THE MANILA TIMES | FEBRUARY 12, 2019

Investment approvals nearly double in January »Story on B1 ++

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2019

Cardinal’s ‘Manifesto of Faith’ contra Pope Francis’; alarmists’ Green New Deal First word H E times we live in will be remembered as one of the most confrontational and rancorous in history.

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OBSERVER YEN MAKABENTA

³MakabentaA4

The restraint of unreasonableness

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Trusted since 1898

Cotabato mayor wants SC to nullify BOL vote

BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

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had documentEXCLUSIVE camp ed all the violence,

threats and intimidation that transpired within and outside of polling places during the casting of votes in Cotabato City

³BOLA2

CAMPAIGN PERIOD BEGINS

FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

Sara, GMA lead opening salvo in Clark DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte’s “Hugpong ng Pagbabago” (HNP) will kick off its campaign in Pampanga, the bailiwick of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, today, Tuesday, the BEGINNING OF THE OFkCIAL DAY CAMpaign period for the May 2019 midterm elections. ³OpeningA8

Filipinos are paying collective karmic debt IN MY LINE

E OF SIGHT seem to be a country of xenophobes, people who hate foreigners.

In my years as a self-appointed ombudsman in broadcast media, I’ve come across countless cases of foreigners being mistreated by the very people who have become close to them: their wives and adopted families. ³TulfoA5

RAMON T. TULFO

70 dead as measles cases soar

MUSIC FEST

US singer-songwriter Lady Gaga performs onstage during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. AFP PHOTO

»Story on D1

What’s inside ARMIDA SIGUION-REYNA, MUSIC ICON, DIES AT 88

NewsA2

THE PARTISAN WEAPONIZATION OF PRESS FREEDOM

Antonio ContrerasA5

Dominguez to keynote The Manila Times Economic Outlook 2019 FINANCE Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez 3rd has confirmed his participation in The Manila Times Economic Outlook 2019, which will have the theme “Riding the Tailwinds: Pursuing Growth and Value Amid Rising Q Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd Global Risks.”

Dominguez, who will be the keynote speaker, has over 40 years of experience managing various organizations in the public and private sectors.

He was a shareholder and board chairman

³KeynoteA8

WARRIORS TAKE THE HEAT AS EMBIID LEADS 76ERS OVER LAKERS SportsC1

Sayadi said her

HE legal team of Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi is studying all options in preparation for the filing of a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) to declare the just concluded plebiscites in Mindanao null and void.

APPLER has complained — and m a n y have taken up the cudgels for it — that all the legal processes arrayed against it and its editorial chiefs are part of a concerted effort at muzzling opposition. ³AquinoA6

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PARENTAL CONTROL: A GROWING NECESSITY IN TODAY’S DIGITAL AGE

ParentingD4

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

AT least 70 people had died in the measles outbreak as the number of cases rose to more than 4,300, the Department of Health (DoH) said on Monday. ³MeaslesA2

US to give P300-M intel support to fight terror THE UNITED States (US) government had pledged to provide more than P300 million in financial support for intelligence-gathering in the Philippines’ counter-terrorism effort, Malacañang announced

on Monday.

In a statement, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Philippine government welcomed US support following the explosions that rocked

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News

˜ The Manila Times TUESDAY February 12, 2019

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L AC S O N T E L L S CO N G R E S S M E N

Join LGU planning to stop ‘pork’ use T

BY JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

O GET rid of “porkâ€? in the annual naTIONAL BUDGET 3EN 0ANkLO ,ACSON ON Monday urged district representatives in Congress to take part in planning at the local level, instead of inserting projects after MalacaĂąang had submitted the National Expenditure Program (NEP), its version of the budget, to Congress. “It is high time we eliminate the obvious disconnect between the needs and priorities of the countryside local government units (LGUs) and the expenditure

program at the national level, due to the absence of consultations,�

Lacson said. “Because of this disconnect, district representatives — instead

of attending and participating in the formulation of local development plans within their districts, where they are members of the Local Development Councils — opt to arbitrarily make insertions during the authorization phase, without due regard to the needs and priorities of the LGUs within their districts,� he added.

The senator said he was preparing for the oversight phase of the budgeting process after “losing� the budget vote. “Life goes on! We lost the vote on ‘pork’ insertions in the 2019 budget and we respect the will of majority of our colleagues. I guess our drone will again be very busy

lYING LATER THIS YEAR TO OVERSEE HOW those ‘projects’ are implemented, if at all,� he said.

After he moved for the removal of some P50.8 billion in projects, including those with right-of-way issues from the 2018 budget, Lacson and his staff went to various parts of the country to check on pork-funded infrastructure projects.

Some of these projects had zero to 1 percent completion rate, he said.

Lacson also bared billions of pesos in “pork� projects in the 2019 budget, including at least P160 million for each House member.

The P160 million includes P70 million for “hard� projects such as ROADS AND lOOD CONTROL PROJECTS AND

Q MEASLES FROM A1

Q BOL FROM A1

Cotabato for its inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on January 21.

Speaking to The Manila Times, Sayadi showed documents that included pictures, names of personalities and her text exchanges with military officers in the provinces, among others, that will prove her claims that govERNMENT AND MILITARY OFkCIALS

who were supposed to protect the integrity of the plebiscite, allegedly conspired with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to ensure the victory of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). “They are all fully documented and we will present them at the proper forum at the proper time,�

Sayadi said in an interview.

Speaking to reporters, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said 3AYADI SHOULD kRST kLE A COMPLAINT g0RECISELY YOU HAVE TO kLE A CASE

with capital outlay for the purchase of dredging machines.

He also cited the Senate-introduced Department of Health realignment, as well as the adoption of most of his institutional amendments, such as: – the 240-day-a-year school feeding program for wasted and nearly wasted schoolchildren – additional allowance for teachers – some appropriations cover for laws passed on veterans – additional budget requested by the judiciary – activation of an infantry UNIT TO kGHT TERRORIST GROUPS IN Mindanao.

Armida Siguion-Reyna, music icon, dies at 88

70 dead From January 1 to February 9, the Health department’s epidemiology bureau recorded 4,302 cases, 66 percent of which had no prior history of vaccination against measles.

4HIS kGURE WAS HIGHER THAN THE 1,935 recorded in the same period in 2018 by 122 percent.

The DoH said Metro Manila had the most number of cases at 1,296 and 18 deaths. This was followed by Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) with 1,086 cases and 25 deaths; Central Luzon with 481 cases with three deaths; Western Visayas with 212 cases and four deaths; and Northern Mindanao with 189 cases and two deaths.

Of the total recorded fatalities, 79 percent were not immunized.

Most came from Calabarzon.

Eastern Visayas, Mimaropa, Calabarzon, Central Visayas and Bicol, which showed an increasing trend of cases this week, the DoH added.

In Tarlac alone, the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit 3 (RESU3) said there were only 47 cases of measles in 2018 but in January 2019, at least 445 cases were recorded. /F THE kGURE THE $O( CONkRMED CONkRMED CASES IN THE PROVINCE and four deaths as of January 26. A 21-day-old infant was the youngest listed patient at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital, which had 22 new admissions over the weekend.

According to the Health depart-

P30 million for “soft� projects such as textbooks and scholarships. Another P60 million was added by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, including P50 million for hard projects and P10 million for soft projects, while some of the more fortunate House members received much more.

Even some senators have been found to have made individual amendments amounting to P23 billion.

Although these amounts were retained in the 2019 budget, Lacson said some “progress� against pork had been made, including the deleTION OF ALL APPROPRIATIONS FOR lOOD control, particularly dredging, desilting and the like; and realignment

IMMUNIZED

A mother holds her child while he gets vaccinated in a health center at Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila on Monday. This comes almost a week after the Department of Health declared a measles outbreak nationwide. PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA ment, 34 percent of the patients were aged one to four years and 27 percent were less than nine months old.

The DoH attributed the epidemic in some regions to “vaccine hesitancy,� which refers to the “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services.�

Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd on Monday reiterated his appeal to the public to “rebuild THEIR TRUST AND CONkDENCE IN VACcines long proven to be effective.�

He also said more parents seem to have changed their views on the vaccination program by getting free vaccines in health centers for their children, unlike in previous months due to the vaccine scare.

“When I visited Baseco compound, there were over 500 children who got vaccinated. In Pansol village in Quezon City, I remember almost 300 got vaccinated. This is a far cry from what we witnessed in the past where there was no one coming or lining up,� Duque said.

The DoH said it would continue its vaccination drive against measles until the immunization coverage reaches 90 to 95 percent.

Although the department admitted that it failed to reach its immunization target for the past 10 years, its vaccination coverage had been at 70 to 80 percent, Undersecretary Rolando Domingo said in a television interview.

4HE HEALTH OFkCIAL NOTED THAT

Metro Manila’s immunization rates in 2018 went down to less than 40 percent, making children vulnerable.

Domingo was reacting to the statement of Public Attorney’s /FkCE CHIEF 0ERSIDA !COSTA WHO put the blame back at the DoH for allegedly failing to protect the public from measles.

Domingo said Acosta’s claim that the controversial Dengvaxia had killed a lot of schoolchildren, “aggravated� the already belowtarget immunization rates.

CATHERINE A. MODESTO AND KENNETH HARE HERNANDEZ IN MANILA, JERRY M. HERNANDEZ IN TARLAC

in the appropriate administrative bodies,� Panelo said when asked if the Palace would investigate Sayadi’s claims. “If she has evidence to back up HER CLAIM THEN kLE THE APPROPRIate charges against whosoever she felt has violated elections laws,� he added.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday denied Sayadi’s allegations. “This is grossly unfair to the men and women of the [Armed Forces] who dutifully performed their election duties,� said Brig.

Gen. Edgard Arevalo, military spokesman, in a statement.

Arevalo said Sayadi should bring her charges to a proper forum and challenged her to “substantiate her allegations than besmirch the good reputation of the [military] through media.� “The [Armed Forces] is and will remain professional, non-partisan and true to its mandate of protecting the people in the exercise of their political rights and in electing their leaders who will manage the affairs of the state,� Arevalo said.

‘Massive disenfranchisement’

nothing happened. “Even the DepEd assured us that there is no problem, the teachers will serve. I am so conkDENT 7HO WOULD NOT BELIEVE IF government says so. I don’t listen to the MILF because I believe that A GOVERNMENT OFkCIAL SHOULD ONLY listen to her fellow government OFkCIALS u SHE ADDED Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of 6th ID, denied the allegations, saying the military would never take sides in any forms of political exercise.

He said he personally conDUCTED ROUNDS DURING THE kRST plebiscite in Cotabato City to drive out MILF members and even regular voters who had no business in polling precincts.

Sayadi claimed that polling places in Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School, Datu Siang Elementary School, Muamad Elementary Schoold, Cotabato City Institute, Datu Usman Elementary School, Sero Elementary School and Roxas Elementary School were subjected to threats and intimidation.

She said massive disenfranchisement of registered voters in Cotabato City could have been prevented if the military and the Department of Education (DepEd) were only honest enough and matched their words with actions. “I kept my word and they didn’t,� she said. “I believed them because they formed part of the government and I’m also a governMENT OFkCIAL u Sayadi reiterated that she was assured by the military leadership of the 6th Infantry Division (ID) on the eve of the plebiscite that the thousands of non-voting MILF members inside Cotabato City would be asked to leave but

Chaos in Cotabato?

Mayor Sayadi said that if Cotabato City became part of the BARMM, there would be “chaos� because the MILF “cannot control even their own people.� “Cotabato City will be at their mercy. There will be more abuses

PHILIPPINE movie and music icon Armida Siguion-Reyna has passed away at the age of 88.

Former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile said he and his siblings mourned the passing of Armida and called on Filipinos not to forget his sister.

Siguion-Reyna was a multifaceted icon with notable accomplishments as a singer, actress, and producer. She also headed the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. She is best known for her TV show, “Aawitan Kita,� the longest-running musical show in the country that bagged awards.

Enrile said Armida, his halfsister, contracted pneumonia. “Ang hinihingi ko lang sa mga Pilipino — lalo na sa kabataan — ay huwag na huwag ninyo siyang kalimutan (My only wish to Filipinos — especially the youth — is never forget her),�

Enrile said in a statement. “Hinahangaan ko ang kanyang desisyon na pumasok sa pelikula. Ipinagmamalaki ko na naging tanyag siya (I admired her decision to enter the movies. I am proud that she became famous),� he added The veteran lawmaker said his sister contributed much to showbiz.

“Isinulong niya ang wika natin sa kanyang mga kanta (She promoted our [Filipino] language in her songs),� he said.

Enrile said he and SiguionReyna were close as he reminisced their younger days. “Naalala ko pa noong araw ay sinasamahan ko siya pumunta ng party, at kahit may baha sa Maynila, ipinagmamaneho ko siya (I remember those days when I accompanied her to parties. Even if there were floods in Manila, I drove for her),� he said.

Siguion-Reyna was a leading voice on the issue of film censorship. As a liberal thinker, she called on the MTRCB to scrap film censorship and lauded independent filmmakers for showcasing their uncensored films abroad. She joined an anti-censorship rally with National Artists including Bien Lumbera, Lino Brocka, and Ishmael Bernal among others — a fearless move that further carved Siguion-Reyna’s name as one of the best industry leaders.

She was the mother of award-winning film director Carlos Siguion Reyna.

if it becomes part of the BARMM,� she said.

Under her watch, Sayadi pointed out, Cotabato City became the most progressive city in that part of the region and ranked 14th most competitive city in the country, kRST IN 2EGION AND FOURTH IN the entire Mindanao next to Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City and Tagum City.

It was also the second safest city in the entire country next to /RMOC #ITY DURING THE kRST AND second quarter of 2018, No.1 during the third quarter but went down in ranking during the 4th quarter because of a bombing incident that Sayadi believes was perpetrated by the MILF. “But despite the bombing incident our crime rate is still low,�

Sayadi added.

On Sunday, Sayadi told The Times that the MILF, which is expected to lead the BARMM, sent 20,000 men to polling places across the city and encountered no resistance from the military.

The BOL, which is part of the 2014 peace agreement between

government and the MILF, creates the BARMM, replacing the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

This new region will have wider control over its resources and political power.

Despite the strong opposition of Sayadi to the inclusion of the city in the new Bangsamoro entity, the “Yes� votes still prevailed in the January 21 plebiscite conducted to ratify BOL. In the second referendum on February 6, voters in Lanao del Norte rejected the inclusion of six towns in the BARMM, while most of the 67 villages in .ORTH #OTABATO THAT kLED PETITIONS to join the new region voted in favor of it.

Cotabato City will be part of the new Bangsamoro core territories and will leave Region 12 (Soccsksargen). The city twice rejected joining the ARMM in plebiscites for the Organic Act of the ARMM (Republic Act 6734) in 1989, and expanded ARMM Law (Republic Act 9054) in 2001.

WITH CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND DEMPSEY REYES

CHRISTINA ALPAD AND BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

News Agent sells property without knowing that Scrap excise tax on fuel, owner is dead Aquino urges Palace ˜ The Manila Times

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Dear PAO, I was authorized by my bestfriend (Maria) to be her agent in selling her real property in Nueva Vizcaya. In fact, she executed a special power of attorney for the sole purpose of selling her lot and other matters benekCIAL THERETO 4HUS ) BEGAN TRANSacting the said lot to every person I encountered. One day, my neighbor inquired about it and made a deal.

Since the deal is very advantageous to Maria, taking into consideration the amount agreed upon, and other terms and conditions, I made a deal and sold said property. However, it was unfortunate that a day before the sale, Maria passed away. I had no knowledge about her death, and the buyer did not know about her demise, too. Had I known such fact prior to selling the property, I would not have continued with the transaction. Is the transaction I made with regard to the sale of the aforesaid property valid considering that Maria passed away before the transaction took place?

Alice

Dear Alice, Article 1868 of the New Civil Code clearly provides that a contract of agency is a contract which binds a person to render some service or to do something in representation of another, with the consent or authority of the latter. “Article 1868. By the contract of agency a person binds himself to render some service or to do something in representation or on behalf of another, with the consent or authority of the latter.

(1709a)� (Emphasis supplied) As can be gleaned from the aforementioned facts, Maria already executed a special power of attorney authorizing you to sell her property. However, by a sudden twist of events, you sold the subject property to another after her death. Thus, the validity of said sale is now in doubt.

It is worthy to note that the aforementioned transaction may, nonetheless, be valid subject to certain conditions set forth in Article 1931 of the said law, to wit: “Article 1931. Anything done by

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA the agent, without knowledge of the death of the principal or of any other cause which extinguishes the agency, is valid and shall be fully effective with respect to third persons who may have contracted with him in good faith.

(1738)� (Emphasis supplied) ,IKEWISE THE SAID PROVISION WAS properly discussed in the case of Ramon Rallos vs. Felix Go Chan & Sons Realty Corp. '2 , *AN

1978), penned by Associate Justice Cecilia MuĂąoz Palma wherein the High Court noted: “[‌] an act done by the agent after the death of his principal is valid and effective only under two conditions, viz: (1) that the agent acted without knowledge of the death of the principal and (2) that the third person who contracted with the agent himself acted in good faith. Good faith here means that the third person was not aware of the death of the principal at the time he contracted with said agent.

These two requisites must concur the absence of one will render the act of the agent invalid and unenforceable.�

Thus, the transaction you made — selling the subject property of Maria to your neighbor — is valid considering that this was done without your knowledge that Maria had already passed away, and the buyer of the said property had, likewise, no knowledge of such fact, and in good faith at the time of the consummation of the sale.

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

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

BY BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

S

EN. Paolo Benigno “Bamâ€? Aquino 4th on Monday appealed to MalacaĂąang to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law to ease the burden of consumers.

The senator made the call as oil companies announced that they would raise their pump prices on Tuesday. “Nakikiusap po tayo kay Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte na isuspin-

de ang dagdag-buwis sa petrolyo para tulungan ang ating mga kababayan (I appeal to President Duterte to suspend the additional tax on petroleum to help our fel-

lowmen),â€? Aquino said. “Wala pong ibang matatakbuhan ang taumbayan maliban sa MalacaĂąang dahil tapos na ang session ng Kongreso (The people have no one to turn to but MalacaĂąang because Congress has adjourned its session),â€? he added.

Aquino was one of four senators who voted against the RATIkCATION OF THE 4RAIN ,AW IN December 2018. )N -AY HE kLED THE Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill, seeking to suspend and roll back the excise

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TAX ON FUEL UNDER THE 4RAIN ,AW ONCE THE COUNTRY S INlATION RATE exceeds the government’s target for three straight months. “I hope that even temporarily, through the suspension of excise tax on oil, our people will have some respite from their everyday struggle against poverty,� he said in Filipino.

With oil prices in the world market rising, he said the government should immediately suspend the excise tax on fuel under the Train ,AW TO HELP LOWER PRICES OF PETROleum products.

Pimentel pushes creation of department of OFWs SEN. Aquilino “Koko� Pimentel 3rd on Monday raised the need to create an agency that would solely promote the welfare and focus on the concerns of over 10 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The senator stressed that the creation of a department for OFWs was one of the campaign promises of President Rodrigo Duterte.

He reiterated his call for the immediate creation of a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DoFW), saying the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administrat i o n ( OW WA ) c a n n o t f u l l y attend to the needs of OFWs.

“Both these government agencies are already understaffed to meet the growing number and demands of our OFWs. A dedicated executive department for our foreign workers is the solut i o n , � P i m e n t e l s a i d . “ Fo r instance, OWWA has already complained in 2018 that it has just 420 staff worldwide, 300 locally and 120 abroad, addressing the concerns of 10 million OFWs.�

Pimentel filed on May 10, 2017 Senate Bill 1445 creating the DoFW. “We urgently need this OFW department. Deployment of workers abroad is not a temporary phenomenon,� he said.

The senator cited reports

that the Philippines stands to lose about $ 1 . 5 billion worth of remittances due to the projected 10 to 15 percent decrease in the deployment of OFWs to the Middle East. “That’s a big number, considering Saudi Arabia is the most preferred country of destination among OFWs at 25.4 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA),� Pimentel said. ,AST YEAR /77! REPATRIated around 3,000 workers.

The deployment of Filipino workers also declined by 10 percent because of the instability of crude oil prices. “The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has lowered the growth targets for both personal and

cash remittances to 3 percent instead of 4 percent for 2019.

We n e e d a m o r e p r o a c t i ve stance to stem this decline,� the senator said. “We need a national level policy, implemented by a separate government department, that squarely addresses key employment trends and developments a b r o a d b e c a u s e t h e s e h ave direct economic consequences back home,� he said. “When foreign countries freeze hiring of skilled and unskilled workers, or when maritime agencies rationalize the hiring of our seafarers, the economic consequences are direct and immediately felt.� he added.

BERNADET TE E. TAMAYO

More hotels, tour hubs open in Boracay THE Department of Tourism (DoT) has allowed more than 300 hotels and tourism hubs to operate in Boracay following a rigid assessment by the Inter-Agency Task Force that carried out the island’s 6-month rehabilitation.

These establishments were allowed to accept reservations from visitors, bringing the number of available rooms to 11,612. “[We] are pleased to announce that 316 accommodation establishments have complied with the requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT $),' AND THE $O4 u THE AGENCY SAID IN A STATEMENT

The establishments that were opened include the Shangri-la Resort, Savoy Hotel Boracay, Fairways and Bluewater Resort, Hennan resorts and Alta Vista de Boracay.

All establishments were shut down during the rehabilitation of the island.

Boracay reopened on Oct. 26, 2018 .

The Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) said establishments that were still closed were expected to be fully operational in April.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

Oil firms raise pump prices

ENLISTING THE YOUTH

Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go speaks before the youth who attended the launch of the Philippine National Police’s ‘Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo’ campaign in Quezon City. Those who attended the event pledged to help the government in its campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism. PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ

/), COMPANIES RAISED THEIR pump prices on Tuesday, a week after implementing a minimal price rollback.

The cost of diesel increased by 55 centavos per liter, gasoline by 90 centavos per liter and kerosene by 85 centavos per liter. #ALTEX WAS THE kRST TO ADJUST ITS rates at 12:01 a.m., followed by Eastern Petroleum, Jetti Petroleum, Petro Gazz, Phoenix Petroleum, Pilipinas Shell, PTT Philippines, Seaoil, Total and Unioil at 6 a.m.

The latest fuel price hike brings the common price of diesel to P41.29 per liter, gasoline to P48.54 per liter and kerosene to P46.15 per liter, based on the Department of Energy’s weekly monitoring. ,AST WEEK OIL kRMS REDUCED THE cost of gasoline by 35 centavos per liter, gasoline by 60 centavos per liter and kerosene by 20 centavos per liter.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

New law to boost HIV, AIDS prevention - La Union lawmaker A MEASURE signed into law in December last year would strengthen the country’s policy on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a lawmaker said on Monday.

Republic Act (RA) 11166 or the “Philippine HIV and AIDS Act,� which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in December 2018, will expand access to HIV-prevention strategies nationwide.

The new law repealed RA 9504 or the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998. It will strengthen and reconstitute the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) with full budgetary support.

The measure was co-authored by La Union 2nd District Rep. Sandra Eriguel and consolidated into a substitute bill under the House health committee. “This law will help prevent the further spread of HIV-AIDS among Fili-

pinos, especially among the vulnerable groups,� Eriguel said.

Department of Health (DoH) data showed that HIV and AIDS cases in the Philippines rose to 11,103 in 2017 from 9,264 cases in 2016.

Under RA 11166, the PNAC will promote and adopt a range of measures and interventions to prevent or control the spread of HIV among the general population, especially among the key populations and

vulnerable communities.

The law will promote the rights, welfare and participation of people living with HIV and the affected children, young people, families and partners of people living with HIV. It would also prohibit mass media from identifying persons with HIV or AIDS, Eriguel said.

She noted that an important provision of the law makes health services for HIV-AIDS available to minors. The provi-

sion allows persons aged 15 to 17 years to undergo HIV testing even without the consent of their parent or guardian.

She said this would prevent the spread of the epidemic among young Filipinos and remove the stigma on people living with HIV or AIDS. The law also contains provisions penalizing discrimination against people living with HIV or AIDS in employment, school enrollment, travel, housing, public office,

credit and insurance, hospitals and health institutions, and burial services.

Violators of the law will face imprisonment of 1 year to 10 years and may be fined P50,000 to P500,000.

The law authorizes the DoH to establish a program to provide free and accessible treatment and medication to all persons living with HIV and AIDS. It also establishes an annual budget to implement the provisions of the law. GLEE JALEA

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Opinion

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Pursue one peace accord with all Muslim groups

T

HE Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) made good sense in its suggestion that the Philippine government synchronize its peace agreements with the two Muslim rebel groups in Mindanao under a single, coherent plan for enduring peace in the South.

A policy of following separate tracks in forging peace with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is a gross mistake, as amply demonstrated when turmoil and confusion surrounded the holding of a plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Pursuing separate deals with the two groups is likely to harvest only false hopes for peace.

The question now is how the nation can move forward with Mindanao stuck in fresh tension and uncertainty. The situation cannot be resolved with fanciful pronouncements by the Commission on Elections and politicians about success in the BOL plebiscite.

An important constitutional question about the BOL still has to be resolved by the Supreme Court.

The OIC has valid ground to voice its opinion because it played a mediating role in the forging of the 1996 GRP-MNLF peace agreement that led to the establishment of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) during the time of President Fidel V. Ramos.

Along with MNLF leaders, the OIC maintains that the 1996 agreement has not been fully implemented in accordance with its letter and spirit.

The government and the MNLF were working on the CONCLUSION OF THE kNAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE agreement when the administration of former president "ENIGNO 3 !QUINO RD ACCEDED TO OFkCE -R !QUINO decided to abandon the agreement in 2013 and opted to pursue a separate peace agreement with the MILF, with Malaysia brokering the talks.

Although the Aquino initiative wound up with its own peace agreement in Mindanao, it resulted in more questions than answers. And it produced such tragedies as the Mamasapano Massacre, among others.

We share the view of experts and seasoned negotiators that the Philippine government should forge one peace agreement with Muslim groups as one community for peace and stability to hold, and in order to conform with the strict guidelines of the Philippine Constitution.

Clearly, the pact with the MILF cannot stand alone as A kG LEAF FOR PEACE IN -INDANAO It is indubitably correct now to seek the synchronizaTION OR UNIkCATION OF THE PEACE ACCORD WITH THE MNLF and the Bangsamoro deal with the MILF under a common pact that can endure.

By linking the two peace accords, the two Muslim groups and the government can work toward establishing real and lasting peace in Mindanao.

By indicating his desire to talk with the MNLF, President Rodrigo Duterte will open the door for fruitful negotiations and synchronization.

And by focusing future talks on the resolution of the remaining issues in the two peace agreements, the level of statecraft in Mindanao peacemaking can be advanced to a higher level.

This may be viewed as highly challenging. But there is an opportunity here that should not be missed. ~

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 123

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.

Q MAKABENTA FROM A1

Cardinal’s ‘Manifesto of Faith’ contra Pope Francis; alarmists’ Green New Deal People these days quarrel bitterly or come to blows over a comment on social media, as much as they used to quarrel about religion and politics.

Believing that Filipinos must soon confront two major public declarations destined for wide debate, I want to inform readers about these developments, and urge everyone to study the issues further.

These declarations are: 1. First, the decision of a leading Catholic cardinal to issue his own “Manifesto of Faith� in criticism of the progressive ideas of Pope Francis and the current confusion of many about their Catholic faith.

The manifesto revealed the growing restiveness of the Church’s conservative wing. It stirred speculations anew that Francis may not last much longer in the papacy.

2. The second declaration concerns the decision of young Democrats in the US Congress to issue their manifesto for “the Green New Deal,� their ambitious program to stop global warming or climate change, and the total transformation of the US economy and American life. GND is the loudest shout-out of climate activists since the UN’s forecast of a climate apocalypse last year.

These declarations will be debated in days and weeks to come.

Filipino Catholics will be stunned to know that Pope Francis, a highly popular pontiff, is now under heavy kRE FROM CONSERVATIVE OPPONENTS IN the Church and that the politics in the Vatican can be as grubby as politics in the real world.

Filipino climate alarmists and fanatics will be agitated by the Green New Deal, because it has put forward some of the wackiest ideas ever turned up by the church of global warming.

Manifesto of faith I relay here the news as it was reported by various Catholic media.

On Sunday, February 10, the sixth anniversary of the former Pope Benedict’s announcement of his resignation, a Catholic cardinal issued the loudest attack by far on Pope Francis and his authority.

The report of one news agency read: “Cardinal Gerhard Muller, 71, a cardinal who was sacked from a senior Vatican post by Pope Francis, has written his own ‘Manifesto of Faith,’

OBSERVER YEN MAKABENTA in the latest attack on the pontiff’s authority by a leading member of the Church’s conservative wing. “Cardinal Mueller, a German who was the Vatican’s doctrinal chief until 2017, issued the four-page manifesto on Friday via conservative Catholic media outlets. “He said ‘many bishops, priests, religious and lay people’ had requested it. He did not say how many and why he was issuing it now. “Conservatives balked this week WHEN &RANCIS MADE THE kRST TRIP BY a pope to the Arabian Peninsula and signed a ‘Document on Human Fraternity’ with a Muslim faith leader. “Ultra-conservative Catholics are opposed to dialog with Islam, with some saying its ultimate goal is to destroy the West. “Mueller said he wrote the manifesto ‘in the face of growing confusion about the doctrine of the faith.’ “He said some Church leaders ‘have abandoned the people entrusted to them, unsettling them and severely damaging their faith.’ He warned against ‘the fraud of (the) anti-Christ.’ “Mueller, who did not mention the pope, is one of a handful of conservative cardinals who have openly accused Francis of sowing confusion. “They say he is weakening Catholic rules on moral issues such as homosexuality and divorce while focusing excessively on social problems such as climate change and economic inequality. “Their leader is Raymond Leo Burke, 70, an American who was demoted from a senior Vatican position in 2014. “Mueller has ramped up his criticism of the pope since Francis removed him as head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2017. “The Vatican has not commented yet on the document.�

Return to basic Catholic teachings Another report, this one by the Catho-

lic News Agency, quoted Muller as saying in his manifesto: “Today, many Christians are no longer even aware of the basic teachings of the Faith, so there is a growing danger of missing the path to eternal life. However, it remains the very purpose of the Church to lead humanity to Jesus Christ, the light of the peoples. “In this situation, the question of orientation arises. According to John Paul II, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a ‘safe standard for the doctrine of the faith.’ It was written with the aim of strengthening the Faith of the brothers and sisters whose belief has been massively questioned by the ‘dictatorship of relativism,’ MĂźller added. “The cardinal was prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2012 to 2017. He was before that Bishop of RegensBURG 'ERMANY -ĂŒLLER S kVE YEAR term as prefect of the doctrinal OFkCE CONCLUDED IN AND WAS not renewed. “MĂźller wrote that he issued the document in response to Catholics who have requested that he issue a ‘public testimony about the truth of revelation’ in response to ‘growing confusion about the doctrine of the Faith.’ “The ‘manifesto’ addresses five areas of Catholic doctrine: Christology, ecclesiology, sacraments, morality, and eschatology, the branch of theology that addresses death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Each section draws heavily from references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.â€?

Green New Deal Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat, New York), has grabbed news headlines with her “Green New $EALu '.$ ‡ HER SIGNATURE PROgram for combatting climate change and transforming the US economy.

Although a GND bill does not exist yet, Ocasio-Cortez has posted a draft text of her plan on her website. Among other things, the GND would overhaul the US energy grid, eliminate all fossil fuels by 2030, require “upgrades� to every home and business building in the country, impose single-payer health care, and establish a federal jobs program that would promise

a “living wage� to all Americans.

With her Green New Deal, OcasioCortez, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, aims to institute a wide-ranging socialist agenda in the guise of a feel-good environmental policy that will supposedly stop global warming.

What Ocasio-Cortez doesn’t tell people is that her GND would bring an economic apocalypse that could totally bankrupt the nation.

The primary element of the GND is a radical transformation of the US energy sector. Within 10 years, it calls for the United States to be powered completely by renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

According to a 2013 study by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a conservative cost estimate to transform the US energy grid to 100 percent renewables by 2030 would be $13 trillion, or $5,664 per household per year in increased energy bills.

Another assessment, which takes into account increased energy demand, estimates the “costs in the repowering scenario by 2030 to $4 trillion for wind generation and to more than $23 trillion for the total solar portion.�

Transforming the US energy grid to 100 percent renewable sources within a decade would destroy the US economy and create a new parade of federal workers armed with a full assortment of radical regulations to enforce.

A second major plank of the GND is a government takeover of the nation’s health care system, a longsought-after Democratic Party dream.

‘Green is the new red’ President Trump was so bewildered by the Green New Deal, he is publicly urging the Democrats to fully back the program.

He thinks it will guarantee his reelection next year.

Conservatives and climate skeptics are ridiculing the GND as “the marriage of socialism and climate change.�

In a commentary in the Washington Times . Stephen Moore declared, “Green is the new Red.�

yenmakabetna@yahoo.com

In Hong Kong, China insists, the Chief Executive is more equal

E

VER since Carrie Lam became Chief Executive of Hong Kong on July 1, 2017, she has had virtually absolute support from the Chinese government, including President Xi Jinping himself. This isn’t surprising, since she was Beijing’s handpicked candidate.

In the intervening 20 or so months, Beijing has offered fulsome praise for Lam’s governance of the former British colony, now known as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). The Chief Executive has avoided sensitive issues and focused on livelihood problems, bringing about a lowering of the political temperature.

Ironically, Beijing is now prov-

FRANK CHING ing to be a problem for Lam in her attempt to keep a major campaign promise: to legislate so that her OFkCE ‡ THAT OF #HIEF %XECUTIVE ‡ would be covered by key sections of Hong Kong’s anti-corruption legislation, which currently don’t apply to the Chief Executive.

In her election manifesto, Mrs. Lam promised that she would “resolve as soon as possible those constitutional and legal issues aiming at amending the Preven-

tion of Bribery Ordinance to extend the scope of sections 3 and 8 to cover the Chief Executive.�

While “soliciting or accepting an advantage� is a criminal offense for the 160,000 civil servants in Hong Kong, the provision doesn’t extend to the Chief Executive.

Similarly, anyone who, while dealing with the government offers an advantage to a “public servant� in the relevant department shall be GUILTY OF AN OFFENSE ‡ UNLESS OF course, that public servant happens to be the Chief Executive.

But the Chinese government apparently has found an amendment TO kX THE ANOMALY UNACCEPTABLE

according to the South China Morn-

ing Post, which cited “a source familiar with the central government’s thinking on the matter.� “Beijing’s position is that the chief executive is appointed by the central government,� the source reportedly said. “It can’t accept the move to enact local legislation to establish a committee to grant approval for the acceptance of advantages by the chief executive.�

A few months after assuming ofkCE IN *ULY THE Post reported, Lam “shared her plan with central GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS OVERSEEING Hong Kong� and, subsequently, “she was informed that Beijing was against the idea.�

ÂłChing A5

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

Q TULFO FROM A1

Filipinos are paying collective karmic debt In the latter part of the column, I will be talking about foreigners with Filipino wives.

"UT LET ME TELL YOU kRST ABOUT THE case of Noriyo Ohara.

