The Manila Times | January 18, 2019

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PH growth to miss targets in 2019, 2020 ++

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•• 6 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 98 32

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Trusted since 1898

Q SO FITTING: Then-PCOO Secretary Coloma giving to Aquino the first e-passport, produced under an anomalous contract

Aquino govt’s P38B passport-printing contract: The biggest case of corruption ever?

Second of a series

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RRIGOBERTO IGG DD. TIGLAO

HE only other explanation for this highly anomalous contract is that former President !QUINO RD AND HIS OFkCIALS WERE SO STUPID beyond belief that they handed over to a priVATE kRM THE LUCRATIVE MONOPOLY TO PRINT THE country’s new electronic passports.

Mindanao leaders eye victory for BOLÂ

BY NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS AND DEMPSEY REYES

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ANILA/JOLO: Ahead of a historic plebiscite for a NEW "ANGSAMORO TERRITORY -INDANAO OFkCIALS ARE CONkDENT -USLIM COMMUNITIES IN THE !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO !2-- WILL VOTE FOR THE RATIkCATION OF THE "ANGSAMORO /RGANIC ,AW "/,

Mayor Zamzamin Ampatuan OF 2ADJAH "UAYAN TOWN IN -AGUINDANAO SAID OTHER OFkCIALS WERE expecting an overwhelming vote for the BOL’s passage on January 21 and February 6. “The sentiment now is the people want the BOL especially the Muslim communities and it’s

going to be ‘yes’ for the whole of !2-- u !MPATUAN WHO IS IN close talks and consultations with KEY LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS

told The Manila Times.

Ampatuan, former executive director of the MalacaĂąang MusLIM !FFAIRS /FkCE SAID VILLAGES

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When the foreign secretary scoops the press

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FIRST / 2 % ) ' .

THINGS Secretary TeFIRST odoro Locsin Jr. may have made himself unduly vulnerable to charges of political immaturity and inexperience when he cried wolf on Twitter over the alleged loss of passport data for millions of Filipino passport holders only to withdraw the claim later.

FRANCISCO S. TATAD

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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

HUGE RALLY FOR A BIG EVENT

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (third from right) joins other government officials during the grand rally for the Bangsamoro Organic Law held on Thursday at the Mindanao State University. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

‘Pacquiao dangerous when happy’

BY EDDIE G. ALINEA

Comelec to conduct mock polls on Jan 19 THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will test the use of newly acquired VOTERS REGISTRATION VERIkCATION 626 machines and other components of the automated election system (AES)

in mock elections for the mid-term polls to ensure their security features, accuracy, functional capability and integrity.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez

LAS VEGAS: “)BA ITO (This is different).�

This was the message that World Boxing

What’s inside NO MENINGOCOCCEMIA OUTBREAK NewsA2 – DOH

PARIS: The way humanity produces and eats food must radically change to avoid millions of deaths and “catastrophic� damage to the planet, according to a landmark study published Thursday.

The key to both goals is a dramatic shift in the global diet — roughly half as much sugar and red meat, and twice as many vegetables, fruits and nuts, a consortium of three dozen researchers concluded in The Lancet, a medical journal. “We are in a catastrophic situation,� co-author Tim

MANNY PACQUIAO: SENATE DESAPARECIDO

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Noodle King Peter Fung

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GENERAL MANAGER, LING NAM WANTON PARLOR PRESIDENT, TARZANA CORP.

FORTUNE SEES BRONER QUITTING

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Human diet causing ‘catastrophic’ damage to planet — study

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THE ENDURING MOVIE QUEEN THAT IS GLORIA ROMERO

on Thursday said the mock elections would be conducted on January 19, Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., in select AREAS IN THE .ATIONAL #APITAL 2EGION

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Duterte’s drug war example to world – Sri Lanka leader 32) Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena lauded THE ANTI ILLEGAL DRUG PROGRAM OF 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO Duterte, calling it an “example to the world.�

Sirisena toasted the Philippine president during a state banquet in MalacaĂąang on Wednesday evening.

He said he would look into implementing Duterte’s anti-drug program in his own crackdown on drugs back home. “Excellency, the war against crime and drugs

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News

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FRIDAY January 18, 2019

No meningococcemia outbreak – DoH

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BY CATHERINE A. MODESTO

(% $%0!24-%.4 OF (EALTH $O( ON 4HURSDAY ALLAYED FEARS ON SOCIAL MEDIA OF A MENINGOCOCCEMIA OUTBREAK IN THE COUNTRY

)N A STATEMENT POSTED ON 4WITter, the DoH said: “There is no

reported meningococcemia outbreak; we are, however, investi-

gating a suspected meningococCEMIA CASE IN 6ALENZUELA #ITY of a two-year old female who exhibited signs and symptoms of the disease, which include fever, vomiting, body rashes and loose bowel movement.�

4HE UNIDENTIkED CHILD WAS DECLARED DEAD AT THE 6ALENZUELA #ITY Emergency Hospital on Monday,

the health department added.

The agency said a team had collected laboratory specimens TO CONkRM IF THE CHILD DIED OF THE severe bacterial infection. )N THE MEANTIME THE $O( said: “We are closely coordinatING WITH OUR REGIONAL OFkCE FOR contact tracing. As precautionary measures, we have provided post-

exposure prophylaxis to close contacts of the patients.�

6ALENZUELA -AYOR 2EX 'ATCHALian, over CNN Philippines’ “Balitaan� show, said the child tested negative for meningococcemia.

(EALTH 5NDERSECRETARY 2Olando Domingo told CNN Philippines’ “Newsroom Ngayon� that the disease causes very

high fever and rashes. Some 200 cases of meningococcemia are recorded in the country every year, but they are not a cause for alarm, he said. )T SHOULD NOT CAUSE ILLNESS

but if the body’s resistance weakens, bacteria might enter the body and lead to sickness, he said.

Bicam OKs Energy Efficiency QDANGEROUS FROM A1 Pacquiao and Conservation Act ! ")#!-%2!, CONFERENCE COMmittee approved on Thursday the reconciled Senate and House versions of a measure institutionalizing a framework to advance ENERGY EFkCIENCY AND CONSERVATION practices in the country.

3EN 3HERWIN 'ATCHALIAN SAID the approval of the reconciled version of Senate Bill (SB) 1531 and House Bill 8629, more popularly known as the Energy %FkCIENCY AND #ONSERVATION !CT

was timely, as the Philippines has been experiencing sustained economic growth.

The Senate Committee on EnERGY CHAIRED BY 'ATCHALIAN AND the House Committee on Energy, CHAIRED BY 2EP ,ORD !LLAN 6ELASCO

agreed to adopt SB 1531 as the basis of the reconciled bill. “This bill is quite important in terms of growing our economy because we all know we need a lot of power supply in the next few years, but the power supply will not come in the form of physical plants. Power supply can come IN THE FORM OF SAVINGS )F WE SAVE energy, we don’t have to need new POWER PLANTS u 'ATCHALIAN SAID 'ATCHALIAN POINTED OUT THAT Congress had been trying to pass such measure since the idea was brought up during the 8th Congress in 1988.

This left the Philippines as the only Southeast Asian country that did not have a law encouraging THE EFkCIENT UTILIZATION OF ENERGY and providing tax incentives for ENERGY EFkCIENT PROJECTS SB 1531 mandates the creation of a National Energy Efficiency AND #ONSERVATION 0LAN THAT DEkNES national targets, details feasible strategies, and imposes a regular monitoring and evaluation system.

Alongside this will be the development and maintenance of A .ATIONAL %NERGY %FkCIENCY AND Conservation Database, where relevant information about energy consumption as well as the apPLICATION OF ENERGY EFkCIENT AND

renewable energy technologies will be centrally stored.

The measure will also institutionalize energy efficiency and conservation standards and strategies in local governance through THE ,OCAL %NERGY %FkCIENCY AND Conservation Plan and the inclusion of guidelines on energy conserving design on buildings in the issuance of building permits.

To encourage compliance with the energy standards to be proposed, the measure includes incentives as well as technical assistance from government agencies.

The measure also proposes an )NTER !GENCY %NERGY %FFICIENCY and Conservation Committee that will be tasked to provide strategic direction in the implementation of THE 'OVERNMENT %NERGY -ANAGEMENT 0ROGRAM '%-0 A PROGRAM to reduce the monthly consumption of electricity and petroleum products by the government.

The European Union Access to Sustainable Energy Program estimates that a 10 percent improvement in efficiency will save the country P55.5 billion, which translates to P140 savings in the monthly electricity bill of the average household, or P1,680 per year. The World Bank also reports that government ENERGY EFkCIENCY PROJECTS CAN SAVE the government P3.4 billion per year.

'ATCHALIAN SAID ENERGY EFkCIENCY would also result in reduced dependency on foreign coal, avoiding as many as 290.2 million metric tons in imports over the 12-year period. This would result in average annual savings of $392 million to $1.3 billion between 2018 to 2030 at the 50-percent and 100-percent EFkCIENCY STANDARD RESPECTIVELY g%NERGY EFkCIENCY AND CONSERvation strategies will not only achieve much needed savings for the government, but it can also SIGNIkCANTLY BRING DOWN THE PRICES of electricity and give consumers extra money in their pockets to spend for other basic necessities,�

'ATCHALIAN SAID J.J. ISMAEL

Q EXAMPLE FROM A1

Duterte’s drug war example to world – Sri Lanka leader

carried out by you is an example to the whole world, and personally to me. Drug menace is rampant in my COUNTRY AND ) FEEL THAT WE SHOULD follow your footsteps to control this hazard,� Sirisena added.

Duterte’s promise of eradicating the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country virtually slung him to the presidency.

This led to a bloody “Oplan Tokhang,� a program that earned the ire of human rights advocates.

The drug war resulted in thouSANDS OF ALLEGED EXTRAJUDICIAL killings, which accusation was denied by MalacaĂąang and the President himself.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) originally headed the antidrug war. )T WAS PULLED OUT FROM THE

program in October last year over the drug-related deaths of teenagers Kian Loyd delos Santos, Carl !NGELO !RNAIZ AND 2EYNALDO DE 'UZMAN Late last year, the three policemen who killed delos Santos were convicted of murder.

The PNP was reinstated in the anti-drug drive last January as a support for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

3IRISENA AND $UTERTE IN A JOINT statement, said both countries “recognize that the proliferation of illegal drugs is a threat to our nations and peoples and to the very fabric of [our] growing societies.�

Duterte said he saw Sri Lanka as a partner in addressing drug trafficking.

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Association welterweight titlist Manny Pacquiao wished to convey to his audience, which included Adrien Broner, whom he will battle on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the -'- 'RAND !RENA HERE The 40-year-old, who never predicted the outcome of his previous kGHTS INTIMATED THAT THIS TIME HE had already picked himself as the victor via a knockout. g) LL DO MY BEST TO WIN THIS kGHT u HE SAID "RONER ) BELIEVE

IS COMING TO THE kGHT WELL PREPARED ) WE IN 4EAM 0ACQUIAO ARE prepared, too.� g)F THE KNOCKOUT COMES UP THAT will be a bonus,� Pacquiao said.

The boxing icon’s training team, headed by chief trainer Buboy Fernandez, would have noticed many changes in Pacquiao’s regimen, especially during the Los Angeles leg of the program.

After each training session at the &REDDIE 2OACH OWNED 7ILD #ARD 'YM IN (OLLYWOOD FOR INSTANCE

he would entertain guests, members of his team and plain kibitzers with a “mini-concert� at his residence.

Q VICTORY FROM A1

Mindanao IN 2ADJAH "UAYAN HAD EXPRESSED their commitment to vote for inclusion into the Bangsamoro !UTONOMOUS 2EGION OF -USLIM -INDANAO "!2-- $ESPITE THE PETITIONS kLED BY the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) and Sulu 'OV !BDUSAKUR 4AN ND TO BLOCK the BOL, Muslim communities would make history days from now, Ampatuan said.

‘Close fight’ in Cotabato #OTABATO #ITY NATIVE 0OLLY 'Esulga, who had been working to help people living in areas regularly affected by natural disasters AND INTERNAL AND ARMED CONlICTS

said it was different in Cotabato. g)T S A CLOSE kGHT 4HERE ARE DIFferent camps and the mayor herself is clear that she doesn’t want #OTABATO TO JOIN ;THE "!2--= u he told The Manila Times.

He, however, urged his Muslim brothers to respect dissenting opinions from Cotabato Mayor #YNTHIA 'UIANI 3AYADI AND LOcals. They have reportedly been harassed in connection with the upcoming plebiscite.

'ESULGA SAID THE TREND IN #OTAbato City was an overwhelming vote for yes.

4ERRITORIES IN THE !2-- INCLUDing Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi will only be asked in their BOL plebiscite balLOT IF THEY AGREE TO RATIFY 2EPUBLIC Act 11054 also known as the “OrGANIC ,AW FOR THE "!2-- u Other territories will either be asked the same question and another question asking if they agree TO HAVE THEIR CITY OR TOWN JOIN THE "!2-- OR ONLY THE LATTER

PRE-FIGHT INTERVIEW

Sen. Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao speaks to reporters, as he prepares for his bout against Adrian Broner in Las Vegas. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO He never took a break to sing in his 24-year professional career.

The musical sessions would last from three to four hours. Pacquiao would sing 30 songs, and would only stop when his security men told him “it’s curfew time and time to sleep.� “Well that’s Manny for you, ENJOYING EVERY BIT OF WHAT HE S doing. He’s happy doing that and when Manny is happy, everything is possible,� a reporter said. “Yeah, that’s true,� strength and

conditioning coach Justin Fortune said when informed of what’s happening in the house after workOUTS g2EASON WHY ) KEPT SAYING

Manny’s a dangerous opponent when he’s happy.�

When asked if happiness is an obstruction, Fortune replied, “Maybe, but it’s a welcome obstruction.�

Pacquiao, a senator and the only eight-division world belt owner, is ending a two-year hiatus from US boxing rings when he stakes his

crown against Broner on Saturday.

He’s coming from a stoppage of Argentine slugger and thendefending champion Lucas Matthysse in seven rounds in Kuala Lumpur last July. g) HAVE MISSED FIGHTING IN ;,AS= 6EGAS )T HAS BEEN A SECOND home to me,� the three-time “Fighter of the Year� and Boxing Writers Association of America “Fighter of the Decade� said during the news conference.

4HE "/, OFkCIALLY CALLED THE Organic Law for the Bangsamoro !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO /,"!2-- IS THE result of decades-long peace negotiations between the rebel groups in Mindanao, mainly the Moro )SLAMIC ,IBERATION &RONT -),&

and the Philippine government.

4HE /,"!2-- ABOLISHES THE !2-- ESTABLISHED IN THROUGH 2! AND STRENGTHENED IN THROUGH 2! )T seeks to install a Bangsamoro political entity with wider self-rule in predominantly Muslim provinces and cities. #RITICS HAVE CALLED THE !2-- A failure, marred by corruption and mismanagement.

cal government units and agencies were lacking such characteristics.

LATION )T IS MORE SIGNIkCANTLY A peace agreement that involves the future development of Mindanao and the rest of the country,� the Mindanao Catholic Church Leaders for Peace (MCCLP) said in a statement, issued days before the BOL plebiscite on January 21 and February 6.

The MCCLP, led by Cotabato Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Orlando Quevedo and Davao ArchBISHOP 2OMULO 6ALLES SAID THE diminution of ancestral territory; the threat to cultural identity; and the loss of political governance ARE THE THREE gHISTORICAL INJUSTICESu against the Muslim community which the BOL seeks to address.

‘Lasting peace’ -INDANAO NATIVE .OEL 'RIĂ„O WHO had plunged into some of the most dangerous areas in the region to INTRODUCE THE 'AWAD +ALINGA HOUSING PROJECT SAID ONLY A HANDful of the Mindanao residents were against the BOL. This, according to him, was because Muslim communities have longed for decades to have another chance for “lastingâ€? peace. g)T S GIVING MUCH HOPE TO THE POPULACE )T S GIVING THEM HOPE because it can give a chance for PEACE )T S BEEN YEARS BUT IT S STILL THE SAME )T S EITHER WE CONTINUE with the current situation or we try a new way that could lead to peace,â€? he said in an interview.

Ampatuan said one of the essential components of the BOL was the end of armed struggle and that it was important that the Moro rebel groups were engaging in talks.

'ESULGA SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT factors for the BOL to be successful were proper implementation, good representation and leaderSHIP 'RIĂ„O SHARED THIS SENTIMENT and said he observed that many lo-

‘People will speak for BOL’ Amid Sulu’s opposition to the BOL, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said on Thursday there was no need to SEND AN APPEAL TO 3ULU 'OV !Bdusakur Tan 2nd as the “yes� vote was expected to win. “That’s how democracy works.

There are those who are not for it and there are those who would go for it, that is why the plebiscite will be a good indicator on Monday if whether most people are willing TO JOIN THE "/, u %SPERON TOLD reporters in Jolo.

Esperon said the government would not allow this “historic move for peace and unity� and progress to be spoiled “by people who are not the real representatives of the people of Mindanao.�

Esperon was among the attendees of a grand rally in support of BOL, held at the Mindanao State University Sulu gymnasium.

(E WAS JOINED BY KEY GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS INCLUDING #ABINET Secretary Karlo Nograles, Defense 3ECRETARY $ELkN ,ORENZANA )NTERIOR AND ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT 3ECREtary Eduardo Aùo, Peace Process !DVISER #ARLITO 'ALVEZ *R AND THE Moro National Liberation Front’s (AJI 9USOF *IKIRI AMONG OTHERS 4AN DID NOT JOIN THE #ABINET OFkCIALS AND LOCAL LEADERS AT THE head table.

The grand rally drew some 13,000 residents of Sulu, said OFkCIALS WHO ATTENDED THE EVENT Catholic leaders in Mindanao expressed their support for the passage of the BOL, as it “may be the last CONCRETE CHANCE FOR A JUST AND LASTing peace� in southern Philippines. g)N THIS LIGHT THE "/, IS MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGIS-

Holidays declared Some 2.8 million registered voters in the region are covered by the plebiscite. The Commission on %LECTIONS EXPECTS PERCENT VOTER participation.

0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE HAS declared January 21 a special nonWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE !2--

)SABELA #ITY IN "ASILAN AND #OTAbato City.

2ESIDENTS OF ,ANAO DEL .ORTE EXCEPT )LIGAN #ITY AND SIX TOWNS in North Cotabato, meanwhile, will participate in the referendum on February 6.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) does not see any threat against the upcoming plebiscite.

'EN "ENJAMIN -ADRIGAL *R !&0 chief of staff, said 10,400 soldiers were deployed by the military to secure the plebiscite. Some 1,300 will be deployed to Basilan, which was among the areas he visited on Thursday.

Duterte is expected to speak before a peace assembly in Cotabato City on Friday, January 18, three days before the January 21 plebiscite.

WITH CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND CATHERINE A. MODESTO

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Go to communists: Give peace a chance

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HE number of Filipino families who experienced hunger went down in the kNAL QUARTER OF ACCORDING TO A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

SENATORIAL aspirant Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go urged the Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) to grab President Rodrigo Duterte’s fresh initiative for peace negotiations or completely lose the chance for peace. “Wala na po kayong ibang lider na pwedeng ninyong kausapin.

Kaya ang ibig kong sabihin dito pag pinalampas ninyo itong terminong ito ni Pangulong Duterte, mahihirapan na po kayo. Siya lang po ang nakakaintindi [sa inyo] (You have no other leader to talk to. If you let this chance slip by, YOU WILL FACE DIFkCULTY (E IS THE only one who understands you),�

Go said in a radio interview.

Duterte ended peace talks with the communists in November 2017 and ordered the military to destroy the CPP a month later.

However, at the beginning of this year, the President said his administration was still open to the possibility of reviving peace talks with communist rebels.

Go, Duterte’s former special assistant, expressed hopes the communist groups would reciprocate the Chief Exectuive’s gesture of goodwill for peace.

He recalled that when Duterte was the mayor of Davao City, the

two of them visited the lairs of various groups of the New People’s Army (NPA), the CPP’s armed wing, in the region. “We climbed mountains without bodyguards, without weapons, to get captive soldiers. We trusted them that much with our lives. So, President Duterte’s trust in them was that high,� Go said. “When he sat down as president, he gave communist leaders opportunities; he wanted reconciliation.

He gave the [leadership] positions of the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development, DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform), and even the NAPC (National Anti-Poverty Commission.

The President really extended his hand (in peace),� Go said.

He said he understood why Duterte scrapped the peace negotiation with the communist group when it started criticizing and attacking his administration.

As part of his legislative agenda, Go is pushing for the conduct of localized peace talks by providing local government units support mechanisms for such initiative, pursuant to Duterte’s Executive Order 70 creating the National Task Force to End Local CommuNIST !RMED #ONlICT

Only 10.5 percent or about 2.4 million families experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months.

4HE kGURE IS PERCENTAGE POINTS lower than the 13.3 percent, or 3.1 million families, who experienced hunger in September last year.

Of the 10.5 percent who expeRIENCED HUNGER PERCENT OR 2.1 million families experienced moderate hunger, while the remaining 1.5 percent suffered from severe hunger.

Families who experienced mod-

erate hunger declined by 1.7 percentage points compared to the PERCENT kGURE IN 3EPTEMBER 4HIS IS THE LOWEST SINCE THE percent in June.

The families who experienced severe hunger decreased by 1.3 PERCENTAGE POINTS FROM THE percent in September.

It is the lowest since the 1.3 percent in June last year.

Among the self-rated poor families, the number of hungry families decreased by 3.6 points at 14.9 percent in December, from Sep-

TEMBER S PERCENT 4HIS IS THE lowest since June last year.

It also decreased by 1.5 points among the non-poor families, at 6.1 percent from the 7.6 percent in September, well within the margin of error of Âą2.6 percent for national percentages.

The decline may also be tied to a massive drop in Mindanao. &OR $ECEMBER ONLY PERCENT of Mindanawon families said they were hungry, a 10-point drop from THE PERCENT IN 3EPTEMBER This is the lowest since the record-low 6.6 percent in 2003.

It also dropped by 3 points in Balance Luzon at 9.7 percent in December, from September’s PERCENT kGURE However, there were slight increases in the Visayas (3 points at 9.2 percent from September’s

6 percent) and Metro Manila (1 POINT AT PERCENT FROM 3EPtember’s 17.3 percent.)

MalacaĂąang welcomed the survey results, saying the best was yet to come.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte’s “sincere endeavors� to address economic problems will bear fruit soon. “The best is yet to come, as the Chief Executive continues to work double time in the remainder of his term to uplift more Filipino families out of poverty and hunger, towards a more comfortable and prosperous life for all,� Panelo said.

The survey was conducted FROM $EC TO AMONG

&ILIPINOS AGED YEARS old and above.

Recto seeks probe of ‘Safe PH’ Project SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Thursday urged the chamber to investigate the Safe Philippines Project to determine the potential risks to national security or public interest from foreign-assisted projects contracted by the government.

The project promises to make use of available modern information and communications technology (ICT)-driven subsystems and solutions in the implementation of a video surveillance system, an integrated operations and command center for National 911 Public Safety Answering Point COMMAND CENTERS IN -ETRO Manila and Davao City.

With the Safe Project, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) claimed that it would be bale to reduce crime

by 15 percent and improve response time by 20 percent.

Recto, in Senate Resolution 990, said recent developments placed considerable security risk in employing Chinese citizens, corporation and organizations to implement government programs and projects.

He cited Article 7 of the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China which mandates all Chinese organizations and citizens to cooperate with, collaborate in, and guard the secrecy of, the Chinese national intelligence work. “Chinese companies and individuals have also been allegedly involved in espionage and hacking activities over the recent years,� the senator said.

The initial implementation of Safe Philippines Project is

estimated to cost P20 billion.

The project would be financed and implemented through an official development assistance by the Chinese government.

The Chinese Embassy transMITTED ON *ULY A LIST of Chinese companies that will be involved in the project. These include the consortium of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Huawei Technologies Phils. Inc., and China Electronics Technology Group Corp., China International Telecommunication Construction Corp.

(CITCC) and China Machinery Engineering Corporation.

The exchange of signed commercial contract between the DILG and CITCC was witnessed ON .OV BY 0RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Integrity, loyalty powerful tools — Balutan

Q PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan poses with personnel of the charity agency in Agusan del Sur. PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes OfkCE 0#3/ 'ENERAL -ANAGER !LEXANder Balutan said integrity and loyalty are just some of the “tools� he used in running a successful agency.

The PCSO surpassed its revenue TARGET OF 0 BILLION IN EARNING P63.5 billion. “The character I have painstakingly built through the years in the military service along with the Academy’s motto of ‘Courage, Integrity and Loyalty’ are the most effective and powerful management tools in leading a successful agency,� Balutan said.

The battle-tested Mindanao veteran

A3

Fewer families went hungry in 2018 – SWS

BY RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

Q Christopher “Bong� Go

FRIDAY January 18, 2018

was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to the PCSO in 2016. The FORMER GENERAL WAS ASKED TO HELP kGHT corruption in the charity agency. “My battle-cry that time was touching lives, winning the peace. But up to now, we are touching lives. Dati sabi nila, ‘Mandirigma’ pampaiksi ng buhay, ngayon, pampahaba na ng buhay dahil sa mga tinutulungan nating mga pasyente na nangangailangan ng tulong medikal mula sa PCSO (They used to say “Warrior’ shortens life, but now, we extend life because we help petients needing medical assistance),� Balutan said. ‘Mandirigma’ is the PCSO general

manager’s nickname.

Balutan emphasized how valuable PCSO products — Lotto and digit games, Keno, Instant Sweepstakes, and Small Town Lottery (STL) — were in the agency’s Charity Fund.

Under Republic Act 1169, the PCSO allocates 55 percent of its earnings for payment of prizes, 30 percent for charity fund and 15 percent for operating fund. “We generate funds for charity services, health programs of national character. That’s our mandate. We do not get anything from the national coffer. We earn our funds through

gaming. Ang tawag po dito ay ‘gaming’ hindi gambling (It is gaming, not gambling),� Balutan said.

He added that the Presumptive Monthly Retail Receipt remitted by STL operators is a big boost to the charity fund that provides payment for hospital bills of thousands of patients every day.

Data provided by the agency’s Branch Operations Sector headed by Assistant General Manager Remeliza Gabuyo showed that STL has employed 314,596 PEOPLE AS OF $ECEMBER !T PRESENT THERE ARE AUTHOrized STL agents.

Law punishes discrimination vs persons with HIV $EAR 0!/

I learned of a new law regarding HIV HUMAN IMMUNODEkCIENCY VIRUS AND !)$3 ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY DEAR PAO SYNDROME AND ) JUST WANT TO KNOW IF there is a provision which provides for PERSIDA a penalty against discriminatory acts ACOSTA directed to employees that have HIV. Pines and Practices. – The following discriminatory acts and practices Dear Pines, shall be prohibited: Please be informed of the provision of “(a) Discrimination in the WorkSection 49 (a) of Republic Act No. 11166, place. – The rejection of job application, otherwise known as the “Philippine HIV termination, termination of employand AIDS Policy Act,� which provides: ment, or other discriminatory policies “SEC. 49. Discriminatory Acts in hiring, provision of employment

AND OTHER RELATED BENEkTS PROMOTION or assignment of an individual solely or partially on the basis of actual, perceived, or suspected HIV status; xxx.�

Clearly, discrimination in the workplace against persons who have HIV, or perceived or suspected to have it, is prohibited. The prohibited acts are penalized under the new law pursuant to Section 50 (g) thereof, viz: “(g) Any person who shall violate any of the provisions in Section 49 on discriminatory acts and practices shall, upon conviction, suffer the penalty of IMPRISONMENT OF SIX MONTHS TO kVE YEARS AND OR A kNE OF NOT LESS THAN

Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), at the discretion of the court, and without prejudice to the imposition of administrative SANCTIONS SUCH AS kNES SUSPENSION OR revocation of business permit, business license or accreditation, and professional license; xxx.�

This opinion is solely based on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Thus, the opinion may vary when the facts are changed or further elaborated. We hope that we were able to enlighten you on the matter.

Recto said the primary equipment supplier of the winning contractor for the Safe Philippines Project, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., has been embroiled in issues concerning national security and data protection.

The senator pointed out that there is mounting concern that China may be using Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd as a proxy in Chinese intelligence operations or as a conduit to access sensitive networks.

He said the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand have banned public procurement of equipment from Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., or have blocked the latter from developing their country’s ICT infrastructure due to “rising security concerns.�

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

‘Limiting construction of cell towers disruptive’ THE proposal of a Presidential adviser to allow only two firms to build telecommunications (telco) towers is “disruptive,� IT expert and University of the Philippines law professor Roger Quevedo said on Thursday. “The proposal of Presidential Economic and Information Technology Adviser Ramon Jacinto for two-private company tower builders only to serve telco’s requirement is disruptive, if not regressive,� he said in a statement.

The duopoly proposal, Quevedo said, would most likely “betray the commitment� of President Rodrigo Duterte to give Filipinos cheaper and faster telco services.

He added that Jacinto’s proposal would just be a “waste of time and effort� because it was not doable “unless the existing franchise of Globe Telecom and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT)-Smart are amended and modified by Congress.� “It is not doable because in my view as a practicing lawyer... Jacinto’s proposal which in effect will deprive the existing telcos of their privilege granted under the approved franchises is illegal,� he said.

Last week, Sen. Grace Poe vowed to go to courts if Jacinto insists on his plan and ignores the recommendation of lawmakers not to limit the construction of cell sites. “We will file a case because we need to prevent such policies which we think will do harm to our countrymen,� Poe said.

House Assistant Majority Leader Johnny Pimentel also asked Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Gringo Honasan to junk the duopoly plan.

Pimentel said limiting the construction of cell towers violates the congressional franchise of Globe and Smart.

He added that the two chambers of Congress must first amend telcos’ franchise to prevent them from building their own cell towers.

Meanwhile, the DICT said on Wednesday that it would sign agreements with six telco-tower builders in January to provide adequate service to Filipino consumers.

GLEE JALEA

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

E d i to r i a l Purging the judiciary of misfits, scalawags

T

HE PURGE OF MISkTS AND SCALAWAGS FROM THE JUDICIARY IS THE gSHOULDA COULDA WOULDAu OF EVERY JUSTICE WHO IS APPOINTED CHIEF OF THE 3UPREME #OURT AND THEREFORE HEAD OF THE NATION S JUSTICE SYSTEM .O POSITION IS MORE COVETED BY OUR LEGAL MINDS AND LEGAL PRACTITIONERS THAN THAT OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE .O OBJECTIVE IS ALSO MORE ELUSIVE AND INTRACTABLE THAN THE CLEANSING OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM BY THE REMOVAL OF MISkTS AND SCALAWAGS )F #HIEF *USTICE ,UCAS "ERSAMIN WILL HAVE HIS WAY HIS MONTH TENURE AS HEAD OF THE JUDICIARY COULD BE THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE IN ITS HISTORY 4HE CHIEF JUSTICE HAS VOWED TO GET RID OF MISkTS AND SCALAWAGS DURING HIS BRIEF TENURE WHICH WILL END IN /CTOBER THIS YEAR WHEN HE REACHES THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE OF FOR 3UPREME #OURT JUSTICES g) WILL PURGE THE JUDICIARY OF MISkTS ND SCALAWAGS AND ENFORCE THE RULES OF DISCIPLINE u HE DECLARED (E HAS MADE THE PURGE A KEY PART OF HIS FOUR POINT AGENDA AS CHIEF JUSTICE 4HE WAY WE SEE THIS THE PURGE COULD EITHER BE THE MOST CHALLENGING OR THE MOST MEMORABLE PART OF HIS TENURE g-ISkTS AND SCALAWAGS u OR gHOODLUMS IN ROBES u AS THEY ARE DERISIVELY DESCRIBED HAVE BEEN THE GRIEF OR EMBARRASSMENT OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM SINCE THE RECOVERY OF NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE IN !S #* "ERSAMIN HAS DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM g)N THE PROVINCES THERE IS A VERY STRONG PERCEPTION THAT JUSTICE IS ONLY FOR THE STRONG THE INlUENTIAL AND THE WEALTHY g4HOSE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES IN THE PROVINCES WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS WRONG PERCEPTION OF THE JUDICIARY WILL HAVE TO GO u HE SAID !LSO IN HIS FOUR POINT AGENDA ARE THE EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION OF COURT CASES THE UPGRADING OF THE MECHANICS OF THE BAR EXAMINATIONS AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE PARTICIPATION OF LAW STUDENTS IN LEGAL AID PROGRAMS FOR THE POOR "ERSAMIN BARED HIS PLANS DURING A TESTIMONIAL DINER TENDERED IN HIS HONOR BY THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS

WHERE HE SERVED AS LAW PROFESSOR FROM TO (E SEES THE UPDATING AND UPGRADING OF THE PRESENT RULES OF COURT AS THE KEY TO ACCOMPLISHING MAJOR REFORM (E CONCEDED THAT THE PRESENT RULES OF COURT CONTAIN PROVISIONS THAT INSTITUTIONALIZE DELAYS (E SAYS HE WILL WORK HARD TO gUPDATE OUR PROCEDURAL RULES TO MAKE THEM EMBODY AND BE ATTUNED TO TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS u (E BELIEVES UPDATED RULES WILL MAKE THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE PUBLIC NEED FOR gQUICK DISPENSATION OF JUSTICE u 4HE UPDATING OF RULES IS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS OF THE 3UPREME #OURT IN ADDITION TO CASE ADJUDICATION g)T IS VERY BASIC u SAYS "ERSAMIN 4O SHOW HOW SERIOUS HE IS ABOUT REFORM HE ORDERED THE CLEANSING TO START IN HIS HOME PROVINCE OF !BRA IN INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO #OURT !DMINISTRATOR *OSE -IDAS 0 -ARQUEZ DURING THE DINNER g4HAT IS A MARCHING ORDER u HE SAID gNO MATTER IF THEY ARE MY RELATIVES OR NOT ) AM SURE YOU KNOW WHAT ) MEAN u )F THIS REFORM EFFORT IS SUCCESSFUL #* "ERSAMIN WILL LEAVE BEHIND ONE OF THE MOST STERLING ACHIEVEMENTS OF A CHIEF JUSTICE IN THE HISTORY OF THE 0HILIPPINE JUDICIARY 4HE JUSTICE HAS ALREADY kGURED IN THE WRITING OF HISTORIC LANDMARK DECISIONS OF THE HIGH COURT 3HOULD HIS PURGE PLAN MEET WITH SUCCESS HE WOULD LEAVE THE NATION A LASTING LEGACY WHEN HE RETIRES IN /CTOBER THIS YEAR 4HERE WOULD BE NO CAUSE ANYMORE FOR ANYONE TO SAY gSHOULDA COULDA WOULDA u #* "ERSAMIN WOULD HAVE MADE IT HAPPEN ~

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 98

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 EVELYN A. FAUNI, Vice President for Finance 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.

