THE MANILA TIMES | APRIL 08, 2019

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MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

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Trusted since 1898

Q Sen. Joseph Victor ‘JV” Ejercito

JV Ejercito intercedes, stops ‘doble-plaka’

RIDERS’ REPRIEVE

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

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Motorcycle riders can heave a sigh of relief after President Rodrigo Duterte, himself a motorcycle enthusiast, announced on Saturday that he would suspend the so-called ‘doble-plaka’ law.

R E S I D E N T Ro d r i g o Duterte has announced the suspension of a law requiring bigger motorcycle license plates and imposing stiff kNES FOLLOWING AN INTERVENTION

by Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on behalf of motorists.

PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

³’Doble-plaka’ A2

Pag-asa Island?

Oops, arbitration award ruled it’s just a rock

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N D you can thank former President Aquino and his astonishingly pro-American Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario for this, as it was they who got the Republic TO kLE AN ARBITRATION SUIT AGAINST #HINA for allegedly violating the law of the sea.

RIG RRIGOBERTO IGG DD. TIGLAO

³TiglaoA5

DUTERTE TO RIGHTS GROUPS:

‘Why are you controlling my mouth?’

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte slammed anew critics of his rhetoric against drug suspects, saying they had no right to control his speech.

“The human rights [groups] listening, it is my pleasure to repeat the warning. If you (drug

What’s inside METRO MANILA RECORDS HOTTEST NewsA2 TEMPERATURE PUBLIC AGENDAS AND PRIVATE INTERESTS IN ICC/SOUTH CHINA SEA

Dan SteinbockA4

traders) destroy the Republic of the Philippines, I will destroy you and if you make our sons and daughters inutile, I will kill you. Simple as that,” he said on Saturday during the 25th

³ControllingA7

Climate change will end sea dispute – Locsin FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Sunday claimed rising sea levels brought about by climate change would eventually wipe out

‘WE HAVE TREATED YOU TOO WELL FOR TOO LONG’

Military dares militants to debate on live TV THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines on Sunday hit back at militant groups under the Makabayan bloc, daring them to a television debate over the latter’s supposed links to communist rebels.

Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., the military’s deputy chief of staff

for civil-military operations, was responding to pronouncements of Senate candidate Neri Colmenares and of Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate, accusing the military of “setting up” attacks against their group and the National Union of

³DebateA7

Russian ships to visit Manila amid ‘Balikatan’ PLAYOFF-HUNGRY NETS TOPPLE TOPSEEDED BUCKS

SportsC1

JONAS GAFFUD SETS NEW TONE IN PH BEAUTY PAGEANTRY

EntertainmentD1

THREE Russian Navy ships arrive today (Monday) for a five-day goodwill visit to Manila, amid the “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises between the Philippine and US militaries.

Capt. Jonathan Zata, Philippine Navy spokesman, said two large

anti-submarine ships, Admiral Tributs and Vinogradov, and the large sea tanker Irkut, were set to dock at the Port of Manila.

This will be the second call of Russian vessels this year after a visit in January.

³’Balikatan’A2

STRUCTURES AND ARTIkCIAL ISLANDS BUILT

by China in the contested Kalayaan (Spratly) island group.

³DisputeA7

Church marks 50th year of Radio Veritas ASIAN bishops are set to meet in Manila this week to mark the 50th anniversary of Radio Veritas, the Catholic Church-run radio station instrumental to the 1986 “people power” revolt and EFFORTS TO kGHT COMMUNISM IN !SIA through evangelization.

The three-day commemoration of the golden anniversary of the twin entities Radio Veritas Asia and of Radio Veritas 846 will open on April 10 with members of the Federation of Asian

³VeritasA7 REACH US AT: E-mail: newsdesk@ manilatimes.net Tel. Nos.: 524-5664 to 67 Address: 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002

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News

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY April 8, 2019

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Metro Manila records hottest temperature

BY DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

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ETRO Manila’s hottest temperature so far in 2019 was recorded on Saturday at 35.4 degrees CelSIUS # THE STATE WEATHER BUREAU SAID

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said this was registered at the Science Garden weather station in Diliman, Quezon City.

Pagasa weather specialist Gener Quitlong said that during this time, the temperature would normally be in the range of 33 to 34

C, but the hot temperatures came earlier this year.

Quitlong said the station at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which turned in an even higher reading at 36.4 C, and at Port Area in Manila were not as reliable because of the presence of aircraft and closeness to the sea.

Across the country, the highest temperature was at 36.3 C in Isabela on Saturday.

The highest recorded nationwide was at 37.8 C in Cotabato City on March 26.

Quitlong said he expected temperatures to go even higher as, historically, they would peak toward the end of April or May. Quitlong said hot temperatures were attributed to the prevailing easterlies weather system OR WINDS FROM THE 0ACIkC /CEAN reduced rainfall during the dry SEASON EFFECTS OF A WEAK %L .IĂ„O and longer exposure to sunlight because of an earlier sunrise and

later sunset.

A higher heat index or human discomfort measurement of 45.1 C was registered at Sangley Point in Cavite, followed by 44.5 C in Ambulong, Batangas on Saturday. In Metro Manila, the heat index reached 37.2 C on Saturday.

A heat index of 41 to 54 C spells “danger� to the human body because temperatures this high may likely lead to heat cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke.

Quitlong advised the public against going outdoors from 12 noon to 4 p.m., when the highest temperatures were recorded.

HONORING THE VETERANS War veterans and government officials commemorate the start of Veterans Week with a wreath-laying ceremony on Corregidor Island in Cavite on April 8. Inset: Members of Veterans Federation of the Philippines join the ceremony.

PHOTOS BY J.GERARD SEGUIA

Q ‘DOBLE-PLAKA’ FROM A1

JV Ejercito intercedes, stops ‘doble-plaka’ Ejercito said Duterte’s decision, announced on Saturday before motorcycle enthusiasts at the 25th National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines’ National Motorcycle Convention in Iloilo City, showed that the Chief Executive was a “listening president.� “For me, it’s more like an imprimatur for the conduct of a thorough study and discussion among stakeholders to fully understand the law, with the end view of com-

ing up with a common formula to assure the safety of riders while the law’s anti-criminality objective is being achieved,� Ejercito said.

Ejercito said prior to the President’s announcement, he gave Duterte — himself a motorcycle enthusiast — an overview of motorists’ reaction to Republic Act (RA) 11235 or the “Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act,� which the senator said had become “a source of complaint and confusion among motorcycle groups.� “With me was motorcycle legend, and the President’s very good friend, Butch Chase. We gave the President a situationer and the sentiments of the riders in general towards the recently signed law. The President listened to us attentively,� he said. “He is a listening president. The motorcycle community, like the rest of the Filipino people, wants the campaign against criminality of the President to succeed,� Ejercito said.

muna, kasi (I will suspend it for the meantime, because) it is not good. It is dangerous to place another gadget, lalo na may kanto ang plate number eh (because the plate number has sharp corners),�

Duterte said. “Lakihan na lang ninyo ang plate number sa likod by onefourth para makita talaga `yung number. Ang importante talaga `yung sa likod (Instead, increase the size of the rear plate by onefourth so that the number will be more visible. The rear is more important),� he added.

The President explained that he signed the measure into law upon the recommendation of the police and military.

He noted, however, that in other countries, “walang plate number sa harap. Diyan lang iyan sa likod (There are no plate numbers in front, only at the back).�

plates might be detached at high speeds or if there was a strong wind, and might cause injury.

Gordon to explain

Gordon said he would explain the objective of the law to the President, adding, “I’m only defending people getting killed by riding-in-tandem assassins.

They can no longer seek justice for themselves. How do we do justice to these people?�

He pointed out that motorcycles had become “crime machines� — used for killing ordinary people, media workers, lawyers, judges, justices, politicians and even military and police personnel.

The Philippine National Police has reported that of the total of 28,409 crimes committed by motorcycle-riding individuals from 2010 to 2017, 46 percent or

INVOLVED kREARMS “And out of over 4,000 motorFines too high cycle-riding crimes or incidents in Duterte also said the law’s pre- 2016, only eight cases (0.18 perSCRIBED kNE OF BETWEEN 0 TO cent) were solved,� said Gordon, P100,000 for those caught without chairman of the Senate Committee the bigger license plates was “ma- on Justice and Human Rights.

Transportation agencies were syadong mataas (too high).� “Maybe as compromise, I’m looking into alternatives to make willing [to lower it to] P10,000 to plates visible from at least 15 P15,000,� the President added.

METERS AWAY AN OFkCIAL FROM THE The law, signed by Duterte on Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said March 8, requires motorcycles on Sunday. to have bigger, color-coded TRB spokesman Bert Suansing ‘Expand number plates readable from said at the “Balitaan sa Maynila� rear plates the front, back and side of the forum: “We are still studying by onemotorcycle from a distance of how to make identification of fourth’ at least 15 meters. plates from the front side in A person who drives a motor- such a way that it would not In his remarks on cycle without a number plate or cause obstruction.�

Saturday, Duterte a readable number plate will Suansing, however, backed the said he would talk to be punished by a jail term of President’s decision to suspend the Land Transpor- six months and one day to six the requirement for motorcycles TATION /FkCE ,4/ years, or a fine of not less than to have larger and color-coded and Sen. Richard P50,000, but not more than license plates.

Gordon, author of P100,000 or both. “As far as the plates are conthe Act. Motorcycle drivers’ groups have cerned, I agree with him,� Su“I will try to con- raised a howl over the law, saying ansing said.

WITH BERNADETTE E. vince the LTO to its requirements were discriminaTAMAYO AND maybe hang onto tory and might place riders at risk.

CATHERINE A. MODESTO They claimed that bigger front it, i-suspend ko lang

PCIJ: PRESIDENT’S WEALTH IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS

Duterte calls investigative journalists ‘paid hacks’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte called investigative journalists “paid hacks� days after their news site reported “spikes� in the wealth of members of the Duterte family DURING THEIR TERMS IN OFkCE The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) last week reported that aside from the Chief Executive, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and former Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte became “mysteriously� richer.

The report also said there were several businesses of the Dutertes that were not disclosed to the government.

In remarks during the 25th National Federation of the Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines Annual National Convention in Iloilo City, Duterte said that people did not care about what happened TO HIS LAW OFkCE “[Investigative journalists] are attacking me and my children, all about lawyering. What do they care about what happened to my LAW OFkCE -Y LAW OFkCE IT WAS formed with Atty. Fabiosa, the sibling of the basketball player. We formed it in about a month after he died,� Duterte said. “So, you can see the minds of investigative [journalists] so... money talks. They are being paid big. Even my lawyering, even my... motorcycle shop,� he added.

He said that the motorcycle shop closed because of “law and order� problems and after the manager was held up.

He also cursed the investigative reporters, saying they might be thinking that as long as a person was in government, they would be richer.

“That (business) was closed many, many years ago. We just do not know... but you know these sons of b*****s, they may be thinking that you are in government, you have nothing [to do but] to steal,� he said. “Well, I will tell you, maybe it’s you, your father. I do not,� he said.

Duterte also defended himself and his family from the “black propaganda.� “They have no... they are saying that.. the discrepancy that I did not use any money. I was living with my mother. And you are saying why I only had P1 million,� he said.

He added that most of his properties were inherited. “All the time, I was with my mother. Even when I was a mayor, I was being fed by my mother. My mother is the one who has money.

As to how much, why will I tell you?� he said.

In a tweet on Sunday, the PCIJ said that on the contrary, its report was everyone’s business. g0UBLIC OFkCE IS A PUBLIC TRUST (OW OFkCIALS COMPLY FULLY WITH the laws or don’t, whether they kLE @TRUTHFUL AND COMPLETE 3!,.S — every citizen’s business,� the tweet read.

SALNs are the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, which was the basis of the PCIJ report.

PCIJ also said it had sought a reaction from all those involved in its report, citing two letters it had sent. There was no response, it said.

The PCIJ gave the same response to Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo, who had questioned the timing of the report’s release.

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Anti-graft court chief denies fraud in application for SC SANDIGANBAYAN Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje Tang has denied allegations that she committed fraud in the personal data sheet (PDS) she had submitted to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) in support of her application for the position of Supreme Court (SC) associate justice. )N A kVE PAGE LETTER TO #HIEF *UStice Lucas Bersamin and members of the JBC last April 2, a copy of which was obtained by The Manila Times, Tang said the claim, made by an anonymous letter-writer, were baseless.

Tang was said to have understated the cases she had failed to decide within the reglementary period and the length of her government and judicial experience.

It was learned that Tang was not required to comment on the letter, but she begged leave of the council to respond to it to set the record straight. “Relative to the above allegation, it will be noted that the subject letter does not contain any attachment that will substantiate it,� she said.

Thus, Tang said, “the same allegation is utterly baseless.� “To be sure, it is the burden of the complainant to prove his/her allegation. Qui se donum ese probare (He who alleges must prove).�

Tang also said that to her honest understanding, all questions falling under the heading pertaining to experience in other government agencies only refer to her experience in other government

agencies excluding the judiciary, considering that judicial experience is treated as a separate item in the PDS. She noted that “judicial experience� immediately precedes the item on “Experience in Other Government Agencies, etc.� “For the above reason, the undersigned answered question 26 (e) as NA (Not applicable) because she is not connected with @OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OR any of the agencies mentioned in ITEM 3HE LEFT THE /FkCE OF THE Solicitor General. on Aug. 1, 2012 and joined the Sandiganbayan,� she pointed out.

Tang, who has been in the government service for more than 38 years, said she had known no employer except the Republic of the Philippines.

She claimed she had abided by, and strictly adhered to, the rule of law. “Moreover, she has dutifully performed her work consistent with the constitutional injunction to serve the country with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty AND EFkCIENCY u 4ANG SAID Tang was shortlisted by the JBC for the position of Supreme Court associate justice left by Bersamin, who was named chief justice in November 2018. “Concerned employees� of the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court wrote separately to the JBC last December to block Tang’s application for the Supreme Court.

JOMAR CANLAS

Q ‘BALIKATAN’ FROM A1

.AVY OFkCIALS VISITED 6LADIVOSTOK

where they were welcomed by the Russian Navy and Philippine diplomats based in Moscow.

President Rodrigo Duterte has pivoted to Russia and China since HE ASSUMED OFkCE IN FOLLOWing US criticism of his brutal war against illegal drugs.

Zata said Duterte might be able to visit the Russian ships, but there WAS NO 0ALACE CONkRMATION YET DEMPSEY REYES

Russian

Zata said the visiting ships were PART OF THE !SIAN lEET OF THE 2USsian Navy. “This is in accordance with the policy of our President that we maintain closer relationship with our neighboring navies and other navies as well,� Zata explained.

In October last year, Philippine

News Lacson hits US senators: ’We are not their colony’ S ˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY April 8, 2019

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also urged “the government of the Philippines to recognize the importance of human rights defenders and their work and allow them to operate freely without fear of reprisal.�

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy� Locsin lashed BACK AT THE kVE !MERICAN SENATORS “Really? Five US senators? What IF WE kLE CASES FOR !MERICAN COPS shooting anyone that’s fat, black and, therefore, slow-running and easier to hit?� Locsin said. “That’s clear-cut case for the ICC except the US never joined and warned us not to. Listen to America. That’s the lesson,� Locsin said, referring to the International Criminal Court.

On March 14, six members of the US House of Representatives also introduced House Resolution (HB) 233 that condemned the continued detention of de Lima,

BY BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

%.!4/2 0ANkLO g0INGu ,ACSON ON 3UNDAY SLAMMED THE kVE !MERICAN SENATORS WHO PRESSED FOR THE RELEASE OF DETAINED 3EN ,EILA DE ,IMA WHO WAS FACING DRUG CHARGES “A Philippine (Senate) resolution is appropriate to call out these five US senators,� said Lacson, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs. “We are not their colony. We have a Constitution for three co-equal branches and a judicial system where due process is folLOWED REGARDLESS OF ITS lAWS AND weaknesses,� said the senator in his Twitter account.

US senators Marco Rubio and Edward Markey introduced on Friday a bipartisan resolution

that condemned human rights abuses in the country, including the persecution of human rights defenders and detention of political prisoners.

The bipartisan resolution, logged as Senate Resolution (SR) 142, also condemned the Philippine government for its continued detention of de Lima and called for her immediate release to allow her to fully discharge her duties as a senator.

SR 142 was also supported by senators Richard Durbin, Marsha Blackburn and Chris Coons. It

whom they regarded as a “prisoner of conscience� detained for her political views.

HB 233 was authored by California Rep. Jackie Speier and co-sponsored by representatives James McGovern of Massachusetts, Henry Johnson of Georgia, Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Brad Sherman of California and Lloyd Doggett of Texas.

On March 9, US senator Bob Menendez, a ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also called for the immediate release of de Lima and other female political prisoners.

The six-page resolution also urged the Philippine government “to guarantee the right to the freedom of the press, and to drop all the charges� against online news media Rappler and its chief execuTIVE OFkCER -ARIA 2ESSA

RITE OF PASSAGE Dozens of teenaged boys line up to have circumcision during ‘Operation Tuli ‘ (Circumcision) held in Manila on Sunday. Circumcision is usually called a ‘rite of passage’ among Filipino teenaged boys.

PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA

OFW deployment drops in Jan-June 2018 THE number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deployed in the kRST SEMESTER OF LAST YEAR DECLINED by 67 percent, preliminary records from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed.

As this developed, thousands of job opportunities are up for grabs for Filipino English language teachers as the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) prepares for the implementation of the bilateral labor agreement with China and a soon-tobe-signed agreement with Thailand.

POEA records showed that for the kRST QUARTER OF ONLY A TOTAL OF 1.363 million OFWs were deployed as compared to 2.044 million for the same period in 2017, or a decline of 67 percent.

The same records showed a drop in the deployment of land-based workers by 64 percent, with only MILLION DEPLOYED IN THE kRST semester of 2018 compared to 1.595 million for the same period in 2017.

Sea-based workers declined to 337,502 in 2018 from 449,643 in

ALSO BOTH OF THE kRST SEMESTERS

Recruitment consultant and migration expert Emmanuel Geslani said the 2018 figures were quite ALARMING SPECIkCALLY THE DROP IN the land-based workers, saying deployment of OFWs might not reach the 1.7- to 1.8-million mark for the whole of last year, which is much bigger compared to the prediction earlier made by DoLE. He warned the reduction in the deployment of household service workers would have a devastating effect on dollar remittances from OFWs.

English-teaching jobs in China, Thailand Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd disclosed over the weekend that an agreement governing the deployment of English teachers to Thailand might be signed in the coming weeks to meet that country’s requirement under its “English for All Project� in the Eastern Economic Corridor.

Under the proposed agreement, Filipino teachers will be hired by Thailand’s Ministry of Education to

teach students at the primary and secondary levels in government schools.

According to Bello, Filipino teachers who would be hired under the program would receive 25,000 baht per month or an equivalent of P45,000, inclusive of housing alLOWANCE AND OTHER BENEkTS SUCH AS personal accident insurance, round trip airfare and work permit fees, which would be shouldered by the Thai government.

He added that Thailand was also opening job opportunities to FOREIGN PROFESSIONALS IN THE kELD OF engineering, architecture, medicine, accounting and dental medicine.

Earlier, POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said that thousands of Filipino English language teachers would also be deployed to China within the year, following the signing of an agreement and the joint implementing rules and regulations by the governments of the Philippines and China.

Olalia said the deployment of teachers to China and Thailand would be handled by POEA under

government-to-government arrangements, which means that there would be no placement fee and no participation from licensed recruitment agencies.

DFA warning For those seeking jobs opportunities in other countries, the department on Sunday said they must carefully scrutinize work offers being peddled through social media, following numerous cases of alleged human TRAFkCKING In a statement, the agency said that in 2018 alone, 17 cases of human trafkCKING WERE HANDLED BY THE 0HILIPPINE Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

DFA added that the cases inCLUDED A TRAFkCKING VICTIM DETAINED at Basra Prison in Iraq for the last three months, who was released on Wednesday for deportation.

Two more Filipinos were secured, WHILE OTHER TRAFkCKING VICTIMS have been under the Philippine Embassy’s custody since January.

WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL WITH FRANCIS EARL CUETO

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Recto seeks probe on sand, gravel quarrying SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto has urged the government to review existing policies on sand and gravel quarrying, transport and sale amid the global shortage of sand and rising local demand for construction materials.

The senator added he intends to seek an inquiry into the sand extraction attempt of a Chinese-manned dredging ship off the coast of Lobo, Batangas, and “if this incident is happening in other areas as well.� “There are many provinces in the country that are sand and gravel poor. The reason why home construction cost increases was because these were being shipped from one province to another,� Recto said. “Many government road projects have been delayed by the lack of gravel and aggregates. Our housing shortage is six million units. These can’t be wiped out without sand,� he said.

Also, about 15,000 kilometers of farm roads remain unpaved and require gravel to be paved. The domestic construction industry is also valued at P2.4 trillion a year and is dependent on sand, gravel and aggregates. “This is the big picture,� Recto said. “Sand is in high demand worldwide. According to the United Nations, sand and gravel account for 85 percent of everything mined worldwide annually. And China, which accounts for half of the global demand, is like a huge sandand-gravel suction machine,� he said.

Recto added that the high demand for sand here and worldwide had given birth to “sand mafia� in many parts of the globe, “and possibly, there are local groups here which are trafkCKING THAT SELLABLE COMMODITY u “Sand and gravel does not get

much attention unlike gold and nickel. And many people think there is an abundant supply of sand and gravel. But that belief IS WRONG 4HESE ARE NOT INkNITE materials,� he said partly in Filipino.

Global gravel extraction, he said, was at a volume twice than what all rivers on earth could yield. Also, Vietnam’s domestic demand for sand exceeds its total reserves. “Many beaches in other countries have been stripped bare of sand. Strip mining also happens in coastal areas. That should not happen here. We should have an inventory and better policy on these resources.

We can start with ‘no export’ policy,� Recto said.

He said the Senate probe into the “poaching or export OF SAND AND OTHER LANDkLL MAterials� should cover not only the reported sand dredging in Batangas, “but similar cases in other parts of the country.� “Have we become a land reclamation material supplier?

Are we exporting our sand? If OUR MOUNTAINS HAVE BEEN lATtened and transported ship by ship to reclaim islands, some of which are within our territory, then that is land transfer of the worst kind,� Recto said.

He added that if reports were true that the Chinese ship off the coast of Lobo was dredging sand for use in the building of Hong Kong airport’s third runway, “then it is our second contribution to the project, the kRST BEING THE 0 MILLION THAT Filipino travelers pay a year for the expansion of the Hong Kong airport.� “It is in the fine print of a round-trip plane ticket to Hong Kong. It is in the ticket.

You pay 90 HK dollars as Hong Kong airport construction fee,�

Recto said.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

Lay minister banned over sex abuse rap THE 1UIAPO #HURCH IN -ANILA has suspended the lay minister who has been on the run after he was allegedly caught on video sexually molesting a 12-year-old girl.

The Manila Police District (MPD) identified the suspect as Victorino Abot Jongco, 69, who is being searched by local authorities. The lay minister cannot perform public ministry services until the serious allegations against him are resolved.

Msgr. Hernando Coronel, 1UIAPO #HURCH RECTOR SAID THE protocol of the church was being observed in the case, or pastoral care for the victim and sanction for the offender.

Fr. Douglas Badong, parochial VICAR OF 1UIAPO #HURCH SAID that even if the alleged molester had not been reporting to work, Jongco was already banned as a

lay minister.

He said that ever since the video was leaked, he had not GONE BACK TO 1UIAPO #HURCH “For now, we are still waiting for his explanations. We need to hear his side,� Badong added. “He needs to face this (allegation) and prove his innocence,� the church official added in Filipino.

As for the purported victim, she would be assisted spiritually, PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND EVEN kNANcially, Badong said.

Jongco reportedly abused the minor in a public space at least THREE TIMES THE UNIDENTIkED MInor said over the GMA’s “24 Oras.� “Her grandmother leaves her at church, so the lay people know HER u SAID 1UIAPO 0OLICE 3TATION Commander Melvin Florida said in Filipino.

CATHERINE A. MODESTO

Money claims cannot be registered as adverse claim Dear PAO, My friend agreed to extend a P30,000 loan to me without any collateral. However, I was not able to pay the said loan because I am presently out of work. My friend then told me that he would cause the registration of an adverse claim on a transfer certificate of title covering a parcel of agricultural land that is registered under my name.

Can my friend cause the registration of said adverse claim on a property that is not in any way connected to my loan?

Rory Dear Rory, The Supreme Court, in the case

DEAR PAO PERSIDA ACOSTA titled Lucio C. Sanchez Jr. vs Hon. Court of Appeals and Rural Bank of Ormoc City Inc. (GR L-40177, Feb. 12, 2019), through Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee, stated that purely money claims, such as unsecured loans, are not registrable as adverse claims, to wit: “A mere money claim may not be registered as an adverse

CLAIM ON A TORRENS CERTIkCATE OF title and a judge who orders the ANNOTATION ON THE CERTIkCATE OF title of such money claim as an adverse claim acts without any authority in law and commits a grave discretion amounting in law and commits a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction that calls for the issuance of the corrective writ of certiorari. “Section 110 of the Land Registration Act (Act 496) manifestly provides that a person or entity who wishes to register an adverse claim in registered land must-claim a part or interest in [the] registered land adverse to

the registered owner. “Thus, purely money claims such as those of respondent bank by virtue of unsecured personal loans granted by it on promissory notes executed in its favor signed by the borrowers and co-signed by petitioner as co-maker are not registrable as adverse claims against the petitioner’s registered lands.

The claim asserted must affect the title or be adverse to the title of the registered owner in order to be duly annotated as an adverse claim to the land against the registered owner.

As pointed out by the court, the annotation of an adverse

claim is a measure designed to protect the interest of a person over a piece of real property where the registration of such interest or right is not otherwise provided for by the Land Registration Act, and serves as a notice and warning to third parties dealing with said property that someone is claiming an interest on the same or a better right than the registered owner thereof.�

In your situation, you stated that you did not use your real property as security for you loan. Your loan, therefore, is unsecured and merely a money claim. Hence, your friend’s

claim is not registrable as an adverse claim and should not be annotated in your certificate of title.

7E kND IT NECESSARY TO MENTION that this opinion is solely based on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same.

Thus, the opinion may vary when the facts are changed or further elaborated. We hope that we were able to enlighten you on the matter.

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

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Opinion

MONDAY April 8, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

E d i to r i a l Why speech pathology law, why still no budget?

T

HE Congress, senators and representatives alike, should apologize to the nation for their execrable sense of priorities in rushing to approve a national speech pathology law, while at the same time failing to pass up to now the 2019 national budget.

On March 22, president Duterte signed into law a bill regulating the practice of speech language pathology, which the legislature sent to the Chief Executive for approval or rejection. The Speech Language Pathology Act outlines the regulations that will govern this little-known profession that evaluates, diagnoses, manages and prevents human communication and swallowing disorders. It creates a professional regulatory board that will administer and enforce regulations, Meanwhile, the business of the nation continues to be bottled up and dangerously harmed by the inexcusable failure of the Congress to pass the budget law at the appointed and proper time, the beginning of the new year. The measure was detained because of the protracted quarreling and blame-passing between the two houses of the legislature, and the greed of legislators to get their pork barrel in time for the May elections.

Why did the Congress assign more importance to an unheard-of law for a specialized profession, than to vital legislation on which hangs the stability of the national economy, THE FULkLLMENT OF TARGETS THE LIVELIHOOD AND WELFARE OF MILlions, and the smooth operations of business and industry?

The answer for this incomprehensible situation is that there are special interests in Congress that pushed and shepherded the speech pathology law through the legislative mill.

There would be no headlong rush or unconscionable delay if we had in the Congress a screening and vetting commission for draft bills, similar to what they have in the United Kingdom and France.

In the UK, they have a system or law council that advises the government on draft bills, examine them from the viewpoint of importance, soundness, and coherent and orderly presentation.

In France, they have the Conseil d’État, which reviews all DRAFT LEGISLATION AND HOLDS A DISCUSSION WITH AN OFkCIAL OF the initiating department. If the ministry is not prepared to accept an amendment from the council, it states its reasons, and the matter is resolved by the council of ministers.

The French council concerns itself with the form and substance of draft laws. In regard to substance, attention IS PAID TO THE COST OF THE PROPOSALS DIFkCULTIES OF CONTROL

OR CONlICT WITH SOME PARTS OF &RANCE S INTERNATIONAL OBLIgations or the Constitution.

We would not be in our kind of legislative quandary today, if had in place a council or unit that continuously evaluates and rates the legislative proposals of individual legislators and executive departments. It will assign proposed legislation its proper place in the order of priorities and importance.

The high importance and pressure of time concerning the budget would be persistently placed before the noses of our congressional leaders.

As things stand, the Congress has deplorably failed its duty to legislate, and rushed to the front ranks a minor and INSIGNIkCANT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL It may be that some legislators need special attention for a speech pathological defect, or that of a relative.

"UT IT IS THE NATION S BUSINESS AND NEEDS kRST THAT MUST command the attention of the Senate and the House.

It is asked by many citizens as to which chamber of the Congress is principally to blame for the deplorable delay of the budget.

On this matter, we reiterate a point we made in an earlier editorial. We asked both chambers to submit to the public and the media a listing of the pork barrel and insertions that senators and representatives have forced into the budget and caused the delay.

Neither is apparently bold or honest enough to do so. They prefer to hide their laundry. Even Senator Lacson, for all his breast-beating about pork, is not prepared to disclose all. ~

MONDAY April 8, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 177

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net www.manilatimes.net • e-mail newsdesk@manilatimes.net Letters to the Editor THE MANILA TIMES is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002 The owners, managers, publishers and editors do not necessarily share the opinions expressed and the statements made by individual authors of columns, commentaries and other articles published in The Manila Times.

Public agendas and private interests in ICC/South China Sea In the contested ICC and South China Sea issues, there are increasing concerns about public agendas fueled by private interests. The structures of Albert del Rosario’s think-tank and its many bedfellows are a case in point.

I

N February, the US-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) released a heavily promoted report alleging that China sought to intimidate Filipinos into ceasing construction work on the Pag-Asa Island (Thitu) in the South China Sea. In March, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales filed a complaint before the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Chinese President Xi Jinping’s South China Sea “plan� portrayed as a “crime against humanity.� Perhaps, emboldened

BY THE kLING THE )## REPORTEDLY

also tries to pursue a case against the Philippine drug war.

Filed in the name of “FiliPINO kSHERMEN u THE COMPLAINT has been followed by rounds of alarmist media headlines, coupled with heavily touted AMTI reports about “Chinese militarization� of the South #HINA 3EA 9ET LOCAL kSHERMEN ARE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE kLing and its timing since they do not feel harassed by the Chinese coast guards anymore, according to Philippine-based GMA News.

Nevertheless, media carousels HAVE INTENSIkED AFTER THE VISIT OF US Secretary State Mike Pompeo

T

as a diplomat, he is also a business executive. In the Aquino government, he was reportedly the wealthiest, with net worth almost $14 million in 2013. Prior to government, his business career covered many industries, corporate and US “freedom of navigation� chairmanships and directorships. exercises, the debate about the re- 4HESE TIES WERE OFkCIALLY SUSPENDview of the Philippine-US Mutual ed during his government activities Defense Treaty, and the impending – but not effectively.

In February 2010, Philippine Philippine midterm elections.

7ORSE THE )## kLING IS ALSO government granted Forum Enlinked with potential private ergy, the partner of Philex Mining, gains behind the public agendas. the right to explore oil and gas in Every think-tank is entitled to its Reed Bank. At the time, del Rosario voice, but neither AMTI nor del served as director of Philex, which Rosario’s think-tank are as “in- is led by Manuel V. Pangilingan, dependent� as claimed – and the a wealthy businessman and the latter is haunted by allegations #%/ OF &IRST 0ACIkC #O A (ONG OF PERCEIVED CONlICTS OF INTEREST +ONG BASED INVESTMENT kRM WHICH in the Philippines has major interaccording to its Filipino critics. ests in telecom (PLDT), banking -ETRO 0ACIkC )NVESTMENTS AND Interest conflicts mining (Philex). and energy reserves In February 2011, President Educated in the United States, del Aquino appointed del Rosario Rosario served as Philippine am- as Acting Foreign Affairs Secrebassador to the US in the 2000s tary. Reportedly, he left the Philex and Secretary of Foreign Affairs in board in March 2011, when he also the Benigno Aquino 3rd govern- stepped down from his post as nonment (2010-2016). His ties with the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF &IRST 0ACIkC Aquino political dynasty go back to In January 2013, the Philippine the presidency of Corazon Aquino Department of Energy deferred to (1986-1992), when he accompa- the Department of Foreign Affairs the decision to grant permits connied her on state visits to the US. While del Rosario is portrayed cerning the exploration and mining

DAN STEINBOCK

activities at the Reed Bank “because the area was part of the disputed waters being claimed by China.�

That gave del Rosario, as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, effective authority to influence concessions on Reed Bank.

Indeed, the friction in the South China Sea involves more than sovereign interests of several countries in the region. According to a 2013 report by the US Energy Information Administration, Reed Bank could hold up to 5.4 billion barrels of oil and 55.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

So, Philex Mining and its associates, including del Rosario, could gain hugely from concession rights.

Bold dreams, cold realities At the same time, the Philippines ALSO kLED THE ARBITRATION CASE AGAINST China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague.

And in 2014, a year later, del Rosario and Aquino achieved the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which again opened the country to US military, ships and PLANES FOR THE kRST TIME SINCE That’s when efforts began to deepen US ties with del Rosario’s think-tank, Stratbase (Albert del Rosario) Institute for Strategic

ÂłSteinbockA5

China shows the way to embrace technology

ECHNOLOGY has remarkably changed the way people communicate over the past two decades.

