THE MANILA TIMES |FEBRUARY 13, 2019

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

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Trusted since 1898

PNP bares 701 poll hotspots

BY ROY D.R. NARRA

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TOTAL of 701 cities and municipalities nationwide are now considered election hotspots for the May 13 midterm polls, according to the latest update released by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday.

PNP chief Oscar Albayalde said in a NEWS BRIEkNG THAT THE NUMBER OF ELECTION hotspots increased based on their latest validated information.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) had the most number of election hotspots with 98, followed by Bicol with 72 and the Ilocos Region with 64.

Five Metro Manila cities are listed un-

der the yellow category: Mandaluyong, Manila, Caloocan, Malabon and Pasay.

The 701 poll hotspots make up 42.9 percent of the 1,634 cities and towns nationwide.

Albayalde said the election hotspots were categorized and color-coded based on a set of parameters.

ÂłHotspots A2

Q Hartigan Go (center), who wrote the report; left, a Sanofi executive; right, his former boss ex-health secretary Garin.

Survey on drop in trust in vaccines: If not fake, a flawed poll

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HE shriek i n g claims that there has been a steep fall in Filipinos’ trust in vaccines is based on a poll that, if not fake, is DEEPLY lAWED ³TiglaoA6

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RIGG RRIGOBERTO DD. TIGLAO

BROTHERS FOREVER Davao City-based regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago senatorial candidates and brothers Sen. Joseph Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito and Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada share the stage during the party’s kickoff campaign in San Fernando, Pampanga on Tuesday.

The total defilement of our politics

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FIRST

THINGS ONFIRST GRESS finally approved the P3.757-trillion 2019 General Appropriations Act this week, a full month after the kSCAL YEAR ROLLED OFF WITHOUT AN APPROVED national budget, thereby keeping President Rodrigo Duterte from fully reenacting the 2018 budget, as Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo used to do, when she was president of the Philippines.

FRANCISCO S. TATAD

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PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ

Sara launches own slate in Pampanga THE COALITION of senatorial bets under Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party kicked off its 90-day election campaign in voterich Pampanga on Tuesday morning.

Hosted by Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, HNP staged its initial

campaign sortie in the city of San Fernando. This was followed by a separate campaign rally in Angeles City on Tuesday afternoon.

Pampanga is the known bailiwick of former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The regional party endorsed 13

What’s inside

Rise of POGO segment:

Boon or bane?

TAHO-THROWING CHINESE FACES DEPORTATION

NewsA8

HARDEN KEEPS STREAK ALIVE, LEONARD FIRES RAPTORS SportsC1

Build&Design C1 COUNTING OF VOTES SHOULD BE DONE IN PUBLIC AGAIN Gus LagmanA4

HAIL THE THREE QUEENS

EntertainmentE1

names for the senatorial race though only 12 spots are at stake in the Senate.

HNP-endorsed candidates include re-electionist senators Aquilino “Koko� Pimentel 3rd, Juan Edgardo “Sonny� Angara, Cynthia Villar and Jose Victor “JV� Ejercito, as well as

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THE MANILA TIMES ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2019

BSP deputy governor to give outlook on banking sector

ARELLANO University annexed its maiden three-peat after smashing University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 22-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-18, in the deciding game for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women’s volleyball

BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier will deliver the outlook for the banking sector at The Manila Times Economic Outlook 2019, which will have the theme “Riding the Tailwinds: Pursuing Growth and Value Amid

ÂłGame 3 A8

ÂłOutlookA8

Arellano pummels Perpetual in Game 3

Q Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier

HENRY FORD AWARDS

Fast Times bags Best Automotive Section Award anew

BY DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD THE Fast Times, The Manila Times’ motoring section, won yet again the Best Automotive Section Award at the Henry Ford Awards (HFA), held Monday night at the Fifth at Rockwell in Makati City. ³AwardA8 Q (From left) The Manila Times’ Guian Karlo Avante, Roda Alonzo Zabat and Motoring Editor Dino Ray Directo 3rd with Bertrand Lessard, managing director of Ford Motor Company Philippines, during the Henry Ford Awards (HFA), held on Monday night at the Fifth at Rockwell in Makati City. Fast Times, the motoring section of The Manila Times, won anew the Best Automotive Section Award in this year’s HFA. PHOTO BY J.GERARD SEGUIA

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

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News

˜ The Manila Times WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

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SECOND BANGSAMORO PLEBISCITE

Comelec fails to finish canvassing T

BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

HE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec), sitting as the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers .0"# HAS AGAIN FAILED TO OFkCIALLY PROclaim the inclusion and non-inclusion of areas in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM), pending THE TABULATION AND AUDIT OF CERTIkCATES OF canvass (CoCs) in four municipalities.

“Considering the report from the working group, it’s clear that WE CAN T kNISH TABULATION AND AUdit for today. We will‌reconvene tomorrow at 2 p.m.,â€? said Comelec #HAIRMAN 3HEkFF !BBAS ON 4UESday after the session, which lasted only for an hour.

A tabulation and audit group has SO FAR kNISHED THE CANVASS WITHOUT corrections from the municipalities of Carmen, Tolonan and Aleosan, all in North Cotabato.

Provincial canvassers declared the canvass of CoCs from Lanao del Norte as canvassed after ruling on the discrepancy in the total

number of registered voters in the statement of votes (SoV) and CoC. The audit group found that the grand total of registered voters appearing in the SoV was 352,518. But according to the records of the Comelec’s election and barangay affairs department, the total number of registered voters was 352,494.

The audit group recommended that similar to the NPBC ruling in Cotabato City over the discrepancy between the SoV and CoC, the data appearing in the Comelec record be adopted, which the NPBC approved.

In the same session, the audit

and tabulation groups also corRECTED THE DISCREPANCY IN A SPECIkC precinct in Barangay Matilac in Pigkawayan, North Cotabato. The number of “No� votes on the SoV by precinct was 483, but in the tabulation, the “No� votes reached 783, or a discrepancy of 300 votes.

Still pending audit are the CoCs from Kabacan and Midsayap. That of Pigkawayan was still with the encoding group and that of Pikit was with the tabulation group.

"ASED ON UNOFkCIAL RESULTS OF the second plebiscite on February 6, the “No� votes won by an overwhelming majority in the munici-

2 CA justices top list for vacant high court post

C A N D I D AT E S WA R N E D

‘Don’t use govt funds in election campaign’ AS THE campaign period for the midterm elections began on Tuesday, a poll watchdog challenged all candidates to shun schemes that channel government funds and resources to their campaigns. “All government agencies should now remove posters and campaign materials of candidates and party-list groups, and prohibit the same candidates from using government resources in their campaigns,� the group Kontra Daya said in a statement.

The poll watchdog took issue with how President Rodrigo Duterte appeared to contradict himself when he called on Cabinet members not to campaign for any candidate, when he himself had endorsed certain senatorial bets. “We still question why he himself chooses to do so — raising the hands of candidates he favors and even going out of his way to accompany favored ones,� Kontra Daya said.

Kontra Daya questioned senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go’s appearance at an event of the Philippine National Police (PNP), where he gave a speech, met with college students and had a press conference inside Camp Crame. g;7E= kN;D= THE TIMING OF THE event suspicious as it was held a day before the actual campaign,� it said.

Go, however, denied campaigning inside the national police headquarters and explained that the engagement with the association of police chiefs of the Philippines preceded the campaign.

A January 30 resolution of the Commission on Elections states that posting, displaying and exhibiting any election campaign or propaganda material in public places like “schools, public shrines, barangay halls, governMENT OFkCES u ARE PROHIBITED “If the PNP is indeed neutral, why did it invite a declared senatorial candidate like Go as guest of honor, even if a high-ranking POLICE OFkCIAL WAS QUOTED AS SAYing that Go is chairperson of the Association of Chief of Police of the Philippines Inc.,� Kontra Daya added.

The poll watchdog then called on voters to be critical and vigilant of candidates and what they say or choose not to say.

Sen. Richard Gordon also called on voters to be discerning in choosing candidates in the May 13 midterm elections. “Campaign period has started and voters will be treated once again to all kinds of gimmickry and political advertisements aimed to solicit their votes. Voters should go beyond the gimmickry and political ads when they choose the leaders they will vote for in May. We should examine and analyze their credentials,� the senator said. “Let’s choose carefully who we will send to the Senate. This is a debating chamber. They should have the ability to engage in debates and discourses, particularly those on proposed measures to ensure that they are well crafted.

When you are elected to the Senate, you are supposed to possess THE QUALIkCATIONS TO SPEAK TO PROpose, to contravene, to defend and to oppose. If you do not face that, then there is something wrong,� he added.

'ORDON WHO HAD kLED BILLS TO prevent campaign overspending AND REDUCE THE INlUENCE OF kNANcial resources on the outcome of elections, is pushing for Senate Bill 1995 or the “Campaign Reforms Act of 2018,� which seeks to limit candidates’ campaign expenses and mandates the Commission on Elections to organize televised town-hall style debates that would be covered by the different media entities. “Campaign has become very expensive because of the prohibitive prices of TV and radio ads which discourage candidates who are WELL QUALIkED BUT DO NOT HAVE SUFkCIENT kNANCIAL RESOURCES “That’s why I want Comelec to sponsor televised debates among candidates where they can be asked by the people about their opinion and stand on important issues in the country. Voters can better screen and know [the candidates] instead of relying on TV or radio ads� he said.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Q SLATE FROM A1

Bayan or PDP Laban, which is kELDING DELA 2OSA 'O -ANGUDAdatu, Pimentel and Tolentino.

The younger Duterte formed the political party in 2018 in support of her father, President Duterte.

Speaking to reporters after the event, the Davao City mayor said she was “overwhelmedâ€? by the support given by PampangueĂąos to her regional party, which replicated the province’s support for her father when he ran for the presidency in 2016. “I was overwhelmed earlier. We have many friends here in Pampanga, and many love President Duterte,â€? she said.

After the Pampanga events, the HNP will mount campaign sorties in Central and Northern Luzon before going to Metro Manila.

Earlier, Duterte-Carpio said HNP was eyeing to stage at least

Sara Pilar Juliana “Pia� Cayetano, Jose “Jinggoy� Estrada, and Ramon “Bong� Revilla Jr., who are hoping to make a comeback in the upper chamber.

Completing the HNP slate are President Rodrigo Duterte’s former political adviser Francis Tolentino, Senate race newcomers former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, former police chief Ronald “Bato� dela Rosa, Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, former journalist Jiggy Manicad and Ilocos Norte Gov. Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee� Marcos.

The HNP slate is separate from the ticket of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng

palities of Baloi, Monai, Nunungan, Pantar, Taguilowan and Pangkal, all in Lanao del Norte.

In North Cotabato, the “yes� votes won in majority of the 67 barangay in the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, Pigkawayan and Tolonan. )N THE kRST PLEBISCITE ON *ANUary 21, voters from the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) voted to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The BOL replaces the ARMM with the BARMM that will have greater autonomy and control over resources.

A total of 223 cities and municipalities are in the yellow category or areas of concern.

Cities and towns under the yellow category had a history of election-related incidents in the last two elections and intense political rivalry, and had been previously placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Falling under the orange category or election areas of immediate concern are 382 cities and municipalities.

The orange category includes cities and municipalities where there is a serious armed threat posed by terror and rebel groups

like the New People’s Army, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Abu Sayyaf Group and rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

A total of 94 cities and municipalities are under the red category or election areas of grave concern.

Under the red category are cities and towns where combined factors of yellow and orange categories are present and there is chance for the area to have the motu proprio declaration of Comelec control.

Two areas are currently under Comelec control for this year’s elections: Cotabato City in Cotabato and Daraga in Albay.

D a r a g a wa s l i s t e d u n d e r Comelec control after the assassination of AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe allegedly by the town’s mayor, Carlwyn Baldo. The two were supposed to fight each other for the position of Daraga mayor.

The Comelec put Cotabato City under its control ahead of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) referendum.

The campaign season for Senate AND PARTY LIST CANDIDATES OFkCIALLY started on February 12. The PNP assured the public that they have deployed enough men to monitor and secure peace and order in campaign areas.

A Muslim and a former top government lawyer from the Court of Appeals (CA) have topped a shortlist of the Supreme Court en banc for a vacant associate-justice post in the high court.

During a voting conducted by the Supreme Court en banc, CA Justices Japar Dimaampao and Amy Lazaro-Javier each notched 10 votes from the 13 justices of the high court.

Dimaampao is the lone Muslim magistrate in the CA, while Javier was a former assistant solicitor-general before entering the appellate court.

In second place were CA Justice Ricardo Rosario and high court administrator Jose Midas Marquez with 9 votes each.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, CA Executive Justice for the Visayas Edgardo delos Santos and CA Justice Mario Lopez occupied the third spot with 8 votes each.

With 7 votes each are CA Justices Ramon Garcia and Apolinario Bruselas.

The Supreme Court conducts its own voting before the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will hold its manDATORY VOTING TO kLL THE POSITION By tradition, the top nominees in the Court voting shall be carried by the chief justice in the JBC voting.

The current vacancy was caused by the promotion of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin in November 2018.

Bersamin is also the current chairman of the JBC. The council is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees to the President for vacant posts in the judiciary and THE /FkCES OF THE /MBUDSMAN and Deputy Ombudsman.

It is headed by Bersamin, with EX OFkCIO MEMBERS 3EN 2ICHARD Gordon, Mindoro Oriental Rep. Salvador Leachon and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

Retired SC Justice Jose CatralMendoza, the head of the JBC Executive Committee, and Milagros Fernan-Cayosa representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and retired judge Toribio Ilao the private sector are the other regular members of the JBC. JOMAR CANLAS

110 campaign sorties ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

nigno “Bamâ€? Aquino 4th, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, former De La Salle University law dean Jose Manuel “Chelâ€? Diokno, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, former House deputy speaker Erin TaĂąada, and veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.

Roxas attended a send-off activity in Capiz on Tuesday, his home province and bailiwick. His camp said he would join a kickoff rally together with the seven other candidates and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni� Robredo in Naga, Camarines Sur.

“It’s symbolic that we started WITH A PRAYER HERE DURING THE kRST day of the campaign,� said Gutoc, a Moro leader.

In the afternoon, the rest of the candidates held a door-to-door persuasion campaign with over 200 volunteers in the vicinity of San Roque Cathedral.

Campaign manager Sen. Francis “Kiko� Pangilinan described the activity as an “out-of-the box� strategy to address the needs of the masses and the Filipino family. “The narrative has already shifted. The family’s needs are very immediate. We really want to focus on their needs,� Aquino said.

The Wednesday schedule of the opposition slate in Naga will start with a motorcade and a student dialogue in Iriga City in the morning, a motorcade to Plaza Quezon IN THE AFTERNOON AND AN OFkCIAL

kickoff rally in the evening.

Robredo earlier expressed her optimism that people would soon know about the Otso Diretso candidates in the campaign trail.

She noted that she had a mere 1-percent voter awareness in 2016, yet won the vice-presidential race.

In the January Pulse Asia survey, only Roxas (ranked 8th to 15th) and Aquino (ranked 10th to 16th) secured top positions in the list showing candidates with greater statistical chances of getting a slot in the “Magic 12.�

MalacaĂąang on Tuesday called on bets to follow election laws.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo also said Duterte would not be soliciting the support of religious groups for his senatorial bets. “No, it’s not his style,� he told reporters.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND GLEE JALEA

OPPOSITION BETS UNITE Romulo Macalintal, Florin Hilbay, Samira Gutoc, Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th, Gary Alejano, Jose Manuel ‘Chel’ Diokno, and Erin TaĂąada begin the kickoff for the opposition in Caloocan City. Right, senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go waves during the kickoff of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago campaign in San Fernando, Pampanga on Tuesday.

PHOTOS BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA AND RUY MARTINEZ

Q HOTSHOTS FROM A1

PNP bares 701 poll hotspots

Roxas a no-show Senatorial candidates under the opposition “Otso Diretso� (“Straight Eight�) slate shrugged off the absence of former Interior secretary Manuel “Mar� Roxas 2nd during their kickoff campaign on Tuesday in Caloocan City.

Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice said it has been Roxas’ tradition to CAMPAIGN kRST IN #APIZ “We come from different backgrounds. When it comes to putting forward the needs of the masses, we all unite despite the absence of one or the other,� Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano told reporters in a NEWS BRIEkNG The Otso Diretso candidates are Alejano, Roxas, Sen. Paulo Be-

‘Otso’ in Caloocan Earlier in the morning, Gutoc started her campaign in front of San Roque Cathedral in Caloocan by convening some 50 Muslims in the area.

News

˜ The Manila Times

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WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

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Philippines to Maharlika? Palace pushes name change MALACAĂ‘ANG on Tuesday said Congress might enact a law to change the name of the Philippines to the Republic of Maharlika, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte said he agreed with the same proposal made by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Congress might act on the idea floated by Duterte. “The Constitution provides that Congress may enact a law that can change the name of

the country and then submit it to the people for referendum, like a plebiscite,� Panelo said.

He said people should “just see how it evolves.� g4HE STYLE OF THE 0RESIDENT HE lOATS AN idea, then somebody gets it. Congress or whatever. His was only the idea,� he said. “He said it’s a Malay word. Since we are Malays, we should have a name IDENTIkED WITH US ) AGREE WITH HIM ) like the idea of Maharlika name for the

Philippines,� he said. )N -AGDALO PARTY LIST 2EP 'ARY !LEJANO kLED A BILL SEEKING TO RENAME the Philippines.

5NDER (OUSE "ILL A COMMISSION will be formed to replace the country’s name.

Panelo said such move was not needed anymore because Congress could legislate a law to change the country’s name. g)F THE CONSTITUTION SAYS YOU CAN ENACT a law, why do you need to create a com

mission? By proposing a bill, players will deliberate in Congress and they will be invited. So, it will be straight up,� he said. )N A SPEECH DURING THE DISTRIBUTION OF CERTIkCATES OF LAND OWNERSHIP AWARD TO AGRARIAN REFORM BENEkCIARIES OF -A guindanao on Monday, Duterte said “Maharlika� was a good name because it RElECTED SERENITY AND PEACE “We cannot do anything anymore. Phil ippines, because it was discovered by [Fer

Palace: Let high court rule on plebiscite

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BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

ALACAÑANG said Tuesday it would let the Supreme Court (SC) decide on the legality of the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) amid accusations of harassment and intimidation. g4HAT S WHY ) SAID YESTERDAY THEY CAN ALWAYS kLE APPROPRIATE CHARGES regarding their claims. But remem ber that there is still a pending petition before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality OF THE "/, )F THE 3UPREME #OURT decides it’s unconstitutional, eh di

moot and academic lahat na ‘yun.

Ma INVALIDATE pati ‘yung plebiscite (then all of it becomes moot and academic. The plebiscite would be invalidated),� Palace spokes man Salvador Panelo said in a PRESS BRIEkNG Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia

Guiani Sayadi on Monday said her legal team was preparing for the kLING OF A PETITION BEFORE THE HIGH court to nullify the plebiscite. The mayor claimed that government AND MILITARY OFkCIALS CONSPIRED WITH THE -ORO )SLAMIC ,IBERATION &RONT -),& TO ENSURE THAT THE “yes� vote would win. g/N THE OTHER HAND ) M SURE the petitioners will argue that SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A RATIkCATION by the people then that cured the unconstitutionality. Depende sa Supreme Court kung ano basa nila )T DEPENDS ON THE 3UPREME Court),� she added.

Sayadi said her camp had d o c u m e n t e d t h e v i o l e n c e,

threats and intimidation that transpired within and outside of polling places during the casting of votes in Cotabato City for its inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Re gion in Muslim Mindanao "!2-- ON *ANUARY She also showed documents that would prove her claims that GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY OFkCIALS

who were supposed to protect the integrity of the plebiscite, allegedly CONSPIRED WITH THE -),& TO ENSURE the victory of the BOL. “They are all fully docu mented and we will present them at the proper forum at the proper time,� Sayadi said.

SM moves fireworks contest to Clark SM Supermalls has transferred the venue of the annual Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (PIPC) from SM Mall of Asia to SM City Clark in Pampanga.

SM said the move was in support of the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. “The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition is a tradition at the SM Mall of Asia that has brought endless enjoyment to millions of Filipinos each year. For the past nine years, the pyrotechnics have always complied with the international standards for environment safety, at par with countries like Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, and famous theme parks around the world,� it said in a statement posted on Facebook.

The tenth edition of the annual pyromusical event will be held at SM City Clark from February 23 to March 30.

Competing countries are the Philippines, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, France, Finland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, China and Poland.

ARIC JOHN SY CUA

Abolish regional wage boards – Ejercito SEN. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito has sought the abolition of Re gional Tripartite Wages and Pro ductivity Boards (RTWPBs) and the creation instead of a commis sion that would address regional wage distortions.

The senator earlier filed Sen ATE "ILL WHICH SEEKS TO replace RTWPBs by the National Wages and Productivity Com mission (NWPC).

3 " A I M S T O A M E N D 0RESIDENTIAL $ECREE AS amended, or the Labor Code of the Philippines.

He said the proposed NWPC would determine and fix the national wage rates “according to industries and to issue corre sponding wage orders.�

Citing a World Bank report in

%JERCITO SAID THE PACE OF POV erty reduction in the country “has been slow� despite the “generally good economic performance.� “This makes a review of the wage structure not only urgent but imperative,� he said.

The reelectionist senator noted

that higher wages were “among the most fundamental dimen sions for inclusive growth aside from job creation.�

(E SAID THE #ONSTITUTION guarantees full protection to labor and warrants that workers should be entitled to security of tenure, humane working conditions and proper wages. “However, reality reneges against the policy declaration in the Constitution,� Ejercito said.

RTWPBs, which were created UNDER 2EPUBLIC !CT OR 7AGE 2ATIONALIZATION !CT OF WERE MANDATED TO STUDY kX AND RAISE wages on a regional level based on poverty threshold, employment RATE AND COST OF LIVING SPECIkC TO the region.

Ejercito, however, said the law has been ineffective because wage distortions have emerged in different regions. “The RTWPBs have failed to en sure decent standard of living for the Filipino workers in different regions of the country,� he added.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

Boracay closure constitutional – SC

HAGGLING FOR FLOWERS

Women buy flowers and other items to be given away on Valentine’s Day in Divisoria, dubbed as the country’s shopping mecca. The frenzied buying of blooms and sweets reaches its peak on Wednesday, the eve of Valentine’s Day. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

Aquino: Filipinos need independent Senate SEN. Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th on Tuesday warned against a RUBBER STAMP 3ENATE STRESSING THAT AN independent chamber would ensure that the welfare and interest of the Filipino people would be protected.

Aquino said without the opposi tion in the Senate, the country and the Filipino people would suffer. “Hindi ito kampihan sa administras yon o oposisyon. Dapat kinakampihan natin ang mga Pilipino (This is not a case of siding with the administration or the opposition. What is important is we’re on the side of Filipinos),� said Aquino, who is running for reelection under the Otso Diretso banner. “Kailangan po nating tiyakin inde pendent ang susunod na Senado para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan (We have to ensure that the next Senate is for the welfare of the people),� he added.

The lawmaker said there was a need for “someone who will stand for the people.�

For instance, Aquino said he vot ED AGAINST THE RATIkCATION OF THE 4AX 2EFORM FOR !CCELERATION AND )NCLU sion (Train) Law despite the heavy pressure from the administration, as he was convinced that it would

dinand] Magellan using the money of King Philip. When the idiots came, they named [our land] Philippines. But that is okay.

Someday, we will change it,� Duterte said. “Marcos is correct. During his time, he was right. He wanted to change the name to Maharlika. The Republic of Maharlika, because Maharlika is a Malay word and it means more of a concept of serenity and peace,� he added.

RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

burden the Filipino people with high prices of food and other goods. “Hindi po ako tumutol sa Train Law dahil nasa oposisyon tayo. Tu mutol po ako dahil responsibilidad ko na bantayan ang kapakanan ng taumbayan na siyang pahihirapan ng batas na ito ) OBJECTED TO THE 4RAIN LAW NOT BECAUSE ) AM WITH THE OPPOSITION ) OBJECTED TO IT BECAUSE IT S MY RESPON sibility to watch over the welfare of the people who will carry the burden of this law),� he explained.

The senator, however, clarified that he was willing to work with the administration when the welfare of the Filipino people is at the forefront.

Proof of this is the free college law, which Aquino pushed as principal sponsor when he was the chairman of the Committee on %DUCATION IN THE TH #ONGRESS “Ganyan po ang ginawa natin kaya naisabatas ang Free College Law. Dahil sa pakikipagtulungan, kahit kapos makakatapos (That’s what we’ve done to ensure the en actment into law of the Free College ,AW u SAID !QUINO WHO HAS LAWS to his name in his almost six years as legislator. JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

THE Supreme Court (SC) has de clared as legal and constitutional the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to close and rehabilitate "ORACAY )SLAND Residents and workers in Bo RACAY kLED A PETITION TO STOP THE CLOSURE OF THE ISLAND ON !PRIL

AFTER $UTERTE DESCRIBED IT as a “cesspool� and ordered its rehabilitation.

During the deliberations on Tuesday, the Supreme Court en banc ruled that the closure was within the “police power of the state� under the #ONSTITUTION 4HE JUSTICES WHO VOTED IN FA vor of the rehab were led by Asso ciate Justice Mariano del Castillo.

The two dissenters were Jus tices Mario Victor Leonen and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, who said the closure order violated the right to travel under the #ONSTITUTION

Boracay was reopened on Oc TOBER BUT -ALACAÄANG HAS ordered that there should be no more clubs and bars in the area. )N A PETITION FOR PROHIBI tion and mandamus, residents and tourists, accompanied by the National Union of People’s Lawyers, asked the high court for the immediate issuance of a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction or a status quo ante order.

Named respondents in the petition were President Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Me DIALDEA AND )NTERIOR AND ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT CHIEF %DUARDO !Ă„O The petitioners claimed the clo sure was illegal in the absence of law or order calling for the closure of Boracay, calling it a “patent abuse of power and reckless dis regard of the law.â€?

JOMAR CANLAS

Retirement benefits of AFP members Dear PAO, I am a retired member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). I retired from active service in 1976. On the other hand, my fellow retiree, Simeon, retired in 1980. Upon retirement, we received our monthly retirement pay, notwithstanding that I lost my Filipino citizenship in 2000.

Apparently, Simeon also lost his Filipino citizenship in 2002.

Unfortunately, said retirement pay was withheld from him because when he lost his Filipino citizenship, his name in the alpha list of the AFP Pensioner’s Payroll was deleted. I would like to be enlightened why Simeon was not given the SAME BENEkTS THAT ) RECEIVED

considering that we both lost our Filipino citizenship.

Thank you, Salvador Dear Salvador, Simeon was not given the retire MENT BENEkTS DUE TO THE MEMBERS of the Armed Forces of the Philip pines (AFP) for the reason that he lost his Filipino citizenship. )T APPEARS THAT AT THE TIME OF HIS

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA retirement, Presidential Decree 0$ OR THE g!&0 -ILITARY Personnel Retirement and Separa TION $ECREE OF u WAS ALREADY ENFORCED 5NDER 3ECTION THERE in, military personnel who retired shall be carried in the list of the AFP unless the name of the retiree loses his Filipino citizenship. Thus, the retirement benefits shall be terminated upon such loss. g3ECTION -ILITARY PERSONNEL RETIRED UNDER 3ECTIONS

AND SHALL BE CARRIED IN THE retired list of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The name of a retiree who loses his Filipino citizenship shall be removed from THE LIST AND HIS RETIREMENT BENEkTS terminated upon such loss.� )N YOUR CASE HOWEVER YOU RE tired when the said PD was not yet enforced. The law that gov ERNS YOUR RETIREMENT BENEkTS WAS 2EPUBLIC !CT 2!

OTHERWISE

known as “An Act to Establish a Uniform Retirement System for the Armed Forces of the Philip pines, to Provide for Separation therefrom, and for Other Purpos es.� Section 5 thereof provides OFkCERS AND ENLISTED MEN PLACED in the retired list shall be subject to the rules and articles of war AND TO TRIAL BY COURT MARTIAL FOR any breach thereof. At any time, SAID OFkCERS AND ENLISTED MEN may be called to active service by the President. Refusal on the part OF ANY OFkCER OR ENLISTED MAN to perform such services shall terminate his right to further PARTICIPATION IN THE BENEkTS OF this Act, provided he resides in the Philippines and is physically kT FOR SERVICE 3UCH kTNESS FOR service shall be determined by APPLICABLE REGULATIONS )N SUM

there is no requirement herein that should the retiree loses his Filipino citizenship, retirement BENEkTS GIVEN SHALL CEASE Moreover, the Supreme Court in its decision in the case of 'OVERNMENT 3ERVICE )NSURANCE System vs Fernando P. De Leon '2 .OV

penned by Associate Justice Edu

ardo Nachura stressed: “(W)here the employee retires and meets the eligibility require ments, he acquires a vested right TO BENEkTS THAT IS PROTECTED BY the due process clause. Retirees enjoy a protected property inter est whenever they acquire a right to immediate payment under PRE EXISTING LAW u Thus, considering that at the time of your retirement the exist ING LAW WAS 2!

YOU ACQUIRED a vested right over the retirement BENEkTS AT THE TIME OF YOUR RETIRE ment and the same cannot be taken away by a subsequent law.

Likewise, there is nothing in PD WHICH GRANTS FOR ITS RETROAC tive application.

We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our apprecia tion 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@manila times.net

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Veto power, override are sacrosanct

A

FTER weeks of wrangling and horse-trading, Congress ratified on Friday the P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 and sent it to President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature.

The chairman of the House appropriations committee, Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., now wants to make sure he gets his way, and prevent any more changes not to his liking, in particular the restoration of the alleged P75-billion “insertion� to the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Congress’s decision to delete the supposed insertion was well within its prerogative, as the legislature holds the power of the purse, so to speak.

Now that the budget has passed through the legislative wringer, it is the turn of the Executive branch, led by the President, to scrutinize the 2019 outlay before affixing his signature to it.

It is presumptuous, therefore, of Andaya — who had delayed the budget’s passage for weeks because of his quarrels with Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno — to suspect the budget chief and the secretary to the Cabinet, Karlo Nograles, to be hatching a plan to reinsert the P75 billion through a line-item veto.

Andaya is even planning to take his case to the Supreme Court, and join forces with Senators Franklin Drilon and Panfilo Lacson.

First of all, Andaya should respect the President’s veto powers. The 1987 Constitution allows the Chief Executive to return an entire bill to Congress for review if he objects to the measure. In the case of budget or tax bills, he can veto only specific items.

The Charter states: “The President shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object.�

Andaya even insults the presidency by implying that the Chief Executive would sign just any veto message drafted by the Budget secretary and the secretary to the Cabinet without studying it. The good representative of Camarines Sur should give the President more credit.

But all this is speculation. We do not yet know how the P75 billion would be returned, if the Palace really would like it returned. The presidential lineitem veto can only strike out specific items in the budget and cannot introduce new items.

MalacaĂąang, however, has vowed to veto any form of “porkâ€? in the budget, in compliance with a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that outlawed it.

At any rate, if Andaya feels so strongly about keeping intact the budget bill as approved by the House and the Senate, he should be able to marshal the required two-thirds vote in both chambers to override the President’s veto.

He was, after all, leader of the House majority coalition for several months before relinquishing the post to focus on the budget business.

Andaya should not expect any presidential intervention in Congress’s exercise of an override, any more than the President expects no intervention from lawmakers in his power to veto the budget.

Both are prerogatives enshrined in the Constitution, and are the mechanisms of checks and balances so essential to a republican democracy. ~

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 124

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 XXX NBOJMBUJNFT OFU t F NBJM OFXTEFTL!NBOJMBUJNFT OFU Letters to the Editor THE MANILA TIMES is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002 The owners, managers, publishers and editors do not necessarily share the opinions expressed and the statements made by individual authors of columns, commentaries and other articles published in The Manila Times.

Counting of votes should be done in public again A

RE we happy with the way the Comelec automated our election system? A survey some years back showed that some 70 PERCENT OF &ILIPINOS WERE SATISkED with the system. They generally SAID THAT IT WAS QUITE EASY TO kLL up the ballots and print out the results of the precinct-count.

Many other countries which automated their elections were also initially happy with it, too; however, almost all reverted to manual counting and abandoned its automation. Except for the canvassing or consolidation phase.

Why? The reason seems to be universal — when vote counting is automated, transparency is lost!

Indeed, how can you trust an election system wherein you feed your ballot into the machine and at the end of the voting period, the result comes out without you witnessing the count?

Much like watching a basketball game where scores are not shown until the end of the four quarters.

So, now we are forced to trust the “black box� that accepts our ballots and counts the votes that we marked. Who actually counts our votes? It’s the software that runs the black box. (Software is the set of instructions inside that black box that does the counting of the votes.) And

T

HE promises of the measure PASSED ON RICE TARIFkCATION THE congressional measure that ended the quantitative restrictions (QR) on rice imports, are many. But the major argument has been this: That the 35 percent tariff to be imposed on imported rice will be passed on to farmers, fully and without impairment. The so-called “inefkCIENCIESu OF THE RICE MARKET SYSTEM will disappear once the National Food Authority (NFA) is out of the picture. And without the NFA and the other intermediaries in the importation process, the tariff proceeds would be intact and farmERS WOULD FULLY BENEkT FROM THESE Even some supposedly prominent economists have solidly supported tariffs in lieu of restrictions on the import quantity.

In the approved measure up for signing by President Duterte (some say he has already signed the measure), at least P10 billion — drawn from the tariffs collected — will go directly to support the small rice farmers yearly, who, as sure as the sun rises in the east, will suffer from the end of QR. According to the economists, the measure, once signed into a law by Mr. Duterte, would immediately accomplish three things: cheaper rice from Vietnam, Thailand and the other exporters on a sustained basis; the NFA, and its marketdistortions, out of the picture; and, a guaranteed support fund for small farmers by way of the tariffs generated from the imported rice.

The money offering, at least P10 billion a year that, theoretically,

LET’S FACE IT!

GUS LAGMAN who wrote that software? It’s Smartmatic, the provider of the black box and the software that runs it.

Clearly, it’s only this foreignowned company that knows how our votes are being counted. The 60 million voters have effectively relegated the counting of the votes to a handful of foreigners. There’s got to be something very wrong with that.

Mistakes could have been committed, as have happened in some parts of the United States. Or, heaven forbid, the results could have been rigged! But the thing is, with the system that they used, we don’t know. We don’t know because the system is not transparent.

When our elections were still manual, precinct-counting would take, say, an average of 12 hours.

Canvassing, on the other hand, would then take three to four weeks.

Given these data, it’s easy to conclude that the phase that should be shortened is the canvassing, more than the precinct-counting.

In the 2010, 2013 and 2016 elec-

tions, Comelec automated both phases — precinct-counting and canvassing. The Comelec rented, and then later, bought vote-counting machines. The result? Transparency in vote-counting was lost, while it cost the country around P10 billion (P30 billion in the last three elections, more or less).

Had they left the precinct-counting alone, and only automated the electronic transmission and canvassing, it would probably have cost us a maximum of P4 billion. And because they would only use ordinary PCs, such PCs can be donated later to the Department of Education for use by the teachers and the students.

This kind of approach, if enhanced with additional features, could be the most suitable, most appropriate system for Philippine elections. There are, however, quite a few #OMELEC OFkCIALS AND POLITICIANS who have publicly expressed their distrust of manual counting at the precinct level. One politician even claimed that he had witnessed how he was being cheated during the manual counting in some precincts.

It is understandable that he does not realize, much less appreciate, the view that witnessing how he is being cheated is an advantage of manual counting because such would provide him

WITH A BASIS FOR kLING A PROTEST On the other hand, when precinctcounting is automated, cheating can be hidden from the public eye and will only need one person, or a few technical people, to execute. And this result-manipulation can be carried through, from the precinct level, to the municipality, provincial and national levels. The losing candidate WILL HAVE NO BASIS FOR kLING A PROTEST Certainly, a major disadvantage.

After each of the past automated ELECTIONS STORIES HAVE BEEN lOATING around about strong candidates who lost. All they could mutter was, “What happened?� Because they did not witness the cheating, if indeed they were cheated, there was nothing they could use as basis for a protest.

A good election system, and this is becoming the worldwide standard, must have transparency in precinct-counting, especially because the results of this step provide the control counts that are used in the remaining steps of the process.

If a national candidate or his political party wants to rig the results of manual elections, he or the party has to bribe a lot of teachers and canvassers. Tough job! In automated elections, he only needs to control the work of a handful of technical people — the technical people who wrote the SOFTWARE .OT ALL THAT DIFkCULT

 The P10-B panacea for farm support have either gone wayward or have been mismanaged.

Not a single fund has been blemished by success. I repeat, not a single fund has been blemished by success.

Exhibit A is the Agricultural Competitive Enhancement Fund, would go directly to rice farm- the infamous ACEF. ers, is the olive branch dangled The ACEF was a byproduct of the to the farmers, the sector to be hit country’s accession into the World hard by the lifting of the QR and Trade Organization umbrella. In the beginning of the regime of December 1994, on the date of the “unli� rice importation.

3ENATE RATIkCATION OF THE ACCESSION

But will things go as seamlessly a rosy scenario for the future of and smoothly as what the framers agriculture in general and farmOF THE TARIFkCATION LAW HAS PROM- ers/producers in particular was ised? I am a small farmer and an laid down. Sustained growth for old farmer at that. I have been the sector. A better life for farmers through the many promises of gov- and producer. Agriculture would ernment to farmers, including the recapture its lost glory etc. etc. ironclad guarantees that come with Like the money pool promised every program that, supposedly, to small farmers under the rice tarifWERE MEANT TO BENEkT THE SMALL kCATION MEASURE THE !#%& IS POOLED farmers. I am sure of one thing from the tariffs collected from the only. Nothing will come out of crops and agri products whose imTHE TARIFkCATION LAW THE END OF 12 portation was liberalized upon the and the beginning of the regime of country’s accession to WTO. Even unlimited rice importation. And with the liberalized tariffs, tens of this view is shared by many. billions of pesos a year in tariff Butil party-list Rep. Cecil Chavez collections guaranteed a solid and has raised very important questions. sustained money pool for the ACEF. Will not the fund go the way of In theory, the ACEF should focus ACEF, lofty in theory but grossly on the funding needs of small farmineffective in practice and real- ers and small agri producers. Belife application? cause they are the ones that need What kind of institutions will over- real help and they are the ones that see the fund? Will we see the same old, have been brutally savaged by ACEF. same old uninspired institution that In real-life application, the ACEF we farmers are familiar with? funding, especially because it carWhat are the modes of deliv- ries no interest and the repayment ering the so-called direct sup- terms are lax, has been diverted to port to small farmers? the usual suspects: agri-business I know where Cong. Chavez is interests, well-connected charlacoming from. All the special funds tans, politicians and their cronies.

MIDWEEK COMMENTS MARLEN V. RONQUILLO

The small farmers, true to the story of a hundred years, never had access to ACEF funding.

The fund administrators, to rub salt on the farmers’ open wounds, have been blaming the farmers for the lack of access. The truth is the farmers cannot prepare the feasibility studies needed, the paper requirements and documentation needed because the fund administrators saw to it that small farmers are, from the get-go, excluded from the ACEF funding.

The ACEF administrators made sure that the papers and documentation needed are beyond the capacity of the small farmers to prepare.

This is the sum of the farmers’ fears. The P10 billion promised to small farmers under the rice TARIFkCATION WILL GO THE WAY OF THE ACEF — a fund that guarantees the exclusion of small farmers.

Somebody told me. Just wait for THE )22 OF THE RICE TARIFkCATION LAW It might be different. This was my terse response. Are you familiar with the nuts and bolts of the Free Irrigation Law? My God, there is no mention of irrigators associations and ditch-tending. The rules were meant to guarantee chaos and confusion in the implementation.

Now, how can small farmers trust the P10 billion panacea unDER THE RICE TARIFkCATION MEASURE A late-breaking development: Sources told me that 80 percent of the P10-billion will go to mechanization and a program by the Philrice, a research agency. The two chambers of Congress should look into this travesty.

˜ The Manila Times

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WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

Q TATAD FROM A1

The total defilement of our politics However, the charge that the budget is laden with billions of pesos in questionable lawmakers’ “pork� remains unresolved.

This had provoked an acrimonious back and forth between Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and former House majority leader, now Appropriations Committee Chairman Rolando Andaya Jr., and they are not about ready to smoke peace.

Andaya has threatened to hound Diokno with plunder charges.

DU30 has vowed to subject the budget to a line-by-line veto on the assailed insertions. And Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles for one, who used to chair the House appropriations committee before he joined the Cabinet, has promised to make sure this happens. But highly informed Congress sources doubt that the Cabinet secretaries will allow their respective departments’ appropriations to be easily written off without a fight. The lawmakers themselves will fight tooth and nail to retain the fruits of their legislative privilege. Under the approved budget, members of the House are expected to receive an allocation of P160 million per member, while the senators will receive an average of at least P3 billion each.

