźBASTIAN &AVRE 0AYIN4ECH Country Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Philippines Brian Tessier, and Paris-Manila Technology Corp. President and #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER AND MEMber of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines Hubort dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Aboville. â&#x20AC;&#x153;France is well aware of the huge potential of the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tourism sectorâ&#x20AC;ŚYour beautiful and welcoming country can certainly attract many more tourists beyond the well-known destinations in Southeast Asia. As your slogan says, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always more fun in the Philippines,â&#x20AC;? Ambassador Galey shared. Among the agenda of the meeting covered were the destination promotion efforts and best practices, investment opportunities, air route connectivity and direct lIGHT PROPOSAL AND THE TWO WAY TOURISM TRAFkC
MONDAY May 6, 2019
D3
Q French Ambassador to the Philippines and Micronesia Nicolas Galey (left) says the Philippines can certainly attract many more tourists beyond the well-known destinations in Southeast Asia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have managed to attract almost 75,000 French tourists in 2018. Hopefully with better coordination and closer cooperaTION IT CAN kNALLY REACH u Undersecretary Bengzon added. A total of 74,389 French tourists visited the Philippines last year, with 22,219 arrivals already for THE kRST TWO MONTHS OF 4HIS recorded a double-digit growth of 22.25 percent against the same period in 2018. Conversely, over 86 million Filipinos visited France in 2017, mostly on pilgrimage tours. France is the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 13th source market and is the top three for Europe following the United Kingdom and Germany. As of February this year, French tourists are also the ninth top spending tourist with P896,158,004 expenditures or $17,171,049. The DoT targets 114,264 French tourist arrivals by 2020. In order to attract more French nationals, the DoT conducts prod-
uct and market research and development with training, webinars, e-learning and incentive programs for the French market, trade development and trade support via French travel agents familiarization trip, joint promotion campaigns, business-to-business workshop with Philippine travel trade and Central Europe roadshow, conduct of French media familiarization tours, and participation in major trade and consumer fairs including dive shows with the notable endorsement of French celebrity freediver Guillaume NĂŠry as the Freediving Ambassador of the Philippines. The French delegation also toured Intramuros, Rizal Park, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, National Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Museum of Natural History showcasing Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism products, park management, heritage conservation, and deep religious culture of Filipinos.
Japan donates flood rehab, forecasting and warnings equipment MINISTER Makoto Iyori of the Embassy of Japan, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la PeĂąa and Camarines Sur Gov. Miguel Luis Villafuerte led the inaugural ceremony of the rehabilitation of equipment for the project to strengthen flood forecasting and warning system in the Bicol River Basin under Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Non-Project Grant Aid on April 29 at Pili, Camarines Sur.
Q Embassy of Japan Minister Makoto Iyori (third from right) leads the inaugural ceremony of the rehabilitation equipment.
Q Japan restored Pagasa's observation facilities and communication equipment.
RELATED TO lOOD FORECASTING AND warnings in the Bicol River Basin of Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and also repair the program and software of the central monitoring system that monitors and controls these facilities and equipment with THE GOAL OF ADDRESSING lOOD DAMage which frequently occurs in the Bicol region of Southern Luzon due to the worsening of climate change. This project aims to strengthen the "ICOL REGION S lOOD forecasting and wa r n i n g sys t e m , REAFkRMING *APAN S commitment to support the Philippine governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to build a disasterresistant society. It is expected to furQ The project aims to strengthen Bicol Region's ther reinforce the flood forecasting and warning system. strategic partnership Through this project, the Gov- between the two countries as well ernment of Japan restored the as consolidating the bonds of existing observation facilities friendship between the peoples and communication equipment of Japan and the Philippines.
Q Participants and trainers pose for a class photo at the opening ceremony.
US holds International Seaport Interdiction Training in Olongapo UNITED STATES Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducted an International Seaport Interdiction Training (ISIT) for 21 officers from Philippine agencies on seaport interdiction and law enforcement. The ISIT provided a combination of classroom and practical exercises. The classroom lectures focused on techniques to detect smuggled contrabands, identify weapons of mass destruction, interview suspicious traveling persons, detect fraudulent travel documents, inspect containers and stay safe in a seaport environment. Practical exercises included visits to
the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation New Container Terminal and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Naval Supplies Depot where CBP trainers demonstrated interdiction techniques and the participants conducted container and vessel inspections. Participating Philippine agencies included the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police. The CBP ISIT was funded the US State Department-Export Control and Related Border Security Program. This iteration of ISIT was held from April 22 to 26 in Subic, Olongapo City.