I

Manny Pacquiao: Senate desaparecido

!33/#)!4% MYSELF WITH THE REPORTED PERCENT OF OUR PEOPLE POLLED EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER $IGONG S HEALTH AND NOT SATISkED WITH $R 3AL 0ANELO S INEXPERT CLEARANCE -Y PAL Compañero 3AL

IS NOT EVEN A HORSE DOCTOR ) THINK ! PANEL OF REAL DOCTORS MAY EXAMINE $IGONG AND IF HE CONSENTS

REPORT TO THE NATION !DAMANTINE REFUSAL HEIGHTENS OUR SOLICITUDE OR ANXIETY 7E DON T NEED A -ARCOS SITUATION REDUX -ACOY SUFFERED IN SECRECY WHILE WE SUFFERED OPENLY -ORE TRANSPARENCY WE SEEK ‡ AND DESERVE 7E HAVE THE HUMAN RIGHT TO KNOW ! 0REZ IS PUBLIC PROPERTY

CERTAINLY ON HEALTH ISSUES ) WISH 0REZ $IGONG GOOD HEALTH WITH THE WISH THAT HE WOULD MAKE CERTAIN MIDTERM COURSE CORRECTIONS 3UCH AS BEING 0ANGULO SA HALIP NA -EYOR LANG AND NOT WASTING SPENDING HIS TIME IN PETTY SENSELESS QUARRELS SAY WITH WOMEN gSHOOT THEM IN THE VAGINA u gRAPE COMES WITH THE TERRITORY u ETC AND THE #ATHOLIC #HURCH 3O WHAT IF THERE ARE GAYS IN MY #HURCH 4HIS GOES FOR GAYS EVERYWHERE AS LONG AS THEY TRY THEIR BEST TO DO GOOD AND AVOID EVIL IN OUR UNCERTAIN LESS THAN PERFECT WORLD !LEXANDER THE 'REAT -ICHELANGELO ,AWRENCE OF !RABIA AND 2OCK (UDSON WERE SAID TO

T.G.I.F. RENE SAGUISAG BE GAYS BUT THE WORLD OWES THEM %VEN SINNERS AND WE ALL ARE WE OWE 7E HAVE 3T !UGUSTINE AND 3T -ARY -AGDALENE -EYOR $IGONG WASTES SPENDS A LOT OF TIME DIVIDING US AND EVEN ENDANGERING OUR WOMEN BY SAYING THAT RAPE IS PART OF ALIEN CULTURE "AHALA NA PO BA SILA SA BUHAY NILA 3EN -ANNY 0ACQUIAO IS SAID TO UNITE THE NATION WHEN HE kGHTS (MMMM (E CANNOT ANSWER WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED THIS WEEK AS #ONGRESS RESUMES WORK (E CONTENDED FOR 4OP (OUSE !BSENTEE AND ONLY A FEW NOTICED IN THE "IGGER (OUSE "UT IN THE "ETTER (OUSE THEY ARE ONLY

WITH 'RINGO (ONASAN GONE

FOR A #ABINET POST !N EMPTY 3ENATE SEAT GLARES -ANNY SHOULD READ AND TAKE TO HEART 3EC OF 2! WHICH MANDATES THAT HE AS A PUBLIC OFkCIAL MUST ALWAYS UPHOLD PUBLIC INTEREST OVER AND ABOVE PERSONAL INTEREST PERFORM AND DISCHARGE HIS DUTIES WITH THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF EXCELLENCE PROFESSIONALISM

INTELLIGENCE AND SKILL SHOW UTMOST DEVOTION AND DEDICATION TO DUTY AND NOT INDULGE IN EXTRAVAGANT AND OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY OF WEALTH IN ANY FORM 7OULD ) BE THE ONLY 0INOY WHO WON T WATCH HIM ON 3UNDAY IN HIS SEEMINGLY INSATIABLE QUEST FOR MORE FAME AND FORTUNE !M ) THE ONLY 0INOY BOTHERED BY HIS EXCRESCENT NEGLECT OF 3ENATE WORK AND HIS DISRESPECTFUL AND QUESTIONABLE EVEN COCKAMAMIE PRIORITIES )N THE MANLY ART OF MODIkED MURDER 7 / -C'EEHAN -ANNY SHOULD FORGET -AYWEATHER AND FOCUS ON THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE BAD WEATHER IN MANY PLACES BACK HOME FOR JUST ONE NATIONAL CONCERN OR PROBLEM /R HE SHOULD RESIGN TO PURSUE MORE FAME AND FORTUNE TO ENABLE HIM TO SETTLE HIS TAX ISSUES IN THE BILLIONS REPORTEDLY (E MAY BE OUR 4OP 4AX %VADER OR !VOIDER (IS SECRET WEAPON BROWN NOSE 0REZ $UTERTE OR ELSE GET THE -ARIA 2ESSA TREATMENT $O WE STILL HAVE A 3ENATE ETHICS PANEL &ROM TO -ANONG %RNIE -ACEDA AND ) WERE NEVER LATE MUCH LESS ABSENT IN THE 3ENATE .ON SIBI SED PATRIAE .OT SELF BUT COUNTRY +APAKANANG PAMBAYAN fDI PO PANSARILE )S THIS

PRINCIPLE DEAD IN THE WATER IN OUR DECAYING SOCIETY HEADED BY OUR PROUD AND PROFANE 0RESIDENT )N .ORTH !MERICA WE HEAR gPOBRE -EJICO TAN LEJOS DE $IOS Y TAN CERCA DE %STADOS 5NIDOS u 0OOR -EXICO SO FAR FROM 'OD AND SO NEAR THE 5NITED 3TATES (ERE

g0OBRE &ILIPINAS TAN LEJOS DE ESTUPIDO DIOS Y TAN CERCA DE #HINA u 2OUGHLY POOR 0HILIPPINES SO FAR FROM $IGONG S STUPID GOD AND SO NEAR HIS BELOVED #HINA ! RECENT POLL SHOWED THAT 0INOYS PREFER THE 53 TO #HINA WE DON T HEAR OF 0INOYS CLAMORING FOR IMMIGRANT VISAS TO LIVE UP NORTH IN THE -IDDLE +INGDOM !NYWAY ) WISH -ANNY AND HIS 7ASSISNAME FOE GOOD LUCK IN NOT GETTING HURT SERIOUSLY 3TUDIES SHOW HOW GETTING HIT IN THE HEAD VICIOUSLY AFFECTS ONE S WELL BEING AND MAY CONDUCE TO OVERREACHING BEYOND HIS LIMITATIONS 4HERE S #4% CHRONIC TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY TO WORRY ABOUT .OW WE KNOW THAT 3EN "ONG 2EVILLA INTENDS TO RETURN TO THE 3ENATE WITH COMEBACKING ,ITO ,APID AND THE -ETRO -ANILA &ILM &ESTIVAL IN ALSO FOR FAME AND FORTUNE 7HO WILL MIND THE STORE AS IT WERE IN THE !LL 3TAR 3ENATE ON

³SaguisagA5

Manila Bay is an opportunity

I

!- VERY IMPRESSED BY THE $EPARTMENT OF %NVIRONMENT AND .ATURAL 2ESOURCES AS WELL AS THE $EPARTMENT OF THE )NTERIOR AND ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT AND THE $EPARTMENT OF 4OURISM JOINING HANDS TO TACKLE THE REHABILITATION OF -ANILA "AY 2IGHT NOW THE BEAUTIFUL BAY

WHICH IS THE FOREGROUND OF OUR SPECTACULAR SUNSETS AND THE SEA ENTRANCE TO -ANILA WHERE GALLEONS USED TO SAIL PEOPLE USED TO SWIM AND FISH AND WHERE IMPORTANT HISTORICAL EVENTS BEGAN IS AN OPEN SEWER 9EARS OF NEGLECT POOR GOVERNANCE IGNORANCE AND THE VICISSITUDES OF INEQUALITY HAVE BROUGHT THIS ABOUT $ECADES OF THE FORMER HAVE RESULTED IN THE SHAMEFUL CONDITION THAT -ANILA "AY IS IN TODAY .OT TOO LONG AGO IN A WELL PUBLICIZED DECISION THE 3UPREME #OURT MANDATED THE REHABILITATION OF -ANILA "AY A DECISION THAT WAS PAID LIP SERVICE TO BUT NOTHING MORE )T SEEMS POLITICAL WILL IS NOW PRESENT IN THE THREE DEPARTMENTS CITED ABOVE THAT ORIENTS THEM TOWARD THE TARGET OF CLEANING UP THE BAY SO AS TO TURN IT INTO WHAT A BODY OF WATER SHOULD BE ‡ A CLEAN HEALTHY LEISURE WATER AND COMMERCIAL ASSET AS WELL AS A SCENIC FEATURE OF -ANILA "UT IT WILL NOT BE JUST A CASE OF CLEANING UP PER SE BUT WILL INVOLVE THE WORK OF PLANNING THAT MUST BE CARRIED OUT PROPERLY AND HUMANELY FOR IT TO BE EFFECTIVE AND PERMANENT !S EVERYONE KNOWS PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES HAVE BEEN WANTONLY EMPTYING UNTREATED WASTE INTO THE BAY VIA THE ESTEROS AND CREEKS THAT lOW

AMBIENT VOICES MA. ISABEL ONGPIN INTO IT 4HIS HAS TO STOP AND IT WILL IF THE THREE DEPARTMENTS

WORKING AS ONE AS THEY DID IN "ORACAY START IMPLEMENTING THE RULES OF SANITATION AND IMPOSING THE PENALTIES ON THOSE WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THEM "UT THE CRUX OF THE PROBLEM WILL ALSO LIE IN HOW TO MANAGE THE INFORMAL SETTLERS THAT ARE A MAJOR PART OF THE POLLUTION OF -ANILA "AY 3QUATTING ON PUBLIC LAND OR REQUIRED EASEMENTS ALONG CREEKS RIVERS AND ESTEROS WITH SUBSTANDARD SANITATION FACILITIES IF ANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A LARGE PART OF THE POLLUTION &ROM PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT gPERSUADINGu INFORMAL SETTLERS TO LEAVE OR BE RELOCATED %ASIER SAID THAN DONE AS IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE ELSE IN SITUATIONS LIKE THAT (ERE IS WHERE PROPER AND HUMANE PLANNING WILL BE NEEDED TO CUT POLLUTION 3OCIAL WORKERS LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS AND URBAN PLANNERS WILL BE NEEDED FOR EXPERTISE AND AN ORDERLY MASTER PLAN )F POSSIBLE INFORMAL SETTLERS SHOULD BE RELOCATED WHERE THEY CAN kND VIABLE WORK AND A VIABLE WAY OF LIFE /FTEN RELOCATION SITES ARE TOO DESOLATE AND TOO FAR TO BE ACCEPTABLE &OR THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO BE THERE THERE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE HOUSING WITH THE BASIC

SERVICES AVAILABLE FROM TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION TO EDUCATION AND MEDICAL SERVICES AND A FEASIBLE WAY TO GET TO THEIR JOBS AND BACK !NOTHER WAY IS TO RELOCATE THE INFORMAL SETTLERS IN THE URBAN AREAS THAT THEY ARE ALREADY SETTLED IN BUT AWAY FROM CREEKS AND ESTEROS AND NOT IN SLUM LIKE CONDITIONS 4HERE NEEDS TO BE A SERIOUS BUDGET AND PLANNED EFFORT FOR BOTH OUT OF CITY AND IN CITY RELOCATIONS /NE THING THAT SEEMS NOT TO HAVE BEEN DONE ENOUGH OF IS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BUY LAND OR USE PUBLIC LAND BUT NOT OPEN SPACES THAT ARE NEEDED FOR URBAN LIVING FOR LOW COST HOUSING THAT WOULD ACCOMMODATE FORMER INFORMAL SETTLERS IN VIABLE AND HUMANE HOUSING WHERE THE SANITARY STANDARDS ARE APPLIED AND THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR POLLUTION ) THINK THIS SUGGESTION MAY BE TOO OUT OF THE BOX FOR SOME WHO THINK THAT INFORMAL SETTLERS MUST BE ERADICATED FROM THEIR MIDST 4HIS ATTITUDE SOMETIMES PERVADES THE GOVERNMENT CIRCLES THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM 4HE IDEA OF USING GOVERNMENT FUNDS TO BUY LAND TO ACCOMMODATE INFORMAL SETTLERS IN URBAN AREAS IS THOUGHT TO BE EXTRAVAGANT AND INDULGENT "UT BE THAT AS IT MAY IF THESE OBSOLETE IDEAS ARE SUPERSEDED BY THE ACCEPTANCE THAT LOW INCOME PEOPLE CAN MANAGE TO LIVE IN THE CITY WELL WITH GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN HOUSING THE RESULT WILL BE DIGNIFIED HOMES THAT WILL BE SAFEGUARDED BY THOSE WHO LIVE

IN THEM .O ONE WANTS TO LIVE IN A SLUM )NNOVATIVE THINKING CAN FIND A WAY TO TAKE THEM OUT OF THE SLUMS )F IT COSTS MONEY IT WILL BE MONEY WELL SPENT !ND THERE IS MONEY IN THIS COUNTRY TO DO SO WHEN ONE NOTES THE WASTE OF PUBLIC FUNDS THAT WE SEE EVERYDAY ‡ TAXPAYERS MONEY DIVERTED FROM PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO PRIVATE INTERESTS WITH NO REDEEMING SOCIAL VALUE WASTEFUL SPENDING OF PUBLIC FUNDS IN ILL THOUGHT PROJECTS THE UNCONSCIONABLE ALLOWANCES FOR LEGISLATORS OR WORSE THE KEEPING OF FUNDS WITHOUT SPENDING THEM FOR PUBLIC PROJECTS A CAUSE FOR TEMPTATION FROM THOSE IN THE KNOW TO DIVERT THEM TO THEMSELVES THROUGH FAKE PROJECTS OR CORRUPTION 4HE THRUST OF CHANGING THINGS THAT ARE THE STATUS QUO AND WHICH ARE UNSATISFACTORY AND UNPRODUCTIVE SHOULD BE MORE INNOVATIVE $OING THINGS BETTER EVEN IF IT SHAKES THE STATUS QUO IDEAS IS VISIONARY THINKING )T BRINGS ON PLANS AND METHODS THAT DEAL WITH SOCIAL CONDITIONS AS THEY ARE AND WHICH CAN BE SOLVED BY NEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT THEM FOR SOLUTIONS .EW IDEAS AND kNDING THE MEANS TO IMPLEMENT THEM BE IT BY RAISING FUNDS AND PUTTING IN THE LONG AND HARD WORK CAN BE A BOON TO THE WHOLE OF SOCIETY )NDEED IT IS A MATTER OF POLITICAL WILL )T IS TIME THAT WE THINK IN MORE ENCOMPASSING AND EVEN RADICAL WAYS TO SOLVE OUR PRESENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND DEkCIENCIES IN BASIC SERVICES 7E CAN THUS IMPROVE OURSELVES

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

Q TATAD FROM A1

When the foreign secretary scoops the press It was the kind of stuff a diplomatic reporter, which I had been for years, might have put out after ascertaining all the facts, but I cannot imagine any of our foreign secretaries doing it. I do not have to go as far back as Apolinario Mabini, but I could cite a number of them. Mauro Mendez, S.P. Lopez, Narciso Ramos, Carlos P. Romulo, all of whom I covered AS A REPORTER 0ACIkCO #ASTRO 2Oberto Romulo, Alberto Romulo, Domingo Siazon Jr,, Blas F. Ople, all close friends; even Albert del Rosario, B.S. Aquino 3rd’s foreign secretary, whom I met not more than a few times.

Check all the facts first In all likelihood, each of them would have ascertained all the FACTS kRST BEFORE ISSUING ANY STATEment, and not on Twitter (which no foreign secretary before Locsin used), but in a formal statement.

Assuming passport data had indeed been lost, Locsin could have done a much better job if instead of simply announcing the alleged loss, he had assured the nation that steps were being taken to protect the interests of those affected by the reported loss. That would have been more like it.

He would have been acting more like a foreign secretary than like a newspaper reporter who has just delivered a “scoop.�

How did Locsin get so mixed up? He has not explained this. He said in his tweet that he was ready to “eviscerate alive the Yellows who did the passport deal,� but it turns out his professed desire to “eviscerate the Yellows� is not even as good as the President’s threat to wipe out all drug suspects. From the

data made available to the media, it appears that in October 2015, the Department of Foreign Affairs, which does not have a printing facility of its own, transferred its printing contract for e-passports from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to the APO Production Unit (APO-PU). APO-PU then subcontracted the printing to a PRIVATE kRM WHICH ,OCSIN SAID RAN away with the passports data when its contract expired.

was for a while a naturalized American citizen. This was never extensively discussed, but the data entered the public domain.

On one of his visits to the Manila Times EDITORIAL OFkCE ) ASKED 9Asay about it. He tried to evade the question by saying only his wife Cecile Joaquin had applied for US citizenship. This is something the Senate could still inquire into, if it is interested.

A much-needed inquiry Yasay reappears This prompted Perfecto Yasay Jr., THE kRST OF ,OCSIN S FAILED PREDEcessors under DU30, to come out of the woodwork and say Locsin was “misinformed.� Nobody ran away with anything and there was no loss of data at all, Yasay said.

4HIS WAS CONkRMED BY OTHER OFkCIAL SOURCES WHO SAID THERE WERE backup records at the BSP and one other depository. Locsin tweeted back to say he lacked some basic information, obviously, but he wasn’t at all misinformed.

3TILL ,OCSIN S lAWED POSITION allowed Yasay to insert into the record a hitherto unheard claim, THAT HIS kRM OPPOSITION TO THE passport printing deal had cost HIM HIS CONkRMATION AS FOREIGN secretary by the Commission on Appointments; he said the passport deal was strongly supported by some CA members. This strikes me as highly questionable.

To the best of my recollection, Yasay failed to hurdle the CA CONkRMATION PROCESS BECAUSE THE members found his citizenship questionable. He used to teach and practice law in the US, and many CA members believed, as many others still do, that he

There are many non-meritorious issues on which the Senate has devoted precious hours of useless inquiry; the issue provoked by Locsin’s announcement is one such issue it could sink its teeth on. The kRST QUESTION THAT MUST BE ASKED IS

why was/is a private printing plant printing Philippine passports, a very important national security-related, personal document? What is the legal basis for contracting it out to A PRIVATE PRINTER WHEN SUFkCIENT OFkCIAL PRINTING FACILITIES SUCH AS THE BSP printing plant, exist? If we can trust the BSP to print some of our money — I understand the bulk is still printed abroad — can we not trust it to print our e-passports?

What was the reason the printing of our e-passports had to be transferred kRST FROM "30 TO !0/ 05 AND ULTImately to a private printing plant?

Who proposed and brokered this arrangement and what were the peculiar motives? This is just ONE OF THE kRST QUESTIONS THE SENAtors should ask. In 1969 when I kRST JOINED THE #ABINET ) CAME face to face with the scandalous transfer of equipment, personnel and funds from a government printing plant to a “private plant�

OPERATED BY SOME OFkCIALS WHO

billed the government for all their printing jobs, under a patently illegal contract. The parties concerned accused me of “spying� on my colleagues, but I had to report everything to the President.

Some writers for the Times and other newspapers have named SOME OFkCIALS OF PAST ADMINIStrations allegedly involved in the privatization of the passport printing job; a full Senate inquiry should now plow deep into these allegations. And while the Senate is at it, it should extend its inquiry into related important issues.

One such issue is the reported outsourcing of the issuance of Philippine visas to Chinese visitors to a private contractor in Hong Kong or Shanghai.

Three million visas?

Throughout Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano’s watch, I tried to CONkRM REPORTS THAT A FORMER TOURISM HIGH OFkCIAL AND A HIGH $&!

OFkCIAL HAD TEAMED UP TO FACILITATE the entry of 3 million Chinese to the Philippines, at a minimum facilitation fee of $20 per head, on top of the regular visa fee.

The reports were never confirmed, but they persisted nevertheless. And the number of Chinese visitors during DU30’s MIDTERM WAS UNOFkCIALLY ESTIMATed to have climbed to more than 3 million. It could be worthwhile for Locsin and the Senate to take a closer look at this matter. And even more worthwhile for the Senate to inquire where Secretary Locsin intends to take Philippine foreign policy or diplomacy for that matter when he isn’t tweeting.

fstatad@gmail.com

Why we should care about vulnerable coastal communities BY NIGEL BRETT ROME: According to UN statistics, approximately 40 percent of the world’s population lives within 100 kilometers of the coast, and overall the world’s coastal population is increasing faster than the total global population. At the same time, global warming is causing sea levels to rise and increasing extreme weather incidents on coastlines.

The impacts are well publicized and alarming. But what we may not realize is that the people who are the most vulnerable to climate change are often the poorest. It is essential that we act upon what we know in order to mitigate the effects of climate change and build resilience in the poorest communities. In all of our development work, we cannot regard climate change and the plight of vulnerable coastal communities as a niche issue.

A large portion of the world’s poor people live in Asia and the Pacific: 347 million people in the region live on less than $1.90 a day, almost half of the 736 million people living in extreme poverty worldwide. Rising sea level exposes large areas of Asia and the Pacific to potential floods, coastline damage and increased salinity of agricultural lands. Climate change and environmental degradation (including in small island developing states, or SIDS) is harming the poor rural population’s ability to produce food and income, which calls for urgent action to help people safeguard their assets and fragile resources, while also diversifying their income base.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) works with people in vulnerable coastal communities across the world to build resilience and institute sustainable agricultural practices so that vulnerable people can make a living while also preserving the environment and the resources that are the foundation of their way of life.

Some livelihood practices are not sustainable and can exacerbate climatic vulnerability. For example, unsustainable fishing destroys corals and depletes fish stocks, and the cutting down of mangroves for firewood results in coastal land that cannot resist flooding, cyclones and coastal erosion. Since 66 percent of the fish that is eaten worldwide is caught by small-scale fishers, it is in every-

Q Meity Masipuang is a member of an enterprise group in Papusungan village, Lembeh island, Indonesia. The women’s group purchases fish to smoke and resell. They are participants of the IFAD-funded Coastal Community Development project in Indonesia.IFAD/ROGER ARNOLD body’s best interest to help them to improve their ability to make a living while protecting the environment.

In over 180 villages in Indonesia, the IFAD-supported Coastal Community Development project introduced aquaculture and supported initiatives to make fishing and processing techniques more efficient and sustainable. By providing rudimentary refrigeration techniques such as ice coolers, and by forming and training women’s groups to process some of the fish into fish paste and dried fish snacks, fishermen were able to fish less because they did not have to factor in the amount of fish wasted by lack of refrigeration or low market demand.

These measures also had a substantial impact on food security and actually reduced acute child malnutrition in the areas by half. And through communitybased coastal resource management groups, marine resources have been maintained or improved.

In the Asia and the Pacific region overall, vulnerable communities are a prominent focus of our investment portfolio. Just under one third of our current $2.7-billion portfolio in the region is invested in improving the lives of 15.3 million poor rural people living within 5 kilometers of the coastline.

One thing we’ve learned is that there is no such thing as a one-size-

fits-all approach in working with vulnerable coastal communities.

Context matters. Bangladesh suffers from overcrowding on its limited land, while the Pacific Islands suffer from not only extreme weather but a remote and dwindling population. In Tonga the rural population is declining due to migration and a lack of incentives for youth to remain. It is also classified as the second most at-risk country in the world in terms of its exposure and susceptibility to natural hazards and the effects of climate change. Development approaches need to be different.

Up to 80 million people live in flood-prone or drought-prone areas in Bangladesh, and thousands of vulnerable families eke out a living on river islands known as chars.

The Char Development and Settlement Project has developed roads that remain intact even after they have been repeatedly submerged in water. It has also helped communities [especially women] to develop small businesses that can withstand floods, such as raising ducks. But, one of the most important aspects of the project’s work is land titling — which is particularly important for women.

With land as collateral, women can access credit and acquire labor-saving

machinery, including small irrigation pumps and rice threshers, and build small storage sheds to protect harvested rice from rain and floods.

In Tonga, we are helping communities to develop high-value crops that can be exported in order to boost the rural export market. The project is also planting tree species that can protect the coastline from tornados and cyclones. The project is working with communities to identify where improved infrastructure is needed (such as weather-resistant roads and waterfronts), and get them directly involved in investing in and supervising construction and maintenance.

After 40 years of working with poor rural people around the world, IFAD has learned that no one can hope to face these challenges alone. In a rapidly changing world we need to work together to channel support where it is most needed. Rural transformation can increase production and incomes, reduce hunger, and at the same time protect natural resources.

With the right support, vulnerable coastal communities can play a part in securing a sustainable future.

IPS

Nigel Brett is Director of the Asia AND 0ACIkC $IVISION AT THE )NTERnational Fund for Agricultural Development

Opinion

A5

New Year in Asean Part 3 – Brunei and Myanmar

V

ARIOUS cultures celebrate special events in their own unique way. New Year is one such event, commonly believed to mark â&#x20AC;&#x153;a date of newly found happiness and a clean slate.â&#x20AC;? <https:// wilstar.com/ holidays/new year. htm> Along this belief, earlier we wrote on the usual preparations for the countdown of a new year IN kVE MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE Asean â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Time differences in these countries is due to their being under different time zones â&#x20AC;&#x201D; new year coming after a half hour to an hour or an hour and a half later to Philippine time. As in many parts of the world, the merriment is similar in preparing for the clock to strike 12 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock announcing the New Year.

Besides preparations and the specTACULAR DISPLAY OF kREWORKS AND temple and/or church/cathedral visits and the feasts and parties with family and friends, are also in these Asean member countries their traditional New Year which begins weeks or months after the popular countdown from late night December 30.

New Year comes at different times. When should the new year be celebrated? â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no obvious answer to that question. $AYS MONTHS AND YEARS ALL lOW continuously; there is no scienTIkC WAY OF IDENTIFYING A SPECIkC day that marks a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;new year.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The day, the months, the seasons, and the year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the major divisions of the calendar â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are determined by the physical properties of the solar system, especially the earth, moon, and sun. But not only is there no â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;startâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to these markers of TIME THEY ALSO DO NOT kT TOGETHER very well.â&#x20AC;? However, science has adopted through the years certain measurements, such as a day is one revolution of the Earth on its own axis equivalent to 24 hours, or 29 to 30 days-plus for the moon to rotate around the earth, or for the earth to rotate around the sun. <https://sciencing. com.â&#x20AC;şScienceâ&#x20AC;şPhysicsâ&#x20AC;şAstronomy> Thus, the different times when New Year is celebrated depends on the calculations and adjustments on these solar or lunar rotations.

Since member countries of the Asean are not all in the same time zone as the Philippines, reckoning time equivalent in the Asean to our own Philippine time, could have a difference of a from a slight to half an hour, or even an hour and half.

Celebrating countdown and New Year. The New Year in Brunei Darussalam is politically sigNIkCANT TO THE COUNTRY )N

Britain agreed the date of full independence of Brunei DarusSALAM TO BE *AN ! WEEK AFTER ON *AN

"RUNEI BEcame a member of the Asean. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name means â&#x20AC;&#x153;abode of peace.â&#x20AC;? <https://www.british empire.co.uk/> Day before New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day (December 31) the celebration â&#x20AC;&#x153;kicks off with locals showing their unique fondness for various sports such as tennis, golf, squash, scuba diving, bowling, kayaking, and even windsurfing in anticipation of New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $AY u WHEN THERE ARE kREWORKS displays and exuberant gatherings for families and friends.

FLASHBACKS/ INSIGHTS TERESITA TANHUECOTUMAPON Though apparently, this beautiful city is popular for its religiously oriented festivals, these are no constraints to lavishly welcoming the New Year. There are too, the beach parties and special delicious dishes for guests arranged by luxurious hotels. In Brunei, the traditional Chinese New Year is observed on the first day of THE kRST MONTH ON THE #HINESE lunar calendar which is February 5, 2019. Extravagant parades along Chinatown featuring the dragon dance of the Han and the lion dance of the Cantonese celebrate the arrival of the lunar new year. During the procession of these parades, red and gold are dominant colors which, according to Chinese myths, â&#x20AC;&#x153;will ward away evil spirits and bring good fortune throughout the upcoming year.â&#x20AC;? Today â&#x20AC;&#x153;the practice of spring cleaning allows people to clean up their homes and clear UP ANY UNkNISHED BUSINESS SUCH as paying off their debts.â&#x20AC;?

Myanmar, formerly called Burma, has its traditional New Year in mid-April. Along with Laos, Myanmar became a member of Asean. As on July 23, 1997.

Myanmarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional New Year is based on the Gregorian calendar, celebrated as a public holiday and is â&#x20AC;&#x153;a Buddhist festival at root, but also has connections with Hinduism.â&#x20AC;? In fact, it is â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Buddhist version of the Hindu myth of Arsi and Devas.â&#x20AC;? Our source describes the mythâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s origin as involving â&#x20AC;&#x153;a wager between two gods, the loser losing his head but gaining the head of an elephant. But to stop this new head from drying up the SEA OR SCATTERING kRE SHOTS THROUGH the heavens, it was taken away and given to a new Princess Devi at the beginning of each new year.â&#x20AC;? Then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Kayin New Year which DID NOT OCCUR IN BUT SHALL take place twice in 2019 and as a PUBLIC HOLIDAY LASTING FOUR OR kVE days. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Kayin, also known as the Karen, are indigenous people of Myanmar constituting about 7 percent of the population, numbering approximately 7 million â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the third largest of Myanmarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many ethnic groups.â&#x20AC;? The New Year is celebrated all over Myanmar, observed with zealous anticipation by both Kayin Christians and Buddhists. The Kayin New Year date being based on the lunar calendar varies. The event celebrates their unique cultural heritage â&#x20AC;&#x153;promoting the preservation of their language, literature, and other traditions.â&#x20AC;? Still very much popular during the celebration are â&#x20AC;&#x153;consuming steamed, sticky rice to celebrate the new rice harvest, wearing traditional clothing, consisting of woven tunics pulled over red â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;longyi,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; visiting friends and family throughout the local area, and holding dance contests.

Next week: Countdown to New Year in Indonesia, Laos and the Philippines Email: ttumapon@liceo.edu.ph

Q SAGUISAG FROM A4

Manny Pacquiao the West Philippine Sea, Sabah, budget insertions, anti-poor war on drugs, massive worsening poverty situation, widespread homelessness and starvation, inSURGENCY JAIL OVERCROWDING TRAFkC

pollution, etc.? One of the hardest working senators has been Leila de Lima, a jewel, even in jail, working for the least, lost and last, for whom we are asked to pray.

Pobre Filipinas. Bong and Lito should just go to the Bigger House for sectoral showbiz representation unless they expand their horizons, which I am sure they can be capable of. Bong has just been acquitted by a divided Sandiganbayan, inviting criticism.

All senators may fantasize and consider themselves as presiden-

tial timber, as has been said of Manny Pacquiao (with Mocha Uson as possible veep? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; anOTHER JOKE "UT kRST THEY MUST rise to the mantle of senatorship.

And Meyor Digong must rise to THE MANTLE OF HIS OFkCE OF BEing Pangulo, as was said of petty Master Tweeter Donald Trump, by new US senator Mitt Romney.

The mantle may include the Manila Bay clean-up. But, why doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the Palace, Manila, Makati and Pasay first clean up the Tripa de Gallina estero near where I live, which may not be as sexy as Boracay, but just because I am such a nice guy? A far more doable goal.

And cosas pequeĂąas significan mucho, little things mean a lot.

A6

Opinion

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

Aquino govtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s P38B passport-printing contract: The biggest case of corruption ever?

That contract will generate for the company an income of at least P10 billion in the 10 years that started mid-2016.

The scheme was planned and the contracts signed in 2014.

However, actual printing of the passports under the anomalous set-up started in July 2016 right after President Rodrigo Duterte ASSUMED OFkCE )F HE DOESN T STOP the contract though, he will undoubtedly be blamed for it, even for just allowing such a scandalous rip-off to continue. ) WAS TOLD THAT IN THEN Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. and Presidential Communications Operations /FkCE 0#// 3ECRETARY -ARTIN Andanar have asked Executive 3ECRETARY 3ALVADOR -EDIALDEA to recommend to Duterte that the contract be rescinded. The recommendations were unacted on, though. Former foreign affairs secretary said he was aware of the issue, but had been told that it was being dealt with by the executive secretary.

Not even during Ferdinand -ARCOS YEAR STRONGMAN RULE did government hand over to so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;croniesâ&#x20AC;? such a huge moneymaking contract, secretly and without public bidding.

The passport printing contract â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which the Commission on !UDIT SAID INVOLVES 0 BILLION IN sales of passports to the foreign affairs department in 10 years â&#x20AC;&#x201D; dwarfs the other anomalous deals the previous Aquino regime underTOOK AMONG THEM THE 0 BILLION purchase of the defective DengvaxIA VACCINES OR THE 0 BILLION -24 maintenance contracts that failed.

Aquino officials in late 2015 gave the go-ahead to print the new so-called hi-tech â&#x20AC;&#x153;e-passportsâ&#x20AC;? with readable biometric chips to A PURPORTED JOINT VENTURE *6 between the government-owned !0/ 0RODUCTION 5NIT !0/ 05

WHICH WAS UNDER THE 0#// AND United General Expression Corp.

5'%# AN UNREMARKABLE PRINTing outfit. The printing of the passports by what was called the

APO-UGEC Security Printing Joint 6ENTURE STARTED IN *ULY

Biggest stockholder )T LATER TURNED OUT THAT 5'%# S BIGGEST STOCKHOLDER WITH PERcent of UGEC is reportedly the FAMILY THROUGH % :OBEL )NC OF BILLIONAIRE )Ă&#x201E;IGO :OBEL Â&#x2021; THE COUNTRY S TH RICHEST BILLIONAIRE with a $2.5-billion net worth, according to the Forbes magazine roster. However, 10 percent of THE kRM WAS REPORTED TO BE HELD BY (ALDANE )NVESTMENTS A RATHER SHADOWY kRM BASED IN THE TAX HAVEN COUNTRY OF 6ANUATU :OBEL HASN T RESPONDED TO THAT report, published in this column AND IN ANOTHER NEWSPAPER )T WOULD BE INTERESTING TO kND OUT WHO THE OTHER STOCKHOLDERS OF 5'%# ARE )T IS NOT CLEAR WHEN :OBEL AND (ALDANE invested in UGEC, which had been controlled by an obscure businessMAN FROM -ALABON There was no public bidding at all for what company would BE !0/ 05 S PARTNER AND THE CREATION OF THE *6 WAS PRACTICALLY KEPT SECRET Â&#x2021; UNTIL NOW 4HE *6 AND !0/ 05 S PARTNER WERE NOT reported in its published annual reports nor in its website which portrayed its high-security printing PLANT THAT WAS OPERATED BY THE *6 AS entirely an operation of the APOPU. UGEC in its website does not even mention what has been its biggest moneymaker, the printing of the e-passports.

4HE *6 IS A TOTAL FARCE INTENDED to skirt government regulations that the passports must be printed directly only by three state kRMS OTHER THAN !0/ 05 THE National Printing Office, and THE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS

UGECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s INCOME SO FAR IN PASSPORT DEAL (Million Pesos) Year 2016 2017 Total Net Income 203 468 UGEC share of income 142 328 UGEC lease of macines 335 670 Total UGEC revenues 477 997

Source: COA annual audits TRONIC PASSPORTS u )T DEMANDED THAT THE *6 CONTRACT BE AMENDED 4HE APO-PU ignored the COA. 4HE *6 IS HARDLY A JOINT VENTURE IN THAT !0/ 05 S SHARE IN THE ENTERPRISE S CAPITAL WAS JUST 10 percent, made in kind as the valuation of its leasehold rights TO THE PROPERTY WHERE THE *6 housed its printing plant. The COA, however, even pointed out that this was anomalous as this represents only 10 percent of the VALUE OF !0/ 05 S LEASE OVER THE 10-year period of the contract.

