Policy adjustments not in the cards – poll Story on B1 ++
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•• 4 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 156 24
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2019
House realigned P95B in 2019 budget — Lacson SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Sunday slammed the House of Representatives’ leadership in invoking “transparency� in tyring to hide the realignment of P95.1 billion in the 2019 P3.757-trillion budget to favored districts. The senator scored the “talking heads� of the House for insisting that the maneuvering
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PH risks dropping out of global maritime list BY CARMELA I. HUELAR
T Q The first Philippine president to have endeared himself to the masses.
Ramon Magsaysay: A Philippine tragedy
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/ ) AM referring not just to his death ON -ARCH WHEN TOGETHER WITH OTHERS HE PERISHED IN A PLANE CRASH THAT ENDED THE kRST 0HILIPpine presidency that inspired the masses. (The second presidency to have captivated THE MASSES INARGUABLY WOULD BE THAT OF 2ODRIGO $UTERTE ÂłTiglaoA5
RIG RRIGOBERTO IGG DD. TIGLAO
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HE JOBS of 400,000 Filipino seafarers and the country’s good standing in the global XCLUSIVE m a r i time community are at stake because of the country’s supposed failure to comply with global reporting standards.
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SWS: 87% of Filipinos ‘happy’ MOST Filipinos entered 2019 hapPY AND SATISkED A 3OCIAL 7EATHER 3TATIONS 373 SURVEY SHOWED 4HE SURVEY CONDUCTED FROM $ECEMBER TO AMONG &ILIPINOS AGED YEARS AND
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OASIS IN PASIG
Families spend their weekend swimming at the Rainforest Park in Pasig City amid a water shortage in Metro Manila. Thousands of households in Metro Manila and nearby areas have been affected by a water shortage attributed to a dry spell induced by the El NiĂąo phenomenon. PHOTO BY RUY MARTINEZ
Water service resumes in 3 cities 02%#)/53 WATER STARTED TO lOW THROUGH the faucets of thousands of households THAT EXPERIENCED A WEEK OF LITTLE TO NO SUPPLY AS THE SERVICES OF !YALA LED UTILITY -ANILA 7ATER #O RESUMED IN SEVERAL AREAS
What’s inside PAULATE GETS 90-DAY SUSPENSION NewsA2 FOR GRAFT WHY DEVELOPMENT SHOULD GUIDE ANY US-PH MDT REVIEW
Dan SteinbockA4
IN 0ASIG -ANDALUYONG AND 1UEZON #ITY +AWILIHAN 6ILLAGE +APITOLYO AND 5GONG /N ITS 4WITTER ACCOUNT -ANILA 7ATER 6ALLE 6ERDE IN 0ASIG #ITY AND "ARANGKA SAID RUNNING WATER WAS BACK ON 3UNDAY Itaas in Mandaluyong City. in the villages of Bagong Ilog (Nos. 1 Major hospitals and health facilities in AND ,AKEVIEW &ELPRIS #OMPOUND AND ÂłServiceA7
BURST OF COLORS A man taking photos from his camera phone is silhouetted by the ‘Protex Fireworks’ display of the United Kingdom, during the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition on March 16 at SM Clark in Angeles, Pampanga. PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA
THERE’S A BUDDING POP HEARTTHROB STEPPING IN! CURRY SCORES 33 AS WARRIORS ROUT THUNDER SportsC1
EntertainmentD1
Pacquiao’s top goal is Mayweather rematch Q US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (left) and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines fight during their welterweight unification boxing bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 2, 2015. AFP FILE PHOTO
timate goal is to have a rematch WITH THE UNDEFEATED BUT RETIRED 7/2,$ Boxing Association &LOYD -AYWEATHER *R WITHIN 7"! REGULAR WELTERWEIGHT the year. champion Manny Pacquiao’s ul³RematchA2
BY JOSEF T. RAMOS
A2
News
˜ The Manila Times
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MONDAY March 18, 2019
Paulate gets 90-day suspension for graft
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BY GLEE JALEA
HE Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division has ordered the suspension of Quezon City councilor Roderick Paulate for a period of 90 days over his GRAFT AND FALSIkCATION CHARGES g7HEREFORE PREMISES CONSIDERED ACCUSED 2ODERICK -ENDEnilla Paulate is hereby ordered SUSPENDED FROM OFkCE AND SAID accused is directed to cease and desist from further performing AND OR EXERCISING THE FUNCTIONS
duties and privilege of his position as member of the Sangguniang 0ANLUNGSOD OF 1UEZON #ITY OR any other government position he MAY NOW OR THEREAFTER BE HOLDING effective upon notice hereof and to CONTINUE FOR A PERIOD OF DAYS u
the anti-graft court said in its eightpage decision. 0AULATE AND LIAISON OFkCER 6Icente Bajamunde are out on bail AMID GRAFT AND FALSIkCATION CASES IN CONNECTION WITH ALLEGEDLY gkCTITIOUS JOB CONTRACTORSu IN WHO EARNED 0 MILLION FROM *ULY TO .OVEMBER Paulate had argued that the reversal by the Court of Appeals of the Ombudsman’s judgment of dismissal in the administrative CASE PROVED THAT THERE WAS INSUFkCIENT EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM But the Sandiganbayan said an administrative case filed before
THE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN AND the criminal case before the court WERE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FROM each other. g4HEREFORE THE CRIMINAL CASE may proceed independently of the ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS u IT SAID The court also ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to implement the preventive suspension order. 4HE RESOLUTION WAS PENNED BY !SSOCIATE *USTICE :ALDY 4RESPESES and concurred in by the division CHAIRMAN !SSOCIATE *USTICE -A 4HERESA $OLORES 'OMEZ %STOESTA AND !SSOCIATE *USTICE 'EORGINA (IDALGO
Q REMATCH FROM A1
Pacquiao’s 4HIS WAS CONkRMED TO The Manila Times on Sunday by international matchmaker Sean Gibbons AFTER %RROL 3PENCE *R S UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN BY A WIDE MARGIN ON Sunday against Mikey Garcia at THE !4 4 3TADIUM IN $ALLAS 4EXAS 0ACQUIAO AND -AYWEATHER MET at the venue although no formal TALKS WERE HELD "UT THE BIG QUESTION IS g7ILL -AYWEATHER COME OUT OF RETIREment for a Pacquiao rematch?� “That is the goal still (rematch WITH THE !MERICAN BOXER "UT A BIG BUT IS -AYWEATHER IS RETIRED 3O LET S SEE IF -AYWEATHER GETS excited and comes out of retireMENT u 'IBBONS SAID IN AN ONLINE INTERVIEW ON 3UNDAY 4HE TWO kGHTERS FOUGHT IN WITH -AYWEATHER WINNING BY A unanimous decision. 4HAT -AYWEATHER WIN HOWEVER WAS APPARENTLY DAMPENED after Pacquiao revealed that he FOUGHT THE !MERICAN WITH AN injured shoulder. Gibbons said a round of discusSION WOULD HAPPEN WITH 0REMIER "OXING #HAMPIONS THIS WEEK ABOUT WHO 0ACQUIAO WAS TO kGHT next before they head back to -ANILA ON 7EDNESDAY AFTER A LONG WEEKEND TRIP TO %UROPE AND !MERICA LAST WEEK g4HE SENATOR WILL SPEAK TO !L (AYMON THIS WEEK AND WE WILL START TO MOVE FORWARD ON DISCUSSIONS FOR THE SENATOR S NEXT kGHT u he added as he expressed doubts on the Manny Pacquiao-Errol 3PENCE *R FUTURE WORLD TITLE BOUT Pacquiao is an incumbent senator of the Philippines. (E WAS INTERVIEWED INSIDE THE RING WITH THE VICTORIOUS 3PENCE AFTER THE BOUT AND REPLIED g7HY NOT u WHEN ASKED IF HE WAS WILLING TO kGHT 3PENCE NEXT %VEN THOUGH THE YEAR OLD Filipino boxing icon accepted Spence’s challenge after his unanimous decision victory against GarCIA 'IBBONS BELIEVES THE kGHT IS NOT GOING TO MATERIALIZE THIS YEAR “He thought Spence is a great kGHTER "UT AT THIS TIME 3PENCE IS not happening.� g.O NO NO u 'IBBONS SAID NOTING THAT IT IS ONLY NATURAL FOR A kGHTER like Spence to call out or challenge bigger names like Pacquiao’s. “Everyone calls out the senator. "ECAUSE THAT S THE BIGGEST kGHT FOR guys like Errol Spence.� 3PENCE UNBEATEN IN kGHTS WITH KNOCKOUTS IS THE reigning International Boxing &EDERATION WELTERWEIGHT TITLEHOLDER WHILE 0ACQUIAO WIN LOSS DRAW RECORD WITH KNOCKOUTS IS AN EIGHT DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION 0ACQUIAO WON HIS LAST TWO kGHTS — a seventh round technical knockOUT WIN AGAINST ,UCAS -ATTHYSSE LAST *ULY IN +UALA ,UMPUR -ALAYSIA and unanimous decision victory AGAINST !DRIEN "RONER LAST *ANUARY IN ,AS 6EGAS 'IBBONS ALSO CONkRMED THAT 7"! SUPER WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION +EITH 4HURMAN $ANNY 'ARCIA AND 3HAWN 0ORTER LOOM AS possible Pacquiao foes. g9ES ALL THOSE NAMES ;ARE= IN THE MIX u HE SAID
RAINFALL MAY HELP EASE EL NIĂ‘O EFFECTS
Tropical depression ‘Chedeng’ enters PH TROPICAL depression “Chedengâ€? may bring rains that could help supply water to areas affected by El NiĂąo in Mindanao, but may also bring flash floods to low-lying areas, the state weather bureau said. Chedeng entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Sunday morning and was last spotted at 830 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. It was moving west at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour (kph). It carried maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers kph and gustiness of up to 60 kph. Pagasa indicated that Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal 1 may be raised over Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley. “It can be a solution to the water problem especially in areas in Mindanao that are currently experiencing drought,â€? Pagasa weather specialist Aldzar Aurelio told The Manila Times. “We are hoping that we could see the benefits of rainfall in Mindanao and lessen the effect of El NiĂąo in the country,â€? Aurelio added, saying that rainfall was expected in the whole of Mindanao. At the end of February, Pagasa declared drought over Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao
Q BUDGET FROM A1
House
FOURTH ALARM
Firefighters extinguish a blaze that reached 4 th alarm and hit a residential area on Launasa Street in Tondo, Manila on Saturday evening. The fire, which affected 150 families, was declared out 12:10 a.m. on Sunday. AFP PHOTO
Q MARITIME FROM A1
PH risks 4HIS WAS LEARNED FROM INDUSTRY sources and a copy of a document containing the minutes of a meeting of the International Maritime OrGANIZATION )-/ 3UB #OMMITTEE ON (UMAN %LEMENT 4RAINING AND 7ATCHKEEPING (47 DURING ITS sixth session this year. The document indicates that he Philippines could be excluded from THE )-/ g7HITE ,IST u Being on the list means the counTRY COMPLIES WITH MINIMUM QUALIkCATION STANDARDS FOR MASTERS OFkCERS AND WATCH PERSONNEL ON SEAGOING MERCHANT SHIPS UNDER THE REVISED )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION ON 3TANDARDS OF 4RAINING #ERTIkCATION AND 7ATCHKEEPING FOR 3EAFARERS 34#7 OF THE )-/ A 5NITED .Ations agency. 4HIS ALSO AFkRMS THE CAPACITIES and diligence of the Maritime )NDUSTRY !UTHORITY -ARINA IN ensuring the competencies of FiliPINO SEAFARERS WHICH TOOK OVER THE functions of the abolished Maritime Training Council under the Department of Labor and Employment. 4HE 0HILIPPINES WAS INCLUDED IN THE 7HITE ,IST FOR THE THIRD TIME WHEN IT WAS LAST RELEASED IN The revised list in Annex 2 of the IMO document obtained by The Manila Times did not include the Philippines. 4HE 5NITED +INGDOM 5+ .ORWAY AND 0ANAMA WERE ALSO NOT ON THE LIST 4HE 5+ AND .ORWAY HOWEVER ARE MAINLY SHIPOWNERS and have little seafarer supply to speak of. The IMO document states: “This revised list excludes those Parties that either have not submitted their subsequent reports or have submitted them outside the time periods prescribed so that they are still under consideration by the competent persons.� The latest development raises THE QUESTION OF WHETHER -ARINA the agency tasked to implement REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMENDED 34#7 CONVENTION WAS INDEED UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD of submission in 2017 of its compliance report. !N INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDER WHO DID NOT WANT TO BE NAMED SAID THIS
WOULD HAVE A gGRAVE gIMPLICATION AND THE LIST MIGHT AS WELL BE THE @7HITE ,IST u “The global shipping community and port state control might start questioning the authenticity of all CERTIkCATES ISSUED TO &ILIPINO SEAFARERS )MAGINE THIS AGAINST THE FACT THAT MORE THAN HALF OF THE GLOBAL lEET IS MANNED BY &ILIPINOS u THE SOURCE SAID
‘Severe repercussions’ -ARINA CAME UNDER kRE FROM 0RESIdent Rodrigo Duterte last year — the #HIEF %XECUTIVE kRED ITS ADMINISTRATOR -ARCIAL g!Lu !MARO RD FOR EXCESSIVE FOREIGN TRIPS INCLUDING TO IMO meetings in London. !MARO WAS REPLACED BY FORMER military chief Rey Leonardo GuerRERO WHO WAS SAID TO HAVE ORDERED -ARINA S 34#7 DEPARTMENT TO ATtend IMO meetings to be updated WITH )-/ AUDITS BEFORE HE WAS transferred to the Bureau of Customs last year. g(OW ARE YOU GOING TO EXPLAIN NOW WHY THE 0HILIPPINES WAS NOT included in this initial revised list BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT in time? This despite the fact that ) THINK WE WERE GIVEN MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME FOR IT u THE INDUSTRY stakeholder said. &ORMER -ARINA !DMINISTRATOR 6ICENTE 3UAZO ALSO CONkRMED THAT THE IMO document could have severe repercussions. g9ES THE IMPLICATION WILL BE VERY damaging. Marina should move HEAVEN AND EARTH TO kND A WAY STARTING ;THIS= WEEK TO GET IN TOUCH WITH )-/ SOONEST WITH THE HELP OF THE Department of Foreign Affairs and MAKE ARRANGEMENT TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS -ARINA WAS SUPPOSED TO attend to this IMO requirement since Amaro’s time.� )N A PHONE INTERVIEW !MARO SAID HE SUBMITTED THE 34#7 COMPLIANCE REPORT IN AND INSISTED IT WAS received by the IMO. g7HAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED IN AS CLAIMED BY -ARINA AFTER MY STINT IS NOT ANOTHER REPORT ON HOW WE SHOULD COMPLY BUT ITS IMPLEMENTATION ALREADY u !MARO SAID !MARO SAID THERE WAS NO SCHEDULED audit on 2017 and said that some IMO officials themselves stressed that the report submitted at that time should have been the last report on
plans and compliance based on the AMENDED 34#7 REQUIREMENT
IMO audit set ! -ARINA INSIDER HOWEVER DENIED THIS CLAIMING THE )-/ 3ECRETARIAT DID NOT FORWARD THE REPORT TO THE )-/ (47 3UBCOMMITTEE BECAUSE gTHE 2EPORT DID NOT RESPOND TO WHAT WAS REQUIRED BY THE #ONVENTION u Guerrero had formed a team to REVIEW THE 0HILIPPINE REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE )-/ BUT INITIALLY gCOULD not locate that PH report because THERE WAS NOTHING THAT WAS ENDORSED TO HIM u THE -ARINA INSIDER SAID 'UERRERO WAS LATER ABLE TO GET hold of the report from the IMO in London. He also asked the IMO to conduct an independent evaluation on the country in September. The incumbent Marina adminisTRATOR .ARCISO 6INGSON RESUMED THE WORK AND IS PREPARING FOR THE )-/ independent evaluation tentatively scheduled before the end of the secOND QUARTER OF THE SOURCE SAID The Marina source said the result WILL DETERMINE gWHETHER OR NOT THE 0HILIPPINES WILL REMAIN ON THE 7HITE ,IST u ,AWYER "RENDA 0IMENTEL FORMER IMO regional coordinator in East Asia and a The Manila Times COLUMNIST said the IMO document “appears AUTHENTIC u BUT IS NOT THE 7HITE ,IST g4HE DOCUMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THE COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE SUBMITted the necessary documents that WILL ATTEST TO THE COUNTRY HAVING PUT in place the necessary mechanisms THAT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE 34#7 CONVENTION u SHE SAID g)N THE REVISED LIST -ALAYSIA AND Panama are not listed yet; and thereFORE THE 0HILIPPINES MAY BE PUTTING up the necessary communications TO )-/ 4HE LIST WILL BE UPDATED ) AM SURE TO INCLUDE THOSE WHICH HAVE transmitted the communications. After submitting the documents that IS WHEN THE )-/ WILL MAKE A DETERMInation if a country is to be retained in THE 7HITE ,IST u SHE ADDED She urged stakeholders to check WHETHER -ARINA HAD COMPLIED WITH the “reportorial requirement under THE 34#7 CONVENTION u 3HE ADDED g) KNOW THAT )-/ IS NOW DOING A RE ASSESSMENT OF THE 7HITE ,IST BY DOING ITS OWN STATE AUDIT ) DO NOT KNOW IF THE 0HILIPPINES HAD been audited by IMO.�
in the budget — after it had already BEEN RATIkED BY CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS ‡ WAS FOR gITEMIZATION u “National budget: Don’t be fooled by congressmen tasked to make us believe they merely ‘itemIZED WHEN IN FACT THEY ARBITRARILY realigned to favored districts several appropriations already approved by both houses of ConGRESS THEREBY SACRIkCING ALREADY VETTED INFRA;STRUCTURE= PROJECTS u ,ACSON SAID IN A POST ON HIS 4WITter account. “Trying to hide their unconstiTUTIONAL POST RATIkCATION BUDGET realignments by claiming they WANTED TO ITEMIZE LUMP SUMS IN the name of transparency. If that’s NOT IRONY ‡ OR HYPOCRISY ) DON T KNOW WHAT IS u HE ADDED Lacson said the House continues to muddle the issue to confuse THE PUBLIC WITH THE YARN THAT THEY MERELY ITEMIZED WHAT WAS DIScussed and adopted in the bicameral conference committee level. 4HE BICAMERAL REPORT WAS RATIkED BY BOTH (OUSES ON &EBRIARY "UT ,ACSON SAID THE REALITY WAS that the congressmen realigned SEVERAL ITEMS WHICH HE ADDED gDO NOT AT ALL RElECT THE AGREED provisions incorporated in the bicameral report.� (E NOTED THERE WAS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ITEMIZING WHICH WAS TO PRESENT AS A LIST OF INDIVIDUAL ITEMS AND REALIGNING WHICH WAS TO CHANGE OR RESTORE TO a different state. Figures from the Senate’s Legislative Budget Research and MoniTORING /FkCE ,"2-/ SHOWED A net increase of P95.1 billion in the House realignments. The House of Representatives rearranged or realigned P79.7 billion from several congressional DISTRICTS TO OTHER DISTRICTS AND parked P70 billion in the DepartMENT OF 0UBLIC 7ORKS AND (IGHWAYS $07( CENTRAL OFkCE AFTER REMOVING THEM FROM $ISTRICT %NGINEERING /FkCES $%/S “Parking the P70 billion in the $07( S CENTRAL OFkCE WAS MEANT TO MAKE IT DIFkCULT FOR PEOPLE ‡ INCLUDING MYSELF ‡ TO TRACE WHERE IT WILL GO 9OU COULD CALL IT A VEILED effort to conceal large ‘pork inSERTIONS OF SOME CONGRESSMEN u Lacson said. %ARLIER THIS MONTH HE DISCLOSED the post-ratification maneuvering of funds in the budget by the House leadership — a violation of THE #ONSTITUTION S !RTICLE 6) 3ECTION 0ARAGRAPH g5PON THE LAST READING OF A BILL NO AMENDMENT THERETO SHALL BE ALLOWED u 4HE POST RATIkCATION TWEAKS BY the House leadership included the Department of Health’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (&%0 FUNDS ‡ WHERE (OUSE
and Sulu in Mindanao. Dry spell was declared in Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Tawi-Tawi, while dry condition was established in Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Dinagat Islands and Surigao Del Norte. Pagasa said Chedeng was expected to bring scattered to at times widespread moderate to heavy rains over Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte on Monday and in most parts of Mindanao on Tuesday. Moderate to heavy rains can reach 7.5 to 15 millimeters per hour to more than 15 millimeters per hour. Aurelio, however, warned of landslides and flash floods. “Heavy rains could bring landslides and flash floods in some areas so be prepared and avoid these places and be aware of safe areas,� Aurelio said. Aurelio added that Chedeng might also bring rains to some areas in the Visayas such as Bohol, Leyte and Cebu as an indirect effect of the tropical depression, if it maintains its westward movement. Chedeng is expected to weaken as it makes landfall at the southern part of Davao region by Tuesday and may turn into a low pressure area by Wednesday. DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ
Speaker Gloria Macapagal-ArROYO S ALLIES GOT 0 MILLION WHILE THOSE WHO DID NOT VOTE FOR HER GOT JUST 0 MILLION Lacson said he got his informaTION FROM (OUSE MEMBERS WHO noticed the discrepancy. 4HE $07( PROJECTS AFFECTED BY the slashing include those that had already been planned and VETTED FOR MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS The House leaders also on Sunday continued to urge the Senate to sign the 2019 General !PPROPRIATIONS !CT '!! AND have it transmitted to President Rodrigo Duterte in order for him TO FULFILL HIS AGENDA PARTICULARLY HIS @"UILD "UILD "UILD """ infrastructure program. The chairman of the House APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE 2OLANDO !NDAYA *R ACUSED THE Senate of “stalling� the acceleration of infrastructure spending WHEN IT REMOVED 0 BILLION FOR THE RIGHT OF WAY FUNDING OF """ PROJECTS ‡ WITH 0 BILLION SUPPOSEDLY FOR THE $07( AND P5 billion for the Department of 4RANSPORTATION $/4R g/N THE CONTRARY THE 3ENATE S REMOVAL OF 0 BILLION WORTH OF RIGHT OF WAY FUNDING WILL BE THE greatest stumbling block for the President’s infrastructure master PLAN 7ITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF and consent from the House of 2EPRESENTATIVES THE 3ENATE REmoved P12 billion of these funds FROM THE $07( AND 0 BILLION FROM THE $/4R (OW CAN PROJECTS BE STARTED WITHOUT THESE RIGHT OF WAY PAYMENTS u !NDAYA SAID The head of the House contingent to the budget bicameral CONFERENCE PANEL !NDAYA NOTED that the Senate made such realignMENTS AFTER BOTH CHAMBERS RATIkED the joint committee report on the 2019 national budget but never INDICATED WHO WILL BENEkT FROM this allocation. “Saan ba talaga napunta ang mga pondong ito 7HERE WILL THE FUNDS GO TO 5P TO THIS VERY MOMENT THE SENATORS ARE ALSO SILENT ON WHO ARE THE INDIVIDUAL PROPONENTS FOR THEIR REALIGNMENTS u Andaya said. House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro pointed out that ArROYO ALREADY SIGNED LAST WEEK THE BUDGET MEASURE WHICH WAS gCONSTITUTIONAL u AND IT WAS THE Senate causing the delay of its enactment. “Pirma na lang ni ;3EN 6ICENTE Sotto 3rd] ANG WALA AT NAGMAMATIgas sya na hindi niya ito pipirmahan. Sino ngayon ang humaharang at nilalagay sa alanganin ang bayan (Only Sen. Sotto’s signature IS MISSING AND HE REMAINS kRM THAT HE WILL NOT SIGN THE BILL .OW WHO IS HOLDING THE BUDGET HOSTAGE AND MAKING THE COUNTRY SUFFER u Castro said in a statement.
BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND GLEE JALEA
News
˜ The Manila Times
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Gasoline price seen to rise by up to P1.55/liter AMID the water shortage in parts of Metro Manila, motorists should brace for another big-time increase THIS WEEK AS OIL COMPANIES ARE EXpected to raise the price of gasoline by up to P1.55 per liter. Jetti Petroleum Inc. said in its advisory that the price of diesel is expected to increase by 30 to 35 centavos per liter, while gasoline by P1.50 to P1.55 per liter. “Expect fuel prices to go up next WEEK $IESEL SHOULD GO UP BY 40 centavos and gasoline should go up by P1.30 to P1.40 per liter,� Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. said. If the forecasts are right, this would be the sixth consecutive time that industry players would implement an upward adjustment in gasoline prices. As of Friday, oil prices tumBLED IN THE GLOBAL MARKET 2E-
uters reported that Brent crude futures dropped 7 cents to $67.16 per barrel, while the US West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures fell 9 cents to $58.52 per barrel. ,AST WEEK OIL kRMS JACKED UP the price of gasoline to 90 centavos per liter, but prices of diesel and KEROSENE STAYED THE SAME Year-to-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P4.65 per liter for gasoline, P4.35 per liter for DIESEL AND 0 PER LITER FOR KEROsene, based on the Department of %NERGY S WEEKLY MONITORING As of writing, diesel is being sold from P41.40 to P50.23 per liter, gasoline from P45.25 to 0 PER LITER AND KEROSENE from P44.90 to P53.45 per liter. Adjustment in fuel prices usuALLY TAKES EFFECT EVERY 4UESDAY OF THE WEEK JORDEENE B. LAGARE
Sen. Aquino: Be vigilant against rice smuggling SAN JOSE, Nueva Ecija: Reelectionist Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th has advised concerned government agencies to be vigilant against rice smuggling, following the enactment of the Rice Tariffication Law. Aquino said the Department of Agriculture “must see to it that rice smuggling will not prevail.� “The government must ensure that farmers will benefit from the 35 percent tariff imposed on imported rice from southeast Asian neighbors to help make them more productive and competitive,� he said in Filipino. “It is important that this will not happen or else the tariff (on imported rice) will not be properly imposed,� Aquino added. He recently visited the province known as the “Rice Granary of the Philippines.� Aquino added that the government must assure that rice farmers would benefit from the 35 percent tariff imposed on imported stocks from Southeast Asian countries, to help make them more productive and competitive. He was referring to the Rice Competi-
tiveness Enhancement Fund that allocates P10 billion — funded by tariffs collected from imported rice, for projects/programs to provide farm equipment, high-yielding seeds, training and credit — to Filipino rice farmers. “We must make sure the P10 billion reach the intended beneficiaries,� said Aquino. “The entry of rice from different countries must be properly managed. It would be pitiful if the foreign rice farmers would be the ones to earn more instead of Filipino farmers,� he said. As the law presents many concerns and challenges, Aquino said the government must focus on ensuring the livelihood of Filipino farmers and their families amid the entry of imported rice in the market. “We should make sure nobody goes hungry, the farmers would be given subsidies and the welfare of their families are secured,� he added. “In the long term, it will help that our farmers become more productive and eventually compete with the price of imported rice,� stressed Aquino, who is running under the Otso Diretso slate. BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
MONDAY March 18, 2019
SC stops law school admission exams BY JOMAR CANLAS
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HE Supreme Court (SC) on Friday halted the imposition of the law school admission test imposed by the Legal Education Board (LEB). This after the high tribunal issued a temporary restraining order stopping LEB from requiring students entering law school to pass the Philippine Law School Admission Test (Philsat). In an en banc resolution, dated March 16, 2019 and signed by lawyer Edgar Aricheta, the #LERK OF #OURT THE HIGH TRIBUNAL stopped LEB from implementing Memorandum 7 that was used as basis for conducting a nationwide entrance exam for aspiring law students. Those who fail Philsat can enroll in law schools “conditionally� until the Supreme Court issues a kNAL RULING ON THE CASE
The high tribunal recently conducted oral arguments on the ISSUE BASED ON PETITIONS kLED BY RETIRED -AKATI 2EGIONAL 4RIAL #OURT Judge Oscar Pimentel along with a second group led by Francis Jose Lean Abayata, Gretchen Vasquez and several other law students. The high tribunal has ordered the consolidation of their petitions. The retired judge is a criminal law professor at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. The Supreme Court also ordered LEB Chairman Emerson Aquende and LEB member and former court administrator Zenaida ElepaĂąo to comment within 10 days on the issues raised.
“Require the respondents to comment on the petition and application for temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction within 10 days from notice hereof,� the high tribunal ordered. Also, it invited former Ateneo Law School dean Sedfrey Candelaria and former University of the Philippines Law dean Merlin Magallona as Amicus Curiae (friends of court) to shed light to the issue. 4HE PETITIONERS ASKED THE 3Upreme Court to halt the implementation of LEB Memorandum Order 7 that sets the conduct of the Philsat nationwide. They contend that there are entrance/admission tests for law students nationwide and the order of LEB for Philsat was illegal and irregular. According to its memorandum, the LEB said Section 7e of Republic Act 7662, or the “Legal Education Reform Act of 1993,� empowers the body to “prescribe minimum
TROPICAL DEPRESSION ARRIVING Gener Quitlong, a weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, shows the center of tropical depression “Chedeng� at 980 kilometers East of Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of 60 kph. It was spotted moving west at 25 kph. PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ
Filipinos to get bulk of Japan jobs — Bello THE Department of Labor and %MPLOYMENT $O,% IS CONkDENT &ILIPINO WORKERS WOULD GET A THIRD of the 350,000 available jobs that Japan would open to foreigners to address its manpower shortage in at least 14 job categories. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said on Sunday that Filipinos were AMONG THE MOST PREFERRED WORKERS IN Japan, which gave them a big advantage. g/UR WORKERS MAY GET AT LEAST percent of available jobs to foreign nationals,� Bello said. The Japanese parliament recently APPROVED THE ENTRY OF FOREIGN WORKERS TO *APAN S LABOR MARKET WHERE wages are much higher compared
to the Middle East region where MAJORITY OF OVERSEAS &ILIPINO 7ORKERS /&7S ARE CURRENTLY WORKING A new Japanese law, which opens two new visa categories for foreign nationals, will be implemented starting April. To govern the deployment of gSPECIkED SKILLED WORKERS u A MEMorandum of cooperation is set FOR SIGNING ON 4UESDAY IN 4OKYO between the DoLE and Japan’s Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs, Health, Labor and Welfare, and the National Police Agency. “This agreement, aside from providing better opportunities, is geared toward ensuring their protection by means of implementing a
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BASIC FRAMEWORK THAT WILL PROMOTE smooth and proper mechanisms in sending, accepting, and residence MANAGEMENT OF INCOMING SPECIkED SKILLED WORKERS IN *APAN u HE SAID Japan’s two new visa categories are the Type 1 and Type 2. 4YPE VISA ALLOWS FOREIGN WORKERS TO WORK IN MIDDLE AND LOWER LEVELS OF SKILLED JOBS INCLUDING FARMING NURSing care and construction, among OTHERS )T IS VALID FOR kVE YEARS BUT holders will not be allowed to bring family members to Japan. 4YPE VISA REQUIRES HIGHER SKILL LEVELS and allows holders to bring in family members, and entitles them to unlimited renewals and permanent residency.
!S DEkNED IN THE AGREEMENT SPECIkED SKILLED WORKERS ARE THOSE WHO POSSESS CERTAIN EXPERTISE AND SKILLS and granted the status of residence OF g3PECIkED 3KILLED 7ORKERu BY THE Japanese government. !MONG THE SPECIkED SKILLS INCLUDE those in health care, building maintenance, food services, industrial machinery, electronics, food manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, construction, SHIPBUILDING kSHERIES AND AQUACULTURE parts and tooling, and aviation. Under the agreement, the shared areas for cooperation are streamlining of recruitment processes; examining mechanisms on accepting and supPORTING ORGANIZATIONS AND A SPECIkED
SKILLED WORKER PROVIDING GUIDANCE and supervision in the implementation of the system; sharing of information; establishing of a joint committee for resolution of issues and continued improvement of the system; administering examinations; and promoting the welfare and protection of Filipino SKILLED WORKERS A record 1.28 million foreigners WERE WORKING IN *APAN IN MORE than double the 480,000 in 2008. Nearly a third of them, at 29 percent, were from China, followed by 19 percent from Vietnam, 12 percent from the Philippines, 9 percent from Brazil and 5 percent from Nepal. WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
standards for law admission.� LEB contends that Philsat would be the gauge to measure the academic potential of an examinee to proceed to law school. Among the tests forming Philsat are communication and language PROkCIENCY CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS and verbal and quantitative reasoning. Under the existing policy, law schools in the Philippines will still be given the leeway to admit STUDENTS WHO TAKE THE EXAMS BUT failed to meet passing score of 55 percent, as long as the school subMITS A WRITTEN JUSTIkCATION Also, the law schools will be given a choice to impose additional requirements for admission such as supplemental entrance tests “to measure the competencies and/or personality of the applicant� and interview. Law schools who will not follow the LEB memorandum will be subjected to sanctions, including a kNE OF UP TO 0
Bong Go pushes protection of nature FORMER special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go urged citizens of Cavite to protect the environment to help achieve a better society. In a statement, Go underscored the need to protect the environment since it will result in a better future for Filipinos. g;'O= KNOWS THAT THE KEY TO a better country is to protect nature, that gives us our necessities,� Go’s statement read. Go attended the meeting of nature protectors in Trece Martires, Cavite to show he was serious about the environment. In the same event, Go said that agriculture was among his priority legislative agenda if he IS LUCKY ENOUGH TO LAND A 3ENATE seat in this year’s midterm polls, He is also pushing for the ESTABLISHMENT OF -ALASAKIT #ENters, which he has been doing even before he declared his intent to run for the Senate. Go also wants laws on sports development, education, Magna Carta for barangay (village) ofkCIALS AMONG OTHERS According to the latest conkRMED SENATORIAL SURVEY 'O CAN a spot in the “Magic 12.� RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA
Grounds to deny cancellation, correction in birth certificates Dear PAO, My landlord sought to have his information as to his citizenship, as indicated in his birth certificate, changed/corrected from Chinese to Filipino. He said that while his father was indeed Chinese and his mother was a Filipino, they were not really married. So, he said that he was really born as a Filipino illegitimate child. Unfortunately, his petition was dismissed because he did not include or even notify his father and brothers in the petition. Is this really the legal outcome even if he had complied with the publication in a newspaper? He is just really heartbroken right now, and it seems that he did not understand why his petition was dismissed. Please advise me on this matter. Maya Dear Maya, When an entry that has been recorded in the civil register is
the proceeding.� In the situation you have presented, it is submitted that the ReDEAR PAO gional Trial Court correctly denied his petition as he failed to implead PERSIDA his father and his siblings thereto ACOSTA who are considered “persons who have or claim any interest which sought to be cancelled or correct- would be affected thereby.� ed, and the correction involves Moreover, the fact that he was not mere typographical errors or able to comply with the publicaCHANGE OF kRST NAME OR NICKNAME tion in a newspaper of general the day and month in the date circulation as mandated under of birth or sex of a person, but Section 4 of Rule 108 of the same substantial matters such as the law, such compliance cannot person’s citizenship, the action serve as a “hall pass� to allow him must be brought before our courts not to implead his father and his pursuant to the provisions of Rule siblings. This is the declaration 108 of our Rules of Court. of our Supreme Court in the case Of importance to note is Sec- of Republic vs Uy (GR 198010, tion 3 of Rule 108 of the said law Aug. 12, 2013, Ponente: Associthat provides: ate Justice Diosdado Peralta). In “When cancellation or correc- said case, the Regional Trial Court tion of an entry in the civil register proceeded with, and ultimately is sought, the civil registrar and all granted, the petition that was persons who have or claim any kLED BY 5Y EVEN THOUGH SHE ONLY interest which would be affected impleaded as respondent the Lothereby shall be made parties to cal Civil Registrar of Gingoog City.
