THE MANILA TIMES | MAY 08, 2019

Inflation eases to 3.0% in April

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•• 4 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 207 28

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2019

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Trusted since 1898

Manila owes GSIS P204M

BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

T

HE City of Manila owes the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) more than P200 million in unpaid premiums, including interest, from 2012 to 2018, a demand letter obtained by The Manila Times showed.

READY

Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal inspects a contingent from the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force during the send-off off ceremony in preparation for the elections at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.

PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA

ÂłOwesA2 Q The two DoTC secretaries when the MRT-3 became a daily hell for commuters.

Roxas to the Senate?

His reward for wrecking MRT-3?

I

WROTE the column reproduced below on May 17, 2017, and there were several others on the same topic earlier in 2016 and 2015.

RRIG IGG RIGOBERTO DD. TIGLAO

ÂłTiglaoA4

One slippery slope

M

ANY Cat h o l i c s, bishops included, are gritting their teeth over Mike Velarde’s endorsement of candidates for the senatorial slate. ³AquinoA5

FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

Q A copy of the demand letter sent by the GSIS to Mayor Joseph Estrada

What’s inside DUTERTE SIGNS ENERGY CONSERVATION LAW

NewsA2

MERALCO TO CUT CANADA TO PAY RATES IN MAY NewsA8 COST OF SHIPPING BACK TRASH NewsA3

TRUMP AWARDS PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO TIGER WOODS

SportsC3

‘TAYO SA HULING BUWAN NG TAON’ IS WORTH THE WAIT

EntertainmentD1

LACSON: SENATE PANEL TO PROBE BIKOY’S CLAIMS THE Senate will investigate claims made by Peter Joemal Advincula, supposedly the “Bikoy� in a series of videos accusing members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s family of ties to the illegal drugs trade.

3EN 0ANkLO g0INGu ,ACSON CHAIRman of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee, set a hearing for Friday, but added THAT !DVINCULA SHOULD kRST SUBMIT

A SWORN AFkDAVIT AND SUPPORTING documents. “The committee is sending out today a formal invitation letter to Advincula thru the IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) since it was the last known link to him, and they may have knowledge of how to relay the invitation to him,� Lacson said in a text message.

ÂłProbeA2

Hold departure order vs Jayme next – DoJ THE Justice department wants a court to issue a hold departure order (HDO) against Rodel Jayme, the man said to be behind the uploading of videos linking President Rodrigo Duterte’s family to illegal drugs.

Inciting to sedition charges were FORMALLY kLED AGAINST *AYME BEFORE the ParaĂąaque Regional Trial Court, and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevara said prosecutors would next

seek an HDO once the case has been assigned to a judge. g!FTER THE COURT RAFlE OUR PROSECUtors will move for the issuance of a hold departure order,� Guevarra said.

The Justice department on Monday said it found probable cause to charge Jayme with inciting to sedition over the uploading of the “Ang Totoong Narcolist� videos,

ÂłJaymeA2

Palace: Govt all set for May 13 elections THE government is ready for next week’s midterm elections, Malacaùang said on 4UESDAY AHEAD OF AN EXERCISE THAT OFkCIALS claim would be a validation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

In a statement, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said preparations for the May 13 elections were in the agenda of Monday’s Cabinet meeting. “The Department of [the] Interior and Local Government, along with the Department of National Defense, assured that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are ready to secure

ÂłElectionsA2 REACH US AT: E-mail: newsdesk@ manilatimes.net Tel. Nos.: 524-5664 to 67 Address: 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002

A2

News

˜ The Manila Times

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WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

Duterte signs energy conservation law

P

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure instituTIONALIZING ENERGY EFkCIENCY AND conservation in the Philippines.

Republic Act (RA) 11285 or THE g%NERGY %FkCIENCY AND #ONservation Act� was signed by the President on April 12, but was released to the media only on Tuesday, May 7.

Under the law, a National EnERGY %FkCIENCY AND #ONSERVATION Plan (NEECP) will be formulated to serve as the framework for programs on energy efficiency and conservation.

The framework will introduce

fundamental policies on energy efficiency and conservation, including the promotion of efficient and judicious utilization of energy, increase in the utilization of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, and the delineation of responsibilities among various government agencies and private entities.

The law also mandates the development and maintenance of

A .ATIONAL %NERGY %FkCIENCY AND Conservation Database (NEECD), a centralized, comprehensive and UNIkED DATABASE ON THE APPLICATION AND USE OF ENERGY EFkCIENT and renewable technologies, and other relevant information about energy consumption.

4HE %NERGY %FkCIENCY AND #ONversation Act delegates the Department of Energy (DoE) as the lead agency responsible for the planning, formulation, development, implementation, enforcement and monitoring of energy management policies and other RELATED ENERGY EFkCIENCY CONSERvation plans and programs.

The DoE is also tasked to develop a system of monitoring the implementation of the NEECP,

and to maintain the NEECD. RA 11285 also instructs the Energy department to initiate and maintain collaborative efforts with the business sector, particularly the commercial, industrial, transport and power sectors, to ensure compliance with the law, and broaden and enhance their EFkCIENT AND JUDICIOUS UTILIZATION of energy.

The law also seeks national awareness and advocacy campaign ON ENERGY EFkCIENCY AND CONSERVAtion that will also be done by the DoE, in partnership with business, academe, nongovernment organizations and other sectors.

The DoE is directed to provide annual reports to the Senate and the House of Representatives,

with regard to the status of the implementation of the law at the national and local levels, cost effectiveness outcomes and energy and environmental impacts, among others.

The law orders all government agencies, including governmentowned and -controlled corporaTIONS TO ENSURE THE EFkCIENT USE of energy in their respective OFkCES FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTAtion units, and in the discharge of their functions.

RA 11285 also creates an InterAgency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee that is tasked to provide strategic direction in the implementation of the government energy management program, a program that will

reduce monthly consumption of electricity and petroleum products by the government.

The European Union Access to the Sustainable Energy Program has estimated that a 10-percent IMPROVEMENT IN EFkCIENCY WOULD save the Philippines P55.5 billion, which translates to a P140 monthly or P1,680 annual savings in the monthly electricity bill of the average household.

The World Bank has also reported that government energy efficiency projects could help the government save P3.4 billion per year.

RA 11285 will take effect after 15 days from its publication in the /FkCIAL 'AZETTE or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Q PROBE FROM A1

LACSON: SENATE PANEL

“The hearing is set on Friday at 9:30 a.m. It will push through once "IKOY CONkRMS HIS ATTENDANCE WITH a sworn statement ready,� he added.

In a radio interview, Lacson said he already asked the committee’s members — Senators Gregorio “Gringo� Honasan 2nd, Mary Grace Poe, Loren Legarda, Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay, Emmanuel “Manny� Pacquiao, Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito, Antonio Trillanes 4th, and detained Leila de Lima — and EX OFkCIO MEMBERS 3ENATE 0RESIDENT Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migs�

Zubiri and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon to attend. “In the meantime, we are doing some background investigation and record check on him to check whether there is a need not to push through with the hearing,� he added.

Senate President Vicente “Tito�

Sotto 3rd also called for further checks, reiterating that an individual surnamed Advincula had approached him a few years ago and offered to provide drug payoff evidence against then-President Benigno “Noynoy� Aquino 3rd and then-Vice President Jejomar “Jojo� Binay. “There was a particular person — you can verify this, I think I still have some of the records. There was a person that approached me, sent word to me when he was still in the National Bilibid Prison,� Sotto said. “After we investigated and validated the information and documents passed on to us, we decided not to further entertain him. Nothing materialized because the bank accounts and the checks given were disowned by the concerned bank overseas,� he added.

Opposition senators want the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to reopen an investigation into the illegal drugs trade following the release of the “Ang Totoong Narcolist� videos, where Bikoy claimed that drug money was deposited in bank accounts owned by Duterte’s son, former Davao vice mayor Paolo “Pulong� Duterte; son-in-law Manases “Mans� Carpio; and former top aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, among others.

Credibility doubted MalacaĂąang, however, dismissed the allegations as “black propagandaâ€? and Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo cast doubt on Advincula’s credibility, given his criminal past. “Information about the criminal background of Advincula is starting to come out. It appears that he has been incarcerated in 2012 for conviction of illegal recruitment and large scale estafa, as well as for

Q JAYME FROM A1

Hold

which were allegedly aimed at arousing “a sense of dissatisfaction against‌ duly constituted authorities.â€?

A man claiming to be “Bikoy� also surfaced that day to seek help from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, promising to provide

theft,� Panelo said in a statement. “Presently, there are news that he is facing multiple criminal cases like estafa, among others. These crimes involve moral turpitude that goes to the very integrity and credibility of Advincula or Bikoy,� he added.

Panelo noted that others identikED IN THE VIDEOS AS BEING INVOLVED in the narcotics trade had denied the allegations. “Categorical denials‌ such as those made by the Rural Bank of Guinobatan Inc. and the Misibis Bay Resort were made. Strangely enough, such denials did not catch much attention from the media,â€? he said. “There is a dictum in law, which says: ‘You lie in one, you lie in all.’ This legal principle applies to Advincula or Bikoy.â€?

Panelo also warned the IBP, whose assistance has been sought

by Advincula, from being fooled. “Certain officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines may have unwittingly allowed their facilities to be used by a fraudster to perpetuate lies and foist accusations against PRRD (Duterte), his children and those closely identikED WITH HIM OF THE COMMISSION of illegal trade of prohibited drugs,� he said. “The PNP (Philippine National Police) is still unearthing information that will further bolster the fraud perpetrated by this unscrupulous person,� Panelo continued, promising a “bombshell� would be subsequently released. “There are strong indications that Advincula is not alone but is just being used by a personality in conspiracy with others bent on destroying the reputation of the Duterte family and tarnishing the image of the President,� he claimed.

PNP chief Oscar Albayalade also questioned Advincula’s claims and said these still had to be validated. “No. 1, we can’t say if that [Advincula] is really Bikoy,� he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He confirmed, however, that Advincula had previously been convicted of large-scale estafa and served six years of a 10-year jail term, set free due to “good behavior.�

Another estafa case against Advincula is pending at the National Bureau of Investigation, the PNP chief added.

Given Advincula’s claims that his life was in danger, Albayalde said the PNP was open to providing security. “We will assess if he really needs it or not because it might just be in his imagination that his life is in danger‌ If we can see that his life is under threat then why not.â€?

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO, JAVIER JOE ISMAEL, CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND ROY D.R. NARRA proof that drug money had been deposited into the Duterte family members’ bank accounts.

Guevarra challenged the individual, Peter Joemel Advincula, to kLE A COMPLAINT WITH THE .ATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI). “Bikoy should now go to the .") AND kLE HIS COMPLAINT IF HE has the evidence,� he said.

FROM A REPORT

BY JOMAR CANLAS

PARTY-LIST DYNASTIES?

Former Commission on Human Rights chairman Etta Rosales (center) and various youth groups show matrices of party-lists with ties to political families and government officials, accompanied with a list of 38 party-lists.

PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Q OWES FROM A1

Manila owes GSIS P204M In the March 1, 2019 letter, the GSIS reminded the city government of an outstanding liability of P204,215,076.45, representing employee contributions that had not been remitted since Mayor Joseph g%RAPu %STRADA TOOK OFkCE IN “Despite several demands to pay the said obligation, the same remains unpaid,� GSIS chief legal counsel Isagani Cruz said.

Aside from Estrada, the GSIS also called the attention of city accountant Maria Lourdes Malulu, CITY BUDGET OFkCER -ARIA 0AMELA Manzano and Joseohibe Daza, OFkCER IN CHARGE OF THE #ITY 4REASURER S /FkCE

Under Republic Act (RA) 8291 or the “GSIS Act of 1997,� government agencies should include the payment of these premium contributions in their annual appropriations and remit the amounts on time.

The law also provides for the imposition of interest charges of not less than 2 percent per month for delayed remittances.

Cruz gave the Manila City government a month to settle the liability or face charges. “Consider this, therefore, as our kNAL DEMAND FOR YOU TO REMIT THE FOREgoing amount within 30 days upon receipt of this letter,� his letter states. “Otherwise, GSIS will be con-

strained, pursuant to Section 52 OF 2!

TO kLE THE APPROPRIATE criminal, civil and administrative complaints against all the city officials involved in the collection and remittance of premium contributions, loan authorization and other amounts due the GSIS.�

Estrada, who is running for reelection in next week’s midterm polls, has claimed to have made Manila totally “debt free� since he TOOK OFkCE IN #ITY HALL MEDIA OFkCER "AMBI Purisima reiterated the claim as HE CONkRMED THE '3)3 DEMAND “We don’t have a debt with the GSIS,� Purisima said, adding that

city treasurer records were still being reconciled given employee resignations.

The local government has a P14-billion surplus, he continued, more than enough to pay the premiums of 8,400 city hall employees. “Reconciling lang daw ang kuwenta sabi ng Treasurer’s OfkCE kasi may mga employees na retired and resigned na. Hindi raw tugma ang kuwenta (The treaSURER S OFkCE SAID IT IS RECONCILING its count as some employees have retired and resigned. The count does not match),� Purisima said. “Surplus ang budget ng city, sobra-sobra pambayad, kaya lang kailangan daw tama ang kuwenta para hindi na magkaproblema sa pagbabayad,� he added.

Q ELECTIONS FROM A1

Palace: Govt all set for May 13 elections the 2019 elections,� Panelo said. “Security forces are already deployed especially in election hotspots to prevent occurrence of any violence,� he added.

The Palace official also said the Department of Education (DepEd) informed Duterte that teachers who would serve during election day would receive honoraria and travel allowances. “Likewise, the Department of Energy affirmed that we have A SUFkCIENT SUPPLY OF POWER IN Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,�

Panelo said. “For its part, the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) mentioned that its department is expecting a higher voter turnout for Overseas Absentee Voting,� he added.

Panelo said Duterte was expected to join at least three campaign sorties this week to rally support for his allies during the kNAL STRETCH OF THE CAMPAIGN Duterte is scheduled to attend a campaign rally in Bohol today. The two other rallies — in Davao City on Thursday and in

Manila on Saturday — will cap the three-month campaign of the ruling PDP-Laban and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP), a regional party led by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Panelo said Duterte was optimistic that administration candidates would win and shepherd his legislative agenda.

The President has endorsed 11 3ENATE CANDIDATES INCLUDING kVE from PDP-Laban and six guest candidates. HnP, meanwhile, has endorsed 13 candidates for 12 Senate posts.

Personnel deployed The Palace’s claims of readiness came as more than a million personnel were deployed on Tuesday for next week’s elections.

Out of the total count of 1,158,696, 149,830 will come from the PNP; 98,000 from the AFP; 3,576 from the Commission on Elections (Comelec); 526,686 from the DepEd; 13,400 from the Health department; 1,760

from Manila Electric Company (Meralco); and 350,000 from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

Meralco is part of the Energy Task Force Election (ETFE) that has been tasked with ensuring adequate and uninterrupted p owe r d u r i n g t h e e l e c t i o n period.

Members of the ETFE also inCLUDE THE .ATIONAL %LECTRIkCATION Administration, National Power Corp., National Transmission Corp., Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., Philippine Electricity Market Corp., Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines Inc. and National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, meanwhile, said some policemen would take the place of public school teachers who could back out from serving.

Speaking at the sidelines of the send-off ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Albayalde said the Comelec had trained AROUND POLICE OFkCERS TO

substitute teachers.

Around 500 police personnel had already been deployed to Mindanao election boards, he added, with others ready to step in elsewhere should the Comelec call for such. “I think there are already some polling centers‌ [where they are] sure to render election duties. [But] most them will be in parts of Mindanao,â€? Albayalde told reporters.

4HE POLICE OFkCERS WILL NOT BE armed if they perform electoral board duties.

The PNP on Tuesday also launched the National Election Monitoring Action Center, which will monitor updates from deployed personnel. “This will give us real-time situation on what is happening on the ground,� Albayalde said. “With the technology that is available, we use everything even social media. We take advantage of the technology,� he added.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE, DEMPSEY REYES AND ROY D.R. NARRA

˜ The Manila Times

TUCP BARES 12 SENATE BETS THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has endorsed 12 Senate candidates who it believes would champion the cause of the labor sector in Congress. Topping the list of the country’s largest labor organization are former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares and Sonny Matula, a labor leader from the Federation of Free Workers.  The others were Senators Mary Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay, Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito and Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th; former senator Pilar Juliana “Pia� Cayetano; and newcomers Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, former police chief Ronald “Bato� dela Rosa, former Ilocos Norte Gov. Maria Imelda Josefa

“Imee� Marcos and former Metropolitan Manila De velopment Authority chief Francis Tolentino.

TUCP said the 12 were chosen following consultations with their leaders and heads of affiliate labor groups. “These are the senatorial candidates that our members believe and feel can help sponsor, support and pass legislation, which will address the concerns of workers and their families through legislative policy-making,� the TUCP said in a statement.

The 12 candidates will be endorsed to all labor federations affiliated with the TUCP nationwide. “TUCP is endorsing these candidates to all other Filipino workers and overseas foreign workers,� the group said.

WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

Bam spends birthday on campaign trail 3%. 0AOLO "ENIGNO g"AMu !QUINO TH ON 4UESDAY CELEBRATED HIS ND BIRTHDAY ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL VISITING THE CITIES OF "ACOLOD AND #EBU kVE DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS !QUINO STARTED HIS DAY WITH A THANKSGIVING -ASS AT THE 3T *OSEPH 0ARISH #HURCH IN "ACOLOD #ITY (E THEN JOINED HIS SUPPORTERS AND VOLUNTEERS IN A BOODLE kGHT BEFORE MEETING WITH THE BARANGAY VILLAGE CAPTAINS OF "ACOLOD #ITY 7HEN ASKED ABOUT HIS BIRTHDAY WISH

!QUINO SAID HE WAS HOPING FOR PEACEFUL AND HONEST ELECTIONS ON -AY “3ANA ANG MANALO ANG MGA LINGKOD BAYAN NA TALAGANG NAGMAMAHAL AT NAGMAMALASAKIT SA ATING MGA KABABAYAN (I hope those who will win are those who truly love our peoPLE u HE SAID /N -ONDAY VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS HELD A SMALL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR !QUINO IN ,AGUNA AFTER HE WAS ENDORSED BY 3ENATE 0RESIDENT 6ICENTE g4ITOu 3OTTO RD !QUINO WAS SURPRISED BY HIS COUSIN ACTRESS +RIS !QUINO WHO RENEWED HER SUPPORT FOR HIS REELECTION BID /THER CELEBRITIES WHO GREETED HIM WERE ACTRESS +IM #HIU SHOWBIZ COLUMNIST ,OLIT 3OLIS HOSTS 4IM 9AP AND +IM !TIENZA RADIO $* 4ONY4ONI THE +RAMER FAMILY AND 46 HOST "IANCA 'ONZALEZ JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

News Canada to pay cost of shipping back trash WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

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BY RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

T

HE Canadian government would shoulder all the expenses to be incurred in the return of the waste it dumped in Manila IN AND -ALACAĂ„ANG SAID ON 4UESDAY 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE HAS GIVEN #ANADA UNTIL -AY TO TAKE BACK THE CONTAINERS OF GARBAGE 0ALACE SPOKESMAN 3ALVADOR 0ANELO SAID THE $EPARTMENTS OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND THE %NVIRONMENT AND .ATURAL 2ESOURCES REPORTED DURING -ONDAY S #ABINET MEETING THAT #ANADA COMMITTED to pay all the cost in the return of THE GARBAGE (OWEVER THE "UREAU OF #USTOMS ON 4UESDAY SAID THE DEADLINE

GIVEN BY THE 0RESIDENT WOULD NOT BE MET BECAUSE #ANADA HAD YET TO COMPLETE THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED for the trash shipment. g;$=ESPITE THE 0HILIPPINE GOVERNMENT S READINESS TO RE EXPORT THE WASTES THE #ANADIAN GOVERNMENT INFORMED THAT IT MIGHT TAKE WEEKS FOR THEM TO ARRANGE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FROM THEIR END AND THAT THEY MIGHT NOT MEET THE -AY DEADLINE u #USTOMS #OMMISSIONER 2EY ,EONARDO 'UERRERO

Bong Go to new doctors: Improve your profession 3%.!4% HOPEFUL #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O CALLED ON DOCTORS TO IMPROVE THEIR CRAFT AS HE CONGRATULATED NEW DOCTORS BELONGING TO THE 3EVENTH $AY !DVENTIST #HURCH 'O URGED THE NEW PHYSICIANS TO VALUE SERVICE ABOVE ALL NOTING THAT SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE WAS ALSO SERVICE TO 'OD “Improve your profession as our country NEEDS YOU ) KNOW THAT AS MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH YOU HAVE STRONG FAITH AND YOU OFFER ALL YOUR SUCCESS TO 'OD ) HOPE YOU ALWAYS THINK THAT SERVICE TO OTHERS IS SERVICE TO 'OD u HE SAID in Filipino.

4HREE OF THE NEW DOCTORS WERE IN THE TOP IN THE 0HYSICIAN "OARD %XAMS ‡ #LINTON 2OSITA 2ABADON OF 7EST 6ISAYAS 3TATE 5NIVERSITY ,A 0AZ ST $ALE )VAN !URIGUE "RUEL OF THE 5NIVERSITY OF THE %AST 2AMON -AGSAYSAY -EMORIAL -EDICAL #ENTER TH AND 7ILMA #LEO 9VONNE "ORJA $APOG OF #EBU $OCTOR S 5NIVERSITY #OLLEGE OF -EDICINE TH 'O SAID DOCTORS AND HEALTH WORKERS WERE CLOSE TO HIS HEART BECAUSE DELIVERING BETTER HEALTHCARE is one of his priorities.

(E LAMENTED THAT MANY PUBLIC HOSPITALS LACKED FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT g)N ONE BED YOU HAVE TWO OR THREE CHILDREN (OW COULD THEY GET BETTER IN SUCH A SITUATION u ASKED 'O WHO IS PUSHING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING for public health institutions.

(E POINTED OUT THAT DURING HIS STINT AS 0RES-

IDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S TOP AIDE HE HELPED THE #HIEF %XECUTIVE ESTABLISH -ALASAKIT #ENTERS AS PART OF THEIR SHARED VISION TO HELP POOR PATIENTS 4HE -ALASAKIT #ENTER MAKES IT EASIER AND FASTER FOR INDIGENT PATIENTS TO GET MEDICAL AND kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT BY BRINGING TOGETHER IN ONE ROOM THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH

$EPARTMENT OF 3OCIAL 7ELFARE AND $EVELOPMENT

0HILIPPINE #HARITY 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE AND 0HILippine Health Insurance Corp.

Q Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go

‘Plot vs Duterte may include assassination’ 4HE DESTABILIZATION PLOT AGAINST 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE MIGHT INCLUDE A PLAN TO ASSASSINATE THE #HIEF %XECUTIVE AN OFFICIAL OF $AKILANG ,AHI &OUNDATION SAID ON 4UESDAY !NTHONY #ASTELO FORMER 1UEZON #ITY COUNCILOR AND NOW PRESIDENT OF THE $AKILANG ,AHI &OUNDATION CALLED ON &ILIPINOS TO PRAY FOR $UTERTE S SAFETY AMID AN gASSASSINATIONu THREAT AGAINST THE 0RESIDENT g) STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THERE S A SERIOUS @/UST $UTERTE PLOT NOW IN FULL SWING THAT MAY INCLUDE THE ASSASSINATION OF THE 0RESIDENT AS AN OPTION u #ASTELO SAID IN A statement. “We must pray for the safety of THE 0RESIDENT AND PROTECTION OF OUR COUNTRY u HE ADDED #ASTELO S STATEMENT CAME WEEKS AFTER -ALACAĂ„ANG RELEASED A MATRIX THAT LINKED SEVERAL JOURNALISTS TO A SUPPOSED OUSTER PLOT AGAINST

Duterte.

4HE GROUPS TAGGED IN THE ALLEGED PLOT DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS #ASTELO ONE OF THE 0HILIPPINES MUSIC ICONS SAID gHISTORY TELLS US that the most appropriate time for perpetrators to execute a plan to UNSEAT A PRESIDENT IN OFkCE IS WHEN PEOPLE ARE DIVIDED RIGHT AROUND A NATIONAL ELECTION PERIOD u g7E VE SEEN THIS HAPPEN DURING THE TIME OF PRESIDENT ;&ERDINAND= -ARCOS IN AND PRESIDENT ;*OSEPH= %STRADA IN ‡ WHERE A PLANNED ASSASSINATION OF BOTH PRESIDENTS WERE INDEED AN OPTION

IT JUST DID NOT MATERIALIZE u HE ADDED (E SAID THE SO CALLED g/UST $UTERTEu PLOT gWAS HATCHED EARLY ON AND HAS BEEN IN MOTION SINCE THE 0RESIDENT S kRST DAY IN OFkCE IN u “However, for this plot to sucCEED IT MUST HAVE PUBLIC SUPPORT AND MILITARY BACKING u HE POINTED

OUT 4HIS HE ADDED WAS UNLIKELY SINCE THE 0RESIDENT S POPULARITY RATING REMAINED HIGH AND HE WAS A gDARLINGu OF THE MILITARY #ASTELO WARNED THAT THOSE BEHIND THE gGRAND DESTABILIZATION PLOTu MIGHT IN A DESPERATE MOVE

gOPT TO USE THEIR LAST CARD ‡ TO ASSASSINATE THE 0RESIDENT u 3OUGHT FOR COMMENT 0ALACE SPOKESMAN 3ALVADOR 0ANELO URGED #ASTELO TO SHOW EVIDENCE TO PROVE his claims.

4HE 0ALACE OFFICIAL SAID THE SUPPOSED PLAN TO KILL $UTERTE WAS NOTHING NEW SINCE IT WAS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE THAT THE #HIEF %XECUTIVE HAD MADE MANY ENEMIES 0ANELO SAID THE 0RESIDENTIAL 3ECURITY 'ROUP 03' WAS DOING ITS JOB TO KEEP THE 0RESIDENT SAFE g4HE 03' KNOWS ITS JOB !NOTHER THING alam mo (you KNOW THIS 0RESIDENT COULDN T care less whether you assassinate him. @9UN NGA ANG KA-

GANDAHAN SA 0RESIDENTENG ITO

E 4HAT S WHAT S REALLY GOOD ABOUT THE 0RESIDENT HE S A DAREDEVIL (E DARES EVERYONE

@E @DI PATAYIN NIYO KUNG GUSTO niyo, basta YOU CAN KILL ME IF YOU WANT BUT ) LL WORK THAT S MY MANDATE u HE ADDED )T WAS NOT THE kRST TIME THAT THE possibility of an assassination plot AGAINST $UTERTE WAS RAISED In his previous speeches, the 0RESIDENT HIMSELF BARED THE ALLEGED ASSASSINATION PLOT BY THE 5NITED 3TATES #ENTRAL )NTELLIGENCE !GENCY #)! AGAINST HIM )N !PRIL $UTERTE SAID THE #)! gSHOULD BE BLAMEDu IF HE GETS KILLED 4HE 0RESIDENT IN /CTOBER

ALSO CLAIMED HE RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE #)! WAS PLANNING TO KILL HIM 4HE ALLEGATIONS OF $UTERTE HAS REPEATEDLY BEEN DENIED BY THE 53 CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Confidentiality in alternative dispute resolution process Dear PAO, My neighbor confessed his past illicit relationship with one of OUR ASSOCIATION S OFkCERS DURING the alternative dispute resolution proceedings we went through in A COMPLAINT ) kLED AGAINST HIM May his wife use this declaration IN kLING THE APPROPRIATE ACTION against him?

Reema Dear Reema, Section 9 of Republic Act 9285 or the “Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004� clearly states:

and shall be inadmissible in any adversarial proceeding, whether JUDICIAL OR QUASI JUDICIAL HowDEAR PAO EVER EVIDENCE OR INFORMATION THAT IS OTHERWISE ADMISSIBLE OR SUBJECT TO DISCOVERY DOES NO BECOME INADMISSIBLE OR PROTECTED g3ECTION #ONkDENTIALITY OF FROM DISCOVERY SOLELY BY REASON Information — Information ob- OF ITS USE IN MEDIATION u %MPHATAINED THROUGH MEDIATION PRO- SIS SUPPLIED 4HUS AS A RULE MATTERS DISCUSSED CEEDINGS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES IN PROCEEDINGS UNDER ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION ARE CONkDENTIAL xxx “(c) #ONkDENTIAL )NFORMATION AND STATEMENTS MADE THEREIN CANshall not be subject to discovery NOT BE USED IN ANY OTHER PROCEED-

PERSIDA ACOSTA

INGS SUBJECT TO THE ABOVE STATED exception.

4HIS OPINION IS SOLELY BASED ON THE FACTS YOU HAVE NARRATED AND our appreciation of the same. The opinion may vary when the facts ARE CHANGED OR FURTHER ELABORATED We hope that we were able to enLIGHTEN YOU ON THE MATTER

%DITOR S NOTE $EAR 0!/ IS A DAILY COLUMN OF THE 0UBLIC !TTORNEY S /FFICE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA MAY BE SENT TO DEARPAO manilatimes.net

SAID IN HIS REPORT TO &INANCE 3ECRETARY #ARLOS $OMINGUEZ RD 'UERRERO SAID THE DOCUMENTS INCLUDE IMPORT PERMITS AND THE BIDDING OF FUMIGATION SERVICES FOR the containers.

4HE #ANADIAN GOVERNMENT SAID THESE DOCUMENTS COULD TAKE gA COUPLE OF WEEKSu TO PROCESS HE ADDED 0ANELO SAID $UTERTE HAD DIRECTED the Customs bureau not to accept trash shipment from any counttry. ,AST MONTH THE 0RESIDENT WARNED THAT HE WOULD DECLARE WAR

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AGAINST #ANADA IF IT DID NOT TAKE BACK THE TONS OF TRASH IT DUMPED IN -ANILA "UT 0ANELO SAID $UTERTE S WARNING OF WAR WAS JUST A FIGURE OF speech. g;$UTERTE= ALREADY HAS AN INSTRUCTION ‡ )F YOU WILL NOT TAKE IT BACK WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO YOU 4HERE WILL BE NO WAR WE WILL JUST BRING IT BACK 7E WILL THROW IT BACK TO THEM u HE SAID WITH MAYVELIN U. CARABALLOÂ

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Key to the right minimum wage formula

O

NE topic that never fails to provoke a great deal of acrimonious debate in this country is the subject of minimum wage. The issue comes to the fore several times a year as the various tripartite wage boards around the country consider adjustments to the minimum wage in their area, and of course, as political candidates use the topic to call the attention of the working class to their election campaign and win their votes.

A report this week by Fitch Group research unit Fitch Solutions casts the problem of setting effective minimum wages in a new light, although in doing so it may have made finding the best solution even more challenging.

Fitch said that increasing minimum wages in Southeast Asia are raising the cost of production and making these countries less competitive. In just four years, minimum wages in East and Southeast Asia have risen to 82 percent of the global average from 63 percent, and within the next 10 years will catch up with the average or even exceed it, Fitch said.

The credit ratings agency even quantified the cost of employment in its Labor Market Risk Index, which is an assessment of the competitiveness of labor markets from the point of view of foreign business investors. On a scale of 0-100, where 100 equals the lowest risk, the region’s cost of employment score dropped to 56.8 in 2019 from 59.3 in 2018.

While the Fitch report considered the region as a whole, it singled out the Philippines as one of the countries that are contributing significantly to the erosion of competitiveness by continually increasing minimum wages. “Governments in countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines are succumbing to union pressure as they seek to prevent outbreaks of social unrest that could cause political instability,� it said.

Increasing wages are not entirely bad news, however. Fitch did point out that higher wages lead to higher private consumption. Over a longer term, this can result in the region’s economy growing stronger in the way China’s economy has, by shifting from being totally reliant on foreign investments and exports to more stable consumption-led growth.

This presents an apparent paradox: higher wages are beneficial to the economy in the long run, but in the short term may hinder investment and job growth that makes higher wages possible. Little wonder, then, that constant tinkering with minimum wage levels seems to leave neither workers nor employers satisfied.

In our view, minimum wages are a positive good, because they are a necessary protection against outright exploitation of labor. But minimum wages, and in fact all wages, must be guided by two equally important ideals: every Filipino willing to put in an honest day’s work ought to be able to support a healthy and dignified standard of living for his or her household by doing so. Likewise, wages must reflect economic reality and the true value of labor to employers — not necessarily the lowest cost, but a fair one in alignment with market demand and the value of skills employees bring to the job.

That means that simply either bending to the whims of labor advocates who wish to have minimum wages set as high as possible, or to business advocates who wish to keep them as low as possible, will result in arbitrary solutions that will ultimately do more harm than good.

Finding the right balance that offers appropriate social protections without discouraging investment, job growth and greater domestic production is a tremendously difficult challenge, but one we believe that the Philippines has the foresight and political will to overcome, if policymakers and stakeholders are willing to make the effort. ~

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 207

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

When labor is prostrate, clowns are ascendant MIDWEEK T COMMENTS

HE most inspiring story for organized labor that almost coincided with the universal celebration of Labor Day, May 2019, did not take place in one of the world’s many emerging economies such as the Philippines. It took place thousands of miles away in Pittsburgh, a part of the US industrial heartland which Mr. Trump won by a slim margin two years ago.

There, surrounded by leaders of the Teamster Union, former vice president Joe Biden, made this declaration, his presumed path to a Democratic presidential nomination and a win over Trump in 2020: “I

MARLEN V. RONQUILLO make no apologies, I am a union man.� In the world’s most powerful country and largest economy, the frontrunner in the Democratic primary rests his presidential ambitions and his hopes of beating Mr. Trump, on a sector totally alien to young Filipinos — organized labor.

(Before I proceed, a friend has a

theory on the “why?� Here is the version: It does not sound like an app. It is something unfamiliar to the texting jargon. Plus, you can’t do A SELkE WITH SOMETHING AS SELlESS AS organized labor. In the consciousness of most Filipinos, therefore, “organized labor� just doesn’t make any connection, just doesn’t wash.)

Why is the politician who wants to be THE next president of the most powerful country in the world resting his case on trade unions? And why, in marked contrast, did Labor Day 2019, Philippine version, just pass like a blur, with the usual hoarse voices of

labor leaders falling on deaf ears? That we will hold the midterm elections a few days from now, an election that will determine the composition of the House and the Senate, the two chambers of the Congress, add to the ignominy that the social and political sphere has dealt to organized labor.

The contrast is unsettling. Because in societies with full and unimpaired political and civic virtues, election seasons pay the obligatory paean to labor. They are seasons used by those in labor to get their agenda widely discussed and supported. Then, labor

ÂłRonquilloA5

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

Roxas to the Senate? His reward for wrecking MRT-3?

Mar Roxas and Emilio Abaya, who were Aquino 3rd’s transport secretaries when the MRT-3 went to the dogs, did not contest any of its claims, or even its title: “For the MRT-3 mess, Roxas and Abaya should be in jail by now.� Yet he wants to be in the Senate now.

The Duterte administration did file in November 2017 plunder charges against the two as well as other Aquino Cabinet members for rigging the bidding for the P4billion maintenance contract for MRT-3 to favor a Liberal Party-linked OUTkT 'UESS WHAT The Ombudsman then, Aquino’s favorite woman in robes, Conchita Carpio-Morales, dropped the charges against Roxas, and reduced from plunder to just graft those against Abaya and the other Cabinet members. She did this June 25, 2018, a few weeks before her compulsory retirement on July 25.

Last year, Liberal Party head Francisco Pangilinan said that Roxas would not be running for a Senate seat in the elections this May. Why can’t I shake off the suspicion that being a senator is one way of making sure he won’t be indicted again?

The Yellows — and Church leaders — have been on a propaganda tack calling on Filipinos not to vote thieves (magnanakaw) to office, especially to the Senate.

Beyond bribes, the worst kind of theft is that of the million Metro Manila commuters’ well-being, who had to endure daily during Aquino’s term the disastrous results of Roxas and Abaya’s mismanagement of the MRT-3.

2017 column follows: OR perhaps in Dutertespeak, Aquino 3rd’s transport secretary, Emilio Abaya, and his predecessor, Mar Roxas, should have been lynched at the highest point of the MRT-3 line along EDSA for having made life a daily hell for hundreds of thousands of commuters with their handling of that mass transport system.

How Abaya and Roxas messed up the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) line is probably the most documented case of incompetence — or corruption — in running a government enterprise. If the Ombudsman

weren’t Conchita Carpio-Morales, who was so close to Aquino that he CHOSE HER TO SWEAR HIM TO OFkCE AS president, I’m sure Roxas and Abaya would be in jail by now.

Consider the facts: For 10 years after MRT-3 started OPERATIONS THE *APANESE kRM 3UMItomo Corp. maintained the system under a contract with Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC), the MRT-3’s private builder and operator. The TRAIN WAS SO EFkCIENT THAT 3UMITOMO had boasted about MRT-3 in its sales pitch to bid for mass-transit projects around the world.

kRM 0( 4RAMS #" 4 ON THE DAY HE ASSUMED OFkCE AS $O4# HEAD This two-month-old company, capitalized at only P2.5 million, or less than one percent of the P300 million cost of the maintenance contract, won the bidding that Roxas had called just two weeks before.

One of its six investors was known in Pangasinan province as a Liberal 0ARTY kNANCIAL SUPPORTER ‡ 7ILSON de Vera. He had been accused by the Czech ambassador of attempting in July 2012 to extort $30 million from the Czech company Inekon in exchange for winning the contract to supply MRT-3 with train cars.

Renewed 4 times

more concerned about its reputation so it could get more and bigger projects all over the world. Its MRT-3 maintenance contract barely made a PROkT BUT 3UMITOMO USED THE RAIL S EFkCIENCY AS PROOF OF ITS EXPERTISE IN light rail building and maintenance.

Indeed, Sumitomo has built a reputation as one of the best lightrail builders in the world, with its latest projects being the $500 million contract signed in 2012 TO BUILD 6IETNAM S kRST URBAN RAIL system, and a $398-million supply contract for Chicago Metra’s commuter rail cars.

Scrimping on expenses He just signed it

When Sumitomo’s contract expired in July 2010, it was given six-month maintenance contracts only. This placed Sumitomo in a bind as it required a longer time frame so it could estimate how much of maintenance inventory it needed to keep, which accounted for half of its $1-million monthly contract.

Sumitomo repeatedly wrote to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) to request a bidding for a longer-term contract. DoTC didn’t reply at all.

However, on Oct. 4, 2012, or just two weeks before Sumitomo’s fourth six-month contract was to have ended on October 19, the DoTC said it would no longer renew it, and that a three-year contract would be bid out.

It scheduled a bidding in two weeks. Sumitomo calculated that this was such an impossible short time frame that it backed out of the auction. That was the start of the MRT-3’s deterioration.

Note that all this time, during which the bidding could have been announced way in advance so that bidders would have had time to prepare for it, the DoTC head was Roxas, who ran for the presidency in 2016 and landed — amazingly — second.

However, in August 2012, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo was killed in an airplane crash and Aquino appointed Roxas to replace him.

Roxas assumed the post — strangely — only two months later, on October 19. It was Abaya, appointed to replace Roxas, who signed the maintenance contract with an obscure

Abaya, in a hearing the other day at the Senate, claimed he didn’t know ABOUT THE kRM S BACKGROUND AND that it was Roxas who made all the decisions over the maintenance contract and the bidding for it. He said he just presumed that nothing was wrong with the contract so he signed the documents when he took over as head of the DoTC on October 19.

Why did Roxas drag his feet for a month and a half to leave his DoTC post only on October 19, even if Aquino had appointed him to the $),' POST ON !UGUST )S THIS A huge coincidence that October 19 was the day PH Trams signed the contract with MRT-3?

Am I too suspicious to speculate that Roxas was a segurista, that he wanted to make sure that his twoyear plot to get a favored contractor in place before he stepped down pushed through? Was it even a better scenario for him that his apparently witless lackey, Abaya, and Vitangcol signed the contract papers and, therefore, would be accountable if the scheme was exposed?

What these morons did not realize, though, was that Sumitomo’s maintenance contract was not as PROkTABLE AS IT SEEMED (ALF OF THE contract price was the cost of inventory for the MRT-3’s parts, which were expensive because many of them were precision-engineered and of the highest-quality steel.

What these idiots also did not know was that Sumitomo was satiskED WITH GETTING THE SMALLEST BUSINESS margins from the contract, as it was

Scrimping on expenses as much as it could to make the contract hugely PROkTABLE 0( 4RAMS DIDN T BUILD UP a stock of spare parts and resorted to cannibalizing its [the MRT-3’s] other cars for the required parts. The result: the number of cars running at present stands at 14 at the most, down sharply from 70 when Sumitomo was running MRT-3.

Without a stock of replacements, the trains’ steel wheels got to be so squeezed into ovals so that these had to run slower, or else they would be derailed. With maintenance becoming so messed up, MRT-3 trains made mid-station stops, or had to run so slowly.

As a result there has been so much outrage over MRT-3’s breakdowns and overcrowding of its coaches. In December 2015, Abaya awarded afTER A gSIMPLIkED BIDDINGu A NEW 0 billion contract to a consortium led by the Korean Busan Transportation Corp. As happened during Roxas’ time, Abaya claimed there was an emergency situation so that the “winner� of the bid was determined through negotiations. The contract is for three years, i.e., until 2018.

This consortium’s lawyer is one Luis Carpio Jr., the brother of Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales. Is that what you’d call BULLET PROOkNG A CONTRACT

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

˜ The Manila Times

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WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

Q AQUINO FROM A1

One slippery slope Just as I think it wrong for any religious leader with a congregation or a following to endorse, if not compel, the election of his favored candidates, I think it was wrong for Mike Velarde to do what he did. It is wrong for any other sect to do the same — vote as a bloc because of the prescriptions of the church leadership.

Were Mike Velarde merely expressing his preference, no one would begrudge him that. That is his right and his privilege. But to go one step further and tell his congregation who he has anointed is quite another thing. Endorsements by lay Catholics are not proscribed, but given the particular following of El Shaddai, given their attachment to Mike Velarde and the kind and degree of influence he has over them, it was hardly anything short of what the INC does to its own congregation.

Theologically, the use of

power — religious power, particularly — for one’s purposes, whatever these might be, was repudiated already in the First Temptation: to turn stones into bread; to make use of one’s immense power (and influence) for one’s own satisfaction.

Having said that , let us acknowledge that we got ourselves into this slippery slope of “religious anointments� when some Church leaders imprudently announced that one particular line-up was “the Catholic choice.� That was already bad, but worse still was the fact that hardly anyone in the hierarchy came out univocally to disavow such declarations. That gave the color of legitimacy to the use by religious leaders of their clout, their suasion and their influence to win votes for their favored candidates. In that respect, Mike Velarde was merely picking up the cue from some members of the Catholic hier-

archy. To be fair to the CBCP, it never expressed any preference for any senatorial line-up.

Frankly, Mike Velarde has turned me off repeatedly: calling on his credulous congregation to upturn their umbrellas to catch “grace� from heaven, ordering them to jump three times to get hold of the Holy Spirit, asking them to repeat some lines with him like some mantra...and much of what he preaches is questionable theologically, at best, and downright heretical at worst. But it will not do now — not after this — to excommunicate him, to sanction him or even to forbid Catholics from attending his prayer rallies. He is able to draw crowds that many of our parishes are not able to, and provided that he remains open to dialogue, admonition and even guidance by bishops of the Church, his own form of “apostolate� — that

no doubt is very lucrative for him as well — should not be stifled. Bishop Ted Bacani had a rather constructive relationship with the group — and that should continue.

But what this incident does show is the undesirability of using religious influence and clout to try to steer in one’s favor or to one’s preferences the outcome of elections by religious leaders — whether members of the hierarchy or virtual heads of sects and congregations, particularly because of the moral force and suasion they wield. The boast of the Catholic Church is that it has always left Catholics free to make political decisions for themselves — while always exhorting them to do so as “the king’s good servants, but God’s first.� Let us keep it that way.

rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie-aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

One last look – before the 13th

T

H E H o l y We e k a l l owe d people some time to reflect on coming events that will indelibly shape our country for the next several decades, the national midterm elections on May 13. For such serious contemplation, my spouse Sylvia and I decided to fly to Macau to a favorite hotel which we have lodged in on several occasions, for its strategic location and also because it is one that will not strain too much a senior couple’s budget for a four-day/ four-night discounted package.