4HE DISTRIBUTION OF THE *6 S PROkTS TEARS APART THE DISGUISE that is it is a joint venture. Under THE *6 S YEAR CONTRACT 5'%# would receive 90 percent of anNUAL PROkTS IF THESE ARE BELOW 0 MILLION PERCENT IF THESE amount to P600 million to below 0 MILLION AND PERCENT IF 0 MILLION AND MORE 4HE *6 S PROkTS AMOUNTED TO 0 MILLION IN 0 MILLION IN

AND 0 MILLION IN The COA pointed to the huge ANOMALY IN SUCH PROkT DISTRIBUTION g!0/ S CONTRIBUTION IN THE form of a captured market was not considered especially as it was one of the three state printing enterprises allowed to produce THE PASSPORTS Ă? )N SHORT WHY WOULD 5'%# GET TO PERCENT OF THE *6 S PROkTS IF WITHOUT !0/ Joint venture disguise PU, it could not supply the captured market the COA estimated 4HE #OMMISION ON !UDIT #/! TO BE WORTH 0 BILLION in 2016 even pointed out that the *6 S PRINTING OF THE PASSPORTS VIO- Super-profits lated the Government Procurement 0OLICY "OARD S 2ESOLUTION The profit distribution meant which categorically â&#x20AC;&#x153;required the SUPER PROkTS Â&#x2021; A FEATURE OF ANY APO-PU to directly print the elec- monopoly â&#x20AC;&#x201D; for UGEC. According

Will the global credit boom go bust?

WASHINGTON, DC: We are in the WASHINGTON new loans to replace the midst of a worldwide credit POST WRITERS old. Similarly, if lenders fear DEBTS WON T BE REPAID THEY boom that may be without GROUP may withhold new loans. precedent. The debt exploFor the moment, confision suggests that the global dence seems to be holding. economy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all the national One reason may be low economies combined â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is interest rates, which make being driven heavily by masit easier for borrowers to carry large debts. sive government and private borrowing.

Still, the debt buildup poses dangers. The )S THIS DEBT BUILDUP STABLE /R IS IT THE harbinger of a sharp economic slowdown or kRST Â&#x2021; AND MAYBE THE MOST LIKELY Â&#x2021; IS THAT CRASH .O ONE REALLY KNOWS BUT THE NUMBERS both borrowers and lenders become more cauCERTAINLY GIVE PAUSE 7HILE EVERYONE IS kX- TIOUS ,ENDERS FEAR DEFAULTS AND DELINQUENCIES ated on President Trump and his opponents, CORPORATE BORROWERS WORRY THAT THEY WON T BE able to â&#x20AC;&#x153;roll overâ&#x20AC;? existing loans, while househardly anyone is paying attention.

4HE LATEST FIGURES COME FROM THE )NSTITUTE hold borrowers fear losing their homes or cars. )F ECONOMIC GROWTH SLOWS THEN SERVICING OF )NTERNATIONAL &INANCE ))& AN INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY GROUP )T REPORTS THAT outstanding debts becomes harder. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The risk in September, worldwide debt totaled $244 is not [an economic] blowout but a slow TRILLION OR ALMOST A RECORD PERCENT OF slog â&#x20AC;&#x201D; slower growth,â&#x20AC;? says Gibbs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As debt world gross domestic product. That figure service gets bigger, it takes away from what covers all government, household and non- YOU CAN DO WITH MORE BORROWING )T DIVERTS FINANCIAL BUSINESS BORROWING 7ORLD '$0 from more productive uses.â&#x20AC;?

Another risk is that over-indebted busiMEANS TOTAL GLOBAL OUTPUT (ERE S A DETAILED BREAKDOWN 'OVERNMENT nesses in emerging-market countries trigger debt has tripled from $20 trillion in 2000 to SOME SORT OF kNANCIAL CRISIS ,OAN LOSSES FORCE TRILLION IN RISING AS A SHARE OF '$0 some banks to close or stop lending. The cirFROM PERCENT TO PERCENT (OUSEHOLD cumstances are particular to individual coundebt has increased over the same years, from tries or industries, but if too many local crises TRILLION TO TRILLION FROM PERCENT occur, the global economy could lose steam. &INALLY THERE S gROLLOVER RISKu Â&#x2021; THE POSTO PERCENT OF '$0 &INALLY NON kNANCIAL CORPORATE DEBT ROSE FROM TRILLION TO SIBILITY THAT BORROWERS WON T BE ABLE TO renew existing loans. That prospect seems TRILLION PERCENT OF '$0 TO PERCENT â&#x20AC;&#x153;Debt has fueled a good deal of economic particularly strong among emerging-market growth,â&#x20AC;? says economist Sonja Gibbs of the BORROWERS !CCORDING TO THE DATA FROM THE ))&

))& (IGHER BORROWING IS WIDESPREAD THOUGH emerging-market borrowers face $2 trillion of countries borrow differently. Government maturing debt in 2019, with about a quarter debt, for example, is highest among mature OF THOSE LOANS MADE IN DOLLARS MOST OF THE economies, such as the United States and REST ARE IN LOCAL CURRENCY 4O AVOID DEFAULT

France. By contrast, business borrowing has borrowers must somehow raise those dollars, been more common in so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;emerging- either from a new loan or from other sources.

When it comes to global debt, we may be MARKETu COUNTRIES #HINA )NDIA AND -EXICO There are no universal rules on how much in unexplored territory. The only certainty, debt is too much. A lot depends on investor AS THE ))& S $YLAN 2IDDLE PUTS IT IS THAT psychology â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that is, confidence or fear. gTHERE S BEEN A BREATHTAKING ACCUMULATION "EHAVIOR CAN BE SELF FULkLLING )F BANKS AND of debt in the last decade or so.â&#x20AC;?

(C) 2019, THE WASHINGTON POST bond-holders believe debts will be repaid, then they will be, because borrowers will raise WRITERS GROUP

ROBERT J. SAMUELSON

TO THE #/!

IN WHEN THE *6 PRINTED ONLY ")2 AND $4) FORMS

AND THEN AND WHEN IT PRINTED THE PASSPORTS 5'%# HAD revenues from the deal totaling 0 MILLION Â&#x2021; MORE THAN DOUBLE ITS 0 MILLION INVESTMENT "UT 5'%# S REVENUES DIDN T come only from its huge shares of THE *6 S PROkTS 4HE #/! DISCOVERED that the *6 WAS LEASING FROM 5'%# FOR 0 MILLION PER YEAR the maCHINES IT WAS USING )NCLUDING THOSE LEASE REVENUES 5'%# S PROkTS TOTALED 0 BILLION FOR AND 5'%# S SHARE OF PROkTS WILL be increasing in the remaining eight years of its contract as over 40 million Filipinos get the new e-passports, which had boosted THE *6 S SALES 0 MILLION IN

TO 0 BILLION IN

AND 0 BILLION IN )F WE make the conservative assumpTION THAT 5'%# S INCOME WILL BE increasing only by 5 percent every year in the next eight years, from 0 MILLION IN AND ITS REVenues from leasing it machines to UGEC remain constant, how much will it have earned at the end of the contract, including its LEASE OF THE *6 S MACHINES ! STAGGERING 0 BILLION SEE TABLE .

That dwarfs any contract given without bidding by government to any firm in our history. That mammoth income of course would be at a cost to the 40 million Filipinos who paid or will pay for the new ePASSPORTS )F )Ă&#x201E;IGO :OBEL IS REALLY 5'%# S MAIN OWNER HE D LIKELY be bumped up to rank 5th in Forbes RICHEST &ILIPINOS $O YOU THINK THAT !QUINO S OFkCIALS WHO MADE POSSIBLE SUCH A

PROJECTION OF UGECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INCOME FROM THE E-PASSPORT DEAL (In Million Pesos) Year Actual Projected 2016 2018 to and 2017 2025* UGEC share of income 470 3,127 UGEC lease of macines 1,004 5,357 Total UGEC revenues 1,474 8,484 Total UGEC INCOME 9,958 2016-2018 *Assumptions: UGEC share constant at P328 level in 2017; lease constant at P670 M amount in 2017 COLOSSAL INCOME FOR A PRIVATE kRM MACEUTICAL kRM IN $AVAO IS CLUEwill be getting just Christmas less about the massive anomaly going on right under his nose.

BASKETS FROM IT He said last week that â&#x20AC;&#x153;UGEC Responsible for the deal does not print passports,â&#x20AC;? and THAT g IT ONLY HELPS WITH !0/ S Those responsible for this deal kNANCES AND THE ACQUISITION OF equipment, which are operated were the following: Then Foreign Affairs Secretary entirely by APO personnel.â&#x20AC;?

That is totally false, with the Alberto del Rosario who ended the contract of the Bangko Sentral ng Pili- COA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; whose reports he should PINAS TO PRINT THE $&! S PASSPORTS AND have read the day he assumed ofkCE Â&#x2021; POINTED OUT THAT !0/ HAS awarded it instead to the APO-PU; !0/ 05 CHAIRMAN -ILAGROS only six personnel at the plant !LORA AND THE FIRM S BOARD OF producing the passports which trustees which set up the dubi- has a staff of over 500. The APOOUS *6 WITH 5'%# THAT HAD THE PU also has only one representamonopoly to print the new e- TIVE IN THE *6 S SIX MAN EXECUTIVE passports. The other members BOARD !ND IF 5'%# @ ONLY HELPS u of the board were Amando Di- why would it get 90 percent to MACUROT ALSO ITS PRESIDENT AND PERCENT OF THE PLANT S PROkTS What a country. The Philippine #%/ *AIME !LDABA ITS GENERAL MANAGER !LLAN #APULONG #ECI- passport is the prime document LIA -ANIKNA ,UZ 2ODRIGUEZ AND identifying a person as a citizen 6ICTOR 3IGNEY !LORA HAD BEEN THE of this republic. Yet it is turning LATE #ORY !QUINO S ASSISTANT PRESS out to be the biggest instance of secretary, and was reportedly government corruption ever. close to one of the most powerFUL kGURES IN THAT REGIME AND IN -AIN SOURCES OF DATA FOR THIS COLUMN !QUINO RD S -ARIA -ONTELIBANO are downloadable by anyone at www. and PCOO secretary Herminio COA GOV PH #OMMISSION ON !UDIT S Coloma Jr., who allegedly lob- annual audits of APO Production bied for the DFA to give APO- 5NIT FOR AND 05 THE PRINTING CONTRACT WHICH Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ was sub-contracted in effect to gmail.com 5'%# AND WHO AT THE VERY LEAST

Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao could have stopped the deal as he Twitter: @bobitiglao WAS THE AGENCY S SUPERVISOR Surprisingly, or maybe not, Archives at: www.rigobertotiglao.com the current APO-PU chairman Order my new book Debunked at www.rigobertotiglao.com/ -ICHAEL $ALUMPINES WHO HAD debunked been a sales executive of a phar-

FOCUS

EU needs May to drop her red lines to save Brexit deal BRUSSELS: 4HE "RITISH PARLIAMENT S crushing rejection of the Brexit withdrawal deal will not force Europe to renegotiate its terms, but will almost certainly delay the divorce. !ND IF "RUSSELS GIVES ,ONDON A FEW MONTHS GRACE IT WOULD BE TO ALLOW Britain to change course and seek closer FUTURE TIES THAN 0RIME -INISTER 4HERESA -AY HAS SO FAR BEEN READY TO ACCEPT 3OME IN ,ONDON THINK -AY SHOULD try to win new concessions or assurances that would allow her to revive a deal that -0S REJECTED BY VOTES TO "UT %UROPEAN 5NION OFkCIALS INSIST THERE S NO ROOM TO RENEGOTIATE A WITHDRAWAL DEAL HAMMERED OUT OVER MONTHS OF painstaking diplomacy, and experts warn AGAINST ALLOWING -AY FALSE HOPE Nevertheless, the withdrawal agreement came with a political declaration that laid out a road map to future UK-EU ties, and this could be MODIkED IF -AY DROPS HER RED LINES Britain could then seek a Norway-style association with the EU, remaining a member of a customs union or even the single market, in return for accepting some conditions of membership.

Peter Kellner, visiting scholar at Carnegie Brussels and former head OF POLLING kRM 9OU'OV TOLD !&0 THAT EU negotiators should adopt â&#x20AC;&#x153;tough love tacticsâ&#x20AC;? with Britain. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The issue next week or the one after will be what happens when it BECOMES CLEAR THAT 4HERESA -AY CANnot get anything like what she wants through parliament,â&#x20AC;? he said.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Radical changeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of two things will happen: Either she will change her position RADICALLY OR IF SHE DOESN T PARLIA-

ment will take control and parliament will impose a radical change. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The danger of the EU trying to see IF THERE S A WAY OF TRYING TO GET 4HERESA -AY OUT OF HER HOLE IS THAT WE have another three or four months of DISCUSSIONS THAT DON T GET ANYWHERE u So far, EU leaders seem to be heeding such warnings. Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, made it clear that he would like to see Britain rethinking leaving the bloc. g)F A DEAL IS IMPOSSIBLE AND NO ONE WANTS @NO DEAL THEN WHO WILL kNALLY HAVE THE COURAGE TO SAY WHAT THE ONLY POSITIVE SOLUTION IS u THE former Polish premier tweeted.

Without a withdrawal agreement, Britain leaves the European Union IN UNDER HOURS AT MIDNIGHT ON -ARCH Everyone in Brussels assumes the deadline will now be extended, but not beyond the end of June, when a new European parliament will take its seats Â&#x2021; PRESUMABLY WITHOUT "RITISH -%0S )F ,ONDON LEAVES WITHOUT A DEAL MOST experts predict disastrous economic disruption and some fear the return OF A HARD BORDER IN )RELAND THAT COULD undermine the peace process there.

Frustrated European leaders are CAUTIOUS OF INTERVENING IN -AY S DOmestic agony, but some say the best THING THEY CAN DO IS TO STAND kRM AND WAIT FOR -AY TO COME TO THEM â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have to be blunt,â&#x20AC;? said !NDREW $UFF A FORMER "RITISH -%0 and a scholar with the European Policy Center. g4HEY AREN T GOING TO AGREE TO REopen the withdrawal agreement, but they are certainly prepared, indeed pleased, to open up the political declaration. The Brits have to ask them,â&#x20AC;? he said.

g"UT IF YOU OPEN IT UP THERE S THE opportunity to modify those red lines in a pro-integrationist direction,â&#x20AC;? he told AFP. )F -AY CAN CONVINCE HER OWN cabinet â&#x20AC;&#x201D; perhaps after losing some more of her more eurosceptic ministers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; she may be able to get parliament on board with a softer Brexit.

Hardline Brexiteers would see this AS A BETRAYAL BUT -AY MAY HAVE NO choice but to seek opposition support if she wants an agreement.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Blackmailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; .EVERTHELESS THE SCALE OF -AY S TASK has left some wondering if Brexit could be reversed by a second vote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We start to sense that the game is getting very tight,â&#x20AC;? Elvire Fabry, a scholar AT THE $ELORS )NSTITUTE TOLD !&0 â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no majority for anything in the British parliament and the CHOICES NARROW DOWN TO A @NO DEAL and of a second referendum, given that Europe has reached out its hand.â&#x20AC;?

Others, however, fear another referendum would extend the uncertainty and never produce a clear result.

And it may be time for Europe to blink and agree to a time limit â&#x20AC;&#x201D; albeit a lengthy one â&#x20AC;&#x201D; on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;back stopâ&#x20AC;? clause in the divorce deal, deSIGNED TO KEEP THE )RISH BORDER OPEN g)F YOU RE FACED WITH A CHOICE between an immediate border, and a deal with a time limited backstop OF SAY YEARS ) M NOT SURE WHAT YOU choose,â&#x20AC;? said Guntram Wolff of the Bruegel think tank. g/F COURSE YOU DON T WANT TO GIVE in to blackmail, but on the other hand, the defeat is so big, do you really want to have a border as of -ARCH u

AFP

Regions War vs â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;endoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; benefits 31,000 CLuzon workers Russians to invest P8B for bananas in ARMM C

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

TARLAC: The governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s war against end-of-contract or â&#x20AC;&#x153;endoâ&#x20AC;? employment yielded 31,007 regularized workers in 272 establishments in Central Luzon in 2018.

Zenaida Angara Campita, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) regional director, said the figure included 19,162 voluntarily regularized by 174 establishments, while the 11,845 workers were given regular status by 98 firms after the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspection visits.

Campita said the number was significantly higher than the DoLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accomplishment of regularized workers of 12,689 in 2017 and 10,010 in 2016.

She added that the success was owed to the doubled efforts of their personnel in adopting various strategies to ensure that their target would be achieved.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have dispatched 33 labor laws compliance officers to conduct assessments of establishments to look into their compliance with the General Labor Standards and Occupational Safety and Health Standards and to determine which of these are practicing prohibited working arrangements,â&#x20AC;? Campita said.

Violators were subjected to mandatory conferences and were advised to comply with the standards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would like to thank the private sector for heeding our call to regularize their workers. Security of tenure will be a prevailing concern of workers, and this will enable them to be more productive and to provide more for their families,â&#x20AC;?

Campita said.

JERRY M. HERNANDEZ

BY JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

OTABATO CITY: The Regional Board of Investments of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-ARMM) has OFFERED kSCAL INCENTIVES TO A PLANNED 0 BILLION #AVENDISH BANANA PLANTATION IN THE FORMER #AMP !BUBAKAR THAT SERVED AS HEADQUARTERS OF THE -ORO )SLAMIC ,IBERATION &RONT -),& Ishak Mastura, RBOI-ARMM chairman and managing head, said Russian investors led by

French-Russian Robert Gaspar, accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol, inspected

550 Marawi folk transfer to new shelters He added that the 550 units were a part of the 1,500 transitional shelters being constructed by the task force through the National Housing Authority in a 15.95-hectare lot in the village.

Another 1,500 shelters would be built in Barangay Rorogagus, Castro said.

Each transitional shelter unit HAS A lOOR AREA OF SQUARE ME-

ters with partitions, kitchen sink, restroom and a rainwater catchment area.

Castro said the TFBM was expediting the construction of transitory shelters to free the displaced families from crowded evacuation centers, with the objective to give priority to internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in evacuation centers before those who were

home-based.

Home-based IDPs refer to those living in houses of their relatives or are renting residential spaces.

Castro said a technical working group headed by the local government of Marawi was in charge of IDENTIFYING BENEkCIARIES COMING FROM THE MOST AFFECTED VILLAGES based on criteria it has set.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

Court drops graft raps vs ex-Basilan mayor THE Sandiganbayanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Second Division has dismissed a graft case filed against former Mayor Haber Amin Asarul of Sumisip, Basilan and two other municipal officials for insufficient evidence.

Also acquitted were Camilian Borjal, then-officer in charge treasurer, and Marad Ayatal Abdulkarim, former OIC accountant, in connection with alleged use of the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funds as security for a P2-million personal loan in 2010.

Mastura said agricultural investments were entitled to fiscal incentives such as four to six years of income tax holiday, reduced duty importation of CAPITAL EQUIPMENT EXEMPTION from wharfage dues for exporters and Customs-bonded warehouse facility, among others.

4HE 0 BILLION PROJECT IF REALIZED

would jumpstart business investments in the new political entity of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, according to Mastura.

Eviction notice sparks confusion in Coron

Q The first units of temporary shelters for Marawi siege victims ready for occupancy.

PHOTO BY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur: Some 550 families displaced by the Marawi siege transferred to temporary shelters in Barangay Boganga, this city, on Thursday.

Assistant Secretary Felix Castro Jr., Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) kELD MANAGER SAID THE FAMILIES THAT were relocated came from evacuation centers in Lanao del Sur and select parts of the province.

the proposed investment area in Barangay Oring, Buldon, MaguINDANAO RECENTLY AND IDENTIkED 5,000 hectares suitable for midLAND BANANAS AND HECTARES for highland bananas.

MILF Central Committee member Edward Guerra and former Buldon Vice Mayor Hadji Nasruddin Maluag received the group and briefed the investors on the situation in the area.

Under the Investment Priorities Plan of the government,

A7

In an eight-page resolution promulgated on January 15, the court granted the accusedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; motion for a demurrer to evidence, saying the private complainant had executed an affidavit of desistance on Dec. 7, 2015, stating that the loan obligation was already paid and settled.

It added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would be superfluous to still require the parties to go through the rigors of trial considering that the prosecution

Regionsinbriefs DAR AWARDS 730 LAND TITLES TO CAGAYAN FARMERS TUGUEGARAO CITY: At least 730 land titles were distributed, benefiting some 590 agrarian reform beneficiaries in Cagayan province, according to the Department of Agrarian Reform-Region 2 office. Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones said the land titles or Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) with a total of 895.3 hectares were handed to the beneficiaries from the 14 municipalities. He explained that the distributed lands were not for sale and urged farmer-beneficiaries to make their lands productive and become contributors to the food security agenda of the government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you sell your land titles, we will redistribute it to other farmers who are willing to till the land,â&#x20AC;? Castriciones said, adding that there have been cases in other regions where CLOAs were revoked and the lands were redistributed to other beneficiaries. He added that more CLOAs to be distributed in other provinces in Cagayan Valley (Region 2) this year.

LEANDER C. DOMINGO

MALOLOS MARKS 9TH â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;FIESTA REPUBLICA 2019â&#x20AC;&#x2122; THE City of Malolos in Bulacan, headed by Mayor Christian Natividad, opened the 9th â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fiesta Republicaâ&#x20AC;? week-long celebration on Thursday with the theme Mito at Alamat ng Bayan mga halaw sa Kasaysayan ng Sambayanan in tribute to the commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the First Philippine Republic.

The festivity at the historic Barasoain Church 120 years ago was relived as the local officials recalled the signifant events in this city, starting with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dulansangan-Barangay Level, Tiangge and Sining at Tsibogâ&#x20AC;? held at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center in the City of Malolos. The opening was coincided with the official opening of the new consular office of the Department of Foreign Affairs, located in the 3rd floor of the Malolos City Central Transport Terminal. Natividad said they have been holding Fiesta Republica for nine years now as fitting tribute to the importance and significance of the First Philippine

evidence is not sufficient enough to warrant the conviction of the accusedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beyond reasonable doubt.â&#x20AC;?

The Office of the Ombudsman filed the case in 2016, accusing Asarul and two others of conspiring and taking advantage of their thenofficial positions in using the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funds as security for a personal loan they supposedly contracted from AlMashour Alibasa.

But, they allegedly failed to pay back the loan and inter-

ests as the Landbank of the Philippines checks they issued were refused payment.

Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna penned the resolution, which was concurred in

by Associate Justices Oscar Herrera Jr., who leads the Second Division, and Michael Frederick Musngi.

A demurrer to evidence is a petition to dismiss a case filed by the accused after the prosecution is finished presenting its evidence.

REINA C. TOLENTINO

RESIDENTS and owners of establishments in Coron, Palawan were confused by official notices to vacate that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources $%.2 ISSUED IN -AY The notices gave the recipients 30 days to vacate and demolish their properties for alleged breaches of water codes, timberland restrictions or easement zones.

Many of the residents are in limbo as they seek legal means to kGHT WHAT THEY SEE AS A $AVID AND Goliath battle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;First the DENR went to Boracay, closed it down. Then, they went to El Nido and beat the heck of out of them. And then they came up here AND THEY HAD NOTICES OF PLACES to be closed,â&#x20AC;? Jim Goll, owner of tourist Sea Dive said.

Coron has been the focus of many calls for environmental protection. Locals are worried it is all for tourism and not in the best interests of its residents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The DENR said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You have violations, you have 30 days to reMOVE YOUR PLACE 7ELL kRST OFF WE have no violations, ever, anywhere in the world,â&#x20AC;? Goll said.

Edwin Cac, acting DENR chief OFkCER IN #ORON ECHOING 0RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy of environmental protection in Boracay, El Nido and Coron, pointed out that â&#x20AC;&#x153;if the environment is not good, then no tourists will come.â&#x20AC;?

In an exclusive interview, Cac revealed potential ulterior motives when he admitted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I were the mayor, I would put up establishments there [in residential area OF -AQUINIT= #OMMERCIAL NOT residential, because residents are a big contributor to the pollution.â&#x20AC;?

Asked why long standing existing tourist attractions like Sea Dive that claim to have no violations, were given notices, Cac said it was so that the residents would not complain that the policy is unfairly targeting residents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have lived here for a long time, and now somebody rich will

show up and force us to leave. We CANNOT kGHT BECAUSE THEY HAVE A HIGHER PROkLE WE ARE JUST ORDINARY peopleâ&#x20AC;? said Leonardo Indic, a RESIDENT OF "ARANGAY -AQUINIT FOR OVER YEARS â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is natural for us to feel bad because we are forced to leave a peaceful place. If it is about tourism, we are out of their consideration,â&#x20AC;? he added.

A law mandates that residents cannot be removed forcibly unless new accommodation is provided. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the DENR would allow, then it is much better for us to stay here.

But if the government says we need to leave and there is somewhere else to stay, then we will go,â&#x20AC;? says Vicerro, father of three, who also got a notice to vacate. g-OST OF US HERE ARE kSHERMEN if they move us to the mountains, then we cannot live there. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like A kSH BEING BROUGHT UP TO LAND u he said.

After Typhoon â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yolandaâ&#x20AC;? in

THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS were given notices to vacate because they were at risk in future typhoons, but not one has been provided with new accommodation since these notices nearly six years ago.

Although tourism surged in Coron during Boracayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closure, +RISTINE !BLANA TOURISM OFkCER of the Corron municipal government, is concerned by rumors that Coron will be closed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are affected by the news that Coron is next after Boracay to be closed. Lots of guests who are booked in this town are inQUIRING IF IT IS TRUE THAT #ORON will be closed, because they are thinking of canceling their trip,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Coastal clean ups are regularly conducted in Coron to prevent the build-up of waste. Some villages LIKE -AQUINIT CONDUCT COMMUNITY clean ups routinely every weekend.

Coron now relies on tourism as a major source of income and is NO LONGER A kSHING VILLAGE

Republic on Jan. 23, 1899, which made the Filipino nation the â&#x20AC;&#x153;cradle of democracyâ&#x20AC;? in Asia and Africa. Fiesta Republica is also known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vamos a Malolos,â&#x20AC;? a tourism centerpiece program that aggressively promoted Malolos as a major historic-cultural tourism destination north of Manila.

FREDERICK SILVERIO

5 IN MURDER OF TEACHER IN OCC MINDORO NABBED AUTHORITIES on Wednesday arrested five suspects in the murder of a teacher during the Oplan Pagtugis of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in a remote area in Magsaysay Occidental Mindoro. Police Officer 3 Frederick Lopez of San Jose Police Office identified the suspects as Benjie Andrade, 36, his brother Alvin, 33, Dalmacio Novino, 30, his brother Enrique, 28, and Alexies Samillano, 25, all salt farm workers and residents of Magsaysay. Jealousy and anger were eyed as the motive in killing the victim, Lopez said. Benjie Andrade admitted that he and victim, Reidyn Portacio, had a relationship but denied killing her. Samillano was the current lover of Andrade when the incident happened, Lopez disclosed. Portacio was found with more than 30 stab wounds in the body.

NIKKI J. DELOS REYES

PANGASINAN POLICE OFFICER NABBED FOR â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;CAR THEFTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; A police officer was arrested in Mangaldan, Pangasinan on Thursday after he allegedly failed to return a rented van. Senior Police Officer 3 Jonathan Sanchez was arrested in Barangay Naval while driving a white Hi-Ace van, which was allegedly a carnapped vehicle. According to the complaint of Rosa Pamor, Sanchez rented her vehicle for three days on September 8 but failed to return it. Pamor received information on December 18 that her van was at the custody of Mangaldan Municipal Police Station where Sanchez was assigned. But the police station denied having custody of the van as it was not included in any crime report incident. It was found that Sanchez was the one using the van for police operations and personal use. Authorities also recovered two pistols and one magazine containing 14 live ammunitions. Sanchez and the recovered vehicle were transported to the custody of Counterintelligence Task Force in Camp Crame, Quezon City for documentation.

ROY D.R NARRA

Q Several residents show their eviction notices.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

News Drugs worth P150M seized in Clark T A8

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL AND ROY D.R. NARRA

HE Bureau of Customs had intercepted shabu, marijuana and ecstacy pills worth P150 million at the Port of Clark, a report to Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said.

The illegal drugs were concealed inside canned goods and clothing.

Clark Port acting district collector Lilibeth Sumbilla-Sandag said the illegal shipments arrived on Dec. 26, 2018 and January 10 and 14 from California and Las Vegas, Nevada.

The seizure of the illegal drugs were attributed to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;continuous strict profiling of shipments and x-ray examination of express cargoes at the Port of Clark led to the discovery of the drugs.â&#x20AC;?

The illegal substances were declared as clothing.

The shipment from Las Vegas

GILDA GUILLERMOPILAPIL, 53 ATTY. Gilda Guillermo-Pilapil, 53, passed away on Jan. 15, 2019 . Pilapil, who devoted a great part of her professional life in advocacy work, left behind her husband Jaime, daughter Gyl Ouaie, parents Mariano and Sofia, sister Fe, and brother Edwin.

Her remains will be at Chapel 207, St. Peter Chapels in Tandang Sora, Quezon City until January 20. Daily masses will be offered for the eternal repose of her soul. Cremation follows the Sunday mass at 8:30 a.m.

that arrived on December 26 YIELDED kVE SEALED PLASTIC PACKS of chrystalline substances and 200 pieces of orange and blue TABLETS FOUND INSIDE kVE CANS OF peeled tomatoes.

The shipment that arrived on January 10 contained six packs of marijuana leaves, while the third shipment of 56 cans of pasta sauce contained shabu.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino said Customs authorities were alerted when one of the tomato paste cans started leaking.

Aquino said a Mexican drug cartel could be the source of the illegal drugs.

CANNED SHABU

A chemist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency looks at cans containing shabu.

PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are closely coordinating with our US counterparts to determine exactly the drug syndicates involved here but initially, when we coordinated with the United States Drug Enforcement

Agency, they told us that it came from a Mexican drug cartel and other groups,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Aquino said the Mexican drug cartel was also behind the shipment of P120 million worth of

Cabinet panel should study Hanjin options ACTS-OFW party-list Rep. Aniceto Bertiz 3rd urged MalacaĂąang to create a Cabinet-level committee to look at â&#x20AC;&#x153;all available optionsâ&#x20AC;? to quickly revive the Subic shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our biggest concern now is how to rescue the shipyardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10,800 Filipino workers, including the 7,000 laid off in December,â&#x20AC;? Bertiz said.

At its peak, Hanjinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facilities in Subic Bay, Zambales employed 21,000 Filipinos. $EFENSE 3ECRETARY $ELkN ,ORENZA EARlier said the Palace was â&#x20AC;&#x153;very receptiveâ&#x20AC;? to

the idea of a government takeover of the Subic shipyard, reputed to be the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth largest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Another option is for the government to encourage a new private investor â&#x20AC;&#x201D; preferably a Filipino conglomerate â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to come in, pay off Hanjinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bank debts and other liabilities at a discount, and then revive the shipyardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operations initially at a smaller scale,â&#x20AC;? Bertiz said.

An Olongapo City regional trial court has put Hanjin under receivership after the company defaulted on its debts obliGATIONS AND kLED FOR CORPORATE REHABILITAtion on January 8.

shabu seized in Clark Freeport Zone in June 2018.

The PDEA chief asked the USDEA to be stricter in examining packages since drug syndicates have found other ways to conceal

Q MOCK POLLS FROM A1

Comelec to (Metro Manila) and other parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). â&#x20AC;&#x153;The purpose of the mock elections is to ensure that we are given the opportunity to see if our election processes are working and fine-tune the procedures within the system. These procedures are part of the entirety of the election process and they would be subjected to these mock elections as wellâ&#x20AC;? Jimenez said in a news briefing.

In Metro Manila, 4,189 voters were tapped to cast their votes in 16 barangay (villages), the biggest of them Barangay Bahay Toro in Quezon City where 1,000 voters will be accommodated.

Mock elections will be conducted in 16 other villages in Luzon, eight in the Visayas and 20 in Mindanao.

According to Jimenez, the select areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were chosen because they were the same areas where VRV machines would be pilot-tested.

Q DIET FROM A1

Human diet Lang, a professor at the University of London and policy lead for the EAT-Lancet Commission that compiled the 50-page study, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Nearly a billion people are hungry and another two billion are eating too much of the wrong foods, causing epidemics of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Unhealthy diets account for up to 11 million avoidable premature deaths every year, according to the most recent Global Disease Burden report.

At the same time the global food system is the single largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the biggest driver of biodiversity loss, and the main cause of deadly algae blooms along coasts and inland waterways.

Agriculture â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which has transformed nearly half the planetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s land surface â&#x20AC;&#x201D; also uses up about 70 percent of the global fresh water supply. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To have any chance of feeding 10 billion people in 2050 within planetary boundariesâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the limits on Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capacity to absorb human activity â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;we must adopt a healthy diet, slash food waste, and invest in technologies that reduce environmental impacts,â&#x20AC;? said co-author Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change Impact Research.

Whereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the beef? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is doable but it will take nothing less than global agricultural revolution,â&#x20AC;? he told AFP. The cornerstone of â&#x20AC;&#x153;the great food transformationâ&#x20AC;? called for in the study is a template human diet of about 2,500 calories per day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are not saying everyone has to eat in the same way,â&#x20AC;? Lang said by phone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But broadly â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially in the rich world â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it means a reduction of meat and dairy, and a major increase in plant consumption.â&#x20AC;?

The diet allows for about 7 grams (a quarter of an ounce) of red meat per day, and up to 14. A typical hamburger patty, by comparison, is 125 to 150 grams.

For most rich nations, and many emerging ones such as China and Brazil, this would represent a drastic five-to-ten-fold reduction.

Beef is the main culprit.

Not only do cattle pass massive quantities of planet-warming methane, huge swathes of

illegal drugs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the US, just go to 7/11 and they will have it delivered without x-ray. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the receiving COUNTRY THAT WILL kND OUT THAT there are drugs inside,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The VRV machines will do away with the usual manual process of verification using printed copies of computerized voters list on Election Day. A VRV machine is capable of identifying ONE S IDENTITY THROUGH kNGER SCANNING â&#x20AC;&#x153;The VRV machines will be used in all the precincts of Manila and Quezon City.

They will be used in specific municipalities which we have not yet identified, in Pangasinan, Cavite, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur and Davao del Sur. It will [also] be used in all ARMM provinces,â&#x20AC;? Jimenez said.

The Comelec has about 35,000 VRV machines that would be used during the polls with 2,000 units being held as contingency.

According to Jimenez, the use of the VRV machines will reduce the voting time because the machines would eliminate the use of manual list of voters to verify oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity.

He explained that the use of the VRV machines in limited pilot areas was not mandated by law, but it was pursued by the poll body to further improve the conduct of elections, citing as an example the required biometrics for voters.

WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL carbon-absorbing forests â&#x20AC;&#x201D; mostly in Brazil â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are cut down every year to make room for them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For climate, we know that coal is the low-hanging fruit, the dirtiest of fossil fuels,â&#x20AC;? said Rockstrom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the food side, the equivalent is grain-fed beef.â&#x20AC;?

It takes at least 5 kilos of grain to produce a kilo of meat.

And once that steak or lamb chop hits the plate, about 30 percent will wind up in the garbage bin.

