The Manila Times | May 18, 2019

DoF, DoH: No sin-tax hike, no healthcare

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•• 4 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 217 24

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

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Trusted since 1898

CO M E L E C :

‘Official’ rankings not ours T

BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL AND REINA C. TOLENTINO

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday insisted that it was exerting every effort to keep the midterm elections transparent and above-board, including limiting canvassing result releases to raw data and not ranking candidates so as to avoid “trending.�

#ALLS HAD MOUNTED FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF GLITCHES THAT MARRED THE -AY POLLS PARTICULARLY A SEVEN HOUR GAP IN THE TRANSMISSION OF INITIAL RESULTS ON -ONDAY THAT THE OPPOSITION ,IBERAL 0ARTY ,0 SAID SHOULD BE PROBED BY AN INDEPENDENT PANEL 4HE ,0 BACKED /TSO $IRETSO 3ENATE SLATE RECEIVED A

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RESULTS PROTEST

SENATORIAL RACE

Tindig Pilipinas group troops to the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex to hold the #AnyareComelec rally, questioning the unexpectedly long delay of the input of partial and unofficial results Monday night.

After the first wave of results was released on Monday night, it took seven hours for the next batch to come in. PHOTO BY

Comelec official tally from 146 COCs as of 7:15 p.m. May 17, 2019

ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

A ‘rest break’ for politicians from term limits

First word

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OBSERVER YEN MAKABENTA

( ! 6 % checked the Constitution FROM END TO END BUT NOWHERE COULD ) kND THE WORDS gHIATUSu AND gREST BREAK u #AN THE SUPREME AND FUNDAMENTAL LAW OF THE LAND BE INTERPRETED IN A WAY THAT IT WILL IMPLY IDEAS THAT it never mentioned?

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Bong Go to hit the ground running

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2%35-%$ IN MY LINE senator-elect OF SIGHT Christopher , A W R E N C E g " O N G u ' O SAYS HE WILL HIT THE GROUND RUNNING BEFORE HE EVEN TAKES HIS OATH AS SENATOR ON *UNE

RAMON T. TULFO

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MAGIC 12 LIST:

Villar still on top, Aquino drops out 34!.$).'3 remain unchanged AS AN UNOFkCIAL COUNT OF -ONDAY S Senate and party-list races neared ITS END WITH REELECTIONIST 3EN #YNTHIA 6ILLAR STILL ON TOP WITH

VOTES &ELLOW REELECTIONIST -ARY 'RACE 0OE AND FORMER TOP AIDE #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O REMAINED SECOND AND THIRD RESPECTIVELY WITH

AND

VOTES

BASED ON RESULTS RELEASED AS OF P M BY THE 0ARISH 0ASTORAL #OUNCIL FOR 2ESPONSIBLE 6OTING 00#26 )N TH TO TH ‡ WHICH MEANS FULL SIX YEAR TERMS ‡ WERE 4AGUIG 2EP 0ILAR *ULIANA g0IAu #AYETANO

FORMER 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 0OLICE CHIEF 2ONALD g"ATOu DELA 2OSA

AND RELEECTIONIST 3EN *UAN %DGARDO g3ONNYu !NGARA

Rounding up to the so-called -AGIC WERE FORMER 3EN -ANUEL g,ITOu ,APID

)LOCOS .ORTE 'OV -ARIA )MELDA *OSEFA g)MEEu -ARCOS

FORMER -ETRO -ANILA $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY CHIEF &RANCIS 4OLENTINO

FORMER 3EN 2AMON g"ONGu 2EVILLA *R

and reelectionist senators Aquilino

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Overseas voters go for dela Rosa, Uson FORMER POLICE CHIEF 2ONALD g"ATOu de la Rosa and a party-list group led

BY FORMER #OMMUNICATIONS !SSIStant Secretary Esther Margaux “MoCHAu 5SON WERE OVERWHELMINGLY FAVORED BY OVERSEAS VOTERS BASED ON THE UNOFkCIAL 0ARISH 0ASTORAL #OUNCIL FOR 2ESPONSIBLE 6OTING S 00#26 COUNT !S OF P M &RIDAY DELA 2OSA ‡ kFTH IN THE OVERALL COUNT ‡ GAR-

NERED VOTES FROM OVERSEAS &ILIPINO VOTERS kVE SPOTS AHEAD OF THE OVERALL FRONTRUNNER REELECTIONIST SENATOR #YNTHIA 6ILLAR -OST PERCENT OF DE LA 2OSA S VOTES CAME FROM THE -IDDLE %AST AND THE !SIA 0ACIkC PERCENT

FOLLOWED BY %UROPE PERCENT AND THE !MERICAS PERCENT 0HYSICIAN 7ILLIE /NG WHO WAS TH PLACE IN THE OVERALL INITIAL

What’s inside DISMISSED FDA CHIEF DENIES GRAFT ALLEGATIONS NewsA2 DEMOCRACY AS KARMA

POLL RESULTS CAME IN SECOND IN THE OVERSEAS TALLY FOLLOWED BY EX PRESIDENTIAL AIDE #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE u"ONGu 'O WHO GOT VOTES !LSO IN THE TOP OF THE OVERSEAS VOTE WERE 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE BACKED CANDIDATES )LOCOS .ORTE 'OV -ARIA )MELDA *OSEFA g)MEEu -ARCOS

FORMER SENATOR 0ILAR *ULIANA g0IAu #AYETANO FORMER -ETRO -ANILA

1. VILLAR, Cynthia 2. POE, Grace 3. GO, Bong 4. CAYETANO, Pia 5. DELA ROSA, Ronald 6. ANGARA, Sonny 7. LAPID, Lito 8. MARCOS, Imee 9. TOLENTINO, Francis 10. PIMENTEL, Koko 11. BINAY, Nancy 12. REVILLA, Bong 13. AQUINO, Bam 14. EJERCITO, JV 15. ESTRADA, Jinggoy 16. ROXAS, Mar 17. OSMEĂ‘A, Serge 18. ONG, Willie 19. MANGUDADATU, Zajid 20. MANICAD, Jiggy

ÂłVotersA7

For more election updates and results visit

www.manilatimes.net

US Navy to maintain presence in West PH Sea THE United States remains committed to patrolling the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) given its interest IN KEEPING TRADE lOWING A SENIOR OFkCIAL SAID

23,610,580 20,711,849 19,030,884 18,550,012 17,567,258 17,027,333 15,778,223 14,775,948 14,387,602 13,563,083 13,453,117 13,442,578 13,384,293 13,344,417 10,512,191 9,307,456 8,961,091 7,297,335 6,750,220 6,647,710

“Our operations there have really NOT lUCTUATED MUCH OVER THOSE SEVEN DECADES INCLUDING IN RECENT TIMES !ND SO WE LL CONSISTENTLY BE PRESENT

ÂłPresenceA7

Antonio ContrerasA4

Police: Dutch hostage has joined Abu Sayyaf SULU: ! $UTCH HOSTAGE HAD JOINED THE !BU 3AYYAF SEVEN YEARS AFTER HE WAS KIDNAPPED ALONG WITH A 3WISS

in the southern P R O V I N C E O F 4AWI 4AWI A POLICE OFkCIAL CLAIMED %WOLD (ORN

FROM (OLLAND AND ,ORENZO 6INCIGUERRA FROM 3WITZERLAND WERE ABDUCTED IN &EBRUARY BY !BU 3AYYAF MILITANTS AND

EXCLUSIVE

ÂłJoinedA2 REACH US AT:

CURRY SHINES AS WARRIORS DOWN BLAZERS FOR 2-0 LEAD

SportsC1

CANDON MUSIC FESTIVAL PROMISES THREE-DAY FUN ACROSS ALL GENRES

EntertainmentD4

FLORAL

A mosaic of cactus and flowers was arranged by workers during the Cactus and Succulent Convention Philippines held at the UN Square in Manila on Friday. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

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

A2

News

˜ The Manila Times

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SATURDAY May 18, 2019

‘Very few’ cases of media violence during May polls

Dismissed FDA chief denies graft allegations

F

BY CATHERINE A. MODESTO

ORMER Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) chief Nela Charade Puno has denied any involvement in corruption as she accepted the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate her services on Thursday.

g) SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE 0RESIDENT AND THEREFORE ) ACCEPT HIS DECISION WITHOUT ILL FEELINGS (OWEVER ) TAKE EXCEPTION AT THE MENTION OF SO CALLED @CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS u 0UNO SAID IN A STATEMENT g) LEAVE &$! WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE AND WHAT ) BELIEVE A CLEAN RECORD )T IS COMPLETELY UNNECESsary to sully the personal and the PROFESSIONAL REPUTATIONS OF PEOPLE

WHO SACRIkCE TO RENDER PUBLIC SERVICE u SHE ADDED 0UNO ALSO WELCOMED ANY INVESTIGATION TO CLEAR HER NAME AS SHE NOTED THAT SHE HAD NOT BEEN CHARGED OF GRAFT IN HER TWO YEARS IN PUBLIC OFkCE g)F THERE WILL BE ANY SUCH ALLEGATIONS FORTHCOMING ) AM READY TO FACE ANY FORUM u SHE SAID )N HIS LETTER TO 0UNO %XECUTIVE

3ECRETARY 3ALVADOR -EDIALDEA SAID

g4HIS IS IN LINE WITH THE 0RESIDENT S MANDATE TO ERADICATE GRAFT AND CORRUPTION AND TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC OFkCIALS AND EMPLOYEES CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN MANNER WORTHY OF PUBLIC TRUST u $UTERTE PREVIOUSLY WARNED THAT HE WOULD FIRE MORE OFFICIALS AT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH FOR ALLEGED CORRUPTION )N HE SAID g4HE kRST WHIFF ;OF CORRUPTION= AND EVEN IF IT ISN T TRUE WE LL SAY GOODBYE u REFERRING TO HIS APPOINTEES 3EVERAL HIGH RANKING OFFICIALS FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR POSTS over alleged involvement in corRUPTION BUT NONE OF THEM HAS BEEN CHARGED AND WERE EVENTUALLY REAPPOINTED TO OTHER POSTS

$UTERTE PREVIOUSLY REMOVED FORMER "UREAU OF #USTOMS CHIEF )SIDRO ,APEÄA ALONG WITH OTHER TOP #USTOMS OFkCIALS FROM PUBLIC OFkCE (E HOWEVER APPOINTED ,APEÄA AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE 4ECHNICAL %DUCATION AND 3KILLS $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY Puno is a licensed pharmacist WHO WAS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR PRIOR TO HER APPOINTMENT AS &$! DIRECTOR GENERAL IN $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH 5NDERSECRETARY 2OLANDO $OMINGO WOULD TEMPORARILY TAKE 0UNO S PLACE )N THE NOTICE OF TERMINATION DATED -AY WHICH 0UNO RECEIVED ON -AY -EDIALDEA ORDERED HER TO TURN OVER ALL OFkCIAL DOCUMENTS

papers and assets to the Health DEPARTMENT S /FkCE OF THE 5NDERSECRETARY FOR (EALTH 2EGULATION

THE government had recorded gVERY FEWu CASES OF MEDIA VIOLENCE DURING THE LAST MIDTERM ELECTIONS

the Presidential Task Force on Media 3ECURITY 04&O-3 SAID Presidential Communications 5NDERSECRETARY *OEL %GCO HEAD OF THE 04&O-3 MADE THE STATEMENT AS HE LAUDED THE 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 0OLICE 0.0 FOR THE GENERALLY PEACEFUL MEDIA ENVIRONMENT DURING -ONDAY S ELECTIONS g6ERY FEW CASES OF MEDIA VIOLENCE WERE RECORDED IN THE LAST POLITICAL EXERCISE (ISTORICALLY THE EXACT OPPOSITE IS THE NORM 7E ASSUMED THAT THE PEACE AND ORDER SITUATION FOR THE LAST POLLS WILL NOT BE ANY DIFFERENT FROM PAST ELECTIONS u %GCO SAID IN A STATEMENT g"UT BECAUSE OF THE PROACTIVE MEASURES WE TOOK WITH THE HELP OF THE 0.0 THERE WAS HARDLY ANY MAJOR MEDIA VIOLENCE CASE THAT HAPPENED 7E COMMEND THE 0.0 AND ITS LEADERSHIP AS WITHOUT THEIR VIGILANCE AND DEDICATION THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AT ALL POSSIBLE u HE ADDED "ASED ON 04&O-3 RECORDS %GCO SAID THERE WERE ONLY THREE INSTANCES WHEN THE INTERVENTION OF THE TASK FORCE WAS SOUGHT IN THE RECENT NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS 4HE TASK FORCE HE ADDED RECEIVED A REPORT ABOUT A PHOTOGRAPHER OF A MAJOR DAILY WHO WAS REPORTEDLY MOBBED BY SUPPORTERS OF A MAYORAL

CANDIDATE AFTER HE TOOK PICTURES OF THEIR ALLEGED VOTE BUYING ACTIVITIES g(IS MEMORY CARD WAS ALSO FORCIBLY TAKEN 4HE TASK FORCE IMMEDIATELY ORDERED AN INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT u THE 0ALACE OFkCIAL SAID 4HE TASK FORCE ACCORDING TO %GCO

HAD ALSO COORDINATED WITH THE 0.0 TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR A GROUP OF kVE JOURNALISTS WHO FELT THAT THEY WERE IN A gDANGEROUS SITUATIONu WHILE COVERING THE ELECTIONS IN A CERTAIN PROVINCE g4HE TASK FORCE IMMEDIATELY GOT IN TOUCH WITH THE POLICE PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR WHO PROVIDED SECURITY AND GUARANTEED THEIR SAFE PASSAGE u HE SAID Egco added that the PTFoMS also ACTED ON A COMPLAINT BY A '-!

NETWORK STRINGER WHO SAID UNIDENTIkED MEN WEARING JACKETS AND RIDING A MOTORCYCLE PASSED BY ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND UTTERED TO HIM IN THE VERNACULAR g'-! PATAY KA NAÜ Lumayas ka na '-! YOU RE DEAD ALREADY GO AWAY Üu WHILE MAKING A GESTURE OF SLASHING HIS NECK (E SAID THE TASK FORCE ALSO IMmediately contacted the provincial police director in the area and “he RESPONDED QUICKLY u g4HE TASK FORCE CONTINUES TO CLOSELY MONITOR CASES OF MEDIA VIOLENCE AND IS COMMITTED TO FULkLL ITS MANDATE TO PROTECT THE LIFE LIBERTY AND SECURITY OF MEDIA WORKERS

u %GCO ADDED CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Duterte orders PCSO probe; Cam free to quit

KICKING THE HABIT

Iconic anti-smoking mascot “Yosi Kadiri” graces Friday’s joint news conference of the Finance and Health departments on new taxes on tobacco and alcoholic products. Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd (2nd from left) playfully punches the mascot as Finance chief Carlos Dominguez 3rd (right) and two other guests join the fun. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI See story on B1

»

MMDA collects 29 truckloads of poll trash ). A POST CLEANUP REPORT ON &RIDAY

THE -ETROPOLITAN -ANILA $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY S --$! -ETRO 0ARKWAY #LEARING 'ROUP -0#' SAID IT HAD HAULED FROM THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED MIDTERM ELECTIONS TRUCKLOADS OF CAMPAIGN MATERIALS EQUIVALENT TO TONS OR CUBIC METERS OF TRASH !RMED WITH SCRAPERS AND SPRAYERS CLEARING OPERATION TEAMS scratched election materials pasted ON CONCRETE WALLS AND FENCES IN MAJOR THOROUGHFARES 5SING LIFTERS WORKERS ALSO TOOK DOWN TARPAULINS BUNTINGS AND POSTERS HANGING ON ELECTRICAL POSTS

WIRINGS AND TREES WHILE STREET SWEEPERS REMOVED LEAlETS SAMPLE

BALLOTS AND lYERS IN THE VICINITIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS g7E TARGET TO RID THE MAJOR ROADS IN ;-ETRO -ANILA= OF CAMpaign materials and spruce up PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNTIL THIS WEEK SO THE PUBLIC CAN PREPARE FOR THE OPENING OF CLASSES NEXT MONTH EARLY u --$! #HAIRMAN $ANILO ,IM SAID $URING THE POST ELECTION CLEARING OPERATIONS COLLECTED CAMPAIGN TRASH REACHED TONS ON -AY

TONS ON -AY AND TONS ON -AY FROM MAJOR THOROUGHFARES AND PUBLIC SCHOOL VICINITIES IN -ETRO -ANILA 4HE CITIES OF -ANILA 1UEZON

0ARAÄAQUE AND -AKATI YIELDED THE

Q JOINED FROM A1

LION S SHARE OF CAMPAIGN MATERIALS )N A REPORT RELEASED IN *UNE

THE --$! REPORTED THAT WITH THE SWIFTLY GROWING RATE OF TRASH GENERATION THREE LANDkLLS THAT THE .ATIONAL #APITAL 2EGION IS CURRENTLY USING WOULD BE FULL AND RENDERED UNUSABLE BY )T SAID THE 1UEZON #ITY SANITARY LANDFILL WOULD BE FULL BY

.AVOTAS SANITARY LANDkLL BY and Rizal provincial sanitary landkLL BY 3OLID WASTE GENERATION BY -ETRO -ANILA RESIDENTS AS OF /CTOBER LAST YEAR WAS ABOUT CUBIC METERS OR TONS DAILY -EANWHILE &RANCIS -ARTINEZ

-0#' CHIEF SAID THEY CONkSCATED

PIECES EQUIVALENT TO TONS OF ELECTION RELATED MATERIALS in various areas in Metro Manila under the “/PLAN "AKLASu camPAIGN BEFORE THE -AY ELECTIONS The campaign started on March UNTIL %LECTION $AY WHEREIN CAMpaign materials placed outside arEAS DESIGNATED BY THE #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS WERE REMOVED g!LL IN ALL WE HAVE COLLECTED

SO FAR TONS OF CAMPAIGN TRASH THIS MIDTERM ELECTIONS u -ARTINEZ SAID #AMPAIGN MATERIALS ARE BROUGHT TO AND STORED AT THE lYOVERS IN 3ANTOLAN 1UEZON #ITY AND .AGTAHAN

-ANILA FOR SORTING AND RECYCLING NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

Q RANKINGS FROM A1

Police: Dutch ‘Official’ rankings not ours hostage has joined SUSPECTED -ORO .ATIONAL ,IBERATION &RONT MEMBERS IN THE COASTAL VILLAGE OF 0ARANGAN IN 0ANGLIMA 3UGALA TOWN 4AWI 4AWI 6INCIGUERRA ESCAPED IN AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY KILLED ONE OF HIS GUARDS WITH A BOLO 3ULU POLICE COMMANDER 0ABLO ,ABRA SAID (ORN HAD DEVELOPED 3TOCKHOLM SYNDROME A CONDITION WHERE THE CAPTIVE STARTS FEELING SYMPATHETIC TOWARD HIS CAPTORS AS A SURVIVAL STRATEGY 4HE TERM WAS COINED IN

FOLLOWING A BANK ROBBERY IN 3TOCKHOLM 3WEDEN WHERE THE HOSTAGES DEFENDED THE ROBBERS AND REFUSED TO TESTIFY IN COURT g7E RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT HE HAS DEVELOPED 3TOCKHOLM SYNDROME AND HAS BEEN SPOTTED CARRYING A WEAPON u ,ABRA TOLD 4HE -ANILA 4IMES g7E REALLY DON T KNOW IF HE HAS FOUGHT TROOPS BUT IF HE ENGAGES SECURITY FORCES AND THE LIVES OF OUR TROOPS ARE PUT IN GRAVE DANGER THEN WE HAVE NO OTHER RECOURSE BUT TO kGHT BACK u HE ADDED ,ABRA SAID POLICE FORCES WERE CONTINUING TO SEARCH FOR (ORN AND CAPTIVES AND AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING OPERATIONS AGAINST THE !BU 3AYYAF 0HILIPPINE AUTHORITIES HAVE BLAMED THE !BU 3AYYAF AND )SLAMIC 3TATE )3 FOR SUICIDE BOMBINGS THAT HIT A CATHEDRAL IN 3ULU S CAPITAL TOWN OF *OLO EARLIER THIS YEAR 4HE BOMBINGS OCCURRED TWO YEARS AFTER HUNDREDS OF !BU 3AYYAF AND PRO )3 MILITANTS AND CIVILIAN SUPPORTERS TOOK OVER -ARAWI #ITY IN ,ANAO DEL 3UR AND WERE ONLY FORCED OUT AFTER A kVE MONTH SIEGE AL JACINTO

DRUBBING DURING THE ELECTIONS SHUT OUT OF THE SO CALLED g-AGIC u BASED ON THE UNOFkCIAL AND NEARLY PERCENT COMPLETE 0ARISH 0ASTORAL #OUNCIL FOR 2ESPONSIBLE 6OTING 00#26 COUNT "ASED ON THE #OMELEC CANVASS AS OF LATE 4HURSDAY ,0 STALWART AND REELECTIONIST SENATOR 0AOLO "ENIGNO g"AMu !QUINO TH STILL APPEARED TO HAVE AN OUTSIDE CHANCE HANGING ON TO TH PLACE (E FELL OUT OF THE WINNERS CIRCLE ON &RIDAY "ELYING THE gOFFICIALu RANKINGS RELEASED SINCE 4UESDAY #OMELEC SPOKESMAN *AMES *IMENEZ SAID THE POLL BODY SITTING AS THE .ATIONAL "OARD OF #ANVASSERS WOULD NOT BE COLLATING CERTIkCATES OF CANVASS RESULTS UNTIL AFTER ALL ARE REVIEWED g7E DON T DO THE RANKING 7E JUST GIVE THE RAW DATA ON THE TABULATED VOTES BUT WE DON T RANK THEM BECAUSE WE DON T WANT TO BE ACCUSED OF TRENDING u HE TOLD 4HE -ANILA 4IMES g;7=E RE JUST SETTING IT DOWN IN WRITING SO PEOPLE GET IT CORRECTLY u HE ADDED 0REVIOUS RANKINGS WERE MADE BY THE MEDIA BASED ON TALLIES COMPILED FROM PIECEMEAL RESULTS RELEASED BY THE #OMELEC )T WAS ONLY ON &RIDAY THAT THE POLL BODY DECIDED TO ISSUE

A RUNNING TOTAL BUT STILL WITHOUT A RANKING

Independent probe sought 4HE ,0 IN A MANIFESTATION SAID THE #OMELEC SHOULD INITIATE A PROBE OF -ONDAY S SEVEN HOUR DATA OUTAGE AND THE MALFUNCTIONING VOTE COUNTING MACHINES 6#-S THAT DELAYED THE VOTING PROCESS AT A NUMBER OF PRECINCTS g/N -AY ELECTION DAY WE RECEIVED SEVERAL REPORTS OF DEFECTIVE VOTE COUNTING MACHINES AND MALFUNCTIONED CORRUPTED 3ECURE $IGITAL 3$ CARDS -OREOVER AT THE END OF THE VOTING HOURS

WHEN THE ELECTION RESULTS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMITTED FROM THE clustered precincts to the transparency SERVERS THE SAME COULD NOT BE ACCESSED FOR ALMOST SEVEN HOURS RAISING THE INQUISITIVENESS OF THE ELECTORATE IN HAVING AN HONEST AND CREDIBLE ELECTION RESULTS u THE ,0 SAID )T ALSO POINTED TO THE #OMELEC S ADMISSION THAT 6#-S WERE DEFECTIVE AND 3$ CARDS MALFUNCTIONED

and that a “the seven-hour delay access TO THE TRANSPARENCY SERVERS WAS DUE TO THE CREATION OF DATA PACKETS AND THE

02%3)$%.4 2ODRIGO $UTERTE ORDERED AN INVESTIGATION OF CORRUPTION allegations at the Philippine Charity 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE 0#3/ A DAY AFTER BOARD MEMBER 3ANDRA #AM OFFERED TO RESIGN #AM ON 4HURSDAY ASKED $UTERTE TO RELIEVE HER FROM HER POST BECAUSE “she could not stomach the corrupTION AT THE 0#3/ u Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo told The Manila Times THAT $UTERTE HAD CALLED FOR AN INVESTIGATION 0ANELO HOWEVER SAID THAT IF #AM COULD NOT STAND THE CORRUPTION SHE SHOULD JUST RESIGN FROM HER POST AND DID NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE 0RESIDENT TO RELIEVE HER (E ALSO ASKED #AM TO FILE charges against the alleged corRUPT 0#3/ OFkCIALS g) LOVE OUR COUNTRY AND ) LOVE YOU FOR BEING kRM ON YOUR ADVOCACY ON THE kGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION ) WANT TO MEET WITH YOU AND ASK YOU TO RELIEVE ME OF MY POST u #AM SAID IN A PRESS CONFERENCE IN -ANILA ON -ONDAY 4HERE ARE FOUR 0#3/ BOARD MEMBERS #AM -ARLON "ALITE 2AMON )KE 3EÄERES AND /FkCER IN CHARGE !NSELMO 3IMEON 0INILI g"ABAGSAK PO ANG PCSO kung WALA NA PO KAMING revenue na natatanggap kung laging lIP lOPPING

TRANSMISSION ISSUES WERE ATTRIBUTED TO *AVA ERROR u )N ITS MOTION THE ,0 SOUGHT g;T=HE CONSTITUTION CREATION OF AN INDEPENDENT BODY TO CONDUCT INVESTIGATION ON THE ALleged irregularity in the seven-hour data OUTAGEu ALONG WITH THE IDENTIkCATION OF THE PRECINCTS WHERE THE 6#- AND 3$ CARD FAILURES OCCURRED )T ALSO CALLED FOR THE RELEASE OF THE TRANSPARENCY SERVER S AUDIT AND SYSTEM LOGS AND THE FULL TECHNICAL REPORT REGARDING THE *AVA ERROR AND DATA PACKET GLITCHES

Namfrel claim rejected 4HE #OMELEC HAS ALSO BEEN CRITICIZED

BY THE .ATIONAL -OVEMENT FOR &REE %LECTIONS .AMFREL OVER REPORTS THAT IT EMPLOYED A gMEET ME ROOMu SERVER TO RECEIVE 6#- RESULTS BUT *IMENEZ ON &RIDAY SAID THE WATCHDOG WHICH pulled out earlier this month as the POLL BODY S CITIZENS ARM AFTER IT WAS REFUSED ACCESS TO ELECTION DATA WAS AWARE OF SUCH g4HEY CLAIM NOT TO HAVE BEEN IN THE DISCUSSION )T S SURPRISING BECAUSE WE HAVE THE MINUTES AND THE MINUTES CLEARLY SHOWED THAT .AMFREL WAS PRESENT AT THE MEETING WHEN IT WAS DISCUSSED u HE TOLD REPORTERS g!T THE PROPER TIME WE WILL RELEASE THE MINUTES TO THE PUBLIC 7E ARE PREPARING THE CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS RELATIVE

ang BOARD 0#3/ IS DOOMED TO FAIL BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GETTING ANY REVENUE IF THE BOARD ALWAYS lIP lOPS u SHE SAID g!NG DAMI NA PONG NAWAWALANG pera 3O MUCH MONEY IS LOST BECAUSE OF THE SHORTFALL u SAID THE 0#3/ BOARD MEMBER WHO WAS ACCUSED OF FAILING TO DISCLOSE HER WEALTH )N -ARCH THEN 0#3/ CHIEF !LEXANDER "ALUTAN WAS SACKED OVER SERIOUS CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS INCLUDING SPENDING 0 MILLION FOR A #HRISTMAS PARTY 4HE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES LED BY $EPUTY -INORITY ,EADER $ANILO 3UAREZ DURING A HEARING SUGGESTED a revamp in the PCSO leadership AFTER UNWRAPPING A NUMBER OF ALLEGED DISCREPANCIES ON THE GRANT OF 3MALL 4OWN ,OTTERY 34, FRANCHISES TO OPERATORS 4HE INVESTIGATION STEMMED FROM a Commission on Audit report that SAID THE GOVERNMENT LOST 0 BILLION IN REVENUES BECAUSE THE 0#3/ FAILED TO COLLECT REMITTANCES FROM 34, FRANCHISEES #AM SAID THAT MOST OF THOSE OPERATORS WHO HAVE NOT PAID TO THE 0#3/ WERE gmistahs OF THOSE SITTING IN THE BOARD u RALPH VILLANUEVA WITH CATHERINE A. MODESTO

TO THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS SO THAT WE WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHEN DECISIONS WERE MADE WHEN DECISIONS WERE APPROVED AND WHEN DECISIONS WERE IMPLEMENTED

AND WHAT HAPPENED IN BETWEEN u *IMENEZ REITERATED CLAIMS THAT A gTRANSMISSION ROUTERu AND NOT A SERVER WAS USED g)T WAS NEVER A FACILITY TO STORE DATA NOT LIKE PEOPLE ARE SAYING NOW u HE STRESSED 4HE #OMELEC HE ADDED HAD ALREADY GRANTED A 00#26 REQUEST TO ACCESS THE server logs to prove that the transmisSION ROUTER WAS NOT A SEPARATE SERVER g!NY FUTURE REQUEST WILL HAVE TO BE PROCESSED THROUGH THE 00#26 u HE CONTINUED 4HE 00#26 FOR ITS PART SAID PHYSICAL AND ELECTRONIC RESULTS FROM -ONDAY S ELECTIONS WERE PERCENT MATCHED

WITH JUST TWO VOTE ERRORS RECORDED OUT OF THE ELECTRONIC RETURNS RECEIVED 00#26 CHAIRMAN -YLA 6ILLANEUVA SAID THE POLL WATCHDOG AND OUTSIDE EXPERTS WERE NOW CONDUCTING A gPEER REVIEWu OF THE TRANSMISSION DELAY FOLLOWING THE RECEIPT OF SERVER LOGS ON &RIDAY 4HE QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED SHE SAID WERE g7HY DID OUR TALLY BOARDS STOP RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM THE 6#-S u AND g7HAT WAS HAPpening during the time the data or tally BOARDS WERE LOST u WITH A REPORT FROM CATHERINE A. MODESTO

News Senate to focus on priority measures S ˜ The Manila Times

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY BERENADETTE E. TAMAYO AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

ENATE President Vicente Sotto 3rd on Thursday said the senators would focus on the passage of three important bills when the 17th Congress resumes session on May 20 and adjourns sine die on June 7.

The 18th Congress will start on June 22.

“Hopefully it does not reach the 18th Congress. We will pass within the last three weeks [of Congress] the Human Security Act, which we would now like to call an Anti-Terrorism Act, my Medical Scholarship Act, and amendments to the Public Service Act, which will really address issues on water, air transportation [and] power,” Sotto said.

On Friday, the Senate president reiterated the need to revitalize the Presidential Legislative Liaison

Office (PLLO) to ensure better communication between the executive and the legislative branches.

The PLLO was created by virtue of Memorandum Order 128 on Nov. 11, 1987. It is headed by Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs Adelino Sitoy.

“As a matter of fact, we have passed so many bills that the President vetoed. We really don’t consult. We also don’t get their [executive] pulse from the PLLO, and the technique here and based on my experience, if the President does not like a bill, just don’t pass

it or ask the President what he does not like in a bill. This is why the role of the PLLO is important,” Sotto said.

Sotto recalled that in February this year, President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the enrolled bills on the proposed Coconut Farmer and Industry Trust Fund and the strengthening of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

The President also rejected some provisions in the newly signed Republic Act (RA) 11213, or the “Tax Amnesty Act of 2019,” which grants amnesty to those who failed to pay correct taxes in 2017 and in prior years.

“This is again another testament that we need to revitalize or even upgrade the PLLO. This is the nth time that we do not know what the Executive department wants from us,” Sotto said.

“Like all the other bills vetoed,

we could have addressed the provisions that the executive department does not want to execute.

The Legislative department does not consult a crystal ball to know,” he said.

As he said this, Sotto also expressed doubts that Duterte would have a stronger hold on the Senate after the administration secured a resounding victory in the recently concluded midterm Senate race.

He also expressed hope that the Senate would pass on third reading the Rightsizing of the National Government bill, the Budget Reform Act and the Security of Tenure bill, which aims to end labor contractualization.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, on February, sought the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2019 to “toughen” the government’s fight against terrorists and to

A3

expedite the lifting of martial law in Mindanao.”

The senator, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, sponsored the approval of Senate Bill (SB) 2204 under Committee Report 638, which aims to ADDRESS THE gINkRMITIESu OF 2!

9372 or the “Human Security Act of 2007.”

Lacson said RA 9372 “is a dead letter law. It remains severely underutilized.” While other countries have responded “aggressively to protect and safeguard their citizens, our existing laws are neither sufficient nor responsive to the threat.”

Reelectionist Sen. Mary Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services, earlier raised the need to amend the 81-year-old Public Service Act to remedy the country’s restrictive

economic environment, provide more jobs and ensure reasonable rates of services.

Commonwealth Act 146 or the “Public Service Act of 1936” only PROVIDES A LIST AND NOT A DEkNITION OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND NO DEkNITION of a public utility.

“Thus, foreign equity restrictions also apply to public utilities like telecommunications, electricity, water and transportation, among others,” Poe said.

She also underscored the need to “update” the system of penalties and violations against erring public utilities, which the existing law only imposes P200 per day. g4HIS DOES NOT DETER ERRING kRMS from committing disservice to the public,” she added.

The senator said, “Without a clear definition of public utilities, full realization of economic growth is crippled.”

accordance with their part or responsibility in the cause of the damage effected.”

It is clear from the abovementioned provisions that the medicine you have bought is considered as an adulterated drug because of its foul smell, and may be detrimental or injurious to the health of your grandfather.

In such case, the manufacturer or retailer may be apprehended and penalized for selling such adulterated medicine.

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

Adulterated medicines Dear PAO, I bought a maintenance drug for my grandfather for his diabetes.

When he opened the box, it had a foul smell. Was there any law violated in the said situation?

Dalmasyo Dear Dalmasyo, For your information, the law that addresses your situation is Article 29 (a) of Republic Act 7349 or better known as the “Consumer Act of the Philip-

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA

pines”: “Drugs And Devices “Article 29. Adulterated Drugs and Devices. — A drug or device shall be deemed to be adulterated:

xxx “a) (3) If its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance, which may render the contents injurious to health;” (Emphasis-supplied) Relatedly, the same law provides for the party liable for the violation of the same, viz: “Article 98. Liability of Tradesman or Seller. — The tradesman/ seller is likewise liable, pursuant to the preceding article when:

“a) It is not possible to identify the manufacturer, builder, producer or importer. “b) The product is supplied, WITHOUT CLEAR IDENTIkCATION OF THE manufacturer, producer, builder or importer; “c) He does not adequately preserve perishable goods. The party making payment to the damaged party may exercise the right to recover a part of the whole of the payment made against the other responsible parties, in

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@ manilatimes.net

A4

Opinion

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l

F

Successful bond sale illustrates advantage of higher credit rating

OR the second time, the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) issue of so-called “panda bonds� has met with tremenDOUS SUCCESS !DMINISTRATION OFkCIALS HAVE SAID THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A SUBSTANTIAL VOTE OF CONkDENCE IN THE Philippine economy and the government’s skill in managing it. They are absolutely correct.

A “panda bond� is a government bond denominated in Chinese renminbi (RMB) and offered for sale to overseas investors. The BTr usually offers bonds denominated in pesos or US dollars, but has occasionally offered them in other curRENCIES BONDS DENOMINATED IN *APANESE YEN FOR EXAMPLE

are called “samurai bonds.�

The panda bond offer, the results of which were announced

BY THE "4R ON 7EDNESDAY WAS THE kRST MAJOR BOND ISSUE SINCE the Philippines’ credit rating was raised one step to BBB+ by Standard & Poor’s earlier this month.

