THE MANILA TIMES | MARCH 14, 2019

Reenacted budget to stunt economy – NEDA Story on B1 ++

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•• 6 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 152 36

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

PH withdrawal from ICC an act in the national interest First word H E S u preme Court was wise to take no action this week on the petitions challenging the Philippine government’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

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OBSERVER YEN MAKABENTA

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For law and order, Mr. President, respect clergy

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REPUBLIC SERVICE RICARDO SALUDO

F you’re fighting lawlessness and drugs, and there is a hugely INlUENTIAL NATIONWIDE ENTITY COMmanding tens of millions of adherents, and preaching upright, law-abiding ways, would you undermine the authority and public respect it enjoys?

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Trusted since 1898

Senate, House fail to break budget impasse

BY GLEE JALEA

S

ENATORS and congressmen have failed to break the budget impasse despite a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte late Tuesday.

Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate continued to swap tirades on Wednesday over alleged budget realignments and manipulation.

House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro told the Senate to mind its own business, saying members of the House are only doing their job in assuring that itemized lump-sum funds

would go directly to their respective districts and not to the congressmen themselves.

3EN 0ANkLO ,ACSON COUNTERED THAT 3PEAKER Gloria Arroyo violated the Constitution by SIGNING A FALSIkED DOCUMENT REFERRING TO THE enrolled budget bill. “Ang position ng House, meron kayong

SENATE PROBES WATER CRISIS

FIRE OLYMPICS Firefighters extinguish flames during the 5th National Fire Olympics at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Wednesday.

PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

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Until an opportune time

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HAT i s how the pericope on the Temptation of Jesus ends in the Gospel of Luke: “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.â€? The devil was not done with Jesus. ÂłAquinoA6

FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

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

MWSS wants Maynilad, Manila Water to develop P3.2-B tunnel THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage in the future. to build Tunnel 5, which will convey water System (MWSS) has asked Manila Water and )N A NEWS BRIEkNG ON 7EDNESDAY -733 from the Angat Dam in Bulacan to the La Maynilad to develop a P3.2-billion convey- Administrator Reynaldo Velasco said the Mesa Dam in Quezon City.

ANCE TUNNEL TO ENSURE SUFkCIENT WATER SUPPLY agency has asked the two concessionaires ÂłTunnelA8

What’s inside DUTERTE OKAYS ‘TULONG-TRABAHO’ NewsA2 LAW EMERGING TRENDS IN HOTEL PLANNING AND DESIGN

Felino PalafoxA5

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MILF Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar, 75 MORO Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar passed away on Wednesday at the age of 75. *AAFAR S PASSING WAS CONkRMED BY HIS son Cotabato City Councilor Johari “Butch� Abo, former Tawi-Tawi governor Al Tillah said in a text message sent to The Manila Times. “Brother Jaafar is a great loss to the Muslims and the Muslim Ummah’s rights to

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THE Senate is set to conduct a public hearing on March 19 on the water crisis gripping the country, which particularly affects parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province and several farming communities.

4HE HEARING WILL GATHER OFkCIALS of concerned agencies, heads of water concessionaires, regulators and other concerned stakeholders to discuss the crisis and come up with solutions to ease the impact of the supply shortage.

Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd on Wednesday pressed for an inquiry into the water crisis. “We need to look into that. We WILL HAVE TO kND OUT AND PROBE HE matter,� he said. “We will call for the hearing as part of the committee’s oversight functions over the country’s utilities,� Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said. “What we are seeing now is not normal and something that our households and farmers do not deserve,� Poe added.

She said it was important for THE OFkCIALS TO ATTEND THE HEARING

“so that together, we can come up with immediate short-and longterm solutions to avert the current water crisis.� “We also need to hear the current mitigating measures planned by the agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, given the importance of our agricultural sector to the economy,� the senator added.

C a b i n e t S e c r e t a r y Ka r l o Nograles also on Wednesday said an inter-agency cluster and the executive branch had started to craft an executive order (EO) to

Q Jaafar

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Top cardinal gets 6 years for boys’ abuse GIANNIS, LEBRON SPARK NBA ROAD WINS WHILE SIXERS BEAT CAVS SportsC1

ANOTHER PH PRIDE IS BACK! EntertainmentD1

Q Cardinal George Pell

MELBOURNE: Disgraced Australian Cardinal George Pell was on Wednesday sentenced to six years in prison for the “brazen� sexual abuse of two choirboys, in what the judge lambasted as a “grave� abuse of power.

The former Vatican number three — who managed CHURCH kNANCES AND HELPED

elect two popes — was sentenced in a Melbourne court ON kVE COUNTS INCLUDING ORAL rape and molestation of boys between 1996 and 1997.

Judge Peter Kidd, his remarks broadcast live on television, said the 77-yearold was guilty of “appalling offending� and “breathtakingly arrogant� attacks that

took advantage of his position of authority over the boys, then aged 13.

Kidd said the cardinal, WITH HIS gSIGNIkCANT HISTORY of cardiac problems,� would be eligible for parole in late 2022, but acknowledged he “may not live to be released from prison�.

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News

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THURSDAY March 14, 2019

Duterte okays ‘Tulong-Trabaho’ law P

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

RESIDENT President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that seeks to narrow the unemployment gap in the country by improving the technical-vocational (tech-voc) skills of Filipinos.

Republic Act 11230 or the “Tulong-Trabaho Act� was signed by the President on February 22.

The law, which establishes the Philippine Labor Force Compe-

tencies Competitiveness Program, AIMS TO STRENGTHEN THE QUALIkCAtions of the Filipino workforce “to meet the challenges of the rapidly evolving workplaces and

work structures.�

The Tulong Trabaho Act also creates the “Tulong-Trabaho Fund� that WILL PROVIDE QUALIkED RECIPIENTS ACcess to tech-voc education and trainING UNDER THE PROGRAMS IDENTIkED BY the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

Any unemployed Filipino will have access to the Tulong-Trabaho Fund. But, workers in enterprisebased companies or industries currently trained by their employers are not covered by the new law.

Under the law, Tesda-recognized industry organizations

seeking funding for training programs are required to submit a list of trainees who have requested assistance from the Tulong-Trabaho Fund to the Tesda regional directors, who shall then assess the applicants and submit a list of qualified recipients to the Tesda director general for approval.

The recipient industry boards shall ensure that at least 80 perCENT OF THE BENEkCIARIES ARE ABLE to pass the Philippine TechnicalVocational Education and Training Competency Assessment and

#ERTIkCATION 3YSTEM Failure to meet the passing rate shall subject the school or training center to performance review and audit by the Tesda Board.

Sen. Joel Villanueva, chairman of the House Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, reiterated the value of tech-voc education for Filipino workers. “Tech-voc has proven to be a viable option for Filipinos, especially for those who want immediate employment. In fact, 7 out for 10 tech-voc graduates easily kND DECENT JOBS DUE TO THE HIGH

demand of skilled workers here and abroad,� Villanueva, former Tesda chief, said in a statement. “With the signing of Tulong Trabaho Law, we look forward to Tesda producing more tech-voc graduates and become skilled workers that our labor market needs. The next step here is to craft the implementing rules and regulations of the law so that the programs gets a headstart,� he added.

The new law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the /FkCIAL 'AZETTE or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Rain should be collected – Atienza BUHAY party-list Rep. Lito Atienza is set to file a bill making it mandatory for owners of all buildings to install rainwater catchment facilities. “We now need to take seriously the threat of a waterless Philippines or face the dire consequences. We warned about this four years ago and it is now happening. We urgently need a law requiring all building owners, both government and private, as well as households to put up their own rainwater catchment facilities, so that all the water gathered in these facilities can be reused for washing CLOTHES WASHING CARS lUSHING TOILETS and watering plants. We don’t need freshwater for these,� Atienza said.

He pointed out that it takes years to address water needs of a growing population. “We are blessed with continuous rainfall, but it is not gathered and collected. We don’t even consider saving it and using it properly. At the same time, we have at least 144 billion cubic meters of freshwater supply not

being utilized wisely. Of this, only an estimated 24 to 25 billion cubic meters are being used properly every year. And the rest goes to waste,� Atienza added.

Atienza, who previously served as Environment secretary, has repeatedly warned that freshwater would soon become a rare commodity. “Water, in many countries around the world, has become very expensive and costs even more than gasoline. On the other hand, our country has an abundant supply of freshwater. If managed properly, we could even export and supply drinking water to other countries in Asia.

One such source is the Laguna de Bay, which, at 99,000 hectares, is the biggest freshwater lake in Asia,� he said.

The lawmaker said the country would not be faced with water problems if the government properly managed “water bodies which are ideal sources of fresh potable water.� “Gumising na tayo, gumawa na tayo ng paraan (Let’s wake up and do something). We can make a difference today,� Atienza said.

Q CRISIS FROM A1

Q BUDGET FROM A1

SENATE

Senate

“properly� address the water crisis. “The proposed EO aims to address the fragmentation in the water sector by providing the framework for an integrated and coordinated effort in planning and implementing the programs and projects to address all issues in the water sector,� he said. “Our priority now is to provide the President with a way to resolve these issues, and we should be threshing out the details in the next few days,�

Nograles added.

20 hours Manila Water said under its revised water scheme, the water service interruption would last up to 20 hours a day in certain parts of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

In its advisory, it noted that customers would experience 6 to 20 hours of water service interruption for the next three months or until the rainy season sets in. “However, when water is available in your taps, pressure may be lower than usual,� the firm added.

Manila Water said it “is prioritizing hospitals and schools in terms of augmenting supply during these times of interruption.� “We are advising residents of barangays (village) to store enough water to supply their needs during the interruption period,� it added.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND JORDEENE B. LAGARE

bahay. Ayusin niyo ang bahay.

Kami naman ay may bahay din.

Aayusin namin ang bahay namin.

Sa pag-ayos ng bahay namin, ‘wag niyo kaming pakialaman dahil di namin kayo pinakikialaman. Ganun lang kasimple (For the House, it’s like having a house that you are supposed to take care of. We have our own house and we will kX THAT )N kXING IT YOU SHOULD not meddle because we do not MEDDLE WITH HOW YOU ARE kXING your own house. It’s that simple),�

Castro told reporters at the House of Representatives.

Castro said Duterte told Congress leaders on Tuesday night that they SHOULD kNISH THE BUDGET “The President said, ‘You have to kNISH THE BUDGET IN A MANNER WHICH is most comfortable to you.’ That’s what the President said,� he said.

Those who attended the meeting in MalacaĂąang were Castro, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA), House appropriations chairman Rolando Andaya

Q ABUSE FROM A1

Top cardinal Wearing a black shirt without his usual white clerical collar, Pell sat impassively, hands interlaced on his lap, as Kidd graphically described his “brazen and forceful sexual attack on the two victims.�

He stood as a sentence well short of the maximum 50 years was set by Kidd, who cited Pell’s “otherwise blameless life.� “You have effectively reformed,�

Kidd said, noting the 22 years since

FINALLY HOME

Seven Filipino seafarers of M/T Levante reunite with their families after arriving at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader Rodante Marcoleta, San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora and Davao Oriental 1st District Rep. Corazon NunezMalanyaon.

Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd, Majority Leader Juan Miguel :UBIRI AND 3ENATORS 0ANkLO ,ACSON

Gregorio Honasan and Loren Legarda were also present.

Castro said Yolanda Doblon, chief of the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO), said itemizations done by the House and Senate were “not unconstitutional.�

The House had been fending off Lacson’s accusations that it tinkered WITH THE RATIkED BUDGET BILL BY REaligning at least P72.3 billion worth of allocations to some projects of House members.

Lacson insisted that this was a violation of the 1987 Constitution, hindering Sotto from signing the bill and delaying its transmittal to Duterte.

Andaya said despite the denial of the Senate, both chambers already did their own itemization of lumpSUM FUNDS AFTER THE RATIkCATION OF THE 2019 budget bicameral conference committee report.

Lacson said Arroyo could be charged for signing the enrolled budget bill. “Since GMA already signed the [House] version of the enrolled bill, she’s already prone to being CHARGED FOR FALSIkCATION BECAUSE SHE S ALREADY CERTIkED SOMETHING that did not take place,� he said in A BRIEkNG ALSO ON 7EDNESDAY “The act of signing a falsified document is already consummated.

So any taxpayer can now go to the Ombudsman or DoJ (Department OF *USTICE TO kLE A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST HER FOR FALSIkCATION u he added.

Sotto refused to sign the budget bill amid reports that the House tinkered with the approved bicameral conference committee report on the 2019 budget.

Sotto said the President told lawmakers that he would not sign a document that was not signed by the Senate president. “He (Duterte) said, ‘But I want you to know that I will not sign anything if the Senate president will not sign it. So, he asked, ‘How are we going to resolve this?’� “What was obvious last night is

the abuse. “You are not a risk to the community.�

Pell signed the sex offenders’ register before leaving the court in handcuffs for an undetermined facility.

The cardinal, a household name in Australia with friends that include prime ministers and business magnates, maintains his innocence and will appeal.

The prospect of further legal proceedings and the relatively short sentence tempered victims’ response to the news. “There is no rest for me,� the victim named only as “J� said in a

statement, read by his lawyer Vivian Waller. “I appreciate that the court has ACKNOWLEDGED WHAT WAS INlICTED upon me as a child,� he said. “Everything is overshadowed by the forthcoming appeal.�

The father of the other victim, who died of a drug overdose in 2014, said through his lawyer that the length of Pell’s sentence was “disappointing.�

Pell was found guilty of cornering the two boys, who were on scholarships to the prestigious St Kevin’s College.

that the suggestion didn’t sit well with the congressmen because they cannot be sure if all their realignments will be adopted,�

Lacson said. “It’s all about their ‘pork,’ not mindful if they will be derailing the lAGSHIP PROJECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT u he added.

End stalemate MalacaĂąang again appealed to both houses of Congress to break the stalemate and pass the 2019 national budget. “There is a budget impasse due to some constitutional questions raised by both chambers. Only Congress can resolve and break this impasse,â€?

Panelo said in a statement. “We call on the senators and representatives to break the stalemate and deliver to the Filipino people an appropriations law that can aid this government better their lives and help our country move forward,� he added.

The passage of the proposed 2019 General Appropriations Act has been delayed after the House admitted itemizing lump-sum ALLOCATIONS EVEN AFTER RATIkCATION The attack took place in the sacristy after Sunday Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral in December 1996, when he was archbishop of Melbourne.

The boys had “nicked off� from the rest of the choral procession and were taking swigs of sacramental wine before the cardinal found them, opened his robe, exposed his penis and sexually assaulted them. “There is an added layer of degradation and humiliation that each of your victims must have felt in knowing that their abuse had been witnessed by the other,� said Kidd.

The judge added that the attack,

of the bill.

The national government had been operating on a reenacted budget since the start of the year as a result of the failure to approve the proposed P3.757-trillion budget.

0ANELO SAID $UTERTE S OFkCE HAS not received the general appropriaTIONS BILL DESPITE ITS RATIkCATION ON February 8. “The executive has performed its constitutional task to submit its proposed budget, we await Congress to comply with its constitutional mandate to pass the same,� Panelo said. “As soon as the enrolled bill on the budget is submitted to the President, the latter will perform his constitutional duty to scrutinize it AND IF HE kNDS IT IN CONFORMITY WITH the constitutional demands, he will sign it,� he added.

Panelo, nevertheless, assured the public that the government was ready to cushion the impact of a reenacted budget. “The delivery of public services to our countrymen will be mainTAINED u THE 0ALACE OFkCIAL SAID

WITH CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO and another two months later in 1997, when he forced one of the boys up against the wall of a corridor and grabbed his genitals, had a “profound impact� on the lives of his victims.

Pell is the most senior member of the clergy to be convicted of historical child sex abuse and his future inside the Church is now far from clear.

But with global attention on historic abuse within the Catholic Church, Kidd stressed that it was Pell rather than the Vatican that was on trial.

AFP

News

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THURSDAY March 14, 2019

A3

MARAWI CITY VICE MAYOR ARRESTED ON REBELLION CHARGES Infantry Brigade.

He said Salic, who underwent a routine medical check-up, would be handed over to the police. Over 300 people, mostly alleged members or supporters of pro-Islamic State (IS) and terrorist groups, were included in the arrest order.

Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, commander of the 1st ID, lauded Salic’s capture. “The 1st Infantry Division supports the commander in chief’s (Rodrigo Duterte) declaration of Martial Law. We will perform our duties in accor-

dance with the law, respecting the rights of every individual and their properties. We take pride of the overwhelming support of the constituents and stakeholders in our area of responsibility as we perform our mandate to serve the people and

secure the land,� Ancan said.

In May 2017, Duterte placed Mindanao under a state of martial law following the deadly siege of Marawi by pro-IS militants. Congress extended martial rule in Mindanao until the end of this year.

AL JACINTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Security forces arrested on Wednesday the vice mayor of Marawi City who is facing charges of rebellion, an army spokesman said.

Capt. Clint Antipala of the 1st Infantry Division (ID) said Arafat Salic was arrested by soldiers

AND POLICE OFkCERS BEFORE NOONtime at Marawi City Hall. g3ALIC IS INCLUDED IN THE /FkCE of the Martial Law Administrator Arrest Order dated Sept. 4, 2017 for rebellion case,� Antipala said, quoting a report by Col. Romeo Brawner, commander of the 103rd

Stop attacks on priests – Aquino

Duterte signs child safety law P

SEN. Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th called on the government to stop maligning priests amid reports that some Catholic priests have received death threats. “Kailangang matigil na ang mga paninirang ito sa ating kaparian (Maligning our priests should be stopped),� Aquino said. “Iyong mga death threat po sa ating kaparian, seryosong bagay iyan at mahalagang mahinto na itong karahasan sa ating religious sector (Death threats should not be taken lightly thus attacks on the religious sector should stop),� he added.

Aquino, who is seeking reelection in May, said mocking men of God is not acceptable in the Filipino culture.

He said the administration should not be sensitive to criticisms, saying members of the clergy are duty-bound to speak on issues of moral concerns. “Imbes po na insultuhin ng pamahalaan, sana po makahanap sila ng paraan para maprotektahan ang ating mga pari (Instead of insulting priests, the government should accord them protection),�

Aquino added.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo gave assurances that President Rodrigo Duterte’s verbal attacks on priests were just “jokes.� “A joke is a joke. The President’s remarks on some members of the clergy were done in jest or were MADE USING kGURE OF SPEECH OR hyperbole,� he said. “Let the members of the Catholic hierarchy be assured that the President means no harm. They need not be afraid as we are one with them in their mission in thwarting evil,�

Panelo added.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

BY RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act, which requires drivers of motor vehicles to secure children below 12 years of age.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11229 on Feb. 22, 2019, but copies were given to members of the media only on Wednesday.

The law requires the use of child restraint system in motor vehicles.

The child restraint system should follow the standards set by

restraint system or permits without the PS mark or ICC sticker will be kNED 0 FOR THE kRST OFFENSE

P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 and suspension of their driver’s license of a year for the third and succeeding offenses.

Manufacturers, importers, distributors and sellers who will violate their part in the law willl be slapped with a fine not less than P50,000 but not more than P100,000 for each child restraint system they manufactured, imported, distributed and sold, without prejudice to other penalties imposed under the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Tampering, altering, forging and imitating the PS mark or the ICC STICKERS WILL ALSO BE kNED BY NOT less than P50,000.

The DoTr will craft the implementing rules and regulations of the law in consultation with the Departments of Trade and Industry, Health, the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Council for the Welfare of Children, and other concerned agencies and stakeholders.

The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the /FkCIAL Gazette or in two national newspapers of general circulation.

OFWs oppose mandatory SSS membership

YOUNG JOB SEEKERS A senior high school student goes through an interview during a job fair at the Cuneta Astrodome.

PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

Palace execs claim Europe trip ‘fruitful’ THE government on Wednesday said the recent visit of military and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) officials to Europe was “fruitful,� disputing claims that it was a “junket.�

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco said he and other officials were sent to Europe to clarify issues confronting the government, such as involuntary disappearances and anti-communist terrorist groups.

The trip, he noted, was in compliance with Executive Order (EO) 70, which created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflicts. “The PCOO is part of the national task force, under EO 70. And of course, as the information arm, ito po ang naging role niya (this is part of its

the United Nations (UN) Regulations 44 and 129, including evolving standards and other acceptable international standards.

Manufacturers, importers, distributors and sellers of these systems will be required to secure a Philippine Standards (PS) mark

OR THE )MPORT #LEARANCE #ERTIkCATE (ICC) from the Bureau of Product Standards.

The law also mandates the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to conduct a study and recommend the use of child restraint systems in public utility vehicles within a year.

Drivers who will violate the law WILL BE kNED 0 FOR THE kRST offense, P2,000 for the second offense, P5,000, and the suspension of the driver’s license for a whole year for the third and succeeding offenses.

Any driver who allows the use of substandard or expired child

Hospitals should have steady water supply – Ejercito

role). We call that mission as the Truth Caravan... where we directly engaged with stakeholders, not only in the local scene but also abroad, our Filipino communities. I’d like to assure you na (that it was) very fruitful,� Egco said in a news briefing. “Everything was transparent, everything was aboveboard. They were very happy, the Filipino communities. We engaged the media. You know it’s not easy to face members of the European Union parliament.

The officials and experts of the United Nations, hindi natin pwedeng bolahin ang mga yan (We can’t fool them),� he added �What we did was actually to preserve integrity of information on what’s really happening in the Philippines,� he added.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

SEN. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito on Wednesday urged the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to ensure that hospitals have a steady water supply amid the rationing in some parts of Metro Manila. “Hospitals and medical facilities can’t afford to run out of water because the lives of the patients would be put in extreme danger,� said Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health. “That’s why I am calling on the BFP to ensure steady water supply in these facilities kasi kailangang-

kailangan ang tubig para sa mga pasyente (because patients need water),� he said.

The senator urged the BPF to coordinate with city and municipal governments to monitor the situation in hospitals. g4HERE SHOULD BE kRE TRUCKS ON standby for hospitals,� he said.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said on Wednesday it deployed six water tankers to the Rizal Medical Center to deliver potable water to the 300-bed hospital. “At the request of Health Secretary

(Francisco) Duque 3rd, we provided water tankers at Rizal Medical Center.

This should help the patients who are vulnerable due to lack of potable and clean water in the hospital. We will continue to ensure that hospitals will HAVE SUFkCIENT WATER SUPPLY u 3EN Richard Gordon, PRC chairman, said.

Gordon said the PRC would help provide clean water to thousands of families affected by the water shortage in Metro Manila but hospitals would be given priority.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

OPPOSITION to the mandatory membership of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to the Social Security System (SSS) mounted on Wednesday as more groups questioned its enforcement.

Migrante International said no consultation was conducted by the SSS on the matter.

The Blas Ople Policy Center (BOPC) and other OFW sectors also expressed reservations, pointing out that newly hired OFWs, particularly household service workers (HSWs), would not be able to pay P960 a month.

In a meeting with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd, Susan Ople pointed out that a newly hired domestic helper would not be able to raise the enrollment amount because she has not even started earning.

Recruitment consultant and migration expert Emmanuel Geslani said asking a domestic worker to pay the enrolment fee to the SSS as a pre-condition for the processing of her travel documents would be repressive.

Migrante Philippines Chairman Arman Hernando said that under the new law, it was the OFW who would bear the brunt of paying the monthly contributions and not the employer. “Worst, OFWs will be forced to contribute P2,400 per month as long as the host country does not enter into a bilateral agreement that will obligate employers to remit their contributions,� Hernando said.

The SSS plans to enroll some 3 million OFWs under the mandatory coverage provisions of Republic Act 11199, otherwise known as the “Social Security Act of 2018.�

WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

Ownership of subdivision road Dear PAO, My problem is the road passing within our subdivision. I am one of the homeowners and we passed a resolution limiting the use of the subdivision road to homeowners only. Residents of the barangay (village) located at the back of the subdivision cannot use the same from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. of the following day. I felt that I cannot sleep peacefully at night because of the continuous use of said road by loud vehicles and even drag racers. The implementation of the resolution was opposed by the barangay ofkCIALS WHO CLAIMED THAT THE SAID road was a government property since it was being used by the

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA general public. They said that the concreting of said road was funded by the local government unit, thus, the control of said road belonged to the barangay.

The common areas, including the roads, were covered by a Torrens Title issued in the name of the homeowners’ association. Do we have the right to control the road within our subdivision?

Rodelita

Dear Rodelita, The homeowners’ association, being the registered owner of the property, has the right to control the usage of said road. The common area, which includes the road, is covered by a Torrens Title issued in the name of said association. Pursuant to Article 428 of the New Civil Code of the Philippines, “the owner has the right to enjoy and dispose of a thing, without other limitations than those established by law. xxx xxx xxx�.

The barangay officials’ claim that the road belongs to the barangay because the same is being used by the public, and the fund for the concreting of said road came from

the local government unit has no legal basis. In the case of Gatchalian vs. Flores, et al. (GR 225176, Jan. 19, 2018), the Supreme Court through Associate Justice Noel Tijam stated: “In the case of Woodridge School Inc. v. ARB Construction Co. Inc., this Court held that: In the case of Abellana Sr. vs Court of Appeals, the Court held that ‘the road lots in a private subdivision are private property, hence, the local government should first acquire them by donation, purchase or expropriation, if they are to be utilized as a public road.’ Otherwise, they remain to be private properties of the owner-developer.

Contrary to the position of petitioners, the use of the subdivision roads by the general public does not strip it of its private character. The road is not converted into public property by mere tolerance of the subdivision owner of the public’s passage through it. To repeat, “the local GOVERNMENT SHOULD kRST ACQUIRE them by donation, purchase or expropriation, if they are to be utilized as a public road.�

Applying the above cited decision in your situation, the road is a private property owned by the homeowners’ association.

The latter has the right to control the said property. The barangay cannot claim ownership of the

road because the same was not donated, sold or expropriated by the barangay or local government unit. The fact also that the road is being used by the general public will not convert the same into a public property.

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

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

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l PH trade data shows effects of budget impasse

T

HE National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) has again warned that failure to pass the 2019 budget will stunt the Philippines’ economic growth, a day after government data revealed the country’s trade deficit widened by $600 million year-on-year in January. Yet against this backdrop of hard evidence of the negative impact of their obstinacy, lawmakers have still not found a way to send the measure to President Rodrigo Duterte’s desk for his signature.

In a statement on Wednesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said that full-year GDP growth could drop to as low as 4.2 percent if the P3.757-trillion budget for 2019 was not approved and the government was forced to operate with the reenacted 2018 budget for the entire year.

If the 2019 budget were finally enacted next month, Pernia said, 2019 growth would be limited to 6.1 to 6.3 percent. If the budget impasse were to last until August, economic expansion would only be from 4.9 to 5.1 percent, the NEDA chief explained.

Trade data released on Tuesday for the month of January provided strong evidence for NEDA’s assertion that the budget delay would cause slower growth. January’s trade deficit widened slightly to $3.76 billion in January from $3.75 billion in December 2018, but more significantly from the $3.16-billion gap recorded in January 2017.

Overall, imports rose by 5.8 percent year-on-year in January, while exports fell by 1.7 percent.

While the overall picture is not much different than it has been in any other month in the recent past, a closer look at the numbers reveals some disturbing trends. After months of double-digit increases, the import growth of raw materials and capital goods both slowed dramatically; imports of raw materials and intermediate goods registered growth of just 2.2 percent in January, while import growth of capital goods slowed to 8.9 percent.

7KHVH ÂżJXUHV LQGLFDWH WKDW LQ VSLWH RI WKH JRYHUQPHQWÂśV intentions to boost spending this year, doubts are beginning to set in and the private sector is slowing its pace of investment. Capital spending plans are not necessarily being changed, but they are being pushed back.

The uncertainty is even more apparent in specific commodities, particularly those associated with construction and the government’s “Build, Build, Build� infrastructure development plans. Imports of industrial machinery and equipment and iron and steel would be expected to grow dramatically in anticipation of the roll-out of scores of planned infrastructure project.

Machinery and equipment, however, expanded by just 4.6 percent in January from a year earlier, while iron and steel imports actually decreased by 8.7 percent.

All of these figures are clear indicators of slowing growth, exactly the problem NEDA on Wednesday warned would happen if the budget was not passed. Considering that it takes about a month from the time Congress sends the measure to the President until it is formally enacted, due to the need for the Department of Budget and Management to review the appropriations bill and make lineitem veto recommendations to President Duterte, every day that passes without a resolution pushes the economy closer to NEDA’s worrisome scenario.

President Duterte for his part is doing what he can to resolve the budget impasse, even setting a meeting of the House and the Senate with him on Tuesday night, but the lawmakers “failed to reach a consensus,â€? according to MalacaĂąang. :LWK JURZLQJ VLJQV WKDW WKH EXGJHW ÂżJKW LV FUHDWLQJ FROODWHUDO damage on the economy, it is well past time for the House and Senate leadership to work together for the greater good. ~

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 00

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.

Media partisanship and irrational citizenship

T

HE news about the political turmoil in Venezuela, where hospitals are now turning away even emergency patients because they do not have medicine to treat them, and massive power outages have paralyzed the country, has distressed me.

But what distressed me even more was the reaction from one of my online followers to my lament of how Nicolas Maduro, the beleaguered Venezuelan president, could allow his people to suffer just to keep himself in power. He wrote: “Wala tayo sa Venezuela (We are not in Venezuela), we don’t know what’s really going on there. Can we trust the mainstream media? Have we forgotten what they DID TO -ARCOS 'HADAk WHAT THEY RE doing to Duterte right now?�

This is the same line of argument that some people have taken with regard to the atrocities suffered by the Rohingya, and the plight of the Syrian

ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS refugees. I am greatly depressed that these realities are doubted by otherwise rational people who become skeptical and refuse to commiserate with those who suffer simply because they no longer trust mainstream media. And what fuels this distrust, and its deadly impact not only on the credibility of media, but also on the creation of a community of sympathy with those who are victimized by oppressive regimes, is the palpable political resentment of people who are loyal to President Duterte who seethe with rage at what they perceive as the unfair way he is being treated by a very partisan and biased press.

The credibility of media is now fur-

ther strained by the undeniable bias that the press unabashedly exhibits in its reportage on the Philippine elections. A simple content analysis of the election-related news being reported by media in all platforms, but particularly in their online sites, reVEALS AN OBVIOUS PARTISAN lAVOR WITH the bias slanted towards the political opposition and against the administration. The opposition senatorial slate gets a relatively favorable, if not neutral, coverage, even as the administration candidates are often imaged negatively and less favorably. What is often highlighted on the opposition side are their criticisms of government.

There is even very little to no attempt to fact-check the claims of the opposition candidates. Meanwhile, the coverage of the administration candidates focuses heavily on their miscues, misstatements and oddities, instead of their platforms and the substance of

their legislative programs. The media makes it appear that the members of the administration Senate slate are all ERROR AND lAW WITH NOTHING TO OFFER Take the case of Imee Marcos, a candidate that the media has obviOUSLY IDENTIkED AS ONE TO BE TAKEN down with incessant vigor. There is so much focus on the controversy about her academic credentials, and nary a reportage on what she offers, which to an objective observer is actually a lot.

And what sparks further outrage is the manner by which mainstream media deploy troll-styled posts by milking the negatives of the administration slate, shown for example in their concerted effort to post memes about Bato dela Rosa’s miscues, and create elaborate infomercials masquerading as fact checks about Imee Marcos’ alleged lying about her diplomas. In the face of the many instances

ÂłContrerasA5

Q MAKABENTA FROM A1

PH withdrawal from ICC an act in the national interest It did so even though the withdrawal is poised to take effect on March 17.

On sound constitutional grounds and established precedent, the high court did right not to contend with the executive on the issue of whether the President has the authority to withdraw the country from the ICC treaty.

With keen regard for the national interest and national sovereignty, President Duterte was indubitably right to order the country‘s formal withdrawal from the Rome statute, after an ICC prosecutor took the initial step toward conducting a preliminary examination of alleged abuses in the country on account of the government’s war on illegal drugs.

The move of lawyer Jude Sabio to bring the president before the ICC was chancy (like a Hail Mary pass) and futile to begin with.

The decision of some senators to challenge the withdrawal decision was foreordained to fail.

The Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC will be a fact by Monday.

Duterte has the authority It is a useful exercise to examine the withdrawal decision on 1) its constitutional grounds and 2) its merits as policy.

First, the constitutional grounds.

The senators’ challenge is based principally on the constitutional provision in Article VII, Section 21 of the Constitution, which reads: “No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate.�

They argue from this that Philippine withdrawal from the ICC treaty should ergo, require also the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senate.

Not so, says US practice and jurisprudence.

The powers of the government in international affairs are “inherent, plenary and exclusive.�

In the book, The Politics of the Presidency (CQ Press, Washington

D.C., 2010), authors Joseph Pika and John Anthony Maltese wrote this illuminating explanation: “Although the President’s power to negotiate international agreements is subject to political and constitutional limitations, the power to terminate such agreements is not.

The Supreme Court ruled in 1979 that the president could unilaterally abrogate a defense treaty with Taiwan that was part of the agreements establishing diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. “Reinterpretation also gives the president expanded power in the treaty area. The Reagan administration provides the best example: in 1985 it broadened the terms of the 1972 AntiBallistic Missile Treaty (ABM), over the objections of the Senate and the Soviet Union, to accommodate the development of the strategic defense initiative.

George W. Bush announced in May 2001 that he would proceed with the development and deployment of an anti-missile defense system and hoped to establish a ‘new framework’ with Russia that was likely to take the form of an executive agreement rather than a new or amended ABM treaty.�

All this arises from the president’s ROLE AS THE NATION S OFkCIAL ORGAN FOR the conduct of foreign relations.

has jurisdiction over persons accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.

4HE 0HILIPPINE 3ENATE RATIkED the Rome Statute in 2011, making the Philippines the 117th signatory to the treaty.

Philippine Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra contends that the ICC cannot investigate and prosecute President Duterte over the killings and alleged human rights violations under his administration’s war on drugs.

He believes DU30 does not even need to formally respond to the charges in the complaints filed against him before the ICC, following the country’s withdrawal from the international tribunal.

Guevarra explained that apart from the government’s withdrawal of its membership, the ICC cannot take jurisdiction over the cases because the justice system in the country is working. “As far as our country is concerned, the ICC cannot exercise its jurisdiction to investigate, much less to prosecute, because our own investigative agencies and judicial bodies are functioning effectively.� “Also, casualties in the anti-drug campaign are not comparable to genocide or any crime against humanity, by any stretch of imagiJust ignore the ICC nation or twisting of settled international law doctrine,� he added.

4HE $UTERTE GOVERNMENT kLED ITS He cited the cases of three policenotice of withdrawal from the men who were convicted by the Rome Statute before the United Caloocan City regional trial court in Nations Secretary General last year, November last year and found guilty shortly after the ICC’s prosecutor of murder for the August 2017 slay of launched a preliminary examina- Kian Loyd delos Santos, one of the tion of allegations of extrajudicial controversial drug war cases. Guevarra killings against the President in said the convictions rebut the charge connection with the war on drugs. of impunity by critics of the drug war.

According to the Rome Statute, a Hence, Guevarra believes Duterte case is inadmissible when the state can ignore the charges before the involved is investigating it, “unless ICC or any order from the tribunal the State is unwilling or unable genu- to answer the complaints. inely to carry out the investigation or “Answering or participating in any prosecution,� among other grounds. way will be inconsistent with our act Established in 2002, the ICC of withdrawal from the ICC,� he said.

Liberal internationalism It is sometimes forgotten in Manila that the ICC is one of the products of liberal internationalism, the foreign policy of the American Democratic party and liberal parties in Europe.

The doctrine found its heyday under US President Bill Clinton, whose administration had a mania for treaties.

According to Charles Krauthammer in his book Things That Matter (Crown Forum, New York, 2013), the Clinton administration negotiated a succession of treaties and conventions with other countries. It believed in the idea called "the moral suasion" of the international community.

It was for the same reason that liberals embarked on the project of creating the International Criminal Court, whose main object is “the internationalization of justice� through customary international law.

Human rightism found currency in much the same manner.

Globalism also fed the trend.

Many opposed the ICC and human rightism on the grounds that they derogated the sovereignty of nations and the original human rights declaration.

Patrick Buchanan, the conservative columnist, perhaps expressed the opposition best. He wrote: �History has shown again and again that men do not give loyalty, love or allegiance to entities greater than a nation. No world community replace the ‘patria’. Ultimately, MEN kGHT AND DIE FOR THE @THE ASHES of their fathers and the temples of their gods,’ not some New World Order. Who would give his life for the United Nations?� )T WAS 5. 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL +Ok Annan who crystallized the vision of the ICC, which he equated with “the promise of universal justice.� “That,� said Margaret Thatcher, “is more likely to turn into a nightmare.�

yenmakabenta@yahoo.com

˜ The Manila Times

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THURSDAY March 14, 2019

Opinion

A5

Q SALUDO FROM A1

Emerging trends in hotel For law and order, Mr. President, respect clergy planning and design Don’t politicize the Church H

Yes, it seems, if you are Rodrigo Duterte. The President has joked that vagrants should rob and kill money-grubbing bishops, and warned women to avoid being alone with priests. He has also called the Catholic God stupid, and hinted that Caloocan Bishop Pablo David, vice president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), pocketed church collections and dabbled in narcotics.

Maybe one is missing something here, but such presidential jests and jibes don’t seem intended to make the 85 million baptized Filipino Catholics follow more closely Church admonitions to obey the Ten Commandments, respect lawful authority, abide by the statutes of the land, and avoid vices like drugs, gambling and illicit sex.

If anything, admirers of the Chief Executive, who include 3 out of every 4 Filipinos, based on the latest Social Weather Stations survey, may just lose respect for the Church and its preaching, including its constant call for morally upright living and peace among people.

Now, would that be good or bad for the crime rate? Not to mention the spread of narcotics and corruption, two other banes President Duterte is warring against.

Godlessness can spur lawlessness Thankfully, devout Catholics dismiss presidential digs at the clergy and the faith, even if they may express approval, satisfaction, and trust for the President’s governance. After all, he is not a learned theologian or even a practicing Catholic, so his mus-

ings about the majority religion should not carry weight with the well-catechized faithful.

However, only a minority of Catholics know the faith and the clergy that well, so most could well be swayed by prominent kGURES DECRYING THE #HURCH ITS doctrines, and its leaders. In a Novaliches slum area typical of other poor communities, its church is packed with 11,000 massgoers on Sunday. But that is just a small fraction of the barangay’s 400,000 residents.

For those engaged in crime, drugs, and vice, the President’s digs against the Church feed their own disdain for religiosity and moral strictures. Indeed, many unsavory characters malign bishops, priests and nuns precisely BECAUSE HOLY LIVING AND SELlESS service make the sinful and selfseeking look, well, sinful and self-seeking. And the less-thanupright are quick to believe and echo presidential remarks that MAKE A RELIGIOUS kGURE LOOK JUST as unsavory as they are. Criminality loves company.

As for Church criticism of the government’s war on drugs, Duterte’s high approval and satisfaction ratings show that public support is largely unaffected by critical prelates and priests. In the latest SWS poll done last December, the President’s net satisfaction grades were judged “very good� for “protecting human RIGHTSu AND gGOODu FOR gkGHTing crime� (+44). Net ratings deduct THE PERCENTAGE WHO WERE DISSATISkED FROM THOSE SATISkED What these results seem to show is that whatever the Church says about the war on drugs, Filipinos agree with Duterte that strong measures are needed not only to curb lawlessness, but also

to protect the great majority of Filipinos who are law-abiding, from the abuses and threats of lawless elements.

Bottom line: There is no need to undermine respect for the Church just to maintain support for anti-crime and anti-drug efforts. On the other hand, if the President leads Filipinos, especially those lacking in faith learning and devotion, to disdain prelates, priests, and their preaching, it may also erode respect for law, morality, and authority.

Even as one raises concerns about how presidential attacks on the Church may spur lawlessness, one must also call out Catholic prelates, priests and faithful who use the religion and its stature to promote partisan politics. The most problematic are churchmen who ACTUALLY TRY TO DIRECTLY INlUENCE voters, as discussed in this column recently (“Why the Church keeps getting elections wrong,� https:// www.manilatimes.net/why-thechurch-keeps-getting-electionsWhat about abusive clergy? wrong/518489/).

This undeniable tendency, That is not to say there should be which is again rising this elecno criticism of the Church. Clergy tion time, also creates dissonance SEX ABUSE AND #HURCH kNANCIAL among devotees, especially when anomalies must be exposed and Mass homilies, pastoral statements punished, and the perpetrators and religion-oriented social meremoved from positions of leader- dia are used to promote political ship in parishes and the hierarchy. agenda. Many a Facebook or Viber Indeed, these corrective measures GROUP CREATED FOR SAY "IBLE RElECare needed to buttress the faith, tion or parish services, are sudfor unchecked abuses leads even denly invaded by partisan posts, the devout to lose faith and even mostly for the Liberal Party slate or against the administration. leave the Church.

When this happens, it can proThankfully, both the Philippine and the worldwide Catholic voke politicians to attack the Church have undertaken correc- Church and its beliefs, in an effort tive measures over the decades, TO COUNTER ITS INlUENCE ON VOTERS including the recent Vatican Hence, if Catholics want political conference of bishops represent- leaders from the President down ing national congregations, and to show respect for the faith, then Pope Francis has announced pri- keep partisan messages and advoority initiatives to combat clergy cacies out of religious discourse sex abuse. (The coming Sunday and activity. They certainly have no place in Mass homilies; injecting column will discuss them.)

Calling out bad eggs in the them there is sacrilege.

While President Duterte may Church, however, does not mean BRINGING DOWN THE WHOLE EDIkCE not curb his jokes and jibes, one in the eyes of the faithful. Fighting hopes there would be less invecabuses and anomalies is precisely tive as he realizes that Church aimed at protecting and strength- criticism has little effect on his ening religion, which is also a climbing ratings. And that lampillar of peace-loving, law-abiding basting the faith and its leaders may instead worsen crime rates. and morally upright society.

I will not apologize, not in a million years

N

O, I will not apologize for my statement that Filipino construction workers in the country are being outdone, outstripped and surpassed by their Mainland China counterparts who mostly have no work permits.

Not in a million years!

The Trade Unions Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) wants me to apologize for my comment.

Labor Secretary Silvestre “Bebot�

Bello 3rd, as expected, took exception to my comment. “He should know that the most sought-after workers in the world are the Filipinos. You go in any other country and they always give preference to Filipinos because Filipinos ARE INDUSTRIOUS AND VERY EFkCIENT u said my longtime friend, Bebot.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Filipino workers were preferred by foreign employers over other nationalities. Said Panelo during a news conference in MalacaÄANG g$EkNITELY &ILIPINOS ARE REALLY hardworking‌ We are preferred in other countries. The general impression of Filipino workers is very good.

We are industrious, honest. We have a good reputation.�

Even my dear brother Raffy has gotten into the act by blasting me on his populist show, “Wanted sa Radyo,� Monday afternoon.

But the TUCP, Secretary Bello and Spox Panelo and Raffy Tulfo missed my point.

I’d like to repeat again, once more, for the second time what I said in my March 5 column that created the furor.

A wag once said that redundancy, even if ungrammatical, makes for easy recollection.

Here are excerpts of that controversial column article: “We are angry at the Chinese construction workers because they deprive our countrymen of their jobs. “But have we asked why Chinese construction workers, who mostly don’t have work permits, are preferred over their Filipino counterparts? “Because when they’re at the jobsite, they are paragons of industry and diligence. “They only stop working to eat and then go back to work again without

Workers, demanding higher pay and better working conditions — some of them unreasonable — went on strikes in many business establishments.

The labor unions were at the forefanfare. They come to the jobsite with front of the strikes and sit-downs. their tools already prepared.

The most notorious of the labor “In contrast, Pinoy construction unions was the Kilusang Mayo workers are slowpokes and keep Uno (KMU), a leftist organization. on talking with fellow workers dur- KMU members were so unreasoning work. They prepare their tools able they even demanded the at the jobsite when they should ouster of US military bases in the have done that the day before after country at the time, which was a they were dismissed from work. non sequitur. g0INOYS TAKE A LONG TIME TO kNISH Many businesses closed down their lunch and merienda (snacks). or transferred their operations to When they go back to work after other countries because of militant meals, it’s already time to go home. labor, never to return. “Worse, Pinoy workers delay While our laborers were driving finishing the construction of a away investors, other countries building, for example, because it were welcoming them in droves. means more paydays ahead.

That’s one of the reasons why “What takes Chinese workers we’re lagging behind our neighEIGHT MONTHS TO kNISH CONSTRUCTING bors in Asia economically. a high-rise building takes a year or Now, let’s go back to Pinoy con12 months for Filipino workers.� struction workers in the country.

Now, folks, did I say anything When they grumble about low derogatory about the Filipino pay, the Pinoy construction workoverseas worker (OFW)? ers take it out on the innocent peoNo! In fact, I sang praises for ple passing by below the jobsite. the OFWs. Many years ago, as I was on my Let me refer you to my personal way to work at the dwIZ radio staFacebook page on March 9, 2019. tion on Pasong Tamo in Makati, Here’s what I said on that Facebook a slab fell on my car’s roof that account about the Filipino worker: made a deep dent. The slab came “The Filipino worker is an enigma. from a high-rise building being “When she’s abroad, she’s a constructed on De la Rosa Street. paragon of diligence and indusIt was a good thing it was my try, making her stand out among car that was hit, not a passing peworkers of other nationalities. destrian! The hapless pedestrian “(Note that I’m interchanging would have died of a broken skull. the male and female gender here.)