Dairy is also limited to about one cup (250 grams) of whole milk â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or its equivalent in cheese or yoghurt â&#x20AC;&#x201D; per day, and only one or two eggs per week.

Push back At the same time, the diet calls for a more than 100 percent increase in legumes such as peas and lentils, along with vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Grains are considered to be less healthy sources of nutrients. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can no longer feed our population a healthy diet while balancing planetary resources,â&#x20AC;? said The Lancet editor in chief Richard Horton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the first time in 200,000 years of human history, we are severely out of sync with the planet and Nature.â&#x20AC;?

The report drew heavy fire from the livestock and dairy industry, and some experts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It goes to the extreme to create maximum attention, but we must be more responsible when making serious dietary recommendation,â&#x20AC;? said Alexander Anton, secretary general of the European Dairy Association, noting that dairy products were â&#x20AC;&#x153;packedâ&#x20AC;? with nutrients and vitamins.

Christopher Snowdon of the Institute of Economic Affairs in London said the report â&#x20AC;&#x153;reveals the full agenda of nanny-state campaigners.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expected these attacks,â&#x20AC;? said Lang. But the same food companies pushing back against these findings realize that they may not have a future if they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t adaptâ&#x20AC;?, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The question is: Does this come by crisis, or do we start planning for it now.â&#x20AC;?

Some multinationals responded positively, if cautiously, to the study. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need governments to help accelerate the change by aligning national dietary guidelines with healthy and sustainable requirements, and repurposing agricultural subsidies,â&#x20AC;? the World Business Council for Sustainable Development said in a statement.

AFP

ASIAN STOCKS: W S h a n g h a i 0 . 4 2 %

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PSEi 7,927.20 UP 0.80%

P52.41 TO $1

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside THE HOLIDAY BLUES â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FINEX FILES

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PH INDUSTRIAL SECTOR PROFIT SLOWER IN Q3

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NICKEL ASIA OUTPUT UP 20% TO P17.3B LAST YEAR

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PWCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEEDLES IN A HAYSTACK

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FRIDAY JANUARY 18, 2019

Business Times

CURRENCY RATE

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V B a n g ko k 0 . 1 8 %

PH growth to miss targets in 2019, 2020

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

T

HE Philippines will continue to outperform many of its neighbors but growth this year and THE NEXT WILL FALL BELOW OFkCIAL TARGETS A RESEARCH consultancy said on Thursday.

In a report, London-based Capital Economics forecast gross domestic

product (GDP) growth of 6.0 percent for both 2019 and 2020, slower than

the 6.7 percent posted in 2017 and market expectations of around 6.5 percent for last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although this would still make it one of the fastest growing economies in the region, it is below what both the government and the consensus are expecting,â&#x20AC;? Capital Economics said.

The government has set a GDP growth goal of 7.0-8.0 percent for

both years, up from 2018â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 6.5-6.9 percent.

Growth is currently running below the 6.5-6.9 goal for 2018 based on latest data, averaging 6.3 percent as of END 3EPTEMBER FOLLOWING kRST TO THIRD quarter outturns of 6.6 percent, 6.2 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively.

Fourth quarter and full-year 2018

ÂłTargets B2

DTI orders safeguard duty on cement imports â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hot moneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tally THE Trade department has slapped a provisional safeguard duty of P8.40 per bag on cement imports to address a shipments surge said to be hurting the domestic industry.

P

The amount, equivalent to just under 4 percent of the average retail price of P220 per 40-kilogram bag, should paid in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;form of a cash bondâ&#x20AC;? and will remain in effect for 200 days, Trade

RIME Orion Philippines Inc. (POPI) listed Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and Orion Land Inc. (OLI) as principal stockholders in a public ownership report dated Jan. 15, 2019. In said disclosure,

Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters on Thursday.

The decision was reached just days after cement importers warned of possible supply shortages if safeguards

were imposed.

While the Tariff Commission still HAS TO kNISH A FORMAL INVESTIGATION

Lopez claimed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;imports of cement

tively. Together, the major stockholders combined for ownership of 3.242 billion POPI common shares, or 65.86 percent.

By deducting 67.545 million POPI

NET foreign portfolio investments dropped in December but the full-year tally for 2018 reverted to POSITIVE AND HIT A kVE YEAR HIGH THE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Thursday.

Decemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $278.11-million net â&#x20AC;&#x153;hot moneyâ&#x20AC;?

INlOW WHILE LOWER THAN THE MILLION POSTED in November and the year-earlier $456.93 million, resulted in a full-year result of $1.204 billion, an ABOUT FACE FROM S MILLION NET OUTlOW The 2018 tally was also better than the BSPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forecast

ÂłPerez B4

ÂłTally B2

ÂłImports B4

Treasury shares ALI and OLI owned 2.703 billion POPI common shares, or 54.91 percent of 4.923 billion outstanding POPI common shares, and 538.977 million POPI common shares, or 10.95 percent, respec-

positive for 2018

Business Times

B2

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

PH industrial sector profit slower in Q3

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

G

ROSS revenue growth in the Philippine industrial sector slowed in the third QUARTER OF EASING TO PERCENT FROM PERCENT A YEAR EARLIER THE 0HILIPPINE 3TATISTICS Authority (PSA) said on Thursday.

These were electricity and water, which grew 3.4 percent; trade, 0.2 percent; private services, 2.3 percent; finance, 2.3 percent; transportation and communication, 1.7 percent; real estate, 1.7 percent; and manufacturing,0.3 percent. Mining and quarrying declined by 3.2 percent.

The compensation index also lost momentum, from 7.4 percent in 2017 to 7.1 percent last year.

Industries contributing to the growth were electricity and water, 12.1 percent; real estate, 9.5

percent; transportation and communication, 9.1 percent; private services, 7.2 percent; manufacturing, 6.5 percent; mining and quarrying, 3.6 percent; trade, 2.8 PERCENT AND kNANCE PERCENT The total compensation per employee index was faster at 5.9 percent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Industries which recorded the fastest growth were: electricity and water with 8.5 percent and real Estate with 7.6 percent.

On the other hand, finance and trade declined by 1.5 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively,â&#x20AC;?

PSA said.

Among industries, the PSA said finance posted the fastest growth of 13.5 percent, followed by â&#x20AC;&#x153;real estate with 13.4 percent and manufacturing with 12.4 percent.â&#x20AC;?

The PSA also said private

services and trade posted slower annual growths of 8.8 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Further, the PSA said the number of jobs in key industries grew by only 1.1 percent, slower than 2017â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1.5 percent.

Q TALLY FROM B1

Q TARGET FROM B1

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hot moneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

PH growth to miss targets

OF A MILLION NET OUTlOW AND was the largest net inflow since 2013â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $4.225 billion.

In a statement, the Bangko 3ENTRAL ATTRIBUTED THE NET INlOW to â&#x20AC;&#x153;a large investment in a holding company registered in 2018.â&#x20AC;? )NlOWS TOTALED BILLION in 2018, 0.2 percent lower than the $16.072 billion seen in the previous year. g/UTlOWS FOR THE YEAR AMOUNTING TO BILLION RElECTED AN 8.8-percent decline compared to $16.3 billion in 2017,â&#x20AC;? the central bank noted.

Capital repatriation comprised 96.8 percent of the outflows, with the remainder pertaining to earnings.

The bulk or 71.4 percent of the inflows, meanwhile, was invested in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities while the balance went to peso government securities and debt instruments.

The United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, the Netherlands and Hong Kong were the TOP kVE INVESTOR COUNTRIES FOR YEAR with a combined 72.8 percent of the total.

The US remained the main desTINATION OF OUTlOWS ACCOUNTING for 78.8 percent of the total.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

GDP figures are set to be released on January 24. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the plus side, the economy is likely to receive a boost from falling inflation,â&#x20AC;? Capital Economics said, projecting inflation to fall to 4 percent this year before decelerating further to 3.5 percent in 2020.

Headline inflation averaged 5.2 percent last year, hitting the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (BSP) forecast but exceeding the 2.0-4.0 percent target.

Capital Economics also said t h a t l owe r p r i c e p r e s s u r e s should give the central bank room to unwind some of the tightening ordered last year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Monetary Board raised key interest rates five consecutive times after inflation breached the 2.0-4.0 percent target starting March. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have pencilled in two 25 bps (basis points) cuts this year, with the first at the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s May meeting ... Lower rates should provide some relief to consumers and businesses,â&#x20AC;? it added.

Economic growth over the next couple of years, Capital Economics said, should also continue to be supported by an increase in government infrastructure spending.

Still, it noted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;while

The holiday blues

T

HE much anticipated Santa Claus rally in the December STOCK MARKETS kZZLED OUT ! BIG chunk of the losses came during a violent December that saw the US indexes dropping around 9 percent for the month and affecting all markets globally including the Philippines which dropped 12.8 percent. The Dow and the S&P 500 recorded their worst December performance since the global recession of 1931 and their biggest monthly loss since the global kNANCIAL CRISIS OF There were reports that the recent TUMULT IN THE 53 kNANCIAL MARKETS in December was triggered by automated trading. Investors have increasingly turned to automated

trading programmed to render instantaneous buy or sell orders based on economic data or algorithmic functions that exacerbate succeeding trades. According to a CNBC report, computer models now account for 28 percent of overall volumes.

These automated trading platforms have a tendency to behave with herd-like behavior because these are engineered and programmed similarly. The proliferation of exchanges where stocks are automated to be bought and sold can also result in limited liquidity on these platforms. These make these markets vulnerable to instantaneous volatility. This automation MIGHT HAVE SIGNIkCANTLY CONTRIButed to the massive losses that

the Philippines desperately needs better roads, ports and so on, the surge in infrastructure spending has brought some adverse side effects.â&#x20AC;?

Substantially higher imports of capital goods and raw materials has widened the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade and current account deficits, and exports going forward are expected to suffer from slowing external demand due to trade tensions and slower global growth.

As a result, the current account deficit will likely widen over the next couple of years, reaching around 4 percent of GDP in 2020.

The current account â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a major component of the balance of payments â&#x20AC;&#x201D; consists of transactions in goods, services, primary income and secondary income, and measures the net transfer of real resources between the domestic economy and the rest of the world.

Last year, the Philippines inCURRED A CURRENT ACCOUNT DEkCIT equivalent to 0.8 percent of GDP. The deficit hit $2.907 billion in the third quarter, a reversal from the $1.1-billion surplus recorded a year earlier. It brought the year-to-date shortfall to $6.471 billion, also a

reversal from the $968-million surplus seen in the comparable 2017 period.

A wider current deficit â&#x20AC;&#x153;would put the peso back under pressure,â&#x20AC;? Capital Economics said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The currency has rebounded a little in recent months from a low in mid-October. But we think this will be temporary,â&#x20AC;? it added, projecting the currency to fall a further 11 percent against the US dollar by the end of next year.

T h e p e s o e n d e d 201 8 a t P52.58 versus the greenback, down sharply from its 2017 close of P49.93:$1.

On the political front, Capital Economics noted anew that â&#x20AC;&#x153;President [Rodrigo] Duterte has shown an increased willingness to break constitutional norms, and there are signs his erratic leadership style has put off investors.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Improvements to the business environment have stalled under Duterte and new approvals of FDI (foreign direct investments) in 2017 and 2018 were less than half the average under his predecessorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premiership,â&#x20AC;? it said.

Senate elections in May could cause further instability, meanwhile, while weak private investment could drag on the economy over the coming years.

crisis of 2008 when it slumped by 48 percent. Since then, the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEI) had climbed in most years except for 2015 and 2016. The major concern for the Philippine market last year had been the surge in originated from the US market INlATION 4HESE INlATION CONCERNS and which eventually spilled over also led to the weakening of the to the rest of the world. The other peso which became a disincentive contributors were fundamental to foreign investors.

It appears though that the mareconomic concerns that put pressure on the markets. These were kets have become rational again, the fears of a global economic possibly because humans have slowdown and the possibility that taken over the computer trading the US Federal Reserve might make platforms. As of the second week a monetary policy error. Concerns of January, the US stock market has over the on-going trade negotia- performed well with the indexes tions between China and the US up by around 3 percent. While the also dampened market sentiments. US government shutdown reached 2018 will be remembered as the its third week, positive developworst year for the Philippine stock ments on the trade negotiations MARKET SINCE THE GLOBAL kNANCIAL with China seem to be taking

FINEX FILES

RONALD GOSECO

PFRS 9: Have insurers got this covered?

I

NSURANCE companies in the Philippines have been preparing for the biggest shake-up for insurance accounting â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) 17, Insurance Contracts. After assessing the readiness of insurers, however, the Insurance Commission (IC) has further deferred the effectivity of PFRS 17 to Jan. 1, 2023, making it the first accounting standard in the Philippines with deferred implementation.

This unprecedented move by the IC is welcomed by Philippine insurers due to PFRS 17â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complexities in accounting for insurance liabilities. While insurers are celebrating this news, they should not lose sight of the parallel standard for their investments AND OTHER kNANCIAL ASSETS 0&23 9, Financial Instruments. While similarly deferred for most insurers, adoption of PFRS 9 would result in additional complexities.

Fortunately, the PFRS 9 road that insurers are also about to embark on has not been untrodden. The banking industry has been looking into PFRS 9 since IT WAS kNALIZED IN 'IVEN the wealth of experience that may be gleaned from multiple PFRS 9 projects in the banking industry and available public information, it would be good to highlight some important considerations that insurers must look out for.

2EkNING DECISIONS MADE DURing implementation needs time "ASED ON THE QUARTERLY kLINGS of top 10 listed banks (based on asset size) in the Philippines, eight of them have changed their calculations of the PFRS 9 transition impact amount (i.e., effect on Jan. 1, 2018 equity) from THEIR kRST QUARTER TO THEIR THIRD QUARTER kLING 4HE CHANGE VARIES FROM A kVE percent increase to as much as a 200 percent decrease from the initial amount. While there are no further information available to explain these changes, these CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE REkNEment of key judgments and decisions made during implementation. Hence, when insurers plan their implementation strategy, it is important that time is allotted to perform a parallel run of PFRS

SHAPE &URTHER OFkCIALS OF THE 53 Federal Reserve said the central bank would be cautious while hiking interest rates.

The PSEI breached 8,000 recently as foreign buyers net purchases turned positive. The Philippine market is now Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best performer. The mood was tempered recently with the recent bankRUPTCY OF (ANJIN WHICH kLED FOR corporate rehabilitation. Five local banks including RCBC, BDO, BPI, Metro Bank and Land Bank need to address a $412-million debt exposure. This could affect the local market. An interesting development is the report that the Philippine government is supporting Hanjin to get back on its feet by helping to vet two potential Chinese state owned shipbuilders who could take over the opera-

9 to allow improvements before transition. This will enable insurers to form a more stable and REkNED 0&23 TRANSITION STORY FOR their stakeholders.

The impact is unpredictable Considering the areas that changed in PFRS 9, it was expected that there would be a general decrease in the equity of banks due to an increase in impairment on loans and receivables. HowEVER THEIR QUARTERLY kLINGS RElECT mixed results across the board.

Some registered an increase in total equity by as much as P10.5 BILLION OR kVE PERCENT OF TOTAL EQuity while others decreased their equity by up to P2.7 billion or one percent. This is a clear indication that when adopting PFRS 9, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;devil is in the detailsâ&#x20AC;? and going through a complete PFRS 9 assessment will be the best approach to eliminate uncertainty upon implementation.

Assess indicators of potential increase in complexity Insurers that invest in corporate bonds, foreign debt securities, and other private debt securities would also see increased complexity for a tricky aspect of PFRS 9: determining whether debt securities not carried at FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROkT OR LOSS HAVE CONTRACTUAL CASH lOWS THAT are solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI). These investments may have a multitude of features that may not be consistent with SPPI and trigger a DIFFERENT CLASSIkCATION COMPARED with what is anticipated in their business model assessment. In contrast, investments in Philippine government securities typically pass the SPPI test due to their less complex features. For investments in unlisted shares of

ÂłNeedles B4 tions of Hanjin. This issue brought together two unlikely bedfellows who oppose the possible takeover of these so-called white knights because of security reasons. One of these groups is Nagkaisa, which is a coalition of 40 labor groups and a group headed by a former navy lAG OFkCER IN COMMAND 6ICE !Dmiral Alex Pama, who warned that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chinese ownership of Hanjinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shipyard will give unlimited access to one of the Philippines most strategic geographic naval and maritime asset.â&#x20AC;?

These recent developments both locally and globally will determine whether or not the recession and the cyclical market downturn could still be averted for a while longer.

Ronald Goseco is currently a trustee of the Finex Foundation

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

PSBank completes P8-B stock rights offer PHILIPPINE Savings Bank (PSB) has completed its P8-billion stock rights offer to eligible shareholders subscribing to 142.85 million common shares to be listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday.

In a disclosure, the listed unit of Ty-led Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) said the offer period ended on January 11, and shares were priced at P56 each.

According to the lender, broad support was seen across the shareholder base, resulting in a substantial oversubscription.

The offerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success represents a STRONG VOTE OF CONkDENCE FROM INvestors in the bank and its strategy, PSBank said.

The bank believes the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s robust growth will continue to support loan expansion across various segments of the economy.

The additional capital from the offer is expected to further enhance the lenderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital ra-

Corporate News Nickel Asia output up 20% to P17.3B last year

tios, further solidifying its capital ADEQUACY AND kNANCIAL STRENGTH Sister company First Metro Investment Corp. is the offerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sole manager, bookrunner and underwriter.

The bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board approved the offer during a meeting on Oct. 15,

TO SUPPORT THE kRM S GROWTH FOR THE kRST QUARTER PSBank was incorporated on June 30, 1959 as a savings and mortgage BANK -ETROBANK BOUGHT A MAJORity share in the lender in 1983 and raised this to the current 83 percent in 2004. It operates in several business segments â&#x20AC;&#x201D; consumer banking, corporate banking, branch banking and treasury â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and primarily caters to retail and consumer markets.

It has 250 branches and 610 automated teller machines nationwide as of end-December 2017.

PSBank shares added P1 or 1.69 PERCENT TO kNISH AT 0 APIECE on Thursday.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

L

BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

ISTED Nickel Asia Corp. saw the value of its nickel-ore shipments increase by 20 percent to P17.29 billion in 2018 from P14.43 billion the year before.

In a disclosure on Thursday, the mining company attributed the growth to higher export volume, improved prices and a more favorable dollar-peso exchange rate last year.

Nickel Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shipment volume in 2018 was 19.35 million wet metric tons (WMT) with an average price of $16.86 per WMT, up 9.32 percent from 17.70 million WMT with an average price of

$16.17 per WMT in 2017.

Its Taganito mine in Surigao del Norte province accounted for 46 percent or 8.81 million WMT of the total volume. Some 4.56 million WMT of nickel ore were exported to China and Japan, while 4.25 million WMT of limonite ore were delivered to Taganitoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) facility.

The Rio Tuba mine in Palawan

Puregold raises P4.7B Businessinbrief MOODYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UPGRADES UCPB CREDIT RATING from top-up placement PUREGOLD Price Club, Inc. has raised P4.7 billion from selling its common shares to Deutsche Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equity platform in the Philippines through a top-up placement.

In a disclosure on Thursday, the listed supermarket operator said it sold 104 million shares to Deutsche Regis Partners, Inc. at P45 apiece, representing a 6.8-percent discount from Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closing price of P48.30.

The deal was done through an overnight book built offering with Puregold founder Lucio Co. Puregold said the total shares sold represented 3.8 percent of its total outstanding stock.

Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, capital expenditure and potential acquisitions.

Deutsche Bank AG was the transactionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s placing agent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr. Co also signed a subscription agreement to subscribe the same number of Puregold shares and price per share,â&#x20AC;? the company said.

Incorporated on Sept. 8, 1998, Puregold is under the Cosco Capital Group, which also owns S&R membership warehouses, Budgetlane, NE "ODEGA AND /FkCE 7AREHOUSE The company operates 355 stores â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 171 hypermarkets, 103 supermarkets, six minimarts, 14 S&R warehouse clubs and 32 S&R quick-service restaurants â&#x20AC;&#x201D; also of end-2017.

Puregold shares dropped by P2.40 or 4.97 percent to close at P4.97 percent apiece on Thursday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

MOODYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Investors Service on Thursday upgraded United Coconut Planters Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (UCPB) credit rating to speculative-grade â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ba3â&#x20AC;? with stable outlook and raised its baseline credit assessment to â&#x20AC;&#x153;b2â&#x20AC;? from â&#x20AC;&#x153;caa1.â&#x20AC;? In a statement, the global ratings agency said the upgrade â&#x20AC;&#x153;is driven by the improvement in the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s solvency, and Moodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectation that the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internal capital generation will strengthen.â&#x20AC;? Moodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had said that, over the past 10 years, the annual amortization of the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s P29 billion deferred credit charges from legacy problem assets substantially eroded UCPBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retained earnings, resulting in weak internal-capital generation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Internal capital generation will increase substantially beginning in 2019, because 2018 marks the last year of amortization of those credit charges and, as a result, retained earnings will rise,â&#x20AC;? it said. The credit rater added that the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return on assets remained robust over the past three years, averaging 1.2 percent from 2015 to 2017, supported by loan growth and interest income from its investment securities. Over the next 12 to 18 months, it expects credit costs to rise moderately and weigh on the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s profits.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

GLOBAL FERRONICKEL SEES FLAT SHIPMENT GROWTH LISTED Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. sees growth in its shipments to be flat this year. In a disclosure on Thursday, the nickel producer said it aimed to ship 5.7 million wet metric tons (WMT) of nickel ore this year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the same volume it reported last year. According to Global Ferronickel President Dante Bravo, the company would rely on growing nickel-ore demand in China to drive shipments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are optimistic of the nickel-ore demand in China, considering the continuing decline in nickel inventory at the LME (London Metal

HOLDING FIRMS

Index PSEi

Value 7,927.20

Chg 62.5

All Shares

4,743.84

28.71

Ÿ

Financials

1,809.23

4.59

Ÿ

Industrial

11,458.24

-42.34

Ĺş

Holding Firms

7,851.25

18.13

Ÿ

Services

1,540.23

-3.45

Ĺş

8,803.23

4.71

Ÿ

Property

3,957.23

125.65

Ÿ

PSEi

ALL SHARES

D&Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ISO ACCREDITATION RENEWED D&L Industries, Inc. is eyeing to boost its export capability after the Philippine Accreditation Bureau renewed its ISO accreditation on its laboratory-testing capabilities and management system, certifying these as at par with international standards. In a statement on Thursday, D&L said it received an ISO/IEC 17025:2005, which refers to the international standard for competence in laboratory testing and shows that its laboratory testing capabilities and management system follow global best practices. The certification is valid for five years. It also said the renewal also allowed the company to offer laboratory-testing services and serve as a third-party laboratory to a wider range of customers from various industries. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

POWER SALES UP 4% IN JAN-MAR 2018 ELECTRICITY sold by electric cooperatives (ECs) increased by 4 percent to 5,136 gigawatt hours (GWh) in the second quarter of 2018, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said on Wednesday. In a statement, NEA said sales for the quarter is higher than the 4,924 GWh posted in January to March. Of the total, 2,610 GWh was registered in Luzon; 1,133 GWh, in the Visayas; and 1,393 GWh, in Mindanao. The residential sector consumed electricity the most at 2,670 GWh or 52 percent, followed by the commercial sector (1,130 GWh or 22 percent), industrial (976 GWh or 19 percent), public buildings (257 GWh or 5 percent), and others (103 GWh or 2 percent). Because of higher energy sales, ECsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; operating revenues climbed by 14 percent to P52.616 billion in the period from P46.126 billion in the first quarter. This brought their total operating revenues to P98.742 billion from January to June 2018.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

TOP ACTIVE STOCKS Security Name Ayala Land, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Ayala Corporation Puregold Price Club, Inc.

SERVICES

5 6 7 8 9 10

Megaworld Corporation Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company Alliance Global Group, Inc. BDO Unibank, Inc. SM Investments Corporation Universal Robina Corporation

MINING AND OIL

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Bank of the Philippine Islands Manila Electric Company 0HWUR 3DFLÂżF ,QYHVWPHQWV &RUSRUDWLRQ PLDT Inc. Jollibee Foods Corporation JG Summit Holdings, Inc. International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Globe Telecom, Inc. San Miguel Food and Beverage, Inc. GT Capital Holdings, Inc.

Stock indices as of January 17, 2019

by negative market sentiment as a result of the US-China trade dispute, we expect a recovery in 2019, on the back of demand from stainless steel producers and battery manufacturers catering to the electric car industry,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Incorporated on July 24, 2008, Nickel Asia is the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; largest producer of lateritic nickel ore and one of the largest in the world.

It exports saprolite and limonite ore to Japan, China and Australia.

Besides operating the four mines, the company also owns properties in various stages of exploration for nickel, while seeking opportunities in copper and gold.

Shares of Nickel Asia rose by 12 centavos or 4.84 percent to close at P2.60 each on Thursday.

Exchange),â&#x20AC;? he told The Manila Times in a mobile message. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are also optimistic that eventually, the trade war [between the United States and China would be] resolved and that will boost consumer spending,â&#x20AC;? he added.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

No. 1 2 3 4

%Chg Ÿ

Mining and Oil

province contributed 30 percent or 5.75 million WMT, of which 2.21 million WMT were exported to China and Japan and 3.54 million WMT were sent to the Coral Bay HPAL plant.

Two other mines, Hinatuan in Surigao del Norte province and Cagdianao in the Dinagat Islands, yielded 2.15 million WMT and 2.64 million WMT, respectively. g$ESPITE THE SIGNIkCANT JUMP in nickel ore supply from Indonesia, we are delighted that the company still managed to increase its shipments for the year,â&#x20AC;? Nickel Asia President Martin Antonio G. Zamora said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In addition, though the LME (London Metal Exchange) nickel price was dragged down in 2018

B3

Last Price 45 38.3 923 45.9

Chg 1.9 1.3 4 -2.4

%Chg 4.41% 3.51% 0.44% -4.97%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź

Volume Value(P) 25,486,100.00 1,135,221,845.00 28,642,100.00 1,081,457,765.00 598,270.00 552,761,315.00 7,666,600.00 353,663,025.00

5.27 82.5 13.96 131 953 140

0.14 1.5 0.58 1.5 -7 -3

2.73% 1.85% 4.33% 1.16% -0.73% -2.10%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź ź

66,556,500.00 4,102,560.00 22,299,500.00 2,251,680.00 270,820.00 1,772,270.00

347,633,481.00 335,406,234.50 310,247,466.00 291,870,138.00 259,170,430.00 249,396,519.00

93 378 4.97 1,237.00 313 65.25 104 2,080.00 87.5 1,018.00

-1.5 -9 -0.11 22 6 0.25 -0.8 42 2.4 11

-1.59% -2.33% -2.17% 1.81% 1.95% 0.38% -0.76% 2.06% 2.82% 1.09%

ź ź ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

2,024,980.00 421,830.00 28,923,100.00 112,635 440,750 2,098,700 1,257,470 59,330 1,327,570 104,905

189,106,282.50 161,270,142.00 145,209,814.00 139,346,475.00 137,890,010.00 136,939,287.50 131,705,255.00 124,070,480.00 115,792,175.50 106,341,405.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Jan 17, 2019 Jan 16, 2019 Jan 15, 2019 Jan 14, 2019 Jan 11, 2019 Jan 10, 2019 Jan 09, 2019 Jan 08, 2019 Jan 07, 2019 Jan 04, 2019 Jan 03, 2019 Jan 02, 2019 Dec 28, 2018 Dec 27, 2018 Dec 26, 2018 Dec 21, 2018 Dec 20, 2018 Dec 19, 2018 Dec 18, 2018 Dec 17, 2018 Dec 14, 2018 Dec 13, 2018 Dec 12, 2018 Dec 11, 2018 Dec 10, 2018 Dec 7, 2018 Dec 06, 2018 Dec 05, 2018 Dec 04, 2018 Dec 03, 2018

Open 7,866 7,983 8,009 7,886 7,965 7,932 7,775 7,820 7,801 7,657 7,507 7,497 7,497 7,465 7,437 7,537 7,514 7,412 7,478 7,501 7,506 7,514 7,456 7,386 7,446 7,530 7,634 7,580 7,537 7,469

High 7,938 7,991 8,028 8,024 7,965 7,992 7,920 7,826 7,901 7,802 7,681 7,540 7,507 7,514 7,453 7,548 7,584 7,580 7,482 7,538 7,559 7,556 7,488 7,451 7,446 7,538 7,637 7,634 7,704 7,540

Low 7,865 7,849 7,976 7,819 7,856 7,899 7,766 7,702 7,788 7,657 7,490 7,466 7,466 7,447 7,379 7,452 7,498 7,407 7,397 7,491 7,503 7,514 7,426 7,379 7,348 7,450 7,535 7,551 7,523 7,469

Close 7,927 7,865 8,013 8,024 7,904 7,985 7,920 7,702 7,788 7,761 7,681 7,489 7,466 7,483 7,450 7,480 7,563 7,580 7,420 7,520 7,524 7,523 7,488 7,451 7,348 7,461 7,535 7,631 7,704 7,533

CLOSE

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

Security Name Benguet Corporation â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aâ&#x20AC;?

Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation Makati Finance Corporation iPeople, Inc. Millennium Global Holdings, Inc. Oriental Peninsula Resources Group, Inc. Central Azucarera de Tarlac Chemical Industries of the Philippines Lopez Holdings Corporation Maxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group, Inc. Nickel Asia Corporation Philippine Bank of Communications Ayala Land, Inc. )RUXP 3DFLÂżF ,QF Alliance Global Group, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. 'HO 0RQWH 3DFLÂżF /LPLWHG San Miguel Food and Beverage, Inc. Megaworld Corporation PH Resorts Group Holdings, Inc.

Volume 303,000.00 15,880,000.00 11,000.00 900.00 650,000.00 2,902,000.00 2,900.00 580.00 8,900,100.00 1,998,600.00 10,205,000.00 3,600.00 25,486,100.00 10,000.00 22,299,500.00 28,642,100.00 9,100.00 1,327,570.00 66,556,500.00 2,876,300.00

Value 411,120.00 6,154,900.00 31,970.00 9,610.00 119,290.00 2,953,300.00 50,650.00 78,720.00 51,242,113.00 23,520,564.00 26,589,950.00 74,205.00 1,135,221,845.00 2,400.00 310,247,466.00 1,081,457,765.00 60,955.00 115,792,175.50 347,633,481.00 19,813,134.00

Last Price 1.49 0.4 2.85 11.3 0.185 1.03 17.5 140 5.68 11.88 2.6 21 45 0.24 13.96 38.3 6.7 87.5 5.27 6.85

Chg 0.16 0.04 0.23 0.7 0.011 0.06 1 7.1 0.28 0.58 0.12 0.9 1.9 0.01 0.58 1.3 0.2 2.4 0.14 0.18

%Chg 12.03% 11.11% 8.78% 6.60% 6.32% 6.19% 6.06% 5.34% 5.19% 5.13% 4.84% 4.48% 4.41% 4.35% 4.33% 3.51% 3.08% 2.82% 2.73% 2.70%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP LOSERS

HIGH

No. 1 2 3 4

Security Name Now Corporation Benguet Corporation â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bâ&#x20AC;?

Omico Corporation Macay Holdings, Inc.

Volume 16,134,000.00 6,000.00 14,000.00 9,100.00

Value 62,908,940.00 7,710.00 8,820.00 92,550.00

Last Price 3.71 1.36 0.63 10.1

Chg -0.49 -0.13 -0.05 -0.8

%Chg -11.67% -8.72% -7.35% -7.34%

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

Medco Holdings, Inc. Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bâ&#x20AC;?

Jackstones, Inc. Arthaland Corporation Asiabest Group International Inc. MRC Allied Incorporated Philweb Corporation Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. Berjaya Philippines, Inc. Puregold Price Club, inc.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. Zeus Holdings, Inc. Victorias Milling Company, Inc. Abra Mining & Industrial Corporation Doubledragon Properties Corp.

Leisure & Resorts World Corporation

1,620,000.00 9,800,000.00 53,000.00 8,556,000.00 150,700.00 65,490,000.00 2,304,000.00 14,712,000.00 2,040,000.00 7,666,600.00 13,588,000.00 110,000.00 104,000.00 207,000,000.00 1,020,000.00 1,938,000.00

735,800.00 121,300.00 166,050.00 7,610,030.00 3,902,600.00 29,212,700.00 7,525,240.00 16,072,460.00 6,713,710.00 353,663,025.00 18,723,880.00 23,580.00 241,460.00 434,700.00 21,669,130.00 6,474,680.00

0.45 0.013 3.11 0.88 25.5 0.44 3.2 1.07 3.21 45.9 1.35 0.213 2.33 0.0021 20.85 3.31

-0.035 -0.001 -0.22 -0.06 -1.55 -0.025 -0.18 -0.06 -0.18 -2.4 -0.07 -0.011 -0.12 -0.0001 -0.95 -0.13

-7.22% -7.14% -6.61% -6.38% -5.73% -5.38% -5.33% -5.31% -5.31% -4.97% -4.93% -4.91% -4.90% -4.55% -4.36% -3.78%

*amounts in peso except for volume, %chg

Foreign Business US in criminal probe US optimism weighed down of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Huawei by political, trade uncertainty W B4

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

!3().'4/. $ # 53 ECONOMIC activity continued to expand at least modestly in recent weeks but political AND TRADE UNCERTAINTY IS UNDERCUTTING OPTIMISM

the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.

Companies also are concerned ABOUT VOLATILITY IN kNANCIAL MARkets and rising interest rates, according to the Fedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;beige bookâ&#x20AC;? survey of the economy.

And businesses nationwide conTINUE TO STRUGGLE TO kND AND RETAIN workers, despite rising wages, with some having to forgo work due to lack of employees, the report said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Outlooks generally remained positive,â&#x20AC;? the Fed said, but in many of the 12 Feddistricts, â&#x20AC;&#x153;contacts had become less optimistic in response to increased financial market volatility, rising short-term interest rates, falling energy prices, and elevated trade and political uncertainty.â&#x20AC;?

Nearly every region mentioned the impact of trade disputes and tariffs on manufacturing, retailers and other sectors.

In some cases the impact was positive but expected to be temporary.

In Richmond, which includes

the port of Baltimore, â&#x20AC;&#x153;ports saw robust activity in recent weeks,â&#x20AC;? which they attributed largely â&#x20AC;&#x153;to orders being made early to avoid possible tariff hikes.â&#x20AC;?

However, â&#x20AC;&#x153;they expected trade to soften in the next few months.â&#x20AC;? /NE 6IRGINIA COMPANY EVEN HAD Chinese goods shipped through the west coast ports to beat the tariffs, the report said.

President Donald Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aggressive trade policy has imposed steep tariffs on steel and aluminum as well as $250 billion in goods imported from China annually.

The tariffs have raised costs for firms throughout the economy and in turn have drawn retaliation on US goods, felt most keenly by soy farmers.

The US government shutdown, which is in its fourth week and now the longest ever, also spurred uncerTAINTY ESPECIALLY IN kNANCIAL kRMS The Cleveland Fed said â&#x20AC;&#x153;vola-

input costs, helped by falling fuel prices, according to the report.

The Fed is watching prices and growth carefully, but central bankers in recent weeks have clearly signaled that they can hold off on raising the benchmark lending rate again for a time.