4HE #OURT OF !PPEALS AFkRMED said decision. However, the Supreme Court found the rulings of said courts to be erroneous as it was declared that all persons who have interest and are affected by the changes or corrections sought to be made must be impleaded AND NOTIkED 4O BE PRECISE THE high tribunal pronounced: “x x x In filing the petition, HOWEVER SHE SEEKS THE CORRECTION OF HER kRST NAME AND SURNAME her status from ‘legitimate’ to ‘illegitimate’ and her citizenship from ‘Chinese’ to ‘Filipino.’ Thus, respondent should have IMPLEADED AND NOTIkED NOT ONLY the Local Civil Registrar but also her parents and siblings as the persons who have interest and are affected by the changes or correcTIONS RESPONDENT WANTED TO MAKE “The fact that the notice of hearing was published in a newspaper of general circulation and notice thereof was served upon the State will not change the
NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS TAKEN A reading of Sections 4 and 5, Rule 108 of the Rules of Court shows that the Rules mandate two sets of notices to different potential oppositors: one given to the persons named in the petition and another given to other persons who are not named in the petition but nonetheless may be considered interested or affected parties. Summons must, therefore, be served not for the purpose of vesting the courts with jurisdiction but to comply with the requirements of fair play and due process to afford the person concerned the opportunity to protect his interest if he so chooses. “It is clear from the foregoing discussion that when a petition for cancellation or correction of an entry in the civil register involves substantial and controversial alterations, including those on citizenship, legitimacy OF PATERNITY OR kLIATION OR LEgitimacy of marriage, a strict
compliance with the requirements of Rule 108 of the Rules of Court is mandated. If the entries in the civil register could be corrected or changed through mere summary proceedings and not through appropriate action wherein all parties who may be affected by the entries are notikED OR REPRESENTED THE DOOR TO fraud or other mischief would be set open, the consequence of which might be detrimental and far reaching.� 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.
Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public AttorNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF Acosta may be sent to dearpao@ manilatimes.net
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Opinion
MONDAY March 18, 2019
˜ The Manila Times
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E d i to r i a l PCHR distorts the meaning of its ‘independent’ status
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Y declaratively opposing the presidential decision to withdraw the Philippine government from the Rome 3TATUTE WHICH ESTABLISHED THE )NTERNATIONAL #RIMINAL #OURT THE 0HILIPPINE #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS 0#(2 not only challenges a lawful and constitutional policy deciSION IT IS ALSO PROVOKING A LITIGATION IN THE 3UPREME #OURT of the legitimacy of its creation and its powers. This is a formal argument whose time has surely come, because the contradictions between the commission and the government of the day have reached an outrageous limit. &OR YEARS NOW WE HAVE NOTICED HOW THE 0#(2 UNDER ITS PRESENT chairman, Jose Luis Gascon, takes extremely contrary positions to the policies adopted by President Duterte and his administration. It invariably takes the side of foreign critics of the Philippines on questions of law and human rights. It has even sponsored the VISITS OF FOREIGN OFkCIALS TO -ANILA AS THEY SOUGHT TO MAKE A LIVING out of attacking the human rights credentials of the government. 7HEN THE COUNTRY IS CRITICIZED OR ATTACKED ON A MATTER RELATING TO HUMAN RIGHTS THE 0#(2 NEVER BOTHERS TO ENLIGHTEN the international community and the media on what the government and the society are actually doing to uphold the standard of human rights in the country, and how they are doing so. Its constant stance is to endorse and widely circulate the foreign criticism, as though it were an internal body created to criticize or police our national government. Today, one year after the Philippines’ formal notice of withdrawal from the international tribunal, the commission, led by chairman Gascon and its spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia, has gone into overdrive to lambast the decision as a mistake. The commission equates the withdrawal with the virtual grant of immunity by government to human rights violators in the ongoing war against illegal drugs. It has made proposals that will predictably be rejected by policymakers as totally unacceptable. It urges the Duterte administration to reconsider its withdrawal from the Rome Statute as a sign of its dedication to the rule of law and human rights. It says the best way for the Philippines to move forward on THE ISSUE IS TO COOPERATE WITH THE )## S PRELIMINARY EXAMINAtion of the complaint and answer the charges. Lastly, the commission proudly declares that it continues to view the unilateral withdrawal of the Philippines from THE )## AS A REVERSAL OF THE COUNTRY S COMMITMENT TO INTERnational treaty obligations. “In the end,� said Ms. de Guia in a statement, “it is the Filipino people who are bound to lose when they no longer have the recourse in times when the local justice systems fail in protecting them. It is then impunity that wins as a consequence of withdrawal.� 2EALLY )S THIS WHAT THE WORK OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IS ALL ABOUT )S IT TO SIT IN JUDGMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT )S IT TO SHAME OUR COUNTRY BEFORE THE WORLD 7HERE DOES IT SAY IN THE #HARTER OR STATUTORY PAPERS THAT IT HAS THIS REMARKABLE AUTHORITY 7E SUBMIT THAT THE 0#(2 S POSTURING HAS GONE FAR ENOUGH It is time to call a halt. Evidently, Mr. Gascon and the commission believe they can take this stance because it is referred to in passing AS @INDEPENDENT BY THE #ONSTITUTION )T MISCONSTRUES independence as freedom from the authority of the chief executive. They mean to take this matter to the limit. This is nonsense. )N A GOVERNMENT SYSTEM WHERE PUBLIC OFkCIALS AND THE CODE of conduct are honorable and upright, there is a mode of ACTION FOR OFkCIALS AND EMPLOYEES TO TAKE WHEN THEY CANNOT support a policy decision or the person of a higher authority. 4HAT MODE OF ACTION IS RESIGNATION FROM OFkCE 7E THINK THIS IS THE PROPER COURSE FOR -R 'ASCON AND THE commission to take. This is more forthright than berating our leaders in the media. This way, Gascon et al can proclaim to the whole world how noble they are. ~
MONDAY March 18, 2019
The Manila Times
VOLUME 120 NUMBER 156
DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net www.manilatimes.net • e-mail newsdesk@manilatimes.net Letters to the Editor THE MANILA TIMES is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002 The owners, managers, publishers and editors do not necessarily share the opinions expressed and the statements made by individual authors of columns, commentaries and other articles published in The Manila Times.
Why development should guide any US-PH MDT review In times of great uncertainty, strategic ambiguity offers little clarity. The review of the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty should be guided by the quest for sovereignty and economic development.
D
URING his recent visit to the Philippines, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad met Murad Ebrahim, the Filipino Muslim rebel leader who became a regional governor under the Malaysian-brokered peace deal. In the course of the meeting, Mahathir told Murad that “it’s easy to shoot and kill, but it’s DIFkCULT TO DEVELOP )F THERE IS PEACE then everything will come.� Mahathir’s words offer guidance in intra-country divides, but also in inter-country friction, including the review of the decades-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States. In early March, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the government should review the MDT to avoid provoking a poTENTIAL ARMED CONlICT WITH #HINA IN THE 3OUTH #HINA 3EA ,ORENZANA pointed out that the security environment in the region today is “much more complex� than in the EARLY #OLD 7AR ERA WHEN IT WAS drawn up. “The Philippines is not in A CONlICT WITH ANYONE AND WILL NOT be at war with anyone in the future.� Obviously, there are different views about the preferred future of THE -$4 IN -ANILA 7ASHINGTON AND elsewhere. Typically, most are predicated on geopolitical arguments, treaty texts and interpretations of various statements.
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HERE has been much fuss lately about cleaning up beaches and rivers. And yes, removing the tons of trash—mostly plastic— that litter the shores and pollute coastal communities and rivers is A WONDERFUL THING 7HILE STOPPING THE POLLUTION kRST BEFORE CLEANING up would make more sense, not doing anything would be worse. Every piece of trash picked up from a beach or riverbed is one piece less that could end up inside a whale or an albatross. The sheer volume of garbage littering our world is breathtaking, IN A CHOKING KIND OF WAY 7E LIKE to marvel over the achievements of man, but this is one achievement in which we can take no pride. The garbage mountain is made up of thousands of tiny pieces—plastic bottles, lids, candy wrappers, shampoo and coffee sachets, plastic bags, junk food packaging—in fact, a lot of packaging of fastmoving consumer goods such as beverages, food and toiletries with a short shelf life. How ironic that while the life span of the consumer good may be only a month—from production to consumption—its packaging will stick around for maybe a hundred years. Burning it is a tempting solution especially for those who make a living out of manufacturing single-use plastic but unfortunately, it would release into the air the toxic compounds that went into making the plastic
DAN STEINBOCK Yet, Mahathir’s wisdom matters. Development is not viable without peace. In the long run, it is the quest for economic development that should drive the MDT debate.
Sovereignty and ‘zeroproblems’ foreign policy Since the early 2000s, the rapid GROWTH OF THE SO CALLED "2)# ECONOmies has greatly inspired debates on economic development. As a large emerging economy with solid structural potential for the future, the Philippines could draw from the lessons of these countries. As I have stressed since my 2014 Mabini lecture at the Foreign Service Institute, there is nothing automatic about strong growth potential. Vital economic, political and security shifts can support or penalize growth. In light of Mahathir’s views, the most important lesson may well be the “zero problems policy,� which was developed a decade ago by former Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu who lectured in Malaysia
in the Mahathir era. Historically, this approach has been typical to successful industrializers in the emerging world. From THE S TO S #HINA WAS largely focused on inward development, though gradually building international relations. The same goes for India’s industrialization in the past two decades. In Brazil, the most intensive phase of modernization occurred earlier but could only be completed in the Lula era. In Southeast Asia, the rise of Singapore only took off after Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership overcame race riots and began a decisive focus on development. In Vietnam, reunification and reforms could only move ahead after colonialism and triumphs against the French and US neocolonial wars. In Indonesia, both Sukarno and Suharto sought rapid industrialization, but it was only completed with peace and stability in the era of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). Of course, none of the large emerging economies have been ABLE TO AVOID ALL CONlICTS MANY OF which stem from colonial legacies FOLLOWING ARTIkCIAL PARTITIONS )NDIA INVASIONS AND WARS #HINA and structural dependency (Brazil). Yet, the effort to reduce friction in foreign relations, in order to focus on economic development has been
typical of successful modernization. 7HAT THESE LARGE EMERGING ECONOmies also share is their insistence on sovereignty. After decades, even centuries of colonial “divide and rule,� they want to control their own future. 7HILE ALL OF THEM SEEK TO COOPERATE and partner with other nations in different ways, they do not easily tolerate the military presence of other countries within their territories. As evidenced by the Middle East, such presence is not just a reminder of colonial legacies but can violate their sovereignty and result in destructive PROXY CONlICTS IN THE REGION
Economic development first Following the recalibration of the Philippine foreign policy, there is nothing so challenging in the counTRY S BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH #HINA that could not be negotiated in a mutually satisfactory way over time. But just as Manila would not easily tolerate an anti-Philippine STANCE BY FOREIGN TROOPS IN #HINA it is hardly surprising that Beijing has concerns about any military presence by third-party countries in the Philippines – especially in light of historical track record. The Philippines became a US colony after the Spanish-American
ÂłSteinbockA5
La vie en plastique after a night of excessive eating and drinking, only that we can’t lUSH IT AWAY /BVIOUSLY WE CAN T go on living this way. 2AINBOW 7ARRIOR IS IN THE 0HILIPpines to raise awareness on the need to break free from plastic and that IN THE kRST PLACE Turning the tide is not easy ‘business-as-usual’ is unsustainable. and requires more than clean-up 7HILE PLASTIC OBVIOUSLY HAS ITS GOOD drives and slogans. Even the most uses, too much of it is killing us, well-meaning of us might lack literally. To reduce the volume of awareness on how everything is plastic garbage that ends up in the connected — for instance, organiz- environment, we must reduce the ers of a river clean-up conducted volume of plastic being produced – in connection with the visit of and one way to reduce production Greenpeace International’s cam- is to reduce demand, especially for PAIGN SHIP 2AINBOW 7ARRIOR TO single-use plastics. Greenpeace and #EBU REPORTEDLY USED SINGLE USE its partner organizations convinced plastic cups when they served #EBU S LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO SIGN lugaw to about 2,000 volunteers A DECLARATION FOR A #EBU &REE OF Single-Use Plastic, committing to who joined the clean-up activity. This happens because many create and implement measures to still see the garbage problem as reduce and eventually ban singlea disposal problem and an ocean use plastics, undertake information plastic crisis, with the environ- and education campaigns on the ment in general, and the oceans hazards of plastics, promote zeroin particular, as innocent victims waste practices, and support efforts towards replacing single-use with of improper disposal of trash. Unfortunately, the ocean plas- better delivery methods such as tic crisis, while indeed a serious REUSE AND REkLL SYSTEMS FOR BUSINESS crisis in itself, is also a symptom (Greenpeace, March 13, 2019). The Philippines has the dubious of the larger problem: our way of life. Our economy is running distinction of being the world’s on a produce-consume-dispose third largest polluter of oceans, FORMULA 7E CAN BLAME PROkT AFTER #HINA AND )NDONESIA /UR seeking corporations but jobs contribution comes in the form of and government revenues de- sachets because Filipinos are fond pend on it too. The trash soup of buying everything, from 3-in-1 polluting the oceans is – pardon coffee to shampoo and nuts in tiny the comparison – like the vomit sachets. Greenpeace calls this hachet
RESURGENCE
MARIT STINUSCABUGON
economy and blames the fastmoving consumer goods manufacturers for exploiting the propensity of cash-strapped Filipinos to buy everything in small quantities. In 2017, Greenpeace conducted a brand audit of the garbage it found on Freedom Island in Manila Bay. Products made by Nestl, Procter & Gamble and Unilever were among the most popular, shown by the numbers of empty packaging (Greenpeace, Sept. 22, 2017). The international environmental organization is challenging these companies and other consumer goods manufacturers to SE THEIR RESOURCES TO INNOVATE AND redesign packaging and delivery SOLUTIONS )F WE HAVE WATER REkLLing stations, why not shampoo REkLLING STATIONS )N THE 0HILIPPINE setting, even sari-sari stores could be part of such solutions. As we find ourselves in the middle of a water supply crisis, letting go of single-use plastic and other disposable items may not seem practical at the moment as scarce water is reserved for personal hygiene rather than dishwashing. However, what both the water shortage and the garbage crisis tell us is that human activity is putting a tremendous strain on the environment and this is boomeranging on us. Each one of us is part of THE PROBLEM 7E MUST BECOME part of the solution.
˜ The Manila Times
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MONDAY March 18, 2019
Q TIGLAO FROM A1
Brainwashed A generation of Filipinos – mine – had been brainwashed by the Communist Party, the landlord elite who wanted to block Magsaysay’s land reform agenda, and left-wing writers like the late Renato Constantino that he was simply and entirely a puppet of the US government, a pliable tool in fact of the CIA’s now renowned #OLD 7ARRIOR AN !IR &ORCE OFkCER SEConded to the CIA, Edward Lansdale. As a communist cadre in my youth, it was one of my rock-solid beliefs that Magsaysay was the epitome of a US imperialist puppet. Magsaysay was a favorite target of vitriol of Communist Party chairman Jose Ma. Sison. But of
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Ramon Magsaysay: A Philippine tragedy It is a sad testament to our low level of national consciousness that there was hardly any commemoration yesterday of the death of a President who led the Republic in defeating the communist insurGENCY IN THE S AND WHO kRST put high on the nation’s agenda the urgency of agrarian reform. Even the website of the Rockefeller-funded Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation, which fancies itself as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, didn’t even note that yesterday was the 62nd death anniversary of the man it has named its awards after. (Ironically, the foundation’s trustees have mostly been representatives of the Philippine elite that Magsaysay fought in his time.) In contrast, there is a non-working national holiday for Benigno Aquino, Jr., who never got to be president and who, going by a mountain of evidence that has emerged, helped the communist insurgency of the 1970s to grow, that it continues to trouble our rural areas to this day. Ironically, it was Magsaysay who appointed Aquino in 1954 as his personal emissary to convince the insurgent Huk Supremo Luis Taruc to surrender. Fifteen years later, Aquino tapped his contacts with the Huks he made in that task to convince a young Huk guerilla Kumander Dante TO JOIN *OSE -A 3ISON S lEDGLING Communist Party to form a new rebel force the New People’s Army The tragedy I am referring to is THE FACT THAT A DEkNITIVE ACCURATE work on Magsaysay and his role in the nation’s history hasn’t yet been written. This has allowed the narrative that Magsaysay was a puppet of the US Central Intelligence Agency to prevail among intellectuals here and abroad.
Opinion
course; the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, of which he was an ofkCER BEFORE HE BROKE AWAY TO FORM his own party, was routed by MagSAYSAY kRST IN HIS POST AS DEFENSE secretary and then as President. The communist leaders, intellectuals from the middle class like Sison obviously couldn’t accept the fact that a mere mechanic like Magsaysay who rose to fame because of this wartime guerrilla exploits, could defeat them. They claimed Magsaysay was just a tool of the most powerful country in the world. The tragedy with Magsaysay is that there have been so many books, mostly written by Americans, claiming this to be so, that it has come to be the standard view. 4HE BIG lAW IN THIS INTERPRETAtion is that it is mostly based not just on interviews with, but writings of, the CIA operative Lansdale himself who would, as most human beings do, exaggerate his role in the making of—and power over—a Philippine president.
intrigue scholars. The standard view has Lansdale seeing in Magsaysay a pliable American tool; countless books depict Lansdale AS A 3VENGALI LIKE kGURE WHO PERsuades Magsaysay to think he is acting on his own or on his country’s behalf when he is really doing only what Americans think best.â€? “Beginning in the 1990s, a revisionist interpretation began to develop. Richard Slotkin argues in 'UNkGHTER .ATION 4HE -YTH OF THE Frontier in Twentieth-Century America that ‘it was a serious mistake to see the Lansdale/Magsaysay partnership Q Was he just boasting too much of as a tutelary one. In fact, Lansdale and his hold on Magsaysay? Magsaysay worked effectively because that they were like brothers.â€? The the relationship was balanced; and Navy historian of course quickly Magsaysay, as both a native leader spread Lansdale’s yarn in US media. and an expert in his own political What fogs an accurate view of culture, shaped the objectives and Magsaysay is the fact that the US CIA overall course of policy. Magsaysay did kNANCIALLY AND OPERATIONALLY was a genuine reformer.’ support his candidacy, fearing that Slotkin goes on to describe the his rival Elpidio Quirino was incom- intelligence, integrity, and general petent to defeat the Huk insurgency, acumen possessed by Magsaysay, especially as he was bogged down all to make the larger point that in corruption allegations. Quirino people of the Third World were Boasting also had appeared to be apathetic (and are today) not simply pawns to US interests. (The false but widely or dupes of American policy. Lansdale’s boasting wouldn’t spread report that Quirino even had Likewise, Douglas J. Macdonald be simply because of his ego a golden orinola (chamber pot) – in Adventures in Chaos: American though. He was the epitome of when it was ordinary brass – was Intervention for Reform in the the American Cold Warrior (the said to have been Lansdale’s idea.) Third World asserts: ‘Though it was believed within the CIA, and by model in fact for the protagonists later critics of American policy that in two great Cold War novels, The Uncle Sam Ugly American and The Quiet Lansdale ‘invented’ Magsaysay, this American), and after the defeat of But during that time when Filipi- is an incorrect, ethnocentric and the “Huks,â€? wanted his counter- nos still looked to the US as their rather arrogant interpretation.’ insurgency techniques used in Uncle Sam of sorts, and Magsaysay Nick Cullather, in Illusions of countries such as Vietnam and was going against the Liberal Party )NlUENCE 4HE 0OLITICAL %CONOMY Latin American faced with com- that was the bastion of landed of United States-Philippine Relamunist-inspired insurgencies. elites, would Magsaysay have been tions emphasizes that ‘the two More than that though, his so idealistic as to reject such help? men formed an association based work before he joined the US What also clouds an accurate on mutual career building; that Air Force had been in PR and view is that Lansdale did give WHEN THEY kNALLY MET IN advertising, and he promoted his valuable advice to the Philippines Lansdale made it his business alleged exploits in the Philippines on how to defeat the communist- to advance Magsaysay’s career, through magazine and newspa- led Huks ( Hukbo ng Bayan ), but‌Magsaysay was already a per articles, helped by American especially in psywar techniques. A LEADING kGURE IN HIS OWN RIGHT u journalists whom he consciously quintessence of Lansdale’s work It is such a tragedy that our befriended. Indeed, he was pro- was the tactic of killing a Huk own historians have been derelict moted to colonel after his anti- guerrilla, punching two holes in in allowing the narrative of a CIA Huk activities in the Philippines. his neck, draining his blood out agent to dominate our assessment Lansdale’s PR genius is evident by hanging him upside down, and of Magsaysay, who led the nation in that he planted spectacular leaving him in the Huks’ guerilla in a crucial period of its history. anecdotes showing his control zones That spread terror among Would we have had a more over the Philippine president, the Huks, who were mostly peas- egalitarian nation if Magsaysay the kind US writers love to ants, that a vampire had come into had not boarded that cursed spread. An often-told one is that their area that they vacated it. plane and continued to a second HE PUNCHED -AGSAYSAY IN A kT However, a book that is the term, enough time to undertake of anger for reading a speech most authoritative biography social and economic reforms? written by a Filipino and not by of Lansdale (Jonathan Nashel, Lansdale’s American writers. Edward Lansdale’s Cold War) has Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ However, the source of this story pointed out the emergence of a gmail.com is solely Lansdale. He “casuallyâ€? new narrative to the “MagsaysayFacebook: Rigoberto Tiglao made the remark given to a US Navy was-a-CIA-agentâ€? one: Twitter: @bobitiglao historian, and narrated it to show “The relationship between LansOrder my Debunked book at that he “was so close to Magsaysay dale and Magsaysay continues to rigobertotiglao.com/debunked
Russian foreign ministry on new US sanctions W
ASHINGTON has decided to impose new sanctions on Russia, adding to the list a Russian bank that helps the Venezuelan government work with its foreign partners. The United States, which claims that Nicolas Maduro is an illegitimate leader, forgets that he is the democratically elected president of a sovereign state and that it is illegal to adopt sanctions outside the framework of the UN Security Council. It is hardly worthwhile to speak about the effectiveness of the US ban on that bank’s dollar-denominated transactions, because so much has been said before about the meager results of the numerous restrictions imposed on Russia. On the other hand, this ban has delivered yet another blow to the US national currency, to global trust in it and to its status as a tool of international
settlements. Washington seems to be doing its utmost to destroy the global trust in the US dollar and to encourage the world to stop using the US currency. The threats subsequently made by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo against Rosneft for its cooperation with Venezuela are pointless as well. Sanctions were imposed on the Russian oil company back in 2014, but it continued to work productively nevertheless, whereas its former American partners, which Washington forced to curtail their relations with Rosneft, have suffered huge losses. We urge the United States to rethink this policy, to stop imposing bans on foreign companies and banks and to start working together under UN leadership to help stabilize Venezuela on the basis of international law.
Q STEINBOCK FROM A4
Why development war and the subsequent PhilippineAmerican War. The promised independence materialized only after the Japanese invasion and the end of World War 2 in 1946. Yet, a strong US military presence remained in the country until 1991. Following President Obama’s “pivot to Asiaâ€? in 2011, President Aquino and his foreign secretary Albert del Rosario achieved the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), as a sort of a prelude to more intimate collaboration with the anticipated presidency of Sen. Mar Roxas in 2016. The scenario was foiled by Duterte’s electoral triumph, which, reportedly, led to a regime change plan by former US ambassador Philip Goldberg in fall 2017. In all these scenarios – from the late 1890s up to present – the Philippines has been seen as a geopolitical platform to project US hard power in the region, particularly vis-Ă -vis China, as most historians acknowledge.
Toward peace, development and prosperity
or strengthen the MDT runs the risk of undermining Philippine sovereignty, exposing the country to costly entanglements and potentially FATAL CONlICTS IN THE REGION WHICH in turn, would undermine the quest for economic development. Instead, what Manila needs is strengthened sovereignty, strong Asean cooperation, and development. Successful economic modernization is not viable without sovereignty and focus on development, as evidenced by the history of the BRIC economies (and that of the United States). When the MDT was signed in 1951, the US and advanced countries still dominated world growth, whereas emerging Asia was struggling amid poverty. Today, China and emerging countries fuel global growth prospects, while emerging Asia is catching up with higher living standards – but only as long as peaceful conditions prevail in the region. So, if economic development is to remain the national priority, these are the facts that should guide the review of the MDT in the new and far more complex security environment.
When Defense Secretary Lorenzana said last December that the objective of the MDT treaty review would be to “maintain it, strengthen it, or scrap it,� he presented three clear future scenarios to the country. Any scenario that would maintain
Dr. Dan Steinbock is the founder of Difference Group and has served at the India, China and America Institute (US), Shanghai Institute for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more, see http://www.differencegroup.net/
FOCUS
Pakistan’s crackdown on militants fails to convince skeptics ISLAMABAD: At a mosque on a quiet Islamabad street, any reference to the UN-listed terror group which runs it has been removed as Pakistan—once again—comes under pressure to demonstrate its sincerity about eliminating militancy. The first wave of militant detentions was announced by Islamabad on March 5, as tensions were still cooling between India and Pakistan after their latest confrontation over the disputed Kashmir region. New Delhi has long accused Islamabad of harboring militant groups, which it says are used by Pakistan intelligence agencies to attack India. The February 14 suicide blast in Indian-administered Kashmir—claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed—is the latest example, and the attack which ignited the recent crisis between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Since March 5, Pakistani authorities have arrested hundreds of suspected Islamist militants and shuttered more than 700 madrassas, mosques, and clinics linked to banned groups. Mosques like the Al-Quba mosque visited by AFP in Islamabad—which is run by Jamaatud-Dawa (JuD), seen by the UN as a charity front for an antiIndia militant group—have had all signs announcing their links to such organizations removed. Instead, a green sign clinging to a post proclaims the new
management of the premises by the “Government of Pakistan.� “This government will not allow Pakistan’s land to be used for any kind of outside terrorism,� vowed Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier this month. But the crackdown is reminiscent of previous efforts, and Pakistan has yet to convince the international community that their latest thrust is sincere. Cracks have already begun to emerge after Pakistan’s longtime ally China this week blocked measures by the UN Security Council to blacklist JeM leader Masood Azhar. It was the fourth time China has blocked such attempts, reinforcing suspicions that it was acting on Pakistan’s behest. If so, observers said, the move undermined the sincerity of the crackdown. Had Azhar been blacklisted, Pakistan would have been morally compelled to halt his activities, a Western diplomat said. “Is Pakistan just trying to fool us?� the diplomat asked. “I would say yes.� New Delhi also remained sceptical. “The widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is public knowledge within and outside Pakistan,� said Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar last week.
‘Low profile’ T h e c r a c k d ow n h a s l a r g e l y
Q Pakistani police patrol in front of the office and mosque of banned militant Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD)—an organization believed by the United Nations to be a front for the banned Islamist militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba—after it was shuttered by the authorities in Islamabad. AFP PHOTO targeted JeM along with JuD, which is linked to Lashkar-eTaiba, the group accused by India and Washington of masterminding the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008. Shuttering groups like JuD— which provides widespread and vital services like healthcare to poor communities in
a developing country where government-run social services are sorely lacking—risks a potential backlash. “We were ordered to close the health centers and give our ambulances to the authorities,� Akbar Khan, a JuD official based in the northwestern city of Peshawar, told AFP.
“Our leaders asked us to accept everything and to keep a low profile,� he added. A source close to JeM said the ongoing operation was unprecedented in its scale. “Almost the entire leadership of JeM has been detained, all the clerics and head clerics have been replaced and administrative con-
trol of all our mosques have also been taken over,� said the source. “We have never seen such harsh steps in past.� However, the operation mirrors similar crackdowns on militants, such as after attacks on the Indian parliament in 2001 and in Mumbai in 2008.
