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WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2019

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Morales barred in HK BY RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

SENATORIAL RACE

ORMER ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and her family were barred from entering Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Partial, unofficial results of PPCRV as of 4:24 p.m. May 21, 2019

Authorities at the Chek Lap Kok International Airport detained Morales and her family for four hours. The incident prompted Malacañang on Tuesday to ask the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to assist the Morales family. “We asked the Department of Foreign Affairs, through our Consulate General in Hong Kong, to render full assistance to the former ombudsman and her family for their safe and secure return to the Philippines.

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SAD AND TIRED

Former ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales narrates to reporters her ordeal in Hong Kong upon her return to Manila on Tuesday night. With her was former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario (left). PHOTO BY ENRIQUE M. AGCAOILI n The comedian and his source Gascon (inset) for the shocking figure.

CHR head Gascon should be impeached

NE o f the first things the new Congress should do is to kick out of office Commission on Human Rights chairman Chito Gascon, one of the remaining hold-outs of the Yellow Cult in this government. äTiglaoA5

RIGOBERTO D. TIGLAO

The construal of the Constitution

“N

O senator shall serve for m o r e than two consecutive terms.” While the rules of statutory construction do not necessarily apply to the construal of the Constitution, some do, and one of the most fundamental of these precepts is that the intendment of the Constitution is to be found in its words.

FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

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Watchdogs, anti-crime group file complaint vs Comelec execs ELECTION watchdogs and an anticrime group have filed a complaint against Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials for allegedly committing “serious dishonesty and gross neglect of duty.”

Comelec Executive Director Jose Tolentino Jr., directors James Arthur Jimenez and Teopisto Elnas Jr., former Comelec chairman Juan Andres Bautista, and systems provider Smartmatic were accused of failing

Answer estafa charge, DoJ orders ‘Bikoy’ THE self-proclaimed “Bikoy,” who claims that members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s family accepted drug syndicate payoffs, has been ordered to defend himself from estafa charges in connection with a botched beauty pageant. Peter Joemel Advincula, who went public on May 6, but has since gone into hiding, was

ä’Bikoy’A2 REACH US AT:

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

What’s inside SC ASKED TO SUSPEND PARTY-LIST NewsA2 PROCLAMATION CHEL DIOKNO STIRRED OUR DORMANT CIVIC VIRTUE

to implement key provisions of the Election Automation Law. The complaint affidavit was filed by Manuel Galvez, Mata sa Balota president; Nelson Celson, Automated

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WARRIORS BEAT TRAIL BLAZERS IN OVERTIME TO REACH NBA FINALS

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EntertainmentE4

For more election updates and results visit

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‘CHINA’S MOST DESTRUCTIVE BOATS’ AGAIN POACHING AT SCARBOROUGH FLEETS of Chinese vessels have returned to disputed areas in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) to harvest endangered giant clams, the Asia Maritime Transparency InitiativeCenter for Strategic and International Studies (AMTI-CSIS) said in a report on Monday. The vessels — typically dozens of small fishing boat that are accompa-

nied by larger “motherships” — were described as “China’s most destructive boats,” as they destroy large swaths of coral reef to get at the giant clams, which are transported to Hainan for processing into jewelry and statuary. Their activities had dropped sharply from 2016 to late 2018 in the wake of an arbitral tribunal finding that China had violated international obligations

but the AMTI-CSIS said that before the end of last year, “satellite imagery has shown these fleets operating frequently at Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Islands) and throughout the Paracels, including at Bombay Reef.” The ships normally drag the reinforced props out their outboard motors across the reef to break up the coral

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Female cadet tops PMA class 2019 BAGUIO CITY: A female cadet from Ilocos Sur is the Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) top graduate of class 2019. Cadet 1st Class (C1C) Dione Mae Umalla, of Allilem Daya village in Alillem town, leads the 263 graduates of class “Mabalasik” (Mandirigma ng Bayan, Iaalay ang Sarili, Lakas at Tapang, Para sa Kapayapaan), who will be commissioned as junior officers on Sunday by President Rodrigo Duterte. Umalla is the fifth female to graduate as PMA class valedictorian following Arlene de la Cruz (1999), Tara Velasco (2003), Andrelee Mojica (2007) and Rovi Mariel

Martines (2017). She will be joining the Philippine Navy. The 21-year-old cadet will receive the Presidential Saber, Philippine Navy Saber, Distinguished Cadet Award, Academic Group Award, Humanities Plaque, Management Plaque, Social Sciences Plaque, Natural Science Plaque, Computing and Information Sciences Plaque, Jusmag Award, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance, Spanish Armed Forces Award, and the Association of Generals and Flag Officers Award.

Marlen RonquilloA4

JEROME PONCE, JANE OINEZA AND ‘HYPERTHYMESIA’

1. VILLAR, Cynthia 25,119,270 2. POE, Grace 21,913,372 3. GO, Bong 20,456,891 4. CAYETANO, Pia 19,635,682 5. DELA ROSA, Ronald 18,805,968 6. ANGARA, Sonny 18,043,625 7. LAPID, Lito 16,881,719 8. MARCOS, Imee 15,732,733 9. TOLENTINO, Francis 15,370,672 10. PIMENTEL, Koko 14,550,540 11. REVILLA, Bong 14,547,352 12. BINAY, Nancy 14,449,334 13. EJERCITO, JV 14,226,357 14. AQUINO, Bam 14,081,431 15. ESTRADA, Jinggoy 11,306,655 16. ROXAS, Mar 9,794,577 17. OSMEÑA, Serge 9,397,822 18. ONG, Willie 7,486,735 19. MANGUDADATU, Zajid 7,402,008 20. MANICAD, Jiggy 6,836,700

TOP CADETS

Umalla was a second-year Bachelor of Science in Education student majoring in Math when she entered the PMA upon the prodding of her mother. She is the only female among four siblings, the eldest of whom is a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy. “I did not expect to be the top graduating cadet because there were numerous instances in my stint in the Academy where I thought of quitting. I prayed a lot to seek the guidance of our Almighty Father in what to do and my prayers to

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News

˜ The Manila Times

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WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

SC asked to suspend party-list proclamation

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Answer estafa charge

BY JOMAR CANLAS

HE Supreme Court (SC) has been asked to halt the proclamation of party-list winners and order the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to base its seat allocations on a 2009 high court ruling.

In a May 20 petition, the Angkla and Serbisyo Bayan party-list groups claimed that marginalized and underrepresented sectors would be robbed of their votes if the Comelec continues to ignore the Supreme Court ruling involving the use of the two-percent rule. In the July 8, 2009 decision, the high court set the seat allocation as follows: After ranking the party-list groups, those receiving at least 2 percent of the total votes cast will be entitled to one guaranteed seat, after which additional seats will be granted based on the number of votes received, with no party-list group entitled to more than three in total.

Jess Manalo, Angkla nominee, claimed the Comelec was reusing the two-percent rule to allocate additional seats and had been doing so over the past two national elections. The high tribunal was petitioned “to declare as unconstitutional the manner of allocating additional seats in the last paragraph of Section 11 of the Party-list System Act, particularly the words ‘total number of votes.’” The tribunal was asked to “mandate the Comelec to exclude the votes counted in the allocation of guaranteed seats from being considered in the allocation of additional seats, so that votes will not be used or counted twice.”

PROOF OF POLL FRAUD?

Diego Magpantay, president of Citizen Crime Watch, shows photos that he claimed were taken during the pre-shading of ballots in Lanao del Sur. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Duterte awaits DND, NSA word on Huawei phones PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte would wait for the recommendation of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) before making any decision regarding the China-based mobile brand Huawei, Malacañang said on Tuesday. Huawei was banned by the United States for security reasons. Google also reportedly canceled Huawei’s support for android

hardware and software services. The statement of Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo came less than a month after consortium members Udenna Corp. and state-run China Telecommunications Corp. signed a $5.4-billion investment agreement to formally develop Mislatel as the third telecommunications provider in the country, with third member and Udenna unit Chelsea Logistics

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Female pursue my military career was more than answered,” Umalla said. C1C Jonathan Eslao Mendoza, 21, of Sangley Point, Cavite, will graduate as class salutatorian and receive the Vice Presidential Saber, Philippine Air Force Saber, Aguinaldo Saber and Australian Defense Best Overall Performance award. Third-placer C1C Jahziel Gumapac Tandoc, 21, of La Trinidad, Benguet, will receive the Secretary of National Defense Saber, Philippine Army Saber, Army Professional Courses Plaque and Australian Defense Best Overall Performance award. In 4th and 5th place, respectively, are C1C Daniel Heinz Bugnosen Lucas, 25, of Barlig, Mountain Province, who will receive the Air Force Professional Courses Plaque, and C1C Aldren Maambong Altamero, 25, of Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, who will get the Gen. Antonio Luna Award. C1Cs Richard Balabag Lonogan, 22, of Sagada, Mountain Province and Marnel Dinihay Fundales, 21, of Leganes, Iloilo occupy the 6th and 7th places, respectively. C1C Glyn Elinor Buansi Marapao, 22, of Lengawan, Buguias, Benguet finished 8th overall and will receive the Navy Professional Courses Plaque. Rounding out the top 10 are C1Cs Ruth Angelique Ricardo Pasos, 22, of Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City and Daryl James Jargalado Ligutan, 24, of Santa Mesa, Manila. Also receiving citations are C1Cs Kimberly Joy Saliw-an Baculi, 25, of Taloctoc, Tanudan, Kalinga, who will get the Athletic Saber Award, the Tactics Group Award and Sports and Physical Development Plaque; Nicolas Crisanto Raguine Gusayko, 21, of Naga City, Camarines Sur, who will also receive the Athletic Saber Award; Geoffrey Ortega Valdez, 24, of Mintal, Davao City, who will receive the Journalism Award; and Jesriel Alvendia Calimag, 22, of Commonwealth, Quezon City, who will get the Chief of Staff Saber Award. The graduating PMA class of 2019 is composed of 190 males and 73 females. Most, or 134 cadets — 99 males and 35 females — will be joining the Philippine Army, while 66 (47 males and 19 females) chose the Philippine Navy and 63 (44 males and 19 females) will go to the Philippine Air Force. DEXTER SEE AND NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

Holdings Corp. In a news briefing, Panelo said it would be up to the two agencies to look into the reports. The DND and the NSA would then give the appropriate response to Duterte, he added. “I suppose the Department of National Defense, as well as the National Security Adviser, are studying that matter. And the President will be waiting for what-

ever recommendation they have on that,” Panelo said. He added that the move of the Foreign Affairs and the Information and Communications Technology departments to raise concerns regarding the matter gave the government more reason to further study the Huawei case. US President Donald Trump earlier declared a “national emergency,” empowering him to blacklist

Morales barred in HK The same government assistance shall be given to each and every Filipino in distress abroad, and this is regardless of political persuasion or affinity,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said. “We will defer to the immigration laws and rules of other countries much as we expect foreign nations to respect our country’s internal rules,” he added. In a text message shared to reporters, Panelo said he called DFA Undersecretary Ernesto Abella and asked him to give assistance to the Moraleses. Panelo added that DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. was in Myanmar, the reason why he asked another official to help.

Morales, who arrived in Manila at 9:30 p.m., said she was not informed why they were denied entry. “I was held for about four hours without explaining any reason,” Morales said upon her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. She said a ranking immigration official apologized to her. She narrated that immigration officials later said that they would allow her to enter Hong Kong but she told them that she would fly back to Manila. She was met at the airport by former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario. In March this year, Morales and del Rosario filed a communication

against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for “implementing a systematic plan to control” the contested South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) and violating the rights of Filipino fishers. Del Rosario and Morales said Xi and other Chinese officials committed crimes that were within the jurisdiction of the ICC. The communication said Xi and other Chinese leaders also committed crimes against humanity through “devastating environmental damage across nations.”

Retaliation Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Mo-

companies seen as “unacceptable risk[s] to the national security of the United States.” The US Commerce department earlier announced a ban on American companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei. US intelligence earlier floated that Huawei was backed by the Chinese military and was being used for espionage. RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

rales must have been barred in “retaliation” for her filing of charges against top Chinese officials. “This is clearly in retaliation for her courageous act of bringing China to court,” Pangilinan said. However, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. slammed the senator for coming up with such conclusion. “How does Francis know that is the reason? Is he the Chief of Executive of Hong Kong? He couldn’t even get the Otso Demento (Otso Diretso) elected and he can now divine what is in the mind of Hong Kong authority?” Locsin said on Twitter. WITH BENJIE L. VERGARA AND BERNADETTE TAMAYO

charged on May 10 by Arvin Valmores, president and chief executive officer of Ardeur World, of misusing the company’s name to organize a beauty tilt in Polangui, Albay last year. Advincula, who allegedly defrauded Ardeur World of over P300,000 by leaving staff salaries and pageant winner prizes unpaid, was ordered by the Justice department to answer the accusation. A subpoena was sent to his last known address in the province of Sorsogon and hearings were set for May 28 and June 4. Advincula made his public debut at the headquarters of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), whose leadership has been criticized for allowing the lawyer’s group to host the press conference. He claimed to have facilitated drug syndicate payoffs to Duterte’s son, former Davao City vice mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, son-inlaw Manases “Mans” Carpio and former presidential aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, among others, and called on the IBP for legal aid. The organization rejected his request, however, and legislators also called off a planned hearing into his claim based on reports that Advincula had previously peddled payoff claims involving former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd and officials of his administration. Advincula’s accusations were made in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” series of videos that were posted online in April. The alleged uploader, Rodel Jayme, was arrested a few days before Advincula surfaced and was charged with inciting to sedition. Jayme, who has said that he was merely hired to set up a website, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday. Jayme, 27, was arraigned on Tuesday before the Parañaque City Regional Trial Court Branch 258. Judge Noemi Balitaan ordered Jayme transferred to the Parañaque City Jail. Jayme underwent inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice after the National Bureau of Investigation recommended the filing of inciting to sedition charges. He admitted to creating the metrobalita.net website, where the series of Youtube clips presented by a hooded man who introduced himself as ‘Bikoy’ were uploaded. JOMAR CANLAS WITH NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

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Watchdogs, anti-crime group file complaint vs Comelec execs Election System Watch spokesman; and Diego Magpantay, Citizens’ Crime Watch president. “Tolentino is administratively liable for at least gross neglect of duty since he is the overall hands-on micromanager of the Comelec Smartmatic preparations for the 13 May 2019 national and local elections,” the complaint stated. “Likewise liable for at least gross neglect of duty is Director James Arthur Jimenez for being a

purveyor of fake news deodorizing the Comelec-Smartmatic stench instead of simply telling the truth to the people,” it added. Comments were not immediately available from most of the accused. Jimenez, for his part, said, “It is their right to do that (file a complaint).” The groups claimed that the Comelec failed in staging public consultations for the Automated Election System Law’s implementing rules and also

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‘China’s most destructive but in Scarborough they are using tubes hooked up to engines to extract clams, which local fishers claim is a destructive practice that spreads sediment. “This appears to be an adaptation of a tactic employed by salvagers whereby a high-pressure pump creates enough suction to remove sediment from the seabed,” AMTICMSS said, adding that “it is clear that Chinese authorities are aware

of and condoning these environmentally destructive practices.” Broadcast network ABS-CBN, it noted, has filmed the Chinese Coast Guard maintaining a constant presence at Scarborough Shoal, previously administered by the Philippines but now occupied by China in 2012. Imagery from Dec. 7, 2018 and March 8, 2019 show evidence of new scarring at Scarborough,

v i o l a t e d p r o c u r e m e n t l aws when it “gave Smartmatic a monopoly in 2019.” “No bidding was done for the 2013, 2016, 2019 elections,” they said. The groups also said the complaint also stemmed from glitches that marred last week’s midterm polls, which allegedly showed that the Comelec had failed to establish contingency measures. The poll body has said the 961 vote counting machines that mal-

functioned and the 1,665 Secure Digital cards that were corrupted constituted just a small portion of the system. More alarming to observers, however, were a sevenhour gap in the transmission of early results, data discrepancies and the reported use of a “meetme-room” server to initially handle precinct counts. In their complaint, the groups said, “The latest electoral disaster, which mainstream media downplay as [a] ‘glitch,’ is

perhaps the worst… in terms of machine malfunctions that appear intentional-pretendingto-be-accidental.” They also threatened to file impeachment complaints against the poll body’s chairman and commissioners once Congress convenes in July. Galvez claimed that they had already secured the support of incoming House of Representatives lawmakers. CATHERINE A. MODESTO

which was already damaged from earlier clam harvesting up to 2016. With the Spratly Islands, meanwhile, AMTI-CSIS said it had not found clear evidence of renewed harvesting. It pointed out, however, that “on April 7, during the same period that Chinese maritime militia vessels were clustering around Philippineoccupied Loaita (Kota) Island and Loita Cay, a mothership and a number of small boats were present at nearby Lankiam (Panata) Cay.” “The mothership was about 20 me-

ters long while those seen at Bombay Reef are typically closer to 30 meters, but the smaller boats are roughly the same dimensions,” it added. While the absence of new scarring at Lankiam Cay would have indicated that no clam harvesting had taken place, AMTI-CSIS warned that the new methods being used at Scarborough “suggest that documenting the activities of these Chinese fleets has become more difficult.” “Unlike the prop scarring on shallow reef surfaces, destruction caused by high-pressure water

pumps used in deeper waters is unlikely to be visible in satellite imagery,” it added. “That suggests that for every clam harvesting operation that is documented in the South China Sea, others will go unnoticed. But with tens of thousands of acres of reef surface already damaged or destroyed and fish stocks teetering on the brink of collapse, the effects of this wanton destruction of the marine environment will be felt across the region.” NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS AND RAFFY AYENG

News Robredo rejects Pangilinan quit bid Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

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BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND CATHERINE VALENTE

EN. Francis â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kikoâ&#x20AC;? Pangilinan has resigned as president of the Liberal Party (LP) for his apparent failure to help the Otso Diretso opposition Senate slate win in the May 13 midterm elections. Rep. Jose Christopher â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kitâ&#x20AC;? Belmonte also resigned as LP secretary general. However, Vice President Maria Leonora â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leniâ&#x20AC;? Robredo, LP chairman, did not accept their resignation.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The VP has not accepted Sen. Kikoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Cong[ressman] Kitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resignations. Much work remains to be done, and they will do it together,â&#x20AC;? Barry Gutierrez, her spokesman, said in a statement. Pangilinan, in a statement is-

sued on Monday, said he took â&#x20AC;&#x153;full responsibility for the results of the national elections, which saw the opposition slate Otso Diretso suffer a complete shutout.â&#x20AC;? The candidates were reelectionist Sen. Paolo Benigno â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bamâ&#x20AC;? Aquino 4th, Rep. Gary Alejano, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chelâ&#x20AC;? Diokno, civic leader Samira Gutoc, election lawyer Romulo â&#x20AC;&#x153;Romyâ&#x20AC;? Macalintal, former Rep. Lorenzo â&#x20AC;&#x153;Erinâ&#x20AC;? Tanada, and former senator Manuel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marâ&#x20AC;? Roxas 2nd. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As campaign manager for the

Otso Diretso slate, I was unable to ensure our victory in the elections and I, therefore, assume full responsibility for the outcome and hold myself primarily accountable for this defeat and have tendered my resignation as president of the LP effective June 30, 2019,â&#x20AC;? Pangilinan said. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he was â&#x20AC;&#x153;deeply saddenedâ&#x20AC;? by Pangilinanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to give up his post. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We did not expect it, especially in times like this when we need a steady hand to lead the party alongside Vice President Leni Ro-

bredo. We are witness on how Sen. Pangilinan worked very hard and diligently to campaign for Otso Diretso candidates. Unfortunately, we lost,â&#x20AC;? Drilon said. M a l a c a Ăą a n g l a u d e d Pa n gilinanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commendable. He accepts defeat,â&#x20AC;? Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said. Panelo said the opposition candidates lost because the people did not believe in them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sa amin, kaya natalo sila dahil ang taumbayan hindi naniwala sa kanila. Mas naniwala kay Presidente [Rodrigo] Duterte (For us, they

lost because the people did not believe in them. They believed in President Duterte),â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a referendum of the performance of this President. They didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t raise the issue against the candidates endorsed by the President or Mayor Sara, but they concentrated and focused on the performance of the President and the issues raised against him. And the people simply repudiated them,â&#x20AC;? he added, referring to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who heads the administration-backed regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

Passage of ROTC bill Duterte never pressured SC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bersamin cheered, jeered MALACAĂ&#x2018;ANG on Tuesday welcomed the passage of a bill that SEEKS TO MAKE THE 2ESERVE /FkCERS Training Corps (ROTC) program mandatory for grades 11 and 12 students in public and private schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good news. The President wants that passed,â&#x20AC;? Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said IN A NEWS BRIEkNG The House of Representatives approved the measure on Monday. If passed into law, the bill would establish a mandatory two-year basic ROTC program for all senior high school students. President Duterte has repeatedly called for mandatory ROTC training, saying the program would help prepare young Filipinos to defend the country during wartime. The ROTC, was made optional in 2002 following the death of Mark Chua, a University of Sto. Tomas student. He was allegedly SLAIN BY COURSE OFkCERS AFTER EXPOSing fund mismanagement. However, lawmakers belonging to the Makabayan bloc in the House opposed the bill saying it was â&#x20AC;&#x153;anti-student.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The passage of this measure

and the institutionalization of the mandatory ROTC for senior high will only expose the youth to more harassment in their schools,â&#x20AC;? ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Proponents of the bill insist that having mandatory ROTC will instill nationalism in the youth yet they swiftly removed subjects on Philippine history and Philippine literature in the curriculum. Mandatory ROTC will not teach the youth love of country, instead it would teach them how to be blind followers and discourage critical thinking,â&#x20AC;? Tinio said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We reiterate our call to abolish ROTC. In these times where no less than the president espouses and practices misogyny and fascism, it is dangerous for the Filipino youth to be exposed to such a program,â&#x20AC;? ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago said making ROTC mandatory would spell another round of expenses for students. Elago said a mandatory ROTC would â&#x20AC;&#x153;instill a false sense of nationalism based on blind obedience and discipline.â&#x20AC;? CATHERINE S. VALENTE

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte never exerted any pressure on the Supreme Court (SC) at any time, Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said on Tuesday. Bersamin said the President never swayed or tried to influence the tribunal in deciding cases. Bersamin was the guest of honor during the Joint General

ed seven associate justices in the high court. In November 2018, he appointed Bersamin as chief justice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now, as far as the incumbent President is concerned, he will get the opportunity to appoint so many of them. But, as far as I am concerned, I have not experienced any doubt where I stood. You have here 15 independent-minded people who talk about cases and when you

Q Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin

Duterte reappears after a weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s absence PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte reappeared in public on Tuesday after a week of absence and amid persistent rumors that he was ill. Duterte welcomed Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng, who presented his credentials to the President in MalacaĂąang. In his speech, the President apologized to Ruangprateepsaeng for being two minutes late. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure that you would learn so many things along the way. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a hard time. We are similar in all things including our desire to have a peaceful SOUTHEAST 0ACIkC REGION u HE SAID Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prolonged absence from the public eye has fueled speculations about his health. On Sunday, rumors swirled that the 0RESIDENT WAS CONkNED AT THE #ARDINAL Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, the same hospital where he underwent endoscopy last year. MalacaĂąang denied the rumors, but it was not clear whether Duterte underwent a medical check-up. The President was last seen in public on May 13, when he cast his vote and en-

Membership Meeting of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and Judicial Reform Initiative (JRI) in Makati City. Duterte has appoint-

tertained some questions from the media in Davao City. )N A PRESS BRIEkNG ON 4UESDAY 0ALACE spokesman Salvador Panelo maintained that Duterte did not hide matters concerning his health. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The President is very transparent on his health condition. During the presidential campaign, he was already telling us na matanda na siya. Lahat ng sakit nang ganoong edad, meron siya (that he is old. He has the ailments of people his age). And then when he assumed the presidency, sinabi na niya, inisa-isa niya yung sakit niya (he enumerated all his illnesses),â&#x20AC;? Panelo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In other words, kung talagang serious (if there is anything serious about his health), he would tell us,â&#x20AC;? he added. Last year, the President said he underwent a medical checkup to examine a â&#x20AC;&#x153;growthâ&#x20AC;? found in his digestive tract. The President previously revealed that he has Buergerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease, a condition that causes constriction of the blood vessels due to nicotine. He had also admitted to having a misaligned spine as result of a motorcycle accident years ago. CATHERINE S. VALENTE

get a majority it is very democratic, it does not point back to the office in MalacaĂąang to account the number of votes it might get either way,â&#x20AC;? the chief justice said. The chief justice added that he could not think of any period when the Supreme Court was under the control of the President. He admitted, however, that â&#x20AC;&#x153;there was another time in history that [it was] the general perception and it was warranted.â&#x20AC;? He said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed more than 20 justices under her watch. But she did not control these appointees and some of them even turned against her. Bersamin assured the public that the high court shall remain independent and would decide on cases based on the merits. He said justices must be â&#x20AC;&#x153;swift and fair.â&#x20AC;? Under his watch, Bersamin said the tribunal would stay â&#x20AC;&#x153;faithful to the oath that we all took and that there would be no scandal.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would be serving our objective of ridding the judiciary of UNkT AND MISkT JUSTICES OR JUDGES u he added. JOMAR CANLAS

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;GLOBAL SEA LEVEL RISE TO DISPLACE MILLIONSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; WASHINGTON: Global sea levels could rise by two meters (6.5 feet) and displace tens of millions of people by the end of the century, according to new projections that double the UNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benchmark estimates. The vast ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica contain enough frozen water to lift the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oceans dozens of meters. The expansion of water as oceans warm also contributes to sea level rise. But predicting the rates at which they will melt as the planet heats is notoriously tricky. The United Nationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said its 2013 Fifth Assessment Report that under current emissions trajectories â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a â&#x20AC;&#x153;business-as-usualâ&#x20AC;? scenario known as RCP8.5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; would likely rise by up to one meter by 2100. That prediction has since been viewed as conservative, as the levels of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise year on year, and satellites showing accelerated rates of melt-off from massive ice sheets atop Antarctica and Greenland. A group of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading ice scientists this week released a expert judgement on the situation, drawing on their own experience and obser-

vations. While there was still a significant margin of error, they found it â&#x20AC;&#x153;plausibleâ&#x20AC;? that under the business-as-usual emissions scenario, sea-level rises could exceed two meters by 2100. The authors said the area of land lost to the ocean could be equivalent to that of France, Germany, Spain and Britain combined and would displace more than 180 million people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A sea-level rise of this magnitude would clearly have profound consequences for humanity,â&#x20AC;? they said.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The true risksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Paris climate deal, struck between nations in 2015, aims to limit global temperature rises to well below two degrees Celsius (3.6 Farenheit), and encourages countries to work towards a 1.5 C cap. In October the IPCC released a landmark climate report that called for a drastic and immediate drawdown in coal, oil and gas consumption in order to arrest the rapid rise in the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That report, however, did not include revised estimates of sea level rise.

Earth has already heated 1 C since pre-industrial times, contributing roughly 3 mm to sea levels each year. The authors of the new study, released Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, argue that the IPCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sea-level rise prediction was too constrained by focusing on what was â&#x20AC;&#x153;likelyâ&#x20AC;? to happen. At wider probabilities â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 5-95 percent likelihood â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they found that under 2 C of warming seas could rise 36-126 cm by 2100. In world that has warmed by 5 C â&#x20AC;&#x201D; unlikely but certainly not impossible given projected fossil fuel demand in the coming decades â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they calculated a five percent risk of sea levels surpassing two meters higher, topping out at 238 cm. Willy Aspinall, from the University of Bristolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Earth Sciences, said he hoped the study could provide policymakers with a more accurate worst-case scenario â&#x20AC;&#x153;crucial for robust decision making.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Limiting attention to the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;likelyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; range, as was the case in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, may be misleading and will likely lead to a poor evaluation of the true risks,â&#x20AC;? he added. AFP

Summary settlement of estate Dear PAO, My parents died and left a threedoor apartment to me and my two siblings. They had no debts, and they did not prepare any last will and testament. Can we divide the property without going to the court? Enteng Dear Enteng, The law that addresses your situation is Section 1, Rule 74 of the Rules of Court: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Section 1. Extrajudicial settlement by agreement between

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA heirs. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; If the decedent left no will and no debts and the heirs are all of age, or the minors are represented by their judicial or legal representatives duly authorized for the purpose, the parties may, without securing letters of administration, divide

the estate among themselves as THEY SEE kT BY MEANS OF A PUBLIC INSTRUMENT kLED IN THE OFkCE OF the register of deeds, and should they disagree, they may do so in an ordinary action of partition. If there is only one heir, he may adjudicate to himself the entire ESTATE BY MEANS OF AN AFkDAVIT kLED IN THE OFkCE OF THE REGISTER OF deeds. The parties to an extrajudicial settlement, whether by public instrument or by stipulation in a pending action for partition, or the sole heir who adjudicates the entire estate to himself by means

OF AN AFkDAVIT SHALL kLE SIMULTAneously with and as a condition PRECEDENT TO THE kLING OF THE PUBlic instrument, or stipulation in the action for partition, or of the AFkDAVIT IN THE OFkCE OF THE REGISter of deeds, a bond with the said register of deeds, in an amount equivalent to the value of the personal property involved as cerTIkED TO UNDER OATH BY THE PARTIES concerned and conditioned upon the payment of any just claim THAT MAY BE kLED UNDER 3ECTION of this rule. It shall be presumed that the decedent left no debts

IF NO CREDITOR kLES A PETITION FOR letters of administration within two years after the death of the decedent.â&#x20AC;? (Emphasis supplied) It is clear from the abovementioned provisions that if the deceased left an estate without debt, and last will and testament, and the heirs are of legal ages, they can divide the property among themselves through a public instrument registered in the Registry of Deeds. However, if the heirs DISAGREE THEY CAN kLE AN ORDINARY action of partition in the court. Thus, in your case, you can divide

the property among yourselves through a public instrument to BE kLED IN THE 2EGISTRY OF $EEDS We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public AtTORNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net

Opinion

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

E d i to r i a l

The outgoing Senateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parting gifts to PH

N its last days before adjourning to make way for the 18th Congress, the Senate passed a number of measures that have not been given much attention by the media or the public, but should provide a numBER OF BENEkTS TO THE COUNTRY 4HE TWO MOST SIGNIkCANT OF THESE ARE (OUSE "ILL (" 8730, which requires state universities and colleges (SUCs) to implement land use and infrastructure plans, and HB 7785, which will establish a framework for national performing arts companies. Both of these measures will become law once they are signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. HB 8730 should be a welcome law because it will oblige SUCs to make productive use of the large amounts of idle property many of them hold. The infrastructure plans for SUCs to develop will include housing for students and employees, in response to a trend of low-income students being forced to drop out of school due to the high cost of room and board. HB 7785 is a partial response to the lack of active government support to performing arts companies, which is needed to help preserve the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural heritage. This will improve cultural and art education IN THE COUNTRY AS WELL AS RAISE THE PROkLE OF OUR UNIQUE artistic heritage before the rest of the world. Several other important measures passed by the Senate will also require passage by the House of Representatives. Senate Bill (SB) 1571 will permit employers to OFFER lEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS TO THE WORKERS 3" 2065 allows for the creation of judges-at-large, and SB 1983 seeks to create the Philippine Space Agency and a comprehensive space development program. 3" WILL ALLOW lEXIBILITY IN WORKING SCHEDULES INCLUDing â&#x20AC;&#x153;compressedâ&#x20AC;? work weeks such as four-day schedules. 3EN *OEL 6ILLANUEVA WHO SPONSORED THE BILL HIGHLIGHTED ITS importance in helping workers reduce commuting expenses and better balance their work and personal lives. 3" INTENDS TO PROVIDE SOME lEXIBILITY FOR THE judiciary through the creation of judgeships that are NOT TIED TO SPECIkC JURISDICTIONS 4HIS WILL ALLOW THE overworked and undermanned court system to better manage caseload because judges can be sent to areas where they are needed most. !ND kNALLY 3" SPONSORED BY OUTGOING 3EN Paolo Benigno â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bamâ&#x20AC;? Aquino 4th, will help to advance Philippine capabilities in science and research by creating the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). The idea that the country should invest in space science may seem unrealistic to some people, but there are a number of BENEkTS THAT CAN BE GAINED FROM IT !CCESS TO SATELLITES will help to improve weather monitoring and prediction, disaster management and land use management. It will also help to improve science and technology education in the country by making partnerships with researchers and agencies in other countries easier. The incoming Congress, which will begin work on July 22 this year, should be urged to consider these Senate measures FAVORABLY .OT ONLY ARE THEY BENEkCIAL TO THE COUNTRY THEY WILL also enable Congress to â&#x20AC;&#x153;hit the ground running.â&#x20AC;? Having given candidates allied with or supportive of the Duterte administration, the Filipino people have signaled their expectations of progress. Starting with the work left to them by the outgoing Senate is an easy way for the incoming legislators to validate the faith of the voters. ~

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 221

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL S. MALLARI, Sports Editor DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD, Motoring Editor CONRAD M. CARIĂ&#x2018;O, Special Sections Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY, Assistant Business Editor MARIO F. FETALINO, Assistant Business Editor REMIA B. EUGENIO, Deskman (Regions) MARISHELLE R. MEDINA, Deskman JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net XXX NBOJMBUJNFT OFU t F NBJM OFXTEFTL!NBOJMBUJNFT OFU Letters to the Editor 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.

2019 elections assessment: Worst!