That rating upgrade undoubtedly contributed to the strong investor interest in the bond issue, but in this case, since the issue was targeted at Chinese investors, it (as well as the Philippines on a sovereign level) was vetted

BY A RESPECTED #HINESE RATINGS kRM #HINA ,IANHE #REDIT Rating Co. Ltd. Lianhe assigned its highest rating of AAA to the 2.5-billion RMB ($362 million) bond issue, and gave the same rating to the Philippines, which bodes well for future bond issues by the BTr. The high rating allowed the BTr to price the three-year bonds at just 3.58 percent, or only 0.32 percent over the benchmark interest rate, which is the hypothetical average rate of interest that an investor could expect to earn on comparable bond issues.

4HOSE kGURES WHICH ARE UNDERSTANDABLY PROBABLY A COMplete mystery to people who do not regularly follow or invest in the bond market, represent the huge advantage the country has gained from its years-long effort to obtain higher credit ratings. A higher credit rating means that the country can borrow money at much lower interest rates. A bond, after all, is essentially a loan from an investor that must be repaid AT A SPECIkED INTEREST RATE WITHIN A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME A higher credit rating lowers the interest on a bond in two ways. First, it makes the benchmark rate lower.

The latest panda bond issue had a benchmark rate of PERCENT THE "4R S FIRST PANDA BOND ISSUE FOR billion RMB ($230 million) in March 2018 — before the recent S&P ratings upgrade — had a benchmark rate of 4.65 percent. Second, a better rating results in a lower spread, the amount of interest above the benchmark rate the bond issue has to be offered at in order to attract investors. Last March’s panda bond had a spread of 0.35, the latest one had a spread of 0.32.

All of this translates to millions in savings for the Treasury.

If the latest panda bond had been issued at the same interest RATE AS THE kRST IN -ARCH ‡ WHICH WAS CONSIDERED TO BE an excellent bargain for the country as it was — it would pay more than $5.6 million (almost P295 million) in additional interest over what it will have to under the new, lower rate.

The most positive outcome of the recent panda bond issue, however, may be the realization that the country will HAVE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO OBTAIN AFFORDABLE kNANCING FOR whatever needs arise. The 2.5-billion RMB offer attracted 11 billion RMB in bids from eager investors, meaning that there are far more willing creditors than the Philippines actually NEEDS RIGHT NOW 4HAT IS AN EXCELLENT kNANCIAL POSITION FOR the country to be in, and our economic leaders deserve credit for their hard work in achieving it. ~

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 217

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL S. MALLARI, Sports Editor DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD, Motoring Editor CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O, Special Sections Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY, Assistant Business Editor MARIO F. FETALINO, Assistant Business Editor REMIA B. EUGENIO, Deskman (Regions) MARISHELLE R. MEDINA, Deskman JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net XXX NBOJMBUJNFT OFU t F NBJM OFXTEFTL!NBOJMBUJNFT OFU Letters to the Editor

Democracy as karma

I

F there is something that the recently concluded midterm elections have shown, it is that we have a vibrant democracy. It may not be perfect, but we have its RITUALS kRMLY INTACT FROM PEOPLE freely exercising their right to vote to critics freely exercising their right to demean and insult, calling “bobotante� anyone whose choices they disagree with.

This early, we see supporters of the opposition maligning the elec-

ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS tion results. A series of protest rallies in several locations in the UP System was immediately called just a day after the elections. I see posts now questioning the straight lines that they allege have characterized the votes for the winning senatori-

al candidates, thereby appropriating the same logic which many of us raised against the votes of then vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo in the 2016 elections.

Suspicions have been raised about the delay in the transmission of the national tally to the transparency server on the evening of May 13.

And another suspicious glitch was eyed when the national tally which already reached 92.89 prcent of the election returns suddenly dropped

to 49.76 percent. During the elections, over a thousand incidents of malfunctioning vote counting machines and SD cards were reported.

Low quality markers were also the subject of many complaints.

Indeed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has to be taken to task for many of these glitches and problems. It is really unforgivable that this is supposed to be the fourth

ÂłContrerasA5

Q MAKABENTA FROM A1

A ‘rest break’ for politicians from term limits The point has great importance because it was by introducing the idea of a “hiatus� and “rest break� into their respective interpretations of the constitutional term limits for senators that the Commission on Elections and the Supreme Court have sanctioned again and again the patently illegal bids of termed-out senators, to return to the Senate.

I have received many letters and comments concerning my column on the Senate election (“With a court challenge, the Senate tally will change dramatically,� Manila Times, May 16, 2019).

Some have expressed agreement and support for my views, others say that the issue is now moot because the election is over, and some have provided vital new information that impels me all the more to pursue the matter until the issue is heard and resolved by the Supreme Court.

In particular, I call attention to two highly revealing letters: 1. Lawyer Vladimir Alarique Cabigao shared with me the story of two disqualification cases he filed against Senators Franklin Drilon and Sergio Osmeùa 3rd in 2010, on the ground that they were ineligible to run in the 2010 elections, both of them having already completed two terms in the Senate. I discuss Cabigao’s suit below.

2. Reader Jose Espiritu wrote me to share his discovery that, after consulting Wikipedia’s list of senators of the Philippines, he found that a lot of Filipino senators, incumbent as well as deceased, have violated the term limits provision of the Constitution.

He enumerated the senators one by one.

Senate president Vicente Sotto 3rd and Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon are serving their fourth terms in the chamber.

Fourth terms? If this is not a violation of the Constitution, what do we have a Commission on Elections for?

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Letter and spirit of the law

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.

We were taught in school and we taught our children to honor and obey the letter and spirit of the law. What we face in this term-

limit controversy is an appalling instance of the letter and spirit of the Constitution being trampled on with complete abandon.

This is all the more a pity because I believe the 1986 Constitutional Commission accomplished something fine and effective in writing our 1987 Constitution.

There was symmetry and wisdom in the decision of the Concom to prescribe term limits for ALL ELECTED PUBLIC OFkCIALS FROM THE president, to the Congress, down TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS It set emphatically: 1. One six year-term for the president, no reelection 2. Two six-year terms for senators, no third term 3. Three three-year terms for representatives, no fourth term 4. Later, the Congress, in passing the Local Government Code, set a term limit for local government officials (from governor to mayor down to councilor) of three three-year terms.

The entire institutional design made sense, and was worthy of strict observance.

We Filipinos have embedded in our fundamental law the principle of term limits. We have succeeded at this vital reform where Americans have been vainly trying up to now to introduce term limits in their Charter though a constitutional amendment.

The letter of our Constitution says in Article VI, Section 4: “No senator shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.� That means, after two terms, no more.

The spirit of the Constitution in this provision is to declare an emphatic end to an individual’s time of service in a particular ofkCE 4HE IDEA IS FOR HIM TO MAKE way for succession and to give way to others. The termed-out OFkCIAL IS NOT PROHIBITED FROM SEEKING ELECTION TO OTHER OFkCES he is barred only from seeking THE SAME OFkCE WHICH HE HAS ALready served for 12 years at great cost to the public treasury.

The entire letter and spirit of the Constitution is to set strict term LIMITS FOR ELECTED PUBLIC OFkCIALS The president, the highest ofkCIAL OF THE LAND IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REELECTION (E OR SHE LEAVES OFkCE permanently after completing his or her six-year term. The limit has

been honored without fail.

Is there a way to interpret the letter and spirit of the Constitution so that the term limits do not apply depending on the inDIVIDUAL PUBLIC OFkCIAL !RE THERE EXCEPTIONS AND QUALIkCATIONS TO the limits set?

No there are none.

The Comelec and the Supreme Court violated the Constitution when they attempted together to stretch the provision to suggest something contrary to its letter and spirit.

This in fact is what has happened and has been happening in election after election in our country.

Cabigao disqualification suit Much of this has come to my attention because of the precedentsetting effort by one lawyer to have two termed-out senators barred in the 2010 elections.

Vladimir Alerique Cabigao filed disqualification cases against Senators Franklin Drilon and Sergio OsmeĂąa 3rd in 2010 on the ground that the Constitution expressly barred them from running.

Cabigao contended: “The Constitution is very exclusive, no senator shall serve for more than two consecutive terms and if there is a hiatus, people expect that the hiatus would be equal to one term of a senator. How long is one term? Six years.�

OsmeĂąa haughtily contended: “Maybe they don’t really read the Constitution because it’s written in the Constitution that no senator shall serve two consecutive terms, that’s all, it didn’t indicate how long the rest or hiatus should be before he can run again.â€? But there is no mention of rest or hiatus at all, where did this come from?

Drilon, for his part, dismissed the disqualification case as a “nuisance suit,� saying it is only a move by the administration then to destroy the opposition.

He said: “This petition is not anchored on the provisions OF THE LAW IT IS ANCHORED ON A political vendetta being waged by the Arroyo administration against the opposition.�

Cabigao’s suit was dismissed.

Drilon is still hanging on to

his fourth term.

Hiatus and rest period Remarkably, the Comelec and the Supreme Court joined together in emasculating the term-limits provision.

Together, they came up with the absurd theory of a “hiatus� and a “rest period,� as a way for politicians to circumvent the limits set by the Constitution.

After the SC issued Socrates v.

Comelec, as penned by Justice Antonio Carpio, there has been chaos and confusion in the term limits system set by the Constitution.

Socrates v. Comelec Term limits were thrown out of kilter by the Socrates v. Comelec ruling of the high court. In 2002, then Puerto Princesa Mayor Dennis Socrates was ousted, paving the way for special polls. And despite having served for three consecutive terms before Socrates, incumbent Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn was allowed by the SC to run for the position again, saying the mayor’s less than a year hiatus excluded him from the rule.

The high court gratuitously said the ruling also applied to senators. “A senator can run after only three years following his completion of two terms...the prohibited election refers only to the immediate reelection, and not to any subsequent election, during the six-year period following the two-term limit.�

This statement on senatorial term limits is a disaster. It is not mitigated by the pretense of consulting the discussions in the Concom.

The theory of a “hiatus� and a “rest period� to enable politicians to circumvent the term limits set by the Constitution, is absurd.

I ask Justice Antonio Carpio, is a termed-out president eligible to run for president again after he or she has spent a decent time for hiatus and rest?

If the answer is yes, what will happen now to the entire term-limit principle embodied by the Constitution?

I submit that the issue needs to be revisited by the high court.

Absent a new SC ruling, our CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER WILL BE INkRM

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Opinion

A5

Iran behind the headlines

O

BSERVING that while the global media are focused on Iran these days, much of the news does not necessarily allow one a good and true understanding of a country with which the Philippines has had friendly relations continuously for so long, the Philippine Ambassadors Foundation Inc. (PAFI) recently chose to invite the Ambassador of Iran for the second installment of its Middle East Forum for Peace and Development. Ambassador Mahommad Tanhaei did not disappoint his audience, which included PAFI members who had served as Philippine ambassadors in Teheran, as he gave a serious, credible perspective on his country Western politicians and media have simplistically categorized the leaders, people and government of Iran as “hardline� or not. But as Ambassador Tanhaei points out, Iran is a complex and complicated country composed of various ethnic and linguistic communities brought together by geography and history and transforming themselves today into a new nation, a new Iran.

Iran is an ancient nation that since the dawn of history has been a major power and player in the Middle East and the world, even commanding some of the largest empires the world has ever known. For all the country’s long history, the Iranian Revolution of 1979 may be considered the most important landmark because it brought democracy to Iran for THE kRST TIME )RAN HAD ALWAYS been under authoritarian rule of one sort or another. (There are accounts of the US Foreign Service

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

AMBASSADORS’ CORNER

JAIME J. YAMBAO and intelligence apparatus failing to recognize the brewing dissatisfaction of the Iranian people with the brutal regime of the Sha of Iran. In any event, the US found itself on the wrong side of history when the Revolution came. The US leadership had no idea of the sensitivities of the revolutionaries: President Carter’s decision to allow the Shah of Iran to come to the US for medical treatment resulted in the suspicion among the Iranians that the US and the Shah were conspiring to stage a counter-coup, triggering the hostage crisis that caused Carter’s losing his reelection bid and driving a wedge in the relations between the US and Iran that till now has proved insoluble.)

The Revolution of 1979 The Iranian revolution, according to Ambassador Tanhaei, is not just an event but a continuing process of transformation. It has left its people, leaders and government a challenging burden of searching and shaping a suitable democratic system.

(While Trump and his cabal of sycophants call Iran a military and theocratic dictatorship, Iran has been electing its president in contested elections since the 1979 Revolution.)

The Revolution has put Iranians on the path to modernization.

In modernizing the country, in contrast to many other countries in the Middle East that are relying on foreign consultants, Iran depends on the talents and skills of its own people. (The situaTION BEkTS )RANIANS GLORIOUS PAST as principal contributors to the Golden Age of Islam marked by the ascendancy of Muslim scientists, mathematicians, and engineers in world civilization. It may also partially account for the Iran phobia phenomenon — the suspicion and fear among Western and Middle East politicians that Iran on its own is capable of making nuclear weapons. Iran has not only been blessed by substantial reserves of oil and natural gas but also by the high quality of its people. To give credit to whoever it’s due, the establishment of a modern educational system and state encouragement of modern technology, including nuclear technology, started decades before the Revolution, when the Pahlavi dynasty was in power.)

Iran’s place and relations in the complex and complicated Middle East must perforce be conditioned by its internal situation as a democratizing and modernizing country. In addition, Iran cannot be indifferent to developments in its neighbors. It cannot be aloof to their situation because already Iran has among the largest refugee communities in the world.

Unfortunately, the resources of the Middle East attract interventionism of the big powers. These outside powers have pursued their own scenarios and strategies. )NSTEAD OF kNDING SOLUTIONS THEY exacerbate conflicts with their

Q TULFO FROM A1

Bong Go to hit the ground running Go, who placed third in the just concluded senatorial race, said he is open to receiving people who may need his immediate help as a plain citizen who has direct connections to MalacaĂąang.

Go resigned his position as special assistant to the President when he filed his candidacy certificate. “Sir, I can ask my former staff in MalacaĂąang to extend help to people in need. I was too busy campaigning to be reached by the needy, but now that the campaign is over I’m back in harness,â€? said Go who was concurrent chief of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) before he resigned to run for the Senate.

This columnist campaigned for Go because I owe him a debt of gratitude, big time, when he extended assistance to people who approached me through my public service program, “Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo.�

Most of the help Bong gave was in the form of coordinating with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for people who needed hospitalization and medicines. There were legions of them.

He also coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to transport citizens who wanted to go back to their towns in the Visayas and Mindanao but didn’t have the money for fare. “I will continue to help the needy through your program, sir,â€? the softspoken DavaoeĂąo said.

The Malasakit (empathy) centers in many government hospitals is Bong Go’s brainchild.

A Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for indigent patients or their relatives where employees of PCSO, DSWD, Department of Health (DoH) and PhilHealth can attend to their needs.

So far, 34 centers have been set up — Go’s answer to all requests for assistance from the public which were coursed through him in various government hospitals throughout the country.

As senator, Bong said he will introduce a law that would make Malasakit Centers permanent. “That is a promise that I will keep, Sir Mon.�

Sir Mon? Humility is Bong Go’s notable trait.

Go also said he will fulfill his promise during the campaign to introduce a law to create the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW) to advance the cause of Filipino contract workers abroad and help their families in the country.

'O ALSO SAID THAT AS SENATOR HIS OFkCE WILL be open to receive citizens who have gripes against apathetic government agencies and ABUSIVE GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS AND EMPLOYEES “I will be the sumbungan ng bayan (citizens’ complaints office),� he said. ( Inaagawan pa kaming magkapatid ng trabaho at eksena. Haha! — RTT) The presumed senator-elect will help

his erstwhile boss, President Digong, in the campaign to rid society of undesirable elements. “It’s a big challenge, Sir Mon, but I will be the President’s voice in the Senate when it comes to fighting drugs and crime,� Bong Go said. *** Another likely senator-elect that I congratulated on May 15, after Bong Go, was Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.

Imee needs no introduction as she is the daughter of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Romualdez, her namesake.

Despite what many people say about Da Apo (FM), millions of people, especially the Ilocanos, love and adore him.

FM tried to be a very good president but he was too sick to know what his wife and other people around him were doing to the country in the years before he was ousted from office.

Those who knew FM up close and personal — I knew of him from his close subordinates and friends — swear that his wife Imelda was the cause of all his woes.

For example, while Imelda’s brother Kokoy was appointed US ambassador and owned big companies, FM’s brother, Pacifico, worked as a consultant for business tycoon Antonio Cabangon-Chua.

No relatives of FM held high positions in the government or owned big businesses like Imelda’s kin did.

Back to Imee. Why should children be made to account for the mistakes of their parents — and, in the case of Imee or her brother Bongbong, Imelda’s?

Imee was headstrong and had a mind of her own when she was growing up in MalacaĂąang.

A very close aide of the Marcoses told me that Imee and Imelda once had a big quarrel over something the aide already forgot.

Imelda, the former aide said, slapped Imee who slapped her mother back.

I was a reporter for the defunct Times Journal covering the Department of National Defense during the unlamented martial law years when news about the abduction of sportsman Tommy Manotoc broke.

Since the press was stifled during those years, we reporters at the military and police beats could just monitor the unraveling events of Manotoc’s abduction. We could only monitor but not report about the sportsman’s kidnapping.

It was Imelda who masterminded Tommy’s abduction.

My sources in the military at the time said that if not for Imee’s strong plea for the release of her lover — and later husband — there would be no Fernando Martin “Borgy� Manotoc.

Now, for crying out loud, why should Imee and Bongbong be made to apologize for their parents’ sins?

polarizing tactics and sale of weapons. It has been estimated that the US in the past decade has spent $4.5 trillion. And it can only be expected to want to recoup at least the same amount by all means.

Longstanding friendship PH In 2014, the Philippines and Iran celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The friendship and cooperation between the two countries are of long standing and remain undiminished through the Iranian Revolution. !S CONkRMED BY FORMER !MBASsador to Iran Oscar Valenzuela, in his response to Tanhaei’s remarks, Filipinos are greeted and received in Iran with open arms.

Many countries have jumped on the Interfaith Dialogue wagon and every year in February the United Nations observes a World Interfaith Harmony Week. As cited by Ambassador Rosalinda Tirona, current president of PAFI, in her opening remarks, it was the partnership of the Philippines and Iran that spearheaded the dialogue that has more than ever proven its relevance.

Philippine products are quite popular in Iran. The country has become one of the largest markets for Philippine bananas and pineapples. The following are products that can be competitively supplied

by Philippine exporters: 1. Food products: fresh fruits, processed food and marine products 2. Electrical equipment, including semi-conductor devices, integrated wire cable, integrated cricuits, electric transformer, elec-

trical apparatus for the telephony 3. Machinery/equipment: air vacuum pumps, automatic data processing, computer parts/accessories and parts 4. Auto parts and accessories 5. Furniture/furnishings health and wellness products.

Listening to Ambassador Tanhaei of course can only strengthen one’s reservations about the Trump administration’s policy towards Iran. At his very inaugural, Trump unabashedly announced his ambition to seek reelection, justifying the move of countries like the Philippines to limit the term of the president to one without reelection.

Trump has made his domestic and foreign policies hostage to his desire to cling to his narrow political base, which includes among a few others, the Evangelical Christians-Zionists coalition.

The Philippines does not at present import oil from Iran. This looks like a consequence of Trump’s reimposition of sanctions against the importation by countries of oil from that country because the Philippines did import substantial quantities of oil from Iran when the Obama administration lifted the sanctions. The Duterte administration has been quiet about observing those sanctions. Why? The Philippine Constitution decrees an independent foreign policy. There is nothing in the Mutual Defense Treaty about obeying trade sanctions called by one party. And other countries big and small have deplored the withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or the international nuclear deal with Iran, over the

opposition of the other parties because the deal was working and )RAN HAD BEEN CERTIkED TO BE FULLY compliant with it, and the US unilateral reimposition of sanctions.

One probably will understand the effect of the sanctions, however illegal, on a Filipino government official or businessman when among the penalties for violation of the sanctions could probably be a denial of a US visa.

The aim of President Trump in reimposing sanctions is to make the Iranian people suffer the collapse of their country’s economy so they would bring about regime change. Has such a threat of hunger and deprivation deterred India, Pakistan and North Korea from pursing their nuclear program if the stake of the people is seen by them as their country’s very security? Are there even faint signs of an Iran Spring when that Spring already happened in 1979?

Given the circumstances of the reimpostion of sanctions, its observance by many important oil-buying countries is doubtFUL .EIGHBORS WOULD kND THE sanctions a needless inconvenience, and if the Iranian economy is destroyed, would be afraid of the hordes of refugees crossing over to them. A meeting in Poland called by the US to isolate Iran reportedly ended in the isolation of the United States instead because many invited countries downgraded the level of their representation or skipped the meeting altogether. Among the no-shows was the Philippines, perhaps a better indication of where the heart of the Filipinos lies on the subject of Iran.

Cheers to the good one

A

BS-CBN reported as of this writing: “JV Ejercito in, Bam Aquino out of ‘Magic 12’ in Comelec’s partial, official results.�

The news is a personal relief to me.

JV is one of four candidates in the senatorial race that I openly solicited support for from friends and relatives (the other three being Bato dela Rosa, Nancy Binay and Francis Tolentino).

JV entered the race with solid credentials (no involvement in plunder or corrupt practices, with the Universal Health Care Law and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act being among his recent landmark accomplishments). I had dug into his record of public service and came out with data that showed his sterling performance in his 18

MY SAY

MAURO GIA SAMONTE years of public service. No need to elaborate on these records anymore; I did it on various occasions in this column during the campaign period.

What I think needs pointing out is that though he was one of those whose hands were raised by President Duterte during the campaign, indicating he was among the “magic chosen,� his ratings in surveys were below par. Into the critical phase of the campaign, the punchy pretty Pinky Webb, interviewing him on CNN’s

“The Source,� pointedly told him his ranking: “15-18. Bumaba ho kayo.�

Pinky certainly had in mind that JV’s survey rating was on the downtrend, from 9-15 in December 2018 to 15 IN *ANUARY AND THEN kNALLY TO THAT kGURE OF IN &EBRUARY “What’s wrong?� asked Pinky quite candidly. “To some people, you have crafted a lot of laws. Some people say, masipag ho kayo. Pero ngayon and'yan ka . 15-18. What’s wrong?

Are you trying to figure out what’s wrong? Or is it really because Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is running?

JV appeared hesitant in his admission that Jinggoy’s running was taking a toll on his campaign. But I always believe in turning a bad thing

ÂłSamonteA6

Q CONTRERAS FROM A4

Democracy as karma automated national elections and the Comelec has not learned, and somewhat perfected the system, or at the very least minimized the glitches, errors and mismanagement. It is about time we re-examine the process, and hold accountable those responsible for those glitches and errors. It wouldn’t even be too much to demand that some heads must roll. Four elections marred by procedural and technical troubles is simply too much.

As to the alleged straight lines which were exhibited by the voter tallies, unfortunately there is no reliable time-series data from where to draw a meaningful analysis, considering that what we have is the initial partial unOFkCIAL TALLY RELEASED JUST AFTER P M of May 13, and then the one released early on May 14 after over 90 percent of the election returns had already been tallied. Hence, it is but natural that a straight line will be drawn for every candidate since there are only 2 points to connect. Whatever the behavior of votes that came after the second release would have already relECTED A kRMLY ESTABLISHED TREND 4HE shifting of the ranks of Koko Pimentel, Bong Revilla and Nancy Binay would be attributed to the fact that the margins that separated them were small, and it would be understandable that these would be sensitive to changes FROM THE INlUX OF VOTES FROM DIFFERENT areas in the country.

But if there is anything that would dispel any allegations of massive fraud, it would be the fact that unlike

IN THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL RACE THE results of the 2019 senatorial race were consistent with the most recent pre-election survey conducted by 0ULSE !SIA )N ALL PRE ELECTION surveys showed that Bongbong Marcos was ahead of Leni Robredo.

In fact, exit polls also indicated the same trend. The fact that the actual results were different opened up a lot of reasonable doubt on the credibility of the outcome.

By contrast, the Pulse Asia survey has correctly projected the top 12 candidates for the 2019 Senate race, except for some changes in the rankings of Francis Tolentino and Bong Revilla.

It must also be pointed out that the opposition Otso Diretso, while suffering a wipe-out in the national tally, performed well in areas where they would logically draw more votes, like Naga City and Camarines Sur which are the bailiwicks of the vice president. Hence, supporters of the political opposition could not on one hand praise the results in these areas, almost edifying the Bicolano voter as the smartest voter, yet malign the overall national results where returns from other areas whose choices were different were able to swamp the outpouring of support from the Bicolanos. They now sing paeans to the Bicolano voter, effectively forgetting that these voters also helped place Lito Lapid and Bong Revilla, two candidates they strongly abhor, in the winning circle.

This is the problem with the political opposition. Consistency appears

to be a rare attribute with them.

They are now quick to condemn the results and allege the prevalence of fraud, and yet they are the very same people who never raised a howl OF PROTEST IN WHEN EVIDENCE was piling up showing the possible existence of electoral fraud. Even when Glenn Chong and others were already revealing documented evidence, they remained unmoved and unconvinced. I should know. I was trolled by these very same people when I was busy disclosing the data ANOMALIES THAT ATTENDED THE vice presidential race.

Right now, I can only be amused at the gnashing of teeth, the wailing and moaning, and the threats of migrating which I read in social media, and hear from friends. I can only watch them act as if the entire political landscape has been incinerated. It is certainly their right to express their dissatisfaction. But we wish that they would be consistent, so that they can at least deserve our sympathy.

Democracy is not just about getting the results that we like. Having the rituals of elections does not ensure that democracy is indeed of good quality. The kind of politicians that emerge as winners only reflect the long road we need to travel in order to make our democratic rituals truly meaningful. This would require a lot of critical thinking, and an appreciation of the danger that if we keep being consumed by hate towards voices we do not like, democracy will always bring bad karma upon us.

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

A public historian for the television age

P

UBLIC history, or the bringing of history closer to the people through the technology and means of a certain time, is being developed for inclusion in the graduate programs of the DLSU history department under its chairman, Dr. Ma. Florina Orillos-Juan. In one of the discussions on the different areas of public history, our colleague Dr. Fernando Santiago noted that I had done work in all those areas. His remark made me happy that someone had even noticed. It is really hard work to do academic research alone. That is why it is not often that a historian engages in media, consultancy, training and organization; and heritage work, all at the same time.

But I would humbly say that before me, there was a professional historian who had done so much work in public history decades before it was fashionable to call it such here. It is said that during the Philippine Centennial of 1998, one was fortunate to be a historian as there were lots of opportunities. But of all the historians during that time, it was Dr. Jaime Balcos Veneracion who may have done the preliminary work in preparing the Filipino people to celebrate the 100th birthday of the nation.

People may not know it but Veneracion, aside from being the author of the influential history textbook Agos ng Dugong Kayumanggi, was also the historical consultant of “ Bayani ,� that ABS-CBN television series that ran every Saturday morning from 1995 to 2001, which featured the lives of many Filipino heroes and was watched by most of us of the generation that came of age after the 1986 People Power Revolution. Many of us even remember the opening song, “Ikaw ang unang nagbuo ng bayang Pilipino, ikaw ang unang

example, Winnie Monsod and others‌ The new regime did not have the professionals that could help them sort things out.�

When I was a young faculty member at the UP history department, it was rare for historians to consent to be interviewed by the media. That’s the niche that I filled lumaban sa pananakop ng dayuhan‌â€? early on and my impression was that hisI was so fortunate that Veneracion was torians were “camera-shy.â€? Veneracion one of my very first graduate professors shared his first encounter with television when I began my masteral studies at the to me when a New York-trained TV direcUP Department of History in 2005 for the tor interviewed him for two hours. He saw subject “Philippine Revolution.â€? I was tak- the script and gave suggestions. “It was ing a class under him when the then RPN-9 about the Flag Law — which I thought was reporter Kiko Dagohoy asked to interview a turning point in the American Colonial him on Imelda Marcos. He told Kiko that Project (and its relation with the Filipino he should interview me instead because the intellectual elite). To my dismay, none of topic of my BA thesis was Imelda. That the clips taken were shown and instead was my first press interview as a young my whole concept/words were put in the historian. In all honesty, among the senior [mouth] of the host,â€? he said.

When he mentioned the incident to the historians, he was the first one who made me feel that he genuinely believed in my faculty, a senior colleague Dr. Isagani Mepotential as a historian and public speaker. dina told him that he “would never ever al5HFHQWO\ , KDG D GLVFXVVLRQ ZLWK P\ ÂżUVW low himself to be interviewed.â€? Others said history professor, the anthropologist Carlos that historians should demand honorarium Tatel Jr. and we realized that Veneracion was for professional services. “That was what actually the most active of the professional happened,â€? Veneracion told me.

Being taken out of context is one risk historians in engaging the media in the 1980s and 1990s, which was the era of television. a public historian faces all the time. Said It was thrilling to realize that he was the one Veneracion: “The work and the risk are ZKR DFWXDOO\ UHFRPPHQGHG PH WR P\ ÂżUVW similar to regular journalists. The only difference is the relatively safe distance by television interview as a historian in 2005.

When I asked Veneracion about him be- which historians discuss issues. Of course, ing the public historian for the television the mode of transmission is very vulnerable age, he told me: “Just like everyone, we to plagiarism — but if you are not too senare products of our times. Yes, I was for- sitive and concerned about this, then there tunate to be at the right place at the right is the [personal] satisfaction that you have time when freedom was recovered through contributed to nation-building.�

Such is the selflessness of public histoPeople Power. People were asking questions that must be answered [and] that led rians in sharing knowledge.

More on Veneracion of public history next week. to the “Public Forum� of Randy David, for

WALKING HISTORY MICHAEL “XIAO� CHUA

On the world stage, Trump’s disruptive style has diminishing returns WASHINGTON, DC: President Trump has styled himself in foreign policy as the Great Disrupter. And for a time, this unpredictable approach served him reasonably well. Leaders from China, North Korea and Iran found themselves off balance, and they sometimes made what looked like concessions.

Trump’s problem is that, after two years, foreign nations seem to have figured him out. Rather than crafting quick deals that Trump could tout as wins, these adversaries have played a waiting game. They appear to sense in Trump an impatience and hunger for the spotlight that undermine his ability to negotiate.

Trump in recent weeks has moved toward confrontations with China, North Korea and Iran. In each case, the White House has maximum goals without a clearly discernible strategy for achieving them. Trump’s statements oscillate between hardline rhetoric and invitations to personal diplomacy. Sometimes he appears to contradict positions that his advisers have taken. Once, this back-andforth might have produced leverage for Trump; now, it often just yields confusion.

Looking at the various global showdowns, you can see a common theme — of adversaries that appear more willing to take risks in resisting Trump’s demands. Trump’s response is often to double down. This dynamic carries a danger of miscalculation.

In the trade war with China, Trump embraced the perennial US desire for a “level PLAYING kELD u "UT HE PURSUED IT WITH A blunderbuss, through escalating tariffs.

Trump seemed convinced that China would eventually make concessions that he could claim as a victory. Such a deal seemed imminent this month, and Trump said on Monday that it was 95 percent done when Chinese leaders balked.

tive style has had diminishing returns.

Which brings us to the most dangerous of the confrontations, the test of strength with Iran. As Trump tightened the vise of sanctions on the Iranian economy, Tehran seems to have opted for counter-disruption. Israel and other Middle East allies have warned of IraniUS experts offer two theories about an preparations for sabotage or military why China resisted a settlement. One action; the US responded with an aircraft is that Trump’s negotiators wouldn’t carrier group and B-52 bombers. promise to remove promptly all tariffs When several tankers were damaged off imposed on $250 billion in Chinese the UAE this week, perhaps by an Iranian products, and the Chinese didn’t trust mine, The New York Times reported that an erratic American president to elimi- the administration had updated plans to nate them eventually. Another theory is send as many as 120,000 US troops to that Trump’s bravado had convinced the the region if necessary. But as always with Chinese that he was actually in a weak Trump, there have been mixed signals: The White House is exploring whether to refer position and could be pushed.

Either way, Trump’s negotiating style the tanker incident to the United Nations, seemed to be part of the problem. Trump and Trump has said he’s waiting for a call and President Xi Jinping will meet at next from Iranian leaders.

Trump’s approach as he strides toward month’s G20 summit perhaps for a reset.

The nuclear negotiations with North Ko- the brink in negotiations often seems rea have been even more puzzling. Trump that of a gambler. He’s operating on went for a showy but vague denucleariza- instinct and luck, rather than a careful tion statement in his first summit with strategy. He’s not counting cards, or preChairman Kim Jong Un in Singapore. His cisely calculating the odds. He’s winging State Department advisers then worked to it, hoping he can bluff the other playprepare a roadmap for step-by-step nego- ers. He plays hunches; he blusters his tiations to achieve that goal; but Trump, adversaries and then flatters them; he impatient with slow progress, pushed for focuses on the optics of looking strong, another showy maximal agreement at the as opposed to the fundamentals.

The philosopher Isaiah Berlin famously Hanoi summit in February.

When that summit collapsed, Trump divided people into hedgehogs, who know TRIED lATTERING +IM AND PUBLICLY ENDORSED one big thing, and foxes, who know many the incremental approach. Kim, perhaps little things. Trump may snort like a hedgesensing uncertainty in Trump’s changing hog, but his shifting deal-making approach positions, turned up the pressure by re- may be closer to a fox — albeit an uncertain suming missile tests this month. The US one — and the other animals in the forest matched Pyongyang’s show of strength SEEM TO HAVE kGURED THAT OUT ( C ) 2019, WA S H I N G TO N P O S T by seizing a North Korean ship allegedly WRITERS GROUP carrying forbidden cargo.

The bottom line is that with North Korea, as with China, Trump’s disrup- Follow David Ignatius on Twitter: @IgnatiusPost.

WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

DAVID IGNATIUS

Election aftermath — as I see it from the NBOC ALL INSIGHT T AL S. HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc, sitting as the national board of canvassers (NBOC), convened on the afternoon of election day, supposedly to start the canvassing of votes for senators and party-list representatives. However, after the usual preliminaries, it announced the deferment of the canvassing and ordered the continuance at 1 p.m. the following day, May 14.

I asked Comelec spokesman James Jimenez why the NBOC decided to defer the canvassing. He explained that after the closing of polls, 32 copies of election returns had to be printed (which would take time), then the results would be transmitted to the municipal/city canvassERS AND THEN kNALLY TO THE NATIONAL BOARD According to him, this would require a considerable amount of time. Thus, no CERTIkCATES COULD BE CANVASSED ON THE NIGHT of election day. As a lawyer representing two senatorial candidates, I decided to report back for “duty� on May 14.

Entry to the NBOC was effectively manned by the Administrative Services Department (ASD) of the Comelec. The ASD was organized — each candidate has his/her own envelope, each envelope contains the LAMINATED IDENTIkCATION CARDS FOR THE lawyers and watchers. My only lament is that the IDs have to be returned to them each time one leaves the venue.

Conversely, lawyers/watchers have to register in the log sheets upon each entry. At any rate, the ASD did well.

VITANGCOL 3RD

only if there are two copies initially, one electronically transmitted and the other printed in its point of origin, which is not the case here.

Hence, I approached the secretariat and inquired if I can manifest before the board to do away with the reading, which the former favorably responded to. Without any objections from the other lawyers and watchers, the reading was waived.