ÂłPakistanA6
A6
Opinion
˜ The Manila Times
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MONDAY March 18, 2019
US visa, immigration offices – open, close
O
F late, the US State Department has been publishing the monthly Visa Bulletin in the middle of the month— instead OF WITHIN THE kRST DAYS OF EACH month—keeping those waiting for their turn to enter the US as legal immigrants anxiously at bay. ! SIGNIkCANT NUMBER HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS 3OME HAVE EITHER THEIR .") POLICE CLEARANCES AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION RESULTS ON THE VERGE OF EXPIRING 2ENEWING THESE DOCUMENTS WOULD ENTAIL ADDITIONAL COSTS )N THE EARLY HOURS OF -ARCH THE !PRIL 6ISA "ULLETIN WAS PUBLISHED EFFECTIVELY OPENING THE VISA TOLL GATES ESTABLISHED IN 53 CONSULAR OFkCES AROUND THE WORLD At about the same time, the 53 #ITIZENSHIP AND )MMIGRATION 3ERVICES 53#)3 ANNOUNCED THAT THE AGENCY WILL BE CLOSING NEARLY TWO DOZEN 53#)3 OFkCES AROUND THE WORLD AS A COST SAVINGS MOVE 4HE CLOSING WILL FURTHER SLOW down the flow of legal migraTION 3HUTTERING THESE OFkCES WILL FURTHER SLOW REFUGEE PROCESSING FAMILY REUNIFICATION MILITARY CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS AND 53 CITIZENS APPLYING FOR FAMILY MEMBER BENEkTS ABROAD /THER CASES PROCESSED BY INTERNATIONAL 53#)3 OFkCES INCLUDE adoptions, parole requests, and APPLICATION TO SURRENDER A GREEN CARD BY SUBMITTING &ORM ) TO VOLUNTARY ABANDON A PERSON S LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT ,02 STATUS Quite a number of people
MIGRANT MATTERS
CRISPIN R. ARANDA BELIEVE THAT ,02S ARE REQUIRED TO stay in the US at least six months EACH YEAR )T IS NOT UNCOMMON THEREFORE THAT GREEN CARD HOLDERS AVAIL OF THE ESCORT SERVICES PROVIDED BY SOME 0HILIPPINE IMMIGRATION AGENTS EITHER BECAUSE OF FAMILY CONNECTIONS OR FOR A FEE 4HE ,02S PASSPORT IS STAMPED to make it appear that the green CARD HOLDER DID NOT STAY OUTSIDE the US for more than six months. 4HIS PRACTICE HAD BEEN UNCOVered and to a large extent been ELIMINATED ,AWFUL PERMANENT residents intending to stay in the 0HILIPPINES FOR MORE THAN A YEAR now apply for the re-entry permit WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO BE OUT OF the US for two years. ,02S STILL NEED TO LEAVE BEFORE the re-entry permit expires. A NEW RE ENTRY PERMIT CAN ONLY BE applied for in the US. The “need to be in the US physICALLY FOR SIX MONTHS EACH YEARu IS RELEVANT IF AND WHEN A GREEN CARD HOLDER APPLIES TO BECOME A 53 CITIZEN !PPLICANTS MUST MEET the naturalization requirements WHICH INCLUDE PHYSICAL RESIDENCY 4HE ,02 MUST RESIDE gCONTINUOUSLYu IN THE 53 FOR kVE YEARS UNless he or she is married to a US CITIZEN )N SUCH CASES THE WAIT IS
SHORTER m ONLY THREE YEARS )N ADDITION THE GREEN CARD HOLDER MUST HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY IN the US for at least half the required THREE OR kVE YEARS BEFORE kLING THE APPLICATION FOR CITIZENSHIP HAVE RESIDED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IN THE STATE THE APPLICAtion for naturalization should be kLED AND HAVE NOT ABANDONED RESIDENCE IN THE 5NITED 3TATES 3TAYING OUTSIDE THE 53 FOR DAYS OR MORE COULD BE CONSIDERED BY A 53 IMMIGRATION OFFICE AT THE PORT OF ENTRY AS HAVING ABANDONED 53 PERMANENT RESIDENCY ESPECIALLY IF THE SIX MONTH STAY IN THE 0HILIPPINES APPEARS TO BE A REGULAR OCCURRENCE 4HIS IS WHERE THE ESCORT SERVICES AND FAKE STAMPS OF ARRIVAL IN AND DEPARTURE FROM THE 0HILIPPINES ON AN ,02 S PASSPORT COME INTO PLAY 4HE CONTINUING LACK OF PERSONnel at the State Department is ALSO SEEN AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR in the delayed opening of the VISA GATES I E PUBLICATION OF THE monthly Visa Bulletin. g4HE 3TATE $EPARTMENT S CIVILIAN WORKFORCE SHRANK MORE THAN PERCENT OVERALL DURING the initial eight months of the 4RUMP ADMINISTRATION u BASED ON RECORDS OBTAINED BY 4HE !TLANTIC, “but that figure masks signifiCANTLY HIGHER DEPARTURE RATES IN CRITICAL AREAS OF THE COUNTRY S DIPLOMATIC APPARATUS u 4HE /FkCE OF 0ERSONNEL -ANAGEMENT REPORTED IN $ECEMBER THAT THE 3TATE $EPARTMENT
EMPLOYED PEOPLE UNDER THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS OCCUPATION SERIES g"Y 3EPTEMBER THE MOST RECENT DATA AVAILABLE THAT NUMBER FELL TO A DECREASE OF ROUGHLY PERCENT u 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP IS VIRtually running the State DepartMENT AND ISSUING 53 POLICIES BY 4WITTER HENCE THE LACK OF INTEREST IN kLLING THE POSITIONS UNDER THE RATIONALE OF SAVING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS !FTER ALL DURING THE CAMpaign, he promised that he alone CAN SOLVE !MERICA S PROBLEMS "ACK TO THE VISA TOLL GATES Can you imagine either of the .ORTH ,UZON OR 3OUTH ,UZON Expressway being temporarily CLOSED TO VEHICLES )NSTEAD OF USING THE EXPRESSWAY YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE OLD -C!RTHUR (IGHWAY OR THE SERVICE ROADS GOING TO #AVITE ,AGUNA "ATANGAS The detour may not be as trouBLESOME m EXCEPT FOR THE LONGER DRIVE AND MORE FUEL CONSUMPTION m BUT IF ENTRY OF EACH VEHICLE IS based on date or registration, the trip will surely be exasperating. )MAGINE IF YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR TO YEARS BEFORE YOU CAN BE ALLOWED TO USE EITHER THE SERVICE roads, old highway or until the EXPRESSWAY REOPENS BECAUSE YOUR VEHICLE IS NUMBER OR COLOR CODED 4HAT IN ESSENCE IS WHAT THE CURRENT VISA AND IMMIGRATION PETITION PROCESSING UNDER THE 4RUMP administration is undergoing. Visa petitions are being denied
Women take the lead tackling climate change in Bangladesh BYÂ JONATHAN FARR AND SAMIA MALLIK, WATERAID LONDON/DHAKA: The stakes are high FOR WOMEN WHEN FACED WITH A WARMING WORLD m THEIR LIVELIHOODS jeopardized by labor markets that TEND TO PUT MEN kRST THEIR FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES INCREASING RAPIDLY IN THE FACE OF DROUGHTS AND lOODING AND POLITICIANS WHO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE 4HE STORY OF THOSE LIVing on the frontline of a harsher CLIMATE IS SIMPLY NOT BEING HEARD 7OMEN COMMONLY FACE HIGHER RISKS and greater burdens from the imPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE #OMBINED WITH THE FACT THAT CLIMATE CHANGE HAS A GREATER IMPACT ON PEOPLE WHO ARE HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THEIR LIVELIHOODS WOMEN ALSO HAVE THE LEAST CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO INCREASINGLY SEVERE NATURAL DISASTERS SUCH AS DROUGHTS LANDSLIDES lOODS AND CYCLONES $ESPITE THIS AND OFTEN BECAUSE OF THIS IT IS WOMEN WHO ARE THE DRIVERS OF ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE "Y PROMOTING THEIR LOCAL KNOWLEDGE OF SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANagement, and leadership in susTAINABLE PRACTICES AT THE HOUSEHOLD AND COMMUNITY LEVEL WOMEN ARE THE INNOVATORS ENTREPRENEURS AND PIONEERS WHEN IT COMES TO TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS 7ITH THIS IN MIND POLICIES AND PROJECTS SHOULD STRIVE TO NOT ONLY INVOLVE WOMEN IN DECISION MAKING AND LEADERSHIP PROCESSES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION BUT PUT THEM IN THE DRIVING SEAT TO MAKE THE TOUGH CHOICES )N DEVELOPING COUNTRIES THERE ARE MANY OTHER EXAMPLES OF WOMEN S INCLUSION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL WHICH HAVE LED TO ENHANCED OUTCOMES OF CLIMATE RELATED PROJECTS AND POLICIES AT A MUCH WIDER OFTEN NATIONAL LEVEL 4AKE THE EXAMPLE OF $ACOPE A
Q Due to the saline water in the Khulna region of Bangladesh, people suffer from a lack of pure drinking water. Shila Bawali and Suchitra Biswas set up a committee run by women to help the community. The purified water, generated by the reverse osmosis plant, will be available at a cheap rate to the people in their area. WaterAid, powered by the bank HSBC, is supporting this project in Dacope, Khulna, Bangladesh. WATERAID/ HSBC/ DRIK/ HABIBUL HAQUE COMMUNITY IN A CLIMATE VULNER- ENLISTED ANOTHER WOMEN INTO A water plant, it is sustainable and reable region of Bangladesh where COMMITTEE CALLED g+HONA +HATAIL SILIENT TO FUTURE CLIMATE PRESSURES WATER RESOURCES ARE SO HEAVILY SA- -AHILA 3AMITYu TO START A FUND FOR (OW DOES 3HILA FEEL ABOUT THIS line as to be poisonous. Children THE INSTALLATION OF A REVERSE OSMO- SUCCESS 3HE TOLD 7ATER!ID THAT SHE S AND ADULTS OF THE COMMUNITY WERE sis plant to purify their water. NOW INCREDIBLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT suffering from skin allergies, stomThis plant has started the water THE FUTURE m SHE S CONkDENT THAT LIFE ACH PROBLEMS AND WATER BORNE DIS- kLTRATION PROCESS WHICH TAKES THE WILL BE BETTER HER CHILDREN WILL BE EASES DUE TO THE DAILY CONSUMPTION impurities out of the water and healthier, and she will be able to rely of unsafe water from their only makes it safe for drinking. With ON HER NEW SOURCE OF CLEAN WATER WATER SOURCE m PONDS AND CANALS THIS PLANT REMOVING THE SALINITY 3HE IS HAPPY TO SERVE THE CUS! GROUP OF WOMEN DECIDED THEY from ground water, it is now safe tomers in her shop and is eager to COULD NOT STAND BY AS THEIR HEALTH AND PURE TO DRINK FOR THE SEE HER OWN COMMUNITY BLOSSOMand that of their families dete- PEOPLE LIVING IN THE VILLAGE AND ing with new hope. RIORATED DUE TO LACK OF SAFE WATER ALSO THOSE FROM OTHER COMMUNI,ET S APPLAUD WOMEN LIKE 3HILA 4HINGS NEEDED TO CHANGE TIES AT A VERY LOW PRICE 3HILA PLANS WHO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR RIGHTFUL 7ATER!ID AND (3"# HAVE BEEN TO SELL IT TO RESTAURANTS AND CAFÂźS DESTINY AND TAKE ON NEW CHALLENGworking in partnership for four years so the water not only brings health ES AND RISKS IN THEIR HECTIC LIVES in this region of Bangladesh helping BENEkTS BUT IMPROVES HER FAMILY S 4HROUGH THEIR INCREDIBLE DRIVE AND TO PROVIDE WATER SANITATION AND HY- ECONOMIC OUTLOOK TOO AMBITION THEY CAN BRING ABOUT GIENE SERVICES TO MANY COMMUNITIES And, as a number of the women LASTING CHANGE TO SECURE THE FUTURE 4HROUGH THE PROJECT A MOTHER OF are now trained with the essential OF THEIR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY IN TWO 3HILA "AWALI SUCCESSFULLY skills to be able to maintain the THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE IPS
Q PAKISTAN FROM A5
Pakistan’s crackdown on militants Then, extremists were also detained—only for many to be released later, and the groups alLOWED TO CONTINUE THEIR ACTIVITIES BOTH MILITANT AND CHARITABLE 0AKISTAN HAS ALSO NOT YET demonstrated its willingness to go any further than detentions AND CLOSURES g#LOSING MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURES IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP BUT IT DOESN T SHOW THAT THE whole network has been dis-
MANTLED u SAID ANALYST (UMA Yusuf, a fellow with the Washington-based Wilson Center. “There are still thousands of MILITANTS IN THE COUNTRY 7HAT DO YOU DO WITH THEM ! PEACE AND RECONCILIATION PROCESS ! DERADICALIZATION PLAN !NYTHING 2IGHT NOW THERE IS NOTHING u
Terror financing 4HE CRISIS ALSO COMES AS 0AKI-
STAN IS FACING POSSIBLE SANCTIONS FROM THE &INANCIAL !CTION 4ASK &ORCE‡AN ANTI MONey-laundering monitor based IN 0ARIS‡FOR FAILING TO REIN IN TERROR FINANCING The organization will soon DECIDE WHETHER TO ADD 0AKISTAN TO A BLACKLIST THAT WOULD TRIGGER AUTOMATIC SANCTIONS FURTHER WEAKENING 0AKISTAN S ALREADY FALTERING ECONOMY !NALYSTS FEAR EVEN THOSE HEAD-
winds may not be enough to CONVINCE THE 0AKISTANI INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES TO CUT THEIR alleged ties with militants. g7HY WOULD THEY GIVE AWAY SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE CREated, nurtured and defended FOR YEARS u SAID AUTHOR -YRA -AC$ONALD A RESEARCHER SPECIALIZING IN 0AKISTAN g4HERE IS A CONCERN THAT IF YOU hit them too hard, they will hit THE 0AKISTANI STATE BACK u AFP
almost on a routine basis – espeCIALLY THOSE IN THE WORKING AND EMPLOYMENT BASED VISA CATEGORIES AND FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE COMPLETE INITIAL DOCUMENTATION COULD RESULT IN OUTRIGHT REFUSAL OF A VISA PETITION )N THE PAST THE 53#)3 USUALLY REQUESTED FOR EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF A PETITION OR APPLICATION Those days are gone. ,EGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE CRAWLING TO THE TOLL GATES MUCH LIKE REFUGEES FAMILY MEMBERS OF 53 CITIzens and the military waiting to be admitted as legal immigrants.
April 2019 Visa Bulletin At any rate, the Visa Bulletin for April this year has been released AFTER THE MONTHLY ALLOCATION PROCEDURES REQUIRED BY LAW HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ‡ HISTORICALLY BEFORE THE TH DAY OF CURRENT MONTH !PRIL PREFERENCE DATES & OVER UNMARRIED SONS DAUGHTERS OF 53 CITIZENS m !PRIL 4HIS CATEGORY MOVED ONLY A WEEK FROM THE -ARCH DATE & ! SPOUSES MINOR CHILDREN OF LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS m -ARCH A FORWARD MOVE of one month and three weeks FROM -ARCH & " OVER UNMARRIED SONS DAUGHTERS OF ,02S MOVED TWO WEEKS FROM *ULY IN -ARCH TO m !UG FOR !PRIL & MARRIED SONS DAUGHTERS OF 53 CITIZENS AND & ADULT BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF 53 CITIZENS POSTED THE FASTEST FORWARD MOVE OF SIX MONTHS
IN A MONTH S TIME 4HE -ARCH DATE WAS *AN &OR !PRIL THE CUT OFF DATE IS *UNE #ONSULAR OFkCERS ARE REQUIRED to report to the Department of 3TATE gDOCUMENTARILY QUALIkED APPLICANTS $1S u FOR THE NUMERICALLY LIMITED VISAS !T THE SAME TIME 53#)3 REPORTS THE NUMBER OF $1 APPLICANTS IN THE 53 SEEKING TO GET THEIR VISA ALLOCATION BY applying for adjustment of status. !N INDIVIDUAL APPLYING FOR A VISA AT CONSULAR OFkCERS OUTSIDE the US and a person applying for adjustment in the US must both BE DOCUMENTARILY QUALIkED MUST HAVE SUBMITTED ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS PAID THE APPROPRIATE VISA OR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FEES PROVIDED MEDICAL AND CRIMINAL CLEARANCES AND REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR THE SPECIkC PREFERENCE CATEGORY )N BOTH CASES THE APPLICANT S PRIORITY DATE MUST BE CURRENT AND IMMIGRANT VISAS ARE AVAILABLE )F BASED ON BOTH REPORTS THERE ARE MORE APPLICANTS IN THAT VISA ALLOCATION A PREFERENCE CATEGORY in the family-sponsored or employment-based is deemed to be OVERSUBSCRIBED /NLY APPLICANTS WHOSE PRIORity dates are on or earlier than the date showing for his or her PREFERENCE CATEGORY ON THE CURRENT 6ISA "ULLETIN ARE SCHEDULED FOR VISA INTERVIEWS 4HE NEXT IN LINE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE VISA TOLL GATES REOPEN (OPEFULLY THERE WILL BE NO MORE CLOSING OF IMMIGRATION OFkCES
FOCUS
New Zealand mosque massacres revive old wounds in the Balkans BELGRADE: As the gunman drove to the two New Zealand mosques where he carried out his mass killings, a Serb nationalist song was heard playing in the background of the haunting video he broadcast live on Facebook. The mass shooter’s weapons also bore the names of several historical Serb nationalist figures, revealing an unexpected interest in Balkan conflicts that stirred bad blood in a region fractured by war. Hours after 50 people were gunned down in two mosques by the Australian right-wing extremist in Christchurch, Bosnia’s ambassador went on local television to express concern about the song heard in the suspected killer’s video that went on to show him murder victim after victim. It was a “Serbian nationalist song in which the name of Radovan Karadzic is mentioned and called on to lead Serbs,� he said, referring to the convicted war criminal who led Bosnia’s Serbs during the 1992-1995 war. Karadzic will go before a UN court this week to hear the final verdict on his 40-year sentence for the genocide of Muslims in Srebrenica and other atrocities during the inter-ethnic conflict in Bosnia that left 100,000 dead. According to the Bosnian diplomat, the song’s lyrics also say “Turks must be killed,� a term hardline Serb nationalists still routinely use to refer to Bosnian Muslims. Though linked to the 1990s war, the song played by the 28-year-old suspect Brenton Tarrant appears to have more recently been revived as an internet meme in the extreme-right circles he circulated in online. But Tarrant also connected his savage act to figures deep into Balkan history, alongside a roster of other right-wing extremists from across the globe he paid homage to in his hate-filled manifesto.
Ottoman obsession Among the historical military figures whose names were scrawled on Tarrant’s weapons were several Serb nationalist icons. They were men who fought in famous battles against the Ottoman Empire’s armies, such as Milos Obilic, a knight in Serb folklore, and Stefan Lazar, a 14thcentury Serbian prince. The names of two other 19th-century Balkan military leaders against the Ottomans, including Montenegrin general Marko Miljenov, were also written on the guns. During the Ottoman empire, the Balkans was a site of frequent contact and conflict between the Muslim and
Christian worlds. That history remains a key reference point for Serb ultra-nationalists today. According to local authorities, Tarrant traveled to the region himself in 2016 and early 2017, passing through Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia, and then Bulgaria in November 2018. He also visited Turkey. ‘Inspired by Serb nationalism’ In Sarajevo, the Islamic Community of Bosnia said it was alarmed that the “assassin started his bloody escapade to the sound of a song glorifying war crimes in Bosnia.� He “was clearly inspired by this same extremist ideology and hatred� of the 1990s, the group added. The shooter’s Balkan references also aroused bad memories in Kosovo, a mostly Muslim and ethnic-Albanian former Serbian province that broke away in a 19981999 guerrilla war. Some 13,000, mostly Albanians, were killed in the conflict. Writing on Twitter, Kosovo’s former foreign minister Petrit Selimi said the Australian gunman was “inspired by a particular brand of white supremacist nationalism rooted in #Serbia He added: “Wars and genocide perpetrated by Serbian ideologues, in Kosovo and Bosnia, seem to have become a point of inspiration for far right across the globe.�
‘Anti-Serb hysteria’ Officials in Serbia and Bosnia, whose Serb community is semi-autonomous, have been quick to denounce the finger-pointing. Bosnia’s ethnic Serb Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak condemned the “anti-Serb hysteria� he felt seized the region after the Christchurch massacres. “It is dangerous and irresponsible to establish a link between the crazy actions of a disturbed and sick person and an entire people,� he said in a statement. The country’s Serb co-president Milorad Dodik, who shares the post with a Croat and Muslim counterparts, also criticized the “vile campaign� against his community. Meanwhile in Belgrade, foreign minister Ivica Dacic insisted “Serbia had nothing to do with� the massacre. And the ultra-nationalist Serbian politician Vojislav Seselj, who was convicted of crimes against humanity but still serves in parliament, appeared to see himself as the victim of the story. “The demonization of the Serbs will continue until our country has surrendered,� he told the local channel Happy TV. AFP
˜ The Manila Times
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2 killed in P1.5-M Cebu shabu stings TWO drug suspects were killed while two others including an inactive member of the Philippine Air Force were arrested in two separate buy-busts in Cebu on Sunday that yielded P1.5 million worth of shabu. 0OLICE IDENTIkED THE FATALITIES AS Jesson AniĂąon, of Barangay San Isidro, Talisay City; and Aldrich Cesa, of Barangay Lawaan III, Talisay City. In Lapu-Lapu City, police arrested a member of the Air Force who had been absent without ofkCIAL LEAVE !7/, AND HIS FEMALE “bossâ€? who yielded more than P1 million worth of shabu in a buybust in Barangay Poblacion. The Regional Mobile Force BatTALION IN #ENTRAL 6ISAYAS 2-&" and the Talisay City Police Station conducted a buy-bust in Canton Ville, Barangay Isidro, Talisay City, at past 12 a.m. and during the transaction, AniĂąon and Cesa noticed that they were transacting WITH A POLICE OFkCER Police said the suspects fired their .38 revolvers at the operaTIVES SPARKING A GUNkGHT Members of the Talisay Rescue and Emergency Assistance Team 4REAT SAID !NIĂ„ON AND #ESA died instantly. 0OLICE CONkSCATED SHABU WITH an estimated value of P214,064. Scene of the Crime Operatives 3/#/ FOUND SACHETS OF SUSpected shabu; and a .38 revolver with three live bullets from AniĂąon while seized from Cesa were seven sachets of shabu and a .38 revolver with four live bullets. 3UPT 'LENN -AYAM OFkCER IN
charge of the Drug Enforcement Group in Central Visayas, said Marlou Pobadora, 59, of Barangay Babag 1, Lapu-Lapu City; AND %LMA 3ALIDO OF "ARANGAY Basak, Lapu-Lapu City sold 11 assorted medium and large packs of shabu for P400,000 to an underCOVER POLICE OFkCER ALONG 0LARIDEL Street at past 12 a.m. Mayam added that Pobadora and Salido were members of a “big-time� illegal-drug group operating in Lapu-Lapu City. Seized from them were about 200 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P1,360,000. Mayam told The Manila Times that Pobadora had been AWOL since the 1990s because he allegEDLY SOLD HIS kREARM He said Pobadora and Salido did not resist arrest. “Salido is the distributor of the shabu and Pobadora gets it from her. Salido will just come to him to deliver the shabu,� Mayam added in Visayan. He said Salido, who was unemployed, was placed under surveillance for about three months. “Her source of shabu was her boyfriend who was detained in the Mandaue City Jail for an illegal drugs case.� But, Mayam did not reveal the name of Salido’s boyfriend pending investigation. He said Pobadora and Salido admitted that they were involved IN DRUG TRAFkCKING Salido told the police that she was just instructed to engage in the illegal-drug trade. RHEA RUTH ROSELL
‘BIFF behind grenade throwing at Cafgu post’ COTABATO CITY: Bangsamoro IsLAMIC &REEDOM &IGHTERS ")&& bandits are the prime suspects in a grenade-throwing at a detachment of the Citizens Armed &ORCES 'EOGRAPHICAL 5NIT #AFGU IN 0IKIT .ORTH #OTABATO ON Friday night. Senior Insp. Mautin Pangandigan, Pikit town police chief, on 3UNDAY SAID AN UNIDENTIkED MAN on board a motorbike passed by the Cafgu detachment in Barangay Inug-og, Pikit, at 6:45 p.m. on Friday and threw the grenade. “The two paramilitary troops stationed in the conflict village of Pikit were lucky to have survived the attack because the grenade did not explode,� Pan-
gandigan added. He said the man tossed something hard inside the detachment manned by Cafgus who were on duty at the time. “They thought that stones were thrown at them but they discovered a live grenade right inside the detachment,� Pangandigan said. Army bomb experts from the explosive ordnance division defused the grenade. Although no one has claimed responsibility for the grenade attack, the militiamen suspect that the BIFF had a hand in it. The BIFF has been known to have regularly harassed the Cafgu detachment in the last few months. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL
Q HAPPY FROM A1
then Visayas at 11 percent from six percent and Mindanao at 11 percent, from four percent. Happiness also dropped in all classes and all education levels. On the other hand, those satiskED WITH THEIR LIVES DROPPED TO percent, a 10-point decline from another record-high 92 percent IN $ECEMBER This is the lowest in over four YEARS SINCE THE PERCENT IN 3EPtember 2014. Of those surveyed, 18 percent SAID THEY ARE DISSATISkED WITH THEIR LIVES 4HE kGURE IS THE HIGHEST SINCE the 21 percent in September 2014. The SWS also found that satisfaction with life is highest in the Visayas at 83 percent, down from $ECEMBER S PERCENT FOLlowed by Balance Luzon at 83 PERCENT DOWN FROM PERCENT IN $ECEMBER -ETRO -ANILA AT PERCENT FROM PERCENT IN THE SAME PERIOD AND -INDANAO AT PERCENT FROM $ECEMBER S 91 percent. Satisfaction with life stayed the same for classes A, B and C at 92 percent, followed by class D at 83 percent from the 93 perCENT RECORDED IN $ECEMBER AND CLASS % AT PERCENT FROM 89 percent. It also dropped across all education levels and across all religions. The survey had sampling error margins of Âą2.6 percent for national percentages and Âą5 percent each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao. RALPH U. VILLANUEVA
SWS: 87% ABOVE AND FOUND THAT PERcent of Filipinos are happy with their lives. The remaining 13 percent said they are not very happy and not happy at all. 4HE PERCENT kGURE IS A SEVEN point decline from the all-time high 94 percent in December It is also the lowest since the 85 percent recorded in December 2014. The survey found that while eight of 10 Filipinos in all areas WERE HAPPY ALL kGURES WERE LOWER compared to a year ago. Happiness was highest in Mindanao at 89 percent, down from 96 PERCENT IN $ECEMBER In the Visayas, 89 percent said they are happy with their lives. 4HIS IS A kVE POINT DECLINE FROM THE PERCENT IN $ECEMER In Balance Luzon, 86 percent said they are happy with their lives. This is a nine-point drop from the 95 percent in the same period. In Metro Manila, 82 percent said they are happy. This is eight points lower than the 90 percent in the same period. Uunhappiness was highest in -ETRO -ANILA AT PERCENT UP from the 10 percent recorded IN $ECEMBER FOLLOWED BY Balance Luzon at 14 percent, which is up from 5 percent,
Regions P670-M agri crops in North Cotabato lost to El NiĂąo MONDAY March 18, 2019
BY JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL
C
OTABATO CITY: Drought resulting from El NiĂąo has damaged P670 million worth of agricultural crops in North Cotabato, prompting local officials to place the entire province under a state of calamity. North Cotabato Vice Gov. Shirlyn Macasarte, also the presiding OFkCER OF THE PROVINCIAL BOARD on Sunday said the Sangguniang 0ANLALAWIGAN 0ROVINCIAL "OARD passed a resolution for the purPOSE COVERING THE TOWNS AND
one city of the province. Macasarte added that they acted accolrdingly based on a recommendation of the North Cotabato provincial disaster risk reduction and management council.
Aside from the damage to agricultural products, frequent forest fires and rising cases of dengue and measles in the province were also looked into by the provincial board. Remedios Hernandez, acting provincial agriculturist, said more than P362 million worth of rice and P269 million in corn were lost because of little rainfall in the past three months. North Cotabato’s high-value crops also sufered more than P38 million in losses, she added. Hernandez said the heavily affected towns are Alamada, Pig-
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cawayan, Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Libungan, Matalam, Mlang, Pikit and Antipas. These areas have not experienced heavy rainfall since January 1, she added. Part of the calamity fund budget of North Cotabato will be used for cloud seeding. Hernandez said about 13,000 farmers were affected when their crops that were ready for harvesting dried up beyond recovery. The North Cotabato Agricultural Office is validating reports of work animals dying from extreme heat.
Peace office to give P500-M aid to ex-rebels BACOLOD CITY: The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace 0ROCESS /0!00 WILL GIVE ABOUT P500 million worth of livelihood and social protection assistance to former members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army–Alex "ONCAYAO "RIGADE 20! !"" AND their families. Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a recent visit to Bacolod City that the assistance is part of the government’s efforts to achieve inclusive and sustainable peace in the region. The assistance includes social protection programs, capacity development, livelihood and employment assistance, housing asSISTANCE AND kNANCIAL AID TO FORMER combatants and their families. “We are committed to help former combatants in their transformation to productive and normal civilian lives. We want them to feel the dividends of peace,� Galvez said. The assistance is part of the imPLEMENTATION OF THE #LARIkCATORY )MPLEMENTING $OCUMENT #)$ to the 2000 Peace Agreement, formulated in consultation with the 20! !"" 4ABARA 0ADUANO 'ROUP and Kapatiran para sa Progresibong Lipunan and concurred in by various national government agencies. 4HE #)$ HAD kVE COMPONENTS
— disposition of arms and forces $!& AND SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS social and economic reintegration of the RPMP/RPA/ABB-TPG/ Kapatiran; release of the remaining alleged political offenders; transformation of the members into civilian organizations engaging in socio-economic and political activities; and community peace dividends. While the document is expected to be signed this year, the government has begun undertaking socio-economic interventions to boost development in the communities. As part of its Community Peace $IVIDENDS #0$ PROGRAM BARANGAY VILLAGES JOINTLY IDENTIkED BY 40' AND THE !RMED &ORCES of the Philippines and Philippine National Police received grants to support livelihood and enterprise development and communitybased impact projects. Some 91 of these areas are from 2EGION 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS WHILE six are in Davao City, two in Bukidnon and one in Ilocos Sur. These 100 associations organized under Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan-Department of Social Welfare and Development 0AMANA $37$ 3USTAINABLE ,IVELIHOOD 0ROGRAM 3,0 REceived P500,000 in seed capital
for their own projects. Under its Socio-Economic Reintegration Program, the Department of Environment and Natural 2ESOURCES $%.2 ENTERED INTO an agreement with the Kapatiran for the establishment of Peace $EVELOPMENT #OMMUNITY 0$# SITES IN AND TO PROVIDE support to the social and economic reintegration of their members. These PDC sites will be provided with housing, tenurial security, access roads, electricity and water, potable water, health services, educational facilities, livelihood assistance and common service facilities. The DENR also engaged with the Kapatiran in seedling production and other agro-forestry activities and employed 128 RPA-TPG members as forest guards under the National Greening Program. In the Social Protection Program, 439 members of RPA-TPG and 8,963 individuals from CPD areas are now beneficiaries of Pamana-Philhealth Program for 2018 while 60 family members of the group and CPD members are grantees under the Pamana-Commission on Higher %DUCATION 0AMANA #(%$ Study Grant Program. Meanwhile, Galvez assured members of the New People’s
!RMY .0! WHO OPTED TO RETURN to the mainstream, that the OPAPP WILL DESIGN AN EXCLUSIVE BENEkT package aside from the EnhancedComprehensive Local Integration 0ROGRAM % #,)0 BENEFITS THEY would be receiving. “We’re hoping that this will attract more rebels to go back to the folds of law,� he said. Galvez added that his office will continue to support localized peace engagements as national government-led peace talks were used by the communist insurgents to “regain lost ground and reconstitute their NPA forces.� “For more than 30 years of neGOTIATIONS WITH THE .$& .ATIONAL $EMOCRATIC &RONT THE GOVERNment has given so much concesSIONS JUST TO BUILD CONkDENCE AND for them to abandon their armed struggle. But the government did not gain anything from the peace talks� he said. President Rodrigo Duterte isSUED %XECUTIVE /RDER ON $Ecember 4, 2018 that institutionalizes a whole-of-nation approach in attaining peace and creates a National Task Force to End Local #OMMUNIST !RMED #ONlICT The OPAPP is a member of the task force along with 18 other government agencies. EUGENE Y. ADIONG
Q SERVICE FROM A1
AND "INANGONAN BARANGAYS in Rizal. Manila Water was forced to lower water pressure or cut water supply in certain areas to ensure enough water for all its customers. While Manila Water is still getting its allocation of 1,600 MILLION LITERS PER DAY -,$ ITS requirement is now pegged at -,$ DUE TO THE INCREASE IN demand and population growth. Manila Water services the cities of Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Makati and parts of Quezon City and Manila. It also serves Antipolo City and the Rizal towns of Angono, Baras, Binagonan, Cainta, Cardona, Jala-Jala, Morong, Pililla, Rodriquez, Tanay, Taytay and San Mateo. Another utility, Maynilad Water Services Inc., covers the cities of Manila, Pasay, Paraùaque, Caloocan, Muntinlupa, Las Piùas, Valenzuela and parts of Makati and Quezon City. Earlier, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System -733 WHICH REGULATES -ANILA Water and Maynilad, asked the National Water Resources Board .72" TO INCREASE ITS WATER ALlocation from Angat Dam, Metro Manila’s water source.
EO covers the different components of integrated water resource MANAGEMENT )72- It also asks for the reconstitution of the NWRB which is responsible for allocating water from Angat Dam. It will be responsible for policy, directionsetting, and the integration of all government efforts pertaining to water. The board, under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will be placed under the SUPERVISION OF THE /FkCE OF THE 0RESIDENT /0 Nograles said supervision of the OP would “help ensure that all 30-plus agencies involved in water resource management are on the same page.� Nograles said that during the meeting, the agencies agreed on the problems that needed to be resolved, so the water supply management issues would not be repeated in the future. Last week, Nograles said an inter-agency cluster and the Executive branch of the government started to craft the EO to “properly� address the water issues in the country. Duterte also ordered water companies to release water from Angat Dam.
San Miguel Corp.’s offer to help to deliver 140 million liters of clean, treated water to areas affected by the supply cut. The MWSS lauded San Miguel President and Chief Operating OfkCER 2AMON !NG S OFFER TO PROVIDE potable water to over six million people in the East Zone of the metropolis from its untapped 140 MLD from Angat Dam. According to Ang, the undertaking, will not be easy since an estimated 14,000 truck trips per DAY USING KILOLITER KL TANKERS OR TRIPS PER DAY USING KL tankers would be needed to deliver clean water. In January this year, San Miguel operationalized Stage 1 of its Bulacan Bulk Water Project. The facility’s Phase 1 has a production capacity of 200 MLD. However, as many water districts have yet to upgrade and prepare their facilities to receive water from the BBWSP, the project uses only about 60 MLD.