AME old song, Comelec has declared the 2019 automated elections successful! That was heard for the nth time and AES Watch was not surprised. On the contrary, AES Watch says otherwise. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be objective and figure out the scorecard prepared by the election watchdog. There were several AES Watch meetings convened at the University of the Philippines three months before the 2019 elections to rate the overall performance of the Comelec in the implementation of the automated election system (AES) law in the 2019 national and local elections (NLEs). The Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG), being the steering head of AES Watch, adopted the same grading sheet used in past poll exercises by classifying the critical major points that Comelec should have taken into serious consideration. The scorecard is called system transparency, accountability and readiness (STAR) card. Presiding at the meetings, professor Temario C. Rivera, CenPEG board chair and co-convener of AES Watch, explained that the scoring was from â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;? to â&#x20AC;&#x153;3â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 3 being the passing score or deemed compliant with the AES law (RA 9369). Under transparency are 16 criteria

but there were several cases of LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S IRREGULARITIES IN /!6 WHEREIN voters found out that the FACE IT! the votes reflected in their respective 660!4S WERE NOT THE SAME AS what they shaded in the ballots. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Comelec Advisory Council or that Comelec had to pass, to wit: CAC (Section 9.1), â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;?: The CAC, â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Guidelines in implementing headed then by Secretary Salalima the AES (Section 37), â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;?: The of the DICT, recommended mixed implementing rules and regula- technologies in 2017 but Comelec tions (IRR) shall direct Comelec did not yield to this. on how to implement the AES â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Field testing and mock elections law like the correct application of (Section 11.1), â&#x20AC;&#x153;2â&#x20AC;?: Kontra Daya obBEIs and BOCsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; digital signatures, served that there were transmission source code review, continuity problems and ballot jamming. plan, etc. Since the IRR has not â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Audit of security controls been promulgated since 1997, it 3ECTION g u 0RO 6 6 resulted in wrong interpretations audited the AES, though thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of the provisions of the law. To none in their report about the clarify, in oral arguments at the actual test of digital signing. Supreme Court before the 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Continuity plan (Section elections, the Comelec argued 13), â&#x20AC;&#x153;1â&#x20AC;?: In its meeting on April that 1) the ballot itself is the voter 8, the technical working group VERIkED PAPER AUDIT TRAIL 660!4 of the JCOC was advised by the or voterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s receipt; and 2) the use technical evaluation committee of machine digital signatures has (TEC), headed by DoST, that they been the right digital signing for would submit the continuity BEIs and BOCs. plan to Comelec, but that never â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Joint congressional over- happened. Besides, there was no sight committee (JCOC) evalu- news published by Comelec in at ation of technologies used least two newspaper of national and recommended technology circulation and no posting at (Section 33), â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;?: Not done their website regarding the said yet since 2010. It is Comelecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan at least 15 days prior to elecresponsibility to support JCOC tions. No copies were furnished in its major decision-making. to political parties and other Â&#x2021; 660!4 3ECTIONS E AND stakeholders. The only consola6n), â&#x20AC;&#x153;2â&#x20AC;?: This was implemented tion was the promulgation of

NELSON CELIS

Comelec Resolution 10497 defining the contingency measures on what to do or say when the 6#- MALFUNCTIONED â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Completion of equipment test participated by political parties, citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arm groups and candidates/ reps participation in examination and testing of AES equipment source code review (Section 14), â&#x20AC;&#x153;1â&#x20AC;?: The local source code review has not been completed. In the same meeting on April 8, the reviewers raised so many issues that the Comelec has not addressed yet. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; SD cards should be strictly write-once-read-many (WORM), â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;?: One of the two 3$ CARDS OF 6#-S IS 7/2- Hence, data stored in the primary SD card containing the election returns (ERs) may be corrupted. The TOR about the use of WORMs can be traced as far back as the 2010 elections. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Fake ballot detection (Section 15), â&#x20AC;&#x153;2â&#x20AC;?: QR codes are used in the ballots but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best if such ARE USED IN THE 660!4S AND %2S to ensure no padding of votes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Integrity of databases, â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;?: This is not in the law, but we had bad experiences of having the wrong number of registered voters (i.e., 256 million in NBOC-Batasan and 150 million in NBOC-PICC) in the 2010 elections when in fact that there were

ÂłCelisA5

Chel Diokno stirred ourÂ dormant civic virtue

OSE Manuel Diokno, the former law dean pushed into a doomed senatorial run because very few would dare run, lacks the gravitas of his late father, Ka Pepe Diokno. 4HE LATE +A 0EPE WAS A kGURE LIKE the wartime Churchill â&#x20AC;&#x201D; people marched to the purity and utter selflessness of his summons. Of those opposed to Marcos, the deposed president made suffering under Martial Law hardest for two men â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ninoy Aquino and Pepe Diokno. Despots loathed those whom they cannot break, those who would not capitulate. Aquino or Diokno? Diokno or Aquino? Which one he loathed â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or feared â&#x20AC;&#x201D; most was a secret Marcos carried to his grave. Marcos was fully aware he could not co-opt either one. Chel Diokno, the son, is not THE TOWERING kGURE HIS FATHER WAS Yet, in 2019, the calm, at times awkward presence of the young Diokno on the campaign trail, including his occasional descent into mushiness, remains one of the most electrifying moments of that campaign. The oppositionminded voters wrote Bam Aquinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name because of a statistical probability. They wrote the name Chel Diokni because of a leap of faith, that somehow writing that NAME WOULD BE THE kRST STEP IN REdeeming the country. That somehow, slivers of light would break out to bring gusts of radiance in a political landscape populated by haters and trolls, (canned) verbal

for different reasons altogether. The post-loss paeans to Diokno were an amalgam of loss and hope â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but mostly about hope. That a good fight was fought. That the next chapter of an elevated political awareness will pitchforks at the ready against make them better campaigners anybody pitching the virtues of a three years from now. That lesfunctioning democracy. sons were learned. And this: three For some, there was even a years from now, it will be differmethod to the shading exercise. ent. That, indeed, there would be In my case, I shaded Dioknoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s light after this darkness. NAME kRST FOLLOWED BY THE NAMES Instead of gloom and doom, OF THE kVE IN THE ,ABOR7IN COALI- frustrations and playing the blame tion. Diokno, this was my hope, game, those who shaded the name would carry out the foundational of Chel Diokno are already giddy work for the rule of law, temper ex- about the next electoral battle they ecutive overreach, prop up the will face. There is certainty and rechecks and balances, guarantee the solve about this sense of hope and freedom of expression and shrine optimism. The slivers of dormant the Bill of Rights and individual civic virtue stirred by the candidacy freedoms. And many other legisla- of Chel Diokno are his greatest tive imperatives as well. Like any contribution to the campaign. lawyer with a fundamental sense He lost on the count, but the of justice and fairness. millions who otherwise were not In that environment, the sena- even aware that this low-key law tors from the labor coalition dean existed see a political future would be able to pass laws on pregnant with many possibilities. living wages, the right to orgaThe seed that a politics led nize and bargain collectively, or by one who is just and learned probably raise the ante further and predisposed to humility â&#x20AC;&#x201D; create spaces for workers in has been planted. Whether or the corporate boards. not Chel Diokno would be in Only in a truly functioning and the next campaign is not even fair democracy can workers and material. There is now a defarmers (the proletariat and the sire â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a lusting even â&#x20AC;&#x201D; among peasantry) and their basic rights many of the young for a leader thrive. Of course, that was the in that mold. But if he were to voting contest of an old man. The take up after his late father, Chel young shaded the name of Diokno Diokno, following the hopes of

MIDWEEK COMMENTS MARLEN V. RONQUILLO

2019, would not completely lock HIMSELF UP IN THE CONkNES OF THE Wilsonian academe â&#x20AC;&#x201D; insulated from the outside world, working from a perch unmoved by the tumult of the mainstream. The wokeness, post-election, is liberating. That peddled idea that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Build, Build, Buildâ&#x20AC;? is the hope of the 21st century is shattered. 4HE lIMlAM MAN WHO SPEAKS for the President, and whose illkTTING SUITS USED TO BE APPRAISED as signs of Savile Row sophistication, has unraveled. There is now a thirsting for well-framed sentences, civic discourse without the expletives, political debate without the demonization. The young who used to trade political involvement for the GDP figures and six months of work now realize that GDP growth and contractual jobs are not the end-all and be-all of a country, the sum of its aspirations. Three years, in this time and age, is the equivalent of a lifetime. But this fact remains. In the post-election tributes to Chel Diokno, no one wrote of the former law dean as a memory. Every article and blog was framed in the present and the future, an active, current and future endeavor. Three years from now, Chel Diokno, now wiser from his 2019 battle scars, might still be in the political trenches, the Pied Piper of an entire generation voting for a period of political enlightenment.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

Q AQUINO FROM A1

CHR head Gascon should be impeached A Liberal Party stalwart, Gascon has been using his position to spread lies to the world about the country, in effect claiming that Filipinos are afraid, immoral, or stupid that they have allowed their government to undertake massive human rights abuses and even applaud the Duterte regime. While impeachment is unforTUNATELY THE ONLY OFkCIAL WAY TO remove Gascon since the CHR is a constitutional body, we cannot allow Gascon to spread for another three years his lies about the country. Instead of championing human rights in the Philippines, which is the CHRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s constitutionally assigned task, he has used his post to spread lies about the country to the world. I realized, and was shocked at the damage Gascon has been doing to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s image when even a moronic New York-based comedian peddled Gascon and the Yellowsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lies in a recent stand-up comedy skit. The comedian claimed: â&#x20AC;&#x153;According to the Commission on Human 2IGHTS SINCE $UTERTE TOOK OFkCE in 2016, the death toll from extrajudicial killings (EJKs) is 27,000, which is horrific.â&#x20AC;? That means, the comedian claimed, that more people were killed here in 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x153;than in Iraq, Somalia or the Democratic Republic of Congo.â&#x20AC;?

Opinion

the article reported: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chito Gascon, the chairman of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights, said the toll could be as high as 27,000.â&#x20AC;? Wow. Does Gascon have any proof for this estimate? Nothing. None at all. What got my goat is that a few sentences after citing that â&#x20AC;&#x153;horRIkCu kGURE AND QUOTING THE NEWS website Rappler as declaring that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;EJKsâ&#x20AC;? represent the â&#x20AC;&#x153;worst human rights crisis in the Philippines since the 1970s and 1980s,â&#x20AC;? the comedian says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;And this is more shocking: As the body count rises, so does Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popularity. According to a recent poll, Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval rating is 81 percent.â&#x20AC;?

Immoral

He explains this: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of Filipinos support Duterte because he cuts taxes, provides free college tuition, and builds infrastructure.â&#x20AC;? This asshole comedianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s implication is clear: Filipinos are immoral, THEY DON T CARE ABOUT HORRIkC KILLings as long as they are bribed. Gasconâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kind of lies of course wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have spread without such strident anti-Duterte journalists as Maria Ressa, head of news WEBSITE 2APPLER THAT kRST EXAGgerated the casualties in Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s war against illegal drugs as early as September 2017, and Sheila Coronel of Columbia University. Bloody The dynamics of opinion-makYep, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how bad the Yellows and ing in the US is that its media swaltheir US-funded local journalists lows hook, line and sinker reports have depicted the situation in our by people whom they consider as country. That weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re such a bloody â&#x20AC;&#x153;one of their own," and in their place worse than those countries laziness (or because they cover so many other countries), they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wracked by civil wars for years. I initially couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe the bother to fact-check reports of #(2 WOULD CLAIM THAT kGURE SO â&#x20AC;&#x153;their people.â&#x20AC;? After all, in their I checked the article from which newsrooms, the Philippines is that comedian got that informa- just one of the many countries tion. According to the screen that they report on. That is, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a accompanied his skit, it was the newspaper editor here, would you respected British newspaper The spend time and resources to check Guardian in a Dec. 19, 2018 article. for instance if the New York Timesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The article was titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reports on Venezuela are accurate? Philippines drug war death toll risRessa was a CNN reporter es above 5,000,â&#x20AC;? which was about with expertise on the Abu Sayyaf the Philippine Drug Enforcement for a decade until she was given Agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report that 5,050 sus- the pink slip when she allegedly pected criminals involved in illegal couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deliver after she was drugs were killed in gun battles stationed in Indonesia. It was with law enforcers from July 2016 Rappler which first padded the to November 2018. number of drug personalities Buried down in the piece though, killed, claiming that from July

2016 to January 2017 these amounted to 7,080.

Misinterpretation While that number was the result of a gross misinterpretation, probably deliberately made, of official reports (it included other homicide cases which were not related to the anti-drug campaign), and even after I in a column and the police itself incontrovertibly showed how it was false, Rappler has not corrected it to this day. It was Rapplerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s false 7,080 figure that the Yellows, especially Vice President Leni Robredo, repeated again and again in Hitlerian fashion to be believed by the Western press. They then used this false figure of 7,080 as the EJKs in one year of Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anti-drug war, and multiplied it by over three times for the period from July 2016 to 2018 to come up with that 27,000 figure Gascon claimed to the Guardian . Coronel headed the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) that was bankrolled by the Ford Foundation, George Sorosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Open Society, and the US State Department through the National Endowment for Democracy. She moved to the US in 2006 to become the director of The Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism at Columbia University, and in 2014 became the academic dean of its Graduate School of Journalism. Coronel helped the propagation of the grossly padded figures on the deaths resulting from Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anti-drug war when she wrote in the journal Democracyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s June 2017 edition that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the drug war, which Duterte officially launched on his first day in office, has claimed the lives of as many as 9,000 suspected drug dealers and users.â&#x20AC;? If you were an editor of the New York Times or the Washington Post , would you doubt the report of a dean at the journalism school of Columbia University, considered by many as the best for that profession? Well I did, and asked Coronel in July 2017 through Facebook Messenger where she got that

Q CELIS FROM A4

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Random manual audit (RMA) of vote counts (Section 29), â&#x20AC;&#x153;1â&#x20AC;?: Comelec Resolution 10458 was promulgated. Namfrel had requested relevant information to conduct a better and SCIENTIkC METHODOLOGY IN HANDLING 2-! WHICH the Comelec declined; hence, Namfrel withdrew its participation as a citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arm of Comelec in performing the RMA. Even AES Watch had a Skype meeting with Kathy Dopp, an RMA expert in the US, who said that the sample size should be raised from 700 to 2,500 for real accuracy. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Source codes of EMS, VCM and CCS are kept in escrow with BSP (Sections 11.4 and14), â&#x20AC;&#x153;1â&#x20AC;?: The local source code review was not completed. For readiness: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Precinct assignment of voters/Election Day computerized voters lists, â&#x20AC;&#x153;2â&#x20AC;?: There were incidents of voters who just went home when they were unable to locate their precincts or could not find their names in the precincts. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Precinct-specific ballots, â&#x20AC;&#x153;3â&#x20AC;?: Done. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Training of election personnel BEIs and BOCs (Section 3), â&#x20AC;&#x153;3â&#x20AC;?: Done. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Stakeholders education and training (Section 31), â&#x20AC;&#x153;3â&#x20AC;?: Done. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Operationalization of a continuity plan (Section 11.6), â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;?: None. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Efficiency of AES components and paraphernalia at voting and canvassing centers (e.g., marking pens, SD cards, VCMs, CCSs, electronic transmissions and technical support), â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;?: Lots of problems encountered in 2019 elections related to corrupted SD cards, marking pens, and defective VCMs. Hence, the AES Watch overall STAR card assessment of 2019 elections was â&#x20AC;&#x153;1â&#x20AC;? (Fail). This is similar to the past elections except that we experienced the worst so far based on the sheer number of technical problems, especially the mysterious seven-hour lull between May 13, 6 p.m. to May 14, 1 a.m. For the 2022 presidential elections, AES Watch recommends a hybrid technology, where public counting (i.e., pure manual or computer-aided) is done in the precincts, while electronic transmission and consolidation, and canvassing would remain automated.

Renowned Coronel didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reply when I asked her why a supposedly renowned investigative journalist LIKE HER WOULDN T kRST INVESTIGATE IF THESE gNEWS REPORTS u kGURE WAS accurate before reporting it in her article. She didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t clarify to that JOURNAL THAT HER kGURE WAS based on biased sources. In 2018 though, Columbia Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism which Coronel formerly headed, bankrolled a joint project of the Ateneo and La Salle universities called the Drug Archive, intended to document the casualties in the anti-drug campaign by compiling media reports on individual killings. The Archive reported in its website that there were 5,021 drug-related deaths from news reports between May 10, 2016 and Sept. 29, 2017â&#x20AC;&#x201D;nearly half of the 9,000 drug-related EJKs Coronel reported in June 2017. The Archive couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even say how many of those 5,021 were killed in firefights with the police or were found in the streets with the murderers unknown. I emailed last month this Drug Archive (drugarchive.ph@gmail. com) to ask them if I could take a look at their data bank, which they had boasted about. No reply at all. These university people obviously donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know the meaning of an â&#x20AC;&#x153;archive,â&#x20AC;? which is a place where records are kept, which anybody can access, not just their people.

Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ gmail.com Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao Twitter: @bobitiglao Book orders: www.rigobertotiglao.com/debunked

As the phraseology of the second paragraph of Section 4, Article VI stands, that means 12 years of orating, perorating, grandstanding (or watching cluelessly in silence!) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and then it is over. But the same phraseology is used in respect to members of the House of Representatives: â&#x20AC;&#x153;No member of the House of Representatives shall serve for more than three consecutive terms.â&#x20AC;? Again, if one goes by the words of the law (the rule of verba legis) there should not be much of a problem: After three consecutive terms, no one may serve as congressman or congresswoman. However, in the 2002 consolidated cases of Socrates v. Comelec, Sandoval v. Comelec and Adovo v. Comelec, the Supreme Court turned to the records of the Constitutional Commission and found clear statements of the intent of the framers to exclude election after three consecutive terms (on the part of congressmen) or two consecutive terms (on the part of senators), but not after a â&#x20AC;&#x153;rest period.â&#x20AC;? It should then be possible for a senator who has already had two terms in the Upper House to run for a third term, provided that there is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;rest periodâ&#x20AC;? after two consecutive terms. This brings the problem of the role of the judiciary to the fore. Some decry what they discern to be the Supreme Court in effect rewriting the Constitution. The accusation is not completely JUSTIkED BECAUSE THE RECORDS OF the drafting commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debates quite clearly suggest that the framers did intend to allow a candidate who had already sat in the Senate chamber for two consecutive terms ANOTHER GO AT THE OFkCE PROVIDED that it did not come in the heels of two consecutive terms. But the terms of the Constitution itself do not offer any space that would allow for the introduction of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;rest period.â&#x20AC;? Had that been intended, the draftsmanship could have been more felicitous and less ambivalent: â&#x20AC;&#x153;No senator shall serve for more than two terms consecutively.â&#x20AC;? Then, the intendment would have been more easily discernible â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the fact that such a rather facile formulation was available but not resorted to

returns us to the problem of what the framers really intended. Above anything else, this conundrum makes clear that legal formalism does not have all the answers, not because the rules of validity are questionable, but because the premises are ambivalent. And the ambivalence of what should otherwise be straightforward provisions of the Constitution is the result of the intrusion of policy. Now, is that sound? Is that keeping within the bounds of justiciability? While we need not take the extreme position of the critical legal studies movement, THE FACT IS THAT POLICY DOES kND ITS way into decisions of the Supreme Court. In the case of the terms of members of Congress, it is supposedly the same policy as that of the Constitutional Commission: achieving that delicate balance between respecting peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choices (and refraining from truncating them unduly by term limits) and the avoidance of concentrating power in entrenched persons. But the manner that a constitutional court engages policy will be different from the way the legislature does. When a court introduces policy choices into its judgments and resolutions, it must do so within the vesture of â&#x20AC;&#x153;legalityâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; there must, in other words, be some â&#x20AC;&#x153;legal pretextâ&#x20AC;? for the policy decision, and in this case, the pretext is the recourse to textual history. The crucial point though is the constitutional allocation of powers with the result that if, in the end, the Supreme Court should rule that the words mean exactly what they say â&#x20AC;&#x201D; two consecutive terms for senators and none more after that â&#x20AC;&#x201D; then, the protestations of the framers notwithstanding, the meaning of the text will, for legal purposes, be as the Supreme Court rules. This is not because of any superiority of insight or of enlightenment bestowed on the robed magistrates denied the members of Congress, but because of the way the Constitution apportions tasks among the branches of government.

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

Political dynasties are dead. Long live political dynasties! Atbp.

2019 elections assessment: Worst! only 50 million voters at the time. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no report on this matter. However, we were advised by Gil Ramos, principal analyst â&#x20AC;&#x201D; of the USbased SurveyNgBayan, that the votersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lists were last cleansed from 1995 to 1998 resulting in at least 2 million dead names being deleted. Using Comelec and Philippine Statistics Authority data, he used simple mathematics and concluded that this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elections were padded with 6 million ghost voters! That means, stakeholders should be given access to these databases and pursue Ramosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; theory. Makes sense This is similar to Namfrelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request for open data. Why not? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Secure electronic transmission of results/ digital signatures (Sections 7, 22, 25 and 30), â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;?: This was not implemented in 2008 (ARMM) elections and in the past three NLEs. Ironically, it was implemented for the supposedly automated 2004 elections. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Availability of transmission facilities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; related to the preceding criterion, â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;?: There was no information released re the inventory of transmission facilities, IP addresses, MAC addresses and presence of queuing servers. The inventory should tell us whether all precincts and canvassing centers would be able to electronically transmit ERs and COCs. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Source code review of VCM, CCS, & EMS, â&#x20AC;&#x153;1â&#x20AC;?: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Not completed. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; DoST/TEC test-certified VCMs, CCSs, EMS and SET and end-to-end test certification/ AES technology certification (Section 11.2), â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;?: No TEC certification for each AES component. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Procedures on final testing and sealing or FTS (Section 14), â&#x20AC;&#x153;2â&#x20AC;?: Comelec Resolution 10487 was promulgated. However, during the OAV and May 13 elections, there were reports of corrupted SD cards. This is quite similar to the 76,000 CF cards fiasco in 2010. For accountability: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Adequate general instructions, including electoral protest mechanism, â&#x20AC;&#x153;1â&#x20AC;?: Comelec promulgated Resolutions 10460 and 10527 for the electoral board (aka BEIs) and Resolution 10485 for BOCs. However, nothing was mentioned about digital signing of the BEIs and BOCs.

kGURE 3HE REPLIED g.Umerous news reports quote that kGURE u 3HE PROVIDED THE LINKS TO these â&#x20AC;&#x153;numerous news reports,â&#x20AC;? which led to articles that took off FROM 2APPLER S kRST FALSE REPORT One article was even on the policeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debunking of Rapplerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reports. This kind of lazy and irresponsible reporting, from a Columbia University journalism school dean, and former head of its investigative journalism unit, and about her home country.

The construal of the Constitution

HE King is dead, long live the King! This was last proclaimed in England upon the death of King George 6th in 1952; except that a Queen succeeded him, his eldest daughter Elizabeth. Originally in French, Le roi est mort, vive le roi! In 1422, King Charles 6th of France died and his son Charles TH ACCEDED TO THE THRONE 4HE kRST part of the statement refers to the monarchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death, the second to the instantaneous transfer of sovereignty to the heir, or the continuity of the concept, as discussed in this article. Aristotle (384 BCEâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;322 BCE), the Greek philosopher said it succinctly, â&#x20AC;&#x153;One swallow does not a SUMMER MAKE NOR ONE kNE DAY u Both phrases came to mind the night of the recent elections when several TV talking heads monitoring the results were unabashedly gloating over a happy trend presenting itself when Erap trailed Isko Moreno, his erstwhile ally, in the Manila mayoralty contest. The early hours of the next day would see members of the Estrada family rejected by voters â&#x20AC;&#x201D; for mayor and councilor of San Juan, governor of Laguna and more importantly, two siblings from different mothers, Jinggoy and JV, losing Senate candidacies. In Davao del Norte, the del Rosario political family was eradicated from the scene: Rodney, the goverNORSHIP !NTHONY THE kRST DISTRICT congressional seat and a cousin, Tony Boy Floirendo, the billionaire banana magnate humiliated as he lost his reelection bid for second district representative. All crushed by archenemy, former speaker Bebot

MAYORALTY THE kRST DISTRICT CONGRESsional seat and the vice mayoralty in Davao City. In Davao del Sur, in a political merry-go-round, four traditional politicians surnamed Cagas captured for the father, Dodo, the governorship, congressional Alvarez and his henchmen. In Makati, the Binay patriarch, ex- seat for the mother, Didit, the vice vice president Jejomar lost miserably governorship for the son, Marc, and in his bid for a House seat. His fall a board membership for a relative. Politics in the Philippines as a from grace was terminal, from his high perch as an erstwhile leading family business is thriving. And PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER UNTIL A lURRY even the party-list system has of corruption accusations did him been so perverted that they have in. His ineptitude in disciplining his sprouted all over as adjuncts to children could make their interne- political dynasties. But the total wipe-out of the CINE POLITICAL kGHT PERMANENT !BIgail was reelected as Makati mayor, senatorial opposition slate could be brother Junjun was obliterated while a game changer if the Deegong will eldest sister Nancy barely held on to settle down and put his mind to it. In her Senate seat. To complicate mat- upending the concept of â&#x20AC;&#x153;checks and ters, Abigailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband, Luis Cam- balance,â&#x20AC;? the Deegong has drawn a pos, won as congressman of Makatiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tabula rasa. And in the next three second district, further splintering years he can write into it whatever he wants, before becoming a lameduck the already dysfunctional family. Others who have been lording president. Paradoxically, he has the it over local government posts for support of a great majority of Filipidecades fell in ignominy; the Eu- nos. This election has elevated the sebios in Pasig giving up both the Deegong to another dimension: to mayoralty and congressional seats; his sycophants, a political demigod; the Tings of Tuguegarao, losing to his detractors, the devil incarnate. Today his almost total dominance similarly; the religious cult of the Ecleos in Dinagat, trounced; the over our political lives has erased OsmeĂąas of Cebu booted out of the the need for a revolutionary governMAYOR S OFkCE AND A COUSIN S SENATO- ment. This election was in a way a coup dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ĂŠtat without the bloodshed rial comeback stopped. Political dynasticism is dead. and the prospect of a civil war â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as Or dying. Or at least fraying at the Liberals and some democrats the edges. Until one begins to see have been imagining. The installation of two new Minthat other political dynasties were born in this election. For one, the danawnons to the Senate, joining Deegongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter Sara, and male Koko, Migz and the Pacman, is unsiblings, Polong and Baste, ran prac- precedented in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history. tically unopposed to capture the ÂłLorenzanaA6

LITO MONICO C. LORENZANA

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Good morning again, Vietnam!

ELL, the man himself has said it. In a television interview recently with his much beloved Fox, President Donald Trump of the United States was asked about the ongoing trade war with China. Among the various full-throttle answers that Trump gave in response, and unabashedly under the public’s gaze, was to mention that some Chinese factories were relocating to Vietnam. The zooming in on Vietnam AS A SPECIkC INVESTMENT LOCATION of choice is in itself not a recent phenomenon, but has been hovering on the worldwide business community’s radar screen for some time. It is therefore perfectly understandable that Trump, with his much avowed businessman background, would single out Vietnam as a possible “shelter” relocation for both domestic and foreign businesses in China that would like to avoid the high tariffs (up to 25 percent) for goods they produce that are intended for export to the US. It is something that Trump would most probably do if he were still running his own supposedly affected business. You see, a lot of us look at socioeconomic matters through OUR RESPECTIVE COLORED OR kLTERED lenses, of however similar degree of myopic vision they might be, AND ) AM THE kRST TO CONFESS THAT ) am no exception to this somewhat undesirable line of sight. Let’s just take the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) as sort of a background for discussion here. Asean was founded in the mid-1960s at the height of the Vietnam War — between the US and South Vietnam (Vietnam was then divided between a communist North and a capitalist South) on one side, and North Vietnam

of the Vietnam War in order to escape either political reprisal or economic hardship. Many of these “boat people” landed on Southeast Asian shores, including I am sure some Philippine islands and also even my home state of Sabah. and its Viet Cong allies in South Later, when I went to California Vietnam on the other — not so to study, I had a Vietnamese classmuch as an economic-oriented mate who had actually spent a few regional organization than a strate- years in a refugee camp in Sabah. gic one. In other words, Asean was My first encounter with the supposed to be a united front to notion of Vietnam was, not surcheck against the then seemingly prisingly, through American war imminent spread of communism movies. “Rambo: Part 2” and in Southeast Asia (the so-called “The Deer Hunter,” for example, domino effect theory where re- DID NOT PAINT A lATTERING IMAGE gional countries would fall under of Vietnam. “Apocalypse Now” communism one after the other), and “Born on the Fourth of July” albeit with American moral en- were somewhat more balanced in couragement but decidedly little their portrayal of Vietnam. “Good if any material American support Morning, Vietnam” and “Forrest in that direction (except perhaps Gump” were more tragi-comedies. for the avowed US regional allies). And as mentioned above, I met So, the ruling elites (democrati- a number of Vietnamese fellow cally elected or otherwise) of the students in California. Most of original founding member states them left after the war when still of Asean (the Philippines, Ma- in their infancy. One of them, laysia, Singapore, Thailand and while still a student, starred in Indonesia, with the later addition “Heaven and Earth,” another of Brunei) have long assumed an Vietnam-themed movie, opposite attitude of exclusivity, if not supe- Tommy Lee Jones. And of course, riority, over the rest of Southeast being a struggling student then, I Asia. This somewhat gratuitous thoroughly enjoyed, and continue prejudicial view was especially to enjoy, the delicious yet affordtrained on the three nations on able authentic Vietnamese cuisine the Indochinese peninsula — in the streets and lanes of many Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos (all American towns. of which would later join Asean). 4HE kRST TIME ) TOOK A CLOSER They have long been seen as poor, look at Vietnam’s socioeconomic backward and even cruel. Their development, away from these already negative image (in the romanticized or prejudiced noeyes of the rest of the region, if TIONS WAS PERHAPS JUST ABOUT kVE not the world) was of course not years ago, when the formation of helped by the wave after wave of an Asean Economic Community so-called “Vietnamese boat peo- (AEC) was all the rage, with the ple,” or mainly Vietnamese and avowed aim of drastically reduc#AMBODIAN CITIZENS WHO lED THEIR ing or even altogether removing homelands by sea on rickety boats most of the tariffs and nontariff for many years after the conclusion barriers among Asean countries.

EI SUN OH

I looked at the geographical and economic numbers of these countries, and lo and behold, the numbers stared back at me: Vietnam has a similar land size and population figure as the Philippines, for example. And at the time, the Vietnamese gross domestic product still had to catch up with the Philippines, but I am sure they have been doing exactly that over the last few years. And Vietnam is catching up not only with the Philippines, but other similarly so-called “more established” Asean neighbors as well. Malaysia’s new (and former) prime minister, Mahathir, has in recent months harped on this (but in a neighborly and encouraging tone) in most of his public speeches, reminding Malaysians at large that if they do not work as hard as the Vietnamese, very soon the Vietnamese economy would also surpass that of Malaysia. Mahathir of course bears no ill toward Vietnam; he simply wants to shake up the Malaysian public so that they would adopt the work ethic of the Vietnamese and the Japanese, for example. I met a Korean friend who is a sort of scholar-businessman and he conkRMED TO ME THAT INDEED A LOT OF Korean businesses are relocating TO 6IETNAM AS THEIR kRST CHOICE IN Southeast Asian foreign direct investment locations. He cited lower wages and, yes, resilient work ethic as the main contributing factor for such preference. And now Trump has also broken the news. So, indeed a big good morning to Vietnam again, and also a wake-up call for the rest of us in Southeast Asia, such that we should try harder to learn about the secret to success from our hardworking Vietnamese neighbor.

Q LORENZANA FROM A5

Political dynasties are dead. Two of these are Duterte surrogates: Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa. The former is his political android and avatar rolled into one. He will be his unquestioning voice in the Senate. There will no longer be a serious hindrance to his agenda, if he still wishes to pursue them. The war against illegal drugs and the accusations of violations of human rights and the EJKs will be reduced to a background noise or sterilized by the elevation of his original point man, General Bato to the Senate. As to the third Mindanawnon, Koko, the former Senate president, the son of the party founder and the most knowledgeable Mindanawnon in the Senate, has been consigned (together with the Pacman) to be the tutors of the two others. Koko, independent-minded but loyal to DU30, has been eliminated as a potential “presidentiable” with his showing in the polls, clearing the

way for heir-apparent Sara. Perhaps, this gives credence to reports of Koko’s ‘junking’ by Hugpong leaders in the grassroots. But the main agenda foremost in the minds of foes, friends and allies alike are the systemic changes, temporarily suspended, awaiting the restructuring of the Senate. The key to all this is the abrogation of the Cory 1987 Constitution and its revisions towards the establishment of the parliamentary-ederal System and the liberalization of the economy. This has been partly the cry since the Pirma of President FVR, the Concord of President Erap and the 2005 ConCom of President GMA and even the original PDP Laban position. A complication was recently injected into this mix through the proposals of the 25man Puno Constitutional Committee calling for the retention of

the perverted presidential system towards a nebulous concept of federalism. Surely, the debate can be reshaped by the Deegong towards the presidential-unitary versus the parliamentary-federal (Fed-Parl). On this note, I reintroduce vignettes of the Centrist proposals. Some of these need only the imprimatur of the House and Senate but others needing the revision of the Constitution. To wit: 1. Pass the political party reform bill pending in the Senate these past several administrations, prohibiting ‘turncoats’ and granting subsidy to real ideologically based political parties for education and campaign; 2. Pass the universal freedom of information bill, insuring transparency and good governance; 3. Initiate electoral reforms, regulating campaign spending, vote buying and the election

process; and 4. Make the ban on political dynasties executory in the Constitution. I wrote this in my Times columns back in Jan.18 and Feb. 1, 2018: “This roadmap to federalism is thus designed to mitigate the shock to the body politic arising from the purging of traditional POLITICAL PRACTICES kRST THROUGH the immediate passage of reform laws, now pending in Congress. Furthermore, the critical process of transition to a parliamentaryfederal republic has to be in place in the revised constitution so the assurance of its continuity is safeguarded by the constitution itself even beyond the term of the current president.” The terminal constitutional revision game is afoot. May the odds be ever in our favor.

For comments: lito.lorenzana@ cdpi.asia

Work is resumed

HAT once-in-every-three-years break is behind us and, as preSIDING OFkCERS OF LEGISLATIVE BODIES call it after a break, “session is resumed.” For the executives, it might as well be “work is resumed.” By now, the winners of the justconcluded elections could be in the middle of preparations to assume their respective posts, staring at the enormity of the tasks before them. People expect that they are up to the challenge. Local chief executives (mayors and governors) will need to continue to address pressing issues of day-to-day administration (peace and order, ZONING AND LAND USE CONlICTS VEHICULAR AND HUMAN TRAFkC CONGESTION in mega cities, waste disposal, social service delivery choke points, disaster preparedness, etc.). On less routine but equally compelling tasks, such as pushing their individual agenda for development, involving for example infrastructure and industrypromoting investments, among other key engines and drivers of local economic growth, the capacity for project management is often in need of recharging and upgrading. Vertical and horizontal coordination is required to get these kinds of projects properly implemented, especially if their funding comes from various sources and their stakeholders represent a diverse mix of interest groups or sectors. This means getting everyone involved, from communities at the barangay level to the technocrats at the national level, as well as representatives of component local government units (LGUs). At the national level, the elected legislators will have their hands full sorting out a range of issues — from kRST DAY JITTERS AMONG THE ROOKIES and organizational dysfunctions (caused by partisan rivalries), from human rights to the war on drugs, from Philippine sovereignty to the faltering growth of the economy. At any rate, they would be expected to interpret their mandate as framed more by the need to conform, or search for consensus, rather than the URGE TO kSCALIZE AS IT WERE CONSIDERING the unmistakable and overwhelming support the voters have accorded to the Duterte government. Newcomers, such as Isko Moreno of Manila and Vico Sotto of Pasig, will need to outperform their predecessors if only to meet the high expectations generated by their surprising rise to power. Peace and order will continue to rank high in the list of priorities; street crimes continue to victimize many; law enforcement may have improved, but police operation protocols remain contentious. Rapid urbanization is taking its toll on the carrying capacity of densely populated areas. Pressure on allocation of resource bases continues to mount, taxing the area management skills of government to the limit. Land values have zoomed, beyond the reach of the majority of the population, resulting in unfair competition among individuals for every inch of space.

INGMING ABERIA Ineffective zoning policies, made moribund by nonimplementation in many cases, heighten land use CONlICTS THAT RESULT IN GROSS INEFkCIENcies of the economy. In cities, electric/ utility posts, vendors, barangay halls, even police precincts, compete with pedestrians for spaces along thoroughfares — especially sidewalk and easement areas. Open green spaces are giving way to malls and infrastructures. In rural areas, farm lands yield to industrial zones. Even protected forest and marine areas are falling prey to poachers, the latest example OF WHICH BEING WHAT #HINESE kSHERmen are doing to the giant clams in the West Philippine Sea. But the challenge of the day is perhaps getting the administration’s "Build Build Build" program going at a faster rate. Many will quickly add that doing it fast is not enough, doing it right is equally important. The economic managers have already blamed the delay in the enactment of the national budget as the main cause of the deceleration of economic growth. From a gross domestic product growth rate of 6.3 percent in the last quarter of '$0 IN THE kRST QUARTER OF 2019 dropped to 5.6 percent. One of the perennial bottlenecks for government projects, especially for those with the size and scope of EACH INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT IDENTIkED under the "Build Build Build" program is procurement. In December 2018, anticipating that the national budget would not be passed in time, the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) issued guidelines allowing government agencies to conduct procurement processes short of award of contract, even as approval of the national budget was pending. Theoretically, this meant GOVERNMENT OFkCES WHILE OPERATING on a reenacted budget, could have proceeded to conduct procurement activities that would allow them to award contracts to winning bidders as soon as the budget was approved. Apparently, however, government spending had remained below target levels. A GPPB study conducted a few years ago showed that majority of projects miss completion targets due to slow procurement. In 2012, for example, an average of 76 percent of the budget for projects IDENTIkED BY KEY GOVERNMENT AGENcies could not be disbursed due to nonaward of contracts. Government procurement is also notorious for giving rise to corruption. In trying to pick up the pace for completion of its projects, government would do well not to take short cuts that make it vulnerable to fraud and wrongdoing among participants in government transactions.

Email: comments@ingmingaberia.com

FOCUS

US fires arrow into Huawei’s Achilles heel SHANGHAI: The Trump administration’s move to block US technology sales to Huawei shoots an arrow deep into the Chinese tech giant’s Achilles heel — its over-reliance on American components — and threatens the company’s very survival, analysts said. Citing national security, President Donald Trump last week effectively banned US companies from supplying Huawei and affiliates with the critical components that have helped it grow into the world’s largest supplier of telecom networking equipment and second-biggest smartphone maker. Trump’s broadside will cause pain for US companies that count on Huawei as a steady customer, but it poses an existential threat to Huawei. “The worst case would eventually see a total cutoff of access to US technology — (Huawei) would almost certainly not survive this outcome in its current form,” the Eurasia Group consultancy said in a report issued Sunday.

The tech ban caps months of US effort to isolate Huawei, which Washington suspects has deep links to China’s military, allowing Beijing to potentially use Huawei-enabled networks for espionage or cyber sabotage. The risks for Huawei came i n t o f o c u s t h i s we e k w h e n Google, whose Android operating system powers most of the world’s smartphones, said it would cut ties with Huawei as a result of the ban. That poses a dire threat to Huawei as loss of full access to Google’s services could make its phones a hard sell to consumers.

Major setback And with the digital ecosystem now a duopoly of Android and Apple’s IoS system, Huawei is in a bind. “This is a fairly major setback for Huawei’s smartphone division,” said Ryan Whalen, a professor with the Law and Technology Center at the University of Hong Kong.