But as Oxford Economics noted, the government shutdown has interrupted the usual stream of economic data the Fed uses to gauge the health of activity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With a backlog of unreleased economic data due to the government shutdown, the Fedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policymakers will pay special attention TO THESE QUALITATIVE kNDINGS u Wages rising The beige book, collecting innationwide formation prior to January 7, was Meanwhile, the tight labor markets prepared ahead of the Fedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rateCONTINUE TO HAMPER kRMS FROM setting Federal Open Market Comexpanding, while wages are rising mittee meeting on January 29-30.

The Fed raised the key rate four nationwide and at all skill levels, including entry-level jobs as new times last year, and Oxford Ecominimum wage laws took effect. nomics predicts two increases in But so far, those increases have the latter half of this year.

The US stock market, which was been moderate, the Fed said.

The Minneapolis Fed said con- ROILED IN THE kNAL WEEKS OF STRUCTION kRMS HAD BEEN OBLIGED over concerns about the slowing to turn down business due to the economy and rising interest rates, largely shrugged off the Fedreport, INABILITY TO kND WORKERS But price increases have re- focusing instead on positive earnAFP mained moderate even with rising ings reports.

tility in financial markets and political uncertainty have had a negative effect on consumer and BUSINESS CONkDENCE AND CLOUD THE outlook for loan demand in the coming quarter.â&#x20AC;?

And Dallas said manufacturersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sentiment â&#x20AC;&#x153;turned slightly negative in December,â&#x20AC;? due to several issues including declining oil prices, labor constraints and political uncertainty.

The shutdown was in its early stages when the report was prepared, so it may have been too early to capture the effects.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: US authorities are in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;advancedâ&#x20AC;? stages of a criminal probe that could result in an indictment of Chinese technology giant Huawei, a report said Wednesday.

The Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources, said the Department of Justice is looking into allegations of theft of trade secrets from Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s US business partners, including a T-Mobile robotic device used to test smartphones.

Huawei and the Department of Justice declined to comment on the media report.

However, Huawei noted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Huawei and T-Mobile settled their disputes in 2017 following a US jury verdict finding neither damage, unjust enrichment nor willful and malicious conduct by Huawei in T-Mobileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade secret claim.â&#x20AC;?

The move would further escalate tensions between the US and China after the arrest last year in Canada of Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who is the daughter of the company founder.

The case of Meng, under house arrest awaiting proceedings, has inflamed USChina and Canada-China relations.

Two Canadians have been detained in China since Mengâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrest and a third has been sentenced to death on drug trafficking charges â&#x20AC;&#x201D; moves observers see as attempts

by Beijing to pressure Ottawa over her case.

Huawei, the second-largest global smartphone maker and biggest producer of telecommunications equipment, has for years been under scrutiny in the US over purported links to the Chinese government.

Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reclusive founder Ren Zhengfei, in a rare media interview Tuesday, forcefully denied accusations that his firm engaged in espionage on behalf of the Chinese government.

The tensions come amid a backdrop of President Donald Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to get more manufacturing on US soil and slap hefty tariffs on Chinese goods for what he claims are unfair trade practices by Beijing.

In a related move, lawmakers introduced a bill to ban the export of American parts and components to Chinese telecom companies that are in violation of US export control or sanctions laws â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with Huawei and fellow Chinese firm ZTE the likely targets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Huawei is effectively an intelligencegathering arm of the Chinese Communist Party whose founder and CEO was an engineer for the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Liberation Army,â&#x20AC;? said Republican Senator Tom Cotton, one of the billâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sponsors.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said in the same statement: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Huawei and ZTE are two sides of the same coin. Both companies have repeatedly violated US laws, represent a significant risk to American national security interests and need to be held accountable.â&#x20AC;?

Last year, Trump reached a deal with ZTE that eases tough financial penalties on the firm for helping Iran and North Korea evade American sanctions.

Trump said his decision in May to spare ZTE came following an appeal by Chinese President Xi Jinping to help save Chinese jobs.

AFP

Climate risks, data theft top fears for Davos attendees â&#x20AC;&#x201C; WEF LONDON: The risks of catastrophic weather and flooding from climate change are exercising business leaders heading into next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, the organisation said Wednesday.

An annual WEF report â&#x20AC;&#x201D; based on a survey of about 1,000 respondents drawn from the Davos community of business leaders, politicians, civil society and academics â&#x20AC;&#x201D; shows climate change has become the dominant concern for three years running.

Data theft and cyberattacks have joined climate change in the top tier of worries, but respondents also highlighted anxiety about worsening interna-

Q NEEDLES FROM B2

PFRS 9 stocks, those will likely be measured at fair value as the cost exemption allowed in the past entail stricter requirements under PFRS 9.

People outside of finance should be involved Involvement of the investments team, whether outsourced or internal to the company, is critical during the implementation process to make sure they are aware of the accounting consequences of operational decisions. For example, if securities carried at amortized cost are sold in

Q PEREZ FROM B1

Treasury common shares, or 1.37 percent, held by nine members of the board, and 2.235 million POPI common shares which Prime Orion issued as subscriptions under Employees Stock Ownership (ESOWN) and what it referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; shares, the public stockholders of Prime Orion ended up owning 1.611 billion POPI common shares, or 32.72 percent.

While ALI directly owns 2.73 billion POPI common shares, Orion indirectly holds 26.496 million POPI common shares, or 0.538 percent.

In a footnote, POPI explained that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the ESOWN subscriptions exclude subscriptions of directors listed above, and fully paid sub-

tional relations and the risk that poses for the world economy.

Just under 90 percent of people in the survey, conducted over September and October, expected international trading rules and agreements to weaken further, as President Donald Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;America Firstâ&#x20AC;? agenda undermines the architecture on which global trade has been built. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With global trade and economic growth at risk in 2019, there is a more urgent need than ever to renew the architecture of international cooperation,â&#x20AC;? Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum, said in a press release accompanying the 114-page report.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We simply do not have the gunpowder to deal with the kind of slowdown that current dynamics might lead us towards. What we need now is coordinated, concerted action to sustain growth and to tackle the grave threats facing our world today,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The growing risk of Britain crashing out of the European Union without a Brexit deal in late March is also worrying global institutions and will figure at the meetings next week in the Swiss Alps, with a number of British and EU officials attending.

Failure to act Fully 90 percent of the

respondents expected â&#x20AC;&#x153;further economic confrontation between major powers in 2019â&#x20AC;?, although the survey was conducted before Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed last month to try to negotiate a peace pact on their tariffs war.

Trump has also withdrawn from the Paris accord on climate change.

While other countries agreed at UN talks last month on a common action plan, the most vulnerable states along with environmentalists warned the pact lacked the ambition needed to restrict carbon emissions.

The WEF report showed mounting alarm about

is huge and how you get there is DIFkCULT With the combined risk of adopting two new complex accounting standards, rising net worth requirements and upcoming changes due to the tax reform program, insurance companies cannot afford to put a pause in their implementation efforts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to stand still is to fall behind. *** $EXTER $* 6 4OLEDANA IS AN !SSURTying it all together ance Director of Isla Lipana & Co., A MEMBER kRM OF THE 0W# NETWORK The effect of PFRS 9 to banks is not For more information, please email YET IN FULL SWING IT WILL BE kNALIZED markets@ph.pwc.com. This content upon filing their 2018 financial is for general information purposes statements. However, even with the only, and should not be used as a limited market data available, it is substitute for consultation with APPARENT THAT THE kNANCIAL IMPACT professional advisors. a manner inconsistent with its business model, this may trigger a change in the business model and result in A CHANGE IN CLASSIkCATION OF FUTURE securities that will be added to that portfolio. Another example would be how business managers monitor the performance and risks in the portfolio and how the compensation policy MAY INlUENCE THE BUSINESS MODEL OF the portfolio, which will drive the CLASSIkCATION OF THAT PORTFOLIO

scriptions of former employees.â&#x20AC;?

On Jan. 15, 2019, POPI opened trading at P2.57, peaked at P2.65, dropped to a sessionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low of P2.57 AND CLOSED TRADING AT 0 6OLume, which pertains to the number of common shares traded, was low at 742,000 POPI common shares.

Ownership profile As of Dec. 31, 2018, Roxas Holdings Inc. (RHI) reported having issued 1.566 billion common shares. Minus 17.643 million common shares held in treasury, the company had outstanding 1.548 billion common shares.

The nine members of RHI board owned 1.526 million RHI common shares as of Dec. 31, 2018, Of 1.458 billion outstanding RHI common shares, Roxas Holdings said in its public ownership

report (POR) that three principal stockholders held a total of 1.292 billion RHI common shares, which were equivalent to 83.45 percent of 1.548 billion outstanding RHI common shares. When recomputed, 1,291,864,105 RHI common share divided by 1,547,935,799 RHI common shares equals 0.83457, or 83.457 percent.

The following were, as of Dec. 31, 2018, RHIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principal stockholders: Roxas & Co. Inc., 318.342 million RHI common shares, or 20.56 percent; First Agri Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of First 0ACIkC #O ,TD MILLION RHI common shares, or 30.22 PERCENT AND &IRST 0ACIkC .ATURAL 2ESOURCES (OLDINGS " 6

million RHI common shares, or 32.67 percent.

As of Dec. 31, 2018, RHI credited the public stockholders with

the risks of extreme weather and a failure to take mitigating action as temperatures rise, detailing the possibility of many low-lying cities in Asia, Europe and North America being wiped off the map by flooding.

China alone has more than 78 million people in cities at risk of inundation, a number increasing by three percent every year, the report said, citing World Bank research.

Alison Martin, group chief risk officer at Zurich Insurance Group, said 2018 was already marked by historic wildfires, heavy flooding and rising greenhouse gas emissions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is no surprise that in

Q IMPORTS FROM B1

DTI orders increased from only 3,558 metric tons in 2013 to more than 3 million metric tons in 2017 and the share of imports increased from only 0.02 percent to 15 percent during the same periodâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the elements of surge and injury clearly established, DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) is mandated to impose a safeguard duty. In determining the amount of duty, however, the DTI balances the interests of all stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and has given particular attention to ensuring that supply remains steady and that prices will not increase,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Lopez said that while the cement industry was considered strategic, it receives no tariff protection as imports currently enter at zero duty. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[S]afeguard duties are legitimate tools in trade remedies to assist industries which have

ownership of 254.546 million RHI common shares, or 16.45 percent. As recomputed, the public stockholders ended up holding 254,546,187 RHI common shares, which were then equivalent to 0.16444, which, in percentage form, equals 16.444 percent.

On Jan. 15, 2019, RHI common shares totaling 53,000 were traded at P2.87 throughout the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s session.

2019, environmental risks once again dominate the list of major concerns. So, too, does the growing likelihood of environmental policy failure or a lack of timely policy implementation,â&#x20AC;? she warned in the WEF press release.

For environmentalists, such a policy failure has been made more likely by the election of Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farright president, Jair Bolsonaro, who is due to address the annual WEF gathering.

Like Trump, Bolsonaro is a climate sceptic. But the two populist leaders wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get to rub shoulders in Switzerland after the US president cancelled his trip owing to the budget crisis in Washington.

AFP

experienced a surge in importation and a decline IN SALES AND PROkTABILITY u HE ADDED â&#x20AC;&#x153;Relying solely on imports and being at the mercy of global supply and demand situation is risky and irresponsible considering changes in global demand and supply conditions, and will only lead to too much dependence on imports, LEADING TO PERENNIAL TRADE DEkCIT u The P8.40/bag duty is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;level that will ensure price and supply stability,â&#x20AC;? the Trade chief said, adding that the current domestic capacity of 35 million metric tons domestic capacity was enough to meet the estimated demand of 25 million metric tons.

Cement manufacturers will be required to maintain their current retail prices and the Trade department will be on the watch for price hikes.

Asked when the safeguard duty would take effect, Lopez replied â&#x20AC;&#x153;around February 8â&#x20AC;? given THE REQUIREMENTS OF DRAFTING AN OFkCIAL CUSTOMS order and having this published.

ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

of outstanding, are listed.

On the other hand, Roxas Holdings reported 1.548 billion RHI common shares as outstanding on PSE website but has 1.566 billion RHI common shares listed, or the entire 1,565,579,279 issued RHI common shares, which, incidentally, included 17,643,480 treasury common shares.

Apparently, both POPI and RHI plan either to reissue their treasury shares or resell them to the public at a much better price. In an unauDue Diligencerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take DITED QUARTERLY kNANCIAL kLING 2OXAS The number of outstanding com- Holdings said it spent P52.290 mon shares may not all be listed million in buying back more than on the Philippine Stock Exchange 17.643 million common shares, (PSE). If the public investors which it now holds in treasury. would go by the number, they By dividing P52.290 million by WOULD kND FOR INSTANCE 0/0) HAS the number of RHI treasury shares, 4.923 billion outstanding com- the result showed an average buymon shares of which 2.39 billion ing price of P2.964 per RHI comcommon share, or 48.548 percent mon share. Ranged against this,

RHI common shares were traded at P2.87 throughout the session on Jan. 15, 2019. This means RHI would be losing P0.0937 per RHI common share. )N A FOOTNOTE TO ITS QUARTERLY kLing, Prime Orion said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;On June 27, 2017, Orion Land Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of POPI, acquired 512,480,671 shares of POPI with a cost of P1.26 billion. This is presented as shares held by the subsidiary IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF knancial position as at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.â&#x20AC;? This translates to an average acquisition price of P2.4586 per POPI treasury common share.

By the way, how does a buyback plan of listed stocks affect the 10-percent minimum public ownership rule? Just asking.

esdperez@gmail.com

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advertising@manilatimes.net 524-5664 local 121, 3105895 and 3105582

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Republic of the Philippines Third Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 72 Olongapo City

initial hearing on FEBRUARY 8, 2019 at 8:30 o'clock in the morning1.

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N 25'(56 ++,& 3KLO ,QF WR PDNH DYDLODEOH WKH FRSLHV RI WKH petition as well as the rehabilitation plan for examination DQG FRS\LQJ E\ DQ\ LQWHUHVWHG SDUWLHV DW LWV RIÂżFH DGGUHVV ORFDWHG DW *UHHQEHDFK 5HGRQGR 3HQLQVXOD &DZDJ Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

This Court pursuant to A.M. No. 12-12-11-SC dated August 27, 2013, otherwise known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Financial Rehabilitation Rules of 3URFHGXUH ´ KHUHE\

c) 25'(56 ++,& 3KLO ,QF WR VHUYH E\ SHUVRQDO GHOLYHU\ D FRS\ RI WKH SHWLWLRQ RQ HDFK FUHGLWRU KROGLQJ DW OHDVW 10 percent (10%) of its total liabilities as determined by the VFKHGXOH DWWDFKHG WR WKH SHWLWLRQ %XUHDX RI ,QWHUQDO 5HYHQXH %,5

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days from the issuance of this Commencement Order.

5(38%/,& 2) 7+( 3+,/,33,1(6 NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 17& %XLOGLQJ %,5 5RDG (DVW 7ULDQJOH 'LOLPDQ 4XH]RQ &LW\ (PDLO ntc@ntc.gov.ph ZHEVLWH http://www.ntc.gov.ph

J 352+,%,76 ++,& 3KLO ,QF V VXSSOLHUV RI JRRGV DQG services from withholding the supply of the goods and services in the ordinary course of business for as long as ++,& 3KLO ,QF PDNHV SD\PHQW IRU WKH VDLG JRRGV DQG services from the issuance of this Commencement Order.

7KH SHWLWLRQ ZDV ÂżOHG E\ ++,& 3KLO ,QF D FRUSRUDWLRQ GXO\ organized and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with SULQFLSDO RIÂżFH DW *UHHQEHDFK 5HGRQGR 3HQLQVXOD &DZDJ 6XELF %D\ )UHHSRUW =RQH 3KLOLSSLQHV ++,& 3KLO ,QF LV HQJDJHG LQ WKH businesses of shipbuilding, ship repair, ship component fabrication, and erection of steel structures, selling of scrap materials, cargo handling, stevedoring and arrastre services, among others. ,Q LWV SHWLWLRQ ++,& 3KLO ,QF DOOHJHG WKDW LW REWDLQHG ORDQ FUHGLW IDFLOLWLHV IURP GLIIHUHQW ORFDO EDQNV WR ÂżQDQFH LW LWV VKLSEXLOGLQJ RSHUDWLRQV ,Q LWV VKLSEXLOGLQJ EXVLQHVV WKH SD\PHQW VFKHPH RI WKH petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customers, wherein petitioner would receive payments only after pre-determined milestones in the construction of the vessel which usually takes two (2) years to complete, caused great LPSDFW DQG DGYHUVH HIIHFW RQ WKH SHWLWLRQHUÂśV FDVK Ă&#x20AC;RZ 3HWLWLRQHU likewise alleged that most of its customers attempted to evade payments or worse cancelled their shipbuilding contracts which caused the petitioner in failing to earn revenues despite having already incurred construction of the vessels. Such resulted to petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liquidity problems and petitioner will not have enough FDVK Ă&#x20AC;RZ ZKLFK ZLOO ODWHU UHVXOW WR SHWLWLRQHU EHLQJ XQDEOH WR UHSD\ LWV ERUURZLQJV REWDLQHG WKURXJK VKLSEXLOGLQJ ÂżQDQFLQJ

25'(56 WKH FUHGLWRUV JRYHUQPHQW DJHQFLHV %,5 6(& %63 ,QVXUDQFH &RPPLVVLRQ '2/( +/85% '7, 6%0$ DQG DOO LQWHUHVWHG SDUWLHV WR ÂżOH DQG VHUYH WR ++,& 3KLO ,QF D YHULÂżHG FRPPHQW RSSRVLWLRQ WR WKH SHWLWLRQ WRJHWKHU ZLWK WKHLU VXSSRUWLQJ DIÂżGDYLWV DQG GRFXPHQWV ZLWKLQ ÂżIWHHQ GD\V EHIRUH WKH LQLWLDO KHDULQJ RQ FEBRUARY 8, 2019 at 8:30 o'clock in the morning.

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

Please be reminded that it is the responsibility of the company to publish the decommissioning of the above mentioned postpaid plans in a newspaper of general circulation three (3) days prior to the implementation.

9HU\ WUXO\ \RXUV (SGD.) EDGARDO V. CABARIOS Deputy Commissioner

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The Manila Times is warning the public that certain individuals p o s i n g as our employees have been threatening to publish articles against s o m e companies.

Anyone who receives a call from t h e s e extortionists s h o u l d report the matter to the police.

The Manila T i m e s DOES NOT ask for money to stop news articles from being published.

This paper does not condone any form of blackmail.

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Classified Ads

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

MARKETS AND SECURITIES REGULATION DEPARTMENT ,1 7+( 0$77(5 2)

ALLIED CARE EXPERTS (ACE)

DUMAGUETE DOCTORS, INC.

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5(*,675$7,21 2) 6(&85,7,(6 ,QLWLDO 3XEOLF 2IIHULQJ

NOTICE 1RWLFH LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ WKDW RQ 'HFHPEHU D VZRUQ 5HJLVWUDWLRQ 6WDWHPHQW ZDV ¿OHG ZLWK WKH 6HFXULWLHV DQG ([FKDQJH &RPPLVVLRQ WKH ³&RPPLVVLRQ´ RQ EHKDOI RI ALLIED CARE EXPERTS (ACE) DUMAGUETE DOCTORS, INC. WKH ³&RPSDQ\´ IRU WKH UHJLVWUDWLRQ RI XS WR One Hundred Eighty Six Thousand (186,000) common shares with a par value of Php1,000.00 SHU VKDUH EURNHQ GRZQ DV IROORZV Primary Offering (To be offered and sold by way of Initial Public Offering)

FRPPRQ shares

Issued and Outstanding Founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shares VKDUHV (Not included in the Offer) Issued and Outstanding Common Shares 149,400 shares (Not included in the Offer Total 186,000 common shares

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With par value of Php1,000.00 per share With par value of Php1,000.00 per share

$FFRUGLQJ WR WKH GRFXPHQWV SUHVHQWHG WKH IROORZLQJ SHUVRQV DUH WKH NH\ RI¿FHUV DQG RU GLUHFWRUV RI WKH &RPSDQ\ NAME Amado Manuel C. Enriquez, Jr. 5REHUW + 7DQ Jonathan C. Amante *HDQLH & &HUQD /RSH] Aejeleth B. Eyas %UHQGD 9 'LSXWDGR Roy Diamond M. Arco Rolando E. Regalado Marietta T. Samoy *HQHURVR 0 2ULOOD]D Roberto M. De Leon ,GHOOH 0DULH $ <XURQJ Evangeline Y. Zozobrado Angelo L. Alcala Felicisimo De Castro

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The Registration Statement, its attachments and any amendments therein (collectively referred WR DV ³56´ DUH RSHQ IRU LQVSHFWLRQ E\ LQWHUHVWHG SDUWLHV GXULQJ EXVLQHVV KRXUV &RSLHV WKHUHRI photostatic or otherwise, shall be furnished to every party, upon request, at such reasonable fees as the Commission may prescribe. Said RS and its updated version may be downloaded from the FRPSDQ\¶V ZHEVLWH www.acedumaguetedoctors.org.

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD 6287+(51 7$*$/2* 5(*,21 - (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD 6287+(51 7$*$/2* 5(*,21 - (STR)

NOTICE

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AYA L A GREENFIELD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU KDV ¿OHG ZLWK WKLV 2I¿FH D VZRUQ UHJLVWUDWLRQ VWDWHPHQW for the sale of subdivision lot in AYALA GREENFIELD ESTATES, THE PANORAMA PHASE 8-B located at Brgy. Pansol, Calamba City, Laguna and more particularly GHVFULEHG DV /RW 1HZ $ 3ODQ 1R 3VG 5LJKW RI :D\ E\ virtue of Deed of Absolute Sale) Lot 1HZ 3VG DQG FRYHUHG E\ 7&7 1RV 7 7 7KH SURMHFW LV XQGHU 3'

,SLQDJELELJD\ DODP QD DQJ AYALA GREENFIELD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 0D\ DUL 7DJD debelop) ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng lote sa AYALA GREENFIELD ESTATES, THE PANORAMA PHASE 8-B na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Pansol, Calamba City, Laguna at sinasakop QJ PJD /RWH %OJ 1HZ $ 3ODQ 1R 3VG 5LJKW RI Way) (sa pamagitan ng â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deed of $EVROXWH 6DOH´ /RWH %OJ 1HZ 3VG QD VXPDVDLODOLP VD PJD 7LWXOR %OJ 7 DW 7 $QJ QDVDELQJ SUR\HNWR D\ VXPDVDLODOLP VD 3'

The foregoing project is utilizing BELLAVITA ROSARIO (Socialized +RXVLQJ ORFDWHG DW %UJ\ $OSD\ Rosario, Batangas as its compliance SXUVXDQW WR 6HFWLRQ RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 1R DV DPHQGHG E\ 5$ subject to the accreditation approval of the CEO. 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.

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Republic of the Philippines City of Manila &200,77(( 21 $:$5'6 INVITATION TO SUBMIT LETTER OF INTENT AND TO BID 7KH &LW\ RI 0DQLOD WKURXJK LWV &RPPLWWHH RQ $ZDUGV LQYLWHV TXDOL¿HG interested persons, natural or juridical, to submit letters of intent and sealed bids for the proposed lease through public auction of the City-owned property, Property Land Item ,GHQWL¿FDWLRQ Area No. No. (PIN) (sq.m.)

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117-13719001-009

Location Lot 32-B, 33-B-1, %ORFN 0D\WXELJ St., Malate Manila

Appraised Value (Php/sq.m.)

Total Value (Php)

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Schedule (2019) -DQXDU\ -DQXDU\ January 30 S P :HGQHVGD\ February 1 S P )ULGD\

The lease of the above described property shall be on an as-is-where-is EDVLV DQG PD\ EH YLVLWHG LQVSHFWHG E\ WKH SURVSHFWLYH ELGGHUV DQ\ GD\ EHIRUH the bidding date.

8SRQ VXEPLVVLRQ RI WKH /HWWHU RI ,QWHQW D FRPSOHWH VHW RI ELGGLQJ GRFXPHQWV PD\ EH DFTXLUHG IURP WKH &LW\ *HQHUDO 6HUYLFHV 2I¿FH WK Ã&#x20AC;RRU 0DQLOD &LW\ +DOO %XLOGLQJ $ - 9LOOHJDV 6W (UPLWD 0DQLOD The City of Manila reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annual bidding process, and to reject any and all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders. )RU IXUWKHU LQIRUPDWLRQ SOHDVH UHIHU WR ATTY. RACQUEL GARCE-MEJIA Chairperson 7:* &RPPLWWHH RQ $ZDUGV 2I¿FH RI WKH 'HSXW\ &LW\ $GPLQLVWUDWRU 2nd Ã&#x20AC;RRU 0DQLOD &LW\ +DOO %XLOGLQJ

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Calamba City, Laguna, 04th day of January 2019.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika-04 ng Enero 2019.

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Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD 6287+(51 7$*$/2* 5(*,21 - (STR)

&DODPED &LW\ /DJXQD th day of January 2019.

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD 6287+(51 7$*$/2* 5(*,21 - (STR) PAUNAWA ,SLQDXXQDZD QD DQJ HIGHLANDS PRIME, INC. (May-ari at Tagadebelop) ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng lote sa THE HORIZON PHASE 2 na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Tranca, Talisay, Batangas at sinasakop ng Lote Bldg. 4 na nasa ilalim ng Titulo Blg. T-114314. Ang nasabing proyekto ay sumasailaim VD 3' Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang Participation Through ,QYHVWPHQW ,QFHQWLYL]HG &RPSOLDQFH sa pamamagitan ng pagdeposito ng ³WZR PLOOLRQ HLJKW KXQGUHG ¿IW\ ¿YH thousand and two hundred fourteen DQG 3 ´ VD Trust Account sa ilalim ng Escrow Agreement na may petsang 'LV\HPEUH VD SDPDPDJLWDQ DW VD JLWQD QJ +,*+/$1'6 35,0( ,1& +286,1* $1' /$1' 86( 5(*8/$725< %2$5' 6287+(51 7$*$/2* 5(*,21$/ 2)),&(

$1' %'2 81,%$1. ,1& 75867 $1' ,19(670(176 *5283 ELODQJ SDJVXQRG VD 6HNV\RQ QJ 5HSXEOLF Act No. 7279 na na-amyendahan ng 5HSXEOLF $FW 1R Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng legal na interes doon pagkatpos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

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Notice is hereby given that HIGHLANDS PRIME, INC. 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU KDV ¿OHG ZLWK WKLV 2I¿FH a sworn registration statement for the sale of subdivision lot at THE HORIZON PHASE 2 located at Brgy.

Tranca, Talisay, Batangas and more particularly described as Lot 4 and covered by TCT No. T-114314. The SURMHFW LV XQGHU 3'

7KLV UHIHUV WR \RXU OHWWHU GDWHG 'HFHPEHU UHJDUGLQJ WKH 6PDUW :L¿ 3DLG 3URPR ,Q OLQH ZLWK WKH WKUXVW RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW WR ORZHU WHOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV VHUYLFH UDWHV IRU WKH EHQH¿W RI WKH )LOLSLQR FRQVXPHUV DQG 2YHUVHDV )LOLSLQR :RUNHUV 2): WKH &RPPLVVLRQ hereby approves 6PDUW :L¿ 3DLG 3URPR QDWLRQZLGH IURP -DQXDU\ WR 'HFHPEHU 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 the date of discontinuance and notice to the public shall be published in a newspaper of JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ¿YH GD\V SULRU WR WKH GDWH RI GLVFRQWLQXDQFH 7KH QRWLFH VKRXOG be posted in all business centers of SMART.

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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.

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Subject further, to the condition that SMART shall comply with the applicable NTC Memorandum &LUFXODUV DQG 2UGHUV DV IROORZV â&#x20AC;¢ Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021;

Memorandum Order No. 07-07-2011, Minimum Speed of Broadband Connections.

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9HU\ WUXO\ \RXUV (SGD.) EDGARDO V. CABARIOS Deputy Commissioner

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NOTICE

,SLQDJELELJD\ DODP QD DQJ AMAIA L A N D C O R P O R AT I O N ( M a y DUL 7DJD GHEHORS D\ QDJKDLQ VD Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng bahay at lote sa AMAIA SCAPES C A B U YA O S E C TO R 3 A . 1 n a matatagpuan sa Brgy. Sala, Cabuyao, Laguna at sinasakop ng mga Lote %OJ & 3VG DW /RWH EOJ & 3VG QD VXPDVDLODOLP VD PJD 7LWXOR %OJ 7 DW 7 $QJ QDVDELQJ SUR\HNWR D\ VXPDVDLODOLP VD 3'

AMAIA LAND CORPORATION 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU KDV ILOHG ZLWK this Office a sworn registration statement for the sale of subdivision house and lot in AMAIA SCAPES CABUYAO SECTOR 3A.1 located at Brgy. Sala, Cabuyao, Laguna and more particularly described DV /RW & 3VG DQG /RW & 3VG DQG FRYHUHG E\ 7&7 1RV 7 7 7KH SURMHFW LV XQGHU 3'

Notice is hereby given that HIGHLANDS PRIME, INC. 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU KDV ¿OHG ZLWK WKLV 2I¿FH a sworn registration statement for the sale of subdivision lot at VIREYA located at Brgy. Tranca, Talisay, Batangas and more particularly GHVFULEHG DV /RW % /RW & 3VG DQG FRYHUHG E\ 7&7 1R 7

7

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Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang MONTE DE ORO SUBDIVISION 6RFLDOL]HG +RXVLQJ QD PDWDWDJSXDQ sa Brgy. Tubod, Bansalan, Davao del 6XU ELODQJ SDJWXSDG VD 6HNV\RQ 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.

3DJNDUDDQ QJ OLPDQJ DUDZ PXOD 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.

The foregoing project is utilizing MONTE DE ORO SUBDIVISION 6RFLDOL]HG +RXVLQJ ORFDWHG DW %UJ\ Tubod, Bansalan, Davao del Sur as its FRPSOLDQFH SXUVXDQW WR 6HFWLRQ RI Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by 5$ VXEMHFW WR WKH DFFUHGLWDWLRQ approval of the CEO. 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 FHUWL¿FDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ¿YH

days from the last day of publication.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika-04 ng Enero 2019.

Calamba City, Laguna, 04th day of January 2019.

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Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD 6287+(51 7$*$/2* 5(*,21 - (STR) NOTICE Notice is hereby given that BELLE CORPORATION 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU

has filed with this Office a sworn registration statement for the sale of subdivision lot at LAKESIDE FAIRWAYS II (CLUSTER II â&#x20AC;&#x201C; YUME) located at Brgy. Aya, Talisay, Batangas and more particularly described as Block 11, Psd-04 DQG FRYHUHG E\ 7&7 1R 7 7KH SURMHFW LV XQGHU 3'

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD 6287+(51 7$*$/2* 5(*,21 - (STR) PAUNAWA ,SLQDXXQDZD QD DQJ BELLE CORPORATION (May-ari at Tagadebelop) ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng lote sa LAKESIDE FAIRWAYS II (CLUSTER II â&#x20AC;&#x201C; YUME) na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Aya, Talisay, Batangas at sinasakop ng Bloke Blg. 3VG DW QDVD LODOLP QJ 7LWXOR %OJ 7 $QJ QDVDELQJ SUR\HNWR D\ VXPDVDLODLP VD 3'

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered and D FHUWL¿FDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ¿YH GD\V from last day of publication. &DODPED &LW\ /DJXQD th day of January 2019.

/XQJVRG QJ &DODPED /DJXQD LND ng Enero 2019.

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Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered and D FHUWL¿FDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ¿YH GD\V from last day of publication.

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF QUEZON CITY PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Mortgagee, -versusSPS. MARIA LUISA FERNANDEZ SONGCUAN and AUGUSTO BAMBALAN SONGCUAN (AIF).

Mortgagors. x---------------------------------------------------------------x

FRE NO. 12512

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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.

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days from the last day of publication.

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Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit a n g B E L L AV I TA R O S A R I O 6RFLDOL]HG +RXVLQJ QD PDWDWDJSXDQ sa Brgy. Alpay, Rosario, Batangas ELODQJ SDJWXSDG VD 6HNV\RQ %DWDV Republika Blg. 7279.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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days from the last day of publication.

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Calamba City, Laguna, 7 th day of January 2019.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika-7 ng Enero 2019.

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Calamba City, Laguna, 14th day of January 2019.

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DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE Notice is hereby given that the intestate of the late JOEL S. DIZON ZKR GLHG RQ $SULO DW 0H\FDXD\DQ %XODFDQ left a parcel of land more particularly known and covered with 7UDQVIHU &HUWL¿FDWH RI 7LWOH 1R 7 0 VLWXDWHG DW %UJ\ *XOD\ QRZ 6LODQJDQ 3URYLQFH RI 6WD 0DULD %XODFDQ ZLWK DQ DUHD RI 21( 7+286$1' 648$5( 0(7(56 LV XQGHU '((' 2) (;75$ -8',&,$/ 6(77/(0(17 2) (67$7( :,7+ '((' 2) $%62/87( 6$/( 72 -26+8$ .</( / /(21&,2 KHUHE\ UHSUHVHQWHG E\ &2162/$&,21 7 /(21&,2 ZLWK DGGUHVV DW /XZDVDQ 6W %UJ\ *X\RQJ 6WD 0DULD %XODFDQ XQGHU 1RWDU\ 3XEOLF RI $WW\ 5DIDHO 0DGULG DV SHU 'RF 1R 3DJH 1R %RRN 1R [[[Y 6HULHV RI 07 ± -DQ DQG

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD 6287+(51 7$*$/2* 5(*,21 - (STR) NOTICE SPS. DOMINGO E. PANGANIBAN AND MADELINA Y. PANGANIBAN (Owner) and XCEED REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT (Developer) by YLUWXH RI D -RLQW 9HQWXUH $JUHHPHQW KDYH ¿OHG ZLWK WKLV 2I¿FH D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of subdivision house and lot in TIERRA VILLE located at Brgy.

Banadero, Tanauan City, Batangas and more particularly described as /RW ( 3VG DQG FRYHUHG E\ 7&7 1R 7 7KH project is under BP 220 (Socialized +RXVLQJ

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.

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SPS. MARIA LUISA FERNANDEZ SONGCUAN and AUGUST BAMBALAN SONGCUAN (AIF) th $YH %UJ\ 6RFRUUR 4XH]RQ &LW\ 20th $YHQXH 6DQ 5RTXH &XEDR 4XH]RQ &LW\ 1R 6DQ 9LFHQWH 6DQ -DFLQWR 3DQJDVLQDQ

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ERRATUM This is to Erratum the publication that was published in The Manila Times dated 'HFHPEHU GXH WR LQFOXVLRQ of Block 12. Lot 1 to Lot 40 covered by 7LWOH 1RV 7 WR 7 DV SDUW RI the subdivision titles of CALAMBA CENTRIS located at Brgy. Lawa, Calamba City, Laguna.

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YOUR ADS HERE GET RESULTS

NOTICE SPS. DOMINGO E. PANGANIBAN AND MADELINA Y. PANGANIBAN (Owner) and XCEED REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT (Developer) by YLUWXH RI D -RLQW 9HQWXUH $JUHHPHQW KDYH ¿OHG ZLWK WKLV 2I¿FH D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of subdivision house and lot in TIERRA VILLE located at Brgy. Banadero, Tanauan City, Batangas and more SDUWLFXODUO\ GHVFULEHG DV /RW ( 3VG DQG FRYHUHG E\ 7&7 1R 7 7KH SURMHFW LV XQGHU %3 6RFLDOL]HG +RXVLQJ

The foregoing project is being utilized as compliance for TIERRA VILLE (PD 957) located at Brgy.