Water Quezon City also regained water service. These include the Philippine Blood Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, St. Luke’s Medical Center, East Ave Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Hospital, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center and the National Kidney Transplant Institute. Manila Water said tankers stood by to supply water if needed. It clarified that water might take time to reach elevated areas, but assured the public that it was working to restore normal water supply. In some villages of Quezon City, water services resumed though the water coming out was yellowish and murky, like in Barangka in Mandaluyong. Water in Mandaluyong, however, later became clear, promptING RESIDENTS TO kNALLY STOCK UP In a statement, Manila Water said water discoloration normally happens when pressure and supply adjustments are done. The water concessionaire advised residents having this problem to allow a few minutes for water to flow until the water becomes clear. According to Manila Water, its water service interruption affected 250,000 to 260,000 PEOPLE IN -ANDALUYONG #ITY ALL barangay OR VILLAGES 3AN *UAN #ITY kVE BARANGAY AND 0ASIG #ITY SEVEN BARANGAY IN -ETRO -ANILA AS WELL AS !NGONO THREE BARANGAY !NTIPOLO BARANGAYS 4AYTAY THREE BARANGAYS
Poe sets probe
Sen. Grace Poe, who is running for reelection, on Sunday urged the MWSS and Manila Water to stop kNGER POINTING AND INSTEAD OFFER solutions on the water crisis. The senator, chairman of the Palace eyes EO San Miguel offer Senate Committee on Public Services, is scheduled to conduct an President Rodrigo Duterte will The MWSS will lead an inter- inquiry on the water shortage on SOON SIGN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER %/ agency meeting to address the Tuesday, March 19. to address the water crisis, a Palace water crisis today. Asked if she would recomOFkCIAL SAID ON 3UNDAY MWSS Administrator Reynaldo mend the removal of concerned Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles 6ELASCO WILL MEET TOP OFkCIALS OF OFkCIALS WHO WILL BE PROVEN TO said in a statement that govern- Manila Water, Maynilad, Bulacan be remiss of their duties, Poe MENT AGENCIES WERE kNALIZING THE Bulk Water, concerned local gov- SAID g7E NEED TO kND OUT WHO draft EO to address water issues, ernment units, the Bureau of Fire neglected their duties.� following the Cabinet Assistance Protection, Association of VolunFRANCIS EARL CUETO WITH 3YSTEM #!3 MEETING IN ,EYTE TEER &IRE #HIEFS AND &IREkGHTERS OF RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANon Friday. the Philippines. UEVA, JORDEENE B. LAGARE According to Nograles, the draft The meeting will also discuss AND BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
What’s inside DONATIVE INTENT ON SHARES TRANSFER — DELOITTE. ON THE DOT
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LOWER PALAY, CORN PRODUCTION SEEN IN Q1
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CEBU PACIFIC INCOME DOWN 50.6% IN 2018
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STREAMING WARS HEAT UP AS RIVALS QUEUE UP TO CHALLENGE NETFLIX Foreign BusinessB4
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www.manilatimes.net
DELOITTE. ON THE DOT
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MONDAY MARCH 18, 2019
Business Times
B1
Policy adjustments not in the cards – poll Amid easing inflation, Monetary Board to meet this Thursday BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
M
ONETARY authorities will likely keep interest rates unchanged — for a third time since December — when they meet this Thursday, economists polled by The Manila Times said. Most of the analysts believe the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) overnight borrowing, lending and deposit
rates will remain at 4.75 percent, 5.25 percent and 4.25 percent, respectively. “I expect no change on both policy
rate and RRR (reserve requirement ratio),� Nomura Securities Ltd. economist Euben Paracuelles said. Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion, meanwhile, said the central bank’s policy-making Monetary Board “will hold [interest rates], but will cut RRR by 100 bps (basis points).� ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa stressed that
the BSP would likely wait for more data TO VALIDATE THAT INlATION WAS kRMLY ENtrenched within the 2-4 percent target. )NlATION SLOWED TO PERCENT IN February but the year-to-date average is still over target at 4.1 percent. “However, we do expect them to telegraph a possible rate cut at the May MEETING BUT ON THE CONDITION THAT INlATION REMAINS kRMLY WITHIN TARGET AND
ÂłAdjustments B2
SHARES OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEK Reenacted Fed to hold fire on interest rates Investor caution seen budget to ahead of policy meetings slow 2019 PH growth CAPITAL Economics is keeping its 2019 Philippine growth forecast at 6.0 percent for now, noting a slowdown from last year’s 6.2 percent is all the more likely given an ongoing budget impasse. Government warnings of a deceleration to as low as 4.2-4.9 percent, however, appear to be overblown, the London-based consultancy said in a report. “Economic growth in the Philippines is likely to slow unless the 2019 budget is approved soon, but the cuts the government has announced to its GDP growth forecast for this year look too severe,� it said. Capital Economics noted that
ÂłGrowth B2
WASHINGTON, D.C.: There is virtually no chance the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this week since policymakers have all but PROMISED TO HOLD THEIR kRE AS THE global economy slows. 7ITH INlATION STILL TAME AS 53 economic growth decelerates in 2019, economists also say Fed OFkCIALS WILL ONCE AGAIN LOWER THE number of rate hikes they expect this year, from the two projected in December. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is due to announce the second policy decision of the year on Wednesday by the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee. The benchmark interest rate is now in a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent and futures markets see no more rate hikes in 2019. Investors now put the odds at one in three that the central bank will reverse directions and begin cutting rates in the next 10 months. Some economists warn that is
unlikely: with unemployment falling and eventually pushing wages higher, inflation might rear its head as soon as the summer, compelling the Fed to act. But in congressional testimony last month, Powell said he anticipated low energy prices would DRIVE INlATION EVEN FURTHER BELOW the Fed’s two percent target, at least for a “for a time.� Other influential players on the FOMC have likewise chimed in, calling for caution: New York Fed President John Williams said this month he expected economic growth to slow “considerably� this year. Fed Governor Lael Brainard said it was time for “a period of watchful waiting� on policy. Her remarks marked a significant change: Six months earlier, Brainard — known as a “dove� who is less aggressive on raising rates — suggested the Fed would continue raising
External debt hits $79B, payments also up in 2018 THE country’s outstanding external debt totaled $79 billion as of end-2018, central bank data released late last week showed, up from a quarter and a year earlier. Also on Friday, the Treasury bureau reported that debt payments made by the government last year rose to P775.6 billion, 14 percent higher than the P680.5 billion recorded in 2017, due to higher interest payments and amortization costs. Amortization expenses accounted for the bulk, rising 15.2 percent to P426.374 billion, while interest payments rose 12.4 percent to P349.215 billion. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP),
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in a statement, said external debt was $2.6 billion higher than the $76.4 billion posted three months previously, largely due to net availments totaling $1.6 billion as private banks borrowed offshore to comply with higher liquidity requirements and purchase government-issued bills. “Positive foreign exchange revaluation adjustments amounting to $1.0 billion further contributed to the increase in the debt stock as the Philippine peso appreciated against the US dollar during the reference period due mainly TO IMPROVING DOMESTIC INlATION DATA AND STRONG
ÂłPayments B2
Globe Telecom’s P24.3-M board fees in 2017
PER DIEM can also amount to more than a million a year. For example, Globe Telecom Inc. pays nonexecutive director “P200,000 for every board meeting and stockholders’ meeting attended.� In addition, the company pays him/her P100,000 for every committee meeting attended or such meeting other than those mentioned above.� In 2018, Globe Telecom paid the company’s 11 directors P21.7 million. Individually, their remunerations were as follows: Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, P1.9 million; Fernando Zobel de Ayala, P2 MILLION !RTHUR ,ANG 4AO 9IH 0 MILLION $ELkN L. Lazaro, P1.8 million; Sabma Natarajan, P2.6 million; Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco, P2 million; Romeo L. Bernardo, P2.4 million; Rex Ma. A. Mendoza, P2.3 million; Cirilo P. Noel, P1.4 million; Saw Phaik Hwa, P2.3 million; and Manuel Al Pacis, P700,000. In a footnote, Globe Telecom said “Mr. Mendoza was elected as lead independent director, replacing Mr. Pacis on 17 April 2018�. In the same explanation, it said “Mr. Cirilo P. Noel was elected director on 17 April 2018.� Both Mendoza and Noel are Globe Telecom’s independent directors, along with Saw Phaik Hwa. In a general information sheet (GIS) for 2018, Globe Telecom said “total annual compensation OF DIRECTORS DURING THE PRECEDING kSCAL YEARu amounted to P24,300,011. Since the company
made the disclosure in 2018, it was apparently referring to 2017. This will mean each of the 11 directors of Globe Telecom was paid an average P2,209,092 in 2017.
Alsons’ owners A general information sheet (GIS) which Alsons #ONSOLIDATED 2ESOURCES )NC !#2 kLED IN listed 455 Filipinos as subscribers to 6.198 billion ACR common shares. The company had only one Filipino subscribing to 5.5 billion preferred shares, according to Alsons’ GIS. The same GIS showed the same number of subscribers paid for their ACR common shares but only one paid for 3,538,333,300 ACR preferred shares. Of the foreigner-owned 93,577,001 ACR common shares, or 0.79 percent, the following were the nationalities who paid for their subscribed common shares: two Chinese, 120,000 ACR common shares; one Japanese, 200,000 ACR common shares; one Singaporean, 3,000 ACR common shares; one Indian, 5,000 ACR common shares; and one American, 75,000 ACR common shares. “Others�, which means the nationality of the PAYER WAS NOT IDENTIkABLE PAID FOR ACR common shares, or 0.79 percent. When recomputed, seven foreigners subscribed and paid for 93,577,001 ACR common shares, or
ÂłPerez B2
Q In this file photo taken on February 26, 2019 Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell AFP PHOTO rates through 2019, not pausing to stop at “neutral,� the rates that neither stimulates nor slows the economy.
One hike or none? “It’s a completely different world,� Kathy Bostjancic, head of US
ÂłRates B2
PHILIPPINE shares could trade sideways this week given cautious sentiment over the country’s economic growth and results of upcoming US Federal Reserve and Monetary Board policy meetings. In a market comment, Eagle Equities Inc. research head Christopher Mangun said he expected the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) to trade between 7,600 to 7,900 after economic managers last week cut the 2019 growth target to 6.0-7.0 percent from 7.0-8.0 percent previously, taking into account a budget impasse, an ongoing El Niùo and the US-China trade war. The PSEi on Friday rose by 0.62 PERCENT OR POINTS TO kNISH at 7,798.28 while the broader All Shares grew by 0.59 percent or 28.02 points to close at 4,813.03.
Mangun said a peso depreciation was also weighing on investor sentiment. “There seems to be a correlation between extremes in the currency market and the stock market. The main index tends to go lower as the currency gets weaker and higher as the currency gets stronger,� he noted. The Philippine peso finished weaker versus the US dollar on Friday, shedding 5 centavos to P52.65 from a day earlier. Meanwhile, online brokerage kRM TRADEASIA COM SAID INVEStors could stay on the sidelines this week ahead of the Federal Reserve’s March 19-20 meeting and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Monetary Board meeting on March 21.
ÂłPolicy B2
B2
Business Times
˜ The Manila Times
w w w.manilatimes.net
MONDAY March 18, 2019
Lower palay, corn production seen in Q1 T BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ
HE country’s palay (unmilled rice) and corn production in the first quarter of the year may be slightly lower than initially expected as harvest areas are also seen to decline, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
year, around 735.13 thousand hectares or 77.5 percent have been actually planted. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier said the country’s palay production for 2019 could hit an all-time high of 20 million MT driven by the entry of additional funds as a result of the liberalization of the rice industry. Meanwhile, corn production may drop to 2.54 million MT, 0.3 percent lower than the January estimate of 2.55 million MT but higher by 2.6 percent from 2.48 million MT in 2018. Harvest areas of the commodity may also fall by 1.82 percent to 709.24 thousand hectares compared to last year’s 722.46 thousand hectares. However, yield per hectare during the three-month period
In its January-March 2019 palay and corn forecast, the PSA said probable palay output—based on the standing crop—could hit 4.62 million metric tons (MT), down 0.6 percent from the January estimate of 4.65 million MT but was seen to remain the same with the output in the same period a year ago. Harvest area may fall by 3.3 percent to 1.194 million hectares from last year’s level. However, yield per hectare may increase to 4
MT from the 3.87 MT year-on-year. About 1.155 million hectares or 19.8 percent of the updated standing crop have been harvested, the PSA said. “A b o u t 4 6 . 3 p e r c e n t o f 1,661.61 thousand hectares of standing crop were still at vegetative stage, 37.9 percent at reproductive stage, and 15.7 percent at maturing stage,” it added. On the planting intentions of farmers in January to March this
n GROWTH FROM B1
n ADJUSTMENTS FROM B1
planned increases in investments and public sector pay hikes had not gone ahead as scheduled but the impact was unlikely to be as bad as forecast by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). In warning of the growth slowdown, the NEDA had cited a reenacted budget, an ongoing El Niño and the US-China trade war as the primary factors. The expected cuts “much too aggressive,” Capital Economics said. “The 2019 budget envisages a planned increase in government spending this year of around P100 billion pesos, which is equivalent to 0.6 percent of last year’s GDP (6.2 percent). This is hard to square with the NEDA’s new forecasts which knock 4 percentage points off growth in the worst case scenario,” it said. “We think that growth targets have been revised partly for political purposes and are intended to persuade lawmakers to approve the budget. It also gives the administration an excuse to back away from its 7-8 percent growth target, which always looked too optimistic given the worsening external environment,” it added. Capital Economics said it was keeping the 6.0 percent growth forecast for now but if the budget was not released soon, it may “nudge this down slightly, but by nowhere near as much as the government has.” ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES
if inflation expectations become anchored further,” Mapa added. ANZ Research economist Mustafa Arif, meanwhile, noted that new BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno’s recent comments about the need for further data and the importance of “timing” suggested a March rate cut was not in the cards. Bank of the Philippine Islands Vice President and lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. said the “existing data and risks do not justify any changes for now.” DBS economist Masyita Crystallin also believes the central bank will keep key rates unchanged amid Diokno’s dovish statements. HSBC Global Economics Team,
for its part, said it would be more prudent for the BSP to wait until inflation was more firmly within target before engaging in any monetary accommodation. Capital Economics’ Gareth Leather and Alex Holmes forecast that the the Bangko Sentral would wait until May to adjust policy. Philstocks.ph senior research analyst Justino Calaycay Jr., on the other hand, expressed uncertainty over the outcome of this Thursday’s Monetary Board meeting. “It is touch and go. Diokno is perceived to be a dove. Economic guidance, particularly in reference to the 2019 GAA (General Appropriations Act) stalemate, points to
n PAYMENTS FROM B1
offshore of $1.2 billion, plus negative foreign exchange revaluation adjustments of $125 million, partially tempered the sharp increase in the debt stock during the year.
Reenacted Policy adjustments
n POLICY FROM B1
Investor
The Fed’s policy-setting Federal Open Markets Committee is widely expected to keep rates unchanged and some analysts expect fewer rate hikes this year. “At home, several players are starting to price in a cut in the reserve requirement ratio from the new BSP chief, a move that should help induce lending to support capital rollout,” 2tradeasia.com said. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS
External
remittance inflow,” it added. The rise was offset partially by a $139-million increase in residents’ investments in Philippine debt papers issued offshore. The debt stock rose by 8 percent year on year, due largely to net availments by both public ($3.5 billion) and private sectors ($3.2 billion), the central bank pointed out. “Specifically, this is attributed to the national government’s increased financing for its infrastructure development and social spending programs, private banks’ preparation for the increase in the LCR (liquidity coverage ratio) threshold under the Basel 3 liquidity rule and to source funding for purchases of RP (Republic of the Philippines) bills while other private firms decided to increase working capital, expand funding base, and extend term liabilities,” the BSP said. Prior periods’ adjustments amounting to $594 million further increased the debt levels, it added. An increase in resident holdings of Philippine debt papers issued
Debt ratios Expressed as a percentage of annual aggregate output, external debt widened to 19.9 percent from 19.4 percent a year earlier. “The same trend was observed using gross domestic product. The ratio indicates the country’s sustained strong position to service foreign borrowings in the medium to long-term,” the central bank said. The country’s debt service ratio (DSR) also increased to 6.3 percent from 6.2 percent a year ago. “The DSR has consistently remained at single digit levels, and well below the international benchmark range of 20.0 to 25.0 percent,” the BSP added. The debt service ratio is a measure of the country’s adequacy to meet its obligations, based on foreign exchange earnings, by relating principal and interest payments to merchandise exports and receipts from services and primary income. About 79.7 percent of the Phil-
may grow by 4.37 percent to 3.58 MT from 3.43 MT recorded a year earlier. PSA said about 241.74 thousand hectares or 34.1 percent of the updated standing crop have been harvested. Of the 727.41 thousand hectares of the standing crop, 32.4 percent were at vegetative stage, 36.6 percent at reproductive stage and 31 percent at maturing stage, it added. “Around 259.91 thousand hectares or 62.4 percent of the planting intentions for January-March 2019 crop have been realized,” the PSA said. Data on production and harvest area estimates came from the monthly palay and corn situation reporting system, conducted inbetween palay and corn production survey rounds. a slower [growth] pace,” he said. The National Economic and Development Authority last week warned that Philippine economic growth could decelerate sharply to 4.2-4.9 percent under a full-year reenacted budget. “While the sentimental bias is for a rate cut to stir activity on the production side, a stay in current settings is also on the table,” Calaycay added. Out of all the surveyed analysts, Asian Institute of Management Department of Economics associate professor Emmanuel Leyco was the only one who said that monetary authorities could cut interest rates on Thursday. “Given the decelerating inflation, I believe the BSP’s Monetary Board would now have reason to lower the interest rate by at least 25bp (basis points),” he said. ippines’ external debt is medium to long-term in nature with maturities of over one year. This means that foreign exchange requirements for debt payments are well spread out and thus more manageable, the Bangko Sentral said.
Debt payments Broken down, meanwhile, domestic interest payments took the lion’s share of last year’s total interest payments at P243.2 billion, up 15.5 percent, while foreign debt — which rose by 5.9 percent — comprised P105.9 billion. For amortizations, the domestic share was P315.05 billion, up by 37.3 percent. Foreign debt amortization declined 20.7 percent to P111.3 billion, 20.7 percent lower. In December alone, a total of P87.183 billion was paid to creditors, more than triple the P27.963 billion recorded a year earlier. Earlier, the Treasury reported that the national government debt ballooned to P7.292 trillion last year, expanding by over P600 billion from 2017 due to higher domestic and foreign borrowings. MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
n RATES FROM B1
Fed to hold on fire interest macro investors services at Oxford Economics, told AFP. “I think they’ve been surprised that inflation hasn’t moved higher.” Wall Street’s December rout, when the S&P 500 lost nearly 10 percent of its value on fears the Fed would keep hiking, was a learning moment, Bostjancic said. “I think the markets spooked them a bit and I do think all of that together has led them to say let’s pause for some time,” she said. Her firm, like many, has cut its forecast to a single rate increase this year — down from two — and expects first-quarter economic growth to slow to 0.7 percent, its slowest pace in more than three years. Job growth ground to a halt i n Fe b r u a r y b u t h a s m a i n -
tained a good pace on average and the housing sector shows signs of recovery. Meanwhile, manufacturing and consumer spending have fallen off sharply. A major question mark remains the extent of the slowdowns in China and Europe. But Joseph Gagnon, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said US growth should be stronger in the rest of the year, meaning it is unlikely the Fed will cut its median forecast for rate hikes in 2019 all the way to zero. “They are thinking the slowdown is now below potential,” he said of Fed policymakers. “If the economy keeps going at two percent, that would still justify another rate hike at some point.” AFP
D
Donative intent on shares transfer
OES donative intent of the transferor in a sale of property need to exist before he can be subject to donor’s tax? Is it an essential requisite of donation? Under the Civil Code, donation is defined as an act of liberality whereby a person disposes gratuitously of a thing or right in favor of another who accepts it. Comparatively, the meaning of donation is broader under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, (Tax Code) since it extends to sales or exchanges of property for less than adequate and full consideration. Under the law, donative intent must be present in a direct gift of property to warrant the imposition of donor’s tax. However, donative intent is not required in transfers of property for less than adequate and full consideration. In this type of transfer, donative intent is superfluous. Section 100 of the Tax Code provides that the amount by which the fair market value (FMV) of the property exceeds the value of the consideration shall be considered a gift subject to the donor’s tax. The same is true if the property involved are shares of stocks pursuant to Revenue Regulations No. 6-2008. However, various BIR rulings recognized that Section 100 is not absolute and that there are certain exceptions. Among the grounds cited in the rulings that warrant exemption from donor’s tax are when the share transfer made under an ordinary commercial transaction is negotiated in good faith between unrelated parties and is motivated by legitimate business reasons and there was no intent on the part of the seller to donate. The BIR adopted this position in numerous rulings until it issued a circular revoking its previous rulings. In Revenue Memorandum Circular No. (RMC) 25-2011, dated March 2, 2011, the BIR revoked its prior ruling for lack of factual and legal basis and clarified that Section 100 of the Tax Code does not admit any exception. From then on, the BIR imposed donor’s tax on its subsequent rulings in cases where the consideration of the sale of shares of stock not listed and traded through the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is lower than the FMV/book value of the shares. In several jurisprudence, such as the case of Philam Life vs. Secretary of Finance, G.R. No. 210987, Nov. 24, 2014, the court declared that the absence of donative intent does not exempt the sales of stock transaction from donor’s tax since Section 100 of the Tax Code categorically states that the amount by which the FMV of the property exceeded the value of the consideration shall be deemed a gift. Thus, even if there is no actual donation, the difference in price is considered a donation by fiction of law. When the Tax Reform for Accel-
n PEREZ FROM B1
Globe
0.794 percent of 11,791,500,000 subscribed ACR shares. At the same time, 93,577,001 ACR common shares paid for by foreigner stockholders equals 0.952 percent of paid-up capital stock of 9,829,833,300 ACR shares. Capital stock, as used in this space, refers to a total of 9,829,833,300 paid-up capital. Thus, 93,577,001 ACR common shares represents 0.952 percent of total paid-up capital stock consisting of Filipino-owned 9,736,256,299 shares and foreigner-held 93,577,001 ACR common shares.
Due Diligencer’s take If one owns only a nominal common share issued to him/her by a listed company, he/she has no right to be called an independent director. Either he/she is a nominee of the majority stockholders, who are usually the owners who nominates the members of the board. Chances are, said nominees act as adviser or consultants of the board. He is never an independent director because there is no such thing as independence inside the boardroom. Due Diligencer is not naming anyone of these so-called independent directors (IDs), who are not and will never be independent. It is enough that they get elected and act as board consultants. If they are really independent, then their one-year term will end with their attendance of
DELOITTE. ON THE DOT
ARIEL T. LLEVA eration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law took effect on Jan. 1, 2018, Sec. 100 of the Tax Code was amended to include an exception stating that the transfer of property made in the ordinary course of business (a transaction which is a bona fide, at arm’s length, and free from any donative intent) will be considered made for an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth. With the passage of the TRAIN Law, the BIR was able to finalize its position relating to the issue on existence or non-existence of deemed gift under Section 100 of the Tax Code, in relation to the sale of shares of stock not traded in the PSE. RMC 30-2019 dated Feb. 28, 2019, clarified that starting Jan. 1, 2018, when shares of stock not traded in the PSE are sold for less than their FMV, the excess shall be treated as gift subject to donor’s tax, except when the shares are sold at arm’s length, free from any donative intent in the ordinary course of business. With this new circular, the issue on donative intent as an element of valid donation for transfer of property was settled. Indeed, donative intent of the transferor in a sale of property needs to exist before he can be subject to donor’s tax. However, taxpayers can avail of exemption from donor’s tax for their sale of shares of stock not traded in the PSE if the sale is made in the ordinary course of business — a transaction that is bona fide, sold at arm’s length, and free from any donative intent. With regard to the determination of whether the sale of shares not listed in the PSE is made at arm’s length, the seller must prove that the sale involves no irregularity between unrelated and independent parties. Also, reasonable evidence should be presented that is sufficient enough to convince the BIR that the sale is without intent to evade tax and defraud the government. Hopefully, the issue on donative intent and the BIR’s flip-flopping decisions finally ende here.
The author is a Director with the Tax & Corporate Services division of Navarro Amper & Co., the local member firm of Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd. — a member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited — comprising Deloitte practices operating in Brunei, Cambodia, Guam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. their first board meeting. Remember one thing: IDs are not never elected but are appointed by the majority. If they are elected despite their lack of common shares to entitle them to a board seat, they must have aligned themselves with the majority. Being with the majority, they become one of their nominees. For example, lawyer Monico V. Jacob, a former associate commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is only a nominee of the majority owners of Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI). Beneficially but directly, he owns only one ATI share. The preliminary information statement (PIS) does not classify his nominal ATI share as common share, By the way, Mr. Jacob and his fellow directors will be present when holders of 2 billion ATI common shares meet at 2 p.m. on April 25, 2019 at the ballroom of Diamond Hotel in Manila. If you own enough voting shares in a listed company to get you elected member of the board, you will be entitled to directors’ fees, which could amount to more than a million a year. In addition, whether you are independent director or a regular member of the board, you will also be paid what is called per diem. Doesn’t it pay to own a nominal voting share if the return will average to P2,209,092 a year, in the case of Globe Telecom, or maybe even more by other listed companies? Just asking.
esdperez@gmail.com
Stock Watch Water supply woes engulf Manila Water ˜ The Manila Times
w w w.manilatimes.net
B3
MONDAY March 18, 2019
30-DAY STOCK PERFORMANCE
HIGH
LOW
AVERAGE
CLOSE
BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS
S
HARES of Ayala-led Manila Water C o m p a n y, I n c . ( M WC ) s l i p p e d by 4 percent last week as investors were said to have sold following m a s s i ve s e r v i c e disruptions in the firm’s East Zone concession area.
30-day high: P27.50 30-day low: P25.15
MWC opened the week down 1.8, regained some ground on Wednesday but then plunged the following day ahead of a P26 finish on Friday. On a year-to-date basis, the firm’s shares are down by 8 percent from P28.25 Timson Securities Inc. trader Jervin de Celis said the weekon-week performance had been dented by a water shortage that affected some 1.2 million customers. MWC customers started experiencing limited services beginning March 6 and taps ran dry for some for over a week as the water firm did not have enough supply from its main reservoir, the La Mesa Dam. Amid mounting complaints and scenes of consumers lining up for water, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered regulators to al-
Q A tanker supplies water to Manila Water customers amid water shortage. FILE PHOTO low MWC to source water from rival Maynilad Water Services. While the disruption have eased somewhat, MWC’s customers are still experiencing daily service interruptions and the firm has yet to say when the situation will normalize. On Saturday, the firm announced that it was already able to restore supply to 80 percent or 1 million customers. Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said that he expected the ongoing El NiĂąo to affect MWC’s bottomline for 2019. “Previously, we saw that water rates would see further upward revisions due to the annual CPI (consumer price index) adjust-
ments as allowed under the concession. The full-year impact of the rate increase would have enabled MWC to grow its 2019 earnings by more than 10 percent,â€? Limlingan said. “However, the impact of El NiĂąo may hamper this depending on how long the droughts last,â€? he added. Diversified Securities Inc. trader Aniceto Pangan, echoed the view, saying the water short-
Market capitalization: P53,685,830,042.00 Outstanding shares: P2,064,839,617
Date
Close
Date
Close
Mar 15, 2019 Mar 14, 2019 Mar 13, 2019 Mar 12, 2019 Mar 11, 2019 Mar 08, 2019 Mar 07, 2019 Mar 06, 2019 Mar 05, 2019 Mar 04, 2019 Mar 01, 2019 Feb 28, 2019 Feb 27, 2019 Feb 26, 2019 Feb 22, 2019
26 26 27 26.6 26.6 27.1 27.1 27 27.3 27.1 27.25 27 27.05 26.85 27.3
Feb 21, 2019 Feb 20, 2019 Feb 19, 2019 Feb 18, 2019 Feb 15, 2019 Feb 14, 2019 Feb 13, 2019 Feb 12, 2019 Feb 11, 2019 Feb 08, 2019 Feb 07, 2019 Feb 06, 2019 Feb 04, 2019 Feb 01, 2019 Jan 31, 2019
27 27 27 27.2 27.45 27.05 27.1 27.1 27.3 27.35 27.4 27.5 27.25 27.15 27.5
*amounts in peso
age at the La Mesa Dam would reduce consumption and affect MWC’s bottomline. “Unless they could find a resolution wherein they could resolve the shortage, then this (the share price) may continue to slump,� Pangan said. MWC, which has yet to announce its full-year results, saw consolidated net income rise 1 percent to P4.92 billion as of the first nine months of 2018.
PROFITABILITY Date Mar. 11 Mar. 12 Mar. 13 Mar. 14 Mar. 15
P/E ratio 10.68 10.68 10.84 10.44 10.44
P/E growth (%) 1.503759398 -
Net income Earnings per share Book value per share *Net Income in 000 00
Price to book ratio 1.4217 1.4217 1.4431 1.3896 1.3896
THIRD QUARTER REPORT NET INCOME
2015 2016 2017 6,134 6,186 6,139 2.41 2.44 2.49 18.71 20.93 22.96
P1,366,339,000
TOTAL ASSETS P121,901,884,000
*amounts in peso
TOTAL LIABILITIES P 68,581,810,000
TOTAL EQUITY
FINANCIAL CONDITION Year
Total Assets
2015 2016 2017
80,608,486 85,479,402 102,482,240
Total Liabilities 40,889,493 41,097,715 53,921,543
FINANCIAL RATIOS
Shareholders’ Equity 39,718,992 44,381,688 48,560,697
Year 2015 2016 2017
Return on Assets (%) 7.61 7.24 5.99
P56,320,074,000
FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on Debt to Common Equity (%) Equity ratio ratio 15.44 1.0295 0.8023 13.94 0.9260 1.1035 12.64 1.1104 1.1885
Return on Assets 1.12% Return on Equity 2.56% Debt to Ety Ratio 1.2862 Common Ratio 0.7267
*amounts in thousand pesos
TOP ACTIVE STOCKS HOLDING FIRMS
Index
Value
Chg
%Chg
PSEi
7,798.28
47.86
Ÿ
All Shares
4,813.03
28.02
Ÿ
Financials
1,770.81
8.45
Ÿ
SERVICES
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Security Name Last Price Chg JG Summit Holdings, Inc. 61.05 -0.65 San Miguel Corp. 174.20 2.20 San Miguel Food and Beverage, Inc. 106.50 2.40 SM Investments Corp. 934.00 9.00 International Container Terminal Services, Inc. 119.50 0.60 SM Prime Holdings, Inc. 38.40 1.30 Wilcon Depot, Inc. 15.44 0.04
%Chg -1.05 1.28 2.31 0.97 0.50 3.50 0.26
8 9 10 11
Petron Corp. BDO Unibank, Inc.
ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Volume 75,952,420 13,313,500 19,708,040 1,146,550 8,537,360 18,543,000 45,142,400
Value 4,643,608,502.50 2,316,921,571.00 2,093,402,196.00 1,058,377,740.00 1,018,265,944.00 708,167,950.00 696,580,710.00 668,753,338.00 623,559,662.00 562,082,420.00 488,791,890.00
-0.22 0.00 0.30 0.04
-3.26 0 0.70 0.82
Ĺş
Ayala Land, Inc. 0HWUR 3DFLÂżF ,QYHVWPHQWV &RUS
6.52 132.00 43.10 4.94
Ÿ Ÿ
102,276,200 4,739,110 13,077,100 99,172,000
84.00 920.50
-1.00 -5.00
-1.18 -0.54
Ĺş Ĺş
5,638,550 459,370
473,648,161.00 422,754,270.00
Industrial
11,556.33
4.35
Ÿ
Holding Firms
7,673.47
1.74
Ÿ
12 13
Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. Ayala Corp.
Services
1,579.08
6.88
Ÿ
14
PLDT Inc.
1,161.00
29.00
2.56
Ÿ
356,070
410,636,825.00
Mining and Oil
8,135.77
56.02
Ÿ
Property
3,969.89
67.03
Ÿ
15 16 17
Globe Telecom, Inc. GT Capital Holdings, Inc. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company
1,916.00 995.00 79.50
-14.00 -5.00 1.80
-0.73 -0.50 2.32
ź ź Ÿ
179,480 333,745 4,106,410
344,118,360.00 331,817,535.00 324,352,963.50
18 19 20
Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. Megaworld Corp. Jollibee Foods Corp.
56.95 5.62 316.20
-1.40 0.09 4.20
-2.40 1.63 1.35
ź Ÿ Ÿ
4,147,040 41,896,400 740,420
237,140,460.50 234,551,013.00 233,490,632.00
Stock indices as of November 29, 2018
ALL SHARES
PSEi
MINING AND OIL
*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg
TOP GAINERS
FINANCIALS
INDUSTRIAL
PROPERTY
INDEX HISTORY Date Mar 15, 2019 Mar 14, 2019 Mar 13, 2019 Mar 12, 2019 Mar 11, 2019 Mar 08, 2019 Mar 07, 2019 Mar 06, 2019 Mar 05, 2019 Mar 04, 2019 Mar 01, 2019 Feb 28, 2019 Feb 27, 2019 Feb 26, 2019 Feb 22, 2019 Feb 21, 2019 Feb 20, 2019 Feb 19, 2019 Feb 18, 2019 Feb 15, 2019 Feb 14, 2019 Feb 13, 2019 Feb 12, 2019 Feb 11, 2019 Feb 08, 2019 Feb 07, 2019 Feb 06, 2019 Feb 04, 2019 Feb 01, 2019
Open 7,748.07 7,741.78 7,725.62 7,728.22 7,815.28 7,868.50 7,806.50 7,674.56 7,700.38 7,631.90 7,711.70 7,919.99 7,962.10 7,996.15 7,940.29 7,946.66 7,849.08 7,923.36 7,924.60 7,965.17 7,960.19 8,040.34 8,076.60 8,088.34 8,091.70 8,093.17 8,091.45 8,131.55 8,038.65
High 7,798.28 7,763.97 7,766.15 7,773.61 7,823.80 7,884.46 7,881.79 7,821.34 ,734.71 7,698.44 7,754.45 7,919.99 7,972.69 7,996.15 7,962.13 7,946.66 7,944.59 7,938.79 7,964.05 7,999.84 7,996.21 8,040.43 8,083.53 8,105.58 8,096.47 8,127.08 8,213.71 8,148.88 8,165.66
Low 7,701.74 7,718.77 7,724.79 7,728.22 7,708.72 7,797.11 7,795.21 7,674.56 7,667.14 7,595.92 7,587.99 7,705.49 7,877.63 7,945.03 7,894.56 7,892.58 7,848.47 7,830.63 7,910.58 7,908.89 7,920.62 7,889.46 7,984.42 8,061.54 8,035.84 8,087.73 8,058.45 8,068.74 8,038.65
Close 7,798.28 7,750.42 7,766.15 7,747.54 7,708.72 7,797.11 7,881.79 7,821.34 7,670.62 7,675.47 7,641.77 7,705.49 7,889.12 7,988.16 7,962.13 7,931.30 7,939.24 7,833.75 7,910.58 7,908.89 7,991.25 7,920.24 8,009.92 8,061.54 8,070.89 8,100.30 8,058.45 8,069.48 8,144.16
CLOSE
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Security Name Concrete Aggregates Corporation “A� Philippine Racing Club, Inc. D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Incorporated First Philippine Holdings Corporation Series “C� Preferred Shares
Liberty Flour Mills, Inc. Cemex Holdings Philippines, Inc. Leisure And Resorts World Corporation Warrants Abra Mining & Industrial Corporation Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. Dmci Holdings, Inc. Sbs Philippines Corporation Sm Prime Holdings, Inc. City & Land Developers, Inc. Filinvest Development Corporation Macroasia Corporation Puregold Price Club, Inc. Acesite (Philippines) Hotel Corporation Semirara Mining And Power Corporation Atn Holdings, Inc. “B� Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc.