Huawei has said it was working on its own operating system, but Whalen notes that the Android-IoS stranglehold is nearly impossible to break. “Just look to players like Nokia, Blackberry, and Microsoft that have all failed recently in similar endeavours,” he said. Huawei’s other major business segment comprises carrier networks around the world powered by its equipment and which give it a leg up in the race to dominate fifth-generation (5G) technologies. 5G is the next digital milestone: its ultra-fast network speeds and data capacity making possible widespread use of artificial intelligence and other high-tech advancements that China’s government wants its companies to lead. But here as well, Huawei is vulnerable. It buys about $67 billion worth of components annually, including about $11 billion from US suppliers, according to a tally by

The Nikkei business daily. Eurasia Group said it had learned that major US suppliers including chipset manufacturers Qualcomm, Qorvo, and Texas Instruments, and software firms Oracle and Microsoft, have suspended shipments to Huawei until the dust settles. This could “completely undermine” Huawei on 5G, it added. Chinese President Xi Jinping has previously sketched out plans for China to gain dominance in key future high technologies by 2025, a strategy that has caused US alarm. But harsh action against Huawei could give the push even more impetus, said Roger Kay, founder and analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates. “The longer-term effect is that Huawei and other Chinese companies turn away more sharply from American suppliers,” he said.

Huawei shrugs it off Founder Ren Zhengfei shrugged

off supply fears, telling Chinese media on Tuesday that Huawei has a hoard of chips and can manufacture its own. But tech analysts view that as mere bravado. Eurasia Group said that regardless of any chip stockpile, Huawei “cannot stockpile software, and there is no conceivable way the firm could survive for an extended period... without access to global supply chains.” Huawei’s own chip design arm Hisilicon is also targeted by the US ban, cutting it off from critical tools it needs to continue function. Trump could be merely using Huawei for leverage in broader TRADE TALKS 53 OFkCIALS HAVE ISSUED a 90-day reprieve on the ban. But Beijing could hit back. Huawei’s smartphone rival Apple could be particularly vulnerable to Chinese countermeasures as nearly 20 percent of its sales are in China and it relies heavily on Chinese factories for production.

Some sort of compromise remains possible, perhaps with the US approving case-by-case tech sales to placate American suppliers, thereby limiting the damage to Huawei. But Trump has fuelled growing bipartisan congressional animosity against Huawei that could prevent him backing down, analysts note. One wildcard is Europe where Huawei has significant business with carriers, for whom a supplier shift would be costly. The US feels that a Huawei presence in Europe must be prevented for cybersecurity reasons, and the main intent of the tech ban is to force Europe and other key markets to abandon Huawei on 5G, Eurasia Group said. Germany, France and the Netherlands have resisted US pressure, but analysts say they cannot do so for long. Further US pressure would make IT gVERY DIFkCULT FOR THE %5 TO CONtinue working with Huawei,” said Guntram Wolff, director of Brusselsbased think tank Bruegel. AFP

Regions

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

www.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

6 KILLED,Â 18 INJUREDÂ IN ALBAY JEEPNEY ACCIDENT LEGAZPI CITY: Six people died while 18 others were injured after a public utility jeepney (PUJ) fell into a ravine in Libon, Albay at around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Police Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib,

Philippine National Police (PNP)-Bicol regional spokesman, said the accident happened at Sito Hulandig, Barangay San Jose in Libon. She said San Jose Barangay Chairman Benjur Soloomo reported the ac-

Police officialÂ gunned downÂ in Cebu CityÂ ! 0/,)#% OFkCIAL WHO WAS ASsigned in Jolo, Sulu was gunned DOWN BY AN UNIDENTIkED GUNman in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City on Tuesday. According to a radio report, Police Capt. Delfin Bontuyan just came from a court hearing at the Cebu City Hall of Justice for one of the drug cases where he was the arresting ofkCER He was riding his motorcycle heading to Barangay Lahug when the assassin peppered him with bullets along the corner of A. Soriano Street at past 2 p.m. The ambush happened a few blocks away from the Mabolo Police Station. Bontuyan, who was wearing a black jacket and slacks, fell on his side and landed on a taxi, bathed in his own blood. Responding police officers recovered P30,000 cash from the victimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possession, reportedly the midyear bonus he just claimed. Witnesses said Bontuyan was about to speed away when THE TRAFkC LIGHT TURNED GREEN BUT the motorcycle-riding gunman caught up with him. Found at the scene of the crime were seven empty shells

and a magazine. Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Tomas OsmeĂąa responded to the crime scene and spoke with Bontuyanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family. /SMEĂ&#x201E;A POSTED ON HIS OFkCIAL &ACEBOOK PAGE THAT OFkCIALS OF THE #EBU #ITY 0OLICE /FkCE (CCPO) harassed Bontuyanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter before the elections. The slain police officerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter, identified as Christine, is the Sanguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) chairman of Barangay Talamban, Cebu City. In a text message reply to The Manila Times, Police Col. Royina Garma, CCPO director, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hindi ko nga kilala â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung anak (I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even know the daughter),â&#x20AC;? when asked about OsmeĂąaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook post. Bontuyan, who was assigned at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7), was relieved and assigned to Mindanao at the start of the Duterte administration. His family is Cebu-based and he returns to the city to attend hearings of the cases related to his former work with the CIDG-7. Investigation was being conducted as of this writing. RHEA RUTH ROSELL

cident to the police. Initial investigation showed that the PUJ with about 30 passengers on board was traversing Barangay Pantao, Libon on its way to Centro Poblacion when its brakes malfunctioned and fell into a

steep ravine. The jeepney driver, Rolando Olade, of "ARANGAY #AGUSCOS ,IBON lED AFTER THE accident. The injured passengers were brought to the Pantao District Hospital and to the

Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City. The PNP was still investigating the incident at press time and had not released the identities of the six fatalities and 18 injured. RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

Losing Negros mayor seeks manual recountÂ BY EUGENE Y. ADIONG

ACOLOD CITY: Mayor Joselito Malabor, who lost in Isabela, Negros Occidental kLED A PETITION FOR MANUAL RECOUNT BEFORE THE ,A #ARLOTA #ITY 2EGIONAL 4RIAL #OURT ON -ONDAY QUESTIONING THE VALIDITY OF THE ELECTION RESULTS Malaborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move came on the heels of his loss, by only 48 votes, to challenger Irene Montilla during the May 13 elections. He got 13,844 votes, while Montilla garnered 13,892. The incumbent mayor wants to

clear the alleged double transmission of votes in the Secure Digital (SD) cards and what he dubbed â&#x20AC;&#x153;suspicious the rushed proclamationâ&#x20AC;? of his opponent. Malabor, a member of the United Negros Alliance, said he had

consulted Gov. Alfredo Maranon, their party leader, about his plans. He added that his supporters wanted him to seek a recount, citing the discrepancies they noticed during the election and counting of votes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My running mate, Renato Malabor Jr., won overwhelmingly and our partymates won the six seats at the Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council or SB). They won the No. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 seats at the SB (Sangguniang Bayan) . Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s questionable why I lost,â&#x20AC;? Malabor said. He added he was not conceding up to this time.

Irene is the wife of the former town mayor Enrique Montilla 3rd, who died in 2017. The mayor-elect told Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod she welcomes Malaborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I respect his moves to clear all doubts on the elections in Isabela,â&#x20AC;? Montilla told the radio station, but insisted that she believed there was nothing wrong with the SD cards and that the results were â&#x20AC;&#x153;correct and accurate.â&#x20AC;? She also assured her townmates that the outgoing mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action would not affect her assumption of office and her incoming administration.

Bill relief awaits Manila Water clients CUSTOMERS of Manila Water Company Inc. will get another bill relief, following a water shortage that hit parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage SystemRegulatory Office (MWSS-RO) announced. )N A MEDIA BRIEkNG ON 4UESDAY MWSS chief regulator Patrick Lester Ty said the bill rebate for all 6.8 million customers across the East Zone would be applied in two tranches starting June. The basic charge will be waived for all Manila Water customers as OF -ARCH EQUIVALENT TO THE kRST 10 cubic meters consumed in a month, amounting to P153.93 for a residential customer. On top of that, severely affected customers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or those who experienced either continuous or intermittent water interruption for seven days from March 6 to 31 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; will receive an additional rebate of P2,197.94 each. The rebate will be credited in the billing statement that can be used for paying bills in the future until the amount is used up. Ty said more than 140,000 accounts were entitled to the rebate based on the list of 45 barangay (villages) provided by the Ayala-led UTILITY kRM WHEN IT OFFERED A ONE time bill relief in April. The rebate was taken from t h e

P1.13-billion penalty imposed by the MWSS Board of Trustees on Manila Water for its failure to meet its obligation to provide round-the-clock water supply to all its customers. Manila Water customers suffered with the water shortage that hit about 1.2 million households in its coverage area due to a supply DEkCIT The following month, the listed kRM OFFERED A ONE TIME BILL RELIEF to alleviate the inconvenience that the supply crunch caused. Meanwhile, the MWSS-RO also asked Maynilad to explain the service obligation failure after receiving complaints from its customers about limited supply in the West Zone. Ty said the agency had issued a notice of service obligation failure to Maynilad for failing to meet its service obligations under the concession agreement. Even after sending the letter on April 30, Maynilad customers were still experiencing water interruptions and low pressure in large portions of the concession area, particularly in the south. But, in a statement, Maynilad said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe there is no basis for the imposition of the penalty, as the service interruption did not last for 15 days and only affected 12 percent of Mayniladâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customer base,â&#x20AC;? after it received the letter on Monday. Last month, Maynilad also announced that it would implement water interruptions in parts of Metro Manila and Cavite province. The West Zone concessionaire said it was forced to reduce water production in portions of ParaĂąaque City, Las PiĂąas City, Muntinlupa City and Cavite despite remedial measures to deal with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;unusual algae proliferation,â&#x20AC;? which has been in Laguna Lake since April 23. Maynilad treats raw water from the lake in its treatQ MWSS Regulatory Office Chief Patrick ment facilities in Barangay Lester Ty gestures during the media briefing on Tuesday. PHOTO BY ROGER Putatan, Muntinlupa City. JORDEENE B. LAGARE RAĂ&#x2018;ADA

COMMERCIALLY COMPETITIVE

PTV4 General Manager Jet Claveria (left) laid out plans during the regular Kapihan sa PIA in Lucena City to make the government flagship station be more commercially competitive, including reprogramming, accepting private blocktimers and putting up relay stations in Tagaytay City, Cavite and other key cities to enable stronger signal and reach even the remotest provinces. The Kapihan sa PIA, hosted by Quezon Director Lito Giron, was attended by national media correspondents based in Quezon province and other media personalities. PHOTO BY BELLY M. OTORDOZ

Vizcaya, NCotabato elect women to top posts BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: The first representative to the lone congressional district of this landlocked province was reelected, as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed four other women as mayors. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma of the National Unity Party, was reelected for a second term, defeating former governor Ruth Padilla of the Nationalista Party. Cuaresma, who had served for three terms as governor and vice governor of the province, got 114,338 votes against Padillaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 88,459. In the 2016 elections, Cuaresma garnered 84,616 votes also against Padillaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 84,217, a difference of 399 votes. Among the 15 towns in the province, four will have female chief executives, either reelected or newly elected. In Aritao town, medical doctor Remelyn Peros was elected mayor, defeating incumbent Mayor Lucita Tan, who ran for a second term. Another medical doctor, Elizabeth Balasya, also won as mayor in the upland town of Kayapa over incumbent Mayor Paul Ligmayo. Solano townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first woman Mayor Eufemia Dacayo ran unopposed for her second term. In her kRST ATTEMPT IN SHE DEFEATED three-term vice mayor Alex Labasan. Her husband, former mayor Philip, who ran unopposed, was

also reelected for a second term as vice mayor. Quezon townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first woman mayor, Dolores Binwag, was also reelected to a second term; she ran unopposed as well. In Villaverde town, lawyer and three-term mayor Ronelie Valtoribio was elected vice mayor, while in Diadi town, three-term mayor Norma Miguel was elected vice mayor.

NCotabatoÂ has lumad asÂ new gov &OR THE kRST TIME .ORTH #OTABATO elected a lumad as governor â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Nancy Alaan Catamco. Catamco defeated veteran politician Rogelio TaliĂąo, long-time mayor of Carmen town and father of incumbent Gov. Emmylou TaliĂąo-Mendoza, by a margin of 3,531 votes. She was a three-term REPRESENTATIVE OF THE kRST DISTRICT of North Cotabato. Mendoza, who was governor from 2010, won as vice governor against Socrates PiĂąol. 4HIS WOULD BE THE kRST TIME IN North Cotabato history where the governor and vice governor are both women. After her proclamation, Catamco said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My administration will follow the principles of participatory governance where all sectors in the province will be invited to consultations so we can have everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cooperation.â&#x20AC;?

3HE kGURED IN A CONTROVERSY ON July 23, 2015 when she led police and military in efforts allegedly to â&#x20AC;&#x153;rescueâ&#x20AC;? some 700 Manobos who sought refuge in the Haran compound of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Davao City. 4HE -ANOBOS lED THEIR VILLAGES in the hinterlands of Davao del Norte and Bukidnon to avoid getTING CAUGHT IN THE CROSSkRE BETWEEN government forces and the New Peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Army. Catamco argued that the evacuees should be released, alleging they were being held against their will. Days after the failed attempt, the lumad and their support groups kLED A COMPLAINT BEFORE THE /M-

BUDSMAN AGAINST SEVERAL OFkCIALS including Catamco, for alleged USURPATION OF AUTHORITY OR OFkCIAL function, among other cases. The Ombudsman dismissed the complaint a year later, citing lack of evidence. In the effort to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Catamco helped push for provisions to ensure the rights of the lumad in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are protected. Catamco is the third womangovernor of North Cotabato after Rosario Diaz (1988 to 1998) and Emmylou TaliĂąo Mendoza, from 2010 to June 30, 2019. LEANDER C. DOMINGO AND JERRY N. ADLAW

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) as the Employer, through its Procuring Agent, Procurement Service Department of Budget Management (PS-DBM), now invites eligible Bidders from ADB member countries to participate in the Open Competitive Bidding (OCB) process for the procurement of Civil Works: (Viaducts, Bridges and Buildings) of the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (Blumentritt Extension).

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)

CONTRACT No. PB19-156-2 MALOLOS-CLARK RAILWAY PROJECT (BLUMENTRITT EXTENSION) for CP S-01; BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS FOR APX. 1 KM OF VIADUCT STRUCTURE INCLUDING STATION BUILDING AT BLUMENTRITT

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines, through the Department of Finance (DOF), has applied for a Loan (Reference Project No. 52083-002) from the Asian Development

Bank (ADB) towards the cost of the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (Blumentritt Extension). It is intended that the proceeds of this loan will be applied to eligible expenditure under the Contracts for the procurement of Civil Works: (Viaducts, Bridges and Buildings) of the project as designed by the Employer. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) as the Employer, through its Procuring Agent, Procurement Service Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), now invites Sealed

Bids in One Envelope (Including Technical and Financial Bids) from eligible Bidders for the procurement of Package CP S-01, as follows:

WORKS Package CP S-01: Building and Civil Engineering Works for Apx. 1 Km of Viaduct Structure including Station Building at Blumentritt

BRIEF WORK DESCRIPTION Building and Civil Engineering Works for: 1.12 km (Approx.) of Railway viaduct including one elevated station building.

ADB-financed works will be procured through open competitive bidding (OCB) in

accordance with ADBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Procurement Policy (2017, as amended from time to time) and Procurement Regulations for ADB Borrowers (2017, as amended from time to time).

EXTRACTS FROM THE ADB EVALUATION AND QUALIFICATION CRITERIA Historical A Bidder or each member of a joint venture shall meet the et the following: D Non-performance of a contract did not occur as a result of contractorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Contract default since 1st January 2016. NonE All pending litigation shall be treated as resolved against the Bidder Performance and shall in total not represent more than fifty percent (50%) of the Bidderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s net worth. F No consistent history of court/arbitral award decisions against the Bidder since 1st January 2014. A Bidder or each member of a joint venture shall meet the following:

OCB will be conducted in accordance with the procedures in the bid documents

following the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Single-Stage; One Envelope (including Technical and Financial Bids)â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, without prequalification. The Bidder, and all parties constituting the Bidder, shall have the nationality of an ADB member country. For more details on the eligibility of bidders and the origin of materials, equipment and services to be supplied under the Contract, please refer to the bid documents, in particular Section 1 (Instruction to Bidders), Section 2 (Bid Data Sheet) and Section 5 (Eligible Countries). Interested Bidders may register for the Pre-Bid Meeting and site visits or inspect Bid

Documents at the office of PS-DBM, office address boxed below, from Mondays to Fridays during office hours from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. An electronic copy of a complete set of the Bidding Documents (with the General

Conditions of Contract) may be downloaded from May 10th, 2019 from the Web Sites given in the Box below. A hard copy of the bid documents may be purchased by bidders upon the payment of a non-refundable fee of Philippine Pesos Fifty Thousand (PHP 50,000.00) for each Package, during the office hours from 8:00AM to 5:00PM at the office of the PS-DBM. However, for the hard copies of the Bid Documents, a written application would have to be submitted to PS-DBM and a notice period of three (3) working days is required.

PS-DBM will hold a Pre-Bid Meeting. It shall be open to all interested parties.

Bidders may visit the site by following the site visit guidelines of which are in Volume I, Section 2, of the Bidding Documents. The provisions in the Instruction to Bidders and in the General Conditions of

Contract are the provisions of the ADB Standard Bidding Documents June 2018. Bids must be delivered to the office of PS-DBM on or before 10:00AM on August 8th,

2019 and must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the amount of United States Dollar Three Million (US$ 3,000,000.). If the Bid Security is in the form of a cashierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or certified check, it shall be payable to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;PROCUREMENT SERVICEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The Bids (Technical and Financial) will be opened in the presence of Biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

representative who choose to attend at 10:00AM, on August 8th, 2019 at the office of Procurement Service.

Cost of Hard Copy of Bid Documents Per Package: Start of Issuance of Bidding Documents: Date and Time of Pre-Bid Conference: Date and time of Deadline of Submission of Bids and Opening of Bids:

PHP 50,000.00 May 10th 2019 10:00 AM, June 3rd 2019 10:00AM, August 8th 2019

*Note Âą Refer Volume I, Part 1, Section 3, EQC Item 2.4.2 ** The Bidding Documents will prevail in case of any discrepancy between this Table and the Bidding Documents. For further information, please refer to: Engr. Manuel S. Avila Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee II Procurement Service PS-DBM Compound, RR Road, Cristobal Street, Paco, Manila, 1107 Metro Manila, Philippines Telephone No.: +63 2 563 9404 Facsimile No.: +63 2 563 9404 Email Address: pd2@ps-philgeps.gov.ph Websites: www.ps-philgeps.gov.ph, www.dotr.gov.ph and www.pnr.gov.ph

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Corporate News

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Petron allots $1B for expansion BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

ESPITE posting a 77-percent decline in its net income in the first quarter of 2019, Petron Corp. is setting aside more than a billion dollars for its expansion plans.

“We are still going to spend over $1 billion,” Petron President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon

Ang said in a briefing after the listed oil firm’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Tuesday.

According to him, Petron will continue to bolster its business in the Philippines and Malaysia, despite the P1.3-billion income it generated in January to March because of the continued decline in global crude prices. “Tuloy pa din ang investment, expansion, plant optimization, refinery optimization, petrochemical expansion, network expansion,

lahat ng port expansion, lahat ng terminal expansion,” Ang told reporters. Some $600 million is allotted for the construction of two stream boilers in its refinery in Limay town, Bataan province that started this year. It will take about two to three years to build them. This is “to bring down the cost

of the refinery and to optimize [it],” Ang said. The remaining $400 million will be used to expand its gasstation network, and upgrade its power lines and pipelines, among others. Petron currently has about 3,000 retail stations in the Philippines and Malaysia. It plans to add 300 stations annually — 200 in the

former, 100 in the latter — until 2022 for a total of 6,000. Ang said, however, that the company was encountering delays in hitting that target. “We can only hope that crude oil prices will be stable in the coming years,” he added. Petron shares gained 29 centavos or 5.36 percent to close at P5.70 apiece on Tuesday.

Alsons posts Q1 DMCI allots P2B for railway project profit of P104.35M ALSONS Consolidated Resources Inc. saw its consolidated net income slightly improve to P104.35 million in the first quarter of 2019 from P103.13 million in the same period last year. In a disclosure on Tuesday, the listed holding company of the Alcantara Group said its revenues fell by 27 percent to P1.22 billion in January to March from P1.67 billion a year ago. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization also dropped, to P550 million from P623 million in 2018, it added. Despite the lower revenues, the listed company expects to post a better financial performance when the second section of its Sarangani Energy Corp.’s baseload coal-fired power plant in Maasim town, Sarangani province, starts its commercial operations in the second half of 2019. The facility continues to be the main driver of both

its topline and earnings, it said. The plant’s first section, which has a capacity of 105 megawatts (MW), supplies electricity to more than 3 million customers in the General Santos-Sarangani market, and other areas in Mindanao. That number is expected to double to more than 6 million once the facility’s second section — which also has a 105MW capacity — is opened. Alsons is also focused on the San Ramon Power Inc. baseload coal-fired power plant in Zambaoaga City, and its venture into renewable energy with the P4.25-billion, 14.5-MW runof-river hydroelectric power project at Siguil River basin in Maasim. ACR has a partnership with Ayala Land Inc. on developing the 27-hectare Azuela Cove township project in Davao City. The initial turnover is set in the first quarter of 2023. LISBET K. ESMAEL

DMCI Holdings Inc. is alloting P2 billion for the next two years to implement the first phase of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project. In a statement on Tuesday, the listed holding company said the bulk of the expenditures would be used to acquire construction equipment. It comes a day after DMCI and its Japanese partner Tarsei Corp. were awarded the contract to build that first phase. This involves building 22 kilometers of elevated viaduct structures and six stations from Malolos

City in Bulacan to Tutuban in Manila using the existing alignment of the Philippine National Railway (PNR). It has a total contract value of P54 billion. DM Consunji President and Chief Executive Officer Jorge Consunji said at a briefing on the sidelines of the conglomerate’s annual stockholders’ meeting in Makati City recently that the project was expected to be finished 30 months and be fully operational within 42 months. The trains will have a maximum operating speed of 120 km an hour. Once completed, the railway

Businessinbrief SAN MIGUEL TO PROPOSE DEVELOPING WATER SOURCE

SAN Miguel Corp. will submit an unsolicited proposal on developing a new water source to aid in the country’s water security, according to its top official. In a press briefing on Tuesday, San Miguel President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang said the listed conglomerate would submit in two weeks that proposal to develop a water source with a capacity of up to 3,800 million liters a day (MLD). He expressed confidence that the company can complete the P35-billion new water source in five years through private funding. However, he did not disclose where the company plans to develop it. According to Ang, San Miguel was prompted to make this move for the

will shorten travel time between Malolos and Tutuban from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes. It is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily. Revenues from the project is expected to be recognized in the next 36 months, according to Consunji. “If we can get it (revenues) sooner, why not? We want to finish it, right? So long as there is no delay, I think we will be alright,” he said. DM Consunji Vice President for Business Strategy and Development Rebecca Civil said during that briefing that the project added P14 billion to the construction

security of the country’s water supply. San MIguel shares lost 70 centavos or 0.37 percent to end at P186 apiece on Tuesday. JORDEENE B. LAGARE

ABS-CBN INKS P5-B LOAN WITH UNIONBANK

ABS-CBN Corp. reported on Tuesday that it had secured P5 billion in fresh funds from Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) after signing a loan term facility agreement with the Aboitiz-led lender. The loan has a 10-year term. The new funds are being eyed to support the Lopez-led broadcasting giant’s capital expenditures (capex) and general corporate requirements. Late last month, ABS-CBN Chief Financial Officer Aldrin Cerrado said his company’s capex this year might reach P6 billion — the same as 2018’s — and much of it would go to the company’s digital initiatives. Shares of ABS-

firm’s total order book for the year. Besides the railway project, DMCI and Taisei were also looking out for other Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded infrastructure projects, particularly the southern extension of the NSCR. DMCI is also involved in the construction of Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 North Extension, LRT-2 East Extension, two PNR projects and the Dubai Monorail in the United Arab Emirates. Shares of DMCI rose by 18 centavos or 1.73 percent to close at P10.60 each on Tuesday. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

CBN fell 14 centavos or .74 percent to finish at P18.86 apiece on Tuesday. LISBET K. ESMAEL

ING BANK UNVEILS ALL-DIGITAL PLATFORM

ING Bank launched in the Philippines on Tuesday an alldigital retail platform aimed at “digital-ready” people who has the ability to save. According to ING Country Manager Hans Sicat, the lender’s savings account will have an interest rate of 2.5 percent per annum with no minimum amount and no lock-in period. “We want to help promote a healthy savings mindset and, with our high interest rate, help Filipinos achieve their savings goals faster,” he said. For his part, ING Philippines Head of Retail Mohamed Keraine said all customer transactions would be conducted only through the ING mobile app. ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

WEDNESDAY MAY 22, 2019

Business Times

ASIAN STOCKS: V S h a n g h a i 1 . 2 3 %

W S i n g a p o re 0 . 6 9 %

CURRENCY RATE P52.47 TO $1

PSEi 7,721.56 UP 0.80%

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside HEAD HED HEAD HEAD HEAD â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MANAGING FOR SOCIETY BusinessB2

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HIGHER IMPORT DUTY ON CEMENT SOUGHT

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PETRON SETS 2019 CAPEX AT $1B

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MIAA REMITTANCE UP 50% IN 2018

Â»BusinessB4

FORD TO SLASH 7,000 JOBS IN REORGANIZATION PUSH

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NEDA joint panel OKs changes to 3 projects HOBBLED BY ISSUES OVER RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION AND DELIVERY OF AGGREGATE SUPPLY u .%$! EXPLAINED g4HE IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD EXTENSION WILL NOT ENTAIL AN INCREASE IN TOTAL PROJECT COST u 2EGARDING .ISRIP WHICH THE .ATIONAL )RRIGATION !DMINISTRATION .)! IS IMPLEMENTING ITS LOAN VALIDITY IS ALSO EXTENDED FROM ITS ORIGINAL *ULY CLOSING DATE TO *ULY AND THE END OF ITS PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD FOR CIVIL WORKS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES Â&#x2021; WHICH BEGAN IN &EBRUARY Â&#x2021; MOVED FROM *UNE TO *UNE 4HE TOTAL PROJECT COST WAS ALSO REVISED FROM THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED 0 BILLION TO 0 BILLION REPRESENTING A PERCENT REDUCTION 3O WAS ITS COVERAGE FROM THE ORIGINAL

BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

Â»Corporate NewsB3

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) joint committee led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd has approved changes to three projects that the government is currently implementing. )N A STATEMENT ON 4UESDAY .%$! SAID ITS )NVESTMENT #OORDINATION #OMMITTEE #ABINET #OMMITTEE )## #AB#OM APPROVED CHANGES IN THE kRST PHASE OF THE #ENTRAL ,UZON ,INK %XPRESSWAY #,,%X 0ROJECT THE .ATIONAL )RRIGATION 3ECTOR 2EHABILITATION AND )MPROVEMENT 0ROJECT .ISRIP AND THE -ETRO -ANILA 7ASTEWATER -ANAGEMENT 0ROJECT -7-0

/N THE kRST PROJECT WHICH IS HANDLED BY THE $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 7ORKS AND (IGHWAYS $07( THE IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD OF ITS kRST PHASE IS EXTENDED FROM *UNE TO !PRIL AND THE VALIDITY OF ITS LOAN FROM *ULY TO *ULY INCLUSIVE OF A ONE YEAR DEFECTS LIABILITY PERIOD g4HIS WILL ALLOW THE $07( TO COMPLETE THE REMAINING WORKS THAT WERE

HECTARES TO HA !CCORDING TO .%$! THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FARMERS WHO STAND TO BENEkT FROM THE PROJECT WOULD RISE TO FROM THE PREVIOUS !ND ON THE -7-0 THE JOINT PANEL MOVED THE CLOSING DATE OF THE LOAN THE PROJECT TOOK FROM *UNE TO *UNE AND APPROVED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR 0ASIG 0ROJECT #ONTRACT 0ACKAGES UNDER THE ACCOUNT OF !YALA LED -ANILA 7ATER #OMPANY )NC WITH THREE -ARIKINA .ORTH 0ROJECT #ONTRACT 0ACKAGES AND FOUR 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPPINES 0ROJECT #ONTRACT 0ACKAGES /NCE FULLY IMPLEMENTED THE WASTEWATER PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BENEFIT UP TO PEOPLE WITHIN -ANILA

Â³Projects B5

Expanded PH-SKorea Huawei founder: America cooperation eyed underestimates company & ) . ! . # % 3 E C R E T A R Y # A R L O S $OMINGUEZ RD ON 4UESDAY REAFkRMED -ANILA S DESIRE TO DEEPEN ECONOMIC TIES WITH 3OUTH +OREA BY ADOPTING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE ITS TAX ADMINISTRATION )N A RECENT MEETING WITH OFkCIALS OF THE +OREA )NTERNATIONAL #OOPERATION !GENCY +OICA $OMINGUEZ HIGHLIGHTED THE %AST !SIAN COUNTRY S EFFORTS IN SUPPORTING THE 0HILIPPINES BID TO INCREASE THE USE OF SUCH TECHNOLOGY THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC INVOICING AND RECEIPTS SYSTEM OF THE "UREAU OF )NTERNAL 2EVENUE ")2 g7E WANT TO EXPRESS HOW APPRECIATIVE WE ARE OF THE ASSISTANCE WE ARE RECEIVING FROM THE ;3OUTH= +OREAN PEOPLE THROUGH THE ;3OUTH= +OREAN GOVERNMENT ) HOPE THAT WE CAN EXPAND OUR COOPERATION AT THIS TIME AND FOR THE COMING FUTURE u $OMINGUEZ TOLD THE +OICA DELEGATION LED BY ITS CHIEF ,EE -IKYUNG g7E APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN THE DIGITAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM u HE SAID 4HE &INANCE CHIEF ALSO SAID THE 0HILIPPINE GOVERNMENT WAS PLANNING TO START THE PROGRAM BY kRST IMPLEMENTING THAT ELECTRONIC INVOICING SYSTEM g7E LOOKED AROUND THE WORLD AND WE FOUND THAT THE BEST ELECTRONIC INVOICING PROGRAM IS IN ;3OUTH= +OREA 7E WISH TO ADOPT IT HERE u HE ADDED &OR HIS PART ,EE SAID DURING THE MEETING THAT HIS COUNTRY EXPECTED gMORE CLOSE AND DEEPENED COOPERATIONu WITH THE 0HILIPPINES

INANCIAL kLINGS MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO INFORM THE PUBLIC WHEN LISTED COMPANIES REPORT ONLY THEIR CONSOLIDATED kNANCIAL DISCLOSURES (OW ABOUT THE 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE 03% 0ERHAPS AS ONE OF THE STOCK MARKET S LISTED STOCKS IT SHOULD ALSO HAVE IMPOSED MORE STRICTLY THE RULES GOVERNING ISSUED COMMON SHARES HELD BY PUBLIC INVESTORS "UT AS THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY THE 3ECURITIES AND %XCHANGE 3%# EXERCISES JURISDICTION OVER THE STOCK MARKET WHICH INCIDENTALLY ALSO HAS ITS COMMON SHARES LISTED ON THE 03% !S $UE $ILIGENCER HAS TITLED ITS PREVIOUS PIECE LISTED SHARES DO NOT MAKE A COMPANY PUBLIC 4HE VERY RICH FAMILIES WHO ARE THE MAJORITY STOCKHOLDERS OF LISTED COMPANIES ARE IN THE MARKET TO SAVE TAXES AND NOT TO SHARE OWNERSHIP OF COMMON SHARES WITH NON FAMILY MEMBERS

4HIS YEAR MARKS THE TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES !CCORDING TO ,EE 3EOUL HAS PURSUED SEVERAL INITIATIVES ON EDUCATION INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY )#4 AND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT AMONG OTHER PROGRAMS THAT THE 0HILIPPINES COULD TAP TO HELP ACHIEVE ITS GOAL OF ECONOMIC INCLUSION FOR ALL &ILIPINOS 4HESE INCLUDE THE !SEAN (IGHER %DUCATION )NITIATIVE WHICH INVOLVE THE EXCHANGE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS BETWEEN 3OUTH +OREA AND THE 0HILIPPINES AND 3OUTH +OREA S HIGHLY DEVELOPED )#4 PROGRAMS TO ASSIST THE 0HILIPPINES IN ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNANCE AND REFORMING ITS TAX SYSTEM g7ITH THE NEW SET OF POLICIES PRESENTED BY THE ;3OUTH= +OREAN GOVERNMENT OUR VOLUME OF ASSISTANCE TO !SEAN ;MEMBERS= WILL BE INCREASED BY TIMES IN COMPARED TO THAT ;IN= 4HAT MEANS THE VOLUME OF ASSISTANCE TO THE 0HILIPPINES WILL BE NATURALLY INCREASED u ,EE SAID 4HE +OICA CHIEF ALSO CITED 3OUTH +OREA S ASSISTANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT S PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN -INDANAO 4HESE INCLUDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE COURSED THROUGH THE 5NITED .ATIONS )NTERNATIONAL #HILDREN S %MERGENCY &UND &OOD AND !GRICULTURE /RGANIZATION AND THE )NTERNATIONAL /RGANIZATION FOR -IGRATION ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

BEIJING: (UAWEI FOUNDER 2EN :HENGFEI ON 4UESDAY SHRUGGED OFF 53 ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK HIS COMPANY S GLOBAL AMBITIONS SAYING !MERICA IS UNDERESTIMATING THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS GIANT S STRENGTH 2EN SPOKE TO THE #HINESE MEDIA DAYS AFTER 53 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP ISSUED ORDERS AIMED AT THWARTING (UAWEI S BUSINESS IN THE 5NITED 3TATES THE LATEST SALVO IN A MONTHS LONG EFFORT TO STOP THE COMPANY S CHARGE TO THE TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD IN NEXT GENERATION ' TECHNOLOGY g4HE CURRENT PRACTICE OF 53 POLITICIANS UNDERESTIMATES OUR STRENGTH u 2EN SAID ACCORDING TO TRANSCRIPTS FROM STATE RUN MEDIA g(UAWEI S ' WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT BE AFFECTED )N TERMS OF ' TECHNOLOGIES OTHERS WON T BE ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH (UAWEI IN TWO OR THREE YEARS u HE ADDED ,AST WEEK 4RUMP DECLARED A gNATIONAL EMERGENCYu EMPOWERING HIM TO BLACKLIST COMPANIES SEEN AS gAN UNACCEPTABLE RISK TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE 5NITED 3TATESu

Â&#x2021; A MOVE ANALYSTS SAID WAS CLEARLY AIMED AT (UAWEI !T THE SAME TIME THE 53 #OMMERCE $EPARTMENT ANNOUNCED AN EFFECTIVE BAN ON !MERICAN COMPANIES SELLING OR TRANSFERRING 53 TECHNOLOGY TO (UAWEI

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be isolatedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 53 INTERNET GIANT 'OOGLE WHOSE !NDROID MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEM POWERS MOST OF THE WORLD S SMARTPHONES SAID THIS WEEK IT WAS BEGINNING

Â³Company B5 Q This Jan. 22, 2015 file photo shows Huawei Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ren Zhengfei listening during a session of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. AFP PHOTO

PSEi up anew, grows 0.80% on third day 4(% STOCK MARKET CONTINUED TO RALLY FOR A THIRD STRAIGHT DAY ON 4UESDAY AS INVESTOR SENTIMENT WAS REPORTEDLY BOOSTED BY THE POSITIVE MOMENTUM FROM PREVIOUS TRADING DAYS AFTER THE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 REDUCED BANKS RESERVE REQUIREMENT 4HE BENCHMARK 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE INDEX 03%I ROSE BY PERCENT OR POINTS TO CLOSE AT 4HE WIDER !LL 3HARES MEANWHILE GREW BY

PERCENT OR POINTS TO END AT 4HE DECISION OF THE CENTRAL BANK LAST WEEK gTO CUT INTEREST RATES ;MADE= OUR MARKET BOUNCE BACK AFTER THE DECLINE MAINLY DUEu TO THE TIT FOR TAT TARIFFS ON IMPORTS THAT THE 5NITED 3TATES AND #HINA IMPOSED ON EACH OTHER %ASTERN $EVELOPMENT 3ECURITIES )NC TRADER *AYNIEL #ARL -ANUEL SAID 4HE "30 TRIMMED THE RESERVE REQUIREMENT RATIO 222 LAST WEEK