Noriyo Ohara came to the Philippines from Japan to escape people who had been hired to kill her because her stepmother wanted to get all the inheritance left by her deceased father.

A very rich young woman, she was adopted by a family in Bugallon, Pangasinan, whom she generously showered with cash gifts and expensive material things like a house and several cars.

A member of the extended family became jealous of the largesse enjoyed by the other relatives and reported Noriyo’s illegal stay in the country.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) swooped down on the house of the Marzan family in Bugallon town and took Noriyo to Manila.

But it turned out he NBI agents had plans other than deporting Noriyo: they demanded a P100million ransom for her release.

I came into the picture after the Marzan family sought my help.

As a result of my expose on Noriyo’s kidnapping some years ago, heads rolled at the NBI, including that of the director’s.

But Noriyo Ohara’s woes did not end with my expose. I had to take her to a government safehouse to prevent reprisals from her NBI abductors who had been

F

IN MY LINE OF SIGHT RAMON T. TULFO charged in court.

While Noriyo was in the safehouse, the Marzan family took all her possessions, which were in their names, so the young woman is now left with nothing.

When Noriyo gets out of the safehouse sometime soon, I don’t know where she’ll go, as the Marzans have disowned her.

Another foreigner who was abused by our compatriots was Torgeir Hoverstad, a Norwegian photographer who came to the country to take pictures of our beautiful landscapes and sell them abroad.

Hoverstad was arrested on trumped-up charges of being a pedophile.

Upon investigation, I found that the policemen who arrested Hoverstad were members of a syndicate that frame up foreigners so they could extorted of huge amounts.

The Norwegian could not come up with the amount demanded by the cops and so was charged before the courts in Olongapo and Bataan.

Hoverstad is now back in Norway after my staff and I at my “Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo� public service program were able to prove to the courts that

Hoverstad was innocent.

And now, I’m faced with a bigger challenge: Raymond Smith, 62, a British citizen from England, is in the immigration jail in Bicutan, Taguig, on a complaint filed by his Filipino wife, Jinky Talon.

Raymond and Jinky, who have been legally married since 2005, have two children, aged 10 and 8.

Jinky, a former housemaid, acCUSED 2AYMOND OF INkDELITY ON the basis of which the Bureau of Immigration took the husband into custody and made to undergo deportation proceedings.

Raymond, who has enriched Jinky’s once poverty-stricken family from Samar to the tune of P33 million in property holdings, doesn’t want to be deported as he would be separated from his good-looking children.

What drove Jinky to charge Raymond, a book publisher and webmaster, in court and have him jailed prior to his deportation?

Raymond told me in an interview at the immigration jail that his wife resented his setting up a foundation for orphans.

Jinky questioned why he should be setting up an orphanage when he had a family to SUPPORT ‡ SHE THEIR CHILDREN

her parents and other relatives.

All the property holdings that Raymond had acquired in the country had been in Jinky’s name, as he was told as a foreigner he could not own any propert

Jinky made it appear that she had bought all the properties with her own money despite the fact she was very poor when she and Raymond got married.

Another mistreatment of a foreigner was the case of the purchase of the Manila Hotel by a Malaysian company.

The Malaysian company won the public bidding to buy the Manila Hotel, fair and square.

However, a group headed by Emilio Yap, the owner of the Manila Bulletin, which lost in the bidding, protested and brought the case to the Supreme Court.

The high court, apparently intimidated by the newspaper tycoon, sided with Emilio Yap, declaring that the Manila Hotel was a national shrine and therefore should only be sold to a Filipino.

Oh my God, Emilio Yap, a Filipino? He was born in Fujian province in China and spoke faltering Tagalog!

No wonder our compatriots who are employed in foreign lands are maltreated by their employers.

The barbaric Saudi employers treat their Filipino maids as slaves, yet we keep sending our women to Saudi Arabia as domestic workers.

Filipinos are paying a collective karmic debt because of the way we treat foreigners in our country.

Karma is the universal law of cause and effect: what you do to another will be done to you.

The partisan weaponization of press freedom

ACULTY, students and alumni of the Communication Arts program of the University of the Philippines Los BaĂąos (UPLB) took to task Rodrigo “Jiggyâ€? Manicad, former broadcaster and himself a graduate of the same program who is running for a Senate seat for allegedly belying the state-led pressures exerted on national and local media entities and for diminishing the systematic harassment and violence against visiting journalists, broadcasters and publications in the country.

These alumni, faculty and students argue that Manicad, through his public statements, betrayed “the most iudisputable principles of journalism and public communication.� They condemned Manicad’s statements as “inconsistent with the honored values of the AB communication arts program� of UPLB. They demanded that the freedom of the press, one that is founded on the freedom of expression and speech, should be protected from harm.

And yet, these guardians of free speech have not been contented in publicly excoriating Manicad who simply exercised the very same right to free speech which they are protecting. Some of them even wanted to punish Manicad by demanding that the College of Arts and Science (CAS) of UPLB withdraw the outstanding alumnus award it gave to him.

But this is nothing new. The loudest voices after the protection of free speech are often the same voices which bankroll, demean, diminish, demonize and punish others who speak loudly against

ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS them, or against the positions that they espouse.

It is one thing to argue against a POSITION AND POINT TO ITS lAWS AND fallacies. It is also fair for people to publicly condemn actions and statements as long as the focus is on the argument and not on the person.

But it is another when the attacks veer away from the substance of the arguments and aim for the personal, even the physical.

It is wrong to attribute these kinds of behavior only to one side of the political divide, considering that the predisposition to harass and to descend to ad hominem attacks is not a monopoly of the critics of the President, or of his loyalists.

The Manicad haters are, however, a different breed. They are riled by the assaults on freedom of speech and of the press. They project their rage like it is a call to arms to defend press freedom, yet they never lose a beat in shaming and agitating to diminish voices that they disagree with, the same kinds of voices that are mere expressions of the very freedom they want to protect.

It cannot be denied that journalists are being attacked everywhere, and that it is not the monopoly of the Philippines. These atrocities need to be condemned, addressed and rectified. What is, however, patently inaccurate, and should

be fact-checked, is the insinuation that attacks on press freedom are a systematic predisposition unique to, and is even an agenda of, the Duterte administration. The numbers simply do not support this claim. There were 16 reported cases of media killings under the kRST THREE YEARS OF THE $UTERTE ADministration, seven of which were not work-related, another seven under investigation while two have already been dismissed. During the same period of the Aquino administration, the number was even higher with 29 cases, 11 of which were not work-related, 14 were under investigation, one case was dismissed; there were three convictions. Hence, and contrary to what is being painted, there is no reason to believe that the cases of media killings are significantly higher during the Duterte administration.

In fact, the numbers are even less.

In the end, the image of impunity is being painted against President Duterte mainly based on the legal troubles that Rappler faces. And here, the message that is implied by the press freedom advocates is that MEDIA OUTkTS SHOULD NOT BE HELD ACcountable for their violation of the Constitution and the laws, lest the government be accused of political harassment. Hence, in the name of press freedom, the government should not scrutinize the registration papers of media outlets for ownership claims that violate the Constitution, and their nonpayment of taxes for which ordinary citizens are held accountable. This is patently a problematic exceptionalism that media crusaders would

like for the Republic to grant media entities. They unabashedly deploy press freedom as an amulet to enable them to violate laws, and use it as a shield against legal prosecution which they now label as selective persecution.

At present, media is still free to engage in adversarial reporting.

Mainstream media is unbridled and social media is raucous, even to the point of being chaotic. Unlike Cory Aquino, she who is being imaged by many as the patroness of free speech, and who sued veteran journalist Louie Beltran, President Duterte has not hauled a single journalist or columnist to court to date. To his credit, Duterte, in one of HIS kRST ACTS AS 0RESIDENT CREATED A Presidential Task Force on Media Security whose main job is to address the issue of media rights, include media-related attacks and killings.

If there is one systematic trend that has emerged in the Philippine media landscape, it is the increasing partisanship of media entities, where the right to press freedom has become weaponized. Media entities are no longer the neutral teller of truth and bearer of facts. They become partisan agents out to undermine the government and to enable the political opposition and critics of the President and the Marcoses. I wonder when the advocates of press freedom will come out to lament this, using the same words of the alumni, faculty and students of the UPLB Communication Arts program when they shamed Manicad, who is also accused of betraying “the most indisputable principles of journalism and public communication.�

Q CHING FROM A4

In Hong Kong, China insists Momentum to reform the anti-corruption legislation has been building up since 2012, when an independent review committee headed by former chief justice Andrew Li concluded that a “fundamental defect� in the existing legislation is that certain sections of the bribery ordinance don’t apply to the Chief Executive.

It recommended the creation of a statutory Independent Committee, consisting of three members appointed jointly by the chief justice and the president of the legislature, which would grant permission for the Chief Executive to solicit or accept any advantage.

But criminalizing behavior of the Chief Executive is highly sensitive because he occupies a special

CONSTITUTIONAL STATUS AS DEkNED IN the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s miniconstitution adopted by China’s National People’s Congress. According to the Basic Law, the Chief Executive is appointed and removed by the central government and “shall be accountable to the Central People’s Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.�

Beijing holds that the Chief Executive is not only the head of the government but head of the region. It may well find objectionable a proposal to subject the Chief Executive to a committee appointed by the heads of the legislature and the judiciary.

News of Beijing’s position coincided with the release from prison

of former Chief Executive Donald Tsang in mid-January after having served a 12-month sentence for nondisclosure of a property deal.

It also followed a controversial decision by Hong Kong’s Department of Justice not to prosecute Leung Chun-ying, Lam’s predecessor, over a HK$50 million payment from the !USTRALIAN ENGINEERING kRM 5',

which he did not declare.

Secretary of Justice Teresa Cheng was sharply criticized by legislators and the Hong Kong Bar Association for not seeking outside legal advice before making the decision, which critics said was contrary to departmental practice IN CASES INVOLVING HIGH OFkCIALS OR prominent individuals to avoid the

appearance of bias.

The cases of the two former chief executives dominated headlines for years, which was why Lam agreed to reform existing legislation so that (ONG +ONG S TOP OFkCIAL WOULD BE treated like anyone else where corruption allegations are concerned.

Lam will be pressed to deliver on her election manifesto despite Beijing’s opposition and she will have TO kND A WAY !FTER ALL AS THE ,I COMMITTEE SAID g!LL PUBLIC OFkCIALS ARE servants of the people,� and the Chief Executive “should be regarded as ‘the #HIEF 3ERVANT OF THE PEOPLE u (E ‡ OR SHE ‡ SHOULD NOT BE ABOVE THE LAW

Frank.ching@gmail.com Twitter: @FrankChing1

T

Opinion

A5

Third telco unfairly scrutinized

HE country’s newest telco hasn’t even gotten off the ground yet but is already catching a lot of flak from opposition politicians and scaremongers. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for giving everyone (the critics most especially) the democratic space to put in their two cents’ worth, however inane it may be. But when such opinion or point of view calls for applying the law or the rules selectively, then it should be unmasked FOR WHAT IT REALLY IS ‡ A PARTIsan political stunt.

Caught in the crosshairs of Duterte administration critics is the country’s third telco, Mislatel, and its consortium partners: Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp. and Chelsea Logistics, and state-owned China Telecom.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon argued that Mislatel’s franchise was “ipso facto revoked� for failure to operate after it secured its license in the 1990s and for failure to seek congressional approval when majority interest were transferred to a certain Nicanor Escalante.

Drilon was obviously referring to the provision in Mislatel’s legislative franchise (Republic Act 8627) requiring the latter to “commence operations within one (1) year from the approval of its permit by the National Telecommunications Commission,� and to “commence operations within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act.�

Another provision in the legislative franchise of Mislatel, referred to by Drilon, states that “the grantee (i.e.

Mislatel) shall not lease, transfer, grant the usufruct of, sell nor assign this franchise or the rights and privileges acquired thereunder to any person, firm, company, corporation or other commercial or legal entity, nor merge with any other corporation or entity, nor shall the controlling interest of the grantee be transferred, whether as a whole or in parts and whether simultaneously or contemporaneously, to any such person, firm, company, corporation or entity without the prior approval of the Congress of the Philippines‌�

So, at first glance, Drilon appears to have raised a valid point. Except that these provisions in Mislatel’s legislative franchise are what we lawyers call “boilerplate clauses� or standardized language used in all telco legislative franchises.

This means that all local telecoms companies have the same, if not similar, clauses in their respective legislative franchises.

Which begs several questions: Why is Mislatel being singled out? Why have the legislative franchises of other dormant (aka nonoperating) telcos not been revoked? And why have former buyout deals of telecoms duopoly Smart or Globe not been subjected to the same congressional scrutiny as Mislatel?

If we are to level the playing field and apply the law fairly and equally to all telco players, then all existing legislative franchises as well as buyout or joint venture deals, should be reviewed and re-examined, and must be subjected to the same eagled-eyed inquiry as Mislatel.

In the list of “Public Telecommunications Entities with National Coverage,� there are several telcos that do not even have a provisional authority (PA) or a Certificate Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) that would allow them to operate, let alone operate continuously.

One of the oldest ones,

FLIPSIDE ATTY. DODO DULAY even pre-dating Mislatel’s franchise, is a certain Major Telecoms Inc., which was granted a legislative franchise as far back as July 26, 1994 but does not at present have any PA or CPCN from the NTC. Another dormant telco is Unicorn Communications Corp., which obtained its legislative franchise on July 11, 1996, two years ahead of Mislatel.

There are several other dormant telcos in the NTC list like Message Systems Inc. (RA 8279, approved April 10, 1997), H. E. Baldo, Inc. (RA 9149, approved July 31, 2001), Schutzengel Telecom Inc. (RA 9857, approved Dec. 20, 2009) and several others granted legislative franchises f r o m 201 2 t o 201 6 . W hy haven’t their congressional franchises been declared “ipso facto� revoked for continued nonoperation?

I’m sure the public is also well-aware of the buyout deals in the telecoms industry. One of the more notable ones is the acquisition of the forMER THIRD TELCO PLAYER ‡ THE Gokongwei-led Digitel (of THE DEFUNCT 3UN #ELLULAR ‡

by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) in 2011 for P69.2 billion. That takeover removed the only viable competitor to telco giants Smart and Globe.

It was such a controversial transaction that not a few senators and congressmen raised a howl over the shareswap deal, demanding that the transfer of the controlling interest in Digitel to PLDT should be subject to congressional approval, citing a similar boilerplate clause in Digitel’s legislative franchise.

Of more recent vintage was the buyout by PLDT and Globe of telecoms unit of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. for P69.1 billion, so far the biggest telco deal in the country.

Under the deal, PLDT and Globe will acquire the entire share capital and assume the liabilities of firms with additional spectrum frequencies, such as Bow Arken Holdings Co. (parent company of New Century Telecoms Inc.) for P691 million, and Brightshare Holdings Inc. (parent of Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc. [Eastern]) for P206 million.

Meanwhile, the shares of Vega Telecom Inc. (holding company for publicly traded Liberty Telecoms Holdings Inc. which owns almost all the 700MHz frequency (694 MHz to 790 MHz), together with High Frequency Telecommunications Inc., Bell Telecommunication Philippines Inc. and Eastern, were sold to Smart and Globe for P52.85 billion.

To my knowledge, none of these buyout deals secured “prior� congressional approval, let alone been scrutinized or approved by Congress, as stipulated in their legislative franchises. Why didn’t Drilon and his Liberal Party allies invoke the same provisions and demand the same congressional authorization in the Digitel and SMC deals as it did with Mislatel? If the takeover transactions of PLDT and Globe sans congressional imprimatur wasn’t such a big deal then, why should it suddenly be an issue now in the case of Mislatel?

True, Congress may have ratified Mislatel’s franchise and ownership change. But why only Mislatel? Aber?

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

From smallpox to measles, then and now, vaccination saves lives

S

MALLPOX is largely unheard of today. Thanks to concerted global efforts, this horrible disease was eradicated in the early 1950s. Measles could go the same way.

Smallpox is an ancient disease with a terrifying reputation. In the 16th century it was introduced to the Americas by the Spanish conquistadores and laid waste the mighty Aztec and Inca empires. At the time of the Spanish conquest, between 1519 and 1520, the Aztec population numbered around 26 million people. By 1620, after a wave of catastrophic epidemics, the Aztecs were reduced to less than 1.6 million.

In 1797, the British physician Edward Jenner made a stunning SCIENTIkC BREAKTHROUGH (E FOUND that by taking some infected material from a human pustule caused by the cowpox virus, and introducing it onto the skin of another healthy

T

ODAY is the start of the 90-day campaign period for the May 13, 2019 elections where the 61,843,728 voters will be electing 12 senators, 297 representatives (238 from geographical districts and 59 from party lists) and around 25,000 local positions, from governor, vice governor, city mayor and vice mayor, municipal mayor and vice mayor and councilors. In the Senate race, there are seven reelectionists, seven balik-Senado IN A kELD OF CANDIDATES for the Senate, 134 accredited party lists and approximately 40,000-plus local candidates.

Three years have passed for the Duterte administration and it has NOT SEEN IT kT TO PUSH FOR ANY ELECTORAL and political party reform measures in Congress. It probably does not believe PIECEMEAL LEGISLATION WOULD SUFkCE and yet, even federalism is nowhere near second base as Congress went on recess for the midterm elections.

The previous administration failed to implement any political reform in the six years or from 2010 to 2016.

We are now running nine years, but nothing has moved in the 17th Congress on initiatives, including those on electoral (Smartmatic to Comelec modernization) and political party reforms (subsidy to political parties, ban on political turncoatism, antidynasty, party-list reform, etc.).

How can changes be brought about in the political terrain? How can we have better legislators and timely and relevant legislation at the national and local levels when 80 percent in both levels are controlled by dynasties? How can we have local chief executives who would lead strategically and create the ripple of change?

THE LONG VIEW RACHEL A.G. REYES person through inoculation, the same infection was produced. It was a practice known as variolation.

He then showed that an inoculated person was protected from future exposure to the smallpox virus. He called the procedure “vaccination.�

4HE 0HILIPPINES WAS A BENEkCIARY OF THE kRST MASSIVE TRANSCONTINENTAL

transoceanic vaccination program ever to be undertaken. In the early 19th century, a series of large-scale smallpox epidemics afflicted the populations of the Spanish colonies.

In an unprecedented response, the Spanish monarchy headed by King Charles 4th, organized and launched a royal philanthropic expedition that

brought smallpox vaccination across the vast swathes of the empire.

Commanding the expedition was Francis Xavier de Balmis. The journey lasted years and covered the Americas, the Philippines, Macau and Canton. The plan was to establish vaccination boards and inoculate as many people as possible.

The live vaccine was initially transported by 22 orphaned children aged between 8 and 10 years.

These children had never been exposed to the smallpox virus nor VACCINATED )NFECTED lUID FROM PUStule lesions, which would appear a FEW DAYS AFTER THE kRST INOCULATION

would be transferred from child to child through skin contact.

The expedition set off from Spain in November 1803, traveled west via the Canary Islands and Puerto Rico, to Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Panama, Ecuador, and Mexico where, from the PORT OF !CAPULCO IT CROSSED THE 0ACIkC

to the Philippines, arriving in Manila on April 15, 1805. The original 22 children from Spain remained in Mexico. They were replaced by a fresh group of 26 orphaned Mexican children who went on to the Philippines.

The majority of these children were aged between 4 and 6 years.

High-ranking Catholic clergy, skeptical of vaccination resisted the operations of De Balmis and his crew. The Philippine mission would have failed had it not been for the intervention of the governor who permitted the vacCINATION OF HIS kVE CHILDREN De Balmis vaccinated approximately 20,000 people in the Philippines. As they did elsewhere on previous stops, vaccination boards were established which served to EDUCATE THE POPULACE ON THE BENEkTS of vaccination, organize the local production of the cowpox lymph and administer the vaccine, and document and register immunizations.

Historians agree that children played a leading role in the success of this pioneering expedition. Writing in 2015, Spanish scholars JosĂŠ Tuells and JosĂŠ Duro-Torrijos argued that these children were simply used, callously “instrumentalizedâ€? for scientific purposes. They endured horrendous hardship onboard ship, suffering from sickness and malnutrition. For their participation, they were promised an “education, an occupation or destiny to live with according to their class, and those who were taken‌will be brought back to their hometowns.â€?

The State failed the children. Those who survived the journey but had no homes to return to faced abandonment in poorhouses.

There is a direct causal connection between a decline in vaccination coverage and death. For a population to remain protected from infectious diseases, a country must maintain an immunization rate of 95 percent.

ZILCH MA. LOURDES TIQUIA And for 2019, the party-list system has been gamed with termed-out legislators leaving the candidacy for the district seats to other family members while they invade the seats reserved for party-list representatives of socalled marginalized sectors. Imagine if 59 party-list seats are controlled

by Family Inc. That would mean the edging out of the marginalized sectors, which were brought in courtesy of a Supreme Court decision in Banat vs Comelec which opened the lOODGATES TO WHAT WE HAVE TODAY FAR different from what the Constitution provided for.

And so, we search for the 12 men and women who will be for us. Fighting and slaying the dragons that retard our political system and yes, the same seven who voted for the porkLACED '!! )T WAS ONLY 0ANkLO Lacson, who dared and continues to do so. Not that he is a saint but at least, there is one who questions the practice. That pork is the money of TAXPAYERS 4HEIR SALARIES BENEkTS AND all expenses plus some earnings all come from taxpayers, and that is why it is important for us to choose wisely our elected representatives from the national to the local.

And the wily leader from Mindanao deals the card, while his team holds the machine. Nothing new. Same old, same old. A reprise of “what are we in power for?� In administration after

stretch, to begin in Pampanga, home province of Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the bailiwick of Gov. Lilia Pineda, chairman of regional party Kambilan. The kickoffs will be the bellwether cities of the province: San Fernando and Angeles. DU1 will then hit the Central and North Luzon trails BEFORE DOING ITS kRST RUN IN .#2 As of last week, HNP was endorsing 13 candidates for the Senate, namely: Senators Cynthia Villar, Koko Pimentel and Sonny Angara; former senators Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, Bong Revilla and Pia Cayetano; Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, former police chief Ronald “Bato� dela Rosa, former presidential aide Bong Go, former presidential legal adviser Francis Tolentino and journalist Jiggy Manicad.

There has never been a 12-0 sweep for an incumbent administration. In 1987, Lakas ng Bayan was 22/24. In 1995, Lakas-Laban was 9/12. In 2001, the People Power Coalition was 8/13.

In 2004, K-4 was 7/12. In 2007, Team Unity was 2/12. In 2013, Team PNoy was 9/12.

We have missed the boat and the remaining years of the Duterte administration is very tight to get electoral and political reforms done. Will we likewise miss the train in getting fresh faces into the Senate?

Or will voters become conscious of the next generation and seriously examine the candidates for what they stood and stand for, for what they have done and can do for us and the country? You see, “democracy is not just an election, it is our daily life.�

Choose and vote wisely!

Lying Noynoy T

HE demolition campaign to discredIT THE 0UBLIC !TTORNEY S /FkCE 0!/ is in full throttle. The purpose: to direct the public’s indignation away from 3ANOk AND THE OFkCIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR the 2016 Dengvaxia mass vaccination towards the PAO, which represents the interests of the poor families of children whose lives have been endangered by indiscriminate vaccination.

Former President Benigno Aquino 3rd joined the fray, peddling fake and misleading dengue statistics to vindicate the mass immunization he authorized.

In his Feb. 8, 2019 Facebook post, Aquino claimed the following statistics: 1. Among the estimated 200,000/year dengue infections, 20 percent are symptomatic, while 80 percent are asymptomatic. Thus, the estimated total number of dengue infections every year is 1 million.

2. The estimated number of people exposed to dengue every year is 90 percent, while 10 percent is the estimated number of people who have not been infected by dengue.)

3. It is said that: 0.02 percent of those 10 percent run the risk of contracting severe dengue.

"ECAUSE OF HIS kGURES IN NUMBER

Aquino proudly proclaimed that only about 17 among the 832,902 vaccinees are at risk of developing severe dengue.

Aquino is lying.

First, Aquino’s estimate is unreliable. A more reliable data is based on official epidemiology reports of the Department of Health (DoH). The number of eported cases of dengue from 187,031 (2012); 204,906 (2013); 121,580 (2014); 177,767 (2015); and 208,805 (2016). These are based on the year-end report of their succeeding years

FOR THE MOTHERLAND

SASS ROGANDO SASOT (e.g. 2012 = 2013 report).

Given these, the total number of Filipinos infected by dengue from 20122016 was 900,089.

3ECOND !QUINO USED A DUBIOUS kGure (80 percent of 200,000) to include people who are infected by dengue but aren’t showing any symptoms (asymptomatic cases).

A more reliable multiplier in order to include asymptomatic cases is the adjustment factor computed by Dr. Frances E. Edillo et al. in their 2015 study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, titled “Economic Cost and Burden of Dengue in the Philippines.�

The adjustment factor is 7.2, which means for every 1 reported case there are 7.2 actual dengue infections. So, from 2012 to 2016, the estimated number of all dengue infections is 6,480,641 (900,089 x 7.2).

The figure 6,480,641 is only 5.8 percent of our population in 2015 (i.e.

110,981,437). Thus, the estimated population percentage that are seropositive (infected by dengue) is not 90 percent, as Aquino falsely claimed, but around 5.8 percent. That means, around 94.2 percent are probably seronegative (not infected by dengue) when he approved the mass vaccination.

Third, Aquino’s computation of how many seronegatives there were among

the Dengvaxia vaccinees at risk of severe dengue is also wrong.

His estimate of .02 percent of 10 percent of 1 million is inaccurate. AcCORDING TO 3ANOk S DATA THE $ECEMBER 2017 document of the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that “during the 5 year follow-up after vaccination‌.for1,000 seronegative [vaccinees], there was an increase of about 5 cases of hospitalized dengue and 2 cases of severe dengue.â€?

Further, using the estimated national seronegatives to estimate how many seronegatives are among the 832,902 vaccinees is not that reliable.

To have a more reliable estimate, we should look at the number of dengue infections in these four regions from 2012-2016, multiply that with the adjustment factor to include asympTOMATIC CASES THEN USE THE RISK kGURES in WHO’s report.

From 2012-2016, in these four regions, the total estimated number of dengue infections (including asymptomatic dengue) was 3,071,196.

The total population in these four regions, according to the 2015 census, is 44,552,107. Thus, only 6.9 percent of the population among these four regions were probably seropositive during the immunization program; and 93.1 percent were probably seronegative.

So, among the 832,902 vaccinees, there were probably 93.1 percent seronegatives, which is around 775,432.

Using risk estimate in WHO’s report: 1) at risk of hospitalized dengue is 5 per 1000, which is 3,877; and 2) at risk of severe dengue is 2 per 1000, which is 1,551. This is far from the 17 estimate of Aquino.

rachelagreyes@gmail.com

Q AQUINO FROM A1

Missed the boat every administration, midterm has always been a zero-sum game. The difference being there is no coalition to speak of. It’s having three lists under Duterte and a well-placed Otso Diretso for the momentary opposition.

What makes otso relevant? Surveys show voters will vote, on average, eight candidates in the midterm. And the biggest political party in town did their Big Brother Otso very recently.

Coincidence? Remember what a politician once said, “In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, it was planned that way.�

The Otso Diretso line-up is composed of Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, reelectionist Sen. Bam Aquino, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, civic leader Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, and former Deputy Speaker Erin TaĂąada. The coalition is composed of several organizations, including the LP, Magdalo, Aksyon Demokratiko and Akbayan.

7ITH A 0$0 LIST OF kVE -A"A'OKoTo), an HNP (under presidential daughter, Sara Duterte) list of 15 and a personal PRRD list of eight, the administration party is hard put to come up with a coalition for the midterms. What appears to be a coalition is that of HNP (a regional party) beCAUSE OF THE AFkLIATION IT SIGNED WITH various national and local parties.

Because of the pressured negotiations to put together a 12-member slate, Duterte1, or the DU1 train, has been delayed. Last week it was announced that DU1 was planning to do 110 campaign events in the 90-day

In 2016, the immunization rate for measles in the Philippines stood at 75 percent. It fell sharply in 2017 to 60 percent and continued to drop in the wake of the Dengvaxia controversy.

The willful dissemination of false information and fearmongering, committed by vain, self-interested, ruthless political opportunists has cost many lives.

We are now in the grip of a measles outbreak. From Manila, the virus has rapidly spread to the rest of the country. Since the weekend, more than 70 people, mainly young children, are now needlessly dead. This is both tragic and criminal. The government must vigorously push the routine immunization program and do everything it can to restore faith in vaccination. At stake are the lives of 2.5 million babies and children. At stake is our future.

And according to the October 2018 public assessment report of Dengvaxia during its license application at the European Medicines Agency, the risk of severe dengue increased by “2.43 fold,� which is 143 percent, compared to unvaccinated seronegative folks.

The estimated 6.9 percent seropositive vaccinees would be able to sleep better at night. The 93.1 percent seronegatives would live in fear of who among them would have that increased RISK OF SEVERE DENGUE WITHIN kVE YEARS after their vaccination. This unnecessary suffering isn’t their fault.If this risk ISN T THAT SIGNIkCANT AS !QUINO WANTED us to believe, then how come in the 2018 European license of Dengvaxia, it is written that this vaccine is strictly for THOSE WITH LABORATORY CONkRMED PRIOR dengue infection?

The risk doesn’t end there. Dengvaxia is also not allowed for those with weakened immune system. How many vaccinees had that pre-existing condition? $O( DIDN T SCREEN THEM 3ANOk HAS no data on the adverse effect on them; surely, it’s terrible.

Dengvaxia is safe for seropositive folks with no pre-existing immune system CONDITIONS )F 3ANOk AND $O( WERE MORE responsible, then no Dengvaxia-scare.

3ANOk S LICENSE IN 3INGAPORE IN THE SAME year of our immunization were limited to seropositives, to a higher starting vacCINATION AGE ‡ AND HEALTH SCREENING was required. Singapore was prudent.

3ANOk PREYED ON THE IMPRUDENCE OF OUR GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS $O( WAS RECKLESS

played Russian roulette with the lives of poor Filipino kids. They deserve justice.

E-mail: srsasot@gmail.com

The restraint of unreasonableness That might in fact be so, even if prosecutors and agents of the state charged with the FR. RANHILIO ENFORCEMENT OF kSCAL POLICY CALLANGAN AQUINO have found sufficient legal ground to proceed. Criminal indictments may very well be used to give annoying opinion writers pause, if not to push them into retreat. However, it is a fact that strident voices against the President, against his coarse language, and against some executive decisions REMAIN AUDIBLE AND NOT MUFlED AT ALL )T MIGHT ALSO BE HELPFUL TO remember that the freedoms which we believe we are entitled to are not recognized elsewhere. There is no tolerance in Thailand for any remark in speech or writing critical of the King or of the royal family. And, at least under Lee Kuan Yew, perhaps even till this day, there is not too much that one can say or write against government and its policies in Singapore. Neither of these two societies seem to be worse off because of these restraints. Still, we can rightly count it a blessing that we do not labor under them.

But free expression in the Philippines today is restrained from elsewhere, no less severely, no less threateningly. I indict the unreasonableness that has turned into a national disaster for our discourse as a people. As pernicious a threat to the cherished freedom of expression (whether in writing or in uttered speech) is the kind of intolerance for the opinion of the other as well as for another opinion. We are not content with a rebuttal of view, position, utterance or opinion. We have CONVINCED OURSELVES THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO ATTACK THE PERSON ‡ MANY TIMES EVEN THE FAMILY ‡ OF THE WRITER THE SPEAKER THE BLOGGERĂœ 4HE satisfaction we seek is not intellectual. It is thoroughly visceral.

In the past, Digong’s minions were notorious for ganging up on whomsoever whispered the slightest criticism of their idol. But minions are found on the other side of the political and social divide as well. Whoever writes appreciatively of Ferdinand Marcos, or who expresses spirited agreement with the Supreme Court’s decision to allow his burial at the Libingan ng Bayani, or who insists that his administration achieved a great deal for the country, can expect virulence and bile poured mercilessly on him. The members of his family, perhaps even his distant ancestors, will also be treated as fair game.

Where, however, is the empirical research, where are the hard facts that tally his achievements against his failings? Who holds the scorecard and who writes the score? Who determines whether it is a plus or a MINUS ‡ SOMETHING AS AMBIVALENT AND AS MULTI FACETED AS DECLARING martial law? Not too long ago, Jejomar Binay was the national whipping boy, and a noisy bloc of Filipinos wanted to see almost every member of the Binay family locked behind bars. The Senate obliged, and regaled the nation with virtually a year-long teleserye of hearings with the sole aim of discrediting him and of ruining his chances at the presidency. But do we really know what he has done for Makati? Has his constituency been given a hearing? Do the failings trump the gains, and how do we know that? What was the measurement theory? Of the Philippine presidents of recent history, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the most competent to deal with the economy, but is she given due credit? In derision, “Hello, Garci� is chanted to slight her. Does everyone really remember what the telephone call dealt with? One can go over the testimony on the matter, and the evidence available.

She was not asking that the returns be tampered. She was not asking a reprogramming of the optical scanner (that was not yet in use at that time). And then there is the “I am sorry� meme. She was not saying “I am sorry I cheated.� She was sorry, rather, that she had made what MANY TOOK TO BE AN IMPROPER CALL ‡ AND IT WAS REALLY IMPROPER "UT the records have to be set aright, although not too many seem eager to do that. So much for being evidence-based in our assertions, especially when they are damaging!

Is it a question of being unable to take the heat in the kitchen? And should not one be made of sterner stuff to take the beating that comes with advancing an unpopular opinion? If it were a matter of intellectual rebuttal or refutation, there would be no problem at all. He who advances a thesis must be prepared for the onslaught of the antithesis. But that is not the case here. It is calculated shaming THAT IS AT WORK HERE ‡ A RELENTLESS BARRAGE OF ATTACKS ON ONE S PERSON and the members of one’s family, an unearthing of one’s personal history and of the checkered past that is really the lot of all exiles from Eden. And if anyone doubts whether shaming is an effective DETERRENT THEN ONE ONLY HAS TO ASK WHY IT IS USED IN THE kRST PLACE One can always ask the courts to strike a law down that infringes on freedom of expression, and one can always seek appropriate judicial, even administrative relief, when agents of the State curtail the freedom of say that which one thinks, of which one is convinced, about which one has reached a reasoned conclusion. But how does one seek relief from shame, ridicule and spite that is never in short supply on the side of those with no tolerance for the opinion of the other? Where does one take cover from the missiles of unreasonability?

rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Arroyo eyes Iloilo flood control expansion HOUSE Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will convene the Congressional oversight committee on disaster management to look into t he possible e xpansion of t he P5.5-billion Iloilo flood control projects in Iloilo.

The f lood control project consists of the construction of t he Jaro Floodway and improvement of the Tigum and Aganan Rivers.

Completed in 2011, t he project included improveme nt s on t he Ja ro R i ve r mouth, Iloilo River and Upper Ingore Creek.

During her ocular inspection and briefing on a f lood control project in Barangay B u h a ng i n Ja ro ove r t he weekend, Arroyo addressed the need to solve the perennial f looding in Passi town

caused by the overf lowing of its three river systems.

