THE MANILA TIMES | FEBRUARY 21, 2019

Land conversion memo out next month – DAR

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The ‘Super Snow Moon’ shines over Cainta, Rizal on Tuesday night. The moon was at its brightest and closest distance to Earth.

PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019

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Palace, DND: Govt still open to talks with Reds Q Sebastian Duterte, the President’s son, and candidate for senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, join a news conference after receiving eight hostages freed by the New People’s Army on Tuesday.

BY DEMPSEY REYES

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CY RELATIONS between the government and communist rebels are thawing, with President Rodrigo Duterte, MalacaĂąang and the Defense department all leaving open the possibility of resuming peace talks.

Tourism slogan needs overhaul, not repurposing OBSERVER YEN MAKABENTA

BY ARLO CUSTODIO PHOTOS BY RUSSELL PALMA LATEST Filipino pride Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is home.

Arriving from New York over the weekend unannounced but meeting with the media OFkCIALLY ONLY ON 7EDNESDAY AFTERNOON AT the Monet Ballroom of Novotel Hotel Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City, Gray said she was overwhelmed by the support of her countrymen, knowing that the Philippines is the biggest social media user in the world, and how beauty queens are given importance in this part of the globe.

Wearing an orange terno with the diamond-and-pearl-studded Mikimoto crown on her head, she laughed when emcee Shamcey Supsup (Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up) started reading the questions kELDED BY THE MEDIA AND WERE DRAWN FROM A kSH BOWL ,IKE THE INTELLIGENT GIRL SHE IS NOW known all over the universe, the FilipinoAustralian beauty was able to ace each and every question asked of her.

Comparing who she was before becoming Miss Universe and after her crowning, she said that in one word she can sum up who she was before — driven, and now as the representation of womanhood for all nations, she feels a heavier responsibility resting on her shoulder.

3HE QUALIkED THOUGH THAT SHE WAS THE SAME simple girl everyone knew her to be.

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For our security, avoid war — and prepare for it

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N September 2016, this writer wrote about securing the Philippines, and called for scrapping the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), but not the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) (https://www.manilatimes.net/for-atruly-independent-foreign-policy-scrapedca/285890/). ÂłSaludoA5

REPUBLIC SERVICE RICARDO SALUDO

Digong’s recent trip to Hong Kong

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WAS in IN MY LINE Hong OF SIGHT Kong last weekend to campaign for candidate for senator Bong Go with the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the former Crown Colony. ÂłTulfoA6

RAMON T. TULFO

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More photos on A8 HOMECOMING QUEEN Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray forms two hearts with her fingers during her grand homecoming news conference at Novotel Hotel in Quezon City. PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

What’s inside SKIP CLASSES FOR RALLIES, LOSE SCHOLARSHIPS

NewsA2

Duterte signs Universal Healthcare Law PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte finally signed the Universal Health Care (UHC) bill into law on Wednesday, ticking off one of the 28 bills included in his administration’s legislative agenda.

In his speech during the ceremonial signing of the law in MalacaĂąang, Duterte said the law would greatly

KRIS AQUINO FOR PRESIDENT? POLITICAL SCENARIOS AS SIMULATION AND PARODY

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PACQUIAO TELLS SON: ‘YOU DON’T NEED TO BOX’

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BENEkT ALL &ILIPINOS “By automatically [enrolling] our citizens into the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and expanding PhilHealth coverage to include free medical consultations and laboratory tests, the Universal Healthcare Law that I sign today will guarantee equitable access to quality and affordable

healthcare services for all Filipinos,�

Duterte said.

The UHC law automatically enrolls all Filipinos in the NHIP of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), either as direct or indirect contributors.

It provides all Filipinos immediate eligibility and access to preventive,

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Russian envoy seeks ‘bridges of friendship’ with Manila

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STAGE IS SET FOR JOSH GROBAN EntertainmentD4

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Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is home

First word T is difficult to digest the unsettling news that the Department of Tourism is doubling down on its bet in “It’s more fun in the Philippines� as the most effective way to sell the country to the world.

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Speaking in Davao City on Tuesday evening, Duterte said he had ordered the police and the military to allow the return of National Democratic Front (NDF) chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili, and that the government was

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

RUSSIAN Ambassador Igor Khovaev has sought the building of more “bridges of friendship� between Manila and Moscow to improve their bilateral relations. “Filipinos deserve to know much more about Russia, the real, the true Russia and Russian

people. It’s time for us to discover the Philippines and it’s time for Filipinos to discover Russia,� Khovaev said in an interview during a recent visit to Manila of a Russian motorcycle club called Night Wolves.

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Tagle headlines Vatican abuse summit MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle will be among the resource speakers at the kRST SUMMIT ON CLERICAL SEX ABUSE AT THE 6ATICAN later this week.

News website Life Site News reported that Tagle, along with other cardinals, a journalist and a nun will speak before 190 bishops around the world at the episcopal conference titled “The

Protection of Minors in the Church,� which will be held from Thursday to Sunday.

The summit is an attempt to create global AWARENESS AND A PLAN OF ACTION TO kGHT ABUSE OF minors within the Catholic Church.

Tagle, also the president of Caritas Internationalis, would tackle “Smell of the sheep.

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News

˜ The Manila Times THURSDAY February 21, 2019

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CHED WARNS SCHOLARS:

Skip classes for rallies, lose scholarships

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HE COMMISSION on Higher Education (CHEd) has warned students under state-funded scholarships THAT THEY STAND TO LOSE THE BENEkT IF THEY continue to miss classes and join rallies.

CHEd Chairman J. Prospero de Vera 3rd was quoted by GMA News as saying that students participating in rallies should exercise critical thinking. Continuous participation in rallies would affect their attendance in classes, he said.

On Tuesday, National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman Ronald Cardema, leader of the “Duterte Youth� group, called on President Rodrigo Duterte to revoke the scholarships of what he called “rebellious, anti-government scholars.�

De Vera said it was not just Cardema who made the call, as others had also questioned why some students wanted to bring down the state that was paying for

their education. “Seryosong problema `yan na kailangang tingnan (That is a serious problem that needs to be looked into),� de Vera said Citing Republic Act 10931 or the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,� de Vera said the government provides free tuition and exemption from miscellaneous fees for students in public universities, and subsidies to those in private universities.

However, if the scholar’s education suffers because of constant participation in rallies, he or she may no longer be considered in good standing and lose his or her scholarship.

If the student consistently

man of the Senate education committee, said: “The sycophantic and obsequious suggestion of MalacaĂąang and lawmakers across the NYC head shows his ignoparty lines were united on Wednes- rance of the Constitution and, day in rejecting the proposal of far from helping, is surely doing Cardema to strip anti-government a disservice to PRRD (Duterte) and the government.â€? students of their scholarships.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Palace spokesman Salvador it was not illegal or criminal for Panelo said mere membership in anyone to protest or participate a left-leaning group would not sufin rallies against the government. kCE AS BASIS TO REVOKE SCHOLARSHIPS For senatorial candidates of “There is no communism now.

Otso Diretso opposition coalition, If you are a member by name, government scholars have the right why would your scholarship be reto speak their mind on the counvoked? If you are seen to be a part try’s pressing issues. of a plan against the government, “The proposal is totally conthat is a big evidence,� he said. trary to the mandate of the NYC. “But, if you are merely joining, The youth should be allowed to you are just expressing dissent speak their mind,� former soliciagainst government policies; tor general Florin Hilbay said. that is part of the democracy,�

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano he added. “Pag binusalan mo ang said: Cardema has called on probibig nila, binusalan mo na rin government youth leaders and ang kinabukasan nila (Once you Sangguniang Kabataan (youth muzzle their voices, you also COUNCIL OFkCIALS TO REPORT TO THE NYC all anti-government scholars muzzle their future).�

WITH RALPH U. VILLANUEVA allied with leftist groups.

AND GLEE JALEA Sen. Francis Escudero, chair-

Palace, senators chide NYC chief

BY FRANCIS EARL A. CUETO

Q National Youth Commission Chairman Ronald Cardema

Q Commission on Higher Education Chairman J. Prospero de Vera 3rd

PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

attends his classes while participating in rallies, it is considered an “expression of the freedom of speech.� “Tingnan ang lahat ng anggulo sa isyu. Dapat balanse ang tingin nila sa mga isyu ng bayan. Kung isang panig lang, hindi ka tunay na iskolar ng bayan (Look at all the angles of an issue. There should be a balanced take on national issues. If you cling

to one side, you’re not a true scholar of the nation),� de Vera said.

According to CHEd, there were 1.3 million students in 190 public universities availing themselves of the free tuition and exemption from miscellaneous fees.

Another 300,000 in both public and private universities are receiving subsidies of P40,000 to P60,000 per year.

‘BLAST PIRATES OFF EARTH’

SORRY FOR TAHOTHROWING

Duterte urges Indonesia, Malaysia to team up vs piracy PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday urged Indonesia and Malaysia to join forces with the Philippines in combating crime on the high seas, amid the continuous kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf bandits.

The Abu Sayyaf, a kidnap-forransom network that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group, has been kidnapping foreigners and locals for decades and holding them for ransom on its remote island strongholds in Mindanao.

In his speech during the during the ninth founding anniversary celebration of Mindanao Development Authority and the 25th anniversary of the Brunei-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) in Davao City, Duterte stressed the need to patrol a sea lane where commercial vessels could pass with protection from the three nations’ navies. “I call upon the BIMP-EAGA. We are doing commerce. Our navies must be vigilant. We have to be one

in our patrols,� the President said. “Indonesia and Malaysia, we have to bond together. The world is changing, including the economy. It could either go bad or very bad or where it could go well. But we will have to look into a bad level and I hope we can survive it,� he added.

The President then reiterated his order to the Philippine Navy “to blast them (pirates) off the earth.� “If there are pirates in our territory or in the high seas, my orders are blast them to kingdom come. Just the same, they are arrested, they go to prison, you do not have witnesses because the victims are... Once they are freed, they would not even wait for a minute to issue a statement to go home because they are scared,�

Duterte said. “So, justice seems to be an illuSION IT S A MIRAGE ACTUALLY lOATING IN the seas. So these pirates, they have no souls, I assure you‌I am telling THE MILITARY FORCES kNISH THEM OFF u he added.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Natl Artist MaĂąosa, 88 NATIONAL Artist for Architecture Francisco “Bobbyâ€? MaĂąosa has died, his son, Angelo “Geloâ€? MaĂąosa announced on Facebook on Wednesday. He was 88 years old.

MaĂąosa is known for designing the EDSA Shrine and the San Miguel Building in Ortigas, the Coconut

Palace in Manila, the Amanpulo Resort in Palawan, LRT-1 stations, the Aquino Center in Tarlac, papal altars and the Davao Pearl Farm.

Last year, President Rodrigo Duterte named MaĂąosa one of the National Artists for Architecture.

ARIC JOHN SY CUA

Q HEALTHCARE FROM

year. It also called for another increase to P40 in July 2020, P42.50 in July 2021 and P45 in July 2022.

Thereafter, the rate will be raised by 5 percent annually.

Under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law, cigarettes packed by hand and by machine were levied P32.50 per pack in 2018, and the rate will go up to P35 in 2019, P37.50 in 2021 and P40 in 2023. Tax rates will be raised by 4 percent annually thereafter Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the government would have to make do with existing revenues to fund the UHC law. “We have to work with what we have until the budget comes,�

Panelo said.

Duterte on Wednesday also presented other newly signed laws: the Social Security Act of 2018, the Philippine Sports Training Center Act, the Act Providing for the Reapportionment of Southern Leyte into Two Legislative Districts and the New Central Bank Act. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also turned over P4 billion in dividends.

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Duterte promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care for medical, dental, mental and emergency health services.

It will also give all Filipinos IMPROVED BENEkT PACKAGES THAT will reduce out-of-pocket expenses and encourage the private sector to become partners in UHC implementation.

In his third State of the Nation Address in July 2018, Duterte called for the UHC bill’s speedy passage.

Earlier on Wednesday, MalacaĂąang said the UHC law would be implemented gradually until the passage of a law hiking taxes on “sinâ€? products. $UTERTE HAS CERTIkED AS URGENT the bill increasing the excise tax on tobacco and alcohol to P60 per pack and P40 per liter, respectively.

Late last year, the House of Representatives passed its version of the sin tax reform bill, imposing an additional P2.50 tax on every pack of cigarettes, starting July this

Filipino-Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc. Chairman Emeritus Dr. James Dy (left) and wife Julieta (second from left) hand over a plaque to ‘taho throwing’ victim Police Officer 1 William Cristobal on Tuesday in Manila. At right is Metro Manila police chief Guillermo Eleazar.

Dy sought forgiveness on behalf of the Chinese community for the taho incident, when Chinese woman Jiale Zhang splashed taho on Cristobal after he denied her entry into the Metro Rail Transit-3 because to the railway’s no-liquid policy on February 9.

PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

Q TALKS FROM A1

police and civilians,� the Defense chief said. “The ball is in the CPP-NDF’s court if they want to talk peace,� he added.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo echoed Lorenzana, saying the government would go back to the negotiation table if the rebels stopped their extortion activities and attacks on state forces.

In a statement, exiled CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison, who engaged the President in a word war last year, noted that the President had toned down his pronouncements against the communist movement. “[The statements] carry positive and negative content as well as serious and joking expressions. But they seem to be better than entirely hostile statements,� Sison said. “I cannot try to answer the mixed statements of Duterte publicly because to do so can make me appear as the one mixed up. It is best to let the negotiators meet and do their job,� Sison added.

He praised Agcaoili and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd for being “competent� representatives of the NDF and the government negotiating teams, respectively.

On Tuesday, the President’s son, Sebastian “Baste� Duterte and former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong�

Go received eight hostages freed by the NPA, in another indication of improving relations.

The eight released hostages were among the 12 members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and two soldiers the NPA abducted on December 2018 in Barangay New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur. On February 14, six of the abducted Cafgus were released by the NPA through a third-party facilitator and were turned over to the Army’s 401st Brigade under the Fourth Infantry Division.

Among the last batch of hostages freed were Private First Class Darlino Carino Jr. and Cpl. Eric Manangan of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces as well as Cafgu militiamen Jimuel Acebedo, Abel Iligan, Rolando Quiao, James Iligan, Gabriel Iligan and Janjan Iligan.

The young Duterte and Go thereafter accompanied the released NPA captives for their formal turnover to the 402nd Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Bancasi, Butuan City, where the

kRST BATCH OF HOSTAGES RELEASED BY the NPA less than a week ago were waiting for them.

Go revealed that he had been part of the ongoing effort since December last year to secure the release the remaining NPA hostages. He said a friend of the President’s son, also a relative of one of the hostages, sought help to free the captives.

Acting in his private capacity, Go said that immediately after receiving the plea for assistance, he coordinated with Gov Adolph Edward Plaza and other local officials who might be able to help facilitate the release of the NPA captives.

Go said the release of the NPA hostages proved that dialogue is a potent tool in resolving differences. “What I have always been saying is, let’s just talk. Who wants war, and Filipinos to kill fellow Filipinos?� said Go, a senatorial CANDIDATE IN A NEWS BRIEkNG Maj. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., Eastern Mindanao Command chief, said military operations were not suspended despite negotiations for the release of hostages, and there would be no letup in operations against the rebels.

WITH RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Chicago, Illinois; Linda Ghisoni, undersecretary for the Laity of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life; Sister Veronica Openibo, elected leader of The Society of the Holy Child Jesus; Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Mßnchen und Freising in Germany and chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference; and Valentina Alazraki, a Mexican journalist.

The themes of the conference are responsibility, accountability, transparency and communication, synodality, and collegiality.

Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, is already in Rome to represent the Philippines in the summit.

The summit comes after Pope Francis ousted former American cardinal Theodore McCarrick was accused by then apostic nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò of sexually assaulting a teenager some 50 years ago.

Viganò, in his 11-page letter last year, alleged two dozens of current AND FORMER 6ATICAN OFkCIALS AND US bishops and papal advisers covered up Mccarrick’s alleged scandal and called for the Pope to resign over the matter.

In a meeting of the world’s bishops in November last year, the Vatican prevented the US bishops’ agenda to address the allegations of sexual misconduct against prelates.

Cardinal Cupich, who maintained that homosexuality is not the underlying cause of the problem of sexual abuse involving the clergy “despite statistics showing otherwiseâ€? and who denied the claims of Viganò as a “rabbit hole,â€? is a member of the organizing committee for the summit, an appointment that was criticized from the beginning, Life Site News said.

CATHERINE A. MODESTO

Palace, DND: Govt on “waiting time� for peace talks. “I think Attorney Agcaoili has sounded off... he was coming again to talk and I told the military and the police, just allow him. For after all it’s just on a... we’re on a waiting period about the appropriate time to talk about peace. I am not that cruel,� Duterte said.

The President has a standing order to arrest all NDF negotiators and consultants after cancelling peace talks and declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists organizations in late 2017.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Agcaoili has been in the Philippines since last week. “He is already here since last week. His whereabouts is unknown,� Lorenzana told reporters in a text message on Tuesday night.

Lorenzana said the statement of Duterte meant that the government “has not closed the door for peace talks.� “The President has enumerated some conditions for the resumption of peace talks like cessation of their extortion (their so-called revolutionary tax), no burning of equipment, no attack on military,

Hostages released to Go, Baste

Q ABUSE FROM A1

Tagle Knowing their pain and healing their wounds is at the heart of the shepherd’s task,� a post from the site said.

Joining Tagle are: Malta Archbishop Charles Scicluna, adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Cardinal RubĂŠn Salazar GĂłmez, archbishop of BogotĂ in Colombia and president of the Latin American Episcopal Council; Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Bombay, India; Cupich, archbishop of

News Exemption from poll ban sought for 145 projects ˜ The Manila Times

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BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLOÂ

HE country’s economic managers are requesting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt 145 key infrastructure projects from the election ban to avoid delays in the implementation of the “Build, Build, Build� program.

“Attached, for the Commission’s consideration, is the list for priority ongoing and new infrastructure projects to be implemented by the National Government Agencies, Government Corporation, Constitutional Fiscal Autonomy Group, as well as Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,� the economic managers

said in a letter addressed to Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas.

The request, dated Feb. 18, 2019, was signed by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

It was released to reporters by the Department of Budget and Man-

agement on Wednesday.

The 145 programs and projects, as submitted by the concerned agencies to the Budget department, are included in the 2019 General Appropriations Bill.

Some of the big-ticket projects in the list were: Mindanao Rail Project, Metro Rail Transit Line 3 Rehabilitation, Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1, Philippine National Railway (PNR) North 1 (Tutuban-Malolos), PNR South Commuter (Solis-Los BaĂąos), Public Utility Vehicle Modernization and various airport projects.

The letter also cited 603

CLOSER INSPECTION

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar inspects the North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link Segment 10 in Karuhatan, Valenzuela along with officials of the Metro Pacific Tollways before its opening next week. PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

programs and projects under the Department of Public Works and (IGHWAYS FOR kSCAL YEAR &9 investment targets included in the updated “2017 to 2022 Public InVESTMENT 0ROGRAM AS INPUT TO THE &9 2019 Budget Preparation.� “The exemption will facilitate implementation and ensure that there are no delays and disruption of these national priority projects,� the #ABINET OFkCIALS ADDED They emphasized that these projects were part of the Build Build Build agenda of the government designed to usher the envisioned “Golden Age of Infrastructure.�

Pernia, Dominguez and Diokno also said the government was committed to increase public spending on infrastructure from 4.4 percent of gross domestic product in 2017 to at least 6.9 percent by 2022.

They cited Section 26 of the Omnibus Election Code, which states that election ban on government spending “shall not apply to ongoing public works projects commenced before the campaign period or similar projects under foreign agreements� and that “it shall be the duty of the government officials or agencies concerned to report to the Commission the list of all such projects being undertaken by them.�

The election ban on government spending starts on March 29 and ends May 12.

Aquino: Sugar importation to kill industry Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th warned that the unabated importation of sugar would lead to the death of the sugar industry and loss of livelihood of farmers and industry workers. “The government’s plan to lOOD THE MARKET WITH IMPORTED sugar is alarming because smallholder farmers and their families will lose out,� Aquino said in Filipino.

Aquino, who is running for reelection under the Otso Diretso coalition, said the livelihood of as much as 90 percent of farmers

and industry workers would be affected should government push through with its plan to liberalize sugar importation.

The industry employs about 84,000 farmers and 720,000 workers in 28 sugar-producing provinces in the countries, all in all providing the primary source of livelihood for 5 million Filipinos.

The lawmaker has recently asked to be a co-author of Resolution 1014, requesting the government to shelve its plan to import sugar.

Instead of pushing for the

liberalization of sugar importation, the lawmaker said the government should give small farmers the needed resources to improve their livelihood, as MANY OF THEM WERE BENEkCIARIES of agrarian reform.

Similarly, former senator Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday also warned against economic losses if the proposed deregulation of sugar importation were to be implemented Enrile, who is vying for a Senate comeback in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections, said that

the sugar industry contributes about P120 billion annually to the national economy through THE SALE OF RAW AND REkNED SUGar, molasses, bioethanol and biopower.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno announced last month that the country’s economic managers were eyeing the deregulation of government restrictions on sugar imports, to “put pressure� on domestic sugar products to compete with the global market.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

JV Ejercito hits ‘black propaganda’ against him SEN. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito on Wednesday deplored the black propaganda against him as posters showing him making fun of measles outbreak were found in some areas in Manila.

The reelectionist senator was referring to posters with his picture and carrying this message “Salamat sa tigdas, araw-araw bata todas

(Thanks to measles, a child dies every day).�

Ejercito turned to social media to express his disgust. “Dirty tricks started. Many of these spotted in Manila. Who could be behind?� “In a way, I’m glad that whoever is behind those tarpaulins is admitting they can’t think of any issue to hurl against me that they have to resort

to these black propaganda,� he said in his Twitter account.

Ejercito said that 2019 being an election year, he “expected some to resort to black propaganda.� “But when dirty tricks make fun of a serious issue such as the measles outbreak, then I have to condemn it as heartless and reckless,� he said.

He has yet to found out who spread the black propaganda materials against in Manila. “Sino nga ba ang sobra ang galit sa akin para gumawa pa ng ganito?

Any ideas, guys? Parang alam ko na (Who could be the one who is mad at me that can do this? I think I know already),� Ejercito said.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

Wife who abandoned family may be disinherited Dear PAO, My cousin and his wife have been separated for approximately two years now. She left him and their 9-year-old son for another man whom she met at work. It really devastated my cousin to the point that he suffered a heart attack.

Until now it is still a struggle for him to accept what happened to their marriage. What makes it MORE DIFkCULT FOR MY COUSIN IS THE kNANCIAL BURDEN THAT WAS BROUGHT about by his hospitalization, and the fact that his wife does not want to provide support even just for their son although she has the means to provide the support that the child needs. A lot of times my cousin feels that his life is ending soon, so he wants to make sure that whatever belongs to him will only go to his son should he pass away. Is this possible? Please advise me on this matter.

Jakob Dear Jakob, By operation of law, the spouse and the children of a deceased

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA person inherit from the latter as they are considered as compulsory heirs. What they inherit is called legitime or that part of the testator’s property which he cannot dispose of because the law has reserved it for compulsory heirs (Article 774 in relation to Articles 886 and 887, New Civil Code of the Philippines).

Nonetheless, our laws recognize instances where compulsory heirs may be deprived from receiving their legitime. For instance, a spouse may be disinherited due to any of the following causes: “(1) When the spouse has been convicted of an attempt against the life of the testator, his or her descendants, or ascendants; ‘(2) When the spouse has ac-

cused the testator of a crime for which the law prescribes imprisonment of six years or more, and the accusation has been found to be false; “(3) When the spouse by fraud, violence, intimidation, or undue influence cause the testator to make a will or to change one already made; “(4) When the spouse has given cause for legal separation; “(5) When the spouse has given grounds for the loss of parental authority; “(6) Unjustifiable refusal to support the children or the other spouse� (Article 921, New Civil Code; Emphasis supplied).

In the situation which you have presented, we believe that your cousin may deny his wife of her legitime if he can establish that her refusal to provide support for him and/or their son is without valid basis. Apart from that, if he can also establish that his wife ABANDONED THEM WITHOUT JUSTIkable cause for more than one year,

a basis for legal separation, then that may also serve as a cause for her disinheritance (Article 55 (10), Family Code of the Philippines in relation to Article 921 (4), New Civil Code).

It bears emphasis, though, that it is necessary for your cousin to state the intended disinheritance through a will because it is specifically stated under Article 916 of the New Civil Code that “disinheritance can be effected only through a will wherein the legal cause therefor shall be specified.�

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

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

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Opinion

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Infra plans shouldn’t stop at 10 years

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EXT month, the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) will publicly launch a P40-trillion, 10-year roadmap to continue the aggressive infrastructure drive begun with the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build� program. This is such a welcome development that will serve the country better if the plan imposes no time limit.

The Construction Industry Roadmap 2030 proposes to spend P4 trillion per year on infrastructure over the next 10 years, beginning this year. The plan expands the current infrastructure drive to include housing and tourism infrastructure, and is expected to create up to 800,000 new jobs in the construction sector, according to CIAP chief Rowel Barba.

Executive Director Barry Paulino of the Philippine ConSTRUCTORS !SSOCIATION 0#! POINTED OUT THAT A SIGNIkCANT feature of the roadmap is its development plan for creating new skilled labor. The roadmap will train 300,000 skilled workers over the 10-year period, Paulino said.

As Barba, who is also undersecretary for the Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business Group, pointed out, the roadmap will require legislative action to set it in motion, but the fact that Congress will have a coherent, detailed plan to assess once it returns to work after the May elections is promising. Worthwhile government initiatives historically do not live beyond the term of the administration that conceives and implements them, with the unfortunate result that many good ideas are never completed, or even earnestly begun.

Infrastructure development, in particular, has suffered from the pattern of discontinuous attention because of the complexity and necessarily multi-year timeframe of many vital projects. A familiar example would be the long overdue replacement for the outdated and overworked NAIA. Ideas for A NEW AIRPORT HAVE BEEN lOATING AROUND SINCE TWO ADMINIStrations ago, but it is only now that any serious proposal has begun to coalesce; and even so, the chances of it progressing to the stage of actual construction before Duterte’s term ends in 2022 still look slim at this point.

A 10-year plan powered by legislation does obviate some of the problem of “short-termism,� but only by extending strategic planning for a few years. The country’s need for sound and well developed infrastructure, however, has no expiration date. As the population grows, its need for infrastructure grows and shifts right along with it.

The lessons of examples such as the MRT-3 should not be ignored: Considered a highly progressive development when IT WAS CONCEIVED

BY THE TIME THE LIGHT RAIL LINE WAS kNALLY CONSTRUCTED DEMAND SIGNIkCANTLY EXCEEDED ITS CAPACITY "Y the time the current administration prioritized salvaging and upgrading it, the MRT-3 had deteriorated to the point of near uselessness.

As an area of policy focus, infrastructure should be viewed realistically as a need that is dynamic and continuous. Rather THAN DEVELOPING A kXED TERM gROADMAP u THE GOVERNMENT should, instead, consider ways to internalize the positive policy proposals of the Construction Industry Roadmap 2030 and make them a normal way for the Philippine government — regardless of who leads it — to do business.

For instance, the proposed spending levels for infrastructure could quite easily be made a permanent part of public policy; so, too, could the roadmap’s framework for job creation and skills development. A sustainable policy is likely to require giving relevant agencies more authority to select and fund projects, but streamlining and regularizing areas such as project awarding and procurement — the rules for which seem to change with each change of administration ‡ WOULD IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY AND EFkCIENCY In the context of what has been the usual way of doing business, the Construction Industry Roadmap 2030 does represent a good step forward. But much more could be done to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of policy. ~

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 132

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net XXX NBOJMBUJNFT OFU t F NBJM OFXTEFTL!NBOJMBUJNFT OFU Letters to the Editor THE MANILA TIMES is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002 The owners, managers, publishers and editors do not necessarily share the opinions expressed and the statements made by individual authors of columns, commentaries and other articles published in The Manila Times.

Kris Aquino for President?

Political scenarios as simulation and parody

I

T initially appeared as an outlandish, laughable idea, this thing about a Sara Duterte-Leni Robredo duel in 2022. At least, that is how I reacted when a friend told me about it.

But apparently, it seems that this scenario is actually something that some people are now seriously entertaining. Except that it is an incomplete one. It only tells us half of the real storyline.

What is more outlandish, bor-

ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS dering on parody, or satire, or if you want to sound intellectual, a Bakhtinian carnivalesque, is that this Duterte-Robredo duel is allegedly, according to my source, only a front act, or a teaser to the real thing.

Because the real thing is Kris Aquino.

And the script is written this way.

Robredo is just a foil, a teaser, only to pave the way for the entrance of Kris to challenge Duterte, or to be accurate, to challenge Duterte and Robredo. And the grandmasters are hoping that by 2022, the electorate will be so tired of having another Duterte but is not tired enough to accommodate Robredo that they would be willing to give

another one from the AquinoCojuangco dynasty a try, even if it turns out to be Kris.

A tall tale? Perhaps. But it appears that the storyline, while initially could be dismissed, is beginning to unfold. The yellow media is now incessantly, and with notable VIGOR lOATING THE IDEA OF A $UTERTE Robredo scenario for 2022.

And there are just too many odd

ÂłContrerasA5

Q MAKABENTA FROM A1

Tourism slogan needs overhaul, not repurposing With a sizable chunk of Treasury funds on the line, the policy decision is mistaken on multiple grounds: 1. It opts to continue a promotions program that was questionable from the beginning, and earned no points for effectiveness in all the years that it was implemented during the administration of President Benigno Aquino 3rd.

2. It relinquishes the rare opportunity to use tourism promotions as a tool for building a strong national image for the Philippines in the 21st century 3. Its message is incongruent with the image of dynamism, modernity, independence and effectiveness that the Philippines under President Duterte seeks to convey to the world today. Ă?)T S MORE FUNĂ? FATALLY lUNKS THE criterion of originality in branding, and brands the country as a copycat before the world by appropriating a campaign line that was used decades ago by Switzerland.

5. The costs of the tourism campaign must be weighed against the costs of other vital programs of the government, and evaluated on the basis of cost effectiveness.

Any one of these reasons appears TO ME SUFkCIENT GROUND TO COMPEL A review of the repurposed "It’s more fun" tourism campaign.

Renewed, refreshed and repurposed A Scottish journalist covering the Philippines immediately after the EDSA revolt ruefully said at the time about President Cory Aquino and her policies: “President Aquino has an extraordinary instinct for inertia.�

I recall his words today as I beHOLD THE kXATION OF THE 4OURISM department on the "It’s more fun" tourism slogan, and its laziness in developing another campaign or message that is more consonant with the nation that is rising in the archipelago today.

To listen to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, there is no alternative.

During the launch on Monday of a renewed, refreshed, and repurposed "It’s more fun" campaign at the Museum of Natural History in Manila, Puyat intoned with alacrity: “We are coming into 2019 with

a renewed and refreshed sense of purpose, with more and more travelers conscious about their ecological footprint, the cultures and experiences they are consuming and simply wanting to know how they can give back. “The time is ripe for a repurposing of the word ‘fun’.�

Repurposing? Is there even such a word in the English language?

I researched the issue the day I kRST HEARD IT It appears that lexicographers in the British and American English dictionaries have quietly grafted the word into the language.

Merriam Webster’s in its Learners Dictionary says the earliest known use of "repurposing" was in1984.

Collins English Dictionary says "repurpose" is used rarely. The word is in the lower 50 percent of commonly used words in the Collins dictionary Generally, they all sound resigned to the entry of the word into the language.

British and American English dictionaries are generally agreed in their DEkNITION OF THE WORD REPURPOSE and repurposing. Their verdict is that "repurpose" means “to change (something) so that it can be used for a different purpose.�

Even Oxford dictionary joined the parade.

I found one language writer who said that "repurposing" is very much like "recycling" which is widely used in environment studies.

New spin of ‘It’s more fun’ When asked why she is sticking with the old tourism campaign, Secretary Puyat said: “I actually believe in continuity. The hashtag works. Second, like in other countries, they never changed their campaign... For me, I believe it works. The Philippines has embraced the hashtag, we’ve made it our own and we already have 4.3 million using it,�

The repurposed campaign was propelled by the six-month closure of world-famous Boracay island, which had been devastated by pollution and violations of environmental laws. Through purposive government action, the island has been reopened again to tourism.

Puyat explains the new spin: “We can have fun at the same time that

we protect the environment. This is not mere continuity, this is sustainability. This (campaign) aims to repurpose fun into sustainability.�

Opportunity for national branding Alas, I do not agree with all this hype.

I belong to the school that believes a country’s tourism campaign is a precious opportunity for that country to build a strong brand or image for itself.

The idea that countries have a "brand" or "image" is not new.

Corporations have images (or identities), stores have an image and so do individuals (especially actors and politicians. All of these entities are concerned about their identity and try to shape and improve it, if required.

What’s true for corporations and individuals is also true for nations.

In the book, National Image and Competitive Advantage, the authors Eugene D. Jaffe and Israel D, Nebenzahl (Copenhagen Business School Press, Copenhagen, 2001) discuss how a country can systematically manage its image correctly and work to improve it. They also advise that the government, industry and indiVIDUAL kRMS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO strengthen a country’s brand.

How national image is built and improved Most revealing of all, National Image discusses many case studies of HOW SPECIkC COUNTRIES DEVELOPED or improved their country images. It also cites some campaigns that fell short of the mark.

Each case study will be instructive for policy planners of the Philippine government if they are minded to STRENGTHEN AND REkNE THE COUNTRY@S image and brand.

I will only highlight here for the purpose of this column two examples discussed with much insight: First, the evolution of the Japanese country image after World War 2, and how it became a highly developed country and the world leader in innovative high-quality consumer products.

Second, the transformation of Israel from a source of agricultural produce to a high-tech center that challenges Silicon Valley.

The authors draw some lessons from the Japanese and Israeli experiences: 1. A change in country image is a slow long-term process that takes years, even decades.

2. There should be consistency in those image attributes that must be changed.

3. It takes concerted effort by all to lead a successful image campaign.

4. Image campaigns are expensive to launch. Government cannot do the job alone. The private sector should SIGNIkCANTLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE EFFORT

Lack of originality a fatal flaw ) WILL CLOSE WITH THIS kNAL NOTE "It’s more fun" should be discarded because of its lack of originality We cannot build a strong national image on the carcass of a campaign discarded by another country.

We will stand apart from the currently successful campaigns: "Amazing Thailand", "Incredible India", "Malaysia Truly Asia" and "Wonderful Indonesia" for our lack of originality and imagination.

Worse, "It’s more fun" promotes the wrong image of our country and our people, at a time when we are on the cusp of full modernization and national transformation.

‘It’s more fun’ needs a major overhaul "It’s more fun� connotes a funloving and frivolous people. )T DOES NOT RElECT OUR HISTORY OUR culture and our land.

This year, we will mark the 120th year of the proclamation of national independence.

In 2021, we will commemorate the quincentennial of the discovery of the Philippines and the circumnavigation of the world

by Ferdinand Magellan.