BY BASIS POINTS BPS TO PERCENT FROM PERCENT TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN THREE STAGES A BPS REDUCTION EFFECTIVE -AY AND TWO BPS CUTS ON *UNE AND *ULY )N A SEPARATE COMMENT 0 0 4RADE /NLINE SALES ASSOCIATE 'ABRIEL *OSE 0EREZ SAID THE RALLY THE 03%I IS EXPERIENCING gMAY HAVE BEEN DRIVEN BY MOMENTUM FROM THE PREVIOUS DAYS AS WELL AS RELATIVELY SMALLER NET FOREIGN SELLING u

&OREIGN FUNDS SLIPPED TO ONLY 0 MILLION FROM OVER 0 MILLION ON -ONDAY AS FOREIGNERS BOUGHT 0 BILLION ISSUES AND SOLD 0 BILLION 4HE BOURSE S RALLY MIRRORED THOSE IN REGIONAL MARKETS 3YDNEY ROSE PERCENT 3EOUL ADDED PERCENT AND 4AIPEI WAS PERCENT HIGHER -UMBAI "ANGKOK AND *AKARTA WERE ALSO IN POSITIVE TERRITORY )N CONTRAST 4OKYO ENDED DOWN

Â³Grows B5

Financial disclosures 4HE STOCK MARKET SHOULD MAKE THEIR FINANCIAL FILINGS MORE FAVORABLE TO THE PUBLIC 4HE 3%# OFkCIALS CAN DO THIS BY REQUIRING LISTED BUT NOT NECESSARILY PUBLIC COMPANIES TO MAKE THEIR RETAINED EARNINGS MORE TRANSPARENT AND EASILY UNDERSTANDABLE "EING MORE TRANSPARENT MEANS DISCLOSING THE INDIVIDUAL RETAINED EARNINGS PARTICULARLY THOSE UNITS WHOSE SHARES ARE LISTED )N THIS CASE FAMILY OWNED AND CONTROLLED COMPANIES SHOULD FULLY DISCLOSE THE AMOUNT OF RETAINED EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR DIVIDENDS EITHER IN CASH OR IN STOCK

Go by the rules )F THE PARENT COMPANY S SHARES ARE 03% LISTED ITS QUARTERLY kNANCIAL DISCLOSURES AND AUDITED ANNUAL kNANCIAL REPORTS SHOULD SEPARATELY REPORT THE AMOUNT OF RETAINED EARNINGS THAT MIGHT BE DECLARABLE AS DIVIDENDS

)N SHORT 3%# OFkCIALS MAY NOT BE STRICT WITH THEIR IMPOSITION OF THE RULES DESPITE THEIR POWER TO REQUIRE THESE FAMILY OWNED AND CONTROLLED LISTED CORPORATIONS TO FOLLOW THE MARKET S REGULATIONS !S POSTED ON THE 03% WEBSITE A LISTED COMPANY SHOULD DISCLOSE ITS kNANCIALS NOT IN CONSOLIDATED FORM SO IT CAN INCLUDE THOSE OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES )T SHOULD ALSO POST ON THE 03% WEBSITE HOW MUCH BELONGS TO ITS LISTED SUBSIDIARY OR SUBSIDIARIES &OR INSTANCE /RIENTAL 0ENINSULA 2ESOURCES 'ROUP REPORTED IN ITS gCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF kNANCIAL POSITIONu RETAINED EARNINGS OF 0 BILLION AS OF -ARCH

"EING gCONSOLIDATED u THE COMPANY S PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS WOULD NOT KNOW HOW MUCH OF SAID RETAINED EARNINGS ARE DECLARABLE AS DIVIDENDS EITHER IN CASH OR IN STOCK )F ONE WERE TO DIG DEEPER INTO THE kNANCIALS OF EACH OF /RIENTAL 0ENINSULA S SUBSIDIARIES HE OR SHE HAS TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY BY GOING OVER EACH OF THE kNANCIAL FILINGS OF THE COMPANY S UNITS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT THE 3%# S RECORDS DEPARTMENT OR DIVISION )T IS ALSO UNFORTUNATE THAT /RIENTAL 0ENINSULA S kNANCIAL kLINGS ARE NOT INFORMATIVE AS TO THE NUMBER OF ITS UNITS OR SUBSIDIARIES INCLUDED IN THE CONSOLIDATION

lECT THEIR TRUE WORTH TO THE PUBLIC 4HE PUBLIC INVESTORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD HOW MUCH OF THESE CONSOLIDATED RETAINED EARNINGS BELONG TO LISTED COMPANIES UNDER A GROUP OF COMPANIES AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WHICH AMONG THESE SUBSIDIARIES CONTRIBUTED MOST TO THE PARENT .O ONE AMONG THE PUBLIC WOULD KNOW IF MOST OF A PARENT COMPANY S RETAINED EARNINGS BELONG TO NON LISTED SUBSIDIARIES )N THIS CASE THE STOCKHOLDERS WOULD BE IN THE DARK AND ARE LEFT GUESSING THE AMOUNTS DECLARABLE AS DIVIDENDS AND WHICH ARE NOT /F COURSE A CONSOLIDATED kNANCIAL kLING IS NOT A MONOPOLY OF /RIENTAL 0ENINSULA /THER LISTED COMPANIES THAT PRETEND TO BE PUBLIC MAYBE GUILTY AS WELL True worth 4HE POSER HERE IS WHY COM4HE ANNUAL kNANCIAL REPORTS OF PANIES PERSIST IN USING THE PUBLISTED COMPANIES MAY HAVE BEEN LIC WHO OWN ONLY A FEW COMAUDITED (AVING BEEN AUDITED MON SHARES AND ARE DENIED THEIR THESE kLINGS DO NOT NECESSARILY RE- MEMBERSHIP IN THE BOARD $UE

$ILIGENCER HAS ALREADY TAKEN THIS UP IN PREVIOUS PIECES INCLUDING -ONDAY S ISSUE )F /RIENTAL 0ENINSULA REPORTED AS gSHARE CAPITALu WHICH APPARENTLY REFERS TO OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES DIVIDING ITS CONSOLIDATED RETAINED EARNINGS OF 0 WOULD BE EQUAL TO 0 WHICH WOULD BE THE AMOUNT THAT EACH HOLDERS OF /RIENTAL 0ENINSULA S STOCKHOLDER WOULD BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE /F COURSE THIS IS ONLY A COMPUTATION WHICH IS NOT THE WAY A COMPANY HANDLES ITS SURPLUS OR RETAINED EARNINGS "Y THE WAY SHOULDN T THE PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS OF LISTED COMPANIES BE FULLY INFORMED THAT THEY TOO HAVE THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ABOUT THE FINANCIALS REPORTED QUARTERLY ON THE 03% WEBSITE *UST ASKING

%MAIL ESDPEREZ GMAIL COM

Business Times

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Swine, cattle supply enough for market BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

HE countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production of hogs and cattle ROSE SIGNIkCANTLY IN THE kRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR INDICATING SUFkCIENT SUPPLY FOR THE domestic market. "ASED ON THE LATEST DATA FROM THE 0HILIPPINE 3TATISTICS !UTHORITY 03! LOCAL HOG PRODUCTION GREW BY PERCENT TO METRIC TONS -4 WHILE CATTLE POPULATION WAS UP BY PERCENT TO -4 IN *ANUARY TO -ARCH )N ITS g3WINE 3ITUATION 2EPORT u THE 03! SAID 3OCCSKSARGEN 3OUTH #OTABATO #OTABATO 3ULTAN +UDARAT AND 3ARANGANI PROVINCES AND 'ENERAL 3ANTOS #ITY OR 2EGION RECORDED THE HIGHEST PRODUCTION GROWTH OF PERCENT TO -4 #ENTRAL ,UZON POSTED THE BIGGEST OUTPUT AT -4 DURING THE PERIOD FOLLOWED BY #ALABAR-

ZON #AVITE ,AGUNA "ATANGAS 2IZAL AND 1UEZON AND .ORTHERN -INDANAO WITH -4 AND -4 RESPECTIVELY 4HE THREE REGIONS ACCOUNTED FOR PERCENT OF THE COUNTRY S TOTAL HOG PRODUCTION 4OTAL SWINE INVENTORY AS OF !PRIL WAS ESTIMATED AT MILLION HEADS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN LAST YEAR S MILLION HEADS g0OPULATION OF SWINE IN BACKYARD FARMS AT MILLION HEADS CONTRACTED BY PERCENT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR S HEAD COUNT OF MILLION HEADS /N THE OTHER HAND STOCKS IN COMMERCIAL FARMS

AT MILLION HEADS EXPANDED BY PERCENT FROM THE LEVEL OF MILLION HEADS u 03! SAID !VERAGE FARMGATE PRICE OF LIVE HOGS IN THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF FELL BY PERCENT TO 0 PER KILO FROM 0 PER KILO IN g$URING THE kRST QUARTER OF THE HIGHEST AVERAGE FARMGATE PRICE WAS RECORDED IN &EBRUARY AT 0 PER KILOGRAM LIVEWEIGHT 4HE LOWEST PRICE WAS NOTED IN -ARCH AT 0 PER KILOGRAM LIVEWEIGHT u 03! SAID -EANWHILE CATTLE PRODUCTION REACHED -4 DURING THE PERIOD FROM -4 A YEAR EARLIER 03! SAID IN ITS g#ATTLE 3ITUATION 2EPORTu .INE REGIONS POSTED GROWTH IN PRODUCTION g4HE HIGHEST INCREMENT IN PRODUCTION WAS REPORTED IN .ORTHERN -INDANAO FROM METRIC TONS LIVEWEIGHT IN TO METRIC TONS LIVE-

WEIGHT IN u 03! SAID &ROM *ANUARY TO -ARCH .ORTHERN -INDANAO TOPPED PRODUCTION AT -4 4HIS WAS FOLLOWED BY )LOCOS 2EGION AND #ENTRAL 6ISAYAS WITH -4 AND -4 RESPECTIVELY 4HESE REGIONS CONTRIBUTED PERCENT TO THE TOTAL LOCAL CATTLE OUTPUT !S OF THE START OF !PRIL

THE COUNTRY S TOTAL INVENTORY OF CATTLE WAS AT MILLION HEADS DOWN PERCENT FROM PREVIOUS YEAR S MILLION HEADS g4HE INVENTORY OF COWS AS OF !PRIL WAS ESTIMATED AT MILLION HEADS 4HIS ACCOUNTED FOR PERCENT OF THE TOTAL CATTLE STOCKS WHILE THE REMAINING PERCENT WERE CONTRIBUTED BY HEIFER YEARLING BULLS AND OTHERS CASTRATED AND READY TO BREED BULLS u 03! SAID 4HE AVERAGE FARMGATE PRICE OF CATTLE DURING THE kRST QUARTER ROSE BY PERCENT TO 0 PER KILO FROM 0 PER KILO LAST YEAR

Higher import duty on cement sought 4(% 4ARIFF #OMMISSION 4# SHOULD HIKE THE SAFEGUARD DUTY FOR IMPORTED CEMENT TO PROTECT THE LOCAL INDUSTRY 4HE #EMENT -ANUFACTURERS !SSOCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES #EMAP MADE THE CALL IN RESPONSE TO THE CONTINUING SURGE IN CEMENT IMPORTS )N A HEARING IN 1UEZON #ITY ON -ONDAY #EMAP %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR #IRILO 0ESTAÃ&#x201E;O ND SAID CEMENT IMPORTS KEPT RISING IN THE FIRST QUARTER DESPITE THE IMPOSITION OF THE PROVISIONAL SAFEGUARD DUTY 4HE PERCENT CEMENT SAFEGUARD OF 0 PER KILOGRAM KG BAG WAS ORDERED BY THE $EPARTMENT OF 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY $4) IN *ANUARY AND TOOK EFFECT STARTING &EBRUARY )T WAS IMPOSED TO REGULATE THE ENTRY OF CEMENT IMPORTS IN THE LOCAL MARKET AND PROTECT THE LOCAL PLAYERS # I T I N G G OVE R N M E N T D A T A 0ESTAÃ&#x201E;O SAID CEMENT IMPORTS ROSE BY PERCENT TO MILLION METRIC TONS -4 IN THE FIRST QUARTER FROM MILLION A YEAR AGO g/UR APPEAL THEREFORE IS FOR A HIGHER w TARIFF RATE TO CURE THE SERIOUS INJURY u HE SAID (E BACKED $4) S CALL TO EXPAND PRODUCTION CAPACITY TO MEET THE CEMENT DEMAND OF THE COUNTRY WHICH IS SEEN TO REACH MILLION -4 BY AS THE GOVERNMENT PUSHES AN AGGRESSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVE g4HERE ARE PIPELINE CAPACITY EXPANSION PROJECTS BY SEVERAL CEMENT COMPANIES 3OME OF WHICH HAVE BEEN COMMISSIONED WHILE SOME ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMMISSIONING IN u HE SAID g#EMENT DEMAND FROM INFRASTRUCTURE IS EXPECTED TO COMPRISE PERCENT OF TOTAL CEMENT D E M A N D BY U P F R O M S SHARE OF PERCENT u

0ESTAÃ&#x201E;O ADDED %NCOURAGING FIRMS TO EXPAND CAPACITY WOULD HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT TO ECONOMY HE SAID CITING 0 BILLION INVESTMENT SPENDING 0 MILLION TAX REVENUE AND JOB CREATION OF TO AMONG OTHERS 2EPUBLIC #EMENT 3ERVICES )NC 0RESIDENT .ABIL &RANCIS WHO ALSO ATTENDED THE HEARING SAID THE CEMENT SAFEGUARD DUTY SHOULD BE PERMANENT AND FIRMS SHOULD FOCUS ON RAISING PRODUCTION CAPACITY g7E TRUST THAT THE 4ARIFF #OMMISSION WILL TAKE THE RIGHT DECISION TO IMPOSE THE SAFEGUARD AS A PERMANENT TARIFF IN THE INDUSTRY u HE SAID 2EPUBLIC #EMENT 6ICE 0RESIDENT FOR 3TRATEGY AND "USINESS $ E VE L O P M E N T * O H N 2E I N I E R $IZON MEANWHILE SAID THE SURGING IMPORTS AFFECTED THEIR OPERATIONS 4HEY RECORDED A NET LOSS LAST YEAR HE SAID 4HE REGULATED ENTRY OF CEMENT IMPORTS WOULD ALLOW MORE TIME FOR LOCAL MANUFACTURER TO GAIN MORE PLANT UPGRADES TO MEET THE DEMAND $IZON ADDED &OR HIS PART 4# -EMBER ))) %RNESTO !LBANO SAID gTHERE IS A LINK BETWEEN IMPORTS AND THIS INJURY SPECIFIED u /N THE OTHER HAND ,ABAN +ONSYUMER 0RESIDENT 6ICTORIO $IMAGIBA RENEWED CALLS TO IMPOSE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE FOR CEMENT PRODUCTS AMID THE SAFEGUARD DUTY TO PROTECT THE CONSUMERS g!T THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE TAKEN A POSITION THAT THIS IS JUST A STRATEGY TO INCREASE PRICES TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE CONSUMER u HE SAID - E A NW H I L E $4 ) " U R E A U OF )MPORT 3ERVICES $IRECTOR ,UIS #ATIBAYAN SAID PRICES REMAINED STABLE DESPITE ADDITIONAL TARIFF ON CEMENT IMPORTS AS OF -ARCH TYRONE C. PIAD

Business Times

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

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MIAA remittance up 50% in 2018 4(% -ANILA )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT !UTHORITY -)!! SAW A SOLID kSCAL PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR AS IT REMITTED A RECORD 0 BILLION IN DIVIDENDS TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT )N A STATEMENT ON 4UESDAY THE -)!! SAID THE AMOUNT IS PERCENT HIGHER THAN ITS REMITTANCE IN 'IVEN ITS kSCAL AUTONOMY THE AGENCY IS REQUIRED TO REMIT AT LEAST PERCENT OF ITS EARNINGS TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT !RLENE "RITANICO -)!! ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER FOR kNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SAID THE DIVIDENDS WERE BUOYED BY gTHE INCREASE IN lIGHTS PASSENGERS ADDITIONAL CONCESSIONS COUPLED WITH THE STRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 0OINT /F 3ALE SYSTEM IMPOSITION OF VARIABLE PARKING RATES AT TERMINAL AS WELL AS OPENING OF AD-

DITIONAL PARKING AREAS u g4HE GAIN ON SALE OF -)!! PROPERTY TO $07( FOR # EXTENSION LARGELY CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASE IN -)!! S NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR u SHE ADDED IN THE STATEMENT #ORPORATE INCOME TAXES REMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT ALSO REACHED 0 BILLION g4HE -)!! REMAINS COMMITTED IN IMPROVING ITS kSCAL MANAGEMENT AS WE ALSO WORK ON IMPROVING THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS OF .!)! 5LTIMATELY OUR FISCAL PERFORMANCE SHOULD RESONATE IN OUR EFFORTS IN MAKING EACH AIRPORT PASSENGER SATISFIED BEYOND EXPECTATIONS u -)!! 'ENERAL -ANAGER %D -ONREAL WAS ALSO QUOTED AS SAYING IN THE STATEMENT LISBET K. ESMAEL

Shamed customers rap 48 lending apps 4(% .ATIONAL 0RIVACY #OMMISSION .0# IS CURRENTLY HEARING ALLEGED HARASSMENT AND SHAMING COMPLAINTS AGAINST ONLINE LENDING APPLICATIONS 4HE COMPLAINTS WERE kLED BY BORROWERS WHOSE PRIVACY RIGHTS AND REPUTATION WERE ALLEGEDLY VIOLATED AND DAMAGED BY THE LENDERS )N A PRESS BRIEkNG ON 4UESDAY ,IBORO SAID THE CONCERNED ONLINE APPLICATIONS ALLEGEDLY ASKED FOR ACCESS TO CONTACT INFORMATION PHOTOS kLES AND DOCUMENTS IN MOBILE PHONES TO PROCESS THE LOAN 3HOULD THE BORROWER FAIL TO SETTLE PAYMENTS THE APPLICATION OPERATOR WOULD SEND TEXT MESSAGES OR CALL PEOPLE IN THE CONTACT LIST INFORMING THEM OF THE FORMER S FULL NAME AND OUTSTANDING BALANCE g4ECHNOLOGY HAS ENABLED INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE ACCESS TO LOANS (OWEVER ;THERE IS= A DOWNSIDE u HE LAMENTED (E SAID THIS COULD BE COMPARABLE TO CYBER BULLYING IF THE BORROWER INFORMATION WOULD BE POSTED ON THE INTERNET FOR PUBLIC SHAMING ,IBORO DECLINED TO NAME THE ONLINE LENDING APPLICATIONS BUT PLEDGED TO PROVIDE THE LIST OF VIOLATORS gIN DUE TIMEu AS HEARINGS ARE STILL ONGOING (E CLARIkED THE VIOLATORS ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH MAJOR BANKING INSTITUTIONS -EANWHILE ,IBORO REVEALED

SOME OF THE VIOLATORS HAVE NO DATA PRIVACY OFkCER WHICH IS MANDATED BY THE $ATA 0RIVACY !CT OF g4HE COMPLAINANT COULD PETITION FOR TEMPORARY BAN )T COULD LEAD TO A PERMANENT BAN FOR PROCESSING INFORMATION u HE SAID )F NEEDED ,IBORO SAID THE COMPLAINT COULD BE ELEVATED TO THE $EPARTMENT OF *USTICE FOR UNAUTHORIZED PROCESSING UNAUTHORIZED PURPOSE OR MALICIOUS DISCLOSURE g)NDIVIDUALS ARE ENTITLED TO INDEMNIkCATION IF WARRANTED 4HEY CAN BE INDEMNIkED BY ;ERRING= COMPANIES u HE SAID &URTHER HE SAID COMPLAINANTS COULD AVAIL SETTLEMENT WITH THE FEE SUBJECT TO NEGOTIATION OF BOTH PARTIES ,IBORO SAID INDIVIDUALS SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL IN READING THE PRIVACY NOTICES OR TERMS OF AGREEMENT 4HEY SHOULD BE gSPECIFIC FREELY GIVEN AND AGAIN INFORMED u HE SAID 4HE .0# IS CURRENTLY CHECKING IF THE PRIVACY NOTICES OF THE ALLEGED VIOLATORS ARE VALID IN THE kRST PLACE AND COMPLIANT TO THE POLICIES )T SAID THE CASES BEING HEARD ARE PART OF THE COMPLAINTS THE COMMISSION RECEIVED LAST YEAR $ESPITE THE COMPLAINTS ,IBORO SAID HE WAS SEEING A gSILVER LININGu AS MANY INDIVIDUALS BECOME AWARE OF THEIR PRIVACY RIGHTS TYRONE C. PIAD

PH attains top ranks in startup research THE Philippines bagged top ranks in five categories in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report by policy advisory services provider and researcher Startup Genome, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Tuesday. In a statement, DTI said the country was recognized for the following aspects: Global Ecosystem for Bang for Buck (top 10), Activation Ecosystem for Connectedness (top 5), Exit Growth Index (top 5), Output Growth Index (top 6) and Funding Growth Index (top 9). DTI said Bang for Buck badge is given to firms â&#x20AC;&#x153;getting more value for the average funding amountâ&#x20AC;? among the startups. The research firm gauged this based on the ratio of average early-stage funding per startup by the average software engineer salary in the ecosystem. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This means, with an average funding a startup gets in this ecosystem, a startup should be able to hire more software engineers for one year,â&#x20AC;? DTI said. Activation Ecosystem for Connectedness refers to accessible help of startup firms from investors, experts and fellow entrepreneurs. Exit Growth Index looked into technology startup exits during 20152016 and 2017-2018 in the ecosystem. Output Growth

Index evaluated the â&#x20AC;&#x153;total startup creation in the ecosystem, calculated in an annualized growth rate from 2014 to 2018.â&#x20AC;? Funding Growth Index collated the index of growth of tech startups in their early-stage funding during 2014-2015 and 2016-2017. Apart from these rankings, the Philippines was also acknowledged for having robust financial technology sector which comprises 15 percent of the startups. The report said transactions of financial technology firms registered $5.7 billion in 2018 and is seen to reach $10.5 billion by 2022. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was also found out that Manila has an experienced pool of tech talent with its reputable outsourcing industry, and a pool of talent from the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different universities, and robust English-language skills,â&#x20AC;? DTI said. The research firm also took note of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;strong legal and regulatory support startupsâ&#x20AC;? with measures such as Youth Entrepreneurship Act Program, Philippine Innovation Act and the Innovative Startup Act. DTI attributed the recent success to its Startup Ecosystem Development Program, an initiative that promotes micro, small and medium enterprises. TYRONE C. PIAD

Foreign Business Amazon gets own internet domain Ford to slash 7,000 jobs in reorganization push N Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

SAN FRANCISCO: E-commerce giant Amazon was on its way to running its own online neighborhood Monday after the internetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s address keeper granted the â&#x20AC;&#x153;.amazonâ&#x20AC;? domain to the company. After waiting in vain for years for the US online retail colossus and an alliance of South American countries to resolve their battle over the right to web addresses ending with â&#x20AC;&#x153;.amazon,â&#x20AC;? the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) this month sided with the Seattle-based company. In 2012, Amazon applied for â&#x20AC;&#x153;.amazonâ&#x20AC;? and two internationalized versions of the name. Brazil and several other countries put the US company on notice that they were opposed to the idea.â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to its inseparable semantic relation to the Amazon forest, that domain should not be, in any way, the monopoly of a company,â&#x20AC;? the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs argued on its website. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the contrary, it is imperative that the States concerned be able to participate in the management and use of the name in order to defend and promote the natural, cultural and symbolic heritage

of the Amazon region, as well as foster the regional economy and the digital inclusion of the populations living there.â&#x20AC;? Icann said it balanced concerns of all involved and stalled the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s application for the domain in hopes the inTERNET kRM AND MEMBER STATES of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization would work out a solution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ACTO and the Amazon corporation have been unable to come to a mutually acceptable solution or agree on an extension of time for continued discussions,â&#x20AC;? Icann said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In light of this, the board is now moving forward with the next steps laid out... and is directing ICANN org to continue processing the .AMAZON applications toward delegation.â&#x20AC;? There will be a public comment period as per procedures established for granting new domain names. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said it feared the ICANN decision DID NOT SUFkCIENTLY TAKE INTO ACcount the interests of the South American governments involved and undermined the rights of sovereign states. AFP

FCC chief backs Sprint, T-Mobile megamerger WASHINGTON, D.C.: The top official of the US communications regulator on Monday announced his support for the proposed $26-billion merger between telecoms firms Sprint and T-Mobile. The decision raises the chances the merger will win final approval from federal authorities. But the companies still face an anti-trust review by the US Department of Justice, which media reports say fears declining market competition if the deal goes through. Ajit Pai, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), said both companies had promised his agency they would offer a next-generation 5G network to 99 percent of Americans within six years of completing the deal while also expanding access to mobile broadband. The companies have agreed not to raise rates for three years and will divest from the Sprint subsidiary Boost Mobile. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The construction of this network and the delivery of such high-speed wireless services to the vast majority of Americans would substantially benefit consumers and our country as a whole,â&#x20AC;? Pai said in a statement. Failure to make good on their pledges could result in â&#x20AC;&#x153;serious consequences,â&#x20AC;? including billions of dollars in penalties, creating an incentive for the companies to meet their obligations on time, according to Pai. The commission is due to consider the merger proposal next month.

A rival to US giants Pai said the deal was intended to allay anti-trust concerns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This sale is designed to address potential competitive issues that have been identified in the prepaid wireless segment,â&#x20AC;? he said in the statement. Nevertheless, trading in shares of Sprint was briefly halted in the afternoon after tumbling on a Bloomberg report that Justice Department officials did not favor permitting the merger to go forward.

The Justice Department in 2011 blocked an attempt by AT&T to acquire T-Mobile, saying the market was already too concentrated to allow it. On Wall Street, Sprint closed up 12.5 percent while T-Mobile added 3.9 percent. After the merger, the combined companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s size would help it rival US giants AT&T and Verizon Communications, which dominate the US market. T-Mobile and Sprint are respectively the third- and fourth-largest wireless carriers in the United States with a combined 131 million subscribers that would virtually match secondranked AT&T. Sprint, majority owned by Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SoftBank, and TMobile, a unit of Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Deutsche Telekom, had in the past tried and failed to agree on merger terms. 5G, or fifth-generation wireless communications networks would enable services such as remote surgery or driverless cars and allow customers to experience video and virtual reality with greater ease. Global competition to develop the technology has heated up but in a move widely seen as aimed squarely at Chinese rival Huawei, Washington has barred US companies from engaging in telecommunications trade with foreign companies deemed as threatening American national security. T-Mobile chief John Legere told lawmakers in February his company did not and would not use Huawei equipment in its networks. SoftBank plans to cease using Huawei equipment, according to media reports late last year. Sprint did not respond to an AFP request for comment on Monday. In December, the proposed merger won approval from regulators who vet acquisitions for national security risks. The Communications Workers of America union says the planned merger could cost 30,000 jobs but Sprintâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CEO Michael Coombs instead warned last month of layoffs if the AFP deal is blocked.

EW YORK: Ford plans to cut 7,000 jobs, or 10 percent of its global salaried workforce, as part of a reorganization as it revamps its vehicle offerings, the company said on Monday.

The downsizing will involve some layoffs and reassignments of white-collar staff and should be complete by the end of August, a Ford spokeswoman said. Ford has been phasing out most sedan models in the United States as more consumers have opted for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. The move, which began last year and follows some job cuts announced earlier in other regions, will lead to 800 layoffs in North America in total, including about 500 this week, said Ford spokeswoman Marisa Bradley. The company has yet to deterMINE ALL OF THE SPECIkCS IN OTHER regions, she said. The actions, expected to save about $600 million a year, come as Ford ramps up investment in electric cars and autonomous driving technology, eyeing future growth in those businesses even as current PROkTABILITY IS TIED CLOSELY TO SALES of conventional vehicles in North America, including its best-selling F-150 pickup trucks. Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downsizing also comes as car sales cool in key markets, including the United States and China. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To succeed in our competi-

tive industry, and position Ford to win in a fast-changing future, we must reduce bureaucracy, empower managers, speed decision making, focus on the most valuable work and cut costs,â&#x20AC;? Chief Executive Jim Hackett said in an email to employees. Ford had 199,000 employees, including its unionized workforce, at the end of 2018, down from 202,000 a year earlier, according TO SECURITIES kLINGS

Earlier moves Ford in March announced it would eliminate more than 5,000 jobs in Germany. Bradley said Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kGURES INCLUDED SALARIED STAFF IN Germany affected by that move BUT THAT SOME OF THE kGURES IN THE German announcement related to hourly staff. Ford also previously announced moves to exit the commercial heavy truck business in Brazil, restructure its Russia operations and cease production at two plants in that country while ending production at a plant in Bordeaux, France. Ford had signaled it expected SIGNIkCANT JOB CUTS IN !PRIL when it announced it would phase out several small models

Q In this Jan. 14, 2018 photo, Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Hackett prepares to address the media at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. AP PHOTO in North America. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we have said, Ford is undergoing an organizational redesign process helping us create a more dynamic, agile and empowered workforce, while becoming more kT AS A BUSINESS u "RADLEY SAID â&#x20AC;&#x153;We understand this is a challenging time for our team but these steps are necessary to position Ford for success today and yet preparing to thrive in the future.â&#x20AC;? General Motors has also undertaken job cuts over the last year for

similar reasons, announcing plans to shutter seven plants worldwide, INCLUDING kVE IN .ORTH !MERICA The GM announcement drew heavy criticism from US and Canadian politicians, including US President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, GM said it was in talks to sell an Ohio plant to Workhorse, a Cincinnati-based company that focuses on producing electric delivery vehicles. Shares of Ford ended down 0.1 percent at $10.28. AFP

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;IMF aid programs mostly help, need fine-tuningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; WASHINGTON, D.C.: Three-quarters of International Monetary Fund aid programs over a sixyear period attained their goals fully or partially but there were some failings, including rosecolored growth forecasts, the fund said on Monday. Between 2011 and 2017, the IMF oversaw 133 economic aid programs for member countries, according to a review, the results of which were released Monday by the fund. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The review found three-quarters of IMF programs were successful or partially successful in achieving their objectives, such as resolving balance of payments problems and fostering economic

growth,â&#x20AC;? the reviewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s authors said in a joint blog post. Martin Muehleisen, head of the department which conducted the review, Petya Koeva Brooks, the deputy director, and economist Chad Steinberg, said this was the first time such a review of IMF programs had been carried out SINCE THE GLOBAL kNANCIAL CRISIS â&#x20AC;&#x153;a period of unexpectedly slow economic growth.â&#x20AC;? The review showed that member states turn to the IMF when they are already facing major threats to ECONOMIC AND kNANCIAL STABILITY As a result, IMF programs often serve as â&#x20AC;&#x153;shock absorbers,â&#x20AC;? allowing countries to meet their IMMEDIATE kNANCIAL NEEDS WHILE

considerably softening blows to their economies, they said. Furthermore, aid served as a catalyst, helping recipients to obTAIN kNANCING FROM OTHER OFkCIAL lenders and donors, according to the report, which was presented to the IMFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board early this month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This helps protect the countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; economies from even greater disruption.â&#x20AC;? The report found that for the most part members were able to spare social spending from cuts. This was because more than a third of programs, mainly intended for countries with little revenue, promoted spending to boost growth and reduce poverty. On the other hand, aid pack-

ages faced obstacles, such as economic growth forecasts that proved too optimistic. As a result, the reviewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s authors recommend more cautious use of such forecasts and deeper analysis of the effects the fundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programs can have on growth. Moreover, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;more careful diagnosisâ&#x20AC;? is essential when considering how to restructure debt burdens and a better grasp of a countries institutions and political capacities can help avoid â&#x20AC;&#x153;aiming at unrealistic targets.â&#x20AC;? The authors also called for more effective communication with the general public, saying this was an â&#x20AC;&#x153;underappreciated aspectâ&#x20AC;? of success. AFP

Q GROWS FROM B1

0.1 percent, Hong Kong dropped with the industrial index up the PERCENT AND 7ELLINGTON kN- most by 2.51 percent. ished 0.2 percent. Volume turnover stood at 750 !LL SECTORAL RESULTS kNISHED kRM million issues valued at P5.4 billion.

Winners led losers, 97 to 94, while 45 issues were unchanged. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS WITH A REPORT FROM AFP

PSEi up Q COMPANY FROM B1

Huawei

to cut ties with Huawei in light of the ban. The move could have dramatic implications for Huawei smartphone users, as the telecom giant will no longer have access to Googleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proprietary services â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which include the Gmail and Google Maps apps â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a source close to the matter told Agence France-Presse. But the Commerce department on Monday issued a 90-day reprieve on the ban on the transfer of technology by allowing temporary licences. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The US 90-day temporary licence does not have much impact on us, we are ready,â&#x20AC;? Ren said. Huawei has sought to ease customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concerns over the Google announcement. Ren said Huawei and Google were discussing how to respond TO THE BAN CALLING THE 53 kRM A â&#x20AC;&#x153;highly responsible company.â&#x20AC;? A company spokesman in Australia said the US actions â&#x20AC;&#x153;will not impact consumersâ&#x20AC;? with a Huawei tablet or smartphone in the country, or those planning to buy a device in the future. As for Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s access to key components, Ren said half of chips used in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

equipment come from the United States and the other half it makes itself. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We cannot be isolated from the world,â&#x20AC;? Ren said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can also make the same chips as the US chips, but it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy them,â&#x20AC;? he added. He denied reports that German chipmaker Infineon has halted shipments to Huawei. But analysts say the ban threatens the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very survival as it heavily relies on US components. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the ban continues, Huawei will be damaged for sure, particularly in smartphones, but also in the datacenter and networking markets,â&#x20AC;? said Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy.

challenge, given the few alternatives for 5G. While Australia has also banned Huawei from its 5G plans, the US has struggled to sway some countries, with Britain having reportedly approved a limited role for the Chinese company to help build a 5G network in the country. Canada has been dragged into the battle. Its arrest of Renâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter, Huawei Chief FinanCIAL /FkCER -ENG 7ANZHOU IN December on a US extradition bid linked to Iran sanctions violations was followed by the arrest in China of two Canadians, including a former diplomat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We sacrificed ourselves and families because we have a goal. In order to stand on the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summit, for this goal, there will BE CONlICTS WITH THE 53 SOONER OR Ask Trump, not me later,â&#x20AC;? Ren said. The battle over Huawei has addThe Huawei confrontation has been building for years, as the ed to tensions in a trade war that company has raced to a huge has escalated between the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advantage over rivals in 5G top two economies, with both sides exchanging steep increases in mobile technology. US intelligence believes Hua- tariffs as negotiations have faltered. Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s envoy to the European wei is backed by the Chinese military and that its equipment could Union, Zhang Ming, called the provide Beijingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intelligence move against Huawei â&#x20AC;&#x153;wrong beservices with a backdoor into havior,â&#x20AC;? and said â&#x20AC;&#x153;there will be a the communications networks of necessary response.â&#x20AC;? rival countries. Asked how long Huawei may For that reason, Washington has FACE DIFkCULT TIMES 2EN SAID g9OU pushed its closest allies to reject may need to ask Trump about this (UAWEI TECHNOLOGY Â&#x2021; A SIGNIkCANT question, not me.â&#x20AC;? AFP

Q PROJECTS FROM B1

NEDA

Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concession area and up to 1.87 million people within the Lopez-led Maynilad Water Services Inc. concession area. State-run Land Bank of the Philippines is the MWMPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main proponent, together with the two water companies. In addition to these projects, the ICC-Cabcom also noted changes in the Access to Sustainable Energy Program of the Department of Energy. These include a two-year implementation period extension from Dec. 18, 2019 to Dec. 18, 2021; a two-year validity extension of a grant from the European Union (EU) from Dec. 18, 2021 to Dec. 18, 2023; and a reallocation of grant proceeds from contingencies to technical assistance. â&#x20AC;&#x153; T h e s e we r e a p p r ove d through Department of Financeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signing of an addendum to the financing agreement between the EU and the Philippine government [in] December 2018,â&#x20AC;? NEDA said.

Classified Ads

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

Interested applicants, please send a full resume, specifying your subject of expertise, with links to samples of online work or appropriate attachments. Please email your resumĂŠ at: hrd@manilatimes.net, or you may apply personally at 2/F Sitio Grande Bldg., 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila (Formerly TRB Bldg.), or you may call Irish de Guzman at 524-5664 local 122.

Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of Incorporation of ANA-MARY INCORPORATED shortening the term of existence up to December 31, 2017 by dissolving the said corporation on said date have been approved by the Board of Directors.

Petition for Approval of the Sale, Transfer and Conveyance of the ship, MV â&#x20AC;&#x153;SAN RAFAEL UNOâ&#x20AC;?

All persons having claims against said corporation are requested to present the same at Rm. 12-D R. Magsaysay Center, Roxas Blvd., Manila for immediate settlement.

2GO GROUP, INC., Petitioner. x-----------------------x

This announcement will serve as notice to all concerned of the legal dissolution of the aforesaid corporation.

CASE NO. MNL-2019-018-FS

(SGD.) MARY CO Secretary/Treasurer

ORDER MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 8, 15 & 22, 2019

%HIRUH XV LV WKH DERYH HQWLWOHG 3HWLWLRQ ZKLFK ZDV ÂżOHG E\ 3HWLWLRQHU on 17 May 2019. The Petitioner seeks the approval of the sale, transfer and conveyance of the ship. â&#x20AC;&#x153;MV â&#x20AC;&#x153;SAN RAFAEL UNO,â&#x20AC;? by virtue of a Memorandum of Agreement entered into by and between the Petitioner, the Seller, and Middle Bridge Maritime Company, the Buyer, on 25 April 2019. The following are the particulars of the subject ship: 2IÂżFLDO 1R Type of Ship Gross Tons Hull Year Built Place Built

: : : : :

The Manila Times is warning the public that certain individuals posing as our employees have been threatening to publish articles against some companies. Anyone who receives a call from these extortionists should report the matter to the police.

The Petitioner shall publish this Order once in a newspaper of general FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V EHIRUH WKH VFKHGXOHG GDWHG RI KHDULQJ The Petitioner shall submit a written Formal Offer of Evidence during WKH KHDULQJ RU ÂżYH GD\V WKHUHDIWHU WITNESS WKH +RQRUDEOH 2IÂżFHU LQ &KDUJH IRU WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH Administrator, VADM NARCISO A VINGSON JR., this 20th day of May 2019 at Manila, Philippines. BY AUTHORITY OF THE MARINA ADMINISTRATOR: (Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 11-14 dated 22 August 2014) MA. CONCEPCION C. ARBOLARIO OIC-Director Franchising Service MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 22, 2019

ERRORS & OMISSIONS

INVITATION TO BID 6RUVRJRQ ,, (OHFWULF &RRSHUDWLYH 625(&2 ,, KROGLQJ RIÂżFH DW %UJ\ %XKDWDQ Sorsogon City, is looking for a Power Supplier/Generation Company which will supply the capacity requirements for its Captive Customers. Sorsogon II Electric Cooperative is conducting a transparent and Competitive Selection Process which shall be in accordance ZLWK WKH IROORZLQJ 6FKHGXOHV 7HUPV RI 5HIHUHQFH DQG 3UH 4XDOLÂżFDWLRQ 5HTXLUHPHQWV SCHEDULE OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS Activities 1. Publication of Invitation to Bid

Schedule

Venue

May 17-26, 2019

The Manila Times

2. Submission of Pre4XDOLÂżFDWLRQ 5HTXLUHPHQWV DQG $QQRXQFHPHQW RI 3UH 4XDOLÂżHG May 18-26, 2019 Bidders May 27, 2019 to June 3. Issuance of Bid Documents 17, 2019, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. June 18, 2019, 10:00 4. Pre-Bid Conference A.M. 5. Issuance of Bid Bulletin and June 19, 2019 Final Instruction to Bidders 6. Due Diligence of Proponent June 20-26, 2019 7. Deadline of Submission of June 27, 2019 Technical and Financial Bids 9:30 A.M Opening of Technical and June 27, 2019 Financial Bids 10:00 A.M. 8. EC Evaluation on Submitted Bids

June 28, 2019

3RVW 4XDOLÂżFDWLRQ DQG 'HWDLOHG June 29 - July 3, 2019 Evaluation of Bids

625(&2 ,, &$0' 2IÂżFH Monreal St., Sorsogon City 3rd Floor, Function Hall, SORECO II Bldg., Monreal St., Talisay, Sorsogon City 3rd Floor, Function Hall, SORECO II Bldg., Monreal St., Talisay, Sorsogon City 3rd Floor, Function Hall, SORECO II Bldg., Monreal St., Talisay, Sorsogon City 3rd Floor, Function Hall, SORECO II Bldg., Monreal St., Talisay, Sorsogon City

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF ELECTRIC AND NON-ELECTRIC CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR THE REGULATORY YEAR 2019

Type of Contract

Firm - Base load

Contracted Capacity (MW) Contracted Energy (kWh per month or year)

No take-or-pay volume No Minimum energy off-take

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: 1RWLFH LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ WKDW RQ 0DUFK ,OLJDQ /LJKW DQG 3RZHU ,QF ,/3, ÂżOHG DQ Application dated 31 January 2019, seeking the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval of its electric and non-electric capital projects for the Regulatory Years 2017 to 2018.

Applicant ILPI is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of WKH ODZV RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV ZLWK SULQFLSDO RIÂżFH DW %UR -HIIUH\ 5RDG 3DOD R ,OLJDQ City where it may be served with summons and other legal processes.

Applicant ILPI is the exclusive franchise holder issued by the Congress of the Philippines to operate electric light and power service in the City of Iligan in the Province of Lanao del Norte.

ILPI is part of the Second Entry Group (otherwise known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Group Bâ&#x20AC;?) that entered into the performance-based regulation (â&#x20AC;&#x153;PBRâ&#x20AC;?) rate setting methodology on April 1, 2009. Other members of Group B are Mactan Electric Company, Inc. (MECO) and Cotabato Light and Power Company (CLPC).

As part of the PBR rate setting methodology, ILPIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Second Regulatory Period was from April 1, 2009 toMarch 31, 2013.

Prior to the end of the Second Regulatory Period for the Second Entry Group, the Honorable Commission began the process of updating the Rules for Setting Distribution Wheeling Rates for Privately Owned Distribution Utilities (Second Entry Group) (the â&#x20AC;&#x153;RDWRâ&#x20AC;?).

However, the revisions to the RDWR from the Third and Fourth Regulatory 3HULRGV DQG WKH UHVROXWLRQ RI FHUWDLQ LVVXHV LGHQWLÂżHG XQGHU 3%5 E\ WKH +RQRUDEOH Commission had not yet been completed by the time the Second Regulatory Period had ended on March 31, 2013.

8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKH UHYLVLRQV WR WKH 5':5 KDYH QRW \HW EHHQ ÂżQDOL]HG 6LQFH WKH VWDUW of the regulatory reset process under PBR for Group B for the Third and Fourth Regulatory Periods has not yet begun and given the need by ILPI to undertake electric and non-electric capital projects in order to address the load growth, renewal, UHSODFHPHQW DQG UHIXUELVKPHQW RI H[LVWLQJ GLVWULEXWLRQ DVVHWV ,/3, LV QRZ ÂżOLQJ WKLV instant Application.

ILPI has several electric and non-electric capital projects planned for RY 2019 which are necessary to maintain the reliable and safe operation of its distribution network as well as to provide for the growing electricity demand in the ILPI franchise area.

Being guided by the latest Rules for Setting Distribution Wheeling Rates (RDWR), as amended, ILPI hereby submits for approval of this Honorable Commission the following electric and non-electric capital projects for RY 2019:

LOT II: (September 26, 2022 to September 25, 2029)

Type of Contract

DESCRIPTION Firm - Base load

Contracted Capacity (MW) Contracted Energy (kWh per month or year)

Annex D Annex E Annex F Annex G Annex H Annex I Annex J Annex K Annex L Annex M Annex N Annex O Annex P Annex Q Annex R Annex S Annex T Annex U Annex V Annex W

REQUIREMENT x Power Supplier that owns and operates, existing and operational power plant (s) in the Philippines x Power Supplier with available capacity by September 26, 2019 8 MW for Sep. 26, 2019 to Sep. 25, 2022

The Power Supply Agreement shall take effect for a period of three (3) years commencing x September 26, 2019 to Contract Duration on the Commercial Operations September 25, 2022 Date of September 26, 2019 to September 25, 2022, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of the PSA. Commercial September 26, 2019 Operation Date x The Bidder must have at least ÂżYH \HDUV RI H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH technology being offered x The Bidder shall provide &HUWLÂżFDWH RI *RRG 3HUIRUPDQFH Eligibility (track record) from its existing and Requirements previous customers. x The Bidder may submit organizational structure and WHFKQLFDO TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV FDSDELOLW\ of technical staff. TERMS OF REFERENCE

Annex B Annex C

ILIGAN LIGHT AND POWER, INC. (ILPI), Applicant. x------------------------------------------------------------------x

LOT I: (September 26, 2019 to September 25, 2022) DESCRIPTION

ANNEX Annex 1 Annex A ERC CASE NO. 2019-017 RC

CAPITAL PROJECTS (For the Regulatory Year 2019)

REQUIREMENT x Power Supplier that owns and operates, existing and operational power plant (s) in the Philippines x Power Supplier with available capacity by September 26, 2022 10 MW for Sep. 26, 2022 to Sept. 25, 2029 No take-or-pay volume No Minimum energy off-take

The Power Supply Agreement shall take effect for a period of seven (7) years commencing Contract Duration on the Commercial Operations x September 26, 2022 to September Date of September 26, 2022 25, 2029 to September 25, 2029, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of the PSA. Commercial September 26, 2022 Operation Date x The Bidder must have at least ÂżYH \HDUV RI H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH technology being offered x The Bidder shall provide &HUWLÂżFDWH RI *RRG 3HUIRUPDQFH Eligibility (track record) from its existing and Requirements previous customers. x The Bidder may submit organizational structure and WHFKQLFDO TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV FDSDELOLW\ of technical staff. The contract shall be awarded to the bidder with the Lowest Calculated Responsive %LG /&5% 3URMHFW GHWDLOV HOLJLELOLW\ UHTXLUHPHQWV WHFKQLFDO ÂżQDQFLDO FRPSRQHQWV DQG other particulars/concerns shall be processed/ discussed during the Pre-Bid Conference. ONLY THOSE WHO ARE DULY ACCREDITED AND ARE ABLE TO PURCHASE BID DOCUMENTS ARE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRE-BID CONFERENCE (IF EVALUATED TO BE ELIGIBLE). The Non-Refundable Bid Docs Fee is PhP150,000.00. All bids shall be accompanied by a BID SECURITY equivalent to 2% of the ABC in the form of cash, cashierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s check or bank guarantee only. Annual Accreditation Fee is PhP10,000.00. Bidding Documents with Eligibility Requirements can be purchased through Mr. Yulo Paulo L. Marbida (09263285722) or Ms. 6X]HWWH / /DQX]D %$& 6HFUHWDULDW DW &3' 2IÂżFH 625(&2 ,, 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Buhatan, Sorsogon City or e-mail us at soreco2.tpbac@gmail.comGXULQJ RIÂżFH KRXUV SORECO II reserves the absolute right to reject any or all bids, abort the bidding process, waive any information or defects therein, and to accept such bids or award to any bidder/supplier whose bid may be considered advantageous to SORECO II, or not to award the contract and make no assurance that a contract shall be entered into as a result of this invitation. (SGD.) ENGR. JOSELITO S. ORTICIO TP-BAC Chairman Noted:

Proposed Project No.

Title Replacement of Three (3) Overton Feeders Protection Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs) with 16 kAIC Ratings Sitio Pigtuliran Replacement of Poles Project

Replacement of Substation Protection Devices for Safety Compliance Projects

Type

MT - May 17 & 22, 2019

NOTICE OF HEARING

Applicant, FAIRWAVES BROADC ASTING NETWORK, is a sole proprietorship duly organized and existing under and by virtue of Philippine Laws, a grantee of a Legislative Franchise under R.A. No. 8113, requests for the issuance of a &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF Convenience (CPCP) to install, operate and maintain 1Kw Radio Broadcast Station in CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR.

Applicant, MINDANAO BROADCASTING NEWS AND NETWORK, INC., a 100% Filipino domestic corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of Philippine Laws, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.), and a grantee of Congressional Franchise under R.A. No. 8529, requests for the issuance of a &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF &RQYHQLHQFH (CPC) to install, operate and maintain 1.0 Kw FM Radio Broadcast Station in IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY.

In view thereof, this will be heard by this Commission on JUNE 10, 2019, (Monday) at ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the Legal Branch, 3rd Floor, NTC Building, National Telecommunications Commission, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City, wherein applicant shall present its compliance with the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jurisdictional requirements, as well as its evidences, if warranted. However, should the hearing date be declared a holiday or nonworking day due to force majeure, the said hearing shall be held on the NEXT regular working day. $W OHDVW ÂżIWHHQ GD\V EHIRUH WKH date of hearing, applicant shall have published the Notice of Hearing once in one (1) newspaper of general circulation and have served copies of the Notice of Hearing and the application including all annexes attached therewith to all affected parties by registered mail or through personal delivery, as furnished by the Commission. Any party opposed to the granting of the application is hereby directed to appear at the scheduled hearing DQG PXVW ÂżOH LWV YHULÂżHG RSSRVLWLRQ on or before the date of hearing, furnishing the applicant with a copy of the same. Failure on the SDUW RI DQ\ DIIHFWHG SDUW\ WR ÂżOH LWV opposition on time and to appear at the scheduled hearing shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard and the Commission shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merit. WITNESS, the HON. GAMALIEL A. CORDOBA, Commissioner, National Telecommunications Commission, this 17th day of MAY, 2019. (SGD.) ADRIANO B. CONSUNJI Chief, Commission Secretariat MT - May 22, 2019

Project Cost (PhP) Total

Reference

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

Safety

4,538,312.00

Annex C

Safety

900,000.00

Annex D

Capacity

1,819,945.82

Annex E

Capacity

11,755,882.50

Annex F

Capacity

8,148,264.00

Annex G

Capacity

2,307,250.00

Annex H

Capacity Capacity Expansion

12,527,666.07 8,759,246.00 20,264,682.47

Annex I Annex J Annex K

Reliability Improvement

3,314,305.90

Annex L

1,200,000.00

Annex M

The name and address of such person;

2,142,068.26

Annex N

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

System Loss Reduction

2,733,625.00

Annex O

The grounds relied upon.

System Loss Reduction

12,654,870.04

Annex P

Service (IÂżFLHQF\

22,878,000.00

Annex Q

Service (IÂżFLHQF\

11,700,000.00

Annex R

Service (IÂżFLHQF\

11,776,368.57

Annex S

Service (IÂżFLHQF\ of Wireless and Service 21 Expansion Virtual Infrastructure (IÂżFLHQF\ Acquisition of IT Hardware Service 22 Requirements (IÂżFLHQF\ Service 23 Safety, Health and Wellness Projects (IÂżFLHQF\ TOTAL PROJECT COST (PhP)

741,071.43

Annex T

1,959,360.00

Annex U

1,173,242.00

Annex V

1,315,000.00

Annex W

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 Meter Replacement Project Land Improvements, Building Construction and 17 Improvements and other Equipment 18 Vehicles Tools and Instruments Maintenance and 19 for Operations 20 SCADA Software Update

Reliability Improvement Reliability Improvement

(SGD.) ADRIANO B. CONSUNJI Chief, Commission Secretariat MT - May 22, 2019

Applicant likewise prays for such other and further relief as may be deemed just and equitable in the premises.

Annex B

WITNESS, the HON. GAMALIEL A. CORDOBA, Commissioner, National Telecommunications Commission, this 17th day of MAY, 2019.

Replacement of Three (3) Overton Feeders Protection Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs) with 16 kAIC Ratings Sitio Pigtuliran Replacement of Poles Project Replacement of Substation Protection Devices for Safety Compliance Projects Replacement of Defective 69 kV Disconnect Switch Tambacan 13.8kV Backbone Line Reconductoring Customer Service Drops and Metering Equipment Distribution Transformers Low Voltage Distribution Lines Installation of new meters Poles Line Construction Projects 13.8kV Backbone Loop Line of Kiwalan Feeder and Pala-o Feeder Fault Indicator Installation for Fault Frequent Areas Digkilaan Reconductoring Project Streetlight Metering Project (Continuation of RY 2018 Project) Meter Replacement Project Land Improvements, Building Construction and Improvements and Other Equipment Vehicles Tools and Instruments for Maintenance and Operations SCADA Software Update Expansion of Wireless and Virtual Infrastructure Acquisition of IT Hardware Requirements Safety, Health and Wellness Projects

1,113,563.25

Any party opposed to the granting of the application is hereby directed to appear at the scheduled hearing and PXVW ÂżOH LWV YHULÂżHG RSSRVLWLRQ RQ RU before the date of hearing, furnishing the applicant with a copy of the same. Failure on the part of any affected SDUW\ WR ÂżOH LWV RSSRVLWLRQ RQ WLPH DQG to appear at the scheduled hearing shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard and the Commission shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merit.

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Commission, after trial on the PHULWV LVVXH D ÂżQDO DSSURYDO RI WKH IROORZLQJ &DSLWDO 3URMHFWV DQG WKDW ,/3, EH JUDQWHG WKH authority to implement, construct, own and operate the same:

Safety

$W OHDVW ÂżIWHHQ GD\V EHIRUH WKH date of hearing, applicant shall have published the Notice of Hearing once in one (1) newspaper of general circulation and have served copies of the Notice of Hearing and the application including all annexes attached therewith to all affected parties by registered mail or through personal delivery, as furnished by the Commission.

PRAYER

Annex A

However, should the hearing date be declared a holiday or non-working day due to force majeure, the said hearing shall be held on the NEXT regular working day.

12. The approval of the foregoing electric and non-electric capital projects will ensure that the customers of ILPI will be served continuously and reliably in accordance with the standards under the Philippine Distribution Code (PDC) and other regulatory obligations as well as the approved Performance Level Targets for ILPIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Performance Incentive Scheme (PIS) under PBR.

4,285,714.28

Replacement of Defective 69 kV Disconnect Switch Tambacan 13.8kV Backbone Line Reconductoring Customer Service Drops and Metering Equipment Distribution Transformers Low Voltage Distribution Lines Installation of new meters Poles Line Construction Projects 13.8kV Backbone Loop Line of Kiwalan Feeder and Pala-o Feeder Fault Indicator Installation for Fault Frequent Areas Digkilaan Reconductoring Project Streetlight Metering Project (Continuation of RY 2018 Project) Meter Replacement Project Land Improvements, Building Construction and Improvements and Other Equipment Vehicles Tools and Instruments for Maintenance and Operations SCADA Software Update Expansion of Wireless and Virtual Infrastructure Acquisition of IT Hardware Requirements Safety, Health and Wellness Projects

Safety

Applicant, further requests for the issuance of a Provisional Authority (PA) SHQGLQJ ÂżQDO GHWHUPLQDWLRQ RI the application.

INFORMATION PROVIDED Executive Summary Replacement of Three (3) Overton Feeders Protection Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs) with 16 kAIC Ratings Sitio Pigtuliran Replacement of Poles Project Replacement of Substation Protection Devices for Safety Compliance Projects

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 13 June 2019 (Thursday), at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon (02:00 P.M.), at ,/3,ÂśV 3ULQFLSDO 2IÂżFH DW %UR -HIIUH\ 5RDG 3DOD R ,OLJDQ &LW\ All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a SDUW\ E\ ÂżOLQJ ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D YHULÂżHG 3HWLWLRQ WR ,QWHUYHQH DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V SULRU to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and address;

The nature of petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the VXEMHFW PDWWHU RI WKH FDVH PD\ ÂżOH WKHLU 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW WKHUHRQ DW DQ\ VWDJH RI WKH proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following:

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. ILPI is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application DQG RWKHU SHUWLQHQW UHFRUGV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ GXULQJ WKH VWDQGDUG RIÂżFH KRXUV WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES Energy Regulatory Commission, this 6th day of May 2019 in Pasig City.

150,008,437.59

10. The proposed electric and non-electric capital projects will not have a direct impact on the current rates of ILPI until approved by the Honorable Commission as part of ILPIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Regulatory Asset Base in its next regulatory reset application under PBR.

(SGD.) MARIA FLOR S. TANSUPING OIC-General Manager

MINDANAO BROADCASTING AND NEWS NETWORK, INC. Applicant BMC CASE NO. 2019-074 x-----------------------------------------------x

In support of this Application, the Applicant has attached the following supporting documents in connection with the projects:

The pertinent portions of the said Application are hereunder quoted as follows:

Below are the minimum contract requirements for SORECO II for the supply of capacity requirement for the period of September 26, 2019 to September 25, 2022 (Short-term) and September 26, 2022 to September 25, 2029 (Medium-term), the terms of reference indicated herein are non-negotiable and bidder must be able to meet all the requirements of SORECO II.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

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

Any incorrect advertisement published in The Manila Times Classified Ads must be brought to our attention on the same day the advertisement came out. We will not be held liable for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

625(&2 ,, &3' 2IÂżFH Buhatan, Sorsogon City

FAIRWAVES BROADCASTING NETWORK, Applicant BMC CASE NO. 2019-073 x--------------------------------------------x

Applicant, further requests for the issuance of a Provisional Authority (PA) SHQGLQJ ÂżQDO determination of the application.

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC

Cargo vessel 7,624.0 Steel 1989 Japan

Notice is hereby given that the said Petition will be heard by this Authority on 30 May 2019 at 2:00 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon, at the 3rd Floor, Franchising Service Hearing Room, at the above address.

SORSOGON II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE SORECO II Brgy. Buhatan, Sorsogon East District, Sorsogon City E-mail- soreco2.tpbac @gmail.com

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Quezon City

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Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY FRANCHISING SERVICE, CENTRAL OFFICE A. Bonifacio Avenue corner 20th Avenue corner Railroad Street South Harbor, Port Area, Manila

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

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Quezon City

11. A detailed description for each of the projects are attached hereto as part of the VSHFLÂżF SURMHFWVÂś DQQH[ DQG DUH PDGH LQWHJUDO SDUWV RI WKLV $SSOLFDWLRQ

MT - May 22 & 30, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Maritime

FOCUS

International maritime safety, security measures to learn from T

HE Philippines has a lot of things to learn from maritime countries that adopt security measures and plans under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). These security measures must be aligned with global safety standards such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) imposed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Countries and shipping companies invest large amounts to make security plans and strategies to ensure that sea trade is not inordinately disrupted and that ships, people, and ports are adequately protected and secured. Industry players said the rule of law should be maintained even beyond jurisdictions so that oceans, seas and international waters are kept clean, safe and secure. This way, maritime peace and progress would be achieved for the good of all.

Maritime safety and security issues

crewsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; protection whether at port or at sea. Industry placers face various safety and security issues that threaten maritime activities, including safety at seas, security in ports, robbery and piracy, counter terrorism, and cyber security.

Safety at sea The seas have claimed thousands of lives in tragic accidents that could have been prevented or avoided. Studies show that most of the time, contact accidents and collisions that result in ships sinking to the bottom of the sea were caused by human error. With adequate and clear safety measures and training programs to improve the navigational competence of ship crews, such errors could be minimized or eliminated.

Security in ports Global trade largely depends on shipping for the transport of tons of goods and commodities from the country of origin to destination. Economies around the world continuously grow by keeping a robust port to port movement not only of commodities but also of human passengers. Like other industries, maritime trade is also susceptible to various hazards and risks,including natural and man-made ones, that cannot only create serious trade and economic impact but also threaten the safety and security of maritime stakeholders. With the high stakes involved, steps are taken to increase the shipsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and

The critical evaluation on perilous situations in ports can be caused by the occurrence of natural disasters, labor issues, and accidents. To mitigate these risks, port authorities, in coordination with other stakeholders, including ship owners and other relevant agencies, should be able to implement appropriate measures to improve and maintain service quality and port security as well as achieve satisfaction for all concerned.

Q The sinking of the Princess of the Stars. PHOTO BY THE MANILA TIMES to and that threatens not only the vessels and cargo but also their lives, is the presence of sea pirates. Between the late 1900s and early 2000s, piracy at sea hounded vessels traversing the South China Sea, Singapore and the Straits of Malacca. A few years later, piracy also erupted along the wider Indian Ocean and most notably in the Gulf of Aden, SPECIkCALLY OFF THE COAST OF 3OMALIA and other hotspots. IMO stepped in to issue guidelines that cover the affected governments, ship operators and owners, shipmasters, and other ship personnel on how piracy and armed robberies could be properly addressed. In 2013, 25 West and Central African nations adopted a Code of Conduct to repress these criminal activities. However, it leaves to the GOVERNMENTS FOR WHOSE lAG THE SHIPS sail the responsibility to determine the propriety and legality of hiring armed security personnel aboard the ships.

Counterterrorism

Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (1986 SUA Treaties) and later revised it in 2005 to become the SUA Protocol. The unlawful acts DEkNED IN THE TREATIES INCLUDE SEIZURE of ships by force, placing devices (like explosives) that can cause destruction and damageon board aship, and other acts of violence committed on persons (whether crew or passenger). IMO helps governments ensure that appropriate actions are taken against those who commit the acts.

Cybersecurity The advent of the Internet of Things is a double-edged sword in ship operation. While technology, particularly the internet of things, has made some shipping processes, navigational and communications systems easier and more accessible to modern ships, it has also made them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Whether onshore or offshore, shipsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; databases can be hacked and critical information compromised.

Armed robbery and piracy Another form of risk that ships, including their crews, are exposed

Relative to policies and guidelines against piracy, IMO adopted the Convention on Suppression of Unlawful

More efforts needed In June 2014, the European Coun-

SBITC acquires two new container handlers

Q Puerto Cortes Honduras. PHOTO BY ICTSI

ICTSI Honduras named best portÂ in Central America INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI)â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Honduran terminal, Puerto Cortes, operated by Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana (OPC), was awarded the best port in Central America and 24th best in Latin America. OPC Chief Executive Officer Mariano Turnes said the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean [ComisiĂłn EconĂłmica para AmĂŠrica Latina y el Caribe (Cepal] has voted Puerto CortĂŠs as the best maritime terminal in the Central America-4 (CA-4) region and 24th best in Latin America. Container cargo movement at OPC grew 4.5 percent in 2018

ment and to develop their positive attitude and disposition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the face of disaster, presence of mind will make a big difference especially on board a ship. Training Filipino seafarers to become extra vigilant, to know their duties by heart and to constantly strive to upgrade their knowledge can help increase their preparedness TO HANDLE DIFkCULT SITUATIONS EITHER at dock or in the middle of the sea regardless of what job they handle on board ships,â&#x20AC;? he said. A seasoned seafarer who now works as a maritime consultant said he always reminds clients to know their weaknesses. He said that while there are no foolproof plans, the conduct of assessment and proper The Philippine monitoring and evaluation of what situation have been done can help detect In the Philippines, shipping ex- weaknesses in systems, equipment perts cite the need to upgrade and crew at an early stage and forawareness and training of Filipino mulate counteractions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Regular drills to familiarize seafarers to handle security issues. !CCORDING TO #APTAIN *OEL A lEET crew on safety and security promanager in a shipping line, a way tocol should also be conductto increase the safety and security ed. Constantly doing something of ships is to empower officers would help you handle actual and crew with the right training situations effectively,â&#x20AC;? he said. on skills and capability enhanceSHARP MINDS CONTENT

cil adopted the European Union Maritime Security Strategy or EUMSS for the global maritime domain. The initiative is a joint EU plan aimed at improving ways to pre-empt and respond to maritime challenges affecting people, infrastructure, and activities in the European Union. Its major objectives include increased awareness and ensuring higher efficiency in operations, as well as the protection of EU maritime interests worldwide by strengthening links between internal and external security and overall European Security with the Integrated Maritime Policy.

over the previous year, Cepal noted in its 2018 Port Rankings released recently. Cepal, which publishes the port rankings annually, covers 31 countries and 118 ports in Latin and Central America. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Puerto CortĂŠs is an example of what can be achieved through a public-private partnership and with the support of ICTSI, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading box port operators. The investments made by OPC, which amounts to more than $250 million in infrastructure and technology, have contributed TO THE PORT S EFkCIENCY AND COMPETitiveness, enabling higher productivity and safer operations based on international standards and

competitive rates at the regional level,â&#x20AC;? he said. The recent port rankings perfectly underscore ICTSIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment towards the development of Hondurasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; largest port, and its crucial role in advancing the CA-4 economies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have always believed in the region and in its potential. We understand the development of logistics, and see the opportunity THAT CAN BE OFFERED FOR THE BENEkT of Central American countries. We have a robust investment plan for the modernization and development of Puerto CortĂŠs,â&#x20AC;? he added. In 2018, ICTSI completed its MILLION 0IER GREENkELD development for OPC, which

REPRESENTS THE kRST PHASE OF EXpansion work in Puertos Cortes. More large-scale projects were in the pipeline for the coming years, including the construction and expansion of the container yard, and implementation of advanced port technologies for GREATER EFkCIENCY Across the region, container throughput in Latin America and Caribbean ports increased by 7.7 percent in 2018 in comparison with the previous year. Total volume in 2018 exceeded 53.2 million TEUs, which represents 7.1 percent of global throughput, marking a slight increase in the rate versus the previous year. GENIVI FACTAO

SUBIC Freeport: Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC) has procured two new additional empty handlers from Kalmar, an industry forerunner in terminal automation and enERGY EFkCIENT CONTAINER HANDLING as part of its efforts to boost port operations in 2019. SBITC said that the Kalmar empty container handlers will be used to directly support the latest offering of the terminal â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Empty Container Depot, which is ready to serve the region and the rest of Luzonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing need to move empty containers in and out of the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our new containers are part of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s port improvementplan and will be used in our empty container depot. In fact, our terminal has increased its mobile stacker lEET BY PERCENT COMPARED TO January this year,â&#x20AC;? said SBITC. Empty container handlers are specialized forklifts designed to EFkCIENTLY STACK EMPTY CONTAINERS and handle fully loaded containers in the Freeport. Each handler

has a lifting capacity of 9 metric tons and can stack empty containers up to 6 feet high, which is essential for port operators to fully maximizespace to load and unload containers. SBITC expects that the two new container handlers will be fully operational by June 2019. According to the port operator, there will be another equipment arriving WITHIN THE YEAR TO FULkLL ITS PORT augmentation this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking forward to the arrival of more cranes later this year to complete our 2019 port improvement plan. We will continue to invest in improving our facilities as a world-class freeport FOR THE BENEkT OF OUR LOCATORS AND port users,â&#x20AC;? SBITC said. Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation is one of the leading port operators in the world which leverages on fast, reliable, AND COST EFkCIENT SYSTEM )T IS THE container port operator of the Subic Freeport Area in Subic, Zambales, and serves the industries in Northern and Central Luzon.

SWIFT HANDLING

The new empty container handlers can quickly stack containers up to six feet high, lift nine metric tons and save container yard space. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Maritime IMO pushes forward on China to train PH engineers shipping emissions cutting in shipbuilding research

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

WEDNESday May 22, 2019

EDITOR: Carmela I. Huelar

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BY GENIVI FACTAO

HE Philippine Register of Shipping (PRS) and Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Harbin Engineering University Ship Equipment & Technology Co. Ltd. (Heuship) aim to strengthen their collaboration and cooperation by training filipino engineers and naval architects on maritime research and engineering.

PRS President Engr. Thaddeus Jovellanos said they are in the process of drafting a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Heuship for the scholarship program of PRS-endorsed Filipino engineers at Harbin Engineering University (HEU). â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to take advantage of the training and research development program that China is offering to PRS to jumpstart the growth of the shipbuilding technology in the Philippines,â&#x20AC;? Jovellanos said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;HEU is the leading institution in China. China develops its own raw materials, and it is one of the top shipbuilders in the world. With the research training that HEU offers, we can also develop our own materials for the shipbuilding industry in the Philippines. Our strategy is to do the research now and present it to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina),â&#x20AC;? Jovellanos added. Jovellanos met deputy manager Liu Zhiangiang to discuss the

scholarship program in China last April. He then endorsed licensed Naval Architect and Marine Engineers to take the scholarship grant for the Master in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;PRS scholars would take the threeyears program at the prestigious Harbin Engineering University in China upon the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Chinese governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval,â&#x20AC;? he said. Jovellanos said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The College of Shipbuilding Engineering of HEU SERVES TO EDUCATE HIGHLY QUALIkED researchers, technicians and engineers through meticulous studies and rigorous practices of relevant subjects. It was ranked as one of the leading institutions in China and enjoys the fame as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the cradle of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shipbuilding engineers.â&#x20AC;? g)N THE kELD OF SCIENTIkC RESEARCH the faculty mainly emphasizes investigation, design and development of advanced and high-performance vehicles and marine structures. As a result of the facultyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diligent

Q Engr. Thaddeus Jovellanos, PRS President (secondÂ from left), and Rodel Brigola, PRS senior surveyor (third from right)Â with HEUSHIP officials conduct ship inspection at Dalian shipyard in China. research efforts, great progress has been made in the areas of hydrodynamics and structural mechanics of ships, such as resistance, propulsion, maneuver ability, sea-keeping, wave loading, and strengths and weaknesses of naval and offshore engineering structures,â&#x20AC;? according to the HEU website. In a related development, Jovellanos and Engr. Rodel Brigola, PRS senior surveyor recently visited (EUSHIP FOR AN OFkCIAL MEETING and ship inspection. PRS reviewed some of the key submission drawings of a 20 meter FRP passenger ship, including general arrangement plan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the communication be-

tween shipyard (operator) and surveyor, several structural construction problems raised by surveyor were determined to be revised as soon AS POSSIBLE 4HIS IS THE kRST TIME THE ship was inspected in succession. 4HE MOST SYSTEMATIC kNAL REVIEW AND inspection will be carried out in May before its launching, to examine and survey underwater machines,â&#x20AC;? the memorandum read. Heuship has backed-up PRS as THE SINGLE CLASSIkCATION SOCIETY IN the Philippines. Jovellanos said ship classification is a highly technical undertaking which requires proven expertise, reliability, integrity and international recognition.