Volume 71.85 7.5 10.94 476.8 54.5 2.75 1.94 0.0022 10.94 12.4 8.7 38.4 0.91 14.9 20.7 49 1.32 21.6 1.45 1.46
Value Last Price 6.35 9.69% 0.5 7.14% 0.68 6.63% 26.6 5.91% 3 5.83% 0.15 5.77% 0.09 4.86% 0.0001 4.76% 0.48 4.59% 0.5 4.20% 0.3 3.57% 1.3 3.50% 0.03 3.41% 0.48 3.33% 0.65 3.24% 1.5 3.16% 0.04 3.13% 0.6 2.86% 0.04 2.84% 0.04 2.82%
Chg %Chg 40 2,685 1,200 9,000 4,107,800 44,080,740 10 4,768 300 16,350 20,957,000 56,524,800 316,000 616,840 59,000,000 124,000 5,900 63,542 6,084,800 74,542,552 4,200 36,540 18,543,000 708,167,950 41,000 35,710 5,191,300 77,297,000 2,129,500 43,635,547 403,000 19,585,035 246,000 325,890 7,589,300 161,757,840 690,000 996,030 54,000 76,290
*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg
TOP LOSERS
HIGH
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Security Name Oriental Petroleum And Minerals Corporation “A� Oriental Petroleum And Minerals Corporation “B� Paxys, Inc. Lodestar Investment Holdings Corporation Ever-Gotesco Resources & Holdings, Inc. Omico Corporation Apc Group, Inc. Central Azucarera De Tarlac Lt Group, Inc. Cebu Holdings, Inc. Security Bank Corporation Ionics, Inc. Greenergy Holdings Incorporated Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation Petron Corporation Philippine Seven Corporation “Common� Ph Resorts Group Holdings, Inc. Manila Electric Company Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.
*amounts in peso except for volume, %chg
Volume 0.012 0.012 3.15 0.53 0.128 0.57 0.41 15.4 16 6.5 164.3 1.66 2.51 0.58 6.52 126 4.77 370 1.19 56.95
Value -0.001 -0.001 -0.25 -0.04 -0.009 -0.03 -0.02 -0.6 -0.62 -0.25 -6.2 -0.06 -0.09 -0.02 -0.22 -4 -0.13 -10 -0.03 -1.4
Last Price -7.69% -7.69% -7.35% -7.02% -6.57% -5.00% -4.65% -3.75% -3.73% -3.70% -3.64% -3.49% -3.46% -3.33% -3.26% -3.08% -2.65% -2.63% -2.46% -2.40%
Chg 441,700,000 500,000 8,000 2,427,000 10,000 469,000 1,340,000 4,800 4,746,400 14,800 537,370 257,000 16,371,000 1,254,000 102,276,200 32,250 96,000 341,040 7,534,000 4,147,040
%Chg 5,312,300 6,300 24,850 1,288,980 1,280 271,650 562,050 74,790 77,504,144 96,618 88,656,895 428,670 41,695,110 736,850 668,753,338 4,067,481 465,460 126,807,488 9,020,920 237,140,461
B4
MONDAY March 18, 2019
Corporate News
Cebu Pacific income down 50.6%Â in 2018 BY LISBET K. ESMAEL
T
HE OPERATOR OF BUDGET CARRIER #EBU 0ACIkC saw earnings dip by 50.6 percent last year amid challenges such as the closure of a popular tourist destination, rising fuel prices and increased competition. In a statement, GokongweiOWNED #EBU !IR )NC SAID PROkTS fell to P3.9 billion from P7.9 billion a year earlier even as revenues climbed 9 percent to P74.1 billion from P68.03 billion. Passenger revenues, in particular, hit P54.3 billion, 9 percent higher than the P49.93 billion recorded in 2017. The listed airline carried 20.3 million passengers last year, up 3 percent from 2017’s 19.7 million. The cargo business also wit-
nessed double-digit growth at 19 PERCENT THE kRM SAID “The growth in CEB’s (Cebu Air’s stock symbol) 2018 business came amidst a challenging environment with high fuel prices, a volatile Philippine peso, rising interest rates, increased competition, the six-month closure of Boracay, and operational limitations in the country’s key AIRPORTS u THE kRM SAID -ICHAEL )VAN 3HAU #EBU 0ACIkC CHIEF OPERATIONS OFkCER SAID THE CAR-
rier expected to bounce back due to lEET AND NETWORK EXPANSIONS g IS DEkNITELY THE YEAR WE accelerate our growth,� Shau said in a statement. The company announced the DELIVERY OF ITS kRST !IRBUS ! NEO in January. It is still awaiting deLIVERY OF SIX MORE ! NEOS kVE A320neos and an ATR 72-600. #EBU 0ACIkC ENDED WITH 71 aircraft, composed of 36 Airbus A320, seven Airbus A321ceo, eight Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500, and 12 ATR 72-600 aircraft. “We will continue to pursue our lEET UPGAUGING STRATEGY AND INVEST in the latest aircraft technologies, as well as develop secondary hubs like Cebu and Clark,� Shau said. “We will also continue to grow our cargo business with the in-
coming ATR freighters as well as continue our digital transformation for us to be more agile and adaptable to changing customer expectations,� he added. Last week, Cebu Pacific anNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD ADD lIGHTS to and from its Clark and Cebu hubs. From Clark International Airport, the company will launch three new domestic routes — Iloilo, Bacolod, and Puerto Princesa in Palawan. ! NEW lIGHT BETWEEN #EBU AND mainland China will also be offered as the carrier seeks to strengthen its presence in North Asia. Cebu Air shares fell by 2.28 percent or P1.90 on Friday to P81.60 apiece, bucking a 0.62-percent gain for the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index.
Jollibee to launch Guam store in April JOLLIBEE Foods Corp. is set to open a store in Guam on April 6, the firm’s 38th store in the United States following the establishment of outlets in New York, Florida, California, Hawaii and Texas, among others. Dennis Flores, president of the Jollibee Group’s businesses in Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australia, said the company had long hoped to enter
the Guam market. “We believe that our bestselling [products] will appeal to the diverse people of Guam,� he said. The Jollibee Group operates 14 brands including Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich and Red Ribbon, among others. This year, the group plans to spend P17.2 billion to grow its businesses, almost double the P9.6 billion in
actual spending last year. The capital expenditures will be used to fund the construction of new stores, renovations and investments in production facilities. Last year, the Jollibee Group opened a total of 502 new stores — 317 in the Philippines and 185 overseas, bringing its total store network to 4,521 stores across all of its brands. Jollibee also entered four
countries last year: Italy, Macau, United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Net income jumped by 16.5 percent last year to P7.77 billion on the back of strong systemwide retail sales. Jollibee shares on Friday ended up P3.20 to P316.20 apiece amid the Philippine Stock Exchange index’s 0.62-percent rise. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS
˜ The Manila Times
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Asian Terminals hikes 2019 capex to $300M PORT operator Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) will be spending $300 million (about P15.7 billion) this year to increase the capacity of its Manila and Batangas ports. Capital expenditures (capex) this year are “double� from last year’s P8 billion, Asian Terminals, Inc. Senior Vice President Sean Perez told reporters last Friday. “[T]he two ports now would be really expanding all our facilities, and that’s also including equipment,� he said. ATI earlier this year pursued an equipment build-up at the Batangas Container Terminal (BCT) to support industries in the Calabarzon region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon). It deployed new cargo handling equipment, two ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and four more rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes, from China’s ZPMC.
The company’s cargo volume is also expected to jump by 5 percent this 2019, Perez said. “[This will be driven by] the growth in the economy, election year, importations now that are coming in, ‘Build Build Build’ of the government — all of these have been fueling spending,� he added. During the first nine months of 2018, BCT handled more than 173,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) while Manila South Harbor (MSH) recorded over 860,000 TEUs of foreign boxed shipments. Earnings as of end-September 2018 reached P2.20 billion, 24 percent higher than the P1.77 billion recorded the previous year. Revenues in the period were also up 14 percent to P8.85 billion versus 2017’s P7.72 billion. LISBET K. ESMAEL
DMCI Power posts 25% growth in sales volume CONSUNJI-LED DMCI Power Corp. posted double-digit sales growth last year on the back of strong demand across key operating and improvements to its distribution and transmission systems. In a statement, DMCI Power said 2018 sales volume rose to 308 gigawatt hours (GWh) or by 25 percent from the 247 GWh registered in 2017. “The six-month closure of Boracay positively affected Palawan and Oriental Mindoro, which are known secondary tourism spots in the Philippines. Higher tourist arrivals generated more economic activities in these areas,� DMCI
Power President Nestor Dadivas said. Palawan sales grew the highest, by 34 percent to 131 GWh, while Masbate energy sales increased by 12 percent to 111 GWh year-on-year. Meanwhile, Oriental Mindoro saw a 32-percent jump in sales volume to 66 GWh. In Sultan Kudarat, where the firm operates as a reserve power provider, sales volume was relatively flat at 170 megawatt hours. DMCI Power’s net income grew by 30 percent to P465 million last year from the P359 million in 2017. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS
Foreign Business
Streaming wars heat up as rivals queue up to challenge Netflix
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ASHINGTON, D.C.: Some of the biggest names in media and tech are gearing up to move into streaming, in what could BE A MAJOR CHALLENGE TO MARKET LEADER .ETlIX Apple is expected to make its move with an announcement March 25 on its media plans, with a war chest estimated at some $1 billion and partners including stars like Jennifer Aniston and director J.J. Abrams involved in content. Walt Disney Co. has announced its new streaming service Disney+ will launch this year, as will another from WarnerMedia, the newly acquired media-entertainment division of AT&T. The new entrants, with more expected, could launch a formidable challenge to Netflix, which has some 140 million paid subscribers in 190 markets, and to other services such as Amazon and Hulu. “It’s really going to change the industry,� said Alan Wolk, cofounder of the consulting firm TVREV who follows the sector. Wolk said he sees seven or eight powerful players in streaming which will lead to “huge competition for new shows and hit shows.� These rivals are coming into the segment which has been transformed by the spectacular GROWTH OF .ETlIX AND A GROWING movement by consumers to ondemand television delivered over internet platforms. In the US alone, an estimated six million consumers have dropped pay TV bundles since 2012, while on-demand services such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon have been surging, according to Leichtman Research. "UT JUST AS .ETlIX HAS DISRUPTED traditional “linear� television, rivals are now moving to disrupt .ETlIX
Feeling pain Netflix is likely to feel pain, not
only from the new rivals, but also from the loss of content from the big libraries of Disney and Time Warner. 4HESE (OLLYWOOD kRMS gHAVE big libraries, so the cost of their content is much lower than it WILL BE FOR .ETlIX WHICH HAS TO pay for all its content,� said Laura Martin, analyst with the research kRM .EEDHAM #O g.ETlIX WILL LOSE SUBSCRIBERS TO these new entrants,� Martin said. AT&T’s WarnerMedia will launch its service later this year that combines the content from its premium HBO channel (known for “Game of Thrones�) and the VAST 4IME 7ARNER LIBRARY OR kLMS and shows. Disney’s service will have its kLMS AND 46 SHOWS ALONG WITH THE library it is acquiring from Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, a deal closing in the coming days. That includes the “Star Wars� and Marvel superhero franchises and ABC television content. JP Morgan analyst Alexia Quadrani predicts Disney will eventually scale up to become AS BIG AS .ETlIX OR EVEN BIGGER by signing up 45 million US subscribers and 115 million internationally. Quadrani cited Disney’s “unmatched brand recognition, extensive premium content, and unparalleled ecosystem to market the service.� 4HE ANALYST SAID $ISNEY BENEkTS from its global ecosystem that develops good customer relationships from its theme parks, hotels, cruises, and consumer products. Wolk agreed that Disney “is in a good spot� because of its strong brand and content but predicted that consumers may be overwhelmed by the growing options. “I think there will be a lot of
Q In this file photo taken on October 06, 2018 Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert A Iger poses with Mickey Mouse attends Mickey’s 90th Spectacular at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Some of the biggest names in media and tech are gearing up to move into streaming, in what could be a major challenge to market leader Netflix. AFP PHOTO churn,� Wolk said. “People will subscribe to one service to watch one show, and then it becomes easy to cancel and take another.�
No panic, yet 3OME ANALYSTS SAY .ETlIX HAS NO reason to panic — yet. g.ETlIX HAS kGURED THIS BUSIness out, they know what consumers want,� said Dan Rayburn, a streaming media analyst with Frost & Sullivan. But Rayburn said that over time, rivals may be able to leverage their user base and infrastructure to eat AWAY AT .ETlIX S ADVANTAGE g7HAT DOES .ETlIX OWN .OTHing,� Rayburn said. “If you’re Amazon or AT&T you can give this stuff away and be a loss leader, that’s the big value.� Still, he said any company that WANTS TO CHALLENGE .ETlIX NEEDS to be “quick and nimble� and that it remains to be seen if the legacy players can do that. Richard Greenfield of BTIG Research also questioned the capability of the legacy entertainment kRMS TO COMPETE IN THE WORLD OF new media. “We believe legacy media has missed their window to compete WITH .ETlIX AND OTHER TECH PLATforms) unless they are willing to TRULY GO ALL IN u 'REENkELD SAID IN
a recent research note.
‘Innovator’s dilemma’ 'REENkELD SAID THAT MEANS MOVing the focus away from the box OFkCE AND GETTING BETTER CONTROL of content. “Disney is battling a classic innovator’s dilemma that makes it hard for them to truly pivot to direct-to-consumer, not to mention, they and the rest of legacy media do not really appreciate how important technology is to success in direct-to-consumer streaming,� 'REENkELD WROTE Daniel Ives of Wedbush Securities said Apple could be the wild card, but that the iPhone maker might need to acquire a content provider like CBS or Sony Pictures to be a major player. Apple “is definitely playing from behind the eight ball in this content arms race with Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Hulu, and AT&T/ Time Warner all going after this next consumer frontier,� Ives said in a note to clients. “While acquisitions have not been in Apple’s core DNA, the clock has struck midnight for Cupertino in our opinion and building content organically is a slow and arduous path, which highlights the clear need for Apple to do larger, strategic (deals).� AFP
Google: Future of gaming lies in cloud-based services SAN FRANCISCO: Google is looking to transform internet-age game play, with an expected launch of a streaming service which uses the tech giant’s power in the internet cloud. Expected Tuesday is the debut of a ramped-up version of a cloud gaming platform Google tested recently in partnership with Ubisoft. A video clip teasing a keynote presentation at an annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco invites people to “Gather around as we unveil Google’s vision for the future of gaming.� The clip cycles through an accelerating collage of scenes one MIGHT kND IN VIDEO GAMES BUT SAYS nothing about what Google will announce at the event, which will be live-streamed at YouTube. Google collaborated with French video game colossus Ubisoft to use the hit “Assassin’s Creed� franchise to test “Project Stream� technology for hosting the kind of quick, seamless play powered by in-home consoles as an online service. A select number of people in the US were able to play “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey� streamed to Chrome browsers on desktop or laptop computers. A recently uncovered patent that Google filed for a video game controller hinted that the tech firm might be planning to release its own console and controller to go along with a streaming service. Video games are following television and music into the cloud, with console-quality play on its way to being a streaming service as EASY TO ACCESS AS .ETlIX OR 3POTIFY Computing power in data centers and devices from televisions to smartphones has surged and streaming technology has advanced, providing tools to break BLOCKBUSTER TITLES FROM CONkNES OF consoles or personal computers. Google, whose YouTube video service operates an eSports platform for viewing game competitions, will be entering a sector with other powerful competitors including Sony and Microsoft.
Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella said late last year that a keenly anticipated “xCloud� streaming service was in “early days.� Microsoft’s Xbox consoles and games unit are big business for the Redmond, Washington-based technology titan, which has been adapting to modern lifestyles in which software is hosted as a service online and tapped into using whichever gadgets people prefer. Video game titan Electronic Arts also has laid out a vision of streaming video games enhanced WITH ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE TO CREate “living, breathing worlds that constantly evolve.�
Bigger world of play Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter sees Amazon, Apple and Google as potential big players in the space given huge investments they have made in data centers that provide cloud services to millions of people. Amazon, a major cloud operator through its Amazon Web Services, also owns popular game play-streaming service Twitch. Console quality video game play streamed online as a service, hosted on servers in the internet cloud, faces challenges including moving data quickly enough to avoid lags in action or imagery. Improvements in internet bandwidth, computing power and data storage capabilities are enabling “disruptive technologies� such as streaming that can change the way games are created as well as played, according to Ubisoft. While streaming game services might nibble at consoles sales, they are more likely to broaden the audience of players to anyone with an internet connection, according to analysts. The US video game industry generated a record $43.4 billion in revenue in 2018, up 18 percent from the prior year, according to data released by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and NPD Group. AFP
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Suspect in crime boss killing nabbed NEW YORK: A 24-year-old man was arrested Saturday (Sunday in Manila) for shooting to death the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family, New York City police said. Anthony Comello was arrested in New Jersey in the death of Francesco Cali on Wednesday in front of his Staten Island home, said Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea, who stressed that the investigation was in its early stages. “There are multiple, multiple angles that we are exploring,� Shea said at a news conference at the police headquarters. “Was the person paid to do it? Were others conspiring to do this crime?� The 53-year-old Cali, a native of Sicily, was shot to death by a gunman, who may have crashed his truck into Cali’s car to lure him outside. Shea said Cali was shot 10 times. Shea said police had recovered the truck, but had not recovered the gun used in the murder. Asked about Comello’s arrest record,
Shea said he “crossed paths in some limited circumstances with the NYPD (New York Police Department),� including getting a parking ticket on Staten Island the day Cali was killed. Comello would be extradited from New Jersey to New York to face charges, Shea said. Information on an attorney for Comello was not immediately available. Federal prosecutors referred to Cali in court filings in recent years as the underboss of the Mafia’s Gambino family, once one of the most powerful crime organizations in the country. News accounts since 2015 said he had ascended to the top spot. Cali’s only mob-related criminal conviction came a decade ago, when he pleaded guilty in an extortion scheme involving a failed attempt to build a NASCAR track on Staten Island. He was sentenced to 16 months behind bars and was released in 2009. Police say they were still investigating whether Cali’s murder was a mob hit or he was killed for some other motive. AP
World Death toll in NZ mosque attacks increases to 50 C MONDAY March 18, 2019
HRISTCHURCH, New Zealand: Anguished relatives were anxiously waiting Sunday for authorities to release the remains of those who were killed in massacres at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, while authorities announced the death toll from the racist attacks had risen to 50. Islamic law calls for bodies to be cleansed and buried as soon as possible after death, usually within 24 hours. But two days after the worst terrorist attack in the country’s modern history, relatives remained unsure when they would be able to bury their loved ones. Police Commissioner Mike Bush said police were working
with pathologists and coroners to release the bodies as soon as they could. “We have to be absolutely clear ON THE CAUSE OF DEATH AND CONkRM their identity before that can happen,� he said. “But we are so aware of the cultural and religious needs. So, we are doing that as quickly and as sensitively as possible.�
Police said they had released a preliminary list of the victims to families, which had helped give closure to some relatives who were waiting for any news. The scale of the tragedy and the task still ahead became clear as supporters arrived from across the country to help with the burial rituals in Christchurch, and authorities sent in backhoes to dig new graves in a Muslim burial area that was newly fenced off and blocked from view with white netting. The suspect in the shootings, 28-year-old white supremacist Brenton Harrison Tarrant, appeared in court Saturday amid strict security, shackled and wear-
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ing all-white prison garb, and showed no emotion when the judge read him one murder charge and said more would likely follow. Bush said at a news conference Sunday that they found another body at the Al Noor mosque as they finished removing the victims, bringing the number of people killed there to 42. Another seven people were killed at Linwood mosque and one more person died later at Christchurch Hospital. Another 34 victims remained at Christchurch Hospital, where ofkCIALS SAID WERE IN CRITICAL CONdition. A young child, who was in a children’s hospital in Auckland, was also listed as critical. AP
FRENCH PROTESTERS RIOT IN PARIS US, Russia to discuss UNDER FIRE crisis in Venezuela PARIS: French “yellow vest� proTESTERS SET LIFE THREATENING kRES smashed up luxury stores in Paris and clashed with police Saturday(Sunday in Manila) in THE TH STRAIGHT WEEKEND OF demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron. Large plumes of smoke rose above the rioting on Paris’ landmark Champs-Elysees Avenue, and a mother and her child were just barely saved from a building blaze. #OBBLESTONES lEW IN THE AIR AND SMOKE FROM kRES SET BY PROTESTERS mingled with clouds of tear gas sprayed by police, as tensions continued for hours along the Champs-Elysees. By dusk, as the demonstrators had dispersed, the famed avenue was a blackened expanse. The resurgent violence comes at a watershed moment for a moveMENT WHICH HAD BEEN kZZLING IN recent weeks, and at the end of a two-month-long national debate called by Macron that protesters say failed to answer their demands for economic justice. Police appeared to be caught off-guard by the speed and severity of Saturday’s unrest. French riot police tried to contain the demonstrators with repeated volleys of tear gas and water cannon, with limited success. /NE ARSON kRE TARGETED A BANK near the Champs-Elysees on the ground floor of a seven-story residential building. A mother and her child had to be rescued just as THE kRE THREATENED TO ENGULF THEIR
Paris’ famed restaurant, Fouquet, has been set on fire by rioting mobs during a ‘yellow vest’ demonstration. French police say more than 100 people had been arrested amid rioting in the capital by the protesters and clashes with police.AP PHOTO
lOOR 0ARIS kRE SERVICE TOLD 4HE Associated Press. Eleven people in THE BUILDING INCLUDING TWO kREkGHTERS SUSTAINED LIGHT INJURIES A 43-year-old German factory worker, who identified himself only as Peter, had traveled to Paris to show solidarity with yellow vest protesters. Standing Saturday outside the burned-out bank, he said he agreed with the destruction, calling banks “the biggest problem in the world.� Protest organizers had hoped to make a splash Saturday, which marks the four-month anniversary
of the yellow vest movement, which STARTED .OVEMBER AND THE END OF the “Great Debate� that the French President organized to respond to protesters’ concerns about sinking living standards, stagnant wages and high unemployment. They claimed Macron failed in that aim. “It was hot air. It was useless and it didn’t achieve anything. We’re here to show Macron that empty words are not enough,� said yellow vest demonstrator Frank Leblanc, 62, from Nantes. “We’re marking the end of the great debate... Macron has given us
no great solutions,� said protester Francine Sevigny from Lyon. Others praised the violence that tore through Paris. “I’m glad there are the thugs, because without them our movement wouldn’t get any attention. We need the violence so we can be heard,� said Marie, a mother of two from Seine-et-Marne who wouldn’t give her surname. The violence started minutes after the protesters gathered Saturday, when they threw smoke bombs and other objects at officers along the famous Champs-Elysees. AP
Italy to probe death of ex-PM’s sex trial witness ROME: Italy is investigating the mysterious death of a former model and witness at Silvio Berlusconi’s sex trial, with a newspaper suggesting on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) she might have been poisoned with a radioactive substance. Milan prosecutor Francesco Greco said an investigation h a d been opened following the death on -ARCH OF Moroccanborn Imane Fadil at one of the city’s hospitals.
The 33-year-old had been taken to hospital on January 29 with unexplained stomach pains. Fadil was one of the witnesses WHO TESTIkED AT THE TRIAL OF THE FORMER Italian premier and media mogul on charges of having sex with an underage prostitute at one of his notoriously hedonistic bunga-bunga parties. A c cording to Italy’s Corriere della S e r a daily, the hospital had run a battery of tests to deter-
mine the cause of her failing health, but finding nothing, had sent off samples to a specialised laboratory in the northern town of Pavia. The results came back on March 6, kVE DAYS AFTER HER DEATH SUGGESTING the presence of “a mixture of radioactive substances which are not normally available for purchase�, the paper said, citing unnamed sources. Fadil’s lawyer, Paolo Sevesi, said she had spoken to him about “her fear of having been poisoned�, the AGI news agency reported. The former model first hit the HEADLINES IN WHEN SHE GAVE detailed testimony about the goings-
on at Berlusconi’s parties at his villa in Arcore near Milan. 3HE TESTIkED THAT THE kRST TIME SHE went to a party, she saw two young women in nun costumes stripping in front of the then-prime minister. Later, she said he himself handed her 2,000 euros ($2,300) in cash, telling her: “Don’t be offended.� Speaking at a political meeting in the southern Basilicata, Berlusconi said he was “sorry when a young person dies. I never knew this person and I never spoke to them.� “What I read about her declarations always made me think that they were contrived and absurd,� he said. AFP
THE US envoy for Venezuela will meet with Russian officials on Venezuelan crisis, said the US State Department on Saturday. Elliott Abrams, the US Special Representative for Venezuela, would meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and other Russian ofkCIALS IN 2OME THE CAPITAL CITY OF )TALY ON -ARCH TO said the State Department in a statement. The two sides would discuss “the deteriorating situation in Venezuela,� according to the statement. Following its recognition of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation’s “interim president� in late January, the Trump administration has
kept piling up pressure on incumbent Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro through sanctions and other measures. In response to Washington’s support for Guaido, Maduro announced that he was severing “diplomatic and political� ties with the US. Moscow has condemned Washington’s threats against the legitimate Venezuelan leadership, calling them “blatant interference� in Venezuela’s INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND A glAGRANT violation� of international law. The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier this month that Russia was ready for consultations on the Venezuela crisis with the US in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter. GLOBAL TIMES
Worldinbriefs GUAIDO ASKS FOR SUPPORT VALENCIA: Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim leader Juan Guaido began a tour of his country Saturday (Sunday in Manila) aimed at sparking a citizen’s movement to pry President Nicolas Maduro from power. As Guaido, 35, kicked off his “operation freedom� in the northern city of Valencia, the pro-Maduro military staged the latest in a series of exercises. The drill focused on defending hydroelectric infrastructure from attack — a reaction to a weeklong national blackout that Maduro blamed on US “sabotage� but experts said was more likely the result of years of neglect. Guaido, the head of the opposition-ruled National Assembly whose claim to be caretaker president is recognized by the US, Canada and much of Latin America and Europe, vowed he would “very soon� take up office in Miraflores, the presidential palace. AFP
CRASH PROBERS NEED MORE TIME ADDIS ABABA: Identifying the cause of the deadly Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed 157 people and caused the worldwide grounding of a brand-new Boeing aircraft model would take “considerable time,� an Ethiopian government minister said Saturday (Sunday in Manila). The crash of Flight ET 302 minutes into its flight to Nairobi on March 10 killed all onboard and caused the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft model involved in the disaster. “The investigation of such magnitude requires a careful analysis and considerable time to come up with something concrete,� Transport Minister Dagmawit Moges told a press conference. Witnesses said the plane nose-dived into remote farmland southeast of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, reducing the plane to small pieces of debris buried deep in the earth. The victims came from 35 countries. AFP
VATICAN: NO WRONGDOINGS IN UN MISSION VATICAN CITY: The Vatican is pushing back against whistleblower reports about problematic work conditions at its UN mission in New York under its former ambassador, in the latest scandal implicating the Holy See’s diplomatic corps. The Vatican’s UN mission said the visa status of its diplomatic, technical and service staff were in full compliance with US regulations from 2010 to 2014, and that its service staff were paid more than New York’s minimum wage. The carefully worded statement was responding to a March 11 report in the Crux online Catholic site about complaints from former staff about poor and possibly noncompliant work conditions during the 2010 to 2014 tenure of Archbishop Francis Chullikatt. On Saturday, Catholic News Agency also reported allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior by Chullikatt, currently the Vatican’s ambassador in Central Asia. Asked Saturday for comment, the Vatican press office referred reporters to the mission statement, dated March 11. AP
FOREST TRAVEL BOOMS
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Sharon Keely of Dublin (left), watches as participants march up in New York’s Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. AP PHOTO
FORESTS have become popular travel destinations in China, with gross output of the industry hitting 1.5 trillion yuan ($224 billion) in 2018, official data showed. In contrast, China’s forest tourism industry yielded an output of 1.15 trillion yuan in 2017. The number of forest trips rose to 1.6 billion last year, a new bulletin issued by the national afforestation authority showed. Last year, China unveiled 10 new travel routes in forests, the first batch of such routes. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration has recently released a guideline promoting the forestry industry, vowing to expand forest tourism while conserving natural resources. GLOBAL TIMES
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World
MONDAY March 18, 2019
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NATURAL DISASTER
Indonesian rescue personnel carry the body of a flood victim at Sentani, Papua Province, Indonesia on Sunday. Flash floods and mudslides triggered by days of torrential rains tore through mountainside villages in Indonesia’s easternmost province, killing 50 people, disaster officials said. AP PHOTO
Flash floods kill 50 in Indonesia
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AYAPURA, Indonesia: Flash floods in Indonesia’s eastern Papua Province have KILLED AT LEAST PEOPLE AN OFkCIAL SAID Sunday, as rescuers raced to help dozens of other victims of the disaster.
