THE MANILA TIMES | APRIL 23, 2019

Power plant outages trigger collusion probe ÂťStory on B1 ++

Php20.00

•• 5 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 192 28

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019

Tordesillas, media groups deny hand in ‘ouster plot’ JOURNALIST Ellen Tordesillas of independent media organization Vera Files, news website Rappler, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) on Monday vehemently denied a report written by The Manila Times Chairman Emeritus Dr. Dante Ang that they were out to “destabilize� the Duterte government.

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For Mamasapano and DAP, no one has said ‘I am sorry’

First word HIS is why the nation cannot walk away from Mamasapano and DAP. Not yet.

This is why the Mamasapano massacre and the shameless DAP (Disbursement Acceleration Program) will continue to haunt the nation and rock our elections? ÂłMakabentaA4

T

I

OBSERVER YEN MAKABENTA

The country’s version of gulag   Â

N 1973, IN MY LINE The GuOF SIGHT lag Archipelago, by the Russian writer and historian Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn came out detailing life inside a communist Soviet gulag or prison.

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Trusted since 1898

MalacaĂąang confirms ‘matrix,’ warns plotters Â

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

M

ALACAĂ‘ANG on Monday confirmed a “matrixâ€? of media organizations said to be behind a plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte, and vowed to prosecute those who would commit “overt acts to bring down the government.â€?

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the public had the “right to know� about THE g/UST $UTERTE PLOT u kRST REPORTED IN The Manila Times by its Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Dante Ang, on Mon day.

³’Matrix’A2

Politicians, businessmen named in new ‘Bikoy’ video

RAMON T. TULFO

AT LEAST nine people were linked to the drug trade in the Bicol Region in a new video by self-proclaimed ex-syndicate member “Bikoy.� )N THE kFTH EPISODE OF THE VIDEO SERIES “Ang Totoong Narcolist,� Bikoy said a drug syndicate working in Bicol, which he called the “Quadrangle Group,�

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QUAKE!

A photo posted on Facebook shows water cascading down a building in Binondo, Manila during the quake (left). Above, the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church in Porac, Pampanga was damaged.

6.1 quake leaves 8 dead in Pampanga

What’s inside DUTERTE ON SEA DISPUTE WITH CHINA: ‘LET’S STICK TO TALKING’ NewsA2

EIGHT people were killed when at least two buildings collapsed in Pampanga after a 6.1-magnitude quake struck Luzon, including -ETRO -ANILA ON -ONDAY DRIVING TERRIkED PEOPLE INTO THE STREETS Three bodies have been pulled out of a four-story building in the town of Porac, while a woman and her grandchild were crushed to death in the town of Lubao, Pampanga province Gov. Lilia Pineda said in a television interview. ÂłDeadA2

RODRIGO DUTERTE AS COUNTERIDEOLOGY TO ELITE LIBERAL POLITICS

Antonio ContrerasA4

Bahay Pag-asa lacks resources, support

BY GLEE JALEAÂ

REACH US AT: E-mail:

CELTICS SWEEP PACERS; WARRIORS, RAPTORS ROLL ON

SportsD1

MAUREEN MONTAGNE PROUD OF STRONG FINISH IN MISS ECO INTL 2019

EntertainmentE1

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

Second of three parts MANY Bahay Pag-asa reform centers ARE UNABLE TO ADEQUATELY FULkLL THEIR m a n date to rehabiliTATE CHILDREN IN CONlICT WITH THE LAW (CICL) or youth offenders aged 12 to 17, The Manila Times has found.

Data from the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council showed that there were 63 Bahay Pag-asa centers all over the country as of 2018. Of this

SPECIALREPORT

ÂłResourcesA8

Q The laundry area of the Molave Youth Home in Barangay Amoranto, Quezon City trains children in household chores. But the home grills up to the ceiling to prevent them from running away. PHOTO BY GLEE JALEA

A2

News

˜ The Manila Times TUESDAY April 23, 2019

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DUTERTE ON SEA DISPUTE WITH CHINA:

‘Let’s stick to talking’ P

BY RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he prefers to address the country’s sea dispute with China in a diplomatic manner, stressing he wanted to protect the Philippines from an unwanted war with Beijing over the disputed South China Sea.

Speaking at the PDP-Laban campaign rally in Agusan del Norte on Sunday, Duterte said soldiers and policemen would just be killed if the Philippines went to war. “We can’t defeat them. So,

let’s stick to just talking unless you want me to say, ‘Okay, I’ll attack China. Who’s with me?’� he added.

Duterte said he doubts if America, with which the Philippines has a defense treaty, would come to the

country’s defense. “Will America join us? They can’t even resolve their problem with Iraq and Iran in the Middle East. They’ve been at war for a long time. But who won it? Nobody.

Many lives were lost, including those of civilians, children, the elderly, and women. That’s the story,� he said.

He added that he merely worked to “preserve and protect� the nation.

On Monday, MalacaĂąang backed Duterte’s statement, saying the best way to address the issue was by diplomatic means. “As I said before, and as said by the President, negotiation is still the best solution to resolve

THIS CONlICT 7E WILL TALK u 0ALACE spokesman Salvador Panelo said IN A PRESS BRIEkNG Duterte also slammed anew China for sending vessels when the arbitral case was still being heard years ago. “What are you doing here? You ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BUILD ARTIkCIAL islands in the high seas, in the international seas. That’s not allowed,� he said.

Earlier, the President warned the Chinese not to touch Filipino soldiers stationed at Pag-asa (Thitu) Island. “And if you touch [the island,] that is another story. I will tell my soldiers to ‘prepare for suicide missions,’� he added.

Q DEAD FROM A1

6.1 quake “We believe there are still people trapped in the four-story building,� she said, adding 20 people have so far been rescued and taken to hospital. g)T S DIFkCULT BECAUSE THERE IS no power, so we’re still trying to get hold of a generator to be able to rescue the people inside,� she added.

Vice Mayor Dexter David said two of the casualties were children, aged 3 and 1.

The quake’s epicenter was 18 kilometers northeast of Castillejos, Zambales. It was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 12 kilometers.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the earthquake was felt in Metro Manila and several areas in Luzon with Intensity 5 recorded in San Felipe, Zambales; Malolos and Obando, Bulacan; Quezon City; Lipa, Batangas; Manila City; Abucay, Bataan; Valenzuela City; Magalang, Pampanga.

Intensity 4 was recorded in Pasig City; Makati City; Caloocan City; Meycauayan and San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan; Floridablanca, Pampanga; Villasis, Pangasinan; Tagaytay City; Baguio City; Marikina City; Las Pinas City.

Intensity 3 was felt in DasmariĂąas, Indang and Gen. Trias, Cavite; Lucban, Quezon; Muntinlupa City; Cabanatuan City; Palayan City; Gapan City; and Santo Domingo and Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

Meanwhile, Intensity 2 was recorded in Baler, Aurora.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said the earthquake was strong, but was not a major one THAT COULD CAUSE SIGNIkCANT AND major damage.

Solidum said aftershocks might last up to several days. As of 6:25 p.m. on Monday, Phivolcs re-

THE move of President Rodrigo Duterte to veto P95.3 billion worth of insertions in the 2019 national budget would not affect the programs and projects of congressmen and their constituents, MalacaĂąang said on Monday.

Duterte signed the General Appropriations Bill into law on April 15, cutting billions worth of “unconstitutional� insertions.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said he disagrees with the statement of Malabon City Rep. Ricky Sandoval that the veto had an impact on their projects and programs. “It will not, because the DPWH already has the programs. The DPWH should know what the priorities should be,� Panelo said, referring to the Department of Public Works and Highways. “What do they want? [The President] cannot approve it because it is unauthorized. They are riders, they are in violation of the Constitution,� he added.

Panelo said the veto would not affect the relationship between the Executive and Legislative branches of government. “First of all, there will be a new Congress. After the elections, there will be a new one,� he said.

Duterte vetoed P75 billion worth of programs and projects itemized by the House of Representatives AFTER #ONGRESS RATIkED THE BICAMERAL conference committee report.

Twelve other rider provisions were vetoed.

In his veto message, Duterte said he did not want corruption in any way. “Allow me to take this opportunity to emphasize that the hardearned money of the people must be used to improve the condition of our country and their overall welfare. I have said this before and I will say it again — I will not tolerate corruption in my administration,� he said.

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Q NAMED FROM A1

Politicians, businessmen

Q Photos show the welcome arch at the boundary of Pampanga and Bataan destroyed by the quake. Â CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

corded 27 aftershocks. ,OCAL GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS IN Central Luzon reported heavy damages in buildings and infrastructure, including megadikes in Pampanga and the welcome arch in the boundary of Pampanga and Bataan.

In Olongapo City, the quake damaged buildings, including the SM Mall.

A portion of the Clark International Airport was damaged,

leading airline companies to CANCEL lIGHTS Meanwhile, operations of railways systems in Metro Manila were suspended while operators assessed the impact of the quake.

At 6:23 p.m., the Metro Rail Transit Line, and both lines one and two of Light Rail Transit halted operations to ensure passenger safety.

Classes were also suspended in some universities in Metro Manila

following the earthquake. These were San Beda University, Lyceum University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines-Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. No injuries or damages were reported.

DIVINA D. DELA CRUZ, LISBET K. ESMAEL, CATHERINE A. MODESTO, DEMPSEY REYES, JERRY M. HERNANDEZ, PATRICK ROXAS AND AFP

Q ‘MATRIX’ FROM A1

Palace confirms ‘Oust-Duterte’ matrix, warns plotters  “The source of that is from the /FkCE OF THE 0RESIDENT FROM THE President, himself. I don’t know how he got one, but it’s coming from the President. I talked to him the other day,� Panelo told reportERS IN A PRESS BRIEkNG “If there is an ouster plan, the people need to know it. It is our constitutional duty,� he added.

Panelo said that while he did not know where Duterte got his copy of the matrix, or how it worked, people could be assured that it was properly vetted. “Siguro naman (We assume that it is reliable), considering he is the President, he has so many sources, e validated `yan (We assume it is validated),� Panelo said. “Galing kay Presidente, e. Paniwalaan niyo (It is from the President, you better believe it),� the 0ALACE OFkCIAL ADDED The media groups tagged as plotters were journalist Ellen Tordesillas and the Vera Files group that she heads, the Philippine Center for Investigative

Palace: Veto won’t affect lawmakers’ projects

Journalism and Rappler, as seen in the matrix. The National Union of People’s Lawyers was also included in the diagram.

Tordesillas was particularly accused of distributing the online video of self-proclaimed whistleblower “Bikoy� on the Duterte family’s alleged links to the drug trade.

All four groups denied the allegations and dismissed Ang’s April 22 story as false (see story on A1).

No overt acts, yet The matrix, provided to The Times over the weekend by a Palace source, linked media organizations and journalists to “coordinated� efforts to discredit Duterte and his administration.

The banner story written by Ang, a presidential special envoy for international public relations, claimed that the conspirators’ “play book� was to plant “fake news,� as well as “manipulate public emotion, touch base with

the Leftist organization, enlist the support of the police and the military, then go for the ‘kill.’�

Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, said the government would press charges against the plotters if they committed “overt acts.� “Basta lumabag na sila, `pag meron na silang (If they violate the laws, committed) overt acts to bring down this government, that’s a different story,� Panelo told reporters. &OR NOW THE 0ALACE OFkCIAL SAID it was enough to “just let them (media organizations) know that we know,� and emphasized that the Duterte government never gagged the media or anyone. “If the journalist mentioned here would say that the Palace is TRYING TO STIlE THE RIGHTS ) WILL REPEAT WE HAVE NEVER STIlED DISSENT in this country. It’s the President who encourages dissent — that is what democracy is all about. For the last three years, no journalist has been charged with any case in

relation to his or her exercise of the freedom of speech or the press,�

Panelo said. “Hayaan lang namin sila (We’ll just let them be), but if the plot thickens and they perform acts that are already violations of penal laws, e ibang usapan na `yun (then that’s a different story),� he added.

No surveillance Panelo said reporters were not under surveillance after it emerged that the information was fed to Duterte from overseas. “`Yan ang tinatawag na (That is what we call) sharing of intelligence information. That’s standard for all countries if it affects the security,� Panelo said.

Panelo shrugged off the possibility that those tagged in the OUSTER PLOT MIGHT kLE LIBEL CHARGES against the government. “O, ‘di sige (Fine). That’s their RIGHT u THE 0ALACE OFkCIAL SAID 4HIS WAS NOT THE kRST TIME THE Palace released information on

consisted of former politicians and businessmen.

Bikoy claimed that the leader of the Quadrangle Group was Albay businessman and Misibis Bay resort owner Elizaldy Co. Co’s bank code names “ECHOSIERRA� and “TIERRAALPHAQDRGL029,� Bikoy claimed, were tattooed on the resort owner’s body.

(E ALSO IDENTIkED OTHER MEMBERS of the group, known as the “patriarchsâ€?: Victor Lorenzo Rosales, who is in jail; Albay Rep. Fernando Gonzalez; Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo Tallado; former Camarines Sur congressman and governor Luis Villafuerte; Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua; Sorsogon Senior Provincial Board Member Krunimar Escudero; Naga businessman Thomas Enrile; and multilevel marketing franchise owner Tess RaĂąola. “We have documents similar to the ones we showed before about the Davao Group,â€? the narrator of the video said in Filipino. “These documents will prove their participation in the syndicate,â€? he said.

Earlier in the video series, Bikoy revealed the existence of the socalled Davao Group linked to the drug trade.

It consisted, he claimed, of President Rodrigo Duterte’s son Paolo “Pulong� Duterte, a certain Veronica Salvador (said to be the President’s youngest daughter Veronica Duterte), former special assistant to the President and Senate candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong�

Go, and lawyer Manases Carpio, husband of the President’s eldest daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Resort operations Bikoy claimed that Misibis Bay Island Condominium was being used by the

Quadrangle Group for drug operations. Because it houses a clandestine shabu laboratory, it was also called the “Chemists’ Quarters,� he claimed.

The laboratory had Chinese workers, he said. “This is where the central house facility of the Quadrangle Syndicate is located,� the whistleblower said in Filipino. “This is where the chemists are housed, some of them are from China. They are responsible for creating and cooking up shabu in the laboratory. The laboratory is in the basement of the central house. Security is very tight here and only a few people are authorized to go in.�

He later said the layout and the mode of operations at Misibis Bay might have changed, but the Quadrangle Group continues to use the beach resort as their operation base.

‘Bikoy’ to reveal himself At the end of the video, the masked Bikoy said he stood by all the claims in the video series, and said he would reveal himself soon. “Sa lalong madaling panahon, ako ay lalantad na (I will reveal myself in due time),� he said. “At buo-buong paninindigan ang mga isiniwalat ko patungkol sa isang sindikato na pinamumunuan ng dalawang grupo, na kinabibilangan ng pamilya ng Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas at ang kanyang kanang kamay (And I will stand by everything I have revealed in this video about a drug syndicate headed by two groups, which includes the family of the President of the Republic of the Philippines and his right hand).�

Bikoy ended the video by asking for “fervent prayers� not just for himself, but for the country.

ARIC JOHN SY CUA

He cited the strong support of the Armed Forces, the Philippine National Police and the public for the Duterte administration. “So, there may be some individuals who are thinking of ousting the President, but it will never, ever materialize,� Detoyato stressed.

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, the Armed Forces spokesman, said there were groups orchestrating a plot against Duterte, but did not go into details. “There remains individuals and groups that are determined and are engaged in orchestrated efforts to oust the present administration,�

Arevalo said.

He said the communists were among those behind plans to “disPlot vs Duterte credit� the Duterte administration. won’t succeed – Exiled Communist Party of military the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison said there was a The Armed Forces of the Phil- “ g r ow i n g m a s s m ove m e n t � ippines said the supposed plot against Duterte. against the President would not “The desire of the people to succeed. oust Duterte has become a mass g4HERE IS NO SPECIkC THREAT THAT movement and not the mere we are seeing here right now. There conspiracy of a few because of the are plenty of those who came up intolerable crimes of Duterte and WITH INFORMATION BUT NO SPECIkC his evil regime against the people,� threat,� said Col. Noel Detoyato, Sison said.

WITH DEMPSEY REYES military public affairs chief. a supposed ouster plot against Duterte.

In September, the President urged the public to watch out against moves to oust him, which he said would “go into a high gear� in October. The supposed plan came to be known as the “Red October� plot.

A s k e d h ow D u t e r t e wo u l d counter such destabilization efforts against the government, Panelo said, “The counter-propaganda is the achievements done by this administration.� “The result, as you have seen, is the very high satisfactory and trust rating of the President, survey after survey,� he added.

News

˜ The Manila Times

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TUESDAY April 23, 2019

A3

PH, China to sign 5 agreements T

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

HE Philippines and China would SIGN AT LEAST kVE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS when President Rodrigo Duterte visits Beijing this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Meynardo Montealegre said THE kVE AGREEMENTS WOULD BOOST COOPERATION IN THE kELD OF EDUcation, anti-corruption, official development assistance and drug rehabilitation. “It (signing of bilateral agree-

ments) is in the final stages of CONSULTATION 7E RE LOOKING AT kVE probably,� Montealegre said.

He added that the two countries might also sign infrastructure agreements.

Duterte will visit China for the fourth time this week to attend

the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be held in Beijing from April 25 to 27. He would join Xi and 39 other leaders and heads of international organizations.

Montealegre said the President would be one of the lead speakers at the Leaders’ Roundtable on April 27. “The main outcome document is a joint communiquĂŠ of the Leaders’ Rountable of the Second Belt and Road Forum and this is currently being negotiated among the participating countries,â€? he added.

4HE $&! OFkCIAL SAID $UTERTE would also have a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. “In the meeting with President Xi Jinping, they are expected to chart the course of further development of bilateral relations in various areas like defense, security, economics, and development as well as regional and international issues of mutual importance,� the DFA official said.

Montealegre said Duterte and Li would talk about a “more detailed� cooperation between the

Philippines and China in the areas of infrastructure, trade and investment, people-to-people relations, and regional cooperation.

(E HOWEVER COULD NOT CONkRM whether the President would bring up the Philippines’ concerns over the contested West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). “As far as the South China Sea [and] the Spratly [Islands], the President has always been saying that we will stick to the Philippine interests and positions,� he added.

Duterte first visited China in October 2016. The second visit was

in May 2017 and the third in April 2018 to attend the Boao Forum.

Duterte has sought closer ties with China even as the Philippines has yet to resolve its sea dispute with the Asian power.

China is claiming nearly all of the resource-rich strategic waterway. It ignored the ruling in July 2016 of a United Nations-backed panel that invalidated its assertion of sovereignty over the waters.

The Philippines filed several diplomatic protests against Beijing after hundreds of Chinese vessels were reported near Philippine-occupied Pag-asa (Thitu) Island.

Duterte endorses Go, other PDP-Laban bets CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte: President Rodrigo Duterte rallied behind the Senate bid of his former top aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go and other PDP-Laban candidates during the party’s campaign rally at the Caraga State University. “Akala nila dahil isang aide lang siya, ‘yung taga-karga lang.

Hindi iyan (They think because he was an aide, he just carried things. Not so),� the President said.

We a r i n g G o ’ s c a m p a i g n t-shirt, the President said his former aide had been with him for 21 years and not a single centavo went missing in the funds he entrusted to him.

Duterte vouched for Go’s integrity, saying the latter could be his partner in his effort to rid the government of corrupt officials.

Go, again, vowed to continue supporting the administration’s campaign against corruption, crime and drugs, as well as the reintegration program for rebels, the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and the localized peace talks.

Under the E-CLIP project, the government provides livelihood assistance and payment for surrendered firearms, and free skills trainings. Go wants to augment the program with bigger cash assistance, medical care, free housing and other benefits.

Go gave assurances that he would prioritize free healthcare, particularly the establishment of more Malasakit Centers where poor patients can avail themselves of help from government agencies, such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Social Security System, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. “Sa ngayon, 34 na ang Malasakit Centers na nabubuksan, at isa sa mga ito ay nasa Butuan Medical Center (So far, there are 34 Malasakit Centers, including one in the Butuan Medical Center [in Butuan, a city in Agusan del Norte]),� Go said. “Lahat ng taga- Agusan del Norte ay welcome na humingi ng tulong doon. Nais ko na magkaroon tayo ng isang Malasakit Center sa bawat probinsiya at malaking lungsod sa Pilipinas (All people of Agusan del Norte are welcome to ask for help. I wish to have a Malasakit Center in every province and city in the country),� Go said.

Go’s legislative agenda includes programs for agriculture, housing for the poor, education, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, barangay (village) welfare, creation of a Department of overseas Filipino workers, and improved benefits for senior citizens.

Oil companies hike gas prices OIL companies raised the price of gasoline by 10 centavos per liter.

Caltex, Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Petro Gazz, Petron, Phoenix Petroleum, Pilipinas Shell, PTT Philippines and SeaOil Philippines adjusted their pump prices on Tuesday.

No price increase was announced for diesel and kerosene.

The latest price adjustment brings the common price of gasoline to P59.09 per liter.

Industry players jacked up

THEIR ONLY BET

Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations officials and members declaretheir support for Sen. Paulo Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino 4th in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

MANILA. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

MAJOR TRANSPORT GROUP ENDORSES AQUINO THE Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) named Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th as its lone Senate candidate in the May 13 elections. “Sa Mayo a-trese, wala po tayong ibang ilalagay kundi Bam Aquino, ibalik sa Senado (On May 13, we have nothing to write save Bam Aquino, send him back to the Senate),� said ACTO National President Efren de Luna, as he AND OTHER OFkCIALS RAISED THE HANDS OF !QUINO “Sa pamamagitan ni Sen. Bam Aquino, palaging bukas ang Senado para iparating ang ating mga problema (Through Sen. Bam Aquino, the Senate is always open to hear our problems),� de Luna added.

The major transport group formally announced its endorsement in a meeting on Monday.

According to de Luna, the endorsement was APPROVED BY AROUND !#4/ OFkCIALS and members nationwide. !QUINO THANKED !#4/ OFkCIALS AND MEMbers for their trust, saying the group’s support would boost his bid for a second term. “Malaking tulong ang suportang ito ng ACTO para maipagpatuloy natin ang ating partnership sa Senado (ACTO’s support is a big help for us to continue our partnership in the Senate),� he said.

Aquino filed the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Bill with the support of ACTO, National Confederation of Transport Union, Sentro and Philippine Advocates for Transport Convergence.

In his Senate Bill 2056, Aquino seeks to MAKE JEEPNEYS SAFER AND MORE EFkCIENT FOR

commuters and the environment, while ensuring the livelihood of drivers and their families. “Kung gusto talaga natin ng modernisasyon, dapat makatarungan ito at abot-kaya para sa ating mga driver para hindi sila mawalan ng kabuhayan (If we really want modernization, it has to be just and within the reach of our drivers to ensure that they will not loss their livelihood),� said Aquino during his speech. “Hindi dapat maapektuhan ang ating mga kabuhayan ng mga polisiya na hindi naman pinag-aralan nang husto. Naririto ako para bantayan at protektahan ang inyong hanapbuhay sa Senado (Livelihood should not be affected by policies that were not thoroughly studied. I am here in the Senate to watch and protect your livelihood),� he added.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Senators seek review of Pantawid Pamilya funds

pump prices due to an increase in global oil prices. Reuters reported on Monday that Brent crude oil futures climbed 3.2 percent to $74.31 per barrel, while the US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose by 3 percent to $65.87 per barrel.

Last week, oil companies increased the price of gasoline by P1.05 per liter, diesel by P0.75 per liter and kerosene by P0.60 per liter.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

THE Senate’s so-called “Macho bloc� has pressed for a review of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to determine if the funds allotted to its implementation is properly utilized and were not being abused by local politicians.

Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd

AS WELL AS 3ENATORS 0ANkLO ,ACSON and Gregorio Honasan 2nd saw the need to conduct the review, following the directive of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Aùo banning local politicians from gEXERTING UNDUE INlUENCEu OVER THE distribution of government’s payout

program.

The 4Ps has two types of cash grants that are given to household-beneficiaries: P500-health grant per household every month or P6,000 every year; and P300-education grant per child every month for 10 months or P3,000 every year. A household may register a maximum of three children for the program. “I concur, to avoid politicizing government payouts. An inquiry is in order to rationalize its operation,�

Sotto said when sought to comment on AĂąo’s move. “It’s time to conduct a performance audit or review of the ‘Pan-

TAWID PROGRAM TO kND OUT WHAT IT has achieved so far,� Lacson said.

The three senators plan to call for a hearing to inquire into the proper use of the 4Ps funds, including its accomplishments in accordance WITH ITS DEkNED OBJECTIVE AND OTHER relevant issues surrounding the program. “It started during the last two years of the Arroyo administration and the allocations have increased many times over,� Lacson said. “Where there is smoke there is kRE /THER COUNTRIES AND INTERNAtional companies spend billions on research and development, yet we

appropriate a very measly amount to science and communications technology,� Sotto said g3O WE WANT TO kND OUT HOW THE DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) budget is being spent on cashouts,� he added.

As of August 2015, P27.15 billion cash grants were paid to 4.3 million BENEkCIARIES OF WHICH OVER

were from indigenous communities and 217,359 had at least one person with disability.

The program also covers 10.2 million schoolchildren aged 0 to 18 years.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

Effect of pre-signed deed of sale Dear PAO, My estranged wife and I got separated seven years ago. I went home last month to attend her burial because she died in a car accident. I discovered that she and my children were being evicted by Ferdie from the house and lot, which we bought after our marriage. Ferdie showed me a deed of sale and a Torrens title issued to his name. I immediately noticed that the signature in the deed was not mine and told him that I could not possibly have signed the document because I was out of the country on the date stated in the deed. Ferdie claimed, however, that my wife allegedly told him that I signed the document before I left and worked overseas. Ferdie also stated that HE HAD A CERTIkCATE OF TITLE AND

“(2) is not personally known to the notary public or otherwise IDENTIkED BY THE NOTARY PUBLIC DEAR PAO through competent evidence of identity as defined by these Rules.�

Thus, a notary public who nota the deed was already notarized, rized a document without requirso he had a better right over the ing the presence of the signatories PROPERTY #AN ) kLE A CASE FOR THE may be held liable for violation of cancellation of the deed of sale the above-stated rule. The effect of a document, which was notaOR &ERDIE S CERTIkCATE OF TITLE Jim rized but the signatories were not physically present in front of the Dear Jim, Rule IV, Section 2 (b) of AM 02- Notary Public, was explained in 8-13-SC (2004 Rules on Notarial the case of Dizon vs Beltran (GR 221071, Jan. 18, 2017), where the Practice) states: “A person shall not perform a Supreme Court through Associate notarial act if the person involved Justice Bienvenido Reyes stated: “In the case at bar, when the as signatory to the instrument or Deed was executed on Dec. 1, document — “(1) is not in the notary’s pres- 2009, Eddie claimed that he was ence personally at the time of the abroad while Verona was already unconscious. Vida did not directly notarization; and

PERSIDA ACOSTA

refute these allegations and instead pointed out that the Deed was presigned in April of 2008.

The foregoing circumstances reduced the Deed into the category of a private instrument as can be drawn from the Court’s discussion in Adelaida Meneses (deceased) vs Venturozo, viz.: “As notarized documents, (Deeds) carry evidentiary weight conferred upon them with respect to their due execution and enjoy the presumption of regularity which may only be rebutted by evidence so clear, strong and convincing as to exclude all controversy as to falsity. The presumptions that attach to notarized documents can be affirmed only so long as it is beyond dispute that the notarization was regular. A defective notarization will strip

the document of its public character and reduce it to a private instrument. Consequently, when there is a defect in the notarization of a document, the clear and convincing evidentiary standard normally attached to a duly notarized document is dispense with, and the measure to test the validity of such is preponderance of evidence.� (Citations omitted and emphasis ours) Applying the above-quoted decision in your situation, the deed of sale, which you allegedly presigned, when in truth your signature was forged, and eventually notarized when you were outside the country, will be treated as a private instrument. Being a private instrument, it will no longer enjoy the presumption of reg-

ularity and does not carry the evidentiary weight conferred to a public document with respect to its due execution. You may now file an appropriate action in court for the declaration of nullity of said document/ cancellation of title and the quantum of evidence required is preponderance of evidence.

This opinion is solely based on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same.

Thus, the opinion may vary when the facts are changed or further elaborated. We hope that we were able to enlighten you on the matter.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public AttorNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF Acosta may be sent to dearpao@ manilatimes.net

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Remember Quemoy and Matsu in war-gaming the South China Sea

T

HE language that has lately characterized statements from both sides of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) points to the need to consider the consequences of words before they are spoken.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Friday that China’s reclamation activities and militarization of the South China Sea were aimed at the United States, and not at the Philippines.

Our instinct is to ask, really? What does China say?

President Rodrigo Duterte explained that the US is scared of the idea of a war with China over the dispute on the West Philippine Sea, saying the cause is not worth sparking a third world war.

Observers could wonder: Is the Philippines trying to provoke a war between the US and China? And if so, what do Filipinos HOPE TO GAIN FROM SUCH AN APPALLING CONlICT It is prudent to consider the consequences in order to cool heads, and bring people back to the ground. Global powers will not test their arms against each other over tiny islands, islets and reefs.

Back in the 1960s, China and the US almost went to war over two islands in the Taiwan Strait, Quemoy and Matsu, as the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan both claimed them as part of their national territory.

4HE CONlICT WAS SO BITTER IT RESULTED IN TWO CRISES "OTH COUNtries sent troops to the islands. The US thought of using nuclear tactical weapons in the area.

Both sides proceeded cautiously in the standoff. It came to an abrupt halt when then President Richard Nixon decided to open diplomatic relations between the US and China. There has since been an amicable understanding about Quemoy and Matsu.

In the view of many US geopolitical analysts, the most likely causes of a clash between the US and China are the offshore islands of Asia. The Senkaku islands, claimed by China, are occupied by Japan, with whom the US has a security treaty requiring the US to protect all Japanese-administered territory. The Paracels in the South China Sea are claimed by Vietnam and China. The Spratlys are claimed by six nations — China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines. A Japanese strategist says, “whoever controls the Spratleys will gain regional hegemony.�

That is, America today is rethinking its defense commitments IN THE !SIA 0ACIkC AND THESE INCLUDE OUR OWN DEFENSE TREATY Patrick Buchanan, in a well-known analysis, says: “In any clash with Beijing, America would be without allies. In the 1996 crisis in the Taiwan Strait, not a single Asian nation publicly endorsed the deployment of US aircraft carrier off the China coast. Only where their own security is the issue do our Asian allies become true allies. As these nations are threatened by a militarist expansionist China, the present situation should be unacceptable to the United States.�

Thus, there are many who seek a review of US defense treaties WITH NATIONS ACROSS THE WORLD INCLUDING THE !SIA 0ACIkC Filipino breast-beating on account of a belief that the US would COME TO OUR RESCUE IN A CONlICT WITH #HINA SHOULD BE TEMPERED by a more realistic assessment of the security challenges and INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IN THE !SIA 0ACIkC TODAY No amount of taunting that America is scared will make it more willing to risk war in the South China Sea. At the same time, the perceived military weakness of the other claimants of the Spratlys should not mislead China into thinking that its aggressive moves have already succeeded.

4HE FACT IS THE SITUATION IS lUID AND REMAINS UNSTABLE Care with the spoken word is as critical an element to our diplomatic stance as keeping our policy not to yield an inch of our rightful territory.

~

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 192

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA 2ND, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD, Motoring Editor CONRAD M. CARIÑO, Special Sections Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY, Assistant Business Editor MARIO F. FETALINO, Assistant Business Editor REMIA B. EUGENIO, Deskman (Regions) MARISHELLE K. MEDINA, Deskman JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net www.manilatimes.net • e-mail newsdesk@manilatimes.net Letters to the Editor THE MANILA TIMES is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002 The owners, managers, publishers and editors do not necessarily share the opinions expressed and the statements made by individual authors of columns, commentaries and other articles published in The Manila Times.

“I TRUST THAT THIS SEASON OF EASTER WILL BE A BLESSED TIME FOR US TO REKINDLE OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO NATION-BUILDING,‌â€?

Rodrigo Duterte as counter-ideology to elite liberal politics (This is the second part of the paper I will be reading at the annual conference of the Philippine Political Science Association to be held in Clark, Pampanga, on April 25.)

T

HE ascendance of Rodrigo Duterte to the presidency was seen by many as an embodiment of a rebellion of those who have been excluded, marginalized or diminished by elite politics. But bereft of any grand narrative that can justify his ascension cast in the usual forms that ideologies take, Duterte ended up being thrust into the political landscape not as a bearer of the agenda of the left or the right but as an embodiment of a personality cult. He personikED THE ANGER AND FRUSTRATION OF a people ignored, betrayed and abandoned by their elites. His being a provincial city mayor amplikED HIS REPRESENTATION OF BEING AN outsider from the margins.

In a personalistic political cul-

ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS ture such as the Philippines, the development of a counter-ideology was appropriated not through a grand narrative of what should become of the Philippines. Instead, THE AGENDA FOR DEkNING A RATIONALE for challenging elitist, exclusionary politics was appropriated into a personality cult that fed into the mythologies and rationalizations about Rodrigo Duterte. In the end, he became the ideology, with his utterances becoming the textual narratives, and his actions becoming the templates to justify his actions.

Duterte is no longer the politician that required some external or grand text to properly explain HIM (E PERSONIkED THE JUSTIkCA-

tion needed to give sense and meaning to the political narratives that emerge from his presidency.

This is precisely why his political base is composed of different social classes, and he draws support from across the ideological spectrum, or whatever may approximate it. He has supporters from the urban poor and peasants, the blue-collar workers, the middle class, and the gated communities.

He has support from grassroots activists and military adventurists.

If there is any cohort where his support is weak, it is from the ideological left and the liberal progressives, mainly from academe and activist civil society. What is, however, ironic is that this section of the intellectual elites is the one that inaugurated “Dutertismo� as a label for his ideological base through a “Duterte Reader� released when Duterte was barely in HIS SECOND YEAR IN OFkCE However, the criticisms may not even be grounded in reality.

“Dutertismo� painted Duterte as a fascist. Intellectual elitists like Randy David, John Nery and their cohorts forced into Duterte the profile of a Filipino Mussolini, Hitler or Franco.

Unfortunately, much as his critics try so hard to image him AS A FASCIST FASCISM DOES NOT kT the mold of Rodrigo Duterte. A fascist is a radical, right-wing, authoritarian ultra-nationalist who uses his dictatorial powers to suppress the political opposition, establish a tightly regimented and totalitarian society and a highly centralized and controlled economy. However, despite his bravado and crude language, the President is not a radical, right-wing politician but, instead, one who promotes land reform with the left hand while presiding over a bloody drug war with his right hand.

The President is not a fascist also because, far from being an

ÂłContreras A6

Q MAKABENTA FROM A1

For Mamasapano and DAP, no one has said ‘I am sorry’ out, brief candle!

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more.

he personally authorized the mission, declined to order rescue and reinforcements for the beleaguered commandos, even though he was in Mindanao at the time. And then he stunted the Senate inquiry into Mamasapano by declining No poetry to appear or answer questions. in PH elections A beholden Grace Poe (she had just been pronounced a “naturalThere is no poetry in Philip- born citizen� by a Sereno-led pine elections. There is only the Supreme Court) let him off scotprose of grubby, corrupt and FREE WITH A SURREAL kNDING CALLED Demand for closure false politics. “ultimately responsible.�

4HOSE WHO RUN FOR OFkCE ARE In Shakespeare’s play, Lord BanThe DAP bribery scandal nearly quo, the Thane of Lochaber, is mostly running with the use of equals Mamasapano in ignominy.

AT kRST AN ALLY OF -ACBETH BOTH public money. Their main objec- The disbursement program was are generals in the King’s army) tive is to get back into the public invented by former budget secretary and they meet the Three Witches payroll, where they hope to ex- Florencio Abad so Aquino and the together. After prophesying that tract pork barrel and maximum administration could freely transfer Macbeth would become king, the advantages. At their worst, they and use public funds for projects as witches tell Banquo that he will seek to protect and expand their they chose. In going all-out to secure not be king himself, but that his political dynasties. a guilty verdict against then Chief The Liberal Party as the leading Justice Renato Corona, Aquino used descendants will be. Later, Macbeth in his lust for power sees voice of the opposition is trying the DAP to bribe the senator jurors.

Banquo as a threat and has him to get back to power on the Pan- Nineteen senators voted to convict, murdered by two hired assassins. glossian belief that the people with the assurance of P50 million to Banquo’s ghost returns in Act are ready to turn Duterte and his P100 million to each of them.