The pork reborn However, sources at the bicameral conference committee, which put the final touches on the P3.757 trillion budget, are convinced some “senators who are smarter than others� will receive infinitely much more. One senator is said to have proposed a total of P88.82 billion in “institutional� and other insertions, while washing his hands clean of any pork barrel or “insertions.� These include P2 billion for the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund; P2 billion for the Secretary of Education’s Quick Response Fund; P3.7 billion for a school-based feeding program; P1.7 billion for the Teachers’ Quality and Development Program; P2.92 billion for the computerization program; P920.6 million for the Supreme Court and lower courts; and P970 million for the construction of public markets in the local government units.

The same proponent, according to the same sources, has proposed P2.64 billion for the Philippine National Police, to be taken from the P9.1 billion

proposed Local Government Support Fund. Likewise, he has proposed P4.78 billion for the creation of one infantry battalion of the Philippine Army to address the continuing threat of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi; and P1.7 billion for the AFP General Headquarters and AFP-wide service supported units, the funds to be taken from the P8.9 billion proposed DPWH funds for the acquisition of right of way.

Another proposal from the same senator, the sources said, is to allocate P870 million for the acquisition of three light helicopters worth P120 million and three multi-purpose fixed-wing aircraft worth P750 million, for the Philippine Coast Guard.

The same proponent, according to the same sources, has proposed allocating P50.95 billion for the government takeover of the Korean Hanjin Heavy Industries Construction Shipyard, which has run into bankruptcy and whose possible takeover by the Chinese government poses questions of national security to us. It may not be necessarily bad for the government to take over Hanjin, but this should be the subject of a thorough study and decision before anyone moves to throw money into it.

So far, there has been no such study, and the government has not decided if it is interested.

Another senator, who heads an important committee, and is running for a local government position in this election, has insertions totaling P25 billion, according to the same sources.

How come the public and the other members of the Congress do not know anything about these things? Because of our peculiar budgetary process.

As the proposed budget from the Executive Department is debated, members of the two Houses try to propose whatever amendments they would like to be included in it. But after both Houses have approved their respective versions of the budget, a bicameral conference committee is organized to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of the two Houses. The chairmen of the House appropriations committee and the Senate finance committee normally perform this job with plenary powers from their respective Houses.

Normally, only the heads of agencies and the budget secretary are consulted.

s SENATOR ZUBIRI: ‘BOL WENT THROUGH THE WRINGER IN SENATE’ THIS is in connection with The Manila Times Editorial of Feb. 1, 2019 (“Lasting peace beyond talk of BOL vote success�).

I take exception to the claim made in your editorial which said, “Unlike the senators of the previous Congress, who conducted long consultations with the Muslim and indigenous communities in the South to craft a proper law, Zubiri steered the BOL through the chamber with little debate and deliberation.�

It might interest you to know that in legislating important pieces of legislation, especially the priorities set by the President during his State of the Nation Address. Congress, in coordination with the Executive, set timelines in passing such legislative measures. Once a target is set, I usually work within that timeline, such is my work ethic. And in the case of the BOL, I saw to it that we finish as soon as possible, as lives, and the peace and order situation in Muslim Mindanao, were at stake. Restlessness and impatience among some groups within the MILF were growing. The ISIS and Dawlah Islamiyah might capitalize on this situation and encourage these groups within MILF to sympathize, if not join them, in establishing a “wilayat� or caliphate in Mindanao.

These were some of our considerations in fast-tracking the passage of the BOL, but we did not compromise, and still ensured that each process in the legislative mill was followed.

Thus, I urge your editorial staff to fact-check first before making such an outrageous claim.

The schedule of the committee meetings of the subcommittee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law is posted on the Senate website as well as the deliberations on the plenary. For your information, the original bill filed by Sen. Koko Pimentel 3rd (SBN 1608) and myself (SBN 1646) was a submission of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), which was already a product of a series of consultations they conducted among the stakeholders in Muslim Mindanao. The perceived unconstitutional provisions by the previous Congress were already rectified, if not deleted, based on the BTC’s submission. Nonetheless, as it is a must and our duty, the subcommittee conducted several hearings both in the Senate and in all provinces and key cities in the present ARMM, Maguindanao and Cotabato City (Jan. 25, 2018), Lanao del Sur and Marawi City (Jan. 26, 2018), Jolo in Sulu province and Bongao in Tawi-Tawi (Feb. 8, 2018),

Working without pork At the initiative of a young idealistic group, abuses committed by the Aquino administration in the handling of the “pork barrel� led the Supreme Court to strike down the pork barrel system as “unconstitutional� and to criminalize its abuse. The SC ruling gave rise to high expectations that the guilty would be punished, and that legislators would henceforth learn to do their jobs without expecting to be rewarded with “pork.�

But in the end, not even the former Budget secretary Butch Abad who conceptualized the “Disbursement Acceleration Program� that allowed then President B. S. Aquino 3rd to bribe 19 senator-judges with P50 million or more each in order to convict and remove the late former Chief Justice Renato Corona, was touched; and although candidate DU30 promised to fight corruption everywhere, the “pork barrel� system simply reappeared with a vengeance. Where before every congressman had a questionable pork allocation of P70 million per annum, this quickly rose to at least P120 million — and now to P160 million.

The SC ruling against the pork barrel simply became a joke. In some circles of Congress, they are no longer talking of the “pork barrel.� They are now talking of “parking the entire budget� in order to get the most from all available appropriations. In the Department of Public Works and Highways, sources said the Secretary has given every District Engineer the authority to implement projects worth P100 million on their own. This has not happened in the entire history of the DPWH before, these sources said. This allows the District Engineers to play directly with the congressmen and senators on their own, the sources said.

Parking the budget But it also allows the DPWH secretary a bigger playing room, these sources said. After putting certain projects under the DE’s authority, the secretary could “park� them back in his office if and when implementation is delayed. This enlarges his power over the projects.

It’s often said that when the greatest American bank robber in history was asked why

he kept on robbing banks, he answered, “because that’s where the money is.� This is what has become of many, if not most, of our current politicians — bank robbers. Why are they in politics? Because, that’s where the money is. They are in Congress not to make good laws, which they know nothing about, but simply to make a pile, even at the expense of everything else.

Most of those who sold their souls to Aquino in order to get rid of an independent-minded magistrate are still sitting in the Senate, and new ones are coming who will probably not mind doing much worse. Yesterday, when the official campaign period for the May 13 elections began, we heard the most absurd pompous injunction from the Commission on Elections.

Candidates were told to obey all election laws to help ensure the holding of a clean and honest election in May. This was the most hypocritical and revolting announcement one heard from the poll body. For the past several months, the former presidential special assistant and senatorial wannabe Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go covered the entire country with his mugshot, without being reminded of the election law. Knowing he is a candidate for the Senate, he cannot say he’s not yet campaigning just because none of his posters says, “Vote for Bong Go.� I have a friend who drove all the way to Baguio hoping to give his young children a sunlit view of the mountainside on his way to Baguio. They missed the mountainside. They only saw the posters of Bong Go. IN MEMORIAM. I join the family and friends, and the nation’s art and cultural community, in mourning the loss of Armida Siguion Reyna, who joined her Maker on Monday afternoon at 88. She was a great inspiration and a dear friend. Her enduring TV show “Aawitan Kita� brought joy to so many hearts, but her warm personality and sparkling conversation enlivened the young and old alike. My wife and I will always treasure the fact that she sang so beautifully at our wedding on Aug. 20, 1970, with Fr. Horacio de la Costa, S.J., at the Sanctuario de San Jose, Greenhills. I ask the gentle reader to join me in praying for the repose of her soul. Thank you.

fstatad@gmail.com

Basilan and Isabela City (Feb. 9, 2018), and in Zamboanga City (Feb. 9, 2018).

We heard those who supported and opposed the then Bangsamoro Basic Law bill, the civil society, non-governmental organizations, interest groups, business groups, politicians, and even individuals. Our out-of-town committee meetings were among the most attended by the members of the Senate and stakeholders.

Though pressed for time in our provincial hearings, we made extra effort to hear everybody as much as we could. Also, at the onset of our committee hearings and upon the motion of Senator Drilon, all the records of the previous Congress on the BBL were deemed part of the proceedings of the BBL in the current Congress, thus the consultations and other discussions in the previous Congress were taken into consideration as well. We also conducted technical working group meetings with several senators, technical staff, and stakeholders to finetune the committee report.

In the Senate plenary, we debated on committee report SBN 1717 for almost a month, with several legal minds in the Senate ably assisting me in defending the legality and constitutionality of the bill, among them then Senate President Koko Pimentel, and Senators Sonny Angara, Franklin Drilon and Richard Gordon.

We also accepted amendments to the bill to make sure that it would pass the constitutional and legal challenges. The bill passed unanimously on third reading in the Senate (21 in favor, no negative vote and no abstention) with strong bipartisan support, rarely seen in an administration measure and important piece of legislation. For once, all senators agreed with the proposal to push for a just and lasting peace in Muslim Mindanao.

During the bicameral conference committee meetings, we braved the floods and defied work suspensions just to finish within our timetable. In total we conducted six days of bicameral conference committee meetings with an average of 13 hours each day, with some days lasting until the wee hours of the morning.

Thus, several of the bicam panelists, both in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, said that the BOL bicam was one of the longest and hardest bicams they had ever participated in. During the bicam conference, we would break into several subcommittees to tackle specific articles, such as the Articles on the Territory, Powers of the BARMM, the Parliament, and the Shari’ah Justice System, to name a few. In the bicam subcommittees, the bill went through some major and perfecting amendments, primarily to satisfy the constitutional test. Before we would take a look at the final text of the bicam report and sign it, the technical staff of both chambers would spend several days consolidating and incorporating the amendments introduced in the bicam and do editorial corrections when necessary.

In short, the BOL went through the wringer in the Senate. To claim otherwise is an insult to the Senate as an institution and a disservice to the efforts put forth by the legislators, technical staff, stakeholders and resource persons in the passage of the BOL. Fast forward, prior to the plebiscite and upon filing of the overnor of Sulu of his petition before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the

Opinion

A5

What if?

M

Y conspiracy series starting with the January 23 “A Russian Spy in the White House?� segueing into the local “Conspiracy theory,� provoked commentaries falling under another genre: What if? Some readers likewise are framing their thoughts on the rhetorical question with several twists: from the benign to the bane; from the probable to the possible; from wishful thinking to grudging hope; from pure conjecture to reality in transit. What if, the Deegong were really sick and loses his grip on power unable to perform his presidential duties?

Denizens in the fringes, deviants given voice through social media, incorrigible rumormongers and simply the peddlers of lies bound by a common loathing for the Deegong have declared that the President is dead! A doppelganger now sits on the throne! Despite evidence to the contrary, they will insist on spreading that which gives them some sort of social media legitimacy. But the reality is simple. President Duterte is alive and well and kicking ass. And if his health is a gauge, he will live to torment the unbelievers way past his TERM OF OFkCE WAY PAST THE TERM OF OFkCE OF HIS DESIGNATED SUCCESSOR

Sara! And with the help of God, he will live to be a 100. But this will be a curse upon him.

I remember the twilight years of the Marcos regime, with the DICTATOR AFlICTED WITH lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune dis-

LITO MONICO C. LORENZANA ease, his detractors were divining his every move and any minute change in his complexion. And even his supporters believed he was dying. Eventually he died of other complications. But people by then had successfully passed judgement and booted him out. A sad spectacle of a leader possessed of a brilliant mind in a deteriorating body, dead in exile.

But the evil genius planned his exit. Marcos was beyond his LEGITIMATE TERM OF OFkCE BUT HE had the Armed Forces and the PC-INP in his pockets. He had no rightful successor, but he had the triumvirate of disciples ready and prepared to take over government in case of his quick demise (Tolentino as his VP towards the end was a pathetic play to the American ruling elite). Headed

BY A HEADSTRONG AND lAMBOYANT wife, Imelda, his ever-loyal lapdog of a cousin and head of the Armed Forces, Gen. Fabian Ver, and the oligarch Danding Cojuangco, the son he never had — the three were to carry out the dictator’s wish, even beyond the grave.

We don’t have this set-up today.

That the Deegong himself could be the author of this conspiracy is being debunked. At best, this is

ÂłLorenzanaA6

Statement of Islamic Society of the Philippines on Mindanao bombings T HE Parhimpunan Sin Islam (Islamic Society of the Philippines) condemns in the strongest terms the dastardly act done to our people in Jolo, Sulu, and now, Zamboanga City.

These have all the trappings of a concerted effort “to divide Mindanao into religious lineâ€? by making them look like a retaliation that happened in Zamboanga City, for the cathedral bombing‌ [sic] The community in Mindanao (all faiths) must now stand and draw a line in the sand and declare, “No more, we just won our right to self-determination and no misguided segment or terror group will deny us our future.â€?

Our condolences to our brothers and sisters in Jolo. We appeal to our Muslim and Christian

Q Almarim Centi Tillah brothers to close ranks and be one against the forces of evil and continue not to be divided and instead strengthen the more “ecumenism� which had prevailed in Jolo all these years, if not decades, along unity in diversity.

Almarim Centi Tillah President, Parhimpunan Sin Islam (Islamic Society of the Philippines)

BOL, I issued the following statements to the media, to wit: “It is unfgortunate that the province of Sulu challenged the constitutionality of the BOL, but it is well within their rights to do so. I truly believe though that the Organic Law that we passed can stand the test of constitutionality after careful scrutiny done by the Senate’s best legal minds and with consultations done with eminent constitutionalists and former chief justices and justices of the Supreme Court.

We hope that our honorable justices of the Supreme Court can look at this law as an out-of-the-box solution for a lasting peace in Mindanao within the framework of the Constitution. As its principal sponsor and author, I will adhere to the wisdom of the high court as the final arbiter on whether the BOL will pass the test of constitutionality once and for all so we can proceed to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao and in the Philippines.�

Prior to the conduct of the plebiscite, when the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO), I issued another statement, which read: “I laud and thank the Supreme Court on their decision not to grant a TRO on the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law. This will pave the way for a smooth and orderly plebiscite that I believe will usher in the peace and prosperity that we sorely need in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. I, together with my colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives who voted almost unanimously for its approval, believe in the BOL’s constitutionality as provided for under Article 10 Section 18 of the Constitution, and after almost a year of consultations and deliberations on the constitutionality of the measure. We trust the Office of the Solicitor General to defend our measure on the cases pending with the Supreme Court and that we, legislators, are willing to lend a helping hand to strengthen our case for the BOL.�

Post–BOL plebiscite, part of my official statement read: “I am appealing to the honorable magistrates of the highest court of the land to hopefully be liberal in their discussions on the BOL and to consider the measure as an instrument of peace for our Muslim brothers and sisters. We appeal as well to all parties including those who opposed the measure to give this Organic Law a chance to uplift the lives of our Muslim brothers and sisters, after decades-long fighting and the deaths of more than 120,000 people due to the never-ending conflicts with the government and the secessionist groups. With the passage of the BOL, we were elated by the statements of the largest secessionist group, the MILF, that the war is finally over and that we can proceed now with the smooth transition of combatants to social and political workers and the quick decommissioning of their firearms. Peace and prosperity in Mindanao can only mean one thing and that is peace and prosperity for the whole nation.�

Therefore, these official statements contradict what you said that I asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the legal questions and forego constitutional discussions even after an overwhelming “yes� vote in the plebiscite. My official statements will bear the truth on that matter.

Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

Survey on drop in trust in vaccines: If not fake, a flawed poll The article that reported it was really just a pathetic, intellectually dishonest defense of the past administration’s Dengvaxia debacle.

It is sad that two of my former colleagues in government, former Health secretary Cabral and the current one Francisco Duque 3rd, as well as most of mainstream media were fooled by this fake news that has been reported again and again.

This fake poll was used to BLAME 0UBLIC !TTORNEY S /FkCE head Persida Acosta as being responsible for pulling down Filipinos’ trust in vaccines because of her crusade to bring justice to each and every child who had died of dengue from being vaccinated with Aquino’s Dengvaxia.

If there is a decline in Filipinos’ trust in vaccines, it is incontrovertibly former president Aquino and his Health secretary Janette Garin who are responsible, since they recklessly ordered the 800,000 children vaccinated with the defective Dengvaxia.

Yet Duque and Cabral to my disappointment have not been saying so. They and most of media have also referred to a “study of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine� that claimed that the confidence level in vaccines went down from 93 percent “in 2015� to just 32 percent “in 2018.�

The study was not by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine as an institution, although two of the authors were professors there. It was an unsolicited article in the October edition of the school’s monthly journal Human Vaccine and Immunotherapeutics .

An opinion piece Very significantly, and to the credit of its editors, the journal classified the piece not as a “re-

port� or “research paper� but as a “commentary� — that is, an opinion piece.

More importantly, one of the “study’s� three authors — the actual writer, who apparently cleverly got two professors to lend their names to the article to give it legitimacy — is Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go. Who is this Hartigan-Go? Hartigan-Go was Aquino’s health undersecretary when the Dengvaxia mass vaccination program was undertaken. Director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 2010 to 2014, Hartigan-Go was allegedly responsible for Dengvaxia’s swift registration on Dec. 22, 2015. That was the quickest approval ever made by the FDA for a company to market any drug, since it received Sanofi’s complete application only on November 1. Hartigan-Go also attempted to persuade the Formulary Executive Council to allow government to purchase and use the Dengvaxia.

Hartigan-Go was one of three doctors in Aquino’s Health department (other than its secretary Janette Garin, an obstetrician) that the joint congressional panel that investigated the Dengvaxia mess had recommended should be criminally prosecuted.

Yet that journal article carried a prominent note: “Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.�

Hartigan-Go obviously lied.

Political decision Significantly, Go is on record as having disclosed that it was Aquino himself who had decided on undertaking the Dengvaxia vaccination program, telling Health department of-

Q The fake news source: Note ‘Commentary’ classification. ficials that it was a “political decision� and already made by higher authority.

Hartigan-Go’s piece in the journal portrayed the Duterte government and the country in the way Dengvaxia proponents and Aquino had denigrated it when the controversy erupted: A hysterical, ignorant administration. Hartigan-Go wrote: “In November 2017, it was announced that the Dengvaxia had risks for those not previously exposed to dengue. While some countries proceeded with adjusting guidance accordingly, the Philippines reacted with outrage and political turmoil with naming and shaming of government officials involved in purchasing the vaccine, as well as scientists involved in the vaccine trials and assessment.�

commissions on the P3.5 billion cost of the vaccine.

Savaged everyone

Hartigan-Go’s article lashed out at everyone who had exposed the Dengvaxia debacle: “There was biased media hype; social media was driven by false narratives aiming to vilify authorities, scientists and regulators; separate Senate and Congress [sic] inquiries that resembled the inquisition; a Public Attorney’s Office exhuming bodies and concluding that the dengue vaccine caused the deaths despite no solid evidence; and a handful of health professionals distorting scientific and regulatory information. All of these fueled a highly political controversy and provoked public panic.�

Hartigan-Go’s piece portrayed the 'Naming and shaming?' cabal responsible for the Dengvaxia Hartigan-Go of course omitted the mess as maligned heroes: “Accusations of impropriety very important information that if the Philippines did react with were directed at health authorities who had launched the outrage, it was for good reason.

It was the only county which, vaccination campaign in three despite warnings by experts and regions of the country with the even the World Health Organiza- highest burden of disease in tion, had a mass vaccination pro- 2016 in an effort to help arrest a gram using the defective vaccine, debilitating, and in some cases, as ordered by Aquino’s govern- fatal dengue epidemic.�

Hartigan-Go’s article is clearly ment. Why? It was an election campaign gimmick – the Yellows’ a malicious opinion piece, his giving out free but expensive vac- way of getting back at those who cines. It most probably was also exposed the terrible mess and DUE TO kNANCIAL GAIN THROUGH its culprits, including him.

Rough trade ride into illusion

U

NTIL not so long ago, countries used to impose high tariffs (import tax) on each other’s imported goods (and, at least at that time to a much lesser extent, services). The motivation behind such tariff measures was more a “passive� one for developing countries and “active� one for developed countries. There used to be a clear development distinction between countries, with developed countries manufacturing most of the goods (and providing most of the services) for developing countries to acquire (and thus import).

Developing countries were mostly commodities-based economies, exporting the crude forms of agricultural and natural goods at relatively low prices to developed countries which then manufactured these goods into end products for reexport into the developing countries at much steeper value-added prices. Understandably the developing countries wanted to build up their own industry base, such that on the one hand they would not be subject to the vagaries of supply of end products as commanded by the developed countries, and on the other, more local jobs and high-value industrial skill sets could also be created. Or at least that was the original intension.

Thus, high tariffs were imposed by developing countries on imported goods (mostly end products) from developed countries. The idea was so that the domestic markets in the developing counTRIES WOULD NOT BE lOODED WITH ONLY high-value goods from developed countries, but also the local manufacturers could take the opportunity to shore up their own production (which otherwise would be faced with stiff competition especially in price, as local production simply does not have the scale to offer comparable prices as imported goods), such that more and more users would switch to the local products. This is because the high tariffs would likely be RElECTED IN THE HIGHER PRICING STRUCTURE for the imported goods, and its local substitutes which hopefully are more affordable, would thus command a better stand in the market.

But experience in developing countries over the years has shown that although the idea behind such a high-tariff trade policy is sound in

EI SUN OH developmental economics context, its real-world application has been at best mixed in its results. For one, the so-called import substitution industries, from soaps to cars, have often morphed into hotbeds for crony capitalism in many developing countries.

The high tariffs, instead of fostering healthy local market competition, have often been replaced by monopolies or oligarchy which went on to manufacture substandard or low-quality products which, though still cheaper than the imported goods, do not offer as much value for money. Consumers or end-users are often stuck with local substitute products that, at best, need frequent repairs and, at worst, are hazardous to their safety and health.

The collusion between local big business and the government of the day in many of these developing countries many, of which are incidentally either authoritarian regimes at worst or struggling democracies at best, may be said to have subverted the original, positive intention of import substitution by means of imposition of high tariffs.

At the end of the day, the authorities in these countries may enrich their coffers, but the average folks who are stuck with the poor local imitations are very much worse off. So much for passive high-tariff measures.

For developed countries, there is conversely this “superstition� about the glory of selling more goods (mostly manufactured ones, but commodities as well, as is the case with the United States, endowed as it is with bountiful agricultural products) and services (thus exporting) to other countries than purchasing (thus importing) from the latter. The disputes surrounding “trade balances� thus become explosive issues. Developed countries want to make sure trade balances are positive in their favor (or exporting more than importing goods). They believe that only then would more jobs be created and

retained in their respective countries, and industrial (or agricultural) productions could be revved up even higher, thus boosting their respective domestic economies. As “active� trade measures, they used to also impose high tariffs on each other’s imported goods, and sometimes even goods from developing countries, such that hopefully the target countries of such tariff measures would then be forced to buy more from the tariff-imposing countries in order TO BETTER BALANCE OUT THE TRADE DEkCITS There are also at least two problems with this line of high-handed trade tacTICS 4HE kRST BEING THE REALITY THAT COUNtries being hit with high tariffs may not simply acquiesce and buy more from the tariff imposer. Instead, they tend to hit out with retaliatory tariff measures which ALSO HURT THE EXPORTS OF THE kRST TARIFF imposer. And this tariff game could spin out of control into what is called a trade war, with escalating, mutually imposed tariffs that will hurt each other’s economy badly. Second, high tariffs will not immediately translate into local substitution, thus the end users in the tariff-imposing country would likely end up with having to pay higher prices for the same products than they are used to, which actually serves to dampen the vibrance of the domestic economic performance.

This is especially so in the context of globalized production chains. There are market reasons, good or bad, that dictate why certain goods are produced somewhere else. High-tech products are often produced in developed countries with the requisite skill sets and high investments into research and development necessary for such products. Laborintensive products are usually made in developing countries due to the lower wages and labor protection conditions.

And environmentally hazardous products too are often made in developing countries with lax environmental protection standards. It is simply foolish for developed countries to try to do all sorts of manufacturing up and down the value chains. It goes against the essence of a free market economy.

As such, until such time when both developing and developed countries get rid of their illusion about the grandeurs and benefits of tariff imposition, we will still be in for a rough trade ride.

But is the poll he cited – that the percentage of Filipinos trusting in vaccines in general fell form 93 percent to 32 percent — legitimate?

Very unlikely, for the following reasons.

First, legitimate polls always give details on how it was conducted, the exact dates the interviews were conducted, how (faceto-face, telephone, etc.), and even the geographical distribution of respondents. None of this was in Hartigan-Go’s piece.

Hartigan-Go’s piece merely says: “The Philippines was reSURVEYED BY THE 6ACCINE #ONkdence Project with their Vaccine Confidence Index, using the same representative sampling approach used for the 2015 data reported in 'The State of Vaccine #ONkDENCE f STUDY Ă? (E OBfuscates: “Approachâ€? is different from the actual methodology.

Astounding conclusion On coming up with such an astounding conclusion that the drop in vaccine confidence was from 93 percent in 2015 to 32 percent in 2018, there was no explanation at all on how the poll was done.

Second, the website of the Vaccine Confidence Report had reports on its global surveys on vaccine confidence for 2015 and 2016, and in the European Union for 2018. However, it

had no article whatsoever on a Philippine vaccine confidence survey done in 2018. This is despite the fact that the website had several other news articles on the Philippines.

Third, if the survey was actually undertaken in 2018, it could have been done only in the first quarter of the year, just a few months after the manufacturer Sanofi admitted to the defect of its vaccine, and public outrage was just starting.

Although reported in media as a study released in October 2018, it was submitted to the journal two months earlier, in August 2018. Given the usual four to five months for a supposedly academic paper to be written (especially the tedious back-andforth process if there are several authors), it was drafted only in April. The poll could have been done only in March 2018.

By no stretch of imagination could it be claimed that Dengvaxia’s bad publicity just three months from November 2017 made Filipinos’ trust in vaccines fall so sharply.

No wonder such diehard Yellow cult members as Risa Hontiveros, after Hartigan-Go’s fake paper was released, immediately went to town demanding the PAO chief’s resignation. The Yellows had a playbook, with Hartigan-Go’s “study� the cue for dialogues such as Hontiveros’.

Hartigan-Go’s paper is a classic Yellow, despicable scheme to blacken this country and its government’s image abroad, just as mediocre journalists here cry to the world that the press is being suppressed in this country.

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

Q LORENZANA FROM A5

What if? simply an unfolding series of serendipitous occurrences favoring the Deegong.

DU30 â€œâ€Śis not in the mold of FM. If he is capable of deep diabolical thinking, it certainly does not show given his many inexcusable blunders.â€? PRRD may just wait for the opportunity for a rev-gov to present itself and grab it. And this could be happening now. Marcos created the conditions for the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in the 1970s with the unwitting help of the communists in the Plaza Miranda bombing of the Liberal Party rally as a prelude to the declaration of Martial Law. “The bombings in Mindanao, the uncovered humongous anomalies of the Aquino administration, the public impatience with the incessant bickering and antics of politicians, the bloody elections can serve as the trigger to justify rev-gov.â€? This is John Rana’s take; he is an ally of DU30 and an FVR protegee. He is not suggesting PRRD is doing a Marcos, but the DDS are extremely delighted to read into this its rev-gov agenda — scaring the bejesus out of ordinary peace-loving citizens.

Now the ultimate What if — the Deegong suddenly dies? In 1957, President Magsaysay died in a plane crash. The transition to Vice President Garcia, a Nacionalista partymate was seamless. In 1948, President Manuel Roxas died of a heart attack in Clark Field, Pampanga. Vice President Elpidio Quirino, a Liberal partymate took over as President in a peaceful handover.

In the current context, God forbid if it happens, there exists a constitutional successor, Vice President Leni Robredo, leader of the opposition Liberal Party, bête noire of the DDS. Fortunately, no one in the cabinet has the alpha cred and political chutzpa to lead a coup. There are four dozen ex-military men installed by DU30 in his civilian government, occupying sensitive positions in all levels of government. But they don’t have the wherewithal.

Chances are they may simply have to go through the motions proving themselves irrelevant and a nuisance.

The DU30 sycophants, visualizing this likelihood, have been agitating to replace Leni with the pliable Bongbong Marcos.

She can’t just sit and declare her constitutional right to lead. She may have to be propped up by Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr of the AFP. The general has effective command of the troops and can enforce the

chain of command. The other is Director General Oscar Albayalde of the Philippine National Police (PNP). But there are no indications in their past that they will not defend the Constitution.

Abu-Sayyaf and the Muslim extremists may create pockets of disturbance but the recently mainstreamed MILF/MNLF have now been granted their BARMM to protect.

4HE .0! MAY BE THE MAIN BENEkCIARY OF this disarray but their ranks have been decimated; it is now populated by an aging leadership. And the Catholic Church hierarchy, bereft of a politically astute Cardinal Sin, will continue to ask for prayers, preach against violence and will not take SIDES AND ALIENATE ITS lOCK LEST IT ENDANGERS its collection plates. The President’s rabble will for a time be agitating for a “civil war.�

This will not happen. Like the oligarchy, they are too comfortable in their current status, and when the patron is gone, they will seek out other patrons.

And our politicians will predictably gravitate to the next brand, probably Leni’s Liberal Party; reprising DU30’s 2016 ascendancy where PDP-Laban grew from a handful to hundreds in just a few days.

You can rely on the shameless trad-pols whose concept of public service is to serve kRST THEIR FAMILY POLITICAL DYNASTY Methinks the US will show their velvet glove as they twice did for the Cory regime: allowing Marcos the means to “cut cleanly� in 1986; and a display of their F-4 Phantom II jets over Metro Manila driving Honasan out with his tail between his legs in the 1989 coup attempt. America will support the constitutional path. And China wouldn’t really care. They have signed MOAs and gave promises of billions to the Philippines. They can do the same to a Robredo administration. Give promises.

But the person our people will look UP TO IS THE DEFENSE SECRETARY $ELkN ,Orenzana – a patriot, one close to America BUT NOT A CERTIkED gAmboy� though not strictly within the chain of command; he has the moral facade and credibility. He swore a duty to defend and protect the Constitution – not the Deegong, not the person – but the institutions.

This ‘what if’ depends so much on the Deegong exiting the scene due to natural causes. What if, DU30 dies under questionable circumstances?

Then all bets are off!

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Regions

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

A7

Sayyaf terrorist arrested in Manila

A

BY ROY D.R. NARRA

N Abu Sayyaf Group terrorist involved in a kidnapping in Basilan in 2001 and a bombing of a Kidapawan (North Cotabato) bus terminal in 2012 was arrested in a police and military operation over the weekend in Manila.

Abdurahman Mataud Daiyung alias Biznar Salabudin and Abu 4ALHA WAS NABBED AROUND A M IN %RMITA DISTRICT Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde and Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region (Metro -ANILA 0OLICE /FkCE .#20/ director, presented Daiyung to the MEDIA ON 4UESDAY MORNING Eleazar said the Abu Sayyaf terrorist was in Metro Manila to hide from AUTHORITIES WHILE WORKING AS A WELDER “We are not clear yet as to his purpose here, but obviously, he is among the suspects in the Kidapawan bus terminal bombING u HE ADDED Daiyung is facing seven crimi-

nal cases for kidnapping and serious illegal detention for his participation in the abduction of EMPLOYEES OF 'OLDEN (ARVEST Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan ON *UNE

4HE KIDNAPPING WAS LED BY )SNILON (APILON WHO ALSO BECAME the leader of the Islamic Stateinspired Maute Group and who HAS SINCE DIED Daiyung was also involved in the Kidapawan bus terminal BOMBING ON /CT IN WHICH SEVEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED 4HE 0.0 WILL INFORM THE 2EGIONAL 4RIAL #OURT "RANCH OF )SABELA City, Basilan, about Daiyung’s arrest once his documentation and DEBRIEkNG ARE COMPLETED

CAUGHT

Abdurahman Mataud Daiyung (center), who was arrested in Manila, is presented to the media by police regional director Guillermo Eleazar (left) on Tuesday. Daiyung is a suspect in a kidnapping and a bombing in southern Mindanao. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Troops foil human smuggling in South Military nabs 13 armed ZAMBOANGA CITY: Government forces intercepted a boat trying to smuggle over a dozen people illegally recruited from southern Philippines and promised jobs in neighboring Sabah in Malaysia, OFkCIALS SAID ON 4UESDAY Rear Admiral Rene Medina, chief of the naval forces in Western Mindanao, said ML Moneza was carrying 20 people when Philippine Navy vessels intercepted the boat off Zamboanga City late on -ONDAY (E SAID THE BOAT WAS ESCORTED BACK HERE Medina added an investigation was going on to determine who was behind the illegal recruitment or whether a bi-time syndicate was BEHIND IT (E SAID THE OPERATION WAS PART OF AN INTENSIkED CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUMAN TRAFkCKING g4HE SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUMAN TRAFkCKING IS A REsult of joint maritime law enforcement operations of the Philippine Navy and other partner agencies and this will continue to deter any unlawful activities at sea,�

-EDINA SAID (E DID NOT SAY HOW THEY UNcovered the attempt to smuggle Filipinos to work illegally in Sa-

men in Sibugay clash

RESCUED

A Philippine Navy photo released to The Manila Times shows Filipinos recruited illegally in Mindanao and bound for Sabah in Malaysia after security forces intercepted their boat off Zamboanga.

PHOTO BY AL JACINTO

bah, but among those involved in the operations were the Philippine Navy vessel "! , a multipur-

Zamboanga BoC to reward tipsters ZAMBOANGA CITY: The local Bureau of Customs (BoC) has intensified its campaign against smuggling in the Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and TawiTawi (ZamBaSulTa) area, and is now offering 20 percent of the proceeds of confiscated goods to informants.

City District Collector Segundo Barte Jr. recently said the agency had adopted the proposal “to stop, or at least reduce, rampant smuggling in this southern part of the country.�

Barte told reporters that ordinarily cargoes loaded in wooden vessels carry about P20 to P40 million worth of imported goods, and thus, a tipster might get a reward from the BoC of t least P4 million in cash.

The reward, he said, might be offered to anybody, regardless of his or her standing in the community, “be he or she a government employee, policeman, soldier or ordinary citizen in the locality.�

Barte added that he will personally process the

payment of the reward to the informant “whose identity the BoC will keep under wraps for his personal and family security.�

The Customs official observed that the goods smugglers bring to the ZamBaSulTa area from nearby Sabah, Malaysia, include rice, sugar, cigarettes, toiletries and noodles.

In his recent letter to the owners of Aleson and Montenegro shipping lines, Barte said, “Any vessel engaged in transporting rice, sugar and cigarettes without permit from the BoC, Sugar Regulation Authority and National Tobacco Administration may render the owner in bad faith and may lead to the issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention against the vessel.�

He appealed to shipping officers to assist the BOo in strengthening the anti-smuggling drive of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero initiated in Mindanao in southern Philippines.

ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

pose assault craft; and the Naval Special Operation Unit 6, Naval Intelligence and Security Group,

*OINT 4ASK &ORCE :AMBOANGA AND 0HILIPPINE #OAST 'UARD AL JACINTO

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay: Military troops captured 13 members of a lawless armed group during a 30-minute firefight on Saturday AT "ARANGAY 3ISAY 4UNGAWAN town, this province, a Philippine Army belated report RECEIVED HERE SAID ON 4UESDAY 4HE REPORT RECEIVED BY 0ROvincial Police Director Nestor 4IEMPO SAID SOLDIERS OF THE Philippine Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion, accompanied

by Sisay Village Chairman Amado Daarol, apprehended the “rogue persons� during the military operation in a forested area of the barangay VILLAGE 4HE MILITARY IDENTIFIED THE arrested men, most of them clad in long-sleeved fatigue UNIFORMS AS 7AHID (ADJA "Asir Pulalon, Jonathan Pamarin, Joel Jumalon, Ernesto Cumawas, Ronel Nao-Nao, Junaidi Igno, Mocsin Agibol, Jun-Jun Omay, Aries Doyugan, Christopher Jmawas, Cesar Cumawas AND *OVEN (IPOLAN 4HE TROOPS SEIZED FROM THE

SUSPECTS TWO - CARBINE RIlES A KG9 pistol, an Uzi pistol, a caliBER PISTOL SEVERAL MAGAZINES AND ROUNDS OF LIVE AMMUNITION 4HEY BROUGHT THE APPREhended armed men and the confiscated items to the patrol base of the 42nd Infantry Battalion at Barangay Libertad, 4UNGAWAN FOR DISPOSITION AND SAFEKEEPING ,T 'EN !RNEL DE LA 6EGA

Western Mindanao Command chief, at Camp Navarro in :AMBOANGA #ITY SAID g4HE APprehension of the armed group, WHICH OPERATES IN 4UNGAWAN and adjacent municipalities of the province, is an offshoot of the military’s intensified operations on the ground in coordination with local government units and the police to sustain the internal security in the Zamboanga Peninsula AND ITS ADJACENT AREAS -ILITARY troops continue to support the law enforcement operations of the police in the joint area OF OPERATIONS u ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

Go reiterate Duterte’s full support for PNP FORMER special assistant to the President (SAP) and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong�

Go has assured members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) of President Rodrigo Duterte’s AND HIS FULL SUPPORT On Saturday evening, the former SAP was guest of honor at a meeting of the PNP Academy Kaagapay Class of 1996 at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center IN $AVAO #ITY +AAGAPAY #LASS IS composed of alumni who went on to serve the government and

COMMITTED

THE PEOPLE IN VARYING CAPACITIES At the meeting, Go explained that Duterte pushed for increases IN THE SALARIES OF POLICE OFkCERS to motivate them to do their DUTIES WELL g4HE 0RESIDENT REALLY WANTS YOU to do your utmost in protecting the public against illegal drugs, crime AND CORRUPTION u HE SAID (AVING WORKED WITH $UTERTE for more than 20 years, Go noted, g4HE 0RESIDENT IS A MAN OF HIS WORDS /NCE HE MAKES A PROMISE

HE WILL NOT GO BACK ON IT u

(E ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE INcreases were necessary as the PNP was vital to the Duterte administraTION S WAR AGAINST DRUGS AND CRIME Go presented his legislative agenda should he be elected to the Senate foremost of which was the setting up of Malasakit Centers all OVER THE COUNTRY A Malasakit Center is a one-stop SHOP WHERE SATELLITE OFkCES OF THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH 0HILIPPINE #HARITY 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE $EPARTment of Social Welfare and DevelopMENT 0HILIPPINE (EALTH )NSURANCE

#ORP AND OTHER PARTICULAR GOVERNment agencies are housed together in one area to ease the process for patients applying for medical and kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE Also included in Go’s legislative agenda are programs for agriculture, education, housing, anti-drug and crime, anti-corruption, long-term sports development, localized peace TALKS kRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION

creation of a Department of overseas Filipino workers, barangay (village) WELFARE AND IMPROVED BENEkTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go assures the police of his and President Rodrigo Duterte’s support in a message in Davao del Sur last Saturday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

A8

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

News

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net Q OUTLOOK FROM A1

Taho-throwing Chinese BSP deputy governor faces deportation

T

BY CATHERINE A. MODESTO

HE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on 4UESDAY SAID IT WOULD kLE A DEPORtation case against the Chinese stuDENT WHO ASSAULTED A POLICE OFkCER WITH a cup of taho (soy pudding) for being a “risk to public interest.�

Zhang Jiale, 23, was arrested for “unjust vexation, direct assault and disobedience to authority� by the Philippine National Police

(PNP) on Saturday after throwing TAHO AT 0OLICE /FkCER 7ILLIAM Cristobal at the MRT-3 Boni Station when she was denied entry

because of the ban on liquid. “Our legal team saw that there WAS PROBABLE CAUSE TO kLE A DEportation case against her,� BI spokesman Dana Sandoval said in a statement. “The BI can file a case motu proprio, especially since there are photos showing what happened, “ Sandoval added.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente described the incident as an “utter display of disobedience and arrogance against a person of authority.�

“The bureau will not tolerate such acts, as this shows disrespect to the country,� the BI chief said.

On Monday, the PNP awarded Cristobal the “Medalya ng Papuri� for his “professionalism and patience.�

The PNP said Cristobal’s commendable act was worthy of emuLATION BY OTHER 0.0 OFkCERS The Immigration bureau said Zhang arrived in Manila in October 2018 with a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa.

Rising Global Risks.�

Fonacier has been with BSP for over three decades, starting her career as a bank examiner in 1984, before becoming deputy governor in 2017. She is responsible for the regulation of banks as well AS OTHER "30 SUPERVISED kNANCIAL institutions.