Banadero, Tanauan City, Batangas, LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK 6HFWLRQ RI Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by 5$ VXEMHFW WR WKH DFFUHGLWDWLRQ approval of the CEO. 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.

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Calamba City, Laguna, 14th day of January 2019.

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5(38%/,& 2) 7+( 3+,/,33,1(6 REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 1$7,21$/ &$3,7$/ -8',&,$/ 5(*,21 BRANCH 264, PASIG CITY (Stationed in San Juan City) IN RE: PETITION FOR JUDICIAL RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN DIVORCE OF YOO HYOUNGJOO a.k.a. YOU HYUNG-JOO AND MA. SALVE T. SONGCOG. MA. SALVE T. SONGCOG, Petitioner, - versus -

CIVIL CASE NO. 75421-SJ

THE NATIONAL STATISTICIAN, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF SAN JUAN, THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, YOO HYOUNGJOO a.k.a. YOU HYUNG-JOO & ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE OR CLAIM ANY INTEREST WHICH WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE PETITION, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------------------------------x ORDER 3HWLWLRQHU 0D 6DOYH 7 6RQJFRJ ¿OHG WKH LQVWDQW 3HWLWLRQ IRU 5HFRJQLWLRQ RI Foreign Divorce, praying that after due hearing, judgment be rendered recognizing WKH GLVVROXWLRQ RI PDUULDJH RI SHWLWLRQHU DQG <RR +\RXQJMRR D N D <RX +\XQJ -RR UHQGHUHG E\ -XGJH .LP +HH -LQ RI $Q\DQJ %UDQFK RI 6XZRQ 'LVWULFW &RXUW 8LDZDQJ VL *\HRQJJL GR 6RXWK .RUHD Notice is hereby given that the petition shall be heard before this Court sitting at -XVWLFH +DOO 7KH $UHQD &RPSRXQG 6DQWRODQ 5RDG 6DQ -XDQ &LW\ RQ February 15, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning at which date and time, all persons interested may appear and show cause in writing why the petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks LQ D QHZVSDSHU RI JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ LQ WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV FKRVHQ E\ UDIÃ&#x20AC;H DQG OHW FRS\ of this Order be served together with a copy of the petition and annexes to the 1) $GPLQLVWUDWRU DQG 1DWLRQDO 6WDWLVWLFLDQ 3KLOLSSLQH 6WDWLVWLFV $XWKRULW\ /RFDO &LYLO 5HJLVWUDU RI 6DQ -XDQ &LW\ WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO WKH &LW\ 3URVHFXWRU RI 6DQ -XDQ &LW\ DQG UHVSRQGHQW <RR +\RXQJMRR D N D <RX +\XQJ -RR DW SHWLWLRQHU¶V H[SHQVH SO ORDERED. 1RYHPEHU 6DQ -XDQ &LW\ 0HWUR 0DQLOD

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ERRORS & OMISSIONS Any incorrect advertisement published in The Manila Times Classified Ads must be brought to our attention on the same day the advertisement came out.

We will not be held liable for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

For subscription, please call the Circulation Department at 524-5664 local 222 or 3105584 or email circulation@ manilatimes.net ----------------------------To a d v e r t i s e , e m a i l u s a t advertising@manilatimes.net or call 524-5664 local 121

World May wins vote, courts opposition L Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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ONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa -AY SURVIVED A NO CONkDENCE VOTE IN Parliament on Wednesday (Thursday in -ANILA TO REMAIN IN OFkCE BUT SAW MORE OF HER POWER EBB AWAY AS SHE BATTLED TO KEEP "REXIT ON TRACK AFTER LAWMAKERS DEMOLISHED her European Union divorce deal.

May won a narrow victory, 325 votes to 306 votes, on an opposition motion seeking to topple her government and trigger a general election.

Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back to Brexit, where May is caught between the rock of her own negotiating red lines

and the hard place of a Parliament that wants to force a radical change of course. !FTER DEFEATING THE NO CONkDENCE motion, May said she would hold talks â&#x20AC;&#x153;in a constructive spiritâ&#x20AC;? with leaders of opposition parties and

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

OTHER LAWMAKERS IN A BID TO kND A way forward for Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s EU exit.

She appeared outside her 10 Downing St. residence after meeting the leaders of several smaller parties. The prime minister named the parties in a statement in which she called on opposition politicians in Parliament to â&#x20AC;&#x153;put self-inTEREST ASIDEu AND kND A CONSENSUS on Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s path out of the EU. Legislators ripped up Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brexit blueprint Tuesday by rejecting the divorce agreement she has negotiated with the EU over the last two years. That it would lose was widely expected, but the

scale of the rout 432 votes to 202, the biggest government defeat in British parliamentary history was devastating for Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership and her Brexit deal.

Opposition Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn responded with the NO CONkDENCE MOTION AND URGED the government to â&#x20AC;&#x153;do the right thing and resign.â&#x20AC;?

May, who leads a fractious government, a divided Parliament and a gridlocked Brexit process, said she was staying put. May said an election â&#x20AC;&#x153;would deepen division when we need unity, it

would bring chaos when we need certainty, and it would bring delay when we need to move forward.â&#x20AC;?

The government survived Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vote with support from Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Conservative Party and its Northern Irish ally, the Democratic Unionist Party. Many pro-Brexit Conservatives who voted against Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deal, backed her in the no-confidence vote to avoid an election that could bring a left-wing Labor government to power.

Had the government lost, Britain would have faced a snap election within weeks, just before the country is due to leave

B7

the EUan Union on March 29.

May insisted that any new Brexit plan must â&#x20AC;&#x153;deliver on the referendum result,â&#x20AC;? which she has long interpreted to mean ending the free movement of workers to Britain from the EU and leaving the EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s single market and customs union.

Many lawmakers think a softer departure that retained single market or customs union membership is the only plan capable of winning a majority in Parliament. They fear the alternative is an abrupt â&#x20AC;&#x153;no-dealâ&#x20AC;? withdrawal from the bloc, which businesses and economists fear would cause turmoil.

AP

Nordic countries need more children OSLO: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Norway needs more children! I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I need to tell anyone how this is done,â&#x20AC;? Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prime minister said cheekily, but she was raising a real concern.

Too few babies are being born in the Nordic region.

The Nordic countries were long a bastion of strong fertility rates on an Old Continent that is rapidly getting older.

But they are now experiencing a decline that threatens their cherished welfare model, which is funded by taxpayers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the coming decades, we will encounter problems with this model,â&#x20AC;?

Prime Minister Erna Solberg warned Norwegians in her New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speech. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be fewer young people to bear the increasingly heavy burden of the welfare state.â&#x20AC;?

In Norway, Finland and Iceland, birth rates dropped to historic lows in 2017, with 1.49 to 1.71 children born per woman. Just a few years earlier, their birth rates hovered close to the 2.1 level required for their populations to remain stable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In all of the Nordic countries, birth rates started dropping in the years after the 2008 financial crisis,â&#x20AC;?

University of Oslo sociologist Trude Lappegard told AFP. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The crisis is over now but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still falling.â&#x20AC;?

From Copenhagen to the North Cape,

from Helsinki to Reykjavik, demographics across the Nordics reveal two things: there are fewer large families, and women are waiting longer before having their first child.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no single explanation, but financial uncertainty and a sharp rise in housing costs are seen as likely factors.

In the long term, this means there will be fewer people of working age to pay taxes that fund the generous state welfare systems.

These systems pay for, among other things, lengthy parental leaves, which in Sweden can last up to 480 days.

Experts present differing diagnoses and prescriptions to remedy the situation.

In Norway, one economist concerned about the effect the slowing demographics will have on economic growth has suggested giving women 500,000 kroner (50,000 euros, $58,550) in pension savings for each child born.

Another has suggested that, on the contrary, women in Norway who reach the age of 50 without having had a child should be paid one million kroner, since children also cost society a lot.

Finnish municipalities have already decided to loosen their purse strings to encourage locals to get busy under the covers.

AFP

Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State of the Union may be postponed WASHINGTON, D.C.: A grand Washington ritual became a potential casualty of the partial government shutdown as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked President Donald Trump to postpone his January 29 State of the Union speech. She cited concerns about whether the hobbled government can provide adequate security, but Republicans cast her move as a ploy to deny Trump the stage.

In a letter to Trump, Pelosi said that with both the Secret Service and the Homeland Security Department entangled in the shutdown, the president should speak to Congress another time or should deliver the address in writing.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen denied anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety is compromised, saying Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) that both agencies â&#x20AC;&#x153;are fully prepared to support and secure the State of the Union.â&#x20AC;?

Trump did not immediately respond to the request and the White House, thrown off guard by the move, had yet to offer ANY OFkCIAL RESPONSE HOURS LATER But GOP allies accused Pelosi of playing politics, with Republican Rep. Steve Scalise tweeting that Democrats are â&#x20AC;&#x153;only interested in obstructing @realDonaldTrump, not governing.â&#x20AC;?

Pelosi, who issued the customary invitation to Trump weeks ago, hit the president in a vulnerable place, as he delights in taking his message to the public and has been preparing for the address for weeks.

The uncertainty surrounding the speech also underscored the unraveling of ceremonial norms and niceties in Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Washington, with the shutdown in its fourth week, the White House

and Democrats in a stalemate AND THE IMPASSE DRAINING THE knances of hundreds of thousands of federal employees.

Pelosi left unclear what would happen if Trump insisted on coming despite the welcome mat being pulled away. It takes a joint resolution of the House and Congress to EXTEND THE OFkCIAL INVITATION AND set the stage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to have a security evaluation, but that would mean diverting resources,â&#x20AC;? she told reporters when asked how she would respond if Trump still intended to come. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how that could happen.â&#x20AC;?

0RESSURE ON 4RUMP INTENSIkED on the 26th day of the shutdown, as lawmakers from both parties scrambled for solutions. At the White House, Trump met a bipartisan group of lawmakers, as well as a group of Republican senators, but progress appeared elusive.

While his own advisers said the shutdown was proving a greater drag on the economy than expected, Trump showed no signs of BACKING OFF A kGHT THAT HE VIEWS AS vital for his core supporters.

On Wednesday, Trump signed LEGISLATION INTO LAW AFkRMING THAT the roughly 800,000 federal workers who have been going without pay will ultimately be compensated for their lost wages. That was the practice in the past.

As he weighs a response to Pelosi, Trump could not go forward with a State of the Union address in Congress without her blessing.

Donald Ritchie, former historian of the Senate, said that anytime a president comes to speak, it must be at the request of Congress.

Trump could opt to deliver a speech somewhere else, like the /VAL /FkCE BUT IT WOULD NOT HAVE the same ritualistic heft.

AP

HOPE OF HER SPECIES

Juliet, a Sehuencas water frog rediscovered in the wild in Bolivia, seen here during her quarantine as she acclimates to her new environment at the Museo de Historia Natural Alcide dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Orbigny in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Juliet will play a critical role in saving her species from extinction when she is introduced to Romeo, previously the last-known Sehuencas Water Frog, who has lived at the museum for the last 10 years. No frogs of this species have been seen in the wild during that time, until now. AFP PHOTO

Vietnam may host Trump, Kim summit ACCORDING to a report by the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, the US may suggest to hold the second US-North Korea summit in Vietnam next month. )N CHOOSING A VENUE FOR THE TALKS kRST THE SPOT should have the facilities to host such a high-level event and possess advanced electronic and communication infrastructure for live broadcasts. SecOND BECAUSE OF lIGHT RANGE RESTRICTION IT SHOULD be within 7,000 kilometers from Pyongyang.

Third, the place should be able to secure the safety of the US and North Korean delegation.

Fourth, the nation should not be so powerful to steal the show, since Trump used to be a host before and wants to stand out and North

Korea also hopes to attract global attention.

Fifth, it is supposed to be a developed country or one which is developing on a promising track.

Furthermore, politically, the nation should be on normal diplomatic terms with both Washington and Pyongyang, and hostile to neither.

Vietnam can meet all the requirements. There are top class hotels in the nation, which can comfortably accommodate delegation members. Hanoi has the experience of holding international events like the APEC forum.

The distance from Pyongyang to Hanoi IS WITHIN +IM S lYING RANGE 6IETNAM IS A one-party state, so it is easy to ensure security.

Hanoiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievements in Southeast Asia are

remarkable though it is not as developed as Singapore. It is considered one of the new Asian tigers, with economic growth of 7.08 percent last year. And Vietnam is not so HIGH PROkLE THAT IT WON T STEAL THE SHOW FROM Trump and Kim. There are still some conflicts on issues such as human rights between Washington and Hanoi, but generally, ties are normal as the Southeast Asian country has improved relations with the US, receiving support, especially on the South China Sea dispute.

At the end of last year, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho visited Hanoi.

GLOBAL TIMES

Chinese tourists now travel to Asia, after tiffs with West CHINESE tourists are not only lOCKING TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES like Japan and Thailand, but have shown loyalty to their favorite destinations with repeat visits and in-depth travel, as unstable political relations between China and some Western countries have dampened desire for more distant journeys.

Major domestic travel service providers are seeing a big uptick in demand for neighboring countries. Data sent by online travel provider Ctrip to the Global Times on Wednesday shows that Bangkok and Tokyo are the top two overseas travel destinations for Chinese travelers, with Seoul and the Thai island of Phuket snapping at their heels.

Data released by Lvmama also shows that in 2018, Chinese tourists favored surrounding countries like Japan, Thailand, Vietnam,

NEIGHBORLY Tourists, including some from China, wear kimonos in Kyoto, Japan. GLOBAL TIMES PHOTO Malaysia and Russia.

Data provided by China Spring Tour showed that they hosted some 380,000 Chinese tourists on organized tours to Thailand in 2018, compared with about

Worldinbriefs BLAST KILLS 4 AMERICANS, SYRIA PULLOUT QUESTIONED WASHINGTON, DC: A suicide bombing claimed by Islamic State militants killed at least 16 people, including two US service members and two American civilians, in northern Syria on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), just a month after President Donald Trump declared that IS had been defeated and he was pulling out US forces.

The attack in the strategic northeastern town of Manbij highlighted the threat posed by the Islamic State group despite Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claims. It could also complicate what had already become a messy withdrawal plan, with the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior advisers disagreeing with the decision and then offering an evolving timetable for the removal of the approximately 2,000 US troops.The attack, which also wounded three US troops, was the deadliest assault on US troops in Syria since American forces went into the country in 2015.

US TO ROLL OUT MISSILE DEFENSE PLAN WASHINGTON: The Trump administration will roll out a new strategy Thursday (Friday in Manila) for a more aggressive space-based missile defense system to protect against existing threats from North Korea and Iran and counter advanced weapon systems being developed by Russia and China. Details about the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Missile Defense Review, the first compiled since 2010, are expected to be released

350,000 the previous year. Travel to South Korea had also rebounded in the second half of 2018 as political tensions started to dissolve, the company disclosed.

Overall, Chinese tourists made

140 million visits to overseas countries and regions in 2018, up by 13.5 percent year-on-year, according to recent data released by the China Tourism Academy.

GLOBAL TIMES

during President Donald Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to the Pentagon with top members of his administration. The new review concludes that in order to adequately protect America, the Pentagon must expand defense technologies in space and use those systems to more quickly detect, track and ultimately defeat incoming missiles.

Recognizing the potential concerns surrounding any perceived weaponization of space, the strategy pushes for studies. No testing is mandated, and no final decisions have been made.

AP

LA TEACHERS UNION SEEKS HELP OF MAYOR IN TALKS LOS ANGELES: The head of the Los Angeles teachers union hinted at contract talks resuming Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) as striking educators in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second-largest school district protested outside hundreds of schools for a third day. United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl said the union had engaged Mayor Eric Garcetti to help in the dispute over pay, class sizes and support-staff levels that led to the first strike in 30 years and prompted the school district to staff classrooms with substitute teachers. Caputo-Pearl provided no further details. The mayor lacks authority over Los Angeles Unified School District, but he has been involved in seeking a resolution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have more information for you later in the day about the bargaining table and when weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting back to that bargaining table,â&#x20AC;? Caputo-Pearl told teachers rallying in the rain outside a high school. No details were announced by sundown.

AP

Agri Business Russian group to put up P8-B banana plantation B8

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

A

RUSSIAN business group was eyeing to develop an P8-billion banana plantation in the southern Philippines THIS YEAR A CABINET OFkCIAL SAID ON 4UESDAY In a press conference in Pasay City, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol told reporters that the group of businessmen from Russia was targeting to put up a banana plantation covering 5,000 to 20,000 hectares (has) of agricultural lands in Maguindanao.

PiĂąol said the Russian investors, through the help of the Department of Agriculture (DA), HAD INITIALLY IDENTIkED AN AREA OF 7,000 has to be planted with midland (5,000 has) and highland (2,000 has) Cavendish bananas.

He said the development was estimated at P1.2 million per ha,

translating to an initial investment of P8 billion.

The banana plantation, initially to be established in Camp Abubakar, Buldon in Maguindanao, is expected to be fully operational within the year.

PiĂąol explained that the Russian groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest to invest in Philippine agriculture was from the latterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need â&#x20AC;&#x153;to supply some of [Russiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food] requirements.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know this, but Russia has been buying Philippine bananas through China. So Chinese companies are the ones importing and [have them transported] to

EDITOR: Conrad M. CariĂąo

Russia,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So we have been indirectly exporting to Russia. This group would like to do it directly,â&#x20AC;?

PiĂąol added.

The agriculture chief also emphasized that the DAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to develop the billion worth of investments in Maguindanao was in line with President Rodrigo Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s directive to support the peace efforts in the Bangsamoro area. â&#x20AC;&#x153;DAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution could only be in the form of agricultural investments,â&#x20AC;? PiĂąol noted.

He described Camp Abubakar as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;wide area of formerly no manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landâ&#x20AC;? as it was previously a stronghold of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from 1999 to 2001.

PiĂąol said the area, given that it is crisscrossed by rivers, was also an ideal place for solar-powered irri-

Vizcaya agri trading center boosts marketing system

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya: In a move to expand its services, the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT) is pursuing a pro-farmer marketing SYSTEM TO BENEkT LOWLAND AND UPland vegetable and fruit producers in the province.

In the mid 2000s, NVAT, with a 6.5-hectare facility located in Barangay Almaguer North along the national road here, was established through the support of the Department of Agriculture (DA) with an initial funding of $1 million. It was established to serve as the major drop-off point and trading center for vegetables and fruits from farmers in the 15 municipalities in the area.

NVAT also aims to assist producers in Nueva Vizcaya and adjoining provinces to improve their productivity AND PROkTABILITY BY OFFERING A FACILITY where they can engage in trading, processing, storing and marketing, NVAT now also provides market channels for their agricultural and non-agricultural products and services.

Gilbert Cumila, NVAT general manager, said that after adopting and introducing various initiatives that

help producers market their produce, NVAT this time was recommending new strategies to expand farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; marketing schemes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While encouraging farmers become consolidators and buyers, our recommendations include expansion of marketing areas, calendar production system, improvement of post-harvest handling such as packing, sorting and transporting, reduction of marketing channels while engaging farmers cooperatives and associations into trading through contracts,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Cumila added the recommendations were in addition to NVATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s provision of an agricultural terminal equipped with an administrative building, covered stalls, bay area, loading and unloading building, wash and sort area, guardhouse, function room, water system, waste disposal system, and parking area.

Emerging as a major supplier of quality vegetables in the country, Nueva Vizcaya recently hosted the First Regional Vegetable Congress in Cagayan Valley (Region 2). According to the DA, the province provides at least 78 percent to the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vege-

table production.

During the congress, Cumila, also Cagayan Valley Vegetable Industry Council (CVVIC) president, said their RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD ALSO BENEkT farmers and help them prevent losses in relation to the effects of the law of supply and demand.

He said NVAT had already succeeded in lessening government control of the agri-trading center in the province, while maintaining its support. NVAT is a public-private partnership project.

Cumila said NVAT would also be engaging enterprising Novo Vizcayanos as buyers of NVAT products, assist them to deliver directly to market areas, and equip them with new vegetable marketing systems that are applicable to the Filipino culture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many of our members are now using their new pick-up vehicles in bringing their products to their desired market places, and that they are increasing in number,â&#x20AC;? he said adding that they would also propose inter-trading among producers and cooperatives, and the establishment of trading centers within or near Metro Manila.

Cumila said NVAT was now one

gation systems (SPIS) that could help increase banana production. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People from there account that production in the area, because of fertile lands, is double the production at low land,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Following their visit to the area on Monday, a formal meeting will be held on January 24 to be attended by the MILF Central Committee, leaders of the landowners and representatives of the Russian business group to discuss the arrangements between the investors and the landowners.

According to PiĂąol, the project was expected to employ about 10,000 workers, most of whom were former rebel combatants and their children.

The Russian business group also expressed interest in venturing into aquaculture production in the Polloc Cove off the town of Parang, Maguindanao.

Q An aerial view of the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

of the biggest suppliers of agricultural products of Nepa Q Mart, MuĂąoz Market, and Divisoria in the National Capital Region.

Recent improvements made on the facilities include the concreting of a 1,000-meter road, a windmill project, and building of infrastructure and faCILITIES FOR THE CUT lOWER INDUSTRY AND organic food and vegetables.

Robert Olinares, DA-High Value Commercial Crops Development Program coordinator, said that with the improvements made by NVAT as pro-farmer entity, it was high time it expanded its services for its farmer-clients.

Olinares said NVATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible and feasible expansion projects were the establishment of an auction market, information center for baseline data storage, research, and sharing and development of ginger production areas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can also become a host to the yearly national fruits and vegetable summit to promote our products and further establish additional market LINKS FOR THE BENEkT OF OUR FARMERS u THE $! OFkCIAL SAID LEANDER C. DOMINGO

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Searca, Thai school eye program for poor farmers BANGKOK, Thailand: The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) based in the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) and Kasetsart University (KU) in Thailand held initial discussions on how to help poor Southeast Asian farmers, with the aim of combining the centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach to promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development (ISARD) and the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Knowledge of the Land Program anchored on the late King Bhumibol Adulyadejâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP).

Gil Saguiguit Jr. PhD, Searca senior fellow and former director, presented his concept proposal on the new regional PROGRAM HE DEVELOPED 4HE OFkcials present at the meeting were Chongrak Wachrinrat PhD, KU acting president, and Buncha Chinnasri PhD, assistant to the KU president. They were joined

by UPLB Chancellor Fernando Sanchez Jr., also concurrent chair of the Searca Governing Board, AND !DORACION 2OBLES OFkCER IN CHARGE OF THE 3EARCA /FkCE OF THE Deputy Director Administration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dr. Saguiguit, the KU president expressed great interest in the proposed program and suggested that the full detailed program design be formulated as soon as possible.

Dr. Chongrak also supported Dr. Saguiguitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s idea of forming a task force composed of representatives from Searca, KU and UPLB for this purpose,â&#x20AC;? Searca said in a statement. g4HE 4HAI MODEL OF SUFkCIENCY economy aims to transform the mindset of a whole population while enriching the lives of all the people in a sustainable way. It is promoted by the Thai govern-

ment and applied by more than 20,000 villages in the country,â&#x20AC;? it added.

For its part, Searca has been promoting the ISARD model that puts into action lessons, concepts, good agricultural practices, and technologies drawn from its more than 50year experience in agricultural r e s e a r c h a n d d e ve l o p m e n t (ARD) in the region. There are two sites in the Philippines where the ISARD model is being piloted.

Saguiguit explained that the new collaboration, meant to promote ARD in selected Southeast Asian countries, â&#x20AC;&#x153;will combine expertise and resources of Searca, KU and UPLB to bear on the plight of resource poor farmers as they try to eke out a living from their limited land which oftentimes are affected by drought, flooding, and climate change.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Other problems include lack of knowledge and access to EFkCIENT TECHNOLOGIES AND BEST farming practices, access to markets, support infrastructure, and farm inputs, among others. These are especially pronounced in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam [CMLV] and Timor-Leste,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The joint program aims to promote SEP and upscale aligned models of ISARD in other Southeast Asian countries through an awareness program, capacity building and knowledge sharing, networking and social learning, and action research. Initially, the target countries are CLMV plus Timor-Leste.

At the same time, the new regional ARD program is envisioned to internationalize the LINKAGES AND INlUENCE OF 3EARCA

KU and UPLB in Southeast Asia.

CONRAD M. CARIĂ&#x2018;O

Students to kick off 13th forestry competition STUDENTS from various colleges and universities are set to take part in the 13th National Forestry Olympiad (NFO) that will be held at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) on February 18 to 22.

Organized by the UP Zeta Beta Rho Honor Fraternity and the UP Mussaenda Honor Sorority, the NFO is a scholastic competition among students from different forestry schools in the country.

It is a venue to showcase their skills in surveying, mensuration, taxonomy, identification of tree diseases, seed identification, and wood identification.

The contestants also compete in quizzes on forestry and the environment.

The NFO was launched in 1994 and is conducted every two years at the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources in Los BaĂąos, Laguna. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NFO is more than just a battle of the brains and skills of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brightest students in forestry and related programs. It also promotes linkages among forestry students and the institutions they represent, as well as higher sense of environmentalism and commitment for the conservation and sustainable

management of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forest and natural resources,â&#x20AC;? the fraternity and sorority said in a joint statement.

The teams participating in the NFO take part in seven events, with the top three getting the highest percentages/ scores declared the champion, which will be given P20,000 cash prize, trophy and medals. The first runner-up wins P15,000 plus trophy and medals, and the second runner-up P10,000 and trophy and medals.

CONRAD M. CARIĂ&#x2018;O

Agencies see vast potential for local coconut water production TWO agencies under the Department of Agriculture see the vast potential for coconut water to become a healthy alternative to soft drinks.

Ofero CapariĂąo PhD, chief of the Bioprocessing Engineering from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), said that while young coconut water is relatively sweeter, water from matured coconuts had more electrolytes like potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus.

Also, pasteurized coconut water can last up to 21 days. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Three to four hours after you open the nut, coco water will start

to ferment. After six hours, the sweetness will start to degrade making it sour. But when chilled, it can last up to three days. But what we want is to prolong it more by undergoing pasteurization below boiling point of water for 1 minute. By doing so, the pasteurized coco water can last 21 days stored under chilled condition,â&#x20AC;? CapariĂąo explained.

The temperature recommended for pasteurization ranges from 132 to 149 degrees Celsius.

PhilMech and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) have been cooperating in the project to develop the technology, enterprise

Q Ofero CapariĂąo PhD (extreme right) of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization holds samples of the coconut water extracted by a machine developed by the agency. Also in photo are the scientists/researchers involved in the project. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

system and marketing for coco water. CapariĂąo said the potential volume of coconut water that could be recovered in the Philippines was about 2.4 billion liters per year.

From 2013 to 2015, through the project â&#x20AC;&#x153;Development and Performance Evaluation of a Village Level Coconut Water Processing System,â&#x20AC;? CapariĂąoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group at PhilMech developed a village level coconut water processing system capable of processing 2,000 nuts into about 2,000 350-milliliter bottles per day.

In 2016, CapariĂąoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group, together with project leader Gigi Calica PhD, senior science re-

search specialist from PhilMech, implemented the project â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pilot Testing of Coconut Water Processing Enterprise in Selected Areas of the Philippines,â&#x20AC;? funded by BAR through its National Technology Commercialization Program.

She said the objective of the project was to pilot test the PhilMech-developed village level coconut water processing system integrated to a virgin coconut oil (VCO) processing center.

CapariĂąo said that the by-product of harvesting coconut water was coco meat, which could be processed into VCO. CONRAD M. CARIĂ&#x2018;O

~

The Manila Times FRIDAY January 18, 2019 facebook@BoardRoomWatch

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Peter Fung

GENERAL MANAGER, LING NAM WANTON PARLOR PRESIDENT, TARZANA CORP.

DUTIFUL SON CARRIES ON A 70-YEAR-OLD LEGACY PROMOTING TASTY CHINESE CUISINE

THREE APOSTLES The second of three boys and one girl, Peter and his brothers James and John were named after the apostles who accompanied Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.

CELEBRITY HUB When competition was still scarce, showbiz folk were seen dining at Ling Nam, including Ric Rodrigo, Rita Gomez and Eddie Garcia and later, Richard and Lucy Gomez, Imee Marcos and Chris Tiu.

CRAVINGS Fung observes that his customers are so loyal that many of them make Ling Nam their first stop after theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve arrived from an overseas trip. They just have to have their noodle fix.

Noodle King

WILD ABOUT THAT BOWL OF WANTON

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BY LEAH C. SALTERIO Photos by Harvey Tapan

Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direct or indirect competition, you cannot stop it. I just make sure that my product survives. You have to constantly reinvent

of

A â&#x20AC;&#x153;GREENHORNâ&#x20AC;? IS HOW PETER Fung describes himself when he embarked on upholding the family legacy of Ling Nam, the popular noodle house marking its 70th anniversary next year.

He was a business management major at De La Salle University when he started out as a manager in the enterprise set up by his father Tomas, becoming President in 1984 upon completing his MBA at the Asian Institute of Management in 1983. To prepare further for the long term, he earned a Certified General Accounting at the University of Toronto in 1989.

Treasured recipe The second in a brood of four, he has been the only one managing and running all the branches of Ling Nam

Take a piece of beauty home with you with the latest in art, jewelry, skincare and child care products page C3

for more than three decades now. His eldest brother, James, is in Toronto.

Only sister, Maryann, is in Los Angeles. The youngest, John, lives in Zurich. All three boys are named after Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; three disciples, who accompanied Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.

He is married to Evelyn Uy, with whom he has two daughters, Pauline Erika and Trisha Ariane.

Fung may be holding the fort in Manila, but the responsibility to continue his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work has been a great source of pride for him. Derived from the words â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ling,â&#x20AC;? meaning mountain and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nam,â&#x20AC;? meaning south, Ling Nam combined refers to a mountain range in the southern part of the Chinese province of Guangdong where the world-famous Cantonese cuisine it offers originated.

What has made Ling Nam a household name is its savory beef wanton noodle, a signature recipe treasured by the Fung family. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That

instantly clicked with the customers looking for a hot, tasty meal,â&#x20AC;? its scion explains.

Fung was still in school in 1975 when Ling Nam conducted an unprecedented growth program. From the original restaurant in Binondo on Teodora Alonzoâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;still existing to this dayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it branched out to Glorietta, Makati. In 1977, Ling Nam opened at Shoppesville in the Greenhills Shopping Center, followed by the Ermita branch a year later. In 1979, Ling Nam in Harrison Plaza started operations, followed by another branch at Makati Cinema Square. To date, there are other branches in Banawe and Shopwise in Commonwealth (both in Quezon City), Lucky Chinatown in Binondo and in San Juan City. There are also branches in Cedar Peak, Baguio City and Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

Fung narrates: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the eighties, we opened 11 more branches, but we

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keep in view Business leaders to watch out for page C4

BRW Issue88 0118 Peter Fung.indd 1

17/01/2019 12:24 AM

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The Manila Times C 2

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

Q Peter Fung FROM C1

Noodle King faced a lot of problems. I took care of Ling Nam’s expansion through the years. I lost money, I spent a lot, but that’s the way the business is.

“When you audit the company, you will really see the problems. God has been testing me, but He has consistently been good to the business and the family.”

Hands on boss In the days when the dining scene was not as chock-a-block with competition, showbiz stars such as Ric Rodrigo, Rita Gomez and Eddie Garcia frequented the branch in Binondo. In recent years, more celebrities like Imee Marcos, ER Ejercito, Chris Tiu and handsome couple, Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres, were spotted dining in other Ling Nam outlets.

As the business patriarch, Fung is very hands on in running Ling Nam. He determines the pricing and even handles the payroll for employees.

“The secretary only does the basic list, but I do the inputting and I make sure that every single centavo goes to the right employee.” For store operations, he delegates that to his operations personnel. As much as possible, he visits all the branches during the week, averaging one branch a day.

“With the traffic, I cannot afford to go around all the branches in one day,” he says ruefully.

Normally, the problem in every branch varies. Yet, Fung has managed to keep things humming through the years. Last year, the sales of Ling Nam’s branch in Shopwise Com-

monwealth, Quezon City, suffered from the start of the construction of the LRT 7 station. “It was right smack into our branch,” he says. “Our earnings (for that branch) went down by 30 percent. You cannot anticipate government development like that.

But we didn’t close down. Tiniis ko lang. [I just live with it].”

Another significant headache is the wear-and-tear of equipment.

“The freezers and chillers often break down, and you need to reconstitute them,” Fung also narrates. “Sira ang air-conditioner [the air-conditioner conks out]. You have to address the repair to the point of replacing it.

There is non-stop spending on repair or even buying new equipment.”

Facilities in Lucky Chinatown can be a headache, too, at times. He says: “Sewer and drainage are two different lines. Sometimes, we shut down (the branch) for one or two hours just to clean up.”

Meanwhile, Sunday is a slow day at Ling Nam in San Juan where Boardroom Watch conducted the interview.

Fung remarks: “The place is small. But the rent is not too big, so that’s not a problem for us. Our biggest branch is Banawe. Baguio is a nice branch.”

Need for firmness Despite the hassles, Fung insists that he rarely loses his cool. “If you get mad, you will die early. Employees who are hard-headed and those who do not report for work can give you problems.

“Fortunately, majority of my staff and employees are easy to deal with and manage. There are some who have been with us for 35 to 40 years.

Customers look for them. There are others who passed away even when they were still working with us.”

In the eighties, we opened more branches and faced lots of of problems. I took care of Ling Nam’s expansion through the years. I lost and spent a lot, but that’s the way business is

SURVIVOR’S STORY. The only one of his family left in Manila, Fung has overseen and charted the Ling Nam journey with grit and dedication

KEEPING COOL THROUGH THE YEARS Hassles such as the airconditioning breaking down and high staff turnover are “part of the business” and have made Peter Fung philosophical. His reasons…

Q If you get mad, you die early.

Q When pilferage happens, you charge it to the employee– through his tips, not salary deduction. So he or she can manage it.

Q You always have to be firm BEST SELLERS. Fung and his wife Evelyn Uy hold up some all-time favorites

even with your key people. But I don’t terminate. I just warn or suspend people. You have to understand where they’re coming from.

Pilferage is an unavoidable problem that he continues to deal day in and day out. “You do inventory and when you find out the variants, you charge it to the employee. Through his tips, not through salary deduction. So hindi mabigat [it’s not painful for him or her to bear.]”

Fung recalls other disciplinary measures, saying: “One casserole of beef, weighing 10 kilos, was left lying around and it spoiled. You charge that to the one who’s at fault. He learns from this incident. If you are very brutal or inhuman to your employees, they will not love their work.

“You have to be firm–even your key people fight. But I don’t terminate. I just warn or suspend some people. You have to understand where they are coming from. They are your key people.”

Turnover of personnel is another major migraine. Says Fung: “All my employees are regular. Sometimes, it gets so disappointing when my people get pirated by headhunters for work overseas. Some of them set sail to work in Thailand, the Middle East or even Canada. I think in our business, it’s non-stop recruitment.

Employees go to other noodle houses, Chinese restaurants or fast-food chains. There’s constant change. The industry is not small, but it’s also not big. The people simply go around for work or better opportunities.”

Constant reinvention Q In our business, it’s non-stop recruitment. Get used to it.