This time, just the two of us, without an entourage of grandchildren with several tons of impedimenta that must include different sizes of diapers, assorted toys, milk and in this day and age, separate IPads and video games. We did the equivalent of " bisita iglesia "combined with the station of the cross from the Hotel Sintra along Avenida de D. Joao IV. Just around the corner from the " Senado " is a calvary-like climb to the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Paul’s.

To complete seven visitations as Filipino tradition dictates, we did Grand Lisboa and Emperor Hotel which were walking distance from our hotel and by shuttle bus to the Venetian, City of Dreams, Studio City, Sands, Wynn and for good measure, MGM in the Cotai and Coloane districts.

One can’t help comparing the amenities of Macau with Manila, or for that matter any place foreign or local, with the Philippines. Such is the raison d’etre for travel. It broadens the mind, expands one’s horizons, helps one acquire culture and accumulate bragging rights, and sharpens critical comparative perspectives with our home country, in the hope of improving the same. Also, it’s pleasurable.

Macau has four dozen casinos. This old city is practically a gambler’s paradise, depending of course on which side of the winning baccarat table you sit.

With gambling revenues adding more than 50 percent to government coffers, their employment

LITO MONICO C. LORENZANA rate is almost approaching full, although dangerously connected to a single industry — gaming. The government therefore, in partnership with the casinos, makes sure that all government services are directed towards the gambler comfortably, but not necessarily happily, parting with his capital.

Shuttle buses to these casinos from hotels, airports and ferries are free. The casino hotels have lavish decor, replete with restaurants, some with exquisite cuisine inexpensively priced — all done to entice gamblers to stay put. If you should lose your money, lose them in your casino hotel than in the competitor’s.

But this is not a treatise on casino gambling, but a discourse about gambling our future on the people we elect on May 13.

My focus is on the senatorial race as the coming Senate chamber will decide whether systemic changes can push through. I refer to the Centrist advocacy whose political growth was cut short by the Marcos martial law years, and later stunted by the oligarchic rule post-1986 EDSA through the enactment of the 1987 Constitution. I need not present a dissertation on why we need to shift from the unitary-presidential system we currently suffer from, to the parliamentary-federal system, with a liberalized economy. This has been widely discussed and disseminated in current political literature and social media. Serious attempts at constitutional revisions have been made by FVR’S 1997 Pirma, Erap’s 2000 Concord and GMA’s 2005 ConCom. All failed.

PRRD, who won on this advocacy seems to have his passion for systemic changes through constitutional revisions waning and falling victim to pragmatic politics and traditional compromises. Even his daughter Sara, has publicly contradicted him

on federalism, further adding confusion to the main issues at hand. The parliamentary-federalists have begun to question whether the father-daughter politicians are playing a "good cop-bad cop game;" or simply have their messages convoluted and incoherent.

Both are pushing for similar candidates although the daughter is incongruously pushing for 13 candidates for 12 slots.

In my Manila Times column last March 13, 2019 on “Dynastic kleptocracy,� I presented a “negatives list� of those who should not be elected.

In the forefront are the three accused“plunderer-senators� seeking a fresh term. The second category are those members of political dynasties. I reiterate my position: “True, there are decent individual members of dynasties, but our beef is with the collective malevolence of the concept, the structure and system itself. The biggest myth is the singular proposition that there are good and moral Philippine political dynasties. There are none!�

I am therefore left with a shortlist of those I think have the intellectual fortitude, professionalism and track record for public service that merits these people a seat at the table.

I count among them, Sen. Koko Pimentel and former interior secretary Raffy Alunan. These two deserve the trust of the Filipino people to do good by them. I have followed their careers over the years and Koko’s father has been my mentor since I had the privilege of being his undersecretary and joined him in the founding of the PDP Laban almost four decades ago. Koko has just the right amount of arrogance that a bar topnotcher must naturally possess giving him the confidence that he can make a difference.

Paradoxically, he also exudes some amount of humility which is borne out of personal disappointments, but I guess instilled in him by his mother.

Raffy, on the other hand, had his teeth cut in the government

bureaucracy culminating in his stint as interior and local governments secretary during the time of President Ramos.

His expertise in foreign affairs is surpassed perhaps by only a few Filipino diplomats and his grasp of international relations and defense would be an asset to the Senate. No doubt, this has been polished by his training at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

The Otso Diretso has prominent people, with excellent political pedigrees, Diokno and Taùada are venerable political names but could their offspring measure up to the originals? And their Liberal Party have been so degraded and tarnished by the scandals and corruption of the past administration and incompetence of President PNoy himself. And their unwavering defense of the dysfunctional 1987 Constitution and unitary presidential system and the status quo is anathema to the Centrist positions — which call for systemic changes starting with constitutional revisions.

The DU30 regime is not itself exempt from scandals, corruption and ineptitude but the Deegong is far better at projecting himself as an effective macho leader that the unthinking voters want, compared to the clueless PNoy. The current clash between PNoy’s Liberal and the Deegong’s PDP Laban is a classic case of Satan demonizing the devil.

So, this election, judging by the trending polls, we may again have the tired old branded names, scions of thieves and dynasts and assorted entertainers, legislative nonperformers and sycophants of the ruling class. But hope springs eternal that some good ones will kLTER THROUGH !ND IF NOT THEN PERhaps we may again be condemned by the unthinking Filipino voters to Thomas Jefferson’s dictum: “The government you elect is the government you deserve.�

Then we may be forced to welcome the alternative: a coup from within or that much taunted RevGov. In both scenarios, only God can help us.

Opinion

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Crowning glories shine through the region L

AST week saw the coronation or enthronement of no less than two monarchs in the region, the new Japanese emperor and the Thai king.

For those two countries, these are obviously momentous events, with popular outpouring of loyalty and affection from the people for their new monarchs. For a country which practices republicanism like the Philippines with an elected president, I would imagine that it would be rather DIFkCULT TO PICTURE WHY CITIZENS WOULD continue to show fealty to unelected monarchs in some countries.

Well, perhaps for those countries and those people — Malaysia and Malaysians included — it is a sort of compromise between traditions steeped in feudalism and modernity with its more democratic demands.

In ancient times, and this went for most parts of the world, people who either hunted and gathered food or settled down and planted it tended to congregate into tribes, perhaps deriving mutual support and comfort from kinsfolk who shared either similar blood or culture. Such tribalism needed leadership to be effective, such that a single leader or a tightly knit elite circle would make decisions for the rest in the tribe. And perhaps in these ancient folks’ primitive beliefs, leadership characteristics were thought to be inheritable, such that for example the eldest offspring of a particularly brave or revered leader would take over when the leader passed away (in a leadership transition practice known as primogeniture).

Such was perhaps how monarchy was born across the world in all continents, although there is evidence to show that some sort of popularly elected leadership was also practiced even in ancient times, but perhaps not as widespread as with monarchy.

In ancient China, for example, it was SAID THAT THE kRST FEW MYTHICAL TRIBAL leaders were essentially chosen by their respective predecessors out of merit instead of inheriting leadership from their immediate kin. Ancient Greece and Rome, too, experimented WITH THEIR lEETING VERSIONS OF REPUBlicanism before being entrenched with monarchies. But again, these republican experiments were perhaps the minority practice when it came to ancient leadership transition methods, where bloodline did matter a lot.

Ancient monarchies across the world were often described as “warring� and absolute ones. Tribes, and the nations that they gradually evolved into, tended then to settle disputes through wars, big and small. And the monarchs were supposed to lead their armies into bloody battles, sometimes literally in full armored battle gear at the head of their troops, supposedly rallying the spirit of battle.

The immortal dramas of William Shakespeare, for example, were LITTERED WITH SOMETIMES kCTIONALized (though perhaps based on real events) accounts of English monarchs charging into enemy columns with their fellow soldiers.

The not-long crowned Richard III was unfortunately cut down by rival royal contenders at the Battle of Bosworth Fields. The dashing Henry V gave the battle cry to his soldiers and defeated the French troops near the village of Agincourt. Later, with the advent of more modern weaponry that would cut through a large swath of advancing troops, monarchs contended themselves with plotting with their generals at the rear of their troops.

EI SUN OH And these “warring� monarchs also RULED WITH ABSOLUTE kAT OFTEN WITH AN IRON kST 4HEIR WORDS AND SOMEtimes even their acts and omissions acquired the force of law, supposedly dispensing “justice� and sending people, innocent or guilty, to their deaths at a whim. Many monarchs ruled with prudence and expanded THEIR COUNTRIES POWER AND INlUENCE

such as France’s Louis 14th, the Sun +ING /THERS WERE MORE PROlIGATE

and with their absolute control over the nation’s purse strings, could literally bankrupt the whole nation.

Such was the case with Louis 16th who ruled absolutely over a French society that was on the verge of socioeconomic collapse. His queen, Marie Antoinette, when told of the masses not having enough bread to eat, was said to have uttered words to the effect that they could have eaten cake! This sort of aloof royal detachment from the sufferings of their subjects eventually led to the French revolution, and both Louis 16th and his queen were later guillotined.

And England had its ritualistically decapitated king too, in the person of Charles 1st nearly a century and a half earlier, when England experimented BRIElY WITH WHAT CAN PERHAPS BEST BE described as a “guided republicanism� with a nobleman Olive Cromwell serving as Lord Protector instead of king. The British monarchy, opening precedence for many other monarchies worldwide, gradually evolved into a so-called constitutional one.

Royal powers and prerogatives were devolved one by one to a popularly elected parliament (similar to a house of representatives) which chooses a prime minister who, together with his cabinet, actually devises policies for the running of the country. Judges, too, no longer had to entertain the monarch’s attitude in particular legal matters and may exercise greater degree of judicial independence. Such was born many modern democracies which still retain their monarchs as heads of state and symbols of national unity and identity.

For example, the monarchs of the United Kingdom, Japan, Thailand and yes, Malaysia, were supposed to be above the din of partisan politics.

They exercised their powers only on the advice of the elected governments of the day. They could advise, warn and encourage the prime minister and the cabinet but no more than that when it comes to formulation and implementation of the nation’s policies. The British monarch is also the titular head of state of many British Commonwealth countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada. In such cases, the British monarch is represented by a governor-general appointed on the advice of the national governments concerned, and who act as the head of state of these nations when it comes to diplomatic protocols.

The main point here is there are still people in this world who still retain varying degrees of reverence toward their hereditary rulers, perhaps viewing the latter as symbols of their countries’ colorful traditions. And as long as such an attitude persists, these monarchies will go on for many more generations to come.

Q RONQUILLO FROM A4

When labor is prostrate, clowns are ascendant lEXES ITS COLLECTIVE MUSCLES TO LEND support to those who banner the issues and causes of labor.

Nothing of that sort is taking place in sad PH this election season. Labor, the backbone of all productivity, is at the backseat of the current national conversation.

Philippine labor’s diminished and marginalized status would not have been that noticeable had the international environment marched in lock-step with our indifference to the sector and the many issues bedevilling the working man. If every other country in the world behaved like us — indifferent to labor, on whose

back factories turn out goods, retail is served, machines are oiled and maintained, restaurants are staffed and public utility vehicles get driven from one point to another.

Scarred by the growing economic inequality and alarmed by rapid loss of workers in the middle class, modern societies now hold vigorous debates on how to bridge the economic gap and restore the traditional status of workers in the economic center.

The decently treated workers as the stabilizing force of the center.

Should we restructure corporate power to place workers in the corporate boards — and in the

most important corporate decisionmaking process? Should the worker representative in these corporate boards have a voice as important as the biggest shareholder?

What is the pay level that would ensure most workers of a decent life?

Should we start enacting a universal, basic living wage?

What are the policies required to make labor organizing a natural, unimpaired right?

How do we counter anti-labor initiatives such as the right-towork policy?

How do we improve healthcare and OTHER NONWAGE BENEkTS

The Philippine conversation does not even touch on these issues. Worse, a political coalition that offers prolabor candidates as an alternative to the traditional politicians is getting battered in the senatorial polling.

Labor Win coalition is now united behind a pro-labor slate: Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna, Bukluran ng Mangagawang Pilipino’s Leody de Guzman, Sonny Matula of the Federation of Free Workers, Kilusang Mayo Uno’s Ernesto Arellano and labor lawyer Allan Montaùo.

Read this and you will weep. Larry Gadon, you know this guy with the MIDDLE kNGER IS EVEN AHEAD OF THE

labor leaders in the senatorial survey.

The biggest tragedy is this. When labor is weak and marginalized, the political clowns become ascendant.

Look at some of the clowns. One faked her academic credentials. Two have been jailed for plunder and have claimed fake victimhood. One is a has-been who became one of the leading men of a popular primetime TV series, a TV series that pole-vaulted him into the top tier of the senatorial candidates. Then compare their lives and life histories with those in the Labor coalition, MEN WITH A TRACK RECORD OF kGHTING political and corporate tyrants. Not

in the reel but in real life, actually a whole lifetime dedicated to the cause of the underclass.

The candidates from labor who dedicated their lives to others. And the clowns who have not seen a world, a country beyond their clowning selves.

In areas across the globe, May is springtime, when darkness and the bitter cold of the winter season give way to new and fresh life, a season of hope and a sense of renewal.

We can only hope that the Filipino voters can cast aside their fascination with clowns and give the candidates of labor their muchdeserved electoral springtime.

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

The average voter

T

HE latest Pulse Asia survey on senatorial candidate preferences, conducted April 10 to14 — or one month before the elections on May 13, 2019 — ranks the top 12 candidates in this order: 1. Cynthia Villar, 2. Grace Poe, 3. Lito Lapid, 4. Pia Cayetano, 5. Bong Go, 6. Sonny Angara, 7. Bong Revilla, 8. Bato dela Rosa, 9.

Nancy Binay, 10. Koko Pimentel, 11.

Imee Marcos, and 12. Jinggoy Estrada.

Surveys like that can be wrong, but if they are right, then the country is POISED TO ELEVATE AT LEAST kVE ASPIRANTS of dubious record to the otherwise lofty stature of senator of the Republic.

Revilla, acquitted of a plunger charge by the Sandiganbayan but ordered by the same court to return to government the amount of P124.5 million, is still facing 16 counts of graft charges.

Estrada is on trial, also for plunder and graft charges, but is out on bail.

Marcos is currently under inves-

INGMING ABERIA tigation by the Ombudsman for alleged misuse of tobacco funds while she was governor of Ilocos Norte.

Lapid was ordered arrested in 2015 by the Sandiganbayan on graft charges; the case was eventually dismissed due to the delay in the investigation by the Ombudsman.

Dela Rosa is also a respondent in a COMPLAINT kLED BEFORE THE /MBUDSman, not for stealing or misuse of public funds, but for alleged killings carried out by the Davao Death Squad.

Some will always feel disappointed by the result of any electoral process. They are wary of what Winston Churchill had warned against

Is Bolton steering Trump into war with Iran?

PENNSYLVANIA: Last week, it was Venezuela in America’s gun sights. “While a peaceful solution is desirable, military action is possible,� thundered Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “If that’s what is required, that’s what the United States will do.�

John Bolton tutored Vladimir Putin on the meaning of the Monroe Doctrine: “This is our hemisphere. It’s not where the Russians ought to be interfering.�

After Venezuela’s army decided not to rise up and overthrow Nicholas Maduro, by Sunday night, it was Iran that was in our gun sights.

Bolton ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln , its carrier battle group and a bomber force to the Mideast “to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force.�

What “attack� was Bolton talking about?

According to Axios, Israel had alerted Bolton that an Iranian strike on U.S. interests in Iraq was imminent.

Flying to Finland, Pompeo echoed Bolton’s warning: “We’ve seen escalatory actions from the Iranians, and ... we will hold the Iranians accountable for attacks on American interests. ... [If] these actions take place, if they do by some third-party proxy, whether that’s a Shia militia group or the Houthis or Hezbollah, we will hold the ... Iranian leadership directly accountable for that.�

Taken together, the BoltonPompeo threats add up to an ultimatum that any attack by Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, or Iranbacked militias — on Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE or US forces in Iraq, Syria or the Gulf states — will bring a US retaliatory response on Iran itself.

Did President Donald Trump approve of this? For he appears to be going along. He has pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and re-imposed sanctions. Last week, he canceled waivers he had given eight nations to let them continue buying Iranian oil.

Purpose: Reduce Iran’s oil exports, 40 percent of GDP, to zero, to deepen an economic crisis that is already expected to cut Iran’s GDP this year by 6 percent.

Trump has also designated Iran a terrorist state and the Republican Guard a terrorist organizaTION THE kRST TIME WE HAVE DONE that with the armed forces of a foreign nation. We don’t even do that with North Korea.

Iran responded last Tuesday by naming the US a state sponsor of terror and designating US forces in the Middle East as terrorists.

Iran has also warned that if we choke off its oil exports that exit the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait could be closed to other nations. As 30 percent of the world’s oil shipments transit the Strait, closing it

CREATORS SYNDICATE

PATRICK J. BUCHANAN could cause a global crash.

In 1973, when President Nixon rescued Israel in the Yom Kippur War, the OPEC Arabs imposed an oil embargo. Gas prices spiked so high Nixon considered taking a train to Florida for Christmas vacation.

The gas price surge so damaged Nixon’s standing with the public that it became a contributing factor in the drive for impeachment.

Today, Trump’s approval rating in the Gallup Poll has reached an all-time high, 46 percent, a level surely related to the astonishing performance of the US economy following Trump’s tax cuts and sweeping deregulation.

While a Gulf war with Iran might be popular at the outset, what would it do for the US economy or our ability to exit the forever war of the Middle East, as Trump has pledged to do?

In late April, in an interview with Fox News, Iran’s foreign minISTER IDENTIkED THOSE HE BELIEVES truly want a US-Iranian war.

Asked if Trump was seeking the confrontation and the “regime change� that Bolton championed before becoming his national security adviser, Mohammad Javad Zarif said no. “I do not believe President Trump wants to do that. I believe President Trump ran on a campaign promise of not bringing the United States into another war. “President Trump himself has said that the US spent $7 trillion in our region ... and the only outcome of that was that we have more terror, we have more insecurity, and we have more instability. “People in our region are making the determination that the presence of the United States is inherently destabilizing. I think President Trump agrees with that.�

But if it is not Trump pushing for confrontation and war with Iran, who is?

Said Zarif, “I believe ‘the Bteam’ wants to actually push the United States, lure President Trump, into a confrontation that he doesn’t want.�

And who makes up “the B-team�?

Zarif identifies them: Bolton, Benjamin Netanyahu, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed.

Should the B-team succeed in its ambitions — it will be Trump’s war, and Trump’s presidency will pay the price. CREATORS.COM

Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of Nixon’s White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever. To find out more about Patrick Buchanan and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators website at www.creators.com.

about a century ago, when he said that “the best argument against DEMOCRACY IS A kVE MINUTE CONversation with the average voter.�

What he meant is known to many: dumb voters are electing politicians TO OFkCE 7E KNOW SOMETHING MORE

of course. Sometimes it is not only about people who neither know nor understand the issues. There are also those who know that they do not know, yet do not care to know anyway. Worse, there are those who, although aware of what is false and what is true, are rationalizing and making up their minds on the basis of lies, even undermining the truth to make themselves comfortable with the lies they embrace.

Something must be amiss somewhere. What is there to know about the average voter — the one that constitutes the majority whose sovereign will shapes the future of our country?

There are telltale signs. As the path of the “welcome-back party� for Revilla and Estrada becomes clear, so is the joke that the average voter is a fan boy, picking good looks over good record. This applies similarly in the case of Lapid and everyone else among the front runners, for whom not only good looks but also media exposure has done amazing results.

For all contenders, voter preferences appear to be mainly a function of awareness. In the survey, all top 7 vote-getters have awareness levels of at least 98 percent.

In that sense the average voter is dependent on the so-called power of recall, which means awareness impact is a product of years of messaging, suggesting that media projections during the months leading up to the election are not enough. Survey results further showed that newcomers like Chel Diokno, Romy Macalintal and

Samira Gutoc (whose media presence promoting their candidacies came out only during the campaign period) have very low awareness levels among respondents, ranging from 31 to 50 percent. Also the awareness factor seems transcendent, as in the case of Poe, whose identity is bundled with that of the late movie great Fernando Poe Jr., and Villar, whose husband, Manny Villar, practically owned media when he campaigned for president in 2011.

Some candidates try to highlight their intellectual superiority over other candidates. This does not seem to excite the average voter, however, who is probably more comfortable and willing to express empathy with the average candidate. Hence there is limited appreciation for blue chips like Pimentel and Pilo Hilbay, both bar topnotchers, or MATHGRAD, who struggles with Larry Gadon, who is not bobo.

In some cases, the average voter could be an outstanding practitioner of his/her craft, a rebel with a cause, a SOLDIER LOYAL TO HIS HER lAG A LEADER that inspires, a brilliant communicator, a multi-awarded community leader, a Facebook friend, etc. whose free will is compromised by promises of career advancement, or by indebtedness to the wellsprings of benefaction made plentiful by a Robin Hood, a drug lord, a warlord, a gambling lord, a political dynast, or a member of whatever cartel.

The average voter can even be a grafter in government, or friends of grafters in government, whose love FOR MONEY IS PERHAPS DRIVEN BY kLIAL obligations, which is an otherwise cherished value in a different context.

Finally, almost everyone by nature loves a winner. Choosing those who lead the surveys makes the average voter a winner himself or herself.

FOCUS

Filipino pastor takes new gay marriage fight to Hong Kong court HONG KONG: As a transgender pastor of a small Hong Kong church that welcomes all sexualities, Marrz Balaoro wants to conduct religious marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples but fears arrest — a battle he is now taking to the courts.

Despite growing support for gay MARRIAGE IN THE INTERNATIONAL kNANCIAL hub, campaigners have made little headway against stiff opposition from the city’s successive pro-Beijing governments and religious conservatives.

But now an unprecedented legal challenge filed by the Filipino Reverend Balaoro turns the more commonly heard religious argument opposing gay marriage on its head. )N A kLING WITH THE CITY S (IGH #OURT he argues that his congregation’s freedom to worship — a right enshrined in Hong Kong’s mini-constitution — is being trampled on by the city’s ban on same-sex marriages. “All we ask for is to be allowed to worship and practise our religious faith in the eyes of God, free from the threat of persecution,� Balaoro explained.

The 62-year-old pastor — who has worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong since 1981 — knows that threat all too well.

In 2017 he was arrested on suspicion of breaking Hong Kong’s

MARRIAGE LAWS FOR OFkCIATING g(OLY Union� ceremonies at the city’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight (LGBTS) Christian Church.

The denomination originated in the Philippines but has a small following among gay domestic workers in the southern Chinese city.

The union ceremonies were religious blessings for same-sex couples with no legal weight and prosecutors eventually dropped the case.

Court protection?

But despite repeated attempts, Balaoro was unable to get written assurances from Hong Kong authorities that he won’t be arrested again should he conduct another union.

His legal application seeks a court declaration that such same-sex religious ceremonies are not illegal.

Balaoro is clear his church’s same-sex ceremonies have no legal substance under Hong Kong law, but he says they carry great spiritual IMPORTANCE FOR HIS lOCK “They know this is just a celebration of love and togetherness,� he told AFP, describing the occasions as “joyous�.

Hong Kong does not recognize samesex marriage or civil unions and only decriminalized homosexuality in 1991.

But a British lesbian won the right to live and work in Hong Kong with her partner in a landmark ruling last year hailed by rights groups.

A separate case has been lodged by two Hong Kong men directly challenging the same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional.

But Balaoro’s application is unusual because it includes a freedom of religion argument. )N THE kLING REQUESTING THE COURT to hear their case, his lawyers said current legislation restricting the “celebration of the religious rite of marriage only to heterosexual monogamous couples� is discriminatory.

Balaoro and his parishioners are “treated differently on the basis of their religion, to their detriment.�

campus,� he said with a laugh.

On top of his full-time job as a domestic worker, he became a pastor in 2013, established the Hong Kong branch of the LGBTS Christian Church a year later, and was ordained as a reverend in 2017.

Born into a Catholic family, he stopped going to church during his high school and college years, citing the discrimination he faced.

But when he later encountered the slogan of the LGBTS Christian Church — “you are accepted for who you are, and safe for what you are� — he found his calling to propagate faith with advocacy. “I think it is my role, it is my duty, not only to the LGBT community but to all people out there [to say] that we exist and there’s nothing wrong with us.�

There are nearly 370,000 migrant ‘Accepted for who you are’ domestic workers in the city — Originally from the Philippine prov- mostly women from the Philippines INCE OF !BRA "ALAORO HAS IDENTIkED AS and Indonesia — often performing menial tasks for low wages while A MALE SINCE THE AGE OF kVE “When I was younger my parents living in poor conditions.

Gay domestic workers, he says, are could not even impose on me to wear dresses and skirts, not until I especially vulnerable, often facing went to a private Catholic [girls’] discrimination at other churches. “The support we need is to school... I wore shorts under my skirt, and I wore a t-shirt under my defend us, to support our cause, long-sleeves, and I took off every- to respect our gender identity. thing on my way out of the school That’s what matters to us.� AFP

Why the Trump administration’s IsraeliPalestinian peace plan shouldn’t be released

BY DOV WAXMAN, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

D

EAD on arrival.

That’s what almost every expert predicts will be the fate of the Trump administration’s long-awaited peace plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As the author of the new book, “The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: What Everyone Needs to Know,� I share this view.

Low expectations Developed in secrecy for the past two years by Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, along with Trump’s longtime lawyers Jason Greenblatt and David Friedman (now US ambassador to Israel), the peace plan’s release has been repeatedly postponed.

According to news reports, it will finally be made public sometime next month. That’s after the new Israeli government is formed and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan ends.

You might think that a plan cloaked in secrecy, aimed at achieving what President Trump has called the “deal of the century� to end the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, would be eagerly anticipated and widely welcomed.

But it seems that no one is enthusiastically waiting for this plan or ready to embrace it, least of all Israelis and Palestinians. Even President Trump has kept his distance from the plan and, reportedly, hasn’t read it in full.

About the only thing the Trump administration’s peace plan has going for it is the fact that nobody expects it to succeed. With expectations so low, there’s less risk that the likely failure of the plan will trigger another round of Israeli-Palestinian violence.

That’s what happened previously when US-led efforts to make peace failed. The Second Intifada, for example, erupted shortly after the failure of the peace talks at Camp David in July 2000.

There are many reasons why Kushner’s peace plan seems doomed to fail.

Some of these are the Trump administration’s own making.

President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December 2017 — with no mention of Palestinian claims to East Jerusalem. Since then, relations between his administration and the Palestinian leadership based in the West Bank have gone from bad to worse.

The administration has taken a series of punitive actions against Palestinians.

They include ending US funding for the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, slashing aid to the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, closing the PLO’s office in Washington, DC and even eliminating funding for Israeli-Palestinian coexistence programs.

But those actions have not forced the Palestinian leadership to be more compliant and compromising.

Instead, the measures stiffened their resistance to American pressure while angering and alienating the Palestinian public, who have suffered as a result of the cutbacks in US aid.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has railed against the Trump administration’s pro-Israel bias, and the Palestinian Authority that Abbas heads has refused to meet with or talk to Trump administration officials.

and investment financed by wealthy Arab gulf states, the Palestinians would have to accept Israeli settlements deep inside the West Bank, Israel’s permanent control over the Jordan Valley and a long-term Israeli military presence in the West Bank, where roughly 2.8 million Palestinians live.

The Palestinians would also have to abandon their demand for a capital in East Jerusalem and maybe even give up their decades-long quest for sovereign statehood.

No Palestinian leader would agree to these terms, which effectively amount to a surrender to long-time Israeli demands, not a peace agreement based on mutual compromise.

Palestinians desperately need economic opportunities. But I doubt they will pressure their leadership to capitulate — as Kushner apparently hopes they will — or forsake their long struggle for national self-determination.

And many younger Palestinians, who are less committed to the goal of Palestinian statehood, would prefer to have Israeli citizenship than live in a small, fragmented, autonomous Palestinian entity.

Nor will Arab states like Saudi Arabia force the Palestinians to accept such a one-sided deal. Kushner’s friend, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, might be willing to offer Abbas billions of dollars, but that won’t entice Abbas to give up Palestinian political aspirations and territorial demands.

Political aspirations vs. money

Prelude to Israeli annexation

Even if President Abbas were not so hostile to the Trump administration and vice versa, he would never accept the terms of the peace plan that Kushner and company have devised.

Although its details remain secret, its broad outlines have gradually emerged.

In exchange for a massive infusion of aid

While the Palestinians are bound to reject the Trump administration’s peace plan, the Israelis are unlikely to fully embrace it, despite its decidedly pro-Israel bent.

Prime Minister Netanyahu will certainly be careful not to antagonize President Trump, with whom he has forged a friendship and political alliance.

Dim chance of success

But he will also be careful not to lose the support of his coalition partners on which the survival of his government depends.

It seems likely that Netanyahu’s government will include far-right parties that want Israel to annex the West Bank, in whole or in part. They will object to any plan that cedes West Bank territory to the Palestinians, since they regard it as sacred land that belongs to the Jewish people for eternity.

I believe there is a real risk that a new, right-wing Israeli government will seize upon Palestinian rejection of Kushner’s peace plan to justify annexing Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

In a television interview shortly before the recent Israeli election, Netanyahu promised to extend Israeli sovereignty to its settlements in the West Bank. This was undoubtedly a last-minute bid by Netanyahu to convince right-wing Israelis, especially settlers, to vote for his Likud Party.

Yet Netanyahu may have no choice but to fulfill this promise if he forms a right-wing government with a slim parliamentary majority. The inevitable failure of Kushner’s peace plan might give him the perfect opportunity to do this – with American acquiescence, if not support.

To avoid this danger, and the potentially dire consequences that could follow from Israel’s annexation of its West Bank settlements, I think it would be better if the Trump administration just kept its peace plan to itself.

Releasing the plan will probably do more harm than good. It almost certainly won’t bring peace, and it could ultimately lead to a severe deterioration in Israeli-Palestinian relations.

ASSOCIATED PRESS (AP) This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

Regions PNP, military all set to secure May polls ˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

T

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Phillippine National Police (PNP) in Mindanao, Calabarzon and Bulacan assured the public that it had enough men and resources to help ensure the midyear polls are held peacefully on Monday.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) chief of information, said troops deployed in their respective areas were conducting support programs in communities, including security operations to ensure the safety of preparations for the polls and the movement of election paraphernalia

to the different polling centers.

Additional troops would support the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Comprehensive and Integrated Security Plan, together with the military and the PNP Joint Security Coordinating Committee in the different regions, provinces and municipalities in eastern Mindanao.

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., EastMinCom commander, directed the organization of regional, provincial and municipal Rapid Deployable Force and Quick Reaction Teams to support the PNP when the need arises.

He encouraged the public to exercise their freedom to vote and assured everyone of the safe and secure conduct of the elections.

The Election Monitoring Action Centers (EMAC) at all levels of EastMinCom were now interconnected with the Comelec and PNPEMACs, he added.

The Caraga Region (PNP-13) would deploy around 1,100 police OFkCERS TO SECURE POLLING PRECINCTS Police Brig. Gen. Gilberto DC Cruz, PNP-13 regional director, led the send-off ceremony for 1,142

POLICE OFkCERS TO THEIR POSTS IN VARIous areas in the Caraga.

The more than 1,000 PNP deployed are composed of personnel from the PNP-13 headquarters, Special Weapons and Tactics, Special Action Force, support units, Regional Mobile Force Battalion and police OFkCERS WHO ARE ON MANDATORY AND specialized trainings.

They will man police assistance desks, conduct checkpoints, and enforce election laws. “With our security preparations in place, I believe we are more than ready for the electoral process. Let us give our best shot to ensure the safety and security of the 2019 midterm polls,� Cruz said in a statement.

Similarly, Comelec 4A Regional Election Director Gloria Ramos-

Daraga PNP 3 dead, 76 injured in Quezon tour bus, truck collision to Baldo: Surrender peacefully DARAGA, ALBAY: Embattled Mayor Carlwyn Baldo was still a no show on Tuesday after a police team went back to his house to serve the arrest warrant for murder issued against him by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Legaspi City.

The Daraga Philippine National Police (PNP) launched task force Charlie to hunt down Baldo, who reportedly went into hiding after RTC Judge Maria Theresa San Juan Loquillano of Branch 10 issued the arrest warrant.

Lt. Col. Rodelon Betita, Daraga chief of police, called on Baldo to surrender peacefully to the authorities.

Betita and the members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Monday tried to arrest Baldo twice, but failed as the mayor was not in his home in Barangay Tagas.

Justin Batocabe, eldest son of the slain lawmaker Rodel Batocabe, also asked Baldo to surrender peacefully. “We hope that Mr. Baldo peacefully surrenders to the authorities in order that trial could proceed,� he said.

Baldo’s lawyer, Merito Lovenzky Fernandez, said his client would eventually surrender. “We will issue an official statement today (Tuesday) and Mayor Baldo will surrender peacefully to the authorities as soon as he resurfaces. As of now, we don’t know the whereabouts of Mayor Baldo,�

Fernandez said.

Baldo was accused of masterminding the assassination of Batocabe and his police escort Senior Police Officer 4 Orlando Diaz on Dec. 22, 2018.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Bicol (DILG) said Vice Mayor Victor Perete might take over Baldo’s post if he would not report to the office within the next three days.

Perete and Batocabe’s wife Gertrudes are challenging Baldo for mayor of Daraga.

DILG Bicol Regional Director Anthony Nuyda said they were giving Baldo four days to appear and heed the court order or they would appoint Perete to succeed him following the rule of succession under the Local Government Code.

Daraga was placed under the Commission on Elections (Comelec) control after Batocabe’s killing.

Not ground for disqualification Baldo would remain a candidate in the midterm polls n Monday even if a warrant of arrest has been issued against him in connection with the assasination of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, the Comelec said.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said Baldo remains a candidate since an arrest WARRANT WAS NOT A GROUND FOR DISQUALIkCATION “It does not affect his candidacy. It does not disqualify him. So if he gets arrested, he gets arrested. Let’s hope for an orderly administraiton of justice,� he added.

Jimenez said one could be disqualified from running for public office only upon final conviction, stressing that an accused remains innocent until proven guilty.

He reiterated that even a reeelctionist candidate included in the narcolist of President Rodrigo Duterte, the police or the interior and local government department, could run for OFkCE AS THEY COULD NOT BE DISQUALIkED RHAYDZ B. BARCIAÂ AND WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

ATIMONAN, Quezon: Three people died and 76 others were injured when a travel and tour bus collided with a delivery truck on Monday night in Barangay Sta. Catalina of this town.

Police said the AMV Travel and Tours Bus (temporary plate 050404) was heading towards Bicol, carrying 66 passengers, when it crashed head on with an Isuzu wing van (AAQ 8534).

The collision instantly killed truck driver Benedict Belencio, 29, of Barangay Calabanga, Camarines Sur and his passenger Michael Gerona, 28, of Bulala Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte. The third fatality who was not immedi-

ately identified was a tour bus passenger. Injured were 76 people, including the 65 tour bus passengers who were brought to Doùa Martha Memorial District Hospital and Nuestra Seùora De los Angeles Hospital, both in Atimonan town.

Police report said the tour bus overtook a vehicle on its lane before colliding with the incoming Isuzu wing van driven by Maximo Leoriego, 61, of Grace Park, Caloocan City.

Leoriego was detained at Atimonan Police Custodial Facility, facing charges, including homicide and multiple serious physical injuries and damage to properties.

BELLY M. OTORDOZ

LRT 1 EXTENSION Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (left) and First Pacific Company Chief Executive Officer Manuel Pangilinan lead other officials in the ceremonial start of the construction for the P64-billion Light Railway Transit (LRT) Line 1 South extension (Cavite) Project on Tuesday. The LRT 1 extension will start from the Baclaran line to traverse the cities of ParaĂąaque, Las PiĂąas and Bacoor in Cavite.

PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

Emano dies at 76 FORMER Cagayan De Oro City mayor Vicente “Dongkoy� Emano died of pneumonia on Tuesday morning; he was 76 .

His body was cremated and his cremains are now at his residence in Santa Cecilia Village, Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City.

Emano, the founding father of Padayon Pilipino, an accredited regional political party, served as governor of Misamis Oriental from 1986 to 1995. He was elected mayor of Cagayan De Oro City in 1998 and served his terms until 2007.

In 2007, he was elected as vice mayor of Cagayan de Oro City and served until 2010, when he was again elected as mayor; he

served until 2013. %MANO kLED HIS CERTIkCATE OF CANDIDACY FOR vice mayor of Cagayan de Oro City in the May 13 elections, under the coalition of Padayon Pilipino and the Centrist Democratic Party.

Emano is survived by his wife Alona and children Bambi, Trixia and Nadia.

Incumbent Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi� Emano, the family spokesman, said the wake of his father would last for three days.

The Commission on Elections here said any MEMBER OF THE %MANO FAMILY MIGHT kLE TO substitute for the candidacy of the late mayor.

CRIS DIAZ

Quick action to address meningitis urged tis in the country, Bravo reminded Filipinos to not be complacent about the potential THE Philippine Foundation for Vaccina- danger they face.

According to PFV President Shelley Ann tion (PFV), in partnership with governde la Vega, the most effective way to protect ment organizations, medical societies, one’s self against certain types of bacterial nongovernment organizations, academe, meningitis is to get vaccinated, which docthe Confederation of Meningitis Organitors had proven to be very safe.

ZATION AND THE 0ASAY #ITY (EALTH /FkCE

“This annual campaign encourages indiurged the public to seek immediate medividuals, families and communities to learn the cal advice when they see signs or sympsigns and symptoms of meningitis, the need to toms of meningitis. urgently treat the disease, and the fact that preg-ENINGITIS IS THE INlAMMATION OF THE vention is available through vaccination against protective membranes that cover our brain some forms of meningitis,� she said. and spinal cord,� explained PFV Executive De la Vega also explained the case of Director Lulu Bravo. meningococcemia, symptoms of which “It could be bacterial or viral, although there were not readily recognizable and often are also fungal forms of the disease. Bacterial WERE MISTAKEN FOR A BAD CASE OF THE lU 4HE meningitis, though rare, is the most serious form and without prompt treatment could cause family should always suspect the worst if paralysis, stroke, seizures, sepsis (severe blood a member begins to exhibit anxiety, fever, headache, irritability, muscle pain, nausea infection) and even death,� she said.

Bravo added that even if a patient recov- and presence of rash with red or purple spots.

In celebration of the World Meningitis ers from meningitis, other health problems Day on April 24, as well as the World Immight rise owing to the damage it causes munization Week from April 24 to 30, the to the brain. Among these are memory foundation conducted vaccination among loss, permanent blurry vision, blindness CHILDREN

A ZUMBA kTNESS ROUTINE AND A and hearing loss. meningitis lay forum.

But despite decreasing cases of meningiBY MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY

Petallo, Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay and 0OLICE 2EGIONAL /FkCE ! $IRECTOR Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza, on Monday led the send off of troops to do election duties in the polling precints and other areas in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) region.

A total of 12,584 personnel from THE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND kVE 0OLICE 0ROVINCIAL /FkCES AND military personnel were deployed to render election duties.

Carranza reminded the police OFkCERS THAT AS PUBLIC SERVANTS THEY should keep in mind at all times the policy of nonpartisanship. “Those who have their own political afkLIATIONS AND OR RELATIVES RUNNING for certain seats in the government,

A7

must refrain from showing their support and patronage,� he added.

Election Information Cards were distributed to the troops for easy access to the EMAC and Tactical Operation Center, as well as the Guidelines in Securing Polling Centers.

Meanwhile, in a ceremony held at the provincial headquarters of THE "ULACAN 0OLICE 0ROVINCIAL /FkCE (PPO), some 1,805 police personnel were dispatched to render election duties in the province.

Police Col. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan PPO director, said the police OFkCERS WOULD BE DEPLOYED TO DIFFERent polling centers to secure the vote counting machines and other election paraphernalia provincewide.

WITH ROSELLE R. AQUINO AND FREDERICK SILVERIO

A8

News

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Meralco to cut rates in May

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

T

HE Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Tuesday said it would reduce rates by P0.2728 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in May. This brings overall electricity rates to P10.2866 per kWh this month from P10.5594 per kWh in April.

Households that consume 200 kWh will notice a decrease of P54.56 in their monthly bill; a 300-kWh consumption will

see an P81.84-reduction; 400 kWh, P109.12; and 500 kWh, P136.40.

In a statement, Meralco said the decrease was due to reduced generation charge primarily because of lower rates from the independent power producers (IPPs) and power supply agreements (PSAs) offsetting higher prices from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

For May, generation charge went down by P0.0814 per kWh to P5.5508 per kWh from last month’s P5.6322 per kWh. Rates from IPPs and PSAs dropped by P0.7544 per kWh and P0.5143 per kWh, respectively, because of the strengthening of the Philippine peso against the US dollar and lower fuel prices for coal and Malampaya natural gas.

The price of natural gas from Malampaya, which accounts for about 64 percent of Meralco’s supply, declined this month due TO QUARTERLY REPRICING TO RElECT lower crude oil prices in the global market.

The WESM prices rose by P3.5355 per kWh because of tight supply conditions in Luzon, which resulted in seven yellow alerts and seven red alerts declared by the

National Grid Corp. of the Philippines during the month.

But transmission charge for residential customers went down

by P0.0808 per kWh because of higher system load factor.

Taxes and other charges also fell

by P0.1106 per kWh. Meralco’s distribution, supply and metering charges, meanwhile, have remained unchanged for 46 months.

Marcos signature in Crisologo ‘pardon’ forged — expert A former document forensics chief of the National Bureau of Investigation maintained that former president Ferdinand Marcos’ signature in an absolute pardon document granted to Quezon City mayoral candidate Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo was forged.

In his report, Desiderio Pagui pointed to inconsistencies between Marcos’ signature on the document dated Jan. 24, 1986 that allegedly granted pardon to Crisologo and the genuine signatures of the late president from 1980 to 1985.

Using a process requiring microscopy, ultraviolet light examination and photography, scientific findings revealed “significant differences in individual handwriting and habit writing characteristics between questioned and standard signatures,” the report said.

“The questioned signature appearing on the absolute pardon is constricted, while those in the genuine specimen signature of the late Ferdinand Marcos are expanded and contain larger size of strokes or writing,” Pagui said.

“There is a pen stop at the latter portion of that signature [in the pardon], which means that the writer stopped because he was not aware of the usual habitual writing model of the genuine writer. Thus, the scientific conclusion arrived at is that the questioned signature ‘FE Marcos’ appearing on the absolute pardon dated Jan. 24, 1986 was not affixed or signed by the person whose standard signatures were made the basis of scientific comparative examinations,” he concluded in his report.

The study commissioned by those behind the disqualification petition against Crisologo supports the claim that the latter was not given clemency for his double life imprisonment sentence for arson and homicide.

Crisologo was convicted in 1970 and imprisoned for the burning of Barangay Ora Centro and Ora Este in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. In 1981, he received a conditional pardon from Marcos and allegedly received an absolute pardon on Jan. 24, 1986.

Certifications from Malacañang and the Board of Pardons and Parole, however, show that both offices have documents stating Crisologo’s conditional pardon, but no record of the absolute pardon.

The petition said without such pardon, Crisologo should not be allowed to run for public office.

LAST SESSION

Members of the House of Representatives attend the necrological service held for former House speaker Prospero Nograles. PHOTO BY ROGER RAÑADA

House honors former Speaker Nograles The House of Representatives on Tuesday paid its last respects to former speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles.

The necrological services at the session hall started with a Requiem Mass in the morning, followed by the delivery of eulogies from Nograles’ colleagues and friends.

In attendance were Nograles’ wife Rhodora and their sons Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles and PBA party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles.