Under her direct supervision ARE INCLUSIVE kNANCIAL ADVOCACY unit, technical services staff, administrative and operations group, and four sub-sectors handling onsite examination and inspection, offsite supervision, kNANCIAL LITERACY CONSUMER AFFAIRS kNANCIAL DATA COLLECTION

and policy studies.

Highlights of Fonacier’s central banking career include her role in the development of programs

Public urged to celebrate life of Armida Siguion-Reyna

BY ARLO CUSTODIO SHOWBIZ has lost one of its strongest pillars with the demise of Armida Siguion-Reyna, who succumbed to colon cancer on Monday at the age of 88.

Siguion-Reyna’s daughter-inlaw, Bibeth Orteza, wife of noted movie director Carlitos SiguionReyna, invited friends, colleagues and the public to celebrate the life of “Tita Midz� — her nickname in showbiz — during her wake. “We will be holding a memorial service at the Heritage Memorial Park from February 12, Tuesday, 6 p.m. until February 15, Friday, 11 p.m. Please join us in celebrating her life. We request you bring your thoughts, prayers and fondest memories of Armida,� Orteza posted on Facebook on Tuesday.

The Manila Times learned that cremation was to be performed Tuesday night with only family members allowed.

Known for her long-running TV show “Aawitan Kita,� which she hosted and produced, Siguion-Reyna also produced critically acclaimed movies, among them “Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit,� starring Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta.

3HE PRODUCED THE OFkCIAL 0HILIPpine entry to the 1996 Oscars Best Foreign Language Film, “Inagaw Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin,� starring Maricel Soriano and Snooky 3ERNA /THER NOTABLE kLMS INCLUDE “Ikaw Pa Lang Ang Minahal,� “Saan Ka Man Naroroon,� “AbotKamay Ang Pangarap,� “Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin,� “Ang Lalaki Sa Buhay Ni Selya� and “Azucena.�

As an actress, she is best remembered as Nora Aunor’s tormentor-master in “Atsay,� that won the Superstar the Best Performer award in the 1978 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Tributes Malacaùang expressed its condolences and paid tribute to the actress-producer’s achievements.

Duterte a loving father – Go

“The entertainment world has lost one of its pillars and the Palace expresses its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the former Movie and TeleviSION 2EVIEW #LASSIkCATION "OARD (MTRCB) Chairperson Armida Siguion-Reyna,� Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said. “Our condolences also go to the Enriles.

She happened to be the sister of former senator Juan Ponce Enrile.�

Fire-breathing ‘Dragon Queen’ Orteza reposted an article written by her daughter Sara SiguionReyna in Lifestyle Asia, which the family believes sum up their beloved matriarch. “If she was a fire-breathing Dragon Queen to everyone else, she was a great grandmother to us.

My brother (Rafa) and cousins and I are such opinionated people to the chagrin of our parents because we got it from Mahal. “Mahal had high, exacting standards, but she never considered anyone beneath her. She could scold a member of the household help, and how. But she also dressed down whoever crossed her path, if they happened to displease her, even if they were supposedly her equal. She was not a snob,�

Sara related.

In 2016, Sara reminisced, “Mahal doesn’t talk much these days, but her eyes are still always shining, and once in awhile she’ll blurt out how beautiful she looks, or how good-looking she thinks her grandchildren are.

3HE CAN BARELY kNISH A SENTENCE the other night at family dinner, visiting pianist Rene Dalandan played ‘Aawitan Kita,’ and she went teary-eyed. “In my mind, she remains a girl in Maysilo, a young lady who tried auditioning for Broadway, a BELOVED HEADSTRONG WIFE A kRE breathing dragon queen, a woman who espoused Filipino culture above everything else, a mother, and grandmother. “She is Mahal. Authentic.�

that have encouraged consolidation among cooperative, rural and thrift banks, as well as policies and procedures intended to accelerate resolution of banking issues.

To be held at the Mayuree Ballroom of Dusit Thani Manila, in Makati City, on Wednesday, March 6, the forum will gather about 250 delegates from the business and banking sectors from the Philippines and Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Learn about this year’s outlook for the Philippine banking sector from The Manila Times Business Forum 2019. Reserve your seats now by calling the Marketing Communications and Services Group at 524-5664 local 113 or 109 or by emailing businessforum@manilatimes.net.

NOT HIDDEN ENOUGH

The Bureau of Customs seized P90 million worth of shabu inside an air parcel shipment hidden inside muffler parts. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Q AWARD FROM A1

Fast Times bags Best Automotive Bertrand Lessard, managing director of Ford Philippines, led the festivities, with winners selected from a total of 239 entries composed of automotive stories, columns and opinion pieces, and photographs and videos covering general and Ford-specific motoring news, launches and trends. “The HFA has become an institution in the local automotive industry with its continuing efforts to help boost the practice of motoring journalism in the country and give outstanding motoring journalists the recognition they deserve,� said EJ Francisco, assistant vice president for communications at Ford Philippines.

Known for its industry news, insightful and balanced views, well-written features and visually appealing page layout, the Fast Times beat the motoring sections of the Philippine Star and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “We had a difficult time and in the interest of fair play, the judges never

knew the news organization, the editors and writers during the deliberation process. It was a feat well-deserved by the winners tonight. Clearly, the best men won,� added Lessard.

The Fast Times is a Hall of Fame awardee of the HFA.

Two-step, blind screening The HFA Board of Judges was composed of academics and practitioners in various professional disciplines, including the automotive sector, communications, media and creatives.

For the first phase of screening, the judges were Elena Pernia, vice president for public affairs of the University of the Philippines System; Maria Margarita Alvina-Acosta, chairman of the Department of Communication of Miriam College; Felipe Salvosa 2nd, head of the journalism program of the University of Santo Tomas; and Cheryll

Ruth Soriano, chairman of the Department of Communication of De La Salle University in Manila. Salvosa, also the managing editor of The Manila Times, inhibited from judging entries from Fast Times where they were identifiable, specifically for the best motoring section category.

In the second phase, the judges were Cilette Liboro-Co, chief operating officer, ABS-CBN News Channel; Lessard, the Ford Philippines managing director; Mark Brian Nicdao, internal communications manager, Shell Philippines; and Joe Zaldarriaga, chairman of the International Association of Business CommunicatorsPhilippines.

Now on its 18th year, the HFA recognizes the contributions of automotive journalists in shaping the Philippine automotive landscape with their incisive and in-depth reportage of automotivaze news and trends in the print, online and broadcast media platforms.

CHRISTOPHER Lawrence “Bong�

Go said he considers President Rodrigo Duterte his father, just as he is also the father of the nation. “Nakita ko kay Pangulong Duterte ang isang tunay na ama [na] talagang nagmamahal, di lang sa akin kung hindi sa [lahat ng] Pilipino. Siya talaga ang inyong tunay na Tatay Digong na nagmamahal sa kanyang kapwa tao (President Duterte is a father who loves not only me but all Filipinos. He really is our father who cares for his fellowmen),� Go said, following the airing of the “Maalala Mo Kaya� (MMK) episode that featured his life story and the role former Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte played in it.

The episode that was shown on Saturday featured Joseph Marco, WHO PLAYED THE ROLE OF 'O -EG Imperial, who played Go’s wife, %MMYLOU AND 0HILLIP 3ALVADOR

who played Duterte.

On Sunday, Go attended an event organized by leaders in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) and was proclaimed adopted son of the region.

Go narrated that Duterte advised him to put the people’s WELFARE kRST 4HE FORMER 0ALACE OFkCIAL SAID what was shown in the MMK episode was true. “Nasaksihan ninyo na talagang wala ka nang panahon sa anak mo at sa pamilya mo ‘pag nasa trabaho ka tulad ng ganito (You won’t have time for your wife and children if you have a job like this),� he said.

He admitted that sometimes, he no longer have time for his wife and child. “Subalit, di po ako nagsisisi kasi ‘yung ginagawa namin ng Pangulong Duterte noong mga panahon na ‘yun [sa Davao City] ay talagang trabaho para sa kabutihan ng kapwa tao (But I have no regrets because what we did in Davao City was work for the welfare of others),� Go said.

Q GAME 3 FROM A1

Arellano pummels Perpetual in Game 3

DECIDING GAME

Arellano University’s Regine Arocha attempts to score through the defensive wall of Perpetual Help’s Shyra Umandal (No. 12), Bianca Tripoli (No. 1) and Cindy Imbo (No. 2) during the deciding Game 3 of Season 94 NCAA women’s volleyball finals on Tuesday at the Arena in San Juan City. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

crown on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

After dropping the opening set, the Lady Chiefs showed a champion’s form to bag the school’s historic third straight silverware.

It was the fourth overall trophy IN JUST A SPAN OF kVE SEASONS FOR the Legarda-based squad. “This was our chance to set history for the school. This win, this trophy, this three-peat are all for the school,� said Arellano mentor Obet Javier, who was named Coach of the Year.

Back-to-back Finals MVP Regine Arocha pounded a game-high 16 POINTS HIGHLIGHTED BY kVE ACES ON top of 11 excellent receptions. “We really worked hard for this. It really feels good to get this because we underwent so many

hardships,� Arocha said.

Sophomore spiker Princess Bello chipped in 12 points, while Season MVP Necole Ebuen and Carla Donato added 11 markers apiece in the win.

It was a rough start for Arellano as Perpetual Help clawed its way back from a 7-14 deficit, with Imbo and Gaviola igniting an 8-2 RUN TO CLINCH THE kRST SET Javier’s volleybelles regrouped and did not allow any letup again to knot the game at one set apiece.

The Lady Chiefs took a massive 15-7 lead in the third set then FENDED OFF THE ,ADY !LTAS kGHTBACK to inch a set victory away from the championship.

Arocha sparked a pivotal 11-point explosion in the fourth frame that ultimately led to Arel-

lano’s historic three-peat.

The Lady Chiefs erased a oneGAME DEkCIT TYING THE SERIES WITH a hard-earned 23-25, 25-9, 25-18, 22-25, 15-12 victory in Game Two. Arellano denied Perpetual Help of a volleyball sweep this season. The Las Piùas-based school earlier ruled the men’s and juniors divisions.

Graduating spiker Cindy Imbo topscored with 12 points all via spikes even as Shyra Umandal and Jenny Gaviola had 10 points each in the stinging loss that stretched the Lady Altas’ title drought to six seasons.

Macky Cariùo’s team squandered a series lead after winning 21-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 in Game One. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

PSEi 8,009.92 DOWN 0.64%

P52.07 TO $1

Business Times www.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2019 ASIAN STOCKS: V S h a n g h a i 0 . 6 8 %

What’s inside DOE TAGS MORE PROJECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE BusinessB2

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GLOBE SETS 2019 CAPEX AT $1.2B

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PH exports, imports plunge; ‘external challenges’ blamed Full-year trade deficit hits record high of P41.44 billion

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XPORTS plunged in December and imports ALSO CLOSED THE kNAL MONTH OF IN THE RED

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED ON 4UESDAY CAPPING A DIFkCULT YEAR FOR 0HILIPPINE MERCHANDISE TRADE 4HE FULL YEAR TRADE DEkCIT BALLOONED HIGHER COMPARED TO THE RESULT TO A RECORD BILLION PERCENT AND BLAMED BY #ABINET OFkCIALS ON

DoF: Reforms to boost PH economic freedom ranking )-0,%-%.4!4)/. of recentlyapproved reforms should allow the Philippines to post a rebound in the 2020 economic freedom rankings, the Finance department said on Tuesday. “For index year 2020, the country’s score is expected to improve SIGNIkCANTLY u IT SAID IN AN ECOnomic bulletin. )N THE (ERITAGE &OUNDATION S )NDEX OF %CONOMIC &REEDOM COVERING COUNTRIES THE 0HILIPPINES PLUNGED TO TH FROM ST with only 2 indicators — property rights and labor freedom — posting positive scores.

The nine-notch decline, based on results released earlier this month, was due to lower scores for government integrity, judicial effectiveness, tax burden, governMENT SPENDING kSCAL HEALTH BUSIness freedom, monetary freedom, and trade freedom.

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The recent signing of the PerSONAL 0ROPERTY 3ECURITY !CT THE &Inance department said, will shore up the country’s property rights SCORE WHILE THE RICE TARRIkCATION bill will also reduce the penalty for non-tariff barriers in the computation of the trade freedom index. g7E RECOGNIZE THAT GOVERNMENT should not stand in the way of private sector participation in the economy,� the department added, underscoring the need to impleMENT THE 4RADE.ET PH INITITATIVE to cut red tape in the processing OF DOCUMENTS BY REGULATORY agencies. ,ASTLY IT POINTED OUT THAT LAST year’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law was impleMENTED TO kNANCE DEVELOPMENTAL goals, among others. “It is not lost on Train that there is no such thing as a free

“external challenges� such as a global economic slowdown and the impact of THE 53 #HINA TRADE WAR /UTBOUND SHIPMENTS HIT BILlion in December — down 12.3 percent year on year — while the value of goods BOUGHT FROM ABROAD WAS PERCENT LOWER AT BILLION WHICH LED TO THE

TRADE DEkCIT HITTING A THREE MONTH LOW OF BILLION December’s imports drop, however, barely dented the full-year surge in INBOUND SHIPMENTS WHICH AT BILLION WAS UP PERCENT FROM

and the exports plunge cemented a

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FABRIC WRANGLER

This photo taken on Feb. 11, 2019 shows a worker in a textile factory in Binzhou in China’s eastern Shandong province. US negotiators are in Beijing for a new round of high-stakes trade talks, hoping to reach a deal before the March 1 deadline set by Donald Trump as the IMF warned of a possible global economic “storm.� AFP PHOTO

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Phoenix top execs and Growth risks to be ‘more locally driven’ PSEi down their ESOP shares ahead of P US-China REFERRED shares issued by listed companies are, strictly speaking, loans extended to them either by the public investors or the majority stockholders. The former classification refers to outsiders who are not affiliated with the owners or majority stockholders but include some insiders.

Because of their loans to listedbut-not-public companies, the public stockholders are entitled to receive dividends which are usuALLY kXED PER ANNUM SUCH AS percent a year. Being public and outsiders, their loans to listed companies issued them non-voting preferred shares. The voting preferred shares are usually reserved for the owners.

For example, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. (PPP) reported in an information statement, which CAN EITHER BE PRELIMINARY OR DEkNItive, 1.403 billion outstanding PPP common shares and 20 million PPP preferred shares. Both classes have par value of P1 each.

As chairman of Phoenix’s 11-person board, Domingo T. Uy directly holds 10,000 preferred shares. The other holders of said preferred shares are Romeo B. De Guzman,

#ONSUELO 9NARES 3ANTIAGO

AND *OHN , /NG

Among the top 100 stockholders as of Dec. 31, 2018, Phoenix listed 0#$ .OMINEE #ORP AS RECORD HOLDER OF MILLION PREFERRED shares, or PRP3A, equivalent to PERCENT FOR &ILIPINOS AND

020 ! FOR NON &ILIPINOS The other holders of preferred shares, or lenders, are Antonio T. #HUA

OR PERCENT Teddy A. Gaerlan, 1,000, or 0.008 PERCENT AND )RIS 6ERONICA 'O ,IM

OR PERCENT

Pays and perks In the same information state-

ment, Phoenix listed the compensation of key management personNEL IN TO HAVE TOTALED 0 MILLION IN AND 0 million in 2018. These consisted OF THE FOLLOWING SALARIES 0 MILLION HONORARIA AND ALLOWANCES 0 MILLION 333 0()#

(-$& AND OTHERS 0

IN AND SALARIES 0 MILLION HONORARIA AND ALLOWANCES

0 MILLION TH MONTH AND BONUSES 0 MILLION AND 333

0()# (-$& AND OTHERS 0 million in 2018.

Either of the total compensation for “key management personnel� or separate from said amounts are the total pays and perks for THE TOP kVE EXECUTIVES &OR

Phoenix projected the group’s total COMPENSATION AT 0 MILLION DIVIDED INTO SALARIES 0 MILLION AND BONUS 0 MILLION )N 0HOENIX S TOP kVE EXecutives led by Dennis Uy received 0 MILLION DIVIDED INTO SALARY 0 MILLION AND BONUSES

0 MILLION )N THE GROUP WAS PAID 0 MILLION CONSISTING OF SALary, P40.412 million and bonus, 0 MILLION )N TO THE TOP kVE AND HIGHEST PAID EXECUTIVE OFkCERS WERE Dennis Uy, president and chief EXECUTIVE OFkCER (ENRY !LBERT 2 &ADULLON CHIEF OPERATING OFkCER -A #ONCEPCION & $E #LARO CHIEF kNANCE OFkCER !LAN 2AYMOND 4 Zorilla, vice president for external affairs, business development and SECURITY AND 7ILLIAM - !ZARCON

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RISKS to Philippine economic growth will primarily be driven by domestic issues in 2019, an ING Bank Manila economist warned on Tuesday. “Of course there will be external factors, which will always come into play, but I think this year risks will be more locally driven,� ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa told reporters in an interview.

Mapa expects the economy to grow by 6.3 percent, marginally up from last year’s 6.2 percent but below the government’s 7.0-8.0 percent target.

Last year’s expansion, which also fell short of the government’s downwardly revised 6.5-6.9 percent goal, has been blamed on factors such as higher world oil prices and above-

target inflation.

Mapa claimed that high interest rates and the delay in the government’s national budget would likely offset election-related spending, which is expected to help boost growth this year. “Yes we see [an] election boost but it doesn’t come necessarily from consumption but from capital formation,� he said. “I am pegging the actual contribution to growth of capital formation for full year 2019 at 3.2-3.3 percent.

Roughly flat from last year,� the economist continued, noting challenges from central bank rate hikes and the budget approval delay.

The impact of key interest rate hikes — a total of 175 basis points — ordered by

the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last year in response to surging inflation is still filtering through the financial system.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd earlier this year said the government would be unable to spend a programmed P46 billion during the first three months of the year given the delayed passage of the 2019 budget, subsequently weighing on first quarter economic growth.

Congress finally approved the 2019 budget last week but there has been no word from MalacaĂąang as to when it will be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte amid concerns of questionable allocations.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

trade talks 2%')/.!, OPTIMISM OVER 53 #HINA TRADE TALKS FAILED TO kLTER TO THE STOCK MARKET ON 7EDNESDAY

with the benchmark index falling below 8,000 during intraday trade.

4HE BELLWETHER 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE INDEX 03%I TRADED MOST of the day in the red but pared its LOSSES TO kNISH AT

DOWN

BY PERCENT OR POINTS FROM -ONDAY 4HE WIDER !LL 3HARES DECLINED BY PERCENT OR POINTS TO CLOSE AT

“The market corrected today ‌ as there [is] no substantial progRESS ON THE 53 #HINA TRADE TALKS u

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Business Times

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

DoE tags more projects of national significance I

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

A

COAL kRED POWER PLANT AND SEVERAL PROJECTS OF THE .ATIONAL 0OWER #ORP .APOCOR AND .ATIONAL 'RID #ORP OF THE 0HILIPPINES .'#0 HAVE BEEN CLASSIkED BY THE $EPARTMENT OF %NERGY $O% AS ENERGY PROJECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIkCANCE Based on a document provided to 4HE -ANILA 4IMES on Tuesday, the DoE has awarded A CERTIkCATE OF ENERGY PROJECT OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE #%0.3 TO '.0OWER $INGININ ,TD #O S X MEGAWATT -7 SUPERCRITICAL CLEAN COAL kRED POWER PLANT IN -ARIVELES "ATAAN 4HE ISSUANCE OF #%0.3 IS IN LINE WITH %XECUTIVE /RDER SIGNED BY 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE IN *UNE

WHICH SEEKS TO STREAMLINE the regulatory procedures and requirements relevant to the development of energy investments in the country.

4HE CERTIkCATION GIVES PROJECT proponents presumptive prior approval and 30-day facilitation from all concerned government agencies. An application is deemed approved if not acted upon within kVE DAYS AFTER THE DAY PERIOD lapses. #%0.3 WERE ALSO AWARDED TO

the following diesel power plants $00 OF .APOCOR X KILOWATT K7 0ALIMBANG X K7 .INOY !QUINO X K7 3ACOL

X K7 4ALICUD X K7 "ASILAN X AND X K7 "ALUT X K7 (IKDOP X K7

X K7 "ALIMBING X K7 +ALAMANSIG X K7 3IBUTU

X -7 $INAGAT X K7 3IBANAG X K7 'IBUSONG

X K7 -ANUK -ANGKAW

X K7 3ITANGKAL X K7 AND X K7 4ANDUBAS X K7 4ANDUBANAK X K7 -ANALIPA X K7 4UMALOPTAP X K7 'REAT 3TA #RUZ X K7 4AUSAN X K7 AND X K7 3ARANGGANI X K7 4ICTABON

X K7 4APIANA X K7 4AGANAK X K7 4AMPAKAN

X K7 ,UGUS X K7 3ALUPING X K7 0ANGAPUYAN

X K7 .INOY !QUINO X K7 7EST 3IMUNUL AND X K7 -APUN

&OR THE .'#0 PROJECTS THE FOLLOWING GOT THE SAME CLASSIkCATION 3AN *OSE !NGAT KILOVOLT K6 TRANSMISSION LINE UPGRADING 3AN *OSE 1UEZON "ALINTAWAK K6 TRANSMISSION LINE -ANILA .AVOTAS K6 SUBSTATION 0ASAY K6 SUBSTATION 4AGUIG EXTRA HIGH VOLTAGE %(6 SUBSTATION 4AGUIG 4AYTAY K6 TRANSMISSION LINE

-ARILAO %(6 SUBSTATION -ANILA .AVOTAS $OĂ„A )MELDA K6 TRANSMISSION LINE "ATAAN K6 GRID REINFORCEMENT -ARIVELES (ERMOSA K6 TRANSMISSION LINE

0AGBILAO %(6 SUBSTATION (ERMOSA 3AN *OSE K6 TRANSMISSION LINE 4UGUEGARAO -AGAPIT K6 TRANSMISSION LINE #ALACA $ASMARIĂ„AS K6 TRANSMISSION LINE

4UY K6 SUBSTATION PROJECT STAGE WESTERN K6 BACKBONE STAGE "ATANGAS -INDORO INTERconnection, Ambuklao-Binga 230 K6 TRANSMISSION LINE UPGRADING

"INGA 3AN -ANUEL K6 TANSMISSION LNE 3AN -ANUEL .AGSAAG K6 TANSMISSION LNE 0AGBILAO 4AYABAS K6 TANSMISSION LNE

(ERMOSA &LORIDABLANCA K6 TANSMISSION LNE #ALAMBA K6 SBSTATION #LARK -ABIGA K6 TANSMISSION LNE 4ANAUAN K6 SBSTATION #ONCEPCION 3TA )GNACIA K6 TANSMISSION LNE .AGSAAG 4UMANA K6 TANSMISSION LNE

3AN 3IMON K6 SBSTATION AND

0INILI K6 SBSTATION )N A SEPARATE STATEMENT ON -ONday, the department said it had RECEIVED #%0.3 APPLICATIONS Previously, the DoE has granted THE #%0.3 TO THE -INDANAO 6ISAYAS )NTERCONNECTION 0ROJECT -6)0 OF THE .'#0 +ALINGA 'EOTHERMAL 0ROJECT OF !0# Group Inc.’s subsidiary Aragorn 0OWER AND %NERGY #ORP !0%#

MEGAWATT -7 4ALIM WIND POWER PROJECT OF )SLAND 7IND %NERGY #ORP ä -7 ULTRA SUPER CRITICAL COAL kRED POWER PLANT OF !TIMONAN /NE %NERGY )NC ! % two coal exploration projects of 0./# %XPLORATION #ORP

-7 +IBUNGAN "ADEO PUMPED STORAGE PROJECT OF #OHECO "ADEO #ORP -7 COMBINED CYCLE gas turbine power plant of Energy 7ORLD #ORP ,TD -7 -ASBATE COAL POWER PLANT OF $-#) 0OWER #ORP -7 BIOGAS POWER PLANT PROJECT OF &IRST 1UEZON "IOGAS #ORP -7 0ANGASINAN GREEN atom waste to energy project of Green Atom Renewable Energy #ORP AND THE -7 3ARANGANI 3OLAR 0ROJECT OF 4OTAL 0OWER )NC (TPI).

To date, the DoE has awarded #%0.3 TO PROJECTS OF WHICH are in the commercials stage and the remaining seven in the predevelopment phase.

Bank of Singapore starts PH inspection Taiwan opens office in PH 34!4% 25. Bank of Taiwan recently opened a representative OFkCE IN THE 0HILIPPINES “The representative office started its operations on 31 *ANUARY u "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 $EPUTY 'OVERNOR #HUCHI &ONACIER SAID IN A February 8 circular letter posted ON THE "30 WEBSITE ON 4UESDAY The central bank noted that its POLICYMAKING -ONETARY "OARD granted authority to the Bank of Taiwan to open a representative OFkCE TO BE KNOWN AS g"ANK OF 4AIWAN ‡ -ANILA 2EPRESENTATIVE /FkCEu ON -ARCH LAST YEAR 4HE OFkCE WAS REGISTERED WITH THE 3ECURITIES AND %XCHANGE #OMMISSION ON 3EPT

WHILE ITS #ERTIkCATE OF !UTHORITY TO /PERATE WAS ISSUED BY THE "30 ON 3EPTEMBER THE same year. g!S A LIAISON OFkCE OF THE "ANK of Taiwan which deals directly with the public, its function shall be limited to promoting and providing information about THE SERVICES PRODUCTS OFFERED BY Bank of Taiwan and shall not INCLUDE THOSE OF ITS AFkLIATES u THE "30 SAID The Bank of Taiwan was esTABLISHED ON -AY AS the first government-owned bank following the island’s restoration to the Republic of #HINA IN Following the phaseout of the Taiwan Provincial GovernMENT ON $EC

THE BANK was subsequently taken over by the central government of the 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA AND PLACED under the administration of the -INISTRY OF &INANCE ,ATEST DATA SHOWED THAT THE BANK S CAPITAL WAS BILLION .EW 4AIWAN DOLLARS WHILE ITS ASSETS AMOUNTED TO OVER .4 TRILLION AT THE END OF The Bank of Taiwan currently OPERATES A TOTAL OF DOMESTIC branches as well as branches in 4OKYO 3INGAPORE (ONG +ONG and the People’s Republic of #HINA Branches have also been estabLISHED IN .EW 9ORK #ITY ,OS !NGELES ,ONDON AND 3OUTH !FRICA MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

4(% !GRI &OOD AND 6ETERINARY !UTHORITY !6! OF 3INGAPORE HAS started initial inspections of various agricultural farms and production facilities in the country as it plans to import several food commodities from the Philippines.

4HE !6! HAS STARTED ITS DAY on-site inspection of models of vegetable, fruit, hog, poultry and egg farms across the country, AgriCULTURE 3ECRETARY %MMANUEL 0IĂ„OL said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Philippines is looking to export some of its agricultural products to neighboring countries in the Asean region such as 3INGAPORE “The inspection of the Philippine FARMS IS THE kRST STEP IN THE PLANNED IMPORTATION BY 3INGAPORE OF SEVERAL agricultural commodities from the 0HILIPPINES u 0IĂ„OL SAID

Identified commodities for EXPORTS TO 3INGAPORE INCLUDE high-value vegetables and fruits, pork and processed pork products, dressed chicken and eggs and seafood including white shrimps.

4HE 3INGAPORE DELEGATION IS COMPOSED OF THE !6! S QUARANTINE and inspection group headed by #HUA 4ZE (OONG GROUP DIRECTOR

AND .EO (E 3HENG SENIOR VETERINARIAN OF THE ,ABORATORIES 'ROUP

0IĂ„OL SAID 4HE 3INGAPOREANS ARE SCHEDULED to visit production facilities such as 'EMSUN -ARKETING AN EGG LAYER FARM IN "ATANGAS .OVOAGRI )NC

WHICH PROCESSES EGGS IN "ATANGAS 0ILMICO ,AYER &ARM IN 4ARLAC 2OBINA &ARM .O IN .AIC #AVITE !NA S "REEDER &ARMS IN $AVAO #ITY AND -ATUTUM -EAT 0ACKING #ORP IN 'EN 3ANTOS #ITY

0IĂ„OL SAID THE $! WAS ALSO SET to hold next month a Philippine !GRI !QUA &OOD 3HOW IN 3INGAPORE “to showcase the best products the country could offer to the huge market dependent on imported products.â€?

The DA is targeting to formalize ITS AGRICULTURAL TRADE WITH 3INGAPORE BY -AY THIS YEAR HE ADDED The DA earlier announced its INTEREST IN SUPPLYING 3INGAPORE with much-needed chicken eggs amid stable local production after the country’s traditional supPLIER‡-ALAYSIA‡ANNOUNCED ITS plan to limit or stop the export of eggs to secure ample supply for its domestic demands. Eggs imported FROM -ALAYSIA MAKE UP NEARLY THREE QUARTERS OF 3INGAPOREANS EGG consumption.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

Q TALKS FROM B1

8I *INGPING BUT ON -ONDAY 7HITE (OUSE ADVISER +ELYANNE #ONWAY said “he (Trump) wants to meet WITH 0RESIDENT 8I VERY SOONu 7ALL 3TREET WAS MIXED OVERNIGHT but Asian markets advanced on opTIMISM OVER THE 53 #HINA TALKS AND a provisional deal to avoid a repeat OF THE 53 GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN 4OKYO JUMPED BY PERCENT as trading resumed after a holiday.

3HANGHAI ADDED PERCENT 3EOUL AND "ANGKOK GAINED PERCENT AND PERCENT RESPECTIVELY WHILE (ONG +ONG INCHED UP PERCENT *AKARTA AND 3INGAPORE ON THE OTHER HAND DROPPED PERCENT AND PERCENT RESPECTIVELY In a separate comment, P2P

4RADE /NLINE SALES ASSOCIATE 'ABRIEL *OSE 0EREZ SAID INVESTORS TRADED amid a lack of market-moving developments. g7ITH THE 03%I ALREADY SHOWING signs of weakness with its intraday dip below the 8,000 mark in the afternoon, watch out if the level will continue to hold for the rest of the week,� he said. )N -ANILA MOST SECTORAL RESULTS ended in the red except for services, WHICH PICKED UP BY PERCENT -ORE THAN BILLION SHARES VALUED AT 0 BILLION WERE TRADED ,OSERS LED WINNERS TO

WHILE ISSUES WERE UNCHANGED FROM REPORTS BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS AND AFP

by the fact that as of Dec. 31, 2018, Phoenix Petroleum has granted unDER THE COMPANY S %MPLOYEES 3TOCK /PTION 0LAN %3/0

0.8 common shares, which a company’s PUBLIC OWNERSHIP REPORT 0/2 placed as equivalent to 0.34 percent OF BILLION OUTSTANDING 0.8 common shares.

The percentage equivalent would have been laudable except for the fact that Phoenix attributed to the SAME 0/2 THE OWNERSHIP OF THE PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS AT

0.8 common shares, or 13.30 percent.

4O RECOMPUTE

OVER

EQUALS OR PERCENT If Dennis Uy, the businessman, would compute his employees’ SHARE IN HIS PERCENT 0.8 HOLDINGS OR

0.8 common shares, he would come OUT WITH PERCENT WHICH WOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO

0.8 COMMON SHARES AND NOT

0.8 COMMON SHARES

OR PERCENT AS 0HOENIX S 0/2 SHOWED IN THE 0/2 Incidentally, the recipients of 0HOENIX S %3/0 INCLUDED $ENNIS Uy and the company’s “top four executives and all current executive OFkCERS AS A GROUP u As shown in Phoenix’s informaTION STATEMENT THE TOP kVE EXECUTIVES GOT MILLION %3/0 SHARES

OR PERCENT OF

%3/0 SHARES OTHER EXECUTIVES

MILLION %3/0 SHARES OR percent for total allocations of 2.44 MILLION %3/0 SHARES OR PERCENT g!LL QUALIkED EMPLOYEES WERE GRANTED

%3/0 SHARES OR PERCENT 7AS 0HOENIX S DISTRIBUTION OF

%3/0 SHARES FAIR TO THE RANK AND kLE EMPLOYEES *UST ASKING

PSEi down $IVERSIkED 3ECURITIES )NC TRADER Aniceto Pangan said. ,OWER LEVEL NEGOTIATIONS BEGAN ON -ONDAY IN "EIJING BUT IT WILL only be on Thursday and Friday WHEN 53 4RADE 2EPRESENTATIVE 2OBERT ,IGHTHIZER AND 4REASURY 3ECRETARY 3TEVEN -NUCHIN STEP IN FOR DISCUSsions aimed at striking a deal before A -ARCH DEADLINE -ARKETS FELL LAST WEEK ON NEWS THAT 53 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP had written off an expected sumMIT WITH HIS #HINESE COUNTERPART

Q PEREZ FROM B1

Phoenix vice president-business development for terminals and depots.

0HOENIX SAID IN THE 0)3 THAT IT estimated the compensation of gALL OTHER OFkCERS AND DIRECTORS AS A GROUP UNNAMEDu AT 0 MILLION IN DIVIDED INTO SALARIES

0 MILLION AND BONUSES

0 MILLION )N IT PAID THEM 0 MILLION DIVIDED INTO SALARIES 0 MILLION AND BONUSES 0 MILLION )N IT PAID THE gUNNAMED GROUPu 0 MILLION OF WHICH 0 MILLION as salaries and P2.121 million as bonuses.

Due Diligencer’s take The public investors may be elated

esdperez@gmail.com

In the aftermath of a cybercrisis ,AST PART

T started without warning when the malware hit 0RIX (EALTHCARE )NC S SERVERS The new strain infected the company’s systems like silent wildfire, burning through the cyber kill chain unabated. The hacker advanced easily from EACH STEP ON THE KILL CHAIN he harvested enough email addresses during his reconnaissance to know all about -ARK S SECRET AFFAIR WITH A staff member, that he enjoyed a high-speed virtual private network connection to the ofFICE S NETWORK AND THAT -ARK maintains several personal EMAIL ADDRESSES (E WEAPONized his exploit of choice into an unassuming PDF (portable document format) file, and delivered the payload as an email masquerading as a legitimate corporate travel agent. A typical customized whale-phishing email attack will do the trick, the hacker’s eyes gleamed, easy peasy. The code executed after exploiting a known vulnerability, and then the malware installed on the server—the asset, lighting UP HIS TARGET (E KNEW NO ONE in Prix had the foresight, skill, and time to hunt for abnormal outbound network activities or packets that the now-infected system will be sending to call home—and engage the next step in the chain, command and control.

During that short session, a connection was established with the infected machine and the hacker swiftly keyed in and executed a multitude of other commands through his remote command and control channel. Using the compromised machine, the attacker initiated a wave of spam emails to Prix’s clients and hijacked ongoing email conversations and existing threads of insurance agents and high-value targets—Prix’s TOP BRASS -IMICKING THEIR tone, ensuring the people in the conversation believe they are interacting with the Prix employee they trust, the hacker sent documents where he embedded his signature trojan payload. The malware was designed to let the attacker gain access to the victim’s medical records and clear out or change details. The versatile attacker went on installing a phishing website and launched attacks against other servers.

(IS INTENTIONS WERE TO WIDELY distribute the malware—his pride and joy—in the shortest TIME POSSIBLE AND EVENTUALLY

undermine the public’s trust in the health care system to cause panic—his original goal.

The staggering amount of phishing emails sent to Prix’s health insurance clients across the nation clogged their bandwidth and rendered communications down to a trickle. Key services started to shut down.

"Y THE TIME -ARK ORDERED TO take their IT system offline to contain the damage, the malware had already spread to private individuals, health clinics, hospitals, government health centers, and numerous businesses covered by their 3-% HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS g!RE YOU STILL THERE ) M LISTENING u -ARK SAID AS HE watched his wristwatch strike MIDNIGHT g!CTIVATE YOUR #%24 if you have one, but I know you don’t, so who am I kidding—call this number and

FROM WHERE WE SIT

PAUL GONZALES drop my name, they have a team of experienced cybersecurity incident advisors and a battery of other experts who can help you respond, issue a public statement, and hopefully recover... unfortunately, IT DOESN T END THERE -ARK u (E RESIGNED HIMSELF TO THE gravity of the facts, laid bare by his friend, that all plans for his company would have to wait, its future now was thrown into question. To resolve the matter, as told bluntly by his friend, 0RIX (EALTHCARE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH COMPLIANCE kNES AND court fees and undergo a computer forensic and investigation PROCESS -ARK HAS TO BRACE FOR any blowback from the public and endure reputational losses THAT WILL LIKELY LAST A LONG TIME not to mention the possible imposition of regulatory commitments, spending revenues on identity theft prevention services for his clients, taking on an incident response retainer that would be tasked to conduct regular compromise assessments, and availing of a cyber-liability insurance product to cover for potential DATA BREACHES 7ITH THE LIKELY turnover of clients, he will be spending more on client acquisition activities in the short term to keep his company running. For Prix, the future LOOKED BLEAK -ARK DID NOT foresee that a cyber-incident can cause a disruption of this scale.

This is a work of fiction. .AMES CHARACTERS BUSINESSES

places, events, locales, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

The author wants to show a precautionary tale of the near future, where cyberattacks continue to dominate the news and hackers win the cyberbattle, yet again, in a highly interconnected digital market.

7HILE THE GOVERNMENT FINDS diplomatic ways to impose its regulatory might, small businesses struggle to cope in a regulated marketplace with steep protection rules, where the overall cost of compliance schemes represent an additional barrier to market entry.

And the need to focus on the human element and how it plays a crucial role in security.

The biases and the impact of decisions that shape the course of our businesses, its competitiveness and impact on society.

Paul Gonzales is a Director of THE !DVISORY 3ERVICES $IVISION of P&A Grant Thornton. P&A Grant Thornton is one of the leading Audit, Tax, Advisory, AND /UTSOURCING FIRMS IN THE Philippines, with 21 Partners AND OVER STAFF MEMBERS 7E D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOUĂœ Tweet us at: @PAGrantThornton, like us on Facebook: P&A Grant Thornton, and email your comments to paul.gonzales@ph.gt.com or pagrantt h o r n t o n @ p h . g t . c o m . Fo r more information, visit our 7EBSITE WWW GRANTTHORNTON com.ph

Q RANKING FROM B1

DoF: Reforms to boost lunch. Put another way, economic freedom does not come free,� the Finance department said.

The law, which has been blamed for last year’s inflation surge, provided income tax

exemptions for those earning 0 AND BELOW AND SOUGHT to make up for the revenue loss by imposing new taxes on fuel and sugar-sweetened beverages, among others.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Corporate News

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

B3

Globe sets 2019 capex at $1.2B

BY LISBET K. ESMAEL

G

LOBE Telecom has raised its capital expenditures (capex) for 2019 to a record $1.2 billion (P62.5 billion) — a 26-percent increase from last year’s $950 million — to support increasing data consumption in the Philippines. )N A PRESS BRIEkNG ON 4UESDAY ers that the capex would mainly Globe President and Chief Execu- focus on supporting its customers’ TIVE /FkCER %RNEST #U TOLD REPORT- rising demand for data.

“The number of people who now watch videos and probably consume entertainment [on] their phones and tablets is increasing exponentially.

That has to be supported somehow.

It’s a matter of supplying enough capacity out there to support the momentum we built,� he said.

Revenues from Globe’s mobile business grew by 9 percent to P106.9 billion last year on the back of this growing consumption, which jumped to 956 petabytes from 600 petabytes in 2017.

Data demand also helped Globe boost its bottomline to P18.4 billion last year from 2017’s P15.1 billion, while its consolidated service revenues climbed by 10 percent yearon-year to P140.2 billion.

Its home broadband segment also increased by 19 percent to P18.5 billion, while its corporate data business grew by 15 percent to P11.8 billion.

The telco ended the year with 74.1 million mobile subscribers and 1.6 million home broad-

band subscribers.

On its Fifth Generation (5G) initiative, Cu shrugged off the issues its 5G partner Huawei Technologies is having with the United States government, stressing that these have no effect on his company’s business. “What we are seeing is [that] their technology is more ahead than their competitors, giving us the advantage,� the Globe chief said.

Globe said last year it would launch 5G services in the second quarter of 2019, tapping its home

SUBSCRIBERS kRST #U IS CONkDENT ABOUT 'LOBE S ability to compete in the market despite the forthcoming entry of the Mindanao Islamtic Telephone Co. (Mislatel) consortium, which the government selected in early November as the country’s third major telco player. “We’re not going to give up our space,� the Globe chief said.

Globe’s shares fell by P24 or 1.21 percent to close at P1,956 apiece on Tuesday.

Philex Mining Megaworld eyes 771K-sqm of retail space by end-2019 pays P1.39B for PXP Energy subscription LISTED Philex Mining Corp. has paid P1.39 billion as downpayment for its subscription of shares in PXP Energy Corp.