3, Scene 4 during a public feast. allies out of power.

2. The scandalous programs He is visible only to Macbeth, were not the responsibility of and invisible to his guests. Mac- Prohibitive Aquino alone. They were just beth is unhinged; thereafter, his odds for Liberals as clearly the failure of the Liblife spirals into tragedy. eral Party as the administration The play closes with Macbeth’s In this, the Liberals are bucking PARTY ,0 OFkCIALS AND THE PARTY piercing words, as he mourns the prohibitive odds. as a whole abetted Aquino all 1. Their biggest obstacle is the the way in his acts of irrespondeath of Lady Macbeth: Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and settling of accounts on Mamasa- sibility and indifference. Their pano and the DAP. tomorrow, names are in the record as The two events are perhaps the accomplices and recipients of Creeps in this petty pace from most emblematic of the failures bribes and other inducements. day to day To the last syllable of recorded and shortcomings of the Noynoy 3. After their defeat in the Aquino administration. time, 2016 elections, the Liberals The Mamasapano massacre tried a strategic withdrawal.

And all our yesterdays have STANDS OUT AS A FAILURE FROM kRST TO lighted fools They dropped Liberal Party as The way to dusty death. Out, last of President Aquino, because their name of choice, and tried

These appalling events in our national life long for expiation and will not settle until there is a measure of justice or atonement.

Like Banquo’s ghost in William Shakespeare’s play, “Macbeth,� Mamasapano and DAP are a spectral presence in our elections that hounds candidate and voters alike with questions about accountability and closure.

some novel names like Tindig.

They buried “Tuwid na Daan� (straight path) as their party battle cry, and hope “Otso DiRETSOu WILL CATCH kRE And then most fateful of all, they dropped the color yellow as their emblem and signature.

They tried substituting “white� in the hope of signifying a meaSURE OF PURIkCATION "UT IT WAS no dice. The public would not buy the antics.

No one said ‘I am sorry’ Through these appalling events, my research team and I found most remarkable that not a single !QUINO OFkCIAL OR ,0 LEADER CAME out publicly to say that he or she was sorry about Mamasapano, or about the DAP bribes.

For what happened in Mamasapano, most were only concerned about distancing themselves from the tragedy.

In the DAP scandal, the Liberals tried the same tactic of denying responsibility.

The bribery is recorded, however, in the Supreme Court ruling that declared the DAP unconstitutional.

The senators, along with their bribes, are listed in the high court decision.

Now, the same characters are trying to return to the Senate by running in the May election.

If the electorate is not watchful, they could be in position to prosTITUTE PUBLIC OFkCE AGAIN !ND THEY can boast that they never said, “I am sorry.�

yenmakabenta@yahoo.com

˜ The Manila Times

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TUESDAY April 23, 2019

Taiwan faces historic decision in coming election

T

AIWAN’s 23 million people may face a historic decision in the coming months as the island prepares for a fateful presidential election in which relations with mainland China will be the crucial issue.

Party leaders of all stripes were jockeying for position last week amid rising cross-strait tensions when the entire political establishment was suddenly shaken up after Foxconn chief Terry Gou, who counts both Donald Trump and Xi Jinping as his friends, announced that he was running for president.

Like Trump, Gou is a billionaire businessman with no experience in government. Foxconn, best known for making iPhones and other Apple devices, is mainland China’s largest private employer with over a million workers in factories across the country.

Gou’s candidacy may well change the nature of the campaign, and the election next January may effectively become a referendum on Taiwan’s future: whether it is inexorably heading toward “peaceful reunification� with the mainland or whether war is rendered more likely by a defiant Taiwan insisting on independence.

While few in Taiwan want an immediate change in the status quo, the biggest political issue is whether the island should eventually unify with China or be permanently separate.

In the past 20 years, power has

FRANK CHING changed hands between the Kuomintang (KMT), or Nationalist Party, historically dominant in Taiwan and seen as friendly to China, and the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

In previous elections, candidates from both sides took moderate positions. Thus, Ma Ying-jeou, who led the KMT back to power in 2008, PLEDGED A POLICY OF gNO UNIkCATION

no independence and no war.� He reached many economic agreements with China while shunning political issues.

Of pivotal importance was Ma’s acceptance of the so-called 1992 CONSENSUS WHICH THE +-4 DEkNED as “one China, separate interpretations.� The KMT accepted that Taiwan and the mainland are both part of one China, but differed as to which was the legitimate government.

However, when Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP gained power in 2016, she rejected the so-called consensus while accepting Taiwan’s existing laws and constitution, which treat Taiwan and the mainland as parts of China. $ESPITE THIS 8I ENDED OFkCIAL CONTACT with Taiwan.

Instead, China stepped up pressure ON 4AIWAN )T HAS POACHED kVE OF THE handful of countries that recognized Taipei, leaving only 17. Military pressure, too, has strengthened, with ChiNESE kGHTER JETS CROSSING THE CENTER LINE in the waters that separate the island from the mainland earlier this month.

Tsai, who is running for re-election, is being challenged by the strongly pro-independence William Lai, who had served as her premier. A poll of DPP members showed him leading Tsai 55.1 to 26 percent.

On the KMT side, Wu Den-yih, party chairman and former New Taipei City mayor, and Wang Jin-pyng, former legislative speaker, have announced their candidacies. The party also wants to get Han Kuo-yu, THE newly elected mayor of Kaohsiung, to run but Han, ONLY IN OFkCE A FEW MONTHS IS RELUCtant to do so. Polls show Han substantially ahead of Tsai and, recently, leading Lai as well.

As things stand, Gou stands an excellent chance of winning the KMT nomination, especially if Han stays out.

Thus, Taiwan’s voters may be faced with the choice of a strong pro-independence CANDIDATE AND A CLEARLY PRO UNIkCATION one. This would be the closest Taiwan has ever come to a referendum.

If elected president, Gou is likely to move Taiwan much closer to China, unlike the DPP, which seeks better US ties.

Gou opposes arms purchases from

the US. Instead, he thinks that Taiwan should maintain good relations with China to avoid forceful integration and has called Xi “a great leader.�

Xi has called for “in-depth demoCRATIC CONSULTATIONSu ON UNIkCATION )F Taiwan under Gou accepts such talks, it would be tantamount to an agreement to seek political integration. #HINA HAS NOT COMMENTED OFkCIALLY on Gou’s candidacy but Global Times, published by the Communist party mouthpiece People’s Daily, said in an editorial, “If Gou becomes Taiwan regional leader, cross-straits tensions would be eased.�

But, the editorial suggested, it makes little difference who wins the election because “the mainland is committed to reunification.� It concluded: “If Taiwan authorities are moderate, the mainland can execute the task in an unhurried manner. If Taiwan authorities are radical, the task will be more urgent. But the task will eventually be carried out in any case.�

Gou’s deep economic involvement in the mainland makes him vulnerable to Chinese pressure. If he were to become president, how would he position Taiwan and where would he take the island in the long term? The voters in Taiwan deserve to know the answers to those questions before they cast their ballots in January.

Frank.ching@gmail.com Twitter: @FrankChing1

Q TULFO FROM A1

The country’s version of gulag The book became an instant bestseller as it portrayed the inhuman conditions inside a gulag.

Here in the Philippines, we have a version of the gulag. And the inmates, ironically, are not criminals or people who have committed crimes against the Filipino people. Most of them are just being held for overstaying in the country and waiting for eventual deportation.

4HIS IS THE kRST OF A THREE PART SEries of articles about the gulag, the Bureau of Immigration detention center inside the police camp in Bicutan, Taguig.

The author is Raymond Smith, 62, a British book publisher and webmaster whom I sprung from the immigration jail.

I will tell you later how I came to know Smith and why I caused his release from the Bicutan immigration jail.

I was able to convince him to write everything that he observed inside the jail which became his home for kVE WEEKS (ERE IS THE kRST OF 3MITH S THREE part series, unabridged and unedited [except for some minor corrections in accordance with The Manila Times style]: “I arrived at the BI jail on Jan. 11, 2019 AND MY kRST IMPRESSION OF THE FACILITY was that it was overcrowded and the conditions were very poor generally.

There are around 250-300 inmates at any one time with less than 250 bed spaces, so myself and many others had TO SLEEP ON THE CONCRETE lOOR IN THE main communal area. Someone did lend me an old foam mattress and a PILLOW BUT IT WAS DIFkCULT TO SLEEP ON THE lOOR FOR THE kRST FEW NIGHTS .EVERTHEless, due to the large number of people, MOSTLY #HINESE SLEEPING ON THE lOOR also — quite a few had very bad coughs and it was very noisy at night. A worse problem was that the building was infested by dozens of large rats during the night hours.

When I arrived, I had nothing at all with me aside from my cellphone.

Some of the other detainees gave me some toiletries and a cup and bowl and plasticware to eat with. Two meals a day were provided — mainly meat in gravy with rice. It was OK, and I never got sick from eating it, at least in the six days that I was there which is just as well as there was very little in the way of medical facilities at all there. Other inmates warned me to take extra care not to get any cuts or OTHER INJURIES AS THERE ARE NO kRST AID facilities available. Apparently it is possible to ask for a doctor to come there by paying one of the guards P1,000.

Money to pay the doctor and for any medicines will be needed in addition.

There have been some horror stories in

recent times where inmates have not been provided proper medical care, including the death of an American national William Mark St. Cyr who died in the isolation cell while I was there. Apparently, he should have been hospitalized rather than being put in AN ISOLATION CELL (E WAS IN HIS kFTIES Drinking water was available at a cost of P50 per week, and there was plenty of water available for showers and the CR (toilets) while I was there, although only four of the eight CR cubicles are available to non-Koreans. There are two gangs of Korean inmates who more or less make the rules, and recently immigration has been deporting some of the longterm Korean criminal fugitives who pay huge sums to have their extraditions put on hold and receive the comforts of airconditioned rooms where they continue with their illegal activities from the safety of the Warden’s Protection Unit. It seems that it is the “custom and practice� for these Koreans to pay the utility bills of the unit — which of course HEAD OFkCE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT and also gives Bicutan the money to pay. But, under threat of more deportations, the Koreans have refused to pay the water bills and in retaliation the Warden has been turning off the water supply at 5 p.m. daily and leaving it off until well into the morning by which time the very overcrowded facilities’ too few toilets are blocked and full of excrement and nobody can shower or prepare food. This really is an outrage and should not be allowed to continue.

In the six weeks that I was there most of the new inmates were Chinese. They were welded in groups of 20 or 30 at a time and kept there a week or more until their employers paid for their release, with sums averaging P200,000 or more for each detainee.

As mentioned, most of them end up SLEEPING ON THE CONCRETE lOOR #ONsidering that most of these Chinese came to the country to work and end up getting arrested and brought to the detention center due to their work permits being delayed, perhaps purposely, it really is too bad, and clearly something needs to be done about this situation. These are not criminals after all; they are just Chinese workers who for the most part have come to the Philippines to work hard to earn money to support their families.

Many of the westerners are incarcerated there for no good reason at all.

Some, like myself, are there due to THEIR &ILIPINO WIVES kLING BOGUS ALLEGAtions against them with the BI in order to get them deported so that they can steal their land and properties. This is very common, and I spoke with quite a number of British and Americans

there for similar reasons, including one 82-year-old British guy whose name is Peter. He has been there since mid-2018 and does not see any prospect of being released any time soon unless he buys his way out by paying P300,000 or more.

Again and again, foreigners are arrested at the whim of a partner, girlfriend, wife or business associate.

Often a “lovers tiff� triggers a vengeful visit to the Bureau of Immigration who seem all too pleased to be given another victim to “arrest� extort and deport. It is so ridiculously easy, just a phone call will do, that it even surprises the complainant. But, too late for regrets, once reported there is no going back or stopping immigration. Some are there for a matter of months and do not lose too much.

Others are not so lucky and it can be four years or more of hell and torture, a great deal of money, and his life savings before he/she can go.

The scam is so easy to run and immigration seemingly so eager to run with it (hate the foreigner, love their money) that all the partner need do IS CLAIM SOME SORT OF ABUSE AND kLE a complaint and the foreigner can be in a city jail or immigration detention for years until the case is dismissed. Almost all of these vengeful cases fail eventually because they are rarely prosecuted, the partner fails to go to hearings or cannot produce evidence, etc. But the courts are so slow it can take years for an accused to get a case dismissed.

Even then, many of these victims continue to be held by immigration for a further two years. These “vengeful cases� usually end with the ACCUSED kLING A MOTION TO DISMISS ON the grounds of a failure to prosecute or a failure to provide a speedy trial.

Courts try to save face for themselves and prosecution by giving provisional dismissals rather than acquittals. A provisional dismissal means that the case is archived but remains open for a period of two years (usually) before IT IS kNALLY DISMISSED 4HEORETICALLY the case could be reopened during this two-year period but in practice they never are. If the accused is a Filipino, he goes free. But if he is a foreigner, immigration will hold the accused for those two years just on the off chance the case is revived.

3O AFTER FOUR OR kVE YEARS THE FOReigner is resigned to the fact that his former partner gets to keep his house (had to be in the Filipino partner’s NAME IN kRST PLACE ANYWAY BUSIness and assets (cars, etc.) and he is so desperate to go, he dreams only of the day he has permission to buy his ticket out of it — and holds his breath all the way to the airport, just in case. A very sad plight indeed for

many foreigners.

On the morning of January 22, the PNP Regional Special Operations Unit carried out a raid on THE FACILITY CONkSCATING DOZENS OF cellphones, laptop computers, plus money from the detainees. Acting Warden Niùo Oliver Dato gave over an hour’s advance notice of the raid to several of the wealthiest of the Korean criminals being held there, and even hid some of their phones, LAPTOPS AND CASH IN HIS OWN OFkCE The same phones were returned untouched and unreported after the raid. He has since allowed brandnew devices to be brought in for other Korean criminals at a time when the bureau is claiming all such devices are contraband.

Communications devices are not “contraband� in a facility of this kind; in fact detainees are guaranteed unrestricted access to such devices by international law and human rights treaties to which the Philippines is a signatory.

That is one of the reasons why these Korean criminals pay to stay there.

Of course, many of them can only afford to pay the bribes to stay by committing fresh crimes, a fact WHICH CERTAIN ") OFkCIALS SEEM VERY WELL AWARE OF AND BENEkT FROM 4HE Acting Warden is apparently trying to cancel conjugal visits for most detainees at the same time as he informed the Korean criminals of the new prices for bringing in prostitutes. He has even been allowing overnight prostitutes’ visits.

The Bureau of Immigration personnel at the detention center goes so far as to use bureau personnel and OFkCIAL VEHICLES TO TRANSPORT PROSTItutes past the PNP guards at the main gate. Unbelievable but true!�

N N N I came to know of Smith’s plight when he wrote me a letter which he sent through his lawyer, Jose Angelito Bulao.

Bulao, who I didn’t know at the time, asked a mutual friend, Mats Hillerstam, a Swede, to send me Smith’s letter.

Smith was detained at the immigration jail after his wife, Jinky Talon, a former Filipino overseas contract WORKER kLED CHARGES OF CONCUBINAGE against him.

The Briton has two children by Jinky, aged 10 and 8.

Raymond and Jinky have been married legally since 2011.

Smith told me the concubinage charges were fabricated. He said Jinky wanted to get hold of his property worth P33 million by having him deported.

Smith was released by Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente on my recognizance.

Opinion

A5

Convert Pag-asa into a tourist resort S

INCE the Chinese are profiting from the natural resources within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea by mass harvesting giant clams in Scarborough Shoal and in some instances, OFF THE SHORES OF 0AG ASA )SLAND WHY DON T WE ALSO PROkT from it as well by exploiting the tourism potential of our territories in the West Philippine Sea? How? By opening Pag-asa and other Philippine-occupied islands as a VISA FREE TOURIST RESORT FOR DIVING SNORKELING AND kSHING I know it’s a radical idea but it’s not farfetched. And WE WOULDN T BE THE kRST Unknown to many, Malaysia has been operating a resort in Layang Layang (better known internationally as Swallow Reef) — an oceanic atoll in the Spratly Islands measuring approximately 6.2 hectares — since the 1980s.

Like all of the Spratlys, Malaysia’s ownership of Layang Layang is disputed, with the island also being claimed

by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Located around 300 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu, ,AYANG ,AYANG WAS kRST OCCUPIED BY -ALAYSIA S SPECIAL FORCES who erected a claim plaque on the island. Over the next few years, the Malaysian Royal Navy established a permanent naval station on the reef. In 1989, the Malaysian government decided to develop the island into a tourist spot and two years later, a dive resort was in full swing.

Layang Layang’s development included reclamation works that expanded the land area to its present 35 ha, with an 85-room hotel, a 1,400-meter runway, hangars, RADAR STATION TRAFkC CONTROL TOWER A JETTY AND A MARINE research station.

Today, Layang Layang is open to the general public, regardless of nationality. It has become a popular destination for scuba divers, especially during the mating season of hammerhead sharks in May. Visitors to the island board CHARTER lIGHTS FROM +OTA +INABALU FOR THE KILOMETER trip to Layang Layang Airport.

Another Spratly claimant, Taiwan, organizes special trips to its Taipei-administered Taiping Island (international name, Itu Aba), the most recent being a media tour hosted by then Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou.

4AIWAN HAS A kSHING INDUSTRY STATION ON THE HA ISLAND

including a 10-bed hospital, an airstrip and a wharf.

Marine researchers have also been visiting another Taiwanese-controlled atoll — Pratas (or Dongsha Island, as it is called in Taiwan). Last year, Taiwan’s minister of science and technology even led a delegation of governMENT OFkCIALS INCLUDING RESEARCHERS FROM THE 53 AND Japan, on a tour of the facilities in Pratas. Recently, there have been calls from the public to open the atoll for tourism and turn it into “Taiwan’s Great Barrier Reef.� With its rich biodiversity, many Taiwanese say it should be open to tourists for scuba diving and other tourism purposes.

For the past three years, Vietnam (which administers several features in both Paracel and Spratly Islands) has also been offering private tours of some of its island outposts in the Spratlys. Calling it “sovereignty tours,� the $800-trip is offered only to a select group of “patriotic citizens.�

Here is how one Vietnamese travel agency website describes the tour: “The Spratly Islands are located in southeastern Vietnam, including a group of more than 100 islands, reefs, and atolls scattered from the west to the east at about 350 sea miles wide‌The nearest island is Spratly (Truong Sa) Island, which is about 250 sea miles from Cam Ranh Port of Khanh Hoa Province‌In the Truong Sa archipelago, there are many such islands which [are] inhabited‌On each of them stand a few little houses, small but solid and resistant to strong winds with a living room, a kitchen, a meeting room, a gym and a few bedrooms. These islands are connected by bridges whose names are taken from bridges in the soldier’s native villages.â€?

Truong Sa, or Spratly Island, is the fourth largest island in the Spratly archipelago, and is one of the 49 islands, reefs and features occupied by Vietnam. Over the past few years, Vietnam has been quietly reclaiming land in Truong Sa, extending its runway to 1.2 km and building two large hangars for military aircraft.

Not to be outdone, China is planning to run regular cruises to the Spratlys from its southern island province of Hainan beginning in 2020. “The Nansha Islands are virgin territory for China’s tourism industry,� a Hainan PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFkCIAL SAID USING THE #HINESE NAME for the Spratlys.

Chinese companies already operate cruises — for Chinese nationals only — to the Paracel Islands, another disputed chain of islands north of the Spratlys. The fourday South China Sea cruise operated by a Chinese staterun shipping company costs anywhere between $500 and $3,600 for the privilege to travel to disputed outposts.

What is apparent is that many claimant countries in the Spratlys are encouraging civilian presence on their disputed islands to legitimize control of contested areas. In the same vein, opening Pag-asa to local and foreign tourism is a soft — and less confrontational — approach to exercising sovereignty over Philippine-occupied islands in the West Philippine Sea. It sends a clear message that the country’s settlements in the West Philippine Sea are primarily intended for civilian rather than military purposes. This will likewise allay China’s fears that Philippine-occupied territories like Pag-asa would be used by the US military to undermine China’s military advantage through its man-made island outposts in the Spratlys.

Moreover, allowing wider public access to Pag-asa and other landforms occupied by the Philippines will further bolster our position that these are “islands� capable of sustaining human habitation — a criterion cited in the Hague Tribunal ruling. This is crucial because only “inhabitable islands� under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (Unclos) generate extended maritime zones such as the 200 nautical mile EEZ. Some food for thought.

FLIPSIDE ATTY. DODO DULAY

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

Last wave

C

EBU: Down to the last 20 days and national candidates will have to put in more last-minute strategy, for some to go over the top, while the rest will need cement to latch on to that slot or rank and hold on as strong winds try to unseat them WITH THE kNAL OFFENSIVE What needs to be communicated has been done. Who is the candidate? Why are you running for the position? Why should voters vote for you today? Three questions that should have been FRAMED AND PRIMED IN THE kRST 70 days. The last 20 days are all about conversion and securing the outliers, or the 10 percent.

Can you redo what happened in THE kRST DAYS .OPE #AN YOU move across names and be in the winning circle? If you are way down the Top 20, it will be hard.

If you are within the Top 20, the clustering effect will have to be played out. Based on experience, to go over the top of reelectionist or balik-Senado is hard. To go OVER THE TOP OF kVE TO SIX NAMES in a cluster may look easy, but 1 percent movement is so hard unless several scenarios are at

ZILCH MA. LOURDES TIQUIA play. And that is where ground war becomes important.

National candidates have a penchant for designing their campaigns on air war alone. Air being traditional or mainstream media, that is predominantly TV. You need radio in rural Philippines which is around 60 percent. TV is king because of reach, but digital war has cancelled that out. Unfortunately, since we are not fully connected to the internet and since the connection is spotty to say the least, reach has not been optimized by candidates. Telcos will have to be a major legislative agenda for the 18th Congress to harness fully the potential of a digital campaign. But there are noteworthy national and local candidates who are pushing their campaigns online. Will they be successful?

Only time will tell and if they

are, they have to stick to building that brand online since an effective beach head has been made.

From campaigns to governance, imagine the possibilities!

Lessons learned this early — one cannot launch a digital campaign without being strategic and targeted. Messaging should be simple (in the dialect), authentic and direct. Organic is the grail and not boosted or noise from farms. Which only means a lot of data science involved from building one’s data base of voters, people you met, projects launched in the area, geo-tagging and converting such data intelligence into effective receivers of messages and echoing channels to recruits. You do not launch a digital campaign without content and pre-tested messages.

A national candidate cannot be in crisis every day because that will frame your 90 days. One has to be proactive without adding to the noise. A campaign manager remains in the shadows, never be the story. Never get a politician as a campaign manager because his lens is far different than a professional. His perspective

and context are not 20/20. It has never been about colors since voting is all about hope and the future. If it were about colors, then the conclusion is Filipinos are stupid, and they are not. One thing that Duterte has unleashed in the 2016 elections is that FiliPINO VOTERS ARE NOW kGHTING FOR their rights to be heard and listened to. The blinders have been removed and herd mentality is an individual thing.

Senate is top-of-mind campaign while local is door-to-door, still very traditional. Though it remains very traditional, the ward system is being broken by certain candidates who thrive by going directly to voters. Hard, but if you are serious with your effort, you get to see your area and meet new people and test your message on retail manner.

Vote-buying remains a reality. It has also been intricate, from vote protection (defensive and offensive) to suppression. Who will RELEASE kRST $O YOU COUNTER "Y how much? The ground tells you one thing but operations change grounds and to a certain degree, a local candidate is left with a char-

Leila de Lima fights on

W

ALK to the end of a rough concrete path and through two locked gates and one reaches Sen. Leila de Lima’s jail cell in Camp Crame, the high security headquarters of the Philippine National Police. Visitors are not permitted to see the cell. This is a privilege reserved for only a few relatives and selected staff. But de Lima’s prison security guards will readily tell you about it.

De Lima is being detained in a jail cell measuring about 3 meters by 4 meters. Crammed into this space, which is regularly searched, are a bed, a toilet, a shower and a store cupboard where she can keep a few things. She is prohibited from having an airconditioner and has to make do with an electric fan. The cell gets unbearably hot. The inside temperature soars to 40 degrees in the daytime. Until four months ago, the cell had no window. All her food is brought in. The fear that someone may try to poison her is real — she shares the prison with some dangerous inmates who were put behind bars by her. De Lima has been living under these conditions for two years, two months and counting.

On this humid Palm Sunday morning, de Lima appears bright and fresh, effectively squelching the rumors that prison time had turned her gaunt and frail. The 59-year-old former justice secretary and ex-chief of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) wears a jaunty black-and-white striped shirt, a necklace of colorful beads and dangling earrings. She has maintained her iconic haircut, a crisply cut bob, lightened with BLONDE STREAKS 4HE CONkDENT DE ,IMA STYLE is evident for all to see.

A group of nuns and supporters have come to celebrate mass with her and her relatives.

There are cousins and childhood friends. Vicente, her younger brother, has just returned from a Geneva summit on human rights, where he accepted an award on her behalf.

In his acceptance speech, he appealed to governments to send their diplomats to visit his sister and issue messages of support. “Our FAMILY HAD ALWAYS BEEN LOW PROkLE UNTIL ,EILA S arrest,� he says. Their quest now is for the world to know the injustice being done to de Lima and shatter what he calls a “conspiracy of silence.� He thinks of this time as a battle between good and evil. Drawing on a “Star Wars� analogy, he tells me: “The Empire is striking back and there are so few Jedi left.�

International attention comes at a heavy cost, however. A visit in early 2018 by an inter-parlia-

Q CONTRERAS FROM A4

Rodrigo Duterte ultra-nationalist, he is in fact a pragmatist in his foreign policy. While he may have pivoted away from the United States, it was not fueled by a post-colonial, identitybased, anti-Western logic. His pivot towards China is driven by practical considerations of taking a more diplomatic approach that can bring in economic dividends, instead of a confrontational path that is fueled by symbolic nationalist sentiment. His politics is based not on the lofty symbolic goals of nationalism but the more materialist gut issues of economic security and freedom from crime and drugs.

Some scholars of politics argue that President Duterte is a populist. Indeed he is. However, populism is not an ideology but a political strategy. A populist is someone who endeavors to appeal to the hearts

THE LONG VIEW RACHEL A.G. REYES mentary delegation, resulted in privileges being removed, and more onerous requirements for foreigners wishing to visit her. Any foreign prospective visitor now has to disclose their complete itinerary to the PNP and get an endorsement from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The regular Sunday mass gatherings, affectionately called “Parokya ni Leila,� are presided over by Fathers Albert Alejo, Flavie Villanueva and Robert Reyes, the three priests who minister to de Lima and are, themselves, on the receiving end of some ugly and serious death threats. She calls them her “3 Oscar Romeros� after the Latin American archbishop who championed the poor and was assassinated in El Salvador in 1980. It’s a title full of grim humor. In recent months, three priests were murdered, one of whom was gunned down as he celebrated mass.

While Duterte remains president, de Lima knows that her own fate is uncertain. “We HAVE A HISTORY u SHE SAYS lATLY )N AS chair of the CHR, she investigated the extrajudicial killings in Davao City, allegedly being committed by vigilante assassins known as the Davao Death Squad. De Lima interrogated Duterte, who was mayor at the time. “I was trying to solve something in Davao,� she recalls. Duterte was none too pleased by the investigation. He would give her thrashings on his radio show, cursing her and calling her a fool. In 2016, in an ironic twist, Duterte assumed the presidency and she was elected to the Senate. She quickly became his most ferocious critic and they went head to head.

When de Lima initiated a Senate resolution calling for a probe into the Davao killings, two weeks after Duterte’s election, when his popularity was running at an alltime high, her colleagues thought she was committing political suicide and counseled her to pick a better time. But the fresh wave of killings, unleashed by Duterte’s newly launched anti-drug war, had already started and dead bodies, with taped heads, and bearing a cardboard sign on which was scrawled “I am a drug pusher. Don’t copy me,� were appearing all over Manila. and minds of ordinary people who feel that they are being ignored, disregarded and abandoned by the political elites.

There are left-wing populists as there are right-wing ones.

It is as a populist that Rodrigo Duterte ascends to the status of being an ideology.

(IS BRAND OF POLITICS DEkES BEING ENTOMBED IN A kXED PLACE IN THE IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM

even as his populism turns him into a CULT LIKE kGURE THAT NO LONGER NEEDS A TEXT to justify. Rodrigo Duterte is the embodiment of a belief system that aggregates the frustrations and anger of the people who have been ignored and excluded by the liberal elites. These kinds of elites spoke of democracy, human rights and social justice.

But they spoke in their advocacies, or as literary pieces, or in academic journals and conferences, but never in the real and everyday lives of people who bear the burdens that academic and civil society ideologues theorize and perorate about.

De Lima remembers being outraged. She remains unregretful of her decision, even WHEN IT STYMIED HER lEDGLING POLITICAL CAreer. “I don’t care about the timing. When something is the right thing to do, you just have to do it,� she says.

Duterte publicly accused her of allowing drug trading in Metro Manila’s New Bilibid prison while she was justice secretary; of taking kickbacks and using the money to fund her senatorial campaign. Her accomplice, or bagman, Duterte alleged, was a married man who was also her lover. The President even claimed to have seen a sex tape of them. Witnesses to the prison drug dealing were brought forward — a sorry bunch of convicted drug lords and criminals who were later released as a reward for their cooperation. A largely compliant House of Representatives and Supreme Court proceeded to uphold her arrest on drug charges.

On Feb. 24, 2017, de Lima was taken from HER 3ENATE OFkCE BY AN EXCESSIVE NUMBER OF ARRESTING POLICE OFkCERS g9OU ARE kNISHED u Duterte vowed, and told de Lima to go and kill herself. Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio denounced her incarceration as “one of the grossest injustices in recent memory.� Fellow justice Marvic Leonen concurred. Her case, in his view, was “quintessentially the use of the strong arm of the law to silence dissent.�

Although she does not blame them for allowing what happened, de Lima admits to feeling hurt by her colleagues, who perhaps, she thinks, might have done more to protect her. “I’m not a political heavyweight,� she relECTS g) M NOT A STALWART OF THE ,IBERAL 0ARTY ) was a newbie in politics. There was no political value in protecting me,� she says.

Vindication is all de Lima wishes for. She has consistently proclaimed her innocence and believes that the truth will protect her and will prevail. The result of the coming senatorial elections, however, could prove decisive to her fate. If she is to have a chance at freedom, opposition senatorial candidates must sucCEED g4HEY MUST KEEP SHOWING THEIR kTNESS AND WORTHINESS 4HEY MUST KEEP kGHTING u SHE advises. “Anything can happen.�

For de Lima, hope remains undimmed. “Is this the end of the world for me? Is this the end of the road? They can cut me down but I will never bow,� she says with conviction. “Like air, I rise.�

rachelagreyes@gmail.com Rodrigo Duterte’s power as a living ideology, a person-as-text presence in the political landscape, rests in his authenticity and the accessibility of his symbolic representations.

He is a performance, a living spectacle, a joke and a comic relief, an ongoing soap opera, a hope and a prayer, a curse to the enemies of, and a blessing to, the people.

He is all of these rolled into one.

Yet, every ideology has its pitfall, a dark side, an undesirable outcome. An ideology can inspire, but it can also blind. In history, ideologies were able to propel people to rise up in arms against oppressors, but they were also able to whip up irrational acts of collective inhumanity that ended in injustice, even genocide. Ideologies can build hope and bring liberation, even as they can destroy dreams and usher in damnation. It is in this spectrum of possible consequences that we will have to imagine the effects and impacts of Rodrigo Duterte as ideology. Next: The dangers of ‘Dutertismo’

ACTER DEkNING MOMENT SHOULD ) Some strategists insist that to win, one has to blanket the airwaves. That is not a scienTIkC CAMPAIGN 4HE AIRWAVES GIVE ground people the beach head.

A good air strategy clinches the deal for national candidates but to convert what was clinched is a ground effort. Where do I get my votes? What are my harvest areas? What do I do to close the pitch and voters to vote for the candidate. If 60 percent of the country is rural and you have a long, back-to-back ballot, you need to guide them. The strategy of locals is different from national candidates. And this is where a strong sample ballot can net a national candidate at least a 5 percent to 10 percent gain.

Filipino voters do not vote one slate, save in 2007 during the midterm of PGMA. Will the slate of Mayor Sara or that of PRRD have a unifying effect of a sweep?

And this is where harvest areas are important. You do not do a sample ballot operation nationwide, you do it strategic using political intelligence on the ground.

Who is strong gets you the boost

for that one huge wave to put you over the top. At the local level, who is strong is all about claiming the battle and winning the war. It boils down to organization, and duplicity and redundancy are basic protocols to prevent a meltdown on E-Day. That meltdown can be a last-minute counterattack or oodles of money removing the lead.

Against a strong, crushing wave, a candidate worth his/her salt stands and embraces it. It is unavoidable, could be unpredictable but you graciously stand strong, knowing you have made that pitch and is willing to be judged by the voters, vote buying or no vote buying. If you have crossed the voters sometime, say your piece, make amends, for as the wave comes crushing, it will gradually leave, returning to where they’d come from. Never will they have the ability to make you disappear but voters remember and when YOU SKIRT THOSE DEkNING MOMENTS (more like crises) of your political life, they will register their sentiments on how you treated them as Filipinos. The protest vote is real; it comes every season when politics needs cleansing.

By any means necessary

M

Y late friend, the Philippine queer anarchism pioneer Aleksi Mari Gumela and I, as he once wrote in his blog, “may have lived as twins in our past life� (April 1, 2008). He must be right.

We met in February 2001, at a meeting of the Rationalist Humanist Society of the Philippines on a Sunday morning in a Burger King restaurant IN -AKATI #ITY ) WAS JUST kNISHED high school.

He was a bohemian, a philosopher and an artist. He was sitting in front of me, listening to my opinion about what should have happened during the 2001 EDSA 2 uprising. I said I agreed with the position of Sanlakas: Resign all. He smiled. “Have you been to Luneta University (LU)?� he asked me. “I know Luneta and have been there.

But I’m not aware of any Luneta University. Is there such a thing?� I asked back. “Yes, there is,� he said, “and I’d like to invite you to come tonight, around 8 p.m. There’s a group of people there, younger than this group here, that meet every weekend in the Chess Plaza. You will like it there. I’m very sure of it.�

We exchanged mobile numbers. That invitation marked one of the turning points of my life.

That evening served as my initiation to LU, which I passed. LU had environmentalists, communists, situationists, feminists, anarcho-capitalists, punks, street-style philosophers and artists. It was our La Vie Boheme!

Our gatherings were full of discussions on philosophical questions: from art, to boredom, to God, to stupidity.

We nurtured one another’s intellectual development. The vagabonds and vendors listened to our conversations. But we also had our share of fun and deep belly laughter. ) DID MY kRST DISCUSSION ON TRANSGENder rights at LU. After that, Aleksi told me that Filipinos would have a hard time “swallowing� it. He encouraged me to keep going nonetheless.

He and I formed ReQlaim Queer Collective, a sub-group of the collective that we later formed at LU: The Luneta Freedom Collective (LFC), a counterculture performance art group. LFC performed in bars, in zine conventions, in underground punk concerts, in protest rallies, in a gatherING OF kLMMAKERS DURING FULL MOON outside the Manila Film Center, in public parks, in schools. “Ayoko sa mundo n’yo� (I don’t want to be in your world), a monologue I wrote about a person’s struggle for gender and sexual liberation, was the opening act of our performance.

Aleksi is the calmest person I know. While defending a transgender woman who was being harassed by a gang, he was stabbed in the stomach. Everyone panicked except him. Calmly, he told people to get him into a cab. While at the hospital, he instructed his boyfriend to throw away his stash of porn and sex toys under his bed. His boyfriend

FOR THE MOTHERLAND

SASS ROGANDO SASOT was perplexed. “Hello! When I’m dead, I don’t want my parents to be scandalized!� he said.

We had a pact: achieve our goal of advancing LGBT acceptance “by any means necessary.� It’s the English translation of a phrase used in “Dirty Play�

by Jean-Paul Sartre, his favorite philosopher. The nobility of the ends one wants to achieve is worth every tactic.

During the evaluation of our participation in the 2001 LGBT Pride March by the anarchist group I was part of, one participant questioned our “assimilationist politics.� He asked why we were supporting the anti-discrimination bill, which for him was statist and therefore anti-anarchist. We had a heated discussion. The law provides people like us with a safety net, I argued. For him, it wasn’t relevant as no company would discriminate against him for his sexual orientation (he was straight) or gender identity (he wasn’t a transgender person). Eventually, he got a corporate job, while I experienced several instances of discrimination.