With history oozing from our every pore and every part of our archipelago, why are we sending a message of frivolity to the world?

Can we not even take ourselves seriously?

And so, I say: "It’s more fun in the Philippines" needs an overhaul, not repurposing.

yenmakabenta@yahoo.com

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

Opinion

A5

Future cities: Clark and Metro Davao

T

(% FUTURE OF CITIES LOOKS BRIGHT 'LOBAL TRENDS AND BEST PRACTICES ARE REDEkNING THE WAY PEOPLE EXPERIENCE URBAN LIFE !ROUND THE WORLD

PEOPLE ARE DISCOVERING SUSTAINABLE AND SMART WAYS TO MOVE AROUND THE CITY THEY ARE INNOVATING TECHNOLOGY AND BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT AND ENABLE PEOPLE TO LIVE BALANCED AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES ALL YEAR ROUND 7E RE LOOKing at top cities such as CopenhaGEN .EW 9ORK (ONG +ONG 4ORONTO AND 6IENNA ‡ SOME OF THE WORLD S MOST LIVABLE AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES TODAY WHERE PEOPLE ENJOY GREAT URBAN MOBILITY AND WALKABILITY AND EXPERIENCE MANY AMAZING CULTURAL AND SOCIO ECONOMIC BENEkTS 3OON ENOUGH WE CAN PROUDLY ADD #LARK &REEPORT :ONE AND -ETRO $AVAO to this list because we at Palafox ARE DESIGNING THEM TO BECOME THE COUNTRY S CITIES OF THE FUTURE 3USTAINABLE URBANISM CHARACTERIZES THE CITIES OF THE FUTURE 4HEY ARE PLACES DEkNED BY THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS CONNECTIVITY SAFETY AND RESILIENCE )N THE 53 7ASHINGTON $# WAS AWARDED AS THE 7ORLD S &IRST ,%%$ 0LATINUM #ITY BY THE 53 'REEN

FELINO A. PALAFOX, JR. "UILDING #OUNCIL !SIDE FROM THE FACT THAT EVERY GOVERNMENT BUILDING IN 7ASHINGTON IS POWERED BY RENEWABLE ENERGY OVER HALF OF ITS RESIDENTS BIKE

WALK OR TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO WORK 4HE CAPITAL SEEMS TO RECOGNIZE ITS OBLIGATION TO LEAD THE WAY IN SOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES )N THE 0HILIPPINES #LARK &REEPORT :ONE AND -ETRO $AVAO MAY TAKE ON A SIMILAR ROLE "EING ONE OF THE COUNTRY S kRST SMART CITIES AND AS THE MUCH AWAITED g!EROTROPOLIS OF !SIA u #LARK &REEPORT :ONE WILL NOT ONLY BECOME AN ATTRACTIVE COUNTER MAGNET TO -ETRO -ANILA BUT A WORLD CLASS

TECHNOLOGICALLY DRIVEN AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY FOR EVERYONE 7ITH AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT THE HEART OF ITS DEVELOPMENT PEOPLE WILL FIND efficient connections to multiple EMPLOYMENT DISTRICTS SURROUNDING IT -ETRO $AVAO ON THE OTHER HAND

IS AN EMERGING MEGALOPOLIS 4HE

CITIES COMPRISING IT WILL BE SUSTAINED THROUGH THE PRESERVATION OF ITS RICH ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY /UR URBAN MASTER PLAN FOR -ETRO $AVAO MAKES SURE THAT THE IDENTIkED RESERVE AREAS IN $AVAO REMAIN INTACT BECAUSE THEY ARE VITAL TO PEOPLE S SOURCES OF LIVELIHOOD )N 0ANABO #ITY SUSTAINABLE AGRO INDUSTRIES WILL YIELD IMPROVED FOOD SECURITY AND AS THE 0HILIPPINES LARGEST BANANA PRODUCER IT IS IMPORTANT THAT INDUSTRIAL SUSTAINABILITY GO HAND IN HAND WITH AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION /NE WAY THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED IS THROUGH EACH SECTOR S COOPERATION IN THE OBSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES &OR INSTANCE

COMPLYING WITH THE REGULATIONS FOR THE -T !PO 0ROTECTED !REA :ONE AND STRICTLY ENFORCING THE NO BUILD ZONE FOR GROUNDWATER RECHARGE AREAS 4HE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE IN BOTH #LARK &REEPORT :ONE AND -ETRO $AVAO WILL FACILITATE THE REALIZATION OF SAFE AND PROSPEROUS CITIES !RCHITECTS AND URBAN PLANNERS ARE INNOVATING INTERESTING WAYS OF INTEGRATING AGRICULTURE IN THE URBAN LANDSCAPE &AMOUS STRUCTURES INCLUDE "OSTO 6ERTICALE IN -ILAN AND THE 4REE (OUSE IN 3INGAPORE

THE WORLD S LARGEST VERTICAL GARDEN $ID YOU KNOW THAT "OSCO 6ERTICALE S

TREES AND PLANTS ACROSS ITS PAIR OF TOWERS CAN TRANSFORM APPROXIMATELY POUNDS OF CARBON DIOXIDE INTO OXYGEN EACH YEAR )MAGINE THE BENEkTS OF INTEGRATING GREEN ARCHITECTURE WITH ALMOST EVERY KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN A CITY 4HIS IS WHAT #LARK &REEPORT :ONE AND -ETRO $AVAO WILL SOMEDAY ACHIEVE ) AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY &ILIPINOS EXPERIENCE A PLEASANT CITY COMMUTE &OR #LARK &REEPORT :ONE

THE PLAN IS TO BUILD A WORLD CLASS BUS RAPID TRANSIT "24 ALONG -AC!RTHUR Highway that will connect to the #LARK )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT AND OTHER TERMINALS 4HESE STATIONS WILL MAKE USE OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND INCLUSIVE 07$ ACCESS TO DELIVER HIGH PASSENGER CONVENIENCE EFkCIENCY AND COMFORT %LEVATED PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS

sidewalks, and bike lanes with ample STREET LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PLAN S RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS 4HESE TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENTS WILL SURELY FACILITATE THE EASE OF DOING business in the city, connecting people TO DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS AND DISTRICTS

4HE INFRASTRUCTURE IN -ETRO $AVAO WILL ALSO CONNECT PEOPLE TO MANY OPPORTUNITIES &OR EXAMPLE TO PREPARE $IGOS City to become the next logistics hub FOR THE %AST -ETROPOLITAN AREA WATER TRANSPORTATION ROUTES WILL BE CREATED $IGOS MAY OPEN UP MASS WATER TRANSIT ROUTES THAT WILL CONNECT TO 3AMAL A DEVELOPMENT THAT IS EXPECTED TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN THE $AVAO 'ULF &OR THE CITY OF 3AMAL SUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION THROUGH RESPONSIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IS THE TOP PRIORITY AS IT DREAMS OF ONE DAY BECOMING THE CENTER FOR RECREATION AND WELLNESS TOURISM 4HEY WILL SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE PARKS AND GREEN OPEN SPACES TO ATTRACT PEOPLE AND INVESTORS TO THEIR CITY )N THE MASTER PLANS CONCEPTUALIZED BY 0ALAFOX !SSOCIATES AND 0ALAFOX !RCHITECTURE 'ROUP FOR #LARK &REEPORT :ONE AND FOR -ETRO $AVAO SPECIkC DISTRICTS CAPITALIZING ON THE DISTINCT CHARACTER OF THEIR LOCATION WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO LIVE AND VISIT 4HESE DISTRICTS WILL OFFER PEOPLE ACTIVITIES THAT SUIT THEIR NEEDS AND LIFESTYLE 4HEY WILL BECOME PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN LIVE

WORK SHOP DINE LEARN AND WORSHIP WITH SOME HOUR ACTIVITY CENTERS

Q SALUDO FROM A1

For our security, avoid war — and prepare for it T

3O WHY DID LAST 4HURSDAY S COLUMN CALL FOR SCRAPPING THE -$4 7HAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND kVE MONTHS 0LENTY &OR STARTERS THE 5NITED 3TATES escalated its campaign to challenge #HINA S CLAIM OVER NEARLY ALL THE 3OUTH #HINA 3EA AND ITS LAND FEATURES !MERICA BROUGHT IN ALLIES "RITAIN AND &RANCE IN FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION OPERATIONS FONOPS LIKE SAILING JUST OUTSIDE THE MILE CLAIMED TERRITORIAL WATERS OF #HINESE BUILT ISLAND BASES IN THE DISPUTED 3PRATLYS 4HERE ARE NOW lASHPOINTS IN 4AIWAN AND +OREA WHICH WERE NOT THERE IN 4HEY ELEVATE THE RISK OF THE 0HILIPPINES BEING DRAGGED INTO A MAJOR WAR DUE TO THE TREATY 0LUS THE CURRENT MOVE TO REVIEW AND POSSIBLY REVISE THE -$4 RAISES NOT ONLY THE OPTION OF SCRAPPING IT

BUT ALSO THE RISK OF A MORE DANGEROUS

DISADVANTAGEOUS PACT BEING FORGED &OR IF THE %$#! IS ANY INDICATION

0HILIPPINE DEFENSE NEGOTIATORS COULD VERY WELL GIVE 5NCLE 3AM EVERYTHING IT WANTS WHILE GETTING LITTLE IN RETURN

First, reduce threats So, how exactly can the PhilipPINES BE SECURED WITHOUT THE -$4 4HREE STRATEGIES WHICH WERE PRESENTED BY THIS WRITER IN PAST COLUMNS THROUGH THE YEARS HTTPS WWW MANILATIMES NET DUTERTE MAKING NATION SECURE &IRST REDUCE THREATS 4HE BIGgest one is full-scale attack on the COUNTRY BY A 53 ADVERSARY FACING BOMBARDMENT FROM !MERICAN FORCES DEPLOYED IN THE 0HILIPPINES *UST THINK IF 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE HAD NOT STOPPED THE %$#!

ROLLOUT BUT INSTEAD ALLOWED 53 WARPLANES USE kVE OF OUR AIR BASES

UNDER THE AGREEMENT .ORTH +OREAN LEADER +IM *ONG 5N MIGHT HAVE INCLUDED THEM IN HIS THREAT DURING THE +OREAN CRISIS TO NUKE THE 53 BASE IN 'UAM !ND THE 53 !RMY FUNDED 2!.$ THINK TANK REPORT IN g7AR WITH #HINA 4HINKING 4HROUGH THE 5NTHINKABLE u WARNED THAT PRIMARY TARGETS OF THE 0EOPLE S ,IBERATION !RMY IN A WAR WITH !MERICA WOULD BE gAIRCRAFT CARRIERS AND REGIONAL AIR BASESu (HTTPS WWW RAND ORG CONTENT DAM RAND PUBS RESEARCH?REPORTS 22 22 2!.$?22 PDF Those bases would include the kVE ALLOWED FOR 53 USE UNDER THE %$#!

NEAR THE CITIES OF #EBU 0UERTO 0RINCESA AND #AGAYAN DE /RO

AND IN MAJOR RICE GROWING PROVINCES OF 0AMPANGA AND .UEVA %CIJA -$4 AND %$#! PROPONENTS CLAIM THEY ARE NEEDED TO ASSERT OUR MARITIME SOVEREIGN RIGHTS AND DEFEND THE ARCHIPELAGO FROM INVASION 4HEY ARE WRONG ON BOTH COUNTS $ESPITE THE DEFENSE TREATY THE US did nothing when China took OVER -ISCHIEF 2EEF IN AND 3CARBOROUGH 3HOAL IN BECAUSE !MERICA HAS CONSISTENTLY REFUSED TO GET INVOLVED IN OUR TERRITORIAL DISPUTES !S FOR DEFENDING THE 0HILIPPINES FROM INVASION !MERICA

*APAN !USTRALIA AND OTHER NATIONS WOULD COME TO OUR AID EVEN WITHOUT THE -$4 7HY "ECAUSE LETTING A HOSTILE POWER TAKE CONTROL OF THE MOST STRATEGICALLY SITUATED COUNTRY IN %AST !SIA WOULD CREATE A MAMMOTH GEOPOLITICAL AND SECURITY NIGHTMARE -$4 OR NO -$4 !MERICA AND ITS ALLIES CANNOT AFFORD TO LET THE 0HILIPPINES FALL INTO ENEMY HANDS 3O IT MAKES SENSE FOR US TO SCRAP THE TREATY AND REDUCE RISKS OF BEING DRAGGED INTO

A 53 WAR IN !SIA WHILE STILL FORGING !DVISER 2OILO 'OLEZ A GRADUATE OF THE 53 .AVAL !CADEMY ALSO PUSHED ALLIANCES FOR OUR DEFENSE FOR ANTI SHIP MISSILES SPECIkCALLY THE "RAH-OS PROJECTILE DESIGNED BY Get ready for war 2USSIA AND )NDIA AND MADE BY THE That is not to say the Philippines LATTER 6IETNAM IS BUYING THE "RAHSHOULD SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING FOR OUR -OS ITS PLUS KM RANGE COVERS DEFENSE 7HILE ALLIES WOULD kGHT TO THE ENTIRE %%: WITH AN KM STOP INVASION THEY HAVE SHOWN TIME MODEL NOW UNDER TESTING 'OLEZ SAID "RAH-OS ARE AND AGAIN THAT THEY WON T GET INVOLVED IN TERRITORIAL SPATS 3O WE MUST GEAR ENOUGH TO DETER INTERLOPERS 4HAT WOULD COST ABOUT 0 BILLION INCLUDUP TO ASSERT AND DEFEND WHAT S OURS 4O PROTECT OUR SOVEREIGN RIGHTS ON ING SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE ‡ ABOUT THE HIGH SEAS WE NEED ! !$ 4HAT S THE SAME AS THE SIX (YUNDAI FRIGATES ANTI ACCESS AREA DENIAL ARMAMENTS THE .AVY WANTS TO BUY WHICH ARE FAR URGED BY THE #ENTER FOR 3TRATEGIC AND MORE VULNERABLE AND FAR LESS DETER"UDGETARY !SSESSMENTS #3"!

A RENT THAN MISSILES HTTPS WWW 7ASHINGTON DEFENSE THINK TANK IN MANILATIMES NET DEFEND SEAS GET ITS REPORT g4HE 'EOSTRATEGIC 2ETURN MISSILES NOT SHIPS OF THE 0HILIPPINES u PUBLISHED AFTER -OUNTED THREE TO A TRUCK THE THE !QUINO REGIME LOST 3CARBOROUGH "RAH-OS CAN MOVE WHERE THERE ARE 3HOAL IN HTTPS WWW kLES ETHZ THREATS WHILE HIDING IN JUNGLE )F CH ISN 'EOSTRA- THE SUPERSONIC PROJECTILES ARE DETEGIC 2ETURN 0HILIPPINES PDF PLOYED EVEN OUR SMALL PATROL BOATS 2ATHER THAN THE FRIGATES FAVORED COULD CONFRONT MAJOR WARSHIPS

BY THE 0HILIPPINE .AVY AND PRE- WITH HEAVY PRECISION FIREPOWER SUMABLY ITS !MERICAN DEFENSE DEFENDING OUR NAVY FROM LAND ADVISERS #3"! CALLED ON THE 53 7HERE DO WE SOURCE 0 BILLION TO HELP ITS ALLY ACQUIRE MARITIME "UDGET OFkCIALS CONkRMED TO 'OLEZ SURVEILLANCE AIRCRAFT ANTI SHIP MIS- THAT -ALAMPAYA ROYALTIES NOW EXSILES AND AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS CEEDING 0 BILLION CAN BE USED !S WE HAVE ARGUED BEFORE THOSE TO ACQUIRE THE MISSILES SINCE THEY ! !$ ASSETS ARE FAR MORE EFFECTIVE IN WOULD SECURE OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS SPOTTING AND DETERRING ENCROACHMENT DEPOSITS AN ENERGY RELATED EXPENDIIN OUR ISLAND TERRITORIES AS WELL AS OUR TURE ALLOWED FOR FUNDING !ND )NDIA EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE %%: HAS OFFERED A BILLION DOLLAR CREDIT NAUTICAL MILES FROM OUR TERRITORIAL LINE FOR EXPORTS TO THE 0HILIPPINES BASELINES AND OUR EXTENDED CONTINEN!LONG WITH RISK REDUCTION AND TAL SHELF %#3 NM OUT ! !$ THE THIRD SECURITY STRATEGY IS 5NDER THE 5NITED .ATIONS #ONVEN- MULTILATERAL DEFENSE !S LONG AS THEY TION ON THE ,AW OF THE 3EA 5NICLOS DO NOT POSE OFFENSIVE THREATS AGAINST WE HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO EXPLOIT #HINA WE CAN FORGE ALLIANCES WITH RESOURCES IN OUR %%: WATERS AND THE OTHER NATIONS )NDEED "EIJING HAS %#3 SEABED 0ART OF OUR %#3 IS "EN- NOT OPPOSED MILITARY COOPERATION HAM 2ISE AN AREA LARGER THAN ,UZON between the Philippines and Japan, OFF THE ISLAND S 0ACIkC COAST !USTRALIA AND OTHER STATES -ORE ON 4HE LATE FORMER .ATIONAL 3ECURITY THIS NEXT WEEK

Q CONTRERAS FROM A4

Kris Aquino for President?

EVENTS HAPPENING +RIS !QUINO AFTER BEING EXPOSED

BY THE &ALCIS BROTHERS CAME OUT ANnouncing with audacity that all the NEGATIVE PRESS FAILED TO DIMINISH HER )N FACT DESPITE THE PUBLIC REVELATION OF THE THREATS SHE ALLEGEDLY MADE AGAINST .ICKO &ALCIS +RIS STILL HAD THE CONkDENCE TO ANNOUNCE TO THE WORLD

g) M STILL HERE IT DIDN T WORK u !ND FOR MANY IT REALLY APPEARS THAT IT DIDN T WORK ) STILL SEE MANY PEOPLE IDOLIZING +RIS FOR HER AUTHENTICITY DESPITE HER lAWS -ANY STILL SEE IN HER CHECKERED LIFE A COMPELLING STORY THAT SOME POLITICAL OPERATOR WITH WELL OILED PATRONS CAN SPIN TO BECOME THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL NARRATIVE )N FACT ) JUST READ ONE FRIEND BOLDLY STATE THAT SHE WILL VOTE FOR +RIS OVER ,ENI AND 3ARA ANYTIME INCLUDING 3UNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS 7ELL POLITICS HAS INDEED BECOME ONE BIG REALITY SHOW )T HAS BECOME a spectacle that nothing could be DISMISSED AS OUTLANDISH ANYMORE #ONVENTIONS ARE BEING BREACHED 4RADITIONS ARE BEING SIDELINED 4HE EXTRAORDINARY IS THE NORM NOW EVEN AS POLITICS HAS BECOME

A STAGED PERFORMANCE WHERE UNFORTUNATELY OR FORTUNATELY DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU STAND IS A PLATFORM WHERE +RIS !QUINO THRIVES 7E DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO THE 53 TO WATCH HOW $ONALD 4RUMP HAS PERFORMED OR RATHER HAS TWEETED HIS politics, and how this is matched by .ANCY 0ELOSI S MATRIARCHAL PERFORMANCE CAPTURED IN THAT ICONIC CLAP !LL WE HAVE TO DO IS TO WITNESS HOW OUR VERY OWN 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE DECONSTRUCTS EVERYTHING WRITTEN ON HOW PRESIDENTS SHOULD BEHAVE 4HIS IS THE POST MODERN AGE WHERE THERE IS NO LONGER A HARD BOUNDARY BETWEEN PERFORMANCE AND REALITY 4HE DIVIDE BETWEEN FACT AND kCTION IS NOW MADE POROUS IN THE AGE OF THE INTERNET 0UTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE TO REFER TO HOW CAUSE BECOMES EFFECT IS NOW REPLACED BY THE TAIL WAGGING THE DOG TO DESCRIBE THE SPECTACLE OF NEWS NOW CREATING THE EVENT INSTEAD OF OBJECTIVE NEWS MERELY REPORTING IT )T IS IN THIS ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT IS NOW POSSIBLE TO PLOT THE TRAJECTORY OF A POLITICAL CAREER AND WHERE A THRIVING INDUSTRY OF IMAGE BUILDERS EVENT STAGERS AND INFORMATION MANAGERS AND MANIPU-

LATORS MASQUERADING AS 02 kRMS OR POLITICAL MARKETING AGENCIES EXISTS TO TURN WHAT APPEARS TO BE POLITICAL kCTION INTO A REAL ELECTION SCENARIO )T IS HERE THAT IT BECOMES VALID TO ASK IF ALL THE BROUHAHA ABOUT +RIS !QUINO AND THE SCANDALS AND INTRIGUES SHE WAS INVOLVED IN RECENTLY ARE SIMPLY PART OF THE GRAND SCRIPT !FTER ALL WHAT BETTER WAY TO PAINT A REBOUND THAN TO STAGE A DOWNFALL THEN COME BACK FROM IT WITH A VENGEANCE MATCHED WITH DRAMATIC QUOTES LIKE g) M STILL HERE

IT DIDN T WORK u 4HIS IS OF COURSE JUST A HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO AND MAY JUST BE ONE THAT SPEAKS SIMPLY AS AN OVERDOSE OF SOAP OPERA OR .ETlIX "UT IN A SIMULATED WORLD OF THE POST MODERN WHERE kCTION AND REALITY ARE NO LONGER DISTINGUISHABLE FROM EACH OTHER THERE IS NO MORE LIMIT TO WHAT WE CAN POSSIBLY ASK ! RELATED QUESTION CAN ALSO BE RAISED #OULD IT BE THAT THIS ENTIRE -ARIA 2ESSA AFFAIR IS ACTUALLY ANOTHER STAGED EVENT WHERE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ARREST WAS PLAYED AROUND TO MAXIMIZE THE DRAMATIC EFFECT WITH THE UNWILL-

ING PARTICIPATION OF THE $O* AND THE COURTS )S THE GOVERNMENT CAUGHT IN A CAREFULLY PLANNED EVENT TO GENERATE THE STORYLINE THAT NEEDED TO BE NURTURED TO FEED INTO THE TRAJECTORY OF THE POLITICAL PLOT 4HE FRAMING OF THE STORY WAS NOT JUST SEEN IN THE REPRESENTATION OF 2ESSA AS IMAGE

WITH THE CAMERA ANGLED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO MAGNIFY HER *OAN OF !RC REPRESENTATION ‡ ARMS RAISED LIPS pouting as if mouthing a challenge, EYES WIDE OPEN TO EVOKE DEkANCE )T WAS ALSO lOWING IN THE WORDS SHE was saying, as well as those that othERS WERE ARTICULATING ABOUT HER AND HER ALLEGED VICTIMIZATION )T IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT HOURS AFTER THE incident, global media and political PERSONALITIES DESCENDED ON THE STORY AS IF THERE IS SOMEONE DIRECTING IT )T IS FAIR TO ASK IF -ARIA 2ESSA IS BEING GROOMED FOR A ROLE IN THE GRAND SCRIPT FOR /NE OF THE GREAT DANGERS OF AN INTERNET MEDIATED WORLD IS THAT IT IS NO LONGER JUST ELECTIONS THAT ARE STOLEN %VEN THE REALNESS OF REALITY IS NOW STOLEN REPLACED BY THE POSSIBILITY OF A +RIS !QUINO PRESIDENCY

4HEY WILL BECOME PROGRESSIVE AND COMPACT CITIES OF THE FUTURE !CCORDING TO A NEW REPORT ON METRO DENSITY

PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN COMPACT CITIES TEND TO LIVE ABOUT THREE YEARS LONGER 4HIS IS BECAUSE WHEN PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE CITY S LANDSCAPE PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO LIVE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES AND ENGAGE IN RESTFUL LEISURELY ACTIVITIES 0ARKS ARE ALSO GREAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THEY FORM THE LUNGS OF THE CITY WHERE THE AIR IS FRESH AND INVIGORATING #ENTRAL 0ARK IN .EW 9ORK IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THIS URBAN DEVELOPMENT )T IS A TESTIMONY TO THE FACT THAT EVEN IN VERTICAL CITIES PEOPLE S QUALITY OF LIFE CAN BE SIGNIkCANTLY BETTER %VERYONE WANTS TO LIVE IN MASTER PLANNED AND ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY CITIES COMMUNITIES AND BUILDINGS !T 0ALAFOX WE ALWAYS DESIGN WITH THE INTEGRAL ECOLOGY APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT THAT INCORPORATES PEOPLE OR SOCIAL EQUITY PLANET EARTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT PROkT CULTURE HISTORY AND HERITAGE AND INTERFAITH SPIRITUALITY !WARE OF THE FACT THAT DEVELOPMENT IS EVERYONE S CONCERN AND RESPONSIBILITY

WE ARE COMING CLOSER TO A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE FOR 0HILIPPINE CITIES

A day with canonists

HE Canon Law Society of the Philippines was meeting in Cebu #ITY AND ITS OFkCERS HAD INVITED ME TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT DECREES OF NULLITY and annulment in the Family Code, as WELL AS THE PROCEDURE LAID OUT BY THE 3UPREME #OURT FOR SUCH CASES 7HILE THEY ASSURED ME THAT ) DID CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT 0HILIPPINE LAW PROVIDES AND HOW 0HILIPPINE COURTS GO ABOUT THEIR TASK OF gADMINISTERING JUSTICE u ) CAME AWAY FROM THAT ENCOUNTER WITH A PROFOUND RESPECT FOR THE WORK AND MINISTRY OF THE CANONIST IN THE #HURCH !ND YES THEY ARE gLAWYERSu ‡ AND THAT HAS TO BE STRESSED IN THE FACE OF THE MYOPIC FOR WHOM gLAWYERu MUST BE RESERVED TO THAT ENCLAVE POPULATED BY THOSE WHO

BY TALENT OR FORTUITY HAVE PASSED THE 0HILIPPINE "AR 4HEY ARE THE #HURCH S LAWYERS AND SO THE TERMS ADVOCATI ADVOCATES iudex JUDGE PROMOTOR iustitiae PROMOTER OF JUSTICE ARE USED

BY THEM AND ABOUT THEM 4HE #ATHOLIC #HURCH HAS A BODY OF LAW MORE VENERABLE THAN MANY LEGAL SYSTEMS CURRENTLY EXTANT IN THE WORLD )T IS TO BE SURE NOT THE LEGAL SYSTEM OF ANY STATE OR TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION BUT A LAW OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT SPANS SEVERAL CONTINENTS AND HAS BEEN PUT TO WORK FOR CENTURIES )T IS NO OVERSTATEMENT TO POINT OUT THAT canon law has played no minuscule ROLE IN THE EVOLUTION OF LAW ITSELF )N FACT LEGAL SCHOLARS WHO MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE LAWYERS BUT ARE PRINCIPALLY ACADEMICS IN THE DISCIPLINE OF LAW IDENTIFY g$E 0ROCESSIBUSu ‡ THAT PART OF CANON LAW DEALING WITH PROCEEDINGS AND PROCEDURE ‡ AS ONE OF THE RICH SOURCES FROM WHICH CIVIL LAW JURISDICTIONS HAVE DRAWN IN CRAFTING THEIR OWN RULES OF PROCEDURE &OR THE ,ATIN #HURCH THE PRESENT #ODE OF #ANON ,AW IS PART OF 3T *OHN 0AUL ND S LEGACY "EFORE HIM

#ATHOLICS OF THE ,ATIN 2ITE WERE SUBJECT TO THE #ODE THAT HAD CHARMINGLY QUAINT PROVISIONS SUCH AS FOR THOSE WHO HELD THE ACADEMIC DEGREE OF DOCTOR TO ADORN THEMSELVES WITH A DISTINCTIVE RING AND SUCH VESTIGES OF MEDIEVAL TIMES AS THE gPRIVILEGIUM FORI u THE RIGHT OF A CLERIC WHEN ACCUSED OF WRONGDOING

TO CHOOSE THE gFORUMu WHETHER TO BE TRIED BY A CIVIL COURT ‡ A COURT OF THE STATE ‡ OR AN ECCLESIASTICAL TRIBUNAL A PROPOSITION THAT WOULD DRIVE THE ANTI CLERICAL FASCISTS OF OUR DAYS INTO A kT SINCE THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE EVERY CARDINAL BISHOP AND PRIEST BEHIND BARS OR PROBABLY

EXECUTEDÜ 4HE PRESENT #ODE HAS BEEN HEWN ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT OF THE 3ECOND 6ATICAN #OUNCIL ‡ A PASTORAL CONCERN EVER PERVADING AND THE gSALUS ANIMARUMu ‡ THE GOOD OF SOULS ‡ AS THE GRUNDNORM Unless one is hopelessly bigoted, one cannot but be in awe of a legal SYSTEM THAT HAS GOVERNED AN ENTIRE CHURCH FOR CENTURIES AND THAT FOR many decades in many places, also SERVED AS THE LAW OF THE STATE 4RUE IT IS INSEPARABLE FROM THE THEOLOGY OF THE #ATHOLIC #HURCH AND HAS FOR GOOD REASON BEEN REFERRED TO AS gtheologia RETRIXu ‡ DIRECTORIAL THEOLOGY !T THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS THE ONLY UNIVERSITY IN THE 0HILIPPINES OFFERING A COMPLETE COURSE IN CANON LAW ALL

FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO THE WAY TO THE DOCTORATE DEGREE *#$ - $OCTOR *URIS #ANONICI ONE CAN COMMENCE THE COURSE OF STUDY FOR CANON LAW ONLY AFTER HAVING DONE SOME FUNDAMENTAL WORK IN THEOLOGY !ND this was one aspect that showed itself ONLY TOO CLEARLY IN OUR FRIENDLY AND CONSTRUCTIVE EXCHANGES YESTERDAY /NE BROTHER PRIEST COMPLAINED THAT THE PROCEDURE BEFORE THE &AMILY #OURTS WAS LONG TEDIOUS AND EXPENSIVE IN COMPARISON TO CANONICAL PROCEEDINGS ) TRIED MY BEST TO EXPLAIN THAT kRST

DELAYS ARE A COMMON MALADY GIVEN THE BURGEONING CASE LOAD OF COURTS AND OF JUDGES SECOND THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM THAT OUR COURTS IN THE 0HILIPPINES USE AND THE INQUISITORIAL SYSTEM THAT CIVIL LAW JURISDICTIONS ‡ INCLUDING ECCLESIASTICAL TRIBUNALS ‡ USE AND AMONG THE FEATURES OF THE ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM IS THE MANDATORY CHARACTER OF CROSS EXAMINATION (E THEN INQUIRED why nothing could be done to the PROCEDURES AS 0OPE &RANCIS HAD DONE TO CANONICAL PROCESS IN HIS motu PROPIO g-ITIS )UDEX )ESUS #HRISTUSu THAT gSTREAMLINEDu NULLITY PROCEEDINGS THAT CANONISTS CALL gANNULMENTu PROCEEDINGS )N THIS PAPAL ACT &RANCIS ALLOWED BISHOPS TO RENDER SOME KIND OF gSUMMARY JUDGMENTu IN WHAT HE CALLED gOBVIOUS CASESu ‡ WHEN THE NULLITY WAS SO GLARING AND CLEAR THAT ANY PROLONGED EXAMINATION OR RECITALS OF FACTS WOULD BE A USELESS CEREMONY !ND ) HAD TO EXPLAIN THAT UNLIKE THE #HURCH THAT SAW IN THE 0OPE FOR THEOLOGICAL REASONS ‡ PARTICULARLY ITS UNDERSTANDING OF THE 0ETRINE MINISTRY ‡ ALL LEGISLATIVE EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL AUTHORITY RESTED IN THE (OLY &ATHER IT WAS NOT SO WITH THE 3TATE /NE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE EXCLUSIVE POWER OF THE LEGISLATURE TO LEGISLATE AND THE EXCLUSIVE POWER OF THE 3UPREME #OURT ‡ UNDER THE #ONSTITUTION ‡ TO LAY PROCEDURAL RULES 5BI SOCIETAS IBI JUS 7HERE THERE IS SOCIETY THERE WILL BE LAW AND NO MATTER THAT SOME ‡ THANKFULLY NOT TOO MANY ‡ WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE #HURCH VANISH FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH LIKE RELIGION IT IS A STUBBORN phenomenon, and its legal system HAS CARVED ITS OWN NICHE IN THE HISTORY OF LAW )T IS IN CANON LAW WHERE WE HAVE A PRISTINE EXAMPLE OF LAW THAT EXPRESSLY DEDICATES ITSELF TO WHOLENESS AND HEALING FOR THAT IS WHAT SALVATION IS RATHER THAN BEING OBSESSED WITH FAULT AND CRIME /F COURSE THERE ARE SANCTIONS IN THE #HURCH BUT THESE ALWAYS HAVE A PASTORAL END !ND lYING OUT OF #EBU THIS MORNING ) WAS ONLY FULL OF GRATITUDE FOR THE WORK MY BROTHER PRIESTS WHO ARE THE #HURCH S CANON LAWYERS DO +EEPING A SOCIETY IN ORDER THAT HAS WITHSTOOD THE ASSAULTS OF PERSECUTORS and the designs of those who hate it to see to its demise!

RANNIE?AQUINO CSU EDU PH RANNIE?AQUINO SANBEDA EDU PH RANNIE?AQUINO OULOOK COM

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

Q TULFO FROM A1

Digong’s recent trip to Hong Kong While there, I got invited, along with a handful of close friends, to celebrate the birthday of President Digong’s sweetheart, Honeylet Avanceùa. It was also a post-Valentine celebration for the presidential lovebirds.

The President looked hale and hearty and didn’t look like he had had a recent kidney transplant as reported by a fellow columnist.

During the simple birthday celebration, the President ate heartily and drank a glass of red wine, a no-no if one has had a recent kidney transplant. *** During dinner, which was held at a nondescript Chinese restaurant — the President shuns ostentation — Digong was his usual ebullient self while entertaining guests.

We discussed a wide range of topics.

The President said he would order

all the bombs currently in military warehouses dropped on the lairs of Moro terrorists in Sulu so “we can have a new stock (of bombs).� “I am capable of matching their violence,� he said, referring to the terrorists.

He said he could have become A GANGSTER HAD HE NOT kNISHED HIS law studies, but “God had other plans for me.�

So, he would have no qualms about returning violence with violence in dealing with Moro terrorists and the communist New People’s Army (NPA), the President said.

The President railed against corruption. He said he would not stop ridding his government of CORRUPT OFkCIALS AND EMPLOYEES even if they happened to be his friends and supporters.

He said there would be another purge of corrupt government of-

kCIALS AND POINTED TO THE $EPARTment of Agrarian Reform (DAR) as his next target.

The President said the purge of very corrupt policemen, especially those involved in drugs, was ongoing.

Some rogue policemen had been killed by unknown gunmen, but these were not reported in the papers, he said, smiling.

So, may this serve as a warning to policemen who persist in going about their wicked ways.

No, he didn’t believe it when I told him that some military ofkCERS COULD BE SELLING WEAPONS and ammunition to the enemies of the state. I didn’t insist.