Change is constant. People go around for better opportunities.

TIMELESS TASTIES. Picks of celebrities and non-celebrities alike, Home-Made Tofu with Three Kinds of Mushrooms and Sweet and Sour Pork

BRW Issue88 0118 Peter Fung.indd 2

In dealing with competition, Fung believes that you have to take it as it comes. “Either direct or indirect competition, you cannot stop it. I just make sure that my product survives the competition. You have to constantly reinvent.”

He’s learned to adapt to millennial customers, who boast different consuming habits. “They don’t go for big servings. Their pockets cannot afford it, so they share. Instead of one

full meal, they’d go for pica-pica or combination.” Through the years, Fung beams that Ling Nam has never deviated from its successful business formulation for the past 70 years. “We never change,” he insists. “Noodles, siopao and siomai, that’s our core. To this day, we make our own noodles and we still use egg.

“People returning from overseas visit Ling Nam. Sometimes, it’s as soon as their plane touches down at the airport. We’re their first stop.”

Ling Nam also doesn’t rely on multi-million advertising campaigns to promote the business. Neither does it compromise or scrimp on materials, ingredients or flavor for its products. “Our siopao is 100 percent pure beef,” Fung declares.

“We don’t use extenders. It’s easy to camouflage and just add flavoring. How can you eat a siomai, four pieces, for only P25? Our siomai is P35 per piece. We started offering a smaller size. Young people prefer a smaller siopao or siomai.”

Ling Nam also uses soup bones for its soup. “We never use powder,” Fung reveals. “We use beef brisket for our wanton noodles, so it’s really tasty.”

It’s no wonder that Ling Nam remains one of the top players in the food industry when it comes to Chinese noodle cuisine. Fung remembers his father’s sage advice, which may account for Ling Nam’s longevity. “Always maintain the quality standards that our company is known for,” the old man told his offspring. “Never compromise on quality even with rising food prices. We would rather lose to our business competitors, standing up for our standards and principles than compromise and ruin our good name.”

To this day, this philosophy is kept by his dutiful son, a commitment that brings pleasure and satisfaction to millions of loyal customers.

17/01/2019 12:24 AM

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The Manila Times FRIDAY January 18, 2019

C 3

FANCIFUL KNICK-KNACKS Les Néréides The 30-year-old French brand takes center stage with the Automne-Hiver 2019 collection.

The selection features an array of colorful jewelry pieces with flora and fauna themes, all of which were inspired by journeys that its makers, Pascale and Enzo Amaddeo, have taken. Les Néréides introduces another collection for the younger market called N2. Made for young, unique girls not afraid to express themselves, the pieces feature unicorns, mermaids, Beauty and the Beast as well as the Grumpy Cat.

of

Take a piece of beauty home with you with the latest in art, jewelry, skincare and child care products

Les Néréides is located at Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 3, SM Megamall and SM Aura. For more information, follow them on Facebook at Les Nereides Philippines and on Instagram @lesnereidesparis_ philippines.

WHEN EDWIN MET ERIK Edwin Wilwayco Exhibit

An Edwin Wilwayco painting is always an event…an engagement.

The Rhode-Island based maestro, who returns yearly to Manila, invites the public to Conversations with Satie, his latest collection of dramatic lyrical paintings. Only this time, the method he employs involves a subtle collage method, inspired by and evoking the physical sensation of music. In these paintings the musical philosophical seed is the French composer, Erik Satie (1866-1925).

Ensconced within the painting is a variety of mixed-media materials such as varied-size fragments of paper, plastic and fabric that enliven the visual dialogue, giving the surface a sculptural tonality and evoke the surrealist notions related to space and time in Satie’s music. What’s more, Conversations with Satie highlights interaction with the viewer, who is welcome to form his own interpretation and insights and inject meaning into Wilwayco’s works. This puts the viewer in control.

Wilwayco’s earlier compositions containing the musical theme include Homage to Vivaldi, Symphony for Robert, Scherzo: Beethoven, Homage to Bach, Scherzo: Chopin and others that are discussed in Scherzo: Abstract Music in Wilwayco’s retrospective catalogue. Wilwayco is also inspired by the art of Jazz music, but it is within the classical composers where he finds the ideas that direct his painting voice.

Wilwayco, who already enjoyed a fulfilling career before he hied off to the US in 2008, wants to emphasize that abstract painting has the power to stimulate in us the unexpected freedom to explore our own personal creativity and most of all, to have fun. “Painting is Discovery” is his enduring mantra.

“Conversations by Satie,” showcasing the latest works of Edwin Wilwayco, runs from February 8 to 27 at Galerie Roberto at Molito Lifestyle Extension Bldg. 7, Madrigal Ave., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

ASIAN SENSATION Beautiqa Beauty and skin health buffs now have access to the latest top-of-theline skincare and specialty products, with Beautiqa’s Shangri-La Plaza flagship store. The beauty line features Boyan-I, one of Korea’s best probiotic brands, which restores the skin’s natural balance and fortifies natural barriers to lock in moisture and defend against infections.

Beautiqa showcases Fillerina skincare that takes care of deep wrinkles and lines and offers Day and Night creams as well as Eye & Lip Contour cream.

Beautiqa is located on the 3rd floor of Shangri-La Plaza’s Main Wing. To learn more, call +63 908 886 8542 or email beautiqa@vizcarrapharma.com.

BABY WHISPERER Orange and Peach x Rustan’s The homegrown local brand that specializes in helping every Filipino mother provide the best care for their babies recently launched a partnership with Rustan’s Department Store.

Orange and Peach introduced their battery-operated Nasal Cleaner, which gently and effectively removes mucus to relieve nasal congestion.

Other products range from breastfeeding essentials, health and safety, bathing and grooming.

Orange and Peach is available at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Gateway, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center and Rustan’s Cebu. To learn more, visit Rustans.com.ph.

BRW Issue88 0118 Peter Fung.indd 3

17/01/2019 12:24 AM

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The Manila Times EDITOR: Margie T. Logarta DESIGN: Jose Ricardo G. Velarde

Q keep in view Business leaders to watch out for

Aurelio “Rely” San Agustin PRESIDENT AND CEO RSA 1 GROUP INC..

Multi-awarded athlete Rely San Agustin heads a sports marketing and events outfit that’s also committed to developing “the beautiful game” in the country. His strategy is to raise its profile and popularity through a series of football communities

Pitching to the grassroots

By MARGIE T. LOGARTA Photos By Harvey Tapan WHEN AURELIO “RELY” SAN Agustin tells us that he was Team Captain and goalkeeper of the Ateneo Football Team, which clinched the UAAP 1996 Champions title, we are hardly surprised. Those familiar with the sport know that the position comes with hefty responsibility and the ability to see the action on the pitch from a vantage location.

Rely, who exudes unmistakable self-assurance, says: “You’re the last line of defense, so you can’t afford to make a mistake. The players can make a mistake and they can still recover.

“You have to be both calm and somewhat arrogant. You see everything that’s happening, and if you’re confident and strong, that really affects the players and makes them confident too and able to deliver.” For such coolness under fire, San Agustin was named UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) Best Goalkeeper in 1996 and 1997.

Fast forward, Rely now heads RS 1 Group–“1” the number he sported on his jersey–a sports marketing and events management consultancy that’s committed to sports development, and especially targeting the grassroots.

“As we (meaning he and his wife and also a former athlete Danii) did events for clients and the years went by, we started to realize that the aspect of sports development grew in appeal and became more fulfilling for us.”

It was uplifting to see the kids playing in a professional manner in a well-organized tournament.

More so, when parents commended you for doing ‘a great job’

Showing off some goalkeeper moves at the new Aboitiz Lipa pitch

BRW Issue88 0118 Peter Fung.indd 4

He recalls a stint with Nike from 2002 to 2005 where seeing the kids receive their uniforms and footwear made him beyond happy. “It was uplifting to see them playing well and in a professional manner in a well-organized tournament. More so, when parents commended you for doing ‘a great job.’”

While part Filipino-part European football players Alphonse Areola and David Alaba (actually half Filipino-half Nigerian but born in Vienna) are making waves in international circles, the dream, according to San Agustin, “is to develop someone here and have him scouted.” Probably, it’s only sports aficionados who would know that the country once had a home-grown football star who shone on foreign fields. Paulino Alcantara, a Spanish Filipino born in Iloilo in 1886, spent most of his career as a forward for FC Barcelona.

What will it take to nurture a future Pinoy Beckham?

Rely outlines the situation, saying: “The Philippine Football Federation is doing all it can, while the private sector, through top executives who used to play or be in sports, are willing to sponsor and get behind the programs.”

While the market is replete with event organizers, a number of whom are also promoting sports activities, Rely believes his keen edge lies in his sports background and wide-ranging contacts in this arena. “We’re on the ground, and we’ve been able to talk to the teams and the players. We know what they want and what their expectations are.”

RSA 1 Group does not lack as well in public relations and marketing ser-

ABOUT ME ROLE MODEL My father, Dr. Rafael N. San Agustin. I learned from him the values of generosity, kindness and devotion to helping people.

GOALS Make an impact on Philippine sports, especially football and basketball.

FIRST PAYING JOB Business Development at Philippine Wireless Inc. (Pocketbell).

MORNING ROUTINE Read current sports news online both local and international. I need to be updated at all times.

SPECIAL SKILLS Ability to think two steps ahead. This allows me to anticipate all possible scenarios that can happen in an event. I train my people to always visualize what will happen in order to develop this skill.

TIME YOU SPEND ON SOCIAL MEDIA At least two to three hours a day intermittently.

vices as well, he makes sure to add.

With basketball still the dominant sport among Filipinos, Rely knows there’s still quite a way for football to attract the paying droves.

Nine years have passed since the Azkals (nickname of the Philppine National Football Team) beat Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup of 2010, sparking an unprecedented interest in sport that attendance in football schools tripled and media could not get enough of the new heroes and the game. Unfortunately, fans have proven fickle.

Rely explains: “The football hype has fizzled. Interest has left the mass population and has stayed on with just the football aficionados.

“Currently, the Azkals are on the biggest stage of Asian football via the AFC Asian Football Cup. First time in history, the Philippines is part of this prestigious tournament.

However, local support is not there.

There has been no all-out promotions to support our beloved Azkals.

That’s the harsh reality–football has lost steam in the local scene, and we need to get this back on track. But we remain hopeful.”

With that optimism, Rely and his team are determined to raise awareness and appreciation for “the beautiful game” by going back to the basics. His wife Danii chimes in saying: “We’ll capitalize on our grassroots tradition. Interest in football can be community driven and so can sponsorship. Local football clubs can be formed out of this.”

RSA 1 Group has several feathers under its cap, having handled activities such as Jr. NBA 2017 and 2018, NBA 3X 2017, Ronaldo “O’ Fenomeno” in Shanghai Tour and YKK Asia Football Clinic 2018. But undoubtedly a topper is the contract to manage the facilities of the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa, Batangas. The unique synthetic football turf in the Outlets complex can accommodate two games simultaneously.

This state-of-the-art venue will definitely help RSA 1 Group ramp up its advocacy of promoting football to the masses, allowing them to hold clinics and camps and certainly, more matches. Says Danii: “We’ll see how we can develop communities here in Batangas, and from there, get the best of the crop to develop further.”

Rely’s three children have expectedly absorbed his passion for the outdoors and strenuous activity. Mikaela, 22, was into football in high school, but now focuses on her singing career as “Mix Fenix.” Olivia, 9, plays football too, but is soon planning to take up tennis, while Raul, 8, plays football and basketball. Both children are training with the Brazilian Soccer Schools.

“Very competitive,” is how Rely describes the younger two. But getting them to add perspective and maturity to this trait is an ongoing process, he and Danii admit. “They get frustrated when they lose, but that’s something they will have to get used to,” says their dad.

Meanwhile, resisting a parent’s (and athlete’s) tendency to intervene upon seeing his child encounter disappointment–and sometimes, even violence–on the pitch is also a challenge for Rely. “We have to let them be, let them figure out what to do and let the coach handle them.

“They learn that you could lose one day and win the next. It’s a different day every day.”

What a great classroom a football pitch makes indeed!

17/01/2019 12:24 AM

Sports

D1 FRIDAY JANUARY 18, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Q Adrien Broner faces the media during Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final news conference held at the David Copperfield Theater inside the MGM Resorts Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. PHOTO BY WENDELL ALINEA

Fortune sees Broner quitting

BY JJOSEF OSEF OS EF T. T. RAMOS RAMO RA MOS S

M

ANNY PACQUIAOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune said he believes Adrien Broner will quit before the completion of HIS WORLD TITLE kGHT AGAINST THE &ILIPINO 7ORLD "OXING Association welterweight champion on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Broner problems A

DRIEN â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE PROBLEMâ&#x20AC;? BRONER is younger by eleven years compared to the forty-year-old Manny Pacquiao and is on record for being the second youngest (age 26) boxer to win four division championships. Broner has never been the recipient of a knockout defeat and was, at one point in his career, considered the second coming of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Broner should be the favorite against Pacquiao, but such is not the case. Many boxing experts are even betting the rent money on Pacquiao becoming the first boxer to stop Broner.

Broner (33-3, 1 draw, 24 knockouts) IS ENTERING THE kGHT WITH THE NEGATIVE connotations of his nickname. He is only 29 years old, but appears shopworn because of his troubles in and out of the ring. Heck, just a few weeks BEFORE THE kGHT "RONER WAS ACTUALLY arrested for failing to appear in court for a driving-related case.

In the ring, Broner is 0-1-1 (0 win, 1 loss, 1 draw) in his last three kGHTS (E BARELY DEFEATED BY SPLIT decision the limited Adrian Granados in February 2017 and was thereafter beaten by Mikey Garcia (July 2017) and held to a draw by Jessie Vargas (April 2018). While exceptional in the junior lightweight (130 lbs.) and lightweight (135 lbs.) divisions, Broner has struggled in the junior welterweight (140 lbs.) and welterweight (147 lbs.) categories.

Broner has been having problems keeping his weight in check. Of the 4 division titles he won, Broner lost 3 on the weighing scale. The weight issues arguably reveal the degree of Bronerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedication when it comes to getting in shape.

Broner takes pride in having a style patterned after Mayweather. Bronerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offense is anchored on counterpunching while he relies on the shoulder roll for his defense.

Then again, copying Mayweatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style has been more of a curse for Broner. Not a few actually see Broner as a poor manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s version of Mayweather.

Broner packages himself as a coun-

terpuncher, but it takes him almost an eternity to unload. He waits so long and rarely throws combinations. Broner has powER IN HIS kSTS BUT RELIES on single shots instead of putting his punches together. This explains why Broner struggles against sluggers.

High-octane puncher Marcos Maidana literally bamboozled Broner in winning a unanimous decision in December 2013. Mikey Garcia, while more known as a counterpuncher, changed his approached and threw punches in bunches to defeat Broner on points.

Bronerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense is actually a loose imitation of Mayweatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Philly shell or shoulder roll. Mayweather has perfected the shoulder roll; adeptly deflecting an opponentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s punch by rolling his shoulder up.

Mayweather lifts his shoulder to the extent of almost rubbing his foeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face. By doing this, Mayweather does NOT ONLY DElECT THE BLOW BUT EXPOSES the unguarded face of his foe for the counter shot. It is defense instantly becoming offense.

Bronerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s version sees his shoulder a bit stiff, to the extent that he is almost turning his back instead of using the shoulder to just roll with the opponentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s punch. As a result, Broner develops balance issues and becomes vulnerable to a volume puncher.

Bronerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relative inactivity (only one fight recorded in 2018) going into the Pacquiao fight has again triggered issues about his physical condition. This may just be the tip of the iceberg: Broner actually announced his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;retirementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in June 2018 via Instagram. The announcement was rather bizarre as he also posted an image that contained the troublesome words â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to live no more.â&#x20AC;?

Broner is looking at the Pacquiao kGHT AS HIS LAST TICKET TO REDEMPTION AND stardom. Make no mistake, a motivated and fully conditioned Broner is a legitimate threat, but truth be told it has been quite a while since boxing fans saw the real Broner. You can say that Pacquiao intends to keep the status quo.

BOXER SHORTS

ED TOLENTINO

Fortune said the 40-year-old eight-division world champion Pacquiao is too fast and too strong for the American challenger. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see Broner takes the ton of punishment t h a t M a n ny Pa c q u i a o w i l l deliver,â&#x20AC;? the Australian told The Manila Times via overseas call. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know what I mean, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see that and I think Broner will quit.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone else that Manny has fought you see the re-

sult. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see Broner taking that sort of punishment.

M a n ny â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s p owe r a n d s p e e d is tremendous. I believe he (Broner) will quit because he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take that sort of beating,â&#x20AC;? he added.

And while PacMan is again RAZOR SHARP &ORTUNE EXPLAINED that they would not be looking for a knockout. Pacquiao won via seventh round TKO against Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in July 15 last YEAR Â&#x2021;HIS kRST VICTORY BY WAY OF

knockout after nine years. g7E ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A knockout. If knockout comes, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great,â&#x20AC;? added Fortune.

Pacquiao will no longer have sparring sessions but just light training until Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s formal weigh in according to Fortune. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good, everyone is good and everyone is fine, Buboy [Fernandez] is good, Freddie [Roach] is good, and everyone is doing their job. It is a very, very good camp. Manny is happy,â&#x20AC;? said Fortune.

D2

Sports

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Harden sizzles in loss to Nets, Warriors outgun Pelicans L OS ANGELES: James Harden scored a season-high 58 points and the Houston Rockets shot an NBA record 70 three point attempts, but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough to beat the Brooklyn Nets in overtime on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Nets spoiled Hardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s huge scoring night with a 145-142 win. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The man had 60 and we won,â&#x20AC;?

Dinwiddie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big-time for a young group.â&#x20AC;?

Harden had his second straight season high after scoring 57 in a victory over Memphis on Monday.

Houston made just 23 of their record 70 three point attempts.

Harden has scored at least 30 points in 18 straight games and has reached 40 in nine of the last 12.

(E kNISHED OF OVERALL FROM THE kELD MADE OF FREE THROWS AND HAD 10 rebounds and a half dozen assists.

But he was disappointed that his team surrendered a seven-point lead in overtime. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frustrating. Very frustrating,â&#x20AC;? Harden said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were small. .... we had a couple of mistakes out there near the end.

But give them credit,

they made some big shots.â&#x20AC;?

The Rockets broke their own record for three-point attempts after shooting 61 against New Orleans in December 2016. Houston also holds the record for most three-pointers made after hitting 26 in a win over Washington this season.

Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving scored 27 points and had a career-high 18 assists as the Boston Celtics snapped a threegame losing streak with a 117-108 win over the Toronto Raptors in a battle of two Eastern Conference heavyweights.

Irving, who returned from a leg injury, hit a fadeaway jumper to give the Celtics the lead, then drained a 30 foot three pointer for the last of his 27 as the Celtics closed with a 17-4 run.

Irving missed the Celtics game on Monday with a sore right quadriceps.

He suffered the injury in a 105-103 loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

Irving had 10 of his 18 assists in the fourth quarter, including setting up the Celticsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; last three baskets of the contest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Somehow Q LeBron James

AFP PHOTO

Q Houston Rocketsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; James Harden (No. 13) goes up for a shot as Brooklyn Netsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jarrett Allen (No. 31) and Treveon Graham (No. 21) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday in Houston. AP PHOTO

people still think I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pass,â&#x20AC;? Irving said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When guys are making shots, it makes my job a lot easier.â&#x20AC;?

Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and Serge Ibaka had 22 with 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who are now 33-13 overall and fell percentage points behind Milwaukee (32-12) for the best record in the NBA. 4ORONTO HAVE WON kVE IN A ROW heading into the matchup of two teams that consider themselves the heir to LeBron Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cavaliers as the best team in the East.

After adding Leonard in the offseason, the Raptors have zoomed to the top of the conference standings.

Irving apologizes Irving said told reporters after Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game that he put in a call to James earlier in the week to apologise for failing to understand what it is to be a team leader when they were teammates with the Cavaliers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I apologised for being that young player that wanted everything at his kNGERTIPS u HE SAID g4HE RESPONSIBILITY of being the best player in the world and leading a team is something thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not meant for many people. And Bron was one of those guys.â&#x20AC;?

In the late game, Stephen Curry scored 41 points and sank nine three pointers as the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors rallied FROM A POINT DEkCIT TO BEAT THE New Orleans Pelicans 147-140.

Kevin Durant tallied 30 points and 15 rebounds, Draymond Green had 17 points and 14 assists as the Warriors also tied a franchise record with 24 made three pointers. Golden State at-

tempted 49 shots from beyond the arc.

The teams also set a record for combined three pointers made in a game with 43. The previous record was 41 when Golden State faced

Sacramento earlier this month. #URRY ALSO BECAME THE kRST PLAYER to make eight or more threes in three consecutive games, giving him 28 threes in that span.

Anthony Davis finished with 30 points and 18 rebounds while Elfrid Payton had 12 assists for the Pelicans who made 19 baskets from AFP beyond the arc.

James misses Lakers road trip, to return to practice next week LOS ANGELES: LeBron James will miss at least two more games as he recovers from a groin injury but has been cleared to resume practice next week, the Los Angeles Lakers said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

James has not played for the Lakers since limping out of his teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas

Day victory over the Golden State Warriors last month at the Staples Center.

Since then the Lakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; form has nosedived, with the Western Conference hopefuls losing seven out of 11 games where James has been unavailable for selection.

A medical update from the Lakers on

Wednesday said the 34-year-old would miss the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upcoming road trip this week, which involves games against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday and the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

However James could soon be back for the Lakers as they attempt to reignite their playoff push.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;James ... has been cleared to return to practice commencing next week, and progress towards a return to game play thereafter,â&#x20AC;? the Lakers said.

The Lakers are due to face Golden State at home next Monday, before taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 24.

AFP

Lady Altas down Bombers to secure F4 spot Suarez scores UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System DALTA entered the Final Four anew after trouncing Jose Rizal University (JRU), 25-13, 19-25, 25-21, 25-14, in Season 94 National Collegiate Athletic Association womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volleyball tournament on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

After squandering a one-set lead, the Lady Altas bounced back in the succeeding sets BEHIND #INDY )MBO TO SEIZE THE LAST SEMIkNAL

spot. It was their sixth win against three defeats.

It was also the second straight Final Four appearance of the Las PiĂąas-based squad.

Perpetual Help will face top seed and twiceto-beat holder College of Saint Benilde in the opening game on Tuesday.

Imbo posted a game-high 18 points built on 14 spikes and four service aces to spearhead the Lady Altasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; balanced scoring.

Bianca Tripoli chipped in 14 points while Shyra Sumandal and Jhona Rosal added 13 markers apiece for the Macky CariĂąo-mentored team.

Dolly Versoza paced JRU with 17 points highlighted by 15 kills, as Karen Montojo emerged as the only other double-digit scorer with 11 markers.

Coach Mia Tiosecoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lady Bombers fell short on their return bid to the Final Four as they closed the season with a 4-5 record.

In the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s division, defending champion Perpetual Help cruised STRAIGHT TO THE kNALS AFTER SWEEPING THE ELIMINATIONS 4HE SWEEP WAS concluded with a dominant 25-21, 25-21, 25-13 victory over JRU. Ronniel Rosales and last seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rookie of the Year-MVP Joebert Almodiel exploded for 14 and 12 points, respectively, as the Altas posted a perfect 9-0 slate.

The Bombers ended their campaign with a 2-7 card.

In juniors play, reigning titlist Perpetual Help also earned an OUTRIGHT BERTH IN THE kNALS WITH A

WIN OVER *25 The Junior Altas swept the nine-game elimination round while the also-ran Junior Bombers wound up with a 3-6 sheet.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ

first win as pro

CHARLY SUAREZ won via second round knockout against Ernesto Cagampang in his first bout as a professional boxerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a non-title fight organized

by Roel Cameno promotion at the Tablon Lapasan basketball court in Cagayan De Oro City.

Suarez, 30, floored his 23-year-old opponent with a solid uppercut. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not after the money but my record,â&#x20AC;? said Suarez, who is managed and trained by former amateur pug Delfin Boholst. Suarez is eyeing to duplicate the feat of Manny Pacquiao, former amateur fighter, who is now an eight-division world champion.

Cagampang, of Davao del Sur, suffered his first defeat in three fights (2-1 record with two knockouts).

JOSEF T. RAMOS

Perez debuts as Columbian Dyip battles SMB TOP overall pick CJ Perez will make his debut tonight in the pro league as Columbian Dyip takes on defending champion San Miguel Beer in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Game begins at 4:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really excited since this is a great opportunity for Columbian Dyip. We prepared hard against them because they are the defending champions,â&#x20AC;? the 25-year-old former Lyceum cager told The Manila Times in a phone interview on Thursday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will provide effort, energy, hustlesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;anyway I can help my team.â&#x20AC;?

Columbian Dyip head coach John Cardel said that facing the Beermen is an acid test. g)T IS OUR kRST GAME AND weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re facing a strong opponent. It is a big test but it is up to us if we want to win,â&#x20AC;? said Cardel, who aims to redeem Co-

Q Rookie CJ Perez during the PBA 2018 Draft Combine at the Gatorade Hoops in Mandaluyong City. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO lumbian Dyip from a pitiful 1-10 win-loss RECORD kNISH IN THE LAST Philippine Cup. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still optimistic of our chances. We have a deep bench with our top overall rookie CJ Perez and Jeepney Faundo. Defensively and offensively, we improved so hopefully we upset them tom orrow,â&#x20AC;? added Cardel.

San Miguel Beer

head coach Leo Austria, bent on improving their dismal finish in the last Governorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cup, wants an aggressive start for his wards. g3INCE THIS IS OUR kRST game this season, we cannot take them lightly. We will treat any opponent as a strong team because we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what they are capable of,â&#x20AC;? said Austria.

Three-time scoring champion Terrence Romeo also going to debut for the Beermen.

Rain or Shine and Northern Luzon Expressway will clash in the second game at 7 p.m.

Rain or Shine banners rookies Jayvee Mocon and Jay-Jay Alejandro while former Blackwater center JP Erram is going to debut for the Road Warriors.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

Sports

D3

Lowry fires 62 to grab three-shot lead ABU DHABI: Shane Lowry fired a course record-equalling 10-underpar 62 to grab a three-shot lead on the opening day of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

The Irishman, currently ranked 75th in the world but without a win since his triumph at the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational in August 2015, was bogey-free on what looked a demanding Abu Dhabi Golf Club course with narrow fairways and juicy rough. $ESPITE kNDING JUST FOUR FAIRways, the 31-year-old Lowry was rarely troubled as he fired one dart-like approach shot after another in his 10-birdie round.

That matched the tournament record low of 62 established by Henrik Stenson in the third round of the inaugural edition in 2006.

A group of four players were tied for second place at seven-under par, including 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and his fellow South African Richard Sterne, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera and 2014 champion Pablo Larrazabal, who holed out his second shot from 174 yards on the par-four 16th hole and birdied the last two.

Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ian Poulter made light of a 34-hour trip from Hawaii to reach Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night, shooting a six-under-par 66 to be tied sixth along with compatriot Lee Westwood and three-time champion Martin Kaymer of Germany.

World number two Brooks Koepka opened his campaign with a bogey-free 67, while former number one Dustin Johnson managed a three-under-par 69, a score matched by two-time defending champion Tommy Fleetwood.

Lowry credited his preparation for the tournament after a long lay-off for his round.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It equals the best score Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever shot, but I think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had better rounds in tougher conditions. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right up there,â&#x20AC;? said Lowry when asked if it was his best round ever. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Perfect conditions this morning out there, and I just went down and did pretty much a lot of things right.

The one thing I was very happy with is how I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t panic at all when I got to like six, seven, eight-under. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a lovely break at Christmas. I was home for the whole lot of it, and I came out with my family and rented a house in Dubai. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Myself and (fellow Irishman) Paul Dunne are sharing the house and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re practising together and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been playing a lot together and we got some great work done.â&#x20AC;?

Oosthuizen continues strong form Oosthuizen, who recently won the South African Open, was two-over AFTER HIS kRST kVE HOLES BUT MADE nine birdies in his last 13. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I won (recently), but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very important to keep going and play well,â&#x20AC;? said the world number 26. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A good start to the season is always nice for the rest of the year.

You can sort of build on that.â&#x20AC;?

Two-time major champion Kaymer was bogey-free for his round, but after making six birdies IN HIS kRST HOLES HE WAS DISAPpointed to not add to his tally. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Made a few nice putts early in the round, and even though I created more chances, the putts didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go in. But overall, it was a very satisfying, solid and controlled round,â&#x20AC;? said the German.

The cut will be applied after the second round on Thursday and the tournament, which is now part of the Rolex Series on the European AFP Tour, ends on Saturday.

Q Joshua â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Passionâ&#x20AC;? Pacio of the Philippines (right) fires a roundhouse kick to Japanese rival Yoshitaka â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobitaâ&#x20AC;?

Naito in Jakarta last year. ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO

'The Passion' Pacio ready to throwdown vs â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tobizaruâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID

J

AKARTA, Indonesia: Joshua â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Passionâ&#x20AC;?

Pacio declared he is now in his best form to defend his ONE strawweight title against the dangerous Yosuke â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tobizaruâ&#x20AC;?

Saruta of Japan in the main event of ONE: Eternal Glory on Saturday at the Istora Senayan here.

Pacio, a 23-year old wonder boy out of Baguio City who won 11 of his 13 matches via stoppage, is entering his next fight with caution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Passionâ&#x20AC;? defeated

Yoshitaka Naito last September to capture the strawweight belt, also in Jakarta. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yosuke Saruta is a very dangerous opponent and I am not taking

him lightly. I have prepared for the toughest challenge of my career, and I plan to showcase the best version of Joshua Pacio in the kGHT u SAID 0ACIO Coach Mark Sangiao of the famed Team Lakay prepared Pacio FOR THE kGHT â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coach Mark has come up with a great game plan for me and I will do my best to execute it. I am more than ready to defend my title,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The Japanese, meanwhile, is CONkDENT THAT HE CAN OUTCLASS HIS Filipino rival. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is a great champion but I feel I have the tools necessary

to defeat him. I will walk out of the venue on Saturday with the world title around my waist,â&#x20AC;? said Saruta, a former Shooto World Champion.

Saruta, 31, has a solid ground game plus a notorious right hand capable of sending his opponents to dreamland.

4HE OTHER &ILIPINO kGHTERS IN the fight card are Edward â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ferociousâ&#x20AC;? Kelly who will face Christian Lee of Singapore in a rematch, and the returning Robin Catalan who will take on Stefer Rahardian of Indonesia in a threeround strawweight contest.

Dutchman resets course mark with 64, wrests lead Woods to make 2019 bow at Torrey Pines

GUIDO VAN DER VALK charged back from way down at 35th to the top of the heap with a new course record in as many days, churning out an eagle-spiked eight-under 64 to grab a one-stroke lead over Keanu Jahns and Thai Tawit Polthai halfway through the ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic in Lubao, Pampanga on Thursday.

Reeling to the middle of the PLAYER kELD WITH A TWO OVER 74 Wednesday, the Manila-based Dutchman hit a pitch-in eagle to kick off his backside bid then recovered from a bogey mishap on No. 11 with seven birdies, including five in a scorching frontside finish to take charge at six-under 138 as the erstwhile leaders stumbled with over par cards on a wind-raked Pradera layout that punishes wayward shots and rewards solid ones.

Van der Valkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 31-33 also bested Andreas Gronkvistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 66 that netTED HIM THE kRST ROUND LEAD BUT the Swede lost his touch in hot, blustery condition and hobbled with a 74, dropping to third with Mars Pucay and Thai Namchok Tantipokhakul at 140 with 36 holes left in the $100,000 event serving as the eighth leg of the second season of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia put up by ICTSI. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I played really good. Every-

thingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in place, especially my irons and putting,â&#x20AC;? said Van der Valk, who saw his 58-degree wedge shot from 60 yards rolled and disappeared into the cup on the par-4 No. 10.

Jahns actually looked headed to seizing conTROL WITH A kVE UNDER card after 14 holes for a running sevenunder total but the Fil-German shotmaker bogeyed Nos. 6 and 7 on his way home and settled for a 69 and a 139, which Polthai matched with an eagle-spiked 66.

Pucay, seeking to snap a long title drought, turned in a second 70 while Tantipokhakul firmed up Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive for a breakthrough PGT Asia victory with a 68 as the duo caught up with Gronkvist at fourth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I struggled with my putting and couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t handle my game the way I did yesterday (Wednesday),â&#x20AC;? rued Gronkvist, who failed to HIS FRONTSIDE EFFORT IN THE kRST

Q Guido Van der Valkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiery assault bolsters drive for a PGTA breakthrough.

PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ&#x2018;ADA

round with a 38.

Jhonnel Ababa, who launched his bid for a fourth PGTA diadem with a 68, fumbled with a 73 but stayed within striking distance at 141 in a tie with Clyde Mondilla

(70), Sam Gillis of the US (69) and Thai Piya Swangarunporn, who started the day just one shot behind Gronkvist but limped with a 74 and dropped to joint seventh.

Fifty-five players advanced to the last two rounds with Omar Dungca (77), Anthony Fernando (76), Rolando Marabe Jr. (77), Thai Puk Pradittan (74), Niclo Salahog (72) and Orlan Sumcad (75) barely making the cut at 149.

Out of the chase for the top $17,500 in the event organized

by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. are Phl Masters titlist Jerson Balasabas (75-151), PGTA Orchard leg winner Damien Jordan of Australia (77-151) and PGTA CAT Open winner James Ryan Lam (80-156).

But the day belonged to Van der Valk, who ended a long winless spell on the local circuit with a victory at PGT Eagle Ridge last year. Coming off a birdieless 74 start, he eagled No. 10 and birdied Nos. 15 and 16 to negate his lone bogey on the 11th.

With his long game, iron play and putting clicking, he came away with a pair of back-to-back birdie feats from Nos. 1 and 5 then birdied the par-3 eighth to spike his blazing windup.

LOS ANGELES: Tiger Woods will make his 2019 debut at next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in California, tournament ORGANIZERS CONkRMED ON 7EDNESday (Thursday in Manila).

The 43-year-old world number 12, who made a successful return to the sport last year after missing nearly two years through injury, has been a regular competitor at Torrey Pines throughout his career.

He won the last of his 14 majors at the course in 2008, when he famously battled to his third US Open victory in a sudden-death playoff victory over Rocco Mediate.

Woods began his comeback

from injury last year at Torrey Pines, going on to play in 18 tournaments across the season AND POSTING SEVEN TOP kNISHES including a victory at the seasonending Tour Championship.

Woods, a winner at the Farmers Insurance Open in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2013, JOINS A POWERFUL kELD FOR THE *ANUary 24-27 event.

Defending champion Jason Day, world number one Justin Rose, world number seven Jon Rahm and Northern Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rory McIlroy are among a host of players who are due to tee it up at the course outside San Diego.

AFP

Q US golfer Tiger Woods plays a tee shot during his foursomes match on the second day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National Course at Saint-Quentinen-Yvelines, south-west of Paris on September 29, 2018. AFP PHOTO

Osaka romps as Halep, Raonic battle through Open epics MELBOURNE: Top seed Simona Halep was forced to dig deep to stay in the Australian Open on a day of epic battles Thursday that saw Japanese pair Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori survive but 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka crash out.