Noted Czech guitarist comes to Manila THIS May, the Philippines will hear FOR THE kRST TIME THE SERENADE OF A renowned Czech guitarist and composer, LukĂĄĹĄ Sommer, as he brings to the country his music and artistry. Displaying an innovative style of classical guitar combined with the philosophy of yoga and meditation, the Czech Embassy in Manila is proud to bring in to the country one of the Czech Republicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading personalities in the generation of young musicians. The Philippine tour will commence with a free concert open to the public on May 6 where Sommer will be playing at the National Museum of Natural History his 11 original compositions highlighting his genius style in music. Following this is a performance at the Euro-Pinoy concert organized jointly by the European Union Delegation, EU embassies and cultural institutions at The Ruins, Poblacion, Makati City on May 7. Thereafter, Sommer will have a performance on May 8 at the Palm Grove Rockwell Center Makati. The
Q LukĂĄĹĄ Sommer Philippine tour will culminate with a concert at Room Gallery in Puerto Galera on May 10 where Sommer will open the exhibition â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mergeâ&#x20AC;? of various Filipino artists (Anna Lumpas, Chressa Yee, Elisa Certeza, Janet Balecer, Japs Avelino, Pritz Samillano, Rodel Perez, Wilfredo Rufon and Zhe-
ann Caganan) and glass sculptures of Czech artists JirĂ Pacinek. Aside from these performances, Sommer will also be conducting Master Classes at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Music and at the International School of Manila on May 6 and May 8, respectively. Sommer studied guitar and composition in the Czech Republic under the mentorship of prominent Czech professors and musicians such as Professor Veroslav Neumann, Professor Ivan Kurz, and Professor Vilma ManovĂĄ. Apart from composing music, Sommer is also a sought-after arranger of popular MUSIC IN THE kLM SOUNDTRACKS OF Ondrej Soukup, Michael KocĂĄb, Oh Yoon Suna, and Johnny Mayer, and has worked with variety of Czech and international agencies. Sommer is excited to share his talent with the Filipino audience. Knowing how the Philippines love music, the Czech artist looks forward to learning more about the musical culture in the country.
CELEBRATING ROMANIA
Sergio Ortiz-Luis, chairman emeritus of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who is also the president of Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. and Employers Confederation of the Philippines, with his wife Marge Ortiz-Luis (left) headed the Filipino business community at a recent celebration for Romaniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Highlighted with a concert featuring Romanian folkloric and classical music from the Traditional Romanian Music and Dance Ensemble of Transilvania University, Flipina Bella Santiago, winner of the X-factor Romania also performed for guests. From the diplomatic corps, US Ambassador to Manila Sung Yong Kim (second from right) was also in attendance as special guest of Missions Head of the Romanian Embassy Mihai Sion.
MONDAY M O N D AY M MAY AY 6, 2019
Lifestyle
D4
www.manilatimes.net
Concert pianist donates memorabilia collection to alma mater A
N accomplished concert pianist with various international and domestic awards, Ingrid Sala Santamaria recently turned over her memorabilia collection to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Libraries during a simple ceremony attended by family, relatives and close friends. With an honoris causa or honorary degree from DLSU in 2006, she is a Doctor of Music in Music Education and a recipient of the Chevalier, Ordre des Palmas
Academiques and the Chevalier, Ordre du Merite Nationale, both from the Government of the French Republic. She donated 88 compendiums of books, 34
series of audio CDs, 52 volumes of DVDs, and an entire Christmas Village through the Ingrid SalaSantamaria Endowment Fund for Education, an initiative that assists kNANCIALLY CHALLENGED STUDENTS For the last 55 years, Santamaria has performed in esteemed concert halls before audiences comprised of royalty and presidents, including people from different walks of life from villages in isolated islands. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would like to think that this humble act would concur with St. John Baptist de La Salleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision of
Q De La Salle-College of St. Benilde Strategic Adviser Edu Jarque, Marilou Magsaysay, Santamaria and Bro. Suplido
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completing and enhancing oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education with the knowledge and love of the arts, culture and music.â&#x20AC;? she shared. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this hopefully aligned educational aspiration, I wish to donate this modest representation of a purposefully lived life, in an earnest wish that those whose lives these will touch will BE INSPIRED TO FULkL THEIR OWN fullest potential, not necessarily in music, but in their own chosen kELDS ) WOULD WISH FOR THESE young adults to aspire to make
Q Mila Wales and journalist Belinda Cunanan
inequality, ignorance, and exclusion present in the world today, it would be education. With it, we can better ourselves and contribute to society, becoming instruments for positive change in the world. In investing and supporting the cause of education, we enable disadvantaged individuals to overcome ignorance, poverty and social exclusion,â&#x20AC;? ended Suplido.