On the Chinese illegal workers in the country who are employed in the construction and gaming industries, Digong said the government takes a tolerant attitude.

The President said there were

Same, same but different FOR THE S MOTHERLAND F

HOULD we think of each other as similar or different?

I n T h e C o n s e r va t i o n o f "Race, "Ghanian-American philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah invites us to disrupt the “discourse of difference,� which entails treating each other in terms of our differences. This discourse promotes fragmentation; and in turn, this fragmentation constrains meaningful political action because it prevents the formation of “a coherent alternative view,� Appiah argued.

Thus, he recommended freeing ourselves from the limitations of this way of thinking to enable us “to create coalitions for change.�

The “inscription of difference‌â€? plays into the hands of the “hegemons,â€? Appiah argued. It’s not the oppressed that proclaims her otherness but the oppressor who tautologically uses that otherness as the basis for oppressing others.

How hegemons use the discourse of difference to perpetuate their power was eloquently expressed

by Filipino philosopher Narcisa Paredes-Canilao in her series of questions in Decolonizing Subjects from the Discourse of Difference.

Arguing that difference is an “elitist discourse,� Paredes-Canilao argued that difference is a “one-sided, nonreversible discourse tailor-made for the imperial ego, the colonizer, the master.� Then, elaborating on her point, she asked: “First, does the desire to preserve the alterity of the Other arise from a recognition that it is in the Other’s interest to be respected as an irreducible Other? Or is it simply motivated by the ‘supreme pleasure of swallowing an indigestible other,’ or by the desire for ‘the bottomless’? Second, does the Other also desire to be swallowed whole? Was not Jonah so terrikED INTACT IN THE STOMACH OF THE whale? And would the Other prefer to be treated as different from, rather than as sharing a common humanity with, the imperial self?

Which one really led to colonialism or the Holocaust or which is a more potent antidote to (wo) man’s inhumanity to (wo)man, DIFFERENCE FROM OR IDENTIkCATION with the Other?�

Both Appiah and ParedesCanilao highlight how hegemons use the discourse of difference to rule over others. By fragmenting us, hegemons are then poised to conquer us. But I don’t think it’s division per se that drives hegemons to conquer. It might as well be that fragmentation preexisted the conquest; and that hegemons just exploited the existing difference by making it the constitutive characteristic of those they seek to subdue. Framed like that, the more pressing question then is, what underlies this drive to conquer?

As the discourse of difference constructs the otherness of the other, it also informs the narrative of exceptionality of hegemons, or to use Paredes-Canilao’s words, of their “imperial self.� Several tropes of exceptionality litter history, such as “God’s chosen people� and the “master race.�

The drive to conquer is driven by the belief in one’s exceptionality.

SASS ROGANDO SASOT Claim to exceptionality is born OUT OF A SPECIkC DISCOURSE OF DIFFERence. A discourse that perceives the distance between one’s self and the other not as horizontal distance but a vertical one. In this kind of distance, one constructs a hierarchy of difference, and on top of it the imperial self enthrones itself.

"UT CAN THIS SPECIkC DISCOURSE OF difference be countered by a discourse of similarity, of an undifferentiated humanity, a universal notion of what it means to be human?

In Polity and Group Difference: A Critique of the Ideal of Universal Citizenship, American political theorist and feminist Iris Marion Young exposed the failure of universal citizenship in treating each citizen as equals. Instead of delivering its promise of equality to all qua citizens, citizenship “operated in fact as a demand for homogeneity.� So, wouldn’t the idea of universal humanhood just end up like the universal citizenship Young argued against?

Young argued that the terms of similarity is set by hegemons. By imposing uniformity, hegemons secure their position. After all, resistance is born out of difference and not of conformity. Thus, if the discourse of difference is used to divide and conquer, the discourse of similarity is a tool to keep the conquered in line.

So where do we go from here?

How can we avoid both dangers?

I suggest three desiderata: First, begin with oneself. Avoiding the dangers of both discourses requires one to resist the imperial tendency of one’s ego. Remember what Socrates said: “Let him that WOULD MOVE THE WORLD kRST MOVE HIMSELF kRST u Second, it’s not similarity or difference per se that is dangerous.

The danger lies not in the awareness but in the use of similarity or difference. The imperial self simultaneously wants to impose difference in vertical terms in order to construct the narrative of its exceptionality and similarity to remain on the throne of supremacy.

Resistance to subjugation must necessarily be accompanied by resistance to the temptation of being the subjugator. And this entails learning solidarity, which Portuguese sociologist Bonaventura de Sousa Santos describes as “a form of knowledge� born out of “the recognition of the other both as an equal whenever difference makes her or him inferior and as different whenever equality jeopardizes his or her identity.�

And third, instead of thinking ofourselves in terms of similarity or difference, perhaps it is better to view ourselves as the vessel of both convergence and contradiction. That entails viewing the self and the other in their totality and complexity. We are same, same but different.

E-mail: srsasot@gmail.com

23, 2010 as a result of a botched police rescue operation.

Then President Noynoy Abnoy Kuyakoy never apologized to the Chinese government for the bloody incident.

Kho is the founder and president of the Friends of the Philippines Foundation.

It will be the second award that Kho would receive from the government.

Last year, he was given the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kamagi for setting up the P750-million drug rehabilitation center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, gratis et amore.

Kho and his sons, Kitson and Luis, occupied the presidential table at the three-table dinner. *** Now, why am I campaigning for Bong Go, who resigned as Special Assistant to the President (SAP) to run for the Senate?

Because he has helped me to

help others.

Many indigent patients who c a m e t o my p u b l i c s e r v i c e program, “ Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo ,� were given free hospitalization courtesy of Bong Go when he was still SAP. Go is running on a platform of giving the poor free medicines and treatment in government hospitals.

The Malasakit (empathy) desk, which attends to the needs of indigent patients, in various government hospitals is Go’s brainchild.

"Y THE WAY THIS IS THE kRST TIME ) M actively personally campaigning for A CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL OFkCE Lest people point out that I am electioneering, I’m not covered by the President’s ban on campaigning for any candidate.

Although I may be a special envoy to China, my position IS JUST HONORIkC AS ) RECEIVE NO compensation from government.

Goebbels rides again

OREIGN Affairs Secretary Teddyboy Locsin said: “I will kill anyone who asks for a birth CERTIkCATE u ) AM AFRAID HE LL HAVE to change the agency’s name to Department of Forensic Affairs. *** The sequel Trump-Jong Un meeting will be held in Hanoi this February 27 to 28. It will be A kRST FOR THE .ORTH +OREAN LEADER to meet a country in a state of emergency. Mr. Kim should take the opportunity to discourage Mr. Donald from building a missile wall. Steaming Pho Hoa noodle soup coming up. *** President Rodrigo Duterte is calling on Congress to pass another general tax amnesty bill that will allow the lifting of bank secrecy on cases of fraud.

Like in mahjong, if “secrets� will not be allowed, “ sagasa � and “ kang � to cheaters will be more costly. One bitter senator will definitely find this surprising as it contradicts the basis of his unfounded allegations. This last termer wanted PRRD to sign a waiver opening his alleged bank accounts which he cannot even provide. Pathetic. *** President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law a bill seeking to overhaul the 21-year-old charter of the Social Security System (SSS). Sen. Richard J. Gordon is happy about this development, saying that “this new law can provide a sound, viable and meaningful social security for the people by in-

H

many Filipino workers who are illegally employed in China, but the Chinese government tolerates their stay as long as they’re not committing any crime.

The President said he was siding with his Budget secretary, Benjamin Diokno, in the latter’s quarrel with lawmakers who accuse him of favoring some contractors in the release of funds for public works.

He summoned Marinduque Rep. Lord Velasco, who was among the few guests, to the presidential table to explain Diokno’s side, but the lawmaker hemmed and hawed.

Mainland Chinese tycoon Xu Ming Liang, aka Jose Kho in the Philippines, will be presented with an award of recognition.

On his own, Kho compensated the families of the Hong Kong tourists who were killed in the Luneta hostage crisis of Aug.

MIRRORLESS

ROLLY G. REYES culcating the principle of work, save, invest and prosper.� I absolutely agree. *** Miss Maria Ressa, is it really about press freedom? The case stems from Aquino’s time. Why Duterte? Filing a libel case is everyone’s right. Publicity is muddling the real issue which should be fought in court. Until now, I did not realize that many court jesters will just jump into the bandwagon to try to elicit tears without understanding the issue. When tears dry up, I hope that their brain fluids will not go the same way.

I have to share the disgust of my colleague Bobi Tiglao when he said: “It is so disgusting that Vice President Leni Robredo, Yellow senators like Risa Hontiveros, Church officials, and even academic institutions like the Ateneo and La Salle gave the benefit of the doubt to an American rather than to Filipinos patriotically serving the country like Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who ordered Ressa to be charged with cyber-libel, and Judge Reinalda Estacio-Montesa, who issued the arrest warrant against her.�

Addiction to power is a state of being where victims are suffocated by too much air. Yes, the pen is mightier than the sword,

but it should not be used as a blade to exact blood from anyone. The analogy is comparable to the definitions of a driver and a chauffeur. A driver drives for himself. A chauffeur drives for his passenger. This is what the owners of media outlets should always keep in mind. Their navigational instincts should be competent enough to help followers balance their options in enjoying the ride. Their service to the nation should consist of providing a roadmap in finding the truth, guided by a compass that is not polluted by their own magnetic fields. *** What is really the best lens for street photography? My previous write-ups revealed my lifelong infatuation with street photograPHY ) DARESAY THAT A kXED LENS IS the most desirable. Some will not like the idea of moving in closer or stepping back away from the subject but would prefer the ease of using zoom lenses. Since primes POSSESS kXED FOCAL WHICH IS MM

35mm or 50mm, the overall WEIGHT IS DEkNITELY LESS AND NOT conspicuous like the giant zooms.

The lesser number of elements is contributory to the smaller dimension with pluses like wider lens opening, less noise when taking nocturnal shots. Components are designed with less moving parts that can result in sturdier build.

They are sharper and superior in quality due to shallower depth of field which can ultimately result in insanely wide aperture

of F0.95 against most zooms that are tied to F2.8mm.

Shooting handheld is possible without using a cumbersome monopod or tripod. ISOs are much lower than competitors achieving less noise and motion blur.

There you go, camera lovers. *** It’s always better to remain quiet and let the world assume that you know nothing rather than opening your mouth and confirming the description. *** Wall Street is that narrow alley in New York where busy men in black suits play and spend your money and say with a straight face that you owe them a favor. *** To those who cannot find anything right in our society, allow me to share an exquisite quote from Ahmed Aboutaleb, the Muslim mayor of the Dutch city of Rotterdam: “I cannot accept that poverty should breed terrorism. I came from a Muslim country and spent my childhood in poverty.

In Rotterdam, churches stand side by side and I’m ok with that as long as their actions are within the bounds of law. If some refuse to be part of that arrangement, then they are free to leave. If you don’t want to participate in the project of civil society, just get lost and leave the rest of us alone.� *** Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.

Veritas – a second chance at new life

OW many times do we see on TV, read in the newspapers, hear in the radio and in social media about the many crimes happening around us.

Some crimes are so heinous that it is almost unimaginable how the victims can get justice. With the enactment of RA 6981, or the Witness Protection, Security and "ENEkT !CT JUSTICE HAS GOTTEN A boost. This law seeks to encourage a person who has witnessed or has knowledge of the commission of a crime to testify before a court or quasi-judicial body, or before an investigating authority, by protecting him from reprisals and economic dislocation.

The Zonta Club of Metropolitan Pasig (ZCMP) took the initiative to start a new project to assist the beneficiaries of the Witness Protection Program (WPP), majority of whom are women. Together with our vice area 5 director, Susan Lim, and club president, Flery Jimenez, we visited and interacted with 25 Metro Manila-based WPPs w h o u n d e r we n t l i ve l i h o o d training in preparation for the time when they can resume their normal lives once the cases where they are witnesses are resolved. We were told that there are some 6,000 people around the country under WPP. In accordance with their rules

HARVARD VERITAS

ROSALINA DE LA PAZ MAGAT and regulations, we had to keep the identities of these WPPs confidential. We took their pictures showing only their backs. We introduced ourselves and oriented them about Zonta International with emphasis on our flagship program on Stopping Violence Against Women (VAW). Many of them were women who shared their experiences as victims of violence. We explained that we are starting this program of training them for livelihood.

We had a trainor from Tesda who taught them how to be haircutters. We provided each trainee with a complete kit for their use in starting a new undertaking, such as scissors, powder, alcohol, lotion, cotton.

We wanted it to be a skill-based venture with minimal capital requirement. Another project in the pipeline is the provision of sewing machines for their use in producing rugs to be sold in the market. This would require more logistics and coordination with other agencies and associations. With proper planning, we believe that this is doable.

Until I attended this special as-

sistance project of the DoJ WPP, I did not realize the economic imPACT IT HAD ON THE BENEkCIARIES By force of circumstances, these witnesses have suffered not just separation from their families but also economic dislocation as they cannot work in the jobs which they had before. They have to stay in safehouses to safeguard their identities and secure them from threats and risks to their lives. They have to endure loneliness and boredom as they worried about their families’ welfare. Once the cases in which they are witnesses are completed and resolved, these witnesses have to face the reality of living on their own.

During our interaction with them, we felt their anxiety and fear on how to start all over again.

Most of them are women who have not only witnessed violence but also victims themselves of violence. As Zontians, we felt morally responsible to assist them in getting a second chance at new life. Hence, we thought of livelihood training which would give them the skill to earn a living as they start a new life. We gave them counseling on how to re-enter society after having been isolated for some time. We need TO BOOST THEIR SELF CONkDENCE and reinforce their trust in the justice system. Otherwise, they

will be goners and losers.

I used to know about WPP only in Hollywood movies and TV shows. I came to appreciate its real-life importance after meeting these people who related to us their actual experiences.

Our guide to this safehouse told us that one big-time personality under WPP is responsible for exposing the large cache of drugs that had been smuggled through the customs. The WPP recipients are spread out in various safehouses nationwide.

One very close friend of mine has been in the WPP for more than five years now for testifying on the multi-million tax credit scam. I called her up after I returned home and I can now relate to her story of sacrifice as they live in a safehouse.

Indeed, the WPP has helped in the delivery of justice and crime solution. However, it can stand more improvement and strengthening, given the resources of the government and the cooperation of citizens.

The author is a magna cum laude graduate of the UP School of Economics, a UPMBA graduate and an MPA degree holder from Harvard. She has extensive experience in banking, especially in countryside development and cooperatives.

Regions 100 houses turned over to Marawi evacuees Bacolod businessman shot dead, wife injured

˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

MARAWI CITY: The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) turned over 100 houses to as many families displaced by the Marawi siege in Barangay Pagalamatan, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, on Tuesday morning.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman led the turnover of the project under the ARMM’s Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment (ARMM-Bridge).

Construction of the project worth P300 million began in September last year.

Hataman said the government assures the welfare of all those affected by the 2017 Marawi siege. “The projects and programs for all them cannot be done alone by the government, hence we all have to be united,� the governor said.

He cited the help of Wahab Pangcoga, the village chief of Pagalamatan who donated a four-

hectare land on which to build 100 houses. “We really hastened the construction so that families, especially those from ground zero or most affected area, who are living in evacuation centers can transfer immediately,� David Ali, ARMMBridge project manager, said.

He added that another 100 houses were being constructed in Saguiaran.

Aside from the starter homes, THE BENEkCIARIES WILL ALSO RECEIVE food supplies and livelihood assistance. “We were already losing hope, that is why we are so thankful that we will soon have our own houses and will not have to live in cramped quarters,� said Solaiman Macarambon, one of the 64 evacuee-families who has been staying in the Saguiaran evacuation center for two years.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA AND JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

BY EUGENE Y. ADIONG

B

ACOLOD CITY: A Chinese-Filipino businessman was shot dead, while his wife was injured by motorcycle-riding suspects inside the compound of a church in Bacolod City on Tuesday evening.

Initial investigation showed that Alex Yao, 50, and his wife Maris Therese, 56, owners of a lending company, were boarding their Mercedes Benz parked inside the Redemptorist Church on BS Aquino Drive, Barangay 5, Bacolod City (Negros Occidental), when the suspect shot Alex.

The Yaos had just attended a prayer meeting inside the church.

The gunman then boarded a motorcycle driven by his companION AND lED Police recovered several spent shells of a .45 caliber pistol. )NSP &LORENCE !BALAYAN "ACOLOD #ITY 0OLICE /FkCE "#0/

Station 2 commander, said the couple was brought to the Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital where attending physicians declared Alex dead at 9:30 p.m.

The businessman sustained three gunshot wounds on the left side of his chest and chin, while his wife sustained a wound on her left hand.

A report by Bombo RadyoBacolod said a witness saw the suspects when she and her companion were called by the wife to the car to give them money.

The gunman pushed the witness away and shot the Alex.

Chief Insp. Ariel Pico, BCPO spokesman, said the businessman

A7

“was the target and his activities were monitored.�

The Yao couple attended Mass at the church every Tuesday, according to Pico.

As of press time, he said investigators were still determining whether the shooting was “related to business or involved personal matters.

0ICO REFUSED TO CONkRM IF THE killing was drug-related.

He said they would check the CCTV camera of the church for additional evidence.

The shooting was the latest in a series of assassinations in Bacolod City involving motorcycleriding gunmen.

Zamboanga bans use of plastic bags ZAMBOANGA CITY: Mayor Beng Climaco has urged shoppers and market goers here to use paper or buri bags instead of nonbiodegradable plastics.

Climaco signed Executive Order BC453-2019 banning the use of nonbiodegradable plastic bags during weekends as part of the local government’s ecological solid waste management program.

The order enjoins all business establishments, markets and residents not to use plastic bags.

Climaco said most plastic bags were considered nonbiodegradable, being made from a polymer — polyethylene — that could not easily be decomposed by microorganisms and would remain as environmental pollutant, thus posing health risks to marine life.

She cited data on waste characterization showing that non-

biodegradable waste accounts for 40 percent of the total garbage disposed and 17 percent of these are plastics. “This [executive order] is an initial priority action on waste reduction for non-biodegradable materials toward the enactment of an ordinance, proposing an inclusive approach to regulate the use of nonbiodegradable and disposable plastic bags as bagging materials, including the enforcement of regulatory procedures on the use and trade, and the penalty clause thereof,�

Climaco said.

She also instructed the ZamBOANGA #ITY (EALTH /FkCE AND Zamboanga City Environment AND .ATURAL 2ESOURCES /FkCE TO conduct massive information and education campaigns on the effects of the use of plastic bags on the environment.AL JACINTO

Q FRIENDSHIP FROM A1

Russian envoy The visit aimed to deepen ties BETWEEN 2USSIANS AND &ILIPINOS The Russian bikers visited Manila to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the arrival of Russian refugees on Tubabao Island in Samar in 1949. “If there is only one way to overcome, to get rid of our prejudices, is to develop peopleTO PEOPLE CONTACT 3O &ILIPINOS should go to Russia and to discover Russia and more Russians should go to the Philippines to build new bridges of friendship and partnership,� Khovaer said.

The Russian ambassador to Manila since 2016, he noted THAT &ILIPINOS HE HAD MET USUALLY asked him about his impression OF &ILIPINOS ON THE BASIS OF HIS personal experience. “I always say that, I think the main obstacle to the development, to the strengthening of bilateral relations, is the incredibly low level of mutual knowledge of each other,� Khovaer said. “Because unfortunately, the conception of Russia for most of THE &ILIPINOS IS BASED ON ;(OLLYwood] movies and Western mass media. So, believe me please. The real Russia is much, much different [than that] portrayed in the movies,� he pointed out in the interview.

Khovaer said Russia was a “very safe� country. g!ND WE 2USSIANS AND YOU &ILIpinos, we have a lot in common.

Our daily life is based on similar Christian values: family values, respect for the elderly, care of children. We have all the special conditions to be close with each other,� he added. “In this respect, what’s very important is to develop, to promote people-to-people contact.

I’m very grateful to the members of the Russian Night Wolves Motorbike Club and the Philippine Mad Dog Motorbike Club because this is their own initiative.

They are developing their ties, not because they got instruction from their governments. It’s very valuable,� Khovaer said.

Speaking through Russian Embassy Third Secretary Denis Karenin, who served as interpreter, the Russian bikers’ delegation said, “Basically, we are holding out a hand a friendship.� “We’re trying to achieve mutual awareness because we have noticed that when our brothers from the Philippines come over, their impression of Russia, the image of Russia in their head is completely different from what they discover,� Karenin added. “So, we come here to show what kind of people we are. That the image which is dominating the media in extremely long period of time is completely wrong. So, we just want to make a friendly acquiantance with the Philippines. We want to maintain the connection,� he said. “And, also, of course we are not politicians. We are regular guys. We can’t help but notice President [Vladimir] Putin and President [Rodrigo] Duterte have a very good relationship. And, so actually these are probably the people who we can be friends with,� Karenin noted. $ANIEL &ORONDA A LEADER OF the local Mad Dog Motorbike Club and also a member of Night Wolves, said the two groups shared the same advocacies: charity, caring for the sick, education, loyalty and patriotism, among others.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

HELP ASSURED

Aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go visits fire victims in San Pedro, Laguna on Tuesday and assures them assistance will come from his supporters and other private donors, including free uniforms for school children who were affected by the fire.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Bong Go visits fire victims in Laguna “HINDI po ako nandito para mangampanya (I am not here to campaign). I am here to help.�

Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, formerly the President’s top aide and now candidate for senator in the May 13 midterm elections, GAVE THIS MESSAGE TO kRE VICTIMS IN 3AN 0EDRO

Laguna, when he and his supporters visited them early Tuesday morning to listen to their concerns and heed their call for assistance. ! kRE THAT BROKE OUT LAST &EBRUARY AT A residential community in San Pedro razed 44 houses made from light materials in Sitio Masayahin, Barangay San Antonio of the city, leaving 74 families homeless.

'O SAID HE WAS MERELY FULkLLING HIS COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE HELPING kRE VICTIMS AMID THE campaign season.

Among others, he mentioned that his friends and supporters had pledged to provide free uniforms for school children in the village WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THE kRE To answer the call for much needed assistance, private donors have pledged to provide THE kRE VICTIMS WITH FOOD PACKS HOT MEALS AND other relief goods.

Go said the group of supporters would request his former colleagues from various government agencies such as the National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to also extend assistance to the victims.

He added that the NHA was ready to help kRE VICTIMS WHO MIGHT WANT TO AVAIL OF THE government’s low-cost housing program.

Go said the local government had also made a commitment to provide transportation fare to any of the victims who may want to go back to their own provinces to stay there.

Meanwhile, he announced that the province of Laguna would soon have its own Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop bringing together all concerned agencies to make it easier and faster

for indigent patients to avail of medical and kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT Currently, there are 23 Malasakit Centers operating in various parts of the country.

A8

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

News

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Q GRAY FROM A1

Miss Universe "UT 'RAY EXPLAINED THAT NOW HER VOICE REACHES THE international audience, not just in the Philippines.

3HE SAID SHE WOULD CONTINUE SUPPORTING HER ADVOCACIES

SPECIkCALLY THE 4ONDO BASED 9OUNG &OCUS 0HILIPPINES WHERE SHE S BEEN WORKING WITH UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH SINCE AND WHERE SHE SHOT HER MUSIC VIDEO AND ,OVE 9OURSELF 0HILIPPINES AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROMOTES ()6 AWARENESS AND TESTING Gray recalled the moment that she was in the same ROOM FOR THE SENDOFF ALONG WITH "INIBINING 0ILIPINAS Supranational Jehza Huelar (who made in the Top 10 of THE INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT IN .OVEMBER 3HE REVEALED THAT SHE DID HER OWN MAKEUP IN THE kNALS MAKING SURE that it’s waterproof so her tears won’t ruin it should she be crowned Miss Universe. It did not happen, yet it may HAPPEN IN TODAY S PARADE THAT STARTS AT 3OkTEL (OTEL TRAVERSING THE CITIES OF 0ASAY -ANILA AND -AKATI 3HE WILL BE ON BOARD A MAJESTIC lOAT THAT EVOKES THE IMAGES OF THE g-ISS 5u CROWN AND -AYON 6OLCANO LAVA lOWING INSPIRED RED AND GOLD GOWN BY -ARK 4UMANG THAT SHE WORE IN THE kNALS g7HEN ) WAS GETTING READY FOR THE CORONATION NIGHT ) did my make-up and made sure it was extra waterproof, because if I were to be announced, I would cry, but it NEVER HAPPENED u SHE SAID LAUGHING g3O ) FEEL LIKE MY @CRYING MOMENT WOULD BE DURING MY HOMECOMING PARADE BECAUSE LOOKING BACK AT THE PAST couple of years, my most emotional moment as a titleholder has been when I’m surrounded by the people, and it’s always because when I see their support and passion, IT REALLY MAKES ME CRY BECAUSE ) FEEL LIKE A SIMPLE GIRL BUT HERE ) AM BRINGING JOY TO PEOPLE S LIVES IN SUCH A WAY u Gray said she would be in Manila for a week full of ACTIVITIES 4ODAY S PARADE STARTS AT P M PASSING THROUGH THE #ULTURAL #ENTER OF THE 0HILIPPINES GROUNDS THEN THROUGH 2OXAS "OULEVARD +ALAW !VENUE 4AFT !VENUE 'IL 0UYAT "UENDIA !VENUE AND ENDING ON !YALA !VENUE (ER JOURNEY WILL COME FULL CIRCLE ON 3ATURDAY &EBRUARY AS A PARADE WILL TAKE HER AROUND !RANETA #ENTER

where her quest for the fourth Miss Universe crown for the Philippines started. Gloria Diaz became the PhilipPINES kRST -ISS 5NIVERSE IN FOLLOWED BY -ARGIE -ORAN IN )T TOOK YEARS BEFORE ANOTHER &ILIPINA was crowned — Pia Wurtzbach in 2015.

On Sunday 7 p.m., Gray will be honored in a show CALLED g2AISE 9OUR &LAG &OR #ATRIONA 'RAY -ISS 5NIVERSE (OMECOMING u AT THE 3MART !RANETA #OLISEUM (OSTED BY "OY !BUNDA STARS GRACING THE AFFAIR INCLUDE Wurtzbach, Vice Ganda, Maymay Entrata (who Gray said was her choice to play herself in case her story was feaTURED ON g-AALAALA -O +AYAu "AMBOO +: 4ANDINGAN

*ED -ADELA 4.4 "OYS -ORISETTE !MON AND THE !"3 #".

Philharmonic Orchestra. /N 4UESDAY 'RAY WILL ALSO VISIT THE ORGANIZATIONS CLOSest to her heart and will also pay courtesy calls on the COUNTRY S TOP OFkCIALS 3HE SAID SHE REMAINS GROUNDED DESPITE HER SUDDEN fame, thanks to her family and circle of friends who remind her that she is the same as she was, only this

THE QUEEN IS HERE

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray speaks to the media during her homecoming news conference at Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City. PHOTOS BY RUSSELL PALMA

Q Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is photographed with Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. Chairman Stella Araneta. time with heavier responsibility and the whole universe as HER AUDIENCE $EkNITELY SHE WOULD PURSUE HER MUSIC CAREER AFTER HER REIGN 'RAY ADDED WITH A REPORT FROM ARIC JOHN SY CUA

Welcome ‘HOME’ Catriona Gray MISS Universe 2018 and PLDT’s well-loved beauty queen Catriona Gray comes back to where her HEART IS ‡ (/-% 5PON HER OFkCIAL HOMECOMING IN -ANILA THE QUEEN RECEIVED A WELCOME kT FOR A QUEEN FROM A GRATEFUL NATION )N GRATITUDE TO THE MILLIONS OF &ILIPINOS WHO supported her Miss Universe journey, Catriona will immediately be feted with victory parades UPON HER OFkCIAL HOMECOMING ‡ IN -AKATI AND -ANILA &EBRUARY AND IN !RANETA #ENTER 1UEZON #ITY &EBRUARY RESPECTIVELY !

(OMECOMING 3PECIAL IN HER HONOR WILL ALSO BE HELD AT THE 3MART !RANETA #OLISEUM ON &EBRUARY WHICH WILL AIR EXCLUSIVELY ON !"3 #".

The ever-compassionate Catriona also made it a priority in the list of her activities a visit to the chariTABLE ORGANIZATIONS SHE HEARTILY SUPPORTS SUCH AS ,OVE 9OURSELF AN ()6 !)$3 EDUCATION AWARENESS GROUP AND 3MILE 4RAIN FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN /N &EBRUARY EMPLOYEES AND OFkCIALS OF PLDT will be one with the Miss Universe in celEBRATING HER VICTORY AS SHE PAYS 0,$4 #HAIRMAN -ANNY 6 0ANGILINAN A COURTESY VISIT AT HIS OFkCES in Makati City, a tradition that has been carried ON SINCE WHEN 0,$4 (/-% AND "INIBINING 0ILIPINAS #HARITIES )NC kRST FORGED THEIR FRUITFUL PARTNERSHIP IN SUPPORT OF OUTSTANDING AND INSPIRING WOMEN WHO MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE LIKE THE -ISS 5NIVERSE PAGEANT !NDREW 3ANTOS 0,$4 &IRST VICE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF #ONSUMER -ARKETING SAID g0,$4 SUPPORTS WORLD CLASS &ILIPINO TALENTS AND WE TAKE PRIDE IN THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING &ILIPINAS LIKE -ISS 5NIVERSE #ATRIONA 'RAY 4OGETHER WITH "INIBINING 0ILIPINAS #HARITIES )NC WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR MISSION TO BRING pride to the country and help uplift the lives of &ILIPINOS THROUGH SERVICE AND NATION BUILDING u )N WHEN THE -ISS 5NIVERSE PAGEANT WAS HELD IN THE 0HILIPPINES FOR THE kRST TIME 0,$4 (/-% &IBR WAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE INTERNATIONAL EVENT 0,$4 #HAIRMAN -ANNY 6 0ANGILINAN WAS AN UNDENIABLE FORCE THAT MADE THE PRESTIGIOUS BEAUTY PAGEANT HAPPEN ON 0HILIPPINE SHORES AND 0,$4 WAS A HUGE PROPONENT OF THAT EFFORT !S A RESULT THE LEADING AND MOST POWERFUL BROADBAND NETWORK IN THE COUNTRY AND LEADING MOBILE BRAND 3MART PROVIDED kXED BROADBAND AND MOBILE CONNECTIVITY TO POWER UP THE -ISS 5NIVERSE PAGEANT &ILIPINA BEAUTY QUEENS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AT HOME WITH 0,$4 4HEIR RICH HISTORY TOGETHER STARTED WITH -* ,ASTIMOSA IN CONTINUING on successively with Pia Wurtzbach in 2015, Maxine Medina in 2016, Rachel Peters in 2017 AND #ATRIONA 'RAY WHO WON THE "INIBINING 0ILIPINAS 5NIVERSE TITLE IN

PLDT has made it their commitment to sponsor MAJOR "INIBINING 0ILIPINAS EVENTS AND HAS BEEN ENGAGING MOST OF THE BEAUTY QUEENS AND THEIR respective courts as PLDT HOME brand ambasSADORS !S SUCH 0,$4 AND THE QUEENS HAVE BOTH BEEN REACHING OUT TO &ILIPINOS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE

SPREADING CHEERS AND GOODWILL ALL OVER THE COUNTRY 4HESE LADIES HAVE ALSO MANAGED TO ENDEAR themselves to the hearts of those they work with in PLDT. These men and women uphold their admiration and respect for the ladies even outside OF THE BOUNDARIES OF WORK &OR ONE #ATRIONA 'RAY HAS IMPRESSED 0,$4 OFkCERS AND STAFF WHEN SHE GRACED THE 0,$4 (/-% &IBR EVENT IN $AVAO LAST *UNE !BOVE AND BEYOND WHAT WAS EXPECTED OF her, Catriona spent precious time with a PLDT subscriber and her family, even shared a meal with THEM BECAUSE SHE SAID g) WANTED TO GET TO KNOW THEM u #ATRIONA IS NATURALLY SWEET AND GENEROUS TO EVERYONE SHE WORKS WITH AND IS DILIGENT IN HER preparation for the work ahead of her. ! VERY HUMBLE BEAUTY QUEEN ONE 0,$4 EMPLOYEE REMEMBERS HOW UNASSUMING #ATRIONA WAS WHEN SHE ALONG WITH THE OTHER BEAUTY QUEENS

GRACED THE OPENING OF THE kRST 0,$4 3MART STORE IN "ONIFACIO 'LOBAL #ITY LAST !PRIL /NE OF THE PLDT employees narrated what happened there. g3HE TOOK TIME TO LINGER AT THE EVENT AND SOCIALIZE WITH 0,$4 EXECUTIVES EMPLOYEES GUESTS AND MEDIA 3HE WAS THE kRST TO ARRIVE AND THE LAST OF THE SIX QUEENS TO LEAVE THE VENUE u SHE SAID !ND WHO WOULD FORGET HER ANSWER TO A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER SHE WOULD BRING A GLAM TEAM TO an out-of-town event or not? Catriona, without BATTING AN EYELASH SAID THERE S NO NEED BECAUSE she could take care of herself and do her own hair and make-up as part of her Miss Universe PAGEANT TRAINING PLDT HOME AMBASSADOR AND FORMER "INIBINING 0ILIPINAS 'RAND )NTERNATIONAL .ICOLE #ORdoves, a close friend and one of Catriona’s mentors, can attest to the hard work and perseverance of the 1UEEN THROUGH HER -ISS 5NIVERSE JOURNEY .ICOLE AND #ATRIONA WILL BE MEETING AGAIN AS THIS WEEK AS she joins the activities as the PLDT HOME Insider WHO WILL BE GIVING EXCLUSIVE ACCESS INTERVIEWS AND SNEAK PEAK OF ALL THE HAPPENINGS AT THE -ISS 5NIVERSE (OMECOMING 0,$4 BELIEVES THAT THE TRUE MARKINGS OF A REAL Miss Universe is showcased not just in the excellence of her physical attributes, but more so in the INNER WORKINGS OF HER SOUL &OR THIS -ISS 5NIVERSE 2018 Catriona Gray is a real beauty inside and out. #ATCH THE -ISS 5NIVERSE (OMECOMING THROUGH LIVE COVERAGES OF 0,$4 HOME ON &ACEBOOK )NSTAGRAM AND 4WITTER

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

V S i n g a p o re 0 . 5 7 %

P52.06 TO $1

PSEi 7,939.24 UP 1.35%

What’s inside PRIVACY AGENCY PLEDGES TO AID NUMBER PORTABILITY BusinessB2

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BPI NET INCOME HITS P23B IN 2018

ÂťCorporate NewsB3

MELCO NET REVENUE DOWN TO $155.2M IN Q4

ÂťCorporate NewsB3

www.manilatimes.net V Seoul 1.09%

V To k yo 0 . 6 0 %

V Jakarta 0.28%

MANAGEMENT ACTION

V H o n g Ko n g 1 . 0 1 %

B2

W

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2019

Business Times

CURRENCY RATE

B1

V B a n g ko k 0 . 5 9 %

Land conversion memo out next month – DAR G OVERNMENT agencies involved in land conversion decisions will soon submit a proposed joint order that seeks to expedite the process, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said on Wednesday.