Former House secretary general Marilyn Yap described Nograles as her “friend, boss, captain, leader, and [her] most beloved speaker.”

“I have served many majority leaders before him.

But he was, by far, the most methodical, the most hardworking. He was driven to achieve as much as

he can,” Yap said, adding that Nograles even treated the House staff with utmost care and respect.

Former speaker and Quezon City mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte praised Nograles for building a legacy full of dedication and sincerity, HAVING BEEN A TRAILBLAZER AND PATRIARCH AS THE kRST Mindanaoan speaker.

“I now bid farewell to a statesman and a public servant, and give him a staunch salute for a life well-lived. It was a privilege to witness his dedicated service to the Filipino people,” Belmonte said.

Former Mandaluyong City representative and House Majority leader Neptali Gonzales 2nd described Nograles as a reliable friend, whose proud ways came with genuine kindness and service.

“In a very endearing way, he was mayabang

(proud), but super kind, caring and a reliable friend; he serves and loves the country. If he was ever proud, I have loved and embraced him because of it. Boss, I will miss you,” he said.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who considered Nograles a “friend for more than 50 years,” recounted the latter’s love for singing “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong during their last reunion.

“I would like to thank Boy, today is, yes Boy, what a wonderful world you helped to create with your friendship, with your work; and I believe that even us, your family, the House of Representatives and the secretariat, will miss you,” she said.

Nograles died at the age of 71 on Saturday.

GLEE JALEA

Namfrel withdrawal ‘childish’– Macalintal VETERAN lawyer Romulo “Romy” Macalintal on Tuesday criticized the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) for turning down its accreditation as citizen watchdog of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), calling its action “childish.”

“Namfrel’s explanation regarding its withdrawal of accreditation gives the wrong impression that the Comelec will not be transparent in the conduct of the election, thus affecting all efforts of the poll body to assure the voters that said election will be honest and credible,” Macalintal, Senate aspirant under the Otso Diretso opposition slate, said.

“It’s too childish for Namfrel to withdraw [the] Comelec accreditation simply because it was not given certain documents or data in connection with previous polls,” he added.

-ACALINTAL URGED .AMFREL TO kLE A PETITION FOR mandamus before the Supreme Court to compel Comelec to release corresponding data and documents, which they had earlier requested if they believe that the poll body denied this plea.

“Such withdrawal by the Namfrel might create fear or suspicion among the electorate on the credibility of the elections,” he said.

The Comelec on Monday said it would look for a new citizen’s arm to replace Namfrel, even with only a few days left until the May 13 elections.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body did not grant Namfrel’s request for data for “security reasons.”

He said Namfrel’s withdrawal would not affect THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS AS THE kNAL TESTING AND sealing of 85,000 vote-counting machines had started.

GLEE JALEA

Belmonte vows zero corruption QUEZON City mayoral candidate Vice Mayor *OSEkNA g*OYu "ELMONTE PROMISED ZERO CORRUPtion as she vowed to uphold fairness, honesty, transparency and accountability if she is elected as mayor of the city on May 13.

“Malinis ang pangalan namin bilang Belmonte at hindi ako gagawa ng anuman para mabahiran ang pangalang Belmonte. Malinis na paglilingkod, tapat na paglilingkod, at paglilingkod na para sa lahat. Pantay-pantay, walang palakasan (I will never tarnish the name our father has established. I promise real service for all, that’s the Belmonte brand),” she said.

Belmonte thanked her supporters following the latest survey by RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMDinc) that showed her leading with 60-percent voter preference over her opponents Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo and Ismael “Chuck” Mathay 3rd.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa tiwala at paninindigan sa akin ng mga mamamayan natin sa Quezon City. Totoo naman, kapag hinanap niyo ‘yung pangalan ko sa internet, kahit kailan hindi ako nasangkot sa anumang iskandalo.

Hindi ako naakusahang nagnakaw sa kaban ng bayan, at hindi ako nag-abuso sa kapangyarihan kung hindi, lahat ng panahon ko ay inilaan ko sa taumbayan (I thank Quezon City residents for their trust. If you search my name on the INTERNET YOU WILL kND THAT ) WAS NEVER IMPLICATED in any scandal or corruption. I never abused my power),” Belmonte said.

She vowed to strictly implement the ordinances passed by the Quezon City Council under her SUPERVISION AS THE PRESIDING OFkCER DURING HER term as vice mayor of Quezon City.

“Marami kaming naipasang ordinansa sa Quezon City Council na nais kong pagtuunan ng pansin kung ako ay mapo-promote.

Nand’yan ang Quezon City University, Protection Centers for Women and Children, solusyon sa pabahay at palupa, crime reduction sa ating lungsod, social services, at marami pang iba (We passed many ordinances that I wand to push such as the establishment of Quezon City University, Protection Centers for Women and Children and solutions to housing problem and JAIME R. PILAPIL crime,” Belmonte said.

PSEi 7,910.63 UP 0.62%

P51.86 TO $1

WEDNESDAY MAY 7, 2019 ASIAN STOCKS: V S h a n g h a i 0 . 6 9 %

Business Times www.manilatimes.net

V S i n g a p o re 0 . 6 7 %

W Seoul 0.88%

W To k yo 1 . 5 1 %

V Jakarta 0.65%

SEC MATTERS

V H o n g Ko n g 0 . 5 2 %

B2

W

CURRENCY RATE

B1

W B a n g ko k 0 . 5 6 %

Inflation eases to 3.0% in April

BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

T

HE slower increase in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages caused the Philippines’ HEADLINE INlATION TO SLOW FURTHER TO PERCENT IN April, the lowest recorded in 16 months, the Philippine 3TATISTICS !UTHORITY 03! REPORTED ON 4UESDAY )N A BRIEkNG THE STATE RUN STATISTICS AGENCY SAID THE RATE OF THE INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF GOODS AND SERVICES WAS LOWER THAN -ARCH S PERCENT AND YEAR AGO S PERCENT 4HE !PRIL RATE FALLS WITHIN THE PERCENT TO PERCENT RANGE OF THE

"ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 AND THE PERCENT TO PERCENT FORECAST OF ANALYSTS POLLED BY 4HE -ANILA 4IMES ,AST MONTH S INlATION WAS THE LOW EST SINCE THE PERCENT POSTED IN $E

Q A shrimp vendor waits for buyers at his stall in Manila’s Quinta market on Tuesday, the day the Philippine Statistics Authority announced that headline inflation eased to 3.0 percent in April.

PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

ÂłEases B3

Govt debt reaches record P7.802T

Dollar reserves hit $84B in April 4(% COUNTRY S DOLLAR RESERVES ROSE TO A MONTH HIGH OF BILLION IN !PRIL ON THE BACK OF THE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPERATIONS AND INVEST MENT INCOME PLUS FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS BY THE GOVERNMENT 4HE kGURE ‡ THE LARGEST SINCE /CTOBER S BILLION ‡ WAS ALSO PERCENT AND PERCENT HIGHER RESPECTIVELY FROM -ARCH AND A YEAR AGO PRELIMINARY DATA RELEASED ON 4UESDAY SHOWED 4HE MONTH ON MONTH INCREASE WAS DUE gMAINLY TO INlOWS ARISING FROM THE "30 S FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPERATIONS NATIONAL GOVERNMENT S NET FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS AND "30 S INCOME FROM ITS INVESTMENTS ABROAD u THE CENTRAL BANK SAID IN A STATEMENT 4HESE WERE PARTIALLY TEMPERED

BY NATIONAL GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS FOR FOREIGN EXCHANGE OBLIGATIONS AS WELL AS REVALUATION LOSSES FROM THE "30 S GOLD HOLDINGS AS GLOBAL PRICES OF THE METAL FELL "ANK OF THE 0HILIPPINE )SLANDS 6ICE 0RESIDENT AND LEAD ECONOMIST %MILIO .ERI *R SAID THE INCREASE IN ')2 WAS A gWELCOME DEVELOP MENT u g&URTHER REPLENISHING OUR ')2 HAS BECOME MORE COMPELLING

HOWEVER AS THE ECONOMY S IMPORTS HAVE GROWN EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS u HE ADDED 4HE LATEST RESERVE LEVEL WAS ENOUGH TO COVER MONTHS WORTH

ÂłReserves B5

THE national government’s outstanding debt ballooned to a record-high P7.802 trillion in March due to currency adjustments and net issuance of government securities, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Treasury bureau said the amount was a 4.7-percent or P350.701-billion increase from February’s P7.451 trillion. “Of the total stock, 33.4 percent were sourced from external markets, while 66.6 percent were owed to domestic creditors,� it added.

Domestic borrowings totaling P5.196 trillion — up 6.1 percent from the previous month — accounted

for the bulk of outstanding debt, while external debt rose by 2.04 percent to P2.605 trillion.

Outstanding debt the year before stood at P6.878 trillion, with domestic and foreign obligations at P4.465 trillion and P2.413 trillion, respectively. “For the month, the increment in the level of domestic debt was caused by the net issuance of government securities amounting to P298.21 billion and the P0.43-billion revaluation of onshore dollar bonds brought about by peso depreciation,� the Treasury said.

A foreign exchange rate of P52.629 against the dollar was used for the latest

data, down from February’s P51.769:$1. The exchange rate used a year earlier was P52.250:$1.

The increase in foreign debt for the month was “due to the impact of local currency fluctuation against the US dollar amounting to P42.42 billion and net availment of foreign loans amounting to P11.00 billion,� the BTr said.

On the other hand, net depreciation on third-currency denominated debt carved out P1.36 billion, it added.

Government-guaranteed debt, meanwhile, climbed

by P6.296 billion or 1.3 percent to P479.667 billion in February, down 4.4 percent from the year-ago figure.

ÂłDebt B3

Lower inflation buoys PSEi 4(% STOCK MARKET JUMPED BACK TO THE LEVEL ON 4UESDAY AS INVESTORS CHEERED NEWS OF THE EAS ING INlATION FOR !PRIL 4HE BELLWETHER 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE INDEX 03%I ROSE BY PERCENT OR POINTS TO CLOSE AT WHILE THE BROADER !LL 3HARES GREW BY PERCENT OR POINTS TO END AT

0 0 4RADE /NLINE SALES ASSOCIATE 'ABRIEL *OSE 0EREZ POINTED TO INlA TION AS HAVING BUOYED THE INDEX 4HE 0HILIPPINE 3TATISTICS !UTHOR ITY 03! SAID CONSUMER PRICES EASED TO PERCENT FROM PER CENT IN -ARCH 4HE 03! SAID LAST MONTH S INlATION WAS THE LOWEST SINCE *ANUARY AND ALSO SETTLED WITHIN THE TO PERCENT TAR

What’s inside ARE WE INCENTIVIZING AUTHENTICITY? – FROM BusinessB2 WHERE WE SIT

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CHEAPER PRODUCTS STILL IN THE MARKET – DTI

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SOLON LAUDS SC RULING ON PSAS

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LT GROUP HIKES CAPEX BY 73% TO P19B

ÂťCorporate NewsB4

PETRON Q1 INCOME DOWN 77% TO P1.3B

ÂťCorporate NewsB5

XI’S TRADE MAN TO VISIT US DESPITE TARIFFS

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GET RANGE OF THE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS WITH SLOWER ANNUAL INCREASE IN THE HEAVILY WEIGHTED FOOD AND NON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ACCOUNTED FOR THE DROP )N A SEPARATE COMMENT %AGLE %QUITIES )NC RESEARCH HEAD #HRIS TOPHER -ANGUN SAID THE MARKET SLIGHTLY RECOVERED AFTER THE SELL OFF THE PRIOR DAY -ANGUN SAID MARKET PLAYERS WERE LIKELY ON A WAIT AND SEE MODE UNTIL AFTER ELECTIONS g)T IS A VERY GOOD TIME TO START ACCUMULATING ISSUES WHILE THEY ARE AT A LOWER PRICE 7E ARE STILL ANTICIPATING A BIG MOVE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS u HE SAID 4HE LOCAL MARKET BUCKED 7ALL 3TREET S DECLINE 4HE $OW *ONES

DROPPED BY PERCENT THE 3 0 DECLINED PERCENT

AND THE .ASDAQ DECREASED PERCENT 2EGIONAL MARKETS WERE MIXED AS 4OKYO FELL PERCENT 3EOUL DE CLINED PERCENT AND "ANGKOK SLIPPED PERCENT 3HANGHAI GREW PERCENT (ONG +ONG ROSE PERCENT *AKARTA GREW PERCENT 3INGAPORE INCREASED PERCENT )N -ANILA ONLY THE INDUSTRIAL INDEX kNISHED IN THE RED DOWN PERCENT -ORE THAN MILLION ISSUES WERE TRADED VALUED AT 0 BILLION 7INNERS LED LOSERS TO

WHILE ISSUES WERE UNCHANGED ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Serafica is Premier Horizon’s top man

A

UGUSTO Antonio C. 3ERAkCA *R IS CHAIRMAN OF THE NINE PERSON BOARD OF 0REMIERE (ORIZON !LLIANCE #ORP 0(! AND THE COM PANY S PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER ACCORDING TO THE WEBSITE OF THE 0HILIP PINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE 03% 4HE NINE MAN BOARD ALSO INCLUDES 3ISO - ,AO AS VICE CHAIRMAN AND kVE REGULAR DIRECTORS NAMELY 2AUL -A & !NONAS 2AMON ! 2ECTO 6ICTOR 9 ,IM 'EORGE 9 3YCIP AND 7INSTON ! #HAN )TS INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS ARE !RSENIO "ENJAMIN % 3ANTOS AND 2AMON ' 3ANTOS /N -AY

3ERAkCA BOUGHT MILLION 0(! COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH 4HE AD DITIONAL ACQUISITION INCREASED THE NUMBER OF 0(! COMMON SHARES HE EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OWNS TO MILLION 0(!

COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT OF BILLION OUTSTANDING 0(! COMMON SHARES )N A SEPARATE kLING DATED !PRIL

3ERAFICA DISCLOSED HIS AC QUISITIONS OF 0(! COM MON SHARES IN THREE TRADES

WHICH RAISED HIS HOLDINGS TO MILLION 0(!

COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT 3ERAkCA BOUGHT MILLION 0(! COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH

0(! COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH AND

0(! COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH !GAIN HE CLASSIkED HIS OWNERSHIP OF 0(!

COMMON SHARES ONLY AS $ ) 4HE TWO LET TERS STAND FOR DIRECT AND INDIRECT (E FAILED TO DISCLOSE THE PERCENTAGE EQUIVALENT OF HIS TOTAL HOLDINGS /N -AY

0(! OPENED THE SESSION AT 0 AND HIT A HIGH OF 0 DROPPED TO A LOW OF 0 BUT CLOSED HIGHER AT 0

Insider’s sale %DUARDO * 3ORIANO IS VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE

ÂłPerez B2

PH factory output declines in March 4(% COUNTRY S MANUFACTURING OUTPUT BOTH IN VOLUME AND VALUE

DROPPED IN -ARCH COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO THE 0HILIPPINE 3TATIS TICS !UTHORITY 03! REPORTED ON 4UESDAY 2ESULTS OF THE LATEST -ONTHLY )NTEGRATED 3URVEY OF 3ELECTED )N DUSTRIES SHOWED THAT THE VOLUME OF PRODUCTION INDEX 6O0) FOR THE MONTH PLUNGED TO PERCENT

COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR S PER CENT EXPANSION AND &EBRUARY S PERCENT CONTRACTION !CCORDING TO THE STATE RUN STA TISTICS AGENCY EIGHT MAJOR INDUSTRY

GROUPS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VOLUME DROP LED BY FURNITURE AND kXTURES PERCENT FOOD MANUFACTURING PERCENT AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS PERCENT 4HE COUNTRY S VALUE OF PRODUC TION INDEX 6A0) MEANWHILE

SLIPPED BY PERCENT REVERSING THE PERCENT EXPANSION A YEAR EARLIER AND SLIGHTLY IMPROVING ON &EBRUARY S PERCENT DECLINE IN &EBRUARY 4HE 03! BLAMED THE DECLINE IN VALUE TO gDECREASES IN THE INDICES

ÂłFactory B5

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

Cheaper products still T in the market – DTI C

BY TYRONE C. PIAD

ONSUMERS CAN STILL kND CHEAPER PRODUCTS in the market despite a hike on the suggested retail price (SRP) of some basic goods, the Department of Trade and Industry $4) SAID ON 4UESDAY 4HE $4) INDICATED THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT DID NOT FOLLOW THE HIGHER 320 FOR THEIR MERCHANDIZES FOR FEAR OF TURNING OFF CONSUMERS g"USINESS PRINCIPLE DICTATES THAT COMPANIES DO NOT NECESSARILY INCREASE THEIR PRICES EASILY AS THEY ARE ALSO AFRAID OF LOSING LOYAL CUSTOMERS TO COMPETITION u 4RADE 3ECRETARY 2AMON ,OPEZ SAID (E WELCOMED THE DEVELOPMENT

SAYING g;)T IS= VERY IMPORTANT THAT

NOT ALL BRANDS WOULD INCREASE THEIR PRICES SO CONSUMERS WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A CHEAPER OPTION u g#OMPETITION PROVIDES THIS AS SURANCE OF HAVING VARIOUS PRICES AND CONSUMERS HAVING THE FREE DOM TO CHOOSE u HE ADDED "ASED ON ITS PRICE MONITORING

THE $4) REPORTED PRICES FOR CANNED MILK COFFEE REkLL IN COFFEE

BREAD DETERGENT LAUNDRY SOUP

CANDLES CANNED MEAT AND BATTERIES

Q PEREZ FROM B1

OF BILLION OUTSTANDING !.3 COMMON SHARES )N A FILING 3ORIANO REDUCED HIS INDIRECT HOLDINGS TO MILLION !.3 COMMON SHARES AFTER SELLING MILLION SHARES AT 0 EACH ON -AY !FTER SELLING HE WAS LEFT WITH DIRECT OWNERSHIP OF !.3 COM MON SHARES AND MILLION !.3 COMMON SHARES (IS DIRECT AND INDIRECT OWNERSHIP OF !.3 COMMON SHARES REPRESENTS PERCENT 4HE SAME DISCLOSURE LISTED THE PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS AS OWNERS OF MILLION !.3 COM MON SHARES OR PERCENT ,IKE OTHER COMPANIES WITH LIST ED COMMON SHARES

! 3ORIANO S PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS DO NOT HAVE ANYONE TO REP RESENT THEM IN THE COMPANY S BOARD

Serafica SEVEN PERSON BOARD OF ! 3ORIANO #ORP !.3 ! PUBLIC OWNERSHIP REPORT 0/2 AS OF -ARCH

SHOWED HE DIRECTLY OWNED m AND STILL DOES !.3 COMMON SHARES )N ADDITION HE ALSO INDI RECTLY HELD MILLION !.3 COMMON SHARES PLACING HIS TOTAL HOLDINGS TO MILLION !.3 COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT

Majority owner !NSCOR #ONSOLIDATED #ORP IS NOT ONLY gMORE THAN u OWNER OF COMMON SHARES IN !.3 IT IS THE COMPANY S MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER

WERE NOT RAISED 4HE $4) SAID ITEMS OR JUST PERCENT OF THE TOTAL SHELF KEEPING UNITS 3+5S HAD PRICE INCREASE 3IXTY kVE PERCENT OF THESE HIKES WERE LESS THAN 0 IT ADDED !LSO THE $4) NOTED THAT LESS THAN HALF OF SARDINE BRANDS AND ONLY EIGHT INSTANT NOODLES SAW PRICE JUMPS &URTHER THE $4) SAID OUT OF THE BOTTLED WATER ITEMS ONLY HAD HIGHER PRICE ALONG WITH FOUR OF THE TOILET SOAP 3+5S AND kVE OF THE BRANDS OF CONDIMENTS ,OPEZ SAID THE PRICE HIKES WERE DUE TO THE INCREASING RAW MATERIALS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED 320 DETER MINANTS 2AW MATERIALS WITH IN CREASED COSTS ARE TAMBAN HERRING

WHEAT FLOUR CARTON WRAPPERS

SEASONING RAW VINEGAR IMPORTED

VINEGAR kSH EXTRACT AND WAREHOUS ING AND LOGISTICS COST 4HE $4) DESCRIBED THE PRICE HIKES AS @DELAYED NOTING THAT PRICE INCREASES WERE PUT ON HOLD LAST YEAR gSO AS NOT TO WORSEN THE ISSUE ON INlATION u -EANWHILE THE CONSUMER GROUP ,ABAN +ONSYUMER CHALLENGED THE $4) TO IMPOSE PRICE ROLLBACKS TO RElECT THE EASING INlATION g4HE RISING PRICES SIMPLY DO NOT MAKE SENSE )NlATION HAS BEEN GOING DOWN AND WITHIN TARGET BUT WHY ARE ".0# BASIC NECES SITIES AND PRIME COMMODITIES PRICES CONTINUING TO GO UP u ,ABAN +ON SYUMER 0RESIDENT 6ICTORIO $IMAGIBA SAID IN A STATEMENT )NlATION HAS SETTLED TO PER CENT IN !PRIL FALLING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT S TARGET OF PERCENT RANGE

! PUBLIC OWNERSHIP REPORT 0/2 AS OF -ARCH LISTED !NSCOR AS DIRECT OWNER OF MILLION !.3 COMMON SHARES AND INDIRECT HOLDER OF MIL LION !.3 COMMON SHARES FOR TOTAL HOLDINGS OF BILLION !.3 COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT OF BILLION OUTSTANDING !.3 COMMON SHARES )N !PRIL !NSCOR BOUGHT

!.3 COMMON SHARES MOSTLY AT 0 EACH IN TRANSAC TIONS )T HAD ONLY ONE TRADE WHEN IT BOUGHT !.3 COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH !NSCOR S ACQUISITIONS OF

!.3 COMMON SHARES INCREASED ITS HOLDINGS TO BILLION !.3 COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT /N -AY

!.3 OPENED TRADING AT 0 THE SESSION S HIGH FELL TO A LOW OF 0 AND CLOSED AT 0

SALES OR ACQUISITIONS OF ADDITIONAL SHARES WHICH COULD BE EITHER COMMON OR PREFERRED 4HEY WOULD NEVER KNOW WHO ARE BUYING AND WHO ARE SELLING UNLESS 3%# OF kCIALS STRICTLY IMPLEMENT THE FULL DISCLOSURE RULE 3PEAKING OF THE MARKET S FULL DISCLOSURE RULE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WHEN INSIDERS SELL SOMETHING COULD BE HAPPENING INSIDE THE BOARDROOM 4HE REVERSE COULD ALSO BE TRUE SO MUCH SO THAT WHEN INSIDERS BUY A POSITIVE DEVELOP MENT INSIDE THE BOARDROOM COULD EXPLODE ANYTIME IF NOT SOON THEN PERHAPS SOONER /F COURSE THE STOCK MARKET MAY NOT BE COVERED BY THE 3%# S OWN RULES THE 03% BEING A SELF REGULATORY ORGANIZATION 32/ 9ET THIS IS NO EXCUSE FOR EXPAND ING THE RULE OR RULES TO COVER THE STOCK EXCHANGE 4HE SAME THING COULD BE TRUE WITH OTHER LISTED STOCKS 4HE DIS POSITIONS OF SHARES ARE USUALLY DONE BY INSIDERS MANY IF NOT MOST OF THEM ARE EXECUTIVES WHO MAY KNOW IF DIVIDENDS ETHER IN CASH OR IN STOCK ARE FORTHCOMING !S THE 03% WEBSITE SHOWS THE PUBLIC COULD ONLY SPECULATE THAT !NSCOR BOUGHT MILLION !.3 COMMON SHARES THAT 3ORIANO SOLD ON -AY $ID IT *UST ASKING

Due Diligencer’s take

7ILL IT BE BOTHERING TOO MUCH THE 3ECURITIES AND %XCHANGE #OMMIS SION 3%# IF AS THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY IT WOULD REQUIRE LISTED COMPANIES THOUGH NOT NECES SARILY PUBLIC TO ALSO DISCLOSE THE BUYERS OF COMMON SHARES SOLD BY INSIDERS )T IS THE PUBLIC WHO SUFFER MOST WHEN THEY ARE CONFRONTED BY 03% POSTINGS DEALING WITH EITHER ESDPEREZ GMAIL COM

SEC’s proposed rules on ICO

(% 3ECURITIES AND %XCHANGE #OMMISSION 3%# HAS PUB LISHED THE PROPOSED RULES ON INITIAL COIN OFFERING )#/ ON ITS WEBSITE DATED $EC

4O BEGIN WITH )#/ IS DEkNED AS gFUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES COM MONLY CONDUCTED BY START UPS WHEREIN TOKENS ARE ISSUED IN RE TURN FOR CASH OTHER CRYPTOCURREN CIES OR OTHER ASSETSu 7ITH THESE PROPOSED RULES THE 3%# BECAME ONE OF THE kRST JURISDICTIONS THAT TOOK THE INITIATIVE TOWARDS REGU LATING )#/S AND CRYPTOCURRENCIES 7HILE IN THE PROCESS OF REVISING THE PROPOSED RULES TO CONFORM TO THE INDUSTRY PRACTICES THE 3%# OBSERVED THE ONGOING SHIFT FROM THE CONCEPT OF )#/ TO DIGITAL ASSETS AND SECURITY TOKENS OF FERING 4HEREFORE IN THE LIGHT OF THE 3%# S OBJECTIVE TO REMAIN ON TOP OF THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CAPITAL MARKET INCLUDING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IT CHANGED ITS DIREC TION TOWARDS THE REGULATION OF DIGITAL ASSET OFFERING 4HE PROPOSED RULES ON DIGITAL ASSET OFFERING COVER THE REGISTRA TION AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR DIGITAL ASSET OFFERINGS CON DUCTED BY START UPS AND CORPORA TIONS DOMICILED IN THE 0HILIP PINES AND DIGITAL ASSETS ISSUED

BY FOREIGN START UPS AND CORPO RATIONS AND OFFERED TO &ILIPINOS !LL ISSUERS WHO CONDUCT DIGITAL ASSET OFFERING WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO AN INITIAL ASSESSMENT 4HIS WILL ALLOW THE 3%# TO DETER MINE WHETHER OR NOT THE DIGITAL ASSET BEING OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC HAS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SECU RITY AS DEkNED UNDER 3ECTION

LETTERS A TO F OF THE 3ECURITIES 2EGULATION #ODE )N ADDITION

THIS WILL ALLOW THE 3%# TO ASSESS THE QUALIkCATIONS AND DISQUALIk CATIONS OF THE ISSUERS VIS ¹ VIS THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS )F DETERMINED TO BE ONE OF SE CURITY THE DIGITAL ASSET WILL UNDER GO THE REGISTRATION PROPER PHASE 4HE REGISTRATION PHASE REQUIRES THE ISSUER OF SECURITY DIGITAL ASSET TO SUBMIT A PROSPECTUS AND SUP PORTING EXHIBITS 4HE PROSPECTUS SHALL CONTAIN INFORMATION ON THE DIGITAL ASSETS TO BE OFFERED

THE COMPANY OFFERING THE DIGITAL ASSETS AND THE TEAM BEHIND THE AIGITAL ASSET PROJECT !SIDE FROM SUBMITTING THE DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS THE 3%# WILL ALSO CONDUCT AN OCULAR INSPECTION AND SYSTEM WALK

SEC MATTERS

KELVIN LESTER LEE THROUGH OF THE ISSUER S DIGITAL ASSET PLATFORM 4HIS IN TURN

WILL ALLOW THE 3%# TO VERIFY THE INFORMATION DISCLOSED IN THE PROSPECTUS 4O ENSURE THE FUNDS COLLECTED FROM THE PUBLIC IN THE DIGITAL ASSET OFFERING WILL BE USED ACCORD INGLY AS STATED IN THEIR PROSPEC TUS THE ISSUER WILL BE REQUIRED TO DEPOSIT THE PRIVATE KEY TO THEIR WALLET AND COLLECTED FUNDS IN AN ESCROW ACCOUNT 2ECOGNIZING THE ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY AND THE INNOVATIONS IN THE DIGITAL ASSET ENVIRONMENT ISSUERS CAN UTILIZE OTHER METHODS SUCH AS @SMART CONTRACTS ASIDE FROM ESCROW AGREEMENTS PROVIDED THE ISSUER CAN SHOW THE CHOSEN METHOD WILL SUFkCIENTLY PROTECT THE FUNDS 4HE ISSUER WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ONGOING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS ANNUAL kNANCIAL STATEMENTS CODE AUDIT REPORTS QUARTERLY UNAUDITED kNANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROJECT UPDATES )N VIEW OF THE NOBLE DUTY TO PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST AND PROTECT INVESTORS THE PROPOSED RULES ALSO INCLUDE QUALIkCATIONS AND DISQUALIkCATIONS OF ISSUERS

TEAM MEMBERS AND ADVISORS

ALLOWED AND DISALLOWED ADVERTIS ING AND REQUIRED CONTENTS OF THE WHITEPAPER ,ASTLY TO GIVE A CHANCE FOR EXIST ING DIGITAL ASSET PROJECTS DIGITAL ASSET ISSUERS ARE ALLOWED THREE MONTHS FROM IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSED RULES TO kLE FOR INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF THEIR DIGITAL ASSETS 4HE PROPOSED RULES FOR DIGITAL ASSET OFFERING WILL BE COMPLE MENTED BY THE PROPOSED RULES FOR DIGITAL ASSET EXCHANGE CURRENTLY BEING DRAFTED BY THE 3%# 4HESE RULES AIM TO PROTECT INVESTORS AND PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST WHILE SUPPORTING INNOVATIONS IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

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

Are we incentivizing authenticity?

L

%33 THAN A WEEK FROM NOW

WE WILL HAVE OUR MIDTERM ELECTIONS /NE OF THE BUZZWORDS WE OFTEN HEAR FROM VOTERS ON WHO THEY WOULD VOTE FOR IS AUTHENTICITY !UTHENTICITY IS DEFINED AS BEING TRUE TO ONE S BELIEF CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY )N SHORT WE WANT OUR POLITICIANS TO SHOW WHO THEY TRULY ARE )T IS THE DEGREE TO WHICH AN INDI VIDUAL S ACTIONS ARE ALIGNED WITH THEIR BELIEFS AND DESIRES $URING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD WE TRY TO DETERMINE WHO IS AUTHENTIC AND WHO IS SIMPLY FAKING IT $O THEY BELIEVE IN HONESTY OR DO THEY BELIEVE THAT LYING CAN JUSTIFY THE END )S EATING USING YOUR HANDS BEING AUTHENTIC $ESPITE THE VOTING POPULA TION S CLAMOR FOR AUTHENTICITY

DO CANDIDATES REALLY BELIEVE VOTERS ARE LOOKING FOR IT /R DO THEY THINK SINGING DANCING AND BRINGING WITH THEM CELEBRITY ENDORSERS WILL MAKE THEM WIN )F THAT IS THE CASE THERE ARE RE ALLY NO INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO BE AUTHENTIC 4HERE IS INCENTIVE

HOWEVER TO PRETEND YOU ARE HAPPY TO SING AND DANCE FOR THE ELECTORATE 4HUS THEY WILL ENDURE SINGING DANCING AND MAKING A FOOL OUT OF THEMSELVES AND EVERYBODY IN THE SHORT TERM

AND THEN BE THEIR AUTHENTIC SELF ONCE THEY ARE SWORN INTO OFFICE "Y THEN THEIR AUTHENTIC SELF

WHETHER WE ARE AMENABLE TO IT OR NOT NO LONGER MATTERS 4HEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN ELECTED INTO

FROM WHERE WE SIT ANTON NG OFFICE 4HE SAME CAN BE SAID IN THE WORLD OUTSIDE OF POLITICS 7E OFTEN DESIRE TO BE AUTHENTIC 7E DESIRE THAT OUR BOSSES BE AUTHEN TIC 7E DESIRE FOR OUR STAFF TO BE AUTHENTIC 7E WANT TO HAVE THAT FREEDOM TO SHOW WHO WE TRULY ARE (OWEVER ARE WE INCENTIV IZED TO BE AUTHENTIC -ORE IM PORTANTLY IS OUR AUTHENTIC SELF REALLY WORTH BRINGING OUT INTO THE OPEN !FTER GOING THROUGH BUSINESS SCHOOL ONE OF THE THINGS ) WAS ALWAYS CONSCIOUS OF IS WHETHER THE INCENTIVES BEING PROVIDED TO EMPLOYEES ARE ALIGNED WITH THE TYPE OF BEHAVIOR THE ORGANIZATION WANTS THEIR EMPLOYEES TO EXHIBIT 4HE INCENTIVES OR DIS INCENTIVES POLICIES SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS THE CARROT OR THE STICK OF AN ORGANIZATION WOULD NORMALLY BE A WAY TO DRIVE A PARTICULAR BEHAVIOR 7HETHER IT IS ABOUT PUNCTUALITY OR HOW AN EMPLOYEE SHOULD TREAT A CUSTOMER ORGANIZATIONS NOR MALLY COME UP WITH POLICIES THAT WOULD REWARD WHAT THEY THINK IS gGOODu BEHAVIOR AND PUNISH THE gBADu ONE )F WE FOLLOW THIS PARTICULAR METHOD OF MOLDING THE BEHAVIOR

³From where B3

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

Business Times

B3

Solon lauds SC ruling on PSAs

BY JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

A

S E N ATO R o n Tu e s d ay we l c o m e d the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision ordering the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and companies to subject their power supply agreements (PSAs) to the mandated competitive SELECTION PROCESS #30 g4HE 3UPREME #OURT DECISION ORDERING THE BIDDING OF ALL POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENTS SUBMITTED

BY DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES $5S FROM *UNE IS A WIN FOR ALL POWER CONSUMERS WHO ARE

DISTRUSTFUL OF SWEETHEART DEALS BETWEEN $5S AND GENERATING COMPANIES u SAID 3EN 3HERWIN 'ATCHALIAN CHAIRMAN OF THE 3EN ATE ENERGY COMMITTEE 'ATCHALIAN SAID THE 3# S DECI

4HIS LAW PROVIDES FOR THE RE MOVAL OF IMPORT RESTRICTIONS ON RICE WITH TARIFFS LIFTING OF QUAN TITATIVE RESTRICTIONS AND ALLOWING THE .ATIONAL &OOD !UTHORITY TO CEMBER AND A CONTINUATION OF PROCURE ITS BUFFER STOCK FROM THE A DOWNWARD TREND NOW ON ITS SIXTH COUNTRY S FARMERS STRAIGHT MONTH #ORE INFLATION SETTLED AT ‘Buoyant PERCENT IN THE MONTH LOWER THAN economic growth’ -ARCH S PERCENT g-AIN DRIVERS IN THE DOWNTREND 3OCIOECONOMIC 0LANNING 3ECRETARY OF INFLATION IN !PRIL WERE %RNESTO - 0ERNIA MEANWHILE SAID FOOD AND NON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN A STATEMENT THAT gTHE RECENT IN PERCENT ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES lATION READING VALIDATES OUR EFFORTS AND TOBACCO PERCENT AND TOWARD STABILIZING INlATION SO THAT HOUSING WATER ELECTRICITY GAS AND THE COUNTRY S BUOYANT ECONOMIC OTHER FUELS PERCENT u 03! !S GROWTH ALONG WITH KEY REFORMS

SISTANT 3ECRETARY *OSIE 0EREZ SAID IN REMAINS UNIMPEDED u THE BRIEkNG (E WARNED HOWEVER THAT THE -ONTH ON MONTH CONSUMER GOVERNMENT SHOULD REMAIN WATCH PRICES ROSE BY PERCENT LAST FUL OF UPSIDE RISKS TO INlATION SUCH MONTH FROM PER CENT IN -ARCH - A L A C A Ä A N G PRAISED THE INlATION RESULTS WITH SPOKES MAN 3ALVADOR 0AN ELO SAYING 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S STRONG POLITICAL WILL AND DECISIVE ACTION

AS WELL AS gCOMPE TENCE u WERE THE MAIN REASON FOR ITS CONTIN UED EASING g-UCH HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT THE ECO NOMIC POLICIES OF THE #HIEF %XECUTIVE u 0ANELO SAID g4HE CURRENT DISINFLATION PROVES ;$UTERTE S= COMPETENCE IN MAN AGING OUR COUNTRY S ECONOMY WHILE IT DISPROVES THOSE WHO CRITICIZE HIM FOR OVERFOCUSING ON OUR NATION S PEACE AND ORDER SITUATION u !CCORDING TO THE SPOKESMAN THE GOV ERNMENT IS CONkDENT THAT INlATION WOULD CONTINUE TO SLOW UN TIL THE END OF THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE SIGN ING OF 2EPUBLIC !CT

OR THE 2ICE 4ARIFkCATION ,AW

Q EASES FROM B1

Inflation

Q DEBT FROM B1

Govt The month-onmonth increase, the Treasury said, was due to “due to the net issuance of domestic guarantees amounting to P2.79 billion and currency fluctuations on both local and third currencies, which increase the peso value of external guarantees amounting to P4.73 billion and P0.42 billion, respectively.”

“Meanwhile, net repayments on external guarantees trimmed P1.64 billion,” it added.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

SION WILL MANDATE GREATER TRANS PARENCY IN THE CONTRACTING OF POWER SUPPLY IN THE FUTURE SINCE THE HIGH TRIBUNAL MANDATES THAT POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT SHOULD UNDERGO #30 INSTEAD OF DIRECTLY NEGOTIATED DEALS WHICH COULD BE BURDENSOME TO MANY &ILIPINOS $ATA FROM THE %2# SHOW THERE ARE 03!S FILED FROM -ARCH

TO !PRIL

WITH TERMS REPORTEDLY SPANNING MORE THAN YEARS WHICH WERE NOT BID OUT BUT WERE INSTEAD BILATERALLY CONTRACTED /F THE SEVEN 03!S OF THE -ANILA %LECTRIC #OMPANY -ERALCO WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY

OF MEGAWATTS OUT OF THE

-7 WERE DEEMED QUES TIONABLE 4HE 3# EN BANC VOTING

RULED THAT ALL DEALS OR 03!S SUB MITTED BY DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES OR THE POWER COMPANIES TO THE %2# ON OR AFTER *UNE

MUST UNDERGO A #30 4HE %2# ON -ONDAY ASSURED IT WOULD MEET WITH THE $EPARTMENT OF %NERGY $O% AND OTHER STAKEHOLD ERS ON THE IMPACT OF THE 3# RULING g-EETINGS WITH THE $O% AND AFFECTED ENTITIES SUCH AS $5S

GENCOS GENERATION COMPANIES AND OTHER POWER INDUSTRY STAKE

HOLDERS WILL BE CARRIED OUT THIS WEEK TO JOINTLY ADDRESS THE ISSUES AT HAND 7E ASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT THE COMMISSION WILL BE DOING EV ERYTHING WITHIN ITS LEGAL MANDATE TO PROTECT THE CONSUMERS RELATIVE TO THE IMPACT OF THE RECENT 3# DECISION u SAID %2# CHAIRMAN !GNES $EVANADERA &OR HIS PART %NERGY 3ECRETARY !LFONSO #USI SAID THE 3# DECI SION WOULD HELP MOVE THE POWER PROJECTS FORWARD 4HERE ARE UP TO 03!S REPORTEDLY PENDING WITH THE %2# g)T WILL HELP THE PROJECTS GET GOING $EkNITELY IT WILL BE AN

ADDITION TO CAPACITY u #USI SAID -ERALCO IS YET TO ISSUE A STATE MENT ON THE HIGH TRIBUNAL S DECI SION -ERALCO SIGNED POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENTS WITH SEVEN GENERATORS IN !PRIL TO SECURE

MEGAWATTS OF CAPACITY NEEDED IN ITS FRANCHISE AREA WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THE 3# CASE 4HE DECISION STEMMED FROM A .OVEMBER PETITION BY THE !LYANSA 0ARA SA "AGONG 0ILIPINAS THAT QUESTIONED %2# RESOLUTIONS WHICH EFFECTIVELY ALLOWED POWER COMPANIES LIKE -ERALCO TO ESCAPE THE #30 AND ENTER INTO SELF NEGOTIATED DEALS INSTEAD

AS THE ONGOING %L .IÄO WEATHER PHENOMENON POSSIBLE INCREASE IN UTILITY RATES AND VOLATILITY IN INTERNATIONAL OIL PRICES g'IVEN UNSTABLE GLOBAL OIL PRICES THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PRIORITIZE ROLLING OUT THE SECOND TRANCHE OF ITS SOCIAL MITIGATING MEASURES UNDER THE 4RAIN LAW

SUCH AS THE UNCONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER AND 0ANTAWID 0ASADA

ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THE NATIONAL BUDGET HAS ALREADY BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW u THE .ATIONAL %CONOMIC AND $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY CHIEF SAID "30 'OVERNOR "ENJAMIN $IOKNO SHARED 0ERNIA S VIEW SAYING IN A STATEMENT THAT RISING GLOBAL OIL PRICES AND A PROLONGED %L .IÄO CAUSED DROUGHT gCOULD BE A SOURCE OF UPSIDE PRICE PRESSURES OVER THE

NEAR TERM u g/N THE OTHER HAND THE WEAKEN ING GLOBAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT COULD PRESENT DOWNSIDE RISKS TO INlATION u HE ADDED $ESPITE THESE THE CENTRAL BANK CHIEF ASSURED THAT gTHE "30 CONTIN UES TO KEEP A CLOSE WATCH OVER PRICE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COUNTRY AND SHALL CONSIDER ALL RELEVANT DATA AT ITS NEXT MONETARY POLICY MEETING ON -AY TO ENSURE THAT THE MONETARY POLICY STANCE REMAINS CONSISTENT WITH THE "30 S PRIMARY MANDATE OF PRICE STABILITY CONDU CIVE TO A BALANCED AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY u &OR HIS PART 4RADE 3ECRETARY 2AMON ,OPEZ CALLED LAST MONTH S RATE gEXCELLENT u g4HIS IS EXPECTED AS WE ARE SEEING PRICES OF MAJOR COMMODITIES LIKE

RICE kSH MEAT AND VEGETABLES TO GO DOWN WITH BETTER SUPPLY IN THE MARKET u HE TOLD 4HE -ANILA 4IMES 4HE 0HILIPPINE #HAMBER OF #OMMERCE AND )NDUSTRY ALSO LAUDED LAST MONTH S INlATION WITH ITS PRESIDENT !LEGRIA ,IMJOCO TELL ING 4HE 4IMES THAT THE gBUSINESS SECTOR CAN FEEL THE IMPROVEMENT u

ELAN !RBIS SAID !.: 2ESEARCH ECONOMISTS -US TAFA !RIF AND 3ANJAY -ATHUR AC KNOWLEDGED THE CONCERN OVER THE RECENT RISE IN GLOBAL CRUDE OIL PRICES BUT NONETHELESS EXPECTS THE CENTRAL BANK gTO TAKE A HOLISTIC VIEW BY ALSO CONSIDERING OFFSETTING DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS EASING FOOD PRICES AND CORE INlATION u g7ITH THE INFLATION OBJECTIVE IN HAND AND GROWTH SEEM TO TAKE A HIT IN ;THE kRST HALF= IT WOULD BE ABOUT TIME FOR "30 TO EASE OFF THE BRAKES FROM @CRISIS MODE AND kNALLY NUDGE ON THE ACCELERATOR TO ZOOM TO FASTER GROWTH u ).' "ANK -ANILA SENIOR ECONOMIST !NTONIO -APA SAID WITH RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA, MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO AND TYRONE C. PIAD

Rate cuts likely 4HE INlATION RESULTS ALSO CEMENTED ANALYSTS VIEW THAT MONETARY AU THORITIES ARE LIKELY TO CUT INTEREST RATES WHEN THEY MEET ON 4HURSDAY g7E BELIEVE THE TIME IS RIPE FOR THE "30 TO BEGIN MONETARY LOOS ENING GIVEN PREVAILING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND THE LAGGED IMPACT OF MONETARY POLICY ON THE REAL ECONOMY u (3"# ECONOMIST .O

Corporate News LT Group hikes capex by 73% to P19B L B4

˜ The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

ISTED LT Group Inc. has increased its capital expenditure (capex) for this year by 73 percent to P19 billion from P11 billion in 2018 to help its banking subsidiary get more funds.