TERP makes a-Books for maritime education MARITIME schools are becomingÂ immersive toÂ digital learning by bringing textbooks in smart phones to make learning more fun for students. TERP, a technology company based in Norway and Hong Kong with operations in Europe and Asia, was pushing for digital transformation in education in the Philippines through publication of maritime textbooks. Leiv KareÂ Johannessen Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder of TERP said 10 maritime schools in the Philippines would start using TERP books called a-books this school year. TERP had pilot- tested this a-book at the University of Cebu last semester. Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;We developed a digital platform for publishing and distribution of books.Â Â We have teamed-up with authors from the Philippines and Norway to develop a-books for maritime education.Â Â We have pilot-tested it in maritime schools last November and now we have 10 schools using a-books starting June,â&#x20AC;? Johannessen said. He explained that the bookÂ is electronic, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not e-books. They are calledÂ a-books. Mike Esplago, country representative in the Philippines, and concurrent regional manager for Asia Pacific said they can partner

with publishers, should they want to migrate from traditional textbooks to a-books. â&#x20AC;?Were highlighting the competence of the faculty here. We search for a good faculty to write the book, so the a-book is a combination of expertise of Filipinos and foreign authors. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a group effort,â&#x20AC;? he said. Johannessen said they were preparing a research program to see the effect of a-Books when it comes to learning outcome. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The a-books can be downloaded in different levels using smart phones. There are animations and videos inside the a-Book andÂ we integrated the assessment in their a-book,â&#x20AC;? he said The assessment provides feedback to student on what they can work on for their subjects. The a-books also provide feedback to teachers, so they can adjust to the needs of their class. The available maritime a-books priced at $30 each were Trim, Stability and Stress, which was meant for Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch keepingÂ Â (STCW)Â Â and the COLREG international regulation, which is about the convention of the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea, edited by Johannessen with Emeterio Abangan Jr. & Espen Skare. Johannessen said when they pilot

Q TERPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CEO Leiv Johannessen and Country Representative Mike Esplago with members of the Maritime Journalists Association of the Philippines (MJAP) after the press conference. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO -tested the technology,Â they observed thatÂ students seemed to be more motivated because learning is more fun. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In COLREG, or the collision regulation, normally it is presented in text. When we do it in animation, you get 70 percent of the content in just a few second.Â Students were more and more motivated. Normally, they see the animation first and then go to the text. Teachers were positive about it because students were more engaged, and it makes their job easier,â&#x20AC;? he said. He added that every country is unique.Â Â In the Philippines, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and Commission on Higher Education (CHEd)

have structures on maritime courses. â&#x20AC;?Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re making books for the global market. Different countries have different approaches on how they fulfill the requirements or an angle,â&#x20AC;? he said. Their sales target for the Philippine market is to sell 12,000 copies of each title of the a-books in two years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The target is to reach the farthest and most remote schools as possible, because not all students have books. We put the brains of the captain, chief engineers and officers in the Philippines and across the world in a-Books. We use the technology to reach more students as possible,â&#x20AC;? Esplago said. GENIVI FACTAO

Garbage at sea Last of two parts

being passed by Congress. How about MARINA and PCG cooperate to push HE success of any initiative to pre- for the enactment of that Marpol bill? vent garbage from being discharged Annex V of Marpol deals with at sea demands the interminable ship-generated garbage and calls on cooperation and support of various ALL PARTIES TO FULkLL THEIR COMMITMENT stakeholders including but not limited of implementing and enforcing the to government (at the local and national requirements under the conveniton. levels) shipowners, crew, shippers, Governments have to transpose the passengers, manufacutrers, port and provisions of the convention into naterminals and the public. tional law which means providing the The national government through framework for effective compliance of the Maritime Industry Authority (Ma- all stakeholders according to the circumrina) exercises jurisdiction over Philip- stances that may be obtaining in those PINE lAGGED SHIPS WHEREVER THEY MAY parties. Thus, a Party which considers be operating; the Philippine Coast coastal tourism as a major industry Guard (PCG) on the hand has as one may impose stringent requirements on of its functions that of inspecting for- the use and disposal of plastic-based eign registered ships navigating within materials onboard local cruise ships/ Philippine waters. There appears to be ferries. Additionally, the government a clear delineation of what the man- may consider adopting a policy that will dates of these two agencies are and strictly impose segregation of garbage should therefore make the exercise of onbooard and the installation of reregulatory functions less complicated ception facilities by ports and terminals especially in respect of prevention of which shall receive garbage from ships. discharge of ship-generated garbage Shipowners and the crew play to the sea. If that is so, what keeps the important role in minimizing waste bill implementing the International onboard as well as ensuring comConvention on the Prevention of pliance with the requirements of Pollution from Ships (Marpol) from Marpol Annex V. Shiponwers may

SEATHROUGH ATTY. BRENDA V. PIMENTEL consider using recycleable supplies and or procuring supplies in bulk which will minimize packaging; or the shipowner/operator may abandon the use of single-use plastics or discard the use of supplies which are packaged in plastic material unless these are re-usable of recycleable. There are many ways by which garbage may be minimized onboard. At a minimum, parties to the convention when implementing its requirements should look into incorporating Marpol training modules into the STCW and STCW-F conventions for purposes of certifying seafarers. The requirements for ships of certain size to have placards which give instructions to the crew (and also passengers) on what garbage are allowed to be discharged at sea and the conditions therefor is a form of training within the context of the convention. A Party may also

institute an awareness program that will give attention not only to the issue of pollution of the sea but more importantly on the impacts which result therefrom and how they could assist in preventing marine litter. Discussions on the economic, social and health impacts of garbage at sea through news papers, television, workshops and fora incuding social media are but some of the medium by which one can gain stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; buy-in. There are multiple reasons why this archipelago needs to urgently consider adopting a more pro-active stance in preventing the discharge of garbage at sea one being that of making good the commitment of the Philippines when it acceded to -ARPOL !NNEX 6 IN $EkNING the ultimate goal for preventing pollution of the sea, however, must make evident the importance attached by everyone in this archipelago, to the vast opportunities which the sea offers to its citizens. That should be every Filipinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal â&#x20AC;&#x201D; achieving a sustainable industry focused on the protection of the marine environment.

Q The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), meeting for its 74th session (May 13-17), approved various guidance and guidelines to support the implementation of the sulphur 2020 limit from Jan. 1, 2020. THE International Maritime Organization (IMO)-Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) pushed forward with a number of measures aimed at supporting the achievement of the objectives set out in the initial IMO strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. This is in line with the Paris Agreement under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In a statement, the IMO said the MEPC 74 session, which transpired last May 13 to 17, approved amendments to strengthen existing mandatory requirements for new ships to be more energy efficient; initiated the Fourth IMO GHG Study; adopted a resolution encouraging cooperation with ports to reduce emission from shipping; approved a procedure for the impact assessment of new measures proposed; agreed to establish a multi-donor trust fund for GHG; and agreed terms of reference for the sixth and seventh inter-sessional working groups to be held in November, 2019 and in March 2020 respectively in order to expedite the work. Also discussed were possible candidate short-term, mid- and long-term measures aiming at reducing GHG emissions from ships, to be further considered at next sessions. T h e M E P C a p p r ove d , f o r adoption at the next session in April 2020, amendments to Marpol Annex VI to significantly strengthen the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Phase 3â&#x20AC;? requirements. The draft amendments bring forward the entry into effect date of phase 3 to 2022, from 2025, for several ship types, including gas carriers, general cargo ships and LNG carriers. This means that new ships built from that date must be significantly more energy efficient than the baseline. For container ships, the EEDI reduction rate is enhanced, significantly for larger ship sizes, as follows: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; For a containership of 200,000 DWT and above, the EEDI reduction rate is set at 50 percent from 2022 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; For a containership of 120,000 DWT and above but less than 200,000 DWT, 45 percent from 2022 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; For a containership of 80,000 DWT and above but less than 120,000 DWT, 40 percent from 2022 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; For a containership of 40,000 DWT and above but less than 80,000 DWT, 35 percent from 2022 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; For a containership of 15,000 DWT and above but less than 40,000 DWT, 30 percent from 2022 The MEPC also agreed terms of reference for a correspondence group to look into the in-

troduction of a possible â&#x20AC;&#x153;phase 4â&#x20AC;? of EEDI requirements. The terms of reference for the Fourth IMO GHG Study were agreed and the tendering process will begin with an invitation to tender issued shortly. The IMO Secretariat will issue a circular letter for procuring the services of the contractor. The study will include: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Inventory of current global emissions of GHGs and relevant substances emitted from ships of 100 GT and above engaged in international voyages. The inventory should include total annual GHG emission series from 2012 to 2018, or as far as statistical data are available. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; GHGs are defined as the six gases initially considered under the UNFCCC process: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), per fluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). The inventory should also include other relevant substances that may contribute to climate change, including Black Carbon (BC). â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Estimates of carbon intensity (estimates of world fleetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CO2 emissions per transport work, from 2012 to 2018, or as far as statistical data are available). â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Possible estimates of carbon intensity of international shipping for the year 2008 (the baseline year for the levels of ambition identified in the Initial Strategy). Scenarios for future international shipping emissions 2018-2050 A Steering Committee will be established to act as a focal point for MEPC, to review and monitor progress and confirm that the Study meets the terms of reference. It is intended that the work could begin in Autumn 2019, with a view to the final report of the Study being submitted to MEPC 76, to be held in Autumn 2020. (The previous, Third IMO GHG Study, was published in 2014). Cooperation with ports to reduce emissions from shipping. MEPC adopted resolution MEPC.323 (74) on Invitation to Member States to encourage voluntary cooperation between the port and shipping sectors to contribute to reducing GHG emissions from ships. This could include regulatory, technical, operational and economic actions, such as the provision of: Onshore Power Supply (preferably from renewable sources); safe and efficient bunkering of alternative low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels; incentives promoting sustainable low-carbon and zero-carbon shipping; and support for the optimization of port calls including facilitation of just-in-time arrival of ships. RAFFY AYENG

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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World

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Widodo wins in Indonesia polls

AKARTA, Indonesia: President Joko Widodo HAS BEEN ELECTED FOR A SECOND TERM OFkCIAL results showed on Tuesday, in a victory over a would-be strongman who aligned himself with Islamic hardliners. /FkCIAL COUNTING WAS COMPLETED just before midnight and the Election Commission announced the formal result early Tuesday. It said 7IDODO WON PERCENT OF THE vote in the April 17 election to PERCENT FOR HIS CHALLENGER ultra-nationalist former general Prabowo Subianto. Thousands of police and soldiers are on high alert in the capital Jakarta, anticipating protests from supporters of Subianto, who refuses to concede defeat. The Election Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters in central Jakarta are barricaded with razor wire and heavily guarded. Subianto, who also lost to Widodo in 2014, has alleged massive election fraud in the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third-largest democracy, but had not provided any credible evidence. Votes are counted publicly and the commission posts the tabulation form from each polling station on its website, allowing for independent VERIkCATION 4HE FORMAL RESULT WAS almost the same as the preliminary â&#x20AC;&#x153;quick countâ&#x20AC;? results drawn from a sample of polling stations on election day.

Indonesia, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most populous Muslim-majority nation, is an outpost of democracy in a southeast Asian neighborhood of authoritarian governments and is forecast to be among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest economies by 2030. A SECOND TERM FOR 7IDODO THE kRST Indonesian president from outside the Jakarta elite, could further cement the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two decades of democratization. Widodoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign highlighted his progress in poverty reduction and improving Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inadequate infrastructure with new ports, toll roads, airports and mass rapid transit. Subianto ran a fear-based campaign, emphasizing what he sees as Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weakness and the risk of exploitation by foreign powers or disintegration. He aligned himself with hardline Muslim groups and won massive majorities in conservative provinces, but was defeated by Widodo in his populous East Java and Central Java strongholds. Subianto declared himself the winner last month and, in a video released after results were announced Tuesday, again refused to

REELECTED

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (center) visits a neighborhood in Jakarta recently. Millions of Indonesians were surprised of the early announcement of official results in Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election that showed Widodo reelected for his second term. AFP PHOTO concede defeat but called on supporters to refrain from violence. Under Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election law, Subianto can dispute the results at the Constitutional Court.

He and members of his campaign team have said they would mobilize â&#x20AC;&#x153;people powerâ&#x20AC;? for days of street protests rather than appeal to the court because they did not

believe it would provide justice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We reject the results of the presidential election,â&#x20AC;? said Azis Subekti, one of the witnesses for 3UBIANTO AT THE OFkCIAL DECLARATION

of results. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This refusal is a moral responsibility for us to not give up THE kGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE FRAUD arbitrariness, lies, and any actions that will harm democracy.â&#x20AC;? AP

JapanÂ anti-groper 9 villagers slain in Nepal mountain Cambodia marks app now a smash hit TOKYO: A Tokyo police smartphone app to scare off molesters has become a smash hit in Japan, where women have long run the gauntlet of groping on packed rush-hour trains. Victims of groping can activate the Digi Police app, which either blasts out a voice shouting â&#x20AC;&#x153;stop itâ&#x20AC;? at top volume, or produces a full-screen SOS message â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which victims can show other passengers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; reading: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a molester. Please help.â&#x20AC;? The app had been downloaded more than 237,000 times, an â&#x20AC;&#x153;unUSUALLY HIGH kGUREu FOR A PUBLIC service app, said police official Keiko Toyamine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thanks to its popularity, the number is increasing by some 10,000 every month,â&#x20AC;? Toyamine told the Agence France-Presse. Victims were often too scared to call out for help, she said. But, by using the SOS message mode, â&#x20AC;&#x153;they can notify other passengers about groping while remaining silent.â&#x20AC;? There were nearly 900 groping and other harassment cases on Tokyo trains and subways reported in 2017, according to the latest available data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the tip of the iceberg,â&#x20AC;?

Toyamine said, with victims often hesitant to come forward. Offenders face up to six months IN JAIL OR kNES OF UP TO YEN DOLLARS 4HE POTENTIAL JAIL sentence is increased to 10 years if violence or threats are used. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department quietly launched the free Digi Police app three years ago. It initially aimed to provide information for elderly people, as well as parents and their children about scams or prowlers. But, the function to â&#x20AC;&#x153;repel molestersâ&#x20AC;? was added a few months after the launch. And an online conversation about the app â&#x20AC;&#x201D; caused by a female pop idol being assaulted late last year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; resulted in its sudden popularity. Yui Kimura, a 27-year-old beer shop employee on the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northern island of Hokkaido, says she was always worried about groping whenever she visited the capital. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I tend to be vigilant on Tokyo trains as dodgy men can happen to be in front of me at any time,â&#x20AC;? Kimura said. Reina Oishi, a 21-year-old university student in Tokyo, also said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to download the app as I have been groped so many times.â&#x20AC;? AFP

KATHMANDU, Nepal: Nine people in two families were slain by masked assailants in their homes at night in a remote mountain village in Nepal, government ofkCIAL SAID 4UESDAY Government administrator Murari Wasti said the bodies were found Tuesday morning by neigh-

bors. A 12-year-old girl survived with injuries. The two families were related, but lived in separate houses that were near each other. Wasti said police had reached the scene and were investigating, WHILE GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS WERE also trying to reach the area.

Miklajung village is 400 kilomeTERS MILES EAST OF THE CAPITAL Kathmandu. Only a dirt trail connects the village with other towns. It TAKES AT LEAST kVE HOURS ON THE mountainous dirt trail to reach the village from the district headquarters, he said. AP

Bar in China collapses; 4 killed, 87 injured AT least four people were killed and 87 others were injured Tuesday after the roof of a night bar collapsed Monday night in the city of Baise, southern Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The injured are in stable condition, according to the regional emergency management department. A total of 23 people have been

summoned by local police for investigation and seven have been detained on suspicion of causing a major safety accident. Local police and fire departments sent around 260 people to aid in search and rescue after the collapse occurred. Both the national and regional health commissions sent medical expert teams to guide treatment of

the injured on site. The bar, with an area of 700 square meters, is located on the top floor of a three-story steelframed building. Investigation and clean up efforts are still underway. An overhaul on the safety of public areas and the building industry has been launched in Guangxi to avoid similar accidents. GLOBAL TIMES

Vietnam, Cuba vow to strengthen ties CUBA and Vietnam agreed to strengthen bilateral ties by signing a joint plan of political consultations for the 2020 to 2022 period. The document was signed by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and visiting Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, with the goal of â&#x20AC;&#x153;strengthening political dialogue on issues of bilateral and multilateral interest.â&#x20AC;?

Both countries constantly exchange experiences on building socialist societies according to their own characteristics and internal dynamics said Rodriguez said before the signing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2020 and the economic, commercial and investment links are going very well and have a promising future,â&#x20AC;? said Rodriguez.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe the new generations have the responsibility to continue cultivating these ties and further strengthen them,â&#x20AC;? Pham said. To boost â&#x20AC;&#x153;fraternal and historic bondsâ&#x20AC;? between the two countries, Pham arrived in the Caribbean nation on Sunday for a three-day ofkCIAL VISIT AND IS EXPECTED TO MEET OTHER #UBAN OFkCIALS INCLUDING President Miguel Diaz-Canel. GLOBAL TIMES

US backs status role for Taiwan at UN THE United States is backing calls for Taiwan to be granted observer STATUS AT THE 5NITED .ATIONS 5. health agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest annual gathering, the US Health Secretary SAID -ONDAY 4UESDAY IN -ANILA Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar spoke to reporters in Geneva on the sidelines of the start of the World Health Organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual assembly, which Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government has prevented Taiwan from attending. China claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan. For years, China allowed Taiwan to send observers to the assembly, but has locked out its envoys in recent years amid tensions between Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Communist government and the government of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We support Taiwan having

the type of status it had previously here at the World Health Assembly,â&#x20AC;? Azar said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important that 23 million individuals have a voice and are able to see the proceedings here and be part of that as appropriate, as consistent with past historic practices,â&#x20AC;? Azar said. Despite the difference of opinion over Taiwan, Azar said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have an excellent relationship with China, especially on the health front.â&#x20AC;? Relations arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily strong on the trade front. The two countries are in the midst of a trade spat and there are fears it could escalate. The Trump administration has slapped tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollarsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of Chinese goods, which has prompted Beijing to respond with its retaliatory measures. AP

BLAST REMEMBERED Sri Lankan Christian devotees pray in front of St. Anthonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church in Colombo a month after a series of deadly Easter Sunday blasts that killed over 250 people. AFP PHOTO

Khmer genocide THOUSANDS of Cambodians marked the National Day of Remembrance at Choeung Ek Genocide Center on the outskirts of Phnom Penh to honor victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. The National Day of Remembrance, formerly called the National Day of Hatred, was first launched on May 20, 1984. It became a national holiday last year. Yesterday, a group of students from the University of Fine Arts reenacted atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge, and 207 Buddhist monks held a religious ceremony honouring victims. After the ceremony, Pa Socheatvong, Prime Minister Hun Senâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal adviser, said the government would not allow conflict to return to the Kingdom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People with ill-intent cannot create a force to overthrow the government,â&#x20AC;? Socheatvong said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is an act against the constitution.â&#x20AC;? He then reiterated that Marshal Lon Nol was to blame for ousting Prince Norodom Sihanouk in 1970, an act many see as the prelude to civil war and genocide at the hands of the Khmer Rouge regime. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there was no coup, there may not have been Pol Potâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regime,â&#x20AC;? Socheatvong said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our country was unfortunate because we went through a genocide under the leadership of Pol Pot.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Other countries like Vietnam and Laos had regime changes, but a genocide did not happen like it did with us,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You see Thailand? They had dozens of coups, but millions werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t killed.â&#x20AC;? At the Killing Fields, people who attended the ceremony expressed their sadness regarding those who lost their lives years ago. Yan Yat, 62, said he lost his father and three siblings during the Khmer Rouge era. Yat said he comes to a stupa located within the compound of the Choeung Ek Genocide Center to pay respect. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I came here to pay respect and wish peace on the souls of the victims,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will never forget the dark times in my life.â&#x20AC;? He then expressed gratitude to the CPP and Vietnamese forces for overthrowing Pol Potâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Khmer Rouge regime. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If January 7 didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen, we would not be here today,â&#x20AC;? Yat said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a second birthday for us all.â&#x20AC;? KHMER TIMES

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Special Feature

˜ The Manila Times

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A taste of Australia in Cebu This year’s festival is part of the larger Australia now celebration across Asean

HE last days of summer are here and the Australian Embassy is giving Cebuanos a chance to celebrate it in style at the Philippines-Australia Friendship Day festival. The Embassy is bringing a taste of Australia to Cebu with some fun activities at the premier Ayala Center mall. “Each year we take the Philippines-Australia Friendship Day celebration to a different city, and this year we are heading to Cebu,” said Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson AO. “It’s fantastic that we are able to celebrate friendship day in Cebu where Australia has deep links through our alumni, Australian businesses and meaningful projects with local communities.” On Saturday, May 25, take a stroll down Melbourne’s Hosier Lane as you browse the retail, education and travel fair at the Ayala Center’s Activity Center. Shop for sweet Australian table grapes, ice cream and healthy snacks while checking out the best travel deals to Australia. Take that first step to realizing your dreams of an Australian holiday or overseas study by attending the study and visa information session beginning at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Join in on fun trivia games and get a chance to win Australian goodies. Head to The Gallery at 4:30 p.m. for the community fashion parade where Cebu’s young and stylish will walk the runway for Cotton On, Ever New, Quicksilver, Roxy, BYS Cosmetics, Anthill and C&C. Bring your mates over to the Terraces Garden afterwards for a free concert by homegrown talent Sepia Times, one Sony Music Philippines’ newest artists. Then cap off the day by watching AustraLIAN SHORT AND FEATURE kLMS UNDER THE STARS also at the Terraces Garden.

Shoppers at Ayala Center Cebu will also get a chance to win two round-trip tickets to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney via Qantas. This year’s Philippines-Australia Friendship Day is part of the larger Australia now celebration across Asean. With a focus on engaging youth, Australia is HOSTING FOOD kLM AND FORUM ACROSS THE COUNtries of the region to celebrate Australia’s creative excellence, diversity and innovation. So if you are in Cebu this weekend, make sure to show off your Aussie street style at Ayala mall. $ON T FORGET TO TAKE AND POST HEAPS OF SELkES USing the hashtags #FilAussieDay and #AustraliaNow. See you there!

Australia now

AUSTRALIA now Asean 2019 celebrates Australian innovation and creativity across the 10 member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). With the focus on youth for this year’s program, the Australian Embassy in the

Philippines has partnered with local organizations for an innovation forum, theater festivals, food fairs and more. Australia now has showcased the vitality, diversity and innovative capability of our youth and has helped to connect future leaders.

FAST + FRESH

The Australian Embassy in the Philippines supported Fast + Fresh theater festival, which provided an opportunity for young Filipino artists and thespians to write, direct and star in their original play.

TASTE OF AUSTRALIA WITH ADAM LIAW The Australian Embassy hosted the Taste of Australia festival in April to showcase Australia’s culinary culture and the finest Australian products in the Philippines. The event featured a cooking demo by Australia now Ambassador and MasterChef Australia winner Adam Liaw, as well as the awarding of the first Taste of Australia Cook-Off. This saw chefs-in-training whip up classic Filipino dishes using Australian products.

˜ The Manila Times

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Special Feature

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Trade Ties T

There are more than 300 Australian companies in the Philippines

RADE links between Australia and the maritime technology partner of shares are traded in the Australian designing, building and Stock Exchange. Philippines are strong and growing. choice; GRC has interest in the Siana supporting high-speed commerThe 33 flights per week through cial and military vessels for the Gold Project (MPSA No. 1842002-XIII) and the Mapawa Gold 1ANTAS 0HILIPPINE !IRLINES AND #EBU 0ACIkC world’s leading operators. Project (MPSA No. 280-2009support tourism, education and investment Crone XIII), both located in Surigao del links. People to people links bring added Norte, Philippines. Crone established a presence in warmth to the relationship. Over 300, 000 in the late 90s, undertaking IDP Filipinos have made Australia their home Manila a number of major master planand over 10,000 Filipino students study there ning projects. IDP is a global leader in international education services and In the last 10 years Crone has each year. A number of major Philippine designed numerous Premier Grade co-owner of IELTS. conglomerates are also investing in Australia high rise towers in both Manila In 50 years of experience in the into secure their supply chains and access and Cebu. dustry, they’ve helped over 400,000 students study in Australia, Canada, advanced products and technology.

There are more than 300 Australian companies in the Philippines, with more looking to join them. They contribute to economic growth in the Philippines - directly employing over 40,000 Filipinos, contributing to local taxes and buying local goods and services. Embracing the talent available in the Philippines, these companies are investing in specialised training and developing globally competitive technology and services solutions. We’re also seeing significant growth across segments such as

food and beverage, infrastructure and services. With the Philippines embarking on an exciting digital transformation, Australia has partnered with government, industry and academia to share knowledge around CYBERSECURITY kNTECH BLOCKCHAIN and digital health. Some of these global Australian companies include:

Austal Austal is a global shipbuilder, defence prime contractor and

Q MasterChef Adam Liaw

CREAMY PEPPER STEAK PINOYS and Aussies share a love of food, and the best way to enjoy it is with friends and family. Next time you’re looking for something new to serve your family or friends, why don’t you try a taste of Australia? Use the best quality ingredients like Australian beef and pasta made of Australian wheat like this recipe from Adam Liaw. This dish is simple to cook and yet impressive to serve. It’s perfect for dinner with your mates or Sunday lunch at home. For a complete meal, serve it with a glass of your favourite Australian wine. Good for: 4 people Prep time: 10–15 minutes Cooking time: 30 – 45 minutes Ingredients: 500g dried spaghetti 400g good quality Australian rump steak 1 tsp olive oil, plus 2 tbsp extra 1 tsp ground black pepper, plus extra to serve salt, to season 5 sprigs fresh thyme 1 tbsp butter SMALL ONION kNELY DICED 1 clove garlic, chopped ¼ cup Australian white wine ¾ cup beef stock 100ml thickened cream TBSP kNELY SHREDDED PARSLEY freshly grated parmesan cheese, to serve Method: 1. Place the steak on a tray, season well with salt and coat with the black pepper, pressing it into the surface of the steak. Heat a large frying pan over high heat until very hot, then add the olive oil. Place the steak in the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the steak to your liking. In the last minute of cooking, add the thyme and butter, basting the butter over the steak. Remove the steak and thyme from the pan and set aside to rest. 2. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta until al dente (a good trick is to cook it 1 minute less than the packet instructions). 3. Return the pan to the low-medium heat and add the extra 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and fry for about 3 minutes until softened. Add the wine, stock and cream and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce is reduced and creamy. 4. When the pasta is cooked transfer it to the sauce along with about 2 tbsp of the pasta cooking water, any juices collected from resting the steak and mix well to coat the pasta in the sauce. Stir through the sliced steak, thyme, parsley and extra black pepper and serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

GHD

GHD has had a permanent presence in the Philippines since 1998 and operates in an extensive range of market sectors including water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings and transportation.

New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. They also have a network of more than 100 international student placement centres in at least 32 countries.

Q Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson AO with sisters Anne and Jasmine Curtis during Australia Day. Today, the Qantas Group is a diverse global aviation business, comprising Qantas Domestic, Qantas International, the Jetstar low-cost carrier group and Qantas Loyalty.

Qantas

Founded in regional Queensland Greenstone in 1920-as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial SerGreenstone Resources Corporation vice-Qantas is one of Australia’s (GRC) is a registered Philippine most iconic brands and has played COMPANY AND AN AFkLIATE OF 2ED a central role in the development Limited, a Western Australia-based of the Australian and International gold exploration company whose aviation industry.

QBE group QBE Insurance Group is one of the world’s top 20 general insurance and reinsurance companies, with operations in all the key insurance markets. QBE is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and is headquartered in Sydney. They employ more

than 12,000 people in 31 countries.

Telstra Telstra is a leading telecommunications and information services company. They offer a full range of services and operate the largest mobile and Wi-Fi networks in Australia. Globally, Telstra provide’s end-toend solutions including managed network services, global connectivity, cloud, voice, colocation, conferencing and satellite solutions.

World

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Trump-Democrat clash intensifies W

ASHINGTON, D.C.: The clash between US President Donald Trump and the Democratic majority IN #ONGRESS INTENSIkED ON -ONDAY 4UESDAY IN -ANILA WITH THE 7HITE (OUSE TELLING THE Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former lawyer to ignore a subpoena to testify about Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alleged obstruction of justice in the Russia probe. And in a big setback for Trump, a federal judge denied the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempt to quash another subpoena from Democratic lawmakers orderING AN ACCOUNTING kRM TO RELEASE YEARS OF 4RUMP kNANCIAL DOCUments dating from before he took OFkCE The ruling by US District Judge Amit Mehta comes amid a wide-

spread effort by the White House and Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorneys to refuse to cooperate with congressional requests for information and records. Earlier Monday, Trump directed former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy a congressional subpoena that had compelled -C'AHN A PIVOTAL kGURE IN SPECIAL counsel Robert Muellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investiga-

tion, to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). In ruling that Trump cannot block THE kNANCIAL RECORDS SUBPOENA -EHTA said the Democratic-led House Oversight and Reform Committee had â&#x20AC;&#x153;valid legislative purposesâ&#x20AC;? for its request and that it was not for him â&#x20AC;&#x153;to question whether the Committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions are truly motivated by political considerations.â&#x20AC;? The committee has said the records would help it consider whether to strengthen ethics and disclosure laws, among other things, said Mehta, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama. Trump pointed to his Democratic predecessor when he told reporters before leaving the White House for a Monday night rally in Penn-

sylvania that â&#x20AC;&#x153;We think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s totally the wrong decision by, obviously, an Obama-appointed judge.â&#x20AC;? 4HAT DECISION MARKS THE kRST TIME US courts have waded into the conlICT THAT PITS THE 0RESIDENT AGAINST Democrats who have opened a raft of probes into his administration since they took control of the House of Representatives in January. In a sign of the uphill battle their investigations face, an attorney for Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former lawyer McGahn said his client would follow the White Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instructions and not testify about Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alleged obstruction of justice at a House Judiciary Committee hearing set for Tuesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Under these circumstances, and also conscious of the duties he,

as an attorney, owes to his former client, Mr. McGahn must decline to appear at the hearing tomorrow,â&#x20AC;? his attorney William Burck wrote to the committee, adding that his client â&#x20AC;&#x153;understands from your prior correspondence that the Committee would vote to hold him in contempt should he not appear.â&#x20AC;? Earlier in the day, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler called the White Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move â&#x20AC;&#x153;the latest act of obstruction,â&#x20AC;? and said â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Committee will convene as planned tomorrow morning, and Mr. McGahn is expected to appear as legally required.â&#x20AC;? g4HE kRST THING WE RE GOING TO have to do is hold McGahn in contempt,â&#x20AC;? Nalder told CNN in an interview late Monday.

Maduro proposes early legislative elections VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro announced his proposal on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) to move up legislative elections and called for dialogue with the opposition.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are going to measure ourselves electorally,â&#x20AC;? Maduro said, adding that the only winner would be the people.Â The President made his remarks during a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of his reelection.Â

NZ shooter charged with terrorism

During his speech, Maduro said he believes in peace and dialogue, describing the peace talks between the government and the opposition in Norway as â&#x20AC;&#x153;positiveâ&#x20AC;? and expressing his confidence that they would soon reach an agreement.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am going to commit myself, with effort and with dedication, so that Venezuela sooner or later has a peace agreement,â&#x20AC;? he said. GLOBAL TIMES

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: New Zealand police have filed a terrorism charge against the man accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques. Police say they have charged 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant with engaging in a terrorist act after the March 15 shootings. The charge comes with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and will be a test case for New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s terrorism laws, which came onto the books in 2002. Police said Tuesday that they also charged Tarrant with an additional count of murder, bringing the total number of murder charges against him to 51. That came after a Turkish man who was wounded in the attack died earlier this month in Christchurch Hospital. Police told families and survivors of the new charges at a meeting attended by more than 200 people. AP

Aussie election could have global climate impact SYDNEY: Newly elected politicians in Australia will be busy in addressing pressing issues that affect climate of the country. These issues include brutal DROUGHTS lOODS AND WILDkRES THAT have affected millions of Australians.. Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Liberal-National coalition secured victory late on Saturday night despite polls suggesting an opposition Labor Party win. In coal-rich Queensland, voters swung hard to the government, fearing a Labor government would curb mining projects and cost them jobs. Concerns that Labor would block

the creation of the massive Indianbacked Adani coal mine helped voters abandon the party in their droves. The northeastern district of Herbert had been the most marginal seat at the last election, with only a 0.02 percent difference between the main parties. This time the Liberals took 58 percent of the vote. That resultâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;[and others like it]â&#x20AC;&#x201D;could have ramifications far beyond Australia. In the emissions stakes, Australia is a minnow compared to the bellowing economies of China or the United States. AFP.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dealing with a lawless president willing to go to any lengths to prevent testimony that might implicate him â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that does implicate him.â&#x20AC;? Democrats want McGahn to talk about special counsel Robert Muellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sprawling, 22-month probe into whether Trump colluded with Russians while running for president and then tried to impede the probe into that question after he was elected. )N HIS kNAL REPORT RELEASED IN MID April, Mueller said he had gathered evidence of collusion that would warrant charges of criminal conspiracy. But, it detailed a series of moves by the presidency against Muellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investigation, including an attempt to sack Mueller that was blocked by McGahn. AFP

QUEEN IN PUBLIC

Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Queen Elizabeth II visits the 2019 Royal Horticultural Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chelsea Flower Show in London. The Chelsea flower show is held annually in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. AFP PHOTO

Trump confident of reelection, hits Biden

LET THEM IN

Cubans wait outside the Centro de Attention Integral de Migrantes office in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua State, Mexico to register for their numbers to cross into the United States. About 7,000 migrants are waiting to enter the US via El Paso, Texas. AFP PHOTO

Worldinbriefs NZ MINERS ENTER ABANDONED COAL MINE

MONTOURSVILLE, Pa.: US President Donald Trump voiced confidence Monday (Tuesday in Manila) in his ability to win a repeat victory in Pennsylvania in 2020 and took a fresh swipe at one of his leading Democratic rivals, telling rallygoers that native son Joe Biden had abandoned them by representing Delaware in the Senate. In fact, Biden moved to neighboring Delaware with his family when he was a boy, and later represented the state in the Senate for more than three decades. He maintained ties to Pennsylvania over the years. Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pennsylvania visit, intended to boost Republican congressional candidate Fred Keller over Democrat Marc Friedenberg in a Tuesday special election for an open House seat, had as much to do with helping his own reelection prospects as it did with pushing Keller over the finish line.

have defended the May 10 raids in which they seized multiple computers, cellphones and cameras from Carmody. AP

UN DECLINES TO MEET WITH RUSSIA

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to win tomorrow, Fred,â&#x20AC;? Trump told a cheering rally crowd at a hangar at Williamsport Regional Airport. Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to the key battleground state came two days after Biden held a campaign rally in Philadelphia, and the former vice president wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t far from Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He left you for another state, and he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take care of you,â&#x20AC;? Trump said. He also referred to the former vice president by the nickname he has coined for him: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sleepy Joe.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sleepy Joe said that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s running to, quote, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Save the world,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Trump said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, he was. He was going to save every country but ours.â&#x20AC;? Biden said Monday in Nashville, Tennessee, that he was running on a pledge to restore the soul of America. He has frequently talked on the campaign trail about the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s divi-

sive rhetoric and said another four years of Trump would â&#x20AC;&#x153;fundamentally change the character of this nation.â&#x20AC;? Trump uses his campaign rallies to disparage various Democratic candidates for president, but he has been heavily focused on Biden, suggesting he may be worried about the possibility of facing off next year against the longtime politician. The President, who spoke in the open air with Air Force One behind him, highlighted the economyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance under his leadership and suggested those numbers make him virtually unbeatable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Politics is a crazy world, but when you have the best employment numbers in history, when you have the best unemployment numbers in history... I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, how the hell do you lose this election, right?â&#x20AC;? he AP said.

exchange of threats and taunts Monday on Twitter between President Donald Trump and Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign minister. AP

CLOSELY FOUGHT MALAWI POLLS START

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: Crews in New Zealand on Tuesday reentered an underground abandoned coal mine where a methane explosion killed 29 workers more than eight years ago, raising hopes among family members that they might find bodies and new evidence that leads to criminal charges. Anna Osborne, whose husband Milton was killed in the explosion, said the families had been fighting for this ever since the Pike River mine exploded. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We did it. We won,â&#x20AC;? she said. She said it had been a â&#x20AC;&#x153;hugely emotionalâ&#x20AC;? day for the families and it was a moving experience to watch people going back into the mine. AP

KIEV, Ukraine: The United Nations (UN) Security Council has rejected a Russian attempt to hold a meeting on a new Ukrainian language law, with opponents saying Moscow wanted to upstage the inauguration of Ukraineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new president. Russia got just five of the required nine â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesâ&#x20AC;? votes in the 15-member council to hold the meeting Monday. France, Germany, the US, UK, Belgium and Poland voted against. Four countries abstained. Opponents say they asked to postpone the meeting until after Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inauguration of Volodymyr Zelenskiy but Russia refused. AP

LILONGWE, Malawi: Malawi polls opened on Tuesday after a closely fought election campaign, with President Peter Mutharika battling to hold off two serious rivals in a race that has focused on corruption allegations and economic development. Mutharika, who has been in power since 2014, faces opposition from his own deputy Saulos Chilima and former baptist preacher Lazarus Chakwera. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have set Malawi on the path of progress,â&#x20AC;? Mutharika, 78, told several thousand cheering supporters of his ruling Democratic Progressive Party. AFP

REPORTER SEEKS RETURN OF PROPERTY

YEMEN DRONES HIT SAUDI ARMS DEPOT

2 KILLED IN ALASKA PLANE CRASH

SAN Francisco: A San Francisco reporter is seeking the return of property after police raided his home with a sledgehammer, as officials sought to determine the source of a leaked police report into the death of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public defender. An attorney for freelancer Bryan Carmody will make the request Tuesday in San Francisco County Superior Court, arguing that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the free flow of information to the public is jeopardizedâ&#x20AC;? when government interferes with independent newsgathering. San Francisco police

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Yemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Houthi rebels said Tuesday they launched a bomb-laden drone into Saudi Arabia, targeting an airport with a military base â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an attack acknowledged by the kingdom as Mideast tensions remain high between Iran and the United States. It was not clear if there were any injuries or what the extent of damage was. The attack on the Saudi city of Najran came as Iran announced it has quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity amid tensions with the US, underscored by an

A pilot and a passenger are dead after the float plane they were in crashed in a harbor near Ketchikan, Alaska on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), authorities said. They were the only people on board the Taquan Beaver Floatplane when it crashed in Metlatkatla Harbor around 4 p.m., Ketchikan Gateway Borough officials said in a statement. Metlakatla is south of Ketchikan. The National Transportation Safety Board said Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flight was a commuter flight. AP

Sports

WEDNESDAY W MAY 22, 2019 M

www.manilatimes.net

Warriors beat Trail Blazers in overtime to reach NBA Finals L

Q Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut, top, dunks over Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals on Tuesday in Portland, Ore. AP PHOTO

OS ANGELES: Stephen Curry and Draymond Green both posted tripledoubles to power the Golden State Warriors to a 119-117 overtime victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday 4UESDAY IN -ANILA AND INTO A kFTH STRAIGHT NBA Finals. The two-time defending NBA champions swept the Blazers in four games in the best-of-seven 7ESTERN #ONFERENCE kNALS The only other team to reach kVE STRAIGHT ."! &INALS WAS THE Boston Celtics, when they went to a record 10 in a row from 1957 to 1966. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go unnoticed OR UNDERRATED Â&#x2021; kVE STRAIGHT kNALS hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been done since the 60s,â&#x20AC;? said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been done for a reason, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s REALLY REALLY DIFkCULT AND SO ) JUST canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say enough about the competitive desire of the group of guys that we have here.â&#x20AC;? The Warriors will battle for the title starting on May 30 against either the Milwaukee Bucks or Toronto Raptors, aiming to become THE kRST TEAM SINCE THE ,OS !NGELES Lakers of 2000, 2001 and 2002 to three-peat as champions. Curry and Green became the kRST TEAMMATES IN LEAGUE HISTORY to have triple-doubles in the same post-season game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. #URRY kNISHED WITH POINTS 13 rebounds and 11 assists, while Green had his second straight

triple-double â&#x20AC;&#x201D; posting double digits in three key statistical categories â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with 18 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. Fittingly, Curry and Green combined on the game-winning basket in overtime, Curry feeding Green for a three-pointer that pushed Golden State to a 119115 lead with 39.6 seconds left in overtime. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Obviously in that situation we want Steph to have the ball, we want Steph or Klay (Thompson) to take the shot,â&#x20AC;? Green said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But they were swarming them. So I was just talking to them â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Watch out, watch out.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;When he passed me the ball, I just let it go. When I shot it, it felt good.â&#x20AC;? The Trail Blazers had led 69-65 at halftime, and built the lead to 17 in the third quarter â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the third straight game in which Portland led by as many as 17 only to come up short. With veteran Andre Iguodala having joined superstar Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins on the injured list, the Warriors produced a total team effort to rally again.