Dozens of homes were dam4HE lOODS IN 3ENTANI NEAR THE provincial capital of Jayapura, AGED BY lOODWATERS NATIONAL DIwere triggered by torrential rain saster agency spokesman Sutopo and landslides on Saturday, leav- Purwo Nugroho said. “The number of casualties ing some 59 people injured.
and impact of the disaster will likely increase, as search and rescue teams are still trying to reach other affected areas,” he added. g4HE lASH lOODS WERE LIKELY caused by a landslide.” The waters had receded, but ofkCIALS WERE STILL TRYING TO EVACUATE people from hard-hit areas. “The joint search and rescue teams are still doing evacuations and not all affected areas have
been reached because of fallen trees, rocks, mud and other material,” Nugroho said. In Doyo, one of the most affected areas, a housing complex was littered with huge rocks believed to have rolled down from a nearby mountain, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. Video footage showed rescuers administering oxygen to a victim, who appeared trapped
beneath a fallen tree. Uprooted trees and other debris were strewn across muddy roads, while at Jayapura’s small airport, a propeller plane lay partly crushed on a runway. “The rain started last night AND WENT ON UNTIL AROUND a.m. this morning,” said Lilis Puji Hastuti, a 29-year-old mother of two young children in Sentani. g/UR HOUSE WAS lOODED WITH
thick mud... we immediately grabbed our valuables and ran to a neighbor’s house to seek refuge. It’s hard to get out of the area because many roads are blocked ... I’m worried, sad and scared all at one time,” she added. In Sentani, tents have been set UP TO TAKE IN lOOD VICTIMS AND treat the wounded. Papua shares a border with Papua New Guinea on an island just north of Australia. AFP
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Go Negosyo successfully hosts YES 2019 /. -ARCH OVER PARTICIPATED IN THE BIGGEST DIGITAL SUMMIT THE 9OUTH %NTREPRENEURSHIP 3UMMIT HELD AT THE 7ORLD 4RADE #ENTER 0ASAY #ITY AND SIMULCAST IN DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY !MONG THE MULTITUDE OF ATTENDEES WERE MICRO SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES -3-%S BUSINESS LEADERS DIGITAL PLAYERS AND TECHNOPRENEURS ASPIRING AND EXISTING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS AND ACADEME 4HE SUMMIT WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE COLLABORATION OF 'O .EGOSYO AND THE 53 %MBASSY WHICH AIMED TO PROPERLY EQUIP -3-%S AND THE YOUTH AND FOCUSED ON THE THEME g9%3Ü !NGAT ,AHAT SA $IGITAL 0ARA SA +ABATAAN AT -ALILIIT NA .EGOSYANTE u WHICH HIGHLIGHTED THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER THROUGH THE EMERGENCE OF DIGITAL SERVICE PLATFORMS THAT HAVE DEMOCRATIZED MARKETPLACES FOR SERVICES AND PRODUCTS THEREBY ENABLING &ILIPINOS TO BECOME SELF EARNING ENTREPRENEURS 7ITH ALL THE DIGITAL BREAKTHROUGHS 'O .EGOSYO BROUGHT THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE DIGITAL ENDEAVORS HAPPENING ACROSS THE REGION THROUGH 9%3 -ORE THAN PRIME INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL SPEAKERS PRESENTED kVE FORA WHICH HIGHLIGHTED INNOVATION THROUGH COLLABORATION MAJOR PLAYERS IN
Q Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion THE DIGITAL INDUSTRY PLATFORMS IMPROVISED INNOVATIVE WAYS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS IN THE SOCIETY PROPER HARNESSING OF THE INDUSTRY AND ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY AMONGST THE YOUTH AND THE ADVOCACIES WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN THE BATTLE TO ACHIEVE INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL 0RESIDENTIAL !DVISER FOR %NTREPRENEURSHIP AND 'O .EGOSYO &OUNDER *OEY #ONCEPCION HIGHLIGHTED g4HE ATTITUDE WHICH WE CALL 9%3 IS A POSITIVE ATTITUDE THAT MUST BE POSSESSED BY ANYONE WHETHER YOU ARE A STUDENT OR ASPIRE TO BE PART OF THE WORKING GROUP OR ONE DAY BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IN LIFE IS WHAT PROPELS MANY PEOPLE TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL u 4HE SUMMIT WAS ALSO GRACED BY 53! !MBASSADOR IN THE 0HILIPPINES ( % 3UNG +IM $EPARTMENT OF 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY 3ECRETARY 2AMON ,OPEZ AND 'RAB #%/ AND #O FOUNDER !NTHONY 4AN
STANTIALLY BRING DOWN THE COST OF COMMUNICATIONS IN THE COUNTRY TO BENEkT OUR PEOPLE ESPECIALLY THOSE ENGAGED IN BUSINESS AND THOSE WHOSE RELATIVES ARE WORKING ABROAD AND WHO RELY HEAVILY ON CELLULAR PHONE CALLS AND THE INTERNET TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR LOVED ONES AS OFTEN AS THEY CAN u SHE EXPLAINED -ARCOS ALSO PROPOSED THE ELIMINATION OF NETWORK CONNECTIVITY FEES WHERE SUBSCRIBERS OF EITHER 'LOBE OR 3MART ARE CHARGED EXTRA WHEN THEY CONTACT NUMBERS BELONGING TO THE OTHER NETWORK 4HE GOVERNOR STRESSED THAT INTERCONNECTIVITY CHARGES HAMPER CUSTOMER MOBILITY AND EFFECTIVELY HOLDS SUBSCRIBERS HOSTAGE TO THEIR EXISTING NETWORK PLANS SHE SAID g2EMOVING THE NETWORK CONNECTIVITY FEES WILL NOT ONLY REDUCE THE COST OF COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES BUT WILL ALSO IMPROVE CUSTOMER MOBILITY IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION INDUSTRY AS WELL AS COMPEL TELCOS TO IMPROVE THEIR SERVICES u SHE SAID g)F WE REMOVE INTERCONNECTIVITY FEES THIS WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR A SUBSCRIBER TO MOVE FROM ONE NETWORK TO ANOTHER IF THEY ARE NOT SATISkED WITH THE SERVICES THEY ARE RECEIVING FROM THEIR CURRENT PROVIDERS u -ARCOS FURTHER EXPLAINED
Villar conducts dry run for NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 05",)# 7ORKS AND (IGHWAYS 3ECRETARY -ARK 6ILLAR TOGETHER WITH -ETRO 0ACIFIC 4OLLWAYS #ORPORATION -04# OFFICIALS LED BY 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO &RANCO AND .,%8 #ORPORATION 0RESIDENT ,UIGI "AUTISTA WILL CONDUCT A DRY RUN FOR THE OPENING OF THE .,%8 (ARBOR ,INK 3EGMENT FROM +ARUHATAN 6ALENZUELA #ITY TO THE NEW #ALOOCAN )NTERCHANGE IN # 2OAD #ALOOCAN #ITY 3ET FOR OPENING IN A FEW DAYS THE NEW SEGMENT IS ENVISIONED TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN -ETRO -ANILA AS IT WILL SERVE AS AN ALTERNATE CORRIDOR FOR MOTORISTS TRAVELING FROM #ENTRAL AND .ORTH ,UZON PROVINCES 6ALENZUELA #ITY AND 1UEZON #ITY TO -ANILA g4HE .,%8 (ARBOR ,INK 3EGMENT WILL BE A TRAFFIC GAME CHANGER SINCE THIS WILL DRASTICALLY CUT TRAVEL TIME FROM PORT AREA TO .,%8 u SAID $07( 3ECRETARY 6ILLAR ADDING THAT gONCE OPENED AROUND VEHICLES DAILY WILL BE DIVERTED AWAY FROM BUSY ROADS IN -ETRO -ANILA u 6ILLAR ALSO NOTED THAT BECAUSE OF THE REDUCTION IN TRAVEL TIME MOTORISTS WILL GAIN SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN VEHICLE OPERATING
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Livelihood support pours for Ompong-hit families in Ilocos Sur I
Gov Imee Marcos proposes ‘lifeline’ rate for data users ),/#/3 .ORTE 'OV )MEE -ARCOS IS URGING THE $EPARTMENT OF )NFORMATION AND #OMMUNICATIONS 4ECHNOLOGY $)#4 AND THE .ATIONAL 4ELECOMMUNICATIONS #OMMISSION .4# TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING A gLIFELINEu RATE FOR CONSUMERS WHO ARE NOT HEAVY USERS OF DATA AND MOBILE SERVICES 3HE IS ALSO PROPOSING A PACKAGE OF MEASURES TO REDUCE THE COST OF PHONE CALLS TEXT MESSAGES AND DATA SERVICES SO AS TO END THE COUNTRY S RECORD OF HAVING ONE OF THE HIGHEST MOBILE VOICE AND 3-3 RATES IN !SIA g! @LIFELINE RATE WHICH COULD BE BASED ON A CONSUMER S AVERAGE DATA AND MOBILE USE WOULD BENEFIT MOSTLY LOWER INCOME &ILIPINOS u THE GOVERNOR SAID g4HE POOR SECTORS OF OUR SOCIETY USE THE INTERNET LESS FREQUENTLY THAN THE @TECHIE ONES HENCE THEY SHOULD NOT BE BURDENED WITH HIGH CELL PHONE CHARGES THAT THEY DID NOT ACTUALLY INCUR u -ARCOS URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REMOVE THE VALUE ADDED T A X O N T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N SERVICES SUCH AS PHONE CALLS AND DATA SUBSCRIPTIONS AND TO ELIMINATE THE INTERCONNECTIVITY FEES BETWEEN TELCO FIRMS g2EMOVING THE 6!4 ON CELLULAR AND DATA SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL SUB-
MONDAY March 18, 2019
COSTS AND INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AS THEY WILL NOT NEED TO GO THROUGH HEAVY TRAFFIC g)N A RECENT *)#! STUDY TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN -ETRO -ANILA IS COSTING THE COUNTRY 0 BILLION A DAY 4HIS NEW ROAD WILL BE A BIG BOOST TO OUR ECONOMY AS BILLIONS OF PESOS WILL BE SAVED ANNUALLY WITH THE IMPROVED TRAVEL TIME u 6ILLAR SAID 7ITH THE DIRECT AND QUICK ACCESS BETWEEN .,%8 AND -ANILA 0ORT THE .,%8 (ARBOR ,INK 3EGMENT IS BEING EYED TO PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ESPECIALLY HEAVY TRUCKS 6ILLAR ADDED THAT TRUCKERS AND FREIGHT FORWARDERS ARE EXPECTED TO GREATLY BENEkT FROM THE ELEVATED EXPRESSWAY SINCE THEIR CARGO TRUCKS WILL BE SPARED FROM THE TRUCK BAN THUS TRANSLATE TO FASTER DELIVERY OF GOODS TO AND FROM THE PROVINCES .,%8 #ORPORATION 0RESIDENT AND 'ENERAL -ANAGER ,UIGI "AUTISTA CITED THAT gASIDE FROM CONNECTING .,%8 TO KEY AREAS IN -ETRO -ANILA THE .,%8 (ARBOR ,INK 3EGMENT IS SEEN TO BRING MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN NEARBY COMMUNITIES SUCH AS GENERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND INCREASE IN LAND VALUES u
,/#/3 3UR GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS LAUDED THE 0HILIPPINE 2ED #ROSS 02# FOR ITS MASSIVE RECOVERY OPERATIONS FOR COMMUNITIES STRUCK BY 4YPHOON -ANGKHUT LOCALLY KNOWN AS /MPONG $URING THE DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES FROM THE MUNICIPALITIES OF #ABUGAO AND 3INAIT IN )LOCOS 3UR 3ANGGUNIANG 0ANLALAWIGAN "OARD -EMBER %FREN 2AFANAN SAID 02# IS THE FIRST ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF 0 TO AID TYPHOON AFFECTED COMMUNITIES g.OBODY HAS EVER GIVEN 0 TO THE PEOPLE %VEN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS HERE HAVE NOT )T IS EVIDENT THAT THE 2ED #ROSS CARES 7E THANK THE 2ED #ROSS FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR THE PAST YEARS AND UNTIL NOW ) HOPE WE COULD HAVE A BETTER RELATIONSHIP u 2AFANAN SAID 4HIS WAS ECHOED BY #ABUGAO !CTING -AYOR $EOGRACIAS *OSE 6ICTORINO 3AVELLANO‡NOTING THAT THE AMOUNT WILL BE BENEkCIAL TO HELP FAMILIES START ANEW g7E DO NOT WELCOME DISASTERS BUT WE WELCOME ANY ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS THE DAMAGES BROUGHT BY /MPONG &IRST TIME NAMING
Q A senior citizen rejoices after receiving P10,000 from the Philippine Red Cross.
MAKATANGGAP NG 0 PARA SA BENEkCIARIES u3AVELLANA SAID 4HE HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE IS PART OF 02# S EARLY RECOVERY OPERATIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE 3PANISH 2ED #ROSS 02# #HAIRMAN 2ICHARD 'ORDON
SAID THE ACTIVITY MIRRORS THE ORGANIZATION S COMMITMENT TO SERVE THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES DURING AND AFTER A DISASTER g7HEN THE WORLD NO LONGER WATCHES ANDITO PA KAMI )T S BEEN SIX MONTHS SINCE /MPONG PERO
HINDI NAMIN KAYO NAKAKALIMUTAN u 'ORDON SAID 4HE HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO START INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES TO HELP THEM ADDRESS THEIR BASIC NEEDS
Pag-IBIG Fund honors Magsaysay Maritime Corp -!'3!93!9 -ARITIME #ORP --# ONE OF THE LEADING SHIPPING COMPANIES PROVIDING QUALITY CREW AND CREWING SERVICES FOR THE WORLD S MARITIME AND CRUISE INDUSTRIES WAS RECENTLY RECOGNIZED BY THE (OME $EVELOPMENT -UTUAL &UND ($-& m MORE POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE 0AG )")' &UND AS THE 4OP /&7 2ECRUITMENT -ANNING !GENCY FOR HAVING THE HIGHEST -EMBERSHIP 3AVINGS COLLECTION IN 4HE AWARD WAS GIVEN DURING THE g 0AG )")' &UND #HAIRMAN S 2EPORT m 4IWALA AT 4ANGKILIK NG -IYEMBRO -ATATAG NA Q MMC President Arnold Javier (4th from left) receiving the award from Pag- IBIG Fund executives led by Sec. 0ONDOu AT THE 0HILIPPINE )NTERNATIONAL Eduardo Del Rosario (3rd from left), chairman and Acmad Rizaldy Moti (5th from left), CEO. They are joined by, from left: Atty. Robert John Cosico, OIC Deputy CEO – Support Services Cluster and Chief Legal Counsel; Marilene Acosta, #ONVENTION #ENTER 0)## g7E ARE EXTREMELY HONORED TO Deputy CEO – Home Lending Operations Cluster; Alexander Hilario Aguilar, Deputy CEO – Member Services Cluster; RECEIVE THIS AWARD )T IS TESTAMENT TO and Atty. Marcial Pimentel Jr., VP – Legal and General Counsel Group. 4HE 0AG )")' &UND WAS CREATED TO INGS PROGRAM AND AN AFFORDABLE SHELTER OUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR THE 0AG ITS MEMBERS TO SAVE AND SAVE MORE u )")' &UND S CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE SAID !RNOLD " *AVIER --# 0RESIDENT HELP ADDRESS THE NEED FOR A NATIONAL SAV- kNANCING FOR THE &ILIPINO WORKER
FedEx Express now serves SMEs in over 100 SM Business Centers &%$%8 %XPRESS A SUBSIDIARY OF &ED%X #ORP .93% &$8 AND THE WORLD S LARGEST EXPRESS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY HAS NOW MADE ITS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE IN 3- "USINESS #ENTERS NATIONWIDE 4HIS IS PART OF &ED%X CONTINUED EFFORTS TO ENHANCE lEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE FOR ITS GROWING CUSTOMERS PARTICULARLY SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES 3-%S *OHN 0ETERSON &ED%X %XPRESS
0HILIPPINES MANAGING DIRECTOR SAID THESE NEW OUTLETS WILL EXPAND ACCESS TO FAST AND RELIABLE &ED%X %XPRESS DELIVERY TO MORE THAN COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES CREATING POSSIBILITIES FOR BUSINESSES TO EXPAND GLOBALLY !PART FROM 3- "USINESS #ENTERS &ED%X %XPRESS SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AT MORE THAN &ED%X !UTHORIZED 3HIP CENTERS INCLUDING '/ %XPRESS OUTLETS ALL OVER THE 0HILIPPINES
Q FedEx Express Managing Director John Peterson (left), together with 2GO Retail President and CEO Frederic Dybuncio (right) at the formal opening of the FedEx retail outlet in SM Makati Business Center.
Philippine delegates attend Kiwanis Aspac in Taiwan -/2% THAN DELEGATES CAME TOGETHER FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES TO ATTEND THE TH YEAR CELEBRATION OF +IWANIS IN !SIA 0ACIkC 2EGION ON -ARCH TO AT 4AIPEI )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION #ENTER IN 4AIPEI 4AIWAN +IWANIS !SPAC CONSISTS OF +IWANIS $ISTRICTS 0ROVISIONAL $ISTRICTS AND NON DISTRICTED .ATIONS IN THE !SIA 0ACIkC 2EGION !USTRALIA *APAN +OREA -ALAYSIA .EPAL .EW :EALAND 3OUTH 0ACIkC .EW :EALAND .EW #ALEDONIA &RENCH 0OLYNESIA AND 6ANUATU 0HILIPPINE ,UZON 0HILIPPINE 3OUTH 4AIWAN TOGETHER WITH NON DISTRICTED +IWANIS .ATIONS #AMBODIA (ONG +ONG )NDIA )NDONESIA -ONGOLIA 3HANGHAI AND 4HAILAND WORK TO GROW +IWANIS IN !SIA 0ACIkC 0RESIDENTS FROM $IVISION !
Q Philippine delegates to Kiwanis Aspac Convention UNDER THE 0HILIPPINE ,UZON $ISTRICT OF -ALATE #ENTRAL TOGETHER WITH GATHERED TOGETHER TO EXPERIENCE AND ,IEUTENANT 'OVERNOR 4AN 9U ))) 0AST LEARN MORE FROM THIS ANNUAL EVENT ,IEUTENANT 'OVERNOR %LTON 3EE 4AN 0RESIDENTS THAT INCLUDE %NGR 'RACE AND 0AST $ISTRICT 'OVERNOR *OSE 2E"ONDAD .ICOLAS OF -AKATI 'LENDA DOBLADO WERE AMONG THE DELEGATES (UFANO OF 0ASAY %ZELLE 'ASCON OF FROM THE 0HILIPPINES !CCORDING TO 0RESIDENT 'LENDA -ANILA "AY AND #ARRIE -ANLANGIT
(UFANO g7E LIKE TO LEARN MORE SO THAT WE CAN SERVE MORE 4HESE DELEGATES ARE CONNECTED WITH +IWANIS FOR SO LONG ALREADY READY TO HELP THE CHILDREN ALL THE TIME 7E ADMIRE THOSE VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE UNCONDITIONALLY GIVING TIME FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED u
How to ‘break glass ceiling’ in accounting !##/5.4).' HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN A MAN S WORLD BUT THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIkCANT PROGRESS FOR WOMEN #ERTIkED 0UBLIC !CCOUNTANTS #0!S IN THE 0HILIPPINES IN RECENT YEARS 4HE #0! 4RACKER 3URVEY OF THE "OARD OF !CCOUNTANCY "/! REVEALED THAT MORE THAN PERCENT OF NEW #0! EXAM PASSERS ARE FEMALE 7OMEN ARE ALSO WELL REPRESENTED IN ENTRY TO MIDDLE LEVEL ACCOUNTING POSITIONS PARTICULARLY IN PUBLIC ACCOUNTING kRMS WHERE THEY SEE NEAR PARITY WITH MEN ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY "UT WHILE MORE WOMEN ARE CHOOS-
ING TO BE ACCOUNTANTS NOT MANY OF THEM END UP IN PARTNERSHIP POSITIONS OR EXECUTIVE ROLES 3O WHAT S KEEPING WOMEN OUT OF THE TOP SPOTS IN LARGE kRMS g0RIMARILY IT S BECAUSE OF THE DEMANDS OF THE WORK WHICH MAY BE CREATING THIS PERCEPTION THAT IT S DIFkCULT FOR WOMEN TO TAKE ON THIS RESPONSIBILITY u SAID -ARIA 6ICTORIA %SPANO CHAIRPERSON AND #%/ OF 0 ! 'RANT 4HORNTON !S THE kRST WOMAN TO BE AT THE HELM OF ONE OF THE 4OP AUDITING AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES kRMS IN THE COUNTRY -S %SPAÄO KNOWS A
WOMAN S STRUGGLE TO BLAZE THE TRAIL 3HE JOINED 0 ! 'RANT 4HORNTON AS A TAX MANAGER MORE THAN YEARS AGO AT THE HEIGHT OF THE !SIAN kNANCIAL CRISIS 7HILE THE DEMANDS OF THE ROLE WERE HUGE g) AM BLESSED TO HAVE A VERY SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND AND THREE PATIENT AND APPRECIATIVE CHILDREN u -S %SPAÄO SAID 4HIS IS WHY SHE STRENGTHENED POLICIES AT 0 ! 'RANT 4HORNTON TO OPEN MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN TO ADVANCE TO LEADERSHIP ROLES WHILE ALSO CREATING AND PROMOTING AWARENESS ON THE IMPOR-
TANCE OF DIVERSITY 7OMEN LEADERS AT 0 ! 'RANT 4HORNTON BELIEVE THAT DIVERSITY LEADS TO BALANCE AND BALANCE MAKES FOR SMART BUSINESS 4O HELP EMPLOYEES NOT JUST WOMEN BALANCE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AT HOME AND AT WORK 0 ! 'RANT 4HORNTON S POLICIES INCLUDE lEXIBLE WORK HOURS AND WORK AT HOME OPTIONS g7E FOCUS ON INITIATIVES THAT WILL HELP OUR EMPLOYEES DELIVER AND DO THEIR WORK ANYWHERE u SAID !TTY ,EA 2OQUE HEAD OF THE 0 ! 'RANT 4HORNTON S 4AX !DVISORY #OMPLIANCE $IVISION
MONDAY M O NDAY MARCH 18,, 2019
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Tourism Sec. administers oath taking ceremony of 2019 PRSP Board of Directors
Q The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) 2019-2020 Board of Directors was sworn in at the Department of Tourism (DoT) in Makati City on March 11 by DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (extreme left). They are, from left: Andy Saracho, APR, of Philippine Veterans Bank; Ana Ruby Pista of Ardent Communications; Celerina Amores of Ayala Foundation, Inc.; Bernard Bagaman, APR of Resins, Inc.; Janine Dario of Isentia Manila; Norman Agatep APR, of Grupo Agatep; and PR consultant Ritzi Ronquillo, APR.
O
FFICERS and directors of the Public Relations Society of the 0HILIPPINES 0230 FOR TOOK THEIR /ATH OF /FkCE ON -ARCH AT THE $EPARTMENT OF 4OURISM $/4 in Makati City. DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, as inducting ofkCER ADMINISTERED THE OATH AND BORE witness to the organization’s promise to strengthen the PR profession in the country while promoting the organization’s ideals and objectives. “The PR industry plays a vital role in shaping the public’s mindset and
developing our country’s image,� said Puyat. “I know that you will be important partners in our goal to share with the world that indeed, it is more fun in the Philippines.� This year, PRSP will focus on harnessing its internal strength, that is, expanding its base while ensuring that members get the maximum BENEkTS FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIP The members of the newly-inducted PRSP Board of Directors are: PRSP President Andy Saracho, APR, who is also assistant vice president and
HEAD OF THE 6ETERANS !FFAIRS /FkCE of the Philippine Veterans Bank; Full Circle Communications Media Relations Head Paul Michael de Quiros as vice president-internal; Ardent Communications President Ana Ruby Pista as vice president-external; #EBU 0ACIkC !IR $IRECTOR FOR #ORPOrate Communications Ma. Rosario Lagamon as secretary; Ayala Foundation Senior Director for Corporate Communications Celerina Amores as treasurer; Resins Inc. Corporate Communications Manager Bernard
Bagaman APR, as Internal Auditor; Isentia Manila Country General Manager Janine Dario; Insular Life Manager of PR Staff Jude Galford III; and Grupo Agatep President and Managing Director Norman Agatep, APR, as directors. Completing the slate are Public Relations and Business Communications Consultant Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo, APR, as exOFkCIO DIRECTOR AND 0AGE/NE 'ROUP CEO Ronald Jabal, APR, and Dentsu Aegis Network Philippines Consultant Ramon Osorio, APR, as advisers.
SM’s tribute to women’s achievements THE mall facade was illuminated in the pink trademark color of women to grab public attention and give a hint of what they expect this Women’s Month at SM. The pinkish hue hopes to signify SM’s tribute to women’s achievements in a highly visible way and to support the opening of Glitter City campaign of SM City Marikina because every woman deserves to SMile, shine and sparkle.
Q SM City Marikina has been lit up in bright pink to celebrate International Women’s Day 2019.
Crimson Hotel highlights Women’s Month CRIMSON Hotel Filinvest City, Manila honors fearless women with its #BOSSBABE campaign. Ladies who rise up to challenges and take on the world are offered with special dining treats. An art exhibition will also happen to highlight the colorful world of women. For the whole month of March, the CafÊ Eight restaurant treats all its female guests with a 50 percent discount on lunch and dinner buffet. The Women Who Dine special buffet promotion lets the ladies seize the day with powerful gastronomy. Showcasing the society of female artists who exude talENT AND CONkDENCE THE 5NITED Women Artists Association of THE 0HILIPPINES 57!!0 IN partnership with Crimson Hotel Filinvest City will hold an art exhibit in commemoration of the Women’s Month. The FilipinArt Exhibit will run from March 8 to 22, 2019 at the hotel’s Gallery.
A CONSISTENT performer in the TripAdvisor rankings since 2017, Astoria Hotels & Resorts comes out victorious in 2019 as the only hotel chain in the Philippines with three properties included in the globallyrecognized TripAdvisor 2019 Travelers’ Choice Awards. !STORIA #URRENT IN PHOTO EMERGED as the overall winner in the Top 25 Hotels in the Philippines category, with Astoria Palawan in the 6th spot and Astoria Boracay in top 12. For the Top 25 Hotels for Families category, Astoria Palawan wins the number 1 spot in the Philippines and bags the 9th spot in the world, making it the only Philippine-based resort to be included in the esteemed worldwide list. Additionally, Astoria Current once again makes it to the list in another category, Top 25 Hotels for Service, ranking 11th in the Philippines. In the travel industry, a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award is considered to be one of the most prestigious recognitions an organization can receive as it is the highest honor presented annually only to the top 1 percent of businesses across different categories. The winners are purely based on millions of reviews and opinions of
actual travellers and guests worldwide. “Winners of our highest honor – Travelers’ Choice Hotel awards should be proud of their award as millions of travelers will consider this list when picking the perfect hotel for their needs this year,â€? said DesirĂŠe Fish, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. Aside from the esteemed TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards, all properties made it to the list of the best properties in a locality. Astoria Current is #2 of 153 Hotels in Boracay, with Astoria Boracay at #3. Astoria Palawan is #1 of 54 Hotels in Puerto Princesa and again, #1 of 100 Hotels in Palawan Island. In AHR’s city properties, Astoria Plaza is #7 of 22 Hotels in Pasig and Astoria Greenbelt currently holds the #15 spot of 90 Hotels in Makati while Astoria Bohol is the #1 of 6 B&Bs in Baclayon.
Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark Mactan launches Happy Summer Room promo JPARK Island Resort & Waterpark Mactan, Cebu brings its best accommodation for the whole family with its Happy Summer Room Promo. Avail of this promo and get A CHANCE TO WIN A GIFT CERTIkCATE OF a day use package for four and use of Cabana for two hours. Room accommodation are available that include breakfast buffet for two adults and two kids (12 years OLD AND BELOW WELCOME DRINKS USE of waterpark facilities, use of nonmotorized water sports equipment, use of hotel gym, one photo souvenir and 20 percent discount on food and beverage items (except mini bar, room service and Nonki Restaurant; valid FOR A MINIMUM RECEIPT OF 0 It is not only home to six stunning themed pools alongside three exciting waterslides, the latter designed by no less than Dream Park )NTERNATIONAL 53! BUT ALSO A DINING
hub with over 9 restaurants and bars which offer Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Asian-Mediterranean and International Buffet menu. Other fun activities include Mini Golf, Giant Chess, Go Kart Bikes, Game Room and a Kids Club. Souvenir shops and a photo souvenir counter are also readily available for all guests. To avail the Happy Summer promo, guests must book direct through www.jparkislandresort. com/ and use the promo code: 35--%2 4HIS PROMO IS VALID FOR stay dates from March 1 to June 30, -ONDAYS TO 4HURSDAYS ONLY
Tivoli Royale offers green sanctuary in QC
Q An art exhibition at Crimson Hotel
A double celebration at Tim Hortons CANADIAN coffee chain brand Tim Hortons recently celebrated its second anniversary in the Philippines through an exclusive party attended by VIPs and select media guests at Marquis Events Place in BGC. During the “Double Double: Tim Hortons Turns Two!� event guests were able to preview upcoming products that the brand will be offering. Tim Hortons continues to grow its presence in the country while staying true to its promise of fresh and quality coffee and food products. “Two years since we successfully launched in the Philippine market, we continue to be overwhelmed
Astoria Hotels win multiple TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards
TIVOLI Royale Subdivision, nestled on a verdant terrain in a private neighborhood in Quezon City, is considered a green sanctuary in the city. It is one of very few areas clearly overlooking the hills of Antipolo and Marikina 6ALLEY IN BOTH lOOD AND WEST VALLEY earthquake fault line - free residential subdivision, and certainly conducive to a happy and healthy family living. The ongoing construction of Don Antonio Station of MRT-7 at Commonwealth Avenue plus the new alternative inner access road going to Katipunan Avenue places Tivoli Royale in a more strategic prime location. Accessible also to key establishments like churches, top universities and colleges, medical institutions, GOVERNMENT AGENCY OFkCES COMmercial centers and major shopping malls, Tivoli Royale is a highly secured subdivision with 24/7
security service. With only less than 100 existing homeowners on a 22 hectares subdivision in a less densely population, Tivoli Royale is now known as home of celebrities, businessmen, and professionals. Property developer and property manager, New Creation 101 is behind this charming community including the Tivoli Royale Country Club, found inside the subdivision which offers various amenities SPORTS RECREATION EVENTS FOR homeowners and private members. For more information, visit www.tivoliroyale.com.
Shoes are a form of retail therapy
Q During the anniversary toast, are Stephanie Guerrero, marketing director for Tim Hortons Philippines; Rickie Yap, Jr., president and CEO of Tim Hortons Coffee Services Philippines; and other guests with the positive response and for Tim Hortons,� said Rickie Tim Hortons Coffee Services the demand for more branches Yap, Jr. president and CEO of Philippines.
SHOES provide the foundation for the image that women want to broadcast to the world. Women wear them as a way to play with aspects of our identity in a less committed way than any other visible marker such as a haircut or color. Flats or sandals show groundedness, pumps are all business and high leather boots declare toughness while sneakers are simply for casual everyday look. In celebration of Women’s Month, World Balance is treating all the ladies out there with their Ladies got the power sale, happening every Wednesday of March. Get 10 percent off on selected regular priced-items for a
minimum single-purchase receipt of P2,000. Choose from a wide variety of performance, lifestyle and athleisure sneakers that will surely keep you stylish and on the go.
Sports
MONDAY MARCH 18, 2019
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Curry scores 33 as Warriors rout Thunder L
OS ANGELES: Stephen Curry scored 11 of his 33 points in the third quarter as the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors clobbered the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-88 on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). Klay Thompson scored 23 points and DeMarcus Cousins added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Warriors, who have been playing more consistently in the last four games after a spell of poor starts to games. “Over the course of the game we imposed our will,� said Curry. “We did our best to take care of the basketball so they didn’t have easy transition opportunities. “And we rebounded the ball well. So all things considered, really solid effort, knowing that if you give them momentum in this building, they are tough.� Oklahoma City fans had been waiting for a chance to boo former Thunder Kevin Durant but he sat out with an injury. Instead they got a cold-shooting night from all-star Russell Westbrook, who scored just seven points on a dismal two-for-16 shooting. 7ESTBROOK WHO WAS kNED EARLIER IN THE week after an altercation with Utah Jazz fans, missed all seven of his three-point attempts. He had nine assists and eight rebounds. Paul George had 29 points and 13 rebounds, and $ENNIS 3CHRODER ADDED POINTS FOR THE 4HUNDER WHO SHOT A SEASON WORST PERCENT FROM THE kELD The Thunder made just 13 of 41 three-pointers. “We were trying to prevent him from getting
downhill, beating you from the outside because when he’s getting to the rim, attacking, that’s when everybody’s getting the ball at their best,� Thompson said of stopping Westbrook. #URRY SCORED POINTS IN THE kRST HALF TO help the Warriors lead 64-46 at halftime. Curry scored 11 more in the third quarter to put the Warriors up 87-71 at the end of the period. 4HE 7ARRIORS WON FOR THE TH TIME IN their last 26 games when all Durant sits out which shows their depth. Durant did not play for the second game in a row because of an ankle injury. Durant has drawn the ire of Oklahoma City fans for the decision he made to join Golden State in free agency after the Warriors beat his Thunder in the ."! PLAYOFF SEMI kNALS Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving finished one assist shy of a triple double as the "OSTON #ELTICS SQUANDERED A POINT lead but managed to hold on and beat THE !TLANTA (AWKS AFP
Q Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (No. 23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (No. 30) defend on a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George, which was blocked, during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday in Oklahoma City. AP PHOTO
Spence overpowers Garcia, retains IBF welterweight title Guiao bares modest goal for FIBA World Cup .!4)/.!, men’s basketball team coach Yeng Guiao revealed that the modest goal of the Philippine team is to win at least one or two games in THE )NTERNATIONAL "ASKETBALL &EDERATION &)"! 7ORLD #UP ON !UGUST TO 3EPTEMBER IN #HINA Guiao, also the head coach of the .ORTHERN ,UZON %XPRESSWAY TEAM IN THE 0HILIPPINE "ASKETBALL !SSOCIATION SAID Team Pilipinas is up against formidable FOES IN .O 3ERBIA .O )TALY AND .O 39 Angola in Group D. “Our modest goal is to win one game. So we will overachieve if we win two in the group,� Guiao told The Manila Times on Saturday evening after learning of the draw's result from China. “Definitely, we are the underdogs but I want a positive approach and mindset that we can still win there.� The last time the Philippine Team, then under coach Chot Reyes, competed in the &)"! 7ORLD #UP WAS IN IN 3PAIN 4HE 0HILIPPINES kNISHED WITH ONE VICTORY against four losses. The 81-79 overtime WIN AGAINST 3ENEGAL WAS THE COUNTRY S kRST victory in the World Cup since 1974. “Winning there is a tall order but we’ll be having an early preparation against the three teams that we’re going
to face there,� added Guiao. “We will be outsized. It’s’ going to be a very physical game—including Angola—so we have to get used to playing against bigger guys.� Serbia has in its lineup four active .ATIONAL "ASKETBALL !SSOCIATION ."! PLAYERS NAMELY THE FOOTER .IKOLA *OKIC THE "OBAN -ARJANOVIC "OGDAN "OGDANOVIC AND .EMANJA "JELICA 4HE )TALIAN TEAM HAS TWO ACTIVE ."! PLAYERS IN $ANILO 'ALINARI AND -ARCO "ELLENELLI The following is the result of the draw: A (Venezuela, Poland, China and )VORY #OAST " !RGENTINA 2USSIA 3OUTH +OREA AND .IGERIA # 3PAIN 0UERTO 2ICO )RAN AND 4UNISIA $ 3ERBIA )TALY 0HILIPPINES AND !NGOLA % 53! 4URKEY #ZECH 2EPUBLIC *APAN & 'REECE "RAZIL -ONTENEGRO .EW :EALAND ' &RANCE $OMINICAN 2EPUBLIC 'ERMANY *ORDAN AND ( ,ITHUANIA !USTRALIA #ANADA 3ENEGAL WERE BALANCED “All brackets are balanced and we cannot complaint,� Guiao said. Guiao added that the preparation for the World Cup will begin most likely in June. “We will use the same team. I think we will only have one or two new players in the line up,� he concluded.
JOSEF T. RAMOS
DALLAS:Â %RROL 3PENCE *R SOLIDIkED HIS status as one of the best pound-forpound fighters in the world with 12-round masterclass performance over challenger Mikey Garcia on 3ATURDAY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA The 29-year-old Spence easily beat
Batangas-EAC, however, is raring to jump back to the winning track after suffering a 63-89 beating to ChĂŠlu last Tuesday. The Oliver Bunyi-mentored Generals will rely on team leaders Earvin Mendoza, Clark Derige and JP Maguliano. In the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser, Petron-Colegio de San Juan de Letran (1-1) goes for back-to-back victories against the winless McDavid (0-2). The Knights routed AMA Online Education, 108-91, to give their new head coach Bonnie Tan his first win at the helm last March 5. Tan will lean anew on the frontcourt trio of Larry Muyang, Christian Fajarito and Jeo Ambohot. “These big men are very talented,â€? said Tan, who is also expecting contributions from Alvin Pasaol and Jerrick Balanza. Chief mentor Allen Ricardo’s McDavid, on the other hand, will pin its hopes on Rev Diputado and Michole Sorela as they aim for a breakthrough win. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ
crowd at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, 4EXAS CHEERED WILDLY AS HE USED HIS size and reach advantage to put on a BOXING CLINIC g-Y MOTIVATION WAS kGHTING IN FRONT of my hometown crowd,� Spence said. “This is where I started it from a pup.