The House panel will be in charge of the possible expansion and improvement of the flood control project, which she implemented in Iloilo City, but Arroyo reiterated that she would look into which committee members could participate in public inquiries as the 90day campaign period for the midterm elections starts.

“I don’t want to get in the way of their campaign. If I don’t find anyone who is not running or running unopposed, I will chair it myself,” Arroyo said.

Oversight hearings would still continue even during the recess to ensure that laws pa s se d by C ong re s s we re properly implemented, she added.

GLEE JALEA

Regions Fishers recover P5.4-M cocaine on Bicol waters L TUESDAY February 12, 2019

BY RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

EGAZPI CITY: The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol said local fishermen had fished out close to P500 million worth of cocaine in Bicol waters in the last three years, including the P5.4 million worth of cocaine recovered on Sunday in Camarines Norte.

Maria Luisa Calubaquid, PNPBicol spokesman told The Manila Times THAT kSHERS !LFREDO 6EGA Sr., 61, and his son Alfredo Jr. OF "ARANGAY 3ULA kSHED OUT A box containing cocaine near Quinamanucan Island at about 8:30 a.m.

They immediately turned over the box to barangay tanod (village

watchman) Alex Samosa who, upon opening it, found white powder which turned out to be cocaine.

The box was then turned over to Barangay Chairman Rose Marie !BOGADO WHO REPORTED THE kND TO the police Calubaquib said the laboratory test conducted by Camarines

Norte Provincial Crime Laboratory /FkCE ON -ONDAY CONkRMED THE white substance to be high-grade cocaine, weighing 1,026.19 grams with street value estimated at P5.4 million.

“These fishers have saved a lot of people from the possible impact of illegal drugs. We salute them for helping our law enforcers and saving the lives of people,” she said. )N !PRIL kSHERMEN *AYNER Tisou, Michael Sekreto, Joven -ENDEZ AND 6IRGILIO 9ANILLA ALSO recovered a plastic container with 16.5 liters of white liquid substance used for the production of cocaine along the waters of Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte.

The liquid substance can produce about 13 kilos of cocaine estimated

A7

at P130 million.

On Jan. 6, 2018, fishers also kSHED OUT 0 MILLION WORTH OF cocaine from the shoreline of Matnog, Sorsogon.

The recovered drugs contained in 25 packs were initially suspected to be shabu, but the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said it was cocaine amounting to P125 million. )N kSHERS IN 4IWI !LBAY also recovered 18 bricks of cocaine, estimated to cost about P100 MILLION lOATING IN THE WATERS OF Barangay Sogod.

Calubaquib said in total, illegal drugs syndicates operating in the country had dumped almost P500 million worth of cocaine in Bicol waters in the last three years.

Aftershocks persist in Surigao del Norte

ILLEGAL QUARRYING

The National Bureau of Investigation- Environmental Crime Division presents 19 people, including two Koreans, arrested for alleged illegal quarrying in Pampanga in separate raids last week. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

Vote-rich region vows to propel Go to Senate '/6%2./23 OF VOTE RICH Calabarzon on Sunday declared former special assistant to the President (SAP) and senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as adopted son of the region and expressed full support for his candidacy.

In a two-page Manifesto of Support, the governors declared their unequivocal support for the senatorial bid of Go, whom they referred to as “Special Assistant to the People.”

The manifesto cited Go’s over 21 years of selfless service as a trustworthy and dependable aide of President Rodrigo

Duterte and as his assistant to the people.

Go thanked the Calabarzon leaders for their support, saying this would inspire him to work harder to serve the people.

Calabarzon Region is comprised of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

The former SAP noted that while he had no political plans, Duterte prodded him to run for the Senate to serve the people in a greater capacity.

Meanwhile, Quezon Gov. David Suarez assured Go that the entire province was “110 percent” behind him, noting

that Go was instrumental in the realization of many development projects in Quezon.

Similarly, Rizal Gov. RebecCA 9NARES CITED 'O S ASSISTANCE every time the province was in need.

Noting that Go was also a Batangueño, Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas said the province had not asked anything of Duterte, but the President had given them a very big favor through the service of a fellow Batangueño.

Cavite Gov. Crispin Remulla, likewise, committed his province’s support for Go’s candidacy, saying, they would exert all efforts to make him

land in the top three in the senatorial race.

The governors said Go’s dedication to service was worthy of emulation, noting that he had remained a humble man from the province, but had shown a “big heart for his country” by initiating several projects, including the Malasakit Centers, for the benefit of the people.

In the 2016 elections, Calabarzon had 7.6 million registered voters, the highest number nationwide, and it is estimated that this number has risen to about 8.8 million in 2019.

WITH A REPORT FROM ROSELLE R. AQUINO

Nationinbriefs

stop dealing with Aguilar’s group without the expressed authority from the SGI stockholders. Balutan said the order stays until the issue on the legitimacy of STL operators would be resolved. JAIME G. AQUINO

ZAMBO DENGUE CASES INCREASE BY 100%

2 MOST WANTED IN PANGASINAN NABBED

ZAMBOANGA CITY: The number of dengue cases in this highly urbanized city went up by nearly 100 percent in the last five months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, the city health office (CHO) said recently. CHO chief Annie Rose Amar said last December alone, the health office recorded 252 dengue cases compared to 65 in the same month in 2017. Amar noted that from August to December, the city had 877 dengue cases or almost 100 percent more than the 448 cases recorded during the same five months in 2017. Of the city’s 98 barangay (villages), 11 had the most number of dengue cases — Pasonanca with 133; Calarian, 118; TaloTalon, 75; Baliwasan, 74; Santa Maria, 61; Recodo, 9; San Roque, 58; Mercedes, 55; Putik, 55; Tumaga, 50; and Canelar, 48. She stressed that the local government unit has intensified its advocacy against dengue in a bid to lower the number of cases among the city’s almost 900,000 inhabitants.

Meanwhile, the CHO reported that the measles outbreak in the city had been controlled after rural health workers conducted an all out campaign to vaccinate schoolchildren and infants. ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

NBI NABS 22 PANGASINAN STL WORKERS DAGUPAN CITY: At least 22 employees of Speedgame Inc. (SGI), operating the Small Town Lottery (STL) here, were arrested during a raid by the National Bureau of Investigation over the weekend. The raid was conducted on orders of Alexander Balutan, general manager of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), after retired Gen. David Deciano, who claimed to be the president of the SGI, informed him that Edward Aguilar who was also claiming to be SGI president, allegedly operated the STL without their consent. On February 1, Balutan directed Aguilar and his group to immediately stop from further operating STL using the SGI group, and directed Editha Romero, local PCSO head, to

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan: The Police Provincial Office arrested two most wanted in Sual town and Alaminos City, Pangasinan in separate operations in Cavite and Quezon City on Saturday. Senior Supt. Wilson Joseph Lopez, Police Provincial director, identified the suspects as Salvador Bunao-Castro of Barangay Pangascasan in Sual, and Romulo Avila of Barangay San Vicente, Alaminos City. Castro, wanted for murder, was arrested in Alfonso, Cavite. He was also member of a gun-for-hire group and linked to several killings in western Pangasinan. Avila was arrested in his hideout at Teacher’s Village in Quezon City. He was the second most wanted in Alaminos City, facing two cases of rape and child abuse. JAIME G. AQUINO

P5.4-M SHABU SEIZED IN 2 BUY-BUSTS ZAMBOANGA CITY: Some P5.4 million worth shabu was confiscated in two separate buy busts by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the local police recently. Jacqueline de Guzman, PDEA Region 9 director, said law enforcers seized 10 big sachets of shabu worth P3.5 million inside a motel along Gov. Camins Avenue from three unidentified persons, who were turned over to the city police central office. Senior Supt.

Thomas Joseph Martir, City Police chief, added that in a separate buy-bust, anti-narcotics unit seized over 305.1 grams of shabu estimated at P2.7 million from Alfredo Marinao, a suspected big-time drug pusher, in Barangay Tetuan. Found from Marinao, of Barangay Baliwasan, were six sachets of shabu. Meanwhile, another suspected drug pusher, only known as “Sawe,” was killed by Police Station 4 operatives during a buy-bust at Sitio Mulu-Muluan, Barangay Mercedes. His companion Salimar Sali escaped. Police claimed Sawe pulled out a pistol and shot the poseur-buyer, triggering a firefight. Recovered from the crime scene were eight sachets of shabu worth over P250,000, spent shell of caliber .45 pistol, a hand grenade, 11 live ammunitions and two magazines.

ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

AFTERSHOCKS from a magnitude 5.9 earthquake recorded on Friday continue to jolt General Luna in Surigao del Norte, according to the Philippine )NSTITUTE OF 6OLCANOLOGY AND Seismology on Monday.

The strongest aftershock of magnitude 5.5 hit the area at 10:33 p.m. on Sunday.

The tectonic earthquake that had a depth of 8 kilometers (km) did not cause damages, but intensities 4 and 3 were felt in General Luna, Surigao del Norte and Surigao City, respectively. Instrumental intensity 1 was also felt in Borongan City, Eastern Samar; Palo, Leyte; Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; and

Cebu City.

It was immediately followed at 10:39 p.m. by a tectonic quake with magnitude 4.2 recorded at 42 km northeast of General Luna. It had a depth of 7 km, and Intensity 3 was felt in the area.

On Monday, a series of aftershocks continued to hit General Luna, with varying strength from a scale of 1.7 to 4.3. The highest recorded on Monday was a magnitude 4.3 quake at 28 km northeast of General Luna at 12:48 a.m. It was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 17 km.

The latest aftershock was recorded at 12:33 p.m. with a magnitude of 2.1.

DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

News PNP awards police officer in taho incident T A8

˜ The Manila Times

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

BY ROY D.R. NARRA AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) ON -ONDAY AWARDED THE POLICE OFkCER who incurred the wrath of a Chinese student who was refused entry at the MRT for carrying a cup of taho (soy pudding).

CULTURE THE WAY WE RESPECT THEIR CULTURE AND LAWS OF ;THEIR= LAND u HE SAID -EANWHILE 3EN 2ICHARD 'ORDON AND SENATORIAL CANDIDATE #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O ON -ONDAY JOINED CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE DEPORTATION OF :HANG 'ORDON CHAIRMAN OF THE 3ENATE *USTICE AND (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMITTEE SAID THE "UREAU OF )MMIGRATION SHOULD IMMEDIATELY START DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE YEAR OLD FOR HER FAILURE TO RESPECT THE COUNTRY S RULES AND LAWS g4HE #HINESE NATIONALS HERE AND ALL OTHER FOREIGN NATIONALS STAYING IN OUR COUNTRY SHOULD RESPECT OUR RULES AND LAWS 4HEY SHOULD NOT lOUT OUR RULES AND THEY SHOULD ALSO RESPECT THE OFkCIALS WHO ARE IMPLEMENTING OUR LAWS #HINA

AS OUR NEAREST NEIGHBOR IN !SIA

0OLICE /FkCER 7ILLIAM #RISTOBAL WAS AWARDED THE g-EDALYA NG 0APURIu IN #AMP #RAME FOR HIS gONE COMMENDABLE ACT THAT IS WORTHY OF EMULATION BY OTHER 0.0 OFkCERS u (E WAS LAUDED FOR HIS gPROFESSIONALISM AND PATIENCEu AFTER *IALE :HANG THREW THE CUP OF TAHO AT HIM AT THE -24 STATION IN "ONI !VENUE 4HE -24 IMPLEMENTED A LIQUID BAN TO PREVENT BOMB ATTACKS IN -ETRO -ANILA AFTER THE DEADLY *OLO

TWIN BLAST g) AM NOT EXPECTING ;THIS RECOGNITION= BECAUSE ) ONLY DID WHAT THE #HIEF 0.0 $IR 'EN /SCAR !LBAYALDE EXPECT OF US "E PATIENT AND DO THE RIGHT THING u #RISTOBAL TOLD REPORTERS IN &ILIPINO (E ADDED THAT HE FELT EMBARRASSED BUT HE DID NOT RETALIATE BECAUSE OF HIS REPUTATION !LBAYALDE REMINDED FOREIGNERS TO ABIDE BY THE RULES OF THE COUNTRY g4HEY HAVE TO OBEY THE LAW HERE 4HEY HAVE TO RESPECT OUR

Q OPENING FROM A1

REMOVAL LATER BECAUSE WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE kRST IF THE CANDIDATES WILL COMPLY u *IMENEZ SAID 4HE COMMISSION WILL LIKEWISE MONITOR ALL POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND REQUIRE CANDIDATES TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON SPENDING FOR SUCH ADS &OR BROADCAST ELECTION PROPAGANDA CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES FOR A NATIONAL ELECTIVE POSITION ARE ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF MINUTES OF TELEVISION ADVERTISING PER STATION AND MINUTES OF RADIO ADVERTISING PER RADIO STATION WHETHER BY PURCHASE OR DONATION #ANDIDATES FOR A LOCAL ELECTIVE POSITION ARE ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF MINUTES OF TELEVISION ADVERTISING PER STATION AND MINUTES OF RADIO ADVERTISING PER RADIO STATION &OR PRINTED OR PUBLISHED ELECTION PROPAGANDA NATIONAL AND LOCAL CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES ARE ALLOWED ONE FOURTH PAGE ADS IN BROADSHEETS AND ONE HALF PAGE ADS IN TABLOIDS 0RINT ADVERTISEMENT WHETHER PROCURED OR GIVEN FREE OF CHARGE CANNOT BE PUBLISHED MORE THAN THREE TIMES A WEEK PER NEWSPAPER MAGAZINE OR OTHER PUBLICATION DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD #ANDIDATES WITH POLITICAL PARTIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO SPEND 0 FOR EVERY REGISTERED VOTER 4HE LIMIT IS 0 FOR INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY LIST GROUPS 4HE CAMPAIGN PERIOD FOR SENATORS AND PARTY LIST GROUPS WILL BE FROM &EBRUARY TO -AY WHILE CANDIDATES FOR REPRESENTATIVE AND REGIONAL PROVINCIAL CITY AND MUNICIPAL OFkCIALS IS FROM -ARCH TO -AY

Sara, GMA )N CONTRAST CANDIDATES OF g/TSO $IRETSOu OPPOSITION SENATORIAL SLATE WOULD MOUNT A DOOR TO DOOR PERSUASION STRATEGY AMONG &ILIPINO HOUSEHOLDS

CAMPAIGN MANAGER 3EN &RANCIS g+IKOu 0ANGILINAN SAID ON -ONDAY #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS #OMELEC SPOKESMAN *AMES *IMENEZ SAID THE START OF THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD WOULD BE A DIFFERENT BALLGAME BECAUSE ALL CAMPAIGN SPENDING AND USE OF CAMPAIGN MATERIALS OF CANDIDATES FOR SENATOR AND PARTY LIST WOULD BE SUBJECT TO CAMPAIGN RULES AND REGULATIONS g%VERY SINGLE BIT OF CAMPAIGN PROPAGANDA THAT ARE NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH #OMELEC RULES WOULD BE IN VIOLATION OF CAMPAIGN RULES BY &EBRUARY u SAID *IMENEZ 4HE #OMELEC WILL ISSUE FORMAL NOTICES TO ALL CANDIDATES REMINDING THEM TO TAKE DOWN ALL CAMPAIGN MATERIALS ATTRIBUTED TO THEM EVEN IF THEY DID NOT ACTUALLY PUT THESE MATERIALS UP g4HEY WILL ALSO BE SUBJECT TO DISMANTLING OF THE #OMELEC AT THE PROPER TIME AND IN COORDINATION WITH APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 7E WILL CONDUCT @OPERATION BAKLAS

SHOULD ADVISE ITS NATIONALS ABOUT COMPLYING WITH THE RULES AND LAWS OF OUR COUNTRY AND RESPECTING PERSONS IN AUTHORITY HERE u 'ORDON SAID 'O WHO WAS IN #AMP #RAME AS THE GUEST SPEAKER DURING THE LAUNCH OF g+ABATAAN +ONTRA SA $ROGA AT 4ERORISMOu PROGRAM SAID :HANG gHAS NO RESPECT u g;7E= &ILIPINOS GIVE THE HIGHEST RESPECT TO THE POLICE 7E NEED TO SHOW RESPECT SO THAT OTHERS WILL SEE HOW TO RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE u THE FORMER TOP AIDE OF 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE SAID !LBAYALDE SAID 'O WOULD GIVE A REWARD TO #RISTOBAL FOR HIS ACTION %ARLIER !LBAYALDE ORDERED .ATIONAL #APITAL 2EGION 0OLICE /FkCE CHIEF $IRECTOR 'UILLERMO %LEAZAR TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE THAT :HANG WOULD BE DEPORTED

13 admin bets 3ARA $UTERTE AND !RROYO WILL BE PRESENT IN THE CAMPAIGN CARAVAN AND EXCHANGE OF COMMITMENT OF SUPPORT BETWEEN (.0 AND 0AMPANGA S RULING PARTY +APANALIG AT +AMBILAN NING -EMALEN 0AMPANGA +AMBILAN LED BY 'OV ,ILIA 0INEDA AT THE 0ROVINCIAL #APITOL #OMPOUND IN 3AN &ERNANDO 0AMPANGA IN THE MORNING 4HEY WILL THEN LEAD THE (.0 CARAVAN KICKOFF AT THE !SEAN #ONVENTION #ENTER IN #LARK &IELD

0AMPANGA IN THE AFTERNOON 4HIRTEEN SENATORIAL CANDIDATES OR ONE MORE THAN THE 3ENATE SEATS UP FOR GRABS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE CAMPAIGN FORMER 3PECIAL !SSISTANT TO THE 0RESIDENT 3!0 #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O FORMER 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 0OLICE 0.0 CHIEF 2ONALD g"ATOu DELA 2OSA

FORMER PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER &RANCIS 4OLENTINO

3EN *UAN %DGARDO g3ONNYu !NGARA 4AGUIG 2EP 0IA #AYETANO 3EN *OSEPH 6ICTOR g*6u %JERCITO

FORMER SENATOR *OSE g*INGGOYu %STRADA -AGUINDANAO 2EP :AJID g$ONGu -ANGUDADATU FORMER JOURNALIST *IGGY -ANICAD 3EN !QUILINO g+OKOu 0IMENTEL RD FORMER SENATOR 2AMON g"ONGu 2EVILLA *R AND 3EN #YNTHIA 6ILLAR -ALACAÄANG ON -ONDAY SAID 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE WOULD ACTIVELY CAMPAIGN FOR THE gPRESIDENTIAL SLATEu IN THE -AY ELECTIONS IN AN ATTEMPT TO BOOST THE CHANCES OF HIS PREFERRED SENATORIAL BETS 3PEAKING TO REPORTERS 0ALACE SPOKESMAN 3ALVADOR 0ANELO INSISTED THERE WAS NO LAW PROHIBITING $UTERTE FROM CAMPAIGNING FOR CANDIDATES IN THE ELECTIONS

w w w.manilatimes.net

PCSO bares 5 new lotto millionaires PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan said 2019 was indeed a lucky year as he announced five new millionaires in a span of six days.

“We have additional five millionaires in a span of six days,” Balutan said.

There were nine lotto jackpot winners in January.

Balutan said the latest winner, who bought the ticket in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, guessed the winning combination of 12-21-0305-15-20 for the jackpot prize of P5.9 million for the Lotto 6/42 draw on February 9.

On February 8, another winner hit the jackpot prize of P8.9 million, getting the winning combina-

g4HE REST ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE GOVERNMENT

!&0 !RMED &ORCES OF THE 0HILIPPINES POLICE

CANNOT CAMPAIGN FOR OR AGAINST ANY CANDIDATES NOR CAN THEY USE ANY RESOURCE OF THE GOVERNMENT u HE ADDED

Uphill for ‘Otso’ 0ANGILINAN WHO WON REELECTION AS AN INDEPENDENT IN SAID THE OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN WOULD BE gUPHILL u WITH MOST OF ITS CANDIDATES UNKNOWN IN THE NATIONAL STAGE 4HE /TSO $IRETSO SENATORIAL SLATE WILL START ITS BACK TO BACK CAMPAIGN IN "ARANGAY NEAR 3AN 2OQUE #ATHEDRAL IN #ALOOCAN #ITY ON 4UESDAY /N 7EDNESDAY THE CANDIDATES WILL HOLD A STUDENT DIALOGUE IN THE MORNING A MOTORCADE

AND A KICK OFF RALLY IN .AGA #ITY #AMARINES 3UR /TSO $IRETSO WAS PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS THE /POSISYON +OALISYON WITH THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES FORMER )NTERIOR AND ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT SECRETARY -ANUEL g-ARu 2OXAS ND 3EN 0AULO "ENIGNO g"AMu !QUINO TH -AGDALO 2EP 'ARY !LEJANO FORMER 3OLICITOR 'ENERAL &LORIN (ILBAY FORMER $E ,A 3ALLE ,AW DEAN *OSE -ANUEL g#HELu $IOKNO -ARAWI CIVIC LEADER 3AMIRA 'UTOC FORMER (OUSE DEPUTY SPEAKER %RIN 4AÄADA AND VETERAN ELECTION LAWYER 2OMULO -ACALINTAL /F THESE EIGHT ONLY !QUINO 2OXAS AND 4AÄADA ARE MEMBERS OF 0ANGILINAN S ,IBERAL 0ARTY GLEE JALEA, CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

tion 30-16-25-26-31-10 in the Mega Lotto 6/45. The winning ticket was bought in Borongan, Eastern Samar.

The third winner won the P18.8-million Lotto 6/42 jackpot on February 7. The ticket with the combination 14-23-1827-07-40 was purchased in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

On February 4, two winners hit the P13.3-million pot of the Mega Lotto 6/45.

They will divide the prize.

The chances of winning in the lotto draws are one in 5,245,786 for Lotto 6/42; one in 8,145,060 for Mega Lotto 6/45; one in 13,983,816 for Super Lotto 6/49; one in 28,989,675 for Grand Lotto 6/55; and one in 40,475,358 for Ultra Lotto 6/58.

Q KEYNOTE FROM A1

Dominguez OR MEMBER OF MORE THAN A DOZEN CORPORATIONS ACROSS VARIOUS INDUSTRIES SUCH AS POWER

AGRICULTURE MINING BANKING HOSPITALITY REAL ESTATE AND INVESTMENT $OMINGUEZ WAS SECRETARY OF %NVIRONMENT AND .ATURAL 2ESOURCES AS WELL AS OF !GRICULTURE DURING THE PRESIDENCY OF #ORAZON !QUINO AND PRESIDENT OF LEADING 0HILIPPINE CORPORATIONS SUCH AS 0HILIPPINE !IRLINES 0HILIPPINE !SSOCIATE 3MELTING AND 2EkNING #ORP AND THE FORMER "ANK OF THE 0HILIPPINE )SLANDS !GRICULTURAL "ANK $OMINGUEZ REMAINS ONE OF 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S TRUSTED ECONOMIC MANAGERS

HAVING STEERED THE LOCAL ECONOMY TO BECOME ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMING GROWTH LEADERS IN THE REGION 4HE FORUM EXPECTS TO GATHER THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT THE -AYUREE "ALLROOM OF $USIT 4HANI -ANILA IN -AKATI #ITY ON 7EDNESDAY -ARCH TO HEAR TOP POLICYMAKERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS MAKE THE CASE FOR THE 0HILIPPINES CONTINUED VIABILITY AS AN INVESTMENT AND GROWTH HUB 'AIN ECONOMIC KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHTS FROM 4HE -ANILA 4IMES "USINESS &ORUM 2ESERVE YOUR SEATS NOW BY CALLING THE -ARKETING #OMMUNICATIONS AND 3ERVICES 'ROUP AT LOCAL OR OR BY EMAILING BUSINESSFORUM MANILATIMES NET

Q SUPPORT FROM A1

US to give P300-M intel support to fight terror -INDANAO IN *ANUARY g7E WELCOME THE 5NITED 3TATES COMMITMENT IN kGHTING TERRORISM 4HIS SHOWS THAT OUR MILITARY ALLIANCE WITH THE 5NITED 3TATES REMAINS STRONG u 0ANELO SAID 0ANELO NOTED THAT TERRORISTS IN -INDANAO gHAVE GAINED A FOOTHOLD AND HAVE UNLEASHED BOMBS THAT KILLED OUR SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS u BUT ADDED IT DID NOT STOP THE PEOPLE FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE SECOND PLEBISCITE ON THE RATIkCATION OF THE "ANGSAMORO /RGANIC ,AW "/, g7HILE THE TERRORISTIC ACTS HAVE CREATED FEAR AND ANXIETY IN THE INHABITANTS OF THE REGION

THEY HOWEVER REFUSED TO BE INTIMIDATED AND COWED AS THEY EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE IN THE JUST CONCLUDED PLEBISCITE u HE SAID 4HE 0ALACE OFkCIAL REITERATED THAT GOVERNMENT FORCES WOULD gRELENTLESSLYu HUNT DOWN THE gMASS MURDERERS u g/UR ARMED FORCES ARE RELENTLESSLY PURSUING THE MASS MURDERERS EVEN AS SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN CRIMINALLY CHARGED AND PRESENTLY DETAINED u 0ANELO SAID ! DAY BEFORE THE PLEBISCITE ON THE RATIkCATION OF THE PROPOSED "/, ON &EBRUARY

EXPLOSIONS OCCURRED IN 3ULTAN .AGA $IMAPORO ,ALA AND +AUSWAGAN IN ,ANAO DEL .ORTE PROVINCE /N *ANUARY MAJORITY OF VOTERS FROM THE !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED "/, (OWEVER THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY TWO SEPARATE BOMBINGS IN :AMBOANGA #ITY AND IN *OLO

3ULU CLAIMING THE LIVES OF AT LEAST PEOPLE

TESY CALL ON 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE IN $AVAO #ITY 0ANELO SAID +ONO CONVEYED 0RIME -INISTER 3HINZO !BE S gGRAVE CONCERNu OVER THE TWIN EXPLOSIONS IN *OLO 3ULU g$URING THAT HOUR LONG MEETING +ONO REITERATED *APAN S SUSTAINED SUPPORT FOR THE 0HILIPPINES QUEST FOR JUST AND LASTING PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN -INDANAO ;AND= EXTENDED FELICITATIONS FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE HOLDING OF THE "ANGSAMORO /RGANIC ,AW PLEBISCITE u 0ANELO SAID )N A PRESS BRIEkNG 0ANELO SAID *APAN DID NOT SPECIFY THE HELP g"UT WE WELCOME ALL KINDS OF HELP !S ) SAID ALL NATIONS OF THE WORLD MUST UNITE TO COMBAT TERRORISM u HE SAID +ONO THE 0ALACE SAID INFORMED THE 0HILIPPINE GOVERNMENT THAT *APAN WAS WILLING TO OPEN UP ITS LABOR MARKET FOR QUALIkED &ILIPINOS IN RECOGNITION OF THE 0HILIPPINES CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF *APAN $UTERTE THANKED +ONO FOR THE VISIT AND LAUDED *APAN FOR BEING A gTRUE FRIENDu FOR ITS INVOLVEMENT IN THE COUNTRY S g"UILD "UILD

"UILDu PROGRAM THE 0ALACE SAID g;4HE 0RESIDENT= HIGHLIGHTED THE QUALITY OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AS WELL AS THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING EMBEDDED IN THE PROJECTS THAT WOULD BENEkT &ILIPINO PRACTITIONERS AND EXPERTS u HE SAID $UTERTE ALSO EXPRESSED WILLINGNESS TO MEET !BE ANEW TO DISCUSS DEVELOPMENTS IN BILATERAL TIES &INANCE 3ECRETARY #ARLOS $OMINGUEZ RD Japan to help vs terror MENTIONED THAT LOAN AGREEMENTS FORMALIZED BETWEEN THE 0HILIPPINES AND *APAN SINCE 4HE 0ALACE ALSO SAID *APAN WAS COMMITTED TO HAD REACHED BILLION YEN ABOUT HELP THE 0HILIPPINES QUELL TERRORISM BILLION OR 0 BILLION )N A SEPARATE STATEMENT 0ANELO SAID THIS CATHERINE S. VALENTE, WAS PROMISED BY *APANESE &OREIGN -INISTER RALPH U. VILLANUEVA AND 4ARO +ONO ON 3ATURDAY DURING HIS COURMAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

PSEi

P52.11 TO $1

8,061.54 DOWN 0.12%

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2019

Business Times www.manilatimes.net

ASIAN STOCKS: V Sh a n gh a i 1 . 3 6 %

What’s inside HOW ANIMAL DUNG COFFEE IS MAKING BIG MONEY — BEYOND BUZZWORDS BusinessB2

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PESO REDISCOUNT LOANS HIT P14.46B IN JANUARY

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ASIAN MARKETS RISE AS TRADE TALKS BETWEEN US, CHINA LOOM

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BLOOMBERRY SIGNS P40-B LOAN FACILITY FOR QC PROJECT

ÂťCorporate NewsB4

V S i n g a p o re 0 . 1 3 %

V S eoul 0 .1 7 %

W Jakarta 0.41%

BEYOND BUZZWORDS

V Hong Kong 0.71%

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W

CURRENCY RATE

B1

W B an gkok 0.83%

Investment approvals nearly double in Jan

BY TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

I

NVESTMENT approvals grew by 91 percent to P97.9 billion in January from year-earlier P51.3 billion, the Trade department reported on Monday, with power development deals accounting for almost half of the total greenlighted projects.

g7E ARE DEkNITELY OFF TO A POSITIVE START IN AND IT AUGURS WELL FOR THE rest of the year as we aim to cross the uncharted trillion-peso mark in investment approval for the whole year,�

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a statement.

The Board of Investments approved P48.4 billion worth of energy development projects, with the 603-Megawatt

Rizal Wind Energy Corp. accounting for almost the entire amount at P47.36 billion, the Trade department said.

The information and communications technology sector, meanwhile, is expected TO BENEkT FROM A PLANNED 0 BILLION broadband infrastructure project of Metroworks ICT Construction, Inc. !LSO APPROVED WERE A 0 BILLION project in Antipolo by Solid Cement Corp. and a P849-million hospital by Allied Care Experts in Dumaguete City.

Investments in the manufacturing sector, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino

2ODOLFO SAID WERE UP PERCENT TO 0 BILLION IN *ANUARY FROM 0 million last year. “We pick up where we left off as we continue to build and expand the manufacturing base on the back of a robust national industrial policy,� he added.

Region 4A (Calabarzon) recorded the highest investment approvals at 0 BILLION A PERCENT HIKE FROM LAST YEAR S 0 BILLION DUE TO A WIND power project.

4HE $AVAO 2EGION 2EGION

ÂłApprovals B2

IMF chief warns of economic ‘storm’ Net FDI hits 2-mth DUBAI: The International Monetary Fund on Sunday warned governments to gear up for a possible economic storm as growth undershoots expectations. “The bottomline — we see an economy that is growing more slowly than we had anticipated,�

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde told the World Government Summit in Dubai.

Last month, the IMF lowered its global economic growth forecast for this year from 3.7 percent to PERCENT Lagarde cited what she called “four clouds� as the main factors undermining the global economy and warned that a “storm� might strike.

The risks include “trade tensions and tariff escalations, financial tightening, uncertainty related to (the) Brexit outcome and spillover

ÂłWarns B3

high in Nov – BSP NET foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows hit a two-month HIGH IN .OVEMBER BUT WERE still lower from a year earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Monday. .ET INFLOWS DROPPED BY PERCENT TO MILLION FROM

ÂłHits B3

PSEi dips on concerns over growth, trade talks

Q Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, leaves the stage after speaking during the opening session of the World Government Summit in Dubai, on Feb. 10, 2019. AFP PHOTO

SM Prime net profit surges 17% to P32.2B in 2018 SM Prime Holdings Inc. saw its net income JUMP BY PERCENT TO 0 BILLION LAST YEAR

FROM 0 BILLION IN ON THE BACK OF higher revenues.

In a disclosure on Monday, the company reported that consolidated revenues had risen

BY PERCENT TO 0 BILLION FROM 0 BILLION IN Consolidated operating income, meanwhile, IMPROVED BY PERCENT TO 0 BILLION YEAR on-year.

T

MILLION IN THE SAME MONTH last year but were an improvement FROM /CTOBER S MILLION AND the highest since September’s 0 MILLION It brought the year-to-date tally TO BILLION PERCENT LOWER

In the fourth quarter alone, SM Prime’s net INCOME INCREASED BY PERCENT TO 0 BILLION FROM 0 BILLION WHILE CONSOLIDATED REVENUES HIT 0 BILLION PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE SAME QUARTER IN On a full-year basis, SM Prime’s mall busiNESS RACKED UP 0 BILLION IN REVENUES HIGHER

BY PERCENT 'ROWTH WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE rising contribution of rentals from new and expanded malls that were launched mostly in

ÂłIncome B3

A case for a PH Green Deal

HE “Green New Deal� proposed by a group of Democratic politicians in the US is an interesting plan, and probably worthy of emulation here in the Philippines and elsewhere. Not because it’s a good plan — it isn’t, it’s an unrealistic, sophomoric mess — but because it represents a good way to kick-start a policy debate.

Every country needs a climate change management plan. Ideally, the entire world should have one, but the reality of divergent political and economic goals makes that a practical impossibility. Efforts like the Paris Climate Accord, while well-meaning, are a waste of time because of how quickly they can be derailed.

Nations still need to protect themselves, however, and in doing so meet their responsibility to the rest of the world to reduce their individual contributions to global climate damage. The “Green New Deal,� as I said, is not a practical model in its details, but the approach is useful.

What the Green New Deal does is express an ideal climate management framework, or a best-case scenario from the zero climate impact point of view. In other words, it paints a picture of what a climate-neutral US would like if other niggling concerns such as jobs, stable utility supplies, a functioning economy, EFkCIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND healthy diets were completely ignored.

The plan is almost entirely

ROUGH impractical, economically TRADE impossible, and would se-

verely curtail individual freedoms, but it is completely BEN accurate in the sense that KRITZ “this is what the US would have to look like in order for the country not to cause any further harm to the environment.� That makes it a useful starting point: Working backwards from that ideal, policymakers should be able to arrive at a point where climate mitigation is economically and socially productive.

The Philippines can and should do exactly the same thing: Develop a “Philippine Green Deal,� a plan that describes an ideal national model for zero climate impact without respect to any other priorities. From that, the “ideal� can be gradually diluted until it describes a plan that is both cost-effective and socially tolerable.

Approaching the problem from this “top down� direction would result in more effective climate mitigation, because it still maintains the climate mitigation as a priority; the policy solution will be less heterodox and more coordinated, and therefore more effective.

To determine what should be included in the “Philippine Green Deal,� its authors should follow the recommendations laid out in a recent insightful commentary entitled, “Triaging climate change� published by the RAND Corporation last month. In it, the authors suggest separating national priorities into three categories:

ÂłKritz B3

THE stock market retreated on Monday as market players were said to be cautious about slower global growth and the outcome of US-China trade talks scheduled later this week.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dipped by PERCENT OR POINTS TO

CLOSE AT WHILE THE BROADER All Shares slipped 0.08 percent or POINTS TO kNISH AT

Eagle Equities Inc. research head Christopher Mangun said sentiment was dampened by worries over the 53 #HINA TRADE TALKS WITH A -ARCH deadline looming for an agreement

ÂłTrade B3

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

Peso rediscount loans hit P14.46B in Jan – BSP B

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLOÂ

ORROWINGS by banks under the peso rediscount facility of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) totaled P14.46 billion in January, data released by the central bank showed on Monday.

