THE MANILA TIMES | FEBRUARY 22, 2019

2018 budget shortfall over target at P558.25B ++

Php20.00

•• SECTIONS PAGES •VOL. 120 NO. 133 5 28

»Story on B1

The ˜Manila Times

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY UARY 22 22, 2019

www.manilatimes.net m • www

Trusted since 1898

Duterte signs expanded maternity leave law

R

Abu Sayyaf threatens to behead 3 hostages

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill granting additional leave benefits for working mothers in both government and private sectors.

Former special assistant to the

BY AL JACINTO

Z

³MaternityA2

AMBOANGA CITY: Abu Sayyaf terrorists have posted a video online threatening to execute a Malaysian and two Indonesian hostages held captive in Mindanao if ransoms are not paid.

Concrete measures on sex abuse needed – Pope

Members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the kidnapping and terror group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, even spoke in Bahasa Malaysia in the video clip, which showed the Indonesian hostages — believed to be Heri Ardiansyah, 19, and Hariadin,

45 — being guarded by gunmen. They were in a forested area.

The Malaysian hostage, Jari Abdulla, 24, was not with the duo.

The captives, their eyes covered with black cloth and hands tied behind their

³HostagesA2

PALACE RAINS ON CATRIONA GRAY’S PARADE

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis opened on Thursday a landmark summit at the Vatican on fighting child sex abuse, saying the world expected “concrete measures” on tackling pedophilia in the Catholic Church.

The pontiff will dedicate the next three and a half days to discussing the

MALACAÑANG on Thursday rained on 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray’s parade as it criticized her stand against the bill lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility, saying she was “misinformed.”

On the day of her homecoming parade, Gray was urged by Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo to study the measure that seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

“She may have been misinformed of the facts given that the opposition to the lowering comes from yung mga dating kritiko ng administrasyon [the critics of the Duterte administration],” Panelo told reporters in a news briefing.

He also told Gray that the bill would not place children behind bars, and instead would rehabilitate them.

Gray, an advocate of children’s rights, said the country should focus on addressing the reasons

³AbuseA8

US ‘ideologicalimperialist’ billionaire puts up P30M for Ressa’s legal expenses

D

ON’T fall for the Yell ows a n d US media’s portrayal of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa as a poor, helpless journalist being persecuted by the powerful state apparatus of the Philippine government.

why children commit crimes instead of lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

“We are precisely focusing on the problem because the problem is they are engaged in crimes. So what will we do? We will have to rehabilitate them. Learn why they committed these crimes and then put them back to society,” Panelo said.

“But I’m glad that she mentioned that. It only means that she’s also concerned, which every Filipino citizen should have, that kind of concern,” he added.

“I worked a lot with children and everybody knows that children are not disposed to do that kind of act or to act out in

³ParadeA8

RIGOBERTO RIG DD. TIGLAO

³TiglaoA6

S

John Stuart Mill at the barricade

E V FIRST ERAL THINGS high ofFIRST kCIALS AND candidates for senat o r h ave crossed party lines to oppose a proposal

by Roland Cardema, the head of the National Youth Commission (NYC), to strip “anti-government” and “rebellious” students of their government scholarships — a move that appears to confuse dissent for dissidence, and seeks to outlaw the exchange of ideas within academic premises. ³TatadA5

FRANCISCO S. TATAD

FIT FOR A QUEEN

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray waves to spectators during her parade on the streets of Manila on Thursday, the day after her return to the Philippines. PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

What’s inside

REACH US AT:

CAT SHOW IN MANILA

C1

AMBIENT VOICES

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

M A R A N A O L E A D E R : N E W FA C E S N E E D E D

‘Stop vote-buying in Mindanao’ MUSLIMS in southern Philippines are optimistic that the soon-to-be-established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will bring real change to the region left im-

poverished by decades of poor governance, according to a Muslim Maranao leader.

Lawyer Guiling “Gene” Ampang Mamondiong, former head of the Technical

³MindanaoA8

Ma. Isabel OngpinA4

GLAIZA, RUNWAY SHOWSTOPPER IN BEAUTIFUL BRIDAL GOWN

EntertainmentE4

PACQUIAOMAYWEATHER 2 IN PERIL

SportsD1

EARTHQUAKE DRILL Members of the Manila Police District participate in an earthquake drill at MPD headquarters on Thursday. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

A2

News

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

P 7 . 5 B N E E D E D Y E A R LY T O F U N D E X PA N D E D M AT E R N I T Y L E AV E S

SSS mulls hike in contributions

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

S

TATE-RUN Social Security System (SSS) would need to hike members’ monthly contribution rate by 1.6 percentage points should it need to fund the newly signed Expanded Maternity Leave Law. In an interview on Thursday, the public that the pension fund SSS President and Chief Executive would abide by the law, which /FkCER %MMANUEL $OOC ASSURED provides working mothers in both

government and private sectors 105 to 120 days of paid maternity leave, from 60 to 78 days. “Well, we have to bite the bulLET ;BUT= THE MATERNITY BENEkT will mean an additional P7.5 billion more or less [annual] cost for SSS,� Dooc said. “We will make a way to fund the law. One is to increase the contribution by 0.6 percentage points if we want to recover the

DEkCIENCY CONTRIBUTION FROM MAternity leave,� the SSS chief added.

The additional 0.6 point would be added to the scheduled onepercentage-point increase in the rate of contribution under the newly amended SSS Charter, he stressed.

Dooc explained that the amended SSS Charter would strengthen the pension fund through the implementation of a gradual increase

Q MATERNITY FROM A1

‘Greatest gift’ Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the signing of the Expanded Maternity Leave Act was a massive victory for women and their families.

Hontiveros said the law puts the Philippines at par with international standards.

It also supports the best available evidence and practice that are consistent with improving maternity-leave policy. “Now, mothers will have more time to rest from pregnancy. Children will be better fed. Fathers and caregivers can bond and create more lasting memories with their loved ones, as families everywhere receive the greatest gift of all time,�

Hontiveros said. “I salute the tireless work of our advocates, health service providers and my colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives for closing ranks and crossing partylines to see this measure through,� she added. “But most especially, I laud my fellow women for winning this important battle. They are the true heroes of this struggle. While there will be more battles and challenges in the future, today, women win,� Hontiveros said.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

12-percent contribution rate with adjustments in the minimum and maximum MSC will be implemented.

This would extend the SSS fund life by 13 more years or until 2045 from 2032.

To recall, the P1,000 additional benefit for pensioners implemented in 2017 slashed the SSS actuarial life by 10 years from 2042 in 2016.

Palace: Duterte unfazed

by Pope’s remarks

Duterte signs expanded maternity President and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong�

Go and Executive Secretary Medialdea confirmed the signing of the Expanded Maternity Leave Act that extends the paid maternity leave to 105 days. “This new law ensures expectant working mothers enough time to ensure the best possible conditions for a healthy delivery,� Go said.

Medialdea said the President signed the law on Wednesday, February 20.

Under the new law, seven of the 105 days of paid maternity leave are transferable to fathers in what is called a “daddy quota.�

An additional 15 days will be given to solo working mothers.

Mothers also have the option to extend their leave for an additional 30 days.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo allayed concerns that the new law would result in discrimination. “Filipinos are family-oriented.

These industrialists, businessmen will understand. They have no choice. They will have to follow the law,� he said.

on monthly contributions from 11 percent to 12 percent, starting on the year of implementation until it reaches 15 percent in 2025, and the gradual adjustment of the minimum and maximum monthly salary credit (MSC).

Based on the SSS Actuarial and Risk Management Group’s study, there will be an additional P31 billion in contribution collections of the pension fund in 2019 if the

PROTECTING TEACHERS

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers, in partnership with Educational International (EI), led by ACT party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio (left) and EI Secetary General David Edwards (center), launched the Teachers’ CHALK, which aims to defend teachers from state attacks. PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ

Bam berates trolls discrediting Aquinos SEN. Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th on Thursday deplored trolls in social media whom he said were trying to belittle his proposed measures and resort to name-calling to destroy his credibility.

But the senator said he always sides with the truth to ward off fake news, adding that there “are ups and downs� in being a legislator. “There were [people] assigned to me everyday to criticize and malign me online. Sorry po sa inyo, arawaraw na kayo nakatutok sa buhay ko. Hello sa inyo (I’m sorry, you’re forced to focus on my daily life.

Hello to all of you)!� Aquino said in his Twitter account. “We’re among the top trolled persons since 2016. Trolling [me] used to be cute. They changed from time to time my Wikipedia page and indicated that I’m a ninja turtle or a hip hop dancer,� he added.

“But now there we receive threats.

I was even called a terrorist,� Aquino said.

He was referring to a social media post accusing him of being a supporter of the terrorist Maute goup that attacked Marawi City in 2017.

The senator, at the same time, also deplored alleged efforts to undermine the Aquino legacy, as he relived the journey of his aunt, the late former president Corazon “Cory� Aquino before the 1986 peaceful revolt that ousted the Marcos regime.

He visited Cebu and passed by the Carmelite monastery in Barangay Mabolo that gave refuge to Cory and her youngest daughter, Kris, for several days before the Edsa “people power revolt’ broke out on Feb. 25, 1986.

According to him, he got a chance to talk to the Carmelite Sisters, some

of whom still remember the time when they gave refuge to the thenhousewife Cory.

The senator recalled that he and his mother, Melanie, were in Manila before deciding to join the others who were already gathering at Edsa at the time. “This convent is very, very special to us [because the nuns hid my aunt here] back in the 1980s.

A number of them still remember on how they helped her that time,�

Aquino said.

He added that the sisters offered to pray for him and his campaign.

In a radio interview before his visit to the monastery, he cited efforts to malign the Aquino legacy. “But I know that Cebu loves Tita (Aunt) Cory very much. The Carmelite Sisters even took her in during martial law.�

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

MALACAĂ‘ANG on Thursday said President Rodrigo Duterte did not feel alluded to by Pope Francis’ remarks calling the critics of the Catholic Church as “friends, cousins and relatives of the devil.â€?

Speaking to reporters, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte could not be considered “evil� just because he constantly criticizes the Catholic Church, which had been critical of his brutal crackdown on illegal drugs. “No. Baka nga hindi niya kilala si Presidente  (The Pope may not even know the President),� Panelo surmised during a news briefing, when asked if the President felt alluded to by the Pontiff’s remarks.

Speaking before pilgrims at the Vatican, Pope Francis said wrongdoings committed by Church leaders should be denounced to be corrected, but those who condemned “without love� were linked to the devil.

Panelo said the Pope could very well be “referring to himself� since he was also a critic of “immoral� Church members, or he probably just expressed a hyperbole. “One of the better critics of the Church is the Pope himself. He criticizes members of the Church who are engaged in what he perceives to be immorality, which is outside of the teachings of Christ or the internal discipline of the Church. When he addressed those members of the Church who could not be a celibate to leave the Church, he [was a] critic,� he added. “If I will agree with that, then the Pope would be referring to himself also because he’s also a critic. Palagay ko, ano lang ‘yun, hyperbole (Perhaps, it’s just hyperbole),� he added.

The Palace official said Duterte was merely voicing out “concern and opposition� to irregularities perpetrated by some members of the Catholic Church.

“It doesn’t mean also that when you criticize, you are evil. You’re just expressing concern and opposition to certain irregular behavior,� he added. “When you criticize, you cannot be evil,� Panelo said.

Duterte, who says that he believes in God but not in religion, has persistently hurled verbal attacks peppered with profanities at the Catholic Church, which he repeatedly branded as the “most hypocritical institution.�

In a speech in MalacaĂąang on Wednesday, the President lashed out at the Catholic Church again, ahead of a historic summit convened by the Pope to tackle a child sex abuse crisis involving priests.

Pope Francis, according to him, convened the summit because four out of five priests are gay. “Murahin ko mga p*t*ng*na na obispo itong mga ito. Yung mga pari, mga inutil naman lahat. Tingnan mo sila ngayon (I will cuss these bishops who are sons of bitches. The priest, they’re all useless. Look at them now) Was I wrong all along?� Duterte said. “And the Pope now is calling for a summit to address this particular problem because four out of five priests are gay, according to Rome,� he added.

Pope Francis has summoned church leaders from around the world to the summit on how to deal with cases of sex abuse by the clergy.

The summit started on Thursday, February 20, and will run until Sunday, February 24.

Heads of 100 bishops’ conferences in different countries, including the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, have been invited to the summit.

The summit comes after Pope Francis defrocked a former cardinal — American Theodore McCarrick — over accusations that he sexually abused a teenager 50 years ago.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Q HOSTAGES FROM A1

Abu Sayyaf threatens to behead 3 hostages back, made an emotional appeal for their government to save them.

One militant held a bolo on the neck of Hariadin as he spoke to the camera.

The video, Malaysian reports said, surfaced several days after Abu Sayyaf gunmen phoned Jari’s wife, Nadin Junianti, saying no Malaysian authorities or negotiators had contacted them to secure her husband’s release.

The gunmen said her husband would face difficulties if there was no contact from Malaysia.

They also asked her for telephone contacts of Malaysian journalists.

Nadin has appealed to Malaysian authorities to help secure her husband’s release. She said the kidnap group had contacted

her twice.

Malaysian media did not say how much in ransom the Abu Sayyaf was demanding for the safe release of the hostages.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah has said they were working with their Philippine counterparts to secure the hostages’ release.

The hostages were kidnapped at sea off Sandakan in Sabah on Dec. 5, 2018.

The militants are believed to be holding nearly a dozen captives, mostly foreigners.

On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte urged Indonesia and Malaysia to join forces with the Philippines in combating crime on the high seas, amid kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf bandits.

‘Daughter of suicide bombers being trained by Abus’ On Thursday, Interior Secretary Eduardo AĂąo claimed a daughter of the suicide bombers behind last month’s Jolo Cathedral blasts, entrusted to the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, was being trained to follow the footsteps of her parents, “We believe‌this child entrusted to the care of ASG will become later on probably a future suicide bomber,â€? AĂąo told reporters in a news conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Aùo, a former military chief, said he believed the child was under the custody of Hajan Sawadjaan’s faction of the Abu Sayyaf.

The Interior chief also claimed

that some of the Abu Sayyaf had turned themselves into a cult, believing that committing suicide bombing would send them to heaven. “It’s hard for us to change that kind of mindset. But of course, here in the Philippines, we have a different culture and I don’t believe that our Muslim brothers will follow that kind of path,�

AĂąo said.

O n We d n e s d ay, t h e P N P Crime Laboratory released DNA test results on the pair of feet retrieved from the site of the twin explosions at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu.

The results showed that the pair of feet did not match the DNA samples of the 23 fatalities of the twin bombings.

According to AĂąo, the pair of feet might have belonged to the suicide bombers, adding that the daughter of the suspects would be needed to crossmatch the DNA samples gathered investigators.

AĂąo said authorities were also looking for a Yemeni suicide bomber, said to be married to a Tausug or native of Sulu, and also under the care of Sawadjaan in Patikul town in Sulu.

In an interview with CNN Philippines earlier this month, he said he had also suspected this person to be an Egyptian.

Military and police forces are hunting down foreign terrorists in Mindanao, composed of Pakistanis, Egyptians, Malaysians and Indonesians, among others.

WITH DEMPSEY REYES

˜ The Manila Times

w w w. m a n i l a t i m e s . n e t

News

FRIDAY

February 22, 2019

A3

Duterte forms body to expedite Bay rehab

P

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of an interagency task force to speed up the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay. Administrative Order 16, signed

by Duterte on February 19, takes effect immediately. “The convergence of the national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) in the Manila Bay region and the active participation of private and public stakeholders are necessary to facilitate the robust and integrated implementation of all rehabilitation and restoration efforts at the Manila Bay,� Duterte said.

The President assigned Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu as chairman of the inter-agency task force. Interior Secretary Eduardo AĂąo and Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo Puyat will serve as the vice chairmen.

Other members of the task force INCLUDE OFkCIALS OF THE $EPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Manila Water Company, and Maynilad Water Services Inc., among others.

The task force will implement relevant provisions of Presidential Decree 856 or the “Code of Sanitation of the Philippines� as amended, Republic Act (RA) 9275 and RA 9003 to ensure the complete rehabilitation, restoration and conservation of the Manila Bay. It will also “require all government facilities and other establishments, including households

to immediately connect existing sewage lines to available sewage systems or sewage treatment plants (STPs) or to construct individual STPs, whenever applicable, as well as to issue appropriate orders, IMPOSE kNES PENALTIES AND OTHER administrative sanctions to compel compliance thereof.�

In collaboration with the Anti-Poverty Commission, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, National Housing Authority and affected local government units, the task force will prepare and implement a comprehensive plan for the massive relocation of informal settlers along Manila Bay. It will also facilitate a massive information, education and communication drive to garner public support on the clean-up in collaboration with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Presidential Communications Operations /FkCE AND AFFECTED ,'5S The Department of Social Welfare and Development Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Trade and Industry, meanwhile, were tasked to provide social welfare and livelihood assistance to families affected by the cleanup.

The task force’s funding shall come from existing appropriations of its member-agencies and other SOURCES IDENTIkED BY THE $EPARTment of Budget and Management.

Ejercito lauds signing of universal health law SEN. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito on Thursday said the delivery of affordable health care to all Filipinos would be one of the flagship programs of the government.

He thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for signing the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. (E ALSO THANKED 3EN 0ANkLO Lacson for crediting to him the passage of the measure.

The World Health Organization also congratulated the Philippines gFOR BEING ONE OF THE kRST COUNTRIES IN THE 7ESTERN 0ACIkC REGION TO LEGislate a comprehensive UHC law.�

Ejercito said the law makes medical consultation and several basic laboratory tests affordable and accessible. “This will allow the people to value their health more by regularly consulting with doc-

tors,� he said. “The UHC is one of the primary reasons I fought for the restoration of almost P16 billion funds for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program and the P7 billion for the Human Resources for Health of the Department of Health in the 2019 national budget,� Ejercito said. “We want the completion of constructions and renovations of health facilities of barangay health stations, provincial, regional, and national hospital; and furnish them with all the necessary medical equipment and health professionals they need to be capable of providing primary health care at the grassroots level. This and many more are the noble intentions of the UHC,� he added.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

Binay vows to fight poverty FORMER vice president Jejomar Binay on Thursday vowed to push laws that would restore the dignity of the poor and redistribute economic opportunity if he gains a seat at the House of Representatives. “Poverty in the midst of plenty is our greatest shame. It is also our greatest challenge,�

Binay said in a statement.

He said the challenge “is to uphold the dignity of the people by recognizing their right to education and healthcare, to live in a community free from fear and hunger, and to be treated fairly and equally before the law.�

Binay is running in the May elections to represent the first

district of Makati City, the post once held by former senator Ceferino “Joker� Arroyo Jr. and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Part of his legislative agenda are the establishment of better hospitals and social programs and healthcare. “Our social programs have made an impact on the lives of the citizens of Makati. Poverty has dropped drastically.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, from a poverty incidence of 34.7 percent in 2000, we have succeeded in lowering the rate of poverty to 0.5 percent in 2012,� Binay said.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

E d i to r i a l Health care law, big deal for govt and people

A

FTER President Rodrigo Duterte signed on Wednesday the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act , the Philippines officially moves into a system of health care that has been described by the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) as “the single most powerful concept that public health has to offer.�

The WHO official said so because UHC unifies “services and delivers them in a comprehensive and integrated way.�

One of the goals of universal healthcare is to create a system of protection that provides equality of opportunity for people to enjoy the highest possible level of health.

UHC is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations, under which member states agreed to work toward worldwide universal health coverage by 2030.

Our people and government should be pleased that through the new law, they can be in a position to meet such sustainable goal. The law’s provisions are far-reaching and telling.

Under the UHC Act, all Filipinos will automatically be enrolled in PhilHealth, either as direct or indirect contributors, and they will be eligible and have access to preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care for medical, dental, mental and emergency health services, including outpatient drugs.

Improved benefit packages will reduce their out-of-pocket expenses, while public health facilities and the entire health system will also be improved.

Since all Filipinos will now be automatically Philhealth members, Congress has made sure that paying members will continue to contribute to the fund and support PhilHealth operations. Members are encouraged to support PhilHealth because it will provide them additional benefits as incentive for the increase in their premium rate.

To stop fraud through false claims that could bleed the PhilHealth fund dry, Congress has increased the penalties for erring PhilHealth employees and leveled the same penalties on colluding healthcare providers.

The supreme benefit of UHC is that it will ensure for all Filipinos guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health goods and services and protection against financial risks. It automatically enrolls all Filipinos in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).

Under the measure, membership in the NHIP will be classified as “direct contributors� — those who have the capacity to pay premiums — or “indirect contributors� — those sponsored by the government such as indigents, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.

The law also grants every Filipino “immediate eligibility� and access to sufficient health services, delivered either as population-based or individual-based health services.

Funds for public health coverage will be pooled from the incremental sin tax collections, charity fund from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, income from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, premium contribution of members, annual appropriations of the Department of Health and government subsidy to PhilHealth.

UHC has a funding requirement of P257 billion, but Congress provided only P217 billion in the proposed 2019 budget.

The gap in funding can be progressively corrected in subsequent appropriation measures.

The most important point for now is that we will now build a health care system that provides health care and financial protection to all citizens of the Republic. The system will be organized for the delivery of a specified package of benefits to all members of society.

UHC does not imply coverage for all people for everything.

This is different from a system of socialized medicine, which some countries have adopted.

UHC seeks mainly to enable all people to have access to healthcare, financial risk protection, and improved health outcomes.

All our people will have that kind of access now. Government will make certain of that.

~

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 133

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

Victor’s justice and spoils; a problem like Maria W T.G.I.F.

HEN Digong celebrates the birth anniversary of his fave partner, Honeylet, no place in the country would do. Over the weekend, the family had to go to Hong Kong to jubilate. How much does it cost us in values (to Jurassics like me, marriage is a sacred institution arguably affected negatively by lAUNTING A PARTNER IN ANYTHING BUT far from discreet and prudent fashion) and in money? I assume his medical and security personnel also form part of his entourage.

Unpardonable to be sure to let the nuke presidential family travel and arguably, junket, by its lonesome.

And then, to the 2016 poll victor belongs the spoils (a Palace caravan in Europe at public expense explaining a journalist’s arrest, another arguable junket; may pinamamarisan ang mga katutubong Gitano?). And then THERE S VICTOR S JUSTICE RElECTING THE prevailing power situation.

The execution of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita seems to be a case of such justice, of which we are reminded at this time of year. As we mark another month of the Battle of Manila from

I

SPENT a wonderful weekend at the Cat Show at the GSIS Auditorium. Cats have their fans and their detractors. If you belong to the latter, I suggest you drop off reading further.

The World Felinology Center “Astra� Club which is based in Germany under the World Cat Federation manages cat shows around the world.

They are on a Southeast Asia tour and will be in Thailand next. Because the Philippines has no organized chapter with the federation (it has applied), cat shows of pedigreed and domestic cats (puspins for pusang Pilipino) FDQQRW EH RIÂżFLDOO\ UHFRJQL]HG RU SURYLGH WKH SURÂżFLHQW MXGJHV 6R MXGJHV KDG WR EH LPSRUWHG YLD Astra. Two came from Germany, Cornelia Hungerecker and Anneliese Hackerwerna, and one from Russia, Natalya Lebedeva.

Surprisingly, the GSIS Auditorium was awash with all kinds of different cat breeds familiar or exotic. And this was a show that was a competition.

7KH FDWV ZHUH VHSDUDWHO\ MXGJHG E\ age — kittens and adults.

Also, in cat shows, unlike in dog shows, there is no such thing as obedience trials (cats will not countenance such nonsensical demands as walking on a leash, rolling over, etc.) or parading before an audience.

A cat show has cats in cages until WKH\ DUH FDOOHG IRU LQGLYLGXDO MXGJing in front of a respectful audience.

7KH MXGJH LV SUHVHQWHG ZLWK WKH FDW E\ D TXDOLÂżHG KDQGOHU ZKR FDQ WDNH it out properly from its cage and put on a table before an audience. The table has a scratching post, some cat goodies and a feather duster-type WR\ IRU WKH MXGJH WR HQJDJH WKH FDW with. Weight and muscularity is a SRLQW VR WKH MXGJH OLIWV DQG VWUHWFKHV the cat to determine these qualities.

The tail is very much looked into as with some breeds it should reach the

young and impetuous we all were.

It took decades for me to understand why Catholic Justice Frank Murphy, the last American Governor General here — after whom what is now Camp Aguinaldo was named and known in my youth — sharply Feb. 3 to March 3, 1945, there is a dissented. He wrote that “the high series of poignant retelling of the feelings of the moment doubtless unspeakable atrocities that then WILL BE SATISkED BUT IN THE SOBER AFoccurred if only because James Scott terglow will come the realization of has come out with MacArthur, Ya- the boundless and dangerous implimashita and the Battle of Manila. I cations of the procedure sanctioned bought a copy of it yesterday. today. The [atrocities] do not justify the abandonment of our devotion Yamashita standard to justice in dealing with a fallen enemy commander.�

But, when we took up “In Re YaAs columnist Mon Farolan wrote mashita� in class at Harvard Law last February 11 in the Inquirer, the in 1967, I got the impression that ruling has come to be known as the the teacher, Prof. Detlev Vagst, was Yamashita Standard (or the Medina sympathetic to Yamashita. I reacted Standard, after Capt. Medina in Vietpassionately, or emotionally, if you nam) for command responsibility. will, saying that the Japanese general History is written by the victors, who had it coming as Japan had no busi- RENDER A BRAND OF JUSTICE RElECTIVE NESS INVADING US IN THE kRST PLACE 4O of their triumph. my surprise, my classmates of about But, Murphy warned: “At a time a hundred in the huge amphitheater like this [early 1946] when emotions where we were having the class, ARE UNDERSTANDABLY HIGH IT IS DIFkCULT burst into spontaneous applause. So to adopt a dispassionate attitude to-

RENE SAGUISAG

ward a case of this nature. Yet now is precisely the time when that attitude is most essential. While peoples in other lands may not share our beliefs as to due process and the dignity of the individual, we are not free to give effect to our emotions in reckless disregard of the rights of others‌.

Indeed, an uncurbed spirit of revenge and retribution, masked in formal legal procedure for purposes of dealing with a fallen enemy commander, can do more lasting harm than all of the atrocities giving rise to that spirit.�

And Yamashita was hanged in February 1946.

Command responsibility Whatever may be the rule in actual shooting war situations involving combatants, such as whether Bill Clinton should be liable in the failed 1993 Black Hawk Down sortie in Somalia, I believe he should account and answer only to history. I have LITTLE DIFkCULTY ACCEPTING THE CONCEPT of command responsibility in case of gross human rights violations vic-

ÂłSaguisagA5

Cat show in Manila cats which seem of Indian origin.

The Bengal has marked stripes like a miniature tiger usually in brown, black or even yellow. The Bombay is an all-black cat with green eyes.

Both of these breeds are very friendly.

Amazingly, there were no Siamese shoulders when bent forward or the cat entries but a good number of Burnose. The face and the eyes are also mese which is akin to them but with noted as well as the state of the fur no markings and a serene and quiet as this is a beauty contest. Then their personality (unlike Siamese which alertness is tested with the feather can be hyper with their talkativeness, duster-type toy so the cat can stretch i.e., meowing). Of course, there were out her paws, use the scratching post Persians of various colors. These are or in general, show its playfulness long hair cats with pug noses. We and engagement with human beings. also saw a Rag Doll, which is a very Yes, cats appreciate attention and VRIW ERQHG FDW RU VKDOO ZH VD\ ÀH[LEOH concern, petting and caressing. They in the sense that it adapts to whatever are actually companionable creatures material or person that is holding it according to their feline standards. DQG MXVW UHOD[HV Dog standards of wagging the tail, There were two cats that were quite MXPSLQJ XS DQG GRZQ DQG EDUNLQJ WKH REMHFW RI FXULRVLW\ 2QH ZDV D are not cat proclivities or tendencies. Maine Coon Cat which is long haired Being near people, following them at and large. In the olden times, it was a distance, reposing near them while usually recognized as a ship cat in they are engaged in other activities, the east coast of the US (maybe on those are the cat’s way of being com- whalers, Yankee clippers). Its size panionable and steady as a presence made people think it was a cross between a cat and a raccoon which and with affection.

So, what were the cats shown? A is impossible. It is now its own breed huge variety from British Shorthairs being registered as such. Then there of many colors (a soft grey approxi- was a cerval which really was huge, mating blue is called a British Blue, a had a long body, very pointed ears type of British Shorthair). There were and a coat that was a cross between a number of Scottish Folds which are tiger stripes and leopard spots. It was usually tabby but sometimes single very gentle and let itself be petted but color (grey or brown or white) and the owner said that cervals have to be have small folded ears. The folded separated from their siblings early on ears are seen by a horizontal line RU WKH\ SOD\ DQG ÂżJKW ZLWK HDFK RWKHU along the ears. Though there are akin to tigers and lions. The wildness Scottish Folds with straight ears. is tamed by human contact and isolaThen there were the exotics like the tion from their siblings.

Abyssinian brown with extra big ears, 6R ZH ZDWFKHG DV WKH MXGJHV WRRN long tail and very short fur, looking turns at taking down the qualities of almost like a fox but very endearing. each cat, went about their business There was too a Sphinx or two which handling them, talking to them, with a DUH KDLUOHVV FDWV ZLWK MXVW WKHLU VNLQ few kisses thrown in and then writing which is quite loose covering them. down their decisions on paper.

They are quite intelligent and playful.

The cat persons in the GSIS AuOthers were the Bengal and Bombay ditorium were all cat lovers. Some

AMBIENT VOICES

MA. ISABEL ONGPIN

of them from way in the past. I met Rino Paez who works for ADB but has been a cat person from the 2000s.

He started cat clubs here then for showcasing cats and for registration of cats and kittens. Then he took off for a business degree abroad and came back to start his career. Now he is back as an active cat person and is one of those who put in the Philippine application to be recognized as a chapter of the World Cat Federation (Feline Council of the Philippines). Another cat person was Jesus Clint Aranas, president and general manager of GSIS, who was present the entire two days with some of his cats as competitors.

These cat persons like me believe that cats should be appreciated and cared for. They are gifts to humans like all other animals in this world.

Cats, like dogs, are especially close to human beings and should be given their due as such. Moreover, breeds must be protected by responsible cat breeders. Domestic cats were not enough at the show to have their own contest. Probably because not enough people were aware of the Cat Show and that there would be a domestic cat competition. I hope there will be a bigger and more publicized show next year. Online publication should be resorted to. Apparently, the ads in the broadsheets were not enough to catch the attention of more and younger would-be cat persons.

I was elated to watch the kitten MXGJLQJ RQ 6XQGD\ DIWHUQRRQ ZLWK WKH WKUHH ÂżQDOLVWV )LUVW 3UL]H %RPED\ 6HFRQG 3UL]H %ULWLVK 6KRUWKDLU DQG Third Prize, Abyssinian.

A cat show promotes awareness and educates us about animals. It teaches about ethics in dealing with our animal friends, It also promotes love which can translate to love for the environment, animals and fellow human beings.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

Opinion

A5

Q TATAD FROM A1

John Stuart Mill at the barricade P r e s i d e n t Ro d r i g o D u t e r t e would be well-advised to repudiate the proposal and also reconsider the evident academic fitness of its proponent.

Will he accept defeat?

But will DU30 do it? Given the composition of the bloc opposing the proposal, DU30 may yet decide to look at the names opposing it rather than at the merits of their position, which is entirely laudable. The names include Vice President Leni Robredo, for whom DU30 shows so much disdain, Liberal Party senatorial candidates Samira Guytoc, Gary Alejano, Florin Hilbay, and former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo; they also include Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero de Vera 3rd, Sen. Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on education, and presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.

The young Cardema obviously wanted to protect DU30 from the rigors and consequences of an unwanted intellectual debate. He has BEEN ABLE TO kNISH HIS HALF TERM

without indulging his critics or anybody else in such debates; one cannot risk the nation’s stability now by allowing high school and university students the freedom of expression that is rationed in small doses to the members of the Cabinet and the conscript press.

Emboldened The opponents of the proposal were clearly emboldened by the fact that DU30 had not taken a clear position in support of it; otherwise it might have been difficult for the Cabinet members involved to take that position.

DU30 is not known to suffer any opposition to his position on any issue. One stark example is his federalism project, by means of which he would like to cut up the country into 18 separate “parts� — only three of which appear to be economically viable — and try to put them back together again into one federal whole.

We have not heard one single intelligent debate on this issue until now. But give the students the academic freedom they enjoyed under Marcos, and we will probably see the campus ablaze with pyrotechnics. I cannot imagine DU30 supporting a series of uni-

versity or college campus debates where one debating team would be free to point out, for DU30’s enlightenment, what a federal system is, and what it is not.

Various offenses For starters, you combine separate and independent units into one federal whole rather than cut up an existing unitary state into several fragments and hope to put them back together again.

Nor can I imagine the President allowing a debating team to point out, as I have repeatedly tried to do in this column, that the President has absolutely no legitimate role to play in amending or revising the Constitution.

This is specifically and indelibly written in Article 17 of the Constitution, under “Amendments or Revisions.� This power is reserved exclusively for the Congress and the Filipino electorate through a constituent assembly or a constitutional convention; no mention of the President, who has decided to inject himself into the whole process.

This means the President’s decision to create a consultative commission to prepare a draft federal constitution, which has been

Q SAGUISAG FROM A4

Victor’s justice and spoils H

timizing unarmed non-combatants.

The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in Hilao vs Estate of Marcos said, in 1995, in the human rights class suit against the Marcoses, that “there is little question that Marcos caused tremendous harm to many people.�

Unlike Yamashita who had lost control of his trapped troops, Marcos was super-executive, super-court, superlegislature and a one-man continuing constitutional convention. Totally in command and control.

Was PNoy in such a situation when the Mamasapano 64 were killed (not just the 44 heroes, I always include the score or so Muslim victims, including Sara, 5, killed, and her parents, wounded, and the slain Muslim farmer whose eyes were gouged out — dinukit — Muslim lives also matter)? Permit me to doubt while we await another James Scott to come up with another opus on that successful effort to nail down international terrorist Marwan. Cup, three-fourths-full, in my view. Fortunes of war. PNoy may be accountable to history, but not liable. We need a new voice which won’t just echo what our militarized or “police-sized� bureaucracy says.

A voice, not an echo, is Manong JPE, who doesn’t see federalism as making money grow on trees. It is silly of course to say “I am corrupt because we aren’t federal.� JPE was Senate Prez when RA 10175 became law in late 2012. ) kND DISCONCERTING THE APPLICAtion of this relatively new law to -ARIA 2ESSA NAMELY g!N !CT $EkNing Cybercrime, Providing for the Prevention, Investigation, Suppression and the Imposition of Penalties Therefor and for Other Purposes.�

Sec. 26(1) of the Constitution says “[e]very bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only one subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof,� to warn us of what may come. The title, to me, did not alert the people that defamation would be treated more harshly if done in cyberspace (I, jurassic, email and read widely but cannot do FaceBOOK 6IBER .ETlIX ETC TO SAVE my life). Ergo, unconstitutional, arguably. Cyber may have limited reach compared to newspapers and radio-TV. So, why harsher?

No jail time for libel Buatis vs People shows the humane and libertarian trend of Supreme Court decisions on free speech. There a lawyer was labeled as “lousy, inutil, [inflicting] carabao English, stupid[ity] and satan�), which merited for the utterer in the end only a fine of P6,000, with the prison sentence deleted by the high court.

No jail time for an utterance even if the offended lawyer was subjected “to

public ridicule as even his own family have told him `Ginagawa ka lang gago dito’,� 485 SCRA 275, 287 (2006).

Like cases, like treatment. More speech, not less. Falsehood is fought in the sunlight, a good disinfectant, with truth, not jail. Only heavy damage awards should be INlICTED AS A DETERRENT 4HE APPELlate courts have established a trend OF NO JAIL TIME ONLY kNES IN LIBEL

given the value of free speech. If Congress would want to reverse it, the public should be forewarned in a bill’s title — and heard.

Maria Ressa’s true crime is being critical of the Prez. She cannot be above the law. She should not be below it, either.

Are we seeing an administrationinspired revolt against the judicial humanitarian and libertarian standard in free speech cases? This is no way to solve a problem like Maria.

Dual citizen? I have clients seeking SUCH A STATUS FOR ITS BENEkTS BUT OF course. Nothing sinister about it.

On lawmaking, to set the record straight on Maharlika, Kuya Eddie Ilarde, my fellow ex-senator, texted that Macoy in fact never proposed renaming our country Maharlika.