When I confronted the engi“But when he’s working in neers at the jobsite, all they could the country, he becomes lazy say was that they would investigate or a slowpoke. who threw the slab into the street “He always complains about below, but that I would be paid for poor working conditions. the damage to my car. “She forms a union, along with My friend, Peyo Pineda, was a other workers, and demands a victim of disgruntled construction HIGHER PAY WHEN SHE S JUST LOAkNG workers at a jobsite near his home AROUND DURING OFkCE HOURS in Quezon City. “Militant labor in the country Falling objects and human waste is one of the reasons foreign inves- rained on his house and other tors shy away.� houses nearby at Scout Bayoran, *** South Triangle, Quezon City, from During the time of the inutile Wil Tower, which was under conand unproductive Cory Aquino struction on Lopez Drive at the time. administration, many foreign One day, a slab weighing 100 kiINVESTORS lED TO NEIGHBORING COUN- lograms fell on Peyo’s roof and went tries because the country was hit by right through his son Gino’s room strikes and lockouts. destroying everything in its path.

IN MY LINE OF SIGHT RAMON T. TULFO

The date was Nov. 4, 2012 at 10 a.m.

Luckily, Gino was not in his room at the time.

Peyo’s family, especially his wife Susie, was shaken by the experience.

Although the developer was profuse in his apologies — he pointed to disgruntled workers — Peyo and his family still recall the experience with shock. *** Now, TUCP, Secretary Bello, Spox Panelo, answer me with a straight face: Do Pinoy construction workers in the country deserve praise given the facts I’ve narrated above?

The truth hurts, but it should be told.

It should be a wake-up call. *** Now let me get back to Raffy, who ranks No. 8 in a brood of 10, with me as the eldest: Raffy, you say you no longer respect me because I said Pinoy construction workers in this country are lazy?

You must be so dumb as to follow the unthinking mob, little bro.

By all means, defend the oppressed who are mostly unlettered, but don’t adopt their intellect.

After all, bro, you only copied my style of defending the oppressed, that’s why you got so popular.

Remember, Raffy, I paved the way for you and our two other siblings in media.

While I was receiving threats writing my column for the Manila Bulletin and then the Inquirer, you sold pizza and Ben sold ready-towear clothes in California. Erwin was fighting the Arabs in the Middle East for Uncle Sam. You don’t get ahead in this world by stepping on the head and shoulders of your elder brother who nurtured you when you were still a helpless infant, who constantly massaged your limbs because up until age four you couldn’t walk, who changed your diapers and gave you your bottle of milk on time, who suffered spanking and pinching and ear-twisting from our mom because you always cried if you were not fed on time.

Raffy, man’s greatest sin is ingratitude.

The above statement also goes to my other brother, Ben.

OSPITALITY is embedded in the Filipino culture. We have an unmatched record of excellence in the hospitality industry recognized internationally. Our hotel and resort establishments deliver superior service to guests and visitors and provide them memorable experiences in beautifully designed spaces. Two weeks ago, during a talk I gave at the 2nd Philippine Hospitality Forum, I shared with the audience of hospitality professionals and hotel owners the emerging trends in hotel planning and design — of which I am pleased to update you on today. The types of hotels: urban (i.e., boutique, business, luxury, motel and casino), resort and themed hotels are now seen as places where people not only rest during their travels but as destinations sought after for their breathtaking design and excellent service. ) WILL SHARE WITH YOU kVE TRENDS emerging in these hotels. We can learn how to incorporate industry best practices to design more hotels that are uniquely themed, have a memorable design, feature facilities that cater and attract young professionals, facilitate visitors’ ease of access, and provide guests with localized experiences.

We are beginning to see a pattern of unconventionally themed hotels.

Curiously, one can now experience living inside a manmade cave and kND A kVE STAR LUXURY HOTEL IN A QUARRY Consider the possibilities of hotel design. Kokopelli’s Cave in New Mexico was built into the vertical cliffs of the Tertiary Ojo Alamo sandstone. To enter it, guests pass through steps carved into the sandstone while admiring the beautiful view of the La Plata River Valley. The Native-American-themed hotel incorporates a waterfall shower into the rock walls of the bathroom.

In the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, hotel guests are amazed TO kND A HOTEL THAT WAS BUILT DIRECTLY into the side wall of a decommissioned quarry. With the installation of hanging gardens, natural ventilation AND AN EFkCIENT DRAINAGE SYSTEM THE property applies sustainable urban design. Hotels with exceptional sustainable design are awarded with ,%%$ CERTIkCATION AMONG THEM THE ITC Windsor in India and the Tambo del Inka in Peru.

Memorable design, the second emerging trend in hotel planning and design, refers to the initial impact of design to customer experience. The Waikiki Wetland Resort in India is extraordinary for restoring the ecosystem. The site is situated along the Konkan Coast and on swampy land WHERE ONE WILL kND UNIQUE MARINE lORA AND FAUNA NEARBY SUCH AS TURTLES

seahorses, whale sharks and humpback dolphins. It was appropriate

FELINO A. PALAFOX, JR. then that lightweight steel structures were used to build the foundations of the villa where using piles would only damage the surrounding ecosystem.

By assembling all prefabricated components onsite using nuts and bolts and without any welding techniques, the whole structure has become reusable — it can be completely removed and assembled elsewhere if the need arises in the future.

The underwater rooms of The Manta Resort on Pemba island in Zanzibar, the Golden Crown Levin Iglut in Finland, and the Santos Express in Mossel Bay, South Africa, are also sought after for the one-of-a-kind experience they offer.

Anyone would save money to travel to these interesting destinations. Millennials and young professionals are no exception. This group of travelers seek affordable places to stay in. The emergence of hostels provides them an economic approach to lodging where they can share a room and its amenities. Smaller hotels often give more personalized services that cater to each customer rather than the standardized services of big hotels. It seems that the younger generations also seek social spaces, both online AND OFlINE (OTELS NOWADAYS INCLUDE more communal areas where people can share their experiences with one another and on social media.

In the 21st century, hotels are using all kinds of digital applications TO DELIVER FAST AND EFkCIENT SERVICES Hotels want their visitors to experience the ease of finding them online and checking in and out of the establishment. For instance, the Yotel in New York is a spacethemed hotel where an articulated arm industrial robot named Yobot sorts and retrieves hotel guests’ luggage and where space-saving motorized beds and motion-activated air-conditioning are other “out of this worldâ€? features of the hotel. W Singapore-Sentosa Cove, the Hotel Puerta AmĂŠrica in Spain, Eccleston Square in London, and the Charlotte Marriott City Center in the US are among the 10 most high-tech hotels in the world, according to a survey.

Yet some hotel designs remain timeless. When establishments incorporate art and culture into the scene, many people are interested to see them. Today, Filipinos and people from around the world seek

ÂłPalafoxA6

Q CONTRERAS FROM A4

Media partisanship that candidates on the administration slate discuss their policy proposals and legislative agenda, what media chooses to highlight is the fact that Sen. Koko Pimentel does not mind sharing a stage with Imee Marcos.

This, while they obviously give space to Grace Poe’s campaign press releases about things she plans to legislate when she gets reelected.

People are no longer the empty SPONGES THAT MEDIA USED TO kLL WITH clear water. Citizens can now discern WHEN THEY ARE BEING kLLED WITH POIsoned narratives. People are no longer the passive recipient of anything that media churns. People have venues to express themselves, and they have other sources of competing narratives.

They saw the relative absence of media coverage when lawyer Glenn Chong was exposing in detail, and with documented evidence, the electoral fraud that marred the 2016 elections, and they were outraged. They were looking for the media when Richard Santillan, Chong’s assistant, was brutally killed by police operatives. Finding none, they begin to see a pattern.

The people see the imbalance in the treatment by media of Imee Marcos’ alleged lies, even as they allow Florin Hilbay to get away with his false representation of his PARTICIPATION IN THE CASE kLED BY the Philippines against China on the West Philippine Sea, something which Marites Vitug, their profes-

sional colleague, has exposed.

Media performs a critical function in our democracy. They are supposed to inform people by providing them objective, fair and honest news that is unbiased and unblemished by any partisan or ideological leanings.

They are the vessels upon which responsible and critical citizenship is carried and nurtured. It is therefore tragic when people no longer see them as credible. What heightens the tragedy is when people resort to other, equally compromised sources TO AFkRM THEIR OWN BLIND BIASES BY relying on faked, incomplete and distorted alternative narratives.

Bloggers, ordinary netizens, even opinion writers, do not have the burden of neutrality. This burden solely rests on the professional media. Thus, the challenge is greater for media to paint the political landscape in relatively neutral, fairer and more objective strokes.

Otherwise, we will end up with the greater tragedy of people not making informed decisions and choices simply because the media entities that are supposed to help them make those are now consumed by their own biases and partisanship. People end up voting for the undeserving candidates, supporting the wrong causes, and even justifying tyranny either because media gave them biased information, or that they make these choices to spite a partisan media. Either way, media failed to perform its duty to enable rational citizenship.

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

Q AQUINO FROM A1

Until an opportune time He was merely biding his time — waiting for the opportune moment. Ominous, no doubt, but also a prophecy of the future of the Church. The devil will continue to vex, and tempt and torment.

And the opportune time did return. That fateful night of his betrayal, when he arrived at the -OUNT OF /LIVES THE SAME ,UKE tells us, he told the weary band of followers who had come with him: “Pray, that you may not enter into temptation.â€? The conjunction is crucial: Pray — temptation, the kRST WAS TO BE THE DEFENSE AGAINST the second. And he would heed his own counsel, for we are told that “he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed‌â€? Once more, temptation was upon him. This was the hour of severest testing. And he prayed, so that he would not “enter intoâ€? temptation. His prayer insinuates

an orphanage, or to a hospital or to a school? No, this is not romanticizing the option for the priesthood or the religious life.

But it is recognizing that those who choose to live the rest of their days as ministers of the Church, or as religious vowed to chastity, poverty and obedience, do quaff a cup of suffering.

Was it all to end this way? It is the end that gives meaning and sense to all that comes before, and when the end is ignominious, then one starts to doubt: Was it worth the effort? Was it worth the grime? And that night, he who had been cheered by crowds, acclaimed by multitudes, sought out by the many must have found the garden very lonely indeed. And so he sought the company of his disciples, but found them sleeping.

He repeated his exhortation: “Rise and pray that you may not fall

into temptation‌� the urgency of the plea was the insistence of the temptation. This was the devil’s opportune time. Jesus was weak. And in his weakness, he prayed.

The prayer tells us so much. First, it sounds very much like our prayers — “Grant,� “Give,� “Spare,� but no sooner ARE THE kRST WORDS OF SUPPLICATION uttered than they are followed by the utterance of a Son: “Not my will but thine be done.� And so, we are taught what prayer is: Arising as it often does from souls perturbed and spirits agitated, swamped by the waves of life’s adversities, prayer is asking that we be made one with the will of the Goodness that is ultimately BEHIND THE WORLD THE -AGNANIMity that is often obscured by the ugliness of human cruelty and thoughtlessness. It is the reversal, the undoing of the Fall of Eden,

when, beguiled by the ancient serpent, humankind decided that it would decide for itself what is good and evil. That has always been the great temptation: to be the ultimate measure of good and evil, right and wrong. It is a temptation that importunes itself to this day, perhaps even more persistently so! Against “ Non serviam‌I shall not serveâ€? (Do not eat‌I shall eat!), the Son submits to the Father: “Not my will but Thine be done.â€? This, after all, is the Will that leads from chaos to cosmos, from the inertness of MATTER TO THE FULL lOURISHING OF consciousness that reaches towards a limitless horizon. It is the Will that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

So, what good is it for a priest to wake in the dead of night and make his way to some barangay where a dying person is

Tatad’s ‘ta-dah’

“T

ADA� or ta-dah� is defined as an imitation of a fanfare. It is typically used to indicate an impressive entrance or a dramatic announcement.

I have to weigh in on the issue of -R &RANCISCO g+ITu 4ATAD S TIRADES AFTER leaving 4HE -ANILA 4IMES. I have had high respect for his credentials as a seasoned journalist all these years.

But it was tough to ignore his tonguelashing of the paper where we both scribble our thoughts on issues.

This is to inform my readers that ever since I wrote for this paper, never did I hear anything from Chairman Emeritus Dr. Dante Ang or even the slightest twitch of a nose or a wink of an eye to INlUENCE WHAT ) WRITE ) THINK THIS TRAIT of “walang pakialam� augurs well for even handling or editorial soundness for any media outlet as well.

An immediate fact-check will reveal the length of his stint with this paper. It means that he encountered no interference at all nor an attempt was made to “garble� his messaging.

Add to this being consistently placed in the front page, which not many of us columnists enjoy or have the privilege of being honored.

Why this exit fanfare? To blame the owner or the driver of the bus for his outrage of another bus is unheard of, if logic is still the main motor of our cerebral reflexes. Contemptuously

W

the temptation: “Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.� He trembled before the cup of suffering. We all do.

The prospect of pain and of suffering is the temptation to lose faith. It is the temptation to give up on the hope of justice, the temptation to give up on goodness because it does not pay to be good. How can it, when the just man suffers while the iniquitous flourish? Without a doubt, it is the temptation by which ordained ministers throughout the world are now besieged. Does it make a difference that one leaves the comfort of home and family to labor in faraway missions, to turn one’s back on the possibility of a high-paying job and opt to consecrate one’s energy and enthusiasm to a parish, or to

MIRRORLESS

ROLLY G. REYES burning the bus he rode also burns the passengers riding with him. As many will advise, just get off the bus, pour a gallon of any fossil fuel on yourself AND ENJOY THE lAME Even the whole organization, including us, led by an equally sharp AND CAPABLE #%/ OF 4-4 $ANTE &RANCIS g+LINKu !NG ND SEEMS TO BE “criminalized� with such accusation of press freedom curtailment.

-R +IT IT S NOT ABOUT THE COUNTRY S oldest paper. It is not about PRRD. It is not even about journalism as we all know. I am beginning to surmise that it is all about you. I will not stay a second more if I dislike my present abode and will choose to pack my bag and search for a place where I can breathe a whiff of fresher air.

Any media platform will not tolerate distortions just attributed to “reliable and credible� sources. The excuse is old hat. Just like building a wall around gossip topped by a barb wire of “presumption� and “speculation.� It is the right of the publication to remove that peripheral impression of publishing unfounded facts.

I firmly believe that 4HE -ANILA

Times, unlike other media superstores that dwell on controversial topics to increase patronage or following, is quite basic — plain and simple quest for information. We are all here not to complicate things but to deliver unadulterated truth in the purest possible way.

We do not process news. We deliver it as a raw image, no photoshopping, and let you decide the story’s merits. *** This is a quite bothersome development. Actor Jussie Smollett was accused of paying accomplices thousands of dollars to beat him to stage a racist attack to promote his career.

He succeeded. He is now facing an indictment for felony. It could be an “infamous� outcome for his quest.

Lito Lapid is suddenly enjoying his “Probinsyano� popularity. Landing in THE TOP kVE OF BOTH SENATORIAL SURVEYS

IT CONkRMS THAT 0HILIPPINE POLITICS IS all about actors trying to be politicians and politicians trying to be actors.

Parental guidance is advised.

A DFA consular staff was removed from his post because of his behavior of disrespecting a journalist with polio. I guess he is limping by now. *** We can learn a thing or two from OUR RECENT VISITOR -AHATHIR -OHAMad. But he can also learn a lot from us.

He intimated the danger of borrowing from China. He should bear

in mind that those transactions were made by his own protĂŠgĂŠ Najib Razak.

Borrowing money from the US of A is not that different. The stick is humongous compared to the carrot.

What I like about his statement is the warning not to borrow what you cannot afford to pay. I also would advise the government to heed his warning on immigrants. We have more than enough workers leaving for work overseas like China, so why accept immigrants from the same place.

This is what I like best: On the topic of ICC — “I think he has the right to decide on his own according to what he perceives is happening in the Philippines, as well as the rest of the world,� the -ALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER SAID *** Election is just like the number CODING SCHEME 7E CAN kRE gODDu OFkCIALS IN THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE SO we taxpayers can get “even.� *** President Rodrigo Duterte said he opposed the legalization of use of marijuana for medical purposes. It is a “downer� move to those who were excited. It is just like dropping “get-wellsoon� cards from a plane. Forget namING YOUR FUTURE DAUGHTER g-ARY *ANE u *** Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.

Artificial intelligence in finance

(%. -R +RIS 'ROVER BROUGHT “Artificial Intelligence in FiNANCEu TO -ANILA IN THE LAST WEEK OF February, I noted with interest that the keynote speaker was lawyer John Henry Naga, the undersecretary who heads innovation at the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT). New blood, I said to myself. Currently, Naga is responsible for the overall internal management of the department. He was also the head of the technical working groups for the entry of the third telco player, the common tower policy, the tripartite agreement with NGCP and Transco, and was instrumental in securing the landing party agreement with BCDA and Facebook giving the Philippines 2 terabyte internet capacity. And just this February, Acting DICT Secretary Rio gave him another challenge, to head the development and innovations cluster of the DICT that is in charge of implementing the national broadband plan, national government PORTAL THE 0HILIPPINE )DENTIkCATION System (PhilSys), among others.

His previous private sector background as a corporate lawyer and ELECTED LOCAL OFkCIAL MAKES HIM THE perfect man on the ground who can craft policy. From his purist point of view of serving the majority of the populace based on the pro-poor socioeconomic agenda of President

alumnus, Deputy Privacy Commissioner Leandro Angelo Aguirre, a lawyer, was clear that cross-border information or cross-platform information is not to be tolerated unless it is with the consent of the information Duterte to serve and prioritize the owner. I’ve seen speakers who have no underserved and underprivileged proof of work and have only claims or (which is almost 80 percent of the what is called proof of stake, but this POPULATION -R 'ROVER AND ) KNEW time with these young well-educated THAT THE ASSISTANCE OF ARTIkCIAL INTELLI- and highly specialized young blood GENCE IN THE kNANCIAL SECTOR WOULD BE in government, it was perfect. tackled thoroughly. True enough, he When it was my turn to speak, I spoke with openness and participa- EXPLAINED SEVERAL USE CASES IN ARTIkCIAL tion of all stakeholders, comprising intelligence (AI) and machine learnthe TECH ecosystems ,which concern ING -, ENVIRONMENT AND HOW OUR information and communication learnings in developing the ecosystechnology on the policy level, and tem in technology happens. Today, government participation.

ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS BEEN ACTIVELY Undersecretary Naga’s parting showing the world in its quiet way words were: “I think this is where HOW !) AND -, WORK 7HEN YOUR our government can make an inter- Google redirects you to a better route vention, through capacity building, to reach a destination that’s AI. It uses crafting of policies and promotion of all the massive data and makes them a friendly regulatory environment. As coherent to give a solution or to assist our friends and partners, we from the the user. To me that’s ultimate user DICT, urge you to send to us your pro- EXPERIENCE .ETlIX IS AN IMPORTANT !) posals on these matters so that we can company that shows good use of user’s study and discuss about them. And DATA )T TAILOR kTS YOUR LIST OF MOVIES TO this event will mark the beginning of your preferences now that’s intelligent. our fruitful partnership to truly change A more relevant showcase would not only the Financial sector but the be the development of bots which whole Philippine ICT.� show real-time customer service Naga spoke about openness for response to help consumers and stakeholders’ participation and an- business owners. An advance version other speaker, my fellow Harvard now would be Bot Sentinels which

are nonpartisan platform; they track both left and right trollbot accounts.

The system uses machine learning and ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE TO CLASSIFY 4WITter accounts which exhibit trollbot behavior. For the ageing population, there’s a company I read about — a unicorn that focuses on AI new home SECURITY SYSTEM )T S THE kRST !) SMART home monitoring system that detects movement and patterns, making it easier to care for elders remotely.

This company’s algorithm can detect a situational anomaly like a fall and sends an alert to the caregiver via text messages, or other messaging APPS SUCH AS &ACEBOOK -ESSENGER or WhatsApp. The system can also detect changes in activity patterns like sleep disruptions or more frequent trips to the bathroom, which can be indicative of larger health concerns.

We need this kind of tech innovations. !) AND -, ARE MUCH NEEDED PRACTIcal technology, much awaited and coveted nowadays to either streamline operations, or customer care, from which aggregated information now becomes a tool to oversee understand and create science-based decisions for government or any other decisionmaking groups in the Fit.

'IBB S &ARM IN +ARATU 4ANZANIA )N this sanctuary, people can experience unique cultural activities such as the artists-in-residence program that allows East African artists to stay at the farm and create commissioned artwork. Visitors are able to learn from some of East Africa’s most talented artists as they watch them create their artworks. Here in the Philippines,

pitality and tourism scene by studying how to design humanely with end users in mind. We can give people a unique and exquisite hotel experience with our empathically designed structures. Palafox Associates and Palafox Architecture Group work to incorporate citizen architecture into every hospitality project to celebrate Filipinos’ genuine hospitality.

HARVARD VERITAS

MARY ROSE MAGSAYSAY

loumag@me.com linkedin/usecmagsasay Twitter/usecmagsaysay

Q PALAFOX FROM A5

Emerging a localized experience in the town or country they are visiting. In response to this, establishments are partnering with local businesses, artists and craft workshops to deliver unique services to attract people of every nationality.

A famous example would be the

WE HAVE THE -ANILA (OTEL &ILIPINO craftsmanship and culture are handsomely manifested in its design: white Doric columns, Philippine marble, chandeliers made of brass, crystal and seashells, and furniture carved with Philippine mahogany lend an atmosphere of local Philippine culture, society and history.

We can beautify the country’s hos-

to be comforted with the sacraments of the Church when he is shunned as an exploiter? What good is it for a priest to spend his days teaching the young and forming their hearts and minds as best he can when he is marked out as a molester? There are molesters and exploiters, to be sure. But there are many who have poured their lives in authentic selflessness and generosity — strengthened in their resolve only in the conviction that all the sacrifice had sense, meaning and worth!

It was a prophecy for our time: “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.� And so we will pray, but will still take the chalice in our hands and drink it to the dregs!

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

To the dreamless Filipino youth‌

W

HEN you were asked if you have a dream, 7 out of 10 of you answered “No� in a study

by The Dream Project PH. What I’m going to tell you now, might be counterintuitive. Some may consider it insane. Or worse, the music of a mad Pied Piper leading you astray. But I’m going to tell it anyway: Nothing is wrong with you.

Telling you to have a dream anyway is only bowing to the demands of others. It’s like telling a child to repeat the same dance she did in the bliss of her solitude to amuse a crowd longing for entertainment. The stuff dreams are made of hates that kind of pressure. So, instead of bursting out of you like sunshine through clouds, the creature called dream retreats to the deepest cave of your being, mumbling “No� to any invitation to come out.

That’s why you don’t need the encouragement of others to have a dream. You have a dream. Thus, YOUR MISSION IS NOT TO kND A DREAM but to turn yourself into a space where that dream can freely play.

Instead of pressuring yourself to have a dream, dance, read, watch movies, listen to waves lapping by the shore, smell the lOWERS WALK BAREFOOT ON GRASS Take a shower in the rain — the kRST RAINS OF -AY THEY SAY ARE A blessing. Laugh, fall in love, and when your heart breaks, just be a friend to it. Surrender to life.

Be alive — so unapologetically alive that the world would have no choice but to hum with you as you hum the melody that keeps playing in your head. That melody is the purring of the creature called dream as it inches its way out of the cave of your being.

The dream within you is as UNIQUE AS YOUR kNGERPRINT 4HAT S why no one can really give you a map on how to give shape to it. “There is no path,� Spanish poet !NTONIO -ACHADO SAID gTHE PATH is made by walking.� Only you can walk that path. No school, book, celebrity, not even your parents, can show you the way. You WILL kGURE OUT THE WAY BY WALKing. And it’s your responsibility, divine duty, to keep on walking, stopping every now and then in THE CAMPkRES YOU WILL ENCOUNTER along the way to the Beyond. !ROUND THOSE CAMPkRES WOULD be your fellow travelers. When they tell stories of their adventures, listen. Those stories will replenish your soul, which will get wearied as you encounter obstacles along the way.

There will be moments when your internal saboteur will get the better of you. The internal saboteur is the small but persistent voice within you that tells you that you will never be good enough, encouraging you to quit.

That internal saboteur will always be with you, like a shadow.

You can’t really eliminate it. But you can twist it.

Twisting is a concept put forward by Austrian political scien-

FOR THE MOTHERLAND

SASS ROGANDO SASOT tist Wolfgang Dietrich in Beyond the Gates of Eden: Trans-rational Peace. He got this concept from Italian philosopher Gianni Vattimo’s interpretation of German PHILOSOPHER -ARTIN (EIDEGGER S concept of Verwindung.

Vattimo interpret Verwindung as “overcoming without going beyond, and it “contains no notion of dialectical sublimation... nor of a ‘leaving behind’ which characterizes the connection we have with a past no longer has anything to say to us.� Twisting then entails forging a dialogical rather than a dialectical relationship.

Therefore, twisting your internal saboteur is having a dialogical relationship with it. It’s a creative rather than a destructive relationship. Instead of seeking to destroy your internal saboteur, repurpose it. It’s really just self-doubt gone wild. Tame it by turning self-doubt’s voice as a mere reminder that you can still grow, change, expand.

Lastly, some may tell you that your dreams are unrealistic, a product of wishful thinking.

You must remember two things: being realistic doesn’t entail the end of wishing for something, and wishing for something is not wishful thinking.

Raymond Guess, professor of philosophy at the University of Cambridge, elegantly distinguishes this during his interview WITH g0HILOSOPHY "ITESu ON -AY 8, 2010. Not engaging in wishful thinking, says Geuss, doesn’t mean that “you shouldn’t wish for anything. There’s nothing wrong with wishing for things. And there’s nothing wrong with wishing for things that are not compatible with the continued maintenance of the present form of society.�

He added: “[Seeing our present situation realistically, that is clearly, doesn’t mean] that one doesn’t also think that it is imPORTANT FOR HUMAN BEINGS TO kND out what they really want and to kND OUT WHAT WE WANT TOGETHER And to clarify and develop projects for how we might actually implement that, even if those projects are projects that require very, very drastic reconstruction of the kind of society in which we live.�

Thus, you engage in wishful thinking if you don’t take any steps to realize them. The path ahead of you might be so overwhelming that it paralyzes you.

That’s why you must approach it like a game you play. You take your time to learn the rules, then skillfully break them so you could have the breakthrough the dream that lives inside you needs in order for it to forget the fetters of your self-doubt.

E-mail: srsasot@gmail.com

Regions Young mom, teen busted Terrorist, pro-IS bandits with P8.3-M shabu killed in massive assault Z

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

ANTI-NARCOTICS operatives arrested a young mother and a teenager who yielded more than P8 million worth of shabu in separate operations in Cebu City on Wednesday.

Drug dealer Vanessa Lauron, 24, a mother of two, was cornered after AN UNDERCOVER POLICE OFkCER BOUGHT two medium packs of shabu for P7,000 from her in Barangay Banilad on Wednesday.

Chief Insp. Elisandro Quijano, OFkCER IN CHARGE OF THE 4ALAMBAN Police Station, said Lauron served as the “drop-off” point of illegal drugs. “Someone will just call her to deliver the shabu to the buyer,” he added.

Quijano said they received a tip that Lauron was in the area carrying an undetermined amount of shabu, so they conducted a buy-bust and seized about a one-kilo pack of illegal drugs from her backpack.

Lauron, of Sitio Ponce, Barangay Carreta, Cebu City, told the police

that she was just instructed to deliver the shabu.

4HE CONkSCATED SHABU WAS EStimated by the Dangerous Drugs Board to be worth P7.03 million.

Quijano added that they conducted a follow-up operation in Barangay Yati, Liloan town, north of Cebu after Lauron pointed to a couple as her source, who also served as drop-off and storage of the shabu; police found no one in the house.

Meanwhile, in Barangay Sawang Calero, drug suspect Jonmarc Cardenas, 19, was arrested after he sold a large pack of shabu for P50,000 to a poseur-buyer at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday.

Police recovered seven more large packs of shabu from Cardenas’ pouch.

Senior Insp. Francis Renz Talosig, chief of the Cebu City Police Station 11, said the seized contraband, weighing about 200 grams, was estimated to value P1.3 million.

RHEA RUTH ROSELL

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

BY AL JACINTO

AMBOANGA CITY: The military on Wednesday claimed to have killed nearly 20 pro-Islamic State (IS) bandits, including a Singaporean terrorist, in massive air and ground assaults on a remote hideout in Maguindanao.

The 6th Infantry Division said the campaign, which began on Monday, was aimed at destroying a big group of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

It said about 20 bandits under Abu Turaife were slain in the assaults in Shariff Saydona town.

Among those killed was Muhammad Ali Bin Abd Al Rahman or Muawiya, a notorious jihadist

belonging to the Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyagroup, who had been a bomb trainer for the Abu Sayyaf.

The reports were based on intelligence information, but army commanders claimed to have seen or recovered body parts of those killed in an area targeted by heavy military bombardment.

Security forces were pursuing

Go assures Batangueños of continued support sured everyone that what he started when he worked closely with President Rodrigo Duterte, he would continue in the Senate. Foremost of this is the delivery of basic health services, especially to the needy, something which he started with the Malasakit Center.

“I am just returning the people’s money through this service. By putting all relevant government agencies — the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.,

AND THE 0HILIPPINE #HARITY 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE — in one room, it becomes more convenient and less costly for our needy friends to avail of medical assistance,” Go said.

He also vowed that he would continue the President’s war against drugs, criminality and corruption.

Meanwhile, speaking before the crowd, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said that Go would serve as the President’s special assistant in the Senate.

Sabah on full alert over Abu Sayyaf threats ZAMBOANGA CITY: Sabah extended anew its curfew hours from dawn until dusk as it went on heightened alert over threats posed by the Abu Sayyaf terror group.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah said the curfew was necessary due to the “continuing threat of kidnapfor-ransom groups and other criminals from neighboring Philippines.”

The curfew has been extended until March 27 in Sabah’s eastern coast which is now on full alert following Philippine intelligence reports that at least 17 Abu Sayyaf bandits led by subleaders Salip Mura, Majan Sahidjuan, alias Mike Apo, and Abu Radin were planning to strike or are on the hunt anew for targets of ransom kidnappings.

This was also reported by Malaysia’s The Star newspaper, saying that “intelligence reports in the Philippines stated that the group was going to team up with TawiTawi-based criminal elements who acted as spotters or lookouts for hostages in the eastern Sabah sea border.”

It said Datuk Huzani Ghazali, commander of Eastern Sabah Security Command, admitted they were aware of the information about the movement of the Abu Sayyaf gunmen along the sea border. “We remain on full alert and have deployed all available forces to the area,” he said.

Ghazali added that the focus of operation was across the east coast sea border with southern Philippines that includes Semporna, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.

The Star, quoting intelligence sources, said Mura, who was responsible for at least two kidnappings in Sabah’s east coast late last year, was among the group using two speedboats with 75 horsepower-engines when they left Sulu recently.

“With him this time around was subleader Mike Apo, who was actively behind the kidnappings in Sabah between 2014 and 2016,” the newspaper sources claimed. It added that the Abu Sayyaf gunmen were looking for “higher value” targets as they failed to gain much attention after they

11. The operation was initiated after a concerned citizen relayed information regarding the consolidation of the fully armed terrorist GROUP IN THE SPECIkC AREA u IT SAID on Wednesday.

“Former BIFF rebels who surrendered to JTFC also supported the information being relayed to LOCATE THE SPECIkC LOCATIONS OF THE terror group. Follow-on operations ensured that the terrorists were CONkNED IN THE AREA AND PREVENTED the spill over as our troops were deployed in strategic areas,” JTFC said, adding that the military also coordinated with the MILF to prevent any accidental clashes while troops were pursuing the BIFF. Authorities have blamed the BIFF for the series of terror attacks in the restive southern region.

Bataan parishes cancel church fees

Q Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go approaches an elderly Batangueño during a recent sortie in Lipa City, Batangas where the residents warmly welcome him. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

FORMER special assistant to the President and Senate aspirant, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, returned to Lipa City in Batangas on Sunday to join the Hugpong ng Pagbabago in its campaign sortie in the province.

Go, who has a soft spot for Batangueños as his grandparents were originally from Batangas, assured his supporters in the province that he would continue to serve them and all Filipinos if given the chance to the Senate.

He outlined his legislative agenda and as-

over 100 terrorists in the province, which is also a stronghold of the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

One soldier was killed and at least seven others were wounded in the clashes.

The military’s Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) said air, artillery and ground operations were unrelenting, not only in Shariff Saydona, but also in the towns of Datu Salibo, Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak where the group of pro-IS bandits, led by commander Salahudin Hassan, was scattered.

“JTFC launched a surgical air and artillery mission to clearly IDENTIFY AND CONkRMED TARGETS THAT complemented a focused ground operations against the IS-inspired terrorist group at dawn of March

A7

abducted two Indonesians and A -ALAYSIAN kSHER FROM 0EGASUS Reef in the Kinabatangan area on December 5.

4HE CURFEW WAS kRST IMPLEMENTed on July 19, 2014, following a series of kidnapping incidents which saw the beheading of Bernard Then Ted Fed, a Sarawakian, and the killing of several others, including a policeman and tourists.

In September last year, the Eastern Sabah Security Zone extended a dusk-to-dawn sea curfew covering three nautical miles off the border of Tawi-Tawi’s chain of islands over Abu Sayyaf threats.

Abu Sayyaf bandits, whose group had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, have threatened to execute the Indonesian and Malaysian hostages if their demand for ransom was not met.

The sources said the bandits, who spoke in Bahasa Malaysia, released a video clip showing the Indonesian hostages — believed to be Heri Ardiansyah, 19, and Hariadin, 45 — being guarded by the gunmen. The Malaysian hostage, Jari Abdulla, 24, was not

with the two.

The captives, their eyes covered with black cloth and hands tied behind their backs, made an emotional appeal to their government to save them. One militant even held a bolo to the neck of Hariadin as he spoke to the camera in a forested area.

The video, reports said, surfaced several days last month after Abu Sayyaf gunmen called up Jari’s wife, Nadin Junianti, saying that no Malaysian authorities or negotiators have contacted them to secure her husband’s release.

The gunmen said her husband would face difficulties if there was no contact from Malaysia.

They also asked her for telephone contacts of Malaysian journalists.

Nadin appealed to Malaysian authorities to help secure her husband’s release.

Malaysian media did not say how much ransom the Abu Sayyaf was demanding for the safe release of the hostages. The terrorists are believed to still be holding nearly a dozen captives, mostly foreigners.

AL JACINTO

SEVERAL Church services in all Bataan parishes will be free of charge starting April 21, after the Balanga diocese ordered the “arancel system” on funeral masses and blessings removed.

Arancel refers to the fees paid for by the Catholic faithful to priests for performing sacraments in place of a salary or stipend.

In a circular dated March 11, Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said, “After careful consideration through prayers and pastoral discernment, we are removing the arancel system in funeral masses and blessings.”

“For those in the funeral parlors and memorial chapels, wherein funeral masses will be offered for the dead, we should not oblige them either for the arancel,” he added.

Santos said the purpose of scrapping fees was to ease the kNANCIAL BURDEN OF THE BEREAVED family.

“Financial obligations from the perspective of the Church are not of prime importance and must not be a burden to them,” the prelate said.

“We want to portray the local church as a caring mother with compassion with the bereaved,” Santos added.

The bishop was also eyeing to

scrap fees for baptism, weddings, CONkRMATIONS AND HOLY MASSES BY 2025, the Balanga diocese’s golden anniversary.

“As we will celebrate our 50th year on 2025, it is our dream legacy to our people that there would no arancel system for Sacraments in our Diocese,” said Santos.

In the same vein, the Archdiocese of Manila, which has jurisdiction over most churches in Metro Manila, said that some parishes had already started CALIBRATING THEIR kNANCES TOWARDS THE removal of the arancel system, in the hope of removing the misconception that the Church was “selling the sacraments.”

Archdiocese of Manila’s Communications Head Fr. Roy Bellen said, “The target is by 2021 (500 years of Christianity), there will be no more fees.”

“This, hopefully, can be a gauge of the faithful to change their paradigm and support the Church rather than thinking [they have to] buy the sacraments from the Church,” Bellen said.

In 2011, Archbishop Socrates Villegas ordered the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan to “gradually phase out the obligatory table of offerings for the administration of the sacraments and sacramentals.” CATHERINE A. MODESTO

Nationinbriefs DFA ISSUES HAJJ PASSPORTS TO MARAWI PILGRIMS MARAWI CITY: The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), through its Bureau of External Relations, announced that the DFA will conduct on March 13 to 15 at the Provincial Capitol gym here a mobile issuance of Hajj passports to Lanao residents who will join the 2019 Hajj (pilgrimage). NCMF advised that in addition to the usual passport requirements, the intending pilgrims should secure a Certificate of Tribal Membership (CTM) and an endorsement from the NCMF-Region 12B Marawi Main Office, adding that only those endorsed by NCMF Marawi would be accommodated for the mobile passport application. Documentary requirements for CTM and endorsement include: original copy with photocopy of PSA SECPA birth certificate; original copy with photocopy of PSA SECPA marriage certificate for married women using their spouse’s name; and two passport size photos taken within the last six months.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

55 TARLAC IPs NOW SAFE AFTER FOOD POISONING CAMP MACABULOS, Tarlac City: Doctors have declared 55 indigenous peoples (IPs) from Sitio Bethel in Barangay Maruglo, Capas, Tarlac safe from food poisoning, while three others remain in hospital for further observation. Those out of danger were discharged three days after they were confined due to food poisoning from a feeding program by a nongovernment organization (NGO) from Bulacan. Initial investigation showed that 73 IPs ate pork barbeque and lumpiang togue (spring roll with mung bean sprouts), and pork menudo packed in a styrofoam box. At about 4 p.m., they experienced stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and felt dizzy; barangay (village) officials rushed them to two hospitals. The NGO, whose name was withheld, shouldered all the victims’ hospital expenses. Senior Supt. Jesus Rebua, Tarlac police provincial director, said most of the victims manifested that they were no longer interested in filing any charges against the NGO. JERRY M. HERNANDEZ

1 DEAD, 2 INJURED AS TRUCK FALLS OFF BRIDGE BALANGA CITY, Bataan: A driver died, while his two helpers were seriously injured when their trailer truck loaded with a road grader fell off a bridge here on Wednesday allegedly because of faulty brakes. The driver, Cristobal Aquino, 37, died, while injured were his helpers Mario Mendoza, 43, and Mark Vincent Carreon, 37. Villagers said that about 5 a.m., they heard loud and continuous honking of a truck horn while it was going down the steep zigzag road in Barangay Cabog-Cabog, Balanga. Instead of traversing the left lane, the trailer truck veered right and crashed on the railing of the bridge and fell down the river, hitting the trunk of a big tree as it plummeted. The front of the truck was a total wreck while the road grader slid from the truck and turned on its side below the bridge. Ricky Moral, a nearby resident, said the driver jumped out off the truck before it fell, while the two helpers remained in the vehicle. The driver died in the hospital later, while the two suffered broken bones.

ERNIE B. ESCONDE

A8

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

News

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Nico Falcis indicted for swindling

BY NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS AND IZA IGLESIAS

T

HE Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted Kris Aquino’s former project manager Nicko Falcis with estafa for allegedly swindling the “multimedia queen” of more than P1 million. !SSISTANT 3TATE 0ROSECUTOR #LAIRE 0AGAYANAN APPROVED THE ESTAFA THROUGH MISAPPROPRIATION AND CONVERSION CHARGES AGAINST &ALCIS WHO WAS ACCUSED

OF ALLEGEDLY CHARGING MORE THAN 0 MILLION TO A "$/ CORPORATE CARD UNDER !QUINO S COMPANY +RISTINA #OJUANGCO !QUINO 0RODUCTIONS +#!0 WITHOUT

HER CONSENT g%VIDENCE PROPOUNDED BY !QUINO SUFkCIENTLY SHOWED THAT PROBABLE CAUSE EXISTS WHICH WARRANT THE INDICTMENT OF &ALCIS FOR THE CRIME OF ESTAFA THROUGH MISAPPROPRIATION OR CONVERSION u 0AGAYANAN SAID IN HER ORDER DATED -ARCH

0AGAYANAN HOWEVER DISMISSED THE QUALIkED THEFT CHARGES !QUINO kLED AGAINST &ALCIS FOR LACK OF PROBABLE CAUSE &ALCIS HAS DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS ARGUING THAT HE HAD HIS

NAME ON THE CARD 4HE PROSECUTOR UPHELD THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED BY !QUINO TO PROVE THAT &ALCIS USED THE CARD IN gNUMEROUS TRANSACTIONS FOR HIS PERSONAL BENEkT u 4HROUGH HER SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS !QUINO AND HER LEGAL TEAM FROM $IVINA ,AW CONkRMED THE RESOLUTION RELEASED BY THE PROSECUTOR S OFkCE OF 4AGUIG #ITY g+RIS !QUINO CONTINUES TO BELIEVE IN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM 4RUTH WILL ALWAYS BE TRUTH

REGARDLESS OF LACK OF UNDER-

STANDING BLACK PROPAGANDA

OR DISBELIEF 4RUTH WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL u A STATEMENT RELEASED BY !QUINO S CAMP SAID &ALCIS SAID THE 4AGUIG 0ROSECUTOR S /FkCE CORRECTLY DISMISSED THE QUALIkED THEFT COMPLAINT OF !QUINO g4HEY HAD NO CHOICE ;BUT TO DO SO= OTHERWISE THEY WOULD APPEAR GROSSLY IGNORANT OF THE LAW FOR THERE WAS CLEARLY NO TAKING OF PROPERTY u (OWEVER HE SAID THE FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE FOR ESTAFA gSMACKS NOT JUST OF GROSS IG-

NORANCE OF THE LAW BUT OF THE MANIFEST BIAS AND GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION OF THE PROSECUTORS u (E SAID 4AGUIG PROSECUTORS SEEMED TO BE LAWYERING FOR !QUINO WHEN THEY FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE FOR ESTAFA gA CHARGE WHICH WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND IN THE COMPLAINT OF +RIS !QUINO u g3UCH DECISION VIOLATES MY RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS WHERE ) HAVE TO BE INFORMED OF THE CHARGES kLED AGAINST ME AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THE CHARGES u &ALCIS SAID

Belmonte: Casino entry fee for residents only

BLUE RIDGE IN MANILA

US Navy personnel walk past a Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk helicopter on the deck of the USS Blue Ridge after the ship docked in Manila Bay on March 13, 2019. The US 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge arrived in Manila for a port visit to conduct cooperative deployment with the Philippine Navy. AFP PHOTO

VIENNA TOPS LIST OF BEST CITIES PARIS: 6IENNA WAS NAMED THE CITY WITH THE BEST QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN A SURVEY PUBLISHED 7EDNESDAY )N SECOND PLACE WAS :URICH

FOLLOWED IN JOINT THIRD PLACE BY -UNICH 6ANCOUVER AND !UCKLAND .EW :EALAND $UESSELDORF IN 'ERMANY TOOK SIXTH FOLLOWED BY &RANKFURT

#OPENHAGEN 'ENEVA AND "ASEL ,ONDON WAS RANKED ST AND 0ARIS WAS TH ALTHOUGH THE STUDY

CARRIED OUT BETWEEN 3EPTEMBER AND .OVEMBER DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT &RANCE S gYELLOW VESTu ANTI GOVERNMENT PROTESTS

4HE SURVEY CONSIDERED SEVERAL FACTORS TO DETERMINE THE QUALITY OF LIVING IN EACH CITY 4HE FACTORS EVALUATED BY -ERCER ARE RECREATION HOUSING ECONOMIC environment, consumer goods AVAILABILITY PUBLIC SERVICES AND TRANSPORT POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ENvironment, natural environment, socio-cultural environment, SCHOOL AND EDUCATION AND MEDICAL AND HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS g3TRONG ON THE GROUND CAPABILITIES ARE INTEGRAL TO THE GLOBAL OPERATIONS OF MOST INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSES AND ARE IN LARGE PART DRIVEN BY THE PERSONAL AND PRO-

FESSIONAL WELLBEING OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT COMPANIES PLACE IN THOSE LOCATIONS u )LYA "ONIC

SENIOR PARTNER AND PRESIDENT OF -ERCER S #AREER "USINESS SAID IN a statement.

-ERCER SAID ALL 53 CITIES COVERED IN THE ANALYSIS FELL IN THE RANKINGS THIS YEAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF .EW 9ORK WHICH ROSE ONE PLACE TO TH AS CRIME RATES THERE CONTINUE TO FALL 3AN &RANSISCO WAS THE TOP RANKED 53 CITY AT TH )N !SIA 3INGAPORE HAS THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIVING AT TH PLACE FOLLOWED BY 4OKYO AND +OBE JOINT TH (ONG +ONG

WAS RANKED ST AND 3EOUL ND

-ANILA WAS RANKED TH /THER !SIAN CITIES IN THE LIST ARE 9OKOHAMA TH /SAKA TH AND .AGOYA ND

+UALA ,UMPUR TH "ANGKOK RD AND *AKARTA ND AND IN MAINLAND #HINA 3HANGHAI RD "EIJING TH

'UANGZHOU ND AND 3HENZHEN ND !T THE OTHER END OF THE TABLE

THE LOWEST RANKED CITY WAS "AGHDAD AT ST "ANGUI CAPITAL OF THE #ENTRAL !FRICAN 2EPUBLIC AND 3ANAA IN 9EMEN WERE TH AND TH RESPECTIVELY AFP

Q JAAFAR FROM A1

(E WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A KIDNEY PROBLEM HE ADDED *AAFAR ACKNOWLEDGED AS A PILLAR OF THE -),& WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE "ANGSAMORO 4RANSITION #OMMISSION "4# THAT DRAFTED WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS 2EPUBLIC !CT

THE CHARTER OF THE "ANGSAMORO !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO "!2-- ! MEMBER OF THE "ANGSAMORO 4RANSITION !UTHORITY "4!