In a disclosure on Tuesday, the Pangilinan-led mining company said the amount served as its second-tranche payment for 26 million PXP Energy common shares worth P3.08 billion, or P11.85 each.

This follows the initial P770.25-million Philex paid for those shares in December, which came after both parties signed a sharesubscription agreement on Oct. 26, 2018.

Philex Mining’s net income decreased by 49.6 PERCENT TO 0 MILLION IN THE kRST NINE MONTHS of 2018, which it blamed on the decline on lowgrade production and higher excise taxes.

Incorporated on July 19, 1955, Philex Mining is into the large-scale exploration, development and utilization of mineral resources. It has been operating the Pacdal mine for the last 59 years.

Incorporated on Dec. 27, 2007 as Philex Petroleum Corp., PXP Energy is primarily into the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gras. It was once a wholly owned subsidiary of Philex Mining.

Philex Mining shares added 9 centavos or 2.10 percent to close at P4.20 each, while PXP Energy shares shed 14 centavos or 1 percent to end at P14.16 apiece on Tuesday.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

MEGAWORLD Corp. is expanding its retail portfolio in a bid to hit its target of 771,000 square meters (sqm) of footprint by yearend. )N A REGULATORY kLING ON 4UESDAY THE Andrew Tan-led property developer said it would open 11 commercial properties across its townships that would cover about

SQM OF GROSS lOOR AREA '&!

The retail spaces would open in the Iloilo Business Park in Iloilo City’s Mandurriao district; Alabang West along Daang Hari in

Las PiĂąas City; McKinley Hill and Uptown Bonifacio in Taguig City; Arcovia City in Pasig City; Boracay Newcoast on Boracay Island, Aklan province; and Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City.

Bulk of the GFA would be in Uptown Bonifacio, as it is set to open a new retail row at Uptown Mall and Uptown Parade.

Megaworld would also launch a retail development in Arcovia City and Alabang West. “Every mall that we build has curated

district and Three Central and San Lorenzo Place in Makati City, which collectively offer 26,500 sqm of retail spaces.

Last month Megaworld announced that it would spend P65 billion this year, the bulk of which would be used to fund construction projects and the rest to buy land and invest in properties.

Shares of Megaworld dropped by 3 centavos or 0.57 percent to close at P5.20 each on Tuesday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Phinma invests P278M Businessinbriefs in Indonesian JV firm MANILA WATER TO SPEND P115B TO BUILD, RUN FACILITIES PHINMA Corp. is investing P278 million in a joint venture company that will hold its education business in Indonesia.

In a disclosure on Tuesday, Phinma said its education services unit Phinma Education Holdings Inc. signed on Monday an agreement with Tripersada Global Manajemen to form PT Ind Phil Managemen.

Phinma will own 66 percent of the NEW kRM WHICH WOULD HOLD AND MANAGE tertiary institutions for Yayasan Triputra 0ERSADA (ORIZON %DUCATION WITH THE kRST located in West Java, Indonesia. “This entry into the Southeast Asian [education] market will strengthen Phinma Education’s position in the education industry,� Phinma said.

PT Ind Phil Managemen’s establishment comes a week after Phinma announced in a

Index

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

8,009.92

-51.62

Ĺş

All Shares

4,858.41

-34.07

Ĺş

Financials

1,828.19

-4.88

Ĺş

Industrial

11,474.13

-144.27

Ĺş

Holding Firms

7,982.35

-60.19

Ĺş

Services

1,604.70

2.59

Ÿ

Mining and Oil

8,527.97

-80.36

Ĺş

Property

4,006.39

-25.71

Ĺş

SERVICES

Stock indices as of February 12, 2019

ALL SHARES

LISTED Manila Water Co. Inc. is allotting P115 billion from 2018 to 2037 to construct and operate used-water treatment facilities within its concession area. The amount, the Ayala-led water provider said, adds to the “more than P33 million� it invested since signing on Feb. 21, 1997 a concession deal with state-run Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to supply water to residents of the eastern part of Metro Manila and of Rizal province. “With wastewater infrastructure investment of more than P33 billion for the past 20 years, Manila Water has put up 40 wastewater treatment facilities and a sewer network spanning 360 kilometers to ensure proper treatment of domestic wastewater and help reverse the moribund state of our river systems,� Manila Water President Ferdinand dela Cruz said in an MWSS statement on Monday. Manila Water expects to increase its sewerage coverage to 22 percent by 2022. It currently has 38 sewage and two septage treatment plants. Shares of Manila Water shed 20 centavos or 0.73 percent to close at P27.10 apiece on Tuesday. JORDEENE B. LAGARE

kLING THAT IT WAS PLANNING TO EXPAND ITS EDUCAtion services in the Philippines and Vietnam.

In January, Phinma announced that it was exiting from the energy business with the sale of its 51.48-percent stake in unit Phinma Energy Corp. to Ayala-led AC Energy Holdings Inc. for P3.42 billion, which would allow the latter to hit its target of 5 gigawatts of renewable power by 2025.

AC Energy would also subscribe to 2.6 billion primary shares of Phinma Energy at a par value of P1 each for a total of P2.6 billion.

Phinma said the plan was “a timely opportunity for the Phinma Group to harness value from a business which it established 50 years ago and which Phinma believes it has grown to the extent it can.� Phinma shares remained unchanged at P9.36 apiece on Tuesday.

HOLDING FIRMS

PSEi

spaces that evoke the character of the township where it is located,� Megaworld #HIEF 3TRATEGY /FkCER +EVIN 4AN SAID “We want to create commercial properties that are not just for shopping and dining, but those that help drive tourism,� he added.

In the second half of 2018, Megaworld opened its P2.2-billion Festive Walk Mall in the Iloilo Business Park, which offers 90,000 sqm of retail spaces; and community malls Village Square in Muntinlupa City’s Alabang

MINING AND OIL

LANDBANK LOANS TO AGRI-FISHERIES HIT P172.7B IN 2018 LOANS released by state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) to the agriculture and fisheries sector went up by 25 percent to P172.7 billion in 2018 from the figure posted the year before. In a statement on Monday, Landbank said total loands to the farm sector included those allocated for aqua-business and agri-aquarelated projects of local government units and government-owned and -controlled corporations. The bank’s outstanding loans to agri-business posted an 83-percent increase to P151.2 billion from P82.6 billion a year earlier.

Also, loans to small farmers, including agrarian reform beneficiaries and their associations, climbed by 9 percent to P49.3 billion from P45.2 billion. Landbank President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Buenaventura attributed the significant increase to substantial growth in the company’s loans to its priority sectors. EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

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 International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Asiabest Group International Inc. Bloomberry Resorts Corporation Ayala Land, Inc. SM Investments Corporation BDO Unibank, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Xurpas Inc. Bank of the Philippine Islands Wilcon Depot, Inc. Jollibee Foods Corporation Petron Corporation Ayala Corporation Alliance Global Group, Inc. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company Manila Electric Company GT Capital Holdings, Inc. Megawide Construction Corp.

Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation 0HWUR 3DFLÂżF ,QYHVWPHQWV &RUSRUDWLRQ

Last Price 116.9 26.9 11.96 44.8 986 139 38.9 2.03 89.6 14.88 312 6.78 932 14.3 82.35 360.4 1,070.00 18.3 1.4 4.88

Chg 2.2 2.3 -0.04 -0.1 -14 1 -0.4 -0.27 -1.05 0.26 -2.8 0.03 3 0.34 0.05 0.4 -20 -0.1 -0.07 -0.05

%Chg 1.92% 9.35% -0.33% -0.22% -1.40% 0.72% -1.02% -11.74% -1.16% 1.78% -0.89% 0.44% 0.32% 2.44% 0.06% 0.11% -1.83% -0.54% -4.76% -1.01%

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

Volume 8,364,920.00 31,043,000.00 24,624,400.00 6,157,600.00 218,175.00 1,550,210.00 5,288,000.00 84,325,000.00 1,821,150.00 10,638,700.00 475,100.00 21,096,700.00 152,120.00 9,980,900 1,676,360 347,690 104,235 5,903,300 74,441,000 21,843,000

Value(P) 993,159,960.00 777,825,585.00 294,941,142.00 275,705,680.00 216,020,302.50 213,795,059.00 205,112,180.00 176,327,870.00 164,226,391.50 158,546,078.00 149,242,974.00 143,414,640.00 142,049,635.00 141,587,416.00 137,876,314.00 125,631,116.00 111,577,820.00 110,763,294.00 107,796,610.00 107,350,110.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Feb 12, 2019 Feb 11, 2019 Feb 8, 2019 Feb 7, 2019 Feb 6, 2019 Feb 04, 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 04, 2019 Jan 03, 2019 Jan 02, 2019 Dec 28, 2018

Open 8,077 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

High 8,084 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

Low 7,984 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

Close 8,010 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

CLOSE

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

Security Name TKC Metals Corporation Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation Coal Asia Holdings Inc. SOCResources, Inc. Lorenzo Shipping Corporation I-Remit, Inc. Synergy Grid & Development Phils., Inc. Philweb Corporation Asiabest Group International Inc. Manila Mining Corporation “B�

United Paragon Mining Corporation Ever-Gotesco Resources & Holdings, Inc. The Philodrill Corporation National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines Omico Corporation Vivant Corporation SBS Philippines Corporation Philippine Realty & Holdings Corporation Metro Alliance Holdings & Equities Corp. “A�

Rockwell Land Corporation

Volume 33,813,000.00 100,590,000.00 22,050,000.00 7,061,000.00 5,196,000.00 168,000.00 150.00 6,402,000.00 31,043,000.00 39,000,000.00 27,000,000.00 100,000.00 10,000,000.00 6,340,000.00 77,603,000.00 21,000.00 705,300.00 8,360,000.00 986,000.00 1,043,000.00

Value 47,094,030.00 74,912,410.00 7,701,750.00 6,360,400.00 4,928,830.00 266,970.00 73,884.00 21,268,620.00 777,825,585.00 338,600.00 230,300.00 13,760.00 124,700.00 8,206,530.00 69,262,270.00 362,714.00 6,250,763.00 4,109,250.00 2,139,660.00 2,166,880.00

Last Price 1.53 0.81 0.36 0.9 0.93 1.67 490 3.45 26.9 0.0086 0.0086 0.14 0.013 1.31 0.83 16.98 9 0.49 2.19 2.11

Chg 0.51 0.27 0.06 0.13 0.13 0.23 48 0.31 2.3 0.0007 0.0007 0.011 0.001 0.09 0.05 0.98 0.48 0.025 0.11 0.1

%Chg 50.00% 50.00% 20.00% 16.88% 16.25% 15.97% 10.86% 9.87% 9.35% 8.86% 8.86% 8.53% 8.33% 7.38% 6.41% 6.13% 5.63% 5.38% 5.29% 4.98%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP LOSERS No. 1 Xurpas Inc.

HIGH

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Security Name

Concrete Aggregates Corporation “B�

Macay Holdings, Inc. Concrete Aggregates Corporation “A�

Oriental Petroleum And Minerals Corporation “B�

Chemical Industries of the Philippines First Philippine Holdings Corporation Series “Câ€? Preferred Shares Ionics, Inc. 3DFLÂżFD ,QF Paxys, Inc. Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation Da Vinci Capital Holdings, Inc. Apollo Global Capital, Inc. )RUXP 3DFLÂżF ,QF Doubledragon Properties Corp.

ISM Communications Corporation Universal Robina Corporation Ayala Corporation Class “B� Series 2 Preferred Shares Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. Benguet Corporation “A�

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

Volume Value Last Price 84,325,000.00 176,327,870.00 2.03

Chg -0.27

%Chg -11.74%

1,710.00 412,300.00 1,400.00 701,400,000.00 1,060.00 400.00 1,201,000.00 12,500,000.00 21,000.00 74,441,000.00 7,200.00 53,500,000.00 630,000.00 1,384,400.00 14,061,400.00 706,990.00 4,020.00 8,485,000.00 23,000.00

-8 -1.52 -6 -0.001 -7.6 -25 -0.1 -0.002 -0.17 -0.07 -0.3 -0.002 -0.011 -0.95 -0.26 -5.7 -18 -0.08 -0.05

-10.00% -9.33% -8.57% -7.69% -5.52% -5.49% -5.32% -4.88% -4.87% -4.76% -4.70% -4.65% -4.58% -4.13% -4.08% -3.88% -3.61% -3.48% -3.45%

123,694.50 6,265,594.00 90,408.50 8,416,800.00 137,275.00 170,144.00 2,167,320.00 490,300.00 69,980.00 107,796,610.00 43,916.00 2,147,000.00 144,990.00 30,876,095.00 87,052,300.00 101,280,668.00 1,935,130.00 19,012,450.00 31,300.00

72 14.78 64 0.012 130 430 1.78 0.039 3.32 1.4 6.08 0.041 0.229 22.05 6.12 141.3 480 2.22 1.4

Foreign Business CEOs call for laws to UK posts slowest growth protect US ‘Dreamers’ in 6 years as Brexit looms L B4

˜ The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

/.$/. 4HE "RITISH ECONOMY GREW AT ITS SLOWEST PACE IN SIX YEARS IN DATA SHOWED -ONDAY AS "REXIT UNCERTAINTY GRIPS THE COUNTRY AND FEARS GROW THAT "RITAIN COULD CRASH OUT OF THE %5 WITHOUT A DEAL

4HE BLEAK OFkCIAL kGURES CAME as the British government seeks to win more time to secure EU concessions on Brexit that could pass the UK parliament and avert a chaotic split from the bloc on -ARCH Businesses are on edge with Britain just weeks away from its scheduled departure from the European PROJECT AFTER YEARS AND STILL WITH NO kRM ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE 4HE PARLIAMENT IN ,ONDON LAST month roundly rejected a Brexit DEAL 0RIME -INISTER 4HERESA -AY

HAD SEALED WITH THE REMAINING EU leaders.

-ONDAY S kGURES FOLLOWED DATA last week that showed Britain’s dominant service sector almost GROUND TO A HALT IN *ANUARY “The economy is clearly strugGLING IN THE kRST QUARTER OF amid serious business and consumer caution resulting from heightened Brexit uncertainties while weaker global growth is ALSO IMPACTINGu THE kGURES NOTED (OWARD !RCHER CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR AT THE %9 )4%- #LUB

w w w.manilatimes.net

,AST YEAR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODuct growth stood at 1.4 percent, DOWN FROM PERCENT IN

THE /FkCE FOR .ATIONAL 3TATISTICS SAID -ONDAY Growth was only 0.2 percent in the last three months of 2018, the /.3 SAID IN A STATEMENT g#ONSTRUCTION PRODUCTION AND services output fell in the month OF $ECEMBER THE kRST TIME THAT there has been such a broad-based FALL IN MONTHLY OUTPUT SINCE 3EPTEMBER u THE /.3 SAID Britain has been in a state of political turmoil for two months since the Brexit deal was agreed in December.

In an incident heavy with symbolism, parts of parliament were CORDONED OFF -ONDAY AFTER A large piece of masonry fell onto a parked vehicle over the weekend.

600,000 jobs under threat

Q Year-on-year change in GDP since 2008. AFP PHOTO

The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator -ICHEL "ARNIER HAS CALLED FOR gCLARity and movement� from Britain.

In an effort to break the imPASSE "REXIT 3ECRETARY 3TEPHEN "ARclay hosted Barnier for a working dinner at the British ambassador’s RESIDENCE IN "RUSSELS ON -ONDAY

with concern growing on both SIDES OF THE #HANNEL 3PEAKING AFTER THE DINNER "ARnier said the talks had been “constructive�. g7E ARE CLEAR FROM OUR SIDE THAT we are not going to reopen the withdrawal agreement, but we will continue our discussion in the coming days,� he told journalists.

Earlier, Barnier said that British OPPOSITION LEADER *EREMY #ORBYN S proposal for a permanent customs union with the EU was an “interesting� one.

2ESEARCHERS AT THE )7( )NSTITUTE IN (ALLE EASTERN 'ERMANY ON -ONDAY SAID A NO DEAL "REXIT COULD PUT JOBS AROUND

the world at risk, with Germany the hardest hit.

The institute examined what would happen if UK imports from THE REMAINING %5 FELL PERCENT after Brexit.

They reckoned some 103,000 jobs would be under threat in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, with the car industry the worst affected sector.

Global growth slowdown -ONDAY S ECONOMIC DATA CAME after the Bank of England last week slashed its forecast for UK growth THIS YEAR TO PERCENT FROM percent, blaming the downgrade on a global economic slowdown and “the fog of Brexit�.

The Bank of England warned that Britain’s economic output was being dragged down with growth DAMPENING IN #HINA THE 5NITED 3TATES AND THE EUROZONE The point was echoed by anaLYSTS REACTING TO -ONDAY S DATA “Brexit uncertainty is certainly not helping matters on the economic front, but it is probably only a secondary factor in this slowdown, with the primary cause being a drop in overall global ACTIVITY u SAID $AVID #HEETHAM

CHIEF MARKET ANALYST AT 84" TRADing group.

The pound fell against the euro AND DOLLAR IN REACTION TO -ONDAY S growth data. g7E MUST CAUTION AGAINST BLAMing all on Brexit — global cooling is having the biggest dampening effect on all major economies at present — although we must note that (UK) business investment is COLLAPSING u SAID .EIL 7ILSON CHIEF MARKET ANALYST AT -ARKETS COM ,ONDON S BENCHMARK &43% 100 stocks index, which features many multinationals, was however higher on hopes of a breakthrough IN 53 #HINA TRADE TALKS AFP

WASHINGTON, D.C.: -ORE THAN CORporate leaders and other prominent kGURES ON -ONDAY CALLED ON 53 lawmakers to protect immigrants BROUGHT ILLEGALLY TO THE 5NITED 3TATES as children. )N AN OPEN LETTER TO #ONGRESS THE HEADS OF 'ENERAL -OTORS &ACEBOOK

#OCA #OLA !PPLE !MAZON 'OOGLE

!4 4 AND -ICROSOFT AMONG OTHers, said these immigrants, known as “Dreamers,� were a boon to THE 53 ECONOMY AND A DEDICATED workforce. “These are our friends, neighbors and co-workers and they should not have to wait for court cases to be decided to determine their fate WHEN #ONGRESS CAN ACT NOW u THE executives said in the letter, which APPEARED A FULL PAGE AD IN 4HE .EW 9ORK 4IMES ON -ONDAY In a campaign lasting nearly 20 years, activists have pressed for lawmakers to pass legislation, known as THE $2%!- !CT THAT WOULD MAKE THE g$REAMERSu LEGAL 53 RESIDENTS

and create a path to citizenship. &ORMER PRESIDENT "ARACK /BAMA ALLOWED MORE THAN $REAMers to apply for protection from deportation, and to work legally if they met certain conditions. But President Donald Trump moved

TO CANCEL THAT POLICY IN ALthough it remains in effect under court order.

The executives — who say they REPRESENT HALF OF PRIVATE 53 WORKERS — echoed many of the arguments in favor of protecting immigrants who WERE RAISED IN THE 5NITED 3TATES AND know no other country. g3TUDIES BY ECONOMISTS ACROSS the ideological spectrum have DETERMINED THAT IF #ONGRESS FAILS to act, our economy could lose BILLION IN '$0 AND THE federal government could lose BILLION IN TAX REVENUE u THE letter said. g7E HAVE SEEN TIME AND AGAIN that the overwhelming majority of Americans of all political backgrounds agree that we should protect Dreamers from deportation.�

Trump last month offered to extend protections for Dreamers as a bargaining chip in the current talks WITH #ONGRESS OVER FUNDING FOR A WALL ON THE BORDER WITH -EXICO

but Democrats have largely prevented the issue from entering the negotiations.

The demand for a wall threatens to result in another government SHUTDOWN AS SOON AS 3ATURDAY AFP

Q Pedestrians walk under an advertisement near the headquarters of Japanese auto maker Nissan in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo on February 12, 2019. AFP PHOTO

Asian stocks up on trade talks, shutdown deal news Nissan cuts full-year forecast, HONG KONG:Â Asian stocks advanced Tuesday on optimism over US-China trade talks and a provisional deal to avoid a Washington shutdown, while the weak yen boosted exporters.

Negotiations are under way in Beijing aimed at averting a planned increase in US tariffs that could slow the global economy.

Top-level officials are set to arrive in the Chinese capital for meetings Thursday and Friday, ahead of a March 1 deal deadline.

Investors responded positively to reports that Donald Trump wants to meet Xi Jinping “very soon�, just days after the US president had appeared to write off an imminent summit with his counterpart. “Officials on both sides of the USChina trade talks expressed satisfaction with the progress thus far,� wrote Jeffrey Halley, senior analyst at Oanda, in a

commentary.

Washington is demanding changes from Beijing on what it says are unfair commercial practices.

Failure by the economic superpowers to reach an agreement would see US tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports more than double.

Meanwhile, US lawmakers said they had reached an agreement in principle on border security.

The announcement assuaged fears of a chaotic repeat of the recent 35-day partial US government shutdown -- the longest in the country’s history.

The agreement included $1.4 billion in funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border — a key campaign promise of Trump.

News of the deal — which still needs to be accepted — came as the president stirred up border controversy at a raucous rally in the frontier city of El Paso.

Q BLAMED FROM B1

mitigate this impact, the national government should continue to work on legislative reforms that will open up sectors for foreign investment,� he added.

In a message to reporters, Trade 3ECRETARY 2AMON ,OPEZ SAID THAT “since [the] Philippines as well as 10 other Asian economies suffered from an export decline in December, it’s quite apparent that the downward trend in exports was brought about by softening global demand induced by global growth slowdown as well as increased UNCERTAINTY AMID ESCALATING 53 #HINA TRADE TENSIONS u “Electronics supply chain in the region was adversely affected as lower orders from one country can lead to lower orders in other supplier countries,� he added.

Electronic products, the PhilipPINES TOP EXPORT WITH A PERcent share of the total in DecemBER CONTRACTED BY PERCENT TO BILLION &OR THE FULL YEAR

PH exports 1.8-percent contraction — to BILLION ‡ IN OVERSEAS SALES of Philippine-made goods.

The full-year trade deficit of BILLION IS SIGNIkCANTLY HIGHER THAN THE BILLION AND BILLION RECORDED IN AND

RESPECTIVELY 0HILIPPINE 3TATISTICS !UTHORITY 03! DATA SHOWED g-ERCHANDISE TRADE IN ALL THE monitored Asian economies continued to weaken in the last month of 2018 as the region began to feel THE IMPACT OF THE WEAKENING #HINESE ECONOMY AND THE 53 #HINA TRADE TENSION u 3OCIOECONOMIC 0LANNING 3ECRETARY %RNESTO 0ERNIA said in a statement. “Policy uncertainty remains a threat to global trade, investment, AND OUTPUT ESPECIALLY AS 53 #HINA TRADE TENSIONS CONTINUE 4O

Hong Kong edged up 0.1 percent, while Shanghai gained 0.7 percent.

Sydney, Seoul and Taipei also rose.

Tokyo — returning from Monday’s public holiday — leapt 2.6 percent, as Japanese exporters further benefited from a resurgent dollar, which left the yen at its weakest level since the start of 2019.

posts nine-month profit fall

The dollar has returned to early January heights, on the US currency’s longest unbroken rally in three years — despite the Fed recently changing course on interest rate hikes.

Investors have turned to the greenback as concern has built over poor growth forecasts and the health of other currencies in Europe and beyond.

Multiple central banks have fallen in line with the Fed’s dovish stance since

it held interest rates unchanged two weeks ago.

The weak yen saw Tokyo-listed exporters such as Toyota, Honda and Nissan rise.

The British pound clawed back some losses after dropping sharply Monday on dismal monthly GDP and manufacturing data, but the euro remained largely unchanged against the dollar. “The problem for dollar bears is that there is a chronic shortage of currencies to like,� Societe Generale SA strategist Kit Juckes told Bloomberg. “Lower bund yields, not to mention weak growth, political uncertainty and Brexit, make a good set of reasons to hate the euro as much as you hate the dollar.�

In early European trade, London added 0.4 percent, Paris gained 0.8 percent and Frankfurt climbed nearly 1.0 percent.

AFP

TOKYO: *APANESE AUTOMAKER .ISsan, rocked by the arrest of former CHAIRMAN #ARLOS 'HOSN ON 4UESday revised downward its full-year FORECAST AS NINE MONTH NET PROkT DROPPED MORE THAN PERCENT )T WAS .ISSAN S FIRST EARNINGS report since Ghosn was arrested on .OVEMBER AND THEN SACKED AS CHAIRMAN (E IS IN DETENTION FACING CHARGES OF kNANCIAL MISCONDUCT 4HE kRM S BOTTOM LINE PROkT FELL PERCENT TO BILLION YEN BILLION SAID .ISSAN ‡ ALLIED WITH &RANCE S 2ENAULT AND FELLOW *APANESE CARMAKER -ITSUBISHI -OTORS .ISSAN S RESULTS ALSO COME AS it nominated the new boss of Renault to replace Ghosn on its board last week after his arrest and subsequent indictment ex-

posed rifts between the two auto partners.

3ALES CAME IN AT TRILLION YEN FOR THE PERIOD UP PERCENT ON YEAR ACCORDING TO THE 9OKOHAMA BASED MAKER OF THE -ARCH SUBCOMPACT ,EAF ELECTRIC CAR AND )NkNITI LUXURY MODELS .ISSAN DOWNGRADED ITS NET PROkT FORECAST TO BILLION YEN FOR THE kSCAL YEAR TO -ARCH COMPARED WITH BILLION YEN PROjected earlier.

Annual sales are now seen at TRILLION YEN DOWN FROM AN earlier estimate of 12 trillion yen.

The firm also said it was accounting for some nine billion yen in salary that prosecutors accuse Ghosn of under-declaring between 2010 and 2018.

AFP

outbound shipments of this comMODITY ROSE PERCENT TO billion.

4HE 03! SAID THAT ASIDE FROM electronics, the month’s declines was also due contractions for machinery and transport equipment PERCENT COCONUT OIL percent) and other manufactured GOODS PERCENT December’s imports drop, meanwhile, was attributed to declines for transport equipment (-33.3 percent), miscellaneous manufactured articles (-18.4 percent), mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (-14.4 percent), telecommunication equipment AND INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY percent), other food and live aniMALS PERCENT AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS PERCENT ,OPEZ SAID THE EXPORTS DROP WAS supported by a manufacturing slowdown in December as noted by a decline in the country’s PurCHASING -ANAGERS )NDEX 0-) "UT

while the indicator had fallen to a three-month low, he added that it “still showed Philippines as best performer in Asean (Association OF 3OUTHEAST .ATIONS u For non-electronics exports, meanwhile, the Trade chief said production remained a concern and measures should be implemented to boost capacity and address supply bottlenecks. #HEMICAL PRODUCTS WERE gMAINly affected by ports and logistics EFkCIENCY ISSUES IN THEIR IMPORT export operations, as well as the police security and control procedures�, while farm goods like coconut, mango and others were troubled by supply and price conCERNS ,OPEZ SAID Price and supply issues for sugar also continued to weigh on processed food shipments, he continued, indirectly referring to a government move to liberalize imports by saying that sugar costs must “be competitive to improve

our capabilities to export more processed food.� /VERALL ,OPEZ SAID THE 4RADE department was focusing on improving the manufacturing sector to “allow us to do more import substitution as well as improve our export performance in the long term and help address the perenNIAL ISSUE ON TRADE DEkCIT u Pernia, meanwhile, also called for the approval of proposed amendments to foreign investment, retail trade and public services laws, adding that “we should encourage foreign firms to transfer their manufacturing facilities in the Philippines and to take advantage of the growing domestic market.�

Full implementation of the Ease OF $OING "USINESS AND %FkCIENT 'OVERNMENT 3ERVICE !CT OF

he continued, will also “eliminate bureaucratic and regulatory barriers that raise the cost of doing business in the country.�

#OMMENTING ON THE LATEST MERCHANDISE TRADE DATA ).' "ANK -ANILA SENIOR ECONOMIST .ICHOLAS !NTONIO -APA SAID A CONTINUED DEPENDENCE on electronics exports would keep the BALANCE OF TRADE IN DEkCIT “Exports are seen to remain lackluster given our dependence on the electronics sector to carry the entire export base, all the more given the EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE 53 #HINA TRADE WAR u HE SAID “Despite the continued weakening of the peso, export performance has not gained the so-called competitive edge that we had hoped it would derive from a weaker currency,� he added. g-UCH MORE WILL BE NEEDED TO get our export base off the ground. /VERALL THE TRADE GAP WILL REMAIN RELATIVELY WIDE IN WHICH COULD continue to exert a weakening bias on the Peso throughout the year.�

FROM REPORTS BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES AND TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

Dollar rises

Maritime

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

EDITOR: Carmela I. Huelar

B5

US, PH unveils new maritime facility THE United States and the Philippines have commissioned a new maritime training facility in Balagtas, Bulacan to support Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s mission of training its workforce and enhance maritime security.

Admiral Elson Hermogino, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, said the Outboard Motor Center of Excellence, the new maritime training facility funded by the US government WOULD PROVIDE STRATEGIC BENEkTS to the country’s maritime security. “This project is a milestone in our effort to enhance PCG operations. It is one of the important missions in addressing the training requirements of the organization. “This endeavor has provided the foundation [for future training] while improving our personnel learning culture,� said Hermogino, during the ceremony on February 11.

US Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission John Law recalled the collective US-Philippine commitments in order to attain long-term success in maritime security. “Five years ago, the Philippines embarked on a plan that would enable the rapid and effective expansion of the Philippine Coast Guard to meet your country’s needs, and the maritime challenges that you face, from promoting safety and security,

protecting environmental and economic interests, [and] preVENTING THE ILLICIT lOW OF DRUGS and people,� said Law. g!ND IN THOSE kVE YEARS YOU VE made extraordinary strides to establish and implement a strategy where the PCG can support its technical training requirements for maintaining the materiel readiness AND OPERATIONAL SAFETY OF ITS lEET u he added.

The training facility was a joint project of PCG, US Coast Guard, the Joint Interagency Task ForceWest (JIATF-W), the Joint US Military Assistance Group, and the US Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

The 39 -million Outboard Motor Center of Excellence training facility would enhance the Philippine Coast Guard’s capacity to train its workforce and sustain its equipment.

The new facility consists of a classroom, a barracks, and an outboard motor maintenance lab was built under a local contract managed by the US Naval Facilities Engineering Command.

Deputy Director of the Joint Interagency Task Force-West Earl Hampton, and Commodore Jose William U. Isaga, Commander of PCG Weapons, Communications, Electronics and Information System Service were present during the ceremony.

Marina targets gender diversity in maritime industry Q Photo from FAS Maritime.

T

BY GENIVI FACTAO

HE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has implemented measures to support women seafarers and promote equal opportunities in the maritime industry.

In a recent statement to the press, Marina highlighted and promised more activities that would foster and improve women rights and privileges to show the world that “they too excel in the seafaring industry�.

Based on records, a total of 73,027 women seafarers or almost 10 percent of approximately 1 million Filipino seafarers were issued by Marina with 3EAFARER S )DENTIkCATION AND 2ECORD Book (SIRB), as of December 2018.

Marina has strengthened its efforts to make the gender and development (GAD)-related ini-

tiatives in the maritime industry more gender responsive.

Marina’s seminar on GAD discussed gender analysis as an essential tool for gender mainstreaming in relevant programs and policies for the maritime industry. “Marina, through its local chapter for Women in Maritime has been campaigning for women to develop careers at sea and has been actively involved in the promotion of equal rights for women in the maritime industry,� it said.

With the rising number of women

in the maritime work force, Filipinas are taking a giant step to be known in the global seafaring industry.

Camille Abadicio, special projECTS AND COMMUNICATIONS OFkCER of Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (Amosup) - Women said women seafarers envision THAT THE GLOBAL MARITIME OFkCERS would recognize their strength in the maritime industry. “Our aim is to make the Philippines, as the top choice for women seafarers in the international shipping industry,� Abadicio said.

Currently, there are 5,000 women out of the 10,000 members of AMOSUP. Many women seafarers are deployed in cruise lines. One of them is Capt. Jasmin Labarda, the chairman of Amosup Women.

Abadicio said there were also women seafarers in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. She added that empowered Amosup Women wanted to be the source of inspiration for other nationalities.

Meanwhile, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will celebrate the 2019 World Maritime Day with the theme; “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community.�

The IMO will conduct the Women in Maritime Associations (WIMA) Asia conference in March 2019 with the proposed theme; “Empowering Women in Maritime: Charting the Course of Leaders in Asia through Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).�

The Philippines has been elected as a member of the WIMA Asia Governing Council and would also serve as the secretariat.

Stakeholders back Angkla’s third term in Congress

Q CM John C. Law receives a plaque of appreciation from Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino at the opening ceremony for the new Outboard Motor Center of Excellence.

PHOTO FROM THE US EMBASSY IN MANILA

STAKEHOLDERS in the maritime industry on Tuesday showed full support to Angkla party list to ensure its reelection this May, to be able to continue the maritime legislative agenda that would take the maritime industry to where it ought to be.

Maritime and naval stakeholders converged at the first meeting of Angkla Rep. Jesulito “Jess� Manalo, who is seeking for his third term in Congress.

Engr. Samuel Lim of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers Inc. (Soname) said since Angkla made the representation in Congress, it had fulfilled its commitment to the maritime industry, and still, much was needed to make the country a globally competitive maritime nation.

He said Angkla’s achievements included the passage of Republic Act 10698 or Naval Architecture Modernization Law that further develops shipbuilding and ship repair in the Philippines.

Angkla has passed the naval architecture law to ensure that we produce the ship builders of the future, he said.

Philippine Register of Shipping (PRS) Chairman Roberto Umali said with the help of Manalo, who is espousing House Bill (HB) 460 on single classification society, there would be common standards on maritime safety and would level the playing field. He said with one class society, there would be one standard of safety for all.

Rep. Manalo, who always

Q Angkla party-list candidates Jesulito Manalo and Ronald Enrile (sixth and seventh from left) with stakeholderrepresentatives. introduce himself as a son of a ship captain, with legal expertise and experience related to maritime, vowed to continue serving as the voice of the Philippine seafaring industry.

His aspiration is to have more world class vessels built by world class Filipino shipbuilders, manned by world class Filipino crew, registered in the Philippine shipping registry, operated by Philippine ship management companies, and eventually, owned by Filipinos.

Manalo targeted to pass four maritime bills into laws, when he took his third and last seat in congress.

These are House Bill (HB) 460 that will establish a single classification society to improve maritime safety; HB 6519, The

OFW Sovereign Fund; HB 1029, an act establishing the scope and procedure for Philippine Ship Registry, and adherence to international protocols or the HB 456.

The Philippines is a State Party to five safety conventions which this law seeks to implement: The international Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 74); The International Convention for the Prevention and Pollution from Ships, 1973, as amended by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78); The Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS) and, The International Convention on the Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969 (Tonnage).

For many, Rep. Manalo is regarded as an established advocate of policy reforms vital

to the growth of the maritime sector and all its stakeholders. He is a true visionary leader whose passion to search for solutions and serve the good of more people has ushered in a realized and profound importance of the Philippine maritime industry in our nation and in the world.

Stakeholders also pushed that Angkla would have another seat, with the election of Capt. Ronald Enrile.

Other stakeholders who attended Angkla’s first meeting were Philippine Interisland Shipping Association Executive Director Peter Aguilar;  Shipyard Association of the Philippines (SHAP) President Meneleo Carlos 3rd; SHAP President Vicente Pono and Tsuneishi Representative Dionne Suazo.

Promotion of the Philippine Flag Registry: A means or an end?

T

ALKS of establishing the PhilipPINES AS A gCHOICE lAG REGISTRYu resurfaced in various fora, and roundtable discussions in recent months. How to attract shipownERS TO lY THE 0HILIPPINE lAG WAS the focus of most of these deliberations. Way back in the 1980s the reasons for enticing foreign SHIPOWNERS TO lAG THEIR SHIPS IN the Philippines were clear: Expand job opportunities for Filipino seafarers, generate revenue for the government through ship registration fees, save on foreign exchange paid as freight to foreign ships carrying the country’s foreign trade.

The present circumstances differ more than a quarter of a century then when there was a frantic call to INVITE FOREIGN SHIPOWNERS TO RE lAG in the Philippines. The marketability of Filipino seafarers tremendously improved as the standards for seafarers tightened and enabled them

to compete with their counterparts of other nationalities. The Internaitonal Convention on the StanDARDS OF 4RAINING #ERTIkCATION AND Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention) leveled the playing fields in international shipping.

The revenue generated from ship registration while being perceived as amounting much was not equated with the cost of supervising the 0HILIPPINE MERCHANT lEET AND ALL the associated administration and regulatory works required. Furthermore, foreign exchange is no longer strictly regulated as during the 1980s so that forex savings may not be considered as an immediate concern.

At that time and even now, promoting the Philippine Ship Registry should be the means to achieving an ultimate goal that serves both society and nation. Both Ambisyon 2040 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals nurture people-centered

SEATHROUGH ATTY. BRENDA V. PIMENTEL targets and for which reason this archipelago must endeavour to link maritime policy with the principles enunciated therein. Inclusive growth and sustainable development are the hallmarks of people-centered policies and programs; therefore, promoting the country’s ship registry must be anchored on these .

In years past, discussions with Congress and other government agencies on how to improve the competitiveness of the Philippine lAG ENCOUNTERED STRONG OPPOSItion. One weakness in the proponents’ position was their failure to get wider stakeholders’ buy-in of the plan to make the country’s ship

registry attractive, i.e. stakeholders WHO ARE TO BENEkT MOST FROM THE scheme such as seafarers, traders, shippers and the public were hardly informed. The proponents go to Congress and present their case WITH ENTHUSIASM AND CONkDENCE yet for the most part gave the impression that local shipowners and manning agencies are to gain the most for their advocacy. As formulated, one can easily understand that an attractive ship registry will BE BENEkCIAL TO SHIPOWNERS Fast forward to 2000 — the objective of making the Philippine ship registry competitive is reiterated and the strategy remains the same as 30 years ago. Does improving the performance of the lAG REGISTRY REMAIN AS AN END /R should it be considered as one of the means in achieving a goal which could be easily understood

BY POLITICIANS AND THE PUBLIC

Developing and modernizing the 0HILIPPINE MERCHANT lEET TO CONNECT the country’s islands and serve as the bridge to the world could be a more appropriate goal while that of making the Philippine ship registry attractive as one of the means to achieve the target. There is more to just adding numbers to the foreign ships entered in the Philippine Register of Ships — that of promoting national unity by connecting the archipelago’s islands and enhancing access to the world. Bringing both domestic and international shipowners in building the country’s MERCHANT lEET SHOULD ENSURE WIDER stakeholders’ buy-in. An equally important means should be improving the systems of ports and logistics as to cater to the needs of a modern AND ADVANCED MERCHANT lEET Developing this archipelago’s maritime human resources should stay high as a means by which to

sustain the Philippine merchant lEET NOT ONLY FOR ITS CREWING NEEDS but also to satisfy the demand for manpower related to shipping services such as the shibuilders and repairers, ship surveyors and inspectors, shipyard and port workers, maritime education and training personnel and faculty and those performing governmental maritime functions, among others.

4OO kSHERMEN SHOULD NOT BE LEFT out of the equation. Mobilizing this archipelago’s huge human capital should be founded on the national objective of inclusive growth and sustainable development, of satifying both domestic and global maritime requirements.

Indeed, there is a need to re-think the strategy of trying to make the Philippine ship registry competitive — the Philippine flag after all is not a commodity for sale.

B6

Maritime

The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

FOCUS

Standardization in IT to benefit shipping T

HE adoption of common software, hardware and information technology (IT) in the shipping industry is expected to reduce operating costs of companies and improve maritime safety, according to industry analysts.

Such IT standardization includes adoption of common operating systems (Windows, iOS, Linux), hardware (Cisco networking devices, modem), and IT technology (Blockchain and internet of things).

This is seen to keep IT costs down by implementing standards based on the organization’s consensus.

Applied in the shipping industry, such IT standardization employs IT software and hardware that are standard or common among shipping companies.

It involves standardizing IT in shipping, modernizing the processes, overcoming the hurdles, and applying solutions for THE BEST BENEkTS

Standardizing IT in maritime shipping The Philippine private maritime industry, as well as government agencies has been developing and implementing standardized IT software and hardware. More private ships are now using Transas Navi Radar to display wind power, the status of electrical systems, GPS, maps and navigational data.

The same goes with the Philippine Coast Guard, which acquired and refurbished ships equipped with modern navigational instruments.

Patrick, a senior programmer in a government agency, noted the BENEkTS OF )4 STANDARDIZATION IN THE Philippine shipping industry. “If all ships (public and private) use the same software and hardware that are both inexpensive and have good QUALITY ALL WILL BENEkT 4HAT WOULD lower the cost of shipping.