!T A BRIEkNG IN -ANILA ON THE sidelines of the Tan-led holding company’s annual stockholders’ MEETING IN -ANILA ON 4UESDAY ,4 'ROUP #HIEF &INANCE /FkCER *OSE Gabriel Olives said the increase

was due to the higher capital requirement for Philippine National Bank (PNB), which was looking to conduct a P12-billion stock rights offer this year. “[Capex is] normally around

P10 billion, except this year.

We’ll probably have more because, as you know, we have a 60-percent interest in PNB‌ [and] if we subscribe to our requirement, then we will need to add P6 billion to P7 billion for that,� Olives explained.

About P2 billion will be allocated for property arm Eton Properties Philippines Inc., as it continued to expand its horizontal developments. It is now building two townships, one of which is Parklinks, its joint venture project

with Ayala Land Inc. The rest of the capex will be spread to other units.

For Asia Brewery Inc., LT Group will build in Pampanga province a facility to produce bottled water, since it had a strong reception for bottled sparkling-water products. For Tanduay Distillers Inc., the holding firm said the company was looking to acquire sugar milling and refinery assets of listed Roxas Holdings Inc. Among all its businesses, LT

Group President and Chief OperATING /FkCER -ICHAEL 4AN SAID HIS company was cautious over further tax hikes on tobacco and alcoholic beverages, which would translate to higher selling prices and likely dampen sales volume. “The tobacco business will remain as the main source of LT 'ROUP S EARNINGS 0-&4# WILL continue to be vigilant in the kGHT AGAINST THE ILLICIT TRADE ;OF cigarettes] and continue to work with [the] government,� he said during the shareholders’ meeting.

Tan underscored that the group was not against tax increases, but said these should be implemented gradually, like 5 percent annually, should these continue.

LT Group will also bring to the market a new “heat-not-burn� tobacco deemed less harmful than burned tobacco. “It can be taxed also, but we’ll see if we can get a differential treatment on that,� Tan said.

LT shares rose by 38 centavos or 2.29 percent to close at P17 each on Tuesday.

Ayala Land Q1 profit Metrobank income rises to P6.8B grows 12% to P7.3B LISTED Ayala Land Inc. reported on Tuesday that its net income grew to 0 BILLION IN THE kRST QUARTER OF on the back of the strong performance of its property development and commercial leasing businesses.

The Ayala-led property giant said in a disclosure that the amount was a 12-percent growth from P6.52 billion in the same period last year.

Revenues rose by 7.3 percent to 0 BILLION IN *ANUARY TO -ARCH from P36.98 billion in the first quarter of 2018, it added.

Revenues from property developments stood at P26.1 billion in the period, a 4-percent increase from P25.2 billion year-on-year, while reservation sales climbed by 8 percent to P34.1 billion from P31.5 billion.

2EVENUES FROM THE kRM S COMmercial leasing business — which INCLUDES MALLS OFkCES HOTELS AND resorts operations — jumped by 19 PERCENT TO 0 BILLION IN THE kRST three months from P7.7 billion the year before.

On a standalone basis, revenues from shopping malls surged by 14 percent to P5.1 billion from P4.5 billion. The newly opened Ayala -ALLS &ELIZ #IRCUIT -AKATI #APITOL Central, Vertis North and Cloverleaf, as well as the strong performances of Glorietta and Greenbelt malls in

-AKATI #ITY SUPPORTED THIS GROWTH /FkCE LEASING REVENUES AMOUNTED to P2.2 billion, up 27 percent from last year’s P1.7 billion, on the back of strong contributions from Ayala North Exchange Towers 1 and 2, Circuit Corporate Center Towers 1 and 2, and Vertis North Corporate Center Towers 1 and 2.

Revenues from hotels and resorts reached P1.9 billion, a 25-percent increase from P1.5 billion, thanks to contributions from the recently opened Seda hotels in Vertis North, Ayala Center Cebu and Lio. As of the first quarter, Ayala Land has 3,018 rooms.

Ayala Land has set P130 billion in capital expenditure (capex) this year. Of the amount, 40 percent will be used for residential development; up to 25 percent, for its recurring income portfolio; and the rest, land acquisition and development.

4HE COMPANY LISTED ON -ONDAY 0 BILLION WORTH OF kXED RATE BONDS TO HELP kNANCE ITS CAPEX )T SERVED AS THE kRST TRANCHE OF ITS 0 BILLION shelf registration program that the Securities and Exchange Commission approved in in April.

Ayala Land shares added 15 cenTAVOS OR PERCENT TO kNISH AT P46.95 apiece on Tuesday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Index

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

7,910.63

48.33

Ÿ

All Shares

4,886.55

26.69

Ÿ

Financials

1,749.69

14.04

Ÿ

Industrial

11,659.70

-51.11

Ĺş

Holding Firms

7,568.65

27.82

Ÿ

Services

1,633.61

36.97

Ÿ

Mining and Oil

7,728.65

41.2

Ÿ

Property

4,209.90

13.26

Ÿ

THE Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) reported on Tuesday that its net income increased to P6.8 billion in the first quarter of 2019.

In a disclosure, the listed Ty-led bank said the amount was a 15.2-percent surge from P5.9 billion in the same period last year.

It credited the impoved profit to the “double-digit growth in operating income on the back of consistent loan growth and margin expansion, higher fee-based income, and prudent operational expenditures.�

Total deposits stood at P1.6 trillion, with the lender’s current account and savings account ratio at a stable 61 percent to total deposits.  This was said to have supported the

ALL SHARES

and foreign exchange,� the lender said.

Operating expenses slowed down by 10 percent to P13.5 billion, with manpower-related costs accounting for P5.4 billion of the full amount, while the balance was spent on systems and process improvements, as well as continued investments in information technology.  Metrobank’s asset quality metrics remained healthy, with nonperforming loans (NPL) ratio slightly up at 1.5 percent, while provisions for credit and impairment losses hit P2.4 billion.  Its consolidated assets stood at P2.3 trillion and equity at P288.7 billion. The bank’s capital ratios are above minimum requirements, with total capital adequacy ratio at 17.4 percent and common equity tier 1 ratio at 15 percent.

 “We are pleased with the favorable business results in the first three months. The year is starting on the right track, with performance metrics showing expansion in existing income streams, improving productivity, and most importantly, quality growth,�

Metrobank President Fabian Dee said. “We remain optimistic on the prospects of the economy, which should be supportive of the thriving banking industry. Against this backdrop, we will continue to focus on key initiatives that will impact customer experience, efficiency, governance, and sustain profitability for the bank,� he added.

Metrobank shares increased by P1 or 1.37 percent to close at P73.85 each on Tuesday.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Pilipinas Shell sets 2019 capex at P6B PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. has allocated P6 billion as its capital expenditure (capex) this year to support its expansion plans. )N A BRIEkNG ON 4UESDAY 0ILIPINAS Shell President and Chief Executive /FkCER #ESAR 2OMERO SAID THAT OF the amount, about P2 billion would go to retail, P2 billion to P3 billion to manufacturing, and P1 billion to improve the listed gas company’s supply-chain capability. “This is to support the further

expansion of our retail business AND IMPROVE THE lEXIBILITY OF OUR 4ABANAO REkNERY u 0ILIPINAS 3HELL #HIEF &INANCIAL /FkCER *OSE *EROME Pascual 3rd told reporters.

Pilipinas Shell plans to install a standalone hydrogen manufacTURING UNIT INSIDE THAT REkNERY IN Batangas province, and is targeting its comissioning in the fourth quarter. It is hoping to operate it IN THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF “We are basically installing

HOLDING FIRMS

TOP ACTIVE STOCKS

SERVICES

Stock indices as of May 7, 2019

PSEi

8.5-percent growth in net loans and receivables to P1.4 trillion, which was led by the commercial loan segment comprised of top corporate accounts, middle market, and small and medium enterprises.

Metrobank’s net interest margin rose to 3.84 percent in the period, as its net interest income came in at P18.1 billion, up 12 percent, and accounted for 74 percent of the bank’s total revenues of P24.6 billion. Noninterest income rose by 8 percent to P6.5 billion. This includes the P3.1billion profit in service fees and commissions, P1.5 billion in net trading and foreign exchange gains, and P1.6 billion in miscellaneous income.  “Fee-related revenues, as well as trading income, continue to benefit from increased customer business in fixed income

MINING AND OIL

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

a hyd r o g e n m a n u f a c t u r i n g unit because the availability of more hydrogen will allow us to process more exotic crude,�

Romero explained. “The primary intention is to INCREASE CRUDE lEXIBILITY BECAUSE you need hydrogen to process more sour crude to give us more lEXIBILITY u HE SAID According to Romero, if the company is able to process more grades of crude, this would result

Security Name Ayala Land, Inc. Globe Telecom, Inc. International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Ayala Corporation BDO Unibank, Inc. Jollibee Foods Corporation SM Investments Corporation SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Universal Robina Corporation Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company D&L Industries, Inc. Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. Bank of the Philippine Islands San Miguel Corporation Puregold Price Club, Inc. Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. Megaworld Corporation Alliance Global Group, Inc. PLDT Inc.

Last Price 46.95 1,990.00 136.4 900 135.9 304 949 40.05 161.4 73.85 10.8 73 84.85 185.2 45 2.97 52.55 5.77 14.84 1,254.00

Chg 0.15 125 8.4 2 0.9 2 9 -0.05 -1.6 1 -0.2 -3.75 1.85 5.2 0.5 -0.38 0 0.09 -0.26 9

%Chg 0.32% 6.70% 6.56% 0.22% 0.67% 0.66% 0.96% -0.12% -0.98% 1.37% -1.82% -4.89% 2.23% 2.89% 1.12% -11.34% 0% 1.58% -1.72% 0.72%

in the production of more middle distillate or products, such as jet fuel, kerosene and diesel.

Besides the hydrogen project, Pilipinas Shell also plans to open 50 to 70 new retail sites, 15 to 20 Select shops, 15 to 20 deli2go offerings, and 30 to 50 Shell Helix Oil Change+ and Helix service centers.

Pilipinas Shell shares shed P1.20 or 2.63 percent to end at P44.50 apiece on Tuesday.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź ź Ÿ ź ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ ź Ÿ

Volume 9,516,200.00 174,715.00 2,525,040.00 304,940.00 1,822,660.00 726,470.00 201,150.00 4,639,400.00 1,119,490.00 2,283,000.00 13,991,300.00 2,050,430.00 1,761,430.00 752,070.00 2,412,400.00 34,632,000.00 1,916,380.00 16,203,300.00 5,887,900.00 66,855.00

Value(P) 447,155,790.00 343,282,015.00 338,049,839.00 274,443,450.00 247,698,073.00 220,620,942.00 190,989,125.00 185,879,850.00 181,822,179.00 168,612,291.00 151,052,380.00 150,819,582.00 148,811,689.50 137,782,444.00 108,230,840.00 105,093,990.00 101,034,151.50 92,964,178.00 87,577,134.00 83,125,080.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date May 7, 2019 May 6, 2019 May 3, 2019 May 2, 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 Apr 8, 2019 Apr 5, 2019 Apr 4, 2019 Apr 3, 2019 Apr 2, 2019 Apr 1, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 Mar 28, 2019 Mar 27, 2019 Mar 26, 2019 Mar 25, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Mar 21, 2019

Open 7,872 7,973 8,004 7,953 7,892 7,861 7,893 7,848 7,799 7,827 7,840 7,833 7,800 7,888 7,971 7,991 7,976 7,879 7,866 7,893 7,880 7,854 7,923 7,891 7,898 7,916 7,875 7,994 7,957 7,876

High 7,922 7,974 8,078 8,041 7,953 7,897 7,900 7,894 7,847 7,835 7,859 7,861 7,860 7,915 7,980 8,000 8,009 7,955 7,887 7,898 7,895 7,894 7,924 7,921 7,898 7,916 7,911 7,994 8,032 7,955

Low 7,861 7,851 7,968 7,947 7,889 7,846 7,840 7,832 7,799 7,770 7,818 7,824 7,799 7,788 7,881 7,956 7,953 7,879 7,866 7,836 7,861 7,854 7,810 7,887 7,856 7,841 7,869 7,808 7,951 7,869

Close 7,911 7,862 7,968 8,002 7,953 7,897 7,868 7,894 7,847 7,819 7,832 7,835 7,826 7,788 7,881 7,956 8,009 7,916 7,873 7,854 7,895 7,879 7,840 7,921 7,876 7,861 7,907 7,863 8,013 7,955

CLOSE

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

Security Name Italpinas Development Corporation Globe Telecom, Inc. International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Cemex Holdings Philippines, Inc. Manila Jockey Club, Inc. )RUXP 3DFL¿F ,QF City & Land Developers, Inc. SSI Group, Inc. Araneta Properties, Inc. Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. Century Properties Group Inc. APC Group, Inc. Leisure & Resorts World Corporation Jolliville Holdings Corporation Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. Abacore Capital Holdings, Inc. PAL Holdings, Inc. Marcventures Holdings, Inc.

Volume 5,936,900.00 174,715.00 2,525,040.00 32,513,000.00 1,707,500.00 1,210,000.00 11,000.00 13,156,000.00 1,217,000.00 42,516,000.00 2,151,900.00 49,161,000.00 8,061,000.00 340,000.00 2,843,000.00 9,200.00 803,000.00 8,892,000.00 58,700.00 122,000.00

Value 33,790,310.00 343,282,015.00 338,049,839.00 78,508,150.00 8,805,267.00 330,000.00 8,950.00 41,681,630.00 2,713,220.00 39,267,100.00 29,247,988.00 77,455,850.00 4,248,460.00 135,950.00 11,270,610.00 52,316.00 1,365,650.00 5,575,210.00 585,009.00 127,210.00

Last Price 5.79 1,990.00 136.4 2.47 5.3 0.275 0.82 3.26 2.25 0.92 13.7 1.6 0.54 0.41 3.97 5.7 1.71 0.64 9.9 1.06

Chg 0.49 125 8.4 0.15 0.3 0.015 0.04 0.15 0.1 0.04 0.54 0.06 0.02 0.015 0.14 0.2 0.06 0.02 0.3 0.03

%Chg 9.25% 6.70% 6.56% 6.47% 6.00% 5.77% 5.13% 4.82% 4.65% 4.55% 4.10% 3.90% 3.85% 3.80% 3.66% 3.64% 3.64% 3.23% 3.13% 2.91%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP LOSERS

HIGH

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

Security Name Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. Oriental Petroleum And Minerals Corporation “A�

Oriental Petroleum And Minerals Corporation “B�

Acesite (Philippines) Hotel Corporation 'HO 0RQWH 3DFLÂżF /LPLWHG Concepcion Industrial Corporation 3DFLÂżF 2QOLQH 6\VWHPV &RUSRUDWLRQ Euro-Med Laboratories Phils., Inc. DFNN, Inc. Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. Phinma Petroleum And Geothermal, Inc. Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. First Abacus Financial Holdings Corp.

Republic Glass Holdings Corporation iPeople, inc.

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Sta. Lucia Land, Inc. Security Bank Corporation

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

Volume 34,632,000.00 10,400,000.00 1,000,000.00 39,000.00 10,200.00 400.00 412,000.00 11,000.00 162,000.00 2,050,430 21,000.00 83,100.00 1,000,000.00 4,343,000.00 52,000.00 10,000.00 1,000.00 1,719,100.00 1,099,000.00 414,580.00

Value Last Price 105,093,990.00 2.97 114,400.00 0.011 11,000.00 0.011 49,140.00 1.26 59,209.00 5.5 16,820.00 42.05 1,400,390.00 3.35 17,470.00 1.59 1,069,317.00 6.6 150,819,582.00 73 74,850.00 3.56 2,308,750.00 27.3 128,010.00 0.128 3,345,740.00 0.77 28,600.00 0.55 25,500.00 2.55 11,338.00 11.38 61,017,260.00 35 1,982,420.00 1.75 73,254,988.00 175

Chg %Chg -0.38 -11.34% -0.001 -8.33% -0.001 -8.33% -0.11 -8.03% -0.48 -8.03% -2.95 -6.56% -0.23 -6.42% -0.1 -5.92% -0.34 -4.90% -3.75 -4.89% -0.15 -4.04% -1.1 -3.87% -0.005 -3.76% -0.03 -3.75% -0.02 -3.51% -0.09 -3.41% -0.38 -3.23% -1.05 -2.91% -0.05 -2.78% -5 -2.78%

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

D&L unlikely to grow double digits D&L Industries Inc. has expressed doubt about posting double-digit growth in its net income this year after first-quarter earnings remained flat.

At a briefing in Pasig City on Monday night, D&L President Alvin Lao said the company would study how it would fare in the second quarter in light of the delayed passage of the 2019 national budget.

“There is a chance that we will not hit double digit growth, but we are studying” that possibility, he said.

“We will look at April or May, in particular, now the budget has been passed, if spending will come in, and then we will look at inflation,” he added.

“If people will have the confidence again to spend money and invest and buy things, we need to observe them.”

The listed holding company saw its net income rise by only 1 percent to P748 million in January to March from P744 million in the same period last year. Lao attributed the tempered growth to the budget delay, which slowed spending, coupled with lingering negative sentiment among consumers over last year’s high inflation rate.

Net sales slid by 8 percent to P5.88

billion in the first three months from P6.4 billion the year before. In terms of sales mix, the high-margin specialty products (HMSP) remained the top contributor with 69 percent.

“The company continues to focus much of its resources in growing the high-margin side of the business,” D&L said.

Exports, which the company planned to grow by 50 percent, also declined in the quarter to 19 percent, due to lower commodity prices that were passed on to consumers.

“We saw negative consumer sentiment from last year spill over to the first quarter,” Lao said. “However, macroeconomic indicators show that the business environment will improve going forward.”

“As a company, we’ll continue to invest in strategic areas to continue maximizing value to our customers and shareholders. Moreover, we remain positive on our exports that will complement the growth of our domestic business,” he added.

D&L shares fell by 20 centavos or 1.82 percent to close at P10.80 each on Tuesday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

AS CONSOLIDATED REVENUES FELL TO 0 BILLION FROM 0 BILLION IN )T ATTRIBUTED THIS DROP TO A PERCENT DECREASE IN VOLUME AFTER THE EFFECTIVITY OF 4RAIN

WHICH RAISED THE EXCISE TAXES ON SELECTED PRODUCTS INCLUD ING FUEL AND AUTOMOBILES IN EXCHANGE FOR REDUCED PERSONAL INCOME TAXES g"Y NOW A TOTAL OF AROUND 0 LITER IN EXCISE TAX PLUS 6!4 VALUE ADDED TAX ARE CARRIED BY FUEL PRICES /N A QUARTERLY BASIS

THIS INCREASE TRANSLATED TO AROUND

0 BILLION IN EXCISE TAXES AND 0 BILLION IN 6!4 u 0ETRON SAID g4HIS IMPLEMENTATION LIKEWISE CREATED A PRICE ADVANTAGE FOR IM PORTERS SINCE REkNERS MAINTAIN HIGHER INVENTORY IN CRUDE FORM

WHICH IS IMMEDIATELY TAXED UPON PRODUCTION u IT ADDED g)MPORTERS HOWEVER MAINTAIN INVENTORIES AS kNISHED PRODUCTS WHICH GIVE THEM THE ADVANTAGE FOR AT LEAST DAYS u 4HIS RESULTED IN LOWER REkNING MARGINS WHICH 0ETRON SAID gPE NALIZED 0HILIPPINE OPERATIONS BY 0 BILLION IN THE kRST QUARTER u g$ESPITE LOWER MARGINS EFFORTS TO MANAGE RISKS AND STRENGTHEN OUR PRESENCE IN KEY AREAS WERE IMPLEMENTED TO MITIGATE ITS IMPACT u 0ETRON 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER 2AMON !NG SAID g7E REMAIN FOCUSED ON COM PLETING MAJOR EXPANSION PROJ

ECTS THAT WILL FURTHER CEMENT OUR LEADERSHIP IN THE INDUSTRY 7E FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT LONG TERM GROWTH WILL ALWAYS BE THREATENED BY INHERENT RISKS

AND THESE INVESTMENTS WILL EN SURE OUR CONTINUED GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY IN THE FUTURE u HE ADDED 0ETRON IS INTO REkNING CRUDE OIL AND MARKETING AND DISTRIBUT ING REkNED PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 4HESE INCLUDE GASOLINE NAPHTHA

LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS DIESEL JET FUEL KEROSENE AND PETROCHEMI CALS )N THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF

IT OPENED NEW STATIONS )TS -ALAYSIAN BRANCH CURRENTLY HAS OVER STATIONS BRINGING THE COMPANY S TOTAL STATION NET WORK TO MORE THAN

0ETRON SHARES DROPPED BY CENTAVOS OR PERCENT TO CLOSE AT 0 APIECE ON 4UESDAY

g4HIS SHOULD AT THE SAME TIME

COUNTER THE IMPACT OF THE TEM PORARY INTERRUPTION IN THE IMPLE MENTATION OF NEW AND ONGOING PROJECTS AS WELL AS FUNDING FOR SOCIAL SERVICES u HE ADDED (E ALSO SAID THERE WAS ALSO A NEED TO IMPROVE THE ORGANIZATION AL AND OPERATIONAL CAPACITY OF THE &OOD AND $RUG !UTHORITY &$!

AND OTHER FOOD SAFETY REGULATORY AUTHORITIES TO ADDRESS LOSSES IN FOOD MANUFACTURING DUE TO DELAYS IN THE PROCESSING AND ISSUANCE OF CLEARANCES AND PERMITS ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

Q RESERVES FROM B1

ING !UDIT 4AX !DVISORY AND /UTSOURCING FIRMS IN THE 0HIL IPPINES WITH 0ARTNERS AND OVER STAFF MEMBERS 7E D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOUÜ 4WEET US 0!'RANT4HORNTON LIKE US ON &ACEBOOK 0 ! 'RANT 4HORNTON

AND EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS TO AN TON NG PH GT COM OR PAGRANT !NTON .G IS A 0ARTNER OF THE THORNTON PH GT COM &OR MORE !UDIT !SSURANCE 0 ! 'RANT INFORMATION VISIT OUR 7EBSITE 4HORNTON IS ONE OF THE LEAD WWW GRANTTHORNTON COM PH

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

P

%42/. #ORP S CONSOLIDATED NET PROkT SLID TO 0 BILLION IN THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF the year, blamed on lower revenues due to the tax reform law implemented at the start OF )N A DISCLOSURE ON 4UESDAY THE LISTED OIL kRM SAID THE AMOUNT WAS A PERCENT DECREASE FROM 0 BILLION IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR )T ADDED THAT ITS -ALAY SIAN BUSINESS CONTRIBUTED 0 BILLION TO ITS BOTTOMLINE #ONSOLIDATED INCOME FROM OPERATIONS ALSO DECLINED BY PERCENT TO 0 BILLION IN *ANUARY TO -ARCH 0ETRON S LOCAL OPERATIONS TOOK A HIT FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 2EPUBLIC !CT OR THE 4AX 2EFORM FOR !CCELERATION AND )NCLUSION !CT 4RAIN THIS YEAR

OF THREE MAJOR INDUSTRY GROUPS LED

BY FOOD MANUFACTURING u WHICH REGISTERED PERCENT )N A STATEMENT THE .ATIONAL %CONOMIC AND $EVELOPMENT !U THORITY .%$! ALSO BLAMED THE DECLINE TO THE WEAK GROWTH OF FOOD MANUFACTURING PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND BASIC METALS g7E EXPECT THE kGURES TO IM PROVE IN THE COMING MONTHS AS

WE SEE INCREASE IN DEMAND DURING SUMMER GIVEN THE RISE IN THE NUM BER OF LOCAL AND FOREIGN TOURISTS

EASING OF INlATION AND INCREASE IN ELECTION RELATED SPENDING u 3OCIOECONOMIC 0LANNING 3ECRETARY %RNESTO 0ERNIA SAID !CCORDING TO HIM GOVERNMENT SPENDING ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICES IS ALSO EXPECTED TO CATCH UP

0ERNIA NOTED HOWEVER THAT THE PROLONGED DROUGHT CAUSED BY THE %L .IÄO WEATHER PHENOMENON COULD LEAD TO INCREASED POWER AND WATER RATES CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL INPUTS IN MANUFACTURING g$OMESTIC OIL PRICES AND SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT IN ELECTRICITY RATES ARE EXPECTED TO EXERT UPWARD PRICE PRESSURES ON THE COST OF INPUTS u HE SAID g.ONETHELESS THE CONTINUED

DECLINE IN THE PRICE OF RICE AND PESO APPRECIATION MAY PARTLY BE OFFSETTING FACTORS u !LSO .%$! SAID THE EXTEN SION OF IMPLEMENTATION AND PAYMENTS FOR INFRASTRUC TURE PROJECTS BEYOND THE FISCAL YEAR MUST BE CONSIDERED IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE CASH BASED BUDGETING SYSTEM g!N IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF A CATCH UP PLAN AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE ;NATIONAL= BUDGET MUST BE PURSUED TO REGAIN THE GOVERN MENT S SPENDING MOMENTUM u 0ERNIA SAID

Q FROM WHERE FROM B2

!S IT SOUNDS THERE IS NO WAY THIS APPROACH ESPECIALLY NOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR MEANING BEYOND MATERIAL THINGS CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY SUSTAINED OVER A LONG PERIOD !T SOME POINT THE CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR WILL FIZZLE OUT BECAUSE IT IS CONTRARY TO THEIR BELIEFS AND VALUES 7E CAN INSTEAD OF MODIFYING BEHAVIOR THROUGH INCENTIVES OR NONE TRY TO INFLUENCE OUR PEOPLE TO HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND TO CHANGE CERTAIN BELIEFS AND WAYS OF THINKING TO DRIVE A PARTICULAR CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR

BUT STILL ALLOWING THEM TO BE AU THENTIC 7E CAN ALSO ALIGN THEIR INDIVIDUAL VISIONS AND GOALS WITH THAT OF THE ORGANIZATION TO FIND A COMMON GROUND WHEREIN THE ORGANIZATION CAN ACHIEVE ITS DESIRED RESULTS BUT AT THE SAME TIME ALLOW ITS EMPLOYEES TO REMAIN AUTHENTIC 4HIS REQUIRES A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS AND LEAD

ERSHIP WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION )T WOULD NOT BE AS EASY AS SET TING UP NEW INCENTIVE POLICIES AS WELL 4HIS HOWEVER CAN BE EFFECTIVE IN THE LONG RUN 7HY ARE WE TRYING TO CHANGE BEHAVIORS AND NOT JUST ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BE AUTHENTIC )T IS BE CAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN BEHAVIORS

THOUGH THEY REFLECTIVE OF ONE S TRUE SELF THAT MAY NOT BE ALIGNED WITH THE ORGANIZATION S VISION AND VALUES ,ET US SAY ONE VALUES EFkCIENCY AND TIME ABOVE ALL ELSE 3HALL WE JUST ALLOW THAT PERSON

IN THE NAME OF AUTHENTICITY TO

TOTALLY LOSE HIS PATIENCE TO PEOPLE WHO DON T SHARE THE SAME VALUE /R IF ONE VALUES EXCELLENCE SHALL WE ALLOW THAT PERSON TO UNCON TROLLABLY REPRIMAND THEIR SUBOR DINATES AT THE kRST INSTANCE OF A SUBSTANDARD OUTPUT REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE AGAIN IN THE NAME OF AUTHENTICITY $OES BEING AU THENTIC OUTWEIGH DECENCY TACT AND PROPER DECORUM #AN WE ACTUALLY JUSTIFY OUR BEHAVIOR IN THE NAME OF AUTHENTICITY BY SIMPLY SAYING g) M JUST BEING AUTHENTIC ) M JUST BEING TRUE TO MYSELF 7HAT IS WRONG WITH THAT u

PH factory output declines

WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION HOW ARE WE THEN AFFECTING THE AUTHENTIC ITY OF OUR PEOPLE !S LEADERS IN OUR RESPECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS

WE CREATE INCENTIVES TO DRIVE A PARTICULAR BEHAVIOR !RE WE PRE VENTING OUR PEOPLE FROM BEING AUTHENTIC !RE WE TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE DO THINGS THEY DO NOT NECESSARILY BELIEVE IN BUT ARE BEING DRIVEN TO DO SO BECAUSE THERE ARE INCENTIVES OR WORSE

PENALTIES FOR NON COMPLIANCE 7ILL OUR PEOPLE

BY CHANGING THEIR BEHAVIORS TO GET THE CARROT OR TO AVOID THE STICK REMAIN AUTHENTIC -OST LIKELY NOT 4HEY MIGHT BE CHANGING THEIR BEHAVIORS WITHOUT NECESSARILY CHANGING THEIR BELIEFS OR WAY OF THINKING

B5

Petron Q1 income down 77% to P1.3B

Q FACTORY FROM B1

Are we

Corporate News

9ES WE WANT TO BE AUTHENTIC

BUT OUR EXPRESSION OF AUTHEN TICITY SHOULD NOT BE HARMFUL TO OTHERS /THERWISE WE ARE JUST BEING AUTHENTICALLY SELFISH BY AL LOWING OUR INNER SELF TO BE MORE IMPORTANT MUCH LIKE MOST OF OUR POLITICIANS NOWADAYS

Dollar OF IMPORTS THE SAME BUFFER POSTED IN -ARCH AND A YEAR AGO )T WAS ALSO EQUIVALENT TO kVE TIMES THE COUN TRY S SHORT TERM EXTERNAL OBLIGATIONS DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR AND TIMES BASED ON RESIDUAL MATURITY .ET INTERNATIONAL RESERVES WHICH REFER TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ')2 AND TOTAL SHORT TERM LIABILITIES IN CREASED TO BILLION COMPARED TO BILLION A MONTH EARLIER

Foreign Business Xi’s trade man to visit US despite tariffs B B6

˜ The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

EIJING: China said on Tuesday its top trade negotiator will visit the United States for talks with American counterparts this week even as Washington stepped up pressure with plans to hike tariffs and complaints that Beijing was backtracking on its commitments.

The commerce ministry conkRMED IN A STATEMENT THAT 6ICE 0REMIER ,IU (E 0RESIDENT 8I *INPING S pointman on trade, would visit the US on Thursday and Friday.

The trip is taking place a day later than expected after President Donald Trump jolted global markets by announcing that tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese merchandise will more than double to 25 percent on Friday.

Confirmation of Liu’s travel plans lifted Chinese stock markets as his presence could raise hopes that a deal is still possible.

The Chinese foreign ministry

HAD SAID -ONDAY THAT A DELEGAtion would still visit the US but it dodged questions over whether Liu would lead it.

The tariffs announcement tanked stock markets worldwide and frightened US farmers and BUSINESSES CAUGHT IN THE CROSSkRE who have been banking on a RESOLUTION TO THE YEAR LONG CONlICT that has engulfed $360 billion in two-way trade.

But US shares recovered late in THE DAY ON -ONDAY AS INVESTORS APparently decided Trump was using tariff threats as a negotiating tactic.

53 OFkCIALS HAD SAID THE WORLD S

w w w.manilatimes.net

two largest economies were close to an agreement but Beijing reversed course in recent days. “Over the course of the last week or so, we’ve seen an erosion in commitments by China, I would say retreating from commitments that have already been made in our judgement,� US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer was quoted as saying in media reports ON -ONDAY He said the tariffs would inCREASE AT A M '-4 on Friday.

Treasury Secretary Steven -NUCHIN DESCRIBED THE NEGOtiations as 90 percent complete, but told reporters that in recent days the talks went “substantially backward,� according to the media reports.

Trump had lashed out on Sunday, vowing not only to ratchet up existing tariffs this week, but also to extend the 25-percent punitive

duties to the remaining $350 billion in Chinese goods imported into the country each year. “The Trade Deal with China continues but too slowly as they attempt to renegotiate. No!� he wrote on Twitter.

he wants,� he told AFP. That will put Trump in “a precarious political position�, whether “to accept an agreement that will be criticised as weak, or not to have an agreement and be criticised for failing�. “And I can imagine that he is unhappy about that.� &REYA "EAMISH OF 0ANTHEON -ACroeconomics warned that Trump’s AGGRESSIVE TACTICS COULD BACKkRE “It is much harder for China’s leaders to do that if it looks like they have signed with a gun to their heads.�

THE STRONG kRST QUARTER GROWTH BUT economists and businesses have COMPLAINED THAT THE TRADE CONlICT is in fact hurting the bottom line and the uncertainty is causing them to delay investment. *AKE #OLVIN OF THE .ATIONAL Foreign Trade Council, a pro-trade ‘Precarious’ position US business group, said the tariffs “come at the expense of American Comments from officials in rebusinesses and farmers and concent weeks indicated the sides sumers as well.� were making progress towards an And escalating the tariffs to the agreement aimed at addressing remaining Chinese goods, which longstanding concerns about the would be expected to spark further forced transfer or outright theft retaliation from Beijing, would cut of American technology, as well Restrained growth 0.3 percentage points off US growth, AS REDUCING THE 53 TRADE DEkCIT according to Oxford Economics. with China.

US manufacturers and farmers were Wells Fargo analyst Paul ChristoWilliam Reinsch, trade policy becoming more optimistic amid pher said with all the work that has expert at the Center for Strategic and signs of progress and comments gone into the talks, he still expects International Studies, said China FROM OFkCIALS THAT THE TALKS WERE the two sides to reach an agreement will never meet all the US demands. ENTERING THEIR kNAL PHASE REINFORCED but he warned that “new tariffs or “At some point, the president by reports Beijing was sending 100 a breakdown in talks could underIS GOING TO kGURE OUT THAT THEY RE OFkCIALS TO THIS WEEK S NEGOTIATIONS mine that outlook quickly,� slowing not going to give him everything Trump credits the tariffs with global growth and trade.

AFP

Fed: High stock prices, debt loads still pose risks

Q This April 13, 2019 photo shows Lion Air’s Boeing 737 Max 8 on the tarmac at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia. AP PHOTO

Boeing woes crimp Asian airlines’ growth plans

SINGAPORE: Asian airlines are cutting routes, revamping their schedules and leasing extra aircraft to fill gaps left by the GROUNDING OF "OEING -AX S after deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people.

So far, regional carriers have managed to avoid major disruptions, but analysts expect that IDLING THE -AX S A FUEL EFkCIENT update of Boeing’s popular 737, will crimp growth plans in the near future.

As investigations into the crashes continue, Boeing anticipates a $1-billion increase IN COSTS RELATED TO THE -AX

INCLUDING kXING SOFTWARE IMPLIcated in the disasters, adding pilot training and compensating airlines and families of crash victims. Investigators are examining the role of flightcontrol software that pushed the planes’ noses down based on faulty sensor readings. .EARLY -AX JETS WERE grounded at airlines worldWIDE IN MID -ARCH AFTER THE Ethiopia crash.

In Asia, where air passenger traffic is growing the fastest,

the groundings are pushing airlines’ costs higher at a time of rising fuel prices, squeezing CARRIERS PROkTS #HINESE AIRLINES HAD -AX jets, but have managed to avoid massive cancellations by swapping in other models of aircraft, said Kelvin Lau of Daiwa Capital -ARKETS IN (ONG +ONG “However, this may limit their capacity growth for the coming peak season,� he added.

China Southern Airlines, WHICH HAS -AX JETS WILL likely revise its targeted growth for passenger capacity, he said.

Indonesian carrier Lion Air, whose Flight 610 disappeared into the sea shortly after takeOFF FROM *AKARTA KILLING people, said Friday in a statement that it was “operating normally by minimizing the impact� from the grounding of ITS -AX JETS “Lion Air continues to serve routes that have been operATED BY "OEING -AX BY replacing them using other Lion Air fleets,� spokesman $ANANG -ANDALA 0RIHANTORO said in a statement.

)NDIA S 3PICE*ET HAS SAID IT would lease 22 Boeing 737800NG aircraft, nine of which are already in service. The carRIER SAID IT ALSO WILL DEPLOY kVE Bombardier Q400 aircraft. “The new inductions will not JUST BRING DOWN lIGHT CANCELLAtions to nil but also help in Spice*ET S AGGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL and domestic expansion plans,� chairman and managing director Ajay Singh said in a statement.

Not all carriers, even those WITHOUT -AX S HAVE MANAGED as well.

Budget carrier Scoot, which is owned by Singapore Airlines, announced that it would suspend services between Singapore and four cities, with the first suspension starting FROM *UNE 4HE ROUTES WERE served by the Airbus A320.

Scoot, which does not have any -AX JETS SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT the cuts were “due to a combination of weak demand and a shortage of aircraft resources.� “The aircraft shortage is arising as SilkAir, due to the grounding OF ITS "OEING -AX lEET WILL no longer transfer its Boeing 737-

800NG aircraft to Scoot in the kNANCIAL YEAR u IT SAID SilkAir, the regional arm of Singapore Airlines, withdrew its SIX -AX JETS FROM SERVICE ON -ARCH AND ITS PARENT CARRIER has reassessed its capacity and lEET OPTING TO HAVE 3COOT GROW more slowly, said Brendan Sobie of aviation consultancy CAPA. "OEING CHIEF $ENNIS -UILENburg recently said the company WAS NEARLY kNISHED AN UPDATE TO THE -AX THAT gWILL MAKE THE airplane even safer.�

But given the concerns that deepened with the crash of an %THIOPIAN !IRLINES -AX ON -ARCH IT S UNCLEAR WHEN THE update will be deployed and how long it will take for aviation regulators and airlines to decide it’s safe for the aircraft to resume operations.

That’s a hardship for carriers, especially during the peak summer travel season. “Airlines don’t know exactly WHEN THE -AX WILL BE BACK IN SERVICE 4HIS MAKES IT A LITTLE DIFkCULT to plan, even though there is some lEXIBILITY WITHIN THEIR lEETS u 3Obie said.

AP

EU cuts eurozone growth forecast as Italy debt soars BRUSSELS: The European Commission cut its eurozone growth forecast for 2019 on Tuesday, with overspending by populistrun Italy again a concern.

In its quarterly forecast, the European Union (EU) executive blamed the downward trend on the slowdown in China and US protectionism that has crimped GLOBAL CONkDENCE The commission said growth in the 19-nation single currency bloc would hit just 1.2 percent this year, down from the already weak 1.3 percent predicted in February. “The European economy is showing resilience... yet risks to the outlook remain pro-

nounced,� said EU vice president Valdis Dombrovskis, warning of “further escalation of trade conlICTS AND WEAKNESS IN EMERGING markets, in particular China.�

Europe should also “stay alert to a possible no-deal Brexit,� he added, with negotiations on the EU’s divorce with the UK stalled and no agreement in sight.

The commission said the EU as a whole — still including Britain — would grow by 1.4 percent, instead of its earlier forecast of 1.5 percent.

The EU also warned that Italy’s public debt would balloon to a record 133.7 percent of GDP in 2019, a situation that could reopen a bitter feud between Brus-

sels and Rome about the populist government’s spending plans.

Italian debt would grow even further in 2020 to 135.2 percent of GDP, it forecast, well over commitments made to Brussels and more than double the EU’s 60 percent limit.

The alarm bell over Italy’s debt comes just as the eurozone’s third biggest economy returned to slender growth earlier this year after a short downturn.

Last year’s technical recession had put pressure on the populist government, which took POWER IN *UNE ON THE BACK OF big-spending electoral promises.

The health of the German economy is also a worry for the

EU as slumping demand for foreign cars in China takes a toll on Europe’s export powerhouse.

But the EU believes that the German economy will rebound from a weak 0.5 percent in 2019 to 1.5 percent in 2020.

Among the other large EU economies, Poland and Spain are projected to out-perform their neighbours, with real gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates above the EU average in both 2019 and 2020.

Belgium, Spain, France and )TALY ARE TO COMMIT SIGNIkCANT public overspending in 2019, with debt levels close to or above 100 percent of GDP, the EU said.

AFP

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The US central bank warned on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) of persistent risks to the financial system posed by elevated stock prices and historically high corporate debt loads, as well as the impact of President Donald Trump’s trade wars.

But major banks and insurance companies appear healthy and there is a low risk they would face a crash crunch during a run by panicked investors, the Federal Reserve (Fed) said in its latest report on financial stability.

The Fed said conditions had changed little since the assessment made in November, noting the large appetite for risk has kept stock prices relative to expected earnings above their average of the last 30 years, although the situation has eased somewhat.

After a rout in December, the S&P 500, a broad market index comprising the largest US corporations, has now risen more than 15 percent since the start of the year, touching new record heights.

Corporate debt also has grown faster than the economy for the past decade — with the fastest growth “concentrated among the riskiest firms,� the Fed report said.

Meanwhile, outreach to market players and experts showed persistent worries about trade and slowing global growth, particularly in China and Europe — with a possible “no-deal� Brexit and Italian fiscal woes among the key concerns. “Trade tensions were the preeminent risk for respondents in the first quarter of 2019,� the report said, adding that, while the US-China trade war was major concern, Fed contacts also worried about Trump’s threat to slap tariffs on auto imports.

But high levels of indebtedness remain a concern, as well as the quality of the lending. “The risks associated with leveraged loans have also intensified, as a greater proportion are to borrowers with lower credit ratings and already high levels of debt,� the report said. “In addition, loan agreements contain fewer financial maintenance covenants, which effectively reduce the incentive to monitor obligors and the ability to influence their behavior.�

On the other hand, worries about spillovers from emerging markets other than China, such as Argentina and Venezuela, had lessened since the prior report in November.

AFP

Monster cartel charge puts brakes on BMW earnings FRANKFURT AM MAIN: German highEND CARMAKER "-7 ON 4UESDAY REPORTED A PLUNGE IN PROkTS IN THE kRST QUARTER AS IT BOOKED A 1.4-billion-euro ($1.6 billion) charge related to an European Union (EU) cartel probe. .ET PROkTS AT THE GROUP NOSEdived 74.2 percent year-on-year to 588 million euros, the group said in a statement.

"RUSSELS ALLEGATION THAT "-7 colluded with Daimler and Volkswagen to avoid competing on emission control technology means “it is probable that the EU Commission will issue a sigNIkCANT kNE u THE -UNICH BASED manufacturer said.

"-7 ALREADY WARNED INVEStors when details of the probe were published last month that it would have to set aside at least a billion euros.

"UT THE kRM SAID COMPETITION authorities are trying “to equate the permissible coordination of industry positions regarding the regulatory framework with unlawful cartel agreements.� g)F NECESSARY "-7 WILL CON-

test the EU Commission’s allegations with all the legal means at its disposal,� it added.

On top of the provision, the group said growing research and development costs and investments had also sapped earnings, while revenue fell 0.9 percent to 22.5 billion euros.

Nevertheless “in operational terms, we remain firmly on course,� chief executive Harald Krueger said, adding that a wave of new models arriving in the second half of the year should lift business.

Excluding the effect of the proVISION "-7 ACHIEVED AN OPERATing margin of 5.6 percent, lower THAN IN S kRST THREE MONTHS 4HE GROUP CONkRMED ITS TARgets for the remainder of the year, aiming for a “slight increase� in unit sales but pointing to continuing cost increases and protectionist threats undermining earnings.

0RE TAX PROkT IS gEXPECTED TO be well below the previous year’s LEVEL u "-7 SAID FOLLOWING UP AN 8.1-percent fall in 2018.

AFP

˜ The Manila Times

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WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

Maritime

B7

International ports’efforts to be sustainable P ORTS all over the world, individually and collectively, take a serious, aggressive and more progressive stance to ensure their readiness for a sustainable future. Countries adopt their respective port development roadmaps to help charter their course toward achieving goals and objectives in a more sustainable manner.

Most of their efforts are focused on forward looking initiatives that involve modernization through adoption of technological advancement and digitalization, increased asset utilization and capitalization, increased awareness on environmental safety and preservation, and transition to green energy.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Achieving long-term global development is anchored in the principle of sustainable development.

This concept is the path that the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development under the banner title, “Transforming Our World� is determined to take. It is focused on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and 169 targets integrated in three pillars: economic development, social development and environmental protection.