THE BODY THAT OVERSEES "!2-- HE WAS ALSO THE kRST VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE -),& #ENTRAL #OMMITTEE AND VICE CHAIRMAN FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OF THE REBEL GROUP THAT ONCE WAGED A BLOODY SEPARATIST INSURGENCY IN -INDANAO -ALACAÄANG CONDOLED WITH THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF *AAFAR WHO IT DESCRIBED AS A gWARRIOR OF PEACE u g-R *AAFAR WAS A WARRIOR OF PEACE (E HAS FOUGHT MANY BATTLES FOR PEACE AND MAY !LLAH GRANT HIM A PLACE IN *ANNAH PARADISE u 0ALACE SPOKESMAN 3ALVADOR 0ANELO said in a statement.

-ALACAÄANG PEACE ADVISER #ARLITO 'ALVEZ *R IN A SEPARATE STATEMENT SAID THE /FFICE OF THE 0RESIDENTIAL !DVISER ON THE 0EACE 0ROCESS MOURNS *AAFAR S PASSING CALLING HIM A gGREAT -ORO LEADER u g!S A -ORO LEADER *AAFAR THE kRST VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE -ORO )SLAMIC ,IBERATION &RONT SHOWED US HIS DETERMINATION IN LEADING THE -ORO PEOPLE THROUGH THE PASSAGE AND EVENTUAL RATIkCATION OF THE "ANGSAMORO /RGANIC ,AW u Galvez added.

g7E WILL NEVER FORGET THAT DESPITE HIS HEALTH CONDITION *AAFAR WENT THE EXTRA MILE TO JOIN SEVERAL CAMPAIGN RALLIES TO PUSH FOR THE REALIZATION OF THE -ORO PEOPLE S ASPIRATION FOR A GENUINE AND MEANINGFUL AUTONOMY u g*AAFAR SELlESSLY DEDICATED AND DEVOTED HIS LIFE FOR OTHERS 4RULY HE IS A MAN OF PEACE u HE SAID 3USANA 3ALVADOR !NAYATIN A MEMBER OF THE "4!

EXPRESSED HER gHEARTFELT APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDEu TO *AAFAR g&ROM YOUR "4# nakikiramay PO KAMI WE MOURN YOUR LOSS 2EST IN 'OD S PEACE NOW REST ASSURED WE WILL CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE FOR 23$ RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION OF THE "ANGSAMORO u SHE SAID IN A &ACEBOOK POST 4HE "4# SHARED A PHOTO OF *AAFAR FROM .OVEMBER SHOWING HIM SITTING UNDER A BANNER BEARING THE COMMISSION S LOGO g-AY !LLAH REWARD HIM FOR HIS GOOD DEEDS AND GRANT HIM A PLACE IN *ANNAH u THE CAPTION SAID 4HE !RMED &ORCES OF THE 0HILIPPINES !&0 ALSO MOURNED THE DEATH OF *AAFAR 'EN "ENJAMIN -ADRIGAL *R

!&0 CHIEF OF STAFF SAID *AAFAR HAS BEEN gINSTRUMENTAL ;IN= THE QUEST FOR PEACE IN -INDANAO u BECOMING A PARTNER OF THE 0HILIPPINE military. g(IS INSIGHTS AND DEDICATION AS A PERSON AND AS A PEACE ADVOCATE WILL BE HIS ENDURING LEGACY NOT ONLY TO THE "ANGSAMORO PEOPLE BUT TO THE ENTIRE NATION AS WELL &OR THOSE WHOM HE LEFT BEHIND

THE PURSUIT OF PEACE CONTINUES UNTIL ITS FRUITION u -ADRIGAL NOTED in a statement. ,T 'EN !RNEL DE LA 6EGA

COMMANDER OF THE :AMBOANGA BASED 7ESTERN -INDANAO #OMMAND ALSO EXTENDED HIS CONDOLENCES TO THOSE LEFT BEHIND BY *AAFAR gWHOSE LEGACY AS A PEACE STALWART AND DEVOTED LEADER SHALL LIVE ON u g(IS CONTRIBUTION TO THE PEACE EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SECURITY FORCES SHALL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED u DE LA 6EGA SAID -AJ 'EN #IRILITO 3OBEJANA

COMMANDER OF THE 0HILIPPINE !RMY S TH )NFANTRY $IVISION SAID THE WHOLE *OINT 4ASK &ORCE #ENTRAL EXPRESSED SYMPATHIES TO THE PASSING OF *AAFAR CITING HIM AS A gBIG LOSSu TO THE -),& g4HE PEOPLE OF "ANGSAMORO WILL NEVER FORGET HIM BECAUSE OF HIS PEACE EFFORTS (E LEFT A LEGACY EVERYBODY REMEMBERS u 3OBEJANA added.

3EN *OSEPH 6ICTOR g*6u %JERCITO ALSO SENT HIS CONDOLENCES ON *AAFAR S PASSING g4HIS IS SAD NEWS 7ITH MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO 6ICE #HAIR 'HAZALI *AAFAR WHOM ) HAVE TALKED TO A LOT DURING "/, DELIBERATIONS (E TOGETHER WITH #HAIRMAN -URAD WELCOMED ME IN #AMP $ARAPANAN WHICH ) WILL NEVER FORGET !GAIN MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES ON HIS PASSING u %JERCITO SAID CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND DEMPSEY REYES AND MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

MILF SELF DETERMINATION u SAID 4ILLAH

PRESIDENT OF 0ARHIMPUNAN SIN )SLAM (A 0ILIPINAS )SLAMIC 3OCIETY OF THE 0HILIPPINES g"RO *AAFAR HAS BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE QUEST FOR PEACE IN -INDANAO AND A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE PEACE PROCESS FROM DAY ONE UNTIL HIS UNTIMELY DEMISE u HE ADDED -),& #HAIRMAN !L (AJJ -URAD %BRAHIM CONFIRMED THAT *AAFAR DIED PAST A M AFTER WEEKS OF BEING ADMITTED TO A HOSPITAL IN Davao City. g7E ARE OFkCIALLY ANNOUNCING THE PASSING AWAY OF OUR BROTHER 'HAZALI *AAFAR THE kRST VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE -),& AT THE SAME TIME THE RECOMMENDED SPEAKER TO BE OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE "ANGSAMORO !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO u -URAD SAID IN A statement. “+ANINA PONG A M dinala siya sa isang ;!T A M HE WAS BROUGHT TO A= HOSPITAL sa Davao #ITYwHE HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM SOME INTERNAL ILLNESS FOR A FEW MONTHS ALREADY u HE ADDED %BRAHIM SAID *AAFAR S DEATH WAS A BIG LOSS AND THE REPLACEMENT FOR HIS POSITION IN THE COMMISSION WOULD BE DECIDED UPON SOON %BRAHIM SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK

*AAFAR COMPLAINED OF ABDOMINAL PAIN AND WAS CONkNED AT THE INtensive care unit.

THE Quezon City government on 7EDNESDAY CLARIkED THAT THE APPROVED ENTRY FEE TO THE PROJECTED 3OLAIRE CASINO IN THE CITY IS FOR ITS residents only. g)N VIEW OF THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY 0AGCOR 0HILIPPINE !MUSEMENT AND 'AMING #ORP ON THE 3OLAIRE CASINO TO BE BUILT BY THE "LOOMBERRY 2ESORTS #ORP IN THE 6ERTIS .ORTH COMPLEX OF 1UEZON #ITY ) WOULD LIKE TO STAND kRMLY ON THE STANCE THAT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT MUST CARE FOR THE WELL BEING OF ITS CITIZENS AS EXPRESSLY STATED IN THE ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT #ODE OF 3ECTION THAT SAYS THAT @EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT SHALL EXERCISE THE POWERS EXPRESSLY GRANTED FOR ITS EFkCIENT AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE AND THOSE WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE PROMOTION OF THE GENERAL WELFARE u 6ICE -AYOR *OSEkNA g*OYu "ELMONTE SAID IN A statement. g) WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT THE ORDINANCE THAT SEEKS TO REQUIRE ENTRANCE FEES TO CASINOS IN 1UEZON #ITY FOR THE CITY S OWN RESIDENTS

AMONG OTHER MEASURES TO REGULATE gambling, is not directed only at 3OLAIRE BUT IS MEANT TO SUPERVISE ALL GAMBLING OPERATIONS IN THE CITY u SHE ADDED "ELMONTE SAID ENTRANCE FEES

WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED FOR ALL BUT JUST FOR 1UEZON #ITY RESIDENTS AS casinos were meant to be tourism DESTINATIONS FOR VISITORS AND NOT FOR LOCALS Solaire casino, owned by bilLIONAIRE BUSINESSMAN %NRIQUE 2AZON PURCHASED A HECTARE LOT ALONG %$3! AND VOWED TO BUILD BY A VERTICAL GAMBLING EDIkCE 4HE 1UEZON #ITY #OUNCIL UNDER THE COMMITTEE HEADED BY #OUNCILOR )VY ,AGMAN PASSED AN ORDINANCE ALLOWING CASINOS IN THE CITY PROVIDED ITS RESIDENTS PAY AN ENTRANCE FEE g4HE ENTRANCE FEE WILL PROMPT OUR CONSTITUENTS TO THINK TWICE ;BEFORE= ENTERING THE CASINO )MAGINE THEY HAVE TO SHELL OUT 0

u ,AGMAN TOLD 4HE -ANILA 4IMES. "ELMONTE SAID THE COUNCIL MOVED TO PASS THE ORDINANCE AFTER -AYOR (ERBERT "AUTISTA HIMSELF ISSUED A ,ETTER OF .O /PPOSITION ,AGMAN SAID THE /FkCE OF THE -AYOR WAS FORMING A COMMITTEE THAT WOULD DRAFT THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CASINO ORDINANCE WHICH WILL ALSO COVER eGames now known as Bingo.

0AGCOR HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT IT WOULD CONTEST BEFORE A COURT THE 1UEZON #ITY ENTRANCE FEE REQUIREment.

JAIME R. PILAPIL

Q TUNNEL FROM A1

MWSS wants Maynilad 4HE PROJECT COST WILL BE EQUALLY SPLIT BETWEEN THE TWO WATER SERVICE PROVIDERS g7E ARE NOW ASKING -ANILA 7ATER AND -AYNILAD TO PARTNER TO ENSURE THAT 4UNNEL WHICH WILL HAVE ANOTHER -,$ MILLION LITERS PER DAY WILL BE ALREADY STARTED OR SHOULD BE STARTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE u 6ELASCO TOLD REPORTERS 4HE PLANNED TUNNEL WILL COMPLEMENT !QUEDUCT BEING CONSTRUCTED

BY THE AGENCY WHICH HAS SECURED THE .ATIONAL %CONOMIC AND $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY S APPROVAL AND UNDERGONE A FEASIBILITY STUDY 6ELASCO SAID THE -733 WAS HOPING THE PROJECT WOULD BE COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS TO EASE THE PROBLEM ON THE ,A -ESA $AM g7ITH THESE TWO PROJECTS ) HOPE THAT WITHIN TWO YEARS HOPEFULLY LESS WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BRING IN ANOTHER -,$ THROUGH THE ,A -ESA PORTAL u HE TOLD REPORTERS g)F THIS WILL HAPPEN WE HOPE THAT WE CAN NOW SAVE SOME OF THE WATER THAT WE ARE THROWING AWAY DURING THE RAINY DAYS FROM !NGAT AND HOPEFULLY BRING THIS TO ,A -ESA $AM u 6ELASCO SAID 4HE .ATIONAL 7ATER 2ESOURCES "OARD .72" PROVIDES CUBIC METERS PER SECOND #-3 OF WATER FROM !NGAT $AM TO THE -733 4HIS IS SHARED BY -AYNILAD 7ATER 3ERVICE )NC PERCENT AND -ANILA 7ATER PERCENT 6ELASCO EARLIER SAID HE WANTED THE ALLOCATION TO BE INCREASED FROM CUBIC METERS TO CUBIC METERS "UT -ANILA 7ATER #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER 'EODINO #ARPIO SAID THAT EVEN IF THE ALLOCATION FROM !NGAT $AM WAS INCREASED THE COMPANY WOULD STILL HAVE A HARD TIME ACCESSING THE WATER (E EXPLAINED ON 4UESDAY THAT -ANILA 7ATER WAS CONSTRAINED BY THE SIZE OF TUNNELS AND AQUEDUCTS FROM !NGAT

4HE WATER SHORTAGE HAD AFFECTED

PEOPLE IN SEVERAL CITIES and towns.

6ELASCO ALSO CALLED ON THE $EPARTMENT OF %NVIRONMENT AND .ATURAL 2ESOURCES TO ISSUE THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CERTIkCATE %## FOR THE 0 BILLION +ALIWA Dam to commence its construcTION THIS YEAR +ALIWA $AM WILL SUPPLY ADDITIONAL -,$ TO -ETRO -ANILA AND THE PROVINCES OF #AVITE 2IZAL and Bulacan.

Receding !S OF 7EDNESDAY THE WATER LEVELS OF VARIOUS DAMS CONTINUED TO RECEDE WITH ,A -ESA INCHING CLOSER TO ITS LOWEST SINCE THE 0HILIPPINE !TMOSPHERIC 'EOPHYSICAL AND !STRONOMICAL 3ERVICES !DMINISTRATION 0AGASA BUREAU SAID ,A -ESA S WATER LEVEL WAS METERS METER LOWER THAN 4UESDAY S READING )T IS JUST A TAD AWAY FROM THE LOWEST RECORDED LEVEL OF METERS IN !NGAT $AM WHICH SUPPLIES ,A -ESA AND )PO $AM HAS NOT REACHED CRITICAL LEVEL !S OF 7EDNESDAY IT WAS AT METERS

METER LOWER THAN 4UESDAY S LEVEL !NGAT S CRITICAL LEVEL IS METERS 0AGASA HYDROLOGIST %LMER #ARINGAL SAID THE DECLINING WATER LEVELS MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE LOW AMOUNT OF RAINFALL THE COUNTRY HAD SINCE 3EPTEMBER 4HE WATER LEVELS IN OTHER DAMS HAVE ALSO DROPPED METERS FOR )PO $AM METERS FOR !MBUKLAO $AM METERS FOR "INGA $AM FOR 3AN 2OQUE $AM METERS FOR 0ANTABANGAN $AM METERS FOR -AGAT $AM AND METERS FOR #ALIRAYA $AM JORDEENE B. LAGARE AND DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

ASIAN STOCKS: W S h a n g h a i 1 . 0 9 %

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P52.55 TO $1

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INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS TO SAVE COCO INDUSTRY – DA BusinessB2

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AYALA CORP. 2018 PROFIT HITS P31.8B; CAPEX SET AT P262B Corporate NewsB3

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MAKATI CITY SUBWAY INCORPORATION OKAYED

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www.manilatimes.net W Seoul 0.41%

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NEDA chief warns growth could slow to 4.2-4.9 percent this year

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

P

HILIPPINE economic growth will decelerate sharply under a full-year reenacted budget, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) warned on Wednesday.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, in a statement, said GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT '$0 growth could slow to “as low as 4.2 to PERCENTu IF THE GOVERNMENT IS FORCED to operate on last year’s outlay.

Pernia’s warning came as the House of Representatives and the Senate remain

the day warned that growth could SLOW TO AS LOW AS PERCENT if Congress failed to act on this year’s budget, said the adjusted growth targets took into account the government’s operating on a reenacted budget only up to April. “The impact on economic growth of budget reenactment is ESTIMATED AT TO PERCENTage points (ppt) if the budget is REENACTED UNTIL !PRIL TO PPT IF UNTIL !UGUST AND TO PPT UNDER A FULL YEAR REENACTED BUDGET u !BUEL EXPLAINED Taking these into consideration, she said economic managers were urging Congress to transMIT THE NATIONAL BUDGET at the soonest possible time to MalacaĂąang so the government

ÂłTargets B2

Drop PCC review thresholds

E

VER since the Philippine Competition Act was passed and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) formed, the local business sector has manfully resisted any attempt by the body to promote and safeguard competition in the country. The latest debate is over the threshold at which reporting an M&A transaction to the PCC becomes mandatory. It is a difference of opinion that might be best resolved with a solution no one has thought of yet.

Under PCC rules, any planned merger, acquisition, or other sigNIkCANT TRANSFER OF ASSETS BETWEEN companies must be reported to the PCC for review if the transaction exceeds a certain threshold in either transaction size, or in the amount of assets of one of the parties to the transactions. Originally, the threshold was applied only to the transaction size, and was set at P1 billion; at about this time last year, new rules went into effect ADDING THE gSIZE OF PARTYu THRESHold and setting it at P5 billion, and RAISING THE gSIZE OF TRANSACTIONu limit to P2 billion.

The main reason for raising the bar last year was to relieve some of the workload of the PCC. Up to THAT POINT IT HAD kELDED ABOUT notifications and had reviewed ABOUT TRANSACTIONS IN TWO YEARS of operations. Business groups such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) lauded the move, saying that reducing the time obstacle represented by a PCC review would en-

V B a n g ko k 0 . 7 4 %

Reenacted budget to stunt economy AT LOGGERHEADS OVER THE 0 TRILLION BUDGET WITH THE LATTER ACCUSING THE former of making post-bicameral conference committee changes.

A meeting arranged by President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday failed to resolve the impasse and Duterte was said to have told House leaders that he

WOULD NOT SIGN THE PROPOSED 'ENERAL !PPROPRIATIONS !CT '!! IF IT WAS NOT endorsed by the Senate.

The government has been operating ON LAST YEAR S 0 TRILLION BUDGET since the start of the year. While larger, agencies can only spend for items DETAILED IN THE OUTLAY AND CANnot embark on programs and projects supposed to be implemented this year.

7ITH THE kRST QUARTER ALL BUT OVER 0ERNIA PRESENTED OTHER SCENARIOS WHERE THE budget could be passed later in the year. g;)=F THE BUDGET IS PASSED IN !UGUST

EXPECT GROWTH TO BE AROUND ONLY TO PERCENT u HE SAID WHILE APPROVAL

next month could result in a 6.1-6.3 percent expansion.

All three estimates fall well below the government’s downwardly revised PERCENT TARGET SEE STORY ON THIS page). If the full-year reenactment or August approval scenarios are realized, the slowdown would result in the lowEST '$0 GROWTH SINCE S PERCENT Pernia stressed that a reenacted budget would delay infrastructure projects as well as the delivery of public social services such as the Unconditional Cash Transfer and Pantawid Pasada programs. “The government would not be able to

ROUGH TRADE BEN KRITZ courage investors in the country’s SME sector, and that the previous 0 BILLION THRESHOLD ABOUT million) was unrealistically small.

The approval by the PCCI and other interests was short-lived, however; almost as soon as the new guidelines were put into place, businesses began pressing the PCC TO ADOPT gINDUSTRY SPECIkCu THRESHolds. Rather than apply a uniform benchmark, the PCC was urged to set different thresholds according to the industries involved, since the sizes of transactions varied greatly from one industry to another. For example, a P2-billion transaction involving a BPO company might be considered very large, but among banks would be considered INSIGNIkCANT GIVEN THE VASTLY LARGER amount of assets banks have compared to BPO businesses.

This is still the position of the PCCI in the wake of the latest adjustment to the PCC reporting thresholds, which were raised again last month to P2.2 billion per transaction or P5.6 billion per party. The PCC has dismissed the suggestion, however, and for a rational reason, as PCC Chairman Arsenio Balisacan explained last week. Because many, if not most, M&A transactions involved

ÂłKritz B4

ÂłEconomy B2

US-China trade deal not assured – Lighthizer

Economic managers cut growth, revenue targets ECONOMIC managers have cut THEIR GROWTH FORECASTS FOR AND CITING FACTORS SUCH AS a reenacted budget, an ongoing El Nino and the US-China trade war, and also slashed revenue projections for this year due to a partially-vetoed tax amnesty law.

Following a meeting of the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) on Wednesday, Budget department OFkCER IN CHARGE *ANET !BUEL ANnounced that they were now tarGETING PERCENT GROWTH FOR THIS YEAR AND PERCENT NEXT YEAR DOWN FROM PERCENT previously.

4HE ESTIMATES FOR WERE KEPT AT PERCENT Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, who earlier in

B2

W

THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2019

Business Times

CURRENCY RATE

B1

BOTH SIDES

Anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray (L) talks with pro-Brexit supporter Joseph Afrane as they walk near the Houses of Parliament in London on March 13, 2019. British MPs were to vote later Wednesday on whether the country should leave the EU without a deal in just over two weeks, after overwhelmingly rejecting a draft divorce agreement. AFP PHOTO

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Washington’s top trade official on Tuesday said the United States and China are likely to conclude their trade negotiations within “weeks� — but a successful outcome is not assured. “Our hope is that we’re in the final weeks of an agreement but I’m not predicting one,� US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in Senate testimony. “We can’t predict success at this point but we are working hard.�

Eight months into their sprawling trade war, US and Chinese officials have alternated between projecting optimism and warning that they have much to do before reaching a final outcome.

The two sides have exchanged tariffs on

ÂłDeal B2

Car sales up 0.6% in February, snap losing streak AUTOMOBILE SALES kNALLY TURNED positive in February, snapping a year-long decline and raising HOPES OF A TURNAROUND #ARMAKERS SOLD A TOTAL OF

UNITS LAST MONTH ‡ UP PERCENT from a year earlier when the imposition of higher sales taxes led to a 3.2-percent contraction that WORSENED TO AS MUCH AS PERCENT

AS ENDED Month on month, however, car sales were down 2.1 percent from *ANUARY DATA RELEASED BY THE #HAMBER of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed.

The year-to-date tally of 53,215 UNITS WAS ALSO PERCENT LOWER compared to last year.

February saw a recovery for passenger cars, with sales growING BY PERCENT TO UNITS The bread and butter commercial VEHICLE SEGMENT HOWEVER FELL PERCENT TO UNITS CAMPI and TMA representatives were not immediately available for comment but officials have expressed hope that full-year sales

WOULD REBOUND IN FOLLOWING last year’s 16-percent plunge.

Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. remained the industry leader as of &EBRUARY WITH PERCENT MARKET SHARE ON SALES OF UNITS

5.6 percent lower than last year.

In second was Mitsubishi Motors 0HILIPPINES #ORP WITH PERCENT

ÂłStreak B2

FDI drop temporary but reforms needed State think tank warns of higher friction costs LAST year’s net foreign direct investment (FDI) decline is a “temPORARY PHENOMENONu BUT REFORMS are crucial to keep the Philippines attractive, the Finance department said on Wednesday. g4HE DROP IN &$) w ;WAS= brought about by the uncertain WORLD ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT u IT said in an economic bulletin. .ET &$) INlOWS HIT A TWO YEAR

I

LOW IN !T BILLION — short of the central bank’s BILLION GOAL AND THE LOWEST SINCE S BILLION ‡ NET inflows were down 4.4 percent FROM S BILLION The Finance department pointed out that the decline mirrored global developments. g)N IT DROPPED PERCENT TO TRILLION )N THE kRST HALF OF

IT DROPPED BY A HEFTIER percent to just $432 billion. This is due to slowdown in the world economy brought about by USChina trade war, Brexit, and slowDOWN IN WORLDWIDE GROWTH u IT said.

It added that analysis had shown that FDI flows were sensitive to world gross domestic product

breaches of good corporate governance around the world-- the related-party transaction. The index measures the protection of shareholders against directors’ misuse of corporate assets for personal gain by distinguishing three dimensions of regulation THAT ADDRESS CONlICTS OF INTEREST 1) transparency of related-party transactions, 2) shareholders’ ability to sue and hold directors liable for self-dealing, and 3) access to

THE government should review THE IMPACT OF TAX REFORMS ON kNANcial transactions, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said, warning that higher taxes could discourage investments.

In a policy note titled “Taxation IN kNANCIAL SERVICES UNDER 4RAIN u the state think tank noted that tax rates under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law had SIGNIkCANTLY INCREASED Such increases, particularly for documentary stamp taxes (DST) — levied on banking documents, instruments, loan agreements and papers — may be acceptable in single transactions, the PIDS said From a business standpoint, however, the cost of completing a transaction or delivering their service has already doubled, it claimed.

In particular, the PIDS said higher

ÂłMTF B4

ÂłCosts B4

ÂłReforms B4

RCC’s improved minority protection provisions

N ranking the ease of doing business (EODB) of economies, the World Bank (WB) also evaluates a country’s protection of the interests of minority investors. In this regard, it considers two indiCES NAMELY CONlICTS OF INTEREST regulation, and 2) shareholders’ rights in corporate governance.

Republic Act No. 112321 or the Revised Corporation Code (RCC) of the Philippines introduced several amendments and new provisions which seek to improve minor-

MORE TO FOLLOW (MTF)

EUNEY MARIE MATA-PEREZ ity shareholder protection. These provisions should contribute to improving our country’s EODB ranking.

The WB’s extent of conflict of interest regulation index focuses on one of the most serious

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Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

Institutional reforms to save coco industry – DA I

BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

NSTITUTIONAL reforms can save the country’s billion-dollar coconut industry and help alleviate poverty among Filipino farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.

The DA is poised to implement programs that will expand farmers‘ capacities from being raw materials producers to owners of processing facilities and merchandisers of coconut products, DA Secretary Manny PiĂąol said.

He lamented that local coconut farmers had been regarded as MERELY gCOPRA PRODUCERSu FOR THE past decades, which has limited the country’s capacity to produce other high value products from coconut aside from coconut oil.

PiĂąol said Thailand had al-

ready outpaced the Philippines in terms of marketing various products from coconut. The country has ranked second in the world with over 15-million metric tons (MT) of coconut produced annually from an area of about 3.5-million hectares while Thailand used to produce only 1 million MT from an AREA OF ABOUT HECTARES This shocking regression was due to the government’s failure to capacitate coconut farmers “where there was hardly any effort to

Q STREAK FROM B1

Q DEAL FROM B1

Car sales up 0.6%

US-China

MARKET SHARE ON SALES OF UNITS

14.2 percent lower compared to February last year.

Nissan Philippines Inc. extended its run of positive results, POSTING PERCENT GROWTH WITH 3,523 units sold for third place AND PERCENT OF THE MARKET Year-to-date, Toyota stayed dominant with sales totaling

UNITS DOWN PERCENT from a year earlier and accounting FOR PERCENT OF THE MARKET -ITSUBISHI SOLD UNITS ‡ DOWN PERCENT ‡ FOR A PERCENT MARKET SHARE WHILE .ISSAN SOLD

UP PERCENT and 12.45 percent of the market.

FROM A REPORT

BY TYRONE C. PIAD

more than $360 billion in two-way trade, but Lighthizer on Tuesday declined to state publicly whether Washington would lift the tariffs it has imposed so far if both sides reach a deal.

US officials are demanding far-reaching changes to Chinese industrial policy -- including an end to massive state intervention in markets, subsidies and the alleged theft of American technology — and insist that any agreement must be enforceable.

Lighthizer said Washington would reserve the right to impose them should China fail to keep up its end of the bargain. “We have to maintain the right to be able to — whatever happens to the current tariffs — to raise tariffs in situations where there’s violations of the agreement,� he said. “That’s the core. If we don’t do that, then none of it makes any difference.�

Democrats have accused President Donald Trump of going soft in the trade talks

trade issues between our major trading partners is a source of our concern. And we also know very well that any slowdown in growth of our trading partners will can sustain spending on priori- DEkNITELY NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR OWN ties such as public infrastructure GROWTH POSSIBILITIES u HE SAID Pernia, meanwhile, warned that and social services. “The longer the budget impasse El Nino phenomenon would have lasts, the larger the adverse effect A gMILDu IMPACT ON GROWTH Nevertheless, economic managto the Philippine economy and its ERS SAID THEY REMAINED CONkDENT PEOPLE u !BUEL ADDED Finance Secretary Carlos that the Philippine economy Dominguez 3rd reiterated that would remain resilient. “We assure the Filipino people the government would be unable to spend a programmed P46 bil- that the economic managers will LION DURING THE kRST THREE MONTHS continue to monitor developof the year given the delay in the ments, at home and overseas, to secure the sustained growth and PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET “That’s half a billion pesos a day DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY u that we are not spending to create they said. jobs, to improve the infrastructure, for better health care and educa- Revenue goal revised TION u HE SAID Dominguez stressed that the trade During Wednesday’s meeting, the row between the US and China was DBCC also slashed the governalso expected to curtail growth.

MENT S REVENUE GOAL TO 0 “Internationally, the unresolved TRILLION FROM 0 TRILLION WHICH

Q TARGETS FROM B1

Economic

B

ETWEEN us and our audience are screens that prevent most of the message from getting through.

That is why you will be wise to consider the comprehension of your reader, viewer and listener as weak.

Oh, there was a time the advertising man would strut so he could PROMISE THE MOON TO CLIENTS g9OU will feel a bump in sales so acute it will take your breath away. The shape in your sales chart will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen BEFORE u !ND HE COULD DELIVER THE moon. The wand with which he would create the magic was advertising, of course, and its most powerful charm was television.

I call this the legitimization effect of the medium. And we know this too well; we have heard it exclaimed, “Oh, that product is good — I saw THAT ON TELEVISION u 7HEN A PRODUCT is graduated to television, it blossoms not just in awareness but in

lift the coconut farmer from the status of just being a lowly copra producer to a processor just like THE 4HAIS u 0IĂ„OL SAID Unlike the Philippines, other coconut-producing countries were able to sustain growth in the industry through maximizing THE BENEkTS FROM PRODUCING HIGH value products such as coconut oil, coco water, coco chips, coco syrup, coco sugar and coco coir.

PiĂąol, however, said “there has to be an institutional reform in THE COCONUT INDUSTRY u (E SAID THE DA was banking on the release of 0 BILLION COCO LEVY FUNDS FOR THE BENEkT OF SOME MILLION coconut farmers.

Under the coconut levy bill, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), an attached agency to the DA, shall spend the money for INFRASTRUCTURE PERCENT SHARED

FACILITIES PERCENT PLANTING and replanting and establishment OF NURSERIES PERCENT INTERCROPPING PERCENT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PERCENT CREDITS PERCENT CREATION OF new products and marketing, (5 percent); and fertilization, (5 percent).

The agriculture chief said the DA is targeting to establish community-level processing facilities of coco by-products in different coconut-producing regions across the country to be owned and operated by the farmers themselves. “They will become their own merchandisers of the products that they will produce. Under the Presidency of Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Filipino coconut farmer will no longer be a slave to the modernday vassals who own the processING FACILITIES u 0IĂ„OL SAID

and moving toward a superficial agreement rather than tackling long-standing problems in trade with China.

But Lighthizer said Tuesday the agreement would either have teeth “or the president won’t agree to the agreement.�

Lighthizer also said the United States would press ahead with efforts to reform the World Trade Organization.

Washington has blocked the appointment of new judges to the appellate branch of a WTO dispute panel, which could force it to shut down by the end of next year.

US officials say the appellate body has improperly reversed the factual findings of trade arbitration panels.

But Lighthizer said the United States and the EU were at a deadlock over whether to include agriculture in their current trade talks.

Brussels has imposed counter-tariffs on billions in US exports in response to Trump’s decision last year to put steep duties on steel and aluminum exports.

But European officials refuse to include discussion of agriculture trade in future talks to resolve the impasse. “The United States can’t have a trade agreement with Europe that doesn’t deal with agriculture. Their view is that they can’t have one that does,� said Lighthizer. “We’re at a stalemate. We’ll see how that develops.�

AFP

A ‘stalemate’ with Brussels During four rounds of shuttle diplomacy since December, officials announced that China had agreed to resume or increase purchase of US agricultural goods, with Trump announcing he would likely seal any deal at a “signing summit� with Chinese President Xi Jinping late this month.

But the White House has since said there is no date yet for such a meeting.

Lighthizer said he and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had spoken with Chinese officials by telephone on Monday evening and that another call was set for Wednesday. “We’re either gonna have a good result or we’re gonna have a bad result before too long but I’m not setting a specific time frame,� he said.

Dominguez attributed to President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to veto provisions of the recently-signed Tax Amnesty Act. The lower revenue goal is equivALENT TO PERCENT OF '$0

which economic managers said was still the highest in recent years.

Revenues from the tax reform program are projected to contribute P162.2 billion, taking into account last year’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law and the approved Package 1B less the electronic-receipts system, they said.

Disbursements are targeted to REACH 0 TRILLION IN ‡ EQUIVALENT TO PERCENT OF '$0 — assuming the national budget is REENACTED IN THE kRST QUARTER 'IVEN THE APPROVED REVENUE AND disbursement programs, economic managers announced that the correSPONDING NOMINAL DEkCIT TARGET HAD BEEN SET AT 0 BILLION FOR

EQUIVALENT TO PERCENT OF '$0 4HE DEkCIT TARGET WILL BE MAINTAINED AT PERCENT OF '$0 FROM

TO gSTRIKING A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN kSCAL DISCIPLINE AND higher investments for urgent proGRAMS AND PROJECTS u THEY ADDED

Other targets Economic managers still see inlATION TO AVERAGE WITHIN THE percent range this year and 2-4 PERCENT FROM TO The Dubai crude oil per barrel price assumption, meanwhile, was adjusted downwards for the MEDIUM TERM &OR TO

prices are now projected to average BETWEEN PER BARREL FROM PREVIOUSLY The peso-dollar exchange rate assumption was retained at P52 AGAINST THE 53 DOLLAR FOR TO The exports growth goal was also MAINTAINED AT PERCENT FROM TO AS WERE THOSE FOR IMPORTS ‡ PERCENT IN AND PERCENT FROM TO MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Psychological theories linked to overspending A MONEYMAX.PH

DMIT it, you own items you wish you never purchased.

Items that led us to overspending.

Actually, we all do. Indeed, the lack of money management skills can be a serious issue especially when spending gets over the top.

We all know that budgeting is necessary upon receiving your salary.

However, despite this knowledge, you still fall short on funds. It’s time to ask yourself what’s wrong with YOUR kNANCIAL DECISIONS You’re aware of your buying behavior. But why do you let it get out of control? Examine these psychological theories that could be culprits to overspending.

Social facilitation Saul McLeod, a researcher who focuses in psychology at The UniVERSITY OF -ANCHESTER DEkNED SOCIAL facilitation as “an improvement in performance produced by the mere PRESENCE OF OTHERS u 4HE PRESENCE of other people encourages one to achieve good results. This principle, however, can negatively affect people in terms of spending. An article by 8UEMING ,UO ON THE *OURNAL OF Consumer Psychology proved that just the mere presence of other shoppers can spark impulse purchases.

Being around with friends while shopping affects your buying behavior. You’re encouraged to buy something if your friend recommends you to purchase a certain product or a gadget, like the latest smartphone in the market. But remember that you still have full control over your kNANCIAL DECISIONS 7HEN FRIENDS lure you into purchasing an item you don’t really need, stop and think twice about it.

Delayed reward discounting In delayed reward discounting, you have to choose between smaller, more immediate rewards and larger, yet delayed rewards.

Psychologist Carla Marie Manly explained the theory as having rewards sooner rather than later.

This theory has been associated with impulse buying as people seek rewards instantly.

For example, when you’re hungry and tired from work, you would rather eat out than cook a healthy meal at home. You won’t say no to spending a couple more bucks if convenience is at stake. You think that you deserve it, that you need it now more than ever. But try to compare the amount of money you

Q ECONOMY FROM B1

Reenacted quickly execute programs and projects. This means that we will miss the opportunity to create as much AS TO MORE JOBS

AND FAIL TO LIFT AS MUCH AS

TO MORE &ILIPINOS OUT OF POVERTY THIS YEAR u HE SAID “Thus we call for the immediate PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET 4HE

JOSH MASCARINAS spent on a single fast-food meal versus grocery-bought ingredients for a home-cooked meal. The amount has a huge difference.

To curb this, control your impulse spending. Assess how much money you can save by delaying your rewards or needs.

It’s important that you’re willing to pause and consider the risks of impulse buying. This will help you develop better spending habits in the long run.

The scarcity principle )N THE kELD OF PSYCHOLOGY THE SCARcity principle refers to a person’s tendency to set a higher value on things that are rare and devaluing things that are common. The less available something is, the more desired it becomes.

Think about it, mall sales that say gLIMITED STOCKSu OR gFOR A LIMITED TIME ONLYu ENTICE YOU TO PURCHASE just because of such claims.

On her article about social psychology, Psychosocial Rehabilitation specialist Kendra Cherry explained that the scarcity principle can greatly affect you once you’ve proven scarcity. If you search for an item only TO kND OUT THAT IT IS LIMITED OR OUT OF STOCK YOU RE MORE LIKELY TO kND the product more desirable.

When it comes to your buying behavior, you’re more pressured to purchase something because you think it would be unavailable soon.

Cherry concluded that scarcity makes you more likely to commit mistakes and make bad spending decisions. So the next time you see A gLIMITED STOCKu SIGN BE SMART

and evaluate if the item is actually something you need.

Whatever principle that’s linked to your buying behavior, it’s important that you’re well aware of your financial actions. Overspending can provide the satisfaction you want today but it won’t gratify your long-term needs. Refrain from your bad spending habits and make sure you’ve saved enough to avoid blowing your budget.

*OSH -ASCARIÄAS IS A CONTENT WRITER at Moneymax. Save money on car insurance, credit cards, and loans when you compare and apply at www.moneymax.ph! Visit our website to know more. longer we wait, the more adverse THE EFFECT WILL BE u HE ADDED An initial delay — blamed by the Senate on the House’s delayed submission and questions over alleged insertions — has already led to the shelving of mandated pay hikes for government workers.

"OTH CHAMBERS kNALLY RATIkED A bicameral conference committee report in February but the latest controversy means the proposed '!! HAS YET TO MAKE IT TO $UTERTE S desk for signing.

The intelligence of the customer: Part II perception.

While still able to reshape sales charts dramatically and please advertising clients, television today has lost the ability to guarantee the bump. It used to be that if you WERE ON TELEVISION FOR THE kRST TIME

the only thing you needed to think about was the quality of that bump.

There are many causes behind the weakening of the wand that is TELEVISION /NE MAJOR kLTER IS THE COMPREHENSION PROBLEM THE CONsumer is already busy consuming content on other points of contact.

Of the thirty seconds allowed you, she will look your way — actually glance at the television set — for maybe ten seconds. The set is no longer the primary source of content because she has her phone, another screen, in her hand.

Adding to the comprehension PROBLEM IS A CREDIBILITY kLTER 3HE no longer sees the technology as

WHEN SHE WAS ASKED IN A 0 ' SURvey what she thought of an ad. She sneered, “huu, prupaganda ra man na (that is just propaganda).

VINCENT In production, we normally POZON remove warts, wrinkles, noticeable skin blemishes. We smoothen the irreproachable. She is no longer the faces of commercial talents with unsophisticated and the naive; what COMPUTER GRAPHICS BECAUSE kRSTLY

she sees of what you show is no lon- during the few precious seconds ger swallowed lock, stock and barrel. they are on camera, we want them It is a self-inflicted injury, this to look their best, which they may declining credibility; advertising not be at the time of the shoot, and, secondly, because defects are created the problem.

Almost a century of hyperboles attention vampires. When we’re and exaggerations, of immoderate selling, say, a candidate, we will and sweeping product claims; of lessen the eyebags caused by heavy gWHITER THAN WHITEu gSTRONGER THAN campaigning, smoothen the bad STEELu INSTANT CURES IN SECONDS /N skin on a celebrity endorser having air today is a hair product that prom- hormonal problems. Now that is ises to heal damage to hair after one acceptable.

But if the advertising is about fause or in seconds (I forgot which cial products — moisturizers, cleansincantation is utilized).

I remember this quote from a ers, whiteners, astringents, and so laundry woman in the province on, then computer graphics, thickly

MANAGEMENT ACTION

applied, is very like lying. And that is what you have on television today. ! PLETHORA OF THE PRETTIkED BROUGHT to a level already noticeable to the untrained eye.

The consumer is jaded because we have abused technology and impaired its credibility.

Sam Peckinpah used slow motion IN g4HE 7ILD "UNCHu AND THERE WAS a point to it. Today globules of water lOAT IN MID AIR PRACTICALLY FROZEN

when talents wash their faces in soap commercials. You have never seen globules in your life; this is slow motion brought to the point of unreal and irrelevant.

A dissolve, or the soft transition between two scenes, is translated or understood by the viewer to mean a lapse of time. It is used indiscriminately in advertising for the soft feel. We have injured the cinematic language.

The little that the consumer sees

OF WHAT WE DO THE kLTER OF TOO LITTLE time) is now seen with a jaundiced EYE THE kLTER OF DOUBT Here is the viewer, jaded and bombarded, forever multi-tasking, consuming content from other screens, glancing at our expensive television commercial but once in a while, half listening to it, and if IT S NOT GRIPPING ENOUGH HER kNGER is on the remote control.

Now, more than ever, every single second should work hard and inyour-face. Now, more than ever, you need to create “Aberrant AdvertisINGu BE THAT ON TELEVISION SOCIAL media or on any point of contact.

The author is chairman of Estima, an ad agency dedicated to helping local industrialists and causes, and co-founder of Caucus, Inc., a multidiscipline consultancy firm. He can be reached through vpozon@ me.com.

Corporate News

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Makati City Subway incorporation okayed THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the incorportation of the wholly owned subsidiary of Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc. (IRC) that will build the $3.7-billion Makati City Subway system.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, the listed holding company said it had received from the COMMISSION THE CERTIkCATE OF incorporation for Makati City Subway Inc. (MCSI).

The unit will have an authorized capital stock of P16 billion, of which P4 billion has been subscribed, with P1 billion as paid-up capital, it added.

MCSI will operate the subway, a 11-kilometer intracity mass transport system with 10 stations that, once complete, will link the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 line, the proposed Metro Manila Mega Subway and the Pasig River Ferry.

The SEC’s approval follows the one granted by the Makati City government last October to a consortium led by IRC to proceed with its unsolicited proposal to build the subway after no other group challenged it.

Other consortium members are China’s Greenland Holdings Group, Jiangsu Provincial Construction Group Co. Ltd.

and China Harbour Engineering Co. Ltd. In a January disclosure, IRC said it had signed an agreement with China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. (CCECC), under which the latter would support the subway’s construction.

CCECC, it added, showed willingness to “invest $300 to $350 million into the company or its subsidiary; undertake the engineering procurement and construction works for [the project]; and provide completion performance guarantee for the completion of the [project] with‌the completion of a kNANCIAL LEGAL AND TECHNICAL due diligence.â€?

Both companies have until May 31, 2019 “to complete the entire due diligence process, prior to formalization of the structure of CCECC’s investment and execution of the formal investment agreement.�

Incorporated under its former name of IRC Properties Inc. on Feb. 24, 1975, IRC is engaged in infrastructure and real-estate development through its subsidIARIES AND AFkLIATES IRC shares added 5 centavos or 2.67 percent to end at P1.92 each on Wednesday.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

B3

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

Ayala Corp. 2018 profit hits P31.8B; capex set at P262B

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

A

YALA Corp.’s net income increased by 5 percent to P31.8 billion in 2018 from P30.3 billion the year before on the back of the strong equity-income contributions of its property, telecommunications and power subsidiaries.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, the listed conglomerate said these contributions reached P39.4 billion last year, a 10-percent growth FROM THE kGURE Real-estate arm Ayala Land Inc. saw its net income expand by 16 percent to P29.2 billion, thanks to the growth in its property development and commercial leasing operations. Property development revenues jumped by 18 percent to P120.3 billion and residential revenues climbed by 20 percent to P101.1 billion, while reservation sales rose by 16 percent to P141.9 billion.

Telecommunications unit Globe Telecom Inc. reported a 22-percent increase in its net earnings to P18.4 billion from P15.1 billion in 2017 due to strong demand for mobile data. Consolidated service revenues went up by 10

percent to P140.2 billion.

Power subsidiary AC Energy Holdings Inc. posted a 16-percent surge in its net earnings to P4.1 billion, driven by its domestic thermal and renewable assets, as well as higher contribution from its investments in Indonesia.

Besides Indonesia, AC Energy also has assets in Vietnam and Australia. It expects to start building within the second quarter the 330-megawatt (MW) Ninh Thuan solar farm in Vietnam, and it will develop a wind power facility with AMI Renewables in that country’s Quang Binh province.

Robust growth Banking arm Bank of the Philippine Islands saw its net income increase by 3 percent to P23.1 billion, buoyed by the robust growth

in its core banking business, but tempered by higher provisions and operational spending.

Its total revenues grew by 11 percent to P78.5 billion on the back of a 16-percent growth in net interest income, which reached P55.8 billion. This amount resulted from a 9-percent improvement in average asset base and a 21-basis point expansion in net interest margin.