Why not use open source proGRAMS SUCH AS ,IBRE OFkCE !PACHE /FkCE 'IMP TO SAVE COST RATHER THAN rely on proprietary software that WOULD BENEkT A FEW /PEN SOURCE negates the need for licenses because IT RELIES ON DONATION RATHER THAN PROkT I hope there would be open source version for every software,� he said.

Benefits of IT standardization A standardized IT is considered a boon for maritime education.

Aspiring students use the maritime simulator to effectively teach naviga-

Maglunsod assumes NMP leadership THE National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), a premier government-owned maritime training and research institution, moves into transition of leadership as Executive Director (ED) Joel Maglunsod takes the helm of the Agency’s directorship effective February 1.

4HE TURN OVER OF .-0 lAG AND the Symbolic Key took place right after the flag raising ceremony inside the NMP Administration Building in Cabalawan, Tacloban #ITY 4HE .-0 lAG SYMBOLIZES THE assumption of leadership, while the Symbolic Key stands for the authority and accountability that COMES WITH THE HOLDING OF OFkCE as executive director of the NMP. During the ceremony, Deputy Executive Director 3 Mayla N. Macadawan who assumed the functions and responsibilities as the .-0 OFkCER IN CHARGE EXPRESSED HER CONkDENCE THAT THE NEW .-0 %$ would be able to steer the Agency in pursuit to the delivery of its mandate and functions. “During my very short stint as NMP officer-in-charge, I am very happy to help and assist NMP in the way that I can. Though I had very limited powers during those times, but somehow we were able to surpass whatever challenges that we have encountered� said DED Macadawan.

She also expressed her gratitude TO FORMER .-0 %$ $R 2OMULO 6 Bernardes for mentoring her and for all his contributions to the Agency. “I always say that family is not always about the bloodline, it is about someone who hold your hands in times of need. In NMP, we are always treating each other as a family. I am really lucky that I was able to work here in a short span of time as the .-0 OFkCER IN CHARGEu SHE ADDED In his acceptance speech, Maglunsod shared some issues and challenges confronting NMP, as well as the maritime industry in general, including among others: Development and packaging of new courses (training for harbor pilots and crane / winch operators); acquisition of training ship and towing tank; attraction of massive trainees; and maximizing the use of NMP resources.

Maglunsod also emphasized the need to sustain cooperation and collaboration between and among maritime stakeholders to be able to respond to the ever-growing needs of the Filipino seafarers.

Attended by the NMP employees, the activity was also graced by the members of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) (RO)

Q Joel B. Maglungsod. PHOTO FROM NMP 8 namely, Atty. Cecilio BaleĂąa, OIC Assitant Regional Director of DOLE RO8, Pamela Babalcon of National Conciliation and Mediation Board, Mary Catherine Pastor of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Meriam Balmocena of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Catherine Doblon of National Reintegration Center for OFWs, Michelle Basal of Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Engr. Ma. Elena Limen Diez of Occupational Safety and Health Center.

Also present were former NMP ED, Dr. Romulo Bernardes and Arlene Maglunsod, wife of ED Maglunsod.

Meanwhile, NMP continues to upgrade its facilities and provide required maritime trainings pursuant to the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention as amended in 2010, including value-adding courses TOWARDS IMPROVING THE QUALIkCATIONS of Filipino seafarers for their employment acceptability and enhanced competitiveness. It also regularly conducts maritime studies to come up with policies for the improvement of the manpower sector of the industry.

Those interested in NMP research undertakings may visit the NMP website (www.nm.gov.ph) and access the e-Research Information System Portal, which was designed to gather inputs for NMP’s research, dissemination of NMP completed researches and other articles pertaining to maritime research.

For more information about NMP trainings viewers may visit the agency’s facebook page (www. facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) where all related information on NMP trainings are available.

Further, NMP encourages seafarers to avail of the NMP-OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP), WHICH ENTITLES THE BENEkCIARY TO RECEIVE kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TRAINING costs from the OWWA.

tional instruments and hypothetical scenarios. PHILCAMSAT or the Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training began using industry standards for IT hardware and software to teach students.

In particular, the center uses equipment such as Electro-MeCHANICAL ,AB 6OLT 4RAINER -EANwhile, the Philippines-based Mitsui Lines uses a high-performance ship-handling simulator.

When asked how IT standardIZATION COULD BENEkT THE SHIPPING industry, Patrick said that common software and hardware could reduce operating costs. “IT standardization could cut costs by reducing errors and keeping customers who are accustomed to common software and hardware. A ship using similar software can save time and money by receiving updated and fast communication from other ships that use the same IT standards. Just imagine, if two ship’s crew are using different software,� Patrick said.

The International Electrotechnical Commission or IEC, an international organization that publishes articles about international standards on electrical devices, published a paper on THE BENEkTS OF STANDARDIZATION ON SAFE global shipping. The paper cited the standardization on electronic navigation charts and the use of e-navigation that is a harmonized exchange, presentation, analysis and collection of marine

info onshore and onboard to improve maritime safety and berth navigation. !NOTHER BENEkT IS THE PAPERLESS keeping of shipping documents by using the popular Blockchain technology. Recently, a consensus of APL, Accenture, Kuehne + Nagel, AB InBev, and a European customs organization tested Blockchain technology.

standardization: Sensor metadata, shipboard data recorder, sensor referencing and naming, and sensor reliability and quality.

Hurdles in IT standardization

Hurdles in IT standardization include the high cost of technology, Modernizing IT the shipping companies’ resistance standardization to change, and the time to build such change. For instance, the cost Several modern and futuristic IT of technology will be prohibitive technologies are now being consid- for small companies that will try ered by a number of global leaders to catch up with standardized in the shipping industry. Maersk, a software and hardware. shipping giant with Philippine presSome companies are also unwillence, is currently tapping internet of ing to adopt new technologies bethings, which is the inter-connectivi- cause of the need to train new staff. ty of sensors attached to everyday de- In addition, the time to standardize vices, home appliances and vehicles is not easy which is also linked to via the internet. cost and resistance to change.

Second, Blockchain technology Ralph, an IT professional and or the decentralized record of the front-end web developer, said techtransaction is now being tested for nologies need to be accessible and use in the maritime sector. Maersk affordable to get fully adopted. and IBM employ Blockchain tech- “High tech IT technologies would nology in their digital supply chain remain a futuristic thing unless it is known as Tradelens that records commercialized and made available commercial invoices, vessel move- for the public. Such technologies should be inexpensive,� he said. ments, and bills of lading.

Patrick, the computer program$.6 ', A COMPANY WITH AN OFkCE IN % #OM #ENTER 0ASAY #ITY mer, said the hurdles in IT stanis a provider of maritime software dardization could slow down the and risk and global quality assur- progress in shipping modernization. ance management services. The “The lack of political will, enough company’s publication discussed computer hardware and software can the following areas that need add to the problems of IT moderniza-

tion. We cannot make standardization overnight or make it happen in one month. There must be a consensus among the private and public organization. Companies who are leading in IT digitalization can hinder progress if they make a platform that is proprietary and uncommon,� he said.

Solutions for IT standardization The success of IT standardization lies in a uniform or universal hardware AND SOFTWARE THAT SETS ASIDE PROkTEERing but raises the need for maritime safety and openness that can bring about true IT standardization. “A standard platform that is accessible for all organization and companies would make IT standardization a reality. If everyone places the welfare of the common above self, then IT standardization is possible,� Patrick said.

Asked about the solutions for IT standardization, Ralph cited the need for local shipping companies and government agencies to unite. “Cargo, shipping companies and the government must maintain a consensus that would establish a common IT platform, whether it’s A DATABASE WEBSITE OFkCE SOFTWARE

simulator, video editor, Enterprise resource program, customer relationship software or business process software,� he said.

SHARP MINDS CONTENT

Cadet disappears without a trace at sea DECK cadet Kristoffer Galorio disappeared and his case remained a mystery for the shipping line he had worked for. “No words can bring back a son, a caDET ON HIS kRST TOUR OF DUTY 7E CAN UNderstandustration felt by the family of not knowing exactly what happened to their son,�said BW Shipping.

On Dec. 28, 2018, BW was alerted about a missing deck cadet of BW Oak. The BW Oak ship is a 2008-built )SLE OF -AN lAGGED 6ERY ,ARGE 'AS #ARRIER 6,'# "7 3HIPPING IS one of the leading shipping companies in gas tanker.

BW said, upon receipt of the

information on Galorio’s disappearance, a search at sea commenced immediately, which involved three vessels and a C-130 aircraft under the guidance of Honolulu Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC).

The search was unsuccessful and was called off after 40 hours upon guidance from the Honolulu MRCC. All relevant authorities were also NOTIkED ABOUT THE CASE )NDEPENDENT investigations were conducted by authorities from Isle of Man, the Japanese Coast Guard and an internal investigation team from BW on Cadet Galorio’s disappearance.

To date, external investigations

by authorities from the Isle of Man were still ongoing.

The BW’s internal investigations were led by the head of Global Manning and Global head of Fleet Security.

A thorough and full internal investigation indicated that the CONDUCT OF OFkCERS AND CREW IN #Adet Galorio’s training regime was all in line with the high standards expected of BW crews.

The report said the relationship between officers and crew and Cadet Galorio were also placed under close scrutiny. “The crews of the BW Oak ship were good people, and it is our belief

that they acted in the best interest of the cadet while on board the ship.

And like all of us at BW, we remained deeply shocked by the tragic turn of events,� the company said.

BW expressed concern over the missing deck cadet case and had emphasized its commitment to be transparent and would share information to all to prevent similar incident in the future. “The company is deeply concerned about the lost of a young man, who was given to our care.

BW offers its heartfelt sympathies to cadet Galorio’s family and friends,� the shipping company said in a statement.

GENIVI FACTAO

ICTSI Manila employees get their brand-new homes EMPLOYEES of International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s (ICT3) lAGSHIP -ANILA )NTERNATIONAL Container Terminal (MICT), who won houses as part of the Company’s employee rewards program, recently received the keys to their brand-new homes.

Sitting on a sprawling gated community within the heart of Cavite’s Tanza municipality, each of the 104-square meter (sqm), two-story homes is complete with its own perimeter fence and gate, finished ceiling, flooring and bathrooms.

The house design also provides for a

garden, a carport and space for future expansion. Since the start of the ICTSI %MPLOYEE (OUSE 2AFlE 0ROGRAM IN 2016, more than 40 houses have been RAFlED OFF TO QUALIkED RANK AND kLE and supervisory employees of the -ANILA lAGSHIP 0LANS ARE UNDERWAY to roll out the program across the Company’s global operations. “More than an opportunity to FULkLL THE DREAM OF HAVING A HOUSE and lot of their own, the ICTSI EmPLOYEE (OUSE 2AFlE IS OUR WAY OF saying ‘thank you’ to our employees, who, in the many years, were and continue to be instrumental to

HOUSE-AND-LOT WINNERS

ICTSI’s success and growth,� says Christian Gonzalez, ICTSI Global corporate Head.

One of the more recent winners of a house and lot, Mr. Raul Avila, who works at the Company’s Materials Management Department, RECALLS THAT HIS PRAYERS WERE gkNALLY answered� after his name was PICKED IN THE RAFlE !MONG THE pioneer employees who joined ICTSI back in 1988, Avila said that the new house was an added bonus as he prepared for a well-deserved retirement: “When I started here, I didn’t know how my kids will go to

school, how we can all survive. But with ICTSI, we managed to survive, and I was able to provide education for all of my four children.�

Across its global operations, ICTSI has progressively initiated programs towards greater employee engagement and retention — providing a legible career path for employees and giving incentives beyond those mandated by governments. ICTSI’s 32 terminals in 19 countries share the same best practices, making the company one of the leading port operator-employers in the world.

Keys to brand-new homes have been handed to all the recipients of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Employee Housing Raffle Program. Since the program started in 2016, more than 40 houses have been raffled off to qualified rank-and-file and supervisory employees of the Manila International Container Terminal, (ICTSI) flagship operations. Photo shows some of the recipients of the brand-new homes.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Save the date for Valentine’s Day at Shangri-La at The Fort

Public Square

feast awaits in the restaurant’s nine culinary neighborhoods while at Raging Bull Chophouse & Bar, an intimate, four-course DINNER AWAITS 4ASTE THE lAVORS OF Peru at Samba with a four-course dinner and a glass of bubbly.

Dine for two with a stunning city view in one of the restaurant’s poolside cabanas, inclusive of WELCOME TIKI COCKTAILS kVE COURSE dinner, a personal butler and a bottle of champagne.

For more information, email slfm@shangri-la.com.

Paradizoo offers free agri-education

B7

OPPO to debut groundbreaking innovations, technologies in Mobile World Congress 2019 M

Q ShangriLove Suite Room offer GET whisked away this season of hearts as Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila prepares a stay and dining experience made with love.

Feel the sweet “suite� spirit when booking a stay in one of the hotel’s luxurious suites as guests who book until Feb. 24 can experience a romantic treat on room accommodations.

Moreover, guests are invited to partake and indulge on special lAVORS WITH THE ONES THEY LOVE IN the hotel’s dining destinations.

At High Street Cafe, a dinner

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

OBILE tech giant OPPO is set to attend the annual trade show Mobile World Congress 2019 to showcase its latest contribution to the industry, to be held in Barcelona, Spain on Feb. 25, 2019 But before that, here’s a look back at OPPO’s previous reveals, starting with the SuperVOOC Flash Charge Technology.

In MWC 2016, OPPO unveiled its SuperVOOC Flash Charge with a never-before-seen speed to address slow charging and displeasing battery life.

OPPO also successfully develOPED THE kRST EVER SENSOR BASED solution for smartphones with SmartSensor Image Stabilization

that allows its users to “take great photos anytime and anywhere.�

In MWC 2017, OPPO gave the audience an exclusive look at the game-changing “5x Dual Camera Zoom� technology that provides a revolutionary innovation of 5x lossless zoom capability unlike the common 2x zoom found in the market.

OPPO also introduced Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) Solution, where mobile photography can now achieve results closer to that of digital cameras.

Earlier last year, OPPO pioNEERED THE kRST MULTIPARTY VIDEO call on a smartphone via 5G network. In building a 5G ecosystem, OPPO will continue deepening its

Q OPPO 5G collaboration with Qualcomm, network infrastructure manufac-

turers, telecom service providers and other supply chain partners.

ICTSI wins best corporate bond award INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has won The Asset’s Triple A Country Awards 2018 Best Corporate Bond – Philippines for the its $400 milLION kXED FOR LIFE PERPETUAL SECURIties issued in January 2018.

ICTSI is the first Asean issuer to offer equity-accounted fixed-for-life senior perpetual securities in the international debt capital market.

Rafael Consing Jr., ICTSI senior VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF kNANCIAL OFkCER DESCRIBED THE DEAL AS gPART of the company’s strategy of prudent and value-accretive capital and risk management.�

The Asset cited the transaction to have “allowed ICTSI to bolster its capital management strategy by extending its funding profile to match its longterm port concessions.�

The bond issue was arranged by joint lead managers Citibank, Credit Suisse, and Standard Chartered.

The annual Triple A Country Awards represents the industry’s most prestigious awards for banking, finance, treasury and the capital markets. It is organized by 4HE !SSET !SIA S kNANCIAL PUBLISHing group with the widest reach among Asian issuers and global institutional investors in the region.

Q Gigi Miguel (center), ICTSI vice president and treasurer, accepted the award during The Asset Triple A Country Awards 2018 dinner held on Jan. 24, 2019 at the Grand Ballroom, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong.

Wilcon Depot opens new store in Davao City

ZOOMANITY Group Parks presENTS 0OWER OF 4HREE A lORAL A vegetable and agri-livestock festival from January to March 2019, with seminars every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Paradizoo is an eco-farm destination open to families, students, farmers, to both public and private sectors to share THE BENEkTS OF AND BEST PRACTICES in growing agricultural products.

Paradizoo seminars are conducted by well-known agriculture educators and cover cattle reproduction management and breeding, sale and auction of livestock, farm produce exhibits. It’s free and participants are provided with free seeds, too.

Free training on Banik’s, Jam and Juice Making is also provided.

Paradizoo seeks to establish an Agriculture Learning Institute to expand opportunities to youths for proper education on farming and agriculture business soon.

A 12-hectare theme park in Mendez, Cavite, Paradizoo is a combination paradise and zoo. A balanced ecosystem is maintained to keep a natural habitat for the animals and plants that are both organically grown and nurtured.

A favorite attraction is the Farm Frenzy, to cuddle and purchase animals like rabbits, hamsters and love-birds, Dorper sheep, Boer, Kalahari and Saanen dairy goats, Rusa. Turkeys from Australia are also on sale.

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

BPI inks deal with Canadian money transfer company BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) recently partnered with Canada’s leading digital money transfer company Crosslinks Money transfer, to offer quicker money transfers at lower fees. “BPI is intensifying its digitalization efforts to enable more CONVENIENT AND EFkCIENT REMITtance services for clients,� said BPI Senior Vice President Manuel Tagaza. “This partnership allows customers to do their transactions only within minutes, and at much lower rates.�

Under the partnership, services such as direct money transfers to recipient bank accounts, cash PICKUP AND CUSTOMERS lEXIBILITY of the lock-rate functionality at the expected rates will be offered.

Crosslinks Money Transfer is a digital remittance service provider based in Canada and is headquartered out of Toronto, Ontario, focusing on transferring money across the world, digitally at the lowest fees and real-time exchange rates for THE BENEkT OF THOSE SENDING MONEY back home to their loved ones.

Tanduay honors Filipinos on 165th year IN marking its 165th anniversary this year, Tanduay celebrates its people and its past as it will soon launch a coffee table book that highlights the men and women behind its success and converting its old Quiapo distillery into a brand museum. “As we celebrate the 165th anniversary of Tanduay Distillers this year, we give credit to the people who have made us the world’s number 1 rum,� said company President Lucio “Bong� Tan, Jr. “They are the often-unrecognized people who silently enjoy and consistently patronize Tanduay.

The fisherfolk, the farmers, the chefs, the Balikbayans, the working class, the young professionals, and every Filipino, who celebrate life! We are grateful for all of you�

The company will be converting its distillery in Manila into a museum that will showcase its rich and colorful history as well as give its visitors a multi-sensory experience on how its products are made.

As one of the oldest liquor companies in the country, Tanduay looks to continuing its success through market expansion and the development of a more premium blend.

PHILIPPINES’ leading home improvement and construction supply retailer Wilcon Depot welcomed 2019 with the opening of its 52nd depot store nationwide located at Panacan, Davao City on Jan. 25, 2019.

A unique one-stop-shop destination, the second Wilcon Depot store in Davao City has a total sales area of over 12,000 square meters accommodating thousands of strong and reliable local and international brands in the market, arranged in an organized and clutter-free manner inside an air-conditioned store. )N FULkLLING ITS MISSION TO HELP PEOPLE BUILD IMPROVE AND REkNE their homes for a sustainable and comfortable life, Wilcon brings DavaoeĂąos exquisite products and home solutions with highest quality standards and latest innovation and technology features that gives value for money, and at the same

Q Present during the grand opening, from left: United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Secretary General Ronnie Yumang, UAP National President Benjamin Kimpo Panganiban, Davao City Councilor District II Marissa Abella, Wilcon SEVP-COO Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, Wilcon EVP-CFO Mark Andrew Belo, Lixil Country Manager Alen Alban and Matimco President and CEO Charlie Liu. time, delivers excellent and unparalleled services to every customer. “Wilcon desired to achieve a measure of success and continuously establish a Wilcon Depot

store in more provinces,� said Wilcon President and Chief ExECUTIVE /FkCER ,ORRAINE "ELO #INcochan. “To date, this is our 35th provincial branch nationwide,

and it is noteworthy to say that it is a privilege to be back here in Davao City, where it all started.�

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

MWC wins Platinum at 54th Anvil Awards BOOK publisher Media Wise Communications bagged a coveted Platinum Anvil at the recent 54th Anvil Awards for its coffee-table-book entry, On the March: The Jesuits in the Philippines Since the Restoration, held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, in Pasay City, on Jan. 30, 2019.

On the March chronicles the journey of the Jesuits as they bring the Catholic faith to the most remote corners of the Philippines.

The book focuses on their ministry in education throughout the years, and the many aspects of their apostolate in the country.

All of the book’s proceeds was donated to the Philippine Jesuit Aid Association Inc. (PJAA), an institution targeted to aid the el-

Q Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz (center, in gray suit), Media Wise’s publisher and CEO, and Fr. Jose Quilongquilong (center, in white), S.J., president and executive director of PJAA, receive the Platinum Award for Media Wise’s On the March coffee table book.

DERLY RETIRED AND INkRM *ESUITS AS Organized annually by the Pubwell as the promotion of Jesuit vo- lic Relations Society of the Philcations in the Philippine province. ippines (PRSP), the Anvil is the

symbol of excellence in Public Relations, awarded to outstanding PR programs, tools and practitioners.

VRP Medical Center receives Ulirang MandaleĂąo Special Award MANDALUYONG CITY Mayor Carmencita Abalos bestowed the Ulirang MandaleĂąo Special Award to Victor R. Potenciano (VRP) Medical Center “for having passed on its good name for generations as a leading health care facility in existence for more than half a century that it has become a byword and landmark in the city,â€? held during the Liberation Ball 2019 held at the Wack-Wack Golf & Country Club on Feb. 7, 2019.

The special recognition—a first for an institution—further reaffirms the medical

Q Victoria Vergel de Dios (3rd, L) and Irma Potenciano (4th, L), VRP’s president and chairman emeritus, receive the award from Mandaluyong Mayor Carmencita Abalos (3rd, R). center’s commitment to quality health care as it also coin-

cides with the 46th Founding Anniversary this month of the

only Level 3 private hospital in Mandaluyong City.

in cooperation with

presents

The 9th Business Forum

7KH 3KLOLSSLQH (FRQRPLF 2XWORRN IRU “Riding the Tailwinds: Pursuing Growth and Value Amid Rising Global Risks�

March 6, 2019 | Registration: 8:30 a.m. | Program: 9:40 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Mayuree Ballroom, Dusit Thani Manila, Makati City The global economy enters 2019 with decidedly slower growth, continued volatility and heightened risks. Interest rates are normalizing and pushing investors in search of higher-yielding assets, as economic performance diverges across countries and regions. While the US is poised for strong performance, China is looking for a soft landing, and emerging markets are showing signs of weakness. Also heightening risks are populist policies and the prospect of trade wars.

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could yet ride through, if not defy, the tailwinds of 2019, getting a boost from increased spending due to the midterm elections and the slowdown in consumer inflation. The Philippines will also continue to benefit from its favorable demographic profile, with growing disposable incomes sustaining demand for property, leisure, automobiles, technology and others.

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˜ The Manila Times

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World

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

B9

China ‘troubled’ by US naval sail-by B EIJING: China accused the United States of trying to “stir up trouble� on Monday by sending two US guided-missile destroyers near disputed South China Sea islands.

The two warships sailed near the Beijing-claimed Spratly Islands earlier Monday as part of what Washington calls “freedom of navigation operations,� Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying TOLD A DAILY PRESS BRIEkNG The US is “determined to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, create tension and undermine peace,� Hua said.

She urged the US to cease the “provocative actions.�

The sail-bys — conducted by USS Spruance and USS Preble — occurred as both sides started crucial trade talks in Beijing this week, seeking to avoid an all-out trade war between the world’s two biggest economies.

Beijing asserts nearly all of the South China Sea as its territorial waters, while Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts.

The US and its allies periodically

send planes and warships near South China Sea islands and reefs claimed by Beijing to signal their right under international law to pass through the waters, invariably angering China.

In mid-January, US and British WARSHIPS CONDUCTED THEIR kRST JOINT military exercises in the South China Sea since Beijing began building bases and air strips on islands.

Another US warship, USS McCampbell, sailed within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of the Paracel Islands chain — north of the Spratly Islands — on January 7 during a previous round of trade talks between the two countries.

Just a day after that operation, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that Beijing had deployed an anti-ship ballistic missile known as the DF-26 — with a range of 3,000 to 4,000 kilometers — to the country’s northwest. AFP

EU may strip Cambodia of trade privileges

CAMBODIA CHEAPEST COUNTRY TO RETIRE IN

BRUSSELS: The EU launched a process on Monday that could temporarily strip Cambodia of its valuable trade privileges with the bloc over “serious and systematic� rights abuses.

Brussels has repeatedly warned Cambodia it risks losing the highly preferential tariff arrangement it enjoys, known as “everything but arms� (EBA), a move that would cripple the country’s billion-dollar garment industry, its largest formal employer.

Cambodia’s elections in July last year, which returned veteran strongman Hun Sen to power, were widely criticized internationally as undemocratic and prompted EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom to announce the start of punitive measures.

The European Commission, which manages trade issues as the bloc’s executive arm, said there was “evidence of serious and systematic violations of core human rights and labour rights in Cambodia, in particular of the rights to political participation as well as of the freedoms of assembly, expression and association.�

Monday’s announcement begins a six-month period of intensive monitoring and after 12 months, the commission will decide whether to suspend Cambodia’s EBA deal — which gives duty-free and tariff-free access to the EU market for all products except weapons and ammunition. “It should be clear that today’s MOVE IS NEITHER A kNAL DECISION nor the end of the process. But the CLOCK IS NOW OFkCIALLY TICKING AND we need to see real action soon,�

Malmstrom said in a statement. “When we say that the EU’s trade policy is based on values, these are not just empty words.�

In December, Cambodia said banned opposition members might be allowed back into political life and shuttered media outlets could reopen, in an apparent effort to appease EU concerns.

Rights groups fear Cambodia is sliding towards authoritarianism with the help of China, which showers the government with loans and infrastructure while asking few questions about how Hun Sen runs the country.

The leader has been in power for 33 years using a mix of wily political gambits and networks of alliances in the army and police.

AFP

INTERNATIONAL Living, a magazine that focuses on the best places to live and invest, named Cambodia the cheapest place to retire in 2019.

4HE KINGDOM CAME kRST THIS YEAR in the cost of living category in the publication’s Annual Global Retirement Index.

Earning full marks in the category, the ranking highlights the Kingdom’s attractiveness for retirees and expatriates in general.

This is the fourth year in a row that Cambodia has topped the list

SEA DRILLS Naval ships from Turkey (right) and China (left) take part in the multinational naval exercises ‘AMAN-19’ in the Arabian Sea near Pakistan’s port city of Karachi on Feb. 11, 2019. Exercise Aman lasts from February 8-12, with some 45 countries participating with ships and observers. AFP PHOTO

in the cost of living category. It was followed by neighbors Vietnam and Thailand, who came in second and third, respectively. “Centrally located in the beating heart of Southeast Asia it is a country undergoing a renaissance thanks to 15 years boom in economic growth and tourism centred on the world-renowned temples of Angkor Wat,� International Living said. “When folks dream of visiting Cambodia they are initially MORE LIKELY INlUENCED BY THE EX-

otic draw of these ancient temples, royal palaces, and saffron-robed monks or the beautiful beaches and undeveloped islands on the southern coast than anything else. “But the cost of living leaves them astonished. Known as the ‘Kingdom of Wonder,’ Cambodia is a place where retirees can upgrade their lifestyle to one of luxury on a modest budget,� it added.

The low cost of living lets expats in Cambodia live richly on a poor man’s budget, International Living said, highlighting the possibility of

buying a bottle of Champagne for just $25 or playing golf with caddie for $65 a day at a country club.

Cambodia also scored high in the overall ranking for best places to retire in the world. It landed on the 12th position, one spot above Italy and one below France. It scored 80 out of 100 points in the “visa and residence� and “healthcare� categories, and 73 in “climate.�

Thoun Sinan, chairman of the #AMBODIA CHAPTER OF THE 0ACIkC Asia Travel Association, said International Living’s ranking will help

promote the kingdom abroad and lure more retirees and investors. “This is great news. It won’t just attract more tourists but it will also bring more investment into the construction sector to build more facilities for these tourists,� he said.

According to Sinan, most retired tourist that choose to visit the kingdom are European.

In 2016, the government released a three-year multiple-entry visa targeting retirees and other long-stay travelers and investors.

KHMER TIMES

Why Trump will meet Kim in Vietnam Worldinbriefs HANOI: Communist-run but with capitalist leanings, and a friend to both the United States and North Korea, Vietnam will host the next summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un from February 27-28.

Like North Korea, Vietnam was once locked in a bloody and bitter war with the US. But unlike Pyongyang, Hanoi now counts Washington among its closest allies, emerging from the ravages of war to become one of the fastest growing economies in Asia — and one of the most diplomatically savvy.

Here are a few reasons why it was chosen to host the second Trump-Kim summit: Does it make logistical sense?

Vietnam ticks a lot of boxes. )T IS A SHORT ENOUGH lIGHT FROM Pyongyang for Kim, who otherwise travels by armoured train.

It is also home to both US and North Korean embassies to help with pre-summit arrangements.

Hanoi enjoys friendly ties with both countries and is considered “neutral� territory, unlike, say, the US state of Hawaii, which was also rumoured as an option.

Security in the communist country is tight even during normal times. Authorities will carefully control media access and crowds for an event where the choreog-

raphy between the leaders will be closely watched across the world.

Why is Kim on board with Vietnam?

Vietnam is one of a handful of countries with which North Korea has good relations.

Diplomatic ties between Hanoi and Pyongyang date back to 1950, and North Korea sent air force personnel to the communist North during the Vietnam War. The last top North Korean leader to visit Vietnam was Kim Jong Un’s grandfather Kim Il Sung in

THOUGH SEVERAL SENIOR OFkcials have visited since then.

While trade has dipped in the wake of UN sanctions against Pyongyang, it reached $7 million (6.1 million euros) in 2017.

Kim’s trip to Vietnam — it will BE HIS kRST ‡ COULD ALSO BE A CHANCE for him to learn from Vietnam’s post-war economic transformation. “(Kim) would be interested in seeing the Vietnam story for himself, that can be a good source of inspiraTION AND RElECTION FOR HIM TO THINK about the way he should take North Korea forward,� Le Hong Hiep, a Vietnam expert at Singapore’s Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute, told AFP. What about Washington?

Vietnam might also be a strategically important location for the US, which is currently locked in

a trade war with China — one of North Korea’s closest allies.

Trump could use Vietnam to “signal to Beijing that North Korea is not in your hands, we have a counTERBALANCE TO #HINESE INlUENCE IN this area,� said Cheon Seong Whun, a visiting research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul.

Washington is also keen to show off Vietnam’s economic success story, touted by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a visit to the country last year. “Your country can replicate this path. It’s yours if you’ll seize the moment,� Pompeo said in remarks aimed at Kim. “It can be your miracle in North Korea as well.�

Why is Vietnam keen to host?

Vietnam is eager to showcase its diplomatic gravitas on a global stage, FOLLOWING ON FROM THE !SIA 0ACIkC Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in 2017 and a regional World Economic Forum meeting last year.

The Trump-Kim meet could pay off in more ways than one.

(OSTING THE BOX OFkCE SUMMIT could boost “Vietnam’s status in the international community, which helps the country attract tourism and foreign investment�, said Vu Minh Khuong, a policy analyst at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. AFP

Lawyer to probe submarine deal KUALA LUMPUR: A French lawyer probing a controversial submarine deal linked to Malaysia’s ousted leader Najib Razak was set to meet 4UESDAY OFkCIALS TO AID INVESTIGAtions into the scandal.

William Bourdon, who represents local human rights group Suaram over the French submarine deal, was deported from Malaysia on his last visit in 2011 when Najib’s scandal-mired regime was still in power.

But after a historic change of government last year, he returned to the country to help a new investigation into the case.

Malaysia purchased two French-

made Scorpene submarines for $1.2 billion in 2002 while Najib was defense minister.

The French submarine maker Naval Group — then called DCNS — is alleged to have paid more than 114 million euros ($128 million) in kickbacks to a shell company linked to Abdul Razak Baginda, a close Najib associate who brokered the deal.

Razak Baginda’s Mongolian mistress Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was said to have demanded a cut for translating during negotiations, was shot dead and her body blown up with militarygrade plastic explosives near

Kuala Lumpur in 2006.

The case sank off the radar after a Malaysian court in 2008 cleared Razak Baginda of abetting the murder, sparking allegations of a huge cover-up to protect Najib.

Bourdon was set to meet with Malaysian Attorney-General Tommy Thomas on Tuesday to discuss the case, and anti-corrupTION OFkCIALS “This is a complex case, you can imagine that they will like from us to update [them about] the proceedings in France,� he told a press conference. “Of course we will answer the questions as far as we can.� AFP

UN WILLING TO BROKER END TO VENEZUELA CRISIS UNITED NATIONS, United States: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his offer Monday to help broker an end to the crisis in Venezuela during talks with the country’s foreign minister. Guterres met with Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza in New York, at the request of Caracas, as the standoff between President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido hardened. The United Nations has called for serious political negotiations between the two sides to prevent a slide toward more violence in the South American country. “The secretary-general reaffirmed that his offer of good offices to both parties remains available for serious negotiation to help the country out of the present standoff for the benefit of the people of Venezuela,� said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Guaido declared himself interim president last month and has since been recognized by some 50 countries, including the United States.

Russia and China, however, continue to back Maduro as do some African countries, creating a global split that has left the UN in a quandary.

SNOW HITS US NORTHWEST, HAWAII SEATTLE: Schools closed across Washington state and the Legislature canceled all hearings Monday (Tuesday in Manila) with winter snowstorms pummeling the Northwest again as a larger weather system wreaked havoc in the region and even brought snow to Hawaii. Seattle’s metro area had already been hit by three snow storms this month and the National Weather Service reports that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has received 20.2 inches (51 centimeters) of snow so far in February, the snowiest month in more than 50 years. The storm that hit Seattle Sunday dumped up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) of snow. More than 6 inches (15 centimeters) of snow fell on Monday with rain and snow expected Tuesday as a lingering jet stream drives cold arctic air into the normally temperate region, and was part of a larger cycle that has also driven snow as far away as Hawaii. In the state capital of Olympia, lawmakers cancelled meetings and the University of Washington in Seattle and Washington State University in Pullman called off classes.

AP

17 DEAD, 4 OTHERS HURT IN NEW DELHI HOTEL FIRE NEW DELHI: Seventeen people died in a fire early Tuesday at a hotel in western New Delhi, police said. At least four others were injured in the fire at the Arpit Palace Hotel, Deputy Police Commissioner Mandeep Singh Randhawa said. The medical conditions of the injured were not immediately known. The hotel is located in Karol Bagh, an area in India’s capital city full of shops and budget hotels that is popular with tourists. Twenty-five fire engines responded to the blaze, which had engulfed all but the ground floor of the five-story hotel, fire officer Vijay Paul said. The fire has been extinguished, but authorities were letting the building cool in order to investigate what sparked it. About three dozen people were rescued from the hotel, Paul said.

AP

HAITI GOVT SILENT AMID PROTESTS PORT-AU-PRINCE: Sporadic gunfire echoed through the streets of Port-au-Prince on Monday as the government remained silent in the face of protests that have paralyzed the Haitian capital and triggered rising violence. The normally traffic-clogged streets were largely empty as schools, shops and municipal offices were shuttered for fear of more violence that has already left several people dead and an air of uncertainty hanging over the government of President Jovenel Moise. Barricades have sprung up in some areas of the capital and other cities, as protesters have taken to the streets demanding the president step down over reports of mismanagement and possible embezzlement of development funds in the impoverished Caribbean nation. After a quiet but tense start to the day, hundreds of youths from the capital’s poorer quarters marched toward Petionville, the wealthiest neighborhood in Portau-Prince, throwing stones at houses until police opened fire with tear gas rounds to break up the march.

AFP

B10

World

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

US congressmen offer $1.4-B wall fund W ASHINGTON, D. C.: Congressional negotiators reached agreement Monday (Tuesday in Manila) night to prevent a GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND kNANCE CONSTRUCTION of new barriers along the US-Mexico border, overcoming a late-stage hang-up over immigration enforcement issues that had threatened to scuttle the talks.

Republicans were desperate to avoid another bruising shutdown.

They tentatively agreed to far less money for President Donald Trump’s border wall than the White House’s $5.7-billion wish LIST SETTLING FOR A kGURE OF NEARLY $1.4 billion, according to congressional aides. The funding measure IS THROUGH THE kSCAL YEAR WHICH

ends September 30.

The agreement means 55 miles of new fencing — constructed through existing designs, such as metal slats instead of a concrete wall — but far less than the 215 miles the White House demanded in December.

The fencing will be built in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. “With the government being

shut down, the specter of another shutdown this close, what brought us back together I thought tonight was we didn’t want that to happen� again, said Senate Appropriations Committee chairman and American Representative of Alabama Richard Shelby. $ETAILS WON T BE OFkCIALLY RELEASED until Tuesday, but the pact came in time to alleviate any threat of a second partial government shutdown this weekend. Aides revealed the details under condition of anonymity because the agreement is tentative. “Our staffs are just working out the details,� said House Appropriations Committee chairman and Democratic Representativie of New York Nita Lowey.

The pact also includes increases for

new technologies such as advanced screening at border entry point, humanitarian aid sought by Democrats, AND ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS OFkCERS This weekend, Shelby pulled the plug on the talks over Democratic demands to limit immigrant detentions by federal authorities, frustrating some of his fellow negotiators, but Democrats yielded ground on that issue in a fresh round of talks on Monday.

Asked if Trump would back the deal, Shelby said: “We believe from our dealings with them and the latitude they’ve given us, they will support it. We certainly hope so.�

Trump traveled to El Paso, Texas, for a campaign-style rally Monday night focused on immigration and border issues. He has been adamant

that Congress approve money for a wall along the Mexican border, though he no longer repeats his 2016 mantra that Mexico would pay for it, and he took to the stage as lawmakers back in Washington were announcing their breakthrough. “They said that progress is being made with this committee,� Trump told his audience, referring to the congressional bargainers. “Just so you know, we’re building the wall anyway.�

The agreement got bad reviews from some of Trump’s conservative allies. “While the President was giving a great speech in El Paso, Congress was putting together a bad deal on immigration,� Rep. Jim Jordan, Republican-Ohio, wrote on Twitter.

Democrats carried more leverage into the talks after besting Trump on the 35-day shutdown BUT SHOWED lEXIBILITY IN HOPES ON winning Trump’s signature. After yielding on border barriers, Democrats focused on reducing funding for detention beds to curb what they see as unnecessarily harsh enforcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. The agreement yielded curbed funding, overall, for ICE detention beds, which Democrats promised would mean the agency would hold fewer detainees than the roughly 49,000 detainees held on February 10, the most recent date for which kGURES WERE AVAILABLE $EMOCRATS claimed the number of beds would be ratcheted down to 40,520. AP

IS still a global threat, despite less attacks – UN

WALKOUT

Teachers wave placards during a strike rally on the west steps of the state Capitol, Monday (Tuesday in Manila) in Denver. The strike is the first for teachers in Denver since 1994 and centers on base pay. AP PHOTO

Spain, France, Germany to build fighter plane MADRID: Spain would join a Franco'ERMAN PROJECT TO BUILD A NEW kGHTer plane to replace the %UROkGHTER and Rafale, the defense ministry said Monday (Tuesday in Manila).

Defence Minister Margarita Robles would sign a letter of intent with her French and German counterparts on Thursday on the margins of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization meeting in Brussels,

a spokeman said.

The project launched in July 2017 is known as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which, in addition to a new combat aircraft also plans to include drones and cruise missiles.

4HE NEW kGHTER JET WILL REPLACE THE %UROkGHTER WHICH IS ASSEMBLED in Germany, Britain, Spain and Italy, and the French Rafale around 2040.

It will compete with the US F-35 or its successor. ! kRST CONTRACT WORTH MILLION euros was awarded to Airbus and Dassault Aviation in February to develop the design of the combat system.

Spain, where Airbus’s military transport planes are assembled, had sent a letter in December to Paris and Berlin asking to be associated with the project.

The FCAS has a rival — Britain’s Tempest project, which has been awarded to BAE Systems, and which Italy and the Netherlands have also joined.

In a December statement, Spain’s defense ministry said it was “convinced that the two programmes would end up merging, given the huge investment needed in their development.�

AFP

THOUGH attacks were down last year, a new United Nations (UN) report to the Security Council on Monday shows that Islamic State (IS) is still a global threat, despite EVOLVING INTO A OVERT TERRORISM network, with countries continuing to face challenges from the growing scourge of violent extremism.

Despite the more concealed or locally embedded activities of IS cells, its central leadership retains an influence and maintains an intent to generate internationally-directed attacks and thereby still plays an important role in advancing the group’s OBJECTIVES EXPLAINED 6LADIMIR 6ORONKOV WHO HEADS THE 5. /FkCE of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). “This is exacerbated by the chalLENGE OF FOREIGN TERRORIST kGHTERS who either are leaving conflict zones, or those who are returning or who are about to be released from prison. In this context, radicalization in prison settings, is seen as a particular challenge in Europe and Iraq,� UndersecretaryGeneral Voronkov added.