The widespread application of electronic innovations has unleashed the creativity in young minds as they explore the World Wide Web. Communication is now borderless. The Internet has facilitated the communication of people separated by thousands of miles, and chatting on real time has become possible with free applications like Messenger, Viber, WeChat, WhatsApp, Weibo, and so on.

Before the advent of information technology, we had to write by long hand or type a document using a typewriter and then send it across a distance to someone else by goING TO THE POST OFkCE AND GETTING A postage stamp. It used to take days, or even weeks or months, for the mail to reach the recipient.

The alternative to faster delivery was a telegram but it was costly and text was limited to just a few abbreviated words.

Now it won’t take a minute to send a note to someone thousands of miles away. Thanks to innovations in communication technology.

The development of technology POSES A BIG CHALLENGE IN THE kELD OF communication, noted Yujun Yang, dean of the Academy of Media and Public Affairs at the Communication University of China (CUC). Journal-

broadcasting professionals in 1954 that led to the founding of Beijing Broadcasting College in 1958. Now, the 116-hectare CUC campus has been developed into a comprehensive institute of higher learning WITH BROADCASTING kLM PRODUCTION

ists, he said, may one day face job journalism, drama, animation, lay-offs following the invention of advertising, news casting, creative robot journalists who can interview cultural industry, communications news sources, write and report stories. engineering, foreign languages (esJournalists should continue learn- pecially minority language), maning technology and be more creative agement and media law education with it so they won’t be replaced by as its major academic disciplines. robots, he stressed. “Human beings Dehai Chen, secretary general of should be the master, not the slave the Asean-China Center at CUC, of this technology,� he told fellows said CACAS has hosted more than at a Workshop on New Media: From 150 fellows since 2015 to widen Technology to Creative Work. and deepen the communication I spent 10 days in China recently linkages between and among the with 20 other media practitioners, Asean countries and China, and to media researchers and professors, have a network of “good-storytellers AND OFkCIALS FROM GOVERNMENTS IN of peace and cooperation.

Southeast Asia. It was my fourth trip to Zhixin Shang, counselor at the Beijing since 1988 and the second to Department of Asian Affairs of the Shanghai and Hangzhou since 2003. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Those trips were all work-related.

China’s relations with Asean are This time it was upon the invita- now at a historic turning point tion of the China-Asean Center of toward a closer bond as China was Advanced Studies (CACAS) at the fully prepared to work with Asean CUC in Beijing. I was with three other to bring cooperation to higher level. journalists from the Philippines; the Communication, education, and rest were from Brunei, Cambodia, entrepreneurial concepts are some Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, of the areas in which China can Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. collaborate with Asean members.

CUC is China’s top university in During the program, we had lectures media education and language. It on 5G technology, and one-site started out as a training center for visits to the Bridge 8 industrial park,

TEA TIME

TITA C. VALDERAMA

Jingdong Group and Alibaba headquarters in Beijing and Hangzhou, respectively, as well as to the multimedia studios of People’s Daily, the #HINESE #OMMUNIST 0ARTY S OFkCIAL organ. We were shown how different Chinese industries have embraced technology in pursuit of China’s dream to overtake the US as the world’s leading economy.

Politics and governance issues were out of the discussions throughout the 10-day program. Thank God I didn’t have to engage in a stressinducing debate on these topics.

But then I entertained the thought that we, the poorer Asean members, had been hosted to be exposed to the fact that China is well ahead in communication technology and be indoctrinated that it’s all right to be UNDER #HINA S INlUENCE Two of my colleagues were taunting me half-way through the trip THAT THEY D GROWN UP OF kGHTING FOR democracy, and that China’s brand of socialism appears progressive.

It is true that China’s economy and way of life have changed immensely FROM MY kRST VISIT YEARS AGO AS IT adapted to reform policies initiated

by Deng Xiaoping, to the aggressive efforts of Xi Jinping to overtake the United States as economic leader.

But China’s abrasive manner of asserting its supremacy over smaller, poorer countries is rubbing democracy-loving Filipinos the wrong way.

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY April 8, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net Q TIGLAO FROM A1

Pag-Asa Island? Oops, arbitration award ruled it’s just a rock

Q Just rocks, not islands, according to arbitration award: Pag-Asa Island (left) and Taiwan’s Taiping.

Yes, the award sided with much of the Philippines’ arguments, among them its ruling that China’s claim over much of the seas in the South China Sea (demarcated by the ambiguous nine-dash line) had no basis under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

What del Rosario and his proAmerican boys posing as objective academics do not mention is the following ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the case: “None of the high-tide features in the Spratly Islands, in their natural condition, are capable of sustaining human habitation or economic life of their own within the meaning of Article 121(3) of the Convention.�

And Article 121(3) of the Convention categorizes such features as “rocks,� as opposed to “islands.�

Our Pag-Asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), as well as three other features that Marcos had called islands when he annexed the area in 1978 through his Presidential Decree1596, are all in the Spratly Islands, which therefore under the arbitral award are not islands but rocks.

Islands under UNCLOS are entitled to a 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Rocks do not have such a zone, and have only a 12-nautical mile territorial sea.

If there had been no such arbitration ruling, we could have argued that Pag-Asa is an island and therefore entitled to an EEZ. This would have extended our existing EEZ, which as of now is measured from baselines

in Palawan, and ends near the KIG. Talk of the law of unintended consequences. Or perhaps it was the consequence the US strategists wanted.

Aquino and del Rosario wanted to get the arbitral tribunal to rule that the seven features in the Spratly islands occupied by China were just rocks, and therefore could not have an exclusive economic zone, and could only have a 12- nautical mile territorial sea.

The tribunal agreed with them, which would therefore classify much of the vast area around the Spratlys as international waters. But contrary to their misinformation, the tribunal did not rule what country is the sovereign of any of the Spratly “rocks�. That is beyond its authority of the UNCLOS. China does not recognize the tribunal and its decision on the ground that it actually ruled on sovereign claims over land, which is beyond the law of the sea.

Still though, the award now gives the US much legal justification— which translates to favorable international public opinion—that its Seventh Fleet’s increased patrols in the South China Sea, which often sail close to Chinese claims, are all within international waters. These are euphemistically called freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs), but are clearly messages that the US is still the military superpower in the region.

The recent swarm of Chinese kSHING VESSELS NEAR 0AG !SA WHICH President Duterte has protested over, could be the unintended result of the arbitration award.

Q Taiping and Pag-Asa’s EEZ (inside the circle) if they were islands.

It is not clear how far from Pag!SA ISLAND THE kSHING VESSELS ARE

if they are within the 12 nautical miles that is the entitlement of a rock according to the arbitral award and within the Philippines’ EEZ as measured from the Palawan baselines, in which case they are indeed violating Philippine territory.

However, if it was the Chinese govERNMENT THAT WAS BEHIND THE kSHERmen, it might have positioned the vessels just outside Pag-Asa’s 12-nautical mile entitlement and the Philippine EEZ, just to taunt the Philippines for kLING THE SUIT AGAINST #HINA My suspicion that the arbitration was a brilliant US machination is bolstered by the fact that it devoted much discussion to its ruling that Taiping Island (Itu Aba), occupied by Taiwan is not an island but just a rock.

The award totally disregarded the reality that Taiping is the biggest island in the Spratlys, and has been so developed over the decades that it is a garrison with an airport that can accommodate even C-130 planes, and a meteorological station.

If Taiping were an island, it would have generated a 200-nautical mile EEZ, which would – if

Pag-Asa also had an EEZ – cover a vast area that are not within the EEZs of the littoral states.

The US doesn’t have a problem WITH 0AG !SA S %%: GIVEN ITS INlUence over the Philippines. But what if Taiwan became part of the People’s Republic of China, which would seem inevitable in the next 50 or even just 25 years?

In the most probable scenario, Taiwan’s integration would be similar to Hong Kong’s. This would mean that it would become an autonomous region with its independence intact except for one aspect: its foreign policy and external defense.

That would mean a huge part of the South China Sea within the PRC’s control as its EEZ, and the US would have to get its permission for its Seventh Fleet to sail through.

The arbitration was a boon not to the Philippines but to the US, which after all planned and executed it. More on that in future columns.

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

Q STEINBOCK FROM A4

Public agendas and private interests and International Studies (ADRi), which evolved in parallel with the Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a major US thinktank close to State Department, Pentagon and Wall Street.

In May 2015, the CSIS/AMTI launched a three-year US-Philippines Strategic Initiative in Washington, with speeches by del Rosario, and William Cohen, former US defense secretary. It was supported by del Rosario’s ADRi and the Philippine Trade Foundation (PTF), which is linked with the free-market Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) and partners with US Asia Foundation, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department, USAID, World Bank, and Grover Norquist’s ultraconservative tax lobby.

The assumption was that Sen. Hillary Clinton would become the next US president and that the US-Philippine Strategic Initiative would promote “a greater sense of urgency� to deepen the bilateral trade and military partnership.

On Feb. 8, 2016, del Rosario, citing health reasons, announced he would resign as Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Then the 2016 Philippine election caused a meltdown in Aquino’s Liberal Party, del Rosario’s core constituency.

While sustaining US ties, President Duterte began to recalibrate foreign policy for a better economic relationship with China. Clinton lost the presidency to Trump who buried Obama’s TPP trade deal, while questioning US alliances – the twin cornerstones of del Rosario’s bilateral initiative.

Think-tanks, governments and moneymakers The fight was lost, but not the battle, del Rosario concluded. His health issues did not stop Pangilinan from re-appointing him as an independent non-executive

SIMPLIFIED DEPICTION OF ALBERT DEL ROSARIO’S ADRI’S ASSOCIATIONS

director of First Pacific in July 2016, just weeks before the release of the PCA arbitration decision. As his think-tank and its foreign asSOCIATES INTENSIkED THEIR ACTIVITIES

the boundaries between public agendas and private interests dissolved further. Indeed, these organizational links are so diffuse that they require a chart (SEE kGURE).

Del Rosario has long, historical business ties with Manuel Pangilingan, who is also the co-chair of del Rosario’s think-tank. Due to public controversies about its water (Maynilad) and electricpower (Meralco) arms recently, 0ANGILINGAN S -ETRO 0ACIkC HAS not avoided negative publicity. )N TURN 0HILEX AND &IRST 0ACIkC are linked with the Salim Group, which was created by Indonesia’s richest businessman Sudono Salim, who made his fortune in the Sukarno and Suharto years.

Today, the Salim Group is led by his son Anthoni Salim whose net worth is $5.3 billion. The Salims own 44 percent of First 0ACIkC WHICH HAS ASSETS OF billion in six countries. In Philippines, these assets also include major stakes through PLDT in media, such as Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, TV5, Bloomberg Philippines and radio stations.

Through its board members and executives, del Rosario’s ADRi is joined with its parent, Stratbase, an “advisory and research con-

sultancy� founded in 2004, and Bower Group Asia led by Ernest Z. Bower 4th. With equity and intelligence arms, Stratbase is the Philippine partner of Bower Group Asia. Between the mid-1980s and mid-2000s, Ernest Z. Bower led the US-Asean Business Council, which had been housed in the US Chamber of Commerce. He remains senior non-resident Southeast Asia advisor at CSIS, embedded with AMTI, and board member of del Rosario’s think-tank.

Due to interlocking leaderships, Stratbase’s head Victor Andres Manhit serves as ADRi’s president, heads Bower Asia Group’s Philippine branch and is a fellow at the FEF. Along with Pangilinan’s mining interests, ADRi’s trustees also include former president of Philippine Mines and the incumbent ICC judge Raul C. Pangalangan, a former publisher of Philippine Daily Inquirer. The latter paper has been critical of the Duterte government, and Pangalangan remains in the ICC, despite the Philippines’ exit.

Public agendas and private interests Here’s how the process plays out in the media: In a typical sequence, the CSIS/AMTI releases a commentary and satellite photos of contested spots in the South China Sea, which leads to commentaries by ADRi’s members,

which are then promoted in the Philippines, especially in the country’s foreign-owned media, such as Rappler (linked with US-based North Base Media and billionaire Pierre Omidyar’s network) and by media properties close to Pangilinan/del Rosario and their allies. Next, these articles are heavily headlined in international media, which republish the pieces or interview their authors as “independent�

Filipino voices, even if they are ADRi’s non-resident fellows and CSIS/AMTI authors in the US (e.g., Richard J. Heydarian).

Internationally, truly independent think-tanks shun interlocking directors and dual structures with private, particularly foreign interests, to ensure their integrity.

Del Rosario’s ADRi is very different, and that’s its prerogative.

Unfortunately, the net effect is that it is not clear whether ADRi seeks to influence Philippine decision-makers, who promote Filipino interests, or their American counterparts, who push US interests – as evidenced by its tight cooperation with the AMTI that has been criticized for bias and alarmist hyping in the region.

The perceived private interests and potentially huge private gains of ADRi’s co-chairs confound issues further, which is perhaps why del Rosario’s toughest Filipino critics have compared his alleged CONlICTS OF INTEREST WITH THOSE OF former US Vice President Dick Cheney and Halliburton.

The comparison may be uncomfortable, but the substance of the argument is the same.

Dr. Dan Steinbock is the founder of Difference Group and has served at the India, China and America Institute (US), Shanghai Institute for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more, see http:// www.differencegroup.net/

Opinion

A5

Oplan Sauron Part 2 O RESURGENCE

N March 30, the police and military implemented Operation Sauron Part 2 in Negros Oriental. It became even bloodier than Part 1 last December, where six persons were killed by the police. This time around, 14 persons were killed in the antiinsurgency operation, with eight of the victims in Canlaon City, four in Manjuyod and two in Sta. Catalina. Two of the people killed in Manjuyod were incumbent barangay captains while majority of the rest were reported to be farmers and active members OF LOCAL AFkLIATES OF THE +ILUSANG Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

The police and military defend Sauron 2’s 36 search warrants as having been issued by Judge Soliver Peras of Cebu City’s Regional Trial Court Branch 10 (Peras was also responsible for the more than 100 search warrants issued in connection with Sauron Part 1). Aside from the 14 persons shot dead by the police for allegedly resisting arrest, 16 were arrested, among them leaders of Gabriela, Anakpawis and Karapatan. Fifty-three assorted kREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES WERE REcovered, according to authorities.

Murder and massacre, claims Karapatan. The victims were farmers who were simply shot dead in their homes by the policemen. The police and military say that the targets of the search warrants were members or key supporters of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and that they were linked to liquidations and ambushes.

4HERE ARE TWO ISSUES HERE kRST

the manner in which the search warrants were implemented; and second, the personalities of the targets of the operation.

Personally, I am convinced that the targets were indeed members of the NPA or supporters providing assistance vital for the NPA to operate and survive. The police and military were reportedly more careful this time compared to last December (Sauron Part 1) where some targets were identified by questionable informants with dubious motives, and thus, mistakes were made.

The NPA has long had a presENCE IN #ANLAON #ITY .0! kGHTers withdraw to the city during military operations in the adjacent Guihulngan City—especially Brgy.

Trinidad—and Moises Padilla.

Trinidad, where more than 100 youths “celebrated� the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 50th founding anniversary last December 18, shares boundaries with three barangays in Canlaon City.

On Oct. 13, 2018, the Leonardo Panaligan Command (LPC)NPA Central Negros liquidated retired Army Master Sergeant Celso Pedochino in Canlaon City. Last month, the LPC murdered three persons in the abovementioned Brgy. Trinidad; and it claimed responsibility for the March 31 murder of Moises Padilla councilor Jolomar Hilario.

MARIT STINUSCABUGON His “crime� was to allocate funds for military operations.

A day after, the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion engaged a group OF .0! kGHTERS AT "RGY 1UINTIN Remo. The encounter lasted more than an hour resulting in 1,740 loCAL RESIDENTS lEEING THE TOWN 4HE police, serving as a blocking force, arrested 11 suspected rebels— including two minors—at adjacent Brgy. Sebucawan, Isabela. Four of the 11 were subsequently identikED AS BEING ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN the murder of Hilario.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command is without doubt the most ACTIVE AND LETHAL OF THE kVE .0! commands operating on Negros Island. For an observer of the insurgency in Negros in general, and in Central Negros in particular, the March 30 operation in Canlaon City, the encounter in Moises Padilla and the arrest of the 11 in Isabela together put pressure on the NPA in Central Negros. This is a welcome development. The police and the army must continue this offensive until the enemy has BEEN AT LEAST SIGNIkCANTLY CRIPPLED Of course, committing injustice in the name of ending insurgency is wrong and unwise. Did the police execute the 14 or were proper procedures observed? Did they PLANT THE kREARMS 5NFORTUNATELY

the police have only themselves to thank if the public doesn’t believe that the victims shot it out with the team that served the warrants. The police in Central Visayas routinely violate rules of engagement and the rule of law, and then spin strange stories to cover up. The accidental killing of four-year-old Skyler Abatayo, the failed attempt to kill Tejero (Cebu City) Kagawad Jessielou Cadungog, the mysterious death OF POLICE OFkCER 2ODERICK "ALILI

the murder of Guihulngan City Deputy Chief of Police Porferio Gabuya, and the killing of Jesus Isugan, an innocent man, are examples of how the police deliberately misinform the public.

Unfortunately for the 14 killed and 16 arrested in Negros Oriental last March 30, Karapatan is as untrustworthy, if not more, than the police. For years the organization has been covering up for the NPA. The mere presence of Karapatan is proof that the targets of the March 30 operations belonged to the CPP-NPA united front, even if they may not have been communists or armed combatants. It would actually have helped the cause of the killed and arrested persons if Karapatan had stayed away and a credible party with a true concern for human rights had taken the lead.

FOCUS

Brexit axe looms for British officeholders in France RENNES, France: After Britain leaves the European Union some 900 Britons serving on local councils in France will also have to give up their seat at the table.

Like all EU citizens living in another member country, Britons in France have the right to vote in local elections and stand for election to their local council.

But in leaving the bloc, Britain will forfeit that right, meaning that British residents will no longer be able to represent the communities some have served for years.

Sandra Sheward and her husband moved to the western French region of Brittany 13 years ago. g/UR CHILDREN lED THE NEST AND we decided to drop out of the rat race in London,� said Sheward, 58, a former training specialist for a property services company.

The pair restored a farmhouse on the edge of Saint-Caradec, a riverside village of 1,200 people, where Sheward was courted by the mayor to join his slate of

candidates for the municipal council in 2014.

Being the only non-French councilor, and one who has yet to fully master the language, has not been an obstacle, says Sheward, a born organiser who developed the village’s Christmas art market and helped set up a yoga class, among other activities. “She doesn’t speak much during council meetings but when she does it’s always very constructive,� Mayor Alain Guillaume said.

In a region that draws large numbers of British tourists and where a number of Britons have second homes, it’s also helpful to have a native English speaker to call on for translations and other assistance.

But if Britain leaves the EU as expected, Sheward will be forced to bow out of politics at the next local elections in 2020. “French villages are like ghost

ÂłFocusA6

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY April 8, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Studying in Australia 2019

W

HAT’s up, mate?

Australia is a popular study destination with students from around the world—including 6,022 Filipinos in 2018—desiring to have top-quality education that meets global standards.

In 2017, 799,371 international students were enrolled in education programs in Australia. Of these, there were 350,472 international students enrolled in the higher education sector.

However, while the rest of international students from other countries take up higher education courses, the Filipinos buck the trend. There are more student visas granted to Filipino student visa applicants in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) than those seeking advanced degrees – masters or PhDs. The reason is two-fold: 1) most Filipinos taking up further studies in Australia already have bachelor’s degrees; and 2) the advanced degrees – masters and PhDs – are more costly than the combination OF A #ERTIkCATE ))) )6 AND A ONE year diploma course.

Taking up a two-year advanced diploma course under the VET CLASSIkCATION IS NOT ONLY LESS EXPENSIVE BUT ALSO PROVIDES SPECIkC occupation-related programs that justify career pathways in Australia.

Masters and PhD courses are also widely available in the Philippines in schools that are recognized by reputable world ranking institutions e.g., the University of the Philippines, Ateneo, University of Santo Tomas and Mapua University. *USTIFYING AN EXPENSIVE POSTgraduate course in Australia, #ANADA .EW :EALAND IS DIFkCULT

MIGRANT MATTERS

CRISPIN R. ARANDA especially if the same course is available in the Philippines.

Which education sectors are international students studying in?

The following statistics show what courses or academic programs international and Filipino students pursue in Australia: Which states and territories are international students studying in?

New South Wales and Victoria attract the largest numbers of international students with 304,545, followed by Victoria (253,076; Queensland, 123,737.

Western Australia, 53,897; South Australia, 35,821. The remaining state and territories have smaller numbers of international students and smaller numbers of students overall: Australian Capital Territory with 16,910; Tasmania, 8,889 and Northern Territory, 2,495.

Where are Australia’s international students from?

Majority of the 799,371 international student enrolments came from 10 countries in 2017: China, India, Brazil, Nepal, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Colombia and Indonesia.

Students from China are way ahead of the others, with 231,191, followed by India, 87,615. Brazil is a distant third at 36,496.

Philippine students in Australia Over a four-year period (2016 to

education provider must accompany the application.

3. Funds available for duration Higher education 350,472 of study and stay in Australia VET 217,696 The amount of money needed ELICOS 155,448 as evidence of ability to pay for stay in Australia has increased for Schools 25,762 2019 from $19,830 to $20,290.

Non-award 49,993 A student applicant with an acTotal in Australia 799,371 companying partner or spouse 2019),there were more Filipino stu- students took up VET courses, fol- must have an additional $7,100 dents taking up courses under the lowed by higher education. (up from $6,940). An additional vocational education and training 1. Evidence of enrollment. child will require $3,040 (up CLASSIkCATION THAN HIGHER EDUCATION Be enrolled in a course of study from $2,970). and other academic programs. and provide evidence 4. Meet English language reIn 2016 there were 8,001 Prior to applying for a student quirements Filipino students in VET courses visa, the applicant must have Evidence of student visa apcompared to 6,830 in higher been enrolled in a program that plicant’s English language skills education. There were fewer should be seen by the assessing is usually required both by the Filipino students in primary VISA OFkCER AS A LOGICAL VIABLE AND educational institution and the to secondary schools and even approvable academic program.

Department of Home Affairs.

Provide a Confirmation of less numbers in the ELICOS and 5. Have adequate health insurance %NROLMENT #O% THE OFkCIAL non-award classifications.

The student visa applicant and /VER THE NEXT TWO YEARS evidence of enrollment in a full- accompanying family members to 2018), Filipino students in VET time course registered on the must have and maintain adcourses increased significantly Commonwealth Register of Insti- equate health insurance “from tutions and courses for Overseas the day of arrival in Australia and (8,129 to 9,326 respectively).

The number of applicants for Students (CRICOS). for the length of the whole stay 2. Other evidence of enrolment as a student in Australia. academic courses in Australia is In some cases, a CoE may not EXPECTED TO DECREASE BECAUSE OF 6. Certain visa holders not be needed if the student is: the recent changes: eligible to apply for student visa enrolled in a full-time course of in Australia: Changes in criteria study or training under a scholarDomestic worker (temporary) for student visas ship scheme approved by the Aus- diplomatic and consular visa tralian Minister for Foreign Affairs (subclass 426) Age. Nothing has changed for and Trade: In this situation a letter Temporary work (international this criterion, i.e., those intend- of support is required. relations) visa (subclass 403) in ing to be a school student (but sponsored by the Australian the domestic worker (diplomatic not participating in a secondary Department of Defense: (a letter or consular) stream SCHOOL STUDENT EXCHANGE PRO- of support is also needed) Diplomatic (temporary) visa gram), must be aged 6 or older S E C O N D A R Y E X C H A N G E S T U - (subclass 995) – primary visa to apply for this visa. dent: provide an Acceptance holder only. A family member For the four-year period (2016- !DVICE OF 3ECONDARY %XCHANGE of a diplomatic (temporary) visa 2019) there were less than 200 Fili- Student (AASES) form (subclass 995) can apply for a pino students of school age. The a postgraduate research stu- student visa in Australia. number of those who completed d e n t w h o n e e d s t o s t ay i n Transit visa (subclass 771) in 2019 was even smaller – just Australia while your thesis Visitor visa (subclass 600) in over 35 percent. Most Filipino is marked: a letter from your the sponsored family stream Sector

International student enrolments 2017

Safeguarding the health of people and planet through food

or in the approved destination status stream 7. Be a genuine temporary entrant Meaning you must have the intention to return home after studying in Australia. The Australian Visa Officer evaluates the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) statement based on the applicant’s actual situation in the home country and potential situation in Australia.

8. Meet the character requirement.

In general, the student visa applicant’s general behavior is CONSIDERED SPECIkCALLY THAT THE applicant has “no substantial criminal record� which refers to the length of a sentence imposed by a court of law.

Therefore, for Filipino student visa applicants, an NBI clearance AND POLICE CERTIkCATES FROM ANY country that the applicant has stayed or resided in for a specikED EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME 9. Meet the health requirement Applicants must submit to and PRESENT A REQUIRED MEDICAL EXAM from a designated panel physician outside Australia at an approved clinic, hospital or facility.

10. Sign the Australian values statement The student visa applicant MUST READ AND CONkRM FULL UNderstanding of the Life in AustraLIA BOOKLET AS EXPLAINED TO HIM her and subsequently, submit a signed statement to respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.

11. Have paid back any and all debt to the Australian government 12. Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused That’s what’s up Down Under, mate.

Q FOCUS FROM A5

Brexit axe looms towns so it has been nice to be on the council.

You get to meet more people!� said Sheward, who has applied for residency in France. “I’d like to be re-elected but it depends on "REXIT u SHE SAID ADDING WITH A SIGH g) JUST wish they’d get on with it so that we too can get on with our lives.�

‘Mad Englishwoman with dogs’

Q Mothers and their children gather at a community nutrition center in the little village of Rantolava, Madagascar, to learn more about a healthy diet. IPS PHOTO BYÂ THARANGA YAKUPITIYAGE UNITED NATIONS: Food sustainability, both in production and consumption, is at the heart of a healthy public and planet.

On World Health Day, it is increasingly clear that a radical transformation of the global food system is sorely needed. “In recent years we have witnessed a gradual departure from sustainable food models, such as the Mediterranean diet, in favor of models rich in animal-based proteins, processed foods with high percentages of sugar, salt, fat or low in fiber,� said Barilla Foundation’s nutritionist and researcher Katarzyna Dembska. “These food solutions can expose us in the long run to very expensive diseases or health problems. Choosing sustainable diets, in addition to reducing the impact on the environment, can positively affect longevity,� she added.

The EAT-Lancet Commission echoed similar sentiments in a report, stating: “Food is the single strongest lever to optimize human health and environmental sustainability on Earth. However, food is currently threatening both people and planet.�

According to the Barilla Foundation, more than 650 million people over the age of 18, equal to 13

percent of the world’s population, are obese.

Unhealthy diets Obesity, caused by unhealthy diets, is among the risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems and diabetes.

New research by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) found that unhealthy diets are responsible for 11 million deaths worldwide per year, even more than smoking tobacco.

The assessment shows that diets high in sodium and low in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and nuts all contribute to dietrelated deaths. Heart attacks and strokes are the main diet-related causes of death.

The study also found that an improvement of diet could prevent one in five deaths worldwide. “This finding suggests that dietary policies focusing on promoting the intake of components of diet for which current intake is less than the optimal level might have a greater effect than policies only targeting sugar and fat, highlighting the need for a comprehensive food system interventions to promote the production, distribution and consumption of these foods across nations,� researchers said.

Obesity and diet-related diseases ad-

ditionally incur high long-term expenses, which “weigh on the entire global economic and health system,� Barilla Foundation said.

Obesity costs the global economy an estimated $2 trillion, representing almost 3 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP).

In Italy alone, costs associated with cardiovascular diseases amount to almost $17 billion while the treatment of cancer costs approximately $7 billion.

But it is not just the way we consume food that threatens our health, but also its production.

Food production as a factor Food production is one of the largest contributors to climate change, accounting for a third of greenhouse gas emissions.

According to UN University, emissions from livestock account for almost 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Beef and dairy alone make up 65 percent of all livestock emissions.

In fact, meat and dairy companies are on track to become the world’s biggest contributors to climate change, surpassing the fossil fuel industry.

Already, climate change has taken a toll on health, in 2003 when temperatures rose 20-30 percent above average in Europe,

resulting in over 30,000 deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that climate change will cause 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition and heat stress between 2030 and 2050.

But this can be prevented with a shift in how we eat and produce food. “The care of our health really starts from our plate,� Dembska said.

For instance, the Double Environmental Food Pyramid combines the classic food pyramid alongside a new environmental pyramid where foods are categorized according to their ecological footprint. Namely, red meat is at the bottom of the environmental pyramid with high environmental impact while being at top of the classic pyramid with low nutrition.

A shift to a Mediterranean diet, similar to the classic food pyramid which emphasizes plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, is estimated to add 4.5 years of life expectancy.

The EAT-Lancet Commission’s proposed planetary health diet is similar, requiring the consumption of red meat to be cut by half while vegetables, fruit and nuts must double. “The global adoption of healthy diets from sustainable food systems would safeguard our planet and improve the health of billions,� they said.

IPS

According to official British statistics, France is home to a little over 157,000 British citiZENS MAKING IT THE BIGGEST EXPATRIATE "RITISH community after that of Spain.

Outside Paris, large numbers are to be found in Brittany and the southwestern Dordogne region. &RANCE HAS GIVEN THEM A YEAR AFTER "REXIT TO apply for residency but many have decided not to wait for divorce day to get their papers in, swamping local authorities.

The government has attempted to fend off panic, with former European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau assuring in March: “We want them to stay. They are an asset for France.�

A b o u t 10 k i l o m e t e r s t o t h e we s t o f Sheward’s village in Brittany, an Englishwoman is also a linchpin of her community.

Jacqueline Bertho, 60, from Yorkshire, ended up in France in 2000 after a divorce, and began a new life in “Kreiz Breizh� – Breton for the center of Brittany, where she lives with her Breton husband and their daughter.

In the village of Saint-Guen (population 450), which is “very rural, like 1960s Britain,� the chatTY YEAR OLD IS A WELL KNOWN kGURE g) M THE mad Englishwoman with the dogs,� she jokes.

While still feeling “very much British,�

Bertho says she has thrown herself into community life, volunteering to teach English to local schoolkids, helping the elderly and, since 2014, becoming a member of the council.

A year after her election, Bertho obtained French citizenship, meaning her place in France is assured.

But she worries that other British couples who retired to the region, where they restored old houses and helped revive villages that were in their death throes, will struggle. “Most won’t be able to become French,� she said, citing their French language skills, which are put to a citizenship test, as a key hurdle.

Tim Richardson, a British winemaker who sits on the council of the Dordogne village of Eymet, is one of those waiting for news on his citizenship application, which he submitted last year.

The father-of-two, who has been living since 1991 in the region nicknamed Dordogneshire after its large British population, is confident of becoming French.

And if he is forced to give up his council seat? “ Tant pis (too bad),� he said in a telephone interview. “It’s not the end of the world. There is no reason I cannot continue helping out in local life.� AFP

Regions NPA abducts 4 in Mindoro Oriental ˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY April 8, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY ROSELLE R. AQUINO

C

AMP EFIGENIO Navarro, Calapan City: The New People’s Army (NPA) on Friday evening abducted a barangay (village) chairman, two civilians and a member of the Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) in Barangay Malo, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro. #OL -ARCELIANO 4EOkLO COMmander of the 203rd Brigade, said kidnapped were Malo village chief Peter de los Santos, Louie Medinilla, Ricky Capillo and CAA Reymond Malupa. “They were forcibly taken from

their houses by about 10 NPAs under Kilusang Larangan GerilyaIgnacio Clafero Magadia (KLGICM) clad in military uniform, who brought them to Sitio Paypay, which is two hours’ walk from THEIR BARANGAY u 4EOkLO SAID

‘Vote-buying’ starts in Lanao del Sur MARAWI CITY: As the 2019 midterm elections approach, “vote-buying� is reported to have already started in some areas in Lanao del Sur even as concerned Maranao leaders are pushing the campaign for “No to Vote-Buying� in the province, where it is known to be rampant and has catapulted local politicians to power.

The exact amount paid by votebuying candidates is yet unknown although some said that in Masiu and other towns, a mayoral candidate had offered at least P2,000 to every voter.

In past elections, a candidate for governor would offer at least P1,000 per voter, while a candidate for congressman would also pay P1,000.

For the city mayor, a candidate would pay P2,000 or more.

The price of a vote was higher in the municipalities.

In Ditsaan Ramain, Saguiaran, Maguing, Bayang and other towns, a mayoral candidate would pay at least P4,000 per vote, a vice mayor P500, while an aspirant for the Sangguniang Bayan (City Council) would give P100 per vote.

In last year’s joint barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) elections, many barangay candidates paid at least P3,000 for one vote.

Multisectoral leaders consider vote-buying a menace to Maranao society and it is cited as the root cause of corruption that makes Lanao del Sur the poorest province in the Philippines.

Former Lumbaca Unayan mayor

Saripoden Guro said, “As leaders in Lanao, we must take the initiative to wake up our people from the ill effects of vote-buying, and I am appealing to all candidates to unite for the call ‘No to VoteBuying.’� “Let us not buy our people to win but rather let us appeal to our people to vote for us because of the good services we have done or can do for them,� Guro added.

Maranao State Movement for Federalism Chairman Bayan Balt said democracy was not working in Maranao society because vote-buying is entangled in the Maranao culture.