Water unit Manila Water SerVICES )NC S NET PROkT CLIMBED BY 6 percent, thanks to its newly acquired platforms in Thailand and Indonesia. Its billed volume rose by 3 percent to 503 million cubic meters, supported by the 28-percent positive tariff adjustment granted by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to be implemented on a staggered basis from 2018 to 2022.

In contrast, AC Industrial Technology Holdings Inc. (AC Industrials) saw its net earnings drop by 53 percent to P578 million, due to the weaker performance of its automotive business amid an industry-wide slowdown and startup losses from newly acquired businesses.

Ayala Corp. said it was raising its capital expenditure (capex) to P262 billion this year — a 5-percent jump from P249 billion in

2017 — the bulk of which would be used for Ayala Land and Globe, whose spending budget have been set at P130 billion and P63 billion, respectively.

German firm acquired )N A SEPARATE kLING !YALA #ORP SAID AC Industrials had executed an agreement to buy a controlling 75.1-percent stake in German firm C-Con Group, subject to certain conditions.

The conglomerate did not disclose the amount involved, but said it was less than 10 percent of its total equity. It said it would pay the full amount in cash upon closing the transaction.

The purchase, it said, will complement another German company it bought, MT Misslbeck Technologies GmbH, by offering end-to-end engineering, design and manufacturing services to its automotive customers. “[T]he addition of C-Con’s unique lightweight and high-strength CARBON kBER TECHNOLOGY FURTHER positions MT and AC Industrials to participate in the ongoing transformation of the mobility space,� it added.

Ayala Corp. shares shed P5 or 0.54 percent to end at P920 each on Wednesday.

San Miguel Food and Beverage nets P30.5B in 2018 LISTED San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (SMFB) reported on Wednesday that its net income grew to P30.5 billion last year, driven by the strong performance of its businesses.

In a disclosure, San Miguel Corp.’s food-and-drink subsidiary said the amount was an 8-percent increase FROM THE kGURE )TS CONSOLIdated revenues, it added, climbed by

14 percent to P286.4 billion.

The net earnings of SMFB units San Miguel Brewery Inc (SMB), San Miguel Pure Foods Co. Inc., and Ginebra San Miguel Inc. were not disclosed. But on a stand-alone basis, SMB saw a 14-percent jump in consolidated revenues to P129.2 billion in 2018 from P113.3 billion the year before. The growth was

Index

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

7,766.15

18.61

Ÿ

All Shares

4,800.67

4.87

Ÿ

Financials

1,764.80

15.39

Ÿ

Industrial

11,617.51

96.1

Ÿ

Holding Firms

7,695.11

-55.05

Ĺş

Services

1,568.57

-0.03

Ĺş

Mining and Oil

7,947.36

-3.11

Ĺş

Property

3,918.31

35.74

Ÿ

credited to the increased consumption of Red Horse and San Miguel Pale Pilsen, coupled with effective marketing campaigns and defense programs.

Pure Foods’ consolidated revenues surged by 13 percent to P132.3 billion from P117.4 billion in 2017, driven by its brands Magnolia, Purefoods, Tender Juicy, B-MEG, Dari Creme, Star

and La Pacita.

Ginebra generated revenues of P24.8 billion, a 19-percent increase from 2017’s P20.9 billion.

Its Chinese wine brand, Vino Kulafu, also showed healthy volume growth in the Visayas and Mindanao, San Miguel said. “Despite the high inflationary environment in the past year, we are pleased with the perfor-

HOLDING FIRMS

TOP ACTIVE STOCKS

SERVICES

Stock indices as of March 13, 2019

PSEi

ALL SHARES

MINING AND OIL

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

mance of our food and beverage businesses, which all delivered strong revenue growth,� San Miguel President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang said in the disclosure. “This is proof that our brands continue to resonate strongly with consumers,� he added. “Moving forward, we will continue to invest in our businesses

Security Name Ayala Land, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Ayala Corporation JG Summit Holdings, Inc. San Miguel Corporation BDO Unibank, Inc. International Container Terminal Services, Inc. SM Investments Corporation Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company San Miguel Food and Beverage, Inc. Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. LT Group, Inc. Jollibee Foods Corporation Aboitiz Power Corp.

Greenergy Holdings Incorporated Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. Alliance Global Group, Inc. PLDT Inc. Globe Telecom, Inc. Universal Robina Corporation

Last Price 42.85 37.65 920 63.2 172.4 132.8 118.3 931 78.9 107.4 58.95 16.52 316.4 35.45 2.45 87 14.98 1,119.00 1,851.00 144.8

Chg -0.05 0.95 -5 -1.8 -1.6 -1.2 -0.7 -15 2.9 -1.6 0.95 0.1 -0.6 0.45 -0.2 1 -0.02 12 -27 3.6

to meet the demands of growing consumption in the Philippines, and ensure that our quality products are always accessible to our CONSUMERS 7E ARE CONkDENT THAT this will lead to more sustainable earnings growth and value.�

3-&" SHARES kNISHED DOWN BY P1.60 or 1.47 percent to close at P107.40 apiece on Wednesday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

%Chg -0.12% 2.59% -0.54% -2.77% -0.92% -0.90% -0.59% -1.59% 3.82% -1.47% 1.64% 0.61% -0.19% 1.29% -7.55% 1.16% -0.13% 1.08% -1.44% 2.55%

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

Volume 8,636,800.00 8,928,100.00 282,450.00 3,931,130.00 1,167,710.00 1,419,930.00 1,570,750.00 185,490.00 2,067,550.00 1,359,630.00 2,226,770.00 7,674,000.00 364,290.00 2,840,300 35,381,000 1,052,850 5,764,300 74,370 44,120 526,130

Value(P) 370,005,925.00 333,566,440.00 259,918,785.00 248,218,711.50 202,349,738.00 188,258,570.00 185,830,110.00 172,593,880.00 161,716,496.00 145,739,921.00 131,010,124.00 126,521,046.00 115,340,046.00 100,131,730.00 91,328,420.00 90,628,439.50 86,037,228.00 82,898,010.00 82,179,420.00 75,103,384.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Mar 13, 2019 Mar 12, 2019 Mar 11, 2019 Mar 8, 2019 Mar 7, 2019 Mar 06, 2019 Mar 05, 2019 Mar 04, 2019 Mar 01, 2019 Feb 28, 2019 Feb 27, 2019 Feb 26, 2019 Feb 22, 2019 Feb 21, 2019 Feb 20, 2019 Feb 19, 2019 Feb 18, 2019 Feb 15, 2019 Feb 14, 2019 Feb 13, 2019 Feb 12, 2019 Feb 11, 2019 Feb 8, 2019 Feb 7, 2019 Feb 6, 2019 Feb 4, 2019 Feb 01, 2019 Jan 31, 2019 Jan 30, 2019 Jan 29, 2019

Open 7,726 7,728 7,815 7,869 7,807 7,675 7,700 7,632 7,712 7,920 7,962 7,996 7,940 7,947 7,849 7,923 7,925 7,965 7,960 8,040 8,077 8,088 8,092 8,093 8,091 8,132 8,039 7,999 8,039 8,087

High 7,766 7,774 7,824 7,884 7,882 7,821 7,735 7,698 7,754 7,920 7,973 7,996 7,962 7,947 7,945 7,939 7,964 8,000 7,996 8,040 8,084 8,106 8,096 8,127 8,214 8,149 8,166 8,099 8,047 8,087

Low 7,725 7,728 7,709 7,797 7,795 7,675 7,667 7,596 7,588 7,705 7,878 7,945 7,895 7,893 7,848 7,831 7,911 7,909 7,921 7,889 7,984 8,062 8,036 8,088 8,058 8,069 8,039 7,999 7,912 8,015

Close 7,766 7,748 7,709 7,797 7,882 7,821 7,671 7,675 7,642 7,705 7,889 7,988 7,962 7,931 7,939 7,834 7,911 7,909 7,991 7,920 8,010 8,062 8,071 8,100 8,058 8,069 8,144 8,007 7,980 8,051

CLOSE

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

Security Name Prime Media Holdings, Inc. SBS Philippines Corporation Boulevard Holdings, Inc. Republic Glass Holdings Corporation Benguet Corporation “A�

Prime Orion Philippines, Inc. DFNN, Inc. )RUXP 3DFLÂżF ,QF DoubleDragon Properties Corp.

First Gen Corporation Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company GT Capital Holdings, Inc. Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Shares Series “A�

'HO 0RQWH 3DFLÂżF /LPLWHG D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Incorporated Marcventures Holdings, Inc. Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. RFM Corporation Universal Robina Corporation ISM Communications Corporation

Volume 13,000.00 85,100.00 427,220,000.00 6,000.00 112,000.00 7,704,000.00 158,200.00 250,000.00 266,900.00 2,955,300.00 2,067,550.00 50.00

Value 15,920.00 737,719.00 33,851,030.00 16,140.00 134,270.00 23,713,010.00 1,136,380.00 59,490.00 5,580,555.00 63,085,560.00 161,716,496.00 45,000.00

Last Price 1.21 8.79 0.079 2.69 1.2 3.12 7.3 0.25 21.05 21.5 78.9 900

Chg 0.08 0.45 0.004 0.13 0.05 0.13 0.3 0.01 0.8 0.8 2.9 29

%Chg 7.08% 5.40% 5.33% 5.08% 4.35% 4.35% 4.29% 4.17% 3.95% 3.86% 3.82% 3.33%

2,300.00 2,178,200.00 161,000.00 11,731,000.00 8,928,100.00 1,000.00 526,130.00 2,774,000.00

14,429.00 22,449,378.00 180,430.00 23,100,580.00 333,566,440.00 4,790.00 75,103,384.00 14,877,982.00

6.29 10.36 1.12 1.92 37.65 4.79 144.8 5.41

0.19 0.28 0.03 0.05 0.95 0.12 3.6 0.13

3.11% 2.78% 2.75% 2.67% 2.59% 2.57% 2.55% 2.46%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP LOSERS

HIGH

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

Security Name Keppel Philippine Holdings, Inc. “A�

Greenergy Holdings Incorporated Zeus Holdings, Inc. I-Remit, Inc. Agrinurture, Inc. PTFC Redevelopment corporation Vulcan Industrial & Mining City & Land Developers, Inc. Phinma Petroleum and Geothermal, Inc. Philippine Bank of Communications SOCResources, Inc. Victorias Milling Company, Inc. Phinma Corporation Berjaya Philippines, Inc. JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Macroasia Corporation Abacore Capital Holdings, Inc. Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation Geograce Resources Philippines, Inc. ABS-CBN Corporation

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

Volume 5,000.00 35,381,000.00 60,860,000.00 48,000.00 417,700.00 400.00 5,895,000.00 227,000.00 29,000.00 2,000.00 30,000.00 25,000.00 10,300.00 572,000.00 3,931,130.00 876,100.00 7,082,000.00 43,707,000.00 3,360,000.00 190,600.00

Value 24,000.00 91,328,420.00 20,586,600.00 70,280.00 6,081,702.00 17,220.00 7,728,670.00 202,450.00 91,750.00 44,600.00 22,500.00 63,880.00 92,741.00 1,581,650.00 248,218,711.50 17,325,668.00 5,384,410.00 51,753,380.00 826,000.00 3,956,240.00

Last Price 4.8 2.45 0.335 1.47 14.1 43.05 1.31 0.88 3.16 22 0.75 2.55 9 2.79 63.2 19.42 0.76 1.19 0.249 20.8

Chg -0.76 -0.2 -0.025 -0.1 -0.8 -2.15 -0.06 -0.04 -0.14 -0.9 -0.03 -0.1 -0.3 -0.09 -1.8 -0.52 -0.02 -0.03 -0.006 -0.5

%Chg -13.67% -7.55% -6.94% -6.37% -5.37% -4.76% -4.38% -4.35% -4.24% -3.93% -3.85% -3.77% -3.23% -3.13% -2.77% -2.61% -2.56% -2.46% -2.35% -2.35%

B4

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

Foreign Business

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Cathay Pacific returns to profit

H

ONG KONG: Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific on Wednesday ANNOUNCED A NET PROkT OF (+ BILLION MILLION LAST YEAR ENDING TWO SUCCESSIVE annual losses after a massive overhaul.

The recovery, which compares WITH A MILLION LOSS IN

also came in a year that saw it suffer an embarrassing data breach that dented its reputation and could prove costly.

The result was in line with a preliminary announcement last month that the airline was back in the black as investors took comfort

in the turnaround after two grim years for Asia’s largest carrier. “Overcapacity in passenger markets resulted in intense competition with other airlines, particuLARLY THOSE FROM MAINLAND #HINA u SAID CHAIRMAN *OHN 3LOSAR IN A statement with the latest report. “But the passenger business benEkTED FROM CAPACITY GROWTH A FOCUS

Q MTF FROM B1

RCC’s improved evidence and allocation of legal expenses in shareholder litigation.

The extent of shareholder governance index, on the other hand, measures shareholders’ rights in corporate governance by distinguishing three dimensions of good governance--1) shareholders’ rights and role in major corporate decisions, 2) governance safeguards protecting shareholders from undue board control and entrenchment and 3) corporate transparency on ownership stakes, compensation, audits and fiNANCIAL PROSPECTS HTTP WWW DOINGBUSINESS ORG EN DATA EXPLORETOPICS PROTECTING MINORITY INVESTORS FAQ Our RCC introduced several amendments and new provisions to improve the protection of the minority shareholder, as set out BELOW • Companies vested with public INTEREST #OMPANIES VESTED WITH public interest are required to have at least two independent directors, have its material contracts APPROVED BY AT LEAST OF THE entire membership of the board, with at least a majority of the independent directors approving the

same, and submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a directors’ compensation report, directors’ appraisal or performance report. r %LECTION REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS a) Upon the application of any stockholders, the SEC may summarily hold the election of directors, whenever the same is not held WITHIN DAYS FROM THE DATE OF A SCHEDULED ELECTION AFTER VERIkCATION OF THE UNJUSTIkED NON HOLDING OF THE election, and b) Removal of directors may be without cause, provided that such removal will not deprive minority stockholders of the right of representation to which they may be entitled. r $IRECTOR S COMPENSATION Directors or trustees are now prohibited from participating in the determination of their own per diems or compensation. Stockholders representing majority of the outstanding capital stock or members may grant the directors’ or trustees’ compensation and the amount thereof at a regular or special meeting. r #ONlICT OF INTEREST $IRECTORS or trustees who have a potential interest in any related party trans-

on customer service and improved REVENUE MANAGEMENT u HE SAID ALSO CITING gSTRONGu CARGO BUSINESS 3HARES IN THE kRM JUMPED percent in Hong Kong after the announcement.

Cathay has been overhauling ITS BUSINESS AFTER POSTING ITS kRST LOSSES FOR EIGHT YEARS IN kRING MORE THAN WORKERS AND PARING OVERSEAS OFkCES AND CREW STATIONS as it faced stiff competition from budget rivals in China.

It also added international routes and better on-board services in a bid to compete with well-heeled Middle Eastern long-

distance carriers.

Slosar said “the forecast strength of the US dollar and uncertainty due to geopolitical discord and GLOBAL TRADE TENSIONSu ARE EXPECTED to dampen passenger and cargo demand in the coming year.

However, he added the company REMAINED gCONkDENTu IN ITS TRANSformation programme.

Cathay confirmed earlier this month it was in talks to buy a stake in Hong Kong Express as it competes to counter the growth of budget carriers in the region, but the report on Wednesday did not mention the potential acquisition.

Hong Kong Express — the city’s sole budget carrier — is owned by (.! 'ROUP A STRUGGLING #HINESE conglomerate that has been looking to lower its debt pile. The group also owns Hong Kong Airlines, another Cathay competitor that has FOUND ITSELF IN kNANCIAL DIFkCULTIES in recent months.

Despite the turnaround, the year was not without trouble for Cathay.

In October it sparked outrage when it admitted to a massive BREACH kVE MONTHS AFTER HACKERS MADE OFF WITH THE DATA OF MILlion customers, including some

passport numbers and credit card details.

The airline faces potentially steep payouts in Europe, which boasts STRONG PROTECTION LAWS AND kNANCIAL penalties for companies that do not swiftly own up to data breaches.

"RITISH BASED LAW kRM 30' ,AW has already launched a group action against the carrier over the breach to help customers seek compensation.

This year Cathay’s website misTAKENLY OFFERED kRST AND BUSINESS CLASS lIGHTS FOR A FRACTION OF THEIR value in two high-profile and costly blunders.

AFP

action must recuse themselves from voting on the approval of the related party transaction. • Information to stockholders OR MEMBERS "OARD OF DIRECTORS or trustees are required to present more information at each regular meeting of the stockholders or members. These information include detailed assessment of the corporation’s performance and strategies, explanation of DIVIDEND POLICY DIRECTOR TRUSTEE qualification, profiles and atTENDANCE REPORT DIRECTOR TRUSTEE compensation report, director’s disclosure on self-dealing, and such other information which the SEC may require in the interest of good governance and the protection of minority shareholders.

A stockholder or member may propose any matter for inclusion at any regular or special stockholders’ meeting. r 6OTING A 4HE RIGHT TO VOTE OF the stockholders or members may now be exercised through remote communication or in absentia, and b) Any stockholder not duly NOTIkED MAY ATTEND THE MEETING and expressly state at the beginning of such meeting that the purpose of his attendance is to object to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. r #ALLING OF MEETINGS )F THERE

is no person authorized or the person authorized unjustly refuses to call a meeting, the SEC may, upon petition of a stockholder or member, order the holding of a meeting. • Maintenance of corporate reCORDS 4HE LIST OF CORPORATE RECORDS to be maintained by corporations was expanded to include ownership and group structures, intragroup relations, ownership data, BENEkCIAL OWNERSHIP AND A RECORD of all business transactions. r )NSPECTION OF RECORDS A ! stockholder’s right to copy records is expanded from being allowed to merely copying excerpts of corporate records to being permitted to reproduce corporate records, and b) If the corporation denies or does not act on demand for inSPECTION AND OR REPRODUCTION THE aggrieved party may report such denial or inaction to the SEC, and WITHIN kVE DAYS FROM RECEIPT

the SEC can conduct an investigation and issue an order directing inspection. r 3%# S POWERS 3%# S POWERS HAVE BEEN EXPANDED SIGNIkCANTLY to include the power to hold corporations in direct and indirect contempt, issue subpoenas and writs of execution and attachment and remove erring directors. The SEC has the power to promote corporate governance and pro-

tect the minority shareholders, through the issuance of regulations consistent with international best practices.

Indeed, while the above RCC provisions are a welcome addition to our corporation law, they also IMPOSE SIGNIkCANT OBLIGATIONS ON the corporation, through its directors, trustees and majority stockholders. Such provisions, coupled with SEC’s increased power to intervene directly on certain matters and even to impose penalties or sanctions, should result in our having a corporate regime which protects minority shareholders and promotes good governance.

We hope these provisions also translate to an improved EODB ranking for the Philippines.

Q REFORMS FROM B1

%UNEY -ARIE * -ATA 0EREZ IS A CPA-Lawyer and the Managing Partner of Mata-Perez, Tamayo & Francisco (MTF Counsel). She is a corporate, M&A and tax lawyer and the president of the Asia-Oceana Tax Consultants Association. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. If you have any question or comment regarding this article, you may email the author at info@mtfcounsel. com or visit MTF website at www. mtfcounsel.com.

FDI drop '$0 0HILIPPINE REAL '$0 GROWTH and the real US Treasury Bond rate. u4HE DROP IN WORLD '$0 BY BPS BASIS POINTS SHAVED 0HILIPPINE &$) lOWS BY PERCENT OF '$0 ,IKEWISE THE BP (basis point) increase in the US Tbond rate reduced Philippine FDI

BY PERCENT OF '$0 u IT ADDED FDI would have grown by an ESTIMATED PERCENT OF '$0 OR MILLION ABSENT THESE TWO factors, the department continued.

Flows are expected to improve going forward but “meanwhile, the Philippines should implement reforms for a better investment ENVIRONMENT u IT SAID The department noted that red tape would be drastically cut through the implementation of TradeNet.ph and other initiatives to facilitate exports. Foreign ownership restrictions should also be eased, it added. “The Philippines has one of the most restrictive investment regimes in Asia. For example, the Public Service Act should be AMENDED TO REDEkNE PUBLIC UTILIties and enhance competition to BRING DOWN COSTS u IT SAID MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

it explained.

With this, the agency recommended a careful ANALYSIS OF THE IMPOSITION OF TAXES ON kNANCIAL SERVICES TO PREVENT gUNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES u “While taxes are meant to raise funds for the taxes had increased friction costs — the total government to pump prime the economy, they direct and indirect costs associated with the execu- may also serve as discouragement to investors TION OF A kNANCIAL TRANSACTION AND BUSINESSES u IT SAID In the banking industry alone, it said that taxes The PIDS also cautioned that investors and — particularly DST — had gone up by as much businesses could instead turn to the PhilipAS PERCENT pines’ Association of Southeast Asian Nations g(IGHER $34 MEANS COSTLIER kNANCIAL TRANS- neighbors. actions in the country. It is charged to each “The threshold for participants in the market transaction and increases transaction costs and should be determined to test their preference for is thus viewed as a friction cost which could 0HILIPPINE kNANCIAL SERVICES u IT NOTED DISCOURAGE INVESTORS OR INHIBIT THE lOW OF TRADE u MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Q COSTS FROM B1

State think

Q KRITZ FROM B1

Drop PCC

less of scale subject to PCC review. That is, after all, the only effective way the PCC can carry out its implied mandate to curb the market dominance of a relatively small number of powerful conglomerates whose unchallenged existence has severely retarded the country’s economic development. Most importantly, it would shift the debate from the mere details about government’s effort to manage a controlled economy to the fundamental and far-reaching question of whether or not the government should even be ATTEMPTING TO DO SO IN THE kRST PLACE As a practical matter, the elimination of transaction thresholds need not seriously hamper M&A activity or discourage prospective investors; all it would require is a proper level of budgetary and manpower support for the PCC to carry out a greater volume of work. It would also have the ADDED BENEkT OF OBLIGING COMPANIES TO CARRY OUT much better due diligence, and developing strategies that give more attention to market impacts than they do now.

Of course, the experiment might result in a consensus forming that a regulatory contrivance like the Competition Act and the PCC ARE NOT BENEkCIAL TO THE ECONOMY AFTER ALL AND should be eliminated. That might not be a bad outcome; despite the strength of the Philippine economy, the impression persists that it is over-regulated in the wrong ways, and as a result is less than it could be. Solving that basic problem requires making an honest assessment of why the government regulates what it does rather than how much regulation it imposes; addressing the role of the PCC, which is still NEW ENOUGH NOT TO HAVE kRMLY ENTRENCHED itself, would be a good place to start.

multi-industry conglomerates, the Philippine business landscape being what it is, determining which of the connected businesses involved is THE gULTIMATE PARENTu IN THE DEAL WOULD BE TOO complicated, Balisacan said. The chances of getting it wrong, that is, wrong enough to allow a challenged party to question the PCC’s decision in court, are quite high. )NSTEAD OF DEBATING WHAT gACCEPTABLEu THRESHolds should be, the concerned stakeholders ought to consider what the real purpose of the thresholds is. From the point of view of the PCC, the threshold represents a level at which AN - ! TRANSACTION IS ECONOMICALLY SIGNIkCANT beyond the scope of the businesses involved. In an objective sense, however, any M&A transaction IS ECONOMICALLY SIGNIkCANT AND HAS AN IMPACT ON the market in which the parties to the transaction are involved; the only real variable is scale.

Businesses, of course, would very much prefer there was no oversight of competition. In that sense, the thresholds followed by the PCC repRESENT A SORT OF COMPROMISE (IGH ENOUGH THAT most business can be conducted without government interference, but hopefully low enough that M&A transactions that could result in substantial changes in the market are vetted. As with most compromises, such an arrangement will only result in everyone concerned being at least partly DISSATISkED WITH THE OUTCOME A more ideal model, albeit one that would BE A GREAT DEAL MORE DIFkCULT TO MANAGE WOULD be to drop the transaction and asset thresholds entirely, and make every M&A transaction regard- %MAIL BEN KRITZ MANILATIMES NET

Agribusiness Collective action and crosscutting strategies Searca boosts soybean projects in Philippines I

˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

(Second of two parts) N THE kRST PART OF THIS COLUMN SERIES WE DISCUSSED HOW TO MAKE THE COUNTRY S AGRICULTURE SEC TOR COMPETITIVE THROUGH COLLECTIVE ACTION THAT INCLUDES ORGANIZING FARMERS INTO COOPERATIVES OR BUSI NESS ENTITIES 4HE END RESULT SHOULD BE AN AGRICULTURE SECTOR THAT CAN SUPPLY ALMOST ALL THE FOOD NEEDS OF OUR COUNTRY INCLUDING PAMINTA PEP PER AND TAMARIND THAT WERE ABUN DANT LOCALLY DECADES BACK BUT ARE NOW IMPORTED IN LARGE QUANTITIES !ND FOR SURE WE DO NOT WANT TO BECOME SOLELY DEPENDENT ON THE FOREIGN MARKET FOR OTHER CROPS

ESPECIALLY RICE .OW ) WILL DISCUSS THE CROSS CUTTING STRATEGIES TO MAKE THE 0HILIPPINE AGRICULTURE SECTOR COM PETITIVE 4HE CROSSCUTTING STRATEGIES COULD BE THE BASIS FOR THE PRO GRAMS AND PROJECTS AND POLICIES REQUIRED TO LEVEL UP THE COUNTRY S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 4HE SIX CROSSCUTTING STRATEGIES ARE m !DDRESSING CRITICAL ELEMENTS RELATED TO GOOD WATER MANAGE MENT PROTECTION OF FORESTS FARM MECHANIZATION TECHNOLOGY TRAIN ING AND AFFORDABLE CREDIT m !DOPTING AGRO INDUSTRIALIZA TION AS A STRATEGY m $IVERSIFYING AGRICULTURE BY PROMOTING MORE COMMODITIES PRODUCTS m $EVELOPING MORE VALUE ADDED AGRICULTURE BASED PRODUCTS m 4APPING THE POWER OF DIGITAL AGRICULTURE m !CTIVELY SEEKING INTERNATIONAL TRADE OR EXPORTS

Executing the crosscutting strategies !DDRESSING CRITICAL ELEMENTS RE LATED TO GOOD WATER MANAGEMENT WILL ALLOW THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR TO GROW BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS

BECAUSE WITHOUT WATER WE CANNOT GROW CROPS )T S THAT SIMPLE "ESIDES INCREASING THE COVER AGE OF LANDS COVERED BY NATIONAL

COMMUNAL AND SMALL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO REHABILITATE MAJOR WATERSHED AREAS IN THE 0HILIPPINES AND HAR VEST RAINWATER 4ODAY WE HARVEST ONLY ABOUT PERCENT OF RAINWATER

WHILE )NDIA S EFFORT RESULTS IN AP PROXIMATELY PERCENT RAINWATER HARVESTED 7HEN THERE ARE TORREN TIAL RAINS OR STORMS MUCH OF THE WATER lOODS THE PLAINS AND ERODES SOIL SEVERELY AFFECTING FARM AND INLAND kSHERY PRODUCTION &OREST PROTECTION CAN FALL UNDER GOOD WATER MANAGEMENT AS WATER SHEDS ARE PRIMARILY MADE UP OF TREES BESIDES SHRUBS AND GRASSES 7E NEED TO HAVE A MASSIVE REFOR ESTATION AND GREENING PROGRAM !S FOR FARM MECHANIZATION THE 2ICE 4ARIFFICATION ,AW ALLOCATES 0 BILLION EACH YEAR FROM THIS YEAR TO FOR THE 2ICE #OM PETITIVENESS %NHANCEMENT &UND

WHERE 0 BILLION OR PERCENT OF THE FUNDING WILL BE INVESTED TO PROVIDE RICE FARMERS MORE MA CHINES AND EQUIPMENT -ECHANIZATION HELPS PAVE THE WAY FOR THE gTECHNOLOGIZATIONu OF THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR AND WITH THAT WE MUST TRAIN OUR FARMERS TO BECOME TECHNOLOGICALLY ADEPT BESIDES ACQUIRING THE LATEST KNOWL EDGE ON FARMING PRACTICES !S FOR AFFORDABLE CREDIT IT IS HIGH TIME A POLICY BE PUT IN PLACE

REQUIRING THE ,AND "ANK OF THE 0HILIPPINES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT kNANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO ALLOCATE

WAYS OF THE OASIS DR. WILLIAM DAR

PART OF THEIR EARNINGS TO ESTAB LISH A FUND FOR CONCESSIONAL LENDING TO SMALLHOLDER FARMERS AND kSHER FOLK 4HE SECOND COMPONENT OF THE CROSSCUTTING STRATEGY IS TO PUSH AGRO INDUSTRIALIZATION

PAVING THE WAY FOR SMALLHOLDER STAKEHOLDERS IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR TO ALSO LINK UP WITH MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE AGRIBUSINESS AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY %VENTUALLY LINKING AGRICUL TURE SMALLHOLDERS WITH THE LARGE FOOD PROCESSING AND AGRIBUSINESS FIRMS CAN HELP DIVERSIFY CROPS PLANTED IN OUR COUNTRY !MONG THE HIGH VALUE CROPS THAT CAN FORM PART OF THE DIVERSIkCATION STRATEGY ARE COF FEE CACAO PALM OIL CASSAVA

SOYBEAN AMONG OTHERS ) MUST ALSO EMPHASIZE THAT WE SHOULD PRODUCE FARM COM MODITIES TO REPLACE THOSE THAT WE CURRENTLY IMPORT IN LARGE QUANTITIES LIKE ORANGES AND

AS ) MENTIONED EARLIER COFFEE

CACAO AND SOYBEAN BOTH IN RAW AND SEMI PROCESSED FORM !LSO INCLUDED IN THE FARM COMMODI TIES THAT WE SHOULD PRODUCE IN LARGER QUANTITIES AND TYPES ARE THOSE WITH VALUE ADDED BOTH IN SEMI PROCESSED FORM FOR IN DUSTRY S USE AND kNISHED FORM FOR CONSUMERS 7ITH MORE VALUE ADDED FARM BASED PRODUCTS WE CAN START SHIPPING MORE PRODUCTS ABROAD

BUT WITH FARMERS COOPERATIVES ALSO GETTING THE CHANCE TO EXPORT ASSURING MORE INCLUSIVE GROWTH IN THE RURAL AREAS !ND NOW TO THE LAST COMPO NENT OF THE CROSSCUTTING STRATE GIES TAPPING THE POWER OF DIGI TAL AGRICULTURE g$IGITIZATIONu WOULD ALLOW SMALLHOLDERS IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR TO EXPAND THEIR MARKET REACH AND EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE BY TAPPING INTO THE )NTERNET OF 4HINGS )O4

AMONG OTHERS /NE OF BEST SCENARIOS IN THE FUTURE IS FOR SMALLHOLDER FARM ERS kSHER FOLK ACCESSING THE POW ER OF )O4 )NFORMATION TARGETED FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMERS CAN BE ACCESSED HELPING THEM PURCHASE INPUTS AT LOWER PRICES GET BETTER PRICES FOR THEIR PRODUCE AND LINK THEM TO MARKETS )N ENDING THIS COLUMN SERIES

ONE MAY ASK 7HICH COMES kRST COLLECTIVE ACTION OR CROSSCUT TING STRATEGIES 4HE ANSWER IS SIMPLE #OLLEC TIVE ACTION 7ITHOUT COLLECTIVE ACTION SMALLHOLDER FARMERS AND kSHER FOLK WOULD LIKELY BE ISOLATED FROM EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT TO LEVEL UP THE COUNTRY S AGRICULTURE SECTOR &URTHERMORE GOVERNMENT CANNOT DO IT ALONE THUS THE CO OPERATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS A PREREQUISITE FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION 4HE OTHER ACTORS FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION ARE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS NONGOVERNMENT ORGANI ZATIONS INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZA TIONS AND THE YOUTH WHO ARE STILL THE FUTURE OF FARMING #OLLECTIVE ACTION AND CROSS CUTTING STRATEGIES ARE WHAT WE ALSO NEED TO ADDRESS AN IMPEND ING WATER CRISIS !ND THAT MAY BE THE TOPIC ) WILL DISCUSS IN MY NEXT COLUMN SERIES

B5

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

L

OS BAÑOS, Laguna: the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca), in partnership with the Department of AgricultureBureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), conducted a training on “Financial Viability and 0ROkTABILITY !NALYSIS OF !GRICULTURAL 4ECHNOLOGIES and Enterprises” at the Searca headquarters here.

4HE TRAINING WHICH WAS FOR THE SECOND BATCH OF PARTICI PANTS FOCUSED ON INDIVIDU ALS ENGAGED IN THE IMPLEMEN TATION OF VARIOUS PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS RELATED TO SOYBEAN 4HE PARTICIPANTS IN THE TRAINING THAT SPANNED SIX DAYS FROM &EBRU ARY TO CAME FROM STATE COL LEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NONGOVERN MENT ORGANIZATIONS THE REGIONAL OFkCES OF THE $!

AND THE $! "!2 )N A STATEMENT 3EARCA SAID THE TRAINING AIMED TO PROVIDE KNOWL EDGE AND IMPROVE THE SKILLS OF THE RESEARCH PERSONNEL FROM VARIOUS ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN CONDUCTING kNANCIAL VIABILITY AND PROkTABILITY ANALYSIS

g4HE MAJOR TOPICS COVERED WERE COST AND RETURNS ANALYSIS BREAK EVEN ANALYSIS PARTIAL BUDGETING

BREAK EVEN BUDGETING AND FI NANCIAL AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSES u 3EARCA SAID g4HE TRAINING WORKSHOP WAS A COMBINATION OF DISCUSSIONS AND LABORATORY EXERCISES WITH HANDS ON EXPERIENCE ON COMPUTER APPLICA TIONS OF VARIOUS ANALYTICAL TOOLS USED IN THE EVALUATION OF THE PROF ITABILITY OF PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES AND ENTERPRISES u IT ADDED )N HIS OPENING REMARKS .ICO MEDES %LEAZAR $! "!2 DIRECTOR

COMMENDED THE SOYBEAN PROJECT IMPLEMENTERS SINCE THE AGENCY HE HEADS HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ITS

Q Bureau of Agricultural Research Director Nicomedes Eleazar.

SEARCA PHOTOS PROJECTS FOR THE COMMODITY g4HE TRAINING IS IMPORTANT SO PARTICIPANTS CAN SHARE THEIR KNOWL EDGE AND SKILLS IN CONDUCTING kNANCIAL VIABILITY AND PROkTABIL ITY ANALYSIS FOR RESEARCH TECHNICAL PERSONNEL OF VARIOUS ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS u %LEAZAR SAID 2EITERATING THAT CONDUCT OF k NANCIAL ANALYSIS HELPS STRENGTHEN TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION

HE SAID THE ANALYSIS SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE THE CONDUCT OR DUR ING THE PREPARATION OF PACKAGING THE PROJECT %LEAZAR ALSO ENCOURAGED THE PAR TICIPANTS TO ECHO THE INFORMATION

Q Nancy Landicho, program specialist and officer in charge for Project Development and Technical Services at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture.

AND KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED THROUGH THE TRAINING TO THEIR COLLEAGUES /N BEHALF OF &ERNANDO 3ANCHEZ *R 3EARCA 'OVERNING "OARD #HAIR MAN AND 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIP PINES ,OS "AÄOS CHANCELLOR .ANCY ,ANDICHO THE AGENCY S PROGRAM SPECIALIST AND OFFICER IN CHARGE FOR 0ROJECT $EVELOPMENT AND 4ECHNICAL 3ERVICES UNDERSCORED THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES IN INCREASING PRO DUCTIVITY ESPECIALLY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE AGRICULTURAL ENTER PRISES WHICH ARE CONSIDERED MAJOR DRIVERS OF 0HILIPPINE AGRICULTURE BASED INDUSTRIES

Filipino firm designs tractor for sugar industry IN AN EFFORT TO HELP BOOST THE COUN TRY S SUGARCANE INDUSTRY A &ILIPINO DESIGNED EQUIPMENT WAS RECENTLY INTRODUCED IN THE MARKET BY THE $ELGADO "ROTHERS $ELBROS 'ROUP

ONE OF THE COUNTRY S PIONEERS IN AGRICULTURE AND LOGISTICS INNOVATION $ELBROS THROUGH ITS SUGARCANE FARM SOLUTIONS MEMBER COMPANY

#ANE %XPRESS #ANE8 REVOLUTION IZED TRADITIONAL HARVESTING LOAD ING AND HAULING AIMED AT MODERN IZING AND OPTIMIZING SUGARCANE FARMING IN THE 0HILIPPINES #ANE8 IS THE FIRST TO DEPLOY THE FEET TRIPLE AXLE )NTERMODAL 4RAILERS WHICH EMPLOY THE COM PANY S gDRAG AND DROPu MODEL AND CAN HAUL MULTIPLE LOADS IN ONE DAY EFkCIENTLY SHORTENING OVERALL DELIVERY TIME OF SUGARCANE g7ITH OUR MODERNIZED SOLU TIONS WE AIM NOT ONLY TO BRIDGE THE LABOR GAP BUT ALSO CONTRIB UTE TO THE SUGARCANE INDUSTRY S POSITIVE OUTPUT BY IMPROVING THE CURRENT HARVESTING LOADING AND DELIVERY MODEL u SAID #ANE8 -AN AGING 0ARTNER 3EBASTIAN ,EDESMA !MONG SOUTHEAST !SIAN COUN TRIES THE 0HILIPPINES SUGAR INDUSTRY

Q The Cane Express by the Delgado Brothers Group can revolutionize sugar cane cultivation in the Philippines.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

IS PLAGUED BY HIGHER PRODUCTION COSTS FROM INEFkCIENT FARM PRACTICES

LABOR COSTS AND LACK OF kNANCING AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT 4HROUGH #ANE8 TRUCKS MECHA NIZED CANE HARVESTERS AND LOADERS ARE EXPECTED TO CUT HAULING HAR VESTING AND LOADING TIME ALLOWING FARMERS TO FOCUS ON GROWING CROPS AS BEST AS THEY CAN AND FOR SUGAR MILLS TO GET THE FRESHEST SUGARCANE 4HE COMPANY SAID #ANE8 TRUCKS ALLOW FOR THREE TO FOUR TRIPS WITH BIGGER LOADS FOR HAULING COM PARED TO THE CURRENT PROCESS THAT IS LIMITED TO TWO TRIPS A DAY )TS MECHANIZED HARVESTERS CAN CUT

HECTARES PER DAY AS OPPOSED TO TRADITIONAL FARMING THAT TAKES PEOPLE THREE TO FOUR DAYS TO HARVEST ONE HECTARE OF LAND !DDITIONALLY

MANUAL LOADING USUALLY TAKES UP TO THREE TO FOUR HOURS TO FILL A WHEELER TRUCK WHILE MECHA NIZED LOADERS EFkCIENTLY CUT THE PROCESS TO JUST MINUTES 4HE $ELBROS 'ROUP IS TARGETING TO DOUBLE ITS CURRENT lEET OF HARVESTERS AND SEVEN LOADERS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS COMMITTING OVER 0 MILLION PESOS IN EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL INVESTMENT "Y THE COMPANY ALSO SEES AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND ITS

SERVICES FROM SIMPLY HARVESTING

LOADING AND HAULING TO FULL END TO END FARMING WHICH INCLUDES PLANTING FERTILIZATION CULTIVATION AND FARM MANAGEMENT SERVICES !T PRESENT #ANE8 EQUIPMENT IS USED IN MAJOR SUGAR PRODUCING PROV INCES IN THE COUNTRY SUCH AS .EGROS

"UKIDNON #AVITE AND "ATANGAS g!S SEEN THROUGH THE YEARS $EL BROS IS COMMITTED TO MODERNIZING AGRICULTURE AND HELPING FARMERS PRODUCE MORE WITH THEIR LIMITED RESOURCES THROUGH OUR TECHNOL OGY u $ELBROS 'ROUP -ANAGING $IRECTOR *OSE 0AOLO $ELGADO SAID EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

SLAC proves 11 MT/ha palay harvest possible ,%!$).' HYBRID RICE PRODUCER 3, !GRITECH #ORP 3,!# HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR FARMERS IN SEVERAL PROV INCES IN THE COUNTRY TO BOOST THEIR FARM PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME BY PLANTING 3, ( 3UPER (YBRID 2ICE 3EEDS IN A BID TO HELP INCREASE THE OVERALL LOCAL RICE PRODUCTION AND BE MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE FACE OF LIBERALIZED RICE IMPORTS 3,!# IS A PRIVATE COMPANY EN GAGED IN RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PRO DUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF HYBRID RICE SEED AND PREMIUM QUALITY RICE *OSE "ERNAL A YEAR OLD RICE FARMER FROM 3ONQUIL 3TA "AR BARA 0ANGASINAN REPORTED PALAY UNMILLED RICE HARVEST OF METRIC TONS PER HECTARE -4 HA

NEARLY TRIPLE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE YIELD OF -4 HA 0RODUCING CAVANS

KILOGRAMS PER CAVAN FROM HIS ONE HECTARE FARM "ERNAL EARNED 0 FROM HIS HARVEST (E EXPLAINED THAT FARMERS HARVEST REACHED ONLY CAVANS WITH INBRED SEEDS LOWER THAN THE TO CAVANS FROM THE USE OF HYBRID RICE SEEDS g4HE USE OF HYBRID RICE SEEDS NOT ONLY HELPED ME AND FAMILY BUT ALSO OUR COMMUNITY u "ERNAL SAID IN &ILIPINO (E ALSO ATTRIBUTED HIS HIGH YIELD ON THE USE OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS !NOTHER RICE FARMER FROM 3AN .ICOLAS OF 3AN 3IMON 0AMPAN GA ALSO POSTED HIGHER YIELD FROM PLANTING 3, ( HARVESTING PALAY AT -4 HA "OY 0ANGAN

STARTED USING 3, ( IN 3INCE THEN HE

HAS BEEN REPORTING A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN HIS PALAY HARVEST FROM A MEASLY CAVANS PER HECTARE TO A RECORD HIGH OF CAVANS AT KILOS PER CAVAN g) STARTED USING HYBRID RICE SEEDS IN AND ) FOUND OUT THAT AMONG THE VARIETIES OF HYBRID SEEDS ) USE THE 3, ( COULD PRODUCE THE HIGHEST VOLUME OF PALAY 3O ) KEPT PLANTING 3, ( UNTIL NOW u 0ANGAN SAID (E SAID HE REALIZED A NET INCOME OF 0 FROM UTILIZING 3, ( IN HIS HECTARE RICE kELD &URTHERMORE %LNIE %NCABO A FARMER FROM -ANAGOK -ALAYBALAY #ITY "UKIDNON DEMONSTRATED A YIELD OF A -4 HA OF PALAY SAY ING HARVEST WAS POSSIBLE THROUGH HYBRID RICE FARMING g) NEVER IMAGINED ) COULD DOUBLE MY HARVEST TO INCREASE MY INCOME

UNTIL 3, ( HYBRID RICE SEEDS WERE INTRODUCED TO FARMERS IN OUR PROV INCE u %NCABO SAID IN 6ISAYAN DIALECT (IS INCOME FROM USING HYBRID SEEDS IS MORE THAN 0 PER HARVEST !S MORE AND MORE RICE HAS TO BE PRODUCED ON LESS LAND THE $EPART MENT OF !GRICULTURE $! IS PUSHING FARMERS TO USE HYBRID RICE SEEDS 3INCE 3,!# HAS BEEN THE MAJOR PARTNER OF $! IN INCREASING THE RICE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE COUNTRY THROUGH HYBRID RICE TECHNOLOGY g7ITH THE CONTINUOUS PART NERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS OUR &ILIPINO FARMERS 3, !GRITECH S GOAL TO HELP ACHIEVE RICE SELF SUFkCIENCY IN THE 0HILIPPINES IS REALLY POSSIBLE u (ENRY ,IM "ON ,IONG 3,!# CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER SAID EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

Silage shows promise for dairy production

Q Farmers prepare to bag silage made from corn plants. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

4(% USE OF SILAGE AS FEED FOR DAIRY ANIMALS CAN INCREASE MILK PRODUCTION TO LITER PER HEAD DAILY FROM LITER PER HEAD DAILY A RESULT OF THE PROJECT TITLED g!DOPTION AND #OMMERCIALIZATION OF 'REEN #ORN 'REEN #ORN BASED 3ILAGE

(AYLAGE AND 5--" 0RODUCTION FOR $AIRY #ATTLE IN #AGAYAN 6ALLEY u 5--" IS UREA MOLASSES MINERAL BLOCK 3ILAGE IS SOURCED FROM THE WHOLE CORN PLANT WHICH IS USUALLY DISCARDED AFTER THE COBS HAVE BEEN HARVESTED 4HE PROJECT IS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE )SABELA 3TATE 5NIVERSITY )35 IN

COLLABORATION WITH THE $EPARTMENT OF !GRICULTURE #AGAYAN 6ALLEY 2EGION OFFICE WITH FUNDING FROM THE "UREAU OF !GRICULTURAL 2ESEARCH "!2 ,EAD ING THE PROJECT WERE .ILO 0ADILLA AND $IOSDADO #AÄETE OF )35 !CCORDING TO AN )35 REPORT THE PROJECT WAS PILOTED BY THE -ALAYA $EVELOPMENT #OOP -$# AND 1UEZON $AIRY &ARMERS #OOP 1#$& WITH FARMERS TAPPED IN THE PILOTED AREAS PLANTING CORN AND WILL BE AT TO DAYS OLD CORN THE SOURCE OF THE SILLAGE g4HE PRIMARY OF OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJ

ECT IS TO IMPROVE DAIRY PRODUCTION AND ULTIMATELY INCREASE THE INCOME OF DAIRY FARMERS THROUGH THE UTILIZATION OF GREEN CORN SILAGE HAYLAGE AND UREA MOLASSES MINERAL BLOCK SUPPLEMENTATION USING LO CALLY AVAILABLE FEED RESOURCES u "!2 SAID IN A STATEMENT 4HE -$# HAS ALREADY ADOPTED SILAGE AS FEED FOR THEIR DAIRY ANIMALS WHICH GRADU ALLY INCREASED MILK PRODUCTION TO LITERS PER HEAD PER DAY FROM THE PREVIOUS LITERS -$# IS NOW GROWING ITS OWN CORN FOR SILAGE PRODUCTION WHILE 1#$& IS READY TO MAKE ITS OWN SILAGE THE TIMES

World UN probes Kim’s luxury automobile purchases U B6

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

NITED NATIONS, United States: UN sanctions monitors are investigating Kim Jong Un’s luxury purchases of a RollsRoyce, Mercedes-Benz limousines and Lexus fourwheel-drive vehicles rolled out during the North Korean leader’s recent international meetings, the head of the panel told AFP Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

+IM DREW THE ATTENTION OF SANCTIONS EXPERTS WHEN HE TURNED UP AT A MEETING WITH 53 3ECRETARY OF 3TATE -IKE 0OMPEO IN 0YONGYANG IN /CTOBER IN A BRAND NEW 2OLLS 2OYCE 0HANTOM LIMOUSINE !T THE 3INGAPORE SUMMIT WITH 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP IN *UNE

+IM S ENTOURAGE WAS FERRIED IN A lEET OF -ERCEDES "ENZ LUXURY CARS

NONE OF WHICH HAD LICENSE PLATES !ND A NUMBER OF ,EXUS ,8 ALL WHEEL DRIVE LUXURY VEHICLES WERE USED BY THE .ORTH +OREAN DELEGATION AT AN INTER +OREAN SUMMIT IN 0YONGYANG IN 3EPTEMBER

g4HE .ORTH +OREANS PROCURE WHAT THEY WANT 4HEY GET THE BEST WHEN THEY NEED IT u SAID (UGH 'RIFkTHS

WHO FOR THE PAST kVE YEARS HAS BEEN THE COORDINATOR OF THE 5. PANEL OF EXPERTS INVESTIGATING SANCTIONS BUSTING BY .ORTH +OREA 4HE 3ECURITY #OUNCIL HAS BARRED .ORTH +OREA FROM EXPORTING COAL AND OTHER COMMODITIES

CURBED DELIVERIES OF OIL AND FUEL AND RESTRICTED BANKING AMONG OTHER MEASURES AIMED AT CHOKING OFF REVENUE TO 0YONGYANG S WEAPONS PROGRAM 4HE SALE OF LUXURY GOODS IN-

CLUDING HIGH END CARS YACHTS AND JEWELRY TO .ORTH +OREA HAS BEEN BANNED SINCE AND THE LIST OF LAVISH ITEMS HAS BEEN EXTENDED IN SUBSEQUENT SANCTIONS RESOLUTIONS 4HE USE OF THE SWANKY EXPENSIVE CARS AT SUMMITS WAS SEEN AS A BRAZEN DISPLAY BY +IM OF HIS DEFIANCE OF INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AT A TIME WHEN .ORTH +OREA HAS APPEALED FOR 5. HELP TO DEAL WITH FOOD SHORTAGES g6IOLATING SANCTIONS IS BAD BEHAVIOR AND SUCH OBVIOUS VIOLATIONS AT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS AREN T HELPFUL IN MY VIEW FOR ENFORCING OF SANCTIONS u 'RIFkTHS SAID g9OU DON T WANT TO MAKE A MOCKERY OF THE SANCTIONS u 4HE 5. PANEL RELEASED A REPORT ON 4UESDAY THAT DETAILED HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED EVASION TACTICS USED BY .ORTH +OREA TO CIRCUMVENT THE SWEEPING SANCTIONS IMPOSED FOR ITS NUCLEAR AND BALLISTIC MISSILE TESTS !FTER PROVIDING 2OLLS 2OYCE WITH PHOTOS OF THE 0HANTOM THE COMPANY SAID IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN

PRODUCED BETWEEN AND AT ITS "RITISH PLANT IN 'OODWOOD

THE REPORT SAID 4HE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES TO DETERMINE HOW THE 0HANTOM

LISTED AT A PRICE OF ABOUT

IN CAR TRADE PUBLICATIONS WAS SHIPPED TO 0YONGYANG 4HE FLEET OF -ERCEDES "ENZ VEHICLES WAS SENT FROM A 53 PORT IN #ALIFORNIA TO (ONG +ONG AT THE DIRECTION OF A #HINESE BUSINESSMAN 'EORGE -A WHOSE COMPANY 3EAJET HAS TIES TO .ORTH +OREA S !IR +ORYO NATIONAL AIRLINE !SKED ABOUT THE ,EXUS VEHICLES

4OYOTA TOLD THE PANEL THAT IT HAD NOT EXPORTED THEM TO .ORTH +OREA AND THAT THE VEHICLES WERE PROBABLY BOUGHT THROUGH BACK CHANNELS $ESPITE THE LOOPHOLES 'RIFkTHS SAID THE SANCTIONS ‡ THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE IMPOSED ON ANY COUNTRY BY THE 3ECURITY #OUNCIL ‡ HAD PUT +IM gIN A BOXu AND FORCED HIM TO EXPEND MAJOR EFFORTS TO CIRCUMVENT THE RESTRICTIONS AFP

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Indonesia, experts wary of linking Boeing crashes JAKARTA, Indonesia: Two fatal crashes of Boeing 737 Max 8 planes less THAN kVE MONTHS APART HAVE RAISED ALARM BUT EXPERTS ARE WARY OF LINKing the two.