I walked out of that meeting. Aleksi learned about it the next day and told me to stay true to our ReQlaim pact: “by any means necessary.�

I was once nominated to run under the LGBT party-list Ladlad, when it WAS kRST FORMED ) DECLINED IT BECAUSE I was underage (I was 24 at the time), and my anarchist principles held me back. When Aleksi learned about it, he called me stupid. He told me to stay loyal to our ReQlaim manifesto: “by any means necessary.�

When I was invited by the US State Department to attend Hillary Clinton’s LGBT speech in Geneva in 2011, Aleksi was so proud of me. I asked him if it wasn’t too much selling out already. After all, we participated in the 2002 anti-Iraq War rallies. We helped organized anti-Iraq War Food Not Bombs. Anti-US government sentiments abounded in our group. And there I was being co-opted by the Empire that committed some of the worst atrocities ever imagined.

Funnily, no Filipino anarchist condemned me for rubbing elbows with one of the greatest human dignity violators in world history.

Aleksi assured me once again: “by any means necessary.�

He died in 2014. His tombstone quotes Montaigne: “The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make to them; a man may live long, yet get little from life. Whether YOU kND SATISFACTION IN LIFE DEPENDS not on your tale of years, but on your will.� He lived fully and inspired me to do the same — by any means necessary.

srsasot@gmail.com

Regions

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Sulu, Zamboanga slam Sri Lanka bombings ZAMBOANGA CITY: Sulu Gov. Toto Tan on Monday joined the worldwide condemnation of the series of deadly suicide attacks on churches and a hotel in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday that killed at least 290 people. Tan, whose province was also targeted

by Islamic State (IS) suicide bombers in January that killed over a dozen people, branded the Sri Lanka attacks as a “terroristic carnage� as he called for sobriety. “Let sobriety prevail in these troubled and trying times. Let not emotions fuel the embers of religious divide,� he said. “We join the rest of humanity in condemning in the strongest of terms the Easter Sunday terroristic carnage in Sri Lanka. We do feel the anger and the sufferings such dastardly acts bring as we are still reeling from the January 27 blasts in Jolo Cathedral when the lives of 20 peaceful church-going fellow Tausugs were sacrificed while attending Sunday Mass,� he added.

At least 290 people were killed in the coordinated attacks on Easter Sunday in various areas in Sri Lanka, a largely Buddhist island country in South Asia.

Tan said he and the people of Sulu “join the global call to reveal the perpetrators of these condemnable acts and let justice prevail.�

The IS claimed responsibility for the fatal twin blasts at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo town, which was carried out by a couple suspected to be Indonesian.  In a statement the Amaq News Agency released, the IS said the first bomber detonated an explosive belt, while the second attacker blew himself up outside the cathedral which killed 27 people and wounded more that 70 others, including soldiers deployed in the area.

Similarly,  Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar also condemned the suicide attacks in Sri Lanka as she ordered the local Philippine National Police and soldiers to tighten security in places of worship in the city. “We condemn the Sri Lanka bombings and our sympathy goes out to the families of those who perished in the carnage,� she told The Manila Times over the phone.

AL JACINTO

Nationinbriefs BLAZE GOBBLES UP 17 HOUSES IN CEBU CITY FIRE destroyed at least 17 houses in a residential area at Sitio Drihao, Barangay Lahug in Cebu City on Monday. Chief Insp. Noel Nelson Ababon, Cebu City fire marshal, said the City Fire Department received the fire alarm at 8:25 a.m. and was placed under control at 9:02 a.m. Investigation revealed that the flames originated from the house of Raffy Rapsing and the fire was put out at 10:29 a.m. Most of the houses, which were made of light materials adjacent to each other, were located at the back of the Department of Science and Technology in Central Visayas. Ababon said firefighters had a hard time reaching the area since the road is narrow and they needed to cross a river. Ababon said no one was reported hurt or injured and damage to property is estimated at P350,000. The cause of fire is under investigation.

RHEA RUTH ROSELL

2 KILLED IN ANTIPOLO CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENT TWO construction workers were buried alive after a portion of the townhouse they were building in Barangay Cupang, Antipolo collapsed on Black Saturday. The victims — Rafael Ferreras and Rian Gabac — were declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Another construction worker, John Matugas suffered injuries. Police said Ferreras and Gabac were digging the foundation for the townhouse when a pile of rocks and soil crumbled. An investigation was being conducted to determine if the contractor should be held responsible for the incident.

GABRIELA BARON

MANHUNT ON AGAINST SUSPECT IN RADIO COMMENTATOR KILLING BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte: The Philippine National Police in Caraga Region (PNP-Region 13) intensified its manhunt operations against the suspect in stabbing to death of Francisco Patindol, radio commentator of DXJM-Butuan City. P/Brig. Gen. Gilbert Cruz, PNP-Region 13 director, has ordered on Sunday the arrest of Ulating Macarampat Barapangkat, alias Ola Saransamen. The Butuan City Police Office also activated a Special Investigation Task Group headed by P/Lt. Col. Glenn Sampaga to look into the case. Patindol, 52, of Barangay San Ignacio, Butuan City was in Narra Road, Barangay New Society Village, Butuan City on Black Saturday when the suspects approached and stabbed him with a knife hitting him on the left chest. He was declared dead at Manuel J. Santos Hospital in Butuan City. Reports added that the suspect was under the influence of liquor when he attacked and killed the victim. Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said the killing of Patindol was not work-related, while the PNP in the region was still conducting an investigation.

ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

A7

Limited or no water supply in Rizal areas BY GABRIELA BARON

R

ESIDENTS in Rizal continue to experience limited to no water supply at all amid Manila Water’s continuing implementation of a rotational supply scheme.

The hours when water supply is available in some areas vary as THE WATER kRM CONTINUES TO UNDERtake operational adjustments to manage its supply and distribution system.

Affected areas are the eight towns of Rizal, 21 barangay (villages) in Binangonan, 13 in Antipolo, 11 in San Mateo, six in Teresa, four in Taytay, four in Rodriguez (formerly Montalban), three in Angono and all barangay in Cainta, except portions of San Isidro, Sto. Domingo, San Andres and San Juan.

The service interruption is expected to last from one to two weeks.

Dina Goleta, a Manila Water consumer in Barangay San Carlos, Binangonan, said the service outage gives them a hard time, especially in their daily chores such as washing dishes and cooking. “Kung kasagsagan ng oras ng

gamit ng tubig, maiinis ka kasi abala, kailangan mo pang magigib ng tubig (It’s an inconvenience when you need to use the water and there is none. So you will have to fetch water elsewhere),� she said.

Elbert Anore, a Binangonan resident, echoed Goleta’s sentiment. “Magpapatay sila ng tubig sa tanghali, e maraming gumagamit nun. Hindi kami makapagluto, makapaglaba. Nagbigay pa sila ng schedule, hindi naman nasusunod� (They cut off water supply at lunch time when water use is heaviest. We can’t cook and wash our clothes. They give us schedule they do not follow), he said.

Fernando Zobel de Ayala, owner of Ayala Corp., parent company of Manila Water, said they were ensuring a close collaboration BETWEEN THE kRM AND THE GOVERNment in coming up with immedi-

NO WATER

 Manila Water pipes being installed along Barangay Bilibiran in Binangonan, Rizal. PHOTO BY GABRIELA BARON ate and long-term solutions to the water supply shortage.

Manila Water was eyeing to install more booster pipes along the stretch of Marcos Highway, crossing the towns of Taytay, Angono and Binangonan, one of its technical solutions to extend water supply to elevated locations and areas farthest from its central distribution system.

Other solutions include valving and network adjustments, looping

and interconnection of lines as well as other after-the-meter recTIkCATIONS The water shortage, which started on March 8, caused long lines in water rationing stations along Angono, Floodway in Cainta and Barangay San Jose and San Isidro in Rodriguez.

The water level of the La Mesa Dam dropped to 68.5 meters as of Monday, below its critical level of 69 meters.

Bong Go bats for Caraga Region progress FORMER special assistant to the it to the Senate, you can count on my President (SAP) Christopher Law- support for these projects,� he said. rence “Bong� Go vowed to help Go cited the P1.5-billion worth of boost progress in Butuan and the rest projects that included the 7.55-kiloof the Caraga Region as he thanked meter (km) road leading to the Centhe residents for their overwhelming tennial tree and beaches in Magallanes support during a motorcade in the town and the adjacent beaches in Cabadbaran City; the city over the weekend. “We were accorded a really warm Buhang and Banza reception. I should say as hot as the bridges, which, weather these days. The overwhelm- when completing support makes us forget how e d , wo u l d tired we are. These visits are not only p r o v i d e for campaign purposes. Just seeing quicker the smile on people’s faces, makes a c c e s s me very happy,� he said. to these Go said Butuan was fortunate for areas via IT BENEkTS FROM VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT projects, particularly under President Rodrigo Duterte’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. “The Duterte administration has these projects that will help greatly in the development of Butuan. If I make Q Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go

Barangay Banza in Butuan City.

There is also the Mindanao Railway Project, a 304.48-km railway traversing Butuan City, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley and Tagum City in Davao del Norte.

The former SAP also cited the P71.6-billion Mindanao Railway Project, which would provide convenient, safe and fast transportation of people and goods and boost economic and tourism activity in Regions 11 and 13.

He added that he would push for improved delivery of medical services in the country, noting that many public hospitals and health institutions lack the necessary facilities to handle the huge volume of patients.

Part of this advocacy is the establishment of Malasakit Center — a one-stop shop bringing together in one room all concerned agencies to make it easier and faster for indigent patients to avail THEMSELVES OF MEDICAL AND kNANCIAL assistance from the government. “Butuan City already has a Malasakit Center, the one in the Butuan Medical Center, which was launched on Oct. 12, 2018,� he said, adding that at present, there are 34 Malasakit Centers serving in various areas of the country.

Go wants to pass a law that would enable the establishment of Malasakit Center in more provinces and key urban centers of the country and ensure, as well, the continuity of the program even after the Duterte administration ends. “I believe that serving people is the same as serving God. The President and I have no desire except a better life for every Filipino,� he said.

Isabela farmers complain share from sin tax delayed ILAGAN CITY, Isabela: Farmers in Gamu, Isabela expressed dismay over the long-delayed “meager� benefits from their local government unit’s (LGU) share in the tobacco excise tax.

The share from the sin tax is mandated under Republic Act (RA) 8420 amended by RA 10351, which listed 16 provinces that SHOULD BENEkT FROM THE TOBACCO funds. These are Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Tarlac, Occidental Mindoro, Misamis Oriental, Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

The allotted fund from the excise tax is divided among beneficiary provinces. The law says THAT A BENEkCIARY PROVINCE MUST have an average annual production of leaf tobacco of no less than 1 million kilo.

In Barangay Furao in Gamu town, Burley and native tobacco planters said that similar to the past several years, they had been EXPECTING A MEAGER ANNUAL kNANcial aid of P12,000 from the local government’s share of the excise tax collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Mely Martinez, mother of a tobacco farmer in Furao, said the last time they received their share, they were given P2,500 as advance and when the LGU paid them the remaining balance of P9,500, they only received P8,300. “To our surprise, it was explained to us that the deduction

of P1,200 was for interest on the amount already advanced,� she said.

But Gil Molano, a member of Gamu Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council), said the council never discussed this town’s LGU share from the excise tax. “We were never consulted nor asked by the local chief executive office to approve a resolution regarding this matter,� he added.

A review of the Oct. 6, 2017 Local Budget Circular 76 of the Department of Budget and Management shows the municipality of Gamu got its share from the tobacco excise tax in the amount of more than P5.3 million for 2014 and P8.4 million for 2015.

It was not clear, however, what kSCAL YEAR WAS THE AMOUNT ALREADY received by farmers accounted for by the local government. There was no available record for the 2016 and 2017 shares. In July 2018, the Supreme Court ordered the prompt release of the LGU’s “just share� from national taxes which included the tobacco excise tax.

Also, two tobacco farmer leaders, Joey Lauria, 47, and Darwin Martinez, 43, have under their accounts some 60 farmers in Furao.

On March 2, Martinez died of stroke and like other tobacco farmers, he was complained of THE LONG DELAYED kNANCIAL ASSIStance from the LGU share in the excise tax.

Martinez said when her son Darwin died, she took charge of his responsibilities as a farmer leader.

“We asked for help from the company during the wake of my son but an amount of P2,000 came when he was already buried,� she said.

The Universal Leaf Philippines Inc. (ULPI), the Philippine subsidiary of the Singapore-based Universal Corp., has emerged as the sole business engaged in tobacco in Gamu.

The ULPI forged a production agreement with tobacco farmers through its so-called “farmer leaders� for the company to provide for all production expenses including land rental, seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs, as well as boxes for dried tobacco leaves that are transported to the Universal Leaf warehouse in Cauayan City for grading, weighing and pricing.

A farmer leader, under the ULPI terms and conditions for tobacco growers, serves only as a guarantor to all farmers under his watch. “In the case of my son Darwin, I would now transact with ULPI for the 26 accounts under his name,�

Martinez said. “I am so worried that some FARMERS WILL HAVE DIFkCULTIES MEETing the desired volume and grade of tobacco produced to have an income enough to settle their production cost,� she added.

Low income Lauria said their net income was determined by deducting company expenses, adding: “We have no say

GOOD HARVEST

A tobacco farmer in Barangay Furao of Gamu town hopes for a better life for all farmers doing business as growers for a tobacco company. PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO on the price of inputs and other expenses charged against our accounts.�

A farmer from a neighboring Barangay Banquero in Reina Mercedes town said the company had been supplying them overpriced fertilizers similar to those sold in local agricultural outlets, which are much cheaper. “We were shown our statement of accounts, but the company WOULD ONLY GIVE US kGURES AND NOT the details, only for us to know how much net income is due to us,� Lauria said He said two copies of the statement of account were kept in the

COMPANY OFkCE BUT A COPY GOES TO THE MAYOR S OFkCE “If they are clean, why would the office of the mayor be interested to keep a copy of the individual tobacco farmer’s statement of account from the company,� Percival Quibilan, also from Furao, said. “Maybe it is time Furao residents and tobacco farmers shifted to other crops to have more income for the family,� he said.

The way tobacco leaves are graded by the company are too complex for ordinary people to understand, and farmers said they were concerned and have

always doubted the company’s procedures.

Farmers with a half-hectare land planted with tobacco would usually have a net income of P24,000 in four months, and for a family of four, this is barely enough for their survival.

To describe its Corporate Social Responsibility brand, the ULPI website shouts out,“Capitalism with a Conscience.�

However, tobacco farmers in Gamu and neighboring towns lament that the ULPI’s anti-corruption manual seemed unheeded on the ground.

LEANDER C. DOMINGO

A8

News

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

MMDA EYES MAY CLOSURE OF BUS TERMINALS IN EDSA THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) wants to fast-track the closure of bus terminals along EDSA as it registered low participation in its bus ban dry run on Monday.

MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo “Jojo� Garcia Jr. said the agency asked the local governments of Pasay and Quezon City to revoke the business permits of 47 bus terminals.

“Our target [closure] is by May 15. We have written the local governments to cancel the business permits of provincial bus terminals,� he said.

Garcia previously said they planned to close the bus terminals in June.

He explained that the bus ban dry run would allow the agency to determine problematic areas before the policy is implemented.

Once the bus ban is fully im-

plemented, provincial buses will no longer be allowed to traverse the major roads in Metro Manila.

Instead, terminals will be installed outside the metropolis where commuters can take buses, jeepneys and taxis to reach their destination.

Bus operators are expected to use the terminals in Valenzuela City, the ParaĂąaque Integrated Terminal Exchange in ParaĂąaque City and in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“We encourage bus operators to participate in the dry run because YOU WON T BE CAUGHT lAT FOOTED when the full implementation comes. Without participants, we can’t tell which areas we can improve on,� MMDA Command Center chief Edison “Bong� Nebrija said in an interview.

As of 1 p.m. on Monday, only Victory Liner participated in the dry run.

Nebrija said the policy was under review by agencies concerned such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. “If they don’t move out of EDSA, the passengers and the chokepoints will stay there. We NEED TO kX THE URBAN DESIGN OF EDSA. It should not have so much terminals,� he said.

The MMDA, however, admitted that provincial buses only account

FOR PERCENT OF THE TOTAL TRAFkC congestion. “But we have to start somewhere,� Garcia said.

The MMDA will also start apprehending bus drivers who will load and unload passengers along the major thoroughfare.

6IOLATORS WOULD BE kNED 0

MMDA spokesman Celine Pialago said. Â NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

Another record heat index in Metro M DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

ETRO Manila registered another recordhigh heat index of 38 degrees Celsius (C) on Sunday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The 38 C heat index was registered at 2 p.m. at the Science Garden weather station in Diliman, Quezon City. The temperature was 35.6 C. It reached the extreme caution category between 32 C and 41 C. The highest recorded heat index was reported on April 21 at 49.6 C in Dagupan City, Pangasinan,

where the temperature was 34.5 C, with a 72-percent humidity.

The heat index also reached danger levels in Tayabas, Quezon at 47.3 C; Sangley Point, Cavite at 46.2 C; Ambulong, Batangas at 45.4 C; San Jose City, Occidental Mindoro at 44.3 C; Aparri, Cagayan at 44.2 C; Daet, Camarines Norte at 42.9 C;

Casiguran, Aurora and Cuyo, Palawan at 42.8 C; Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte AT # 4UGUEGARAO #AGAYAN AT C; Virac, Catanduanes at 41.9 C; Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 41.5 C; and Calapan and Oriental Mindoro at 41.3 C. Pagasa advised against outdoor activities between 12 noon and 4 p.m.

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Tordesillas, media groups

BIBLIOPHILE

Hernando Espiritu, 67, stands beside his books that he started collecting in 2000, some given by groups and individuals.

Hernando distributes the books in the provinces. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA.

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Bahay Pag-asa lacks resources, support Pag-asa centers to operate with at least one social worker for every 25 CICL with regular cases, and one for a maximum of #)#, UNDERGOING INTENSIVE intervention. “However, this standard is not followed in some Bahay Pag-asa centers. In some, a social worker who also acts as head of the CENTER HANDLES ALMOST #)#, cases,� the council said.

Quezon City’s Molave Youth Home, for example, has 72 security personnel, at least 13 teachers, six administrative staff, 26 “house parents� and SOCIAL WORKERS As it has exceeded its standard CAPACITY THE CENTER S OFFIcials worry that they might have to accommodate more than YOUTH OFFENDERS WITHOUT programs preventing crime at the community level. “The preventive aspect of the measure should be strengthened right from the start. We believe that these children, before they are considered in conflict with the law, they are considered children at risk, Filling the gaps as most of them have been neglected by their families,�

The homes were established said Marisol Casabuena, offiunder Republic Act 9344 or the cer in charge of the Molave’s “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Residential and Rehabilitation !CT OF u THE LAW THAT (" Division.

8858 seeks to amend. “In fact, these children According to the council, should not even reach Bahay however, there were some gaps Pag-asa. On the community in the implementation of the level, authorities and officials existing law namely, low com- must be able to determine who pliance of LGUs, lack of aware- have been neglected and need ness on the programs and sys- immediate attention and care,� tem of juvenile justice welfare, she added. and insufficient personnel in monitoring the law’s imple- Slow evaluation mentation.

Memorandum Circular 18, 5NDER 3ECTION OF THE *UVESERIES OF REQUIRES "AHAY nile Justice and Welfare Act, a OVER THE COUNTRY AS OF /F this number, 55 are operational, but only eight are accredited.

These accredited centers are in the cities of Pasig, Valenzuela, Mandaluyong, Laguna, Eastern Visayas, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Davao del Norte.

The council, in a report, noted that apart from Bahay Pag-asa centers, there were 45 other youth care facilities, nine of which were in the National Capital Region (NCR) and run by either local government units (LGUs) or nongovernment organizations providing temporary shelter for children with pending cases in local courts.

The proposal in Congress to lower the age of criminal liability to 12 years old from 15, under House Bill (HB) 8858, seeks to add more Bahay Pag-asa centers, but some of the existing facilities are not compliant with the standards of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in terms of residential care, the council said.

child who is 15 years old or less should be immediately released to the custody of his parents or guardian. Authorities should also give notice to the local social welfare and development officer in determining appropriate programs for the child.

But Molave has had such cases that dragged on for two to five years because of the slow progress in assessment and clearance by local courts, Casabuena told The Manila Times. “We had a bigger population because we had no choice but to cater to those who needed immediate custody even if a case was not yet filed against them. A social worker also has to determine if the child committed the crime with or without discernment,� she added.

The House of Representatives’ Justice Committee Chairman Rep. Salvador Leachon of Oriental Mindoro had admitted to reporters that before HB 8858 was passed, members had to reach a last-minute consensus on the minimum age, which was initially set at 9 years old. The term “criminal responsibility� was also softened to “social responsibility� under the proposed bill.

At what age can a child distinguish the difference between right and wrong?

Floyd Batongbakal, a regi s t e r e d p syc h o l o g i s t a t t h e U n i ve r s i t y o f A s i a a n d t h e Pacific, said there was a big difference between disciplining a 9-year-old child and a 12-year-old. “For a 9-year-old‌explanations given can be limited and they will respond more to how they are being treated than focus on the reasons why they are being reprimanded. Twelveyear-olds are more likely to

understand more complex reasons, of why things should not be done or done,� Batongbakal told The Times.

At 12 years old, a child starts to develop formal operational thinking skills that help one differentiate between good and bad. At this age, however, the child is also beginning to learn how to manage his emotions. “If [lawmakers really want to lower the criminal responsibility], it should not even be lower than 14,� Batongbakal said.

He also reminded parents and guardians to balance patience and firmness in explaining the consequences and morality of a child’s action. “We tend to think that punishment is enough because [children] will immediately understand why they were punished. The tendency is to think that there is no more need to explain things and show what should have been more acceptable,� he said.

Anti-children?

Many lawmakers are opposed to HB 8858, calling it “anti-poor,� “anti-child� and “unacceptable to Filipino morality and values.� “The amendments do not change the fact that this bill attacks children. It does not, in any way, solve the immediate problems faced by the CICL,�

Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago said in her interpellation in January.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said: “Data shows that children commit only 1.72 percent of reported crimes and most of them are poverty-induced, like theft. Poverty is the problem which must be addressed and solved.�

The Senate has yet to debate and vote on the measure.

Tordesillas, in a statement, dismissed Ang’s report that quoted a MalacaĂąang source as “downright false and hilarious.â€?

The report on The Times was confirmed on Monday by Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo, who released to reporters copies of the supposed “matrix� or diagram, supPOSEDLY FROM THE /FkCE OF THE 0RESident itself, containing the names of news organizations and journalists allegedly behind a coordinated media campaign against Duterte.

4ORDESILLAS SAID g"UT WHAT ) kND disturbing is, if this is the kind of intelligence report that the President gets and bases his actions and policies on, the country is in big trouble.�

Ang’s story claimed that Tordesillas distributed anti-Duterte content from a supposed source of black propaganda named “Bikoy.�

Bikoy’s videos linked Senate candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong�

Go and members of the President’s family to illegal drugs.

Rappler chief executive Maria Ressa, also named on the Palace matrix, called Ang’s report a “fantasy� on Twitter. “Such levels of incompetence — like sending the third string to play in a basketball game. All we can do is laugh and hold the line,� she tweeted. “It’s bad when the government lies through its paid PR to manipulate its people,� she later tweeted. “They should also get it through their heads that I do not run day to day editorial.�

GAVE IN AND GRANTS FOR PROJECTS

from both local and foreign sources.� “Foreign funding is not equivalent TO FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF FOR PROkT media. Truth be told, government agencies are the biggest recipients of foreign funding from the United States, Japan, China, Australia and other multilateral and bilateral agencies,� it said. g&OR INSTANCE SINCE THE STATE run People’s Television and the Presidential Communication Operations /FkCE 0#// HAVE RECEIVED FROM China’s state-run media donations of digital radio and other broadcast equipment; brought to China a number of journalists and columnists, including those from The Manila Times, via a ‘professional exchange program’; started to rebroadcast China programs in Manila; and sent PCOO personnel to learn the Chinese language.�

‘Putrid rubbish’

Activist Inday Espina Varona, also named in the matrix, called Ang’s claims a “dud.�

NUPL, in a separate statement, said Ang’s story was libelous and “not worth the paper it is written on.� “It is putrid rubbish. Garbage in — and so must — garbage out,� it said.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said Ang’s story could lead to more attacks on independent media. “For what Ang has done is no different from the narcolists his principal, President Rodrigo PCIJ: ‘Foreign funding Duterte, is so fond of trotting out not foreign ownership’ every now and then sans evidence but which often amount to hit The PCIJ said it had “neither lists, death sentences without the posted nor distributed any stories BENEkT OF TRIAL u IT SAID or commentaries on the ‘narcolist The NUJP said Ang’s story was “unvideo’ of Bikoy.� ethical and amateurish� in writing, “The video was posted on YouTube based on only a single anonymous from where the news media and source that “would not hold up in the citizens got to watch it. That is where slightest breeze.� the so-called ‘cybercrime experts’ of They also pointed to a factual erthe unnamed ‘highly placed source ror — Varona, a former editor of The IN THE /FkCE OF THE 0RESIDENT SHOULD Times, being clustered within the web look instead,� it said in a statement. of the NUPL. Varona is not a lawyer. “The Manila Times story admits to a crime that may have been com- Readers’ reactions mitted, and fundamental freedoms that may have been violated. It offers On The Manila Times website and tacit admission that these ‘experts,’ Facebook page, readers deplored APPARENTLY WORKING WITH THE /FkCE media entities’ supposed involvement of the President, had invaded the in moves to oust Duterte. privacy of the emails and correFacebook user “Janzen Marcelino� spondence of journalists now being said: “It’s an online echochamber of singled out,� it added. disgusting political destabilizers dis“For the record, the ‘matrix’ had guised as online media companies. linked at least five persons to the They’ll backup each other fake news PCIJ, who are in fact no longer in with testimonies from each other to 0#)* S EMPLOY 4HREE OF THE kVE ARE appear legit but they are all one and personnel who had resigned from the same. It’s the same tactics used by AS FAR BACK AS -ARCH TO *ANUARY liberal/progressive (regressive) media 4WO OTHERS /TSO $IRETSO CANDI- in the west to smear anyone who are date for senator Jose Manuel Diokno going against their globalist political and Summit Media publisher Lisa agenda.�

Gokongwei Cheng, had quit their On The Times’ website, Oliver Ongposts in the PCIJ’s Board of Editors. sueco commented: “Obviously, this is Diokno resigned before the campaign a well-orchestrated conspiracy by the period started.� opposition, some Catholic Church PCIJ also responded to allegations members, disgruntled politicians, corby Ang that it had accepted foreign rupt media practitioners and former funding. “PCIJ, a non-stock, not- OFkCIALS OF THE PAST ADMINISTRATION u FOR PROkT INDEPENDENT MEDIA ORGA“My appreciation to Dr. Dante Ang nization, is funded in various ways: for this very informative and alarming Revenues from sale of publications article,� he said. and video, contributions from PCIJ DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ, patrons, interest income from an enARIC JOHN SY CUA dowment fund that Ford Foundation AND CATHERINE A. MODESTO

PSEi 7,832.43 DOWN 0.03%

P52.04 TO $1

TUESDAY APRIL 23, 2019 ASIAN STOCKS: W S h a n g h a i 1 . 7 0 %

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OMPETITION authorities are investigating whether power outages earlier this month were deliberately caused to drive up electricity prices.

“The recent spate of scheduled and forced outages in Luzon by different power plants has reportedly reduced power reserves, caused calls for red or yellow alerts, and induced rotating brownouts, which in turn sparked complaints from the public,� the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said in a statement on Monday. “The PCC shall assess whether the recent power plants’ outages are manipulated to increase electricity prices

or are valid unplanned breakdowns that affect supply conditions,� it added.

Rotational brownouts were implemented by utilities in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon on April 12 and 15 following a series of red and yellow alerts issued by National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, which initially cited low projected operating reserves that were exacerbated by unplanned power plant outages.

Five plants — San Miguel Consoli-

dated Power Corporation Limay Unit 2, TeaM Energy Corp’s. Sual Unit I, Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corporation’s Unit 2, Pagbilao Energy Corp.’s Pagbilao Unit 3 and South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp.’s Unit 1 — were tagged by the Energy department as having implemented unscheduled shutdowns.

Around 1.38 million customers of Manila Electric Co., which services Metro Manila and nearby provinces, were reportedly affected by the power interruptions.

Anti-competitive or collusive behavior, the PCC warned, is punishable UNDER COMPETITION LAW WITH kNES OF UP to P250 million and prison terms of UP TO YEARS FOR RESPONSIBLE OFkCIALS The antitrust body said it was looking for inputs from the Department

N

ben Carlo Asuncion said.

In a commentary, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co.’s (Metrobank) Treasury department said the better-than-expected US retail sales growth of 1.6 percent “should provide the US economy the necessary boost heading into their quarterly GDP print this week.�

First quarter US economic growth data is scheduled to be released on Friday (Saturday in Manila). US GDP growth came in at 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Notre Shame

O act of kindness goes unpunished, and a recent example of the truth of that old saw is the simpering backlash recently directed at wealthy donors who have pledged hundreds of millions of euros for the reconstruction of the firedamaged Notre Dame de Paris.

Although no one has yet been able to provide even a rough estimate of what it will cost to restore the 12thcentury landmark, a total of at least a billion euros has been promised by several donors.

The cost could very well exceed that; inspections of the ruined cathedral have revealed it did suffer significant structural damage even though it remained standing.

Within hours of the first pledges, however, angry posts on social media began appearing, all of which made the same basic complaint: If

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of Energy (DOE) as the latter requires technical reports and conducts audits.

Leads from the public and experts on THE kELD WILL ALSO BE WELCOME IT ADDED “While the PCC has primary and original jurisdiction over competition concerns, the antitrust commission acknowledges the technical expertise and regulatory functions of the DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in overseeing the power industry,� the commission continued.

The PCC is also looking to ink a memorandum of agreement with DOE and ERC to further the monitoring of competition in the power sector. !N OFkCIAL OF !BOITIZ0OWER WHICH operates the Pagbilao plant, said the

ROUGH TRADE BEN KRITZ the world’s ultra-wealthy can readily pledge hundreds of millions to rebuild a mere church, why can’t they not do the same for the world’s downtrodden, such as famine victims in Yemen, homeless and unemployed people in France itself, persecuted Rohingya in Burma, or whatever other disadvantaged group the post’s author can identify.

One widely shared version of the what-aboutism pointed out that the Roman Catholic Church, having “a net worth of $30 billion� (in reality, it is actually much higher than

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Rebates to ‘hover around’ P500M

Peso drops to P52:$1 as US dollar strengthens THE peso dropped back to the P52:$1 level on Monday, hitting a two-week low as the dollar gained strength on anticipation of fresh US economic growth data.

The currency, which opened at P51.75 against the greenback on Monday, lost 28 centavos to close at P52.04, its lowest since a 0 kNISH ON !PRIL “The US dollar was generally stronger with US GDP (gross domestic product) numbers set to be released [at the] end [of the] week,� Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ru-

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Power plant outages trigger collusion probe

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ABOITIZ SETS 2019 CAPEX AT P81B

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REBATES to be paid out by Ayalaled Manila Water Co. Inc. will be SIGNIkCANTLY HIGHER THAN INITIALLY estimated, the company’s chief said on Monday. “From P150 million, it will DEkNITELY ADD FEW MORE HUNDREDS of millions in my estimate,� Manila Water President and CEO Ferdinand dela Cruz said at the sidelines of a stockholders’ meeting in Makati.

MARKING AN AMBITION An elderly man and a woman look at a sign promoting the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on April 22, 2019. AFP PHOTO

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Implement EoDB law – biz groups Finance chief urges US firms to invest in PH LAST month’s water crisis has highlighted the need to immediately implement the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) law, business and industry groups said, with mandated transaction deadlines seen hastening the development of new supply sources. “[W]e urge the government to develop new raw water sources in the immediate pipeline as projECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIkCANCE AND to fast-track their bureaucratic approvals by obtaining permits, in parallel rather than sequential order, while ensuring proper environmental and social safeguards

are adequately put in place,� they said in a joint statement. “Full implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act would be very useful in this regard,� they added.

Signatories were Alyansa Agrikultura, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines Inc., Korean Chamber of Commerce

Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Agriculturists Inc., Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc., Philippine Association of Water Districts, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. The EoDB law, which aims to simplify government and business transactions, was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in May last year and took effect in June 2018.

particularly the one addressing THE UNCERTAINTY ON THE DEkNITION of delinquencies.

To recall, the law grants tax amnesty on delinquencies covering

AMERICAN kRMS HAVE BEEN URGED take advantage of the Philippines’ continued economic growth by investing in infrastructure projects and other sectors, the Finance department said.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd, during a lunch with United States Chamber of Commerce (USSC) members last April 12 in Washington D.C., was quoted as saying that “the prospects for faster Philippine economic growth in the coming years should be an avenue for stronger collaboration with the US, especially with the private sector.�

Dominguez claimed the country

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Delinquencies defined DELOITTE ON THE DOT

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FTER Republic Act (RA) No. 11213, or the Tax Amnesty Act, was signed into law last Feb. 14, 2019, many expected the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to release the implementing rules,

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Business Times

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

Hanjin ‘white knight’ should be wealthy – DTI T

BY TYRONE C. PIAD

HE firm that takes over Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. Philippines should have enough working capital to revive the bankrupt shipbuilding company and settle its debts, a Department of Trade and )NDUSTRY $4) OFkCIAL SAID Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said Hanjin’s ‘white knight’ would need $10 million per month to restore its regular operations, assuming the Korean enterprise would produce 8 vessels per year.

"UT IF THE kRM TAKING OVER WOULD maximize the capacity of Hanjin and produce around 18 vessels annually, it would require $200 million, Ro-

dolfo said. This is on top of Hanjin’s MILLION DEBT TO kVE MAJOR LOCAL banks and another $900 million to creditors in South Korea.

Rodolfo explained such money was necessary given the range of operations Hanjin had before it filed for bankruptcy in January this year. “It (Hanjin) is a very specialized facility that can pro-

duce at this point only the ultra large container carriers, container ships,� he said.

He described the company’s facility as one of the best he had seen, taking note of its giant overhead cranes.

At any rate, Rodolfo said Hanjin COULD BE RETROkTTED BASED ON THE white knight’s preference, hinting lesser cost.

4HE 4RADE OFkCIAL ALSO HOPED THAT whoever takes over Hanjin could compete with other shipbuilders in the world, especially China which according to him is currently very well-positioned in the industry. �In the long term, the firm should be able to compete with China,� he said.

The DTI and other government

agencies are actively searching for Hanjin’s white knight which until remains elusive. Earlier, the $4) SAID SEVERAL kRMS FROM #HINA

Japan, US and Korea visited the shipyard but no agreement was reached.

Last month, Dutch firm Damen Shipyard Group also went to the facility, bringing in technical experts to study how it could posSIBLY kT INTO THE COMPANY S CURRENT plans. Since the visit, the company has yet to report again to DTI. Razon-led International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is also interested in taking over Hanjin, saying it was developing a masterplan that will be presented to the shipbuilder’s local creditors.

Q LAW FROM B1

MCT eyes full equipment buildup Implement Its implementing rules and regulations, however, have yet to be signed as these require the approval of a yet-to-be-appointed Anti-Red Tape Authority director.

Under the law, government agencies have to act within three working days on simple business transactions, seven for complex transactions, and 20 for highly technical applications.

The business and industry groups called on Manila Water Co. Inc., which has been blamed for last month’s water shortages, to fast-track the completion of its Cardona treatment plant and also secure additional sources. “The megacity’s overdependence on the sole Angat Dam for Metro Manila’s water supply requirements has proven to be folly, especially in the face of continued economic and population growth, climate change, and disaster risk,� they added.

Other recommendations include investing in technology for water conservation and usage, crafting a nationwide water security masterplan, the appointment of a “water czar� who can bring “order to the currently directionless water sector�, and continuous efforts to rehabilitate water bodies and ecosystems. “Water is too crucial a matter to overlook. Action is needed now to ensure water security for Metro Manila and our country tomorrow,� they said.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

Q INVEST FROM B1

Finance was to poised to become “Asia’s next powerhouse� as a result of tough reforms and investments in infrastructure and human capital development. “You are looking at a Philippines that is invigorated and moving forward very quickly,� he told USSC members. “We would like to encourage US businesses to be more engaged in the Philippine market not only in the infrastructure program but also in investments that would come as a result of our infrastructure development,� Dominguez added.