Of the peso rediscount borrowINGS MAJORITY OR PERCENT went to commercial credits, the BSP noted in a statement accompanying the data. Specifically, these were distributed to import LOANS PERCENT AND TRADING LOANS PERCENT The remaining portions are CLASSIkED AS OTHER CREDITS AT percent particularly to capital asset

S

ITTING backstage at the Tinig #ONCERT A BENEkT CONCERT FOR child’s rights, I was happily listening to Noel Cabangon singing the Apo Hiking Society’s song: Ang bawat bata sa ating mundo ay may pangalan, may karapatan. This song brought back good memories, but also brought home the key reason why I was there.

These words were taken from the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which was adopted UNANIMOUSLY IN #URRENTLY

every member of the United Nations except the United States has SIGNED THE #ONVENTION OF the Rights of the Child (CRC). The Philippines, was and continues to be, a member of the UN. The preamble to the Declaration of the Rights of the Child highlights children’s need for special care and protection, “including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth.�

EXPENDITURES PERCENT AND OTHER SERVICES PERCENT 4HERE was no availment under the facility a year ago, the BSP said.

Rediscounting is a privilege given by the BSP to banks qualikED TO OBTAIN LOANS OR ADVANCES using eligible borrowers’ papers as collateral.

Under the rediscount window, a bank that seeks to liquidate

outstanding client loans can run to the BSP to swap the loan for cash at a discount. The central bank takes on the loan from the bank and takes charge of collecting payments from the bank’s client.

The BSP also rediscounted its rates on loans applicable on availments by banking instituTIONS FOR &EBRUARY &OR loans under peso rediscount facility, rates have been set at PERCENT PER ANNUM P A FOR LOANS WITH DAYS MATURITY AND PERCENT P A FOR LOANS WITH DAYS MATURITY “The peso rediscount rates are based on the latest available BSP overnight lending rate plus term premia,� the BSP said.

Meanwhile, there was no availment under the exporters’ dollar and yen rediscount facility %$92& AS OF *ANUARY AND A year ago. The BSP nevertheless said the rates for loans under EDYRF for February are as follows: US DOLLAR PERCENT P A AND YEN PERCENT P A FOR days maturity; US dollar 4.80000 PERCENT P A AND YEN PERCENT P A FOR DAYS MATURITY AND 53 DOLLAR PERCENT P A AND YEN PERCENT P A FOR DAYS MATURITY “EDYRF rates are based on the 90-day London Inter-Bank Offered 2ATE AS OF *AN PLUS basis points plus term premia,� the BSP said.

No to lowering of MACR MANAGING FOR SOCIETY

PIA T. MANALASTAS Principle 3 ensures the child’s right to a name and a nationality.

Article 3 of the CRC states that “In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.� In THE #2# A CHILD IS DEkNED AS ANY HUMAN BEING UNDER THE AGE OF A right is a moral or legal entitlement. If we acknowledge a right exists, e.g., it is a moral imPERATIVE OR IT IS RATIkED OR MADE into law, then there should be a duty holder, one who ensures the right is protected. In this

case, since the Philippines is a signatory to the CRC, the duty holder is all branches of the Philippine government.

This is why I am greatly troubled that Congress has proposed the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) in the Philippines from the curRENT TO AS YOUNG AS YEARS OLD This proposal has resulted in wellargued positions from child rights activists, the Catholic Church, scientists, and academe opposing this proposal. I join them in saying NO. • The position paper of the Psychological Association of the Philippines states “children and adolescents differ significantly from adults in decision-making, propensity to engage in risky behavior, impulse control, identity development, and overall maturity.â€? • The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines cites the catechism of the Catholic Church in its opposition to lower the age of criminal liability: “The home is the natural environment for initiating a human being into solidarity and communal responsibilities.â€? Therefore, rather than lowering the age of criminal responsibility, the CBCP proposes increasing the penalty for the adult perpetrator; involving the Church

and community service units in the administration of juvenile justice; and imposing criminal liability on the parents. • The UP School of Economics Alumni concludes that the evidence and the science, together with the application of law and economics that we have learned from our profession and discipline, tell us that the bill’s controversial measures will result in worse outcomes for our children and our society.

4HE 4INIG #ONCERT WAS THE TH anniversary celebration of Good Neighbors Philippines, an international non-government organization (NGO). While the concert's main theme was to increase AWARENESS FOR ITS kGHT AGAINST CHILD labor, the recent MACR controversy also highlighted the need to oppose the lowering of the age of criminal liability.

Congratulations to Good Neighbors. May you continue your dedication, commitment and service to the poor Filipino children, families, and communities.

Pia T. Manalastas is OIC chairman of the Management and Organization Department, Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. She is a member of the board of directors of Good Neighbors Philippines. pia. manalastas@dlsu.edu.ph

How animal dung coffee is making big money S BEYOND BUZZWORDS

INCE time immemorial, the world’s expensive brew is from the civet cat coffee, also known as Indonesia’s ‘kopi luwak.’ In the Philippines, it is called by so many names depending on the location where the cat’s feces is found. In the Cordillera region, it is called ‘kape motit,’ in Tagalog areas, it is known as ‘kape alamid’ and in Mindanao, it is brewed as ‘kape musang.’ I’m not sure if these local brewa are easily available. If not, then we can understand as most of us are practical and would readily succumb to what’s easy, accessible AND INEXPENSIVE ‡ THE IN SOLD by different competing brands.

"UT THE IN COFFEE IS NOT WHAT I’d like to tell you. Believe it or not, the prized kopi luwak and other varieties are digested coffee cherries, eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). It’s not the variety of coffee that makes it uniquely smooth and tasty but the fermentation process inside the cat’s intestine.

The cat’s digestive enzymes change the structure of protein in coffee beans which removes acidity for a smoother cup of coffee.

Kopi luwak or any of its authentic variety (not the forced-fed caged civet cat) commands “retail prices OF OVER PER POUND IN WHAT the Specialty Coffee Association of America, a Long Beach, Californiabased trade association, describes AS AN BILLION PLUS SPECIALTY coffee market,� according to a &ORBES ARTICLE BY (YON *UNG ,EE Today, the Asian civet cat is no longer a monopoly when it comes to premium coffee. The Indonesian cat has been beaten by a formidable opponent — Thailand’s elephant. “As the luwak label became tarnished by accusations that some producers were selling counterfeit blends, an entrepreneur in Thailand supersized the operation� with a successful experiment on elephant dung that STARTED IN AT #HIANG 2AI ACcording to a report by Bloomberg.

Enter Black Ivory Coffee. It is SOLD gONLINE AT FOR THREE GRAM OUNCE PACKETS EQUIVALENT TO A KILOGRAM u )TS website proclaims to the whole world that they’re producing “the world’s rarest coffee. NatuRALLY REkNED BY ELEPHANTS u !ND what makes the maker of Black Ivory Coffee doubly proud of its produce is their adherence to an “ethically and socially program� that supports the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation and the farmers and caretakers of elephants.

If you’re not part of the world’s millionaire’s club or prefer to use the excuse that you don’t like cat or elephant coffee, then you need not worry as you can always switch to other coffee-feces made brew by goat, donkey, panda, monkey and your favorite dog. Yes, seriously.

After all, whether you like it nor not, you may have already consumed enough fecal matter than what you can imagine when you drink coffee in the office. .OELLE $EVOE IN HER ARTICLE IN 3EVENTEEN SAYS g OF OFkCE COFFEE MUGS CONTAIN FECAL MATter. The fecal matter is apparently SPREAD THROUGH THE USE OF AN OFkCE “sponge,� which basically means you’ll never want to wash your coffee mug with a sponge again.�

Enough of gourmet coffee from animal feces. There are other animals that gave rise to popular

REY ELBO products without us consumers knowing about it. In fact, #"3 .EWS HAS LISTED DOWN g Revolting Things Government Lets in Your Food.� The report cites canned mushrooms with maggots, mold in apple pie, mouse fur in peanut butter, FRUIT lIES IN TOMATO SAUCE AND PARASITES IN kSH THAT ARE ALLOWED under the law as long as they’re in minimal quantity.

Back to our favorite coffee.

If you don’t care much about cat, elephant or other animal’s dung coffee, will you be adventurous enough to care for a sip of human excrement coffee? In $ECEMBER THE YEAR WHEN the elephant dung coffee was born, there was a man who CREATED A kRST IN THE WORLD ‡ human poop coffee.

Randy Goldman (not his real name) is cited by Sprudge.com, a blog dedicated to reviewing wine and related beverages in its article titled “We Drank Human Poop Coffee.� “Randy’s was one of the most highly sought after stories in the world, and all because of his listing on a Portland area Craigslist page for “Human Kopi Luwak.�

While fielding calls and inquiries from feature writers — The Atlantic and The New York Times both came calling — Randy quickly sold nearly 30 pounds of coffee he’d eaten and pooped out for his eager customers� until the demand outstripped the supply side.

Forget about the human poop coffee. What does the animal dung coffee tell us about business innovation, which according to The Future OF *OBS 2EPORT BY 7ORLD Economic Forum remains to be the number one trendING JOB UP TO YEAR )N &RUGAL )NNOVATION

co-authors Navi Radjou and *AIDEEP 0RABHU SAY THAT g4O produce affordable and susTAINABLE PRODUCTS kRMS MUST develop a fast, better, and cheaper system of innovation. “The frugal approach is disruptive‌as it seeks to reduce not just the financial cost of doing business but also its environmental cost.

Frugal innovation also seeks to minimize time, especially important in such situations as bringing a promising new drug to market.�

The frugal approach is akin to kaizen and lean thinking which I’ve been writing about every now and then. Fend off what’s not working. Kick out “yes men� in your midst. You need more people who think differently than you do. Learn from ordinary people, even coffee farmers who can give you many sustainable business ideas that are low-cost and yet profound to implement.

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

Q APPROVALS FROM B1

Investment approvals Mimaropa (4B) and Cagayan 6ALLEY 2EGION WERE AMONG the top regions with approved INVESTMENTS OF AT LEAST 0 MILlion each.

Foreign investments grew

PERCENT TO 0 BILLION IN *ANUARY FROM 0 MILLION IN THE same period last year.

Netherlands was the top foreign INVESTOR WITH 0 BILLION WORTH of investments approved, followed

BY *APAN AT 0 MILLION AND 3OUTH +OREA AT 0 MILLION “Breaking a record is getting to be a habit as we aim to set a new mark for the third successive year.

And given the strong and sustained CONkDENCE OF DOMESTIC AND INTERnational investors in the Duterte administration, we hope to make it a yearly record-breaking habit UNTIL AND EVEN BEYOND u Lopez claimed.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Q KRITZ FROM B1

A case – First, there are things that probably cannot be saved or repaired from climate damage, no matter what action is taken. A good example for the Philippines might be the loss of corals and subsequent loss of some part of the marine food chain due to ocean warming. That is a tragedy, but it is also beyond the country’s ability on its own to prevent or reverse, and so effort and resources beyond what very limited action can be taken (such AS CONTROLLING OVERkSHING SHOULD not be wasted on it. – Second, there are things that will not be affected by climate change, or will only be affected IN INSIGNIkCANT WAYS THAT CAN BE managed with no special effort.

The example used in the RAND essay was America’s hydroelectric power sector, which might also be an example here in the Philippines. A better example might be this country’s activities in using and expanding geothermal power systems; these neither affect or are affected by climate change, and therefore require no change in the current approach. – Finally, there are the areas WHERE SPECIkC CLIMATE MITIGATION action would yield immediate, positive results. Policies that work in the direction of eliminating the country’s overpopulation of outdated and dangerously polluting internal combustion engines, for instance, will fall into this category. This category is where climate change mitigation efforts should BE FOCUSED THE kRST TWO CATEGORIES

while not to be completely ignored, should be considered low priorities.

Deciding what should be prioritized becomes a critical task, but for the purposes of creating an ideal Green Deal, it can be guided by just two factors: One, things that are economically, socially, or culturally important to the Philippines; and two, things that can be preserved or repaired by climate change mitigation action.

Once the Green Deal is created, the broad and likely unrealistic wish list it represents can be reduced by following a couple of other relatively simple principles: Climate mitigation actions that reQUIRE SIGNIkCANT gLIFESTYLEu CHANGes — alterations in individual lifestyles or fundamental changes in the way business is done — should offer corresponding reductions in economic costs. If on the other hand an increase in costs is unavoidable, then the climate mitigation action must offer substantial quality of life improvements.

And finally, the overall climate mitigation policy must at a minimum be revenue neutral, and preferably positive. The biggest knock against the progressive Green New Deal in the US is THAT kNANCING IT RELIES on an irrational concept of economics; in reality is not even CLOSE TO BEING kSCALLY manageable, which is the reason very little if any of it will ever see the light of day.

Developing a Philippine Green Deal and translating it into practical, profitable, and tangibly effective action will not be easy, particularly for the blindered, self-interested sort of policymakers this country seems to prefer. But hopefully the stark choice, “Do this, or the human race dies, starting with the faceless masses that put YOU IN OFkCE IN THE kRST place� will motivate the better natures of those in the position to do something about it to come to the surface — if not, maybe we’re not worth saving after all.

Email: ben.kritz@ manilatimes.net

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

Business Times

B3

Asian markets rise as trade talks between US, China loom

H

ONG KONG: Asian stocks saw gains -ONDAY AS 53 AND #HINESE OFkCIALS IN Beijing geared up for crunch trade talks aimed at averting fresh tariff escalations.

Mainland Chinese markets reopened higher after the week-long Lunar New Year break despite a series of bearish global growth forecasts, with investor focus squarely on efforts to tackle the trade row.

4OP 53 ECONOMIC OFkCIALS WILL travel to the Chinese capital this week for the third round of talks on Thursday and Friday, but deputies had already arrived and the White House said preparatory discussions were due to begin Monday.

Failure to agree a deal between

the two economic superpowers BEFORE -ARCH WOULD SEE PUNITIVE 53 DUTIES ON BILLION IN Chinese goods more than double. “There’s a sense of urgency to THIS ROUND u SAID *EFFREY (ALLEY

senior market analyst at OANDA. “If no deal is agreed by then, a belligerent President Trump and US Congress will be more than willing to simply extend the trade war so China will need to make THE kRST MOVE IF THEY ARE TO REACH a detente,� he added.

Q WARNS FROM B1

Analysts say imposition of the tariffs could weaken the global economy.

US President Donald Trump said last week he does not expect to meet his Chinese counterpart 8I *INPING BEFORE THE DEADLINE expires, quashing some optimism.

But Asian tech stocks tracked a small positive lead on Nasdaq Friday.

Hong Kong was up 0.6 percent in the afternoon session, with social media and gaming giant Tencent seeing healthy gains, along with smartphone component makers such as Sunny Optical Technology and AAC Technologies.

Macau casino shares were also buoyant after strong tourism numbers over the New Year holiday.

Shanghai, reopening after a weekLONG BREAK ROSE PERCENT 3EOUL EDGED UP PERCENT BUT 3YDNEY SHED PERCENT *AKARTA -ANILA and Singapore also posted losses.

Tokyo was closed for a holiday.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund warned governments to prepare for a possible economic “storm� as growth forecasts dip.

It cited the trade row as one of four “clouds� overshadowing the global economy, along with Brexit uncertainty, the accelerated slowdown in #HINA AND kNANCIAL TIGHTENING “The bottomline — we see an economy that is growing more slowly than we had anticipated,�

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde told the World Government Lagarde also pointed to the risks posed by rising borrowing costs within a context of “heavy debt�

RACKED UP BY GOVERNMENTS kRMS and households. “When there are too many clouds, it takes one lightning [bolt] to start the storm,� she said. AFP

impact and an accelerated slowdown of the Chinese economy,� she said.

Lagarde said trade tensions —

mainly in the shape of a tariff spat between the United States and China, the world’s two biggest economies — are already having a

global impact. “We have no idea how it is going to pan out and what we know is that it is already beginning to have an effect on trade, ON CONkDENCE AND ON MARKETS u she said, warning governments to avoid protectionism.

Q HITS FROM B1

MONTH IN u In drop in percentage terms was PERCENT The central bank also pointed OUT THAT NET EQUITY CAPITAL INlOWS during the month dropped to MILLION OR PERCENT from a year earlier even as placeMENTS OF MILLION MORE THAN OFFSET THE MILLION IN withdrawals. “Equity capital placements during the month were sourced largely from Taiwan, the United States, Thailand, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands,� it said.

Reinvestments of earnings were

the only positive item for the MONTH RISING BY PERCENT TO million from a year ago. .ET &$) INFLOWS FOR *ANUARY to November, meanwhile, were DRIVEN LARGELY BY BILLION IN net investments in debt instruments, which were 9.3 percent higher reckoned from the same MONTH PERIOD IN Net investments in equity capiTAL ON THE OTHER HAND FELL TO BILLION FROM BILLION IN THE COMPARABLE PERIOD EVEN AS GROSS PLACEMENTS OF BILLION more than compensated for withdrawals of $407 million.

Equity capital infusions during the period came mainly from Singapore, Hong Kong, the UnitED 3TATES *APAN AND #HINA AND were invested in manufacturing; financial and insurance; real estate; arts, entertainment and recreation; and electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply activities.

Reinvestments of earnings were PERCENT HIGHER AT MILLION 4HE "30 EXPECTS NET &$) INlOWS TO HAVE REACHED BILLION LAST year, higher than an earlier forecast OF BILLION

tinue to trade sideways because of the minimal trading in blue chips. In the mean time, look for second-liners with upside potential and take advantage of price movement for short-term gains,� Mangun said. )N A SEPARATE COMMENT 0 0 Trade Online sales associate 'ABRIEL *OSE 0EREZ ADVISED INvestors to watch out for how US markets perform. “With a lack of catalyst in the

NEAR TERM FOR 03%I THE

level should continue to be tough to beat,� he added.

Sectoral results were mixed, WITH THE HOLDING kRMS AND PROPerty indices the only gainers, up PERCENT AND PERCENT

respectively.

Volume turnover stood at 3.36 billion issues valued at P 6 billion. ,OSERS LED WINNERS TO

while 36 issues were unchanged.

WITH A REPORT FROM AFP

IMF chief warns

Net FDI hits VERSUS THE COMPARABLE PERIOD The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the year-on-year decline in net FDI for November “was due largely to the drop in net investments in debt instruments (consisting mainly of intercompany borrowings/lending between foreign direct investors and their subsidiaries/affiliates in the Philippines), which amounted to $333 million FROM MILLION IN THE SAME

Q TRADE FROM B1

PSEi dips on concerns to be reached.

Markets elsewhere in the region were more optimistic ahead of the start of negotiations in Beijing this Thursday.

Shanghai, reopening after a WEEKLONG BREAK ROSE PERcent while Hong Kong rose 0.7

percent as Asian tech stocks tracked a small positive lead on the Nasdaq Friday.

3EOUL EDGED UP PERCENT BUT 3YDNEY SHED PERCENT *AKARTA and Singapore also posted losses.

Tokyo was closed for a holiday. “The main index may con-

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Summit in Dubai at the weekend.

The EU, Britain and Australia all slashed growth forecasts late last week.

Adding to market trepidation is THE SPECTRE OF A REPEAT OF THE day partial US government shutDOWN THAT ENDED *ANUARY ‡ THE longest in the country’s history.

Key Republican negotiator Richard Shelby blamed Democrats for another impasse over immigration at the weekend, in talks that have BEEN DEkNED BY 4RUMP S DEMAND for funds for a border wall.

Oil prices continued to tumble with growing oversupply fears linked to record US shale output, with both main contracts posting losses.

AFP

Q INCOME FROM B1

SM Prime the developing areas of the PhilipPINES FROM TO -ALL RENTAL INCOME GREW BY PERCENT TO 0 BILLION WHILE REVENUES FROM cinema and event ticket sales increased

BY PERCENT TO 0 BILLION 2EVENUES from amusement and merchandise sales INCREASED PERCENT TO 0 BILLION 3- 0RIME CURRENTLY HAS MALLS nationwide with a combined gross lOOR AREA '&! OF MILLION SQUARE meters (sqm). Seven others located in #HINA HAVE A '&! OF MILLION SQM For the residential segment, SM Prime said unit SM Development Corp. (SMDC) reported reservation SALES GROWTH OF PERCENT OF 0 BILLION FROM 0 BILLION )N TERMS OF UNIT SALES THE INCREASE STOOD AT PERCENT OR FROM

SMDC plans to launch between

TO RESIDENTIAL UNITS this year.

For the rest of its businesses, SM Prime said revenues grew by 7 percent to P8.4 billion from P7.9 BILLION IN 3- 0RIME HAS OFkCE BUILDINGS AT PRESENT WITH A TOTAL '&! OF

sqm. This year, it plans to launch the NU Tower at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. Also in the launch pipeline are FourE-Com Center and two Park Inn by Radisson hotels.

3- 0RIME SHARES ROSE BY CENTAVOS ON -ONDAY TO kNISH AT 0 each, bucking the Philippine Stock %XCHANGE INDEX S PERCENT DROP ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

B4

Corporate News Bloomberry signs P40-B loan for QC project

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

Businessinbriefs SMC TO ‘EXPEDITE PAYMENT’ FOR PROPERTIES IN TPLEX SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) said on Monday it would shoulder the remaining right-of-way (ROW) expenses of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) after landowners demanded full payments last week. In a statement, San Miguel President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang said the listed conglomerate would “advance the payment for the government� and assured both it and the affected property owners that it was “ready to resolve this issue and expedite payment.� “Our wish is for the situation to be remedied as soon as possible,� he added. San Miguel continues to talk with the Department of Public Works and Highways to fix this matter, Ang said. According to the food-and-beverage giant, the payment would be done through its Private Infra Development Corp. It did not disclose the exact amount to be paid as of press time.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

PRIMEX SUBSCRIBES TO 75-M SHARES IN AFFILIATE

T

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

WO units of listed Bloomberry Resorts Corp. have signed an P40billion omnibus loan and security agreement with seven banks to fund the development of an integrated resort complex in Quezon City.

PRIMEX Corp. said on Monday its board of directors had approved its initial subscription to 75 million shares in affiliate Primex Development Corp. In a disclosure, the listed real-estate firm said the shares had a par vale of P1 each with a total value of P75 million. It added that 25 percent of the purchase price or amount would be paid immediately, while the balance would be paid in three equal payments annually in three years. After the subscription, Primex Corp. will have a 15-percent control of Primex Development. “The accretive acquisition is expected to beef up Primex’s access to premium land banks and enhance shareholders value in view of the tremendous earning potential of the properties upon development.

ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

In a disclosure on Monday, the Razon-led resort operator said subsidiaries Sureste Properties Inc. and Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc. had inked the deal for a 10-year loan facility with the Philippine National Bank, BDO Unibank Inc., Metropolitan Bank

BDO UNIT TO ACQUIRE BULACAN BANK

AC Energy Inc., the energy platform of Ayala Corp., has signed an investment agreement with Phinma Corp. on buying the latter’s 26.25-percent stake in subsidiary Phinma Energy Corp.

In separate disclosures on Monday, Ayala Corp. and Phinma Corp. said the deal signed on February 8 covered 1,283,422,198 shares worth P1.7 billion.

This comes exactly a month after both LISTED kRMS INKED HEADS OF AGREEMENT ON the transaction, which also involves AC Energy purchasing Phinma parent Philippine Investment Management (Phinma) Inc.’s 24.23-percent interest in Phinma Energy for a combined 51.48-percent stake.

The Ayala-led unit will acquire the total stake via a secondary share sale for approximately P3.42 billion, and also subscribe to 2.632 billion Phinma Energy shares for P1 apiece.

The deal is yet to secure the approval of the Philippine Competition Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Philippine Stock Exchange; as

ONE Network Bank Inc. (ONB), the rural bank subsidiary of BDO Unibank Inc., has signed an agreement with the Rural Bank of Pandi Inc. on acquiring the latter’s business. In a regulatory filing on Monday, the Sy-led lender said the “transaction is seen to provide ONB a stronger presence in the province and fast-track its expansion in Central Luzon, one of the most progressive areas in the country.� BDO did not disclose the value of the planned acquisition, noting that it was still subject to closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals. Founded in 1967, the Rural Bank of Pandi is one of the bestperforming rural banks in Bulacan, where it has 10 branches.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

AAA TO LAUNCH ONLINE TRADING PLATFORM BROKERAGE firm AAA Southeast Equities Inc. is set to launch on March 1 an advanced online trading platform that would allow traders to automatically executive shares once the price for them breaches a breakout level. In a news briefing in Makati City on Monday, AAA President Matthew Cabangon said his company had partnered with Dubai-based firm DirectFN Ltd. for the platform, and believed it would be a “game-changer for the local market‌because we are the first of all online brokerages that lets traders cut losses and buy on breakout automatically.â€? Once available, the platform — to be branded as AAA Equities — would be accessible on the internet, and on iOS and Android applications. It would also provide daily market comments.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

8,061.54

-9.35

Ĺş

All Shares

4,892.48

-3.84

Ĺş

Financials

1,833.07

-14.32

Ĺş Ĺş

Industrial

11,618.40

-59.77

Holding Firms

8,042.54

9.54

Ÿ

Services

1,602.11

-17.23

Ĺş

Mining and Oil

8,608.33

-131.29

Ĺş

Property

4,032.10

34.25

Ÿ

SERVICES

Stock indices as of February 12, 2019

PSEi

ALL SHARES

for P126,142 per square meter, or a total of P1.98 billion.

The company said then it targeted to capture the base mass segment in the northern part of Metro Manila.

Besides Solaire, Bloomberry also owns and operates Jeju Sun Hotel and Casino in Jeju Island, South Korea.

The disclosure comes after the bourse said on Friday Bloomberry would replace Petron Corp. on the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index effective on February 18.

Shares of Bloomberry slipped by 6 centavos or 0.5 percent to close at P12 apiece on Monday.

AC Energy inks deal on Phinma Energy stake

HOLDING FIRMS

Index

and Trust Co., UnionBank of the Philippines, Bank of Commerce, China Banking Corp. and Robinsons Bank Corp.

BDO Capital and Investments Corp. was the lead arranger and sole bookrunner, while the Trust and Investments Group acted as

security trustee, facility agent and paying agent.

Proceeds would be used to partially build an integrated hotel and gaming resort under Bloomberry’s Solaire and Resorts Casino brand on its 1.5-hectare property at the Vertis North complex in Quezon #ITY THE PLAN FOR WHICH WAS kRST announced last year.

Construction is “set to begin in mid-2019,� Bloomberry ChairMAN AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER Enrique Razon told company stockholders during their annual meeting in early June.

Bloomberry, through Sureste, bought the property from the National Housing Authority in 2015

MINING AND OIL

well as comply with applicable mandatory offer requirements.

Eric Francis, AC Energy president and chief executive officer, told reporters recently that his company was looking at “May, June [or] July in‌getting PCC or regulatory approvalâ€? and making a “mandatory tender offer, which typically takes 90 days.â€?

The transaction, AC Energy said in its disclosure, is an “important step� for it to meet its goal of generating 5 gigawatts of renewably energy (RE) by 2025.

It noted that Phinma Energy had “significant operating and developmental renewable energy assets, and its large diesel capacity will complement the scaling-up of� its RE projects.

Phinma Corp. said the deal offered “a timely opportunity for the Phinma Group to harness value from a business [that] it established 50 years ago, and which Phinma believes it has grown to the extent it can.�

It “believes that it can make meaning-

ful expansions in other sectors, such as education and construction materials, and has elected to sell its shares to AC Energy, which is fully committed to this sector,� it added.

The February 8 agreement is the latest signed by the two energy subsidiaries, the kRST OF WHICH WAS THE DEAL TO BUILD AND operate a 244-megawatt coal power plant under the South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. in Calaca town, Batangas province.

AC Energy has more than $1 billion of invested and committed equity in renewable and thermal energy in the country and the region.

Phinma Energy is into generating and supplying electricity; renewable energy; and resource exploration and development. It has an attributable generation capacity of 472 MW. Ayala Corp. shares added P2 or 0.22 percent to close at P929 each, while Phinma Energy shares remained flat at P1.32 apiece on Monday.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

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

Security Name BDO Unibank, Inc. Xurpas Inc. Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation Bloomberry Resorts Corporation International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Ayala Land, Inc. Petron Corporation SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Bank of the Philippine Islands Ayala Corporation Universal Robina Corporation Jollibee Foods Corporation Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company PLDT Inc. Security Bank Corporation Megawide Construction Corp.

First Gen Corporation SM Investments Corporation Globe Telecom, Inc. Manila Electric Company

Last Price 138 2.3 1.47 12 114.7 44.9 6.75 39.3 90.65 929 147 314.8 82.3 1,216.00 180 18.4 21.2 1,000.00 1,980.00 360

Chg -1.2 0.52 0.21 -0.06 0.7 -0.1 -0.45 0.65 -1.05 2 0.8 -1.4 -1.1 -24 1 -0.04 0.45 -10 -50 -7.2

%Chg -0.86% 29.21% 16.67% -0.50% 0.61% -0.22% -6.25% 1.68% -1.15% 0.22% 0.55% -0.44% -1.32% -1.94% 0.56% -0.22% 2.17% -0.99% -2.46% -1.96%

ź Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ ź ź Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ ź ź ź Ÿ ź Ÿ ź ź ź

Volume 3,545,890.00 128,162,000.00 192,159,000.00 22,252,500.00 2,271,840.00 5,238,400.00 33,112,400.00 5,017,300.00 1,832,810.00 166,620.00 975,470.00 434,150.00 1,585,070.00 92,985 567,670 4,683,900 3,969,900 80,380 36,970 191,920

Value 489,952,417.00 268,581,770.00 267,234,440.00 266,049,802.00 261,537,770.00 235,709,890.00 228,312,231.00 196,994,585.00 167,439,546.00 156,051,490.00 143,910,779.00 137,217,084.00 130,632,635.00 113,367,150.00 102,280,966.00 85,791,424.00 84,009,905.00 80,472,450.00 73,848,505.00 69,539,786.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Feb 11, 2019 Feb 8, 2019 Feb 7, 2019 Feb 6, 2019 Feb 4, 2019 Feb 01, 2019 Jan 31, 2019 Jan 30, 2019 Jan 29, 2019 Jan 28, 2019 Jan 25, 2019 Jan 24, 2019 Jan 23, 2019 Jan 22, 2019 Jan 21, 2019 Jan 18, 2019 Jan 17, 2019 Jan 16, 2019 Jan 15, 2019 Jan 14, 2019 Jan 11, 2019 Jan 10, 2019 Jan 9, 2019 Jan 8, 2019 Jan 7, 2019 Jan 4, 2019 Jan 03, 2019 Jan 02, 2019 Dec 28, 2018 Dec 27, 2018

Open 8,088 8,092 8,093 8,091 8,132 8,039 7,999 8,039 8,087 8,071 8,076 8,001 7,941 8,024 8,055 7,932 7,866 7,983 8,009 7,886 7,965 7,932 7,775 7,820 7,801 7,657 7,507 7,497 7,497 7,465

High 8,106 8,096 8,127 8,214 8,149 8,166 8,099 8,047 8,087 8,144 8,116 8,068 7,990 8,030 8,067 8,058 7,938 7,991 8,028 8,024 7,965 7,992 7,920 7,826 7,901 7,802 7,681 7,540 7,507 7,514

Low 8,062 8,036 8,088 8,058 8,069 8,039 7,999 7,912 8,015 8,042 8,039 8,001 7,902 7,979 7,964 7,920 7,865 7,849 7,976 7,819 7,856 7,899 7,766 7,702 7,788 7,657 7,490 7,466 7,466 7,447

Close 8,062 8,071 8,100 8,058 8,069 8,144 8,007 7,980 8,051 8,054 8,053 8,065 7,990 8,009 8,007 8,047 7,927 7,865 8,013 8,024 7,904 7,985 7,920 7,702 7,788 7,761 7,681 7,489 7,466 7,483

CLOSE

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

Security Name Volume Value Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation 15,360,000.00 7,898,500.00 Xurpas Inc. 128,162,000.00 268,581,770.00 Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation 192,159,000.00 267,234,440.00 Grand Plaza Hotel Corporation 1,200.00 14,000.00 Chemical Industries of the Philippines 170.00 22,483.00 Centro Escolar University 100.00 839 Century Properties Group Inc. 57,370,000.00 29,006,500.00 8990 Holdings, Inc. 3,395,400.00 37,049,462.00 Swift Foods, Inc. 2,900,000.00 398,830.00 Millennium Global Holdings, Inc. 41,390,000.00 10,018,400.00 Robinsons Land Corporation 2,818,400.00 63,963,935.00 Euro-Med Laboratories Phils., Inc. 129,000.00 228,190.00 Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. 19,153,000.00 21,103,650.00 Asian Terminals, Inc. 7,400.00 112,782.00 Ionics, Inc. 2,055,000.00 3,819,410.00 Ayala Corporation Preferred Class “B� Shares 430.00 204,244.00 City & Land Developers, Inc. 2,000.00 1,720.00 Crown Asia Chemicals Corporation 3,155,000.00 5,957,390.00 SBS Philippines Corporation 1,187,900.00 10,027,825.00 Phinma Corporation 33,900.00 307,260.00

Last Price 0.54 2.3 1.47 12.48 137.6 8.39 0.52 11 0.139 0.235 23 1.66 1.11 15 1.88 475 0.86 1.91 8.52 9.36

Chg 0.18 0.52 0.21 1.48 11.5 0.7 0.04 0.72 0.009 0.015 1.4 0.09 0.06 0.8 0.1 23 0.04 0.08 0.34 0.37

%Chg 50.00% 29.21% 16.67% 13.45% 9.12% 9.10% 8.33% 7.00% 6.92% 6.82% 6.48% 5.73% 5.71% 5.63% 5.62% 5.09% 4.88% 4.37% 4.16% 4.12%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP LOSERS

HIGH

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

Security Name Liberty Flour Mills, Inc. Keppel Philippine Holdings, Inc. “A�

Concrete Aggregates Corporation “B�

The Philodrill Corporation Suntrust Home Developers, Inc. Petron Corporation Nickel Asia Corporation Cebu Air, Inc. Asiabest Group International Inc. LBC Express Holdings, Inc. Berjaya Philippines, Inc. Manila Mining Corporation “A�

Lodestar Investment Holdings Corporation iPeople, Inc. Phinma Petroleum and Geothermal, Inc. Doubledragon Properties Corp.

ABS-CBN Corporation Abacore Capital Holdings, Inc. Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc.