4HE HEAD OF )NDONESIA S .ATIONAL 4RANSPORTATION 3AFETY #OMMITTEE 3OERJANTO 4JAHJONO SAID 4UESDAY IT WAS UNCLEAR IF THE CAUSE OF 3UNDAY S DISASTER IN %THIOPIA WAS SIMILAR TO THE STILL UNDETERMINED REASON FOR A ,ION !IR CRASH IN /CTOBER 4JAHJONO SAID HIS AGENCY WAS WAITING FOR %THIOPIAN AUTHORITIES TO RESPOND TO ITS OFFER TO ASSIST WITH THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH THAT KILLED ALL PEOPLE ABOARD 4HE -AX OPERATED BY )NDONESIA S ,ION !IR PLUNGED INTO THE *AVA 3EA ON /CTOBER KILLING PEOPLE g7E HAVE THE SAME MODEL OF -AX THAT CRASHED BUT WE CANNOT ESTIMATE WHETHER THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM 4HIS IS CERTAINLY VERY INTERESTING TO INVESTIGATE TOGETHER u 4JAHJONO SAID g7E ARE READY TO PROVIDE OUR EXPERTS TO MEET THEIR NEEDS u ! PRELIMINARY REPORT FROM HIS AGENCY STOPPED SHORT OF DECLARING A PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE CRASH "UT IT PROVIDED DETAILS ABOUT THE PILOTS STRUGGLE TO FLY THE HIGHLY AUTOMATED JET AND ,ION !IR S DIFkCULTIES WITH kXING SENSORS ON THE PLANE 4HE ,ION !IR PLANE HAD ISSUES ON SEVERAL lIGHTS BEFORE IT CRASHED

WITH TERRIFYING EPISODES OF LOSS OF ALTITUDE 3HORTLY AFTER IT TOOK OFF ON ITS kNAL lIGHT THE JET S PILOTS WERE BATTLING THE -AX S AUTOMATED SYSTEM WHICH PITCHED ITS NOSE DOWN REPEATEDLY POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF A FAULTY SENSOR UNTIL THEY kNALLY LOST CONTROL THE INVESTIGATORS REPORTED

4HEY INTERVIEWED ENGINEERS ABOUT WHY THEY HAD CERTIFIED THAT THE PLANE WAS AIRWORTHY AND WHETHER THEY HAD FOLLOWED REQUIRED MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES 4JAHJONO SAID )NDONESIA S INVESTIGATION INTO THE ,ION !IR CRASH HAD MADE gSIGNIkCANT PROGRESSu AND WAS CONTINUING TO ANALYZE THE CONVERSATIONS RECORDED BY THE COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER THAT WAS ONLY RECOVERED FROM THE SEA BED IN *ANUARY *AKARTA BASED AVIATION EXPERT 'ERRY 3OEJATMAN SAID AIRLINES WERE BEING INUNDATED WITH CALLS FROM TRAVELERS AS MORE THAN A DOZEN NATIONS INCLUDING )NDONESIA GROUNDED "OEING -AX PLANES OR ORDERED OTHER PRECAUTIONS (E LIKENED THE REACTION TO A gMASS HYSTERIAu THAT HE SAID STEMS PARTLY FROM "OEING #O S HANDLING OF THE ,ION !IR CRASH g) M REALLY STRUGGLING TO COMPREHEND IT u HE SAID g4HE PUBLIC NEEDS MORE THEY NEED MORE REASSURANCE u !FTER THE )NDONESIAN CRASH "OEING ISSUED A BULLETIN TO OPERATORS OF THE -AX ABOUT POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH ITS AUTOMATED ANTI STALL SYSTEM "UT IT APPEARED ROUTINE AND REFERRED lIGHT CREWS TO EXISTING GUIDELINES 4HAT WAS FOLLOWED BY AN EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE FROM THE 53 &EDERAL !VIATION !DMINISTRATION THAT DIRECTED AIRLINES TO MAKE SPECIFIC CHANGES TO FLIGHT MANUAL PROCEDURES !S WITH THE )NDONESIAN CRASH

AVIATION EXPERTS SAID ONLY lIGHT DATA AND COCKPIT VOICE RECORDERS COULD PROVIDE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE ABOUT WHAT CAUSED THE %THIOPIAN !IRLINES CRASH /NE OF THE RECORDERS RECOVERED FROM THE %THIOPIAN !IRLINES PLANE WAS PARTIALLY DAMAGED AP

Another K-pop singer retires over sex scandal BIRTHDAY GIFT A worker attaches a name tag of a Buddhist, who made a donation, to a lantern for the upcoming celebration of

Buddha’s birthday on May 12 at the Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea on Wednesday. Similar lanterns will be displayed in all Buddhist temples around South Korea for public viewing. AP PHOTO

India polls include illiterate, transgender voters NEW DELHI: (OLDING THE WORLD S BIGGEST DEMOCRATIC ELECTION IS NO MEAN FEAT WITH MILLION )NDIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BETWEEN !PRIL AND -AY 4O IRON OUT SOME OF THE HICCUPS OF )NDIA S PREVIOUS NATIONAL BALLOTS ‡ AND INCREASE PUBLIC TRUST IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS ‡ THE %LECTION #OMMISSION HAS INTRODUCED A SLEW OF NEW MEASURES 7ITH AN ESTIMATED MILLION ILLITERATE ADULTS ACROSS )NDIA PHOTOS OF CANDIDATES WILL NOW FEATURE ALONGSIDE PARTY SYMBOLS ON ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES .EARLY VOTERS HAVE REGISTERED AS gTHIRD GENDER u THE kRST TIME THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFTER A

3UPREME #OURT RULING THAT FORMALLY RECOGNIZED TRANSGENDER )NDIANS 4HERE ARE AROUND HALF A MILLION TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN )NDIA BUT PREVIOUSLY THEY HAD TO REGISTER AS EITHER A MAN OR WOMAN 4HE DEVICES HAVE BEEN DOGGED

BY CLAIMS THEY CAN BE HACKED BUT WILL NOW PRINT OUT A CHIT FOR EACH VOTER WHO CAN CONkRM THE DETAILS BEFORE DROPPING IT IN A SEALED BOX INSIDE THE POLLING BOOTH 2ANDOM MATCHING OF THE CHITS AND NUMBERS OF VOTES ON THE MACHINES SHOULD VERIFY NO TAMPERING WAS DONE 6EHICLES TRANSPORTING THE VOTING MACHINES WILL ALSO BE kTTED WITH '03 DEVICES TO MONITOR THEIR MOVEMENTS

Worldinbriefs

JAPAN: NO MOTION VS NKOREA’S HR RECORD

TOKYO: Japan said Wednesday it will not submit a motion against North Korea’s human rights record at a UN panel for the first time in more than a decade. The decision comes as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe explores ways to engage North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in an effort to resolve a row over past kidnappings of Japanese nationals by Pyongyang agents. Abe, who rose to national political fame with his hardline stance against North Korea, has toned down his rhetoric against Pyongyang as US President Donald Trump actively courts Kim, holding their second meeting earlier this month in Vietnam. Abe is now putting more effort into meeting Kim to resolve the abduction issue. “Having reviewed the outcome of the US-North Korea summit meeting as well as various conditions surrounding the abduction and other issues, we have decided not to submit a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in the DPRK at the current Human Rights Council being held in Geneva,� Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular briefing.

AFP

MANAFORT FACES 10 MORE YEARS IN JAIL

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort faces his second sentencing hearing in his many weeks, with a judge expected to tack on additional prison time beyond the roughly four-year punishment he has already received.

Manafort faces up to 10 additional years in prison when he is sentenced Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) in Washington in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. A judge in Virginia last week sentenced Manafort to 47 months in prison, departing far below sentencing guidelines that allowed for more than two decades in prison and prompting national debate about disparities in how rich and poor defendants are treated by the criminal justice system. As US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington decides whether

)N THE OUTGOING PARLIAMENT THERE WERE LAWMAKERS FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES OR BEING INVESTIGATED ‡ SOME OF THEM INVOLVING SERIOUS CASES SUCH AS MURDER OR RAPE 4HIS TIME CANDIDATES UNDER A LEGAL CLOUD HAVE TO ISSUE THREE NEWSPAPER AND 46 ADVERTISEMENTS DETAILING ANY CHARGES THEY FACE IN THE CONSTITUENCY WHERE THEY RE STANDING 4HE !SSOCIATION OF $EMOCRATIC 2EFORMS !$2 CHARITY REPORTED IN THAT CANDIDATES FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES HAD A HIGHER CHANCE OF WINNING ELECTIONS COMPARED TO THOSE WITHOUT ‡ EITHER BY INTIMIDATING VOTERS OR FROM BUYING INlUENCE #ANDIDATES HAVE TO DECLARE INCOME AND TAX RETURNS FOR THE PAST

kVE YEARS ‡ THE INFORMATION IS MADE PUBLIC BEFORE THE VOTE ‡ AS WELL AS SUBMIT DETAILS ANY OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES IN THEIR NAME ABROAD 7EBCAMS BROADCASTING LIVE ON THE INTERNET WILL MONITOR POLLING STATIONS AND ALL COUNTING HALLS ALLOWING VOTERS TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON PROCEEDINGS IN REAL TIME ! SMARTPHONE APP WILL ALLOW CITIZENS TO RECORD ANY POLLING MISCONDUCT OR MALPRACTICE SUCH AS DISTRIBUTING LIQUOR OR DRUGS ‡ A COMMON METHOD OF VOTE BUYING 4HE COMPLAINANT WHO CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS CAN UPLOAD A PHOTO OR VIDEO TO THE APP AND OFkCIALS WILL BE OBLIGED TO RESPOND WITH ACTION TAKEN WITHIN MINUTES AFP

the sentences should run consecutively or at the same time, she is likely to take into account allegations by prosecutors that Manafort tampered with witnesses after he was charged and that he lied to investigators even after he pleaded guilty and pledged to cooperate.

AP

CALIFORNIA TO PLACE MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS

SACRAMENTO, California: The 737 inmates on California’s largest-in-the-nation death row are getting a reprieve from Gov. Gavin Newsom, who plans to sign an executive order Wednesday, placing a moratorium on executions. Newsom also is withdrawing the lethal injection regulations that death penalty opponents already have tied up in courts and shuttering the new execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison that has never been used. “The intentional killing of another person is wrong and as governor, I will not oversee the execution of any individual,� he said in prepared remarks. Newsom called the death penalty “a failure� that “has discriminated against defendants who are mentally ill, black and brown, or can’t afford expensive legal representation.� He also said innocent people had been wrongly convicted and sometimes put to death.

AP

SEOUL: ! BURGEONING + POP SEX SCANDAL CLAIMED A SECOND scalp as a singer who rose to FAME AFTER COMING SECOND IN ONE OF 3OUTH +OREA S TOP TALENT SHOWS ADMITTED SECRETLY FILMING HIMSELF HAVING SEX AND SHARING THE FOOTAGE *UNG *OON YOUNG

ANNOUNCED HIS IMMEDIATE RETIREMENT FROM SHOWBUSINESS AMID ALLEGATIONS HE SHOT AND SHARED SEXUAL IMAGERY WITHOUT HIS PARTNERS CONSENT g) ADMIT TO ALL MY CRIMES u HE SAID g) kLMED WOMEN WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT AND SHARED IT IN A CHATROOM AND WHILE ) WAS DOING SO ) DIDN T FEEL A GREAT SENSE OF GUILT u HE ADDED IN A STATEMENT RELEASED LATE 4UESDAY *UNG WAS ONE OF THREE MALE ARTISTS IN A GROUP CHAT ROOM WHERE SOME MEMBERS SHARED SECRETLY kLMED FOOTAGE OF A SEXUAL NATURE OF AT LEAST WOMEN ACCORDING TO LOCAL BROADCASTER 3"3 + POP SINGER 3EUNGRI A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL MEMBER OF BOYBAND ")'"!.' WHO ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT FROM SHOW BUSINESS ON -ONDAY AMID A SEX FOR INVESTMENT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE CHATROOM THE BROADCASTER SAID + POP STARS GENERALLY CULTIVATE CLEAN CUT IMAGES ‡ AND ARE ACTIVELY PROMOTED BY THE 3OUTH +OREAN GOVERNMENT AS A KEY

CULTURAL EXPORT ‡ MAKING THE SCANDAL EVEN MORE SHOCKING )N *UNG WAS CHARGED WITH FILMING A VIDEO WITH A SEXUAL PARTNER WITHOUT HER CONSENT AND KNOWLEDGE BUT PROSECUTORS DROPPED THE CASE FOR LACK OF EVIDENCE AFTER SHE WITHDREW HER ACCUSATION 3EOUL -ETROPOLITAN 0OLICE !GENCY WOULD QUESTION HIM LATER THIS WEEK AN OFkCER TOLD !&0 3EUNGRI ‡ WHO HAS MULTIPLE BUSINESS INTERESTS ‡ WAS INTERVIEWED DURING THE WEEKEND OVER ACCUSATIONS HE LOBBIED POTENTIAL INVESTORS BY OFFERING THEM THE SERVICES OF PROSTITUTES AT NIGHTCLUBS IN 3EOUL S POSH 'ANGNAM DISTRICT 4 H E YE A R O L D I S A L S O LINKED TO A POLICE INVESTIGATION INTO "URNING 3UN A NIGHTCLUB WHERE HE WAS A PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR WHERE STAFF ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE USED HIDDEN CAMERAS TO FILM WOMEN AND USED ALCOHOL AND DRUGS TO SEXUALLY ASSAULT THEM 3OUTH +OREA HAS BEEN BATTLING A GROWING EPIDEMIC OF SO CALLED gMOLKAu ‡ SPYCAM VIDEOS

WHICH LARGELY INVOLVE MEN SECRETLY kLMING WOMEN AND SHARing the illicit content with others. g4HIS CASE JUST SHOWS THAT MALE + POP STARS ARE NO EXCEPTION WHEN IT COMES TO BEING PART OF THIS VERY DISTURBING REALITY THAT EXPLOITS WOMEN u WOMEN S RIGHTS ACTIVIST "AE "OK JU TOLD !&0 AFP

CHINA, CAMBODIA HOLD MILITARY EXERCISE

THE Cambodian and Chinese armies held their largest joint military exercise on Wednesday. Dubbed the “Golden Dragon,� senior military officials say it was a representation of current Sino-Cambodian relations. They also say that since joint military exercises began with China in 2016, the drills have gotten bigger and bigger. “It will be bigger than any other year,� National Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh said, adding that the exercise aims to strengthen the two countries. It took weeks of preparation to get to this stage.

Thousands of men had to be moved and stationed, and scores of heavy artillery and equipment had to be transported. According to the National Defence Ministry, forces began moving tanks, helicopters and other heavy vehicles and equipment to Kampot province’s Chum Kiri district last week. The ministry said military exercises were to be carried out until March 27.

KHMER TIMES

TROUBLED K-pop star Jung Joon-young (center) is surrounded by reporters when he arrived at Incheon international airport in Incheon, South Korea on Tuesday. APF PHOTO

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

World

B7

UK lawmakers reject Brexit deal anew L ONDON: British MPs will vote Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) on whether the country should leave the European Union(EU) without a deal in just over two weeks, after overwhelmingly rejecting a draft divorce agreement.

The House of Commons is expected to vote against a “no deal� Brexit, although this could still happen on March 29 unless it can agree on what should happen instead.

MPs on Tuesday rejected for a second time the withdrawal deal negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May, despite her obtaining last-minute assur-

ances from EU officials.

Some eurosceptics are now pressing to leave with no deal, but May warned this scenario could cause “significant economic shock� — and many MPs agree with her.

If the “no-deal� option is voted down, the government is planning another Commons vote on Thursday on whether or not to request a Brexit delay.

But May warned: “Voting against leaving without a deal and for an extension does not solve the problems we face.� “The EU will want to know what use we mean to make of such an extension. This House will have to answer that question,� she said, her voice half-breaking due to a cold. “Does it wish to revoke Article 50?� she said, referring to the Brexit process. “Does it want to hold a second referendum? Or does it want to leave with a deal but not this deal?�

British media have reported that May could make a desperate attempt at a third vote on her deal,

hoping that Brexit hardliners will fall in line.

But Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour party, said the text was “clearly dead� and urged her to back his own plan for closer economic ties with the EU. A group of lawmakers will on Wednesday put forward an alternative proposal to delay Brexit until May 22 and agree a series of interim agreements with the EU lasting until 2021.

But Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said Brussels had nothing more to offer and must now brace for the possibility of a messy divorce.

“The EU has done everything it can to help get the withdrawal agreement over the line,� he tweeted after Tuesday’s result. “The impasse can only be solved in the #UK. Our ‘no-deal’ preparations are now more important than ever before.� !FTER -0S kRST REJECTED THE page Brexit deal in January, May promised changes to its hated backstop plan, an arrangement intended to keep open the border with Ireland.

Weeks of talks failed to make a breakthrough, but May made a late dash to Strasbourg to meet EU leaders on

the eve of the vote.

She announced she had secured “legally binding changes� to the backstop, which would keep Britain in the EU’s customs union if and until a new way was found to avoid frontier checks.

Hours later, however, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said these additions would not completely allay MPs fears of being trapped IN THE ARRANGEMENT INDEkNITELY Brexit-supporting MPs in May’s Conservative party, and her allies, Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, swiftly declared they would not support the deal.

AFP

50 charged in college admission scam BOSTON: Fifty people, including Hollywood stars Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, were charged Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) in a scheme in which wealthy parents allegedly bribed college coaches and other insiders to get their children into some of the nation’s most selective schools.

Federal authorities called it the biggest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the US Justice Department, with the parents accused of paying an estimated $25 million in bribes.

At least nine athletic coaches and 33 parents, many of them prominent IN LAW kNANCE FASHION THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY AND OTHER kELDS

were charged. Dozens, including

Huffman, the Emmy-winning star of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives,� were arrested by midday. “These parents are a catalog of wealth and privilege,� US Attorney Andrew Lelling said in announcing the results of a fraud and conspiracy investigation code-named “Operation Varsity Blues.�

The coaches worked at such schools as Yale, Stanford, Georgetown, Wake Forest, the University of Texas, the University of Southern California and the University of California at Los Angeles. A former Yale soccer coach pleaded guilty and helped build the case against others.

Two more of those charged — Stanford’s sailing coach and the college-admissions consultant at

the very center of the scheme — pleaded guilty Tuesday in Boston.

Others appeared in court and were released on bail.

Huffman, 56, appeared in a Los Angeles courthouse and was released after posting a $250,000 bond.

Her attorney cited her community ties in asking that the actress be released on her own recognizance, which the judge denied.

Huffman is scheduled to appear in court March 29 in Boston.

No students were charged, with authorities, saying that in many cases the teenagers were unaware of what was going on. Several of the colleges involved made no mention of taking any action against the students.

AP

PROTEST

National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president of Venezuela, speaks to supporters as he visits different points of anti-government protest in Caracas, Venezuela on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). Guaido has demanded new elections, arguing that President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection last year was invalid. AP PHOTO

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Sports

TTHURSDAY MARCH 14, 2019 M

C1

www.manilatimes.net

Giannis, LeBron spark NBA road wins while Sixers beat Cavs

L

OS ANGELES: Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 24 points and Khris Middleton added 23 as the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks improved to 5117 Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) with a 130-113 victory at New Orleans.

The “Greek Freak� was greeted with chants of “M-V-P� by Pelicans supporters, signaling their support of his being named NBA Most Valuable Player for his outstanding season -- averaging 27.0 points, 12.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.4 blocked shots and 1.2 steals a game. g) DEkNITELY HEARD IT )T S AMAZING ) THINK IT S THE THIRD TIME IT has happened on the road,� AnTETOKOUNMPO SAID g)T S NICE THAT FANS FROM THE OTHER TEAM REALIZE how good of a team we are and THE WORK WE VE PUT IN u The Bucks have not won a playoff SERIES SINCE AND HAVEN T WON an NBA title since 1971 but are on PACE TO OWN THE HOME kELD EDGE throughout the NBA playoffs.

Elfrid Payton had a triple double with 14 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists for the Pelicans, who also got 21 points and 12 rebounds from Anthony Davis.

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James scored a game-high 36 points and pulled

down 10 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a fivegame losing streak with a 123-107 victory at Chicago.

Down 60-55 at half-time, the Lakers outscored the Bulls 43-24 in the third quarter and rolled to victory, improving to 31-36 but still 6.5 games behind Utah for the last Western Conference playoff berth.

Cameroonian big man Joel %MBIID SCORED THE kNAL SIX POINTS in the last minute to power the Philadelphia 76ers over visiting Cleveland 106-99.

After a dunk with 51 seconds to play, he blocked a shot, grabbed two rebounds and made four free throws in the dying seconds to lift THE 3IXERS TO VICTORY STAYING LEVEL with Indiana for third in the Eastern Conference at 43-25. %MBIID kNISHED WITH POINTS

REBOUNDS kVE ASSISTS AND FOUR BLOCKED SHOTS WHILE !USTRALIA S Ben Simmons added 26 points, 10 rebounds and eighth assists

Q Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (No. 23) dunks in front of Chicago Bulls guard Antonio Blakeney (No. 9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday in Chicago. AP PHOTO for the 76ers. #ROATIA S "OJAN "OGDANOVIC scored 24 points to lead Indiana SIX PLAYERS IN DOUBLE kGURES AS THE Pacers beat New York 103-98. The Knicks fell to an NBA-worst 13-55 with their eighth consecutive defeat.

Nuggets rout T-Wolves Canadian Jamal Murray scored 30 points and Serbian Nikola Jokic

added 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to spark the Denver Nuggets over Minnesota 133-107.

The Nuggets unleashed a season-high 40 assists on the Timberewolves and won to reach 44-22, one game behind Western Conference leader Golden State. g7E RE REALLY A TEAM FOCUSED basketball team,� Jokic said. “We want to get everybody involved.

We had (40) assists. That tells SOMETHING ABOUT US AND WE RE GOing to keep playing like that. The WHOLE TEAM IS EXCITED u $E-AR $E2OZAN SCORED points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 28 to lead San Antonio over HOST $ALLAS EXTENDING THE Mavericks losing streak and Spurs WIN STREAK TO SIX GAMES EACH The Spurs 39-29, rose one game ahead of Utah for the last West

playoff spot despite Jalen Brunson scoring a game-high 34 points in a losing cause.

0ORTLAND S # * -C#OLLUM SCORED XX POINTS AND THE 4RAIL "LAZERS DEFEATED THE ,OS !NGELES #LIPPERS SNAPPING A kVE game win streak.

Damian Lillard added 20 points AND ASSISTS FOR THE "LAZERS

who also had 20 points and 12 rebounds from Jusuf Nurkic. AFP

C2

Sports

˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Lady Eagles rip Adamson to stretch winning streak A

ANTITHESIS CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

TENEO $E -ANILA 5NIVERSITY CRUISED TO ITS kFTH STRAIGHT WIN WITH A

THRASHING OF !DAMSON 5NIVERSITY IN 3EASON 5NIVERSITY !THLETIC !SSOCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES 5!!0 WOMEN S VOLLEYBALL ON 7EDNESDAY AT THE &IL/IL &LYING 6 #ENTRE IN 3AN *UAN #ITY

Q Ateneo’s Maddie Madayag blasts through the defense of Adamson’s Joy Soyud during a UAAP Women’s volleyball game at the San Juan Arena on Wednesday.

PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA

Save for a shaky second set, the Lady Eagles dominated the entire game to stretch their winning streak and stay on top of the eight-team standings with a 5-1 record.

Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro praised his wards for playing all-out despite a short rest after their win over University of the Philippines (UP) just three days ago. “My players really prepared for this game. We only had a short break after Sunday’s game. So, we really have to work hard right away and set our goals and mindset,� said Almadro. g) REALLY ADMIRE MY PLAYERS FOR THEIR SACRIkCES and hardwork,� he added.

Spiker Ponggay Gaston notched a UAAP career-high 16 points built on 10 spikes and six aces while hitter Kat Tolentino tallied 15 points highlighted by 10 attacks and four blocks.

But it was captain Bea De Leon who shone the brightest with her season-high 14 points after a subpar performance in their previous outings. “I’m most thankful to coach. He always reminds me that he needs my points. It gave ME A LOT OF CONkDENCE THAT AT LEAST HE AND MY

teammates still trust me,� said De Leon.

The Lady Eagles soared to a strong start as they capitalized on the Lady Falcons’ 11 errors in the opening set.

After Adamson tied the game at 1-1, Ateneo erected an 8-2 lead on Gaston’s back-to-back aces and stretched it to 16-8 on Wong’s sneaky placing en route to a third set win.

Team skipper Eli Soyud was the lone bright spot with 13 points for the skidding Adamson.

The Lady Falcons plummeted to their second consecutive loss joining University of the East at the bottom on a similar 1-5 slate.

Earlier in the men’s side, defending champion .ATIONAL 5NIVERSITY GRABBED ITS kFTH STRAIGHT triumph after sweeping University of the Philippines, 25-19, 25-17, 25-15.

In the other game, Ateneo also extended its roll to three wins with a 25-18, 25-22, 25-15 rout of Adamson.

4HE "LUE 3PIKERS SOLIDIkED THEIR GRIP OF .O with a 4-2 card while the Soaring Falcons fell to a share of No. 4 with University of Sto. Tomas on a similar 3-3 sheet.

4 PSL bets bag MOS plum in Tokyo tourney FOUR Philippine Swimming League (PSL) tankers bagged the Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) award in their respective age-groups in the 2019 Japan AgeGroup Champs Swim Meet held at the St. Mary’s International School swimming pool in Tokyo, Japan.

Heading the list was reigning Palarong Pambansa most bemedalled athlete Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh, who won six gold medals and notched six new meet records to claim the top honors in the girls’ 11-12 category.

The 12-year-old Immaculate Heart of Mary College-ParaĂąaque student broke records in the 100m breaststroke (1:18.34), 100m butTERlY M )NDIVIDUAL Medley (2:30.77), 100m Individual Medley (1:10.19), 50m butTERlY AND M FREESTYLE (2:13.01).

“Jasmine has become not only a fast swimmer but an intelligent one at a very young age and I am mostly truly proud of her. Because yes, it may sound cliche but experience is the best teacher,� said Joan Mojdeh, the proud mother of Micaela Jasmine. “With the opportunities given to her by the PSL, she has learned so many things in all the meets she joined and the PSL has really given her a solid foundation for her swimming career that we all can really be proud of,� she added.

Kiara Acierto (girls’ 8-under), Maika Montecillo (girls’ 9-10 class) and Jehu Alguno (boys’ 1112 category) also earned MOS trophies in their respective divisions. “We would like to thank coach Susan Papa. You have been the major key to all of her (Jasmine’s) success and

Q Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh, Kiara Acierto, Maika Montecillo and Jehu Alguno pose for a photo with the representatives of the Filipino community in Japan Myles Beltran (far right) and Marilyn Mabansag Yokokoji (far left).

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

the entire PSL. We are always praying for your fast healing.

Of course with huge help coming from coach Alex, coach Marlon

and coach Cris and entire SPSA team,� Joan said.

PSL president Susan Papa hailed the achievements of the delegation

in the two-day meet that drew more than 1,000 tankers from 22 countries. “We are now reaping the fruits of our labor. These are the products of our grassroots development program and we are looking forward to develop more swimmers just like these young achievers. It’s a job well done,� Papa said.

Overall, the Philippines won a total of 14 gold, six silver and three bronze medals. “We are also grateful to the Filipino community in Japan headed by Myles Beltran for helping the whole delegation,�

Papa ended.

Mojdeh is now preparing for the 2019 Batang Pinoy Luzon Qualifying to be held next week in Isabela and the 2019 Palarong Pambansa slated in April in Davao City.

EMIL C. NOGUERA

Skateboarding PH bares lofty goal for SEAG SKATEBOARDING and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines President Monty Mendigoria said that their goal is to sweep eight events in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) that the country will be hosting on November 30 to December 11 in Clark, Pampanga. “It is; it is possible and that’s what we are aiming for, that’s the reason why we tied up with Go for Gold to make sure we get the sweep,� said Mendigoria on Wednesday in a news conference at the Max Restaurant in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

He is pinning his hope on Asian Games gold medalist skateboarder Margielyn Didal. “We’re No. 1 in Southeast Asia’s women's division because of the win of Margie (Didal).

There is no skater on the caliber of Margie that can surpass her in Southeast Asia and we’re also looking at Fil-Ams coming from different

Asia Pacific regions.�

Besides Didal, the other confirmed PH bets in the SEA Games skateboarding competition are Jeff Gonzalez, Mak Feliciano and Christiana Means. But there are 11 more slots that are at stake in three regional legs.

The regional championship legs are backed

by Go for Gold. The Luzon leg will be held in Iba, Zambales on March 23 to 24, the Visayas leg in Cebu City on April 6 to 7 and the Mindanao leg in General Santos City on May 25 to 26.

The national SEA Games qualifiers will be held on August 24 to 25 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. “We will look for the best skaters in the regionals,� added Mendigoria, noting that only the top three finishers of each of the eight events will qualify for the biennial meet.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

No right to steal others’ dreams N EWS that Manny Pacquiao will not stop his son Jimuel from pursuing a ring career shows the boxing icon respects his son’s decision to pursue a dream in the ring.

The article titled “Pacquiao okays son’s boxing dream� published in The Manila Times on March 2 quoted Manny as saying “Kung gusto niya, pinayagan ko na siya. Gusto ko sa kanya makapagtapos ng pag-aaral at gusto ko siyang mag-law (If he likes, I already allowed him. I want him to kNISH HIS STUDIES AND GRADUATE ) WANT him to take up law).�

The argument here is who are we to stop other people from pursuing their dreams, especially if their dreams are big? Although I would understand Manny’s concerns for his son pursuing a boxing career because the game is still about knocking each other’s brains out.

So now what?

While Jimuel may not have the same level of motivation as Manny in pursuing a boxing career because THE FATHER LITERALLY HAD TO kGHT TO escape poverty, there are still a lot of factors going for the son.

Since Manny has earned millions of dollars and is already in the boxing promotion business, he can easily choose the best trainers in the world to train Jimuel. That was a luxury Manny never had because he started boxing as a complete unknown and had to make do with trainers who did not have any name.

And having a father, sibling or relative has a lot of pluses for boxers starting their careers. Take the case of Mikey Garcia whose brother Robert played a big part in molding him into one of the top and most feared boxers today. And -IKEY DID NOT kGHT TO ESCAPE POVERTY like Manny — he simply wanted to become one of the game’s top dogs.

Robert was the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world junior lightweight (130 pounds) title in 1998-1999.

Mikey faces Errol Spence Jr. this weekend for the IBF welterweight (147 pounds) title. Mikey is still undefeated at 39-0 with 30 knockout.

Then there’s Floyd Mayweather Jr. whose father and uncle Roger trained him to become one of the top boxers in his era alongside Pacquiao, among others. While the elder Floyd was not always his son’s top trainer, the father also had a lot of say in the management and promotion of Floyd Jr.’s great career.

But I have to warn those expecting too much from Jimuel if he really takes up boxing — don’t expect much from him like his father winning world titles in eight divisions. And Jimuel can aim TO BECOME THE kRST &ILIPINO TO WIN A boxing gold in the Olympics — besides, *IMUEL CAN PURSUE A NON PRO CAREER kRST because he is not mired in poverty, which forces boxers to immediately pursue professional career.

And once in the pro ranks, it makes no sense to expect Jimuel to win world titles in eight divisions like his father.

3O WHEN WILL WE SEEN *IMUEL S kRST kGHT IN THE AMATEUR OR PRO RANKS /R will his parents be able to change his mind in pursuing a boxing career?

Anyway, if an individual persists on pursuing a big dream, who are we to stop him? Or steal his dream.

Osaka finds positives despite upset INDIAN WELLS, United States: World No. 1 .AOMI /SAKA WAS TRYING TO kND THE positives after her Indian Wells WTA title defense went up in smoke on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

The US and Australian Open champion found at least one. g) DIDN T LOSE IN THE kRST ROUND 4HAT S A plus,� Osaka said after falling in the fourth round 6-3, 6-1 in just 66 minutes to red-hot Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.

Osaka conceded she didn’t play well, BUT SHE DIDN T kND THE LOPSIDED SCORELINE depressing because “I tried my best and I don’t really have any regrets.�

Osaka had won nine straight games at Indian Wells, but Martina Navratilova in 1990-91 remains the only women’s repeat winner in the event. /SAKA SAID THE kRST TITLE DEFENSE OF HER career had brought different challenges, and she thought she handled them well. “I think I did well,� she said. “It’s

just really exciting to come out here every day and for everyone to be so kind. There were so many fans, I think that that’s part of the experience. Yeah, I think I did well for my first time.�

She said she could see a change in herself since she arrived unheralded at Indian Wells last year and walked away with a victory that sparked a stellar 2018 campaign that included a win over Serena Williams IN THE 53 /PEN kNAL “One of the biggest things is I wanted to be more mature,� she said when asked how she had changed. “I feel like this is something I’m still working on, on and off the court. It’s one of the biggest goals that I have had my entire life. “Because I might have thrown a few tantrums last year and this year it’s something I’m working on improving and I feel like it’s going well.

“I think I’m just more confident in myself.�

3HE S ALSO CONkDENT THAT HER DECISION to bring American coach Jermaine Jenkins into her team is working out.

Osaka surprised the tennis world when she parted with coach Sascha Bajin shortly after winning the Australian Open and moving to number one in the world. “I think it’s always a bit tricky whenever you change someone in the team, BUT ) FEEL LIKE FOR A kRST TOURNAMENT WE did really well,� she said of her partnership with Jenkins, a former US collegiate star who served as a hitting partner to Venus Williams from 2015 until the end of last season. “We communicate well. So I think that’s a really big plus. I don’t think it’s going to BE DIFkCULT ) THINK THAT WE ARE ALL SORT OF on the same page, and we are all looking forward to Miami,� she said. “Yeah, I think it should be good.� AFP

˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

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Navo, Ulat shine in Vermosa Aquathlon TEENAGERS Richard Anson Navo and Eunice Ulat reigned over 400 participants by topping their respective age groups in the Vermosa Sports Hub Aquathlon 1 held March 10 at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite. .AVO kNISHED THE STANDARD DIStance 500-meter swim and 5-kilometer run event in 28 minutes AND SECONDS PLACING kRST IN THE the15-17 age group. Fellow ageGROUPER )RIENOLD 2EIG *R kNISHED second with 29:03. Don Velasco of the 30-34 age group followed 52 seconds later to round off the TOP THREE MALE kNISHERS Eunice Richard Ulat went head to head with Erika Nicole Burgos in the 15-17 female age group, SPRINTING TO THE kNISH OF THE STANdard distance in 34:10, just 16 seconds ahead of Burgos. The girls were joined by Celma Hitalia of the 50-above age group coming in as the third fastest female in 36:40.

In the relay category, siblings Janelle and Jacob Blanch put in a FAST kNISH TIME OF 9OUNGER AND kRST TIME MULTIsport athletes took advantage of the Vermosa aquathlon’s petite distance — a 300-meter swim and 3km run — to test their mettle. Among the inspiring performances in this category came from two expectant moms, sixmonth pregnant Aimee Lagman and Nadine Bettina Almario, four months on the way. For Diana Zamudio, 2nd place in her age group marked a sweet return to racing following a horrible freak accident nearly a year ago.

The family-friendly format of the Vermosa Sports Hub Aquathlon 1 supported by Ayala Land Inc., Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Speedo, My Daily Collagen, and MoguMogu drew several pairs of parent-child tandems and teams of siblings competing and even winning in their respective age groups. Among the children aged seven to 12 who raced the shorter swim-run distances, the spirit of sportsmanship was evident with teams such as the Elizabeth Seton Saints and Get Coach’D waiting and cheering for their teammates at the finish line on the IAAFstandard Vermosa track oval. “We are delighted with the great turnout of this event in partnership with Bike King who ensured that the contests ran smoothly. The participants had a lot of fun,� said Vermosa Sports Hub Operations Manager Andrea Intalan who awarded the age-group winners along with Bike +ING OFkCIAL 4ING *OSON The Vermosa Sports Hub Aquathlon 1 is part of the Vermosa Sports Hub series and the Sun Life Aquathlon series. By joining the races of each series, the top 20 kNISHERS OF THE INDIVIDUAL STANDARD distance are awarded points and can vie for the honor of being named the top athlete of 2019 in their age group. Online registration is now open for the second event in the Vermosa Sports Hub Series, a sprint triathlon on June 9.

For details, visit http://bikekingphilippines.com.1

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Woods over neck problem, ready for Masters M IAMI: Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods reported for duty at the Players Championship on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), insisting he was fully recovered from the neck problem which forced him to skip last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.

A relaxed-looking Woods said he was no longer suffering pain from the neck strain which he said was linked to the back fusion surgery that allowed him to resume his career.

The 43-year-old showed no sign of discomfort after playing nine holes at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. “It’s not painful now,� Woods said. “It was getting to the point where it was affecting my setup, my backswing, my through swing,� said Woods. “It was just gradually getting worse. “That’s just because my lower back is fused, and so the stress has to go somewhere if I don’t have movement, and so it’s very important for me going forward since the surgery to keep pliable or else the stress is going to go somewhere else.�

The 14-time major winner said his neck PROBLEM HAD kRST lARED AT THE 'ENESIS Open in Los Angeles last month before worsening during the WGC-Mexico in Mexico City, where he tied for 10th. “It started to get a little tighter and tighter as I played more holes in Mexico,�

Woods said. “You can only swing or make the movement as good as your body’s feeling. I was starting to get a little stiffer and tighter

and unfortunately I was hitting the ball halfway decent but it wasn’t hitting it hard. “I was just plodding along and just kind of getting around. As my neck got a little bit tighter, yeah, I didn’t feel comfortable with my putting. It just made it worse.�

7OODS MEANWHILE SAID HE WAS SATISkED that the neck problem had not disrupted his preparations for next month’s Masters, where he will once again attempt to end an 11-year wait for a 15th major. “I’ve played three tournaments this year so far, and that’s about right,� Woods said. “I was going to play three or four. “If I would have got my rounds in last week, it would have been four tournaments, so I’m right there where I need to be. g-Y kNISHES ARE GETTING A LITTLE BIT better each and every time I’ve gone out so far this year, and I’ve gotten a little bit more consistent with my play, and I think that everything is headed on track towards April.�

Woods will open his Players campaign alongside defending champion Webb Simpson and reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed in ThursDAY S kRST ROUND AFP

Q Tiger Woods in action during a practice round for The PLAYERS Championship on The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on Wednesday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. AFP PHOTO

Superal fumbles, recovers to regain lead Mendoza, Lee top Mercedes golf tilt PRINCESS Superal blew a huge lead with a shaky backside start but finished with flourish, birdying the last four holes as she battled back from three down to regain a one-shot lead over Thai Thanutra Boonraksasat with a 69 after two rounds of the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Ladies Championship in Carmona, Cavite on Wednesday.

Superal found her touch off the mound late in another scorching day at the Legends course then bucked tough pin placements to spike her big comeback with four straight putts inside 10 feet for a 33-36, staving off three Thai rivals all set to foil the ace Filipina shotmaker’s drive for the crown in the P1.5 million event serving as the sixth leg of the 2018-19 Ladies Philippine Golf Tour circuit. “I just couldn’t hit it good off the tee in the early going and some of my approach shots were off until I regained my touch and rhythm at the finish,� said Superal, who sparked hopes of a three-day assault of the bunker-laden layout with a bogey-free 64 Tuesday.