Statistical improbability

As an information technology (IT) systems designer myself (prior to my being a lawyer), I raised a couple of point-ofinquiries (POI) pertinent to the system DISPLAY lASHED ON THE BIG SCREEN In one display of the monitor transmissions, there were two column headers marked as “Expected #of Voters� and “Received #of Voters.� I inquired from the NBOC, which thereafter asked the secretariat if the “Expected #of Voters� is the number of registered voters and the “Received #of Voters� is the number of voters who actually voted. The IT person manning the consolidation and canvassing system (CCS) answered in gibberish that even I could not understand. My third comment — the data LABELS AND HEADERS SHOULD BE RElECTIVE of what it really is.

In another screen, there were only TWO RECORDS 4HE kRST RECORD IS LABELED Resolution 10530 “SENATOR PHILIPPINES� and the secThe rules on the canvass/consolida- ond “PARTYLIST PHILIPPINES.� These tion of votes by the NBOC is governed records have several columns. Notable column headers are “Expected #of Votby Comelec Resolution 10530.

When the secretariat was about to ers,� “#of Voters that Voted� and “%.�

SHOW THE kRST GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION I again raised another POI. Is the “ExWITH PERCENT TRANSMITTED CERTIkCATES pected #of Voters� actually the number of canvass (COCs), a party-list lawyer of registered voters? This time they said objected and cited Section 11 of Resolu- that it is. How about the “%,� is it the tion 10530. Paragraph (a) of Section 11 percent turnout? Again, the secretariat states that, “if several electronic copies ANSWERED IN THE AFkRMATIVE However, the “%� values made me of provincial/city/district/country/local absentee voting results have been raise my eyebrows in disbelief. The received, the NBOC shall open the same turnout for senators and the turnout for party list representatives are exactly in the order received.�

Thus, the NBOC ordered the sec- the same. I waited for the other COCs retariat to present the COCs in the and these “%� are always identical. order that they were received. Surpris- My fourth comment — This is statistiingly, the secretariat does not have the cally improbable, meaning it is nearly COCs arranged chronologically in the impossible for it to happen. Does this order of receipt. It took them half an mean that every voter who voted for hour to consult the monitoring logs a senator also voted for a party-list? and gather the order of receipt of the Previous poll experience tells us that #/#S -Y kRST COMMENT ‡ THE SEC- most people do not vote for a party retariat should know Paragraph (a) list. For this election, the turnout is the of Section 11 and synchronize their same for senators and party list, for all jurisdictions. This is really impossible. actions with the same.

7HEN THE kRST #/# WAS CANVASSED

all the names of the 62 candidates Copyright 2018 for senator, together with their votes, were read. It was followed by the At the bottom of all the screen displays, reading of the 181 party-list organiza- there is a footer that goes “Copyright Š tions and their corresponding votes. 3MARTMATIC u -Y kFTH COMMENT The whole reading act took almost — Since the copyright is 2018, then 15 minutes. Of course, this had to be it goes without syaing that it is a new done since Resolution 10530 said so. application or program, which was What is the purpose of this? Based not used in the 2016 elections. Logic on paragraph (c) of the same Section dictates that if it is a new program, 11, “the Chairman shall read names of then it has never been used in a previthe candidates and the votes they ob- ous election. Isn’t this a violation of a tained as printed on the COC; while major requirement of the Automated the members of the NBOC check Election Systems (AES) law that the whether what is being read is identical system to be implemented should have to the electronic copy projected on the been “used in a prior election?�

Well, the AES mystery deepens. But, screen.� My second comment – this SEEMS SUPERlUOUS SINCE THE HARD COPY in the end‌who cares anyway. was printed on-the-spot directly from the electronic copy. Hence, there is allinsight.manilatimes@gmail.com www.facebook.com/All.Insight. no discrepancy since it is one and the Manila.Times same. The necessity comes into play

Q SAMONTE FROM A5

Cheers to the good one into a good thing, and that admission by JV made me think of turning something nice out of the Jinggoy-JV Senate rivalry. If I could confine the fight within the classic Abel-and-Cain scenario — which was inherent anyway in the Jinggoy-JV rivalry — then electorates could be prompted to just choose on who between Jinggoy and JV was Cain and who was Abel. In biblical reckoning, Abel is the good one, Cain the evil one. So, people need only to determine who between JV and Jinggoy is the good one and who is the evil one to be able to vote right.

Sourcing materials from the internet, I crafted a video pre-

sentation with no latent effort to call for votes. It was simply meant to project popular likability for the person of JV — something I had earlier perceived as endemic in his coming into the world.

You see, in an interview with JV’s mother, Mayor Guia Gomez of San Juan, I gathered this very interesting aspect about JV’s birth: Guia had an affliction which made her able to ovulate only once in a lifetime. She and her spouse must hit it at the precise moment the ovulation came or hit it nevermore. That moment came in 1968 when Fr. Patrick Peyton brought to the Philippines the Family Rosary

Crusade which he founded four months before Guia’s birth on April 20, 1942. The moment the image of the Lady of Fatima, carried in the hands of Father Peyton, passed her way deep among the hundreds of devotees that gathered at the Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City, Guia felt that glorious tick in her belly. She knew it, and she rushed home to Joseph to hit that Heaven-destined moment or not hit it ever more.

Nine months after, JV was born — on Dec.26, 1969.

Initially I thought JV missed hitting by a day being born on the same date as Jesus Christ, December 25. But, hey, De-

cember 26 in the Philippines is December 25 in Jerusalem. This means JV was born on the same date Jesus was born.

Then as I tried to piece things together about JV, I stumbled upon a photograph of him displaying his certificate of candidacy for the Senate in a pose captured by Rappler as virtually a reprise of Jesus’ own taken far removed in time and space. I thought of making a composite of the two photographs which became the lead photo of my column in the Feb. 16, 2019 issue of the Manila Times . The title of that column was “JV, JV, how did you become a baby?�

Now, Pinky’s candid remarks

that tended to picture JV as on the verge of losing evoked terror in me. What a pity to see a good man down. And so, on my own I did this little video containing the above-cited elements, with my column headline rendered in the vernacular: “JV, JV, paano ka naging baby?� for the title.

For whatever help it can do, I had the video uploaded on YouTube and shared to most everyone I could share it to on Facebook. It did merit some modest views and a considerable amount of likes and shares.

Nothing’s final yet though about the senatorial race. I’m just KEEPING MY kNGERS CROSSED THAT *6 WILL MAKE IT IN THE kNAL MAGIC

12 as hinted already by ABS-CBN. In the CNN interview, JV tended to attribute the drop in his standing in surveys to his zero television ads. This is not an accurate assessment, as actual kGURES WOULD SHOW -AR 2OXAS

according to a reliable source, has spent a billion for such ads, but look where he is now.

Jinggoy Estrada has also reportedly spent substantially for television advertisements. It was very evident. But a recent report by the Manila Times placed JV beating Jinggoy in San Juan by a large margin.

It’s a nice feeling always that in the battle between good and evil, the good one prevails.

News Newbie pols, slain bets proclaimed ˜ The Manila Times

www.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

A7

BY REGIONS REPORTORIAL TEAM Â

T

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has proclaimed winning neophyte politicians who dominated the results of the May 13 polls in the regions, including two slain councilors in Negros Occidental and the widow of a lawmaker in La Union.

In the province of Rizal, Fidel Nograles, a political newbie, kNISHED THE TWO DECADE REIGN OF the Rodriguez clan after he was elected as congressman of the Second District.

Nograles, a lawyer, won over Maridee Rodgriguez, wife of outgoing Rep. Isidro Rodgriguez Jr. He is the nephew of the late House speaker Prospero Nograles.

The Second District of Rizal is composed of the towns of Baras; Cardona; Jalajala; Morong; Pililla; Rodriguez, formerly Montalban; San Mateo; Tanay; and Teresa.

Other winning neophytes in politics were Mark Ronald Lambino, who was elected as vice governor of Pangasinan, and his mother Marilyn Lambino, the new mayor of Mangaldan town.

Mark Ronald won over his opponent Angel Baniqued Sr., former board member of the Third District of Pangasinan, while Marilyn ended the term of incumbent mayor Bona Fe de Vera Parayno.

In La Union, Second District Rep. Sandra Eriguel was over-

whelmed with joy due to her victory over her opponents. She garnered 120,901 votes over the 68,142 votes of her closest rival in the congressional race and will be serving her second term. “I am very much elated by the results of the elections and humbled by the continuing support of the people of the Second District of La Union. This election is truly challenging for us as we continue to reel from the loss of our leader, my husband, former Congressman Franny. We might have lost him to a senseless act, but we gained an inspiration — to continue his dream of a progressive, healthy, peaceful and united Second District of La Union,� said Eriguel.

She said she was not able to campaign freely and openly because of an intel about an armed group roaming the province planning to attack her. But, in spite of the threats, Eriguel assured her constituents that she would continue to deliver genuine public service and sponsor meaningful

MOTHER AND SON WINNERS

The Provincial Board of Canvassers officially declares Mark Ronald Lambino (left photo) as the new vice governor of Pangasinan, while the Municipal Board of Canvassers proclaims Marilyn Lambino (center, rigth photo) as the new mayor of Mangaldan, Pangasinan. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS BY JOSEPH MUEGO legislative measures.

The day before the elections, the Eriguel family commemorated the kRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF FORMER Rep. Eufranio “Franny� Eriguel, who was murdered by unknown assailants while speaking during a barangay (village) caucus on May 12, 2018 in Barangay Capas, Agoo town.

Posthumous win Death did not stop the constituents from showing their support for the two slain councilors of

Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

Reelectionist Councilor Michael Garcia would have been on his last term, but he was killed in an ambush more than two weeks before the elections.

The people of his town did not FORGET HIS SACRIkCE AS 'ARCIA

garnered 10,981 votes, making him the No. 1 councilor among the six members comprising the Sangguiang Bayan (Municipal Council).

His younger brother, Vincent Garcia, 25, will take over his post as allowed by the Comel e c ’s r u l e o n s u b s t i t u t i o n .

Palace declares special holidays in regions

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has issued several proclamations declaring special nonworking holidays in CELEBRATION OF SIGNIkCANT EVENTS IN the regions.

Duterte, through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, signed Proclamation 723 declaring May 22 as a special nonworking holiday in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental for the celebration of its Lubi-Lubi

Misuari seeks court’s nod to travel

FORMER Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Nur Misuari asked the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division to allow him make a pilgrimage to Medina and Mecca, both in Saudi Arabia, and fast there during the Ramadan.

Misuari, who is out on bail, is facing charges of graft and of malversation through falsification over the alleged anomalous procurement of information technology package.

In an Amended Motion to Travel the defense said Misuari was “a devout Muslim, a political and religious leader looked upon by his people as a role model in observing the teachings of the Holy Quran and in observing the five pillars of Islam among them making a pilgrimage to the holy land of Mecca.�

It added that “by previous conduct, he has shown he is not a flight risk.�

The court had previoulsy allowed Misuari to travel from Feb. 26, 2019 to March 20, 2019 to attend meetings in the United Arab Emirates and in Morocco.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft cases and malversation through falsification cases before the Sandiganbayan in May 2017 against Misuari and other individuals over the alleged anomalous procurement of information technology package amounting P31 million.

REINA C. TOLENTINO

Festival. g)T IS BUT kTTING AND PROPER THAT the people of the City of Gingoog be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,� the proclamation reads.

The annual Lubi-Lubi Festival celebrates peace, love and unity among Gingoognons.

Similarly, Duterte signed Proc-

lamation 721, making May 20 a special nonworking day to celebrate the founding anniversary of the municipality of Sual in Pangasinan.

The birth anniversary of Gen. Eleuterio Marasigan, one of the leaders during the libertarian movement in Batangas, will also be celebrated on May 23 with a special nonworking day in Calaca, Batangas.

June 3 was likewise declared as a special nonworking day in Macabebe, Pampanga.

June 11 would be a nonworking day in the province of Rizal in celebration of its 118th founding anniversary, while June 17 was also declared as a nonworking day in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur for its 71st founding anniversary.

RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

DoLE to limit deployment to Kuwait THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) is mulling on limiting the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Kuwait following the brutal death of another Filipina household worker (HSW) from the hands of her employer.

Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said he had instructed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to study and implement the deployment cap, particularly of HSWs or domestic helpers. “I already advised the POEA to consider lowering deployment,� he added. Bello stressed that there was an urgent need to curb unfortunate incidents befalling Filipino workers, as he expressed dismay that another Filipino worker died despite an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Philippines and Kuwait, providing stronger protection to Filipino workers in

the oil-rich state.

The victim was identified as Constancia Lago Dayag, 47, of Agadanan, Isabela. “We were saddened by Dayag’s death, considering that the Philippines and Kuwait has signed an agreement last year giving added protection to our workers there,�

Bello pointed out.

Based on initial report, Bello said, Dayag was brought to Al Sabah Hospital in Kuwait Tuesday night, but was pronounced dead on arrival The same report also indicated that Dayag bore various contusions and hematoma in her body.

Bello vowed to give justice to the death of his provincemate, saying he had already instructed the POEA to run after the local agency that recruited Dayag, and for the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwait

to coordinate with authorities for the speedy resolution of the case.

The labor chief added that he had also instructed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to extend support to the families of Dayag.

In February last year, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a total deployment ban after the discovery of the body of household worker Joanna Demafilis inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait.

Duterte lifted the ban for all types of workers to Kuwait on May 16, 2018 after a successful negotiation between the Philippine panel and Kuwait labor officials on May 12, 2018, which led to the signing of an MoU that provided additional and strengthened protection to Filipino HSWs .

WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

Firm inks deal for power in Iloilo

MORE Electric and Power Corp.

-/2% 0OWER THE POWER kRM OF tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., has sealed a deal with Kepko SPC Power Corp.

(KSPC) to supply electricity to Iloilo.

Under the one-year interim power supply agreement, KSPC will deliver 5 megawatts (MW) of electricity to MORE Power, with the option for another 5 MW. MORE Power said KSPC, which operates a 2Ă—100 MW Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustor (CFBC) COAL kRED POWER PLANT IN .AGA #ITY

Cebu, had agreed to provide “reli-

able power� to the city “at a much lower rate� than its current supplier. “We are happy to be in partnership with Kepco SPC as we commit to bring more to the lives of the Ilonggos by delivering cheaper power,� MORE Power President AND #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER 2OEL Castro said.

In February this year, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11212, granting the Razon-owned kRM A FRANCHISE TO ESTABLISH AND operate as a power distributor in Iloilo City.

The franchise calls for a two-year transition period, which entails negotiations on the use of facilities to prevent blackouts throughout the city.

Founded in 1923, Panay Electric Co. Inc.’s (PECO) franchise to supply electricity to end-users in Iloilo City expired on Jan. 18, 2019.

But PECO continued to operATE UNDER THE #ERTIkCATE OF 0UBLIC Convenience and Necessity issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission, which will expire on May 25.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

Garcia was killed after the campaign convoy of his aunt, Moises Padilla Vice Mayor Ella GarciaYulo, was ambushed in the outskirts of Barangay Inolingan on April 25.

Garcia-Yulo’s brother, Marc Garcia, former Moises Padilla Liga ng mga Barangay (League of Villages) president, also died in the attack.

The vice mayor garnered 13,056 votes over her uncle incumbent Mayor Magdaleno PeĂąa, who only got 5,493.

Not lucky, however, was slain

town councilor Jolomar Hilario, who came in at 11th place. Hilario was assasinated by members of the New People’s Army who raided his family compound on March 31.

In Escalante City, slain human rights advocate Councilor Bernardino Patigas Sr., also won.

Patigas, who would have been on his last term, was shot dead

BY STILL UNIDENTIkED GUNMEN ON April 22.

His brother Abraham will replace him in the City Council.

GABRIELA BARON, WILLIAM JUN GARCIA AND EUGENE Y. ADIONG

PH envoy returns from Canada THE Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia returned to Manila on Friday onboard PhilIPPINE !IRLINES lIGHT 02 Garcia was met by staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 1 at 3:56 a.m. from Toronto.

The envoy was recalled over the waste issue with Canada after the Philippine government found that containers of trash had been shipped between 2013 and 2014.

The containers, which arrived at the Manila International Container Port, were declared as plastics meant for recycling, but instead WERE kLLED WITH TONS OF HOUSEHOLD waste.

Some remained in storage at the Manila port, while others have been disposed of in a large LANDkLL SITE In 2016, a court in the Philippines ordered the waste to be shipped back to Canada at the expense of the importer.

BENJIE L. VERGARA

Peryahan ng Bayan lawyer killed DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan: Police are conducting a deeper investigation into the gunslay of a lawyer in Pangasinan in front of the Hall of Justice in Barangay Bonuan Tondaligan here on Friday.

Col. Wilson Joseph Lopez, Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial director, said Val Crisostomo, a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and a resident of Manaoag, Pangasinan, was shot several times

BY TWO UNIDENTIkED GUNMEN WHILE standing near the canteen at the hall of justice.

Witnesses told police investigators that Crisostomo was waiting for his client when the suspects approached and shot him several times.

He died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim was the chief legal counsel of Globaltech Mobile Online Corp., which was declared by the Philippine Charity Sweepstake /FkCE 0#3/ TO BE ILLEGALLY OPERATing the Peryahan ng Bayan numbers game, which is similar to Small Town Lottery.

It was learned that Crisostomo

just attended a hearing of a gambling CASE kLED BY LAW ENFORCERS AGAINST HIS clients when he was shot dead. #RISOSTOMO INITIATED THE kLING OF several pending criminal, administrative and civil cases against agents of the National Bureau of InvestiGATION OFkCIALS OF THE 0ANGASINAN PNP and other private individuals in relation to the operation of the numbers game.

Earlier on April 10, Anselmo Simeon Pinili, PCSO acting general manager, issued a notice to the public certifying that the numbers game operated by the Peryahan ng Bayan was illegal, having no permit issued

BY THEIR OFkCE Pinili previously warned the public against participating in the operation of the numbers game, as since it was unauthorized and illegal.

The PCSO said Globaltech’s deed of authority expired on March 31, 2016. However, its operations continued in Pangasinan and in other provinces where the PCSO noted some violations in their operations.

JAIME G. AQUINO

Pacquiao assures fight training won’t affect Senate duties

SEN. Emmanuel “Manny� Pacquiao assured that his training for his upcoming fight against American boxer Keith Thurman would not meddle with his duty as a legislator.

Pacquiao will face Thurman for the World Boxing Association super welterweight championship on July 20.

In a media conference in Manila

on Thursday, Pacquiao said he SPECIkCALLY ASKED FOR THE BOUT IN July so it would not affect his work.

The new 18th Congress will commence in July. “I asked the fight to be in July because in June, there is no work. There are no sessions.

They first wanted the fight to be in September and October, but I did not approve because I did

not want it to affect my work,�

Pacquiao said.

He said he would be starting his training in Manila soon.

Pacquiao made the assurance as he committed to help incoming newbie senators and Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) teammates Christopher Lawrence “Bong�

Go and Ronald “Bato� dela Rosa

with the processes and rules of the Senate.

Pacquiao is the campaign manager of the ruling PDP-Laban party.

Go and dela Rosa are among the “Magic 12� based on partial and OFkCIAL RESULTS The boxer-turned-politician is on a two-match winning streak, defeating Adrien Broner in January

this year and Lucas Matthysse in July last year, after being stunned

by Australian Jeff Horn.

Meanwhile, the much younger Thurman is undefeated in 30 bouts.

His latest bout was against fellow American Josesito Lopez in January of this year, which ended in a majority decision.

RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

A8

˜ The Manila Times

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

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DoF, DoH: No sin-tax hike, no healthcare

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

T

HE Departments of Finance (DoF) and Health (DoH) warned on Friday that the government would not be able to fully implement its Universal Health Care program â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as it would be short of P63 billion in funds â&#x20AC;&#x201D; if the planned sin-tax increase fails to pass into law. )N A JOINT BRIEkNG &INANCE 3ECRETARY Carlos Dominguez 3rd said the government would need at least P258 billion by 2020 to implement the program, of which only P195 billion would be raised from its current funding sources â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the 2019 national budget, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes /FkCE â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be gaps, which means there will be people who will not be served. Some may be served, but not all expenses will be covered,â&#x20AC;? Dominguez said.

The new set of excise-tax rates jointly

Q Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd. FILE PHOTO proposed by both departments backs the proposal of Sen. Emmanuel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mannyâ&#x20AC;? Pacquiao under Senate Bill 1599.

The measure seeks to increase the current uniform excise tax rate on cigarettes and other tobacco products from

0 TO 0 PER PACK IN THE kRST YEAR OF its implementation and an additional 9 percent annually thereafter.

Excise taxes on alcohol are also sought to raise to at least P40 per liter and impose a unitary tax system on fermented liquors.

Without adjusting the current sin taxes to at least the rates proposed by Pacquiao, Dominguez said the cumulative funding gap by 2024 would reach P426 billion.

In a statement released on Friday, the DoF said that â&#x20AC;&#x153;without a new sin tax reform law and at current premiums, members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will continue to be covered for only 18 primary

said must â&#x20AC;&#x153;stop.â&#x20AC;?

On the sidelines of a forum on Thursday night, GPCCI President Tristan Arwen Loveres said efforts to monitor against that practice would facilitate â&#x20AC;&#x153;peaceful, honest and transparent elections.â&#x20AC;?

He wished the newly elected lawmakers to focus on measures and policies that would foster economic growth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to have government policies that are consistent [and] predictable. That would make it A LEVEL PLAYING kELD FOR THE BUSIness,â&#x20AC;? Loveres said.

For her part, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Alegria Limjoco told The Times the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leaders must â&#x20AC;&#x153;continue with the economic agenda that is now putting our country [on] the map of the international business community.â&#x20AC;?

She challenged incumbent and incoming lawmakers to sustain the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global competitiveness to further boost economic growth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While many may have misgivings on the outcome of the elected candidates, this should not dissuade us from once again uniting and rallying our leaders,â&#x20AC;? she added.

For the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP), it appreciated the fact the country was able to exercise ITS RIGHT TO CHOOSE ITS NEW OFkCIALS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Regarding the election itself, all I can say is that it seems to have gone reasonably well based

ÂłVote B3

ÂłHealthcare B3

RRR cut snaps PSEiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5-day losing streak

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Better poll conduct, vote probe neededâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; THE government should implement better measures in conducting its elections and resolve vote-buying to allow fair results to surface, according to several local and foreign business groups, which said Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s midterm polls were generally successful.

In an interview with The Manila Times on Thursday night, Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) President Rizalina Mantaring said that, although the May 13 elections had its shortcomings, these were inevitable, given their â&#x20AC;&#x153;magnitude.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the Comelec (Commission on Elections) should continue to improve the system, we note that the counts being shown by the PPCRV (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting) were consolidated independently of the Comelec count,â&#x20AC;? she added.

She also said the business sector, as well as investors, were on wait-and-see mode on what the government would do next after the polls, noting that â&#x20AC;&#x153;historically, election results have rarely impacted the economy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any change in [the] form of government, for instance, could cause investors to wait until they have a better idea of how it would impact their businesses,â&#x20AC;? Mantaring explained.

She also called for the investigation on claims of intimidation and harassment, as well as of vote-buying, which the head of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI)

B2

W

SATURDAY MAY 18, 2019

Business Times

CURRENCY RATE

B1

Q In this June 26, 2016 file photo, visitors attend a launch event for the Huawei MateBook in Beijing. AP PHOTO

Huawei becomes flashpoint in US-China showdown WASHINGTON, D.C.: The US crackdown on Huawei has made the Chinese telecommunications giant the lASHPOINT IN A MONUMENTAL ECOnomic and technological showdown between the two superpowers that is testing allies of both.

One day after the US moved to block Huawei from the US market and banned the export of US technology and materials to the company, China warned Washington Thursday against further harming trade ties.

At the same time, Canada suffered a fresh blow when Beijing formally arrested two Canadians who have been detained

for months on national security grounds, a move widely seen as retaliation for Ottawaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrest of a Huawei executive last year at Washingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behest.

In Britain, a heated debate continued over the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reported decision to allow some Huawei technology in its coming 5G mobile network, a decision THAT LED TO THE -AY kRING OF DEfence secretary Gavin Williamson.

Trade war worries And the spat over Huawei added to the uncertainty over negotiations between Washington and Beijing

to end a bruising trade war, after THE TWO SIDES EXCHANGED kRE WITH tariff hikes in recent days. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The USâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bullying and maximum pressure tactics have caused the China-US economic and trade talks to suffer a serious setback,â&#x20AC;?

Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;China does not fear any presSURE AND HAS THE CONkDENCE RESOlution and ability to respond to any risk and challenge,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The tough talk has hit global kNANCIAL MARKETS AND STIRRED CONcerns in other capitals of dangerous fallout.

ÂłShowdown B3

THE stock market snapped a kVE DAY LOSING STREAK ON &RIDAY as investors took heart from the reduction of banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reserve requirements and hunted issues on oversold conditions.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) jumped by 1.45 percent or 108.66 points to close at 7,583.82, while the wider All Shares rose by 1.08 percent or 50.41 points to end at 4,713.27.

COL Financial Chief Equity Strategist April Lynne Tan said in a mobile message that investors cheered the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cutting of reserve requirement ratio (RRR) on Thursday by 200 basis points (bps) to 16 percent from 18 percent.

The BSP said the reduction would be implemented in three STAGES 4HE kRST TOTALING BPS

will take effect on May 31, followed by 50-bps cuts each on June 28 and July 26. The reduction is expected to boost liquidity in the market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The BSPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move to reduce [RRR] â&#x20AC;Ś is the main catalyst for the investors to bargain-hunt on listed companies as this would enhance economic growth through increase in liquidity in the surROUNDING u $IVERSIkED 3ECURITIES Inc. trader Aniceto Pangan said.

Sectoral results were mixed, with the mining and oil and industrial

ÂłStreak B4

Demonstrating political will

P

OLITICAL will is about doing the right thing even if it meets resistance, even if it might be unpopular. So much of what is needed to cure our damaged mobility requires political will.

The solutions to our mobility crisis require more than just improving infrastructure, better trafkC MANAGEMENT OR ENFORCEMENT of rules. We have to break out of outdated practices and obsolete business models. Do we have the political will and stamina to launch bold, path-breaking initiatives and see them through?

As the economy continues to grow, more Filipinos can afford to use private cars and motorcycles for their daily travel. To accommodate and even encourage continued expansion of car use on our limited road space only worsens congestion. But this is

exactly what we have been doing for the past 50 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and the results are clear to all.

Because public transport is insufficient or of poor quality, because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult or unsafe to walk or bike around the city, commuters are motivated to shift to cars and motorcycles as soon as they can afford toâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;making all of us worse off. Reversing this trend is what our leaders need to prioritize.

We need to make public transport, walking and cycling safe, convenient, fast and affordable, so that daily commuters will choose them over using a private car. This is where political will is the crucial ingredient.

Making public transport, walking and cycling attractive means challenging the established order: where roads and bridges are built

est number. It needs to make these travel options high quality so that even those who own cars will leave their cars at home.

ROBERT SIY A 3.5-meter-wide lane devoted to cars can move at most 2,000 PRIMARILY FOR CAR USE WHERE TRAFkC people per hour in one direcmanagement and enforcement tion; that same lane, if devoted are for the purpose of making to bicycles, can move 14,000 per private motor vehicles travel persons per hour; if used as a faster; where pedestrians, cyclists walkway, 19,000 pedestrians per and public transport users have to hour can pass through. The same give way so that the interests of car lane, if devoted to high capacity users are served. It is also about public transport, such as trains revising performance targets, or buses, can move over 20,000 manuals, guidelines, and techni- persons per hour per direction. cal standards of government agen- Makes a lot of sense to go for the cies so that the mobility needs of MOST EFkCIENT OPTIONS BUT POLITIpeople become paramount. cal will is needed to alter current To reduce congestion in cities arrangements. and improve mobility, governPolitical will is needed to priment needs to prioritize modes oritize high capacity vehicles of travel that maximize people over low capacity ones on busy THROUGHOUT AND BENEkT THE GREAT- roads. For example, the Metro

MOBILITY MATTERS

Manila Development Authorityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (MMDA) proposal to prioritize higher capacity vehicles on EDSA (by limiting entry of single occupant cars) was a sound one; it should be revived with an implementation plan that will deliver better mobility for the remaining vehicles on EDSA. Political will is needed so that bus rapid transit or BRT (where buses can move faster on dedicated lanes, liberated from friction with private vehicles) can bring relief to congested roads. Implementing BRT is a recognition that a bus carrying 50-80 persons has a greater right to using limited road space than a car with only one or two persons. It is precisely on congested roads where BRT will deliver the greatest positive impact. When car users stuck in TRAFkC SEE "24 BUSES MOVING FAST

many of them will be motivated to take public transport and leave their cars at home.

Political will is needed to lift the number coding of public transport vehicles in Metro Manila, so that additional transport supply can address the obvious shortage of public transport, so that millions of commuters can have shorter queues and can get home earlier. In the end, the policy of reducing public TRANSPORT SUPPLY TO SOLVE TRAFkC IS self-defeating and short-sighted.

When commuters face oppressive commutes every day, their natural inclination will be to shift to private vehicle use, even though this worsens mobility for all.

Political will is needed to stem the proliferation of illegally parked private vehicles on public

ÂłMobility B3

B2

Business Times

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

DA: Singapore eager for PH agri products

BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

S

INGAPORE is now looking at the Philippines as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;reliableâ&#x20AC;? source of its food and agriculture imports, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.

This, following the completion of sanitary inspections by Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agriculture and Veterinary Agency (AVA) of the production and processing sites as it plans to import several food commodities from the Philippines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Ambassador to the Philippines, Gerard Ho Wei Hong yesterday expressed the eagerness of his country to RECEIVE THE kRST SHIPMENT OF TABLE eggs, chicken, pork and vegetables from the Philippines,â&#x20AC;? Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol said in a statement.

PiĂąol said Singapore, which has traditionally relied on products from Malaysia and Indonesia, is now looking at the Philippines â&#x20AC;&#x153;as the new source of [its] food needs.â&#x20AC;?

He assured the Singapore ambassador that the DA could â&#x20AC;&#x153;tailorkTu ITS AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD COMmodities production to the needs of the Singaporean market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We could produce commodities and package these following

the standards and demands of your market,â&#x20AC;? PiĂąol told Wei Hong.

Last month, the AVA sanitary inspectors arrived in the Philippines for the on-site inspection of models of vegetable, fruit, hog, poultry and egg farms across the country.

The Singaporeans were scheduled to visit production facilities such as Gemsun Marketing, an egg layer farm in Batangas; Novoagri Inc., which processes eggs in Batangas; Pilmico Layer Farm in Tarlac; Robina Farm No. 23 in Naic, Cavite; Anaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Breeder Farms in Davao City; and Matutum Meat Packing Corp. in Gen. Santos City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The team was not able to inspect the vegetable production areas but the Ambassador was assured that the vegetable farmers of Mindanao, specifically from Bukidnonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s IMTASULA Complex, are ready to plant and grow the vegetables preferred by the Singapore market,â&#x20AC;? PiĂąol said.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Ani-

Q Singaporean Ambassador to Manila Gerard Ho Wei Hong (left) and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol. DA PHOTO mal Industry, the National Meat Inspection Service and the Bureau of Plant Industry are now completing requirements to start the export of food and agricultural products to Singapore, he said.

The DA earlier announced its interest in supplying Singapore with much-needed chicken eggs amid stable local production after the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional supplierâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;announced its plan to limit or stop the export of eggs to secure ample supply

for its domestic demands. Eggs imported from Malaysia make up nearly three quarters of Singaporeansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; egg consumption.

In December last year, the DA also bared plans to develop vegetable production in the four mountain towns of Bukidnon-Impasugong, Talakag, Sumilao and Lantapan (IMTASULA) and turn them into the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alternative source of vegetable supplies, as it explores exports to Singapore.

New Clark New deadline for gas applications air hub on track for opening THE construction of the new terminal building in Clark International Airport is on track for completion next year, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said.

Infact, BCDA President Vivencio Dizon said construction of the project is â&#x20AC;&#x153;ahead by 5 percent.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;[We are] way, way ahead of schedule,â&#x20AC;? Dizon said, adding THEY ARE CONkDENT THE NEW FACILity will be opened in mid next year as scheduled.

The construction of the new terminal is in accordance to the 25-year operations and maintenance concession bagged by the North Luzon Airport Consortium â&#x20AC;&#x201D; comprised of Changi Airport of Singapore, Filinvest Corp., JG Summit Holdings, Inc. and Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in December last year.

With the new 100,000-square meter terminal in place, Clark airport is expected to decongest the busy Ninoy Aquino International Airport as it would be expanding its accommodation capacity to 8 million passengers yearly. This is four times its current capacity of 2 million.

The airport deal also eyes to generate more jobs to increase economic activities in Central Luzon.

Clark airport was temporarily closed for two days following the earthquake that jolted parts of Luzon in April 22. The terminal underwent inspection, clearing and repair before reopening for operations.

No damages to the new terminal being constructed were recorded after the quake.

Last year, Clark International Airport Corp. saw its net income grow by 80 percent to P319.11 million from P177.17 million in 2017, with aeronautical operations accounting for the bulk of revenues.

On average, it served 11,500 lYERS DAILY AND ACCOMMODATED INTERNATIONAL lIGHTS AND DOMESTIC lIGHTS WEEKLY LAST YEAR TYRONE C. PIAD

THE Department of Energy (DoE) has extended the deadline for the filing of application to explore and develop petroleum resources in the Philippines at the request of investors.

In November last year, the DoE formally launched the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program (PCECP) which would allow the government to facilitate applications and the awarding of service contracts.

It replaced the Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR) scheme where the DoE offered available areas for exploration and development and then solicited proposals.

The DoE has set a May 21 deadline for the submission of applications, but in a website post on Thursday, it said the deadline has been moved to August 19.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said on Thursday a lot of companies requested for the extension

to gain ample time to prepare and complete the necessary requirements. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact, a number of companies have been requesting for said extension to give them more time to provide the necessary documentary requirements, as well as technical proposals and work programs,â&#x20AC;? Cusi said in a message to The Manila Times. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The DOE decided to extend the application deadline to allow us to accommodate more applications from potential investors. This is in line with the overall objectives of the PCECP, which is to reinvigorate the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upstream sector,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The PCECP gives prospective investors two modes of application. They can submit offers for 14 pre-determined areas or nominate other areas of interest. The pre-determined areas cover one in Cagayan, one in Cotabato, two in Agusan-Davao, three in East Palawan, three in Sulu Sea, and

four in West Luzon.

Areas affected by the ongoing disputes, including those in the West Philippine Sea, have been excluded in light of ongoing negotiations between Manila and Beijing, Cusi said last year.

Under the first mode, those interested have up to 180 days TO kLE THEIR APPLICATIONS 4HOSE opting for the second mode can submit offers at any time of the year, subject to a 60-day challenge period upon publication and a 15day evaluation process.

Currently, the DoE already received applications under the PCECP but did not provide additional information â&#x20AC;&#x153;to uphold the integrity of the application process.â&#x20AC;? It has been aggressively promoting the PCECP, which is governed by Department Circular DC2017-12-0017 signed in December 2017, for long-term energy security.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

Selling as a service

I

COMPLETED a two-year sales assignment last year running VW dealerships. This was after a hiatus of almost 20 years when I was assigned to run Honda dealerships.

Over the years, I realized that traditional sales techniques have not changed very much.