He said that so-called “frustrated travelers� were adding to the complexity of the threat, NAMELY kGHTERS WHO HAD FAILED to reach main battlegrounds, but been diverted instead elsewhere, either by IS commanders or of their own volition.

The report notes that the “center of gravity� of the organization, known in the Arab world as Da’esh, remains in Iraq and Syria,

Trump: Prioritize AI Spanish SC to try 12 WASHINGTON, D. C.: President Donald Trump on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) ordered the US administration to give greater priority to artificial INTELLIGENCE !)

A MOVE SEEN AS kRING up a battle for leadership with China.

The American AI Initiative executive order calls for the administration to “devote the full resources of the federal government� to help fuel AI innovation. g!MERICANS HAVE PROkTED TREmendously from being the early developers and international leaders in AI,� a White House statement said. “However, as the pace of AI innovation increases around the world, we cannot sit idly by and presume that our leadership is guaranteed.�

The order, however, stops short OF SPECIkC FUNDING OR A DETAILED STRATEGY FOR DEPLOYMENT OF ARTIkcial intelligence.

The move comes amid growing concerns that China will overtake the United States in key areas of ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE HELPED BY a broad national strategy and accelerating investment.

Darrell West, head of the Brookings Institution’s Center for Technology Innovation, said the White House move was “timely,� but that it remained uncertain how it would be implemented without clear funding. “The President sometimes launches initiatives that sound good but have little actual impact,� West said. “China is investing $150 billion

by 2030, with the goal of becoming the preeminent AI country in the world. It is important for the US to keep pace because AI will transform many different sectors.�

Daniel Castro of the Center for Data Innovation, a think tank which follows technology issues, offered a similarly cautious response. “If the administration wants its AI initiative to be transformative, it will need to do more than reprogram existing funds for AI research, skill development, and infrastructure development.�

Castro welcomed the initiative, but called for a more comprehensive AI strategy that covers areas such as digital free trade, data collection policies and other issues.

Senator Marco Rubio called the initiative a “good start,� writing on Twitter: “China is the most comprehensive challenge we have faced from a near peer adversary in over half a century. Confronting it will require a comprehensive response.�

The White House said the plan calls for “unleashing AI� by making more resources available to researchers, setting guidelines for regulations, promoting AI in education and improving US competitiveness.

The statement made no mention of China, but called for “an action plan to protect the advantage of the US in AI and technology critical to United States national and economic security interests against strategic competitors and foreign adversaries.� AFP

Catalan separatists MADRID: The trial of 12 Catalan separatist leaders involved in a failed secession bid that plunged Spain into crisis starts on Tuesday, as tensions over the future of the wealthy region flare again.

Many of the defendants were transferred from their jail to Madrid’s Supreme Court (SC) in police vans for proceedings that start at 10 a.m. (0900 GMT) in a highsecurity trial that will be broadcast live on television, with over 600 journalists accredited.

The trial was the “most important� since Spain returned to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, Supreme Court president Carlos Lesmes told reporters recently.

Expected to last three months, the verdicts will be delivered several months later.

Separatists in Catalonia have dismissed the trial as a “farce� and politically motivated.

Before dawn on Tuesday, activists blocked several roads, including part of a highway in the wealthy northeastern region, traffic authorities said, burning tyres and forcing vehicles to a standstill.

Activists have also called for protesters to hit the streets of Barcelona, the Catalan capital, at 7 p.m.

(1800 GMT).

But many Spaniards support the proceedings because of widepspread anger at the actions of the then regional executive, which tried to break from the country in October 2017.

Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia’s former president who fled to Belgium days after a short-lived declaration of independence on October 27, is not among the 12 defendants.

Spain does not try suspects in absentia for major offences.

AFP

ANTI-US Iran President Hassan Rouhani addresses crowds during a ceremony

celebrating the 40th anniversary of Islamic Revolution in the capital Tehran’s Azadi Square.

Rouhani blasted a US ‘conspiracy’ against the country as vast crowds in Tehran marked 40 years since the Islamic revolution on Monday. AFP PHOTO

with up to 18,000 remaining in the ranks, including some 3,000 FOREIGN kGHTERS “In terms of IS’s financial strength, the report notes that despite some loss of revenue due to territorial setbacks, IS could sustain its operations through accessible reserves, in cash or investment in businesses, ranging between $50 and $300 million. IS cells are also reported to generate revenue through criminal activities,� explained Voronkov.

The document, the eighth REPORT ON )3 WHICH PROCLAIMED its so-called caliphate across northern Syria and Iraq in 2014, was prepared on behalf of the UN Secretary-General by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the 1267/1989/2253 IS and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee, in close collaboration with the UNOCT and other UN entities and international organizations.

After being driven from its city strongholds of Mosul and Raqqa, INTENSE kGHTING IN RECENT MONTHS has left Da’esh defending a small ENCLAVE AGAINST 53 BACKED kGHTERS in eastern Syria, close to the Iraqi border. According to news reports, AROUND TERRORIST kGHTERS CONtinue to battle with coalition forces, which have labelled this the gkNAL BATTLEu TO CRUSH )3 UN NEWS

UK to deploy drone swarms after Brexit LONDON: Britain on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) announced plans for “swarm squadrons� of drones that could overwhelm enemy air defenses as part of a series of plans to “enhance its lethality� after Brexit.

In a hawkish speech in London, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said leaving the European Union was an opportunity for Britain “when we must strengthen our global presence.�

Williamson announced plans to invest ÂŁ7 million (8 million euros, $9 million) in the drones, saying he expected squadrons “capable of confusing and overwhelming enemy air defensesâ€? to be ready by the end of 2019.

Williamson also said Britain would spend ÂŁ65 million in “offensive cyber,â€? and bring two new naval vessels into service for operations from crisis support TO CONlICT Opposition parties criticised Williamson’s rhetoric. “The idea that our membership of the European Union restricts us is the purest nonsense,â€? Labor member of parliament (MP) Chris Leslie said. “In fact the economic damage that Brexit threatens is what will most quickly weaken our forces,â€? the anti-Brexit MP said.

Britain is weeks away from its scheduled departure FROM THE %UROPEAN 5NION AND STILL HAS NO kRM ARrangements in place.

0RIME -INISTER 4HERESA -AY S $OWNING 3TREET OFkCE played down another of Williamson’s suggestions, to deploy Britain’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen %LIZABETH IN A CHALLENGE TO #HINA IN THE 0ACIkC “The full details of her deployment will be agreed by the prime minister in due course,� May’s spokesman said.

The spokesman said the ship would only be ready TO SAIL IN AND ITS kRST OPERATIONAL MISSION would include the Mediterranean, Middle East and AFP 0ACIkC REGIONS

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Helping Hands, Healing Hearts Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home is looking for the biological parents of JOVELYN TORRES MIRANDA, 10 years 10 months old female, who was committed for residential care at the Helping Hands, Healing Hearts Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home (HHM Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home)Baguio City on August 24, 2018 by the City Social :HOIDUH DQG 'HYHORSPHQW 2I¿FH $QJHOHV &LW\ Pampanga. Failure of the parents or relatives to appear will imply disinterest on their part to claim the child and will compel the agency (H.H.M.-Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home) to initiate abandonment proceedings through the DSWD-CAR to legally free the child for eventual adoption.

Anybody who can give information about the parents or relatives of the child is requested to report to the Helping Hands, Healing Hearts Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home located at Cosmos St. corner Daisy St.,Amparo Heights, Camp 7, Baguio City with contact no. (074) 422-3745 and look for their social workers, Jovita M. Liu or Mina / 0DQDRLV RU FRQWDFW \RXU ORFDO VRFLDO ZHOIDUH RI¿FH

Build&Design www.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2019 EDITOR: Mario F. Fetalino Jr.

mario.fetalino@manilatimes.net

C1

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AST year, news reports of Chinese nationals growing in numbers in Metro Manila, particularly in the Bay Area in Pasay City, caused a stir.

The quick interpretation for the statistics was that workers from China were coming to the Philippines to get the jobs intended for Filipinos. While jobless Filipinos frowned, the real estate industry was grinning on the opportunity unfolding.

Fuelling such excitement is the prospects offered by the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Recent estimates have pegged the current number of POGO employees who are Chinese nationals in the country to AS HIGH AS 4HE kGURE IS seen to increase to about 2 million OVER THE NEXT kVE YEARS This has led to an increase in property prices in Bay City, where most POGO offices are located and where many of the Chinese nationals connected with those kRMS RESIDE â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prices are at around P300,000 per square meter, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comPARABLE TO -AKATI AND "ONIFACIO Global City,â&#x20AC;? said Janlo de los Reyes, head of research and consulting of Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) Philippines, a leading profesSIONAL SERVICES kRM THAT SPECIALizes in real estate and investment management. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening is the Bay

Dubbed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lamudiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Outlook -EDIA 2OUNDTABLE 3ERIES An Excellent 2018 for Philippine Real Estate and Raising The Bar in 2019,â&#x20AC;? the discussion offered a GLIMPSE OF THE TRENDS THAT DEkNED Philippine real estate in the past year and what the future might hold for the sector. ,AMUDI S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER

Bhavna Suresh, moderated the roundtable discussion. Joining de los Reyes in the panel to share their insights and views on a range of topics about the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real estate sector were Christophe Vicic, country head of JLL Philippines; Steve Chien, regional controlling principal of Keller Williams; and Elizabeth Ventura, president and executive director of Anchor Land Holdings Inc. For Chien, the main reason why rents are going up fast in Bay City can be traced to the growing demand for residential abodes of POGO workers, which property developers need to keep pace with.

However, Chien noted that the gaming operators arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t synonymous to the entirety of the anticipated Chinese investment that will enter the country.

On the other hand, Vicic believes that property developers who want to venture into the growing POGO market PO should learn sh to invest in the POGO workers.

PO â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do a refâ&#x20AC;&#x153; erence check on ere Chinese POGO Ch workers (when wo we talk to buildQ Trends in digital marketing help in communicating ing operators),â&#x20AC;? products and services. PHOTO BY LAMUDI he said. He also recommended that Area is pushing the domestic mar- landlords should keep a balanced ket away from that community, mix of tenants in their properties. not only in terms of the sale but â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I were a landlord I would not also in terms of the rents,â&#x20AC;? de los rely on POGO for a long-term stratReyes added. egy only because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly visible De los Reyes is part of the and politically-charged because of panel in a roundtable discussion the nature of the industry,â&#x20AC;? Vicic said. organized by Lamudi Philippines, the leading real estate platform Technologyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the countrty that offers sellers, role pivotal buyers, and renters a secure and EASY TO USE PLATFORM TO kND OR LIST Like de los Reyes and Vicic, the rest properties online. of the panel shared the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s optimism and challenges in the industry.

As the internet continues to evolve and advances in mobile technology make communication and information dissemination MORE EFkCIENT NOWADAYS MEMBERS of the panel believe that trends in digital marketing have helped them communicate their products and services to their clients.

Rise of POGO segment:

Boon or bane?

Ventura noted that not only were they able to educate their clients better about their property offerings, but the projects that the company itself ventured into had become more viable because of the information they get about their prospective clients and the feedback they receive from them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We rely on feedback mechanism so we know what buyers want.

When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very clear with the needs of the clients, you can properly plan your projects,â&#x20AC;? Ventura said.

She noted that Lamudi would continue to play a more critical role in strengthening the relationship between property developers like Anchor Land Holdings and property seekers who use the online platform in their search of properties to buy and invest it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need more info about the clients so we could advance and improve our offerings,â&#x20AC;? Ventura said, adding that so far it has been a good match between their property development projects, most of which are located in the Bay City area, and their clients.

Surging interest Suresh said she was very happy WITH ,AMUDI S SEARCH TRAFkC kGures, noting that in January 2019 alone Lamudi, has seen an average growth rate of 40 percent week on week in terms of search activity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are incredible numbers.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never seen numbers like these. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very excited about. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen so much TRAFkC COMING IN FROM THE -IDDLE East and from the US,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Chien said Lamudiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth in THE LAST kVE YEARS HAD BEEN ADMIrable. He credited the property portal for playing a pivotal role in the real estate industry and in helping generate interest among individuals who wanted to become potential real estate agents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a move-

Q Real estate industry experts (L-R) Janlo De Los Reyes, Christophe Vicic and Elizabeth Ventura led the panel discussion hosted by Lamudi to provide insights on what defined the Philippine real estate industy in 2018 and what the future might hold for the industry. ment,â&#x20AC;? Chien said, adding that Keller Williams, which is the largest property broker in the United States, even had to accommodate more than a thousand individuals in one of their training workshops for prospective real estate agents.

Because of advances in communication and in internet technology, â&#x20AC;&#x153;weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen more people participate in the real estate industry,â&#x20AC;? he noted.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still all about trust â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to harness the technology so we can do a better job,â&#x20AC;? de los Reyes told the panel. On other hand, Vicic believes that technology has impacted everyone in the property development sector.

In fact, JLL, which has been in the real estate business for over 250 years, wants to change its focus on how it conducts business in the real estate sector by transforming itself into a technology company that operates in the property development market.

Although the tools of the trade are evolving and changing, the in-

ternet, Vicic said, has not changed the process of buying. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trust takes time to build,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Urbanization real estate driver Asked whether the real estate industry is lagging in terms of keeping up with the demands outside of the metro and trends like condormitels, Vicic said urbanization was the one calling the shots. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The real estate readiness is linked to what the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s develOPMENT REQUIRES /UTSIDE -ETRO -ANILA OR YEARS AGO CITIES ARE not yet ready â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not because people didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to go, but because there was no viable investment to go to. When we have landlords asking us where to build next, the QUESTION SHOULD BE WHERE IS THE next urbanization development taking place?â&#x20AC;? he said.

De los Reyes said the demand has always been there, maybe just not as emphasized as what you see. As

in the case of condormitels, he said that areas near popular university campuses like Katipunan, University of the Philippine and U-belt, have long offered this type of accommodation to students.

And as a response to the evolution of the working population, they are now in the fringes of central business districts like Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas, AND -AKATI HE SAID â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of moving parts to it. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urbanization. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology. All of these play a role in terms of shaping the readiness of the market,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The other topics the panel discussed zeroed in were on government support for property developers and how urbanization could change the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; real estate landscape and affect countryside development.

Suresh said that moving toward PROVINCES WILL BENEkT THE COUNTRY g4HE ONLY lIP SIDE THERE IS infrastructure needs to catch up, WE NEED TO MOVE OUR OFkCES to these outskirt areas too,â&#x20AC;?

Suresh said.

Q Â Urbanization is calling the shots in terms of keeping up with the demands outside Metro Manila. PHOTO BY LAMUDI

C2

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

W

Build&Design

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

What is an architect?

HAT can we constructively do for a World Architecture Day (WAD) project?

Such was the question of Arch. Chris Guerrero, president of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Las PiĂąas City (LPC) CHAPTER FOR kSCAL YEAR DURING ONE of the board meetings he called prior to the CELEBRATION OF 7!$ ON /CTOBER LAST YEAR It was in July when Guerrero entertained a proposal to talk to senior high school students and convince them to take up architecture once they embark on their quest for their college diploma. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hmm, pwede, pwede, sige,â&#x20AC;? quipped Guerrero. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s create the WAD committee and report to me weekly regarding your concepts, plans and proposed implementation,â&#x20AC;? he told the board members.

On October 1, the logistics group led by Arch. Beboy Vinco Jr., arrived at 6 a.m. in the covered court where the on-the-spot poster-making contest was scheduled to happen at 9 a.m. His group set the area to accommodate 20 participants from four senior public high schools in Las PiĂąas City.

Drawing paraphernalia composed of oil pastel sets and 20â&#x20AC;?x 30â&#x20AC;? bristol boards were placed on top of each of the mono-block tables. The mono-block chairs were SPREAD OUT THE lOOR !T EXACTLY a.m. after a short invocation, the contest started.

Two groups, one led by Arch.

Jojo Gaite, and the other by Arch.

Guerrero, were at their stations as early as 7 a.m. for their 9 a.m. talks.

Each symposium had two main speakers and two support speakers. One set of speakers came from

the â&#x20AC;&#x153;oldies-but-goodies,â&#x20AC;? while the other was from â&#x20AC;&#x153;just-passedthe-boardâ&#x20AC;? c a t e g o r y.

The audience readily identified with the latter.

The audience was composed of 100 students per symposium. Two symposia happened at the same time on separate venues. With the generous assistance from the high school faculty, students and staff, the venues (two classrooms with their common wall knocked down) were set-up complete with rostrums and audio-visual devices.

As the students, faculty and guests entered at 9 a.m., the talks started.

The on-the-spot poster-making contest was four hours long. At 1 p.m., all entries were submitted and judged. The students and their mentors were treated to a sumptuous meal while the judges â&#x20AC;&#x201D; District Director Arch. Len -ARZO !RCH *EFFREY !GUIRRE !RCH Ricky Rodriguez, Arch. Richie Serrano, and Vic Cunanan of Davies Paints, painstakingly selected the best three among the 20 entries.

At 2 p.m., the top three were given their respective awards. The resulting WORKS DEkNE THEIR INTERPRETATIONS OF what architecture is. Incidentally, they were all displayed in the National Architecture Week exhibit at the Robinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place in Las PiĂąas.

THE ARCHITECTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PERSPECTIVE ARCH. JOEL MANUEL GONZALES

Architects: Projects must be planned, designed

BY TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

Q Symposium 1 with Arch. Ricardo Rodriguez and Arch. Beboy Vinco Jr. Also in photo are the father-daughter team architects Jojo and Angelica Gaite, and Arch. Richie Serrano.

Q Participants of the on-the-spot poster-making contest with their artworks, with the top three winning entries at the center.

At the symposia, after the speakers delivered their pieces, reactions from Grade 12 senior high school students were profuse, varied and imaginative.

Two of the speakers, Rodriguez, a University of Santo Tomas faculty member, and Vinco, a UAP-LPC past president, summed up the premises and concerns of the students.

One is that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Architecture is a very expensive course in college.â&#x20AC;? As the students are from public schools, the financial aspect of the degree comes in as the main deterrent.

Another is that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our talent in drawing is not good because architecture requires one who draws

-ASTER builders in the country ARE POINTING OUT THE SIGNIkCANCE of architecture amid the aggressive infrastructure campaign in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important to get all of these (infrastructures) done fast, but the way we do so must be planned and designed,â&#x20AC;? Rebecca Plaza, president of architectural kRM 0LAZA AND !SSOCIATES SAID DURing the launching of Architecture $ESIGN IN -AKATI RECENTLY Architecture + Design is an event held by Anthology Festival to promote awareness on architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in nation building and heritage preservation.

In a press conference, Plaza cited what architecture can do for the development of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landscape today and in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think, architecture can really take a great role in nation-building moving forward, integrating cities for the 21st century,â&#x20AC;? she added.

William Ti, principal architecture of WTA Design Studio, said architecture helps in promoting Philippine culture.

Describing the profession as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the mother of all arts,â&#x20AC;? Ti said it could emphasize the uniqueness of the country for having a catholic-Spanish heritage. He said such distinct Filipino heritage is shown by the design of churches in the country.

For her part,

better than any other dude.â&#x20AC;? /N THE kRST PREMISE 2ODRIGUEZ said scholarships are available to deserving applicants. Architecture is a very expensive course without the scholarships. It will take 5 arduous years to gain this bachelor of science degree.

On the second premise, Rodriguez said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Talent can be developed. Inbred talent is a plus factor but not a requirement. It can give YOU A GOOD HEAD START -ORE IMportantly, a student of architecture MUST HAVE A PLAYFUL AND PROLIkC imagination complemented with a critical mind. These traits make up for a good design.â&#x20AC;?

(E ADDED g4HE REGULAR Pepe or Pilar thinks architecture is â&#x20AC;&#x153;draw-

ing lang â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yan.â&#x20AC;? This sad impression demeans all architects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang dali lang naman i-drawing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yan.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Architecture is not all about drawing. It is all about design. There are ton loads of thought processes and analyses involved in the design.

Sure, Pepe can copy and draw a beautiful perspective rendition of a house. But does he know why the designer used roof tiles instead of GI sheets? Does he know why there are more windows facing one side than the others?â&#x20AC;? he said.

At any rate, the WAD 2018 exercise was a program that showcased THE ARCHITECT S TALENT AND PROkCIENcy in planning multi-faceted and synchronized programs which UAP-LPC accomplished and done WITH lYING COLORS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Orderâ&#x20AC;? was the order of the day with Charter President Arch. Anne Bayot harmonizing all the goingson. She made sure the activities STARTED AND kNISHED LIKE CLOCKWORK

so to speak. But most importantly, protocol was observed that day.

-ARZO A DISTRICT DRIECTOR WAS pleased with the results of the program. Cunanan and Rex Derramas of Davies were so delighted they were willing to participate in next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event. The faculty, staff

and most importantly, the students of the participating schools enjoyed the activity immensely.

So what is an architect? Recapping, an architect is a talented (inbred or developed) planner, speaker, critical thinker, designer, pal, buddy able to logically express and manifest his thoughts and imaginations, as well as another personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideas, in 2D ( two dimension) and 3D (three dimension) illustrations so that they can be built in the real world.

Get an architect for all your design needs, kasi sa arkitekto lagi kang sigurado. *** (The author graduated with a degree in architecture from the University of North-eastern Philippines College of Civil Engineering and Architecture in Iriga City, Cam Sur in 1977 and passed the architecture licensing board in 1979. A practicing architect in Naga City, he engages in design-build services. A past UAP district Director in 2010-11, past UAP chapter president in 2000-03, he writes architecture and art criticism, political commentaries, poetry and essays in English, Tagalog, Bicol and Spanish. He is also a vanguard on heritage conservation.

Q The Filipinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinct catholic-Spanish heritage is shown in the design of Philippine churches, among them Miagao church in Iloilo (above). PHOTO BY WIKIPEDIA Cathy Saldana, managing director of the PDP Architects-Arco Group, stressed the need to protect the environment in the process of building. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As an architect doing a lot of hotels and resorts in the country, I believe we should be taking note of islands,â&#x20AC;? she said, referring to the issues concerning Boracay. Last year, the island was shut down for six months to undergo rehabilitation.

Saldana said failure to build sewage treatment plant, noncompliance of state regulations and other factors led to Boracayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s woes. She said people were affected by what architects design.

Architecture + Design will run for three days from February 15 to 17 in Fort Santiago, Intra-

MUROS -ANILA TO SHOWCASE THE different faces of architecture.

There will be series of lectures and panel discussions that will tackle topics on sustainable planning and design and architecture as a profession.

With the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Impact Architecture,â&#x20AC;? the occasion will have for speakers Buro Ole Scheeren Principal Architect Ole Scheeren, School of Architecture (Taliesin) President AarON "ETSKY AND -ADA Spam Chairman QinGYUN -A Workshops will be conducted by world-ren ow n e d a r chitecture and DESIGN kRMS LIKE Arup, Sofa Design Institute,

Shau and Arcadis.

Around 5,000 practitioners and delegates from 25 universities here and abroad, developers, government agencies and foreign embassies are expected to attend the event.

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

Build&Design

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

C3

Q Icon Plaza:Â The future development of Manhattan Garden City will feature a walkable open-air plaza with the backdrop of an iconic New York-inspired skyscraper.

MANHATTAN GARDEN CITY

Walkable haven for urban dwellers G

ETTING to places has become a big challenge in a metropolis where everyone seems to be constantly on the move.

Instead of enduring the everyday struggle, its wise to move in a dynamic community where you can enjoy tons of lifestyle and movement options to live the life you crave for.

Within the vibrant Araneta Center is a garden residential community that offers a respite from the whirring pace of the city. Get to where you wanted to be and indulge in the luxury of nature and sophistication coming together AT THE CENTER OF -ETRO -ANILA IN -ANHATTAN 'ARDEN #ITY Complementing the fast-paced vibe of its surrounding landSCAPE -ANHATTAN 'ARDEN #ITY S laidback environment is teeming with greenery carefully chosen to match the charming aesthetic of the entire development. Residents of this soon-to-be completed 5.7-hectare, 18-tower commuNITY Â&#x2021; COMPOSED OF -ANHATTAN 0ARKWAY -ANHATTAN 0ARKVIEW

-ANHATTAN (EIGHTS AND ITS LATEST PHASE THE -ANHATTAN 0LAZA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; will surely cherish waking up

to a stunning sunrise with either THE -ETRO -ANILA SKYLINE OR THE mountains of Antipolo as their glorious backdrop.

Urban connectivity at its finest In an age where productivity is DEkNED BY HOW MUCH YOU ACHIEVE on any given day, interconnectivity and accessibility have constantly ranked high in every achieverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s priorities. Designed to make urban living a dream, the residential towERS WITHIN -ANHATTAN 'ARDEN #ITY are connected to one another via a 720-meter shaded garden walkway, making it the perfect address for professionals, students and anyone WHO CRAVES TO LIVE EFkCIENT LIFESTYLES Through these elevated garden walkways â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which form part of

Q The 18-tower residential development Manhattan Garden City sits right at the heart of Araneta Center in Quezon City. a 1.5-kilometer network of footbridges connecting the development TO -24 AND ,24 Â&#x2021; RESIDENTS OF -ANHATTAN 'ARDEN #ITY CAN START their day with a sumptuous meal from one of the many dining estabLISHMENTS ALONG THE FAMED -ANHAT-

tan Row. The rest of the day unfolds with them shopping at the nearby malls and retail outlets, working at THE VARIOUS "0/ OFkCES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND FULkLLING ERRANDS AT THE DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT OFkCES within the development.

Rewarding lifestyles outside your doorsteps !S THE 0HILIPPINES kRST EVER TRANSIT oriented development, getting from one part of the city to another from -ANHATTAN 'ARDEN #ITY IS TRULY A

breeze with its world-class bus port AT THE GROUND LEVEL OF -ANHATTAN Heights, a terminal for Premium P2P buses, e-shuttle services go around the entire district, and to a jeepney terminal plying routes going to neighboring cities and towns.

The community also gives its residents convenient access to the entire University Belt and the busiNESS DISTRICTS OF -AKATI /RTIGAS AND &ORT "ONIFACIO THROUGH THE -24 and LRT-2. True to its name, the area surrounding the residential development is a high-octane, 24/7 district â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a prime lifestyle destination with a wealth of shopping centers, fantastic retail outlets and entertainment hotspots.

Truly, all it takes to get your life GOING IS TO TAKE STEPS AND FULkLL your heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desire. Imagine how kTTING IT WOULD BE TO START gGOING placesâ&#x20AC;? from your very own adDRESS AT -ANHATTAN 'ARDEN #ITY 6ISIT -ANHATTAN 'ARDEN #ITY S OFFICIAL &ACEBOOK PAGE HTTP FACEBOOK COM -ANHATTAN'ARDEN#ITY/FkCIAL FOR MORE INFORmation. You can also send your inquiries via email at inquire@ themanhattangardencity.com or call 554-4888.

Second phase of Pueblo de Oro project in Pampanga launched

Township boosts Clark development

#/--)44%$ TO CONTINUOUSLY provide high-quality yet affordable homes, property developer Pueblo de Oro Development Corp. has launched the second phase of its successful Spanish-EDITERRANEAN THEMED TOWNhouses in Pampanga.

La Aldea Fernandina II is a 12-hectare community and part of a 30-ha. masterplanned community of Pueblo de Oro in San Fernando. The project has over 1,100 units of classic and premium homes perfect for start-up families.

The townhouse units at La Aldea Fernandina II have redesigned layouts and bigger floor areas starting from 47 square meters.

-OBILITY WITHIN THE SUBDIVISION IS easy with its 12-meter wide main roads, 10-meter secondary roads, and 6.5-meter roads.

Residents can enjoy the centrally located community facilities, such as the new village clubhouse, full-size basketball court and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playground.

La Aldea Fernandina II has a landscaped entrance gate and guardhouse, transport terminal, pocket open spaces, riverside linear park and jogging path boardwalk, and perimeter fence â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all monitored with 24-hour security surveillance.

The project is strategically situated in Baranggay Del Carmen in the City of San Fernando â&#x20AC;&#x201D; close

FILINVEST -IMOSA ,EISURE #ITY HAS given a big boost to the economic evolution of Clark, Pampanga. &ILINVEST S kRST TOWNSHIP IN THE North established itself last year as a major player in the transformation of Clark into an economic hub.

-ANY FACTORS HAVE SET &ILINVEST -IMOSA IN FULL MOTION INCLUDing the opening of major developMENTS LIKE THE 7ORKPLUS AN OFkCE campus set amid lush natural surroundings and fully equipped WITH kBER OPTIC FACILITIES AND REcent key renovations at the Quest Plus Conference Center Clark. &ILINVEST -IMOSA ALSO HOSTED a number of events that brought together the Clark community.

The stunning and verdant Acacia Park was one of the venues for festive gatherings. ,AST YEAR &ILINVEST -IMOSA OFkCIALLY ANNOUNCED FUTURE LARGE scale attractions, like the Inter-

Q Bedroom of a La Aldea Fernandina II unit to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major malls and retail centers, as well as hospitals, churches, and schools. It is less than 2 kilometers away from the San Fernando NLEX exit and 3 HOURS AWAY FROM -ETRO -ANILA

Q 24-hour security

making it exceptionally convenient for homeowners.

Sales of La Aldea Fernandina II is ongoing, with units as low as P1.2 million. Financing is available with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zero Equityâ&#x20AC;? under the

(OME -UTUAL $EVELOPMENT &UND ($-& OR 0AG )")' Pueblo de Oro has been developing quality and mixed-use residential projects for more than 20 years, including La Aldea Fernandina I, a collection of three private and gated villages in Pampanga, which was introduced in 2010.

Aside from Pampanga, Pueblo de Oro has been offering innovative home designs at affordable prices with uncompromised quality and workmanship in other key locations around the country, including Cagayan de Oro, -ACTAN )SLAND IN #EBU AND THE municipalities of Santo Tomas AND -ALVAR IN "ATANGAS

national Casino and Hotel and ,IFESTYLE -ALL AMONG MANY OTHER developments that will reshape the business and lifestyle landscape up north. /PERATING SOON AT &ILINVEST -Imosa+ is the Lodgeplus, a residential facility that will complement the 7ORKPLUS OFkCE CAMPUS AS &ILINVEST -IMOSA CONTINUES TO PROMOTE A healthy work-life balance. &ILINVEST -IMOSA IS ALSO BRINGING THE #LARK -IMOSA 3TRIP TO LIFE &ILINVEST S kRST COMMERCIAL project venture in the Central Luzon region, the retail strip will be situated on a 1.3-hectare land area and is envisioned as a lifestyle hub with various concept stores, wellness services and a wide array of dining options. &ILINVEST -IMOSA ,EISURE #ITY is home to Quest Plus Conference #ENTER #LARK -IMOSA 'OLF #OURSE AND 7ORKPLUS /FkCE #AMPUS

Q Major player in Clark transformation

C4

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

Build&Design

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Developer bares 2019 plans

P

ROPERTY DEVELOPER !MAIA ,AND JUMP STARTED WITH THE LAUNCH OF kVE NEW projects and the expansion of eight existing developments, presenting a wide range of AFFORDABLE YET SUPERIOR QUALITY HOUSING PROJECTS to aspiring homeowners.

The five new Amaia projects WILL BE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS A townhouse project at new Vermosa estate; a house and lot development in Binangonan, Rizal; a new condominium at Tandang Sora, Quirino Highway; a new townhouse development in Nuvali; and a new building in Capitol Central, Negros Occidental.

Stephanie Lingad, Amaia Landâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CHIEF OPERATING OFkCER SAID gWITH the launch of these new projects, individuals and families alike may

now look forward to settling down in their dream homes in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;greener, more breathableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; neighborhoods in low-density locales in the metro.â&#x20AC;? !PART FROM THE kVE NEW PROJects, Amaia also bared eight existing projects set to undergo expansion this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Expansion areas will be

opened in Amaia Landâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s developments in Sucat, Blanca Building Bicutan, ParaĂąaque; General Trias, 4RECE -ARTIRES #AVITE .OVALICHES

Quezon City.; Cabuyao, Laguna; Bulacan; and Shaw Boulevard in -ANDALUYONG #ITY The expansion will also offer more choices to those who prefer to live either

south or north of the metropolis.â&#x20AC;?

Amaia Land brings the dream of owning of affordable and sustainable homes closer to hardworking Filipinos through easy payment OPTIONS CASH DEFERRED CASH AND BANK kNANCING Amaia continues to serve its Filipino residents and homeowners with affordable and sustainable development that aims to elevate living experience and create a positive impact on the environment.

Q Amaia Land says Filipino families can now look forward to settle down in their dream homes in a greener and more breathable environment with its new projects this 2019.

Q Amaia Landâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s five new projects will be constructed at Vermosa Estate, Binangonan in Rizal, Tandang Sora-Quirino Highway, NUVALI, and Capitol Central in Negros Occidental.

Q Amaia Land welcomes the new year with five new projects underway, as well as eight expansion plans for existing projects.

Affordable housing breaks ground in Laguna

Q Clubhouse (Architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Perspective)

Q Yasmin Model (Architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Perspective)

Q Entrance Facade (Architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Perspective)

Q Guardhouse (Architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Perspective)

PA Alvarez Properties and Development Corp. (PA Properties), the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading developer of affordable housing, sets new heights this year with the recent groundbreaking of a 3-hectare project in Brgy. Laguerta, Calamba, Laguna.

Inspired by the salient characteristics of the season of spring, 3T *OSEPH 3PRINGkELD SYMBOLizes rebirth and offers a refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The new addition to the 40 affordable housing communities developed by PA Properties in the past 24 years will be a secure, safe townhouse development project ideal for couples starting a family, empty nesters, retirees and young mobile professionals who want to take advantage of the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accessibility to South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and nearby commercial and industrial hubs.

Reasonably priced at P1.42 million, each townhouse unit

Q St. Joseph Springfield groundbreaking led by Rey AscaĂąo, PA Properties senior executive vice president, and Florlita Tabuzo, SVP for Sales and Marketing. will have a 42-square meter SQM lOOR AREA LEVELS AND

a 36-sqm lot area. St. Joseph 3PRINGkELD IS DESIGNED TO BE AN exclusive and close knit community as there will only be 419 units to be offered. Perfect for those seeking simplicity and convenience, as well as a sense of belongingness and security.

The project is strategically located near SLEX exit points of Calamba, Bucal by-pass road, "ATINO -AYAPA #ANLUBANG AND Eton where commercial and industrial establishments like the Laguna Industry Park II, Carmelray Industrial Park 1 & 2 and Filinvest Technology Park are just a stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw away.

For families with schoolage children, University of Perpertual Help System DAL-

TAâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Calamba, San Sebastian College-Recoletos Canlubang, Don Bosco College Canlubang and Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba are accessible.

-EANWHILE 3AN *OSE (OSPITAL AND -EDICAL #ENTER #ALAMBA -EDICAL #ENTER AND #ALAMBA Doctors Hospital are 20 to 40 minutes away from the development.

For lifestyle and leisure, shopPING MALLS SUCH AS 3- #ALAMBA

Waltermart Calamba, CheckPOINT -ALL AND I-ALL #ANLUBANG are nearby, and holiday goto spots like Tagaytay, Pansol, -AKILING AND OTHER VACATION getaways around the province of Laguna are all an hour and a half at most accessible.

Sports

WEDNESDAY D1 FEBRUARY 13, 2019

Harden keeps streak alive, /HRQDUG Ă&#x20AC;UHV 5DSWRUV L

www.manilatimes.net

OS ANGELES: James Harden produced a scintillating late burst of scoring to extend his remarkable 30-point scoring streak to 30 games on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) as the Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-104.

The reigning NBA MVP had been bidding to become only the second player in history after Wilt Chamberlain to score at least 30 points in 30 consecutive games as the Rockets hosted the Mavs.

But Hardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s run of 30-point games looked to be in serious jeopardy after a dogged performance by the Mavericks, who often double-teamed the Rockets ace in an attempt to staunch his scoring ability.

With around three minutes remaining, Harden looked to be in trouble with only 20 points against his name.

However back-to-back three pointers took him to 26 points with 1:57 on the clock, and he moved to 28 points after two free throws with just over a minute remaining.

With the Toyota Center home crowd roaring him on, Harden broke the 30-point barrier with a three-pointer to kNISH WITH POINTS ON THE NIGHT Harden is now one game shy of Chamberlainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tally of 31 consecutive 30-point games for second place on the all-time list. Chamberlain also holds the outright record with a streak of 65 30-point games.

Harden later spoke of his satisfaction to have joined Chamberlain as the only player to have reached 30 30-point games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the greatest ever to touch a basketball,â&#x20AC;?

Harden said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an honor to be in that conversation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Obviously I have a long way to go but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a start. Just trying to keep it going.â&#x20AC;?

Q Rain or Shineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rey Nambatac drives on Jason Perkins of Phoenix Pulse (No. 3) during a Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup game on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

RoS shoots for 7th win as PBA takes a break

SOLO leader Rain or Shine aims for its seventh win against Magnolia at 7 p.m. tonight, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City before the Season 44 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup takes a two-week break.

The Elasto Painters, leading with a 6-1 win-loss record, are already ASSURED OF A QUARTERkNAL SLOT â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well we know how tough Magnolia is. They played two strong teams also in the beginning after a long lay off they have had, so we are expecting them to be a lot more different against us, more prepared, probably in a better condition,â&#x20AC;? said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

The Elasto Painters dealt Phoenix 0ULSE ITS kRST DEFEAT IN kVE GAMES

98-94, in overtime on Sunday behind Beau Belga and Kris Rosales, who notched 16 points each. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In all our wins, different players have stepped up as we allow every-

one to shoot and it is working for us effectively. Our mindset is we have to continue sharing the ball and play defense,â&#x20AC;? said Garcia, adding that they are eyeing the top two for a twice-to-beat advantage.

Winless Magnolia, the GoverNORS #UP CHAMPION LOST ITS kRST two games against TNT KaTropa (75-80) and defending cham pion San Miguel Beer (92-113). â&#x20AC;&#x153;We really need a sense of urgency. It is very hard to end up at the bottom so we need to win,â&#x20AC;? said Hotshots coach Chito Victolero.

Hotshot Aldrech Ramos is still recovering from a hamstring injury. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He (Ramos) is not available to play yet,â&#x20AC;? added Garcia.

Veteran Jean Marc Pingris was also sidelined by an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

In the 4:30 p.m. first game, Alaska (1-1 win-loss record) aims for back-to-back wins, when it goes

against Blackwater (1-5).

The Aces are coming from a 94-72 win over Columbian Dyip, while the Elite are hoping to stop a three-game losing skid.

The PBA will enter a 14-day break and will resume on February 27 to give way to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian QUALIkERS SIXTH AND LAST WINDOW

wherein the Philippines will compete against Qatar on February 21 in Doha and against Kazakhstan on the 24th in Astana.

Meanwhile, Blackwater team OWNER $IOCELDO 3Y CONkRMED TO The Manila Times that they suspended player Renz Palma for one month without pay for playing in â&#x20AC;&#x153;ligang labasâ&#x20AC;? OR UNOFkCIAL LEAGUE somewhere in Bulacan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wearesuspendinghim(Palma)one monthwithnopay.Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sano,no.Whyrisk it if you are already in the PBA,â&#x20AC;? saidSy via text message. JOSEF T. RAMOS

Alab aims to dominate Hong Kong Eastern anew SAN Miguel Alab Pilipinas guns for an eighth straight win as it seeks to sweep Hong Kong Eastern Basketball Club in Season 9 Asean Basketball League (ABL) today at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Game time is at 8 p.m., with the Filipino ball club and its Hong Kong counterpart battling for the fourth and final time this season.

Defending champion Alab Pilipinas bagged its seventh straight victory with a 96-81 rout of Hong Kong Eastern on Friday night at the same venue.

It was also Alabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third triumph in as many encounters against the Long Lions.

The leading Jimmy Alapag-mentored squad is also eyeing to improve its record of 13 wins against two defeats.

Last seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Defensive Player of the Year Renaldo Balkman and fellow Puerto Rican reinforcement PJ Ramos are tabbed to take charge on the paint.

Balkman scored a game-high 32 points on top of four rebounds and as many assists while Ramos finished with a double-double of 11 markers and 14 boards in the Filipino teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

previous win.

Two-time MVP Ray Parks Jr., who fired 23 points last game, is expected to provide extra firepower along with other local standouts in Pao Javelona, Ethan Alvano and Lawrence Domingo.

The No. 5 Hong Kong Eastern, on the other hand, hopes to reclaim its winning ways and hike its 11-9 record.