My longtime and valued pal, whose “Parang Kahapon Lamang� won’t ever be beyond easy recall (“nagtampisaw sa batis ng kaligayahan,� “at nangyari ang dapat mangyari,� atbp RECALLED THAT IN kLING A BILL so renaming our country, “Imelda who was a member of Congress [the Batasan] never supported it.�

Marcos could have done it by decree but never did, Kuya Eddie stressed.

Did Macoy realize that the Perlas ng Silangan might have been called Phallus-Pinas? Or Pili-Penis?

Meanwhile, goodbye and thank you, fellow Bedan Bobby Maùosa, a National Artist, gone to a better world, with Frisco San Juan, an authentic WW2 hero with the genuine Hunters, not the fake Maharlika. Thank you, Dr. Louie Kodumal, for your lecture last Monday in San Beda’s college of medicine and donation of P1 million for scholarships.

And Manny Pacquiao is right in aping Muhammad Ali who told TV host Dick Cavett on whether he’d advise a kid to go into the manly art OF MODIkED MURDER SOMETHING LIKE — �listen, man, the chances of making it are a million to one; it’s too dangerous, go to school, be a doctuh, be a lawyuh, be a mechanic,� etc. — which rolled trippingly from the tongue.

On whether Sara should succeed Digong in 2022, would that not circumvent the ban on reelection? GMA and PNoy had to wait for decades to supervene and therefore could not use government resources in a paradise of pedigree. The spirit, not the letter.

submitted to the House of Representatives, is indisputably illegal.

The expenditure of any amount in support of this committee and its members, without the authority of Congress, is similarly illegal. So is the commission’s draft illegal. A 102-page study of the federal draft by the 95-year-old former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, who is running again for the Senate, shows the most atrocious proposals coming from the so-called legal luminaries who want to revise the 1987 Constitution.

Almighty and eternal The atrocities are legion, but the most atrocious appears in Section 4 of Article 21, under “Amendments or Revisions.� This provides: “The democratic and republican character of the government, its federal structure, its indissolubility and permanence shall not be subject to amendments or revisions.�

This sounds like the evangelists Matthew and Luke quoting our Lord Jesus Christ, “Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but my words will not pass away.� Where did the drafters of this document get the temerity to say this?

To go back to where we started.

The NYC head wanted to perform

DU30 a service by abolishing academic freedom in the name of politics. This would have guaranteed that in the whole of academia, media and politics, only one dominant thought and voice would be heard. There would have been no need to burn all our books, as in Nazi Germany, or send the writers, scholars and artists to the gulag.

This would have knocked us back to a new Dark Age. Our universities, where every question may be asked and every idea proposed without committing a crime, would have become extinct; our right and ability to think and ask questions will have died.

clarity and courage.

With the support of the most corrupt propaganda fraudsters, whose services could be easily obtained for a price, reason and truth are now reduced to a question of numbers. “Who is saying this? Are they few or many?â€? These questions have replaced the truly meaningful one — “What’s being said?â€? Many of us tend to forget what John Stuart Mill said: “If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, mankind would be no MORE JUSTIkED IN SILENCING THAT one person than he, if he had THE POWER WOULD BE JUSTIkED IN silencing mankind.â€? **** Not a question of numbers IN MEMORIAM. We join the nation in mourning the passing of A democratic government loses its Bobby MaĂąosa, 88, National Artist claim to its name when it begins to for Architecture, who passed on believe it can attain the truth while Wednesday in the peace of Christ.

AVOIDING THE CLASH OF CONlICTING He will be long remembered for opinions and ideas. The young his architecture which now adorns Cardema may be temporarily de- the country’s landscape and for his feated, but no one can say he won’t many good works in the service of be resurrected sooner or later. We others. He belonged to a family of cannot drop our guard. The intol- brilliant architects, one of whom erance of reason and truth now Pinggoy has been a dear old friend. looms large before our eyes; more I ask the gentle reader to offer a and more power is foisted upon prayer for the eternal repose of his US WITHOUT AUTHORITY AND THE kRST soul. Thank you very much. thing it disrespects is our right to fstatad@gmail.com speak our minds with the greatest

Empowerment in the academic workplace

AVE you ever been in one other university before you came to where you are at present? Have you felt that there’s a difference from the one you left? Not a physical difference, but in the manner of operating. Is there a much felt hierarchy? How do employees relate to the higher-ups, to peers and to those reporting to them?

Does your organization make you feel you are a human person or a mere cog in a machine? This “way of life,� manifested overtly and covertly by people in all levels of the university, how they think and behave — are an index to what and how a university’s culture is. Quite repetitiously, we describe here what empowerment could mean in an academic workplace.

On hierarchy. Hierarchy spawns a pyramidal structure of position and power. This is obvious in the Filipinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture. High power distance characterizes us, which is bred via child-rearing practices wherein, since times past, children were only to be seen and not heard. There are families that have kept to this culture for generations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Power distance is one of the four dimensions of cultural VALUES IDENTIkED BY THE RESEARCHER Geert Hofsted.â&#x20AC;? It refers to the manner â&#x20AC;&#x153;power is distributed and the extent to which the less powerful accept that power is distributed unequally.â&#x20AC;? The typical traditional Filipino â&#x20AC;&#x153;accepts a higher degree of unequally distributed power than do people in other cultures.â&#x20AC;? <https://classroom.synonym.com/ low-vs-highpower-distance-12081961.html Accessibility of information. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Knowledge itself is power,â&#x20AC;? says

FLASHBACKS/ INSIGHTS TERESITA TANHUECOTUMAPON Francis Bacon. Does your university allow you to access knowledge which would be helpful in making you more innovative, creative and productive? Have you ever experienced having knowledge that enabled you to help accomplish the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals and quality output? Lack of relevant information is one great cause of poverty. One canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be self-reliant as an academic if one doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have updated knowledge of what would impact, whether positively or negatively, on higher education, it being the prime focus of a university of which we academics are an â&#x20AC;&#x153;organicâ&#x20AC;? part. It becomes our obligation to know what relates to our duties or expectations in the workplace. Such knowledge equips us to contribute meaningfully to attaining higher education goals.

Merely standing or waiting, and without a storehouse of data, one has nowhere to draw meaningful contribution to the mission and vision of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s university.

Self-development drives away fear. An expert says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we have not developed parts of ourselves, we have less on which to rely in ourselves. As we develop more facets of ourselves, we know ourselves better and become more self-reliant. Our confidence is boosted, and we become whole.â&#x20AC;?

Said in another way, empowerment in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s university helps

one manage fear. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fear holds us back and robs us of will â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an energy that closes in, instead of expanding outward.â&#x20AC;? That oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s university helps one with enough information, authority and resources to enable one to carry out oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responsibilities, helps drive away fear. Bereft of relevant information, the devil robs us of self-confidence. Fear can easily grip any one of us to inaction.

Why? Because we would lack selfCONkDENCE KNOWING WE DO NOT know enough. We feel insecure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It IS A BLOCK TO THE FREE lOW OF ENERGY Fear prevents us from being truly self-reliant and clear-sighted.â&#x20AC;? To have relevant information would have our energy flowing freely.

This is a prelude to empowerment.

Empowerment as a professional in the workplace. Have you ever been assigned to a position for which you feel you qualify? Was there clarity in your role such that your delineation of your function and responsibilities matched your role? Did you and your role partners have similar understanding of your functions? Congruency in understanding by role partners of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s function reduces unnecesSARY ROLE CONlICTS /NE ASSIGNED to a position should be enabled to decide on certain matters, take on more responsibility for such decisions and bear accountability for his/her actions. Did your university equip you with technical and psychological capacity to improve further in what you were assigned to do? Did you receive helpful feedback from related higher-level OFkCES ON YOUR PERFORMANCE AND which have motivated you to have personal mastery of your task? If so,

then, empowerment is likely a felt reality of your universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture.

Empowerment nurtures a SENSE OF BELONGING AND FULkLLment. Since coming to be a part of your university, do you continue to feel a culture of trust and respect in your workplace? As a person with temporal needs, if you are left out of a group insurance in your uniVERSITY WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO kND out why? If this were an oversight, would such be remedied without a fuss? That you have been in your university for almost a year, do you feel a sense of belonging and that you can be your authentic self â&#x20AC;&#x153;without fear of different treatment or punishment,â&#x20AC;? that you are thankful you did not decide to work elsewhere; that you feel happy working here until you retire?

Besides â&#x20AC;&#x153;having shared values,â&#x20AC;? a blog shares employee responses on what makes employees feel a sense of belonging: â&#x20AC;&#x153;being recognized for oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accomplishments, having opportunities to express freely oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion, feeling comfortable with oneself while at work, maintaining transparency in communicating to employees important institutional developments, providing feedback on (employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) personal growthâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;feeling that oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributions in team meetings are valued.â&#x20AC;? <https://business. linked in.com/.../employees-and share-what-gives-them-a-sense-ofbelongi...> As Oleg Vishnepolsky on Linkedin wrote â&#x20AC;&#x153;An appreciated employee will always do more than expected.â&#x20AC;? If you have similar experiences, then empowerment describes your universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture.

Email: ttumapon@liceo.edu.ph

FOCUS

Debate for Democrats: Attack Trump head on or rise above?

WASHINGTON, DC: Bernie Sanders launched his White House bid by attacking Donald Trump as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;liarâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;racist,â&#x20AC;? highlighting a critical question for Democrats looking to unseat the Republican: Take the high road, or get down in the mud?

Two years into a controversial and combative presidency, experts say there is no doubt that all Democrats in the race will take potshots at Trump.

But whether they sell hope over acrimony, or opt for handto-hand combat against Trump, will be one of the key decisions of their campaigns.

In the 2016 race, Trump showed the world he is a brawler, lashing out at rivals with nicknames â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Crooked Hillaryâ&#x20AC;? Clinton, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Low-energy Jebâ&#x20AC;?

Bush â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that cut like a knife.

Sanders, an independent US senator who challenged Clinton

for the Democratic nomination in 2016 and retains a loyal following, appears ready to don the boxing gloves in his second White House bid and go toe to toe with Trump.

Just 20 seconds into the video he released Tuesday announcing his candidacy, Bernie blasted Trump as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the most dangerous president in modern American history,â&#x20AC;? a â&#x20AC;&#x153;pathological liar, a fraud, a racist, a sexist [and] a xenophobe.â&#x20AC;?

Of the 10 prominent DemoCRATS OFkCIALLY IN THE RACE NONE has come out as strongly against the president, preferring instead to underscore their political creed and call for national unity.

Elizabeth Warren, an outspoken liberal senator who has tangled heatedly with Trump in the past, delivered a lengthy launch speech earlier this month but rarely mentioned the president.

Fellow Senator Kirsten Gillibrandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s message has focused on helping working families while Sen. Cory Booker struck a note of comity in his launch.

And while Sen. Kamala Harris hit out at Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s border wall demand as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;medieval vanity project,â&#x20AC;? she focused more on speaking â&#x20AC;&#x153;truthâ&#x20AC;? about solutions to economic problems, climate change and racism.

For most candidates, especially the rookies, going positive â&#x20AC;&#x153;is a good place to start,â&#x20AC;? said political science professor Dante Scala of New Hampshire University. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are persuadable voters out there who want to hear a positive message, and they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to SEE ;CANDIDATES kGHT= kRE WITH kRE u So while Democrats are â&#x20AC;&#x153;stepping gingerlyâ&#x20AC;? as they introduce themselves to the American electorate, Scala said, Sanders is dif-

ferent, a repeat candidate already known by millions as an abrasive lawmaker with a no-nonsense approach similar to Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

The president signaled he is ready for a Sanders skirmish, tweeting a disparaging welcome early Wednesday: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Crazy Bernie has just entered the race. I wish him well!â&#x20AC;?

Trump is also fond of using the nickname â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pocahontasâ&#x20AC;? to describe Warren, whose claim of Native American ancestry has been assailed by Republicans.

Trump is almost sure to invent more nicknames for his 2020 rivals.

He tested one last week against Sen. Amy Klobuchar, mockING HER FOR DISCUSSING THE kGHT against global warming while launching her White House bid during a Minnesota snowstorm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She looked like a Snowman

ÂłFocusA6

A6

Opinion

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

US â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ideological-imperialistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; billionaire puts up P30M for Ressaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal expenses As an American citizen, she is protected by the most powerful nation on earth. Its embassy indeed issued a statement right after her arrest that said that it hopes â&#x20AC;&#x153;her case will be resolved quickly in accordance with relevant Philippine law and international standards of due process.â&#x20AC;?

But Ressa is being protected not just by her government.

Pierre Omidyar, one of the USâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; richest men, and founder of eBay (with its subsidiary Paypal) and now also a Hawaii and California property tycoon, will be paying for Ressaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawyers.

The shadowy tycoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Omidyar Network and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) which he funds â&#x20AC;&#x153;have set up a $500,000 legal defense fund for Ressa,â&#x20AC;? according to a two-part investigative article in mintpressnews. com, a website that has gained a reputation as an independent news outfit with formidable research skills (Read the article here: https://www.mintpressnews.com/ebay-founder-pierreomidyar-is-funding-a-global-media-information-war/255199/).

It was also Omidyar Network which, together with North Base Media, that saved Rappler from going under in 2015 when the two entities invested P100 million into THE kRM WHICH HAD BEEN NEARLY abandoned by its initial funders.

Violated Constitution But that got Rappler into deeper trouble as it was clearly a violation of the constitutional prohibition on any foreign money in, and management of, a media company. As a result, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) early last year ordered Rappler dissolved. Rappler has appealed to the Court of Appeals. (One of North Base Mediaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founders, Sasa Vucinic, is believed to have been involved in the destabilization of Yugoslavia that led to its disintegration in 1992. Three years after, Vucinic set up the Media Development Investment Fund with seed money from billionaire George Soros, who has been welldocumented to have an appetite for regime change in countries that break away from US vassalage.)

Rather than crusader for press freedom in the Philippines, Ressa and her Rappler are part of a network to advance US interests in the globe, under the guise of spreading democratic principles.

Who is Omidyar? The mintpress.com article authored by respected investigative journalists Alexander Rubinstein and Max Blumenthal pointed out: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Behind the image he has cultivated of himself as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;progressive philanthropreneur,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Omidyar has wielded his media empire to advance the Washington consensus in strategic hotspots around the globe. His fortune helped found an outlet to propel a destabilizing coup in Ukraine; heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helped establish a network of oppositional youth activists and bloggers in Zimbabwe; and in the Philippines he has invested in an oppositional news site that is honing corporate surveillance techniques like a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mood meterâ&#x20AC;Śto capture nonrational reactions.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Meanwhile, he has partnered closely with the leading arms of US soft power, from the US Agency for International Aid and Development to the National Endowment for De-

Q The second part of the investigative article on Rapplerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investor and Ressaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s protector. mocracy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; acting as a conduit for information warfare-style projects in countries around the world.â&#x20AC;?

CIA â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pierre Omidyar has partnered closely with many of the US-funded OUTkTS THAT FULkLL THE ROLE THE #ENTRAL Intelligence Agency used to play during the Cold War in backing opposition media and civil society in countries targeted for regime change,â&#x20AC;&#x153; the article claimed.

The second part of the investigative piece also pointed out: â&#x20AC;&#x153;While quietly partnering with 53!ID AND A kRM AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE kGHT TO KEEP THE AGENCY â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;relevant,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Omidyar, along with a select group of fellow billionaires, is also performing a critical service by providing a private funding channel for cultural vehicles that advance the agenda of Western foreign policy.â&#x20AC;?

The article also disclosed: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Omidyarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political empire consists of a web of organizations overseen by its center of administration: the Omidyar Group. Each OUTkT APPEARS TO BE AN INDEPENdent entity with its own staff and directors. Taken together, however, these organizations pursue A MISSION THAT RElECTS THE VISION of the billionaire behind it.â&#x20AC;?

It listed seven such entities, with Omidyar Network de scribed as follows: g7ITH OFkCES IN 7ASHINGTON

Silicon Valley, and six foreign countries, the Omidyar Network propagates the neoliberal ideology of its billionaire namesake through â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;impact investingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;property rightsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; initiative.

Outside the US, the Omidyar Network funds an array of foreign media outlets, like Ukraineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hromadske and the Philippinesbased Rappler, that have participated in pro-Western information warfare-style campaigns against â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rogueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;governments. In Zimbabwe, where the Omidyar Network supports a series of oppositional youth organizing initiatives through the Magambe Network, an Omidyar employee was arrested, accused of attempting to stir up a revolt through online organizing, and ultimately released.. .This February 12, Rappler editor-in-chief Maria Ressa was arrested as well, accused of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cyberlibel.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Omidyar Network and the Omidyar-funded Committee to Protect Journalists have set up a $500,000 legal defense fund for Ressa.â&#x20AC;?

Neoliberal ideology For lack of a succinct term, I call Omidyar an â&#x20AC;&#x153;ideological imperialist,â&#x20AC;? a billionaire who seeks not only to impose the American neoliberal ideology on Third

World nations, but to set up entities in such countries by locals who disseminate his worldview.

Here, National Endowment for Democracy has been a funder of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, and Vera Files.

Another website funded by Omidyar, The Intercept has actually been playing tag-team with Rappler to demonize Duterte in order to build up American public opinion against the President, the usual part-one tactic of the US â&#x20AC;&#x153;deep stateâ&#x20AC;? to remove a leader in some country that has declared its independence from the US. It was The Intercept that disclosed to the world in May 2019 THE CONkDENTIAL TELEPHONE CONVERsation between President Trump and Duterte. The article was titled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trump called Rodrigo Duterte to congratulate him on his murderous drug war: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You are doing an amazing job.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? The piece was subtitled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A call with a killer.â&#x20AC;?

To protect itself from legal liability for violating our wiretapping laws, Rappler gave the transcript of the conversation it got from Yellow stragglers at the foreign affairs department to 4HE )NTERCEPT TO kRST PUBLISH )T then reported it, claiming it was merely re-publishing the report OF THAT 53 /MIDYAR OUTkT The investigative piece also noted that it was at the Committee to Protect Journalistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (CPJ) annual event that Ressa was given a press freedom award. But the CPJ is also heavily funded by Omidyar, just as Rappler has been. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was another case of logrolling between two members of the billionaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s media empire,â&#x20AC;? the article noted.

Metamorphosed I have written many columns on Rappler since 2016 because I had sensed then, after Omidyar and North Base Media invested in it that year, that the website had metamorphosed from being a platform that supported the regime of President Aquino 3rd (especially his project to remove Chief Justice Renato Corona) to ONE kNANCED BY !MERICAN INTERests, and advanced the US imperial worldview in the Philippines.

This was especially so after Duterte openly declared his independence from US vassalage, and drew closer to the superpower in the region that the Americans hate so much, the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Republic of China. Rappler has been the main venue for the anti-China views of such personalities as former foreign affairs secretary Alberto del Rosario (whose bungling led to our loss of Panatag Shoal to the Chinese) and Justice Secretary Antonio Carpio, who has been practically

saying that China will be invading the country in our lifetime.

This Ressa brouhaha is not about press freedom. It is really the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggle to free itself from the clutches of the American eagle, as it tries to control in our country even the newest form of mass media, the Internet, which probably would become THE MOST DOMINANT MEDIA INlUencing public opinion.

Liar In response to former Special Assistant to the President Bong Goâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potshot at an unnamed critic, who he said had the gall to criticize President Rodrigo Duterte even if the person wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a Philippine citizen, Ressa tweeted: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pilipino po â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at hindi po tinatago â&#x20AC;Ś unlike the fantasies of your minions. Have never hidden my dual nationality. And since I reclaimed my PH citizenship in 2004, I enter & exit the PH getting both passports stamped.â&#x20AC;?

While she made the tweet a day after my column revealing her US citizenship, Ressa most probably hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t read my detailed exposĂŠ on her, and therefore thought she could fool people. Her tweet is a total lie.

First, as any dual citizen would know, a traveler can have only one passport stamped here or any port of entry in the world. You might even be arrested if you show two passports indicating your different nationalities in some countries.

Second, and more importantly, my sources had disclosed that since she became a citizen shortly after her family migrated in 1973 to the US, she has been using four US passports, religiously renewing each one after it expired after 10 years. Out of her 500 arrivals and departures in the Philippines, she used a Philippine passport only once â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in 2004, after she got to be a Philippine citizen â&#x20AC;&#x201D; suspiciously within a week, I was told, after the dual-citizenship law took effect that year.

Was it an expression of patriotism for her to get Filipino citizenship?

ABS-CBN sources claim that she was told by the networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawyers to better get Filipino citizenship fast as she was already working as its News Division head for a few months â&#x20AC;&#x201D; without the required work permit for a foreigner. The networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawyers were also worRIED THAT SOMEBODY WOULD kLE A suit as the Constitution not only bars foreign money in a media OUTkT BUT ALSO FOREIGN MANAGERS

Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ gmail.com Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao Twitter: @bobitiglao Archives at: www.rigobertotiglao.com Order my book Debunked online at rigobertotiglao.com/ debunked

Q FOCUS FROM A5

Debate for Democrats: Attack Trump head on or rise above? [woman]!â&#x20AC;? he tweeted.

Klobuchar, a centrist Democrat, invoked her â&#x20AC;&#x153;Midwest niceâ&#x20AC;? nature and humor against Trump. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Science is on my side,â&#x20AC;? Klobuchar replied. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I wonder how your hair would fair in a blizzard?â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Unseemly political processâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Michelle Obama famously said in 2016 that â&#x20AC;&#x153;when they go low,

we go high.â&#x20AC;?

But politics has always been a dirty game and Trump has undoubtedly changed US political discourse. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has taken what was an unseemly political process and dragged it down even lower than people thought was possible,â&#x20AC;?

Berkovitz told AFP. Democrats are surely debating about how low they are willing to go to wage war against Trump in 2020.

Jon Favreau, a former Barack Obama speechwriter, said Democrats must find the â&#x20AC;&#x153;balanceâ&#x20AC;? between relentlessly attacking Trump and laying out their own political ideology. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is very important for Democrats not just to oppose Trump but to offer a positive vision and an agenda of their own,â&#x20AC;? Favreau said on his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pod Save Americaâ&#x20AC;? podcast.

Former vice president Joe Biden,

an instant frontrunner should he enter the race, has signaled he would be more than ready to get into the mud with The Donald.

Had he been in school when he heard Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s misogynist comments, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d... beat the hell out of him,â&#x20AC;? Biden told Florida students last March. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any guy who talked that way was usually the fattest, ugliest SOB in the room.â&#x20AC;?

AFP

Agribusiness is the problem, not the solution BYÂ JOMO KWAME SUNDARAM KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, (IPS): For two centuries, all too many discussions about hunger and resource scarcity has been haunted by the ghost of Parson Thomas Malthus. Malthus warned that rising populations would exhaust resources, especially those needed for food production.

Exponential population growth would outstrip food output.

Humanity now faces a major challenge as global warming is expected to frustrate the production of enough food as the world population rises to 9.7 billion by 2050. Timothy Wiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new book [Eating Tomorrow: Agribusiness, Family Farmers, and the Battle for the Future of Food. New Press, New York, 2019] argues that most solutions currently put forward by government, philanthropic and private sector luminaries are misleading.

Malthusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ghost returns The early 2008 food price crisis has often been wrongly associated with the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. The number of hungry in the world was said to have risen to over a billion, feeding a resurgence of neo-Malthusianism.

Agribusiness advocates fed such fears, insisting that food production must double by 2050, and high-yielding industrial agriculture, under the auspices of agribusiness, is the only solution. In fact, the world is mainly fed by hundreds of millions of smallscale, often called family farmers who produce over two-thirds of developing countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; food.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, neither food scarcity nor poor physical access are the main causes of food insecurity and hunger. Instead, Reuters has observed a "global grain glut," with surplus cereal stocks piling up.

Meanwhile, poor production, processing and storage facilities cause food losses of an average of about a third of developing countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; output.

A similar share is believed lost in rich countries due to wasteful food storage, marketing and consumption behaviour.

Nevertheless, despite grain abundance, the 2018 State of Food Insecurity report â&#x20AC;&#x201D; by the Rome-based United Nations food agencies led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; reported rising chronic and severe hunger or undernourishment involving more than 800 million.

Political, philanthropic and corporate leaders have promised to help struggling African and other countries grow more food, by offering to improve farming practices. New seed and other technologies would modernize those left behind.

But producing more food, by itself, does not enable the hungry to eat.

Thus, agribusiness and its philanthropic promoters are often the problem, not the solution, in feeding the world.

Eating Tomorrow addresses related questions such as: Why doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rising global food production feed the hungry?

How can we â&#x20AC;&#x153;feed the worldâ&#x20AC;? of rising populations and unsustainable pressure on land, water and other natural resources that farmers need to grow food?

Family farmers lack power Drawing on five years of extensive fieldwork in Southern Africa, Mexico, India and the US Mid-West, Wise concludes that the problem is essentially one of power. He shows how powerful business interests influence government food and agricultural policies to favour large farms.

This is typically at the expense of "family" farmers, who grow most of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food, but also involves putting consumers and others at risk, e.g., due to agrochemical use. His many examples not only detail and explain the many problems smallscale farmers face, but also their typically constructive responses despite lack of support, if not worse, from most governments: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; In Mexico, trade liberalization following the 1993 North American Free Trade Area (Nafta) agreement swamped the country with cheap, subsidized US maize and pork, accelerating migration from the countryside. Apparently, this was actively encouraged by transnational pork producers employing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;undocumentedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

and un-unionised Mexican workers willing to accept low wages and poor working conditions. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; In Malawi, large government subsidies encouraged farmers to buy commercial fertilizers and seeds from US agribusinesses such as now Bayerowned Monsanto, but to little effect, as their productivity and food security stagnated or even deteriorated.

Meanwhile, Monsanto took over the government seed company, favouring its own patented seeds at the expense of productive local varieties, while a former senior Monsanto official coauthored the national seed policy that threatens to criminalize farmers who save, exchange and sell seeds instead! â&#x20AC;&#x201D; In Zambia, greater use of seeds and fertilizers from agribusiness tripled maize production without reducing the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very high rates of poverty and malnutrition. Meanwhile, as the government provides 250,000-acre "farm blocks" to foreign investors, family farmers struggle for title to farm land. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; In Mozambique too, the government gives away vast tracts of farm land to foreign investors. Meanwhile, women-led cooperatives successfully run their own native maize seed banks. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Meanwhile, Iowa promotes vast monocultures of maize and soybean to feed hogs and bioethanol rather than "feed the world." â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A large Mexican farmer cooperative launched an "agro-ecological revolution," while the old government kept trying to legalize Monsantoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s controversial genetically modified maize. Farmers have thus far halted the Monsanto plan, arguing that GM corn threatens the rich diversity of native Mexican varieties.

Much of the research for the book was done in 2014-15, when Obama was US president, although the narrative begins with developments and policies following the 2008 food price crisis, during Bushâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last year in the White House. The book tells a story of US big businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; influence on policies enabling more aggressive transnational expansion.

Yet, Wise remains optimistic, emphasizing that the world can feed the hungry, many of whom are family farmers. Despite the challenges they face, many family farmers are finding innovative and effective ways to grow more and better food. He advocates support for farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; efforts to improve their soil, output and wellbeing.

Eating better Hungry farmers are nourishing their life-giving soils using more ecologically sound practices to plant a diversity of native crops, instead of using costly chemicals for export-oriented monocultures. According to Wise, they are growing more and better food, and are capable of feeding the hungry.

Unfortunately, most national governments and international institutions still favour large-scale, high-input, industrial agriculture, neglecting more sustainable solutions offered by family farmers, and the need to improve the wellbeing of poor farmers.

Undoubtedly, many new agricultural techniques offer the prospect of improving the welfare of farmers, not only by increasing productivity and output, but also by limiting costs, using scarce resources more effectively, and reducing the drudgery of farm work.

But the world must recognize that farming may no longer be viable for many who face land, water and other resource constraints, unless they get better access to such resources. Meanwhile, malnutrition of various types affects well over two billion people in the world, and industrial agriculture contributes about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Going forward, it will be important to ensure affordable, healthy and nutritious food supplies for all, mindful not only of food and water safety, but also of various pollution threats. A related challenge will be to enhance dietary diversity affordably to overcome micronutrient deficiencies and diet-related non-communicable diseases for all. Â

Jomo Kwame Sundaram, a former economics professor, was United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, and received the Wassily Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

5 dead in Itogon forest fires

ITOGON, Benguet: Five people died in A HOUR kRE THAT GUTTED OVER hectares of a forested area at Eastern Saddle, Ampucao, which was contained at dawn on Thursday.

Eulalio Austin Jr., Philex Mining Corp. president and chief executive OFkCER SAID FOUR OF THE FATALITIES WERE permanent and contractual employees of the mining company tasked TO ASSIST IN IMPLEMENTING THE kRM S environmental preservation and protection program, while another was a retired mine worker who was reportedly maintaining a vegetable plantation in Itogon.

0OLICE IDENTIkED THE FATALITIES AS Dante Molina, forestry supervisor of Philex Mines, Noel Degyem, Marlon Guiniguin and Dexter Labasan, all contractual workers of the company, and Leon Mocate of Ampucao, Itogon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We sympathize with the family members and the relatives of the victims of one of the biggest

FOREST kRES THAT RAVAGED PART OF THE COMPANY S REFORESTATION AREA 7E salute the bravery and heroic act of the victims in trying to contain the kRE FROM RAVAGING THE SCHOOL AND the residential area that resulted in their untimely demise,â&#x20AC;? Austin said.

He announced that family members and relatives of the victims WOULD RECEIVE APPROPRIATE BENEkTS and assistance from the company, saying the fire was just one in a series that continues to damage the COMPANY S GAINS IN THE IMPLEMENtation of its reforestation program, a part of their efforts to sustain the environment of their tenement area.

Austin said the victims responded to the area on Wednesday to help put up a fire line to prevent the lAMES FROM FURTHER INlICTING DAMage to the school and residential area above it, but strong winds from DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS CAUSED THE kRE to ravage the area, trapping the victims.

DEXTER A. SEE

PNP beefs up men in Surigao Norte SURIGAO CITY: The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Caraga Region officially activated its additional Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) to reinforce the existing mobile company covering strategic areas in Surigao del Norte.

The activation of the additional PMFC was spearheaded by Chief Supt. Gilberto DC Cruz, regional director of PNP Caraga, together with other top police officers in the area.

The main command post of the additional PMFC is located at the provincial office of the PNP in Surigao City but most of its manpower will be strategically stationed in various towns in the province.

Mobile force companies stationed in various towns will also work to address criminality and insurgency concerns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us maintain our active defense and offensive postures in preventing NPA [New Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army] atrocities against our communities,â&#x20AC;? Cruz said in his message during

the activation activity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gives us a deep feeling of fulfillment when we see our people living in safe, secured and insurgency-free areas,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Fighting insurgency is among the top priorities of the PNP in Surigao del Norte as it works hand-in-hand with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Philippine Army.

Armed encounters between government troops and NPA rebels have been recorded in several locations in the province since January of this year.

The biggest clashtook place in the town of Bacuag last January 26 when Army troops overran an NPA camp in Sitio Little Baguio, Barangay Payapag.

Two NPA members were killed during the encounter while the Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30th Infantry Battalion recovered several high-powered firearms, assorted ammunition and landmines.

ALEXANDER D. LOPEZÂ

Regions Cagayan Valley declares measles outbreak FRIDAY February 22, 2019

B

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

AYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: The Department of Health (DoH) in Cagayan Valley (Region 2) has declared a measles outbreak in four provinces after an eight-month-old child died and 82 cases of the contagious disease were reported as of Wednesday.

DoH Regional officer Jordan Calueng said the provinces affected were Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino and a regionwide vaccination to contain the spread of the disease was being conducted.

So far, Batanes has no reported measles case and is the only remaining province in Region 2 without a measles outbreak.

As of Thursday, the DoH-Region 2 said the most affected age group WERE CHILDREN FROM ONE TO kVE YEARS

with 25 cases, infants as young as 22 days and adults up to 37 years old contracting the disease.

The most number of people who contracted measles was reported from Cagayan with 30 cases, followed by Isabela with 25 cases, Nueva Vizcaya with 17 cases and Quirino with 10 cases.

According to the DoH, the number of cases rose by 645 percent compared to the same period last year, while from January to Feb. 20, 2018 only 11 cases of measles were reported in Region 2.

In Cagayan, affected were Abulug, Aparri, Baggao, Buguey, Iguig, Lal-lo, PeĂąablanca, Solana and Tuao towns and Tuguegarao City; in lsabela, the towns of Benito Soliven, Cabagan, Cauayan, Delfin Albano, Gamu, Maconacon, Palanan, San Mariano, San Pablo and Santa Maria, as well

as Ilagan City and Santiago City; in Nueva Vizcaya, towns at Ambaguio, Aritao, Bambang, Bayombong, Dupax del Norte, Quezon, Santa Fe, Solano and Villaverde; and in Quirino, towns of Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Diffun, Maddela and Saguday.

Before the outbreak, Calueng said the DoH was already tasked to conduct massive vaccinations throughout the region in collaboration with the different barangay (villages) health workers, the municipal and provincial health ofkCES AND OTHER HEALTH VOLUNTEERS â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we are doing now is health center-based, which is phase one of the immunization for children from six-month-old to five-year-old; school-based, which is phase two for children ABOVE kVE YEAR OLD AND HOME OR health center-based, which is the third phase for adult,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Calueng said the declaration of the outbreak resulted from new cases in the region in the past weeks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aside from immunization, we are also giving Vitamin A supplement to children as one of the best defenses against measles,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Calueng said measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parents should bring their children to the health centers because the only way to prevent

Go pays tribute to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Olongapo OLONGAPO CITY: His was a life dedicated to the service of his fellow Filipinos.

This was how aspiring senator and former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bongâ&#x20AC;? Go described James Leonard Gordon, widely considered as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;founding father of Olongapo,â&#x20AC;? at the COMMEMORATION OF THE LATTER S ND death anniversary on Wednesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although his fruitful and productive life was cut short by an asSASSIN S BULLET THOSE MANY YEARS AGO

his deeds and his charity continue to be felt by the people of Olongapo TO THIS DAY AND HIS LEGACY OF SELlESS service lives on through his children and grandchildren,â&#x20AC;? Go said.

Sen. Richard Gordon, son of James, invited Go to grace the event, which was held in front of the San Roque Chapel at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

James was the first mayor of Olongapo City and, as Go stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;it was through his efforts that Olongapo was freed from United States rule, allowing its people to shape its

Q Former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Go with Olongapo folks. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO own destiny, and it was under his leadership that Olongapo achieved its chartered city status, which laid the foundation for Olongapo to become the vibrant and dynamic city that it is today.â&#x20AC;?

In his message during the event, he lauded the senator for ensuring the continued progress of Subic after

Nationinbriefs CEZA MARKS 24TH ANNIVERSARY WITH SATELLITE OFFICE, JOB FAIR

SANTA ANA, Cagayan: It is all systems go for the weeklong celebration of the 24th anniversary of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) in this booming town starting this weekend. The celebrations will kick off on February 23 in the barangay (villages) of Casambalangan, Rapuli and Diora Zinungan. In Barangay San Vicente, Secretary Raul Lambino, CEZA administrator and chief executive officer, will lead in the coastal cleanup and tree-planting activities. Among other activities include the opening of CEZAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new satellite office in Tuguegarao City, sports competitions and a job fair for Cagayanos in this booming coastal town. Lambino said CEZAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new satellite office has one of the several firsts in its history. It has a training center for job seekers at the Santa Ana town-based Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport. He added that the ongoing construction of a sanitary landfill and several infrastructure projects would be inspected and those in the pipeline would be unveiled, including the groundbreaking of the Central Business District here on February 25. Also, there would be sports competitions among CEZA employees and locators at the Cagayan Freeport, and a medical and dental mission for Santa Ana residents and nearby towns. Lambino said a job fair and a CEZA awards night to honor the ecozoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top performers would cap the first-day activities.

LEANDER C. DOMINGO

2 NPAS KILLED IN MINDORO CLASH

CAMP GENERAL MATEO CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal: Two New Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army (NPA) terrorists were killed in an encounter with troops of the 4th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Teresita, Mansalay, Occidental Mindoro on Thursday. Col. Marceliano Teofilo, commander of the 203rd

A7

the withdrawal of US Navy from its military base by stoking the spirit of volunteerism and installing discipline, drawing parallels with President 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S SUCCESS IN $AVAO â&#x20AC;&#x153;How Senator Gordon cleaned up Subic, is the same as what President Duterte did in Davao,â&#x20AC;? Go said.

If elected to the Senate, the people

in the region could count on him to be an ally in pushing for more developments in the area, he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will help Subic. Amendment to RA (Republic Act) 7227, the law that created SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) and Clark, is already in the Senate for second reading. We will expand free port and give incentives to Olongapo, Bataan and Zambales. If I would be lucky, I will catch up with this in Senate and will support it,â&#x20AC;? Go said.