The Duterte administration, he claimed, was undertaking efforts to address government inefkCIENCIES THE INFRASTRUCTURE GAP

corruption, and the high cost of doing business.

He cited the signing into law of the Ease of Doing Business Act and the administration’s push for congressional approval of the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and Higher Quality Opportunities (Trabaho) bill.

The Finance chief downplayed concerns that the Trabaho measure would lead to fewer incentives, saying the government only wanted to improve perks offered to investors.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

THE Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) is eyeing to complete its equipment buildup by mid-2020.

In a statement on Monday, the unit of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) said it was continuing to upgrade its port terminal in a bid to achieve its goal of becoming a “premier international gateway� in Mindanao.

It also seeks to be a transshipment hub catering to Northern Mindanao, the Visayas and other parts of the country.

“Our ongoing modernization and changes in our current practices will propel us to become the leading port in Mindanao. We aim to help spur economic growth in the countryside, especially now that Northern Mindanao, through the Misamis Oriental economic zone, is poised to become a prime investment hub in the region,� it said. “We’ve ordered additional equipment as part of our upgrades early this year as we expect more volume in shipments. Now that more invest-

ments are coming into the Misamis Oriental economic zone, we have to be ready to accommodate the surge in demand,� MCT added.

Full deployment of new reach stackers, terminal tractors and trailers and other cutting-edge equipment are being targeted by middle of next year.

MCT provides container handling services, yard management, reefer monitoring services and water bunkering, among others.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

“The April bill reading is not over yet.There is still a balance,� dela Cruz said, adding that the bills are expected to be issued by the second week of May. Asked if the rebates could total “There are barangays na mas P500 million, he replied: “It will matagal silang nawalan ng tubig probably hover around that area ... (that did not have water for a but probably below that number.� longer period of) seven days and “I just don’t wanna give a spe- up. For those set of customers, CIkC NUMBER THAT WILL BE QUOTED iwi-waive yung full bill nila (we because the billings are not done,� will waive the full bill) for March dela Cruz continued. consumption,� he added.

The P150-million estimate was Manila Water Chief Finance Ofbased on minimum consumption kCER -A #ECILIA #RUZABRA SAID THE computations per household but rebates, along with capital expenthe extent of last month’s supply ditures to improve supply, would disruption varied widely across the WEIGH ON THE kRM S REVENUES kRM S SERVICE AREA HE EXPLAINED

The company posted 6 percent adding that Manila Water was also growth in net income last year, STILL kNALIZING ITS !PRIL BILLING to P6.5 billion, amid growing In the wake of the shortage, the demand. kRM SAID IT WOULD BE IMPLEMENTManila Water said it had reing a waiver to be reflected in stored 99.8 percent of water supcustomers’ April bills. ply in its East Zone concession,

on average providing 20 hours of continuous daily water supply as of the moment.

The company services the cities of Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Makati and parts of Quezon City and Manila. It also serves Antipolo City and the Rizal towns of Angono, Baras, Binangonan, Cainta, Cardona, Jala-Jala, Morong, Pililla, Rodriguez, Tanay, Taytay and San Mateo.

Full restoration is expected by end-May via additional supply from its Cardona plant, deep wells and contributions from West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. Manila Water saw its shares drop 1.25 percent or 30 centavos to P23.65 on Monday amid a 0.03-percent dip for the Philippine Stock Exchange index.

TYRONE C. PIAD

Q P500M FROM B1

Rebates

From creating products to crafting art MANAGING M FOR SOCIETY

AGKAHAWAK ang ating kamay at walang kamalay-malay na tinuruan mo ang puso ko na umibig nang tunay. – Ang Huling El Bimbo by the Eraserheads I still vividly remember walking through my high school’s corridors with my former schoolmates strumming their guitars and singing what would become classic OPM (Original Pilipino Music) band songs.

We relied on song hits magazines back then as online guitar chord websites were just starting to come out. We taught each other how to PLAY OUR FAVORITE SONGS -Y kRST chord sequence was D, E minor, A and G—the chords to Rivermaya’s Kisapmata. Weeks after, I learned G, A7, C and G—the chords to Ang Huling El Bimbo by the Eraserheads.

We sang songs about friendship and teenage romance (with matching piyok and barely tuned guitars). As some would say, music is the way to decorate time and, for me, these songs are closely linked to nostalgic times. &AST FORWARD TO TODAY MY kANCÂźE and I were able to catch the second run of the Ang Huling El Bimbo musical. I was riveted listening to the soundtrack that defined our yesteryears come alive as new arrangements and new meanings painted a modern bittersweet story.

During our youth, we could only watch music videos on MTV and Myx and settle for cheap merienda to pass the time; now, we are able to watch a play with music

commercially successful by themselves, but they also captivated other artists and an entire generation. The added life for playwrights and PATRICK songs actors just as the play revitalized me ADRIEL AURE and the rest of the audience. Just as there are songs by other artists performed live (not to mention manufactured with Auto-Tune softhaving the money to spend from ware for the sole purpose of topping our work savings). The experi- charts, there are also products made ENCE WAS SO FULkLLING AND THE NEW BY BUSINESSES SOLELY WITH PROkT MAXarrangements to classic songs so imization in mind. But these things captivating I ended up paying extra do us a disservice because the convefor the musical soundtrack. Imagine niences and successes they provide Pare Ko being played in an ROTC ARE lEETING ! PRODUCT CRAFTED AS ART setting, mash-ups of Alapaap and has the potential to stand the test Overdrive, and reprises of Ligaya of time and make life much more peppered throughout the play to meaningful to experience. drive the story forward. To me, the Magkahawak ang ating kamay at whole play was truly worth watching walang kamalay-malay na tinuruan and more! mo ang puso ko na umibig nang This experience gave me an tunay. Maybe these lyrics from Ang insight: what if businesses moved Huling El Bimbo say it best—when from merely creating products we allow products to become true to crafting art? Product manag- art, they have the power to make ers usually ask, “What product customers fall in love and experience can I sell to customers that I can what life really feels. make at reasonable cost?� On the other hand, artists would ask, Patrick Adriel H. Aure is an Assistant “What insight can I express to an Professor from the Management audience that can resonate with and Organization Department, them?� When a product is viewed Ramon V. del Rosario College of as something to sell, the experi- Business. He advocates social enence is merely transactional and trepreneurship as head of the Social trivial. But when a product is seen Enterprise Research Network of the as a medium for art and insight, Center for Business Research and this allows for meaning-making. Development (CBRD-SERN) and as Traditional products give conve- co-chair of the Lasallian Social Ennience, but products, when viewed terprise for Economic Development as art, add life.

(LSEED) at De La Salle University.

The songs of the Eraserheads were Email: patrick.aure@dlsu.edu.ph

Why we don’t need motivational speakers I BEYOND F you’re clueless, I’ve to tell you four major reasons: One, external motivational speakers are too expensive and offer poor return on investment. In the Philippines, organizations pay as much as P100,000 for few hours of exclusive talk. Many of them rely on their “leadership� programs peppered with Christian values and punctuated with humor stories. So, how can you argue against that?

But that’s not the beef. The issue is how these external speakers can bend the spoon in our real life. Check it for yourself. After listening to a live presentation by a speaker, even if he gave his services for free, what was the result, say after three months? How about after six months to one year? Are you successful in translating what you have learned to become a peak performer in your organization? Think about it.

Chances are, you may not even remember what your over-hyped speaker had told you before. You may remember only the jokes that kept you awake during the entire proceedings.

Two, motivating people is job number one for line supervisors and managers. You can’t delegate it to others, much more to external speakers, no matter how good they are in public speaking and entertaining. If your line executives can’t inspire and motivate their own people, how much more if it’s done by an outsider?

The best motivational speaker is your own boss. Never mind if he’s not good-looking, stammers a lot or if he looks like your tightkSTED UNCLE FROM THE PROVINCE who boasts of his humble beginnings by working his way up to college. What’s important is his time-tested wisdom shared in an informal set-up where you can talk things easy and comfortable with each other.

Also, motivating people is not to be done as a one-day affair or several hours in an expensive hotel. Zig Ziglar (1926-2012), a popular American author, consultant and salesman said: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.� This is an excellent reason for line supervisors and their managers to do the job of motivating their people on a daily basis. Yes, that’s right – daily, not weekly, not monthly, not quarterly, not even during the annual performance review. Or that would be too late.

Three, intrinsic motivation is better than extrinsic. You can bring a horse to a river, but you can’t force it to drink. A person who is motivated intrinsically can do more than what is expected of him because of his innate desire to achieve something as a personal goal, rather than the goals of other people. This is why you should hire for one’s attitude in life, rather than his skills.

Even if your people attend weekly or monthly sessions with an external motivational coach , or receive daily nuggets of wisdom via email or text messaging from the most popular motivational speaker on the planet, it is still the concerned person who can decide whether to follow such wisdom and use it to propel his goals in life.

And last, there’s no proof that speakers are the reason for an organizational improved sales revenue, rejuvenated labor pro-

BUZZWORDS

REY ELBO ductivity, higher product quality, low attrition rates, among other things. “(M)andating motivation is one of the seven most worst mistakes leaders make in their attempt to motivate a workforce,� according to professor Bobby Hoffman of the University of Central Florida in his book “Motivational Murder: The Seven Worst Mistakes Leaders Make�

(2017).

That’s assuming that the boss is equally motivated. If not, then he’s part of the problem. I’ve tested this countless times before several groups of supervisors and managers attending my “Superior Supervision� program. I would often conduct an anonymous survey of what motivates people.

The results between line supervisors and managers are compared with those of their workers.

Ninety percent of the time, the management team is not fully motivated or not ready to motivate their respective teams.

It’s a revealing case of “you can’t give what you don’t have.�

Think about it. Isn’t it our own job is the best motivator?

If you’ve a high-paying job, then how could you afford to slack off? But even if you’re a minimum wage earner, you should be motivated enough to do a better job to secure high pay and perks in the future. In a high unemployment set-up, no one is better motivated than by having a job, regardless of one’s employment status. In the land of the blind, a one-eyed person is king.

If you have a job, the best motivating factor is to prod yourself up so that you do a better job, be recognized for it, and be given challenging work assignments you can be proud of.

So, would you still hire external motivational speakers to do the trick for you? Why not if you can afford it. I would be partial to the likes of Nick Vujicic, the famous Australian missionary who was born with no arms and legs and yet living his life to the fullest. If you’re a woman, be energized by the story of Muniba Mazari, a wheelchair-using Pakistani activist and artist who admonishes the downtrodden with a powerful statement: “Don’t die before your death.�

If you can’t afford Vujicic and Mazari in person, then read stories or biographies of other successful people in its digital version. Internet is your best friend. You can choose to read or watch many inspiring stories from YouTube that you can view anytime at your own pace and convenience. In fact, the phrase “inspiring stories� when googled can give you 1,540,000,000 reSULTS IN lAT SECONDS So, if you’re offering me a motivational speaker who is complete with well-functioning arms and limbs and in good health and wealth, you better go to another place.

Rey Elbo is a business consultant on human resources and total quality management as a fused interest. Send feedback to elbonomics@gmail.com or via https://reyelbo.consulting

Q PROBE FROM B1

Power plant outages kRM WELCOMED THE ANTITRUST INvestigation. “If they are going to investigate, we welcome [it]. We believe that it is something that really needs to BE CLARIkED TO ERASE SPECULATIONS

perceptions about the market,� !BOITIZ0OWER #HIEF /PERATING /Fkcer Emmanuel Rubio told reporters at the sidelines of a stockholders’ meeting on Monday.

Representatives from the other companies were not immediately available for comment.

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 anticompetitive practices.

Corporate News

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

B3

Aboitiz sets 2019 capex at P81B A

BY TYRONE C. PIAD

BOITIZ Equity Ventures (AEV) said on Monday it had allotted P81 billion in capital expenditure (capex) for this year — up 65 percent from about P50 billion spent in 2018 — most of which would be used for energy and infrastructure projects. g7E ARE QUITE CONkDENT IN OUR capex program for the year. In the long term, we expect our economic growth to continue at a higher

RATE u !%6 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER #%/ %RRAMON !BOITIZ SAID AT THE kRM S STOCKholders’ meeting in Makati City.

The listed conglomerate’s energy unit Aboitiz Power Corp. is investing 80 percent of its P51-billion spending budget to fund the construction of the GNPower Dinginin Power Plant, which is expected to generate over 1,300 megawatts by 2020. The rest would be used for exploratory and operating activities.

AboitizPower Chief Operating /FkCER %MMANUEL 2UBIO ‡ WHO IS SET TO BECOME THE kRM S CHIEF NEXT *ANUARY AFTER !BOITIZ RETIRES ‡ expects his company’s investments to “deliver revenues.�

Infrastructure arm Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. is alloting P16 billion

this year, the bulk of which would be spent on building its Apo Agua’s Bulk Water Project in Davao.

Aboitiz InfraCapital COO Cosette Calinao said her firm was “bullish� about its airport, waterinfrastructure and common telecommunication tower projects. “We look forward to progressing beyond project development into execution and operations this year and next,� she added.

Also, Calinao said Aboitiz InfraCapital would submit its proposal to run the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by end-April, as set by the Department of Transportation.

Aboitiz InfraCapital is part of the so-called NAIA Consortium, whose offer to upgrade and operate the country’s main gateway received original proponent status last September.

Banking arm Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) earmarked P2 billion to fund initiatives on digital and branch information to improve its services. “We’re now reaping the rewards of our investments. Last year alone, we acquired over 1 million customers due to our digital projects,�

5NION"ANK 0RESIDENT AND #%/ %DWIN "AUTISTA SAID

Flour and animal-feed subsidiary Pilmico Foods Corp. will spend P6 billion to expand capacity.

Last year, Pilmico bought regional animal-feed maker Gold Coin Management Holdings, which it said boosted its market reach in Southeast Asia.

AboitizLand Inc., meanwhile, alloted P6 billion to expand its land bank and fund its projects in Batangas province’s Lipa City and Pampanga province, among others. !%6 SHARES REMAINED UNCHANGED at P55, while AboitizPower saw its stocks gain 5 centavos or 0.14 percent TO kNISH AT 0 EACH ON -ONDAY

Businessinbriefs

BDO ups income guidance to P38.5B

GREENERGY 2018 PROFIT UP 13,045% TO P2.8B

LISTED BDO Unibank Inc. set on Monday a record-high profit guidance this year after its net income posted double-digit growth in the first quarter. “Our guidance for 2019 is P38.5 billion,�

BDO President Nestor Tan announced in a press briefing in Pasay City. The amount, he added, was a “slight improvement� from last year’s P31 billion.

This indicates that the Sy-led bank sees a 17.7-percent increase in net profit this year from P32.7 billion in 2018.

His announcement comes as the banking giant told the Philippine Stock Exchange that its net income rose to P9.8 billion in the first three months of 2019 on the back of its strong core business.

GREENERGY Holdings Inc. saw its consolidated net income soar by 13,045 percent to P2.8 billion last year from P21.3 million in 2017 on the back of investment gains.

In a statement on Monday, Greenergy said the increase resulted from “the gain on reclassification of investment in [relation] to FVOCI (Fair Value Through Comprehensive Income) amounting to P2.6 billion, gain on deemed disposal of investment in an associate of P186.42 million, and gain on sale of investment in associate amounting to P78.97 million.� Revenues hit P3.45 million in 2018, compared with P520,000 the year before, primarily due to the increase in agricultural-tourism revenue and rental income. Greenergy expects gross profit margins to improve when returns on its investments become visible, especially on the increase in service income from agritourism, sale of harvests from the greenhouse projects of one of its subsidiaries, and a potential project with Thebizlink Co. Ltd. that would generate cash flows. Greenergy shares climbed by 1 centavo or 0.34 percent to close at P2.91 each on Monday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

BELLE CORP. Q1 EARNINGS DOWN 18% TO P700M LISTED Belle Corp. reported on Monday that its net income decreased by 18 percent to P700 million in the first quarter of 2019 from P851 million in the same period last year due to the weaker financial performance from one of its subsidiaries. In a regulatory filing, Belle said growth was weighed down by weaker results from Pacific Online Systems Corp., which leases online betting equipment to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for their lottery and keno operations. Pacific Online posted a 48-percent decline in revenues in January-to-March to P294 million from P560 million year-on-year. Despite this, Belle’s operations outside Pacific Online delivered better results. Subsidiary Premium Leisure Corp. registered a 9-percent increase in its share in the gaming earnings of City of Dreams Manila, to P725 million from P664 million. In the real estate segment, Belle saw an 8-percent rise in revenues to P873 million from P809 million. The bulk of this amount came from leases of land and buildings, and the rest from property sales and management activities in its Tagaytay Highlands Complex. Belle shares finished down by 4 centavos or 1.61 percent to P2.45 apiece on Monday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

7,832.43

-2.72

Ĺş

All Shares

4,834.68

-2

Ĺş

Financials

1,733.66

-8.04

Ĺş

Industrial

11,572.77

-40.16

Ĺş

Holding Firms

7,532.75

37.86

Ÿ

Services

1,618.03

10.42

Ÿ

0LQLQJ DQG 2LO

7,665.27

-69.15

Ĺş

Property

4,155.35

-25

Ĺş

&),).6%34 ,AND )NC RAISED ITS CAPItal expenditure (capex) this year by 45 percent to up to P32 billion as it DIVERSIkES ITS PORTFOLIO )N A REGULATORY kLING ON -ONDAY

the listed real estate company said that, of the total amount, P13 billion would be used for investment properties; P7 billion, land acquisition; and the rest, residential and township development.

Last year’s capex was at P22 billion.

SERVICES

Stock indices as of April 22, 2019

PSEi

ALL SHARES

consumer and loan market, which was the driver for last year,� Tan said.

Loan growth should be about 12 to 13 percent this year, he added.

Non-interest income jumped by 36 percent to P14.9 billion, led by banking fees (P8.2 billion) and insurance premiums (P3.2 billion). Trading and foreign exchange gains normalized to P2.2 billion from P24 million a year ago, given adverse market conditions during the first three months of 2018, when the market declined by 7 percent.

Excluding the increase in trading gains, BDO’s core net income would have risen by 21 percent. “We expect margins to be stable as

rates stabilize and trading gains will be driven by customer activity,� Tan said.

Operating expenses increased by 22 percent to P28.3 billion.

BDO also set aside P1.3 billion in provisions, with gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio steady at 1.2 percent, and NPL cover growing at 163 percent from 156 percent in January to March 2018.

Capital base increased to P338.4 billion, with capital adequacy ratio and common equity tier 1 at 14.0 percent and 12.4 percent, respectively.

BDO shares increased by P1 or 0.76 percent to close at P133 each on Monday.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Filinvest Land to spend P32B this year

HOLDING FIRMS

Index

The amount was a 66-percent increase from P5.9 billion in the same period last year, it said.

BDO credited the growth to the continued expansion of its core banking operations, recovery of trading gains to normal levels, and strong results from bank fees and life insurance premiums. Net interest income was said to have been a major earnings driver. It rose by 25 percent to P27.7 billion on the continued growth in customer loans and the expansion in current and savings accounts, resulting in higher net interest margins. “We expect loan expansion to continue, but this time it will be led by

MINING AND OIL

At a briefing on the sidelines OF HER kRM S ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS meeting, Filinvest Land President Josephine Gotianun-Yap said the capex would come from a mix of internally generated cash and bond issuance, through which it aimed to generate up to P10 billion.

The company targets to grow its net income by 10 percent this year, of which 50 percent will be contributed by its recurring income business,

she added.

Filinvest Land is set to venture into logistics by turning its 120-hectare land bank within the 9,450-ha New Clark City in Pampanga province into an industrial park. It is doing so to take advantage of the rising number of Chinese manufacturing firms in the country and address the growing needs of logistics, light manufacturing, technology and ecommerce companies.

The first phase of this project, scheduled to break ground in May, will cover 64 hectares. It is aimed to be completed by 2020.

Gotianun-Yap said Filinvest Land was looking at two more areas as new locations for its industrial leasing business.

Filinvest Land shares inched up by 1 centavo or 0.66 percent to close at P1.52 apiece on Monday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

TOP ACTIVE STOCKS No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Security Name Ayala Land, Inc. Ayala Corporation Jollibee Foods Corporation GT Capital Holdings, Inc. PLDT Inc. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company %'2 8QLEDQN ,QF Bank of the Philippine Islands

9 10 11 12

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Philippine Seven Corporation “Common�

Megaworld Corporation

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Robinsons Land Corporation 0HWUR 3DFLÂżF ,QYHVWPHQWV &RUSRUDWLRQ Bloomberry Resorts Corporation SM Investments Corporation Alliance Global Group, Inc. Megawide Construction Corp.

Universal Robina Corporation DMCI Holdings, Inc.

Last Price Chg 47 0 882 -18 303 -1 856.5 -5.5 1,240.00 16 76 -2 133 1 82.8 -0.2

%Chg 0% -2.00% -0.33% -0.64% 1.31% -2.56% 0.76% -0.24%

ź ź ź Ÿ ź Ÿ ź

Volume 14,978,400 478,150 1,300,150 428,940 189,495 2,916,420 1,638,700 2,213,740

Value(P) 703,882,690.00 425,665,270.00 395,456,306.00 369,333,970.00 234,035,135.00 222,742,380.00 218,476,580.00 182,870,382.00

129.3 39.25 120 5.44

0.3 0.23% -0.35 -0.88% 0.2 0.17% -0.25 -4.39%

Ÿ ź Ÿ ź

1,172,930 3,434,000 961,090 17,056,400

151,765,266.00 135,042,495.00 115,328,894.00 94,067,447.00

23.9 4.46 12.72 940 15 21.75 150.2 12.06

-0.4 -1.65% -0.02 -0.45% 0.12 0.95% 10 1.08% 0.02 0.13% 0.45 2.11% -1.8 -1.18% 0.06 0.50%

ź ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ

3,522,100 15,702,000 5,466,400 73,580 4,392,200 2,869,300 402,010 4,855,000

84,133,725.00 70,232,810.00 69,307,482.00 69,095,485.00 65,967,906.00 62,377,740.00 60,659,156.00 58,464,478.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Apr 22, 2019 Apr 17, 2019 Apr 16, 2019 Apr 15, 2019 Apr 12, 2019 Apr 11, 2019 Apr 10, 2019 Apr 08, 2019 Apr 05, 2019 Apr 04, 2019 Apr 03, 2019 Apr 02, 2019 Apr 1, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 Mar 28, 2019 Mar 27, 2019 Mar 26, 2019 Mar 25, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Mar 21, 2019 Mar 20, 2019 Mar 19, 2019 Mar 18, 2019 Mar 15, 2019 Mar 14, 2019 Mar 13, 2019 Mar 12, 2019 Mar 11, 2019 Mar 08, 2019 Mar 07, 2019

Open 7,840 7,833 7,800 7,888 7,971 7,991 7,976 7,879 7,866 7,893 7,880 7,854 7,923 7,891 7,898 7,916 7,875 7,994 7,957 7,876 7,848 7,864 7,795 7,748 7,742 7,726 7,728 7,815 7,869 7,807

High 7,859 7,861 7,860 7,915 7,980 8,000 8,009 7,955 7,887 7,898 7,895 7,894 7,924 7,921 7,898 7,916 7,911 7,994 8,032 7,955 7,876 7,879 7,873 7,798 7,764 7,766 7,774 7,824 7,884 7,882

Low 7,818 7,824 7,799 7,788 7,881 7,956 7,953 7,879 7,866 7,836 7,861 7,854 7,810 7,887 7,856 7,841 7,869 7,808 7,951 7,869 7,824 7,843 7,761 7,702 7,719 7,725 7,728 7,709 7,797 7,795

Close 7,832 7,835 7,826 7,788 7,881 7,956 8,009 7,916 7,873 7,854 7,895 7,879 7,840 7,921 7,876 7,861 7,907 7,863 8,013 7,955 7,858 7,843 7,873 7,798 7,750 7,766 7,748 7,709 7,797 7,882

CLOSE

No. Security Name 1 San Miguel Corporation Series “2� Preferred Shares - Subseries “2-I�

2 Medco Holdings, Inc. 3 Atok-Big Wedge Company, Inc. “A�

4 PXP Energy Corporation 5 Millennium Global Holdings, Inc. 6 Paxys, Inc. 7 Lorenzo Shipping Corporation 8 8990 Holdings, Inc. 9 LT Group, Inc. 10 Philippine Realty & Holdings Corporation 11 Abacore Capital Holdings, Inc. 12 JG Summit Holdings, Inc. 13 Republic Glass Holdings Corporation 14 Apex Mining Company, Inc. “A�

15 PHINMA Corporation 16 62&5HVRXUFHV ,QF 17 Italpinas Development Corporation 18 Puregold Price Club, Inc. 19 A. Soriano Corporation 20 Starmalls, Inc.

Volume 26,910.00

Value 1,975,639.50

Last Price 73.45

Chg 12.25

%Chg 20.02%

44,850,000.00 4,800.00 2,743,800.00 950,000.00 7,000.00 1,041,000.00 3,094,200.00 1,443,800.00 190,000.00 20,495,000.00 489,430.00 2,000.00 352,000.00 100.00 913,000.00 530,000.00 932,900.00 8,200.00 1,411,400.00

25,022,850.00 55,830.00 20,357,660.00 195,720.00 23,010.00 905,730.00 41,646,814.00 22,863,402.00 81,700.00 11,830,180.00 30,904,143.50 5,260.00 459,260.00 932 901,330.00 2,679,890.00 42,445,130.00 53,450.00 10,219,972.00

0.56 11.98 7.62 0.214 3.38 0.88 13.82 16 0.43 0.59 63.4 2.63 1.33 9.32 1 5.09 45.5 6.65 7.12

0.09 0.98 0.62 0.014 0.19 0.04 0.62 0.56 0.015 0.02 2.05 0.08 0.04 0.28 0.03 0.13 1.1 0.15 0.16

19.15% 8.91% 8.86% 7.00% 5.96% 4.76% 4.70% 3.63% 3.61% 3.51% 3.34% 3.14% 3.10% 3.10% 3.09% 2.62% 2.48% 2.31% 2.30%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP LOSERS

HIGH

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

Security Name Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company “B�

Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. United Paragon Mining Corporation Suntrust Home Developers, Inc. Megaworld Corporation House of Investments, Inc. Macay Holdings, Inc. PH Resorts Group Holdings, Inc. 3DFLÂżF 2QOLQH 6\VWHPV &RUSRUDWLRQ Victorias Milling Company, Inc. i-Remit, Inc. Acesite (Philippines) Hotel Corporation Easycall Communications Phils., Inc. Philippine Estates Corporation Solid Group, Inc. Century Properties Group Inc. GT Capital Holdings, Inc. Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Shares Series “Aâ€?

18 TKC Metals Corporation 19 Wellex Industries, Inc. 20 Waterfront Philippines, Inc.

*amounts in peso except for volume, %chg

Volume Value Last Price 320,000.00 35,300.00 0.11 28,038,000.00 24,059,830.00 0.86 2,000,000.00 13,800.00 0.007 41,000.00 30,370.00 0.73 17,056,400.00 94,067,447.00 5.44 37,700.00 245,452.00 6.51 9,600.00 98,532.00 10.26 13,000.00 57,200.00 4.4 51,000.00 215,470.00 4.21 510,000.00 1,275,000.00 2.5 11,000.00 15,180.00 1.38 48,000.00 60,920.00 1.25 45,600.00 464,258.00 10.08 421,000.00 209,465.00 0.495 15,000.00 19,800.00 1.32 4,485,000.00 2,234,425.00 0.495 360.00 315,675.00 874 141,000.00 240,000.00 978,000.00

145,690.00 56,640.00 693,940.00

1.01 0.236 0.7

Chg -0.013 -0.09 -0.0005 -0.05 -0.25 -0.29 -0.42 -0.18 -0.17 -0.1 -0.05 -0.04 -0.32 -0.015 -0.04 -0.015 -26

%Chg -10.57% -9.47% -6.67% -6.41% -4.39% -4.26% -3.93% -3.93% -3.88% -3.85% -3.50% -3.10% -3.08% -2.94% -2.94% -2.94% -2.89%

-0.03 -0.007 -0.02

-2.88% -2.88% -2.78%

Foreign Business Luxury car firms bring Ghosn hit with fresh ‘A’ game to NY auto show indictment, seeks bail T B4

˜ The Manila Times

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

OKYO: Japanese authorities Monday hit former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn with a fresh charge of aggravated breach of trust, the fourth formal indictment against the auto SECTOR TYCOON WHO IMMEDIATELY kLED FOR BAIL The Tokyo District Court conkRMED THAT PROSECUTORS HAD kLED the new indictment and hours later said that Ghosn’s crack legal TEAM HAD kLED A REQUEST FOR THE executive to be released on bail.

The 65-year-old strenuously denies all allegations against him and insists they have been cooked up in a “plot� by Nissan executives wary of his plans to bring the Japanese car giant closer to its French partner Renault.

According to the formal charge sheet, Ghosn is accused of funnelling millions in Nissan funds to a dealership in the Middle East and SYPHONED OFF AROUND kVE MILLION dollars for his personal use.

The transfers were made “with THE PURPOSE OF BENEkTING HIMSELF by receiving part of the money,� alleged prosecutors. .ISSAN ITSELF SAID IT HAD kLED A criminal complaint against its former boss “after determining that payments made by Nissan to an overseas vehicle sales company via a subsidiary were in fact directed

by Ghosn for his personal enrichment and were not necessary from a business standpoint.�

Experts believe these are the most serious charges yet against Ghosn since he was dramatically arrested on November 19 as he landed in his private jet at a Tokyo airport.

Ghosn has already won bail once before — but under strict conditions such as agreeing not to leave the country and living under

surveillance.

When he last won bail, Ghosn walked out of the detention centre in front of the world’s media dressed like a Japanese labourer with a cap and a face mask in an apparent attempt to give reporters the slip.

The rollercoaster case of the executive, once revered in Japan for saving Nissan from the brink of bankruptcy, has gripped the business world and shone a spotlight on the Japanese legal system that has come in for some criticism especially from abroad.

Japan’s justice system allows authorities to keep suspects in custody for prolonged periods and trials almost always result in a conviction — sparking outrage from outside the country.

Monday was the end of the maximum period authorities had to question Ghosn, who is now technically in pre-trial

detention.

‘Worst enemy’

The Ghosn case represents a precipitous downfall for an executive who has gone from a life of luxury and private jets as he ran three huge car companies to a small cell.

Nissan says an internal investigation uncovered “substantial evidence of blatantly unethical conduct� by the former chairman.

He has already been stripped of his position on the board at Nissan and resigned from the head of Renault and the three-way alliance the two companies share with Mitsubishi Motors.

His wife Carole has also been questioned by prosecutors in Tokyo.

She was allegedly president of a company registered in the British Virgin Islands which received SOME OF THE kVE MILLION DOLLARS moved from Nissan funds to go towards a luxury yacht.

Carole Ghosn has also denied any wrongdoing and been active in the media in recent days, writing an opinion piece in the Washington Post calling on US President Donald Trump to lean on Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe to allow her husband to obtain bail.

Ghosn’s lawyers have expression reservations that he will receive a fair trial as 99 percent of all cases that come to trial end in a conviction.

Carole Ghosn has also said she is concerned about her husband’s health in conditions in the Japanese jail that Ghosn himself said he would not wish on his “worst enemy.�

His lawyers in Paris have urged the French government to insist he be tried in France as a fair trial would “only be possible� there, according to them.

AFP

NEW YORK: US auto sales may be slowing, but carmakers have high hopes for luxury vehicles, which are imbued with increasingly sophisticated gadgetry and sex appeal to seduce a new generation of millionaires.

Luxury car companies brought their “A� game to the New York International Auto Show, which opened Friday with a mix of new models, some featuring envelope-pushing technology and others pitched as green vehicles, to grab attention of new customers who grew up with technology and are sensitive to climate change.

In both cases, these are luxury models with price tags to match.

Mercedes-Benz’ new generation of sport-utility vehicles has voice command and answers to “Hey Mercedes� as its artificial intelligence programs adapt to its user’s habits.

That feature brings to life something like the experience from the 1980s hit television show “Knight Rider� when David Hasselhoff’s character addressed his vehicle as “KITT.� “Voice recognition is absolutely something customers want,� said Dietmar Exler, chief executive of Mercedes-Benz USA. “It’s much more convenient. The cars can read your emails or texts and you don’t need to take your hands from the steering wheel,� he added. “It’s safer.

You don’t look down and try to find something, you can just say it and you control it.�

Although many millennials still face heavy college loans, the US economy is also churning out adults who make seven figures and up who were born in the 1980s and 90s.

So far this month, there have been successful initial public offerings by tech companies Lyft, Pinterest and Zoom, all led by (now-rich) millennials. And more youth-led ventures are expected to go public soon, including Uber.

Going green Q A young girl plays with a pogo stick in front of the Tokyo Detention House where former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn is detained in Tokyo on April 22, 2019. Ghosn was reportedly charged on April 22 with allegedly financial misconduct, the fourth set of formal charges against the former auto sector tycoon. AFP PHOTO

Q DELOITTE FROM B1

Delinquencies defined all national internal revenue taxes collected by the BIR as well as value-added tax (VAT) and excise taxes collected by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for taxable year 2017 and prior years.

However, neither the law nor the bills FROM BOTH HOUSES OF #ONGRESS DEkNED the term ‘delinquencies’.

The closest definition for delinquencies can be lifted from revenue memorandum order (RMO) No. 712010, which provides for the guidelines and procedures for the conversion of accounts receivables and delinquent accounts into the accounts receivables conversion system (ACRS) of the BIR. This rule does not necessarily apply to tax amnesty. Moreoever, without A DEkNITE PRONOUNCEMENT FROM THE BIR, the application of the foregoing DEkNITION OF A DELINQUENT ACCOUNT CAN only be implied.

The explanation has come in the form of revenue regulations (RR) No. 4-2019, or the implementing rules and regulations of RA No. 11213 issued by the BIR on April 8, 2019. It states that a delinquent account shall pertain to a tax arising from the audit of the BIR that has been issued assessment noTICES WHICH HAVE BECOME kNAL AND EXecutory due to the following instances: Failure to pay the tax due on the prescribed due date provided in the kNAL ASSESSMENT NOTICE &!. FORMAL letter of demand (FLD) and for which no valid protest, whether a request for reconsideration or reinvestigation, has BEEN kLED WITHIN DAYS FROM RECEIPT thereof; &AILURE TO kLE AN APPEAL TO THE COURT of tax appeal (CTA) or an administrative appeal before the commissioner of internal revenue (CIR) within 30 days from receipt of the decision denying the request for reinvestigation or reconsideration; or &AILURE TO kLE AN APPEAL TO THE #4! within 30 days from receipt of the decision of the CIR denying the taxpayer’s ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL TO THE kNAL DECIsion of disputed assessment (FDDA).

Based on the foregoing, it appears that tax amnesty on delinquencies can

only be availed of by taxpayers against whom an assessment has been considERED kNAL AND EXECUTORY 4HIS MEANS that these accounts are now subject to collection proceedings and there is no other remedy, administrative or judicial, available to the taxpayer.

Taxpayers with ongoing tax audit, including those who have unresolved protests and pending cases in court, CANNOT AVAIL OF BENEkTS GRANTED BY THE Tax Amnesty Act. Further, the new rules did not include unpaid self-assessed taxes as a delinquent account unlike in RMO No. 71-2010. Thus, when a taxpayer kLES A RETURN REQUIRED BY LAW BUT THE corresponding or the correct tax stated therein is not paid, such taxpayer will NOT BE ENTITLED TO THE BENEkTS OF THE tax amnesty.

The tax amnesty also covers all persons, whether natural or juridical, with internal revenue tax liabilities covering taxable year 2017 and prior years under any of the following instances: Those with pending criminal cases with the Department of Justice (DOJ)/ 0ROSECUTOR S /FkCE OR THE COURTS FOR TAX evasion and other criminal offenses with or without assessments duly issued. The tax amnesty rate shall be 60 percent of the basic tax assessed 4HOSE WITH kNAL AND EXECUTORY JUDGment by the courts on or before the effectivity of RR No. 04-2019. The tax amnesty rate shall be 50 percent of the basic tax assessed Withholding tax liabilities of withholding agents arising from their failure to remit withheld taxes. The tax amnesty rate shall be 100 percent of basic tax assessed The other salient provisions of the implementing rules include the documentary requirements in availing of the tax amnesty. These are the 1) Tax Amnesty Return (TAR) or BIR Form No. 2118-DA); 2) Acceptance Payment Form (APF) or BIR Form No. 0621-DA duly validated by authorized agent banks (AABs) or stamped “received� accompanied by a bank deposit slip validated by the AABs or Revenue

/FkCIAL 2ECEIPT 2/# ISSUED BY THE 2EVENUE #OLLECTION /FkCERS 2#/S #ERTIkCATE OF 4AX $ELINQUENCIES Tax Liabilities issued by the concerned ")2 OFkCES AND A COPY OF THE &!.