“Our initial submission will be with the Cabinet on March 4 and after that, we will present it to the President,� Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones was quoted in a statement as having told an interagency task force.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month ordered the creation of the task force, which was mandated to look into anomalies and also

expedite the conversion of agricultural lands to residential, commercial and industrial uses.

3PECIkCALLY THE 0RESIDENT WANTS THE LAND conversion process shortened from at least 24 months to just 30 days.

Duterte has blamed Castriciones’ predecessor, Rafael Mariano, as having contributed to

ÂłDAR B2

Trump says US-China Stock market lifted by investor optimism trade talks ‘going very well’ WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump said Tuesday that trade talks with China are complex but are “going very well� and again indicated the March 1 deadline for raising tariffs could be extended. /FkCIALS ON 4UESDAY RESUMED the high-stakes negotiations aimed at ending a damaging tariff war between the economic superpowers. “I think the talks are going very well,� Trump said on the sidelines of an event at the White House.

But he called the discussions “very complex.�

After the third round of talks ended Friday in Beijing with no deal, Trump suggested he could extend a March 1 truce deadline for an agreement to be reached.

If he does not extend the timeframe, the US is set to more than double punitive import tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods. “I can’t tell you exactly about timing. The date is not a magical date because a lot of things are happening,� Trump told reporters. “We’ll see what happens.�

ROUGH TRADE BEN KRITZ

Scrap the Competition Act D

ISPLAYING a blissful unawareness of the concept of irony, Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez has called for the formation of a congressional oversight committee to review the implementation of the Philippine Competition Act (RA 10667) and the actions of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).

Suarez, who is the minority leader in a House of Representatives that doesn’t actually have a minority, made the call this week in response to “the clamor from business entities in the private sector to revisit the Act and the rules of the Commission,� he said.

Under RA 10667, Congress can convene a Congressional Oversight Committee on Competition (COCC) to “oversee the implementation� of the Competition Act, because the Filipino political mind takes it as an article of faith that the solution to an unwieldy and inconsistent bureaucratic process is to add another layer of government to it.

The COCC would be made up of the House Committees on Trade and Commerce, Economic Affairs, and Appropriations, and will be tasked “to oversee the implementation of the law, the rules and to prescribe the necessary amendments to void

ÂłKritz B2

MORE TO FOLLOW (MTF)

EUNEY MARIE MATA-PEREZ

A journey and the new tax amnesty law A

YEAR ago today, we published our first article in this column, entitled “A Good Beginning� (https://mtfcounsel. com/2018/02/22/a-good-beginning). It was the beginning of a journey and, after publishing a total of 52 articles, we continue to write. We are grateful to, and we thank, The Manila Times for the opportunity.

The new tax amnesty law We finally have our estate tax amnesty, two years after it was initially proposed in Congress in early 2017. We have previously written that this simpler amnesty should have gone ahead of the general (income tax) amnesty, which was vetoed by the President.

ÂłMTF B2

ÂłTalks B3

THE stock market recovered on Wednesday as investors were said TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT INlATION prospects and the resumption of US-China trade talks.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) grew by 1.35 percent or 105.49 points to close at 7,939.24 while the broader All Shares increased by

1.13 percent or 54.05 points to kNISH AT

AAA Southeast Equities Inc. President Matthew Cabangon said market players resumed buy-

ing following President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval last week of the RICE TARIFkCATION MEASURE WHICH is expected to lower prices of the

ÂłLifted B2

DBP chief transferred to Landbank in reshuffle PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed new board members for Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) amid a leadership reshuffle at GOVERNMENT kNANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

In appointment papers dated February 15, 2019 and released to the media on Wednesday, Duterte named DBP President and Chief %XECUTIVE /FkCER #%/ #ECILIA Borromeo as a member of Land Bank’s board of directors.

She will, however, also be serving the unexpired term of Land Bank President and CEO Alex Buenaventura that started on July 1, 2018 and will end on June 30, 2019.

Borromeo’s term at the DBP,

which also started on July 1, 2018 and will end on June 30, 2019, will be served by current Philippine Guarantee Corp. President and CEO Emmanuel Herbosa, who was also appointed as board

ÂłReshuffle B2

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

Privacy agency pledges to aid number portability

BY TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

T

H E N a t i o n a l P r i va c y C o m m i s s i o n (NPC) vowed to cooperate with t he N a t i o n a l Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commission (NTC) and other agencies involved in the implementation of the recently signed Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Act. “We shall continue to work with the NTC and all concerned agencies tasked to implement this law and provide additional inputs in the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) and other policies, as may be necessary and appropriate,� NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro said in a

statement on Wednesday.

MNP or Republic Act 11202 allows mobile phone users to keep their numbers for life even if they switch networks or change subscription plans. It was signed into law by President Duterte on February 8 this year. It will take effect 15 calendar days after its

Q LIFTED FROM B1

Q KRITZ FROM B1

publication last February 19.

The new law provides that NTC shall work with NPC, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), among othERS IN kNALIZING ITS )22 WITHIN days of its effectivity.

They (agencies) would make sure that public telecommunications entities “strictly adhere� to the provisions of Data Privacy Act of 2012 in managing their subscribers’ personal data, Liboro said as he called on the network service providers to “provide safeguards to protect said personal data in the course of porting activities, bearing in mind the data privacy rights of

the subscribers.�

The commission also lauded the signing of the said bill into law, saying that MNP “promotes consumer welfare and fosters innovation and competition in the telecommunications industry.�

The measure provides consumers the right to data portability as mandated by data privacy laws, NPC added. “This right gives data subjects the mechanism to obtain their personal data in an electronic or structured format from personal information controllers, if such personal data are being processed through electronic means and enables the further use of such personal data by the data subjects,�

Liboro explained. creating the law is left to those responsible for writing the IRR – RA 10667 MAKES IT DIFkCULT FOR COMPETITION TO BE monitored and encouraged in an effective way. And with the inclusion of the provision authorizing the formation of the COCC, Congress simply added the insurance of being able to scuttle the whole framework without the need for formal repeal that might attract unwanted attention.

Since Suarez’s real aim is to free the business sector from the nuisance of a competition watchdog, perhaps Congress should oblige its patrons by scrapping RA 10667 entirely. A Competition Act that restricts regulation of competition to mere lip service is “an undue exhaustion of resources� to NO ONE S BENEkT THE 0## DESPITE ITS sincerity, has had precisely no impact on the business landscape in terms of improving competition.

The Philippines quite obviously does need a competition framework. But it needs one that is created by a substantial piece of legislation, one that clearly sets forth actionable parameters, the regulatory process, and the operational authority of the oversight body. That requires real work, which of course, the common species of Philippine legislator may neither be willing nor competent to do. Filipino voters who value choice and reasonable prices for civilized life’s necessities may want to give that matter some thought when they go to the polls in May.

staple and thus lead to slower consumer price growth. “It is worth noting that rice is one of the largest contributors TO THE NATIONAL INlATION kGURE u Cabangon said.

In a separate comment, Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said market players boosted portfolios as trade talks between the US and China resumed in Washington.

Wall Street’s main indices ended in the green overnight, with the Dow Jones up by 0.03 percent, while the S&P500 and Nasdaq grew by 0.15 percent and 0.19 percent, respectively.

In the region, only Jakarta ended in the red, dipping by 0.05 percent.

Tokyo increased by 0.60 percent, Shanghai grew 0.20 percent and Hong Kong jumped 1.01 percent. Seoul climbed 1.09 percent, Singapore rallied 0.68 percent, and Bangkok added 0.44 percent.

In Manila, all sectoral results were in the green except for services, which dipped by 0.02 percent.

Over 1.47 billion shares valued at P7.79 billion changed hands.

Winners led losers, 122 to 88, while 42 issues remained unchanged.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

arbitrariness in the acts and decisions of the commission and the proper implementation of the national competition policy,� Suarez said.

According to Suarez, the PCC’s efforts so far have largely been a waste of government resources because of changes in guidelines implemented since the PCC was formed and started its work. The source of the problem, he suggested, is in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for RA 10667, which took nearly 10 months to develop; the law was passed in July

BUT THE )22 WAS NOT kNALIZED until May 2016. “The wide latitude of the commission’s powers under the Act has necessitated the issuance of several rules and guidelines, in addition to the Rules, resulting in ambiguity and contentious interpretation by the Commission and an undue exhaustion of the resources of the Commission and thus, the government,� Suarez said. “Neither the Act nor the Rules provide for adequate guidelines in the exercise of the Commission’s power to declare transactions void.�

Reading between the lines of Suarez’s bluster, the problem is apparently not that the PCC actually voids merger and acquisition transactions – it has only disallowed two of the 146 cases it has reviewed since 2016 – but that it exists at all, and serves as a brake on

business activity. How adding another level of regulatory examination by way of the least technically competent or EFkCIENT BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT IS SUPposed to solve that problem, if that is really what Suarez and the business interest he speaks for is getting at, is not really clear.

Unless, of course, Suarez’s real intention is to ditch the Philippine Competition Act entirely, which certainly seems plausible given the overall irrationality of what he is proposing. The acceptance and support for the idea of a competition-monitoring agency has always been lukewarm at best, and it is not surprising that it has been so. This is an economy built on oligopolies – two telecommunications providers, two airlines, only three or four major retailers, and a limited number of banks for the size of the population – and so competition as a matter of practice is scorned and feared. The only reason it was prioritized and given formal government attention at all was for the purposes of virtue-signaling; most developed economies maintain some kind of competition and anti-trust framework, and so if the Philippines is to maintain its big-league aspirations, it must have one, too.

The PCC has pursued its mandate sincerely and as faithfully to the terms of RA 10667 as it can, but it is the defective creation of an insincere and defective law. Written as shoddily as most legislation in the Philippines – where the substantial work of actually

Q DAR FROM B1

government units, and also railed against the rebel New People’s Army for preventing DAR personnel from conducting inspections.

Mariano, in response, criticized the government for wanting to fast-track the conversion process and said that a DAR Administrataive Order calling for a 30-day approval process would benefit Duterte’s “cronies� and foster corruption.

The Inter-Agency Special Task Force on Land Use Conversion created after Duterte’s outburst is comprised of agencies that handle land conversion applications. In addition to the DAR, the others are the Department of

the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, National Housing Authority and the Housing and Urban Development Coordination Council.

The Department of Energy is also involved when the land conversion is for the purpose of energy production. “In pursuing this endeavor, it is foremost in our plans that each step are environmentally viable and socially feasible. It should also protect tillers’ rights and ensure food security,� Castriciones said in the statement.

The DAR said that Agrarian Re-

form Undersecretary Luis Meinrado C. Pangulayan also asked each agency to look into their processes and identify bottlenecks during the task force meeting. “After identifying the obstacles, we also asked them to simplify procedures, shorten the number of days for processing and do away WITH REDUNDANT CERTIkCATIONS u HE was quoted as saying.

Last week, Pangulayan said the DAR had a backlog of 73 land conversion applications, 46 of which were pending due to the lack of permits or feasibility studies.

FROM A REPORT BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

heirs; thus, the 6 percent estate tax is more than a fair imposition of the privilege. He also vetoed the provision which stated that estate tax amnesty returns shall There is no better time to avail be conclusively presumed true of the estate tax amnesty: the 6 and correct, as he believes that percent estate amnesty tax is based the “privilege� of availing of the on the value of the decedent’s total amnesty should be balanced with net estate at the time of death, it “accountability�. is payable without penalties and On the general amnesty, the main surcharges, and it can be availed of reasons for the Presidential veto are within two years from the effectiv- the failure of Congress to 1) break ity of the implementing rules to be the walls of the bank secrecy act, 2) issued by the Bureau of Internal provide the framework for the PhilRevenue (BIR). ippines to comply with the interThe President vetoed the provi- national standards on transparency sion in the estate tax amnesty bill and exchange of information, and which states that if there are prop- 3) provide for safeguards against erties in the name of another or those who abuse the tax amnesty previous decedent, only one estate by declaring untruthful assets or AMNESTY RETURN SHALL BE kLED 7E net worth. understand that such “one return�

The proposed amendments to the provision was inserted during Bank Secrecy Law (Republic Act [RA] the Bicameral Committee delib- No. 1405) were originally part of the erations. Citing our Civil Code bills which led to the passage of RA rules on succession, the President No. 10963 or TRAIN 1, as proposed said estate tax is not a tax on the amendments to Sections 5 and 6 of property but on the “privilege� of the Tax Code. However, they were transferring the property to the DELETED IN THE kNAL VERSIONS OF THE

bills and TRAIN 1.

The other provision which was DELETED IN THE kNAL ENROLLED BILL was the provision in House Bill No. 8554 which provided that the amnesty shall not apply if it is proven that the assets or net worth upon which the amnesty tax is based is understated by 30 percent or more.

The non-passage of the amendments to the Bank Secrecy Law and the deletion of the safeguard against abuse provision led the President to believe that the general amnesty will be “overgenerous and unregulated� and “would create an environment ripe for future tax evasion.�

While we agree with the reasons behind the President’s veto, the non-passage of a good general tax amnesty is a set-back to the generation of more revenues and the expansion of tax base. The other benefit of a general tax amnesty would have been to allow those who are not yet within the tax system, i.e., those in the underground economy and tax evaders, to come out clean and form part of the tax base. This

opportunity is lost, for now.

As of this writing, we understand that the Department of Finance and BIR will continue to push for the passage of the amendments to Bank Secrecy Law and provide the framework for us to comply with the international standards on transparency and exchange of information. However, because of the coming elections, such measures will have to wait until the next Congress resumes sometime in June.

The amnesty for delinquents though was approved by the President. This is an unprecedented measure, since taxpayers supposedly have lost all their remedies once their taxes have become delinquent and the BIR will just enforce collection measures. With this amnesty, taxpayers can pay a portion of their delinquent taxes (50 percent or 60 percent), without penalties, and be free from the collection measures of the ")2 !LSO FOR THE kRST TIME TAXES withheld but not paid to the government are covered by the amnesty,

Stock

Land the delay. The former DAR chief, who was appointed by Duterte after he won the presidency, had called for a two-year moratorium on land conversions to ensure food security and was rejected by the Commission on Appointments in 2017 for his left-leaning views.

In a Cabinet meeting just a few days before he tagged Mariano, Duterte also criticized the extensive requirements imposed by government agencies and local

Q MTF FROM B1

A journey

Scrap the

Email: ben.kritz@manilatimes.net

The power of the electorate

T

HE campaign season will OFkCIALLY START SOON 4O DATE

a lot of content dissemination and advertisements are already happening. Last weekend, we were at the Dolphy Plaza in ABS #". TO WATCH THE kRST SERIES OF Harapan 2019 where some senatorial hopefuls were to discuss and share their vision, platform and agenda for the citizenry in the quest of getting the voter’s big yes.

I was actually expecting some FORM OF DEBATE TO lEX MY MENTAL muscles, but feigned a disappointed sigh as I realize no debate was going to happen; that instead it will be a one-way cascade of information based on taped interviews conducted. The questions were then based on THE STORIES OF IDENTIkED &ILIPINOS featured in the show.

In parallel, there were also several interesting national issues asked. I will not dwell on the fast talk segment because it was mostly categorically answered with incomplete context due to time constraints.

Here is the summary. Bam Aquino spoke about his pending security of tenure act to address end of contract issues. He also mentioned how he envisions the Senate to be an independent BODY DEVOID OF INlUENCE FROM the executive branch. Glenn #HONG SHARED HIS kGHT ON THE automated election system and how this, as a baseline, becomes a critical element in the development of our country and therefore creating the need to have a hybrid election system.

Both Jiggy Manicad and Larry Gadon pushed for their agenda on agriculture, especially on industrial sectors. I have to commend Gadon for wanting to lower the electricity rate in the country. I am sure everyone will welcome that but I do want to understand how that can be done considering electricity in the Philippines is not even stateowned and therefore will depend very much on the private sector.

Sam Gutoc focused on women and children especially in wartorn Mindanao. Chel Diokno kept on talking about justice and how it is still underserved in the country. Willie Ong emphasized his public health advocacy and how every Filipino should be covered by the state with proper health insurance in this day and age.

Hearing these from all the candidates, the key takeaways we got are: Our leaders must have the KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIkCATIONS TO create legislation. Out of all the candidates asked, it was only Pilo Hilbay who did not agree that one has to be a college graduate IN ORDER TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFkCE Makes me think: the recruitment and hiring process in the private sector is so stringent and competitive given the so many require-

upon the payment of 100 percent of the basic tax assessed.

In any case and in the meantime, we should take advantage of the estate tax amnesty. We will not likely see such an amnesty again for a long period of time. Its availment will free properties which have been undeveloped because of the nonpayment of the estate tax, thereby unlock their potential, generate more tax revenues and spur the economy. All is not lost.

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

MANAGEMENT ACTION

KAY CALPO LUGTU ments needed like background check, references, due diligence, achievements and many other things. If this can happen in the private sector, what more for a country of 110 million of which a senator should be more than CAPABLE TO LEAD 4HE QUALIkCAtions do matter, especially if we want to transform how we run this country.

Let us move on from motherhood statements and instead provide concrete actions. Describing your platform via motherhood statements only take advantage of the ignorance of the Filipinos.

Remember that in the last globally conducted survey, the Philippines ranks as the 3rd most ignorant country in the world. We need to hear the actual approach and steps to be taken to appreciate the platform the candidate is proposing, similar to pitching a business idea to your stakeholders. Of all the candidates in the kRST (ARAPAN SERIES IT WAS Francis Tolentino who articulated concrete steps he intends to take should he take a seat in the Senate. He mentioned existing laws and how some of these must be amended to address the changing needs of the society.

He also shared statistics of other countries on criminal liability which gave us a sneak peek on how the rest does it which made for good insight and perspective in the end.

There is power in the electorate more than ever especially at this point in time because getting the information is quick and easy thanks to technology.

This is a call to action to encourage everyone to be out there to exercise their right to choose the leaders they want. Evaluate the candidates and assess how realistic, practical and relevant their programs are since these leaders will have the accountability to execute their programs. Check for consistency of actions. The electorate must be able to appreciate the hows and whys of those given because they have the power to choose the next set of leaders. Moreover, this is the best time to exercise critical thinking and decision making in choosing the new leaders.

Kay Calpo Lugtu is the COO of Hungry Workhorse, a digital AND CULTURE TRANSFORMATION kRM Co-Founder of Caucus, Inc. and Deputy Director of Global Chamber Manila. Her advocacies include DATA PRIVACY kNANCIAL LITERACY AND nation-building. The author may be reached at kaycalpolugtu@ hotmail.com or, to the more cautious now, at kaycalpolugtu@

protonmail.com

Q RESHUFFLE FROM B1

DBP chief member of DBP. It was unclear when Borromeo WOULD ASSUME OFkCE SPECIkCALLY the one held by Buenaventura.

The departing Landbank chief declined to say why he was leaving, only telling reporters that he wanted to thank “Sec. [Carlos] Sonny Dominguez [3rd] and President Rody for the opportunity to serve our country for more than two years.�

He was appointed in November 2016.

Borromeo previously served as ,ANDBANK OFkCER IN CHARGE FROM August to November 2016.

Amid reports that she would asSUME OFkCE ON -ARCH $OMINGUEZ said the Landbank leadership change would “probably [be] at a later date�, ADDING THAT THE RESHUFlE WAS MEANT to “to improve service to the public.�

MAYVELIN U.CARABALLOÂ WITH A REPORT FROM PNA

Corporate News

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

B3

BPI net income hits P23B in 2018 B

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLOÂ

ANK of the Philippine Islands’ (BPI) net income rose to P23.08 billion in 2018 on the back of robust revenue growth.

In a statement on Wednesday, THE !YALA LED BANKING GIANT SAID the amount was a 3-percent increase from P22.42 billion the year before.

In the fourth quarter alone, the BANK S NET PROkT GREW BY PERcent to P6.07 billion from P5.37 billion in the same period in 2017, which it traced to strong revenues, WHICH JUMPED PERCENT Net interest income climbed by

19.4 percent, while non-interest income increased by 22.6 percent. Its comprehensive income reached P21.88 billion.

Total revenues rose by 10.6 percent to P78.52 billion, driven by the 16.2-percent growth in net interest income, which reached P55.84 billion. !CCORDING TO THE BANK THE LATTER increase resulted from a 9-percent rise in average asset base, and a

21-basis point expansion in net interest margin. “Yield on interest-earning assets improved by 49 basis points, partially offset by a 34-basis point increase in cost of funds, owing to higher documentary stamp taxes, higher time deposit rates, and an increase in other borrowings,� BPI said in the statement.

Total loans stood at P1.35 trillion, reflecting a 12.7-percent growth year-on-year, which the lender credited to the 13.3-percent and 23.8-percent increase in corporate and credit card loans, respectively.

BPI’s total deposits inched up by 1.5 percent to P1.59 trillion, with current and savings accounts

#!3! GROWING AT PERCENT #!3! RATIO STOOD AT PERcent, while the loan-to-deposit ratio was at 85.4 percent.

The bank said it registered higher fee income from its transactionbased service charges, credit card and rental businesses. “However, lower trust and investment management fees, corPORATE kNANCE FEES AND SECURITIES trading income tempered the overall non-interest income results, ending at P22.68 billion,� it added. !CCORDING TO "0) 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER #EZAR #ONSing, capital-raising activity last year allowed the lender to invest in

its ongoing digitalization program, and in high-yielding small and medium enterprises, consumer, and MICROkNANCE BUSINESSES “The returns from these investments will become apparent in the coming years. We’re quite excited by what 2019 offers,� he said.

BPI tapped the equity and debt capital markets with landmark issuances, starting with its P50-billion stock rights offering (SRO) last May, followed by the issuance of $600 million in seNIOR UNSECURED BONDS LAST !UGUST AND 0 BILLION IN PESO kXED RATE bonds last December.

The bank’s operating expenses hit P43.60 billion last year, a

13.2-percent surge year-on-year. Its provision for losses rose by 29.7 percent to P4.92 billion year-onyear, while its non-performing loans ratio was 1.85 percent.

Total loss coverage, including allowances for contingent liabilities, stood at 91.3 percent. Total assets was at P2.09 trillion, up by 9.5 percent, and return on assets was 1.2 PERCENT !ND TOTAL CAPITAL JUMPED by 37.5 percent to P248.52 billion on account of the SRO. Capital adequacy ratio was at 16.09 percent; common equity tier 1 ratio, 15.19 percent.

BPI’s shares added 20 centavos or 0.22 percent to end at P89.75 each on Wednesday.

Phoenix unit taps grain Melco net revenue down to $155.2M in Q4 firm to distribute LPG PHOENIX LPG Philippines Inc. and Grainsmart Corp. signed on Wednesday a deal designating the rice-grain retailer to exclusively market, distribute and sell the FORMER S SUPER LIQUEkED PETROLEUM gas (LPG) products and equipment in its more than 300 rice stores nationwide.

In a disclosure, the former Gas Petronas-turned-Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. unit said the teamup was expected to further increase the availability and accessibility of Phoenix Super LPG in the country. “The partnership with Grainsmart will provide our business partners a new option on how they can grow their businesses, expand their reach and provide Filipinos with complementary products at the best value,� Phoenix Petroleum Chief Operating /FkCER (ENRY !LBERT &ADULLON SAID in the disclosure. “Our combined network will BENEkT THE MOST THOSE WHO ARE already using and those who would like to try our brand, but

does not have easy access to it yet,� Phoenix LPG General ManAGER FOR ,UZON *ULGIN !NTHONY Villanueva said. “Through Grainsmart, we will now be able to bring Phoenix Super LPG closer to your homes,� he added.

Grainsmart will also start offering a four-in-one package made up of Phoenix Super LPG, a digital transaction device called “Posible,� and rice and water product offerings. This, as the two companies extend their services to startups that are interested to add complementary products to their portfolio.

The Dennis Uy-led Phoenix Super LPG has been aggressively expanding its foothold nationwide. It has opened Phoenix Super Hub, a stand-alone, community-focused store that offers Phoenix Super LPG cylinders that are available for pickup and delivery, as well as product installation and handling assistance for clients.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

LISTED Melco Resorts and Entertainment Philippines Corp. saw its net revenues drop to $155.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. )N A REGULATORY kLING ON 7EDNESday, the resort operator said the amount was 7 percent lower than the $167.5 million posted in the same period in 2017.

However, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (ebitda) rose by 26 percent to $67.9 million in

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

7,939.24

105.49

Ÿ

All Shares

4,856.94

54.05

Ÿ

Financials

1,777.78

4.39

Ÿ

Industrial

11,567.25

228.29

Ÿ

Holding Firms

7,999.22

115.35

Ÿ

Services

1,565.68

-0.31

Ĺş

Mining and Oil

8,591.99

148.36

Ÿ

Property

4,009.11

69.02

Ÿ

HARBOR Star Shipping Services Inc. and Chevron Philippines Inc. have signed an agreement on providing harbor assistance and mooring services.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, the listed tugboat company said it would provide these services to tankers at Chevron’s terminals in Batangas, Cebu, Davao and Misamis Oriental.

The contract’s effectivity

SERVICES

Stock indices as of February 20, 2019

PSEi

ALL SHARES

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

MINING AND OIL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date 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 Jan 30, 2019 Jan 29, 2019 Jan 28, 2019 Jan 25, 2019 Jan 24, 2019 Jan 23, 2019 Jan 22, 2019 Jan 21, 2019 Jan 18, 2019 Jan 17, 2019 Jan 16, 2019 Jan 15, 2019 Jan 14, 2019 Jan 11, 2019 Jan 10, 2019 Jan 09, 2019 Jan 08, 2019

Open 7,923 7,985 7,965 7,960 8,040 8,077 8,088 8,092 8,093 8,091 8,132 8,039 7,999 8,039 8,087 8,071 8,076 8,001 7,941 8,024 8,055 7,932 7,866 7,983 8,009 7,886 7,965 7,932 7,775 7,820

High 7,939 8,025 8,000 7,996 8,040 8,084 8,106 8,096 8,127 8,214 8,149 8,166 8,099 8,047 8,087 8,144 8,116 8,068 7,990 8,030 8,067 8,058 7,938 7,991 8,028 8,024 7,965 7,992 7,920 7,826

Low 7,831 7,971 7,909 7,921 7,889 7,984 8,062 8,036 8,088 8,058 8,069 8,039 7,999 7,912 8,015 8,042 8,039 8,001 7,902 7,979 7,964 7,920 7,865 7,849 7,976 7,819 7,856 7,899 7,766 7,702

Close 7,834 7,971 7,909 7,991 7,920 8,010 8,062 8,071 8,100 8,058 8,069 8,144 8,007 7,980 8,051 8,054 8,053 8,065 7,990 8,009 8,007 8,047 7,927 7,865 8,013 8,024 7,904 7,985 7,920 7,702

$189.2 million, with mass market table games at 31.4 percent, compared with 30.9 percent year-on-year.

Melco operates the City of Dreams Manila integrated resort and casino in ParaĂąaque City, which is expected to be delisted from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) in June after its pubLIC lOAT FELL BELOW THE MANDATED 10-percent ownership.

Under PSE rules, a company is automatically removed from the

ROSTER OF PUBLIC kRMS ONCE IT FAILS TO MEET THAT kGURE SIX MONTHS AFTER the crossing of the tendered shares.

Melco had planned to voluntarily delist from PSE last year, but later withdrew over issues on the tender offer price.

-ELCO MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER MCO Philippines Investments Ltd., however, pushed through with the tender offer and repurchased 96 percent of Melco’s total outstanding stock.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Harbor Star, Chevron ink assist, mooring services deal

HOLDING FIRMS

Index

October to December last year from the year-before’s $53.8 million, which Melco attributed to the improved performance of all gaming segments.

Rolling chip volume also declined to $2.4 billion in the last three months of 2018 from $2.9 billion in the same period last year. Rolling chip rate hit 3.7 percent in the quarter, compared with 2017’s 3.1 percent.

Mass market table games drop grew to $197.3 million from

CLOSE

HIGH

began on February 1 and will last until 2022.

The deal “is in line with [Harbor Star’s] direction to continually enter into exclusive service contracts with customers to guarantee recurring revenue,� it said.

The accord follows the one Harbor Star signed with GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co. to provide the docking, undocking and emergency requirements

of vessels for the latter’s terminal in Lanao del Norte province. That deal will last until December.

Last year, it acquired a 100-percent stake in Astronergey Development Gensan Inc., which has permits, licenses and entitlements to operate a 25-megawatt solar power plant in General Santos City.

Harbor Star has a fleet of 42 watercraft, composed

of tugboats, barges and specialized vessels, according to its website.

It currently services 67 domestic ports and subports, and is the Manila International Container Termina’s exclusive harbor assist provider.

Harbor Star shares rose by 15 centavos or 5.32 percent to close at P2.97 apiece on Wednesday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Q TRADE FROM B1

Trump says US-China trade talks That comment cheered investors and sent US stock prices higher, boosting confidence that the sides will avoid worsENING THE CONlICT -ARKETS IN London, Frankfurt and Tokyo also gained ground.

Senior officials were due to hold another round of talks on Thursday and Friday but deputy level meetings got underway Tuesday.

On Friday, Trump had reiterated he might be willing to hold off on increasing tariffs to 25 percent from the current 10 percent on March 1 on $200 billion in Chinese goods if Washington AND "EIJING WERE CLOSE TO kNALIZing an agreement to deal with US allegations of unfair trade and THEFT OF !MERICAN TECHNOLOGY !MERICAN OFkCIALS ACCUSE "EIJING OF SEEKING GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL dominance through an array of unfair trade practices, includING THE ALLEGED THEFT OF !MERIcan intellectual property, and Washington has demanded a REDUCTION IN THE 53 TRADE DEkCIT with China.

Structural changes needed The talks are aimed at “achieving needed structural changes in China that affect trade between the United States and China,� the White House said Monday.

Bloomberg reported Tuesday that the White House also is seeking a commitment from China to keep its currency from depreciating against the US dollar, which would counteract the impact of the tariffs.

Citing two people familiar with the negotiations, the report said the currency issue has been discussed multiple times and the United States could use even higher tariffs to respond to a

Q US Trade Representative Robert Lighhthizer arrives at his office in Washington, DC, on February 19, 2019, as US-China trade talks resumed.

AFP PHOTO

weakening of the yuan.

Robin Brooks, chief economist at the Institute for International Finance, a global banking organization, said the six percent decline of the yuan — also known as the renminbi or RMB — against the dollar counteracted the impact of the two rounds of US tariffs on a total of $250 billion in Chinese goods.

"ROOKS TOLD !&0 THAT gTHE RMB is still undervalued significantly.�

However, the currency has recovered since the low point of October 31, which indicates markets are expecting an agreement that would ROLL BACK THE TARIFFS SIGNIkCANTLY ‡ A view he called “too optimistic.�

"EIJING AND 7ASHINGTON HAVE imposed duties on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, which is weighing on their manufacturing sectors and has SHAKEN GLOBAL kNANCIAL MARKETS Brooks said Chinese companies also have cut prices to try to prevent sales to the United States from eroding too far, which is hurting their bottom line and means China is paying an economic price for the tariff war.

Since the December detente, China has resumed purchases of some US soybeans and dangled

MASSIVE BUYING OF !MERICAN commodities to get US trade negotiators closer to a deal.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will lead the !MERICAN DELEGATION WHICH INcludes Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, economic policy adviser Larry Kudlow and trade adviser Peter Navarro, the White House said in a statement. “The two sides will also discuss China’s pledge to purchase a substantial amount of goods and services from the United States.�

China’s Commerce Ministry said its delegation will be led

by Vice Premier Liu He, who is "EIJING S TOP TRADE NEGOTIATOR and key aide to President Xi Jinping, who agreed to a trade war truce with Trump at a meeting in "UENOS !IRES IN $ECEMBER “We hope China and the US will both work hard together to implement the important consensus reached by our two heads OF STATE IN !RGENTINA GET DOWN to work and walk together in the same direction towards a mutually ACCEPTABLE AND MUTUALLY BENEkcial agreement,� Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters on Tuesday.

AFP

Green Industries Are we on track to PetroEnergy solar plant decarbonize the global energy system? undergoes completion W B4

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

T

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

RINA Solar had completed the delivery of solar panels to complete the expansion of a solar power plant in Tarlac Province, PetroEnergy Resources Corp. said.

In a disclosure on Monday, the Yuchengco-led company said Trina Solar delivered 61,200 pieces of Trina Solar Tallmax TSM PD14A model panels for the Tarlac-2 Solar Power Project.

Manufactured in Trina Solar’s factory in Changzhou, China, the PANELS HAVE SPECIAL RElECTING kLM technology, which translates to MORE LIGHT RElECTED BACK INTO THE solar cell so it can absorb more energy and generate more electricity.

Targeted to be completed by second quarter of 2019, the 20.4-megawatt (MW) Tarlac-2 Solar Power Project is a solar power

facility being built by PetroSolar Corp., a joint venture of PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC) and EEI Power Corp.

PGEC is the renewable arm of PetroEnergy.

Once completed, the solar facility, situated on a 22-hectare land in Central Technopark in Tarlac City, “will add to the adjoining 50-MW Tarlac-1 solar plant to make PetroSolar’s 70-MW Tarlac facility, the single, biggest contiguous operating solar farm in Luzon.�

Solenergy Systems Inc. is the engineering, procurement and construction management services

provider for the project. “Trina’s on-time delivery of the solar panels from their China plant to our Tarlac-2 project site TESTIkES TO THEIR INTENSE FOCUS ON customers’ needs. We are pleased to work with Trina Solar for the Tarlac-2 project and look forward to more cooperation with them TO BENEkT OUR FUTURE SOLAR PROJECTS and customers,� PetroSolar Vice 0RESIDENT &RANCISCO $ELkN *R SAID “We are committed to further supporting PetroSolar’s future projects with the technological and commercial advantages that Trina products offer. This collaboration is part of our long-running commitment TO EMERGING MARKETS IN !SIA 0ACIkC u Trina Solar Philippines Country Manager Junrhey Castro said.

Castro noted their company would continue to further support renewable energy in the Philippines, noting the country’s solar

industry had “tremendous room for development.�

The Tarlac solar project obtained support from several agencies, including the Department of Energy, the Board of Investments, the Bureau of Customs, and the Subic Bay Management Authority, which, acCORDING TO $ELkN WOULD BE CRITICAL IN COMPLETING THE kRST UTILITY SCALE solar project to be commissioned in the country this year.

Trina Solar, established in 1997, is in the business of developing proprietary Smart PV Solutions for large power stations, as well as commercial and residential solutions, energy storage systems and photovoltaic modules.

Founded in 1994, PetroEnergy is engaged in the business of upstream oil exploration and development. Since then, it has DIVERSIkED INTO RENEWABLE ENERGY power generation.

Haribon pushes awareness on native trees CAN YOU NAME kVE NATIVE TREES This is a question we, at Haribon, normally pose to our supporters when discussing about tree planting and forest restoration.

Unfortunately, few urban dwellers are familiar with native tree species, despite that many common streets, villages and cities named after them.