We still follow the textbook 7-step sales process. This process starts out with: Prospecting â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this is the stage WHERE ONE kNDS POTENTIAL CUSTOMers and determine whether they have a need for oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s product or service. In auto industry, we prospect through mall displays, auto shows and other contact events.

The most promising prospects are usually the showroom walk-ins who have expressed their personal interest in buying our products. We qualify these prospects by evaluating whether they can afford to buy our offers. Oftentimes, we work with banks to determine if these prospective clients will pass their credit score cards.

Preparation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; At this stage, we prepare for the initial contact with THE POTENTIAL AND QUALIkED CUStomer. We prepare by ensuring we have complete product knowledge of our offerings. We also have both technical and cost comparisons of our competitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products. We develop a sales presentation tailored

of the product. We point out the means by which they can FINEX FILES various ACQUIRE AND kNANCE OUR PRODUCTS actively listen to what they are RONALD We looking for and their other requireGOSECO ments. We also promote our after sales or service capabilities. The to our potential customers needs. cost and ease of ownership are usuIt is particularly vital to prepare ally important decision criteria. formal presentations before meetHandling objections â&#x20AC;&#x201C; We lising corporate clients. ten to our clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concerns and Approach â&#x20AC;&#x201C; We usually employ address them. Successfully hantwo approaches when we first dling and alleviating concerns is come in contact with clients. We critical to closing the sale. itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what ask them questions about their separates the most persistent sales SPECIkC REQUIREMENTS AND CLARIFY persons from the ordinary. their needs. We ask them about Closing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; We get the decision their decision making process, from the customer to move fortheir problems, needs, current ward. We usually achieve this by suppliers competitors and their providing alternatives like color aspirations. The last part is crucial ( white for visibility, black for as this industry is characterized elegance, red for vitality, luck and by emotional purchases and a lot so forth). We ask for their preferred of buyers are motivated by what manner of payment and delivery they aspire to be. We prepare struc- dates. At this point we also antured questions to identify our nounce to clients the impending clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buying criteria. The other price increases. approach is the product approach Follow up- Once we close the where we invite clients to test drive sale, we keep in contact with the our products. We offer this after customer for potential repeat busiwe identify their preferred product ness as well as referrals. We also category. keep in contact with them for their Presentation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; At this stage, periodic service requirements and we actively demonstrate how other collateral businesses like anour product meets the needs nual insurance renewals. of potential customers. We also These tried and tested techniques ÂłFinex B4 demonstrate the distinct features

Are you ready to retire?

MONEY O TALKS

N a monthly basis, I conduct a seminar entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Financial Planning for the Fast Changing Worldâ&#x20AC;? that is based on my book which has the same title. The seminar discusses not only about money but also how to live life to the fullest. I discuss the concept of money and assist participants on how to take care of their future by computing their money needs by themselves. In one occassion, I asked one millennial participant when he will want to retire. He said at age 35.

I also asked the same question to a participant in his late 40s and he answered age 65. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite the usual answers in every seminar I do. The younger ones want to retire early while the most experienced ones want to retire late.

Early retirement may sound like a dream come true, but it is not as simple as it may seem.

Retirement is not only an issue of kNANCIAL READINESS BUT ALSO HOW emotionally ready you are for an unstructured life. You may leave your financial preparation to YOUR kNANCIAL PLANNER BUT YOUR psychological readiness is a decision you have to make. For those STRUGGLING kNANCIALLY YOU MIGHT be contemplating that retirement may not be for you yet. But to those who have already set aside for their golden years, the question in your mind right now is: Am I ready to retire now?

Retirement is a culmination of all the struggles we did in the past just to achieve a more comfortable life and being able to enjoy what we want without worrying where the money will come from. But that idea will only HAPPEN IF YOU DO PROPER kNANCIAL preparation while working. How much are you investing right now on a monthly basis to make sure you can enjoy life later to the fullest. What investment formula are you using? Are you setting aside 20 percent, 30 percent or 40 percent of your income for the future? The formula you are using will tell how comfortable you may live in the future. Are you going to have a retirement income apart from your investment like rental income or royalties? If you are in your 20s right now, even small investments will count a lot for your retirement as long as youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re investing regularly.

"EING kNANCIALLY READY FOR THE golden years will somehow give us peace. But the real struggle will bite after a year. When someone retires, he often feels BEING ON A VACATION FOR THE kRST few months. After that, the boredom of not having anything to do anymore will start to sink in. This is when anxiety starts to bite. Yes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to have a retirement fund plan but having an emotional plan for retirement will balance the scale. For that reason, every time a client asks me to help them on their retirement plan, I ask not only how much money they want to have in the future but how they want to live after they retire as well.

Long before you receive your

CHRISTOPHER CERVANTES plaque and retirement watch, you need to think what you want to do when you retire. Are you going to volunteer in your church, study something that you missed in the past, or stay at home with your grandchildren for an â&#x20AC;&#x153;apo-stolicâ&#x20AC;? job?

You are not too young to prepare for your emotional retireMENT PLAN BECAUSE YOUR kNANCIAL plan will be highly dependent on it. Do you have a lifestyle goal for retirement in mind? A bucket list after you leave your job? If you are workaholic, ask yourself where you are going to spend the energy you put into your career.

In my case after 17 years of working on board the ship, I opted to spend my energy into something I am very passionate about, and THAT IS BEING A kNANCIAL PLANNER You will also need to build a support system. You may start building the network now. Be part of an organization that is closer to your heart. Yes, you may have 12 children, but remember they are also busy living a life of their own. If they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want you to meddle in rearing their children, respect that.

You can get emotional support from your friends, but the best source of it is your spouse. If you are having marital issues right now, today is the best time to take good care of it. Remember you two are on a journey until both of you became so busy with children, jobs or business. In the END YOU WILL kND YOURSELVES TOgether again to enjoy the golden years. Ask your spouse whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s her/his idea of retirement.

Retirement can be a wonderful stage of lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;if you prepared for IT "EING PREPARED kNANCIALLY IS a huge factor, but far from the only factor. Careful planning about the transition from being a career person to retiree will help you gain an enjoyable retirement.

But as to readiness, you will know when to retire when you have enoughâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and when you have had enough.

I hope you will be able to read my latest book and learn not only about money but also the lessons in life that helped me to become successful. For your advance copy, you may order at info@cardinalbuoy.com.

Christopher G. Cervantes is a Registered Financial Planner of RFP Philippines. He is author of Financial Planning for the Fast Changing World and The Seed Money. Visit his web site at www.cardinalbuoy.com or follow him on Twitter @cervantes_rfp.

To learn more about personal/ financial planning, attend the 76th RFP program this June 2019.

To inquire, email info@rfp.ph or text <name><email><RFP> to 0917-9689774.

SB Corp., Bayad Center for loan collection THE Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) recently partnered with CIS Bayad Center, Inc. for its loans payment collection. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having an accessible and reliable payment facility is very important to the MSME sector. With this recent partnership, our MSME clients will have access to a payment facility near them with longer business hours than that of most banks,â&#x20AC;? SB Corp. President and #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER -A ,UNA Cacanando said in a statement.

Cacanando said that with the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) Program in full swing, SB Corp needs a loan collection partner that is known to many and has presence even in rural areas.

The P3 Program currently has 400 conduits and more than 80,000 micro borrowers nationwide.

Under the P3 Program, a micro

enterprise can borrow P5,000 up to P200,000 depending on its business need and repayment capacity without collateral. The interest rate and service fees are capped at 2.5 percent per month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being the pioneer in outsourced bills payment collection, WE HAVE EARNED THE CONkDENCE OF the paying public,â&#x20AC;? Bayad Center President and Chief Executive OfkCER -ANUEL 4UASON SAID â&#x20AC;&#x153;With Bayad Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s network, SB Corpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clients can now pay their loan amortization conveniently at any Bayad Center Branches and authorized partners nationwide,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Under the agreement, SB Corp. loan clients can now pay their regular loan amortization at the nearest Bayad Center starting in June.

ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SG firm completes 15% stake purchase in ONB BDO Unibank Inc. announced on Friday that a Singapore-based company had completed its acQUISITION OF AN EQUITY STAKE IN THE Sy-led lenderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rural subsidiary One Network Bank Inc. (ONB).

In a disclosure, the listed banking giant said it had sold the PERCENT EQUITY STAKE IN THE Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; largest rural bank to Osmanthus Investment HoldINGS 0TE A UNIT OF PRIVATE EQUITY company Archipelago Capital Partners Pte. Ltd. This came more than seven months after BDO reported that Osmanthus would purchase the stake â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a move, it said, that would boost ONBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s microfinance business, as the two have been collaborating on lending to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) since 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;BDOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partnership with Osmanthus in ONB is expected to accelerate ONBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ongoing thrust into the [MSME] market and further ex-

tend coverage [to] unbanked and underserved markets,â&#x20AC;? BDO said.

To date, ONB has more than 120 branches and 220 automated teller machines, mostly in Mindanao.

According to its website, the BDO unit offers loans, deposits, cash management, remittances, and bills payment in areas considered unserved or underserved by banks.

The banking giantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s net income rose to P9.8 billion in the first three months of the year, a 66-percent increase from P5.9 billion in the same period in 2017, on the back of its strong core business.

It credited the growth to the continued expansion of its core banking operations, recovery of trading gains to normal levels, and strong results from bank fees and life insurance premiums.

BDO shares gained P2.40 or 1.87 percent to end at P130.90 each on Friday.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

Q SHOWDOWN FROM B1 eyes, includes large subsidies

Huawei â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think launching now a technological war or a trade war visa-vis any other country is not appropriate,â&#x20AC;? French President Emmanuel Macron warned Thursday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;First, it is not the best way to defend your national security â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need it. Second, it is not the best way to develop your own ecosystem and have a world of cooperation and decrease tensions,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Huawei already 5G leader The Huawei confrontation has been building for years, as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest company has raced to a huge advance on rivals in developing next-generation 5G mobile technology US intelligence believes Huawei is backed by the Chinese military AND THAT ITS EQUIPMENT COULD provide Beijingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intelligence a backdoor into the communications networks of rival countries.

For that reason, Washington has pushed its closest allies to reject (UAWEI TECHNOLOGY A SIGNIkCANT challenge given the few alternatives for 5G. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump declared a â&#x20AC;&#x153;national emergencyâ&#x20AC;? empowering him to blacklist companies seen as â&#x20AC;&#x153;an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United Statesâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a move clearly aimed at Huawei.

At the same time, the US Commerce Department announced an effective ban on US companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will prevent American technology from being used by foreign-owned entities in ways that potentially undermine US national security or foreign policy interests,â&#x20AC;? Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said.

Broader technology battle "UT THE (UAWEI kGHT IS OVER MORE than just US national security. Washington sees Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rise as emblematic of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive to wrest global technological and economic leadership from the United States.

That drive, in Washingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

and protections for strategic industries, backed also by an alleged concerted program to steal American technology.

The US Justice Department has prosecuted numerous cases in recent years of Chinese theft of trade and intellectual property secrets in the aerospace, food processing, agriculture, defense and other industries.

Beijingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intelligence apparatus is accused of a decade-long concerted effort to steal engine designs and other technology from US aviation giant Boeing and its suppliers.

In January, Huawei and company officials were indicted in the United States for offering bonuses to engineers to steal robotic technology secrets from telecoms carrier T-Mobile. â&#x20AC;&#x153;China is a formidable competitor and its leaders are clear in their intentions to displace the US, which they see as in decline, and rebuild global rules and institutions to serve Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interests,â&#x20AC;?

James Lewis, a technology and intelligence expert at the CSIS think tank, told a Congressional hearing this week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;China has developed a competing model for innovation and investment that is well-funded and centrally directed. US technological leadership is no longer undisputed,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Integrated economies ,EWIS SAID THE kGHT OVER ' HIGHlights the challenges to both US and Chinese strategies in a deeply integrated global economy.

Huawei is the undisputed leader in getting to market proven hardware and software. Many countries already have Huawei telecoms EQUIPMENT DEEPLY INTEGRATED INTO their national networks.

But much of the 5G technology comes from the United States, particularly the semiconductors Huawei uses.

Yet if the Trump administration wants to foster a domestic 5G industry, it will rely on other components from China. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would be very difficult â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and perhaps impossible â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to bifurcate the global supply chain into â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chineseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Western,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? he said.

AFP

Corporate News Coal, energy businesses drag DMCI profit to P2.9B SATURDAY May 18, 2019

D

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

MCI Holdings Inc. posted a net income of P2.9 billion in the first quarter, a 26-percent decrease from P3.9 billion in the same period in 2017, due to the weak contributions from its coal and on-grid energy businesses.

In a disclosure, the Consunji-led holding company said its core net income â&#x20AC;&#x201D; excluding nonrecurring losses of P91 million during the reporting period and one-time losses of P239 million in January to March 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; fell by 28 percent to P3 billion from P4.1 billion year-on-year.

The P91 million was mainly DMCIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share in the accelerated depreciation of Calaca Units 1 and 2. The one-time losses, meanwhile, include the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share in the accelerated depreciation of those units, worth P167 million. These

Q Royal Air Chief Executive Officer Ed Novillas during a briefing in Makati City on Friday. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

Q HEALTHCARE FROM B1

DoF, DoH: No sin-tax care drugs and seven conditions while shouldering 90 percent of the cost of prescribed medicines.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;But if the current Congress gets to pass the law before it adjourns in June, PhilHealth coverage will expand to cover 120 drugs and

there will be no limit on primary care treatment,â&#x20AC;? it added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The passage of a higher excise tax on tobacco and alcohol products will provide the government with the needs to curb vices and undesirable behavior, while at the

Q VOTE FROM B1

ness and the continued implementation of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infrastructure program.

Lastly, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) vowed to collaborate with the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new officials, trusting that they would work toward the best interest of the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We stand ready to work with them in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable growth story for the Philippines through increased trade and investments,â&#x20AC;? ECCP President Nabil Francis told The Times on Friday.

Like Nelson, Francis called on

Better poll on the reports. It is very good to see a vibrant democracy,â&#x20AC;? BCCP Chairman Christopher Nelson said in a phone interview. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we want to see now going forward is building upon what has occurred in the previous three months and looking forward on how to accelerate,â&#x20AC;? he added He also challenged the new legislators to push for certain measures, including retail trade liberalization, ease of doing busi-

Demonstrating political will of the vast majority without cars to be subservient to the needs of the MORE AFlUENT "IKE LANES CAN CARRY seven times more people than the same space used for private cars.

Many more would use bicyclesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a zero emission and climate-friendly optionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;if the city had a network of protected bicycle lanes.

Political will is needed so that the 12 or 13 new bridges across Pasig (all originally designed for cars) are used in ways that yield the greatest economic and social BENEkT $EVOTING SOME OF THE NEW bridges for public transport, walk-

Earnings share from DMCI Power Corp. jumped by 32 percent from P76 million to P100 million on the back of higher energy sales in Masbate, Palawan and Oriental Mindoro provinces.

DMCI Mining posted a 129-percent increase in its net income contribution to P103 million from P45 million, as nickel ore shipments surged by 118 percent from 156 thousand wet metric tons (WMT) to 338,000 WMT. Net income contribution from Maynilad Water Services Inc. jumped by 13 percent from P387 million to P436 million, due to the combined effect of higher billed volume, a more favorable customer MIX INlATIONARY ADJUSTMENT ON THE basic charge beginning Jan. 1, 2019 and tariff adjustment of 2.7 percent starting on Oct. 1, 2018.

DMCI shares added 5 centavos or 0.51 percent to close at P9.76 each on Friday.

Royal Air boosts operations with more flights

Q MOBILITY FROM B1

roads. In many Philippine cities, streets are clogged by illegal parking, some even atop the sidewalk.

Not only does illegal parking CONSTRICT THE NORMAL lOW OF PEdestrians and vehicles, it is also a public safety hazard, because fire engines, ambulances and other rescue vehicles cannot get to neighborhoods blocked by illegal street parking.

Political will is needed to allocate road space to bicycle lanes, even when many argue that roads are already congested with cars.

We should not permit the welfare

were coupled with the one-time refinancing costs of Maynilad Water Services Inc. amounting to P72 million.

Consolidated revenues dropped by 3 percent to P19.7 billion in the period, dragged by lower coal prices and reduced power generation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All our other businesses did WELL IN THE FIRST QUARTER BUT their combined results were not enough to mitigate the earnings slowdown of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC),â&#x20AC;?

DMCI Holdings Chairman and

President Isidro Consunji said.

Net income contributions from SMPC plunged by 49 percent to P1.4 billion from P2.8 billion because of an 18-percent decline in the average selling price of coal and a 21-percent drop in total power generation.

0ROkT CONTRIBUTION FROM FROM construction arm D.M. Consunji Inc. rose by 7 percent to P359 million from P336 million, due to the higher accomplishment rate of its ongoing infrastructure projects.

DMCI Homes contributed P481 million, a 5-percent improvement FROM RESTATED kRST QUARTER EARNINGS of P460 million last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The growth was attributable to lower cost of real-estate development during the period, while the restatement was due to the adoption of PFRS (Philippine Financial Reporting Standard) 15, which became effective in 2018,â&#x20AC;? the conglomerate said.

B3

ing and cycling would move more people and change the character of our metropolis in a positive way.

Political will is needed to push legislation that will create and strengthen metropolitan authorities and enable more effective coordination among local government units (LGUs) in metropolitan areas. Institutions like the MMDA need to have the power, budget resources and accountability to ensure that essential services such as public transportation are delivered in a cohesive and responsive manner.

The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great cities such as London, Tokyo and Seoul all rely on strong metropolitan authorities with elected governors.

The recent polls have delivered a strong mandate to the Duterte administration. With three years to go, now is the best time to demonstrate that there is no shortage of political will to drive the TRANSFORMATIONAL REFORMS REQUIRED in the transport sector. Filipinos deserve better, now.

Robert Y. Siy is a development economist, city and regional planner, and public transport advocate.

He can be reached at mobilitymatters.ph@yahoo.com or followed on Twitter @RobertRsiy

HOMEGROWN carrier Royal Air will expand its operations in Cebu PROVINCE BY ADDING lIGHTS STARTING next week to take advantage of the growing popularity of Central Visayas among travelers. )N A BRIEkNG ON &RIDAY 2OYAL !IR #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER %D .OVILlas said the airline would begin its -ANILA #EBU lIGHTS Â&#x2021; SCHEDULED at 4:35 a.m. daily â&#x20AC;&#x201D; on Monday. !LSO THE CARRIER WILL lY FROM Cebu to Davao and Puerto Princesa cities four time weekly and Cagayan de Oro City and Caticlan thrice a week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Royal Air is serious in expanding our market reach across the southern regionâ&#x20AC;? of the country, Novillas said.

The airline is expecting the region to welcome more tourists after the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported that 8 million visitors came to Central Visayas last

year, up 16 percent higher from 2017â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 6.9 million.

To continue its expansion plans, Novillas said Royal Air would see the delivery of its Airbus A319 by end-May AND MAY BEGIN lYING IN *ULY â&#x20AC;&#x153;With more aircraft coming in later in the year, we are ready to open additional routes which we will launch from our Cebu hub,â&#x20AC;? the airline chief said.

Two more aircraft will come by June and October, and another two by next year, Novillas added.

Royal Air currently has three planes.

The airline also operates in Clark airport with Caticlan, Puerto Princesa, and Lal-lo in Cagayan province. )T ALSO OFFERS CHARTER lIGHTS TO Chinese visitors. According to Novillas, Royal Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top destinations for this segment are Boracay and Puerto Princesa.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

same time generate revenues to fully fund theâ&#x20AC;? program,â&#x20AC;? Dominguez said.

For his part, Health Secretary &RANCISCO $UQUE RD WARNED that â&#x20AC;&#x153;failure to increase sin tax rates now will put the the lives of 250,000 Filipinos at risk every year.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for our people. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a long time since we aspired for this (healthcare program),â&#x20AC;? he added.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We urge both houses [of Congress] to give due priority to this reform. Approve the Senate version in the bicameral conference and ratify it immediately,â&#x20AC;?

Dominguez said.

Meanwhile, both departments are mulling over taxing â&#x20AC;&#x153;heat-notburnâ&#x20AC;? tobacco products, which the Lucio Tan-led holding company LT Group Inc. is expecting to bring into the market this year.

legislators to push for policies and in the country, yield economic measures that would help more growth and generate jobs.

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS TO lOW TYRONE C. PIAD

Foreign Business EU imposes 1B-euro Crisis-hit Nissan shakes fine on five banks up board, keeps boss T B4

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

OKYO: Japanese car giant Nissan shook up its executive board Friday, adding a top director from partner Renault as it battles the fallout from the Carlos Ghosn saga and disappointing results.

4HE kRM WILL PROPOSE TO SHAREholders a new board structure with 11 members, six of whom will be external, as Nissan attempts to improve corporate governance in the wake of former chairman 'HOSN S ARREST FOR ALLEGED kNANCIAL misconduct. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the lessons from the recent executive misconduct still FRESH .ISSAN RESOLVES TO RIGOROUSLY PURSUE SEPARATION OF SUPERVISORY and executive functions,â&#x20AC;? said THE kRM Renault chief executive ThiERRY "OLLORE WILL JOIN HIS COLLEAGUE FROM THE &RENCH kRM CHAIRMAN Jean-Dominique Senard on the BOARD WITH THE TWO PARTNER kRMS are at odds on how close their ties should be.

The appointment appears intended to calm tensions between THE kRMS A source close to the matter said Bolloreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment was a major concession from Nissan towards Renault â&#x20AC;&#x153;given that Nissanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manAGEMENT HAS VERY LITTLE CONkDENCEu in the French executive.

"OLLORE STOOD BY 'HOSN FOR A long time after his arrest, sparking anger at Nissan, whose internal investigation brought down its

former boss.

Another source said Senard â&#x20AC;&#x153;had pushed for this appointment but the Japanese refused at the beginning.â&#x20AC;?

3ENARD HAS ALREADY BEEN SITTING on the Nissan board since he was elected to replace Ghosn at an EXTRAORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS MEETing in April. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For Renault, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about having someone on the board, next TO 3ENARD WHO KNOWS THE STORY

A HEAVYWEIGHT WHO WILL SHARE Senardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s views,â&#x20AC;? said the second source.

Q FINEX FROM B2

tion of the sales person when he meets with a customer. Although it is understandable that a person would have good and bad moments, it is important that the sales person recognizes this condition and learn to overcome frustrating thoughts. %NTRY m )N MEETING NEW CUStomers, this approach uses NLP techniques like matching and mirroring, pacing and leading process that enables building connections with potential customers. This is different from the usual technique THAT WE USE TO CONNECT WHICH IS BY kNDING COMMON TOPICS OF INTEREST which some customer have become WARY OF 2APPORT m 7E HAVE TO SPEAK AND determine the language pattern OF THE CUSTOMER BY USING A .,0 TECHNIQUE CALLED EYE ACCESSING CUES

and precise listening to discover the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preferred mode of communicating.

6IEWS m !FTER GAINING RAPPORT

we should be able to determine the NEEDS AND WANTS OF THE CUSTOMER BY speaking in the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mindset. )NlUENCE 7E NEED TO LEARN HOW to embed action commands mutuALLY BENEkCIAL TO BOTH CUSTOMER AND sales person. #LOSING m 4HIS IS OBVIOUSLY A common step but Mr.Apoloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach will require using persuasive language patterns to enable handling objections without losing rapport. It also uses reassurance anchors or justifications to help the customer feel good about his decision.

Energize- Sales persons have to BE CONTINUALLY MOTIVATED AND ENERGIZED BY CELEBRATING RESULTS AND ANCHORING AND FINDING A WAY TO remember these results for future SELF AFkRMATION ) HAVE LEARNED DURING MY STINT with VW that the old and tested sales techniques are still valuable. It is important to understand though that there are emerging techniques OR TOOLS THAT EVERY SALES PERSON SHOULD LEARN TO SUCCESSFULLY PROvide sales as a service to potential customers.

Selling as a have been around for quite some time and even our customers are aware of these sales methods. Our customers expect our sales persons to go through this process or a variation of this PROCESS TAILOR kTTED TO ADDRESS CERTAIN requirements. Sometimes this is not enough though.

Most sales persons are quite good IN DEALING WITH CUSTOMERS 4HEY CAN ENGAGE AND THEY POSSESS EXCELLENT SOCIAL SKILLS 4HEY ARE ALSO COMMITted to their personal and organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals and objectives.

4HEY REALLY WANT TO DO WELL AND give their customers great service but THEY COMMIT MISTAKES 3OMETIMES THEY HAVE UNCLEAR objectives and lack working sales PLAN 4HEY kND IT HARD TO PRIORITIZE activities. Prospecting is not given a HIGH PRIORITY AS THEY ARE CONCENTRATING ON gSUREu CUSTOMERS 4HEY kND IT HARD TO DEAL WITH ASSERTIVE BUYERS ESPECIALLY IN DETERMINING WHEN TO SAY NO 7HEN A CUSTOMER TELLS THEM that our products or services are too expensive or makes a demand that IS GOING TO COST MONEY THEY NEED TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO IMMEDIATELY AGREE TO A DISCOUNT 4HEY DO NOT STRUCTURE SALES CALLS AND kND IT HARD TO BE IN CONTROL 3OMETIMES THEY SIMPLY DO NOT ASK ENOUGH QUESTIONS AND FAIL TO LISTEN ATTENTIVELY 3OMETIMES THEY FEAR REJECTION AND FAIL TO CLOSE 4HEY TRY TO AVOID NEGOTIATIONS AND WILL SIMPLY TAKE THE SIDE OF THE customer.

These are common mistakes and some of them could be addressed

BY A NEW APPROACH THAT ) CHANCED UPON FROM A BOOK AUTHORED BY MY wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AIM classmate Jojo Apolo. It uses NLP or Neuro-Linguistic Programming which Mr. Apolo applied TO SALES .,0 IS THE STUDY OF HOW WE think and communicate with ourselves and with others, and how we can use it to get the results we want.

The approach uses a similar 7-step pattern but utilizes NLP to CONTROL OUR OWN MIND AND INlUENCE our customers. Mr. Apoloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s process starts out with: State- this is the state of motiva-

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Differences of opinionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Nissan boss Hiroto Saikawa will keep his job despite mounting pressure on him to step down after a set of disastrous results, with NET PROkTS EXPECTED TO PLUNGE TO A DECADE LOW IN THE COMING YEAR Several shareholders have called for Saikawa to be sacked before his term comes up for renewal in June but the former Ghosn protege has INSISTED HE WANTS TO STAY ON AND guide the reforms he hopes will RETURN .ISSAN TO PROkTABILITY Keiko Ihara, a former racing driver who headed a group to

Ronald Goseco is a Director of FINEX Foundation

Q STREAK FROM B1

RRR cut snaps PSEiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s THE ONLY LOSERS DOWN BY PERCENT AND PERCENT RESPECTIVELY More than 935 million issues were traded valued at P8.2 billion.

Winners led losers, 122 to 72, while 40 issues remained unchanged.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Q Thierry Bollore.

AP PHOTO suggest reforms to Nissan governance after the Ghosn arrest, admitted there had been â&#x20AC;&#x153;inappropriate conductâ&#x20AC;? and that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the top management should be held responsible.â&#x20AC;?

But in the end, it was a â&#x20AC;&#x153;unanimousâ&#x20AC;? decision to keep Saikawa in his job, Ihara said.

4HE kRM HAS BEEN CRIPPLED BY the reputational damage caused

BY THE LEGAL WOES OF FORMER CHAIRman Ghosn, who faces four formal CHARGES OF kNANCIAL MISCONDUCT (E DENIES ANY WRONGDOING "UT ANALYSTS POINT TO SEVERAL PROBLEMS FOR .ISSAN BEYOND 'HOSN INCLUDING APPARENTLY DEclining relations with its French partner Renault and a dearth of new products. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At this time of radical transformation in the automotive INDUSTRY .ISSAN URGENTLY NEEDS TO ESTABLISH A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE governance structure to enhance business capabilities and achieve

sustainable corporate value,â&#x20AC;? the COMPANY SAID IN ITS STATEMENT Saikawa has brushed off calls for HIS RESIGNATION SAYING HE WANTED TO LAUNCH A FRESH START FOR THE kRM and would discuss the timing of his stepping down â&#x20AC;&#x153;at the appropriate time.â&#x20AC;?

Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi Motors make up an unusual threeWAY ALLIANCE THAT HAS GROWN TO become the top-selling car group.

Ghosn was the driving force beTWEEN BRINGING THE kRMS TOGETHER and has since alleged that Nissan launched an investigation into him over fears he was hoping to merge the Japanese and French companies.

Saikawa has admitted â&#x20AC;&#x153;differences of opinionâ&#x20AC;? with Senard on the future make-up of the alliance, including the capital partnership between the two companies.

Renault is pushing towards a MERGER OF THE TWO kRMS BUT .ISSAN executives are more skeptical. AFP

BRUSSELS: The EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s powerful anti-trust authority on Thursday fined five major banks â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including Barclays and Citigroup â&#x20AC;&#x201D; more than a billion euros for collusion in the massive foreign exchange currency market.

The European Commission sanctioned Barclays, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Citigroup, JPMorgan and Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MUFG Bank a total of 1.07 billion euros ($1.2 billion) after finding that traders colluded to fix exchange rates using electronic chat rooms, a statement said.

The commission said Swiss giant UBS received no fine as it revealed the collusion to the authorities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These cartel decisions send a clear message that the commission will not tolerate collusive behaviour in any sector of the financial markets,â&#x20AC;? said EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The behaviour of these banks undermined the integrity of the sector at the expense of the European economy and consumers,â&#x20AC;? she added.

The decision involves two cases of forex manipulation, with the first known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Essex Express

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n the Jimmyâ&#x20AC;? because all the traders (except Jimmy) lived in the county to the east of London, the commission said.

The other one was called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Three-way banana splitâ&#x20AC;?, though the EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive arm did not explain why. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of the traders created the chat rooms and then invited one another to join, based on their trading activities and personal affinities, creating closed circles of trust,â&#x20AC;? the commission explained.

The collusion took place between 2007 and 2013, roughly the years of the financial crisis and has been sanctioned by other authorities, including the US. Except Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MUFG, the banks cooperated with the commission and in return received lighter fines than the EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maximum amount. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are pleased to resolve this historical matter, which relates to the conduct of one former employee. We have since made significant control improvements,â&#x20AC;? said a spokesperson for JPMorgan.

Several of the banks, including Barclays, had already provisioned for the fines in earlier filings.

Q In this April 24, 2019 file photo, a Walmart associate arranges items on a shelf at a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Levittown, New York. AP PHOTO

Walmart reports jump in profit, warns on tariffs NEW YORK: Walmart reported a JUMP IN kRST QUARTER EARNINGS ON 4HURSDAY ON INCREASED 53 STORE sales and e-commerce growth but WARNED THAT HIGHER 53 TARIFFS COULD hit its business.

The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest retailer, which has been unveiling new â&#x20AC;&#x153;omnichannelâ&#x20AC;? retail ventures including a just-announced nextDAY DELIVERY SERVICE IN MANY 53 MARKETS POINTED TO INCREASED 53 SALES AS EVIDENCE THE STRATEGY WAS working.

But executives joined a chorus of retailers who have warned about tariffs in the wake of the Trump administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest moves in the LONG RUNNING 53 #HINA DISPUTE President Donald Trump has started a process to impose new duties on about $300 billion WORTH OF ADDITIONAL #HINESE MERCHANDISE COVERING VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING #HINA SELLS TO THE 5NITED States and encompassing household items such as clothing and appliances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to continue to do EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP PRICES LOW )T S WHO WE ARE u #HIEF &INANCIAL /FkCER "RETT "IGGS SAID ON a conference call with reporters.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;However increased tariffs will lead to increased prices for our customers.â&#x20AC;?

Biggs said it was impossible to generalize about the effects of the POTENTIAL TARIFF HIKES SAYING THAT THE EFFECT OF LEVIES VARIES BY GOOD He declined to comment on speCIkC ITEM CATEGORIES FOR COMPETItive reasons.

Earnings for the first quarter came in at $3.8 billion, an increase OF PERCENT FROM THE YEAR AGO period when results were dented

BY A ONE TIME EARNINGS HIT FOLLOWING 53 TAX REFORM Revenues climbed one percent to $123.9 billion. #OMPARABLE SALES AT 53 STORES Â&#x2021; A KEY RETAIL SECTOR BENCHMARK CLOSELY WATCHED BY 7ALL 3TREET Â&#x2021; jumped 3.4 percent, marking the COMPANY S BEST PERFORMANCE IN NINE YEARS THE COMPANY SAID #HIEF %XECUTIVE $OUG -C-ILLON HIGHLIGHTED THE STRONG 53 kGURES

WHICH COME AS THE COMPANY RAMPS up programs to allow customers to pick up groceries that are ordered online and provide more direct DELIVERY OF GOODS New ventures include voice ordering for groceries and free

NEXT DAY DELIVERY OF FREQUENTLY purchased items for orders of $35 OR MORE IN THE 5NITED 3TATES Walmart shares rose 1.4 percent to $101.31.

International sales weaker The strong domestic results offset a decline in international sales AND PROkTS 4HE COMPANY HIGHLIGHTED A HIT from the strong dollar, as well as political headwinds in some Latin American markets that weakened results.

International results have also BEEN DENTED BY INCREASED INVESTment in Flipkart, an Indian groCERY CHAIN ACQUIRED BY 7ALMART LAST YEAR -OODY S ANALYST #HARLIE / 3HEA praised the results overall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Price investments are continuING THOUGH IMPROVED EFkCIENCIES are serving to protect margins,â&#x20AC;?

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea said in written comments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the international front, RESULTS ARE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED

BY LOSSES AT &LIPKART WHICH WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IS A VERY SOUND long-term investment in a compel-

ling market.â&#x20AC;?

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea said the effect of tariffs on Walmart would be â&#x20AC;&#x153;limitedâ&#x20AC;? because of the extent of its food BUSINESS AND BECAUSE THE COMPANY gHAS THE WHEREWITHAL BOTH kNANCIALLY AND VIA ITS VENDOR RELATIONships to minimize the impact on both itself and its shopping base.â&#x20AC;? ,EADING RETAILERS HAVE AMPLIkED warnings about the latest Trump THREATS ON #HINA The latest tariff list is â&#x20AC;&#x153;far too GREAT A GAMBLE FOR THE 53 ECONOMY u .ATIONAL 2ETAIL &EDERATION 0RESIDENT -ATTHEW 3HAY SAID THIS week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taxing Americans on evERYDAY PRODUCTS LIKE CLOTHES AND shoes is not the answer for holding #HINA ACCOUNTABLE u -ACY S ALSO SIGNALED INCREASED ANXIETY ABOUT TARIFFS IN ITS EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL 7EDNESDAY #HIEF %XECUTIVE *EFFREY 'ENNETTE SAID THE RETAILER HAS LARGELY MANAGED the initial rounds of tariffs in the 53 #HINA DISPUTE But the latest round being discussed is â&#x20AC;&#x153;the big one,â&#x20AC;? and if it goes into effect, it will â&#x20AC;&#x153;affect a LOT OF THE APPAREL AND ACCESSORY categories that are coming in,â&#x20AC;?

Gennette said.