FDDA, Preliminary Assessment Notice (PAN) or Notice of Informal Conference, when applicable.

RR No. 04-2019 also addressed cases where the delinquent taxes have been the subject of an application for compromise settlement on the grounds of doubtful validity of assessment or kNANCIAL INCAPACITY OF THE TAXPAYER

whether denied or pending. In apPLYING THE TAX AMNESTY BENEkTS THE amount to be paid shall be based on THE NET BASIC TAX AS CERTIkED BY THE ")2 It means that the tax amnesty rate shall be computed based on the applicable compromise settlement rate under Section 204 of the Tax Code and not on the basic tax liabilities stated in the assessment notices.

Upon confirmation that the taxpayer-applicant complied with the requirements under RR No. 4-2019, the BIR shall issue a Notice of Issuance of Authority to Cancel Assessment (NIATCA) within 15 calendar days from submission of the APF and TAR. An APF and TAR stamped “received�

SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED AS SUFkCIENT PROOF OF AVAILMENT OF THE BENEkTS OF THE 4AX Amnesty Act. Qualified taxpayers who wish to avail of the lower tax payments under the Tax Amnesty Act must submit their application to the BIR within one year from the effectivity of RR No. 4-2019.

'IVEN THE SIMPLIkED REQUIREMENTS and the time limit imposed by the BIR on the submission of documents, taxpayers should not let this opportunity to ease their tax burdens pass, especially concerning delinquencies.

You never know when the next tax amnesty will be granted.

The author is a Manager with the Tax & Corporate Services division of Navarro Amper & Co., one of 11 practices that make up Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd. Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd is a member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a leading global provider of audit and assurance, consulting, kNANCIAL ADVISORY RISK ADVISORY TAX and related services.

Eyeing this rarified niche population, the Italian company Pininfarina stands out. The company introduced its “Bat-

tista� electric, zero-emission vehicle at an art gallery in Chelsea, the trendy Manhattan district.

The sleek vehicle has 1,900 horse power and can sprint to 60 miles per hour in less than two seconds. The price? $2.27 million!

A future prospect in this ultra-expensive, ultra-environmentally friendly category is the Genesis Mint, which was shown as a concept car by Hyundai. “The wealthy clients want just the best of the best,� said Brian Miller, a New York dealer for luxury brands, including Rolls Royce, Ferrari and Bugatti, whose latest offering is the ultra-powerful Chiron sports car.

Porsche’s 911 Speedster, which also boasts dynamic drive, plays on the lure of exclusivity. Fewer than 2,000 versions of the car will be produced worldwide.

Sales for the German luxury carmaker rose 7.5 percent in the first quarter of 2019 even as the overall market sagged. “It’s absolutely healthy and things are very positive for us,� a Porsche spokesperson said. “Our sales are growing.�

And Nissan plans to produce just 50 of its GT-R 50, the car used in the action film saga, “The Fast and the Furious.� “Every detail is made by hand,� said Nissan’s global sports car program director Bob Laishley.

All the materials on the car are authentic. “If it looks like carbon, it is carbon. It’s the real deal; it’s not synthetic.�

Mercedes-Benz’s Exler sees three “dimensions� in the drive for luxury perfection: design, driver experience and technology. “All three dimensions are becoming more and more important for the overall driver experience,� he said. “It’s about the whole package.�

In 2018, sales of luxury cars dipped 0.3 percent to just over 2 million in the United States, a contrast to the 0.6 percent gain in overall US sales.

But some experts think that trend will reverse in 2019, with the richest Americans seen as the biggest winners of US tax cuts signed into law in 2017 by President Donald Trump.

AFP

Q KRITZ FROM B1

Notre Shame that), does not need anyone’s charity to be able to restore Notre Dame.

The sentiment is not completely without validity; no one with a soul would dare to suggest that people in need should not be helped by others with the capacity to do so.

What makes the “social justice� argument wrong, however, is its posing social ills as a zero-sum game, on the one hand, and its shortsighted aspirations on the other, all built on the dubious axiom that wealth is inherently immoral.

Notre Dame is a world heritage site, as deemed by the UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization), and is therefore part of human culture in general. It must be preserved, and any lawful means applied to accomplish that are above reproach. The fact that there are other social ills in the world, or that other cultural monuments elsewhere have been lost or fallen into decay does not lessen Notre Dame’s legitimacy. To even put it at the center of an argument about economic inequality is a shameful non sequitur that cheapens the presumed concern for human welfare to mere envy.

Redistributing wealth, which is the thrust of the progressive argument, does not address the root causes of why wealth seems so unbalanced in the first place. Let’s consider two currently popular progressive ideas, the “wealth tax,� various forms of which have been proposed by Democratic presidential candidates in the US, and the “basic income,� which has gained popular traction in Europe.

The wealth tax is a punitive measure – some advocates are hesitant to characterize it as such, but others embrace it – against “having too much money,� and it can be levied in a couple of different ways, either through a progressive tax regime or a simple tax on wealth or income above a certain threshold. The idea is that it would redistribute wealth in two ways: Directly through tax revenues to the government, which would then presumably be used to fund social benefits, and indirectly through discouraging large personal incomes, which would then presumably encourage businesses to redistribute the extra revenue in the form of new jobs and higher wages to “ordinary� workers.

The fatal flaw in this notion is that it discourages growth on a personal level, and that in turn discourages business growth and innovation. If the message is one will be penalized for being too successful according to some arbitrary standard, the reaction is to be unsuccessful at all, at least not beyond the level necessary to meet one’s definition of subsistence.

Instead of penalizing excessive wealth, the solution to inequality is to assess the means by which great amounts of wealth are amassed. Wealth should only be acquired as a result of the creation or the exchange of value (This is the underlying philosophy of Islamic finance, coincidentally, however imperfect it may be in actual practice). A chief executive officer a large corporation is entitled to a multimillion-dollar salary if the company’s shareholders deem that is a fair exchange for the value his work adds to the business, for example. An investor who earns millions trading currency, or Bitcoin, or second- or third-hand securitized debt, on the other hand, is neither creating nor exchanging value.

If the problem of inequality is considered in those terms, notions like a “basic income,� where the government is expected to provide a certain amount of compensation to citizens for merely existing, or a “living wage,� where employers are obliged to pay an arbitrary amount to workers without reference to the actual value their work adds to the business, become completely untenable. Opportunities to acquire wealth without exerting any productive effort at higher levels of the economic pyramid are what made wealth inequality so lopsided in the first place; the solution to it cannot be to simply perpetrate the same flaw at lower levels.

Rationalizing incomes rather than merely imposing arbitrary limits on their scale, and removing barriers to opportunities to acquire and create wealth rather than settling for short-term, unsustainable work-arounds take much more effort than expressing envy, but they will work much better to solve the problem of economic inequality – and all without shaming anyone for wanting to give their money to rebuild an old church.

Ben.kritz@manilatimes.net

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

US to sanction nations for buying Iranian oil WASHINGTON, D.C.: T h e Tr u m p administration is poised to tell five nations, including allies Japan, South Korea and Turkey, that they would no longer be exempt from US sanctions if they continue to import oil from Iran, officials said Sunday (Monday in Manila).

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to announce on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) that the administration would not renew sanctions waivers for the five countries when they expire on -AY THREE 53 OFkCIALS SAID The others are China and India.

It was not immediately clear if any of the five would be given additional time to wind down their purchases or if they would be subject to US sanctions on May 3 if they do not immediately halt imports of Iranian oil.

The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of Pompeo’s announcement.

The decision not to extend the waivers, which was first reported by The Washington Post, was finalized on Friday

by President Donald Trump, according to the officials. They said it was intended to further ramp up pressure on Iran by strangling the revenue it gets

from oil exports.

The administration granted eight oil sanctions waivers when it reimposed sanctions on Iran after Trump pulled the US out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal. They were granted in part to give those countries more time to find alternate energy sources, but a l s o t o p r e ve n t a s h o c k t o global oil markets from the sudden removal of Iranian crude.

US officials now say they do not expect any significant reduction in the supply of oil given production increases by other countries, including the US itself and Saudi Arabia.

Since November, 3 of the 8 — Italy, Greece and Taiwan — have stopped importing oil from Iran. The other five, however, have not, and have lobbied for their waivers to be extended.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally Turkey has made, perhaps, the most public case for AN EXTENSION WITH SENIOR OFkCIALS telling their US counterparts that Iranian oil is critical to meeting their country’s energy needs.

They have also made the case that as a neighbor of Iran, Turkey cannot be expected to completely close its economy to Iranian goods.

AP

World Sri Lanka explosions death toll reaches 290 C TUESDAY April 23, 2019

OLOMBO: The death toll from bomb blasts that ripped through churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka rose dramatically on Monday to 290 — including dozens of foreigners — as police announced new arrests over the country’s worst attacks for more than a decade.

More than 500 people were injured in the Easter Sunday assault that saw suicide bombers hit three high-end hotels popular with foreign tourists and three churches, unleashing carnage in Colombo and beyond.

Two additional blasts were triggered as security forces carried out raids searching for suspects.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but police said

Monday 24 people had been arrested. The government is wary of stirring ethnic tensions, and the country remained on edge as a home-made bomb was defused at Colombo airport late Sunday and massive security deployed.

A nationwide curfew imposed shortly after the blasts was lifted early Monday, but the government has ordered a two-day holiday and

schools and the Colombo stock exchange were closed. Still, a steady stream of people and vehicles were seen on the streets of the capital and Negombo.

The attacks were the worst ever carried out against Sri Lanka’s small Christian minority, who make up just seven percent of the 21 million population.

At least 37 foreigners were among the dead, the foreign ministry said.

The government said three Indians, three Britons, two from Turkey and one Portuguese had died, as well as two people holding both British and US passports. “Additionally, while nine foreign nationals are reported missING THERE ARE UNIDENTIkED BOD-

B5

ies believed to be of foreigners,� the foreign ministry said. Japan’s foreign ministry said one of its nationals was among the dead.

The churches targeted included St Sebastian’s in Negombo, north of the capital, which was surrounded by security forces on Monday.

Dozens of people were killed at the church, including friends of 16-year-old Primasha Fernando, who was at her home nearby when the suicide bomber struck. “When I got to the church there were people crying and screaming,� she told AFP. “I saw bodies everywhere,� she added in tears. “I saw parents carrying their dead babies. I saw dead people who had hair but didn’t have faces anymore.�

AFP

SKorea to mark summit anniversary with NKorea SEOUL: South Korea would this week celebrate the first anniversary of a landmark summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un — but Pyongyang may not take part, Seoul said Monday.

The pair held their first meeting on April 27 last year in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the peninsula amid a rapid

diplomatic thaw, paving the way for a historic summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June.

But one year later, little progress has been made on North Korea’s denuclearization, with Pyongyang and Washington deadlocked since a second summit between Trump and Kim in Hanoi in February broke down without a deal.

Moon, who brokered the first meeting between the two mercurial leaders, has tried to salvage the diplomacy although the North has remained largely unresponsive.

Since Hanoi, the North has not attended any of the eight regular weekly meetings of the heads of their joint liaison office in Kaesong, and has not taken part in other joint projects, such as excavations in the DMZ.

Seoul will hold a ceremony on Saturday at Panmunjom — where Moon and Kim exchanged warm smiles and brotherly hugs — the unification ministry said, but Pyongyang’s attendance remained unclear. “When we notify the North (about the event), we will provide additional details,� ministry spokesman Lee Sangmin told reporters.

AFP

Worldinbriefs BODIES OF 3 KILLED MOUNTAINEERS RECOVERED MONTREAL: The bodies of three world-renowned professional mountaineers — two Austrians and an American — were found Sunday (Monday in Manila) after they went missing during an avalanche on a western Canadian summit, the national parks agency said. American Jess Roskelley, 36; Hansjorg Auer, 35; and David Lama, 28, of Austria went missing late Tuesday at Banff National Park. Authorities launched an aerial search the next day. The three men were attempting to climb the east face of Howse Pass, an isolated and highly difficult route. They were part of a team of experienced athletes sponsored by American outdoor equipment firm The North Face.

AFP

COMEDIAN ELECTED UKRAINE PRESIDENT KIEV, Ukraine: A comedian whose only political experience consists of playing a president on TV cruised toward a landslide victory in Ukraine’s presidential election Sunday in what was seen as a reaction against the country’s entrenched corruption and low standard of living. Results from 52 percent of polling stations’ tallies showed sitcom star Volodymyr Zelenskiy receiving 73 percent of the vote and President Petro Poroshenko about 25 percent, a crushing rebuke to Poroshenko’s five years in office. Even before results started trickling in, Poroshenko accepted defeat based on exit polls, saying: “I am leaving office, but I want to firmly underline that I am not leaving politics.� AP

HEAT WAVE HITS CAMBODIA

FOR MOTHER EARTH An Indonesian student gets her face painted during the Earth Day rally in Banda Aceh on Monday.

AFP PHOTO

All set for Kim-Putin talks Nothing wrong in taking Russia help – Trump team PYONGYANG: North Korean President Kim Jong Un is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok this week, reportedly tomorrow until Thursday.

Few details have been released, but the summit — the first between the two neighbors’ leaders since Kim Jong Il met Dmitry Medvedev eight years ago — comes less than two months after the Hanoi meeting between Kim and US President Donald Trump broke up without reaching agreement on the North’s nuclear arsenal.

Pyongyang last week launched a blistering attack on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, demanding he be removed from the negotiations.

Kim has met Chinese President Xi Jinping four times in the space of a year, but is now looking for wider international support in the standoff, say analysts.

Moscow has already called for international sanctions on the North to be eased, while the US has accused it of trying to help Pyongyang evade some of the measures — accusations Russia denies.

After the Hanoi summit, Russia’s ambassador to the North Alexander Matsegora told AFP Pyongyang had been disappointed by the outcome.

In its state media, when Kim “departed from Pyongyang the purpose was the second summit and when he returned he returned FROM AN OFkCIAL VISIT FROM 6IETnam�, he said. “It means that it was not the result they wanted to get.�

Washington should offer concrete concessions rather than “only promises, which are nothing�, he added. “It is not acceptable.�

The inscription on the monument in Pyongyang proclaims that “the great Soviet Union military� had “liberated Koreans from Japanese oppression� and their “heroic� deeds “will shine for 10,000 generations and more�.

In fact, the Soviet Union only declared war on Japan on Aug. 8, 1945 — after the US nuclear bombing of Hiroshima.

The destruction of the city and the follow-up strike that reduced Nagasaki to a post-atomic hellscape forced Japan’s surrender, ending World War 2 and Tokyo’s colonial rule over the peninsula.

"UT 0YONGYANG S OFkCIAL HISTORY gives the US barely any credit for ITS ROLE IN THAT CONlICT AND BLAMES it for the division of the Korean peninsula, glossing over an agreement to do so between Moscow and Washington.

AFP

WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani insisted on Sunday (Monday in Manila) there was “nothing wrong� with the President’s 2016 campaign taking information from the Russians, as House Democrats pledged steppedup investigations into campaign misconduct and possible crimes of obstruction detailed in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report .

Giuliani called the Trump campaign’s effort to get political help from representatives of

the Russian government possibly ill-advised, but not illegal. “There’s nothing wrong with taking information from Russians,� Giuliani said, referring to a June 2016 Trump Tower meeting involving Trump’s son Donald Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and a lawyer linked to Russia.

The Trump campaign was seeking harmful information on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

AP

CAMBODIA Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron has issued guidelines to prevent outbreaks of diseases in all education institutions in the Kingdom during the current hot and dry spell. In a statement Monday, Naron advised students to bring clean water from their homes to school to drink during a forecast heat wave from Friday to Wednesday. Temperatures in these days are expected to range between 36 to 39 degrees Celsius. “The high temperatures can cause health risks, such as heart disease, lung disease, sunburn and other diseases such as diarrhoea, malnutrition and other mental health problems,� he said. “You all have to protect yourselves by drinking clean water and eating hygienic food and also wear clothes that are thin and soft during the high temperature.�

KHMER TIMES

4 QUAKES RATTLE ALASKA KNIK-Fairview, Alaska: Four small earthquakes hit different parts of Alaska over the weekend, according to an earthquake monitoring center. At 6:04 p.m.

Sunday (Monday in Manila), a magnitude 3.1 earthquake hit a spot 26 miles (42 kilometers) east of Knik-Fairview. At 11:48 a.m. Sunday, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake hit the Prince William Sound region of Alaska, the center said. At 10:31 p.m. Saturday, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit the Andreanof Islands region. At 7:39 p.m. Saturday, a magnitude 2.9 earthquake hit a spot 4 miles (7 kilometers) southwest of Sterling, a town of about 5,600 people, the center said. The earthquake had a depth of about 22 miles (35 kilometers) and was felt in Sterling.

AP

TENSIONS IN SUDAN ESCALATE KHARTOUM, Sudan: Tensions are rising in Sudan after talks broke down between protesters and the country’s military rulers, who earlier in April ousted President Omar al-Bashir after months of street protests against his rule. Large crowds lit up the night sky with their cellphones, singing and chanting as protest leaders delivered fiery speeches in the capital, Khartoum, on Sunday night.

The protest organizers — the Sudanese Professionals Association — said they suspended talks with the ruling military council because it failed to meet their demands for an immediate transfer to a civilian government. The protesters fear the military intends to cling to power or put another general in charge.

AP

IS CLAIMS ATTACK IN SAUDI ARABIA

JEWS POWER

An Israeli flag flies among Jewish priests wearing ‘Talit’ (prayer shawls) as they take part in the Cohanim prayer (priest’s blessing) during the ‘Pesach’ (Passover) holiday at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. AFP PHOTO

CAIRO: The Islamic State (IS) group said it was behind an attack the previous day on a Saudi security building in the town of Zulfi in which all four gunmen were killed and three security officers were wounded.

The kingdom’s state-run al-Ekhbariya news channel had reported that police foiled Sunday’s attempted attack. Zulfi is about 250 kilometers, or 155 miles, north of the capital, Riyadh. Videos circulating on social media show dead gunmen with machine guns and explosive devices.

The IS-linked Aamaq news agency released a video on Monday of the four alleged martyrdom-seekers behind the attack. It’s unclear when the footage was filmed.

AP

B6

World

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

Strong storms destroy homes in Cambodia S TRONG winds during severe storms DESTROYED MORE THAN HOUSES IN kVE provinces over the weekend.

A Water Resources Ministry statement said that 23 houses were destroyed on Friday in Takeo province’s Bati district, 11 in Kandal province’s Kandal Stung district, kVE IN 0URSAT PROVINCE S +RAVANH

district and two in Prey Veng province’s Sithor Kandal district.

It said strong winds on Saturday destroyed 43 houses in Banteay Meanchey province’s Phnom Srok district, 30 in Kampong Speu

province’s Oral district and 20 in Battambang province’s Kamrieng district.

Suon Bava, Banteay Meanchey governor, said the authorities visited and delivered aid to the 43 affected families, adding that so far aid had been given to 437 families whose homes were destroyed in storms since March.

“Nearly 500 families in five

districts and communes in Batteay Meanchy province suffered from strong winds since March and the authorities repaired some houses and provided donations,” he said.

The ministry statement warned that from Friday to Wednesday, the kingdom would experience storms with strong winds and urged people to be on the alert for lightning strikes.

KHMER TIMES

Workers demand release of 3 Chinese activists BEIJING: Some 100 Chinese workers suffering from a work-related disease have signed a petition demanding the release of three prominent activists in southern China amid a crackdown on labor activism.

Wei Zhili and Ke Chengbing, editors of a labor rights news site that reported on the workers’ cases, were arrested last month for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble’’— a broad charge that Chinese authorities often use to sweep up activists and dissidents.

Yang Zhengjun, editor in chief of the iLabour news site, has been in police

detention since January.

“They’re not guilty — they have caring hearts and because of that they face pressure from the government,” said Gu Fuxiang, one of the workers who signed the petition.

“I’ve been thinking, this isn’t what my country is about. They should look after us,” he told AFP. Hundreds of migrant workers, mainly from central Hunan province, protested last year for compensation in Shenzhen after contracting silicosis, a deadly lung disease, when they helped transform the southern city from a fishing village.

AFP

TUESDAY APRIL 23, 2019

Public Square

B7

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For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

publicsquare@manilatimes.net

Red Cross marks 72nd year

SNAP-Benguet plants 145K trees in Ambuklao and Binga watersheds A

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is on track to deliver scaled up and more accessible services as the humanitarian organization boosts its response capacity in local communities.

Now on its 72nd year, PRC puts more emphasis on its regionalization approach, where the organization’s assets will be strategically positioned in different provinces to conduct faster response in times of disasters and emergencies.

02# HAS IDENTIkED REGIONAL hubs namely La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Subic, Batangas, Naga, Albay, Leyte, Passi City, Zamboanga City, Davao del Sur, Iligan and Surigao del Norte.

Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of PRC, said the region-

alization effort mirrors PRC’s commitment to live up to its mantra — “Always First, Always Ready, and Always There.� “The humanitarian challenges that our country faces are getting more challenging.

Typhoons are getting stronger and the emergencies are getting more rampant. There is a strong call to step up humanitarian aid. We have to make sure that we continue to hone our capabilities,� Gordon said.

The 72nd anniversary of the PRC highlights the theme “#Resilience: Humanitarian responders over the years,� which celebrates over seven decades of empowering communities to rise up from the impact of calamities.

PhilHealth to introduce special benefits for PWDs IN response to the passage of Republic Act (RA) 11228, which provides for the mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), state agency Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said preparations for the law’s implementation is underway starting with the crafting of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

RA 11228 which amends the Magna Carta for PWDs was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 22 and took effect on March 19. It mandates PhilHealth to develop exclusive packages that WILL ADDRESS 07$S SPECIkC HEALTH and developmental needs. “Long before the passage of RA 11228, PhilHealth has introduced in ITS SPECIAL BENEkTS FOR MOBILITY

orthosis, rehabilitation, prosthesis help or Z Morph to assist our PWDs for the needed lower limb prosthe-

ses, expanding it in 2014 to include selected orthopedic implants such as total and partial hip prostheses, and implants for hip fixation, among others,� PhilHealth Acting President AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER 2OY &ERRER declared, adding that “in 2014 we further upped the ante for our PWDs with the inclusion of upper limb prostheses, orthoses and orthoprostheses, among others in 2014.�

The required premium contributions for PWDs shall be paid for by the national government from the proceeds of the restructured excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco; while employers of employed PWDs are responsible for half of their monthly premiums. &ERRER CLARIkED THAT FULL IMPLEmentation of the law will follow as soon as the IRR is completed and the required premium contributions for PWDs are released by the national government.

QC to purchase 5 vehicles for program monitoring THE Quezon City government is SET TO PURCHASE kVE MULTICABS FOR Barangay Holy Spirit.

City Resolution 7710-2019, introduced by Councilor Elizabeth Delarmente, authorizes Mayor Herbert "AUTISTA TO PURCHASE kVE MULTICABS

and to transfer the ownership of the vehicles to the barangay without cost. “The multicabs would provide expediency and efficiency in the delivery of basic services to the constituents of Barangay Holy Spirit in District II,� the resolution reads.

Casa De Memoria presents Age of Exploration auction

FTER planting 2,200 seedlings in 2018, Benguet-based renewable energy company SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP-Benguet) has brought its total number of seedlings planted to 145,000 since 2009. This is part of the company’s sustainability program and in support of the Aboitiz Power’s Aboitiz Passion to Agroforestry and Reforestation to Keep (Apark) Program.

Since 2009, SNAP-Benguet has partnered with its host communities, peoples organizations (PO) and indigenous peoples organiza-

tions (IPO) for the preservation, conservation and protection of the Ambuklao and Binga watersheds, including its natural resources.

The tree planting activities engage volunteers from within and outside SNAP-Benguet to plant endemic seedlings such as bamboo, Benguet pine, cypress, Arabica and Robusta coffee, among others, in protected areas. SNAP-Benguet also provides support funds for the seedling production program of the Baguio Regreening Movement.

Meanwhile, through a Technical Cooperation Agreement,

SNAP-Benguet and the National Power Corp. also established a COMMUNITY BASED FOREST kRE PROtection team and implemented protection activities within the 2.5-kilometer radius from the high-water mark of the Ambuklao and Binga reservoirs.

In partnership with the Ambuclao Coffee Growers Association, Tinongdan IPO and Shakila ni Ikulos IPO, SNAP-Benguet cares, maintains and protects adjacent areas of the reservoir and various watershed areas through the establishment of

fire lines and greenbelt areas. “SNAP’s reforestation, tree planting, and forest protection activities aim to maintain the integrity of the watersheds to supply our water needs, and help us in providing clean, reliable energy to the Luzon Grid. This year, SNAP-Benguet aims to plant at least 15,000 seedlings in Ambuklao and Binga areas,� said SNAP Group’s Vice President for Corporate Services Mike Hosillos.

SNAP-Benguet is a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and AboitizPower.

BPI Sinag back to champion more Filipino social enterprises "0) 3INAG THE lAGSHIP BUSINESS program of the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation Inc. for social entrepreneurs, returns on ITS kFTH YEAR TO CHAMPION MORE Filipino social enterprises.

BPI Sinag Year 5 will feature an enhanced incubation program that integrates updated modules in business and technology.

Globe Telecom also joins Bayan Academy, Villgro Philippines, Start-Up Village, BPI Business

Banking and BPI BanKO as a BPI Foundation program partner.

BPI Sinag is open to social entrepreneurs who are 18 years old and above and have been operating their social enterprises for at least two years.

Interested applicants can visit www.sinag.bpifoundation.org to download the application form and submit the accomplished form to info.bpisinag@gmail.com. Deadline for entries is on May 27.

‘Yolanda’ survivor wins P25-M SOMETIMES she would look at her parents and wonder how she could give them a better life. Super typhoon “Yolanda� destroyed their home, and they haven’t really recovered from the tragedy. Of late, even her future seemed uncertain, with the threat of unemployment looming in the wake of management changes in the workplace.

It was during one such moment of musing that the answer came to the 27-year-old Leyte native in the form of a letter. Never in a million years could she have guessed the message it carried: She had won the grand prize in THE 3MART !MAZING RAFlE PROMO She was now richer by P25 million.

The winner received the check at the PLDT headquarters in Makati from PLDT-Smart Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Manuel Pangilinan himself. The winner is a longtime subscriber — 12 years with PLDT-Smart brand

TNT and two years with Smart. She was chosen from millions of Smart subscribers who joined the raffle by simply dialing *121#, choosing AMAZING 25 on the menu, and FOLLOWING THE STEPS TO CONkRM THEIR registration. Her identity is being withheld for security reasons.

Curiously, she had forgotten ABOUT THE RAFlE SO THAT SHE WAS skeptical when the letter arrived. “I thought it was a scam, so I asked a workmate to read it for me,� she recalled.

The next day, she called the number written on the letter to CONkRM 4HE PERSON ON THE OTHER end called her back. She recalled having to catch her breath during the entire phone call. Then she broke into tears.

The winner lives with her parents, two siblings and a partner, and their children in a house wrecked by Yolanda in 2013.

Q PLDT-Smart Chairman, Company Executive Officer and President Manuel Pangilinan hands over a ceremonial check for P25 million to the winner of the Smart Amazing 25 raffle promo at the PLDT headquarters in Makati.

DLSU unveils George SK Ty Advanced Instrumentation Building GT Foundation Inc (GTFI), together with De La Salle University (DLSU), inaugurated the George SK Ty Advanced Instrumentation Building through a marker-unveiling ceremony on April 11 at the university’s Laguna Campus in the city of Biùan.

Through the generous support of GTFI, the four-story facility houses the university’s research laboratories in different areas of science, engineering and technology. The building also houses a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer that thoroughly analyzes and interprets molecular and compound structures. “The Lasallian identity of a

spirit of faith, zeal for service and communion in mission, and its motto Religio, Mores, Cultura, resonate the vision and mission of GTFI of addressing the needs of the less privileged to improve the quality of their lives,� said GTFI President Alfred Ty in his message. “It is for these reasons that GTFI partnered with DLSU in the construction of the Dr. George SK Ty Advanced InstruMENTATION "UILDING AN AFkRMAtion of Dr. Ty’s commitment to support and sustain the advancement of science, technology and engineering education in the Philippines,� he continued.

Q GTFI President Alfred Ty (3rd from right) and DLSU President Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC (3rd from left) lead the unveiling of the George SK Ty Advanced Instrumentation Building marker. Joining them are GTFI Assistant Vice President Alesandra Ty (2nd from right), Metrobank First Vice President Zandra Ty (2nd from left), GTFI Executive Director Aniceto SobrepeĂąa (extreme left), and PEZA Manager Emmanuel Cortero (extreme right).

Driving to a better path with Resorts World Manila CASA de Memoria’s auction, “Age of Exploration: East Meets West,“ will feature a selection of Asian and European decorative art works to appeal to connoisseurs. The Lhuillier-managed auction house devoted to antiquities, furniture and objets d’art, begins its 16th auction at the Palacio de Memoria along Roxas Boulevard, on May 11 at 2 p.m. Over 170 unique items, among them of “Japonisme� and “Chinoiserie� provenance, will be on offer. “There is a great demand for Asian inspired furniture, ceramics and porcelain. This will be our third auction with the East Meets West theme, and the items for auction are extremely rare and yet, not extremely expensive. Our curating

team has been very meticulous on provenance and stability of every item,� explains Angelique Lhuillier, Casa de Memoria director.

Highlights of the auction begin with unique furniture: a Damascus sgabello-styled rectangular table with bone inlays. The piece, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, is embellished with inlaid BONE IN GEOMETRIC FOLIATE AND lORAL patterns. The sgabello style is akin to the Italian renaissance, and is prized for its intricacy.

Among the paintings presented, the team was drawn to the 17th century Spanish school of painting of the Holy Family.

For more information, visit www.casadememoria.com.

FOR some of the 21 men and women present, it was their first real graduation ceremony as adults.

The graduates, drivers and operators of the Villamor Air Base Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association Inc. (Vabjodai), were treated to a simple graduation ceremony by Resorts World Manila (RWM) after they completed the company’s Livelihood and Employment Assistance Program (LEAP) for its Pinoy Ultimate Jeepney (PUJ) advocacy.

Though not a college-equivalent degree, RWM’s LEAP-PUJ course for Vabjodai members seeks to elevate their profes-

sion by treating them as not just mere public utility vehicle drivers, but as ambassadors for Philippine culture and tourism. “The jeepney is one of the most iconic things in contemporary Philippine culture,� says Archie Nicasio, RWM assistant director for corporate communications and head of corporate social responsibility. “Apart from representing the common Pinoy’s love for color and creative expression, it is also a part of our history starting from the American occupation to the post-WWII years.�

For more information, visit www.rwmanila.com/csr.

Q Villamor Air Base Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association Inc. members celebrate their graduation from the Resorts World Manila Livelihood and Employment Assistance Program-Pinoy Ultimate Jeepney course with RWM CSR Officer Elaine Castillo (standing, extreme left), RWM CSR Associate Robel de Jesus (standing, extreme right), and (seated, from left) RWM Public Relations Director Cheryl Favila, RWM Corporate Communications Director Joee Guilas, May Tiangco of Caritas Manila, and RWM Assistant Director for Corporate Communications and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Archie Nicasio.

Build&Design

B8 TTUESDAY AAPRIL 23, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

I

EDITOR: Mario F. Fetalino Jr.

mario.fetalino@manilatimes.net

An architect’s patriotic act

T’S a present day clichÊ that overseas Filipino workers are the nation’s modern day heroes. That is a given fact. Indeed, OFWs may have more means of contributing to the nation’s progress aside from their remittances, property investments, and perhaps charity donations.

Architect Bart Vista of the United Architects of the Philippines-Kuala Lumpur (UAP-KL) Chapter, opted for a more direct and distinct major contribution — the extensive renovation of the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia.

Since the early 1990s, amid the economic boom of Malaysia, Arch. Vista has been pondering on how he, as a successful architect in Kuala Lumpur, could give back to his country and to the society that granted his status as a professional.

Sure, there are the usual charity donations, relief goods for victims of disasters, and the subtle participation in Filipino community activities. Not much for a professional who is trained in critical thinking and doing well in a foreign country he now calls home.

The window of opportunity came in November 2011 during the kRST YEAR OF 0HILIPPINE AMBASSADOR to Malaysia, Jose Eduardo Malaya.

Over a casual lunch with Atty. Robby Consunji and the ambassador, !RCH 6ISTA PROPOSED TO THE OFkCIAL his ambitious but promising plan to extensively renovate the embassy on a “pro bono� basis. By February 2012, the embassy walls came crumbling down. Works were concentrated on the interiors with a design concept of an open-plan, a statement that was synonymous with Ambassador Malaya’s stern advocacy for transparency and clean governance.

With the full support of his staff, contractors, suppliers and members of the UAP KL-Chapter, Arch. Vista personally supervised the design and physical renovation. The entire arrangement was altered from an original house layout, being the former residence OF -ALAYSIA S kRST PRIME MINISTER that was never truly renovated EVER SINCE INTO A HIGHLY EFkCIENT WORKING OFkCE SPACE Bedroom walls were discarded and spaces were opened or replaced with solid timber-framed GLASS WALLS FOR THE RESTRICTED OFkCes. Existing bedroom bathrooms, previously used for file record STORAGES WERE ELIMINATED !LL kLE records were relocated to a new CENTRALIZED kLING ROOM Entire plywood and acoustic panel ceilings were torn down to be replaced with seamless gypsum plaster board ceilings inclusive of decorative cornices. Where applicaBLE lOORING kNISHES WERE CHANGED to timber planks; the lobby dressed IN :IMBABWE BLACK GRANITE lOORING with a large, more welcoming, circular timber reception desk.

The dining room was enlarged and converted into the community hall that spilled out into a new vast outdoor timber deck and into the existing car park, while the original kitchen was converted into the staff eatery. Where new partitions were required, soundproof gypsum board walls were erected and complimented with proper timber baseboards.

Fibre optic lighting was introduced at the main stairwell where the flag colors of white, yellow, blue and red proudly illuminates.

The staircase was ornamented with a new decorative wrought iron BALUSTRADE AND kNISHED IN SOLID timber treads and risers. Authentic stained glass windows and skylights were installed in public spaces and prominent areas such as the ambassador’s waiting lounge.

All doors were replaced with solid timber equipped with Italian locksets and door closers. WinDOWS WHERE EMBASSY OFkCIALS AND the general public transact, were installed with large laminated tempered glass fenestrations framed

THE ARCHITECT’S PERSPECTIVE ARCH. RODOLF JARANILLA in solid timber. New wall paper BEAUTIkES THE AMBASSADOR S OFkCE and waiting lounge. A three-layered light trough enhanced lighting accentuation to the walls.

Dysfunctioning aircon units were replaced with new split-type inverter UNITS lUORESCENT LAMPS CHANGED TO light emitting diode (LED) downlights and all electrical wirings were rewired, encased in conduits and concealed into the walls and ceiling.

There were a few new interior structural columns, either of concrete, steel or timber, planted or shifted to suit the layout. For the exterior, all walls received fresh coats of paint but the overall house conkGURATION WAS KEPT INTACT TO PRESERVE THE HERITAGE VALUE OF THE EDIkCE The entire pro bono impact totalled an equivalent of P19 million inclusive of consultancy services. )T WAS OFkCIALLY ENDORSED AND APproved by the Philippine Commission on Audit.

All that while, the paramount task was to keep the embassy operations running while the edikCE WAS BEING RENOVATED WHICH required careful planning and phasing programs. It was a foreseen conundrum. Iit seemed impossible to accomplish both sides of that coin. But Arch. Vista, together with the full cooperation of the entire embassy personnel at that time, carefully staged a process that minimized downtime.

Above all else, the project had TO BE BROOM CLEAN kNISHED BY !PRIL IN TIME FOR THE OFkCIAL visit of then Vice President Jejomar Binay who was the guest of honor in the opening ceremonies of the new embassy.

A year later, Arch. Vista extensively renovated the existing guardhouse cum visitor entrance to make IT MORE FUNCTIONAL AND EFkCIENT FOR embassy guests. At the same time, he installed a 4’X8’ etched granite embassy signage at the fence, also on a pro bono basis.