From the town of Dao (Pampanga) to Balete Drive, numerous municipalities, barangay (villages) and streets trace their names from the abundance of native trees growing therein. Below are some places you might be surprised to have a native tree name: Talisay (Batangas); Lipa (Batangas); Antipolo (Rizal); Lumban (Laguna); Calumpit (Bulacan); and the villages Cupang Calumpang, Bangkal and Kamagong.

Because of road expansion, site reclamation, and other forms of urbanization compounded by lack of awareness and appreciation, proudly Filipino trees around us are fast disappearing.

Adding to the situation is our exposure to other trees in our neighborhood, particularly in the urban areas where people are more familiar with exotic trees such as mahogany (from South America), ipil-ipil (from Central America) and acacia (from Central/South America).

Why native trees?

Tree planting is a popular environmental activity across

Q Haribon Foundation’s various activities also make participants learn about the country’s precious native trees.

HARIBON PHOTO the world. However, many tree planting drives in the country use fast-growing exotic trees.

These types of trees consume a lot of nutrients and water, and are invasive to the country’s original forests.

Native trees not only connect us to our environmental heritage, but they are more adaptive to the forests being restored. They have a greater chance of survival and they help ensure that native plants and animals thrive.

Haribon promotes the awareness and use of native trees in forest restoration, which helps bring back local biodiversity while MAXIMIZING THE ECOLOGICAL BENEkTS we derive from our forests.

Join the native tree trek Haribon Foundation offers Native Tree Treks within urban green spaces to reconnect Filipinos to their immediate environment.

Our foresters will walk with you,

helping you identify native trees, learn about them, and know why they matter to us.

It is the aim of Haribon that after every Tree Trek activity, the participants will be able to know, by HEART kVE OR MORE OF OUR PROUDLY Filipino trees, and appreciate our leafy friends that provide so much for us.

To arrange a Native Tree Trek activity with Haribon, contact partnerships@haribon.org.ph.

JOSEPH RIEL SENGA

ILAGAN GETS SIX FLOOD WARNING STATIONS ILAGAN CITY, Isabela: As a proactive measure to deal with heavy lOODS THE $EPARTMENT OF 3CIENCE and Technology (DoST) in collaboration with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management /FkCE #$22-/ INSTALLED SIX solar-powered Flood Early Warning Stations (FEWS) in this city.

As an alarm system for communities during increment weather conditions, the additional FEWS were installed at the low lying barangay (villages) of Bagumbayan, Marana, Fugu, Cabisera 22, Batong Labang and Allinguigan.

Q John Michael Taguiam (third from left), science research specialist of Department of Science and TechnologyCagayan Valley (Region 2), with villages officials of one of the barangays in Iligan City that got a Flood Early Warning Station.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Engr. Marcelo Miguel, DoSTIsabela director, said the DoST#AGAYAN 6ALLEY 2EGION OFkCE started installing FEWS in 2016 to ensure the safety of residents in the said villages that were often inundated, especially during typhoons coupled with heavy rains.

The newly installed state-ofthe-art FEWS have solar panels that power the system’s beacon or blinker, controller box, siren and pole mast.

John Michael Taguiam, science research specialist of DoST-Cagayan Valley, said the FEWS had four

signal stage namely, alert, alarm, critical and recession. “When the threshold level is reached, it can be triggered either through website or manual switch to cause alarm. The threshold level varies depending on where the early warning stations are located,� he said.

Taguiam explained that the THRESHOLD WAS NORMALLY IDENTIkED by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the country’s weather bureau. “But the local government unit can also identify the threshold

based on their own experience having been very familiar with the usual level of water inundating low-lying areas in their locality,� he added.

As soon as critical level is reached, residents near the area are immediately advised to evacuate to the nearest evacuation areas or centers designated by the local government unit, he added. “The residents are advised to go back to their respective homes only during the recession stage that implies that the water has already subsided, and it is safe for the evacuees to go back home,� Taguiam said.

Expressing urgency for the newly INSTALLED &%73 LOCAL OFkCIALS URGED residents to guard them from being stolen or destroyed, saying the devices could save many lives from destructive calamities.

Francisco Estabillo, CDRRMO OFkCER CITED 2EPUBLIC !CT or the “Risk Reduction and Preparedness Equipment Protection Act of 2012,� which states that stealing, taking possession, buying, tampering, dismantling or disassembling of any preparedness equipment, their parts or accessories will be penalized.

Estabillo said violators could be IMPRISONED UP TO YEARS kNED up to P3 million or both.

(First of two parts) E need decisive action on climate change and one of the biggest challenges of our time is a dual one: The need to meet rising energy demand while at the same time reducing carbon emissions.

The emissions-reduction side of this dual challenge will mean shifting to a lower-carbon energy system, as the world seeks to move to a pathway consistent with meeting the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Much more progress and change is needed on a range of fronts if the world is to have any chance of moving on to such a pathway. “Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (C) would require rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban and infrastructure including transport and buildings, and industrial systems,� according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 C released in October 2018. The report added that: “These systems transitions are unprecedented in terms of scale, but not necessarily in terms of speed, and imply deep emission reductions in all sectors, a wide portfolio of mitigation options AND A SIGNIkCANT UPSCALING OF investments in those options.�

Meeting the other side of the dual challenge will require many forms of energy to play a role. There’s a strong correlation between human development and energy consumption — and our analysis of this relationship highlights the need for much more energy to meet demand as prosperity rises.

The challenge is to understand, adapt and ultimately thrive in this changing energy landscape.

Along with these challenges, come opportunities — and that’s what makes this a really exciting time. People are being lifted out of low incomes, helping to drive economic growth and the demand for energy. New technologies are revolutionizing the way in which that energy is produced, transported and consumed. And the transition to a lower-carbon energy system is opening up a wide range of business possibilities. “It is still possible to meet the Paris temperature goals if emissions begin to fall by 2020,� according to Christiana Figueres, who the World Resources Institute considered as the world authority on global climate change. She was formerly the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from 2010 to 2016.

In June 2017, she wrote in Nature magazine: “The year 2020 is crucially important for another reason, one that has more to do with physics than politics. When it comes to climate, timing is everything. According to 2020: The Climate Turning Point, should emissions continue to rise beyond 2020, or even remain level, the temperature goals set in Paris become almost unattainable. The UN Sustainable Development Goals that were agreed in 2015 would also be at grave risk.�

The “Energy Revolution: A Global Outlook,� commissioned

by Drax Group and conducted independently by academics from Imperial College London, and consultants from E4tech, facilitated through the college’s consultancy company — Imperial Consultants, informed us on the debate on decarbonizing the global energy system, evaluating how rapidly nations are transforming their energy systems, and what lessons can be learned from the leading countries across kVE ENERGY SECTORS SUCH AS CLEAN power — low carbon electricity generation, including renewables,

ALL ABOUT CHOICES LUDWIG O. FEDERIGAN

biomass and nuclear; phase-out OF FOSSIL FUELS ELECTRIkCATION OF passenger vehicles; carbon capture and storage; and improved EFkCIENCY ACROSS THE ECONOMY The report highlights 25 major countries, all of the Group of Seven and Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries, as well as THE kVE MORE POPULOUS COUNtries, ensuring that the largest developed and emerging economies are considered.

Together, they represent 80 percent of the global population, 77 percent of gross domestic product, and 73 percent of carbon emissions.

Clean power — low carbon electricity generation, including renewables Based on the report, clean electricity supply is fundamental to virtually all visions of a decarbonized global economy.

This requires the rapid transition away from coal, oil and gas towards renewables and nuclear. Clean electricity can then power vehicles, heating and industry as a major route to decarbonizing these sectors.

In 2017, the global average carbon intensity of electricity was 450 direct carbopn dioxide emissions per kilowattt hour (gCO2/kWh). Sixteen out of 25 major countries are below this average, and three are below a longer-term target of 50 gCO2/kWh. The global average carbon intensity of electricity has fallen by only 7 percent (33 gCO2/ kWh) in the last decade (2008 to 2017). Countries have on average cleaned up their power systems at twice this rate (67 gCO2/kWh). However, rising consumption in the higher-carbon countries — India, Indonesia and China — has tempered the global average fall. Several large Asian countries — Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia — are moving towards highercarbon grids from nuclear phase-out, rapid demand growth, and an entrenched coal industry, respectively.

Renewable energy has revolutionized the power sector, forming half of all new generating capacity installed for the last two years running. Global wind and solar capacity are increasing by around 20 percent and 40 percent annually, while biomass and hydro are growing at around 8 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

In the last ten years, 1,125 gigawatts of renewable capacity has been installed, which is equivalent 156 watts per person.

Wind and solar capacities are the fastest growing renewables with rates of 20 percent and 40 percent per year, respectively.

Countries with the largest uptake in renewables are also those that have provided the greatest subsidies. This has helped these technologies progress down their cost curves, and are now approaching cost parity point, where their uptake would be fully market-driven.

N N N I will deliver a talk on “Corporate Foresight: Integrating the Future Business Environment into Innovation and Sustainability� on Tuesday (February 26), during the Futures Forum of the Northwestern Visayan Colleges in Kalibo, Aklan.

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NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JUANITA NG FAN was extrajudicially-settled by and among her heirs on )HEUXDU\ DQG acknowledged as Doc. No. RQ 3DJH 1R RI %RRN 1R 6HULHV RI EHIRUH Atty. Germino G. Bagares, a notary public for and in the City of Manila.

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Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION (STR) NOTICE GOLDEN BRIA HOLDINGS, ,1& 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU by virtue of Deed of Absolute Sale KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of memorial plots in GOLDEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK - SARIAYA located at Brgy.

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THURSDAY February 21, 2019

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Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late $'21,6 ' &58= has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate executed RQ 'HFHPEHU DQG HQWHUHG DV SHU 'RF 1R 3DJH 1R %RRN 1R 9,, 6HULHV RI RI WKH QRWDULDO registry of Atty. Florimond C. Rous notary public for and in Quezon City.

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY ILOILO MARITIME REGIONAL OFFICE 4th Floor Arguelles building, 402 E. Lopez Street, Jaro, Iloilo City 5( $SSOLFDWLRQ IRU WKH UHQHZDO RI WKH &HUWLÂżFDWH of Public Convenience (CPC) for RJ SEA CARGO SHIPPING CO.., INC., for its vessel named, M/V RONDELL to operate a tramping service for the carriage of CARGOES ONLY in the route: PHILIPPINE COASTWISE PORTS under a deregulated schedule of trips and rates

SXUVXDQW WR 5HSXEOLF $FW 1R DQG LWV 5HYLVHG Implementing Rules and Regulations (R-IRR). &DVH 1R ,052 RJ SEA CARGO SHIPPING CO., INC. Applicant: ORDER 7KLV UHIHUV WR WKH $SSOLFDWLRQ IRU UHQHZDO RI WKH &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF &RQYHQLHQFH &3& ÂżOHG E\ $SSOLFDQW RQ )(%58$5< WR RSHUDWH the above mentioned vessel, under the following routes, type of service and sailing frequencies/schedule of rates.

FOR TRAMPING OPERATION: SERVICE TO BE OFFERED: M/V RONDELL Carriage of CARGOES ONLY ROUTES TO BE SERVED FREIGHT RATE PHILIPPINE COASTWISE PORTS Per Contract Basis The Applicant shall cause the publication of this ORDER once in any newspaper of national circulation.

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Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY FRANCHISING SERVICE, CENTRAL OFFICE Parkview Plaza (Masagana Telamart, Inc.) 984 Taft Avenue cor. T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila 5H $SSOLFDWLRQ IRU LVVXDQFH RI &HUWLÂżFDWH of Public Convenience (CPC) to operate the ships, MV â&#x20AC;&#x153;HM FOUNDATIONâ&#x20AC;?, in the tramping service for the carriage of cargoes only to any port in the Philippines HUA MING SHIPPING GROUP, INC. Applicant. x----------------------------------------------x

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY FRANCHISING SERVICE, CENTRAL OFFICE Parkview Plaza (Masagana Telamart, Inc.) 984 Taft Avenue cor. T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila

Republic of the Philippines Province of Isabela MUNICIPALITY OF QUIRINO 2IÂżFH RI WKH %LGV DQG $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH %$&

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INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID

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% (67 60 02$ Âą 2ULRQ %DWDDQ Âą (67 60 02$ Âą )$% 7RZQ 7HUPLQDO Âą (67 60 02$ Âą 2ULRQ %DWDDQ Âą (67 SM MOA MONDAY TO FRIDAY DEPARTURE ARRIVAL PORT TIME PORT TIME EST, SM MOA $0 Orion, Bataan 8:00 AM Orion, Bataan $0 EST, SM MOA $0 EST, SM MOA $0 FTT, Bataan $0 FTT, Bataan 30 EST, SM MOA 30 EST, SM MOA 30 Orion, Bataan 30 Orion, Bataan 30 EST, SM MOA 30 SATURDAY TO SUNDAY DEPARTURE ARRIVAL PORT TIME PORT TIME EST, SM MOA $0 Orion, Bataan 8:00 AM Orion, Bataan $0 EST, SM MOA $0 EST, SM MOA DP FTT, Bataan $0 FTT, Bataan 30 EST, SM MOA 30 EST, SM MOA 30 Orion, Bataan 30 Orion, Bataan 30 EST, SM MOA 30 & (67 60 02$ Âą 2ULRQ %DWDDQ DQG YLFH YHUVD MONDAY TO FRIDAY DEPARTURE ARRIVAL EST, SM MOA 11 Orion, Bataan Orion, Bataan 2:00 PM EST, SM MOA

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CASE NO. MNL-2018-007-FS

DEPARTURE PORT EST, SM MOA Camaya Coast EST, SM MOA Camaya Coast

TIME $0 30 $0 30

EST, SM MOA Camaya Coast

SATURDAY TO SUNDAY $0 Camaya Coast 8:00 PM EST, SM MOA

ARRIVAL PORT Camaya Coast EST, SM MOA Camaya Coast EST, SM MOA

TIME $0 30 11 9:00 PM

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Notice is hereby given that the said Application will be heard by this Authority on 27 February 2019 at 2:00 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon DW WKH rd Floor, Franchising Service Hearing Room, at the above address.

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World UN to India, Pakistan: Defuse tensions U B6

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

NITED NATIONS, United States: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree.

The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic clash following a suicide attack on February 14 in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel, triggering counter-operations by Indian forces in the area.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are deeply concerned at the increasing tensions between the two countries,â&#x20AC;? said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Guterres â&#x20AC;&#x153;stresses the importance of both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take

immediate stepsâ&#x20AC;? to de-escalate, while also offering to mediate â&#x20AC;&#x153;should both sides ask,â&#x20AC;? said Dujarric.

Pakistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi appealed to Guterres to step in to defuse tensions in a letter seen by AFP. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is imperative to take steps for de-escalation. The United Nations must step in to defuse tensions,â&#x20AC;? said the letter sent on Monday.

The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), but

the foreign minister insisted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;attributing it to Pakistan even before investigations is absurd.â&#x20AC;?

In response to the rising tensions, France, Britain and the United States were considering a new push at the Security Council to place Masood Azhar, the leader of JeM, on the UN terror list, but faced opposition from China, diplomats said.

China has twice blocked â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in 2016 and 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; attempts to put the JeM leader on the blacklist. The group itself was added to the terror list in 2001.

Kashmir has been split between India and Pakistan since independence from Britain in 1947. Both countries claim the former Himalayan kingdom in full and have fought two wars over it.

India has long accused Pakistan of harboring militants who launch attacks on its soil.

Pakistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi met with Guterres and with the president of the Security Council to appeal for action, WARNING THAT A lAREUP IN +ASHMIR could undermine peace efforts in

Trump, CA clash over wall, train

Sanders seeks Demsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nomination for 2020 WASHINGTON, D. C.: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that he would seek the Democratic presidential nomination again, a decision that will test whether he can still generate the progressive energy that fueled his insurgent 2016 campaign. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our campaign is not only about defeating Donald Trump,â&#x20AC;? the 77-year-old self-described democratic socialist said in an email to supporters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our campaign is about transforming our country and creating a government based on the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice.â&#x20AC;?

An enthusiastic progressive who embraces proposals such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Medicare-for-allâ&#x20AC;? and free college tuition, Sanders stunned the Democratic establishment in 2016 with his spirited challenge to Hillary Clinton. While she ultimately became the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nominee, his campaign helped lay the groundwork for the leftward lurch that has

dominated Democratic politics in the Trump era.

The question now for Sanders is whether he can stand out in a crowded field of Democratic presidential candidates, who also embrace many of his policy ideas and who are newer to the national political stage. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s far different from 2016, when he was Clintonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lone progressive adversary.

Still, there is no question that Sanders will be a formidable contender for the Democratic nomination. He won more than 13 million votes in 2016 and dozens of primaries and caucuses. He opens his campaign with a nationwide organization and a proven small-dollar fundraising effort. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re gonna win,â&#x20AC;? Sanders told CBS. He said he was going to launch â&#x20AC;&#x153;what I think is unprecedented in modern American historyâ&#x20AC;?: A grassroots movement â&#x20AC;&#x153;to lay the groundwork for transforming the economic and political life of this country.â&#x20AC;?

AP

Worldinbriefs QATAR TO INVEST 10B EUROS IN GERMANY HE THE DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said that Qatar would like to invest an additional 10 billion euros in Germany over the next five years, noting that it would become the largest Arab investor in Germany, with a total investment of 35 billion euros.

In an interview with the German Handelsblatt newspaper, HE Sheikh Mohamed said Germany was a country with an important and stable economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We still see Deutsche Bank as a good investment opportunity, and that also applies to investments in other companies,â&#x20AC;? he added. On the satisfaction of Qatar for its investments in Germany, the foreign minister said that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Qatar Investment Authority is an institution with a long-term investment strategy. When we invest in any place, we are not looking for quick profit.â&#x20AC;?

GULF TIMES

JAPAN TO INVEST $43M IN CAMBODIA THE Cambodia Foreign Affairs Ministry on Tuesday said Japan will provide more than $43 million to fund two development projects in the Kingdom. Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn and Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ambassador Hidehisa Horinouchi will on Wednesday sign the Exchange of Notes on the extension of the Japanese governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for the two projects. It said that Japan would provide a loan of about $31.56 million for the implementation of the West Tonle Sap Irrigation and Drainage Rehabilitation and Improvement Project 2. Japan will also provide about $11.8 million in grant aid for the implementation of the Development of Port Electric Data Interchange System for Port Modernisation project. In April, Japan officially signed an agreement to provide Cambodia with grants and loans, totalling more than $90 million. The funding is for the Phnom Penh City Transmission and Distribution System Expansion project.

KHMER TIMES

Afghanistan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The escalation in the subcontinent poses a threat to prospects for peace in Afghanistan,â&#x20AC;? Lodhi told AFP. The United States is holding talks with the Taliban on ending 17 years of war.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talks also involve Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the three countries that recognized the Taliban regime in Kabul before the US-led coalition toppled it following the Sep. 11, 2001 attacks. AFP

POISONED

Water contaminated with arsenic, lead and zinc flows from a pipe out of the Lee Mountain mine and into a holding pond near Rimini, Montana. The United States mining industry has polluted waters in nine states, including Montana, California, Colorado and Oklahoma. AP PHOTO

Parisians rally vs anti-Semitism PARIS: Rallies against anti-Semitism attracted crowds of thousands in Paris and other French cities Tuesday following a series of aggressive acts with Jewish targets, including a cemetery where about 80 gravestones were spray-painted with swastikas overnight.

In the French capital, former presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy joined a rally led by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Republic Plaza.

Political parties from across the spectrum participated in the nationwide rallies with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enoughâ&#x20AC;?, although Marine Le Penâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s far-right National Rally party held a

separate event.

French President Emmanuel Macron went to the Shoah Memorial, a Holocaust museum in Paris, to observe a moment of silence with parliament leaders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every time a French person, because he or she is Jewish, is insulted, threatened â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or worse, injured or killed â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the whole Republicâ&#x20AC;? is attacked, Macron said at a news conference in Paris.

Hours before the rallies started, Macron visited the vandalized Jewish cemetery in Quatzenheim, a small town in the northeastern Alsace Region. He said he felt shame at the sight of the defaced grave markers.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This looks like absurd stupidity,â&#x20AC;? the French leader said, looking visibly sad and concerned.

Macron observed several moments of silence in front of the vandalized graves, while local Jewish community representatives stood by. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will take action,â&#x20AC;? he promised.

France is home to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest Jewish population outside Israel and the United States. Among the incidents arousing worries of renewed anti-Semitism was a torrent of hate speech directed at Jewish philosopher Alain Finkielkraut during a Saturday march by Yellow AP vest protesters.

SACRAMENTO, California: Disputes over President Donald Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s border wall and Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bullet train are intensifying the feud between the White House and the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most populous state.

The Trump administration on Tuesday said it plans to cancel or claw back $3.5 billion in federal dollars allocated to Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-speed rail project, a move Gov. Gavin Newsom called â&#x20AC;&#x153;political retributionâ&#x20AC;? for the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawsuit against Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s declaration of a national emergency. California led a 16-state coalition in filing the suit Monday, challenging Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power to declare an emergency to earn more money to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no coincidence that the Administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s threat comes 24 hours after California led 16 states in challenging the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farcical â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;national emergency,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Newsom said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is clear political retribution by President Trump, and we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sit idly by.â&#x20AC;?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the latest spat between Trump and California, which has styled itself as the Democratic-led â&#x20AC;&#x153;resistanceâ&#x20AC;? to the administration. Newsom, less than two months into his tenure, has appeared more eager to hit back at Trump than former California Gov. Jerry Brown. The lawsuit is Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 46th against the Trump administration.

Using a broad interpretation of his executive powers, Trump declared an emergency last week to obtain wall funding beyond the $1.4 billion Congress approved for border security. The move allows the President to bypass Congress to use money from the Pentagon and other budgets.

Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of the emergency declaration has drawn bipartisan criticism and faces a number of legal challenges. AP

NEARNESS

The Super Snow Moon rises next to the Parthenon Temple at the Acropolis archaeological site on Feb. 19, 2019. Super Moon is a term used with a full moon that occurs when the moon is at or near its closest approach to Earth. AFP PHOTO

DOUBTS BESET CHINAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UNSINKABLE TITANIC REPLICA A FULL-sized replica of the Titanic would hopefully be open to the public in 2020 despite widespread doubts since the project was launched in 2014. The knock-off, called â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Titanic that will never sinkâ&#x20AC;? as it will never really set sail, is going to be part of a theme park in Daying county, Southwest Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sichuan Province.

It is located along the Qijiang River in Suining, Sichuan. Its main body will be completed in four to five months, followed by interior designing, which is likely to be completed in 2020, the Beijing Youth Daily reported Saturday, citing Su Shaojun, chairman of the Seven Star Energy Investment Group, investor of the project. The imitation ship will contain a banquet hall, theater, viewing deck and swimming pool. It already cost over 1 billion yuan ($148 million). Others also said the project is unlucky, given the fact that the real ship had sunk. Media reported that tickets for the ship would be about 200 yuan and accommodations would cost as much as 3,000 yuan a night.

GLOBAL TIMES

BANGLADESH BLOCKS 20,000 PORN, GAMBLING WEBSITES DHAKA: Bangladesh authorities had blocked almost 20,000 websites as part of an anti-pornography war, a minister said Tuesday. Internet providers in the conservative Muslim-majority nation took down pornography and gambling websites in the past week under orders from the telecommunications regulator. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to create a safe and secure internet for all Bangladeshis, including children. And this is my war against pornography. And this will be a continuous war,â&#x20AC;? Mustafa Jabbar, the posts and telecommunications minister, told AFP. Popular social media apps such as TikTok and Bigo â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which authorities believe are misused â&#x20AC;&#x201D; had also been blocked in the South Asian nation, Jabbar said.

Most of the blocked sites are foreign, but a few local websites and social media platforms have also faced action under the crackdown, he added. The crackdown was launched after Bangladeshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s High Court in November asked the government to block pornography websites and publication of obscene materials in electronic forms for six months.

AFP

Myanmar is largest source of meth KUTKAI, Myanmar: Mobs of stick-wielding church-goers in Myanmarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northeast used to descend on dealers and addicts in a desperate effort to save their communities from a meth-induced health crisis sweeping the country.

But anonymous death threats brought the vigilante operations to a halt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It simply became too dangerous for us,â&#x20AC;? says Zau Man, leader of the local Baptist church in Kutkai, a town in Shan State scarred by addiction.

Myanmar is the second-biggest producer of opium in the world after Afghanistan and is now be-

lieved to be the largest source of methamphetamine.

The multi billion-dollar industry outstrips rivals in Latin America to feed lucrative markets as far away as Sydney, Tokyo and Seoul.

Shan is the epicentre of production in Myanmar, with a network of local armed groups linking up WITH TRANSNATIONAL TRAFkCKING GANGS Kutkai sits between Mandalay and the militia-riddled town of Muse on the China border, a key entry point for precursor chemicals heading to Myanmarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s illegal meth labs.

Trucks carrying illicit goods roar through the town in both directions, past a Chinese temple and

streetside restaurants with signs in Mandarin.

Heroin and meth use here are rampant. Zau Man says nearly every household had at least one drug user, dealers worked out in the open and often violent meth addicts had turned parts of Kutkai into no-go zones. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In some areas, you can only get food until 10pm, but you can get drugs 24/7,â&#x20AC;? he says.

Myanmar is facing a â&#x20AC;&#x153;public health disasterâ&#x20AC;? because of meth and few villages in the country are left unscathed, Jeremy Douglas, regional REPRESENTATIVE OF THE 5. /FkCE ON Drugs and Crime, tells AFP.

But the crisis is at its most acute in the poppy-covered hills of Shan State, where a landscape overrun with armed rebel groups, militias and security forces is an ideal breeding ground for meth labs. !CCURATE kGURES OF PRODUCTION of high quality crystal meth, or â&#x20AC;&#x153;iceâ&#x20AC;?, and low-grade meth, known in Southeast Asia as â&#x20AC;&#x153;yabaâ&#x20AC;?, are unavailable.

In January 2018, Kutkai police seized 30 million yaba pills, 1,750 kilogram of crystal meth and 500 kilogram of heroin with a domestic value of some $54 million in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest-ever drug bust.

AFP

Public Square

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Mondelez Philippines partners with Parms

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

B7

BPI shows support to Franchise Asia Philippines 2019

Q Signing the partnership, from left: PFA Chairman Emeritus Samie Lim, BPI Business Banking Vice President Jessymel Cruz, and PFA Chairman Alan Escalona.

T

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Q Confirming the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to sustainability are Mondelez Philippines Country Director Ashish Pisharodi (left) and Parms Founding President Crispian Lao. -/.$%,%: 0HILIPPINES HAS PARTNERED WITH THE 0HILIPPINE !LLIANCE FOR 2ECYCLING AND -ATERIALS 3USTAINABILITY 0ARMS IN LINE WITH THE SNACK COMPANY S GLOBAL COMMITMENT TO MAKE ALL PACKAGING RECYCLABLE BY 4HE COMPANY HAS JOINED 0ARMS TOGETHER WITH OTHER CORPORATIONS IN THE COUNTRY TO INVEST IN A 0 MILLION RESIDUAL PLASTIC RECYCLING FACILITY THAT WILL ADDRESS THE NEED TO RECYCLE PLASTICS g4HIS COMMITMENT RElECTS OUR COMPANY S NEW PURPOSE TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO SNACK RIGHT BY OFFERING THE RIGHT SNACK AT THE RIGHT TIME MADE THE RIGHT WAY u

EXPLAINED -ONDELEZ 0HILIPPINES #OUNTRY $IRECTOR !SHISH 0ISHARODI g4OGETHER WITH PARTNERS LIKE 0ARMS WE CAN HELP TO DEVELOP practical solutions that result in a POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT u )N /CTOBER A GLOBAL COMMITMENT WAS MADE BY PARENT COMPANY -ONDEL Z )NTERNATIONAL TO ENSURE THAT BY THE YEAR ALL PACKAGING USED FOR ITS PRODUCTS WILL BE RECYCLABLE 5NDER THIS COMMITMENT

THE COMPANY VOWS TO MAKE ALL PAPER BASED PACKAGING SUSTAINABLY SOURCED BY AND ELIMINATE MILLION KILOGRAMS OF PACKAGING MATERIAL WORLDWIDE

Travelbook.ph, EastWest Bank offer 10% discount on local hotels

#ONVENTION #ENTER IN 0ASAY #ITY 7ITH A NETWORK OF OVER BRANCHES IN THE COUNTRY "0) IS ACKNOWLEDGED TODAY AS A LEADING PROVIDER OF kNANCIAL SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY /N THE OTHER HAND &RANCHISE

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-ARCH TO )NTERNATIONAL #ONFERENCE FROM -ARCH TO

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54th Anvil Awards recognizes Generika Drugstore

Q Receiving the award, from left: Generika Drugstore Senior Artist Augustine Pangan, Marketing and Communications Head Allyn Sta. Maria, President and CEO Dino Francisco, VP for Operations Jay Ferrer, and PR Officer Carol Cerveza. '%.%2)+! $RUGSTORE S .ATIONwide ,IBRENG +ONSULTA FREE MEDICAL CONSULTATION WAS RECOGNIZED

BY THE 0UBLIC 2ELATIONS 3OCIETY OF THE 0HILIPPINES 0230 IN ITS 02 $IRECTED AT 3PECIkC 3TAKEHOLDERS %XTERNAL #ONSUMERS CATEGORY

DURING THE TH !NVIL !WARDS HELD AT -ANILA -ARRIOTT IN 0ASAY #ITY ON *ANUARY 4HE SIMULTANEOUS .ATIONwide ,IBRENG +ONSULTA served OVER PATIENTS IN ONE DAY AS PART OF 'ENERIKA $RUGSTORE S

TH ANNIVERSARY EFFORTS 'ENERIKA $RUGSTORE IS THE PIONEER IN THE RETAIL OF GENERIC MEDICINE ESTABLISHED IN WITH THE MISSION OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO QUALITY AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE 'ENERIKA $RUGSTORE IS A MEM-

BER OF !# (EALTHÂ&#x2021;A WHOLLY OW N E D S U B S I D I A R Y O F !YA L A #ORPORATION AND SERVES AS THE PORTFOLIO COMPANY FOR ITS HEALTHCARE BUSINESSES &OR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW GENERIKA COM PH

Pernod Ricard Asia enters joint venture with Premier Wine & Spirits

34!24 YOUR SUMMER GETAWAY RIGHT AND SCORE HOTEL DISCOUNTS FROM TRAVELBOOK PH AND %AST7EST "ANK %NJOY PERCENT DISCOUNT ON 0HILIPPINE HOTELS VIA %AST7EST "ANK #REDIT $EBIT OR 0REPAID #ARD WHEN BOOKING FROM &EBRUARY TO -ARCH

A minimum purchase amount OF 0 IS REQUIRED TO AVAIL OF THE PROMO 4O AVAIL OF THE DISCOUNT THE CARDHOLDER MUST GO TO WWW TRAVELBOOOK PH EASTWEST and CHOOSE FROM THE PROMO ELIGIBLE HOTELS AVAILABLE

WCF, WFCA host greatest cat show in PH 7/2,$ #AT &EDERATION 7#&

in partnership with the World FeLINOLOGICAL #ENTER !STRA 7&#!

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3HOW ON %ARTH u THE EVENT ALSO FEATURED ACROBATS JUGGLERS STILT WALKER AND VARIOUS PRODUCTION NUMBERS 4HE SHOW HAD GATHERED EXPERT JUDGES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD INCLUDING 7ORLD #AT &EDERATION 0RESIDENT !NNELIESE (ACKMANN !LL "REED 7#& 'ERMANY

#ORNELIA (UNGERECKER !LL "REED 7#& 'ERMANY AND .ATAL YA ,EBEDEVA OF 2USSIA !LL "REED 7#& 2USSIA &OR MORE INFORMATION VISIT EN TOP CAT ORG CAT SHOWS

Q Sealing the partnership, from left: Pernod Ricard Asia General Counsel Ludovic Delpon de Vaux, Seagramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s China Managing Director Kevin Lee, Pernod Ricard Asia Chairman and CEO Philippe Guettat, Pernod Ricard Philippines Managing Director Robin Chua, Cosco Capital Inc. Chairman Lucio Co, Premier Wines & Spirits President JP Santamarina, Pernod Ricard Asia VP Marketing Tracy Kwan and Pernod Ricard Asia VP Finance, IT and Strategy Ludovic Ledru. , % ! $ ) . ' W I N E A N D S P I R I T S OUR PARTNERSHIP TO FURTHER GROW NEEDS AND LEVERAGE OUR EXPERIENCE 4HE NEW 0ERNOD 2ICARD 0HILIPPINES COMPANY 0ERNOD 2ICARD !SIA our brands and accelerate their dis- AND CAPABILITIES IN INNOVATION u WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH FULLY lEDGED RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ITS RENEWED TRIBUTION IN THE 0HILIPPINES u SAID 4HE NEWLY ESTABLISHED COMPANY FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES DEDICATED TO PARTNERSHIP WITH 0REMIER 7INE 0HILIPPE 'UETTAT 0ERNOD 2ICARD WILL RETAIN THE NAME g0ERNOD 2ICARD THE 0ERNOD 2ICARD PORTFOLIO BUT WILL 3PIRITS PART OF #OSCO #APITAL !SIA CHAIRMAN AND #%/ g7E ARE 0HILIPPINESu AND WILL FOCUS ON RE- BENEFIT SIGNIFICANTLY FROM 0REMIER )NC

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Lani Revilla officiates mass wedding

Bautista creates TWG for data privacy 4/ FURTHER SPREAD AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION IN 1UEZON #ITY -AYOR (ERBERT "AUTISTA RECENTLY ORDERED THE CREATION OF A TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP 47' FOR DATA PRIVACY -AYOR "AUTISTA S %XECUTIVE /RDER SERIES OF CITES THE 47' IS TASKED TO INFORM AND CULTIVATE AWARENESS ON PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION PERFORM INITIAL IMPACT AND RISK ASSESSMENT AND ASSIST THE DATA PRIVACY ACT CORE GROUP IN DEVELOPING THE CITY S 0RIVACY -ANAGEMENT 0ROGRAM AND ITS MANUAL g4HE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAID ACT INCLUDING ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS )22

WILL BE INITIATED AND FACILITATED

BY THE 1UEZON #ITY 'OVERNMENT

FOR COMPLIANCE TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE SAID LAW WHICH BROADLY ENCOURAGE TRANSPARENCY ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE u THE EXECUTIVE ORDER READS 4HE #ITY !DMINISTRATOR WILL LEAD THE 47' WHILE THE #ITY ,EGAL $EPARTMENT SHALL ACT AS SECRETARY -EANWHILE THE #ITY !SSESSOR S /FFICE #ITY 0ERSONNEL /FFICE $EPARTMENT OF "UILDING /FFICIAL %NVIRONMENTAL 0ROTECTION AND 7ASTE -ANAGEMENT $EPARTMENT 1UEZON #ITY (EALTH $EPARTMENT 3OCIAL 3ERVICES $EVELOPMENT $EPARTMENT

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AND "ARANGAY AND #OMMUNITY 2ELATIONS $EPARTMENT WILL BE MEMBERS OF THE 47'

Q Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado Revilla (seated 4th from left) with city executives and the 112 couples during the mass wedding. !"/54 COUPLES EXCHANGED MAR- #ITY -AYOR ,ANI -ERCADO 2EVILLA WERE #ONGRESSMAN 3TRIKE 3TRIKE "ACOOR #ITY #OUNCILORS RIAGE VOWS ON 6ALENTINE S $AY IN A HEART3HARING WORDS OF WISDOM 0ROVINCIAL "OARD -EMBERS 2EY )T WAS A FITTING DAY TO SPEND WARMING CEREMONY OFkCIATED BY "ACOOR and inspiration to the couples &ABIAN AND !BA 'AWARAN AND THE $AY OF (EARTS

B8

Special Feature

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

IN MEMORIAM

Remembering Valentin Araneta Tribute to a seasoned banker on his first death anniversary ersaryÂ

BY MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY

T

/$!9 &EBRUARY MARKS THE kRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF 6ALENTIN !RANETAÂ&#x2021;OUTSTANDING BANKER ESTEEMED MEMBER OF THE #ENTRAL "ANK -ONETARY "OARD AND WELL REMEMBERED AS AN eminent economist.