4) safety and security, and 5) governance and ethics. Notably, it wants to empower workers, authorities and other port personalities to participate and actively engage, along with private and government institutions and civil societies, in forging sustainable programs and cooperation that will add value to communities and regions where these ports operate.

During the launch of the WPSP, IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim commended WPSP efforts.

In response, IAPH Managing Director for Policy and Strategy and concurrent WPSP Coordinator Patrick Verhoeven expressed the need to direct WPSP course with concrete priorities in the near future and in ensuring that port people worldwide will take part in the achievement of the program’s objectives.

Docks of the future

More than systems and policies, port development strategies must be anchored on sustainability.

This is the direction that the European Commission (EC) pursues.

On March 22, 2018, the World Also aligned with the UN SDG, Ports Sustainability Program was efforts of EC funded Docks the launched in Antwerp. The pro- Future (DTF) project are focused gram was initiated in 2017 by the on future ports’ sustainability that International Association of Ports consider not only the economic and Harbors (IAPH). UN SDG is but also social and environmental at the core of WPSP and is aimed aspects. to highlight global ports’ leaderWith 1.2 million Euro investSHIP IN SIGNIkCANTLY CONTRIBUTING MENTS $4& WORKS TO DEkNE THE to the attainment of these goals. concept of Europe’s future sus7030 WORKS ALONG kVE THEMES tainable ports and expects to 1) resilient infrastructure, 2) cli- achieve its objective through a mate and energy, 3) community five-step sustainable plan that outreach and port-city dialogue, include smart port operations,

World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP)

Q Manila International Container Terminal (MICT). PHOTO BY ICTSI preservation of the environment, development in the workplace and people’s well-being, planning for a bright future, and integration of port communities.

Amsterdam’s effort The Port of Amsterdam rolled out its own efforts on transformation, leading to a sustainable future.

Several projects worth around 10 million euros were unveiled by the port authority in 2017 and include the following: Setting up an LNG bunkering facility which is expected to start operating within the first two quarters of 2019 Still under its energy transition initiatives, discounts are offered to environment-friendly ships under its Clean Shipping Vision 2030 which aimed to reduce shipping emissions by providing support to the shipping sector In addition to emission reduction, innovative projects like conversion into fuel for ships of recyclable plastic is underway. The Amsterdam port authority will tap the technology developed by Integrated Green Energy Solutions (IGES), formerly Bin2Barrel.

Likewise, it partnered with Nouryon and Tata Steel for a study on the feasibility of green hydrogen to reach its climate targets. A maximum 350,000 tons annual CO2 savings is expected to be obtained from the project.

In an interview, Port of Amsterdam Project Manager Joost Zuidema also talked of efforts on the use of aquatic and aerial drones in monitoring and other relevant functions within and around the area. Likewise, he mentioned the port authority’s big plans on digitalization, using data and big data for formulating informed decisions with regard to port operations and related issues.

Philippine Ports Authority’s Green Port Project In the local scene, PPA strives at making small steps towards its big goal of being at par with other maritime stakeholders worldwide.

Initially, it promotes the use of renewable energy in all ports nationwide under its jurisdiction in an attempt to reduce carbon footprint in Philippine ports.

PPA established a 25-Year Port

Development Roadmap during a stakeholders’ summit in April 2017, which was supposed to be submitted for approval by the President by year-end. The roadmap is part of PPA’s commitment to the Ambisyon Natin 2040 launched by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and adopted by the present administration.

One of the banner programs under the roadmap is the “Green Port� project, which is geared toward the use of sustainable energy in all aspects of PPA operations to the extent possible.

PPA Assistant General Manager for Operations Hector Miole explained that in light of the commitment of the Authority’s counterparts in the shipping sector to the reduction of carbon emissions to a certain percentage within the next ten years, it is but apt that the same efforts be done in Philippine ports. He expressed that the project’s long-term effect on the environmental conserVATION AND kNANCIAL ASPECT FAR outweigh the initial outlays made by the Authority.

For a start, all existing incandesCENT AND lUORESCENT LAMPS AND

BULBS IN 00! S #ORPORATE /FkCE Building were replaced with LED lights. An inventory of all streetlights from the North Harbor and access roads going to its VTMS CONTROL TOWER 00! S OFkCES AT THE South, and the South Harbor Expanded Port Zone has also been conducted.

In addition, the Authority is working on a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine National Oil Company-Renewable #ORPORATION FOR THE EFkCIENT IMplementation of its project.

The Permanent International Association of Navigational Congresses [of which PPA is a member] and the Japan Overseas Port Cooperation Association recommend that it adopt disaster-resilient ports, consider climate change, and transform them into environment-friendly ports through the use of sustainable energy sources.

The PPA roadmap, in addition to the ‘Greening project’, includes long term-infrastructure development, cruise ship plans, industrial ports and zoning management, supply chain development, and interconnectivity.

SHARP MINDS CONTENT

Marina to use blockchain technology on seafarer certification THE Philippines is the first country in the world to use blockchain technology for seafarers’ certifications via the Navozyme-Certificate Authentication Platform (N-CAP).

Navozyme, a maritime blockchain innovator and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) recently signed an agreement to use blockchain technology to enhance the exchange of data and information between Marina and the stakeholders in the seafaring industry.

Marina OIC Administrator Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr, and Captain Jitesh Jaipuriyar, CEO of Navozyme Pte Ltd, Singapore signed a five-year Memorandum-Of-Understanding (MOU) to roll-out the Navozyme-Certificate Authentication Platform (N-CAP) in the Philippines.

According to Patricia Fernandez, Philippines country lead for Navozyme, the collaboration between Marina and Navozyme aimed to eliminate the risk of fraudulent certificate issuance and streamline process flows creating greater safety, productivity and an enhanced reputation for the Philippines maritime industry. “The blockchain enabled N-CAP platform enables real time exchange of certificate related information between Marina and maritime stakeholders like Seafarers, Maritime Training Institutions (MTIs) , Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) and Manning Agencies,�

Navozyme said.

Navozyme’s mission is to enhance lives in the maritime industry via

innovative technology solutions that improve safety, productivity and reputation of the global maritime industry. In the Philippines, Navozyme has been working closely with a select group of pioneering maritime organizations, called the Pioneer Pilot Group (PPG), consists of Jebsen Ship Management (Abojeb Group), MAAP, the PTC Group and the Magsaysay Maritime Corporation.

Navozyme also pilots the use of its blockchain enabled platforms in Singapore and Europe for use cases like Port Clearance and Vessel Registration along with leading maritime companies.  The prestigious Nautical Institute, UK, has also chosen Navozyme as its exclusive knowledge partner to design, develop and deliver the world’s first “Blockchain for Maritime Decisionmakers� workshop style education program for senior maritime leaders.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by maritime industry stalwarts  Vice Admiral Eduardo Santos, president of Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP); Arsenio Lingad 2nd,  director II and Officer in Charge, Office of the Deputy Administrator Planning, Marina, and Dr. Angelica Baylon, director for external relations of MAAP. Mr. Anjaney Borwankar, chief strategy officer of Navozyme; Daniel Visa Schmidt, Europe representative and board member of Navozyme;  and Patricia Fernandez, Philippines country lead for Navozyme were also present.

GENIVI FACTAO

Q Marina OIC Administrator Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr. (3rd from Right) and Captain Jitesh Jaipuriyar, CEO of Navozyme Pte Ltd, Singapore (4th from right) signed a five-year Memorandum-OfUnderstanding to roll-out the Navozyme-Certificate Authentication Platform (N-CAP) in the Philippines.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by ( From left) ) Arsenio Lingad II, director II and Officer in Charge, Office of the Deputy Administrator Planning, Marina; Dr. Angelica Baylon, director for external relations of MAAP; Anjaney Borwankar, chief strategy officer of Navozyme; Vice Admiral Eduardo Santos, president of Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, and Daniel Visa Schmidt, Europe representative and board member of Navozyme.

Angkla partylist: seafarers’ anchor T

HERE is not a shadow of doubt that the maritime sector drives economic growth and contributes to the national economy.

Yet, over the years, the sector has had to advocate for itself just how much shipping transport could contribute to the growth of agriculture and manufacturing and other businesses, if we could only ensure its sustainability.

As far back as the 1950s, the maritime sector has been working with the government to encourage legislation for the development of the country’s maritime and seafaring industries. There were many challenges along the way, including provisions in maritime legislation that put a limit on things — whether these are incentives, like the laws on overseas shipping and domestic shipping; or programs, like the bareboat chartering program. The crucial

question has been: what happens when the period for the incentives or the program is over? To address this in a timely manner has not always been easy.

Then in 1987, the new Constitution of the Republic paved the way for a strong representation of underrepresented sectors in Congress, through the party list. As we all know, the party-list representative must come from any one of the following sectors: labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women and youth.

But the list in the Constitution is open-ended because the Philippine Congress, by law, can provide additional sectors.

In the early years of this new system, the maritime sector tried to seek representation in Congress. It was not until six years ago, OR IN THAT THE SECTOR kNALLY won a party list seat through the

Angkla Party List. “Angkla� is the Filipino word for “anchor,� meaning a “device for securing ships to the ground under the water by means of cables.� To ANCHOR MEANS TO kX OR SECURE IN a particular place. It was derived from the Greek word “ankyra,� meaning a hook. Through the years IT HAS GAINED THE kGURATIVE SENSE OF stability and security.

Angkla came at a time when our maritime labor sector was facing a crisis. We needed to institute reforms so that we could integrate the various regulatory functions that were parceled out across many government agencies. Each agency exercised a little bit of regulation over the different aspects of education, training, examination, assessment, CERTIkCATION LICENSING AND MEDICAL kTNESS OF OUR SEAFARERS 7E NEEDED to have a focal agency which could be in charge and stand as the face

maneuvered the passage of a law, FROM THE DESK SIX MONTHS INTO ITS kRST TERM IN #ONcreating a single maritime agenOF THE IMO gress, cy for the effective implementation AMBASSADOR of the International Convention on CARLOS SALINAS 3TANDARDS OF 4RAINING #ERTIkCATION and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, of the Philippines before other or STCW Convention. Angkla has foreign maritime administrations since moved on to push for other who relied on Filipino seafarers to legislation to protect seafarers’ rights, man their ships. among others.

Angkla came into the picture But Angkla’s most important TO kLL THESE NEEDS AND GIVE VOICE role is the connection it forges to our seafarers and the countless between the maritime sector and individuals and families who de- Congress. It now serves as the pend on them. Its main objective maritime expert to representatives is to ensure the sustainability and who want more information development of maritime em- about the sector. It has expanded PLOYMENT NOT JUST FOR THE BENEkT THE SCOPE OF THE BILLS IT HAS kLED of the seafarers and their families, to include measures that seek to but eventually of the country. strengthen our maritime sector A novice in the lawmaking pro- and build a robust industry that cess and the workings of the House will not only focus on seafaring of Representatives and the Senate, but can venture into ship design, Angkla nevertheless successfully ship construction, ship operation,

port operations, marine insurance, offshore operations, ship repair and ship recycling.

Human connection is empowering, when people set aside self-interests and work together to meet the needs and concerns of their coworkers, family, neighbors, members of the sectors they belong to, and the whole nation. A cohesive group that shares a commonality of blood or language or religion or history or culture or in our case, industry, and is committed to a shared vision, is stronger than a hundred individuals each working solo, even if for the same purpose. Japanese poet Ryunosuke Satoro said: “Individually, we are one drop.

Together, we are an ocean.� And we, the maritime sector, who has devoted our best years to those who sail across the ocean, know how powerful that is.

Maritime NYK replaces execs as losses hit $398.4M B8

˜ The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

N

BY GENIVI FACTAO Â

IPPON Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), one of the world’s largest shipping lines, has replaced its top three executives, after the company reported a net loss of Y44.5 billion or $398.4 MILLION IN kSCAL YEAR NYK Chairman Yasumi Kudo will become the Special Advisor while NYK President Tadaaki Naito will take the position as the new chairman Naito’s tenure as president will come to an early end, and the move to become NYK chairman in Japanese corporate culture is a largely ceremonial role en route to retirement.

His position as president will be taken by Hitoshi Nagasawa, 61, who has been with NYK since 1980.

After consulting with the Nomination Advisory

Committee, the Board resolved a change of its chairman, president and Representative directors at the board of directors’ meeting. “ We c o n t i n u e t o t a k e quick and steady actions to execute the measures in line with the Medium-Term Management Plan and ensure to strengthen business structure and performance for achieving our targets of the plan under the new Board of Directors and the new Committee of Corporate Officers,� it said.

“We are viewing the results of this year seriously.

We have been implementing the necessary measures to improve financial results and stabilize the business of these two segments, and also to strengthen NYK g r o u p ’s c o r p o r a t e g ove r nance since last year,� NYK said in a statement.

Fo r f i s c a l ye a r e n d i n g March 2019, NYK recorded a loss attributable to owners of parent of Y44.5 billion, mainly due to the negative impact as well as extraordinary losses of the liner trade and air cargo transportation segment and due to related expenses for structural reforms of the dry bulk business.

Nevertheless, by continuously executing the measures in line with the Medium-Term Management Plan,

the consolidated results for fiscal year 2019 were expected to be recurring profit of Y37.0 billion and profit attributable to owners of parent of Y26.0 billion.

Naito said in March of last year, the NYK Group announced the Medium-Term Management Plan “Staying ahead 2022 with Digitalization and Green.� “Unfortunately, a loss was recorded in the first year of the plan. However, both Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE) and Nippon Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd. (NCA) were implementing the necessary measures to r e c ove r t h e b u s i n e s s r e sults,� he said.

The liftings and slot utilization were steadily improving at ONE, and it was expected that the company would be profitable next fiscal year 2019.

MARINER’S HOME GENERAL MANAGER MANUEL OTAYZA

Providing premium living spaces for seafarers in Manila

BY YASHIK A F. TORIB METRO Manila, for decades, has become the hub of most merchant marine agencies to include regulatory groups; manning; and shipping, training and assessment centers.

This strategic location has proved effective for the centralized business traffic and processes of maritime executives that Filipino seafarers all across the country travel to and converge in to manage their shipboard contracts, training, certifications and assessments.

While some seafarers have had no problem with this set up, thousands of other seamen residing in distant island provinces find this routine difficult for the lack of safe and decent temporary living space.

With the establishment of Mariners’ Home in 2006, however, Filipino seafarers were finally provided with premium

living spaces in Manila for less.

Such passion for providing the most basic needs of the seafarers fall in the hands of Manuel Nolet Otayza, general manager of the Mariners’ Home of the All Japan Seamen’s Union (AJSU), a group committed to improving the working conditions, social status and rights of its members.

AJSU also has a long-standing collaboration with the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (Amosup) to promote and implement its missions.

Both are affiliate members of the all powerful International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) the biggest Union in the world.

Mariners’ Home, according to Otayza was conceptualized by four parties — International Mariners’ Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ), Philippine-Japan Manning Con-

Q One of the four mariners home building in Manila. PHOTO BY AJSU

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EDITOR: Carmela I. Huelar

sultative Council (PJMCC), AMOSUP, and AJSU. “The late Amosup founder Capt. Gregorio Oca informed these parties that a lot of seafarers don’t have a p l a c e t o s t ay while undergoing training or processing their shipboard contracts in Metro Manila. Our Japanese partners Q Manuel Otayza immediately saw who are members of Amosup, the need for a living space and so they agreed need only to show their Seato support the project,� Otayza man’s Book or Amosup Membership ID to avail of these said.

W i t h t h e ve r y f i r s t M a r i - accommodations on top of our ners’ Home in Malate, Manila amenities to include a sports offering a mere 187-person complex with basketball court, capacity, a second transient gym and swimming pool. We home was built with up to 400 also have a maritime musecapacity. “We thought at the um,� Otayza narrated.

Mariners’ Home also protime that it is already enough but we still have hundreds v i d e s l i v i n g s p a c e s f o r u p more on our waiting list. That t o t h r e e m o n t h s o r l o n g e r was when we’ve built the Mari- d e p e n d i n g o n t h e t r a i n i n g ners’ Home Annex 3, with over s c h e d u l e s o f t h e s e a f a r e r s. “While there is no limit [to] 500-person capacity.�

The third Mariners’ Home the amount of time that we was seen to finally address the lease out our rooms, we still increasing demand for living maintain that this is a transpaces of seafarers in Manila. sient home for seafarers, for Otayza explained that attend- those who have no place to ing to the most basic needs stay here in Manila because of Filipino seafarers became they live permanently in the a sustained passion for their provinces. If we find out that Japanese partners who were the seafarer is already em“very easy to talk to and very ployed for a shore-based job generous when it comes to pro- here in Manila, that’s when we cease to provide spaces to viding for our seamen.�

Otayza brings to Mariners’ prioritize those with transient Home his years of experience living needs.�

Otayza disclosed that a in the hotel industry, particularly with the Victoria Group fourth annex is now in works of Companies. “We specialize as the demand for more tranin clean and pleasant rooms sient living spaces continues and that’s what I have intro- to increase, especially with duced with Mariners’ Home,� the surge of new training and says Otayza, a graduate of De assessment requirements for La Salle University with a de- seafarers prior to their shipgree in marketing and masters board deployment.

As Otayza untiringly sees to in management. “I always make sure that our the needs of his seamen cliseafarers are well-attended to entele from three annexes in by our staff. I am very particu- Metro Manila, his staff would lar with customer satisfaction sometimes perceive him as a and we deliver this through strict manager who constantly quality services, amenities, aims for best services and total customer satisfaction. and pleasant attitude.�

Nonetheless, his colleagues Accommodations in the Mariners’ Home are designed would enjoy his athletic side to look like ship cabins with as he is fond of playing basbunks as beds. For a meager ketball, golf and bowling. His amount of P150, a seafarer or love for sport eventually led his family can lodge in these him to manage the Marinero bunks, while suites only cost Pilipino Basketball Team who made it to the semis in the P 500 to P1,200. “Seafarers, especially those 2017 and 2018 PBA D-League.

Q Hitoshi Nagasawa, new NYK president

Chelsea Logistics tags PNOC for LNG hub CHELSEA Logistics Holdings Corp. has tapped state-led Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) for a potential liquefied natural gas (LNG) logistics hub in the country.

Both Chelsea Logistics and PNOC are exploring a possible joint development of a fuel and LNG storage and terminal for commercial and logistics use at the state-run corporation’s site in Mabini, Batangas.

The listed firm said this project would form part of the development plan for a downstream LNG network between its affiliate Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd. (CNOOC G&P), and PNOC. “This collaboration with PNOC provides opportunities for both Chelsea’s shipping and logistics businesses.

Further to the potential inclusion of a fuel and LNG storage and terminal to our logistics arm, we are studying how to serve the future vessel requirements for the transportation of PNX’s LNG products� Chelsea Logistics President and Chief Executive Officer Chryss Alfonsus Damuy said.

Phoenix Petroleum has a venture with CNOOC G&P, the subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC), for an LNG facility.

Tanglawan Philippine LNG Inc. — the venture of Phoenix Petroleum and CNOOC G&P — is planning a regasification and receiving terminal with a capacity of 2.2 metric tons per annum.

It also includes developing a gas-fired power plant with an installed capacity of up to 2,000 megawatts.

The entity, which received the notice to proceed last December, is targeting to begin commercial operations of the LNG terminal by the end of 2023.

Previously, Phoenix Petroleum, CNOOC G&P, and PNOC signed in March memorandum of understanding for the planned facility.

This would enable the three firms to explore and discuss business opportunities and cooperation in relation to the equity investment in Tanglawan and other companies, PNOC facilities and banked gas, market development, and future energy projects.

Following the signing of the nonbinding deal, representatives from Phoenix Petroleum, CNOOC G&P, and PNOC recently visited the CNOOC LNG terminal in Tianjin, China to inspect the possible model facility of Tanglawan.

Established in 2016, Chelsea Logistics was created as the holding company of the shipping and logistics arm business segments of the Udenna Group of Companies. It became a listed entity the following year.

To date, Chelsea Logistics operates 16 tankers, 23 RoPax vessels, 11 cargo vessels and 16 tugboats through Chelsea Shipping, Starlite Ferries, Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Inc. and Fortis Tugs. In addition, its investee 2GO Group, Inc. runs 8 RoPax vessels, 5 cargo vessels, and 11 fastcrafts.

Established in Davao City in 2005 and listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in July 2007, Phoenix Petroleum is into trading and marketing refined oil products, including liquefied petroleum gas and lubricants; operating oil depots and storage facilities; and offering hauling and into-plane services.

Chelsea Logistics shares went up P0.12 or 2.12 percent on Tuesday to end at P5.77 apiece.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

Q The Department of Justice (DoJ) and the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (Iswan), agreed to continuously protect the Filipinos particularly seafarers and fishermen victimized by human trafficking. The memorandum of understanding was signed to respond and report cases of abuse and to utilize both helpline -the 1343 hotline for human trafficking and SeafarerHelp of Iswan. Iswan Executive Director Roger Harris and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra signed the MOU on April 30, 2019.

˜ The Manila Times

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World

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

B9

HRW: Chinese Muslims under watch

C

HINESE authorities are using a mobile app designed for mass surveillance to profile, investigate and detain Muslims in Xinjiang by labelling “completely lawful� behavior as suspicious, a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report revealed.

Beijing had come under international criticism over its policies in THE NORTHWEST REGION OF 8INJIANG

WHERE AS MANY AS MILLION 5Ighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities were being held in INTERNMENT CAMPS ACCORDING TO a group of experts cited by the United Nations.

(27 HAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED that Xinjiang authorities use a mass surveillance system called the Integrated Joint Operations

Platform (IJOP) to gather informaTION FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES SUCH AS FACIAL RECOGNITION CAMERAS WIk SNIFFERS POLICE CHECKPOINTS BANKing records and home visits.

"UT THE NEW STUDY ENTITLED “China’s Algorithms of RepresSION u WORKED WITH A "ERLIN based security company to analYSE AN APP CONNECTED TO THE )*/0

SHOWING SPECIkC ACTS TARGETED BY the system.

Xinjiang authorities closely

India’s top opposition future uncertain NEW Delhi: Political observers in India are watching to see whether the scion of the country’s most important modern political dynasty can retain a seat in Parliament and revive his party’s fortunes.

As India’s marathon general ELECTION NEARS THE kNISH LINE OPposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi is beginning to seem like more of a credible leader. But it’s unclear whether the 48-yearold has done enough to defeat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Critics accuse Gandhi — the SON GRANDSON AND GREAT GRANDSON of Indian prime ministers — of being aloof. Modi derides him as the shehzada or prince.

But with small businesses and farmers hurt by some of Modi’s SIGNATURE POLICIES AND MOB ATTACKS ON -USLIMS ON THE RISE 'ANDHI and the secular politics the Congress party has long represented are resonating.

AP

WATCH CATEGORIES OF BEHAVIOR

including those who do not socialIZE WITH NEIGHBORS OFTEN AVOID USING THE FRONT DOOR DON T USE A SMARTPHONE DONATE TO MOSQUES gENTHUSIASTICALLY u AND USE AN gABNORMALu AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY

the group found.

4HE APP ALSO INSTRUCTS OFkCERS TO investigate those related to someONE WHO GOT A NEW PHONE NUMBER

or related to others who left the country and have not returned AFTER DAYS g/UR RESEARCH SHOWS FOR THE kRST TIME THAT 8INJIANG POLICE ARE USing illegally gathered information about people’s completely lawful behavior — and using it against THEM u SAID -AYA 7ANG SENIOR #HINA RESEARCHER AT (27 “The Chinese government is

monitoring every aspect of peoPLE S LIVES IN 8INJIANG PICKING OUT THOSE IT MISTRUSTS AND SUBJECTING THEM TO EXTRA SCRUTINY u The rights group obtained a copy of the app and enlisted cyberSECURITY kRM #URE TO gREVERSE ENGINEERu IT ‡ TO DISASSEMBLE IT and look at its design and data — and examined its source code.

Along with collecting personal INFORMATION THE APP PROMPTS OFkCIALS TO kLE REPORTS ABOUT PEOPLE

vehicles and events they find suspect — and sends out “invesTIGATIVE MISSIONSu FOR POLICE TO follow up. /FkCERS ARE ALSO ASKED TO CHECK whether suspects use any of the INTERNET TOOLS THAT ARE DEEMED SUSPICIOUS INCLUDING FOREIGN MESsaging platforms popular outside

#HINA LIKE 7HATS!PP ,INE AND Telegram.

A number of people said they or their family members had been DETAINED FOR HAVING SOFTWARE SUCH AS 7HATS!PP OR A 6IRTUAL 0RIVATE Network (VPN) installed on their phones during checks by authoriTIES ACCORDING TO THE REPORT 4HE RIGHTS GROUP SAID ITS kNDings suggested the IJOP system TRACKS DATA OF EVERYONE IN 8INJIang by monitoring location data FROM THEIR PHONES )$ CARDS AND VEHICLES PLUS ELECTRICITY AND GAS station usage. g0SYCHOLOGICALLY THE MORE people are sure that their actions ARE MONITORED AND THAT THEY AT ANYTIME CAN BE JUDGED FOR MOVING OUTSIDE OF A SAFE GREY SPACE

the more likely they are to do

everything to avoid coming close TO CROSSING A MOVING REDLINE u 3AMANTHA (OFFMAN AN ANALYST AT THE !USTRALIAN 3TRATEGIC 0OLICY )Nstitute’s International Cyber Policy #ENTRE TOLD !&0 g4HERE IS NO RULE OF LAW IN #HINA

the Party ultimately decides what is LEGAL AND ILLEGAL BEHAVIOUR AND IT DOESN T HAVE TO BE WRITTEN DOWN u The IJOP app was developed BY (EBEI &AR %AST #OMMUNICATION 3YSTEM %NGINEERING #OMPANY ("&%# WHICH AT THE TIME of the app’s development was FULLY OWNED BY #HINA %LECTRONICS 4ECHNOLOGY 'ROUP #ORPORATION A STATE OWNED TECHNOLOGY GIANT SAID (UMAN 2IGHTS 7ATCH #%4# COULD NOT BE REACHED AND ("&%# DID NOT RESPOND TO requests for comment.

AFP

THREAT TO LIFE

Mount Sinabung Volcano is currently spewing thick volcanic ash, endangering around 200,000 residents near the area. Sinabung also erupted in 2010 after being inactive for over 400 years.

AFP PHOTO

Myanmar frees 2 jailed Reuters reporters YANGON, Myanmar: Two Reuters journalists who were imprisoned for BREAKING -YANMAR S /FkCIAL 3Ecrets Act over reporting on security forces’ abuses of Rohingya Muslims were pardoned and released Tuesday.

4HE CONVICTIONS OF 7A ,ONE

AND +YAW 3OE /O

HAD DRAWN CONDEMNATION FROM RIGHTS GROUPS

Western governments and press asSOCIATIONS AND THE TWO JOURNALISTS had garnered several awards and OTHER HONORS )N !PRIL THEY SHARED with their Reuters colleagues the Pulitzer Prize for International 2EPORTING ONE OF JOURNALISM S highest honors.

The two were freed after President Win Myint issued a blanket PARDON FOR PRISONERS SAID :AW :AW CHIEF OF )NSEIN 0RISON IN THE COUNTRY S LARGEST CITY

Yangon.

-YANMAR S 3UPREME #OURT ON !PRIL HAD REJECTED THE JOURNALISTS kNAL APPEAL AGAINST THEIR seven-year prison terms. Their convictions were related to reporting on security forces’ abuses of the Muslim Rohingya minority.

The reporters contended they were FRAMED BECAUSE OF OFkCIAL DISPLEA-

sure over their reporting. “I want to say that I am very HAPPY TODAY u 7A ,ONE SAID TO REporters who had gathered in front of the prison. “I want to thank our friends and families who were trying for our freedom and also to those from all over the world who SYMPATHIZED WITH US u “I am really excited to see my family and colleges. I can’t wait TO GO TO MY NEWSROOM u HE SAID Myanmar’s military launched a brutal counterinsurgency campaign in the western state of 2AKHINE IN DRIVING MORE THAN 2OHINGYA TO lEE TO Bangladesh.

United Nations officials and others charge the campaign AMOUNTED TO ETHNIC CLEANSING

and even genocide. The military has said its actions in Rakhine state were a response to attacks BY 2OHINGYA GUERRILLAS AND IT DID not have a policy violating human rights or the laws of war.

The Reuters reporters had worked on an investigation of the KILLINGS OF 2OHINGYA VILLAGERS

for which the government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced TO UP YEARS IN PRISON AP

Indonesia volcano erupts, threatens villagers JAKARTA: An Indonesian volcano erupted on 4UESDAY SENDING A MASSIVE COLUMN OF ASH AND SMOKE METERS FEET INTO THE AIR THREATENING AROUND VILLAGERS WHO live nearby.

-OUNT 3INABUNG ON 3UMATRA )SLAND ‡ WHICH HAS BEEN RUMBLING SINCE AND SAW A DEADLY ERUPTION IN ‡ SPEWED THE THICK PLUME after activity picked up recent days. $ISASTER AGENCY OFkCIALS SAID THE ERUPTION HAD THE gPOTENTIALu TO AFFECT lIGHTS BUT IT HAD

not issued a formal notice for planes to avoid the area.

Local residents living along rivers near the crater were advised to be on alert for possible LAVA lOWS There were no reports of injuries or deaths after the latest eruption and the disaster agency did not issue an evacuation order.

No one lives inside a previously announced gNO GO ZONEu AROUND THE VOLCANO 3INABUNG ROARED BACK TO LIFE IN FOR THE

kRST TIME IN YEARS !FTER ANOTHER PERIOD OF INACTIVITY IT ERUPTED ONCE MORE IN AND HAS remained highly active since. )N SEVEN PEOPLE DIED IN ONE OF 3INABUNG S ERUPTIONS WHILE A ERUPTION KILLED )NDONESIA IS HOME TO AROUND ACTIVE VOLCANOES DUE TO ITS POSITION ON THE g2ING OF &IREu

a belt of tectonic plate boundaries circling the 0ACIkC /CEAN WHERE FREQUENT SEISMIC ACTIVITY occurs.

AFP

SKorea sees NKorea’s nuke launch as live-fire drill 3/54( Korea’s military saw the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) short-range PROJECTILE LAUNCHES AS A LIVE kRE EXERCISE NOT A PROVOCATION .EWSIS news agency reported Tuesday CITING THE 3OUTH +OREAN DEFENSE ministry.

According to the defense ministry report submitted to the chief of the parliamentary defense COMMITTEE THE $02+ S PROJECTILE

launches over the weekend were SEEN AS A LIVE kRE EXERCISE RATHER than a provocation. )T WAS SEEN AS A LIVE kRE EXERCISE given the launches having happened in an open space in the MORNING )N THE PAST THE $02+ launched missiles in an unidentikED PLACE BEFORE DAWN The DPRK fired several shortRANGE PROJECTILES 3ATURDAY MORNING into the waters from its east coast

city of Wonsan. The projectiles travELED BETWEEN KILOMETERS KM AND KM AT AN ALTITUDE OF KM TO KM ACCORDING TO THE 3EOUL ministry.

The parliamentary defense comMITTEE CHIEF SAID IN A PRESS BRIEkNG that the DPRK’s projectile launches seemed to be aimed at giving sigNALS TO BOTH 3OUTH +OREA AND THE 5NITED 3TATES The DPRK’s projectile firing

came after the second summit between top DPRK leader Kim *ONG 5N AND 53 0RESIDENT $ONALD Trump ended with no agreement in late February in Vietnamese CAPITAL OF (ANOI &OLLOWING THE PROJECTILE kRING

Trump said on his Twittter account that the DPRK leader “does not WANT TO BREAK HIS PROMISE u NOTing that “deal [with DPRK] will HAPPEN u GLOBAL TIMES

Chinese prefer Pakistani Christian as brides Tibet uses

AESTHETIC ARCH

An arch decorated with flowers and umbrellas has just been unveiled at the entrance of Doha’s Metro Red Line, also known as the Coast Line. Doha’s first metro would open to the public on May 9, 2019, the Qatari transport and communications ministry said. AFP PHOTO

GUJRANWALA, Pakistan: Muqadas !SHRAF WAS JUST WHEN HER PARents married her off to a Chinese man who had come to Pakistan LOOKING FOR A BRIDE ,ESS THAN kVE MONTHS LATER -UQADAS IS BACK IN HER HOME COUNTRY PREGNANT AND seeking a divorce from a husband she said was abusive.

3HE WAS ONE OF HUNDREDS OF poor Christian girls who had been trafficked to China in a market for brides that has swiftly grown in Pakistan since late last YEAR ACTIVISTS SAY "ROKERS ARE aggressively seeking out girls for #HINESE MEN SOMETIMES EVEN cruising outside churches to ask for potential brides. They are being helped by Christian clerics paid to target impoverished parents in their congregation with promises of wealth in exchange for their daughters.

Parents receive several thousand dollars and are told that their new sons-in-law are wealthy Christian converts. The grooms TURN OUT TO BE NEITHER ACCORDING TO SEVERAL BRIDES THEIR PARENTS AN ACTIVIST PASTORS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ALL OF WHOM SPOKE TO

The Associated Press (AP). Once IN #HINA THE GIRLS ‡ MOST OFTEN married against their will — can kND THEMSELVES ISOLATED IN REMOTE RURAL REGIONS VULNERABLE TO ABUSE

unable to communicate and reliant on a translation app even for a glass of water. g4HIS IS HUMAN SMUGGLING u SAID !SLAM !UGUSTINE THE HUMAN rights and minorities minister in 0AKISTAN S 0UNJAB PROVINCE IN AN interview with the AP. “Greed is really responsible for these marriages... I have met with some of THESE GIRLS AND THEY ARE VERY POOR u Augustine accused the Chinese government and its embassy in Pakistan of turning a blind eye to the practice by unquestioningly issuing visas and documents. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs DENIED THAT SAYING #HINA HAD ZERO tolerance for illegal transnational marriage agencies.

(UMAN 2IGHTS 7ATCH CALLED ON China and Pakistan to take action TO END BRIDE TRAFkCKING WARNING IN AN !PRIL STATEMENT OF gINCREASing evidence that Pakistani women and girls are at risk of sexual slavERY IN #HINA u

/N -ONDAY 0AKISTAN S &EDERAL Investigation Agency arrested eight Chinese and four Pakistanis in raids in Punjab province in conNECTION WITH TRAFkCKING 'EO 46 reported. It said the raids followed an undercover operation that included attending an arranged marriage.

The Chinese embassy said last month that China was cooperating with Pakistan to crack down on UNLAWFUL MATCHMAKING CENTERS

saying “both Chinese and Pakistani youths are victims of these ILLEGAL AGENTS u The AP interviewed more than a dozen Christian Pakistani brides and would-be brides who lED BEFORE EXCHANGING VOWS !LL had similar accounts of a process involving brokers and members OF THE CLERGY INCLUDING DESCRIBing houses where they were taken to see potential husbands and spend their wedding nights in )SLAMABAD THE COUNTRY S CAPITAL

AND ,AHORE THE CAPITAL OF 0UNJAB province. “It is all fraud and cheating. All THE PROMISES THEY MAKE ARE FAKE u said Muqadas.

AP

WeChat to fight gang crimes

KONJO county in Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region effectively used WeChat groups to motivate residents to help crack down on gang crimes, amid a nationwide tendency to use the advantages of social media to fight crimes.

Experts said that using social media would not only help authorities gather evidence, but would also make it convenient for residents to report tips. Since the beginning of the year, Konjo authorities have gathered more than 2,000 messages through WeChat groups of local villages and neighborhood committees, the Tibet Daily reported on Monday. The WeChat groups were established as part of the county authorities’ efforts to urge residents to stay away from gangs and illegal organizations, the Tibet Daily reported. Some gangs in the Tibetan region have colluded with the Dalai clique, serving as a base to help the clique spread separatism and create separatist incidents, said Zhu Weiqun, former head of the China’s Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee.

GLOBAL TIMES

B10

World

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

Iran may attack US troops in Middle East W

ASHINGTON, D.C.: The US is sending an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East ahead of schedule and warning that Iran and its proxy forces are showing “troubling and escalatory� indications of a possible attack on American forces in the region. %XACTLY WHAT PROMPTED THE ACTION WAS UNCLEAR BUT IT MARKED A FURTHER STEP IN SHARPLY RISING TENSIONS BETWEEN THE 4RUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE )SLAMIC 2EPUBLIC .ATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER *OHN "OLTON SAID THE 53 WAS DEPLOYING the 533 !BRAHAM ,INCOLN Carrier 3TRIKE 'ROUP AND A BOMBER TASK FORCE TO THE -IDDLE %AST INTENDING TO SEND A MESSAGE THAT gUNRELENTING FORCEu WILL MEET ANY ATTACK ON

!MERICAN FORCES OR ALLIES g4HE 5NITED 3TATES IS NOT SEEKING WAR WITH THE )RANIAN REGIME BUT WE ARE FULLY PREPARED TO RESPOND TO ANY ATTACK WHETHER BY PROXY

THE )SLAMIC 2EVOLUTIONARY 'UARD #ORPS OR REGULAR )RANIAN FORCES u "OLTON SAID .EITHER "OLTON NOR OTHER OFkCIALS WOULD PROVIDE ANY DETAILS ABOUT THE SUPPOSED THREAT WHICH COMES AS THE 4RUMP ADMINISTRATION WAGES A

campaign of intensifying pressure AGAINST )RAN AND NEARLY A YEAR AFTER IT WITHDREW FROM AN /BAMA ERA NUCLEAR DEAL WITH 4EHRAN )N )RAN THE SEMI OFkCIAL )RANIAN 3TUDENTS .EWS !GENCY NEWS AGENCY ON -ONDAY QUOTED AN ANONYMOUS OFkCIAL AS SAYING THAT )RANIAN 0RESIDENT (ASSAN 2OUHANI PLANNED A BROADCAST ADDRESS 7EDNESDAY AND MIGHT DISCUSS gCOUNTERACTIONSu 4EHRAN WOULD TAKE OVER !MERICA S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR DEAL 4HE AGREEMENT LIMITED )RAN S enrichment of uranium amid 7ESTERN CONCERNS THAT 4EHRAN S PROGRAM COULD ALLOW IT TO BUILD NUCLEAR WEAPONS )RAN INSISTS ITS PROGRAM IS FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES 7ITH ITS PRESSURE CAMPAIGN

the US administration is trying TO GET )RAN TO HALT ACTIVITIES SUCH

AS SUPPORTING MILITANT ACTIVITIES THAT DESTABILIZE THE -IDDLE %AST AND THREATEN 53 ALLIES INCLUDING )SRAEL 3ECRETARY OF 3TATE -IKE 0OMPEO SAID g/UR OBJECTIVE IS TO GET THE )SLAMIC 2EPUBLIC OF )RAN TO BEHAVE LIKE A NORMAL NATION u 0OMPEO TOLD REPORTERS DURING A VISIT TO &INLAND g7HEN THEY DO THAT WE WILL WELCOME THEM BACK u The order to the carrier group WOULD GET THE !BRAHAM ,INCOLN INTO THE -IDDLE %AST ABOUT TWO WEEKS EARLIER THAN INITIALLY PLANNED FOLLOWING EXERCISES IN THE -EDITERRANEAN REGION ACCORDING TO A 53 DEFENSE OFkCIAL WHO WASN T AUTHORIZED TO SPEAK PUBLICLY SO SPOKE ON THE CONDITION OF ANONYMITY )T FORCES THE SHIPS TO CANCEL A PLANNED STOP IN #ROATIA AP

Pope Francis says desperate refugees need love SOFIA, Bulgaria: 0OPE &RANCIS TOLD REFUGEES -ONDAY 4UESDAY IN -ANILA IN "ULGARIA S SHOWCASE REFUGEE CENTER THAT THEY WERE BEARING THE gCROSS OF HUMANITY u AS HE PRESSED HIS CALL FOR THE MIGRANT SKEPTIC "ALKAN COUNTRY TO WELCOME POOR AND DESPERATE FOREIGNERS WITH LOVE /N HIS SECOND AND kNAL DAY IN "ULGARIA &RANCIS SOUGHT TO encourage both refugees and THE TINY #ATHOLIC COMMUNITY HERE CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF &IRST #OMMUNION FOR NEARLY CHILDREN "UT HIS EFFORTS TO WARM RELATIONS WITH THE "ULGARIAN /RTHODOX #HURCH APPEARED TO STALL AS RELIGIOUS LEADERS STAYED AWAY FROM A peace meeting he convened and ONE POWERFUL METROPOLITAN CALLED HIS VISIT gAN ATTACK ON /RTHODOXY u &RANCIS HAS SOUGHT TO BUILD BRIDGES WITH THE CONSERVATIVE /RTHODOX #HURCH AND ITS LEADER

0ATRIARCH .EOkT WELCOMED HIM UPON HIS ARRIVAL ON 3UNDAY "UT THE CHURCH S GOVERNING (OLY 3YNOD HAD MADE CLEAR FROM THE START THAT ITS REPRESENTATIVES WOULDN T PARTICIPATE IN HIS EVENTS &RANCIS OPENED HIS DAY VISITING THE 6RAZHDEBNA REFUGEE CENTER

IN A REFURBISHED SCHOOL ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CAPITAL 3OFIA #HILDREN FROM )RAQ 3YRIA AND

Treasury won’t give Trump tax returns to Congress WASHINGTON, D.C.: US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has made it OFkCIAL 4HE ADMINISTRATION WON T BE TURNING 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP S TAX RETURNS OVER TO THE $EMOCRATIC CONTROLLED (OUSE -NUCHIN TOLD 7AYS AND -EANS Committee Chairman Richard .EAL $EMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE FOR -ASSACHUSETTS IN A -ONDAY LETTER THAT THE PANEL S REQUEST gLACKS A LEGITIMATE LEGISLATIVE PURPOSEu AS 3UPREME #OURT PRECEDENT REQUIRES )N MAKING THAT DETERMINATION

-NUCHIN SAID HE RELIED ON THE ADVICE OF THE *USTICE $EPARTMENT (E CONCLUDED THAT THE 4REASURY $EPARTMENT WAS gNOT AUTHORIZED TO DISCLOSE THE REQUESTED RETURNS AND RETURN INFORMATION u (E SAID THE *USTICE $EPARTMENT WOULD PROVIDE A MORE DETAILED LEGAL JUSTIkCATION SOON 4HE MOVE WHICH WAS EXPECTED IS SURE TO SET IN MOTION A LEGAL BATTLE OVER 4RUMP S TAX RETURNS 4HE CHIEF OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO $EMOCRATS ARE TO SUBPOENA THE )NTERNATIONAL 2EVENUE 3ERVICE )23 FOR THE RETURNS OR TO kLE A LAWSUIT ,AST WEEK .EAL PROMISED gWE LL BE READYu TO ACT SOON AFTER -ONDAY S DEADLINE 4REASURY S DENIAL CAME THE SAME DAY THAT THE (OUSE *UDICIARY PANEL SCHEDULED A VOTE FOR 7EDNESDAY ON WHETHER TO FIND !TTORNEY 'ENERAL 7ILLIAM "ARR IN CONTEMPT OF #ONGRESS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH A SUBPOENA FOR A FULL UNREDACTED COPY OF SPECIAL COUNSEL 2OBERT -UELLER S REPORT &IGHTS WITH OTHER (OUSE PANELS ARE ONGOING

g) WILL CONSULT WITH COUNSEL AND DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE u .EAL SAID IN A STATEMENT -ONDAY .EAL ORIGINALLY DEMANDED ACCESS TO 4RUMP S TAX RETURNS IN EARLY !PRIL UNDER A LAW THAT SAYS THE )23 gSHALL FURNISHu THE RETURNS OF ANY TAXPAYER TO A HANDFUL OF TOP LAWMAKERS INCLUDING THE CHAIR OF THE TAX WRITING 7AYS AND -EANS #OMMITTEE (E MAINTAINS THAT THE COMMITTEE WAS LOOKING INTO THE effectiveness of IRS mandatory audits of TAX RETURNS OF ALL SITTING PRESIDENTS A WAY TO JUSTIFY HIS CLAIM THAT THE PANEL HAS A POTENTIAL LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE $EMOCRATS ARE CONkDENT IN THEIR LEGAL JUSTIkCATION AND SAY 4RUMP IS STALLING IN AN ATTEMPT TO PUNT THE ISSUE PAST THE ELECTION -EANWHILE A (OUSE COMMITTEE IS POISED TO HOLD "ARR IN CONTEMPT OF #ONGRESS ‡ THE OPENING SALVO IN WHAT COULD BE A LENGTHY ACRIMONIOUS COURT BATTLE BETWEEN (OUSE $EMOCRATS AND 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP S ADMINISTRATION OVER SPECIAL COUNSEL 2OBERT -UELLER S REPORT (OUSE *UDICIARY #OMMITTEE #HAIRMAN *ERROLD .ADLER SCHEDULED A 7EDNESDAY VOTE TO HOLD "ARR IN CONTEMPT OF #ONGRESS CITING THE *USTICE $EPARTMENT S FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE FULL TEXT OF -UELLER S REPORT

BY THE -ONDAY MORNING DEADLINE .ADLER $EMOCRATICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR .EW 9ORK SAID "ARR S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A SUBPOENA LEFT THEM WITH gNO CHOICE BUT TO INITIATE CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS u AP

Worldinbriefs ROYAL BABY’S NAMES: ARTHUR, JAMES, PHILIP

HIS HOLINESS

Pope Francis is accompanied by Macedonia President Gjorge Ivanov during a welcome ceremony in the courtyard of the presidential palace in Skopje. The three-day tour, which also takes in North Macedonia, includes a visit to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Sofia, bulgaria and a commemoration of Mother Teresa. AFP PHOTO ELSEWHERE SANG FOR HIM AND GAVE HIM DRAWINGS &RANCIS THANKED THEM FOR THEIR JOY AND HOPE AND TOLD THEM THAT HE KNOWS WELL THE PAIN OF LEAVING BEHIND THEIR COUNTRIES (E COMpared their suffering to the cross #HRIST BORE g4ODAY THE WORLD OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES IS A KIND OF CROSS

THE CROSS OF HUMANITY u &RANCIS SAID g)T S A CROSS THAT MANY PEOPLE SUFFER u "ULGARIA S CENTER RIGHT GOVERNment has been criticized by human rights groups and the EuROPEAN #OUNCIL FOR ITS TREATMENT OF ASYLUM SEEKERS PARTICULARLY UNACCOMPANIED MINORS 4HE GOVERNMENT WHICH INCLUDES THREE

NATIONALIST ANTI MIGRANT PARTIES

HAS CALLED FOR THE %UROPEAN 5NION TO CLOSE ITS BORDERS TO MIGRANTS AND HAS SEALED OFF ITS OWN BORDER WITH 4URKEY WITH A BARBED WIRE FENCE g(E THE POPE IS A GREAT MAN u SAID 4AHA 3ABER )SMAEL AN )RAQI +URD WHO WAS AMONG ABOUT REFUGEES WHO GREETED &RANCIS AT THE CENTER g) HOPE HE HELPS US u AFP

WINDSOR, England: According to rumors, the top pick for the name of Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s baby is Arthur. Coming in second for name predictions is James, which is followed by Philip and Albert. The improbable love story between an American actress and a British royal took the best of all possible turns on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) with the arrival of a healthy baby boy. The as-yet-unnamed baby arrived less than a year after Prince Harry wed Meghan Markle in a spectacular televised event on the grounds of Windsor Castle that was watched the world over. Meghan is now the Duchess of Sussex, but she still does things her own way.