But she stumbled with a bogey on No. 10 and though she rolled in a 20-footer for birdie on No. 14, she struggled from there, dropping another stroke on No. 2 and falling off the leaderboard as Boonraksasat, taking advantage of an early tee start, recovered from a bogey on No. 2 with five birdies in the next seven holes then added two more at the back to finish with a 66 and wrest the lead at 10-under 134.

Superal’s fiery finish, however, shoved the reigning LPGT Order of Merit champion back on top at 133 with Chonlada Chayanun joining the title chase with a 135 after a 67.

Multi-titled Yupaporn Kawinpakorn made it a three-player threat for Thailand as the Pradera Verde leg winner last December birdied three of the last six at the front for a 69 to stay in the mix at 136.

Chihiro Ikeda fired a bogey-free 68 but stood five shots off Superal at 138 while another Thai also carded a 68 for solo

sixth at 140 heading to the last 18 holes of the tournament put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Thai Punpaka Phuntumabamrung, three behind Superal at the start of the round, limped with a 73, enabling Pauline

in the first round, groped for a 74 but emerged the lone amateur to make it to the final round at 142 in the event backed

by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Empire Golf and Sports and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc. Q Princess Superal CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

del Rosario (69), Taiwanese Huang Yuning (70) and Korean Hwang Min Jeong (68) to tie her at seventh at 140.

Only the top 20 plus ties from among the 51 starters advanced to the final round with former three-time OOM winner barely making it at 146 after a 75 with Gretchen Villacencio fighting back with a 68 and Saraporn Chamchoi matching par 72 for identical two-over overall cards.

Sofia Chabon, who turned in an impressive 68

CARGO MOVERS REV UP AGAINST UNITED VC IN PSL F2 Logistics seeks to tighten its hold of the second spot when it tackles dangerous United VC in the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Action starts at 7 p.m. with the Cargo Movers looking for their seventh win that will put them one game behind undefeated Petron in this prestigious women’s club league that has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners.

Meanwhile, Foton tries to crawl out of the basement when it tangles with PLDT Home Fibr at 2 p.m. while Cignal and GenerikaAyala collide for a crucial win in the 4:15 p.m. second game of this tourney bankrolled by Asics, Muel-

Sports

ler, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project.

After racing to six straight wins, the Cargo Movers suffered a minor hump when they bowed to the Blaze Spikers in their very first meeting this year; 25-23, 14-25, 22-25, 18-25.

But that setback is already a thing of the past as the Cargo Movers, behind the impressive performance of seasoned reinforcement Lindsay Stalzer, quickly gathered themselves and pulled off a very convincing 25-20, 25-21, 25-19 win over PLDT to shit down the kRST ROUND OF THE PRELIMINARIES ON a sizzling note.

Stalzer, who have three Grand

Prix titles and two Most Valuable Player awards under her belt, erupted for 19 points while Becky Perry and Majoy Baron chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Cargo Movers, who are looking very serious in their pursuit to reclaim the title. “We lost to Petron, but we recovered quickly against PLDT,� said F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus, who had to rush from a game with De La Salle University at the UAAP just to make sure that the Cargo Movers will be able to bounce back. “As much as possible, we want to sustain the momentum. We’re already in the second round and adjustments were already made.

We expect all teams to step up.

Every game will be very important as far as our quest for title is concerned.�

United VC, however, is no pushover. !FTER kNISHING THE kRST ROUND with a 4-3 mark, a lot is expected on the fearsome foursome of Kalei Mau, Alohi Robins-Hardy, Tai Manu-Olevao and Yasmeen Bedart-Ghani, especially now that they have already adjusted to the local brand of play.

In their previous meeting with the Cargo Movers on Feb. 26, United VC lost in four sets, but Mau dropped 22 points to match the firepower of Stalzer, who erupted for 30 points in her debut

game this season. “We’re looking forward to this match because we feel that we have a good chance to win this time,� said United VC coach Joshua 9LAYA WHO ALSO DREW SIGNIkCANT numbers from Bedart-Ghani and Manu-Olevao. “F2 Logistics is one of the best teams. But we’re adjusting and jelling as well so we’ll see. I hope we can convert our chemistry into a victory.�

Aside from Stalzer, Perry and Baron, also tipped to carry the cudgels for the Cargo Movers are Aby Marano, Michelle Morente and setter Alex Cabanos, who is doing a tremendous job in the absence of injured Kim Fajardo.

MARCO MENDOZA and Aimee Lee churned out superb rounds in tough conditions to rule their respective divisions and lead the winners in the MercedesTrophy Golf Invitational at the Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

Mendoza scored a net 40 points to capture the Class A plum while Lee reigned in the ladies side with a 72 from a gross 93 with Simon Heo and Francis Wee sharing the spotlight by ruling the Classes and C with 46 and 44 points, respectively, in the 18-hole tournament played over the posh 27-hole layout.

The winners in three men’s divisions and their respective runners-up along with the ladies champion will all represent the Philippines in the MercedesTrophy Asian Finals set in Brisbane in August via Philippine Airlines.

The best Filipino placer in the Asian Finals will clinch a berth in the World Finals set in Stuttgart, Germany in October.

Aside from the rare chance to play alongside the other regional winners, participants in the Asian Finals will also be treated to an experiential drive that will showcase the world-class performance and dynamic handling of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Joining the Australia trip are runners-up Laurence Tan (39 points-Class A), Emmanuel Lopez (40 points-Class B) and George Barcelon (41 points-Class C).

Over 200 players made up of Mercedes Benz owners and guests took part in the 14th staging of the annual championship presented by Auto Nation Group, Inc., exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the country, and backed by Platinum sponsors Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Philippine Airlines, PLDT, Paramount Life and General Insurance, Shell Philippines and TW Steel.

The event, backed by Boysen, Business Mirror, Remy Martin, Security Bank and Boss, was also held to raise funds for the Cardinal Medical Charities Foundation, Inc., a non-government organization that GRANTS MEDICAL CARE AND kNANCIAL subsidy to disadvantaged patients.

Football MaraĂąon powers Ceres past Becamex in AFC Cup B

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˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

IENVENIDO -ARAĂ„ON RIlED A HAT TRICK AS #ERES .EGROS &# EXTENDED ITS GROUP LEAD WITH A VICTORY OVER "ECAMEX "INH $UONG &# IN THE !SIAN &OOTBALL #ONFEDERATION !&# #UP ON 4UESDAY NIGHT AT THE 'O $AU 3TADIUM IN 4HU $AU -OT 6IETNAM

3PANISH STRIKER -ARAĂ„ON NETTED AN EARLY OPENER THEN STRUCK TWICE IN THE SECOND HALF FUELING THE 9ELLOW "USMEN TO SIX POINTS ON TWO VICTORIES IN 'ROUP ' #ERES .EGROS MOVED TWO MARKERS AHEAD OF SECOND RUNNING 0ERSIJA *AKARTA WHICH ALSO BEAT 3HAN 5NITED WITH A SCORELINE /NLY THE TOP CLUB FROM EACH GROUP WILL HAVE AN ASSURED SPOT TO THE ZONAL PLAYOFFS )T WAS A kNE FOLLOW UP VICTORY FOR THE TWO TIME 0HILIPPINE CHAM-

PIONS WHO TOILED IN PULLING OFF A SLIM WIN OVER 3HAN 5NITED AT THE 0ANAAD 0ARK AND 3TADIUM IN "ACOLOD #ITY LAST &EBRUARY -ARAĂ„ON OPENED UP THE SCORING IN A PECULIAR MANNER IN THE th MINUTE !S #ERES WAS PROTESTING AN OFFSIDE WHISTLE "ECAMEX GOALKEEPER "UI 4AN 4RUONG DROPPED THE BALL ONLY FOR -ARAĂ„ON TO SNEAK IN AND SLOT IT HOME INTO A WIDE OPEN GOALMOUTH %AGER TO PROTECT THEIR HOME GROUND THE 6IETNAMESE TITLISTS

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CAME OUT AGGRESSIVE AFTER THE HALFTIME BREAK "ECAMEX FOUND THE EQUALIZER IN THE nd WHEN "RAZILIAN MIDkELDER 7ANDER ,UIZ lICKED THE BALL PAST KEEPER 2OLAND -ULLER FROM CLOSE RANGE *UST FOUR MINUTES LATER -ARAĂ„ON RESTORED #ERES LEAD WITH AN EASY TAP IN OFF 3TEPHAN 3HROCK S WELL PLACED CROSS -ARAĂ„ON MADE IT A THREE GOAL FEAT AS THE UNMARKED 3PANISH TALISMAN kRED /* 0ORTERIA S LAYOFF TO THE TOP RIGHT CORNER OF THE NET WITH ONLY MINUTES LEFT IN THE regulation.

-EANWHILE +AYA &# )LOILO IS SEEKING A BREAKTHROUGH WIN AGAINST DEFENDING !SEAN ZONE CHAMP (OME 5NITED &# OF 3INGAPORE AT THE 0ANAAD PITCH AT PRESS TIME 4HE ,IONS PREVIOUSLY SETTLED FOR A DRAW WITH ,AO 4OYOTA &# LAST &EBRUARY AT THE .EW ,AOS .ATIONAL 3TADIUM

Q Ceres Negros’ Bienvenido Maraùon runs past Becamex Binh Duong’s Vo Hoang Quang during the 2019 AFC Cup on Tuesday night at the Go Dau Stadium in Thu Dau Mot, Vietnam. AFC PHOTO

Ronaldo lifts Juve into Champions League quarters Bayern TURIN, Italy: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a spectacular hat trick TO kRE *UVENTUS INTO THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE QUARTERkNALS WITH A WIN OVER !TLETICO -ADRID ON 4UESDAY 7EDNESDAY IN -ANILA THAT SAW HIS SIDE CLAIM A THRILLING tie 3-2 on aggregate.

The Portuguese superstar scored TWO HEADERS EITHER SIDE OF HALFTIME and a late penalty to clinch a place IN &RIDAY S LAST EIGHT DRAW WITH A DOMINANT DISPLAY BY THE )TALIAN CHAMPIONS IN 4URIN g)T WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A SPECIAL NIGHT AND IT WAS NOT ONLY FOR THE GOALS BUT FOR THE TEAM u said Ronaldo. g4HIS IS THE MENTALITY OF CHAMPIONS 4HIS IS WHY *UVE BROUGHT ME IN TO HELP ON MAGICAL NIGHTS LIKE THIS u $IEGO 3IMEONE S !TLETICO WERE A SHADOW OF THE TEAM WHO HAD RUN RIOT IN THE kRST LEG IN -ADRID

AND CRASHED OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT THEY HAD BEEN HOPING TO WIN IN THEIR OWN 7ANDA -ETROPOLITANO 3TADIUM ON *UNE g4HE LADS HAVE SHOWN GREAT MATURITY u SAID *UVENTUS COACH -ASSIMILIANO !LLEGRI ) T I S T H E E I G H T H T I M E t h a t Ro n a l do has scored a hat-trick in the COMPETITION AND MIRRORS HIS IMPROBABLE TREBLE WHICH LIFTED FORMER CLUB 2EAL -ADRID PAST 7OLFSBURG IN !PRIL WITH THE 3PANIARDS DOWN AFTER THE kRST LEG 4HE #HAMpions League’s

record scorer took his tally in the TOURNAMENT TO WITH FOUR goals this season. *UVENTUS SIGNED YEAR OLD 2ONALDO LAST SUMMER FROM 2EAL -ADRID FOR MILLION EUROS MILLION IN ORDER TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE ON THE CONTINENT FOR THE )TALIAN CHAMPIONS WHO HAVE NOT WON THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE SINCE AND HAVE FINISHED RUNNERS UP TWICE IN THE PAST FOUR SEASONS !ND FIVE TIME "ALLON D /R WINNER 2ONALDO PULLED OUT A SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE AS HE SPEARHEADED THE ATTACK ALONG WITH &EDERICO "ERNARDESCHI AND -ARIO -ANDZUKIC

NATING THE FIRST HALF WITH NINE SHOTS ON GOAL COMPARED TO THREE FOR THE 3PANIARDS !TLETICO HAD AN EARLY SCARE WHEN *UVENTUS SKIPPER 'IORGIO #HIELLINI MAKING HIS TH *UVE APPEARANCE HAD THE BALL IN THE BACK OF THE NET AFTER FOUR MINUTES " U T A 6! 2 R E V I E W C O N kRMED 2ONALDO HAD FOULED GOALKEEPER *AN /BLAK IN A SCRAMBLE IN FRONT OF GOAL BEFORE DEFENDER #HIELLINI HAD kNISHED OFF $EFENSIVE SPECIALISTS !TLETICO HELD OFF THE *UVENTUS PRESSURE UNTIL THE TH MINUTE WHEN 2ONALDO MET A PIN POINT "ERNARDESCHI CROSS TO HEAD HOME THE OPENER

"ERNARDESCHI SENT A CURLING FREE KICK JUST WIDE MINUTES LATER WITH 2ONALDO MISSING A CHANCE FOR A SECOND WHEN HE HEADED WIDE ! #HIELLINI HEADER FROM A -IRALEM 0JANIC CORNER WAS CLEARED BY /BLAK BEFORE !LVARO -ORATA MISSED A CHANCE FOR AN AWAY GOAL BEFORE THE BREAK WHEN HE SHOOK OFF ,EONARDO "ONUCCI ONLY TO HEAD OVER "UT BACK AFTER THE BREAK 2ONALDO LEVELLED THE TIE WITH HIS SECOND GOAL WITH A MOVE HE BEGAN FROM HIS OWN HALF WITH A PASS to Leonardo Spinazzola DOWN THE LEFT 4 H E B A L L W A S W O R K E D T O *OAO #AN-

Dominant Juve !LLEGRI S SIDE CAME OUT FIRING DOMI-

CELO WHO CROSSED INTO THE PENALTY AREA FOR 2ONALDO WHOSE POWERFUL HEADER WAS PUSHED OUT BY /BLAK BUT NOT BEFORE IT HAD CROSSED OVER the line.

4EENAGER -OISE +EAN MISSED A CHANCE TO PUT *UVE AHEAD JUST AFTER COMING OFF THE BENCH SENDING WIDE WITH ONLY THE GOALKEEPER TO BEAT "UT THE DECISIVE GOAL CAME WITH FOUR MINUTES LEFT WHEN "ERNARDESCHI BURST INTO THE PENALTY AREA FROM THE LEFT AND WAS BROUGHT DOWN BY !NGEL #ORREA 2ONALDO MADE NO MISTAKE FROM THE SPOT TO SCORE his 25th goal against !TLETICO AND FOURTH H A T T R I C K T O spark pandeM O N I U M A M O N G THE HOME CROWD AFP

Q Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (right) collides with Atletico Madrid’s Colombian defender Santiago Arias (left) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.  AFP PHOTO

to use home advantage vs Liverpool MUNICH, Germany: Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac and veteran ‘keeper Manuel Neuer expect to make home advantage count in their Champions League last 16 return leg on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) to bring down Liverpool at a packed Allianz Arena.

After a goalless first leg draw at Anfield three weeks ago, Kovac expects both sides to go in search of goals and the Bayern coach rates Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool as one of the world’s best counter-attacking sides. “I don’t think it will end 0-0, but we will receive the kind of support in our stadium tomorrow the likes of which we haven’t seen in a long time,� said Kovac with a sellout crowd of around 70,000 expected. “We have shown lots of spirit and creativity in the Bundesliga going forward,� he added, as Bayern have won their last three league games, with a goal ratio of 12-1, since the first leg. “I’m in the mood to see us play even more effectively at home with the tailwind of our fans.�

However, Kovac warned that if his defense “take their eyes off� Liverpool’s fleet-footed forwards Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane or Mo Salah, “then it’s already too late�.

Bayern are bidding to reach the quarterfinals for the eighth year in a row and Kovac has backed his experienced team against a Liverpool side bidding for their first Premier League title in 29 years. “Of course, we have to push forward — that’s important — but Liverpool are one of the best counter-attacking teams and we’ll have to draw a fine line,� said Kovac. “The closer we get to the end of the season, the stronger mentally our players will become. AFP

EXPANDED 2022 WC Rampant City routs Schalke with magnificent seven TO GENERATE $400M MIAMI:Â !N EXPANDED TEAM 7O R L D # U P I N WO U L D DELIVER A FINANCIAL WINDFALL OF UP TO MILLION ACCORDING TO AN INTERNAL FEASIBILITY STUDY COMMISSIONED BY &)&!

A SOURCE WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DOCUMENT TOLD !&0 ON 4UESDAY 7EDNESDAY IN -ANILA 4HE RULING COUNCIL OF FOOTBALL S GLOBAL GOVERNING BODY MEETS IN -IAMI THIS WEEK WITH THE ISSUE OF THE 7ORLD #UP FORMAT IN 1ATAR EXPECTED TO DOMINATE DISCUSSIONS &)&! 0RESIDENT 'IANNI )NFANTINO IS A NOTABLE SUPPORTER OF INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE TOURNAMENT FROM TEAMS TO TEAMS ACCELERATING AN EXPANSION WHICH WAS kRST DUE TO TAKE PLACE AT THE TOURNAMENT ! FEASIBILITY STUDY WHICH WILL BE PUT BEFORE THE COUNCIL AT THIS

WEEK S MEETING IN -IAMI STARTING ON 4HURSDAY IS BROADLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE EXPANSION IN ! SOURCE WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE STUDY TOLD !&0 AN EXPANDED TOURNAMENT WOULD BOOST INCOMES

BY BETWEEN MILLION AND MILLION BETWEEN AND MILLION EUROS WITH THE EXTRA REVENUE DRIVEN BY INCREASED TELEVISION AND MARKETING RIGHTS AND ticket sales.

4HE 7ORLD #UP IS BY FAR &)&! S BIGGEST SOURCE OF INCOME WITH LAST YEAR S TOURNAMENT IN 2USSIA EARNING A HIGHER THAN FORECAST BILLION (OWEVER A TEAM 7ORLD #UP COULD ONLY GO AHEAD IF GAMES ARE SHARED WITH NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES SEVERAL OF WHOM HAVE IMPOSED A CRIPPLING BLOCKADE OF 1ATAR SINCE *UNE AFP

MANCHESTER, UK: Pep Guardiola SAYS -ANCHESTER #ITY DON T FEAR ANY TEAM IN THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE AFTER THEY POWERED INTO THE QUARTERkNALS WITH A ROUT OF HAPLESS 3CHALKE ON 4UESDAY 7EDNESDAY IN -ANILA #ITY HAD SNATCHED TWO LATE GOALS TO WIN THE kRST LEG AND THEY MADE THE MOST OF THAT kGHTBACK WITH A RUTHLESS DEMOLITION JOB AT THE %TIHAD 3TADIUM TO CLINCH A LAST AGGREGATE VICTORY 3ERGIO !GUERO S PENALTY OPENED THE SCORING IN THE TH MINUTE AND THE !RGENTINE FORWARD NETTED AGAIN SOON AFTERWARDS BEFORE ,EROY 3ANE WHO ALSO CONTRIBUTED THREE ASSISTS STRUCK AGAINST HIS FORMER CLUB 2AHEEM 3TERLING "ERNARDO 3ILVA 0HIL &ODEN AND 'ABRIEL *ESUS ALL SCORED AFTER THE INTERVAL TO COMPLETE #ITY S BIGGEST HOME WIN IN THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE

'UARDIOLA S SIDE WHO LIFTED THE ,EAGUE #UP IN &EBRUARY REMAIN ON COURSE FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED QUADRUPLE SITTING ONE POINT AHEAD OF ,IVERPOOL AT THE TOP OF THE 0REMIER ,EAGUE BEFORE THIS WEEKEND S &! #UP QUARTER kNAL AT 3WANSEA g!FTER THE kRST GOAL WE played at a good LEVEL 7E WERE seri-

OUS AND WE DID THE JOB u 'UARdiola said. g)N THE LAST MINUTES OF THE kRST HALF AND IN THE SECOND HALF WE WERE INCREDIBLE 7E WERE PLAYING QUICK DYNAMIC IN THE TRANsitions and

Q Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva (left) is fouled in the area by Schalke’s Jeffrey Bruma during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England. AFP PHOTO

WE SCORED GOALS u 4HIS EMPHATIC VICTORY WAS THE JOINT BIGGEST EVER #HAMpions League knockout stage WIN BUT WON T LINGER LONG IN THE MEMORY GIVEN 3CHALKE S TOTAL LACK OF RESISTANCE 4WICE A #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE WINNER AS "ARCELONA BOSS 'UARDIOLA CLAIMED THIS WEEK THAT #ITY ARE gTEENAGERSu IN THE COMPETITION COMPARED TO THE MORE ESTABLISHED %UROPEAN POWERS 4HEY HAVE NEVER WON THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE WITH THEIR BEST PERFORMANCE A SEMI kNAL APPEARANCE IN UNDER 'UARDIOLA S PREDECESSOR -ANUEL 0ELLEGRINI "UT #ITY ARE ONE OF THE FAVORITES TO CLAIM THE TROPHY AFTER 2EAL -ADRID AND 0ARIS 3AINT 'ERMAIN CRASHED OUT AND ON THIS EVIDENCE

'UARDIOLA S PLAYERS ARE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE OF SHOWING THEY ARE MORE MATURE THAN HE BELIEVES AFP

TTHURSDAY H UURSDAY R S DAYY MARC MARCH C H 14, 4, 2019

Entertainment

D1

www.manilatimes.net

GERALD SANTOS

Another PH pride is back!

A

‘Miss Saigon’s’ Thuy gears up for homecoming concert after taking UK, Europe by storm

FTER almost two years of portraying the role of Thuy for “Miss Saigon’s�

UK, Ireland and European tour, a more mature, polished, down to earth and DEkNITELY MORE TALENTED 'ERALD 3ANTOS HAS returned to the Philippines, grateful to have DONE HIS SMALL PART IN RAISING THE lAG FOR the Filipino artist abroad.

4RUTH BE TOLD HOWEVER HIS PERFORMANCE AS THE 6IETNAMESE soldier betrothed to Kim, before SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH AN !MERICAN TESSA MAURICIO GI, was far from anything “small.�

-ARRIOLA For in terms of showcasing the Filipino talent on the international stage, the following numbers say it all: Gerald went on stage THE 7EST %ND S kERCEST CRITICS AND eight times a week (that’s twice throughout the Schonberg-Boublil on Sundays), performing 553 musical masterpiece’s tour across SHOWS OUT OF THE TOUR S TOTAL Great Britain, Wales, Scotland, SHOWS ACROSS SIX COUNTRIES AND Ireland, Switzerland and Germany.

As one Emily Garside wrote in CITIES IN WEEKS 7ITH NO ALTERnate and only an understudy for 2EVIEWS 0ERFORMING !RTS g'ERALD 4HUY THE PERcent absence of the actor playing from the Cameron Mackintosh Limited Production accounts for allowable holidays and the one time he got sick in Germany. “It was with Miss Saigon I realized that musical theater isn’t a sprint but a marathon,� Gerald humbly imparted, quickly adding, “I really had to take care of myself and my VOICE EVEN IF IT meant going on COMPLETE VOICE rest as soon as one show ended to the next.�

More importantly, his per- Q Gerald Santos landed rave reviews wherever he formance earned performed forthe Cameron Mackintosh production.

RAVE REVIEWS FROM

Q OPM rap icon Gloc-9 and singer-songwriter Julie Ann San Jose worked together on the single 'Maleta.'

I

THE T-ZONE

Q “As a Filipino, you want to do your best in front of a foreign audience.�

3ANTOS AS 4HUY ;AN= OFTEN OVERlooked part, really rips at the heart and makes his part human, where in lesser hands, Thuy can seem little more than a plot-point.�

The others commonly describe him as brilliant, exceptional, powerful and awesome, among other SUPERLATIVES LEAVING NO DOUBT THAT the reality singing competition winNER FROM .AVOTAS HAS TRULY GONE A long way in his artistry and career. “Hindi po mababayaran ang naranasan ko doon, mula sa personal — kung paano ko kinailan-

gang alagaan ang sarili ko para makapag- PERFORM EVERY NIGHT

mamuhay ng mag-isa — hanggang sa pagigi kong artista and singer —

my attitude to work, techniques TO BETTER MY VOICE AND SO MUCH more,� Gerald expressed at his homecoming media conference.

His pride as a Filipino also came TO THE FORE AT EVERY PERFORMANCE

WITH THE YEAR OLD g0INOY 0OP 3UPERSTARu ALUM AVERRING g!S A Filipino, you want to do your best in front of a foreign audience.�

Gerald was quick to say he feels the same way back home, of course, as he excitedly talked about his

upcoming concert at The Theater at 3OLAIRE ON -AY UNDER -EDIABIZ Entertainment Production.

Simply titled, “Gerald Santos: The Homecoming Concert,� he will sing an extended suite from Miss Saigon in the show, along with his original ballads and COVERS AND GUEST PERFORMERS *AKE Zyrus, Miss Saigon batchmates Aicelle Santos and Joreen Bautista, AND ONE OF THE kRST &ILIPINO DISCOVeries of the original Miss Saigon, /0- ICON ,EO 6ALDEZ “I’m so happy to be home and I’m really looking forward to singing in the Philippines again,�

Gerald enthused.

4ICKETS TO THE SHOW ARE AVAILABLE at TicketWorld online.

-EANWHILE 'ERALD REVEALED HE HAD kLED AN APPLICATION FOR A WORKing permit in the UK, and has an agent in London who landed auditions for him in two other musicals [one of them, “The King and I�] and SEVERAL OTHER "RITISH 46 SHOWS “We’ll see how it goes,� the talented balikbayan played down the exciting possibilities in his international career. “For now, I just want to enjoy my homecoming.�

Q Asia's Nightingale Lani Misalucha, Total Performer Darren Espanto and The Fearless Diva Jona are all set to enthrall audiences for the Manila leg of 'Aces.'

OPM’s ‘Aces’ play The Big Dome THE &EARLESS $IVA THE 4OTAL 0ERformer, and Asia’s Nightingale are all keyed up to bring a night of enthralling music to the Araneta Colisuem as Jona, Darren Espanto, AND ,ANI -ISALUCHA kNALLY STAGE their highly anticipated “The Aces� concert tour to the capital. $IRECTED BY -ARVIN #ALDITO

with Jimmy Antiporda as musical director, this trio of top ABS-CBN ARTISTS kRST TOOK THEIR POWERHOUSE PRODUCTION TO 6ISAYAS AND -INdanao in successful back-to-back

stagings at Waterfront Cebu on &EBRUARY AND AT THE 3-8 #ONVENTION #ENTER $AVAO #ITY ON -ARCH The Manila leg will unFOLD ON -ARCH AT PM AND WILL kLL THE "IG $OME WITH carefully curated production numbers to show three generations of gifted singers take their passion AND VOICES TO THE LIMIT Presented by Star Music, Star %VENTS AND ### 0RODUCTIONS

TICKETS TO 4HE !CES OS AVAILABLE VIA Ticket Net online.

Fresh OPM collaborations

T’S always great to witness OPM artists coming together to collaborate with fellow local or international acts and explore where their combined talents can tame them.

Today, Music Geek features two grand “collabs� of OPM artists — one with a fellow major name and another with a Southeast Asian BAND ‡ WHO DEkNITELY DESERVE the spotlight.

First is OPM Rap Icon Gloc9, who continues to make his mark in the industry with another genius collaboration that debuted at top of the iTunes Philippines charts.

The track is “Maleta,� his collaboration with talented singersongwriter Julie Anne San Jose.

"OTH 5NIVERSAL 2ECORDS 0HILIPpines artists, the single marks the kRST TIME THESE TWO /0- GIANTS WORKED ON AN ORIGINAL TRACK EVEN AS THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED TOGETHER IN VARIOUS 46 SHOWS AND EVENTS IN THE PAST )T IS TIMELY TOO

AFTER *ULIE DROPPED A kERY HOT PERFORMANCE OF 'LOC S VERSE ON THE Parokya Ni Edgar classic Bagsakan (feat. Francis M and Gloc-9) during a spot number on the GMA .ETWORK MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW “Studio 7.�

Prior to Maleta’s release on February 15, the track was already No. 1 on the list of iTunes Philippines Pre-Ordered songs, WHICH INEVITABLY LED TO ITS TOP debut on not one, but two charts on iTunes Philippines, namely the All-Genres Chart and the Hip-hop/Rap Chart.

Talking about the song, Gloc says, “Goodbye song ko ito sa rap

MUSIC GEEK MUS MARK BONIFACIO

of Aria, Erik, Irfan, Konde and AlDRI AND BOASTS OF MILLION VIEWS ON 9OU4UBE 3INCE THEIR DEBUT IN

the band has had 13 hit songs, all in Bahasa Indonesia, and in their distinct orchestral musical arrangement.

Sabrina is of course a multiawarded artist, with her most recent recognition as “Best !COUSTIC !RTIST OF THE 9EARu AT THE 3TAR !WARDS AS WELL AS THE g9OUNG -USIC )CONu IN THE 4OP !SIA #ORPORATE "ALL held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

She now has more than 35 Million Streams on Spotify, sold-out concerts and a huge following in VARIOUS COUNTRIES IN !SIA WHERE HER ALBUM SERIES CALLED g) ,OVE !COUSTICu HAD SOLD MORE THAN

COPIES PROVING HER WORTHY OF HER title, “Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart.�

Her collaboration with Samsons was brought about by their record LABELS 5NIVERSAL -USIC )NDONESIA AND -#! -USIC )NC 5NIVERSAL -USIC 0HILIPPINES RESPECTIVELY

as these labels are both under 5NIVERSAL -USIC 'ROUP “I was so happy ‘cause being a solo artist, it always excites me to work with other artists. With Samsons as a band, I’d be teaming up with four brilliant minds in creating music that could touch people’s hearts,� Sabrina said. )NDEED 3TAY !S 9OU !RE IS A na ginawan ko ng kwento na pa- song that will touch people’s rang relationship sa isang babae.� hearts, inspired by the reality of Though this is in reference to PEOPLE IN LOVE WISHING THEIR PARTthoughts about staying in the ners to remain exactly the way they rap scene, there seems to be no were when they met.

Asked what it was like working stopping the rap icon from putting out fresh music that still with the band, Sabrina recalled resonates with long-time fans how both parties put in a lot of time and effort to communicate and new fans alike.

Maleta was released as a single WITH EACH OTHER THROUGH VIDEO ahead of Gloc-9’s upcoming EP, calls despite their busy schedules, which is expected later this year. to make sure that they come up Other tracks will include “Lagi,� with a song that is truly their own.

Additionally, Sabrina said, “It a collaboration with fast-rising Pinoy rap artist Al James, which WAS A VERY ENLIGHTENING EXPERIENCE HAS NOW GARNERED OVER MILLION as a songwriter. I learned the art VIEWS ON 9OU4UBE AND g0AMAY- of compromising artistically and payâ€? with R&B singer and Tawag POETICALLY ) LOVED ITĂœu Samsons, on the other hand, ng Tanghalan-alum JKris.

SAID g3HE S COMMUNICATIVE AND NNN The second OPM artist in a win- fun to work with.�

Likewise, the Samsons hope ning collaboration is Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart Sabrina,this time THE COLLABORATION WILL SERVE with Indonesian band Samsons as a bridge between Indonefor their original composition, sians and Filipinos, as, in their words, “When music speaks, g3TAY !S 9OU !RE u The Samsons band is comprised LOVE COMES AROUND u

Âťlive!

Q This tremendous trio of singers is greatful to their producers for the thinking of bringing them together in what has already been a successful powerhouse concert in Cebu and Davao.

Q Filipina artist Sabrina, dubbed as 'Asia's Acoustic Sweetheart,' recorded 'Stay As You Are' with Indonesian band Samson.

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

Funtimes

w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

D2

˜ The Manila Times

Answer to trivia test © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

p Answers 1. Whitehorse 2. “... to Rome.”

3. Japan 4. Ozone 5. 10 6. Alfred Pennyworth 7. Capt. Jack Sparrow 8. Mount Sinai 9. Minnesota 10. Hillary Clinton

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (03/14/19). Reach new levels in your career and profession this year. Focus, determination and discipline build a powerful team. Romantic sparks kindle into flame this summer, before a group hurdle appears. Shared winter victories could influence a change of heart. Find and follow your own passion.

1. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital city of the Yukon territory in Canada?

2. LANGUAGE: What is the ending to the proverb that begins, “All roads lead ...”?

3.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which country’s flag is a red circle on a white background?

4. SCIENCE: What gas with a distinctive odor is created by a lightning strike?

5. GEOMETRY: How many sides does a decagon have?

6. COMICS: What is the full name of Batman’s butler?

7. MOVIES: What was the name of Johnny Depp’s character in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie?

8. BIBLE: On what mountain did Moses receive the Ten Commandments?

9. U.S. STATES: Which state’s nickname is “The North Star State”?

10. HISTORY: Who was the first spouse of a former U.S. president to be elected to public office?

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Your work is attracting attention from someone important. Push to polish and prepare.

Make technical improvements. Correct errors before they’re seen.

Smile and wave.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- You’re taking new ground. Learn a useful trick. Explore fresh terrain, and investigate the background story. Dig through data. and take notes. Discover a fascinating thread.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Household issues require attention. Surprising actions could compel a spontaneous response. Keep a cool head, and listen to intuition. Secrets get revealed.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Focus on shared accounts and financial matters. Fix something before it breaks. Communication makes a big difference. Work out a mutually beneficial deal.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 7 -- It feels like dreams might come true. Present information clearly. Polish details on a creative work. Edit and trim until it’s tight and simply solid.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Partnership kindles with an unexpected spark. Discover unconsidered possibilities. Words fall out of your mouth. Express what’s in your heart. Talk about a shared vision.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 9 -- There’s money to be made. Profitable opportunities are available. Follow an older person’s advice. Make a good impression. Listen and provide what’s needed.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is an 8 -- You’re especially sensitive. Keep it respectful and gracious on the red carpet.

This is your show; smile and share appreciations. Acknowledge others. Let it in.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Listen to intuition.

Peace and quiet energize you. Notice your own thoughts. Indulge restorative rituals and reorganization. Consider what you want and where you’re going.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Friends enliven and enrich. Keep showing up for people. If you can’t make a date, reschedule. Keep your word. Contribution ripples forward. Make audacious invitations.

» SUDOKU

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Demands on your attention may seem high. Patiently stay in communication. Postpone what you can. Handle urgent matters, and rest. Prioritize health and wellness.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Prioritize fun and romance. Pamper your family with simple pleasures. Relax, and settle in with a good story or game. Get to know someone better.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

NANCY BLACK.Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Cusi firm on review of ECs to achieve lasting solutions DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi emphasized the unwavering resolve of the department to look into the issues plaguing electric cooperatives (ECs), and create the appropriate long-term solutions that would enable them to afford their customers the best services.

Sec. Cusi said, “We have to do the right thing for our country at all times. We cannot turn a blind eye to the pressing need for improved access and quality electricity services in some parts of the Philippines.� “We understand that there will be parties who might resist the required

REFORMS (OWEVER AS PUBLIC OFkcials, we cannot and should not be deterred by any threat that aims to derail us from performing our duties to the Filipino people,� he stressed.

The secretary added that the cooperation and inputs of ECs are crucial to the successful resolution of the deep-seated problems besetting cooperatives for many years. “We continue to ask the ECs and their leadership not to politicize this process, which only seeks to transform the state of ELECTRIkCATION IN THE COUNTRY TO FOSTER GROWTH NEEDED TO SIGNIkcantly improve the lives of our countrymen,� Cusi concluded.

PH Ambassador to Jakarta exhanges notes with DoLE

Public Square

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

D3

NAC gives tribute to hero soldiers N

ICKEL Asia Corp. (NAC), together with other sponsors, have rallied to support the Norther Luzon Command Heroes Foundation, Inc. (Nolcom HFI).

Nolcom HFI was established on National Heroes Day in August TO SOURCE kNANCIAL SUPPORT for Filipino battle casualties and families of fallen soldiers within Northern Luzon.

The brainchild of Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, Nolcom has a very wide coverage – Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordilleras, the maritime areas in the Western and Eastern side, Bajo de Masinloc, Mabulis Island, and the Philippine Rise.

Salamat shared that the families of Filipino soldiers who died in battle CONTINUE TO SUFFER kNANCIAL DIFkCULTIES and that Nolcom HFI hopes to secure A VIABLE SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR kNANCIAL assistance to the soldiers and the families they left behind. “It is very inspiring that civilian support comes to the foundation

Q NAC Assistant Vice President Ryan Jornada (left) hands the company’s contribution to Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat of Nolcom Heroes Foundation. the way NAC and the other corporations did. A perfect timing for civilians to share with us the principles of social responsibilities.� Salamat said.

For his part, lawyer Ryan Jornada, assistant VP for NAC, said that it is not often that Filipinos get to thank the soldiers who risk

their lives in service of the nation.

In his remarks, Jornada emphasized two words – Pasasalamat at Pag-asa – to thank Nolcom HFI for the opportunity to help, and in wishing that the advocacy of the foundation will live on for a long time for the Filipino soldiers and their families.

“We are thankful to Nolcom HFI for giving NAC this opportunity to express appreciation to our fallen soldiers, the combat casualties, and their families,� Jornada said.

NAC provided P500,000 as its initial contribution to the efforts of the foundation.

Quezon City distributes info board on violence against women

PHILIPPINE Ambassador to Jakarta, Indonesia Lee Hiong Wee (right) discussses about the Philippines and Indonesia during his courtesy call to Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd at the

Department of Labor and EmployMENT #ENTRAL /FkCE )NTRAMUROS

Manila, on February 22, the possible deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers in Jakarta, Indonesia.

DFP to give freebies to first 100 female shoppers on women’s month

AS part of its celebration of women’s month, the Quezon City Public Affairs and Information Services Department (PAISD) distributed 20 informative life-size standees to offices and establishments in the city listing as part of the awareness campaign to combat violence against women and children (VAWC).

The standees contain a checklist of signs of abuse and what to do if you are a victim of abuse and harassment.

It also contains contact information and help lines of the QC Gender and Development Council, QC Police District Women and Child Protection Desk, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Philippine National Police Women and Child Protection.

Under the administration of

Q Public Affairs chief Ares Gutierrez (4th from left) presents the standees to Mayor Herbert Bautista during QC Hall’s regular flag-raising ceremony. “Women have the right to be Mayor Bautista said.

Mayor Herbert Bautista, the city Quezon City has partnered implemented groundbreaking ordi- respected, protected, and equal nances on gender and development, access to opportunities. In fact, with the United Nations Enincluding the Gender Fair Ordi- these rights are universally de- tity for Gender Equality and the nance, Anti-Catcalling Ordinance, served by everyone, whether Empowerment of Women (UN and the Gender and Development you’re lesbian, gay, transgender, Women)to pilot the ‘Safe Cities bisexual or a man or a woman,� Program’ of UN Women.

Code of Quezon City.

LG Electronics PH celebrates launch of Netflix’s new Korean drama-thriller ‘Kingdom’ DUTY Free Philippines (DFP) will be giving out special tokens TO THE kRST FEMALE SHOPPERS AT the Fiestamall in ParaĂąaque City, starting March 1, in honor of the National Women’s Month.

Apart from the freebies, female shoppers at all DFP outlets will be given priority through the “Special Women’s Lane� for the entire month of March to avoid the hassle of long lines during registration.

Other highlights of the monthlong celebration is the International Women’s Day Forum (March 8), Discussion on the Magna Carta of Women (March 15), Senior Citizen’s Day (March 17), Inspirational talk with the “Maid to

Made� author Rebecca Bustamante (March 22), and a day for the Seafarer’s wives (March 31) at the Fiestamall, and make up tutorials (March 1-31) in all stores.

DFP Chief Operating Officer (COO) Vincente Pelagio Angala said the initiative is a special opportunity to recognize the achievements of women. “All our events are open to female Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), regular shoppers, and our employees to deepen our understanding on the value of equality the contribution of women to our society,� said Angala.

For more information, email mirafuentesjga@dfp..com.ph.

Patio Victoria Intramuros celebrates 18th anniversary

GLOBAL electronics and home entertainment giant LG Electronics Philippines and international online streaming pioneer Netflix Philippines once again strengthened its partnership with an exclusive advance screening on January 24, a day before the worldwide premiere of the newest original Korean series – ‘Kingdom’.

Recently, LG Philippines also launched its 30th Anniversary TV — the OLED B8 4K TV — and it’s the best way to give justice to the thrill and excitement of “Kingdom� and its mind-blowing cinematic appeal.

This growing partnership between ,' 0HILIPPINES AND .ETlIX 0HILIPpines further solidifies the bond between Filipinos and Koreans.

To h o n o r t h e t wo c o u n tries’ thriving relationship and strengthen KCC’s mission to “deepen the understanding and appreciation of Korean culture among Filipinos by providing

Q Attendees during the launching, the ‘Iron Man’ of the Philippine Basketball Association LA Tenorio, actor Gil Cuerva, Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Nicole Cordoves, Lifestyle and Travel Vlogger Dani Barreto and LG TV Ambassador James Deakin. diverse cultural programs and events�, LG Philippines, being a Korean company with principal headquarters in Seoul, South +OREA HAS DONATED kVE INCH UHD 4K TVs (four 55UK6300 and one 55UK6500) to the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in

the Philippines. “It is an important celebration of the strong relationship between Korea and the Philippines, which started in 1949.

To honor this friendship, we at LG always go beyond the call of duty to provide excellent home

entertainment products and appliances to millions of Filipinos who have supported us from the beginning. It is our pleasure to contribute in strengthening the bond between our two countries,� shared LG Philippines Managing Director Inkwun Heo.

DoT hails Boracay, El Nido TripAdvisor mention

SINCE 2001, Patio Victoria has been in the business as a wedding, debut, birthday, and events venue as well as for corporate events.

Patio Victoria offers elegant, classic plus affordable all in packages with a menu that boasts of classic and mouth-watering dishes that keep our clients coming back.

The venue has two gardens – 4HE 3OkA 'ARDEN AND 4HE $IANA Garden. Each garden can accommodate at least 350 persons, also our air-conditioned ballroom can

accommodate 250 persons.

Since 2001, Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez has been assisting this family business which caters to a lot of weddings, birthdays, and debuts. Although she has been busy since 2016 up to present as a full time Mayor of Tacloban City. She will be graduating as mayor this year and her husband former Mayor Alfred Romualdez will be running unopposed.

For more information, visit patiovictoria.com.

THE Department of Tourism’s (DoT) thrust for sustainable tourism continues to gain tracTION WITH TWO OF ITS lAGSHIP DEStinations--Boracay and El Nido, Palawan being listed among TripAdvisor’s 2019 Travelers’ Choice Awards.

Boracay White Beach, described as the island’s most popular beach famous for its amazing sunsets and white sand that stays cool in hot weather, ranked 9th among the beaches in Asia in spite of its temporary closure last year.

El Nido, Palawan’s Nacpan Beach and Las Cabanas Beach was voted as the 13th and 22nd best island in the region.

Meanwhile, the DoT together with partner line agencies, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the the Department of Interior And Local

'OVERNMENT $),' HAS IDENTIkED El Nido as among the destinations up for rehabilitation.

The tested trio of the interior and tourism secretaries mapped out the rehabilitation plan of El Nido late last year. “We take it that this TripAdvisor citation of Boracay and El Nido, is indicative of the positive reactions to the reforms and new policies being implemented in an effort to inculcate a culture of sustainable tourism. This bodes well with our campaign of highlighting the people’s genuine testaments and reactions to our destinations,� Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

The TripAdvisor’s 2019 Travelers’ Choice Awards ranks beaches, destinations, attractions, among others based on millions of traveller review and opinion.

Q The Boracay clean-up is just the first step in keeping the Philippines #MoreFunForever Boracay White Beach received over six thousand reviews with 62 percent excellent rave reviews and 24 percent very good rating, with most of the comments acknowledging the successful rehabilitation of the island.

Yapak Beach, second largest beach on Boracay named after

the prevalent white puka seashells, was also listed at 25th. “The Inter-Agency Task Force is excited for the completion of the island’s rehabilation; the second phase on April and the third on December this year. It will further promote the better Boracay and see #MoreFunForever,� Sec. Puyat added.

TTHURSDAY H U R S D AY M MARCH ARCH 14, 2019

Lifestyle

D4

www.manilatimes.net

Creative dishes with perfect cuts of pork A LOT of recipes can be made from pork, but to make sure they taste as good as they look, it is important to choose the right cut to use for every dish.

With the help of Robina Farms Premium Fresh Meat The Manila Times Flavors suggests creative ways of cooking a variety of pork specialties with the perfect cuts of

pork for the whole family to enjoy.

Kasim

One of the most common and versatile cuts of pork, kasim has layers of fat and litid, making it ideal for slow cooking and suited for most pork dishes like adobo, menudo, and sinigang.

Suggestion: Get creative with pork shoulder by roasting it whole on low heat for an extended period of time. With layers of fat keeping it moist, cooking it low and SLOW ALLOWS THE lAVORS to seep in, resulting in the perfect roast for Q Cube portions of pigue for a super meaty pulled pork.

Pork Menudo.

Tenderloin

loin, the ribs are located closer to the belly while those closer to the backbone are the more tender BABY BACK RIBS 2IBS ARE VERY lAvorful on their own, and are best ENHANCED BY CHARRED lAVORS WHEN they are barbecued.

Suggestion: Put a unique spin on barbecued ribs by adding coffee grounds into the dry rub.

From the same area as the pork loin, the tenderloin is the most tender of all cuts of pork meat. It ALSO HAS THE MILDEST lAVOR BECAUSE OF HOW LEAN IT IS AND BENEkTS FROM lots of seasoning.