Araneta brought to the banking industry an impressive academic record: A bachelor degree in economics which he earned at Ateneo de Manila University in 1971, a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree of the same program in 1977, also at Ateneo, plus further studies on Advanced Management Program at Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, United States of America.

Endorsed by BSP Governor Nestor EspeNILLA *R !RANETA TOOK OFkCE AS MEMBER OF the Monetary Board in July 2014, bringing with him close to 40 years banking experience he earned from holding a number of top positions in notable public and PRIVATE kNANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Top-level management positions In 2013, Araneta served as a trustee and corporate secretary of the Financial Executive Research and Development Foundation (Finex) in 2013.

In 2011, led the state-run deposit insurer Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. as PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER AP-

pointed by then-President Benigno â&#x20AC;&#x153;Noynoyâ&#x20AC;? Aquino 3rd.

Before PDIC, he held various positions in top institutionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as independent director at the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., former chairman of the Island Merchants Corp., and member and treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the University of St. La Salle, in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

In 1999, Araneta joined the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. where he served as executive vice president and treasurer, then continued to be president and chief OPERATING OFkCER IN For about 18 years, Araneta worked with the Philippine National Bank, starting in 1980 as a senior assistant manager and chief dealer in the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international department.

In the next two years, he served as the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistant vice president for International Funds Management, International $EPARTMENT /VERSEAS /FkCES $IVISION AND &INANCIAL -ANAGEMENT /FkCE In 1983, he held more leadership positionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; as vice president of the FX

Treasury and Investment Banking as well as the Financial Management ement Office, while simultaneously serving ving as general manager for PNBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Singapore ore branch and the Asian region.

Five years later, in 1988, 88, he became vice president and general manager of the Hong Kong branch and the he North Asian region, where he also served d as the managing director of PNBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International ernational Finance Limited, H.K. In 1992, he accepted thee post as executive vice president dent of the Treasury, Investments ents Q Valentin Araneta PHOTO FROM BSP.GOV and Global Banking sector, or, and by 1995, he was already dy serving as senior executive vice president, as chief foreign exchange dealer in the Manila Offshore banking Unit CHIEF OPERATING OFkCER AND DIRECTOR Prior to joining PNB in the 1980s, he of Banque Nationale de Paris, a French was an assistant manager of the Araneta international banking group based in Development Corp., in Bacolod City, Paris, France.

After PNB, he went on to serve as vice Negros Occidental from 1972 to 1974.

He then became associate economist CHAIRMAN OF 'REAT 0ACIkC 3AVINGS "ANK

and associate editor for the Economic and now known as ABN Amro Savings Bank.

Corporate Research of the Private Development Corporation of the Philippines, Tribute to a seasoned banker A DEVELOPMENT kNANCE COMPANY Valentin Araneta passed away on February 21, 2018, just one week after Rise to the top he celebrated his birthday. He was 69 In 1976, Araneta served as senior spe- years old.

He was survived by his wife Charimen cialist on foreign currencies, securities and commodities for the International Market and children Nicole and Robert Boyle, Jose 'ROUP OF THE kNANCIAL INSTITUTION "ANCOM and Michelle, and Matthew.

Shocked by his sudden demise, memDevelopment Corp.

A year later, he went up a step higher bers of the Monetary Board readily paid

tribute to Valentin Araneta, lauding his valuable contribution to the banking industry and to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy in general.

In honor of Araneta, his BSP colleagues held a requiem mass and necrological service at the Assembly Hall of the BSP Complex in Malate, Manila, on February 23. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They all had good words for Araneta,â&#x20AC;? Ignacio Bunye, a former member of the Monetary Board, said in his tribute to Araneta. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They described [him] as a seasoned banker, a strategic thinker, one who had a very good grasp of economics, humble and soft-spoken, a loyal Ateneo basketball fan, a gentle giant in the basketball but who could play the role of enforcer if his teammates got a raw deal from the other team.â&#x20AC;?

Sports

THURSDAY C1 FEBRUARY 21, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Q Manny Pacquiao jars Adrien Broner with a hard right during their fight for the WBA (regular) welterweight title on January 19, 2019, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

PHOTO BY WENDELL ALINEA

Pacquiao tells son: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to boxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

P

HILIPPINE boxing legend Manny Pacquiao said Wednesday he has urged his eldest son to stay out of the ring AFTER THE YEAR OLD S FORAYS INTO kGHTING made young manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother cry.

Pacquiao, the only fighter to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, said he and his wife have even made a point not to have gloves and equipment at home.

The boxer, known for his rags-

boxing because of poverty... You, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to boxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? Pacquiao SAID ON BROADCASTER !"3 #". g"UT HE SAID @$ADDY LIKE YOU boxing is my passion also. I want to be a representative of this country as an athleteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? Pacquiao added. to-riches climb from the street, has Pacquiao made the comments tried to push his son Emmanuel Jr., after a video of Jimuel sparring who is known Jimuel, to choose during an exhibition match was another path. posted on Facebook. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It pains me that he is boxing â&#x20AC;&#x153;His mommy had cried several because I know how hard it is. I TIMES TELLING HIM @$ON T GO INTO TOLD HIM @$ADDY ONLY WENT INTO boxing, sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? Pacquiao said of his

wife, Jinkee, who had also urged the 40-year-old boxer to retire. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He really wants to do it,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The younger Pacquiao wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t BE THE kRST SON OF A HIGH PROkLE boxer to follow dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead. The SONS OF "RITISH BOXERS .IGEL "ENN and Chris Eubank, as well as American slugger Joe Frazier beCAME kGHTERS The Facebook footage shows the younger Pacquiao sending his opponent to his knees with ag-

gressive moves reminiscent of his father. Jimuel was wearing gloves and gear branded â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pacman,â&#x20AC;? his dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nickname.

The elder Pacquiao was watching the match through a video call and was seen talking to his son before it started.

An aide for Pacquiao told Agence France-Presse Jimuel took UP BOXING ONLY IN $ECEMBER A month before his father easily defeated Adrien Broner in Las Vegas.

As for his own career, Pacquiao

TEAM PILIPINAS TAKES ON QATAR FRIDAY TEAM Pilipinas will play against Qatar on Friday in one of its two crucial games in the sixth and last window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian qualifiers at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall in Doha.

Game time is 12 midnight (Philippine time).

National coach Yeng Guiao and his staff on Tuesday named the final 12-man lineup of the Philippine team; the players are Gabe Norwood, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, JP Erram, Mark Barroca, Troy Rosario, Marcio Lassiter, Jayson Castro, Scottie Thompson, Paul Lee, naturalized Andray Blatche and collegiate hoops standout Thirdy Ravena.

Ravena, the younger brother of former national team member Kiefer Ravena, made it to the final lineup as a replacement for the 6â&#x20AC;&#x2122;7 Raymond Almazan who sprained his ankle during Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practice according to reports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thirdy (Ravena), at his young age, is a proven winner. Anytime you can add a guy with his athleticism, knowledge of the game, and understanding of what it takes to win is a plus,â&#x20AC;? said Norwood of Rain or Shine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will be great for his game and in the end I think it will help us too.â&#x20AC;?

A win over Qatar will boost the Filipinosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence for their second encounter with Kazakhstan on Sunday in Astana. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The importance of the Qatar game is pretty self explanatory, think we know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at stake,â&#x20AC;? added Norwood.

The Qataris, with a 2-8 record in

A

Group F, pose a tough challenge for the Philippines.

Clinton Johnson III posted a top average of 17.7 points and six rebounds while Tanguy Alban Ngombo had 15.5 points and nine rebounds average for Qatar in the last window.

The Philippine team, during the fourth window on September 17, beat

Qatar, 92-81, in a closed-door match at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Filipinos are determined to bounce back from back-to-back losses to Kazakhstan (88-92) on November 30 and Iran (70-78) on December 3. Both games were held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

With a 5-5 win-loss record and No. 4 in

-%42/0!# 3!. Beda University makes its much-awaited return to the 2019 Philippine BasketBALL !SSOCIATION $EVELOPMENTAL ,EAGUE 0"! $ ,EAGUE WHEN it collides with University of 0ERPETUAL (ELP 3YSTEM $!,4! today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Movers vs Altas 2 p.m. encounter in the Foundation Group headline a triple-header hoops day.

San Beda, then backed by Cignal ($ RULED THE !SPIRANT S #UP

but it opted to skip the 2018 edition of the tilt.

4HE RETOOLED .ATIONAL #OLLEGIATE !THLETIC !SSOCIATION .#!! three-peat champ will be gunning for another championship in the developmental ranks.

Boyet Fernandez, an eight-time $ ,EAGUE CHAMPION COACH WILL BE now depending on AC Soberano, #LINT $OLIGUEZ *AMES #ANLAS AND #AMEROONIAN CENTER $ONALD 4ANKoua, as Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon have already turned pro and joined the PBA.

But standing in their way are veteran coach Frankie Lim and his Altas who are aching to avenge THEIR .#!! &INAL &OUR LOSS TO &ERnandezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men last year.

The squad from Las PiĂąas will bank on Edgar Charcos and Kim Aurin along with ex-San Beda big man Ben Adamos, who is tabbed TO kLL IN THE VOID LEFT BY .IGERIAN center Prince Eze. Ace playmaker Keith Pido is back to orchestrate Perpetualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offense after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined

Spence vs Garcia is a fight to watch

T 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;9.5,â&#x20AC;? Errol Spence Jr. can be considered a big welterweight (147 pounds), and is expected to use his size advantage over the 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;6â&#x20AC;? Mikey Garcia when they clash on March 16 for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) crown.

When they came face-to-face Q Jayson Castro of on Monday during a presser host Philippines drives at Los Angeles, Spenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s size past an Indonesian advantage became too evident, defender during the but Garcia remains unperturbed.

2017 Southeast Asia )F THIS WAS A kGHT BETWEEN TWO Basketball Association welterweight champions, Spence Championship at the would surely be tipped to win.

Araneta Coliseum.

And with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weigh in rules CONTRIBUTED allowing boxers to go to the scales PHOTO HOURS BEFORE A kGHT THE BIGGER fighter can pack on additional weight above the prescribed limit with that period, giving him a sigNIkCANT WEIGHT ADVANTAGE OVER THE SMALLER kGHTER COME kGHT NIGHT "ESIDES BEING THE TALLER kGHTER

Spence holds a four-inch reach advantage over Garcia.

But there is one catch â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Garcia is not just a champion boxer. Unlike Spence, Garcia is considered part of the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;elite.â&#x20AC;? And Group F, the nationals need to win against thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what makes Spence-Garcia the Qataris to keep alive their bid to qualify a truly interesting bout. for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FIBA World Cup on August 31 While Spence has defended his to September 15 in China.

IBF welterweight championship Australia currently at No. 1 with twice after winning the title from 9-1 record is followed by Iran with Kell Brook in May 2017, Gar7-3 and Japan with 6-4 in Group F. cia has collared championships Kazakhstan is No. 5 with 4-6. in four divisions: featherweight JOSEF T. RAMOS (126 pounds), junior lightweight (130 pounds), lightweight (135 pounds), and junior welterweight (140 pounds). Garcia has also been fighting in championship him last season. bouts since January 2013 when he Meanwhile, last conferenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beat Orlando Salido for the World titlist Go For Gold-College of St. Boxing Organization featherBenilde seeks a bounce-back win weight crown. All told, Garcia has against St. Clare College-Virtual kGURED IN EIGHT WORLD TITLE kGHTS AS Reality at 4 p.m. opposed to Spenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three.

The Scratchers suffered a hu3O WHO WINS ON kGHT NIGHT miliating 75-103 defeat to CignalCan the vast championship expe!TENEO $E -ANILA 5NIVERSITY IN rience of Garcia overcome the size the opening day last week.

ADVANTAGE OF 3PENCE )F THIS kGHT In the game day opener at 12 was staged with the protagonists noon, Wangs Basketball squares undergoing the regular boxing trainoff with newcomer The Mastering routine, I still would give Spence piece Clothing-Trinity University a slight advantage to win. of Asia. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Metropac-San Beda U plunges into D-League action

said he was still eager for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather but had YET TO DISCUSS HIS NEXT kGHT WITH adviser Al Haymon.

Pacquiao in October signed with Haymonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premier Boxing Champions group after being promoted

by Top Rankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bob Arum for the past 14 years.

Pacquiao said he was open to fighting unbeaten US â&#x20AC;&#x153;super championâ&#x20AC;? Keith Thurman, Errol Spence Jr or Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amir Khan.

AFP

ANTITHESIS CONRAD M. CARIĂ&#x2018;O What is also very interesting at this point is Garcia wants no stone left unturned in his training, with his camp incorporating a strength training routine to add more heft TO HIS FRAME "UT WILL THIS WORK Garciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength training is courtesy of Victor Conteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SciENTIkC .UTRITION &OR !DVANCED Conditioning in San Carlos, California. Conte has previously worked with Andre Berto, still undefeated Andre Ward, and our VERY OWN .ONITO $ONAIRE While it is still impossible TO SEE IF 'ARCIA S TAPPING 3.!# will produce the desired results, the fact that the elite boxer incorporated strength training in his preparations against Spence shows he has no plans to box and counterpunch against his OPPONENT COME kGHT NIGHT But it is hard to write off Spence even with Garciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preparations FOR THE kGHT AND HIS ELITE STATUS AS the IBF welterweight champion also enters the ring undefeated at 24-0 with 21 knockouts. Spence is also the â&#x20AC;&#x153;naturalâ&#x20AC;? 147-pounder ENTERING THE kGHT 'ARCIA S RECORD is 39-0 with 30 KOs. 3PENCE ALSO kGHTS VERY WELL AT distances and has beaten foes bigger than him like Brook who once fought for the middleweight (160 pounds) title, and Chris Algieri.

Spence stopped both of them.

On the other hand, the biggest foes Garcia has fought were Adrien Broner and the 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;11â&#x20AC;? Robert Easter at lightweight. Garcia DECISIONED BOTH kGHTERS ) STILL kND IT HARD TO PREDICT who would win on March 16, but I would leave it like that.

But whoever wins will surely HAVE MORE LUCRATIVE kGHTS IN THE near future, and a possible match up with either Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr.

C2

Sports

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

Tolentino, Madayag shine as Lady Eagles defang Tigresses

V

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

ETERANS Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag shone as Ateneo De Manila University scored a 25-21, 25-18, 16-25, 25-22 bounce-back win over University of Sto. Tomas (UST) in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volleyball on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The Lady Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attacked behind the prowess of middle blocker Madayag and opposite hitter Tolentino.

The win is a morale booster for Ateneo who suffered a season-opening 14-25, 17-25, 25-16, 19-25 loss to archrival De La Salle University on Sunday.

4HE VICTORY WAS ALSO A kTTING GIFT by the Lady Eagles to multi-titled COACH /LIVER !LMADRO HIS kRST IN THE womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s division.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Their (players) resiliency after a LOSS WAS THERE )T WAS NOT DIFkCULT for me to recover because they themselves believe that they can win today,â&#x20AC;? said Almadro.

Tolentino posted a game-high 22 points anchored on 16 spikes, four blocks and two aces while Madayag had 15 markers built on nine kills and six blocks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the game was good for our

character,â&#x20AC;? said the 6â&#x20AC;&#x2122;1 Tolentino, who also tallied 11 excellent digs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very happy that we were able to recover,â&#x20AC;? said co-captain Madayag.

It was Ateneoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ninth win in as many encounters against UST dating back to Season 77.

The Lady Eagles dominated the kRST TWO SETS BUT HAD TO OVERCOME A sluggish third set wherein they gave up eight aces to the Tigresses.

Ateneo seized a 23-18 lead in the fourth frame but UST ran away with four straight points to close the gap, 22-23.

Tolentino came to the rescue, handing the Lady Eagles the match point with a down-the-line spike against Sisi Rondinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense before EVENTUALLY NETTING THEIR kRST TRIUMPH of the season.

Last seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Scorer Rondina led UST with 20 points highlighted by 19 spikes while Eya Laure and Milena Alessandrini added 12 and

10 markers, respectively.

The Tigresses failed to sustain the momentum from their 25-21, 25-21, 24-26, 24-26, 15-6 win over Adamson University on Sunday.

In the second game at press time, opening day winners University of the Philippines (UP) and Far Eastern University (FEU) are battling for the early lead.

Meanwhile, in menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class, FEU grabbed the lead with their second straight win, a 25-13, 25-18, 23-25, 25-18 thumping of UP. It was a fitting follow-up to the Tamarawsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 25-12, 25-18, 25-17 sweep of defending champion National University.

UST survived the hard-fighting Ateneo, 25-18, 25-21, 22-25, 19-25, 15-12, for a rebound victory.

The Tigers bounced back from a stinging 31-33, 25-23, 25-16, 15-25, 14-16 defeat to Adamson University.

SEMENYA SAYS GENDER RULES â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;DO NOT EMPOWER ANYONEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; LAUSANNE: Double Olympic 800 meters champion Caster Semenya said Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) that proposed rules that would oblige her to lower her testosterone levels â&#x20AC;&#x153;do not empower anyone.â&#x20AC;?

The South African appeared Monday at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne at the start of a landmark hearing to challenge the rules proposed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The controversial measures would force so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;hyperandrogenicâ&#x20AC;? athletes or those with â&#x20AC;&#x153;differences of sexual developmentâ&#x20AC;? (DSD) to seek treatment to lower their testosterone levels below a prescribed amount if they wish to continue competing as women.

A statement issued by Semenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal team said she believes â&#x20AC;&#x153;she and other women affected by the regulations should be permitted to compete in the female cat-

egory without discriminationâ&#x20AC;? and that they should be â&#x20AC;&#x153;celebrated for their natural talents as are all other athletes with genetic variationsâ&#x20AC;?.

The statement continued: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The IAAFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regulations do not empower anyone. Rather, they represent yet another flawed and hurtful attempt to police the sex of female athletes.â&#x20AC;?

The IAAF says it is introducing the rules to create a â&#x20AC;&#x153;level playing kELDu FOR OTHER FEMALE RUNNERS 4HE TRACK AND kELD BODY SAYS â&#x20AC;&#x153;If a DSD athlete has testes and male levels of testosterone, they get the same increases in bone and muscle size and strength and increases in hemoglobin that a male gets when they go through puberty, which is what gives men such a performance advantage over women.â&#x20AC;?

On Monday, Semenya accused THE )!!& OF BREACHING CONkDENtiality rules after it published the NAMES OF kVE EXPERT WITNESSES WHO will appear to testify on its behalf.

PHI-NADO tells SEAG athletes to stay â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cleanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; THE Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHINADO) urges athletes to â&#x20AC;&#x153;stay clean and dope freeâ&#x20AC;? for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) that the country will be hosting on November 30 to December 11. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you play clean, if you play true, and if you believe in being fair, then the statement should be nope to dope,â&#x20AC;?

PHI-NADO head and physician Alejandro Pineda Jr. said ON 4UESDAY AT THE 0AN 0ACIkC (OTEL IN -ALATE DURING A MEETING WITH OFkCERS OF THE 7ORLD !NTI $OPING !GENCY (WADA) headed by its director Tom May. Pineda said they would conduct 1,000 doping tests during the 11-nation biennial meet.

3EVENTY kVE PERCENT OF THE TESTS WILL BE ON URINE SAMPLES while the remaining 25 percent will be on blood samples. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want the SEA Games to be dope free.â&#x20AC;?

In the country's last hosting of the SEAG in 2005, taekwondo player Esther Marie Singson was stripped of her gold medal when she was found positive of a diuretic banned by the WADA. The substance though was not CLASSIkED AS A PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUG Pineda said that such incident could be avoided in the future if the athletes and coaches are educated on prohibited substances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we educate the members of Team Philippines, there is no reason why anybody would test positive.â&#x20AC;?

Pineda added that a PHI-NADO website will be up in the second quarter of the year for such purpose.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

Q Caster Semenya of South Africa crosses the finish line to win the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 800 meters for Africa on September 9, 2018 at the IAAF track and field Continental Cup in Ostrava, Czech Republic. AP PHOTO

Semenya published her own list of expert witnesses who will speak in support of her this week, including Professor Veronica Gomez-Lobo, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Georgetown University in the United States.

The South African governMENT SAYS THE RULES SPECIkCALLY target Semenya and has called them a â&#x20AC;&#x153;gross violationâ&#x20AC;? of her human rights.

Semenya is not the only athlete potentially affected by the new rules â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the two athletes WHO kNISHED BEHIND HER IN THE Rio Olympics 800m, Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Margaret Wambui, have also faced questions about their testosterone levels.

A judgment in the case is expected by the end of March. AFP

PH falters in AFF Under-22 meet THE Philippines crashed out of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-22 Championship after losing 0-3 to Thailand on Tuesday at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The young Azkals conceded two early goals plus another one late in the game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Thais were every bit what we expected them to be. But we tried very hard to match them,â&#x20AC;? said Troy Limbo in an interview with aseanfootball.org.

The juniors team under coach Andres Gonzales, who only had two

weeks of training, exited the tourney with two losses in as many matches.

Gonzales and his wards also lost to powerhouse Vietnam, 1-2, on Sunday.

The Filipino booters scored the opening goal courtesy of University of the Philippines standout JB Borlongan but collapsed late in the second half.

In its match against the lone AFF U-22 champion Thailand, the Philippines gave up a third minute goal to Samut Prakan City striker Jaroensak Wonggorn.

The War Elephants doubled the lead just ten minutes later when Jedsakorn

Kowngam headed home Kittipong Sansanitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cross. &ILIPINO !MERICAN MIDkELDER -ARK Winhoffer had a chance to notch one for the junior Azkals near the hour mark but his free kick only hit the crossbar.

Thai captain and Muangthong United center-back Saringkan Promsupa wrapped up the romp with a close-range strike in the 83rd minute.

The Philippines will try to close its campaign with a win as it takes on fellow eliminated Timor Leste today (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. in Manila). JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

NFLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Romo to play in Byron Nelson PGA event MIAMI: Former NFL Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will play in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Byron Nelson tournament on a sponsorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; exemption, organizers of the Dallas event said Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

Romo is a member at Trinity Forest, the host course for the tournament, which runs from May 9 to 12.

He will keep his amateur status at the US PGA event.

Defending champion Aaron Wise,

last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, and three-time major champion Jordan Spieth were other early commitments to the tournament.

It will be the second PGA start for Romo, who debuted last March in the the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic, missing the cut. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Golf is one of my greatest passions outside my family and football and I am honored to have the

opportunity to compete among the pros again,â&#x20AC;? Romo said.

Romo won last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s American Century Championship, a celebrity tournament in Nevada. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Following his summer successes, the timing feels perfect,â&#x20AC;? Byron Nelson tournament director Jon Drago said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Romo is a legendary competitor. We look forward to watching him put his talents to test while competing against the best in the game of golf.â&#x20AC;? AFP

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

Sports

C3

Stricker to be named US 2020 Ryder Cup captain â&#x20AC;&#x201C; reports

N

EW YORK: Steve Stricker will be named the captain of the US 2020 Ryder Cup team on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), according to multiple REPORTS BECOMING THE kRST !MERICAN IN THE role without a major title.

ESPN and Wisconsin.golf reported that Stricker, a Wisconsin native whose home state will host the event next year at Whistling Straits, will be handed the post by the PGA of America.

Stricker, 51, would become the 29th US captain and be charged with reclaiming the trophy from holders Europe after the Americans were routed 17 1/2-10 1/2 last September in France. The Europeans have won four of the PAST kVE 2YDER #UPS Stricker was a member of the 2014 task force that revamped

the US Ryder Cup program and has served as a vice-captain for the past three editions and served as the 2017 Presidents Cup captain when the hosts won over an International side at Liberty National. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would be a huge honor and being right there in my home state would be super cool,â&#x20AC;? Stricker said at the PGA Phoenix Open three weeks ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To try to bring the Cup back right there would be a great opportunity if they give it to me.â&#x20AC;?

S t r i c k e r, a 1 2 - t i m e P G A Tour winner who has added

Q Steve Stricker drives on the 3rd hole in the final round of the Sanford International on September 23, 2018 at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

AFP PHOTO

three wins on the 50-and-over Champions circuit, went 3-7 with one halved in three Ryder

Cups as a player.

Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Padraig Harrington was named European captain

last month. He went 9-13 with three halved in six Ryder Cups from 1999-2010 and was

an assistant on Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past three teams.

Stricker is expected to try and keep crowd behavior civil at the biennial matchup, with the US win at Hazeltine in 2016 notable for hecklers testing Rory McIlroy and taunting Sergio Garcia for not winning a major seven months before he captured the Masters green jacket at Augusta National.

Stricker said he heard some remarks beyond sportsmanship in France aimed at US players last year as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being a US Ryder Cup vicecaptain last September in France, there was also some unsavory and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;out of orderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; moments, so it seems itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creeping in to the Ryder Cup, which is not nice,â&#x20AC;? Stricker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully all will be fine next year at Whistling Straits.â&#x20AC;?

AFP

SASO PULLS AWAY BY 3 WITH 2ND 70 PGA event returns to Puerto Rico

YUKA SASO matched her opening day output of 70 and broke away from a three-way tie to a three-stroke lead and closer to keeping the Champion Philippine Ladies Amateur Open crown at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Forbes Park yesterday.

Out to atone for her putting struggle late in the first round where she flubbed five birdie chances inside eight feet that enabled Yosita Khawnuna of Thailand and Mafy Singson to gain a share of the lead, Saso actually failed to hit her scoring target but succeeded to wrest control as her rivals faltered one after the other with over-par scores. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My putting was good enough but I know I can still be better,â&#x20AC;? said the reigning Asian Games gold medalist, who birdied the opening hole for the second straight day and added three more on Nos. 7 (10 feet), 9 (20 feet) and 18 (two feet).

She, however, failed to return a fivefooter for par on No. 3 and bogeyed Nos. 4 and 8 on errant drives and missed two birdie opportunities.

But her second one-under card at the par-71 posh layout proved enough to net her the solo lead at 140 as Khawnuna, 16, cracked under pressure and hobbled with a 73 and slipped to solo second at 143.

Singson, on the other hand, turned from impressive to mediocre as she skied to an 80 and tumbled to joint fifth with Taiwanese Sung You-chuan (74) and Inagaki Nanako of Japan (72) at 150, now 10 strokes behind in the event presented by Champion and sponsored

by Hana Shampoo, EVA Air, San Miguel Corp. and Diamond Motor Corp.

Thai Wannasaen Chanattee and Sofia Chabon matched Sasoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 70 to seize solo third at 144 and fourth at 145,

respectively, but the deficit could be too big to overcome given the form and confidence of the most fancied player in the fold who took a step closer to retaining the crown she won by two of Mikha Fortuna at the Orchard last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be pressure tomorrow (today) but I would be fine if I can hole in birdies,â&#x20AC;? said the 1 7 - y e a r - old

Fil-Japanese shotmaker.

Unlike Saso, Khawnuna and Singson sputtered when the going got tough with the Thai hitting two birdies against two bogeys and a double bogey and the Filipina bet groping for form all throughout. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My putting and irons werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t good,â&#x20AC;? said Khawnuna, still hopeful of putting it all together in another duel with Saso in the last 18 holes of the event organized and conducted by the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Association of the Philippines.

Natthakritta

Vongtaveelap, also from Thailand, fought back with a 73 but still stood too way off at 151 in a tie with Eagle Ace Superal, who carded a 75, while Nicole Abelar shot a 75 for a 152 and Rianne Malixi and last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s W Express RVF Cup winner Junia Gabasa struggled with identical 78s for 153 and 154, respectively.

Other backers of the event are EVA Air, San Miguel Corp., Elmer Ngo, Inquirer, Pascual Laboratories, the National Golf Association of the Philippines and the ladies chapters of Alabang, Forest hills, Tagaytay Highlands, Sta. Elena, Canlubang and Manila Golf clubs with Vermogen, Sports + Action and Sports U channels of ABS-CBN.

TO IMPROVE UPON HIS BEST kNISH OF sharing eighth in 2016 after seizing the 18-hole lead.

His dream is to join Chi Chi Rodriguez, the only Puerto Rican native to win a PGA title.

Campos won on the developmental Web.com Tour earlier this year in the Bahamas and is on track to claim a US PGA Tour card FOR THE kRST TIME TRYING TO SET AN example for a growing number of junior players from the island. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to be an example for them,â&#x20AC;? Campos said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now that ) VE kNALLY WON ) CAN T WAIT TO GO back and help more.â&#x20AC;?

Campos was told by his parents not to try and return home in the wake of hurricane devastation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t imagine what they went through because no one was really prepared,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was devastating. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody helped everybody, which was unbelievable, because it was bad. I mean, it was really bad.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The island is back to normal.

And it looks great,â&#x20AC;? he added. AFP

Leung named USA Gymnastics president Q Yuka Saso all set for another title romp.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Barcelona draws blank in Lyon to leave tie open LYON: Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde shrugged off his teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggles in front of goal after they were held to a 0-0 draw away at Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

The Spanish side had most of the chances at the Groupama Stadium, WITH ,UIS 3UAREZ kRING JUST WIDE IN the second half, although it was Lyon who came the closest when Martin Terrier hit the bar early on.

Lionel Messi and co. were once again left frustrated on the road at the business end of the competition, and have now gone six away matches without winning in the Champions League knockout rounds, scoring just a single goal in that time. It is a run that goes back three years.

Desperate to end Real Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent European dominance, "ARCA MUST NOW kNISH THE JOB when the teams meet again at the Camp Nou on March 13, but Lyon remain in the tie.

Barcelonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s form needs to improve between now and then,

MIAMI: The US PGA Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Puerto Rico Open returns Thursday (Friday in Manila) after Hurricane Maria ripped through the Caribbean island in 2017, causing damage and devastation that reduced last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event to a charity fundraiser.

While the pro-am helped raise money for hurricane recovery efforts, Puerto Rican US PGA Tour player Rafa Campos will be happy to see the full PGA event return this week to his homeland. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People stayed with the idea that we could do it again. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great thing to have it back,â&#x20AC;?

Campos said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It took a really long time, but you cannot tell, really, that a hurricane came by at this point.

It took a year-and-a-half, but things are back to normal.â&#x20AC;?

Hurricane Maria caused nearly $100 billion in damages and prompted a lengthy rebuilding effort.

Now Campos, who has never missed a PGA event in Puerto Rico, makes his 11th start, hoping

though â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they have drawn four OF THEIR LAST kVE MATCHES IN ALL

and have scored just once, from a penalty, in their last three outings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We played good football, but you have to hit the target as well, and we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t,â&#x20AC;? Valverde said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are on the right road, though, and the tie is still up in the air. We will try to win it in front of our fans.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am not happy with the result, but I am happy with the performance and with what we created. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t score, but that is how it is. It is not easy to win away from home in the Champions League.â&#x20AC;?

The visitors â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who started with 3ERGI 2OBERTO IN MIDkELD RATHER than the out-of-form Philippe Coutinho â&#x20AC;&#x201D; had good reason to be wary of their hosts, who have excelled in big games this season.

Lyon still unbeaten in Europe Bruno Genesioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team had taken four points from a possible six against Manchester City in the group

stage and recently won at home to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.

They are still unbeaten in Europe this season, although this was their sixth consecutive draw. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a satisfying result because it leaves us with a chance for the second leg, and we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t concede. If we can score at the Camp Nou weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a chance of going through,â&#x20AC;? said Genesio.

He admitted that he had hoped for an even better performance, but Lyon were missing their World Cup-winning captain Nabil Fekir due to suspension here.

It was the 21-year-old Terrier who surprisingly started in his place, and he delivered the most EXCITING MOMENT OF THE kRST HALF for the crowd of almost 58,000 with a thunderous strike from 20 yards out in the ninth minute that was tipped onto the bar by MarcAndre ter Stegen.

The same player later shot over at the end of a fantastic move, while Houssem Aouar had earlier been denied by the goalkeeper, but it was Barcelona who enjoyed the

longer spells of possession.

Ousmane Dembele â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one of two Frenchmen in the away lineup â&#x20AC;&#x201D; came closest for them in THE kRST HALF ALTHOUGH THEIR BEST chances came after he had been replaced by Coutinho midway through the second period.

Suarez came within inches of breaking the deadlock 20 minutes FROM TIME kRING NARROWLY WIDE from Jordi Albaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cutback. He has now gone 16 away matches without scoring in the competition.

Coutinho had a powerful shot beaten away by Anthony Lopes, with the Lyon goalkeeper also frustrating Messi and Sergio Busquets as Barcelona dominated but departed without a potentially precious away goal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a little bit of a disappointment, but there is still the second leg to come and we hope to do better,â&#x20AC;? said defender Clement Lenglet.

At least they extended their unbeaten record against Lyon to seven matches, but there remains hope for the French club ahead of the return.

AFP

WASHINGTON: USA Gymnastics, fighting for its survival in the wake of the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal, appointed former NBA executive Li Li Leung as president and CEO on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

Leung, a youth and college gymnast herself, has been a vice president at the NBA. Her duties included working with USA Basketball, the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national governing body.

That is a status USA Gymnastics is in jeopardy of losing in the wake of struggles to move beyond imprisoned former team doctor Nassar being linked to hundreds of sexual assaults on young US gymnasts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like everyone, I was upset and angry to learn about the abuse and the institutions that let the athletes down,â&#x20AC;? Leung said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I admire the courage and strength of the survivors and I will make it a priority to see that their claims are resolved.â&#x20AC;?

An extensive search for new leadership inside and outside the gymnastics community led to Leung becoming the fourth USA Gymnastics chief executive in 23 months.

The US Olympic Committee has threatened to disband USA Gymnastics for failing to reform since Nassar was jailed for life last year after abusing more than 250 athletes, several of them stars of the US 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medal-winning teams.

USA Gymnastics, which had been accused of covering up Nas-

sarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crimes, has been in a perpetual crisis ever since the scandal erupted.

Last October, newly-installed chief executive Mary Bono resigned after just four days following an outcry by Olympic stars Simone Biles and Aly Raisman.