AP

7.2-QUAKE RATTLES PAPUA NEW GUINEA CANBERRA, Australia: A strong earthquake rattled Papua New Guinea early Tuesday but damage appeared to be minimal. The magnitude 7.2 quake hit around 7:20 a.m. (9:20 a.m. in Manila) about 33 kilometers (21 miles) southeast of Bulolo, in the country’s east. It struck at a depth of 127 kilometers (79 miles), US Geological Survey said. There was no tsunami threat. Christopher Lam said the rumble was audible in Lae, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Bulolo. “It was big. You can hear it. Got stuff thrown around in the house and the power is now cut off,� he tweeted, alongside a video that showed his home rattling. AP

TANKER BLAST KILLS 55 IN NIGER AN oil tanker explosion in Niger killed at least 55 people, some of whom were trying to collect spilled fuel after the vehicle overturned, authorities say. The explosion happened late Sunday on the road leading to the airport in Niamey, the capital of the West African country. Another 37 people were injured in the explosion, Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum said in a Twitter post.

AFP

DEATH TOLL IN LIBYA FIGHTING HITS 432 — WHO A TOTAL of 432 people have been killed and 2,069 others injured in the fighting between the United Nations (UN)-backed Libyan government and the east-based army in and around the capital Tripoli, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday. “Since the armed conflict in Tripoli, Libya began, 432 people have died, 2,069 people have been wounded, and more than 50,000 have had to flee their homes,� WHO tweeted. “Every day of violence means more people killed, injured, or displaced,� WHO added. The east-based army, led by Khalifa Haftar, has been leading a military campaign since early April to take over Tripoli, where the UN-backed government is based. During a cabinet meeting last Thursday, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj said there will be no cease-fire until the rival army forces “return to where they came from.� Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid chaos since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

GLOBAL TIMES

SYRIA, JIHADISTS WAR KILLS 43 — REPORT BEIRUT: Clashes between Syrian government forces and jihadists have killed 43 fighters in the country’s northwest, where the regime and its Russian ally have stepped up bombardment in the past few days, a monitor said. Jihadists also fired rockets at a Russian air base in the region but were repelled, with the attack causing no casualties or damage, the Russian defence ministry said in a statement. Twenty-two pro-government fighters were among those killed in fierce fighting in the northern countryside of Hama province, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

AFP

ALL BOMBERS KILLED — SRI LANKA POLICE CHIEF

ALASKA WARMING

Hunter Emert Nicorei prepares to search for geese and ducks at the town of Napakiak on the Yukon Delta in Alaska. According to climate change reports from scientists, Alaska has been warming twice as fast as the global average. AFP PHOTO

Turkey president backs Istanbul vote re-run ANKARA: 4URKISH 0RESIDENT 2ECEP 4AYYIP %RDOGAN ON 4UESDAY WELCOMED A CONTROVERSIAL ORDER TO RE RUN THE RECENT )STANBUL ELECTION AFTER COMPLAINTS OF CORRUPTION AS THE gBEST STEPu FOR THE COUNTRY g7E SEE THIS DECISION AS THE BEST STEP THAT WILL STRENGTHEN OUR WILL TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF DEMOCRACY AND LAW u

%RDOGAN TOLD A MEETING OF HIS PARTY MEMBERS IN PARLIAMENT %RDOGAN S COMMENTS COME A DAY AFTER THE TOP ELECTION BODY CANCELLED THE -ARCH VOTE THAT handed opposition candidate %KREM )MAMOGLU A NARROW LEAD OVER %RDOGAN S RULING *USTICE AND $EVELOPMENT 0ARTY !+0 4HE !+0 HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT

DEFEAT CITING gIRREGULARITIES AND CORRUPTIONu IN THE VOTE %RDOGAN ON 4UESDAY TALKED OF gORGANIZED CRIMEu AND gSERIOUS CORRUPTIONu DURING THE VOTE g4HE DOCUMENTS WE HAVE PRESENTED ARE QUITE SOLID AND BASED ON CONCRETE EVIDENCE WHICH CANNOT BE DISPUTED u HE SAID g7E SINCERELY BELIEVE THERE WAS OR-

GANIZED CORRUPTION AND IRREGULARITIES u (E SAID THAT IF HIS GOVERNMENT DID NOT BRING TO ACCOUNT THE gTHIEVESu WHO STOLE THE gNATIONAL WILLu AT THE BALLOT BOX gOUR PEOPLE WILL DEMAND AN EXPLANATION FROM USu 7ITH MILLION RESIDENTS )STANBUL IS 4URKEY S ECONOMIC ENGINE AND CONTROLS A MAJOR CHUNK OF PUBLIC SPENDING AFP

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan security authorities have either killed or arrested all the jihadists responsible for the Easter suicide bombings that left 257 people dead, police chief Chandana Wickramaratne said Tuesday. Police have accounted for every individual involved in the April 21 attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels, Wickramaratne said in an audio statement. “All those who organised and carried out the suicide bomb attack have died or is in our custody,� he said. AFP

MEXICO PLANE CRASH KILLS 13 A PRIVATE airplane crashed in a remote mountainous area in northern Mexico over the weekend, killing all the 13 people on board, authorities said on Monday.

Authorities located on Monday the remains of the small jet in the northern state of Coahuila and later confirmed the death toll. Local media reported first that there were 14 people on board. Authorities had been searching for the plane “Challenger 601� since communication was lost on Sunday afternoon, as the aircraft was passing through Coahuila on the way to the northern Mexican city of Monterrey from the US city of Las Vegas.

GLOBAL TIMES

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WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION A listed company at the Philippine Stock Exchange

NOTICE TO ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

5(0,1'(5 ,6 +(5(%< *,9(1 WKDW WKH $QQXDO 0HHWLQJ RI 6WRFNKROGHUV RI OMICO CORPORATION as mandated in the By-Laws of the Corporation shall be held on the last Friday of May of each and every year which for the current year falls on May 31, 2019. The time and venue will be 9:00 A.M. at the DasmariĂąas Function Room, 0DNDWL 6SRUWV &OXE ,QF / 3 /HYLVWH FRUQHU *DOODUGR 6WUHHWV 6DOFHGR 9LOODJH 0DNDWL &LW\ ZLWK WKH IROORZLQJ DJHQGD 1.

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Call to Order &HUWLÂżFDWLRQ RI 1RWLFH DQG 4XRUXP Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 25, 2018 Annual Report of the President 5DWLÂżFDWLRQ RI $FWV DQG 3URFHHGLQJV RI WKH %RDUG RI 'LUHFWRUV DQG 0DQDJHPHQW IURP 0D\ Election of Directors Election of External Auditor Other Business Adjournment

This announcement will serve as notice to all concerned of the legal dissolution of the aforesaid corporation.

(SGD.) MARY CO Secretary/Treasurer MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8, 15 & 22, 2019

Should you be unable to attend the meeting in person, you may designate your authorized representative by submitting a proxy. Management however is not soliciting your proxy. Proxies shall be submitted to and received DW WKH SULQFLSDO RIÂżFH RI WKH &RUSRUDWLRQ RQ RU EHIRUH 0D\ S P DGGUHVVHG WR WKH DWWHQWLRQ RI WKH &RUSRUDWH 6HFUHWDU\ 9DOLGDWLRQ RI SUR[LHV LV VHW RQ 0D\ S P DW 6XLWH (DVW 7RZHU 36( &HQWUH Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Corporate stockholders should attach to their proxies their respective board resolution(s) authorizing the execution of the same.

Registration will be from 8:00 to 8:50 a.m. only. To facilitate the registration of your attendance, please present DQ\ IRUP RI LGHQWLÂżFDWLRQ VXFK DV SDVVSRUW GULYHUÂśV OLFHQVH RU YRWHUÂśV , '

Anybody who can give information about the mother or relatives of the children is requested to report to the Helping Hands Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home located at Cosmos St. Corner Daisy Street, Amparo Heights, Camp 7, Baguio City with contact number (074) 422 3745 and look for their Social Workers Ms. Mina L. Manaois or Jovita M. Liu.

WANTED DRIVER Alteast 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;4 Height With Experience Call/Text: 09665820173

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

UC-ME True-Up Shortfall/(Surplus) = Total UC-ME Requirement - Approved UC-ME

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE RECOVERY/REFUND FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHARGE OF THE SHORTFALL/ SURPLUS IN THE MISSIONARY ELECTRIFICATION SUBSIDY FOR CY 2016 AND THE CORRESPONDING ADJUSTMENT OF THE UNIVERSAL CHARGE FOR MISSIONARY ELECTRIFICATION (UC-ME), WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY (PA)

23. The issuance of a provisional authority is authorized under Section 3 Rule 14 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Likewise, the authority of the +RQRUDEOH &RPPLVVLRQ WR LVVXH D SURYLVLRQDO DXWKRULW\ LV FRQÂżUPHG E\ the Supreme Court in the case of Freedom from Debt Coalition, et. al. vs. ERC, et. al.,9 when it held that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the power to approve provisional rate increases is included among the powers transferred to the ERC by virtue of Section 44 since the grant of that authority is not inconsistent with the (3,5$ UDWKHU LW LV LQ IXOO KDUPRQ\ ZLWK WKH WKUXVW RI WKH ODZ ZKLFK LV WR strengthen the ERC as the new regulatory body.â&#x20AC;?

Where: Total UC-ME Requirement = (NPC Allowable Revenue Requirement -Revenue from Sales)+ (NPPs, QTP and RED-CI UCME requirements) 11. The total revenue considered was based on the amount granted and accrued from the UC-ME as well as from the revenue from sales based on approved SAGR. Likewise considered were all the allowable expenses accrued by NPC as well as total UC-ME paid to NPPs, QTP and RED-CI.

COMPLIANCE WITH PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 24. In Compliance with Rule 6 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, Petitioner has furnished the legislative bodies of each of the local government units where it principally operates, a copy of this petition including all its annexes and accompanying documents.

ERC CASE NO. 2019-004 RC 12. In the calculation of the NPC revenue requirement, the following accounts and actual costs were considered:

NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner. x -------------------------------------------------------- x

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 11 January 2019, the National Power Corporation 13& ÂżOHG D Petition dated 27 December 2018 seeking the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval of the recovery or refund from the Universal Charge (UC) of the shortfall RU VXUSOXV LQ WKH 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ 0( VXEVLG\ IRU &DOHQGDU <HDU &<

2016, and the corresponding adjustment of the UC-ME. The pertinent portions of the said Petition are hereunder quoted as follows: 1.

Petitioner NPC is a government owned and controlled corporation created and existing under and by virtue of Republic Act No. 6395 as amended ³13& &KDUWHU´ ZLWK SULQFLSDO DGGUHVV DW 13& 2I¿FH %XLOGLQJ &RPSOH[ corner Quezon Avenue and BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City where it may be served with orders and other processes of the Honorable Commission.

2. Pursuant to Section 70 of Republic Act No. 9136 otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (â&#x20AC;&#x153;EPIRAâ&#x20AC;?), NPC shall remain as a National-Government owned and controlled corporation to perform the PLVVLRQDU\ HOHFWULÂżFDWLRQ IXQFWLRQ WKURXJK LWV 6PDOO 3RZHU 8WLOLWLHV *URXS (â&#x20AC;&#x153;SPUGâ&#x20AC;?) and shall be responsible for providing power generation and its associated power delivery systems in areas that are not connected to the transmission system.

3. 13& LV ÂżOLQJ WKLV 3HWLWLRQ LQ LWV FDSDFLW\ DV WKH LPSOHPHQWLQJ DJHQF\ IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ Âł0(´ IXQFWLRQ 7KH VDLG IXQFWLRQ VKDOO EH funded from the revenue from sales in missionary areas and from the universal charge (â&#x20AC;&#x153;UCâ&#x20AC;?) to be collected from all electricity end-users as determined by the Energy Regulatory Commission (â&#x20AC;&#x153;ERCâ&#x20AC;?) and in line with Section 2 (a) of the RA 9136 Implementing Rules and Regulations or EPIRA IRR. 4. Pursuant to Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6395, as amended, and Executive Order No. 86,1 issued by virtue of the authority granted to the President of the Republic of the Philippines under R.A. 7684,2 Petitioner NPC is duly authorized to charge twelve percent (12%) return on its rate base composed of the sum of its net assets in operation plus two (2) months operating capital.

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On 22 August 2011, the ERC approved and issued Resolution No. 21, Series of 2011,3 which provides for the guidelines for the setting and approval of electricity generation rates and subsidies for Missionary (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ DUHDV DQG IRU WKH Âż[LQJ RI DQG DYDLOPHQW RI VXEVLGLHV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ DUHDV DV ZHOO DV WKH FDVK LQFHQWLYHV IRU WKH 5HQHZDEOH (QHUJ\ 5( 'HYHORSHUV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ IURP the UC-ME. Said resolution allows NPC and¡ the New Power Providers (â&#x20AC;&#x153;NPPsâ&#x20AC;?) to recover the TCGR as approved by the ERC. In cases where the TCGR is higher than the SAGR, then NPC and the NPPs shall be allowed to recover the difference between the TCGR and the SAGR from the UCME.4 Likewise in the same resolution, it is provided that if the reconciliation results in the 13& 638* KDYLQJ VXUSOXV DV FRQÂżUPHG E\ WKH (5& the amount corresponding to the surplus shall be deducted from the UCME under the current petition to cover the surplus caused by several IDFWRUV DV WKHUHLQ VSHFLÂżHG L H DGMXVWPHQWV GXH WR *5$0 DQG ,&(5$ adjustments in the NPP TCGR and other analogous cases).5

6. The Honorable Commission likewise issued ERC Resolution No. 22, Series of 20066 on 0D\ ZKLFK PDQGDWHV 13& WR ÂżOH D TXDUWHUO\ application, if necessary, with the ERC to recover any shortfall in the UCME caused by factors such as collection shortfall, adjustments in the FCRR and other analogous cases.7 Furthermore, it is provided therein that â&#x20AC;&#x153;if the reconciliation results in the NPC-SPUG having surplus funds, the amount of the ME Subsidy for the year shall be adjusted accordingly.

Conversely, if the reconciliation results in NPC-SPUG experiencing GHÂżFLHQF\ LW VKDOO EH HQWLWOHG WR ÂżOH DQ DSSOLFDWLRQ ZLWK WKH (5& IRU DQ increase in the UC-ME to cover the shortfall.â&#x20AC;?8 7. 13& LV ÂżOLQJ this petition pursuant to Rule 20 (A) of the ERC Rules of Practice of Procedure as approved by this Honorable Commission on 22 June 2006 in Resolution No. 38, Series of 2006.

ABSTRACT OF THE PROPOSED RECOVERY/REFUND OF THE SHORTFALL/SURPLUS IN THE UC-ME 8.

Proof of receipts by the Sangguniang Panlungsod is attached hereto as Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;?. Proof of service to the legislative bodies of the local government units where NPC also operates is attached hereto as Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jâ&#x20AC;?.

a. b.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Reconciliation of Actual UC-ME. %DVHG RQ &< WHVW SHULRG 13& utilizes in its calculation the following documents: D &HUWLÂżHG &< 13& )LQDQFLDO 6WDWHPHQWV E $FWXDO 5HVXOWV RI 2SHUDWLRQ F 7KH DFWXDO GLVEXUVHPHQWV RI 8& 0( WR 133V 473 DQG 5(' &,

9. Total UC-ME Shortfall/Surplus. Based on the foregoing documents and as a result of the calculations made, the total shortfall/surplus amounted to (PhP1,483,845,466.67) or (PhP0.0162/kWh) using the twelve (12) PRQWK SURMHFWHG HQHUJ\ VDOHV QDWLRQZLGH IRU &< and the shortfall for RED - CI are summarized in Table 1 below.

(This space is intentionally left blank.)

Table 1: Summary of Shortfall/Surplus Particulars REVENUE REQUIREMENT Less: REVENUE FROM SALES REQUIRED REVENUE FROM UC-ME Add: Real Property Tax REQUIRED REVENUE FROM UC-ME &< $&78$/ 8& 0( 5(9(18( %DVLF

TOTAL 12,712,682,724.86 6,068,038,300.28 6,644,644,424.58 4,375,087.60 6,649,019,512.18 8,132,864,978.94

NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SURPLUS, In PhP Rate Impact, P/kWh in UCME Projected Energy Sales, MWh (1-year) Renewable Energy Developerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cash Incentive in PhP Rate Impact, P/kWh in UCME

(1,483,845,466.76) (0.0162) 91,414,712.44 15,037,471.92 0.0002

10. In the reconciliation, the resulting shortfall/recovery in the revenue from UC-ME was calculated based on the following formula:

Actual Fuel Costs Other Operating Expenses, which includes Personal Services and Maintenance and Other Operating Expense c. Depreciation G )RUHLJQ H[FKDQJH UDWH Ă&#x20AC;XFWXDWLRQ RQ GHEW VHUYLFLQJ e. Rate Base as of December 2016 f. Revenues from Sales 13. The amount of UCME for NPPs, QTP and RED-CI were based on the actual disbursements and payment made consistent with the UC Settlement Agreement (SA) between NPC and respective power providers taking into account their respective ERC-approved Power Supply Agreement (PSA).

14. The Projected Energy Sales Forecast under DOEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Power Development 3ODQ 3'3 IRU &< ZDV XWLOL]HG WR GHWHUPLQH WKH SURSRVHG 8& 0( true-up charges in P/kWh. $ VKRZQ LQ 7DEOH DERYH WKH &< DFWXDO UHYHQXH UHFHLYHG IURP 8& 0( ZDV VXIÂżFLHQW WR FRYHU WKH WRWDO 8& 0( UHTXLUHPHQWV IRU 13& 133V and QTP. 16. The following documents are submitted in support of the proposed recovery/refund of shortfall/surplus in the UC-ME: $QQH[ Âł$´ Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bâ&#x20AC;?

Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Câ&#x20AC;?

Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dâ&#x20AC;?

Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eâ&#x20AC;?

-

Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fâ&#x20AC;?

-

Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;F-1â&#x20AC;? Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gâ&#x20AC;? Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hâ&#x20AC;? -

&RUSRUDWH 6HFUHWDU\ÂśV &HUWLÂżFDWH LVVXHG RQ 2FWREHU 2018 Summary of Shortfall and Adjustment Calculation NPC Results of Operations (ROO) NPC Income Statement and Balance Sheet Discussion on Revenue Requirement and Rate Base Components Summary of UC-ME Subsidy Fees Paid to NPPs and QTP Summary of RED-CI Availments Summary of Actual UC-ME Received from PSALM Projected Philippines Energy Sales

RATE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSED RECOVERY/REFUND OF UC-ME SHORTFALL/SURPLUS 17. Under the foregoing premises, NPC proposes (1) to offset the excess of the Basic UCME for &< XQGHU WKH H[LVWLQJ 3URYLVLRQDO $XWKRULW\ DPRXQWLQJ WR 3K3 DJDLQVW WKH 8&0( 3HWLWLRQ RU WR RIIVHW WKH H[FHVV RI %DVLF 8&0( IRU &< DJDLQVW WKH XQUHFRYHUHG DPRXQWV XQGHU SUHYLRXV &< DQG petitions, detailed as follows: Table 2: Estimated Balance/Recovery for UCME True-up ERC Case No. Particulars 2013-191 RC &< 7UXH XS 2014-089 RC &< 7UXH XS 2016-008 RC &< 7UXH XS 2017-006 RC &< 7UXH XS TOTAL Total amount recovered as of December 2018 PENDING TRUE-UP BALANCE

Amount Filed in PhP 5,305,961,556.16 5,462,754,938.54 5,843,305,895.72 1,033,142,320.58 17,645,164,711.00 11,947,428,128.77 5,697,736,582.23

and (3) recovery of unpaid balance on Renewable Energy (RE) Developerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cash Incentive in the amount of PhP15,037,471.92 or equivalent to PhP0.0002/kWh, to be charged to all electricity end consumers.

25. Furthermore, Petitioner caused the publication of the subject Petition in the newspaper of general circulation and copies of the newspaper and FRUUHVSRQGLQJ DIÂżGDYLW RI SXEOLFDWLRQ DUH DWWDFKHG KHUHWR as Annexes â&#x20AC;&#x153;K â&#x20AC;&#x153;and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lâ&#x20AC;?, respectively.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, petitioner NPC respectfully prays that pending the hearing on the merits, an Order be issued granting PROVISIONAL APPROVAL to the instant Petition, thereby allowing Petitioner NPC offset the H[FHVV RI WKH %DVLF 8&0( IRU &< XQGHU H[LVWLQJ 3URYLVLRQDO $XWKRULW\ amounting to (PhP1,483,845,466.76) against the unrecovered amount of 3K3 XQGHU WKH FXUUHQW &< 8&0( 3HWLWLRQ XQGHU (5& &DVH 1R 5& or allowing Petitioner NPC to offset the excess of the %DVLF 8&0( IRU &< XQGHU H[LVWLQJ 3URYLVLRQDO $XWKRULW\ DPRXQWLQJ WR 3K3 DJDLQVW WKH XQUHFRYHUHG DPRXQWV XQGHU SUHYLRXV &< 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 petitions, as shown below: Total pending petitions Less: amount recovered Pending True-up balances

19. While the ERC Resolution 21, Series of 2011 provides that if there are any surplus resulting in any True Up applications, the surplus will be DSSOLHG WR WKH FXUUHQW 8&0( $SSOLFDWLRQ 3HWLWLRQHU 13& ÂżQGV LW PRUH prudent to likewise implore the discretion of this Honorable Commission to offset the amount of (PhP1,483,845,466.76) against the unrecovered total amount of PhP5,697,736,582.23, as these amounts have already been spent by Petitioner NPC. Further, this will lessen the impact of the pending True Up petitions to the consumers, once approved by the Honorable Commission.

After the hearing on the merits, the instant Petition be GRANTED by the Honorable Commission.

Other just and equitable reliefs are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the Petition for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates and venues: Date and Time Venue ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, 03 June 2019 (Monday) 3DFLÂżF &HQWHU %XLOGLQJ 6DQ 0LJXHO at one oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the Avenue, Pasig City afternoon (01:00 P.M.) 20 June 2019 (Thursday) Energy Regulatory Commission9LVD\DV )LHOG 2IÂżFH (5& 9)2 6W at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drive, Banilad, Cebu City afternoon (02:00 P.M.) Energy Regulatory Commission09 July 2019 (Tuesday)) 0LQGDQDR )LHOG 2IÂżFH (5& 0)2

Mezzanine Floor, Mintrade Building, at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the Monteverde Avenue cor. Sales afternoon (02:00 P.M.) Street, Davao City 15 July 2019 (Monday) at one oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon (01:00 P.M.)

Amount 2,714,796,036 6.2879 2,247,502,368 5.2055 467,293,668 1.0823 431,752,097.27

Percentage 100% 83%

22. The approval of this instant Petition through offsetting against the unrecovered amounts under the previous petitions (excluding recovery of RE Cash Incentive) will not directly affect the existing rate and the FDVK Ă&#x20AC;RZ RI 13& IRU LWV RSHUDWLRQ DQG WKH VXEVLGLHV RI WKH 133 473 DQG RE-CI while the unrecovered amounts from previous applications will be reduced.

Expository Presentation

Pre-Trial ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Conference 3DFLÂżF &HQWHU %XLOGLQJ 6DQ 0LJXHO and Evidentiary Avenue, Pasig City Hearing

2) The nature of the petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected E\ WKH LVVXHV LQYROYHG LQ WKH SURFHHGLQJ DQG 3) A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with UHVSHFW WR WKH VXEMHFW PDWWHU RI WKH FDVH PD\ ÂżOH WKHLU 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Petitioner rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.

No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such SHUVRQ

$ FRQFLVH VWDWHPHQW RI WKH 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW DQG 3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Petition may request from Petitioner that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Petitioner is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Petition and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Petition DQG RWKHU SHUWLQHQW UHFRUGV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ GXULQJ WKH VWDQGDUG RIÂżFH KRXUV WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners CATHERINE P. MACEDA and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 13th day of March in Pasig City.

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21. The amount herein proposed for refund, if allowed to be offset from the unrecovered amounts under the previous True Up petitions, would VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ EH EHQHÂżFLDO LQ VHUYLFLQJ WKH FRQVXPHUV LQ WKH PLVVLRQDU\ areas considering the nature of operation and the level of demand in the off-grid areas.

Expository Presentation

1) 7KH SHWLWLRQHUÂśV QDPH DQG DGGUHVV

Petitioner NPC repleads the foregoing allegations and further states:

Table 3: Actual Fuel Costs vis-a-vis Revenue from Sales

Particulars Jurisdictional and Expository Presentation

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may EHFRPH D SDUW\ E\ ÂżOLQJ ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D YHULÂżHG 3HWLWLRQ WR ,QWHUYHQH DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V SULRU WR WKH LQLWLDO KHDULQJ DQG VXEMHFW WR WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV XQGHU Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT FOR THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

20. 13&ÂśV 6XEVLGL]HG $SSURYHG *HQHUDWLRQ &KDUJH 6$*5 LV QRW UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLYH of the TCGR or the Revenue Requirement in the island grid. It is only 41% RI WKH WRWDO IXHO FRVW IRU &< 7KXV WKH DFWXDO UHYHQXH IURP VDOHV of Petitioner NPC is comparably lower to its actual fuel costs incur during its operations. Shown below is the details of the difference between Petitioner NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actual revenue from sales, and actual fuel costs.

PhP 17,645,164,711.00 11,947,428,128.77 PhP 5,697,736,582.23

Likewise, it is respectfully prayed that the recovery of unpaid balance on the Renewable Energy (RE) Developerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cash Incentive in the amount of PhP15,037,471.92 or equivalent to PhP0.0002/kWh be charged to all electricity end consumers.

18. The total True-up balance of PhP5.698 Bn using the existing Provisionally Approved True-up Recovery Rate shall be collected until October 2020 or until April 2020, six (6) months earlier, if the offsetting will be approved by the Honorable Commission.

Particulars Actual Fuel Costs Average, P/kWh Actual Revenue from Sales Average, P/kWh Difference PkWh Actual Energy Sales, kWh

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8, 13 & 20, 2019

For subscription, please call the Circulation Department at 524-5664 local 222 or 310-5584 or email circulation@manilatimes.net ----------------------------To a d v e r t i s e , e m a i l u s a t a d v e r t i s i n g @ m a n i l a t i m e s . net or call 524-5664 local 121

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8 & 12, 2019

MT - May 8 & 15, 2019

The public is hereby informed RI WKH ORVV RI 6WRFN &HUWLÂżFDWH No. 3548 for one (1) share of TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB, INC. (the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Corporationâ&#x20AC;?) issued in the name of WILLIAM C. LEE. If no contest is presented to the Corporation regarding the above-mentioned stock FHUWLÂżFDWH ZLWKLQ RQH \HDU from this notice, the right to contest shall be barred and the Corporation shall LVVXH D QHZ FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ lieu of the lost one subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 72 of the Revised Corporation Code.

Failure of the mother or relatives to appear will imply disinterest on her part to claim her child and will compel the agency (HHMChildrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home) to initiate abandonment proceedings through the DSWD -CAR to legally free the children for eventual adoption.

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 25, 2018 will be available for examination during RIÂżFH KRXUV DW WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &RUSRUDWH 6HFUHWDU\ Stockholders of record as of May 03, 2019 shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

NOTICE OF LOSS OF STOCK CERTIFICATE

Helping Hands Healing Hearts Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home is looking for Dianne Twinkle Montecillo, biological mother of Marianzelle Monticello Zarate, 8 years old, female. Marianzelle was referred E\ WKH &LW\ 6RFLDO :HOIDUH DQG 'HYHORSPHQW 2IÂżFH &6:'2

Olongapo to Helping Hands Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Recovery Unit-Olongapo for temporary care and custody on April 03, 2014. After three months of staying in HHM CRU-Olongapo Marianzelle was referred to HHM-Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home, Baguio City on July 23, 2014 for continuity of care and further case management as staying in HHM CRU Olongapo is not already suited for her. Marianzelle has been in the home for over two years and was released for foster care on December 10, 2016.

All persons having claims against said corporation are requested to present the same at Rm. 12-D R. Magsaysay Center, Roxas Blvd., Manila for immediate settlement.

TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS Omico Corporation

TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB, INC.

Cosmos Street corner Daisy Street, Amparo Heights Camp 7 Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Website: www.helpinghandsministries.com Phone +63 074 422 3745 childrenshome@helpinghandsministries.com

Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of Incorporation of ANA-MARY INCORPORATED shortening the term of existence up to December 31, 2017 by dissolving the said corporation on said date have been approved by the Board of Directors.

B11

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fixing the Rate of Return on Rate Base of the National Power Corporation at twelve percent (12%) of the Rate Base DV 'HÂżQHG LQ 6HFWLRQ RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 1R DV $PHQGHG´ Âł(OHFWULF 3RZHU &ULVHV $FW RI ´ 3 Amended Guidelines for the Setting and Approval of Electricity Generation Rates and Subsidies for Missionary (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ $UHDV 4 $UWLFOH ,, 6HFWLRQ 5 $UWLFOH 9 6HFWLRQ F

6 5XOHV IRU WKH 5HJXODWLRQ RI WKH 4XDOLÂżHG 7KLUG 3DUWLHV 3HUIRUPLQJ 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ LQ $UHDV 'HFODUHG 8QYLDEOH E\ WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI (QHUJ\ 7 $UWLFOH ,9 6HFWLRQ E

8 $UWLFOH ,9 6HFWLRQ G DQG 9 G.R. No. 161113 (June 15, 2004).

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MT - May 8 & 18, 2019

B12

Classified Ads

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that FAMILY VILLAGE RESOURCES located at Brgy. Cabilang Baybay, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite with License to Sell No. 032198 dated 19 April 2017, owned and developed by A.J. LEDESMA CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION is being utilized as Compliance for TAGAYTAY CLIFTON RESORT SUITES BLDG. 7 located at Sitio Amuyong, Brgy.

Kaytitinga, Alfonso, Cavite in accordance with Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by Republic Act No. 10884.

Notice is hereby given that FAMILY VILLAGE RESOURCES located at Brgy. Cabilang Baybay, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite with License to Sell No. 032198 dated 19 April 2017, owned and developed by A.J. LEDESMA CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION is being utilized as Compliance for TAGAYTAY CLIFTON RESORT SUITES BLDG. 8 located at Sitio Amuyong, Brgy.

Kaytitinga, Alfonso, Cavite in accordance with Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by Republic Act No. 10884.

Notice is hereby given that FAMILY VILLAGE RESOURCES located at Brgy. Cabilang Baybay, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite with License to Sell No. 032198 dated 19 April 2017, owned and developed by A.J. LEDESMA CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION is being utilized as Compliance for TAGAYTAY CLIFTON RESORT SUITES BLDG. 9 located at Sitio Amuyong, Brgy.

Kaytitinga, Alfonso, Cavite in accordance with Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by Republic Act No. 10884.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed UHJLVWHUHG DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ evidence thereof, shall forthwith EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP the last day of publication.

Absent legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed UHJLVWHUHG DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ evidence thereof, shall forthwith EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP the last day of publication.

Absent legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed UHJLVWHUHG DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ evidence thereof, shall forthwith EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP the last day of publication.

Calamba City, Laguna, 06th day of May 2019.

Calamba City, Laguna, 06th day of May 2019.

Calamba City, Laguna, 06th day of May 2019.

Recommending Approval:

Recommending Approval:

Recommending Approval:

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head-Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head-Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head-Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Approved by:

Approved by:

Approved by:

Approved by:

(SGD.) ENGR. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) ENGR. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) ENGR. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) ENGR. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8, 2019

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8, 2019

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8, 2019

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY FRANCHISING SERVICE, CENTRAL OFFICE A. Bonifacio Avenue corner 20th Avenue corner Railroad Street South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Re: Petition for Second Amendment of &HUWLÂżFDWH RI ([HPSWLRQ IURP 6HFXULQJ &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF &RQYHQLHQFH &3&

to effect the Permanent Addition of the ships, Barge â&#x20AC;&#x153;AGLAEA ONEâ&#x20AC;? and SB â&#x20AC;&#x153;LUNINGNING UNOâ&#x20AC;?

RIOFIL CORPORATION, Petitioner. x------------------------------x

CASE NO. MNL-2012-034-FS (Amendment No. 1) Amendment No. 2 ORDER

7KLV UHIHUV WR WKH 3HWLWLRQ IRU 6HFRQG $PHQGPHQW RI &HUWLÂżFDWH RI ([HPSWLRQ IURP 6HFXULQJ &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF &RQYHQLHQFH &3& WR HIIHFW the Permanent Addition of the ships, Barge â&#x20AC;&#x153;AGLAEA ONEâ&#x20AC;? and SB â&#x20AC;&#x153;LUNINGNING UNOâ&#x20AC;? ÂżOHG RQ $SULO An Order/Notice of Hearing (NOH) was issued on 16 April 2019, setting the hearing for the instant Petition on 30 April 2019. Upon assessment of WKH 6HFUHWDU\ÂśV &HUWLÂżFDWH DQG %RDUG 5HVROXWLRQ WR YDOLGDWH UHSUHVHQWDWLYHÂśV authority to appear in the hearing, it was noticed that the published Order/ NOH was defective, treating the Petition as an Application for Amendment RI &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF &RQYHQLHQFH &3& LQVWHDG RI 3HWLWLRQ IRU 6HFRQG $PHQGPHQW RI &HUWLÂżFDWH RI ([HPSWLRQ IURP 6HFXULQJ &3& Since the said Order/NOH was already published on Page A7 of the 18 $SULO LVVXH RI Âł7KH 0DQLOD 7LPHV´ 9RO 1R 3HWLWLRQHU LV KHUHE\ directed to publish an Erratum, as provided herein, to rectify the publication of the NOH to inform the public that the correct title of the Petition is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Petition IRU 6HFRQG $PHQGPHQW RI &HUWLÂżFDWH RI ([HPSWLRQ IURP 6HFXULQJ &HUWLÂżFDWH of Public Convenience (CPC) to effect the Permanent Addition of the ships, Barge â&#x20AC;&#x153;AGLAEA ONEâ&#x20AC;? and SB â&#x20AC;&#x153;LUNINGNING UNOâ&#x20AC;?.

ERRATUM In a paid advertisement published on Page A7 of the 18 April 2019 issue of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 0DQLOD 7LPHV´ 9RO 1R WKH WLWOH Âł$SSOLFDWLRQ IRU 6HFRQG $PHQGPHQW RI &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF &RQYHQLHQFH &3& WR HIIHFW WKH 3HUPDQHQW $GGLWLRQ RI WKH VKLSV Barge â&#x20AC;&#x153;AGLAEA ONEâ&#x20AC;? and SB â&#x20AC;&#x153;LUNINGNING UNOâ&#x20AC;?, WR WKH FRPSDQ\ÂśV Ă&#x20AC;HHW IRU WKH carriage of cargoes only to any port in the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;? must be corrected to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Petition IRU 6HFRQG $PHQGPHQW RI &HUWLÂżFDWH RI ([HPSWLRQ IURP 6HFXULQJ &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF Convenience (CPC) to effect the Permanent Addition of the ships, Barge â&#x20AC;&#x153;AGLAEA ONEâ&#x20AC;? and SB â&#x20AC;&#x153;LUNINGNING UNOâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang FAMILY VILLAGE RESOURCES na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Cabilang Baybay, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite bilang pagtupad sa Seksyon 18 Batas Republika Blg. 7279 na naamyendahan ng Batas Republika Blg. 10884.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Recommending Approval: (SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head-Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD) FRANCIS

D.

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8 & 15, 2019

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region )LHOG 2IÂżFH 6th Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, 1614 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle Quezon City

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital 5HJLRQ )LHOG 2IÂżFH 6th Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, Quezon Avenue Quezon City

NOTICE

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that GRAND MONACO ESTATE DEVELOPERS, INC. 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU KDV ÂżOHG with this Board a sworn registration statement for the sale of lots/units at GRAND MONACO NORTHVILLE EXTENSION, located at Camarin Road, Brgy. 172, Caloocan City, VSHFLÂżFDOO\ GHVFULEHG DV ' Psd-285479, Lot 858-D-2-H-1, and lot 858-D-2-H-2 both Psd-294646, DQG ORW % 3VG FRYHUHG

by TCT Nos. 001-2013003762 to LQFOXVLYH ZLWK WRWDO area of 3,166 square meters.

Notice is hereby given that FILINVEST LAND, INC. (Owner/ 'HYHORSHU KDYH ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV Board for the sale of lots/units at FUTURA PLAINS located at Brgy.

'DOLJ 7HUHVD 5L]DO VSHFLÂżFDOO\ described as Lots 4715, 4720, 4721, 4722, 4723, 4725, 4726, 4807,4808, 4809, 4810 & 4811, all RI &DGDVWUDO 6XUYH\ RI 7HUHVD /RWV 4806-A, 4806-B & 4806-C (LRA) Psd-63530, and Block 33, Pcs04-030928, having a total area of 70,232 square meters.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through InvestmentIncentivized Compliance, by depositing the amount of Php 1,145,843.89 in a Trust Account under Escrow Agreement executed on February 13, 2019 between the HOUSING AND LAND USE 5(*8/$725< %2$5' *5$1' 021$&2 (67$7( '(9(/23(56 INC. and RIZAL COMMERCIAL BANKING CORPORATION as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279, as amended

by Republic Act No.10884.

The foregoing project is utilizing ROSEWOOD PLACE located at Brgy. Hugo Perez, Trece Martires City, Cavite, owned and developed

by Filinvest Land, Inc., with License to Sell No. 034287 dated December 12, 2018 by HLURB-STR as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279, as amended by Republic Act No.10884, 7KH SURMHFW ZDV LVVXHG &HUWLÂżFDWH RI Accreditation No. CA-2019-04.

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika06 ng Mayo 2019.

Recommending Approval:

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head-Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Approved by:

Approved by:

(SGD.) ENGR. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

FRANCIS

D.

Notice is hereby given that E.V.Y. CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Owner) and TORCH LAND AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Developer) by virtue of a -RLQW 9HQWXUH $JUHHPHQW KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ UHJLVWUDWLRQ VWDWHPHQW IRU the sale of residential condominium units at ELIJAH HOTEL AND RESIDENCES located at Molino-Paliparan Road, Brgy.

Salawag, Dasmarinas, Cavite and more particularly described as Lot 10-A-1-B-1, Lot 10-A-1-B-4 and Lot 10-A-1-B-3, Psd04-233587 and covered by TCT Nos. T-057-2015012614, T-057-2015012617 & T-057-2015012616. The project is under PD 957.

Notice is hereby given that ABEJO REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (owner) and GRAND MONACO ESTATE DEVELOPERS, INC. (developer) KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV %RDUG D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of lots/units at GRAND MONACO CASA AURORA, located at Jazmin St., Camarin, Caloocan City, VSHFLÂżFDOO\ GHVFULEHG DV /RW A-2, Psd-13-000316 covered by TCT No. 125174 with a total area of 49,205 square meters.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through InvestmentIncentivized Compliance, by depositing the amount of Php4,622,173.80 in a Trust Account under Escrow Agreement executed on February 13, 2019 between the HOUSING AND LAND USE 5(*8/$725< %2$5' *5$1' 021$&2 (67$7( '(9(/23(56 INC. and RIZAL COMMERCIAL BANKING CORPORATION as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279, as amended

by Republic Act No.10884.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, APR. 12, 2019

Quezon City, Metro Manila, APR. 25, 2019

(SGD.) MA. CONCEPCION C. ARBOLARIO OIC-Director Franchising Service

(SGD) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

(SGD) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

(SGD) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

M.T. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 1 & 8, 2019

NOTICE

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika06 ng Mayo 2019.

Recommending Approval:

Approved by:

Approved by:

(SGD.) ENGR. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

FRANCIS

D.

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8 & 15, 2019

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR) PAUNAWA Ipinauunawa na sina E . V. Y. CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (May-ari) at TORCH LAND AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Taga-debelop) ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng â&#x20AC;&#x153;residential condominium unitsâ&#x20AC;? sa ELIJAH HOTEL AND RESIDENCES na matatagpuan sa Molino-Paliparan Road, Brgy. Salawag, Dasmarinas, Cavite na sinasakop ng mga Lote Blg. 10-A-1-B-1, Lote Blg. 10-A-1-B-4 at Lote Blg. 10-A-1-B-3, Psd-04-233587 at nasa ilalim ng mga Titulo Blg. T-0572015012614, T-057-2015012617 & T-0572015012616. Ang nasabing proyekto ay sumasailalim sa PD 957.

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered and D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP the last day of publication.

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Calamba City, Laguna, 24th day of April 2019.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika-24 ng Abril 2019.