AFP

Green Industries Didipio Mine gets new ISO certificate Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

K

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

ASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya: From its focus to achieve continuous improvement in enERGY UTILIZATION EFkCIENCY AND CONSUMPtion, OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. (OGPI) is now the only operating mine in the country that has obtained the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 50001:2011 Energy ManAGEMENT 3YSTEM %N-3 CERTIkCATION

$AVID 7AY /'0) GENERAL MANAGER SAID THE NEW CERTIFICATION WAS SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE EXISTING )3/ CERTIFICATIONS OF THEIR $IDIPIO -INE Â&#x2021; BOTH )3/ AND /CCUPATIONAL (EALTH AND 3AFETY !SSESSMENT 3ERIES /(3!3 4HE NEW )3/ CERTIFICATION WAS AWARDED THROUGH 13#ERT AN accredited certification body of THE ORGANIZATION g4HIS IS A COMMITMENT OF THE COMPANY TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE ITS PROCESSES WHEN IT COMES TO PRO-

TECTING THE ENVIRONMENT TO LEAVE A SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEM FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS u 7AY SAID 0RIOR TO GETTING THE %N-3 CERTIFICATION 7AY SAID /'0) HAD executed programs on energy EFkCIENCY THAT CONTRIBUTED TO ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE (E SAID ONE OF THE PROGRAMS WAS IN WHEN $IDIPIO -INE CONNECTED TO THE NATIONAL GRID THROUGH ITS OVERHEAD POWER LINES WHICH SIGNIkCANTLY LED TO REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS AND DIESEL CONSUMPTION

BY AS MUCH AS PERCENT

g"EING COMPLIANT WITH OUR NEWLY ACQUIRED )3/ /CEANA'OLD aims to reduce 3 percent of its energy consumption by the end of

u 7AY SAID ADDING THE COMpany had a carbon sink program IN PLACE THAT ALSO REDUCED CARBON EMISSIONS BY ESTABLISHING TREE PLANTATIONS IN AND AROUND THE MINE SITE g4HROUGH OUR MINING FOREST PROGRAM WE HAVE PLANTED MORE THAN MILLION TREES IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM OF THE GOVERNMENT u HE SAID !CCORDING TO 7AY THE NEW AWARD CAME AS A SIGNIkCANT STEP TOWARD REALIZING /'0) S VISION OF IMPROVING ITS PROCESSES AND FURTHER ENSURE QUALITY ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM g4HIS NEW ACHIEVEMENT IS A DEMonstration of our commitment not ONLY TO SUPPORT THE MANAGEMENT AND EFkCIENT USE OF ENERGY IN THE company for our business and proCESSES BUT ALSO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO REDUCE '(' GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION u HE SAID 7AY ADDED THE %N-3 CERTIkCATION

B5

Q The Didipio Mine Gold and Copper Project in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO ALSO CONFORMS TO 2EPUBLIC !CT OR THE g%NERGY %FkCIENCY AND #ONSERVATION ,AWu THAT WAS SIGNED BY 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE 4HE ACT AIMS TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFkCIENCY

AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF

RENEWABLE ENERGY (E ALSO EXPLAINED THAT ON TOP OF THE COMPANY S )NTEGRATED -ANAGEMENT 3YSTEM THE %N-3 CERTIkCATION WAS AN EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT TOOL THAT PROMOTED IMPROVED ENVI-

RONMENTAL AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE THROUGH PROACTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION AS WELL AS CREATION OF EXCELLENT SAFETY CULTURE THROUGH ITS /(3!3 CERTIkCATION

A deeper look into â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;environmental hypocrisyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; HOW many times have you heard nowadays that we need to save our world and change it for the better? How many times has told you to protect the environment and respect all life that exists on this planet?

Never has there been a better time to positively respond to these calls. Our environment is changing in more ways than we can anticipate, and most of them are not for the better. Yet, many still do not listen to the warnings even if they were shouted right at their ears. And even worse, there is an emerging common perception: Environmentalists are hypocrites.

This mentality rises from how environment advocates are seen by others. It is innate in human nature to resist changing away from normal habits, especially if it is being imposed by somebody else. While trying to encourage others to change their lifestyle, some will inevitably regard environment advocates as being self-righteous. At a time when the focus on selfgrowth and development has never been higher, the dangers of false perceptions at others are also magnified. For anyone

Second of three parts

O

NE of the most striking parts OF THE DOCUMENTARY kLM g"EFORE THE &LOOD u WHICH CHRONICLES THE INCREDIBLE THREE YEAR JOURNEY OF !MERICAN ACTOR AND CLIMATE ACTIVIST ,EONARD $I#APRIO EXPLORING THE IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING WAS HIS INTERVIEW WITH THEN 0RESIDENT !NOTE 4ONG OF +IRIBATI PRONOUNCED g+%% REE BASu WHO SHARED HIS POLICY ON MIGRATION WITH DIGNITY +IRIBATI

AN ISOLATED ISLAND IN THE 0ACIkC

IS HOME TO ABOUT AND FOR ALL OF THEM TO SURVIVE THEY CANNOT SIMPLY STAY AT HOME AS THEY ARE ON THE BRINK OF DISAPPEARANCE g7HAT is going to happen to us is going to BE THE FATE OF THE REST WHO WILL FOLLOW u 4ONG SHARED IN AN INTERVIEW 2APIDLY GROWING CITIES AND ONGOING EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ARE MAKING MORE PEOPLE VULNERABLE TO RISING SEA LEVELS 4WO THIRDS OF THE GLOBAL POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO LIVE IN CITIES BY AND ALREADY AN ESTIMATED MILLION PEOPLE LIVE IN MORE THAN COASTAL AREAS THAT ARE VULNERABLE TO A SEA LEVEL RISE OF METER BY )N A VICIOUS CIRCLE URBANIZATION NOT ONLY CONCENTRATES PEOPLE AND PROPERTY IN AREAS OF POTENTIAL DAMAGE AND DISRUPTION IT ALSO EXACERBATES THOSE RISKS Â&#x2021; FOR EXAMPLE BY DESTROYING NATURAL SOURCES OF RESILIENCE SUCH AS COASTAL MANGROVES AND increasing the strain on groundWATER RESERVES )NTENSIFYING IMPACTS WOULD RENDER AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF LAND UNINHABITABLE @&IGHT OR lIGHT 0REPARING CITIES FOR SEA LEVEL RISE 4HE 'LOBAL 2ISKS 2EPORT

Is Metro Manila (and other areas) sinking? %ARLY THIS MONTH REELECTED )NDONESIAN 0RESIDENT *OKO 7IDODO ANNOUNCED THAT THE COUNTRY WOULD RELOCATE ITS CAPITAL FROM *AKARTA

campaigning to save our world, one misstep and you will be crucified as a hypocrite. Being painted in a negative light helps create this culture of mistrust on environmental advocacy, which is something we cannot afford during this period in our history. Environment advocates are neither perfect nor trying to be. It is not meant to be an excuse for any possible shortcomings, it is simply a fact of life. We live in a society that was built way before we existed in this world. As long as we live in such systems, we cannot avoid contributing to waste production in some way, whether that waste is carbon dioxide, solid waste or particulate matter.  For instance, leaders from different sectors of the world gather to negotiate global terms for solving climate change several times a year. However, they need to ride airplanes to travel to the venues, which results in more carbon emissions.

Given the urgency of solving this crisis and the impracticality of using teleconference to gather tens of thousands of delegates, is there any other alternative?

At a more personal level, some advocates would be called hypocrites because they campaign for a low-carbon lifestyle yet still consume meat. Unfortunately, the current socioeconomic culture in the Philippines still favors meats, whether due to expensive prices of some vegetables or consumers not being raised on plant-rich meals. Given the fast-paced lifestyle many Filipinos are living and the need for easily accessible restaurants and markets, it is understandable that being a full-time vegetarian or vegan is more difficult than in other countries.  The list goes on and on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why would you want to stop petroleum oil from being exploited when you are riding on a vehicle powered by fossil fuels?â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x153;You call for biodiversity protection and yet you do not mind wearing a leather jacket.â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x153;You advocate for not using single-use plastics, but when at a hotel, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather rip that shampoo sachet open than not wash your hair at all.â&#x20AC;?Â

Dealing with our flaws The hard truth is, until we finally have

the collective capacity to transform our existing systems into a more sustainable model, we need to deal with its flaws on a daily basis. After all, we cannot change the world if we cannot even help ourselves live. We have the basic universal human right to a good life where our basic necessities are met. That does not mean that we should aspire for excessive material wealth, as this overly self-centric attitude has created the massive inequality and contributed to the poverty and degradation we are seeing today. That also does not mean that we should stop trying to advocate for a healthier world. Because the alternative for at least trying to adapt an eco-friendlier lifestyle is to stop trying altogether. We already witnessed countless times how insufficient environmental protection has created some of the biggest issues of our time, from plastic pollution to climate change.

What would happen if we completely stop caring for Mother Earth?

To deal with a rapidly changing world, all of us need to change just as quickly.

Adaptation is a part of our nature and

that of every living being on this planet; it is what has allowed us as a species to survive for centuries. As best exemplified by the current impacts of climate change however, if the alterations become too fast and too extreme, we will not survive.

We human beings can only adapt properly by learning from our environment, by mimicking what we see in nature. For instance, much like how a plant processes sunlight into food and energy, solar panels transform sunlight into usable electricity.

We created the airplane by understanding how birds fly. We invented technologies through observations of the wonders and processes found in nature.  Solving both global and local environment-related problems will not work if only a few households changed their lifestyle, or a few companies adopt more sustainable business models. Similar to how the most resilient ecosystems are the ones with the strongest biodiversity, the key to fixing our environmental woes involves a diverse collection of solutions under a united effort. Systemic change is just as important as lifestyle change. Â

 On one hand, we need to be wary of big private organizations who claim to support the protection of the environment and yet continuously support actions that ultimately contribute to its destruction.

Now that is hypocrisy.

On the other hand, when we hear the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;environment,â&#x20AC;? we usually think of nature and wildlife. Considering the poor state of the biodiversity and natural ecosystems in the Philippines and worldwide, this is more than justifiable. However, we need to change the way we think about the environment, as it also includes other people and how they are affected by our actions. Without realizing our interconnectedness with one another, any environmental action will not fully succeed.

If the intention is genuine, making a few minor lapses along the way does not make one a hypocrite. If anything, it should serve as a reminder for each of us to exert even more effort and cover for the shortcomings of others with our own strengths. This is how we will truly save our world and change it for the better.

JOHN LEO ALGO

Seas are rising, cities are sinking ALL ABOUT CHOICES LUDWIG O. FEDERIGAN !CCORDING TO *OHN %NGLANDER PRESIDENT OF THE )NTERNATIONAL 3EA ,EVEL )NSTITUTE AND AUTHOR OF (IGH 4IDE ON -AIN 3TREET IN HIS ARTICLE g!S SEAS RISE )NDONESIA IS MOVING ITS CAPITAL CITY /THER CITIES SHOULD TAKE NOTE u )N 7ASHINGTON 0OST RECENTLY IT SAID THE DECISION GIVEN THAT THE CITY CAN NO LONGER SUPPORT ITS MASSIVE POPULATION IN THE FACE OF ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS AS WELL AS CONCERNS OF TRAFkC CONGESTION AND WATER SHORTAGES

VALIDATES DECADES OF WARNINGS ABOUT THE CITY S CATASTROPHIC FLOOD RISK DUE TO SINKING LAND AND RISING SEAS 7HILE *AKARTA IS ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO THE THREAT OF RISING SEAS IT SERVES AS A PROFOUND WAKE UP CALL FOR HUNDREDS OF MAJOR CITIES -ETRO -ANILA INCLUDED "ASED ON THE SAME CLIMATE CENTRAL STUDY TITLED g-APPING #HOICES #ARBON #LIMATE AND 2ISING 3EAS Â&#x2021; /UR 'LOBAL ,EGACY u WHICH COVERS SEVEN OF OUR HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES Â&#x2021; -ANILA 1UEZON )LOILO 0ASAY

#EBU $AVAO AND "ACOLOD AT DEGREES #ELSIUS # GLOBAL WARMING

A MEDIAN OF METERS OF GLOBAL SEA LEVEL RISE WOULD SUBMERGE MILLION PEOPLE !ND AT # GLOBAL WARMING IT COULD INCREASE THE NUMBERS TO MEDIAN OF METERS OF SEA LEVEL RISE AND MILLION PEOPLE 3EE TABLE BELOW -ETRO -ANILA IS ONE OF THE SO CALLED gDELTA CITIESu THAT INCLUDE $HAKA "ANGLADESH 'UANGZHOU

(O #HI -INH (ONG +ONG -ELBOURNE -IAMI .EW /RLEANS .EW 9ORK 2OTTERDAM 4OKYO AND 6ENICE 4HESE DELTA CITIES ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO LAND SUBSIDENCE 7E ALREADY KNOW THAT MANY CITIES ARE ALREADY HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO FLOODING AND STORM SURGES

AND CLIMATE CHANGE ACTS AS A MULTIPLIER OF EXISTING AND FUTURE VULNERABILITIES !SIDE FROM CLIMATE CHANGE FOR -ETRO -ANILA THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS LIKE GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION RAPID URBANIZATION AND GROWING POPULATION

Groundwater extraction !S THE 7ORLD %CONOMIC &ORUM S 4HE 'LOBAL 2ISKS 2EPORT SHOWS

ABOUT PERCENT OF ALL COASTAL AREAS WOULD BE AFFECTED TO VARYING DEGREES 3OME CITIES WILL EXPERIENCE SEA LEVEL RISES AS HIGH AS PERCENT ABOVE THE GLOBAL MEAN -AKING MATTERS WORSE

SPRAWLING CITIES ARE SINKING AT THE SAME TIME AS SEAWATERS SEEP IN 4HIS IS DUE TO THE SHEER WEIGHT OF GROWING CITIES COMBINED WITH THE GROUNDWATER EXTRACTED BY THEIR RESIDENTS 'ROUNDWATER EXTRACTION BY OUR GROWING POPULATION IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF LAND SUBSIDENCE Â&#x2021; OR THE SINKING OF LAND Â&#x2021; IN -ETRO -ANILA AND OTHER HIGHLY POPULATED AREAS LIKE "ATAAN 0AMPANGA AND "ULACAN

ACCORDING TO &ILIPINO GEOLOGIST +ELVIN 2ODOLFO PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF )LLINOIS AT #HICAGO IN AN INTERVIEW OVER kVE YEARS AGO (E EXPLAINED THAT WHILE GLOBAL WARMING IS CAUSING RELATIVE SEA LEVELS TO RISE BY TO METER PER YEAR

subsidence is occurring at more than

Urban Center Manila City Quezon City Iloilo City Pasay City Cebu City Davao City Bacolod City Sub-Total Total

TWICE THAT RATE Â&#x2021; FROM METER TO AS MUCH AS METER PER YEAR $ATA FROM THE .ATIONAL -APPING AND 2ESOURCE )NFORMATION !UTHORITY .AMRIA REVEALED THAT AREAS IN -ETRO -ANILA HAVE SUNK METER TO METERS IN THE SPAN OF YEARS FROM TO !ND

WITH THE SCIENTIkC PROJECTIONS -ETRO -ANILA WILL CONTINUE TO SINK )N A STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE .ATIONAL 7ATER 2ESOURCES "OARD .72" IN AND COMPLEMENTED

BY INFORMATION DERIVED FROM REPORTS

MAPS SECONDARY WELL DATA CLIMATIC DATA AND HYDROLOGIC RECORDS .72" IDENTIFIED EIGHT CRITICAL LEVEL TAKES PLACE Â&#x2021; 'UIGUINTO "OCAUE -ARILAO -EYCAUAYAN .ORTH #ALOOCAN .AVOTAS #ALOOCAN 7EST 1UEZON #ITY -AKATI -ANDALUYONG 0ASIG 0ATEROS 0ARAĂ&#x201E;AQUE 0ASAY ,AS 0IĂ&#x201E;AS -UNTINLUPA AND $ASMARIĂ&#x201E;AS #AVITE #HRISTIAN !ID A 5NITED +INGDOM based Christian organization that INSISTS THE WORLD COULD AND MUST BE SWIFTLY CHANGED TO ONE WHERE EVERYONE CAN LIVE A FULL LIFE IN ITS EIGHT CITY CASE STUDY TITLED g3INKING #ITIES 2ISING 3EAS ! PERFECT STORM OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND BAD DEVELOPMENT CHOICES u REPORTED THAT FOR -ETRO -ANILA GROUNDWATER USE IS CAUSING SINKING OF AROUND METER PER YEAR OR TIMES THE RATE OF SEA LEVEL RISE THROUGH MELTING LAND

Number of people affected 1.5oC 2oC 769,000 1,923,000 560,000 1,220,000 294,000 638,000 168,000 633,000 134,000 345,000 93,000 280,000 30,000 118,000 2,084,000 5,157,000 7,241,000 5,157,000

ICE AND THERMAL EXPANSION 7ITH AN AVERAGE ELEVATION OF AROUND METERS THE SUBSIDENCE NOT ONLY INCREASES THE ABSOLUTE RISK OF lOOD

BUT ALSO THE AREAS AFFECTED HIGH TIDES CAN PENETRATE FURTHER INLAND AND lOODS MAY RECEDE MORE SLOWLY 4HIS means that there is increased risk of SALINATION OF SOILS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY FERTILE

Rapid urbanization and growing population %NCYCLOPEDIA "RITANNICA DEkNES URBANIZATION AS gTHE PROCESS BY WHICH LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE BECOME PERMANENTLY CONCENTRATED IN RELATIVELY SMALL AREAS FORMING CITIES u g5RBANIZATION IS HAPPENING AT AN UNPRECEDENTED RATE GLOBALLY AND CITIES HAVE BECOME THE FOREMOST DRIVERS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE WORLD u ACCORDING TO THE TH 'LOBAL %NVIRONMENTAL /UTLOOK '%/ 3UMMARY FOR 0OLICYMAKERS )N A %UROMONITOR )NTERNATIONAL STUDY TITLED g-AGACITIES $EVELOPING #OUNTRY $OMINATIONu IN

-ETRO -ANILA IS CONSIDERED TO BE one out of the 33 megacities in the WORLD 7HILE MEGACITIES OFFER WEALTH

SOCIAL DIVERSITY ECONOMIC GROWTH

INNOVATION AS WELL AS ATTRACT THE AMBITIOUS IN SEARCH OF JOBS BUSINESS VENTURES AND EDUCATION THEY PRES-

Median seal level rise (meters) 1.5oC 2.0oC 3.1 5.2 3.1 5.2 3.2 5.2 3.2 5.2 3.2 5.2 3.1 5.1

Disclaimer: The projections do not forecast what sea levels may unfold this century. Rather, they indicate the different post-2100 sea levels that could lock in this century, depending upon the carbon pathway we select and the warming thus achieved. The sea levels described could possibly, but with low probability, occur sooner than 200 years from now or be reached as far as 2,000 years in the future.

ENT NUMEROUS CHALLENGES AS THEY SUFFER FROM OVERCROWDING TRAFkC CONGESTION AIR POLLUTION AND HIGH INCOME INEQUALITY #ITIES LIKE -ETRO -ANILA THAT ARE URBANIZING MOST RAPIDLY ARE IN A MORE VULNERABLE SITUATION 2EAD g/N %ARTH $AY LET US EXAMINE WHAT DRIVES ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE u ATHTTPS WWW MANILATIMES NET ON EARTH DAY LET US EXAMINE WHAT DRIVES ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE )NCREASING POPULATION WOULD PLACE EXTRA DEMANDS ON BOTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES *UST LIKE IN OTHER CITIES -ETRO -ANILA WOULD CONTINUE TO FACE THE CHALLENGES IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR GROWING URBAN POPULATION WHICH INCLUDES HOUSING TRANSPORTATION ENERGY SYSTEMS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE

AS WELL AS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND BASIC SERVICES SUCH AS EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE 2EAD @,ET S 4%% 50Ă&#x153; AT HTTPS WWW MANILATIMES NET LETS TEE UP .OT ONLY THAT -ETRO -ANILA IS SINKING IT IS RANKED AS THE THIRD CITY AT RISK OUT OF CITIES GLOBALLY ACCORDING TO THE ND ,LOYD S #ITY 2ISK )NDEX "ASED ON THE ORIGINAL RESEARCH BY THE #ENTER FOR 2ISK 3TUDIES AT 5NIVERSITY OF #AMBRIDGE S *UDGE "USINESS 3CHOOL THAT DETAILS THE RISK LANDSCAPE -ETRO -ANILA STANDS TO LOSE BILLION OF ITS GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT '$0 ANNUALLY FROM NATURAL CATASTROPHE LIKE TYPHOONS

lOODING AND EARTHQUAKES )N A SIMILAR FASHION -ETRO -ANILA IS RANKED AT THE BOTTOM TH OUT OF COUNTRIES IN THE 3AFE #ITIES )NDEX OF 4HE %CONOMIST )NTELLIGENCE 5NIT /NE WOULD HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE NO TIME THAT THE COASTAL BARANGAY VILLAGES OF -ETRO -ANILA WOULD SUFFER THE SAME FATE AS THE RESIDENTS OF 3ITIO 0ARAIHAN OF "ARANGAY 4ALIPTIP IN "ULACAN .EXT WEEK WE WILL DISCUSS the strategies to adapt to rising SEA LEVELS

B6

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SATURDAY May 18, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FAMILY COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 14-FC, SAN JUAN CITY

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC EDITORS AND DESKMEN &RPSHWHQFLHV â&#x20AC;˘ Excellent command of written and spoken English â&#x20AC;˘ Degree holder preferably in journalism, communications, or related discipline (e.g. political science or economics with journalism experience) â&#x20AC;˘ Experience in editing news, analytical reports and columns â&#x20AC;˘ Strong news judgment and familiarity with local issues, as well as an understanding of relevant world affairs â&#x20AC;˘ $ELOLW\ WR ZULWH DQG HGLW ZLWK Ă&#x20AC;DLU DQG VSHHG WR PHHW tight deadlines â&#x20AC;˘ )DPLOLDU ZLWK 0LFURVRIW 2IÂżFH VRFLDO PHGLD DQG search engines â&#x20AC;˘ Ability to lead and organize a team well â&#x20AC;˘ Good attitude, willingness to adjust to new systems and ability to respect authority within the organization

REPORTERS &RPSHWHQFLHV â&#x20AC;˘ Excellent command of written and spoken English â&#x20AC;˘ Degree holder preferably in journalism, communications, or related discipline â&#x20AC;˘ Ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts in government and the private sector as source of information and analysis â&#x20AC;˘ Ability to identify the angle of news from a raft of available information or seek out information to build a solid news story â&#x20AC;˘ Familiarity with local issues and an understanding of relevant world affairs â&#x20AC;˘ $ VHQVH RI VSHHG DQG DFFXUDF\ LQ ZULWLQJ DQG ÂżOOLQJ real-time stories to the news desk to meet tight deadlines â&#x20AC;˘ Knows Microsoft Office, social media and search engines â&#x20AC;˘ A good team player, but is able to work independently within the perimeters of a given assignment â&#x20AC;˘ Good attitude, willingness to adjust to new systems and ability to respect authority within the organization

Interested applicants, please send a full resume, specifying your subject of expertise, with links to samples of online work or appropriate attachments.

Please email your resumĂŠ at: hrd@manilatimes.net, or you may apply personally at 2/F Sitio Grande Bldg., 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila (Formerly TRB Bldg.), or you may call Irish de Guzman at 524-5664 local 122.

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region )LHOG 2IÂżFH 6th Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, Quezon Avenue Quezon City

SPS. MARIA JERIKA LARIZE E. EJERCITO-AGUILAR AND MIGUEL GARCIA AGUILAR, Petitioners.

JDRC Case No. 11-405-SJ For Adoption w/ Change of Name - vs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY AND LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF SAN JUAN CITY, Respondents. x---------------------------------------------------x

The Manila Times is warning the public that certain individuals posing as our employees have been threatening to publish articles against some companies.

Anyone who receives a call from these extortionists should report the matter to the police.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that LANDSPAN VENTURES, INC. 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK this Board for the sale of lots/ units at NEPTUNE PARK LANE RESIDENCES located at #9 Neptune St. Brgy. Tandang Sora, Quezon City, described as Lots 2-A to 2-M (LRA) Psd-E2018005913, FRYHUHG E\ 7UDQVIHU &HUWLÂżFDWH RI Title (TCT) Nos. 004-2018014818 to 004-2018014830 (Inclusive) with total area of 1,330 square meters.

ORDER

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through Investment/ Incentivized Compliance, by depositing the amount of Php 1,406,464.80 in a Trust Account No. 001-03-005663-9 under Escrow Agreement executed on 30 April 2019 between the HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD, LANDSPAN VENTURES, INC. and ASIA UNITED BANK as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279, as amended

by Republic Act No.10884.

Petitioners Spouses Maria Jerika Larize E. Ejercito-Aguilar DQG 0LJXHO *DUFLD $JXLODU ÂżOHG D YHULÂżHG SHWLWLRQ RQ $SULO that after due notice, publication and hearing, a judgment be rendered adjudging that the minor Isaiah Joseph Ejercito Palanca be declared and considered, for all intents and purposes, the legitimate child of the petitioners with all the rights and privileges of adopted child and shall be known as ,VDLDK -RVHSK (MHUFLWR Aguilar. )LQGLQJ WKH SHWLWLRQ VXIÂżFLHQW LQ IRUP DQG VXEVWDQFH QRWLFH LV given that the same will be heard by this Court, at the RTC San Juan, The Arena (Government Center), G/F Parking Bldg., 6DQWRODQ 5RDG FRU 3 *XHYDUUD 6W 6DQ -XDQ &LW\ RQ 2FWREHU 14, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning at which time and place aforesaid, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and show cause, if any they have, why the said petition should not be granted.

The Manila Times DOES NOT ask for money to stop news articles from being published. This paper does not condone any form of blackmail.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed UHJLVWHUHG DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ evidence thereof, shall forthwith be LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH last day of publication.

This Order shall be published at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, at the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, MAY 07, 2019

San Juan City, April 26, 2019.

ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

(SGD.) MARY CATHERINE O. NOBLEJAS-GARCIA Presiding Judge

M.T. - May 11 & 18, 2019

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 11, 18 & 25, 2019

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

UC-ME True-Up Shortfall/(Surplus) = Total UC-ME Requirement - Approved UC-ME

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE RECOVERY/REFUND FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHARGE OF THE SHORTFALL/ SURPLUS IN THE MISSIONARY ELECTRIFICATION SUBSIDY FOR CY 2016 AND THE CORRESPONDING ADJUSTMENT OF THE UNIVERSAL CHARGE FOR MISSIONARY ELECTRIFICATION (UC-ME), WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY (PA)

23. The issuance of a provisional authority is authorized under Section 3 Rule 14 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Likewise, the authority of the +RQRUDEOH &RPPLVVLRQ WR LVVXH D SURYLVLRQDO DXWKRULW\ LV FRQÂżUPHG E\ the Supreme Court in the case of Freedom from Debt Coalition, et. al. vs. ERC, et. al.,9 when it held that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the power to approve provisional rate increases is included among the powers transferred to the ERC by virtue of Section 44 since the grant of that authority is not inconsistent with the (3,5$ UDWKHU LW LV LQ IXOO KDUPRQ\ ZLWK WKH WKUXVW RI WKH ODZ ZKLFK LV WR strengthen the ERC as the new regulatory body.â&#x20AC;?

Where: Total UC-ME Requirement = (NPC Allowable Revenue Requirement -Revenue from Sales)+ (NPPs, QTP and RED-CI UCME requirements) 11. The total revenue considered was based on the amount granted and accrued from the UC-ME as well as from the revenue from sales based on approved SAGR. Likewise considered were all the allowable expenses accrued by NPC as well as total UC-ME paid to NPPs, QTP and RED-CI.

COMPLIANCE WITH PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 24. In Compliance with Rule 6 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, Petitioner has furnished the legislative bodies of each of the local government units where it principally operates, a copy of this petition including all its annexes and accompanying documents.

ERC CASE NO. 2019-004 RC 12. In the calculation of the NPC revenue requirement, the following accounts and actual costs were considered:

NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner. x -------------------------------------------------------- x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 11 January 2019, the National Power Corporation 13& ÂżOHG D Petition dated 27 December 2018 seeking the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval of the recovery or refund from the Universal Charge (UC) of the shortfall RU VXUSOXV LQ WKH 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ 0( VXEVLG\ IRU &DOHQGDU <HDU &<

2016, and the corresponding adjustment of the UC-ME. The pertinent portions of the said Petition are hereunder quoted as follows: 1.

Petitioner NPC is a government owned and controlled corporation created and existing under and by virtue of Republic Act No. 6395 as amended ³13& &KDUWHU´ ZLWK SULQFLSDO DGGUHVV DW 13& 2I¿FH %XLOGLQJ &RPSOH[ corner Quezon Avenue and BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City where it may be served with orders and other processes of the Honorable Commission.

2. Pursuant to Section 70 of Republic Act No. 9136 otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (â&#x20AC;&#x153;EPIRAâ&#x20AC;?), NPC shall remain as a National-Government owned and controlled corporation to perform the PLVVLRQDU\ HOHFWULÂżFDWLRQ IXQFWLRQ WKURXJK LWV 6PDOO 3RZHU 8WLOLWLHV *URXS (â&#x20AC;&#x153;SPUGâ&#x20AC;?) and shall be responsible for providing power generation and its associated power delivery systems in areas that are not connected to the transmission system.

3. 13& LV ÂżOLQJ WKLV 3HWLWLRQ LQ LWV FDSDFLW\ DV WKH LPSOHPHQWLQJ DJHQF\ IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ Âł0(´ IXQFWLRQ 7KH VDLG IXQFWLRQ VKDOO EH funded from the revenue from sales in missionary areas and from the universal charge (â&#x20AC;&#x153;UCâ&#x20AC;?) to be collected from all electricity end-users as determined by the Energy Regulatory Commission (â&#x20AC;&#x153;ERCâ&#x20AC;?) and in line with Section 2 (a) of the RA 9136 Implementing Rules and Regulations or EPIRA IRR. 4. Pursuant to Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6395, as amended, and Executive Order No. 86,1 issued by virtue of the authority granted to the President of the Republic of the Philippines under R.A. 7684,2 Petitioner NPC is duly authorized to charge twelve percent (12%) return on its rate base composed of the sum of its net assets in operation plus two (2) months operating capital.

5.

On 22 August 2011, the ERC approved and issued Resolution No. 21, Series of 2011,3 which provides for the guidelines for the setting and approval of electricity generation rates and subsidies for Missionary (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ DUHDV DQG IRU WKH Âż[LQJ RI DQG DYDLOPHQW RI VXEVLGLHV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ DUHDV DV ZHOO DV WKH FDVK LQFHQWLYHV IRU WKH 5HQHZDEOH (QHUJ\ 5( 'HYHORSHUV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ IURP the UC-ME. Said resolution allows NPC and¡ the New Power Providers (â&#x20AC;&#x153;NPPsâ&#x20AC;?) to recover the TCGR as approved by the ERC. In cases where the TCGR is higher than the SAGR, then NPC and the NPPs shall be allowed to recover the difference between the TCGR and the SAGR from the UCME.4 Likewise in the same resolution, it is provided that if the reconciliation results in the 13& 638* KDYLQJ VXUSOXV DV FRQÂżUPHG E\ WKH (5& the amount corresponding to the surplus shall be deducted from the UCME under the current petition to cover the surplus caused by several IDFWRUV DV WKHUHLQ VSHFLÂżHG L H DGMXVWPHQWV GXH WR *5$0 DQG ,&(5$ adjustments in the NPP TCGR and other analogous cases).5

6. The Honorable Commission likewise issued ERC Resolution No. 22, Series of 20066 on 0D\ ZKLFK PDQGDWHV 13& WR ÂżOH D TXDUWHUO\ application, if necessary, with the ERC to recover any shortfall in the UCME caused by factors such as collection shortfall, adjustments in the FCRR and other analogous cases.7 Furthermore, it is provided therein that â&#x20AC;&#x153;if the reconciliation results in the NPC-SPUG having surplus funds, the amount of the ME Subsidy for the year shall be adjusted accordingly.

Conversely, if the reconciliation results in NPC-SPUG experiencing GHÂżFLHQF\ LW VKDOO EH HQWLWOHG WR ÂżOH DQ DSSOLFDWLRQ ZLWK WKH (5& IRU DQ increase in the UC-ME to cover the shortfall.â&#x20AC;?8 7. 13& LV ÂżOLQJ this petition pursuant to Rule 20 (A) of the ERC Rules of Practice of Procedure as approved by this Honorable Commission on 22 June 2006 in Resolution No. 38, Series of 2006.

ABSTRACT OF THE PROPOSED RECOVERY/REFUND OF THE SHORTFALL/SURPLUS IN THE UC-ME 8.

Proof of receipts by the Sangguniang Panlungsod is attached hereto as Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;?. Proof of service to the legislative bodies of the local government units where NPC also operates is attached hereto as Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jâ&#x20AC;?.

a. b.

5HFRQFLOLDWLRQ RI $FWXDO 8& 0( Based on CY 2016 test period, NPC utilizes in its calculation the following documents: D &HUWLÂżHG &< 13& )LQDQFLDO 6WDWHPHQWV E $FWXDO 5HVXOWV RI 2SHUDWLRQ F 7KH DFWXDO GLVEXUVHPHQWV RI 8& 0( WR 133V 473 DQG 5(' &,

9. Total UC-ME Shortfall/Surplus. Based on the foregoing documents and as a result of the calculations made, the total shortfall/surplus amounted to (PhP1,483,845,466.67) or (PhP0.0162/kWh) using the twelve (12) month projected energy sales nationwide for CY 2019 and the shortfall for RED - CI are summarized in Table 1 below.

(This space is intentionally left blank.)

Table 1: Summary of Shortfall/Surplus 3DUWLFXODUV REVENUE REQUIREMENT Less: REVENUE FROM SALES REQUIRED REVENUE FROM UC-ME Add: Real Property Tax REQUIRED REVENUE FROM UC-ME CY 2016 ACTUAL UC-ME REVENUE (Basic)

TOTAL 12,712,682,724.86 6,068,038,300.28 6,644,644,424.58 4,375,087.60 6,649,019,512.18 8,132,864,978.94

NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SURPLUS, In PhP 5DWH ,PSDFW 3 N:K LQ 8&0( Projected Energy Sales, MWh (1-year) 5HQHZDEOH (QHUJ\ 'HYHORSHUÂśV &DVK ,QFHQWLYH LQ 3K3 5DWH ,PSDFW 3 N:K LQ 8&0(

(1,483,845,466.76) (0.0162) 91,414,712.44 15,037,471.92 0.0002

10. In the reconciliation, the resulting shortfall/recovery in the revenue from UC-ME was calculated based on the following formula:

Actual Fuel Costs Other Operating Expenses, which includes Personal Services and Maintenance and Other Operating Expense c. Depreciation G )RUHLJQ H[FKDQJH UDWH Ă&#x20AC;XFWXDWLRQ RQ GHEW VHUYLFLQJ e. Rate Base as of December 2016 f. Revenues from Sales 13. The amount of UCME for NPPs, QTP and RED-CI were based on the actual disbursements and payment made consistent with the UC Settlement Agreement (SA) between NPC and respective power providers taking into account their respective ERC-approved Power Supply Agreement (PSA).

14. The Projected Energy Sales Forecast under DOEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Power Development Plan (PDP) for CY 2019 was utilized to determine the proposed UC-ME true-up charges in P/kWh. 15. A shown in Table 1 above, the CY 2016 actual revenue received from UC0( ZDV VXIÂżFLHQW WR FRYHU WKH WRWDO 8& 0( UHTXLUHPHQWV IRU 13& 133V and QTP. 16. The following documents are submitted in support of the proposed recovery/refund of shortfall/surplus in the UC-ME: $QQH[ Âł$´ Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bâ&#x20AC;?

Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Câ&#x20AC;?

Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dâ&#x20AC;?

Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eâ&#x20AC;?

-

Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fâ&#x20AC;?

-

Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;F-1â&#x20AC;? Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gâ&#x20AC;? Annex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hâ&#x20AC;? -

&RUSRUDWH 6HFUHWDU\ÂśV &HUWLÂżFDWH LVVXHG RQ 2FWREHU 2018 Summary of Shortfall and Adjustment Calculation NPC Results of Operations (ROO) NPC Income Statement and Balance Sheet Discussion on Revenue Requirement and Rate Base Components Summary of UC-ME Subsidy Fees Paid to NPPs and QTP Summary of RED-CI Availments Summary of Actual UC-ME Received from PSALM Projected Philippines Energy Sales

RATE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSED RECOVERY/REFUND OF UC-ME SHORTFALL/SURPLUS 17. Under the foregoing premises, NPC proposes (1) to offset the excess of the Basic UCME for CY 2016 under the existing Provisional Authority DPRXQWLQJ WR 3K3 DJDLQVW WKH 8&0( 3HWLWLRQ or (2) to offset the excess of Basic UCME for CY 2016 against the unrecovered amounts under previous CY 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 petitions, detailed as follows: Table 2: Estimated Balance/Recovery for UCME True-up ERC Case No. 3DUWLFXODUV 2013-191 RC CY 2012 True-up 2014-089 RC CY 2013 True-up 2016-008 RC CY 2014 True-up 2017-006 RC CY 2015 True-up TOTAL Total amount recovered as of December 2018 PENDING TRUE-UP BALANCE

Amount Filed in PhP 5,305,961,556.16 5,462,754,938.54 5,843,305,895.72 1,033,142,320.58 17,645,164,711.00 11,947,428,128.77 5,697,736,582.23

and (3) recovery of unpaid balance on Renewable Energy (RE) Developerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cash Incentive in the amount of PhP15,037,471.92 or equivalent to PhP0.0002/kWh, to be charged to all electricity end consumers.

25. Furthermore, Petitioner caused the publication of the subject Petition in the newspaper of general circulation and copies of the newspaper and FRUUHVSRQGLQJ DIÂżGDYLW RI SXEOLFDWLRQ DUH DWWDFKHG KHUHWR as Annexes â&#x20AC;&#x153;K â&#x20AC;&#x153;and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lâ&#x20AC;?, respectively.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, petitioner NPC respectfully prays that pending the hearing on the merits, an Order be issued granting PROVISIONAL APPROVAL to the instant Petition, thereby allowing Petitioner NPC offset the excess of the Basic UCME for CY 2016 under existing Provisional Authority amounting to (PhP1,483,845,466.76) against the unrecovered amount of PhP17,804,818,088.38 under the current CY 2019 UCME Petition under ERC &DVH 1R 5& or allowing Petitioner NPC to offset the excess of the Basic UCME for CY 2016 under existing Provisional Authority amounting to (PhP1,483,845,466.76) against the unrecovered amounts under previous CY 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 petitions, as shown below: Total pending petitions Less: amount recovered 3HQGLQJ 7UXH XS EDODQFHV

Likewise, it is respectfully prayed that the recovery of unpaid balance on the Renewable Energy (RE) Developerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cash Incentive in the amount of PhP15,037,471.92 or equivalent to PhP0.0002/kWh be charged to all electricity end consumers.

After the hearing on the merits, the instant Petition be GRANTED by the Honorable Commission.

Other just and equitable reliefs are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the Petition for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates and venues: Date and Time Venue ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, 03 June 2019 (Monday) 3DFLÂżF &HQWHU %XLOGLQJ 6DQ 0LJXHO at one oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the Avenue, Pasig City afternoon (01:00 P.M.) 20 June 2019 (Thursday) Energy Regulatory Commission9LVD\DV )LHOG 2IÂżFH (5& 9)2 6W at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drive, Banilad, Cebu City afternoon (02:00 P.M.) Energy Regulatory Commission09 July 2019 (Tuesday)) 0LQGDQDR )LHOG 2IÂżFH (5& 0)2

Mezzanine Floor, Mintrade Building, at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the Monteverde Avenue cor. Sales afternoon (02:00 P.M.) Street, Davao City 15 July 2019 (Monday) at one oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon (01:00 P.M.)

3DUWLFXODUV $FWXDO )XHO &RVWV Average, P/kWh $FWXDO 5HYHQXH IURP 6DOHV Average, P/kWh 'LIIHUHQFH PkWh Actual Energy Sales, kWh

Amount 2,714,796,036 6.2879 2,247,502,368 5.2055 467,293,668 1.0823 431,752,097.27

3HUFHQWDJH 100% 83%

22. The approval of this instant Petition through offsetting against the unrecovered amounts under the previous petitions (excluding recovery of RE Cash Incentive) will not directly affect the existing rate and the FDVK Ă&#x20AC;RZ RI 13& IRU LWV RSHUDWLRQ DQG WKH VXEVLGLHV RI WKH 133 473 DQG RE-CI while the unrecovered amounts from previous applications will be reduced.

Pre-Trial ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Conference 3DFLÂżF &HQWHU %XLOGLQJ 6DQ 0LJXHO and Evidentiary Avenue, Pasig City Hearing

3) A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with UHVSHFW WR WKH VXEMHFW PDWWHU RI WKH FDVH PD\ ÂżOH WKHLU 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Petitioner rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.

No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such SHUVRQ

$ FRQFLVH VWDWHPHQW RI WKH 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW DQG 3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Petition may request from Petitioner that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Petitioner is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Petition and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Petition DQG RWKHU SHUWLQHQW UHFRUGV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ GXULQJ WKH VWDQGDUG RIÂżFH KRXUV WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners CATHERINE P. MACEDA and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 13th day of March in Pasig City.

17%

21. The amount herein proposed for refund, if allowed to be offset from the unrecovered amounts under the previous True Up petitions, would VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ EH EHQHÂżFLDO LQ VHUYLFLQJ WKH FRQVXPHUV LQ WKH PLVVLRQDU\ areas considering the nature of operation and the level of demand in the off-grid areas.

Expository Presentation

2) The nature of the petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected E\ WKH LVVXHV LQYROYHG LQ WKH SURFHHGLQJ DQG

Petitioner NPC repleads the foregoing allegations and further states:

Table 3: Actual Fuel Costs vis-a-vis Revenue from Sales

Expository Presentation

1) 7KH SHWLWLRQHUÂśV QDPH DQG DGGUHVV

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT FOR THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

20. 13&ÂśV 6XEVLGL]HG $SSURYHG *HQHUDWLRQ &KDUJH 6$*5 LV QRW UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLYH of the TCGR or the Revenue Requirement in the island grid. It is only 41% of the total fuel cost for CY 2016. Thus, the actual revenue from sales of Petitioner NPC is comparably lower to its actual fuel costs incur during its operations. Shown below is the details of the difference between Petitioner NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actual revenue from sales, and actual fuel costs.

3DUWLFXODUV Jurisdictional and Expository Presentation

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may EHFRPH D SDUW\ E\ ÂżOLQJ ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D YHULÂżHG 3HWLWLRQ WR ,QWHUYHQH DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V SULRU WR WKH LQLWLDO KHDULQJ DQG VXEMHFW WR WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV XQGHU Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:

18. The total True-up balance of PhP5.698 Bn using the existing Provisionally Approved True-up Recovery Rate shall be collected until October 2020 or until April 2020, six (6) months earlier, if the offsetting will be approved by the Honorable Commission.

19. While the ERC Resolution 21, Series of 2011 provides that if there are any surplus resulting in any True Up applications, the surplus will be DSSOLHG WR WKH FXUUHQW 8&0( $SSOLFDWLRQ 3HWLWLRQHU 13& ÂżQGV LW PRUH prudent to likewise implore the discretion of this Honorable Commission to offset the amount of (PhP1,483,845,466.76) against the unrecovered total amount of PhP5,697,736,582.23, as these amounts have already been spent by Petitioner NPC. Further, this will lessen the impact of the pending True Up petitions to the consumers, once approved by the Honorable Commission.

PhP 17,645,164,711.00 11,947,428,128.77 PhP 5,697,736,582.23

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fixing the Rate of Return on Rate Base of the National Power Corporation at twelve percent (12%) of the Rate Base DV 'HÂżQHG LQ 6HFWLRQ RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 1R DV $PHQGHG´ Âł(OHFWULF 3RZHU &ULVHV $FW RI ´ 3 Amended Guidelines for the Setting and Approval of Electricity Generation Rates and Subsidies for Missionary (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ $UHDV 4 $UWLFOH ,, 6HFWLRQ 5 $UWLFOH 9 6HFWLRQ F

6 5XOHV IRU WKH 5HJXODWLRQ RI WKH 4XDOLÂżHG 7KLUG 3DUWLHV 3HUIRUPLQJ 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ LQ $UHDV 'HFODUHG 8QYLDEOH E\ WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI (QHUJ\ 7 $UWLFOH ,9 6HFWLRQ E

8 $UWLFOH ,9 6HFWLRQ G DQG 9 G.R. No. 161113 (June 15, 2004).

1

2

MT - May 8 & 18, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

America plays down threat of war with Iran WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump said he hoped the US was not on a path to war with Iran amid fears that his two most hawkish advisers could be anGLING FOR SUCH A CONlICT WITH THE Islamic Republic.

Asked Thursday if the US was going to war with Iran, the President replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope notâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a day after he repeated a desire for dialogue, tweeting, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure that Iran will want to talk soon.â&#x20AC;?

The tone contrasted with a series of moves by the US and Iran that have sharply escalated tensions in the Middle East in recent days. For the past year, national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have been the public face of the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;maximum pressureâ&#x20AC;? campaign against Tehran.

The friction has rattled lawmakers who are demanding more information on the White Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claims of rising Iranian aggression. Top leaders in ConGRESS RECEIVED A CLASSIkED BRIEkNG on Iran Thursday (Friday in Ma-

nila), but many other lawmakers from both parties have criticized the White House for not keeping them informed.

Iran poses a particular challenge for Trump. While he talks tough against foreign adversaries to the delight of his supporters, a military confrontation with Iran could make him appear to be backtracking on a campaign pledge to keep America out of foreign entanglements.

Lawmakers and allies, however, worry that any erratic or miscalculated response from Trump could SEND THE 53 CAREENING INTO CONlICT Trump pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal last year and reinstated sanctions on Tehran that are crippling its economy.

Tensions rose dramatically May 5, when Bolton announced that the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group would be rushed from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf ahead of schedule in response to â&#x20AC;&#x153;a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings,â&#x20AC;? without going into details.

AP

World Trump opens door to young, brilliant migrants W SATURDAY May 18, 2019

ASHINGTON: Unveiling a new immigration plan, President Donald Trump said on Thursday (Friday in Manila) he wanted to provide a sharp contrast with Democrats, and he did â&#x20AC;&#x201D; aiming to upend decades of family-based immigration policy with a new approach that favors younger, â&#x20AC;&#x153;totally brilliant,â&#x20AC;? highskilled workers he says would not compete for American jobs.

Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sweeping immigration plan is more a campaign document than anything else. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a White House attempt to stretch beyond the â&#x20AC;&#x153;build-the-wallâ&#x20AC;? rhetoric THAT SWEPT THE 0RESIDENT TO OFkCE but may not be enough to deliver him a second term. As Trump heads into reelection season, his campaign sees the plan as a way to help him look more reasonable

on a signature issue than he often seems â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and to cast Democrats as blocking him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want immigrants coming in. We cherish the open door,â&#x20AC;?

Trump said in a Rose Garden speech as Cabinet members and 2EPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS kLLED THE front rows.

Trump said his new system, with points given for those with

advanced degrees, job offers and other attributes, would make it exactly â&#x20AC;&#x153;clear what standards we ask you to achieve.â&#x20AC;?

Nowadays, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we discriminate against genius,â&#x20AC;? he said, using a softer tone than his usual fiery campaign rallies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We discriminate against brilliance. We wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t anymore once we get this passed.â&#x20AC;?

Even before the speech, Democrats, whose votes would be needed for any bill to be approved by the divided Congress, panned the effort and questioned the Republican Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to families. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are they saying family is without merit?â&#x20AC;? asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are they saying most of the people whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come to the United States in the history of our country are without merit because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an engineering degree?â&#x20AC;?

Pelosi continued: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Certainly we

B7

want to attract the best to our country.â&#x20AC;? But, she said â&#x20AC;&#x153;meritâ&#x20AC;? was a â&#x20AC;&#x153;condescendingâ&#x20AC;? word that meant â&#x20AC;&#x153;merit in the eyes of Donald Trump.â&#x20AC;?

Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new plan has been months in the making, a project of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who has been meeting privately with business groups, religious LEADERS AND CONSERVATIVES TO kND common ground among Republicans on an issue that has long divided the party.

Kushner has long complained that many advocates on the immigration issue were very clear about what they were against, but have much more trouble articulating what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re â&#x20AC;&#x153;for.â&#x20AC;? Kushner set out to create a proposal that Republicans might be able to rally around, his mission to give the President and his party a clear platform heading into the 2020 elections.

AP

Johnson wants to be next British PM

STATE VISIT

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (third from left) walks with her Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong (second from left) as she attends a welcoming ceremony at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore. AFP PHOTO

Pei, designer of Louvre Taiwan approves same-sex marriage pyramid, dies at 102 NEW York: IM Pei, the versatile, globe-trotting architect who revived the Louvre with a giant glass pyramid and captured the spirit of rebellion at the multi-shaped Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has died at age 102.

0EI S DEATH WAS CONkRMED 4HURSday (Friday in Manila) by Marc Diamond, a spokesman for the architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s .EW 9ORK kRM 0EI #OBB &REED AND Partners. One of Peiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sons, Li Chung Pei, told The New York Times his father had died overnight.

Peiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s works ranged from the trapezoidal addition to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., to the chiseled towers of the National Center of Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.

His buildings added elegance to landscapes worldwide with their powerful geometric shapes and grand spaces. Among them are the striking steel and glass Bank of

China skyscraper in Hong Kong and the Fragrant Hill Hotel near Beijing.

His work spanned decades, starting in the late 1940s and continuing through the new millennium. Two of his last major projects, the Museum of Islamic Art, located ON AN ARTIkCIAL ISLAND JUST OFF THE waterfront in Doha, Qatar, and the Macau Science Center in China, opened in 2008 and 2009.

Pei painstakingly researched each project, studying its use and relating it to the environment. But he also was interested in architecture as art â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the effect he could create. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At one level my goal is simply to give people pleasure in being in a space and walking around it,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But, I also think architecture can reach a level where IT INlUENCES PEOPLE TO WANT TO DO something more with their lives.

4HAT IS THE CHALLENGE THAT ) kND most interesting.â&#x20AC;?

AP

TAIPEI, Taiwan: Taiwanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legislature has passed a law allowing same-sex marriage, a first for Asia.

The vote Friday allows same-sex couples full legal marriage rights, including in areas such as taxes, insurance and child custody.

Taiwanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Constitutional Court in May 2017 said the constitution allowed same-sex marriages and gave parliament two

years to adjust laws accordingly.

Taiwanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acceptance of gay and lesbian relationships began in the 1990s when leaders in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruling Democratic Progressive Party championed the cause to help Taiwan stand out in Asia as an open society. Although claimed by China as its own territory, Taiwan is a self-governing democracy with a vibrant civil society.

AP

MILKING COW

A woman milks a cow at the Kirgui village in Udier, Sudan. The passing of centuries seems to have changed little in the ebb and flow of life for herders in remote South Sudan, whose cattle industry serves as a bank account and plays a core role in every aspect of life. AFP PHOTO

Worldinbriefs SKOREAN, 3 FILIPINOS FREED FROM CAPTIVITY SEOUL, South Korea: A South Korean and three Filipinos have been freed following months of captivity in Libya, Seoul and Abu Dhabi on Friday. The release of the hostages was mediated by the United Arab Emirates, which worked with the self-styled Libyan National Army led by commander Khalifa Hifter. Since last month, Hifterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forces have been battling in western Libya, trying to take the capital of Tripoli and have been locked in heavy fighting in and around the city.

AP

BRITAINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Boris Johnson, the former foreign minister, ex-mayor of London and leading Brexit campaigner, conkRMED HE WOULD RUN FOR THE PREMIERship when Theresa May quits, British media reported. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to go for it,â&#x20AC;? he told a business event in Manchester, northwest England, conkRMING WHAT MOST COMMENTATORS and colleagues have long assumed.

May has yet to set a date for her departure from Downing Street, but she has promised to step down once THE kRST STAGE OF "RITAIN S EXIT FROM the European Union is secured.

Many of her ministers and senior lawmakers are already jockeying for position, holding photo opportunities and giving wide-ranging speeches that go well BEYOND THEIR OFkCIAL BRIEFS Johnson, who was poised to run AGAINST -AY WHEN SHE TOOK OFkCE after the 2016 referendum, has long been assumed to be a candidate when the right time comes, but has recently kept out the limelight.

Known abroad for his gaffes and accused of misleading voters over Brexit, he is nonetheless loved by many ordinary members of the ruling Conservative party, who will have a vote.

Johnson quit as foreign minister last year over the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brexit strategy and has been an outspoken critic of the divorce deal May struck with Brussels last November.

The deal has been rejected three times by the House of Commons, forcing May to delay Brexit twice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; while also postponing her own departure.

She announced this week she would bring it back for a fourth AND LIKELY kNAL TIME IN THE WEEK beginning on June 3.

May hopes to secure parliamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval for the deal by July, at which point she is expected to step down.

AFP

NY MAYOR JOINS US PRESIDENTIAL RACE NEW York: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday (Friday in Manila) that he would seek the Democratic nomination for president, adding his name to an already long list of candidates itching for a chance to take on Donald Trump. The mayor announced his run with a video released by his campaign, then headed to the Statue of Liberty, where he said the country was in an â&#x20AC;&#x153;identity crisisâ&#x20AC;? around immigration, which he called â&#x20AC;&#x153;the founding and unifying element of the American experience.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are figuring out who we are,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are American values we need to return to and fight for in order to achieve our greatest potential.â&#x20AC;?

AP

4 KILLED IN PLANE CRASH AT AIRPORT

SAUDI AIRSTRIKES ON YEMEN KILL 6

DUBAI: Four people were killed when a small plane crashed near Dubai International Airport, temporarily halting some flights in and out of the busy regional hub. The crash killed three Britons and a South African on board the four-seater Diamond DA62, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority said. The UK registered plane was on a mission to calibrate terrestrial navigation systems at the airport when it crashed about 5 kilometers south of the airport. The crash was due to a mechanical fault, Dubai Media Office said.

AFP

YEMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Health Ministry has raised the death toll from early morning airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition, saying six people were killed, including four children. The ministry says 41 people were also wounded, including two women of Russian nationality. Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s airstrikes came after Yemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control the capital, launched a drone attack Tuesday on a critical oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, Tehranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest rival in the region.

AP

F-16 CRASHES; PILOT EJECTS

CHINA BUILDING COLLAPSE DEATHS RISE TO 10

RIVERSIDE, Calif.: An F-16 fighter jet crashed Thursday (Friday in Manila) into a warehouse just outside March Air Reserve Base in California, sending a dozen people to hospitals for evaluation after they were exposed to debris, authorities said. The pilot ejected and parachuted to safety, said Maj. Perry Covington, the baseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director of public affairs. The cause of the crash was under investigation. Interstate 215, which runs between the base and the warehouse, was closed in both directions, backing up rush-hour traffic for miles.

AP

TEN people have died in hospital after a factory wall accidentally collapsed in Shanghai Thursday, local authorities said Friday morning. As of 1:45 a.m. Friday, 25 people who were trapped have been rescued, 10 of whom died after ineffective treatment, according to the municipal bureau of emergency management. The wall fell at 11:20 a.m. Thursday on Zhaohua Road in Shanghaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Changning District,when the factory building was being demolished. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

GLOBAL TIMES

SaTURDAy may 18, 2019

Public Square

B8

Public Square appears on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

publicsquare@manilatimes.net

Krispy Kreme opens first sub-franchise store K

RISPY Kreme Philippines, the local unit of the global doughnut and coffee brand, opened its pilot sub-franchised store outlet at Total South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), in the Laguna city of Sta. Rosa, on April 25. /FkCIALLY LICENSED TO 3.$ )NC

owned by couples Ariel and Gina DE $IOS AND 0AUL AND %NNA 3ANtos, the group became the first sub-franchisee of the brand. g4HIS IS THE kRST EVER SUB FRANCHISE of Krispy Kreme in the Philippines, so this will always be a part of the Krispy Kreme history here,â&#x20AC;? said Pyrus dela Cruz, chief operations OFkCER OF +RISPY +REME 0HILIPPINES â&#x20AC;&#x153;On behalf of Krispy Kreme Philippines and Krispy Kreme global, we would like to welcome the team to the Krispy Kreme family.â&#x20AC;? !S THE kRST SUB FRANCHISED STORE

the new outlet includes the bakeSHOP AREA AND A DRIVE THROUGH ZONE for easy take-out transactions. g7E WANTED FAST SERVICE BECAUSE TRAVELLING PEOPLE WANT FAST SERVICE and fast food,â&#x20AC;? franchisee Gina de $IOS EXPLAINED g-OST OF THEM ARE HUNGRY TRAVELERS SO THEY CAN JUST EASILY DRIVE THROUGH +RISPY +REME WINDOW and order their doughnut and coffee.â&#x20AC;?

4HE 3.$ GROUP MANAGES FOUR 4OTAL gas stations, where Total SLEX is its strongest station in terms of foot trafkC AND THE ADDITION OF +RISPY +REME â&#x20AC;&#x153;is what we want to bring in our gas STATION TO BE INNOVATIVE AND DIFFERENT AMONG THE REST u DE $IOS SAID She added that another Krispy Kreme sub-franchised outlet will be put up at Total gas station along #OMMONWEALTH !VENUE IN 1UEZON City, which they aim to inaugurate by

Q Franchisees (from left) Ariel de Dios, Gina de Dios, Enna Santos and Paul Santos inaugurate the first sub-franchise store of Krispy Kreme with Pyrus dela Cruz (extreme right), Krispy Kreme Philippines chief operations officer.

THE THIRD QUARTER OF Krispy Kreme Philippines is unDER THE PORTFOLIO OF -AX S 'ROUP Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the leading casual dining restaurant in the Philippines, WHERE 3.$ IS A PARTNER FRANCHISEE

(EADQUARTERED IN .ORTH #ARolina, the American doughnut SHOP OPENED ITS kRST STORE IN THE Philippines at the City Center in &ORT "ONIFACIO 4AGUIG #ITY ON .OV

DoH supports mHealth tool Learns leprosy teleconsultation system THE Philippines eliminated leprosy AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL IN SEVEN years after the World Health OrgaNIZATION 7(/ DECLARED ITS VISION OF A WORLD FREE OF LEPROSY (OWEVER

pockets of leprosy cases still exist in some regions, particularly in Ilocos 3UR AND 3OUTHERN -INDANAO To address this challenge, the $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH $O( IS IMPLEMENTING THE .ATIONAL ,EPROSY #ONTROL 0ROGRAM .,#0 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS ,'5S CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR

WHICH AIMS TO ACHIEVE A LEPROSY FREE Philippines by the year 2022. )N .OVARTIS (EALTHCARE 0HILIPPINES AND THE $O( IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE .OVARTIS &OUNDAtion organized the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Practices AND )NNOVATIVE )DEAS IN THE &IGHT against Leprosy Contest.â&#x20AC;? g-OBILE 4ELEDERMATOLOGY % 2EFERRAL 3YSTEM FOR !CTIVE #ASE &INDING OF .EW ,EPROSY #ASE u BY LOCAL TECH

COMPANY -ETA(ELIX WAS ADJUDGED BEST ENTRY IN THE )NNOVATIVE )DEAS category. Building on this innoVATIVE TELEDERMATOLOGY APPROACH

-ETAHELIX WITH SUPPORT FROM THE $O( .OVARTIS 4ASK &ORCE AND 0HILippine Council for Health Research AND $EVELOPMENT DEVELOPED THE ,EPROSY !LERT AND 2ESPONSE .ETwork System (Learns), the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kRST MOBILE PHONE BASED LEPROSY teleconsultation system.

Learns is a mobile health (mHealth) tool that enables health care practitioners in remote areas to refer suspected leprosy patients to experts by sending a picture of the skin lesion and patient details THROUGH THEIR MOBILE PHONE 5SING THE ,EARNS SYSTEM GOVERNMENT health workers (physicians, nurses, MIDWIVES AND BARANGAY HEALTH workers) can send teleconsultaTIONS VIA EITHER 3-3 OR THE ,EARNS application. After its successful PILOT IN )LOILO PROVINCE IN

Q Present in the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the celebration of World Leprosy Day 2019 (from left) Department of Health National Leprosy Control Program Manager Julie Mart Rubite; Novartis Healthcare PH Corporate Affairs Head Christine Fajardo; Rizal Medical Center Chief Relito Saquilayan; Rizal Medical Center Chief Training Officer Maria Rica Lumague; Rizal Medical Center Infectious Dermatology and Leprosy Unit Head Abelaine Venida-Tablizo; DoH Senior Health Program Officer Pacita Alano; and Rizal Medical Center Department of Dermatology Chairman Francisco Rivera 4th.

Learns is now being implemented WITH OVER HEALTHCARE PROVIDIN PROVINCES IN NINE REGIONS ers already trained in the system.

Central Square launches â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Big City Escapeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; SHAKE off the summer heat in the metro with an awesome .EW 9ORK EXPERIENCE AT #ENTRAL Square, the trendiest hangout in Bonifacio Global City. BeGINNING !PRIL TO *UNE THE 33) 'ROUP PRESENTS THE VIBRANT

eclectic styles of the city that NEVER SLEEPS THROUGH AN ARRAY OF FASHION AND TRAVEL FOOD AND musical performances that will HAVE YOU LIVING THE EXCITEMENT of the Big Apple.

This year, Central Square launches Big City Escape, its sumMER RAFlE PROMOTION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH (3"# &ROM -AY TO

*UNE EACH SHOPPER IS ENTITLED TO ONE RAFlE ENTRY FOR EVERY 0

single or accumulated receipt purchase from participating Central Square and Bonifacio High Street stores. HSBC card holders can get THREE RAFlE ENTRIES PER PURCHASE requirement. #APTURE YOUR .EW 9ORK EXperience by taking cool photos at our Scene Snaps, the interACTIVE VIGNETTES AT THE !TRIUM Tag @centralsquareph and @ ssilifeph when you post using THE HASHTAGS Ă&#x203A;#31"IG#ITY%SCAPE

#CentralSquarePH, and #SSILife to win exciting prizes.

Q During the launching, are (from left) Mitch Suarez, SSIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head of Marketing Communications; Anton Huang, SSI Group Inc. president; Jj Yulo, HSBC SVP; Peter Faulhaber, head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management; Anya Katigbak-Cajucom, HSBC senior vice president and head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management Marketing; and Jasmine Alansalon-Gonzales, HSBC senior vice president and head of RBWM Customer Value Management.

Oxford Business Group signs agreement with Infraco Asia /8&/2$ "USINESS 'ROUP /"' HAS SIGNED A -EMORANDUM OF 5NDERSTANDING WITH 0RIVATE )NFRASTRUCTURE $EVELOPMENT 'ROUP 0)$' COMPANY )NFRA#O !SIA AN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT kRM FOCUSED ON STIMULATING GREATER PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN south and Southeast Asia.

5NDER THE AGREEMENT /"' WILL PARTNER with InfraCo Asia to gain insight into the inFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY AND PROJECT INVESTMENT opportunities in regional frontier markets.

This information will become part of OBGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PLATFORMS AND EDITORIAL CONTENT PROVIDING

/"' READERS AND SUBSCRIBERS WITH AN EVEN GREATER DEPTH AND SCOPE OF COVERAGE ON INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TOPICS 4HE -O5 WAS signed ahead of an infrastructure-themed round-table, which took place at the Tower #LUB IN 3INGAPORE ON -ARCH -ORE THAN !SIA BASED INFRASTRUCTURE leaders and public-sector dignitaries came toGETHER TO EXPLORE HOW TO EFFECTIVELY OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES TO INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT in Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frontier markets. &OR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.infra- Q Signing the agreement were Oxford Business Group coasia.com,www.pidg.org. and www.oxford- Managing Director for Asia Polina Virr (left) and InfraCo businessgroup.com Asia Chief Executive Officer Allard Nooy.

A tribute to the spirit of Visayan artists g"!/u 4HE 5NBOWED #ARABAO IS AN ARTISTIC COLLABORATION OF TWO .EGRENSE artists, sculptor Paeng Paderna and mosaic artist Lisa de Leon-Zayco.

4HE PROJECT CALLS FOR THE CREATION OF A carabao sculpture using concrete, brass and tesserae to marry the arts with the AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE OF .EGROS The intention is best captured in the words of Angelica Berrie, who commissioned â&#x20AC;&#x153;Baoâ&#x20AC;? as a tribute to the spirit OF 6ISAYAN ARTISTS g4HE NARRATIVE OF SURVIVAL THROUGH ECONOMIC POLITICAL AND social turmoils in the sugar industry is A TALE OF ENDURANCE AND RESILIENCE VISUALIZED THROUGH DELICATE MOSAICS OVERLAID

ON A FIVE TON CREATURE BORN FROM OUR &ILIPINO IMAGINATION u g"AOu 4HE 5NBOWED #ARABAO IS A BOLD CELEBRATION OF CREATIVITY REFLECTING unique cultural heritage.

With support from the Angelica Berrie &OUNDATION THIS INSTALLATION IS INSPIRED

BY THE POWER OF ART TO CREATE POSITIVE change. g"AOu WAS UNVEILED AT 4HE .EGROS -USEUM GROUNDS IN "ACOLOD #ITY IN April. Concurrently, a back-to-back exhibition, titled Coming Home, will celebrate the artistry of de Leon-Zayco and Paderna. Coming Home will run UNTIL -AY

Q Negrense artists, sculptor Paeng Paderna (top) and mosaic artist Lisa de Leon-Zayco

DoT reports 7.6% increase in foreign tourist arrivals for Q1 2%#/2$-high international tourist ARRIVALS POSTED IN THE kRST QUARTER OF THE year present an encouraging sign that Philippine tourism is on the right track, THE $EPARTMENT OF 4OURISM $O4 SAYS 4HE COUNTRY WELCOMED

FOREIGN VISITORS IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF REFLECTING A PERCENT RISE FROM LAST YEAR S

OVER THE SAME PERIOD $O4 3ECRETARY "ERNADETTE 2OMULO 0UYAT SAID g4HE $O4 IS WORKING on enhancing our tourism products and tourism infrastructure to entice tourists to choose the Philippines as their next destination.â&#x20AC;?

South Korea remains the top source MARKET WITH TOURIST ARRIVALS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR S

The period also saw the Chinese

market ranking second, posting A TOTAL PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR S TALLY OF

)N THIRD SPOT IS 53!

REGISTERING

VISITORS UP BY PERcent from last year. #OMPLETING THE TOP MARKETS for the three-month period are: *APAN

4AIWAN

!USTRALIA

#ANADA

5NITED +INGDOM

3INGAPORE

-ALAYSIA

)NDIA

AND 'ERMANY

Puyat noted that the rehabilitated Boracay Island, touted as a model of sustainable tourism deVELOPMENT HAS ATTRACTED A GROWING NUMBER OF VISITORS SINCE REOPENING in October last year.

Spark PH launches campaign to end violence against LGBTQ+ AS part of the global commemORATION OF THE )NTERNATIONAL $AY Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (Idahobit) on -AY GENDER EQUALITY ADVOCATES launched #EndRainbowViolence, a MOVEMENT THAT AIMS TO INCREASE THE PUBLIC S AWARENESS ON THE ,'"41 rights and welfare in order to promote acceptance, which can lead to the ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AND STIGMA Launched at The Ruins Poblacion IN -AKATI #ITY ON -AY Ă&#x203A;%ND2AINBOW6IOLENCE SERVES AS AN OPPORTUNITY to feature stories of acceptance as well as highlight the harassment and ATTACKS MEMBERS OF THE ,'"41 COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE FROM VARIOUS SECTORS )N THE LONG TERM THE MOVEment calls for policy change and POSITIVE ACTION TO PREVENT ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE DONE BECAUSE OF A PERSON S

sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics. g7E RE PLEASED TO LAUNCH THIS MOVEment coinciding with Idahobit â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a day dedicated to raising public awareNESS ON ,'"41 RIGHTS AND WELFARE TO HELP ELIMINATE VIOLENCE AND STIGMA

AND TO EVENTUALLY ADVANCE GENDER EQUALITY u -AICA 4EVES EXECUTIVE director of Spark! Philippines said.

Spark! Philippines, an organization that promotes gender equality, is LEADING THIS INITIATIVE WITH ASSISTANCE from the Embassies of Belgium and Canada in the Philippines. #EndRainbowViolence, is part of Spark! Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; larger #ReSPETO.AMAN campaign. &OR MORE INFORMATION VISIT 2ESPETO.AMAN ON &ACEBOOK

Instagram, and Twitter or email info@sparkphilippines.org.

130,000 clients benefit from DFP OFW center

!"/54 CLIENTS HAVE BEEN SERVED BY $UTY &REE 0HILIPPINES $&0 /&7 #ENTER AT &IESTAMALL IN ParaĂąaque City last year, according to recent report of the marketing programs unit of the said corporation.

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;one-stop processingâ&#x20AC;? center that has been in operations SINCE HOSTS REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS AGENCIES WITH SERVICES THAT ARE ALL RELEVANT TO /&7S SUCH AS 0HILIPPINE /VERSEAS %MPLOYment Administration (POEA), /VERSEAS 7ORKERS 7ELFARE !DMINISTRATION /77! .ATIONAL "UREAU OF )NVESTIGATIONS .")

,AND 4RANSPORTATION /FkCE ,4/

(OME $EVELOPMENT -UTUAL &UND ($-& REMITTANCE CENTER AND

OTHER PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS $&0 #HIEF /PERATING /FFICER Vicente Pelagio Angala said the ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SERVICE CENter was to further exemplify the COMMITMENT OF $&0 TO SERVE ONE OF ITS MAJOR MARKETS Â&#x2021; THE /&7S and balikbayans.

2ETURNING &ILIPINO WORKERS MAY ALSO PROCESS THEIR /VERSEAS Employment Certificate while SHOPPING AT $&0 THROUGH A SATELlite unit of the POEA. &ILIPINOS WHO ARE CURRENTLY working or planning to work OVERSEAS ARE ENCOURAGE TO VISIT THE /&7 #ENTER FROM A M TO P M -ONDAY TO &RIDAY

excluding holidays.

Educating communities through â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Unang Aklatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project 4/ SUPPORT THE VALUE OF READING AND EDUCATION )##0 'ROUP &OUNDATION )NC )'&) PARTNERED WITH THE !DARNA 'ROUP &OUNDATION

)NC !'&) THE CORPORATE SOCIAL responsibility arm of Adarna Publishing House, to implement 5NANG !KLAT PROJECT Together with the municipal LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF (ERMOSA

"ATAAN THE PROJECT AIMS TO EDUCATE mothers with children up to four years of age on the importance of early literacy.

5NANG !KLAT WITH )'&) COVERS Barangays Palihan, Bacong and Pandatung â&#x20AC;&#x201D; host communities of the Hermosa Ecozone IndusTRIAL 0ARK (%)0 A HECTARE industrial estate managed by the

ICCP Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Science Park of the Philippines, Inc. (SPPI).