Balt, also former chapter president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Lanao del Sur chapter, told The Manila Times that democracy would not work under a government ran by people elected with money. “Worse, corruption and poor leadership will follow [vote-buying] to prevail in government service,� he said.

City Prosecutor Ting Diacat, who said his vote was not for sale, asked candidates not to approach him or any of his immediate family members to offer money for their votes.

Former Mindanao State University professor and now a civic leader Casan Cana said both the vote-buyers and the vote-sellers are committing big sins. “They are all sinners,� he added.

But Cana doubts if vote-buying would be eradicated in Lanao del Sur. MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

Q VERITAS FROM A1

Central Seminary during an assembly of 100 bishops from Asia AND !USTRALIA IN kVE YEARS before the Second Vatican Council that proclaimed the Church’s openness to the use of mass media for evangelization.

On April 11, 1969, with support from German Catholics, the Radio Veritas facility in Fairview, Quezon City was inaugurated by Antonio #ARDINAL 3AMORE A 6ATICAN OFkCIAL

and the then Manila archbishop, 2UkNO #ARDINAL 3ANTOS #HURCH OFkCIALS WILL UNVEIL THE 50th anniversary commemorative

Church "ISHOPS #ONFERENCES &!"# /FkCE of Social Communication meeting at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila.

A thanksgiving Mass will be led by the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as homilist.

The event marks the conception of Radio Veritas Asia at the UST

Q CONTROLLING FROM A1

Why are National Federation of the Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines Annual National Convention in Iloilo City. “Human rights groups said, it is not allowed. Son of a b***h. Why are you controlling my mouth? I am tasked with keeping order here in my country then you will ruin it with... in the name of human rights, you will make us inutile?� he added.

In a text message to The Manila Times, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said that Duterte was “delusional� for uttering such statements. “He deliberately fails to recognize that he is mandated and obliged to respect, promote and protect the human rights of Filipinos under the Philippine Constitution and international human rights agreements,� Palabay said.

“We strongly condemn the desperate actions of the CPP-NPA. The abduction only shows how weak these NPA terrorists are, they do not spare even innocent civilians. They threaten, extort money and if they are refused, they will kidnap,� he added.

The CPP is the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA is its armed wing.

The barangay chairman’s refusal to support the NPA is one of the motives police are trying to look into.

He is a well-known supporter of Bansud reelectionist Mayor Angel Saulong, who refused to give in to the extortion demand (permit-tocampaign) of the NPA.

Malo residents said the victims were respected in their community and they were wondering why the NPAs abducted them.

In Bongabong, Mindoro Oriental, more than a week ago, the NPA abducted one civilian, who was forced to join the communist rebels, but he managed to escape and reported the incident.

His identity is being withheld for fear for his life and for his family.

Troops of the 203rd Brigade and the Mindoro Oriental police already sent out troops to hunt down the kidnappers. “This forced the NPA terrorists to release other victims. I already

alerted all camps and patrol bases as these terrorists may attack soft targets to divert and disrupt the joint Army-PNP (Philippine National 0OLICE OPERATIONS u 4EOkLO SAID Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno, commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, said: “The NPA terrorists are no different from being kidnappers. They have violated Republic Act 9851 (An Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity), such as taking of hostages under Section 4 (b) (3). In this case, they have deprived the civilians of their rights to liberty. The full force of

A7

law will run after them.�

Meanwhile, Police Regional /FkCE -IMAROPA -INDORO /Cciental and Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) spokesman Lt. Col. Socrates Faltado said the NPAs already released three of the kidnap victims, while the CAA is still being held hostage.

Those released are now with THEIR FAMILIES AFTER DEBRIEkNG WITH local police and social workers.

The wife and the four children of the remaining kidnap victim now fear for their father’s life and they are appealing to the NPA to release their father and not to hurt him.

SAF 44 suspect arrested in Cotabato City A SUSPECT in the bloody Mamasapano clash that left 44 elite POLICE OFkCERS DEAD IN WAS ARrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Cotabato City over the weekend.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the Bangamoro Autonomous Region

in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), led by the Cotabato City police, apprehended Tamano Esmail Sabpa or Tamano Sabpa Esmael at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the parking area of a regional hospital in Cotabato City, according to a police report.

Police said the suspect was arrested on a warrant issued by Cotabato

City Regional Trial Court Branch 15 presiding judge Alandrex Betoya, dated Jan. 25, 2017.

This was effected over charges of direct assault with murder of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, in January 2015, while the troops were serving an arrest

WARRANT AGAINST TERRORIST :ULKIlI Abdhir in the same town.

According to the police, the case of Esmail was not recommended for bail and the arrest was also under the PNP’s nationwide “Oplan Pagtugis.�

Authorities recovered from him ONE IDENTIkCATION CARD DEMPSEY REYES

Bong Go backs creation of water department BONG Go, a candidate for senator in the 2019 midterm elections, has expressed his support for the creation of a Department of Water to ensure adequate supply of clean and potable water for household use and for irrigation of farmlands in the country.

Go, formerly President Rodrigo Duterte’s special assistant, visited Quezon province again on Saturday and led a motorcade that passed along the towns of Lopez and Gumaca, where he later attended a “Serbisyong Tunay at Natural� rally organized by Rep. Helen Tan at the Gumaca covered court.

In an interview, he thanked the people and residents of the province for the warm welcome he had received, reminiscent of his previous visit to Gumaca in November last year when he graced the inauguration of the Southern Quezon Convention Center.

Gumaca is part of the fourth District of Quezon, a cluster of municipalities located in the southernmost part of the province and adjacent to Camarines provinces in Bicol Region.

But Go said he did not mind the distance as long as he could get the chance to talk to the people to hear their concerns.

Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon make up Calabarzon, and Querzon declared Go as an adopted son of the region in February this year.

Go echoed the President’s support for the proposal creating an agency that would solely address the need of Filipinos for a stable water supply after being told that the people of Gumaca and other parts of Quezon are suffering from lack of potable water.

According to MalacaĂąang spokesman Salvador Panelo, the President is in favor of the proposal to form a separate department for water-related concerns, believing it would prevent a repeat of the water-service interruption experienced recently by parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province.

Panelo said the creation of a water department was one of the topics discussed during the 36th Cabinet meeting on April 1 in MalacaĂąang.

Go urged the Local Water Utilities Administration to look into water problems that many municipalities were experiencing in the country.

He said if elected to the Senate ON -AY HE WOULD ALSO HELP kND solution to such problems.

Earlier, Go called for expansion of existing irrigation systems to mitigate negative effects of droughts

that the country experiences.

Meanwhile, he said he shares the advocacy of congressman Tan, also a physician, for improved delivery of health services in the country. “[I was one of those whom Rep. Tan approached to help push] Universal Health Care [that] will complement the Malasakit Center,� according to Go. Among others, he is batting for a law to establish Malasakit Centers in more areas of the country and allow the program to continue even after the Duterte administration.

An administration program, a Malasakit Center makes it easier and faster for poor patients to get MEDICAL AND kNANCIAL HELP FROM THE government by bringing together in one room all concerned government agencies, such as the Health and Social Welfare departments, PhilIPPINE #HARITY 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

Quezon province’s own Malasakit Center is the 26th established in the country from the 34 currently in operation in various areas of the Philippines.

Go bared his intention to increase the salary of nurses, as well as the possible expansion of the services

marker on April 11 at the Radio Veritas compound in Quezon City.

Activities include the inauguration and blessing of the Radio Veritas Asia Museum and the awarding of 50 individuals and institutions who have supported Radio Veritas Asia and Radio Veritas 846.

A Mass will be presided by the archbishop of Freiburg, Germany, Stephan Burger, with the FABC chairman, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar.

On April 21, Cardinal Tagle will lead Mass, followed by a thanksgiving fellowship of Radio Veritas

Asia and Radio Veritas 846 anchors, listeners and benefactors. “Celebrating our golden anniversary highlights our continued dedication to stand for the truth much like the same way Radio Veritas carried the message of Jaime Cardinal Sin who urged the public to go to EDSA in what became the 1986 People Power Revolution,� said Fr. Anton Pascual, Radio Veritas president.

Radio Veritas received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts for its cover-

age of the 1983 assassination of senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and the 1986 revolt, with organizers citing “its crucial role in using truth to depose an oppressive and corrupt regime and restore Filipino faith in the electoral process.�

In 1991, Radio Veritas became a commercial radio station, while Radio Veritas Asia continued its short-wave broadcasts to the Asian continent. The latter shifted to a digital format in 2007 and more recently, to streaming and social media.

Palabay said Duterte could not dodge accountability for his actions through curses. “No amount of cuss words or delusional statements can deny his accountability for extrajudicial killings and numerous other rights violations because he is on record in countless occasions on his orders inciting and justifying these crimes,� she added.

Last week, Duterte said his drug war was a “failure� and that the drug situation in the country had worsened.

The death toll on suspected drug personalities since President Duterte was elected in 2016 stood at 5,176, according to the February 2019 update of the government’s “Real Numbers PH� information campaign.

The number came from the 119,841 operations conducted since July 2016.

4HE kGURE WAS MUCH LOWER THAN the 12,000 to 27,000 fatalities claimed by human rights groups.

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Q DEBATE FROM A1

Military People’s Lawyers (NUPL), t h i n k t a n k I B O N Fo n dation, Gabriela women’s group, rights group Karapatan and labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno. “Makabayan, take the challenge. See who are propagandizing. Let’s see who is on the side of truth. [On] Monday, choose your TV station. That’s how simple it is,� Parlade said in a text message. “We have treated you activists too well for too long. We don’t attack and maltreat activists and even capture NPA (New People’s Army) members as you claim,� he added.

Parlade said former Bay-

an Muna Rep. Saturnino “Satur� Ocampo was aware this.

Ocampo, he claimed, was “surprised� after finding out that NPA members captured in Batangas were being fed fried chicken and ice cream for dessert. “They were brainwashed to believe the [Philippine] Army will skin them alive when captured and it didn’t happen. Since then, these former rebels have been helping the government win over the NPA,� Parlade said.

Zarate on Sunday said: “Progressive people’s organizations have done a lot to serve our people. NUPL has represented impoverished farmers like the victims of the Sagay massacre and the Negros massacre, as well as victims of the ‘Tokhang’ (anti-drug) operations.

Bayan Muna, on the other hand, led the fight against unwarranted power rate hikes and the increase in pension for senior citizens, among other issues,� Zarate said.

Colmenares said Par lade and President Rodrigo Duterte tended to make rash statements when embarrassed or offended by their critics. “If they have real proof against these organizations, then file a case against them,� he said.

T h e g ove r n m e n t h a s asked the European Union and the Belgian government to review funding given to a number of progressive groups, claiming these organizations were “fronts� for the communist rebellion.

GLEE JALEA AND DEMPSEY REYES

of the barangay (village) health station, bringing directly to the barangay residents basic medical services.

During the rally held later on Saturday, he assured the people of the province of Quezon that he would continue to support programs and policies of the President, whom he had served for over 21 years.

In his return to Quezon, Go noted THAT THE PROVINCE STANDS TO BENEkT from various infrastructure programs under the Duterte administration, including the Philippine National Railways Long Haul project, a 639-kilometer rail track connecting Manila and Bicol that would pass by Lucena City and the town of Gumaca.

He mentioned a ongoing feasibility study for the proposed Quezon-Bicol Expressway connecting Pagbilao, Quezon and San Fernando, Camarines Sur, as well as the establishment of the Quezon Coconut Research Center.

Other priority concerns under Go’s legislative agenda include programs for agriculture, education, housing for the poor, long-term SPORTS DEVELOPMENT kRE PROTECTION and prevention, localized peace talks, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of overseas Filipino WORKERS AND ADDITIONAL BENEkTS FOR senior citizens.

Q DISPUTE FROM A1

Climate He made the remark on Twitter in response to a news article ON THE PROSPECTS OF lOATING CITIES amid rising sea levels in Antarctica due to climate change. “Rising sea levels will wipe out the issue of disputed reeds in the South China/West Philippine Sea. And good riddance,� Locsin said. “At the UN (United Nations) Security Council I said the Philippines would not regret climate change and rising sea level if it covers the disputed reefs in the South China Sea and exposes the foolishness of taking and weaponizing them,� he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday warned China not to touch Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), where hundreds of Chinese vessels have massed.

The President issued the warning following reports from the Armed Forces of the Philippines that hundreds of Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels had “swarmed� the Manila-held Pagasa Island.

The military’s Western Command said the vessels were part of China’s maritime militia.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jinhua, however, said the Chinese vessels seen near the island were not armed.

The Philippines had filed a diplomatic protest with Beijing over the matter.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

National Alliance of Private Schools Philippines Region IV-A Chapter

Q

uality education is a right of ALL Filipino citizens and the state shall ensure that this is accessible to all by prioritizing the highest budget for education in order to entice and retain its fair share of best teachers available. The Philippine Constitution did not limit this to the public school system only; hence, the birth of Government Assistance to Students and Teachers for Private Education Law (GASTPE).

However, to date, some provisions of the said law have not been adequately funded especially the Teacher’s Salary Subsidy Fund. Now, another increase in the salary of public school teachers is forthcoming. This results to massive exodus of licensed teachers of private schools to the public school system annually.

In view of this, the National Alliance of Private Schools Philippines (NAPSPHIL), under its visionary leader, the indomitable Dr. Reynaldo D. Faustino, in consortium with REX Group of Companies led by its dynamic Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Don Timothy I. Buhain, is calling on all private school administrators and other stakeholders to attend, make a stand and speak up during the NAPSPHIL General Assembly (Theme: Safeguarding the Rights of Private School Teachers and Institutions) to be held at the YNARES CENTER from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019.

Invited speakers (not confirmed) include: 1. His Excellency Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte – tribune.net.ph (Jan. 16, 2019) – open to have a dialogue with legitimate teachers’ groups to discuss the issue on salary increase.

2. Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV – sponsored the Senate Bill 2057 3. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile – new.mb.com.ph (Feb. 10, 2019) – vows to support bill increasing the salary of private school teachers 4. Senatoriable Luther “Lot” Meniano – shall author and pass a House bill 1195 for the creation of Private School’s Commission, Appropriating Funds thereof and for other Purposes (to include all levels of education) 5. Mayor Lani Cayetano – through GASTPE, provides budget “local Educational Service Contraction” Program in her municipality 6. Atty. Joseph Noel M. Estrada – filed the Senate Bill 2057 and a very strong advocate for the private schools 7. Prof. Rhodora Angela Ferrer – National Executive Director, PEAC

The following are the issues besetting the private schools which shall be raised in the assembly: Disparity of salary of private and public school teachers Massive migration of private school teachers to public school even with existing contract Control of DepEd over the private institutions instead of mere supervision Inconsistent implementation of national or regional DepEd Order or Memo in the Division Level Creation of Bureau of Private Education in DepEd to oversee the needs of the private schools

At the end of the assembly, it is expected that the government will give cognizance to the urgency of the needs of the private schools.

Lastly, it aims to demonstrate that the private institutions comprise a very big part of the Philippine educational system and therefore, should not be overlooked.

NAPSPHIL is truly looking forward to your support by being one with the association during the General Assembly.

Be there and be counted!

BOARD OF TRUSTEES SY 2019-2020 Lerma Y. Calingasan Honorary Chairman Reynaldo D. Faustino, Ed. D. President Corazon D. Salcedo VP (Cavite) Gloria N. Lontoc VP (Laguna) Catherine R. Banta, M.D. VP (Batangas) Leticia P. Tanjuatco VP (Rizal) Antonio C. Lozano VP (Quezon) Guillermo Rodante C. Estrellado Secretary Gina G. De Leon Assistant Secretary Dennis T. Sioto Treasurer Ramon A. Ravanzo Auditor Brenda G. Geluz Trustee Beth M. Gaton Trustee Daisy R. Murriel Trustee Rafael G. Ochoa Trustee Venus A. Victoria Trustee Atty. Joseph Noel M. Estrada Legal Counsel

What’s inside DOTR: CAVITE AIRPORT OPERATIONAL THIS YEAR

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METRO RETAIL SHARES DIP BUT STILL UP YEAR TO DATE Stock WatchB3

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MEGAWORLD 2018 PROFIT CLIMBS 17% TO P15.8B

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www.manilatimes.net

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

I

T would be premature for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut key interest rates this year, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) analysts said, given rising oil prices and a still-growing economy.

“We still think it’s still premature to cut the POLICY RATE IN GIVEN THE RISKS TO INlATION u the analysts highlighted in a commentary released late last week.

Global oil prices are inching higher, they noted, with the WTI benchmark now at $62. “Furthermore, a rate cut doesn’t seem urgent as we still expect the economy to grow by at least 6.5 percent in this election year,

PSEi seen trading lower; lack of leads, holiday cited he expected investors to stay on the sidelines as the end of Lent nears, possibly maintaining this stance until after the May 13 midterm elections. “Because of this, we may continue to see the index go lower. The

next major support is at 7,800 and then 7,600,� Mangun said. “Overall, these are short-term concerns and in the longer term, the economy is doing extremely WELL WHICH WILL RElECT ON THE STOCK market in due time,� he noted.

Philippine financial markets will be closed on Tuesday, April 9 as the country celebrates Araw ng Kagitingan or the Day of Valor.

In a separate comment, online brokerage firm 2tradeasia.

ÂłHoliday B2

Dominguez tells SSS to cut costs, utilize tech THE state-run Social Security System (SSS) needs to reduce its overhead expenses and use digital tools to make it easier for members to access services, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said on Sunday.

With the new SSS law having provided for contribution rate adjustments, “we need to be very prudent in managing expenses because

B2

Rate cut premature given inflation risks

we are talking about the hard-earned savings of Filipino workers,� said Dominguez, who is also the new Social Security Commission chairman, in a statement issued by the pension fund.

He added that the SSS should move to digitize and modernize systems, which “would also eventually save on costs and other operating expenses.�

The SSS said it was allowed by the Social Security Act of 2018 to spend no more than 12 percent of total yearly contributions, plus 3 percent of other revenues, for administrative and operational expenses such as salaries and wages, supplies and materials, depreciation, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF OFkCES

ÂłSSS B2

whether the new budget is approved or not,� the analysts added. !BOVE TARGET INlATION PROMPTED THE CENtral bank’s policymaking Monetary Board to HIKE KEY INTEREST RATES kVE CONSECUTIVE TIMES last year, only pausing after consumer price growth began easing in November.

A third pause resulted from the last policy

ÂłRisks B2

The Soriano-owned Anscor

SHARES OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEK: THE stock market could trade lower during a shortened trading week given the absence of fresh catalysts and the upcoming Holy Week.

Eagle Equities Inc. research head Christopher Mangun said

DELOITTE. ON THE DOT

W

MONDAY APRIL 8, 2019

Business Times

B1

A

NSCOR Consolidated Corp. is the unlisted holding company owned by the Sorianos. It owns 902.172 million common shares, or 36.09 percent in A. Soriano Corp. (ANS) based on 2.5 billion common shares, which are all outstanding and listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

As a listed company, A. Soriano classifies 18.9 percent of outstanding as “free float level�. When computed, the three-word phrase inside said the pair of quotation marks would equal to 472.5 million ANS common shares. Foreign ownership of ANS common shares is limited to 40 percent

as mandated by the ownership provision of the constitution, according to PSE website.

If Anscor owns only 36.09 percent of 2.5 billion outstanding ANS common shares, the stockholders, who are not members of the Soriano family, hold two blocks listed under PCD Nominee Corp. The acronym stands for Philippine Central Depository.

ÂłPerez B2

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 8, 2019

DOTr: Cavite airport operational this year C

BY LISBET K. ESMAEL

ONSTRUCTION work is on-going to make the Danilo Atienza Air Base in Cavite up and running for commercial operations this year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said last week.

1,200 meters last January. The DOTr is now focusing on building hangars, a passenger terminal and equipping the facility with nightrated capabilities. “Night rating will take a little time but the target is to complete them within the year. It should be operational,� Tamayo said last week. “Once it is operational, we will push [the transfer of general aviation],� he added.

Tamayo said the government was also on the lookout for po-

tential waterways to the airport to AVOID LAND TRAFkC Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) earlier this year expressed INTENT TO MOVE SOME OF ITS lIGHTS from Clark to the Danilo Atienza Air Base.

Jaime J. Bautista, PAL presiDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFkCER

said some operations using its Bombardier Q400s, an aircraft with carrying capacity of 76 passengers and 1,410 kilograms of cargo, would be transferred to the Sangley airport.

Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Antonio L. Tamayo said the government had earmarked P500 million to develop the air hub in Sangley Point as it eyed the transfer of general

AVIATION TRAFkC FROM THE CROWDED Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

He said the government had completed a runway upgrade to 2,300 meters from the original

Q HOLIDAY FROM B1

No way for sugar price to rise – SRA

PSEi seen trading lower; lack com said there was still room to welcome lower-than-expected -ARCH INlATION WHICH CLOCKED in at 3.3 percent from February’s 3.8 percent.

For April, it said upcoming shareholders’ meetings would help prop up sentiment with investors on the lookout for expansion plans, dividend declarations and capital-raising activities.

But other variables such as crude oil prices, the El NiĂąo’s impact on agriculture and water utilities could affect the market’s direction before “arriving at a normal trend,â€? it added.

On Friday, the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by 0.24 percent or 19.05 points to close at 7,873.18, while the wider All Shares grew by 0.30 percent or POINTS TO kNISH AT

/THER FACTORS THAT COULD INlUence the stock market include the release this week of the minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s March POLICY MEETING AND LATEST 53 INlAtion data, which could provide an indication of the US economy’s strength given slowdown fears.

Also up later this week is a European Central Bank policy meeting, China trade data due on Friday and news from the International Monetary Fund-World Bank spring meetings that begin Tuesday, US time, in Washington.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

THERE is no way for the price of sugar to rise as the country’s stock of the sweetener has reached a record high of 1.1 million metric tons (MT) as of March’s end, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said.

The volume was 143 percent more compared to the stock balance recorded in the same period last year, SRA Administrator (ERMENEGILDO 3ERAkCA SAID IN A statement over the weekend.

Of the 1.1 million MT sugar inventory, 675,775.50 MT is raw WHILE -4 IS REkNED

SRA data showed.

The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (Confed) earlier urged the SRA to check its sugar stocks following the slow withdrawals in sugar mills’

133,500 MT of imported sugar have not been withdrawn from THE WAREHOUSES 3ERAkCA SAID “There have been very little withdrawals in the mills such that all of their warehouses are full and most of them are already preparing additional spaces for storage. Some have rented additional warehouses while some have repurposed their other buildings such as basketball courts to hold sugar, he explained.

Domestic demand for raw sugar as March 17 rose by 17.70 percent to 1.2 million MT yearon-year, SRA data said. The counTRY S APPETITE FOR REkNED SUGAR also went up by 9.02 percent to 590,280 MT, it added.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

and blunt policy tool that not only discriminates against small savers but even encourages unhedged foreign currency borrowings both by the public and private sector,� meeting on March 21, with mon- policy rate at 4.75 percent would the BPI analysts said. etary authorities noting the need allow the BSP to rebuild its gross The RRR is the proportion of for more data. international reserves (GIR), which deposits that banks need to keep Other analysts, however, have are essential to fund the economy’s with the central bank against the said that rate cuts could come as surging import requirements. sum they can loan out to borrowearly as May, especially following The GIR rose to a 29-month ers. Currently at 18 percent follast week’s announcement that high of $83.198 billion in March, a lowing two cuts last year, it is still inflation had slowed further to development attributed by the cen- considered as one of the highest 3.3 percent in March and — more tral bank to its foreign exchange in the region.

IMPORTANTLY ‡ HAD kNALLY FALLEN operations and investment income The BSP will likely cut the rewithin the 2.0-4.0 percent target plus foreign currency deposits by serve requirement ratio by at least by hitting 3.8 percent year to date. the government.

2 percentage points for the balance The BPI analysts, however, said “Hence, BSP will likely pick of 2019, the BPI analysts said, as the economy was likely to return the ‘low hanging’ RRR (reserve SOON AS INlATION IS COMFORTABLY TO A SWEET SPOT OF LOW INlATION AND requirement ratio) cut before within this year’s 2-4 percent target high growth without the need for considering a policy rate cut as it “to alleviate the liquidity chalan immediate policy easing.

HELPS REMOVE INEFkCIENCIES AND lenges faced by the public and They pointed out that keeping the inequities caused by this obsolete private sector.�

Q INFLATION FROM B1

Rate cut premature

Q SSS FROM B1

Dominguez tells It added that it had been utilizing an average of 5 percent since 2016, with operating expenses hitting P9.48 billion that year, P9.54 billion in 2017 and P9.76 billion in 2018.

Dominguez, meanwhile, said he wanted to see more investments in information technology in support of a planned digital transformation. “We have to do some serious investments in technology because

it will not only save us money, but will also save time for the transacting public. Online transactions are easier and more convenient,� he added. “But I directed the SSS management at the same time to be clear as to when exactly we are supposed to see the returns of our investments in electronic services,�

Dominguez continued.

The SSS’ electronic services cur-

Q PEREZ FROM B1

Panlilios selling

The Soriano

warehouses. Confed spokesman Raymond Montinola even said market demand for sugar has gone down despite the election season.

But “there is no reason for sugar PRICES TO GO UP u SAID 3ERAkCA (E added that mill gate prices were holding steady between P1,450 to P1,550 per 50-kilogram (Kg) for THE PAST kVE MONTHS He blamed the alleged price HIKE IN SUGAR ON PROkTEERING OF players in the industry. “Those who are spreading rumors of sugar prices increasing are trying to manipulate the market so they can increase their PROkTS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONsumers and producers,� he said.

Following inspections on sugar mills’ and traders’ warehouses, the SRA discovered that over

On March 20, 2019, Jose Marcel E. Panlilio and family sold 22.21 million common shares at P0.0742 Generally, PCD Nominee acts each of their direct holdings in only as record stockholder for Boulevard Holdings Inc. (BHI). some of the public stockholders. They followed this up by selling Yet, in certain instances, it also 3 million BHI common shares at holds stocks for business owners P0.0740 on March 21, 2019. who own listed but not necessarily The sale reduced the Panlilios’ public companies. indirect ownership in BHI to 5.006 PCD Nominee occupies Nos. billion common shares, or 41.72 2 and 3, next only to Anscor in percent, which he said are in the A. Soriano’s list of top 100 stock- name of JP Guilds Inc. On his holders as of Dec. 31, 2018. As own, Panlilio directly holds 3.502 record stockholder but not ben- million BHI common shares, or EkCIAL OWNER IT HOLDS FOR &ILIPINOS 0.03 percent.

512.534 million ANS common A public ownership report shares, or 20.50 percent, and (POR) as of Dec. 31, 2018 listed 504.451 million ANS common nine directors of BHI’s board as shares, or 20.18 percent, for for- holders of 4.225 billion common eigners. The top 100 list uses “non- shares, or 35.21 percent of 12 bilFilipinos� instead of foreigners. lion outstanding BHI common

rently include applications for salary loans, social security numbers and member data amendments, SALARY LOAN CERTIkCATIONS PAYMENT reference number generation and inquiries, submissions of employment reports and contribution and LOAN COLLECTION LISTS AND THE kLING OF MATERNITY AND SICKNESS NOTIkCATIONS These can made through the My.SSS website, the SSS Mobile App, Self-Service Information Terminal, Interactive Voice Response System and Text-SSS, the pension fund said.

Dominguez said that under his leadership, he wanted to reinforce the message that the SSS helps its shares. It also named JP Guilds as a principal stockholder with 4.163 billion BHI common shares, or 34.695 percent.

BHI’s POR listed the company’s public stockholders as owners of 6.834 billion BHI common shares, or 56.95 percent.

BHI common shares opened trading on April 5, 2019 at P0.071, hit a high of P0.072, dropped to a low of P0.071 and closed the session at its opening price of P0.071.

members save for tomorrow while providing them with easy access to services today. “What you put in SSS as savings today is what you will receive in BENEkTS IN THE FUTURE 4HE INCREASE in contributions is an opportunity for members to save more for contingencies, and particularly for retirement,� he said.

SSS contribution collections jumped by over P22 billion to P181.92 billion in 2018, 13.89 percent higher compared to the P159.72 billion recorded a year earlier.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

in a filing were issued to him under the company’s executive stockowners’ (ESOWN) plan, and another block of 100,399 IMI common shares lodged with PCD Nominee Corp. In addition, he also directly held 12,891 IMI common shares.

On March 22, 2019, Sanchez reduced his IMI indirect holdings by selling 20,000 IMI common shares at P13.50 per share. The sale grossed him P270,000 but his indirect ownership dropped by IMI insider 20,000 IMI common shares.

As a result of the sale of 20,000 Jaime G. Sanchez is a vice presi- IMI common shares, Sanchez dent of Integrated Microelectron- SAID IN THE kLIN HE ENDED UP INDIics Inc. At the same time, he is rectly owning 93,290 IMI common THE COMPANY S DEPUTY kNANCIAL shares. His 100,399 IMI common officer, group controller and shares also dropped by 20,000 IMI compliance officer. He used common shares from 93,290 IMI to indirectly own 113,290 IMI common shares to 80,399 comcommon shares, which he said mon shares as of March 22, 2019.

The value of mentorship and sponsorship DELOITTE. A ON THE DOT COUPLE of years ago, our Information Technology (IT) team hired its first female staff member. I realize that’s not something to be proud of for a 22-yearold organization, but it is also something we had little control over. Up until that year, we never had a woman apply for a post with our IT team, even though we have been open to hiring IT talent. Similarly, in our technology-related business lines, there seems to be a scarcity of female candidates.

Thus, only a few reach senior level management positions.

It’s a situation not unique to our organization. This persistent lack of gender diversity in tech-related professions is only serving to intensify the war for talent.

In Deloitte’s 2018 global surVEY OF CHIEF INFORMATION OFkCERS (CIOs), 60 percent of respondents said their top IT workforce chalLENGE IS kNDING AND HIRING QUALIkED TALENT THEIR )4 TEAMS NEED TO fulfill their business mandates.

Many of these CIOs acknowledge that promoting diversity and inclusion is key to addressing that gap, but only a small fraction of them have formal initiatives in place to promote workplace diversity and inclusion.

For the CIOs leading the way, one approach proven helpful in attracting, developing and keeping highperforming women is mentorship.

Having a mentor can make a big difference for women, especially in the male-dominated IT sphere where many women still struggle with being recognized as a peer.

Last year, in a Deloitte survey of women IT leaders, many respondents reported not being taken seriously, not being heard, or being passed over for promotion despite being mid-career and having a solid track record as IT professionals. Over half of respondents said they did not have a mentor but wish they had.

Getting mentorship right Mentorship comes in different shapes and sizes – a parent, a partner and professors can be considered mentors as they help professionals in various stages of their journeys.

The success of the mentor-mentee relationship hinges on the natural chemistry between the two and their shared expectations.

One IT executive and mentor Deloitte spoke with said she considers her relationship with her mentees a success when they think of consulting with her whenever they have a problem or an opportunity. Another executive stressed the importance of setting clear expectations upfront: The mentee has to understand what she wants to get out of the experience and the mentor has to articulate what kind of help they are willing or able to provide.

It is also important for mentees to realize that no one mentor will give them everything. One chief EXECUTIVE OFkCER #%/ ADVOCATES for “mentorship in the moment,� that is, an individual may need different mentors for different stages or opportunities in her professional career.

Sanchez said his direct ownership of 12,891 IMI common shares remain untouched.

IMI common shares opened the day’s session on April 5, 2019 at P12.78, peaked at P12.86, dropped to a low of P12.68 and closed trading at P12.80.

Due Diligencer’s take If a listed company has all its outstanding common shares listed on PSE, it may not necessarily follow that said company’s common shares are traded.

This does not happen in the local stock market. As a matter of fact, this would never happen because business owners would not want to lose their voting power to the public. Why should they when their intention in getting their common shares and preferred

ANNA MARIE PABELLON And then there’s sponsorship Another way of supporting women professionals and advancing their careers is through sponsorship. )DEALLY DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS kLL the mentor and sponsor roles since each serves distinct but complementary purposes. While a mentor offers advice and guidance to a mentee, a sponsor goes one step further by actively advocating for the advancement of that person.

This is done by speaking to the person’s work performance or providing exposure and engagement with senior leaders.

A study on female talent in science, technology, engineering AND MATHEMATICS 34%- kELDS found that women with sponsors are 70 percent more likely to have their ideas endorsed, and 200 percent more likely to see their ideas implemented. I myself have been fortunate to have sponsors who consciously decided to give me the exposure, opportunity and connections I needed to maximize MY CAPABILITIES IN A kELD DOMInated by men.

One CEO advises professionals to look for a sponsor who is not like them so they can grow outside their comfort zone. But just as with a mentor/mentee relationship, it is important to have measurable metrics in place to evaluate the effectiveness of a sponsorship relationship on an ongoing basis.

Having stated goals, key performance indicators (KPIs) and clear mandates from leadership can help establish metrics for success.

But why even wait until women are in the workforce to support their passion for technology?

One executive Deloitte spoke with found her path to IT at age 14, when she was admitted into an engineering apprentice program.

Remarkably, all the girls in that program ended up in a technology career. Engaging girls early and along the way disabusing them of the stereotype that boys are better than girls at math and science will help SPUR THE INTEREST IN 34%- kELDS AND GIVE THEM THE CONkDENCE TO BUILD A career around that interest. &OR OUR PART ) M GLAD WE kNALLY have a woman in our IT pool. I hear her presence has contributed TO IMPROVED EFkCIENCY AND INTERNAL customer service. Partly because of her, this year our IT team also acCEPTED ITS VERY kRST WOMAN INTERN Their tribe is increasing, and I am certain we are better for it.