Two years later, he instigated a design competition among the UAP KL-Chapter members for the renovation and expansion of the Philippine Overseas Labor and other attachĂŠ OFkCES ALL HOUSED IN A SEPARATE BUILDing djacent to the embassy house.

The competition pushed through, judged by the POLO officials. A winning design was chosen. Soil investigations and piling works were completed until the end of Ambassador Malaya’s term. )T WAS DEkNITELY AN ELATING AND gratifying experience for Arch. Vista to render his professional expertise as a service to the Filipino community in KL, who in turn felt a sense of pride and dignity towards their new embassy. It was also a sigh of relief for the embassy personnel who went through the perturbing experience but were highly motivated to work in a new organized AND EFkCIENT ENVIRONMENT Whether we acknowledge it or not, most people give because what they get in return gives them a sense of purpose for themselves, society and life. There are many ways of making contributions but to contribute one’s full practice of his profession — from design to implementation, project management and completion of a project meant for our own community and country — perhaps, may be too rare.

But as Archt. Vista always elucidates with his adopted credo from W.T. Purkiser: “Not what we say about our blessings but how we utilize them is the true measure of our thanksgiving.�

L L L

Arch. Rodolf Jaranilla is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is the current president of the United Architects of the Philippines-Kuala Lumpur Chapter.

Bacolod on a roll

T

HANKS to a booming economy, Bacolod’s real estate sector has been progressing remarkably well over the last few years and is expected to continue soaring to new heights in the next few years.

With more and more property developers answering the growing demand for residential and commercial properties in and around Bacolod, the real estate landscape of Negros Occidental’s crown jewel is expected to evolve and lead the property development boom in the Visayas.

Data culled by Lamudi, the Philippines’ premier real estate platFORM INDICATED THAT SINCE THE kRST semester of 2016, there had been an increasing trend among property seekers looking for potential homes in Bacolod all the way to the second semester of 2018.

The average growth rate between 2016 and 2017 was somewhere between 14 percent and 15 percent.

(OWEVER THIS AVERAGE kGURE GREW TO PERCENT IN RElECTIing the increasing interest among property seekers looking for properties in the City of Smiles.

The last quarter of 2018 had the highest volume of searches on

residential properties in Bacolod.

Comparing this period to 2017’s fourth quarter, there was a 50 percent increase in page views.

Similarly, in both 2017 and 2018, the most searched for areas in Bacolod among property seekers were those in Alijis, Estefania, Mansilingan, Tangub, Bata, Mandalagan and Villamonte, where Megaworld’s The Upper East is located.

As of 2018, the average price of a property in Bacolod is P5.46 million while the average size of one is 932 square meters (sqm).

In Alijis, the most searched for area among property seekers, the average price of a property is P3.76 million, with the average size of a property pegged at 228 sqm.

In Villamonte the average price of a property is P28.2 million while the average size is 842 sqm. In terms of monthly rentals, the average monthly rate for a property in Bacolod is P19,934 while the average size of an area being rented out is 277 sqm.

ing The Upper East in Bacolod, a P28-billion township development that will host the city’s new The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is and iconic 34-hectare central constructing a 5,000-sqm property business district. The project at the city’s reclamation area to of- will feature a mixture of residenfer improved services, particularly tial condominiums, One Regis involving currency management, and Two Regis, shopping malls, kNANCIAL INCLUSION AND kNANCIAL mixed-use buildings, hotels, and and economic awareness. state-of-the-art office towers, Also, the government is allotting among many other structures.

P900 million on the construction One of the highlights of the of a new provincial administration township is a New York-inspired center, a 16,000-sqm lot located lifestyle mall with several interin front of the National Bureau of connected buildings, with one of Investigation-Bacolod building. those buildings to be inspired by On the other hand, the Bacolod the iconic Grand Central Station in Economic Highway is targeted for New York City. completion by the end of 2022.

Another Megaworld township The project is a 21.8-kilometer, development in Bacolod is Norfour-lane road, including three thill Gateway, which will have bridges and a two-way bike lane. upscale residential villages, a It will serve as an alternate circum- MIXED USE OFkCE AND RETAIL DEVELferential road bypassing Bacolod’s opment, and leisure and recrecentral business district. ational amenities.

Meanwhile, the redevelopment Located on the border of Baof the Bacolod-Silay Airport is colod and Talisay, the township meant to decongest the airport and will cover 50 hectares and will ENHANCE OPERATING EFkCIENCY SAFETY have direct access to the Bacolodand security as well as improve pas- Silay Airport. It is also where the senger amenities and its networking 0HILIPPINES kRST ,AS 6EGAS STYLE and marketing. The project is slated “welcome marker� is located, an for completion by the end of 2021. iconic attraction that greets incomFurther, Megaworld is build- ing and outgoing visitors.

Future projects, infrastructure

More shelters eyed for Westside City Sta. Lucia renews trust in Davao City MEGAWORLD Corp. plans to build 1,900 more residential units in Westside City.

Westside City is the 31-hectare township being developed by Megaworld in ParaĂąaque City.

The units will be housed in two residential towers called South Beach Place and Sunny Coast Residential Resort.

Some P18 billion is being alloted for the two towers, Megaworld said in a regulatory filing.

Megaworld Corp. plans to launch P18 billion worth of residential developments within the 31-hectare Westside City township in ParaĂąaque.

Megaworld said the amount would cover the two residential towers South Beach Place and Sunny Coast Residential Resort, offering a combined 1,900 residential units.

To date, Megaworld has already launched 19 residential towers in Westside City with a total inventory of around 3,500 units worth approximately P50 billion.

The Westside township is a P121-billion state development within the Entertainment City. Megaworld has committed to invest around P64 billion to build the project within 10 years, while its affiliate Travelers International Hotels Group, Inc. committed to invest $1.1 billion, or roughly P57 billion, to build the Resorts World complex.

Megaworld is set to build two new homegrown hotel brands in Westside City — the 529-room Kingsford Hotel and the 685-room Grand Westside Hotel, both of which will be

Q The Westside township is a P121-billion state development within the Entertainment City.

linked to the casino complex.

The South Beach Place will rise as a 20-level tower with 582 studio and one-bedroom unit types. The studio unit will have sizes ranging from 32 square meters (sqm) to 41.5 sqm, while the one-bedroom unit will cover 46.5 sqm to 61.5 sqm of space. Megaworld said all units would have a balcony or a lanai area.

South Beach Place’s amenities will include an adult and children’s pool, massage pool, sun deck lounge, pool lounge and seating deck, playground, fitness center and function rooms. It will have a direct access to the future Westside City Resorts World complex via footbridge.

Meanwhile, the Sunny Coast will offer two 21-story

towers with a total of 1,309 residential units.

Unlike South Beach Place, Sunny Coast will offer three bedroom types — studio (up to 41 sqm), one-bedroom (up to 77 sqm), and executive onebedroom (up to 111 sqm). All units will have a balcony, while select one-bedroom units will have bi-level balconies.

Sunny Coast will also have amenities such as an infinity pool, children’s pool, wading pool, pool pavilion, lounge deck, meditation deck, child r e n ’s p l ay g r o u n d , f i t n e s s playground, fitness center, function rooms and outdoor seating area.

Both South Beach Place and Sunny Coast will be completed in 2024.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

THERE are many reasons for choosing to settle in Davao Region, whether you’re an investor or a resident. Given the growing demand for housing in the area, national developers are flocking to this part of the country, bringing with them their expertise in creating homes and communities suitable for Davaoeùos.

Of course, trusted property developer Sta. Lucia Land Inc. is among them. Having 18 different projects spanning more than 700 hectares within Davao City alone, it recently ventured into a residential leisure farm subdivision project called Las Colinas. “Davao Region holds so much potential for businesses that have yet to be fully tapped. And it’s a potential that Sta. Lucia has long recognized, as evident in our early presence in this area, particularly in its regional center, Davao City. We continue to create and provide communities that afford many of our hardworking Filipinos more than just a quality, decent home. Through our landmark developments, we aim to provide a more enhanced lifestyle to benefit the next generations to come,� said Sta. Lucia Land president Exequiel Robles.

Located in what was dubbed as the “Tagaytay of Davao,� this 98-ha prime property in Brgy. Eden, Toril, Davao City is well poised to be the perfect community for those looking for a peaceful sanctuary, a vacation home and a good investment.

Easily, a home within Las Colinas enables the resident to be as close to nature as possible, given an unobstructed panorama of Davao Gulf, scenic mountain and city views, cooler fresh air and refreshing weather, as well as proximity to Eden Nature Park, a mountain resort that offers a number of natural attractions and activities.

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Q Audi topped the Auto Bild quality rankings in the compact, mid-sized, full-sized and convertible cars, and all SUV categories.

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

THE MOTORING SECTION OF

Auto Bild Germany declares

Audi as ‘Best Brand’ A

udi was the big winner in the Auto Bild Best Brands in All Classes reader survey.

The four rings won seven individual victories in the quality assessment – and easily TOOK THE OVERALL WIN !UDI ALSO PLACED kRST IN the design and price/performance categories AS WELL AS IN THE 2ELIABLE #ARS IMAGE kELD .O brand performed better in the core criteria of the image survey, in which over 70,000 readers participated.

55.2 percent approval – ahead of Porsche and Skoda. .O OTHER MANUFACTURER ENJOYS MORE trust than Audi when it comes to quality. g7E WANT TO CONSISTENTLY DELIGHT CUSTOMERS WITH TOP QUALITY IN THE PREMIUM SEGMENT u SAID -ICHAEL .EUMAYER HEAD OF Audi Quality Assurance. “Auto Bild readers have emphatically confirmed

Auto Bild readers found that Audi does the BEST JOB IN TERMS OF QUALITY DESIGN AND PRICE performance. Readers voted the four RINGS OVERALL BRAND WINNER WITH

THAT WE HAVE ONCE AGAIN SUCCEEDED HERE u In the Best Brands in All Classes survey, readers of Auto Bild TRADE MAGAZINE RATED CAR BRANDS IN VEHICLE CATEGORIES 1UALITY DESIGN AND PRICE PERFORMANCE ratio are considered the core criteria here. !UDI TOPPED THE QUALITY RANKING IN SEVEN CATEGORIES COMPACT MID SIZED FULL SIZED AND CONVERTIBLES UP TO %52 50,000, as

WELL AS ALL 356 CATEGORIES m SMALL MEDIUM AND LARGE 4HE BRAND CHALKED UP ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL WINS IN DESIGN IN THE FULL SIZED CATEGORY AND IN THE PRICE PERFORMANCE CATEGORY FOR CONVERTIBLES OVER EUR 50,000. In addition, the Reliable Cars CATEGORY WENT TO THE FOUR RINGS ACROSS ALL classes. The brand thus achieved a total of TEN kRST PLACE kNISHES m AN ACHIEVEMENT THAT CONTINUED !UDI S STRONG kNISH IN THE Best Brands of 2018.

For more information, contact Audi Philippines at 7270381 to 85 or visit any Audi showroom in !LABANG 'LOBAL #ITY

Greenhills and SM Seaside City Cebu.

WINNERS OF Q1 MAXXIS NASFOR 4X4 CUP REVEALED MAXXIS Tires, in partnership with the National Association of Filipino OffRoaders (NAsFOR), continues to excite off-road fans with its annual Maxxis 4x4 Cup Philippines, a series of 4x4 race events held in different provinces all OVER THE COUNTRY 4HE kRST FOUR LEGS OF THE cup have recently concluded, with the TOUGHEST OFF ROADERS HAILED AS WINNERS The race, which runs from February to December, aims to promote offROADING AS A MOTOR SPORT AND TO BRING TOGETHER 0HILIPPINE OFF ROAD ENTHUSIASTS &OUNDED IN IT IS ONE OF THE LONGEST and most extreme off-road races in the Philippines.

-AXXIS KICKED OFF THE LEG EVENT IN Baler, Aurora on February 9 to 10, where *HERICO ,ARA FROM THE !URORA 2ACING 4EAM EMERGING THE WINNER -EANWHILE

*OSEPH 2ODRIGUEZ FROM 7HEELERS $AVAO won the second, third and fourth, which were held in Ilocos Sur, Tboli and Davao City, respectively. ,ARA ALSO WON THIRD PLACE DURING THE

RACE S SECOND LEG AND 2ODRIGUEZ SECURED THE FOURTH PLACE DURING THE kRST LEG “It’s always such a thrill to watch these RACES /FF ROAD ENTHUSIASTS GET TO ENJOY THEIR 7$S TO THE FULLEST THROUGH THE EXtreme courses we prepare every year. The SPIRIT OF COMPETITION ALSO GIVES THEM THE opportunity to meet other off-roaders and boosts their morale as individuals COMPETING IN A PROFESSIONAL SPORT u SAID .!S&/2 %VENTS $IRECTOR 2AMON 4O ONG Derrick Gahite of the Manila East OfFROADERS CAME IN SECOND FOR THE kRST AND SECOND LEGS WHILE 4ONTON $UNGCA FROM THE +APAMPANGAN 2ACING 4EAM SECURED THE kFTH PLACE DURING THE SECOND LEG

FOURTH PLACE DURING THE THIRD LEG AND SECOND PLACE DURING THE FOURTH LEG 4HE OTHER WINNERS OF THE kRST LEG WERE "ONG #ALLADO FROM THE )SABELA %XTREME Offroaders, who came in third, and CrisalDO #ERVO FROM "INANGONAN 2IZAL /FFROADERS WHO WON kFTH PLACE &ROY -ENDOZA FROM 4EAM )LOCOS /FFROADERS BAGGED THE FOURTH PLACE DURING THE SECOND LEG

ALL LEGS 7E RE ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL TO NAsFOR for the partnership we’ve built OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS /FF ROADERS can be assured that we will continue to DELIVER CHALLENGES THAT WILL KEEP THEM ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEATS IN THE MONTHS TO COME u -AXXIS 0HILIPPINES #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER 2ONALD !NG SAID Off-road fans can look forward to MORE EXCITING RACES AS THE -AXXIS 4x4 Cup Philippines resumes in May. 4HE kFTH LEG WILL BE HAPPENING ON !PRIL 6 to 7, 2019 at Pradera Verde, Lubao, 0AMPANGA

About Maxxis Tires

2EYNAN *AYME FROM 7HEELERS $AVAO WON SECOND PLACE DURING THE THIRD LEG

FOLLOWED BY *ODAX $AQUIL FROM 7HEELES Davao in third, and Dencio Garcia from 7HEELES $AVAO IN FIFTH PLACE +ENT %STRELLA FROM #$/ 7HEELERS SNAGGED

-AXXIS 4IRES IS A GLOBAL TIRE BRAND known in more than 170 countries for ITS HIGH PERFORMANCE 7ITH MORE THAN THE THIRD PLACE DURING THE FOURTH LEG YEARS OF MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE

with Altams Altamera from DAVCAT in Maxxis develops and produces tires FOURTH AND "ENJIE #AMINERO FROM $IGOS OF UNEQUALLED QUALITY FOR CARS LIGHT 7HEELERS IN kFTH TRUCKS 356S AND MOTORCYCLES USING THE g7E VE HAD A GOOD START THIS YEAR AND MOST ADVANCED ENGINEERING FACILITIES IN we hope to maintain this as we complete the industry.

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W

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

A perfect vehicle in an imperfect World

E live in dangerous times. Countless people die every day from criminal acts, politically motivated assassinations and even road rage. If you are an important person who deals with all kinds of people from the different facets of society, chances are your life may be at risk. It does not matter whether you are a celebrity, a diplomat OR A GOVERNMENT OFkCIAL YOU ARE IN DANGER IF travelling is an essential part of your work.

7ITH THE ADVENT OF THE INTERNET CRIMINALS HAVE BECOME CREATIVE IN MAKING LIFE DANGEROUS FOR A 6)0 4HIS IS WHY AN armored protection is the most viable solution. Impenetra Armor Protective Systems is the exclusive Philippine disTRIBUTOR OF THE !'0 3TOP GUN BALLISTIC GLASS "ASED AT THE #ALTEX 'AS 3TATION ALONG -OLINO 2OAD IN "ACOOR #AVITE

Impenetra is a one-stop shop for vehicle AND PERSONAL PROTECTION 7ITH ARMOR AND BOMB PROOkNG TECHNOLOGY CURRENTLY in use by European and US security forces, Impenetra’s array of bullet proofING ARMORING AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ARE BATTLE kELD TESTED AND HAS BEEN CERTIkED BY THE #OMITE %UROPEEN de Normalisation 1063 (CEN 1063).

Impenetra’s ballistic protection meets

%5 3TANDARDS "2 "2 AND 2OAD 2AGE protection.

4HE BEST THING ABOUT )MPENETRA S ARMORED VEHICLES IS THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED in such a way that it looks like a normal CAR 4HEIR CURRENT ARMORING PROTECTION PROGRAM CAN EQUIP LIGHT 356 S SUCH AS the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero, Nissan Terra and pick-ups like the Nissan Navara and Toyota Hi-Lux. They also have ballistic protection for vans such as the Kia Carnival and Toyota HiAce Grandia. g7E USE THE LATEST AND THE LIGHTEST ballistic protection which is Dyneema, a fiber made from polymers such as POLYETHYLENE WHICH IS THE STRONGEST kBER IN THE WORLD NOW u SAID 0AULO 6ILLARTA OF Impenetra PH.

)MPENETRA S ARMORING IS LIGHT SO SUSPENSION AND ENGINE MODIkCATIONS ARE NO LONGER NECESSARY g!LTHOUGH WITH HIGHER LEVEL OF ARMORING WE MAY NEED TO IMPROVE THE VEHICLE S OVERALL PERFORMANCE u ADDED

Villarta. !SIDE FROM VEHICLE ARMORING )MPENEtra PH also offers armored vehicle mainTENANCE LEASING SERVICES FOR BULLETPROOF vehicles, armored vehicle maintenance, and aftersales parts, tactical personal

protective solutions and vehicle perforMANCE UPGRADE FOR SAFETY SOLUTIONS For details, visit Impenetra’s FaceBOOK IMPENETRA0( OR LOG ON TO www.impenetraph.com or call 0917

HONDA PH IMPROVES WEBSITE FOR EASY ACCESS IN its aim to provide a much faster and EASY ACCESS TO ITS LOYAL PATRONS AND TARGET market, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc (HCPI) recently imptoved their online services. The new website, with the same URL address of www.hondaphil.com, is NOW FASTER EASIER TO USE AND NAVIGATE and replete with relevant information that can provide Honda customers with their needs.

Honda’s updated information portal NOW FEATURES A SIMPLIkED AND STREAMLINED DESIGN WHICH OFFERS CUSTOMERS AN array of features and tools that can help them with their search for information. g7E WANT TO PROVIDE OUR CUSTOMER BASE with a more convenient online experience. This improved website will provide customers with a comprehensive information about Honda cars at a click OF A BUTTON u SAID .ORIYUKI 4AKAKURA

President and GM of Honda Cars PH. 4HE UPDATED (ONDA 7EBPAGE INCLUDES A -ODEL BY -ODEL PAGE COMPLETE WITH COMPREHENSIVE SPECIkCATION SHEETS UP TO DATE PRICE LIST &INANCIAL #ALCULATOR THAT GIVES customers an idea of payment schemes FOR THEIR PREFERRED MODELS $OWNLOADABLE BROCHURES SO CUSTOMERS NEED NOT GO TO DEALERS IN THE EARLY STAGE OF THEIR VEHICLE HUNT $EALER LOCATOR WHICH INFORMS CUStomers of the Honda dealerships nearest THEIR LOCATION AND HOW TO GET TO THOSE DEALERSHIPS AND A #ONTACT 5S SECTION THAT will enable customers to communicate

with HCPI for any concern.

Aside from car sales-related features, the website also offers relevant information on After-sales service and Preventive Maintenance schedules and costs, PARTS CHECKING AND REPLACEMENT GUIDE PROGRAMS THAT CUSTOMERS CAN AVAIL TO save on their maintenance expenses,

and monthly promos. Those who are LOOKING TO WORK FOR (ONDA MAY ALSO VISIT the Careers section where they can check CURRENT JOB OPENINGS AND EASILY SUBMIT their resumes. Corporate information ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT have a need to know more about Honda in the Philippines.

-OREOVER KNOWING THAT MOST CUSTOMERS ACCESS THE INTERNET THROUGH THEIR MOBILE phones, HCPI has made sure that the new WEBSITE HAS A MOBILE PHONE OPTIMIZED and user-friendly mobile version. g7E ARE THRILLED TO DEBUT OUR NEW company website to our customers, media, partners and visitors who are

LOOKING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT (ONDA AND ITS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES u SAID 3ALES $Ivision Head, Atty. Louie Soriano. “This WEBSITE REDESIGN IS PART OF OUR COMMITMENT OF PROVIDING THE BEST CUSTOMER EXperience whether it’s at our Dealerships OR IN THE DIGITAL SPHERE DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD

dƾŜĞĚ

N

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

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A Levante on steroids!

ovitec has put together this comprehensive eight-part widebody kit package for the Maserati Levante SUV.

The front extension includes a front spoiler and spoiler blade. The fender lARES WIDEN THE VEHICLE AN ADDITIONAL centimeters (cm) or about four inches in FRONT AND CENTIMETERS OR JUST UNDER kVE inches in the rear. They are tied together WITH ROCKER PANELS AND IN THE REAR AN EXTENSION INTEGRATES WITH THE FRONT BUMPER TO CREATE A DIFFUSER EFFECT ! NAKED CARBON kBER REAR SPOILER COMPLETES THE PACKAGE !LL PARTS ARE WIND TUNNEL TESTED FOR AERODYNAMIC EFkCIENCY AND INCREASED DOWNFORCE 4HE POWER OUTPUT FROM THE TWIN TURBOCHARGED LITER 6 OF THE ,EVANTE 3 HAS been increased to 487 hp and 487 lb-ft of TORQUE UP FROM HP AND LB FT OF TORQUE 4HE POWER BOOST COMES BY WAY OF SOFTWARE REMAPPING WITH THE .OVITEC .

4RONIC TUNING MODULE 4HIS PROVIDES EVEN MORE DRIVING FUN WITH THE DIESEL MODELS .OVITEC ALSO OFFERS A MODULE FOR THE STANDARD ELECTRONIC !CTIVE 3OUND 3YSTEM OF the exhaust. The control unit generates AN EVEN MORE POWERFUL ENGINE SOUND FOR THE 6 TURBODIESEL WHEN 3PORT MODE IS SELECTED IN THE COCKPIT 7ITH THRILLINGLY STYLED WIDEBODY VERsions for the super sports cars from Ferrari AND ,AMBORGHINI THE .OVITEC DESIGN TEAM for years has been creating eye-catchers in A CLASS OF THEIR OWN 4HE COMPANY FROM "AVARIA NOW TRANSFERS THIS CONCEPT TO THE

-ASERATI ,EVANT WITH ITS %STESO WIDEBODY VERSION 4HE BODYWORK COMPONENTS ARE MANUFACTURED IN /%- ORIGINAL EQUIPment manufacturer) quality from PUR2IM AND THUS ARE NOT JUST EYE CANDY BUT ALSO SET STANDARDS WITH REGARD TO PRECISE kT PAINTABILITY AND EASE OF INSTALLATION !S A RESULT THE BODYWORK CONVERSION CAN BE CARRIED OUT NOT ONLY AT THE .OVITEC -ANUFAKTUR IN 3TETTEN BUT ALSO BY ANY .OVITEC PARTNER AROUND THE WORLD 4HE ARCHED %STESO FENDER lARES ON FRONT AND REAR AXLE ADD CM TO THE WIDTH OF THE ,EVANTE AT THE FRONT AND TWELVE AT THE REAR RESULTING IN A NEW WIDTH OF METERS 4HE EIGHT PART KIT ALSO INCLUDES EXTENSION COMPONENTS THAT MOLD THE lARES to the production front and rear bumpers.

4HE TWO BUMPERS ALSO RECEIVE A THRILLING UPGRADE WITH %STESO AERODYNAMIC ENHANCEMENT COMPONENTS 4HE %STESO front extension component, designed to integrate a front spoiler, and the spoiler BLADE ATTACHED BELOW IT LEND THE 356 A MORE DISTINCTIVE FACE 7HAT IS MORE "OTH COMPONENTS WERE kNE TUNED IN THE WIND tunnel and consequently reduce lift on the front axle at high speeds. The optionally AVAILABLE NAKED CARBON HOOD SCOOP GIVES THE -ASERATI AN EVEN SPORTIER APPEARANCE 4HE REAR SPORTS THE .OVITEC %STESO EXTENSION COMPONENT WHICH IS INTEGRATED INTO

THE PRODUCTION BUMPER )T IS SHAPED LIKE A diffuser and adds a dynamic highlight, as DOES THE NAKED CARBON REAR SPOILER WHICH THANKS TO ITS SOPHISTICATED SHAPE PLAYS A role in creating an optimal aerodynamic balance.

4HE .OVITEC %STESO ROCKER PANELS GIVE THE ,EVANTE A LOWER AND SLEEKER VISUAL stance. They also create an aerodynamiCALLY OPTIMIZED TRANSITION BETWEEN THE WHEEL ARCHES /F COURSE A TAILOR MADE TIRE WHEEL combination is also an integral part of a WIDEBODY VERSION 4O THIS END .OVITEC ENGINEERS DEVELOPED THE %STESO ALLOYS IN THE KING SIZED DIMENSIONS *X AND *X 4HESE WHEELS COME WITH A CHOICE OF kNISHES MATTE BLACK OR BLACK WITH POLished surfaces. The fascination they exude lies not only in the fact that, in concert WITH TIRES OF SIZE 2 AT THE FRONT AND EVEN MIGHTIER TIRES OF SIZE 2 ON THE REAR AXLE THEY MAKE FULL USE OF THE SPACE CREATED BY THE FENDER lARES 4HEY

ALSO HAVE AN ESPECIALLY INNOVATIVE DESIGN WITH DIMENSIONALLY OFFSET 9 SHAPED SPOKES AND CENTER LOCK LOOK The spectacular appearance is compleMENTED PERFECTLY WITH THE .OVITEC CONTROL module for the standard air suspension. It LOWERS THE RIDE HEIGHT OF THE )TALIAN 356 BY ABOUT MILLIMETERS 4HIS MODIkCATION BENEkTS NOT ONLY THE OVERALL APPEARANCE

BUT ALSO THE HANDLING FROM THE LOWERED CENTER OF GRAVITY

Professional tuning for diesels 4HE THRILLING LOOKS OF THE %STESO CAN OPtionally be accompanied by further enHANCED DRIVING DYNAMICS THANKS TO MORE POWER .OVITEC OFFERS PROFESSIONAL ENGINE TUNING FOR ALL ENGINE VARIANTS GASOLINE OR DIESEL 4O THIS END .OVITEC DEVELOPED THE .OVITEC . 4RONIC TUNING MODULES

WHICH COAX MORE POWER AND CONSIDERABLY MORE TORQUE FROM THE ENGINES WITH NEWLY CALIBRATED MAPPING FOR INJECTION

boost pressure control and ignition. The plug-and-play auxiliary control units are TAILORED TO THE VARIOUS ENGINES /F COURSE .OVITEC ALSO OFFERS AN EQUALLY POWERFUL AND RELIABLE PERFORMANCE UPGRADE FOR THE ,EVANTE 3 THE MOST POWERFUL GASOLINE POWERED VARIANT OF THIS model series. The increases in output by K7 HP AND IN TORQUE BY .M ARE ALSO ACHIEVED WITH NEW MAPPING OF THE . 4RONIC MODULE ! PEAK OUTPUT OF K7 HP AT A LOW RPM AND A PEAK TORQUE OF .M CONSTANTLY ON TAP BETWEEN AND RPM ACCELERATE THE .OVITEC %STESO IN JUST SECONDS FROM REST TO KPH AND PROPEL IT TO A TOP SPEED OF KPH .OVITEC ALSO LEAVES NOTHING TO BE DESIRED IN THE INTERIOR OF THE %STESO %XCLUSIVE .OVITEC LEATHER AND !LCANTARA INTERIOR APPOINTMENTS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND WITH AN ENDLESS VARIETY OF COLORS AND DESIGNS MAKE EVEN THE MOST EXTRAVAGANT WISHES OF ANY -ASERATI ,EVANTE OWNER COME TRUE

ĹŒÄžĆŒĹľÄ‚ĆŒĹŹÄžĆš

ACDelco expands presence in PH ACDelco is solidified as one of the world’s leaders in aftermarket automotive parts. The company, owned by General Motors, traces its roots back 100 years, and is part of American history’s record-breaking feats. From helping Amelia Earhart in her transatlantic flight, to the Apollo Mission’s first moon landing, ACDelco has an unprecedented track record that is difficult to match. Fast forward to 2019, ACDelco is now poised to push industry innovation in the Philippines, under the banner of Thunder Automotive Parts Inc. Thunder Automotive is the country’s leading source for original dealer-only parts, and it is set on making ACDelco’s top of the line products readily available nationwide.

Elevating the Philippine Standard on Aftermarket Automotive Products ACDelco has always been on the forefront of breakthrough, innovative products that are now available in the Philippines exclusively with Thunder Automotive. Here is a guide to their extensive lineup of high grade products that are trusted around the world, and used in millions of vehicles from American models to Asian car brands.

ACDelco Oils & Lubricants - ACDelco highlights an innovative line of engine oils including efficient and cost effective mineral oil, semi-

synthetic or 100% synthetic oil, and the flagship Dexos line. All of which are designed to keep engines in peak performance through optimal wear protection with the stringent ACDelco Process Controls and Quality Checks system.

ACDelco Battery - With heavy-duty Sealed Maintenance Free (SMF) batteries, ACDelco guarantees customers’ safety, preventing explosion from sparks outside the battery. The use of lead calcium grids provide convenience and durability while successfully minimizing corrosion and water loss. This effectively requires zero maintenance within a 12 month shelf life without charging.

ACDelco Chemicals and Cleaners - From brake oils, coolants, carburetor and fuel system cleaners, to transmission fluids, ACDelco offers a full range of car care system products designed to completely enhance vehicle maintenance both

inside and out.

Wiper Blades - ACDelco’s brand of wiper blades are aerodynamically engineered to clean whatever is thrown at your windshield. It features even pressure distribution, longer rubber life cycle with easy installation, streak-free cleaning and optimal durability.

Spark Plugs - ACDelco’s historic tradition of excellence first began with the spark plug in 1908 which helped ignite the company’s long standing reputation for quality. ACDelco spark plugs offer unparalleled design that can be adapted to each consumer’s needs, whether it be an older vehicle or the platinum performance linefor the latest models.

Parts - ACDelco also has an arsenal of GM Genuine Parts and ACDelco Original Equipment Parts engineered for Chevrolet, Cadillac and other non-GM car models. It offers an extensive range that includes over 90,000 parts across 37 product lines, with millions of vehicles around the world fitted with ACDelco’s reliable air conditioning, filters, brakes, water pumps, struts, shocks , chassis and more.

Thunder Automotive Parts Inc. is located at 919-B Luna Mencias St. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. For more information please call 027213841, 02-7210885, email sales@acdelco.ph /info@acdelco. ph , or visit www.acdelco.ph

PIAA introduces two new quality products PIAA PH, the exclusive partner of PIAA Japan, recently introduced two value-oriented products for the local market. Publicly launched at the recently concluded Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), the OTO Style Horn and the all-weather Hyper Arros All-Weather LED light bulb aims to boost the market dominance of PIAA and provide its loyal patrons with a product with style, performance and affordability. “This product literally translates ‘sound’ in Japanese,� said Masashi Otsuka of PIAA Japan, who flew in just for the PH launch.

The OTO Style Horn features the same quality PIAA is known for being well designed and

engineered for those who demand more from a quality product. “Even if subjected to 80 degrees to -30 degrees Celsius, the sound remains the same.

Our engineers also subjected the OTO Style Horn to a salt spray test, water spray from 360 degrees and an endurance test where the sound remained the same after 100,000 to 500,000 times. And the sound did not drop by more than five decibels (db),� explained Otsuka.

Sold as a set, the OTO Style Horn features a deep bass horn with a sound frequency of 400Hz+500Hz and maximum output of 112 db.

It retails for P1,200 per set.

On the other hand, the Hyper Arros allweather LED light bulb has a color temperature of 4,000k and emits a neutral white colored beam. Unlike the typical halogen light bulb that runs hot that tends to damage your headlamps, the Hyper Arros has a higher and cooler beam output with less power consumption. “It is also ideal for classic cars or vintage vehicles without changing the retro feel and blast of the beam,� added Otsuka.

The Hyper Arros All-weather LED Bulb is available in a variety of sizes with fitments for H4, HB3, HB4, HIR1, HIR2, H8, H9, H11, H16 and H7. Both the OTO Style Horn and Hyper Arros All-weather LED bulb will be available this month in car accessory shops and in Blade Lifestyle stores in all SM, Robinsons and Ayala Malls.

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Heavy Duty

TUESDAY

April 23, 2019

E

XECUTIVES from Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) paid a visit on March 26 to the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Paraùaque City to witness how Isuzu’s modernized public utility vehicles (PUVs) are helping enhance PITX’s services and operations.

4OURING THE 0)48 FACILITIES WERE )0# 0RESIDENT (AJIME +OSO 3ALES AND -ARKETING $IVISION HEAD *OSEPH "AUTISTA

AND #ORPORATE #OMMUNICATION -ANAGER Nora Liquido. They were met by PITX 'ENERAL -ANAGER -ARIANO !NTONIO !Rroyo.

4HE )0# OFkCERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO 0)48 ON BOARD AN )SUZU 1+2 CAB AND CHASSIS PLATFORM CONkGURED INTO A #LASS

SEATER AIR CONDITIONED MODERNIZED 056 WITH THE REAR BODY DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED BY !LMAZORA -OTORS #ORP This PUV is one of the 15 units franchised to the Senate Employees Transport Service #OOPERATIVE 3ETSCO PLYING THE SOUTHWEST Manila route from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to PITX and vice versa.

4HE 3ETSCO FRANCHISE ALSO SIGNIkES )0# S PILOT ENDEAVOR WITH THE MODERNIZED 056 The PUVs started operations in June 18 last year. /N BOARD THE MODERNIZED 056 THE )0# OFkCERS ENJOYED ITS AMENITIES COMFORT and safety. The PUV body is compliant with Philippine National Standards (PNS 4HE PASSENGER CABIN lOOR TO CEILING HEIGHT AND GANGWAY PROVIDE MORE SPACE FOR PASSENGERS TO MOVE EASILY INSIDE 4HE PASSENGER DOOR IS SAFELY SITUATED ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE FACING THE SIDEWALK /THER DESIGN FEATURES OF THE BODY INCLUDE panoramic windows and windshields, full-body insulation with GeneQ shield, automatic door closer, ECE-compliant headlamps, brake system, wipers, windshield washer, side view mirrors and provisions for persons with disabilities. #OMPLETING THE MODERNIZED LOOK AND FEATURES OF THE NEW 056S ARE THE ,#$ ,%$ 46 MONITORS ELECTRONIC SIGNAGES

kRE EXTINGUISHERS '03 NAVIGATION SYSTEM

CCTV, dashcam and back-up cameras, and the automatic fare collection system—all GEARED FOR PASSENGERS SAFETY ENTERTAINment and added convenience for fare collection.

Modernized Isuzu PUVs enhance efficient operations at PITX !S THE GROUP DISEMBARKED AT THE DESIGNATED UNLOADING AREA AND ENTERED THE 0)48 facilities, they witnessed the spacious, AIRPORT LIKE FACILITIES‡ALL GEARED FOR THE convenient, comfortable, safe and speedy TRANSIT OF PASSENGERS COMING IN AND OUT OF southwest of Metro Manila.

The arrivals and departures of provinCIAL BUSES ARE WELL SEGREGATED AND ORDERLY BUSES ARRIVING FROM THE PROVINCES ARE directed to the second level, while deparTURES ARE AT GROUND LEVEL WITH NUMEROUS ,%$ MONITORS ON THE HALLWAYS INDICATING bus schedules, destinations, arrival and DEPARTURE TIMES AND STRATEGICALLY PLACED SPEAKERS ANNOUNCING TRANSIT UPDATES 4ICKETING BOOTHS ARE NUMEROUS AND CONDUCTED EXPEDIENTLY 0ASSENGER WAITING AREAS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF AIRLINE LOUNGES 4HE multi-level PITX is air-conditioned all THROUGHOUT WITH VARIOUS FOOD STALLS AND MERCHANDISE STORES LINING THE WALKWAYS FOR PASSENGERS SHOPPING NEEDS WHILE IN transit.