*amounts in peso except for volume, %chg

Volume 100.00 7,100.00 1,550.00 40,100,000.00 20,000.00 33,112,400 10,623,000.00 136,960.00 399,500.00 22,700.00 2,209,000.00 3,000,000.00 1,536,000.00 5,000.00 145,000.00 1,167,200.00 150,000.00 44,362,000.00 22,060,000.00 1,862,000.00

Value Last Price Chg %Chg 2,830.00 28.3 -20.9 -42.48% 37,563.00 5.4 -0.55 -9.24% 117,623.00 80 -8 -9.09% 481,300.00 0.012 -0.001 -7.69% 14,200.00 0.71 -0.05 -6.58% 228,312,231.00 6.75 -0.45 -6.25% 29,153,690.00 2.7 -0.18 -6.25% 12,052,008.50 86 -4.95 -5.44% 10,038,325.00 24.6 -1.3 -5.02% 358,916.00 15.02 -0.74 -4.70% 6,850,510.00 3.07 -0.15 -4.66% 24,800.00 0.0082 -0.0004 -4.65% 968,690.00 0.63 -0.03 -4.55% 55,720.00 10.82 -0.48 -4.25% 510,400.00 3.5 -0.15 -4.11% 27,473,200.00 23 -0.9 -3.77% 3,537,525.00 23.2 -0.9 -3.73% 36,701,480.00 0.82 -0.03 -3.53% 33,318,840.00 1.46 -0.05 -3.31% 2,772,330.00 1.48 -0.05 -3.27%

PAGE FROM THE PAST

Today, we look back at an old front page of The Manila Times, the oldest national daily that was founded on October 11, 1898. (Note: This image was adjusted to fit the page.)

B6

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 6th Judicial Region BRANCH 3 Kalibo, Aklan RE: IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR SOLE CUSTODY OVER MINORS MARZIO ARONG LIVERANI and MONICA ARONG LIVERANI UZZIEL VENUS ARONG Petitioner - versus -

SPL. PROC. CASE NO. 10937 For: Sole Custody

ALBERTO LIVERANI Respondent. x---------------------------------x SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION PETITIONER, by the undersigned counsel, and unto this Honorable Court, most respectfully avers, as follows: 1.)

That the petitioner is of legal age, single, Filipino and a resident of Sitio Tulubhan, Barangay Manoc-manoc, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Philippines, and may be served with the processes of the Honorable Court through her undersigned counsel at Unit 202, 2/F the Waldolf Garcia Building, Osmeña Avenue, Kalibo, Aklan, 5600 Aklan.

2.)

That the respondent is of legal age, Italian citizen, and with last known address also at Sitio Tulubhan, Barangay Manoc-manoc, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan where he may be served with summons and other processes of the Honorable Court;

7KDW WKH SHWLWLRQHU DQG WKH UHVSRQGHQW FRKDELWHG ZLWK HDFK RWKHU ZLWKRXW WKH EHQH¿W RI PDUULDJH VRPHWLPH in 2003 in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines, and begot two (2) children, namely: Marzio Arong Liverani born on 23 October 2004 in Kalibo, Aklan; and Monica Arong Liverani born on 09 August 2006 in .DOLER FRSLHV RI WKHLU UHVSHFWLYH &HUWL¿FDWHV RI /LYH %LUWK DUH KHUHWR DWWDFKHG DV $11(;(6 ³$´ DQG ³%´

4.)

That due to irreconcilable differences parties separated with each other sometime in 2014, and have since then lived separately with each other;

5.)

That even before the Parties separated, the two (2) minor children were in the custody of the petitioner as respondent was in Italy most of the time and would only come to the Philippines to take his vacation for a few months;

6.)

That since the separation of the parties, the above-named minor children were raised single handedly by the petitioner, and she has been solely providing them care, custody, their basic needs and education as respondent stopped supporting the two (2) minor children;

7.)

That when the parties separated from each other they executed an agreement where they agreed among others that the petitioner will have custody of the two (2) minor children, while the respondent shall have YLVLWDWLRQ ULJKWV KHUHWR DWWDFKHG DV $QQH[ ³&´ LV D FRS\ RI WKH $JUHHPHQW

7KDW UHVSRQGHQW HYHQ ¿OHG D FDVH IRU 6SHFL¿F 3HUIRUPDQFH EHIRUH %UDQFK RI WKH 5HJLRQDO 7ULDO &RXUW Kalibo, Aklan docketed as Civil Case No. 10003 for the implementation of the said agreement, i.e. on the aspect of property relations, and a decision has already been rendered in said case; copy of which is herein DWWDFKHG DV ³$11(; ' ´ ZKLFK KRZHYHU ZDV DSSHDOHG E\ WKH SHWLWLRQHU WR WKH &RXUW RI $SSHDOV

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minor children;

7KDW VKH LV ¿OLQJ WKLV SHWLWLRQ SXUVXDQW WR $UWLFOH RI WKH )DPLO\ &RGH ZKLFK SURYLGHV WKDW LOOHJLWLPDWH children shall be under the parental authority of the mother; and though the respondent has acknowledge paternity of the two children, he has abandoned them and has not provided them support, in fact when SHWLWLRQHU VRXJKW ¿QDQFLDO KHOS IURP KLP IRU WKH PHGLFDO WUHDWPHQW RI WKHLU GDXJKWHU 0RQLFD GXH WR KHU worsening scoliosis, he refused to do, and stopped communicating with the petitioner and their children;

7KDW WKH SHWLWLRQHU SRVVHVVHV DOO WKH TXDOL¿FDWLRQ WR KDYH VROH FXVWRG\ RI WKH WZR PLQRU FKLOGUHQ DQG LV in possession of full civil capacity and legal rights, of good moral character, and has not been charged or FRQYLFWHG RI DQ\ FULPH RU FULPLQDO RIIHQVH FRSLHV RI WKH FHUWL¿FDWLRQV LVVXHG E\ WKH 2I¿FH RI WKH %DUDQJD\ &DSWDLQ RI %DUDQJD\ 0DQRF PDQRF %RUDFD\ ,VODQG 0DOD\ $NODQ WKH 2I¿FH RI WKH &OHUN RI &RXUW RI WKH 5HJLRQDO 7ULDO &RXUW RI $NODQ 2I¿FH RI WKH &OHUN RI &RXUW RI WKH th Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Malay & %XUXDQJD DQG WKH 2I¿FH RI WKH 3URYLQFLDO 3URVHFXWRU DUH KHUHWR DWWDFKHG DV $11(;(6 ³) ´ ³* ´ + DQG ³,´ 13.)

Classified Ads

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that after due hearing, judgment be rendered adjudging the petitioner to have sole custody and parental authority over minor children MARZO ARONG LIVERANI and MONICA ARONG LIVERANI.

Notice is hereby given that the Heirs of VICENTE ANZURES CRUZ, JR. and MARIA LOURDES YUZON CRUZ who died intestate on 30 June 2000 and 02 November 2017, respectively, had executed an Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Absolute Sale which has been subscribed and sworn to before notary public Atty. Richard Andrew P. Velasco and registered in KLV 1RWDULDO 5HJLVWU\ DV 'RF No. 212, Page No. 44, Book No. I, Series of 2019.

MT - Jan. 29, Feb. 5 & 12, 2019

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD ([SDQGHG 1DWLRQDO &DSLWDO 5HJLRQ )LHOG 2I¿FH nd 2 )ORRU +/85% %XLOGLQJ .DOD\DDQ $YHQXH 'LOLPDQ 4XH]RQ &LW\ NOTICE Notice is hereby given that CASA ASIANA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU

has filed with this Board a sworn registration statement for the sale of units at CASIANA RESIDENCES 3 - TO W E R C O N D O M I N I U M B located at 240 Quirino Ave., Tambo, 3DUDQDTXH &LW\ VSHFL¿FDOO\ GHVFULEHG as Plan Psu-63632 covered by TCT No. 010-2018000299 and Lot 1 Plan Psu-98986 covered by TCT No. 0102018000300 having a total area of 3,976 square meters.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through Investment/ Incentivized Compliance, by depositing the amount of Ten Million Nine Hundred Ninety Thousand Two Hundred Forty Nine and 85/100 Pesos Only (Php 10,990,249.85) in a Trust Account under Escrow Agreement executed on 09 November EHWZHHQ WKH +286,1* $1' /$1' 86( 5(*8/$725< %2$5' &$6$ $6,$1$ '(9(/230(17 C O R P O R AT I O N , a n d C H I N A BANKING CORPORATION-Trust and Asset Management Group, as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279, as amended

by Republic Act No.10884.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be LVVXHG DIWHU ¿YH GD\V IURP WKH ODVW day of publication.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, FEB 07, 2019

M.T.-February 12 & 19, 2019

That I am the petitioner in the above-entitled case; That I have caused the preparation of the foregoing petition, and that the allegations therein contained are true and correct to the best of my own personal knowledge relative to its factual antecedents and/or based on authentic records; That I have no theretofore commenced any other action or proceeding involving the same issues in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or any other tribunal agency and to the best of our knowledge no such action or proceedings is pending before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal involving the same issue, and that LI , VKRXOG WKHUHDIWHU OHDUQ WKDW D VLPLODU DFWLRQ RQ SURFHHGLQJV KDV EHHQ ¿OHG RU LV SHQGLQJ EHIRUH WKH VDLG FRXUWV RU WULEXQDO , XQGHUWDNH WR UHSRUW VXFK IDFW ZLWKLQ ¿YH GD\V WKHUHIURP WR WKH +RQRUDEOH &RXUW IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 09 August 2018 in Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines.

(SGD.) UZZIEL V. ARONG $I¿DQW 68%6&5,%(' $1' 6:251 WR EHIRUH PH WKLV $XJXVW LQ WKH 0XQLFLSDOLW\ RI .DOLER 3URYLQFH RI $NODQ 3KLOLSSLQHV DI¿DQWV SHUVRQDOO\ DSSHDUHG DQG H[KLELWHG WR PH KHU 3KLOLSSLQH 3DVVSRUW 1R 3 $ LVVXHG RQ BBBBB and valid until March 5, 2022 and whose identity has been ascertained by me, to the same person who signed the foregoing petition in my presence and avows under penalty of law to the whole truth of the contents thereof. I further FHUWLI\ WKDW , SHUVRQDOO\ H[DPLQHG WKH DI¿DQW DQG DP VDWLV¿HG WKDW VKH KDV IUHHO\ H[HFXWHG WKH IRUHJRLQJ SHWLWLRQ DQG the allegations therein contained are fully understood by her.

(SGD.) ATTY. MARCH ANTHONY M. PERALTA Notary Public &RPPLVVLRQ ([SLUHV RQ 'HFHPEHU Notarial Commission No. 10 (2017-2018) IBP Member No. 010734/Aklan PTR No. 5932480/Jan. 3, 2018 Kalibo, Aklan Roll of Attorney No. 6114, March 27, 2012 MCLE Compliance No. IV-001972 6 November 2014 7KH /DZ 2I¿FH RI 3HUDOWD ,EXWQDQGH Unit 202, 2/F The Waldolf Garcia Bldg., Osmeña Avenue, Kalibo, Aklan 'RF 1R Page No. 71 %RRN 1R ;; Series of 2018 :KHUHIRUH UHVSRQGHQW $/%(572 /,9(5$1, LV KHUHE\ UHTXLUHG WR ¿OH ZLWK WKH 5HJLRQDO 7ULDO &RXUW %UDQFK .DOLER $NODQ 3KLOLSSLQHV ZLWKLQ 6,;7< GD\V IURP GDWH RI ODVW 3XEOLFDWLRQ KLV DQVZHU WR WKH SHWLWLRQ DQG WR IXUQLVK D FRS\ WR WKH SHWLWLRQHU 8==,(/ 9(186 $521* F R $WW\ -RDQ 7DEDQDU ,EXWQDQGH 3HUDOWD ,EXWQDQGH /DZ 2I¿FH 8QLW 202, 2/F The Waldolf Garcia Bldg., Osmeña Avenue, Kalibo, Aklan and upon failure on his part to answer within the time aforestated, the petitioner will take judgment against the respondent in accordance with the law. In addition, copy of such summons shall be sent to the respondent at his last known address by registered mail.

Let this summons by Publication be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in the newspaper of general circulation in the whole country. :,71(66 WKH +2125$%/( %,(19(1,'2 3 %$55,26 -5 3UHVLGLQJ -XGJH RI WKLV &RXUW %UDQFK WKLV th day RI '(&(0%(5 DW .DOLER $NODQ 3KLOLSSLQHV (SGD.) ATTY. SUZETTE R. REYNALDO Clerk of Court V MT - Feb. 12 & 19, 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.

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 5, 12 & 19, 2019

Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Branch 161, Pasig City )8(/ .,1* 6(59,&( &(17(5 Plaintiff, - versus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SAMUEL B. ORENDAIN, 'RLQJ XQGHU WKH EXVLQHVV QDPH ORENDAIN TRADING,

'HIHQGDQW x----------------------------------------x

5 36* &9

ORDER $FWLQJ RQ WKH ([ 3DUWH 0RWLRQ ¿OHG E\ SODLQWLII WKUX FRXQVHO praying for service of summons upon defendant through publication in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with Section 15, Rule 14 of the 1997 Rules of Procedure, stating that as per Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Return dated 7 August 2018 Sheriff Carlos E. Castro caused the service of summons together with its complaint and annexes to defendant on July 24, 2018 and 2 August 2018 at WKH ODWWHU¶V NQRZQ DGGUHVV EXW GHIHQGDQW QR ORQJHU KROGV RI¿FH at the given address and the other given address is abandoned, exhausting all efforts to locate defendant and serve the summons WR KLP DQG VDPH SURYHG IXWLOH DIWHU ¿QGLQJ WKH VDPH WR EH ZLWK merit considering that despite efforts exhausted to serve the summons personally by the court sheriff, same was ineffectual and considering that whereabouts of the defendant is unknown, in accordance with the provision of Section 15, Rule 14 of the Rules of Court it is hereby GRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, let the summons issued hereof be served by SXEOLFDWLRQ DW WKH H[SHQVH RI WKH SODLQWLII DQG ODWWHU LV ',5(&7(' 72 &225',1$7( ZLWK 6KHULII &DUORV ( &DVWUR SO ORDERED. Pasig City, 09 November 2018.

(SGD.) NICANOR A. MANALO, JR. Presiding Judge MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 12, 2019

2)),&( 2) 7+( 35(6,'(17 NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR SOCIALIZED & ECONOMIC HOUSING SITES THROUGH THE COMMUNITY BASED INITIATIVE APPROACH (CBIA) The National Housing Authority (NHA) is soliciting proposals through the 'HVLJQ DQG %XLOG 6FKHPH IURP 'HYHORSHUV &RQWUDFWRUV IRU WKH Land 'HYHORSPHQW DQG FRQVWUXFWLRQ RI +RXVLQJ 8QLWV of the following sites, to wit: 3URMHFW 1. St. Gregory Park Ville 2. Sta. Monica Homes 3. Strawberry Fields Cabin 4. North View Place 5. Mt. Samat Ville .RRO 'ZHOOLQJV 7. Palm Tree Hauz 8. Masskara Village 9. Kadaugan Bay Homes 10. Mandaue Bai Residences 11. Crown Estates ;DYLHU +HLJKWV 13. Balai San Agustin

/RFDWLRQ Ilocos Sur Ilocos Norte Benguet Bulacan Bataan Cavite Palawan Negros Occidental Cebu Cebu Leyte 'DYDR &LW\ 'DYDR GHO 1RUWH

1R RI 8QLWV 400 400 500 454 650 650 500 500 500 350 400 1,000 1,000

The project proposals will be evaluated based on 1+$¶V 0HPRUDQGXP &LUFXODU 1R dated 'HFHPEHU (Guidelines for Site Selection, Site Suitability and Site Planning of NHA Housing Development Projects) under the 1HZ $)3 313 +RXVLQJ 3URJUDP ,QWHUHVWHG SDUWLHV PD\ VXEPLW WKHLU /HWWHUV RI ,QWHQW DQG VSHFL¿F SURSRVDOV addressed to: The General Manager National Housing Authority (OOLSWLFDO 5RDG 'LOLPDQ 4XH]RQ &LW\ The 7HUPV RI 5HIHUHQFH (TOR) LV DYDLODEOH DW WKH 2I¿FH RI WKH FRQFHUQHG NPIT for AFP/PNP Housing Program. The proposal shall include the following: D &HUWL¿HG 7UXH &RS\ RI 7LWOH V &HUWL¿HG 7UXH &RS\ RI 7D[ 'HFODUDWLRQ V b. Lot Plan duly signed by a Geodetic Engineer c. Vicinity Map highlighting current use and development of adjacent properties within 3-km radius d. Topographic Map duly signed by a Geodetic Engineer H &HUWL¿FDWH RI VLWH LQVSHFWLRQ LVVXHG E\ WKH 1+$ 2SHUDWLQJ 8QLWV Project Proposals must have a Pre-Feasibility Study and same will be DFFHSWHG RQ RU EHIRUH )HEUXDU\ XQWLO SP DW WKH 2I¿FH RI WKH General Manager (OGM).

MARCELINO P. ESCALADA, JR. General Manager

BY:

VERIFICATION/CERTIFICATION

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ANTONINO L. ALINDOGAN, JR. has been extrajudicially settled by his heirs in deeds notarized as 'RF 1RV and 003; Page No. 002; Book No. I, Series of 2019 by Pasig City Notary Public Benjamin ' 7DxHGR -U

w w w.manilatimes.net

The NHA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive formalities of any defects and accept the offer considered most advantageous to the Government.

THE LAW OFFICES OF PERALTA & IBUTANANDE Unit 202, 2/F The Waldolf Garcia Building Osmeña Avenue, Kalibo, Aklan 5600 Aklan Counsel for the Petitioner

I, UZZIEL V. ARONG, of legal age, single, Filipino, and a resident of Sitio Tulubhan, Barangay Manoc-manoc, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, do hereby depose and say the following:

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 5, 12 & 19, 2019

(SGD) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2I¿FHU ,Q &KDUJH

Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines.

09 August 2018

(SGD.) JOAN I. TABANAR-IBUTNANDE IBP Lifetime Member No. 09672/Aklan Roll No. 98847 03-14-1994 PTR. No. 5932483, January 03, 201/Aklan MCLE Compliance No. VI-0006954 21 March 2018 e-mail address: atty_jti@yahoo.com.ph

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ROBERTO J. MONTINOLA has been etxrajudicially settled by his heirs in a deed notarized DV 'RF 1R 3DJH No. 17; Book No. VII, Series of 2017

by Pasig City Notary Public Earl C. Tagra.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Quezon City RODOLFO OCAMPO DESCALLAR GRLQJ EXVLQHVV XQGHU WKH QDPH & style FEROM CABLE TV) Applicant.

BMC CASE NO. 2019-022 x----------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF HEARING Applicant, RODOLFO OCAMPO DESCALLAR (FEROM CABLE TV), is a sole proprietorship duly organized and existing under and by virtue of Philippine Laws, registered with the 'HSDUWPHQW RI 7UDGH DQG ,QGXVWU\ under Certificate No. 05408142, and pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 436 and Executive Order No. 205, request for the issuance of a &HUWL¿FDWH RI $XWKRULW\ &$ to install, operate and maintain a &DEOH 7HOHYLVLRQ &$79

6\VWHP in the MUNICIPALITY OF FERROL, ROMBLON. Applicant, further requests for the issuance of a 3URYLVLRQDO $XWKRULW\ (PA) SHQGLQJ ¿QDO GHWHUPLQDWLRQ RI the application.

In view thereof, this will be heard by this Commission on MARCH 04, 2019 0RQGD\ DW WHQ R¶FORFN LQ WKH PRUQLQJ $ 0 at the Legal Branch, 3rd Floor, NTC Building, N a t i o n a l Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commission, BIR Road, East Triangle, 'LOLPDQ 4XH]RQ &LW\ ZKHUHLQ applicant shall present its compliance with the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jurisdictional requirements, as well as its evidences, if warranted.

However, should the hearing date be declared a holiday or non-working day due to force majeure, the said KHDULQJ VKDOO EH KHOG RQ WKH 1(;7 regular working day. $W OHDVW ¿IWHHQ GD\V EHIRUH WKH date of hearing, applicant shall have published the Notice of Hearing once in one (1) newspaper of general circulation and have served copies of the Notice of Hearing and the application including all annexes attached therewith to all affected parties by registered mail or through personal delivery, as furnished by the Commission.

Any party opposed to the granting of the application is hereby directed to appear at the scheduled hearing and PXVW ¿OH LWV YHUL¿HG RSSRVLWLRQ RQ RU before the date of hearing, furnishing the applicant with a copy of the same.

Failure on the part of any affected SDUW\ WR ¿OH LWV RSSRVLWLRQ RQ WLPH DQG to appear at the scheduled hearing shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard and the Commission shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merit.

WITNESS, the HON. GAMALIEL A. CORDOBA, Commissioner, National Telecommunications Commission, this 1st day of FEBRUARY 2019.

(SGD.) ADRIANO B. CONSUNJI Chief, Commission Secretariat MT - Feb. 12, 2019

MT - Feb. 12, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Classified Ads

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

B7

World US urges UN to call for Venezuela polls T B8

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

HE US has presented a draft resolution at the United Nations (UN) Security Council calling for international aid deliveries and a presidential vote in Venezuela, triggering a Russian counter-proposal.

7HILE NO DATE HAS YET BEEN SET FOR A VOTE ON THE !MERICAN DRAFT AND NEGOTIATIONS WERE ONGOING 2USSIA WAS LIKELY TO USE ITS VETO POWER TO BLOCK IT AS PART OF ITS SUPPORT OF .ICOLAS -ADURO S REGIME DIPLOMATS SAID

4HE TEXT A COPY OF WHICH WAS OBTAINED BY !&0 EXPRESSES gFULL SUPPORT FOR THE .ATIONAL !SSEMBLY AS THE ONLY DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED INSTITUTION IN 6ENEZUELA u 4HE LEGISLATIVE BODY S CHAIRMAN

*UAN 'UAIDO HAS DECLARED HIMSELF INTERIM PRESIDENT OF 6ENEZUELA

CHALLENGING -ADURO S RULE 4HE DRAFT RESOLUTION STRESSES gDEEP CONCERN WITH THE VIOLENCE AND EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE BY 6ENEZUELAN SECURITY FORCES AGAINST UNARMED PEACEFUL PROTESTERS u )T ALSO gCALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE START OF A POLITICAL PROCESS LEADING TO FREE FAIR AND CREDIBLE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL ELECTORAL OBSERVATION IN LINE WITH

6ENEZUELA S CONSTITUTION u 4HE TEXT ALSO REQUESTS THAT 5. 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL !NTONIO 'UTERRES gUTILISE HIS GOOD OFFICESu TO OBTAIN SUCH ELECTIONS )T ALSO gSTRESSES THE NEED TO PREVENT FURTHER DETERIORATION OF THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN 6ENEZUELA AND TO FACILITATE ACCESS AND DELIVERY OF ASSISTANCE TO ALL IN NEED IN THE ENTIRETY OF THE TERRITORY OF 6ENEZUELA u /N &RIDAY -OSCOW PROPOSED AN ALTERNATIVE RESOLUTION TO THE !MERI-

CAN ONE DIPLOMATS SAID )T EXPRESSES gCONCERN OVER THE THREATS TO USE FORCE AGAINST THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE OF 6ENEZUELA u ACCORDING TO THE DRAFT 4HE DRAFT ALSO CRITICISES gATTEMPTS TO INTERVENE IN MATTERS WHICH ARE ESSENTIALLY WITHIN THE DOMESTIC JURISDICTION OF 6ENEZUELA u #ALLING FOR A gPEACEFULu RESOLUTION OF THE STALEMATE IN 6ENEZUELA IT gSUPPORTS ALL INITIATIVES AIMED AT REACHING A POLITICAL SOLUTION

AMONGST 6ENEZUELANS TO THE CURRENT SITUATION THROUGH A GENUINE AND INCLUSIVE PROCESS OF NATIONAL DIALOGUE u(OWEVER A DIPLOMAT SAID THAT IF PUT TO A VOTE THE 2USSIAN TEXT WOULD FAIL TO OBTAIN THE MINIMUM OF NINE VOTES TO PASS WITHOUT ANOTHER VETO WIELDING COUNTRY BLOCKING IT (UMANITARIAN AID SENT BY THE 53 RECENTLY ARRIVED IN THE #OLOMBIAN CITY OF #UCUTA AT THE BORDER WITH 6ENEZUELA BUT -ADURO HAS REFUSED TO LET IN THE SHIPMENTS GULF TIMES

Pentagon chief pushes peace in Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan: The Pentagonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TOP OFkCIAL MADE AN UNANNOUNCED VISIT TO !FGHANISTAN ON -ONDAY TO MEET WITH 53 COMMANDERS AND !FGHAN LEADERS AMID A PUSH FOR PEACE WITH THE 4ALIBAN 0AT 3HANAHAN THE RECENTLY INSTALLED ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

SAID HE HAD NO ORDERS TO REDUCE THE 53 TROOP PRESENCE ALTHOUGH OFkCIALS SAY THAT WAS AT THE TOP OF THE 4ALIBAN S LIST OF DEMANDS IN EXPLORATORY PEACE NEGOTIATIONS 3HANAHAN SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED THAT 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP S ADMINISTRATION WAS EXPLORING ALL POSSIBILITIES FOR ENDING A YEAR WAR THE LONGEST IN !MERICAN HISTORY "UT HE STRESSED THAT PEACE TERMS WERE FOR THE !FGHANS TO DECIDE 4HUS FAR THE 4ALIBAN HAVE REFUSED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF 0RESIDENT !SHRAF 'HANI CALLING IT ILLEGITIMATE 7ASHINGTON IS TRYING TO BREAK THAT IMPASSE g4HE !FGHANS HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT !FGHANISTAN LOOKS LIKE )T S NOT ABOUT THE 53 IT S ABOUT !FGHANISTAN u 3HANAHAN TOLD REPORTERS TRAVELING WITH HIM FROM 7ASHINGTON :ALMAY +HALILZAD THE ADMINISTRATION S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR !FGHAN PEACE TALKS SAID &RIDAY THAT ALTHOUGH TALKS WERE IN AN EARLY STAGE HE HOPED A DEAL CAN

BE MADE BY *ULY 4HAT IS WHEN !FGHANISTAN IS SCHEDULED TO HOLD A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 3HANAHAN A FORMER "OEING EXECUTIVE WHO HAD NEVER BEEN IN !FGHANISTAN UNTIL -ONDAY WAS SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH 'HANI AND OTHER TOP GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS 3HANAHAN TOOK OVER AS ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ON *ANUARY AFTER *IM -ATTIS SUBMITTED HIS RESIGNATION IN $ECEMBER 3HANAHAN HAD BEEN -ATTIS .O 3HANAHAN S VIEWS ON THE !FGHAN WAR ARE NOT WIDELY KNOWN (E SAID HE WOULD USE THIS WEEK S VISIT TO INFORM HIS THINKING AND TO REPORT BACK TO 4RUMP )N A TESTIMONY BEFORE #ONGRESS LAST WEEK 'EN *OSEPH 6OTEL THE COMMANDER OF 53 #ENTRAL #OMMAND OFFERED A LARGELY OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF !FGHANISTAN SAYING THE CURRENT MANEUVERING BETWEEN 53 AND 4ALIBAN NEGOTIATORS WAS gOUR kRST REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION SINCE THE WAR BEGAN u 6OTEL NOTED THAT THE 4ALIBAN WERE STILL CAPABLE OF INFLICTING SIGNIkCANT CASUALTIES ON !FGHAN GOVERNMENT FORCES *UST LAST WEEK THE INSURGENTS KILLED SOME TWO DOZEN !FGHAN TROOPS IN AN ATTACK ON AN ARMY BASE IN NORTHERN +UNDUZ PROVINCE AP

Worldinbriefs SEOUL HIKES PAYMENTS TO US TROOPS SEOUL:Â Seoul said Sunday it agreed to hike its payment for maintaining American troops on its soil, settling a dispute with its longtime ally ahead of a second summit between the US and North Korea. The negotiations ended with South Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign ministry saying Seoul would pay about 1.04 trillion won (US$924 million) in 2019, 8.2 percent more than what it offered under a previous five-year pact which expired at the end of last year. The ministry said that although the US had demanded a â&#x20AC;&#x153;huge increaseâ&#x20AC;? in payment, they were able to reach an agreement that reflects â&#x20AC;&#x153;the security situation of the Korean peninsula.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The two countries reaffirmed... the importance of a strong South Korea-US alliance and the need for a stable stationing of the US troops,â&#x20AC;? it said in a statement issued after a signing ceremony. The row had raised concern that Trump may use it as an excuse for US withdrawal.

AFP

RESIGN

Right-wing protesters wave Spanish flags and hold a banner reading â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sanchez, resignâ&#x20AC;? during a demonstration in Madrid against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whom they accused of making concessions to Catalan separatists, on Sunday (Monday in Manila). AFP PHOTO

China denies sending secret agents to Brussels 4(% #HINESE -ISSION TO THE %UROPEAN 5NION ON 3UNDAY SAID gRELEVANT PARTIES SHOULD TREAT #HINA AND #HINA %5 RELATIONS IN AN OBJECTIVE AND FAIR FASHION AND NOT MAKE IRRESPONSIBLE REMARKS u AFTER THE 'ERMAN DAILY $IE 7ELT REPORTED 3ATURDAY THAT THE %5 FOREIGN SERVICE HAD WARNED THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF 2USSIAN AND #HINESE SECRET AGENTS OPERATING IN "RUSSELS g7E ARE DEEPLY SHOCKED BY

SUCH A REPORT WHICH IS ENTIRELY GROUNDLESS u A SPOKESMAN WITH THE #HINESE -ISSION TO THE %5 WROTE ON ITS OFFICIAL WEBSITE 4HE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE g#HINESE SIDE HAS ALWAYS RESPECTED THE SOVEREIGNTY OF ALL COUNTRIES AND DOES NOT INTERFERE IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF OTHER COUNTRIES 7E ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE %5 AND #HINA %5 RELATIONS AND #HINA IS ALWAYS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING

AND PROMOTING THE HEALTHY AND STABLE DEVELOPMENT OF #HINA %5 RELATIONS u %UROPEAN %XTERNAL !CTION 3ERVICE %%!3 A BRANCH OF THE %5 HEADED BY CHIEF %5 DIPLOMAT &EDERICA -OGHERINI ESTIMATES THAT THERE WERE gABOUT #HINESE AND 2USSIAN SPIES IN THE %UROPEAN CAPITAL u THE 'ERMAN PAPER REPORTED CITING %5 DIPLOMATS %5 DIPLOMATS AND MILITARY OFkCIALS WERE ALSO ADVISED TO AVOID CERTAIN PARTS OF "RUSSELS %UROPEAN QUARTER

INCLUDING A POPULAR STEAKHOUSE AND A CAFE NEAR THE %UROPEAN #OMMISSION S MAIN BUILDING THE 'ERMAN REPORT SAID 4HE REPORT ALSO CITED %%!3 AS SAYING THAT 2USSIAN AND #HINESE INTELLIGENCE AGENTS WERE MAINLY BASED AT THEIR HOME COUNTRIES EMBASSIES OR TRADE MISSIONS "RUSSELS IS WIDELY CONSIDERED THE DE FACTO %5 CAPITAL AND THE HOME TO .!4/ GLOBALTIMES

MOST AWAITED SEASON

A visitor takes a photograph of cherry blossoms in full bloom in the Japanese capital of Tokyo in 2018. As spring approaches in Japan, the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weather forecasters are predicting exactly when the famed cherry blossoms will bloom. AFP PHOTO

ANTI-WAR US SOLON DIES RALEIGH, North Carolina: Republican US Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr. of North Carolina, a once-fervent supporter of the 2003 invasion of Iraq who later became an equally outspoken critic of the war, died Sunday on his 76th birthday. The congressmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office confirmed his death in a statement, saying Jones died in Greenville, North Carolina. His health declining in recent months, Jones entered hospice care in January after breaking his hip. He had been granted a leave of absence from Congress in late 2018 and was sworn in for his last term back home.

Jones was a political maverick unafraid to buck his own party. He was one of the first Republicans to reverse direction on the war in Iraq, even as his North Carolina district included the sprawling Marine installation Camp Lejeune. His ultimate opposition to the Iraq war came with the irony that he instigated a symbolic slap against the French when their country early on opposed U.S. military action. AP

MINNESOTA SENATOR ANNOUNCES 2020 BID MINNEAPOLIS: Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Sunday joined the growing group of Democrats jostling to be president and positioned herself as the most prominent Midwestern candidate in the field, as her party tries to win back voters in a region that helped put Donald Trump in the White House. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For every American, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m running for you,â&#x20AC;? she told an exuberant crowd gathered on a freezing, snowy afternoon at a park along the Mississippi River with the Minneapolis skyline in the background. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I promise you this: As your president, I will look you in the eye. I will tell you what I think. I will focus on getting things done. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done my whole life. And no matter what, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll lead from the heart,â&#x20AC;? the three-term senator said. Klobuchar, who has prided herself for achieving results through bipartisan cooperation, did not utter Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name during her kickoff speech.

AP

AUSTRALIA PM RUNS ON SECURITY PLATFORM CANBERRA: Prime Minister Scott Morrison fired the starterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gun on his re-election drive Monday, promising to keep Australians safe in a dangerous and sometimes â&#x20AC;&#x153;evilâ&#x20AC;? world. Painting a grim picture of a country threatened by terrorism, people smuggling, drugs, natural disasters and crime, Morrison argued the opposition Labor Party under its chief Bill Shorten were â&#x20AC;&#x153;asleep at the wheelâ&#x20AC;? on security. Australians are expected to go to the polls in mid-May to decide whether Morrisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conservative Liberal Party gets a third term in government. Polls show Morrison is personally popular but his party is heading for its biggest defeat in decades â&#x20AC;&#x201D; something he hopes to turn around by pointing to a strong economy and an uncompromising stance on security and immigration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The election is about the Australia you want to live in for the next decade,â&#x20AC;? he said.

AFP

Japan weathermen predict cherry blossom season TOKYO: As spring approaches in Japan, the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weather forecasters face one of their biggest missions of the year: Predicting exactly when the famed cherry blossoms will bloom.

Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sakura or cherry blossom season is feverishly anticipated by locals and visitors alike. Many tourists plan their entire trips around the blooms, and Japanese flock to parks in their millions to enjoy the seasonal spectacle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People pay more attention to the cherry blossom season than any other flower in Japan,â&#x20AC;? Ryo Dojo, an official of the statistics unit at the Japan Meteorological Agency, told AFP. The most basic element of predicting when the delicate pink and white petals will begin to unfurl is a large data set of temperatures.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because the flowers would come earlier if temperatures rise quickly in spring, Dojo said.

Conversely, if temperatures in the autumn and winter period are higher

than usual, the blooms can end up being delayed.

Extreme weather can affect the trees too, with unusual patterns in 2018 prompting some blossoms to appear in October, well before the usual season.

In general, blooms begin as early as March in southern Kyushu and appear as late as May in northernmost Hokkaido.

In a bid to improve its forecasts, some outfits have started crowdsourcing data, including Weathernews, a firm in Chiba near Tokyo.

It relies on photos of buds sent in regularly by 10,000 citizens across the country who are registered on the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and app. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cherry blossom forecasting is impossible for us without this system,â&#x20AC;? spokesman Miku Toma said.

The company launched what they call the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sakura Projectâ&#x20AC;? in 2004, signing up members who choose their own cherry tree and send pictures of its buds to the firm at regular intervals.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We realised we could see the details of how buds grow thanks to the pictures sent to us,â&#x20AC;? Toma said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So we decided to incorporate the project to help predict blossoms.â&#x20AC;?

Just observing the bud can give surprisingly accurate information about how far the flower is from full bloom.