It’s best cooked and treated like steak — grilled or pan-fried.

Suggestion: Make an alternative to chickLiempo en fingers by breading and A definite frying tendercrowd-pleasloin strips er, the liempo and pairor pork belly is ing it with the fattiest and honey musmost flavorful tard dip, or cut with alteruse it as a Q Ribs are flavorful on their own and nating layers of substitute best enhanced by charred flavors. meat and fat. It for beef in a can be used ingarlicy salpicao. terchangeably with kasim for a MORE lAVORFUL AND FATTY PORK DISH Ribs Suggestion: Level up the classic The row of bones surrounding the liempo by rolling a whole pork

Best quality, consistency spell success for food delivery partners WITH technology and the predilection for convenience to avoid horrendous traffic around the metro, more and more people opt to have the food from their favorite restaurants delivered straight to the comfort of their home.

At the heart of this on-demand food delivery service are establishments which maintained the quality of their offerings and the consistency of the flavor of their food to the satisfaction of customers — making Foodpanda a byword since it began operating in Manila in June last year.

Not only that the company takes pride in the growing number of restaurants on its platform but also that it provides the best quality food to customers. Three of its top restaurant-partners share their formulas to success to The Manila Times today which may give insightful ideas to other outfits interested to join the platform.

“The best advice we can give is for people to center their restaurant or concept around a proven, timeless product, and then innovate the manner in which it can be marketed to the guests,� he said.

Frankie's New York Buffalo Wings long-term goal is to expand to all major markets in Metro Manila and eventually areas outside the Metro. They want to continue improving their processes and keep on innovating.

Âťcheers!

Frankie's New York Buffalo Wings Popular chicken-wing joint-stop Frankie’s started operations in 2012. The owners wanted people to have a unique experience centered around buffalo wings and saw the potential in this untapped market. “We wanted to build a better, all-around experience centered around Buffalo wings,� restaurant president Eduardo Firmalo shared.

While brainstorming the name of Frankie’s, they Googled from the history of buffalo wings and discovered that it originated from an American-Italian couple – Frank and Teressa Belissimo – who first started selling buffalo wings in Buffalo, New York City. “So we decided to go with Frankie’s – as it sounded very much ItalianAmerican,� he said.

Hummus Elijah The healthy Mediterranean cuisine go-to started in the owner’s home kitchen in 2015. Before this, Eli Lapid used to cook for his friends and family and it wasn’t until he was prompted by his loved ones that he turned it into a proper business.

The restaurant name was derived from the combined names of the owner’s favorite food, hummus, and his name. “Hummus is my favorite food in the world ever since I was very young and Elijah is my first name so I just combined the two,�

Lapid explained. “The biggest struggle aside from the financial investment was maintaining the consistency of the dishes at the beginning and teach- Q Hummus Elijah owner Eli Lapid. ing the staff how to provide the best service in the world,� he said, referring to the struggles they needed to deal with while running the business.

As every experience is a lesson learned, Lapid gave a piece of advice to those who aspire to run their own restaurants someday. “Try to do something special that only you can do and can do it the best. Leave a personal signature in your food that people will recognize in every bite.�

In the future, Hummus Elijah is aiming to be known nationwide.

Q From the same area as the pork loin, the tenderloin is best for grilling.

BELLY INTO A LOG AND kLLING WITH aromatics to make the Italian roast pork dish porchetta. This DISTRIBUTES THE lAVORS MORE EVENLY throughout the meat, and creates a juicy roast with uniform layers of fat and a crispy skin.

Pigue The pigue is the second most versatile pork cut. It can be used in any of the same dishes as kasim, and is also best for slow cooking.

The pigue is where we get the ham.

Suggestion: Put a spin on basic adobo by adding gata (coconut milk) and allowing it to cook down to a thick sauce.

Q Use kasim for chunky pork adobo.

Pata The underrated pata can be used for a wide variety of dishes that otherwise require general purpose cuts. While it is not fatty, it gets TONS OF lAVOR FROM THE LAYERS OF skin and litid surrounding it. It is commonly used for crispy pata, and the braised pata tim.

Suggestion: Pata slices can easily

substitute cubed meat in pork nilaga or sinigang. When it is deboned and chopped, it can also replace the HARD TO kND MASKARA FOR sisig.

Knowing the right cuts to use for all-time-favorite pork dishes and how to creatively cook them add ZING AND lAVOR TO ANY RECIPE WITH the highest quality meat available in the market.

Âťnewsroomnibbles A bubbly bite of chocolate IN the heat of deadlines, newsmen need snacking without getting up from their seats, and chocolate is always considered a perfect nibble. Now the latest chocolate experience that reached The Manila Times Flavor is not just that, but bubbly too, courtesy of Cadbury Dairy Milk.

An aerated milk chocolate bar, the treat is fast becoming the newest chocolate-y craze in town. “Snacking is on the rise globally. The lines between meals and snacks are blurring. And Cadbury Dairy Milk’s maker, Mondelez Philippines, is well-positioned to create growth in the snacks segment with amazing brands and innovations that consumers have come to love. The company’s mission is to empower people to snack right, with the right snack,

for the right moment and made the right way,� Mondelez Philippines Chocolates Brand Manager Arlene Amante said. g4HE kRST OF ITS KIND IN THE 0HILippines, Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly is manufactured using Mondelez International’s innovative technology and chocolate-making expertise. It offers you a different taste experience from the norm; to help you bask in the moment, to savour and enjoy,� she added. “With Filipinos’ naturally bubbly nature, we believe that the Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly will be perfect for every Pinoy looking for an exciting taste and gastronomic experience. We ARE ALSO ONE OF THE kRST IN ALL OF Southeast Asia to welcome and TASTE THIS PRODUCT ‡ ANOTHER kRST for us!� she exclaimed.

101 Hawker Food House

Q Frankie’s president Eduardo Firmalo, corporate treasurer Kevin TaĂąedo and vice president Kevin Te. Frankie’s is now a staple for those who love chicken wings, before getting to this point, they had to face hurdles along the way. “Struggles will always be present in any business, most especially when you are a startup. Because we were a startup, we had to build all our system, forms, processes from scratch. To this day our processes are still evolving and not only that, managing people is also tricky. So I would say the biggest challenges that a startup business will face are managing people and creating an effective and reliable system with limited resources,â€? Firmalo added.

Everyone into Chinese or Singaporean food must know of 101 Hawker Food House.

This amazing restaurant started in 2010 by Chef Rexmond Chua, who used to work for Singapore’s Grand Hyatt kitchen. “I was a chef for different companies before starting out on my own. The inspiration to opening 101 Hawker Food House the time I spent working in Singapore’s Grand Hyatt where I would usually work overtime at their buffet restaurant, Straits Kitchen,� said the celebrated chef.

The resto’s name was inspired by the address of the first branch, 101 Urban Avenue, Makati, and starting the business wasn’t a breeze. “I started with very little marketing because most of our investment went to construction and setting up the restaurant,� he intoned.

Despite the difficulties in running the resto, Chua shared some useful advice to those who are having a hard time running their own.

Look for another venture if your heart is not 100 percent committed to the restaurant. That means long hours, losing sleep, missing out on gatherings and special occasion, etc. It is easy to get burned out in this field, he averred, adding that 101 Hawker Food House aims to stay in the business for more years to come.

Q Go Q Go lighter witth an with aaerated aerat eraat cchocolate choc hoc oco co eexperience. expe xppe

Campus Press

A SECTION FOR THE STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

E1

EDITOR: Marishelle R. Medina marishelle.medina@manilatimes.net

THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2019

‘High school nonreaders a failure of division and elementary schools’ T

BY ESTANISLAO ALBANO JR.

HE Department of Education (DepEd) NATIONAL OFkCE SAID THE PROBLEM OF NONREADERS IN HIGH SCHOOL FALLS ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE LOWER RUNGS OF THE AGENCY PARTICULARLY ON THE DIVISION AND THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVELS

)N AN INTERVIEW AT THEIR OFkCE and through email, Supervising %DUCATION 0ROGRAM 3PECIALIST *OCELYN 4UGUINAYO AND 3ENIOR %DUCATION 0ROGRAM 3PECIALISTS !NGEL Jabines and Nemia Cedo of the "UREAU OF ,EARNING $ELIVERY ",$ said the mandate of the national $EP%D OFkCE IS STANDARD AND POLICY FORMULATION IN RELATION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIFFERENT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS 4UGUINAYO SAID THE NATIONAL OFkCE WAS TASKED TO MONITOR THE implementation of programs at THE REGIONAL LEVEL ONLY WHILE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MONITORING THE HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS FALLS ON THE SCHOOLS DIVISIONS *ABINES SAID THAT THE PRINCIPALS OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WHERE THE 'RADE NONREADERS COME FROM WERE TO BLAME FOR THE IRREGULARITY BECAUSE THEY ATTESTED THAT THE STUDENTS SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED THE

CURRICULUM 3HE SAID IT WAS THE JOB OF PRINCIPALS TO SEE TO IT THAT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADUATES WERE ABLE TO READ 4UGUINAYO SAID IT WAS FOR THIS REASON THAT PRINCIPALS WERE OFTEN SEEN MAKING PUPILS READ AND IN THE CASES OF PUPILS FOUND TO HAVE READING DIFFICULTIES THEY ASSIST AND GUIDE THE TEACHER IN COMING UP AND APPLYING PROPER READING INTERVENTION FOR THE CHILD 4HE $EP%D SHE SAID FROWNS upon the retention of pupils in a GRADE BECAUSE AS EARLY AS THE kRST QUARTER TEACHERS COULD ALREADY IDENTIFY THE AREAS WHERE PUPILS WERE WEAK AT AND COULD ALREADY TAILOR REMEDIES FOR THE CHILD IN COORDINATION WITH THE PRINCIPAL 7HEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE CASE OF THE ROOMFUL OF 'RADE nonreaders and frustrated readers IN 3AUYO .ATIONAL (IGH 3CHOOL IN .OVALICHES 1UEZON #ITY AS

FEATURED IN '-! S g) 7ITNESSu DOCUMENTARY TITLED g0AG ASA SA 0AGBASAu AIRED ON 3EPT

4UGUINAYO ABSOLVED THE $EP%D NATIONAL OFkCE OF ANY FAULT SAYING that the alma maters of the students should have made the proper INTERVENTIONS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THEIR DIVISION SUPERVISORS 4UGUINAYO MAINTAINED THAT THE PRESENCE OF NONREADERS IN HIGH SCHOOL DOES NOT REFLECT ON THE NATIONAL $EP%D BECAUSE THEY WERE performing their mandate the best THEY COULD 3HE ADDED THAT WHEN IT COMES TO POLICIES THEY CONDUCT REVIEWS EVERY TWO OR THREE YEARS FOR ENHANCEMENT PURPOSES 4HE THREE DID NOT COMMENT WHEN ASKED IF THE $EP%D HAS ALREADY ISSUED REMINDERS TO THE kELD OFkCES TO SEE TO IT THAT NO NONREADers would be allowed to graduate FROM THE ELEMENTARY *ABINES ASKED HOW THE CORRESPONDENT COULD BE CERTAIN THE alleged Grade 7 nonreaders realLY COULD NOT READ WHEN THE STUDENTS PASSED THEIR OTHER SUBJECTS gAND READING IS THE FOUNDATION OF ALL LEARNING u -EDIA REPORTS AND ISSUANCES OF REGIONAL OFkCES AND ONE DIVISION OFFICE ARTICLE CULLED FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE WEBSITES HOWEVER DO

REVEAL THAT PUPILS NOW COULD REACH the intermediate grades and even HIGH SCHOOL STILL ILLITERATE 4HE STORY g6ALENZUELA GOVT ALLOTS 0 - TO SAVE SLOW AND NONREADERS AMONG STUDENTSu IN THE 0HILIPPINE $AILY )NQUIRER ON &EB

kRST SOUNDED THE ALARM ON the nonreader-problem, reporting that government reading tests SHOWED THAT ONE AND EIGHT OF EVERY 'RADE PUPILS IN 6ALENZUELA #ITY THAT SCHOOL YEAR 39 WERE nonreaders and frustrated readers, RESPECTIVELY 4HE SPECIAL REPORT g7E HAVE 'RADE STUDENTS WHO COULD HARDLY READu IN THE !PRIL AND -AY ISSUES OF THIS PAPER CHRONICLED THE INCIDENCE OF NONREADERS INCLUDING SOME 'RADE STUDENTS IN THE 4ABOO #ITY AND +ALONG $IVISIONS !N UNNUMBERED MEMORANDUM of the DepEd National Capital ReGION DATED 3EPT

REQUIRED the submission of data in the %NGLISH READING PERFORMANCE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY LEARNers with the report form for high SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVING A COLUMN FOR NONREADERS $EP%D 2EGION ! 2EGIONAL -EMORANDUM DATED *UNE

WHICH ENJOINED SUPPORT

for their reading intervention proGRAM CITED REPORTS THAT gTHERE ARE STILL NONREADERS IN 'RADES AND AND READERS WITH POOR COMPREHENSION IN HIGHER GRADES u $EP%D 2EGION 2EGIONAL -EMORANDUM SERIES

TITLED g"RIGADA FOR %VERY #HILD A 2EADERu STATED IT IS gIN RESPONSE TO FEEDBACK OF PERPETUATING EXISTENCE OF NONREADERS IN BOTH %LEMENTARY AND 3ECONDARY ,EVELSu AND $EP%D 2EGION -EMORANDUM (2$$

SERIES TITLED g2EGIONAL 4RAINING ON 'RADES TO READING TEACHERS ON #ARE FOR .ONREADERS #.2 0ROGRAMu INCLUDED 'RADES AND TEACHERS 4HE ARTICLE DESCRIBING THE PROGRAM TITLED g,%!0 u OF THE $EP%D Catanduanes Division posted in THEIR WEBSITE SAID g4HE RESULTS OF 0(), )2) 0RE 4EST AND 0OST 4EST REVEALED THAT THERE WERE STILL MANY LEARNERS IN ALL SCHOOLS AND IN ALL levels that are still in the frustration AND INSTRUCTIONAL GROUP IN READING LEVEL -UCH MORE NONREADERS ARE STILL PRESENT IN ALL GRADE LEVELS u 4HE THREE DID NOT COMMENT ON THE DOCUMENTS OR GIVE REASON WHY THE $EP%D COULD NOT SHOW THE DATA ON THE RESULTS OF THE 0HILIPPINE )NFORMAL 2EADING )NVENTORY 0HIL )2) FOR PAST SCHOOL YEARS

4HE 0HIL )2) IS A READING ASSESSMENT TOOL DEVELOPED BY THE $EP%D TO IDENTIFY STUDENTS WITH READING DIFkCULTIES AND HELP THE TEACHER institute appropriate intervention FOR THEM AND ALSO FOR THE SCHOOL head to plan reading programs and ACTIVITIES FOR THE SCHOOL 4HIS CORRESPONDENT HAD WRITTEN THE ",$ ON !PRIL

REQUESTING gRESULTS OF THE 0HIL )2) PRE AND POST TESTS PER DIVISION FOR 39S AND AND FOR THE CONSOLIDATED NATIONAL 0(), )2) PRE AND POST TESTS RESULTS FROM 39 TO 39 u /N .OV

",$ $IRECTOR ,EILA !RACELI !REOLA REPLIED SAYING THEY DID NOT HAVE THE DATA SINCE gTHE CONSOLIDATION INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS ARE DONE AT THE SCHOOL LEVELu AND THAT THE 0HIL )2) IS A CLASSROOM BASED ASSESSMENT TOOL !REOLA RECOMMENDED GOING TO THE SCHOOLS DIVISIONS FOR THE CONSOLIDATED DATA OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS AND VISITING THE DIVISION OFFICES OF "ENGUET "AGUIO #ITY AND 4UGUEGARAO #ITY BUT ALL SAID THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE DATA FOR THE PREVIOUS YEARS .EITHER COULD THE REGIONAL OFkCES OF 2EGION AND THE #ORDILLERA !DMINISTRATIVE 2EGION PROVIDE ANY

ÂłSchoolE4

DLSZ team, big winner in Power Mac Center app contest 'AME APP TACKLES GLOBAL 1UALITY %DUCATION GOAL

A game app that will help toddlers and grade school students build their passion for learning bagged the grand prize in Power Mac Center’s “emPOWER UP! Design a Better World: App Development Challenge� for kids.

The winning app “BrainVentures� puts the player through a series of activities with the help of a digital sidekick. These activities let players explore and develop their skills and creativity along the way.

The concept was developed by Derek Joshua Altuna, Alexandria Jillian Braga and Aniela Jenina Lesaca, collectively known as “Team BrainVentures� from De La Salle Santiago Zobel (DLSZ). It aims to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education by integrating valuable lessons during gameplay.

The DLSZ students brought home brand new iPad units and the opportunity to have their app developed and uploaded to the App Store.

According to the UN, more than 265 million children are currently out of school, 22 percent of whom are of primary school age. Moreover, 617 million youth all over the world lack basic

mathematics and literacy skills. By integrating lessons into something ubiquitous like smart devices, providing quality education doesn’t stop at traditional venues l i ke c l a s s ro o m s t h e re by reaching more learners, even in far-flung areas. Games, in particular, help keep children’s minds active and their imagination going.

Power Mac Center Director of Product Management and Marketing Joey Alvarez was all praises for the winners. “Kids nowadays are woke. They understand what’s happening, they know what’s needed, and they help create simple but impactful solutions. And because they’re digital natives, they know how to leverage technology to their advantage.�

Apart from the iPad units they received, the kids of Team BrainVentures also got to attend free workshops by Power Mac Center’s Apple Certified Trainers, who will help create and upload their app in the App Store. It is expected to be up and running within the year.

Meanwhile, first runner-up winner Team Ear th Hero, composed of Cameron Sanz, Rebecca De Veyra and Hannah Mallinllin, designed an

app for Climate Action, which got them P45,000 worth of Power Mac Center Gift Certificates in prizes.

Team Clean ‘Em All, composed of Kaia Mikayla Diola, Enrico Joaquin Abella and Sofia Annika Ysabel Pagilagan, won P30,000 worth of Power Mac Center Gift Certificates for an app on Climate Action and caring for Life Below Water and Life on Land. emPOWER UP! Design a Better World: App Development Challenge was staged in cooperation with KIDS CAN! Innovation Camp, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (Assist Asia), De La Salle College of Saint Benilde HiFi (Hub of Innovation for Inclusion), Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation and I Am VR Panda.

An Apple Authorized Training Provider, Power Mac Center continuously empowers and enhances the technical and creative skills of the youth through annu al training programs such as the Summer Workshop.

For details and reservation of seats, interested clients may contact the Training Team at (0908) 885 6277 or email pbsi@powermaccenter.com.

Q Members of the Top 5 teams shortlisted in the ‘emPOWER UP! Design a Better World: App Development Challenge’ participate in workshops and in-depth planning sessions with Apple Certified Trainers and representatives from partners KIDS CAN! Innovation Camp, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde HiFi (Hub of Innovation for Inclusion), Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, and I Am VR Panda. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Q De La Salle Santiago Zobel students and Team BrainVentures members Derek Joshua Altuna, Aniela Jenina Lesaca and Alexandria Jillian Braga bag the grand prize in Power Mac Center’s ‘emPOWER UP! Design a Better World: App Development Challenge’ for kids. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Tarlac Agri U, PIA ink DevComm deal

Q Dr. Max Guillermo, Tarlac Agricultural University president (left) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Assistant Regional Director Carlo Lorenzo Datu show the copy of the memorandum of agreement shortly after the signing ceremony. PHOTO COURTESY OF PIA 3

C A M I L I N G , Ta r l a c : Th e Ta r l a c Ag r i c u l t u r a l U n i ve r s i t y ( TAU ) s i g n e d a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Regional Office 3 for a partnership for the newly established Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (BS DevComm) Program.  Under the agreement, PIA will provide an avenue for the BS DevComm students to showcase knowledge and skills and to familiarize them about the communication processes that are conducted on television, radio, print and online platforms.  Meanwhile, TAU pledges to participate and support national advocacy activities

and to bring the services of the government to the community, especially to the students.  Initially, PIA and TAU DevComm Department will be holding a digital communications workshop focused on social media, mobile photography, freedom of information and responsible sharing of information.  “We thank the PIA for the continuing trust to TAU and for the help and assistance for the development of our newly opened DevComm program,� Dr. Max Guillermo, TAU president, said.  “ Through this cooperation with technical assistance in the field of development communication, we hope to bring various

skills and knowledge to the students for them to become a well-equipped development communicator,� he added.  PIA Assistant Regional Director Carlo Lorenzo Datu thanked TAU for its support in the various national and regional campaigns of the agency.  PIA has an existing memorandum of understanding with TAU on the promotion of the state university’s various programs and projects.  “We can commit in this new DevComm partnership our on-air, online and onground platforms where the students can hone their craft,� Datu said. JERRY M. HERNANDEZ

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.)

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY March 14, 2019

Campus Press

E3

Tough, counterintuitive aspects of English grammar - 1

T

OWARDS THE END OF &EBRUARY ) RECEIVED QUESTIONS ABOUT TOUGH

COUNTERINTUITIVE ASPECTS OF %NGLISH GRAMMAR FROM A &ILIPINA FRIEND WHO TAUGHT %NGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE 4ESOL FOR MANY YEARS IN (ONG +ONG 7E HAD OFTEN CORRESPONDED ON %NGLISH USAGE UNTIL SHE RETIRED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND CAME BACK TO THE 0HILIPPINES

&ROM HER 6ISAYAN HOMETOWN SHE NOW WROTE ME g(ERE ) TAKE TIME OUT TO TEACH %NGLISH TO MY HELPERS ) POINT OUT TO THEM THAT THEY LL SURELY WANT TO DO BETTER THAN JUST BEING DOMESTICS AND CAREGIVERS ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE PLANS TO WORK ABROAD g&OR MY 4ESOL CLASSES ) OBVIOUSLY had to learn the grammar of what ) M ASKING YOU BUT BEING OLD AND DECREPIT NOW AND LOSING MEMORY

CELLS ) VE FORGOTTEN HOW TO EXPLAIN WHY SENTENCE CONSTRUCTIONS LIKE THE FOLLOWING ARE GRAMMATICALLY FAULTY @7HILE ) FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS

it DID NOT ENCOURAGED MY FRIEND u AND @4HEY did not attended Mass WHEN THEY WENT TO CHURCH g7HY IS IT THAT FOR SUCH NEGATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS IT S WRONG TO USE the helping verb in the past tense FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN VERB ALSO IN the past tense ‡ @DID NOT ENCOUR-

ENGLISH PLAIN AND SIMPLE

JOSE A. CARILLO AGED @DID NOT ATTENDED -ASS )T S TOUGH FOR THOSE WHO DON T INSTINCTIVELY KNOW THE GRAMMAR RULES BEHIND THIS USAGE SO EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY TACKLED THIS SUBJECT IN YOUR WEBSITE ) HOPE YOU CAN kND TIME TO EXPLAIN THIS IN YOUR COLUMN u -Y REPLY TO MY %NGLISH TEACHER friend, who requested not to be named here: 4HE CORRECT GRAMMAR USAGE FOR THOSE TWO NEGATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS — gDID NOT ENCOURAGE ugDID NOT ATTEND -ASSu ‡ DOES VERY OFTEN ESCAPE THE GRASP OF MANY NONNATIVE %NGLISH LEARNERS 4HIS IS BECAUSE THIS USAGE IS ACTUALLY COUNTERINTUI-

TIVE 4AKE THE kRST EXAMPLE INSTEAD OF MAKING THE HELPING VERB gDOu AND THE MAIN VERB gENCOURAGEu BOTH TAKE THE PAST TENSE ‡ gdid not ENCOURAGEDu ‡ THE PRESCRIBED USAGE MAKES THE HELPING VERB TAKE THE PAST TENSE gDIDu BUT MAKES THE MAIN VERB gENCOURAGEu TAKE WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE PRESENT TENSE gENCOURAGE u 4HIS ARISES FROM TWO VERY PECULIAR RULES IN %NGLISH ‡ ) M ALMOST TEMPTED TO SAY gQUIRKISHu BECAUSE VERY FEW OTHER LANGUAGES ARE KNOWN TO USE THEM ‡ THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED WHEN CONSTRUCTING NEGATIVE STATEMENTS 2ULE Û IS THAT IT S THE HELPING VERB ‡ NOT THE MAIN VERB ‡ THAT TAKES THE TENSE 4HIS IS WHY IN THE SENTENCE g) DID NOT LIKE HER u FOR EXAMPLE THE HELPING VERB gDOu TAKES THE PAST TENSE gDIDu BUT THE MAIN VERB gLIKEu DOESN T LIKEWISE

4AGUIG PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FETED FOR GLOBAL EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE MATH ROBOTICS SCORES of public school students from Taguig took home the Secretary’s Medal at the Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Awards at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.  Eighty-nine students from at least 10 public elementary and high schools in Taguig City were given the recognition in February on the 11th year of the YES rites of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute.

They were honored along with hundreds of others from across the National Capital Region, who took home bronze, silver and gold medals from various international math and science competitions last year. “It is really overwhelming because this is my first time to receive the YES Award,â€? said Izra Myca Uldama, a Grade 11 accountancy, business and management student at Sen. Renato “CompaĂąeroâ€? Cayetano Memorial Science and

Technology High School. “Receiving the recognition was the reward of all the hard work I put into the training and the competition itself,� added Uldama who snagged a gold medal at the International Mathematics Wizards Competition held in Jakarta, Indonesia in May last year.

Uldama said the YES awards would serve as an “inspiration for other students to also aim for this kind of achievement.  For Arthur Betez Jr., a Grade 11 science, technology, engineering and mathematics student at Taguig Science High School, receiving the YES Award was “fulfilling� especially for students like him,“ who really aim to bring home awards for our school, for the city and for the entire country as well.�

Betez won a bronze medal at the FIRA Roboworld Cup held in China last July 16 to 20, 2018.

Also contributing to Taguig’s overall haul were students from Silangan Elementary School, Upper Bicutan National High School, RP Cruz Elementary School, KERIS, Kapt. Jose Cardones Memorial Elementary School, Taguig Integrated School, Upper Bicutan Elementary School and Signal Village National High School.

The participation of public schools in global events is possible in large part because of the support of the local government unit.  “The city has given us various kits which we used for our contests and the local government sponsored all our competitions. Even though there are times we fail, Taguig City has never stopped offering its support to us,� Betez said.

Students who compete in national and international competitions get full subsidies for airfare, hotel accommoda-

DoST hunts for inventors, scientists in Isabela universities ILAGAN CITY, Isabela: In a move to continuously promote the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) Young Investors and Balik Scientists programs, the agency is doing the rounds in universities and colleges in the province to hunt and multiply young and veteran scientists in the country.

Engr. Marcelo Miguel of DoST Isabela said they were meeting higher education institutions (HEIs) officials in the province to support the talents of students who have interest in science and technology researches. “We have collaborated with the Philippine Council for Industry, Engineering and Emerging Technology Research and Development to help us in going around the universities and colleges in the province to promote our program for young inventors and scientists,� Miguel said.

He said the Young Inventors Program recognizes

promising researchers under the age of 30. “We encourage them to delve into scientific researches through provision of financial assistance,�

Miguel said.

On the other hand, the Balik Scientist Program seeks to encourage highly trained overseas Filipino scientists and technologists, experts and professional, he said. “Many of them (scientists) are abroad and we are encouraging them to return to the country and share their expertise for the acceleration of the scientific, agro-industrial and economic development of the country,� Miguel said.

He said they had been getting responses from HEIs, which was a good sign that their programs would soon succeed. “We are gaining positive results in meeting with university officials promoting both programs,�

Miguel said.

LEANDER C. DOMINGO

tion and registration fees.

The Taguig government has invested much in education. At the center of this is the Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-need, a scholarship program designed to cater to the TaguigeĂąo youth who want to pursue their dreams.

In July 2017, the Taguig government increased the allowances of city schol ars, which now ranges from P15,000 to P60,000, depending on what type of scholarship the student has availed.

From P5 million in 2010, Taguig’s scholarship fund grew to P675 million this year and has already produced more than 57,000 scholars.

Apart from this, students from the 36 public schools in the city receive free school supplies, uniforms, hygiene kits, shoes, bags, emergency grab bags, as well as raincoats, before the start of each school year.Â

TAKE THE PAST TENSE gLIKED u )NDEED

ALTHOUGH THE VERB gLIKEu HERE LOOKS LIKE IT S IN THE PRESENT TENSE THIS FORM DEkNITELY ISN T IN THE PRESENT TENSE )T S THE INkNITIVE FORM INSTEAD OF THE VERB gTO LIKEu STRIPPED OF THE FUNCTION WORD gTOu ‡ A BARE INkNITIVE THAT RESULTS WHEN gTOu IS DROPPED FROM THE INkNITIVE gTO LIKE u 4HIS IS THEREFORE NOT A CHOICE between using the past tense gLIKEDu OR THE PRESENT TENSE gLIKE u 4HE INABILITY TO RECOGNIZE THIS CRUCIAL GRAMMATICAL DISTINCTION between the present tense and the BARE INkNITIVE VERY OFTEN LEADS TO A DEADLOCK IN ARGUMENTS OVER WHICH VERB TAKES THE TENSE IN NEGATIVE SENTENCE CONSTRUCTIONS 2ULE IS THAT THE HELPING VERB MUST COME BEFORE THE WORD THAT NEGATES THE MAIN VERB 4HUS IN THE SENTENCE g) DID NOT LIKE HER u the past tense of the helping verb

gDOu COMES BEFORE THE NEGATOR gNOT u AFTER WHICH THE BARE INkNITIVE FORM OF THE MAIN VERB gLIKEu FOLLOWS 4HIS IS WHY UNLIKE OTHER LANGUAGES THAT NEGATE SENTENCES

BY PUTTING A NEGATOR WORD AT THEIR beginning or tail end, English USES THE NEGATIVE FORM gDO NOTu OR MUCH MORE OFTEN ITS CONTRACTED FORM gDON T u .EXT WEEK ) LL TAKE UP %NGLISH PREPOSITIONS WHICH MY &ILIPINA 4ESOL TEACHER FRIEND FINDS TO BE ALSO STUMBLING BLOCKS TO &ILIPINO LEARNERS OF %NGLISH .EXT 4OUGH COUNTERINTUITIVE ASPECTS OF %NGLISH GRAMMAR

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QC Polytechnic University to be renamed QC University Q U E ZO N City Vice Mayor J o s e f i n a “J oy � B e l m o nte vowed that if she wins the mayoral race in the May elec tions, she would re name the QC Polytechnic University to QC University. “If elec ted, in my first term of administration, I aim to establish the Quezon City University for our objective to improve the quality of education we offer to our students. In accordance with the Free Education Act, we will strive to give the students a free and better quality of education,� Belmonte said. The QC Council, presided

by Belmonte, has passed an ordinance establishing the university with its new charter and admission poli-

cies, “in support of the goals and policies of the national government in providing its citizens quality education.� “We already have a landmark legislation for this through the initiative of the 20th City Council, which we have consulted to CHEd (Commission on Higher Education) and all the stakeholders. This will be our priority project in my first term of administration if we will be elected as mayor,�

Belmonte said.

The QC University also intends to promote the conduct of researches and advance studies in several fields, while providing innovations in teaching, research and faculty development.

JAIME R. PILAPIL

5PRISING ! RHYTHM FOR A GREATER CAUSE

BY JENNIFER REAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES VISAYAS UNDER THE SCENIC MOON AND BRILLIANT STARS

MORE THAN )SKOS AND )SKAS WERE SERENADED BY CAPTIVATING VOICES AND MUSIC DURING THE 5PRISING -USIC &ESTIVAL AT THE kELD OF THE 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPPINES 6ISAYAS 506 -IAGAO #AMPUS 4HE 5PRISING -USIC &ESTIVAL MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF )MPACT 506 AND THE 5NIVERSITY 3TUDENT #OUNCIL OF 506 -IGAO WAS A FUNDRAISING CONCERT HELD LAST &EBRUARY TO HELP OUT A CHOSEN COMMUNITY 4HIS "AND A RISING /0- BAND KNOWN for their hit songs g+AHIT !YAW -O NAu and g(INDI .A .GA u ALONG WITH LOCAL BANDS and artists from Iloilo, Sons and Daughters, 4HE 1UEENS % TOTS .ANA AND 4OMAS AND %IAN"RYLE PERFORMED AT THE MUSIC FESTIVAL

%VERYONE SANG THEIR HEARTS OUT AND RELIEVED THEMSELVES OF EXHAUSTION FROM THE STRESS OF ACADEMIC WORKLOADS FOR A WHILE 4HE AUDIENCE ALSO SPENT GOOD TIMES WITH THEIR LOVED ONES AND CELEBRATED FRIENDSHIP AMID THE HARMONIOUS MUSIC AND THE SWEET SWIFT OF THE COLD BREEZE UNDER THE STARRY -IAGAO SKY 7HEN THE MAIN ACT 4HIS "AND STEPPED FOOT ON STAGE AND SANG THEIR SONGS THE CROWD WAS ELATED g) REALLY ENJOYED THE MUSIC FEST BECAUSE ) GOT THE CHANCE TO WITNESS 4HIS "AND PERFORM LIVE &URTHERMORE THE SONGS THAT THE )LONGGO BANDS AND ARTISTS SANG WERE COMPELLING

ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH (ILIGAYNON LYRICS u 3HAREBE %ROY "! ,ITERATURE SAID )T WAS A FUN AND UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

TO COME TOGETHER ENJOY GRATIFYING MUSIC

SUP PORT SUPERB LOCAL MUSIC ARTISTS WHILE RAISING FUNDS FOR THE SAKE OF THE TARGET BENEkCIARY 4HE PROCEEDS FROM THE EVENT WILL BE USED TO IMPROVE THE RAINWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM

along with the rehabilitation of the sanitation and handwashing stations of Buenavista %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL 4HE MUSIC FEST ALSO SERVED AS THE CONCLUDING EVENT OF THE 5NIVERSITY 7EEK CELEBRATION OF 506 g-Y HEART IS FULL FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED US MUCH MORE OUR CAUSE 7ITH THAT NOT ONLY WERE WE ABLE TO PARTY ALL NIGHT LONG BUT ALSO EVEN BECAME A PART OF SERVING THIS NATION 4HANK YOU )LOILOĂœu SAID 4HEO 0IDO CHAIRMAN OF )MPACT 506

0,$4 .OKIA TO DEPLOY ' STANDALONE SOLUTIONS IN SCHOOLS 0,$4 )NC CONTINUED TO RAMP UP ITS PRESENCE IN THE FIFTH GENERATION ' RACE IN THE COUNTRY AND IN THE 3OUTHEAST !SIA REGION 4HE GROUP S WIRELESS ARM 3MART #OMMUNICATIONS IS SET TO ROLL OUT ' STANDALONE OR ' 3! SOLUTIONS IN SCHOOLS after the latter signed a deal with Finnish TECHNOLOGY COMPANY .OKIA ON 4UESDAY g7E ARE HAPPY TO PARTNER WITH .OKIA to help develop intelligent solutions and TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE BENEkT OF THE 0HILIPPINE EDUCATION SECTOR u 0,$4 3MART #HAIRMAN AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER -ANUEL 6 0ANGILINAN WAS QUOTED AS SAYING IN A STATEMENT g"Y WORKING WITH PARTNERS LIKE .OKIA IN UNLOCKING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF ' FOR &ILIPINO ENTERPRISES AND CUSTOMERS WE ARE PUTTING THE 0HILIPPINES AT PAR WITH the rest of the world in preparing for the DEPLOYMENT AND ADOPTION OF ' u 0,$4 3MART #HIEF 4ECHNOLOGY AND )NFORMATION ADVISOR *OACHIM (ORN ALSO SAID 4HE PARTNERSHIP WOULD FOCUS ON DEVEL-

OPING ' STANDALONE SOLUTIONS INCLUDING ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE DRONES AND )NTERNET OF 4HINGS )O4 APPLICATIONS AS WELL AS DEPLOYING ' HANDSETS AND APPLICATIONS IN UNIVERSITIES WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST INITIATIVE IN 3OUTHEAST !SIA

0,$4 SAID g ' IS NO LONGER A THEORY u (ORN TOLD A PRESS BRIEkNG ADDING THAT EXPECT TO ROLL OUT ' IN A LARGER SCALE BY NEXT YEAR 4HIS AS 0,$4 SEEKS TO DOMINATE AND LEAD THE MARKET WITH ' ,AST YEAR ALONE

0,$4 AND 3MART RELEASED A NUMBER OF ' RELATED DEVELOPMENTS )N *UNE THE GROUP LAUNCHED ITS ' 4ECHNOLAB A FACILITY THAT WILL SPECIkCALLY FOCUS ON THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

STANDARDIZATION AND TESTING OF ' WIRELESS BROADBAND TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES )T ALSO CONDUCTED A SPEED TEST WHERE IT RECORDED 'IGABITS PER SECOND WHICH WAS MUCH FASTER THAN WHAT IS CURRENTLY BEING OFFERED IN THE MARKET WHICH RANGES FROM TO MEGABITS PER SECOND ON AN AVERAGE LISBET K. ESMAEL

Q More than 700 Iskos and Iskas sang their hearts out during the Uprising Music Festival at the field of University of the Philippines VisayasMiagao Campus last February 22. PHOTO BY JIMDEL RYU MABAQUIAO, BS PUBLIC HEALTH 1, UPV.

E4

Campus Press

The ËœManila Times THURSDAY March 14, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Combating child exploitation through peer education

BY OFELYN DATUIN

)

. CELEBRATION OF 7OMEN S MONTH 0LAN )NTERNATIONAL 0HILIPPINES LAUNCHED THE &ACE 9OUR 0EERS GUIDE BOOK ON -ARCH IN -AKATI #ITY TO HELP THE YOUTH PREVENT AND PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

4HE GUIDE BOOK WILL EXTEND THEIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION SPECIkCALLY COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF EHILDREN #3%# AND ONLINE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN /3%# THROUGH THEIR PEER EDUCATION PROGRAM 4HE BOOK LAUNCH INVITED ADVOCATES SUCH AS GOLD MEDALLIST AND *IU JITSU WORLD CHAMPION -ARGARITA g-EGGIEu /CHOA WHO TALKED about her role as an athlete in PROMOTING AWARENESS TO THE CAUSE AGAINST CHILD EXPLOITATION g) KNOW MY SPORT HAS SOME SPECIAL EMPOWERING THING ABOUT IT THAT CAN BE USED TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS u /CHOA SAID g3PORTS IS SOMETHING THAT THE YOUTH IS INTERESTED IN SO ) THINK IT CAN BE USED AS A TOOL TO GRAB THEIR INTEREST AND ATTENTION u SHE ADDED /CHOA SAID SHE UTILIZES HER EXPOSURE IN MEDIA WHEN SHE IS COMPETING IN *IU JITSU COMPETItions to spread awareness on CSEC AND /3%# 3HE ALSO BELIEVES THAT EVERYONE COULD CONTRIBUTE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT CHILD EXPLOITATION IN THEIR OWN WAY g%VERYBODY COMES FROM DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS

EVERYBODY IS GOOD AT SOMETHING

EVERYBODY HAS SKILLS THAT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE BUT FROM EVERYTHING THAT ) SHARED WITH YOU ) JUST WANT

YOU TO TAKE HOME THAT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING u -EANWHILE 0LAN )NTERNATIONAL 0HILIPPINES CAMPAIGN AND ADVOCACY SPECIALIST 0AULINE DE 'UZMAN DISCUSSED THE REASON WHY CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN THE SEX TRADE g!CCORDING TO THE STUDY THAT 0LAN )NTERNATIONAL CONDUCTED IN POVERTY IS STILL THE MAIN REASON WHY CHILDREN ENTER INTO THE SEX TRADE u /THER REASONS SHE CITED INCLUDED LACK OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION AND OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN MEDIA 3HE CITED THAT THE 53 $EPARTMENT OF 3TATE IN TAGGING THE 0HILIPPINES AS A SOURCE A DESTINATION AND A TRANSIT COUNTRY FOR MEN

WOMEN AND CHILDREN SUBJECTED TO SEX TRAFkCKING AND FORCED LABOR !CCORDING TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS )NTERNATIONAL #HILDREN S %MERGENCY &UND THE 0HILIPPINES IS THE EPICENTER OF ONLINE AND COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION %#0!4 )NTERNATIONAL FORMERLY %ND #HILD 0ROSTITUTION AND 4RAFkCKING ALSO SAID IN A STUDY THAT &ILIPINO CHILDREN ARE SUBJECTED TO SEX TRAFkCKING EVERY YEAR !S SUCH 0LAN )NTERNATIONAL 0HILIPPINES AND THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING THE CAUSE WANT THE ISSUE TO BECOME A NATIONAL PRIORITY g7E WANT THE

Q Children’s rights advocates and speakers Pauline de Guzman, Mariane Dorothy and Meggie Ochoa pose while doing the hand sign for Fight to Protect, a sports organization promoting against child exploitation. PHOTO BY OFELYN DATUIN

GOVERNMENT THE PRIVATE SECTOR

THE CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION THE MEDIA EVERYONE TO ACT ON THIS issue, to do something on this isSUE AND TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE u 0LAN )NTERNATIONAL 0HILIPPINES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT THEIR CAUSE SUCH AS %#0!4 YOUTH THE 0AMBANSANG +OALISYON NG +ABABAIHAN SA +ANAYUNAN 0+++ THE 9OUTH &ORCE AND THE 'IRL 3COUTS OF THE 0HILIPPINES CONDUCTED A g4RAINING OF 4RAINERSu EVENT FOR THE GUIDE BOOK LAST &EBRUARY TO IN 1UEZON #ITY /RGANIZATION MEMBERS FLEW IN DELEGATES FROM ALL OVER THE

COUNTRY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 4RAINING OF 4RAINERS EVENT 4HE DELEGATES were taught how to use the guide BOOK AND HOW TO APPLY IT THROUGH PEER EDUCATION 4HEY ARE THE kRST YOUTH VOLunteers who will roll-out the peer EDUCATION PROGRAM IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE 0HILIPPINES 4HE DELEGATES WILL ROLL OUT THE &ACE 9OUR 0EERS GUIDE BOOK AND PEER EDUCATION PROGRAM IN -ETRO -ANILA "AGUIO .UEVA %CIJA 0AMPANGA "ATAAN -ASBATE 4ACLOBAN

:AMBOANGA AND ,EYTE WHERE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN REACH OF SOCIAL NETWORKS THAT THEY CAN TEACH THE PROGRAM TO

7HY ) DEVOTED MY PRODUCTIVE LIFE TO TEACHING

BY ANTONIO G. PAPA, PH.D. ) !- NOW TWO YEARS RETIRED FROM TEACHING AND ) WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCES WHY ) DEVOTED MY ENTIRE PRODUCTIVE LIFE TO TEACHING DESPITE THE MANY CRITICISMS ABOUT THE PROFESSION 7HO SAYS THAT TEACHING IS NOT REWARDING 4HAT TEACHING IS ALL WORK AND LESS PAY AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE PLIGHT OF TEACHERS !LL THESE CLAIMS ARE FALLACY NOWADAYS 9OU KNOW WHY !S A RETIRED TEACHER MYSELF ) WILL CONTEST ALL THESE CLAIMS )N MY YEARS OF TEACHING AT THE #AVITE 3TATE 5NIVERSITY #V35 FORMERLY $ON 3EVERINO !GRICULTURAL #OLLEGE $3!# IN )NDANG #AVITE ) CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCES AS VERY REWARDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MY CHILDREN TO kNISH COLLEGE EDUCATION ON A SUBSIDIZED SCHEME THE REPORTED STUDENTS ENTHUSIASM AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES THAT ALLEVIATE THE PLIGHT OF THOSE IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION ) STARTED MY TEACHING CAREER IN AT THE $3!# 3ECONDARY ,ABORATORY 3CHOOL HANDLING AGRICULTURE AND PRACTICUM SUBJECTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS )N A SCHOLARSHIP GRANT FROM THE $3!# !GRICULTURAL %DUCATION /UTREACH 0ROJECT ‡ A 5NITED 3TATES !GENCY FOR )NTERNATIONAL $EVELOPMENT FUNDED PROJECT

GAVE ME A CHANCE TO PURSUE AND kNISH MASTER S DEGREE PROGRAM AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPPINES ,OS "AÄOS 50," IN ,AGUNA !GAIN AFTER THREE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS TEACHING AT $3!# ) CONTINUED PURSUING GRADUATE STUDIES AND IN

) WAS ABLE TO GRADUATE WITH A DOCTORATE degree from the same institution through the $3!# &ACULTY AND 3TAFF $EVELOPMENT 0ROGRAM AND A DISSERTATION GRANT FROM THE 50," S &ARMING 3YSTEMS AND 2ESOURCES 2ESEARCH )NSTITUTE 7HEN ) WAS REINSTATED TO TEACH IN *UNE ) WAS ASSIGNED TO HANDLE COLLEGIATE COURSES RELATED TO MY kELDS OF SPECIALIZATION )N STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES 35#S LIKE THE #V35