Among others, the bill seeks to increase the area of the Clark Special Economic Zone from the current 4,400 hectares to 35,400 hectares and permit the Subic and Clark authorities to draft master plans for their expansion, including areas in San Antonio, San Marcelino, Subic and Castillejos in Zambales, as well as in Olongapo City and Hermosa in Bataan.

The proposal, according to Go, would open more business opportunities, spur economic growth and generate more revenues for local government units concerned.

Brigade directly supervising the on-going Focused Military Operation, said the encounter was the result of the information from a concerned civilian who reported the presence of an armed group doing extortion activities in their community. The troops traced the NPA hideout with about 10 rebels under Platoon Mike of Kilusang Larangan Guerilla Silangan led

by Peter Rivera, alias â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rotche.â&#x20AC;? A firefight lasted for about five minutes. After the encounter, the troops found the bodies of two unidentified rebels. Also recovered were an M16 rifle, two rifle grenades, three backpacks, bandoleers, medical paraphernalia, enemy war materials and other personal belongings. No one was hurt on the government side. Lt. Col Dennis Gutierrez, 4IB commander, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;All available troops including K9 dogs and local police are now conducting hot pursuit operationsâ&#x20AC;? as the enemy scampered and withdrew toward different directions dragging along their other wounded and dead comrades based on the heavy bloodstains in the encounter site.

ROSELLE R. AQUINO

ARMED GROUP ROB POWER FIRM, ALCOHOL PLANT

BACOLOD CITY: Armed men robbed an electric cooperative and a distillery plant in Negros Occident and carted away more than P500,000 cash. Senior Insp. Julius Caesar Colado, Manapla town police chief, said six armed men wearing bonnets entered the main office of the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) in Barangay Tortosa at 10:55 p.m. and took away P.5 million cash. He said the robbers entered the power firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compound through the back, disarmed the four security guards and locked them inside the boardroom. The perpetrators also took the guardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; two .9mm caliber firearms before fleeing on a motorcycle. Similarly in Murcia town, five armed men robbed Tanduay Distillery plant in Barangay Blumentritt at about 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Chief Insp. Roberto Indiape Jr., town police chief, said the robbers took P7,090 worth of cash from an employee and one of the guards. The suspects also took the guardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; shotgun and a .9mm caliber firearm.

EUGENE Y. ADIONGÂ

Q A child is given a dose of measles vaccine in Nueva Vizcaya as part of the Department of Health-Region 2 outbreak response immunization program for children six to 59 months old regardless of immunization status.

PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

the increase of measles cases is through vaccination,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Similarly, Dr. Rio Magpantay, DoH-Region 2 health director, said the department would continue to conduct an outbreak response immunization program for children six to 59 months old regardless of immunization status. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have coordinated with provincial, city and municipal health OFkCERS AND DEPLOYED HEALTH WORKers in affected areas. Provision of vaccines and other logistical requirements are also taken care of,â&#x20AC;? Magpantay added.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd said the DoHCagayan Valley declared an outbreak only at the municipal level.

Regions with the highest number of cases are Metro Manila with 2936; Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) with 2635; Central Luzon with 1643;

Western Visayas with 576; and Northern Mindanao with 572.

Of the total number of cases, 7,306 were not vaccinated out of the total 11,459 cases.

The death toll from the measles cases also soared to 189.

Of the total deaths, 153 or 81 percent were not immunized.

He warned that cases would continue to rise as the outbreak was not yet under control.

Duque said they were aiming to reach a vaccination coverage of about 90 to 95 percent.

The DoH has been intensifying its effort to immunize children by going door-to-door and setting up tents in hospitals and other places to urge the parents to have their children protected from contracting preventable illnesses through clinically proven vaccines.

WITH A REPORT FROM CATHERINE A. MODESTO

A8

News

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

PH team wins in NASA Space Apps Challenge THE United States embassy in MaNILA ON 4HURSDAY SAID A kVE MAN Philippine team won the Best Galactic Impact category in the 2018 NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Space Apps Challenge.

United States Ambassador Sung Kim congratulated Team iNON for beating out 1,395 teams from around the world to win the challenge.

Kim on Thursday awarded certificates of recognition to team members Revbrain Martin, Marie Jeddah Legaspi, Julius Czar Torreda

AND -ATTHEW #ONCUBIERTA ! kFTH member, Leandro de Guzman, was unable to attend the event.

They created ISDApp, from the Filipino word â&#x20AC;&#x153;isdau kSH WHICH provides â&#x20AC;&#x153;real-time weather and SEA CONDITIONS TO kSHERFOLK u â&#x20AC;&#x153;ISDApp is a simple solution with an important purpose, which we believe helped it swim to success. This is proof that even technology needs a heart,â&#x20AC;? Legaspi said. g7E SAW THE PROBLEM AND kGured we could do something to help the lives of coastal commu-

nities around the world,â&#x20AC;? Martin said.

The app will enable local govERNMENT OFkCIALS TO PROVIDE gPOtentially life-saving information TO kSHERFOLKS ANALOG CELLPHONES using NASA Globe observer data.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am deeply impressed by team iNONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fantastic achievement defeating teams from around the WORLD TO WIN kRST PLACE IN THE 'Alactic Impact category of the NASA Space Apps Challenge,â&#x20AC;? Kim said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They can inspire other Filipino youth to develop innovative solutions to problems in their own

communities,â&#x20AC;? Kim added.

Team iNON conceived the ISDApp at the US embassy sponsored NASA Space Apps Challenge in October 2018.

Deputy Chief of Mission John Law, who served on the panel of judges, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Team iNONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach to getting important information out to members of coastal communities without internet connectivity struck me as clever and compassionate, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m pleased they received global recognition.â&#x20AC;?

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

349 poll candidates under close watch

BY DEMPSEY REYES

T

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) placed under its watchlist 349 candidates for local positions for paying fees to the New Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army (NPA), DILG Secretary Eduardo AĂąo said.

In the list are 10 incumbent CONGRESSMEN GOVERNORS kVE vice governors, 10 provincial board members, 55 mayors, 21 vice mayors, 41 councilors, 126 village chiefs, 50 village counCILORS OTHER VILLAGE OFkCIALS

FORMER LOCAL OFkCIALS AND A

former congressman.

AĂąo said intelligence reports received by the DILG indicated THAT THESE OFkCIALS HAVE PAID REVOlutionary taxes to the NPA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a soldier, I have seen how they operate; it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t changed. It will not change for thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how they operate

to destabilize the government,â&#x20AC;? AĂąo said in a news conference.

The NPA, he said, demands P20 million â&#x20AC;&#x153;permit to campaignâ&#x20AC;? fees from candidates running for president, P10 million from those running for vice president, P2 million to P5 million from senators; P300,000 to P650,000 from congressmen and governors; P75,000 to P100,000 from vice governors; P50,000 to P60,000 from provincial board members; P200,000 to P500,000 from city mayors and vice mayors; P50,000 to P100,000 from municipal mayors; P25,000 to P50,000 from vice mayors;

P10,000 to P50,0000 from city councilors; and P5,000 to P25,000 from municipal councilors.

4HE LIST OF OFkCIALS WERE BASED on reports gathered during the 2016 presidential elections and the 2018 barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

AĂąo warned candidates that charges would be filed against them if they provide financial support to the NPA during the campaign period. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you pay â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;permit to campaign feesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to these illicit groups, you are ascertaining yourself as an accomplice to their cause,â&#x20AC;? he said.

BAY WORK

A boat sails near an excavator deployed for desilting operations in Manila Bay. President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday created a task force to facilitate the rehabilitation of the bay.

PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

Q PARADE FROM A1

IT RAINED that way. And it really is probably a consequence of their circumstance or their environment or external pressures, whether it be from people or circumstance,â&#x20AC;? Gray said.

She added that the country should focus on removing pressures on children and educate parents and communities about these difficulties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like that would be a better longterm solution rather than locking up kids.

Or not locking up kids, but you know, once you label a child in a way that a child is in conflict with the law, how are you bringing them up to see themselves?â&#x20AC;? Gray said.

Homecoming Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos lined the streets for a glimpse of Gray during her homecoming parade in Metro Manila.

Beautiful in her sampaguita-inspired terno by Mak Tumang, she charmed everyone with her grace and energy aboard a grand float designed after her diamondand-pearl-studded Mikimoto crown and Tumangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiery Mayon Volcano Lava gown which she wore on her big win.

Gray waved, danced and blew kisses, grateful for the love and support of throngs of well-wishers lining the streets from Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City through Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roxas Boulevard, Kalaw Street, Taft Avenue, and Makatiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gil Puyat and Ayala avenues.

Confetti rained on the beauty queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s float especially along Ayala Avenue, where the crowd showed the most enthusiasm.

She has been active in working for the cause of childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s welfare â&#x20AC;&#x201D; particularly, the impoverished ones â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even before she was crowned Miss Universe last year.

In the final answer that sealed her

victory in the prestigious pageant, Gray cited working for the children in the slums of Tondo, Manila, and how she tried to teach herself the beauty and â&#x20AC;&#x153;silver liningâ&#x20AC;? amid their poor conditions.

Congress seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from the current 15 years old.

The House of Representatives already approved the bill, seeking to bring down the criminal liability threshold to 12 years old.

The Senate, on the other hand failed to approve a counterpart bill before it went on a break, but it is expected to pass a similar bill once sessions resume.

Under a bill pending in the Senate, children from 12 years old who commit crimes would be sent to a youth care facility for rehabilitation.

It also proposed to send minors who commit serious offenses like murder, homicide and rape to a Juvenile Reformatory Center.

Numerous groups and individuals oppose the proposed measure, saying the government should instead focus on improving the implementation of the current Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. Personalities including Anne Curtis and Grayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fellow beauty queen, Miss Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman, said that 12 years old is too young.

President Rodrigo Duterte has pushed for a lower age of criminal responsibility, saying the current law shielding minors of certain ages from criminal prosecution has produced a â&#x20AC;&#x153;generation of criminals.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DoT) on Thursday said President Duterte wanted Gray to be the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism envoy once her term ends, a move that was eyed to translate positively for the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism industry. This was bared by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat during the DoTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s launch of the refreshed tourism campaign â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s More Fun In The Philippines.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;He actually said that after her term, [he]

wants her to be like an envoy for tourism.

Even before she won as Miss Universe she was already promoting our country and so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s but fitting,â&#x20AC;? she said, adding that Duterte expressed his intent to tap Gray during her courtesy call last December. The Tourism secretary was referring to Grayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two-part â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;? tourism videos, which explained the origin of her national costume and showed clips of the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, among others. The DoT in an earlier statement said Gray was able to â&#x20AC;&#x153;single-handedlyâ&#x20AC;? lead more people all over the world to discover that it was â&#x20AC;&#x153;more fun in the Philippines.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Amid Miss Grayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preparations prior to heading for Thailand [for the 2018 Miss Universe pageant], she took precious time to do a series of video clips promoting unique and fascinating destinations and diverse cultures: Luzonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rizal Park [Luneta] and world-renowned El Nido, Palawan, the resilience of the Visayan people particularly in Tacloban City, and Mindanaoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multi-faceted South Cotabato,â&#x20AC;? it noted. Puyat said the DoT was looking forward to â&#x20AC;&#x153;strengtheningâ&#x20AC;? its collaboration with Gray and that they were set to meet with Gray next week for a possible tourism promotion collaboration. The DoT previously asked 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach to be one of its tourism ambassadors, alongside boxing icon and senator Emmanuel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mannyâ&#x20AC;? Pacquiao, to promote the Philippine tourism industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As Catriona herself said, she represents the one hundred and four million Filipinos...

We look forward to continuing and strengthening our collaboration with her in the coming year,â&#x20AC;? Puyat earlier said.

Gray, the fourth Filipina Miss Universe, is in the country for her grand homecoming events. CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

Q United States Ambassador Sung Kim poses with members of the Philippine team â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Revbrain Martin, Marie Jeddah Legaspi, Julius Czar Torreda, and Matthew Concubierta. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Travel restrictions vs persons with HIV illegal Dear PAO, I have a friend who wants to visit the country and have his vacation here. However, he is hesitant to travel here because HE HAS HUMAN IMMUNODEkCIENcy virus (HIV) infection, and is worried that he may be held up by authorities due to this. My friend just wants to know if his HIV status would hinder his travel in this country.

Melo Dear Melo, Please be informed of the provision of Section 49 (c) of Republic Act (RA) 11166, otherwise known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act,â&#x20AC;? which provides: â&#x20AC;&#x153;SEC. 49. Discriminatory Acts and Practices. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The following discriminatory acts and practices shall be prohibited: Xxx Xxx Xxx (c) Restriction on Travel and Habitation. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Restrictions on travel within the Philippines, refusal of lawful entry to Philippine territory, deportation from the Philippines, or the quarantine or enforced isolation of travelers solely or partially on account of actual, perceived, or suspected HIV status is discriminatory. The same standard of protection shall be accorded to migrants, visitors, and residents who are not Filipino citizens; xxx.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clearly, restriction on travel and habitation against persons who have HIV, or perceived or suspected to have it, is prohibited in our jurisdiction. Likewise, the said prohibited acts are penalized under Section 50 (g) of RA

Q ABUSE FROM A1

Concrete

Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response to child abuse by members of the clergy with bishops from around the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Holy people of God are watching and waiting not for simple and obvious CONDEMNATIONS BUT CONCRETE AND EFkCIENT measures,â&#x20AC;? he said as the summit opened, THE kRST OF ITS KIND â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us listen to the cry of the young ones who ask us for justice,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The Pope is aiming to tackle the continuing scandal, which again hit the Church in 2018 in countries across the globe, including Chile, Germany and the United States.

The 82-year-old hopes to raise awareness about abuse through prayers, speeches, working groups and testimonies from victims. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I ask the Holy Spirit to support us in the following days and help us to transform this evil into an opportunity for awareness and

Q MINDANAO FROM A1

Stop vote The Education and Skills Development Authority said change must start in the midterm elections in the provinces, cities, municipalities and villages comprising the BARMM. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The national government and the Bangsamoro government should help each other in implementing to the letter all our election laws to ensure that there will be no votebuying, no use of private army, no coercion and intimidation so that the people can vote freely,â&#x20AC;? Mamondiong told The Manila Times.

Mamondiong said new faces were needed to take over governance.

A case in point, Mamondiong said, was his own province of Lanao del Sur, which had a poverty incidence of more than 70 percent despite its vast natural resources. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The question is why is Lanao del Sur among the poorest provinces?â&#x20AC;? he said.

DEAR PAO PERSIDA ACOSTA 11166, viz: â&#x20AC;&#x153;(g) Any person who shall violate any of the provisions in Section 49 on discriminatory acts and practices shall, upon conviction, suffer the penalty of imprisonment of six (6) months to five (5) years, and/ or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000), but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000), at the discretion of the court, and without prejudice to the imposition of administrative sanctions such as fines, suspension or revocation of business permit, business license or accreditation, and professional license; and xxx.â&#x20AC;?

Your friend has nothing to be worried about any restriction on his travel in this country on account of his HIV status.

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 Attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net

PURIkCATION u &RANCIS SAID â&#x20AC;&#x153;May the Virgin Mary enlighten us to try to cure the serious wounds caused by the scandal of pedophilia both in children and in believers,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The summit aims to educate 114 top bishops who will then return home with clear ideas on how to spot and deal with abuse and pedophilia.

4HE TASK IS MADE DIFkCULT BY THE FACT that some churches, in Asia and Africa in particular, deny the problem exists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My hope would be that people see this as a turning point,â&#x20AC;? said American Cardinal Blase Cupich, one of the Popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trusted allies in the United States and one of the summitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four organizers.

The US Catholic Church has been shaken by one of the gravest crises in its history, with the defrocking last week

by Pope Francis of a former cardinal â&#x20AC;&#x201D; American Theodore McCarrick â&#x20AC;&#x201D; over accusations he sexually abused a teenager 50 years ago.

AFP Mamondiong said the main problem was peace and order.â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the crimes committed in Marawi City and other parts of Lanao del Sur were not recorded because nobody reports to the police anymore.

People took justice into their hands because of lack of law enforcement. The people no longer trust them,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Because of the peace and order problem, no investors went to Lanao del Sur, and even native Maranao traders had left Marawi City for other places for fear for their lives.

In Lanao del Sur, whoever has the â&#x20AC;&#x153;guns, goons and goldâ&#x20AC;? wins the elections, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In other words, they were using their positions to protect their interests,â&#x20AC;? he stressed.

The second problem, he said, was the lack of continuous supply of electricity and water. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our only hope for real change now is in the coming election. All the people in Muslim Mindanao want change. And change must start in the May 13 elections,â&#x20AC;? he stressed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need new faces who can really deliver, new leaders.â&#x20AC;?

WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

ASIAN STOCKS: W S h a n g h a i 0 . 3 4 %

W S i n g a p o re 0 . 0 1 %

PSEi 7,931.30 DOWN 0.10%

P52.13 TO $1

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside DA READY FOR EL NIĂ&#x2018;O IMPACT

ÂťBusinessB2

PUREGOLD BOARD OKS CAPITAL STOCK INCREASE

ÂťCorporate NewsB3

FED SAYS US GROWTH EASING AS GLOBAL RISKS RISE Foreign BusinessB4

Âť

SAMSUNG LAUNCHES FOLDING SMARTPHONE

ÂťForeign BusinessB4

www.manilatimes.net W Seoul 0.05%

V To k yo 0 . 1 5 %

V Jakarta 0.38%

FINEX FILES

V H o n g Ko n g 0 . 4 1 %

B2

W

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2019

Business Times

CURRENCY RATE

B1

V B a n g ko k 0 . 1 2 %

2018 budget shortfall over target at P558.25B

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

T

HE Duterte administration exceeded its budget DEkCIT TARGET LAST YEAR AS HIGHER THAN PROGRAMMED EXPENDITURES OFFSET A SURGE IN REVENUES DATA OBTAINED BY REPORTERS SHOWED 5NOFkCIAL kGURES PEGGED THE than the 2017 result of P350.6 billion. shortfall at P558.25 billion, well above In gross domestic product terms, the the P526.8-billion cap and also higher government was aiming to spend the

equivalent of 3 percent of GDP last year, higher than 2017â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2.2 percent.

Full-year collections reached P2.85 trillion, breaching the P2.82-trillion program by 1 percent and up 15.3 percent for the year.

Expenditures, meanwhile, grew by 20.5 percent to P3.40 trillion from 2017, exceeding the P3.35-trillion spending goal.

The government incurred an

P81.04-billion shortfall in December alone. Revenues dropped 4 percent to P232.1 billion during the monnth while disbursements, at P313.25 billion, were also down 5.1 percent yearon-year. /FkCIAL FULL YEAR DATA HAS YET TO BE released by the Treasury bureau while details of government expenditures are scheduled to be released next week.

ÂłTarget B4

Govt again offering retail treasury bonds THE government is looking to raise money from small investors anew via a retail treasury bond (RTB) offering starting next week â&#x20AC;&#x153;Please be advised that the Republic of the Philippines through the Bureau of the Treasury will issue peso-denominated fiveyear fixed rate retail treasury bonds in a minimum aggregate nominal principal amount of P30,000,000,000.00,â&#x20AC;? the Treasury said in a notice on Thursday. )T WILL BE THE kFTH 24" OFFERING FOR the Duterte administration following two in 2017 (April and November), one in September 2016 and one in May 2018.

At P30 billion, the size is similar to the last RTB sale, which ended up with the government selling four times that or P121 billion.

4HE kVE YEAR 24"S WILL WILL BE offered to the general investing public in minimum denominations of P5,000 between February

26 and March 8, 2019.

The rate will be determined on February 26, the Treasury said, and the issue date will be on March 12 The May 2018 offering involved three-year RTBs with a 4.875 percent yield. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[The] RTB sale is part of our funding program. This is also to enable small investors access to government securities,â&#x20AC;? National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said in a message to reporters.

The Treasury also announced that investors would be able purchase RTBs online. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The RTB Online Facilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary objective is to encourage a wider participation among individual investors,â&#x20AC;? it said.

Eligible investors must have an existing and active peso deposit account with online access under state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines, the bureau continued.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Sale by insiders

E

NRIQUE K. Razon Jr. is the majority stockholder of Prime Metroline Holdings Inc. and Quasar Holdings Inc., which indirectly hold for him 5.936 billion common shares, or 53.80 percent, and 921.184 million common shares, or 8.35 percent, respectively, of 11.013 billion outstanding common shares of Bloomberry Resorts Corp. (BRC).

When recomputed, 5,935,972,444 BRC shares represent 53.8995365 percent of 11,013,030,591 outstanding BRC common shares and 921,184,056 BRC common shares equal to 8.364 percent.

In an explanatory note, Bloomberry said as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the controlling stockholder of Prime Metroline, Quasar Holdings and Falcon Investco Holdings Inc., Razon directly and indirectly owns 7,584,889,332 shares, or 68.89 percent. Some of which are lodged with the PCD Nominee Corp.â&#x20AC;?

Bloomberry also said in a preliminary information statement (PIS) that PCD Nominee holds BRC common shares as record STOCKHOLDER FOR BENEkCIAL OWNER Global Gaming Philippines LLC, a subsidiary of Global Gaming Asset Management.

The PIS listed PCD Nominee as record holder of 3.174 billion BRC common shares, or 28.76 percent, for foreigners. In the SAME kLING "LOOMBERRY IDENTIkED ONLY AS gVARIOUS PARTIESu THE gNAME OF BENEkCIAL OWNER AND relationship with record ownerâ&#x20AC;?.

Again, when computed, 3,173,604,073 BRC common shares equal to 28.817 percent of 11,013,030,591 outstanding BRC common shares.

On its own, Global Gaming directly owns 921.184 million BRC common shares, or 8.35 percent,

according to the PIS. PCD Nominee also holds 716.244 million BRC common shares, or 6.49 percent, (which is 6.504 percent) for Filipino stockholders.

Bloomberry issued the PIS to inform its stockholders that Razon, along with the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other executives, will meet with them during the annual meeting to be held at 2 p.m. on April 11, 2019 at The Theatre Solaire Resort & Casino.

Sale 1 Ramon F. Villavicencio, a member of the 15-person board of San Miguel Corp. (SMC), sold 10,000 SMC common shares at P174.90 per share on Feb. 18, 2019. After the sale, he directly owns 35,000 SMC common shares and indirectly holds 9,000 SMC common shares.

On Feb. 19, 2019, SMC common shares opened trading at P174, hit a high of P177, dropped to a low of P172 and closed the session at P174. The day before, that is, on Feb. 18.

2019, the stock opened at P165, peaked at P175.70, fell to a low of P165 and closed the session at P174.50. Trading on SMC common shares hit a 30-day high of P177 and fell to a monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low of P144.80.

Sale 2 Alfred V. Ty, a member of the

ÂłPerez B4

AMERICAN EAGLE

In this file photo taken on May 2, 2018, a view of the Federal Reserve building is seen in Washington, DC. The Federal Reserve said on Wednesday that US growth this year would â&#x20AC;&#x153;step downâ&#x20AC;? from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapid pace but the outlook was more uncertain as global risks, including from tense trade relations, were on the rise. Central bankers also said they were uncertain about what their next move would be, according to the minutes of the January 29-30 policy meeting. While the economy is expected to remain solid, the waning stimulus from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tax cuts will contribute to slowing, with â&#x20AC;&#x153;GDP in 2019 to step down somewhat from the pace seen over 2018.â&#x20AC;? AFP PHOTO See story on B4

Âť

PCC raises M&A review thresholds PSEi dips as investors await trade talk results THRESHOLDS for compulsory merger and acquisition (M&A) reviews have been raised for a SECOND TIME TO RElECT ECONOMIC growth, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) announced on Thursday.

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;size of transactionâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;size of partyâ&#x20AC;? limits â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the latter referring to the revenues/assets of the ultimate parent of at least ONE OF THE kRMS INVOLVED Â&#x2021; WERE raised to P2.2 billion and P5.6 billion, respectively, from P2 billion and P5 billion.

The new thresholds, which take effect March 1, were based on nominal gross domestic product (GDP) growth having hit 10.23 percent last year, it said.

Nominal GDP growth, which unlike real GDP growth is not ADJUSTED FOR INlATION WAS percent in 2017.

The PCC decided last year to drop the Philippine Competition

Actâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s default thresholds of P1 billion and also set annual reviews utilizing the previous yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ofkCIAL NOMINAL '$0 GROWTH PCC Chairman Arsenio Balisacan, in a statement, said compulsory notification based on corresponding trigger thresholds were necessary as substantial M&A deals could pose competition risks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The PCC observes that the appetite for mergers and acquisitions within a rapidly growing economy remains high. The adjustment based on nominal GDP (gross domestic product) growth ensures that the thresholds maintain their real value over time and relative to the size of the economy,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A well-designed threshold MUST BE RElECTIVE OF THE COUNTRY S economic condition, such that the scope of merger control remains faithful to the intent of the law.â&#x20AC;?

The PCC clarified that the newly adjusted thresholds would not apply to M&A deals currently UNDER REVIEW NOTIkABLE TRANSACtions before March 1, and those already covered by decisions.

To date, 177 transactions have been reviewed, 161 of which â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with a combined value of P2.83 trillion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; were approved.

The PCC reported that the most active sectors since last year WERE MANUFACTURING kNANCE AND insurance, real estate, electricity and gas, and transportation and storage.

The PCC, a quasi-judicial body established in 2016 under the Philippine Competition Act of 2015, is tasked with reviewing mergers and acquisitions for possible adverse effects on competition and also initiating investigations into anti-competitive practices.

TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

Rice self-sufficiency not achievable THE Philippines stands to miss its goal of achieving 100-percent RICE SELF SUFkCIENCY GIVEN THE LIBeralization of imports, a Cabinet OFkCIAL WARNED ON 4HURSDAY Breaking from the official line, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol told reporters that THE 2ICE 4ARRIkCATION !CT WHICH replaces quantitative restrictions on imports of the staple, would discourage farmers from growing rice and thus lead to lower output. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to understand that huge volumes of imported rice would be coming in. It would be foolish for us to target a 100-perCENT SUFkCIENCY WHEN WE KNOW that cheaper imported rice would be coming in,â&#x20AC;? he said in a press conference.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;[I]t would be foolish for us to still encourage our farmers to target 100-percent. Where do we sell our excess rice when we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t compete pricing against imported rice?â&#x20AC;?.

PiĂąol, who had set a 2018 target TO ACHIEVE RICE SELF SUFkCIENCY SAID â&#x20AC;&#x153;we may have to be contented with just 93-percent where we are right NOT BECAUSE THE INlOW OF IMPORTED rice may affect the prices of rice in the market and further dampen the buying price of palay.â&#x20AC;?

At current production levels, the country still needs to import about 600,000 to 800,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to satisfy domestic needs.

The Rice Tariffication Act, which will take effect March 5, will allow private traders to apply

for unlimited importations of the grain as long as they secure the necessary permits and pay the proper duties, set at 35 percent for rice sourced from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) neighbors.

A 40-percent tariff will be levied on shipments sourced from non-Asean countries within the minimum access volume of 350,000 MT, going up to 180 percent for out-quota imports.

The government has said that rice tariffication would bring down prices of the staple and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno has even proposed that the country import all of its rice needs and that rice farmers shift to growing high-value crops.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

THE stock market closed slightly lower on Thursday with investors said to staying on the sidelines even as bourses elsewhere in the region were boosted by news that the United States and China COULD kNALLY END A TRADE WAR The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dipped by 0.10 percent or 7.94 POINTS TO kNISH AT WHILE the broader All Shares inched up by 0.001 percent or 0.06 points to close at 4,857.

Timson Securities Inc. trader Jervin de Celis said market players were awaiting results of ongoing trade talks in Washington. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to see details of the negotiation and how the trade talks will progress. Otherwise, people will speculate on numerous events surrounding the negotiation and then sentiment will likely be the driving force for the PSEi at least in the short term while we wait for the results of the deal between the two countries,â&#x20AC;? de Celis said.

Other Asian markets, however, mostly rose on reports that negotiators were working on the outline of a deal even as an agreement was unlikely to be announced this week.

Hong Kong rose 0.4 percent but Shanghai dipped 0.3 percent AFTER lUCTUATING THROUGH THE DAY Tokyo ended up 0.2 percent, while Sydney rose 0.7 percent, Wellington added 0.6 percent and Taipei 0.5 percent.

There were also gains in Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta, while

ÂłResults B4

B2

Business Times

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

DA ready for El NiĂąo impact

BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

N

ECESSARY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE TO PROTECT THE FARM SECTOR PARTICULARLY THE LIVELIHOOD OF DROUGHT AFFECT FARMERS AGAINST THE IMPENDING %L .IĂ&#x201E;O EVENT IN THE COUNTRY THE $EPARTMENT OF !GRICULTURE $!

SAID ON 4HURSDAY In a press conference, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol said they had formulated preparatory steps as early as last year against the probable impact of drought, which could hit the Philippines in the coming months.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;As early as last year, when THE kRST REPORTS OF AN IMPENDing El NiĂąo was released, we actually already formed the Task Force El NiĂąo and we are prepared. In fact, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thankful that El NiĂąo will hit us just as the harvest season is almost

over and that saves a lot of our production,â&#x20AC;? PiĂąol said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The period of the El Nino could be used by the NIA (National Irrigation Administration) to repair their canals and maintain their systems so that at least when El Nino ends, everybody would be ready to plant rice again,â&#x20AC;? he added.

El NiĂąo refers to above-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical 0ACIkC /CEAN AND IS ASSOCIATED with below normal rainfall. El NiĂąo usually lasts for eight to 12 months and occurs every 2 to 7 years.

In its latest report, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said a weak El NiĂąo condition was already present in the tropical Pacific, which prompted the state weather bureau to upgrade its El NiĂąo Southern Oscillation (ENSO) alert system.

PiĂąol said the interventions being readied by the DA included the delivery of seeds, establishment of small water-impounding systems and solar-powered irrigation systems to assist farmers during the drought period. /NE OF THE $! S lAGSHIP PRO-

grams, solar-powered irrigation systems, can pump from 400 to 1,000 gallons of water a day for up to 150 hectares of rice farm.

Of the total 3.9 million hectares of rice farms, only 1.2-million hectares are effectively irrigated where farmers could harvest twice a year.

Also, the DA readied insurance payments for crop damage, emergency rice supplies and Survival and Recovery (SURE) loans of up to P25,000 (no-collateral, nointerest and payable in 3 years) for those affected. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not too worried. We are not going to see a Kidapawan

City rally where farmers were asking for rice here,â&#x20AC;? PiĂąol assured, referring to the killing of two hungry farmers and the wounding of several others when they demanded food.

Pagasa said near-normal rainfall conditions in most parts of northern Luzon and Mindanao were expected by May while most parts of Visayas would have below normal rainfall.

In late 2015 to June 2016, the country was hit by one of the most severe El NiĂąo, which resulted to very low level of production of staple crops such as rice.

Mapping the PH virtual currency regulatory landscape W FINEX FILES

HEN we think of the words â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;startupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;venture capitalistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;blockchain technologyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;initial coin offeringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, we may conjure visions of Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infamous Silicon Valley or the dynamic city-state of Singapore. What comes as a surprise is to imagine that our developing archipelagic country may soon give these places a run for their money.

Despite the sluggish bear market of 2018, it is no secret that the Philippines is developing a pipeline of regulations to welcome emerging and disruptive technologies, with distributed ledger or blockchain technology at its epicenter. Three government agencies are at the heart of this movement: the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).

In a move that surprised even the most progressive jurisdictions around the world, our SEC was ONE OF IF NOT THE kRST TO RELEASE A proposed initial coin offering (ICO) rules last August 2, 2018 which was further updated in Dec. 27, 2018 after an initial round of comments FROM THE PUBLIC 3ET TO BE kNALIZED this year, the ICO rules is a specialized set of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to govern the introduction of tokens in the Philippines by any foreign or domestic startup.

Under the proposed ICO rules, a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tokenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;coinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a unit of value employed as a means of exchange within the blockchain to incentivize the network of participants to use the blockchain. Unlike traditional securities, allowing startups to issue THEIR OWN TOKENS IS A MORE EFkCIENT and cost-effective way of raising capital and building an ecosystem where users participate in their digital platforms. Of course, this will also provide the much-needed legitimacy for any startup to engage and develop these technologies.

Moreover, these regulations are also vital in protecting the investing Filipino public.

While the bulk of the original content of the proposed ICO rules has been retained, the updated version is embellished mainly by the requirement for an Issuer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the company intending to sell the token to the public â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to contract with a reputable and independent escrow agent for purposes of keeping the proceeds of the token sale and the private key of its digital wallet.

The proposed ICO rules have not been without any backlash.

First, it is heavily criticized for presuming that all tokens are securities unless proven otherwise.

This places the burden of proof on startups to establish that their tokens are not, in fact, securities.

Second, being almost an iteration of the SEC and the Philippine Stock Exchangeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (PSE) initial public offering (IPO) rules, tokens which have not overturned SECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presumption of being a security must undergo an arduous security token registration procedure, requiring voluminous documentary requirements in the process. On the SECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective, this IPO-mimicked approach is a

MARK GORRICETA necessary safeguard to uphold its mandate of protecting the investing Filipino public.

Aside from the ICO rules, the SEC is also expected to develop a set of IRR for virtual currency trading platforms, which will allow an order book type of exchange for virtual currencies similar to forex trading.

Meanwhile, our BSP is likewise shaping a fair share of this emerging tech-space, with blockchainPOWERED BUSINESSES lOCKING INTO BSP for regulatory approval. Its key regulations addressing these are the trifecta of BSP Circular Nos. 649, 942, and 944 which deals with electronic money issuers (EMI) and virtual currency exchanges (VCE).

EMI refers to an entity which provides remittance services using electronic stored money value system AND SIMILAR DIGITAL kNANCIAL SERVICES VCE, on the other hand, refers to the CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF kAT CURrency into virtual currency and viceversa. The BSP regulates these two digital activities as an extension of ITS MANDATE TO REGULATE ALL kNANCIAL activities involving the Philippine peso as well as to implement the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Finally, the CEZA regulates a special economic zone in Cagayan which now aims to be a FinTech hub in the Philippines, if not in all of Asia. Accordingly, the CEZA has implemented highly progressive regulations, the center of which is the Digital Asset Token Offering (DATO) Regulation and the Financial Technology Solutions and Offshore Virtual Currency Business Rules and Regulations (FTSOVCBRR) which govern crypto assets and the establishment of crypto businesses within the ecozone. The CEZA has also issued numerous licenses allowing various blockchain activities, such as virtual currency exchanges, within its ecozone. This has prompted the surge of offshore startups, especially from more crypto-stringent jurisdictions, to flood into the Cagayan ecozone, bringing with them specialized technology, skills, opportunities, and investments into the country.

In sum, the combination of these regulatory activities have placed the Philippines in the heatmap of global tech innovation. This will hopefully bring in the much needed investments which will allow our country to address socio-economic pain points with the aid of technology.

ATTY. MARK S. GORRICETA is Managing Partner and head of the Corporate Group of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (www.gorricetalaw.com). He is a pioneering expert on the law on blockchain, VIRTUAL CURRENCIES kNTECH E COMMERCE DATA PRIVACY AND ARTIkCIAL intelligence. He acts as legal counsel to leading tech and on-line companies. He is Vice-Chairman of FINEXâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ICT Committee.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

Corporation Code changes welcomed THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lauded on Thursday the passage of the Revised Corporation Code into law, aimed at simplifying corporate governance standards and provide a business-friendly environment.

The code amended the nearly four-decade Batas Pambansa 68. Its salient features included the grant of a perpetual corporate term for existing and future corporations, unless provided otherwise in their articles of incorporation; the formation of a one-man corporation; the provision of an emergency board member; and the adoption of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for intra-corporate issues.

It also provided for the removal of the minimum paid-up capital requirement and number of incorporators, and the permission to file reportorial requirements and attendance of stockholders and officers in meetings through electronic means when absent.

The SEC said allowing corporations to exist beyond the 50-year term provided under the old code would eliminate the possibility of legitimate and productive businesses prematurely shutting down due to failure to renew their business registration.

The formation of a oneman corporation amended the old codeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s requirement of at least five stockholders to establish a corporation.

It is aimed at giving the sole stockholder more flexibility in making business decisions, and greater protection by limiting liability to the corporation.

An emergency board member can be picked by

Corporate News Puregold board OKs capital stock increase

other directors unanimously in case a vacancy prevents them from constituting a quorum and making emergency measures to prevent grave, substantial and irreparable loss or damage.