Johann Strauss Society holds Wiener Ball
T
HE Wiener Ball is a grand social event in Vienna which was replicated by the Johann Strauss Society (JSSP) recently at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.
Bejewelled ladies came dressed to the hilt in gorgeous evening gowns, while the gentlemen were dapper in their tuxedos. It was a grand gathering of prominent personalities and the crème de la crème of high society. Present were several ambassadors and their spouses, which added to the international ambience. The program started with a GRAND WALTZ DANCED BY *330 OFkCERS and members. A musical program of
well-loved works of Mozart, Brahms, Lehar, Johann Strauss 1st and Johann Strauss 2nd were performed by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Peter Ritzen. Congratulations to the steering committee for a most successful event: Events Chairman Agnes Huibonhoa, JSSP Chairman Fortune Ledesma, President Olga Severino Martel and co-chairmen Betty Chua and Virginia Lane.
HI! SOCIETY BECKY GARCIA
Q Rene Puno, Alice Samson, Ann Puno and Ito Curata
Q Chona Lopez and Ingrid Sala Santamaria
Q Anytime Fitness Asia CEO Maurice Levine
a difference in their lives and in our world,â&#x20AC;? she continued. During the acceptance speech of DLSU President, Bro. Raymund Suplido FSC at the Learning Commons of the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, he emphasized the importance of accessible learning, especially for those in need. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there is one tool that we can wield to dispel much of the
Q (From left) Arsenic Laurel, Edu Jarque, Belinda Cunanan, Chona Montinola, Ingrid Santamaria, Crispy Laurel, Mila Wales, Marilou Magsaysay and Edwin Reyes
100th branch of global fitness club opens today FITNESS club chain Anytime Fitness is even more eager to help Filipinos pick up a healthy lifestyle through their expansion plans this 2019. The brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest selling point is being open round the clock, giving members the freedom to dictate their fitness journey and nonmembers to eliminate their fear of joining the gym. With the most competitive price range across the industry, its real appeal is its location with branches often located nearer to communities or within walking distance of most residential and commercial areas. Despite the increasing number of â&#x20AC;&#x153;big boxâ&#x20AC;? gyms in central business districts that cater to a certain group of clientele, there are still a lot of underserved community areas, especially in the Philippines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am confident that the Philippine market is more than ready for us. The number of clubs we have in the country is a testament to the dedication of the Filipino people to health and fitness. They create the need and we are here to heed the call,â&#x20AC;? said Anytime Fitness Asia Chief Executive Officer Maurice Levine about the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expansion in the local market. As a testament to their pillars namely people, purpose, profit, play and passion, the international 24-hour fitness club is set to open their 100th branch on May 6 in line with the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new campaign thrust: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Welcome,â&#x20AC;? which aims to answer the decade-long stigma of gym intimidation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our new tagline is inspired by the brand values that we want to share with our community. It reflects the future we aspire to have; to be the safe place where everyone can be themselves without any judgments, intimidation, or discrimination,â&#x20AC;? said Jap Angeles, Anytime Fitness Asia Regional Marketing Manager, on why â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Welcomeâ&#x20AC;? seeks to break barriers and go beyond the borders of health and fitness.
Q DLSU Director of Libraries Christine Abrigo (left) witnesses the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;exchange of giftsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; between Ingrid Santamaria (center) and DLSU President Bro. Ray Suplido.
Q Lilibeth and Pagui Campos
Q Betty Chua awarded by Agnes Huibonhoa
Q Nikki Tang, Merci Padolina and Connie Haw
Q Rolando Alvarado Guevara and Patrick Jacinto
Q Nini Licaros, Ellen Binay and Karen Macasaet