Thompson scored 17 points while reserve Kevon Looney added 12 points and 14 rebounds and Alfonzo McKinnie chipped in 12 points. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being without Kevin these last kVE GAMES HAS PUT US IN A REALLY tough spot and our guys stepped up in a big way,â&#x20AC;? Kerr said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The group has a fiber to them â&#x20AC;&#x201D; when (these) guys go DOWN THEY kND A way to come

together and compete and win.â&#x20AC;?

Warriors â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;find a wayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Warriors scored the last nine points of the third period to close within 95-87 and knotted the score at 104-104 on Curryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s layup with 4:34 left in regulation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know we can cover 17 points in a matter of three or four minutes,â&#x20AC;? Green said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So

ALASKA SHOOTS FOR BACK-TO-BACK WINS ALASKA guns for back-to-back victories as it takes on Northport at 4:30 p.m. today in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City. The Aces won their opening day game against Columbian Dyip, 111-98, on Sunday powered by import Christopher Danielsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 25 points and 16 rebounds output. Chris Banchero and Simon Enciso contributed 20 and 19 points, respectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a battle. Coach Pido (Jarencio) had so many good game plans last conference, (Stanley) Pringle at most nights is the single best guard in the country. Sean Anthony had an MVP-type of conference and Mo (Tautuaa) was in the running for BPC,â&#x20AC;? said Alaska coach Alex Compton. Meanwhile, Northport coach Pido Jarencio told The Manila Times that several of his players would miss action today because of injury. Pringle is recuperating from foot surgery, Garvo Lanete is nursing a sprained ankle and big man Bradwyn Guinto is recovering from a knee operation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are preparing against them but

we have a lot of injured players now,â&#x20AC;? said Jarencio, adding that Pringle will return on Saturday in their game against Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX). Northport is pinning its opening game hope on import Prince Ibeh. In the 7 p.m. game, import Terrence Jones will make his debut with TNT KaTropa when it plays NLEX. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will see tomorrow how our import (Jones) adjust in the PBA. We will be more particular on our defensive schemes so hopefully we win more games,â&#x20AC;? said TNT coach Bong Ravena. The Road Warriors will be fielding in new import Curtis Washington who replaced Tony Mitchell. JOSEF T. RAMOS

Q Chris Daniels of Alaska attempts to score against Kyle Barone of Columbian Dyip on Sunday during a Season 44 PBA Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup game at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

Go For Gold-CSB grabs D-League QF slot GO For Gold-College of St. BeNILDE #3" CLINCHED A QUARTERkNAL berth after a 119-101 win over McDavid in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) on Tuesday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City. Seven Scratchers scored in twin digits as they sealed a playoff spot with a 6-3 record in the Aspirants Group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re happy we made it to the quarterfinals. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of our

goals this conference because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very stacked,â&#x20AC;? said Go For GoldCSB head coach Charles Tiu. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a small goal for us and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t celebrate yet,â&#x20AC;? added Tiu, whose squad may face a twice-to-beat foe in THE CROSSOVER QUARTERkNALS Senegalese center Clement Leutcheu paced the Scratchersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; balanced offense with 19 points on top of nine rebounds, three assists and three steals while %DWARD $IXON kNISHED WITH

we always try to keep that mindset -- that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re never out of the game.â&#x20AC;? Both teams had a chance to win in regulation, but Curry traveled before draining a three-pointer that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t count and Lillard was UNABLE TO GET THROUGH IN TRAFkC AS time expired with the score tied 111-111. Portland star Lillard, playing WITH PAINFUL SEPARATED RIBS kNished with 28 points while unheralded Meyers Leonard led the

points and three boards. Roosevelt Adams tallied 13 points and 10 rebounds, Justin Gutang fired 12 markers while Prince Carlos, Jimboy Pasturan and Jeremiah Pangalangan chipped in 11 apiece for the previous conference champion. Go For Gold dictated the tempo early on, erecting a huge 37-21 lead behind Leutcheu and Dixon in the opening quarter. The Scratchers stretched their

lead to as high as 31 points, 10978, on Carlosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; three-point play HALFWAY THROUGH THE kNAL FRAME TO practically secure the victory. Jason Melano had a gamehigh 26 points to go with seven rebounds while Jerwin Gaco and Michael Sorela had 20 and 18 markers, respectively, for McDavid. McDavid ended its first DLeague campaign at the bottom of the group with a 1-8 slate. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Trail Blazers with a career-high 30 points and 12 rebounds. CJ McCollum added 26 for the Trail Blazers, but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough for a team that had fended off elimination twice in their second-round series against the Denver Nuggets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get over the hump,â&#x20AC;? Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it was a demonstration of how good they are and how good they have been over the years â&#x20AC;&#x201D; THEY kND A WAY TO WIN u AFP

Litmus test for testosterone

F youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a female athlete, are you supposed to look like Miss Universe? No, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not, but if you happened to be equally beautiful (at least by the standards of what is regarded as the beauty pageant of all beauty pageants) or lovelier than Catriona Gray, you can thank your lucky stars for your good fortune. And, if you also happened to be the fastest 800 meter female runner over two recent Olympic Games, then you must be the chosen one by the gods and goddesses who rule even beyond the universe. Caster Semenya of South Africa, however, would not even make it past the screening of any beauty contests, if we were to go by what pageant gurus decide as the measure of female pulchritude. The International Association of Athletics Federations, governing body of WORLD TRACK AND kELD OR ATHLETICS recently rejected Semenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenge against IAAFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rules regulating testosterone in female athletes. The IAAFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regulations compel â&#x20AC;&#x153;hyperandrogenicâ&#x20AC;? athletes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; those with â&#x20AC;&#x153;differences of sexual developmentâ&#x20AC;? or DSD to â&#x20AC;&#x153;lower their testosterone levels if they wish to compete as women.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid in male humans. It plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate, as well as promotion

FREE KICK ROMY P. MARIĂ&#x2018;AS of secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, and the growth of body hair.â&#x20AC;? The Semenya case brings back memories of the bigoted and sexist treatment (and the local media was part of it) of Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former sprint queen Mona Sulaiman in the 1960s and, much later, of another promising runner Nancy Navalta. Sulaiman and Navalta were perceived as not female enough by PhilIPPINE TRACK AND kELD HONCHOS AT THE time when the two girls were making their â&#x20AC;&#x153;femaleâ&#x20AC;? rivals eat their dust. They never were able to deliver on their huge potential, opting for a graceful exit rather than suffering the humiliation of practically stripping at every news conference to prove that they had vaginas, not PENISES AND SO MUCH FOR PROkLING based on sex and looks (testosterone was not even in the picture 50 years ago, at least for Mona). The good news for Semenya, 28, and the two runners who also made the 800 meter podium in Rio in 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and Margaret Wanbui of Kenya â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was that the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution in April this year describing the IAAF rules as â&#x20AC;&#x153;unnecessary, humiliating and harmful.â&#x20AC;? So, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next? Shut the door on basketball players who have naturally high testosterone levels because they are too tall?

Sports

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

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Bulldogs shoot down Bombers in Premier Cup BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

AT I O N A L U n i v e r s i t y ( N U ) unleashed its offensive prowess as it scored a 79-67 bounce-back win over Jose Rizal University (JRU) in the 2019 FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. 4HE "ULLDOGS SHOT AN IMPRESSIVE PERCENT FROM THE THREE POINT ZONE AND AN OVERALL PERCENT FROM THE FIELD TO REBOUND FROM A LOSS TO %MILIO !GUINALDO #OLLEGE ON 4HURSDAY .5 IMPROVED ITS RECORD TO AN EVEN TO SEIZE SOLO FOURTH IN 'ROUP " Despite the win, head coach

Jamike Jarin admonished the "ULLDOGS TO PLAY AS A UNIT g)T S ABOUT GETTING MATURITY AND DEkNING ROLES u SAID *ARIN g#HEMISTRY IS THE ISSUE IN OUR TEAM )T S EVIDENT u 3OPHOMORE GUARD $AVE )LDEFONSO kRED A TEAM HIGH POINTS ON AN EFkCIENT OF SHOOTING CLIP FORWARD 2OBERT -INERVA TALLIED POINTS WHILE -IGUEL

Oczon notched three triples for THE 3AMPALOC BASED SQUAD .5 ERECTED A MASSIVE lead as Patrick Yu knocked down A TRIPLE FROM THE RIGHT CORNER TO BEAT THE THIRD QUARTER BUZZER 4HE "ULLDOGS FROM THEN ON NEVER RELINQUISHED THEIR DOUBLE DIGIT ADVANTAGE THAT BALLOONED TO ON -ARC $IPUTADO S BREAKAWAY LAYUP WITH SEVEN MINUTES LEFT IN THE GAME $ARIUS %STRELLA LED THE (EAVY "OMBERS WITH POINTS WHILE ,OUISE $ELOS 3ANTOS AND !GEM -IRANDA HAD MARKERS EACH JRU remained at the bottom WINLESS IN THREE OUTINGS )N THE JUNIORS DIVISION &AR %ASTERN 5NIVERSITY SNARED ITS SECOND WIN AFTER BEATING 5NIVERSITY OF 3TO 4OMAS +Y L E " A U T I S T A S C O R E D

points, Vince Saldua drilled in A MARKER BOARD DOUBLE double while Ice Blanco added POINTS TO IMPROVE THE .O "ABY 4AMARAWS CARD TO IN 'ROUP " Bismarck Linaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s double-douBLE OF POINTS AND REBOUNDS WENT FOR NAUGHT AS THE 4IGER #UBS FELL TO ,A 3ALLE 'REENHILLS SNAPPED A THREE GAME LOSING SLIDE WITH A BREAKTHROUGH VICTORY OVER *OSE 2IZAL 5NIVERSITY ALSO IN 'ROUP " 2# #ALIMAG POSTED POINTS WHILE *ACOB #ORTEZ AND -ARK Torrijos contributed nine markERS EACH TO LEAD THE 'REENIES 0ATRICK )CBAN HAD POINTS AND 2AUL 'ENTALLAN HAD FOR THE ,IGHT "OMBERS WHO SLIPPED TO

Q International Boxing Federation AIBA interim president, Moroccoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mohamed Moustahsane. AFP PHOTO

Boxing chief â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;optimisticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; over ending Tokyo threat LAUSANNE: Amateur boxingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s governing body the AIBA emerged from talks with the IOC on Monday â&#x20AC;&#x153;optimisticâ&#x20AC;? of retaining the right to organise the event at next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tokyo Olympics. The International Olympic Committee has frozen boxingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preparations for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games as it seeks proof that the AIBA has cleaned up its act after concern over its governance and finances. AIBA interim president Mohamed Moustahsane said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had a very productive meeting with the IOC inquiry committee today.â&#x20AC;? He said he was confident the inquiry would produce a positive report with

the IOC which is due to meet to decide on its verdict on Wednesday. Moustahsane, in a statement, added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We remain optimistic about the future of Olympic boxing and AIBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to safeguard this great sport.â&#x20AC;? The Moroccan doctor was joined by AIBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s American chief executive Tom Virgets in an eight-strong delegation at the hearing with the three-member IOC inquiry led by Nenad Lalovic, the president of wrestlingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruling body. If the AIBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic suspension is maintained the IOC has said it will step in to ensure the sport appears in Tokyo. AFP

FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open unfolds JAPAN and Thailand loom as the TEAMS TO BEAT WHEN THE &)6" "EACH Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open starts on Thursday at the White (OUSE "EACH 3TATION IN "ORACAY Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manila Open winners Ayumi Kusano and Takemi Nishibori wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be around this time, but the Japanese LOOKED GOOD WITH THREE WOMEN S PAIRS ENTERED IN THE FOUR DAY STAR TOURNAMENT Satono Ishitsubo and Asami Shiba, BRONZE MEDALISTS IN THE "ATTAMBANG STAR LAST MONTH IN #AMBODIA WILL BANNER *APAN S CAMPAIGN 0ARTNERS FOR MORE THAN YEAR )SHITSUBO AND 3HIBA WERE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS IN THE 3TAR -ANAVGAT /PEN IN 4URKEY LAST *UNE Also in the main draw are Sakurako &UJII AND -INORI +UMADA WHO kNISHED FOURTH IN THE "ATTAMBANG STAR $OHA !SIAN 'AMES SILVER medalist Shinako Tanaka and Miyuki Matsumura complete the Japanese cast, THOUGH THE TWO NEEDS TO HURDLE THE QUALIkERS TO ENTER THE MAIN DRAW .OW YEARS OLD 4ANAKA CLINCHED HER kRST EVER MEDAL IN THE "EACH 7ORLD 4OUR BY WINNING THE BRONZE TOGETHER WITH Sakurako in the Ulsan Jinha Open STAR IN 3OUTH +OREA IN *ULY LAST YEAR This will be Tanakaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second Beach World Tour stint in the country, where she also competed In the Manila Open LAST YEAR PLACING FOURTH WITH 3AKURAKO

g7E RE REALLY EXPECTING A HEAVY CHALLENGE FROM *APAN SINCE THEY ARE EXTENSIVELY PREPARING FOR THE /LYMPICS u SAID #HARO 3ORIANO "EACH 6OLLEYBALL 2EPUBLIC S CO FOUNDER WHO ALSO SERVES AS THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR Not to be outdone is Thailand, which IS LED BY ITS YOUNG PAIR OF 4HATSARIDA 3INGCHUEA AND 0AWARUN #HANTHAWICHAI CHAMPIONS IN THE 3-- !SIAN 5 "EACH 6OLLEYBALL #HAMPIONSHIPS LAST -ARCH IN 2OI %T 4HAILAND Thatsarida and Pawarun also comPETED IN -ANILA LAST YEAR MAKING IT TO THE QUARTERkNALS BUT NOT BEFORE SURVIVING THE &ILIPINA PAIR OF ,OT #ATUBAG AND +AREN 1UILARIO IN THE 2OUND OF The superb Thai boast of four titles, HAVING WON THE !SIAN 5 #HAMPIONSHIPS IN AND AND ARE ALSO CHAMPIONS IN THE !SIAN 5 #HAMPIONSHIPS AND THE !SIAN 5 #HAMPIONSHIPS IN AND RESPECTIVELY )N THE MEN S DIVISION 2USSIA S -AXIM 3IVOLAP AND !RTEM 9ARZUTKIN WHO WON THE GOLD IN THE +G 3PEU 3TAR TOURNAMENT IN #AMBODIA TO GO WITH A SILVER IN THE 3IEM 2EAP STAR IN 4HAILAND LAST MONTH ARE TIPPED AS HEAVY FAVORITES /NE OF THE 2USSIANS BIGGEST THREATS ARE 4HAIS 0HANUPONG 4HANAN AND 0HICHAKON .ARATHON WHO ALSO EMERGED AS CHAMPIONS IN THE 3-- !SIAN 5 "EACH 6OLLEYBALL #HAMPIONSHIPS LAST -ARCH IN

2OI %T 4HAILAND The Philippines will kELD IN FOUR WOMEN S teams in the main draw â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Sisi Rondina and BernaDETH 0ONS $IJ 2ODRIGUEZ AND Bea Tan, Jackie Estoquia and DM $EMONTAĂ&#x201E;O AND &IOLA #EBALLOS and Patty Orendain â&#x20AC;&#x201D; while another PAIR Â&#x2021; "ABYLOVE "ARBON AND 'EN %SLAPOR Â&#x2021; WILL GO THROUGH THE QUALIkERS #OMING OFF HER 5!!0 STINT 2ONDINA HAS kNALLY TRAINED IN THE SAND COURT TOGETHER WITH 0ONS 4UESDAY BEFORE lYING TO THE ISLAND 7EDNESDAY !IR &ORCE S 2ANRAN !BDILLA AND *ESSE Lopez will spearhead the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MEN S CAMPAIGN WHICH ALSO INCLUDES COLLEGIATE STANDOUTS *AMES "UYTRAGO AND +RUNG !RBASTO AND #EBU S -IKE !BRIA AND *ADE "ECALDO ! TOTAL OF TEAMS WOMEN MEN FROM COUNTRIES WILL COMPETE IN THE "62 ORGANIZED TOURNAMENT 4HE QUALIkERS ON 4HURSDAY WILL BE A SINGLE ELIMINATION FORMAT WITH THE top four womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teams TO WILL PLAY IN THE TEAM MAIN DRAW 4HE MAIN DRAW ON &RIDAY WILL HAVE A MODIkED POOL PLAY FORMAT WHERE TEAMS WILL GUARANTEE TWO MATCHES ON THE kRST DAY FOLLOWED BY SINGLE ELIMINATION THE FOLLOWING DAY 4HE MEDAL MATCHES IS SET ON 3UNDAY

Q Sisi Rondina (center), fresh from her UAAP stint, will see action in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open beginning Thursday. PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ&#x2018;ADA

China demands apology Samoa PM makes for disqualification archery team

SHANGHAI: China have demanded an apology and called for a life-time ban on a referee who controversially awarded gold to a British competitor at the World Taekwondo Championships. China labeled it â&#x20AC;&#x153;a scandalâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;bizarreâ&#x20AC;? after their Olympic champion Zheng Shuyin was disqualified from the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s +73kg heavyweight final in Manchester on Friday. Despite the home fighter Bianca Walkden winning, boos rang out when the prizes were awarded â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and Zheng, 25, slumped to her knees in tears on the podium. Gary Hall, performance director of the British team, accused Zheng of â&#x20AC;&#x153;disrespectâ&#x20AC;? after her tears, according to British media. But Chinese taekwondo officials and media were left outraged by what they called an injustice against Zheng, who was disqualified for racking up 10 fouls during the bout. Zheng, the 2016 Rio Olympic champion in the +67kg category, held a dominant 20-10 lead when Moroccan referee Tarik

Benradi disqualified her. Zheng collapsed to the floor as a celebrating Walkden was greeted with a mixture of cheers and jeers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope World Taekwondo (the governing body) will give us justice,â&#x20AC;? Guan Jianmin, head coach of the Chinese team, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We made two requests in the appeal. Firstly, the decision should be overturned. Secondly, the referee should be banned for life,â&#x20AC;? Xinhua news agency quoted Guan as saying. Guan, also president of the Chinese Taekwondo Federation, added separately: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our athlete has worked very hard for this gold medal and it was taken away so easily by the referee. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is very dirty.â&#x20AC;? Victory for Walkden, 27, who was also in tears on the podium, made her world champion for the third time in a row. Walkden told the BBC that â&#x20AC;&#x153;it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t niceâ&#x20AC;? to be booed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I never gave up and was going to die out there fighting for the win, which I think showed,â&#x20AC;? she said. AFP

WELLINGTON: Samoaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prime minister has turned back time to qualify for the archery competition at the PaCIkC 'AMES AT THE GRAND AGE OF Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele -ALIELEGAOI MADE THE NATIONAL ARCHERY TEAM AFTER SUCCEEDING AT TRIALS ON THE WEEKEND THE GOVERNMENT SAID IN A STATEMENT RELEASED 4UESDAY 4HE LARGER THAN LIFE SEPTUAGENARIAN LAST kRED AN ARROW COMPETITIVELY WHEN 3AMOA HELD THE 'AMES YEARS AGO EARNING HIMSELF A SILVER MEDAL -ALIELEGAOI SAID HE WANTED TO GO ONE BETTER THIS TIME AND WAS PUTTING IN THE WORK WITH HIS TEAMMATES ON THE ARCHERY RANGE â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to practice as ofTEN AS POSSIBLE TO IMPROVE OUR SHOOTING STYLE 7E KNOW THE techniques and we need to perFECT OUR TECHNIQUES u HE SAID â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the same techniques that WE ALSO USED IN THE LAST 'AMES that were held here, and we beLIEVE STRONGLY IN THE PRINCIPLE THAT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT u 4HE 'AMES WILL BE HELD FROM *ULY WITH ATHLETES FROM COUNTRIES AROUND THE 0ACIkC 3EA COMPETING IN SPORTS AFP

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

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Q Andy Murray

Taiwanese in full force vs PGTA bets TAIWAN is fielding in a fullpacked roster out to defend its turf against a crack Philippine Golf Tour Asia cast with all but one of the Top 10 in the current money rankings vying in the Daan Taiwan Open unfolding tomorrow (Thursday) at the Ching Chuan Kang Golf Club in Taichung. Lin Guanbo, the current leader WITH A WIN AND kVE TOP kNishes in 10 tournaments on PGA of Taiwan (TPGA), banners the hostsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign in the $100,000 CHAMPIONSHIP THE kRST 0'4 !SIA sanctioned tournament abroad. Joint No. 2 Lu Weizhi, also with a victory and 15 top 10 efforts in 34 events, Wang Weilun, with three wins in 37 tournaments, and Song Mengyu, Zhan Yixin and Qiu Wei, who share the No. 4 spot, are also in the fold. 4HE EVENT IS ACTUALLY THE kRST OF two PGT Asia tournaments set in Taiwan with the Nan Pao TPGA Open also scheduled on Sept. 26-29 at Nan Pao Golf Club in Tainan City. A third PGTA tournament abroad later in the year IS ALSO BEING kNALIZED THAT WOULD further highlight the Philippine tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stake as one of the emerging circuits in the region. No. 7 Wang Congjie, and joint ninth-running Yu Yuchen and Zhang Zheyu are likewise all primed up for the 72-hole championship serving as the third leg of the TPGA and the second stage of the PGT Asia sponsored by ICTSI. The rest of the 79-player TPGA cast are also ready to slug it out with THE 0'4! BEST AND lASH THEIR LOCAL knowledge of the par-72 layout, whose wide fairways put premium on shotmaking and its elevated greens expected to challenge the chipping skills of the COMPETING kELD NOT TO MENtion its unpredictable surface. But the PGT Asia top guns are also going all-out, motivated not only by their desire to prove their worth against the hosts but also GAIN THE BRAGGING RIGHTS AS THE kRST WINNER OF THE kRST 0'4! TOURNAment overseas. Thai Namchok Tantipokhakul, WHO RULED THE kRST LEG OF THE THIRD PGTA season at Luisita last month, stands at the forefront of the PHbased tour bets who include compatriots Kammalas Namuangruk, Natthapong Niyomchon and Donlapatchai Niyomchon along with Marcos Pastor of Spain, Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choo Tze Huang and Japanese Keita Sudo. Multi-titled Jay Bayron, a former OOM winner of one of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development tours, is the lone Filipino entry in the full packed 144-player roster that features bets from the US, Sweden, Australia, Colombia, Scotland, Malaysia, Argentina, South Africa and Korea.

Sports

AFP PHOTO

Pain-free Murray optimistic about return to tennis L

/.$/. !NDY -URRAY IS CONkDENT HE CAN RETURN TO COMPETITIVE TENNIS AND HAS HINTED AT A DOUBLES SPOT AT 7IMBLEDON INSPIRED BY !MERICAN DOUBLES GREAT "OB "RYAN S RETURN FROM HIP SURGERY The two-time Wimbledon champion, 32, in January announced plans to retire after this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wimbledon due to injury, expressing doubt as to whether he would even make it to the All England Club. The Scot has all but ruled out an appearance in the singles draw,

nearly four months after surgery on a career-threatening hip problem, but he could return by playing in the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doubles. The former world number one told Tuesday Times there was â&#x20AC;&#x153;very little chanceâ&#x20AC;? he would play singles during the grass-court season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Potentially doubles, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m

not trying to get ready for singles just now,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The thing I said before was that, if I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feeling good, there was more chance that I would play and then stop after Wimbledon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whereas if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feeling good, it makes a bit more sense to give it time to make sure that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as good as possible before I try to play singles on it.â&#x20AC;? Murray, whose ranking has plummeted to 218 due to his time away from the court, said he was pain-free as he spoke about the example set by Bryan.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know from seeing what Bob Bryan has done (he had similar surgery last year) that for doubles it WILL BE ABSOLUTELY kNE ) WILL NEED to see from there how it would work singles-wise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been really good so far. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m playing lots of golf. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any pain walking round the course and swinging clubs. When Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m on the court hitting, it has been perfect. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I continue to feel good, then I will obviously give it a shot in singles and see what happens. Whereas in doubles I am pretty

certain I will be able to play, just based on having an example to look at. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can look at Bob Bryan and say, this is what he has done, he is playing top three or four in the world-level doubles. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also nine years older than me, so why would I not be able to do the same and hopefully a bit more?â&#x20AC;? -URRAY HAS AN OFkCIAL DEADLINE of June 18 to apply for a wildcard for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wimbledon, where he was the champion in 2013 and 2016, and could also use his protected ranking to enter. AFP

Reyesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; homer lifts Paddack, Padres to 2-1 win over Arizona SAN DIEGO: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to beat the San Diego Padresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; combination of slugger Franmil Reyes and rookie righthander Chris Paddack. Reyes hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to lift Paddack and

the Padres to a 2-1 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night (Tuesday in Manila). Luke Weaver (3-3) had outdueled 0ADDACK AND GOT THE kRST TWO outs in the sixth before allowing Greg Garciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two-out single to right and Reyesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; homer to center, his 15th. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It feels great,â&#x20AC;? said the 23-year-old Reyes, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in his second big league season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel my hands at all. Hit it right on the barrel.â&#x20AC;? When he returned to the dugout, he kissed the bat. He said he received a shipment of new Victus bats earlier in the day, the same model as used by teammate Fernando Tatis Jr., whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s currently on the injured list. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As soon as they arrive, I put two in my locker and say those are the two Q Franmil Reyes (No. 32) of the San Diego Padres hits a tworun home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park on Tuesday in San Diego, California. A F P P H OTO

FROM MLB .COM

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to use in the game today. That one that I kiss, I took to the cage to do my thing every time I face the pitcher,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m feeling great. Any pitch that they throw close is going to get damaged. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m seeing the ball pretty good right now.â&#x20AC;? The Padres snapped a threegame losing streak that had dropped them one game below FOR THE kRST TIME THIS SEASON Reyesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; homer got Paddack off the hook for a loss and made him the winner. g) WAS kRED UP MAN ) KNEW DUE to the pitch count and the situation of the game, me being on deck in a close game, that was it for me. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a guy on with two outs and Franmilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to the plate, man, everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s off the seats and right there on the rails. He crushed that one.â&#x20AC;? Likewise, Paddackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teammates love seeing him work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great, man,â&#x20AC;? Reyes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s REALLY FUN TO SEE FROM THE OUTkELD

how he attacks the hitters and how HE GETS kRED UP AND EVERY TIME HE strikes out somebody itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great. Fires up all the team and makes the defense behind him proud.â&#x20AC;? 0ADDACK ALLOWED ONE RUN AND kVE hits in six innings, struck out seven and walked one. Weaver allowed two runs and four hits in six innings and also had seven strikeouts and no walks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That one just hurts,â&#x20AC;? Weaver said of Reyesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home run. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You work your butt off to get to that spot in the game. Knowing how it felt early, stuff was running kind of armside. I just felt like in that pitch it just wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the right call and I kind of felt it before I threw it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a mental error in my mind where I should just step off and kind of gather and either think about it or throw something else. I think I just tried to do too much with it knowing that balls were running and it just spun out of my hand, and a good hitter, power hitter, put a swing on it.â&#x20AC;? Said manager Torey Lovullo: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make mistakes to him. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re

still trying to identify some soft landing spots where we can live with the damage. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good player. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good hitter, and when you make a mistake that can happen.â&#x20AC;? Lovullo added that Weaver, â&#x20AC;&#x153;was unbelievable. He really just made one mistake at the wrong time to the wrong guy. He did everything he could to keep us in this game. Unfortunately we just built a couple of innings and a couple of situations and only scored one run, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really the name of the game.â&#x20AC;? Arizona used small ball to take a 1-0 lead in the third, with Nick Ahmed hitting a leadoff single and eventually scoring on Jarrod Dysonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grounder. San Diego got into a jam in the seventh when relievers Trey Wingenter and Adam Warren combined to issue three straight walks on 12 straight pitches with one out. Allen then struck out Dyson and got Ketel -ARTE TO GROUND OUT TO kRST Kirby Yates pitched the ninth for his 18th save. AP

F1 LEGEND NIKI LAUDA DIES AT 70 VIENNA: Legendary Formula One driver Niki Lauda has died at the age of 70, his family said on Tuesday, triggering an outpouring of praise for a man whose track victories and comeback from a horrific crash enthralled race fans worldwide. Lauda died at the University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland on Monday night surrounded by his closest family members, a spokesperson told Agence France-Presse. His death comes eight months after he underwent a lung transplant. The family said in a statement that Lauda died peacefully. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His unique achievements as an athlete and entrepreneur are and will remain unforgettable, his tireless zest for action, his straightforwardness and his courage remain,â&#x20AC;? it said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A role model and a benchmark for all of us, he was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather away from the public, and he will be missed.â&#x20AC;? Lauda won the Formula One driversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; world championship three times, in 1975 and 1977 for Ferrari and in 1984 with McLaren, despite a terrible race crash in 1976. An Austrian news report said Lauda â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who has kidney transplants â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was hospitalized for a dialysis earlier this

month in Switzerland. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone at Ferrari is deeply saddened at the news of the death of our dear friend Niki Lauda,â&#x20AC;? Ferrari said on its Twitter account. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Niki will forever be in our hearts and enshrined in our history. #RIPNiki,â&#x20AC;? his former team McLaren tweeted on their account. Lauda had been non-executive chairman at Mercedes F1 since 2012 and he was instrumental in bringing in British driver Lewis Hamilton to spark a run of success that has brought five consecutive world driversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and constructorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; championships. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A legend has left us. Rest in peace Niki #nikilauda,â&#x20AC;? tweeted 2009 world champion and former McLaren driver Jenson Button as social media exploded with the news of his death. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Forever carried in our hearts, forever immortalized in our history. The motorsport community today mourns the devastating loss of a true legend,â&#x20AC;? Formula 1 said on Twitter.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Very, very special manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lauda was born as Andreas Nikolaus on February 22, 1949, in Vienna into an upper middle-class family, who did not

share his passion for cars. In 1968, without telling his parents, Lauda won his first race with a Mini Racer he had bought with his grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help. During his driving career, Lauda suffered horrific injuries on August 1, 1976 when, having already won five races that season, his vehicle burst into flames on the Nuerburgring in Germany. He had severe burns to his face and hands, and inhaled toxic fumes which damaged his lungs. Despite being given the last rites in hospital he made an almost miraculous recovery to race again just six weeks later still bandaged and in intense pain. He missed only two races that season but was unable to hold off the challenge of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s James Hunt, who went on to claim his only world title. The rivalry between the two men â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which demonstrated the Austrianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extraordinary courage and fighting spirit â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was portrayed in the 2013 film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rushâ&#x20AC;? by American director Ron Howard. The next season, in 1977, Lauda went on to win his second Formula One world championship with Ferrari. Former motorcycling world cham-

pion Casey Stoner said on Twitter: â&#x20AC;&#x153;RIP Niki Lauda, a true Icon and Motorsport legend. Thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time.â&#x20AC;? Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert, describing Lauda as â&#x20AC;&#x153;courageous, chatty, and extremely funnyâ&#x20AC;?, added on Twitter: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am going to miss you being around the @F1 paddock but the legend of Niki Lauda will live on, because you were a very very special man.â&#x20AC;?

One of Austriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said Lauda â&#x20AC;&#x153;fought himself back into life multiple timesâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With Niki Lauda, Austria loses one of its greatest personalities... He is a role model for courage, discipline and directness,â&#x20AC;? he said on Twitter. Lauda quit Formula One at the end of 1979 to pursue his second passion, civil aviation. But he came back to the race circuit in 1982, this time with McLaren, and won his last world championship with them in 1984. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A highly accomplished athlete and entrepreneur, Niki is an inspiration to many both on and off the racetrack, pushing everyone

Q French Formula One driver Alain Prost (left) poses with Austrian former champion Niki Lauda on the McLaren car they will drive during the 1984 Formula One season on November 14, 1983 at Le Castellet racetrack, southern France. AFP PHOTO on his team to always strive for the best,â&#x20AC;? Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the Singapore Grand Prix, said in a statement. Off the racetrack, Lauda â&#x20AC;&#x201D; recognized by his trademark red cap hiding scars from his 1976 accident -- founded and then sold several airlines with a majority stake of his latest going to Ryanair in 2018. Tragedy hit in 1991 when a Boeing 767 of his Lauda Air fleet crashed in Thailand on its way from Bangkok to Vienna, killing all 223 people aboard. In August last year, Lauda underwent

an emergency lung transplant in a Vienna hospital after contracting an infection in his lungs, which were scarred and weakened by the effects of inhaling high temperature smoke during the 1976 accident. Years before he had also received the kidney transplants. When one failed, a second kidney was donated by his thengirlfriend Birgit Wetzinger, a former flight attendant, who he married in 2008. Besides their twins, a boy and a girl born in 2009, Lauda also had three other sons from previous relationships. AFP

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Football

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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Q PSGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kylian Mbappe kicks the ball ahead of Dijon goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson, right, and Dijonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cedric Yambere during their League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Dijon at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, May 18, 2019. AP PHOTO

ARIS: French champions Paris SaintGermain on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) insisted that star striker Kylian Mbappe would stay at the club next season, despite the World Cup-winner hinting that he could leave.

The 20-year-old said on Sunday that he wanted more â&#x20AC;&#x153;responsibilities, maybe at PSG, maybe elsewhereâ&#x20AC;? after winning the Ligue 1 player of the season award. But PSG said in a statement on Twitter: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strong ties have united PSG and Kylian Mbappe for two years and that story will continue next season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a highly anticipated moment to also write, together, a big page in the history of our club, in which each major player will have to take his share, all the while working for the squad.â&#x20AC;? Mbappeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comments on Sunday, with Real Madrid reportedly attempt to lure him to Spain, appeared a calculated move. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I said what I had to say. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on stage you can send messages, I think I got mine across. If I

keep talking it would be too much and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the message I want to send,â&#x20AC;? Mbappe explained. He has been regularly linked with a potential move to Madrid since breaking through with Monacoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2017 Ligue 1 title-winning team, but instead made the switch to PSG, initially on loan, and then for 180 million euros. But since Zinedine Zidaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return to the Real dugout earlier this year, rumours about Mbappe joining his fellow Frenchman at the Santiago "ERNABEU HAVE INTENSIkED French sports daily Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Equipe led with the headline â&#x20AC;&#x153;trophy for the shock sentenceâ&#x20AC;? following Mbappeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambiguous remarks, while Spanish media described it as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;bombshellâ&#x20AC;? after picking up on the fact it was THE kRST TIME THE STRIKER HAS HINTED he could leave Paris.

PSG says Mbappe to stay at club next season Under contract with PSG until 2023, Mbappe is said to be in discussions with the club over an extension, but was his message a play to strike an improved deal, which reportedly pays him 20 million euros per season? Former PSG goalkeeper Jerome Alonzo, who played for the club between 2001 and 2008, believes Mbappe is angling for a greater say in the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s planning, after a disappointing season which saw Thomas Tuchelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side again fail in the Champions League.