Physically absent stockholders and company officers would be allowed to join and vote in meetings through videoconferences and teleconferences. Directors and trustees may participate and vote in regular and special meetings through remote communication, but they cannot join or vote by proxy at board meetings.

Duterte signed the revised code on Wednesday night, and said this â&#x20AC;&#x153;seeks to simplify corporate governance standards and establish a more business friendly environment that will enable corporations and other juridical entities to thrive.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The amendments are aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship and the formation of new businesses, improving the ease of doing business in the country, promoting good corporate governance, increasing protection afforded to corporations and stockholders, and deterring corporate abuses and fraud,â&#x20AC;? SEC Chairman Emilio Aquino said in a statement on Thursday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look forward to a more competitive corporate sector, as the Revised Corporation Code adopts international best practices and standards, tailored to address the needs and realities of the Philippine corporate setting, and introduces new concepts and mechanisms to help the Philippines keep up with the changing times,â&#x20AC;? he added.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

P

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

UREGOLD Price Club Inc. said on Thursday that its board of directors had approved a plan to increase the kRM S AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK FROM 0 billion to P5 billion.

In a disclosure, the listed hypermarket chain said 5 million common shares, with a par value of P1 each, would make up the stock.

The increase would be subject to the approval of shareholders and the Securities and Exchange Commission, it added.

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

7,931.30

-7.94

Ĺş

All Shares

4,857.00

0.06

Ÿ

Financials

1,772.17

-5.61

Ĺş

Industrial

11,623.92

56.67

Ÿ

Holding Firms

7,972.77

-26.45

Ĺş

Services

1,574.38

8.7

Ÿ

Mining and Oil

8,626.12

34.13

Ÿ

Property

4,000.82

-8.29

Ĺş

HOLCIM Philippines Inc. aims to increase its cement-production capacity from 1 million metric tons to 1.8 million MT this year after kNISHING IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS PLANT IN ,A 5NION provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bacnotan town. )N A REGULATORY kLING ON 4HURSDAY THE LISTED cement manufacturer and distributor said it finished those improvements two months ahead of schedule, adding that these served as THE kRST PHASE OF ITS MILLION EXPANSION plan that began in 2012.

ALL SHARES

The second phase involved installing new kilns, mills and a waste-recovery system at its facilities in Bulacan and Misamis Oriental provinces.

The investment is part of Holcimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal to churn out 13 million MT of cement by 2020 from the current 10 million MT. According to Holcim Philippines President AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER *OHN 3TULL THE INCREASED CAPACITY OF ITS ,A 5NION PLANT WOULD enable his company to support North Luzonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

development better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This project is proof of our commitment to support our customers as construction activity picks up with the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Build Build Buildâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; [infrastructure] program,â&#x20AC;? he said. g7ITH OUR EXPANSION AND EFkCIENCY INITIAtives, we can better provide a reliable supply of high-quality cement to help our partners advance the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development.â&#x20AC;?

(OLCIM SHARES kNISHED lAT AT 0 APIECE on Thursday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

PNB raises P8.22B in fresh funding THE Philippine National Bank (PNB) said on Thursday it had raised P8.22 billion from the issuance of long-term negotiable certificates of time deposits (LTNCDs).

In a disclosure on Thursday, the Lucio Tan-led bank said these CERTIkCATES WHICH CARRIED A COUPON rate of 5.75 percent per annum AND A TENOR OF kVE YEARS AND SIX months, were the largest it issued to date.

The transaction would help exTEND ITS MATURITY DEBT PROkLE AND

SERVICES

Stock indices as of February 21, 2019

PSEi

months of 2018 from P3.9 billion in the same period the year before on the back of strong same-store sales growth.

Incorporated on Sept. 8, 1998, Puregold is a company under Coâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cosco Capital Group, which also owns S&R membership warehouses, Budgetlane, NE Bodega AND /FkCE 7AREHOUSE The company operates 397 stores, including 345 Puregold stores, 16 S&R membership shopping warehouses and 36 S&R New York-style QSR, as of September 2018.

Shares of Puregold increased by 70 centavos or 1.46 percent to close at P48.70 each on Thursday.

Holcim to hike annual cement production

HOLDING FIRMS

Index

This increase â&#x20AC;&#x153;will prepare the company in case there is a need or opportunity to raise funds in the future,â&#x20AC;? Puregold said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the recent top-up placement of the company, there are only [about] 100 million shares left in the unissued portion in its

capital stock,â&#x20AC;? it added, referring to the transaction through which it raised P4.7 billion with Deutsche bank unit Deutsche Regis Parnters Inc. in January.

The placement involved 104 million shares costing P45 apiece, and done through an overnight book built offering with businessman and Puregold founder Lucio Co. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, capital expenditure and potential acquisitions.

Last November, Puregold reported that its consolidated net income jumped by 18.4 percent TO 0 BILLION IN THE kRST NINE

B3

MINING AND OIL

raise long-term funds to support its loan growth, it added.

The LTNCDs will be listed on the Philippine Dealing Exchange on February 27. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a strategic exercise for us as we continue to grow our loan portfolio,â&#x20AC;? PNB President and #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER *OSE !RNULFO g7ICKu 6ELOSO SAID IN THE DISCLOSURE â&#x20AC;&#x153;Raising long-term funding at attractive levels offers our investors an opportunity to support our goals, while allowing us to also

provide cost-competitive loans to our clients who would like to grow alongside our strong Philippine economy,â&#x20AC;? he added.

HSBC and ING served as the joint lead managers on the issuance, as well as selling agents alongside PNB, First Metro Investment Corp. and Multinational Investment Bancorporation.

PNB Capital and Investment Corporation, meanwhile, acted as advisor.

Incorporated in 1916, PNB pro-

vides a full range of banking and other financial services to large corporate, middle market, small and medium enterprises, and retail customers.

Last month, PNB unveiled its plan to issue bonds and commercial papers worth P100 billion in one or more tranches, but did not provide additional details.

PNBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shares gained 90 centavos or 1.91 percent to end at P48 apiece on Thursday.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

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

Security Name Ayala Land, Inc. International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Jollibee Foods Corporation BDO Unibank, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Puregold Price Club, Inc. Ayala Corporation Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.

Last Price Chg 44 0.1 119 0 307.2 -3.2 129 -0.5 38.5 -0.4 48.7 0.7 950 6 7.29 0.01

%Chg 0.23% 0% -1.03% -0.39% -1.03% 1.46% 0.64% 0.14%

ź ź ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Volume 17,149,000.00 3,988,990.00 980,260.00 2,335,000.00 7,595,600.00 5,988,700.00 276,190.00 35,897,400.00

Value(P) 752,844,960.00 475,184,854.00 302,073,718.00 301,953,979.00 292,387,285.00 291,295,090.00 261,240,570.00 258,014,549.00

Ÿ

PLDT Inc. SM Investments Corporation Bank of the Philippine Islands San Miguel Corporation

1,080.00 972 88.95 174.5

10 -8 -0.8 -0.2

0.93% -0.82% -0.89% -0.11%

Ÿ ź ź ź

176,520.00 189,180.00 1,888,450.00 952,160.00

191,245,035.00 184,056,010.00 168,052,274.50 166,088,689.00

JG Summit Holdings, Inc. San Miguel Food and Beverage, Inc. Eagle Cement Corporation GT Capital Holdings, Inc. Globe Telecom, Inc. Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company Alliance Global Group, Inc.

66.5 99 16.08 1,035.00 1,890.00 87 82.5 14.3

-0.2 -0.30% -0.45 -0.45% 0.2 1.26% 16 1.57% 24 1.29% -1 -1.14% 0.6 0.73% 0.1 0.70%

ź ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ

2,055,830.00 1,297,970 8,028,400 120,825 61,780 1,307,530 1,348,670 7,725,300

136,179,303.50 129,199,886.50 128,761,812.00 123,412,365.00 116,747,080.00 113,790,941.50 110,963,762.50 109,739,282.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Feb 21, 2019 Feb 20, 2019 Feb 19, 2019 Feb 18, 2019 Feb 15, 2019 Feb 14, 2019 Feb 13, 2019 Feb 12, 2019 Feb 11, 2019 Feb 08, 2019 Feb 07, 2019 Feb 06, 2019 Feb 4, 2019 Feb 1, 2019 Jan 31, 2019 Jan 30, 2019 Jan 29, 2019 Jan 28, 2019 Jan 25, 2019 Jan 24, 2019 Jan 23, 2019 Jan 22, 2019 Jan 21, 2019 Jan 18, 2019 Jan 17, 2019 Jan 16, 2019 Jan 15, 2019 Jan 14, 2019 Jan 11, 2019 Jan 10, 2019

Open 7,947 7,849 7,923 7,985 7,965 7,960 8,040 8,077 8,088 8,092 8,093 8,091 8,132 8,039 7,999 8,039 8,087 8,071 8,076 8,001 7,941 8,024 8,055 7,932 7,866 7,983 8,009 7,886 7,965 7,932

High 7,947 7,945 7,939 8,025 8,000 7,996 8,040 8,084 8,106 8,096 8,127 8,214 8,149 8,166 8,099 8,047 8,087 8,144 8,116 8,068 7,990 8,030 8,067 8,058 7,938 7,991 8,028 8,024 7,965 7,992

Low 7,893 7,848 7,831 7,971 7,909 7,921 7,889 7,984 8,062 8,036 8,088 8,058 8,069 8,039 7,999 7,912 8,015 8,042 8,039 8,001 7,902 7,979 7,964 7,920 7,865 7,849 7,976 7,819 7,856 7,899

Close 7,931 7,939 7,834 7,971 7,909 7,991 7,920 8,010 8,062 8,071 8,100 8,058 8,069 8,144 8,007 7,980 8,051 8,054 8,053 8,065 7,990 8,009 8,007 8,047 7,927 7,865 8,013 8,024 7,904 7,985

CLOSE

HIGH

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

Security Name Manila Broadcasting Company Imperial Resources, Inc. Cemex Holdings Philippines, Inc. TKC Metals Corporation Abacore Capital Holdings, Inc. Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bâ&#x20AC;?

Boulevard Holdings, Inc. Apollo Global Capital, Inc. SBS Philippines Corporation Prime Orion Philippines, Inc. 8990 Holdings, Inc. Xurpas Inc. Manila Jockey Club, Inc. Starmalls, Inc. Medco Holdings, Inc. Philippine Realty & Holdings Corporation Asian Terminals, Inc. First Abacus Financial Holdings Corp.

D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Incorporated Island Information and Technology, Inc.

Volume 100.00 40,000.00 12,980,000.00 1,375,000.00 22,530,000.00 570,000.00 22,670,000.00 48,800,000.00 56,900.00 4,236,000.00 2,555,200.00 48,125,000.00 20,000.00 417,400.00 200,000.00 430,000.00 100.00 44,000.00 3,211,500.00 1,890,000.00

Value 1,740.00 84,890.00 30,505,560.00 1,604,170.00 16,105,090.00 75,630.00 1,514,680.00 2,268,200.00 499,365.00 12,607,440.00 30,520,390.00 73,533,080.00 98,300.00 2,736,576.00 93,800.00 200,600.00 1,570.00 28,820.00 33,813,146.00 249,170.00

Last Price 17.4 2.13 2.4 1.17 0.72 0.136 0.068 0.047 8.93 3 12.44 1.48 5 6.7 0.48 0.485 15.7 0.66 10.6 0.135

Chg 1.38 0.14 0.15 0.07 0.04 0.006 0.003 0.002 0.37 0.12 0.44 0.05 0.16 0.21 0.015 0.015 0.48 0.02 0.32 0.004

%Chg 8.61% 7.04% 6.67% 6.36% 5.88% 4.62% 4.62% 4.44% 4.32% 4.17% 3.67% 3.50% 3.31% 3.24% 3.23% 3.19% 3.15% 3.13% 3.11% 3.05%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

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

Security Name Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aâ&#x20AC;?

8990 Holdings, Inc. Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares Discovery World Corporation National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines Macay Holdings, Inc. Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. Abra Mining & Industrial Corporation LBC Express Holdings, Inc. )RUXP 3DFLÂżF ,QF Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation Euro-Med Laboratories Phils., Inc. MRC Allied Incorporated Apex Mining Company, Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aâ&#x20AC;?

Asiabest Group International Inc. Nihao Mineral Resources International, Inc. Globe Telecom, Inc. Series A Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Shares United Paragon Mining Corporation San Miguel Corporation Series â&#x20AC;&#x153;2â&#x20AC;? Preferred Shares Subseries â&#x20AC;&#x153;2-Hâ&#x20AC;?

China Banking Corporation Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.

*amounts in peso except for volume, %chg

Volume 39,400,000.00 20,000.00 7,000.00 3,220,000.00 68,600.00 9,500.00 101,000,000.00 9,500.00 1,220,000.00 3,165,000.00 5,000.00 12,850,000.00 1,256,000.00 44,800.00 94,000.00

Value Last Price Chg %Chg 484,700.00 0.012 -0.001 -7.69% 1,804,962.00 90 -6 -6.25% 14,840.00 2.15 -0.14 -6.11% 3,507,570.00 1.08 -0.07 -6.09% 797,926.00 11.54 -0.6 -4.94% 99,488.00 10.4 -0.52 -4.76% 212,000.00 0.0021 -0.0001 -4.55% 144,822.00 15.24 -0.66 -4.15% 287,010.00 0.235 -0.01 -4.08% 2,239,990.00 0.71 -0.03 -4.05% 8,460.00 1.68 -0.07 -4.00% 5,597,000.00 0.43 -0.015 -3.37% 1,923,140.00 1.52 -0.05 -3.18% 1,036,665.00 22.95 -0.65 -2.75% 101,480.00 1.09 -0.03 -2.68%

10.00

4,840.00

484

-12.8

-2.58%

13,000,000.00

105,800.00

0.0081

2,000.00

144,400.00

72.2

-1.75

-2.37%

298,300.00 1,005,770.00

8,122,620.00 63,393,890.50

27 63

-0.65 -1.5

-2.35% -2.33%

-0.0002 -2.41%

Foreign Business Samsung launches Fed says US growth folding smartphone easing as global risks rise W B4

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

ASHINGTON D.C.: The Federal Reservebelieves US growth will â&#x20AC;&#x153;step downâ&#x20AC;? this year from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapid pace amid rising global risks, including from tense trade relations, according to minutes released Wednesday.

And given the greater uncertainty about the economic outlook, the central bankers said THEY WERE NOT SURE WHAT THEIR NEXT MOVE WOULD BE ACCORDING TO THE MINUTES OF THE &ED S LAST POLICY MEETING OF *ANUARY 7HILE THE 53 ECONOMY IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN SOLID THE WANING stimulus from the RepublicanDRIVEN TAX CUTS OF WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE SLOWING WITH g'$0 IN TO STEP DOWN SOMEWHAT FROM THE PACE SEEN OVER u THE MINUTES SAID 4HE &ED RAISED THE BENCHMARK lending rate four times last year but after the last increase in December, policymakers found â&#x20AC;&#x153;the economic outlook had become MORE UNCERTAIN u THE MINUTES SAID !S kNANCIAL MARKETS BECAME ROILED AMID THE TRADE WAR BETWEEN THE 5NITED 3TATES AND China, policymakers kept interest rates on hold last month, and sent clear signals that they WOULD BE IN NO HURRY TO RAISE THEM AGAIN SOON 4HE GLOBAL ECONOMY gCONTINUED

TO RECORD SLOWER GROWTH AND CONsumer and business sentiment had DETERIORATED u THE REPORT NOTED

ADDING THAT "REXIT THE TRADE TENsions and the recent partial federal GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ALSO WERE seen as factors â&#x20AC;&#x153;contributing to uncertainty about the economic OUTLOOK u 4HE &ED LAST MONTH SHIFTED ITS STANCE DRAMATICALLY AND SAID EXPLICITLY THAT OFkCIALS WERE PREPARED to remain patient before deciding ON THE NEXT MOVE 4HE MINUTES SAID THAT WAIT AND SEE POSTURE gWOULD ALLOW TIME FOR a clearer picture of the international trade policy situation and the state of the global economy TO EMERGE u IN PARTICULAR REGARDING gTHE EXTENT AND PERSISTENCE OF THE ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN IN %UROPE AND #HINA u

Next move not clear Amid the greater uncertainty, WHICH HAS CAUSED 53 BUSINESS AND CONSUMER CONkDENCE TO WANE AND LED kRMS TO HOLD OFF ON NEW

investments, Fed officials â&#x20AC;&#x153;sugGESTED THAT IT WAS NOT YET CLEARu WHAT ADJUSTMENTS IN THE POLICY interest rate â&#x20AC;&#x153;may be appropriate LATER THIS YEAR u 53 INlATION HAS SO FAR REMAINED muted, despite a very tight labor market that has cut the unemployMENT RATE TO A NEARLY YEAR LOW But another rate increase may be WARRANTED IF PRICE PRESSURES PICK UP SOME OFkCIALS SAID ACCORDING TO THE MINUTES !NALYSTS SAID THE &ED S DOVISH TILT WAS CONkRMED BUT NOT ALL WERE CONVINCED IT WAS JUSTIkED BY THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anyone thinking maybe the Fed did not intend to send the message (Fed Chairman Jerome) 0OWELL DELIVERED AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE CAN STOP WONDERING 4HE Fed really is on long-term hold and THE NEXT POLICY MOVE REALLY COULD BE A CUT u ECONOMIST #HRIS ,OW OF &4. &INANCIAL SAID "UT 2$1 %CONOMICS SAID THE &ED S DRAMATIC SHIFT COULD WHIPSAW financial markets, and said the kRM WAS NOT CONVINCED THAT THE DOWNSIDE RISKS JUSTIkED KEEPING THE KEY BORROWING RATE ON HOLD g7E ARE NOT CONVINCED AND WE think that concerns over the equity MARKET WERE A MAJOR DRIVING FEATURE IN THE &ED S POLICY DECISION u THEY SAID

Ending asset sales

4HE &ED MINUTES SHOW POLICYMAKERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT MARKETS and took note of the steep decline seen on Wall Street late last year as gkNANCIAL ASSET PRICES APPEARED TO be sensitive to information regarding trade policy tensions, domestic fiscal and monetary policy, and GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH PROSPECTS u "UT THE MINUTES SHOWED gSEVERALu OFkCIALS BELIEVED THE ECONOMY WOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH TO REQUIRE ANOTHER RATE HIKE THIS YEAR WHILE gMANYu POLICYMAKERS NOTED THAT IF UNCERTAINTY ABATED THE &ED WOULD HAVE TO kND A NEW WAY TO DESCRIBE POLICY OTHER THAN BY BEING gPATIENT u Markets largely shrugged off the report, even though it confirmed THAT THE &ED EXPECTED TO END THE SALES of investments it had built up in the WAKE OF THE kNANCIAL CRISIS TO HELP SHORE UP THE kNANCIAL SYSTEM Sales of those securities on the &ED S MASSIVE BALANCE SHEET CREATED ANXIETY IN MARKETS WHICH SAW IT AS RAISING BORROWING COSTS FURTHER â&#x20AC;&#x153;Almost all participants thought THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO ANnounce before too long a plan to STOP REDUCING THE &EDERAL 2ESERVE S ASSET HOLDINGS LATER THIS YEAR u THE minutes said, but indicated the kNAL AMOUNT WOULD REMAIN HIGHER THAN BEFORE THE CRISIS AFP

SAN FRANCISCO: Samsung on Wednesday unveiled a smartphone that folds open to be a tablet, becoming the first major manufacturer to offer the feature as it strives to stoke excitement in a slumping market.

The South Korean giant also appeared to get the jump on rivals by announcing the first smartphone for fifth-generation â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or 5G â&#x20AC;&#x201D; wireless networks, while stepping up its efforts in artificial intelligence and wearables.

The Galaxy Fold, unveiled at a San Francisco event, serves as a smartphone with a 4.6-inch display and opens like a book to become a 7.3-inch tablet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are giving you a device that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just define a new category, it defies category,â&#x20AC;? said Samsungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Justin Denison at the event.

The Fold will be available April 26 starting at $1,980, the company said.

The launch comes as the smartphone market experiences its worst-ever decline with consumers keeping devices longer and waiting for new innovations.

Samsung made the announcement on the home turf of rival Apple, with the two giants battling in the premium segment of the market.

Denison touted the Fold as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a one of a kind luxury deviceâ&#x20AC;? and boasted that it lets three apps operate simultaneously on its large screen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can watch a YouTube video of Hawaii; text your friend about it, and browse travel options all at the same time,â&#x20AC;? Denison said while showing off the device.

Samsung also announced new Galaxy S10 models, upgrading its current line of flagship handsets to include a 5G device.

Rivals are expected to make 5G smartphone announcements at next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mobile World Congress. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are pushing beyond the limits of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology to inspire a new generation of smartphones and recharge growth for our industry,â&#x20AC;? said DJ Koh, head of mobile communications at Samsung Electronics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For those who say everything possible has already been done, I say open your mind and get ready for the dawn of a new mobile era. Buckle your seatbelt, the future is about to begin.â&#x20AC;?

He said the Galaxy Fold was designed â&#x20AC;&#x153;for those that want to experience what a premium foldable device can do, beyond the limitations of a traditional smartphone.â&#x20AC;?

AFP

Q Samsungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mobile Division President and CEO DJ Koh holds the new Samsung Galaxy Fold smartphone during the SamsungUnpacked event on February 20, 2019 in San Francisco, California. AFP PHOTO

Crunch time as high-level US-China trade negotiations resume WASHINGTON: With eight days left in their trade truce, top US and #HINESE OFkCIALS WERE DUE 4HURSday to return to the daunting task OF BRIDGING A CHASM BETWEEN THE WORLD S TWO LARGEST ECONOMIES 53 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP HAS REPEATEDLY CLAIMED THE TALKS WITH "EIJING ARE GOING gVERY WELL u BUT concrete signs of progress have not been apparent in the three months

SINCE THE TWO SIDES AGREED TO PAUSE THEIR TRADE WAR Analysts say the distance separating Washington and Beijing and the short time remaining before the March 1 deadline make it likely THE OUTCOME WOULD FEATURE BANNER ANNOUNCEMENTS BUT WOULD FALL SHORT OF 4RUMP S MOST FAR REACHING GOALS â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the consensus of people

THAT HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS THING IS THAT THEY RE NOT MAKING NEARLY as much progress as the president TWEETS THAT THEY VE BEEN MAKING u said William Reinsch, a former US TRADE OFkCIAL NOW AT THE #ENTER FOR 3TRATEGIC AND )NTERNATIONAL 3TUDIES #HINESE TRADE ENVOY ,IU (E WILL LEAD "EIJING S DELEGATION IN MEETINGS WITH 53 4RADE 2EPRESENTAtive Robert Lighthizer and other

!MERICAN OFkCIALS 4HURSDAY AND &RIDAY AS THEY WORK TO HEAD OFF AN ESCALATION OF 53 TARIFFS 4HIS FOURTH ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS FOLLOW TWO days of preliminary talks at the DEPUTY LEVEL 4RUMP THIS WEEK SAID A -ARCH DEADLINE TO REACH A DEAL WAS IN FACT gNOT A MAGICAL DATE u RAISING HOPES that he could delay the plan to more than double duties on $200

BILLION IN #HINESE GOODS #HINA S PARTY OWNED 'LOBAL 4IMES LATE 4UESDAY WARNED RAISING 53 TARIFFS WOULD AMOUNT TO gA CATASTROPHIC STRIKEu ON GLOBAL STOCK MARKETS WHICH HAVE BEEN BUFFETED FOR months by the uncertainty and the PROSPECTS FOR SLOWER GLOBAL GROWTH Since July, Washington and "EIJING HAVE HIT EACH OTHER WITH tariffs on more than $360 billion

Q PEREZ FROM B1

Sale by insiders 12-person board of the Metropolitan Bank and 4RUST #O -"4 SOLD -"4 COMMON SHARES IN TRADES FROM &EB

AND

4HE SALE WHICH RANGED FROM A LOW OF 0 TO A HIGH OF 0 REDUCED HIS -"4 HOLDINGS TO INDIRECT OWNERSHIP OF

-"4 COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT AND DIRECT OWNERSHIP OF

-"4 COMMON SHARES /N &EB

-"4 COMMON SHARES OPENED TRADING AT 0 HIT A HIGH OF 0

FELL TO A LOW OF 0 AND CLOSED THE DAY S SESSION AT 0 /N &EB

-"4 COMMON SHARES OPENED THE SESSION AT 0 HIT A HIGH OF 0 DROPPED TO A LOW OF 0 AND CLOSED AT 0 4HE STOCK HIT A DAY HIGH OF 0 AND A MONTH S LOW OF 0

Due Diligencerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take 0REFERRED SHARES REPRESENT OWNERSHIP IN A STOCK CORPORATION 4HIS IS THE REASON WHY THEY ARE AMONG THE ENTRIES UNDER STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

ALONG WITH OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK !#3

Q TARGET FROM B1

2018 budget Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno has said that state spending on infrastructure likely fell SLIGHTLY BELOW TARGET LAST YEAR BUT ALSO DECLARED that Duterte administration cannot be said to HAVE HELD BACK FROM IMPLEMENTING A POLICY AIM He estimated infrastructure spending as a PERCENTAGE OF '$0 TO HAVE HIT PERCENT LAST

IN TWO WAY TRADE WEIGHING ON THE manufacturing sectors in both COUNTRIES Washington has demanded that Beijing reverse much of its industrial policy, charging that China has sought global dominance through the alleged theft of American technology, massive subsidies and the promotion mammoth STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES AFP

additional paid-in capital (APIC), and retained EARNINGS Most of the 300 or so listed companies sell NON VOTING PREFERRED SHARES TO THE PUBLIC )N A NUMBER OF LISTED FAMILY OWNED COMPANIES

THEY EXCLUSIVELY ISSUE VOTING PREFERRED SHARES TO THE OWNERS Strictly speaking, voting and non-voting PREFERRED SHARES ARE LIABILITIES !S LIABILITIES

preferred shares may be convertible to comMON SHARES WHICH CARRY VOTING RIGHTS 4HIS DEPENDS ON THEIR CONVERTIBILITY FEATURE WHICH is decided by the board of directors before the DIRECTORS ALLOW THEIR ISSUANCE )T SEEMS IT IS ONLY IN THIS COUNTRY S STOCK MARKET WHERE PREFERRED SHARES ARE EITHER NON VOTING OR VOTING /NE OF THE READERS OF 4HE -ANILA 4IMES commented that it is only in the 0HILIPPINES WHERE HOLDERS OF PREFERRED SHARES ENJOY VOTING RIGHTS "Y THE WAY THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN stocks does not necessarily give insiders the advantage over the public based on disclosures POSTED ON 03% WEBSITE !RE THEIR ACQUISITIONS OR SALES HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RELEASE OF EITHER ANNUAL OR QUARTERLY kNANCIAL REPORTS *UST ASKING

eSDPEREZ GMAIL COM year, almost triple the average of 2 percent FROM TO BUT LOWER THAN THE GOVERNMENT S PERCENT TARGET AND THE PERCENT RECORDED IN Diokno claimed that fast-tracked spending WAS ADDRESSING INFRASTRUCTURE UNDERINVESTMENTS THAT HAD WEIGHED ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE PAST For this year, the Duterte government is AIMING FOR A DEkCIT EQUIVALENT TO PERCENT OF '$0 UNDER THE DELAYED 0 TRILLION BUDGET

Q RESULTS FROM B1

PSEi dips as investors await trade 3INGAPORE WAS lAT )N EARLY TRADE ,ONDON FELL PERCENT

WHILE 0ARIS ADDED PERCENT AND &RANKFURT PUT ON PERCENT /VERNIGHT MEANWHILE 7ALL 3TREET STOCKS edged higher after US Federal Reserve minutes signaled that monetary authorities WOULD REMAIN DOVISH )N -ANILA THE HOLDING kRMS kNANCIALS

AND PROPERTY INDICES ENDED IN THE RED DOWN

BY PERCENT PERCENT AND PERCENT RESPECTIVELY 6OLUME TURNOVER STOOD AT MILLION SHARES VALUED AT 0 BILLION 7INNERS LED LOSERS TO WHILE ISSUES REMAINED UNCHANGED ANGELICA BALLESTEROS WITH A REPORT FROM AFP

World UN lets Kim delegation UN Security Council defies travel to Vietnam China, to meet on Myanmar U Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

UNITED NATIONS, United States: A UN Security Council sanctions committee has agreed to allow North Korean leader Kim Jong Unâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delegation to travel to Vietnam for a summit meeting with US President Donald Trump, diplomats said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

Vietnam had asked the committee to grant an exemption to senior North Korean officials who are on a UN sanctions blacklist to allow them to attend the February 27 to 28 summit in Hanoi.

The sanctions provide for a global travel ban that bars governments from granting them visas to come into their countries.

UN diplomats said Vietnam had requested a blanket exemption for the North Korean officials and that none of the 15 Security Council members had objected.

The committee also granted exemptions to allow the delegation to attend the US-North Korean summit in Singapore in June.

Trump and Kim are due to meet in

Hanoi next week to try to achieve progress on scrapping North Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nuclear and ballistic missiles program.

In Washington, Trump said Kim must make a â&#x20AC;&#x153;meaningfulâ&#x20AC;? gesture on denuclearization if he wants UN sanctions to be eased.

Led by the US, the Security Council has adopted a raft of sanctions resolutions that ban sales of North Korea imports such as coal and severely restrict oil supplies to the communistruled country.

The US has insisted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;maximum pressureâ&#x20AC;? from sanctions must remain in place until Pyongyang has fully scrapped its nuclear and ballistic missiles program.

But North Korea insists that easing sanctions would build trust along the way to denuclearization â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a stance that has won support from China and Russia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chairman Kim and I have a very good relationship. I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised to see something work out,â&#x20AC;?

Trump said ahead of the summit. AFP

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

NITED NATIONS, United States: The US, France, Britain and six other countries on the UN Security Council have called for a meeting on Myanmar that is expected to face opposition from China, diplomats said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

4HE MEETING REQUESTED FOR NEXT WEEK WOULD BE TO HEAR A REPORT FROM 5. ENVOY #HRISTINE 3CHRANER "URGENER WHO LAST MONTH PAID A DAY VISIT TO -YANMAR TO DISCUSS THE PLIGHT OF 2OHINGYA REFUGEES !ROUND -USLIM 2OHINGYA ARE LIVING IN CAMPS IN "ANGLADESH AFTER THEY WERE DRIVEN OUT OF -YANMAR S NORTHERN 2A-

KHINE STATE DURING A MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN THAT THE 5.

HAS DESCRIBED AS ETHNIC CLEANSING -YANMAR HAS AGREED TO TAKE BACK SOME OF THE REFUGEES IN A DEAL REACHED WITH "ANGLADESH

but the UN insists that the safety OF THE 2OHINGYA BE A CONDITION FOR THEIR RETURN 5. 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL !NTONIO 'UTERRES HAS CRITICIZED AS gTOO

Fire kills 70, hurts 50 in Bangladesh

SLOWu -YANMAR S EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE 2OHINGYA CRISIS AND DESCRIBED the lack of progress as a source of gENORMOUS FRUSTRATION u 3CHRANER "URGENER A 3WISS DIPLOMAT HAS MADE FOUR VISITS TO -YANMAR SINCE HER APPOINTMENT in April but appears to have reTURNED EMPTY HANDED EACH TIME "ELGIUM 'ERMANY 0OLAND +UWAIT 0ERU AND THE $OMINICAN 2Epublic joined the three veto-holding POWERS TO PUSH THE COUNCIL TO TURN ITS ATTENTION TO -YANMAR $IPLOMATS SAID #HINA WAS EXPECTED TO RAISE OBJECTIONS BUT IT REMAINED UNCLEAR WHETHER IT WOULD SEEK TO BLOCK THE MEETING WITH A PROCEDURAL VOTE Nine votes are required in the MEMBER COUNCIL TO HOLD A

B5

MEETING AND VETOES DO NOT APPLY 4HE #HINESE MISSION AT THE 5.

DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FROM !&0 FOR COMMENT )N /CTOBER #HINA FAILED TO WIN ENOUGH SUPPORT AT THE COUNCIL TO BLOCK A REPORT FROM the head of UN fact-finding MISSION IN -YANMAR #HINA WHICH HAS CLOSE TIES WITH -YANMAR S MILITARY HAS ARGUED THAT THE CRISIS IN 2AKHINE WAS LINKED TO POVERTY AND HAS opposed any step to put pressure ON THE AUTHORITIES -YANMAR S MILITARY HAS DENIED ANY WRONGDOING IN 2AKHine and argues that its operaTIONS WERE JUSTIFIED TO ROOT OUT 2OHINGYA INSURGENTS FOLLOWING ATTACKS ON POLICE POSTS AFP

Australia allows emojis on car plates BRISBANE, Australia: Motorists in northeastern Australia can soon have their PERSONALITY PERMANENTLY STAMPED ON THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE OPTION OF AN EMOJI ADDED TO THEIR LICENCE PLATES )T WILL BE POSITIVE VIBES ONLY ON THE MORNING COMMUTE AFTER A 1UEENSLAND kRM ANNOUNCED THAT FROM -ARCH DRIVERS CAN ADD THE SMILING WINKING LAUGHING OUT loud, heart-eyed and sunglasses EMOJI TO THEIR PLATES 4HE STATE S LARGEST AUTOMOTIVE ORGANIZATION HAS WELCOMED THE DIGITAL ADDITION g&OR QUITE SOME TIME WE VE SEEN YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR FAVOURITE TEAM OR TOWN WITH A SYMBOL ON YOUR NUMBER PLATE AND USING AN EMOJI IS NO DIFFERENT u 2OYAL !UTOMOBILE #LUB OF 1UEENSLAND SPOKESMAN 2EBECCA -ICHAELS TOLD !&0 Queensland resident Laura McKee has already put her order

IN FOR THE NEW LOOK PLATES â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit of fun, if this brightens UP SOMEONE S DAY WHILE THEIR STUCK IN TRAFkC THEN SO BE IT u SHE TOLD !&0 7ITH A COST OF BETWEEN !US 53 AND !US 53 PER plate, Queensland local Aroha LiebHART ISN T A FAN AND THINKS THE EMOJIS COULD ATTRACT UNWANTED ATTENTION g4HE COST PUSHES THEM OUT OF REACH FOR SO MANY PEOPLE NO ONE ) KNOW WILL BE PURCHASING THEM WHEN THEY RE SO EXPENSIVE u SHE TOLD !&0 g) LIVE IN A HIGH CRIME AREA ) DO BELIEVE THIS WILL ENTICE PEOPLE TO TARGET THE CARS WHO DO HAVE THEM u "UT RESIDENT -ARK %DWARDS WANTS TO SEE MORE OPTIONS FOR DRIVERS TO BETTER EXPRESS A DRIVER S CHANGING MOODS g4HEY SHOULD BE INTERCHANGEABLE SO WHEN YOU RE TIRED YOU CAN WARN DRIVERS OR WHEN YOU RE A LITTLE ANGRY YOU CAN SWAP THEM OVER u HE TOLD !&0 AFP

Worldinbrief 3 UK LAWMAKERS QUIT CONSERVATIVES

DHAKA INFERNO Firefighters try to douse flames in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Wednesday. A devastating fire raced through at least five buildings in an old part of Bangladeshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital and killed scores of people. AP PHOTO DHAKA, Bangladesh: A devastating fire raced through densely packed buildings in an old part of Bangladeshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital and killed at least 70 people, OFkCIALS AND WITNESSES SAID 4HURSDAY 4HE FIRE IN $HAKA WAS MOSTLY UNDER CONTROL AFTER MORE THAN NINE HOURS OF FRANTIC EFFORTS BY kREkGHTERS 3OME OF THE ABOUT PEOPLE INJURED WERE CRITICALLY BURNED 4HE #HAWKBAZAR AREA IS CRAMMED WITH BUILDINGS SEPARATED BY NARROW ALLEYS 4HE NEIGHBORHOOD IS A MIX OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL WITH BUILDINGS THAT COMMONLY HAVE SHOPS RESTAURANTS OR WAREHOUSES ON THE GROUND lOORS 4HE BLAZE STARTED LATE 7EDNES-

day night in one building, but QUICKLY SPREAD TO OTHERS kRE DEPARTMENT $IRECTOR 'ENERAL "RIG 'EN !LI !HMED SAID 4HE DEATH TOLL ROSE TO WITH MANY OF THE VICTIMS TRAPPED INSIDE THE BUILDINGS SAID -AHFUZ 2IBEN

A CONTROL ROOM OFkCIAL OF THE &IRE 3ERVICE AND #IVIL $EFENSE IN $HAKA g/UR TEAMS ARE WORKING THERE

BUT MANY OF THE RECOVERED BODIES ARE BEYOND RECOGNITION /UR PEOPLE ARE USING BODY BAGS TO SEND THEM TO THE HOSPITAL MORGUE THIS IS A VERY DIFkCULT SITUATION u HE TOLD !0 BY PHONE 3OME lOORS OF THE DESTROYED BUILDINGS HAD CHEMICALS AND PLASTIC IN STORAGE

Most buildings are used both for RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES DESPITE WARNINGS OF THE POTENTIAL FOR HIGH FATALITIES FROM kRES AFTER ONE HAD KILLED AT LEAST PEOPLE IN !UTHORITIES HAD PROMISED TO BRING the buildings under regulations and REMOVE CHEMICAL WAREHOUSES FROM THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS 4HE DEATH TOLL COULD STILL RISE AS THE CONDITION OF SOME OF THE INJURED PEOPLE WAS CRITICAL SAID 3AMANTA ,AL 3EN HEAD OF A BURN UNIT OF THE $HAKA -EDICAL #OLLEGE (OSPITAL 3EN SAID AT LEAST NINE OF THE CRITICALLY INJURED PEOPLE WERE BEING TREATED IN HIS UNIT 7ITNESSES TOLD LOCAL 46 STATIONS

THAT MANY GAS CYLINDERS STORED IN THE BUILDINGS CONTINUED TO EXPLODE ONE AFTER ANOTHER 4HEY SAID THE kRE ALSO SET OFF EXPLOSIONS IN FUEL TANKS OF SOME OF THE VEHICLES THAT GOT STUCK IN TRAFkC IN FRONT OF THE DESTROYED BUILDINGS 3OME REPORTS SUGGESTED MANY OF THE DEAD WERE PEDESTRIANS SHOPPERS OR DINERS WHO DIED QUICKLY AS SEVERAL GAS CYLINDERS EXPLODED

AND THE kRE ENGULFED THE NEARBY BUILDINGS VERY QUICKLY Officials said the firefighters struggled to get close to the scene because of heavy traffic AND NARROW ALLEYS THAT WERE BUSY WHEN THE FIRE STARTED AP

Bill offers permanent unions to Taiwan LGBTs TAIPEI: 4AIWAN S RULING PARTY UNVEILED ITS LATEST ATTEMPT TO CREATE !SIA S kRST GAY MARRIAGE LAW ON 4HURSDAY A BILL OFFERING SAME SEX COUPLES gPERMANENT UNIONSu AS WELL AS LIMITED adoption rights, despite stiff opposiTION FROM CONSERVATIVES 4HE $EMOCRATIC 0ROGRESSIVE 0ARTY $00 HAS HAD A STUTTERING AND TROUBLED JOURNEY TOWARDS delivering on their 2016 election PROMISE TO GRANT SAME SEX COUPLES EQUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS )N .OVEMBER CONSERVATIVES WON A REFERENDUM AGAINST REVISING THE ISLAND S #IVIL #ODE TO ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE IN A BLOW TO 0RESIDENT 4SAI )NG WEN S PARTY AND A STARK ILLUSTRATION OF THE SOCIAL DIVIDE CAUSED BY THE ISSUE 4HE REFERENDUM CAME AFTER 4AIWAN S #ONSTITUTIONAL #OURT VOTED TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE IN Â&#x2021; THE kRST PLACE IN !SIA TO DO SO Â&#x2021; ARGUING THAT DENYING SAME SEX COUPLES MARRIAGE RIGHTS WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL 4HE COURT ORDERED THE GOVERNMENT TO AMEND THE LAW BY -AY

BUT DID NOT SPECIFY HOW IT WANTED GAY MARRIAGE TO BE BROUGHT IN

4HE BILL PUBLISHED 4HURSDAY BY THE CABINET IS THE 4SAI ADMINISTRATION S ATTEMPT TO SQUARE THAT CIRCLE Â&#x2021; A NEW LAW THAT MEETS THE COURT S DEMANDS WHILE TRYING TO RESPECT THE REFERENDUM RESULT BY NOT ALTERING THE #IVIL #ODE

WHICH CURRENTLY DEkNES MARRIAGE AS BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN 4HE DRAFT LAW RELEASED BY THE JUSTICE MINISTRY PROPOSES ALLOWING gTWO PERSONS OF THE SAME SEX TO CREATE A PERMANENT UNION OF INTIMATE AND EXCLUSIVE NATURE FOR THE COMMITTED PURPOSE OF MANAGING A LIFE TOGETHER to realise the equal protection of the FREEDOM OF MARRIAGEu 'AY COUPLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO adopt the biological children of their PARTNER WHILE BOTH PARTIES ARE kNANcially responsible for each other and ARE ENTITLED TO INHERITANCE RIGHTS 0REMIER 3U 4SENG CHANG CALLED THE UNVEILING OF THE BILL A gHISTORICAL MOMENTu AND URGED THE PARLIAMENT TO PASS IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE g7E ARE ALL OF THE SAME COUNTRY

LIVE ON THE SAME LAND AND UNDER THE SAME HEAVEN AND EARTH WHETHer you are straight or gay,â&#x20AC;? he told

A CABINET MEETING â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every single person should be reSPECTED AND TREATED EQUALLY ) SINCERELY HOPE THAT EVERYONE WILL ACCEPT DIFFERences and treat each other cordially SO 4AIWAN CAN BECOME A COUNTRY OF MUTUAL RESPECT AND FRIENDLINESS u 4HE LAW IS SET TO TAKE EFFECT ON -AY

BUT NEEDS TO PASS PARLIAMENT

WHERE THE $00 HOLDS A MAJORITY 2IGHTS GROUPS NOTED SOME SHORTCOMINGS SUCH AS LIMITED ADOPTION RIGHTS AND NO MENTION OF RECOGNISING INTERNATIONAL GAY MARRIAGE RIGHTS g4HE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AT THE MOMENT IS CLOSELY WATCHING THE PROGRESS OF 4AIWAN S GAY MARRIAGE BILL 7E HOPE TO LET THE WORLD SEE THAT 4AIWAN IS A DIVERSE SOCIETY THAT RESPECTS EQUALITY TO BECOME A BEACON AND MODEL OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN !SIA u THE -ARRIAGE %QUALITY #OALITION 4AIWAN SAID IN A STATEMENT But conservative groups hit out at THE BILL Â&#x2021; WHICH AVOIDS USING THE WORD gMARRIAGEu IN ITS TITLE â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is an irresponsible act to please BOTH SIDES WITH A HIDDEN AGENDA AND TRAMPLING ON PUBLIC WILL u SAID 9U

(SIN YI SPOKESMAN OF gPRO FAMILYu GROUP THE #OALITION FOR THE (APPINESS OF OUR .EXT 'ENERATION 4AIWAN IS SEEN AS ONE OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE SOCIETIES IN !SIA WHEN IT COMES TO GAY RIGHTS AND it stages the biggest gay pride PARADE IN !SIA ANNUALLY 'AY MARRIAGE RIGHTS RECEIVES HIGH APPROVAL RATINGS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR "UT IT ALSO REMAINS A STAUNCHLY CONSERVATIVE PLACE WITH POWERFUL RELIGIOUS lobbies, especially outside of urban AREAS AND ANALYSTS SAY $00 UNDERESTIMATED HOW CONTROVERSIAL THEIR GAY MARRIAGE PROPOSALS WOULD BE 0RESIDENT 4SAI OPENLY SUPPORTED THE LEGALISATION OF GAY MARRIAGE BEFORE SHE WAS ELECTED BUT HAS SINCE SAID THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE CONSENSUS IN SOCIETY )F THE BILL IS PASSED IT WILL BE !SIA S kRST GAY MARRIAGE LAW )N $ECEMBER 4HAILAND S JUNTA RULERS PROPOSED A SIMILAR BILL BUT IT HAS YET TO MAKE IT PARLIAMENT IN THE KINGDOM THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE MIDST OF AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN AFP

LONDON: Brexit-driven cracks in Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political party system yawned wider Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), as three pro-European lawmakers quit the ruling Conservatives to join a new centrist group of independents, who oppose the Conservative governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s determination to take Britain out of the European Union with or without a divorce deal. Anna Soubry, Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston resigned to join eight ex-opposition Labor Party lawmakers in an alliance dubbed as the Independent Group. The defections involve only a small fraction of the 650 lawmakers in the House of Commons, but mark the biggest shake-up in decades for Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political parties.

The breakaway lawmakers hope to gain members from disgruntled pro-Europeans in both the Labour and Conservative parties and forge a new force at the center of British politics. They are inspired in part by the â&#x20AC;&#x153;En Marcheâ&#x20AC;? movement of French President Emmanuel Macron, which dominated Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most recent presidential and legislative elections at the expense of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mainstream parties.

COHEN PRISON DATE POSTPONED TO MAY NEW YORK: President Donald Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen was granted a few more weeks of freedom Wednesday after his lawyers said he was still recovering from surgery and hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had time to get his affairs in order because he was preparing to testify before Congress next week. US District Judge William H. Pauley III approved delaying the start of Cohenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three-year sentence until May 6. Cohenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawyer said he was undergoing intensive post-surgery physical therapy and getting ready for testimony he was scheduled to deliver to three congressional committees. The House Oversight and Reform committee said Wednesday night that Cohen would testify publicly on February 27. Chairman Elijah Cummings said in a memo that Cohen would be questioned about issues related to Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business practices, presidential campaign and embattled charitable foundation, including any payments relating to efforts to influence the 2016 election.

DEMS, NEWSMEN ON HITLIST OF COAST GUARD LIEUTENANT WASHINGTON, D. C.: A Coast Guard lieutenant who was arrested last week is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;domestic terroristâ&#x20AC;? who drafted an email discussing biological attacks and had what appeared to be a hit list that included prominent Democrats and media figures, prosecutors said in court papers. Christopher Paul Hasson is due to appear Thursday in federal court in Maryland after his arrest on gun and drug offenses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The defendant is a domestic terrorist, bent on committing acts dangerous to human life that are intended to affect governmental conduct,â&#x20AC;? prosecutors wrote in court papers. Hasson, who works at the Coast Guardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters in Washington, had espoused extremist views for years, according to prosecutors. Court papers detail a June 2017 draft email in which Hasson wrote that he was â&#x20AC;&#x153;dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on the earth,â&#x20AC;? and pondering how he might be able to acquire anthrax and toxins to create botulism or a deadly influenza.

GAY ACTOR CHARGED WITH MAKING FALSE POLICE REPORT CHICAGO: The whispers about â&#x20AC;&#x153;Empireâ&#x20AC;? actor Jussie Smollett started with reports that he had not fully cooperated with police after telling authorities he was attacked in Chicago by two men who hurled racist, anti-gay slurs and looped a rope around his neck.

Then detectives in a city bristling with surveillance cameras could not find video of the beating. Later, two brothers were taken into custody for questioning, but were released after two days, with police saying they were no longer suspects. Following three weeks of mounting suspicions, Smollett was charged Wednesday with making a false police report, a charge that could bring up to three years in prison and force the actor, who is black and gay, to pay for the cost of the investigation into his report of a January 29 beating. In less than a month, the 36-year-old changed from being the seemingly sympathetic victim of a hate crime to being accused of fabricating the entire thing. AP

B6

Classified Ads

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR) NOTICE Notice is hereby given that LUMINA ILOILO PHASE 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SOCIALIZED located at Brgy.

Abilay Norte, Oton, Iloilo with License to Sell No. 031928 (LSWVR-17-031928) dated 21 March 2017, owned/developed by PRIMA CASA LAND & HOUSES, INC. is being utilized as Compliance for CAMELLA ALTA SILANG located at Brgy. Biga I, Silang, Cavite in accordance with Section 18 of Republic Act No.7279 as amended

by Republic Act No. 10884.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed UHJLVWHUHG DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ evidence thereof, shall forthwith be LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH last day of publication.

Calamba City, Laguna, 19th day of February 2019.

Recommending Approval:

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

NOTICE

PAUNAWA

Notice is hereby given that HOUSEHOLD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Owner/Developer) by virtue of Deed of Absolute Sale KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of house and lots in CAMELLA ALTA SILANG located at Brgy. Biga I, Silang, Cavite and more particularly described as Lot 2781-C, Csd-04016802-D containing an area of 11,680 sq.m. and covered by TCT No. 076-2017008145.

Ipinagbibigay alam na ang HOUSEHOLD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (May-ari at Debeloper) sa pamamagitan ng ³'HHG RI $EVROXWH 6DOH´ D\ QDJKDLQ sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng bahay at lote sa CAMELLA ALTA SILANG na matatagpuan sa Brgy.

Biga I, Silang, Cavite at sinasakop ng Lote Blg. 2781-C, Csd-04016802-D na may sukat na 11,680 sq.m. sa ilalim ng Titulo Blg. 0762017008145.

The foregoing project is utilizing LUMINA ILOILO PHASE 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SOCIALIZED located at Brgy. Abilay Norte, Oton, Iloilo as its Compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by Republic Act No. 10884.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang LUMINA ILOILO PHASE 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SOCIALIZED na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Abilay Norte, Oton, Iloilo bilang pagtupad sa Seksyon 18 Batas Republika Blg. 7279 na naamyendahan ng Batas Republika Blg. 10884.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Calamba City, Laguna, 19th day of February 2019.

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Recommending Approval:

Approved by:

Approved by:

(SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

INVITATION TO BID PROCUREMENT OF AGRICULTURAL FARM INPUTS (Inorganic Fertilizer) 3 5 1R // The Municipality of Leyte, through its Bids and Awards Committee intends to apply the sum of Thirteen Million Eight Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php13, 800, 000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;PROCUREMENT OF AGRICULTURAL FARM INPUTS ,QRUJDQLF )HUWLOL]HU ´ VSHFLÂżHG hereunder:

Description Complete Fertilizer Urea Fertilizer Muriate of Potash

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

1.

(SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

2.

The Local Government Unit of LEYTE, now invites bids for the abovementioned description of goods.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion in the Eligibility Check and Preliminary Examination of %LGV DV VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKH ,PSOHPHQWLQJ 5XOHV DQG 5HJXODWLRQV ,55 RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 9184 (RA 9184), other known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government Procurement Reform Actâ&#x20AC;?.

4.

Interested Bidders may obtain further information from Local Government Unit of LEYTE and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:00 p.m.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (Php25, 000.00). Bidders can make SD\PHQWV IRU WKH SXUFKDVH RI WKH %LGGLQJ 'RFXPHQWV DW 7UHDVXUHUÂśV 2IÂżFH RI WKH /RFDO Government Unit of Leyte. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

MT - Feb. 22 & Mar. 1, 2019

3UH %LG &RQIHUHQFH ZLOO EH KHOG DW WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 0XQLFLSDO 0D\RU $QQH[ ZKLFK shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

7KH VLJQLÂżFDQW GDWH DQG WLPH RI SURFXUHPHQW DFWLYLWLHV DUH VKRZQ EHORZ Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Opening of Bids

3 5 1R // The Municipality of Leyte, through its Bids and Awards Committee intends to apply the sum of Twenty Million Six Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php20, 600,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Construction of Consuegra Diversion Damâ&#x20AC;? located in Brgy. Consuegra, Leyte, Leyte with project duration RI FDOHQGDU GD\V VSHFLÂżHG KHUHXQGHU: Item CONSTRUCTION OF CAMP & OTHER TEMPORARY FACILITIES DIVERSION OF WATER & CARE OF CREEK DEMOLITION OF EXISTING STRUCTURE DAM 4.1 Clearing and Grabbing 4.2 Structural Excavation 6WUXFWXUDO %DFNÂżOO 4.4 Levelling Course 4.5 Reinforcing Steel Bars &RQFUHWH &ODVV Âł$´ Z IRUPV

4.7 Grouted Riprap 4.8 Rubble Masonry 4.9 Steel & Wooden Gate OUTLET WORKS 5.1 Structural Excavation 6WUXFWXUDO %DFN¿OO 5.3 Reinforcing Steel Bar &RQFUHWH &ODVV ³$´ Z IRUPV

5.5 Levelling Course CANAL WORKS 6.1 Common Excavation 6WUXFWXUDO %DFN¿OO 6.3 Reinforcing Steel Bars &RQFUHWH &ODVV ³$´ Z IRUPV

6.5 Levelling Course 6.6 Grouted Riprap DRAINAGE CROSSING 7.1 Common Excavation 6WUXFWXUDO %DFN¿OO 7.3 Reinforcing Steel Bars &RQFUHWH &ODVV ³$´ Z IRUPV

7.5 Levelling Course 7.6 RCPC DIVISION BOX/TURN-OUTPUTS 8.1 Common Excavation 6WUXFWXUDO %DFN¿OO 8.3 Reinforcing Steel &RQFUHWH &ODVV ³%´ Z IRUPV

8.5 Levelling Course CONCETE MARKER & PROJECT SIGNBOARD

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

Qty. 36.00 286.00 1.00

Unit sq.m. sq.m. lot

676.00 704.00 493.74 28.60 8482.27 189.15 78.00 82.16 1.00

sq.m. cu.m cu.m cu.m kgs cu.m cu.m cu.m lot

30.00 103.90 2227.94 20.52 4.50

cu.m cu.m kgs cu.m cu.m

4627.00 2644.00 52440.10 798.98 297.45 66.90

cu.m cu.m kgs cu.m cu.m cu.m

8.00 4.40 59.20 1.21 1.08 4.00

cu.m cu.m kgs cu.m cu.m pcs

28.00 14.00 444.00 8.95 3.50 1.00

cu.m cu.m kgs cu.m cu.m lot

1.

The Local Government Unit of LEYTE, intends to apply the sum above-stated being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), to payment under the contract for the above-mentioned contract. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the bid opening.

2.

The Local Government Unit of LEYTE, now invites bids for the abovementioned description of works. Completion of the Works is required for the above stated contract duration. Bidders should have completed at least one (1) contract that is similar WR WKLV SURMHFW V HTXLYDOHQW WR DW OHDVW ÂżIW\ SHUFHQW RI WKH $%& 7KH GHVFULSWLRQ of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion in the Eligibility Check and Preliminary Examination of %LGV DV VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKH ,PSOHPHQWLQJ 5XOHV DQG 5HJXODWLRQV ,55 RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 9184 (RA 9184), other known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government Procurement Reform Actâ&#x20AC;?.

4.

Interested Bidders may obtain further information from Local Government Unit of LEYTE and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:00 p.m.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (Php25, 000.00). Bidders can make SD\PHQWV IRU WKH SXUFKDVH RI WKH %LGGLQJ 'RFXPHQWV DW 7UHDVXUHUÂśV 2IÂżFH RI WKH /RFDO Government Unit of Leyte. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

7KH VLJQLÂżFDQW GDWH DQG WLPH RI SURFXUHPHQW DFWLYLWLHV DUH VKRZQ EHORZ Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Opening of Bids

Schedule February 22-March 18, 2019 March 4 , 2019, 10:00 A.M LGU, Biometric Time March 18, 2019, 10:00 A.M LGU, Biometric Time

3UH %LG &RQIHUHQFH ZLOO EH KHOG DW (QJLQHHULQJ 2IÂżFH RI WKH /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW 8QLW of Leyte, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

%LGV PXVW EH GHOLYHUHG WR %$& 2IÂżFH RI WKH /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW 8QLW RI /H\WH $OO ELGV must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18, OR Bid Securing Declaration, pursuant to GPPB Resolution No. 01-2014 dated 23 May 2014. Bids will be opened in the presence of the biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

9.

To bid for this Contract a Contractor must submit a Net Financial Contracting Capacity (NFCC) at least equal to ABC and the Original Receipt (OR) for payment of bidding documents before dropping of bids. Bidders shall likewise submit their bids through WKHLU GXO\ $XWKRUL]HG /LDLVRQ 2IÂżFHU V RQO\ DV VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKH &RQWUDFWRUÂśV ,QIRUPDWLRQ (CI). Submission of Letter of Intent (LOI) is no longer required to participate in the bidding, pursuant to D.O. No. 64, Series of 2012 and per Department Memo dated 17 December 2012, lifting the deferment in the implementation of Section C.3 of D.O. No. 64, series of 2012.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance 6HFXULW\ 3UH %LGGLQJ &RQIHUHQFH V (YDOXDWLRQ RI %LGV 3RVW 4XDOLÂżFDWLRQ DQG Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR).

10. The Local Government Unit of LEYTE, reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without incurring any liability or obligation to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to ATTENTION:

MT - Feb. 22, 2019

The Local Government Unit of LEYTE, intends to apply the sum above-stated being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), to payment under the contract for the above-mentioned contract. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the bid opening.

Approved by:

INVITATION TO BID FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CONSUEGRA DIVERSION DAM (Brgy. Consuegra, Leyte, Leyte)

5.0

Unit Bags Bags Bags

Formal notice is hereby given to the Public that GOTPRINT INC., a duly organized corporation under the laws of the Philippines, RIÂżFLDOO\ FORVHG DQG ceased commercial operations in the Philippines as of 31 December 2015. It is currently in the process of amending its articles of incorporation to shorten its corporate term effective 31 December 2015, and ÂżOH WKH QHFHVVDU\ application for dissolution of the corporation.

MARICRIS G. DIAZ Head, BAC Secretariat %$& 2IÂżFH /*8 /H\WH Leyte MAY WEN BETH P. SABITE %$& &KDLUPDQ

Schedule February 22-March 18, 2019 March 4, 2019, 1:00 P.M LGU, Biometric Time March 18, 2019, 1:00 P.M LGU, Biometric Time

%LGV PXVW EH GHOLYHUHG WR %$& 2IÂżFH RI WKH /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW 8QLW RI /H\WH $OO ELGV must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18, OR Bid Securing Declaration, pursuant to GPPB Resolution No. 01-2014 dated 23 May 2014. Bids will be opened in the presence of the biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

To bid for this Contract a Contractor must submit a Net Financial Contracting Capacity (NFCC) at least equal to ABC and the Original Receipt (OR) for payment of bidding documents before dropping of bids. Bidders shall likewise submit their bids through WKHLU GXO\ $XWKRUL]HG /LDLVRQ 2IÂżFHU V RQO\ DV VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKH &RQWUDFWRUÂśV ,QIRUPDWLRQ (CI). Submission of Letter of Intent (LOI) is no longer required to participate in the bidding, pursuant to D.O. No. 64, Series of 2012 and per Department Memo dated 17 December 2012, lifting the deferment in the implementation of Section C.3 of D.O. No. 64, series of 2012.

9.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance 6HFXULW\ 3UH %LGGLQJ &RQIHUHQFH V (YDOXDWLRQ RI %LGV 3RVW 4XDOLÂżFDWLRQ DQG Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR).

10. The Local Government Unit of LEYTE, reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without incurring any liability or obligation to the affected bidder or bidders.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that MEDCHECK E-COMMERCE INC. is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Knowledge-Based Services Provider under Preferred Activities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Strategic Services (MedCheck â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Medical Clinical Data Analytics) on a Non-Pioneer status with project site at Wework, 9/F Tower 3 Uptown Mall, 11th Ave cor 36th St., Uptown Bonifacio Global City.

Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

MARY ANN E. RAGANIT 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

MT - Feb. 22, Mar. 1 & 8, 2019

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 22, 2019

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

Recommending Approval:

Republic of the Philippines MUNICIPALITY OF LEYTE LEYTE

1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Qty 6,000 3,000 3,000

(Please refer to page 75 of the Bidding Documents for the complete technical VSHFLÂżFDWLRQV

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika-19 ng Pebrero 2019.

MT - Feb. 22 & Mar. 1, 2019

MT - Feb. 22, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Republic of the Philippines MUNICIPALITY OF LEYTE LEYTE

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

5H $SSOLFDWLRQ IRU 5HQHZDO RI &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF &RQYHQLHQFH &3&

to operate the ships, M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;SAMAL ISLANDâ&#x20AC;?, M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;PANGLAO ISLANDâ&#x20AC;?, M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;RANA IIâ&#x20AC;?, M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;MASBATE ISLANDâ&#x20AC;? and M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;MACTAN ISLANDâ&#x20AC;?, in the tramping service for the carriage of petroleum (white and black) products to any port in the Philippines ISLAS TANKERS SEATRANSPORT CORP., (Formerly: Sumilon Island Tankers, Inc.) Applicant. x---------------------------------------------------------x

MNL-2019-008-FS (Reference No. 2008-052-FO) ORDER

%HIRUH 8V LV WKH DERYH HQWLWOHG $SSOLFDWLRQ ZKLFK ZDV ÂżOHG RQ )HEUXDU\ 7KH IROORZLQJ DUH WKH SDUWLFXODUV of M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;SAMAL ISLANDâ&#x20AC;?, M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;PANGLAO ISLANDâ&#x20AC;?, M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;RANA IIâ&#x20AC;?, M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;MASBATE ISLANDâ&#x20AC;? and M/ Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;MACTAN ISLANDâ&#x20AC;?: Name of Ship M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;SAMAL ISLANDâ&#x20AC;?

2IÂżFLDO 1XPEHU 00-0000375 Type of Ship Oil Tanker Gross Tons 3,694.00 Hull Steel (double-hull) Year Built 2005 Place Built Korea 'DWH RI ,VVXDQFH RI &HUWLÂżFDWH 07 March 2012 RI 2ZQHUVKLS &HUWLÂżFDWH RI Philippine Registry Name of Ship M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;MASBATE ISLANDâ&#x20AC;?

2IÂżFLDO 1XPEHU 00-0002974 Type of Ship Oil Tanker Gross Tons 1,871.00 Hull Steel (double-hull) Year Built 2008 Place Built China 'DWH RI ,VVXDQFH RI &HUWLÂżFDWH 16 April 2015 of Ownership/ 'DWH RI ,VVXDQFH RI &HUWLÂżFDWH 16 April 2015 of Philippine Registry

M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;PANGLAO ISLANDâ&#x20AC;?

00-0001449 Oil Tanker 2,191.00 Steel (double-hull) 2004 Japan 07 March 2012

M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;RANA IIâ&#x20AC;?

00-0002965 Tanker 2,767.00 Steel 1996/Re-built in 2005 Bataan 11 August 2016 valid until 14 December 2023

M/Tkr â&#x20AC;&#x153;MACTAN ISLANDâ&#x20AC;?

00-0000314 Oil Tanker 3,088.00 Steel (double-hull) 2008 China 22 March 2012 22 March 2012

Notice is hereby given that the said Application will be heard by this Authority on 05 March 2019 at 2:00 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon, at the 3rd Floor, Franchising Service Hearing Room, at the above address.

7KH $SSOLFDQW VKDOO SXEOLVK WKLV 2UGHU RQFH LQ D QHZVSDSHU RI JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V EHIRUH WKH scheduled date of hearing.

7KH $SSOLFDQW VKDOO VXEPLW D ZULWWHQ )RUPDO 2IIHU RI (YLGHQFH GXULQJ WKH KHDULQJ RU ÂżYH GD\V WKHUHDIWHU WITNESS, WKH +RQRUDEOH 2IÂżFHU LQ &KDUJH IRU WKH RIÂżFH RI WKH $GPLQLVWUDWRU VADM NARCISO A VINGSON JR, this 20th day of February 2019, 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 - Feb. 22, 2019

For further information, please refer to ATTENTION:

MARICRIS G. DIAZ Head, BAC Secretariat %$& 2IÂżFH /*8 /H\WH Leyte Contact No.: 09173658320

MT - Feb. 22, 2019

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 1ST MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT TOBIAS FORNIER-ANINIYHAMTIC MUNICIPALITY OF TOBIAS FORNIER PROVINCE OF ANTIQUE Civil Case No. 481-H For: Recovery of Possession and Damages IRYL MARK C. ONIN, Plaintiff, -versusJUANITO JUNSAY Defendant. x------------------------------------------x SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO: JUANITO JUNSAY Brgy. Funda, Hamtic, Antique, Philippines GREETINGS: WHEREAS, on December 12, 2018, the Court issued an Order allowing the plaintiff to cause the Summons by Publication to the herein defendant.

W H E R E A S , t h e aforementioned defendant is hereby ordered to file with the 1st Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Tobias Fornier-Anini-y-Hamtic, Antique, Philippines within sixty (60) days from receipt of the Summons or the last day of SXEOLFDWLRQ WR ÂżOH LWV $QVZHU WR WKH Complaint and to furnish a copy to the said plaintiff as stated below the name and address.

IRYL MARK C. ONIN Brgy. Atabay, San Jose, Antique, Philippines and upon failure on the part of the defendant within the time aforesaid, the plaintiff will take judgment against the defendant in accordance with law.

WHEREAS, on June 22, 2018, plaintiff through counsel filed a Complaint dated November 17, 2017 alleging that: COMES NOW, Plaintiff through counsel unto the Honorable Court most respectfully avers: 1. Plaintiff IRYL MARK C. ONIN, is of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Atabay, San Jose, Antique, Philippines, where he may be served summons and other court processes; 2. Defendant JUANITO JUNSAY, is of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Brgy. Funda, Hamtic, Antique, Philippines, where he may be served with summons and other court processes; Ownership in fee simple.

3. Plaintiff IRYL MARK C. ONIN, is the lawful and registered owner of a parcel of land known as Lot No. 6721 of the Cadastral Survey of San Jose. Cad. Case No. 15, (LRC) Cad. Rec. No.954, with an area of TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FORTY SIX (2,146) square meters, situated at Brgy. Funda, Hamtic, Antique, Philippines, and FRYHUHG E\ 7UDQVIHU &HUWL¿FDWH RI Title No. 088-2017002800, of the Registry of Deeds for the Province of San Jose, Antique. Photocopy of the title is hereto attached and PDUNHG DV $QQH[ ³$´ IRUPLQJ DQ integral part hereof and which is more particularly described as: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 088-2017002800 ³/RW 1R RI WKH &DGDVWUDO Survey of San Jose, Cad. Case No. 15 (LRC) Cad. Rec. No. 954 Location: Barrio of Guintas, Municipality of San Jose, Province of Antique Technical Description Boundaries: Line Direction Adjoining Lot (s) 1-2 South Lot 6720 2-3 West Cuyo East Pass

(SGD.) MAY WEN BETH P. SABITE %$& &KDLUPDQ

3-4 North Lot 6730 4-1 East National Road (20.00 M. wide) xxx xxx xxx Area: TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FORTY SIX (2,146) SQUARE METERS, more or less.â&#x20AC;?

4. Plaintiff acquired the subject property by virtue of a Deed of Sale executed by the previous lawful and registered owner, Perfecta Rios Onin copy of which is hereto attached and marked as Annex ³%´ KHUHRI Jurisdiction over the subject matter.

5. The subject property, Lot 6721 is situated at Brgy.

Guintas (now known as Funda), Hamtic, Antique, Philippines and is covered by Tax Declaration No. 09-0025-00794 under Property Index No. 04-09-0025005-54 of the Municipality of Hamtic, Antique, which has an assessed value of SEVEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY PESOS (7,820.00), Philippine Currency, and as such, is within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court. Photocopy of the Tax Declaration No. 09-002500794 is hereto attached as PDUNHG DV $QQH[ ³&´ IRUPLQJ DQ integral part hereof; 6. Plaintiff has been religiously paying the real property taxes of the aforementioned property as evidenced by the Tax Clearance dated 18 July 2017, hereto attached and marked as Annex ³'´ IRUPLQJ DQ LQWHJUDO SDUW KHUHRI Unlawful entry and refusal to vacate.

7. After the said sale, herein plaintiff commissioned a Geodetic Engineer to conduct a relocation survey of the property subject of this case, to determine the metes and bounds of the property; 8.

It was then discovered that there are numerous deforciants who occupy the said property. Among them is herein defendant, JUANITO JUNSAY. Thereafter, notices were made to inform deforciants of their unlawful occupation and use of the property. Despite notice , defendant continually, forcefully and unlawfully occupy a portion of Lot 6721 and built structures therein, without acquiring any prior consent to herein plaintiff; 9. Plaintiff has been continuously asking for the defendant to peacefully vacate the property subject of this case.

However, defendant vehemently refused and insisted ownership and possession over the property subject of this case; 10. Due to deliberate refusal of defendant to vacate the property, plaintiff was constrained to refer this matter to his lawyer who sent a Final Notice to Vacate dated 05 October 2017 to defendant via registered mail with return card. Photocopies of the letter the Registry Receipt RD 774 045 017 ZZ dated 10 October 2017, and the &HUWLÂżFDWLRQ IURP WKH 3RVW 0DVWHU are hereto attached and marked DV $QQH[HV Âł(´ Âł( ´ DQG Âł)´ respectively; 11. As the lawful and registered owner of Lot 6721 herein plaintiff is entitled to the legal and physical possession of the property subject of this case, without any kind of interference and to exclude any person therein; 12. Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title over the property is evidence by his ownership in fee simple. Hence, it fails any rhyme or reason that a person having ownership of a parcel of land be barred from seeking complete ownership and possession thereof by a stranger; 7R DVVHYHUDWH FHUWLÂżFDWH of title over the subject property

serves as indefeasible and incontrovertible title to the property in favor of the person whose name appears therein; 14. Despite said written legal demand, defendants still failed and refused and continue to fail and refuse to vacate and peacefully turn-over the possession of said parcel of land to the damage and prejudice of herein plaintiff: 15. Parties had personal confrontation before the Punong Barangay but there was no amicable settlement on the matter, WKXV D &HUWLÂżFDWH WR )LOH $FWLRQ ZDV issued, copy of which is hereto attached and marked as Annex Âł*´ KHUHRI 16. The unwarranted refusal of defendant to deliver possession of Lot 6721 to the plaintiff had caused plaintiff sleepless nights, s e r i o u s a n x i e t y, w o u n d e d feelings, social humiliation and besmirched reputation, and therefore entitles plaintiff to claim moral damages in the amount of THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P300,000.00), Philippine Currency; 17. As a deterrent to others who are similarly minded to do similar acts in the future, plaintiff is entitled to exemplary damages which is left to the sound judgment of this Honorable Court; 18. In order to protect the rights and interests of herein plaintiff, he was constrained to hire the services of counsel, and agreed to pay the amount of P50,000.00, as attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fees; 19. Because of the continued refusal of the defendant to deliver possession of the portion of Lot No. 6721 occupied by defendant to herein plaintiff, the latter is entitled to claim litigation expenses, plus appearance fee of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00) for every court hearing and; 20. The cost of suit; PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that after due notice and hearing an order be issued ordering defendant, as follows: 1.To deliver the physical and actual possession of the portion of Lot No. 6721 occupied by herein defendant to plaintiff; 2.To pay plaintiff the sum of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00). Philippine Currency as attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fees, moral damages of THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P300,000.00), Philippine Currency, exemplary damages which is left to the sound judgment of this Honorable Court, litigation expenses; and appearance fee of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00), Philippine Currency, for every hearing of this case ; and 3.Cost of suit Such other relief and remedies equitable and just under the premises.

Iloilo City, Philippines, 17 November 2017.

Gascon Tingson Caballero Lastimoso Pagunsan Law Firm Counsel for Plaintiff Door 3, 2nd Floor Rosary Building, Iznart Street, Iloilo City Tel. No. (033)509-1979 (SGD.) FHYMORE G. GASCON PTR No. 5681563 January 3, 2017, Iloilo City IBP No. 1058509, January 3 , 2017, Iloilo City MCLE Compliance No. V-0017648, 04/15/2016 Roll No. 52101 EmailAddress: attyfgg13@yahoo. com And (SGD.) MA. ANGELA D. MASACOTE PTR No. 5681565, 03 January

To advertise, email advertising@manilatimes.net 2017, Iloilo IBP No. 1058507, 03 January 2017, Iloilo City MCLE Compliance No. V-0014894, 01 March 2016 Attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roll No. 64235 E-mail Address: maiangelsmile@ yahoo.com VERIFICATION I, IRYL MARK C. ONIN, of legal age, married, Filipino and a resident of Brgy. Funda, Hamtic, Antique, Philippines, after being duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby depose and say that: 1. I am the Plaintiff in the above-entitled case; 2. I have caused the preparation of the foregoing case.

3. I have read and understood the contents thereof and allegations contained therein are true and correct based on my own personal knowledge and information and based on the authentic records; 4. I also hereby certify that I have not commenced any other action or proceeding involving the same issues in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, in any other tribunal or agency; 5.That to the best of my knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, or any other tribunal or agency; 6. That if I should hereafter learn that a similar action or SURFHHGLQJ KDV EHHQ ÂżOHG RU LV pending before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency, I undertake to report that fact within five (5) days therefrom to this Honorable Court.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ____ day of NOV 17 2017. In Iloilo City, Philippines.