4HE 0)48 ALSO OFFERS LOADING AND UNLOADING BAYS FOR METRO JEEPNEYS AND GARAGE TO TERMINAL '4 OR 56 SHUTTLE VANS

Public-private partnership initiative 4HE 0)48 BUILT AND OPERATED BY -EGA-

wide Construction Corp. and the DepartMENT OF 4RANSPORTATION HAS BEEN PROJECTED to be able to handle up to 200,000 pasSENGERS DAILY SERVICING THE FOLLOWING ROUTES FOR THE PROVINCES OF #AVITE AND "ATANGAS +AWIT .OVELETA #AVITE #ITY 4ANZA .AIC

-ARAGONDON 4ERNATE 'ENERAL 4RIAS 4RECE -ARTIRES )NDANG "ACOOR )MUS $ASMARINAS 3ILANG !MADEO 4AGAYTAY -ENDEZ

!LFONSO .ASUGBU AND ,IAN

0HILIPPINES #ORP IS DELIGHTED TO PLAY its part in this business model, as we provide the modern PUVs necessary for the convenient, safe, comfortable and EFkCIENT TRANSIT OF PASSENGERS BETWEEN PITX and their places of work, leisure and residence in southwestern Manila, 0ASAY AND 0ARANAQUE CITIES u "AUTISTA ADDED g3ETSCO S MODERN 056S are merely the start of IPC’s wholehearted EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT S 0UBLIC 5TILITY 6EHICLE -ODERNIZATION 0ROGRAM (PUVMP), which is envisioned to replace

OLD JEEPNEYS NATIONWIDE WITH new, safe and environment-friendly public utility vehicles. IPC has been slowly but STEADILY ADDING )SUZU BRANDED MODERN 056S TO TRANSPORT lEETS AND COOPERATIVES around Metro Manila and in the provinces SINCE THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM STARTED IN *UNE u The PITX started operations on No!RROYO ACKNOWLEDGED THE SIGNIkCANT vember 5, 2018 and was established ROLE THE MODERN 056S PLAY IN THE FULkLLunder the Public-Private Partnership MENT OF 0)48 S MANDATE (E AFkRMED PROGRAM

THAT MODERN 056S SUCH AS THOSE OF )SUZU Koso, visibly impressed with the HAVE HELPED IMMENSELY IN EXPANDING facilities and systems already in place THE BRANDING PURPOSE AND PUBLIC ACAT THE 0)48 REMARKED g4HE 0)48 IS A ceptance of the PITX. He said that even prime example of how public-private before commuters enter PITX, they alpartnerships can work in harmony to READY HAD A TASTE OF MODERN COMMUTING IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE )SUZU INSIDE THE )SUZU MODERN 056S

Heavy-duty trucks, aftermarket parts highlight MIAS 2019 TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ALAIN GERONIMO APART from the newest passenger cars on sale that starred in this year’s and recently concluded Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), heavyduty trucks, modified vehicles and aftermarket products were also highlighted inside World Trade Center’s halls on exhibit during the fourday event, which also celebrated its 15th year.

Compared to last year’s MIAS, which starred various modified cars and some new cars that were available in the market, this year’s event, with the theme “Experience Fun and Function,� also included a dedicated tent for heavy-duty trucks, with more being displayed compared to last year, located in front of the World Trade Center main hall. Truck manufacturers, such as Foton, DAF PH, Hyundai and the Russian newcomer Ural showcased some of their heavy-duty trucks for sale to customers, with more than 30 units on display. Isuzu displayed its NLR medium-duty truck at the BPI booth inside the main hall, partnering with the bank

Q Foton was among the truck firms that displayed their heavy-duty trucks during the recently concluded Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). to provide great deals. The huge selection of trucks showcase a part of the “function� prevalent in this year’s MIAS, addressing the growing demand for trucks in the country.

Aftermarket and modified cars Aside from the display of trucks, aftermarket brands and modified cars were scattered around

the venue. As the Philippine Trade Training Center was not used for the custom car display as well as aftermarket parts, the modified cars were displayed outside the halls and at the back of the exhibit hall behind the automakers’ respective areas. Speaking of modified cars, the Best of Show winner went to the steel-blue 1998 Toyota Corolla by Vonetix Radical Creations, which also won the same award in the 2018 Trans Sport Show.

The aftermarket scene was also healthy during the event, with numerous brands along with a wide range of automotive products that cater to any petrol head. Black Rhino, a leading aftermarket brand that specializes on 4x4 wheels, showcased its 2019 line-up at the entrance to the World Trade Center lobby, with new wheels including the manufacturer’s first beadlock wheels such as the Crawl and the Garrison, alongside its modified 2019 Jimny - the first new Jimny to be modified in the country. Atoy Customs also showcased its newest “Manila-proofed� vans as well, providing the atmosphere and feeling of a private

Q Black Rhino displayed its modified 2019 Jimny - the first new Jimny to be modified in the country.

Q DAF’s heavy duty trucks are among those in display in the truck tent

Q Isuzu Philippines Corp. also displayed its medium-duty trucks during the recent MIAS.

lounge while inside a van that has been known for years.

Drift Xaust, known for making and providing upgraded exhaust systems to almost any type of vehicle, displayed its Mustang GT, now equipped with police bull bars and a matching police livery to boot. Modified versions of the Nissan Navara, with a Nismo-inspired kit and a Nissan Terra were on display as well. For bulletproofing services, Impenetra Armor Protective Systems also had a booth inside the truck tent, providing bulletproofing upgrades and leasing services for bulletproof vehicles. Other aftermarket brands featured in the event include KYB Suspension, PIAA (with a range of products from light bulbs, wiper blades and horns), among others, as well as car care services.

The recently concluded 2019 Manila International Auto Show lasted from April 4 to April 7 this year. While this year’s event may feel smaller compared to last year’s, it had 142,000 people in attendance during those four days - the highest number in its 15 years of showcasing the latest in automotive trends and products.Â

Sports

TTUESDAY AAPRIL 23, 2019

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Celtics sweep Pacers; Warriors, Raptors roll on L OS ANGELES: The Boston Celtics swept their way past Indiana, while the Golden State and Toronto registered road victories over Orlando and the Los !NGELES #LIPPERS TO TAKE COMMANDING LEADS IN THEIR kRST round playoff series on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

'ORDON (AYWARD SCORED A TEAM HIGH POINTS AS THE #ELTICS DEFEATED )NDIANA ON 3UNDAY TO COMPLETE A kRST ROUND ."! playoff sweep of the host Pacers.

Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson steered the 7ARRIORS TO VICTORY OVER THE #LIPPERS

and Kawhi Leonard put on a show as the Raptors ROUTED /RLANDO PUTTING DIVISION WINNERS 'OLDEN 3TATE AND 4ORONTO UP IN THEIR SERIES and on the brink of advancing to the next round.

Here’s the deal for the Magic and the ClipPERS 4HERE HAVE BEEN TEAMS TO SUCCESSFULLY RALLY FROM A SERIES DEkCIT IN A BEST OF SEVEN SERIES AND OF THOSE ONLY THREE PULLED IT OFF BY WINNING A GAME SEVEN ON THE ROAD WHICH IS what they would have to do.

The Celtics captured their first best-ofSEVEN SERIES SWEEP SINCE AND ADVANCED to a second-round matchup with either the Milwaukee Bucks or Detroit Pistons. g!NY TIME YOU A TEAM YOU FEEL GREAT u Hayward said. “We’re going to heal up a little BIT AND BE READY FOR THE NEXT ROUND u 4HE "UCKS WHO HAD THE ."! S BEST REGULAR SEASON RECORD OWN A SERIES EDGE ON $Etroit and can complete a sweep of their own on Monday.

Hayward came off the Boston bench to LEAD SEVEN DOUBLE FIGURE SCORERS HITTING OF SHOTS FROM THE lOOR AND ALL THREE OF his 3-point attempts.

-ARCUS -ORRIS ANOTHER RESERVE STAR SCORED POINTS AND GRABBED EIGHT REBOUNDS FOR THE #ELTICS WHO WON DESPITE POOR SHOOTING FROM TOP STARS AND TURNOVERS +YRIE )RVING WENT OF FROM THE lOOR

OF FROM POINT RANGE AND kNISHED WITH POINTS AND SEVEN ASSISTS WHILE !L (ORFORD WAS OF FROM THE lOOR OF ON POINTERS WITH POINTS AND REBOUNDS g)T WAS A SCRAPPY SERIES DEFENSIVE SERIES

PHYSICAL SERIES u (AYWARD SAID g0ROUD OF OUR TEAM FOR kGHTING 7E FOUGHT THROUGH IT )T WAS A GREAT TEAM WIN u 4HE #ELTICS LED ENTERING THE FOURTH QUARTER BUT THE 0ACERS HAD TAKEN AN EDGE WHEN "OSTON UNLEASHED A CRITICAL run to seize command. %LSEWHERE $URANT SCORED POINTS AND THE Warriors who held on to beat the Clippers. !FTER WINNING BOTH GAMES IN ,OS !NGELES

THE 7ARRIORS CAN WRAP THINGS UP IN GAME kVE on Wednesday in Oakland.

4HOMPSON SCORED OF HIS POINTS IN

"UTLER WAS kNED FOR SHOVING Dudley and escalating the altercation even further.

Both players received technical fouls AND WERE EJECTED WITH REMAINING IN THE THIRD QUARTER 3ATURDAY IN 0HILADELPHIA S VICTORY OVER "ROOKLYN AT Barclays Center.

4HE INCIDENT BEGAN WHEN %MBIID WHO had elbowed Brooklyn’s Jarrett Allen in

THE FACE IN GAME TWO WAS WHISTLED FOR A hard foul on Allen that prompted Dudley to rush at Embiid.

"UTLER AND "EN 3IMMONS WENT INTO THE spectator section due to the shoving during the incident.

Philadelphia’s victory gave the 76ers A LEAD IN THE BEST OF SEVEN OPENING ROUND SERIES WITH GAME kVE SET FOR 4UESday in Philadelphia.

AFP

Fuel Masters eye equalizer vs Beermen PHOENIX PH P HO OE ENI NIX P Pu Pulse ullsse goes goes for for or the h equalequ qu uall izer tonight as it faces defending champion San Miguel Beer in G ame 4 of their best- ofseven semifinals series of Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

After surviving San Miguel Beer’s endgame onslaught resulting in their close 92-90 win in Game 3, the top s e e d Fuel Masters are going to try again in their 7 p.m. encounter with five-time reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and the Beermen.

Despite the win by Phoenix, the Beermen stay ahead in the series at 2-1.

And coach Louie Alas of Phoenix Pulse knew that they could not afford to commit a slim of error against the powerhouse team. “We know San Miguel Beer we cannot play less than 48 minutes of consistent basketball. We need 48 minutes [of consistency] and up. At least, we were able to execute well,� said Alas, who reminds his players to keep their toughness in the series. “The bottom line of winning is toughness. We just have to continue doing that.�

Matthew Wright came out with a clutch performance, scoring 12 of his 18 in the last quarter including six crucial free throws to save

Q Paul Zamar of San Miguel Beer battles for the ball against Phoenix’ Calvin Abueva (No. 8), Jorey Napoles (left) and Justin Chua (right) during Game 3 of the Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

the Fuel Masters from the jaws of defeat in a highly-physical Game 3. “I commend his resiliency for stepping up last game despite he’s sick with bronchitis but mild case only. He (Wright) just wanted to play,� added Alas, who also drew 18 points, 13 rebounds and five assists from Calvin Abueva. Game 3 was also marred by ejection after Phoenix’s bruiser Dave Marcelo was tossed out early in the second quarter for hitting Christian Standhardinger and was called for a flagrant foul penalty 2. Standhardinger was thrown out in Game 2 after a flagrant foul penalty 2 for kicking Abueva prior to the Holy Week break.

San Miguel Beer missed the services of Marcio Lassiter in Game 3

AFP PHOTO

THE FIRST HALF FOR THE 7ARRIORS 3TEPHEN Curry had an off night shooting 3-for INCLUDING OF FROM POINT RANGE AND FINISHING WITH POINTS 3HAI 'ILGEOUS !LEXANDER SCORED A SEASON HIGH POINTS FOR THE Clippers. Danilo Gallinari SCORED AFTER A SCORELESS kRST QUARTER Lou Williams came off THE BENCH TO SCORE AND Patrick Beverley also had a dozen and a team-high REBOUNDS IN THE LOSS The Warriors have led by at least eight POINTS AFTER THE kRST quarter in every game of the series. ) N / R L A N D O

Leonard scored 34 points and the Raptors beat the Magic.

0ASCAL 3IAKAM AND .ORMAN 0OWELL EACH SCORED FOR THE 2APTORS

who can advance with a home win in game five on Tuesday. !ARON 'ORDON SCORED %VAN &OURNIER SCORED AND .IKOLA 6UCEVIC ADDED FOR THE -AGIC WHO COMMITTED TURNOVERS THAT BECAME Toronto points.

And now the Magic’s season and the ClipAFP pers are squarely on the brink.

NBA fines Butler, Dudley for altercation NEW YORK: Brooklyn Nets forward Jared Dudley and Philadelphia 76ers swingman *IMMY "UTLER WERE EACH kNED ON 3UNDAY (Monday in Manila) for their roles in an on-court incident during a playoff game in New York. $UDLEY WAS kNED FOR ESCALATING an on-court incident that spilled into the spectator seating area by shoving Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid.

Q Terry Rozier (No. 12) of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

due to back spasm. “Marcio [Lassiter] is a big factor in our offense and he can also play good defense. There is something wrong with his back earlier so we don’t want to aggravate the injury,� said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria. “The team still had a chance to win. I think we have to be ready next game.�

Lassiter had an average of 14.6 points with 44 percent shooting from beyond the three-point zone in 11 games at the elimination round. Fajardo posted 22 points and 19 rebounds plus two blocks for the Beermen in Game 3.

Austria remains confident of stretching San Miguel Beer’s series lead and making them a game closer of reaching the finals. JOSEF T. RAMOSÂ

Bantamweight the next battleground for Pinoy boxers J ANTI/(.2)%, #!3)-%2/ won the interim World Boxing Organization 7"/ BANTAMWEIGHT POUNDS title over the weekend by stopping a highly-touted Ricardo Espinoza FranCO OF -EXICO IN #ARSON #ALIFORNIA !LTHOUGH HE STARTED SLOW #ASIMERO regained his form in the fourth round to eventually stop Espinoza IN THE kNAL ROUND 4HE -EXICAN WAS DEkNITELY NO PATSY OR TOMATO CAN

AND HIS RECORD AFTER THE kGHT IS STILL A RESPECTABLE WITH KNOCKOUTS #ASIMERO WHO WAS ALSO WORLD champion at junior flyWE I G H T P O U N D S A N D F L Y W E I G H T POUNDS IS NOW WITH +/S "Y CONtending for the interim WBO world bantamweight TITLE THE &ILIpino skipped campaigning for the junior bantamW E I G H T POUNDS TITLE

which is actually a risky move.

Franco was the larger and younger FIGHTER AT YEARS OLD OPPOSITE THE YEAR OLD #ASIMERO !ND WITH A RECORD OF WITH +/S ENTERING THE FIGHT &RANCO really also had the credentials to emerge the winner. Franco had a three-inch height and reach advanTAGE OVER THE u #ASIMERO !LSO

Franco was coming off a knockout STREAK IN HIS LAST FIGHTS But the Ormoc City native looked like the hungrier fighter after regainING HIS FORM FROM THE FOURTH ROUND

even flooring his Mexican opponent with a solid right hook in the sixth round. )N THE TH AND FINAL ROUND

American referee Rudy Barragan was forced to stop the fight as Casimero was mercilessly pummeling his hapless opponent.

By winning the interim WBO world BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE #ASIMERO HAS entered a territory that is filled with SO MUCH TALENT &OR ONE THE TOP dog in The Ring rankings for bantamweight is Naoya Inoue of Japan WHOSE RECORD IS WITH +/S Then there’s compatriot Nonito $ONAIRE WITH +/S AT .O

THESIS

CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O WHO WILL BE BATTLING :OLANI 4ETE WITH +/S OF 3OUTH !FRICA in the semifinal bout of the World "OXING 3UPER 3ERIES 7"33 FOR THE DIVISION 4ETE IS RANKED .O BY 4HE Ring in the bantamweight division.

The winner of the Donaire-Tete bout will meet the winner of the other 7"33 SEMIkNAL BOUT BETWEEN )NOUE and Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel RodriGUEZ WITH +/S 2ODRIGUEZ is ranked No. 3 by The Ring in the bantamweight division.

I also see our very own Jerwin !NCAJAS THE CURRENT )NTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation junior bantamWEIGHT CHAMPION INVADING THE POUND DIVISION WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS !T u !NCAJAS IS TOO BIG for a junior bantamweight. RememBER THAT -ANNY 0ACQUIAO WHO IS AROUND u IS A WELTERWEIGHT pounds) and won his first world title at flyweight.

Casimero’s performance against Franco also showed that he could GO TO WAR OVER ROUNDS WHICH IS A very important quality of prominent world champions.

Casimero’s entering the POUND DIVISION HOWEVER HAS one possible dire consequence — he may end up facing a fellow Filipino at that weight division.

3O WHAT ) DO NOT WANT TO SEE EVEN over the long term is Casimero squarING OFF AGAINST !NCAJAS $ONAIRE OR #ARL *AMES -ARTIN THE YEAR OLD bantamweight from Ifugao whose RECORD IS A PERFECT WITH +/S $ONNIE .IETES WITH +/S IS ALSO EYEING HIS kFTH DIVISIONAL championship at bantamweight and MAY END UP kGHTING ANY OF THE TOP Filipinos in the division. /KAY MAYBE WE CAN DO NOTHING IF #ASIMERO !NCAJAS .IETES -ARTIN and even Donaire are forced to face each other at bantamweight if any of the world boxing sanctioning bodies require that.

"UT WHAT ) DEkNITELY WANT TO SEE IS ANY OF THOSE kVE &ILIPINO BOXERS DEALING )NOUE HIS kRST DEFEAT $ E F I N I T E L Y B A N T A MWE I G H T I S the next big battleground for Filipino boxers.

D2

Sports

˜ The Manila Times

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TUESDAY April 23, 2019 Q F2 Logistics import MJ Perez goes for a downthe-line hit against Foton blocker Jaja Santiago during the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix quarterfinals at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Petron, F2 favored as PSL semis kicks off I NTENSITY is tipped to soar as Petron and & ,OGISTICS AIM TO BOOK ANOTHER kNALS DUEL WHEN THEY CLASH WITH SEPARATE FOES IN 'AME OF THE 0HILIPPINE 3UPERLIGA 'RAND 0RIX BEST OF THREE SEMIkNAL SERIES TODAY AT THE &ILOIL &LYING 6 #ENTRE IN 3AN *UAN #ITY The Blaze Spikers march to warpath at 7 p.m. in pursuit of a win that would send them to the BRINK OF ANOTHER kNALS APPEARANCE in this prestigious women’s club tourney that has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners.

Also looking to move closer to THE kNALS OF THIS BATTLE THAT IS ALSO bankrolled by Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project are the Cargo Movers, who will battle PLDT Home Fibr in the 4:15 appetizer.

All eyes will be on Petron, especially after sweeping the 14-game

classification phase and crushing Sta. Lucia with an emphatic straight-set victory in the quarterkNALS COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos said their success should not be credited to their imports in Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell alone as their local crew led by Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Frances Molina, Denden Lazaro, Rhea Dimaculangan and Remy Palma had also stepped up in a bid to corner their second straight Grand Prix title. “I’m very happy with them (Bell and Niemer). They have been very

professional and can easily adjust anytime,� said Delos Santos, who is looking to become the second coach to sweep the entire tournament.

But the Blaze Spikers’ vaunted roster should prepare for the worse.

The HD Spikers blew hot and COLD IN THE CLASSIkCATION BUT ARE now beaming with confidence after dominating United VC, who brought in a new import in Thai superstar Sutadta Chuewulim, in THE QUARTERkNALS Imports Erica Wilson and Ana Artemeva are now blending perfectly with the local players bannered by Rachel Anne Daquis, Janine Navarro, Jheck Dionela and national team member Mylene Paat, making them very dangerous and capable of pulling off an upset. “I think we have already found the right formula entering the semifinals,� said Cignal coach

Edgar Barroga, adding that they are no spring chickens as Daquis, Dionela and Paat are no strangers to pressure-packed battles.

Also expected to draw attention is the encounter between F2 Logistics and PLDT Home Fibr.

The Cargo Movers also made A STRONG IMPACT IN THE CLASSIkcation, but the Power Hitters shocked them with a four-set conquest last March 16, making their semifinal collision very exciting and dramatic.

But Ramil de Jesus, who will be stacked against an equallyseasoned coach in Roger GorAYEB IS CONkDENT ON THE ABILITY of his wards. “We’ve been in this situation before and we are in a very familiar territory,� said de Jesus, who will bank anew on imports Lindsay Stalzer and MJ Perez as well as local stars Aby Marano, Majoy Baron and Dawn Macandili.

HIS TOUCH MADE ARCHERS SPECIAL NOW that La Salle is UAAP baseball champion again, the savants are trying to decide who the most valuable Archer is in the Taft Avenue clouters’ fifth title conquest.

It is not that easy, however.

The most artful Archer of them all never hit a homer with the bases full, stole home in a championship game, struck out the side with the tying run on third or got a batter to pop up with the game or the pennant on the line.

The one who comes close to this is Archers’ head coach Joseph Orillana, who, in his first time on the bench, guided La Salle to its fourth plum in 2016 — the same number fashioned out by Ateneo and University of the East.

He carried the responsibility of charting the course of training program and how it was carried out, laying out tactics and strategies and other aspects of preparations.

Most importantly, he was willing to gamble to succeed in his goal.

Three years before that, Orillana pitched for his school’s 2003 diadem, his second actually, counting the 2000 season title conquest.

Players’ graduation emasculated the 38-year-old’s 2017 roster when the Archers settled for third. They improved to a silver medal finish last year behind eventual winner, the Adamson Falcons.

That runner-up squad was kept almost intact for this year’s UAAP baseball war, but Orilana, nonetheless, took new faces Marthy Ranada and Joshua Pineda to reinforce old guards Paulo Salud, Diego Lozano, Boo Barandian, Ignacio Escano, Kiko Gesmundo, Bill Evangelista, Tui Park, Antonnrossa, Anton Tantuico and Luis Miniana.

Also retaining their slots in the team are Arvin Herrera, Joaquin Bilbao, Anton AcuĂąa, Rafael Pascual, James Eparas, Paolo Casas, Adolfo Bilbao and Gabriel Pineda. “Preparation for this year’ campaign wasn’t really that

hard,� Orillana bared when asked what his secrets in winning. � Kasi intact naman ang last year’s runner-up team. I know the boys na by heart. They know me, too, at sila naman magkakakilala na . So, naging madali ang implementation ng preparedness program.� “During actual competition na, we made it a point to meet after every game at the dorm where we evaluated ano nangyari in a particular game. The we made adjustments kung ano naging kulang o sobra ,� he shared.

Orillana even confessed that every so often he had to gamble like shuffling his infield rotations to serve the team’s purpose. “‘ Yung first baseman ko ililipat ko sa third, ‘yung second sa third and so on depending in the situations. And more often, nagki-click naman. That’s why La Salle players can play multi-positions. “ Si Kiko (Gesmundo) for instance, is a powerful hitter and good pitcher. Pero minsan ko lang siya nilagay sa mound noong eliminaton. Lagi siya sa short kasi doon kami mahina ,�

Orillana said. “Everybody was wondering, including himself, bakit di ko siya pinagpi -pitch. But in Game 3 of the bet-of-three against Ateneo for the gold medal, I started him kasi sa tagal niyang hindi nagpi -pitch, the enemies might have forgotten him as a pitcher,� he explained. “All I needed from him was to hold our rival’s batter for a few innings. He outdid himself doing what we wanted not only for a few, but for an extended seven innings,� Orillana recalled. “That accomplished, I had to pull him out because we already needed him for offensive purposes.�

And as the old saying goes, the rest was history, with the second generation scion of a great baseball playing family delivering the goods by hammering out a two-run homerun at the bottom of the ninth and last frame that gave the Archers a 9-7 triumph and the 2019 gonfalon. EDDIE G. ALINEA

San Beda basketball camp listup ongoing REGISTRATIONS are now open for the second session of San Beda basketball camp, which is now on its 14th season.

Classes will commence from May 6 to May 30, at the Mendiola campus, and will be held every Mondays and Thursdays.

Over at the Taytay, Rizal campus, sessions will go on from May 7 to 31 every Tuesdays and Fridays.

Interested parties, may contact Oliver Quiambao at 735-6011, local 2104, or at 0929-1971071, and through camp organizer Edmundo Badolato, at 0908-8624543.

The camp is handled by coaches from San Beda, and is open to boys and girls at ages 5 years and above, and is sponsored by Molten, Gatorade and Cocolife.

Fees for the sessions of the camp is set at P4000, while package deal of P7000 is offered for those who will enroll in both the April and May sessions.

Enrollees will get a San Beda jersey at the start of the camp, and a Molten at the end of the sessions.

Q Archer coach Joeph Orillana gives instructions during timeout in the La Salle-Ateneo game of the UAAP baseball finals. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Generals survive Titans to stay in hunt BATANGAS-Emilio Aguinaldo College stayed in the running for the 2019 PBA D-League playoffs, escaping Family Mart-Enderun, 91-90, on Monday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Chris dela Peùa scored the game-winning layup with 13.8 ticks left as the Generals thwarted Valandre Chauca’s alley-oop pass to Joseph Kouakou late to come away with the victory. $ELA 0EÄA kNISHED WITH POINTS and three rebounds as Batangas-EAC

snapped its four-game losing skid to improve to 2-5 in the Aspirants Group. “Last time, I told them that we should learn how to win,� said coach Oliver Bunyi, looking back on the Generals’ 122-119 doubleovertime loss to AMA Online Education last week. “This game, the effort was there and I’m very proud of them na kahit paano yung instructions, nasunod naman .�

Earvin Mendoza topscored for

Batangas-EAC with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists, Marwin 4AYWAN CHIPPED IN POINTS kVE assists, and four boards, and Allan Martin got 10.

It was a tough defeat for the winless Family Mart-Enderun as it got dealt with its sixth defeat in as many outings.

The Titans were also eliminated from playoff contention, sending Chauca’s 30-point performance down the drain anew.

˜ The Manila Times TUESDAY April 23, 2019

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Taiwan’s Pan holds off rivals to win PGA Heritage title W ASHINGTON: Taiwan’s Pan ChengTsung held off Americans Matt Kuchar and Patrick Cantlay to win his first US PGA Tour title on Sunday (Monday in Manila), capturing the Heritage tournament by one stroke.

Pan fired a final-round fourunder par 67 at Harbour Town in Hilton Head, South Carolina, to kNISH HOLES ON UNDER with Kuchar second on 273 and Cantlay, American Scott Piercy and Ireland’s Shane Lowry another stroke adrift. “Dream come true,� Pan said. “It’s something when I was younger I always dreamed of. It just means everything to have a win on the PGA Tour. “It means the world to me. I’m REALLY HAPPY ) kNALLY DID IT u The victory brought Pan, ranked 113th in the world, tour status through the 2020-21 campaign as well as berths in his kRST -ASTERS NEXT YEAR AND HIS first PGA Championship next

month at Bethpage Black.

Pan’s breakthrough came in his 79th tour event after only seven PRIOR TOP kNISHES (E HAD TWICE been a runner-up, sharing second in 2017 at Torrey Pines and 2018 at Greensboro.

Pan, 27, played at the University of Washington and spent eight weeks in 2013 as the world’s topranked amateur golfer.

In 2014, Pan won team and individual gold medals at the Incheon Asian Games.

Pan’s wife Michelle was not with him, instead hosting junior golfers from his homeland at an event in Houston where college recruiters could see them play.

Pan won a back-nine shootout after 54-hole leaders faded early.

Thai aims for LPGT N’woods repeat THAI Saruttaya Ngam-usawan RETURNS TO THE SCENE OF HER kRST and only victory on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, hoping to end a long spell in the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Ladies Classic, which gets going on Wednesday at the Royal Northwoods Golf Club Inc. in San Rafael, Bulacan.

Ngam-usawan edged Cyna Rodriguez by two to rule the event in 2016, but failed to score a followup since, even as a slew of Thai players have stepped up and kept their domination of the country’s premier ladies tour, including the last two tournaments won by Thanutra Boonraksasat at Southwoods last month and Arpichaya Yubol at Manila Golf two weeks ago.

Boonraksasat is also on the Royal Northwoods list, ready to go for another victory in the circuit put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. along with Jaruporn Na Ayutthaya, Numa Gulyanamitta, Sarinee Thitiratanakorn and Tirapan Yoopan, who is likewise due for a big win.

Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang, who also won at Luisita last year, is also joining the P1.5-million tournament, further boosting

the Thais’ bid in the 54-hole championship backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp Corp., KZG, PLDT Inc., Empire Golf and Sports and M.Y. Shokai Technology Inc, Focus, however, will be on the 30-year-old Ngam-usawan, who hopes to recall her winning form at the rolling Graham Marsh-designed layout which features deep bunkers and sleek putting surface.

But the Thais will be up against A kRED UP LOCAL CREW HEADED BY 2017 LPGT Order of Merit winner Pauline del Rosario, multi-titled Chihiro Ikeda, former winner Sarah Ababa and Rodriguez, with Alex Etter, Apple Fudolin, Daniella Uy, Eva MiĂąoza, Gretchen Villacencio, Marvi Monsalve, Lucy Landicho and Sheryl Villasencio all itching to spring a surprise or two.

Taiwanese Hsuan Ping Chang is also vying in the eighth leg of the seventh season of the LPGT, which also features amateurs The Country Club’s Mafy Singson, Sam Dizon, Eagle Ace Superal and Arnie Taguines along with Nicole Abelar, Annyka Cayabyab and Koreans Da Yun Kang and Tae Yon Kwon.

Fognini looked to be temporarily hampered as he limped momentarily after breaking Lajovic for 3-2 in the second after claiming the opening set in 44 minutes.

During a medical timeout, he was taped on his right thigh and a heel, but carried on without apPARENT PROBLEMS AS HE kNISHED THE kNAL ON HIS SECOND MATCH POINT AS Lajovic returned long.

4HE WINNER OF HIS kRST -ASTERS TROPHY CAME TO THE kRST MAjor week of the pre-Roland Garros run-up with a 0-4 record on the clay, the surface he grew up on.

Among his victims this week was number three Alexander Zverev, and his stunning stunning 6-4, 6-2 victory over Nadal on Saturday to end the Spanish star’s 25set win streak in the principality. “This is something just incredible,� added Fognini who had been a set and 4-1 down to Andrey Rublev in his tournament opener. “I’m really tired now, I’ve been running all week. I prepared for THIS kNAL AS BEST ) COULD ) KNEW IT would be tough, since Dusan has my ex-coach [Jose Perlas].

He added: “This is a great

D3

Q Pan Cheng-Tsung of Taiwan hits a shot from the sand on the 17th hole during the final round of the 2019 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. AFP PHOTO

After sinking a tense nine-footer for par at the opening hole, Pan dropped his approach inches FROM THE CUP AT THE PAR kFTH AND tapped in for birdie to join a pack on 9-under.

Pan charged into the lead alone WITH A kVE FOOT BIRDIE PUTT TO CLOSE the front nine, a 10-foot birdie putt to open the back nine and a sevenfooter for birdie at the par-4 12th to reach 12-under.

When Lowry made double bogey moments later at the 12th, Pan had opened a two-stroke lead on

Kuchar and a three-shot edge on everyone else.

Kuchar answered with a 12-foot birdie putt at the par-5 15th.

Pan then sent his tee shot at 15 into trees right of the fairway and his third into a greenside bunker on the way to a bogey that left him level for the lead with Kuchar.

Kuchar made bogey at the par-3 TH kNDING A BUNKER AND MISSING an 11-foot par putt to leave Pan alone atop the leaderboard again.

Cantlay birdied the par-3 14th

and 15 to match Pan for the lead, but Pan answered the challenge by dropping his approach at the 16th to eight feet and making the birdie putt to lead alone at 12-under.

Kuchar sank an eight-foot birdie at 18 to seize the clubhouse lead at 11-under 273.

Again Pan responded, blasting out of a bunker at the par-3 17th to three feet and sinking the tense par putt to remain on top heading to the 18th tee.

Pan put his approach 18 feet from the cup and lipped out on his

birdie putt before tapping in for par to stay one ahead with Cantlay AND ,OWRY YET TO kNISH Cantlay missed the green with his approach at 18 and spun his birdie chip past the hole to doom his bid and Lowry missed a 30foot birdie putt at 17 and with his approach at 18 to give Pan the victory.

World number one Dustin Johnson, who shared second last week at the Masters, led by a stroke WHEN THE DAY BEGAN BUT kRED A to share 28th on 280.

AFP

Key matches up as TCC Invitational unwraps PHILIPPINE Open champion Clyde Mondilla gets the rare chance to showcase his wares against idol and fellow Del Monte ace Frankie MiĂąoza in one of the key matches ushering in the 15th The Country Club Invitational today at the dreaded TCC layout in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Defending champion KoreanAmerican Micah Shin slugs it out with local top guns Elmer Salvador and Jhonnel Ababa; reigning Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit titlist Jobim Carlos takes on multi-titled and former winner Tony Lascuùa and American Lexus Keoninh; and former Asia’s No. 1 Juvic Pagunsan clashes with Dutch Guido Van der Valk and Albin Engino in the other FEATURED FACE OFFS IN THE kRST TWO days of the 72-hole championship kicking off the PGT’s milestone 10th season.

Redemption will be Pagunsan’s battle cry this week after the smoothswinging shotmaker missed the cut in the Phl Open following a sevenshot romp at PGT Asia Riviera. He also seeks to bounce back from a joint 22nd place effort with Mondilla at Luisita.

Pagunsan and Angelo Que actually boast of three victories each here AND THE LURE OF BECOMING THE kRST player to win a record fourth crown should also motivate the veteran

Fognini claims Monte Carlo title MONTE CARLO: Colorful Fabio Fognini defeated Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4 to win the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday (Monday in Manila), THE kRST )TALIAN TO TRIUMPH AT THE clay court showpiece in over half a century.

The 13th seed, based just 20 kilometers over the border in San Remo, followed on from compatriot Nicola Pietrangeli, who watched his record fall from the royal box at the Monte Carlo Country Club.

Pietrangeli won the trophy in the principality in 1961, 1967 and 1968.

He came to the court after the trophy ceremony to pose for pictures with his new tennis heir, who was following up his shock semikNAL WIN OVER TIME -ONTE #ARLO champion Rafael Nadal. “I was born nearby so this is extraordinary,� Fognini, 31, said. “I started the season rather badly, so this is unbelievable. I’m very content with this victory, especially with all of the Italians here today.�

The 48th-ranked Serb Lajovic WAS PLAYING IN THE kRST !40 kNAL OF his career and got to the title match without the loss of a set.

Sports

achievement, but it’s tough to beat Rafa and then play a final.�

Lajovic was PLAYING HIS kRST CAREER !40 kNAL and was far from crushed by defeat.

AFP

Q Fabio Fognini AFP PHOTO

campaigners in the event organized

by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Que launches his drive for that historic feat at 8:40 a.m. with young Korean Kim Joo Hyung and Macedonia’s Peter Stojanovski even as Phl Masters champion Jerson Balasabas tangles with Mhark Fernando and American Pete Vilairatana at 7:30 a.m. and veteran Jay Bayron mixes it up with Zanieboy Gialon and Anthony Fernando in the next group.

Only the top 30 players in the 2018 PGT OOM ranking are competing in the P5-million event, thus making it an elite championship that has long been ranked alongside the Phl Open for its prestige, prize money and stellar cast.

And the well-kept Tom Weiskoph-designed layout provides the fitting venue for these select players given its length, hazards, sleek putting surface and the unpredictable wind that could alter the character of each hole in an instant.

The field is toughened up by the presence of seven foreign aces,

including Vilairatana, who took over the spot of Miguel Tabuena, the 2017 winner here but who has been out of tournament play with a back injury.

Mondilla, who reigned at TCC with a two-over total to snare the Solaire Phl Open crown three WEEKS AGO HOPES TO RECALL HIS kERCE form and at the same time learn more from the veteran MiĂąoza with James Ryan Lam completing the group teeing off at 8 a.m.