The author is a partner with the Risk Advisory group of Navarro Amper & Co., the local member kRM OF $ELOITTE 3OUTHEAST !SIA ,TD – a member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited – comprising Deloitte practices operating in Brunei, Cambodia, Guam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. shares listed is to save on taxes they pay to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)?

By the way, on April 5, 2019, the result of trading on April 5, 2019 showed only 19.76 million BHI common shares traded on April 5, 2019. These traded BHI common shares represent only 0.165 percent of 12 billion outstanding BHI common shares.

The same holds true with IMI. While IMI had 2.217 billion outstanding common shares, it reported on PSE website only 1.167 million IMI common shares were traded, which was equivalent to 0.0526 percent of 2.217 billion outstanding IMI common shares.

How come the two stocks are thinly traded despite their multi-billion outstanding common shares? Just asking.

Email: esdperez@gmail.com

Stock Watch

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

B3

MONDAY April 8, 2019

30-DAY STOCK PERFORMANCE

HIGH

LOW

AVERAGE

CLOSE

Q A Metro Retail department store. PHOTO FROM The Metro Stores Facebook Page

Metro Retail shares dip but still up year to date

M

ETRO Retail Stores Group Inc. saw its share price fall week-on-week as INVESTORS RESORTED TO PROkT TAKING FOLLOWING A YEAR TO DATE PEAK WHILE ALSO TAKING A NET PROkT DIP INTO ACCOUNT

Shares of MRSGI were down 1.5 PERCENT AT 0 EACH ON &RIDAY from a P3.32 close on March 29, but it was still up by 34 percent since the start of the year albeit slightly down FROM AN !PRIL PEAK OF 0 0HILSTOCKS &INANCIAL )NC RESEARCH associate Japhet Louis Tantiangco said investors chose to sell following the new high and also after the previous day’s disclosure of a 1.2 percent DIP IN THE kRM S NET INCOME MRSGI on Thursday reported P965.4 million in profits for the previous year, down from P977 million in 2017 and said to have been WEIGHED DOWN BY A kRE THAT HIT ITS supermarket and department store AT THE !YALA #ENTER IN #EBU The company’s shares fell by 4 percent that day to P3.12 from Wednesday’s P3.25 but then recov-

ERED PERCENT ON &RIDAY “Market players were probably EXPECTING BETTER kGURES AND WHEN the disclosure was released, the stock slipped,� Timson Securities Inc. trader Jervin de Celis said. “We can also assume that the stock is forming a support above P3.00. It has to stay above that in order for it to go back to P3.60 or even near P4.00,� he added.

Prospects for MRSGI remain bullish, Tantiangco said, noting that SLOWING INlATION WOULD BUOY THE COMPANY S kNANCES g-OVING FORWARD EASING INlATION will be of big help to the company since it means improving purchasing power on the part of consumers.

Indirectly, the company will also BENEkT FROM THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS due to the increase in peoples’

disposable incomes brought by the huge spending during the campaign period,� he said.

De Celis shared the same view, noting that consumer spending surged during the fourth quarter of 2018 and was expected to continue in 2019. “MRSGI can benefit from the EASING INlATION ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THE COMPANY S STRATEGY AND EFkCIENT management of inventory, margins, and variety of products in their malls are contributing to its sales growth,�

De Celis said.

MRSGI President and Chief OpERATING /FkCER -ANUEL !LBERTO HAS said that the company will continue to leverage on robust consumer spending and general economic

GD\ KLJK 3 GD\ ORZ 3

optimism to continue expanding in Luzon and the Visayas.

The company has just opened a department store and supermarket AT !YALA -ALLS &ELIZ IN 0ASIG #ITY AND AT !YALA #APITOL IN "ACOLOD #ITY The company is also scheduled to complete the reconstruction of ITS -ETRO !YALA #EBU STORE BY THE second half of 2019 and has inked a joint venture agreement with the Samar provincial government to develop a mixed-use property that will include another Metro department store and supermarket.

MRSGI now operates 54 stores in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and South Luzon as well as in Central, Western and the Eastern Visayas.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

0DUNHW FDSLWDOL]DWLRQ 3 2XWVWDQGLQJ VKDUHV

Date Apr 05, 2019 Apr 04, 2019 Apr 03, 2019 Apr 02, 2019 Apr 01, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 Mar 28, 2019 Mar 27, 2019 Mar 26, 2019 Mar 25, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Mar 21, 2019 Mar 20, 2019 Mar 19, 2019 Mar 18, 2019

Close 3.27 3.12 3.25 3.33 3.35 3.32 3.24 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.25 3.24 3.20 3.20 3.09

Date

Close

Mar 15, 2019 Mar 14, 2019 Mar 13, 2019 Mar 12, 2019 Mar 11, 2019 Mar 08, 2019 Mar 07, 2019 Mar 06, 2019 Mar 05, 2019 Mar 04, 2019 Mar 01, 2019 Feb 28, 2019 Feb 27, 2019 Feb 26, 2019 Feb 22, 2019

3.00 2.99 3.00 3.00 2.98 3.01 2.93 2.90 2.89 2.90 2.92 2.98 2.99 3.04 3.06

DPRXQWV LQ SHVR

PROFITABILITY Date Apr. 1 Apr. 2 Apr. 3 Apr. 4 Apr. 5

P/E ratio 11.96 11.89 11.61 11.14 11.68

P/E growth (%) 4.85 2016 789 0.23 2.08

1HW LQFRPH (DUQLQJV SHU VKDUH %RRN YDOXH SHU VKDUH

Price to book ratio 1.3189 1.3110 1.2795 1.2283 1.2874 2017 977 0.28 2.32

2018 965 0.28 2.54

1HW LQFRPH LQ PLOOLRQV DPRXQWV LQ SHVRV

FOURTH QUARTER REPORT NET INCOME P510,442,842

TOTAL ASSETS P13,868,459,104

TOTAL LIABILITIES P5,165,439,766

FINANCIAL CONDITION Year

Total Assets

Total Liabilities

2016 2017 2018

12,072,173,486 12,787,801,058 13,868,459,104

4,926,928,736 4,844,536,642 5,165,439,766

TOTAL EQUITY

FINANCIAL RATIOS

Shareholders’ Equity 7,145,244,750 7,943,264,416 8,703,019,338

Year 2016 2017 2018

Return on Assets (%) 6.54 7.64 6.96

P8,703,019,338

Return on Debt to Common Equity (%) Equity ratio ratio 11.05 0.6895 2.1440 12.30 0.6099 2.2022 11.09 0.5935 2.0085

FINANCIAL RATIOS Return on Assets 3.68% Return on Equity 5.87% Debt to Ety Ratio 0.5935 Common Ratio 2.0085

DPRXQWV LQ SHVRV

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Security Name Jollibee Foods Corporation Ayala Land, Inc. BDO Unibank, Inc. Ayala Corporation Bank of the Philippine Islands 0HWUR 3DFLÂżF ,QYHVWPHQWV &RUSRUDWLRQ Puregold Price Club, Inc.

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12 13

Alliance Global Group, Inc. PLDT, Inc.

Last Price 320 45 131.3 922 81.05 4.58 48.2

Chg 1.2 0.5 0.8 16.5 0.05 0.03 0.6

%Chg 0.38% 1.12% 0.61% 1.82% 0.06% 0.66% 1.26%

Volume 1,390,800 7,025,000 2,112,080 207,340 1,982,660 33,586,000 3,044,200

Value 445,013,356.00 315,374,940.00 277,533,292.00 189,532,030.00 161,272,256.50 154,519,300.00 146,865,305.00

79.9 12.84 1.64 2.02

0.9 0.26 0.09 0

1.14% 2.07% 5.81% 0%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

1,813,330 9,571,500 74,039,000 56,884,000

144,630,594.00 122,113,984.00 120,231,880.00 116,077,640.00

15.96 1,145.00

-0.04 -1

-0.25% -0.09%

Ĺş Ĺş

7,091,900 84,205

113,184,824.00 96,699,950.00

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Index

Value

Chg

%Chg

36(L

7,873.18

19.05

Ÿ

$OO 6KDUHV

4,846.99

14.37

Ÿ

Financials

1,742.17

9.82

Ÿ

Industrial

11,740.98

6.2

Ÿ

+ROGLQJ )LUPV

7,732.86

34.5

Ÿ

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1,591.47

5

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123.5

-0.3

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743,170

92,096,580.00

15 16 17

LT Group, Inc. 60 3ULPH +ROGLQJV ,QF 0DQLOD (OHFWULF &RPSDQ\

16.5 38.95 378.8

0.46 -0.55 2.8

2.87% -1.39% 0.74%

Ÿ ź Ÿ

5,178,200 2,111,700 206,890

85,375,168.00 82,845,365.00 78,323,582.00

18 19 20

Megaworld Corporation Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. 0DQLOD :DWHU &RPSDQ\ ,QF

5.68 7.24 23.65

0.03 0.06 0.05

0.53% 0.84% 0.21%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

13,080,200 9,940,100 2,896,500

74,136,401.00 71,590,572.00 68,396,350.00

Mining and Oil

7,734.29

9.11

Ÿ

Property

4,075.07

-6.2

Ĺş

SERVICES

6WRFN LQGLFHV DV RI $SULO

ALL SHARES

PSEi

MINING AND OIL

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TOP GAINERS

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date

Open

High

Low

Close

Apr 05, 2019 Apr 04, 2019 Apr 03, 2019 Apr 02, 2019 Apr 01, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 Mar 28, 2019 Mar 27, 2019 Mar 26, 2019 Mar 25, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Mar 21, 2019 Mar 20, 2019 Mar 19, 2019 Mar 18, 2019 Mar 15, 2019 Mar 14, 2019 Mar 13, 2019 Mar 12, 2019 Mar 11, 2019 Mar 08, 2019 Mar 07, 2019 Mar 06, 2019 Mar 05, 2019 Mar 04, 2019 Mar 01, 2019 Feb 28, 2019 Feb 27, 2019 Feb 26, 2019

7,866.41 7,892.62 7,880.48 7,854.35 7,923.16 7,891.09 7,897.72 7,915.91 7,875.30 7,994.34 7,956.67 7,875.78 7,848.16 7,863.70 7,794.58 7,748.07 7,741.78 7,725.62 7,728.22 7,815.28 7,868.50 7,806.50 7,674.56 7,700.38 7,631.90 7,711.70 7,919.99 7,962.10 7,996.15

7,886.63 7,897.61 7,895.06 7,893.50 7,923.83 7,920.93 7,898.47 7,915.91 7,910.69 7,994.34 8,032.40 7,954.72 7,875.62 7,878.80 7,873.02 7,798.28 7,763.97 7,766.15 7,773.61 7,823.80 7,884.46 7,881.79 7,821.34 7,734.71 7,698.44 7,754.45 7,919.99 7,972.69 7,996.15

7,866.41 7,835.74 7,860.51 7,854.35 7,809.61 7,887.47 7,856.09 7,840.64 7,869.43 7,808.32 7,951.06 7,869.31 7,823.60 7,843.41 7,760.51 7,701.74 7,718.77 7,724.79 7,728.22 7,708.72 7,797.11 7,795.21 7,674.56 7,667.14 7,595.92 7,587.99 7,705.49 7,877.63 7,945.03

7,873.18 7,854.13 7,895.06 7,879.21 7,840.31 7,920.93 7,876.40 7,861.05 7,907.03 7,863.02 8,013.42 7,954.72 7,858.20 7,843.41 7,873.02 7,798.28 7,750.42 7,766.15 7,747.54 7,708.72 7,797.11 7,881.79 7,821.34 7,670.62 7,675.47 7,641.77 7,705.49 7,889.12 7,988.16

CLOSE

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

Security Name Vulcan Industrial & Mining 2ULHQWDO 3HWUROHXP $QG 0LQHUDOV &RUSRUDWLRQ ³$´ 6\QHUJ\ *ULG 'HYHORSPHQW 3KLOV ,QF $QFKRU /DQG +ROGLQJV ,QF , 5HPLW ,QF *UHHQHUJ\ +ROGLQJV ,QFRUSRUDWHG 3KLQPD (QHUJ\ &RUSRUDWLRQ 'LVFRYHU\ :RUOG &RUSRUDWLRQ 3KLQPD 3HWUROHXP DQG *HRWKHUPDO ,QF 6KDNH\œV 3L]]D $VLD 9HQWXUHV ,QF Concepcion Industrial Corporation 0HWUR 5HWDLO 6WRUHV *URXS ,QF APC Group, Inc. AgriNurture, Inc. 6WD /XFLD /DQG ,QF )HUURQRX[ +ROGLQJV ,QF 'HO 0RQWH 3DFL¿F /LPLWHG /HLVXUH $QG 5HVRUWV :RUOG &RUSRUDWLRQ :DUUDQWV 6)$ 6HPLFRQ 3KLOLSSLQHV &RUSRUDWLRQ Cebu Air, Inc.

Volume 1.2 0.013 419.8 10.92 1.48 2.67 1.64 2.22 3.16 13.3 43.1 3.27 0.44 16.50 1.63 4.4 6.19 1.96 1.33 86

Value 0.13 0.001 29.8 0.68 0.09 0.15 0.09 0.12 0.17 0.7 2.05 0.15 0.02 0.62 0.06 0.15 0.19 0.06 0.04 2.5

Last Price Chg %Chg 12.15% 15,044,000 17,497,320.00 8.33% 3,800,000 47,200 7.64% 2,770 985,338 6.64% 1,200 13,090 6.47% 294,000 427,360 5.95% 14,129,000 37,061,280 5.81% 74,039,000 120,231,880 5.71% 5,000 11,100 5.69% 195,000 587,610 5.56% 1,759,400 23,035,118 4.99% 600 25,860 5% 3,112,000 10,123,970 4.76% 460,000 201,100 3.90% 646,300 10,567,160 3.82% 2,073,000 3,314,320 3.53% 209,000 917,990 3.17% 500 3,068 3.16% 72,000 137,890 3.10% 165,000 211,970 2.99% 261,430 22,293,899

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

Security Name =HXV +ROGLQJV ,QF Abra Mining & Industrial Corporation %HQJXHW &RUSRUDWLRQ ³%´ Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation 0DFD\ +ROGLQJV ,QF 0HWUR $OOLDQFH +ROGLQJV (TXLWLHV &RUS ³%´ $EDFRUH &DSLWDO +ROGLQJV ,QF 0HWUR $OOLDQFH +ROGLQJV (TXLWLHV &RUS ³$´ 2PLFR &RUSRUDWLRQ ,VODQG ,QIRUPDWLRQ DQG 7HFKQRORJ\ ,QF /RSH] +ROGLQJV &RUSRUDWLRQ /0* &KHPLFDOV &RUSRUDWLRQ 05& $OOLHG ,QFRUSRUDWHG 3ULPH[ &RUSRUDWLRQ %HQJXHW &RUSRUDWLRQ ³$´ 3DFL¿FD ,QF 7UDQVSDFL¿F %URDGEDQG *URXS ,QWHUQDWLRQDO ,QF -ROOLYLOOH +ROGLQJV &RUSRUDWLRQ $ 6RULDQR &RUSRUDWLRQ *0$ +ROGLQJV ,QF 3GU

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Volume 0.365 0.002 1.4 6.78 10.3 1.88 0.56 1.77 0.61 0.129 5.22 3.93 0.355 2.50 1.44 0.039 0.39 5.08 6.35 5.61

Value -0.02 -0.0001 -0.07 -0.32 -0.4 -0.07 -0.02 -0.06 -0.02 -0.004 -0.16 -0.12 -0.01 -0.07 -0.04 -0.001 -0.01 -0.12 -0.15 -0.13

Last Price Chg %Chg -5.19% 24,490,000 9,068,600.00 -4.76% 1,274,000,000 2,548,100 -4.76% 22,000 31,060 -4.51% 48,600 329,703 -3.74% 7,100 73,174 -3.59% 9,000 14,680 -3.45% 11,583,000 6,549,960 -3.28% 59,000 101,480 -3.17% 23,000 14,030 -3.01% 170,000 22,290 -2.97% 757,700 3,964,251 -3% 197,000 784,480 -2.74% 14,170,000 5,075,750 -2.72% 928,000 2,343,500 -2.70% 16,000 22,770 -2.50% 2,800,000 109,500 -2.50% 9,380,000 3,662,850 -2.31% 500 2,540 -2.31% 41,800 265,430 -2.26% 371,300 2,086,647

Corporate News in hot water Megaworld 2018 profit 8990 over internet deal climbs 17% to P15.8B M B4

˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY April 8, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

EGAWORLD Corp. reported a 17-percent jump in its net income last year, driven by double-digit growth in revenues.

In a statement issued during the weekend, Megaworld said net income, excluding a P113-million non-recurring gain, rose to P15.8 billion from the P13.6 billion reported in 2017. .ET PROkT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PARENT company also jumped by 17 percent to P15.2 billion from P13 billion.

Consolidated revenues increased by 15 percent to P57.4 billion, of which 66 percent was contributed by the residential business, 25 percent from rentals

and the rest from other segments.

The residential business alone saw an 11.5-percent growth in revenues to P38 billion, from P34.1 billion year-on-year.

The company launched 25 residential projects last year with a combined sales value of P106 billion. It also achieved P135 billion worth of reservation sales. “For our residential properties, we continue to see strong take-up especially in our mature townships, and there is already a consistently grow-

ing interest in our newly-launched townships,� Megaworld Chief StratEGY /FkCER +EVIN 4AN SAID The company said it already achieved 70 percent of its target of hitting P20 billion in rental income by 2020, booking P14.3 billion as of end-2018 from P11.8 billion a year earlier.

Megaworld last year opened its biggest mall development outside Metro Manila, the Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo Business Park, and two new community malls — San Lorenzo Place in Makati City and The Village Alabang in Las Piùas City.

The company also bagged a long-term lease contract — described as the biggest single least transaction to date in the Philippines — to build the 25-story

Philippine Global Service Center of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. “We have already secured mulTIPLE PRE LEASE DEALS FOR OUR OFkCE buildings as well that are in the pipeline until next year. Same goes to our mall and commercial spaces that are set to open in our various townships,� Tan said.

Last month, Megaworld partNERED WITH AFkLIATE %MPIRE %AST Land Holdings Inc. for a new P20billion township, the 24-hectare Highland City, which will rise on a former steel factory area along F. Felix Avenue in Cainta, Rizal.

-EGAWORLD SHARES kNISHED UP centavos or 0.53 percent to P5.68 on Friday amid a 0.24-percent rise for the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index.

Planters Products inks deal with Russian firm  AGRO-CHEMICAL kRM 0LANTERS Products Inc. (PPI) has sealed a deal with a Russian-owned company, Vigorous Alliance, that will provide local farmers access to low-cost fertilizers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Sunday.

The department said the P30-bilLION ARRANGEMENT WOULD kNALIZE ITS National Fertilizer Support Program.

A memorandum of agreement was signed by Vigorous Alliance CEO Merdan Gurbanov and PPI

President Rodel MaĂąara last April 4.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol said the program, to be implemented by the DA-supervised PPI, would provide FARMER BENEkCIARIES AT LEAST BAGS of interest-free fertilizer for every hectare starting October this year.

Fertilizers recommended by the Philippine Rice Research Institute will be distributed to local farmers at a price lower than the prevailing market price, he added.

With proper fertilization in

place, farmers could increase their rice output by at least two metric tons per hectare, PiĂąol said. g4HE IDENTIkCATION AND VALIDAtion of the rice farmers and their areas will start immediately. This will be undertaken in cooperation with the National Irrigation Administration, the Department of Agrarian Reform and the local government units,â€? the Agriculture chief said. “Each validated farmer will be issued the Juan Magsasaka Iden-

TIkCATION #ARD WHICH HE WILL USE in claiming his fertilizer supply.�

In a separate statement, PiĂąol said PPI’s fertilizer-on-credit program was in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive “to provide farmers with fertilizers.â€? “Since there is no available government funds for the program this year, the DA worked on the [private-to-private] arrangement between Vigorous Alliance and PPI,â€? he said.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

A SUBSTANTIAL kNE COULD BE slapped against mass housing developer 8990 Holdings, Inc. for allegedly mandating the use of a sole internet service provider (ISP) at a property in Tondo, Manila, competition authorities said over the weekend.

In a statement, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said a case was lodged last March 27 against Urban Deca Homes Manila Condominium Corp. and 8990 Holdings for “abuse of dominance ‌ on its residents and tenants, preventing them FROM AVAILING ALTERNATIVE kXED line ISPs.â€?

The anti-trust watchdog said a exclusive deal between Urban $ECA (OMES AND INTERNET kRM Itech Rar Solutions case violated Section of 15 of the Philippine Competition Act, which does not allow the abuse of dominant position.

A PCC representative told The Manila Times AN OFkCIAL SUMmons was delivered to 8990 Holdings last April 5 and that the kRM HAD YET TO REPLY #OMPANY representatives were also unavailable for comment. “This is a fair warning to businesses that resort to exclusive PARTNERSHIPS TO CORNER PROkT AND hinder the entry of other competitors in exercise of its market POWER u 0## %NFORCEMENT /FkCE Director Orlando P. Polinar said in the statement. “This act of abuse of dominance limits the choices made

available to residents and is a violation of the competition law.�

4HE ENFORCEMENT OFkCE WHICH serves as the PCC’s investigative AND PROSECUTORIAL ARM kLED THE case on behalf of the Urban Deca Homes residents who claimed that the service was “slow, expensive and unreliable.� “Residents complained that ‘Fiber to Deca Homes’ charges P1,249 for 2 Mbps (megabits per second), which is almost equivalent to a 5 Mbps plan from other service providers, while its 5 Mbps monthly plan of P2,599 only costs P1,299 from other networks,� the PCC said. “Its 6 Mbps service costs P2,949 which is equivalent to 50 Mbps from one ISP and almost the same price for 100Mbps from another ISP,� it added.

Polinar said the case aimed to “stop the property manager and developer from limiting the MARKET FOR kXED LINE INTERNET SO third-party providers may enter such market under reasonable terms and offer choices to the residents.�

Urban Deca Homes Manila is a 13-tower residential complex with over 13,000 units.

The PCC, a quasi-judicial body established in 2016 under the Philippine Competition Act of 2015, is tasked with initiating investigations into anti-competitive practices and reviewing mergers and acquisitions for possible adverse effects on competition.

TYRONE C. PIAD

Foreign Business

Fed faces politicization under Trump W ASHINGTON, D.C: The US Federal Reserve has regularly faced criticism from Donald Trump, but in recent days the president took matters into his own hands — raising concerns that the Fed is being politicized.

Not only did he again urge the Fed to lower interest rates, but he tapped two unconventional LOYALISTS TO kLL TWO EMPTY SEATS ON the Fed board.

Stephen Moore, 59, is a controversial economist and former Trump campaign adviser.

And Herman Cain, 73, previously served as a board member at the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank and is the former CEO of a pizza restaurant chain.

Cain, a candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination in the 2012 presidential election, suspended his campaign following allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied.

With the 2020 election looming, Trump often praises the health of the US economy — but on Friday he said that he wants it to take off like “a rocket ship.�

To make that happen, he urged THE &ED TO RESTART ITS POST kNANCIAL crisis “quantitative easing� pro-

Egypt on track to end fuel subsidies: IMF CAIRO: Egypt is on track to end subsidies on most fuels by June 15 as part of a reform programme led by the International Monetary Fund, the Washington-based body said Saturday.

The economy of the Arab world’s most populous country has suffered from political instability and security threats since the 2011 uprising that ousted long-time leader Hosni Mubarak.

Cairo secured a $12 billion, three-year loan package from the IMF in 2016.

Egyptian authorities “remain committed� to ending subsidies granted to limit prices at the pump, the IMF said in a new report.

The prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and fuels used in bakeries and for electricity generation would not be affected, it added.

Bread is a staple in Egypt and a price hike could spark further discontent in the face of continued economic woes.

The IMF said cutting the subsidies is “critical to encourage more efficient energy use� and to “create fiscal space for high-priority spending on health and education�.

The IMF in February approved the next $2 billion loan payment to Cairo, citing “substantial progress� made by Egyptian authorities on reforms, which have boosted growth and cut unemployment.

But IMF chief Christine Lagarde at the time also urged Egypt “to press ahead with structural reforms that facilitate private sector-led growth and job creation.�

The latest instalment brought the total paid to Egypt to about $10 billion since the loan deal was signed in November 2016.

AFP

gram of buying bonds to add liquidity to the economy.

Trump’s moves have alarmed some experts, but he is not alone in thinking the Fed went too far last year: some economists such as Joseph LaVorgna from Natixis think it tightened too much.

For Michael Gapen of Barclays Research, the president’s choices “could raise questions about the independence of the Federal Reserve and could be perceived as an attempted politicization of monetary policy.�

Tim Duy, economics professor at the University of Oregon and an expert on the central bank, told AFP that he believes “the threats to the Fed independence are at the highest in decades.�

Such pressure from the White House has not been seen since the 1970s. On the eve of his 1972 reelection, former president Richard Nixon pressed then Fed chair Arthur Burns to lower interest rates. “Donald Trump is very mad at (Fed chair) Jerome Powell and his colleagues for continuing to raise the interests rates (in 2018) and realizes he has a role to play here.

He can appoint whoever he wants to the Fed,� added Duy. At the beginning of his term, Trump had more traditional choices such as Richard Clarida or Randal Quarles, both US Treasury Department economists.

Trump’s chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow on Friday defended

the Wall Street Journal. “I guess I’m stuck with you,� Trump said saying during a phone call with Powell, the newspaper reported.

Most believe it is not legally possible for Trump to get rid of Powell, who can be replaced at the end of his term in three years.

Recently Powell, who cautiously ‘Stuck with you’ avoids commenting on the president’s complaints, insisted that he Trump replaced Janet Yellen, could not be dismissed by Trump. nominated by Barack Obama to “So far Fed watchers really beBE THE kRST WOMAN &ED CHAIR WITH lieved the Fed was going to be the Jerome Powell, a former invest- only agency that would be able to ment banker who was already on stand the turmoil of Washington the board of governors. and I think we are seeing it’s obviBut now Trump blames Treasury ously not true,� Duy said.

Secretary Steven Mnuchin for rec“It’s a wake-up call,� he said. ommending Powell, according to AFP

his boss’s approach. “It’s a free country and the president has a lot of well-informed opinions as a successful businessman and investor,� he said. “We are not pressuring. We are not going after their independence but we have our point of view.�

Chinese investors snap up Greek ‘Golden Visas’ ATHENS: Chinese investors led the socalled Golden Visa boom in Greece, where residence permits issued to nonE.U countries citizens grew 46 percent last year.

Other crisis-hit countries like Portugal and Spain have used the scheme for years to lure investors in a bid to stoke an economic recovery. Spending a minimum of 250,000 euros on A HOME IN 'REECE SECURES A kVE YEAR renewable visa.

According to the latest data from the

migration policy ministry published by the Kathimerini newspaper on Saturday, Chinese investors account for 58 percent of the residence permits issued from 2013.

Since the launch of the programme UNTIL THE END OF THE kRST TRIMESTER OF 2019, a total of 4,154 permits were issued.

Of these 1,399 were handed out last year, up from 961 in 2017.

Chinese investors have acquired 2,416 out of the 4,154 permits issued so

far. Russian citizens came second with 428, followed by Turks.

The European Commission published a report earlier this year, urging members to curb the practice of granting golden visas and passports to foreign investors.

It singled out Cyprus, Bulgaria and Malta for running schemes granting citizenship to foreign investors for anywhere between 500,000 euros ($570,000) and two million euros.

The report said wealthy candidates

for residency or citizenship do not face adequate security and background checks.

The Greek government brought last month a bill to the Parliament, broadening the criteria of the Golden Visa programme.

Non-EU nationals will now be grantED A kVE YEAR RESIDENCY PERMIT PROVIDED that they invest at least 400,000 euros in Greek companies or if they buy Greek bonds through a Greek bank of the same value.

AFP

WTO sides with Russia in landmark national security ruling GENEVA:Â The World Trade Organization ON &RIDAY ISSUED ITS kRST EVER RULING IN a dispute where national security was invoked to justify otherwise illegal trade restrictions, setting a precedent that could have implications for Washington.

The global trade body said that Russia had the right to invoke national security CONCERNS AS JUSTIkCATION FOR IMPOSING restrictions on road and rail transit of Ukrainian goods.

Kiev had brought the case against Moscow in September 2016, complaining that the Russian restrictions, imPOSED FOLLOWING kGHTING THAT BROKE OUT in 2014 after a popular uprising ousted

the pro-Kremlin president and Russia annexed Crimea, violated a range of international trade agreements.

In Friday’s ruling, a panel of experts set up by WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body acknowledged that if Russia had imposed the restrictions during normal times Ukraine would have had a case.

But it found that in light of the clear tensions between the two countries, Russia had the right to invoke national security concerns, meaning that Ukraine’s objections were moot. “As of 2014, there has existed a situation in Russia’s relations with Ukraine that constitutes an emergency in international relations,� and “each of the

measures at issue was taken in time of this emergency in international relations,� the panel concluded.

Some 13,000 people have been killed IN THE kGHTING IN EASTERN 5KRAINE SINCE 2014. &RIDAY S RULING IS SIGNIkCANT BECAUSE IT MARKS THE kRST TIME THE 74/ S $ISpute Settlement Body has arbitrated a case that involved its national security clause — known as Article 21 — which WAS kRST ENSHRINED AFTER 7ORLD 7AR )) IN the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

GATT was a predecessor to the WTO, which was established in 1995.

The fact that the WTO panel deter-

mined in Friday’s ruling that the agency has the “jurisdiction� to rule in cases where national security concerns are invoked could also have implications for a slew of cases brought against the United States.

Marking a departure from a decadeslong US-led drive for free trade, PresiDENT 4RUMP HAS JUSTIkED SLAPPING STEEP tariffs on some imports from a long line of countries with claims they threaten US national security.

He has based his move on a rarely used procedure in US trade legislation: article 232 which allows him to limit the import of certain products to protect national security.

AFP

World

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 8, 2019

B5

66 Thai polls winners risk disqualification

B

!.'+/+ %LECTION OFkCIALS IN 4HAILAND SAID 3UNDAY WINNING CANDIDATES IN LAST MONTH S ELECTIONS FACE POSSIBLE DISQUALIFICATION BECAUSE OF COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST THEM If any of the 66 candidates who won the most votes in their districts were disqualified, it would directly affect the final

election results, including the number of party-list seats each party was awarded according to a complex formula related to

their share of the overall popular vote, said Election Commissioner Pakorn Mahannop. “We are quickly processing this, every day, no days off,� he said.

4HE COMMISSION HAS COME under heavy public criticism over alleged mismanagement of THE NATION S kRST ELECTIONS SINCE a military coup in 2014. It is accused of releasing delayed and

inconsistent results.

4HE kNAL CERTIkED VOTE TALLIES ARE due on May 9. No party won a majorITY ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY kGURES /N 4HURSDAY THE %LECTION #OMmission ordered a recount of votes and new elections in some polling AREAS AFTER kNDING IRREGULARITIES IN the March 24 polls.

Pakorn said it ordered new elections to take place in six polling

stations because it found there were missing ballots. g%VEN IF WE kND THAT THERE WAS only one missing ballot, we have to order a new election,� Pakorn said.

4HE ELECTION WAS FOR SEATS IN the lower house of Parliament. Of those, 350 seats are set aside for the winner of each constituency, while another 150 are party-list seats.

Pakorn said there was only one

formula to calculate the number of party-list seats as stipulated in the military-drafted constitution, despite some reports that other formulas had also been announced.

Pakorn said the Election Commission would be able to announce the allocation of party-list seats for each party “within 10 minutes� once the final voting results become clear.

AP

Pakistan releases 360 Indian fishers ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign ministry announced that authorities would release 360 Indian prisonERS DETAINED FOR kSHING ILLEGALLY IN the country’s territorial waters in the Arabian sea, a move aimed at easing tensions with New Delhi.

Mohammad Faisal, ministry spokesman, told reporters that Indian prisoners would be freed in four batches starting April 15.

Pakistani and Indian maritime agencies frequently arrest each other’s fishers on charges of ilLEGAL kSHING 4HE DETAINEES OFTEN languish in prison until such

goodwill gestures are shown from either side.

Friday’s announcement came hours before Pakistan’s military accused India of “unprovoked� kRING IN THE DISPUTED (IMALAYAN region of Kashmir, wounding six people, including four children.

On Monday, Pakistani and )NDIAN SOLDIERS ALSO TRADED kRE IN Kashmir, leaving seven Pakistanis and three Indians dead. Both sides blamed each other for initiating gunfire in the region, which is split between them and claimed by both in its entirety.

AP

Cambodia truck crash seriously injures 12 KAMPONG Speu Provincial Court on Saturday interned and filed charges against one of the truck drivers involved in the accident that injured 12 garment workers, eight seriously, according to report yesterday.

Men Vannak, vice deputy court director and investigating judge at Kampong Speu Provincial Court, has charged 25-year-old Sam Chanthy with reckless driving under Article 83 of the Road 4RAFkC ,AW g) ORDER THE DETAINment of Mr. Chanthy in KamPONG 3PEU PRISON 4HE PRISON warden must hold the accused until otherwise ordered.�

According to reports, the accident occurred at about 6:30 a.m.

ON 4HURSDAY 4HE TRUCK WAS TAKING

49 workers to their factory when it side-swiped another truck. Five women lost their arms because they held the side of the truck to brace themselves.

Sam Chanthy was arrested at the scene, but the other driver got away and is being searched for by the provincial police.