(SGD.) IRYL MARK C. ONIN $IÂżDQW TIN 249-101-498 SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___ day of NOV 17 2017 in the City of Iloilo, Philippines, affiant exhibiting to me his competent proof of LGHQWLÂżFDWLRQ VWDWHG DERYH (SGD.) ATTY. MA. ANGELA D. MASACOTE Notary Public For the City and Province of Iloilo Comm. Reg. No. 115, valid until 31 December 2018 PTR No. 5681565, 03 January 2017, Iloilo City IBP No. 1058507, 03 January 2017, Iloilo City MCLE Compliance No. V-0014894, 01 March 2016 Attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roll No. 64235 Email Address: maiangelsmile@ gmail.com G a s c o n Ti n g s o n C a b a l l e r o Lastimoso Pagunsan Law Firm Counsel for Plaintiff Door 3, 2/F Rosary Building, Iznart Street, Iloilo City Telefax: (033) 323-6203 Doc. No. 206; Page No. 43; Book No. VII; Series of 2017.

WHEREFORE, Let Summons and copy of the Complaint be published in the newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks in accordance with Section 14 and 15, Rule 14 of the Revised Rules of Court as amended .

WITNESS, The Hon. Gemma F. Bordon- Tady Acting Presiding Judge of this Court this 17th day of December, 2018 at Hamtic, Antique Philippines.

(SGD.) JOSELINDA F. CRESENCIO-FEBRERO Clerk of Court II MT - Feb. 8, 15, 22 & Mar. 1, 2019

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 209 Mandaluyong City IN RE: PETITION FOR CANCELLATION AND CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF SHEENA MARIE ENDIAPE CALDITO SHEENA MARIE ENDIAPE CALDITO, Petitioner, - versus Case No. R-MND-18-02661-SP THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MANDALUYONG AND THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------------------------------x ORDER 2Q 1RYHPEHU 3HWLWLRQHU 6KHHQD 0DULH (QGLDSH &DOGLWR ÂżOHG WKH LQVWDQW Petition dated 16 November 2018.

Petitioner alleges that she was born on 5 July 1998 in Mandaluyong City, to parents Jhackeline Basijan Endiape and Benjamin Balonggay Caldito, with the birth registered under Registry No. 99-2977.

Petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents caused the annotation of the following entries in the &HUWLÂżFDWH RI /LYH %LUWK under Registry No. 99-2977: ACKNOWLEDGED BY: BENJAMIN B. CALDITO on 5-06-1999 UNDER REGISTRY NO. 99-95 LEGITIMATED BY A SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGE OF PARENTS ON 1-5-1999 AT CALOOCAN CITY From birth up to present, petitioner used the name SHEENA MARIE ENDIAPE CALDITO in all her public and private records, including the following: (1) %DSWLVPDO &HUWLÂżFDWH; (2) 'LSORPD from P. Cruz Elementary School; (3) 'LSORPD from Mataas na Paaralan Neptali Gonzales; (4) &HUWLÂżFDWLRQ from University of Santo Tomas; (5) 666 3HUVRQDO 5HFRUG; and (6) 3KLOKHDOWK ,' Petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s &HUWLÂżFDWH RI /LYH %LUWK under Registry 1R ZDV QRW FKDQJHG WR UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW KHU OHJLWLPDWHG VWDWXV GHVSLWH WKH DQQRWDWLRQ Âł/(*,7,0$7(' %< A SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGE OF PARENTS ON 1-5-1999 AT CALOOCAN CITY.â&#x20AC;? The records of the 3KLOLSSLQH 6WDWLVWLFV $XWKRULW\ DQG RI WKH &DORRFDQ &LW\ /RFDO &LYLO 5HJLVWUDU UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW WKDW SHWLWLRQHUÂśV SDUHQWV were not lawfully married on 5 January 1999 in Caloocan City. Petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father expressly acknowledged petitioner as his daughter and gave consent to the use of the surname Caldito. Thus, Petitioner prays that cancellation and correction in the &HUWLÂżFDWH RI /LYH %LUWK under Registry No. 99-2977 be made as follows:

ENTRY NO. 1

),567 SHEENA MARIE

ENTRY NO. 1

),567 SHEENA MARIE

REMARKS/ANNOTATION:

REMARKS/ANNOTATION:

-FROM0,''/( BASIJAN -TO0,''/( ENDIAPE

/$67 ENDIAPE /$67 CALDITO

-FROMLEGITIMATED BY A SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGE OF PARENTS ON 1-5-1999 AT CALOOCAN CITY -TOCANCELLED

Finding the Petition WR EH VXIÂżFLHQW LQ IRUP DQG VXEVWDQFH WKH VDPH LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ GXH FRXUVH /HW this Petition be set for hearing on 5 March 2019 at 8:30 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning before this Court located at 2nd Floor, New Hall of Justice Bldg., Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City.

Notice is hereby given that anyone who has any objection to the Petition VKRXOG ÂżOH RQ RU WKH GDWH RI hearing his opposition thereto with a statement of the grounds therefor.

Let this Order be posted on the Bulletin Board of the Court and published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines chosen by the Court through UDIĂ&#x20AC;H ERWK DW 3HWLWLRQHUÂśV H[SHQVH )LQDOO\ IXUQLVK WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO DQG WKH UHVSRQGHQWV ZLWK D FRS\ RI WKLV Order and the Petition at Petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expense.

SO ORDERED. 29 November 2018. Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

(SGD.) MONIQUE A. QUISUMBING-IGNACIO Presiding Judge MT - Feb. 8, 15 & 22, 2019

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Lupong Nangangasiwa sa Pabahay at Gamit ng Lupa SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (STR)

PAUNAWA

NOTICE

Ipinagbibigay alam na ang AMEN ESTATES CORPORATION (Mayari at Debeloper) ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta at SDJELOL QJ PJD ³IDUPORW´ VD MARRU FARMS na matatagpuan sa Brgy.

Calicanto, San Juan, Batangas at sinasakop ng Lote Blg. 1332-F of the subd. Plan Psd-04-222349 na may sukat na 31,222 sq.m. sa ilalim ng Titulo Blg. T-172479.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay nasa ilalim ng Executive Order No. 648 (Farmlot Subdivision).

Notice is hereby given that AMEN E S TAT E S C O R P O R AT I O N (Owner/Developer) filed with this Office a sworn registration statement for the sale of farmlots at MARRU FARMS located at Brgy.

Calicanto, San Juan, Batangas and more particularly described as Lot 1332-F of the subd plan, Psd04-222349 containing an area of 31,222 sq.m. and covered by TCT No. T-172479. The project is under Executive Order No. 648 (Farmlot Subdivision).

Lahat ng mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng legal na interes ditto matapos humiling ng pagsusuri at nagbayad ng kaukulang halaga sa tanggapang ito.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee is available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Kapag wala nang sagabal na legal, ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado at maari nang bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito, pagkalipas ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling paglalathala.

Absent legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate in evidence thereof shall forthwith be LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP ODVW day of publication.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika14 ng Pebrero 2019.

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

Recommending Approval:

Recommending Approval:

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Approved by:

Approved by:

(SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

MT - Feb. 22 & Mar. 1, 2019

MT - Feb. 22 & Mar. 1, 2019

Classified Ads

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

This is to inform the general public that during the Board of Directors meeting conducted on June 20, 2018, CENTURY PROMOTIONS AND MANPOWER SERVICES, INC. (CPAMSI), located at #31 Antoinette St., Parkway Village, Brgy.

Apolonio Samson, Quezon City, has elected the following new Chairman of the Board and new Shareholder.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late DEANNA MARIEL M. PALISOC was the subject of a Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate, executed by and among her heirs on Feb. 8, 2019 and acknowledged as Doc. No. 57 on Page No. 12 of Book No. XXXII Series of 2019 before Atty. Florimond C. Rous, a notary public for and in Quezon City.

PLACIDO L. ALIGANGA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Chairman of the Board REY D. LAURENTE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Shareholder MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 22, 2019

Section I. Invitation to Bid Republic of the Philippines Philippine Rural Development Project Invitation to Bid for the Concreting of Poblacion-Pulongguit-guit Farm to Market Road ,GHQWLÂżFDWLRQ 1R 35'3 ,% 5 &$1 Loan No. 8421-PH February 22, 2019 1.

The Government of the Philippines (GoP) has received a Loan from the World Bank towards the cost of Philippine Rural Development Project and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this Loan to payments under the contract for the Concreting of Poblacion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pulongguit-guit Farm to Market 5RDG 35'3 ,% 5 &$1

2.

The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte implementing partner of the Department of Agriculture now invites bids for the Concreting of Poblacion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pulongguit-guit Farm to Market Road.Completion of the Works is required by 245 calendar days. Bidders should have completed, ZLWKLQ WKH ODVW ÂżYH \HDUV D FRQWUDFW VLPLODU WR WKH 3URMHFW 7KH GHVFULSWLRQ RI DQ HOLJLEOH ELGGHU LV contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted in accordance with relevant procedures for open competitive bidding as VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKH ,55 RI 5$ ZLWK VRPH DPHQGPHQWV DV VWDWHG LQ WKHVH ELGGLQJ GRFXPHQWV DQG LV RSHQ WR DOO ELGGHUV IURP HOLJLEOH VRXUFH FRXQWULHV DV GHÂżQHG LQ WKH DSSOLFDEOH SURFXUHPHQW guidelines of the World Bank. The contract shall be DZDUGHG WR WKH /RZHVW &DOFXODWHG 5HVSRQVLYH %LGGHU /&5% ZKR ZDV GHWHUPLQHG DV VXFK GXULQJ SRVW TXDOLÂżFDWLRQ 7KH (VWLPDWHG 3URMHFW &RVW IRU WKLV SURMHFW LV Seventy Million Five Hundred Seventy-Two Thousand Pesos (PhP70,572,000.00).

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Bids and Awards Committee of the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below and also at the 35'3 5HJLRQDO 3URMHFW &RRUGLQDWLRQ 2IÂżFH 9 53&2 9 with DGGUHVV DW 'HSDUWPHQW RI $JULFXOWXUH 5HJLRQDO )LHOG 2IÂżFH 9 6DQ $JXVWLQ 3LOL &DPDULQHV 6XU DQG at the 35'3 6RXWK /X]RQ 3URMHFW 6XSSRUW 2IÂżFH 362 /X]RQ % at 2nd Floor ITCAF Building, Department of Agriculture Compound, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City from 8:30am to 5:00pm, Mondays to Fridays.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders starting February 22, 2019 from the address below, PRDP RPCO V or PRDP PSO Luzon B and upon payment or depositing to the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Savings Account Number 0412-1040-72 a non-refundable fee for the bidding documents in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP5, 000.00). 7KH /*8ÂśV 7UHDVXUHU RIÂżFLDO UHFHLSW RU WKH bank tellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s validated deposit slip serves as your proof of payment.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the PRDP website (prdp.da.gov.ph) provided that bidders shall pay to the LGUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Treasurer or deposit to the LGUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bank account the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

As part of the transparency measures being instituted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) the bidders can virtually visit the site of the above-described subproject at prdp.da.gov.ph where geotagged base photographs on 50-meter interval and track are viewable. The DA, however, requires that all potential contractors who will be awarded contract under the project shall have XQGHUJRQH JHRWDJJLQJ WUDLQLQJ SURYLGHG E\ WKH 35'3 3URMHFW 6XSSRUW 2IÂżFH

6.

The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 12, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at the $XGLR 9LVXDO 5RRP UG Ă&#x20AC;RRU 3URYLQFLDO &DSLWRO %XLOGLQJ 'DHW Camarines Norte, which shall be open to all interested parties.

7.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 0DUFK 2019 at 2:00 P.M. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Securing Declaration.

Bids will be opened on 0DUFK DW 3 0 at the Audio-Visual Room, 3rd Ă&#x20AC;RRU Provincial Capitol Building, Daet, Camarines Norte. Bids will be opened in the presence of the biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information, please refer to: ATTY. DON H. CULVERA Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee &RPPLWWHH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3URYLQFLDO /HJDO 2IÂżFHU UG Ă&#x20AC;RRU 3URYLQFLDO &DSLWRO %XLOGLQJ Daet, Camarines Norte Telephone No.: (054) 440-1288 (SGD.) ATTY. DON H. CULVERA 3URYLQFLDO /HJDO 2IÂżFHU %$& &KDLUPDQ

MT - Feb. 22, 2019

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Cagayan Economic Zone Authority INVITATION TO BID â&#x20AC;&#x153;PROCUREMENT OF TECHNOLOGY-INFUSED SECURITY SERVICES IN THE CAGAYAN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AND FREEPORT FOR THREE (3) YEARSâ&#x20AC;?

1.

The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) through its Corporate Operating Budget for CY 2019 intends to apply the sum of Twenty Million Pesos (P 20,000,000.00), being WKH $SSURYHG %XGJHW IRU WKH &RQWUDFW $%& IRU WKH ÂżUVW \HDU RQO\ DV SD\PHQWV WR WKH procurement of the Technology-Infused Security Services in the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport for Three (3) Years. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

CEZA now invites bids for the procurement of the Technology-Infused Security Services in the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport for Three (3) Years. Delivery of Goods and Services is required for three (3) years which shall commence within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within ÂżYH \HDUV IURP WKH GDWH RI VXEPLVVLRQ DQG UHFHLSW RI ELGV D FRQWUDFW VLPLODU WR WKH 3URMHFW HTXLYDOHQW WR DW OHDVW ÂżIW\ SHUFHQW RI WKH $%& 7KH GHVFULSWLRQ RI DQ HOLJLEOH ELGGHU LV contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nonGLVFUHWLRQDU\ ÂłSDVV IDLO´ FULWHULRQ DV VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKH 5HYLVHG ,PSOHPHQWLQJ 5XOHV DQG 5HJXODWLRQV ,55 RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 5$ RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV WKH Âł*RYHUQPHQW Procurement Reform Actâ&#x20AC;?.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations ZLWK DW OHDVW VL[W\ SHUFHQW LQWHUHVW RU RXWVWDQGLQJ FDSLWDO VWRFN EHORQJLQJ WR FLWL]HQV of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. Interested bidders should be enrolled in the Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) program of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), pursuant to Executive Order No. 398, RR 3-2005, and must be registered under the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS).

,QWHUHVWHG ELGGHUV PD\ REWDLQ IXUWKHU LQIRUPDWLRQ IURP WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &DJD\DQ (FRQRPLF Zone Authority and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders starting February 22, 2019 to March 15, 2019, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (P 25,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

5.

The CEZA BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 4, 2019, 10:00 AM, at 10th Floor *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ ZKLFK shall be open to all interested parties.

6.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before March 18, 2019 at 9:00 AM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Bid opening shall be on March 18, 2019 at 10:00 AM, DW WK )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ %LGV ZLOO EH RSHQHG LQ WKH presence of the Bidderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s representatives who choose to attend at the address stated below.

Please refer to the table below for the cost of the bidding documents and summary of bidding activities:

COST OF BIDDING DOCUMENTS INSPECTION/SELLING PERIOD OF BIDDING DOCUMENTS PRE-BID CONFERENCE DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION OF BIDS (Late bids shall not be accepted) OPENING OF BIDS

8.

P 25,000.00 (Non-Refundable) February 22, 2019 to March 15, 2019, 5:00 PM 10th )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ March 4, 2019, 10:00 AM 10th )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ On or before March 18, 2019, 9:00 AM 10th )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ March 18, 2019, 10:00 AM 10th )ORRU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\

CEZA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: THE BAC SECRETARIAT 10th )OU *UHHQÂżHOG 7RZHU 0D\Ă&#x20AC;RZHU FRU :LOOLDPV 6WV *UHHQÂżHOG 'LVWULFW 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ CP No. 0918-8001351

Issued on February 22, 2019.

(SGD.) DHART E. CARPIO Chairman Bids and Awards Committee MT - Feb. 22, 2019

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 8, 15 & 22, 2019

B7

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

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 15, 22 & Mar. 1, 2019

7.

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE Notice is hereby given that a sale by public auction of abandoned merchandise and other personal properties of former tenants of Greenhills Shopping Center and Tiendesitas with overdue accounts will be conducted through a notary public to be held at the Ground Floor, Connecticut Parking, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City on February 28, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. All interested bidders are invited to participate.

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

Agri Business Searca pushes calamansiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revival B8

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

EDITOR: Conrad M. CariĂąo

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

T

O improve the calamansi industry in Oriental Mindoro, the largest producer of calamansi in the country, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) has embarked on a new project in collaboration with several partners and funding from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research.

It was during a seminar covened

by Searca on February 12 with horticulture experts from the 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPPINES ,OS "AĂ&#x201E;OS 50," WHEN APPROACHES were developed for the scoping activity and baseline studies of the new project titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Upgrading the

Calamansi Value Chain towards Improving the Calamansi Industry of Oriental Mindoro.â&#x20AC;?

The project aims to address the technical and market constraints that confront the calamansi industry along the value chain, and bring together the strengths

of research institutions in collaboration with local government UNITS ,'5S AND OTHER CALAMANSI stakeholders in Oriental Mindoro.

Searcaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partners in the projECT ARE 50," 4OKYO 5NIVERSITY of Agriculture, Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT), and the provincial and municipal governments of Oriental Mindoro.

The Victoria Kalamansi Farmers Federation is the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partner-beneficiary.

During the seminar, horticulture experts, including Calixto Protacio and Domingo Angeles, both full professors at the InstiTUTE OF #ROP 3CIENCE OF THE 50," College of Agriculture and Food Science, also discussed the status and prospects of the calamansi

industry in Oriental Mindoro.

Protacio presented the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Analysis of Calamansi Production Practices in Oriental Mindoro,â&#x20AC;? while Angeles talked about the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Calamansi Sub-sector Industry Situationer, Challenges, Programs, and Reasearch, Development and Extension Needs.â&#x20AC;?

Protacio said that based on his 2017 to 2018 study that covered calamansi farms in the towns of Calapan, Naujan, Victoria, Socorro and Pola, only those farms with access to water year-round were able to achieve off-season production.

His study also showed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;low fertilization input towards production invariably resulted in low production and income.â&#x20AC;?

In addition to Protacioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report, Angeles noted that other con-

w w w.manilatimes.net

straints in calamansi production in Oriental Mindoro included lack of supply of quality planting materials, low prices during the peak season, lack of access to service providers, and poor farmto-market roads.

Meanwhile, Jose Medina, overall project coordinator of Piloting and Upscaling Effective Models of Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (PUEM-Isard), also shared lessons and experiences in said the Isard project that started in 2015.

PUEM-Isard is a collaborative action research of Searca, Min3#!4 AND THE ,'5S OF /RIENTAL Mindoro.

Medina stressed the importance of investing on Mindoro farmers, directing new paths of partner-

ship, life-long learning for family, incorporating start-up funds, institutionalizing group savings and lending system, and creating a knowledge management center for calamansi farmers.

Christine Pine, Oriental Mindoro provincial agriculturist, also shared from the perspective of the local community the vision for the calamansi industry in the province.

Pine said there was a need to increase year-round production of high-quality fresh calamansi fruits, increase farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; income, increase adaptive capacity of calamansi farmers to climate change, develop and sustain new local and export markets, and establish a functional industry cluster that complements the agriculture and food industry sectors.

Marinduque finds cash in buri palm

Q Apali can be processed into various food products like nuggets that can form part of a vegetarian meal or diet. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Apali shows promise for processing ONE of the least known root crops in the Philippines is apali, which can be processed into various products like nuggets, which can be made part of a vegetarian meal or diet.

The apali nuggets even emerged third place in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Product Awardâ&#x20AC;? during the First Mindanao Technology Commercialization Forum held in Davao City on Nov. 24, 2018. The event showcased different innovative products generated from supported research of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of

Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) in six regions of Mindanao.

Jorgea Galindo of the Research Division of the DA-Davao Region said apali was highly nutritious and had medicinal properties.

The crop is mostly found in marginal, mostly secluded areas, and is a climate-resilient crop that withstand long drought. It is also resistant to pest and diseases, and easy to manage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have collected and studied different varieties of apali. This research initiative is also in harmony with the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort to

promote the use of underutilized crops, such as the apali and potentially address food security,â&#x20AC;? she said.

The DA-Davao Region office also developed appropriate culture and management for apali, including soil and planting requirements, harvesting and postharvest.

In their study, it was found that a hectare of Apali can yield 25 to 70 tons, following the production management system they developed.

4HE REGIONAL OFkCE ALSO DEVELoped various products from apali.

Since it has potato-like characteristics, apali can be processed into jams, ice cream and candies, among others. The latest product to be developed from apali are nuggets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It (nugget) comes from raw tuber of apali. We extracted the starch. The leftover, called sapal, is then processed into nuggets,â&#x20AC;?

Galindo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Feedback from those who have tasted the apali nuggets cited that, they were delicious, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;parang ulam daw â&#x20AC;&#x2122; (it was like viand),â&#x20AC;? she added.

CONRAD M. CARIĂ&#x2018;O

MARINDUQUE, considered the heart of the Philippine archipelago, has found a cash crop in the humble buri palm.

In a report, Michael CapiĂąa, faculty-researcher from the Marinduque State College (MSC) in Boac, Marinduque, stated that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The buntal fiber industry and buntal handloom weaving are two important income-generating activities in the province of Marinduque.â&#x20AC;?

Buri, buntal and raffia fibers are obtained from buri palm. Buri is the matured leaf of the palm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Raffia, on the other hand, is the young shoot or leaf of the palm, while buntal is the fiber extracted from the petiole of the palm,â&#x20AC;? according to CapiĂąa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to the abundance of raw materials of buntal fiber and the skills both in extracting fiber and loom-weaving, along with the intensive product innovation and new product development, through the assistance from the Marinduque State College and DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), the industry promises opportunity for providing employment to all buntal fiber industry stakeholders, thereby augmenting the income for their livelihood,â&#x20AC;? said Antonio Papa, scientist and consultant at MSC.

According to the DTI office in Marinduque, the total value of processed buntal in the province ranges from P2 million to P4 million between 2007 to 2010.

Meanwhile, the Fiber Industry Development Authority reported that around 12.5 metric tons of buntal fiber is produced on the average nationwide. Besides Marinduque, the other major producers of buntal fiber are Bohol, Pangasinan, Palawan and Quezon Province.

In Marinduque, a total of 326.32 hectares of land are planted with buri palm trees, with a total of 91,646 standing trees.

Boac and Sta. Cruz have the largest number of buri palm trees at 33,050 and 29,653, respectively.

Also, there are 21 buntal fiber producers in Marinduque alone. In the province, the weekly demand for buntal fiber of the two major processors of buntal-based products runs up to 84 kilos or approximately 4,032 kilos per year.

In the province, the potential income from buri palms per year is estimated at P10.3 million if harvesting is done twice per year, and can increase to P15.6 million if harvesting is done three times a year.

THE TIMES

Reinventing PH agriculture at this critical time (Second of two parts) HE other Friday (February 15), President Rodrigo Duterte SIGNED INTO LAW THE 2ICE 4ARIFkCAtion Bill and, as expected, different types of reaction followed with some quarters calling for its repeal.

7HILE ) SEE lAWS IN THE 2ICE 4ARIFkCATION ,AW ) BELIEVE ITS PROPER IMPLEMENTATION CAN BENEkT THE countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rice industry particularly the rice farmers. Good governance must be considered an overarching principle in the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations as well as its on-time implementation, and this should apply to the implementation of THE 2ICE 4ARIFkCATION ,AW )N THE kRST PART OF THIS COLUMN series, I even said the country must make its rice industry competitive and we have the next six years to make this a reality. A very robust monitoring and evaluation system must be put in place where the private sector and non-government organizations must be engaged and participate actively.

T

Competitiveness is key The Philippines can export any farm or food product if it can

WAYS OF THE OASIS DR. WILLIAM DAR offer competitive prices for the international markets. And who knows â&#x20AC;&#x201D; by 2024, the price of producing palay (unmilled rice) in the Philippines can improve to P6-P8 from the current P10P12, or at par with Vietnam and Thailand. Hence, exporting rice can become a possibility.

I learned the yearly P10 billion to be allocated for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) from rice tariff collections will be invested as follows: P5 billion for mechanization; P3 billion for high-yielding hybrid rice seeds and research; P1 billion for training of farmers; and P1 billion for farm credit. This investment is a good start but not enough.

The proper implementation of the RCEF in the next six years from 2019 is a step in the right direction in making the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rice sector competitive. But more needs to be done!

Among the farm advocacy

groups that has watched developments in the rice industry and has feasible ideas for is Agila, of which I have also exchanged ideas with.

One of Agilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feasible recommendations to prevent the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rice sector from going belly up from rice imports is establishing common service facilities such as rice storage silos and warehouses for use by farmers. Also, a registry for the common services facilities, and farm machines and rice postharvest equipment be established.

Agila recommends improving the capabilities of the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy wet palay and remove its moisture content limits in its grains procurement protocol. The law mandates NFA to buy rice from local farmers for buffer stocking and for government employee BENEkTS AND DISASTER RELIEF I also agree with Agilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommendation to reintroduce the Quedan concept allowing farmers to store their harvests at the NFA warehouses during harvest time, and selling the harvests when prices are acceptable and/or competitive.

As for the long-neglected issue of insurance for the agriculture sector, Agila recommends that

crops and the farmers and even fishers themselves be insured.

There are existing comprehensive insurance systems in Cebu and Negros covering farmers and kSHERS THAT CAN BE REPLICATED IN other parts of the Philippines with funding from RCEF. And lastly, I agree with Agila THAT THE YEARLY INCOME OF ,AND Bank of the Philippines be reallocated or earmarked for direct lending to smallholder farmers AND EVEN kSHERS

Crop diversification is needed Also for high-value crops, the same level of spending be allocated for irrigation, research and development (R&D), institutional strengthening of farmers associations and cooperatives, and establishing linkages with the market, including the big/major players in the agri-industrial and food industries. I even see these issues as critical to making the rice industry truly competitive.

More importantly, high-value agriculture should be given the same attention that the rice industry will be getting in the next six years

through other funding mechanisms and the policies spawning from the 2ICE 4ARIFkCATION ,AW 3UCH STEPS will lead to the reinvention of the whole agriculture sector to make it globally competitive.

The components under RCEF Â&#x2021; MECHANIZATION CERTIkED SEEDS

training and credit â&#x20AC;&#x201D; plus irrigation, R&D, cooperatives development and farmer-industry linkages can form much of the foundation for reinventing the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agriculture sector, paving the way for its modernization and industrialization. I say this because based on figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority, palay production in 2017 amounting to P350 billion accounted for about 35 percent of total agriculture production pegged at P964 billion.

Meanwhile, corn accounted for P94.29 billion or almost 10 percent of the agriculture sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production value in 2017.

I have observed that a number of technologies in the rice industry are applicable in the corn inDUSTRY LIKE MECHANIZATION OF kELD operations, drying and storage of grains, among others. Hence â&#x20AC;&#x153;technologizationâ&#x20AC;? of the rice

INDUSTRY WILL HAVE SIGNIkCANT SPILL over effects on the corn industry.

I even believe the accelerated mechanization of the rice industry under RCEF with P5 billion annual funding can spur the development of our farm equipment fabrication industry that will significantly BENEkT MUCH OF THE COUNTRY S AGRIculture sector. The farm mechanization level of the Philippines is 2.0 hp/hectare, which is below the 4.0 hp/hp of countries like South Korea and China.

We must also give attention to the other crop sub-sectors to improve their efficiencies and outputs, particularly coconut that had a value production of P130.34 billion or about 13.5 percent of the sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production value for 2017, followed by banana at P147.65 billion or 15.30 percent. And coconut products and bananas are two of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top exports raking in at least $1 billion each annually.

So, besides making the rice industry competitive, what else do we need to reinvent the agriculture during this critical time?

I will discuss that in my next column starting off with collective action.

~

The Manila Times FRIDAY

Febuary 22, 2019 facebook@BoardRoomWatch

twitter@BoardRoomWatch

C 1

instagram@BoardRoomWatch

Cesar Suarez Cayas CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, NEW MARKETLINK PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION

CITY OF DREAMS Manila represented “the land of gold and honey” to the young Cayas.

So, to get his share, he hid aboard a Suplicio liner for the 42-hour journey to the capital city.

HEAVENLY HELP His relatives in Samar were surprised to see him turn up 20 years later in a shiny Honda Civic. He owes his survival to God, whom he refers to as the “Great Master.”

STREETWISE As a student enrolled at the Asian Institute of Management, he learned that what enabled him to survive the mean streets was being taught in the institution’s classrooms.

HOW A FORMER STOWAWAY SUCCEEDED IN BUILDING A BILLIONPESO BUSINESS

HEALING THE WAY INTO FILIPINOS’ LIVES

1992

Began operations as Marketlink International Corp. (MIC) with an initial salesforce of

The rise of a (super) salesman

30 REPS STRENGTH 1.31B

1.37B

2015

2016

1.27B

1.02B 888M

2013

2014

2017

P1.27B

Annual sales turnover by

2017

16%

Average compound annual growth rate vs. industry average of

BY ANTONIO ALABASTRO Photos by Hermes Singson HAVING RECORDED HIS FIRM’S first billion sales in 2014, Cesar Suarez Cayas, a former stowaway, who sailed away from Samar with 50 pesos at age 16, tells Boardroom Watch how he intends to achieve his second billionpeso sales.

“All the six companies I handled became billion-peso companies.

(One billion pesos can buy nine Hybrid Electric Trains developed by the Department of Science and Technology).

Creating opportunities “Manage the portfolio. Increase brands. Create competence and value in people. Expand channel reach.

Create opportunities to expand outside the Philippines. From 2,800

of

channels, make it 4,000 this year.

From 13 principals, make it 16.

“The secret is to teach the millennial generation. Forty three percent of my 300-strong manpower are millennials, a rate that is growing every year. Implement the Mastermind Game in an online discussion to train fast. Build up the culture. Having a good model and an excellent mentor makes a mabusilak (radiant) company.

Cayas, 63, is chief operating officer of New Marketlink Pharmaceutical Corporation, named one of the country’s top 30 pharmaceutical companies in 2016. His 2018 sales target was P1.68 billion. The January and February quotas have been reached.

Cayas fled his 1970 graduation and honorable mention award at the Samar School of Arts and Trades, a vocational high school, as an istokwa (stowaway) on board a Suplicio Lines

inter-island ship for the 42-hour trip to Manila. He recalls: “I wanted to continue my studies in Manila, which I heard was a land of gold and honey.”

He disembarked at North Harbor, which was “dark and full of half-naked and tattooed kargador (porters). I took a jeepney and alighted at the end of the line at Luneta (Rizal Park).”

He did not contact his family until 20 years later when he parked his brand -ew automatic 1.5 VTEC Honda Civic, a high performance, low-consumption sub-compact car, in front of his parent’s shanty in Catbalogan, Samar’s capital. He was the regional manager for Astra Pharmaceutical Philippines, a Swedish company.

Big City dreamer “My relatives didn’t believe I would survive. Somebody was doing it for me. All my successes, I owe it to

the Great Master. Someone was carrying me from Samar. Cayas mentions Footprints in the Sand, a popular allegorical text written which goes: “During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

Cayas is the third child of 10 born to Pascual Jr., a buy-and-sell fish monger and public market collector, and Candida, a housewife. Mother Pascual belonged to the influential Cinco clan of Samar. The original surname was Singko untll its spelling was changed to when the Japanese were arresting Chinese people during the war.

Candida’s mother, Pilar Suarez, reportedly owned the first cinema in town, 20 deep-sea fishing boats and hectares of land, which were slowly sold in tight times. Candida’s

5-6% BUSINESS PARTNERS

44,000 Medical practitioners

60% Composed of general, family and internal medicine practitioners and pediatricians

6,045

Presence in drug chain store branches of Mercury Drug, Watson’s, South Star, Rose Pharmacy and Generica

722

Presence in nationwide hospitals

³ Cesar Suarez Cayas C4

Shine this season with top-of-the-line fashion, beauty care and bijou pages C2 and C3

BRW Issue93 0222 Cesar Cayas.indd 1

20/02/2019 11:52 PM

~

C 2

The Manila Times FRIDAY

Febuary 22, 2019

ON T H E COR POR AT E SCEN E

Leaders, Award-Winning Performers

T

he American Association of the Philippines (AAP) celebrated their 71st anniversary, the George Washington Charity Ball, last February 16 at Makati Shangri-La Manila. The event featured rockstar Arnel Pineda, international singer Keith Martin and Prince Ronnie Love of The Temptations.

The Arnel Pineda Foundation Incorporated co-presented the event. This year, seven global leaders were honored:

Producer Bernard Cloma, Arch. Kaydee Velasco, Frontrow CEO Sam Verzosa, Tag Media Group COO Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas, Entrepreneur Jenny Munar, Athlete and Performer Reujen Lista, Fiscal Danny Yang, Amb. Omar Fajardo and DTI ASEC Ameenah Fajardo

Entrepreneurs of the Year: American Association of the Philippines Honors Raymond “RS” Francisco and Sam Verzosa of Frontrow International

Sam Verzosa during the acceptance of the award

AAP Member and Singer Andria Terese Nicolas, Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas, Sam Verzosa and Malaysian Ambassador Rizwany Irwan

Ambassador Sung Kim U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Michael Tolentino, M.D. Doctor State of the Art Researcher in Ophthalmologist Science Co-Founder of Tolentino Eye Research Foundation Co-Founder of Several Private Equity Specializing in Healthcare Arnel Pineda Founder, Arnel Pineda Foundation, Inc. (APFI) Singer/Songwriter Lead singer of Journey Kevin Tan Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Global Group, Inc. Sam Verzosa Chief Executive Officer of Frontrow International Raymond Francisco President of Frontrow International Craig Reines Chief Operating Officer of Sitel-Asia Pacific Frontrow International was honored for providing Filipinos with jobs, hosting regular gift-giving programs for indigent children and collaborating with various foundations involved in these endeavors.

This Filipino-owned company enjoys a unique status as the bold, new face of multi-level marketing. Through its line of health and wellness products, it has carved a niche for itself in the highly competitive beauty industry. Today, it enjoys the lead as a forward-driven company that has over 800,000 active distributors across the globe.

Despite its youth, it has garnered numerous awards from peers in the business sector. In 2010, the Philippines Yearbook: The All New Power 88 recognized Frontrow International as the “hottest multilevel firm of today’s generation.” The next year, it was honored as the “Most Empowering Wellness, Business & Career Opportunities Company” at the Top Brand Awards. In 2017, Frontrow received the coveted “Best Company of the Year” award from the Asian Networkers Convention and Expo.

Led by RS Francisco and Samuel Verzosa, Frontrow International has committed to itself to its mission to empower every Filipino to live their life to the fullest.

The event was hosted by The Manila Times, Business Writer, Entrepreneur and AAP Trustee, Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas with Entrepreneur, Coastguard Lieutenant and AAP Trustee, May Thorssen. The Chairman of AAP, Rick Sobreviñas, led the ceremony.

It aimed to raise funds for the following purposes: t t

Producer Bernard Cloma, International Singer Keith Martin and Sam Versoza

Arnel Pineda and Sam Verzosa

U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim and Sam Verzosa

Providing scholarships for the children of Americans, Fil-Ams and Filipinos Assisting beneficiaries obtain necessary documents and indigent Americans with temporary funds, repatriation and other citizenship needs

The AAP celebrates the partnership of its members—the American community, the U.S. Embassy, and the American corporations—which in 1949, helped the struggling local Americans displaced by World War II in the Philippines. AAP is also the ownerin-trust of the American Historical Collection, with approximately 60,000 volumes about the American colonial period and post-war events that were once housed in the U.S. Embassy.

With the support of its different partnerships and members, AAP is able to conduct its social welfare projects.

‘M. Butterfly’ national tour 2019 all set for six-city run from February to June

T

he M. Butterfly National Tour 2019 is all set to reach major cities namely Iloilo, Dumaguete, Cebu, Davao, Manila and Baguio.

Presented by Tony and Grammy awardwinning producer Jhett Tolentino and Frontrow Entertainment, the event aims to bring this world-class masterpiece to those who did not have the opportunity to catch its 2018 Manila run. Location should never limit one’s exposure to the arts and culture.

Its producers are taking steps to carry out their mission and advocacy in the performing arts and to further enhance audience development throughout the Philippines.

The revival production of David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly won various 2018 Aliw Awards including Best Play. The original premiered on Broadway two decades ago.

The producers are hoping that this classic drama resonate with audiences from across the country that “love, power and deception holds no boundaries–whether this be in a rural or urban setting.”

RS Francisco, last year’s Aliw Awards Best Actor for M. Butterfly will reprise his portrayal of Song Liling. He first essayed this role in May 1990 for Dulaang UP, opposite veteran actor, writer and critic Behn Cervantes. Its debut rose to critical acclaim with packed houses and box office successes in over 100 performances across the country.