Spanish mentor Edu Torres will count on World Imports Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Darien Bassett, Samuel Deguara and Marcus Elliott to lead the Long Lions.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Leonard sparks Raptors Q Dallas Mavericks forward Maximilian Kleber (No. 42) shoots as Houston Rockets guard James Harden defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday in Houston. AP PHOTO

Hardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main satisfaction however was in helping secure victory for Houston, who moved to 33-23 with the win to STAY kRMLY IN THE PLAYOFF HUNT in the Western Conference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a really good team, especially offensively,â&#x20AC;? Harden said of Dallas.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;They can get it going. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a number of guys that can shoot the ball well. We just had to keep our composure and make some big shots.â&#x20AC;?

Gerald Green had 19 points off the bench for the Rockets while Chris Paul and Kenneth Faried had 17 apiece.

Luka Doncic led the Dallas scoring with 21 points.

Elsewhere Monday, Kawhi Leonard drained the game-winner with 4.4 seconds left with a 30-point display as the Toronto Raptors outlasted the Brooklyn Nets with a 127-125 victory on Tuesday.

Leonard, who had averaged just over 17 points per game in his previous four appearances, went 50 percent FROM THE kELD TO LEAD THE SCORING FOR the Raptors.

The win boosted the Raptors to 42-16, to see them keep pace with the Milwaukee Bucks at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Leonard was one of six Raptors PLAYERS TO MAKE DOUBLE kGURES WITH Serge Ibaka adding 18 points and Pascal Siakam 17 points.

New arrival Marc Gasol added 16 points from the bench in his 22 minutes on court.

Brooklyn, who fell to 29-29 with the defeat, was led by the in-form Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Angelo Russell with 28 points.

Russell, who is gearing up for his All-Star debut next week, also had a mammoth 14 assists and seven rebounds but ultimately was unable to drag his team over the line.

Joe Harris had 24 points for Brooklyn while Allen Crabbe had 22 off the bench.

In Chicago meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo warmed up for the All-Star week with a 29-point haul to help Milwaukee power to a 112-99 win over the Bulls.

Antetokounmpo also had 17 rebounds and eight assists in the win which sees the Bucks remain on top of the Eastern Conference with 42 wins and 14 defeats.

Oklahoma City Thunder meanwhile had a 47-point performance from Paul George at the center of their 120-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

George was backed with yet another triple-double night from Russell Westbrook, who had 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.

AFP

D2

Sports

The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

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NBA looking into Simmons talk with Lakers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; report

L

/3 !.'%,%3 ."! OFkCIALS ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER ANY TAMPERING RULES WERE VIOLATED FOLLOWING REPORTS OF THE 0HILADELPHIA ERS !USTRALIAN STAR "EN 3IMMONS SEEKING A MEETING WITH ,OS !NGELES ,AKERS PRESIDENT -AGIC *OHNSON %30. SAID -ONDAY 4UESDAY IN -ANILA Sixers general manager Elton Brand said Simmons had expressed an interest in talking to Johnson, but the team will not allow a workout for the Lakers. Simmons shares an agent with Lakers star LeBron James. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has taken interest in chatting with some of the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-time greats and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re supportive,â&#x20AC;?

Brand told ESPN. The issue began Sunday when the Lakers lost at Philadelphia and Lakers president Johnson, a legendary player in his day, told reporters that Simmons had reached out wanting to set up a chat for after the season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hey, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to clear that with the

league,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and if everybody -- the Sixers sign off, we SIGN OFF THE LEAGUE SIGNS OFF kNE ) WILL DO THAT u Johnson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love his game. I love his vision. I love also, too, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very, in terms of basketball IQ, very high.â&#x20AC;?

"RAND SAID HE SPOKE BRIElY WITH ,AKERS GENERAL manager Rob Pelinka on the subject and knows Simmonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agent, Rich Paul, is a long-time pal of James, but isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worried about any tampering, even though an NBA spokesman told ESPN the league is looking into the contact between the Lakers and Simmons. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No issue,â&#x20AC;? Brand said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have a great relationship with Ben and Rich and we expect him to be

a Sixer for a long time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had brief dialogue with Rob Pelinka, who Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve known for a long time, but nothing is planned. Our collective focus is on making a post-season push. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Again, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not sweating this â&#x20AC;&#x201D; end of story.â&#x20AC;?

Brand said he told Johnson more than a month ago he would not allow Johnson and Simmons to work out together.

Both are large point guards and versatile playmakers.

The Lakers were recently in talks with New Orleans for another of Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clients, Anthony Davis, but no deal was struck by last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade deadline. *OHNSON WAS kNED LAST year after comments made about Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

AFP

Q Ben Simmons No. 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball against Mason Plumlee No. 24 of the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on February 8, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

AFP PHOTO

Lin expected to join NBA Raptors for playoff push JEREMY LIN, the first American of Chinese or Taiwan ancestry to play in the NBA, is finalizing a contract buyout with Atlanta to set up signing with Toronto, his agents told ESPN. The US-based sports networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website said Lin, a 30-year-old point guard best known for his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lin-sanityâ&#x20AC;? run of success with New York in 2012, could wind up with the Canadian club by mid-week.

Much-traveled Lin is averaging 10.7 points, 3.5 ass ists and 2.3 rebounds a game this season for Atlanta but appears destined for his eighth NBA club, having made his debut in 2010 with Golden State.

While the Hawks languish eight games out of a playoff spot at 12th in the Eastern Conference on 18-38, the Raptors are 41-16, second in the Eastern Conference by a game to Milwaukee with the third-best record in the league after the Bucks and regining champion Golden State.

Lin could play a key role off the bench behind Kyle Lowry for the Raptors, who traded key talent to obtain Marc Gasol from Memphis ahead of their push to the playoffs.

Lin has played 457 career NBA games with Golden State, New York, Houston, the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte, Brooklyn and Atlanta with averages of 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.1 steals a contest.

In 2012, Lin was a last alternative for an injury-hit New York lineup but he came off the bench and sparked the Knicks to seven consecutive wins with clutch shooting and timely passes, a whirlwind effort that became known to Knicks fans as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lin-sanity.â&#x20AC;?

AFP

PEREZ WINS LBC RONDA PILIPINAS 2019

Q Spaniard Francisco Mancebo Perez of Matrix Powertag Japan (center) takes a short break during the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2019. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PH team to play tuneup game vs Meralco THE Philippine team will play a tune-up game with Meralco on Friday as part of its preparation for the last and sixth window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian qualifiers in Doha, Qatar on Saturday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are playing on Friday 10 in the morning. As of this morning, everything is okay. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a tune-up game. Just get into the rhythm, get into the flow of things. And for us, it will be a tune-up game to stay in shape because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a long break,â&#x20AC;? said PH Team manager Paolo Trillo.

Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga said this would serve as the only tune-up game for the national team after the supposed tune-up game against San Miguel Alab Pilipinas last week was cancelled.

Meralco is presently holding a 2-3 win-loss record in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Meanwhile, naturalized Andray Blatche will miss the Meralco tune up game, as he already left for China on Monday. He will be joining the Philippine team in Doha on the 16th. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Andray (Blatche) wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be joining us in the tune-up game on Friday. But the good thing is we have a tune-up game,â&#x20AC;? said Arespacochaga.

Philippine team head coach Yeng Guiao said Blatcheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lack of tune-up games poses no problem. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So far, everything is positive. Our concern is his availability and fitness. He satisfactorily passed and we have to practice with him when we arrive in Doha,â&#x20AC;? said Guiao, adding that they would name the final 12 players on Friday.

The Philippine team will meet Qatar on February 21 at the Al-Gharafa sports club multi-purpose hall in Doha before heading to Astana to face Kazakhstan on the 24th at the Republican Velodrome Saryarka.

The Philippine menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball team, holding a 5-5 win-loss record for No. 4, needs to sweep its two remaining games in Group F to qualify for the World Cup tournament in China on August 31 to September 15.

Guiao is still optimistic despite two consecutive defeats in the fifth window against Kazakhstan (88-92) on November 30 and Iran (70-78) on December 3 both at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Japan (6-4) will face Iran (7-3) also on February 21. Iran will meet Australia (9-1) while Qatar (2-8) will battle Japan on the 24th.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

SPANIARD Francisco Mancebo Perez of Matrix Powertag Japan bested all comers including Filipinos Ronald Oranza of Navy-Standard Insurance and Dominic Perez of 7Eleven CliqqAir21 by Roadbike Philippines to rule the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2019 that ended in the quiet and serene town of Pandan, Antique.

Perez, 42, stuck with Oranza and Perez almost all throughout the 148.9-kilometer fifth and final stage that started at the El Pueblo grounds in Roxas City and ended in front of the Pandan Bay Insitute before winding up at 50th in the stage, or 32 seconds off lap winner El Joshua Carino of Navy.

Carino, the 2018 Le Tour champion, bested reigning Tour de Langkawi champion Artem Ovechkin and two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mohd Harrif Saleh of Terengganu to claim his first stage win of this UCI-sanctioned race.

All three checked in with identical times of three hours, 24 minutes and 37 seconds.

At the end of this five-stage race that unfurled in Iloilo City and threaded through Guimaras and Roxas City and finished in Antique, Mancebo, whose best Tour de France placing was fourth in 2005, emerged victorious with an aggregate time of 19:26:30 to claim his first title in a multi-stage race since topping the Tour of Egypt four years ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so happy it was over and we won,â&#x20AC;? said Mancebo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The team, not just myself, worked hard to make this win happen, it was really team work.â&#x20AC;?

And Mancebo needed a dominating Stage One victory in Iloilo City to build a massive lead that he intelligently nursed all through out to fend off Filipino challengers Oranza

and Perez, who tried and failed to catch up.

Oranza, last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ronda king who turned 26 yesterday, wound up second and the best Filipino rider after he finished 3:20 behind Mancebo while Perez wound up at third, or just three seconds behind the feisty Navyman.

Oranza was just too happy to finish as the best local rider. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m okay with the top Filipino rider award. It still feels like Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the back-to-back champion of Ronda,â&#x20AC;? said Oranza.

Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jan Paul Morales (4:03 behind), the 2016 and 2017 Ronda titlist, ended up fourth while Matrixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sano Junya (4:21), Korail Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Joo Daeyeong (4:26), 7Elevenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Irish Valenzuela (4:48), Army-Bicycologyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mark Julius Bordeos (4:48), 7Elevenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rustom Lim (4:56) and Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rudy Roque (5:42).

Manceboâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Matrix squad also emerged as overall team classification winner with a total clocking of 58:31:36 ahead of 7Eleven (00:12) and Navy (0:56).

Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Junrey Navarra was overall points classification winner, 7Elevenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s George Oconer the overall mountains classification and Go for Goldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ismael Grospe emerging the best under-23 rider.

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.

Q Switzerlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stanislas Wawrinka plays a backhand return to Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Benoit Paire during their first round menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles match at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam on Tuesday. AFP PHOTO

Wawrinka through as Paire switches off ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: Stan Wawrinka benefitted from a Benoit Paire collapse, with the Swiss carving out a 7-6(7/4), 6-1 win on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) at the Rotterdam Open.

After fighting through a 45-minute first set the 33-yearold Wawrinka needed just 26 more minutes to salt away the first-round victory as the moody Paire had unleashed a trademark racquet smash after dropping the opening set.

The frustrated 58th-ranked Frenchman made little effort in the second set, phoning it in with apparent disinterest as Wawrinka took complete charge.

Breaking four times on his way into the second round Wawrinka made a date against either Milos Raonic, who beat him in four tiebreak sets at the Australian Open, or German Philipp Kohlschreiber. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough to play a friend whose game you know so well,â&#x20AC;?Wawrinka said of Paire, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t start well, but I lifted my level and got better and better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy to win this match. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough to play Paire but I was able to regain my focus. I fought hard to find my rhythm.â&#x20AC;?

Wawrinka said that his knee is no longer a problem. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In general Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m training well and moving well.â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a good level in Melbourne against Raonic over almost four hours. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The knee is good, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy physically and have confidence in it.â&#x20AC;?

The number 68 Swiss who claimed the title in Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major port city in 2015, has been working for more than a year to rehab completely following two knee surgeries in summer, 2017.

Victory over his French opponent leaves him with a 9-3 record in the series.

The field is headed by Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top player, Kei Nishikori of Japan, who opens in his tournament debut on Tuesday against Montpellier finalist Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France.

In other first-round results on Monday, Italian veteran Andreas Seppi outlasted Peter Gojowczyk of Germany 7-6(7/3), 3-6, 6-2 while Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin beat Dutchman Robin Haase, a quarter-finalist here in 2018 who lost to Roger Federer, 6-2, 7-6(7/4).

Federer became the oldest man to return to the number one ranking through that victory one year ago here. AFP

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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Magcalayos dominate; 3 share womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead JOLO MAGCALAYO sizzled with a bogey-free seven-under 65 to open a huge six-stroke lead over sibling Jonas even AS 3OkA #HABON *UNIA 'ABASA and Eagle Ace Superal took charge in the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side with 75s at the start of the W Express RVF Cup Amateur Golf Championship at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna on Tuesday.

Cashing in on his local knowledge of the course he CALLS HOME *OLO

BANGED away four birdies at the front then kept his charge in the last nine holes of the North layout to outgun Aidric Chan and Korean Kim Tae Soo for a personal best 32-33 card in near-ideal condition.

4WO lIGHTS BEHIND *ONAS

ALSO TURNED IN A SOLID frontside 33 but failed to match Joloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sustained run AND STUMBLED WITH A SETTLING FOR A WHILE #HAN AND Zachary Castro matched par 72s for joint third in the early going of the 72-hole championship held in honor of the late NGAP president and golf patron Rod V. Feliciano.

Jolo birdied the par-5 second hole to spark a run that INCLUDED BIRDIES ON .OS

and 9 then after three pars at THE BACK HE BIRDIED THE NEXT two then capped his sterling round with another birdie on .O TO FIND HIMSELF WAY ahead of the pack.

Perry Bucay rallied with a backside 33 to tie Masaichi /TAKE AT WHILE $ON 0ETIL

Elee Bisera and Korean Jung Jae Hyun shot identical 74s for joint seventh in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports

Foundation and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour.

3EAN 2AMOS WINNER OF TWO TOURNAMENTS LAST YEAR

#ARL #ORPUS 0AQO "ARRO AND Kristoffer Arevalo hobbled WITH S TO FALL STROKES OFF the pace in the tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines nad BACKED #IGNAL -ETRO 0ACIFIC and Cangolf. ! TIGHT DUEL HOWEVER

marked hostilities in the disTAFF SIDE WITH #HABON 'ABASA and Superal all churning out IDENTICAL CARDS JUST ONE stroke ahead of Rafaela SingSON AND 2IANNE -ALIXI WHO shot identical 76s.

Laia Barro stayed in early contention with a 77 with Bernice Olivarez-Ilas and Samantha Dizon both shooting identical 78s and Laurea $UQUE AND !RNIE 4AGUINES carding similar 79s.

Despite failing to gun down A SINGLE BIRDIE #HABON GAINED a piece of the lead as GaBASA FUMBLED WITH kVE BOGEYS against two birdies and the young Superal hit one birdie and groped with four bogeys.

Singson blew a 36 backside start and a two-shot lead with A CLOSING WHILE -ALIXI fought back with a frontside 37 for joint fourth with Barro likewise rallying with a 37 TO SEIZE SOLO SIXTH JUST TWO strokes off the joint leaders with 54 holes left to play in the event also serving as part of the selection process for the team vying in the SEA Games the country is hosting later this year.

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2018

Sports

D3

Mickelson holds off Casey to win Pebble Beach Pro-Am

S

AN FRANCISCO: Phil Mickelson captured his 50th career worldwide title on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), finishing off the last two holes of his DARKNESS HALTED kNAL ROUND TO WIN THE 53 PGA Pebble Beach Pro-Am tournament.

The 48-year-old American closed with a six-foot birdie putt at the par TH HOLE TO COMPLETE A BOGEY FREE kNAL ROUND OF SEVEN UNDER PAR AND CONCLUDE HOLES ON UNDER

DEFEATING %NGLAND S 0AUL #ASEY by three strokes. #ASEY WHO ALSO BIRDIED TO kNISH A LAST ROUND AND -ICKELson were the only players stopped by darkness in Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hailDELAYED FINAL ROUND -ICKELSON with two holes remaining and a THREE STROKE EDGE OVER #ASEY WHO resumed by making a three-foot PAR PUTT AT )T WAS THE kFTH CAREER 0'! VICtory at Pebble Beach for MickelSON WHO MATCHED THE ALL TIME record set by fellow American Mark Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara. He also became the oldest-ever PGA winner at the famed California coastal layout. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been a special week for ME u -ICKELSON SAID g4HIS IS A special place for me. Every time I come here I have special feelings.â&#x20AC;?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the course where his grandfather worked as a caddie and where he began his pro career.

Mickelson claimed his 44th US PGA Tour title and has also WON THREE %UROPEAN 4OUR TITLES

THE 'RAND 3LAM OF 'OLF AND 3KINS 'AME AND A Challenge Tour event in Paris.

Mickelson had not won on US SOIL SINCE THE 0HOENIX /PEN Five-time major champion Mick-

elson will try to complete a career Grand Slam at Pebble Beach IN *UNE AT THE 53 /PEN

an event where he has kNISHED SECOND A RECORD SIX TIMES MOST RECENTLY IN And while he enjoyed the VICTORY -ICKELSON DIDN T consider it meaningful in any way for the US Open. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(It means) absolutely nothing because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing like the course WE LL SEE u -ICKELSON said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The rough will be so deep and the greens will be so fast it will be a totally different course.â&#x20AC;?

3COTT 3TALLINGS THE !MERICAN WHO held the clubhouse lead at nightfall 3UNDAY ON UNDER WAS ON HAND in case he might be involved in a playoff but settled for third.

Casey gets a pairs win Joining Casey and Mickelson on the course Monday was Don #OLLERAN A &ED%X EXECUTIVE WHO with Casey led the two-man ProAm competition by one stroke at 33-under par. Caseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closing birdie ensured their triumph.

Casey decided to stop ahead OF HIS PUTT ON 3UNDAY EVEN AS Mickelson pushed to start the par TH HOLE

Q Phil Mickelson poses with the trophy after his victory during the continuation of the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 10, in Pebble Beach, California.

AFP PHOTO

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thank Paul for having us COME BACK OUT HERE THIS MORNING u Mickelson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I get sometimes in my own little bubble and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see the big picture. He protected both of us.â&#x20AC;?

When they did tee off Monday MORNING IN COLD CONDITIONS AT

Mickelson and Casey each drove the ball about eight feet from THE CUP MISSED A BIRDIE PUTT AND tapped in for par. !T -ICKELSON PUT THE BALL IN the fairway twice and dropped his approach six feet from the cup to

SET UP HIS kNAL BIRDIE PUTT Casey was just shy of the green in two but got up and down from SIX FEET TO kNISH SECOND ALONE g) TAKE A LOT FROM THIS u #ASEY SAID g) WORKED ON SOME THINGS

warm-up routines â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked hard on the putting and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s starting to pay dividends.â&#x20AC;?

Casey was pleased to join Colleran as a Pro-Am champion after a near miss last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the moon we got the WIN u #ASEY SAID g4HIS WAS A AFP big goal.â&#x20AC;?

World No. 1 Osaka in shock split with coach Boutier, Law take Vic Open golf titles in Australia

TOKYO: World tennis No. 1 Naomi Osaka has split from her coach Sascha Bajin just 17 days after completing back-to-back Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hey everyone, I will no longer be working together with Sascha. I thank him for his work and wish him all the best in the future,â&#x20AC;? the 21-year-old Japanese tweeted in a shock announcement.

Bajin, a former hitting partner to Serena Williams, responded: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank you Naomi. I wish you nothing but the best as well. What a ride that was. Thank you for letting me be part of this.â&#x20AC;?

Osaka, who became the first Asian to hold the top ranking after beating Czech Petra Kvitova in the Melbourne final on January 26, had worked with the German for just over a year.

No reason was given for the surprise decision to part ways, but Japanese media cited Osakaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s management company IMG in reporting that there had been a breakdown in the playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with the coach since the start of the year.

According to Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nikkan Sports, some practice sessions with Bajin at the Australian Open lasted just 10 minutes and she sometimes hit without him being present.

Osaka, who is scheduled to compete in Dubai next week, began sounding out potential replacements late last year, local media reported.

The Japanese player captured her first Grand Slam crown by stunning Williams at last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s US Open in a final remembered as much for the Americanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s astonishing rant at the chair umpire following a coaching violation.

Based in the United States, Osaka linked up with Bajin in late 2017 and enjoyed a breakthrough year, shooting from 72 in the world to the top of the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rankings.

BARWON HEADS, Australia: Celine Boutier of France claimed a twostroke victory in the LPGAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vic Open on Sunday while Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s David Law made eagle on the par TH TO WIN THE MEN S TITLE BY A stroke over Australians Brad Kennedy and Wade Ormsby.

Boutier SHOT A knal-round 72 to finish at 8-unDER Australians Sarah Kemp (65) and Su Oh (74) and Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Charlotte Thomas (69) were tied for second. ,AW S kNAL ROUND LEFT HIM a stroke ahead of Kennedy (67) and third-round leader Ormsby AT UNDER ON THE TH "EACH 'OLF ,INKS TO WIN HIS kRST European Tour tournament.

4HE 7OMEN S !USTRALIAN /PEN

ALSO SANCTIONED BY THE ,0'!

WILL BE played next week at The Grange in Adelaide. The menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s European Tour is co-sanctioning the Perth World Super 6 in Western Australia next AP week.

* use AFP graphics

Disbelief During that period she won the prestigious Indian Wells tournament before scooping her first major in New York, while Bajin was named WTA coach of the year.

Osakaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Twitter feed lit up in response to her announcement, with several memes expressing widespread disbelief â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including a shrugging Barack Obama, a confused Joey from American sitcom â&#x20AC;&#x153;Friendsâ&#x20AC;? and a Minions character

screaming â&#x20AC;&#x153;WHAAAAT?â&#x20AC;?

Osaka, who grew up in the US and speaks little Japanese, melted hearts when she fought back tears after her emotional US Open win over her idol Williams as booing echoed around the stadium.

She won more fans with a nail-biting 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 win over Kvitova in the Australian Open final, after which Osaka sobbed tears of joy as the jeers were replaced by cheers.

Former greats Billie Jean King,

Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert have all heaped praise on the new darling of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tennis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Winning back-to-back Grand Slam tournaments is a rare and special achievement, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m thrilled these results have propelled Naomi to the top of the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game,â&#x20AC;? said Evert, the first ever WTA world number one. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Her exciting brand of tennis, coupled with the dignity she displays on and off court, is a winning combination that tennis fans really embrace.â&#x20AC;?

AFP

Q Celine Boutier of France chips onto the green on the way to winning the joint LPGA and EPGA tour Vic Open golf tournament at the 13th Beach Golf Links at Barwon Heads near Melbourne on February 10. AP PHOTO

SEOUL PICKED FOR JOINT KOREAN BID TO HOST 2032 OLYMPICS SEOUL: South Korea has picked its capital 3EOUL FOR ITS BID FOR THE SUMMER /LYMPICS WHICH IT AIMS TO JOINTLY HOST with North Korea.

4HE +OREAS WILL OFkCIALLY INFORM THE International Olympic Committee of their DECISION TO BID AT AN EVENT IN ,AUSANNE

3WITZERLAND ON &RIDAY North Korea is expected to announce its candidate city later this week â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the likely choice is its capital Pyongyang â&#x20AC;&#x201D; before OR DURING THE )/# MEETING 3EOUL OFkCIALS

told Agence France-Presse.

The decision to pursue a joint bid â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as WELL AS TO JOINTLY PARTICIPATE IN THE Tokyo Summer Games â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was made following a series of inter-Korean talks LAST YEAR AS CROSS BORDER RECONCILIATION gathered pace.

In a meeting held by the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s /LYMPIC COMMITTEE ON -ONDAY 3EOUL EDGED OUT ITS RIVAL THE SOUTHERN PORT CITY of Busan.

Seoul mayor Park Won-soon said

he would ensure the bid serves as an opportunity to â&#x20AC;&#x153;change the fate of the Korean peninsula.â&#x20AC;? g)F THE 3EOUL /LYMPICS WAS â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;reconciliation Olympicsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; amid the cold WAR BETWEEN %AST AND 7EST AND THE PyeongChang Olympics was a touchstone OF PEACE THE /LYMPICS WILL BE PROmoted to become the last stop to establish the peace.â&#x20AC;?

The last time Seoul hosted the summer /LYMPICS IN 0YONGYANG BOYCOTTED

the Games.

But in recent months the Koreas have turned to sports diplomacy to ease tensions.

During the Pyeongchang Winter OlymPICS LAST YEAR .ORTH +OREA SENT LEADER +IM *ONG 5N S SISTER +IM 9O *ONG TO EXPRESS the reclusive regimeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest in an interKorean summit.

4HE UNIkED +OREAN WOMEN S ICE HOCKEY team was also a symbol of unity in PyEONGCHANG DESPITE LOSING ALL THEIR GAMES

AND kNISHING LAST Kim Jong Un went on to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in three times in the wake of the Games and held a landmark summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June.

(OWEVER THE JOINT BID POSES SOME DIFkCULTIES .ORTH +OREA IS SUBJECT TO ECOnomic sanctions and these are unlikely to be lifted by the UN Security Council unLESS 0YONGYANG TAKES kRMER STEPS TOWARD AFP denuclearization.

Football &RQĂ&#x20AC;GHQW 0DQ 8WG FDQ LQĂ LFW PRUH &KDPSLRQV /HDJXH SDLQ RQ 36* M The Manila Times

D4

w w w. m a n i l at i m e s. n e t

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2019

ANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Paris SaintGermain must cope without the injured Neymar and Edison Cavani to halt the surge of a revitalized Manchester United if the French champions are to avoid more pain in the Champions League last 16.

03' S TRIP TO /LD 4RAFFORD 4UESDAY S FIRST LEG COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A WORSE TIME FOR 4HOMAS 4UCHEL S SIDE AS INJURIES TO KEY PLAYERS HAVE PILLED UP FOR THE 0ARISIANS JUST AS 5NITED HAVE HIT FORM UNDER CARETAKER BOSS /LE 'UNNAR 3OLSKJAER .EYMAR WILL MISS BOTH LEGS OF THE TIE DUE TO A FOOT INJURY AND WILL JOINED ON THE SIDELINES BY #AVANI DUE TO A HIP PROBLEM AND "ELGIAN INTERNATIONAL 4HOMAS -EUNIER WITH CONCUSSION -IDkELDER -ARCO 6ERRATTI WHO RETURNED FROM A THREE WEEK INJURY LAYOFF FOR 3ATURDAY S WIN OVER "ORDEAUX AND NEW SIGNING ,EANDRO 0AREDES ARE ALSO LACKING MATCH SHARPNESS 3UCH STRETCHED RESOURCES IS NOT WHAT THE CLUB S 1ATARI OWNERS HAD IN MIND WHEN A NEAR MILLION EUROS WAS SPLURGED ON .EYMAR AND +YLIAN -BAPPE IN WITH THE INTENTION TO CARRY 03' TO A LONG AWAITED kRST EVER #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE TRIUMPH (OWEVER WITH THE "RAZILIAN AND #AVANI MISSING THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON YEAR OLD -BAPPE TO SHINE ON THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE STAGE LIKE HE DID IN DELIVERING THE 7ORLD #UP FOR &RANCE g)T S NOT REALLY HIS JOB TO REPLACE #AVANI AND .EYMAR

HE CAN T BE HIMSELF AND THE OTHER TWO AT THE SAME TIME u WARNED 4UCHEL g(E HAS TO BE FREE TO PLAY HIS GAME PLAY WITH CONkDENCE 7E HAVE TO HELP HIM WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORT AND GOOD SERVICE g)N MY OPINION HE NEEDS TO PLAY WITH A GOOD MINDSET

BE POSITIVE AND REALISE IT S PART OF HIS DEVELOPMENT u ! FAMILIAR FAILING OF 03' S INABILITY TO CHALLENGE FOR THE Champions League in past seasons has been poor form ON THE ROAD AGAINST ELITE OPPOSITION

Q Paris SaintGermainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Italian midfielder Marco Verratti (right) vies with Bordeauxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s French forward Nicolas De Preville (left) during the French L1 football match between PSG and FC Girondins de Bordeaux at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris, on February 9.

AFP PHOTO

! CAPITULATION TO "ARCELONA AFTER WINNING THE kRST LEG OF THEIR LAST TIE IN REMAINS A PAINFUL MEMORY "UT TRIPS 2EAL -ADRID

"AYERN -UNICH AND ,IVERPOOL IN THE PAST TWO SEASONS HAVE ALSO ENDED IN DEFEAT 4UCHEL HINTED THAT 5NITED S CURRENT FORM MAKES THEM FAVORITES FOR THE kRST LEG ON 4UESDAY BUT WARNED HIS SIDE TO REMAIN IN THE TIE for the return in Paris on March 6. g/VER MINS ) WOULD SAY IT IS A GAME u SAID 4UCHEL g)F IT S TOMORROW WITH THE HOME SIDE AT /LD 4RAFFORD IF IT IS A game in this moment I am not sure. g7E HAVE A SECOND LEG IN 0ARIS WHERE WE FEEL VERY STRONG AND COMFORTABLE IN THE 0ARC DES 0RINCES u 3OLSKJAER WAS BACK IN .ORWAY AS -OLDE MANAGER WATCHING WITH HIS SON WHEN THE $ECEMBER DRAW THAT PAIRED THE SIDES TOGETHER TOOK PLACE g) WAS WATCHING WITH .OAH AND WE SAID @WOW THAT S A TOUGH C HALLENGE u SAID 3OLSKJAER ON -ONDAY (OWEVER JUST A FEW DAYS LATER HE WAS DRAFTED IN TO TAKE CHARGE TILL THE END OF THE SEASON WHEN *OSE -OURINHO WAS kRED AND HAS EMBARKED ON A RUN OF WINS AND ONE DRAW SINCE TO COMPLETELY REVIVE 5NITED S FORTUNES g7E VE GIVEN OURSELVES THE BEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY WITH THE WAY WE VE GONE INTO THIS GAME BECAUSE WE ARE CONkDENT u ADDED THE .ORWEGIAN g) VE FOUND OUT WHAT KIND OF TEAM WE HAVE 7E ARE PLAYING LIKE A TEAM WE ARE AGREEING ON HOW WE SHOULD APPROACH GAMES )F THERE WAS EVER A TIME TO GO INTO BIG GAMES LIKE THIS IT IS NOW u AFP

Pochettino faces defining moment in bid for first trophy at Spurs LONDON: -AURICIO 0OCHETTINO FACES A DEkNing moment in his Tottenham reign as the in-demand Argentine tries to keep his bid FOR A kRST MAJOR PRIZE ALIVE AGAINST "ORUSSIA Dortmund in the Champions League.

Pochettino has taken to defending his FAILURE TO WIN SILVERWARE IN ALMOST kVE YEARS AT 4OTTENHAM BY INSISTING HE VALUES QUALIkCATION FOR %UROPE S ELITE CLUB COMPETITION MORE HIGHLY THAN SUCCESS IN THE DOMESTIC CUPS "UT FOR ALL OF 0OCHETTINO S PROTESTATIONS THAT REACHING THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE IS HIS PRIMARY GOAL THAT CLAIM RINGS A LITTLE HOLLOW WHEN THEY NEVER make it to the business end of the tournament.

4OTTENHAM HAVE NEVER BEEN PAST THE LAST 16 of either the Champions League or the %UROPA ,EAGUE SINCE 0OCHETTINO ARRIVED FROM 3OUTHAMPTON IN -AY .OW "UNDESLIGA LEADERS $ORTMUND WHO VISIT 7EMBLEY FOR THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE LAST kRST LEG ON 7EDNESDAY STAND BETWEEN 0OCHETTINO AND HIS kRST %UROPEAN QUARTER kNAL IN WHAT COULD HIS LAST SEASON WITH THE NORTH ,ONDON CLUB 0OCHETTINO YET TO WIN A TROPHY IN HIS MANAGERIAL CAREER HAS BEEN STRONGLY LINKED WITH A MOVE to Manchester United at the end of the season. )F THAT MOOTED DEAL MAY NOW BE LESS OF A SURE THING GIVEN /LE 'UNNAR 3OLSKJAER S REMARKABLE IMPACT AS INTERIM BOSS AT /LD 4RAFFORD THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT 0OCHETTINO WILL STILL BE A MAN IN DEMAND WITH 2EAL -ADRID ALSO BELIEVED TO BE INTERESTED IN HIS SERVICES $ERIDED AS SERIAL UNDERACHIEVERS WHEN THEY STRUGGLED TO BREAK INTO THE 0REMIER ,EAGUE S

TOP FOUR 0OCHETTINO HAS MADE 4OTTENHAM INTO #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE MAINSTAYS CAPABLE OF RUFlING THE FEATHERS OF %UROPE S ARISTOCRACY g7E FEEL SO PROUD AND WITH ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES THE TEAM IS DOING FANTASTICALLY THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SQUAD IS UNBELIEVABLE u 0OCHETTINO SAID g7E ARE SHOWING GREAT CHARACTER AND VERY GOOD QUALITY kGHTING AGAINST BIG SIDES AND BEING IN A POSITION THAT S VERY CLOSE TO THE TOP â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope to keep going in the same direcTION TO kGHT FOR BIG THINGS u "UT FOR ALL THEIR UNDOUBTED GROWTH IN THE 0OCHETTINO ERA THERE REMAINS A NAGGING FEELING OF UNFULkLLED POTENTIAL ABOUT 4OTTENHAM WHO HAVE WON ONLY THREE CUPS IN THE PAST YEARS &AILURE TO LAND A BIG PRIZE WITH THE GENERATION OF 4OTTENHAM STARS HE HAS CULTIVATED SO ASTUTELY INCLUDING (ARRY +ANE $ELE !LLI

#HRISTIAN %RIKSEN AND 3ON (EUNG MIN

WOULD BE CONSIDERED A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Rollercoaster ride 4OTTENHAM HAVE FINISHED IN THE 0REMIER Leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top three for the past three seasons AND THEY RETAIN AN OUTSIDE CHANCE OF WINNING THE TITLE THIS CAMPAIGN "UT THEIR POOR RECORD IN DOMESTIC CUPS UNDER 0OCHETTINO IS A SIGNIkCANT BLEMISH AND 4OTTENHAM S %UROPEAN EXPLOITS HAVE BEEN EQUALLY CONFOUNDING Pochettinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first season featured a tame %UROPA ,EAGUE LAST DEFEAT AGAINST &IORENTINA AND THE FOLLOWING YEAR THEY WERE OUTCLASSED BY

Q Tottenham Hotspurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino (right) gestures at Tottenham Hotspurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spanish striker Fernando Llorente during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium in London, on February 10. AFP PHOTO $ORTMUND IN THE LAST OF THE SAME COMPETITION (IS MAIDEN VOYAGE IN THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE WAS EVEN MORE ROCKY AS 4OTTENHAM FAILED TO QUALIFY FROM THE GROUP STAGE &INALLY HITTING THEIR STRIDE LAST SEASON 3PURS ENJOYED A MEMORABLE WIN OVER %UROPEAN CHAMPIONS 2EAL -ADRID IN THE GROUP STAGE AND THEY

ALSO DREW IN -ADRID AND TWICE BEAT $ORTMUND "UT AS THE PRESSURE MOUNTED 4OTTENHAM MELTED BLOWING THE LEAD IN THE LAST SECOND LEG AGAINST *UVENTUS AS TWO SECOND HALF GOALS sent them crashing out.

6EXED BY MOUNTING CRITICISM FOLLOWING RECENT EXITS FROM THE &! AND ,EAGUE #UPS 0O-

CHETTINO SAID CHAIRMAN $ANIEL ,EVY TOLD HIM HIS BRIEF WAS TO kNISH IN THE TOP FOUR WHILE THE CLUB BUILD THEIR LONG DELAYED STADIUM !LTHOUGH 3PURS LOOK SET FOR ANOTHER TOP FOUR kNISH IT WOULD STILL BE A SOURCE OF ANGST among Tottenham fans if Pochettino departs WITHOUT LIFTING A SINGLE TROPHY AFP

Refugee footballer makes triumphant return to Australia Footballer Sala killed by MELBOURNE: Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi made a triumphant return to Australia Tuesday, ending a two-month ordeal that saw him jailed in Thailand and threatened with forced return to his native Bahrain.

A throng of well wishers decked in #SAVEHAKEEM T-shirts cheered and sang the football anthem â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Never Walk Aloneâ&#x20AC;? as they greeted the 25-year-old defender at Melbourne Airport, after an overnight flight to freedom aboard Thai Airways flight 465. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to thank Australiaâ&#x20AC;?said a smiling Araibiâ&#x20AC;&#x153;this is my country.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have citizenship yet, but my country is Australia. I will die in Australia and I love Australia,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Araibi was detained on November 27 while on honeymoon at the request of Bahraini authorities who accuse him of offences linked to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.

His detention sparked worldwide outcry and a protracted diplomatic dispute between Bahrain, Thailand and Australia that raised questions about the neutrality of Interpol and the writ of Canberraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refugee protections.

Araibi had expressed fear that he would be tortured and killed if he returned to Bahrain and supporters alleged his prosecution was politically motivated.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison led celebration of Araibiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s release, saying many Australiansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prayers had been answered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know all Australians will deeply appreciate the decision, allowing him to return to his wife, family and friends.â&#x20AC;?

Morrison thanked the Thai authorities, who had earlier left his written appeals for Araibiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return unanswered, but abruptly dropped extradition proceedings on Monday at Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been informed that Bahrain wants to withdraw the (extradition) request... if they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want him, we have no reason to keep him here,â&#x20AC;? Chatchom Akapin, a director-general in the Thai prosecutorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, told Agence France-Presse.

The case had also become a cause celebre in the football world, with stars like Didier Drogba calling for Araibiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s release and FIFA urging the Thai football authorities to intervene.

The international football governing body on Monday thanked Thailand in a statement for â&#x20AC;&#x153;doing the right thingâ&#x20AC;?and said it hoped the athlete â&#x20AC;&#x153;will be able to resume his footballing career soonâ&#x20AC;?.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cruel and inhumaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Former Australian football captain Craig Foster, who led a

head, trunk injuriesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;inquest

Q A supporter receives footballer Hakeem al-Araibi (right) upon his arrival at the airport in Melbourne with former Australian football captain Craig Foster (center) on Tuesday, following Araibiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s departure from Thailand after Bangkok dropped extradition proceedings against him at Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request. AFP PHOTO campaign in the sporting community for Araibiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freedom, expressed his â&#x20AC;&#x153;deepest gratitudeâ&#x20AC;? for the news. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My thanks go to the wonderful people of Thailand for your support and to the Thai (government) for upholding international law,â&#x20AC;? Foster posted on Twitter.

Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, said the case had brought the plight of others imprisoned in the country to light. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two moments captured the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention this month: the photo of footballer Hakeem al-Araibi shackled and barefoot, and the moment of Hakeem breaking the chains and reunited with his beloved wife, friends and the football community in Melbourne.â&#x20AC;?

Kasit Piromya, a board member of the lobby group ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, said the case showed the failings of Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;outdatedâ&#x20AC;? laws and policies.

Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s treatment of refugees has been thrust under international scrutiny in recent weeks.

In January, an 18-year-old Saudi woman who ran away from her family arrived in Bangkokâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s airport, and armed with a smartphone and a captive Twitter audience managed to

outmanoeuvre Thai authorities and gain refuge in Canada following her pleas for asylum from her â&#x20AC;&#x153;abusiveâ&#x20AC;? family.

Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reversal of Araibiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extradition is surprising.

Only last week the Gulf state issued a statement defending its decision to pursue the footballer after he fled while awaiting trial, and he was convicted in absentia in 2014 for damaging a police station.

But Araibi says his prosecution was motivated by his criticism of Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, a member of Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruling family.

A statement from Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign ministry on Monday said it â&#x20AC;&#x153;takes note of the halt in legal proceedingsâ&#x20AC;? though it did not confirm it had withdrawn its extradition request. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The guilty verdict against Mr. Al Araibi remains in place.... (Bahrain) reaffirms its right to pursue all necessary legal actions against (Araibi),â&#x20AC;? the statement said.

The reversal came a day after Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign minister met with Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Manama to â&#x20AC;&#x153;discuss... areas of interestâ&#x20AC;?, according to Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s state-run news agency.

AFP

LONDON: Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala died of â&#x20AC;&#x153;head and trunk injuriesâ&#x20AC;?, an inquest in England heard Monday (Tuesday in Manila) as it began to examine his death in a plane crash in the sea.

Sala, 28, had signed for English Premier League side Cardiff City and was flying to his new team from his old club Nantes in France when his plane went missing over the Channel on January 21.

The wreckage was located on the seabed. The striker â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body was recovered but pilot David Ibbotson is still missing. The plane remains under the sea.