Chek Borin, director of the 0ROVINCIAL ,ABOR $EPARTMENT

told +HMER 4IMES ON 4HURSDAY that 12 workers were injured, EIGHT SERIOUSLY 4HEY WERE SENT TO #ALMETTE (OSPITAL "ASED ON THE ,ABOR -INISTRY S ANNUAL REPORT

TRAFkC ACCIdents involving garment workers were recorded in 2018, resulting in 40 deaths and 1,854 injuries.

KHMER TIMES

DISPLEASURE

Indian students hold placards as they take part in a protest rally over a range of issues, including lack of jobs, investment in the education sector and autonomy of universities in New Delhi, India. The protesters said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who swept to power in 2014, failed in his promise to build a business-friendly manifesto that will result in reduced tuition and lower prices of basic commodities. AFP PHOTO

VERY COLD WIND TO HIT NORTHWEST CHINA A NEW wave of very cold wind would sweep across most parts of China, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall, the country’s national observatory said Sunday.

Affected by the cold front, most areas in northwest China would

see strong winds from Sunday to Wednesday, with the temperature dropping by 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

Areas in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region, Inner Mongolia

Autonomous Region and Gansu PROVINCE WILL ALSO BE HIT BY lOATing sand and dust on Sunday, the NMC said.

It also said rainfall would hit central and eastern China from -ONDAY TO 4HURSDAY DUE TO THE

COLD FRONT 4HE PROVINCES OF 3ICHuan and Guizhou should expect moderate to heavy rain.

Small to moderate rain should be expected in parts of northern #HINA FROM -ONDAY TO 4UESDAY

the center added. GLOBAL TIMES

12 more killed in Taliban assault in Afghanistan Afghan relics set for KABUL, Afghanistan: 4HE 4ALIBAN BEsieged an Afghan government and army compound in a remote western province for a second day, killing at least 12 more troops, acCORDING TO LOCAL OFkCIALS WHO ISSUED a dramatic warning, saying those inside the compound were running out of ammunition.

4HE LATEST FATALITIES BROUGHT THE overall death toll for the assault in Badghis province to at least 32 Afghan soldiers and police officers. Many more had been wounded and the area was cut off, said Mohammad Nasir Nazari, a provincial councilmember.

Nazari said that according to soldiers inside the base in the district of Bala Murghab, roughly 2,000 4ALIBAN FIGHTERS ARE INVOLVED IN

the attack, with about 600 Afghan troops and members of the security forces inside. g4HEY ARE RUNNING OUT OF EVERYthing — ammunition, water and food,� said Nazari.

Abdul Waris Sherzad, a district CHIEF SAID LOCAL OFkCIALS AND RESIDENTS were disappointed that North Atlantic 4REATY /RGANIZATION FORCES AND THE Afghan government have not helped.

But Defense Ministry spokesman Qais Mangal denied that, saying reinforcements and supplies had been airlifted to Badghis the previous day and that more would be dispatched ‘’as soon as possible.’’ 4HE BRAZEN 4ALIBAN ATTACK FIRST began before dawn on Friday, April 5, when the insurgents stormed all the security posts around the gov-

ernment compound and killed at LEAST SOLDIERS AND POLICE OFkCERS Fighting continued throughout the day and overnight and into Sunday, .AZARI SAID 4ALIBAN SPOKESMAN Qari Yousf Ahmadi claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement sent to the media. )T WAS THE LATEST ATTACK BY THE 4ALIBAN who target Afghan forces on a daily basis even as they hold talks with US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Khalilzad was in Islamabad on Friday and met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other 0AKISTANI OFkCIALS (E HAD VISITED +Abul earlier this week where he lobbied for “intra-Afghan dialogue� — talks that would encompass prominent !FGHAN kGURES GOVERNMENT REPRESENtatives and the opposition, as well as

THE 4ALIBAN According to the foreign ministry, Qureshi assured Khalilzad of Islamabad’s continued support for the ongoing Afghan peace process.

Khalilzad has held several rounds OF TALKS WITH THE 4ALIBAN MOST REcently last month in Qatar where both sides said progress had been made. But despite the talks, the 4ALIBAN STILL INlICT STAGGERING CAsualties on Afghan forces and now hold sway over half of the country.

4HE INSURGENTS REFUSE TO TALK DIRECTLY with the government in Kabul, considering it a US puppet.

Washington wants Islamabad TO ENCOURAGE THE 4ALIBAN TO HOLD direct talks with Kabul but the insurgents have shown no flexibility on that stance.

AP

display in museum

AROUND 230 relics from Afghanistan are now on a China TOUR AND WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT 4SINGHUA 5NIVERSITY !RT -Useum from April 18 to June 23.

Divided into four series based on the sites from where they were excavated, these items represent cultural heritage FROM THE "RONZE !GE THE (ELLENISTIC PERIOD AND THE +USHAN dynasty, as well as the period between the invasion of the Yuezhi people and the establishment of the Kushan dynasty.

4HEY ARE WITNESSES TO THE INTEGRATION AND MINGLING OF ANcient civilizations, says a post on the website of the museum.

4HE RELICS WERE UNEARTHED BEFORE THE 3OVIET INVASION OF Afghanistan in 1979 and survived the war by being hidden in secret vaults under the central bank building in Kabul before they reappeared in 2003.

4HE TREASURES HAVE BEEN EXHIBITED IN MORE THAN museums in France, Italy, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Germany, Britain, Australia, Japan and 3OUTH +OREA SINCE /CTOBER 4HEY STARTED A TOUR IN China in March 2017.

GLOBAL TIMES

India’s populous state sees loss for Modi

SHOW OF FORCE

Supporters of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto in Indonesia and his running mate Sandiaga Uno attend a campaign rally at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta Sunday. Some 192 million Indonesians are set to vote in the world’s third-biggest democracy on April 17, with a record 245,000 candidates vying for positions from the president to parliamentary seats all the way down to local council posts.

AFP PHOTO

LUCKNOW, India: Political archrivals in India’s most populous state rallied together on Sunday, asking voters to support a new alliance created with the express purpose of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The low caste-dominated Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP), which holds sway among a section of socalled “backward� castes and Muslims, have decided to contest elections in vote-rich Uttar Pradesh state in a rainbow coalition headed by BSP President Mayawati.

The alliance could pose a real challenge to the BJP in the five weeks of polling that begin this week, experts say. “Even though caste

discrimination has been officially banned in India, caste continues to be the driving force as it shapes the way people vote during elections,� said Giri Institute of Development Studies researcher Nomita Kumar.

In Uttar Pradesh, lowercaste people comprise 22 percent of the population, “backward� people are 45 percent and 19 percent are Muslims. The remaining 14 percent are upper caste. “Arithmetically the alliance between Mayawati and Akhilesh seems very potent. They have numbers under their belt and if voters vote as per these parties, the alliance will sweep Uttar Pradesh,�

Kumar said.

Out of 80 seats up for grabs in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament, Mayawati’s BSP will contest

38, while SP will contest 37 seats. Another regional party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal, will contest three seats. The alliance has decided not to field candidates against leaders of the main opposition Congress party, whose president, Rahul Gandhi, is running from the city of Amethi. His mother, Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, is standing from Rae Bareli.

Like elsewhere in India, Modi and the BJP swept parliamentary elections in Uttar Pradesh in 2014, winning about 43 percent of the votes and 71 out of 80 seats.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu monk-turned-BJP politician, was quick to dismiss the alliance as an “unnatural� attempt to undercut “Modi magic.� AP

B6

World

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 8, 2019

UK’s Brexit won’t pass in near future – May L /.$/. "RITISH 0RIME -INISTER 4HERESA -AY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE GOVERNMENT S STRATEGIES TO GET HER "REXIT DEAL APPROVED IN 0ARLIAMENT FAILED SAYING THERE S LITTLE PROSPECT LAWMAKERS WOULD BACK THE THRICE REJECTED DIVORCE AGREEMENT gIN THE NEAR FUTURE u With the UK once again days away from a deadline for leaving the European Union (EU), May pressured opposition lawmakers to help her find a compromise agreement instead, saying voters “expect their politicians to work together when the national interest demands it.�

After May’s deal with the EU OUT FOR A THIRD TIME IN THE (OUSE of Commons, the Prime Minister INVITED THE OPPOSITION ,ABOR 0ARTY this week to discuss alternatives.

But three days of talks ended with no agreement and the leftOF CENTER ,ABOR ACCUSING -AY S Conservative government of not offering real change. “I haven’t noticed any great change in the government’s posiTION SO FAR u ,ABOR ,EADER *EREMY Corbyn said Saturday. “I’m waiting to see the red lines move.� ,ABOR FAVORS A SOFTER FORM OF Brexit than the government has ADVOCATED 4HE PARTY SAYS "RITAIN should remain closely bound to

EU trade rules and maintain the bloc’s standards in areas such as workers’ rights and environmental protection.

Britain is due to leave the EU on Friday unless May can secure another delay from the EU, which already agreed to postpone the Brexit day originally set for March 29.

May now is asking for Britain’s departure to be pushed back until June 30, hoping to reach A COMPROMISE WITH ,ABOR AND a deal through Parliament in a matter of weeks. g4HE LONGER THIS TAKES THE GREATer the risk of the UK never leaving at all,� May said in a statement.

But EU leaders favor a longer delay to avoid another round of cliff-edge preparations and politics. And they say the UK needs to

put forward a concrete plan to end the stalemate to get any further postponement.

An extension requires unanimous approval from the 27 remaining leaders, some of whom are fed up with Brexit uncertainty and reluctant to prolong it further. ,AST MONTH THE %5 GAVE "RITain until April 12 to approve the withdrawal agreement it reached with May’s government, to change course and seek a further delay to Brexit, or to crash out of the EU with no deal in place or transition period to cushion the shock.

4HE LEADERS OF %5 MEMBER countries are due to meet in Brussels on April 10,—two days before the April 12 deadline—to consider Britain’s request for a second extension.

AP

Libyan rebel forces capture Tripoli airport BENGHAZI, Libya: Forces loyal to rival ,IBYAN ARMY COMMANDER +HALIFA (IFTER SAID 3UNDAY THEY SEIZED control of the main airport in ,IBYA S CAPITAL 4RIPOLI TWO DAYS AFTER (IFTER ORDERED HIS FORCES TO SEIZE THE SEAT OF ,IBYA S 5NITED Nations-backed government.

(IFTER S MEDIA OFkCE SAID IN A post online that they took full CONTROL OF THE 4RIPOLI INTERNATIONAL airport and were working to secure THE FACILITY 4HEY POSTED PHOTOS of troops apparently inside the airport, saying “we are standing AT THE HEART OF THE 4RIPOLI INTERNAtional airport.�

(IFTER S OFFENSIVE ON 4RIPOLI could plunge the oil-rich country into another spasm of violence, possibly the worst since the 2011 civil war that toppled and later killed longtime dictator Moammar 'ADHAk 4HE COUNTRY IS GOVERNED

BY RIVAL AUTHORITIES 4HE INTERNAtionally backed government in 4RIPOLI AND THE GOVERNMENT IN THE EAST WHICH (IFTER IS ALIGNED with. Each is backed by an array of militias.

Fayez Sarraj, chairman of the 0RESIDENTIAL #OUNCIL OF ,IBYA

said his government had offered CONCESSIONS TO (IFTER gTO AVOID bloodshed and to end divisions�

AND WAS SURPRISED BY (IFTER S ORDER to take the capital. “We were stabbed in the back,� he said Saturday in televised comments, adding that his forces WOULD CONFRONT (IFTER S TROOPS with “force and determination.�

4HE 4RIPOLI AIRPORT HAS NOT BEEN FUNCTIONAL SINCE kGHTING IN destroyed much of the facility.

4HE MEDIA OFFICE SAID THAT troops also captured the area of 7ADI EL 2ABEIA SOUTH OF 4RIPOLI

amid clashed with militias loyal to Sarraj.

Ahmed al-Mesmari, spokesman FOR THE SELF STYLED ,IBYAN .ATIONAL !RMY LED BY (IFTER SAID TROOPS HAD BEEN KILLED SINCE (IFTER DECLARED THE OFFENSIVE (E SAID RIVAL militias launched four airstrikes 3ATURDAY TARGETING (IFTER S POSITION in the town of al-Aziziya, but that no casualties had been reported. !L -ESMARI SAID (IFTER S FORCES DECLARED 4RIPOLI A NO FLY ZONE for warplanes.

(IFTER ANNOUNCED 4HURSDAY HE was deploying his forces toward 4RIPOLI SPARKING FEARS THAT THE tensions could be escalating out of control as militias from the western cities of Zawiya and Misarata said that they had mobilized to CONFRONT (IFTER AP

Trump loss in ‘20 can ‘leave Israel behind’

PICK YOUR WEAPON

Several rifles are displyed during the recently held 45th Arms Trade Fair in Lucerne, Switzerland. The country, where gun culture has deep roots, has managed to avoid the national debates in many countries surrounding firearm ownership due to shooting rampage. AFP PHOTO

Rwanda marks 800,000 genocide deaths KIGALI: Rwanda on Sunday begins one hundred days of mourning for over 800,000 people slaughtered in a genocide that shocked the world, a quarter of a century on from the day it began.

President Paul Kagame will start a week of commemoration activities by lighting a remembrance lAME AT THE +IGALI 'ENOCIDE -Emorial, where more than 250,000 victims are believed to be buried, MAINLY FROM THE 4UTSI PEOPLE

4HEY ARE ONLY SOME OF THOSE KILLED BY THE GENOCIDAL (UTU forces, members of the old army and militia forces called the “Interahamwe,� that began their bloody campaign of death on April 7, 1994, the day after the assassination of President Juvenal (ABYARIMANA A (UTU Some were shot, while most were beaten or hacked by machetes.

4HE KILLINGS LASTED UNTIL +AGAME

THEN LED THE MAINLY 4UTSI

Worldinbrief 150-YEAR-OLD HEART IN NY FOR DISPLAY NEW YORK: The 150-year-old heart of a French priest is on a US tour — a Roman Catholic relic with New York City as its latest stop. It was on display Saturday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, where both the faithful and the curious lined up to see the human organ behind glass. The Knights of Columbus fraternity is sponsoring the pilgrimage of this heart, which has been to 28 states so far, with more coming up. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, is to lead a Sunday procession venerating the heart of Saint John Vianney, who was a priest in the southern French town of Ars, outside Lyon. He lived during the French Revolution, helping to hide priests on the run.

AP

VENEZUELA POWER STRUGGLE WORSENS CARACAS, Venezuela: Rival political factions took to the streets across Venezuela on Saturday in a mounting struggle for control of the crisis-wracked nation, where US — backed opposition leader Juan GuaidĂł is attempting to oust socialist President NicĂłlas Maduro. It was the first march GuaidĂł has led since Maduro loyalists stripped him of legal protections he’s granted as a congressman, opening a path to prosecute and possibly arrest him for allegedly violating the constitution. The rallies also follow crippling power failures that left most of the country scrambling in the dark for days and without running water or phone service, which Maduro blamed on “terroristsâ€? acts launched by political opponents.

AP

BRAZIL PRESIDENT STRUGGLES IN 1ST 100 DAYS RIO de Janeiro: Since taking power on a pledge to trash corrupt “old politics,�

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s first months have been marred by chaos and blunders that have eroded support for the far-right leader and put the brakes on his reforms. The brash ex-army captain — nicknamed the “Trump of the tropics� for his admiration of the US president — is struggling to make good on his key election promises to kick-start Latin America’s biggest economy and stamp out corruption. As Bolsonaro prepares to mark the symbolic milestone of 100 days in

Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) into Kigali on July 4, ending the slaughter and taking control of the devastated country.

Kagame, now 61 and who has been in power ever since, will lead the memorial to the dead. !FTER LIGHTING THE lAME +AGAME is expected to make a key speech at the Kigali Convention Center, a dome-shaped auditorium in the centre of the capital, a modern building emblematic of the regen-

eration of Rwanda since the dark days of 1994.

Kagame will then preside over a vigil at the country’s main FOOTBALL GROUND 4HE !MAHORO National Stadium — whose name means “peace� in Rwanda’s Kinyarwanda language — was used by the United Nations during the genocide to protect THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OF THE 4UTSI minority from being massacred on the streets outside.

AFP

office on Wednesday, analysts say the euphoria of his October victory that ended decades of center-left rule is evaporating.

AFP

NETANYAHU VOWS TO SETTLE WEST BANK ISSUE JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Saturday to annex settlements in the occupied West Bank if he wins the upcoming general election. His comments come just days before the closely-fought April 9 poll and could be seen as an appeal to rightwing voters, who do not believe in the feasibility of a peace agreement with the Palestinians. “I will apply [Israeli] sovereignty, but I don’t distinguish between settlement blocs and isolated settlements,� he said in an interview with Channel 12 television.

AFP

1 DEAD, 11 HURT IN BALCONY COLLAPSE A 70 year-old woman died on the scene and another 11 people were injured when part  of a new house came crashing down on the assembled guests of the housewarming party on Saturday morning (April 6) in Kampong Cham province’s Cheung Prey district. The National Police report stated that at some time during the celebration the struts holding the balcony and part of the floor of the new house buckled.

The falling balcony caused massive injuries to the victims. The cause of the collapse is yet uncertain, but it may well be shoddy workmanship. “The accident left one dead and 11 seriously injured,� the report said. Nhel, the septuagenarian, died before she could be taken to a hospital.

KHMER TIMES

LAS VEGAS: 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP warned on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) that a Democratic victory in 2020 could “leave Israel out there,� as he highlighted his proIsrael actions in an effort to make the case for Jewish voters to back his reelection.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Republican Jewish CoaliTION 4RUMP TOUTED HIS PRECEDENT shredding actions to move the US %MBASSY TO *ERUSALEM FROM 4EL Aviv and recognition last month of Israeli sovereignty over the disPUTED 'OLAN (EIGHTS A STRATEGIC plateau that Israel seized from Syria in 1967. “We got you something that you WANTED u 4RUMP SAID OF THE EMbassy move, adding, “Unlike other presidents, I keep my promises.�

4HE GROUP BACKED BY 2EPUBLIcan mega donor Sheldon Adelson, SUPPORTED 4RUMP S CAMPAIGN and is preparing to spend millions on his 2020 effort. “I know that the Republican Jewish Coalition will help lead

our party to another historic vicTORY u 4RUMP SAID g7E NEED MORE 2EPUBLICANS ,ET S GO SO WE CAN win everything.�

Jewish voters in the US have traditionally sided heavily with Democrats — and are often ideologically liberal — but Republicans are hoping to narrow the gap next YEAR IN PART AS 4RUMP CITES ACTIONS that he says demonstrate support for Israel.

4HE *EWISH $EMOCRATIC #OUNCIL of America (JDCA) on Saturday said American Jews leaving the Democratic Party were a Republican fantasy. g4RUMP S PRESIDENCY HAS ONLY SOLIDIkED THE FACT THAT THE $EMOcratic Party has been — and will remain — the political home of the American Jewish electorate,� *$#! %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR (ALIE 3OIFER SAID IN A STATEMENT g4HIS IS BECAUSE 4RUMP S POLICIES AND RHETOric are antithetical to Jewish values, and because anti-Semitism has increased to unprecedented levels due TO 4RUMP S DIVISIVE WORDS POLICIES and willful blindness.’’ AP

Dutch completes 95,000-km car trip SYDNEY: A Dutchman completed an epic 95,000-kilometer (59,000 mile) journey by electric car in Sydney Sunday in a bid to prove the viability of such vehicles in tackling climate change.

7IEBE 7AKKER DROVE HIS RETROkTTED STATION WAGON NICKNAMED g4HE Blue Bandit� across 33 countries in what he said was the world’s longest-ever journey by electric car.

4HE TRIP FROM THE .ETHERLANDS to Australia took just over three years and was funded by public donations from around the world, including electricity to charge the Bandit, food and a place to sleep.

Wakker drove across a variety of countries and environments, inCLUDING 4URKEY )RAN )NDIA -YANmar, Malaysia and Indonesia, with

the route determined by the offers he received on his website. “I wanted to change people’s opinions and inspire people to start driving electric by showing the advantages of sustainable mobility,� Wakker said. “If one man can drive to the other side of the world in an electric car, then EVs (electric vehicles) should DEkNITELY BE VIABLE FOR DAILY USE u Wakker said before the car was modified, it would have used 6,785 liters (1,800 US gallons) of petrol to complete the journey.

4HE MODIkED VEHICLE CAN TRAVel 200 kilometers on a single charge, with Wakker saying he spent just $300 on electricity, much of it in the remote desert Outback of Australia.

AFP

ETHIOPIANS BID FAREWELL TO HUSSLE ADDIS Ababa: With poems and speeches, Ethiopians have held an emotional farewell for murdered rapper Nipsey Hussle, whose roots in neighbouring Eritrea won him admirers in both countries. Known for his Grammy-nominated debut album, Hussle was shot dead last week in front of the clothing store he owned in the US city of Los Angeles, whose violence-plagued neighbourhoods he had tried to revitalise. On Friday, 29-year-old Eric Holder pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder over the shooting that also wounded two other men. At the Saturday evening memorial in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Hussle was remembered as a rare entertainer who bridged his American upbringing with his roots in the Horn of Africa.

AFP

SUCCESS

Wiebe Wakker celebrates after successfully completing his 95,000-kilometer journey aboard his retrofitted station wagon nicknamed ‘The Blue Bandit’ that runs on electricity. AFP PHOTO

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Red Cross appeals for support as more requests for water supply draw in WHILE the water crisis in Metro Manila has abated, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to receive requests to augment water supply, especially in communities affected by the El Niùo PHENOMENON 02# #HAIRMAN 2ICHARD Gordon expressed concern over the health and economic issues that may rise due to lack of access to clean and safe water in provinces experiencing dry spell, including Catanduanes, Cebu, Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga 3IBUGAY 3ARANGANI AND 0ANGASINAN g)T IS NO JOKE NOT TO HAVE WATER 7E SAW it in the water crisis in Manila, where PEOPLE BECOME VULNERABLE TO DISEASES The worst may happen in provinces as livelihood opportunities are interrupted by the phenomenon,� Gordon SAID )N A LETTER ADDRESSED TO 'ORDON dated March 21, Virac, Catanduanes Mayor Samuel Laynes requested PRC’s support in providing water tankers, WATER BLADDERS kLTRATION SYSTEMS AND technical personnel to address the

WATER SHORTAGE IN THE AREA ,ANAO $EL Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Alonto !DIONG *R ALSO REQUESTED THE USE OF PRC’s water tankers stationed at the ,ANAO DEL 3UR -ARAWI #HAPTER $ATA from the Pagasa show that Lanao Del Sur and Catanduanes are among the 72 provinces that will likely experience dry condition, dry spell, and drought THIS SUMMER In Metro Manila, PRC continues to provide safe and clean water to communities affected by the water crisis in -ETRO -ANILA 3INCE -ARCH 02# HAS DISTRIBUTED

LITERS OF WATER IN HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITIES 4HE number of water tankers deployed has ALSO DOUBLED FROM SIX TO

Travellers’ revenue up 17% in 2018 TRAVELLERS International Hotel 'ROUP )NC 4)(') OWNER AND operator of Resorts World Manila 27- REPORTED 0 BILLION IN gross revenues for 2018 in its audited CONSOLIDATED kNANCIAL RESULTS A percent increase from the previous year driven by both gaming and NON GAMING SEGMENTS %ARNINGS before interest, tax, depreciation and AMORTIZATION %")4$! AND NET PROkT ENDED THE YEAR AT 0 BILLION AND 0 BILLION RESPECTIVELY Travellers’ gross gaming revenues saw a 17 percent increase supported by the sustained growth in all gaming segMENTS ,IKEWISE NON GAMING REVENUES rose by 17 percent to a record high of 0 BILLION 0ROPERTY VISITATION INcreased by 11 percent averaging 28,500 per day while average occupancy rate for the four hotels--Marriott Hotel Manila, Maxims Hotel, Hilton Manila, and Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City--was 79 percent with a total ROOM COUNT OF

“The improved performance was

helped by the opening of the ground lOOR GAMING AT THE 'RAND 7ING AS WELL as the launch of Hilton Manila and the Sheraton Manila Hotel,� said Kingson 3IAN PRESIDENT AND #%/ OF 27- g"OTH HOTELS ADDED A TOTAL OF ROOMS TO THE COMPANY S HOTEL PORTFOLIO u The Grand Wing will have three INTERNATIONAL LUXURY HOTELS )N ADDItion to Hilton Manila which opened in October 2018, the Sheraton Manila Hotel is already on its soft opening, and the Hotel Okura Manila will open this year, bringing the Grand Wing hotel room count to approxiMATELY )T WILL INCLUDE NEW GAMing, entertainment, and retail spaces, AS WELL AS SIX BASEMENT PARKING DECKS “When the Grand Wing is fully operational, RWM will be the largest and most versatile integrated resort in the country offering our customers THRILLING EXPERIENCES u SAID 3IAN Once construction works on all hotels are completed, RWM will have the highest number of hotel rooms for A SINGLE PROPERTY IN THE 0HILIPPINES

MONDAY April 8, 2019

Public Square

B7

DBM leads Open Government Week celebration

Q Members of the PH-OGP Secretariat and the International OGP Support Unit take a group photo with the workshop participants.

A

NCHORED on the global celebration of the Open Government Week, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), as the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Chair and Secretariat, led the conduct of a workshop entitled, “From Potential to Concrete Transformative Impact: a PH-OGP Orientation and Co-Creation Workshop,� on -ARCH AT THE $"- #ENTRAL /FkCE The workshop aimed to provide an avenue to deepen the PH-OGP Co-Creation dialogue and workshop with different stakeholders from government and non-government sectors towards FULkLLING COMMITMENTS TO ENHANCE transparency, accountability, and

CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT IN GOVERNANCE Assistant Secretary Rolando Toledo of the Fiscal Planning and ReFORMS "UREAU OF THE $"- OFkCIALLY opened the event and, at the same time, introduced the new PH-OGP website: HTTP OGP DBM GOV PH The online portal “serves as our more open and accessible platform that gives anyone access to relevant information on the PH-OGP process, news and events, and other important RESOURCES u !SEC 4OLEDO SAID 4HE morning session was dedicated to providing a comprehensive overview of the PH-OGP initiative and leveling off on the new development process FOR THE COUNTRY S NEXT /'0 PLAN

Following this, Ivygail Ong of the International OGP Support Unit led the facilitation of a workshop which aimed to deepen the co-creation dialogue USING A PROBLEM DRIVEN APPROACH In previous national action plans, the crafting of commitments was mainly led by government, and civil society would become involved later into the process for the design of the commitments PROPOSED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES The Philippines’ National Action Plan (NAP) for 2019-2021, which is currently in development, is the result of a planning process that began with regional consultations with the non-government sector,

which is a major shift from the OLD GOVERNMENT CENTRIC PROCESS The result of these consultations is the OGP Citizens Agenda which was submitted to the Government 3ECRETARIAT AT $"- IN *ANUARY The co-creation workshop coincided with the Global Open Government Week which ran from March 11-17, 2019, and was conducted in coordination with the International /'0 3UPPORT 5NIT FOR !SIA 0ACIkC It was attended by a total of 100 participants from national government agencies, civil society, academe, private sector, and public sector unions, civic tech community, AMONG OTHERS

Fresnedi turns over multi-purpose covered court to Munti HS

MUNTINLUPA Mayor Jaime Fresnedi leads the turn-over ceremony of a Multi-Purpose Covered Court to Poblacion

National High School principal the community of Southville 3, $EAN (ERMOSO ON -ARCH .(!

0OBLACION 4HE 0 - COVERED COURT IS Hermoso lauds the local govset to serve students of PNHS and ernment and Mayor Fresnedi for

his assistance to the schools in THE CITY *OINING THE CEREMONY WERE LOCAL OFkCIALS AND 0.(3 '04! MEMBERS

Pilmico turns over modern research and training facility to Central Mindanao

PH nickel sector forges roadmap to the future THE Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) anticipates the growing nickel demand from electronic vehicles, stainless steel, transportation, infrastructure and other energy sectors in the future as it held the “Nickel Initiative 2019� (NI) on March 18 TO 4HE PIONEERING CONFERENCE IS organized in partnership with the International Nickel Study Group (INSG), CRU Consulting Group for Southeast Asia (CRU), Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP), European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and University of the Philippines Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering (UPDMMME) to discuss the future of nickel consumption with the theme “Nickel Initiative 2019: Shaping ToMORROW 4OGETHER u g4HIS IS A PIVOTAL moment for the Philippines where we RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIkCANCE OF THE LOCAL nickel industry and its greater role in THE GLOBAL NICKEL LANDSCAPE 7E ARE very proud to be at the forefront of this discussion and we see this as the best time to discuss how we can weave a long-term plan to make the industry

sustainable and inclusive,� emphasizes Atty Dante Bravo, president of THE 0.)! 4HE .ICKEL )NITIATIVE SEEKS to explore global trends and opportunities in the nickel-consuming sectors and looks for possible collaborative AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE FUTURE The conference hopes to identify how the Philippines can leverage on these economic opportunities by stimulating investor interest and by providing a platform among various stakeholders representing industries WITH INTERESTS IN NICKEL #URRENTLY

the e-vehicle industry in the country is one of the leading industries that drives the nickel consumption in the COUNTRY 4HE 0.)!

ORGANIZER OF THE conference, is the collective voice of the nickel industry and consists of seven members namely Platinum Group and Metals Corporation (PGMC), Agata Mining Ventures )NC #40 #ONSTRUCTION AND -INING Corporation, Citinickel Mines and Development Corporation, Carrascal Nickel Corporation, DMCI Mining Corporation and Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation --$#

THE Aboitiz Group, through food business unit Pilmico and the Aboitiz Foundation, turned over a P9-million modern livestock training complex in Northern Mindanao that will help boost agricultural research in the REGION ,OCATED IN #ENTRAL -INDanao University (CMU), the facility dubbed CMU Agri Hub houses four research and development centers fully-equipped with the

latest tools and technologies on swine genetics, animal nutrition, ARTIkCIAL INSEMINATION AND FARM MANAGEMENT 0ILMICO !SSISTANT Vice President for Feeds Jefferson Abian, Aboitiz Foundation First Vice President and Chief OperatING /FkCER -ARIBETH -ARASIGAN

CMU President Jesus Derije and Department of Agriculture (DA) Region X - Director III Carla Bajarla led the turnover held at

the Central Mindanao University GROUNDS $IR "AJARLA HIGHLIGHTED the importance of the project and said it will “bring in mutual BENEkTS FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND farmers, while boosting rural DEVELOPMENT u g!S TRUE 0ARTNERS for Growth, the establishment of the CMU Agri Hub is a tangible expression of our promise to empower the backyard sector, and ultimately, the agriculture

industry as a whole,� Abian SAID -EANWHILE IN HER MESSAGE addressed to CMU, Marasigan said:“With our continuous fruitful partnership, we envision this facility to be significant in creating many possibilities for the FISH POULTRY AND SWINE SECTORS We desire to continuously work closely with you in co-creating safe, empowered, and sustainABLE COMMUNITIES u

Ortigas & Company tops off the Imperium

Belmonte: Delve into bet’s track record, integrity, platforms QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte underscored track record, integrity, and platform as three points every electorate must look into before choosing candidates to SUPPORT IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS In an interview, Belmonte said THAT THE PEOPLE MUST BE RElECTIVE IN electing their leaders and consider looking into the candidate’s personality, and background to assess if they are capable of implementing positive CHANGE FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS “Three things to look into a candiDATE kRST TRACK RECORD )T IS IMPORTANT because that will show if a candidate IS CAPABLE OF FULkLLING HIS PROMISES and the deeds he has included in his PLATFORMS 3TUDY THAT YOU CAN EASILY ACCESS IT ON THE INTERNET u SAID "ELMONTE “Second is the personality, you

should see if a candidate is a person WITH INTEGRITY AND CAN FULkLL HIS DUTY He should also be accessible and fair TO HIS CONSTITUENTS u SHE ADDED g,ASTLY THE PLATFORM 4HE PEOPLE should see if a candidate’s platforms ARE REALISTIC !ND JUST TO HELP YOU

here in QC for instance, our city’s BUDGET IS 0 BILLION PERCENT of that must go to salaries accordING TO OUR LAWS !ND THE AMOUNT LEFT FROM THE INITIAL 0 " YOU DO the maths to see if the promises can BE FULkLLED THROUGH THE REMAINING BUDGET u "ELMONTE STRESSED According to the recent Metro Manila Race for Mayor survey

by Publicus Asia dated March 16 to 17, Belmonte remains the top choice as the next mayor of 1UEZON #ITY OVER HER OPPONENTS

Q Leading the Imperium topping off ceremony are Ortigas & Company President and CEO Jaime Ysmael (sixth from left) and D.M. Consunji Inc.’s (DMCI) President and COO, Jorge . Consunji (third from left). They are joined by, from left: Geronimo Punzal, DMCI SVP-Building Business Unit Head; Jenna Belardo, Ortigas & Company AVP and Property Sales & Estate Strategic Business Units Head; Atty. Mike Abundo III, Ortigas & Company VP and Head of Corporate Resources Division; Arch. Renee Bacani, Ortigas & Company Vice President and General Manager of Ortigas Malls; Davee Zuùiga, Ortigas & Company Chief Finance Officer; Jojo Aligaen, Ortigas & Company Head of Project Execution Group and Construction Management Department; and Aris Cuevas, DMCI AVP-Building Business Unit Deputy Head.