4O DATE WORKSHOPS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED AND BOOKS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO EACH OF THE mothers and children who directly BENEkTTED FROM THE PROJECT &OR MORE INFORMATION VISit www.iccpgroup.com.ph

Sports

SSATURDAY MAY 18, 2019 M

C1

www.manilatimes.net

Curry shines as Warriors down Blazers for 2-0 lead S AN FRANCISCO: Stephen Curry scored 37 points as the Golden State Warriors fought back to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-111 and take a 2-0 lead in their ."! 7ESTERN #ONFERENCE kNALS SERIES ON Thursday (Friday in Manila).

Q Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (No. 30) shoots next to Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (No. 0) during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals in Oakland, California on Friday. AP PHOTO

E

PBA vs NBA: Player empowerment

VEN in basketball, the leagues are in a power struggle.

The NBA has entered the era of player empowerment. The PBA is taking baby steps. Last May 14, the NBA held its annual Draft lottery, which will decide the fate of Duke University star Zion Williamson. He was awarded to the New Orleans Pelicans.

It was obvious that Zion and most NBA observers wanted him to go to a different â&#x20AC;&#x153;Newâ&#x20AC;? city. Having too many cameras can catch an unguarded gesture â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or facial expression.

That was enough to get the talking heads buzzing. Zion could refuse to play for the Pelicans and just decide to return to Duke.

He has not yet hired an agent, so the door is not necessarily closed for him to return to Durham.

their billion-dollar investments, the players wanted to make the most out of their limited playing years.

It has led to where we are now. Players can choose to enter free agency together and sign on a team where they wanted (the Miami Big Three). For some reason, fans found that disgusting, which was weird.

During the lockout, it was mentioned that â&#x20AC;&#x153;fans watch to see the players play, not to watch the owners own.â&#x20AC;? So when players like LeBron James took the power from the owners, other players, like Kevin Durant were demonized for it.

James himself defended Durant, which was ironic since many of his fans chided Durant for forming the Warriors dynasty of today. They called KD a â&#x20AC;&#x153;snakeâ&#x20AC;? and that he was not â&#x20AC;&#x153;loyal.â&#x20AC;?

The fans were unusually silent when a "LAKE 'RIFkN A gLOYALu PLAYER WHO DECLINED offers to stay with the LA Clippers, was traded to the Detroit Pistons. LeBron James criticized that, but it went unscathed, and Steve Ballmer is considered to be one of the better NBA owners.

So when players want to exercise their right to choose after waiting for seven seasons, they ARE DISLOYAL SELkSH OR WEAK "UT WHEN OWNers trade their players, they are simply doing whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best for the team.

BASKETBALL SLEUTH

MICHAEL ANGELO B. ASIS

PBA has no free agency The reason why we have speculations on where NBA players will play next season is because they have free agency. After a range of four to seven seasons, depending on the contracts he signs, a drafted player can become a free agent and sign with any team he wishes.

We have LeBron James in 2010, Kevin Durant in 2016 as prime examples.

There is no such thing in the PBA. If a team drafts a player, they own him. He will only be a free agent if they do not want him anymore.

The only way for a PBA star to transfer is to ask for a trade. You have Paul Lee, Calvin Abueva and most recently, Raymond Almazan. For the latter two, they had team suspensions before their teams relented.

If you ask, or demand a trade, you still donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get to choose your destination team.

The teams have all the cards here in the PBA. To be fair, a trade doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean as much to a PBA player than an NBA player. Most, if not all PBA teams are Manila-based. They only change jerseys and practice facilities. An NBA player has to relocate his family.

Battle for empowerment Empowerment for the NBA player did not come easy. They had to endure multiple lockouts. The owners wanted protections for

Curry sparked a 14-3 run for the Warriors as the NBA champions overturned a 108-100 deficit with just over four minutes remaining in a pulsating battle at the Oracle Arena.

Earlier, the Trail Blazers had surged into a 17-point early in the second half only for the Warriors to hit back with a sustained points onslaught.

T h e Wa r r i o r s erupted for 39 points in the third quarter to haul themselves back into the contest but Portland, led by Damian Lillard, refused to roll over.

A Meyers Leonard threepointer put Portland eight points clear late in the fourth but Curry then seized control.

Three nerveless free throws from Curry edged Golden State into a 110-108 lead, before a three-pointer for Portland from Curryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s younger brother Seth made it 111-110 for the visitors.

Kevon Looneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alley-oop dunk shot put Golden State back in front at 112-111 with 52 seconds remaining before a Dray-

mond Green layup with 12 seconds left effectively sealed the win. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We knew they were going to come out swinging,â&#x20AC;? Curry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They gave us a great punishing.

That third quarter was unbelievable. It was a true testament of everyone on the team.â&#x20AC;?

It was another huge performance from Curry, who has stepped into the void created by Kevin Durantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s injury absence to deliver back-toback 30-point games in the opening two games of the series. #URRY kNISHED WITH POINTS from 11 of 22 shooting, adding eight rebounds, eight assists and six turnovers.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We stole that gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Klay Thompson added 24 points WHILE 'REEN kNISHED WITH POINTS Looney (14 points) and Jordan Bell (11) also cracked double digits.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr admitted that his team, who are chasing a third straight NBA championship this seaSON AND A FOURTH IN kVE SEASONS HAD been fortunate to escape with the win. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We stole that game,â&#x20AC;? a relieved Kerr said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought they outplayed us for much of the night, the majority of the night. But weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been here before. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think our experience helped

Bigger fights await Pacquiao after Thurman FILIPINO ring hero Manny Pacquiao, already 40 years old and in his 24th YEAR OF A LEGENDARY PRIZEkGHTING CAREER

is still the same Manny Pacquiao of old, GEARING TO kGHT AND kGHT THE BEST At his age, the only human being to have won boxing championships after boxing championships in eight weight divisions, is considered at the twilight of his career and wouldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been enjoying the luxury picking opponents of lesser-caliber.

But thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not our Manny.

Only a week ago, the WBA regular welterweight belt-holder who has had many EPIC kGHTS IN HIS WIN LOSS DRAW records spiked with 39 KOs in a successFUL YEAR kGHT GAME ANNOUNCED THAT he will facing undefeated WBA â&#x20AC;&#x153;superâ&#x20AC;?

147-pound titlist Keith Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) next.

4HE 0ACQUIAO VS 4HURMAN TITLE kGHT set for July 20 at a venue still to be named, but possibly MGM Grand in Las Vegas, site of many of his classic encounters that made him a global icon.

Part of the conditions for signing with Al Haymonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premier Boxing Champions late last year, that he wanted to take on top opponents in the welterweight division, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what he is doing.

Last January, the Filipino Senator handily outpointed Adrien Broner to keep his jewel and battling Thurman, is his way of

FULkLLING HIS PROMISE OF ANOTHER BIG kGHT against a man 10 years his junior and known to possess tremendous power and ability.

4HE kGHT IS ALSO WHAT 4HURMAN

of Clearwater, Florida, has wanted after disposing off Josesito Lopez last January to retain his belt in his return to the ring to shake off the rust brought about by injuries that laid him off for almost two years. .O AMOUNT HAS BEEN SPECIkED YET

but it is likely that a $20 million or more guaranteed purse certainly helped convince the two red-hot welterweight agree to erase each other.

Again, no announcement has yet been made but winner of the Pacquiao-Thurman could lead to an eventual face off with the victor of a unification fight between Errol Spence Jr. and Shawn Porter.

Or Pacquiao can celebrate his 25th year as a prizefighter next year dancing with Terence Crawford in a showdown boxing fans have long been waiting to see.

Should he prevail over Thurman, that is.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao is scheduled to fly to New York City on Sunday night via Philippine Airlines to start

Pelican power The New Orleans Pelicans are locked in the middle of ADâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power play, while the rumors about Zion were downplayed. The standoff in New Orleans will be the cloud hanging on the NBA summer.

The rumors about Zion have been downplayed, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably best for the Pelicans that Zion didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seek advice from Davis. Zion will most likely be drafted by New Orleans.

Zion Williamson was supposed to be a trade chip to acquire Davis, but now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gone and the poker game continues. AD, for his part, said the lottery win wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change anything, he still wants out. The plot thickens, and the idea that players have cards at all is a victory for player empowerment.

us. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done this a few times before. But we stole it tonight for sure. They outplayed us.â&#x20AC;?

Kerr said the Warriors had been expecting a backlash from Portland following their win in game one on Tuesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had two days to stew on THE kRST GAME AND MAKE THEIR ADJUSTments. So we knew it was coming,â&#x20AC;? +ERR SAID g7E DIDN T kND OUR EDGE until the third quarter. But the NBA game is a long, long game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And with our team we always feel like we have a chance. And we kept playing tonight and we got it done.â&#x20AC;?

Lillard led the scoring for Portland with 23 points while C.J. McCollum added 22 points.

Portland coach Terry Stotts took satisfaction from an improved performance after a heavy loss in game one on Tuesday, but admitted his team had squandered a chance to level the series. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lost opportunity, no question,â&#x20AC;? Stotts said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We played a good game, we led for a good part of the game. We had a chance to win and we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You hate to lose a game but we showed that we can compete with them. It was a much better game than we played in game one.

Now weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to go and get two at home. We played better at both ENDS OF THE lOOR TONIGHT AND WE VE got to take that into game three.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile the Warriors confirmed earlier that injured star Durant was ruled out of game three and four in Portland as he struggles to recover from a calf strain. AFP

Q Manny Pacquiao throws a low left cross against Adrien Broner during their bout for the WBA regular welterweight crown on January 19, 2019, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. PHOTO BY WENDELL ALINEA

a three-day, two-US city press tour to promote the July 20 bout. A press conference has been called at the Gotham Hall on Tuesday afternoon when Pacquiao and Thurman get to see each OTHER FACE TO FACE FOR THE kRST TIME After the New York leg of the media tour, Pacquiao proceeds to Los Angeles for another presscon on Wednesday after WHICH HE BOARDS A -ANILA BOUND lIGHT evening of the same day.

He arrives in Manila on Friday morning in time to prepare pitching training camp along with chief trainer and Polangui, Albay vice mayor-elect Buboy Fernandez in preparation for the July bout.

Pacquiao had, actually showed up in his General Santos version of the Wild Card Gym for a feel of what it is atop the ring last Wednesday following a four-month non-boxing activity since beating Broner.

EDDIE G. ALINEA

C2

Sports

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Ateneo, UST go-for-broke in deciding Game 3 A

CROSSOVER RAFFY LEDESMA

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

TENEO De Manila University and University of Sto. Tomas (UST) will dispute the Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volleyball crown in the winner-take-all Game 3 today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Lady Eagles are expected to go all-out to end a four-year title drought against the Golden Tigresses that are equally bent on halting a nine-year title spell in their 3:30 p.m. clash.

Ateneo last won the title in Season 77 when it achieved a tournament sweep while UST snared its last troPHY IN 3EASON WITH A kNALS SWEEP against De La Salle University.

Behind the troika of Maddie Madayag, Bea De Leon and Kat Tolentino, Ateneo tied the championship series with a 26-24, 1425, 25-21, 25-15 victory in Game 2 at the same venue on Wednesday.

Graduating blocker Madayag kNISHED WITH POINTS GRADUATing captain De Leon notched 13 markers while season Best Opposite Hitter Tolentino tallied 11 in the previous game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keep staying positive because we got one game. We just have to go from there, remain happy and enjoying the game,â&#x20AC;? De Leon said.

Ateneoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s triple tower will once

again lead the charge as head coach Oliver Almadro expects sophomore libero Dani Ravena to step up on defense.

Ravena anchored the Lady %AGLES lOOR DEFENSE WITH excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions in Game 2.

On the other side, UST mentor Kungfu Reyes is pinning his hope on season MVP Sisi Rondina while hoping that Rookie of the Year Eya Laure will fully recover from her sprained left ankle.

Laure sustained the injury during the third set of Game 2, resulting in a weakened Tigressesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attack. She returned late in the same set but was visibly affected by the injury.

Reyes will also be counting on Ysa Jimenez, Caitlyn Viray and Kecelyn Galdones to sustain their offensive.

UST prevailed in the series opener with a 25-17, 25-16, 2520 sweep.

Q USTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sisi Rondina (No. 16) soars against Ateneoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Maddie Madayag (No. 7) and Deanna Wong (No. 3) in Game 2 of the UAAP womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volleyball finals at the MoA Arena in Pasay City. PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ&#x2018;ADA

Blue Booters repulse Archers to reclaim UAAP crown JARVEY Gayoso and Julian Roxas delivered as Ateneo de M a n i l a U n i ve r s i t y d ow n e d archrival De La Salle University in extra time, 2-1, to reclaim the title in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.

Most Valuable Player Gayoso struck the equalizer before Roxas hit the match-winner in the extension, helping the Blue Booters regain the championship they lost last year.

Ateneo marked its third triumph OVER ,A 3ALLE IN kVE TITULAR ENCOUNters. The Blue Booters also repeated their win against the Green Booters BACK IN THE kNALE â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel so blessed. Last 2006, Ateneo and La Salle played in the finals. I was still a player then. Now that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a coach, same result,â&#x20AC;? said Merida, who bagged his third title as a coach and was part of the three-peater squad in the previous decade.

With its second crown in three seasons, Ateneo became the winningest team with eight titles

against University of the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; seven.

La Salle was on the verge of ending a 21-year title drought when rookie Adil Almohjili got a loose BALL INSIDE THE BOX AND kRED A LOW shot in the 78th minute.

But seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Striker Gayoso, who tallied a tournament-best 11 goals, pulled Ateneo level in the kRST MINUTE OF INJURY TIME AS HE escaped the offside trap to tap home Luca Allejeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assist.

Roxas headed in Allejeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cross from the left wing in the 100th before the Blue Booters held on to

clinch the crown.

Ateneoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AJ Arcilla took the Best Goalkeeper award while La Salleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shanden Vergara, captain Jed Diamante and Yoshi Koizumi were named as Rookie of the Year, Best Midfielder and Best Defender, respectively.

In the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s division, La Salle completed a three-peat after beating Far Eastern University (FEU), 2-0.

Rocelle MendaĂąo scored in the 54th even as Rookie of the Year and Best Striker Alisha Del Campo struck in the 80th for the Lady

Booters to extend their reign. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a testament how good the program of La Salle is. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to believe that this is the winningest womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team. The girls have proven that,â&#x20AC;? said veteran mentor Hans-Peter Smit, who towed his team to a league record best 11th crown.

La Salleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sara CastaĂąeda bagged THE -60 AND "EST -IDkELDER HONors, teammate Natasha Lacson grabbed the Best Goalkeeper plum while FEUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hannah Pachejo was named Best Defender.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA Â

Rhodes vows to win back Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup title RETURNING import Charles Rhodes promised to win back the Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup title for San Miguel Beer when the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) import-laden conference begins May 19.

Rhodes,who arrived last week from South Korea, said he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t return to the PBA for money but to help the Beermen win back-to-back titles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is what expected. You should expect nothing less. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come over here just to make money and play. I come over here to win a championship and be the best player in this conference. I make sure it will come true,â&#x20AC;?

Rhodes told The Manila Times.

Rhodes averaged 27.3 points and 10.1 rebounds in the 2017 Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup when the Beermen emerged as champions. San Miguel Beer, reinforced

by Renaldo Balkman in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup, was dethroned by defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It feels good to be back. I just try to do better than what I did last year because I know it is going to be harder for me since all the teams know my style of play but that is a challenge and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m prepared for that. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just working hard if I can just dominate this conference,â&#x20AC;?

Rhodes added.

Rhodes, 33, said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s excited to team up again with fivetime Most Valuable

Player June Mar Fajardo as well as Terrence Romeo, Kelly Nabong, Paul Zamar and Christian Standhardinger. â&#x20AC;&#x153;June Mar is the player and best teammate off the court. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy to be back with him.

We will try to dominate â&#x20AC;&#x201D; what we did the last time we played together,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just by conversation, I know they are great players and great human beings. Romeo is a great passing point guard and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll throw me a lot of alley-hoop this conference. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just ready to get started.â&#x20AC;?

JOSEF T. RAMOS

Q Charles Rhodes PBA

MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

B

Striking gold

ASED on a bounce of a single ping-pong ball, the New Orleans Pelicans got lucky and landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. With a paltry 6% chance to change their stars, the Pelicans bested the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks, and the Phoenix Suns â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who all had a higher chance (14% each) to land the top pick. Overnight, the Pelicans suddenly have a future.

Just a few months back, the Pelicans were literally a disaster. In January, their once-ina-generation talent Anthony Davis demanded a trade. Davis reportedly wanted to bolt to the Lakers, a move allegedly masterminded by agent Rich Paul who is also the agent of LeBron James. New Orleans declined to trade their All-Star in February and played Davis sparingly the rest of the way.

Davis has one more season to play in New Orleans but has insisted on a trade.

With the No. 1 draft pick, the New Orleans is expected to draft wunderkind Zion Williamson, who is arguably one of the best forwards in recent memory outside of James and Davis. At 6-7 and 285 pounds, Zion is a dominant player big enough to play center but athletic enough to run after guards. He put up an impressive season at Duke University per game averages of 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, nearly 4 combined blocks and steals while shooting an impressive 68%. Zion only needs to develop a more consistent long-range jumper and he would be unstoppable. His game and size is also perfect for the NBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no-position era.

With Williamson, the Pelicans now have a clear path to the future regardless whether Davis stays or goes. It is expected that the Pelicans will trade Davis and get more talent to fill their roster. Rumors are rife that several teams are already putting together packages for Davis. The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are the frontrunners in the Davis sweepstakes since they have the most assets to trade.

If Davis is traded to Boston, Zion can possibly team up with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. If to the Lakers, he will probably play alongside Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma.

The Lakers have the inside track because of the Rich Paul connection and has deepened since they got the No. 4 pick.

Teams will be wary of losing talent for Davis if he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sign on for the long-term so Davis can still force his way to the Lakers.

However, while the Pelicans are elated they got the No. 1 pick, their target may not be so happy. Reportedly, Zion was rooting for the New York Knicks to win the lottery since the city is the biggest NBA market and he would immediately be the â&#x20AC;&#x153;manâ&#x20AC;? in a rebuilding team. As everyone knows, Zion is one of the most marketable players to hit the NBA and a small market like New Orleans would definitely hit his earnings potential.

Still, in a world of Facebook and Twitter, the small market versus big market gap has narrowed.

The Pelicans are now in a great position. In a scenario where they lose Davis and Zion, the Pelicans can still trade away both and get enough assets that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to go on a full rebuild.

raffyrledesma@yahoo.com

Sports

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

Koepka seizes command with 63 at PGA while Tiger struggles B ETHPAGE, United States: Defending champion Brooks Koepka, chasing his fourth victory in eight major starts, opened with a record-equaling low score to grab the lead at the 101st PGA Championship on Thursday (Friday in Manila) while inconsistent Tiger Woods struggled at Bethpage Black. +OEPKA FIRED A SEVEN UNDER PAR THE DAY S ONLY BOGEY FREE ROUND TO TAKE A ONE STROKE LEAD OVER .EW :EALAND S $ANNY ,EE AFTER HOLES WHILE 7OODS IN HIS kRST START SINCE SNAPPING AN YEAR MAJOR DROUGHT AT LAST MONTH S -ASTERS SETTLED FOR A AND A SHARE OF ST 4HIRD RANKED +OEPKA CLOSED WITH A FOOT BIRDIE PUTT TO SET A COURSE RECORD AND MATCH THE LOW EST ROUND IN TOURNAMENT HISTORY g4HAT WAS ONE OF THE BEST ROUNDS ) VE PLAYED PROBABLY AS A PROFES SIONAL u SAID +OEPKA WHO TURNED PRO IN )T WAS THE SECOND IN AS MANY YEARS AT A 0'! #HAMPIONSHIP FOR THE YEAR OLD !MERICAN WHO JOINED !USTRALIAN 'REG .ORMAN AND &IJI S 6IJAY 3INGH AS THE ONLY players to shoot so low twice in MAJORS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;My putter was hot today. It HASN T FELT THAT GOOD IN A LONG TIME u +OEPKA SAID g4HIS WAS A CRAZY DAY SEVEN UNDER IT S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN EVERY DAY u ,EE CLOSED WITH BACK TO BACK BIRDIES TO SHOOT ADDED DISTANCE WITH HIS DRIVER THE KEY TO HIS LOW ROUND OF AND IN CAREER MAJOR STARTS g) M DEkNITELY HITTING IT FURTHER u HE SAID g4HAT S A HUGE BONUS FOR ME ) M INTERESTED MYSELF IN WHAT ) CAN DO OUT THERE THIS WEEK u 4OMMY &LEETWOOD TRYING TO BE COME THE kRST %NGLISHMAN TO WIN THE 0'! SINCE *IM "ARNES IN

SHOT TO STAND A DISTANT THIRD

ONE STROKE AHEAD OF &RANCE S -IKE ,ORENZO 6ERA 3OUTH +OREAN +ANG 3UNG AND !MERICANS #HEZ 2EAVIE

Luke List and Pat Perez. ! PACK OF EIGHT ON INCLUDED MAJOR WINNERS 0HIL -ICKELSON

*ASON $AY *ORDAN 3PIETH AND TOP RANKED $USTIN *OHNSON 3PIETH WOULD COMPLETE A CAREER 'RAND 3LAM WITH A WIN WHILE *OHNSON S TOP RANKING IS VULNERABLE IF HE DOESN T CLAIM THE 7ANAMAKER Trophy.

"OTH +OEPKA AND PLAYING PART NER 7OODS SAID HIS ROUND COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER PERHAPS BELOW THE RECORD kRED BY 3OUTH !F RICA S "RANDEN 'RACE IN THE British Open. g) PARRED BOTH PAR S AND MISSED A COUPLE OF EIGHT FOOTERS FOR BIRDIE u +OEPKA SAID g)T COULD HAVE BEEN A HELL OF A ROUND u +OEPKA WHO BEGAN ON THE BACK NINE HOLED A FOOT BIRDIE PUTT AT AND SANK A FOOT BIRDIE PUTT AT THE PAR TH (E CHARGED WITH FOUR BIRD IES IN SIX HOLES BEFORE SINKING A FOOTER TO SAVE PAR AT THE SIXTH AHEAD OF HIS CLOSING HEROICS g(E PLAYED WELL u 7OODS SAID g4HAT WAS PROBABLY THE HIGHEST SCORE HE COULD HAVE SHOT OUT THERE (E LEFT A FEW OUT THERE (E COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A COUPLE BETTER â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as close as I would HAVE LIKED TO HAVE BEEN FOR SURE u /NLY TWO OF EIGHT PRIOR PLAYERS WHO kRED MAJOR OPENING S WON

C3

Q Brooks Koepka watches his shot off the second tee during a practice round at the PGA Championship golf tournament on May 14, 2019 in Farmingdale, NY. AP PHOTO

TITLES *ACK .ICKLAUS AT THE US Open and Ray Floyd at the 0'! +OEPKA WHO SEEKS A THIRD CON SECUTIVE 53 /PEN WIN NEXT MONTH

COULD BECOME THE kRST PLAYER TO HOLD BACK TO BACK TITLES AT TWO MAJORS BUT NO PLAYER HAS EVER repeated as a US Open and PGA CHAMPION

Nightmare for Tiger 3IXTH RANKED 7OODS COMING OFF HIS STUNNING TH MAJOR VICTORY IN LAST MONTH S -ASTERS ENDURED A NIGHTMARE DAY IN HIS kRST COM PETITIVE ROUND SINCE CAPTURING HIS TH CAREER MAJOR TITLE DAYS AGO AT !UGUSTA .ATIONAL /N THE SAME COURSE WHERE HE

WON THE 53 /PEN 7OODS OPENED WITH A DOUBLE BOGEY AT AFTER kNDING ROUGH LAYING UP AND BLASTING OVER THE GREEN (E ANSWERED WITH A BIRDIE AT BUT DOUBLE BOGEYED THE PAR TH AFTER kNDING SAND OFF THE TEE g4HE GOLF COURSE IS PLAYING TOUGH u 7OODS SAID g)T S NOT THAT HARD TO MAKE BOGEYS OUT THERE BUT IT S HARD TO MAKE BIRDIES u 7OODS FOUGHT BACK WITH BIRDIES AT THE kRST AND SECOND HOLES THEN CURLED IN A FOOT EAGLE PUTT TO MAKE THE CROWD ROAR "UT PAR MISSES FROM INSIDE FEET AT THE kFTH SEVENTH AND THE PAR EIGHTH DOOMED HIS kGHTBACK g&OUGHT MY WAY BACK AND GOT IT UNDER PAR FOR THE DAY u 7OODS SAID g,ET IT SLIP WITH A COUPLE OF

MISTAKES AND A COUPLE OF BAD PUTTS AT THE END u *OINING 7OODS ON WAS 2ORY -C)LROY WHOSE LONE BIRDIE CAME ON THE TH HOLE

Daly carts around PGA )T WAS THE kRST 0'! #HAMPIONSHIP PLAYED IN -AY SINCE MOVING FROM !UGUST THIS YEAR IN A REVAMP OF THE GLOBAL GOLF SCHEDULE !MERICAN *OHN $ALY HAMPERED

BY RIGHT KNEE ARTHRITIS USED A CART AFTER AN APPEAL UNDER THE !MERI CANS WITH $ISABILITIES !CT (E S THE kRST PLAYER TO USE A CART IN A MAJOR SINCE #ASEY -ARTIN AT THE 53 /PEN )T ONLY HELPED SO MUCH $ALY SHOT

AFP

Ikeda wins Tagaytay Midlands Ladies Challenge Lyceum Pirates pummel Letran CHIHIRO Ikeda watched Pauline DEL 2OSARIO lUB AN EIGHT FOOT BIRDIE PUTT ON THE SECOND PLAYOFF HOLE AND BANGED IN HERS FROM SIX FEET TO SNARE THE HOTLY DISPUTED )#43) 4AGAYTAY -IDLANDS ,ADIES #HALLENGE CROWN AT THE -IDLANDS COURSE IN 4AGAYTAY on Friday.

Ikeda and Del Rosario pounced on ERSTWHILE LEADER $ANIELLA 5Y S kNAL ROUND MELTDOWN TO kNISH TIED AT AFTER HOLES WITH )KEDA BIRDYING THE PAR TH IN REGULATION TO SAVE A AND FORCE A PLAYOFF WITH $EL 2OSARIO

WHO RALLIED FROM SEVEN DOWN WITH A CLOSING BOGEY FREE TO POOL A ONE UNDER OVERALL TOTAL IN THE 0

CHAMPIONSHIP WHICH SERVED AS THE NINTH LEG OF THE SEVENTH SEASON OF THE ,ADIES 0HILIPPINE 'OLF 4OUR 5Y HUNG TOUGH DESPITE AN OPEN ING BUT THE FORMER *UNIOR 7ORLD TITLIST BLEW IT ALL WITH A BOGEY ON THE TH 3HE WOUND UP WITH A BIRDIE LESS AND ENDED UP THIRD INSTEAD AT !FTER BOTH PARRED THE kRST PLAYOFF HOLE ALSO ON .O THEY CHANGED tactics in their third approach on THE DOG LEG RIGHT kNISHING HOLE WITH )KEDA GOING FOR THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GREEN AND $EL 2OSARIO OPTING TO HIT IT ON THE LEFT g) WENT FOR THE RIGHT SIDE BECAUSE ) FELT THE ANGLE THERE IS MUCH EASIER u SAID )KEDA WHO POCKETED THE TOP 0 PURSE AFTER NAILING HER kRST WIN ON THE ,ADIES 0HILIPPINE 'OLF

THIS !UGUST 4OUR IN MONTHS "UT IT WAS AN INSPIRING VICTORY FOR g) TARGETED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GREEN BECAUSE ) HAD A HARD TIME PITCHING ON THE &IL *APANESE SHOTMAKER WHO WENT THE RIGHT )T S JUST TOO BAD ) MISSED MY ON A SLUMP AFTER TOPPING THE %AGLE BIRDIE PUTT u SAID $EL 2OSARIO WHO 2IDGE LEG EARLY LAST YEAR STRUGGLING NEARLY PULLED OFF ONE OF THE STIRRING TO CONTEND IN THE SUCCEEDING TOURNA COMEBACKS IN THE circuit MENTS WITH A SLIGHT HAND INJURY "UT SHE KNEW SHE HAD HER GAME PUT UP BY )#43) BACK AFTER kNISHING TIED

BY B A T T L I N G FOR SECOND LAST B A C K F R O M March at Manila SEVEN DOWN Southwoods. with a solid g) STILL FEEL SOME THREE UNDER PAIN IN MY HAND CARD SPIKED BY But I knew I could A BIRDIE BIRDIE still contend. I stayed FEAT FROM .O FOCUSED ALL THROUGH

out this week and kept But she BELIEVING ) COULD WIN MISSED WINNING AGAIN u SAID THE FORMER IT OUTRIGHT IN 3%! 'AMES GOLD MED REGULATION WITH A ALIST WHO ALSO THANKED MUFFED BIRDIE TRY Manila Southwoods ON THE TH FROM FOR PROVIDING HER THE JUST ABOUT THE SAME TRAINING GROUND AND distance in their second FACILITIES PLAYOFF HOLE It was a 3TILL THE RUNNER UP SORRY FINISH FINISH AND HER RUN AWAY TRIUMPH AT 2OYAL FOR 5Y WHO .ORTHWOODS LAST MONTH SURGED AHEAD SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO

BY THREE OVER )KEDA BOOST HER CONk AFTER HOLES dence as she hur Q Chihiro Ikeda gets a victory lift from and held sway RIEDLY LEFT FOR THE pals Sheryl Villasencio (left) and Sarah DESPITE A 53 FOR A SERIES OF Ababa. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO START IN THE FI nal round. But TOURNAMENTS IN &LORIDA AS PART OF HER BUILDUP FOR THE FORMER *UNIOR 7ORLD TITLIST BLEW THE ,0'4 4OUR 1UALIFYING 3CHOOL IT ALL WITH A BOGEY ON THE TH AS SHE

WOUND UP WITH A BIRDIE LESS AND ENDED UP THIRD INSTEAD AT g) FELT SO MUCH PRESSURE AND ) HAD A BAD GAME AS WELL u SAID 5Y g"UT IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR ME ) M SURE THIS WILL HELP ME IMPROVE IN THE FUTURE u !MATEUR %AGLE !CE 3UPERAL ALSO MOVED FROM SEVEN SHOTS BACK TO WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE WITH THREE BIRDIES IN THE kRST EIGHT HOLES "UT A BOGEY ON THE NINTH SLOWED DOWN HER CHARGE AND TWO MORE BOGEYS ON .OS AND DROPPED HER OUT OF THE TITLE RACE 3HE SETTLED FOR A AND kNISHED FOURTH AT WHILE CLINCH ING THE LOW AMATEUR HONORS COMING OFF A THIRD PLACE EFFORT IN THE !SIA 0A CIkC *UNIORS IN 3INGAPORE LAST WEEK 4HAI 4IRAPAN 9OOPAN NEVER GOT INTO CONTENTION WITH A BOGEY BIRDIE BOGEY BIRDIE BOGEY START AND FUMBLED WITH THREE MORE BOGEYS BEFORE MATCHING $EL 2OSARIO S WINDUP OF TWO BIRDIES IN THE LAST THREE TO CARD A SECOND 3HE PLACED kFTH WITH A #OMPATRIOT AND FORMER ,0'4 LEG WINNER /NKANOK 3OISUWAN ALSO CLOSED OUT WITH A FOR SIXTH AT WHILE AMATEUR .ICOLE !BELAR HOB BLED WITH A FOR SEVENTH AT FOL LOWED BY -ARVI -ONSALVE

4HAI 3UPAKCHAYA 0ATTARANAKRUEANG AND "AHRAIN S 6ALERIE 4AN IN THE EVENT BACKED BY #USTOM #LUBMAKERS -ERALCO + ' 'OLF !PPAREL "$/ 3HARP +:'

0,$4 %MPIRE 'OLF AND 3PORTS AND - 9 3HOKAI 4ECHNOLOGY )NC

LYCEUM of the Philippines University stayed unscathed as it seized solo group lead with a come-from-behind 101-95 victory over erstwhile unbeaten Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the 2019 FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup on Friday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Cameroonian center Mike Nzeusseu took charge in the endgame as the Pirates erased a 15-point first half deficit to snatch the top spot from the Knights in Group B. It was their third victory in as many games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We beat ourselves in the first half.

We thought itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gonna be easy. We were surprised by Letran,â&#x20AC;? said Lyceum head coach Topex Robinson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just reminded the players to enjoy and keep on playing despite making mistakes,â&#x20AC;? added Robinson.

Nzeusseu posted a team-high 20 points, including five markers in the dying seconds, on top of 10 rebounds and three assists.

Veteran guards Reymar Caduyac and Jaycee Marcelino, who sparked the Piratesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; comeback in the second half, chipped in 18 points apiece while Jayson David added 11 markers and eight boards.

Caduyac and Marcelino ignited Lyceumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 23-point explosion in the third quarter to turn a 39-54 deficit into a 71-68 lead heading into the final frame.

Nzeusseu hit a putback off Caduyacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s miss to give the Pirates a 96-93 cushion with 34.3 seconds left in the game.

Allen Mina pushed Letran within 95-98 with two free throws but Nzeusseu retaliated with a three-point play off a breakaway dunk to seal Lyceumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s triumph.

Mina had a game-best 30 points while Fran Yu and Tommy Olivario had 15 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Knights, who absorbed their first defeat after a three-win start.

In the first Group B game, College of St. Benilde crushed Jose Rizal University, 79-56, for its first win using a balanced attack .

Yankie Haruna fired a game-high 19 points while 13 other Blazers scored at least two points to improve to 1-2.

MJ Dela Virgen and Marwin Dionisio had 11 points apiece and Louise Delos Santos had 10 markers for the Heavy Bombers, who slid to 0-2.

Earlier in the juniors division, Nazareth School of National University tripped La Salle Greenhills, 86-62, for a triumphant preseason debut.

Kevin Quiambao powered the Bullpupsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; charge with a double-double of 20 points and 16 rebounds while Terrence Fortea also scored 20 markers highlighted by six triples.

Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano added 19 and 13 points, respectively, for the UAAP juniors champion.

Gian Arciaga and Lennox Valenzuela had 19 points each while RC Calimag had 15 markers though they failed to prevent the Greenies from falling to 0-3.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Riley, Teheran pace Bravesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attack in victory over Cardinals ATLANTA: !USTIN 2ILEY S MAJOR LEAGUE CAREER IS JUST GETTING STARTED AND "RAVES MANAGER "RIAN 3NITKER LIKES where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headed. g) LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT WHAT HE S DOING u 3NITKER SAID g(E S IN A GOOD PLACE OFFENSIVELY (E S CONFIDENT AND RIGHTLY SO FROM WHERE HE CAME FROM AND WHAT HE S DOING (E S JUST CARRYING IT OVER u 2ILEY WENT FOR AND DROVE IN A RUN *ULIO 4EHERAN PITCHED kVE PLUS SCORELESS INNINGS AND THE !TLANTA "RAVES WON FOR THE kFTH TIME IN SIX GAMES WITH A VICTORY OVER THE St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday NIGHT &RIDAY IN -ANILA 2ILEY WHO HOMERED IN HIS SECOND MAJOR LEAGUE AT BAT 7EDNESDAY

DOUBLED OFF THE TOP OF THE WALL IN THE SECOND INNING AND SINGLED IN a run in the third. He scored twice.