Bono had taken over from Kerry Perry, who had resigned after just nine months after criticism of her performance by USOC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am honored to be the next CEO of USA Gymnastics,â&#x20AC;? Leung said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me, this is much more than a job: it is a personal calling, for which I stand ready to answer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I look forward to collaborating with the entire gymnastics community to create further change going forward, which requires that we implement important initiatives to strengthen athlete health and safety and build a clear and inclusive plan for the future.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Strengthen, transformâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Li Liâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique combination of business skills, management experience and passion for gymnastics make her perfectly suited to lead our organization at this important time in our history,â&#x20AC;? said Kathryn Carson, USA Gymnastics board chair. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The board looks forward to supporting Li Li as she delivers her vision to transform and strengthen our organization and culture.â&#x20AC;?

Leung will assume her new duties March 8 at the USA Gymnastics headquarters in Indianapolis. AFP

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Riding the Tailwinds: Pursuing Growth and Value Amid Rising Global Risksâ&#x20AC;?

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TTHURSDAY H U R S DAY FFEBRUARY EBRUARY 21, 20199

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Piolo Pascual, JM de Guzman share their love for snacks

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

T

HERE’S no denying that when it comes to food, actors are extra careful with what they put on their plate. Following restrictive diets to maintain their celebrity physique, they tend to do away with snacks that make up the naughty food list.

That is not the case, however, for Piolo Pascual and JM de Guzman — two of the biggest leading men of their respective generations WHO OPENED AS THE kRST endorsers of two humble Filipino snack franchises that serve up the actors’ favorite munchies.

JM de Guzman and the nostalgic shawarma “I am such a big shawarma eater,” the 30-year-old unabashedly revealed during his launch as the first-ever celebrity endorser of JM Shawarma.

Originally from the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos City, JM Shawarma has made a name in the Visayas and Mindanao regions for the past six years — a 100-strong kiosks — but remains a newcomer in Luzon and the country’s capital.

Having de Guzman as an en-

dorser to announce their arrival in the competitive food industry of this vast market is a no-brainer for founders Hanna Miranda-Mamon and JM Miranda. Not only does the actor already bear the name of the brand, he is also a true fan of the product.

“It was a bonding m o ment for me a n d m y d a d when I was yo u n g e r, actually. He’s a big fan of shawarma and he Q JM de Guzman would take me

to the best places that serve shawarma,” de Guzman recalled during his launch as the endorser.

“And so now that I am the face of JM Shawarma, I’d return the favor and make him taste the many offerings of this brand,” the star promised.

Q The legendary designer with supermodel Linda Evangelista.

INSTAGRAM PHOTO

Fashion mourns death of ‘Kaiser’ Karl Lagerfeld

Piolo Pascual goes crazy over ‘potpots’ “Ultimate Heartthrob” Pascual, meanwhile, has been launched as the pioneering endorser of the 12-year-old brand Potato Giant.

A hit among students, entrepreneur John Jeric Cantillon’s brainchild now has over 100 physical stores in different locations offe-

PARIS: The fashion world has been plunged into mourning by the death of legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld, the rapier-witted dandy who ruled over the industry for half a century.

Chanel, the iconic French fashion house he led for nearly four decades, on Tuesday confirmed his passing, prompting an unprecedented outpouring of emotion from designers and celebrities.

In a statement on Tuesday, Chanel said Lagerfeld was “an extraordinary creative individual... a prolific creative mind with endless imagination”.

Meanwhile, his friend, supermodel Linda Evangelista, said she was heartbroken, calling him the “great love of my life”.

Italian designer Donatella Versace led the tributes among fashion’s leading players as news of Lagerfeld’s death broke.

“Karl, your genius touched the lives of so many, especially Gianni and I. We will never forget your incredible talent and endless inspiration. We were always learning from you,” she wrote on Instagram, refer-

ring to her murdered brother.

In an equally emotional tribute, actress and model Diane Kruger said, “I cannot tell you how much you meant to me and how much I will miss you,” the German star wrote on Instagram.

Finally, one of the most recognized supermodels of this generation, Gigi Hadid, wrote a touching farewell for Lagerfeld on her Instagram account.

“Karl, I will miss your indescribable presence, watching your calm, quiet, genius mind working, your little jokes, amazing stories, and experiencing the clothes, sets, and productions only you could dream up.

“Thank you for believing in me and for the beautiful, incredible opportunities you brought to my career, but mostly, thank you for giving me the honor of knowing the magic behind the myth.

“There will never be another Karl Lagerfeld. I am overwhelmed with sadness today, but also with so much love, admiration, and gratitude for you,” Hadid ended.

AFP

»fondfarewells

Q Piolo Pascual ring potpots, or thick flavored potato rounds.

“I believe in the product and so I FEEL HONORED TO BE ITS kRST ENDORSer,” the 42-year-old shared during his launch as brand ambassador. ! kTTING SNACK FOR THE kTNESS icon, potatoes are actually deemed as healthier sources of whole carbohydrates what with low-calorie and fat-free components.

And what cheekier way to trumpet this partnership thnt with their catchy phrase, “Potpots ni Piolo.”

Singing idols delight fans in sweet Valentine's concert MANY Filipinos are still torpe and afraid to express their feelings. So this season of love, leading chocolate brand Cadbury Dairy Milk is giving every torpe person out there the push to express their thoughts to the subject of their affection through the new limited edition Cadbury Dairy Milk Pop Heart.

This one-of-a-kind bar contains a chocolate heart which consumers can literally pop out and give to their special someone a fun take on enjoying a Heart Month’s chocolate favorite.

On February 13, a Cadbury Dairy Milk Pop Your Heart Out Valentine Concert was staged at the BGC Iconic Amphitheatre where everyone was made to express their feelings and #SayItWithCadbury. And true to the promise, not a few people popped the Cadbury heart out as romantic sights and

serenades unfolded, proving that indeed action speaks louder than words.

The wonderful evening of romance and amazing music featured December Avenue, Iñigo Pascual and Moira dela Torre. Lucky concert goers were fortunate enough to be treated to a rare duet of December Avenue and Moira Dela Torre in the song "Kung Di Rin Lang" Ikaw to the delight of all their fans.

Celebrities such as Ylona Garcia, Kyle Echarri, Joj and Jai Agpangan, Claire Hartell, Dionne Monsanto and Angel *ONES lOCKED TO THE VENUE ADDING SIZZLE to the event. Love was all around as a lucky man proposed to his girl publicly, and got engaged!

Cadbury Dairy Milk Pop Heart is available at all leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide exclusively for the month of February.

»seen@thescene

Q Imbibing Bench’s social media hashtag and overall thrust, #LiveLifeWithFlavor, Bench Café highlights a unique dining concept that delivers a sensory experience through its well-designed and inviting interiors.

Island flavors connect with Bench market at BGC, Greenbelt cafés Q Everyone's favorite kare-kare.

Q The innovative pancit sisig.

COMFORT food with a twist is now acooking at Bench Cafe’s second branch in Greenbelt 3, Makati.

Thanks to a partnership with Foodee Global Concepts, this delicious spin-off of Ben Chan’s clothing conglomerate serves up lutong bahay bursting with endless flavors.

A year after launching the first Bench Cafe’ at Bonifacio Global City (BGC), the restaurant doubles up its efforts in encouraging everyone to #LiveLifeWithFlavor as their hashtag goes, but by “loving local.” “‘Love Local’ as you know is the Bench philosophy and when it comes to food, people want local because it’s the flavor they grew up with,” Bench Cafe chef and Foodee Global corporate chef Carlo Miguel told The Manila Times in a sit-down interview.

Q Chef Carlo Miguel “Initially as I was doing the research and design for Bench Café, I was started with a lot of high-end fusion stuff — cooking dishes like US short ribs and using other fancy ingredients. But the feedback I got from them is that ‘this is a disconnect from the Bench market — the local flavor and the price points. They won’t come if the menu’s not familiar somehow and if the food if expensive. So we had to strip down and started working within what Bench fans are really looking for,” Miguel explained.

With this concept in mind, Miguel brought these out into the menu.

Bench Cafe’s crowd favorites include bagnet kare-kare recommended with bagoong rice, their take on Boracay’s famous chori burger, sugpo sa talangka, pancit topped with sisig, and

Q An unplanned performance by December Avenue and Moira dela Torre.

inasal liempo.

Q Ube is definitely the star of this halo-halo.

“My personal favorite is the inasal liempo because it’s something very simple but very good,” Miguel said. “My wife has family in Iloilo. Most people think native chicken right away when they think inasal. Being there, they make inasal with everything — from blue marlin to pork belly,” he shared.

Miguel explained that Bench Cafe’s inasal liempo goes through a tedious process of being sous vide or vacuum sealing the protein for 24 hours. Sous vide helps the rich flavor get inside the meat and also helps it become more tender. The liempo is then finished on the grill to get the smokiness and caramelization inasal is known for.

To end the meal on a sweet note, Bench Cafe has also tweaked Filipino desserts and made it their own.

Alongside the bibingka cheesecake, tsoknut ice cream sandwich, and best-selling banana cue, Greenbelt passersby can treat themselves to halo-halo at the cafe’s takeout counter.

Topped with refreshing coconut shaved ice, customers can choose to add ube halaya to their halo-halo for an extra sweet treat.

NIKA ROQUE

Q Iñigo Pascual

Q Ylona Garcia

Q Moira dela Torre serenades the newly-engaged couple.

Q Kyle Echarri

Q Claire Hartell

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

Funtimes

w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

D2

˜ The Manila Times

Answer to trivia test © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Answers 1. Crepitus 2. The Hugo Award 3. Lancer 4. The Pink Ladies 5. U.S. Military Academy at West Point 6. Mississippi 7. Rum 8. A pandemonium 9. Blue Moon Detective Agency 10. 2.5 miles wide

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (02/21/19). Profit through rising professional influence this year. Team coordination raises your game. Adapt to surprises. Breakthroughs in family, love and romance inspire shared support through social changes. Together you’re unbeatable next winter; it supports you past a family obstacle. Passion inspires your performance.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

A R I E S (M A R C H 21-A P R I L 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Accept an offer of assistance. A partner ’s opinion is important. Underscore your statements with feeling. Listen respectfully, and share your gratitude.

TA U R U S (A P R I L 20-M AY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Physical action means more than talk. Practice your moves. Extend your reach, and push your performance to new levels. Things may be getting busy.

1. MEDICAL: What is the medical name for joints that pop and crack?

2. LITERATURE: What is the name of the annual award for the best science fiction or fantasy writing?

3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: What was the Secret Service’s code name for President John F. Kennedy?

4. MOVIES: What was the name of the girl gang in the movie “Grease”?

5.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which top college’s motto is “duty, honor, country”?

6. PERSONALITIES: In which state was author Tennessee Williams born?

7. FOOD & DRINK: Which popular liquor is made from fermented and distilled sugar cane juice or molasses?

8. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of parrots called?

9. TELEVISION: What was the name of the detective agency in the 1980s comedy “Moonlighting”?

10. HISTORY: How wide is the Korean Demilitarized Zone?

BY NANCY BLACK L I B R A (S E P T. 23-O C T. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- You’re getting stronger and more confident. Step into a role you’ve been longing to play. Check another personal milestone or accomplishment off your list.

S C O R P I O (O C T. 23-N O V. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Lay low, and find a private place to think and make plans. Avoid risk or hassle, and choose the easier option. Your imagination is going wild.

S A G I T TA R I U S (N O V. 22-D E C. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- You have friends in high places. One good turn deserves another.

Strengthen connections by showing up for others. Share support and resources.

C A P R I C O R N (D E C. 22-J A N. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Career matters occupy your time over the next two days. Optimism rules. Keep your objective in mind. Don’t divulge a secret.

You’re gaining respect and influence.

G E M I N I (M AY 21-J U N E 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Relax, and enjoy the view. Share it with someone nice. Talk about what you love, and make promises to advance your creative vision.

A Q U A R I U S (J A N. 20-F E B. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- Pursue an education dream. Your studies develop and grow over the next few days. Review your itinerary and plan. Consider travel opportunities and cultural exchange.

C A N C E R (J U N E 21-J U LY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Pursue domestic tranquility. Handle chores and repairs. Relax into your cozy nest. Consider long-range home improvement plans. Get feedback from housemates for a shared vision.

P I S C E S (F E B. 19-M A R C H 20) -- Today is an 8 -- To avoid potential problems, play the game exactly by the book. Tackle detailed chores over the next few days. Monitor shared finances, and stay in communication.

L E O (J U LY 23-A U G. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Your research takes off. One clue leads to another. Find a cozy spot to catch up on the reading. Summarize your observations, and share.

(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.)

V I R G O (A U G. 23-S E P T. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Focus on generating and processing income. Keep a positive cash flow by monitoring it closely. Persuade with a clear pitch and compelling case. Provide customer satisfaction.

» SUDOKU

NANCY BLACK.Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

PAGE FROM THE PAST

Today, we look back at an old front page of The Manila Times, the oldest national daily that was founded on October 11, 1898. (Note: This image was adjusted to fit the page.)

TTHURSDAY H UURSDAY R S DAYY FEBRU FEBRUARY UARYY 21, 2019

Entertainment

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P R O D U C E R S J O E D S E R R A N O A N D O VAT I O N â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S D E G U I A S :

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Stage is set for Grobanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; A

FTER joining forces to bring Celine Dion to Manila in July 2018, actorturned-producer Joed Serrano and Ovation Productionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Renen and Cel de Guia are thrilled to work together again and raise the curtain on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Josh Groban: Bridges Tourâ&#x20AC;? Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Manila Times is a media partner of the co-production.

Already hailed as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kings and Queen of Concert Producingâ&#x20AC;? for pulling off one major international show after another, the trio is all the more excited they were able to sign Philippine pride Lea Salonga to join her fellow world-class artist as his special guest for the evening.

Since crossing over to the production side, Serrano has brought to the country the likes of Korean pop sensation PSY, Katy Perry, The Jonas Brothers, James Ingram, Boyzone, Michael Learns To Rock, making

him well-versed in dealing with international artists and management groups in so short a time.

He started out producing concerts for major local artists, however, among them those of Vice Ganda, Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Ai-Ai delas Alas and Gary Valenciano.

The de Guias on the other hand are experts in international concert producing, marking in fact Ovationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40th anniversary this year.

Ever active through the last four

Âťinfocus

Q The TNT Boys â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Keifer Sanchez, Mackie Empuerto and Francis Concepcion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with pop superstar Ariana Grande. TWITTER PHOTO

Ariana Grande surprises TNT Boys

Q Josh Groban at the Los Angeles leg of his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bridgesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tour. YOUTUBE'S SCREENGRAB

Âťjust in!

Q The American singer with Philippine pride Lea Salonga who will be his guest Friday night. INSTAGRAM PHOTO

Q Topnotch concert producers Cel de Guia, Joed Serrano and Renen de Guia.

encounter with the boys after their performance, when ConTHEY have performed in front cepcion told him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh my God, of the biggest crowds without youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve met Ariana Grande!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Francis, [those] were your faltering or getting the jitfirst words to me,â&#x20AC;? ters but on Tuesday Corden shared.

(Wednesday in MaThen he cajoled the nila), the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; TNT Boys adorably lost young boys to give Grande a their cool when music superstar message whom he said regularly Ariana Grande surprised them watches the show. The boys had no idea she was already backstage and sang with them.

The memorable encounter was and waiting for her cue.

Needless to say, the boys got the made possible by James Corden on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Late Late Show,â&#x20AC;? who is biggest surprise of their life when also host of CBSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reality talent as they were singing Jennifer Hudcompetition â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best,â&#x20AC;? sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I Am Telling You Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m where the young Filipinos ap- Not Going,â&#x20AC;? Grande came out of nowhere to sing with them! peared as contestants.

7HEN THEY kNISHED THE SPOT

Corden noted at the beginning of the segment, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love the show Concepcion couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but and I am really excited because say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is this a dream?â&#x20AC;?

Grande sweetly replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No,â&#x20AC;? one of my absolute favorite acts adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am obsessed with you from the show is here tonight.â&#x20AC;?

Upon calling the trio of Keifer guys, you guys are so incredible. That Sanchez, Mackie Empuerto and [performance] was so beautiful.â&#x20AC;?

The video was shared on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Francis Concepcion, Corden also quipped, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are my new favo- Late Late Showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;? social media accounts and has garnered, as of press rite boyband on planet Earth.â&#x20AC;?

4HE HOST ALSO RECALLED HIS kRST time, one million views combined.

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

decades, it is because of Ovation that the Philippines has seen legends like Sting and Metallica and new generation superstars as One $IRECTION PERFORM LIVE IN THE lESH Starting the year together with Josh Groban: Bridges Tour according to the trio is a sign of bigger concerts to come.

In the meantime, they hope the sold out audience will enjoy listening to Grobanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest hits, namely â&#x20AC;&#x153;You Raise Me Up,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Prayer,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;To Where You Are,â&#x20AC;?

Ben&Ben, first pick as major labels go back to OPM â&#x20AC;&#x153;B

ILOG ang mundoâ&#x20AC;? as the saying goes in guitar), Keifer Cabugao (violin), Agnes Reoma these islands and even in the music indus- (bass), Patricia Lasaten (keyboards), Jam Viltry. For after closing domestic operations in recent lanueva (drums), Toni MuĂąoz (percussions) years, major music labels and Andrew de Pano (percussions). are reopening one by one to Ben&Ben is just the start of Sony produce Original Pilipino Musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry again in the OPM Music anew. scene after releasing the Remastered First in line was Sony Music Edition of â&#x20AC;&#x153;UltraelectromagnetPhilippines, which marked icpop!â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the classic debut album by its return with an unexpected iconic rock band Eraserheads. Music move by releasing former Geek is excited and looking forward Warner Music distribution band Ben&Benâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest for more OPM releases from this major label. single â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mitsa (Salamat)â&#x20AC;? on February 14.

NNN For Music Geek, Mitsa is a good choice what As Sony Music goes back to OPM, another with Ben&Ben considered one of the top indie major label that closed pop bands of the day, and the their domestic operasingle presenting a diftions years ago is also ferent take on love. bringing back OPM Instead of romantito their fold. They cizing hopelessness or used to have countbingeing in the pain less hits and sales of heartbreak, the song courtesy of three forguides the listener into mer major acts with the path of gratefulness all one reaching as far things they loved and were as Southeast Asia. beautiful while they lasted.

When they disCertainly, award-winning tributed albums group Ben&Ben should take Q Top indie band Ben&Ben's single 'Mitsa(Salamat)' is of independent pride in being Sony Musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sony Music Philippines' first project since its reopening. artists (meaning first pick shortly after they no marketing and just digital formed the band in 2017. Alreleases) the majority turned out to ways a crowd drawer in concerts be hits. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re now busy across the country, their music looking for possible artist and repblends folk, world and indigertoire managers to join their team. enous styling with heavy pop With the resurgence of indie bands/ sensibilities. artists nowadays on digital, especially Ben&Ben of course are beon Spotify, major record labels have hind the hits â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe The kNALLY REALIZED THEIR POTENTIAL TO EARN Night,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leaves,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ride Homeâ&#x20AC;? from these bands especially for busiand â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kathang Isipâ&#x20AC;?, all of ness development purposes. which have managed to crossover to radio and NNN mass media. The band has reached in excess of A digital distribution company is also joining 95 million streams in just over a year, and has 2 the bandwagon by establishing their own label Million Monthly listeners on Spotify. They were which will be hopefully launched by the second also part of Music Geekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 10 Hottest Artists quarter of the year. They are also aggressively of 2018 (published December 13). hiring talented music industry people to join Ben&Ben are twin brothers Miguel Guico their team and help them sign independent artists (acoustic guitar/vocals), Paolo Guico (acous- under the new label â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a good thing for OPM as tic guitar/vocals), with Poch Barretto (electric THEY ARE kNALLY IN DEMAND NOWADAYS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vincentâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Still You,â&#x20AC;? among others, heightened by the performances of West and Broadway star Lea Salonga.

He will also include tracks from his new album â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bridgesâ&#x20AC;? in the repertoire.

As of press time Groban has already arrived in the capital, and immediately tweeted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve only just landed in Manila and already overwhelmed by the kindness and welcoming, Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for the show in a couple days. Gonna be special.â&#x20AC;?

Âťliveinconcert

MUS MUSIC GEEK MARK BONIFACIO

Q The famed soloists of the biggest bands in Philippine pop music history.

Why this is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Best of OPMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; JOEY G, Jinky Vidal, Jay Durias, Ice Seguerra, Juris Fernandez and Meds Marfil. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the reason why the upcoming Viva Live concert is titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Playlist: The Best of OPM.â&#x20AC;?

Set for rocking and a grand singalong on March 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the concert is a veritable coup for bringing together the famed soloists of the biggest bands in Philippine pop

music history on a single stage.

All set for their first gig together are the voices of the hit machines that formed the Filipinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s romantic soundtrack during the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;80s and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90s eras, with Side Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Joey G (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Forevermore,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;So Many Questionsâ&#x20AC;?), Freestyleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jinky Vidal (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before I Let You Go,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;So Slow"), South Borderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jay Durias (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rainbow,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kahit Kailanâ&#x20AC;?); Ice Seguerra (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pagdat-

ing Ng Panahon,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Para Lang Saâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yoâ&#x20AC;?), MYMPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Juris Fernandez (â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Love To Last A Lifetime,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Be There For Youâ&#x20AC;?), AND 4RUE &AITH S -EDS -ARkL g0ERFECT u â&#x20AC;&#x153;Huwag Na Lang Kaya,â&#x20AC;?).

Joining this stellar lineup is is rising star Janine TeĂąoso of the big hit â&#x20AC;&#x153;Di Na Muli.â&#x20AC;?

Tickets to Playlist are available via TicketNet.

Pink to star at British pop musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big night LONDON: Dua Lipa, The 1975 and George Ezra are some of the big names vying for prizes at British pop musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual celebration on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), with US singer Pink also set to be honoured.

The 39th annual Brit Awards at Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s O2 Arena will recognize Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top talent of 2018, and also feature live performances from Hollywood A-lister Hugh Jackman and Pink.

The coveted Best Album of the Year Award will be fought out between pop rockers The 1975, rising star Anne-Marie, Florence + The Machine, indie singer George Ezra and Grammy-nominated diva Jorja Smith.

Electro-stars Clean Bandit are up for two awards for their col-

laboration with US actress/singer Demi Lovato while Dua Lipa, the 23-year-old star of last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show, is up for four prizes and will perform with hit producer Calvin Harris during the glitzy ceremony.

Three categories recognize foreign artists, with hip-hop giants Eminem, Drake and The Carters all up for awards, along with Ariana Grande and French star Christine and the Queens.

The Brit Awards have recognised the cream of British pop music since they were first held in 1977. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music industry contributed ÂŁ4.5 billion ($5.8 billion, 5.1 billion euros) to the UK economy in 2015, and British artists accounted for one of every eight albums purchased worldwide.

AFP

Âťglobalspotlight

Campus Press

A SECTION FOR THE STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

E1

EDITOR: Marishelle R. Medina marishelle.medina@manilatimes.net

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2019

DepEd: 100K NCR students transferred to public schools in 2016-2017 T

BY FRANCIS EARL CUETO

HE number of students who transferred from public to private schools in Metro Manila increased by more than 100,000 in school year (SY) 2016-2017, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

DepEd said the increase in NUMBER OF TRANSFEREES WAS due to rising tuition in private schools, adding there were those who had unpaid matriculation fees with private schools.

Data from the DepEd-Nation-

AL #APITAL 2EGION FOR 39 SHOWED THAT THE NUMBER of grade school and high school STUDENTS THAT MOVED TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS WENT UP BY

)N 39 THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO MOVED TO

Aquino to help all college graduates find jobs SEN. Paolo Benigno â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bamâ&#x20AC;? Aquino 4th has vowed to help all COLLEGE GRADUATES kND JOBS AS HE lauded his cousin, actress-television host Kris Aquino, for supporting his push for the free tuition law. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thankful to Ate Kris and TO OUR FELLOWMEN WHO BELIEVE IN WHAT ) M kGHTING FOR IN THE 3ENATE

which is to allow every Filipino ;YOUTH= TO kNISH COLLEGE WHATEVER his or her status in life,â&#x20AC;? Aquino said last Tuesday in Filipino.

He expressed gratitude to Kris for supporting his advocacy for 2EPUBLIC !CT 2! OR THE free college law that would give A BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR &ILIPINO STUDENTS TO HAVE A BETTER LIFE through education.

0RINCIPALLY SPONSORED BY !QUINO 2! OR THE g5NIVERSAL Access to Quality Tertiary Education Actâ&#x20AC;? provides free tuition and miscellaneous fees to students in state and local universities and colleges and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-run vocational schools.

If reelected in the May midterm polls, Aquino said he would press for other education reforms such as improvement of facilities and BENEkTS FOR TEACHERS The senator echoed Krisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stateMENT THAT EDUCATION WAS THE BEST gift to Filipino children, now posSIBLE THROUGH THE FREE COLLEGE LAW â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ate Kris is right. Education is an important heritage for OUR CHILDREN )T USED TO BE JUST A DREAM BUT DUE TO THE FREE COLLEGE LAW IT IS NOW POSSIBLE [to earn a college degree],â&#x20AC;? said Aquino, who is running under the oppositionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Otso Diretso slate.

Kris apparently sent a statement supporting the senator AFTER !QUINO WAS ASKED ABOUT HIS cousinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support in his reelection BID DURING A TELEVISION DEBATE ON Sunday.

He said that the support of the &ILIPINO PEOPLE BEHIND THE FREE college law served as inspiration AMID THE FAKE NEWS AND BLACK PROPAGANDA BEING THROWN HIS WAY BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NUMBERED

DECREASING TO IN 39

Even without financial cleara n c e f r o m p r i va t e s c h o o l s, students can still register and ENROLL IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS While students can register AND ENROLL IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS even if there is no financial clearance from private schools, DepEd urged parents to make SURE THAT THEY PAY ALL THEIR OBligations.

Eleazardo Kasilag, president of the Federation of Associations of

Private Schools and AdministraTIONS &APSA SAID THE MOVE WAS an â&#x20AC;&#x153;open invitationâ&#x20AC;? that was â&#x20AC;&#x153;killingâ&#x20AC;? private schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is killing us softly. Our survival is moving toward closing shop especially in the situation where DepEd would allow the transferees coming from our school even without financial SETTLEMENT OR OBLIGATION )T hurts; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an open invitation,â&#x20AC;? he said in English and Filipino. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We give everthing to the stuent; we teach them. They ARE JUST ABOUT TO GRADUATE AND

they have yet to pay. We pay our teachers, utilities. If parents do NOT PAY ;IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR us],â&#x20AC;? Kasilag added.

5NDERSECRETARY !NNALYN 3Evilla, DepEd spokesman said PARENTS SHOULD SETTLE THEIR OBLIGATIONS BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO AVOID ANY PROBLEM â&#x20AC;&#x153;We still ask for studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; credentials. We need the Form

AND THIS COMES FROM THE last school the student attended. We understand that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the fault of students, especially honor students and those with

potential,â&#x20AC;? Sevilla said, also in English and Filipino. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We gave parents a grace peRIOD TO SETTLE THEIR OBLIGATIONS We have what we call â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tempoRARILY ENROLLED UNTIL !UGUST Students can continue studying with us even if they fail to meet the deadline,â&#x20AC;? Sevilla added.

The progress report card, HOWEVER WOULD BE TAGGED AS temporary, she said.

According to Fapsa, they could release permanent records so long as parents sign a promisorry note.

Chinese high school students launch sex education game A sex education game, created by seven Chinese high school students to help teach youths about handling sexual situations, has been downloaded more than 86,000 times since its recent launching.

In the game, players guide characters to make choices, such as whether a girl should sleep at a boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home. If they choose the wrong answer, the player will be guided to a page with sex education lessons taught by students.

The game, named â&#x20AC;&#x153;Self-Reliance,â&#x20AC;? costs 800 yuan ($118). It was produced by seven students from Shanghai High School International Division in East Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shanghai Municipality for over four months and was released on Steam, an online gaming platform, on February 9.

Weng Anzhi, one of the developers, told the Global Times on Sunday that repeated cases of juvenile sexual assault and obscenity made his team wonder whether sexual education had been lacking, either at school or home, across China. Weng said that sex education was necessary for teenagers to learn how to protect themselves, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and a game is the best

way to attract teenagers.â&#x20AC;? Weng said that before successfully launching the game on Steam, they had been refused by several game platforms because â&#x20AC;&#x153;the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sex education theme is too sensitive.â&#x20AC;? But finally, two platforms accepted their game, including Steam. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The game will also be available on mobile platforms such as the App Store and TapTap,â&#x20AC;? he added.

According to Weng, they spent more than four months developing the game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It took two months to prepare relevant professional knowledge about sex education, and afterwards we shot all the frames the game needs,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The actor and actress were often too shy to keep on performing,â&#x20AC;? Weng recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At one point, the actress should ask the actor whether he uses a condom before sex, but as the lines were sexually explicit, the performers spent more than 20 minutes finishing a 20-second scene.â&#x20AC;?

About 60 percent of young people between 15 and 24 years old in China have had sex before the age of 19, while

Young Chinese students learn how to protect themselves from sexual harassment in a class to publicize sex education and prevention from sexual assault at Beida Huaishu 1 Primary School in Jinan, East Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shandong Province. PHOTO: IC only 10 percent considered themselves familiar with contraception and reproductive health, China National Radio reported in September 2017, citing Shen Aimei, vice president of the Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Hospital in East Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jiangsu Province.

The youngest pregnant teenager the hospital treated between January and June of 2017 was only 13 and, during the same period, 141 patients under the age of 20 had induced abortions, according to the report. GLOBAL TIMES

STI acquires maritime school Namei

NOTABLE POSTERS

The Department of Education (DepEd) and Project Saysay Inc. signed a memorandum of agreement on Feb. 7, 2019 to provide and distribute quality posters showcasing statements of notable Filipinos, including National Artists, National Scientists, noble statesmen and outstanding educators. The project targets to distribute 21,000 posters, for free, to selected Philippine basic education schools, institutions and offices by 2021. Photo posted on the DepEdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website on February 11 shows Education Secretary Leonor Briones looking at a poster of National Hero Apolinario Mabini.

STI Education Systems Holdings Inc. has acquired Namei Polytechnic Institute as part of its efforts to diversify portfolio.

In a statement on Tuesday, STI said that the acquisition is a strategic move to boost the institutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sought-after courses.

Namei is an education services firm that offers courses in maritime transportation, maritime engineering and naval architecture. Its brand is set to tranform into STI Namei.

STI said that it would spend P727 million for the construc tion of a 10-story building on a 3,691-square meter (sqm) property in Sta. Mesa, Manila which will incorporate STI Namei. The new building will be able to accommodate up to 9,000 senior high school and college students.

The new campus is targeted to be fully operational by school year 2019-2020. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very happy with the addition of Namei to STI ESGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s institutional roster,â&#x20AC;?Â

STI President and Chief Operating Officer Peter Fernandez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is an opportunity for us to introduce exciting changes and transform Namei into an educational powerhouse whose students will bring pride not only to their alma mater but also to the country,â&#x20AC;? he added.

STI said that it would establish information technology programs for maritime such as networking and communications, cybersecurity, and IT maintenance and services to keep up with the growing demand in the seafaring industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A good number of Philippine maritime education and training institutes continue to hone the skills development of our seafarers. It is high time we complemented this with high quality education to prepare a new generation of seafarers who are ready to join global cruise companies,â&#x20AC;? Fernandez said.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

EduTECH Philippines 2019 assesses PH education THE THIRD ANNUAL %DU4%#( 0HILIPPINES IS ON ITS SECOND AND kNAL DAY TODAY &EBRUARY AT THE SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, discussing new STRATEGIES PEDAGOGIES AND INNOVATIONS TO BRING ST century quality education to the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our mission is to support educators and their partners in the Philippines to deliver a high standard of education for all students, and with that in mind, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event is free to attend, so that ALL STAKEHOLDERS CAN JOIN THIS QUEST REGARDLESS OF BUDGET u 3HARON 2OESSEN MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS MEDIA COMPANY AND EVENT ORGANIZER 4ERrapinn Asia, said. /PENING THE EVENT LAST &EBRUARY WAS %DUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones, who addressed how the DePARTMENT OF %DUCATION WAS WORKING TO gBRING QUALITY

education to all in the Philippines.â&#x20AC;?

In the past year, the education landscape in the PhilIPPINES HAS UNDERGONE MAJOR TRANSFORMATIONS /VER PERCENT 0 TRILLION OF THE NATIONAL BUDGET WAS allocated to the education sector and new initiatives HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED TO IMPROVE EDUCATION ACCESSIBILity and create more opportunities for Filipinos.

Meanwhile, Jay Thompson, director of Educational Technology & Innovation of Dulwich College, Singapore, and Francis Jim Tuscano, head Ed-Tech Coach of 8AVIER 3CHOOL SPOKE ABOUT LEADERSHIP BY DESIGN AND fostering innovation and change-making in students.

Today, the keynote plenary will focus on next-generation learning and teaching. Fr. Benigno Beltran, SVD, chief learning strategist of Sandiwaan Center for Learning, will open the session with a keynote

on design thinking in education. Joining him will BE -IKE 'ILMOUR DEPUTY PRINCIPAL OF '%-3 7ORLD !CADEMY 3INGAPORE WHO BRINGS HIS EXPERIENCE ON LEADERSHIP AND INlUENCING ORGANISATIONAL EXCELLENCE THROUGH ST CENTURY SKILLS Also adding international perspectives, William 3ANCHEZ STRATEGY AND POLICY ADVISOR OF 3AXION 5NIversity of Applied Sciences in Netherlands, will help educators get ready for a smart world with a session ON THE CONNECTED TEACHER AND ST CENTURY LEARNING Emie Baylon, Education Technology coordinator of $E ,A 3ALLE 3ANTIAGO :OBEL 3CHOOL WILL CONCLUDE THE keynotes with â&#x20AC;&#x153;TEDx: Teaching empathy digitally and eXponentially.â&#x20AC;?

In addition to the visionary keynotes, there will BE A SERIES OF CASE STUDIES AND SHARING SESSIONS ACROSS

SIX THEATRES OF CONTENT + TERTIARY 34%- TECH INNOVATION %DU"UILD AND BUSINESS OF EDUCATION AND Ă&#x203A;4EACHTECHTALKS /VER INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKERS FROM across the Philippines will address key issues includING lIPPED LEARNING DIGITAL STORYTELLING INTEGRATED 34%- EDUCATION EDUCATION MAKERSPACES PARTnerships and stakeholder management in education and more.

"ESIDES THE CONFERENCE THE EXHIBITION FEATURES A SHOWCASE OF THE LATEST EDUCATION TECHNOLOGIES BY OVER INDUSTRY PLAYERS AND UP AND COMING START UPS AND A MAKERSPACE WITH HANDS ON ACTIVITIES BY 4HE -IND Museum and Makerspace Filipinas. Some of the exHIBITING COMPANIES INCLUDE 'LOBE 4ELECOM ,ENOVO

Microsoft, Intel, Akamai Technologies, PLDT, Canvas, Panopto, Moodle, Furnware and more.