Q Errol Spence Jr. (right) lands a blow against Mikey Garcia in an IBF world welterweight championship bout at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. AFP PHOTO
Philippines in FIBA World Cup 2019: What can we really expect
T Saints eye share of lead vs Generals SAINT Clare College-Virtual Reality eyes to earn a share of the lead in its group when it tangles with Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League today at the Paco Arena in Manila. A third straight win by the Saints (2-0) at the expense of the Generals (1-2) at 4 p.m. will propel them to a joint leadership with University of Sto. Tomas in the Aspirants Group. St. Clare-Virtual Reality started its campaign with two big victories, with the first one a 92-78 stunner over previous conference champion Go For Gold-College of St. Benilde and the latest an 82-76 upset against runner-up ChĂŠlu Bar & Grill. Head coach Jinino Manansala and his Saints are eager to continue with their winning ways. “We just want to win and we will give our best to get that win,â€? said Manansala, who will bank on guards Joshua Fontanilla and Junjie Hallare along with Malian center Mohammed Pare.Â
Garcia by a unanimous decision to RETAIN HIS )NTERNATIONAL "OXING &EDeration title in a welterweight homeCOMING BOUT IN FRONT OF FANS Spence dominated Garcia throughout with a stinging jab and a barrage of combinations and his hometown
&ROM THE AMATEURS ALL THE WAY UP “This is my core fan base. I felt good and I wanted to put on a great performance.� 4HE kGHT WAS HYPED AS A SHOWDOWN OF TWO UNBEATEN BOXERS BUT IT DIDN T turn out that way with one judge scorING IT FOR 3PENCE 4HE OTHER TWO HAD IT AND Garcia never landed more than PUNCHES IN A SINGLE ROUND 3PENCE LANDED TOTAL PUNCHES TO JUST FOR 'ARCIA WHO WAS kGHTING FOR THE kRST TIME AS A WELTERWEIGHT AFTER moving up two divisions. Spence has been avoided by most of the TOP kGHTERS IN THE DIVISION BUT THIS VICTORY appears to have set up a future showdown WITH &ILIPINO -ANNY 0ACQUIAO Pacquiao appeared in the ring afTER THE kNAL BELL AND SAID HE WAS WILLing to face the much younger Spence. “I am looking at the winner of this fight. Spence wants to fight me,� said Pacquiao. “I am hoping to be back here, soon.� 3PENCE SAID HE ALSO WANTS TO kGHT Pacquiao. “He is a legend of the sport. It WOULD BE MY HONOR TO kGHT HIM NEXT u 3PENCE IMPROVED TO BUT failed to get the knockout he wanted against Garcia in his third defense as his KO streak was stopped at 11 kGHTS 4HIS IS JUST THE FOURTH TIME IN HIS CAREER THAT THE FORMER US Olympian didn’t knock out his opponent. g0EOPLE SAID ) COULDN T BOX u SAID 3PENCE g9OU SAW IT TODAY ) CAN BOX ) CAN MOVE my head. I can do it if I want to.� Garcia, who was trying to win a TITLE IN HIS kFTH DIFFERENT WEIGHT CLASS DROPPED TO WITH +/S “He is the truth. He is for real. He came out with a game plan, kept his distance. I couldn’t make adjustments,� Garcia said. AFP
HE question may seem sacrilegious for any basketball fan, but 4HE &)"! 7ORLD #UP $RAW has commenced. The Philippines has been grouped with Serbia (their STRONGEST POSSIBLE OPPONENT )TALY and Angola in Group D. Among those teams, Angola is the only one ranked lower than Gilas Pilipinas. With the organization of the countries based on ranking, the top four teams should be outside our bracket. However, since China was the host, they had the privilege of joining the top three teams (USA, Spain and &RANCE IN 0OT The overall ranking determines WHICH 0OT YOUR COUNTRY BELONGS TO "Y DESIGN 0OTS AND ARE DIVIDED together. Pots 2, 3, 6, 7 will make up the other division. The Philippines is Pot 6. 3INCE #HINA CURRENTLY RANKED th in the world took the 4th slot in Pot 1, the actual no.4, Serbia, was pushed to the other division and now we are in THE SAME GROUP .EVERTHELESS THIS IS THE 7ORLD #UP AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT we will compete against daunting COMPETITION JUST LIKE IN Which begs the question: what SHOULD THE 0HILIPPINES EXPECT WITH THIS World Cup event? Do we really have a
BASKETBALL SLEUTH MICHAEL ANGELO B. ASIS CHANCE TO QUALIFY FOR THE NEXT ROUNDS As stated in the tournament rules, only the top two teams in each group will advance to the second round, leaving just the top 16. That means we need to win at least two games. While we have a decent chance at Angola, taking down either Serbia or Italy would be a tough task. .ATIONAL TEAM #OACH 9ENG 'UIAO already voiced out that we are no longer a mystery team after our apPEARANCE ON THE WORLD STAGE ! Cinderella run is not out of the books, but we have lost the element of surprise. The Philippines is now on the world hoops radar and our opponents can easily scout us.
Scouting the opposition Serbia remains to be the biggest
thorn to our World Cup hopes. They will be bannered by a leGITIMATE ."! !LL 3TAR IN .IKOLA Jokic. He has not played for Serbia in any of the Qualifier windows BECAUSE OF HIS ."! COMMITMENT but the World Cup is scheduled in the summer and Jokic, barring an injury, is likely to play. “The Joker� is known for making his teammates better, a concept that’s frightening considering the talent that they already have. They only have four ."! PLAYERS INCLUDING "OGDAN "OGDAnovic of the Sacramento Kings and the "OBAN -ARJANOVIC NOW WITH THE 76ers. Even those that chose to stay in Europe are world class. )TALY WILL BE BANNERED BY ."! mainstays Danilo Gallinari and -ARCO "ELLINELLI 4HEY ARE NOT AS tall or as imposing as the Serbians, but Gallinari is having one of his best career years. They had an impressive run at the European qualiFIERS LED BY ,UIGI $ATOME 4HEY ARE fast and cohesive, in sync with the tone of today’s game. Angola is bannered by 6’9�center Yanick Moreira, their top scorer and rebounder. They ranked third in the African qualifiers behind
.IGERIA AND 3ENEGAL WHICH PARADED ."! PLAYERS 4HE 0HILIPPINES managed to edge out Senegal in the 7ORLD #UP
Our Team The roster of the Philippines is still in lUX BUT THE kXTURE IS !NDRAY "LATCHE Guiao has repeatedly aired his concern for his fitness is well-placed. "LATCHE IS TALENTED BUT WORK ETHIC IS NOT HIS STRONGEST SUIT "UT WITH A 41-point performance against Kazakhstan, he is our best bet. The big question is Jordan Clarkson, but even if he is cleared to play AS A LOCAL TO BE PAIRED WITH "LATCHE it is still no guarantee. We need to catch the Italians on an off night to even qualify. Otherwise, we could end up in the classification round TH TO ND The return of the classification round is important. It could salVAGE SOME &)"! RANKING POINTS AND ALSO EXPOSE OUR PLAYERS TO MORE world-class competition. This is why there is a clamor to include our future prospects like Remy Martin of ASU and Kai Sotto, but that’s en entirely different debate.
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The Manila Times
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MONDAY March 18, 2019
Tigresses shred UE in UAAP volleyball BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA
U
NIVERSITY of Sto. Tomas (UST) ripped University of the East (UE), 25-18, 25-14, 25-20, for a strong kRST ROUND kNISH IN 3EASON 5NIVERSITY Athletic Association of the Philippines 5!!0 WOMEN S VOLLEYBALL ON 3UNDAY AT THE &IL/IL &LYING 6 #ENTRE IN 3AN *UAN #ITY
)T WAS THE 'OLDEN 4IGRESSES BEST kRST ROUND kNISH IN RECENT MEMORY AS THEY earn a share of the second spot with defending champion De La Salle University that carries a similar 5-2 record. “We had a good development this time, except that we lost Milena. But with regards to our standing, it’s far from what we had in the past three years,� said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes. UST closed the opening round with a three-game winning streak. “At least we’re in the top three so FAR IN THE kRST ROUND 4HIS WILL BE A good motivation entering the second
round,� added Reyes. Graduating captain Sisi Rondina paced the Tigresses’ attack with 17 points highlighted by 16 kills on top of 10 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs. “We just really worked hard. We never wasted any opportunity. All that we practiced showed and we just followed and listened (to our coach),� said Rondina. Rookie sensation Eya Laure tallied 15 points on 11 spikes, two blocks and two aces while Dimdim Pacres, Kecelyn Galdones and Caitlyn Viray chipped in eight markers apiece. Judith Abil was the lone bright spot
with 15 points built on 13 attacks and two aces for the Lady Red Warriors. UE absorbed its fourth straight defeat as it remained at the bottom of the eightteam standings with a dismal 1-6 slate. Meanwhile, in the men’s division, Adamson University entered the magic four anew after arresting a three-game skid with a 22-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-18 win over University of the Philippines. Leo Miranda notched a team-high 18 points while Paolo Pablico and Mark Alvarez scored 17 markers each to push the Soaring Falcons to No. 4 with a 4-3 card. John Mark Millete had 20 points
TEAM LAKAY’S PACIO DRIVEN BY HUNGER TO RECAPTURE WORLD TITLE IF there is one thing that Joshua “The Passion� Pacio wants to regain heading into his rematch with ONE Strawweight World Champion Yosuke “Tobizaru� Saruta, it is his neversay-die mindset in a crucial bout. 0ACIO ADMITTED THAT HE LOST A BIT OF CONkDENCE IN THEIR kRST OUTING AND HE VOWS TO SHOWCASE THAT WHEN THEY go at it again in the co-main event of ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR, set for 12 April at the 20,000-capacity Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. “Now I need to focus even more, I need to be more CONkDENT u HE SAID g&ROM WHAT ) SAW IN OUR LAST BOUT MY CONkDENCE WAS REALLY LOW AND NOW ) NEED TO BE MORE CONkDENT THAN EVER u Saruta put together a tremendous performance, scoring a monumental upset of Pacio to capture the ONE Strawweight World Championship. The Japanese phenom was relentless with his chain wrestling, taking Pacio down on numerous occasions while trading powerful combinations on the feet. 4HROUGHOUT kVE ACTION PACKED ROUNDS BOTH 3ARUTA and Pacio put forth their best effort. In the end, it was Saruta who was able to garner two of the three judges’ nods to win by split decision. !LTHOUGH 0ACIO TRULY BELIEVES THAT HE WON THE kRST contest, the 23-year-old Team Lakay standout understands where the judges are coming from and it is one of his key TAKEAWAYS FROM HIS kRST MEETING WITH 3ARUTA “I hope to showcase the things that I wasn’t able to show last January,� he stated. The difference for Pacio now is he comes in as a hungry challenger, who is eager to prove himself as a mixed martial arts competitor. “I need to be more aggressive, especially being the challenger. I’m hungry to prove myself again and bounce back,� he declared. Now that he gets his rematch, in his home country nonetheless, Pacio is certainly fueled to get back to the top of his division and give the hometown crowd something to cheer about. There is pressure, especially with the hopes of the country resting on his shoulders. But rest assured, his drive and willingness to win far outweighs that. “It’s pretty much the same. I’m excited and even more motivated because the rematch will happen here in the Philippines,� Pacio shared. “I must admit that there’s a bit of an added pressure on my part to perform, but at the same time, the hunger and the will to win far outweighs that.�
Q Joshua “The Passion� Pacio delevirs a knee to his opponent. ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO
US launches Basketball World Cup defense against Czechs SHENZHEN, China: A United States
team packed with NBA stars will begin its bid for an unprecedented third Basketball World Cup title in a row with a clash against debutants the Czech Republic. Team USA, who have named the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry in their 2019-2020 roster, will be strong favorites to retain their crown at the August 31 to September 15 showpiece in China. Saturday’s draw in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen pitted a BIGGEST EVER TEAMS FROM kVE CONTInents and placed the USA in Group E in Shanghai alongside the Czechs, minnows Japan and Turkey —the team THE 53! BEAT IN THE kNAL Shanghai and Shenzhen are among the eight host cities, along with Beijing, which WILL STAGE THE kNAL Former NBA and Team USA star Kobe Bryant, now a World Cup ambassador, told the draw ceremony: “The USA has some really stiff competition.� “I believe it is going to be a great, competitive tournament,� said the 40-year-old, who was given a rousing reception from the 8,000crowdatthedrawand had his name c hanted on several occasions. “It’s a real sense of honor to be playing for your country. “At the start of the game you hear your national anthem being played, you see everyone IN THE ARENA WITH THEIR lAGS REPRESENTING THEIR country and colour. “It’s extremely special and different from playing for your club teams.� 3ERBIA BEATEN BY THE 53! IN THE kNAL IN Madrid in 2014, are in Group D with the Philippines, Italy and Angola. GroupHlooksparticularlycompetitive,lining up Canada, Senegal, Lithuania and Australia. France, ranked third in the world behind top-rated USA and then Spain, are in Group G with the Dominican Republic, Jordan and
and Nicolo Consuelo had 15 markers but their efforts were not enough to SAVE THE -AROON 3PIKERS FROM kNISHING THE kRST ROUND WINLESS 5% ALSO SNAPPED A kVE GAME SLIDE WITH A kVE SETTER STUNNER OVER 534 26, 24-26, 25-23, 18-25, 17-15. The Red Warriors took advantage of the Tiger Spikers’ 50 errors to improve to 2-5 and join De La Salle University at No. 6. Manuel Medina’s 30-point explosion went to waste as UST dropped No. 5 with its second straight setback and an overall 3-4 tally.
BPinoy Luzon qualifying leg starts in Isabela ILAGAN CITY, Isabela: The Luzon qualifying leg of the Batang Pinoy 2019 unfolds today at the Ilagan Sports Complex here. A total of 4,644 athletes and, 1,526 coaches and officials, will see action in the annual grassroots sports development program for students and outof-school youth aged 15 years and below. At stake in 20 sporting events are 1,260 medals . The host city will field in 187 athletes while Baguio City will be sending this year its biggest contingent of 358 bets followed by Pangasinan Province with 253 and Pasig City with 243. This year’s Luzon leg will be participated by 119 local government units. “We are happy to be here and by looking at the numbers, this is the biggest qualifying tournament of Batang Pinoy,� said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey during the news conference on Sunday. PSC commissioner Celia Kiram commended the sporting facilities of the City of Ilagan. “True enough after three years since I last visited this place for Women in Sports, it has progressed and developed itself as a hub for international sporting events,� said Kiram. “They adhered to my advice of putting up hotels and improved sports venues so that they can host events like the Batang Pinoy. And here they are, hosting the Luzon leg of the Batang Pinoy,� she added. Ricky Laggui of the General Services Offices of the City of Ilagan narrated that hosting the Batang Pinoy was just a dream back then. “We envisioned to have a sports complex that is at par with the PSC standards – and now we have it. We also envisioned and dreamed of hosting national championships, and now, the PSC has allowed us to show our capacity to host the Batang Pinoy,� said Laggui. As a host city, the LGU of Ilagan will receive a P15 million worth of sports equipment. “The allocation will help in the development of our people as well as keep our venues at par with the standards,� Laggui said. The winners of the 2019 Batang Pinoy Luzon leg will advance to the national championships tentatively set in October either in Tagbilaran City, Bohol or Ormoc City, Leyte. JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID
Bangladesh detains FIFA official for ‘defaming’ PM
Q LeBron James
AFP PHOTO European rivals Germany. Boris Diaw, who took bronze with France at Spain 2014, said that another title for the USA —who are also the reigning Olympic champions—wasnotaforegoneconclusion. “I think a lot of teams can pretend to BE ABLE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE kNAL u SAID Diaw, who spent 14 years in the NBA. “USA of course, but you get a lot of other teams like Spain, Serbia, teams like Lithuania, like Australia, so it’s going to be hard.� There is an added incentive for teams at this World Cup, with seven spots at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics up for grabs. The top two from each group will go into the second round in China. AFP
DHAKA: Bangladesh authorities jailed a senior member of football’s world governing body on Saturday, hours after she was arrested for allegedly defaming the country’s leader. Mahfuza Akhter, a FIFA council member since 2017 and national chief of women’s soccer, had told a TV talk show last month that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had neglected football in the cricket-mad country. A Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant against Mahfuza on Tuesday after a formal libel complaint from local sports administrator Abul Hasan Chowdhury. Mahfuza was arrested Saturday morning in the capital, Dhaka police officer Omar Faruk said. A magistrate in the city’s metropolitan court denied her bail application in a hearing later that day, according to Mahfuza’s lawyer Liakat Hossain said. “We sought bail for her after she was taken to the court. But our prayer was rejected,� he added. Rights groups have accused the Bangladeshi government of using harsh laws to stifle dissent. Scores of people have been arrested under strict internet laws and cases have been filed against at least 200 people for making derogatory comments about Hasina online, according to a cyber crime prosecutor. Mahfuza’s arrest came months after Bangladesh arrested and changed award-winning photographer Shahidul Alam with making “false� and “provocative� statements in a televised interview in August. He was jailed for 107 days -- the photographer said he was badly beaten while in custody -- and denied bail four times before being freed in November. AFP
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MONDAY March 18, 2019
Sports C3
Rahm takes lead at Players, McIlroy and Fleetwood battle
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IAMI, March 16, 2019 (AFP) - Jon Rahm stormed into the lead at the Players Championship in Florida ON 3ATURDAY kRING AN EIGHT UNDER PAR TO TAKE A ONE SHOT ADVANTAGE INTO THE kNAL ROUND AS HE CHASES HIS kRST WIN OF THE YEAR The 24-year-old Spanish ace surged into contention after taming TPC Sawgrass’s Stadium Course at Ponte Vedra Beach with a scintillating exhibition of accurate iron shots and solid putting. The world number 10 only narrowly missed out on equalling the COURSE RECORD AFTER kNISHING THE third round with a 15-under-par aggregate of 201. Rahm took sole possession of the lead after overnight leader Rory McIlroy endured a mixed round. The Northern Ireland star recovered from a bogey-bogey start to card a two-under-par 70 to finish the day at 14 under. England’s Tommy Fleetwood will also start the fourth round one off the pace. Fleetwood recovered from a double-bogey on the first, and two more bogeys on the front nine, to card a two-under-par 70 for 14 under.
Rahm meanwhile is hoping to CLAIM HIS kRST WIN OF THE YEAR AFTER A remarkably consistent start to 2019 WHICH HAS INCLUDED TOP kNISHES IN kVE OF SIX STARTS The Spaniard attributed his success on Saturday to a new-found mental durability. “For the past year or so, I’ve been working so hard in the mental aspect of my game, trying to keep myself in check a little bit more,� Rahm said after his round. “That’s been the key this week. I’ve been so balanced, nothing like I used to be, not getting frustrated when I miss shots. “I’ve been really proud the way I’ve handled. Hopefully tomorrow I can continue it and get a good round.�
Finishing strong 2AHM S kREWORKS ON 3ATURDAY CAME on the back nine, which he completed in six under to move clear of
THE kELD A birdie on the 10th was followed BY AN EAGLE ON THE PAR kVE TH WHEN HE DRILLED A MAGNIkCENT SECond shot from the fairway to three feet from 244 yards. A laser-guided tee shot to three feet on the par-three 13th yielded a further birdie, and then two more birdies on the 16th and 17th took him to eight under for the day. McIlroy meanwhile was in trouble from the start, carding bogeys at THE kRST AND SECOND TO IMMEDIATELY give the chasing pack hope. But he responded to that early setback on the par-three third hole, draining a 14-foot birdie putt to pick up a shot. A further birdie followed on the seventh, when McIlroy steered a 141yard iron from the fairway to 12 feet and then rolled in the birdie putt. It got better on the 238-yard parthree eighth with another birdie. A four iron off the tee left McIlroy with a tap-in for a birdie two to leave him at one under at the turn. McIlroy had a long eagle putt on the 11th but had to settle for a birdie after his 40-foot effort missed by three feet. That was as good as it got for McIlroy for the remainder of the back nine, with the four-time major winner missing a birdie chance on
18 to reclaim a share of the lead. “To start two over through two and finish two under par I thought was a good effort,� McIlroy said. “To play the final 16 holes in four under was good. I just need to keep hitting fairways and greens on Sunday. If I can do that, hopefully I can turn tomorrow into the best Sunday of the year so far.� A crowded leaderboard behind the front three leaves 3UNDAY S kNAL ROUND WIDE OPEN Australia’s Jason Day moved into contention with a fourunder-par 68 on Saturday to go to 12 under, three off the lead. Mexico’s Abraham Ancer is fifth on 11 under, one clear of six players tied for sixth place on 10 under which includes Dustin Johnson. AFP Q Jon Rahm of Spain plays a shot during the third round of The PLAYERS Championship on The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on Sunday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
AFP PHOTO
LADY FALCONS CRUISE TO UAAP SOFTBALL SEMIS
Experiencing football as it’s meant to be (Conclusion)
T
Q Adamson second base girl MaryJoy Maguad tags a La Salle runner during a UAAP softball tournament game on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
NINE-peat seeking Adamson U Lady Falcons dumped La Salle, 4-1, without much ado to seal the top-seeding heading to the semifinal round of the UAAP softball tournament on Saturday at the eight decades old Rizal Memorial Stadium. The Lady Falcons’ 10th triumph in 11 games assured them of the no. 1 spot after the tworound qualifying plus one of two twice-to-beat incentives in the race for seats the subsequent best-of-three gold medal play .
With this scenario, the tournament put the curtains down to the elimination phase on Monday with a crucial triple bill that will decide who between second-running Lady Archers and the University of Santo Tomas will be No.2 to enjoy the other twice-to-beat privilege. Going into that pivotal encounter, the Lady Archers and the Tigresses hold identical 7- win-loss slate each. As important as the UST-La Salle con-
frontation is the 11 a.m. matchup between University of the Philippines (6-5) and National University (5-6) to determine the fourth team advancing to the Final Four. The Lady Fighting Maroons only need to win over the Lady Bulldogs to complete the semis cast. The Lady Falcons, knowing they’ve already made it to the semis, played just hard enough, breaking the ice only in the third inning when centerfielder Ma. Angelu Gabriel,
who reached first on a La Salle error, breezed home on a single by second base -girl , Mary Joy Maguad. Coach Ana Santiago’s San Marcelino clouters added another run in the fourh on a base-hit by third base-girl Adianne Vallesteros. They finished off the enemy on a two-hit, two-run binge ignited by shortstop Mary Nichole Padasas and reig EDDIE G. ALINEA
Federer, Thiem into Indian Wells final as Nadal hobbles out
Q Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot to Hubert Hurkacz of Poland during the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Saturday in Indian Wells, California. AFP PHOTO
INDIAN WELLS, United States: The 39th match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal failed to materialize on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) as the world No. 2 Spaniard hobbled out of Indian Wells to send Federer into a title clash with Dominic Thiem. Nadal, whose longstanding right knee trouble flared up in his quarter-final victory over Karen Khachanov, couldn’t take the court for the blockbuster semifinal with Swiss great Federer. “I wanted to try my best to be competitive today,� a dejected Nadal said. “I warmed up today in the morning, and I felt that my knee was not enough good to compete at the level that I need to compete, to play semi-finals match of this event.� Federer, seeded fourth as he pursues a record sixth title in the California desert, will battle 25-year-old Austrian Thiem, who
is seeking his first title in one of the ATP’s prestigious Masters 1000 events. Thiem, ranked eighth in the world, was rock-solid in a 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 victory over 14th-ranked Canadian Milos Raonic. Thiem, who advanced to the semis on a walkover when Gael Monfils withdrew with a Achilles tendon inflammation, was lockedin from the start, firing 10 winners without an unforced error in the opening set. He couldn’t convert his only break point against Raonic in the second, and Raonic managed to seize the tiebreaker aided by a favorable netcord bounce for a 5-3 lead.
‘Amazing’ Thiem Thiem gained the first break of the match for a 3-2 lead in the third and after saving the only break point he faced all day as he served for the match wrapped it up with a sparkling backhand volley. “It was an amazing day,� said Thiem, who will be playing in his third Masters 1,000 final. “His serve is just unreal so even though I played amazing it was so
SHE'S GOT GAME
HE next day, we left Munich via train, and moved to Leipzig, which was an architectural splendor, and quite a sight to behold on its own. In Leipzig, after settling in at our hotels, we headed to the Youth Academy of RB Leipzig. It was nice how they blended the Red Bull inspired images in their interior design, AND HOW THEY HAD UNIQUE 2ED "ULL lAvors, like the winter edition, which aren’t in the market, at least in Asia. Carolin Dietrich, RB Leipzig’s Head of Internationalization, toured us around the academy’s training facilities, such as the GYM FOR BOTH THE kRST TEAM AND THE YOUTH teams, the press conference area which is used for the pre-match press conferences, and the housing for the youth players. She also spoke about the rise of RB Leipzing from the 5th division to the 1st division, which a major feat by any measure, and also about the strict diet of the players, which involved: No sugar, no pork and no wheat on their diet. We also had a private tour of the Redbull Arena, particularly the media areas, mixed zone area, locker rooms of both the home team and away team, including the shower area. They also talked about the history of the locker areas involving previous players and coaches who have been there. They also walked us through the VIP areas, and function rooms. And to cap our experience, we witnessed the live match between RB Leipzig vs. TSG Hoffenheim, which ended with a score of 1-1. With goals courtesy of Hoffenheim’s Kramanc on the 22nd minute, and a late goal for the home team, RB Leipzig, courtesy of Orban on the 89th minute. TSG Hoffenheim, interestingly, used to be the former club of The Azkals’ Stephan Schrock, who’s currently with Ceres Negros FC. I shared a bit with the delegation that Schrock made history as the First Filipino to score a goal for the
Philippines in our maiden participation in Asian Cup, held in UAE. After the game, we headed to the mixed zone and interviewed RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams and TSG Hoffenheim’s Reiss Nelson, separately. Both spoke about their thoughts on the game. They were also asked about their thoughts on the Bundesliga having quite a good roster of young players, which includes apart from them, Borrusia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi, FSV Mainz’ Florian Muller, FC Schalke’s Alexander Nubel, also RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate, among others. Bundesliga is in fact pegged as the g)DEAL ARENA FOR lEDGLING TALENT TO TAKE lIGHT u 7HICH IS ALSO CONSISTENT WITH HOW the various clubs focus on youth development programs and their investment in their youth academies, which we saw clearly in the facilities that we have visited. Bundesliga’s Kevin Sim, Head of Asia 0ACIkC SAID THE LEAGUE HAS ALSO DEVELOPED a campaign that aims to bring the league closer to its growing fan base on this side of the world, he says, “We are seeing a massive increase of our fans in Asia so we need to take advantage of this opportunity by activating a solid campaign to make the Bundesliga more accessible to them.â€? The entire trip truly made the Bundesliga accessible, from catching the live matches, meeting legends and top players, witnessing the passionate fans, seeing the club’s academies, trying out local food, experiencing the culture, and the club’s lovely host cities. There are no words‌This is simply, “Football As It’s Meant To Be.â€?
close the first two sets.� The Austrian said it would “mean the world� to break through for a Masters crown, but noted it would be a tall order against 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer -- who is coming off a remarkable 100th career title in Dubai last month. “It’s not going to be easy,� said Thiem, who has split four prior meetings with Federer 2-2. Federer was looking forward to the match and the chance to break out of a tie with Novak Djokovic for most Indian Wells titles, but was sorry to miss a meeting with Nadal. Their rivalry stretches back 15 years, and Federer couldn’t help wondering how many more chances they might have. “We’ve had so many epic battles,� Federer, 38, said. “I know that every one that we have now could be our last. So was this our chance at a last one -- I hope not and I believe at the level he’s playing and the level I’m still going
there’s definitely going to be more.� The injury was devastating news for Nadal, whose run to the Australian Open final in January marked a return to competition for the first time since similar knee trouble forced him out of his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro in September. He had ankle surgery in November, and only returned to training in December. “For me it’s not about only today. It’s about what it means for me to have to pull out in a tournament that I love so much like this one, and in the semifinals after playing well during the whole tournament,� Nadal said. “You can imagine that I can’t be happy.� Nadal confirmed he would also skip the upcoming Miami Masters and aim to recover and prepare for the claycourt season, targeting a return at Monte Carlo April 14 to 21. AFP
CHARMAINE CRUZ
C4
Funtimes
MONDAY March 18, 2019
˜ The Manila Times
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Solution to puzzle
» CROSSWORD
BY EUGENE SHEFFER
»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (03/18/19). Take advantage of rising professional tides this year. Coordinate for top performance. Someone attractive captures your heart this summer, before a group challenge compels action. Next winter illuminates a community victory, before a change impacts an intimate relationship. Look, listen for and pursue your passion. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Find a quiet spot for peaceful contemplation. Make plans and itineraries. Enjoy a break from stimulation and noise. Relax and let your mind wander. SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Social events and projects come together. Share your ideas and discover resources and information to advance. Offer your talented support with team collaborations.
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Dive into your work with fresh gusto. Stick to practicalities as distractions abound. Prioritize health. Trust a crazy hunch. Practice your routines for ease and strength.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Someone important is paying attention to your work. Spruce up your website and portfolio. Update your image. A professional opportunity is within sight.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- When love walks in the door, offer sustenance and listen closely. Notice beauty, passion and artistry. Express your gratitude and appreciation for works of the heart.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- A call to explore pulls you outside. Plan a trip or vacation. Investigate options and possibilities. Abandon expectations or doubts. Avoid risk, and choose reliable destinations.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Fix up your home and garden today and tomorrow. Surround your family with a space that encourages growth, with sufficient light, air and water elements.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Strategize with your partner to grow your financial enterprise. Handle logistics, and file papers. Deal with insurance or legal matters. Reinforce structures for shared support.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Things are beginning to make sense. Welcome creative contributions from others. Somewhere in the blend a mysterious perfection can arise. Practice artistic alchemy. LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Research large purchases for best quality and value. Keep cash flowing in a positive direction. Replenish reserves. Resist the temptation to splurge. Generate funding. VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- As you gain strength, you gain options. Dress for the part you want. Try on a new hairstyle or look. Pursue a personal dream.
» SUDOKU
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Collaborate intuitively with your partner. Reality might clash with fantasy. Adjust expectations for a happy compromise. It could get romantic. Share support with open arms.
(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.
MONDAY M O N DAY MARC MARCH C H 18 18, 8, 2019 20
Entertainment
D1
Âťtvlandia'slatest Q Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix headline this unique series on the lives of the Badjaos.
www.manilatimes.net
M O V E O V E R S H AW N M E N D E S
There’s a budding pop heartthrob stepping in! H E’S jet setting around the world at 16! And landing in Manila straight from Los Angeles, London-born and Sydney-raised singer-songwriter Ruel greeted In The Know with bright eyes and so much energy.
g4HIS IS MY kRST TOUR IN !SIA AND ) M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE TO MEET EVERYBODY ‡ SPECIALLY MY FANS ) CONNECT WITH ONLINE u 3 H O R T L Y AFTER RELEASING HIS BREAKTHROUGH SINGLE g$ON T 4E L L - E u 2UEL ;PRON O U N C E D AS g2OOLu= EMERGED AS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING NEW RECORDING ARTISTS AND LIVE PERFORMERS IN THE WORLD 4HINGS BEGAN TO SKYROCKET FOR 2UEL UPON THE RELEASE OF $ON T 4ELL -E (E WAS INVITED TO PERFORM ON !USTRALIAN RADIO STATION 4RIPLE * S g,IKE ! 6ERSION u WHERE HE SANG A STRIPPED DOWN VERSION OF g'OLDEN 9EARSu AND A COVER OF *ACK 'ARRATT S g7EATHERED u 4HE JAW DROPPING PERFORMANCE SHOWCASED THIS WHIZ KID S DAZZLING VOICE AND THE VIDEO QUICKLY BECAME ONE OF THE MOST VIEWED ,IKE A 6ERSION PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR AFTER RECEIVING OVER HALF A MILLION PLAYS IN JUST HOURS .OT LONG AFTER THE RELEASE OF g$ON T 4ELL -E u 2UEL WAS INVITED
TO WRITE WITH *ULIA 3TONE WHICH LED THEM TO JOIN THE REST OF !NGUS *ULIA 3TONE ON THEIR SOLD OUT !USTRALIAN TOUR )N THE SAME YEAR %LTON *OHN R E Q U E S T E D AN INTERVIEW WITH 2UEL FOR HIS RADIO SHOW O N " E A T S PRAISING HIM g9OU HAVE THE MOST AMAZING VOICE THAT ) VE EVER HEARD FROM A MALE SINGER AT YEARS OF AGE AND IT S QUITE INCREDIBLE u %LTON EVEN GAVE HIM A LIFE LESSON THAT HE TAKES TO HEART g(E SAID THAT ) SHOULD ALWAYS SURROUND MYSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE ) AM PUTTING THAT TO HEART )T S CRUCIAL FOR SUCCESS u 2UEL WAS THEN INVITED TO SUPPORT +HALID ON HIS !USTRALIA .EW :EALAND TOUR PERFORMING TO MORE THAN PEOPLE A NIGHT g2EADY u HIS DEBUT %0 WHICH AMASSED OVER MILLION GLOBAL STREAMS AND FEATURES STANDOUT SINGLES g$ON T 4ELL -E u g$AZED #ONFUSED u g9OUNGERu AND g.OT 4HINKIN "OUT 9OU u ALL OF WHICH
IN THE KNOW MJ MARFORI
HAVE BEEN PROPELLING 2UEL ON A SWIFT RISE IN THE MUSIC SCENE 4HE VIDEO FOR %0 TRACK 9OUNGER CAUGHT kRE AND HAS ENJOYED OVER MILLION VIEWS SINCE ITS RELEASE IN !UGUST WITH 9OUNGER $AZED #ONFUSED AND $ON T 4ELL -E ALL CERTIkED 'OLD IN !USTRALIA (E ALSO HAS ACTIVE FANS NOW IN 3OUTH !MERICAN AND 2USSIA AS WELL AS HERE IN !SIA (AVING WRAPPED ON A
Q Singer-songwriter Ruel.