Q Del Monte ace Clyde Mondilla braces for an explosive duel of the best of the old and new in one of the top draws in the 15th TCC Invitational. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Shin, who upended Tabuena by ONE LAST YEAR TO BECOME THE kRST non-Filipino winner of the event put up by ICTSI Chairman Ricky Razon in 2003 to honor the memory of his father and ICTSI founder Don Pocholo, sees a tough start against Salvador and Ababa in their 8:50 A M DUEL HIS CONkDENCE BOOSTED

BY A JOINT THIRD PLACE kNISH IN LAST week’s ICTSI Luisita ChampionSHIP THE kRST LEG OF THE 0'4 !SIA third season.

Carlos, on the other hand, hopes to come out and play injury-free after hurting his hand in the Phl Open that forced him to withdraw after the opening round. He did play at Luisita but didn’t fare any better and missed the cut although he remains upbeat of his chances in his 8:30 a.m. showdown with Lascuùa and Keoninh. #OMPLETING THE lIGHT SKED are Aussie Tim Stewart, Arnold Villacencio and Reymon Jaraula at 8:10 a.m., Justin Quiban, Nilo Salahog and Rene Menor at 8:20 p.m., and Joenard Rates, Michael Bibat and Keanu Jahns at 9 a.m.

Corpus sets pace in PH Am elims CARL Corpus stumbled at the finish but still held on to the lead despite a oneover 73, one stroke ahead of Sean Ramos at the start of the 36-hole stroke play elims of the Philippine Amateur Open Match Play Championships at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac on Monday.

Corpus kept a one-under card with a two-birdie, one-bogey stint after 15 holes but the 17-yearold defending champion, who rallied to beat Aniceto Mandanas at the Orchard last year, bogeyed the par-5 16th and dropped another stroke on the treacherous par-3 17th to settle for a 36-37.

But that proved enough to net him the lead and zero in on the top seeding heading to the knockout phase starting tomorrow (Wednesday) as Ramos turned in a 74 and six players posted identical

76s in hot conditions at the tight, hazard-laden Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed layout.

Ramos hit three birdies but made three bogeys and a double-bogey for a 38-36 round, while Kristoffer Arevalo struck back with birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 to lead the four-over par scorers, who included Paolo Wong, Leandro Bagtas, Zachary Castro and Korean Kim Tae Soo. The top 16 players after two rounds of stroke play will advance to match play with Perry Bucay, Wiggam Tapdasan, Josh Jorge, Paqo Barro, Dan Cruz and Ha Tae Won, also of Korea, putting in similar 78s to stay in the hunt in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour.

Fighting for slots are Santino Laurel, Dylan Castillo and Masaichi Otake, who shared No. 15 with 80s while

vowing to strike in today’s final elims play are Joaquin Gomez, Jacob Rolida and Korean Seo Dong Bin, who all had 81s, Ricardo Manotoc (83) and Jeffrey Gabe (84).

Meanwhile, young Laurea Duque and Rianne Malixi gained the early upperhand in girls’ play which is using a novel round-robin match play format with the former routing Kristine Fleetwood, 8&6, and the latter dominating Korean Bang Hee Yeon, 4&3.

Laia Barro and Kim Ga Yeon fought to an all-square match in their side of the duel in the week-long championship organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and backed by the PLDT Group, Cignal and Metro Pacific.

The NGAP said the player with the most number of points (1 point for a win, 1/2 for a tie and 0 for a loss) after five days will win the girls’ crown.

Football Mbappe flattens Monaco in title party P D4

˜ The Manila Times

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TUESDAY APRIL 23, 2019

ARIS: Neymar joined the Paris Saint-Germain title party on Sunday (Monday in Manila) when he made HIS kRST APPEARANCE SINCE *ANUARY AS +YLIAN -BAPPE SWEPT ASIDE -ONACO WITH A HAT TRICK IN A WIN FOR THE NEWLY CROWNED ,IGUE CHAMPIONS -BAPPE TOOK HIS LEAGUE TALLY FOR THE SEASON TO FOLLOWING HIS TREBLE WHICH CAME JUST HOURS AFTER 03' WERE CROWNED CHAMPIONS FOR THE SIXTH TIME IN SEVEN YEARS WHEN CLOSEST CHALLENGERS ,ILLE DROPPED POINTS .EYMAR S RETURN AT THE START OF THE SECOND HALF REPLACING ,AYVIN +URZAWA WAS THE CHERRY ON THE CAKE FOR 4HOMAS 4UCHEL S SIDE WHO HAD BEEN WITHOUT THE "RAZILIAN SUPERSTAR SINCE *ANUARY WITH A RIGHT FOOT INJURY %DINSON #AVANI ALSO RETURNED TO ACTION AS A SEC OND HALF SUBSTITUTE HAVING A LATE STRIKE CORRECTLY RULED OUT FOR OFFSIDE MEANING THAT 03' S FAMED FRONT THREE ARE BACK TOGETHER FOLLOWING MONTHS APART -BAPPE HAS THRIVED IN THE ABSENCE OF HIS STRIKE PARTNERS AND GAVE HIS SIDE A kRST HALF LEAD WITH TWO NEAT kNISHES THE kRST COMING IN THE TH MINUTE AND THE SECOND SEVEN MINUTES BEFORE THE BREAK AFTER A BEAUTIFUL PASS FROM $ANI !LVES 4HE 7ORLD #UP WINNER THEN PUT THE THREE POINTS BEYOND DOUBT WHEN HE TAPPED IN !LVES LOW CROSS NINE MINUTES AFTER THE BREAK !LEKSANDR 'OLOVIN ROLLED HOME A CONSOLATION FOR THE AWAY SIDE WHO REMAIN IN TROUBLE IN TH PLACE AND ARE ONLY FOUR POINTS AWAY FROM THE RELEGATION PLAY OFF SPOT /N 3UNDAY AFTERNOON ,ILLE ENDED THEIR CHAL LENGE WITH A GOALLESS DRAW AT 4OULOUSE THAT LEFT THEM POINTS BEHIND 03' WITH ONLY kVE GAMES TO PLAY AND ALLOWED CAPITAL CLUB TO CEL EBRATE THE TITLE AFTER MISSING CHANCES TO SEAL IT IN THEIR PREVIOUS MATCHES

4HE 0ARISIANS HAVE STRUGGLED WITH KEY IN JURIES IN RECENT WEEKS AND THEY LOST )TALIAN INTERNATIONAL MIDkELDER -ARCO 6ERRATTI WITH WHAT LOOKS LIKE A KNOCK TO HIS LEFT ANKLE 03' TOOK THE kELD WEARING A SHIRT WITH A LARGE IMAGE OF .OTRE $AME REPLACING THE USUAL SPON SOR S LOGO g.OTRE $AMEu REPLACED THE PLAYER NAMES ON THE BACK OF THE SHIRTS 4HE ICONIC 0ARIS CATHEDRAL WAS DAMAGED IN A SPECTACULAR BLAZE LAST -ONDAY 4HE CLUB SAID THAT THEY WOULD PUT A LIMITED EDITION OF THE SHIRTS ON SALE ON LINE DURING THE MATCH FOR EUROS EACH 4HE CLUB SAID THE MONEY

gWILL BE DONATED TO AS SOCIATIONS RELATED TO kREkGHTERSu 4HE CLUB ALSO POSTED A g(OMMAGE TO .OTRE $AMEu VIDEO ON THEIR WEB SITE IN WHICH PLAYERS PRAISED THE TEAM WORK OF THE 0ARIS FIRE BRIGADE AND MADE A GESTURE THAT IMI TATES THE TWO FAMOUS TOWERS THAT FORM PART OF THE CATHE DRAL S FACADE 4HE CLUB SAID IT WAS ALSO US ING 3UNDAY S GAME TO THANK THE kREkGHTERS

AFP

Q Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe shoots and scores a goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Monaco (ASM) at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris. AFP PHOTO

Sloppy Arsenal’s top four bid rocked by Palace LONDON: Unai Emery insists Arsenal can still kNISH IN THE 0REMIER ,EAGUE S TOP FOUR DESPITE A SHOCK HOME DEFEAT TO #RYSTAL 0ALACE ON 3UNDAY -ONDAY IN -ANILA %MERY S SIDE PAID THE PRICE FOR A DEFENSIVE HOR ROR SHOW AT THE %MIRATES 3TADIUM THAT LEAVES THEIR HOPES OF QUALIFYING FOR THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE VIA THE DOMESTIC ROUTE HANGING IN THE BALANCE 4HE 'UNNERS WHO CAN ALSO REACH %UROPE S TOP CLUB COMPETITION BY WINNING THE %UROPA ,EAGUE

FELL BEHIND TO #HRISTIAN "ENTEKE S kRST GOAL FOR A YEAR BEFORE -ESUT /ZIL EQUALISED EARLY IN THE SECOND HALF 3HKODRAN -USTAk S BLUNDER ALLOWED 7ILFRIED :AHA TO PUT 0ALACE BACK IN FRONT *AMES -C!RTHUR TOOK ADVANTAGE OF MORE WOEFUL !RSENAL DEFENDING TO MAKE IT THREE 0IERRE %MERICK !UBAMEYANG REDUCED THE DEkCIT BUT IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP 0ALACE S kRST LEAGUE WIN AT !RSENAL SINCE /CTOBER g)T S A BIG FRUSTRATION BECAUSE IT WAS A BIG OP PORTUNITY !T THE SET PIECES WE DIDN T WORK AND WEREN T AS STRONG AS WE HAVE BEEN u %MERY SAID g4HEIR SECOND GOAL WAS VERY BAD FOR US AND

TOOK AWAY OUR CONkDENCE u !RSENAL SIT FOURTH LEVEL ON POINTS WITH #HEL SEA WHO PLAY "URNLEY ON -ONDAY !RSENAL S kRST LEAGUE LOSS AT THE %MIRATES SINCE THE OPENING WEEKEND OF THE SEASON MEANS THEY NEED TO IMPROVE A DISMAL AWAY RECORD WHEN THEY PLAY AT 7OLVES AND ,EICESTER THIS WEEK %MERY REMAINS CONVINCED THEY CAN kNISH INTO THE TOP FOUR g7E STILL HAVE THE POSSIBILITY TO ACHIEVE OUR kRST TARGET ‡ QUALIFYING FOR THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE ‡ THROUGH THE 0REMIER ,EAGUE OR %U ROPA LEAGUE u HE SAID g)N THIS KEY MOMENT WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO kGHT FOR THE TOP FOUR )F WE WIN AT 7OLVERHAMP TON IT IS STILL IN OUR HANDS u %MERY S TEAM WAS AUTHORS OF THEIR OWN DOWN FALL WHEN 0ALACE TOOK THE LEAD IN THE TH MINUTE "ENTEKE WON A FREE KICK WIDE ON THE RIGHT 7HEN IT WAS CURLED IN -USTAk AND +ONSTAN TINOS -AVROPANOS BOTH STOOD WATCHING AS "ENTEKE THUNDERED PAST TO HEAD HOME FROM CLOSE RANGE

AFP

Chelsea keeps in touch with Lyon in Champions League LYON: Erin Cuthbert kept Chelsea’s hopes of a first-ever Women’s Champions League final alive with a superb second-half volley on Sunday as Lyon narrowly beat the Blues 2-1 in France in the first leg of their semifinal.

Cuthbert rocketed home a long-distance volley 18 minutes from the end in a stirring second-half display that will give Emma Hayes’ side hope of seeing off the French side in England next weekend. “I think we were better today than Lyon and we showed courage and conviction,� said Hayes. “I feel we deserved the goal we scored, I was happy with that but we should have scored a second and that’s why I’m disappointed with the result. “The away goal makes the second leg very interesting, it will be hard for Lyon at our place.�

Lyon, who are five-times winners of the competition and have won it three years in a row, looked set to cruise through at half-time thanks a deflected Delphine Cascarino strike and a glancing finish from Amandine Henry.

Chelsea squeezed past Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 thanks to a last gasp winner from Maren Mjelde in the previous round, and will be more confident of knocking out the dominant force in women’s football after taking the game to Lyon in the second period.

Q Chelsea’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger (center) catches the ball during a challenge with Lyon’s Lucy Bronze (right) during their Women’s Champions League semifinal football match in Decines, France. AP PHOTO

However, they could rue Fran Kirkby missing a generously awarded penalty on the stroke of half time, and giving away two sloppy goals in the first half that could yet see them knocked out. “We lost the midfield battle after half time,� said Lyon coach Reynald Pedros. “We sat back instead of attacking, we made a lot of mistakes with our passing and we were stretched as a team.�

Lyon were gifted their opener in the 27th minute when Blues center-back Magdalena Ericsson turned Cascarino’s shot past her own goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

Chelsea was sloppy again for Lyon’s second, giving away an unnecessary corner and then watching the ball sail past everyone via the slightest of touches from Henry.

The London side dusted themselves off after the break and scored a deserved goal thanks to Cuthbert, who met Bethany England’s knock down perfectly with a left-footed strike that crashed past Sarah Bouhaddi in the Lyon goal.

The winner of the tie will likely take on Barcelona, who won 1-0 at Bayern Munich thanks to Kheira Hamraoui’s 63rd-minutes strike in the other semifinal on Sunday.

AFP

TUESDAY APRIL 23, 2019

Entertainment

E1

Q Arnold Mercado INSTAGRAM PHOTO

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Q Miss Eco International 2019 Peru Suheyn Cipriani of Peru; 1st Runner-Up, the Philippines’ Maureen Montagne; 2nd Runner-Up, USA’s Jordan Elizabeth; 3rd Runner-Up, Ukraine’s Diana Voliakova; and 4th Runner-Up Malaysia’s Amy Nurtinie. PHOTO FROM MISS ECO INTERNATIONAL OFFICIAL PAGE

Maureen Montagne proud of strong finish in Miss Eco Intl 2019

BY IZA IGLESIAS

B

ASED on the accolades and tremendous outpouring of support she received from netizens and pageant fans alike, Maureen Montagne feels very much like a BIG WINNER DESPITE HER ST 2UNNER 5P kNISH at the Miss Eco International 2019 pageant held in Cairo, Egypt on March 29.

At her homecoming press conference on April 10, she exclaimed: “I WAS CONkDENT ABOUT MY CORONATION night performance because I was prepared. I’ve competed in the Philippines as well as in the US several times and I gave my all out on the stage. As I’ve gotten older, I realized THAT WHAT IS YOURS WILL ALWAYS kND its way to you and what doesn’t was NEVER YOURS IN THE kRST PLACE u Montagne continued: “I’ve never needed a crown to make me feel like a winner. I’m happy with my performance all around and I am glad to have placed so high after a Philippines win last year.�

Miss World Philippines National Director Arnold Vegafria, however, believed that Montagne should have won. “Congratulations to Maureen Montagne for doing a good job.

She is the last candidate who competed [among the] international competitions and she made it.

I was expecting we would get a back-to-back win, and I actually spoke to the organization of Miss Eco International. She had a big, big chance from the very beginning that everyone was threatened

by Maureen especially the Latin

American candidates. The winner, Miss Suheyn Cipriani of Peru, was really one of her biggest competitors,� Vegafria said in his speech. “But of course, there’s only one winner and everyone voted for her. I don’t know what happened but I’m still very thankful that this is another crowning glory for the Miss World Philippines Organization family,� he added.

Echoing her manager’s support, Montagne said: “I feel great knowing I have such a strong support team BEHIND ME 4HIS WAS MY kRST INTERnational pageant and I had so much fun being myself and teaching everyone about my culture. Filipinos are the best fans in the world and I feel so blessed to have worn ‘Philippines’ across my heart for the world to see.�

From day one since she touched down in Egypt, Montagne wasted no time in getting a good head start, flaunting her winningest best while racking up points in all aspects of the pageant prelims. “I attribute my promising head START IN THE COMPETITION TO CONkdence and stage presence. I love being on stage and definitely know how to capture an audience’s attention. I feel like wearing the

Philippines sash makes people now, I’m going to say I’m done analyze you more, but I was more with pageants. But we’ll see; I’m than proud to wear it and show only 25,� she declared. them why Filipinas are such strong What she is excited about, meancontenders globally. My family is while, is jumping straight back into MY SOURCE OF JOY AND CONkDENCE work as she enters showbusiness. everything I do is for them and it “Now I’m entering showbiz. I’m encourages me to always do my ACTUALLY SHOOTING MY kRST MOVIE best,� she said. this month, it’s called ‘GLU.’ I’ll be The month-long pre-pageant with my other beauty queen sisters sorties surely have been an arduous as well as Kiko Estrada, David Lihurdle for all contestants. When cauco, Teejay Marquez and Ruru asked what was the toughest Madrid. I’ll have speaking part of her three-week stint, roles, I may or may not cry she shared, “Probably the so I’m practicing my iyak kTNESS COMPETITION ) ACTUALface. But I’m really excited. ly injured my right shoulder This is what I really wanted earlier this year so competwhen I originally moved ing with that, I really pushed here. It really feels good to and tried my best, I was so start moving on the path I HAPPY ) kNISHED AND wanted,� she enthused.

I’m just glad I gave “It’s going to be it my all.� shot in La Union. “The hardest It is about a part also was barkada havkeeping my ening their ergy up after last hurevery long day rah beof shooting fore they my rehearsals. go to colAlmost every lege. There will night ended past be twists and turns, so midnight and we you have to watch,� she continued. had to get up early to prepare for the “And then you’ll see me doing more next day’s events. I hosting for events had fun throughout and TV shows. I am the entire pageant and also practicing Filimade sure to always be pino araw-araw so my best,� she added.

Now that the pageant Q Maureen it’s getting better. is finished, can Mon- Montagne. PHOTO Hopefully in the tagne say that she is next few months, FROM THE now done being a beauI’m completeQROWN ty queen? ly fluent,� she PHILIPPINES “At this moment yes. For ended.

Miss World Philippines names new general manager IN anticipation of the organization’s historic staging of the Mister World pageant in the country on August 4, Miss World Philippines, headed by its National Director Arnold Vegafria, also takes pride in introducing its new general manager, Arnold Mercado.

No stranger to the pageant scene, “Mama Ru,� as he is fondly called by pageant scribes, was one of the pillars of Aces and Queens, as its personality development trainer, and was also operations manager of Empire Studios.

Mercado said in a press conference: “It’s an honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be chosen as the new general manager of Miss World Philippines. This is my passion and I will surely give my utmost dedication to this job. You should expect a new branding for Miss World Philippines — one that is more competitive, prestigious and relevant.� “You will see the winner more often.

We will make sure they will be visible all throughout their reign. There will be some changes in the competition, but, I will not go into the details yet. We are also planning to get more competitive girls. ‘Yung tipong, you’ll never know whose going to win until the pageant night. Kasi in the past years, parang alam na natin kung sino ang mananalo.

So I’ll make sure we’ll get more quality girls this year. I promise you that it will

be a different Miss World Philippines from this year on,� he added.

According to Mercado, to cut the thought that he might be biased because he was part of Aces and Queens who scout and train talents for beauty pageants, he resigned from the management. “I recently resigned and asked permission from Aces and Queens executives. Of course, they will still be my friends. We’ve been together for 18 years now. For sure our friendship will go on, this is a job naman for both camps,� he said. “I am also clearing this. Definitely there will be no bias on my side. I worked with the multinational company Shell for 28 years. I’ve dealt with and handled various suppliers, contractors, and never in those years I was branded with any bias with any supplier or contractor,� he continued. “So I would like to maintain that credibility. I think I will be more conscious pa nga na dapat walang ganun. I will make sure that from day one, I will have no biases for any training camps.

Actually, one of my agenda as Miss World Philippines general manager is to meet all the handlers, mentors and training camps to assure them that I will be fair to everyone. I’m friends [with] all and they know that. I don’t think there will be any prejudice,� Mercado ended.

GUESS

WHO

Given or stolen?

This “galawgaw� actress (GA) lost her signature belt while taping a show at a network studio. It was until the next taping day when she noticed that one of her female co-stars (CS) was wearing a belt similar to the one she lost. “Actually, GA had totally forgotten about her belt until her CS stormed in the dressing room. But she already had a suspect in mind. Sabi niya dun sa co-star niya, ‘Oh, what a nice belt you’ve got! It must be expensive!’�

Stammering, the CS replied: “Bigay lang.� GA, of course, didn’t buy CS’ alibi, “Oh, really? You know what, I had the same belt which exactly looked like the one you’re wearing.

But it was stolen.�

CS then walked out of the dressing room.

An open letter of thanks to Kris Aquino WITH your indulgence, allow us first to go down memory lane.

Kris Aquino, who this columnist had earlier known, was one of the three original hosts of GMA’s “Startalk� back in 1995 — the two others being Boy Abunda and Lolit Solis.

We were one of the four pioneering segment writers of the then-fledgling weekend showbiz-oriented talk show (which piloted in October) positioned to rival ABS-CBN’s formidable “Showbiz Lingo.�

However, Kris’ hosting stint on Startalk was brief. Before we knew it, she had found a new home in the rival station. And the rest — so goes the clichÊ — is history.

Previously though, we had had personal encounters with Kris particularly on the set of HER MASSACRE THEMED kLMS g6IZconde Massacre� and “The Myrna Diones Story�) and “Tasya Fantasya,� all produced by Golden Lions Films of Carlo J. Caparas

and the late Donna Villa.

When she was under Lolit’s managerial wings, Kris gave us a small dinner treat (taking pride of her beef mechado, AMONG OTHERS AT HER ONE lOOR condo unit at the Alexandra Towers, later generously showering us with signature shirts.

In 1995, aside from Startalk we (as episode writer) had concurrently worked with her on “The Kris Aquino Show,� a blocktimer, on PTV 4 produced by Viva Television owned by Vic del Rosario, the husband of the late film producer Mina Aragon who was the elder sister of Phillip Salvador, then Kris’ partner.

In no time did Kris leave both shows in favor of greater, if not more financially rewarding opportunities with ABS-CBN.

Kris and this writer had totally lost touch until March 7 this year when we received an unexpected text message from her. Without saying from whom she got our contact number, Kris simply thanked us specifically for the ttwo articles we’ve writw ten about her (we also h regularly write for three tabloids of national circulation).

What struck us the most in her two-part text message was Kris’ describing us as “someone who has never benefitted from my existence.� Of course, we have in the past. But if she was referring to her circle of publicists (the so-called Kris Warriors), we can proudly dare say not at all.

Last April 14, exactly a week

VIGNETTES RONNIE CARRASCO 3RD

after we proudly marked our 57th birthday we messaged Kris IF WE COULD gBENEkT FROM HER EXIStence.� Nah, we told her we didn’t need money but rather a lumbar brace (which can be bought in Bambang, Manila) to address our mobility problem. Knowing she’s saddled with problems of her own, we honestly didn’t want to be a burden to her.

While still on vacation in Japan, Kris quickly replied it was best to coordinate with her assistant Alvin Gagui, who later contacted us, on how the lumbar brace could get to us.

Two days later, April 17, Alvin dispatched his driver Jun right to our place (in Pasay City) with a beribboned paper bag containing the sacro-lumbar support brace which we exactly needed.

We immediately sent Kris a text message thanking her (including Alvin and the driver) to which she replied: “You’re welcome.�

Again, our thanks, Kris.

E2

Funtimes

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to Mega Maze

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (04/23/19). Together, pull in a fat harvest this year. Advance plans and reservations facilitate studies and adventures. Your writing and creativity blossom this summer, opening new avenues. Have a fine educational adventure next winter, inspiring your creative communications. Study, explore and share your discoveries.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Take advantage when a professional door opens. Make your best move to fulfill a fantasy. Get expert support to pursue a dream.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Preparation saves time and money. Research provides value. Find a hidden treasure as you plot your itinerary. Good news comes from far away.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Discuss shared finances. Adapt to changing circumstances. Concentrate closely, and determine the best response. Trust a crazy hunch. Take care of each other.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Listen and learn.

Make sure you’re both on the same page. Update and revise the plan together. Negotiate and refine. Make decisions by consensus.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Good fortune follows good planning. Research your moves before making them. Get expert coaching. Focus on the details of your performance. Take advantage of current events.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Enjoy time with people you love. Go for something fun and spontaneous. You’ve been taking care of business; relax, and hang out with someone special.

» SUDOKU

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Make changes at home.

Clear clutter, clean and organize. Add a new element or idea. Beautify your place. Share something delicious with friends and family.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Find extra options. Research offers new possibilities. Dig and investigate. Connect the dots, and put your story together. Build a case. Share your discoveries.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Stay in action to generate positive cash flow. The next few days could get especially lucrative. Money saved is money earned. Celebrate with something delicious.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Take charge for the results you want. You know what to do. Opportunities abound.

Investigate new options. Good fortune follows your thorough plans.

Lay solid groundwork.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Avoid travel or overstimulating environments. Find a peaceful spot for introspection. Review plans, dreams and visions. An unexpected opportunity deserves consideration. Listen to intuition.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Valuable resources, information and connections flow through your friend networks. Get in conversation, and find out what you can contribute.

Accept collaborative support.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

Lifestyle Âť Five top tips to prolong kitchen burners I Ëœ The Manila Times

TUESDAY April 23, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

E3

momhacks

N most Filipino households, stovetops are expected to take a lot of use and abuse. It’s little wonder that after a few years, they show the most wear and tear among other appliances in the kitchen.

As it is, even stoves and ranges known for their durability and longevity need a little TLC every now and then to deal with the common problems that crop up over the years.

Gas burners can rust and clog, while electric range coils and stovetops scratch and accumulate grime.

You don’t have to live with broken down burners, though.

Keeping your range in top condition is easier, with the help of a few extra steps to safeguard this hardworking appliance.

Today, The Manila Times and La Germania give five tips on

how to keep stovetop in prime condition for years.

food. This prevents the buildup FROM HAPPENING IN THE kRST PLACE You still have to do a deep-cleaning session every few months, but being proactive with cleaning also ensures that you don’t have to do it as often as you would have if you let spills go unchecked.

Use back burners more often Start cleaner habits today Spills and grease splatters can build up over time, hardening into blackened, stubborn spots that clog your burner’s holes, initiate rust and invite the risk of GREASE kRE Do not wait until all your burners are a mess — wipe all spills as soon as possible, and give your stovetop a wipe down with your degreaser of choice after frying

Q Stoves and ranges need a little TLC every now and then to deal with the common problems that crop up over the years.

"IGGER RANGERS THAT HAVE A kVE BURNer range require a little more upkeep than its smaller counterparts. What really helps is if you prevent spills and splatters before they happen.

Easier said than done, especially in busy kitchens.

Here’s a simple, doable tip: whenever possible, use the range’s back burners more often, turning in the handles away from the edges to avoid accidentally nudging them. This not only protects your Q Do not wait until all burners are a mess — wipe all spills as soon as possible. range but also serves as additional protection for anyone who happens to be hanging around the kitchen while you cook.

Pick special pans for glass stove tops

Q Very heavy pans and pots that have rough and unfinished bottoms are not good for electric stovetops.

Gearing up for the great outdoors MOST kids today grew up dependent on restroom he could wash it in,� she shares. technology. Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, Meanwhile, Mommy Kaye, a part-time television and other gadgets have and will alworking mom with a three-year-old, says that ways be a part of their childhood and lifestyle. she already has a bag of essentials prepared for However, this does not mean that parents whenever she goes out with her son, Riley. “The cannot let them experience the joys of outdoor contents of the backpack include a small towel, activities kids of the previous generation used wipes, alcohol, mosquito repellent patches, a to enjoy during summer break. bottle of water and an extra shirt,� she says.

While it is importBeing prepared for emergencies can also ant to let kids have give parents that fun under the sun, peace of mind certain precautions and will let must still be set to them enjoy ensure that they alongside their are safe from harm kids. and discomfort. As such, The Manila Teaching Times, together Q Let children of today experience the joys of outdoor your kids activities kids of the previous generation used to with Licealiz proper Shampoo, share enjoy during their summer breaks. hygiene tips on how to arm kids for a fun and safe day outdoors.

While putting several safety measures is important, nothing is more effective than teaching kids to take care of themselves. Mommy Heart Calimlim, virtual assistant and freelance writer shares that she makes sure to explain to her kids the importance of proper hygiene. “It’s for their own sake. If I don’t teach them to Q Teach children take care of themselves, it will cause more harm and to wash their they’re more likely to catch diseases,� she notes. hands every time Washing hands right after playing is also an after play. effective way to avoid germs.

According to Mommy Kaye, “There’s always a feeling of paranoia, if I may call it, because Protecting them from playing outside brings a lot of germs, especialenvironmental risks ly now that he’s in a phase where he keeps on biting his nails.�

If kids will run around in the afternoon, be sure This is why right after playing, one of the first to put sunblock to protect them from harmful things Mommy Kaye does is to make Riley wash his UV rays and bring mosquito repellent to keep hands to avoid illnesses caused by these germs. dengue-carrying mosquitoes away.

Mommy Laila, co-founder of lifestyle brand Keeping it consistent at home Elements of Tomorrow and mom of one, says that it is important to dress according to the weather, To support her son’s active and adventurous personality, “We let our child, Sid Nayon, play freely in nature Mommy Laila believes that protecting him is a daily and whether it’s sunny or rainy. So of course we dress consistent exercise,“We see to it that our kid is healthy him accordingly so he is well-protected.� in terms of their food. We only feed him plant-based and organic food so that when he plays outside, he’s not Preparing for emergencies prone to sickness and he has strength.�

Promoting a healthy diet as well as regular For Mommy Teresa, prevention is better than vitamin intake can build your child’s strength, cure. Whenever she and her husband take so that he is ready to face everything when he their three boys to the park, she always makes plays outdoors. sure they are ready for whatever accidents and At the end of the day, it is always children’s emergencies that may occur. happiness that parents care about. As Mommy “Just recently, my eldest son fell while Heart shares, “Ever since we started letting our running and wounded his knee. Thankfully, we kids play outside, I always see them happy and had wet wipes to clean the wound and found a they really look forward to play time.�

Electric stovetops are usually made of glass and ceramic and while they are tough, they can get scratched with the wrong kind of cookware, shortening their usable lifespan. If you have this kind of stovetop, avoid very heavy pans and pots that have rough bottoms such as cast iron or ceramic pots

WITH UNkNISHED BOTTOMS Also, remember to avoid placing stirrers and spatulas on them as you cook. They may leave residue that will get burnt into the stovetop, or, in the case of plastic, melt into the surface.

Do a deep-clean routine Read through the user manual and learn how to deep clean your stovetop properly. This will help you avoid any damage you might accidentally cause. Arm yourself with the right tools like an open

pin or a paperclip for clearing out the tiny holes in the burner, a brush for the parts that can be soaked in water and washed, a soft, nonabrasive cloth for the stove top itself.

If you have a glass stovetop though, deep cleaning is as simple as washing it with a soft cloth and a nonabrasive cleaning solution.

Know when you need maintenance Always call a service center to replace old and worn out burner tops if you want to extend the overall life of your range and keep your kitchen a safe place. It is also a must to have your range checked if it has gone through SOMETHING DAMAGING A lOOD

maybe, or if it has been standing idle for a few months.

Range care begins with your stovetop, and extending the life of your stove needs only a little effort on your part.

S A L A R O N AT U T U T O

Big and small families join big local playday YEAR on year, global personal care brand Johnson’s Baby has made it its mission to make playtime more meaningful for kids and parents in the Philippines. For 2019, the brand focused on the idea of Play to Learn (Sa Laro Natututo) for its biggest edition yet.

Held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, the playdate acknowledged the importance OF PLAY AND HOW IT CAN BENEkT CHILDREN Different play zones at the event like the Blue Think Tub, Pink Showdance Zone, Yellow Imagiland, and Free Play Teamwork Zonemade the learning experiences into entertaining adventures for all the wideeyed toddlers present.

These four zones highlighted how a child can learn different skills like problem-solving, SELF EXPRESSION COMMUNICATION AND lEXIBILITY It was also in each play zone that guests were given various play hacks on how they could bring home the fun that they experienced in the event. With summer fast approaching, moms and dads need a hero that will keep their little ones fresh during play time. “We have noticed that gadget time has replaced play time for a lot of parents and kids.

However, it is actually during play time that children build many foundation for life skills they need. We want to bring the fun into learn-

Q The Johnson’s Baby team with ‘Mommy Playvocates’ Isha Borromeo and Melai Cantiveros (third and fourth from right). ing with an event that teaches parents how play highlight is that playing doesn’t end at fun. time can be enjoyable and educational as well. It really is about learning through active play where they can gain skills We also made sure to like teamwork, creativigive them various tips ty, problem solving and that they can do from the comfort of their own homes, so the fun body coordination,� Po added.

All in all, the activity was a call for all pardoes not stop with the event,� noted Senior ents to recognize the importance of their little Brand Manager Aldellyn Po. She further encouraged parents to make ones experiencing life actively instead of being sure that they allot enough time to play to the CONkNED TO A WORLD THEY ONLY SEE THROUGH ANY promote cognitive, language, physical, social digital screen. Active play allows children to and emotional development of their children. LEARN kRSTHAND ABOUT THE EVER CHANGING WORLD “To a child, the world is a huge playground and gives them the opportunity to have a where they can create and imagine anything multi-sensory understanding of the beautiful they want. What we at Johnson’s want to planet they live in.

Âťseen@thescene

Q Comedian Melai Cantiveros and daughter Mela

Q Isha Borromeo and son Sky

Q Interaction and communication through play

Q Problem-solving at work

The Manila Times

7KH 3RZHU /XQFK 5RVWHU Read The Manila Times when you dine at these establishments.

7D]D 0LD &RȨHH Kasa Luntian, at The Lanai, St rosa-tagaytay road, Brgy, San Jose Tagaytay City Phone number 046 / 413 / 9449

Bldg J, Unit 1-16, SM By the Bay, Seaside Blvd, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City 541-2767

Landline: (02) 403-9293 Globe: 0927-793-8817 | Smart: 0939-446-9455 Visit us at UGF Festival Mall Expansion, Civic Drive Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila

Address: 744 General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila Phone: (02) 527 3674

BINALOT FIESTA FOODS, INC. 3686 BUJ Building Sun Valley Drive, Sun Valley Subdivision, Paranaque City, 1700 Philippines Tel: +632 824-7014 Fax: +632 823-1832 Franchise: +632 822-6483 / +63 932 844 1807 Delivery: 8-10-10-10 (Metro Manila Only)

Address: #619 Norberto St. Binondo, Manila Contact: (02) 242 3143

133 Sto. Domingo Street Corner Del Monte Avenue, Barangay Manresa, Quezon City

191 Tomas Morato Ave Quezon City

191 Tomas Morator Avenue, Quezon City Tel. No. 376-62-10 Fax No. 372-03-52 mariosqc@gmail.com

(0921)-382-7221 SMART (0977)-361-8890 GLOBE 930-7623|930-8085 LANDLINE Tinapayan Festival Bakeshoppe 1650 Dapitan St. corner Don Quijote St. Sampaloc, Manila Tel. No. 732-2188; 740-6987 | Telefax No. 732-1082

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SM MEGAMALL 4th Level Mega Atrium SM Megamall Julia Vargas Cor. Edsa Mandaluyong City GLORIETTA 2nd Level Glorietta 4 Ayala Center Makati City 752-71-10

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Glorietta: Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Palm Dr, Makati, 1224 Manila, Philippines

BAGUIO CITY Chalet Baguio upper Military Cuf 2ČĽ 5RDG %DJXLR &LW\

SM Mall of Asia: Main Mall, SM Central Business Park Bay City, 123 MM, Pasay, 1300 Metro Manila, Philippines

Kitsho Japanese Restaurant & Sake Bar

Hotel Jen Manila Branch 3001 Roxas Boulevard Pasay City 1305 Metro Manila Philippines (02)795-8888 local.2312

Zuelig Building. Makati City

625 4831 and 625 4832

PROVIDORE SM AURA PREMIERE Bonifacio Global City | 802 9448

Summit Galleria Cebu Cebu City | 032 888 1710 loc.129

Address: Molito Commercial Complex,Ground Floor Madrigal Avenue corner Alabang Zapote Road,Alabang,Muntinlupa City Tel. Number: (02) 659-75-22 Email address: mail@woodenhorsesteakhouse.com

TOMAS MORATO 282 Tomas Morato Avebue Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City

16 Upper Session Road, Baguio City Tel. No. 074-442-4241 Telefax: 074-442-5445 website: marios.com.ph Facebook: marios.group

2nd Floor S’ Maison Conrad Manila MOA Complex Seaside Boulevard corner Coral Way Pasay City 02 8008061 | +63 9175464382 rossini.conrad@gmail.com

%HDQ %HOW &RȨHH 6KRS 2nd Floor Tinapayan Festival Building 1652 Dapitan St. corner Don Quijote St. Sampaloc, Manila Tel. No. 732-8718

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