When M. Butterfly was revived recently

BRW Issue93 0222 Cesar Cayas.indd 2

on Broadway, Francisco had thought of bringing it to life once again to today’s theater audiences.

Young actor Aira Igarta will assume the role of Song Liling as alternate in certain performances. Trained by the likes of Tony Fabella and Luther Perez, Aira was originally a dance and voice scholar at Quezon City Performing Arts Foundation (QCPADFI).

French actor Olivier Borten will take the role of Rene Gallimard while Philippine theater royalty Jenine Desiderio will portray Gallimard’s wife Helga.

Veteran Scottish stage actor, Norm McLeod, steps onto the Philippine stage as Manuel Toulon, Gallimard’s superior at the Beijing embassy, while trilingual American actor Lee O’Brian will personify Marc, Gallimard’s best friend.

Portraying the roles of Suzuki, Comrade Chin and Shu Fang is well-rounded artist Mayen Estañero. Her performance in last year’s run landed her an Aliw Awards nomination for Best Featured Actress.

Aliw Awards Best Actress finalist Maya Encila receives her third nomination for her unique characterization of Renee and PinUp Girl in M. Butterfly while soprano Jasmin Salvo will be the new opera singer for the event.

The members of the ensemble playing the role of Kurogo are Pheith Iena Ballug, Ullyses Basa, Sasa Cabalquinto, Franco Ferrer and John Paul Ortenero.

PLAYDATES: MANILA VENUE: Maybank Performing Arts Theater May 8-Wednesday Opening Night–8 p.m.

May 9-Thursday-8 p.m.

May 10-Friday-8 p.m.

May 11-Saturday-2 p.m./8 p.m.

May 12-Sunday-2 p.m./8 p.m.

May 15–Wednesday–8 p.m.

May 16–Thursday–8 p.m.

May 17–Friday–8 p.m.

May 18–Saturday–2 p.m./8 p.m.

May 19–Sunday–2 p.m./8 p.m.

RS Francisco puts on an impressive performance as he transforms into the iconic Song Liling Song Liling (RS Francisco) and René Gallimard (Olivier Borten) share a moment on the first leg of M Butterfly, held last September 2018

For Iloilo, Davao, Cebu and Baguio, purchase tickets at any SM Mall nationwide or online at SMTickets. com. For Dumaguete, purchase tickets at the Culture and Arts Council Office, Silliman University by calling +63 35 422 4365, +63 917 300 0346 or +63 999 797 7825. For Manila, purchase tickets at TicketWorld by calling +632 891 9999 or visiting ticketworld.com. To learn more, follow M. Butterfly at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube at MButterflyPH. For further inquiries, contact Jhett Tolentino at +63 906 576 6914.

20/02/2019 11:52 PM

~

The Manila Times FRIDAY

Febuary 22, 2019

C 3

REGAL CARE FKC International Chereine Royal is the brandnew line formulated by top scientists and nutritionists, introduced by skincare company Friendship, Kindness and Care (FKC) International.

French for “Dear Queen,” it promotes skincare solutions with all-natural ingredients and cutting-edge technology, suitable for all walks of life. The brand boosts its popularity with brand ambassador Pia Lamberg (pictured), who represented Finland in the Miss Universe pageant in 2011. This former title holder exemplifies the brand’s commitment to women of all persuasions.

of

Shine this season with top-of-the-line fashion, beauty care and bijou

To learn more about Chereine Royal, follow @ChereinePH on Facebook and Instagram.

PICK OF THE SEASON

CELESTIAL SHINE Cartier The cosmos serves as inspiration for the jewelry giant’s latest collection, Le Galaxies de Cartier. Tahitian pearls orbit two white gold cage-bracelets, while pink gold, diamonds and milky quartz reflect each other like meteorites. Yellow and blue sapphires, opals and diamonds blend to mimic the Earth from afar. Diamonds rest on a base of metaquartzite, a metamorphic rock crisscrossed with inclusions of gold pyrite, adding sparkle to the piece.

DKNY

Put a spring in your step with the latest collection from fashion house DKNY. Channeling the essence of the brand, bold city edginess and understated glam merge together in the pieces allowing its wearer to bloom. The selection includes textural fabrics, bold graphics and classic silhouettes in shades of ivory, navy and black.

Enhancing feminine silhouettes are bold pinstripes and metallics, which reflects the modern woman: strong, bright and adventurous.

The suit selection provides professionals with a variety of lightweight fabrics, perfect for on-the-go alpha females, as it allows them maximum comfort without compromising style and shape. The twopiece workday suit receives a trendy update, featuring tailored shorts.

Spring heralds color with DKNY Sport’s bright hues of radiant red, envy green and sunflower with pops of mulberry and sky blue.

Update your wardrobe with the season’s staples such as track jackets, bodysuits and sneaker dresses and maximize your style by layering outfits. Most of the pieces in the collection proudly show off the DKNY logo, including intimates, outerwear and footwear.

In accessories, the straw bag plays with texture and structure while the belt bag is fresh and functional.

Cartier is located at Greenbelt 4 and Shangri-La Plaza. Follow @ Cartier on Instagram for more information.

DKNY is located at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La and Greenbelt 5 among others.

GIRL’S BEST FRIEND Beauty Bar Beauty enthusiasts can now get their fill of essentials for the year.

These include 23.5ON, botanicalbased Taiwanese skincare, offering Pineapple Exfoliating Collection that softens and renews skin to a silky complexion. Another is French brand Evoluderm, providing alcohol and paraben-free products including the popular Micellar Cleansing Foam. Burt’s Bees pampers and protects one’s lips with their Innovative Lip Care Regimen. Rest assured, there’s something for every type of woman.

Beauty Bar is located at Alabang Town Center, Eastwood, Glorietta 2 and Greenbelt 5 among others. To learn more, visit beautybar.com.ph, BeautyBarPH on Facebook and @BeautyBarPH on Instagram.

BRW Issue93 0222 Cesar Cayas.indd 3

20/02/2019 11:52 PM

~

C 4

The Manila Times FRIDAY

EDITOR: Margie T. Logarta DESIGN: Jose Ricardo G. Velarde

Febuary 22, 2019

Q Cesar Suarez Cayas FROM C1

The rise of a (super) salesman grandfather Suarez reportedly had Mexican-Spanish blood. Her greatgrandfather reportedly came from the Chinese-Mongolian side who migrated to Samar. Candida fell in love with the overseer’s son, Cayas father, who bought small fish in small tubs, one or two banner of hasa-hasa (short mackerel) and sapsap (ponyfish, slipmouth) to sell.

Cayas used to join his father at dawn to buy the newly landed fish on shore and help sell them on weekends. Having known his parents couldn’t afford to send him to college, Cayas hied off to Manila, a place he visited for the first time. For two years, he slept on the the bleachers of the Quirino Grandstand, named after a former president, facing Manila Bay. He took baths at the Rizal Park’s comfort rooms, which, according to iconic newsman Doroy Valencia, once the Park’s official gardener and caretaker, “were so clean, you could eat there.”

He came across 12 other istokwas and taught them how to be Takatak Boys, selling candies by the piece and cigarettes by the stick. Takatak is the sound made by sliding the wooden case’s cover to attract the attention of jeepney drivers and passengers stalled by traffic on the middle of the road. Takatak Boy, My Life, 1970-1972 is printed in capital letters under Work Experience on his three-page, single space resume. The Takatak Story will be expanded in a future book, From Street to Boardroom, Cayas is planning to launch on his 65th birthday based on diary entries he started writing during his 21-year stay at Astra Philippines from 1997.

Lessons from the street Astra sent him to the Asian Institute of Management for a twoyear Basic Management Course. He learned that the street-selling skills he learned as a street vendor were the same principles taught at AIM. Customer profiling: He retailed Stork menthol candies by the piece and local Marlboro Red and Champion cigarettes by the stick to drivers “because it was all they could afford to pay for.” The drivers also looked for imported cigarettes “since our life is already hard, at least we can puff a stick of Blue Seal.” He earned 15 pesos a day.

Territory management: He covered Intramuros, Lawton and Quiapo, the route of jeepneys going to and coming from the South Harbor (Pier) in Port Area, Manila.

Finding customers: Newsmen who smoked like chimneys nested at the four-story National Press Club (NPC) on Magallanes Drive, beside Jones Bridge, the National Post Office and the Pasig River in Intramuros. He found a supplier by the river, who sold Blue Seal for 100 pesos a ream, payable the same day, after he collected 150 pesos. One ream has 10 packs of 20 cigarettes and lasts two days. His customers included Tony Zumel (former two-time NPC president who went underground during Martial Law), Primitivo Mijares (lawyer-journalist who penned The Conjugal Dictatorship and eventually disappeared without a trace), Nereo Andolong (another former NPC president, sportsman and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes chairman), Blas F. Ople (columnist who became Senate President and Secretary of Labor) and Joe Guevara (long-time columnist of The Manila Times) and others.

MAKINGS OF A CHAMP Cesar Suarez Cayas didn’t reach his star corporate status through family connections, but rather through perseverance and an “I can do it” attitude. He did it his way.

Q I learned patience from my father.

EASY LEADER. Cayas respects others’ ideas. During brainstorming, he allows people to talk and realize their potential.

Conferring with company Executive Secretary Carla Desano at the Sales Services section (below)

the art of dreaming. What I want, I dream, I get. I also put a timeline.

Q Astra showed me how to do things in a professional manner, in a professional way.

Its president, the late Rodolfo Garcia, was a wizard marketer.

Q My name card is transparent because it shows I am a transparent person. We do business the transparent way.

Q I model the way. I do field work in areas with people facing challenges. I show them how to do it.

I never learned to smoke although I sold cigarettes. Others smoked away their earnings.

The money I saved went to my tuition Value added service: He delivered on the newsmen’s tables reams of 555, Champion Blue, Pall Mall Green, Marlboro and other imported smokes in the morning and collected payment in the afternoon.

Having saved 750 pesos, he enrolled at the Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) College of Engineering in Quiapo after registration at the sosyal (fancy) Mapua Institute of Technology in Intramuros had already closed earlier. He paid 350 pesos as tuition and 150 pesos for the ROTC uniform.

As an ROTC cadet officer, he earned the privilege of moving over to MLQU’s Department of Military Science and Tactics headquarters from the Quirino Grandstand, his home for two years.

Entrepreneural skills: During the Sunday Reserve Officers Training Corps sessions in Fort Bonifacio, Makati, he solved the thirst of 7,000 cadets by contacting Coke and Pepsi to sell their soft drinks at 25 centavos a bottle, with a 10 centavo profit going to the ROTC organization. He engaged Women’s Auxilliary Traning Corps cadettes to help prepare sandwiches the day before to sell to the thirsty cadets. The ROTC organization had its coffers full.

Exchange deal: He invited tailors to supply ROTC uniforms to cadets in exchange for free uniforms to officers.

Negotiation skills: To maintain his scholarship, he convinced terror professors to change his grades to 85 in exchange for helping others

pass the ROTC course as a graduation prerequisite. A working scholar, he graduated cum laude in Management Engineering in 1976.

Discipline: He extended his advance ROTC training at Camp Mateo Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal and was awarded during the war games and jungle survival courses. He was commissioned second lieutenant (1975-1976) and finished the probationary six-month training by joining civil works and medical missions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

From clerk to supervisor in four years at Porcelain Mariwasa, a pioneer ceramics firm making Noritake tableware, Cayas entered the pharmaceutical industry. His wife, Lorna, a company nurse at Philippine Blooming Mills, the country’s biggest integrated steel mill in the 1960s, encouraged him to shift employment.

She retired to be a housewife. Astra

LIFE SHOTS. (Clockwise) Cayas plans to write a book based on his early life once his retires from NMPC in a few years, enjoying a cycling spree in the countryside and family takes precedence for Cayas (center in blue), who enjoys some travel time when schedules permit with his wife Lorna, kids and grandchildren

BRW Issue93 0222 Cesar Cayas.indd 4

Q I learned from my mother

Philippines sent Cayas to local and overseas training, where he rose from medical representative to regional field sales manager, receiving the Astra Gem Award for his over two decades of service.

Harnessing manpower To contribute toward countryside development, New Marketlink is helping 400 farmers grow in seven Palawan communities organic leaves of lagundi (Vitex negundol L.), a medical herb. Cayas says: “When we were promoting lagundi herbal medicine, we were called vegetable sellers or albularyo (folk healers). The lagundi herbal medicine industry market is now estimated at one billion pesos, from only five million pesos in 2002 when Cayas and a small team started making lagundi cough medicine at Altermed Corporation, a subsidiary of a local pharmaceutical company, Pascual Drugs.

Q Teaching is my passion. I want to bring back what I borrowed from nature.

As the market grows, more raw materials are needed.

Powdered lagundi leaves are processed into Lagundex tablets and syrup for the relief of mild and moderate cough caused by common cold, flu and asthma among adults and children. Lagundex is also exported to Asia.

“Cultivating lagundi is better than palay (rice grain),” Cavas explains. “The raw leaves from Palawan are healthier and free from pollution.

A tree produces three to four kilos of leaves harvested four times a year and sold for 280 pesos per kilo.” Lagundi is one of the 10 medicinal herbs approved by the Department of Health, Grace Reyes, Lagundex brand manager, informs Boardroom Watch.

Cayas’ management style is practical and easy to follow. He sums it up saying: “Business is all about people.

Convert knowledge of people into skills. Ideas have no exclusivity. I do brainstorming, allow people to talk and draw out their potential.

“Focus on the person’s and company’s values. The corporate values in the six companies I joined are very strong, and they are now billion-peso companies. We should be very successful. There are about 1,240 people depending on us for food, shelter and clothing. That’s our 300-strong manpower and our dependents.

But this leader is toughest on himself. “Be disciplined,” he says. “I never learned to smoke although I sold cigarettes. Others smoked away their earnings. The money I saved went to my college tuition.

“Life is unfair: There are many chances you can fail. Be resilient.

Bounce back. Keep rising. Never give up.

I slept in Luneta for two years, had two sticks of banana cue and a bottle of Sunta orange drink for lunch and survived college with my entrepreneurship skills.

Twenty years later, this prodigal son returned to his hometown as a car-driving successful drug salesman.

“Take calculated risks. My siblings are still in Samar, happy with their 15 to 30 jobs as salaried employees. Success is relative. The more successful I am, the more I have relatives–because I took calculated risks.” And boy, have they paid off, catapulting Cayas into a spectacular stratosphere.

20/02/2019 11:53 PM

Sports

D1

FFRIDAY FFEBRUARY 22, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

BOXER SHORTS

Q Manny Pacquiao works the mitts

ED C. TOLENTINO

T

Blood and glove

HE skills were as raw as the video footage, but a number of boxing fans still took down notes because the kid involved happens to be Emmanuel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jimuelâ&#x20AC;? Pacquiao Jr., the son of boxingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only eightdivision champion Manny Pacquiao.

Jimuel recently took part in an exhibition bout opposite Lucas Carson and unloaded some looping right hands in their brief encounter. The exhibition match was declared a draw, but you can sense that the kid cannot wait to get back in the ring.

Jimuel following in the footsteps of his father is not really new in pro boxing. There have been instances in the past when the son also laced on the gloves in the hope of becoming a world champion like his father.

Unfortunately, only a handful succeeded.

Believe it or not, it was not until April 14, WHEN PRO BOXING PRODUCED ITS kRST father-and-son world champ tandem. On said date, Mexican Guty Espadas Jr. scored a technical decision victory over Filipino Luisito Espinosa to win the vacant WBC featherweight (126 lbs.) championship.

Espadas Jr. followed in the footsteps of his father Guty Espadas Sr., who captured the 7"! lYWEIGHT LBS CROWN IN /CTOber 1976 with a 13th round stoppage of Alfonso Lopez.

For the record, American Tracy Harris Patterson won the WBC junior featherweight (122 lbs.) title in June 1992 to duplicate his father Floyd Pattersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world title feat in 1956 (knocked out Archie Moore for the world heavyweight crown). However, it should be stressed that Tracy Harris was the adopted son of Floyd Patterson. The EspaDASES ARE THE kRST FULL BLOODED FATHER AND SON duoto be crowned world boxing champions.

Three years after Espadas Jr.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic feat, in March 2003, it was the turn of the Spinkses to join the list. American Cory Spinks won the IBF welterweight (147 lbs.) title to follow in the footsteps of his father Leon Spinks who won the heavyweight title in February 1978 by beating Muhammad Ali. Cory Spinks enjoyed a more respectable reign as he went on to unify the welterweight titles before losing to American Zab Judah in February 2005. Leon Spinksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; title reign lasted only seven months as he lost the title to Ali in a rematch in September 1978.

In February 2010, Puerto Rican Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. knocked out Filipino Marvin Sonsona to win the vacant WBO junior featherweight diadem. The coronation of Vazquez Jr. happened some 23 years after his father Wilfredo Vazquez Sr. collared the WBA bantamweight (118 lbs.) crown with a 10th round knockout of South Korean Chan Young Park.

Vazquez Sr. won world titles in three weight classes and fought no less than 14 world champions. Vazquez Jr. took up boxing late; he was taking up law before he decided to try boxing.

In June 2011, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. decisioned German Sebastian Zbik to win the WBC middleweight (160 lbs.) title and join the elite father-and-son world champ group.

Chavez Jr., however, was never as good as his father Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. who won three division world titles and is recognized as Mexicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest boxing champion. Chavez Jr. suffered from poor work ethic and often showed up out of shape.

As can be deduced, one can count on THE kNGERS OF ONE HAND THE NUMBER OF father and son pairs that won world titles. It is easy to dissect the problem: The son may have the skills, but he never experienced the hardships his father went through to become a world champion. Consequently, the son is not as motivated or as tough as the father and often disappoints.

Cases in point: Former heavyweight champ Joe Frazier worked as a butcher in a slaughterhouse before taking up boxing. Frazierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son Marvis Frazier did not go through the same rough background and was predictably knocked out in just one round by then heavyweight champ Larry Holmes in 1983. Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. grew up in an abandoned railroad while his son Chavez Jr. was born with a golden glove, err silver spoon. True enough, Chavez Jr. was never as dedicated to the sport as his old man was.

Boxing may run in the sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bloodline, but it is not a guarantee that he will also be successful in the sport. The challenge is for the son to prove that he is not just riding on his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation and is out to cast his own shadow.

Pacquiao-Mayweather 2 in peril

BY EDDIE G.ALINEA

L

IKE THEIR kRST kGHT THAT NEEDED kVE YEARS TO MATERIALIZE

THE PROJECTED -ANNY 0ACQUIAO &LOYD -AYWEATHER ENCOUNTER LOOKS HEADED TO THE SAME FATE

This developed after the American holder of an undefeated record of 50-0 victory, whose initiative it was that opened the gate to the potential rematch of their May 2, 2015 record-breaking showdown sounded not to honor his words made in their accidental meeting in Tokyo July last year.

Mayweather came out publicly early THIS WEEK ANNOUNCING HIS NEXT kGHT WILL be in July and not against the Filipino eight-division champion but against a still unnamed Japanese boxer.

4HE kGHT WILL NOT BE AN OFkCIAL kGHT BUT an exhibition like the one he did against a Japanese kickboxer on New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve 2018 in Tokyo.

TMZ Sports reported, quoting the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Money Manâ&#x20AC;? that he believes the exhibiTION kGHT BUSINESS WILL BE GOOD TO HIM THIS YEAR WITH FOUR OR kVE BOUTS LINED UP WHERE he expects to earn around $80 million.

Floyd told TMZ he got $9 million for facing Tenshin Nasukawa in a three-round New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve exhibition match. This TIME THE kVE DIVISION TITLIST ADDED HE

expects a $10 million check in another three-rounder against his next opponent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about being smart. My faculties are very important,â&#x20AC;? he argued.

For the Filipino fighting lawmaker, though, everything isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lost yet for the Pacquiao-Mayweather 2 to push through.

The 40-year-old, it was reported, is going to the US next month not only to watch a FEW kGHTS FEATURING HIS FELLOW 0REMIER "OXING #HAMPIONS kGHTERS REPORTEDLY INTERESTED IN facing him, but, hopefully, meet Mayweather anew and get a categorical answer whether the LATTER IS kGHTING HIM OR NOT Former Pacquiao sparring partner Shawn Porter is defending his World Boxing Council welterweight crown on March 9 versus mandatory challenger Yordenis Ugas at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Errol Spence, on the other hand, risks his International Boxing Federation title against Mikey Garcia on March 16 at the AT&T Stadium (formerly Cowboys Stadium) in Arlington, Texas.

Q Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. AFP PHOTO

Sore knee to sideline 76ersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Embiid at least a week WASHINGTON: The Philadelphia 76ers return from the NBA All-Star break without Cameroonian big man Joel Embiid, who will miss at least a week with a sore left knee.

The 76ers said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) that an MRI exam showed no structural damage to Embiidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s knee, and he will undergo treatment involving physical therapy and load management.

Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said the trouble appeared to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;a little bit of tendinitisâ&#x20AC;? and he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it was exacerbated by Embiidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appearance in Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All-Star Game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a natural dot-connector, but it shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be,â&#x20AC;?

Brown told reporters at 76ers training on Wednesday.

Brown also said it would be a mistake to â&#x20AC;&#x153;read into anythingâ&#x20AC;? despite 24-year-old Embiidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s injury history.

The start of his NBA career was delayed for two SEASONS AND HE MISSED GAMES IN HIS kRST CAMpaign because of injuries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is an NBA athlete that has some soreness in a knee, that has had an MRI, and we all should move on,â&#x20AC;? Brown said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll miss him, obviously, playing-wise, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not anything that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t completely pointed toward keeping him ready, and especially keeping him ready when it matters most at the end of the year.â&#x20AC;?

4HE ERS kFTH IN THE %ASTERN #ONFERENCE games behind the conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks, launch their second-half playoff push against the Miami Heat on Thursday, when NBA action resumes in the wake of the All-Star break with six games.

AFP

Q Manny Pacquiao (Right) and Floyd Maywaether Jr. face the media before their historic fight on May 2, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

PHOTOS BY WENDELL ALINEA

Spence was reported to be challenging PacQUIAO TO kGHT HIM AFTER HOPEFULLY HURDLING Garcia. Both protagonists are undefeated.

Pacquiao and Mayweather battled each OTHER FOR THE kRST TIME ON -AY

following three lengthy negotiations that lasted four and-a-half years That showdown, billed â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Fight of the Centuryâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Battle or Greatness,â&#x20AC;? emerged as the richest and most lucrative in the history of sweet science breaking the PPV viewership records in the United States, with 4.6 million buys and over $410 million in revenue.

It, too, as per Wikipedia, surpassed the previous $150 million revenue record set by Floyd Mayweather vs SaĂşl Ă lvarez, the 2.48 million buy record set by 2007â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oscar De La Hoya vs Floyd Mayweather Jr., AND A PRE kGHT ESTIMATE OF MILLION from three million households.

In the Philippines, Kantar ratings estimated THAT THE kGHT WAS WATCHED ACROSS THE THREE NETwork consortium by 46.9 percent of Filipino households; of the three networks simulcastING THE kGHT !"3 #". HAD THE LARGEST NUMBER of viewers, with a rating share of 24 percent.

D2

Sports

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Movers run over Altas in PBA D-League Q The Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Charly Suarez (right) fights with Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Akhil Kumar in the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boxing light welter 60 kg preliminaries session 6 during the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon on September 26, 2014.

AFP FILE PHOTO

%R[LQJ RIĂ&#x20AC;FLDO ZDUQV WLPH UXQQLQJ RXW LQ 2O\PSLF VWDQGRII

M

OSCOW: Time is â&#x20AC;&#x153;rapidlyâ&#x20AC;? running out to organize an Olympic tournament in 2020, the executive director of the International Boxing Association said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) amid disputes with the International Olympic Committee and a breakaway group OF BOXING OFkCIALS 4OM 6IRGETS TOLD 4HE !SSOCIATED 0RESS THAT BOXERS FROM POORER !FRICAN AND !SIAN COUNTRIES ALREADY FACE LOSING CRUCIAL FUNDING WITH THE QUALIFYING SYSTEM STILL NOT CONkRMED Asked when the point of no return WOULD BE 6IRGETS SAID gWE RE GETTING

THERE RAPIDLY u AHEAD OF PLANNED qualifying events later this year.

4HE )/# FROZE /LYMPIC BOXING PLANNING IN .OVEMBER WHEN IT LAUNCHED AN INQUIRY INTO THE ASSOCIATION KNOWN AS !)"!

AFTER 'AFUR 2AKHIMOV WAS ELECTED !)"! PRESI-

dent. The U.S. Treasury Department has alleged Rakhimov is a heroin TRAFkCKER LINKED TO ORGANIZED CRIME AND PLACED HIM UNDER SANCTIONS 2Akhimov denies the allegations.

Virgets argued the delay means poorer COUNTRIES ARE RELUCTANT TO FUND BOXERS ahead of other sports without knowing HOW THEY CAN REACH THE /LYMPICS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sitting there saying, @RIGHT WHERE CAN ) PUT MY MONEY u HE SAID g&OR COUNTRIES LIKE 2USSIA

THE 53! AND OTHERS THEY JUST kND the money to make sure the athletes GET TO THOSE COMPETITIONS "UT WHAT ABOUT :IMBABWE #AMEROON 9EMEN â&#x20AC;&#x153;These people, they have national ORGANIZING COMMITTEES THEY HAVE TO know. They only have X amount of dollars and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to put it to-

ward the programs where they think THEY HAVE THE BEST CHANCE u 4HE INQUIRY IS EXPECTED TO REPORT BACK TO AN )/# SESSION IN *UNE THREE MONTHS BEFORE !)"! S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DECIDE THE kRST /LYMPIC PLACES WITH OTHER PLANNED QUALIkERS CLOSE BEHIND 6IRGETS SAID HE S PREPARING TO kLE A

PAGE REPORT TO THE )/# INQUIRY SHOWCASING REFORMS TO THE OFTEN CRITICIZED JUDGING SYSTEM AND MORE STABLE kNANCES (E WOULDN T COMment when asked whether Rakhimov WOULD CONSIDER STEPPING DOWN TO SMOOTH RELATIONS WITH THE )/# 4HE )/# COULD TRY TO DERECOGNIZE !)"! AND HOST ITS OWN /LYMPIC BOXing event without Rakhimov. Some NATIONAL BOXING OFkCIALS HAVE TRIED TO GATHER SUPPORT FOR SUCH A MOVE

BUT FACE THREATS OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION FROM !)"!

6IRGETS ALLEGED THE BREAKAWAY WAS LED BY THE +AZAKHSTAN "OXING &EDERATION WHOSE CANDIDATE LOST TO 5ZBEKISTAN S 2AKHIMOV IN .OVEMBER S PRESIdential vote. Several Western European NATIONS HAVE BEEN AMONG 2AKHIMOV S STRONGEST CRITICS BUT SO FAR NO NATIONAL FEDERATION Â&#x2021; INCLUDING +AZAKHSTAN Â&#x2021; HAS OPENLY BACKED A SPLIT g)F NOT !)"!

THEN WHO u 6IRGETS said. Any alternative leaders, he ARGUED WOULD LACK CREDIBILITY AND would struggle to arrange funding AND DRUG TESTING FOR kGHTERS g(OW DO YOU ALLOW THAT GROUP TO BE IN CHARGE OF ANYTHING )T S A ROGUE GROUP u HE SAID g4HE QUESTION IS COULD THEY ORGANIZE A ONE PERSON PARADE u AP

METROPAC-San Beda got off to a hot start in the 2019 PBA D-League, trouncing Perpetual, 85-75, on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

James Canlas fired 11 of his 15 points in the second half to guide the Movers to the victory after fending off a pesky Altas side.

His explosion between the final two frames helped Metropac-San Beda turn a tight 54-53 lead to a 65-53 affair in the early fourth quarter, keeping Perpetual at bay until the final buzzer.

Canlas also collected four rebounds, an assist, and a block. â&#x20AC;&#x153;James did a good job in the third. He really separated us from Perpetual,â&#x20AC;? said eight-time PBA D-League champion coach Boyet Fernandez.

Donald Tankoua manned the paint with 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and an assist, while Calvin Oftana scored 10 to help the Movers fend off the Altas.

Clint Doliguez added 11 points and seven rebounds, and Evan Nelle had 11 points, eight assists, two boards, and two steals.

Metropac-San Beda joins the early winners to take the joint leadership in the Foundation Group.

Former San Beda center Ben Adamos posted 16 points, three rebounds, and two blocks in his first game for Perpetual.

Luke Sese also scored 11 on a 3-of-4 shooting from threes in the Altas' defeat.

Zambo bets boost PPS Kidapawan cast FOUR aces from Zamboanga seek to steal the show from the locals as action in the PPS-PEPP national age group tennis circuit shifts to Kidapawan City today at the Kidapawan City Tennis Club in Cotabato.

Multi-titled Sydney Enriquez, Rica Labrador and Marlyn Mesiona banner the Zambo squadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title drive in girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; singles play while Eric Tangub braces for a fierce challenge in the boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 16- and 18-and-under divisions where he is the top seed in the Group 2 tournament dubbed as the President Ronald Barrios Cup presented by Dunlop.

Enriquez and Labrador also topbill the main two categories while Mesiona vies in the 10-unisex and 12-U sides of the five-day event serving as the fourth

of the six-leg Mindanao swing of the nationwide circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Zkyla Cervantes, meanwhile, hopes to ride the momentum of her two victories in last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PPSPEPP stop in Kabacan, joining Labrador and Enriquez in the title hunt along with Ysay Ysulat, Zhela Zaldivar, Princess Haro, Sheloh Ripdos and Pauline Binoya.

Cervantes, from Alamada, leads the localsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bid charge along with Reyman Saldivar Jr., Ben Flores, Yusuf Maldo, Cian Ramirez and Ysulat from Kabacan, Jeanne Rayray from Midsayap, Rey Napala from Gen. Santos, Herald Aton from Kidapawan and Pete Mateo from Tupi.

Meanwhile, Digos City will host the fifth leg on February 28 to March 4 with the Mindanao circuit winding up in Tagum City on March 7 to 11. For details and listup, call 09154046464.

Like his fellow fancied Zambo bets, Tangub also expects a tough outing in his side of the battle with Bruce Hurtado, Herald Aton, Kurt Haro, Yassan Al Anazi, JV Comendador, Joross Manangking and Rey Napala tipped to step up in 18-U side and Reyman Saldivar Jr. joining the likes of Manangking, Aton and Kurt Haro in the 16-U play of the event sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Tobyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. Q Team LeBronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Karl-Anthony Towns, of the Minnesota Timberwolves, heads to the hoop against Team Giannisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Giannis Antetokounmpo, of the Milwaukee Bucks, during the first half of an NBA All-Star basketball game on February 17, in Charlotte, N.C. AP PHOTO

Van Gundy wants AllStar Game eliminated

MIAMI: *EFF 6AN 'UNDY HAS AN IDEA ON HOW TO kX THE ."! !LL 3TAR 'AME (IS PLAN %LIMINATE IT 6AN 'UNDY THE FORMER ."!

COACH AND NOW LONGTIME TELEVISION COMMENTATOR FOR !"# AND ESPN, said what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seeing NOW FROM THE GAME IS EMBARRASSING AND gA BASTARDIZATION OF THE GAME THAT IS BEAUTIFUL TO WATCH u 4HE TEAMS PICKED

BY CAPTAINS ,E"RON *AMES AND 'IANNIS !NTETOKOUNMPO COMBINED TO ATTEMPT A RECORD 3-pointers in Sunday nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GAME Â&#x2021; AND OF THE kELD GOALS IN THE GAME CAME OFF EIther 3s or dunks. g9OU CAN BE A $IVISION ))) PLAYER LIKE MYSELF AND BE !LL 3TAR -60 u 6AN 'UNDY SAID g!LL you have to do is drive in and SHOOT A LAYUP u 6AN 'UNDY COACHED IN THE 2000 All-Star game, his Eastern #ONFERENCE TEAM FALLING TO 0HIL *ACKSON AND THE 7ESTERN #ONFERENCE 4HERE WAS NO shortage of alley-oops tried in THAT GAME THOUGH 4IM $UNCAN

!LONZO -OURNING AND 3HAQUILLE / .EAL SPENT PLENTY OF time defending the rim against THOSE LOBS AS WELL g) WOULD NAME !LL 3TARS ) would have All-Star weekend, they have all these things, inTRODUCE THEM THE PLAYERS ARE GREAT THEY SHOULD BE APPLAUDED u 6AN 'UNDY SAID THIS WEEK

WHILE PREPARING TO COACH 53!

"ASKETBALL S TEAM PICKED FOR THE kNAL TWO GAMES OF QUALIFYING FOR THIS SUMMER S &)"! 7ORLD #UP IN #HINA g"UT TO TAKE THIS GAME AND SHOOT S IT S AN EMBARRASSMENT )T S AN EMBARRASSMENT u 6AN 'UNDY SAID HE DOESN T NEED TO SEE A GAME WITH 'AME

PLAYOFF LEVEL INTENSITY (E JUST WANTS TO SEE SOME EFFORT g4HE EQUIVALENT WOULD BE LIKE -AJOR ,EAGUE "ASEBALL A GUY HITS THE BALL YOU THROW IT TO HIM AT MPH BECAUSE YOU RE NOT TRYING u 6AN 'UNDY said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And then you hit it and NO ONE CHASES IT AND YOU JUST LET A GUY CIRCLE AND SCORE AND YOU HAVE UNLIMITED RUNS 9OU VE

GOT TO TRY u 0LAYERS INCLUDING *AMES AND .ATIONAL "ASKETBALL 0LAYERS !SSOCIATION 0RESIDENT #HRIS 0AUL

ALONG WITH ."! #OMMISSIONER Adam Silver all said after the GAME TWO YEARS AGO that the All-Star game had to BE MORE COMPETITIVE g,ET S JUST SAY IT 4HEY DON T WANT TO PLAY u 6AN 'UNDY SAID g!DAM SAID @)T S GOT TO BE kXED 4HERE S NOTHING kXED u ,AST YEAR WENT DOWN TO THE WIRE A GAME THAT WAS WELL RECEIVED 4HIS YEAR S GAME WAS WON BY *AMES 4EAM ,E"RON WHICH TRAILED BY POINTS IN THE SECOND HALF BEFORE RALLYING Â&#x2021; LARGELY BEHIND THE POINTER *AMES TEAM TOOK SHOTS IN THE SECOND HALF AND 49 of those were 3-point tries.

And players this year didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to mind the way the game unfolded. g)T S JUST ABOUT HAVING FUN u /KLAHOMA #ITY S 0AUL 'EORGE said Sunday night. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the end OF THE DAY IT S FOR THE FANS )T S JUST TO HAVE FUN u AP

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Sports

D3

Woods aiming high on Mexico debut Q US golfer Tiger Woods is pictured during a practice round at Chapultepecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Club in Mexico City on Thursday ahead of the World Golf Championships that runs from February 21 to 24 in the Mexican capital. AFP PHOTO

M

EXICO CITY: Tiger Woods is a seventime winner of the tournament now known as the WGC-Mexico Championship, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a whole new challenge AS HE FACES HIS kRST EDITION OF THE EVENT AT Club de Golf Chapultepec.

Woods told reporters Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) that he was still getting to grips with playing at high altitude, toying with the idea of adding loft to his three-wood and learning just how he needs to adjust his game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most interesting thing is the ball just doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t curve up here at altitude, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just not

enough resistance,â&#x20AC;? Woods said OF WHAT HE SAW IN HIS kRST PRACtice holes at the venue 7,800 feet above sea level. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shots that I thought I shaped just didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any shape to it. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be one of the things I need to get organized.â&#x20AC;?

Woods won seven titles in the event at six different venues before

it moved to Mexico City in 2017.

Since then, back trouble â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and his lowly ranking after lengthy time off because of injury â&#x20AC;&#x201D; kept HIM OUT OF THE kELD Now he will be teeing it up in a tournament in Mexico for the kRST TIME PLAYING ALONGSIDE FELLOW American Bryson DeChambeau and top-ranked Mexican Abraham !NCER IN THE kRST TWO ROUNDS â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is exciting,â&#x20AC;? Woods said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure there will be some amazing energy out there.â&#x20AC;?

Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, who ended a near kVE YEAR TITLE DROUGHT WITH A PLAYOFF VICTORY OVER *USTIN 4HOMAS IN the event last year, will play with

4HOMAS AND $USTIN *OHNSON IN THE kRST TWO ROUNDS Mickelson arrives with one title under his belt already this year, after earning his 44th PGA Tour victory at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Another featured group sees Northern Ireland star Rory McIlroy playing alongside world number two Brooks Koepka and Bubba Watson in a field that features 27 of the top 30 golfers in the world rankings.