In a brief hearing in Bournemouth on the south coast, an inquest into Salaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death was opened, and adjourned until November 6 pending further inquiries.

The post-mortem presented at the hearing gave Salaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cause of death as â&#x20AC;&#x153;head and trunk injuriesâ&#x20AC;?.

Sala was formally identified by fingerprints.

In English law, inquests are held to examine sudden or unexplained deaths.

They set out to determine the identity of the deceased, the place and time of death as well as how the deceased came by their death, but they do not apportion blame.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give upâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Senior coroner â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s officer Ian Parry

told the hearing that the plane â&#x20AC;&#x153;was located on the seabed in international waters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Following a closer examination of the site a body, later identified as Mr Sala, was found and recovered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To date the pilot, Mr Ibbotson, has not been found. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Police, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the Civil Aviation Authority are continuing with their inquiries,â&#x20AC;? he said.

A fundraising campaign to restart the search for Ibbotson is already more than half way to its ÂŁ300,000 ($385,000, 340,000 euro) target. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got hope then you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give up,â&#x20AC;? his daughter Danielle told ITV television. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop searching for me.â&#x20AC;?

Nantes gave a final rousing send off to Sala with a series of moving gestures in their Ligue 1 match against Nimes on Sunday.

Known as the Canaries due to their yellow kit, Nantes played in a one-off full black outfit with Salaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name on the back of each shirt.

Tickets for the game were sold at a symbolic nine euros ($10) in memory of the player â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shirt number, which they have also withdrawn.

Before Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premier League match between Southampton and visitors Cardiff, a minuteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s silence was observed.

AFP

WEDNESDAY W E D N ESDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2019

Entertainment

E1

www.manilatimes.net

Hail the three queens Y ORGOS Lanthimosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Favouriteâ&#x20AC;? and Alfonso Cuaronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Romaâ&#x20AC;? both have 10 Academy Award nominations this year, the most number among all nominees.

Moreover, the three powerhouse women in the cast, Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone are vying for the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress statues.

Olivia Colman already won a Golden Globe earlier this year and took home the Best Actress BAFTA for her role as Queen Anne on Sunday. Colman actually considers both Weisz and Stone as leads, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is for all three of us. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got my name on it but we can scratch in some other names.â&#x20AC;?

Yorgos Lanthimos is known FOR HIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED kLMS with rather strange premises: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dogtooth,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Killing of a Sacred Deer,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lobster.â&#x20AC;?

I only got to see one of these, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lobster,â&#x20AC;? where in some dystopian world, you get turned into the animal of your choice if you are SINGLE AND FAIL TO kND A PARTNER in 45 days.

For â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Favourite,â&#x20AC;? Lanthimos DEALS WITH ACTUAL HISTORICAL kGURES from the early 18th century, when England was at war with France.

We see Lady Sarah Churchill (Weisz) being granted special private audiences with the Queen. She has the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s affections and the Queen relies on her for advice on things both frivolous and weighty.

Enter Abigail Hill (Stone), a relative of Sarahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who slowly works her way towards earning the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favor.

The scenes are cleverly written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. Combined with Lanthimosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; humor and fondness for the odd and bizarre, we have an unusual and

FAN GIRL KAREN KUNAWICZ charmingly unsettling period piece.

In the words of McNamara, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted to rethink period kLMS ALTOGETHER AND TURN IT INTO A black tragic comedy. Yorgos has a particular tone and style, and we had a particular idea about how to treat the period that was different.â&#x20AC;?

The women often go from being in control to being unhinged and scheming to being human and lAWED )N THE WORDS OF 7EISZ g4HERE S love, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s envy, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rivalry.â&#x20AC;?

Sandy Powell is another powerhouse, just behind the scenes. She created 183 costumes for the leads and extras and worked with her director as well to add a distinctive touch. The costumes are amazing.

According to Lanthimos, the costumes â&#x20AC;&#x153;kept the shapes of the period, but we used contemporary fabrics. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very subtle, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s there and it creates a texture.â&#x20AC;?

Powell adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would have been silks and satins for the royals, but I dispensed with all of that and stripped it back to the bare bones of the silhouettes. We used cottons, denim, we even used African-print fabrics from Brixton where I live.â&#x20AC;?

Powell has such an incredible resumĂŠ. She has been nominated 14 times for an Academy Award and won thrice. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mary Poppins Returnsâ&#x20AC;? (for which she is likewise nominated this

Q The cast of 2019 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kwentong Jollibee Valentinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Series (from left) Reese Tuazon and Vince Vandorpe for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Choice;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Anthony Sunico for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Proposal;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Vanessa Bactad and Benjamin Isaac for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Anniversary.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

New, moving love stories from the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Beeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; KNOWN for its moving, heartwarming short stories, the Philippineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beeâ&#x20AC;? returns with its Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s series to show how love always prevails despite heartbreaks, rejections, and challenges that come along.

The new set of heartwarming â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kwentong Jollibeeâ&#x20AC;? episodes now available online remind viewers that there will always be a silver lining when believing in love.

An exclusive screening at the Bonifacio High Street Central Square Cinema in Bonifacio Global City gave the media a first glimpse of the much-anticipated series, with the presence of the cast and directors who shared their fun experiences while shooting and their own â&#x20AC;&#x153;hugotâ&#x20AC;? thoughts on the true-to-life love stories. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very excited to be back again this Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day with new Kwentong Jollibee episodes. Our stories have always been inspired by true events and I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most evident with this series. The reality is that love is not always easy, but what matters most is having faith in love no matter how tough things may get and this lesson is what I hope people will take home after watching,â&#x20AC;? Jollibee Global Brand Chief Marketing Officer and PH Marketing Head Francis Flores shared.

Last year, Jollibee took Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day by storm and inspired millions of Filipinos to believe in the power of love with the 2018 Kwentong Jollibee Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day episodes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Homecoming,â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x153;Signs,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Statusâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which pooled in 167 million in reach on Facebook, and hit over 63 million views on both Facebook and YouTube.

It was also the only Philippine brand to make it as a finalist at the New York Festivals International Advertising

Awards in 2018, in the Creative Marketing Effectiveness category.

Following last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success, the 2019 Kwentong Jollibee Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Series narrates wonderful stories of individuals who have found the courage to love again and those who have persevered for the sake of love. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Choiceâ&#x20AC;? revolves around the story of Ann, a young woman who is torn between two men in her life. Sharing intimate moments with her long-time best friend Paul, she also begins to find comfort in a new companion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Jay, a co-worker who inspires her to discover a different side of herself. The episode directed by Ianco dela Cruz concludes with Ann making a defining choice, looking to the past with gratitude and embracing the hope for love.

Another tale of love lost and found again, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Proposalâ&#x20AC;? follows the story of Hans, a young man ready to spend forever with the love of his life. In an unexpected turn of events, his fairytale is shattered and he faces the challenge of rebuilding himself. Little by little, he picks himself back up with help from unexpected places. Directed by Joel Ruiz, the episode is all about starting over and choosing to love once again.

Director Pepe Diokno narrates a battle fought for love with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anniversary.â&#x20AC;? Jasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pursuit of a successful career spells trouble for his long-term relationship with Claire. Devoting his energy and passion to his work, he starts to take Claire for granted. Should they fight for their love or are they meant to go their separate ways?

The Kwentong Jollibee shorts on Jollibee Studios are on view via the fastfood chainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s YouTube and Facebook accounts.

Âťstreaming

Q Emma Stone (top) and Rachel Weisz are not only screen rivals, they are also both vying for the Oscarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Supporting Actress award. year), â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cinderella,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Aviator,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gangs of New York,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shakespeare in Love,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Orlandoâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Interview with the Vampireâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the impressive list would take up the whole column.

Finally, Robbie Ryan gives us someTHING DIFFERENT WITH HIS USE OF kSHEYE LENSES FOR DIFFERENT SCENES IN THE kLM

A different kind of movie date STILL have nowhere to go for Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chicken Cordon Bleu with Mashed Potato tomorrow? If you want to skip the crowded and Baguio Beans. The package also includes restaurants and concert venues, either a half dozen red roses or why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you head out to a half dozen pink lilies. watch a movie.

The two titles on view specialThis may sound like a lame ly for Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day are â&#x20AC;&#x153;New idea but The Manila Times EnterLife,â&#x20AC;? a story of childhood tainment was quite impressed to infatuation growing into somediscover how SM Cinemaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luxuthing much deeper, or â&#x20AC;&#x153;How rious Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club cinemas to Be a Latin Lover,â&#x20AC;? which have pulled out all revolves around the stops for a unique a husband whose wife replaces him Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day date. for a younger man On February 14, and kicks him out movie loving couof their mansion. ples can try their Online booking â&#x20AC;&#x153;Watch¡Eat¡Loveâ&#x20AC;? promo, which will give is still available via them a choice of two w w w. s m c i n e m a . movies to watch which com. or at the box they can enjoy over office 30 minutes a romantic dinner of before the schedSmoked Salmon Pasta uled screenings of or Bolognese Pasta Q Take this scene inside the cinema on the movies tomorwith Meatballs, and Valentine's Day. row night.

All for Love

Âťpopcornmatch Love for Lego lovers Yep â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Lego Movieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sequel LEGO LOVERS YOUNG AND OLD WILL DEkNITELY FEEL faraway, unexplored worlds, including a strange the love this Valentine season as the sequel galaxy where everything is a musical. It will test their courage, creativity and to the 2014 blockbuster hit Master Building skills, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lego Movieâ&#x20AC;? opens in reveal just how special they cinemas nationwide today. really are. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lego Movie 2,â&#x20AC;? reReprising their starring unites the heroes of BricksROLES FROM THE kRST kLM ARE burg in an all new actionChris Pratt as Emmet, Elipacked adventure to save zabeth Banks as Lucy (aka their beloved city. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been Wyldstyle), Will Arnett five years since everything was awesome and the citias LEGO Batman, Nick zens are facing a huge new Offerman as Metal Beard, threat: Lego Duplo invaders and Alison Brie as Unifrom outer space, wrecking kitty. They are joined by everything faster than they Tiffany Haddish, StephaQ Who needs romance when Emmet nie Beatriz, and Arturo can rebuild.

The battle to defeat them and the gang are back?

Castro as, respectively, and restore harmony to the Lego universe will new characters Queen Watevra Wa-Nabi, Sweet take Emmet, Lucy, Batman and their friends to Mayhem and Ice Cream Cone.

For a quick backgrounder, you might want to read â&#x20AC;&#x153;The True Story Behind The Favouriteâ&#x20AC;? in Time Magazine by Wilder Davies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Favouriteâ&#x20AC;? opens on February 20 exclusively at these Ayala Cinemas Glorietta 4, Alabang Town Center, Trinoma and Ayala Center Cebu.

E2

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

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

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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.)

PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE PCSO vows to further improve delivery of health services

BY LIZ LAGNITON

T

HE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes OfkCE 0#3/ THROUGH ITS #HARITY !SSISTANCE $EPARTMENT #!$ WILL CONTINUE TO ENHANCE ITS DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES THIS WITH AN AIM TO HELP MORE &ILIPINOS NATIONWIDE FROM THEIR VARIOUS MEDICAL NEEDS

CAD Manager Muriel Pajarillo said the charity agency has now taken the necessary steps for its lAGSHIP )NDIVIDUAL -EDICAL !SSIStance Program (IMAP) to accommodate the increasing number of patients and deal with the increased cost of medical services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although we provide assistance to all who seek aid from the agency, they should understand that the role of PCSO is to augment their funds. Our purpose is for augmentation only,â&#x20AC;? Pajarillo said.

PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said they will be opening more branches soon for easier access to PCSO services in order to cope with the continuing surge of individuals seeking assistance from the agency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will continue to be true to our mandate to help more Filipinos nationwide. PCSO will bring the government closer to you, our beloved countrymen,â&#x20AC;? Balutan said.

medical assistance had to sustain a cut in the aid they got from the agency last year after the program had already exceeded its medical assistance funds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have an average of 700 patients a day who come here daily so we had to adjust the rate, thus reducing the amount we can give to patients. But the number of patients assisted also increased,â&#x20AC;?

Pajarillo explained.

Based on the CADâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s data, there were 528,190 patients who benEkTED FROM )-!0 IN

More beneficiaries

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are often asked why we reduced the amount we were giving them when we continue to generate high revenues but they forget that we are not limited to IMAP. We also give ambulances, medical equipment, medicine, milk feeding and extend assistance during calamities, among Striking a balance others,â&#x20AC;? Pajarillo said.

For instance, the PCSO has apPajarillo said that many indigent proved 53 government hospitals BENEkCIARIES WHO RELY ON 0#3/ for endowment funds, 36 of which

Q Patients wait for their turn at the PCSO Lung Center of the Philippines satellite office in Quezon City.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Q CAD Manager Muriel Pajarillo are now operational and receive funds from the agency.

In addition, 62 government hospitals have also been approved to have At-Source-Ang-Processing (ASAP) desks and 33 of them are now operational nationwide.

Moreover, the PCSO now has 67 branches nationwide from 56 in 2016 and this has brought a new stream of patients who also urgently need the help of the agency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To all our beneficiaries, we need your patience. We are doing our best to serve you, but as a government entity, we also have limitations,â&#x20AC;? Pajarillo said.

Some drugs not available She said the needs of more pa-

tients have presented a daily challenge in providing medicine as some of it were not yet available. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unknown to the public, we have a process to enroll medicine so that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to pay too much since we are a charity agency.

We asked for a 25-percent discount and our suppliers have been gracious enough to grant us that,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Under the medicine provision of the IMAP, there at least a required reduction of the retail cost by as high as 25 percent.

But the contracts the PCSO signed with various suppliers expired last December 31 and that prevented some patients from getting the medicine they need, particularly cancer patients. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happily, we now have new contracts that were approved by our board, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re now resuming our operations,â&#x20AC;? Pajarillo said, adding that the agency has 184 medicines that are available at the agency but some drugs are still not available. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They just have to wait for a

Pasig City medical mission a success IN partnership with the Pasig Catholic College Alumni Association High School Batch 1987, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office conducts an apostolic endeavor once a year giving free health services to less fortunate members of their partner communities.

On January 22, the medical and dental mission, headed by team leader Ma. Isabel Vinteres, was held successfully at the PCC grounds, serving 89 medical and four dental patients.

Through its Medical Services Department, PCSOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free medical mission is one of the many charitable programs the agency undertakes in providing aid and improving the health and lives of underprivileged people in the city who have limited or no access to the most basic medical health and necessities of life, especially in the far-flung barangays. It is also one of PCSOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributions to President Rodrigo Duterte Universal Health Care Coverage for Filipinos.

LEILA VALENCIA

What is the Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP)?

THE IMAP is the flagship program of PCSO which was institutionalized in 1995 to provide timely and responsive financial assistance to individuals with health-related problems.

With the Guarantee Letter as the medium used in providing such services addressed to health facilities (Hospitals, Dialysis Centers, etc.), the PCSO assumes the obligation OF A SPECIkC AMOUNT DUE FROM THE CLIENT FOR THE SERVICES rendered. The amount of assistance is based on the clasSIkCATION SYSTEM ESTABLISHED UNDER THE PROGRAM 3ERVICES COVERED INCLUDE #ONkNEMENT -EDICINES Dialysis 4) Implant 4) Laboratory/Diagnostic Procedures 5) Radiation Therapy 6) Devices 7) Non- and Minimally Invasive Procedures 8) Transplant Procedures 9) Cardiac Procedures 10) Rehabilitation Therapy and 11) Surgical Supplies.

and ASAP Partner Hospitals).

- Valid IDs (Patient and Representative), which are any GOVERNMENT ISSUED IDENTIkCATION CARDS SUCH AS 0ASSPORT

Driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s License, GSIS UMID, SSS ID, PRC ID, NSO AuTHENTICATED "IRTH #ERTIkCATE .3/ !UTHENTICATED -ARRIAGE #ERTIkCATE $IGITIZED 6OTER S )$ 0HILIPPINE (EALTH )NSURance (PHIC) ID, Senior Citizenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ID, Government Issued /FkCE )$ $37$ m 0 S )$ AND 3TUDENT )$

Specific Requirements for Confinement

/RIGINAL #ERTIkED 4RUE 8EROX COPY OF -EDICAL !BSTRACT with printed name, signature & license number of the attending physician/ doctor.

Original copy of Statement of Account/Hospital Bill with PRINTED NAME AND SIGNATURE OF THE "ILLING /FkCER #REDIT Documentary Requirements 3UPERVISOR AND HOULD RElECT 0HIL(EALTH DEDUCTIONS DIScounts such as Senior Citizen, PWD, etc., private insurance, - Duly accomplished PCSO IMAP Application Form (avail- deposits and payments. able for download at www.pcso.gov.ph, or at the PCSO Lung Endorsement from the Medical Social Services of the #ENTER OF THE 0HILIPPINES 3ATELLITE /FkCE 0#3/ "RANCH /FkCES hospital for those admitted in the Charity/Service wards.

little while. We still accept their papers and advice them to return when the medicine they need are already available,â&#x20AC;? Pajarillo said, adding that they are working on the problem that is affecting cancer patients.

An ongoing challenge Meanwhile, Pajarillo said the PCSO only has two years to fully transfer the entire IMAP to PhilHealth in accordance with the recently passed Universal Health Care Law which the agency vowed to support.

The IMAP includes services such as financial assistance for hospital bills, chemo and radiation therapy, dialysis treatments and other medical services to patients in need of medical help.

Pajarillo said the PCSO would retain institutional services, such as ambulance donations, calamity assistance, capability building for regional health units, medicine donations, and the Integrated

Health for Overall Productivity and Empowerment (I-HOPE) program, among others.

Under the transitory provisions, PCSO was given two years to wrap its program.

According to the bill, the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth in consultation and coordination to appropriate government agencies, civil societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organization shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the bill not later than 180 days. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have two years to wrap up the program. Within those two years, there will be six months to craft the IRR so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still doing the usual at this point,â&#x20AC;? Pajarillo explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just hope that the public understands that as much as we want to help them according to their expectations, we also have our challenges.

Know that we understand your predicament, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help each other,â&#x20AC;? Pajarillo concluded.

3 institutional partners receive P3.4M PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan handed a total of P3.4 million checks recently to three charitable institutions to AUGMENT THEIR kNANCIAL RESOURCES SO THEY can continue with their mission in aiding the underprivileged and the homeless.

Representatives from St. Joseph Home for Special Children, Casa Dei Bambini San Giuseppe and Heaven for the Elderly (formerly Golden Acres-Home for the Aged, Quezon City) received the checks at THE 0#3/ EXECUTIVE OFkCE AT THE 3UN 0LAZA Building, Mandaluyong City.

PCSOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Institutional Partnership Program AIMS TO AUGMENT THE kNANCIAL RESOURCES OF institutions and organizations engaged in welfare and charity services with emphasis ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH NEEDS OF ITS BENEkciaries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; like orphanages and halfway houses for the elderly and the abandoned.

JUSTIN SANTOS

Q Clockwise: St. Joseph Home for Special Children executive directress Sr. Leoncia C. Mateo, Casa dei Bambini San Guiseppe institution head Sr. Angelina A. Jaralba and OIC-Concurrent Head Social Welfare Officer Eloisa Rogodo with PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan during the turnover of checks for their respective institutions.

PHOTOS BY WILLIAM ALBERT PIQUERO

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Special Feature

V A L E N T I N E â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S D AY 2 0 1 9

Reasons of the heart Myths and origins of the love season

R

BY MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY

OSES, chocolates, decorations sparkling with pink and red hearts. If they are here and now, then Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day is just around the corner.

February 14 is loversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; day, a day for romance. But history has it that the origin of the celebration is far less romantic.

Stories vary, depending on the place of origin and the era the circumstances took place.

One traces the roots of the day of romance to Roman traditions. Another version dates it back to the early days of Christianity. But one that stands out is the story of the very man after whom the celebration is named: Valentine.

Three Valentines

According to digital channel History, the Catholic Church actually identifies three Valentinesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; all dying in the name of love.

Story 1 presents Valentine as a Roman priest serving in third century Rome under Emperor Claudius 2nd.

The story relates that Claudius realized that a single man was a better soldier than a married man with wife and children to take care of. Thus, he prohibited marriage among young men in his empire.

Valentine, who performed wedding rites IN SECRET DEkED THE %MPEROR S DECREE (E continued to preside over wedding rites for young couples, still in secret. Claudius found out, ordered Valentine executed. And Valentine became patron saint of lovers.

Story 2 is about a manâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;yes, named Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;who helped Christians escape from Roman prisons where they suffered torture.

The love angle happened when Valentine fell in love with the jail wardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blind daughter. There are two versions of how the romance CAME ABOUT kRST 6ALENTINE HEALED THE YOUNG womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blindness; second, the daughter often kindly visited him in his cell.

Valentine died in the hands of his captors on February 14.

6ALENTINE IS REMEMBERED AS THE kRST PERSON TO SEND THE kRST VALENTINE CARD ADDRESSED TO the love of his life, and signed â&#x20AC;&#x153;From your Valentine.â&#x20AC;?

Story 3 is about Valentine, the Bishop of Terni, in Italy.

Christianity is considered illegal in the third century and those who practiced the religion in Rome are persecuted. Undaunted, Bishop Valentine ministers to the oppressed Christians until he himself was imprisoned eventually martyred on February 14, 269.

The Roman Lupercalia

Other Valentine stories are about pagan customs and traditions.

One is Lupercalia.

History says Lupercalia was a fertility festival, often celebrated on February 15, to honor Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as Romeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founders Remus and Romulus.

The Christian church was said to have adapted this festival in â&#x20AC;&#x153;an effort to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Christianizeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the pagan celebration,â&#x20AC;? as History puts it.

To celebrate Lupercalia, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, gathered at the sacred cave where the she-wolf Lupa took care of Remus and Romulus.

In exchange for blessings, the priests offered SLAIN ANIMALS AS SACRIkCE TO ,UPA A GOAT FOR FERTILITY AND A DOG FOR PURIkCATION The priests stripped off the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skin, DIPPED IT INTO ITS SACRIkCIAL BLOOD THEN THEY went out to the streets, gently slapping the bloody skin on Roman women so they would BECOME FERTILE AND EVEN ON CROP kELDS SO THEY would yield more fruits.

Another ritual matched young women with eligible bachelors for marriage through drawing of lots. From a big urn containing slips of

Q St. Valentine PHOTO FROM CATHOLIC.ORG

paper with womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s names, a bachelor drew out a slip with the name of the woman with whom he would be paired for a year. The story goes that often, the matches made through the draw-lots system eventually led to marriage.

ÂłHeartF2

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

F1

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WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

Special Feature

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Singlehood in the season of love I

BY PATRICIA B. GATBONTON, MD

Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S here again, the season of love. Incurable romantics look forward to February and each Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day even more than Easter (but less than Christmas). The excuse to have love on the brain comes around rarely, and couples everywhere relish the opportunity for public displays of affection, to openly shower the beloved with tokens of love. People look on with indulgence, harking back with a little sigh, remembering how it felt to be in love, too.

Couplehoodâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;morphing into the singular being USâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;is the ultimate Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day goal. Wretched is the female singleton at Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a love pariah, unworthy of a date, roses and chocolates. With any luck, girlâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you will survive the ghastliest 24 hours of the year without suffering more than a low grade â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wish I was in loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fever, mild pangs of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m lovable why arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t I with anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chest pain, and some â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Poor ME u POST CRYING JAG NASAL STUFkNESS AND headache.

I am determined I will, as I come out of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;alone in the dark, single on Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closet,â&#x20AC;? and make the case that being a singleton is a blessing and not a curse. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get me wrong, I do wish I was part of a pair. And although I brazenly stated in print, some years ago that I was single by choice and not by circumstance, I realize that now that I am single by circumstance. A doomedfrom-the start relationship took a huge emotional toll on me, and I has left me cynical about my own happily ever after.

Aside from Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, the other rough holiday is New Years Eve. I made sure I went into the kitchen, busying myself with nothing much, to avoid that awkward couple of minutes after the stroke of midnight while everyone greets someone else. Oh, I eventually do get my share of greetings; but I am NOT THE kRST PERSON ANYONE AUTOMATIcally turns toward. I am third on my parents list, and much lower down on my siblings.

Most times, being single is not awkward or inconvenient. I eat alone, watch a movie alone and drive alone, I know HOW TO AMUSE MYSELF AND kND MYSELF good company. If that fails, I whip out my Kindle. I have travelled to and in America and Australia by myself, and THE ONLY DIFkCULTY WAS ALWAYS HAVING TO ask a stranger to take my picture (Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m ALLERGIC TO SELkE STICKS HELP ME HOIST my carryon into the overhead bin and feeling unsafe, wandering around some neighbourhoods.

By no means am I a hermit. I go out with friends, interact with other colleagues and patients every day, and have an increasingly hectic schedule juggling clinical and administrative work. I hang out after hours a couple of times a month for a wine and raclette TGIF. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also social online with Twitter, Instagram, Yahoo! Messenger, Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s App, LinkedIn and have a highly private Facebook account.

Just this last weekend, I went out of town with longtime friends, two couples both married for over 20 years, one based in the US. Another single girlfriend was coming to balance the numbers but couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t at the last minute. As we frolicked in the South China Sea, the female half of one of the well-meaning couples suggested that I put myself out there on E-Harmony, saying I might luck out like a few people they knew.

I smiled and said, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m old fashioned and if it was to come along, I would prefer it to happen serendipitously and

Q Frolicking in South China Sea beach. unexpectedly. The conversation soon drifted elsewhere and so did I. Basking in the vastness of the sky, the mountains, the sand and the clear waters, I was perfectly in the moment.

But I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get it out of my headâ&#x20AC;Śam I less substantial because I am single?

Why do even my closest friends want me to be in a relationship?

The answer begs the question, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Does

BEING PART OF A COUPLE DEkNE ME AND WHO ) am?â&#x20AC;?

It does not. My friends are in devoted relationships and just want me to have what they doâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and I appreciate that and love them for it.

I am content with my singleton status, blessed with loving family and friends, work THAT FULkLLS MY SPIRIT AND HAVE THE CHUTZPAH and verve for life Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always had. I may be SINGLE BUT IT DOESN T DEkNE ME When we got out of the water, I shook the seawater out of my hair and along with it,

THE SELF DOUBT THAT INlICTS MANY OF US THIS season. The couple was half-turned, waiting for me to catch up. When I did, we shared a group hug and walked away from the beach together, arms linked, with me in the middle.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to a mellow Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s season to everyone.

About the author Patricia B. Gatbonton, MD, is a practicing Endocrinologist and former Editor-in-Chief of the HealthNews Magazine of The Manila Times.

Q HEART FROM F1

Reasons of the heart Lupercalia was outlawed by the end of the 5th century when Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 St. Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day to commemorate the death of the patron saint.

Greek god of love

At the other side of the ancient world, in Greece, Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day would not be complete without the mention of Cupid, or to the ancient Greeks, Eros, the god of love.

Greek mythology describes Eros as the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love as well as beauty, pleasure, and even procreation.

With bow and arrow, Eros hit unaware men and women with golden arrows to arouse desire for the opposite sex, and leaden arrows to ignite aversion. Eros was known to hit not only mortals but gods as well and played with their emotions.

Archaic poetry presented Eros as a handsome immortal, irresistible to both humans and gods.

By the Hellenistic period of 323 BC, however, Eros was already being portrayed as a playful child, often causing mischief with couplesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;what we know as the image of Cupid today.

still, the festivities remained yes, all about deep feelings for oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beloved.

In 18th century Great Britain, friends and lovers of various social classes exchanged small tokens of appreciation such as handwritten letters.

Printed cards began rolling out by the 1900s, replacing the handwritten notes with text written by the printing companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s writers, no longer the loverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original words coming from the heart.

Today, according to the British newspaper The Guardian, Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day ranks as the second largest card-sending holiday, right next to Christmas.

Tastes, colors of love

From cards, expressions of love have become sweeter with chocolates.

History traces this tradition to the 19th century when Richard Cadbury, son of the Cadbury chocolate company founder, promoted various chocolate concoctions by giving away boxes of the NEW lAVORSÂ&#x2021;TIMING THE SWEETENING ON ,OVE $AY Cards are thrilling, chocolates are sweet, and so are roses which have also made Love Day blooming through the years.

American-based Bustle Digital Group predates Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day through THIS TRADITION TO THE lORIOGRAPHY LANGUAGE OF the years lOWERS TRADITION OF THE 6ICTORIAN ERA WHERE February 14 wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t associated with love and EACH TYPE OF lOWER CONVEYED A UNIQUE MESSAGE romance until the Middle Ages. According to His- to the receiver. tory, in France and England, Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day was )N THE TH CENTURY lOWER DICTIONARIES BECAME believed to coincide with the beginning of the POPULAR AS THEY DETAILED EACH lOWER S MEANING

bird mating season.

PLUS HOW TO ARRANGE lOWERS TO COMMUNICATE AN Valentine cards began much later in the time of intended message. the Roman Empire. Founded in 27 BC, the Empire Floriography set the red rose as an expresdissolved in 1453. sion of passionate love. Thus, it has been the Valentine cards are said to begin in 1415. lOWER OF CHOICE FOR ONE S OBJECT OF DESIRE ON The first card came in the form of a Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans.

But hey, Love Day is not only about pasCharles was captured during the Battle of sion. For as Blaise Pascal, 17th century French Agincourt in Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a part of the Hundred Enlightenment philosopher, famously put 9EARS 7AR BETWEEN %NGLAND it, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne conand France. He was imprisoned in the Tower nait pointâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;The heart has its reasons that reason of London and while in jail, he wrote the does not know.â&#x20AC;? poem for his wife.

And as there are various reasons one loves to LOVE THERE ARE VARIOUS COLORS OF lOWERS TO EXPRESS Birds, cards what one really means: yellow roses simply for As it went on to become a popular celebration friendship, pink to signify warm affection, white globally, Love Day came in various versions. But for purity.

Special Feature

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

L

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

Be smart this Valentine

EGEND has it that King Henry 8thâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the one who famously had six wivesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;declared THE kRST 6ALENTINE S Day in 1537. Ever since, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been an occasion to show the one you love how much you care, with cards, sweets and gifts. And lOWERS )T JUST ISN T Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s without THE lOWERS Roses help you rise to the occasion

Some 200 million roses are grown to meet the demand for Valentines each year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s,â&#x20AC;? says founder Jim McCann, â&#x20AC;&#x153;she wants a gift that wows. When it comes to delivering a smile to your special someone, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t settle for less. With amazing deals on romantic bouquets and delectable JRXUPHW WUHDWV PDQ\ Ă&#x20AC;RZHU VKRSV

Q Be Mine, a luxurious handcrafted arrangement of red roses and pink Stargazer lilies, could help make her yours.

Q Give your sweetie a Sugar â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Spice Bouquetâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it may spice up your life.

Tricia Smith of Twinbrook Floral in Fairfax, Virginia. Smith combined vibrant orange roses, hot pink Gerbera daisies and more for a fun and fashFor Valentines, ionable arrangement sure to surprise everything nice McCannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company takes great and delight someone special in your SULGH LQ IHDWXULQJ WUXO\ RULJLQDO Ă&#x20AC;RUDO lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;on Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or any day! arrangements created by local artisan designers. For example, the bright and Just like the candy beautiful Sugar â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Spice Bouquet is heart says... an exclusive design from the talented Some bouquets just stun right guarantee youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make a lasting impression on your Valentine.â&#x20AC;?

from the start. Consider â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be Mine,â&#x20AC;? a luxurious handcrafted arrangement of red roses and pink Stargazer lilies designed to wow your Valentine, beautifully displayed inside a compact glass cylinder vase lined with a Ti leaf ribbon. And if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re planning an intimate dinner for two, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an excellent centerpiece to help set the mood.

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Q The Big Bear for Romance could provide the paws that refresh your love life.

A gift so romantic, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bear-lyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; believe it One way to get big bear hugs this Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is with a big bear. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Big Bear for Romanceâ&#x20AC;? is over two feet tallâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from head to pawâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and comes â&#x20AC;&#x153;bear-ingâ&#x20AC;? a dozen gorgeous red roses. This giant plush teddy will give her the warm fuzzies and remind her that the best things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always come

in small packages.

For over 40 years, â&#x20AC;&#x153;1-800-Flowersâ&#x20AC;? has helped make Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a success, with gorgeous bouquets, decadent chocolates, cuddly teddy bears, romantic keepsakesâ&#x20AC;Śpretty much everything you need to make it a day sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget. For more information, visit www.1800flowers.com Napsi Features

Give love a lot of thought

THIS year, #BeMoreImaginative! Surprise your loved ones or significant other with a sweet gift that shows how thoughtful and creative you are. Give the iconic triangular chocolate your own romantic twist by writing heartfelt or â&#x20AC;&#x153;kiligâ&#x20AC;? notes and love letters that will make great additions to your special love story.

The limited edition Toblerone Blank Packs draw inspiration from this season of love and appreciation.

Favorite sweet and wacky celebrity power couple, Solenn Heussaff and Nico Bolzico, collaborated with Toblerone for their very own designs of the Toblerone Blank Packs.

Solenn created two designs with

.ICO 4HE kRST 4OBLERONE "LANK 0ACK IS ADORNED WITH LUSH lORA AND FAUNA The second design features cartoon illustrations of the cute celebrity couple together with their beloved fur baby dog, Pochola! It also shares and celebrates the coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love story.

For the designs she created, Solenn emphasizes that love isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t only about romantic love. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For this Valentines we wanted something a bit different. Valentines is all about sharing love. We obviously think lovers at first. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about beings we love in general. Whether it is your lover, your parents, your sibling, your friends, and yes, also our fur babies! Nico and I are first time

parents to animals and we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think of a Love day without them. So we decided to include them in our design for Toblerone. We also love that many children relate to them as well. So hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to a million hugs and kisses to the beings around us we love and respect. Happy hearts day to all our fellow awesome beings who put a smile on our face in this hectic Worldâ&#x20AC;?

To bring more Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designs to life, Toblerone also collaborated with some of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talented and sought-after young artists.

Soleil Ignacio brings her sophisticated and fashionable drawing style to liven up the new Toblerone

Blank Packs.

Anina Rubioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vibrant art and delicate calligraphy will surely inspire gifters to pen their own sweet messages.

June Diganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whimsical and dreamy designs will make your loved ones or SIGNIkCANT OTHER FEEL EXTRA SPECIAL Raxenne Maniquizâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bold, intricate, and classic art style will add elegance to your Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day gift.

And last but not least, Louise Dimagmaliwâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feminine and polished artwork will add more sweetness and fun to your Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebration.

Those who want to gift the special Toblerone Blank Packs for Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day can get their delectable chocolate bars in Toblerone Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hubs nationwide.

Be careful of cyberscams victimizing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lonely heartsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ILOCOS Norte Governor Imee Marcos urged authorities to crack down on dating sites being used as platforms for â&#x20AC;&#x153;love scamsâ&#x20AC;? victimizing gullible Filipinos especially on Facebook.

Gov. Marcos paraphrases great poet Francisco Balagtas that â&#x20AC;&#x153;love conquers allâ&#x20AC;? and sometimes it resulted to love scam like what happened to a Filipino worker. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In October last year, an overseas Filipino worker lost P600,000 after falling in love with a woman using a fake FB account. That poor OFW is just one of thousands of Filipinos who fall victim to online predators who manipulate their feelings to extort money,â&#x20AC;? she continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Love can really make you blind sometimes. If someone appears too good to be true and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be seen in person, and always choose for video chat only, then they should be avoided. People should be very careful with their hard earned money and life savings just because they fall in love. I am asking concerned government agencies to crack down on these scammers and dismantle their networks,â&#x20AC;? she added.

In the Philippines, at least 10 percent of internet fraud reported in 2017 fell under the love or romance scam category, the PNP-ACG said. According to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, love scams are not easy to solve because the victims are often willing prey. Love scams are also, legally, estafa cases, and a victim

PXVW ÂżOH D FDVH IRU WKH 313 $&* WR VWDUW an investigation. In many cases, charges KDYH QRW EHHQ ÂżOHG DV WKH YLFWLPV DUH WRR ashamed to admit at being love struck and defrauded online.

The US-based Better Business Bureau reports that cyber love scams are among the biggest cons in the United States and Canada

where victims lost nearly $1 billion over the last three years. Marcos said Filipinos must be careful when contacted through newlycreated accounts by persons who refuse to meet in person or prefer video chatting where WKH\ DUH QHYHU FOHDUO\ LGHQWLÂżDEOH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be a smart social media user. Do not give important details such as your debit or

credit card number. And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to FRPH IRUZDUG DQG ÂżOH D FRPSODLQW LI \RX think you have been duped,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As for our government agencies, they need to KHOS YLFWLPV ÂżOH FDVHV DQG EH PRUH SURDFWLYH in cybercrime monitoring to prevent scams IURP KDSSHQLQJ 7KLV LV ÂżQDQFLDO IUDXG DW LWV manipulative worst,â&#x20AC;? Marcos stressed.

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S

Special Feature Celebrate love with Miniso

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

URPRISE your loved ones this Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day with gifts of love from Japanese fast fashion brand Miniso.

There are gifts to hug and to holdâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;cute and cuddly â&#x20AC;&#x153;We Bare Bearsâ&#x20AC;? plush toys â&#x20AC;&#x201C;with Valentine messages.

These adorable Grizzlies, Ice Bears, and Pandas are great for bear hugs.

There are also exquisite and invigorating fragrances that express Perfect love, Immortal Romance and Lightsome Lady

Perfume. There are also love-ly scents Sweet Girl, Romance Blossom and Elegant Perfume perfect for a romantic date night.

Spread the love this Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day and check out these gifts of love at Miniso stores in most SM Supermalls. Also, follow @ MinisoPhilippines at Facebook for more stylistic gift ideas and updates.

Q Valentine inspired Ice Bear plush toy

Q Feel the magic of love this season with this Panda plush toy in Valentine inspired shirt

An affair to remember at Century Park Hotel

Q Adorable Grizzly plush toy is great to hug and to hold available at Miniso stores nationwide.

Q Scents of love. Minisoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pink love, Lightsome Perfume and Immortal Romance fragrances

THE most romantic day of the year is now here, love is in the air indeed. If you are looking for a quiet and classy place to have dinNER #ENTURY 0ARK (OTEL #0(

ONE OF THE kNEST HOTELS IN -ANILA

IS DEkNITELY THE GO TO PLACE THIS Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. On February 13, 14 and 15, 2019, â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Affair to Rememberâ&#x20AC;?

BRINGS YOU THE kNEST CUISINE 4HIS package comes with three glasses of wine.

Carefully prepared by CPHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Executive Chef Raymond Chua, the Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Special includes Soup of the Day to be then followed by Mixed Green Salad with choice of three dressings. For the main course, choose from Pan-roasted US Beef Tenderloin Steak marinated with the finest herbs and topped off with marble potatoes, house made salsa verde and chargrilled vegetables or Mixed Seafood Picatta, a concoction of angel hair pasta, sauteed leafy vegetables and scallion cream sauce.

To cleanse off the pal-

ate, a Trio of Lemon dessert will truly cap off this sumptuous dinner composed of Lemon Meringue Tart, Cheesy Lemon Cake and Lemon Gelee. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day is not just for couples, it is really for families as this occasion is a celebration of love in all forms. We look forward to having you spend this memorable night at Century Park Hotel,â&#x20AC;? said Anthony Tan, CPHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s general manager.

For more information, visit www.centurypark.com

Tips on how to have a perfect date at Enchanted Kingdom OUT of town date trips are not overrated, and so is a date at Enchanted Kingdom. Give your date a twist and SPEND ONE MAGICAL AND ROMANTIC DAY AT THE kRST AND ONLY WORLD CLASS theme park in the Philippines.

Here are some tips: 1. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re wondering where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get the opportunity to hold their hand, let me tell you this: take them on a thrilling adventure. Space Shuttle, EKstreme Tower, Anchorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Away, and more will make the both of you scream your hearts out but hey, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect time for you to put on your knight-in-shining-armor front so theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll feel safe.

2. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a couple whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s into dancing and singing, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gone to the right place.

Be serenaded with Enchanted Kingdomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very own Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Way and Kingsmen, and catch special performances by the Enchanted Kingdom Circle of Artists all around the park.

3. Going the extra mile for your date doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sound like a bad idea. Take them to the most breathtaking tourist destinations in the Philippines without breaking any sweat. Just take their hand and let Agila The EKsperience do the

rest. With just one ticket, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see the wonders of the country with your own wonderful date by your side.

4. Grand gestures are so overrated but the Grand Carousel surely isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t!

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the little things that matter, right?

Relive your childhood memories and bring back the joy from the past to the present. After all, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the present moment the best gift of all?

5. The last but not the least, the most special of all, and the best (and ONLY WAY TO END THE PERFECT DATE is to witness the Sky Wizardry. The kREWORKS WON T BE THE ONLY SPARKS lYING THAT For more details, visit www.enchantedkingdom.ph.