Recommending Approval:

Recommending Approval:

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head-Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head-Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Approved by:

Approved by:

(SGD.) ENGR. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) ENGR. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 1 & 8, 2019

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 1 & 8, 2019

Jumpstart your media career at The Manila Times College!

For more information, call 524-5664 to 66 local 114 or 310-9625

Recommending Approval: (SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head-Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng legal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

BE A TOP JOURNALIST â&#x20AC;˘ See yourself on TV â&#x20AC;˘ Hear your voice on the radio â&#x20AC;˘ See your byline in the newspaper

Calamba City, Laguna, 06th day of May 2019.

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head-Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

The Manila Times DOES NOT ask for money to stop news articles from being published. This paper does not condone any form of blackmail.

Ipinagbibigay alam na ang CITI GLOBAL REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. (Mayari at Debeloper) ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng mga â&#x20AC;&#x153;Residential Condominium Unitsâ&#x20AC;? sa TAGAYTAY CLIFTON RESORT SUITES BLDG. 9 na matatagpuan sa Sitio Amuyong, Brgy. Kaytitinga, Alfonso, Cavite at sinasakop ng Lote Blg. D-2, (LRC) Psd-172056 na may sukat na 18,570 sq.m. (bahagi lamang) sa ilalim ng Titulo Blg. 076-2012004464.

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang Participation Through Investment-Incentivized Compliance, sa pamamagitan ng pagdeposito ng â&#x20AC;&#x153;FOUR MILLION FORTY NINE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY PESOS (P4,049,950.00)â&#x20AC;? sa Trust Account sa ilalim ng Escrow Agreement na may petsang ika-19 ng Marso 2019 sa pamamagitan at sa gitna ng 725&+ /$1' $1' '(9(/230(17 C O R P O R AT I O N , H O U S I N G A N D /$1' 86( 5(*8/$725< %2$5' (SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION FIELD OFFICE) at BPI ASSET MANAGEMENT AND TRUST CORPORATION, bilang pagsunod sa Seksyon 18 ng Republic Act No. 7279 na na-ameyendahan ng Republic Act No. 10884.

The Manila Times is warning the public that certain individuals posing as our employees have been threatening to publish articles against some companies.

Anyone who receives a call from these extortionists should report the matter to the police.

PAUNAWA

Notice is hereby given that CITI GLOBAL REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. (Owner/ 'HYHORSHU KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH a sworn registration statement for the sale of Residential Condominium Units in TAGAYTAY CLIFTON RESORT SUITES BLDG. 9 located at Sitio Amuyong, Brgy.

Kaytitinga, Alfonso, Cavite and more particularly described as Lot D-2, (LRC) Psd-172056 containing an area of 18,570 sq.m. (portion only) and covered by TCT No. 0762012004464.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang FAMILY VILLAGE RESOURCES na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Cabilang Baybay, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite bilang pagtupad sa Seksyon 18 Batas Republika Blg. 7279 na naamyendahan ng Batas Republika Blg. 10884.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through InvestmentIncentivized Compliance by depositing the amount of FOUR MILLION FORTY NINE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY PESOS (P4,049,950.00) in Trust Account under Escrow Agreement dated March 19, 2019 by and among 725&+ /$1' $1' '(9(/230(17 C O R P O R AT I O N , H O U S I N G A N D /$1' 86( 5(*8/$725< %2$5' (SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION FIELD OFFICE) and BPI ASSET MANAGEMENT AND TRUST CORPORATION as its compliance to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by Republic Act No. 10884.

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

The foregoing project is utilizing FAMILY VILLAGE RESOURCES located at Brgy. Cabilang Baybay, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite as its Compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by RA 10884.

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8 & 15, 2019

NOTICE

Quezon City, Metro Manila, APR. 25, 2019

M.T. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 1 & 8, 2019

D.

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

BY AUTHORITY OF THE MARINA ADMINISTRATOR: (Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 11-14 dated 22 August 2014)

M.T. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 1 & 8, 2019

FRANCIS

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region )LHOG 2IÂżFH 6th Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, 1614 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle Quezon City

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH ODVW day of publication.

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8, 2019

(SGD.) ENGR. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8 & 15, 2019

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH last day of publication.

Issued this 3 day of May 2019 at Manila.

Recommending Approval:

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head-Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH ODVW day of publication.

rd

Calamba City, Laguna, 06th day of May 2019.

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR) NOTICE

Ipinagbibigay alam na ang CITI GLOBAL REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. (Mayari at Debeloper) ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng mga â&#x20AC;&#x153;Residential Condominium Unitsâ&#x20AC;? sa TAGAYTAY CLIFTON RESORT SUITES BLDG. 8 na matatagpuan sa Sitio Amuyong, Brgy. Kaytitinga, Alfonso, Cavite at sinasakop ng Lote Blg. D-2, (LRC) Psd-172056 na may sukat na 18,570 sq.m. (bahagi lamang) sa ilalim ng Titulo Blg. 076-2012004464.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang FAMILY VILLAGE RESOURCES na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Cabilang Baybay, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite bilang pagtupad sa Seksyon 18 Batas Republika Blg. 7279 na naamyendahan ng Batas Republika Blg. 10884.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

SO ORDERED.

PAUNAWA

Notice is hereby given that CITI GLOBAL REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. (Owner/ 'HYHORSHU KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH a sworn registration statement for the sale of Residential Condominium Units in TAGAYTAY CLIFTON RESORT SUITES BLDG. 8 located at Sitio Amuyong, Brgy.

Kaytitinga, Alfonso, Cavite and more particularly described as Lot D-2, (LRC) Psd-172056 containing an area of 18,570 sq.m. (portion only) and covered by TCT No. 0762012004464.

The foregoing project is utilizing FAMILY VILLAGE RESOURCES located at Brgy. Cabilang Baybay, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite as its Compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by RA 10884.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

WHEREFORE, Petitioner is hereby further directed to submit proof of SXEOLFDWLRQ RI WKH (UUDWXP ZLWKLQ ÂżYH GD\V IURP UHFHLSW KHUHRI

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

NOTICE

Ipinagbibigay alam na ang CITI GLOBAL REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. (Mayari at Debeloper) ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng mga â&#x20AC;&#x153;Residential Condominium Unitsâ&#x20AC;? sa TAGAYTAY CLIFTON RESORT SUITES BLDG. 7 na matatagpuan sa Sitio Amuyong, Brgy. Kaytitinga, Alfonso, Cavite at sinasakop ng Lote Blg. D-2, (LRC) Psd-172056 na may sukat na 18,570 sq.m. (bahagi lamang) sa ilalim ng Titulo Blg. 076-2012004464.

The foregoing project is utilizing FAMILY VILLAGE RESOURCES located at Brgy. Cabilang Baybay, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite as its Compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by RA 10884.

Calamba City, Laguna, 06th day of May 2019.

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Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

PAUNAWA

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that CITI GLOBAL REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. (Owner/ 'HYHORSHU KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH a sworn registration statement for the sale of Residential Condominium Units in TAGAYTAY CLIFTON RESORT SUITES BLDG. 7 located at Sitio Amuyong, Brgy.

Kaytitinga, Alfonso, Cavite and more particularly described as Lot D-2, (LRC) Psd-172056 containing an area of 18,570 sq.m. (portion only) and covered by TCT No. 0762012004464.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika06 ng Mayo 2019.

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HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region )LHOG 2IÂżFH 6th Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, Quezon Avenue Quezon City NOTICE Notice is hereby given that MA. FELICIDAD GALSIM DE LEON, RZQHU GHYHORSHU KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV Board a sworn registration statement for the sale of units at FATIMA CATTALEYA located at 3rd Avenue, Brgy. Bagong Lipunan, Cubao, 4XH]RQ &LW\ VSHFLÂżFDOO\ GHVFULEHG as Lot 17, Block 1, Pcs-939 covered

by TCT No.004-2017001479 with a total area of 300 square meters.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through Investment/ Incentivized Compliance, by depositing the amount of TWO +81'5(' 7:(17< 6(9(1 THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED (,*+7< )285 3(626 (Php 227,684.30) in a Trust Account under Escrow Agreement executed on January 31, 2019 between the HOUSING AND LAND USE 5(*8/$725< %2$5' MA. FELICIDAD GALSIM DE LEON and CHINA BANKING CORPORATIONTrust and Asset Management Group as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279, as amended by Republic Act No.10884.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed UHJLVWHUHG DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ evidence thereof, shall forthwith be LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH last day of publication.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, March 18, 2019 (SGD) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

(SGD.) ENGR. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

FRANCIS

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Sports FREE KICK ROMY P. MARIĂ&#x2018;AS

The elusive Olympic gold and Philippine elections I

T is too late for candidates in the May 13 mid-term elections to give a hoot about their love for sports, possibly because they would rather talk about bread-and-butter issues that pull in the votes.

Besides, the Philippine Olympic Committee that is supposed to UNITE SPORTS OFkCIALS FOR THE GOOD of the Filipino athlete is as much a hotbed of partisan interests already, just like those evidently espoused by bets for senators or councilors who have only six days from today to woo the electorate, and so why should the latter bother about joining the bickering old fogeys in the POC in their boardroom war over turf?

In the 2016 national elections, at least one candidate for President cited the fact that the Philippines, in nearly 100 years of participation in the Olympic Games, has not won a gold medal in the planetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sporting showcase showcase for the fastest runner or strongest lifter.` Nothing has been heard from her on what she was going to do about it, except that she also did not say much about the country not winning a championship in the 2016 Rio Olympiad but settling for A SILVER kNISH THROUGH (IDYLIN Diaz in weightlifting.

Others (one of them is a former senator and the other is running for governor in next week's polls) also went through the motions of calling on the nation to support Filipino athletes, and just as promptly forgot their â&#x20AC;&#x153;patrioticâ&#x20AC;? pleading for Philippine sports.

Maybe because they know that Filipinos have short memories and everything that was promised them would have been forgotten in no time at all?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sad when you come to realize that the only time the Pinoy boxer or Pinay golfer gets his or her 15 minutes of fame is when he or she wins a gold medal, not necessarily in the Olympics, but in other highly competitive conclaves like the Asian Games or World Championships/Cups (gymnastics, as in Carlos Yulo winning in Doha this year, or TRACK AND kELD AS IN %* /BIENA emerging victorious also in Doha also in 2019).

And politicians would not EVEN GIVE THE lOOR TO THE HERO heroine, practically elbowing the winner from the truck leading the motorcade for the returning champion.

They hailed Diaz when she came back, showered her with incentives that she deserved under the law and made it appear that it was their own money they were throwing at her.

The nerve of some people to steal the glory from those who earned it.

To them, basking in superhuman exploits of our athletes would not do, they would rather be the rain on the parade.

By the time the 2020 Tokyo Olympics rolls in, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect local trapos to also make a hoot about the Pinoy athlete scooping that elusive Olympic gold medal.

The year 2020 is another election year in the Philippines and there are â&#x20AC;&#x153;betterâ&#x20AC;? things to get serious about than a medalyang ginto in the Olympiad in the *APANESE CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY W MAY 8, 2019 M

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www.manilatimes.net

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Q James Harden (No. 13) of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket defended by Klay Thompson (No. 11) of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Four of the Second Round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on Tuesday in Houston, Texas. AFP

OS ANGELES: James Harden scored 38 points and the Houston Rockets held off the Golden State Warriors 112-108 Monday (Tuesday in Manila) to knot their NBA playoff series at two games apiece.

The reigning champion Warriors HEAD HOME FOR GAME kVE OF THE best-of-seven Western Conference clash on Wednesday with a lot of work to do in a series in which each game has been decided by six or fewer points.

It was a different story on MonDAY IN THE %AST AS -ILWAUKEE STAR Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter to propel the Bucks to a 113-101 victory over the Celtics in Boston and a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Milwaukee will try to punch THEIR TICKET TO THE %ASTERN #ONFERENCE kNALS WHEN THEY HOST GAME kVE ON 7EDNESDAY )N (OUSTON REIGNING ."! -OST 6ALUABLE 0LAYER (ARDEN MADE sure the Rockets didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fall into a similar hole.

(ARDEN SCORED OF HIS kRST half points in the second quarter and added another 13 in the third, when the Rockets stretched their lead to as many as 17.

The Warriors responded with an 11-0 scoring run in the third period, and put together a 7-0 run late in the fourth, when they pulled within 108-110 on a Stephen Curry three-pointer with 19.3 seconds left.

Down 111-108 with 11.5 seconds remaining, Golden State saw Kevin Durant and Curry miss three-point attempts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our motto was keep fightING u SAID (ARDEN WHO ALSO pulled down 10 rebounds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know how tough they are. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to keep fighting on both ends of the floor, stay in attack mode, be aggressive.â&#x20AC;? %RIC 'ORDON ADDED POINTS FOR THE 2OCKETS AND 0* 4UCKER ADDED 17 and 10 rebounds.

Durant paced the Warriors with 34 points. Curry added 30 points and Draymond Green posted a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.

But in another bruising encounter between the two teams, Golden State made just eight of 33 three-

PHOTO

Rockets level series against Warriors, Bucks push Celtics to brink point attempts. Curry and Klay Thompson combined to shoot just two-of-10 from three-point range.

The Rockets, meanwhile, hit 17 of 50 from beyond the arc. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think both teams are doing what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing and nothingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really happened yet,â&#x20AC;? Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2-2. %ACH TEAM HAS WON TWO HOME games â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kind of how the playoffs go ... Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just got to be a little better.â&#x20AC;?

Celtics face elimination The Celtics need to be a lot better to

avoid elimination against the Bucks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s win or go home,â&#x20AC;? said Celtics coach Brad Stevens. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes a lot of mental fortitude. It takes a lot of mental toughness. It reveals a lot. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to that challenge.â&#x20AC;?

Once again in their series, the third quarter proved pivotal, with the Bucks outscoring the Celtics 33-23 to turn a 49-47 halftime DEkCIT TO AN LEAD The turnaround came with Antetokounmpo on the bench with his fourth foul for the last eight minutes of the quarter.

During that span, the Bucks outscored the Celtics 21-13 and when Antetokounmpo returned in

the fourth, the Bucks only pressed the action more.

Milwaukee took their biggest lead of the night 91-79 on a drivING %RIC "LEDSOE S kNGER ROLL kNISH with 9:05 left to play.

"OSTON CLOSED WITHIN kVE ON !L (ORFORD S DRIVING LAYUP LESS THAN two minutes later, but they would get no closer.

Antetokounmpo, coming off a 32-point game on Friday, connected on 15 of 22 shots from the field and pulled down 16 rebounds.

Bledsoe and Khris Middleton added 13 points apiece and 'EORGE (ILL ADDED POINTS

off the bench. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing,â&#x20AC;? Antetokounmpo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the whole group, the WHOLE TEAM PLAYED HARD %VERYBODY was ready, everybody stepped up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is what (separates) an average team from a great team,â&#x20AC;? he added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;that if you have the opportunity to be up two games, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all ready.â&#x20AC;?

Kyrie Irving led the Celtics with 23 points and 10 assists, but made just seven of 22 shots from THE kELD Overall, the Celtics made just 37.8 percent of their shots and HEARD BOOS FROM THE HOME kELD AFP as they left the court.

Hotshots gun for 3-1 lead vs SMB Boxing chiefs hit out at IOC over Tokyo threat MAGNOLIA eyes to stretch its lead to a commanding 3-1 against defending champion San Miguel Beer today in Game 4 of the best-of-seven finals of Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots, who took Game 2, 86-82, on Sunday, want to move one game closer to winning their seventh Philippine Cup title and 15th overall in their 7 p.m. encounter against the struggling Beermen.

But for the 41-year-old veteran center Rafi Reavis, it is too early for celebration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are really not thinking about the next few games. We are thinking about Game 4 and we are not looking ahead,â&#x20AC;? said Reavis, who finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds in Game 3. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bring our A-game, we know what will happen. Every game is tough.â&#x20AC;?

Magnolia coach Chito Victolero agreed that it is not over until itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just won two games and we need four games.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good here is we are ahead but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not over yet. Hopefully, we can sustain the tempo of the game. The good thing there is we have two days break, so we can rest our legs and body so we can go hard again on Wednesday,â&#x20AC;?said Victolero.

Magnolia bested San Miguel Beer in rebounding in Game 3, 71-46 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in offensive rebounding, 28-14. The Hotshots also beat the Beermen 28-of-85 (32.9 percent) in overall shooting from the field.

Despite their Game 3 loss, San Miguel Beerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arwind Santos expressed confi-

dence that they can still tie the series. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are not nervous about it. We are just going to tie the series and make sure to win Game 4. Then, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a best-of-three,â&#x20AC;? Santos told reporters in Filipino.

Santos posted 19 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in Game 3.

San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria said theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been through worse scenarios. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a sign of confidence because they experienced it before â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even worse than that,â&#x20AC;? said Austria, referring to San Miguel Beerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remarkable comeback from a 0-3 deficit against Alaska to rule the Philippine Cup in 2016. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They just need two games to win.

For us, three, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doable and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no need to panic,â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, five-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer is expected to be given a historic sixth straight and eighth overall Best Player of the Conference plum prior to the start of Game 4.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

Q Rafi Reavis of Magnolia (No. 4) and June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel battle for a rebound as Justin Melton and Marcio Lassiter (No. 13) look on in Game 3 of the best-of-seven Finals of Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

GOLD COAST, Australia: Amateur boxingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crisis-hit governing body Tuesday said it had done everything asked to clean up its act and warned of legal action if stripped of the right to organize the event at the Tokyo Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has frozen the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preparations for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s showpiece competition as it seeks proof that the International Boxing Federation (AIBA) has done enough to ADDRESS ALLEGATIONS OF BOUT kXING AT the Rio Olympics in 2016.

A decision on whether it will run the boxing programme in Tokyo is set to be made on May 22. If barred, the IOC has said it will step in to ensure the sport still APPEARS IN THE *APANESE CAPITAL AIBA said in a statement to Agence Frace-Presse that it will â&#x20AC;&#x153;defend its legitimate rightâ&#x20AC;? to organize boxing in Tokyo and â&#x20AC;&#x153;will review all of its options, including legal, given that the IOC has breached the Olympic Charterâ&#x20AC;?.

The AIBA executive committee will meet on May 18 in Lausanne TO kNE TUNE ITS POSITION The governing bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chief executive Tom Virgets insisted they had met all the requirements stipulated by the IOC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe as an organization that we have done everything that has been asked by the IOC,â&#x20AC;? he told AFP on Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gold Coast at a summit of sports federations. g%VERY SINGLE DOCUMENT ASKED

we produced, every single requirement we have met, including our president self-suspending, the same manner as IOC members self-

Q International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach speaks at the Australian Olympic Committee annual general meeting in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, May 4, 2019. AP PHOTO suspend when they have problems.â&#x20AC;?

Controversial Uzbek businessman Gafur Rakhimov stepped down as head of AIBA in March, which the IOC deemed as the kRST STEP TOWARDS MEETING THE required standards.

(E WAS REPLACED AS INTERIM president by Moroccan physician Mohamed Moustahsane â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the fourth head of AIBA in 18 months.

Relations between the IOC and AIBA were hit hard at the Rio /LYMPICS WHEN OFkCIALS AND referees were suspended amid alLEGATIONS OF BOUT kXING An internal investigation by AIBA raised serious questions about judging at the event.

Asked if AIBA would take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if barred, Virgets replied: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, this is why we have to explore what are our options, it would be premature for me to speculate what the decision will be.â&#x20AC;?

(E ADDED g4HE /LYMPIC CHARTER basically says youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to give due process, and we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like we have received due process.â&#x20AC;? AFP

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Sports

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

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Palace orders release of SEAG hosting budget P

BY RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the release of the budget for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), Malacañang said on Tuesday. )N A PRESS BRIEFING 0ALACE SPOKESMAN 3ALVADOR 0ANELO SAID that there is no need to issue an executive order regarding the BUDGET FOR THE 0HILIPPINES HOSTING OF THE 3%! 'AMES THIS COMING .OVEMBER SINCE $UTERTE ALREADY ordered its release during MonDAY S #ABINET MEETING 3ENATE EARLIER SLASHED THE 0 BILLION 3%! 'AMES BUDGET TO JUST 0 BILLION g;4HE %/ IS NOT NEEDED ANYMORE = SINCE THE 0RESIDENT ALREADY issued the release of the funds NEEDED u 0ANELO SAID 4HE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT 0HILIPPINE 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 'AMES /R-

GANIZING #OMMITTEE 0()3'/# Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano HAD A PRESENTATION DURING THE #ABINET MEETING g4HERE WAS A MOTION THERE TO APPROVE THE PRESENTATION AS WELL AS TO DIRECT THE FUNDS FOR THE PREPARATION BECAUSE IT SEEMS IT WILL PUT US AGAIN IN THE WORLD MAP GIVEN THE FACT THAT COUNTRIES WILL BE PARTICIPATING u HE ADDED -EANWHILE 0ANELO SAID THAT #AYETANO lOATED SOMETHING ABOUT THE gPOLITICSu OF THE UPCOMING 3%!

'AMES WHICH WAS NOT ELABORATED (E QUOTED #AYETANO SAYING THAT THE SPORTS HAD gA LOT OF POLITICS INVOLVED u

g&ROM THE WAY ) UNDERSTOOD THE ;FORMER &OREIGN !FFAIRS= 3ECRETARY

THERE WERE PEOPLE BLOCKING ;IT = -AYBE &ILIPINOS THEY ALWAYS WANT "UT HE DID NOT ELABORATE u 0ANELO SAID g"UT EVER SINCE ) HAVE BEEN READING THINGS ABOUT SPORTS THE COMMISSION THERE 4HEY ARE ALWAYS kGHTING EACH OTHER -AYBE THAT IS IT POLITICS u HE ADDED 0ANELO ALSO SAID THAT THE 0()3'/# REPORTED THAT ALL 3%! 'AMES RELATED CONSTRUCTION WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF !UGUST OF THIS YEAR 4HE COUNTRY WILL HOST SPORTS AND EVENTS TO MORE THAN

ATHLETES 4HE EVENTS WILL BE HELD IN A NUMBER OF VENUES IN ,UZON

PARTICULARLY IN "ULACAN AND IN 0AMPANGA )N *ANUARY $UTERTE THROUGH %XECUTIVE 3ECRETARY 3ALVADOR -EDIALDEA

ISSUED MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO

WHICH URGED GOVERNMENT AGEN-

CIES TO HELP ENSURE THE 0HILIPPINES SUCCESSFUL HOSTING OF THE 3%! GAMES 4HE CIRCULAR ASKED THE 0HILIPPINE 3PORTS #OMMISSION THE 0HILIPPINE /LYMPIC #OMMITTEE AND ALL CONCERNED NATIONAL SPORTS associations to coordinate and SUPPORT EACH OTHER TO ENSURE THE SMOOTH AND EFkCIENT ORGANIZATION OF THE 3%! 'AMES )T ALSO TASKED ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS BUREAUS AGENCIES AND instrumentalities of the governMENT TO RENDER FULL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO THE 0HILIPPINE 3%!

'AMES /RGANIZING #OMMITTEE 0()3'/# DURING THE PREPARATION STAGE OF THE EVENTS g4HE SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION AND HOSTING OF THE TH 3%!

Games requires the involveMENT COORDINATION AND SUPPORT OF CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THE DIFFERENT NATIONAL SPORT ASSOCIATIONS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR u IT READS

Q Ivana Agudo (No. 6) of FEU attempts to block Kat Tolentino (No. 10) of Ateneo on Saturday. PHOTO BY ROGER RAÃ&#x2018;ADA

ANCAJAS TO REMAIN SUPER FLYWEIGHT Lady Tams, Lady Eagles vie for last finals berth INTERNATIONAL Boxing FederaTION )"& SUPER lYWEIGHT CHAMPION *ERWIN !NCAJAS SAID HE WILL STAY IN THE POUND DIVISION after his seventh title defense AGAINST *APANESE 2YUICHI &UNAI ON 3UNDAY IN 3TOCKTON #ALIFORNIA 4HE YEAR OLD !NCAJAS WHO STOPPED &UNAI VIA SEVENTH ROUND TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT ALSO EXPRESSED HIS DESIRE TO kGHT OTHER SUPER lYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS AMONG THEM NEWLY CROWNED 7ORLD "OXING #OUNCIL TITLEHOLDER *UAN &RANCISCO Estrada of Mexico and World BoxING !SSOCIATION CHAMPION +HALID 9AFAI OF "RITAIN g) WILL PREPARE FOR THEM SERIOUSLY "UT IT WILL ALL DEPEND ON MY MANAGER *OVEN *IMENEZ AND INTERNATIONAL MATCHMAKER 3EAN 'IBBONS WHOM ) WILL kGHT NEXT u !NCAJAS TOLD The Manila Times in &ILIPINO VIA OVERSEAS CALL g) THINK ) CAN STAY FOR MORE kGHTS HERE AT ;POUNDS= BECAUSE OF THE DISCIPLINE AND DIET PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY MY NUTRITIONIST *EANETH !RO ) FELT SO GOOD AND ) DIDN T EXPERIENCE ANY CRAMPS TOO uADDED THE 0ANABO $AVAO DEL .ORTE PRIDE !NCAJAS WIN LOSS DRAW

Q Jerwin Ancajas (left) of the Philippines misses on a connection as Ryuichi Funai of Japan gets low during their 12-round Super Flyweight IBF World Title fight in Stockton, California on May 4, 2019. AFP PHOTO

RECORD WITH KNOCKOUTS WAS THINKING OF MOVING UP TO BANTAMWEIGHT AFTER HIS SPLIT DRAW BOUT AGAINST !LEJANDRO 3ANTIAGO "ARRIOS OF -EXICO 3EPTEMBER LAST YEAR IN /AKLAND #ALIFORNIA But after his successful training AT THE -ARINE "ASE #ORPS IN 4ER-

NATE #AVITE !NCAJAS TEAM DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE WISE FOR HIM TO STAY IN THE SUPER lYWEIGHT CLASS Gibbons agreed there is no reaSON FOR !NCAJAS TO LEAVE THE SUPER lYWEIGHT DIVISION FOR NOW g.O HE FEELS GOOD AT ;POUNDS= 4HAT S WHY HE MADE

WEIGHT EASY u SAID 'IBBONS 'IBBONS ADDED THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HOLD !NCAJAS UNIkCATION BOUT WITH %STRADA LATER IN THE YEAR g) WOULD LOVE A UNIkCATION %STRADA IS WITH :ANFER AND %DDIE (EARN

;MAYBE= THAT IS POSSIBLE LATER THIS YEAR u JOSEF T. RAMOS

FAR Eastern University (FEU) and Ateneo De Manila University collide FOR THE REMAINING kNALS SPOT IN 3EASON 81 University Athletic Association OF THE 0HILIPPINES 5!!0 WOMEN S volleyball tournament today at the &IL/IL &LYING 6 #ENTRE IN 3AN *UAN #ITY Rubber match is set at 3:30 P M WITH THE WINNER ADVANCING TO THE BEST OF THREE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AGAINST THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3TO Tomas squad that ended an eightYEAR kNALS DROUGHT AND THE THREE REIGN OF $E ,A 3ALLE 5NIVERSITY Momentum is on the side of the ,ADY 4AMARAWS AFTER ERASING THE ,ADY %AGLES TWICE TO BEAT BONUS WITH A GUTSY

VICTORY ON 3ATURDAY &%5 TOOK ADVANTAGE OF !TENEO S COSTLY ERRORS TO SCORE A WINNING RUN IN THE kFTH SET OF THEIR OPENING &INAL &OUR BATTLE Head coach George Pascua is eager to steer the Lady Tams back to the titular round and bring home THE CROWN THIS TIME AROUND g7E RE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP NOW THAT WE RE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO

GET INTO THE kNALS u SAID 0ASCUA

WHO LED THE -ORAYTA BASED SQUAD TO A RUNNER UP kNISH LAST SEASON 0ASCUA WILL LEAN ON VETERANS *ERRILI -ALABANAN (EATHER 'UINO O and rookie France Ronquillo on THE ATTACK WHILE FOURTH YEAR LIBERO "UDING $UREMDES IS EXPECTED TO ANCHOR &%5 S lOOR DEFENSE 4HE ,ADY 4AMS WILL ALSO TRY TO REPEAT its elimination of the Lady Eagles in LAST YEAR S SEMIFINALS 4HEN ARMED WITH A WIN ONCE EDGE &%5 kNISH OFF !TENEO

But Ateneo is raring to return to THE kNALS AFTER SEEING ITS STREAK OF kVE STRAIGHT APPEARANCES SNAPPED LAST SEASON 4HE ,ADY %AGLES WILL NEED TO LIMIT THEIR BLUNDERS AFTER GIVING UP FREE POINTS INCLUDING kVE IN THE DECIDING SET TO THE ,ADY 4AMS IN THE PREVIOUS GAME Veteran mentor Oliver Almadro WILL COUNT ON SEASONED WARDS +AT 4OLENTINO -ADDIE -ADAYAG AND "EA $E ,EON TO LEAD THE +ATIPUNAN BASED VOLLEYBELLES OFFENSE JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Golden Harvest stuns Metropac-San Beda U VALENCIA #ITY "UKIDNON 3AN 3EBASTIAN #OLLEGE PULLED OFF A STUNNING COMEBACK WIN AFTER A DOUBLE OVERTIME AGAINST -ETROPAC 3AN "EDA 5NIVERSITY BOOSTING ITS QUARTERkNAL BID IN THE 0HILIPPINE "ASKETBALL !SSOCIATION $EVELOPMENTAL ,EAGUE 0"! $ ,EAGUE ON 4UESDAY AT THE *#3'/ 'YM IN #UBAO 1UEZON #ITY The Golden Harvest erased a POINT DEFICIT THEN FOUND AN UNLIKELY HERO IN *- #ALMA WHO HIT TWO DAGGER BASKETS IN THE SECOND EXTRA PLAY 4HE WIN SOLIDIFIED 6ALENCIA #ITY "UKIDNON 3AN 3EBASTIAN S PLAYOFF CHANCES 4HE TEAM JOINED #ENTRO %SCOLAR 5NIVERSITY ATOP THE &OUNDATION 'ROUP ON A SIMILAR RECORD g%VERYBODY PLAYED WELL 4HE BREAKS OF THE GAME WENT ON OUR WAY u SAID 'OLDEN (ARVEST HEAD COACH %GAY -ACARAYA g7E GOT THE WIN AND THAT S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR US #REDITS TO THE WHOLE TEAM 4HEY PLAYED COMPOSED IN THE LAST PART u HE ADDED

Veteran cagers Allyn Bulanadi and 2+ )LAGAN kNISHED WITH AND POINTS RESPECTIVELY WHILE #ALMA TALLIED A DOUBLE DOUBLE OF POINTS AND REBOUNDS "ULANADI AND )LAGAN WAXED HOT IN the second half as the Golden Harvest OVERCAME A SLOW START TO FORGE TWO OVERTIME PLAYS 7ITH 3AN 3EBASTIAN LEADING

#ALMA SCORED WITH A LAYUP

WITH REMAINING IN THE GAME Donald Tankoua sank a free THROW TO NARROW THE GAP FOR -ETROPAC 3AN "EDA

BUT #ALMA S SHORT STAB OFF +EN 6ILLAPANDO S PASS BROUGHT THE SCORE TO

WITH TICKS LEFT #LINT $OLIGUEZ LED THE -OVERS WITH POINTS BUILT AROUND FIVE TREYS

4ANKOUA HAD A MARKER BOARD DOUBLE DOUBLE WHILE *AMES #ANLAS HAD POINTS PRIOR TO FOULING OUT LATE -ETROPAC 3AN "EDA SQUANDERED THE CHANCE TO SEAL A QUARTERkNAL BERTH AS IT FELL TO %ARLIER 'O &OR 'OLD #OLLEGE OF

3T "ENILDE #3" KEPT ITS PLAYOFF RUN GOING WITH A ROUT OF !-! ONLINE %DUCATION 3IX 3CRATCHERS SCORED IN TWIN DIGITS as they boosted their quarterfinal BID WITH A FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN FOR AN OVERALL SLATE AND A JOINT FOURTH WITH 0ETRON #OLEGIO DE 3AN *UAN DE ,ETRAN IN THE !SPIRANTS 'ROUP g) THINK WE JUST GOT OFF TO A BAD START "UT WE PICKED IT UP AND WE RE PLAYING MUCH BETTER NOW u SAID 'O &OR 'OLD #3" COACH #HARLES 4IU 2OOSEVELT !DAMS PACED THE 3CRATCHERS ATTACK WITH POINTS

REBOUNDS AND FIVE ASSISTS 2OBIN .AYVE TALLIED MARKERS AND #ARLO 9OUNG *IMBOY 0ASTURAN CHIPPED IN POINTS WHILE %DWARD $IXON AND +ENDRIX "ELGICA CONTRIBUTED MARKERS APIECE *OSHUA -UNZON HAD A GAME HIGH POINTS WHILE &RANKY *OHNSON HAD MARKERS FOR THE 4ITANS WHO fell on the brink of elimination WITH A SHEET JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Teen sports phenom fatally shot VENICE, Ill.: A teen sports standout featured in a Sports Illustrated article about young athletes who would rule the future of sports has been fatally shot.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch quoted police as saying that Jaylon McKenzie, an East St. Louis eighth grader, was shot Saturday night at a party in Venice, Illinois, about 5 miles

(8.05 kilometers) northeast of St. Louis.

Police say they found McKenzie with serious wounds and he died at a hospital. A 15-year-old girl was in critical condition at a hospital. No arrests have been made.

McKenzie drew national attention when he caught five passes for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns at the

NFLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8th Grade All-American Game in Canton, Ohio, in August. He posted on social media that he had received football scholarship from the University of Missouri and University of Illinois. He told Sports Illustrated his dream was to play in the NFL and be a star in Los Angeles for the Chargers or Rams.

AP

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Sports

C3

Trump awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods W ASHINGTON: Tiger Woods, fresh off his epic comeback victory in the Masters, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).

0RESENTING THE GOLkNG GREAT WITH the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest honor, Trump praised Woodsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;relentless will to win, win, win.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;These qualities embody the American spirit of pushing boundaries, defying limits and always striving for greatness,â&#x20AC;? the president said.

Trump congratulated Woods on â&#x20AC;&#x153;your amazing comeback and your amazing life and for giving sports fans a lifetime of memories. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next, Tiger,â&#x20AC;? said Trump, an avid golfer and owner of several golf courses around the world.

Woods, 43, choked up as he thanked his mother, his two children, his girlfriend and his caddy during the ceremony in the White House Rose Garden.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have seen the good and the bad, the highs and the lows,â&#x20AC;? said Woods, who battled back from injury to win the Masters last MONTH HIS kRST MAJOR TITLE SINCE the 2008 US Open. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My dad is no longer here, but my mom is here,â&#x20AC;? Woods said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love you, Mom.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have tried to hang in there and I have tried to come back and play the great game of golf again,â&#x20AC;? Woods said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to do it again.â&#x20AC;?

He said his Masters victory was â&#x20AC;&#x153;probably the highlight of what I have accomplished so far in my life on the golf course. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To have had that type of experience and to be able to come out on top and win,â&#x20AC;? he said.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Especially meritoriousâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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 figures including golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, honored by president George W. Bush.

President Barack Obama gave the medal in 2014 to Charlie SifFORD THE kRST !FRICAN !MERICAN golfer to play on the PGA Tour.

During his speech, Woods praised Sifford who he said was â&#x20AC;&#x153;like the grandpa I never had.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I ended up becoming so close with him that I ended up naming my son Charlie after him,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So to have been chosen as the next golfer after Charlie is truly remarkable.â&#x20AC;?

Woodsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Masters was his 15th

Q US President Donald Trump and professional golfer Tiger Woods (left) shake hands during a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House Tuesday, in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO major title, leaving him just three short of the record held

by Nicklaus.

Woods, a black superstar in a white-dominated sport, has steered clear of commenting on politics during his career.

He has golfed with Democratic presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and with Republican presidents George H.W. Bush and Trump.

He has hit the links with Trump on several occasions, most recently in February at the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s course in Jupiter, Florida.

Woods was asked last year about his relationship with Trump, who has been engaged in an ongoing feud with a number of African-American basketball and football stars. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve known Donald for a number of years,â&#x20AC;? Woods said.

LPGT ACES BOOST NATIONAL PRO-AM CAST LADIES Philippine Golf Tour campaigners Marvi Monsalve, Chihiro Ikeda, Gretchen Villacencio, Daniella Uy and Alex Etter get the chance to slug it out with the men of the tour, all hoping to draw the best from their respective amateur partners in the Delimondo National Pro-Am unfolding Thursday at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas Monsalve, who tied for 13th last year with amateur standout Mikha Fortuna, has tapped a new partner in Laia

Barro, one of the mainstays of Team The Country Club, while Ikeda has linked up with top amateur Josh Jorge, and Villacencio will now team up with Roger Dale in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by Delimondo.

Uy and Etter, on the other hand, TRY TO ANCHOR A TEAM FOR THE kRST time with the former, a onetime Junior World champion, launching her bid with brother Lanz, and the l a t t e r, who as an amateur

placed second last year in a tandem with Jet Mathay, now pins her hopes with Joey Solis in the tournament put up by ICTSI to likewise showcase the amateursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; talent and skills and help prepare them for the big league.

While the male pros will use the black tee markers, the lady pros will tee off from the white tees.

That should make the P2.7 million event doubly interesting with the rolling, wind-swept and hazard-laden layout providing a TRUE TEST FOR THE TEAM kELD under the alternate shot format.

The top 40 teams after 36 holes of stroke play will advance to the kNAL ROUND WITH THE PRO CHAMPIon set to pocket P500,000 and the

amateur winner to receive merchandise and gifts. For details, call Jocelyn Duque at 0918-9515308 or at jocelynduque@pgt.ph.

The lady pros should come into the event in top form, having competed in a series of tournaments in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour with Uy placing second, Ikeda kNISHING JOINT kFTH AND -ONSALVE ending up seventh in the Royal Northwoods Classic two weeks ago.

But they will be up against the leading campaigners in the PGT, headed multi-titled Jhonnel Ababa, Jay Bayron, Zanieboy Gialon, Tony LascuĂąa and Elmer Salvador. Ababa will team up with Bobby IĂąigo, Bayron with Mon Salazar, Gialon with Ian Dagatan,

LascuĂąa with Moulay Rhounimi, and Salvador with Oliver Gan. Tonlits Asistio and Judson Eustaquio, meanwhile, seek to reclaim the crown they won in 2017 but yielded with a joint NINTH PLACE kNISH LAST YEAR WON by the absentee tandem of Jobim Carlos and DJ Padilla.

Meanwhile, at least six lady amateurs are also vying in the event, including Annyka Cayabyab, who will play alongside Nico Evangelista, Mariel Tee (with Cookie Laâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;O), Marianne Bustos (with James Ryan Lam), Bernice Olivarez-Ilas (with Rafael Parra), Nicole Abelar (with Marcos Pastor) and Sunshine Zhang (with Dino Villanueva).

Q Marvi Monsalve CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve played golf together. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had dinner together.

Woods said the important THING WAS TO RESPECT THE OFkCE OF the presidency, regardless of who happened to be occupying the White House. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No matter who is in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office,â&#x20AC;?

Woods said.

AFP

Corpus, Barro head PH Jr. match play cast CARL Corpus and Laia Barro aim for top finish as they banner the early roster in the Philippine Junior Amateur Golf Championship (Match Play) slated May 14 to 18 at the Riviera Golf Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Langer course in Silang, Cavite.

Corpus seeks to complete an unfinished business last year that saw him rule the Phl Amateur Open match play tilt but settle for second in this event featuring the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading and rising players in the ranks.

But he expects a tough outing against a field teeming with talent, led by Leandro Bagtas, Paolo Barro, Joaquin Gomez, Josh Jorge, Masaichi Otake, Sean Ramos and Francis Lanuza.

Registration for the five-day event serving as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour is ongoing with deadline for listup set Friday (May 10) at 12 noon. Fees are pegged at P3,000 for the Championship Division (boys and girls) and P2,000 for those vying in Special Division (boys and girls).

For details, call the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines at (02) 706-5926 or email ngap2009handicap@yahoo.com or Riviera Golf Club at 888-9089/0956-9366634.

Barro, on the other hand, leads the early list of players in the girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; side that includes Laurea Duque, Sofia Legaspi and Mariel Tee with Rianne Malixi, winner of NGAPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PH Junior Amateur stroke play and PH Amateur Open match play, also expected to join and shoot for her third victory in the season.

Others vying the boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; division of the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, Cignal and Metro Pacific, are Zach Castro, Alexi Garzon, Korean Jung Jae Hyun, Santino Laurel, Lee Sang Min, Pierre Ticzon and Joachim Yu.

Clark Global City Duathlon Reigning champion Kvitova brushes past Mladenovic 2019 rolls off May 12 CLARK Global City (CGC) will once again be the center of multisport action as the Clark Global City Duathlon 2019 co-presented by Smart fires off on May 12.

Seeing action in second year of the tilt are more than 400 aspiring and veteran duathletes, including some surprise celebrities. Participants hailing from Batanes to Batangas can test their mettle in two courses, a 6-kilometer run â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 60km bike â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 4km run or a shorter 3km run â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 30km bike â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 2km run. The race will go through CGCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well-paved roads and a stretch of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) from South

Clark to Porac before returning to the finish line at CGC. At stake in the event supported by CGC, Smart, NLEXSCTEx, Standard Insurance, Udenna Group, Royce Hotel & Casino, hydration partners Pocari Sweat and Sip Water, and official timer Garmin are specially designed trophies and gift items for all winners (age-group, relay, and team competition). The awarding ceremony takes place 11 a.m. following the race. The Event Expo on site features gear and other products from sponsors and multisport partners.

For details, visit www.bikekingphilippines.com

MADRID: Holder Petra Kvitova blunted a late attack from Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kristina Mladenovic to advance 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) into the third round of the Madrid Open on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).

The Czech second seed, chasing a fourth title on the Caja Magica clay, has now won her last five MATCHES OVER QUALIkER -LADENOVIC in straight sets. g)T WAS A PRETTY DIFkCULT MATCH I fought hard in the end and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what counts,â&#x20AC;? the winner said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The clay conditions here are a bit different compared to other venues, SO ) NEEDED TIME TO kGHT IT OUT u Kvitova took the opening set on a break and started the second set with another, But Mladenovic broke back for 3-all and eventually forced the

contest to a tiebreaker, which Kvitova captured. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had to fight, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad that I had this (kind of) match.

Hopefully, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s given me a bit more freedom for the next round,â&#x20AC;? last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stuttgart clay winner said.

Sloane Stephens beat former world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to equal her best showing at the event, defeating the two-time Australian Open winner for the fourth consecutive time.

Belarusian Azarenka committed nine double-faults in going down to the American eighth seed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was taking control from the baseline points, I was doing the right things,â&#x20AC;? Azarenka said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was playing smart tennis. But I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t create anything with my serve today and it was really frustrating.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really have a game plan, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something I need to take a LOOK AT AND kX â&#x20AC;&#x153;I need to make it more simple and just do the right things.â&#x20AC;?

Former US Open winner Stephens also reached the third round here in 2014 and 2018.

Dutch seventh seed Kiki Bertens advanced past 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-3. ,AST YEAR S LOSING -ADRID kNAList Bertens hammered 11 aces as she went through in 80 minutes, breaking Ostapenko four times.

In the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first round at the ATP-WTA pre-Roland Garros tune-up, Russian 11th seed Karen Khachanov ended a five-match losing streak as he put out Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jaume Munar 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3.

Khachanov earned his last win

in mid-March at Indian Wells.

An indifferent season continued for 2017 ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov, with the Bulgarian falling to Taylor Fritz 7-6 (10/8), 7-6 (7/4).

Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated Mikhail Kukushkin 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), while Frances Tiafoe beat Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nikolaz Basilashvili 6-7 (8/10), 6-3, 6-4.