Leadership battle â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have more of an impression

that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s someone important at the club who says, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Guys, I want to vouch for the project but it needs to move along a little. I want to stay for a long time but give me the means to become European champion. If the project doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t move beyond that, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m leaving,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Alonzo told AFP. This term, Mbappe has stepped up another gear with Neymar out injured for much of the campaign, but his demand for further authority could place him on a collision course with the Brazilian. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This request for accountability poses questions because it comes two weeks after the same statements from Neymar. There must not be

a spat at PSG between leaders or groups with the Brazilian side of the dressing room and the others,â&#x20AC;? warned Alonzo. Mbappe backed up his excellent 2018 World Cup, where he scored four times as France won the trophy, by netting 38 times for PSG this season, although he needs to score kVE IN THE LAST LEAGUE GAME OF THE season against Reims next weekend to snatch the European Golden Shoe from Lionel Messi. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I tell myself that even if I lose, I lose to Messi, one of the greatest players in history,â&#x20AC;? he told AFP. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To think that maybe I kept up with him until the last game, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a source of pride too, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not over.â&#x20AC;?

Mbappe became only the second teenager in history last year, after Brazil legend Pele, to score in a 7ORLD #UP kNAL DURING &RANCE S triumph over Croatia. His global stardom â&#x20AC;&#x201D; surely eye-catching for the likes of Real â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was shown when he became only the fourth footballer to feature on the cover of Time magazine in October, after Messi, Neymar and Mario Balotelli. An Mbappe exit would be a blow for PSG, although increased transfer funds may not be all bad for the French champions as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of THEIR NEXT BID FOR A kRST #HAMPIONS League title. AFP

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Exciting, but weakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - Is the Bundesliga in decline? Ligue 1 teams to play US exhibition tournament BERLIN: Bayern Munich may have wrapped up a seventh successive Bundesliga title on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), but their domestic dominance was severely tested in one of the most exciting German league campaigns in years. Perennial champions Bayern, who have romped to the title every season since 2013, finished just two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund, as the title race went down TO THE kNAL DAY OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE kRST TIME IN A DECADE Yet while the excitement was higher than ever at home, German clubs fared surprisingly poorly in European competition, raising concerns the Bundesliga is a league in decline. Dortmundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title challenge, though ultimately unsuccessful, provided welcome respite from the hegemony Bayern have enjoyed in recent years. Since 2013, the Bavarian giants had won six titles in a row by a margin of 10 points or more, and kNISHED POINTS CLEAR OF $ORTmund in 2013. Forced to claw back a nine-point gap to retain their crown, even Bayern welcomed Dortmundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newfound strength. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are happy to have such opponents, and I hope it continues next year because the Bundesliga and the fans in Germany need that,â&#x20AC;? Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic told broadcaster Sport1 after Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s triumph. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was nice to have an exciting title race for once.â&#x20AC;? Nor was it just the title race which provided entertainment until the end. On the last day of the campaign, three clubs were still in the running for Champions League QUALIkCATION WHILE SIX SIDES STILL

Q (Front row, left to right) Bayern Munichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben, Bayern Munichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brazilian defender Rafinha and Bayern Munichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s French midfielder Franck Ribery lift the trophy as Bayern Munich players celebrate after the German First division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt in Munich, southern Germany, on May 18, 2019. AFP PHOTO had hopes of a Europa League spot. For all the excitement, however, there is growing concern the Bundesliga cannot keep up with other major European leagues. Frankfurt-based FAZ newspaper wrote on Saturday the German TOP lIGHT WAS gEXCITING BUT WEAKu adding the league produced â&#x20AC;&#x153;masses of losers.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; It was certainly true in the Champions League this year, as all four Bundesliga clubs were knocked out by the last 16. Bayern, Dortmund and Schalke were all convincingly beaten by English opposition, meaning there was no German team in the quarterkNALS FOR THE kRST TIME SINCE Eintracht Frankfurtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fairytale run to the Europa League semi-finals aside, it was a barren year for the Bundesliga in Europe.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Internationally meaninglessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; In 2013, former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld called the Bundesliga â&#x20AC;&#x153;the best league in the worldâ&#x20AC;? after both clubs REACHED THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE kNAL Now, many are warning it has become a â&#x20AC;&#x153;second-classâ&#x20AC;? league behind Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s La Liga and the English Premier League. Last January, Bundesliga CEO Christian Seifert warned the league could soon become â&#x20AC;&#x153;internationally meaninglessâ&#x20AC;? if it did not adapt and keep the pace with its competitors. Most Bundesliga clubs run on a MODEL OF NO DEBT AND kNANCIAL RESPONsibility, and even mighty Bayern struggle to match the huge transfer sums paid out by Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest sides. 4HE g u RULE WHICH ENSURES FAN

power by guaranteeing club members majority voting rights, means most GerMAN OUTkTS ARE UNLIKELY TO ATTRACT FROM wealthy foreign investors, as teams in England and France have done. The once sacrosanct rule has become increasingly contested of late, with calls for it to be reformed or even abolished. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope the league gives up on u "AYERN PRESIDENT +ARL (EINZ Rummenigge told GQ last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think every club should be able to decide for itself whether it is open to investors or notâ&#x20AC;?. League CEO Seifert, meanwhile, said in January that the Bundesliga had to find the balance between domestic and international success. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need our top clubs to keep the pace in Europe while also offering exciting competition at home,â&#x20AC;? he said. AFP

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup coach dares China to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dream bigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; SHANGHAI: Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coach admits his side are â&#x20AC;&#x153;far apartâ&#x20AC;? from the elite but has nevertheless told them to defy expectations at next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup. Jia Xiuquanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team carry the hopes of a country all too used to seeing the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side disappoint on the international stage. But the Chinese women face a battle to reach the knockout

stages in France with a tough group stage against former twotime champions Germany, Spain and South Africa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s me who said our aim was TO REACH THE kNAL OF THE 7OMEN S World Cup,â&#x20AC;? Jia told the Xinhua news agency ahead of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s June 8 opener against Germany in Rennes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, we might go even

further and win the championship. Yes, I have not changed my mind if you ask me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This the target I set for my squad,â&#x20AC;? the former coach of the national menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s under-19 side said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know that we are far apart from the world elite womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been working out (how) we can narrow the gap between the top

squads and ourselves.â&#x20AC;? Jia previously set his side, who are 16th in the FIFA world rankings, a minimum requirement of reaching the knockout rounds. But he now says that he does not want them to aim so low. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want them first to dream big and then go all out to achieve the highest goal possible,â&#x20AC;? he said. AFP

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Four teams from THE &RENCH TOP lIGHT WILL PLAY IN an exhibition in the United States in July as part of Ligue 1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempts TO BOOST ITS INTERNATIONAL PROkLE league officials said on Monday (Tuesday in Manila). Marseille, Saint-Etienne, Bordeaux and Montpellier will play in the tournament at Washingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Audi Stadium, home of Major League Soccerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DC United, between July 18-21. Didier Quillot, chief executive of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), told a press conference the tournament provided a chance for French clubs and Ligue 1 to â&#x20AC;&#x153;promote their brandâ&#x20AC;? in a strategic market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The goal is to develop Ligue 1 internationally, with the United States and China priority markets,â&#x20AC;? Quillot said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to increase the reputation of the Ligue 1 brand, that of our championship and our clubs.â&#x20AC;? Quillot said Ligue 1 wanted to

become one of the top three most valuable football leagues, in terms of international television rights, WITHIN kVE YEARS â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a very good product, with goals, stars like Neymar, (Kylian) Mbappe, (Mario) Balotelli, (Memphis) Depay,â&#x20AC;? Quillot said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the number one country in the world at identifying, training and developing young players, but what we lack is the success in European club competitions,â&#x20AC;? he added. Two of the teams taking part in the tournament â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Marseille and Bordeaux â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are owned by US investors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Football is a sport but also an entertainment industryâ&#x20AC;? Quillot said, adding that France was â&#x20AC;&#x153;the best country to invest in.â&#x20AC;? The quadrangular tournament will see Montpellier play SaintEtienne and Marseille face Bordeaux on July 18, before the two winning sides face each other on July 21. AFP

Bologna earns â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;miracleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Serie A survival in six-goal Lazio thriller ROME: Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic hailed his team for pulling off A gMIRACLEu TO SECURE THEIR TOP lIGHT survival with a 3-3 draw at Lazio on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) enough to keep the northerners in Serie A next season. It was a vital point for Bologna who have been transformed since the arrival of Serbian coach Mihajlovic in place of Filippo Inzaghi, brother of Lazio coach Simone, last February. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobody, or at least very few believed in us staying up a few months ago,â&#x20AC;? said Serb Mihajlovic, a former Yugoslavia international player. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was one of the few. The more that time went by, the more convinced I was that we were on the right road but it was still something of a small miracle.â&#x20AC;? The club were 18th with just two wins from 21 games when the former Serbia, AC Milan and Torino coach arrived, but since have won eight matches out of 16 and are now positioned 12th. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re aiming to pull off a real masterstroke on Saturday AGAINST .APOLI TO kNISH TENTH u he added. Lazio are already through to next

seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Europa League after their Coppa Italia win over Atalanta last Wednesday in Rome, and have nothing left to play for as they sit eighth. But Simone Inzaghiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side had taken the lead after 13 minutes through Joaquin Correa, who also scored in their Coppa Italia victory in the Stadio Olimpico. Andrea Poli pulled Bologna level kVE MINUTES AFTER THE BREAK WITH -ATTIA $ESTRO kRING IN FROM CLOSE range two minutes later. A Bastos curling got Lazio back IN THE GAME kVE MINUTES LATER WITH Sergej Milinkovic-Savic again proving decisive off the bench as in the #OPPA kNAL GRABBING A POINT WITH a curling free kick over the wall ten minutes from time. Bologna are four points ahead of Genoa who occupy the final relegation place with one game left this season. Chievo and Frosinone are already condemned to Serie B next season with four teams still under threat â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Genoa, Empoli, Udinese and Fiorentina. Lazio are eighth and the best they CAN kNISH IS SEVENTH WITH THEIR kNAL game against Torino. AFP

WEDNESDAY W E D N E S DAY MAY 22, 2019

Lifestyle

www.manilatimes.net

Why the need to get rid of cigarettes completely A

CCORDING to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco is the only legal drug that kills many of its users when used exactly as intended by manufacturers. In its global report on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trends in tobacco smoking 2000 to 2025 first edition,â&#x20AC;? WHO has estimated that tobacco use (smoking and smokeless) is currently responsible for the death of about six million people across the world each year with many of these deaths occuring prematurely. This total includes 600,000 people estimated to die from the effects of second-hand smoke. Although often associated with ill-health, disability and death from noncommunicable

chronic diseases, tobacco smoking is also associated with an increase risk of death from communicable diseases. Under a United Nations mandate to address four noncommunicables diseases, the World Health Assembly established in 2013 a global voluntary tobacco target to help reduce premature avoidable mortality from NCDs. The agreed tobacco target is a 30-percent relative reduction in prevalence of current tobacco use in persons aged 15 years old and above.

The setting of this target not only provides a context for the development of policies and programs of actions to attain the target, it also provides an oportunity for policy makers to monitor progress toward achievement of the target over time.

Ill effects of tobacco use To help in promoting this advocacy, Sante Philippines, provider of organic health and wellness products and services, lists the main harmful effects of cigarette smoking. Smoking causes health risks. Cigarette and tobacco smoking are the main reasons for major diseases in the world. It is linked with a wide variety of cancers, commonly affecting the heart and lungs. The habit makes smokers vulnerable to diseases because of particles that lower the immune system. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a condition where mucus IN THE LUNGS CAUSES DIFkCULT BREATHing, is a result of long-term smoking, usually found in people who have started cigarettes at an early age. Inhaling cigarette smoke also worsens asthma and tuberculosis. Second-hand smoking destroys lives. Smoking also affects people nearby. When smokers light cigarettes inside their houses, they endanger the health of family members, especially infants and children. Animals are not immune to the harmful effects of cigarette smoke too. Dogs and cats, among favorite house pets, also become victims. Felines particularly are prone to developing a type of cancer called malignant lymphoma if they are exposed to cigarette smoke for long. Smoking affects the environment. The production of cigarettes

Q Besides serious long-term health effects, smoking cigarettes can slow down military service members by negatively affecting their endurance and how quickly they heal. US AIR FORCE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

and tobacco also set major harm to the environment, with tobacco plantations destroying the land. Areas of dense forests that have been cut down to cultivate tobacco result in soil erosion. Not only that, tobacco producTION USES TREES TO CREATE kRE FOR drying tobacco leaves and for rolling and packing cigarettes. If not monitored, cigarettes start FOREST kRES DAMAGING THE OZONE layer further and destroying the homes of both animals and people. Additionally, the procedures in manufacturing cigarettes release toxic gases. These air pollutants, such as methane and carbon dioxide, negatively AFFECT THE OZONE LAYER There will always be a link that connects smoking to damages, be it nature or human life. Once people place cigarette butts on their lips, they not only gamble their lives but risk the lives of others.

For those who want to ditch the habit For those who are trying to quit smoking, remember that the habit does nothing well. Health concerns are just the peak of the problem. Smoking also destroys careers and important relationships, bringing individuals to smoke more. This is the ugly truth that WHO has been pushing to address through its World No Tobacco Day celebration, a global effort that seeks to increase the level of awareness about cigarette smoking by explaining its damaging effects to the public.

Essential natural products in medicine cabinet NATURAL medicinal products are still the best remedies for numerous health problems. Thus, it is essential to have those stored in the medicine cabinet or have these herbs planted in house garden. Here are some of them. Anti-nausea. Ginger, pepPERMINT AND FENNEL ARE NATURE S anti-nausea and indigestion herbs. For babies, mix a small bit of cooled tea into their water bottle.

Natural sleep aids.

ways to support serotonin production which turns to the sleep hormone melatonin, especially when room is dark. Tea tree oil. .ATURE S ANtibacterial, antifungal, antiviral topical formula. Use for minor scrapes, cuts, insect bites to prevent infections from occurring. Apply after cleaning area with soap and water.

Natural sleep hormone, melatonin, as a supplement for adults, is a safer alternative to prescription sleep medicines. Other options include 5-HTP Q Ginger, peppermint and fennel or ZenBev â&#x20AC;&#x201D; natural are natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anti-nausea herbs.

Sun protection. Natural

sunscreen uses physical barriers, LIKE ZINC TITANIUM oxides, instead of chemical barriers. After sun exposure use thick hydrating fragrance-

SantĂŠ offers products that improve the quality of life of Filipinos and people around the world. The company has been providing premier organic health and wellness products and services with SantĂŠ Barley at its core. For those who have decided to quit smoking, take barley grass which is proven to be an effective antioxidant, rich with vitamins

and minerals that not only deTOXIkES THE BODY BUT ALSO AIDS IN digestive health. It is important as well to encourage people around to stop smokING BY VOCALIZING ONE S CONCERN for their own good. They might DISLIKE THE ATTENTION AT kRST BUT showing consistent compassion WILL LET THEM KNOW THAT IT S MEANT for the best for them.

Q Japanese food is often rich in Omega 3 as well as Calcium.

FREE MOISTURIZERS )N CASE OF SUNBURNS OR sun rash, use all natural aloe vera gel liberally to assist with soothing and healing. For bumps and bruises. Homeopathic arnica or Traumeel cream. For Muscle aches/pains. Magnesium, Epsom salts, natural topical anti-inflammatory containing menthol or camphor. For food poisoning. Probiotics and L-glutamine help with acute food poisoning or gastroenteritis infection.

Important tip 'O THROUGH WHAT S STORED IN THE MEDICINE cabinet every six months to ensure that everything has a valid expiry date. This is so easily overlooked and can cause problems, particularly because these products are used only once in a while. )T IS ALSO IMPERATIVE TO TALK TO ONE S physician before making any changes to health program.

Source: Zentai Wellness Center www.mytorontonaturopath.com

Natural supplements for pain relief AS one grows older, pain is felt in almost every m part of the body â&#x20AC;&#x201D; back, hips, knees, and major jo joints. Most of the time, it is only by then that on would consider taking vitamins and minerals one to build strong joints and reduce pain. Below are recommended natural supplements th reduce inflamation in the other joints. that Calcium. Vital for bone health. Often combined with Vitamin D and Of Magnesium to increase its absorption. M Vitamin C. Produces collagen in the joints for flexibility. Known to aid ai recovery for joint pain.

ports joint health by increasing fluid in the joint cartilage and connective tissue. Omega 3. Commonly found in fish and fish oil or flax seed oil, it provides healthy fatty acids that help with symptoms of joint pain and stiffness. The body cannot produce Omega 3 on its own. It has to be consumed or incorporated in the dietary requirement.

Source: www.surfersam.com

Methylsulfonylmeth thane or MSM. Helps lubricate ca joints, allows movement and an reduces pain when taken daily. da A naturally occuring member m of the sulfur family, it is often suggested for arthritis ar relief.

Glucosamine and CChondroitin. Available Q Tea tree oil is natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral topical formula.

Q Aloe vera gel soothes and heals sun rash or sunburns.

together, to the supplement sup-

Q Citrus, kiwi and sweet pepper are rich in Vitamin C.

Funtimes

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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ERRATUM: The crossword puzzle that came out on Monday and Tuesday carried no answers as there was confusion on the loading of materials from King Features Syndicate that also affected todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue. Normal operations resume tomorrow. We apologize for the mistake.

Public Square

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

8th authorized Mi Store opens

WEDNESDAY May 22, 2019

Toyota SLAI wins awards T

XIAOMI Philippines announced that the new authorized Mi Store in Robinsons Place Manila opened its doors to the public on May 18. Xiaomi believes that by expanding its offline presence in the city of Manila and trusting the world-class mall, who is

also currently the leading shopping center in Manila, will help the brand cater the needs and wants of its loyal customers. The newest Authorized Mi Store is located at level 3, Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Pedro Gil St., Ermita, Manila.

New World Manila Bay Hotel receives 5-star rating from DoT NEW World Manila Bay Hotel has once again conferred with the highest rating by the Department of Tourism (DoT) for passing accreditation standards for accommodation, facilities and SERVICES 4HE HOTEL HAS OFkCIALLY renewed its 5-star rating, which according to the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Accreditation Standards, is ACHIEVED BY gPROPERTIES THAT RElECT the characteristics of luxury and sophistication. The facilities are world class in every manner and the meticulous service exceeds all guest expectations.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This recognition not only represents luxury and sophistication or outstanding facilities,â&#x20AC;? says New World Manila Bay Hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s General Manager Mark Heywood. g)T DEkNES THE PEOPLE WHO PASsionately work behind the scenes to create an exceptional experience for our guests. That what truly makes us a 5-star hotel.â&#x20AC;? New World Manila Bay Hotel, inspired by seamless contem-

porary style, offers 376 wellappointed guestrooms and suites with residential features that boast a spectacular panoramic view of THE MAGNIkCENT -ANILA "AY AND an inviting cityscape. Consequently, New World Manila Bay Hotel has been consistently ranked number one hotel in Manila by travelers on TripAdvisor, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest travel site. For more information, visit manilabay.newworldhotels.com.

PWPA urges Filipinos to save the planet by planting trees THE Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) calls for the participation of Filipinos in the cause of planting more trees for the benefit of the environment and the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To say that planting trees helps save the environment is an understatement,â&#x20AC;? says PWPA Chairman Charlie Liu (in photo) at the 67th General Assembly held at the Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites in Pasig City. g0LANTING TREES IS NOT JUST BENEkcial to Mother Earth; the practice also provides social and economic BENEkTS TO THE COUNTRY u ,IU ADDED Trees have always provided a source of livelihood to Filipinos. In primary manufacturing alone, PWPA says that an estimated 236,500 full-time jobs per year can be generated. From development and primary wood process-

Q During the award ceremony are (from left) ANSLIÂ PresidentÂ MGen. Emeraldo Magnaye AFP (Ret), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Financial Supervision Department IX DirectorÂ Dindo Santos, TMPSLAIÂ PresidentÂ Liza Batoy, ANSLI Convention ChairmanÂ Comm. Daniel Delgado AFP (Ret) and TMPSLAI ManagerÂ Eric Esplana.

LWUA rebuilds Zamboangaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water supply

Q LWUA Chief Jeci Lapus (fifth from left) leads the groundbreaking ceremony with other guests (from left) Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) General Manager Leonardo Rey Vasquez, ZCWD Board Chairman Jose Vicente Atilano 3rd, District 2 Representative Manuel Jose Dalipe, Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco, District 1 Representative Celso Lobregat and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Head Manuelito Luna Jr. LOCAL Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Chief Jesi Lapus joins various government agency heads

in a groundbreaking ceremony recently held in Zamboanga City to kick off the P527-million rede-

velopment of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water and sanitation systems, which were damaged during the 2013 siege.

The project aims to benefit over 6,400 households by summer of next year.

Brigada Eskwela 2019 kicks off parade in Quezon City OVER 100 students, including parents, teachers and principals, join the Brigada Eskwela 2019 kick-off parade on May 17 in Barangay Duyan-Duyan organized by the Quezon City Schools Division Office. Brigada Eskwela 2019, with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Matatag na Bayan para sa Maunlad na Paaralan,â&#x20AC;? will start on May 20 until May 25 before classes in public elementary and secondary schools start on June 3 nationwide.

PBSP mobilizes over 1,000 employee-volunteers to prepare schools ing, there are more than 500,000 potential jobs available. To ensure the industry remains alive and sustainable, PWPA kRMLY STANDS BY PLANTING NEW trees as the best solution. Trees not only serve as adding decoration for streets, parks and backyards, but having them around also improves quality of life.

EastWest income grows 36%, sustains strong ROE at 12% GOTIANUN-led EastWest Bank (EW) posted a net income of 1.3 BILLION IN THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF 2019, 36 percent higher from the same period last year. The bank reported a Return on Equity (ROE) of 12 percent, sustaining its strong PROkTABILITY THE PAST FEW YEARS Revenues rose by 13.3 percent to 6.6 billion from 5.8 billion in the same period last year. Primarily driven by fees and commissions growing by 29 percent to 1.3 billion as well as securities and foreign exchange trading gains ending at 525.1 million compared to a loss of 136.5 million in the same period last year. EW reported that the increase in income is mostly due to the resumption of its rural bank subsidiaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DepEd loan program, improved trading income and lower credit costs.

OYOTA Motor Philippines Savings & Loan Association, Inc. (TMPSLAI) was again recognized by the Alliance of Non-stock Savings & Loan Institutions (ANSLI), the umbrella organization of non-stock savings and loan associations in the country. 4HIS YEAR 4-03,!) WON kRST runner-up as 2019 SLAI of the Year for Group B and was bestowed the Award of Excellence FOR 0ROkTABILITY AND 3TABILITY Since 1993, TMPSLAI has been PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE kNANCING FOR ITS members from Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP). TMP members are offered affordable loan services for their educational needs, small business start-ups, home improvements, and family medical emergencies, among others. Maintaining a VERY LEAN AND COST EFkCIENT OPERAtions, TMPSLAI also provides one of the most competitive dividend rates in the SLA industry.

Most banks reported better trading income this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Q1 2019, our rural bank continued to normalize its public-school teacher financing program, we recovered from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Q1 trading loss, and continue to benefit from the seasoning of our consumer loan portfolio,â&#x20AC;? EW President and Deputy CEO Bobby Reyes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the rest of 2019, we expect market liquidity situation to improve and interest rates to go lower as the year progresses. This is expected to be felt in the second half of the year. In the kRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR WE EXpect continued challenges on net interest margins as deposit costs is expected to remain high, while competition will exert pressure for loan yield adjustments to be subdued,â&#x20AC;? Reyes concluded.

AROUND 1,000 employee volunteers from top companies nationwide will join the 12th Ready for School (RFS) campaign of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to prepare various public schools nationwide in time for the opening of classes in June. The activities include repainting of school chairs and blackboards, covering of books, construction of reading nooks and classroom clean-up. PBSP started the RFS campaign on May 18 at the Malabon Elementary School in Hulong Duhot, Malabon City. Other schools that will be assisted by the campaign are Eusebio Santos Elementary School in Taguig City; Sto. NiĂąo Elementary School and Sto. NiĂąo High School in Marikina City; and Capt. Albert Aguilar

Elementary School-Main in Las PiĂąas City. Simultaneous RFS activities will also be held in various public schools in Visayas and Mindanao. RFS is one of the many initiatives and projects of PBSP to help improve the quality of education in the

Philippines. With the support of its member companies and partners, the organization also builds classrooms and/or school buildings in remote places nationwide; supports the implementation of senior high school through provision of materials,

EQUIPMENT AND FEES FOR 4ESDA CERTIkcations; provides public schools with learning resource centers; awards scholarships to deserving indigent students; conducts in-school supplemental feeding; and trains teachers and school administrators.

Cagayan executives benchmark in Muntinlupa government A FEW days after his proclamation, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (left) welcomes officials from Cagayan Assessorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office in Muntinlupa City on May 16. Cagayan Municipal Assessors Nasario Baclig, Edgar Guillermo, Ronald Manuel and Harry Escalante visited the local government of Muntinlupa for a benchmarking activity to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s automation systems and best practices. Acknowledged as a pioneer OF EFkCIENT PROCESSES THE #ITY Government of Muntinlupa is a consistent benchmark for many cities and municipalities in many aspects of good governance.

WEDNESDAY W E D N ESDAY MAY 22, 2019

Entertainment

www.manilatimes.net

Jerome Ponce, Jane Oineza and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hyperthymesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; A BY IZA IGLESIAS

LMOST four years since they last shared lead roles, young stars Jane Oineza and Jerome Ponce get a reunion project, this time on the big screen and carrying a rare and intriguing theme.

In Regal Entertainmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;FindGood thing, his best friend Kit ING 9OUu Â&#x2021; THEIR kRST PROJECT SINCE /INEZA WHO S BOUND TO MARRY ABS-CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s afternoon drama, SOMEONE ELSE IS ALWAYS THERE BY HIS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kitaâ&#x20AC;? SIDE THROUGH THICK AND THIN 3HE WILL Â&#x2021; 0ONCE PLAYS .EL A SOCIAL MEDIA HELP HIM LOCATE HIS PAST GIRLFRIENDS JOURNALIST WITH A RARE CONDITION AND kND gTHE ONEu FOR HIM CALLED gHYPERTHYMESIA u $ESPITE HAVING EXCEPTIONAL MEM4HE OPPOSITE OF AMNESIA .EL ORY .EL IS SUDDENLY BOMBARDED REMEMBERS EVERY DETAIL OF EVERY MO- BY VAGUE MEMORIES THAT SEEM TO MENT HE HAS ENCOUNTERED INCLUDING CURIOUSLY BRING BACK THE OBSCURE THOSE IN SPECIkC DATES AND TIME PAIN Â&#x2021; TRIGGERED BY ACCIDENTALLY !S MUCH AS IT S A BLESSING THIS ACTIVATING A MOBILE APPLICATION CONDITION SERVES AS A CURSE FOR .EL CALLED g4HROWBACK u (IS OLD STATUSES WHEN IT COMES TO MATTERS OF THE WITH g$EAR 9OUu PROMPT HIM TO GET HEART #OMING FROM SERIES OF FAILED TO THE BOTTOM OF IT AND BE CLARIkED RELATIONSHIPS HE NEVER FORGETS ALL WITH THAT ONE MEMORY THE PAINFUL EXPERIENCES HE HAD AND g)N ) CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE CAN T MOVE ON ONLINE ABOUT SOMEONE WHO CAN

Q Jane Oineza and Jerome Ponce reunite after almost four years.

REMEMBER EVERYTHING Lahat ng NANGYARI SA BUHAY NIYA SIMULA NUNG NAGKAISIP SIYA NAAALALA NIYA EVEN THE TINIEST DETAIL 0AG MAY MGA MASASAKIT TAYONG NARARANASAN SA BUHAY MINSAN HINDI TAYO MAKA MOVE ON WHAT MORE PA KAYA KUNG NAAALALA NATIN LAHAT SA SIMULA T SIMULA TAPOS LAGI SIYANG GUMUGULO SA ISIP NATIN u THE kLM S DIRECTOR %ASY &ERRER EXPLAINED IN A MEDIA CONFERENCE g4HIS kLM IS A PLAY ON MEMORIES Â&#x2021; OR THE LACK OF IT Â&#x2021; AND HOW THEY AFFECT THE LIFE EVEN OF THE MOST STERN u HE ADDED

A productive reunion !CCORDING TO 0ONCE &ERRER HAS USED SOME OF HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN LOVE FOR THE MOVIE

g.UNG UNA KONG TINANGGAP YUNG SCRIPT SINABI KO TALAGA MISMO KAY DIREK NA SOBRANG BIGAT NG CHARACTER

KO 0ARANG HINDI KO KAYA GAWIN PERO DAHIL AKO TALAGA YUNG GUSTO

Q The lead stars with 'Finding You' director Easy Ferrer and co-star Barbie Imperial (third and from right).

NI DIREK %ASY TINANGGAP KO PERO YA AY SINULAT PA NIYA !NG DAMING DID NOT LEAD TO A RELATIONSHIP SINABIHAN KO SIYA NA KAILANGAN KO feels, ang daming hugot, ang da- /INEZA SAID THAT SHE AND 0ONCE NG KATULONG u 0ONCE SHARED MING MAKAKA RELATE 3O ) M BLESSED WOULD BUMP INTO EACH OTHER &ROM THAT POINT 0ONCE NARRATED HE AND DIRECTOR &ERRER BECAME CLOSER WHICH MADE IT EASIER FOR HIM TO RELAY INTIMATE POINTS IN HIS LIFE MOST OF WHICH WERE USED AS INSPIRATION OR REFERENCE FOR THE kLM g$IREK %ASY AND ) kRST WORKED together in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our assistant DIRECTOR (E S VERY EASY TO WORK WITH KASI millennial na millennial ang DATING PATI treatment SA PELIKULA *ANE TOO AFTER THAT SOAP WE HAVE MANAGED TO MAINTAIN OUR FRIENDSHIP SINCE THEN u HE ENTHUSED /INEZA SECONDED g) M HAPPY TO WORK AGAIN WITH *EROME BECAUSE AFTER OUR LAST SHOW ) DIDN T EXPECT NA MAGKAKAROON PA KAMI NG PROJECT ULIT PERO ETO NA NGA â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Finding 9OU Na-reunite ang @*ANE2OME g!LSO WITH %ASY ) M SUPER PROUD

TO BE PART OF THIS u /INEZA NOTED

EVERY NOW AND THEN

g(INDI NAMAN NAWALA YUNG

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;JaneRomeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

FRIENDSHIP YUNG COMMUNICATION (INDI NAMAN PARANG after ng SHOW -EANWHILE /INEZA AND 0ONCE NAMIN HINDI NA KAMI NAG USAP at Â&#x2021; DUBBED AS g*ANE2OMEu BY THEIR ALL u SHE CLARIkED FANSu Â&#x2021; CLEARED THINGS OUT ABOUT 0ONCE CHIMED IN AND ADDED u THEIR ALLEGED PAST RELATIONSHIP 7E REMAINED FRIENDS KASI MA2EVEALING THAT SHE AND 0ONCE DALAS NAMAN KAMING NAGKIKIA DEVELOPED A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP DAHIL PAG NAGKIKITA KAMI NAGKUMORE THAN FRIENDSHIP /INEZA KUWENTUHAN NANG MATAGAL TAPOS revealed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parang hindi lang nag- NAGKAKAYAYAAN LUMABAS WITH BLOOM 0ARANG PUWEDE NA MAKA- OTHER FRIENDS u KARATING NAMAN SA GANUN KASI NAG 7HAT IS CERTAIN IS 0ONCE S EXCITEUUSAP NAMAN KAMI -AY POTENTIAL MENT TO WORK WITH /INEZA ANEW IN PERO HINDI UMABOT DOON AN INTERESTING MOVIE PROJECT g3WEET NAMAN SIYA (INDI KO g3OBRANG NAKAKA PRESSURE KASI LANG MAALALA KUNG MAY GINAWA THE LAST TIME WE WORKED SIYA ANG SIYA for me NOON 0ERO AS A PERSON NAGDALA LAHAT NG EKSENA DOON SA HE S SWEET CARING AND KIND !NG TELESERYE NAMIN But at the same MAHALAGA KASI SA AKIN YUNG COM- TIME EXCITING DAHIL NAKIKITA KO NA fortable AKO AT YUNG TAO 7ALANG MATURED ACTORS NA KAMI u HE ENDED KASI NAKATRABAHO KO RIN SIYA DUN PRETENSIONS 'USTO KO MAY HUMOR â&#x20AC;&#x153;Finding Youâ&#x20AC;? also stars Barbie AS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND sa iba +AILANGAN MAPATAWA AKO HINDI )MPERIAL #LAIRE 2UIZ +ATE !LEJANPANG MOVIES .GAYON MERON NA AKO DAPAT MA BORE Kailangan DRO *ON ,UCAS AND 0AENG 3UNDAYAN SIYANG SARILING kLM AS A DIRECTOR MASAYA LANG u SHE CONTINUED 4HE kLM OPENS IN CINEMAS ON TAPOS YUNG SOBRANG GANDANG ISTOR 4HOUGH THEIR CONNECTION -AY

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;GoT:â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Our watch has ended, SM Southmall Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club now open what do we do now? O

N April 17, 2010, HBO aired the first episode of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Game of Thronesâ&#x20AC;? based on the first book in George R. R. Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Song of Ice and Fire (published August 1, 1996). From then on, there was no turning back. Word spread and the show gathered viewers by the millions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not just in the United States, but everywhere. The world knew who the Mother of Dragons was, and we all knew Jon Snow knew nothing. It was the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soap opera â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it had fascinating characters, surprise turns, fantastic beasts, magic, great dialog, stunning locations, families warring from within and without and politics (oh the politics). It was brilliant. In the same way Marvel and the Avengers defined cinema for the 2010s, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Game of Thronesâ&#x20AC;? did the same for television. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so hard to get people to watch the same thing these days with all the channels, streaming services and content to choose from. This show successfully got us all together. Fans asked that people who were able to watch the initial broadcast not spoil it for a while on social media; YouTube is full of fan videos (over)analyzing the characters, plot points and throwing out possible theories; these people dove deep into the show and

deep into the thick, thick books in the series. Regular articles were published, not just by bloggers, but by big magazines like Vanity Fair and Time. The New York Times had a weekly review and recap of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Game of Thronesâ&#x20AC;? and several stories are out this week after the finale. Fans invested their time, money and emotions on the show. And just like the warring factions on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Game of Thrones,â&#x20AC;? the last season saw fans arguing among themselves and arguing against the show runners. I know David Benioff and D. B. Weiss achieved something massive when they brought â&#x20AC;&#x153;Game of Thronesâ&#x20AC;? to television. While I believe it is extreme to petition HBO to re-make and do-over the final season, I honestly wanted a 10-episode for the final two seasons. I loved seeing things happening on the road, the quiet moments of dialogue between characters, which I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get enough of this season. I wanted just a little bit more before saying goodbye. But our watch has ended with the last show airing on Sunday (Monday in the Philippines). What are we going to talk about over dinner now? What are we going to do with our Mondays? Game of Thrones will leave a big empty space for fans. I'm curious to see what we fill it up with and if anything else will come up that will bring people together the way this show did.

FAN GIRL KAREN KUNAWICZ

Q Emilia Clarke as Daenarys Targayen PHOTOS FROM HBO

Q Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark

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Âťseen@thescene

Q Denise Laurel and son Davian Alejandro

Q Ashley and Alodia Gosengfiao

Q James Younghusband and Q Say Alonzo and son Asher sister Keri

Aladdinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whole new world

4(% 7ALT $ISNEY #OMPANY 0HILIPPINES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 3 -AISON 3- #INEMA HAD THEIR kRST EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL SCREENING OF $ISNEY S !LADDIN TO KICK OFF THE MOVIE S FESTIVITIES /LD AND NEW FANS ALIKE EXPERI-

ENCED !LADDIN S WHOLE NEW WORLD IN THE kRST OF 3- #INEMA S SERIES OF SPECIAL SCREENINGS $ISNEY S LIVE ACTION ADAPTATION OF Ă?!LADDINĂ? TELLS THE STORY OF !LADDIN -ENA -ASSOUD A KINDHEARTED

STREET URCHIN AND POWER HUNGRY 'RAND 6IZIER *AFAR -ARWAN +ENZARI AS THEY VIE FOR A MAGIC LAMP THAT HAS THE POWER TO MAKE THEIR DEEPEST WISHES COME TRUE Ă?!LADDINĂ? OPENS NATIONWIDE TODAY