PREMIER property developer Ortigas & Company recently topped off The Imperium, its 62-storey prime resiDENTIAL TOWER IN #APITOL #OMMONS Dubbed as the developer’s most exclusive residential project, The Imperium only has four units to a floor guaranteeing

spacious units and maximum PRIVACY /NCE COMPLETED 4HE Imperium will become an iconic structure in Capitol Commons WITH ITS ELEGANT CIRCULAR FORM “We are excited in bringing to market The Imperium, our most EXCLUSIVE RESIDENTIAL TOWER 4HIS IS

another proud achievement for Ortigas & Company, especially as WE FULkLL OUR MISSION TO BUILD GREAT places for life that allow for elevated, excellent living grounded on bestin-class structure, amenities, and design,� said Ortigas & Company #%/ AND 0RESIDENT *AIME 9SMAEL

“The Imperium is a very interesting addition to our Capitol Commons estate, which we are shaping to become a truly global, cosmopolitan nucleus of the best in residential, business, and LIFESTYLE u 9SMAEL ADDED The Imperium is expected to be TURNED OVER IN

MONDAY M O NDAY APRIL 8,, 2019

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Envoys join Filipino business leaders in ushering attendees Global Banking and Finance Review awards UnionBank to Franchise Asia Philippines 2019 International Expo

T

HE 2019 edition of the International Franchise Expo of the Franchise Asia Philippines 2019 – Asia’s grandest and biggest 4-in-1 franchising event held on March 27 to 31, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center Manila – opened with a big bang, with state officials and diplomats from different participating countries joining local business

leaders in the ribbon cutting rites to signal the start of the threeday show held from March 29 to 31, attracting another record number of attendees.

Photo shows PFA Chairman Emeritus and Permanent Representative to the World Franchise Council Samie Lim (5th from left), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, PFA Vice Chair and Perma-

NENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE !SIA 0ACIkC Franchise Confederation Ma. Alegria “Bing� Sibal- Limjoco (center), and Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion (5th from right) leading the ribbon cutting rites with (from left): Zhou Suli, Charges D’ Affaires Singapore Embassy; Mohammad Shukri Salleh, Secretary General, Malaysia Franchise Association; Trade Undersecretary

Abdulgani Macatoman; H. E. Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng, Thailand Embassy; Budi Dhewajani, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Indonesia; Korea Franchise Association (KFA) Vice Chairman Chung Hyun Sik; Mohd Ridzwan Shahabudin, First Secretary, Embassy of Malaysia; and Izan Binti Mohd Mokhtar, Principal Asst. Director, Ministry of Domestic Trade & Consumerism of Malaysia.

A blissful summer celebration with Pottery Barn and Happy Ongpauco-Tiu POTTERY Barn and Happy Concept Group founder Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, in partnership with food preparation and storage brand Glad Philippines, recently held a gathering of guests and good friends at Rustan’s Makati to unveil the Spring/Summer 2019 Collections of Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and West Elm, and celebrate Happy’s 20th year in the food industry. Chef and known restaurateur Happy Ongpauco-Tiu was practically born into the food industry, but upon getting her Culinary Arts degree at Culinary Institute of America, Happy knew she’d want to make it on her own.

At 23, she opened a 20-seater holein-the-wall called World Topps using just her credit card. And everything just fell into place. Twenty

years after, Happy’s growing food empire consists of dining concepts like Pamana, Hawaiian BBQ, World Topps, Tsokolateria, Bento Box, as well as a bespoke Private Dining service, which caters to a very discerning clientele. But having her own ventures doesn’t mean she’s is turning her back on her family’s legacy. She still helps with Barrio Fiesta and carries with her its culinary DNA of serving “staple yet timeless� food. And it is Happy’s passion to create happy moments for her clients and the people she holds dear that led to her partnership with Pottery Barn, Glad Philippines and Rustan’s to celebrate her 20th anniversary in the food business.

For more information, visit www.ssilife.com.ph.

Q Merchandise Group Manager Gina Bonoan, Happy Ongpauco-Tiu and son Matteo, Glad Brand Manager Daye delos Reyes, and Clorox International Sales and Marketing Manager Paulo Lao

GrabFood partners with Scottland Food Group Corp; brings onboard more than 100 restaurants GRAB, the leading Online-to-Offline (O2O) mobile platform in Southeast Asia and the only everyday app in the Philippines serving the daily essential needs of Filipinos, today announced GrabFood’s partnership with Scottland Food Group Corp. The partnership brings onboard 100 restaurant branches of most-loved Korean chicken brand, Bonchon, and nine branches of unique Japanese brands, Tori Chizu and Go Bento in Metro Manila.

In just six months after its beta launch in Manila, GrabFood’s completed orders grew by 12x, making it the leading online food delivery

service in the Philippines. GrabFood continues to sustain its hypergrowth by further expanding its restaurant selection in the Philippines. With over 5,000 active restaurants in Manila and Cebu, GrabFood effectively provides the widest restaurant selection to cater to any cuisine or price point preference.

GrabFood has been operating in 13 cities in the Philippines over the last few months. These include BGC, Makati, Pasig, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Manila, ParaĂąaque, Las PiĂąas, Pasay, Marikina, Cebu, and Mandaue.

For more information, visit www.grab.com.

Q During the contract signing, from left: Almond Penaflorida, channel group head at Bonchon Philippines; Scott Tan, managing director of Scottland Food Group Corp., Brian Cu, president of Grab Philippines, EJ Dela Vega, head of GrabFood in the Philippines

AAP presents Chairman’s Award AMERICAN Association of the Philippines (AAP) held its Annual General Membership Meeting last March 28, 2019 at Manila Elks Club in Makati.

Chairman Rick SobreviĂąas made a point also when he launch for the kRST TIME THE g#HAIRMAN S !WARDu TO few members who did an exemplary contribution to the association.

One of the Awardees was Engr.

Grace Bondad Nicolas who is part of the board of trustees and also The Manila Times business writer. Grace is also the co- founder of Tag Media Group.

According to Engr. Grace “I’m overwhelmed as the Award came from one of the mentors I look up to.

Chairman Rick is a doer and making a difference in his every move. We’re all volunteers here, giving out our PRECIOUS TIME FOR THE BENEkCIARIES The award is a surprise and I am just only doing what I am good at. Sharing my God given talent.�

Awardees also includes Ann Aspinall, Joe Maristella III, Jeff Gaines, Robert Lane, Luis Contreras and Rose Nobbley.

The AAP celebrates the partnership of its members--the American community, the US Embassy, and the American corporations--which in 1949, helped the struggling local Americans displaced by World War II in the Philippines. AAP is also

Q Chairman’s Awardees Luis Contreras of Crown Worldwide, Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas of TAG Media Group and Joe Maristela III of Katalyst.Ph the owner-in-trust of the American the U.S. Embassy.

With the support of its difHistorical Collection, with approximately 60,000 volumes about the ferent partnerships and memAmerican colonial period and post- bers, AAP is able to conduct its war events that were once housed in social welfare projects.

2018 Global Banking & Finance AwardsŽ awarded UnionBank “Most Innovative Cash Management Services Bank Philippines 2018� and “Best Digital Bank Philippines 2018�

The leading British online and print magazine recently awarded UnionBank in recognition for its dedication to providing leadership, innovation and excellence in cash management and in digital banking. “Union Bank of the Philippines is one of the leading banks in the Philippines and a pioneer when it comes to cash management and digiTAL BANKING 4HEY WERE kRST BANK IN the Philippines to establish a website AND HAVE CONTINUED TO REDEkNE BANKing by investing in technology and making banking more accessible and EFkCIENT 4HEIR SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY doesn’t stop with their retail accounts but provides for online, real time business solutions, including their cash management solutions where they have demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing customer experience through tailored solutions

to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. Their strategic vision, continued investment in technology, and strong risk management is what made them stand out as the winner this year�, said Wanda Rich, Editor, Global Banking & Finance Review. “We look forward to seeing more from them in the years to come.�

The awards honor companies that stand out in particular areas of EXPERTISE IN THE BANKING AND kNANCE industry. UnionBank was awarded the Best Digital Bank Philippines 2018 because of the company’s outstanding performance and achievements and by scoring well in the following: Investment in technology; Customizable cash management solutions for all businesses regardless of their size; Innovative digital product and service development for retail and commercial accounts; Continued commitment improve customer experience and access; Strong Corporate Governance and Risk Management; and Commitment to the communities they serve.

Dnata enhances global management team with Dirk Goovaerts as regional CEO for Asia Pacific DNATA, one of the world’s largest air services providers, announced the appointment of Dirk Goovaerts as the company’s Regional Chief Executive /FkCER FOR THE !SIA 0ACIkC REGION In his role, Dirk Goovaerts will oversee dnata’s operations at 10 airports in three countries, including Australia, the Philippines and Singapore, managing a workforce of 6,000 employees. Dirk Goovaerts will be based in Singapore and report to Ross Marino, Senior Vice President for dnata’s International Airport Operations division.

Dirk Goovaerts joins dnata from Saudi Ground Services Company (SGS), where he held the position of #HIEF /PERATIONS /FkCER SINCE Leading a team of over 12,000 staff through a period of liberalization in Saudi Arabia, Dirk Goovaerts

was responsible for transforming SGS to become the ground handler of choice in a new competitive environment, across 26 airports in the country. Previously Dirk Goovaerts held senior leadership roles at Menzies Aviation with the most recent being Senior Vice President, Europe, managing the company’s operations at more than 50 airports.

Fatboy Slim sets Manila on fire this April THE original Funk Soul Brother, Fatboy Slim, will set the night of April ON kRE AS HE ROCKS #OVE -ANILA with his own patented brand of “Party Acid House� and complex audiovisual productions. Fatboy Slim, the producer of “Right Here, Right Now,� “Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat,� and many more hits, takes on the stage at the number one night club and indoor beach club in the Philippines, Cove Manila. Fatboy Slim is the main stage headliner of Ultra Music Festival, Creamfields, Glastonbury Festival (Official) 2019, and S2O Taiwan Songkran Music Festival 2019. He has 1.1 million followers on Facebook. Presented by Ikon, the timeless English DJ and record producer will

wow the crowd with Big Beat/Party Acid House Music aligned to his own brand of the genre. For more information, visit https://www.facebook. com/IKONUMF/.

Enjoy up to 70% discount at Markdown Madness in Pampanga

The Shark takes a bite of PH market

MARKDOWN Madness, one of the biggest sale events in the country, is happening for THE kRST TIME IN 0AMPANGA Enjoy up to 70 percent discount from March 28 to 31, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Marquee Mall Pampanga. Participating brands include Skechers, Merrell, Sperry, Keds, Saucony, Pony, Polo Ralph Lauren, and No Fear.

Markdown Madness going to be another big sale event, so be sure to get the best shoe and apparel deals in town! For more information and updates, visit Markdown Madness on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/MarkdownMadness and on Instagram @markdownmadness

TECHNOMARINE, which merges the art of horological innovation with spirited design, presents its newest line of timepieces –the Shark.

Inspired and named after one of the dangerous predators found in our oceans and characterized by speed and immense power, the allnew Shark collection is now available across all TechnoMarine stores nationwide this March 2019.

The Shark takes off from the fashionable Cruise Collection and stands out with its bold elements

of design and color; coupled with vibrant style and TechnoMarine’s trademark precision and robustness.

Sports

MONDAY APRIL 8, 2019

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BASKETBALL SLEUTH MICHAEL ANGELO B. ASIS

Who’s joining LeBron James in the Lakers’ bandwagon?

L

EBRON JAMES is struggling to recruit top players for his movie, “Space Jam 2.� The headline is ominous for the summer—when LeBron James is struggling to recruit players to the Los Angeles Lakers.

In 2014, LeBron James’ return was enough for Kyrie Irving to stay in Cleveland and Kevin Love to agree to being third banana after an All-NBA performance the previous season. Not so in 2019.

Whispering hope The state of the NBA’s complete stalking of would-be free agents continues. Players dining together become instant headlines and spur rumors.

Now, the hope of the Lakers rests on whispers—LeBron James having conversations with Kyrie Irving and later on Kevin Durant, with their jerseys covering their mouths to prevent lipreading attempts,.

The Lakers can make room for one max free agent. Aside from Irving and Durant, the candidates are Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler for a possible max deal.

With Leonard shooting down the possibility of playing with LeBron James, Irving and Durant are the top targets. The whispers are amusing, but not substantial, though. These guys can privately message each other in a thousand different ways. They’re probably talking about post-game dinner plans.

How superstars choose There seems to be two things that are priorities for a superstar free agent: the possibility of being the undisputed star of that city and the odds of winning a championship with the team they sign with. What a player will prioritize depends on what he has achieved.

Kevin Durant was the absolute star of Oklahoma City but he saw that he could not win a title with Russell Westbrook (another story in itself). Despite their playoff success, he just could not see them beating the Warriors. Thus, he went for the title chances.

Kyrie Irving was the savior of Cleveland, drafted right after LeBron left for Miami, But he went four years without making the playoffs while James went to the NBA Finals every single year of his Heat stint.

Irving could have chosen any team in 2014, but he chose to become LeBron’s running mate. He also went for the title chances.

These two stars are past that stage, and LeBron is offering them the Watson seat to his Holmes throne. Would they still be willing to step aside just for a ring—which they already have?

Kawhi Leonard is also in this category—albeit differently. He already beat LeBron in the Finals with his original team (unlike KD who had to join the Warriors). There really is nothing for him to gain.

Klay Thompson is also a winner, on course for a 4th title with the Warriors.

He is part of the Warriors DNA now, and unlike KD, he is not being called a “snake� for being in Golden State.

Even when KD leaves, he is in the best situation he will ever be. His father’s Lakers DNA will have to be set aside.

Playoff-hungry Nets topple topseeded Bucks L OS ANGELES: Joe Harris sank the goahead three-pointer with 84 seconds left as the Brooklyn Nets’ playoff push got a boost with a 133-128 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

The Nets used a balanced attack to beat the shorthanded Bucks as eight players scored in DOUBLE k"ROOKLYN IMPROVED TO ON THE NBA season to move into a tie with the Orlando Magic for sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Detroit is a half game behind at 3940. But the Nets have tiebreakers against both the Magic and the Pistons.

D’Angelo Russell had 25 points and 10 assists, Caris LeVert scored 24 points and Jared Dudley collected 14 of his 16 points in the second half.

Milwaukee played without star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was out with a left calf injury.

Milwaukee has already clinched the best record in the league with a win on the road over the Philadelphia 76ers two nights earlier.

Eric Bledsoe had 33 points and 11 assists for MilWAUKEE AND +HRIS -IDDLETON kNISHED WITH POINTS Bledsoe disagreed with those who have said the Bucks have little to play for, saying the team would love to reach the 60-victory mark. “We want to achieve it but at the same time we want to play the right way,� he said. “I

thought we did a great job of doing that tonight. “It was a big game for them. So we’ve just got to move on.�

Elsewhere, Joel Embiid dominated inside to score 20 points and 10 rebounds as Philadelphia returned to the winner’s circle with a 116-96 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

JJ Redick scored 23 points as Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing skid and widened the gap over Boston for the third seed in the East to two games with the win.

The 76ers were missing guard Jimmy Butler who was out for the second straight game with a back injury.

Embiid was making his second start after missing three straight with a sore left knee.

(E ALSO HAD kVE ASSISTS AND THREE BLOCKED shots against the Bulls.

It was a much better performance than his kRST GAME BACK FROM THE INJURY WHEN HE WAS outscored by fellow league MVP candidate Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee.

Redick drained four three-pointers and Tobias Harris added 16 points as the 76ers took an eight-point halftime lead and then seized comMAND WITH A THIRD QUARTER SURGE Former 76er JaKarr Sampson scored a careerhigh 29 points for Chicago, who lost for the sixth

time in seven games. “It good to be back in the NBA,� said Sampson, who had been toiling in the NBA’s development league before the Bulls called him up. “It just felt good going against my old team.

I just let the game come to me.�

AFP

Virginia, Texas Tech get defensive to move to title game Q Kyle Guy (No. 5) of the Virginia Cavaliers attempts a game-winning three point basket as he is fouled by Samir Doughty (No. 10) of the Auburn Tigers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at US Bank Stadium on Sunday in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP PHOTO

Realistic choices Despite his age, no one doubts that LeBron can play, and that he can tow a team to the playoffs, if he had a star by his side. In that case, the free agents that would take interest are those who have not had extensive playoff success.

This is why Kemba Walker is likely the team’s best bet to sign in the summer.

Kemba Walker has been playing at an All-Star level the past three years but he barely makes the headlines—or the playoffs. That seems totally unfair—but if he signs with the Lakers, he can have both.

That is why he is the prime candidate for them. KD and Kyrie have both expressed fatigue of being in the limelight all the time. Ditto for Kawhi.

Walker, despite his stats, always falls short of getting fan votes for the All-Star game.

That won’t happen if he’s with the Lakers.

Fun fact: Kemba Walker has never beaten LeBron James in a single game his entire eight-year NBA career. With the Lakers surprisingly beating the Hornets 129-115, Kemba is 0-28 against James.

Q Brooklyn Nets’ Joe Harris (left) shoots against the Milwaukee Bucks’ Pat Connaughton (right)during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday in Milwaukee. AP PHOTO

MINNEAPOLIS: 3LAP THE lOOR BEND THOSE KNEES and get both hands up.

This national championship game is going to be a clinic on defense.

Virginia and Texas Tech are the last two teams alive in the NCAA Tournament, and they’re here because they barely let their opponents breathe with the ball.

Two of the three best defenses in the nation will meet for the title on Monday night, the kRST APPEARANCE IN THE kNAL FOR EACH PROGRAM 3O AFTER SURVIVING A LOW SCORING SEMIkNAL ON Saturday, here come the Cavaliers and the Red Raiders for another clash of the paint packers and ball hawkers.

Virginia stunned Auburn 63-62 , when Kyle Guy sank three free throws with 0.6 seconds left after a late foul call. Then Texas Tech grinded past Michigan State 61-51 , buoyed by 22 points from Matt Mooney and bolstered by coach Chris Beard’s smothering defensive approach. “I have a lot of respect for Virginia,� Beard said. “I watch them on TV all the time, and we study the things they do defensively.�

The Red Raiders are now Ph.D. level defenders, too.

No matter the number of shots made, the trophy will be lifted and the confetti will be dropped either way at U.S. Bank Stadium, where 72,711 fans packed the 3-year-old FOOTBALL FACILITY FOR THE SEMIkNAL GAMES 4HE last time the national title was awarded in Minneapolis was in 2001, when Duke beat Arizona at the Metrodome. “Hopefully we won’t have to have a close game like that on Monday, but if we do, we have experienced it and I feel like we’re going to be ready,� Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter said.

The last big-time sporting event held in this building was the Super Bowl just 14 months ago when the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 in the second-highest-scoring NFL title game in league history.

The chance of Virginia and Texas Tech establishing a similar feat will be slim at best, considering the record for combined points in an NCAA championship game is 182, when Kentucky beat Duke 94-88 in 1978.

The Cavaliers (55.4) and Red Raiders (59.0) ENTERED THE &INAL &OUR RANKED kRST AND THIRD

respectively, in the country in average points allowed per game.

To no surprise, gamblers seized on the under.

The projected scoring total for this NCAA kNAL OPENED AT AND BETTORS QUICKLY DROVE it down to 117½ within an hour. Virginia opened as a 2-point favorite, and early action tightened the spread to 1 over Texas Tech. “We just want to continue to be the underdog,â€?

Red Raiders backup guard Brandone Francis said.

6IRGINIA HAS BEEN A kXTURE IN THE TOP of basketball data expert Ken Pomeroy’s DEFENSIVE EFkCIENCY RANKINGS SINCE THE TEAM S breakout 2014 season under coach Tony Bennett. The Cavaliers entered the weekend kFTH NATIONALLY WITH POINTS PER POSsessions, a metric factoring out their slower offensive pace and offering a sharper measure of performance than scoring averages depressed by low-possession games.

Texas Tech has made a rapid rise in three seasons under Beard, entering the Final &OUR WITH THE BEST DEFENSIVE EFkCIENCY RATING (84.0) ever recorded in the KenPom ratings that date back to the 2002 season.

Virginia, the No. 1 seed from the South Region, gives the Atlantic Coast Conference a representative in the championship game FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN kVE YEARS Even with this six-year run as one of the best teams in the country, the Cavaliers don’t have that Duke-North Carolina cachet.

They’re best remembered for losing to UMBC last season, the only No. 1 seed to ever be beaten by a No. 16 seed. They’re also the program guilty of one of the biggest regular season upsets in history, when the Cavs lost to tiny Chaminade in 1982 as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press poll with all-time great Ralph Sampson in the paint.

Bennett beamed next to guards Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome at the podium afterward, recalling the pain of one year ago. “Now to sit with them here brings great joy to my heart, it really does, because it’s good. That’s all I can say, and I’m so thankful,� Bennett said.

Texas Tech, the No. 3 seed in the West Region, has even less of a hoops history. “Why not us? We’ve got good players.

We’ve got a great university. We play in arguably the best league in the country,� Beard said, making the argument that, of course, coaches from three or four other conferences would. “We won the Big 12 regular season title. We’re a good team.�

AP

Race for Final Four slots begins THE QUEST FOR SEATS IN THE &INAL &OUR HAS just started with sister teams and two of last season’s winners San Miguel Beer and "ARANGAY 'INEBRA DRAWING THE kRST BLOOD on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Beermen, the defending titlist here, outlasted Talk ‘N Text Katropa, 80-78, while the Gin Kings, the Commissioner’s Cup champions, downed fellow San Miguel Corp. - franchise OWNED SQUAD -AGNOLIA (OTSHOTS

75, in a pair of low scoring matchups OPENING THE QUARTERkNAL ROUND Both games were bereft of the thrill and excitement expected of a doubleheader called “Manila Classico� as all four teams displayed failed to muster explosive of-

fensive brilliance the fans hoped them to.

And its not even their defense that mattered, but mere listless offense.

All top scorers, in fact, except for Katropa Troy Rosario, who shot 23 points, managed scoring beyond 15 points with Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo and Terence Romeo tallying that much for the Beermen, Greg Slaughter for the Kings and Paul Lee for Pambansang Manok.

The title-defending Beermen worked behind Fajardo’s and Romeo’s FOURTH QUARTER EFFORTS TO ERASE AN EARLY 12-point TNT advantage to remain in hunt for the title they’re trying to retain FOR THE kFTH STRAIGHT TIME The Kings, on the other hand, needed

an unlikely hero in second generation BulakeĂąo Art dela Cruz, whose eight points production in the second period, allowed them to take control of the proceedings.

San Miguel managed to win the game despite making just 32-of-81 from the floor for only 39 percent. On the other hand, TNT did much worse with its 30-percent shooting clip (24-of-80).

The Beermen lost in the battle of the boards, 51-59. But they more than made up for this with their sizeable 42-28 advantage in points in the paint.

Katropa’s the “Blur� Jayson Castro managed to grab six rebounds and issue seven assists.

The Kings were all over both ends of the

lOOR WITH 3LAUGHTER AND !GUILAR LEADING THE way, in their 58-45 advantage in rebounds.

The duo, too, repeatedly scored inside, leading to a huge 60-34 edge in points in the paint. Ginebra’s bench, likewise, contributed by way of 42 points compared to Magnolia’s 31.

4HE LEAGUE S MOST POPULAR SQUAD showed teamwork with its 24 assists.

The Beermen and the Kings only need to again prevail in Game 2 of their separate best-of-three series against the Katropa and the Hotshots, respectively, today to continue CARRYING THE 3-# lAG TO THE SEMIkNAL ROUND and, perhaps, to the gold medal play.

Even to the extent of ousting one of their SISTER SQUADS m -AGNOLIA m IN THE PROCESS

All roads won’t be that smooth and easy, though, for any SMC conglomerate to succeed in their mission, as two teams, independent of the SMC and -60 'ROUPS m TOP SEEDS 0HOENIX 0ULSE and Rain or Shine -- are lurking over their heads ready to deny them of any attempt to dominate like they did last season.

SMB, Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia swept all three conferences in 2018 with the Hotshots completing the domination by bagging the Governors’ Cup. The Fuel Masters and the Elasto Painters were battling the Alaska Aces and the NorthPort Batang Pier, respectively, eyeing a mere triumph each to advance outright to the Final Four on the strength of the twice-to-beat incentives both earned for emerging 1 and 2 teams after the elimination round.

EDDIE G. ALINEA

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Sports

˜ The Manila Times

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MONDAY April 8, 2019

4-peat seeking La Salle shoots down Lady Falcons

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

D

E La Salle University made quick work of Adamson University, 25-15, 25-18, 25-16, to boost its Final Four bid in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Rookie spiker Jolina Dela Cruz and skipper Desiree Cheng powered the four-peat seeking Lady 3PIKERS ATTACK AS THEY TIGHTENED their grip of No. 2 with their third straight win and eighth overall against three defeats.

Dela Cruz smashed a game-high 13 points anchored on nine kills, two blocks and two aces. “This was a good game for us.

Our practice paid off,� said Dela Cruz, who also notched 10 digs.

Cheng poured 11 markers high-

lighted by 10 spikes while fellow veterans Aduke Ogunsanya, Lourdes Clemente and Tin Tiamzon added nine, seven and six markers, respectively.

Sophomore setter Michelle Cobb orchestrated the Lady SpikERS OFFENSE WITH OF THE TEAM S 23 excellent sets. g7E HAD HUGE IMPROVEMENTS in our blocking and service. The things we were trying to improve in our training came out in this game,� said Cobb.

Cobb stressed the importance of the win as La Salle heads to a crucial clash against archrival Ateneo De Manila University on Saturday, April 13.

Bern Flora and Trisha Genesis had seven points each for the eliminated Lady Falcons, who plummeted to 1-10.

League-leading Ateneo (9-1) IS STILL GUNNING FOR THE kRST &INAL Four spot against National University (3-7) at press time. %ARLIER IN THE MEN S SIDE REIGNing titlist National U inched closer to a twice-to-beat advantage after walloping La Salle, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16.

Bryan Bagunas posted 23 points on 21 attacks and two aces as the Final Four-bound Bulldogs solidikED THEIR HOLD OF .O WITH THEIR 10th win against a lone loss.

The Green Spikers slid to the brink

Q Adamson University’s Krich Macaslang (No. 7) tips the ball over De La Salle University blockers Aduke Ogunsanya (No. 13) and Tin Tiamzon (No. 15) during the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. PHOTO BY ROGER RAÑADA of elimination with a 4-7 sheet.

Far Eastern University clinched A SEMIkNAL SLOT WITH A

19, 25-12 sweep of University of

the East.

Jude Garcia and John Paul Bugaoan tallied 11 and 10 points, respectively, to carry the second-

running Tamaraw Spikers to the Final Four with a 9-2 slate.

4HE ALSO RAN 2ED 7ARRIORS FELL to 2-9.

SMB, Ginebra gun for semis berth today Scorpions seek to DEFENDING champion San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel shoot for a semifinal berth today when they collide with their respective opponents in Game 2 of their best-of-three quarters series in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen, coming from a come-from-behind, 80-78 win against Talk N Text in Game 1 on Saturday behind the prowess of June Mar Fajardo, Mario Lassiter and Terrence Romeo, will go for the kill against the the KaTropa in their 7 p.m. game. “Of course we have the opportunity now. We really need to win because we don’t want the series to be extended to Game 3,� said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria. “TNT is really a strong team with their new system and new enthusiasm because of the changes in their coaching staff and they did very well,� he added.

TNT, for its part, is bent on forcing a sudden-death game.

Meanwhile, Ginebra who cruised past Magnolia, 86-75, in Game 1 behind Greg Slaughter’s 15 points and 12 rebounds and Art Dela Cruz’s 14 points, is also determined to finish the series in the 4:30 p.m. first game. “They (Alaska) are a tough team to crack. They are a veteran team and know how to handle a series. Beating them up 1-0 is nice but certainly not comfortable Q Terrence Romeo of San Miguel Beer (No. 7) dribbles past Roger Pogoy of TNT in Game 1 of the bestand let’s see if we can bring that up again. Obviously we don’t want to go to Game 3 after winning Game 1,� of-three quarterfinals of Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay said coach Tim Cone.

JOSEF T. RAMOSÂ City. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

keep group lead

CENTRO Escolar University (CEU) eyes to extend its group lead as it duels winless CD14 Designs-Trinity University of Asia (TUA) in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) today at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.

The Scorpions (4-0) shoot for A kFTH WIN AGAINST THE 7HITE 3TALlions (0-4) in their Foundation Group clash at 11 a.m.

CEU is coming off a 71-64 win over erstwhile fellow leader Valencia City Bukidnon-San Sebastian College on March 19.

Veteran coach Derrick Pumaren wants his Scorpions to reduce their 20.5 turnovers per game. g7E CAN T AFFORD TO MAKE MISTAKES 7E HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE ball and just continue to play better defense,� said Pumaren.

Senegalese center Maodo Malick Diouf, who set a D-League record of 30 rebounds and 21 points in the previous outing, IS EXPECTED TO LEAD #%5 S BID TO keep an immaculate record.

Tyron Chan, Keanu Caballero and Jan Formento are tabbed to PROVIDE ADDITIONAL kREPOWER FOR the Mendiola-based squad.

On the other hand, league rookie CD14 Designs-TUA will bank on Michael CaĂąete, AJ Vitug and new recruit John Tayongtong.

4HE 7HITE 3TALLIONS ARE STRUGgling with their latest loss coming at the hands of Marinerong Pilipino, 72-91, on March 25.

Meanwhile, newcomers McDavid (0-4) and Family MartEnderun Colleges (0-4) clash for a breakthrough win in the Aspirants Group at 1 p.m.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

1BATAAN EARNS TICKET TO 3X3 WORLD TOUR MASTERS 1BATAAN clinched a berth in the upcoming 2019 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters Doha after a runner-up finish in the 2019 Chooks to Go Asia-Pacific Super Quest 3x3 basketball tournament on Sunday at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong City.

The Risers — bannered by Alvin Pasaol, Santi Santillan, Karl Dehesa and 6-foot-6 American cager Travis Franklin — cruised past Jakarta West Bandits of Indonesia, 21-18, in the semifinals to secure a berth in the World Tour in Doha, Qatar on April 18 to 19. “We are really happy to beat more athletic and much bigger teams. We made it maybe because of our hard work and bonding,� said Pasaol, who fired a team-high nine points. “We prepared for four days. We talked about building our chemistry because

there’s no star player in our team,� he added.

Bataan raced to an early 12-5 lead on Franklin’s andone play before Dehesa closed out the game with a free throw conversion.

In the finals, however, the Risers lost to world No. 19 Tokyo Dime of Japan, 20-22. Still, the Risers bagged the $15,000 runner-up prize.

Bataan moved to a point within the first-ever Super Quest championship following Pasaol’s basket at the 1:21 mark.

Peter Perunovic hit a quick layup before Keita Suzuki tied the game on a freebie off the Risers’ costly technical foul due to Santi Santillan’s blunder.

Masahiro Komatsu then hit the title-clinching two-pointer from the right wing with still 34.6 seconds remaining.

Japan’s top 3x3 player

Tomoya Ochiai and Perunovic scored six points apiece for Tokyo Dime, which also booked a spot in the World Tour plus the $20,000 grand prize and a seat in the Challengers Series in Penang, Malaysia on May 12 to 13.

The Japanese club also beat the other Philippine team the Pasig Kings, 16-11, during the semifinals.

Despite the defeat, Pasig — composed of Taylor Statham, Joshua Munzon, Troy Rike and Serbian player Nikola Pavlovic— is still headed to the World Tour for winning the 2019 Chooks to Go Pilipinas 3x3 President’s Cup. The Kings also took home $7,000 and a slot in the Challengers Series in Kunshan, China for their third-place finish in this FIBA - endorsed level-eight 3x3 tourney.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

PH Volcanoes crush Zimbabwe THE Philippine Volcanoes scored an impressive 24-12 upset against ZimBABWE AT THE 7ORLD 3ERIES 1UALIkERS in Hong Kong on Saturday, April 6. )T WAS THE kRST TIME THE TEAM WON A game at the Hong Kong 7s tournament and only their second time in the tilt. :IMBABWE WAS kRST TO SCORE WITHIN THE kRST TWO MINUTES BUT THE 0HILIPPINES Justin Villazor Coveney tied the game at 5-5 off a turnover ball.

&ILIPINO 7INGER 2YAN 2EYES (OWE followed up with another try to put the team up 10-5. In the second half, Zimbabwe quickly responded to overtake the Philippines 12-10. But the 6OLCANOES $ONALD #ANON #OLEMAN soon scored off a penalty tap to make it 17-12. ! kNAL TRY FROM (OWE CEMENTED THE victory for the Philippines. The win allowed the Volcanoes to advance for the

kRST TIME IN HISTORY TO THE QUARTERkNALS where they will face hosts Hong Kong General manager Jake Letts lauded THE VICTORY SAYING g)T S A SPECIAL DAY for Philippine Rugby. This is the FURTHEST WE VE COME ON THE WORLD stage. The future is bright for rugby in the country.�

The winner of the quarterfinal MATCH WILL ADVANCE TO THE SEMIkNALS round of the tournament.

˜

˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY April 8, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Sports C3

Ko takes one-stroke lead at ANA Inspiration Unscathed L Brade keeps OS ANGELES: Ko Jin-young birdied kVE HOLES ON THE FRONT NINE TO SEIZE SLIM LEAD OVER TWO OTHER 3OUTH +OREANS HEADING INTO THE kNAL ROUND OF THE !.! )NSPIRATION THE kRST MAJOR OF THE ,0'! SEASON

4HE YEAR OLD FROM 3EOUL kRED a four-under 68 to lead second round leader Kim In-kyung as the Korean juggernaut steamrolled its way to the top of the leaderboard at the Mission Hills Country Club course near Palm Springs, California. Four of the top seven players are Korean-born.