A sakura bud still a month from blossoming will be small and firm, but after 10 days, the tip turns slightly yellow-green, and then a darker green part emerges.

When the tip of the bud turns a faint pink, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a week until bloom-time.

Thanks to the project, Weathernews has accumulated data from two million reports on cherry flower buds in the past 15 years, which it uses to increase the accuracy of its forecasting.

It also incorporates weather data collected from its own observation devices across Japan â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 13,000 locations in total, 10 times more than the official weather agency has.

Weathernews employees also call around 700 parks regularly to check the growth of cherry flower buds.

The company and other forecasters also employ mathematical models and algorithms.

Otenki Japan, a forecaster run by a subsidiary of precision-equipment manufacturer Shimadzu, even began using artificial intelligence to predict cherry blossoms in 2018.

The forecasts are not only for flower fans, but reflect the fact that sakura season is a big business in Japan.

Cherry blossoms symbolize the fragility of life in Japanese culture as full blooms only last about a week before the petals start falling off trees.

And in that period and the preceding weeks, shops will pack their shelves with sakura themed merchandise. Pink and white blossoms seem to decorate everything from beer cans to sakura-flavored chips and flower-themed candy.

AFP

Sports

C1 TUESDAY

FEBRUARY 12, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Warriors take the Heat as Embiid leads 76ers over Lakers

L

OS ANGELES: Kevin Durant scored a gamehigh 39 points as the NBA champion Golden State Warriors rallied from an early POINT DEkCIT TO EDGE THE -IAMI (EAT ON 3UNDAY -ONDAY IN -ANILA $E-ARCUS #OUSINS SANK TWO FREE THROWS WITH SECONDS LEFT TO PLAY TO HELP THE 7ARRIORS HOLD OFF THE (EAT WHO FELL EIGHT BEHIND IN THE FOURTH QUARTER BUT TOOK A LEAD WITH SECONDS LEFT AFTER BACK TO BACK STEALS AND BASKETS FROM *OSH 2ICHARDSON AND $WYANE 7ADE $URANT RESPONDED WITH HIS kRST THREE POINTER OF THE CONTEST AFTER SIX MISSES FROM BEYOND THE ARC TO TIE THE GAME AND #OUSINS MADE HIS FREE THROWS TO SEAL THE 7ARRIORS TH WIN IN THEIR LAST GAMES g7E KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A GAME THEY CAME OUT AND PLAYED HARD ON BOTH ENDS OF THE COURT u $URANT SAID g4HEY CAME OUT AND HIT US IN THE MOUTH EARLY BUT ) LIKE HOW WE WITHSTOOD THE STORM AND KEPT kGHTING u $URANT SAID THERE WAS NO MYSTERY TO THE 7ARRIORS COMEBACK FUELED

BY A SCORING RUN EARLY IN THE THIRD QUARTER g7E WERE JUST LOCKED IN PLAYING OUR BRAND u HE SAID g7E MOVED THE BALL WE MADE SHOTS AFTER A WHILE IT TOOK US A WHILE TO WAKE UP ON 3UNDAY u +LAY 4HOMPSON SCORED POINTS FOR THE 7ARRIORS AND 3TE PHEN #URRY AFTER A ROCKY kRST QUARTER WITH JUST THREE POINTS

kNISHED WITH *OSH 2ICHARDSON LED THE (EAT WITH POINTS 6ETERAN $WYANE 7ADE ADDED OFF THE BENCH TWO DAYS AFTER A FREIGHTING FALL IN 3ACRAMENTO g(E S BUILT LIKE #APTAIN !MERICA u (EAT COACH %RIK 3POEL STRA SAID *OEL %MBIID SCORED POINTS AND GRABBED REBOUNDS TO POWER THE 0HILADELPHIA ERS OVER THE VISITING ,OS !NGELES ,AKERS IN A MATCH UP OF HIGH PROFILE ."! CLUBS 4HE YEAR OLD #AMEROON FOOTER M WAS SUPPORTED BY POINTS FROM 4OBIAS (ARRIS AND EVEN THOUGH NEW PLAYERS MUST ADJUST TO THE MORE FROM ** 2EDICK IN A ROMP OVER ,E"RON ERS IN MID SEASON %VERY %MBIID REBOUND CAME ON THE DEFENSIVE *AMES AND THE ,AKERS WHO FELL TO !T THE ERS PULLED WITHIN GAMES OF BOARDS WITH THE !FRICAN STAR ALREADY SEEING HIM %ASTERN #ONFERENCE LEADER -ILWAUKEE AS %MBIID SELF AS THE ."! S TOP DEFENDER *AMES HAD POINTS REBOUNDS AND NINE ASSISTS PONDERED THE TEAM S TITLE HOPES g7E VE GOT A CHANCE ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR 7E VE IN A LOSING CAUSE )N $ALLAS 3LOVENIAN YEAR OLD SWINGMAN ,UKA GOT TO KEEP WORKING u HE SAID g) PLAN ON BEING $ONCIC SCORED POINTS INCLUDING WHAT PROVED TO BE HERE FOR A LONG TIME 4HIS IS MY CITY u ! TRADE WITH THE ,OS !NGELES #LIPPERS ADDED THE GAME WINNING POINT PLAY AS THE $ALLAS -AVERICKS (ARRIS TO THE LINEUP AND %MBIID LIKES THE MOVE EDGED VISITING 0ORTLAND AFP

Q Anthony Davis AFP PHOTO

Lakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Magic: Davis talks

by Pelicans not in good faith LOS ANGELES: Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, said on Sunday (Monday in Manila) the New Orleans Pelicans never bargained with them in good faith regarding NBA star Anthony Davis.

The Lakers engaged in talks with the Pelicans regarding a deal for Davis but could not strike a deal before Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade deadline.

Asked if he thought the Pelicans negotiated in good faith, Johnson said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We knew that basically at the end of the day what happened, happened. And we knew that when we first started. In terms of what happened, hey, it is what it is.â&#x20AC;?

Johnson said he has no regrets about the public nature of the talks with Pelicans general manager Dell Demps over the past two weeks after Davis, through his agent, indicated he wanted to leave the Pelicans.

Johnson said his players are professional enough to handle having heard their names mentioned in trade rumors for Davis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Quit making this about thinking these guys are babies, because thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re treating them like,â&#x20AC;? said Johnson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re professionals. All of them. This is how this league works. They know it, I know it. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how it goes. So weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to move forward and we are moving forward.â&#x20AC;?

Johnson said he spoke individually with several players in the wake of the dealmaking that fell through. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They get paid to do a job,â&#x20AC;? Johnson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all professionals. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been in this league 40 years. A lot of players got traded on Thursday. Guess whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gonna happen next year? A lot of players will get traded. A lot of players will stay home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I talked to our guys, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in a good place.â&#x20AC;? AFP

Q Golden State Warriorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; DeMarcus Cousins (left) shoots against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, California. AP PHOTO

ROS snaps Phoenixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s win streak, makes Final 8Â Â

THE 2AIN OR 3HINE 2/3 %LASTO 0AINTERS NEEDED AN EXTRA kVE MINUTE EXTENSION TO CUT SHORT THE 0HOENIX &UEL -ASTERS WINNING RUN TO kVE

ON 3UNDAY TO BECOME THE kRST TEAM TO MAKE IT TO THE QUARTER kNAL ROUND OF THE 0"! 0HILIPPINE #UP AT THE 3MART !RANETA #OLISEUM 4HE VICTORY THE 0AINTERS SIXTH IN SEVEN TIMES UP LIKEWISE CATA PULTED COACH #ALOY 'ARCIA S BOYS PAST THE &UEL -ASTERS TO THE TOP OF THE TEAM STANDING BESIDES GIVING THEM A WELL DESERVED RESPITE AFTER SEEING ACTION SIX TIMES IN A STRETCH OF DAYS FROM *ANUARY 2/3 PLAYS THE -AGNOLIA (OTSHOTS ON 7EDNESDAY AT THE -ALL OF !SIA !RENA BUT WILL SEE ACTION NEXT DAYS FROM THAT DAY ON -ARCH AGAINST #OLUMBIAN $YIP AT THE "IG $OME !RWIND 3ANTOS MEANWHILE MADE THE MOST OF THE ONLY SECOND TIME HIS COACH ,EO !USTRIA GAVE HIM AS A STARTER BY LEADING THE DEFENDING CHAMPION 3AN -IGUEL "EERMEN TO THEIR FOURTH TRIUMPH IN SEVEN OUTINGS AT THE EXPENSE OF SISTER TEAM (OTSHOTS 0AMBANSANG -ANOK WHO THEY OVERWHELMED BY POINTS

2ELEGATED TO SECOND kDDLE MAN WITH THE ARRIVAL OF &ILIPINO 'ERMAN #HRISTIAN 3TANDHARDINGER LAST SEASON AND HOT SHOOTING 4ERENCE 2O MEO THIS YEAR THE -60 SHOWED HE STILL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE RELIED UPON BY POURING IN SEVEN OF ELEVEN ATTEMPTS FROM BEYOND THE ARC ON THE WAY TO MATCHING HIS JERSEY NUMBER AND A GAME HIGH POINTS 3ANTOS CALLED g 4HE 3PIDER -ANu BY FANS CAME UP THE ONLY PLAYER TO SCORE IN ALL FOUR QUARTERS m SEVEN IN THE kRST IN THE SECOND IN THE THIRD AND IN THE FOURTH BESIDE HAULING DOWN FOUR REBOUNDS ISSUING TWO ASSISTS AND BLOCKING A SHOT THAT MORE THAN MADE UP FOR A SINGLE TURNOVER "ESIDES SEALING A SEAT IN THE &INAL %IGHT

2AIN OF 3HINE TOO EXTENDED ITS WINING RUN TO FOUR FOLLOWING A MERE LOSS TO THE %LITE LAST *ANUARY 2EY .AMBATAC SHATTERED A ALL DEADLOCK IN OVERTIME WHILE -ARK "ORBORAN CONVERTED A RUNNING lOAT ER FROM THE BACKDOOR WITH THE SHOT CLOCK RUNNING DOWN TO SEAL THE WIN "IG "OY "EAU "ELGA HEAVED AND DROVE FOR POINTS GRABBED NINE REBOUNDS AND ASSISTED HIS TEAMMATES SEVEN TIMES WHILE +RIS 2OSALES SHOT POINTS IN HIS BEST GAME WEARING THE %LASTO 0AINTERS JERSEY g'OOD WIN u SAID COACH #ALOY SIGHED AFTER HIS HARD EARNED WIN g4HEY 0HOENIX WERE ABLE TO COME BACK BUT WE HAD A GOOD LEAD THEY DIDN T STOP 4HAT S PROBABLY WHY THEY ARE ON TOP 4HEY NEVER GAVE UP AND THEY FOUGHT THEIR HEARTS OUT u ! MIGHTY RUN BLAST GIFTED THE 0AINTERS THEIR BIG GEST ADVANTAGE BUT THE &UEL -ASTERS CAME SURG ING BACK WITH *ASON 0ERKINS CONVERTING A LAY UP WITH SECONDS LEFT IN THE MATCH TO TIE THE GAME AT 0HOENIX S kRST LOSS IN SIX GAMES SOMEWHAT TAINTED 0ER KINS CAREER HIGH POINT OUTPUT FOR THE &UEL -ASTERS #ALVI )T WAS THE &UEL -ASTERS THIRD OVERTIME GAME OF THE YOUNG SEASON 4HEY NEEDED kVE EXTRA MINUTES IN THEIR kRST TWO WINS OF THE CONFERENCE OVER -ERALCO AND 4.4 0HOENIX 0ULSE STREAK TO OPEN THE 0HILIPPINE #UP WAS THE BEST START IN FRANCHISE HIST 3-" S !LEX #ABAGNOT ACHIEVED TWO MILESTONES AS MOVED UP TO TH IN THE 0"! ALL TIME ASSISTS CATEGORY TYING #RISPA S 0HILIP #EZAR WITH

4HE SPEEDY SENTINEL ALSO CLIMBED TO TH SPOT IN THE STEALS DEPARTMENT

MOVING PAST #YRUS "AGUIO

EDDIE G.ALINEA

C2

Sports

The Manila Times

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Arellano, Perpetual dispute NCAA womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crown

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ

A

RELLANO University aims for a threepeat even as University of Perpetual Help System DALTA shoots for a triple crown when they clash in the deciding game for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 94 womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volleyball championship today at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

History beckons for the Lady Chiefs in the 4 p.m. winner-take-all tussle as they gun for a third consecutive title. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The players really want to make history for the school here in the NCAA. So, we are working hard to get that,â&#x20AC;? said Arellano chief coach Obet Javier, whose squad is also eyeing for A FOURTH TROPHY IN kVE SEASONS The Legarda-based volleybelles forced a title decider after pulling off a hard-earned 23-25, 25-9, 25-18, 22-25, 15-12 victory last Friday.

Season MVP Necole Ebuen, sophomore spiker Princess Bello and veteran hitter Regine Arocha are EXPECTED TO CARRY THE kGHT FOR THE

three-peat seeking Lady Chiefs.

On the other hand, destiny is on the horizon for the Lady Altas, who are eager to complete a rare grand slam.

Perpetual Helpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s juniors team grabbed A kVE PEAT WHILE ITS MEN S SQUAD NETTED a second consecutive trophy last Friday.

Instead of pressuring his wards, head mentor Macky CariĂąo wants them to remain focused on their preparation for the decisive match. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to inject it (volleyball tournament sweep) in their minds,â&#x20AC;? said CariĂąo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will do nothing but to prepare for our opponent. If we will give our best on that certain game, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really possible that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be the champion.â&#x20AC;?

Q University of Perpetual Helpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cindy Imbo (No. 2) goes for a downthe-line hit against Arellano Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Carla Donato during Game 2 of the NCAA Season 94 womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Should Perpetual make a sweep, it will join former NCAA member Ateneo De Manila University and San Sebastian College-Recoletos as the

only teams that achieved such feat.

Besides a triple title for the school, the Lady Altas are also out to end a kVE YEAR DROUGHT 0ERPETUAL LAST WON

the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crown in 2014 when it snared a three-peat.

Perpetual prevailed, 21-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20, in the finals opener last February 1.

Graduating spiker Cindy Imbo, opposite hitter Jhona Rosal and setter Necelle Mae Gual are tabbed to lead the charge for the Lady Altas.

PEREZ KEEPS LEAD IN RONDA PILIPINAS

Q Jamalidin Novardianto of PGN Road Cycling Team (far right) celebrates after winning the Stage Four of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2019.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ROXAS CITY: Tour de France veteran Francisco Mancebo Perez of Matrix Powertag Japan stuck with his closest pursuers in Stage Four that was topped by Jamalidin Novardianto of PGN Road Cycling Team on Monday to stay on top with a lap to go in the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2019 at the El Pueblo grounds here.

Perez, 42, intelligently kept d e f e n d i n g c h a m p i o n Ro n a l d Oranza of Navy-Standard Insurance and Dominic Perez of 7Eleven Cliqq-Air 21 by Roadbike Philippines within sight and finished with the peloton that checked in 42 seconds behind stage winner Novardianto, who clocked three hours and 37.53 minutes.

Mancebo, whose best finish in Tour de France came in 2005 at fourth, thus kept his stranglehold of the individual general classification lead with a total time of 16:01:21, or a whopping 3:52 ahead of Oranza and 3:55 lead over Perez.

Rounding up the top 10 were Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jan Paul Morales (4:35 behind), Matrixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sano Junya (4:53), Korail Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Joo DaeYeong (4:58), 7Elevenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Irish Valenzuela (5:20), Army-Bicycologyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mark Julius Bordeos (5:20), and 7Elevenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rustom Lim and Arjay Peralta (6:13).

0ERALTA WAS THE BIGGEST GAINER OF THE DAY AFTER kNISHING THIRD IN THE kRST OF TWO INTERMEDIATE SPRINTS AND SECOND IN THE STAGE MOUNTAIN CLASSIkCATION that catapulted him from No. 17 the stage before to the top 10 where he supplanted teammate Marcelo Felipe, who slipped to No. 13.

With the massive time advantage, the Spanish conQUISTADOR THUS REDUCED TODAY S kFTH AND kNAL STAGEÂ&#x2021;A 148.9km lap that will start in Roxas City and end in 0ANDAN !NTIQUEÂ&#x2021;INTO HIS CORONATION LAP But Mancebo refused to believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over, saying a LOT OF THINGS COULD HAPPEN IN THE kNAL STAGE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The last stage will be like today (yesterday), everybody will want to take the red jersey from me,â&#x20AC;? said Mancebo, who seized the massive lead following an exhilarating performance in the Iloilo-Iloilo Stage One Friday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a little bit tired, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one more stage to go and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll try to keep the jersey. I feel good but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never know, we have to be careful,â&#x20AC;? he added.

While Manceboâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead looked comfortable, his teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead over 7Eleven and Navy isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that safe.

After four stages, Matrix had an aggregate time of 48:15:52 but its three-minute lead from the day before was trimmed down to just 2:05 over 7Eleven and 2:49 over Navy.

And expect the 7Eleven riders and the Navymen to give Mancebo and Matrix a big chase.

4HE STAGE RESULT MARKED THE kRST TIME THAT NO Filipino riders made it to the podium as Mohd Shahrul Mat Amin of Terengganu and Korail Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Joo Kangeun checked in second and third, respectively, behind Novardianto.

Oranza and Perez finished second and third behind Mancebo in Stage One while five of the six podium finishers in the next two stages were Filipinos including Felipe and Morales, who reigned supreme in Stage Two and Three.

Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rudy Roque had a chance to save the day for the Phl bets but wound up only fourth IN THE FRANTIC kNISH Ronda is presented by LBC, powered by MVP Sports Foundation and supported by Versa 2-Way Radio, Juan Movement Partylist, Joel P Longares Foundation, Standard Insurance, Bike Xtreme, Green Planet, Prolite, Celeste Cycles, Maynilad, 3Q Sports, Boy Kanin, Mega World, Festive Walk, Seda Atria and LBC Foundation and in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Iloilo City and the Province of Guimaras.

12th Prima Badminton set Feb 22 SOME 2,000 entries from different parts of the country are expected to join the 12th Prima Pasta Badminton Championships beginning on February 22 at the Powersmash badminton courts in Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

The annual competition powered by the Forthright Events & Sports Management Inc. remains sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) and affiliated with the Philippine National Ranking System (PNRS) throughout the years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are hoping for another year of badminton extravaganza where the different players will be able to showcase their skills and talents. This year, we are also expect-

ing the defending champions to be challenged in their respective events,â&#x20AC;? says Prima Pasta organizing Chairman Alex Lim. Rabie Jayson Oba-ob and Sarah Joy Barredo are the men and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles open defending champions.

The tournament, sponsored by the Smart Communications through MVP Sports Foundation and APACS Makati, will include the following events:  Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Doubles and Mixed Doubles from Open class to Levels A to G, while Open Class and Levels B to F will be available in the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Doubles. The open singles will be available only in the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s category. There will also boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and

girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; singles events for Under 19, 17, 15, 13 and 11 categories, while boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; doubles will be available for Under 19, 17 and Under 15. All these events run from February 22 until 25.

The event is also supported by Boysen Paints, Morning Star Milling Corporation., Mabz Builders, ILO Construction, Monocrete Construction, Pioneer Insurance, Promax International, Regent Foods Corp., RFM Corp and Del Monte Phils.

A non-gender doubles event â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the combined age 100 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; will also be featured in the tournament. Minimum age will be 30 yrs for either player. Trophies, medals and gift certificates await the winners and runners-up for all the events.

The Manila Times

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Top guns face off as W Express Cup unfolds THE cream of the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amateur crop slug it out in what promises to be a slam-bang duel as the W Express RVF Cup Amateur Golf Championship crown unwraps today at the Canlubang Golf and Country Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North Course in Laguna.

Rupert Zaragosa, Aidric Chan, Carl Corpus, Paolo Wong, Kristoffer Arevalo and Sean Ramos banner the stellar cast that also includes Don Petil, Jolo Magcalayo, Pierre Ticzon, Leandro Bagtas, Weiyu Gao, David Guangco, Jonas Magcalayo and Josh Jorge.

Apo Golfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alex Bisera and Elee Bisera and Lloyd Labrador along with Del Monteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rolando Bregente Jr. are also in the roster, ready to mix it up with the fancied bets as members of the National Golf Association of the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; grassroots program.

Five Koreansâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Jung Jae Hyun, Kim Sang Jin, Kim Tae Soo, Rho Hyun Ho and Lee Sang Minâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; also set out to keep the crown which compatriot and now pro Kim Joo Hyung took in convincing fashion last year.

But focus will be on the local aces, the four-day championship staged in honor of the late NGAP president and golf patron Rod V. Feliciano being held as part of the selection process for the team vying in the SEA Games the country is hosting later this year.

Keen competition is also seen in the ladies side with Nicole Abelar, Sunshine Baraquiel, Laia Barro, Sophia Blanco, Sofia Chabon, Samantha Dizon and young Laurea Duque tipped to dispute the crown along with Junia Gabasa, Weifang Gao, Missy Legaspi, Jona Magcalayo, Rianne Malixi, Kayla Nocum, Rafaela Singson, Eagle Ace Superal and Arnie Taguines.

Marie MiĂąoza, another member of the NGAPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth program, also hopes to spring a surprise in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, Cignal, Metro Pacific and Cangolf and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour along with Koerans Kang Da Yun, Kim Seo Yun and Kwon Tae Yon. Also on tap is the 36-hole Special Division for boys and girls featuring the likes of Mikhaela Constantino, Sophia Abarcas, Jody Castillo and Precious Zaragosa and Koreans Jeong Yeah Eu and Kwon Min Seo along with Joshua de Guzman, Shinichi Suzuki, Dylan Castillo, Zach Villaroman and Kim Tae Won of South Korea.

Sports

Mickelson leads by three in Pebble Beach

S

AN FRANCISCO: P h i l M i c k e l s o n wa s closing in on a fifth Pebble Beach Pro-Am title when darkness halted play in THE kNAL ROUND OF THE WEATHER HIT 53 0'! 4OUR TOURNAMENT

Q Phil Mickelson of the United States putts on the 16th green during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf.

AFP PHOTO

-ICKELSON WILL RETURN TO PLAY THE LAST TWO HOLES on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) holding a threeshot lead over playing partner Paul Casey.

Red-hot Mickelson and Casey had opposing VIEWS ON WHETHER TO CONTINUE AS DARKNESS fell, Mickelson putting out for a par at the TH AND SAYING HE WAS READY TO HEAD TO AS #ASEY OPTED TO CALL IT A DAY WITH A THREE FOOT PUTT FOR PAR IN FRONT OF HIM g) CAN SEE kNE u -ICKELSON TOLD A RULES OFkCIAL ON THE TH GREEN "UT HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD #ASEY S PERSPECTIVE g) GET EXACTLY WHERE 0AUL S COMING FROM u -ICKELSON SAID g)T S DARK AND WE RE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TOMORROW TO COME OUT ON FRESH GREENS

They got pretty rough this afternoon so I totally get it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I have pretty good vision, ) CAN SEE kNE AND ) M PLAYING WELL SO ) WANTED TO CONTINUE THAT S ALL there is to it. #ASEY SAID HE DIDN T SEE WHY THEY should continue in the gathering DARKNESS WHEN THEY WOULDN T BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE ROUND g&ROM MY ANGLE IT WAS ARE WE going to get 18 done,â&#x20AC;? he said. g7E WEREN T GOING TO GET DONE u 4HE LAST TWO GROUPS DIDN T TEE OFF UNTIL AFTER TWO WEATHER DELAYS WITH rain postponing the start of play for AN HOUR AND A HAILSTORM BRINGING ANOTHER TWO HOUR HOLD UP Mickelson, gunning for a 44th 53 0'! 4OUR TITLE WAS UNFAZED BY the uncertainty.

He started the day three shots off #ASEY S LEAD BUT ROARED TO THE TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD WITH SIX BIRDIES THAT PUT HIM UNDER FOR THE TOURNAMENT WITH TWO HOLES REMAINING (E GAINED GROUND WITH BIRDIES AT

ROMANIA STUNS CHAMPION CZECH REPUBLIC IN FED CUP PARIS: 2OMANIA REACHED THE &ED #UP SEMI kNALS FOR THE kRST TIME ON 3UNDAY -ONDAY IN -ANILA WITH A WIN OVER DEFENDING CHAMPIONS #ZECH 2EPUBLIC AS )RINA #AMELIA "EGU AND -ONICA .ICULESCU STUNNED 7IMBLEDON AND &RENCH /PEN WINNERS "ARBORA +REJCIKOVA AND +ATERINA 3INIAKOVA IN A MARATHON DOUBLES DECIDER "EGU AND .ICULESCU TRIUMPHED

IN A THRILLING RUBBER IN /STRAVA WHICH LASTED JUST SEVEN MINUTES SHORT OF THREE HOURS +REJCIKOVA AND 3INIAKOVA THE WORLD S LEADING PAIR TRAILED A BREAK EARLY IN THE kNAL SET BEFORE HITTING BACK TO "UT THE 2OMANIAN PAIR BROKE STRAIGHT BACK FOR BEFORE "EGU RANKED AT IN DOUBLES SERVED OUT THE TIE 4HE RESULT ENDED THE TIME CHAMPIONS #ZECHS HOPES OF MAKING THE &ED #UP SEMI kNALS FOR AN TH SUCCESSIVE YEAR AND REPRESENTED THEIR kRST HOME DEFEAT IN A DECADE %ARLIER 3IMONA (ALEP WON THE BATTLE OF THE FORMER WORLD NUMBER ONES WITH AN EPIC

TRIUMPH OVER +AROLINA 0LISKOVA THE #ZECHS HIGHEST RANKED PLAYER IN THE ABSENCE OF WORLD NUMBER THREE 0ETRA +VITOVA g) AM HAPPY TO HAVE WON AGAINST SUCH A TOUGH OPPONENT u SAID (ALEP AFTER WINNING HER SECOND SINGLES OF THE WEEKEND g)T WAS MY BEST AND BIGGEST WIN IN THE &ED #UP u 3INIAKOVA WHO WON BOTH HER SINGLES RUBBERS IN THE kNAL TRIUMPH OVER THE 5NITED 3TATES PULLED THE #ZECHS LEVEL BY SEEING OFF -IHAELA "UZARNESCU

&RENCH /PEN CHAMPION (ALEP HAD SAID THAT WINNING A kRST &ED #UP FOR 2OMANIA WAS NOW THE TOP PRIORITY ON HER gBUCKET LISTu HAVING kNALLY BROKEN HER 'RAND 3LAM DROUGHT IN 0ARIS LAST YEAR 2OMANIA WILL NOW TRAVEL TO &RANCE IN !PRIL S SEMI kNALS WHILE THE OTHER last-four clash sees Belarus up against Australia.

AFP

THE PAR kVE SECOND AND THE FOURTH

THEN MADE BACK TO BACK BIRDIES AT THE NINTH AND TH TWO OF THE toughest holes on the course.

(E CURLED IN A SEVEN FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT AND DRAINED A SIX FOOTER AT #ASEY MEANWHILE STRUGGLED TO GET ANYTHING GOING ! BIRDIE AT THE SECOND WAS FOLLOWED BY EIGHT STRAIGHT PARS BEFORE BACK TO BACK BOGEYS AT AND ! BIRDIE FROM THE FRINGE AT LEFT HIM EVEN FOR THE DAY AND UNDER PAR FOR THE TOURNAMENT !MERICAN 3COTT 3TALLINGS WAS IN THE CLUBHOUSE ON UNDER AFTER A SIX UNDER PAR WITH *ASON $AY OF !USTRALIAN AND 3OUTH +OREAN +IM 3I WOO TIED FOR FOURTH ON UNDER #ASEY CALLED -ICKELSON S EFFORT gA PHENOMENAL ROUND OF GOLFu BUT ADDED g)T S NOT OVER YETu -ICKELSON WHO COULD JOIN -ARK / -EARA AS THE ONLY kVE TIME WINNERS OF THE TOURNAMENT IS NO STRANGER TO THE kCKLE &EBRUARY WEATHER ON the Monterey Peninsula.

AFP

Young talented cagers to see action in Aspirantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cup

Q Romaniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Simona Halep AFP PHOTO

THE 2019 PBA D-League Aspirantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cup is expected to showcase young and talented players who could someday become the next basketball heroes in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The road to the PBA starts here (DLeague), so we expect to see some of the leading basketball talents in the country,â&#x20AC;? said PBA Operations Head Eric Castro in his appearance in the Usapang Sports presented by the Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila.

Castro said all 20 teams seeing action in the PBA D-League starting February 14 are fielding outstanding players 17 years old and above who can be the next June Mar Fajardo, Mark Caguiao and Terrence Romeo in the PBA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PBA D-League teams, which include four commercial teams and champion teams from the UAAP, NCAA, NAASCU and UCBL, have assembled competitive lineups capable of winning the title,â&#x20AC;? added De Castro.

Action-packed Philippine Superliga reels off Saturday SAVE FOR INTENSE VOLLEYBALL ACTION DRAMA IS ALSO SET TO UNFOLD WHEN THE 0HILIPPINE 3UPERLIGA 'RAND 0RIX FIRES off on Saturday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City. &ORMER 0ETRON REINFORCEMENT ,INDSAY 3TALZER HAD CROSSED THE ENEMY LINES AND IS SET TO SUIT UP FOR THE "LAZE 3PIKERS MAIN RIVAL m & ,OGISTICS m IN THIS PRESTIGIOUS WOMEN S CLUB TOURNEY BANKROLLED BY !SICS -IKASA -UELLER 3ENOH 4EAM 2EBEL 3PORTS

"IZOOKU 5#0" 'EN (OTEL 3OGO AND $ATA 0ROJECT 4HE COMELY !MERICAN IS ONE OF THE BEST IMPORTS THE LEAGUE EVER SAW After leading Cignal, she LED &OTON TO BACK TO BACK TITLES BEFORE JOINING TEAMING UP WITH (ILLARY (URLEY IN 0ETRON IN 4HE "LAZE 3PIKERS FELL SHORT OF WINNING THE CROWN AS -ARIA *OSE 0EREZ OF 6ENEZUELA and Kennedy Bryan of the 5NITED 3TATES POWERED & ,OGISTICS TO A DRAMATIC COME FROM BEHIND VICTORY IN THEIR BEST OF THREE TITLE SHOWDOWN 4HE FOLLOWING YEAR 3TALZER RETURNED AND JOINED +ATHerine Bell in dethroning

C3

the Cargo Movers in a very convincing fashion.

"UT WITH 0ETRON REACHING AN AGREEMENT WITH "ELL AND P OWE R H I T T I N G 3 T E P H A N I E .IEMER IN THE OFF SEASON

3TALZER WAS LEFT UNSIGNED

PROMPTING THE #ARGO -OVERS to tap her to serve as reinFORCEMENT TOGETHER WITH )TALIAN !MERICAN "ECKY 0ERRY And it sets the stage for ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER AND DRAMATIC BATTLE BETWEEN TWO OF THE BEST CLUB TEAMS IN THE COUNTRY TODAY 0ETRON AND & ,OGISTICS IN THEIR kRST MEETING ON March 7 at the Filoil Flying V #ENTRE IN 3AN *UAN g)F ) M NOT MISTAKEN THIS IS HER SIXTH TIME TO PLAY IN THE LEAGUE u SAID & ,OGISTICS CAPTAIN #HA #RUZ during the press conference LAST 3UNDAY AT THE 3TA ,UCIA Grand East Mall in Cainta. g3HE ALWAYS GIVES HER BEST TO THE TEAM SHE PLAYS FOR 3O WE RE EXPECTING NOTHING BUT THE BEST PERFORMANCE FROM HER AS WELL FROM HER PARTNER "ECKY 0ERRY 7E HAVE HIGH HOPES COMING INTO THE 03, 'RAND 0RIX u & ,OGISTICS ISN T THE ONLY TEAM WHO COULD GIVE THE REIGNING CHAMPION A RUN FOR ITS MONEY

Q Former Petron import Lindsay Stalzer (No. 15) power through two F2 Logistics blockers Aby Marano (No. 10) and Kim Fajardo during a Philippine Superliga Grand Prix game at The Arena in San Juan City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Football Ronaldo keeps scoring as Juventus soars 11 points clear M C4

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

The Manila Times w w w. m a n i l a t i m e s. n e t

ILAN: Cristiano Ronaldo headed in his 18th league goal this season as Juventus bounced back from last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stalemate to soar to an 11-point lead in Serie A on Sunday (Monday in Manila) with a 3-0 win at Sassuolo.

2ONALDO PROVED DECISIVE SCORING AFTER MINUTES AS 3AMI +HEDIRA FOUND THE NET kRST IN -ODENA WITH FELLOW 'ERMAN %MRE #AN SLOTTING IN THE THIRD FOUR MINUTES FROM TIME 4HE 3ERIE ! CHAMPIONS HAD BEEN HELD BY 0ARMA LAST WEEK DESPITE THE 0ORTUGUESE FORWARD S DOUBLE .OW THEY HAVE LEFT SECOND PLACED .APOLI TRAILING AFTER #ARLO !NCELOTTI S SIDE WERE HELD TO A GOALLESS DRAW AT &IORENTINA ON 3ATURDAY 0AULO $YBALA AGAIN STARTED ON THE BENCH COMING ON LATE FOR THE CHAMPIONS TO HELP SET UP THE THIRD GOAL WITH COACH -ASSIMILIANO !LLEGRI SAYING HE NEEDED TO kND THE RIGHT BALANCE g2ONALDO AND $YBALA CAN CERTAINLY PLAY TOGETHER AND THEY WILL DO BUT WE NEED EVERYONE TO WORK HARD IN ORDER TO KEEP THE TEAM BALANCED u SAID !LLEGRI g)T ALL DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ARE PLAYING AGAINST 3ASSUOLO HAVE A STRONG MIDkELD SO ) HAD TO BALANCE MY TEAM THAT WAY TODAY g0LAYERS ARE DISAPPOINTED BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN SITTING ON THE BENCH IS NECESSARY TO RECHARGE BATTERIES AND REDISCOVER THE RIGHT MENTAL TOUGHNESS u *UVENTUS HAD STARTED SLOWLY WITH GOALKEEPER 7OJCIECH 3ZCZESNY SAVING TWICE IN THE OPENING MIN UTES AS THE CHAMPION WAS WITHOUT INJURED DEFENDERS ,EONARDO "ONUCCI AND 'IORGIO #HIELLINI 4HE PAIR IS kGHTING TO BE kT FOR *UVENTUS %UROPEAN #HAM PIONS ,EAGUE LAST TRIP TO !TLETICO -ADRID IN DAYS TIME *UVENTUS BROKE THROUGH AFTER 3ASSUOLO GOALKEEPER

!NDREA #ON SIGLI RUSHED OUT TO PARRY a Ro n a l do shot leav ING THE WAY CLEAR FOR +HEDIRA TO TURN IN THE REBOUND AFTER MINUTES )T WAS THE 'ERMAN INTERNATIONAL S SECOND LEAGUE GOAL OF HIS INJURY HIT CAMPAIGN AFTER SCORING THE OPENING GOAL OF THE 3ERIE ! SEASON AGAINST #HIEVO ON !UGUST #ONSIGLI DENIED &EDERICO "ERNARDESCHI JUST BEFORE THE BREAK WITH A +HEDIRA HEADER lYING WIDE "UT 0ORTUGUESE STAR 2ONALDO JUMPED HIGHEST AFTER MINUTES TO MEET 0JANIC S CORNER FOR HIS FOURTH GOAL IN HIS LAST THREE LEAGUE GAMES TO BRING HIS TALLY TO GOALS FOR *UVENTUS IN ALL COMPETITIONS 4HE YEAR OLD CELEBRATED BY MIMICKING $YBALA S @MASK GOAL CELEBRATION !RGENTINE $YBALA CAME OFF THE BENCH SEVEN MINUTES FROM TIME ALONG WITH #AN AND WAS INVOLVED IN THE BUILDUP FOR THE kNAL GOAL WITH 2ONALDO PROVING THE ASSIST )NTER -ILAN IS THIRD POINTS BEHIND *UVENTUS AFTER BEATING 0ARMA ON 3ATURDAY FOR THEIR kRST LEAGUE WIN OF "UT CITY RIVALS !# -ILAN ARE JUST FOUR POINTS BEHIND )NTER IN FOURTH AFTER BEAT STRUGGLING #AGLIARI WITH NEW SIGN INGS ,UCAS 0AQUETA AND +RZYSZTOF 0IATEK BOTH SCORING AFP

Q Juventusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) outruns Sassuoloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defender Federico Peluso during the Italian Serie A football match at the Mapei Stadium - Citta del Tricolore Stadium in Reggio Emilia. AFP PHOTO

Super Eagles nail 2nd win in 7â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tilt

Q Barcelonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Argentinean forward Lionel Messi (right) vies with Athletic Bilbaoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spanish defender Inigo Martinez during the Spanish league football match at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. AFP PHOTO

DEFENDING champion Super Eagles notched back-to-back wins after pulverizing Superbad FC, 8-0, in Season 3 7â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Football League on Sunday night at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig City. Super Eagles were in cruise control with a three-goal advantage in the first half en route to sustaining their scoring tear for their second win in as many matches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it was just hard work and determination. We are the defending champions and we are committed.