Woods, who capped a comeback season with victory in the US PGA Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tour Championship last September and is now RANKED TH IN THE WORLD kNDS the company stimulating.

SASO CAPS PLO ROMP WITH 67

YUKA SASO took the best dished out by the young, talented Thais and Sofia Chabon and proved again sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better, keeping the Champion Philippine Ladies Amateur Open crown in runaway fashion at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Forbes Park on Thursday.

Saso never let her rivals get no closer than three strokes with superb driving and near-impeccable IRON SHOTS PRODUCING kVE BIRDIES against a bogey then settling for routine pars in the last three holes TO CRUISE TO A kVE SHOT VICTORY OVER Yosita Khawnuna at six-under 207 in the 54-hole championship presented by Champion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing special with my win. I just played steady and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy I made it for the second straight time,â&#x20AC;? said the reigning Asian Games gold medalist, who surged ahead by three with backto-back 70s Wednesday.

Khawnuna turned in a decent 69 but just couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t keep pace WITH THE UNlAPPABLE &IL *APANESE

who birdied Nos. 4 and 6 then added three more at the back against a bogey. The Thai, who tied Saso and Mafy Singson after 18 holes but fell behind by three in the second round, wound up with a 212.

Chabon likewise stayed in the background all throughout in the featured flight, failing TO GET HER GAME GOING AND kNishing with a 70 for third with

Q Yuka Saso holds the Champion Philippine Ladies Amateur Open trophy after completing a back-to-back title romp in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier championship. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 215 in the event organized and conducted by the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Association of the Philippines.

Chantee Wannasaen placed fourth at 217 after a 73 while compatriot Natthakritta Vongtaveelap SHOT A FOR kFTH AT IN THE event sponsored by Hana Shampoo, EVA Air, San Miguel Corp. and Diamond Motor Corp.

Aussie Olivia Kerr shared the spotlight by claiming the Class A diadem with a 252 while

Ina Guingona took the Class B plum with a 281.

Sasoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s victory was in stark contrast to her previous win at the Orchard last year where she rallied from three down to beat Mikha Fortuna by two. And it will surely BOOST HER CONkDENCE AS SHE GOES UP AGAINST AN ELITE kELD INCLUDING world No. 2 Sung Hyun Park, in the inaugural The Country Club Ladies Invitational on March 6-8. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a big morale boost

heading to the TCC Ladies,â&#x20AC;? said Saso. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope to make it.â&#x20AC;?

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

Isner reaches ATP Delray Beach quarterfinals MIAMI: 3ECOND SEEDED *OHN )SNER booked a quarterfinal berth at the ATP Delray Beach Open on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) WITH A CONkDENT VICTORY over Slovakiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lukas Lacko. )SNER kRED ACES SAVED BOTH break points he faced and broke Lacko three times on the way to victory, his fourth in four career meetings with Lacko. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a good win,â&#x20AC;? Isner said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m getting more comfortable on this surface, es-

pecially with the positioning on my return... I was challenging him on a lot of return games.

I was very happy how I came through that.â&#x20AC;?

Isner next faces eighth-seeded Adrian Mannarino of France, who beat Uzbekistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Denis Istomin 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).

"RITISH QUALIkER $ANIEL %VANS

who ousted defending champion &RANCES 4IAFOE IN THE kRST ROUND

reached his third tour level quarTERkNAL WITH A VICTORY OVER

South African Lloyd Harris.

Evans next faces sixth-seeded Italian Andreas Seppi, a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 winner over Australian *ORDAN 4HOMPSON 4OP SEEDED *UAN -ARTIN DEL 0OTRO WILL kGHT FOR A QUARTER kNAL berth against American Reilly Opelka on Thursday.

Argentinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s del Potro won his kRST MATCH OF WHEN HE BEAT *APAN S 9OSHIHITO .ISHIOKA IN THE kRST ROUND AND IS LOOKING TO continue his comeback from the

broken right knee cap that kept him out of the Australian Open. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I need to keep working hard on my legs because I felt tired at the end of the second set, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s normal for (right now),â&#x20AC;? said del Potro, who hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t played since hobbling out of the Shanghai Masters in October.

Opelka is coming off a maiden ATP tour title at the New York Open, where he rained 43 aces on Brayden Schnur of Canada in the kNAL ON 3UNDAY AFP

Beating the best â&#x20AC;&#x153;I take a lot of pride in playing well in the biggest events, that being the majors, the Players (Championship), and the World Golf Championships,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My record has been pretty good in those events,â&#x20AC;? added Woods, who owns a record 18 WGC titles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So just because this event has been in different places, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still against the best players in the world and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always enjoyed competing against them and trying to beat them and win an event.â&#x20AC;?

Woods will be making his third start of 2019, having fin-

ished tied for 20th at Torrey Pines and tied for 15th last week at the rain-hit Genesis Open â&#x20AC;&#x201D; where Woods said he had â&#x20AC;&#x153;one of the worst weeksâ&#x20AC;? he has ever had on the greens.

Even as he irons out various areas of his game with an eye toward the Masters in April, Woods said there was â&#x20AC;&#x153;really no comparisonâ&#x20AC;? to this time last year, when he â&#x20AC;&#x153;didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know what my golf future would be.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year was a bit of a wandering world of how am I going to piece this together, how am I going TO kGURE IT OUT WHAT AM ) GOING to be capable of. By the end of the AFP YEAR ) kGURED IT OUT u

PAL Interclub to be played over 4 Cebu courses IN a very rare instance, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staging of the prestigious Philippine Airlines Interclub championships will be played over four courses in the Queen City of the South starting with Senior play on February 27.

Canlubang will be shooting for yet another title in the 55-and-over division by bringing back the multi-titled Tommy Manotoc, and the Sugar Barons will be contending with perennial rival Luisita in two layouts that are very similar in character.

Alta Vista and Club Filipino de Cebu in Danao will be the site of Senior action, with both courses carved out of mountains where precision off the tees and accurate approaches will be the premium.

The Barons won coming from behind in Bacolod last year even with Manotoc not in the team for the second straight year because of family commitments in the United States.

Manila Southwoods will be shooting to equal an Interclub reCORD kFTH #HAMPIONSHIP $IVISION title in Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play starting March 6.

Cebu Country Club, that exclusive layout in the heart of the city, and Mactan, an air force layout very near the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modern international airport, will be the host clubs for the centerpiece division.

The CCC and Mactan are traditional courses, with CCC again to determine the champion owing to ITS DIFkCULTY This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Interclub is sponsored

by Asian Air Safari and Radio Mindanao Network. Also extending support are ABS-CBN Global Ltd. (The Filipino Channel), Rolls Royce, Primax Broadcasting Network, UM Broadcasting Network (Mindanao), Fox Sports, GECAS, Boeing, Lufthansa Technik AG and Manila Standard. Official hotel is Quest Hotel Conference Center Cebu.

Thai takes charge in PGT Q-School THAI Tawan Phongpun surged past Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marcos Pastor deSPITE A FALTERING kNISH SHOOTING a 67 and zeroing in on top honors in the 2019 PGT Qualifying School for foreign players at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas on Thursday.

Phongpun actually bucked a SHAKY START AND A WOBBLY kNISH with a sparkling run in a 12-hole stretch from No. 2 that saw him gun down seven birdies that cushioned the impact of his bogey-bogey struggle from No. 14.

But his 32-35 card proved enough to put him in the lead at HEADING TO THE kNAL HOLES of the 72-hole elims where the top 17 plus ties will earn Category 6 spots in the 2019 PhilipPINE 'OLF 4OUR STARTING kELDS OF the circuit put up by ICTSI. 4HE REST OF THE PLAYER kELD

which survived the 36-hole

elims, will settle for Category 8 berths.

Pastor, who took charge after 36 holes with 70-71, rallied with two birdies in the last seven holes TO SAVE A FOR WHILE *APAnese Kenichi Iwao moved to solo third at 215 after a 70.

Sean Talmadge of the US shot a 71 for fourth at 216 while Kei -ATSUOKA ALSO OF *APAN POOLED A 218 after a 71 followed by Thai Kammalas Namuangruk, who carded a TO TIE *APANESE +EI 4AKAHASI WHO limped with a 76, at sixth at 219. *OE +AWADA AND )SSEI -ORI kRED IDENTICAL S TO kRM UP THEIR respective bids for full playing rights at 221 with Korean Park *UN (YEOK WHO TURNED IN A

and Andy Kang of the US, who stumbled with a 76.

The new PGT season kicks off on April 22 with the rich The Country Club Invitational.

in cooperation with

,Q SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK

presents

The 9th Business Forum

7KH 3KLOLSSLQH (FRQRPLF 2XWORRN IRU

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Riding the Tailwinds: Pursuing Growth and Value Amid Rising Global Risksâ&#x20AC;?

0DUFK _ 5HJLVWUDWLRQ D P _ 3URJUDP D P S P _ 0D\XUHH %DOOURRP 'XVLW 7KDQL 0DQLOD 0DNDWL &LW\ The global economy enters 2019 with decidedly slower growth, continued volatility and heightened risks. Interest rates are normalizing and pushing investors in search of higher-yielding assets, as economic performance diverges across countries and regions. While the US is poised for strong performance, China is looking for a soft landing, and emerging markets are showing signs of weakness. Also heightening risks are populist policies and the prospect of trade wars.

The Philippines, however, remains a bright spot as it forges ahead with its infrastructure drive, expands revenue collections, and sustains growth at above 6 percent. The domestic economy

CARLOS DOMINGUEZ III Secretary 'HSDUWPHQW RI )LQDQFH

SHEILA LOBIEN &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2ȨFHU /RELHQ 5HDOW\ *URXS ,QF

2ČŞFLDO 9HQXH

6SHFLDO 3DUWQHUV

CHUCHI FONACIER

Deputy Governor Financial Supervision Sector %DQJNR 6HQWUDO QJ 3LOLSLQDV

could yet ride through, if not defy, the tailwinds of 2019, getting a boost from increased spending due to the midterm elections and the slowdown in consumer inflation. The Philippines will also continue to benefit from its favorable demographic profile, with growing disposable incomes sustaining demand for property, leisure, automobiles, technology and others.

The Manila Times Economic Outlook 2019 Forum will feature top policymakers and business leaders who will make the case for the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; continued viability as an investment and growth hub.

JANG PING THIA

Principal Economist $VLDQ ,QIUDVWUXFWXUH ,QYHVWPHQW %DQN

ROSEMARIE BOSCH-ONG

KELLY BIRD

Country Director $'% 3KLOLSSLQHV

KEVIN ANDREW TAN

Director, SEVP and COO :LOFRQ 'HSRW President, 3KLOLSSLQH 5HWDLOHUV $VVRFLDWLRQ

&KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2ȨFHU $OOLDQFH *OREDO

YONGZHENG YANG

Resident Representative to the Philippines ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 0RQHWDU\ )XQG

JANE WAN

Vice President of Marketing 3KLOLSSLQH 2332 0RELOH 7HFKQRORJ\ ,QF

Minor Sponsors:

2ȧLFLDO 79 3DUWQHU

2ČŞFLDO 5DGLR 3DUWQHU

)RU VHDW UHVHUYDWLRQV DQG VSRQVRUVKLS LQTXLULHV FDOO WR ORFDO 5RFKHOOH 6HUDȨQ RU HPDLO DW EXVLQHVVIRUXP#PDQLODWLPHV QHW

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2019

Lifestyle

E1

w w w.manilatimes.net

A>Q -=?EĹ&#x201A;? KLAJO 1N=RAHANÂ&#x2020;O )KQJCA =P /AOKNPO 4KNH@ *=JEH=

Q With this new lounge, passengers can avoid queuing at the airport and enjoy Resorts World Manila's facilities before their flight.

BY IZA IGLESIAS

G

OING on holiday spells excitement all around save for the hassles of airport queues and check in procedures.

5NFORTUNATELY MANY TRAVELers who go through Philippine AIRPORTS HAVE MUCH TO SAY ABOUT their often frustrating experiences, which starts off a trip on the wrong FOOT AND ULTIMATELY WASTES PREcious vacation time.

These in mind, the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; foremost budget carrier DESIGNED THE #EBU 0ACIkC 4RAVELers Lounge at Resorts World Manila for satellite check-in services FOR lIGHTS DEPARTING FROM .INOY Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA T3). .OW OPEN AT THE GROUND lOOR OF THE PROPERTY S .EWPORT -ALL

#EBU 0ACIkC PASSENGERS ALREADY have the option to check-in for THEIR lIGHTS DURING MALL HOURS

or up to eight hours before their scheduled flights. Those with check-in bags, however, will still have to proceed to the Bag Drop counters at the airport. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our passengers can choose FROM VARIOUS CHECK IN OPTIONS website, mobile app and now, our satellite check-in counters in Resorts World Manila Travelers ,OUNGE )T S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY for passengers who want to avoid QUEUING AT THE AIRPORT 4HEY CAN come here with enough time, get their boarding passes and kill time ENJOYING GREAT FACILITIES AT THIS fantastic area of Resorts World Manila,â&#x20AC;? Javier Massot, vice president FOR !IRPORT 3ERVICES AT #EBU 0ACIkC told members of the media at a

SITE VISIT ON &EBRUARY â&#x20AC;&#x153;In other words, traveling will be more hassle-free for them with this pleasant and relax experience than rushing to the airport and joining the queues.â&#x20AC;? /N THE lIP SIDE -ASSOT ADDED

g)T WILL ALSO BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Q RWM Senior Director for International Sales and Marketing Kathy Mercado, RWM COO Stephen Reilly, Cebu Pacific Vice President for Airport Services Javier Massot, and Cebu Pacific Director for Manila Airport Services Arnulfo Alivio.

for us because it will decongest the AIRPORT 5NFORTUNATELY ALTHOUGH this happens around the world, TRAFkC GROWS VERY RAPIDLY BUT OUR infrastructure is not growing as fast as the number of people travELING 3O FOR NOW WE ALL HAVE TO work together and become more imaginative and make better use of THE INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH IS ALREADY available,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Meanwhile, Resorts World Manila #HIEF /PERATING /FFICER 3TEPHEN 2EILLY SHARED THAT THE LOUNGE IS lEXible as it can cope with the demand IN TERMS OF HOW ANY PASSENGERS THE lounge can accommodate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great for our guests and IT S ALSO GREAT FOR #EBU 0ACIkC BECAUSE .!)! 4ERMINAL GETS VERY congested. The passengers are VERY GRATEFUL HAVING MORE ALTERNAtive sight when people come and CHECK IN THEY LL SIT BACK AND RELAX

AFTER WHILE WAITING FOR THEIR lIGHTS 4HEY LL JUST CROSS THE BRIDGE AND GO straight to the immigration, off THEY GO u HE SAID 7HILE ENJOYING THE PROPERTY S attractions and amenities, realTIME lIGHT STATUS DIGITAL BOARDS ARE located at the lounge. Getting to .!)! 4 IS ALSO EASY WITH 2UNWAY Manila, an air-conditioned, elevatED WALKWAY THAT DIRECTLY CONNECTS .EWPORT #ITY WITH THE AIRPORT &REE SHUTTLE VANS ALSO REGULARLY MAKE the rounds from Newport Mall and Resorts World Manila hotels to THE 2UNWAY -ANILA ENTRANCE FROM where passengers can walk to the AIRPORT WITHIN kVE MINUTES g4HEY FLY HUNDREDS OF THOUsands of local and international TOURISTS ON THEIR PLANES DAILY AND we are glad to provide these travelers with the option of spending THEIR PRE BOARDING HOURS ENJOYING

Philippines to boost sustainable tourism

Q The one-kilometer stretch within Singapore Zoo is now an interactive sensory zone.

Tourism Promotions Board outlines its renewed thrust for 2019 NOW more than ever, Filipinos see a greater wave of foreign tourists in local spots.

Despite this observation becoming a clear indicator that more international tourists are open to lYING TO THESE SHORES THE REVITALized Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT) is even more amped up to highlight THE BEAUTY OF THE 0HILIPPINES To kick-off the New Year 2019 on a productive and forward-looking note, TPB ramps up its efforts to ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE 0HILIPPINES AS a major tourism destination.

The TPB Marketing and Promotions sector will participate in numerous international events YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT WORKING HARD in placing the Philippines on the global tourism map.

This is also in keeping with the TPBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal for visiting tourists from KEY MARKETS SUCH AS %UROPE .ORTH America, Australia, Japan, China AND +OREA TO ENJOY AN OPTIMAL travel experience, thus extending THEIR STAY AND SPENDING MORE TIME IN THE COUNTRY Foremost among these activi-

ties was its recent participation in the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF), a tourism summit held at Ha Long, Vietnam and the Boot show in DĂźsSELDORF 'ERMANY WHERE THE 0HILIPpines was recognized as the most preferred dive destination.

All strategic programs for 2019 are anchored on the theme of responsible and sustainable tourism â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;a balance between business opportunities and social responsibiliTIESu Â&#x2021; AS SET FORTH BY $/4 3ECRETARY "ERNADETTE 2OMULO 0UYAT )N PARTICULAR SAYS 40" #HIEF Operating Officer Marie Venus 4AN THE ATTACHED AGENCY AIMS TO pursue sustainable tourism through COMMUNITY BASED PRODUCTS REVITALIZE DOMESTIC TOURISM BY WAY OF A REVIVED ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN AND STRENGTHEN THE COUNTRY S PRESENCE IN THE -)#% SPACE For 2019, TPB has its calendar full as it makes its presence felt in the FOLLOWING SIGNIkCANT EVENTS &EBRUARY -)#% !RABIA ,UXURY 4RAVEL #ONGRESS AND $UBAI 3ALES #ALLS -ARCH m THE )4" "ERLIN !PRIL m China Outbound Travel and Tourism -ARKET *UNE m 4HE -EETINGS 3HOW 5+ *ULY m )"4- !MERICAS !UGUST

m (OKKAIDO /VERSEAS 4RAVEL &AIR 3EPTEMBER m 0!4! 4RAVEL -ART AND )-%8 !MERICA /CTOBER m )4" !SIA .OVEMBER m 4HE 'LOBAL -EETINGS AND %VENTS %XPO )"4- 7ORLD 3PAIN On top of these are the programmed domestic events such as the Philippine Travel Mart, Travel 4OUR %XPO 4HE 7ORLD 3TREET &OOD Congress 2019, the Ilog Project, THE -)#% "UYERS )NVITATIONAL Program, and The TPB-initiated regional travel fairs. !DDITIONALLY 40" WILL CONDUCT -ARKETING %DUCATIONAL 3EMINARS IN ,UZON 6ISAYAS AND -INDANAO

TO BE PARTICIPATED IN BY REGIONAL TOURISM OFkCERS OFkCIALS FROM LOCAL government units, and private sector tourism representatives. Here, the TPB WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GUIDANCE AND ACTIVE MENTORING IN PROPERLY marketing the tourism attractions of a particular region or province. #LEARLY THE 40" AS AN ATTACHED AGENCY OF $/4 LOOKS FORWARD TO A DYNAMIC AS IT REDOUBLES ITS EFFORTS Â&#x2021; BACKED BY ITS DRIVEN men and women â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in marketing the Philippines as a top tourism destination, drawing in tourists the world over.

A different kind of night life in SG JUST when visitors of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award-winning wildlife attraction, Singapore Zoo, think nothing can excite them more when they drop by, the 45-year-old property has launched a new, illuminated multimedia night walk on the wild side for a sensory feast.

Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Trade and Industry, unveiled Rainforest Lumina â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the first such seasonal event to be staged in Southeast Asia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in a special preview event.

The one-kilometer stretch within the zooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tropical rainforest will awaken the senses as visitors walk through 11 different zones and meet the Creature Crew, a group of unlikely heroes who will take visitors on a whimsical adventure along the paths of their enchanted world.

Created by award-winning multimedia entertainment studio Moment Factory and set up with careful consideration to minimize disturbance to the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s animal collection and native wildlife, Rainforest Lumina takes visitors on an immersive journey as they encounter interactive and mesmerizing installations and uncover a side of the zoo that has never been seen before.

See the rainforest in a whole new light

Q The Small Lagoon of Miniloc Island in El Nido, Palawan is among the top destinations of the country.

THE MANY THRILLS THE PROPERTY HAS TO OFFER u 2EILLY NOTED As an added treat for those who check-in at the satellite lounge, ReSORTS 7ORLD -ANILA IS GIVING AWAY P300 worth of non-negotiable slots credits, and P150 discount VOUCHERS FOR EVERY MINIMUM P500 spend at Resorts World Manila signature restaurants such as Impressions, Passion, Ginzadon, CafĂŠ Maxims, and gaming area RESTAURANTS 3ILK 2OAD 3ILOGUE

Victoria Harbour CafĂŠ, and Franks.

'UESTS MUST BE AT LEAST YEARS old to avail of the slot credits and to dine in gaming area restaurants.

Travelers with flights, however, are responsible for reaching their boarding gates on time and encouraged to check the flight status boards around the PROPERTY AND TO ALLOW ENOUGH time to reach the airport.

With the overarching theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are oneâ&#x20AC;?, Rainforest Lumina seeks to drive home the message that humans, animals and nature are inter-connected, with each having a vital role to play to sustain life on earth.

The transformation of the Singapore Zoo into a magical landscape of lights and sound, coupled with the interaction with the Creature Crew, will take guests on the spellbinding journey that will spark inspiration at every turn and nurture empathy for nature and wildlife.

Tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pioneers Opening as one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first â&#x20AC;&#x153;open-conceptâ&#x20AC;? zoos, the Singapore Zoo started with a modest collection of about 300 animals. Today, the Singapore Zoo welcomes 1.9 million visitors each year and is home to over 2,400 animals representing more than 300 species, of which 34 percent are threatened in the wild. The Zoo has also been successful in breeding critically endangered species and has established itself as one of the best zoos in the world, gaining worldwide recognition.

Adding to an already well-rounded experience, the Singapore Zoo will make use of immersive technology to provide visitors with a fresh experience. It will include Rainforest Luminaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative use of light, multimedia and interactive elements, as well as an engaging narrative to heighten the night walk experience.

Mike Barclay, Group CEO of Mandai Park Holdings, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been redefining experiences and storytelling since the Singapore Zoo opened its doors to our first visitors in 1973. We observed that walking through the zooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rainforest setting at night awakens all your senses and we wanted to find an innovative way to allow all our guests to also enjoy this exciting experience. Rainforest Lumina is an interactive and illuminated night walk that leads visitors on a multimedia-enhanced journey designed to celebrate the wonders of the natural world.â&#x20AC;?

Rainforest Lumina is a seasonal attraction which will run between 7.30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10.30 p.m. each night. More information on Rainforest Lumina can be found at www. rainforestlumina.sg.

E2

Funtimes

FRIDAY February 22, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (02/22/19). Your career expands to new levels this year. Together, practice for coordinated ease. Changes could seem constant. Discover a fresh passion this summer, before a community challenge engages you. Teamwork leads to victory next winter, before new directions with family or romance. Love is your fundamental motivation.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Take time for yourself. Get into a personal project. Schedule moments for your own interests. Things may not go as planned. Make time to process changes.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Keep a low profile, and maintain your frugal ways. Postpone travel or overstimulating environments. Clean, sort and organize. Plan your moves in advance.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is a 6 -- Advance to the next level with a partner by creating harmony. Don’t show unfinished work yet. Stay sensitive to another’s view. Love breaks through.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Enjoy social events without overindulging. Restraint serves you well. Patiently wait for developments. Share resources and ideas with friends. Community support matters.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Extra effort earns extra results. Words can fall flat. Physical action makes a difference.

Practice your moves. Get your heart pumping, and then rest deeply.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Patiently wait for a professional door to open. Practice optimism. Take a philosophical view. Impress an important person. New facts dispel old fears.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Romance doesn’t need to be expensive. Pack a picnic, and take a walk somewhere beautiful. Get together with friends and family. Actions speak louder than words.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- Investigate options and routes before dashing off. Costs can vary widely. Wait for better travel conditions. Research projects produce satisfying results.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Fix something before it breaks at home. Use long-lasting quality materials. Costs may be higher than expected. Hunt for the best value.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Edit your comments to simple, basic information. Don’t waste time on gossip or hearsay.

Keep a practical focus.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Focus on generating positive cash flow. Avoid financial risk to meet your obligations on time. Budget and schedule carefully, and stay in communication.

» SUDOKU

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Collaborate to shared finances. Circumstances allow more latitude. Expand in the direction of least resistance. Every little bit counts. A profitable opportunity arises.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @lindablack. For more astrological interpretations visit Linda Black Horoscopes and www.nancyblack.com) NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

PAGE FROM THE PAST

Today, we look back at an old front page of The Manila Times, the oldest national daily that was founded on October 11, 1898. (Note: This image was adjusted to fit the page.)

FFRIDAY R I DAY FEBRUARY 22, 2019

Entertainment

E4

www.manilatimes.net

Glaiza, runway showstopper in beautiful bridal gown I

T WAS THE kRST TIME THAT 'LAIZA $E #ASTRO MODELLED ON THE RAMP WHICH HAPPENED TO BE FOR 3EDA (OTEL 1UEZON #ITY S g%NTWINE "RIDAL 3HOW u &EATURING A MIX OF MASTER AND MILLENNIAL FASHION DESIGNERS

AMONG THE FORMER 2ANDY /RTIZ 2AJO ,AUREL

%FREN /CAMPO AND #ARY 3ANTIAGO 'LAIZA MODELLED FOR ONE OF THE YOUNGER FEATURED ARTISTS (AYDEE 'ARCIA Slaying her moment on the runway with her show stopping strut and wedding gown, Glaiza admitted to Showbuzz at the end of the fashion event she was a bundle of nerves when her turn came up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I found it so hard to walk in my gown, not only because it was heavy, but because I was wearing fourinch heels! I was so nervous but made an effort to focus on my walk and be very careful since I was I was afraid I might trip or slide! Happily, everything went on smoothly and it was an awesome experience.â&#x20AC;?

In fact, the second time she took to the ramp that night with the rest of models, Glaiza looked very much at ease. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was already enjoying it by then even if it was something new to me â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a different world. Plus I loved my gown and I loved watching the other models who looked like mannequins.â&#x20AC;?

She was also taken by setup of Sedaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ballroom for the show, quipping, â&#x20AC;&#x153; It was so beautiful!

Pang-malaking wedding talaga and groom na lang ang kulang!â&#x20AC;?

Still wearing her gown for

SHOWBUZZ LHAR SANTIAGO a pictorial backstage, Glaiza also admitted how much she enjoyed wearing the Haydee Garcia bridal couture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worn wedding gowns in my tapings [for TV] but this is the kRST TIME FOR ME TO WEAR A DESIGNER wedding gown. Ang ganda ng STYLE AND THE kT WAS JUST PERFECT for me. And when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re wearing a wedding gown like this, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but dream about your own wedding. Would it be beautiful as this moment?â&#x20AC;? she giggled.

Then as if on cue, her manager Manny Vallester teased her she seemed to be rehearsing for big day with her Irish boyfriend.

Glaiza gave a hearty laugh and declared, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be in the near future,â&#x20AC;? as if to assure her mom who was just nearby she wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rush into anything.

What she is preparing for is not a wedding but a new movie.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a break-up na maayos.

We talked and decided that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d concentrate first on our careers. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a fight and there were no issues. We just felt itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better for us to see to our own concerns for now.â&#x20AC;?

Work serves as effective therapy for Wyn who on Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day focused her energies on her media conference with leading man Enzo Pineda for their movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Time and Again.â&#x20AC;? Produced by Regal Entertainment Inc., the movie opened in cinemas on We d n e s d ay and is still showing nationwide.

From the media con, Q Winwyn Marquez is still open to reconciling she headed to GMA with Mark Herras in the future.

Networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s studios to tape for Reina Hispano Ame- â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marsâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wowowin,â&#x20AC;? and said ricana Winwyn Marquez has pain- of her schedule, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My hands are fully proven for herself now that full right now and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy na she and erstwhile boyfriend of maraming trabaho.â&#x20AC;?

Receiving positive feedback for three years Mark Herras decided Time and Again, Wyn shared with to call it quits.

She doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deny the fact that Showbuzz that Regal has lined SHE STILL LOVES -ARK AND IS kND- up another movie for her, while ing it hard to move on, especially GMA also has a project for her to FEELING LONELY THEIR kRST 6ALENTINE S do very soon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just thankful that the apart last week.

Asked why they called it work doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop coming. I have q u i t s w h e n t h e y s t i l l h ave all the reasons to give it my priorfeelings for each other, Wyn ity,â&#x20AC;? she noted.

Now that she is single, is she set the record straight that open to suitors again? there was no third party.

Glaiza is scheduled to start shooting in March and tells Showbuzz THE kLM WILL TACKLE THE VERY TIMELY issue of mental illness.

NNN Breaking up is never easy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even for a beauty queen. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s w h a t 2 01 7

Q Dramatic actress Glaiza de Castro walks down the ramp for the first time.

Wyn firmly replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No love â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really requested that I do life for me for now. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not all the routines. Masarap kasi sa ready to entertain suitors and feeling na pag pinanood ko, I can get into another relationship say that I did it. Ang dami ko nga when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so preoccupied with ng naging pasa at galos but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. I -enjoy ko muna â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung nothing. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important is I did pagka- busy ko sa trabaho.â&#x20AC;? it,â&#x20AC;? she said with pride.

As for getting back together Besides all the action, she with Mark, she candidly said, also promises a dramatic epiâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We still talk often and even sode of Wish Ko Lang, adding, greeted each other on Valen- â&#x20AC;&#x153;May mga eksena akong nagtineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. Will we get back kakalkal ng basura tapos yung together? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to say makukuha kong pagkain, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun no â&#x20AC;&#x201D; kung talagang kami weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ang kumakain ko. Maaawa kayo see in the future.â&#x20AC;? sa character ko. Hanggang sa NNN huli, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to sympathize Andrea Torres is back with her,â&#x20AC;? Andrea assures. in action as she portrays the role of a lady assassin in the special episode of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wish Ko Langâ&#x20AC;? on Saturday. In the story, she becomes Lani, a woman toughened up by lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hardships so much so that she goes as far as being a hitman for survival.

Talking about her experience on the set, Andrea revealed to Showbuzz she refused a Q Action lady Andrea Torres. double the en- INSTAGRAM PHOTOS tire time.

YA L I T Z A A PA R I C I O

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Romaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; starâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely road from mountains of Mexico to Hollywood TLAXIACO, Mexic: Yalitza Aparicio once was a newly qualified pre-school teacher living in a dusty mountain town in Mexico.

Now, the 25-year-old is the star of Alfonso Cuaronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Romaâ&#x20AC;? and an Oscar nominee â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a fairy tale marred by racist barbs the indigenous actress has encountered along the way.

Aparicio â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who is part Mixtec and part Triqui â&#x20AC;&#x201D; grew up in Tlaxiaco in the southern state of Oaxaca, home to about 40,000 people.

She had never even seen a movie on the big screen until she was 15 and went on a school trip to Puebla, a city some 350 kilometers (220 miles) away.

Tlaxiaco closed its only movie theater years ago, explains Miguel Angel Martinez, who runs the small cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tiny cultural center. Even then, it had only shown films that had screened everywhere else years before.

The theaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s demise was hastened by the advent of pirated DVDs, a flourishing black market that at least brought more up-to-date movies to Tlaxiaco.

Now, in an open-air market next to the church and clock tower, a stall advertises â&#x20AC;&#x153;Romaâ&#x20AC;? on sale for 20 pesos, or one dollar.

In the film, Aparicio plays an indigenous nanny living with a family in Mexico City â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a tale drawn from Cuaronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own childhood in the 1970s. In real life, Aparicio grew up in a tiny house among flowers, chickens and cows, before becoming Cuaronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely on-screen muse.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like the movie, and I like her performance even less. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all very trite,â&#x20AC;? said Rogelio Lopez, a seller of costume jewelry.

Others in Tlaxiaco are more supportive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really want her to win an Oscar,â&#x20AC;? said Catalina Chavez, a 39-year-old artisan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very proud that she is representing us â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as women, as indigenous people, as Mexicans, as country people and as domestic workers, as so many things!â&#x20AC;?

Gladys Morales, a 24-year-old who went to school with Aparicio, says she admires the down-toearth way her former classmate has coped with the international limelight. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was here in December [for New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festivities]. I saw her just walking with her mom. They were doing some shopping,â&#x20AC;? Morales said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyth thing here is as simple as ever.â&#x20AC;?

Aparicio has defended herself against â&#x20AC;&#x153;offensive comm ments,â&#x20AC;? saying she hopes â&#x20AC;&#x153;we are done with this idea.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I personally always thought I could never be a ppart of this [showbiz]. It all seems like a fairy tale bbecause all my life, I have been seeing women who ddidnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look like me on the screen,â&#x20AC;? she told reporters.

Âťglobalspotlight

Racist insults Since bursting onto the big screen, her performance has been lauded from Europe to the United States, and her face has appeared on the covers of prestigious magazines.

She is the first indigenous woman to be nominated for a best actress Oscar.

But with her newfound fame has come a wave of racist comments on social media, and even some from fellow actors.

Sergio Goyri, a 60-year-old Mexican soap opera star, was caught on camera criticizing the Academy for nominating an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Indianâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; using a vile profanity.

Other actors have questioned her talent, sparking indignation from Cuaron. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yalitza is one of the best actors I have worked with. It is wrong and racist to think that she is only playing herself,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It sets such huge limitations on a woman, just because of her indigenous background.â&#x20AC;?

Mixed response at home But even in her hometown, Aparicioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work has often received a lukewarm response.

Q The former pre-school teacher is now an Oscar nominee.

INSTAGRAM PHOTO

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Not here for the casting callâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S how did this humble young woman reach the So ppeaks of cinematic glory?

That in itself is a fairy tale of improbable casting.

In April 2016, Cuaron put out a casting call in Tlaxiaco aand other towns to find the lead actress for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Roma.â&#x20AC;?

Martinez, the cultural center head, said he thought the role would go to Aparicioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s older sister th EEdith, explaining that she has a â&#x20AC;&#x153;magnificent singing vvoiceâ&#x20AC;? and is â&#x20AC;&#x153;very talented, outgoing, with a lot of ccharm and charisma.â&#x20AC;?

The two sisters went to the casting call together, aand Edith threw herself enthusiastically into the sessision, which consisted of a photo shoot and questions aabout her personal life.

But the casting official insisted that Yalitza also part. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come for the casting call. I only ccame to keep Edith company,â&#x20AC;? Yalitza said, acccording to Martinez.

But Edith â&#x20AC;&#x153;took her by the handâ&#x20AC;? into the test.

She quickly found herself cast in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Romaâ&#x20AC;? without eeven knowing who Cuaron was, said Martinez. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She was a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;virginâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for these sorts of things â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what allowed her to act so naturally,â&#x20AC;? he said. th AFP

Pop rockers The 1975 win big at Brits LONDON: Pop rockers The 1975 stole the show at British pop musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual celebration on Wednesday, winning the coveted Best Album Brit award, with US singer Pink also honoured.

The Manchester four-piece claimed the prize for their raw number one album â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationshipsâ&#x20AC;? ahead of Florence + The Machine and indie singer George Ezra.

The band also claimed the best British group award â&#x20AC;&#x201D; speaking out against misogyny in their acceptance speech â&#x20AC;&#x201D; before performing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sincerity Is Scaryâ&#x20AC;? for the thousands packed into the Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s O2 Arena at the 39th annual ceremony, which recognised Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top talent of 2018.

Australian A-lister Hugh Jackman kicked off proceedings in a blaze of Hollywood razzamatazz, performing â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Greatest Showâ&#x20AC;? from hit musical â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Greatest Showmanâ&#x20AC;? accompanied by scores of gravity-defying dancers.

George Ezra was the nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early winner, taking the Best Male Solo Artist award, beating off competition from garage pioneer Craig David, veteran avant-garde techno producer Aphex Twin and soul singer Sam Smith.

He followed up by performing upbeat summer chart-topper â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shotgunâ&#x20AC;?, shortly before 21-year-old soul diva Jorja Smith was named best female solo artist.

US superstar Ariana Grande and hip-hop giants Drake and The Carters â&#x20AC;&#x201D; comprised of power couple Jay-Z and Beyonce â&#x20AC;&#x201D; scooped the international awards, with the latter sending a video thank you message in front of a regal painting of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.

Dua Lipa, the big winner of last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brits, made a show-stopping performance as part of a superstar collaboration with hit producer Calvin Harris and singer Sam Smith.

Rising star Anne-Marie, who shot to fame as the vocalist on Clean Banditâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worldwide hit â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rockabyeâ&#x20AC;?, was nominated for four awards, including for the Britney Spears-inspired video to â&#x20AC;&#x153;2002â&#x20AC;?, but left empty-handed.

AFP