Ko said she is going to stick to her game plan going into Sunday’s (Monday in Manila) fourth round. “I just have to play golf, 18 holes,� she said. “I am not nervous, and I am not afraid.�

Ko’s round was far from perfect as she stumbled down the stretch with a double bogey and bogey on Nos. 14 and 15 respectively to reach a eight-under 208 total.

The reigning LPGA rookie-ofTHE YEAR LED BY kVE STROKES AT ONE stage after sinking a long putt on the par-four 10th.

But her tee shot on 14 landed in the water and she dropped further with a bogey on the next hole which saw her lead cut to just one stroke. “I’m not a robot, I’m human,�

Q Jin Young Ko of Korea hits out of the 18th fairway during round 3 of the ANA Inspiration on the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills Country Club on Sunday in Rancho Mirage, California.

AFP PHOTO

Ko said about the pitching wedge wobble on 14. “Everyone can do a miss shot. Doesn’t matter. It happens sometimes.�

Kim is in sole possession of second place and just one stroke back after shooting a one-over 73.

She struggled on the front nine but bounced back on the back and closed with a birdie on the last hole.

Lee Mi-hyang and KoreanAmerican Danielle Kang are tied FOR THIRD AT kVE UNDER THREE shots back of Ko. Lee blasted a superb hole-in-one on the 181 yard 17th hole to put herself into contention.

- Big picture Kim was trying to look at the big picture after a frustrating round in which she surrendered a threeshot lead to start the day. “I quite lost it,� she said. “I don’t know what it is, expectations I could (not) live up to. “I was tough on myself but

I learned a lot and tomorrow is another day. “I hit many good shots. So far, it is already my best year.�

The 30-year-old Kim is hoping to redeem herself after missing a 35 centimetre (14 inch) putt on the 18th hole of the 2012 tournament that would have delivered her the championship.

Instead she went into a playoff with compatriot Yoo Sun-young WHERE SHE LOST ON THE kRST EXTRA HOLE $ESPITE HER kNAL HOLE STUMBLE IN 2012, Kim is not without a major victory. In 2017, she captured the Women’s British Open, in a season that saw her win three times on the Tour.

Canada’s Alena Sharp, Australian Katherine Kirk and Lee Jeongeun6 of 3OUTH +OREA ARE TIED FOR kFTH AT THREE under. Sharp shot the best round of THE TRIO WITH A kVE UNDER In addition to the professionals, kVE AMATEUR PLAYERS ARE COMPETING in the event continuing a longstanding tradition of exemptions for top women amateurs.

Patty Tavatanakit, who is ranked third in the world, is the top amaTEUR IN THE kELD after shooting an even-par 72 on Saturday to move into a tie for 50th with seven others—including fellow Thais Ariya Jutanugarn and Pornanong Phatlum. AFP

lead in Iba JEAN ANTONETTE BRADE downed Mindanao Leg qualifier Gllasea Ann Hilario to remain unbeaten and on top after six rounds of in the girls’ Under-18 division of the Gov. Amor Deloso National Age Group Chess Championships at the Zambales Sports Complex in Iba, Zambales.

Brade, who made it through here by finishing in the top three in the Luzon tilt, now has six points after also hurdling Kena Areld Galleguez, Shierzen Lhou Sebastian, Chloe Nasis, Noreen Sciecky Atienza and Glaiza Celine Romero in the first five rounds.

Half a point behind with 5.5 points apiece were Visayas’ Zhayou Capilitan and Luzon’s Daniella Bianca Cruz, who turned back Maj Manguilimotan and Chloe Nasis, respectively.

In the boys’ U8, Pat Ferdolf Macabulos bested Theodore Jude Garcia to keep his grip of the lead with 5.5 points.

Oshrie Jhames Reyes downed Nil Jeschel Nahbi Gamba to breathe down Macabulos’ neck with five points to show.

The top three in this six-day event, which is sponsored

by Gov. Deloso and Congressman Cheryl Deloso, the Philippine Sports Commission and NCFP president Butch Pichay, will make the Phl team seeing action in the Asian Age Group tilt in Myanmar this June.

There, Fiipino woodpushers will have a chance to obtain International Master and FIDE Master titles and possibly Grandmaster norms.

MANILA GOLF LADIES LURES STELLAR INT’L CAST

Q Jennifer Kupcho of the United States plays a shot on the 14th hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday in Augusta, Georgia.

AFP PHOTO

Kupcho gives women some Masterful magic at Augusta AUGUSTA, United States: Forget such magical Augusta National moments as the Tiger Woods miracle putt, Phil Mickelson off the pine straw or Bubba Watson from deep in the trees to win the Masters.

For a generation of young women golfers who never before had an idol to emulate, it’s going to be about Jennifer Kupcho’s epic eagle in Amen Corner to win Saturday’s inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur. “That’s one of the best shots I’ve ever hit,�

Kupcho said of her approach at the par-5 13th to set up the only eagle of the tournament. “I knew I needed to make a big move. I never thought about laying up. That’s pretty cool to be the only person who did that.�

The 21-year-old world women’s amateur number one went five-under on the last six holes in a five-under-par 67 final round to win by four strokes over Mexico’s Maria Fassi. “This tournament shows how good we are and what younger girls have to look forward to,� Kupcho said. “To start a movement where we’re going to start getting followed, I think that’s a big moment.�

Kupcho, the reigning US college champion, won the historic first title for women at once allmale Augusta National, which didn’t have women members from its 1933 founding until 2012.

Crowds enjoyed a final-pair duel for the title that went down to the last of 54 holes, the first two rounds having been played at nearby Champions Retreat before the closer at Augusta. “It probably won’t set in for a little while,� Kupcho said. “There were just so many people. Just to get to walk the fair-

ways and walk up 18 with all of those fans, it was an experience unlike any other.�

Two shots down with six holes to play, Kupcho hit an impressive approach at the par-5 13th hole to six feet and sank a tense eagle putt to equalize, then birdied the par-5 15th, par-3 16th and par-4 18th to seal the milestone victory. “To do it on this big a stage is probably one of the biggest things I’ve ever been able to do,� she said. “It was quite a day. It’s an amazing feeling.�

She and Fassi will now have greater attention when they make their LPGA debuts. “I know we’re going to have a great time out there next year in the LPGA,� Kupcho said. “That’s something everyone is going to look forward to watching.�

‘Had to stay calm’ Ignoring any greater message about women’s empowerment, Kupcho said that she and good pal Fassi only wanted to inspire viewers, male or female, to play golf. “Both of us wanted to send the message that golf is about being friends,� she said. “I hope it encourages people to pick up a club and go play.�

Kupcho also fought off a migraine, her first in three years, that blurred her vision on the ninth and 10th holes, forcing her to rely on local caddie Brian Murphy. “I could see the ball but I couldn’t see the line,� she said. “I knew I had to stay calm. I’ve played through enough things that I was able to take enough deep breaths and focus. “I knew the blurriness would go away and I was going to be able to win.�

AFP

A POWER-packed cast, headed by the cream of the country’s pro crop, three of the leading players on the LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA) and a crack Thailand crew, gears up for a fierce showdown in the ICTSI Manila Golf Ladies Classic beginning Wednesday (April 10) at the Manila Golf Club inside the posh Forbes Park.

Reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion Princess Superal hopes to flaunt her shotmaking skills on a course that suits her standards as she spearheads the locals’ title drive in the 54hole championship serving as the seventh leg of the LPGT’s seventh season and the fifth stop of this year’s TLPGA. She will be joined by 2017 OOM winner Pauline del Rosario, fellow Symetra Tour campaigners Mia Piccio and Cyna Rodriguez, multi-titled Chihiro Ikeda, Daniella Uy, Marvi Monsalve, Alex Etter and Gretchen Villacencio, all upbeat of their chances at the relatively flat but tight par-71 layout hosting an LPGT/TLPGA event for the first time.

But the locals will be in for a tough challenge with No. 3 Babe Liu and joint No. 5 Lin Tzu-Chi and Hsin Lee bannering the 25-strong Taiwanese side that also includes former LPGT/TLPGA leg winner Ching Huang, Chen Hsuan, Chen Meng-Chu, Tsai Hsin-En, Yu Pei-Lin and Shih Chen-Hsuan.

Thailand also boasts of a slew of aces ready to cash in on their winning run in the circuit put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., led by Thanutra Boonrak-

sasat, who outdueled Superal to win by one in the last LPGT event at Manila Southwoods last month, and many-time champion Yupaporn Kawinpakorn.

Others tipped to contend in the $100,000 event, sanctioned by TLPGA and backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Empire Golf and Sports and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc., are LPGT leg winners Onkanok Soisuwan, Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang and Wannasiri Sirisampant along with Chatprapa Siriprakob, Saraporn Chamchoi and Ornnicha Konsunthea.

Japanese Yui Noritomi, Sarah Yamaki, Airi Tsujioka, Mina Nakayama, Mika Yamashita, Mayumi Chinzei, Wakana Kinjo, Yoshimi Tamura, Mayuna Furukawa, Ami Sonodo, Mimori Shii, Minami Oshiro, Aya Ishikawa and Ayano Mochizuki along with Isabella Leung of Hong Kong, Singapore’s Amelia Yong and Sock Hwee Koh and Malaysia’s Genevieve Ling are also among the early favorites in one of the strongest casts assembled in the circuit.

Q Princess Superal

PROUD CHAMPIONS CLYDE

MONDILLA (third from left) poses with his trophy and with (from left) Solaire Resort & Casino president and COO Thomas Arasi, low amateur Jolo Magcalayo and National Golf Association of the Philippines president Martin Lorenzo after ruling the 101st Solaire Philippine Open at The Country Club last Saturday.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Pinoy pug Salva to challenge IBF champ Kriel THE International Boxing Federation (IBF) has ordered South African IBF minimumweight champion DeeJay Kriel to defend his title against Filipino challenger Samuel Salva no later than June 1 in a yet to be determined venue in the United States.

In a letter sent to international

matchmaker Sean Gibbons on April 3, IBF Championship Chairman Carlos Ortiz said the match between Kriel (15-1-1 win-lossdraw record with seven knockouts) and Salva is due on or before June 1.

Kriel became a world champion after dethroning Carlos Licona via 12th round knockout on February 16

in Los Angeles, California . Licona previously won that title from Filipino Olympian Mark Barriga via split decision on December 1.

Salva (17-0with 10 knockouts) became the No. 1 contender after scoring a unanimous decision win over compatriot Rene Mark Cuatro in an IBF

title eliminator fight on March 23 at the Resort’s World Manila.

I can beat Kriel but of course I don’t want to underestimate him after watching his last fight. I have to improve my speed and strength,� the 22-year-old Salva of Iligan City said.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

Wozniacki, Keys advance in Charleston LOS ANGELES: Caroline Wozniacki reached her first final of the season on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) after defeating Petra Martic in straight sets in the semi-finals of the Charleston Open.

The Danish fifth seed used a solid serve to overpower her Croatian op-

ponent en route to a 6-3, 6-4 win in the WTA claycourt tournament.

It marked the third time Wozniacki has made the final of the Charleston event, which she won eight years ago in 2011. “I think I served well in most of the match and I think I returned really well

most of the match as well, and I just tried to stay aggressive as much as I could and tried to make her run and make her move,�

Wozniacki said. “I think I did well today.�

The world number 13 had never lost to Martic in five previous meetings and an upset never looked on the cards on Satur-

day as she completed a win in 1hr 25min.

Wozniacki will face eighth seed Madison Keys of the United States in Sunday’s final.

Keys was a similarly convincing winner in her semi with Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig, winning 6-4, 6-0. AFP

C4

Football

MONDAY April 8, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Q AC Milan’s Mateo Musacchio (left) tackles Juventus’ Paulo Dybala, resulting in a penalty for Juventus during the Italian Serie A football match at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. AFP PHOTO

Kean winner puts Juventus Malditas suffer crucial on brink of Serie A title defeat to Taiwan M

ILAN: Teenage sensation Moise Kean scored the winner to put Juventus one step away from an eighth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) as a 2-1 comeback win over AC Milan pushed the champions 21 points clear at the top.

Kean -- the victim of racist abuse earlier this week in Cagliari -- came on as a substitute and kRED IN THE WINNER ON MINUTES FOR HIS kFTH goal in as many league games.

The Turin giants will seal a 35th Scudetto on Sunday with seven matches to spare -- the earliest any team has won Serie A -- if secondplaced Napoli lose at home against Genoa.

Juventus was playing without injured striker Cristiano Ronaldo, recovering from a thigh injury, as they prepare for their ChampiONS ,EAGUE QUARTER kNAL kRST LEG AGAINST !JAX But 19-year-old Kean has stepped up in the absence of the Portuguese superstar who is battling TO BE kT FOR 7EDNESDAY S GAME IN !MSTERDAM “Even today Kean came on and scored, he is very

good at that,� said Allegri of the youngster who also SCORED TWICE IN TWO %URO QUALIkERS FOR )TALY g(E S A YOUNG MAN WHO IS DOING VERY WELL

BUT LET S LEAVE HIM TO BE CALM g7ILL HE PLAY ON 7EDNESDAY AGAINST !JAX 7E LL see, the substitutes are important as we saw today.�

Krzysztof Piatek had put visiting AC Milan AHEAD kVE MINUTES BEFORE THE BREAK WITH HIS 21st goal of the season. Paulo Dybala pulled the hosts level from the spot on the hour mark.

For Milan, the defeat further damages their Champions League ambitions with just one point from their last four Serie A games.

'ENNARO 'ATTUSO S SIDE ARE FOURTH BUT CAN BE overtaken by Atalanta, who are one point behind AND TRAVEL TO THIRD PLACED )NTER -ILAN ON 3UNDAY

Roma, also targeting a Champions League berth, got back winning with captain Daniele De Rossi scoring the only goal against SampDORIA TO SIT SIXTH EQUAL ON POINTS WITH !TALANTA g7E STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO QUALIFY FOR THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE IF WE BEAT ,AZIO NEXT 3ATURDAY u SAID 'ATTUSO AS THEY TARGET A kRST #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE CAMPAIGN SINCE 4HE VISITORS HAD COME OUT kRING Piatek missed a chance after two minutes, HEADING WIDE FROM 3USO S CROSS &RANCK +ESSIE was also off target early.

3AMI +HEDIRA CAME ON FOR THE kRST TIME since heart surgery a month ago, replacing fellow German Emre Can who went off early with an ankle sprain.

AFP

Barca closes in on La Liga title after beating 10-man Atletico BARCELONA: Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi scored twice in two minutes as Barcelona broke the resistance of 10-man Atletico Madrid on Saturday 3UNDAY IN -ANILA TO GO POINTS CLEAR OF THEIR La Liga title rivals. $IEGO #OSTA WAS SENT OFF IN THE TH MINUTE at Camp Nou after insulting referee Gil Manzano but while Atletico held on for almost another hour, Suarez and Messi struck late to seal a pivotal 2-0 win.

The victory leaves Barca almost out of sight with seven games left to play and maintains MOMENTUM AHEAD OF 7EDNESDAY S TRIP TO -ANCHESTER 5NITED IN THE kRST LEG OF THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE QUARTERkNALS g)T IS THREE CRUCIAL POINTS u COACH %RNESTO 6ALVERDE SAID g7E ARE A LITTLE CLOSER u g)T GIVES US A BIG MARGIN u SAID 3UAREZ g7E VE taken not just one, but two steps forward.�

United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in the crowd along with his assistant Mike Phelan but THIS WAS A FAMILIAR STORY OF "ARCELONA S DEADLY DUO delivering when it mattered most. #OSTA S EARLY AND NEEDLESS DISMISSAL LEFT Atletico needing snookers just to avoid defeat, let alone pull off the win that their coach Diego Simeone had said last week was the only result to keep their challenge alive.

Suarez intervened with a superb long-range STRIKE IN THE TH MINUTE BEFORE -ESSI ADDED A SECOND IN THE TH 4HE PAIR HAS NOW SCORED league goals between them this season while for Messi, this was a record 335th La Liga victory.

Only a monumental collapse could now bring Atletico back into contention and more likely is BarCA HAVE EARNED THEMSELVES THE LUXURY OF RESTING PLAYERS

around an even greater focus on success in Europe.

Antoine Griezmann was whistled as his name was read out before kick-off and he struggled

Q Barcelona’s Luis Suarez (left) vies with Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak during the Spanish league football match at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona.

AFP PHOTO for chances in what quickly became, after Costa departed, a contest of attack against defense. !TLETICO SEEMED TO BE kNDING THEIR WAY INTO THE GAME when Manzano showed a red card to the Spaniard, who had pursued the referee and seemingly insulted him after a tangle with Philippe Coutinho.

A fuming Costa was escorted away by Gerard Pique and Barca took control. Jordi Alba had already hit the post after defense-splitting pass by Messi and Coutinho should have scored after a brilliant backheel by Suarez.

Messi came alive at the start of the second half as one shot

WAS SAVED BY THE EXCELLENT *AN /BLAK AND ANOTHER MESMERIC run ended with a feathered pass to Suarez but again Oblak saved, this time with his foot.

Finally, the resistance of Atletico and their goalkeeper was BROKEN AS "ARCA SCORED TWICE IN TWO MINUTES 4HE kRST WAS A peach as Suarez lined up a shot from 25 yards and whipped it past the left hand of Oblak into the bottom corner.

The second was a display of Messi magic, his weaving run from the right leaving both Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin ON THEIR BACKS ! TUCKED kNISH FOUND ITS WAY IN TO kNISH OFF KUALA LUMPUR: Qatar stressed the game and, probably, Atletico too.

AFP

Qatar wary over 48-team World Cup

Lewandowski scores 200th Bundesliga goal vs Dortmund Q Robert  Lewandowski AFP PHOTO

BERLIN: Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski became only the fifth player in history to score 200 Bundesliga goals during Saturday’s (Sunday in Manila) emphatic 5-0 win over his former club Borussia Dortmund.

Lewandowski marked the milestone in style, chipping Dortmund goalkeeper Roman

THE Philippine women’s national football team suffered a huge 2-4 loss to Taiwan in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics second qualifying round at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Saturday night (early Sunday in Manila). Joyce Semacio and Patricia Tomanon gave the Malditas an early two-goal lead but two own goals in the second half proved to be crucial in the stinging loss. The Philippines fell to the third spot in Group C with three points and an inferior goal difference to Iran, which handed Palestine a 9-0 beating. Chinese Taipei, on the other hand, remained on top with six points on two wins. With only the group winner entering the third round, the lady PH XI needs a blowout win over Palestine on Tuesday (early Wednesday in Manila) and Taiwan to lose against Iran. In that scenario, the Malditas can advance via a superior goal difference and join powerhouses Australia, China, North Korea, South Korea and Thailand in the next phase. Semacio, the 19-year old standout from Miriam High School, gave Let Dimzon’s side the opening lead with a long volley in the 13th minute. Vetetan defender Tomanon made it a twogoal cushion in the 32nd minute as the Pinay booters looked headed to replicating their milestone of qualifying for the Women’s Asian Cup exactly a year ago. But Taiwan trimmed the gap on Michelle Pao’s penalty kick conversion in the first half added time. Tomanon and Dai Dolino committed an own goal each, ironically handing the Mulan the advantage in the 63rd. Ting Chi punctuated Taiwan’s comeback with an 87th minute strike. Taiwan previously blanked the Philippines, 5-0, back in the first round.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ

Buerki and volleying into the open net to score Bayern’s second goal of the evening and reach his own double century.

He added another in the 89th minute, taking his tally to 201. “I never thought I would score so many goals in the Bundesliga,� the Polish striker told Sky. “I still remember my first one very well.�

Lewandowski’s first Bundesliga goal

came for Dortmund against Schalke back in 2010. His brace on Saturday means he is now the fifth most prolific player in German league history.

He is just 19 goals off former Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, who is third in the all-time list. “I’m not too far away from Jupp’s mark,� he told Sky with a grin.

AFP

that the 2022 World Cup remains at 32 teams as FIFA chief Gianni Infantino piled on pressure to expand the tournament to 48 and share it with other Gulf countries.

Speaking to AFP at the Asian Football Confederation Congress, head organizer Nasser Al-Khater said Qatar was still planning for 32 and that studies about adding another 16 teams were just an “assessment�. “There’s a feasibility study on the countries that could possibly host. So together with FIFA we’re looking into those possibilities,�

Khater said in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. “So that’s where we are now. It’s still open as an idea but it’s not a done deal for it to be a 48-team World Cup.�

Although Qatar has said it is open to expanding, Khater was at pains to underline that “the status quo is that it’s still a 32-team World Cup, everything after that is an assessment�.

After winning the right to host a 32-team World Cup in 2010, in a bidding process mired in bribery allegations, the Qataris are coming under sustained pressure to switch to 48.

Oman and Kuwait are being studied as possible co-hosts as Qatar remains under a diplomatic and transport blockade from other Gulf neighbors, who accuse it of supporting terrorism -- a charge Doha denies.

Khater said there was no chance of UAE -- who have signaled they would like to hold games -- or fellow blockaders Saudi Arabia co-hosting the World Cup, given the current impasse. AFP

MONDAY M O N DAY APRIL 88,, 2019

Entertainment

D1

www.manilatimes.net

Jonas Gaffud sets new tone in PH beauty pageantry A

FTER 18 long years, beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud took a bow on April Fools' Day as the creator and head of the beauty camp Aces and Queens.

It was not a joke though.

He personally told In The Know at the Binibining Pilipinas Press Presentation that he is about to take on a bigger role in pageantry as the Creative Events Head for Miss Universe Organization (MUO).

IN THE KNOW MJ MARFORI

“Mahirap man na bitawan ang Aces and

Queens, this opportunity is very hard to pass up. It was sudden as well. To be the Creative and Events Director for Miss Universe Philippines Brand under IMG Universe, I will be responsible for elevating the level of Miss Universe Philippines further in the country. Papalakasin ko ang brand sa Asia,� he said.

Aces and Queens is not yet over, said Mama J (as he’s fondly called in pageantry circle). The camp will continue to produce the likes of Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach under the wing of his former A&Q partner Nad Bronce, who is an expert

Q Basketball superstar Stephen Curry (right) co-produces faith-based movie ‘Breakthrough,’ starring Mike Colter.

in personality development and triona and Pia and many others.� question-and-answer training.

With a long term plan of Bb. Jonas assures the pageant fans Pilipinas into more than a one-day that even though he created beauty television special, the modernizaqueen camps, he will also be the tion and growth of these powerful one to erase the line that divides brands that will work together the training camps, “Wala nang will place an emphasis on women alaga-alaga. We are team Philip- empowerment and philanthropy, pines and we will support culminating in the selection of the the best girl to represent Q Miss Universe our country.�

2018 Catriona The press presentaGray will be in tion event last Thurstown this week day at the Novotel for a series of Manila Araneta Cenendorsements. ter in Cubao, Quezon City also coined a new name of Miss Universe Philippines slash Bb. Pilipinas because it was the debut of a tighter partnership for both organizations after the misunderstanding about the franchise arose late last year.

Jonas clarified that MUO is very much a partner of Bb. Pilipinas and he is set to do three events for Miss Universe PH and Binibini this year, “We have a local tour around the Philippine Islands lined up for its promotion, an event with Ca-

Âťlights,camera,boto!

Yassi Pressman joins Ang Probinsyano party-list youth arm

PRIMETIME star Yassi Pressman is the latest celebrity to lend her star power to the ongoing campaign period for May’s national elections.

The Viva Artist and ABS-CBN talent has pledged membership to the Ang Probinsyano Party-List Youth Arm launched last week in Legazpi City. The group aims to encourage the youth to be more proactive and involved in issues that directly affect their generation, especially those living in the provinces.

Ang Probinsyano Party-List’s legislative agenda includes several proposed programs and bills that will enhance the youth’s access to quality education, including the establishment of open high schools, expansion of the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy, and operationalization of the National Student Loan Program.

Pressman’s full support for Ang Probinsyano Party-List comes in the wake of the announcement of her on-screen partner Coco Martin’s support for the party-list that bears their top-rating prime time series’ title.

Mick Jagger ‘on the mend’ after medical procedure NEW YORK: Legendary Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger said Friday he is “on the mend� after reportedly undergoing heart valve replacement surgery in New York — news that gave his legions of fans a fright.

Less than a week ago, the band announced they would postpone the North American leg of their upcoming tour so the 75-yearold Jagger could receive medical treatment.

Industry tracker Billboard said doctors successfully performed a minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement, allowing the artist to avoid major surgery that would open his chest. “Thank you everyone for all your messages of support, I’m feeling much better now and on the mend - and also a huge thank you to all the hospital staff for doing a superb job,� Jagger tweeted.

The British rocker was resting in the hospital, according to Billboard, citing anonymous sources who said he must lay low for four to five days so he can heal.

Doctors accessed the heart valve of the flamboyant Stones lead singer through the femoral artery in his thigh, Billboard said, meaning he needs rest to ensure there is no severe bleeding.

A representative for Jagger told AFP that the musician “has successfully undergone treatment,� without specifying its nature. “He is doing very well and is expected to make a full recovery.�

Over the weekend, the Stones tweeted: “Mick has been advised by doctors that he cannot go on tour as he needs medical treatment.�

After the band announced the postponement of 17 shows in the US and Canada, Jagger had tweeted that he was “devastated� and would “be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can.� “I really hate letting you down like this,� he said.

Jagger — who has eight children, five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter — has maintained his energetic stage performances well into his 70s.

In their early years, the Stones were known for their louche lifestyle, with Jagger seen as the incarnation of the trope “sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll.�

But today, the living legend is known for maintaining a meticulous diet and exercise program to stay in shape, reportedly training with the Norwegian physiotherapist Torje Eike, who counts Olympic athletes among his clients.

AFP

Q Jonas Gaffud with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. INSTAGRAM PHOTOS candidate who is the embodiment of the modern-day Filipina.

Miss Universe Catriona Gray will be in the Philippines this week for a series of endorsements.

NNN NBA’s multi-awarded AllStar player Stephen Curry has a Holy Week offering!

Also known for being outspoken about his faith, the superstar scores his latest win as one of the producers in the incredible faith-based movie “Breakthrough�. “Breakthrough� stars Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Dennis Haysbert, Marcel Ruiz and Sam Trammell.

It is based on the incredible true story of a mom who prayed her son to come back to life after being pronounced dead by medical experts.

The miracle of John coming back to life is only the beginning of the story and a catalyst for a series of other miracles that followed.

Says Franklin, “Even before Joyce prays for John, it was miracuLOUS THAT THE kREkGHTERS AND kRST RESPONDERS WERE ABLE TO kND HIM IN THE kRST PLACE ,AKE 3T ,OUIS IS

MASSIVE LIKE kNDING A NEEDLE IN A haystack. When they put the poles down in the water, they didn’t KNOW WHERE HE WAS AND kREMAN Tommy Shine (Colter) hears this voice, telling him where he needs to go. He thinks it’s the chief talkING TO HIM BUT LATER kNDS OUT IT wasn’t the chief at all.�

Metz adds, “I hope audiences take away that love can truly move mountains. In that collective consciousness or prayer, in that quiet still time, those moments really make a difference in that you can change your life and you can change your mind. And when you do that and you believe in the power of positivity and prayer you would be amazed what could happen.�

In one of Stephen’s many speeches when he won MVP, he professed that pounding his chest and pointing up remind him that he plays for God, “People should know who I represent and why I am who I am, and that’s because of my Lord and Savior.�

That is why the baller offers this TIMELY FEATURE kLM RELEASE DURING the Lenten Season and come Easter, “Breakthrough� opens April 10.

NNN Until next week, ta-ta!

Âťcheers!

FDCP reveals first 3 ‘Pista’ finalists THREE kNALISTS TO THE 0ISTA NG 0ELIKUlang Pilipino (PPP) were announced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), in line with its upcoming third outing.

4HESE kLMS ARE IN THE ADVANCED STAGE of development or production stage, films in post-production are further set to hold their Philippine premiere during PPP3.

The line-up is curated by the selection committee assigned by FDCP under the leadership of the agency’s Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza $IÄO 4HESE kLM PROJECTS WILL RECEIVE a co-production fund of up to P2 million pesos, which includes P1 million pesos worth of production equipment from CMB Film Services.

The three PPP finalists are Rod Marmol’s “Cuddle Weather� from 0ROJECT CORNER 3AN *OAQUIN 0ROJects, Jade Castro’s “LSS� (Last Song Syndrome) from Globe Studios, and Perci Intalan’s “The Panti Sisters� from The IdeaFirst Company, Inc,

and Zak, an aspiring musician and a YEARNING SON WHO kND THEMSELVES IN A series of almost-but-not-quite romantic encounters as they follow an uprising indie-folk band. Two struggling dreamers in their 20s, they discover what it means to grow up as they experience THE JOY AND PAIN OF LOVE AND LOSS ACcompanied by the music of Ben&Ben. The Panti Sisters, directed by Perci Intalan. Paolo Ballesteros, Martin del Rosario and Christian Bables of the Q FDCP Chairman and CEO Liza DiĂąo with “Die Beautifulâ€? and “Born Beautifulâ€? fame, they will essay the role of three Christian Bables. gay sons called back by their estranged and their storylines are as follows. and terminally-ill father and given an Cuddle Weather, directed by Rod offer they can’t refuse: a P300-million Marmol. After realizing that prostitutes inheritance in exchange for each of are not entitled to the best part of love- them giving him a grandchild. making, two sex workers form a screwy PPP is week-long celebration that relationship as “cuddle partnersâ€? only to will exclusively screen quality Filipino realize that they want something more. GENRE kLMS FROM 3EPTEMBER TO IN LSS (Last Song Syndrome), directed all cinemas nationwide. This year, the

by Jade Castro. Starring Khalil Ramos, FESTIVAL OFkCIALLY MARKS THE g3ANDAAN u 'ABBI 'ARCIA 4UESDAY 6ARGAS %LIJAH the celebration of the 100 years of PhilCanlas, and Ben&Ben, LSS follows Sarah ippine cinema.

Âťglobalspotlight

Q 'Cuddle Weather' director Rod Marmol and producer Sarah Perez.

Q 'LSS' stars Khalil Ramos and Gabbi Garcia with director Jade Castro.

Q Team 'Panti Sisters' Jun Lana, Bables, Martin del Rosario and Perci Intalan.

Q In-demand OPM act Ben&Ben debuts on the big screen via 'LSS.'

D2

Funtimes

MONDAY April 8, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (04/08/19). Strength grows through diversity, especially this year. Professional growth comes with consistent action. Discover hidden gold. Home renovations and upgrades nurture your family this summer, before your work calls you in new directions. Next winter brings professional accomplishments that inspire domestic changes. Explore, savor and discover.

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- The news could affect your travel plans. Expand your horizons. Make longdistance connections. Resist the temptation to spend frivolously.

Reach out and explore.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Communication benefits your shared finances. Stick to basics. Coordinate your efforts for a common goal. Avoid wasting money. A rush job could interrupt scheduled programming.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Writing and creative projects blossom. It’s easier to concentrate. Brilliant ideas abound. Your heart and intellect are in alignment. Avoid distractions and illusions. Everything seems possible.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Compromise and work out solutions with your partner over the next few days. Coordinate your efforts for greater ease. Encourage each other. Collaborate.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Profit through communications. Monitor to maintain positive cash flow. A lucrative door opens. Move quickly, and grab it. Imagine even greater successes while staying in action.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Physical action gets results today and tomorrow. Address an uncomfortable situation head on. Use finesse rather than force. Practice for gentle strength and ease.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 9 -- You’re more assertive today and tomorrow. Verify the investment of time and money before launching into a new personal project. Discover a stroke of genius.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- Romantic illusions could dissipate. Things may not be as they seemed. A temporary clash between love and money could erupt. Inspire another with your example.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Finish your work in private over the next few days. Slow down. Avoid controversy or fussing. Consider options before making a decision. Set long-range goals.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Home improvement projects benefit from physical action, communication and creativity. Avoid reckless spending. Clear clutter, and toss the superfluous.

Nurture your family.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Teamwork gets a big job done. Communicate with your community. Invite participation. Ask for what the project needs. Share resources and valuable information.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Pursue professional opportunities. Sign contracts, and launch creative projects.

Keep to practical priorities. Work could cut into your personal time.

Make it worth it.

» SUDOKU

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Expats&Diplomats

MONDAY April 8, 2019

D3

Asean HS students converge in summit THE kRST !SEAN #ONVERGENCE 3ECondary Schools Summit (#AC3S), held at Lima Park Hotel in Batangas, convened secondary schools from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines to collaborate, interact, and realize the important role the youth of Asean play.

Organized by Faith Colleges, #AC3S, a three-day summit, brought together secondary schools across Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to promote Asean collaboration and build a regional mindset.

It was also the summit’s goal to make Asean relatable and tangible to the youth. This program was supported by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and embassies of Asean member states.

Schools in attendance to the summit’s inaugural run were SMP Negeri 6 Makassar of Indonesia, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Guar Perahu OF -ALAYSIA 2AFlES )NSTITUTION of Singapore; and for the Philippines, Lyceum of the Philippines University - Batangas, Miriam College - Nuvali, University of Perpetual Help System Laguna, Faith Catholic School, and Fidelis Senior High School.

Among the speakers were Asst.

Director Romeo Arca Jr. of the Asean Secretariat; Director Aian Caringal of the DFA; Executive Director Jeroen Schedler of Passage to Asean (P2A); Clarissa Delgado, founder of Teach for the Philippines; Jam Acuzar, founder of Bellas Artes Projects; and Ruel Amparo, founder of Cropital, who discussed the role of the youth, how they can contribute to various international efforts, and what existing Asean projects they can take part in.

Diwa Learning Systems, Bato Balani Foundation, and other likeminded organizations supported Faith Colleges by sponsoring the delegates of this year’s summit.