We really want to win again,â&#x20AC;? said the Eagles coach Danny Cross. It was a fitting follow-up on the three-time titlistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5-2 victory over league rookie Bohemian Sporting Club in the opening match day last week. Previous seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s runner-up Ghana FC repulsed the hard-fighting Stallion Laguna FC, 3-1, to grab its second straight win as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a very intense game. Stallion is one of the professional teams

Barca gives fresh hope to La Liga rivals after Bilbao stalemate BILBAO, Spain: Lionel Messi was short of fitness and Barcelona lacked spark as a goalless draw away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday (Monday in Manila) offered fresh hope to their rivals in the title race.

A thigh injury had limited Messi to 27 minutes against Real Madrid on Wednesday and while he played the full match at San Mames, Barcaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistant coach Jon Aspiazu had admitted before kick-off he was not yet 100 per cent.

In all likelihood, he stayed on because his team needed him but Messi was not at his best and neither were Barcelona, who would even have

lost had it not been for Marc Andre ter Stegenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stunning late save to deny Inaki Williams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He saved us,â&#x20AC;? coach Ernesto Valverde said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a great stop.â&#x20AC;?

The draw makes it three games without a win for La Ligaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leaders, whose advantage is still six points but now with Real Madrid their closest challengers, after they beat Atletico on Saturday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were first last week and we are still first, and if my maths is right, we will be again next week,â&#x20AC;? Valverde said.

But Realâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s victory at the Wanda Metropolitano was their fifth on the bounce and just

as they have gained momentum, Barca appear to be losing theirs, at a crucial juncture, with more stern tests to come.

After Real Valladolid at home next weekend, Valverdeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side travel to Lyon in the Champions League and Sevilla in the league. They then face two Clasicos in four days, one in the Copa del Rey, and both at the Santiago Bernabeu. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are playing a lot of games at the moment and that shows,â&#x20AC;? Luis Suarez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also lacked communication today -- it is the little details that make a difference.â&#x20AC;?

Injuries have not helped either. Messi

was picked but not fully recovered while Ousmane Dembele was fit enough only for the bench, having shaken off an ankle injury.

The struggling Philippe Coutinho retained his place alongside Suarez and Messi up front but Arturo Vidal came in for the injured Arthur Melo and Nelson Semedo started at left back, with Jordi Alba suspended.

Bilbao had the better of the early stages as Yuri Berchiche flashed just wide after a poor pass from Vidal while Markel Susaetaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive forced the leaping Ter Stegen into an acrobatic save.

AFP

Cavani out of Man Utd game, PSG confirms PARIS: %DINSON #AVANI WILL SIT OUT THE kRST LEG OF 0ARIS 3AINT 'ERMAIN S #HAMPI ONS ,EAGUE ENCOUNTER WITH -ANCHESTER 5NITED THE CLUB CONkRMED ON 3UNDAY -ONDAY IN -ANILA SAYING THE STRIKER HAD SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO A TENDON IN HIS HIP 03' WILL ARE ALREADY BE MISSING SU PERSTAR STRIKER .EYMAR SIDELINED UNTIL AT LEAST !PRIL WITH A FOOT INJURY WHILE -ANCHESTER 5NITED HAVE WON TEN OF THEIR ELEVEN GAMES UNDER NEW COACH /LE 'UNNAR 3OLSKJAER &RENCH SPORTS DAILY , %QUIPE REPORTED EARLIER ON 3UNDAY THAT A MEDICAL HAD REVEALED A TORN RIGHT THIGH MUSCLE FOR #A VANI BUT 03' REPORTED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE PROBLEM WAS THE RIGHT HIP

Sarriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job on line as Man City humiliates Chelsea

Q Maurizio Sarri AFP PHOTO

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Maurizio Sarri admitted his job as Chelsea manager is at risk after Manchester City scored four times inside the first 25 minutes to trash his side 6-0 on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

Sergio Aguero grabbed a hat trick as City leapfrogged Liverpool again to top spot in the Premier League on goal difference.

Chelsea on the other hand slip to sixth with the scale of the defeat putting Sarriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future in doubt.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know. You have to ask the club,â&#x20AC;? said the Italian when asked if he feared being fired just eight months into a three-year contract at Stamford Bridge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am worried about my team, worried about the performance but my job is always at risk.â&#x20AC;?

A 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth in their last away game was Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heaviest league defeat since 1996.

And this was their worst loss in any competition since 1991 after failing to recover from Raheem Sterlingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth-minute opener.

Eden Hazard went to sleep from Kevin de Bruyneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quickly taken free kick and Bernardo Silva had acres of space to cross for the England international to fire home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We conceded the goal after four minutes in a stupid way,â&#x20AC;? added Sarri. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At that moment we had to only stay in the match and we were not able to stay in the match because we made a lot of mistakes against the wrong opponents.

They played really fantastic football today.â&#x20AC;?

in the Philippines and they even started training before the season began,â&#x20AC;? said mentor Ayi Biyombo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to give all the glory to our goalkeeper for saving penalties.â&#x20AC;? In the other fixtures, the Nico Bolzico-led Matu Deportivo routed Futbol Funatics, 5-0; Delimondo-Laro FC came from behind to beat Ceres Negros FC, 3-2; Tondo FC trampled H&J All Stars, 3-1; and Bohemian bounced back with a 3-2 win over Real Amigos FC. Matu Deportivo, Delimondo-Laro and Tondo all remained unbeaten while Futbol Funatics, Ceres Negros and H&J All Stars stayed winless in two match days so far. Meanwhile, Kaya FC emerged as the winningest club across the age groups in the youth division. Kayaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teams amassed seven wins in the Under-9, Under-13, Under-11 and Under-15 categories.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ

City boss Pep Guardiola, though, urged the Chelsea hierarchy not to be trigger happy with Sarri.

The Catalan also suffered during his first year in charge, but always retained the faith of the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director of football and his former Barcelona colleague Txiki Begiristain before leading City to the title with a record 100 points last season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My first year was difficult too. In some moments we played good but not this consistent.

People expect the manager to arrive, buy players

g4HE TESTS CARRIED OUT HAVE SHOWN AN INJURY IN THE RIGHT HIP 4HE TREATMENT AND THE AMOUNT OF RECOVERY TIME WILL DEPEND ON HOW HE REACTS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS u 03'SAID ON THEIR WEBSITE , %QUIPE SUGGESTED #AVANI KNOWN AS %L -ATADOR FOR HIS CLINICAL kNISHING

WOULD ALSO MISS THE RETURN LEG -ARCH %ARLIER 3UNDAY 4UCHEL DESCRIBED #A VANI S SITUATION STEMMING FROM A kERCELY CONVERTED PENALTY ON 3ATURDAY AS BLEAK g4HERE IS NO GOOD NEWS FOR %DI THIS MORNING u HE SAID g)N MY OPINION THE NEWS IS NOT GOING TO BE VERY GOOD u 4UCHEL SAID g)T WILL BE VERY DIFkCULT FOR HIM TO PLAY u HE PREDICTED AFP

and it happens immediately,â&#x20AC;? said Guardiola. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It needs time. The main reason I came to Manchester City is because my bosses, chairman, especially Txiki. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to convince him, he knows me. He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe I am good because I win and bad because I lose.â&#x20AC;?

Liverpool maintain the advantage of a game in hand over City, but given a reprieve by draws for Jurgen Kloppâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men against Leicester and West Ham in recent weeks, the champions look determined to become the first side in a decade to retain the Premier League. AFP

TTUESDAY U E S DAY FEBRUARY 12, 2019

Entertainment

D1

www.manilatimes.net

Female acts, rap songs win big at the Grammy Awards L

OS ANGELES: Women and rap triumphed at the Grammys on Sunday (Monday in Manila) as female acts took home top prizes including album of the year and best new artist, and Childish Gambino made history when his hit “This )S !MERICAu BECAME THE kRST RAP BASED TRACK to win record and song of the year.

Kacey Musgraves’ country-pop release “Golden Hour” won album of the year, and British singer Dua Lipa won best new artist — a year after female voices were somewhat muted at the 2018 ceremony and the Grammys were criticized for the low number of female nominees.

Six women were nominated for best new artist, and five of the eight album-of-the-year nominees were women, including Q Fil-Am singer H.E.R. wins Best R&B Brandi Carlile, who dePerformance and Best R&B Album. scribed herself as “a kid and was the most nominated from the ’90s from Lilith Fair.”

“Those women were just domi- women with six.

Musgraves and Gambino were nating those platforms. They were dominating those arena and the night’s top winners, taking amphitheater stages. They were home four awards each. “This Is getting record deals. They were America” also won best music vidbecoming record executives them- eo and best rap/sung performance.

Cardi B also made history as selves,” Carilie said. But watching those gains “backslide for the last the first solo female to win best 20 years has been heartbreaking.” rap album (Lauryn Hill won as “Tonight gives me hope as a a member of the Fugees at the mother of two young daughters,” 1997 Grammys).

At the 2018 Grammys, male acts said Carilie, who won three honors in the Americana category dominated in nominations, and

the only woman competing for the top award, Lorde, did not get a chance to perform onstage.

The Grammys kicked off with a group of powerful women, including Michelle Obama, describing the role of music in their lives.

“Music has always helped me tell my story,” said Obama, who surprised the audience with her appearance.

“Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves. It allows us to hear one another.”

Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jennifer Lopez also spoke and stood in solidary with Obama, Gaga and Alicia Keys, who hosted the show.

“Yes, ladies,” Keys said.

“There’s nothing better than this.”

Gaga won three Grammys, including best pop duo/group performance

Of pink-colored vans, college degrees and moolah broke the camel’s back was PC’s later discovery that PAF was talking behind her back, “Siraan ba ako sa mga bosses ng network, na kesyo puro lovelife lang daw ang inaatupag ko? Sorry for me, I thought she was my friend!”

NNN Some sort of friendly “payabangan” took place among three pretty actresses, one of whom has been most controversial these days.

More or less, this is how the convo went.

Actress A: I’m proud to have graduated with honors from a reputable American university.

Actress B: I’m proud to have married a successful businessman.

Both couldn’t wait for Actress C’s turn but the latter’s silence said it all. Neither is she a college graduate nor a legal wife at all, but she’s rich anyway.

RC3

Making amends for franchise renewal?

Q

UITE a lof of viewers are wondering if there’s a directive from ABS-CBN top management cascaded to all program managers to be lenient with their guests particularly those who are running for public office under the administration party this coming mid-term elections.

On February 3, (nine days before the campaign period for the national level officially kicks off today) “Goin’ Bulilit” had senatorial aspirant Francis Tolentino (who had also served as MMDA Chairman under the PNoy government) as guest.

To be fair, Tolentino’s apolitical side was played up more than using his guest appearance as a campaign tool.

Later that night, “Gandang Gabi Vice” devoted ample airtime to former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, also one of the administration party’s senatorial bets.

In the program, Vice Ganda managed to bring out the other side of Go who was made to follow

some hip hop dance moves to the delight of the studio audience.

VIGNETTES RONNIE CARRASCO 3RD

for the Oscar-nominated hit “Shallow,” a win she shared with Bradley Cooper. Gaga performed the song solo since Cooper was in London for the British Academy Film Awards.

R&B singer H.E.R., who won two R&B awards, stunned as she played her guitar and sang.

»globalspotlight

GUESS W H O Straight from the horse’s mouth. This popular comedienne (PC) admitted before a group of college friends why she begrudged her popular actress-friend (PAF). Theirs was almost a sisterly kind of friendship after all.

PAF had to seek PC’s help as a closest kin was running for an elective post. “There was no money involved at all, but knowing how generous PAF was (and is), tutumbasan niya ng mamahaling bagay ang tulong that she badly needed from the PA.” PC’s all-out campaign efforts paid off as PAF’s kin won.

However, PC couldn’t help but whine over the token she received from PAF, “Imagine, yung isang lesser comedienne, binigyan niya ng sasakyan samantalang ako, home entertainment showcase lang? Mine was nothing compared to a pink-colored van!”

What appeared to be the proverbial straw that

Q Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Alicia Keys, Michelle Obama and Jennifer Lopez give speech about the unifying power of music. AP PHOTOS

“Wala pong pulitika rito, kasiyahan lang po,” Vice Ganda

said at least twice as he later took the opportunity to plug the “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode (aired on February 9) featuring Go’s story.

Such sightings of Tolentino and Go (and perhaps a lot more) inevitably evoked reactions from the viewers.

Were those separate guestings ABS-CBN’s way of making amends with the President who, as we all know, is “hot” on disenfranchising the network, the case springing from its non-airing of his paid presidential campaign ads in 2016?

“Hindi man kasi bumabawi ang Dos directly to Duterte, the station is making up for its shortcomings via the administration candidates, di ba?” a viewer told Vignettes.

With the President’s softening of heart, does life go on for the Kapamilya Network after its franchise expires in 2020?

Q Dua Lipa is this year's Best New Artist.

Q Lady Gaga wins Best Pop Performance for 'Joanne.'

Q Cardi B accepts Best Rap Album award for 'Invasion of Privacy.'

Chloe x Halle, nominated for two awards, impressed when they sang Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack’s “Where Is the Love.”

Ariana Grande won her first Grammy in the same week that she publicly blasted Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich and accused him of lying about why she was no longer performing at the show.

Beyonce, Jay-Z, Ella Mai, Pharrell Williams, Hugh Jackman, Sting, Shaggy, Dave Chappelle, “Weird Al” Yankovic, the late Chris Cornell, Greta Van Fleet and even former President Jimmy Carter also picked up early awards ahead of the live show.

AP

Q Kacey Musgraves, winner of Best Album of the Year, Best Country Album, Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance.

D2

Lifestyle

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Parental control: A growing necessity in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital age W

HILE parents try to teach their kids discipline and discernment in real-life situations, another area that needs their attention and guidance in the new age is how their children interact online.

Since the internet is abound with an interminable supply of information and chances for interaction, parents need to exercise a considerable yet respectful level of control in relation to their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internet usage to protect them from risks.

This is a pressing issue, especialLY FOR A DIGITAL NATIVE kLLED MARKET such as the Philippines.

In 2018, a study conducted by international think tank DQ Institute showed that the average Filipino child spends 34 hours per week in front of digital screens for entertainment, 2 hours higher than the global average.

Filipinos aged 8 to 12 years are also more exposed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;unhealthy habits of digital usage,â&#x20AC;? as well as to cyber risks such as cyberbullying and online sexual behavior as shown by their screen time score of 96, which is lower than the global average of 100.

While there are undeniable wonders the internet has brought, there are real dangers when children are left totally unsupervised in their use of it. As such, parents should always keep their childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s curiosity in check.

With this goal, Globe launched â&#x20AC;&#x153;#Rated PC (Parental Control),â&#x20AC;? an advocacy campaign on the importance of parental supervision with regard to childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internet use. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It may not be enough to just teach kids about whom to talk to, safety in and out of the home, what to read or watch on TV; parents should also guide their kids when it comes to their online experience,â&#x20AC;? explained Martha Sazon, senior vice president and head of the Broadband Business of Globe Telecom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;#Rated PC aims to educate and empower these parents on how THEY CAN MAXIMIZE THE BENEkTS OF

their kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; internet usage such as learning and collaboration while minimizing risks and dangers present in the online world.â&#x20AC;?

The telecom giant also share with The Manila Times further tips on how to implement effective and easy parental control: Limit screen time. Perhaps limiting childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s screen time can do the trick, except when it involves real schoolwork. With this, they can learn to manage THEIR SCREEN TIME EFkCIENTLY BY dividing their allowable time between school assignments, research and play or simply SURkNG THE WEB Protect identity and security.

Emphasize the importance of protecting their privacy and identity by not giving out personal information like their passwords to unknown sites or digital strangers.

More importantly, just as they are taught about â&#x20AC;&#x153;stranger dangerâ&#x20AC;? in reality, they must learn that this applies in the online world as well.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like teaching them not to divulge their personal information to people they meet

Q Parents need to exercise a considerable yet respectful level of control in relation to their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internet usage to protect them from risks.

for the first time and not going anywhere with a stranger.

Check sources. While the Internet is deemed a source of information, it can also be a platform for misinformation or disinformation, thus the phrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fake Newsâ&#x20AC;? was born. Teach children to check sources and go to credible sites for news. From time to time, kids should be reminded that not everything they see or read online is true.

Online responsibility. If the practice of observing courtesy and respect at home, school or other places is encouraged among children, the same should be done

whenever they are online.

Children should be taught the basics of exercising courtesy when it comes to communicating online, either with their peers or older individuals. No vulgar or hurtful words, profanities, body shaming, name-calling or cyberbullying and other hurtful actions.

Activate parental control. Online vigilance is certainly not easy for a parent who already has so many concerns in managing a household and caring for a family.

However, there are several options for parents in order to help them with this concern. Internet service provid-

ers usually bundle parental control features for their online service.

The TP Link Device, which is bundled especially for Globe At Home Postpaid subscribers, is a great option as it allows parents to easily set up controls for their kids to secure their online experience.

With these features, parents and guardians can protect their kids from various online threats, safeguard their network from unwanted content, restrict or block access to unsuitable sites, deploy anti-virus software, manage all connected devices, and even enhance WiFi signal inside the home.

Gear up for summer sports programs

Q PLAY is Okada Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special place for children.

Celebrate and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Play!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; PLAY, a family-friendly, kiddie recreational area right at the heart of integrated resort and entertainment destination Okada Manila, is CELEBRATING ITS kRST ANNIVERSARY WITH A MONTH long birthday party this month.

For the past 12 months, PLAY, which stands for Purposeful Learning Activity for the Young, has been delivering educational entertainment for children aged one to 16 years.

Apart from interacting with fellow children and engaging in social activities in the eight different neighborhoods, youngsters and even guardian visitors have been enjoying a variety OF HOUR LONG LEARNING SESSIONS WITH CERTIkED teachers and trained, qualified coaches to enhance individual abilities and academics. g7E HAVE BEEN kRST IN OFFERING A FULL LINE OF dedicated programs that combine fun, play, and learning for our young guests. PLAY is more than just an indoor playground â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where kids can unleash their imagination, develop life skills, and enjoy the journey toward unlocking their future potential,â&#x20AC;? said Vikki Aquino, director for Spa, Fitness and Recreation.

Among the unique programs offered by PLAY are â&#x20AC;&#x153;Toddler the Explorerâ&#x20AC;? (motor skills development for children aged one to three YEARS g(ERO #AMPu GROUP kTNESS ACTIVITIES for better health and well-being), â&#x20AC;&#x153;Colors and Creationsâ&#x20AC;? (arts and crafts for creativity AND kNE MOTOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT g(ELLO

Good Lookingâ&#x20AC;? (to enhance independence in hygiene, grooming and social interactions for children aged four to 16 years), and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stage Presenceâ&#x20AC;? (stage workshops for guests aged four to 16 years who are passionate about the performing arts).

Themed parties, educational TOURS AND OTHER SEASONAL EVENTS ALSO kLL PLAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calendar. g!ND AS WE CELEBRATE OUR kRST ANNIVERSARY

we are throwing a month-long celebration THAT WILL DEkNITELY DELIGHT BOTH CHILDREN AND their parents!â&#x20AC;? added Aquino.

Âťcheers!

Happy hearts day for the young ones

Okada Manila is celebrating Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day in full romantic style this year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean kids should miss out on the fun!

PLAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kiddie Valentines will not only keep the kids out of their parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; romantic date, but will also let the young ones enjoy this day of love in a unique, holistic way.

The PLAY Coaches will be hosting a Distortion Competition right at The Stage, guiding the kids through different poses designed to ENHANCE ONSTAGE CONkDENCE 4HE #OACHES will also take the kids through a Basic Theater Workshop, which will be followed by a short skit for the budding theater stars to apply what they learned.

Kids can also join a Languages of Love workshop, where they will be taught how to express their affections for their parents, siblings and friends through different ways.

And to cap this off, the Coaches will help the kids create special Valentine cards and origami Q For the past year, the indoor fun area has been delivering educational lOWERS TO GIVE TO entertainment for children. their loved ones.

SUMMER rings in early as Milo Philippines officially opens this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition of its annual program, the 2019 MILO Summer Sports Clinics.

Driven by the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get Your Child into Sportsâ&#x20AC;? campaign, the summer sports clinics aims to reinforce the importance of sports in a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holistic development.

Children today are faced with numerous barriers that hinder them from engaging into sports such as digital distractions, lack of safe play places, and fear of trying.

The annual summer clinic seeks to address these challenges by highlighting sports as a means not only to get kids active, but also to teach valuable life lessons one can learn outside the classroom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting children involved in sports would be a more enjoyable and productive way to healthy living,â&#x20AC;? said Willy De Ocampo, business unit manager of Milo Philippines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe that physical and social development lay the foundation for a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth, which is why we teach children the fundamentals of various sports in a unique and scientific way and helps them develop character-forming values,â&#x20AC;? he added.

This year, the summer sports clinics become more accessible to aspiring young athletes as they continue ue their expansion in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. The clinics will be available starting end-March, rch, in over 700 venues to more than an 30,000 children nationwide.

Arnis, ultimate frisbee and wushu are this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest additions to the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sports regular offerings of badminton, basketball, chess,, fencing, football, futsal, golf, gymnastics, karatedo, lawn tennis, parkour, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, touch rugby and volleyball.

Expert coaches and instructors who have

Q Kick off the summer with some martial arts.

competed and won in local and international competitions such as the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the Olympics will handle the programs. These mentors use modern and scientific approaches that will help participants gain appreciation for the different sports, live a healthy and active lifestyle, and embody the morals of discipline, confidence, teamwork, perseverance and hard work.

Q The annual summer clinic highlights sports as a means to get kids active and teach them valuable life lessons.

By centering on values in sports, the summer sports clinics, along with other sports programs, have created outstanding personas in the sporting scene. The roster of alumni includes basketball star Chris Tiu, taekwondo clinic graduate and SEA Games medalist Japoy Lizardo, and gymnastics clinic graduate and SEA Games gold medalist Kaitlyn De Guzman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look forward to nurture more children to be champions not just j as athletes but also as individuals,â&#x20AC;? said LLuigi Pumaren, M Milo Sports E Executive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We encourag parents to age int introduce their kid to a fun, ackids tive and healthy lifes lifestyle and mak their summake mer worthwhile with the MILO Summ Sports Summer Clinics he ended.

Clinics,â&#x20AC;?

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Funtimes

TUESDAY February 12, 2019

D3

Solution to Mega Maze

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (02/12/19). Thrive this year with help from your friends. Organization provides stability and strength.

Things could get chaotic at home. Summer amps up your physical efforts, before a change in plans. Winter introspection motivates a switch with health and work. Your team is your greatest inspiration.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- You can get what you need, despite financial worries. A hidden danger could arise. Conditions could change quickly. Slow down, and watch where you’re going.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 9 -- A barrier arises with a personal project. You can see what wasn’t working. Keep practicing. Work with someone who sees your blind spot.

G E M I N I (M AY 21-J U N E 20) - - To d a y i s a 6 - - F i n i s h u p w h a t y o u ’ v e b e g u n . R e v i e w, s o r t a n d f i l e . C o n s i d e r w h a t ’s ahead and how you’d like things to go. Schedule actions to forward that vision.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Surprising news impacts your team. Reach out to your networks and community for support. Lend a steady hand. Reinforce long-distance connections.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- An opportunity may seem like a lucky break. Things may not go as planned. Wait for developments. Advance when you have a reliable landing spot.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Your exploration takes an unexpected twist. Enjoy delicious deviations, while meeting your deadlines. Consider a persuasive argument carefully. A surprising opportunity is worth pursuing.

» SUDOKU

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- A change at work puts more coins in your pocket. Review finances carefully, or risk mistakes. Don’t get talked out of what you want. Compromise.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Unexpected circumstances arise for you and your partner. Work could interfere with play. Try another perspective. Look at a situation from another view.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- You can get what you need. A truth gets revealed. Practice to raise your physical skill levels. Ask for more and get it.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Let someone interesting draw you into a different world. Fact and fantasy may clash. Relax, and go for clarity. Have patience with breakdowns or false starts.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 6 -- Domestic upgrades may not go as planned. Long-term changes may require a short-term fix first. Stick to your budget. Restraint is advised.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Share your message. Articulate a dream, and invite participation. Others bring a whole new view. Results may not go as imagined. They could be better.

(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.

9

The Manila Times

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E 1

TTUESDAY, TUESDA UEE S DAY DAY AY, Fe February Febru ebrruary r arry r y 12 112, 22,, 20 201 2019 019 T H E M OTO R I N G S E C T I O N O F

Q E. Zobel Inc. EVP Jake Zobel and Audi Philippines head Benedicto Coyiuto pose beside the allnew Audi Q8.

All-new Audi Q8 highlighted at 16th Enrique Zobel Memorial Polo Cup

A

UDI Philippines and the Manila Polo Club hosted the much-anticipated 16th Enrique Zobel Memorial Polo Cup on February 3. This action-packed polo match is held annually in honor of the late Enrique Zobel, an avid polo player and former president of the Manila Polo Club from 1963 to 1964. The TRADITION IS NOW BEING CONTINUED BY HIS SON )ÄIGO :OBEL ONE OF THE kNEST POLO players in the Philippines and chairman of the E. Zobel Inc. ³Audi Q8E2

Q (From left), PGA Cars Chairman and Presidential Adviser on Capital Market Development Robert Coyiuto Jr., E. Zobel Foundation Chairperson Dee Anne Zobel, San Miguel Corp.

President and COO Ramon Ang, and E. Zobel Inc. Chairman Iñigo Zobel.

E 2

TUESDAY, February 12, 2019

Toyota PH spices up Vios races L INDUSTRY VETERANS BOLSTER INDYCAR ONG-TIME Philippine motor sports advocate Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has announced that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elevating its homegrown motorsports program this year with the launch of the Vios Racing Festival 2019.

Kicking off this April, TMP President Satoru Suzuki said that the Vios Racing Festival will â&#x20AC;&#x153;continue the trailblazing legacy of the Vios Cup,â&#x20AC;? pertaining to the long-running program that has brought motor sports closer to Filipino racing fans FOR kVE YEARS NOW For this year, TMP aims to deliver the action and excitement of motor sports to an even wider audience - bringing the thrill of racing not just to car enthusiasts but to anyone who wants to experience the heart-pumping excitement of driving. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through the Vios Racing Festival 2019, Toyota makes the waku doki experience more personal by intensifying the overall experience,â&#x20AC;? said Suzuki.

Waku doki is a Japanese term that describes that surge of emotion and joyful anticipation that one feels especially in thrilling and intense moments. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the waku doki principle that DEkNES 4OYOTA S RACING PROGRAMS ALL OVER THE WORLD

Two major elements

The Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Vios Racing Festival will have two major elements â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Vios Circuit Championship and the Vios Autocross Challenge.

The Vios Circuit Championship will have racers tackling the tracks of Clark Speedway in Pampanga using the all-new Vios. Participants from different areas in the country and of DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS WILL BE CLASSIkED UNDER THREE CLASSES Â&#x2021; promotional, sporting and celebrity.

The Vios Circuit Championship will have three legs with three races per leg, happening in June, September and November.

The Vios Autocross Challenge, meanwhile, will have racers participate in a timed competition within a Specially-designed obstacle course where participants can share the tracks with celebrities, media and car club racers.

It will be held in Metro Manila, with the goal of making the races more accessible to the public, whether as participants or spectators.

Mini autocross challenges will also be held at the end of each leg of the Vios Circuit Championship.

Side events outside the racetrack will also be put up to cater to those who are interested in other automobile-related activities like Toyota test drives.

MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS INDYCAR is bolstering the commercial side of its business with the addition of two veteran industry executives.

SJ Luedtke, a Nike sports marketing executive for the past decade, has been hired as INDYCAR Vice President, Marketing. She will be responsible for advancing INDYCARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand across all channels, managing event and experiential assets, accelerating fan growth and engagement and working with media partners to drive consumption and ratings.

Luedtke joined Nike in 2010, rising to senior brand director of football. She developed and paigns, led integrated camincluding â&#x20AC;&#x153;Make â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Em m Missâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who You Withâ&#x20AC;? while partnering ring with leadership to extend the 30th anniversary of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just Do Itâ&#x20AC;? campaign. gn. She oversaw key athlete brands suchh as Odell Beckham Jr., Antonio Brown, Russell Wilson, and Saquon Barkley.

Prior to working at Nike, Luedtke spent 14 years working in multiple areas of motor sports marketing, ting, including leading client services at Team Green and ng and heading up Andretti Green Racing Goodyear â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agency team leveraging ips across NASstrategic partnerships road racing.

CAR, NHRA and off-road en retained Mike Zizzo has been mmunications

by INDYCAR as a communications consultant. Zizzo is an award-

winning public relations executive with more than 22 years of experience in the motor sports industry, including managerial roles with two of North Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier racing sanctioning bodies.

Zizzo served as vice president of competition public relations for Championship Auto Racing Teams from 1996-2002 before joining NASCAR as the senior public relations manager with emphasis on competition from 2002-2005. He arrives at INDYCAR from Texas Motor Speedway, where he spent the past 13

years as the vice president of communications and was a two-time recipient of NASCARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Speedway Public Relations Representative of the Year Award. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The depth of knowledge and experience that SJ and Mike possess in their respective fields will strengthen our organization,â&#x20AC;? INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They both hold a passion for INDYCAR and are widely respected within our industry. They will immediately begin to actively engage with the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s numerous stakeholders to contribute to the continued growth and success of the NTT IndyCar Series.â&#x20AC;?

I N DYC A R.CO M

Q AUDI Q8 FROM E1

All-new Audi Q8 highlighted at 16th Enrique Zobel Memorial Polo Cup The afternoon festivities of the 16th Enrique Zobel Memorial Cup kicked off with the traditional parade of horses and the ceremonial throw-in by Dee Zobel, the wife of Enrique Zobel and chairperson E. Zobel Foundation, joined by Audi Philippines head Benedicto Coyiuto and Manila Polo Club General Manager August Samala. Everyone also witnessed the Philippine debut of the all-new Audi 1 THE OFkCIAL TROPHY CAR OF THIS YEAR S Polo games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very proud to launch the bold, new face of the Audi SUV family â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the all-new Audi Q8. It is the most advanced SUV from Audi, bringing together the characteristic design of a coupe and the comfort and safety of a large SUV. The Audi Q8 is also equipped with mild hybrid technology, resulting to a HIGHER LEVEL OF EFkCIENCY AND EXCELLENT engine performance,â&#x20AC;? said Coyiuto during the reveal of the all-new Audi Q8.

The Polo games started with four-chukker low goal match where the Audi Reds went against the Audi Grays with the Audi Reds winning the match with a score of 8-3. For the four-chukker high goal game, the Audi

Whites triumphantly emerged as victors in an intense bout against the Audi Blacks, ENDING THE AFTERNOON S GAME WITH THE kNAL score of 8-7.

Guests were also invited to join the traditional champagne toast during the half-time period of the high goal match.

The afternoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festivities drew to a close with the awarding of trophies to the winning teams and the parade of the all-new Audi Q8, the top model from Audi.

from the brand with the four rings. With the imposing Singleframe in octagonal design, the Audi Q8 is the new face of the SUV family. The brawny radiator grille stands upright and, together with the spoiler that has been drawn toward the front and the large, highly contoured AIR INLETS EMPHASIZES THE SELF CONkDENT look. Strong contours and athletically tight surfaces convey a feeling of power, sophistication and the special dynamics of the permanent all-wheel drive. The spoiler, The new face of the SUV wheel arch trims, door trim strips and diffamily: the all-new Audi fuser are in a contrasting color, to further Q8 emphasize the off-road look. Standard Richly equipped and tough enough for LED headlights illuminate the road, with off-road duty, the all-new Audi Q8 is a HD Matrix LED technology. Here both CONkDENT COMPANION FOR BUSINESS AND the three-dimensional signature of the leisure. The drive systems are particulary daytime running lights and the taillights EFkCIENT THANKS TO THE NEW MILD HYBRID have a digital character. technology (MHEV) incorporated in the all-new Audi Q8.

Sporty driving

Versatile, sporty, elegant: the exterior design

The Audi Q8 exudes sporty dynamics and upscale prestige like no other SUV

experience and new mild hybrid technology

Audi is quattro and quattro is Audi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; of course this applies in particular to the Q8, the top SUV of the brand. The purely mechanical center differential transfers

the forces to the front axle and rear axle at a ratio of 40:60 as standard. Audi offers the adaptive air suspension with controlled damping as a standard, with either comfort or sport setup. It adjusts the ride height depending on the driving situation and the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preference by as much as 90 millimeters.

The all-new Audi Q8 is a powerful, yet EFkCIENT LITER 4&3) THAT PRODUCES HP !LL DRIVE SYSTEMS ARE PARTICULARLY EFkcient thanks to the new MHEV. The 48-volt primary electrical system incorporates two important technology modules: a lithiumion battery and a belt alternator starter.

During braking, it can recover up to 12 kW of power and feed it back into the battery.

The MHEV technology enables long coasting phases with the engine deactivated and a start-stop range that begins at 22 kph.