A French pair advanced in opening matches with Richard Gasquet, playing for the first time since October due to injury, beating Spanish youngster Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, last weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s %STORIL SEMI kNALIST

Gael Monfils, the 15th seed, continued an injury comeback, taking out Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Andreas Seppi AFP 6-3, 6-1.

C4

Football

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Milan back in Champions League race after fiery Bologna win

Q AC Milanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Italian forward Fabio Borini kicks the ball during the Italian Serie A football match AC Milan vs Bologna on Tuesday at the San Siro stadium in Milan.

AFP PHOTO

M

ILAN: AC Milan revived their Champions League hopes with a 2-1 win over Bologna on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) as TEMPERS lARED WITH THREE PLAYERS SENT OFF AND A BUST UP BETWEEN &RENCH MIDkELDER 4IEMOUE Bakayoko and coach Gennaro Gattuso on the sidelines.

Gattusoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side move back into kFTH PLACE Â&#x2021; THREE POINTS BEHIND Atalanta who occupy the final Champions League berth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with three games left to play this season.

Milan had dropped out of the European places after a draw against Parma and loss to Torino but now move level on points with 2OMA WHO ARE SIXTH Champions Juventus and second-placed Napoli are already assured of Champions League footBALL NEXT SEASON BUT THE BATTLE FOR THE kNAL TWO BERTHS REMAINS TIGHT

with Inter Milan on 63 points, folLOWED BY !TALANTA !# -ILAN

2OMA AND 4ORINO â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are important points, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re right there now for the Champions League,â&#x20AC;? said Gattuso whose side are targeting a return to ELITE %UROPEAN FOOTBALL FOR THE kRST time since the 2013-2014 season.

Spanish winger Suso opened FOR -ILAN ON MINUTES WITH THE game springing to life in the secOND HALF WITH &ABIO "ORINI TAPPING IN THE SECOND ON MINUTES "OLOGNA S -ATTIA $ESTRO PULLED

ONE BACK ON MINUTES WITH -ILAN PLAYING THE kNAL QUARTER OF AN HOUR A MAN DOWN AFTER MIDkELDER Lucas PaquetĂĄ was sent off for arguing with the referee. )N A NERVY kNALE "OLOGNA kNished the game with nine men with Nicola Sansone and Mitchell Dijks both sent off late.

The absence of the pair could PROVE COSTLY FOR "OLOGNA JUST kVE points above the relegation zone, AND NEED POINTS NEXT WEEK AGAINST 0ARMA BEFORE THEIR kNAL TWO GAMES against Lazio and Napoli.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Behaved badlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; There was also pitchside drama EARLY WHEN !RGENTINE MIDkELDER ,UCAS "IGLIA PICKED UP AN INJURY minutes into the game at the San Siro with the Milan coach asking ON LOAN #HELSEA PLAYER "AKAYOKO to start warming up.

"AKAYOKO Â&#x2021; ON THE BENCH AFTER arriving late for training â&#x20AC;&#x201D; started to warm up without enthusiasm to the fury of Gattuso who instead asked another substitute JosĂŠ Mauri to come on.

'ATTUSO AND "AKAYOKO WERE CAUGHT ON CAMERA EXCHANGING insults with the French player saying twice â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fuck off, manâ&#x20AC;? and the coach replying â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see you later.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to talk about that here but in the dressing room, with my words, which I cannot use on television,â&#x20AC;? said Gattuso. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I waited seven, eight minutes and he still hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put on his shin guards, SO ) CHOSE *OSÂź -AURI ) HAVE PLAYers, we wear a glorious jersey,â&#x20AC;? conTINUED THE 7ORLD #UP WINNER â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anyone can tell me to get lost

on the touchline, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll then meet in a room eye-to-eye and see.

The priority is Milan. g7E HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE VICTORY and not waste time on other things. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the end of the season, we will see who has behaved well and who behaved badly.â&#x20AC;?

"AKAYOKO JOINED THE CLUB ON loan from Chelsea last summer with an option to buy for 35 milLION EUROS MILLION BUT HAS been the subject of racist chanting this season several times notably from Lazio supporters.

AFP

QATARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AL SADD, DUHAIL EASE INTO LAST 16 Liverpool seeks DOHA: Qatar giants Al Sadd eased into AFC Champions League last 16 with a thrilling 2-1 win over Saudi Arabiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al Ahli at the Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Monday.

They will be joined in the knockouts by their domestic rivals Al Duhail â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who clinched a 1-1 draw against Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Estheglal in Tehran â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and Saudi Arabiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al Hilal, who accounted for UAEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al Ain 2-0.

Al Sadd, the 2011 champions, made the most of their Group D encounter on their home ground and dominated play right from the start to record their THIRD WIN IN kVE GAMES They could have gone ahead in the second minute but Al Ahli goalkeeper Mohamed al-Owais showed great relEXES TO DENY A "AGHDAD "OUNEDJAH shot off a pass from captain Xavi.

Al Sadd however didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to WAIT TOO LONG TO STRIKE AS !KRAM !kF stole the ball from Saeed al-Muwallad and relayed it to Ali Asad whose half-volley beat al-Owais all ends up in the ninth minute.

Three minutes later Al Sadd were 2-0 AHEAD WITH !kF SCORING FROM A TIGHT angle as the ball fell in his path after al-Owais had saved a shot from Xavi.

Al Sadd could have been up by at LEAST kVE GOALS IN THE kRST HALF HAD AL Owais not produced a string a saves, SEVERAL OF THEM FROM "OUNEDJAH Al Ahli started the second half with

purpose and were rewarded when Tarek Salman handled the ball and Syrian star Omar al-Somah struck from the penalty spot in the 51st minute to reduce the margin.

Also in Group D, Igor Sergeev scored the only goal of the match as Uzbekistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pakhtakor ended 2018 runners up Persepolisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign with a 1-0 win in Tashkent.

Sergeev struck in the 86th minute off a Dragan Ceran assist but with EIGHT POINTS FROM kVE MATCHES WILL need at least a draw against Al Ahli on May 20 to make the cut.

Meanwhile, Al Duhail clinched a vital point against Esteghlal at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, a result which ended the hostsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hopes in the tournament.

Only a win would have helped EsTEGHLAL KEEP THEIR QUALIkCATION HOPES alive from Group C and they made their intentions clear in the early stages of play by testing Duhail goalkeeper Amine Lecomte a couple of times.

They were also unlucky to see Ayanda Patosiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s curling free-kick from more than 30-yards hit the upright after Lecomte was beaten in the 12th minute.

Al Duhail too had their chances in THE kRST HALF BUT IT WAS %STEGHLAL WHO broke the deadlock after the break WHEN 2OOZBEH #HESHMI kRED HOME from close off a Patosi pass from the

right in the 53rd minute.

Esteghlal however failed to defend THEIR LEAD FOR LONG AS "RAZILIAN %DMILSON *UNIOR PROkTED FROM A WEAK CLEARance from goalkeeper Sayed Hosseini and found the back of the net in the

55th minute.

Al Duhail have eight points from kVE MATCHES FOUR BEHIND !L (ILAL

WHO ARE GUARANTEED TO kNISH TOP OF the table when the group phase ends later this month.

AFP

Q Nooh Al-Mousa (left) is marked by Saddâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s midfiedler Jung Woo-young during the AFC Champions League group D football match between Qatarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al Sadd and Saudiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al Ahli at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Tuesday. AFP PHOTO

Suarez thanks Liverpool for helping him to the top LIVERPOOL: "ARCELONA STRIKER ,UIS 3UAREZ RETURNS TO !NkELD ON 4UESDAY 7EDNESDAY IN -ANILA HOPing to dump Liverpool out of the #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE SEMIkNALS BUT remains eternally grateful to the Reds for helping him win a move to the Catalan giants.

3UAREZ SHONE ON THE kELD DURING a turbulent three-and-a-half years at Liverpool, that included long bans FOR BITING #HELSEA S "RANISLAV )VANOVIC and racially abusing Patrice Evra of Manchester United.

His role in leading Liverpool to the brink of a long-awaited Premier ,EAGUE TITLE IN SAW "ARCA splash out a then club record fee despite another biting incident on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 7ORLD #UP THAT SAW HIM BANNED BY FIFA for four months.

That faith has been rewarded as Suarez has enjoyed great success in Spain, winning four La Liga titles, the Champions League in 2014/15 and four Spanish Cups.

And he believes his time at Liverpool was the springboard to making him one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best strikers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Liverpool gave me a lot to make me better. My time there made me more professional, make me improve technically, many things,â&#x20AC;? he said on Monday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be captain of Liverpool was

SOMETHING UNIQUE IN MY CAREER 7E have thought about that a lot and we Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino WERE kGHTING FOR THE 0REMIER ,EAGUE KNOW THAT THEY HAVE AN EXTRA EDGE miss out through injury. and you are left with the sensation we here in front of their fans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Firmino and Salah are important were just one step away. g4O PLAY AT !NkELD IS LIKE PLAYING players for them, but that does not â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am among the elite of football, I WITH AN EXTRA MAN FOR WHAT THE FANS change our preparation for the game,â&#x20AC;?

AM AT "ARCELONA THANKS TO WHAT ,IV- transmit to the Liverpool players.â&#x20AC;? added Suarez. erpool made me as a player.â&#x20AC;?

However, if Liverpool are to spring â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have other players, most of Suarez scored the opening goal an unlikely comeback, it will be with- them internationals and we need to AGAINST HIS OLD CLUB AS "ARCA TOOK A out two of their major goal threats as pay them plenty respect.â&#x20AC;?

AFP commanding 3-0 kRST LEG LEAD LAST week to defend AT !NkELD However, he warned the Spanish champions of making the same mistakes they did in throwing away a 4-1 lead against Ro m a i n l a s t seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Champions League quarter-finals and knows that Liverpool can be a different team on home soil. g 7 E H A V E come off the blow of last seas o n w h e n we had a good ad- Q Barcelonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (center) attends a training session at Anfield stadium in VANTAGE FROM Liverpool, north west England on on Tuesday, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League semifinal second THE kRST LEG 7E leg football match against Liverpool. AFP PHOTO

new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;heroesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with Salah absent against Barcelona LIVERPOOL: Liverpool must turn to unlikely heroes to OVERTURN A #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE SEMIkNAL kRST LEG DEkCIT AGAINST "ARCELONA ON 4UESDAY 7EDNESDAY IN -ANILA ACCORDING TO DEFENDER 4RENT !LEXANDER !RNOLD after Mohamed Salah was ruled out with concussion.

Roberto Firmino will also be absent against the SpanISH CHAMPIONS AT !NkELD LEAVING *URGEN +LOPP WITHOUT two of his most potent attacking weapons for what is already a massive challenge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Obviously weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got two of our main goalscorers out, but it also presents an opportunity for some of the other lads to come in, make a name for themselves AND MAKE THEMSELVES HEROES u SAID !LEXANDER !RNOLD g)F WE DO OVERTURN THE DEkCIT TOMORROW THEN WHOEVER scores, their name will always be remembered because I am sure it will be one of those really special nights.â&#x20AC;?

Salah was stretchered off during Liverpoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tense 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday that kept alive their CHANCES OF A kRST 0REMIER ,EAGUE TITLE IN YEARS AFTER colliding with Magpiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a concussion so that means he would not even BE ALLOWED TO PLAY u +LOPP SAID ON -ONDAY g(E FEELS /+ BUT IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FROM A MEDICAL POINT OF VIEW THAT IS ALL (E S DESPERATE TO PLAY BUT we cannot do it.â&#x20AC;? +LOPP SPEAKING BEFORE -ANCHESTER #ITY ENSURED THEY remain in the driving seat for the Premier League title by beating Leicester 1-0 on Monday, was realistic about his sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chances of progressing to a second consecutive #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE kNAL "UT THE 'ERMAN REFUSED TO GIVE UP HOPE â&#x20AC;&#x153;Together with our supporters it was a long season and there is at least a little chance to make it even lonGER u +LOPP ADDED â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best strikers are not available tomorrow night and we have to score four goals against "ARCELONA TO GO THROUGH AFTER MINUTES â&#x20AC;&#x153;It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make life easier, but as long as we have 11 players on the pitch, we will try it.â&#x20AC;?

Anfield an extra man Luis Suarez scored the opening goal against his former CLUB IN LAST WEEK S kRST LEG AT THE #AMP .OU BUT AHEAD OF HIS RETURN TO !NkELD THE 5RUGUAYAN WARNED HIS current teammates of the lift playing on home soil will give Liverpool. g4O PLAY AT !NkELD IS LIKE PLAYING WITH AN EXTRA MAN for what the fans transmit to the Liverpool players,â&#x20AC;? said Suarez. !ND "ARCELONA COACH %RNESTO 6ALVERDE BELIEVES ATTACK will be the best form of defence as if the Catalans get an AWAY GOAL ,IVERPOOL WILL NEED TO SCORE kVE g7HAT WE HAVE TO DO IS SCORE u SAID 6ALVERDE Suarez will be joined by Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho on his return to Anfield after a a MILLION MILLION MOVE TO "ARCA FROM Liverpool last year.

"UT THE OFTEN INJURED /USMANE $EMBELE IS ABSENT FOR THE VISITORS DUE TO A HAMSTRING PROBLEM AND 6ALVERDE believes the Frenchmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s absence will be felt just as much as Salah and Firmino. g7E DON T WANT ANY PLAYER TO BE INJURED )T WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTRAORDINARY TO SEE THEM ALL ON THE kELD They are all important,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dembeleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s absence is a problem. Against a team THAT CONCEDES SPACE IN BEHIND IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT to have player like Ousmane.â&#x20AC;?

AFP

WEDNESDAY W E D N ESDAY MAY 8, 2019

Entertainment

D1 Q Alex Medina as Frank

www.manilatimes.net

I F Y O U L O V E D â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; A N G K U W E N T O N AT I N G D A L A W A â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;Ś

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tayo Sa huling Buwan Ng Taonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is worth the wait H

OW DO YOU kND YOURSELF AFTER GETTING LOST Â&#x2021; LOST IN A SEA OF RESPONSIBILITIES PAIN TRAUMAS AND LOST LOVES This is the question that the sequel reconnects with aspiring brand new sequel to the highly kLMMAKER 3AM .ICCO -ANALO successful cult movie of 2015 in AND WRITER )SA %MMANUELLE 6ERA

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang Kwento Nating Dalawaâ&#x20AC;? former lovers who meet each other more than doubled its meager FIVE YEARS AFTER THEIR BREAK UP P800,000-bugdget with box of- They are now both with different kCE RETURNS OF OVER 0 MILLION partners: Sam with his co-teacher, FROM MAVERICK kLMMAKER .ESTOR NURTURING !NNA !NNA ,UNA AND !BROGENA #URIOUSLY TITLED g4AYO )SA WITH &RANK !LEX -EDINA A Sa Huling Buwan Ng Taon,â&#x20AC;? the childhood friend who is willing to much-awaited follow up is ro- GIVE UP EVERYTHING FOR HER mantic drama about falling in 3AM AND )SA TRY LOVE AND kNDING ONESELF AND HOW to be friends and sometimes, the two aspects may ATTEMPT TO kND NOT MIX WELL TOGETHER themselves in From distributing Kuwento the realm of for commercial screening four their respecyears ago, Tayo Sa Huling Butive romantic wan ng Taon came to be with PARTNERS "UT the support and encouragein the proment of TBA Studios, now ofcess, what kCIAL PRODUCERS OF THE SEQUEL The outfit of course is noted for successfully BRINGING PERIOD kLMS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heneral Lunaâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Goyo: Ang Batang Heneralâ&#x20AC;? into the mainstream, as well as bankrolling deserving filmmakers and materials like THE BOX OFkCE HIT g) M $RUNK ) ,OVE 9OU u With the original actors of Kuwento reprising their roles, the Q Emmanuelle Vera as Isa

they discover instead is pain and (ULING %L "IMBOu AND MOVIES SUCH uncertainty as they come to terms AS g'USTO +ITA 7ITH !LL -Y (Y with their feelings for each other POTHALAMUSuÂ&#x2021; SAYS HIS ROLE AS 3AM AND EVERYONE AROUND THEM in the movie is perhaps his favorite )T CAN BE RECALLED THAT THE MOV- AMONG THOSE HE HAS PORTRAYED IE S PRECURSOR WAS ORIGINALLY MEANT â&#x20AC;&#x153;We use mostly ourselves when to be a student short film but WE PORTRAY OUR CHARACTERS THAT S became a full-length movie that why the movie is so authentic,â&#x20AC;? he premiered in the 2015 World MUSED g7E TRIED TO DO THE MOVIE 0REMIERES &ESTIVAL IN 0ASAY #ITY earlier, but we decided against Through subsequent screenings IT BECAUSE .ESTOR FELT WE WEREN T in schools and micro-cinemas in READY Hindi pa hinog 4HE FOUR -ETRO -ANILA THE MOVIE FOUND years between Ang Kwento Nating a devout audience that led to its Dalawa and Tayo Sa Huling Buwan .G 4AON REALLY HELPED Kita talaga SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIAL As such, Tayo Sa Huling Buwan sa screen kung paano kami binago Ng Taon is an answered prayer ng panahon /F ALL THE CHARACTERS THAT ) PLAYED dito for fans and followers who have talaga makikita BEEN WAITING FOR !BROGENA S NEXT si Nicco not ROMANTIC kLM OPUS just as an ac-ORE THAN A YOUR USUAL LOVE tor but also as story, the director says this A PERSON Kung follow up offers an emoano yung learntional portrayal of love among ings namin sa people and couples who are four years na lumiSTILL TRYING TO kGURE OUT LIFE AND pas, makikita THEMSELVES 4HE CHARACTERS ARE yun sa EARNEST YET lAWED AND THE pelimovie offers moments that are equal parts quiet, realistic and INTENSE kLLED WITH big emotions that mirror contempoRARY LOVE -EANWHILE

-ANALO Â&#x2021; WHO has proven his mettle as actor in stage musicals and plays SUCH AS g-ULA 3A Buwanâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang Q Nicco Manalo as Sam

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Knock Down the Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has real-life superheroes G

ENERAL elections in the Philippines are coming up running was the tragic in shooting of teenager Michael on May 13. The entire nation will be going to polls Brown in Ferguson in 2014. to elect senators, congressmen and women, mayors, Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amy Vilela, an executive level accountant vice-mayors, councilors and party-list representawho sold her house and ran for Congress in Nevada. tives. While it can get â&#x20AC;&#x153;real Game Her main motivationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the heartof Thrones around hereâ&#x20AC;? (to use breaking death of her 22-year old the words of Freddy Freeman in daughter Shalynne, who was denied â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shazamâ&#x20AC;?) over election season in a health care procedure because she this country, Netflix might have did not have the proper insurance something just as compelling at documentation. this time as HBOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s epic: a docuFinally thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alexandria mentary called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Knock Down the House.â&#x20AC;? And yes, it is Ocasio-Cortez, a bartender from the Bronx who ran for just as capable of bringing viewers to tears.

Congress in New York, facing the mighty Joe Crowley, The wife and husband team of Rachel Lears and Robin fourth ranking Democrat in the US; he is also a man Blotnick wrote and produced the film. Rachel directed and who has been in office for 20 years, who has gone did the cinematography, while Robin edited and did the unchallenged in the last 14. Because the filmmakers music. They wanted to examine the nature of power in the were based in New York, they were able to follow her US and focused on the story on two groups called Brand campaign more closely.

New Congress and Justice Democrats as they tried to field They followed her as she went from door to door, â&#x20AC;&#x153;non-careerâ&#x20AC;? politicians (women of color, working moms knocking on peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s houses. They caught her at town â&#x20AC;&#x201D; you get the picture) to run in the 2018 primaries and hall meetings and gatherings, at interviews and on street general elections. corners â&#x20AC;&#x201D; revealing the What were these fire in her belly, and the non-career politicians quickness and wit in her up against? The money, responses to questions. establishment and While Swearengin, Bush machinery of career and Vilela didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it, politiciansâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or what is Ocasio-Cortez overcame the known here as â&#x20AC;&#x153;traposâ&#x20AC;? odds and defeated Goliath. (a shortened word play She won in both the primary on traditional politiand general elections, beQ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduces herself to cians; while tradpol also constituents and encourages them to get out and vote. coming the youngest woman works, we all prefer the elected to US Congress ever.

Spanish and Filipino word for a cleaning rag.)

It is touching, and it can make you cry because these While Lears and Blotnick met dozens of would-be are women who tried and dared. They put themselves candidates, they focused on four women in the winter of on the line and went against almost insurmountable 2017-2018. Outspoken, working class women who would odds with small contributions here and there, the learn just how difficult it is to unseat a trapo in the United support of their families, friends and partners, and a States. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not even a case of Democrats vs. Republicans, lean but motivated staff. They found supporters who itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that of earnest upstart vs. a whole system. believed in them and each and every one, genuinely Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paula Jean Swearengin who ran for US Senhad something to fight for, something that meant to ate in West Virginia â&#x20AC;&#x201D; she is a coal minerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter them and everyday people like them. They were people and granddaughter from Wyoming County fighting for on the ground representing people on the ground. the most basic of needs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; clean air and a clean glass Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a reminder that for democracy to really of water! She talks about poison in the mining town, work or show signs of working, it demands greater parthe neighbors who have gotten sick. ticipation, greater interest and greater engagement.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s African American pastor and registered nurse As Alexandria mentioned on just how hard it is to Cori Bush who ran for Congress in Missouriâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;she had have a breakthrough like hers: â&#x20AC;&#x153;For one of us to make it to face a man named Lacy Clay who had been serving through, 100 of us have to try.â&#x20AC;?

Congress since 2001, who also happens to be the son â&#x20AC;&#x153;Knock Down the Houseâ&#x20AC;? was released on Netflix on of former Congressman Bill Clay. One of her reasons for May 1.

FAN GIRL KAREN KUNAWICZ

KULA )T REALLY MADE 4AYO AND ITS already a fan favorite less than a theme of finding yourself after MONTH AFTER ITS RELEASE 4RENDING GETTING LOST AUTHENTIC AND REAL u within the first 24-hours of its 3INGER ACTRESS %MMANUELLE digital debut, its lyric video posted 6ERA WHO NOW GOES BY HER MU- ON $ECEMBER !VENUE S 9OUTUBE SIC ARTIST NAME 6ERA EXPRESSED channel has also garnered five FOR HER PART g) HAVE HIGH HOPES MILLION VIEWS AND COUNTING that the movie will touch many With a support cast comprised people, that it will resonate with OF 0EEWEE / (ARA !LVIN !NSON

&ILIPINOS "ECAUSE WHAT WE ARE -ADELEINE .ICOdoing is just the regular life of LAS %MMAN ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO ARE lAWED Nimedez 4HERE S NO HUGE PLOT TWISTS )T and BodIS JUST REGULAR LIVES ) FEEL LIKE jie Pascua, Filipinos should watch because Ta y o S a THEY CAN IDENTIFY WITH THE kLM u Huling 3HE CONTINUED g) WANT PEOPLE

Buwan Ng AFTER WATCHING THE MOVIE TO RElECT Taon opens on their lives, their actions and in theaters how they affect the people around nationTHEM (OPEFULLY WE LL CHANGE A wide toLOT OF PEOPLE FOR THE BETTER u DAY Tayo Sa Huling Buwan Ng Taon also boasts of a stellar and exciting SOUNDTRACK 4HE kLM S main theme song is $ECEMBER !VENUE S â&#x20AC;&#x153;Huling Sandali,â&#x20AC;?

WHICH WAS SPECIkCALLY written and made for THE FILM 4HE SONG S lyrics effectively mirror the emotions of the MOVIE S MAIN PROTAGQ Anna Luna as Anna ONISTS 3AM AND )SA IS

D2

Funtimes

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Blackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s *HPLQL KRURVFRSH YLVLW /LQGD %ODFN $VWURORJ\ E\ FOLFNLQJ GDLO\ KRURscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

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Solution from yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puzzle.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SM Baguio showcases mosaic made of ube and strawberry

A TRIP to Baguio is never complete without a taste of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best known â&#x20AC;&#x153;pasalubongâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the ube and strawberry.

SM City Baguio marked another milestone as it put a twist TO THESE TWO lAVORS OF THE NORTH

showcasing 15-feet by 15-feet mosaic made of 8,000 ube and STRAWBERRY lAVORED CRINKLES Indulge with the tastiest treats of the City of Pines and #ExperienceUbeXStrawberryFĂźn at SM City Baguio.

PH, Singapore co-lead Asean data protection and privacy forum THE National Privacy Commission (NPC) is closely working with Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) in developing the Asean Framework on Digital Data Governance.

In the Second Working Group Meeting on Asean Digital Data Governance Framework recently at the Diamond Hotel in Makati, Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro formally accepted Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s invitation for the Philippines to co-lead the initiative. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would like to express my appreciation to Singapore for extending this invitation. The Philippines, through the National Privacy Commission, agrees to co-lead in this initiative and we are honored to take part to further develop

and implement a data privacy forum in the Asean region, which will bolster data privacy in the region. We look forward to further cooperation with Singapore and all Asean member states to foster a community where data protection and privacy thrives,â&#x20AC;? Liboro said.

The Philippines would specifically co-lead one of the four initiative called the Asean Data Protection and Privacy Forum.

Its two target outcomes are to harmonize legal and regulatory landscapes in the region; and the development and adoption of best practices.

To date, the Philippines is one of only three Southeast Asian countries with comprehensive data protection law and fully-established functioning data privacy authority regulator.

Public Square

WEDNESDAY May 8, 2019

D3

Midori Hotel celebrates 2nd year with a treat for its guests M IDORI Clark Hotel and Casino launched its grand opening two years ago. A day that paved the way to level up the hospitality scene and provide an exquisite experience in the sprawling development of Clark Freeport Zone.

As it celebrate its second fruitful year, the hotel is giving back to its most loyal and frequent guests with its Anniversary Giveaway Promo.

From May 1 to May 31, customers who will avail of its promotions get a chance to win a luxurious stay for two at Midori Clark Hotel.

Book and stay with the well-known Flash Sale Promo or Complimentary Room Upgrade Promo and get a chance to win prizes.

Flash Sale will let you stay at the Superior Room from Sunday to Monday, while the Complimentary Room Upgrade Promo is available from Wednesday to Saturday, entitling you to enjoy 50 percent off from the published rate and gives you a free room upgrade. Both promos are inclu-

sive of breakfast buffet at Toscana Dining, use of hotel amenities and complimentary shuttle from SM City Clark.

Awesome prizes for two are set to be given away. Get a chance to win an overnight stay at the 124 sqm luxurious Midori Suite amounting to P52,000 per night with breakfast buffet for two at Toscana Dining.

Travel enthusiast would also love to win luggage bags courtesy of its partner, Fly Supply Travel online. Winners will be drawn this June 7 and will be announced at Midori Clark Hotel and Casino Facebook page. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we celebrate our 2nd year anniversary, this recreates the very first moment on how a blueprint was turned in to a REALITY /N OUR kRST YEAR -IDORI had been patronized and became famed here and outside the country. We are always grateful for the continuous support and loyalty of our guests. It is never easy to continue in upholding our

mission but it all went well with the various support of my team, friends from the media and our loyal guests. This even pushes us to carry on what we have started, to build more memories and let

our service endure as years are to come. Cheers for TWO years, cheers TWO more memories,â&#x20AC;?

General Manager Vic Chan said.

For more information, visit www.midorihotel.com.

Crimson Hotel features â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;La Rumbaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mexican buffet CRIMSON Hotel Filinvest City, Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culinary team at CafĂŠ Eight restaurant comes together to showcase the culinary heritage of Mexico and its popular cultural celebration â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cinco de Mayo.

From May 3 to 11, diners can feast on a buffet spread inspired by the RICH DIVERSITY AND VIBRANT lAVORS of the Mexican cuisine.

From the Spanish words La Rumba or â&#x20AC;&#x153;the partyâ&#x20AC;? in English, guests can only expect a festival of gastronomic experience in a jovial atmosphere at CafĂŠ Eight. Flavorsome appetizers such as chicken

taco salad, stuffed jalapeĂąo, pork empanada, pinto bean and chili with avocado salsa, and traditional Mexican soups such as pozole, tripe, and albondigas will keep oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taste bud alive and kicking.

Whether Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner or just craving for Mexican classics and some modern twists, book for seats and enjoy a buffet with unlimited Mexican beer. Guests can also avail of the buy one get one free on all Tequila cocktails.

For more information visit http:// www.crimsonhotel.com/manila/

Da Coco Summer Fest kicks off in Muntinlupa

Duty Free PH celebrates 32 years with biggest anniversary sale THE countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only duty and tax-free travel retail company marked its 32nd year by thanking its shoppers with the anniversary sale from May 4 to 5 at the Fiestamall in ParaĂąaque City.

Shoppers scored up to 50 percent on toys, baby products, home and office; up to 30 percent on perfumes, cosmetics, jewelries, watches, and electronics; up to 25 percent on chocolates and snacks; and 20 percent on sporting goods; up to 15 percent on wine and liquor, and 10 percent on groceries.

During the past 32 years, Duty Free Philippines (DFP) has built a tradition of excellence in providing a tax-free merchandising system to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), balikbayans and regular Filipino travelers.

DFP Chief Operating Officer Vicente Pelagio Angala, one of

the pioneer employees of the company said, â&#x20AC;&#x153; I am fortunate to have grown up professionally in DFPâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; rose from the ranks and have witnessed different management strategies that shaped DFP today.â&#x20AC;?

On May 2, 1987, the first DFP outlet, located at the arrival area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), was opened with a capitalization of only $91,000.

One month later, DFP stores with sleek and modern designs opened at the departure area of NAIA. A third outlet opened at the Mactan International Airport in Cebu at the end of 1987.

DFPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship store, the Fiestamall, opened in April 1997.

As a government corporation, 50 percent of DFPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue is remitted to the Department of Tourism for tourism development projects.

QC govt to train PCOO Visayas Ave employees in disaster management THE Quezon City government will assist offices under the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in Visayas Avenue in improving their disaster risk reduction and management capability.

The Quezon City Public Affairs and Information Services Department (PAISD) met with administrative and security and safety managers from the Philippine Information Agency, Philippine News Agency, APO printing unit, Philippine Broadcasting Service, APO Production Unit, Inc., and Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Television Network Incorporated to facilitate the strengthening of their capacities during emergencies.

Employees and officials of THE VARIOUS OFkCES WILL UNDERGO skills training and workshops in disaster risk reduction and management, Incident Command

System (ICS), basic life support, and contingency planning.

Under the Herbert Bautista administration, the QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had been adjudged as the Gawad Kalasag national champion for 2018 and also awarded as a hall of famer in the Regional Gawad Kalasag in the National Capital Region.

Gawad Kalasag is an annual award given by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) since 1998. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council through the OCD utilizes the Gawad Kalasag to harness continuous commitment and support of DRRM practitioners in strengthening the resilience and capacities of communities and regions to disaster risks.

THE local government of Muntinlupa supports the Department of Agricultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (DA) Coco Summer Fest in a kick-off activity in the city on April 29.

DA, in partnership with the De-

partment of Education and MMDA, launched the program urging government offices, bureaus and attached agencies to support coco farmers by serving coco water and

buko juice in all its events and meetINGS -UNTINLUPA #ITY IS THE kRST LGU to celebrate and support the Coco Summer Fest in NCR. In photo are DA Director and Tien-

DA Focal Person for South Metro Manila Annray Rivera, Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, City Administrator Allan Cachuela, and senatorial candidate Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.

SAP with Huawei: Fueling collaborations through innovation ON April 11, SAP with its partners all around Asia gathered together for a conference.

According to SAP Managing Director in the Philippines Edler Panlilio, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovation race, the ability for organizations to identify and act on digital trends as they arise can spell the difference between success and failure. The emergence of new digital tools helps companies respond swiftly to changing business demands, industry movements, and global occurrences and seize opportunities as they come.

Moreover, these innovations also fuel the creation of digital business models.â&#x20AC;?

One of the participating partner company is Huawei, which introdiced its Huawei Cloud commit-

ted to providing secure, reliable, and sustainable cloud services to help organizations. Complementing the impressive offerings, Huawei Cloud allows everyone to get what they need at an affordable price, EFkCIENTLY EASY USE OF CUTTING EDGE technologies and rest assured that their data remains fully secure throughout the entire lifecycle.

Huawei Intelligent Computing draws on its best expertise in compute, AI, storage, and network core chips to build full-stack intelligent solutions. Delivering unrivaled compute power to catalyze the intelligent transformation of traditional data centers and industries, leading the way forward to a fully connected, intelligent world.

For more information, visit www.sap.com.

Q During the conference (from left) Jack Zhang, Huawei Intelligent Computing senior product manager; Kimi Liu, Huawei Cloud Center Business Development director; Melvin Liew, Huawei Cloud senior product manager; James Ning, Globe partners and Huawei International alliance director; and Shu Lei Lei, Huawei Enterprise Account account manage. In front center is Andria Terese Nicolas, Tag Media Group executive director.

RCBC appoints FinTech leader as chief innovations and inclusion officer AS Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) advances in its digital transformation journey, the bank announces the appointment of Lito Villanueva as executive vice president and chief innovations and inclusion OFkCER EFFECTIVE -AY Villanueva is an acknowledged DIGITAL kNANCE EXPERT IN 3OUTHEAST Asia and has won several awards in his pioneering work including â&#x20AC;&#x153;sachet bankingâ&#x20AC;? initiatives for the unbanked and underserved Filipinos.

A recognized thought leader, he has

been championing the acceleration OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND kNANCIAL inclusion in the country in support of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts in creating an inclusive digital economy. He was the kRST AND ONLY &ILIPINO INCLUDED IN THE list of top 100 Asian FinTech Leaders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As digital technologies are fast reshaping all industries, Litoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s onboarding is a welcome development to the group as we all need to embrace these disruptions to compete and future-proof our businesses,â&#x20AC;? said Helen Dee, RCBC and Yunchengco

conglomerate chairman.

Villanueva concurrently holds the position of chief digita ltransformation advisor for the entire conglomerate.

Villanueva is the founding chairman of FinTech Alliance.ph, an industry group representing more than a third of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s registered FinTech companies. He is also the president of the BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. Institute for Growth towards National Inclusion, Transformation and Empowerment.

WEDNESDAY W E D N E S DAY MAY 8, 2019

Lifestyle

Q Migraine is a type of headache disorder that is among the top 10 most disabling disorders worldwide.

D4

www.manilatimes.net

Medications, lifestyle adjustments keys to coping with migraine M

IGRAINE headache at its most severe feels like being smashed on the head with a hard object such as a hammer, according to 49-year-old Rowena Lazaro. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have low tolerance for pain, but I can withstand moderate headaches and continue to function. It is only when the migraine headache becomes severe that I cry out for help and ask my husband to take me to the emergency room.â&#x20AC;?

Migraine is a type of headache disorder that is among the top 10 most disabling disorders worldwide. It is particularly burdensome among young and middle-aged women. Diagnosed in 2009, Lazaro admits that her migraine has negatively affected her lifestyle and relationship with her children.

She has frequent mood swings and the most minor of reasons would make her very angry. Her children struggled to understand their mother and her condition. Fortunately, Lazaroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband under-

stands the debilitating symptoms of migraine and its heavy burden on sufferers and their loved ones. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whenever I suffer a migraine attack, my husband turns off the lights in our bedroom and gives me my medications. I depend on him so much.â&#x20AC;?

Lazaro recalls one instance when she went with her children to see a movie. A few minutes into the movie, the loud sounds and glaring lights of the movie screen triggered a migraine attack and she was forced to rush out of the movie

theater. Once outside, she vomited and almost collapsed because of the terrible headache.

Lazaro also shared the story of the time she rode a bus on her own. As the bus was traversing Edsa she suffered a migraine attack, which was likeIy triggered by the heat and humidity of the day.

Wracked by a terrible headache, she collapsed and blacked out.

When she regained consciousness, she was lying in the clinic of the Araneta Center Bus terminal in Cubao, where her husband eventually picked her up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some people tell me â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;migraine lang naman â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yan [Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just mi-

Q Through medications and lifestyle adjustments, migraine sufferers can cope with their condition.

graine]â&#x20AC;&#x2122;. They have no idea how debilitating migraine symptoms are because they have not yet experienced a migraine attack,â&#x20AC;?

Lazaro laments, no longer able to live a normal life because of her migraine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But my doctor said that the best thing I could do was to accept my condition and learn how to cope with it.â&#x20AC;?

Dr. Corina Maria Socorro Azores Macalintal agree with Lazaroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Migraine sufferers can cope with their condition and maintain quality of life through medications and lifestyle adjustments,â&#x20AC;? she said during the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Migraine In Women Mini Round Table Discussionâ&#x20AC;? organized by Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

An Adult Neurologist at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center AND #ERTIkED (EADACHE -ASTER BY International Headache Society (IHS), Macalintal is also a migraine sufferer. She underscores the importance of avoiding migraine triggers such as certain

medications (nitrates, some antihypertension medicines, antibiOTICS ETC lASHING BRIGHT LIGHTS

strong odors, cigarette smoke, chocolate, aged cheese, monosodium glutamate-containing foods, emotional stress, inadequate sleep, among others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Medical treatment focuses on addressing the symptoms of individual migraine attacks,â&#x20AC;? explained Macalintal. Treatment goals are to relieve migraine-related disability, pain, and other symptoms; achieve maximum effectiveness by taking acute medications as early as possible after headache onset while the pain is still mild; and abort migraine attacks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Migraine therapy should be chosen based on efficacy and tolerability of medication and the characteristics of the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s migraine attack,â&#x20AC;? she stressed.

To learn more about migraine, visit the Speak Your Migraine Face"OOK PAGE AT WWW FACEBOOK COM speakyourmigraineph.

Easy solutions to better sleep Global sleep survey shows we want MANY people have lifestyles that INlUENCE THEIR SLEEPING PATTERNS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from employees who work beYOND OFkCE HOURS TO kNISH ALL THEIR deadlines to parents who have to wake up very early and stay up late to tend to their kids. Besides that, they also have electronic devices which sometimes serve as distractions that hinder them from getting enough sleep.

According to the doctor, sleep inlUENCES PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH and will therefore dictate these conditions: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Among teenagers, if you have good sleep, it decreases your risk of getting obesity. If you sleep less, you will crave for more sweets and salty foods. Studies also show that patients who lack sleep could develop Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease.â&#x20AC;? Meanwhile, a good nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep will keep

Q Reserve the bed only for sleep â&#x20AC;&#x201D; avoid all distractions that may prevent you from dozing off. This means, the bed should not be used as an office, workroom, or recreation room.

To achieve good sleep for a healthy wellbeing, sleep specialist Dr. Keith Aguilera shared tips and tricks at an event organized by mattress manufacturer Uratex Premium at the SM Mall of Asia Activity Center.

you alert and energized throughout the day, help boost your immune system, and improve concentration.

3PECIkCALLY HE ADVICES Follow a bedtime schedule. Our bodies crave for consistency. Thus,

maintaining a sleeping schedule is critical to our wellbeing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it helps our body systems prepare for and anticipate our regular daily schedules.

Having a schedule alerts the body to our wake up time then relaxes and become sleepy prior to bedtime.

Avoid alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and spicy and sugary foods a few hours before bedtime. These are stimulants that can disrupt peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleeping patterns. Thus, excessive drinking of alcohol, caffeine such as coffee, tea and sodas, and foods that are heavy, salty or sugary should be avoided at least four to six hours before bedtime.

Exercise regularly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But not before bedtime,â&#x20AC;? stressed Keith. Working out late can have an adverse effect on your health and impact your lifestyle. Decreases in body temperature signals the body to sleep, but exercising only leads the body temperature to rise and will take about six hours to drop. Exercise in the morning or at least three hours before bed time.

Reserve the bed only for sleep.

Avoid all distractions that may prevent you from dozing off. This means, the BED SHOULD NOT BE USED AS AN OFkCE

workroom, or recreation room. Eliminate all sources of light which include your smartphones and gadgets and lights around your home as they keep you alert and awake.

Invest in a good mattress. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Investing in things that you use a lot eventually translates to your wellness. Having a good mattress will provide the comfort and quality sleep you need to get you through the day,â&#x20AC;? the doctor ended.

Q Sleep specialist Dr. Keith Aguilera with event host Rissa Trillo.

better sleep, but only if it comes easily PEOPLE around the world are making do with lesser sleep each night, with some getting as little as 6.3 hours of sleep on the weekdays and 6.6 on the weekends, significantly lower than the daily recommended 8 hours. This finding was among others announced by Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, from its annual global sleep survey in a report, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Global Pursuit of Better Sleep Health.â&#x20AC;?

The annual global sleep survey, carried out in conjunction with World Sleep Day, surveyed over 11,000 adults in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States to capture attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors around sleep.

issues are often deprioritized. In seeking a better sleep, 31 percent of Asia-Pacific respondents say they would be willing to use online search engines to learn more about sleep and/ or treatments to improve their sleep, and 34 percent would be open to seeing a sleep specialist. Yet, 75 percent of adults have not sought help from a medical professional, mainly due to the perceived high costs of sleep consultation (25 percent) and treatment (30 percent).

An elusive goal Results revealed an increasingly sleep-deprived world â&#x20AC;&#x201D; while awareness of sleepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impact on overall health is on the rise, for many people across the globe, achieving good sleep health remains elusive. Besides having insufficient sleep, 62 percent of global adults describe their sleep as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;somewhatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;not at allâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; well, and almost half (44 percent) say that their sleep has worsened in the past five years. According to the 2016 Healthy Living Index Survey Filipinos have one of the highest rates of sleep deprivation in Asia with 46 percent of Filipinos not getting enough sleep and 32 percent saying they sleep for less than six hours. The impact of this is demonstrated daily, with as many as 60 percent saying they have experienced several episodes of daytime sleepiness throughout the week.

In the Asia-Pacific countries surveyed , stress was the main reason keeping people up at night, with half (50 percent) losing sleep over worry or stress.

Additionally, other factors that keep adults in Asia-Pacific up at night include their sleeping environment (32 percent), distraction from entertainment such as television, social media (27 percent), health conditions such as pain or breathing problems (23 percent), drinking caffeinated drinks or using simulants close to bedtime (18 percent), and their partnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s snoring (17 percent).

Facing such sleep deprivation, 78 percent of Asia-Pacific respondents say that they want to improve their quality of sleep. To get a better sleep, some are experimenting with a variety of methods, including instituting a set bedtime/wakeup schedule (22 percent), watching television (33 percent), reducing their caffeine consumption (23 percent), playing soothing music (24 percent), and even sleeping in a different location from their partner (17 percent). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worrying that despite the public awareness around the importance of quality sleep for overall health, people in some parts of Asia-Pacific are among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poorest sleepersâ&#x20AC;? said Ashwin Chari, country manager, Philips Philippines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As such, our company is deeply rooted in its commitment to developing clinically-proven solutions that help people take control of their sleep health. In fact, to bridge the current gap in diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders in the Philippines, we have been working together with the Philippine Sleep Society and we are actively reaching out to different companies regarding the importance of sleep for achieving a healthier lifeâ&#x20AC;? he added.

The quest Despite the obvious need to address their lack of sleep, sleep

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sleep is a key pillar of good overall health, as equally important as having a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. While most are aware that sleep is fundamentally important, achieving the recommended eight hours of quality sleep is still an elusive goal for many people each night,â&#x20AC;? said Mark Aloia, PhD, Global Lead for Behavior Change, Sleep and Respiratory Care at Philips. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The lack of quality sleep may not only induce low productivity and daytime sleepiness, but also pose serious health issues if not addressed. Those who suffer from prolonged poor sleep should consult their doctor to identify contributing factors and determine if they or their partner are at risk of underlying health issues such as obstructive sleep apnea.â&#x20AC;?

There are several types of sleep apnea, the most common of which is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). As a seldom-discussed, under-diagnosed condition, OSA is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the sleep cycle. It occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs during sleep .

Symptoms of OSA include choking or gasping for air during sleep, loud and persistent snoring and excessive daytime fatigue and poor concentration during the day.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious short and long-term health risks including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure.

Take this one-minute quiz to assess your risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) online at philips.com.sg/ saveoursleep.

For more insight from this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s survey, view additional findings log on to philips.com/worldsleepday.