Faith Colleges, an institution of higher learning and research in the Philippines, since its establishment has been active in promoting Asean awareness through its different activities. It has gained the DFA’s recognition as the only secondary school in the Philippines with an Asean orientation in its academic curriculum.

The next run of the summit in 2020 will be billed as the Asean Convergence Youth Summit.

Hence, this will enable tertiary or college students to become part of this journey.

To know more about the event, visit www.aseanunitypark.org.ph.

Q The secondary school delegates in Batangas.

ENDERUN #OLLEGES OFkCIALLY OPENED the exhibit of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) entitled “Don’t Tell Me How To Dress� on March 25 inside its campus. The exhibit features representations of the clothes that 11 Filipina survivors wore when they were sexually harassed or abused.

Q Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries gives his message at the ‘Don’t Tell Me How To Dress’ exhibit.

Q (Seated, from left) Supreme Court Associate Justices Rosemari Carandang, Andres Reyes Jr., Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Antonio Carpio, Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, Associate Justices Mariano Del Castillo, Marvic Leonen, Alexander Gesmundo, and Amy Lazaro-Javier. (Standing, from left) Court Administrator Midas Marquez, US Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (DOJ OPDAT) Technical Advisor Felix Camerino, US DOJ Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) Senior Digital Investigative Analyst Daniel Ogden, CCIPS Cybercrime Lab Director Ovie Carroll, OPDAT Resident Legal Advisor David Bragdon, and OPDAT Legal Specialist Guia Montealto.

SC and Court of Appeals justices go on US anti-cybercrime training T

HE US Embassy in the Philippines, through the US Department of Justice 53 $O* /FkCE OF /VERSEAS 0ROSECUTORIAL $EVELOPMENT !SSISTANCE AND 4RAINING /0$!4 COORDINATED WITH THE 3UPREME Court Sub-Committee on Commercial Courts (SCC) to train nine Supreme Court justices AND MORE THAN #OURT OF !PPEALS JUSTICES on cybercrime on March 25.

The Supreme Court is in the process of implementing the new Rule on Cybercrime Warrants (RCW), which facilitates the detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrime offenses. This training supported the implementation of the RCW and addressed new issues posed by emerging computer-

facilitated crimes, including digital security and privacy risks. This is part of an OPDAT partnership with the Philippines to build governMENT CAPACITY TO EFFECTIVELY kGHT cyber-enabled crimes.

At the training, Ovie Carroll, US DOJ Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section

(CCIPS) Cybercrime Laboratory Director, and Daniel Ogden, CCIPS Senior Digital Investigative Analyst, discussed the nuances and evidentiary value of computer data in comparison to traditional evidence, as well AS THE SECURITY RISKS AND BENEkTS inherent in digital devices. They also shared techniques for gathering, preserving, and analyzing digital evidence. Their presentation provided the justices with practical insights to help them apply and enhance the RCW. Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin explained, “The speed of technological development creates blind spots in matters of personal security and privacy.

4HE BRIEkNG ON DIGITAL SECURITY WAS truly informative and invaluable

for us in the Judiciary.�

Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Ramon Barza, who attended the session for appellate justices, said, “The talk gave a refreshing view on the impact of cyber technology on gathering evidence and building up cases, especially for the prosecution.�

The US Embassy, through OPDAT, is working with Philippine partners to enhance justice sector capabilities via trainings for judges, prosecutors, law ENFORCEMENT OFkCIALS AND GOVERNment agencies on combatting transnational crimes. PDAT also helped develop instructional videos and a new cybercrime course for criminology schools nationwide. OPDAT conducted cybercrime training for northern Luzon judges last April 4 to 5 in Baguio City.

UNFPA’s gender-based violence exhibit now in Enderun Colleges Spearheaded by the Social Orientation & Community Development (SOCD) of Enderun Colleges together with the /FkCE OF THE 6ICE 0RESIDENT OF THE 0HILIPpines and SPARK! Philippines (Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran), in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden in Manila and Empower, the eye-opening exhibit challenges the destructive belief that the way a woman dresses instigates her assault.

Exhibitors implore viewers to break this stigma — sexual violence is never the victim’s fault. The event also supports Respeto Naman, a nationwide campaign conceived by these organizations which all share a mission to stand united and vocalize total opposition to the myth of blaming the victims of gender-based violence.

Staunch supporter and advocate, Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries believes that, “a good start is to stimulate

awareness and discussion about what needs to be done. The message of Respeto Naman is clear — it demands respect for women’s basic human right for body ownership and respect for safe spaces for women regardless of their line of work, what they are wearing, where there are, or who they are.� “The responsibility of cultivating a safer community is a duty we all share,� said Enderun Colleges President Dr. Edgardo Rodriguez.

He added that, “Here in Enderun, we hope to raise more awareness about gender equality and violence against women. We must be socially responsible not just within the campus but also with the communities outside.

The younger generations must be ready, educated and equipped to face the immediate challenges that rise today.�

Don’t Tell Me How To Dress exhibit is open until April 12 at Enderun Colleges.

Q The eyeopening exhibit features representations of the clothes worn

by Filipinas who were sexually harassed or abused.

Q Interior Secretary Eduardo AĂąo (left) and Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda.

Japan turns over emergency vehicles to LGUs in Luzon JAPANESE Ambassador Koji Haneda turned over emergency vehicles to 20 local government units in Luzon on March 25 which was held at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Headquarters in Quezon City.

The ceremony, spearheaded by the BFP, was attended by DILG Secretary Eduardo AĂąo and BFP Chief Leonard BaĂąago. Mayors of the recipient local government units (LGUs) and APPROXIMATELY kRE kGHTERS ALSO ATTENDED the said occasion.

The BFP, as one of the agencies in the forefront of disaster response in the country, has AN INSUFkCIENT NUMBER OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES AT ITS kRE STATIONS TO DELIVER ITS MANDATE 4HIS shortage became apparent during Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. After which, the Embassy of Japan started extending assistance in providing emergency vehicles to the BFP. Under these projects, the Embassy of Japan has provided a total of 37 units for Visayas, 17 units for Mindanao and 22 units for Luzon with a total grant amounting to $998,357.

Through these, the Government of Japan aims to assist the BFP in addressing its shortage of emergency vehicles and to be able to improve its emergency services response. In turn, complementing the efforts being made

by Japan in improving disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines.

It is expected that the additional 22 vehicles distributed in the 20 LGUs in Luzon will benEkT AROUND MILLION PEOPLE The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor for the Philippines, launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. To date, 543 grassroots projects have been funded.

Japan believes that these projects will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to further fostering a strategic partnership between the two countries toward the future.

Q Empower founder Kat Alano talks about the need for genderbased violence awareness.

Q The government of Japan aims to assist the BFP in addressing its shortage of emergency vehicles and improving its emergency services response.

MONDAY M O N DAY AAPRIL P RIL 8, 2019

Lifestyle

D4

Q A modern take on the baro't saya

by Phillip Torres.

www.manilatimes.net

Fashion at Herencia A

FILIPINIANA fashion show, titled “Herencia,â€? was held at the Barbara's Heritage Restaurant along General Luna Street in Intramuros. Herencia is a 3PANISH TERM MEANING Ă?HERITAGE Ă? kT FOR an evening of the rich and vibrant Philippine cultural heritage through food, music and fashion.

The night was a gathering of four of the country’s respected fashion and jewelry designers hailing from different parts of Luzon. These are the gifted artists who generously agreed to share their talents in a showcase of exquisite Filipiniana collections: Philip Torres is a designer who hails from Pampanga. He revolutionized Philippine fashion through his expert rendition of the pidayit, a Kapampangan term that describes a holistic and no-waste approach to garment production — applying the kNER POINTS OF THE ALMOST FORGOTTEN home economics.

Ole Morabe is a proud Caviteno, who was once the president of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines. Taught by his grandmother about the rudiments of fine craftsmanship, he is the go-to designer of Manila’s silent elite. A 1960s fashion fan, this multiawarded designer has presented his works both here and abroad. A product of the University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts, Morabe is preparing for his solo exhibit in 2020 to celebrate his 35th year in the industry. Through his interpretation of the Filipiniana, the audience witnessed the piece’s evolution dating back to the 1900s.

Gerry Ereneta Sunga is a haute jew-

HI! SOCIETY BECKY GARCIA eller, known for his timeless creations that will always look chic despite ever changing fashions. Marrying skills in fashion and commerce, his works are hot commodities in such markets as Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and even in some parts of the European Union. Inspired by the world’s best of best, Sunga’s creations allow women and men to define themselves as unique, confident, passionate and interesting individuals.

Despite being raised in a privileged lifestyle, this designer has been pouring in dedication and hard work, to prove that he is no mere goldsmith, but a truly respected artist and master of his craft. He was named Grand Winner of the PLDT Design Competition and he likewise bagged the Grand Prix in the Hotel Intercontinental Annual Christmas Installation Art Competition. His works were featured in CNN’s “Style with Elsa Klensch.�

Finally, Rholand Roxas is a pride of Southern Tagalog. He hails from Quezon, and used to be the president

Q Designer Ole Morabe with his model. of the Fashion Designers Association of his province. Roxas is a notable kGURE IN 0HILIPPINE FASHION HAVING won in the yearly grand Santacruzan showcase at the Manila Hotel as well as in the highly-competitive Grand Santacruzan at the Mall of Asia.

We also have Romy Yang and George Yang — both artists and jewelers who collaborated with the designers. The executive producers are Barbara de los Reyes, Edwina Mondoùedo, Ron Laurel, Tapia Merk, Tony Cajucom, and Mike Guison, who were overwhelmed with the audience reception and appreciation of the show. Creative directions are by Cajucom and Guison.

The show was made possible through partnership with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Veterans Bank, Jardine Distribution, Inc., Fisher Mall, Nena Cosmetics and of course, Barbara's Heritage Restaurant and Laurel Media Company.

Q Fashion designer Rholand Roxas and his Filipiniana pieces.

Q Jewelry designs from Gerry Sunga.

Q Fashion show producers Roni Merk, Barbara Gordon delos Reyes, Tony Cajucom and Mike Guison, with the four designers Morabe, Torres, Sunga and Roxas.

Time to welcome summer Esprit unveils new line of watches at season kick-off event

Q Chesca Paredes talks about her summer plans.

Q Horace Ho, Esprit Watches’ principal, and Avinash Uttamchandani, general manager for Newtrends.

SAN Francisco-founded fashion phisticated woman, the Modern brand Esprit, now headquartered Classic line is ideal which features in Hong Kong, unveiled its 2019 subtle dial graphics combined Spring-Summer Esprit Time Col- with a simple watch case and stone lection at a season kick-off ACCENTS ! DEkNITE HEAD TURNER AND event in Makati City.

Mounted by the brand’s OFkCIAL 0HILIPPINE DISTRIBUTOR

Newtrends International Corporation (NIC), the party also celebrated the culmination of Women’s Month in March. /FkCIALS SPOTTED FROM .)# included General Manager Avinash Uttamchandani and General Sales Manager of Time Management Services ,IMITED FOR !SIA 0ACIkC OF Horace Ho who revealed the new collection, designed in summer hues and soft leather and stylish metal straps. Simple yet elegant, the latest collection has time pieces crafted for Q Kim Cruz tries on her pick of the new women of all ages with watch collection. different lifestyles. “We matched our current col- conversation starter, the Magnolia lection with the modern Filipina Mini Stones line is perfect for woman whose style and taste are those who would like to be the truly remarkable,� said Ho. life of the party yet would prefer For the fashionable and so- to maintain that retro look.

The brand’s Spring Summer collection also appeals to the classy purists, with the Timeless line which comes in either full gold-plated or two tone watch case set with stones.

Functional and hip, the Active line is perfect for those who enjoy an active lifestyle as it comes with a fully-operational chronograph timer.

Ho also mentioned the versatility of the line and how the trendy generation inspired the brand’s newest collection: “We want to offer choices especially to the ever so discerning Filipino women. We want to also let them know that we hear them and that we do take note of their current style preferences.�

Relatively, the last of the five collections is tailored for the young and the bold which is called the Millennial line which has a clean, unique, brushed dial with a sleek strap.

The latest Esprit Time Collection available in all SM Stores nationwide.

advertising@manilatimes.net 524-5664 local 121, 3105895 and 3105582

TAGAYTAY MIDLANDS GOLF CLUB, INC. NOTICE OF LOSS OF STOCK CERTIFICATE The public is hereby informed of the loss of Stock &HUWLÂżFDWH 1R IRU RQH (1) share of TAGAYTAY MIDLANDS GOLF CLUB, INC. issued in the name of EDUARDO C. DE LUNA. If no contest is presented to the Corporation regarding the above-mentioned stock certificate within one (1) year from this notice, the right to contest shall be barred and the Corporation VKDOO LVVXH D QHZ FHUWLÂżFDWH in lieu of the lost one subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 73 of the Corporation Code.

MT – March 28, April 1 & 8, 2019

Classified Ads

MONDAY April 8, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JOSE CONRADO B. BENITEZ has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Waiver of Rights executed on March 22, 2019 and entered as per Doc. No. 523; Page No. 106; Book No. 899; Series of 2019 of the notarial registry of Atty. Ruben T.M. Ramirez notary public for and in Makati City.

MT – Mar. 28, Apr. 1 & 8, 2019

E1

NOTICE OF CLOSURE

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

Notice is hereby given that EMERSON ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL, INC. ZLWK 6(& ) LVVXHG RQ 0DUFK has permanently ceased operations effective February 5, 2009.

Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of Incorporation of JPK INTELLIGENT SYSTEM, PHILIPPINES INC. located at Unit 811 The One ([HFXWLYH 2IÂżFH %XLOGLQJ :HVW $YH &RU &RO 0DUWLQH] 1D\RQJ .DQOXUDQ Quezon City is shortening the term of its existence up to March 1, 2019 thereby dissolving the said corporation on said date have been approved by the Board of Directors and Stockholders.

Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of Incorporation of HWANG JI INC. located at 9/F Filinvest One Building, Northgate Cyberzone Alabang-Zapote Road Cor. Northgate Ave., Filinvest City Alabang, Muntinlupa City is shortening the term of its existence up to December 31, 2018 thereby dissolving the said corporation on said date have been approved by the Board of Directors and Stockholders.

All persons having claims against Emerson Electric International, Inc. are hereby enjoined to present their claims to the Securities and Exchange Commission (Secretariat Building, PICC Complex, Roxas %RXOHYDUG 0HWUR 0DQLOD IRU SURSHU YHULÂżFDWLRQ DQG VHWWOHPHQW RI their valid claims within (15) days from publication of this notice.

This acknowledgement will serve as notice to all concerned of the closure of Emerson Electric International, Inc. Anna Mae Santos Authorized Representative MT - Apr. 2, 8, & 15, 2019

All persons having claims against said corporation are requested to present the VDPH DW 8QLW 7KH 2QH ([HFXWLYH 2IÂżFH %XLOGLQJ :HVW $YH &RU &RO 0DUWLQH] 1D\RQJ .DQOXUDQ 4XH]RQ &LW\ IRU LPPHGLDWH VHWWOHPHQW

All persons having claims against said corporation are requested to present the same at 9/F Filinvest One Building, Northgate Cyberzone Alabang-Zapote Road Corner Northgate Ave., Filinvest City Alabang Muntinlupa City for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as notice to all concerned of the legal dissolution of the aforesaid corporation.

This announcement will serve as notice to all concerned of the legal dissolution of the aforesaid corporation.

(SGD.) MARK LEO H. ROSALES Corporate Secretary

(SGD.) MYLENE JEREZ Corporate Secretary

MT – April 1, 8 & 15, 2019

MT – April 1, 8 & 15, 2019

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS CENTRAL OFFICE Manila

Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of Incorporation of KUK BO DESIGN INC., located at 9/F Filinvest One Building, Northgate Cyberzone Alabang-Zapote Road Cor. Northgate Ave., Filinvest City Alabang, Muntinlupa City is shortening the term of its existence up to December 31, 2018 thereby dissolving the said corporation on said date have been approved by the Board of Directors and Stockholders.

All persons having claims against said corporation are requested to present the same at 9/F Filinvest One Building, Northgate Cyberzone Alabang-Zapote Road Corner Northgate Ave., Filinvest City Alabang Muntinlupa City for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as notice to all concerned of the legal dissolution of the aforesaid corporation.

(SGD.) KAREN B. MORINO Corporate Secretary MT – April 1, 8 & 15, 2019

DPWH CENTRAL DISPOSAL COMMITTEE ITB No. Date

: :

I001-2019 March 28, 2019

INVITATION TO BID SEALED BIDS in three (3) copies for sale on “AS ISâ€? and “WHERE ISâ€? basis of government properties subject to the Revised General Terms and Conditions for the Sale of Government Property dated January 2, 1997, will be received by the Central Disposal Committee not later than 9:30 A.M. on May 7, 2019 DW WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &KDLUPDQ nd Floor, IMS Building, DPWH +HDG 2IÂżFH %RQLIDFLR 'ULYH 3RUW $UHD 0DQLOD DW ZKLFK SODFH WLPH DQG GDWH the bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders or their duly authorized representative, to wit:

LOT NO.

I

ITEMS

LOCATION

SPMD-HRAS Warehouse (formerly FOCUS Compound), 2nd St., Port Area, Manila Bureau of Research and Various types of Standards, EDSA, Quezon unserviceable laboratory equipment City Various types of unserviceable tires and waste materials

GOVERNMENT MINIMUM SELLING PRICE (GMSP)

Php233,785.00

The above-mentioned properties can be inspected at said location during RIÂżFH KRXUV $ 0 WR 3 0 0RQGD\ WR )ULGD\ ,QYLWDWLRQ WR %LG DQG 3URSRVDO )RUPV FDQ EH VHFXUHG DW WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH Secretariat, DPWH Central Disposal Committee, Bureau of Equipment, 2nd 6WUHHW 3RUW $UHD 0DQLOD IURP $ 0 WR 3 0 RQ April 8, 2019 to May 6, 2019 upon payment of a non-refundable fee in the amount of Two Thousand Pesos (Php2,000.00) to defray the cost of reproducing the required documents and publication.

Interested bidders are required to submit their bid proposal and bond in the amount not less than the Government Minimum Selling Price of the lot to be bid out in the form of Cash, Cashier’s or Manager’s Check. Attention: Chairman, Central Disposal Committee, 2nd )ORRU ,06 %XLOGLQJ '3:+ +HDG 2I¿FH Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila not later than 9:30 a.m. on May 7, 2019.

Prospective bidders shall submit their bids in two (2) separate bid envelopes WR WKH &'& &KDLUPDQ 7KH ÂżUVW HQYHORSH VKDOO FRQWDLQ WKH ELG ERQG DQG WKH second shall contain the bid form/bid offer.

All bids will be opened at 9:30 A.M. on May 7, 2019 at the above-mentioned address.

The Department of Public Works and Highways reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive any defect contained therein and accept the offer most advantageous to the government.

(SGD.) B. ELIZABETH E. YAP, PH.D., CESO II Assistant Secretary for Support Services and Chairman, Central Disposal Committee MT - Apr. 8, 2019

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Section I. Invitation to Re-Bid Supply and Installation of Variable Refrigerant Flow/Volume (VRF/VRV) Multi-Split Packaged Air-conditioning Units at Various Areas of PICC The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), through its 2019 Approved Budget, intends to apply the sum of Thirty-Four Million One Hundred Forty-Three Thousand 7KUHH +XQGUHG (LJKW\ 7ZR 3HVRV DQG )RXU &HQWDYRV 3 9$7 ,QFOXVLYH being the total Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) of the aforesaid requirement.

The PICC now invites bids for the procurement of the abovementioned requirement. &RPSOHWLRQ RI WKH :RUNV VKDOO EH ZLWKLQ RQH KXQGUHG ÂżIW\ FDOHQGDU GD\V %LGGHUV VKRXOG KDYH FRPSOHWHG D FRQWUDFW VLPLODU WR WKH SURMHFW ZLWKLQ WKH ODVW ÂżYH \HDUV DQG have key personnel and equipment for the prosecution of the contract. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

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

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and SDUWQHUVKLSV RU RUJDQL]DWLRQV ZLWK DW OHDVW VHYHQW\ ÂżYH SHUFHQW LQWHUHVW RU outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the PICC-BAC and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during working days A complete set of Bid Documents may be acquired by interested bidders from April 22, 2019 to 10:00 a.m. of May 16, 2019, at the address stated below upon payment of the applicable fee, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of TWENTY ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FIFTY PESOS (P21,250.00). It may also be downloaded, free of charge, from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and at the PICC website, https://www.picc.gov.ph. provided that participating Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, not later than the submission of their bids.

The PICC-BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference at 10 : 00 a.m. of May 3, 2019 , at the PICC BAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Delegation Building, which shall be open to all prospective bidders. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address VSHFLÂżHG EHORZ RQ RU EHIRUH DP RI 0D\ %LGV PXVW EH DFFRPSDQLHG E\ a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be conducted on May 16, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at the PICC BAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Delegation Building, PICC. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case the Pre-bid Conference, the deadline for the submission of Bid Documents and the opening of bids fall on a non-working day, legal holiday or special non-working holiday, the activity involved shall be moved to 2:00 p.m. of the next working day.

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 @ manilatimes.net or call 524-5664 local 121

The PICC reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or QRW DZDUG WKH FRQWUDFW DW DQ\ WLPH SULRU WR FRQWUDFW DZDUG LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK 6HFWLRQ RI 5$ DQG LWV ,55 ZLWKRXW WKHUHE\ LQFXUULQJ DQ\ OLDELOLW\ WR WKH DIIHFWHG ELGGHU RU ELGGHUV For further information, please refer to: BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (BAC) PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER PICC Complex, 1307 Pasay City DQG 7HOHID[ 1R (SGD.) MELPIN A. GONZAGA Chairman MT - Apr. 8, 2019

ERRORS & OMISSIONS Any incorrect advertisement published in The Manila Times Classified Ads must be brought to our attention on the same day the advertisement came out. We will not be held liable for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

E2

MONDAY April 8, 2019

Classified Ads

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Classified Ads

MONDAY April 8, 2019

E3

The Manila Times is looking for an experienced Digital Manager to oversee all IT (Information Technology) functions in our company.

DIGITAL MANAGER Responsibilities • Design, develop a website or web pages • Manage information technology and computer systems for the company • Plan, organize, control and evaluate IT and electronic data operations • Manage IT staff by training and coaching employees, communicating job expectations and appraising their performance • Design, develop, implement and coordinate systems, policies and procedures • Ensure security of data, network access and backup systems • Act in alignment with user needs and system functionality to contribute to organizational policy • Identify problematic areas and implement strategic solutions in time • Audit systems and assess their outcomes • Preserve assets, information security and control structures Requirements ‡ .QRZOHGJHDEOH LQ ZHE SURJUDPPLQJ ODQJXDJH LQFOXGLQJ Word Press • Proven working experience as an IT manager or relevant experience – at least 2 years • Excellent knowledge of technical management, information analysis and of computer hardware/software systems • Expertise in data centre management and data governance • Hands-on experience with computer networks, network administration and network installation • Ability to manage personnel ‡ %6 LQ &RPSXWHU 6FLHQFH 0,6 RU VLPLODU ¿HOG • Good communication skills Please email your resumÊ at: hrd@manilatimes.net, or you may apply personally at 2/F Sitio Grande Bldg., $ 6RULDQR $YHQXH ,QWUDPXURV 0DQLOD )RUPHUO\ 75% %OGJ

or you may call Irish de Guzman at 524-5664 local 122.

E4

Classified Ads

MONDAY April 8, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

The Land Bank of the Philippines invites interested parties to bid for the following properties on CASH and “AS-IS WHERE-IS� BASIS:

Item No. Province 1

Abra

Location Town/City

Brgy.

Patucannay,

Tayum

6,979

Lian

21,392

2

Batangas Brgy. Lumaniag

3

Benguet

Benguet

5

Cagayan

6

Cagayan

7

Cagayan

8

Cagayan

9

Area (sq.m.)

Lot Floor Area Area

Location

Brgy. Alapang, La Trinidad Brgy. Res. Sec. “J� (Balacbac, Sto. Tomas proper) IBJ IBJ

Baguio City Lasam Lasam

Brgy.

Amulung Nanuccauan Brgy. Ignacio B. Lasam Jurado

Ilocos Norte Brgy. Salbang

Paoay

300

768

Isabela

11

Isabela

Brgy. Zamora

Alicia

12

Isabela

Brgy.

Barumbong

Sto. Tomas

13

Isabela

Brgy. Upi

Gamu

3,000

Isabela

Brgy. Ipil

Echague

3,193

Isabela

16

Isabela

17

Isabela

18

Isabela

19

Isabela

20

Isabela

21

Isabela

22

Isabela

23

Isabela

Isabela

25

Isabela

26

Isabela

27

Isabela

28

Isabela

29

Isabela

30

Isabela

31

Isabela

32

Isabela

33

Isabela

Isabela

35

Isabela

36

Isabela

Brgy. San Antonio Minit Prenza (District 1) Prenza (District 1) Prenza (District 1) Prenza (District 1) Prenza (District 1) Prenza (District 1) Prenza (District 1) Brgy. Fugu (now Malibago) Brgy. Sto. Tomas Brgy. Sto. Tomas Brgy. Aurora (now Purok Daisy, Calaocan) Brgy. Ignacio B. Jurado Brgy. Paddad

Discounted Title/TD No. Minimum Bid Price

Residential and 88 Agricultural Land with improvement

TCT No. 7 1,598,000.00 TD No. 16752

Residential and 1, 5, 15 Agricultural Agricultural land

506 with improvement

839

-

2, 5, 11

7

151,000.00

2, 5

7

178,000.00

3, 5

7

266,000.00

70

Residential

2, 5

T-139392

283,000.00

023Residential Land

2012000133 with improvement 165Residential Land 2, 5, 8 128

with improvement Agricultural/ 2, 5, 8, 7 200 Commercial Land 9, 10 with improvement

-

Agricultural

35

2, 6, 8, 10

7

1,237,000.00

2, 5, 8

7

4,501,000.00

7

574,000.00

7

155,000.00

7

237,000.00

1, 5

7

146,000.00

2, 5, 10

7

361,000.00

Residential land with improvement Residential with 196 improvement

Echague

10,163

-

Agricultural

Cauayan

368

-

Residential

1, 5

Cauayan

30

Cauayan

379

-

Residential land 2, 5, 13 with improvement Residential

Residential with 56 improvement

Cauayan

Cauayan

-

Residential

1, 5

7

141,000.00

Cauayan

375

-

Residential

1, 5

7

124,000.00

Cauayan

382

-

Residential

Echague

1,590

Alicia

1, 5

7

126,000.00

2, 5, 8, 10

T-272323

572,000.00

Agricultural

1, 5, 8

7

1,025,000.00

T-272325

160,000.00

T-319098

441,000.00

T-267122

350,000.00

T-267118 7 and 7 T-199877* and T-199878 T-196178

123,000.00

Residential land with improvement -

Alicia

2,277

-

Agricultural

1, 5, 8, 13

Alicia

300

-

Residential

1, 5, 8

Lasam

377

80

Alicia

516

Lasam

Brgy. Ignacio B. Lasam Jurado Brgy. Ignacio B. Lasam Jurado Brgy. Ignacio B. Lasam Jurado Brgy. Ignacio B. Lasam Jurado Brgy. San San Pedro Antonio

Oriental Mindoro Palawan

Brgy.

Papandungin Brgy. Isaub

Residential land 2, 5, 8 with improvement Residential 1, 5, 13

Sta. Cruz

872

-

Residential

1,417,000.00 544,000.00 234,000.00

T-151035

403,000.00

2, 5

T-151036

126,000.00 169,000.00

503

-

Residential

2, 5

T-151031 and T-151032

388

-

Residential

2, 5

T-151029

131,000.00

282

-

Residential

2, 5

T-151030

95,000.00

7

197,000.00

T-151033

151,000.00

Residential land 2, 5, 10

with improvement Residential land 2, 5, 10

with improvement

501

-

Residential

1, 5

56,250

-

Agricultural and Agro-industrial

2, 5

Agricultural

2, 6

Gloria

-

20,000

-

Pangasinan Brgy. San Isidro Binmaley

Brgy. Barang

Residential

Residential 1, 6 Residential land 2, 5, 10

with improvement

Aborlan

Brgy. San Isidro Brgy. DoĂąa Leyte Feliza Z. Mejia Sitio Miranda, Bukidnon Damilag

1,025,000.00 81,000.00

-

Brgy. Road Palasan

1,013,000.00

7

667

Brgy. Ignacio B. Jurado

1,291,000.00

2, 6

Brgy. San Isidro Cauayan Brgy. Ignacio B. Lasam Jurado Brgy. Ignacio B. Lasam Jurado

Laguna

672,000.00

1, 5, 13*

T-93336

-

Laguna

Leyte

3, 5, 11, 13

1,293

39

Tarlac

Residential

Cauayan

Brgy. Tagaran

Isabela

2,516,000.00

2, 5, 11, 12

Brgy. Minante II Cauayan

38

T-67302

2, 6, 8, 10, 13*

Isabela

7,488,000.00

Residential land 2,592 170.80 with improvement

37

T-113966

-

Residential Residential Land

with improvement Residential land

with improvement

10

15

Brgy. Camarag San Isidro

Property Description Property Status Category

0603,507,000.00 2016001793 7 and 10,631,000.00 7 T-115152

468,000.00

Agricultural 2, 6 T-15013 252,000.00 026Residential Land 3, 5, 13 4,092,000.00 1,366 with improvement

Residential Land

17,902,000.00 2,705

with improvement - Agricultural Land 1, 5 T-38083 4,900,000.00 35351 and 4,871,000.00 Residential 2, 5 35352

Paniqui

Ormoc

3,500

Ormoc

6,325

Manolo Fortich

111.75

Agricultural

2, 6

7

636,000.00

9DFDQW 2FFXSLHG 8QRFFXSLHG :LWK OHJDO FDVH :LWK 5RDG 5LJKW RI :D\ 552: 1R 552: /DQGORFNHG 7&7 VWLOO LQ WKH QDPH RI WKH IRUPHU RZQHU 7' VWLOO LQ WKH QDPH RI WKH IRUPHU RZQHU :LWK

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC

HQFURDFKPHQW 7' IRU WKH LPSURYHPHQW LV QRW DYDLODEOH RQ ÂżOH 7UDYHUVH E\ FDQDO VHUYLFH URDG :LWK GLVFUHSDQF\ RQ DUHD VWDWHG LQ WKH WLWOH ÂżJXUH DQG LQ ZRUGV 2SHQ SRO\JRQ 7&7 ZLWK DQRWDWLRQ :LWK Legal Easement

6HDOHG ELGV WRJHWKHU ZLWK WKH ELG ERQG HTXLYDOHQW WR RI WKH ELG VKDOO EH SODFHG LQ D VHDOHG HQYHORSH WR EH dropped by the bidder or his/her/its authorized representative in the designated box at the 27/F Lending Support 'HSDUWPHQW /6' /$1'%$1. 3OD]D 0DODWH 0DQLOD RQ April 25, 2019 until 9:30 a.m. only. Failure to drop the bid until 9:30 a.m. shall disqualify the interested bidder from joining the public bidding. The bid bond shall be in the form of Cashier’s or Manager’s Check issued by any commercial bank payable to Land Bank of the Philippines.

Only the prescribed form (Application to Participate in Public Bidding) shall be accepted as a formal bid. The Bid Documents will be available at the Lending Support Department starting April 10, 2019.

The Pre-Bid Conference will be held on April 12, 2019 D P DW WKH ) &RQIHUHQFH 5RRP /$1'%$1.

Plaza, 1598 M.H. del Pilar cor. Dr. J. Quintos Sts., Malate, Manila.

Prospective bidders are enjoined to inspect the above-listed Properties as well as the legal status of the title before submitting their bids. For the sale of Properties where Vendor disclosure/s are needed, a Disclosure Statement will be issued by the Secretariat upon request by an interested bidder and will be given to all participating bidders on the scheduled public bidding. The sale of the properties shall be on “AS-IS-WHERE-IS� basis.

In the event the public bidding is declared a failure wherein only one bidder submits a minimum bid or higher and satisfy all the requirements, the lone bid shall be considered an offer to buy the property for the purpose of Negotiated Sale on cash basis.

If for any reason, the above-mentioned date is declared a non-working holiday, the Bank shall publish a notice to the public announcing the date, time, and venue of the public bidding.

For more information regarding the above properties, kindly contact the following: Property Location Abra, Benguet, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan Isabela Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac Visayas, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal Albay, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan and Romblon Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat Bukidnon

Contact Person Ms. Eden C. Bisnar

Contact Number/s

Ms. Maricel S. Bautista May Cartez C. Javate Mr. Efren M. Patron Mr. Adrian C. Peralta Ms. Doris B. Fellone

(02) 522-0000 loc.

Mr. Rudolfh Bryan Gesalan

(02) 522-0000 loc.

Handling Unit

Special Assets Department, Marketing Teams

/$1'%$1. UHVHUYHV WKH ULJKW WR UHMHFW DQ\ RU DOO ELGV WR ZDLYH DQ\ IRUPDOLW\ WKHUHLQ DQG WR DFFHSW ELG DV PD\ EH FRQVLGHUHG PRVW DGYDQWDJHRXV WR WKH %DQN 7KH GHFLVLRQ RI /$1'%$1. VKDOO EH ÂżQDO DQG ELQGLQJ HEAD OFFICE COMMITTEE ON ASSET DISPOSAL Member: Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation. Maximum Deposit Insurance for Each Deposit is P500,000.00.

MT - Apr. 8, 2019

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.

The Manila Times DOES NOT ask for money to stop news articles from being published. This paper does not condone any form of blackmail.

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