BY VIRTUE OF THE .ATIONAL #OMPENSATION #IRCULAR .## AND AND CURRENTLY

THE .ATIONAL "UDGET #IRCULAR ."# FACULTY MEMBERS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR UPWARD MOBILITY !S SUCH AS AN ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR IN ) WAS GIVEN AN INSTRUCTOR POSITION IN &EBRUARY ON A PERMANENT STATUS 4HROUGH .## AND EVALUATIONS ) WAS PROMOTED TO INSTRUCTOR IN *ULY TO ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN *ANUARY TO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN *ULY

AND TO PROFESSOR IN $ECEMBER !ND kNALLY ON .OV

THROUGH .##

) WAS PROMOTED TO PROFESSOR Meanwhile, through the implementation of ."# ) WAS EVALUATED AND ) WAS QUALIkED AS A UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR ) ALSO PASSED THE SCREENING CONDUCTED BY THE 0HILIPPINE !SSOCIATION OF 3TATE 5NIVERSITIES AND #OLLEGES ON !UG

"UT DUE TO THE QUOTA SYSTEM ) AM

CONSTRAINED TO STILL OCCUPY PROFESSOR 0RIOR TO MY RETIREMENT ) WAS PROMOTED TO UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR ON !UG

WITH SALARY GRADE

IN TIME FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 3ALARY 3TANDARDIZATION IN ,IKEWISE AS A TEACHER ) WAS DESIGNATED PUBLIC INFORMATION OFkCER OF $3!# IN /CTOBER

HENCEFORTH ) WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE NEWS ITEMS FEATURE ARTICLES AND TO PREPARE PHOTO RELEASES WHICH ARE PUBLISHED IN NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES 4HIS IS A TASK THAT I am doing up to this time, even if I am retired FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND THIS EXPERIENCE IS ALSO INTELLECTUALLY EMOTIONALLY AND kNANCIALLY REWARDING ON MY PART /NE OF THE REWARDS ) GOT FROM TEACHING IS THAT MY FOUR CHILDREN kNISHED THEIR RESPECTIVE COLLEGE EDUCATION AT #V35 WITH VERY MINIMAL EXPENSES DUE TO THEIR SCHOLARSHIPS AS EMPLOYEE DEPENDENTS 4HEY ARE ALL EMPLOYED AT PRESENT AND THREE OF THEM FOLLOWED MY FOOTSTEPS m TWO ARE TEACHING AT #V35.AIC IN .AIC #AVITE AND THE OTHER AT A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN )NDANG #AVITE /THER INTRINSIC REWARDS OUT OF TEACHING WERE WHEN MY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS CLAIMED THAT THEY WERE ANTICIPATING AND WAITING ENTHUSIASTICALLY FOR THEIR TIME SLOTS FOR MY CLASS AND THE CLAIM OF GRADUATE STUDENTS THAT DESPITE THEIR BUSY SCHEDULE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS

THEY DID NOT LIKE TO MISS ATTENDING CLASSES UNDER MY TUTELAGE ,IKEWISE ) AM PROUD TO HEAR AND OR SEE THAT MY PREVIOUS STUDENTS BOTH in the undergraduate and graduate levels, are SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CHOSEN CAREERS 3OME OF THEM ARE MY SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE NEEDY FELLOWMEN WHOM WE ARE HELPING !ND LAST ) CONSIDER THE IMPLEMENTED 3ALARY 3TANDARDIZATION ,AW 33, AND LATELY 33,

AS THE GOVERNMENT S CARE AND PROTECTION FOR CIVIL SERVANTS INCLUDING TEACHERS 4HE ENTRY LEVEL IN THE $EPARTMENT OF %DUCATION $EP%D IS TEACHER WITH SALARY GRADE %VENTUALLY THE SALARY OF TEACHERS WAS UPGRADED AFTER THE 33, HAS BEEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR ) COULD NOT IMAGINE THAT A TEACHER LIKE ME WHO EARNED 0 PER MONTH AS AN ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR YEARS AGO RECEIVED A MONTHLY SALARY IN THE AMOUNT OF 0 AS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR PRIOR TO RETIREMENT /N TOP OF THIS THERE ARE OVERLOAD PAY AND HONORARIA FOR OTHER SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS RENDERED SAY TEACHING IN THE #V35 'RADUATE 3CHOOL DURING 3ATURDAYS AND SERVING AS RESOURCE SPEAKER LECTURER IN THE TRAINING PROGRAMS OF OTHER AGENCIES OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY 4HESE EXPERIENCES THAT ) NARRATED ARE ALSO ALMOST TRUE ALSO TO MAJORITY OF FACULTY MEMBERS AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (%)S LIKE 35#S #OMMISSION ON (IGHER %DUCATION SUPERVISED INSTITUTIONS #3)S AND 4ECHNICAL %DUCATION AND 3KILLS $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY SUPERVISED INSTITUTIONS 43)S IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY PROVIDED THAT THEY CONTINUOUSLY WORK HARD ALONG THE FOUR FOLD FUNCTIONS OF (%)S

NAMELY INSTRUCTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

EXTENSION AND PRODUCTION 3EE YOU WERE EXPOSED TO MY EXPERIENCES

WHY ) AM PROUD TO BE A TEACHER AND WHY AND HOW ) DEVOTED MY PRODUCTIVE LIFE IN TEACHING PROFESSION 0OSTSCRIPT m )N THE PRINCIPLES OF FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY THIS UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR THE OFkCIALS of the DepEd must be given ample attention and ACTION +INDLY REVIEW THE NOMENCLATURE OF THE POSITION CLASSIkCATION AND COMPENSATION OF 35#S AND #3)S AND 43)S UNDER ."# )F THE POSITIONS AND COMPENSATION OF $EP%D 4EACHERS COULD BE EQUATED WITH THAT OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE #3)S AND 43)S SUCH THAT POSITIONS AS TEACHER WITH RESPECTIVE SALARY GRADES FROM TO AND MASTER TEACHER WITH SALARY GRADES RESPECTIVELY

WOULD BE PROPOSED AND EVENTUALLY IMPLEMENTED

THERE ARE SO MANY STEPS IN THE CAREER PATH FOR OUR $EP%D 4EACHERS TO LOOK UP TO AND POSSIBLY BE ACHIEVED ,IKEWISE POSITIONS AS PRINCIPALS SUPERVISORS AND SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS DEPENDING ON THEIR QUALIkCATIONS COULD BE EQUATED TO THE PROFESSORIAL POSITIONS OF 35#S WITH RESPECTIVE SALARY GRADES FROM TO (ENCE EVERY TEACHER AND OFkCIALS WILL BE HAPPY FULkLLED AND REWARDED FOR HAVING LANDED IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION 0LEASE NOTE THAT PROMOTIONS BY VIRTUE OF ."# IS BASED ON MERITS AND QUALIkCATIONS AND PLANTILLA POSITIONS ARE BEING UPGRADED CO TERMINOUS WITH THE INCUMBENT (ENCE TEACHERS WILL NOT WAIT ANYMORE FOR LIMITED VACANT POSITIONS BEFORE THEY WILL BE ENROLLED FOR EVALUATION AND RANKING FOR THE SAID VACANT POSITION 4O me as an observer, those who did not get the POSITIONS WOULD BECOME DEMOTIVATED AND DEMORALIZED WHICH IS UNPRODUCTIVE ON THE PART OF $EP%D 4HROUGH THE CURRENT ."# THE POSITIONS OF MENTORS IN #3)S 43)S ARE BEING RECLASSIkED BASED ON THEIR PERFORMANCE IN THREE MAJOR FACTORS LENGTH OF SERVICE POINTS EDUCATIONAL QUALIkCATION POINTS AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT POINTS WITH A TOTAL OF POINTS BEFORE SOMEONE COULD REACH THE HIGHEST POSITION OF COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR %VALUATION IS DONE EVERY THREE YEARS ,IKEWISE TEACHERS OF $EP%D HAVE MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY OF TEACHING AND TRAINING YOUNG KIDS UNDER BASIC EDUCATION THE FOUNDATION OF LEARNING AMONG THE YOUTH OF THE COUNTRY 4HEY MUST BE TREATED EQUALLY WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS

$R !NTONIO ' 0APA IS A RETIRED UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AT THE #OLLEGE OF %CONOMICS -ANAGEMENT AND $EVELOPMENT 3TUDIES #AVITE 3TATE 5NIVERSITY IN )NDANG #AVITE #URRENTLY HE IS SCIENTIST ) AND CONSULTANT AT THE -ARINDUQUE 3TATE #OLLEGE IN "OAC -ARINDUQUE (E IS A GRADUATE OF BOTH -ASTER OF 3CIENCE AND $OCTOR OF 0HILOSOPHY DEGREES IN %XTENSION %DUCATION AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPPINES ,OS "AÄOS IN ,AGUNA IN AND

RESPECTIVELY

!NOTHER SPEAKER WHO REPRESENTED THE YOUTH AND EVEN ATTENDED THE 4RAINING OF 4RAINERS EVENT WAS -ARIANE $OROTHY A YEAR OLD CADET AND COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE 'IRL 3COUTS OF THE 0HILIPPINES !S PART OF THE YOUTH SHE BELIEVES IN THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN TO BRING A VOICE TO THE ISSUE 3HE ALSO ENCOURAGES HER FELLOW YOUTH IN ADVOCATING FOR THE CAUSE SO THAT THEY CAN PROTECT NOT JUST THEMSELVES BUT ALSO THEIR FELLOW YOUTH FROM ABUSE g) AM ENCOURAGING MY FELLOW YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CAMPAIGN 7E SHOULD BE THE ADVOCATE AGAINST COMMERCIAL AND

ONLINE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION )T WILL be a long run but as long as we are together we will be the hope OF THIS NATION u $E 'UZMAN SAID THAT THE &ACE 9OUR 0EERS module was develOPED TO EQUIP THE YOUTH WHEN DEALING WITH CASES OF COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CAPACITATE NOT ONLY THOSE WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY

TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS SUPPORTIVE TO THE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION OF CHILDREN BEING ABUSED AND EXPLOITED AND TO BUILD A NATIONAL NETWORK OF PEER EDUCATORS kGHTING TO PREVENT #3%# AND /3%#

Q SCHOOLFROM E1

HER INFORMATION SAYING IT WAS IN

THROUGH $EP%D -EMORANDUM SERIES OF TITLED g!SSESSMENT OF 2EADING IN 0UBLIC %LEMENTARY 3CHOOLSu WHEN THE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE 0HIL )2) DATABASE WAS TERMINATED AS THE ISSUANCE NO LONGER REQUIRES THE SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT RESULTS TO THE DATABASE 4HE MEMORANDUM HOWEVER STATES THAT THE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL READING PROFILE gCAN BE SHARED WITH THE 2EGIONAL /FkCE 2/ AND #ENTRAL /FkCE #/ TO provide valuable inputs in terms OF KNOWLEDGE PROGRAMMING AND POLICY FORMULATION u 4UGUINAYO ALSO SAID THAT THEY did not have the population of Grade 7 nonreaders all over the COUNTRY ALTHOUGH THE "UREAU OF %DUCATIONAL !SSESSMENT HAD STATISTICS FOR THE LEAST LEARNED SKILLS BUT NOT THE NUMBER OF NONREADERS 4HE $EP%D OFkCERS SAID THERE WAS ALSO NO STUDY YET SHOWING THAT TODAY S CHILDREN UNLIKE THEIR PREDECESSORS WERE NO LONGER CAPABLE OF LEARNING TO READ IN 'RADE 4HIS IS RELATIVE TO THE + TO TIMETABLES FOR LEARNING READING WHICH IS FROM 'RADES TO IN CONTRAST TO THE TRADITIONAL CURRICULUM WHERE PUPILS LEARNED TO READ IN 'RADE 4HEY SAID THAT UNDER THE + TO

THE TEACHING OF READING IN -OTHER 4ONGUE &ILIPINO AND %NGLISH IS NO LONGER DONE JUST IN 'RADE BUT IN 'RADES TO IN THAT ORDER BECAUSE A STUDY HAS shown that it is important for CHILDREN TO LEARN TO READ IN THE -OTHER 4ONGUE BEFORE THEY COULD LEARN TO READ IN OTHER LANGUAGES 4HEY ALSO COULD NOT TELL WHEN THE g.O 2EAD .O -OVEu POLICY FOR 'RADE WAS SCRAPPED BUT Jabines said that when she taught 'RADE FROM TO SHE DID NOT PASS ANYBODY WHO COULD NOT READ WHILE 4UGUINAYO RECALLED that there were no nonreaders in 'RADES AND WHEN SHE TAUGHT SOMETIME IN THE S

"AGUIO #ITY $IVISION COULD ONLY give the results for the English preTEST THIS 39 WHILE 4UGUEGARAO #ITY Division gave the pre-test for EnGLISH ALSO FOR THIS YEAR FOR ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR DISTRICTS OF THE DIVISION 4HE 0HIL )2) MANUAL REQUIRES THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE READING TESTS AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DIVISION AND REGIONAL LEVELS WITH THE REGIONAL READING PROkLE submitted to the Bureau of EleMENTARY %DUCATION OF THE $EP%D 4UGUINAYO EXPLAINED THAT THE DepEd does not prepare a nationAL READING PROkLE ON THE RATIONALE THAT THE 0HIL )2) IS INTENDED FOR CLASSROOM INTERVENTION AND IS ALREADY ADDRESSED AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL She further said that under THE OLD 0HIL )2) THEY USED TO CONSOLIDATE THE RESULTS BUT IN

SOME OFkCIALS OF THE $EP%D questioned the need to maintain A NATIONAL DATABASE SINCE THE CONCEPT OF THE 0HIL )2) IS TO SERVE as a reading assessment tool at THE CLASSROOM LEVEL 3HE ALLEGED THE $EP%D THEN DECIDED TO CEASE MAINTAINING THE DATABASE $EP%D -EMORANDUM SERIES OF DATED *UNE

AND TITLED g0HILIPPINE )NFORMAL 2EADING )NVENTORY 2EPORTING AND $ATABASE 3YSTEM u STATES THAT gTHE SYSTEM FACILITATES SPEEDY AND ACCURATE PROCESSING AND TRANSMISSION OF DATA FROM THE SCHOOLS THROUGH THE DIVISIONS TO THE NATIONAL LEVEL u $EP%D /RDER SERIES OF

TITLED g'UIDELINES ON THE UTILIZATION OF FUNDS FOR THE %VERY #HILD A 2EADER 0ROGRAMu ALSO INCLUDES AMONG ITS PURPOSES THE gMANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A DATABASE u AND OF $EP%D /RDER

SERIES OF TITLED g'UIDELINES ON THE UTILIZATION OF FUNDS FOR THE %VERY #HILD A 2EADER 0ROGRAM u MANDATES THE gENHANCEMENT OF EXISTING DATABASE REPORTING OF THE 0HIL )2) u )N AN EMAIL 4UGUINAYO RECTIkED

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1.0GB/Day for YouTube, iFlix, iWant, NBA League Pass, Cignal TV 1.0GB/Day for YouTube, iFlix, iWant, NBA League Pass, Cignal TV

Availment via USSD

SMS Registration Keyword

USSD (*121#)

GIGA399

USSD (*121#)

GIGA499

Access Code

SPP:9999 TNT:4545 SUN: 247

GIGA VIDEO+ or GIGA VIDEO PLUS Updated Giga Video+

Brand Availability Smart Prepaid/ TNT/Sun Prepaid

3.

Other Data

Promo GIGA VIDEO + 549/GIGA VIDEO PLUS 549 GIGA VIDEO + 649/GIGA VIDEO PLUS 649

SRP Validity Php

549

649

Inclusion SMS/vice/data

SMS: Unlimited SMS to all networks 30 days Voice: Unlimited calls to TNT/ Smart/Sun Open access data: 6GB SMS: Unlimited SMS to all networks 30 days Voice: Unlimited calls to TNT/ Smart/Sun Open access data: 8GB

Other data 1.0GB/Day for YouTube, iFlix, iWant, NBA League Pass, Cignal TV 1.0GB/Day for YouTube, iFlix, iWant, NBA League Pass, Cignal TV

SMS Availment Registration via USSD Keyword USSD (*121#)

USSD (*121#)

GIGAPLUS 549 SPP: 9999 TNT: 4545 SUN: 247 GIGAPLUS 649 SPP: 9999 TNT: 4545 SUN: 247

GIGA IG+FB

Brand Promo Availability Smart GIGA IG+FB 399 Prepaid GIGA IG+FB 499

SRP Php 399

Validity

499

30 days

30 days

Open Access Other Data Data 6 GB 1.0GB/Day for Instagram and Facebook 8 GB 1.0GB/Day for Instagram and Facebook

Availment via USSD USSD (*121#) USSD (*121#)

The maximum speed is up to 42Mbps for broadband and non-broadband connections. Minimum speed for broadband connection is 256 kbps and 48 kbps for non-broadband connection. Network reliability is 80%. The actual speed H[SHULHQFH ZLOO GHSHQG RQ WKH GHYLFH XVHG QHWZRUN VLJQDO GHWHFWHG FXUUHQW VXEVFULEHU WUDIÂżF SUHYDLOLQJ HQYLURQPHQWDO conditions and the geography of the area where the subscriber is located.

The mechanics of the promo are as follows: Availment 1. GIGA VIDEO, GIGA VIDEO+ are open to all Smart Prepaid, TNT, and Sun Prepaid subscribers nationwide. GIGA IG+FB is only open to Smart Prepaid subscribers.

2. To avail, the subscriber must dial the USSD Code *121# and look for the corresponding GIGA offer he is looking for. GIGA VIDEO and GIGA VIDEO+ offers are also available via Smart Load Retailers and via SMS Registration.

GIGA IG+FB offers are only available via USSD registration.

3. The subscriber must have the corresponding airtime load balance in order to avail: a. GIGA VIDEO: P399 for GIGA VIDEO 399, P499 for GIGA VIDEO 499. b. GIGA VIDEO+: P549 for GIGA VIDEO+ 549, P649 for GIGA VIDEO+649. c. GIGA IG+FB: P399 for GIGA IG+FB 399, P499 for GIGA IG+FB 499.

8SRQ VXFFHVVIXO DYDLOPHQW WKH VXEVFULEHU VKDOO UHFHLYH D FRQÂżUPDWLRQ 606 DQG VKDOO EH FUHGLWHG WKH FRUUHVSRQGLQJ inclusions.

Usage 5. The Open Access Data allocation may be used to access any site and app. The Video Access Data allocation may be used to access Youtube, iFlix, iWant, NBA League Pass, Cignal TV and will refresh every 12 midnight as long as the offer availed is not expired or fully consumed. The Instagram and Facebook Access Data allocation may be used to access Instagram, Facebook and Messenger and will refresh every 12 midnight as long as the offer availed is not expired or fully consumed.

6. Concurrent availment of GIGA VIDEO, GIGA VIDEO+, and GIGA IG+FB offers is allowed, following the longest validity. Example: If GIGA VIDEO 399 and GIGA VIDEO 499 were registered simultaneously, promo validity will be valid for 30 days.

7. The Instagram and Facebook Data Access and Video Access Data allocation will not stack up if two GIGA IG+FB or two GIGA VIDEO/GIGA VIDEO+ packages, respectively, were availed concurrently within their validity date. Example: If GIGA VIDEO 399 and GIGA VIDEO 499 were registered simultaneously, the additional data dedicated for Video Access would still be 1GB/day. Example: If GIGA IG+FB 50 and GIGA IG+FB 99 were registered simultaneously, the additional data dedicated for Instagram and Facebook would still be 1GB/day.

8. Once the Open Access Data allocation is fully consumed, the subscriber must re-load his/her Smart Prepaid, TNT, or Sun account with any Data offer to continue using mobile data.

9. The Open Access Data may be passed to other Smart/TNT subscribers. Minimum Data MB allowed per share transaction is 15MB and there is no maximum limit. Passed data MB is valid for 1 day. To pass your data MB: a. Text PASADATA<11-digit Smart Prepaid No.> <MB Amount>MB and send to 808.

Ex. PASADATA 09129876543 100MB and send to 808. b. Php 1 transaction fee will be charged for every transaction. c. Shared/passed data MB will not be allowed to be re-shared or passed unto another number.

10. SMS may be sent to any local mobile network.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City

QUEZON CATV, INC. Applicant NTC CASE NO. 2019-030 x----------------------------------------------x

QUEZON CATV, INC. Applicant BMC CASE NO. 2019-031 x----------------------------------------------x

QUEZON CATV, INC. Applicant BMC CASE NO. 2019-032 x----------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

Applicant, QUEZON CATV, INC., is a corporation duly registered and existing under the laws of the Philippines, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) and pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 546 and Executive Order No. 205, as well as the relative laws pertinent thereto, requests for the issuance of a &HUWLÂżFDWH RI $XWKRULW\ &$

to install, operate and maintain a Cable Television (CATV) System in CATANAUAN, QUEZON.

Applicant, QUEZON CATV, INC., is a domestic corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of Philippine Laws, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) and pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 436 and Executive Order No. 205, request for the issuance of a &HUWLÂżFDWH RI $XWKRULW\ &$

to install, operate and maintain a Cable Television (CATV) System in CALAUAG, QUEZON.

Applicant, QUEZON CATV, INC., is a domestic corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of Philippine Laws, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) and pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 436 and Executive Order No. 205, request for the issuance of a &HUWLÂżFDWH RI $XWKRULW\ &$

to install, operate and maintain a Cable Television (CATV) System in ATIMONAN, QUEZON.

Applicant, further requests for the issuance of a Provisional Authority (PA) SHQGLQJ ÂżQDO GHWHUPLQDWLRQ RI the application.

Applicant, further requests for the issuance of a Provisional Authority 3$ SHQGLQJ ÂżQDO GHWHUPLQDWLRQ RI the application.

In view thereof, this will be heard by this Commission on APRIL 29, 2019, (Monday) at ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the Legal Branch, 3rd Floor, NTC Building, National Telecommunications Commission, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City, wherein applicant shall present its compliance with the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jurisdictional requirements, as well as its evidences, if warranted.

In view thereof, this will be heard by this Commission on APRIL 29, 2019, (Monday) at ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the Legal Branch, 3rd Floor, NTC Building, National Telecommunications Commission, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City, wherein applicant shall present its compliance with the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jurisdictional requirements, as well as its evidences, if warranted.

However, should the hearing date be declared a holiday or non-working day due to force majeure, the said hearing shall be held on the NEXT regular working day.

However, should the hearing date be declared a holiday or non-working day due to force majeure, the said hearing shall be held on the NEXT regular working day.

$W OHDVW ÂżIWHHQ GD\V EHIRUH WKH date of hearing, applicant shall have published the Notice of Hearing once in one (1) newspaper of general circulation and have served copies of the Notice of Hearing and the application including all annexes attached therewith to all affected parties by registered mail or through personal delivery, as furnished by the Commission.

$W OHDVW ÂżIWHHQ GD\V EHIRUH WKH date of hearing, applicant shall have published the Notice of Hearing once in one (1) newspaper of general circulation and have served copies of the Notice of Hearing and the application including all annexes attached therewith to all affected parties by registered mail or through personal delivery, as furnished by the Commission.

Any party opposed to the granting of the application is hereby directed to appear at the scheduled hearing and PXVW ÂżOH LWV YHULÂżHG RSSRVLWLRQ RQ RU before the date of hearing, furnishing the applicant with a copy of the same. Failure on the part of any DIIHFWHG SDUW\ WR ÂżOH LWV RSSRVLWLRQ RQ time and to appear at the scheduled hearing shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard and the Commission shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merit.

Any party opposed to the granting of the application is hereby directed to appear at the scheduled hearing and PXVW ÂżOH LWV YHULÂżHG RSSRVLWLRQ RQ RU before the date of hearing, furnishing the applicant with a copy of the same. Failure on the part of any DIIHFWHG SDUW\ WR ÂżOH LWV RSSRVLWLRQ RQ time and to appear at the scheduled hearing shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard and the Commission shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merit.

Any party opposed to the granting of the application is hereby directed to appear at the scheduled hearing and PXVW ÂżOH LWV YHULÂżHG RSSRVLWLRQ RQ RU before the date of hearing, furnishing the applicant with a copy of the same. Failure on the part of any DIIHFWHG SDUW\ WR ÂżOH LWV RSSRVLWLRQ RQ time and to appear at the scheduled hearing shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard and the Commission shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merit.

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

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

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

(SGD.) ADRIANO B. CONSUNJI Chief, Commission Secretariat

(SGD.) ADRIANO B. CONSUNJI Chief, Commission Secretariat

(SGD.) ADRIANO B. CONSUNJI Chief, Commission Secretariat

Applicant, further requests for the issuance of a Provisional Authority (PA) SHQGLQJ ÂżQDO GHWHUPLQDWLRQ RI the application.

In view thereof, this will be heard by this Commission on APRIL 29, 2019, (Monday) at ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the Legal Branch, 3rd Floor, NTC Building, National Telecommunications Commission, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City, wherein applicant shall present its compliance with the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jurisdictional requirements, as well as its evidences, if warranted.

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

INVITATION TO BID FOR INSTALLATION OF VENTILATOR MACHINES UNDER SERVICE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT 1.

Subject further, to the condition that SMART shall comply with the NTC Memorandum Circulars and Order, as follows: Memorandum Order No. 07-07-2011, Minimum Speed of Broadband Connections.

Memorandum Circular No. 07-08-2015, Rules on the Measurement of Fixed Broadband/Internet Access Service Memorandum Circular No. 10-12-2016, Rules on the Measurement of Mobile Broadband/Internet Access Service Memorandum Order No. 03-06-2009, Service Performance Standards for the Cellular Mobile Telephone Service.

Very truly yours, (SGD.) EDGARDO V. CABARIOS Deputy Commissioner

The Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital now invites bids for Installation of Ventilator Machines under Service Management Contract. Delivery of the Goods is required not to exceed three (3) years (May 1, 2019 to May 1, 2022). Bidders should have completed, within three years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary â&#x20AC;&#x153;pass/failâ&#x20AC;?

FULWHULRQ DV VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKH 5HYLVHG ,PSOHPHQWLQJ 5XOHV DQG 5HJXODWLRQV ,55 RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 5$

9184, otherwise known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government Procurement Reform Actâ&#x20AC;?.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

4.

5.

15 February 2019 MR. ANTHONY LOUEN R. FERNANDEZ Legal & Regulatory Dept.

Smart Communications, Inc. 6799 Ayala Avenue, Makati City

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on March 14, 2019 to April 3, 2019 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (P25, 000.00).

6.

The BRTTH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 22, 2019 9:30 AM at Quality Management Unit, 2nd Floor Administrative Building, BRTTH Legazpi City at which shall be open to prospective bidders.

7.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before April 3, 2019, 9:00AM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on April 3, 2019, 9:30AM at Quality Management Unit, 2nd Floor Administrative Building, BRTTH, Legazpi City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

This refers to your letter dated 14 February 2019 regarding the Smart Bro Chat Time Packs Promo. ,Q OLQH ZLWK WKH WKUXVW RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW WR ORZHU WHOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV VHUYLFH UDWHV IRU WKH EHQHÂżW of the Filipino consumers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), the Commission hereby approves Smart Bro Chat Time Packs Promo nationwide from 02 March 2019 until 30 June 2019. The approval is subject to the condition that SMART shall publish the mechanics in a newspaper of general circulation three (3) days prior to the implementations. Should SMART decide not to extend the promo, it shall seek approval of the Commission within ten (10) days prior of the date of discontinuance and QRWLFH WR WKH SXEOLF VKDOO EH SXEOLVKHG LQ D QHZVSDSHU RI JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V SULRU to the date of discontinuance. The notice should be posted in all business centers of SMART.

8.

The BRTTH reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat %LGV DQG $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH 2IÂżFH 2nd Floor Administrative Building Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital Legazpi City e-mail: brtthBAC2012@yahoo.com, brtthbac17@gmail.com Tel. No. (052) 483-0014 local 4224

The promo offers the following: INCLUSIONS All-day access to: â&#x20AC;˘ Facebook â&#x20AC;˘ Facebook Messenger â&#x20AC;˘ WhatsApp â&#x20AC;˘ Instagram Chat Time Plus 399 All-day access to: â&#x20AC;˘ Facebook â&#x20AC;˘ Facebook Messenger â&#x20AC;˘ WhatsApp â&#x20AC;˘ Instagram â&#x20AC;˘ Twitter â&#x20AC;˘ Snapchat â&#x20AC;˘ Mobile Legends â&#x20AC;˘ Clash of Clans â&#x20AC;˘ Clash Royal

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Bids and Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during Mondays to Fridays 9:00 am to 4:00pm.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

Dear Mr. Fernandez:

PRODUCT NAME Chat Time 20

The Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH), through its funding source derived from Operation/Collection of the project intends to apply the sum of Fifteen Million Pesos (P15,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Installation of Ventilator Machines under Service Management Contract under IB No. 01-2019. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mar. 14, 2019

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION NTC Building, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City 1104 Email: ntc@ntc.gov.ph; website: http://www.ntc.gov.ph

SRP

VALIDITY

P20.00

1 day

P399.00

30 days

AVAILABILITY Smart Bro Prepaid Smart Bro Postpaid

Smart Bro Postpaid

NOTICE OF LOSS 1RWLFH LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ WKDW 6WRFN &HUWLÂżFDWH 1R M223B issued by Sta. Elena Golf Club to the Networld Hotel Management Corporation was GHFODUHG ORVW DV SHU DIÂżGDYLW RI ORVV H[HFXWHG E\ Carolina Y. Matsuda, president of Networld Hotel Management Corporation, on March 1, 2019 and acknowledged as Doc. No. 152 on Page No. 32 of Book No. XL Series of 2019 before Atty. Felipe I. Iledan, Jr., a notary public for and in Makati City.

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mar. 7, 14 & 21, 2019

NOTICE OF LOSS 1RWLFH LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ WKDW 6WRFN &HUWLÂżFDWH 1R 045 issued by Samsung Electro-Mechanics Company Ltd. (SEMCO) to Mr. Chul Soon Kah on June 4, 2014 was declared lost as per DIÂżGDYLW RI ORVV H[HFXWHG E\ -RQJ :RR /LP &KLHI )LQDQFH 2IÂżFHU RI 6(0&2 RQ )HEUXDU\ 7, 2019 and acknowledged as Doc. No. 179 on Page No. 037 of Book No. 121 Series of 2019 before Atty. Dante M. Manguiat, a notary public for and in Pasig City.

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mar. 14, 21 & 28, 2019

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 113, PASAY CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF ANGELA GINA SY GO SP. PROC. NO. R-PSY-18-00380-CV MA. CORAZON L. VALERIO Petitioner. x------------------------------------x ORDER $ 9HULÂżHG SHWLWLRQ IRU DGRSWLRQ RI $QJHOD *LQD 6\ *R ZDV ÂżOHG E\ WKH herein petitioner Ma. Corazon L. Valerio praying that after due notice and hearing judgment be rendered approving the adoption of Angela Gina Sy Go as her legally child and decreeing the adoption of Angela Gina Sy Go in favor of the petitioner.

The herein petitioner is a widow and legal age, presently residing at No. 2137 Tolentino St., Barangay 126, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Angela Gina Sy Go has been living with the petitioner since she was 7 months and continued to lived with her up to present time. The petitioner is ÂżQDQFLDOO\ SK\VLFDOO\ DQG HPRWLRQDOO\ VWDEOH WR VXSSRUW WKH FKLOG 7KH SHWLWLRQHU is more than sixteen year old that the adoptee. :+(5()25( )LQGLQJ WKH SHWLWLRQ WR EH VXIÂżFLHQW LQ IRUP DQG substance, let this case be set for hearing on March 21, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning. The preliminary conference is set on March 22, 2019 at 2:00 in the afternoon.

All interested persons may appear and show cause why this petition should not be granted.

Let this order be published in The Manila Times, a newspaper of General &LUFXODWLRQ FKRVHQ E\ UDIĂ&#x20AC;H RQFH D ZHHN IRU WKUHH FRQVHFXWLYH ZHHNV &RS\ IXUQLVK WKLV RUGHU WR WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO WKH &LW\ Civil Registrars of Pasay City and Manila, the Court Social Worker Ms. Evelyn Villanueva, who is hereby ordered to conduct the necessary case study report DQG ÂżOH ZLWK WKLV FRXUW KHU UHSRUW DW OHDVW GD\V EHIRUH WKH KHDULQJ SO ORDERED. Pasay City, Metro Manila, December 17, 2018.

(SGD.) CARIDAD H. GRECIA-CUERDO Judge MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mar. 7, 14 & 21, 2019

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY FRANCHISING SERVICE, CENTRAL OFFICE Parkview Plaza (Masagana Telamart, Inc.) 984 Taft Avenue cor. T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila Re: Petition for Transfer/Conveyance through Sale/Assignment of the ship, Mtug â&#x20AC;&#x153;RENE TORRENOâ&#x20AC;?

WEST OCEAN LINES AND TRANSPORT, INC. Petitioner. x------------------------------------x

CASE NO. MNL-2019-010-FS

ORDER %HIRUH XV LV WKH DERYH HQWLWOHG 3HWLWLRQ ZKLFK ZDV ÂżOHG E\ 3HWLWLRQHU RQ 08 March 2019.

The Petitioner seeks the approval of the sale and transfer of the ship, MTug â&#x20AC;&#x153;RENE TORRENO,â&#x20AC;? by virtue of the Deed of Absolute Sale entered into by and between the Petitioner and Malayan Towage & Salvage Corporation on 18 December 2018.

The ship has the following particulars: 2IÂżFLDO 1XPEHU Type of Ship Gross Tons Hull Year Built Place Built

: : : : :

Tugboat 630.00 Steel 1974 Netherlands

WITNESS, the Honorable Officer-in-Charge for the Office of the Administrator, VADM NARCISO A VINGSON JR., this 8th day of March 2019 at Manila, Philippines.

MA. CONCEPCION C. ARBOLARIO OIC-Director )UDQFKLVLQJ 2IÂżFH MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 14, 2019

INVITATION TO BID 2019-02-02

The promo is intended for peer-to-peer and non-commercial use only.

Subject further, to the condition that SMART shall comply with NTC Memorandum Circulars and Order, as follows: Memorandum Order No. 07-07-2011, Minimum Speed of Broadband Connections.

Memorandum Circular No. 07-08-2015, Rules on the Measurement of Fixed Broadband/Internet Access Service.

Memorandum Circular No. 10-12-2016, Rules on the Measurement of Mobile Broadband/Internet Access Service.

NUEVA VIZCAYA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (NUVELCO), through its Bids and Awards committee (BAC), invites all accredited Contractors/ Suppliers with the appropriate license and experiences in undertaking the following projects: Lot

Lot 1 Supply, delivery and construction of line of 28 Sitio Projects Lot 2 Supply and delivery housewiring materials

Bid Documents ABC (Php) Fee P30,000.00 P32,663,838.80 P5,000.00

P5,806,660.44

A set of Bid Documents will be issued to bidders upon payment of a nonrefundable fee. Bidder who fails to attend the Pre-Bid Conference will not be allowed to join the bidding proper.

The complete schedules of activities are as follows: Issuance of Bidding Documents Pre-bid conference Submission and opening of Bids

March 13-18, 2019 Lot 1-2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 18, 2019 @ 2:00 PM Lot 1-2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 22, 2019 @ 9:00 AM (submission of Bids); 9:30 AM (opening of bids)

%LG 'RFXPHQWV PD\ EH REWDLQHG DW WKH RIÂżFH RI WKH 189(/&2 %$& *DEXW 'XSD[ 'HO 6XU 1XHYD 9L]FD\D GXULQJ RIÂżFH KRXUV All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in the form of Cash, Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Check or Cashierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Check in the amount equivalent to two percent (2%) of the total bid price. NUVELCO assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid. NUVELCO reserves the right to reject any or all bids without offering any reason, to waive any minor GHIHFWV RU LQÂżUPLWLHV WKHUHLQ RU WR DFFHSW VXFK ELG DV PD\EH FRQVLGHUHG most advantageous and responsive to the NUVELCO. (SGD.) CLARITA O. GINES Acting BAC Chairman

Very truly yours, MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mar. 14, 2019

Project

MT - Mar. 14, 2019

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that HAMIGUTAN VIEW RESIDENCES (Socialized Housing) located at Brgy. Batobato, San Isidro, Davao Oriental, owned by FELICIANO B. YU, JR. and developed by ABOITIZ LAND INC thru Memorandum of Agreement dated January 23, 2019 by and among MUNICIPALITY OF SAN ISIDRO (LGU), HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD, PAGIBIG FUND and FELICIANO B. YU, JR. REPRESENTED BY JAYSON B. YU (evidenced by a Special Power of Attorney) is being utilized as Compliance for THE VILLAGE AT LIPA: SIERRA VILLAGE located at Brgy. San Andres, Malvar, Batangas in accordance with Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended

by Republic Act No. 10884.

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

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Calamba City, Laguna, 11th day of March 2019.

Recommending Approval: (SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD) Approved by: (SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU MT - Mar. 14, 2019

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR) NOTICE LIMA LAND INC. (Owner/Developer) by virtue of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deed of Absolute Saleâ&#x20AC;?

KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of subdivision house and lot in THE VILLAGE AT LIPA: SIERRA VILLAGE located at Brgy. San Andres, Malvar, Batangas and more particularly described as Lot 3951 & Lot 3777 and covered by OCT Nos 735 & P-1372. The project is under PD 957.

The foregoing project is utilizing HAMIGUTAN VIEW RESIDENCES (Socialized Housing) located at Brgy.

Batobato, San Isidro, Davao Oriental as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by RA 10884.

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

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Calamba City, Laguna, 11th day of March 2019.

Recommending Approval: (SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD) Approved by: (SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR) PAUNAWA

The Petitioner shall submit a written Formal Offer of Evidence during the KHDULQJ RU ÂżYH GD\V WKHUHDIWHU

NUEVA VIZCAYA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Gabut, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

MT - Mar. 14 & 21, 2019

BY AUTHORITY OF THE MARINA ADMINISTRATOR: (Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 11-14 dated 22 August 2014)

1. Offeer is available to Smart Bro subscribers nationwide.

2. Availment Procedures: a. SMS Availment: Send KEYWORD to 9999 or 2200 b. Retailer Menu, ELoad, and Load Cards c. WEB CONNECT - log on to http://my.smart.com.ph Step 1: To register via Web Connect, subscriber must have initial load balance of plus P1 from packageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SRP. Step 2: Subscriber must log on to http://my.smart.com.ph Step 3: Upon logging in, subscriber to select YOUR SMART ACCOUNTS tab and click BALANCE & USAGE option. Once okay, click â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get Subscriptionâ&#x20AC;?

Step 4: Subscriber to select SMART PREPAID/SMART POSTPAID/BRO PREPAID/BRO POSTPAID option under the SUBSCRIPTIONS tab then all available data offers will come out.

Step 5: Subscriber to choose desired package by clicking the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Subscribe Nowâ&#x20AC;? button beside offer of choice.

Step 6: 2IIHU GHWDLOV ZLOO FRPH RXW DQG WKHQ VXEVFULEHU WR FOLFN ³&RQ¿UP DQG 3URFHHG´ EXWWRQ under Payment tab.

Step 7: 6XEVFULEHU WR VHOHFW KLV KHU OLQNHG 6PDUW QXPEHU WKHQ FOLFN Âł&RQÂżUP´ EXWWRQ Step 8: 6XFFHVVIXO UHJLVWUDWLRQ FRQÂżUPDWLRQ d. Smart Bro Dashboard - log on to smart.com.ph/brodashboard Step 1: To register to Smart Bro Dashboard, subscriber must have initial load balance of plus P1 from packageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SRP. Step 2: Subscriber must log on to smart.com.ph/brodashboard. When subscriberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current data subsciption has expired, he will be automatically redirected to the dashboard.

Step 3: In the portal, subscriber can click â&#x20AC;&#x153;PRODUCTS AND SERVICESâ&#x20AC;? from the menu tab or â&#x20AC;&#x153;BUY PACKAGESâ&#x20AC;? from the account manager tab.

Step 4: Click Big Bytes from the menu.

Step 5: Click preferred denomination and then click today.

Step 6: $ SRS XS QRWLÂżFDWLRQ ZLOO DSSHDU FRQÂżUPLQJ VXFFHVV RI UHJLVWUDWLRQ &OLFN RND\ DQG refresh page.

1RWLÂżFDWLRQV D 8SRQ VXFFHVVIXO UHJLVWUDWLRQ WKH VXEVFULEHU ZLOO UHFHLYH D QRWLÂżFDWLRQ WKDW KH KDV EHHQ UHJLVWHUHG to the package. Subscriber shall then be credited the corresponding package.

E $OO LQYDOLG VFHQDULRV L H LQVXIÂżFLHQW EDODQFH LQYDOLG % QXPEHU HWF ZLOO WULJJHU DQ 606 QRWLÂżFDWLRQ WR WKH VXEVFULEHU DQG H[LVWLQJ FKDUJLQJ UXOHV DSSO\ 'HGXFWLRQ ZLOO EH IURP IUHH SMS, then to airtime.

4. Other Business Rules a. Promo is not available to roaming and international subscribers. b. Promo may be used for peer to peer transactions only and may not be used for commercial purposes or spamming.

5. All complaints or questions that may arise from this promo shall be attended to by hotline number *888.

(SGD.) EDGARDO V. CABARIOS Deputy Commissioner

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mar. 7, 14 & 21, 2019

The Petitioner shall publish this Order once in a newspaper of general FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V EHIRUH WKH VFKHGXOHG GDWH RI KHDULQJ

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mar. 14, 2019

The mechanics of the promo are as follows:

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NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE Notice is hereby given that a sale by public auction of abandoned merchandise and other personal properties of former tenants of Greenhills Shopping Center and Tiendesitas with overdue accounts will be conducted through a notary public to be held at the Ground Floor, Connecticut Parking, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City on April 1, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. All interested bidders are invited to participate.

Notice is hereby given that the said Petition will be heard by this Authority on 21 March 2019 at 2:00 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon, at the 3rd Floor, Franchising Service Hearing Room, at the above address.

EURAS O. NAVERA, MD, DPBA, FPSA BAC Chairman

The maximum speed is up to 42 Mbps for broadband and non-broadband connection. Minimum speed for broadband connection is 256 kbps and 48 kbps for non-broadband connection. Network reliability is 80%. The actual speed experience will depend on the device used, network signal detected, current VXEVFULEHU WUDIÂżF SUHYDLOLQJ HQYLURQPHQWDO FRQGLWLRQV DQG WKH JHRJUDSK\ RI WKH DUHD ZKHUH WKH subscriber is located.

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MT - Mar. 14, 2019

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFH 9 BICOL REGIONAL TRAINING AND TEACHING HOSPITAL Legazpi City Tel. (052) 483-1008/483-0806/483-0807/483-0017 Telefax: (052) 483-0015/483-0016 Email: brtth_cares@yahoo.com Website: http://www.brtth.doh.gov.ph

The promo is intended for peer-to-peer and non-commercial use only.

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MT - Mar. 14, 2019

MT - Mar. 14, 2019

Others 11. P1.00 maintaining balance is not required to avail and use the offers. $Q LQYDOLG VFHQDULRV LH LQVXIÂżFLHQW EDODQFH LQYDOLG QXPEHUV HWF ZLOO WULJJHU DQ 606 QRWLÂżFDWLRQ WR WKH VXEVFULEHU and shall be charged prevailing rates.

13. Offer is not available to roaming and international subscribers 14. All complaints or questions that may arise from these offers shall be attended to by hotline number: (02) 888-1111 or *888 (toll-free from TNT mobile number).

Please be informed that the request for approval of Sun Prepaid Giga Video â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Amendment to Giga Surg Family Promo effective not later than 25 February 2019 is hereby granted. The approval is subject to the condition that DMPI shall publish the amendment in a newspaper of general circulation three (3) days prior to the implementation.

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City

This refers to your letter dated 19 February 2019 regarding the New Prepaid Offers (Giga Family) Promo. ,Q OLQH ZLWK WKH WKUXVW RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW WR ORZHU WHOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV VHUYLFH UDWHV IRU WKH EHQHÂżW RI WKH )LOLSLQR consumers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), the Commission hereby approves New Prepaid Offers (Giga Family) Promo nationwide from 25 February 2019 to 31 March 2019. The approval is subject to the condition that SMART shall publish the mechanics in a newspaper of general circulation three (3) days prior to the implementation.

Should SMART decide not to extend the promo, it shall seek approval of the Commission within ten (10) days prior to WKH GDWH RI GLVFRQWLQXDQFH DQG QRWLFH WR WKH SXEOLF VKDOO EH SXEOLVKHG LQ D QHZVSDSHU RI JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ÂżYH (5) days prior to the date of discontinuance. The notice should be posted in all business centers of SMART.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

Ipinagbibigay-alam na ang LIMA LAND INC. (May-ari/Taga-debelop) sa pamamagitan ng â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deed of Absolute Saleâ&#x20AC;? ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng bahay at lote sa THE VILLAGE AT LIPA: SIERRA VILLAGE na matatagpuan sa Brgy.

San Andres, Malvar, Batangas at sinasakop ng mga Lote Blg. 3951 at Lote Blg. 3777 na sumasailalim sa mga Titulo Blg. OCT Nos. 735 at P-1372. Ang nasabing proyekto ay sumasailalim sa PD 957.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang HAMIGUTAN VIEW RESIDENCES (Socialized Housing) na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Batobato, San Isidro, Davao Oriental bilang pagtupad sa Seksyon 18 Batas Republika Blg. 7279.

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika-11 ng Marso 2019.

Recommending Approval: (SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD) Approved by: (SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU MT - Mar. 14 & 21, 2019