E2

Campus Press

The Ë&#x153;Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

Play it by ear whether to use a gerund or infinitive T

HIS grammar request was posted on my Forumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook Gateway: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Please discuss for everyone which sentence is correct: (1) â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to meeting my old buddy againâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or (2) â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to meet my buddy again.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Since this matter touches on a very instructive aspect of English grammar, I took the opportunity to discuss it at some length in the Forum itself.

"OTH SENTENCES Â&#x2021; THE kRST USES the gerund phrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;meeting my OLD BUDDY AGAINu AND THE SECOND THE INkNITIVE PHRASE gTO MEET MY BUDDY AGAINu Â&#x2021; ARE GRAMMATICALLY correct and have practically identical sense. Functionally, though, THE GERUND PHRASE IN SENTENCE IS THE OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION gTO u through which that gerund phrase indirectly receives the action of the PHRASAL VERB gLOOKING FORWARD u 4HE INkNITIVE PHRASE gTO MEET MY BUDDY AGAINu IN SENTENCE IN

CONTRAST IS THE DIRECT OBJECT OF THAT SAME PHRASAL VERB 2ECALL THAT BOTH THE GERUND AND INkNITIVE ARE VERBALS Â&#x2021; VERB FORMS that function as nouns â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and this means that each can serve as SUBJECT OBJECT OR COMPLEMENT in a sentence. In performing these functions, however, gerunds AND INkNITIVES AREN T FREELY INTERCHANGEABLE AND MUTUALLY EQUIVAlent. In particular, some operative VERBS CAN TAKE EITHER A GERUND OR INkNITIVE AS DIRECT OBJECT BUT OTHER

ENGLISH PLAIN AND SIMPLE

JOSE A. CARILLO

VERBS BALK AND JUST WON T TAKE AN INkNITIVE AS DIRECT OBJECT For instance, a sentence that has â&#x20AC;&#x153;continueâ&#x20AC;? as operative VERB CAN HAVE EITHER A GERUND phrase or infinitive phrase as DIRECT OBJECT OR AS OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION #ONSIDER THIS SENtence: â&#x20AC;&#x153;They continued paying for her tuition without letup.â&#x20AC;?

The gerund phrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;paying for her tuition without letupâ&#x20AC;? works WITHOUT ANY HITCH AS DIRECT OBJECT OF THE VERB gCONTINUED u BUT SO DOES ITS INkNITIVE PHRASE EQUIVAlent â&#x20AC;&#x153;to pay for her tuition without letupâ&#x20AC;? in the sentence â&#x20AC;&#x153;They continued to pay for her tuition without letup.â&#x20AC;? Take note that

BOTH SENTENCES HAVE THE SAME sense, too.

Like â&#x20AC;&#x153;continue,â&#x20AC;? the following OPERATIVE VERBS CAN TAKE EITHER a gerund phrase or infinitive PHRASE AS DIRECT OBJECT gATTEMPT u gBEGIN u gSTART u gLEAVE u â&#x20AC;&#x153;stop,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;continue,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;love,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;like,â&#x20AC;? gDISLIKE u gHATE u gREMEMBER u â&#x20AC;&#x153;forget,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;neglect,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;regret,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;intend,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;plan,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;permit,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;plan,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;prefer,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;propose,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;try,â&#x20AC;? and gMEAN u 4HIS CAN BE VERIkED BY USING THEM AS OPERATIVE VERBS of sentences with different sets OF GERUND PHRASES OR INkNITIVE PHRASES AS DIRECT OBJECT $O THAT as an exercise now to sharpen your sense for this functional DUALITY In contrast, some operative VERBS THAT CAN ONLY TAKE A GERUND or gerund phrase â&#x20AC;&#x201D; never an inkNITIVE OR INkNITIVE PHRASE Â&#x2021; AS DIRECT OBJECT !MONG THEM ARE â&#x20AC;&#x153;admit,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;advise,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;appreciate,â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;anticipate,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;avoid,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;consider,â&#x20AC;? gDELAY u gDENY u gDISCUSS u gENJOY u gEXCUSE u gkNISH u gKEEP u gMIND u â&#x20AC;&#x153;miss,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;postpone,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;practice,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;quit,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;recall,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;recommend,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;regret,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;resent,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;resist,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;resume,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;risk,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;tolerate,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;try,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;understand,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;imagine.â&#x20AC;?

Take â&#x20AC;&#x153;anticipateâ&#x20AC;? as operative VERB )T WORKS PERFECTLY WITH THE gerund phrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;receiving the next SHIPMENT IN A WEEKu AS DIRECT OBJECTu IN g7E anticipate receiving the next shipment in a week,â&#x20AC;?

BUT MAKES AN EPIC FAIL WITH THE equivalent infinitive phrase in â&#x20AC;&#x153;We anticipate to receive the next shipment in a week.â&#x20AC;?

4HE OPERATIVE VERB gCONSIDERu ENCOUNTERS THE SAME PROBLEM )T works perfectly with the gerund phrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;taking a short-cut to THEIR DESTINATIONu AS DIRECT OBJECT IN g4HEY considered taking a short-cut to their destination,â&#x20AC;?

BUT LIKEWISE MAKES AN EPIC FAIL

with the equivalent infinitive phrase in â&#x20AC;&#x153;They considered to take a short-cut to their destination.â&#x20AC;? .OW THE BIG QUESTION IS THIS )S THERE A KNOWN FORMULA FOR kNDing out whether a gerund phrase OR INkNITIVE PHRASE WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY AS DIRECT OBJECT OF A PARTICULAR OPERATIVE VERB /THER THAN a good working knowledge of HOW GERUNDS AND INkNITIVES WORK in sentences, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actually no SUCH SIMPLE GROUND RULE 7E JUST HAVE TO PLAY IT BY EAR WHEN CONSTRUCTING SENTENCES USING SPECIkC OPERATIVE VERBS .EXT Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get acclimatized to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weather terminology Visit Jose Carilloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s English FoRUM HTTP JOSECARILLOFORUM COM

AND ON &ACEBOOK HTTPS WWW FACEBOOK COM JACARILLO &OLLOW ME at Twitter.com @J8Carillo. E-mail: J CARILLO YAHOO COM

WMSU moves class opening to August

BY ANTONIO P. RIMANDO WESTERN -INDANAO 3TATE 5NIVERSITY 7-35 WILL kNALLY SHIFT its class opening starting school YEAR 39 $R #ARLA /CHOTORENA 7-35 vice president for Academic Affairs, announced recently tha t 5NIVERSITY PRESIDENT $R -ILAVEL Ho had approved the move, which was unanimously conkRMED BY THE INSTITUTION S "OARD of Regents.

Ho, concurrent chairman of the Philippine Association of 3TATE 5NIVERSITIES AND #OLLEGES 0ASUC SAID THE CHANGE OF CLASS SCHEDULE IN THE :AMBOANGA #ITY BASED UNIVERSITY WOULD TAKE EFFECT ON !UG TO -AY g7-35 STUDENTS WOULD THERE-

FORE ENJOY A FOUR MONTH VACATION in April, May, June and July,

u SHE SAID Ho said she would encourage other state universities and colleges located in several areas of :AMBOANGA 0ENINSULA TOTALING eight, including two located in THIS HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY TO make the similar shift, considering that the current June TOGETHER WITH *ULY AND !UGUST class opening falls during the rainy season.

5NDER THE NEW SCHEDULE

Ochotorena said, June and July would serve as the long vacation period instead of April and May. 4HE 7-35 EXECUTIVE HOWEVER

pointed out that the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

elementary and secondary school levels, which are under the DePARTMENT OF %DUCATION $EP%D

would continue to follow the latterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s June to March class setup. Pasuc tertiary schools such AS 7-35 ARE SUPERVISED BY THE Commission on Higher EducaTION #(%D M e a nw h i l e, C H E d c h a i r MAN 0ROSPERO DE 6ERA RD ANnounced that the agency was also considering having all PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHer learning start their first SEMESTER IN !UGUST gTO facilitate easier implementaTION OF THE 5NIVERSAL !CCESS to Quality Tertiary Education !CT UNDER THE CASH BASED BUD-

geting system.â&#x20AC;?

De Vera noted that validation process and paper work made it DIFkCULT FOR #(%D TO REIMBURSE ALL SCHOOLS BY THE END OF THE year, â&#x20AC;&#x153;as some higher education INSTITUTIONS (%)S START CLASSES IN *UNE AND BEGIN THEIR SECOND SEMESTER IN .OVEMBER u If the new SY for HEIs pushes through, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the move would facilitate easier allocation of funds BY #(%D AS REIMBURSEMENT TO SCHOOLS FOR THE kRST SEMESTER OF THE 39 MAY BE DONE BY THE END OF the year,â&#x20AC;? he emphasized, adding THAT gIT WOULD LIKEWISE BE HANDIER TO HASTEN REIMBURSEMENTS TO HEIs should their second semester starts in January.â&#x20AC;?

Cavite lawmaker receives Bedan Distinguished Award of 2019 CAVITE TH $ISTRICT 2EP ,UIS Emmanuel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jon Jonâ&#x20AC;? Ferrer 4th was honored during the Annual 2ED AND 7HITE "ALL A CELEBRATION OF "EDAN 0RIDE AND 'LORY HELD AT THE &IESTA 0AVILION

-ANILA (OTEL ON &EB

&E R R E R A M E M B E R O F T H E Bachelor of Science in ComMERCE #LASS OF 3AN "EDA #OLLEGE 3"# IN -ENDIOLA

Manila was awarded as Most Distinguished Young LegislaTOR AT 4HE 2AMON 6 -ITRA Award for Legislation. g) AM GRATEFUL TO THE 3"5 administration and alumni association for this prestigious award given to me,â&#x20AC;? Ferrer said in an interview.

This was the second alumni AWARD RECEIVED BY &ERRER FROM the San Beda College Alumni Association. He was first awarded the Distinguished Bedan !WARD IN &ERRER WAS A MEMBER OF THE TH AND TH #ONGRESS CHAIRman of Committee on Aqua Culture and Fisheries Resources and vice chairman on Local 'OVERNMENT IN THE (OUSE OF Representative. DENNIS ABRINA

Q Jose Albert Llamas CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CSB introduces new head of digital transformation DE La Salle-College of Saint "ENILDE $,3 #3" #HANCELLOR 2OBERT 4ANG RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF *OSE !LBERT Llamas as vice chancellor for digital transformation effective !CADEMIC 9EAR Llamas, a graduate of Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management Engineering minor in Mechanical Engineering in De La Salle 5NIVERSITY HAS AN OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL RECORD OF OVER YEARS BOTH IN THE LOCAL AND INternational setting, with an extensive experience in the fields of information technology, BANKING OPERATIONS FINANCIAL

Q CAVITE 6th District Rep. Luis Ferrer 4th (second from right) is the recipient of the Most Distinguished Young Legislator award at the 2019 Ramon V. Mitra Award for Legislation. For the recognition, he was feted by the San Beda College Alumni Association during its Annual Red and White Ball held at the Fiesta Pavilion of Manila Hotel on Feb. 12, 2019. With him are (from left) his brother General Trias City Mayor Antonio Ferrer, mother Teresita Ferrer, wife Monettte Ferrer and sister Mia Ferrer Miranda. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY DENNIS ABRINA Q Chang Jingyu (third from left), president of Shanghai Lingyu Educational Technology Ltd., turns over one of six LCD projectors donated by Chinese PhD students to Maj. Gen. Horaio Lino Lapinid (eighth from right) during a simple ceremony held at the Office of the Executive Vice President of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) in Las PiĂąas City last Jan. 25, 2019. Also in photo are Atty. Irineo Martinez Jr., student organizer and former dean of the Graduate School, and Gabby Flores, director for Planning and Linkages. Jingyu and his partner, Zhow Wei,  committed to solicit more donations for the school as the Chinese graduate studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; way of reciprocating UPHSDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts in taking care of their academic needs. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BY DENNIS ABRINA/UNIVERSITY OF PERPETUAL HELP

services, insurance, accounting and treasury.

In addition, he has remarkABLE EXPERTISE IN MANAGING BUSINESS UNITS AND CORPORATE operations. He possesses techNICAL KNOWLEDGE IN PROJECT management, system analysis and design, application proGRAMMING AND DATABASE ADministration.

He now heads the Digital 4RANSFORMATION /FFICE $4/ IN developing and institutionalizing responsive digital and information technology initiatives and strategies to pursue the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission of inclusion and innovation.

DLSU implements state of-the art learning management system DE ,A 3ALLE 5NIVERSITY $,35 formally launched AnimoSpace, the new Lasallian learning manAGEMENT SYSTEM LAST *ANUARY AT THE 5NIVERSITY S (ENRY 3Y 3R (ALL AnimoSpace is aimed to deliver a learner-centered education to students.

Starting Term 2, Academic 9EAR $,35 HAS EMBARKED ON THE UNIVERSITY WIDE implementation of AnimoSpace.

A training program for faculty MEMBERS WAS ALSO CONDUCTED prior to the launch.

This is in line with RevEd, DL35 S POST + CURRICULUM AS IT continues to seek approaches to reimagine and improve teaching and learning methods through

the use of new and emerging learning technologies.

AnimoSpace will help in managing lessons and facilitating STUDENT LEARNING BUILDING ON Lasallian facultyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strengths in curriculum development and classroom instruction.

The adaptive and intuitive nature of AnimoSpace facilitates seamless integration of traditional and virtual learning through enhanced teacher-learner engagement and its various immersive and interactive components.

The cross-platform learning SPACE UTILIZES THE BEST FEATURES OF #ANVAS USED BY MORE THAN

UNIVERSITIES AND EDUCATIONAL institutions around the world.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

Campus Press

E3

MapĂşa develops own technology licensing office M

APĂ&#x161;A U University i it iis sett tto d develop l ITS 4ECHNOLOGY ,ICENSING /FkCE (TLO) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology $O34 )T IS THE SECOND OFkCE TO BE CREATED in the university geared towards directing MapĂşa research to value, following MapĂşaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s )NNOVATION AND 4ECHNOLOGY 3UPPORT /FkCE established in 2011. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Technology Licensing OfkCE WILL MAKE -APĂ&#x160;A S RESEARCH and development more responSIVE NOT JUST TO THE INTERNAL NEEDS OF THE 5NIVERSITY BUT ALSO TO THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY IN COMBATING diseases, disasters and energy issues,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. Jonathan Salvacion, dean of MapĂşaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of 'RADUATE 3TUDIES The TLO will scan for IntellecTUAL 0ROPERTIES )0S IN THE UNIversity, covering inventions and works of literature and arts of its FACULTY AND STUDENTS 4HE OFkCE will check the IPsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; commercialization potentials and will create road maps on how the approved )0S CAN BE BROUGHT TO THE MARKET for commercialization. /NE PROJECT TO BE SUPPORTED BY 4,/ IS THE UNIVERSITY S 5SH-

ER OR THE 5NIVERSAL 3TRUCTURAL Health Evaluation and RecordING 3YSTEM A BUILDING STRUCTURE health monitoring system composed of an accelerograph or SENSOR AND WEB PORTAL WHICH WAS DEVELOPED BY -APĂ&#x160;A SCIentists and engineers headed BY $R &RANCIS !LDRINE 5Y DEAN of MapĂşaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Civil, %NVIRONMENTAL AND 'EOLOGICAL Engineering.

-APĂ&#x160;A 5NIVERSITY HAS HIRED A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFkCER AND HAS undergone a pre-implementation meeting for the TLO with DoST last *AN

AFTER THE SIGNING OF the memorandum of agreement BETWEEN THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS LAST $ECEMBER The development of MapĂşaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TLO is under DoSTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Technology

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Transfer Program, which provides funding and assistance to local research and development PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRY FOR COMmercialization. The partnership WITH $O34 FOR THE OFkCE S DEVELOPMENT RUNS FROM *ANUARY TO *ANUARY OF NEXT YEAR 4HE OFkCE will remain part of the MapĂşa organization after its one-year

Ayala Foundation launches education and leadership programs in Negros Occidental cities AYALA Foundation launched its Leadership #OMMUNITIES ,EAD#OM AND #ENTEX 4RAINING Institute programs in separate events in Bago City AND 4ALISAY #ITY BOTH IN .EGROS /CCIDENTAL IN EARLY &EBRUARY LeadCom is a year-long program that empowers COMMUNITY BASED YOUTH AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS TO identify urgent needs of their respective communities, and to help them develop, implement and sustain PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS THESE NEEDS Centex Training Institute, meanwhile, is the teacher-development component of Ayala Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centex education program. The Centex X Training Institute seeks to develop teacher effectiveness in the classroom and ensure continued professional development through training, mentoring and community engagement.

0RESENT AT THE EVENTS WERE OFkCIALS FROM THE CITY government, Ayala Foundation, local Department of Education, and other stakeholders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two important institutions have partnered with us,â&#x20AC;? Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;First is the Department of Education Divisi on of Bago and the whole DepEd family, who are mandated to give quality education to prepare our YOUNG BETTER FOR SUCCESS TOMORROW 3ECOND IS WITH Ayala Foundation, whose name evokes excellence AND EFkCIENCY 7E ARE VERY PROUD YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO partner with us in the training of our educators and

YOUNG LEADERSw 'IVING THEM THE RIGHT TOOLS RIGHT TRAINING IS AN ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL HAVE A BRIGHTER future, for them and our community,â&#x20AC;? he added.

At the Talisay City launch, Sangguniang Panglungsod #ITY #OUNCIL MEMBER 2OLIN -ELITON DELIVERED THE MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF -AYOR .EIL ,IZARES RD g%DUCATION IS NOT JUST A TOOL FOR DEVELOPMENT u he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the foundation for our future. This afternoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s launching ceremony of LeadCom and the Centex Training Institute is indeed a generous gesture.

It is also an exemplary illustration of the success that CAN BE ACHIEVED IN PUBLIC SERVICE WHEN NOBLE INTENtions, good governance, synergistic cooperation, and dynamic leadership are geared towards a shared vision EMBRACED BY EVERYONE u Joanna Duarte, Ayala Foundation senior director for Social Development, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;LeadCom and Centex Training Institute aim to empower the people of our communities: the youth, the teachers, the parents, the BARANGAY AND OUR STAKEHOLDERS ,EAD#OM AND #ENTEX 4RAINING )NSTITUTE ARE ONLY MADE POSSIBLE BY PEOPLE working together.â&#x20AC;?

Ayala Foundation is the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies. It envisions communities where people are productive, creative, SELF RELIANT AND PROUD TO BE &ILIPINO AND IMPLEMENTS programs the following areas: education, community LEADERSHIP SUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD AND arts and culture.

Q Ayala Foundation Senior Director for Social Development Joanna Duarte (right) ceremonially turns over a Philippine flag to Talisay City Council member Rolin Meliton to formalize the partnership between Ayala Foundation and Talisay City for the Leadership Communities and Centex Training.

Q Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo (seventh from left) and Ayala Foundation Senior Director for Social Development Joanna Duarte (fifth from left) lead the launch of the Leadership Communities and Centex Training Institute programs in Bago City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

partnership with DoST. &OLLOWING THE PROJECT IS THE development of the Technology "USINESS )NCUBATOR IN -APĂ&#x160;A 4HE TLO will help small companies loCATED IN THE INCUBATOR GET ON TRACK and put value on their innovations. g4HE OVERALL PLAN IS TO ESTABLISH THREE OFkCES Â&#x2021; THE )NNOVATION AND 4ECHNOLOGY 3UPPORT /FkCE 4ECH-

NOLOGY ,ICENSING /FkCE AND THE 4ECHNOLOGY "USINESS )NCUBATOR 4HE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE THREE OFkCES WILL MAKE -APĂ&#x160;A RESEARCH more relevant to the country it SERVES 4HESE WILL BRING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS THAT ARE SOCIALLY IMportant and will make knowledge AVAILABLE FOR DISSEMINATION TO people,â&#x20AC;? added Dr. Salvacion.

4HE -APĂ&#x160;A 4,/ WILL BE UNDER the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Directed Research for Innovation and Value EnHANCEMENT OR $RIVE THE OFkCE created to develop the research CAPABILITY OF THE -APĂ&#x160;A SYSTEM in chemical and environmental engineering, materials science, CHEMISTRY ELECTRONICS ROBOTICS and information technology.

Outcome-based education: A learner-centered educational strategy

BY ANTONIO G. PAPA, PH.D. WHAT IS OUTCOME BASED EDUCATION OR IN SHORT /"% 7HAT do this educational strategy can do with the Senior High 3CHOOL 3(3 PROGRAM $O you think that SHS program in the country, a pet program of the Department of Education $EP%D WILL SUCCEED 3PADY HAS A READY ANswer for the first question. OBE means clearly focusing and organizing everything in an educational system around what is essential for all students to BE ABLE TO DO SUCCESSFULLY AT the end of their learning experiences. This means starting with a clear picture of what is IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO DO THEN ORGANIZING THE curriculum, instruction and assessment to make sure that learning ultimately happens.

Accordingly, OBE has six important features, namely: active learners; continuous assessment; critical thinking, reasoning, reflection and action; integration of knowledge, learning relevant/connected real life situations; learner-centered and educator/ facilitator use group/teamwork; and learning programs seen as guides that allow edUCATORS TO BE INNOVATIVE AND creative in designing programs and activities.

As a teaching strategy, the following guideposts should BE PROPERLY CONSIDERED BY MENTORS +ILLEN 4HE M A I N F O C U S S H O U L D B E O N learning rather than teaching; students cannot learn if they do not think; thinking is FACILITATED AND ENCOURAGED BY the processes that you use to engage students with the conTENT AS WELL AS BY THE CONTENT ITSELF THE SUBJECT DOES NOT exist in isolation â&#x20AC;&#x201D; you have to help students make links to OTHER SUBJECTS AND YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP STUDENTS learn how to learn.

As far as the SHS program is concerned, yes, as an educator, ) BOOST FOR THE CONTINUOUS offering of the program deSPITE THE TRUMPING OBJECTIONS from some sectors of our soCIETY TODAY /"% WOULD BE

of great help in the program implementation as an essential EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY USED BY mentors to ensure academic success for themselves and for their students.

Surely, the additional two YEARS OF SCHOOLING FOR BASIC education and designated as SHS program, again, will enhance the academe-industry partnership scheme.

While undertaking the training in the SHS, students ARE BASED ON VARIOUS STRANDS AVAILABLE IN THE LOCAL SCHOOLS AND BASED ON THEIR RESPECTIVE interests.

Prior to graduation, the students are immersed in various companies and agencies whose specialization is related to their achieved expertise.

Likewise, the students prior to undergoing the process of immersion, almost the same as THAT OF THE ON THE JOB TRAINING or internship program of the college students, SHS students ARE SUBJECTED TO TESTING AT THE Technical Education and Skills $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY 4ESDA 4ESTING #ENTERS 4HE QUALIkED AND DESERVING STUDENTS ARE BEING AWARDED WITH .ATIONAL #ERTIkCATION .# ATTESTING TO THEIR CAPABILITIES BASED ON THE INstilled knowledge and acquired SKILLS BASED ON THEIR HANDS ON activities of the vocation.

Of course, their mentors ARE THE ONES SUBJECTED FIRST TO Tesda testing. They have to have national certifications up to Level 4. Likewise, they must undergo a rigid trainING DUBBED AS 4RAINING -ANagement. Hence, passers or achievers of this endeavor are qualified enough to handle 3(3 COURSES OR SUBJECTS ) N A D D I T I O N B O T H H I G H school and collegiate levels, even in the graduate Schools, the mentors are required to implement OBE. Most of the TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES BEING USED AT PRESENT ARE PREPARED BY writers and authors using OBE guidelines from the DepEd and Commission on Higher Education.

The final outcome of the SHS PROGRAM SHOULD BE ASSESSED

after graduation of the first AND SECOND BATCHES OF 'RADE STUDENTS 4HE PROSPECTIVE GRADUATES ARE EXPECTED TO BE skillful enough and ready to enter the world of work. Having credentials of NC-2, they ARE QUALIFIED TO OBTAIN JOBS LOCALLY AND ABROAD This OBE phenomenon is an advantage for graduates who are not keen on going to college. Hence, the period of schooling prior to working has BEEN SHORTENED BY TWO YEARS Further, the resource-poor parents will have their chilDREN ENGAGE IN PRODUCTIVE JOBS since they are well-trained and skillful enough to handle the ASSIGNED JOBS IN THE COMPANIES of their destination.

On the other hand, if the graduates of SHS program intend to go to college, they WILL BE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND very proficient in the courses of their interest since they are OBE trained prior to college endeavors. Likewise, there is a congruency on the strands of their SHS training and their collegiate undertakings, if the strands in SHS program and THE COLLEGIATE COURSE TO BE TAKen are properly aligned.

So, the questions posed in THE BEGINNING HAS BEEN ANswered â&#x20AC;&#x201D; OBE is an essential EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY USED BY mentors to ensure academic success for them and their learners. OBE is very much needed in the process of learning in the SHS program and through OBE, the program will consequently succeed.

Dr. Antonio G. Papa is a retired university professor at the College of Economics, Management and Development Studies, Cavite State University in Indang, Cavite.

Currently, he is Scientist 1 and consultant at Marin duque State College in Boac, Marinduque. He is a graduate of both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Extension Education at the University of the Philippines at Los BaĂąos, Laguna in 1986 and 1991, respectively.

E4

Campus Press

The Ë&#x153;Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY February 21, 2019

Notes of a first-time voter

BY LIEZELLE ROY

W

THE MANILA TIMES COLLEGE

ITH freedom comes responsibility.

It means being accountable for every decision one makes, especially when on has reach the age of maturity. )N THIS COMING -AY ELECTIONS THOSE OF US WHO WILL BE VOTING FOR THE kRST TIME ARE CALLED UPON TO BE DISCERNING IN CHOOSing the candidates to elect.

4HE DAY CAMPAIGN PERIod for senators and party-list election has already started.

Expect the political atmosphere TO BE MORE CIRCUS LIKE WHEN THE campaign period for regional, provincial, city and municipal CANDIDATES BEGINS IN -ARCH ,ONG BEFORE THE OFkCIAL CAMPAIGN PERIOD BEGAN BILLBOARDS and posters with the names and FACES OF CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN posted or hung everywhere across the country. Campaign advertisements are all over the different media platforms.

In this midterm election, as in previous elections, candidates will do everything to get your votes. They will promise even the moon and the stars to get your ATTENTION 4HEY WOULD BE LIKE men desperately courting women to get their sweet â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes.â&#x20AC;? !T kRST THEY WILL SHOW THEIR sincerity and respect and will promise you tons. They will sing even if they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t carry a simple tune. They will dance even if they cannot even sway their hips. They will try to make you laugh with SENSELESS JOKES AND TRIVIALITIES They will titillate you so you WOULD REMEMBER THEIR NAMES "UT BEWAREĂ&#x153; -ANY OF THESE politicians have done these inanities countless times. Some of them had gone through cam-

paigns and served more than one term in the Senate, in the LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OR IN THE BUreaucracy. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen that soon after they were elected, their ATTITUDES CHANGED 4HEY BEGIN FORGETTING ABOUT THEIR PROMISES 4HEY BEGIN TO IGNORE YOU To quote Filipino rapper Loonie: g!NG MANDURUKOT TATAKBO pagkatapos mang-agaw; ang KANDIDATO TATAKBO MUNA BAGO magnakaw.â&#x20AC;?

Candidates go to different places to promote themselves.

4HEY WILL ALWAYS BE SMILING IN PUBLIC SHAKING HANDS WITH PEOPLE SOME WOULD BE DANCING AND SINGING AND OTHERS WILL JOIN LOCAL ACTIVITIES TO PROJECT AN IMAGE THAT they are with the people.

In a way, they would make the people feel that they were ordinary folks whose interests were for the Filipino citizens.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be deceived! We should elect candidates who have shown good performance AND WILL WORK FOR THE BETTERMENT of the community.

Elect candidates who are open to hear the voices of people in HIS JURISDICTION AND CAN SEE THE struggles of every Filipino citizen.

Choose someone who knows and FOCUSES ON THE REAL PROBLEMS THAT our country faces. .EVER BE SWAYED BY THEIR FALSE promises. Learn from the previous mistakes.

Do not focus on the physical

Q Editorial Cartoon by Eunice Logro, The Manila Times College appearance and popularity of a canDIDATE )NSTEAD CRITICIZE HIS ABILITY TO lead our country. He should serve the country and not himself. $O NOT LET ANYONE BUY YOUR vote. You have the power to decide for yourself who to vote for. $O NOT BE DEPENDENT ON YOUR FAMILY FRIENDS OR ANYBODY around you for your decision on who to vote. Listen to the advoCACIES OF THE CANDIDATES BECAUSE

these can also show a part of their worthiness. ) KNOW THAT VOTING IS NOT JUST A RIGHT BUT ALSO A PRIVILEGE AND RESPONSIBILITY 3O AS A kRST TIME VOTER ) FEEL SO MUCH PRESSURE BECAUSE WITH MY VOTE ) LL BE DOING something for our country.

I thought it is easy as selecting MY FAVORITE ICE CREAM lAVOR BUT it is so much more than that; it is MORE LIKE CHOOSING BETWEEN VEG-

Verify chismis in news research, campus journalists urged

BY FRANCIS DAVID T. PEREZ UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS IN research for the newsroom, journalists must not disregard chismis or hearsay, a seasoned journalist and journalism faculty said in an intercollegiate activity held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Tuesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you hear something, verify if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a story worth tellingâ&#x20AC;Ś Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disregard those chismis or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;heardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;Ś because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s through inquiring from what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard that you can get really good stories,â&#x20AC;? Leo Laparan 2nd, a desk editor for a major broadsheet and UST journalism instructor explained in his talk titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Navigating the Plane: The Importance of Research in Reportageâ&#x20AC;? during the 2nd Talamitam: Community Empowerment Through Journalism at the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al-

bertus Magnus Building Auditorium. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Itanong mo] mga kakilala [ng subject]. Totoo ba? You need to confirm na siya nga. If you have that background, then you confirm with the subject,â&#x20AC;?Laparan said.

The speaker, former research head of another major broadsheet, also recommended deep backgrounding, such as immersion, in doing further research. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You cannot tell a story very well if you did not see how it transpired or if you did not experience itâ&#x20AC;Ś But make sure you immerse safely â&#x20AC;Ś Because if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get out of the immerison, the story is nothing. No story can be told. So, make sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proper immersion and you get the important details,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Laparan enumerated four important things in news research: checking out the â&#x20AC;&#x153;heards,â&#x20AC;? digging out the details, providing deep background checks, and immediately tracking the people close to the story. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now, it is your duty to give the juiciest details to the public,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, journalism is a duty.â&#x20AC;?

Laparan added that truth matters in journalism. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As journalists, we are here to expose the truth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to give the public the truth and nothing else,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Toward the end of his talk, Laparan reminded the audience, who were mostly campus journalists from various partner schools of the UST in the Talamitam network, that even though the internet is a great source, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You should not always rely on it because chances are,

there may be erroneous information that you can get online â&#x20AC;Ś especially if your story is not for immediate publication.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Usually, in-depth stories take time to produce,â&#x20AC;? he emphasized.

Julius Villavieja, a fourth year UST journalism student who was among the attendees, agreed with the insights of Laparan, saying that the very core of journalism is going to places. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trying to] really [work] hard to follow your sources. While it is possible to gather information and quotes from the internet, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just very lazy storytelling and lazy journalism,â&#x20AC;?Villavieja said.

Aside from the talks from various speakers, the event also saw the launch of the news website and social media sites of Talamitam, a network of journalism schools established in 2017 by the UST Journalism Society and the journalism societies of five other colleges and universities in Luzon, namely, Bulacan State University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and University of the East.

WITH REPORTS FROM COLEEN RUTH ABIOG AND JAYZIEL KHIM BUDINO

Q Journalism students attend the 2nd Talamitam: Community Empowerment Through Journalism at the University of Santo Tomasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (UST) Albertus Magnus Building Auditorium on Feb. 19, 2019. Talamitan is a network of journalism schools from UST, Bulacan State University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and University of the East.

In blue, third from left on stage first row, is UST Journalism Program Coordinator and The Manila Times Managing Editor Felipe Salvosa 2nd. Top photo shows print media practitioner and UST journalism faculty Leo Laparan 2nd sharing his insights on news research during the event. GROUP PHOTO BY UST JOURNALISM SOCIETY AND PHOTO OF MR. LAPARAN BY TIMOTHY JAMES TABIGNE, UST

ETABLES AND FAST FOOD 9OU HAVE TO check the nutrition facts of the PRODUCTS YOU BUY AND CHOOSE WHICH WILL BE HEALTHY FOR YOU Thus, I will make sure that the candidates I will vote will put his LOVE FOR THE COUNTRY WAY ABOVE HIS HER PERSONAL AMBITIONS ) will choose candidates who can make our country a good place for everyone.

The election will provide us the

opportunity to make our voices heard as citizens of this country. ,ET US NOT LOSE HOPE IN BELIEVING that we can make a change for a BETTER FUTURE !S *OSE 2IZAL HAD said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The youth is the hope of the MOTHERLAND u ,ET S NOT FAIL HIMĂ&#x153; Our vote counts, and the fuTURE IS IN OUR HANDS "E A BETTER A PERSON FOR A BETTER COUNTRY "E A GOOD LEADER FOR OUR BELOVED 0HILIPPINESĂ&#x153;

Centennial thanksgiving mass at PWU THE Philippine Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University (PWU) will kick off its Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Convocation with a thanksgiving Mass on Feb. 26, 2019, 12 noon, at the PWU Chapel, Taft Avenue, Manila.

The Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Convocation is part of the celebration of its centennial anniversary.

Leading the celebration of the mass at the PWU Chapel are university chaplain, Fr. Wency Serafica, and visiting priest and former chaplain, Fr. Erno Diaz.

Dedicated to the Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, patroness of PWU, the PWU Chapel now on its 86th founding year, was blessed in 1933

by Archbishop Michael Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Doherty of Manila, assisted by Fr. Silvestre Sancho, UST rector magnificus and Fr. Miguel Selga, s.j.

The activities during the early years of PWU centered on the novenas and pro cession on t h e Fe a s t day of Our Lady in Nov e m b e r, a s well as the first Holy Communion of young kids at the Chapel ever y De cember 8.

Following the Mass, Dr. Francisco Benitez, the ninth president of PWU who assumed the position in 2011, will give his report to the school community at 2 p.m. at the Conrado Benitez Hall.

A fourth generation Benitez, Dr. Francisco has brought to the institution 18 years of teaching experience as faculty at the University of Washington in Seattle, University of Wisconsin in Madison, Cornell University, University of Asia and the Pacific and PWU. As the school enters its centennial, Benitez, a member of the founding family of PWU, in an earlier convocation said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us stay true to our founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy to contribute through education in our share toward the attainment of a democratic Republic enjoying liberty and justice for its people.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a legacy that this institution is proud to inherit from its founders, to pass on to the unfailing youth, from generation to generationâ&#x20AC;? he added.

Q Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, patroness of the Philippine Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University CONTRIBUTED PHOTO