(E S HITTING WITH 2")S

Q Atlanta Bravesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rookie Austin Riley follows through on a base hit in the fifth inning of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 16, 2019, in Atlanta.

AP PHOTO OVER HIS LAST GAMES BETWEEN Atlanta and Tri PLE ! 'WIN nett. g#OM ING INTO T H I S ) TOLD MYSELF

@3AME GAME

GOT TO HAVE t h e SAME APPROACH GO UP THERE WITH A PLAN NOT JUST FREE SWINGING u

Riley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think I stuck to that PRETTY WELL u 4EHERAN ALLOWED TWO HITS Â&#x2021; A BLOOP SINGLE BY 9ADIER -OLINA TO BEGIN THE kFTH AND A SINGLE BY 0AUL 'OLDSCHMIDT TO BEGIN THE SIXTH Â&#x2021; AND DROVE IN TWO RUNS WITH A SACRIkCE BUNT IN THE SECOND AND A SINGLE IN THE THIRD 4EHERAN WHO HAS A %2! OVER HIS LAST THREE STARTS WALKED FOUR AND STRUCK OUT FOUR g) FEEL LIKE THE WAY ) BELIEVE ) VE BEEN PITCHING LATELY Â&#x2021; ) GUESS IT S BEEN kVE STARTS Â&#x2021; ) VE REALLY BEEN FEELING

Q FROM MLB.COM THE WAY ) LIKE TO FEEL u 4EHERAN SAID g) FEEL LIKE ) CAN THROW MY PITCHES IN ANY COUNTS AND MY COMMAND Â&#x2021; ) WALK GUYS BUT THAT S PART OF THE GAME ) REALLY LIKE THE WAY ) VE BEEN FEELING u .ICK -ARKAKIS HAD AN 2") DOUBLE IN THE THREE RUN THIRD AS !TLANTA TOOK A LEAD 4HE "RAVES LED IN THE SECOND -ARKAKIS WALKED ADVANCED TO THIRD ON 2ILEY S DOUBLE AND CROSSED THE PLATE ON "RIAN -C#ANN S SACRIkCE lY 2ILEY SCORED FROM THIRD ON 4EHERAN S BUNT #ARDINALS STARTER !DAM 7AIN WRIGHT GAVE UP kVE RUNS kVE HITS AND kVE WALKS WITH TWO STRIKE OUTS IN FOUR INNINGS

g)T S THE WORST FASTBALL COMMAND ) VE HAD ALL YEAR u 7AINWRIGHT SAID g) ACTUALLY HAD A GOOD FASTBALL BUT ) JUST DIDN T LOCATE IT WORTH A DARN

AND WORST BREAKING BALL ) VE HAD ALL YEAR "AD COMBO u -ARCEL /ZUNA S TH HOMER CUT THE LEAD TO IN THE SIXTH OFF *ACOB 7EBB -ATT #ARPENTER HOMERED OFF 4OUKI 4OUSSAINT TO MAKE IT IN THE EIGHTH !TLANTA WENT UP IN THE BOT TOM OF THE SIXTH ON 2") SINGLES BY &REDDIE &REEMAN *OSH $ONALDSON AND -ARKAKIS 2ONALD !CUĂ&#x201E;A *R S 2") SINGLE IN THE SEVENTH MADE IT

AND &REEMAN HIT HIS EIGHTH HOMER IN THE EIGHTH

AP

SSATURDAY AT U R DAY MAY 18, 2019

Entertainment

D1

W

Lorna Tolentino, a timeless beauty icon D4

www.manilatimes.net

Candon Music Festival promises three-day fun across all genres Spongecola, Gloc-9, Candon City Chorale, Noel Cabangon, Rivermaya, Ryan Cayabyab Singers, 6Cyclemind among performers

BY IZA IGLESIAS

U

NDER the direction of National Artist for Music Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Candon City will be holding the Candon Music Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a three-day festival of music which aims to awaken a profound appreciation of the different genres of music among Ilocanos. It also seeks to inspire the youth to develop a deeper appreciation of the music industry.

4HIS kRST EVER GRAND CONCERT OF ITS KIND IN THE NORTH WILL BE HELD AT THE "AGANI #AMPO #ONCERT 'ROUNDS OF #ANDON #ITY )LOCOS 3UR ON -AY TO )N A PRESS CONFERENCE #AYABYAB SAID THEY WILL SHOWCASE A WIDE REPER TOIRE OF MUSIC DESIGNED TO CAPTIVATE AUDIENCES WITH VARIED TASTES RANGING FROM CLASSICAL PERFORMANCES POP MUSIC RAVE AND ROCK â&#x20AC;&#x153;)TONG FESTIVAL AY ISANG KASIYA HAN 7E WANT THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO COME u #AYABYAB ENTHUSED â&#x20AC;&#x153;.ATUTUWA LANG AKO DAHIL ANG UNANG NAG INVITE SA AKIN DITO AY

MAY BAGONG FESTIVAL SILA SA )LOCOS 3UR THOUGH AT kRST HINDI KO SIYA MASYADONG PINAPANSIN KASI BAKA HINDI SERYOSO 0ERO KINULIT AKO AT NAGBIGAY NG MGA PANGALAN NA KASAMA SA SHOW SO SABI KO SERYOSO PALA TALAGA "UT TO MAKE THE LONG

STORY SHORT THESE PEOPLE ARE CLASSI CAL MUSICIANS ) BECAME INTERESTED BECAUSE FROM CLASSICAL MUSIC GI NAGAWA NILANG TRAINING GROUND ANG #ANDON 4HEY RE USING THEIR EXPER TISE TO HELP SHAPE A COMMUNITY NA MAG APPRECIATE NG MUSIC u RECALLED #AYABYAB WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE BACKGROUND OF THE FESTIVAL ISANG BATANG MUSIKO 3INABI NA g7HEN WE HAD A MEETING THEY

Q Spongecola

SAID THEY ALSO INTEND TO INVITE BIG NAME BANDS -AHIRAP MAG ORGANIZE NG FESTIVAL BECAUSE YOU RE TALKING ABOUT LOGISTICS PLACES

TRANSPORTATION ,AHAT YUN PLANT SADO NA BEFORE ) CAME IN )F THERE IS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS FESTIVAL IT IS OVERWHELMING FOR ME KASI TATLONG GABI NA IBA IBANG GENRE ANG MAG PERFORM "UT THIS EVENT IS HUGE

IBA IBANG ARTISTS IBA IBANG PERSUA SION AND THIS IS WHAT WE INTEND TO DO FOR THIS FESTIVAL ) M SURE WE LL DO THIS AGAIN IN THE COMING YEARS 0ALAKI NANG PALAKI ITO )T WILL HELP THE YOUTH COMMUNITY TOURISM AND &ILIPINO MUSIC u HE ADDED 0ARTICIPATING ARTISTS INCLUDE "AN DA NI +LEGGY $ECK OF #ARDS )MAGO

-ANILA 3YMPHONY /RCHESTRA .OEL #ABANGON 0HILIPPINE #ELLO %N SEMBLE 0ROF 2ONAN &ERRER 4ENOR AND 3PONGECOLA ON -AY #Y CLEMIND #ANDON #ITY #HAMBER /RCHESTRA #ANDON #ITY #HILDREN S #HOIR #ANDON #ITY #HORALE 'LOC

'RACENOTE -OONSTAR 0INOY "RASS AND 4ILA "ALIW ON -AY AND !IMEE -INA DE LA #RUZ MARIMBA #ARDONA 9OUTH 3YM PHONIC "AND $AVEY ,ANGIT $* 0ATTY 4IU *AMMERS +ABATAANG 'ITARISTA /RANGE ,EMONS

2IVERMAYA AND 2YAN #AY ABYAB 3INGERS ON -AY 3PECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE SOPRANO SINGERS 2EGINA 'A RABILES AND *EDESSA #ALAC DAY PIANIST -ELISSA .AR TATEZ VIOLA PLAYER *OY !LLAN DE LA #RUZ AND $* ,ESTER 0AUL 6AĂ&#x201E;O 4HE #ANDON -USIC &ES TIVAL IS A COLLABORATION OF (OUSE 2EPRESENTATIVE %RIC 3INGSON WITH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT HEADED BY 'OV ERNOR 2YAN 3INGSON THE #ITY OF #ANDON HEADED BY -AYOR %RICSON 3INGSON AND 0ROJECT -ANAGER +RISTINE 3INGSON -EE HAN WITH THE #OUNCIL FOR #ULTURE !RTS AND 4OURISM

Q Ryan Cayabyab

SILA RIN AY NAGTUTURO SA MGA BATA CREATIVE WORKSHOPS OR MUSIC WRITING +AYA NAGKAROON KAMI NG IDEA TO WORKSHOP JUST LIKE WHAT WE DO IN MY

Q Gloc-9 OF THE ND $ISTRICT OF )LOCOS 3UR ! CONNOISSEUR OF ART HIMSELF 2EP 3INGSON HAS ALWAYS ADVOCATED THE PROMOTION OF TOURISM THROUGH THE INTEGRATION OF MUSIC CULTURE AND ARTS (E NOTED THAT THE #ANDON -USIC &ESTIVAL IS AN OFFSHOOT OF THE FIRST CONCERT IN #ANDON #ITY THROUGH HIS OWN INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE -$3 &OUNDATION STAGED IN 4HE CONCERT DUBBED Ă?)NTAY ,AGIPEN ,ET US 2EMEMBER Ă? REINTRODUCED MUSIC AND CULTURE TO THE CITY 4O ENSURE CONTINUITY OF THE PROGRAM AND AS PART OF THE LONG TERM PLAN EIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE WERE SENT ON A SCHOLARSHIP TO THE #ONSERVATORY OF -USIC AT 3T 0AUL 5NIVERSITY -ANILA !FTER GRADUA TION THEY JOINED THE -$3 &OUNDA TION TO TEACH THE YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE YOUTH OF #ANDON #ITY TO SING AND PLAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS )NTENSIVE 3UMMER #AMPS ARE HELD REGULARLY TO FOSTER THE APPRECIATION FOR MUSIC INSTILLED IN THE NEW GENE RATION OF )LOCANOS g4HIS WILL BE OUR FIRST MUSIC FESTIVAL IN THE NORTH )T STARTED OUT WHEN WE ORGANIZED A FOUNDATION TO HELP THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY IN #ANDON #ITY 7E HAD A LOT OF GRADUATES AND SOME OF THEM ARE INCLINED TO MUSIC

PH-shot movie due for international release â&#x20AC;&#x153;T

()3 IS AN !MERICAN MOVIE SHOT IN THE 0HILIPPINES u SAID !NTO NIO $IAZ SCREENPLAY WRITER AND EXECU TIVE PRODUCER OF g7AY OF THE #ROSSu WHICH HAD A SUCCESSFUL FIRST SPECIAL PRIVATE SCREENING AT THE 3- -ALL OF !SIA -/! #INEMA ON -AY 4HE SPECIAL PRIVATE SCREENING WAS HELD FOR THE BENEkT OF THE &ILIPINO STARS WHO WORKED IN THE kLM !CCORDING TO $IAZ THEY ARE SO PLEASED TO HAVE WORKED WITH THE 0INOY CAST WHO HAD TO HURDLE A VERY EXTENSIVE AUDITION FOR THE ROLES THEY PLAYED IN THE kLM g7E WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY kT THE ROLE PERFECTLY u SAID THE PRODUCER 4HE AUDITION WAS VERY RIGID AS THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FEELINGS AND ACTING OF THE STARS WOULD MATCH WHAT WAS NEEDED IN THE kLM g) WOULD SAY WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CAST WHO ARE ALL PERFECT FOR THEIR ;RESPECTIVE= ROLES u HE NOTED )T IS THE RELIGION ASPECT THAT MAKES THE STORY INTERESTING HE EXPLAINED !ND IT JUST EVOLVED AS THE STORY PROGRESSED g"UT WE DIDN T EXPLOIT RELIGION AT ALL !LSO THE 0HILIPPINES IS JUST A BACKDROP IN THE STORY AND THE DIA LOGUES ARE IN %NGLISH u $IAZ EXPLAINED

ADDING THAT WHILE THEY PLAN TO RE

ROVING EYE RO RICKY CALDERON CA LEASE THE FILM INTERNATIONALLY THEIR CONSIDERATION IS TO RELEASE IT LOCALLY BEFORE SHOWING THE MOVIE IN THE 53 AND ELSEWHERE 0LAYING THE MALE LEAD IS !NTHONY $IAZ TH WHO ALSO CO WROTE THE SCREENPLAY WITH HIS DAD 3ET IN A RELIGIOUS TOWN IN THE 0HILIPPINES THE STORY FOLLOWS 2OGUE -ARQUEZ !NTHONY A ,AS 6EGAS BASED &ILIPINO !MERICAN &") AGENT WHOSE ES TRANGED FATHER LIVING IN THE 0HILIPPINES IS DIAGNOSED WITH 3TAGE CANCER 2OGUE TRAVELS TO -ANILA TO VISIT HIS DYING FATHER AND HALF SISTER ! STRING OF MURDERS OCCUR DURING THE (OLY 7EEK CELEBRATION IN THE NEARBY TOWN OF 3AN !NTONIO THAT SENDS WAVE OF TERROR AMONG LOCALS AND STUNS THE .") AND ITS TOP AGENT 2OGUE S CURIOSITY AND &") INSTINCTS LURE HIM IN A DARK CAT AND MOUSE WORLD OF RELIGIOUS ABSTRACTS AS HE ATTEMPTS TO UNCOVER THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THESE MURDERS

Q â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Way of the Crossâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cast and crew after the first private screening at MOA Cinema.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

4HE STORY IS BASED ON AN ORIGINAL CONCEPT BY 'ORIO 6ICUNA 7AY OF 4HE #ROSS IS +AIZEN 3TUDIO S kRST FORAY INTO BRINGING AN INTERNATIONAL STYLE OF STORY TELLING TO THE 0HILIPPINES g)N ALL FACETS OF PRODUCTION WE STRIVED FOR THE kLM TO TRANSCEND BOUNDARIES FROM THE WAY IT WAS SHOT PERFORMED AND EDITED WHILE SHOWCASING ALSO THE NATURAL BEAUTY THAT THE 0HILIPPINES HAS TO OFFER 7E WERE BLESSED TO BE WORKING WITH SUCH GREAT LOCAL TALENT Â&#x2021; FROM THE CAST THE CREW AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SHARE THE RESULTS OF OUR INCREDIBLE JOURNEY WITH AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD u THE YOUNGER $IAZ SAID +AIZEN 3TUDIOS IS A YOUNG AND PASSIONATE INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION COMPANY THAT WRITES PRODUCES DIRECTS AND EDITS ALL kLMS IN HOUSE 4HE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PRODUCTION ARE DEDICATED TO EMBRACE ALL ASPECTS OF kLMMAKING TO ENRICH THEIR JOURNEY AND ULTIMATELY TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF OTHERS THROUGH COMPELLING STORIES THAT NEED TO BE TOLD 7AY OF THE #ROSS IS A COLLABORATION OF +AIZEN 3TUDIOS '7!2$ )NC WHICH HAS &ILIPINO ACTOR !LVIN !NSON AS PRO DUCING PARTNER WITH %LAINE #ARRIEDO AS LINE PRODUCER )T STARS -IGUEL 6ASQUEZ 2AFAEL 2OSELL $IAINA -ENESES 2OXANNE "AR CELO 'IOVANNI 2ESPALL 9USSEF %STEVES

6IC 2OMANO !POLLO !BRAHAM /Z 2IVERA AND $ANIELLE #HOPIN )MPRESSED WITH HOW 0INOY ACTORS WORK AND THE EASE WITH WHICH THEY WERE ABLE TO FINISH THE FILM $IAZ EXPRESSED INTEREST TO DO MORE kLMS IN THE 0HILIPPINES TO BE RELEASED HOPEFULLY WORLDWIDE

ORGANIZE A PROGRAM FOR THE YOUNG OTHER EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY u ONES u 3INGSON SHARED 4HE -AESTRO EXPLAINED THAT g.OW WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO THIS PHASE IS VERY IMPORTANT AS INSPIRE THEM 7E CANNOT THINK OF ANY IT HIS ADVOCACY THING ELSE TO DO THIS BUT BY HOLDING A â&#x20AC;&#x153;!NG MGA BATA IN THEIR LOCALE

MUSIC FESTIVAL Â&#x2021; SOMETHING THAT THEY THEY MUST BE ABLE TO WRITE MUSIC WILL REALLY APPRECIATE /F NA PARA SA COMMU COURSE WITH THE PRESENCE NITY NILA AND IN THEIR LANGUAGE IN THE WAY OF OUR .ATIONAL !RTIST THEY EXPRESS THEM FOR -USIC AND THE REST SELVES 3O THAT HINDI OF THE MUSICIANS IT WILL TAYO MASYADONG DE BE A BIG PUSH FOR )LOCOS PENDENT SA IMPORT 3UR 7ITH THIS kRST ONE

ED SONGS OR MUSIC WE INTEND TO HOLD AN BUT WE WILL BE ABLE ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL TO ACTUALLY IN THE OF THIS KIND 7E ALSO FUTURE HAVE A BIG WANT TO PROMOTE OUR COLLECTION OF MUSIC PROVINCE AS A TOURIST LITERATURE WRITTEN DESTINATION 4HAT IS

BY YOUNG PEOPLE ONE REASON WHY WE Q Noel Cabangon IN EACH COMMUNITY ARE HOLDING THIS MUSIC THAT WE TOUCH u HE CONCLUDED FESTIVAL u HE ADDED &REE CONCERT PASSES ARE AVAILABLE AT #AYABYAB AGREED AND DECLARED

g)N FACT IN THE NEXT YEARS MY IDEA PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS AND GOVERN IT TO HAVE EDUCATIONAL SIDE PRIOR TO MENT OFFICES ,IMITED FREE CONCERT THE FESTIVAL ;PROPER= 7E WILL INJECT PASSES WILL ALSO BE ISSUED ON SITE

Q 6Cyclemind

No mere movie actor I

N Caveatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most recent intimate conversation with DaThe role of Tirso Cruz III in the ongoing ABS-CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s topniel Fernando, who was still then Bulacan Vice Governor, rated teleserye â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daughterâ&#x20AC;? with Angel Locsin he seemed to be half-serious when he said it was high was first offered to him, but he nixed it. He had to concentrate time to do a remake of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Scorpio Nights,â&#x20AC;? one of Director and face the challenge in his first attempt to run for the Peque Gallagaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memorable gubernatorial position in Bulacan. legacies which was both critically To recall, one of the issues that was acclaimed and box office hit. thrown against him by his opponents Made during the good old was that he was but a mere movie acdays of mainstream moviemaktor lumped together among other past ing and the terror of Martial Law, elected candidates from showbiz who said oeuvre introduced Daniel failed to measure up to expectations. wet behind his ears in a triangulated film noir opposite That if elected into office he would just follow in the former GĂŠrard Peter model-turned-bombshell Anna Marie footsteps of his colleagues in showbiz who were thrown into Gutierrez, who is now well-placed in the slammer for stealing peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money.

New York City as professional make-up He went easy with the muckraking, tellartist and stylist. ing his constituents that the generalization The same movie catapulted the was most unfair. career of Daniel as the most promising To him there are movie actors to the discovery of that year and got rave present time who have come to par in their reviews for his impressive, organic respective mandates as public servants, menperformance. He measured up to the tioning Mayor Lani Mercado of Bacoor City, promise by consequently winning the and Congressmen Alfred Vargas of Quezon City coveted Gawad Urian Best Actor award and Yul Servo of Manila.

Q Daniel Fernando for Lino Brockaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Macho Dancer.â&#x20AC;?

The constituents of Daniel Fernando takes the long way In hindsight, Daniel, whose real have finally spoken. They made him win from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Scorpio Nightsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to name is Cesar Fernando Ramirez, was as Governor of Bulacan Province in the Bulacan governorship. introduced to Caveat by his discovererconcluded midterm election. mentor and the departed Joey Gamara. FACEBOOK PHOTO This to him is a validation of his capacity Prior to his discovery, he was an active spokesman of the to continue his mandate as a public servant. The actor Kabataang Barangay in his hometown Bulacan. of no mean caliber can only bow down his head in sheer This explains why even as a beginner he was relatively humility over his recent victory. relaxed in facing the camera and getting positive notices NNN for his earlier films and TV appearances.

GUESS WHO? This mature dramatic actor (MDA) is Luckily one of his recent teleserye assignments with singled out unanimously by movie reporters as descenABS-CBN titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ikaw Lang Ang Iibiginâ&#x20AC;? won for him Best dant of Dickenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s notorious character Scrooge. From his Drama Supporting Actor from the Philippine Movie Press heydays during the mainstream moviemaking days and Club (PMPC) Star Awards for TV. up to the age of teleseryes where he gets plum roles left To date, Daniel has served for two terms as Vice Govand right, MDA has turned far worse than Scrooge. He has ernor prior to the recently concluded midterm elections. not redeemed himself yet.

Whenever time permits, Daniel still takes to occasional Clue: MDA was involved in a controversy over a rigged shoots and tapings for teleseryes. acting award.

CAVEAT GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE

D2

Funtimes

SATURDAY May 18, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THE EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM

Suppose you’re declarer at six spades and West leads the queen of diamonds.

How would you play the hand?

When the deal occurred, South won the diamond with the king, cashed the A-K of spades and A-K of clubs and ruffed a club. He then crossed to dummy with a spade and ruffed dummy’s last club.

At this point, declarer led a diamond

» CROSSWORD

to the ace and exited with a third diamond, hoping West would have to win the trick. If he did, West would have no choice but to yield a ruff-anddiscard or return a heart into the A-Q. Either way, South would avoid a heart loser and so make the slam.

However, West, who had been paying close attention to the proceedings, did not cooperate with declarer’s plan.

When the second round of diamonds was led to the ace at trick nine, West put up his jack. East was then able to win the third diamond with the ten and return a heart to scuttle the slam.

South had basically the right idea, but his sequence of plays had a serious flaw: He had openly telegraphed his intentions and thus made it easier for West to find the winning counterplay.

A far better approach is to win the diamond queen with the king and return a diamond to the ace at trick two. West would have to be very inspired to play his jack at this early stage. If he instead makes the almost automatic play of following suit with the nine, he is a dead duck. Declarer proceeds more or less as before, and finishes with 12 tricks.

The low diamond play at trick two should be made before West has any idea of what’s going on. It’s hard for him to know so early in the play that the crucial point has already been reached, and he should be put to that test as soon as possible. © 2019 King Features Syndicate Inc.

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

Solution to puzzle

By Samantha Weaver

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (05/18/19). Join forces for lucrative reward this year. Lay solid foundations for educational exploration. Your creative muses sing to you this summer, before an educational obstacle shifts your path. Discover exciting new cultures, ideas and flavors next winter, motivating reporting changes. Family and community connections flower.

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 7 -- The stakes could seem high with this Scorpio Full Moon. Shift directions with shared finances over the few weeks. Work out the next phase together.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Adjust to a change in plans. Reach a turning point with a partnership under the Full Moon. Compromise and collaborate for shared commitments.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Begin a new phase with your physical health and fitness. Review and revamp your skills and practices under this Full Moon. Take a new direction.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Change directions with a romance, passion or creative endeavor under this Full Moon. Express your heart, imagination and artistry. Shift perspectives for a new view.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Renovate, remodel and tend your garden. Domestic changes require adaptation under this Scorpio Full Moon. Begin a new home and family phase. Create something beautiful.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- A new two-week phase in communications, connection and intellectual discovery dawns with this Full Moon. Shift the direction of your research. Start a new chapter.

» SUDOKU

• The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny ...’.” — Isaac Asimov • If you’re planning a summer vacation in Maine this year, you might want to keep in mind that in that state, it’s against the law to tickle a woman under the chin with a feather duster.

• You might be surprised to learn that drinking tea increased the life expectancy of the British — and even more surprised to learn why. It wasn’t any beneficial compound found in the tea itself; rather, it was the act of boiling the water, which had the effect of killing pathogens found in the untreated water that was largely in use in England at that time. Also, once the Brits started drinking tea, they became addicted to the caffeine and therefore drank quite a bit more boiled water than had been their wont, decreasing even further their exposure to the pathogens that caused illness.

• You’ve doubtless heard of paranoia, but you’re likely not familiar with metanoia. “A profound transformation in one’s outlook” isn’t terribly common considering today’s deep societal divisions.

• Food for thought: What could you do with an extra $1,500? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for every person in an American home, almost 300 pounds of food is thrown out each year. For a family of four, this amounts to about $1,500 in waste annually.

• Researchers in Greece who recently completed a study on napping found that men who nap at least three times a week were at a 37 percent lower risk for heart-related death. So now you have an excuse to do what you want to do anyway. *** Thought for the Day: “We’re here to put a dent in the universe.” —Steve Jobs © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Generate positive cash flow. Profitable opportunities bloom over the next two weeks under the Full Moon. A turning point arises around income and finances.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- This Full Moon in your sign illuminates a new personal direction. Expand your boundaries. Turn toward a possibility that inspires you. Make a change.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- One door closes as another opens. The Full Moon illuminates a transition.

Ritual and symbolism provide comfort. Begin an introspective phase.

Rest and recharge.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Navigate a transition. This Full Moon shines on social changes. Friends come and go with community and group projects. Share appreciations, goodbyes and greetings.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- Finish an older project before beginning another professional phase. This Full Moon sparks a career shift. Focus toward current passions.

Prepare for new directions.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Launch a new exploratory phase. The Full Moon illuminates a shift in your educational direction. Experiment with unconsidered concepts. Learn from a master.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

NANCY BLACK.Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

˜ The Manila Times

D3

w w w.manilatimes.net

LIFESTYLE@MANILATIMES.NET

SATURDAY MAY 18, 2019 Q Take summer to the next level in tropical hibiscus printed separates.

Q Summer whites to keep it fresh and light.

Q Shoes, bags and accessory in tropical motifs and raffia details.

Give summer a last hurrah in these fashion picks S Q Stand out with kaleidoscope swimsuits from Coco Cabana.

UMMER may have been cut short by sudden rains but there’s no reason why you can’t keep on writing your summer stories with last hurrah season picks.

Q Summer fits for the guys.

Q Season in full rev with these summer gears.

The Manila Times Lookbook, along with The SM Store, helps you discover fashion’s hottest TRENDS SUCH AS TROPICAL PRINTS lOWING SILHOUETTES

and standout swimwear.

Stylish sandals, shoes, espadrilles, bags and accessories can also complete summer stories.

Capture the energy, heady excitement, sense of adventure, escapism, joy and bold colors of summertime in this collection.

Q Even the little ones need summer specials.

Q It’s playtime in leafy prints .

Q Leap into summer with beach-ready basics that elevate any wardrobe like this white top.

Q Here comes the sun in this sun-kissed dress for her and tropical prints, stripes pattern tops and denim shorts for him.

Shoes for every hot-weather activity Q Great style and great stories highlight Parisian’s summer collection.

NO matter what season, shoes are everyone’s guilty shopping pleasure. That’s why just before summer ends, SM’s iconic in-house brand Parisian lets you elevate your style with their chic and modern collection.

Whether you’re catching up to head for the beach, or simply enjoying the hot condition in the city, this collection makes a statement with animal-printed Q Summer sweetheart: Nala espadrilles

Q Go from the city to the beach with espadrilles and sandal slides

Q Life in plastic: PVC heels from Parisian Shoes

Q Bright idea: Vibrant rani heels

Q Explore summer’s wild with these leopard-print heels.

shoes and even PVC-details.

There are also espadrilles for those casual days and pointed mules for a night out. The brand’s summer palette makes a splash with neutral tones and vibrant colors; and walks high with elegant stilettos and chic blocked heels.

Whatever your summer story may be, there is definitely a perfect pair you.

D4

SATURDAY MAY 18, 2019

EDITOR Tessa Mauricio-Arriola STAFF WRITERS Christina Alpad & Iza Iglesias DESKMAN Arlo Custodio

Lorna Tolentino,

Q A certified icon of beauty, the actress has been regarded as the ultimate template of the gold standard of elegance.

a timeless beauty icon L

ORNA TOLENTINO, one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most enduring and accomplished actresses, has all the reason to celebrate this year: 2019 marks her 50th anniversary in the entertainment industry.

where she is featured alongside FELLOW ACTING HEAVYWEIGHTS SUCH as Coco Martin, John Arcilla, Eddie Garcia, and Susan Roces among many others.

What still holds true for Tolen tino from the beginning of her career, besides her undeniable act 4OLENTINO S PRODIGIOUS kVE Grand Slam Queen. ing mettle, is her timeless charm.

Today, Lorna has been com decade career started in 1969 ! CERTIkED ICON OF BEAUTY THE when she was featured in the missioned to be part of the en actress has been regarded as the film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Uhaw Sa Kalayaanâ&#x20AC;? as SEMBLE CAST OF !"3 #". S â&#x20AC;&#x153;FPJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultimate template of the gold A YEAR OLD CHILD ACTRESS 3HE Ang Probinsyanoâ&#x20AC;? standard of elegance. She has then conquered both televi also been hailed as the picto SION AND kLM WITH A CONSISTENT rial queen of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;80s, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90s, string of blockbuster hits and and 2000s what with the TOP RATING SERIES GIVING HER chic and stylish looks she a rightful spot in the highest has made popular for echelon of the industry. three glorious decades.

The actressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; megawatt act It therefore came ing chops was further as no surprise and permanently WHEN "EAUTE strengthened in derm Corpora 1992 in the dramat tion signed To IC kLM â&#x20AC;&#x153;Narito Ang lentino as its Puso Koâ&#x20AC;? where she newest brand portrayed the role ambassador. of Ellen â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a mother As the who is seeking jus brand con tice for the murder tinues to of her son. For the gear up for bravura of her per its upcoming 10th formance, she was anniversary, the ad honored by every ma dition of Tolen JOR AWARD GIVING BODY tinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfect ten A MUCH DESERVED "EST Q The accomplished actress with Beautedermâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beauty came at the Actress accolade. Conse President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan most opportune time. quently, this feat earned INSTAGRAM PHOTO â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am honored and ex her the coveted title of

tremely happy now that I am FINALLY PART OF THE "EAUTEDERM family,â&#x20AC;? Tolentino shared. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have BEEN A LOYAL USER OF "EAUTEDERM for years and this is just a formal ity since I have always trusted this amazing product.â&#x20AC;?

"EAUTEDERM WAS FOUNDED AND established in 2009 by its Presi DENT AND #%/ 2HEA !NICOCHE 4AN "EAUTEDERM EMBODIES 4AN S principle that beauty begins by taking care of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self.

"Y DOING SO A PERSON WILL become more healthy, and shall exude beauty not only in the outside but in the inside as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ate LT is one of my dearest friends and I am very humbled to welcome her to the family,â&#x20AC;? Tan

said adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is a remarkable human being and her beauty is striking as ever. A lot of people, including myself, are huge fans of her body of work as an actress as well as her legendary beauty. Ate ,4 IS DEkNITELY A MAJOR ASSET TO "EAUTEDERM #ORPORATION AND WE are elated to have her on board.â&#x20AC;?

As one of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top leaders in the beauty and wellness industry, "EAUTEDERM PRIORITIZES SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS )TS &$! .OTIkED PROD UCTS ONLY USES PLANT BASED INGREDI ents that are synergized to deliver the FASTEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE LONG TERM and sustainable results.

A consistent Superbrands award EE SOME OF THE lAGSHIP BRANDS OF "EAUTEDERM INCLUDE SKIN CARE

sets for both the face and body; 2EVERIE BY "EAUTEDERM (OME which includes a collection soy candles and room sprays; and "EAUTEDERM S PERFUME COLLECTION of which includes Origin Senses perfumes for men among many OTHERS Â&#x2021; ALL TOP SELLING PRODUCTS in the market today. #URRENTLY "EAUTEDERM HAS OVER 60 physical stores throughout the country and one in Lucky Plaza, Singapore. Moreover, the brand has over a hundred resellers both locally and internationally and has almost 40 brand ambassadors which include actors and actresses, TV personalities, singers, beauty queens, comedians and social MEDIA INlUENCERS

FilHair continues to make dreams come true

Q Overall champion Christian Rogel CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Q FilHair showcased the skills of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rising talents PHOTOS BY DJ DIOSINA

FILIPINO (AIRDRESSERS !SSOCIATION &IL(AIR THE FIRST AND PREMIERE AS sociation of professional hairdressers, makeup artists and salon owners in the Philippines, celebrated its 35th year of bringing talents together in its annual national competition.

Tagged as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jade Anniversary "EAUTY %VENT u &IL(AIR SHOWCASED THE skills of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rising talen and practitioners as well as beauty, cosmet ics, health and wellness suppliers in an ALL DAY LONG EVENT AT THE -ETRO4ENT IN MetroWalk, Pasig.

Ricky Reyes, an industry pillar, philanthropist and president of Fil (AIR GATHERED !SIA S INDUSTRY LEADERS Â&#x2021; THE !SIA 0ACIkC (AIRDRESSERS AND #OSMETOLOGISTS !SSOCIATION !0(#! representatives from Mainland China, (ONG +ONG -ACAU +OREA -ALAYSIA

Singapore, Vietnam and Taiwan to comprise the esteemed panel of judges.

Exciting categories of differ ent hair and makeup trends were opened for competition.

4HE ,'"41 COMMUNITY SHINED in the centre stage for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fabulous Cleopatraâ&#x20AC;? total look category, where they dressed up as the historical icon, and one of the fairest women who ever walked on Earth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Queen Cleopatra.

Other divisions included menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cut and blow dry, creative color, evening

party makeup and bridal makeup for the professional division.

Prior to the national level competi tion, several preliminaries and quali kERS WERE ORGANIZED BY THE &IL(AIR OF kCIALS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RESPECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND ,'"41 organization in Quezon City, Taguig, Mandaluyong, Malabon, Antipolo, "AGUIO 4ARLAC 0AMAPANGA "ULACAN

Cavite, Laguna and Iloilo City.

Q Industry pillar, philanthropist and FilHair President Ricky Reyes With months of hard work and rigor ous preparation, Mother Ricky, as Reyes is fondly called, ensured that the best of the best and the cream of the crop clashed in the much anticipated event.

2EYES VISION FOR THE ,'"41 COM munity is for them to be more relevant in the society and to contribute in the economic development by providing livelihood training and avenues to honor their skills.

4HE MULTI TALENTED PERSONALITY BE lieves, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The beauty of this is that the ,'"41 GROUPS IS TASKED TO SERVE THE community. In effect, instead of the usual gay pageant activities, street parades and asserting equal rights, people will SEE A DIFFERENT ,'"41 NOW ASSERTING ITS valuable role in helping and making a difference in other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives.â&#x20AC;?

During the competition, new stars were born and a handful of dreams WERE FULkLLED AS THEY EMERGED WINNERS in various categories.

Christian Rogel bagged the champion SHIP PRIZE FOR THE "RIDAL -AKEUP AND %VE ning Party Makeup categories while Regie Cruz took home the championship prize FOR -EN S #UT AND "LOW $RY *ULIUS #URIVAN for Creative Color and Aveie Viola for the Fabulous Cleopatra category. ! STANDOUT FROM #AVITE AND kRST TIME in the competition, Rogel was hailed as the Overall Champion and will be representing the Philippines in the 23rd (AIR /LYMPICS WHICH WILL BE HELD IN Singapore, thanks to the vanguards and pillars of the industry which made the event possible.