MAJOR HIGH 2UEL BECAME THE YOUNGEST RECIPIENT IN HISTORY TO WIN THE PRESTIGIOUS !RIA !WARD FOR g"REAKTHROUGH !RTIST OF THE 9EAR u (E THEN PERFORMED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE #OMMONWEALTH 'AMES RELEASED A REMIX OF %0 TRACK g.OT 4HINKIN "OUT 9OUu FEATURING 'RAMMY NOMINATED RAPPER 'OLD,INK PERFORMED AT 4YLER 4HE #REATOR S g#AMP &LOG 'NAWu FESTIVAL AND COMP L E T E D V E R Y O W N S O L D O U T g2EADY 7ORLD 4OURu THROUGH .ORTH !MERICA !USTRALIA .EW :EALAND %UROPE AND THE 5+ &OR THOSE WHO GET TO HEAR 2UEL FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY OFTEN THINK OF HIM AS *USTIN "IEBER S DOPPELG¸NGER AND OFTENTIMES PEGGED TO BE 3HAWN -ENDES PRODIGY 7HILE FLATTERED BY THE TAGS HE HONESTLY EXPRESSED HE D RATHER SKIP THE COMPARISONS g) M 2UEL AND WANT TO BE MY OWN ;ARTIST= AND BE APPRECIATED FOR WHAT ) PUT OUT AND MY SKILLS IN MAKING MUSIC AND LYRICS u 2UEL CONCLUDED A VERY SUCCESSFUL TWO DAY INTIMATE CONCERT AT 4EATRINO OVER THE WEEKEND AND HE PROMISED TO RETURN TO -ANILA MORE OFTEN NNN
5NTIL NEXT WEEKĂœ 4A TAĂœ
Dive into the enthralling world of ‘Sahaya’ IN a world that is constantly changing, there is something to be said about celebrating our true identity and heritage. Tonight, GMA Network’s Entertainment Group fulfils its commitment to continue bringing viewers world-class entertainment with its newest primetime spectacle, “Sahaya.â€? This extraordinary epic-drama series is top-billed by one of this generation’s most promising screen pairings, Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix, together with sought-after Kapuso leading man Migo Adecer. Sahaya is the inspiring story of a determined and special Badjaw who rises above all difficult circumstances in life that will challenge her resiliency as she maps her path towards self-acceptance, success, and admiration. In her titular role as Sahaya, Umali breathes life into a beautiful Badjaw lady blessed with extraordinary abilities which will lead her to inspire her family and her people, including Ahmad, her simple childhood friend who has always been in love with her, portrayed by Tanfelix. Adding a twist to their story is Jordan, played by Adecer, the wealthy ManileĂąo who will compete with Ahmad for Sahaya’s love. Joining them in this intriguing series are talented actors and actresses: Eric Quizon as Hubert, Jordan’s father whose business is coral mining at Sahaya’s village in Tawi-Tawi; Zoren Legaspi as Harold, Sahaya’s father who abandons her mother before he knew that they were about to have a child; Mylene Dizon as
Manisan, a Badjaw who fell for Harold and ended up raising and teaching their daughter, Sahaya, resiliency and good values; Pen Medina as Panglima Alari, Manisan’s father and the panglima or leader of the Sama Dilaut; Debra Liz as Babu, Sahaya’s cheerful grandmother; Juan Rodrigo as Bapa, older brother of Panglima Alari; Ana Roces as Irene, Harold’s loyal wife who will do anything to protect her family; Ashley Ortega as Lindsay, Jordan’s spoiled cousin and the school’s queen bee; and Snooky Serna as Salida, a loving yet vengeful mother who will be the reason why Manisan and Sahaya will be separated. Further cast in very special roles this pilot week are Benjamin Alves as Aratu, Salida’s son and Manisan’s husband; Gil Cuerva as the young Harold; Karl Medina as young Alari and Jasmine Curtis-Smith as the young Manisan. To shed light on the culture of our Badjaw brothers and sisters, GMA 7 hired consultants and recreated an entire set reminiscent of a real Badjaw village in Calatagan, Batangas which brings viewers a realistic vision of their community. Likewise for this program, the network sets the bar even higher as it uses for the first time a high-end cinema camera to create clean, sharp and cinematic images. Sahaya is written by Marlon Miguel and Jonathan Cruz, with Aloy Adlawan as Creative Director, Suzette Doctolero and noted director Zig Dulay at the helm. Sahaya airs beginning tonight after Kara Mia on GMA .Telebabad.
Lifestyle Loving and living in the Philippines O D2
˜ The Manila Times
MONDAY March 18, 2019
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NE of the nicest expats I have met in the Philippines is German businessman Gunter Matschuck from #OLOGNE 'ERMANY 3INCE kRST MEETING IN the ‘80s, we became good friends as he soCIALIZED WITH OUR GROUP UNTIL kNDING HIS lady love — one of my good friends Joanne Solis, whom he eventually married. In fact, their daughter Antonette is my goddaughter. Gunter and Joanne each had their own families before they met and today, they are all one big happy family. Late in February, Gunter celebrated his 80th birthday at a grand celebration at the Isabella Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel with over 200 family and friends. As a German expat who lived almost half his life in the Philippines — doing business, contributing to the economic growth of the country, and enhancing Philippine-German relations — it was evident that the guest list was a mix of business and SOCIAL FRIENDS SOME OF WHICH lEW all the way here to celebrate. The tables of the elegant ballroom were topped with exotic
HI! SOCIETY BECKY GARCIA flower arrangements with the main stage looking like a night in Las Vegas. The main feature was a program hosted by the most sought-after emcee Johnny Litton who honored the great man through songs and his usual jokes followed by a lot of laughs. The celebrant kicked off the night
with a beautiful speech to welcome and thank his guests, followed by a program featuring great song and dance performances. A delicious kVE COURSE MENU WAS PREPARED BY the hotel’s chef and a beautiful cake by J. Cuppacakes. The surprise of the evening was a special rendition of Gunter’s favorite song “La Paloma,� performed by his children, in laws, and grandchildren through song and musical instruments. They were composed of three young tenors and one baritone. Afterwards, the great performance by DanceSport Council of the Philippines’ Latin champions Angelo Marquez and Stephanie Sabalo presented the paso doble, rumba and jive. Standard champions Sean Aranar and Anna Nualla then did a beautiful foxtrot and tango. Kathy Mas did a heartfelt soprano version of “La Vie En Rose� where the ladies gave individual roses to the celebrant. Finally, George Sarakinis and Bam Angping did their Elvis moves that started the dancing with the help of jazz singer Lilybeth Garcia and Marcy’s Band. This beautiful party would not have been possible without the labor of love of Gunter’s lovely
Q The celebrator, Gunter Matschuck. wife Joanne, and her talented team with director Del Custodio, assistant Recardo Ignacio, and of course the Shangri-la team. It was truly a night to remember. To Gunter, may you have more fun celebrations to come. Happy Birthday!
Q Marissa Fenton, Hi! Society, Merci Padolina, Agile Zamora, (seated) Joanne Matschuck and Lilibeth Garcia.
Q Panama’s respective ambassadors to the Philippines and Japan Alvarado Guevara and Ritter Diaz, Matschuck, Fortune Ledesma and Gel Cornelissen.
Q Matschuck with Dieter and Florence Schreber.
Q Nympha Valencia, Joanne Matschuck, Agile Zamora, Connie Haw, (seated) Cris Badiola, and Joy and Joel Rustia.
Q Matthias Matschuck, Anton Bondoc, Josh Lechleiter, Christian Matschuck, Gaibe Bondoc and Collie Hoey.
Q Gela Cornelissen, Consul Joseph Assad, Carlo Rojas and Junjun Ablaza.
Q Mahmoudi Ramin and Ambassador of Austria to the Philippines Bita Rasoulian.
An easy and fun shopping experience FURTHER expanding their reach in key cities all throughout the country, Metro Department Store has officially opened its latest branch at Ayala Malls Feliz in Pasig City, under the Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI). The brand’s 54th department store boasts a whole new look with its customer-friendly design and extra spacious areas that are both easy and fun to explore. In fact, mommy influencers Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio and Danica SottoPingris had the best time shopping and
going around through each floor. This four-storey one-stop shop houses a wide array of general merchandise that ranges from personal care, apparel, fashion accessories, appliances, electronics, furniture, hardware, and travel items. And with the grocery on the first floor, shoppers from the East can run day-to-day errands in one go. With its presence nationwide, Metro Retail ensures its stores are always filled based on each of the respective area’s needs. President and COO of the MRSGI, Mr.
Manuel Alberto shared that Metro Ayala Feliz even offers new brands and products. Featuring a ‘new gen’ look, Metro Feliz aims to attract the younger market with its sleek and modern amenities and features. “Metro aims for maximum visibility which will greatly help us shape the modern retail experience. Nowadays, our market is always on the lookout for a well-curated selection. We aim to be the go-to store for all their needs,� Metro Retail’s Chief Marketing Officer Pilut Montes said in a statement.
Q President and COO of the Metro Retail Stores Inc. Manuel Alberto and Pasig City Administrator Dianeth Valencia lead the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Q Ayala Malls President Yeng Tupaz, Alberto, Valencia, and Dela Paz Barangay Captain Isidro Mariano.
Q The Ayala Malls President was also guest of honor at the inauguration.
Q Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio
Q Danica Sotto-Pingris
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
Expats&Diplomats
MONDAY March 18, 2019
D3
Humanitarian projects begin in Balikatan 19 MULTINATIONAL forces began humanitarian and civic assistance PROJECTS AS PART OF EXERCISE "ALIKATAN ON -ARCH Philippine, US, and Australian forces attended ground-breaking ceremonies for the renovation of THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN /RANI "ATAAN 0ROVINCE 0ANGIL ,AGUNA 0ROVINCE AND 3AN *UAN "ATANGAS Province as well as a health clinic in Moncada, Tarlac Province. Construction projects, health ENGAGEMENTS AND COMMUNITY relations events will take place to improve local infrastructure, teach lifesaving medical skills, and strengthen ties between Philippine communities and Philippine, US AND !USTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES 4HE EVENTS ARE A PREPARATORY PART OF THIS YEAR S %XERCISE "ALIKATAN WHICH OFkCIALLY TAKES PLACE FROM !PRIL TO "ALIKATAN IS AN EXERCISE BEtween the Republic of the Philippines and the United States, and also involves participation FROM !USTRALIA "ALIKATAN IS A Tagalog phrase for “shoulder-toshoulder,� which characterizes the spirit of the exercise and represents the partnership between the US and the Philippines. $URING "ALIKATAN 53 and Philippine forces will conduct amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, and
counterterrorism response. All events will take place in Luzon, Palawan, and Mindoro. 4HIS WILL BE THE kRST %XERCISE "ALIKATAN TO INCORPORATE THE 533 7ASP PAIRED WITH THE 5NITED 3TATES -ARINES #ORPS & " ,IGHTNING )) AIRCRAFT 4OGETHER THEY REPRESENT AN INCREASE IN MILITARY CAPABILITY COMMITTED TO A FREE AND OPEN )NDO 0ACIkC 0ARTICIPATING IN "ALIKATAN DEMONSTRATES THEIR ABILITY TO FORWARD DEPLOY IN SUPPORT OF AN ALLY SHOULD A CRISIS OR natural disaster occur. "ALIKATAN WILL ALSO BRING together ASEAN members for an International Observers Program. The program aims to promote greater defense cooperation with !3%!. AND OTHER KEY ALLIES AND partners, show multinational coordination where the observers CAN MUTUALLY EXCHANGE MEANINGful ideas and best practices, and showcase the joint and combined air, sea, and ground operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Armed Forces. 4HIS YEAR S "ALIKATAN FOCUSES ON MARITIME SECURITY AND AMPHIBIOUS capabilities, as well as multinaTIONAL INTEROPERABILITY THROUGH MILITARY EXCHANGES %XERCISES LIKE "ALIKATAN STRENGTHEN INTERNATIONAL partnerships and the participatING MILITARIES ABILITIES TO RAPIDLY respond to crises throughout the )NDO 0ACIkC REGION
Q (From left) International Labour Organization Country Director Khalid Hassan, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez, Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda with Food and Agriculture Organization Representative Jose Luis Fernandez.
Japan inks projects for Bangsamoro Region J APANESE Ambassador Koji Haneda signed and exchanged notes with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative Jose Luis Fernandez and International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Director Khalid Hassan for two projects in the Bangsamoro region, as witnessed by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez. T h e FAO p r o j e c t , w h i c h amounts to US$ 1.765 million, aims to assist farmers and fisherfolks, including former combatants, women and indigenous peoples acquire various agricultural vocational expertise.
These new knowledge and skills WILL HELP THEM EFkCIENTLY OPERATE FARMS GAIN EMPLOYMENT OR set up their own businesses. The ILO intervention, on the other hand, has a total budget of apPROXIMATELY 53 MILLION
It envisions to develop water INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL BENEkT an estimated 11,814 households. At least 1,800 workers from the target communities will be emPLOYED TO HELP BUILD THE WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES "OTH PROJECTS are deemed to provide sustainable livelihood and build healthIER COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE KEY milestones to achieving peace and development in Mindanao. These two undertakings form PART OF THE *APAN "ANGSAMORO )NItiatives for Reconstruction and DeVELOPMENT OR * ")2$ TO EMPOWER PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES BENEkT from the dividends of peace. From TO DATE *APAN HAS PROVIDED A
total of about P13 billion or US$ MILLION WORTH OF ASSISTANCE TO THE "ANGSAMORO REGION Two weeks before, two exchange of notes were signed in Japan for non-project grant assistance to provide underground water detection and well-drilling MACHINES TO BE DEPLOYED IN "ANGSAMORO REGION WORTH b million, as well as the urgent rehabilitation of socio-economic INFRASTRUCTURE PARTICULARLY THE REbuilding of TESDA training Center in Marawi, which amounts to b BILLION !LL THESE ENDEAVORS will strengthen the momentum for peace and optimum development in this island.
Italian Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino — Renowned Israeli composer a connoisseur of contemporary art
Q Distinguished Israeli composer and pianist Amit Weiner.
holds master class in PH 2%./7.%$ Israeli composer AND PIANIST !MIT 7EINER HELD A MASTER CLASS IN g#ONTEMPORARY Composition–Film Music vs. Concert Music� at the Recital (ALL OF THE #ONSERVATORY OF Music at the Albertus Magnus "UILDING 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO Tomas in Manila. The master class was a colLABORATION BETWEEN THE %MBASSY of Israel in the Philippines and THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS IN COORDINATION WITH THE /FkCE of Public Affairs. The program WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE %MBASSY OF )SRAEL TO THE 0HILIPPINES $EPUTY #HIEF OF -ISSION 9ULIA 2ACHINSKY 3PIVAKOV WHO DELIVered a message to introduce the composer and the event. 7EINER WHO IS CURRENTLY A SEnior staff lecturer at the Jerusalem !CADEMY OF -USIC AND $ANCE IS THE HEAD OF 4HE #ROSS $ISCIPLINARY Composition Division, and teachES COMPOSITION THEORY CLASSES and directing ensembles. He holds a Ph.D. in Composition from the "AR )LAN 5NIVERSITY 4HE MUSIC OF 7EINER FOCUSES on intermingling traditional Jewish melodies and contempoRARY COMPOSITIONAL TECHNIQUES These compositions have had over two hundred performances
worldwide, including at New 9ORK S #ARNEGIE (ALL AND ACROSS THE 53! THE 5+ 2USSIA #ANADA #HINA *APAN 5KRAINE )TALY )RELAND -ALAYSIA .EPAL 6IETNAM -YANMAR 4HAILAND AND )SRAEL !S A COMPOSER 7EINER IS ACTIVE IN THE kELDS OF CONCERT MUSIC MUSIC FOR kLM AND POPULAR MUsic. His oeuvre includes over 40 chamber and orchestral works, among them two concertos for piano and orchestra, a number of orchestral works, chamber music, songs, and works for piano. In addition, he composed music FOR THREE FULL LENGTH kLMS AND COMPOSED FOR 2AI 46 )TALY AND music libraries in London. &OR HIS MUSIC 7EINER HAS WON MANY INTERNATIONAL COMPETItions and awards, among them RECENTLY THE ND 0RIZE AT THE Alfred Schnittke International Composers Forum and ComPETITION IN ,VIV 5KRAINE The Asian Composers League “15-Minutes-of-Fame� competition, The America Israel Cultural Foundation, and more. According to UST ConservaTORY OF -USIC $EAN !SSOC 0ROF Antonio Africa, Ph.D., the master CLASS WAS ATTENDED BY STUDENTS FROM THE -USIC 4ECHNOLOGY AND Composition departments.
GIORGIO Guglielmino is a writer and connoisseur of conTEMPORARY ART ASIDE FROM BEING THE !MBASSADOR OF )TALY IN THE Philippines. This is where his PASSION TRULY LIES IN CREATING awareness to public about the BEAUTY AND NECESSITY OF ART AND how to look at its variations WITH FRESH EYES In his recent talk held in Manila House dubbed “How TO LOOK AT CONTEMPORARY ARTw and like it,� — a title inspired BY ONE OF THE MANY BOOKS PUBLISHED BY THE DIPLOMAT IN THE LAST YEARS ‡ 'UGLIELMINO pointed out that people just need a new perspective on art and this shift in thinking will allow them to view modern pieces with more appreciation.
Appreciation comes from relaxation
Q (From left) Isa Lorenzo, founder of Silverlens Gallery; Italian Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino; and Laura Chiari, director and partner at Galleria Lorcan O’Neill in Rome, Italy.
The subject of the talk, which is also one of the recurring ideas contained in his writings, is the STAND THAT CONTEMPORARY ART ‡ WHICH MAY LOOK SOMETIMES unusual, weird or uncompreHENSABLE ‡ IS ACTUALLY EASIER TO understand than ancient art, esPECIALLY IF THE VIEWER S APPROACH is open and relaxed. According to him, this is the most important caveat. People need to keep an open mind
when viewing pieces that are N O T N E C E S S A R I L Y C O N S I D E R E D “beautiful.� Historical paintings, for example, placed an emphasis on form and lines, with popular and respected artists being lauded for their ABILITY TO CAPTURE REALISM WITHIN their brush strokes. ContempoRARY ART ON THE OTHER HAND IS focused on feeling and interpreTATION )N A WAY CONTEMPORARY
ENSURING FILIPINO WORKERS’ SAFETY IN QATAR
artists are able to better express themselves through the use of art. As each person is unique, the manner of communication WILL INHERENTLY DIFFER 4HIS IS WHY IT IS ESSENTIAL TO VIEW ART pieces with the goal to “understand� rather than to “critique.� Going through the images OF MORE THAN WORKS OF ART BY RENOWNED CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS ‡ FROM !NDY 7ARHOL TO
4RACEY %MIN TO !NISH +APOOR TO Felix Gonzalez-Torres — Giorgio Guglielmino illustrates his ideas; often adding intriguing AND EVEN FUNNY DETAILS ON HOW the works were conceived. 4HE AUDIENCE ENJOYED THE talk and various questions were asked at the end, transforming the talk into a real discussion on how to understand and appreciate art in general. -ANY AMBASSADORS ATTENDED the talk including Indian Ambassador Jaideep Mazumdar, "ANGLADESH !MBASSADOR 3IAM Asad Alam, Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson, Czech Ambassador Jana SedivĂ , Ambassador of Denmark Jan Top Christensen, Ambassador of Panama Rolando Guevara Alvarado, Ambassador of Japan +OJI (ANEDA !MBASSADOR OF Netherlands Maria Christina Theresia Derckx, Ambassador of Colombia VĂctor Echeverri, and Ambassador of Venezuela #APAYA 2ODRIGUEZ 'ONZALEZ Other guests include Lisa Ongpin Periquet and Trickie Lopa of Art Fair Philippines, Joven Cuanang of Pinto Museum, 'ALLERY OWNERS OF &INALE 3YLVIA Gascon and Evita Sarenas, Galleria Duemila Silvana Diaz, and OTHER GALLERY OWNERS The talk was part of the events OF !RT &AIR 0HILIPPINES
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd, together with Undersecretary Claro Arellano, Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar Alan Timbayan, Qatar Labor AttachÊ David Des Dicang and Philippine Embassy in Qatar Vice Consul Benjamin Celedio Jr. exchange views with the Qatari delegation headed by the Ministry of Interior Director of Support Services for Recruitment Major Abdulla Khalifa Al Mohannadi, during the latter’s presentation of Qatari Visa Processing Center Project at the DoLE Conference Room Intramuros, Manila. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
D4
MONDAY March 18, 2019
Special Feature
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
WOMEN’S MONTH
M
BY LEA MANTO-BELTRAN MANTO BELTR AN N
OST women take second shift when it comes to family and career. Because of this, women tend to forget about how they look, much less about the idea of pampering themselves. With all the hassles she FACES DAILY IT S JUST kTTING FOR A WOMAN TO HAVE PAMPERING and relaxation time, especially this Women’s Month. To all husbands, daughters, sons, siblings, here are some tips to make the women in your life special. x Her look makes will make her feel better. Do something to make her feel better by bringing her to a saloon for a makeover. Paint HER kNGERNAILS SOME PRETTY COLOR PLUCK HER EYEBROWS AND GIVE HER A FACIAL 9OU CAN ALSO DO THIS PERSONALLY AT HOME x Prepare her relaxing bath to make her day. +EEP SOME BATH SALTS OR BUBBLE BATH AROUND AND THEN LET HER SOAK IN A HOT BATH WHICH CAN BE RELAXING "UT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP HER SOOTHE HER MUSCLES TRY AN %PSON SALTS BATH %PSON SALTS ARE GREAT FOR PULLED OR SORE MUSCLES AND EVEN BRUISES !DD A FEW CANDLES AND TURN OFF THE LIGHTS LET HER LEAN HER HEAD BACK AGAINST A BATH PILLOW AND JUST ALLOW HER MIND TO DRIFT x Treat her feet, too. 5SE A SMALL PAN OR TUB AND kLL IT WITH WARM WATER AND ADD BABY OIL WITH 6ITAMIN % TO SOAK HER FEET IN THEN SCRUB HER FEET TOO 5SE HER FAVORITE FOOT SCRUB AND SCRUB HER FEET after the warm foot soaking. x Beauty sleep rejuvinates. -AKE SURE THAT SHE CAN HAVE HER BEAUTY SLEEP TO REJUVINATE 6OLUNTEER TO DO THE HOUSEHOLD CHORES FOR A DAY. x Ler her have her “me” time. 2EMIND HER TO HAVE REGULAR SCHEDULE OF A DAY OR EVEN HALF A DAY THAT JUST FOR HER ,ET HER SPEND THAT TIME DOING WHAT
SHE REALLY WANTS TO DO WITHOUT ANY DISTRACTIONS x Give her wish lists. +NOW THE DRESS SHOES AND BAG SHE LONGED TO HAVE FOR THE LONGEST TIME AND BUY THEM FOR HER THEN LET HER lAUNT IT IN ONE OF THE EVENTS YOU WILL ATTEND OR DURING A DATE WITH YOU x Flowers on her table. Flowers are one of the LEAST INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO PAMPER WOMEN (AVE A VASE OF THEM AT HOME AND AT HER DESK AT WORK 4HEY WILL CHEER HER UP WHEN THEY ARE FEELING OVERWHELMED AND ARE A GOOD REMINDER TO HER TO BREATHE AND RELAX x Yoga class is classic. 9OGA IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS WOMEN CAN BE PAMPER SINCE IT IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO RELIEVE EVERYDAY STRESS 4HEY WILL LEARN HOW TO BREATHE WHEN THEY BECOME STRESSED SO THAT THEY CAN MINIMIZE THE EFFECTS OF BEING STRESSED OUT AS THEY HAPPEN x Scented candles can soothe. #ANDLES ARE INEXPENSIVE AND THERE IS NO REASON SHE CANNOT USE THEM EVERYDAY ,AVENDER IS A VERY RELAXING AND SOOTHING SCENT AND LAVENDER SCENTED CANDLES CAN BE ESPECIALLY HELPFUL AFTER A HARD DAY AT THE OFkCE OR EVEN A ROUGH DAY WITH THE KIDS x Home is still the women’s haven. )N THE END THE BEST WAY TO PAMPER HER IS TO MAKE THE HOME A COMFORT HAVEN -AKE YOUR HOME THE PLACE WHERE SHE CAN RECHARGE COMPLETELY
SUNSHINE PLACE
Wonder women Discovering marvels beyond 60
“A
BY M MAYLENE AYLE AY LENE NE S STEPHANIE TEPH TE PHAN ANIE IE S. S . VIRAY VIRA VI RAY Y
GE is just a number,” as the famous saying goes, often referring to one’s maturity as they grow old. Frequently, too, when one reaches senior citizenship, one loses much of his or her interest in habits that once sparked joy in their everyday lives. "UT AGE DOESN T HAVE TO HINDER ONE BODY WHERE SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD NOT SELF TO PURSUE THEIR PASSION OR REDIS PURSUE PAINTING COVER THEMSELVES ONCE MORE (ERE ARE 5NFAZED SHE CONTINUED TO PRACTICE SOME REAL PROOFS PASSION AT 3UNSHINE 0LACE WHERE SHE WAS MENTORED BY -AESTRO &IDEL 3ARMIENTO AND ‘Me’ time at 65 ENCOURAGED BY HER FAMILY AND NEW FOUND FRIENDS -ARIA #ORAZON -ENDOZA WAS AN ACTIVE 3EVILLA "ERNARDO BOASTS HER PAINTINGS OF WOMAN WHO LOVED SPORTS SWIMMING OIL ACRYLIC AND WATERCOLOR AS SEEN IN GALLERY TENNIS AND EVEN DANCING TO NAME A FEW EXHIBITS AT 3UNSHINE 0LACE g%VERYBODY /VER THE YEARS OF TAKING CARE OF HER HUS HAS A TALENT BUT YOU MUST REACH FOR IT u BAND THEIR THREE CHILDREN AND RUNNING THE SHE SAID g7HO CARES ABOUT AGE m ) AM IN FAMILY BUSINESS SHE ESTABLISHED SHE NOW A HAPPY PLACE AND ) AM GLAD ) FOUND IT IN HAS MORE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF HERSELF MY TWILIGHT YEARS u !FTER THREE YEARS OF TAKING CLASSES AT 3UN ,OIDA 4AN DESCRIBES HERSELF AS AN gACCI SHINE 0LACE SHE FEELS gHEALTHIER AND HAPPIERu DENTAL PAINTER u WHO STARTED WITH ACCOMPA AND HAS EVEN CHANGED HER OUTLOOK IN LIFE NYING HER LATE MOTHER IN LAW TO CLASSES AND g#OMING OVER HERE ) FOUND OUT THAT MY BODY EVENTUALLY ENROLLING INTO THE CLASS HERSELF PAINS ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO THE OTHERS ) &EELING SHY THE kRST TIME SHE AUCTIONED AM HEALTHIER SO THAT GIVES ;ME= A BOOST ;THAT= HER WORKS HER PAINTINGS ARE NOW DISPLAYED @YOU RE VERY MUCH OKAY THAN THE OTHERS u AT THE (OME FOR THE %LDERLY OF /UR ,ADY OF !T YEARS OLD "ELLA 0ILAPIL IS ENJOY (OPE IN 0ASAY #ITY ING HER LIFE HAPPY SINGLE AND REGULARLY %RLINDA &LORES GRADUATED MAGNA CUM VOLUNTEERING AT THE NON PROkT SERVICE OR LAUDE IN -USIC THEORY WITH AN APTITUDE GANIZATION (ANDS ON -ANILA FOR YEARS in writing. 7HILE SHE JUGGLES HER VOLUNTEER WORK 7ITH MORE TIME IN HER HANDS &LORES AND RELAXATION SHE S BEEN ABLE TO BUILD BEGAN GIVING PIANO LESSONS FOR BEGIN FRIENDSHIPS WITHIN AND BEYOND HER AGE ners as well as writing short stories for FORMING PEERS WITH THOSE YOUNGER THAN HER MAGAZINES 4HROUGH THESE SHE BECAME A WHERE SHE BECOMES AN INSPIRATION 0ALANCA AWARDEE CITED FOR HER SHORT STORIES g0EOPLE MY AGE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN FOR CHILDREN ACTIVITIES u SHE ADDED g%SPECIALLY WHEN ONE RETIRES ONE SHOULD NOT BE CONkNED AT HOME Happy feet BECAUSE SHE HAS NO MORE WORK u 4HREE YEARS AGO 4ESS #ASTAÄEDA WAS AD Passion for the arts VISED BY HER CARDIOLOGIST TO DO PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AFTER HER ANGIOPLASTY SURGERY #ONCHITINA 3EVILLA "ERNARDO LAID LOW HOWEVER SHE WASN T A FAN OF GYM WORKOUTS FOLLOWING A PACEMAKER PLACED INSIDE HER OR OUTDOOR EXERCISES
3INCE JOINING $EKADA DANCING SHE S BEEN DOING WELL NO MORE CHEST PAINS OWING IT TO gTHE LAUGHTER WITH NEW FOUND FRIENDS AS THE BEST MEDICINE FOR MY CONDITION u .ANCY 4Y S A BANKER WHO STILL RUNS AND WORKS FULL TIME IN A FAMILY BUSINESS SUFFERS FROM DIABETES 4HE BEST CURE HER DOCTOR Q Q The TThe he eenablers: nableers rs: s: CChe he de Vega, Veega, Gilda GGild ild lda da Reyes Rey Re eye yees and annndd Cris Crris Moreno-Cr Moreno-Cruz. Moreno-Cruz M oreeno - Crruz uz. z.. PRESCRIBED IS EXERCISE PROPER DIET AND MEDICATION 5PON THE RECOMMENDATION OF 2OSITA ,EONG SHE WAS BROUGHT TO 3UNSHINE 0LACE TO DO HER REGULAR EXERCISE AND (OLY MASS EVERY &RIDAY AS PART OF HER ACTIVITY !FTER A HEART BYPASS 'LORIA 3UN 0E IS STILL ACTIVE IN THE GYM FOR PHYSICAL ACTIV ITIES ALONG WITH PORCELAIN PAINTING DIA MOND PAINTING PRESSED lOWER PAINTING AND OIL PAINTING 3HE DIVIDES HER TIME BETWEEN -ANILA AND VISITING HER CHILDREN WHO ARE BASED IN THE 53 AND #ANADA ALONG WITH TRAVELING TO THE PROVINCES TOO MIND YOU BY HERSELF
The enablers /F COURSE THESE LADIES WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT THE HEARTFELT CARE OF THE TEAM BE HIND 3UNSHINE 0LACE ,IZANNE 5YCHACO PRESIDENT OF THE 3ENIOR -EMBERS 3OCIAL #LUB )NC DESCRIBES THE CENTER AS A WARM LEISURELY NURTURING AMBI ANCE CONDUCIVE TO EXPLORE AND IGNITE ONE S PASSIONS TO BRING OUT LONG HIDDEN TALENTS g7E ALWAYS SAY @IT S NEVER TOO LATE FOR YOU TO DISCOVER YOUR HIDDEN TALENT SAID #HERRY DE 6EGA THE CENTER S OPERATIONS MANAGER g4HERE NOT REALLY HERE TO PERFORM FOR A LARGE CROWD IT S JUST DISCOVERING u !S OPERATIONS MANAGER SHE S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAILY ACTIVITIES FOR THE MEMBERS INCORPORATING THE kVE ASPECTS MENTAL SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT TO STIMULATE SOCIALIZATION -EANWHILE AS CENTER HEAD 'ILDA 2EYES OVERSEES THE OVERALL OPERATIONS OF 3UNSHINE 0LACE WHERE SHE TREATS THE ELDERLIES AS HER own family. g7HAT IS IMPORTANT TO US IS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIP NEW FRIENDS u SHE ADDED
Q Erlinda Q Errrlinda liinda Flores Flor Floorees
Q Loid LLoida oid ida da Ta Tan Tan
Q Co CConchitina onchit c ittinna S. Bernardo chiti Bernard Be arrd rd o g) VE SEEN THEM IN GROUPS TALKING ABOUT THEIR PREVIOUS LIVES WATCHING 46 AND EVEN ATTENDING CLASSES TOGETHER u 4HE YOUNGEST OF THE TEAM -ARKET ING -ANAGER #RIS -ORENO #RUZ ENJOYS THE HEALTHY MIX OF WOMEN ENCOURAG ing women. g!S AN ENABLER WE MAKE THEM HAPPY u SHE SAID g)T S NOT JUST PROVIDING THESE CLASS
ES AND ACTIVITIES THAT MAKE THEM HAPPY BECAUSE WE RE TAPPING INTO THEIR INTEREST BUT IT S ALSO OUR MERE PRESENCE HELPS THEM BECOME HAPPY u $AY BY DAY THESE WOMEN WALK INTO 3UNSHINE 0LACE WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE THAT COULD SPREAD ALL OVER THE CENTER TO ENCOURAGE THE ELDERLIES THAT LIFE DOES NOT STOP AT YEARS OLD