Clarity is the new premium: the interior

Easy-to-understand symbols stand for the digital precision from Audi and for the high level of integration of architecture and operation. The central element is the top MMI touch response display. With the

MMI touch response operating concept of the new Audi Q8, nearly every function can be accessed via two large displays. Operation is swift and simple: A tactile and ACOUSTIC CLICK CONkRMS WHEN A kNGER ACTIvates a function. In addition to all this, the natural language voice control turns the Audi Q8 into an intelligent dialog partner.

Drivers can word their commands freely.

The instruments are shown in the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit. Its high-resolution 12.3-inch display can be switched between two views via the multifunction steering wheel. The Audi Q8 is top-notch with respect to sound with the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. It delivers fascinating 3D sound with height INFORMATION TO ALL kVE SEATS 4HE MUSIC unfolds exactly how it was recorded in the concert hall. Whether parking, in the city or on long journeys â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Audi Q8 supports its driver in many situations with the 360-degree cameras.

For more information, contact Audi Philippines at 7270381 to 85 or visit an Audi showroom in Greenhills, Global City, and Alabang, and SM Seaside City Cebu.

TUESDAY, February 12, 2019

E 3

Hondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new CRF450L motorcycle straddles the road and dirt But may struggle to find riders

F

BY CHARLES FLEMING

OR years, dual-sport riders have dreamed of the perfect dual-sport motorcycle, the just-right Goldilocks bike that would be as capable in the dirt as it is on the street, and CONQUER THE MOUNTAIN TRAILS AND CITY TRAFkC WITH equal ease.

Most offerings lean too heavily one way or the other. This light, nimble one is very good off-road but uncomfortable on the street. This solid, stable one is great on the street but clumsy in the dirt.

With the 2019 CRF450L, Honda has split the difference right down the middle and built a 50-50 machine that, unique among dual-sport motorcycles, is capable in exactly equal parts of riding the street and tackling the rough stuff.

But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s such an equitable blend of pretty good street bike and pretty good dirt bike that it may not be the right bike for anyone.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve spent a lot of time on Honda motorcycles over the years, making room in my garage for the 250R motocross bike, the 250X and 450X trail bikes, and the

650L dual-sport bike. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ridden and reviewed the newer CRF250L and the CRF1000L Africa Twin. They were all Honda-solid, Honda-dependable, and a little bit Honda-dull. The Japanese giant is not a risk taker. It builds bikes that perform well and run forever, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t push the envelope in terms of performance or styling.

4HE , kTS RIGHT IN 3TYLISTICALLY

it can get in line for the Honda family portrait, between the 250s and the 650s, next to its 450X brother, and look just right. Do you like Honda red? Good.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only color the 450L comes in.

The 2019 CRF450L is built largely from 450X parts, and shares that bikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engine, frame, chassis, suspension, fuelinjection system and other elements,

though it is fitted with a fan and a catalytic converter.

It shares the 450Xâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seat height of more than 37 inches, but has a one-inch longer swing arm and a slightly lower ground clearance. Despite the added weight of the converter, LED lights, turn signals, horn and other aspects that make it street legal, at 289 pounds fully fueled it is only 14 pounds heavier than its trail-bike sibling.

On-road, off-road performance

Its on-road performance is surprisingly good. Though it comes stock with knobby tires and a dirt-bike narrow seat, the 450L skipped nimbly along the pavement and was very well-mannered on canyon roads and even on the highway. Its six-speed gearbox allowed me to climb to 60 mph quickly and cruise at speeds above that comfortably. And Honda has made a smart move in ex-

tending the metal part of the frame all the way to the license plate, which will allow a longer-distance rider to attach saddlebags or other luggage.

Its off-road performance was a bigger surprise. On the open desert, it was a ROCKET ITS LONG TRAVEL ADJUSTABLE 3HOWA suspension eating up everything in its path. On hill climbs, it was a tractor, its low-revving four-stroke engine chugging up slopes composed of sand and loose rock.

The bike showed its weight on the skinny single tracks. There, it felt slower to turn and harder to manage than the 250X and 450X trail bikes, but not much. While it might be challenged by more technical trails strewn with roots, rocks and fallen trees, it tackled everything I undertook with aplomb.

Honda does not release horsepower or torque numbers, but shop owners and other experts I queried set those figures at about 42 and 35, respectively. Those arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t race-track levels, but I had no problem getting the 450Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 289 pounds to come off the line

quickly, come off the ground easily and loft the front wheel effortlessly with a twist of the throttle.

Honda is selling the 450L as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;trail to trailâ&#x20AC;? motorcycle, allowing the dualsport rider to go adventuring freely. Unlike the X bikes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s street legal and can be ridden on the roads and highways.

That creates easier access to OHV parks, national parks, trail systems and other riding areas that would otherwise require a pickup truck or trailer to enjoy.

Honda was accused of being too late to the adventure-bike game because it waited so long to introduce its Africa Twin. Has the company waited too long to make an impact on the dualsport market?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too soon to say, since the 450L has been on the market for only a couple of months. But I hope it succeeds. This is a SOLID MOTORCYCLE AND DESERVES TO kND ITS place in the dual-sport world.

TNS

E 4

TUESDAY, February 12, 2019

Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV is wonderful

But at $325,000, it should come with a driver

C

BY CHARLES FLEMING

YNICS snickered when Rolls-Royce Motor Co. announced in 2015 that it would build a luxury SUV. They snickered a little more when the fabled English car company said the SUV would be named Cullinan, after the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest gemquality diamond, and would cost more than $300,000.

An all-season, off-road, ultra-luxury SUV? From Rolls-Royce? Called what? And for more money than most Americans paid for their houses? Ridiculous!

Keep snickering. The 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan is here, and it is ridiculous. And rather wonderful.

Tipping the scales at an elephantine 5,984 pounds, propelled by a massive 6.75-liter V-12 twin-turbo engine, the Cullinan looks like what Rolls-Royce SAYS IT IS g4HE WORLD S kRST SUPER LUXURY all-terrain SUV.â&#x20AC;?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enormous â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 17.5 feet long, 7 feet wide and more than 6 feet tall, riding on 22-inch wheels â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and imposing, from the traditional Rolls-Royce grille, across a hood long enough to contain the V-12 engine, all the way to the gaping rear hatchback doors.

The result is one of the oddest-looking vehicles ever built. It incorporates design elements no other car company could possibly attempt. The Cullinan is like a large milk truck, with a cow catcher attached to the front, that is elegant enough to transport members of the royal family to the Royal Albert Hall.

The model I drove was painted Andalusian White, its interior draped in Dark Spice leather with Mandarin piping, accented with Open Pore Mimosa Calamander wood paneling, polished stainless steel knobs, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;technical bespoke clockâ&#x20AC;? and LAMBSWOOL lOORMATS 9ES LAMBSWOOL The enveloping front seats were heated, ventilated, endlessly adjustable and included massage functions. The enormous rear seats â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Cullinan can be had in FOUR OR kVE PASSENGER VERSIONS Â&#x2021; OFFER vast head and leg room, and are also highly adjustable.

They face drop-down â&#x20AC;&#x153;picnic tables,â&#x20AC;?

above which are highdefinition entertainment screens. The center console between the REAR SEATS CAN BE kTTED with accessories such as a beverage service area that includes a Champagne cooler. Each rear passenger seat also has its own climate control settings.

The front and rear â&#x20AC;&#x153;suicideâ&#x20AC;? doors open and close electronically, and silently, with the push of a button, enclosing driver and passengers in a cozy cocoon. But the enormous windshield and tall, wide side windows create wondrous visibility. The panoramic glass sunroof retracts far enough for a rear passenger to stand up and parade-wave, like a queen, to the multitudes.

Is it drizzling? Open the rear door, push another button and an umbrella glides gently into your hand â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or, presumably, into the hand of the staff member entrusted with keeping you dry as you exit the vehicle.

Behind the rear seats is a storage area big enough to accommodate all the golf clubs, gun bags, luggage or picnic equipment youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d need for a proper â&#x20AC;&#x153;Downton Abbeyâ&#x20AC;? weekend outing.

The motoring experience is peerless.

Never, perhaps, has so much power been combined with so much plush. The CulLINAN WHETHER EASING THROUGH CITY TRAFkC or pulsing up the open road, could almost

be mistaken for an electric vehicle.

It is silent, throbbing gently and making the faintest purr only when under extreme acceleration, and smoothly indifferent to imperfections in the road, thanks in part to the sophisticated air suspension system.

The eight-speed transmission, connected to an all-wheel-drive system that includes rearwheel steering, is unintrusive and seamless.

I experienced no difference whatsoever â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in wind noise, road noise or vibration â&#x20AC;&#x201D; between 50 mph and twice that. (The Cullinan boasts an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kittenish at that velocity, too.)

The extreme silence â&#x20AC;&#x201D; reportedly the result of specialized foam in the front wheels, laminated glass and hundreds of extra pounds of sound-deadening materials â&#x20AC;&#x201D; allows the â&#x20AC;&#x153;bespoke audioâ&#x20AC;? and gREAR THEATER CONkGURATIONu TO WORK AT maximum perfection.

I cued up Handelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Water Musicâ&#x20AC;? and set the navigation, one of the best I have ever experienced, for a destination 120 miles to the north. Two movements later, it seemed, I had arrived.

The 30-gallon gas tank allowed me to get there without refueling â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not entirely a surprise for a tank that size, except that the Cullinan consumes fuel at an average rate of 14 miles per gallon. (The Cullinan MSRP includes a $2,600 â&#x20AC;&#x153;gas guzzlerâ&#x20AC;? fee.)

Off-road capabilities, rivals

On the return trip, I decided to test the off-road capabilities. Somewhere in the Tehachapi foothills, near Willow Springs,

I left the highway for a stretch of unpaved side road, engaged the â&#x20AC;&#x153;off roadâ&#x20AC;? mode and allowed the Cullinan to be a real SUV. First I assayed a quarter-mile of sand.

Then I pushed a button to raise the vehicle and increase the ground clearance, and climbed a rocky hill. On the other side, I engaged the automatic hill descent system and let the Cullinan apply the correct amount of braking to bring us safely to level ground again.

Then I turned around and went back up the opposite way, enjoying the Cullinanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quiet, capable demeanor. It kept calm, and carried on, until near the top, when its street tires spun and struggled TO kND ENOUGH TRACTION TO GET OVER THE top. Once over, I returned to the sandy road and drove a few miles through the tumbleweeds and sage brush.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible that a bolder driver could have done more with the rough stuff than I did. But I was alone, and off the cellular grid, and a voice in my head kept saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dude, you remember this is a $400,000 automobile, right?â&#x20AC;? (Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with various options; the base is $325,000.)

Perhaps mindful of its own MSRP, and the concurrent high cost of repairs, the Cullinan is equipped with an impressive suite of sensors to help the driver avoid scraping the curb, hitting parked cars or backing into pedestrians.

The backup camera view can even be adjusted, from the infotainment screen IN THE DASH TO FOCUS ON SPECIkC AREAS OF concern â&#x20AC;&#x201D; when backing around a tricky obstacle, for example.

But the Cullinan does not park itself, and seemed to be missing some of the driver aids that one would expect from such an advanced, expensive vehicle.

Though the vehicle does come equipped with adaptive cruise control, it does not include other semiautonomous driving technology, now standard on most luxury vehicles, that can make an inattentive or irresponsible driver safer on the road.

And I was troubled to see that, on the car I borrowed, the lovely Spirit of Ecstasy statuette that sits on the Cullinan grille did not retract and then reemerge when directed.

On the other hand, the Cullinan comes standard with â&#x20AC;&#x153;self-righting wheel centers,â&#x20AC;? which means the double-R RollsRoyce emblem is always right side up when the car is parked.

Rolls is coming very late to the SUV game. Having held out long enough to watch the arrival and sales successes of Porscheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Macan and Cayenne, Maseratiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Levante, Alfa Romeoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stelvio, Bentleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bentayga, and even the Lamborghini Urus we reviewed here recently, Rolls is the last luxury brand but Ferrari to put a utility vehicle into its line.

Someone who is not a buyer for this car may ask, reasonably, who is the buyer for this car? BMW-owned Rolls-Royce, which just completed its best sales year ever, says that fully half of the buyers of its new SUV have never owned a Rolls before, and that the average Cullinan customer already owns ABOUT kVE OTHER VEHICLES 3O POTENTIAL BUYers are probably not asking â&#x20AC;&#x153;How much is TNS it?â&#x20AC;? but â&#x20AC;&#x153;How good is it?â&#x20AC;?

F 1

TUESDAY February 12, 2019 Q Rally legend Hiroshi Masuoka drove the Strada around the dirt track of the Pradera Verde, reminiscent of his days at the Paris-Dakar Rally.

THE MOTORING SECTION OF

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MATTHEW EMMANUEL BUHION

H

eritage; a vital part of culture and history.

Create a model nameplate that spans a history of 40 years, and you have yourself a facet of the automotive industry. Mitsubishi extends the heritage of the Strada name by introducing the 2019 Mitsubishi Strada, with an event that reminds us of how great Mitsubishi can engineer a vehicle, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beyond Tough.â&#x20AC;?

40 years on The 2019 Mitsubishi Strada comes with a macho appearance, recognizable across the Mitsubishi line of vehicles. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dynamic Shieldâ&#x20AC;? design is also visible on the well-loved people mover Xpander, and the domestic marketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best mid-sized SUV, the Montero Sport, all three of which share similar front ends. The seamless incorporation of the LED projector headlamps, and the grille give this truck a wider and more solid face. Its sharp, aggressive lines, express a modern toughness, giving the 2019 Strada an impenetrable overall look.

Package everything, and you get Mitsubishiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rock Soildâ&#x20AC;? design concept, which embodies toughness inside and out.

Mitsubishiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough truck manual transmission. !FTER THE TEST DRIVE --0# GAVE THEIR guests a special treat, by putting the 2019 Mitsubishi Strada through the paces, with only one of the toughest drivers on earth.

equipped with a GPS Navigation System.

The 2019 Strada also can boast seating for kVE ADULTS FROM ITS UNIQUE * ,INE DESIGN

which cleverly shortens the wheelbase and maximizes the interior space. The upper variants of GLX Plus have supple leather all around the interior. Who says tough canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come with class?

Hero in Hiroshi

How tough is tough?

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp.

(MMPC) brought members of the motoring media, along with VIPs and loyal Mitsubishi Motors customers to Pradera Verde in Lubao, Pampanga, for a day of dirt, and fun. Introduced with much fanfare, all you want to do is take the 2019 Strada under your control and expand your limits. This writer test-drove the Strada GLX Aging with vlass The 2019 Mitsubishi Strada just has to be Plus 2WD and the Strada GT with Super parked in front of you to give you an im- Select 4-Wheel Drive, and right off the pression of its toughness. Open the door starting line commended how comfortand step inside, and let it impress you with able the ride was. This 2019 Mitsubishi ITS SUPERIOR REkNEMENT !CROSS THE LINE OF Strada is not just a face lifted version, but Stradas (GT, GLS and GLX Plus), the center also includes an improved rear suspension CONSOLE IS kTTED WITH A $). 4OUCH 3CREEN from the larger rear dampers that contains MONITOR WITH -0 TUNER 53" I0OD !58 more damping oil.

Putting the two Stradas against each Bluetooth with Mirror Link feature. To other in Pradera Verdeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rallycross track add to that, every multi-media system is

Q Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) officially unveils the new Strada at the Pradera Verde in Lubao, Pampanga. In photo from L-R: Arlan Reyes, Jr. - General Manager for Marketing Communications and Planning (MMPC), Mutsuhiro Oshikiri - President & CEO (MMPC), Hiroshi Masuoka - 2-time Paris Dakar Rally Champion/ Chief Expert, Corporate Planning & Development Engineering Office - Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (Japan), Taichi Nakajima - Executive Vice President - MMPC gave the feeling of just how well engineered the vehicles were. Through the sliding turns, both 4WD and 2WD were very predictable and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t prove to be a struggle keeping them in control. Powering Mitsubishiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jewel pick-up truck is the 2.4-liter in-line 16-valve DOHC Clean Diesel with Variable Geometry Turbo

and MIVEC. Internally this is known as the 4N15, which has proven to be a powerful and reliable power plant. The 4N15 produces 181 PS at 3,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 430 Nm at 2,500 rpm. Every variant across the 2019 Strada line has the option of a 6-speed automatic gearbox with Sports Mode, or a 6-Speed

One of the, if not the toughest race in the world is the Dakar Rally. Imagine racing through terrain from Paris, France, all the way to Dakar, Senegal, amassing a total of

KILOMETERS AND COMING IN kRST PLACE not just once, but twice! That was a feat done by Hiroshi Masuoka, a Dakar Rally back-to-back winner for 2002 and 2003 in a Mitsubishi. MMPC gave their guest a ride of a lifetime with Masuoka showing just how tough the 2019 Mitsubishi Strada was. Putting it through drops, multiple high speed turns, jumps and even a 30 degree angle, Masuoka does it all in stride.

For your consideration Get yourself in the drivers seat of a 2019 Mitsubishi Strada if you like the styling of the Montero Sport, the comfort of an Xpander, but still need the utility of a pick-up truck. Visit a Mitsubishi dealership nearest you, and have a go yourself!

Pricing for the current generation Strada starts at P1.165 million for the entry level GLX Plus 2WD M/T and up to the top TIER '4 7$ ! 4 WITH A STICKER PRICE OF P1.67 million.

F 2

TUESDAY Februar y 12, 2019

Q Kia and Ayala top executives flank the Soluto, one of three cars to be launched this year by Kia PH.

Ayala relaunches Kia in the domestic market

Q Manny Aligada, Kia PH president, is targeting a younger set for the brand.

T

PHOTOS BY DINO RAY DIRECTO 3RD

HE Kia brand was re-launched in the Philippines at an â&#x20AC;&#x153;unboxingâ&#x20AC;? event on *ANUARY AT THE -AKATI 3HANGRI ,A TAKING the next step in expanding its market presence after over two decades in the country. Kia Philippines now operates under AC Industrials, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF !YALA #ORP !#

!# )NDUSTRIALS ACQUISITION OF +IA 0HILippines, marking the sixth brand under its vehicle distribution and dealership unit !# !UTOMOTIVE IS IN LINE WITH ITS STRATEGIC THRUST TO STRENGTHEN !# !UTOMOTIVE S SIGNIkCANT PRESENCE IN THE LOCAL AUTOMOtive market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are excited to introduce Kiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wide range of model line-up as well as a new brand of sales and service experience for Filipinos. We are delighted to partner with Kia Motors Corp. in this endeavor and we

what we have achieved globally in this promising market as well. For that, Kia provides competitive products and will do so continuously. To prove this, Kia decided to export the Soluto with the Philippines AS THE kRST EXPORT MARKET 4ODAY IS THE kRST OFkCIAL DAY TO INTRODUCE THIS ATTRACTIVE model to Filipino customers,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The Soluto offers an array of value-

for-money features, highlighted by the 1.4-liter Dual-CVVT gasoline engine that produces 95 PS of power and 132 Nm of torque, combined with a spacious interior AS WELL AS STANDARD INCH 4OUCHSCREEN !UDIO WITH !NDROID !UTO !PPLE #ARPLAY

6-speaker system, rearview camera, and steering wheel controls with EX-exclusive features such as leatherette seats and rear

look forward to many years of working together as we reestablish the Kia brand IN THE 0HILIPPINES u SAID !# 0RESIDENT &ERNANDO :OBEL DE !YALA EXPRESSED IN HIS special message. +IA -OTORS !SIA 0ACIkC 0RESIDENT 4ED ,EE NOTED THE SIGNIkCANCE OF THE 0HILIPpine market to Kiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Global Kia has been growing in the last decade as we recorded historical sales growth, enhanced our design excellence and proved our world-class quality. I strongly hope to see

parking distance warning. The retail prices of the four variants of the Soluto range from P625,000 to P735,000. The variants are available in Clear White, Titanium 3ILVER !URORA "LACK 0EARL "LUE 3TREAM

and Marcato Red colors.

The new Soluto joins Kia Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; familiar roster of vehicles like the trendy sub-compact hatchback Picanto and Rio, the technology-laden Sportage SUV, the powerful yet comfortable Sorento SUV, the versatile and spacious Grand Carnival MPV, and the dependable workhorse K2500.

The re-launch of Kia in the Philippines also featured the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s push to capture the younger segment of the automotive market, as Kia Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sponsored the PH leg of the all-girl Korean pop sensation BlackPink, which performed on February AT THE 3- -ALL OF !SIA !RENA WITH THE Soluto being displayed at the lobby. The next Kia unboxing will also be held at THE -ANILA )NTERNATIONAL !UTO 3HOW IN !PRIL THIS YEAR

DRIVING UP TAGAYTAY IN AN ERTIGA fiddle with the Ertigaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interior and creature COMFORTS !DJUSTING THE FRONT AND MIDDLE ROW seats reveal a more spacious legroom on the FRESH OFF ITS PUBLIC LAUNCH IN *ANUARY 3UZUKI new model easing passengersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; legs on the long Philippines (SPH) subjected the all-new Ertiga trek south. Folding the third row seats allow for to a litmus test by way of a ride and drive with a bigger luggage space - more than enough for the motoring media. The jump off point for the a getaway trip outside the city. The vented cup two-day event was at Suzukiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pasig dealership holders at the front may not keep ice from melting and participants drove up to the cold and scenic in an ice-cold drink, but it did keep the drink as destination at the exclusive Tagaytay Highlands. cool as when it was bought a couple hours ago. !FTER THE WHOLE TEAM TOOK THEIR LUNCH BREAK AT â&#x20AC;&#x153;The old Ertiga contributed to 30 percent of our total sales last year, which helped us launch the Tagaytay Highlands, Suzuki has hosted a photothe new one just recently. We hope that people shoot competition in which automotive journalists can learn more about the new Ertiga through this from various publications vied for the best picture, test drive, along with many other technologies with photoshoot locations scattered all around the inputted in this product,â&#x20AC;? SPH General Manager resort, allowing the new Ertiga to stretch its legs.

The winding roads and rolling hills inside Tagaytay Keiichi Suzuki told Fast Times.

Before leaving the starting point Highlands served as a proving ground for the new AT THE 3UZUKI !UTO 0ASIG Ertiga to show off its improved ride comfort and dealership to join the new powertrain. Replacing the 1.4-liter mill is a convoy, automo- new 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine dubbed the K15B tive journal- producing 105 horsepower - 10 hp more than the ists got to old engine. While the journey from Pasig to the highlands was 62 kilometers, the engine proved to be frugal - barely eating a bar of fuel on the journey down south, and still having more than half full after the journey back home. The 10-hp increase

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ALAIN LOUISE C. GERONIMO

Q SPH General Manager Keiichi Suzuki expressing words of gratitude during lunch at the Bag of Beans restaurant in Tagaytay.

and slightly increased torque also paid dividends, thanks to a linear power delivery, especially when traversing uphill roads in the highlands.

Platform shared with Swift,Dzire The engine showed its potential at around 4,000 rpm as it caught up with the convoy at the highWAY MAKING IT AS QUICK AS IT IS FRUGAL !LL THE TEST units were the top-of-the-line GLX trim that had 4-speed automatic transmission, with closer gear ratios over the old one.

The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heartectâ&#x20AC;? platform shared with the Swift and Dzire gave the Ertiga a slightly better ride over its predecessor, as well as reduced noise and vibration inside the cabin. It may rattle slightly over uneven ground, but not as harsh as the old one did. Handling is stable as well, without compromising for the ride, thanks to its stiffer platform. The combination of power and ride qualities aided everyone to get their eye-catching shots in almost each of the seven photoshoot spots in time before sundown.

The whole runaround inside Tagaytay Highlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rolling roads helped the new Ertiga stretch its legs within the local shores, and with a P978,000 price tag, it does give other vehicles in its class a run for the money.

Q The first units of the new Ertiga at the start area, ready to be thrashed and driven.

Tuned

TUESDAY Februar y 12, 2019

F 3

Track attack TEXT BY DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD PHOTOS BY PORSCHE

I

F youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got the money and the balls, you might probably want to have the quickest and most powerful Porsche road car in its 86-year history.

Built from 1993-2012, the GT2 is a more powerful variant of the Porsche 911 Turbo that was also lighter from its eschewing of all-wheel drive in favor of more traditional rear-wheel drive. This current generation GT2 blows past the earlier cars with a full 700 hp from the FAMILIAR 0ORSCHE lAT IN LITER FORM ,IKE its predecessors, the GT2 shares a number of COMPONENTS WITH THE 4URBO 3 BUT AMPLIkED for greater performance.

The large turbochargers add to the boost, and a new added cooling system keeps the powertrain from overheating, and also sprays the charge-air cooler with WATER DURING EXTREME TEMPERATURES !DDED throughput comes by way of a titanium exhaust system that is 15 pounds lighter than that used in the Porsche Turbo. Power is sent from the engine through a 7-speed

double-clutch transmission.

The 911 GT2 RS reaches high speeds, THANKS TO ITS lAWLESS RACING CHASSIS WITH REAR axle steering and Ultra High Performance (UHP) tires. Like all GT sports cars, the new top model features a specially calibrated PSM with a Sport mode that is tailored to provide optimal driving dynamics. Powerful air intakes and outlets and the imposing rear wing emphasize that the vehicleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aerodynamics have mastered both form and design. The large, wide wheels (265/35 ZR 20) at the front and rear (325/30 ZR 21) ensure outstanding braking and cornering.

The 911 GT2 RS features Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) as standard. The front wings, wheel housing vents, outer shells on the Sport Design exterior mirrors, air intakes on the rear

side sections, and parts of the rear end are MADE FROM CARBON kBER REINFORCED PLASTIC (CFR), as are many of the interior components. The bonnet is also made from carbon to make the vehicle as lightweight as possible, while the standard trim roof is made from magnesium.

Visible body changes are evident from THE CAR S CARBON kBER HOOD A MAGNESIUM roof, and front wings, wheel housing vents, outer shells on the side view mirrors, side rear air intakes, and rear end parts made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic. The car weighs a relatively lightweight 3,241 pounds, which lends itself to an exceptionally quick 0-62 mph time of 2.8 seconds, and a top speed of 211 mph. )F YOU STILL kND THESE NUMBERS LACKING BUY a bullet train.

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FITS LIKE A GLOVE

Spruce up car interiors with Sparco

WITH countless hours spent on research and development in Thailand, Hippo Industries 3D digital mapped techmats are the most affordable and best designed in comparison to their nearest competitor that are double the price. It is also the techmats of choice of automotive dealers from its competitive pricing and innovative material Thermo Plasti Vulcanisil B, which is weather and scratch proof. Hippo techmats are designed to precisely fit specific vehicles, providing edge-to-edge coverage of the foot wells.

Aside from being the most affordable 3D digital mapped floormats in the market today, Hippo also have raised edges around their perimeters to trap and contain liquid. All of this

REGARDED as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest automotive accessories retail chain with 58 stores nationwide, Blade has carved a respectable niche in the after-market industry with its extensive line of affordable automotive accessories, and car care products that ranges from car audio-video down to air fresheners and wheels.

Among their popular brands is Sparco,  an Italian auto part and accessory company headquartered in Volpiano, Turin, Italy, that specializes in producing items such as seats, steering wheels, harnesses, race wear and helmets. In the Philippines, Blade is the distributor for Sparcoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifestyle products such as seat covers and floor mats. Sparco floor mats are easy to clean and made from a non-skid backing material and designed to universally fit most cars and SUVs. All of their stores carry globally

better protects your carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carpets from water, dirt, mud and other messy things that can get trapped into the vehicleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carpets or spilled onto the floor.

Hippo Floormats have precise fitments for the Mitsubishi Montero; Toyota Fortuner; Ford Everest; Honda Civic, Mobilio, BRV and new CRV; Chevrolet variants; and pick-ups such as the Toyota Hi-Lux, Mitsubishi Strada and Ford Ranger; the new Nissan Terra SUV and GTR; and even the Honda Civic Type R. Check out a full range of luggage, off-road accessories and floormats at the GW2 Trading Corp. showroom in 16B Kabignayan Street, Barangay Dona Josefa, Quezon City or call 0917-7103846/+6322420959/0929 or e-mail them at gw2tradingcorp@ gmail.com.

recognized brands such as Sparco, OMP, Goodyear, Polaroid and Chupa Chups. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The brands we carry are all licensed and Blade is an official distributor of the aforementioned brands. All branded merchandise that we carry are original and licensed,â&#x20AC;? explained Albert Go of Blade. For brands such as Sparco, OMP and Goodyear, Blade caters to the consumer line of automotive products such as air compressors, seat belt pads, and car floor mats. They also offer a complete line of car care products such as Blade signature products, Sonax, Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Meguiarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Wurth, among others.

Blade Auto Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s line of car accessories and gadgets are reasonably priced from its making high purchase volume. Its automotive lifestyle stores are located in SM, Ayala, and Robinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Malls nationwide.

F 4

Heavy Duty

TUESDAY

February 12, 2019

China to phase out 1million outdated trucks by 2020 C

HINA is working on a plan to replace more than 1 million outdated heavy-duty diesel trucks with more modern trucks capable of complying with â&#x20AC;&#x153;China VIâ&#x20AC;?, electric TRUCKS OR UNITS POWERED BY LIQUEkED NATURAL GAS ,.' BY THE END of 2020. This plan is part of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to curb pollution.

China marks its fifth year of declaring â&#x20AC;&#x153;war against pollutionâ&#x20AC;? but the average emission level REMAINS SIGNIkCANTLY HIGH IN THE NORTHERN CITIES near Beijing. Truck transportation contributes to about 57.3 percent of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total nitrogen dioxide emissions and more than three quarters of airborne particulate matter though diesel trucks accounted

for only 7.8 percent of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total vehicles.

China is on a drive to make better use of its extensive railroad network to deliver goods. The share of rail freight in total freight volumes only amounted to 7.7 percent in 2017, but this rate would increase in future and more long-distance bulk commodities will be delivered by ship or rail. CHINATRUCKNEWS

Workhorse secures loan, Duke to supply batteries

Ford boosts EcoSport line-up with new Titanium variant FORD Philippines is expanding its Ford EcoSport portfolio with the launch of the NEW , 4ITANIUM !4 VARIANT THAT RUNS ON a new engine and transmission. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ford EcoSport remains one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite SUVs with its quality design, rugged capability, best-in-class features, superior fuel economy, and great value for money. With the introduction of this new variant, we are giving our customers another option to enjoy the mini-SUV and its street smart capabilities,â&#x20AC;? said Ryan Lorenzo, assistant vice president for marketing, Ford Philippines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The EcoSport 1.5-liter Titanium combines the performance of a new powertrain and the segment-leading features of the Titanium variant to provide a differentiated urban driving experience that only the EcoSport can offer.â&#x20AC;?

Here are four things about the EcoSport 1.5-liter Titanium variant:

Powerful and fuel-efficient engine The new EcoSport Titanium variant offers A POWERFUL YET FUEL EFkCIENT DRIVING PERFORmance with the new and powerful 1.5-liter Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) engine mated with the new 6-speed automatic transmission, allowing for smoother and faster acceleration and better fuel economy.

experience safer and more comfortable.

It has smart keyless entry, power sunroof, rear view camera with rear parking assist, as well as six airbags to ensure maximum driver safety.

Other safety features include hill-start assist control, electronic brakeforce distribution system, electric power-assisted steering, electronic stability control, and anti-lock braking system.

Since the new EcoSport was launched last year, it has become a familiar sight on city streets across the country, having gained an even wider appeal for its unmistakable combination of agility, affordABILITY AND FUEL EFkCIENCY OF A COMPACT CAR WITH THE GROUND CLEARANCE lEXIBILITY AND spaciousness of an SUV. The EcoSport 1.5-liter Titanium is availABLE AT 0 MILLION AND COMES IN !BSOlute Black, Ingot Silver, Ruby Red, Canyon Ridge, Crystal White, and Blue Lightning Smart technologies for colors. The new variant boosts the line-up driver convenience It is also powered by SYNC 3 that allows OF %CO3PORT VEHICLES TO kVE VARIANTS WHICH drivers to keep their eyes on the road and starts at P918,000. The other EcoSport varihands on the wheel while staying connect- ANTS ARE THE LITER %CO"OOST 4ITANIUM !4 ed. SYNC 3 features voice control for the (automatic transmission), 1.5-liter Trend entertainment system and the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calls !4 LITER 4REND -4 MANUAL TRANSMISAND TEXT MESSAGES 4HE !PP,INK FEATURE SION AND LITER !MBIENTE -4 Customers can visit the nearest Ford dealeron SYNC 3 also allows passengers to use their favorite smartphone applications via ship to check out the new EcoSport 1.5-liter the SUVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8-inch colored touchscreen. It Titanium and the other EcoSport variants. also has a 7-speaker audio system.

About Ford Motor Company Refreshed look, inside out

The EcoSport 1.5-liter Titanium has a ground clearance of 209 mm and its exterior features a refreshed grille, a new hood design, headlamps and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The new variant is also more adaptable with added smart storage spaces. It can handle a load of up to 1,178 liters, with Advanced safety features 25 smart storage compartments for coffee and DATs cups, smartphones, tablets, umbrellas, The EcoSport 1.5-liter Titanium is bottles and other accessories. Its trunk is EQUIPPED WITH MULTIPLE $RIVER !SSIST spacious enough to accommodate luggage 4ECHNOLOGIES $!4S THAT MAKE THE DRIVING for out of town trips for city dwellers.

Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln LUXURY VEHICLES PROVIDES kNANCIAL SERVICES through Ford Motor Credit Co. and is purSUING LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN ELECTRIkCAtion, autonomous vehicles, and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

WORKHORSE Group, which manufactures electric delivery vans for UPS, FedExAND OTHER lEET OPERATORS HAS SECURED MILLION IN NEW kNANCING FROM -ARATHON !SSET -ANAGEMENT 7ORKHORSE WILL USE THE PROCEEDS TO REPAY A *ULY ROUND OF senior secured notes, and to acquire parts TO FULkLL CUSTOMER ORDERS Marathon will provide the funds in TWO SEPARATE TRANCHES A MILLION lump sum that will be used principally to satisfy repayment of the senior secured NOTES AND A MILLION REVOLVING CREDIT line from which Workhorse may draw as necessary to meet existing and future purchase orders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This agreement provides meaningful near-term funding that will go directly toward building and delivering vehicles to customers in 2019,â&#x20AC;? said Workhorse Chief %XECUTIVE /FkCER 3TEVE "URNS g;!LSO= WE have repaid, in full, our previous debt OBLIGATIONS FROM *ULY WHICH WILL REMOVE

all covenants associated with that arrangement, including the obligation to sell our eVTOL aircraft, SureFly.â&#x20AC;?

Workhorse also announced that it continues working with Duke Energy to create a battery leasing program designed to provide customers with a cost-competitive electric vehicle alternative. In November, as the first step in the relationship, a subsidiary of Duke purchased 615,000 0ANASONIC BATTERY CELLS FOR MILLION from Workhorse. Duke intends to explore further development of eFleet solutions to Workhorse customers, which may include SINGLE POINT MANAGEMENT AND kNANCING of all the Behind the Meter (BTM) infrastructure necessary to support depot-wide ELECTRIkCATION VEHICLE BATTERY LEASING AND distributed energy resources.

Duke and Workhorse believe a seamless integrated solution will help reduce the OVERALL COSTS OF CONVERTING lEETS TO ELECTRIC power.

WORKHORSE