The world number one Romanian staggered through against American Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, but it was far from convincing and her second three-set test in a row. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have no idea how I won this tonight, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so tough to explain what happened on court,â&#x20AC;? said the French Open champion, who now meets Venus Williams after the 38-year-old rolled back the years to beat Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alize Cornet.

In another titanic battle, Canadian Milos Raonic ousted Wawrinka in four tightly-contested sets that all went to tie-breaks, while Nishikori was stretched to a draining five sets against Ivo Karlovic before sinking to his knees in relief.

Seventh seed Dominic Thiem limped out when he retired while losing 7-5, 6-4, 2-0 to young Australian wildcard Alexei Popyrin.

Thiem went through a first round five-setter against Benoit Paire that finished in the early hours of Wednesday morning and he never looked 100 percent.

US Open champion and fourth seed Osaka had it much easier, sweeping past Sloveniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tamara Zidansek 6-2, 6-4 with the roof closed on Margaret Court Arena after rain interrupted the opening major of the year.

The 21-year-oldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breakthrough at Flushing Meadow over Serena Williams made her a new standard bearer for tennis in her homeland, Asia and the next generation of women, and she is working hard on living up to the hype.

Energy-sapping â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought I served alright, this was my first

time playing her and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just happy to win to be honest,â&#x20AC;? Osaka said after setting up a clash with Taiwanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hsieh Su-wei.

In contrast, Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top-ranked menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s player Nishikori needed an energy-sapping 3hr 48min to get past big-serving Croat Karlovic 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 5-7, 5-7, 7-6 (10/7) in humid conditions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a tough match which could have gone both ways. He almost had it for sure,â&#x20AC;? said the eighth seed, a three-time quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park.

On Rod Laver Arena, 16th seed Raonic emerged the victor against Wawrinka, a threetime Grand Slam champion who is on the comeback trail from injury.

The Swiss, unseeded for the first time since his debut in 2006, fell to the Canadian 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (13/11), 7-6 (7/5).

Raonic, who got to the Australian Open semi-

finals in 2016 before losing to Andy Murray, will next face Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pierre-Hugues Herbert who beat last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s semi-finalist Hyung Cheon of South Korea.

Despite being seeded six and seven respectively, neither Elina Svitolina or Karolina Pliskova has progressed further than the last eight at the Australian Open.

But self-assured Svitolina is bubbling with confidence after dismantling Viktoria Kuzmova 6-4, 6-1, while Pliskova woke up after losing the first set to race past Madison Brengle 4-6, 6-1, 6-0.

Other women through included Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Camila Giorgi and Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressive 21st seed Wang Qiang. Belgiumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 12th seed Elise Mertens lined up a third-round showdown with American Madison Keys.

Men staying in the hunt included 11th seed

Borna Coric of Croatia and Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 23rd seed Pablo Carreno-Busta.

They were all in action ahead of 23-time major winner Williams who plays Eugenie Bouchard later, while six-time champion Novak Djokovic turns back the clock in a night match with JoWilfried Tsonga on Rod Laver Arena.

Bookies have installed Osaka as second favourite to lift the title after Williams, who in her first tour match since losing the US Open final delivered an ominous warning in a 49-minute opening round thrashing of Tatjana Maria.

Williams is bidding to match Margaret Courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record of 24 Grand Slam crowns on her first return to Melbourne Park since winning in 2017.

Djokovic, gunning for a record seventh title, has a fairytale meeting with Frenchman Tsonga in a rematch of their 2008 final that the Serb won.

AFP

D4

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

Football

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net Q Azkals mainstay Kevin Ingreso (white jersey) v ies against a Kyrgysztan player during the AFC Asian Cup 2019 on Wednesday night at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

AFC ASIAN CUP PHOTO

Azkals bow out of Asian Cup

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ

T

HE Philippine Azkals crashed out of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2019 after suffering a 1-3 defeat to Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday night at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Hat-trick hero Vitalij Lux powered the White Falcons to a sizeable lead, making the Azkalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; historic first goal in Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top

tournament courtesy of Stephan Shrock a consolation one.

3VEN 'ORAN %RIKSSON S MEN kNished their maiden Asian Cup cam-

paign at the bottom of Group C with a winless record in three matches.

The Filipino squad struggled on the offensive end, coming up with only seven shots (two on-target) compared to fellow debutant Kyrgyz sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 21 shots (12 on-target).

Both teams were shooting for a win to boost their respective chances of entering the knockout stage but it was Kyrgyzstan, which came out aggressive in the early goings.

The Central Asians got rewarded in the 24th minute when Lux went FOR A CLINICAL kNISH ON A SLICK DIS-

play of passing.

Lux doubled the White Falconsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; advantage with a stunning curler from the edge of the box just shortly after the restart.

The 29-year old KyrgyzstaniGerman striker made it a threegoal cushion as he bundled home a rebound off Mirlan Murzaevâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s miss in the 77th.

Veteran captain Shrock scored on a long free kick that bounced off the ground and sailed past goalkeeper Kutman Kadyrbekov, much to the delight of the Filipino

fans in attendance.

Shrockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last-ditch effort for the Azkals went for naught as the Falcons soared away with the huge victory.

The Philippines had a promising Asian Cup debut against two-time champion South Korea, only conceding a 0-1 loss last January 7 at the Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.

But the Azkals could not sustain their impressive performance, falling to a 0-3 setback to another Asian powerhouse in China last January 11 at the Mohhamed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Ronaldo seals Italian Super Cup for Juventus JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal to hand *UVENTUS THEIR kRST TROPHY OF THE season with a 1-0 win over tenman AC Milan in the Italian Super Cup on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldoâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;signed by the Italian giants last year from Real Madrid as THEY TARGET A kRST #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE title since 1996â&#x20AC;&#x201D;headed in a 61stminute winner.

AC Milan played the last quarter of an hour a man down after Ivorian MIDkELDER &RANCK +ESSIE SAW RED FOR a bad tackle on Emre Can. g) HAVE MY kRST TITLE WITH *UVENTUS so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy,â&#x20AC;? said the Portuguese star who now has 28 trophies including five Champions League and league titles from England and Spain, and a European Championship with Portugal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really wanted this, to get off to a good start in 2019. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is only the start, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take it one step at a time. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got this cup, now we must keep working hard to achieve the next trophy,â&#x20AC;? warned Ronaldo.

The match had been overshadowed by controversy with calls for it to be relocated over human rights issues in Saudi Arabia with women only allowed to attend the game if they were accompanied by a man.

Italian football league president Gaetano Micciche hailed the match as a success, with reports there were up to 15,000 women among the 62,000 crowd in the stadium. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a wonderful evening, a festival of sport in a full stadium,â&#x20AC;? said Micciche.

Q Juventus players celebrate their Supercoppa Italiana final win against AC Milan at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. AFP PHOTO â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the starting point for social evolution in this country.â&#x20AC;?

On the pitch the players suffered in the heat with temperatures hitting 25 degrees Celsius amid freezing condi-

tions in northern Italy.

In the end Juventus came away with a record eighth Super Cup title, one more than AC Milan who have won seven. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was very hot and the important

thing was to win,â&#x20AC;? said coach Massimiliano Allegri who won the trophy for the second time, having lost to AC Milan in 2016 and Lazio last year.

AC Milan forward Gonzalo

(IGUAIN ONLY PLAYED THE kNAL MINutes against his parent club, ahead of a touted move to Chelsea, having moved away from Turin to make way for Ronaldo last summer.

AFP

48-team Qatar World Cup only possible if Doha agrees DOHA: Any decision by FIFA to increase the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams will only be made in agreement with hosts Qatar, a senior Gulf tournament organizer said on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

Nasser al-Khater, talking to journalists in Doha, said at the moment the country was continuing to prepare for a 32-team tournament in three yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No decision will be made without the agreement of Qatar, this is an important point,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will be a joint decision.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are waiting for the results of the feasibility study, and once they are ready, (FIFA) will share them with us... to see if it is possibleâ&#x20AC;?.

FIFAÂ is carrying out the study into increasing the number of teams by 16 in 2022 and will announce a final decision in March.

Last month FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in Doha that a â&#x20AC;&#x153;majorityâ&#x20AC;? of football federations supported the increase.

Any decision to extend the tournament would though be faced by huge logistical and political problems.

The Qatar World Cup, the first in the Middle East, will take place over 28 days in November and December 2022, not the usual 32.

Officials have said previously that is not possible for Qatar to change the number of days, so one option would be to host tournament games across the region with neighboring states.

But that is complicated by Qatar being at the center of the worst diplomatic crisis to hit the Gulf in years.

Since June 2017, it has been politically and economically isolated in a rancorous diplomatic dispute with former allies, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

A 48-team World Cup is set to become the norm from 2026, when the World Cup will take place in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

AFP

Atletico crashes out of Copa del Rey MADRID: Antoine Griezmann

Q Atletico Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s French forward Antoine Griezmann AFP PHOTO

scored one and set up another but could not prevent Atletico Madrid tumbling out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) as Girona progressed on away goals after a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Real Madrid and Sevilla each avoided upsets, their first-leg victories proving enough despite losses to Leganes and Athletic Bilbao respectively.

Defeat for Real, however, means they have now won only TWO OF THEIR kVE MATCHES THIS year while Santiago Solariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frosty relationship with Isco shows no signs of improvement.

Isco started, but struggled, and was replaced in the 68th minute.

For Atletico, Griezmann came off the bench in the second half and turned the tie in their favour, teeing up Angel Correa and then scoring himself to give his team a 3-2 lead at a rocking Wanda Metropolitano.

But Girona pulled out one more surprise to go through to the quarter-finals as Seydou Doumbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shot found the corner in the 88th minute, snatching a 4-4 draw on aggregate after last WEEK S kRST LEG kNISHED Griezmann had scored then too, and in between against Levante on Saturday. This was his eighth goal in as many matches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We thought we could leave Griezmann on the bench and only throw him on in the sec-

ond half to do what he did, score the goal for 3-2,â&#x20AC;? Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take into account Girona scoring again.â&#x20AC;?

Madrid was beaten 1-0 by Leganes, Martin Braithwaite giving hope to the hosts, who failed to take a number of chances to launch an unlikely comeback.

2EAL HAD WON THE kRST LEG â&#x20AC;&#x153;We got through but the performance was weak,â&#x20AC;? Solari said.

His team now turn their attention to Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crunch La Liga game against Sevilla, who slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Bilbao. Gorka Guruzeta scored the winner for a rejuvenated Bilbao side but Sevilla still progress 3-2 on aggregate. AFP

FRIDAY JANUARY 18, 2019

Lifestyle

E1

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FROM PHNOM PENH TO HANOI AND NEW DELHI

PAL unlocks an exciting trio of summer destinations in 2019 I

In the meantime, with PAL priN its continued commitment to open oritizing the Filipino traveler above more of the world to the Filipino and all in his growing demand for new more of the Philippines the world, the global experiences, The T-Zone PROUD FOUR STAR lAG CARRIER 0HILIPPINE takes a closer look at what’s in store their favorite passenger in this !IRLINES KICKED OFF SOARING HIGH WITH for exciting trio of destinations. the announcement of three new routes to REINFORCE ITS GROWING NETWORK OF INTERNA- Picturesque Phnom Penh tional destinations.

Cambodia’s capital of Phnom The company’s affable and assiduous President and COO Jaime Bautista delivered the exciting news HIMSELF AT 0!, S kRST MEDIA CONFERence for the year, declaring, “Philippine Airlines’ strategic vision is to make the Philippines a true gateway to Asia. Already, we are the Southeast Asian airline with the biggest and most extensive network of direct lIGHTS TO THE 53 AND #ANADA AND thus we can be the leader in carrying, besides our valued Filipino travelers, the North American traveler to India, Cambodia and Vietnam via our Manila hub.”

Eager as ever to take part in bolstering tourism arrivals to the Philippines, Bautista further related, “At the same time, we will leverage Manila’s excellent geographical location as an ideal stopover point to start with, and given the potential and beauty of our country

THE T-ZONE TESSA MAURICIO -ARRIOLA make it their next destination for business and pleasure.”

In raising a toast to its exciting and brand new year, Bautista — side by side with his hardworking executive team — ultimately declared that with the company’s continuing expansion and improvements across travel offers, booking and ticketing services, technological advancements and overall passenger experience, Philippine Airlines is well on its way in landing the aviation INDUSTRY S COVETED kVE STAR GLOBAL ranking, and bring pride to the country anew.

Penh the since French colonization and has grown to become the nation’s economic, industrial, and cultural center. It is also a gateway to an exotic land with a world heritage site, the largest religious complex in the world, the temples of Angkor in the west, the beaches of the southern coast and the ethnic minorities of the North-eastern provinces.

Q PAL President and COO Jaime Bautista (third from right) raises his glass to a high flying new year with A1 team (from left) VP for Marketing Ria Domingo, Senior Vice President-Airline Operations Ismael Gozon, Chief Commercial Group Adviser Bernard Francis, VP for Corporate Communications Josen Perez de Tagle, and VP for Sales Ryan Uy.

Be sure to…

Cruise the Mekong River, the world’s 12th longest river and the seventh longest in Asia for a fascinating insight into the local way of life in Cambodia, including the opportunity to visit some of the region’s best-known sites and its endless hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.

³Destinations E4

Q Mekong River of Cambodia

E2

Funtimes

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (01/18/19). Imagine the future you want this year. Articulate plans, and schedule consistent action. Take breaks for love, romance and beauty. Unkink your shared cash flow this winter to propel a partnership into new territory. Summer plot twists lead to a well-earned moment in the spotlight.

Envision perfect results.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is a 6 -- Focus on domestic matters. Actions taken now can succeed. Secrets get revealed. Share your vision to get farther. Get your family on board with your idea.

BY NANCY BLACK

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Keep your professional objective in mind. Keep your deadlines and promises. Don’t try new tricks now. Work takes precedence. Focus on the job at hand.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Expand your territory. To find answers, go directly to the source. Try new flavors and experiences. Study with a master. When one door closes, another opens.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Invest energy into a shared economic venture. Think outside the box. Make a long-contemplated improvement. Fix something before it breaks.

Collaborate for common gain.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- You can learn what you need. Communicate and network to adapt to the news. A creative flurry swirls and inspires you into action. Express your heart.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- You can work things out with your partner. Misconceptions could confuse; have patience. Remember what’s important. Make a date to do something special.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Draw upon hidden resources to invest in your own success. Conditions and expectations are changing. Allow an insider advantage. Profits are available.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- Try finesse rather than force. Push too hard and risk breakage. Release excess physical energy through exercise, while building strength. Aim for balance.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Write your own ticket. Set things up the way you want. A brilliant personal insight leads you to try something new. Go for your heart’s desire.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Take action for love. Imagine the fun you can have. Disciplined efforts get results. Enchant someone special with your enthusiasm. Share your amazing discovery.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Rest, and review the situation. Consider the road ahead, and work out details. Don’t act in haste, or risk a breakdown. Listen to your intuition.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Discuss long-range goals with trusted friends. A surprising development requires adaptation. Accept the truth, even if you don’t like it. Share the load.

» SUDOKU

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @lindablack. For more astrological interpretations visit Linda Black Horoscopes and 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.

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.)

FFRIDAY R I DAY JANUARY 18, 2019

Entertainment

E4

www.manilatimes.net

The enduring movie queen that is Gloria Romero A T 85, Gloria Romero says she has so much to be thankful for. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been in the entertainment industry for more than 60 years, every one of which was very productive.

Q Kim Domingo INSTAGRAM PHOTOS

C r o w n e d Queen of Philippine Movies in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;50s and early â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;60s, she scored hit after hit for her home studio Sampaguita Pictures, and has since maintained an iconic stature in the industry, bringing prestige to every project she takes on for TV or the big screen.

It can then be said without doubt that Gloria is the most enduring movie queen of THE INDUSTRY WHOSE kLMOGRAPHY comprises the very development of moviemaking, from black and white to technicolor, and to the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital format.

0ROLIkC THROUGH THE LAST SIX DEcades, she has also seen and therefore worked with movie queens who were crowned after her reignâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; the likes of Amalia Fuentes and Susan Roces, Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta and Maricel Soriano, and even todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crop of millennial stars who have risen in the entertainment scene.

And just like wine, Gloria Romero gets better and better with each passing year, proven all the more with a slew of acting awards, the latest of which is the Best Actress plum at Decemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Metro Manila Film Festival for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rainbowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sunset.â&#x20AC;? g) WAS NOT EXPECTing to win but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very thankful [to do so]. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been years since I last won a Best

SHOWBUZZ LHAR SANTIAGO Actress award,â&#x20AC;? she graciously smiled and remarked in that distinct Gloria Romero intonation.

The consummate actress says she is especially flattered she continues to receive good lead roles in the industry. Besides the 2018 MMFF entry, she considers among her most recent and unforgettable movies to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;MagNIkCOu AND g4ANGING 9AMAN u â&#x20AC;&#x153;In all my years as an actress, I cannot say that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done all types of roles. When offers come and I read the script, I often realize I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t done the particular character being offered to me. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I really feel so blessed in my career.â&#x20AC;?

As everyone knows by now, Rainbowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sunset saw Gloria in the unique role of a politicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife, who in their twilight years gave in to her husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to live with his dying best friend, who is also his lifelong secret gay lover.

Gloria effortlessly approached the role with no hysterics and no big moments, yet poignantly delivered the emotion and heavy burden of a woman who had shared her entire marriage with her husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lover.

She deserved to get the judgesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nod. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would not have been able do that without the support of my co-stars and the guidance of director Joel Lamangan,â&#x20AC;? she humbly commented.

Still quick and strong in her 80s, Gloria shared her passion for acting burns brighter than ever, DECLARING g!CTING IS MY kRST LOVE

I started acting when I was 16 and since then, I have fallen in love with the craft. I will only retire when I can no longer memorize my lines and I think that is still far from happening.â&#x20AC;?

(ER NEXT MOVIE STILL TO BE DETERmined, Gloria is nevertheless busy with her ongoing weekly series on GMA Network, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko,â&#x20AC;? a family program that highlights Filipino values at a very opportune time in society.

NNN â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a happy problem,â&#x20AC;? says Kim Domingo of her overwhelming work schedule to kick off 3HOWBUZZ VISITED THE SEXY ACTRESS ON HER kRST TAPING DAY FOR the upcoming GMA sitcom, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Toda One I Love.â&#x20AC;?

Besides Toda, she is also juggling the Friday night gag show "Bubble Gang" and a movie, lacking sleep but not complaining. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really serious with my work. In fact, when I was starting out, ang pangarap ko was to really be very busy sa trabaho.

Dahil sa trabaho na ito, I was able to build a house for my family,â&#x20AC;? Kim gratefully shared.

In fact, she is now building a second house in Antipolo, which she will use herself. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was able to buy a lot in Antipolo and yun

Q Gloria Romero while the offers are still there, so

trabaho lang ng trabaho ,â&#x20AC;? she

related as if renewing a promise she made to herself.

Thankfully, she also enjoys the projects sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been given, which are mostly comedies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m having a lot of fun with Toda kasi sobrang saya ng CAST -Y kRST scene was with Archie Alemanya and Buboy Villar who I also work with in Inday Will Always Love 9 O U so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m kinda comfortable with them.â&#x20AC;?

The same goes for the movie sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shooting, which is yet untitled, and where sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been cast with

ang pinatayuan ko.

Actually, tapos na

siya at pwede ko nang tirahan but I decided na ipa interior muna. Kasi hindi ba, masarap sa pakiramdam yung paglipat mo, ayos na ayos na?â&#x20AC;?

(ER NEXT kNANcial goal is to be able to save for the future, which she should be able to do given her hardworking ways. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to take advantage of the opportunities to work

Q Kristoffer Martin

no less than Comedy Queen AiAi delas Alas, Super Tekla and Derrick Monasterio. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Masaya rin â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung movie namin. Imagine, Tekla has two different personalities, one a straight man and the other one gay. I play the role of the male Teklaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s girlfriend! Riot talaga â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung mga eksena and will have everyone laughing,â&#x20AC;? Kim promised.

NNN Every time Kristoffer Martin does an episode of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Magpakailanman,â&#x20AC;? it becomes a showcase of his depth as an actor. Touted as one of the best talents of his generation, Kristoffer always receives positive reviews for his work and will surely do so come this Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s episode of the true-to-life drama anthology.

Entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fathers and Lovers,â&#x20AC;?

Kristoffer plays the role of a devastated husband whose wife had left him along with their son.

Struggling with his fate, he soon meets a man on social media in the same situation (portrayed

by Paolo Contis) and become good friends. Eventually, they meet up in person and decide to take a trip out of town WHERE THEY kND THEMSELVES falling in love. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the story unfolds, ang daming challenges ng character ko. Hindi siya madaling gawin especially yung kinailangan ng balde-baldeng luha. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just thankful that I had Kuya Paolo as my co-actor. Dito, wala siyang patawa; seryoso talaga kami and I think we were able to pull it off.â&#x20AC;?

Q DESTINATIONS FROM E1

PAL unlocks an exciting trio of summer destinations in 2019 Eat Kampot Pepper Crab as Cambodia is also known as HOME TO THE WORLD S kNEST PEPpercorns. Kampot pepper is a cultivar of pepper organically grown and produced and sold in green, black, white and red varieties, all from the same plant.

-IXED WITH FRESH CRABS THIS seafood delicacy and its many variations have somewhat become Cambodiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national dish.

Stop by the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center where rescued animals are taken in and nursed back to health before theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re released back into the wild. Guests can hand-feed elephants here, enter the tigersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; private den, feed baby macaques and get within a whisker of leopards, gibbons and otters.

Flights between Manila and 0HNOM 0ENH WILL OPERATE kVE times weekly (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday) starting April 1 aboard PR 521.

2ETURN lIGHTS VIA 02 LEAVE Phnom Penh every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for Manila.

Historical Hanoi The capital of Hanoi in Vietnam is considered one of the main cultural centers of the country where most Vietnamese dynas-

Flights between Manila and Hanoi will operate four times weekly (Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday) starting March 31, 2019 aboard PR 2ETURN lIGHTS VIA 02 LEAVE Hanoi for Manila every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Magnificent New Delhi

Q Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Vietnam. PHOTO FROM UNESCO.ORG ties left their imprint. While some relics were destroyed by wars through the years, the city is still bursting with countless cultural and historic monuments to enjoy.

Be sure toâ&#x20AC;Ś Visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, an intriguing relic of 6IETNAM S HISTORY WHICH SIGNIkES its historical and cultural importance. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 from its awesome collection of artefacts and items dating back from the 6th to the 20th centuries, which WERE EXCAVATED ONLY IN -ARvel at foundations of old palaces, ancient roads, ponds and wells

and behold the early manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genius in engineering and architecture.

Wander around Hanoi Old Quarterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many historic sights comprised of temples, pagodas, and assembly HALLS 3PECIkC POINTS OF INTEREST ARE the communal temples of MĂŁ Mây and Kim C which have beautifully survived the ages.

Shop at Dong Xuan Market in the center district HoĂ n Kim. Originally built by the French administration in 1889, it is the largest covered market of Hanoi which has three stories divided into stalls for wholesale and small traders of clothes, household goods and foodstuff of every kind, from fresh vegetables to Vietnamese dishes.

Last but not the least, a trip to New Delhi in India will reveal a cosmopolitan city from the multiethnic and multi-cultural presence of the vast Indian bureaucracy. It has always been the home front of powerful emperors and rulers, which is why its top attractions are dominated by ancient monuments, mosques, and forts. However, New Delhi should also be attractive to TRAVELERS LOOKING FOR OFFBEAT EXPERIences such as the ones below.

Listen to Qawwalis at Nizamuddin Dargah. Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah is the resting place of one of THE WORLD S MOST FAMOUS 3Uk SAINTS

Nizamuddin Auliya. It therefore CONTINUES TO ATTRACT 3Uk DEVOTEES from around the globe especially on Thursday evenings when its courtyard erupts with the soulful sound OF LIVE QAWWALIS 3Uk DEVOTIONAL songs) accompanied by traditional Indian instruments, serenading the audience into a trance.

Meanwhile, Nizamuddin Dargah is located in the Nizamuddin West neighborhood of New Delhi, surrounded by a bustling market, near Humayunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tomb.

Make sure to get there just before sunset for a view that is truly worth the journey.

Taste the famous Biryani. The Mughal Emperorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favorite, the

Be sure toâ&#x20AC;Ś Browse Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest wholesale spice market. Khari Baoli is a street in New Delhi, known for its wholesale grocery and Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest wholesale spice market selling all kinds of seasonings, nuts, herbs and food products like rice and tea. Operating since the 17th century, the market is situated near the historic Delhi Red Fort, on the Khari Baoli Road, and adjacent to Fatehpuri Masjid at the western end of the Chandni Chowk.

Q India's famed Biryani.

Biryani has stood the test of time and is enjoyed all over India today and other parts of the world. In savoring the original however, prepare to enjoy this poultry or meat based dish that is prepared in an earthen pot whose lid is sealed with dough to soak in all the spices, lAVORS AND AROMAS IN A SINGLE DISH 4HE "IRYANI EXPERIENCES IN $ELHI vary from those of commercial chains and to road side dhabas, to THE 3Uk SHRINES AND kVE STAR HOTELS PAL is targeting April 2019 as the start of the New Delhi SERVICE SUBJECT TO kNAL SLOT AND operational clearances with the Indian authorities. The new route is slated to run four times weekly nonstop between Manila and New Delhiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Indira Gandhi International Airport using brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Special Feature

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

F1

Collaboration and partnership bring Santa Rosa to new heights

T

HE success and continued progress of the City of Santa Rosa has always been attributed to its peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; their resilience and determination has transformed the city into one of the best and most admirable cities in the country.

And the annual celebration of the Sikhayan Festival, which marks its 20th year today, is the tribute of the local government to its peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most valuable resource.

Indeed, citizen engagement and participation in governance are the hallmark of Santa Rosa that has enabled the local government to achieve excellence. The collaboration of local officials, the partnership with businesses and peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organizations, the seamless working relations among STAKEHOLDERS HAVE SOLIDIkED 3ANTA Rosaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position as a prime location for business, residence and tourism.

All these can be gleamed from what the city has accomplished over the last three years alone.

Over the last three years, Mayor Dan Fernandez and the executive branch, Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas and the entire Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Congresswoman Arlene Arcillas have achieved the ideal and shown that what is seemingly impossible is achievableâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that collaboration, sharing OF A VISION SELlESSNESS WILL LEAD TO better governance that will result in better services to its people.

On top of the list is the Dangal ng Pagbabago Rehabilitation Center (DPRC), which the city pursued in response to President Rodrigo Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call to action against ilLEGAL DRUGS ,AUNCHED ON THE kRST year of the current administration, $02# IS THE kRST EVER REHABILITAtion center in the country to be operated and funded by a city government.

DPRC served as home to highrisk drug dependents who voluntarily surrendered during â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oplan Tokhang,â&#x20AC;? while moderate to low risk drug dependents underwent the community-based rehabilitation program in their respective villages (barangay).

Since its inception on January 2017, a total of 91 surrenderees completed the program in the DPRC. Of the total number, three completed program under the Balay Silangan Reformation Center which was formally launched on August 2018 to address the need to rehabilitate known drug pushers.

These feats in peace and order enabled the City to become one of the 241 local government units in the country to bag the 2018 Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In 2017, the city was given the Special Unit Award on the Campaign Against Illegal Drugs by the Philippine National Police - Police Regional Office Calabarzon. In

kVE VILLAGES WERE DECLARED drug-cleared by the Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs.

In January 2019, another barangay joined the roster of drug-cleared villages in the city.

Testament to excellent service WAS THE )3/ CERTIkCATION OF ADDITIONAL OFkCES THAT HAS RESULTED in a more orderly and organized set of frontline services and procedures. The structure of the city government was also systematized having adopted

the City Plantilla as required by the Civil Service Commission.

All these are integrated in the re-engineered Citizenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charter, the guide to citizens seeking the services of the city government as provided by Republic Act No. 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

4HE EFkCIENCY IN THE SERVICES OF the city, particularly in the registration and renewal of business permits, has earned it the Blue #ERTIkCATION ,EVEL ) FROM THE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN IN Several infrastructures that are now beneficial and functional for the City and its people were constructed. Primary among this is the state-of-the-art Command Center, which is now fully-operational complemented with its high-technology equipment. The Command Center monitors the traffic and the CCTVs installed all over the city and coordinates WITH THE #ITY 4RAFkC -ANAGEMENT AND %NFORCEMENT /FkCE THE 3ANTA Rosa City Police Station, the Santa Rosa City Fire Station, and the City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office to quickly respond to accidents, disasters and emergencies.

There is also the Regional Evacuation Center with complete facilities that could cater up to 33 families. This was made possible through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The city also inaugurated the new building for the Santa Rosa Manpower Training Center (SRMTC) on December 2018 to cater to more students seeking to have TECHNICAL SKILLS FOR CERTIkCATION BY the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Complementing this is the construction of additional classroom building for the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Santa Rosa Campus.

In its push to transform the Santa Rosa Community Hospital (SRCH) into a Level II hospital, a new building broke ground on October 2018. Upon its construction, the hospital can accommodate more patients and provide more services, and will add more accolades the hospital which received the Hospital Performance Achiever Award BASED IN AND ,'5 Scorecards from the Provincial (EALTH /FkCE AND THE $EPARTment of Health Region IV-A. )N /CTOBER THE CITY ALSO launched the Point of Care (POC) Program in SRCH. It is a health care mechanism wherein an indigent person needing urgent medical attention could be admitted in our Santa Rosa Community Hospital at any time and the city will be shouldering the premium contribution for one year.

With all these efforts turned into accomplishments, the city was able to keep hold of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous accolades, and even garnered

QSeal of Good Local Governance 2018, November 7, 2018

Q Seal of Child Friendly Governance 2018, August 20, 2018

Q 2018 Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award, December 28, 2018

Q Groundbreaking of the new and soon-to-rise Santa Rosa Community Hospital building

Q Dangal ng Pagbabago Rehabilitation Center of the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna

QRegional Evacuation Center located at Brgy. Tagapo, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna

Q The newly-inaugurated Balay Silangan Reformation Center

some of the highest awards in different sectors of public service.

The City of Santa Rosa secured the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award by the DILG for years 2017 and 2018 for its excellent performance in promoting good governance, transparency, and effective and EFkCIENT PUBLIC SERVICES Another accolade related to governance is the Recognition of Excellence Award from OpenGov Asia given on April 2018 for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;innovative use of technology through optimization of government processes, delivering citizen-

recognized as the National Earth (OUR #APITAL IN AND !SEAN ESC Model Cities in 2017.

It also received awards from the DILG. These are Silver Award (City Level) for Environmental Compliance Audit %#! !WARDS IN THE Silver Award for Provincial ECA in 2017, and Gold Awardee for ECA for 2018. All of these are due to its contribution in the rehabilitation and preservation of Manila Bay and its watershed.

It also was accorded the 2018 Environment Friendly Award

by The Manila Times Philippine

centric services and pushing new boundaries.â&#x20AC;?

Due to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outstanding performance in its nutrition programs, it also received the highest and most prestigious recognition from the National Nutrition Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the Nutrition Honor Award (NHA) which elevated the city among the hall of fame achievers in nutrition.

This is in addition to the Pabasa sa Nutrisyon Diamond Award by the Nutrition Center of the Philippines also received in 2018.

In the environment sector, Santa Rosa is multi-awarded. It was

Model Cities. /THER HONORIkCS IN THE LAST THREE years were the 2017 Safe Haven Award given by The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities; Tourism Excellence Award for Local Government given by the Department of Tourism Region IV-A on 2017; and the 2018 Seal of Child Friendly Governance given by the DILG and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

All these and more are testament to the excellence and fruitful years of the City of Santa Rosa. As in the words of Mayor Dan Fernandez, â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a job well done.â&#x20AC;?

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 18, 2019

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TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY

Lessons from Santa Rosaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sikhayan Festival M

B BY Y AY AYA A JA JALLORINA JALL LLOR LL ORIN OR INA IN A

ENTION Santa Rosa City of Laguna and people will readily point to a highly-developed, enviable city at par with the most modern cities in the world. But did you know that some 200 years ago, it was a laidback barrio dependent on agriculture called Barrio Burol (some say Barrio Bukol) of BiĂąan town?

The robust turnaround is rooted from the â&#x20AC;&#x153;pagsisikhayâ&#x20AC;? (resoluteness and determination) of the Rosenians, as the people of Santa Rosa are called. Hence, the Sikhayan (Sikap-Kabuhayan) festival is celebrated every 18th of January in honor of the unwavering spirit of enterprise of the Rosenians which has fueled Santa Rosaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unabated economic growth over the years.

Sikhayan coincides with the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founding as a separate and independent town of Laguna Province in 1792. This year the city celebrates its 227th founding anniversary.

While most festivals have religious origins and entwine culTURAL AND RELIGIOUS SIGNIkCANCE IN traditional activities, Sikhayan is one celebration that is centered on its people.

As the city describes it, Sikhayan is a festival that honors the resilience and perseverance of

the people because the greatest wealth of Santa Rosa is its human resource.

The city government resonates this belief by celebrating Sikhayan annually and re-tell the story about its hardworking people.

The early settlers are people who never gave up in the face of adversity, with a forward-looking mindset to a better future. From FARM TILLERS AND kSHERFOLKS WHO grappled with scarcity in the past, many are now professionals and entrepreneurs in the fast-growing, highly-urbanized city.

More than the revelry, the festival is an active history engagement with the people who get to listen to stories about early town settlers: how they arrived in the then vast, barren town, the difficulties they encountered as tillers of the lands and how, with resolute conviction, they were able to

Q Public Declaration of Cuartel de Santo Domingo as Important Cultural Property by the National Museum on January 14, 2019 build slowly a stable, sustainable and enviable modern city.

History-wise, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sikhayan festival also marks a very important cultural achievement for the Rosenians. This is the development of Cuartel de Santo Domingo as a tourism and heritage site of Santa Rosa.

Last January 14, 2019, the Cuartel de Santo Domingo was publicly declared as Important Cultural Property by the National Museum.

This follows its declaration as National Historical Landmark in 2005 by the National Historical Institute, now known as National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

To keep in step with the declarations and achieve the provisions of the National Cultural Heritage !CT 2EPUBLIC !CT .O

which take steps in preserving historic buildings that are over 50 years old, the local government is working with civil society group Kilusan Cuartel de Santo Domingo to take custody of the cultural and heritage site.

The cuartel is a small version of the Intramuros of Manila. It is an old Spanish bastion and has an area of 4,000-square meter. and located in Barangay Santo Domingo.

According to the blog of Sta. Rosa: An Intricate Picture of a Beautiful City, with the law of

1877 creating the Guardia Civil, the Cuartel was established in the 1880s. During that era, the real purpose of this cuartel is to guard or protect the town from the rebels in Silang, Cavite. This is also the reason why this two-story barracks was located in land between Sta. Rosa and Cavite.

In February 1897, during the Philippine revolution, the cuartel was used also as the headquarters, armory and depot for General Jose Lachambreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s division assigned to quell the rebellion in Silang and DasmariĂąas in the Cavite highlands. The served as the headquarters and stronghold of the Guardia Civil, which protected the porous

land boundaries between Silang, Cavite and BiĂąan/Calamba and Santa Rosa.

Today, the Kilusan Cuartel de Santo Domingo and the city government are spearheading the cuartelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development. The stakeholders of the envisioned tourism and cultural heritage has had a series of meetings with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and inked an agreement to leave a 15-meter buffer zone to be developed by the local government unit as tourism heritage.